A chronicle of the Kings of England, from the time of the Romans goverment [sic] unto the raigne of our soveraigne lord, King Charles containing all passages of state or church, with all other observations proper for a chronicle / faithfully collected out of authours ancient and moderne, & digested into a new method ; by Sr. R. Baker, Knight.

VERA EFFIGIES EXCELLENTISSIMI PRINCIPIS CAROLI MAG. BRITAN : FRAN. & HIBERNIAE . HAEREDIS .

Viuat ô Viuat Princeps CAROLINUS , et Orbi . Imperet , in̄umeris decorans sua sêcla Triumphis . Flourish braue Prince , out shine thy Glorious Name . Triumphant Laurels ever Crowne thy Fame .

CAROLUS inter Reges ut Lilium inter Flores VEROLAM . LINCO●●● LONDON . YORK . A ROMAN A SAXON A DANE A NO●●●●

CHRONICLE OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND From the Time of the ROMANS Goverment unto the Raigne of our Soveraigne LORD KING CHARLES .

Containing all Passages of State & Church , With all other Observations proper for a CHRONICLE .

Faithfully Collected out of Authours Ancient and Moderne ; & digested into a new Method .

By Sr R. Baker , Knight .

LONDON , Printed for Daniel Frere , and are to be sold at his Shop , at the Red Bull in Little Brittaine . 1643.

To the High and Mighty Prince CHARLES , Prince of Wales , and Duke of Cornewall : Eldest Sonne of our Soveraigne Lord , CHARLES , King of Great Britaine , France , and IRELAND . SIR ,

THE Dedication of Chronicles hath in all times been thought worthy of the greatest Princes : Gulielmus Gemiticensis writ a Chronicle of the Dukes of Normandy , and Dedicated it to William the Conquerour . Thomas Walsingham writ a Chronicle of the Kings of England , and Dedicated it to King Henry the sixth : And of late time , Sir Francis Bacon , Viscount Saint Albans , and Lord Chancellour of England , writ a History of the Reigne of King Henry the seventh , and Dedicated it to Your Royall Grand-Father of blessed memory , King Iames : For indeed , as nothing makes Princes more Illustrious then Learning ; So no Learning makes them more Judicious then History ; Other Learning may fill their mindes with knowledge ; This onely with Judgement : And seeing it is Judgement that must sit as President over all their Actions , it is fit that History should sit as President over all their Studies . History gives an Antedate to Time ; and brings Experience without gray haires : Other Knowledges make You but see Quod antepedes est ; History is the true perspective Glasse , that will make You see things afarre off : And though it make not men to become Prophets , yet it makes their conjectures to be little lesse then Oracles● But most Illustrious Prince , there accrues to your Highnesse , by this Chronicle , a greater benefit then all this ; For if it were an Excitation of great force to vertue , to have it said , Et Pater Aeneas & Avunculus excitet Hector ; of how great Force must it needes be , when You shall reade the Noble Acts of so many your worthy Progenitors ; Some Eternized for their valourous Atchievements in Warre : Some for their prudent government in Peace : Some Renowned for Mercy , some for Justice : And although the Example of your Royall Father be not amongst them , yet it may be sufficient that while you have the Acts of others upon Record , you have his under View , by which he seemes to say unto you , Disce Puer virtutem exme , verumque laborem ; Fortunam ex aliis . And if in any of your Progenitors , there appeare , as it were Maculae in Orbe Lunae , will it not invite you to a higher Orbe , that Your Actions may shine with the clearer Beames ? and then how happy will the eyes be , that shall see you sitting in your Throne ? For my selfe , I should account it happinesse enough , that I have lived to see the dayes of your Illustrious Father ; if it were not a great unhappines to see them overcast with clouds ; & yet when these clouds shal be dispel'd , will it not make him shine with the greater Splendor ? And this as old as I am , I doubt not to live my selfe to see , and having once seene it , shal then willingly say my Nunc Dimittis , and l●ave the joy of your glorious times for another Age : In the meane time prostrating my self humbly at your feet ; and wishing to your Highnesse , as D●iphobus did to Aeneas ; — I Decus , I Nostrum , Melioribus utere Fatis .

Your most humble and most devoted Servant , RICHARD BAKER .

An Epistle to the READER .

THis Booke , I suppose will no sooner come abroad ; but the question will be asked , why any man would take so superfluous a Labour , to write that which hath been written by so many ; by some so copiously , by some so elegantly , that nothing can be added : To which Objection , I confesse my selfe unable to make a better Answer then by President : For when many excellent men had written the Story of the Roman Emperours , both accurately and eloquently ; yet Suetonius Tranquillus comming after them , wanted not his part of Commendation . For though he added nothing in the matter or substance , yet be altered much in the forme and disposition , distinguishing that into Classes and Chapters , which the former had delivered in one continued Narration : as being both lesse tedious to the Reader , like a way marked out by Miles ; and more plainly Informing , where Distinction tooke away confusion . Besides , many have Written the Reignes of our English Kings , copiously indeed , but so superfluously , that much may justly be pared away ; Some againe Elegantly indeed , but so succinctly , that much as justly may be added : And this , if I have endevoured to doe , I cannot be blamed ; If done it , I deserve acceptance . Againe , where many have written the Reignes of some of our Kings , excellently as in the way of History , yet I may say they have not done it so well in the way of Chronicle ; For whilst they insist wholly upon matters of State , they wholly omit meaner Accidents , which yet are Materials as proper for a Chronicle , as the other . For my selfe , if in some places I be found to set downe whole passages , as they are already set downe by others , and may seeme rather to transcribe then to write ; yet this I suppose may be excused , as being all of one common stocke ; and no matter from whence the water comes , so it come cleane to the Readers use . Lastly , for the Worke it selfe ; I dare be bold to say , that it hath beene Collected out of Authours both Ancient and Moderne , with so great care and diligence , that if all other Chronicles should be lost , yet this onely would be sufficient to informe Posterity of all passages memorable or worthy to be knowne ; which of any other generall Chronicle , cannot perhaps be said .

RICHARD BAKER .

A CATALOGVE OF WRITERS , BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERNE , Out of whom this CHRONICLE hath beene Collected . 1 GIldas Britannicus , surnamed the Wise , was the first writer of our English Nation ; who amongst other his Workes ; writ a Treatise De Excidio Britanniae , He was borne in the year 493. and dyed in the yeare 580. 2 Nennius a Monke of Bangor , writ the Story of Britaine , and lived about the yeare 620. 3 Venerable Bede , a Saxon and a Priest , writ the Ecclesiasticall Story of the English Nation , from the comming in of Julius Caesar , to the yeare 733. about which time he dyed . 4 Ethelwardus , a writer next to Bede the most ancient , writ a generall Chronicle from the Creation to the end of King Edgar . 5 Radulphus de Diceto , who lived about the yeare 685. 6 Segebert King of the East Angles , writ an Institution of Lawes , in his later dayes became a Monke , and was slaine by Penda King of the Mercians , in the yeare 652. 7 Cymbertus Bishop of Lindsey , in the kingdome of Mercia , writ the Annals of that Country , & lived about the yeare 730 8 Daniel Wentanus a Bishop , writ the History of his Province : and the Acts of the South Saxons , and dyed in the yeare 746. 9 Asserius Menevensis , borne in Pembrokeshire , Bishop of Salisbury , writ the Story of Britaine , and the Acts of King Alphred , and lived about the yeare 890. 10 Alphredus the great , King of the Angles , ●ourth sonne of King Ethelwolph ; writ , besides many other workes , a Collection of Chronicles , and dyed at Winchester in the yeare 901. 11 Osbernus a Benedictine Monke , writ the life of the Arch-bishop Dunstan , and other workes : and lived about the yeare 1020. 12 Colman●us Anglicus , writ a Chronicle and a Catalogue of the English Kings , and lived about the yeare 1040. in the time of King Harold the first . 13 Gulielmus Gemeticensis , a Norman and a Monke , writ the lives of the Dukes of Normandy , to William the Conqueror , to whom he Dedicated his Worke : and after enlarged it to the death of King Henry the first , in the yeare 1135. at which time he lived . 14 Marianus Scotus a Monke , writ Annals from the beginning of the world to his own time , and dyed in the yeare 1086. 15 Alphredus a Priest of Beverly , writ a History , from the first Originall of the Britaines to his owne time , and lived about the yeare 1087. in the time of William the Conquerour . 16 Veremundus a Spaniard , and a Priest , but who lived much in Scotland , writ the Antiquities of the Scottish Nation , and lived about the yeare 1090. 17 Lucianus a Monke , and an English writer , and lived in the first times of the Normans . 18 Ingulphus Abbot of Croyland , writ from the yeare 664. to the yeare 1066. and lived in the time of William the Conquerour , whose Secretary he had beene . 19 Turgotus an Englishman , first Deane of Durham , and afterward Bishop of Saint Andrewes in Scotland , writ a History of the Kings of Scotland , also Chronicles of Durham , Annals of his own time , and the life of King Malcolm , and lived in the yeare 1098. in the time of King William Rufus . 20 G●lielmus Pictaviensis , writ a Treatise of the Life of William the Conquerour . 21 Gualterus Mappaeus , writ a Booke , De Nugis Curialium , and lived about the Conquerours time . 22 William of Malmesbury , a Benedictine Monke , writ a History of the English Nation , from the first comming of the Saxons into Britaine , to his owne time , which Worke he Dedicated to Robert Duke of Glocester , base Sonne of King Henry the First , and lived to the first yeares of King Henry the Second . 23 Florentius Bravonius , a Monke of Worcester , compiled a Chronicle from the Creation , to the yeare 1118. in which yeare he dyed ; his Worke was continued by another Monke to the yeare 1163. 24 Eadmerus a Monke of Canterbury , writ the lives of William the Conquerour , William Rufus , and King Henry the First , in whose time he lived . 25 Raradocus borne in Wales , writ the Acts of the Britaine Kings , from Cadwallader to his owne time , and lived in the time of King Stephen . 26 Gervasius Dorobernensis , a Benedictine Monke , writ a History of the English Nation , & lived about the yeare 1120 27 Johannes Fiberius commonly called De Bever , writ short Annals of the English Nation , and lived about the yeare 1110. in the time of King Henry the first . 28 Henry , Arch-deacon of Huntington , writ a History of the Kings of England , to the Reigne of King Stephen , in whose time he lived . 29 Geoffrey of Monmouth , a Benedictine Monke , and afterward Bishop of Asaph , writ a History of the Britaines , and was the first that makes mention of Brute and of Merlins Prophecies , for which he is much taxed by divers Authours of his owne time ; and after ; he lived about the yeare 1150. in the time of King Stephen . 30 William of Newborough , borne at the beginning of King Stephens Reigne , writ a History of the English Nation , and bitterly inveighes against Geoffrey of Monmouth , as a Deviser of Fables . 31 Sylvester Gyraldus , borne in Wales , and thereof called Cambrensis ; after long travaile abroad was called home , and made Secretary to King Henry the Second ; and after was sent Tutour to his Sonne John into Ireland ; he writ the History of that Nation very exquisitely ; also an Itinerarium of Wales and Britaine ; the Life of Henry the Second ; the Acts of King John , and a Chronicle of the English Nation , and lived about the yeare 1190. in the times of King Richard the First , and King John . 32 John of Hagulstad , a Towne in the North , a Benedictine Monke in Durham , writ the most memorable things , from the ninth yeare of King Henry the Second , to the first yeare of King Richard the first , in whose time he lived , about the yeare 1190. 33 Roger Hoveden , a Priest of Oxford , writ the Annals of the Kings of England , and the memorable passages under the Romans , Picts , Saxons , Danes , and Normans ; he lived in the time of King Richard the first , and dyed in the time of King John . 34 Johannes Tilberiensis , a secular Priest , writ a History of the English Nation ; and lived in the time of King Richard the first . 35 Richardus Canonicus , travelled with King Richard the first into Palestine ; and writ of his Iourney and Acts there . 36 Aluredus Rivallensis , or de Rivallis , a Cistersian Monke , in the Diocesse of Yorke , writ the Life of Edward King of England , and David King of Scots , and dyed in the yeare 1166. 37 Simon Dunelmensis , a Benedictine Monke , writ a History of the English Nation , from the death of Venerable Bede , to the yeare 1164. and lived in the time of King Henry the second . 38 John de Oxenford , first Deane of Salisbury , and after Bishop of Norwich , writ the British History , and continued it to his own time ; wherin he agreeth much with Geoffry of Monmouth ; and lived about the yeare 1174. in the tim● of King Henry the second . 39 Johannes Sarisberiensis , writ an excellent Book De Nugis Curialium ; and lived about the yeare 1182. in the time of King Henry the second . 40 Gulielmus Parvus , a Canon Regular in the Province of Yorke , writ a History of the Norman Kings ; and li●ed about the year● 1216. in the time of King John . 41 Johannes Campobellus , a Scotch man writte the History of the Scots , from the first Originall of the Nation to his owne time : and lived in the yeare 1260. 42 John Breton an Englishman , Bishop of Hereford , writ a Booke De Juribus Anglicanis , and lived in the yeare 1270. in the time of King Henry the third . 43 Thomas Wyke an Englishman , a Canon Regular of Osney neere Oxford , writ a short History from the comm●ng in of William the Conquerour to his owne time , and lived in the yeare 1290. in the time of King Edward the first . 44 Thomas Langford an Englishman , a Dominican Fryer of Chemsford in Essex , writ an Universall Chronicle , from the beginning of the world to his owne time , and lived in the yeare 1320. in the time of King Edward the second . 45 Radulphus de Rizeto an Englishman , writ a Chronicle of the English Nation , and lived about the yeare 1210. in the time of King John . 46 Robertus Montensis , a benedictine Monke , writ a Chronicle from the yeare 1112. to the yeare 1210. at which time he lived . 47 Johannes Burgensis an Englishman , a benedictine Monke , writ Annals of the English Nation . 48 Thomas Spot●ey an Englishman , a benedictine Fryer of Canterbury , writ the Chronicles of Canterbury , and lived about the time of King Edward the second . 49 Matthaeus Westmonasteriensis , called Florilegus , for collecting Flores Historiarum , chiefly of Bri●aine , containing from the beginning of the world to the yeare 1307. about which time he lived . 50 Ranulphus Higden , a benedictine Monke of Chester , writ a Booke which he called Polychronicon , containing from the beginning of the world to the sixteenth yeare of King Edward the third in whose time he lived . 51 Matthew Paris , a benedictine Monke of Saint Albans , writ a History , chiefly Ecclesiasticall , of the English Nation , from William the Conquerour , to the last yeare of King Henry the third , and lived about the time of King Edward the third . 52 William Pachenton an Englishman , writ a History of the English Nation , and lived about the tim● of King Edward the third . 53 Bartholmeus Anglicus , a Franciscan Fryer , writ a Booke Intituled De Proprietatibus rerum , and a Chronicle of the Scots , and lived in the yeare 1360. in the time of King Edward the third . 54 Nicholas Trivet , borne in Norfolke , of a worshipfull Family , became a Domidican Fryer , writ many excellent workes in Divinity and Philosophy ; also Annals of the English Kings , from King Stephen , to King Edward the second , and lived in the yeare 1307. in the time of King Edward the third . 55. Alexander Essebiensis Pryor of a Monastery of Regular Canons , writ divers learned workes , amongst other an Epitome of the British History : and lived in the yeare 1360. in the time of King Edward the third . 56 John Froyssart borne in the Low Countries , writ a Chronicle in the French tongue , containing seventy foure yeares ; Namely , beginning with King Edward the third , and ●nding with King Henry the fourth , in whose time he lived ; whose Chronicle , Sir John Bourchier knight translated into English , and John Sleyden a French man hath lately contracted into an Epitome . 57 Thomas de la Moore , borne in Glocestershire , in the time of King Edward the first , by whom as having twenty pounds land , holden by knights service , he was made a Knight , and afterward being very inward with King Edward the second , writ a History of his life and death . 58 Thomas Rodbourne an Englishman , and a Bishop , writ a Chronicle of his Nation , and lived in the yeare 1412. in the time of King Henry the fourth . 59 John Trevisa borne in Glocestershire , a Priest , translated Polychronicon into English , adding to it an Eighth Book , Intituled De Memorabilibus eorum temporum , containing from the yeare 1342. to the yeare 1460. He writ also of the Acts of King Arthur , and Descriptions both of Britaine and Ireland , and lived in the time of King Edward the fourth . 60 John Harding a Gentleman of a good Family in the North , writ a Chronicle in verse , of the Kings of England , to the Reigne of King Edward the fourth ; wh●rein he all●dgeth many Records , which he had got in Scotland , that testifie the Scottish Kings submissions to the Kings of England he lived in the yeare 1448. in the time of King Henry the sixth . 61 John Capgrave , borne in Kent , an Hermit Fryer , writ many learned workes in Divinity , and a Catalogue of the English Saints , and lived in the yeare . 1464. in the time of King Edward the fourth . 62 John Lydgate , Monke of Saint Edmundsbury in Suffolke , writ divers workes in verse , and some in prose : as the lives of King Edward , and King Ethelstan , of the round Table of King Arthur , and lived in the yeare 1470. in the time of King Edward the fourth . 63 John Weathamstead , Abbot of Saint Albans , in his worke of English Affaires , accuseth Geoffrey of Monmouth , of meere Fabulousnesse , and lived about the yeare 1440. 64 Gulielmus Elphinston a Scotchman , Bishop of Aberdene , writ the Antiquiti●s of Scotland , and the Statutes of Councells , and lived in the yeare 1480. in the time of James the third King of Scotland . 65 George Buchanan a Scotchman , writ the story of Scotland from Fergusius , to Queene Mary , in whose time he lived . 66 William Caxton an Englishman , writ a Chronicle to the three and twentyeth yeare of King Edward the Fourth , which he cals Fructus Temporum : also a Description of Britaine , the life of Saint Edward , and the History of King Arthur , and lived in the yeare 1484. 67 Thomas Walsingham borne in Norfolke , a Benedictine Monke of Saint Albans , writ two Histories ; One shorter , the other larger ; the first beginning from the yeare 1273. and continued to the yeare 1423. The other , beginning at the comming in of the Normans , and continued to the beginning of King Henry the sixth , to whom he Dedicated his worke . 68 Robert Fabian a Sheriffe of London , writ a Concordance of Histories , from Brute the first King of the Britaines , to the last yeare of King Henry the second ; and another worke from King Richard the first , to King Henry the seventh , in whose time he lived . 69 Sir Thomas Moore borne in London , Lord Chancellour of England ; besides many other learned workes , writ the Life of King Richard the third ; and dyed for denying the Kings Supremacy , in the Reigne of King Henry the Eight , in the yeare 1535. 70 Hector Boethius a Scotchman , writ a Catalogue and History of the Kings of Scotland : also a Description of that kingdome , and lived in the yeare 1526. in the time of James the fifth , King of Scotland . 71 Polydor Virgill , an Italian , but made here in England Arch-deacon of Wells ; amongst other his learned workes , writ the History of England , from its first beginning , to the thirtyeth yeare of King Henry the Eighth , to whom he Dedicated his Worke. 72 Edward Hall a Lawyer , writ a Chronicle which he cals the Union of the two Roses , the Red and the White , containing from the beginning of King Henry the fourth , to the last yeare of King Henry the eighth , and dyed in the yeare 1547. 73 John Leland , a Londoner , amongst divers other workes , writ a Booke of the Antiquity of Britaine , and of the famous men and Bishops in it , and lived in the yeare 1546. in the time of King Henry the Eighth . 74 John Rogers , first a Papist , and afterward a Protestant , amongst other his learned workes writ a History from the beginning of the world ; and lived most in Germany , in the yeare 1548. in the time of King Edward the sixth . 75 Philip Commines , a knight of Flanders , writ the lives of Lewis & Charles the Eighth , Kings of France , wherein he handles many passages betweene them and the Kings of England their contemporaries .

Of the Moderne , These : 76 Richard Grafton a Citizen of London , writ a Chronicle from the beginning of the world , to the beginning of the Reign of Queene Elizabeth , in whose time he lived . 77 Raphaell Holinshed , a Minister , writ a large Chronicle , from the Conquest to the yeare 1577. and was continued by others , to the yeare 1586. 78 Doctor Goodwin Bishop of Hereford , writ the Lives of King Henry the eight , King Edward the sixth , and Queen Mary , & lived in the time of Qu. Elizabeth 79 Doctor Heyward writ the History of the first Kings , William the Conquerour , William Rufus , and Henry the first , also the Reigne of King Henry the fourth , and Edward the sixth , and lived to the time of King James . 80 Samuel Daniel writ a Chronicle of the Kings of England , to the end of King Edward the third , and is continued by John Trussell to the beginning of King Henry the seventh . 81 Sir Francis Bacon Viscount , Viscount S. Albans , hath written a History of the Reigne of King Henry the seventh , in a most elegant stile , and lived in the time of King James . 82 John Fox writ three large Volumes of the Acts and Monuments of the Church ; particularly treating of the English Martyrs in the Reignes of King Henry the eighth , and Queene Mary , and lived in the time of Queene Elizabeth . 83 Thomas Cowper , Bishop of Winchester , writ Chronicle Notes of all Nations , specially of England , from the beginning of the world to his owne time , and lived in the time of Queene Elizabeth . 84 William Camden King at Armes , writ the life of Queene Elizabeth , and a Description of Britaine , and lived in the time of King James . 85 William Martin Esquire , writ the Reignes of the Kings of England , from William the Conquerour , to the end of King Henry the eighth : to which was afterward added the Reignes of King Edward the sixth , Queen Mary , and Queen Elizabeth . 86 Francis Biondi an Italian Gentleman , and of the Privy Chamber to King Charles , hath written in the Italian tongue , the Civill Warres between the two Houses of Lancaster and Yorke , from King Richard the second , to King Henry the seventh : Translated elegantly into English by Henry Earle of Monmouth , now living . 87 Henry Isaacson a Londoner , hath written a Chronology of all kingdoms , from the beginning of the world to the yeare 1630. being the fifth yeare of King Charles his Reigne . 88 Nicholas Harpsefield Arch-deacon of Canterbury , hath written a Chronicle of all the Bishops of England , to which Edmund Campian the Iesuite , made an Addition . 89 John Stow Citizen of London , writ a Chronicle from Brute to the end of Qu. Elizabeth , and is continued to this present time , being the 18. yeare of King Charles , by Edmund Howes a Londoner . 90 John Speed a Londoner , writ the Story of Britaine , from the first beginning to the yeare 1605. being the second yeare of King James . 91 William Abington Esquire , hath written the Reign of King Edward the fourth in a very fine stile , and is yet living . 92 Thomas Fuller Batchelour of Divinity , and Prebendary of Sarum , hath written the Holy Warre in very fine language , wherein he relates the Acts of our Kings of England in the Holy Land , and is now living . 93 Andre du Chesne , a Frenchman , Geographer to the King of France , hath written the History of England , Scotland & Ireland , from their first beginnings , to the seventeenth yeare of our present Soveraigne Lord King Charles .

The end of the Catalogue of Authors .

A CHRONICLE OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND from the time of the Romans Government , unto the Raigne of King CHARLES .

Of the first knowne times of this Island .

ALthough we begin the Aera of our Computation from William called the Conquerour , as though he were the first King of our English Nation : Yet before him ; were many other excellent Kings ; and their Acts perhaps as worthy to bee knowne , if they could be knowne . But seeing after ages can know nothing of former times but what is Recorded by writing : It hath followed that as the first Writers were Poets : So the first writings have been Fictions ; and nothing is delivered to Posterity of the most ancient times , but very Fables : Such as is the story of Albina ( of whom they say , this Island was called Albion : though others say , ab albis rupibus , of the white cliffes ) that shee should be● the eldest of the two and thirty daughters of Dioclesian King of Syria , ( such as never was ) who being marryed to two and thirty Kings , in one night killed all their husbands : for which fact , they were put in a shippe , themselves alone without any Pylo● , so to try their adventure , and by chance arrived in this Island , of whom Gyants were begotten . And if you like not of this ; then have you the story of Albion the sonne of Neptune , of whom the Island tooke its name . But when these are exploded ; there followes another with great Attestation , and yet as very a Fable as these ; namely the story of the Trojan Brute , ( of whom the Island they say , was called Britaine : though many other causes are given of the name : ) as likewise the story of Brutes cosin Corinaeus , ( of whom they say , the Country of Cornwall had its name , to whom it was given , for overcomming the Giant Gogmagog : ) and that Brute having three sonnes , Lectrine , Albanact , and Camber ; he gave at his death to his eldest sonne Locrine , all the land on this side Humber , and called it Lo●gria ; to his second sonne Albanact , all the land beyond Humber , of whom it was called Albania , ( now Scotland : ) and to his youngest sonne Camber , all the land beyond the river of Severne , of whom it was called Cambria , ( now Wales : ) with other such stuffe , which may please children , but not riper Judgements ; and were first broached by Geoffry Archdeacon of Monmouth : for which all the Writers of his time cryed shame upon him ; and yet can scarce keepe many at this day , from giving credit to his Fictions .

And when we are once gotten out of Fables , and come to some truth ; yet that truth is delivered in such slender draughts , and such broken pieces , that very small benefit can be gotten by the knowing it , and was not till the time of Iulius Caesar , a thousand yeares after the Fable of Brute : at which time , the Island was yet but in manner of a Village , being without Walls , as having no shipping , ( which are indeed the true Wals of an Island ) but onely certaine small vessels , made of boards and wicker . And as they had no ships , for defence without : So neither had they any Forts , for defence within : scarce any houses but such as were made of stakes and boughes of trees fastned together ; Neither was it yet come to be a Kingdome , but was Governed by a number of petty Rulers : So as Kent onely had in it ( as Caesar calleth them ) foure Kings ; Cingetorix , Carvilius , Taximagulus , and Segonax : which division , as it made the Britaines the more easie to be conquered , so it made the Romans the longer in conquering . For if they had beene one united body , one or two battailes might have made a conquest of the whole , where being thus divided , there was need to be as many battailes as there were divisions ; So as it was many yeares , before the Romanes could conquer the whole Island ; even from the time of Iulius Caesar , to the time of the Emperour Domitian ; not much lesse then two hundred yeares . It is true , after Caesars first comming , the Island grew sensible of this defect of their division , and thereupon by consent of a great part , made choyce of Cassibelan , King of the Trinovants , who had his seate at Verulam , to be Generall of their warres ; which made indeed some little stoppe to the Romanes proceedings , but after the losse of a battaile or two , they fell againe into a relapse of their former defect , and thought it better to secure every one his owne , by his owne meanes , then by a generall power , to hazard all at once ; whereby it came afterward to be true : Dum singuli pugnant , universi vincuntur . Yet before the Cou●try could bee wholly Conquered ; at first by reason of the Nations valour , seeking to keepe themselves free , and afterward by reason of the insolency of the garrison souldiers , that sought to make them slaves , many great oppositions were made , amongst which the most memorable was that of Voadicia , a certaine Queene of the Country , who having beene by the Romane souldiers herselfe abused , and her daughters ravished , used meanes to levy an Army of six score thousand men , whom she led herselfe into the field , and set upon the Romanes in their chiefe townes , which were London , Verulam , and Camalodunum ( now Malden in Essex ; ) of whom she flew above seventy thousand : but then in a second battaile , had fourescore thousand of her owne Army slaine , after which defeate , for avoyding of slavery , she poysoned herselfe .

This Island for a long time , was so much esteemed of the Romanes , that their Emperors sometimes came hither in person ; as first the Emperor Adrian , in the yeare 124. who made a great wall of earth betweene England and Scotland , and having set the Country in order , returned . After him sometime , Severus the Emperor in the yeare 212. came over into Brit●ine to represse the Incur●ions of the Picts and Scots , by whom in a battaile neere Yorke , he was wounded and thereof dyed , or as others say , he dyed of age and sicknesse . Afterward in the yeare 305. Constantius the Emperor came into Britaine , and ended his life at Yorke , making that City famous for the death and buriall of two great Emperors ; and yet more famous for the honor done to Constantine the Great , sonne of Constantius , who in that City was first saluted Emperor . But notwithstanding the great estimation the Romanes a long time made of this Island , yet at last , after five hundred yeares they had kept it in subjection , they voluntarily left it : the charge of keeping it , being greater , then the benefit ; for to keepe it in subjection , they maintained no fewer than fourescore thousand souldiers in pay , and when warres grew amongst themselves at home , they could no longer spare so many abroad , but recalled them home : but then , though they left Britaine , yet they left not the Britaines , but carried them , at least , a great part of them away with them ; of whom the most were slaine in their service , and the rest planted in that part of France , which of them was afterward , and is to this day called Britaine . And now one would thinke , the Island should be in good case , being freed from them that kept them in subjection , but it proved to bee in worse case being at liberty , then it was before in servitude , for being deprived of their ablest men , and at the same time , their King Lucius happening to dye without issue , they were left as a few loose sticks without the bond of a Governour : which the Picts and Scots observing , thought now was the time to make the Country their owne , and thereupon made invasions upon it with all their Forces . Whereupon the Britaines having none left of their Native Kings to succeed ; and knowing they could ill manage the Body of an Army without a Head : they make choyce of Vortigerne Earle of Cornwall , one extracted from the British Line ; and he , whether so advised by his Cabinet Counsellor , the Propheticall Merlin , or as finding his owne strength too weake to make resistance ; implores first ayde of the Romanes , and they making answer , they had businesse enough to do of their owne , and leaving them to themselves , he then fled to the Saxons for ayde ; a warlike people of Germany , and who had greater swarmes then their hives would well hold .

And here we may plainly see how dangerous a thing it is for a Nation , to call in strangers to their ayd , and especially in any great number ; for though they come at first but mercenaries , yet once admitted , and finding their owne strength , they soone grow Masters , as here it proved with the Saxons .

But before we speake further of the comming in of the Saxons , who were at that time Infidels , and brought with them their two Idols , Woden and Frya , ( whereof two of our weeke dayes , Wednesday and Friday , take their names ; it will be fit to say something of the state of the Christian Church in this Island . First then , it is recorded , that in the yeare 63. what time Arviragus raigned here , Ioseph of Arim●thea ( who buried the body of Christ ) came into this Island , and laid the foundation of the Christian Faith in the Westerne parts , at a place called then Hvalon ; now Glastenbury ; and that there came with him , Mary Magdalen , Lazarus , and Martha : and more then this , that Simon Zelotes one of the Apostles suffered martyrdome here in Britaine : and more then this , that both St. Peter and St. Paul came into this Island and Preached the Gospell ; all which and more to this purpose , is Recorded by Authors of good Account : though it be hard believing , That persons , and specially women of so great age , as these must needes be at this time , should take so long a journey . But howsoever it was , certaine it is , that the doctrine of Christianity was about this time planted in this Island , though it made afterwards but small progresse , and that with some persecution ; as in which time , St. Alban suffered martyrdome at Verulam , and at Liechfield shortly after , no fewer then a thousand . After this , in the yeare 180 what time Lucius was King of this Island , Eleutherius then Bishop of Rome , sent Faganus and Damianus to him : upon whose preaching , the Temples of the Heathenish Flamins and Arch-flamins ( one and thirty in number ) were converted to so many Bishops Sees ; whereof London , Yorke , and Caerleyn ( now St. Davids ) were made the Metropolitans of the Province . And there is a Table remaining at this day , in the Parish Church of St. Peter on Cornhill London , which recordeth ; that the Foundation thereof was laid by this King Lucius , and that this Church was the Cathedral to that Archbishops See . In the yeare 359. a Councel was holden at Ariminum in Italie ; where foure hundred Westerne Bishops were Assembled , whereof three went out of Britaine , and gave their voyces against the Arian Heresie . After this , about the yeare 420. rose up in this Island , one Pelagius a Monke , brought up in the Monastery of Bangor in Wales , who spread the poyson of his Heresie , first in this his Native Countrey , and afterward all the world over . And these had beene the chiefe passages in matters Ecclesiasticall within this Island , when the Saxons were called in , about the yeare 450.

And now under the Conduct of two brothers , Hengist and Horsa , came over nine thousand Saxons with their wives and children , to a●●ist the Britaines ag●inst the Scots , and were appointed the Isle of Thanet to Inhabit . With which assistance the Britaines give their enemies battaile , and overcome them : So as they accounted the Saxons as Angels sent from heaven , and then allowed them Kent also fo● their Inhabiting . Not long after Hengist obtained of King Vortigern the property of so much ground , as he could enclose with a Buls Hide : which cutting into thongs , hee there built the Castle , Facti de nomine , called Thong Castle . And now having built it he invites V●rtigern to a Feast , where falling in love with Rowena , the beautifull daughter of Hengist , and marrying her , it put Hengist into such a height of boldnesse , that he began to aspire , sending for greater Forces to come over to him ; as meaning to transplant himselfe hither , and to make this Island his Inheritance : which the British Lords perceiving , and not able to weane their King from his new wife , and her father Hengist , they Depose him ; and in his place set up his sonne Vortimer , a true lover of his Country : who presently in a pitcht battaile neere unto Aylesford in Kent , set upon the Saxons ; where Catigern the brother of Vor●imer , and H●rs● , of Hengist , in single ●ight hand to hand slew each other . In which place Catigern was buried , and a Monument in memory of him Erected , the stones whereof at this day are standing in a great Plaine in the Parish of Aylesford ; which instead of Catigern , is corruptly called Kits-Cotyhouse . Another the like Monument was erected for Hors● , though now defaced ; remembred onely by the Towne where it stood , called Horstead . Three other battailes after this were fought betweene the Britaines and the Saxons : one at Craford ; another at Weppeds-fleete ; the third upon Colmore : in which last , the Britaines got so great a victory , that the Saxons were cleane driven out of Kent , and in Thanet also not suffered also to rest ; so as shortly after , Hengist with his Saxons departed the Kingdome , as being now out of hope to make his Fortune in this Island . But while Vortimer was th●s intentive for his Countries liberty ; Rowena the former Kings wife , being daughter to Hengist , was as intentive to bring it into servitude ; which knowing she could not do as long as Vortimer lived , she used meanes by poyson , to take away his life , after he had beene King the space of foure yeeres , and then by the witchcraft of faire words , so enchanted the British Nobility , that her husband Vortigern was againe established in the Kingdome ; which was no sooner don● , but Hengist , ( relying upon his sonne Vortigerns love ) with a mighty Army attempts to returne againe into the Island ; when being resisted , he makes a shew , as if hee desired nothing but to fetch away his daughter Rowena , and to have a friendly conference for continuance of amity : which motion seeming reasonable , a place and time of conference was appointed : the time upon the first of May ; the place upon the Plaine of Ambrii , now called Salisbury ; whither the plaine meaning Britaines came unarmed , according to agreement ; but the fraudulent Saxons under their long Cassocks had short skeynes hidden , with which , upon a watch-word given , they set upon the Britaines , and of their unarmed Nobility slew three , some say five hundred , & took the King himselfe prisoner , whom they would not release , till they were put in possession of these foure Counties , Kent , Sussex , Suffolke , and Norfolke . Whereupon Vortigern , whether fearing a second Deposing , or whether so advised by his Cabinet Counsailour the Propheticall Merlin , betooke him into Wales , and there built him a strong Castle for his safeguard ; while the Saxons comming daily in great swarmes into the Land , had at this time overrunne all ; if Aurelius Ambrosius a Romane borne , but affected to the British Nation , had not landed at To●nes in Devonshire , to whom resorted great troopes of Britaines . His first expedition was against Vortigern , ( as the first cause of the Britaines misery ) whose Castle he besieged ; and whether by wilde fire , or by fire from Heaven , both he and his Castle , and all that were in it were burnt to ashes . To this Ambrosius is ascribed the admirable Monument in Wiltshire , now called Stoneh●●ge , in the place where the Bri●aines had beene treacherously ●laughtered and interred ; and of whom the Towne of Ambersbury beares its name . After this he set upon the Saxons , and in many batrailes discom●ited them ; till at last falling sicke in the City of Winchester , a Saxon , in shew a Britain , and in habit a Physitian , was sent unto him , who instead of Physick , ministred poyson , whereof he died , in the yeare 497. after he had raigned two and thirty yeares .

After Ambrosius , succeeded Uter , ( some say his brother , others , a Britaine ) called Pendragon , of his Royall Banner borne ever before him ; wherein was portrayed a Dragon with a golden Head , as in our English Camps , it is at this day borne for the Imperiall standard . And he also in many battailes discomfited the Saxons , till after eighteene yeares Raigne he came to his end by treachery ; dying by poyson put into a Well , whereof he usually dranke ; in the yeare 515.

After him succeeded his sonne Arthur , begotten of the faire Lady Igren , wife of the Duke of Cornwall , to whose bed the Art of Merlin brought him in the likenesse of her husband ; and hee in t●elve set battailes discomfited the Saxons ; but in one most memorable in which gi●ding himselfe with his sword called Callibourne , he flew upon his Enemies , and with his owne hand slew eight hundred of them ; which is but one of his wonderfull deedes , whereof there are so many reported , that hee might well be reckoned amongst the Fabulous , if there were not ●now true to give them credit . Amongst other his Acts , he Instituted the Order of Knights of the Round Table , to the end there might be no question about Precedence , and to teach Heroicall minds , nor to stand upon place , but Merit . But this great Prince , for all his great valour , was at last in a battaile wounded , whereof he died , in the yeare 542. after he had raigned six and twenty yeares .

After King Arthur succeeded his cosin Constantine ; & after his three yeares raigne , Aurelius Conanus the Nephew of King Arthur ; whose Raigne is so uncertaine , that some say , he raigned onely two , some , three yeares , some againe thirty , and some three and thirty . After Conanus succeeded Vortiporus , who after many victories against the Saxons , and foure yeares Raigne , died . After whom succeeded Malgo Conanus , and Raigned six yeares . After him Careticus , who setting upon the Saxons and beaten , ●led into the Towne of Chichester , whereupon the Saxons catching certaine Sparrowes and fastning fire to their feete , let them fly into the Towne , where lighting upon ●traw , and other matter apt to take fire , the whole City in short space was burnt ; and thereupon Careticus flying , secured himselfe amongst the Mountaines of Wales , where he dyed , after he had unprosperously Raigned three yeares : and from that time forth , the Britaines lost their whole Kingdome in the East part of the Island , and were confined in the West by the rivers Severne and Dee . After Careticus succeeded Cadwan , who Raigned two and twenty yeares . After him his sonne Cadwallo , who Raigned eight and forty yeares , and then died ; whose body was buried in St. Martins Church neere Ludgate , and his Image of brasse placed upon the same gate , for a terrour to the Saxons . In his time , the doctrine of Mahomet began to spread it selfe all the Easterne world over . After Cadwallo succeeded his sonne Cadwalladar ; in whose time so great a Famine , and afterward Mortality hapned , continuing eleven yeares , that the Land became in a manner desolate : in so much , that the King and many of his Lords were driven to forsake their native Country , and Cadwalladar himselfe went to his cousin Alan King of little Britaine in France . At which time the Saxons taking advantage of his absence , came over in swarmes , and dispossessed the forlorne Britaines of all they had , and divided the Land amongst themselves . Whereupon Cadwalladar , obtaining assistance of his cousin Alan , was comming over to restraine their insolencies ; when making prayers to God for good successe , an Angell appeared to him , or at least to his seeming hee heard a voyce , that forbad him the enterprise , declaring that it was not Gods will , the Britaines should rule this Land any longer , and therefore bade him hie him to Rome , and receive of Pope Sergius the habit of Religion , wherein he should die and rest in peace . Which accordingly he did : and in him ended the blood of the British Kings ; in the yeare 689. So as Britaine now , was no longer Brit●ine ; but a Colony of the Saxons .

And now is time to speake of the Heptarchy of the Saxons ; so much spoken of , by all Writers● and to shew by what degrees the Britai●es lost , and the Saxons got the whole possession of this Island : for this Heptarchie or division of this Island into seven Kingdomes , came not in all at once , nor yet in an equall partition , but some good distance of time , one after another , and as the Invadour had strength to expell the Natives .

The first Kingdome being of Kent .

THe first Kingdome of the Saxons began by Hengist , in the yeare 455. containing all Kent , and continued 372. yeares , during the raignes of seventeene Kings , of whom as many as performed any memorable Act , shall be remembred , and for the rest , it will be no losse to passe them over in silence . Of these seventeene Kings , Ethelbert being the fifth , was the first Saxon Christian King of this Island , converted by Austin the Monke , whom Pope Gregory sent hither to that purpose , with forty others , in the yeare 595. to whom King Ethelbert gave his chiefe City of Canterbury , and his owne Royall Palace there , made since the Cathedrall of that See ; withdrawing himselfe to Re●ulver in the Isle of Thanet , where he erected a Palace for himselfe and his successors . He gave him also an old Temple , standing without the East wall of the City , which he honoured with the name of St. Paneras , and then added a Monastery to it , and Dedicated it to St. Peter and Paul , appointing it to be the place for the Kentish Kings Sepulchers . But in regard of Austin the procurer , both Pan●ras , Peter , and Paul were soone forgotten , and it was ; and is to this day , called St. Austines : which Abbey St. Austin enriched with divers Reliques which he brought with him from Rome ; amongst which was a part of Christs seamelesse Coate , and of Aarons Rodde . This King after his owne conversion , converted also Sebert King of the East Angles , and assisted him in the building of the Cathedrall Church o● St. Paul London ; as also the Church of St. Peter , on the West of London , then called Thorny : and himselfe at Rochester built the Cathedrall Church there , which he Dedicated to the Apostle St. Andrew ; and dying , when he had Raigned six and fifty yeares , was buried at Canterbury . And thus by this first Saxon Kingdome , was all Kent lopped off from the Britaines Dominion ; and this was their first impairing , and this happened in the Raigne of Ambrosius before spoken of . The sixth King of Kent was Ethelbald ; who at first an Apostata , was afterwards converted , and built a Chappell within the Monastery of St. Peter and Paul at Canterbury . The seventh King was Ercombert , a vertuous and religious Prince , who first commanded the observing of Lent ; and in his daies , the Archbishop Honorius divided Kent into Parishes . The eighth King was Egbert , who obtained the kingdome by murthering his Nephews : whose sister the Lady Dompnena , founded the Abbey of Minster in Kent . The eleventh King was Withred , who founded the Priory of St. Merton at Dover . The last was Baldred , who overcome by Egbert King of the West Saxons , left Kent a Province to that Kingdome , in the yeare 827.

The second Kingdome being of the South Saxons .

THe second Kingdome of the Heptarchie , was of the South Saxons , and began by Ella , in the yeare 488. containing Sussex and Surrey , and continued 113 yeares , during the raigne of five Kings onely , of whom Cissa being the second founded the City of Chichester , and raigned as some say threescore and sixteene yeares . And then Berthan being the last King , was overcome by Ine King of the West Saxons , and his Country became a Province to that Kingdome , in the yeare 601. and thus as Kent before , so now Sussex and Surrey were lopped off from the Britaines Dominion : and this was a second impairing , which also happened in the Raigne of the British King Ambrosius .

The third Kingdome being of the West Saxons .

THe third Kingdome of the Heptarchie , was of the West Saxons , and began by Cerdic , in the yeare 519. containing Cornwall , Devonshire , Dorse●shire , Somersetshire , Wiltshire , Hampshire , and Barkeshire , and continued 561. yeares , during the Raignes of nineteene Kings , of whom this Cerdic was the first : in whose time , Porth a Saxon landed in the West , at a place from him called afterward Portesmouth , and ayded Cerdic in his conquest . And this happened in the Raigne of King Arthur : and as Kent , Sussex , and Surrey before , so now these seven other shires were lopped off from the Britaines Dominion : and this was a third impairing . The sixth King of the West Saxons was Kingills , who was the first Christian King of this kingdome , converted by Berynus an Italian Divine , to whom hee gave the City of Dorchester , neere to Oxford ; who therein erected his Episcopall See . The seventh King was Kenwald , who at first an Apostata was afterward converted , and founded the Cathedrall of Winchester , and the Abbey of Mamesbery ; whose wife Segburg also built a house of devotion in the Isle of Sheppey , wherein herselfe became a Nunne , and was afterward elected Abbesse of Ely . The eleventh King was Ine , who ordained many good lawes , which are yet extant in the Saxon tongue , and are translated into Latin , by the learned Master William Lambert . This King built a Colledge at Wells bearing the name of St. Andrews , which afterward King Kenulph made an Episcopall See . He also in most stately manner new built the Abbey of Glastenbery ; and out of his devotion to the See of Rome , he injoyned every one of his Subjects , that possessed in his house of any one kinde of goods to the value of nineteene pence , to pay yearely upon Lammas day , one penny to the Pope ; which at first was contributed under the name of the Kings Almes , but afterward was paid by the name of Peter pence . At last hee went to Rome , and there tooke upon him the habit of Religion , and therein died . His wife also became a veyled Nunne , and afterward was made Abbesse of Barking neere London . The thirteenth King was Cuthred , who first permitted the bodies of the dead to be buried within the walls of their Cities , which before were used to bee buried in the fields . The foureteenth was Sigebert , who for his cruelty and exactions , was by his subjects forced to fly into the woods to hide himselfe , where by a swinherd hee was slaine . The fifteenth was Kenwolph , who founded the Cathedrall Church of St. Andrews at Wells , and was afterward slaine by Kynoard , whom he had banished . The sixteenth King was Brithrick , whose Queene Ethelburg , having prepared a poyson for another , the King chanced to tast it , and thereof died . In feare of which chance the Queene fled into France ; where Charles the then King for her excellent beauty , offered her the choyce of himselfe or his sonne in marriage : but she out of her lustfull humour choosing the son , was thereupon debard of both , and thrust into a Monastery , where committing adultery , she was driven from thence , and ended her life in great misery . For her sake the West Saxons ordained a Law , that no Kings wife should hereafter have the Title or Majesty of a Queene , which for many yeares after was severely executed .

The fourth Kingdome being of the East Saxons .

THe fourth Kingdom of the Heptarchy was of the East Saxons , & began by Erchenwyn , in the yeare 527. containing Essex and Middlesex , and continued 281 years , during the Raignes of foureteene Kings ; of whom the third was Sebert , who first built the Cathedrall of St. Paul London , which had formerly beene the Temple of Diana : He likewise Founded the Church of St. Peter in the West of London , at a place called Thorny , where some time stood the Temple of Apollo , which being overthrowne by an Earthquake , King Lucius new built for the service of God ; & that againe being decayed , this King restored to a greater beauty , & with his Queene Athelgarda was there buried . The ninth King was Sebba , who after thirty yeares peaceable Raigne relinquished the Crowne , & tooke upon him a Religious habit , in the Monastery of St. Paul London ; where dying , his body was Intumbed in a Coffin of gray Marble , the cover coaped , and as yet standeth in the North wall of the Chancell of the same Church . The twelveth was Offa , famous for the beauty of his countenance , who both enlarged with buildings , and enriched with lands the Church of Westminster , and after eight yeares Raigne went to Rome , and was there shorne a Monke , and in that habit died . The fourteenth was Suthred , whom Egbert King of the West Saxons subdued , and made his Kingdome a Province to his owne . And thus besides the former Shires , these two also were lopped off from the Britaines Dominion , and this was a fourth impairing .

The fifth Kingdome being of Northumberland .

THe fifth Kingdome was of Northumberland , and began by Ella and Ida , in the yeare 547. Containing Yorkeshire , Durham , Lancashire , Westmerland , Cumberland , and Northumberland , and continued 379. yeares , during the Raignes of three and twenty Kings , of whom nothing is recorded of these two first , but that they builded the Castle of Bamburg . The seventh King was Ethelfryd , who at Caerlegion ( now Westchester ) made a slaughter of twelve hundred Christian Monkes , and was himselfe afterward slaine , by Redwald King of the East Angles . The thirteenth King was Osred , whose wife Cutburga , out of a loathing wearinesse of wedlocke , sued out a divorce from her husband , and built a Nunnery at Winburne in Dorsetshire , where in a Religious habit she ended her life . The sixteenth King was Cednulph , who after eight yeares Raigne , left his Royall robes , and put on the habit of a Monke , in the Isle of Lindesfern or Holy Island . Unto this King the Venerable B●de , a Saxon and a Priest in the Monastery of Peter and Paul at Werimouth neere to Durham , Dedicate● his worke of the English History , which hee continued from the first entrance of the Saxons into this Island , to the yeare 731. containing after his owne account 285. yeares . The seventeenth King was Egbert , who after twenty yeares Raigne forsooke the world also , and shore himselfe a Monke ; whose-brother being Archbishop of Yorke , erected a notable Library there , and stored it with an infinite number of learned bookes . The last King was Oswald , after whom this Kingdome yeelded to the protection of Egbert King of the West Saxons , who was now in the yeare 926. become absolute Monarch of the whole Island . And thus by the erection of this fifth Kingdome , were the six Northerne shires lopped off from the Britaines Dominion , and this was a fifth impairing .

The sixth Kingdome being of Mercia .

THe sixth Kingdome was of Mercia , and began in Crida , in the yeare 522. containing Huntington , Rutland , Lincolne , Nottingham , Warwickshire , Leycester , Northampton , Derbyshire , Oxfordshire , Cheshire , Shropshire , Glostershire , Staffordshire , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , and Hartfordshire , and continued 202. yeares , during the Raignes of twenty Kings ; eight of whom in a continued succession kept the Imperiall Crowne of the Heptarchie : for though other Raigned as Kings in their owne Territories , yet among them ever one was the supreme head of the rest , and was called King of Engle-lond , till Egbert the West Saxon brought them all into one . The fifth of these Kings of Mercia was Penda , who was the first Christian King of the Mercians , and laid the Foundation of a faire Church at Medeshamstead , now called Peterborough . The seventh King was Ethelred , who Raigned thirty yeares , ●nd then gave over the Crowne , and became a Monke in the Monastery of Bradney in Lincolnshire , where in the yeare 716. he died . The eighth King was Kenred , who after foure yeares raigne went to Rome , where he tooke upon him the habit of a Monke , and after other foure yeares dyed . The tenth King was Ethelbald , who at first was given to much lasciviousnesse of life , but being reprehended for it by Boniface Archbishop of Ments , was so farre converted that he Founded the Monastery of Crowland , driving in mighty piles of Oake into that Marish ground , where he laid a great and goodly building of stone ; and after two and forty years Raigne was slaine in a battaile by Cuthred King of the West Saxons . The eleventh King was Offa , who greatly enlarged his Dominions ; raigned nine and thirty yeares , and Founded the Monastery of St. Albans . The thirteenth King was Kenwolph , who raigned two and twenty yeares , and Founded the Monastery of Winchcombe in the County of Glocester , where his body was interred . The eighteenth King was Withlafe , who overcome by Egbert King of the West Saxons , held his Country afterward as his substitute and Tributary , acknowledging Egbert as now the sole Monarch of this Island . And by erection of this Mercian Kingdome , were seventeene shires mo●e lopped off from the Britaines Dominion , and was a sixth and a great impairing , so as now they were driven into a narrow roome .

The seventh Kingdome being of the East Angles .

THe seventh Kingdome was of the East Angles , and began by Uffa , in the yeare 575. containing Suffolke , Norfolke , Cambridgeshire , and the Isle of Ely , and continued 353. yeares , during the raigne of fifteene Kings , of whom the fifth was Sigebert , who first brought the light of the Gospell into his Dominions , and built a Schoole for education of youth , but whether at Oxford or Cambridge , is left a Quaere ; and after three yeares Raigne shore himselfe a Monke in the Abbey of Cumbreburg , which himselfe had built : but being afterward violently drawne from thence by his Subjects the East Angles , to resist the Mercian King Penda , and refusing to use any other weapon but onely a white wand , was in a battaile by him slaine . The seventh King was Anna , who after thirteene yeares raigne , was also slaine by Penda the Mercian King . This King Anna was memorable chie●ly for the holinesse of his children , of whom his sonne Erkenwald was Bishop of London , and built the Abbey of Barking neere London . His eldest daughter Etheldrid was twice married , and yet continued a Virgin still , and at last became a Nunne , and is remembred to posterity by the name of St. Audrie . His second daughter named Sexburg , his third named Ethelburg , his fourth ( a Naturall daughter ) named Withburg : all entred into Monasteries , and are Canonized all for Saints . The foureteenth King was Ethelbert , a learned and religious Prince , who being invited by Offa the Mercian King to marry Elfrid his daughter , came for that purpose to Offa's Court , then seated at Sutton Walleys in the County of Hereford , and there by him was cruelly murthered . In whose memoriall notwithstanding , hee afterward built a faire Church at Hereford , the Cathedrall of that See , as though he could expiate a murther of the living , by a Monument to the dead , and were not rather a Monument of his owne impiety . The fifteenth King was Edmund , who assaulted by the Danes for his possessions , was more assaulted for his profession : for continuing constant in his Christian Faith , those Pagans first beat him with bats , then scourged him with whippes , ●nd lastly bound him to a stake , and with their arrowes shot him to death ; whose body was buried at the Towne where Sigebert the East Anglian King , one of his Predecessors , had built a Church , and where afterward ( in honour of him ) was built another most spatious , of a wonderfull frame of Timber , and the name of the Towne upon the occasion of his buriall there , called to this day St. Edmunds bury . This Church and place , Suenus the Danish King burnt to ashes : but when his sonne Canutus had gotten possession of the English Crowne , terrified with a Vision of the seeming St. Edmund ; in a religious devotion to expiate his Fathers sacriledge , hee built it anew most sumptuously , and offered his owne Crowne upon the Martyrs Tombe . After the death of this Edmund , the East Angles Country was possest by the Danes , and so continued the space of fifty yeares , untill that Edmund surnamed the Elder , expelled those Danes , and made that Kingdome a Province to the West Saxons .

By that which hath beene said , it plainely appeares , by what degrees the Britaines lost , and the Saxons got the whole possession of this Island . For after that Vortigern in the yeare 455. had called in the Saxons , every Britaine King that succeeded him , lost some part or other of it to the Saxon● , till at last in the yeare 689. C●dw●llader the last Britaine King lost all ; and then the Saxon Kings striving amongst themselves for soveraignty , they still gained one upon another , till at last in the yeare 818 Egbert King of the West Saxons reduced them all under his subjection , and then caused all the South of the Island to bee called England , according to the Angles of whom himselfe came ; after whom they were no longer properly called Saxon Kings , but Kings of England , and so continued till the Danes , in the yeare 1017. made an interruption ; of whose succession now comes the time to speake .

Of the Saxons that Raigned sole Kings of this Island , and may properly be called English Kings .

EGbert the eighteenth King of the West Saxons , is now become the first of the Kings of England , in whose time the Danes began first to infest the Land ; as thinking they might do as much against the Saxons , as the Saxons had done against the Britaines ; but though they made divers Invasions , and did great spoyle , yet they were still repelled . This King raigned six and thirty yeares , and dying in the yeare 836. was buried at Winchester . Of his issue , his daughter Edith was made Governesse of a Monastery of Ladies , by her planted in a place which the King her brother had given her , called Pollesworth , situate in Arden , in the North part of the County of Warwicke , where shee died and was buri●d , and the place in memory of her called St Edyths of Pollesworth .

To Egbert succeeded his sonne Ethelwolph , who in his youth was so addicted to a Religious life , that he was first made Deacon , and after Bishop of Winchester ; but his father dying , he was intreated by his people to take upon him the Crowne , and by Pope Gregory the fourth , was to that end absolved of his Vow . His raigne was infested with many and great Invasions of the Danes , to whom notwithstanding hee gave incredible overthrowes . In the time of his Raigne , remembring his former Religious profession , he ordained that riches and lands due to holy Church , should be free from all Tribute or Regall services , and in great devotion went himselfe to Rome , where he lived a yeare ; confirmed the grant of Peter pence , and agreed beside to pay yearely to Rome three hundred Markes . Returning home through France , and being a Widower , he there marryed Iudith , the beautifull daughter of Charles the Bald then Emperor ; in honour of whom , in his owne Court , hee ever placed her in a chaire of Estate , with all other Majesticall complements of a Q●●ene , contrary to the Law of the West Saxons formerly made ; which so much displeased his Lords , that for it they were ready to Depose him ; but howsoever hee lived not long after , having Raigned one and twenty yeares . His yongest sonne Neoto , was much addicted to learning , and was one of the first Divinity Readers in the University of Oxford , and Founded a Monastery in Cornwall , which of him was called Neotestock ; and being dead his body was Interred in the County of Huntington , at a place then called Arnulphsbury , and afterward , in regard of his Interment , St. Neotes , and now St. N●edes . This King was famous , for having foure sons , who all of them were Kings of this Land successively .

First after him Raigned his eldest sonne Ethelbald , in the yeare 857. who to his eternall shame , tooke to wife Iudith his fathers widdow , Raigned but two yeares and dying , was buried at Shirborn in Dorsetshire , at that time the Episcopal See . From this Iudith , married afterward to the Earle of Flanders , after divers descents , came Maude the wife of William the Conqueror , from whom are descended all our Kings ever since .

Next to the eldest Raigned the second sonne Ethelbert , all whose Raigne , which was onely five yeares , was perpetually disquieted with Invasions of the Danes , which yet were at last repelled . He died in the yeare 866. and was buried at Shirborne in Dorsetshire .

Next to the second Raigned his third sonne Ethelred , whose Raigne was more disquieted with the Danes then any others before : for they Invading the Land , under the leading of Hungar , and Hubba , spoyled all the Country as they went , not sparing Religious places ; amongst other , the goodly Monasteries of Bradney , Crowland , Peterborough , Ely , and Huntington , they laid levell with the ground : the Monkes and Nunnes they murthered or ravished ; at which time a rare example of Chastity and Fortitude was seene in the Nunnes of Coldingham . For to avoyd the ba●barous pollutions of these Pagans , they deformed themselves by cutting off their upper lips and noses . Nine battailes in one yeare this King fought with the Danes , in most o● them victorious ; but at last received a wound whereof he died , and was buried in the Church at Winborne in Dorsetshire .

Next to the third Raigned his fourth son Alfred , in whose time came over greater swarmes of Danes then ever before , and had now got footing in the North , the West , & South parts of this Island , leaving this King nothing of all his great Monarchy , but only Somerset , Hampton , and Wiltshire ; and not these neither altogether free , so as he was forced sometimes to flie into the Fennes and Marish grounds to secure himselfe , where he lived by Fishing and Fowling , and hunting of wilde beasts , till at last learning policy from adversity , and gathering courage from misery , hee ventured in the habit of a common Minstrell , to enter the Danes Campe ; where having viewed the manner of their Encamping , and observed their security , he returned backe , shewing his Lords in what condition he found them : whereupon setting upon them at unawares , he not onely made of them a great slaughter , but brought upon them a greater terrour : for presently upon this the Danes sue for Peace , and deliver Hostages for performance of these Conditions ; that their King should receive Baptisme , and their great Army depart quietly out of the Land . But though upon this agreement they departed for the present into France , yet the yeare following they returned with greater Forces , forraging all parts of the Countrey in most cruell manner , though still encountred by this Valorous Prince , till hee ended his life in the yeare 901. after he had Raigned nine and twenty yeares . The vertues of this King , if they were not incredible , they were at least admirable , whereof these may be instances . The day and night containing foure and twenty houres , he designed equally to three speciall uses , observing them by the burning of a Taper set in his Chappell ; ( there being at that time , no other way of distinguishing them ) Eight houres he spent in Contemplation , Reading and Prayers : Eight in provision for himselfe , his Health and Recreation : and the other eight in the Affaires of the Common-wealth and State . His Kingdome likewise he divided into Shires , Hundreds and Tythings ; ordaining that no man might remove out of his Hundred without security : by which course he so suppressed Theeves and Robbers , which had formerly encreased by the long warres , that it is said a boy or girle might openly carry a bag of gold or silver , and carry it safely all the Country over . Besid●s his great Piety , he was also learned ; and ●s farre as it may be a commendation in a Prince , a skilfull Musitian and an excellent Poet. All former Lawes hee caused to be survayed , and made choyce of the best , which hee translated into the English tongue ; as also the Pastorall of St. Gregorie , the History of Bede , and Boetius his consolation of Philosophie ; the Psalmes of David likewise he began to translate , but died before he could finish it . And so great a love he had to learning , that he made a Law , that all Freemen of the Kingdome , possessing two Hides of land , should bring up their sonnes in learning , till they were fifteene yeares of age at least , that so they might be trained to know God , to be men of understanding , and to live happily . His buildings were many , both for Gods service and for other publike use : as at Edlingsey a Monastery , at Winchester a new Minster , and at Shaftesb●ry a house of Nunnes ; whereof he made his daughter Ethelgeda the Abbesse ; but his Foundation of the University of Oxford , exceeded all the rest : which he began in the yeare 895. and to furnish it with able Scholars , drew thither out of France , Grimbaldus and Scotus , and out of Wales , Asser , ( who wrote his life ) whose Lectures he honoured often with his owne presence . And for a stocke of Frugality , he made a Survey of the Kingdome ; and had all the particulars of his Estate , registred in a Booke ; which he kept in his Treasury at Winchester . He Raigned seven and twenty yeares , and dying was buryed in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Peter at Winchester , though removed afterward , into the Church of the new Monastery , without the North-gate of the City called Hyde . His Wife Elsewith , Founded a Monastery of Nunnes at Winchester , and was there buryed . Their second daughter Ethelgeda , tooke upon her the Vow of Virginity ; and by her Fathers appointment was made a Nunne of Shaftesbery , in the County of Dorset , in the Monastery ●ounded there by him , who is also accounted the Founder of the Towne it selfe .

King Alfred being deceased , his sonne Edward ( called Edward the Elder ) succeeded : not so learned as his Father ; but in Valour his Equall , and Superiour in Fortune . For , first , he overcame his Cousin Ethelwald , who aspired to the Crowne ; then the Danes , whose chiefe leader he ●lew in battaile ; lastly the Welsh ; but these last , more by humility shewed to their Prince Leolyn , then by force of A●mes . But yet he must not have all the glory of his time ; some must be imparted to his sister Elflede ; who being marryed to Ethelred Earle of Mercia , had by him a daughter , but with so grievous pa●nes in her travaile , that ever after she refused the nuptiall bed of her Husband , saying , it was a foolish pleasure , that brought with it so excessive paines . And thereupon after her husbands death , made choyce to follow the warres ; assisting her brother both against the Welsh , and against the Danes , whom she brought to be at her disposing . Dying she was buryed at Glocester , in the Monastery of Saint Peter , which her Husband and her selfe had built . King Edw●rd himselfe , after foure and twenty yeares Raigne , deceased at Faringdon in Barkshire , in the yeare 924. and was buryed in the new Monastery of Winchester , which his Father began , and himselfe wholly finished : having had by his three Wives , six Sonnes and nine Daughters , of whom his eldest sonne Athelstan succeeded him in the kingdome , whom his Grandfather King Alfred had with his owne hands Knighted● in an extraordinary manner ; putting upon him a purple Robe , and girding him with a girdle wrought with Pearle . His second sonne Elfred , he so loved , that he caused him to be Crowned King with himselfe , which yet he enjoyed but a short time , being taken away by death . His third sonne Elsward , presently upon his Fathers death , dyed himselfe also . His fourth son Edwyn , was by his brother Athelstan , out of jealousie of state , put into a little Pinnace , without either Tackle or Oares , accompanyed onely with one Page ; with griefe whereof , the young Prince leaped into the Sea and drowned himselfe . His fifth , and sixth sonnes , Edmund , and Edred , came in succession to be Kings of England . Of his Daughters , the eldest Edytha , was marryed to Sithricke the Danish King of Northumberland , and he deceasing , she entred into a Monastery , which she began at Tamworth in Warwickshire , and there dyed . His second daughter Elflede , tooke upon her the vow of Virginity , in the Monastery of Ramsey , in the County of South-hampton , where she dyed and was interred . His third daughter Eguina , was first marryed to Charles the Simple , King of France , and after his decease , to Herbert , Ea●le of Vermandois . His fourth daughter Ethelhild , became a Nunne in the Monastery of Wilton , which was sometime the head Towne , giving name to the whole County of Wil●shire , and anciently called Ellandon . That we may see in those first times of Religion , when there was lea●t knowledge , there was most devotion . His fifth daughter Edhold , was marryed to Hugh , surnamed the Great , Earle of Paris , and Constable of France . And Edgith his sixth daughter , to Otho , the Emperour of the West , ●urnamed the Great . His seventh daughter Elgina , was marryed to a Duke of Italy . His ninth Edgina , to Lewis Prince of Aquitaine in France .

After the death of King Edward , his eldest sonne Athelstan succeeded , and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames , in the County of Surrey , by Athelmu● Archbishop of Canterbury , in the yeare 924. The beginning of whose Raigne , was molested with the Treason of one Elfrid a Nobleman , who being apprehended and sent to Rome to purge himselfe , and there denying the Act upon his Oath , fell suddenly downe , and within three dayes dyed , to the eternall ●errour of all perjured persons . Presently upon this , another dysaster befell King Athelstan , for having caused his brother Edwyns death , ( as before is shewed ) chiefly procured by his Cupbearers suggestions : It hapned not long after , that his Cup-bearer , in his service at a Festivall , stumbling with one foote , and recovering himselfe with the other , and saying merrily , See how one brother helpes another ; His words put the King in remembrance of his Brother , whose death he had caused , and with remorse thereof , not onely caused his Cup-bearer to be put to death , but did also seven yeare● penance : and built the two Monasteries of Middleton , and Michelnesse , in the County of Dorset , in expiation of his offence . This King ordained many good Lawes ; and those to binde as well the Clergy , as the Laity ; amongst which , one was the Attachment of Felons , that stole a●ove twelve pence , and were above twelve yeares old . Of this King , there is one Act related , that may seeme ridiculous ; another that may seeme miraculous ; For what more ridiculous , then that , going to visit the Tombe of Saint Iohn of Beverley , and having nothing else of worth to offer , he offered his knife in devotion to the Saint ? Yet the mirac●lous is more apparent : For going to encounter the Danes , and praying to God for good successe , he prayed withall , that God would shew some signe of his rightfull cause , and thereupon striking with his sword , he strucke it an ell deepe into a hard stone , which stood so cloven a long time after . But whether this be true or no , this certainly is true , that he obtained many great victories against the Danes , against the Scots , against the Ir●sh , and against the Welsh , whose Princes he brought to be his Tributaries , entring Covenant at Heref●rd , to pay him yearely twenty pound weight of gold , three hundred of silver , and five and twenty hundred head of Cattell , besides a certaine number of Hawkes and Hounds . Lastly , he joyned Northumberland to the rest of his Monarchy , and enlarged his Dominions beyond any of his Predecessours , which made all Neighbouring Princes to seeke his friendship , and to gratify him with rare presents , as Hugh King of France sent him the sword of Constantine the Great , in the hilt whereof , was one of the nayles that fastned Christ to his Crosse ; He sent him also the speare of Charles the Grea● , reputed to be the same that pierced Christs side ; as also part of the Crosse whereon Christ suffered , and a piece of the Thorny Crowne put upon his head . Likewise Otho the Emperour , who had marryed his sister , sent him a vessell of pretious stones , artificially made , wherein were seene Landskips with Vines , Corne , and Men , all of them seeming so artificially to move , as if they were growing , and alive . Likewise the King of Norway sent him a goodly Ship , with a gilt Ste●ne , purple ●ayles , and the decke garnished all with gold . Of these accounted Holy Reliques , King Athelstan gave part to the Abbey of Saint Swithin in Winchester , and the rest to the Monastery of Mamesbury , whereof Adelm was the Founder , and his Tutelar Saint . He new built the Monasteries of Wilton , Michelnesse , and Middleton ; Founded Saint Germans in Cornwall , Saint Petrocus at Bodmyn , and the Priory of Pilton ; new walled and beautifyed the City of Exceter , and enriched either with Jewels or Lands , every speciall Abbey of the Land . But the chiefest of his workes for the service of God , and good of his Subjects , was the Translation of the Bible into the Saxon Tongue , which was then the Mother tongue of the Land . He Raigned fifteen● yeares , Dyed at Glocest●r , and was buryed at Mamesbery , in the yeare 940. having never beene marryed .

After the death of Athelstan , his brother Edmund , the fifth sonne of his Father succeeded ; and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames ; but no sooner was the Crowne set upon his head , but the Danes were upon his backe ; and in Northumberland made Insurrections , whom yet he not onely repressed in that part ; but tooke from them the Townes of Lincolne , Leycester , Darby , Stafford and Nottingham ; compelling them withall to receive Baptisme , and to become his Subjects , so as the Country was wholly his as farre as Humber . Cumberland also , which had beene an entire Kingdome of it selfe , and was now ayded by Leolyn King of South-wales , he utterly wasted , and gave it to Malcolme King of Scots , to hold of him by Fealty . After his returning home , he ●et himselfe to ordaine Lawes for the good of his People ; which Master Lambert hath since transla●ed into Latine . But after all his noble Acts both in Warre and Peace , he came at last to a lamentable end ; for at his Manour of Pucklekerks , in the County of Glocester , interposing himselfe to part a fray betweene two of his servants , he was thrust through the body , and so wounded that he dyed , and was buryed at Glastenbury , after he had Raigned five yeares and seven moneths , leaving behinde him two young Sonnes , Edwyn , and Edgar .

King Edmund dying , his brother Edred , in the minority of his Nephewes , was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames , by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the yeare 946. Not as Protector ; ( It seemes that kinde of Authority was not yet come in use ) but as King himselfe , though with purpose to resigne , when the right Heire should come of age , which at this time needed not , for while the right Heire was scarce yet fourteene yeares old , he resigned to him the Kingdome , by resigning his life to Nature , after he had twice repressed the rebelling Northumbrians , and twice forgiven their rebelling , which yet was not a simple Rebellion ; for they had sent for Anlafe the Dane out of Ireland , and made him their King ; which place for foure yeares he held ; and then weary of his government , they thrust him out and take one Hericus to be their King , whom not long after they put downe also ; and then partly allured by the lenity of King Edred ; and partly forced by his Armes ; they submit themselves to him , and aske forgivenesse ; to whom he , as a mercifull Prince , giants an Act of Oblivion , and received them againe into protection . This Prince was so devout and humble , that he submitted his body to be chastised at the will of Dunstan Abbot of Glastenbury , and committed all his Treasure and Jewels to his custody . The stately Abbey of Mich at Abington neare Oxford , built by King Inas , but destroyed by the Danes , he newly re-edified ; endowing it with revenues and Lands , the Charters whereof he confirmed with seales of Gold . He ordained Saint Germans in Cornwall , to be a Bishops See , which there continued , till by Canutus it was annexed to the Episcopall See of Kyrton in Devonshire ; Both which Sees were afterward by King Edward the Confessor , translated to the City of Exceter . He left behinde him two Sonnes , Elfred , and Bertfred , and was buryed in the old Minster , without the City of Winchester ; whose bones with other Kings , are to this day preserved in a gilt Coffer , fixed upon the wall , in the South side of the Quire .

After Edred , not any of his sonnes , but his Nephew Edwyn , the eldest sonne of King Edmund succeeded , and was annoynted and Crowned at Kingston upon Thames , by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the yeare 955. This Prince , though scarce fourteene yeares old , and in age but a childe , yet was able to commit sinne as a man ; For upon the very day of his Coronation , and in sight of his Lords , as they sate in Counsell , he shamefully abused a Lady of great Estate , and his neare kinswoman , and to mend the matter , shortly after slew her Husband , the more freely to injoy his incestuous pleasure . And whether for this infamous fact , or for thrusting the Monkes out of the Monasteries of Mamesbury , and Glastenbury , and placing marryed Priests in their roomes , as also for banishing Dunstan the holy Abbot of Glastenbury out of the Realme , a great part of his Subjects hearts was so turned against him , that the Mercians and Northumbrians revolted , and swore Fealty to his younger brother Edgar , with griefe whereof , after foure yeares Raigne , he ended his life , and was buryed in the Church of the New Abbey of Hyde , at Winchester .

After Edwyn , succeeded his younger brother Edgar , at the age of sixteene yeares ; but his Coronation , when , and where , and by whom , so uncertaine , that some say he was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames , by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the first yeare of his Raigne , others say , not till the twelfth , and William of Mamesbery , not till the thirtyeth : Another Chronicle saith , in his eleventh yeare ; and that in the City of Bathe , by the hands of Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury . This King , by reason of the tranquillity of his Raigne , was surnamed the Peaceable ; for as he was something inclined to the Danes , so the Danes never offered to stirre in all his time ; and as for the Saxons , they acknowledged him their sole Soveraigne , without division of Provinces or Titles . His Acts were , some Vertuous , some Politick , some Just , some Pious , and yet all these not without some mixture of vice . To represse dunkennesse , which the Danes had brought in ; he ma●e a Law , Ordaining a size , by certaine pinnes in the pot , with penalty to any , that should presume to drinke deeper then the marke . It was a Politicke device which he used for the destruction of Wolves , that in his dayes did great annoyance to the Land . For , the tribute imposed on the Princes of Wales , by King Athelstan , he wholly remitted , appointing in lieu thereof a certaine number of Wolves yearely to be paid ; whereof the Prince of North-wales , for his part was to pay three hundred ; which continued for three yeares space : and in the fourth yeare , there was not a Wolfe to be found ; and so the tribute ceased . He had in his Navy Royall , three thousand and sixe hundred ships , which he divided into three parts , appointing every one of them to a severall Quarter , to scowre the Seas , and to secure the Coasts from Pirats : and left his Officers might be carelesse , or corrupted ; he would himselfe in person saile about all the Coasts of his Kingdome every Summer . It was a notable Act of Justice , that in his Circuits , and Progresses through the Country , he would take speciall account of the demeanour of his Lords ; and specially for his Judges ; whom he severely punished , if he fonnd them Delinquents . Warres he had none in all his Raigne , onely towards his end , the Welshmen moved some rebellion ; against whom he went with a mighty Army , and chastised the Authours ; but when his Souldiers had gotten great spoyles , and made prey upon the innocent Countrey people ; he commanded them to restore it all backe againe ; which , if it made some few English angry , it made the whole Country of the Welsh well pleased , and sound forth his praises . His Pious Acts were , that he built and prepared seven and forty Monasteries , and meant to have made them up fifty , but was prevented by death . But now his mixture of Vice marred all ; especially being a Vice opposite to all those Vertues , which was Lasciviousnesse . For first , he deflowred a sacred Nunne , called Wolfchild ; on whom yet he begot a Saint , the chast Edyth . After her , another Virgin , called Ethelflede , for her excellent beauty surnamed the White , on whom he begot his eldest Sonne Edward ; for which Fact he did seven yeares penance , enjoyned him by the Arch-bishop Dunstan . After this he chanced to heare of a Virgin , Daughter to a Westerne Duke , exceedingly praysed for her beauty , and comming to Andover , commanded her to his Bed . But the Mother , tender of her Daughters honour , brought in the darke her mayd to him ; who in the morning , making hast to rise , and the King not suffering her to depart , she told him what great worke she had to doe ; and how she should incurre her Ladies displeasure , if it were not done ; by which words , the King perceiving the deceit , turned it to a jest , but so well liked her company , that he kept himselfe true to her ever after , till he marryed . But now his marriage it selfe happened by a greater vice then any of these ; For hearing of the admirable beauty of El●rida , the onely daughter of Ordganus Duke of Devonshire , Founder of Tavestocke Abbey in that Country , he sent his great Favorite Earle Ethelwold , ( who could well judge of beauty ) to try the truth thereof ; with Commission , that if he found her such as Fame reported , he should seise her for him , and he would make her his Queene . The young Earle , upon sight of the lady , was so surprized with her love , that he began to wooe her for himselfe , and got her Fathers good will , so as the King would give his consent . Hereupon the Earle posted to the King , relating to him , that the Mayd was faire indeed , but nothing answerable to the Fame that went of her : yet desired the King that he might marry her , as being her Fathers heire , thereby to raise his Fortunes . The King consented , and the marriage was solemnized . Soone after , the fame of her beauty began to spread more then before , so as the King much doubting that he had beene abused , meant to try the truth himselfe , and thereupon taking occasion of hunting in the Dukes Parke , came to his house : whose comming Ethelwold suspecting , acquainted his wife with the wrong he had done both her , and the King , and therefore to prevent the Kings displeasure , intreated her by all the perswasions he could use , to cloathe her selfe in such attire , as might be least fit to set her forth ; but she considering that now was the time , to make the most of her beauty , and longing to be a Queene ; would not be accessary to her owne wrong , but decked her selfe in her richest Ornaments ; which so improved her beauty , that the King at her first sight was strucke with admiration , and meant to be revenged of his persidious Favourite ; yet dissembling his passion , till he could take him at advantage , he then with a Javelin ran him through ; and having thereby made the faire Elfrid a Widow , tooke her to be his Wife . This King founded the Monastery of Ramsey in Hamshire , Raigned sixteene yeares , Lived seven and thirty , and with great Fun●rall pompe was buryed in the Abbey of Glastenbury . He had children by his first wife Ethelfleda , one sonne named Edward ; and by his second wife Elfrid , two sons , one named Edmund , who dyed young , the other Ethelred . He had also one naturall Daughter , named Edgyth , by a Lady named Wolfchild , the daughter of Wolholme , the sonne of Birding , the sonne of Nesting ; which two latter beare in their names , the memory of their Fortunes ; the last of them being found in an Eagles nest , by King Alfred as he was a hunting . This Edgyth built the Monastery and Church of Saint Dennis at Wilton , and was there buryed .

After the death of King Edgar , succeeded his sonne Edward , but not without some opposition , for Queene Elfrid combined with divers of the Lords , to make her Sonne Ethelred King , saying that Prince Edward was illegitimate ; on the other side , the Arch-bishop Dunstan , and the Monkes stood for Edward , abetting his Title as being lawfully borne ; but while the Counsell was assembled to argue their Rights , the Arch-bishop came in with his Banner and Crosse , and not staying for debating De Iure , De Facto presented Prince Edward for their lawfull King , and the Assembly consisting most of Clergy men , drew the approbation of the rest ; and thereupon Prince Edward was admitted , being but twelve yeares of age , and was Crowned King at Kingstone upon Thames , by Arch-bishop Dunstan , in the yeare 975. In the beginning of his Raigne , it fell into debate whether marryed Priests were to be allowed to live in Monasteries upon the revenues of the Church . The Mercian Duke Alferus , favouring the cause of the marryed Priests , destroyed the Monasteries in his Province , cast out the Monkes , and restored againe the ancient revenues to the Priests and their wives . On the other side , Edelwyn Duke of the East Angles , and Brithnoth Earle of Essex , who stood for the Monkes , cast marryed Priests out of their Provinces . The matter being debated in a Councell at Westminster , the Monkes cause was like to have the foyle , till it was referred to the Rood , placed on the Refectory wall , where the Counsell sate . For to this gréat Oracle , Saint Dunstan desired them devoutly to pray , and to give diligent eare for an Answer ; when suddenly a voyce was heard to say , God forbid it should be so , God forbid it should be so . This was thought authority sufficient , to suppresse the Priests , till they perswading the people , that this was but a cunning practise of the Monkes , in placing behind the wall , a man of their owne , who through a Trunke uttered these words in the mouth of the Rood , whereupon another Assembly was appointed at Cleve in Wiltshire , whither repaired the Prelates , with most of all the Lords and Gentlemen of the Kingdome . The Synod being set , and the matter at the heighth of discussing , it happened that the Joysts of the roome , where the Synod was held , suddenly brake , and the floore with all the people thereon , fell downe , whereof many were hurt , and some slaine . Onely the Arch-bishop Dunstan then President , and mouth for the Monkes , remained unhurt ; which whether it were done by practise , or were miraculous , it served the Monkes turne for justifying their cause ; and marryed Priests were thereupon discarded . It were infinite and indeed ridiculous , to speake of all the Miracles reported to be done by this Saint Dunstan , which may be fit for a Legend , but not for a Chronicle .

But now a most lamentable dysaster , comes to be remembred : For King Edward , hunting one time in the Island of Purbacke : not farre from Corfe Castle ; where his mother in Law Queene Elfrid , with his brother Prince Ethelred , were then residing , he out of his love to both , would needs himselfe alone goe visit them ; where the cruell woman , out of ambition to bring her owne Sonne to the Crowne , caused one to runne him into the backe with a knife , as he was drinking a cup of Wine on horse backe at his departing , who feeling himselfe hurt , set spurres to his horse , thinking thereby to get to his company , but the wound being mortall , and he fainting thorow losse of much blood , fell from his Horse ; but one foote being intangled in the stirrup , he was thereby rufully dragged up and downe , through Woods , and Lands : And lastly left dead at Corfes gate ; for which untimely death , he was ever after called by ●he name of Edward the Martyr . He Raigned onely three yeares and ●ix moneths , and was Buryed first at Winchester , without all Funerall pompe ; but after three yeares , by Duke Alferus removed , and with great solemnity interred in the Minster of Shaftsbury . Queene Elfrid , to expiate this her bloody fact , built the two Monasteries of Almesbery , and Worwell , in the Counties of Wil●shire , and Southampton , in which latter , with great repentance , she lived till her death .

After the death of Edward the Martyr , dying at the age of sixteene yeares , his halfe brother Ethelred , at the age of twelve yeares , in the yeare 979. was Crowned King at Kingston upon Thames , by Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury , though much against his will ; which King , by reason of his backwardnesse in Action , was commonly called the Unready . Before whose time , for two and twenty yeares past● ; the Danes had lived as quiet Inmates with the English , but whether weary of so long doing nothing , or finding now opportunity of doing something , in the second yeare of this King , they begin to stirre , and inviting from home more forces , who in seven Ships arrived upon the Coast of Kent , they spoyled all the Country , specially the Isle of Thanet , and continued this course of forraging the Kingdome , sometimes in one part , and sometimes in another , for eleven yeares together : till at last in the yeare 991. the King , by advice of his Lords , of whom Siricius , the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury was chiefe , was contented to pay them ten thousand pounds , upon condition they should quietly depart the Realme . This served the turne for the present , but was so farre from satisfying them , that it did but give them the greater appetite : for the yeare following they came againe , and that with a greater Fleet then before , against whom the King prepared a competent Navy , and committed it to Elfricke , Earle of Mercia , but he proving treacherous ( as indeed all other for the most part did , whom the King imployed against the Danes , as with whom they were allyanced in blood ) the Dan●s so prevailed● that for the next Composition , they had sixteene thousand pounds given them , and a yeare after , twenty thousand ; and so every yeare more and more , till it came at last to forty thousand : by which meanes , the Land was emptyed of all Coyne , and the English were brought so low , that they were faine to Till , and Eare the Ground , whilest the Danes sate idle , and ate the fruite of their labours ; abusing the Wives and Daughters of their Hosts where they lay , and yet i● every place , for every feare , were called Lord-Danes ; ( which afterward became a word of derision , when one would signifie a lazy Lubber . ) In this distressed state , the King at last bethought himselfe of a course : He sent forth a secret Commission , into every City within his Dominions , that at an appointed time , they should massacre all the Danes that were amongst them ; The day was the thirteenth of November , being the Festivall of Saint Bricius , in the yeare 1002. His command was accordingly performed , and with such rigour , that in Oxford the Danes for refuge tooke into the Church of Saint Frideswyde , as into a Sanctuary , when the English , neither regarding Place nor Person , set the Church on site , wherein many of the Danes were burnt , and the Library thereof utterly defaced . And who would not now thinke , but that England by this Fact had cleane shaken off the Danish yoke for ever ? yet it proved cleane otherwise : For the newes of this massacre , adding a new edge of revenge , to the old edge of ambition : made the Danes sharper set against the English , then ever they had beene before ; so as the yeare following , their King Sweyne , with a mighty Navy , entred the Country , razed , and levelled with the ground the City of Exceter , all along from the East Gate to the West ; against whom the King levyed an Army , and made Generall over it , the Earle Edricke , his great Favourite ; whom he had created Duke of Mercia ; and given him his Daughter Edgyth in marriage ; yet all this great favour could not keepe him from being treacherous , for being sent Embassadour to the Danes , to mediate for Peace , he revealed to them the weaknesse of the Land , and treacherously disswaded them from consenting to any Truce . Upon this King Ethelred gave order , that every three hundred and ten Hydes of Land should build a Ship , and every eight Hydes , finde a compleat Armour furnished , yet all this great preparation came to nothing , but onely to make a shew . After this , the King seeing no end of their invasions , nor promise kept upon any composition ; ( for three Danish Princes , with a great Fleet , were now newly arrived ) He intended to adventure once for all , and to commit his cause to God , by the fortune of a Battaile . To which end he secretly gathered a mightily Power , and comming unlooked for , when the Enemy was unprepared , he had certainely given an end to the Quarrell , if the wicked Edricke had not disswaded him from fighting , and put him into a causelesse feare , by forged tales . After this , the Danes forraged many Countryes ; burnt Oxford , The●ford , and Cambridge : and lastly entred Wiltshire , which was the seventh shire in number , they had laid waste like a Wildernesse . The yeare after , they make a new Expedition , and besiege Canterbury ; which by treason of a Church-man they wonne , tooke Alphegus the Arch-bishop , and flew nine hundred Monkes , and men of Religion , besides many Citizens , without all mercy ; for they Tythed the people , slaying all by nines , and reserving onely the tenth to live ; so that of all the Monkes in the Towne , there were but foure saved , and of the Lay people , foure thousand eight hundred , by which account Master Lambert collecteth , that there dyed in this Massacre , three and forty thousand , and two hundred persons . The Arch-bishop Alphegus , for that he refused to charge his Tenants with three thousand pounds to pay for his ransome , they most cruelly stoned to death at Green●wich . Turkillus the leader of these murtherers , tooke into his possession all Norfolke and Suffolke , over whom he tyrannized in most savage manner ; the rest compounding with the English for eight thousand pounds , quietly for a while sojourned among them . The yeare following came King Sweyne againe , and with a great Navy arrived in the mouth of Humber , and landed at Gainsborough , to whom the Northumbrians , and the people of Lindsey , yeelded themselves ; So that now over all the North from Watlingstreete , he Raigned sole King , and exacted pledges of them for their further obedience . From the North he passed into the South , subduing all before him , till he came to London , where he was so valiantly encountred by the Londoners , that he was glad to retire , in which retyring notwithstanding he entred Bathe ; where Ethelmore Earle of Devonshire , with his Westerne people , submitted himselfe to him . Yet after this , betweene him and the English was strucke a fierce battaile , which had beene with good successe , if the treachery of some in turning to the Danes , had not hindered it . After this the Danes proceeded on victoriously , and had gotten most part of the Land , and even London also by submission : whereupon the unfortunate King Ethelred sending his Wife Emma , with her two sonnes , Edward and Alfred , to her Brother , Duke of Normandy , himselfe also the Winter following passed thither , leaving the Danes Lording it in his Realme . Sweyne now as an absolute King , extorted from the English both Victuals , and Pay for his Souldiers ; and demanding such a Composition for preserving of Saint Edmunds Monastery in Suffolke , as the Inhabitants were not able , and therefore refused to pay ; he thereupon threatned spoyle , both to the Place , and to the Martyrs bones there interred , when suddenly , in the middest of his jollity ( saith Hoveden ) he cryed out , that he was strucke by Saint Edmund with a sword , being then in the midst of his Lords : and no man seeing from whose hand it came , and so with great horrour and torment , three dayes af●er ; upon the third of February , he ended his life at Thetford , or ( as others say ) at Gaynsborough . And now who would not thinke , but this was a faire opportunity offered to the English , to free themselves wholly from the Danish yoke ? but when all was don● , either crossed by treachery , or frustrated by misfortune , nothing prospered . I● is true , upon this occasion of Sweynes death , King Ethelred returned out of Normandy , but at his comming , Canutus the sonne o Sweyne , had gotten the peopl● of Lindsey to be at his devotion , and to find him both Horse and Men against their owne King ; so as Ethelred was now to encounter as well his owne Subjects● as the Danes , which he did so valiantly , that he made Canutus glad to returne into Denmarke , as utterly hopelesse of any good to be done in England . And now one would certainely thinke the Danes had beene removed , Roote and Branch , out of England , and never like to trouble the Land any more ; and indeed there was all the appearance of probability for it that could be . But it is a true saying , That which will be , shall be , let all be done that can be . For now Turkill the Dane , who had before revolted to King Ethelred , growing sensible of his fault , which was this , or no way to be redeemed ; and tender of his Countrymens case , which was now or never to be helpt ; with nine of his Ships sailed into Denmarke , and first excusing himselfe to Canutus for his former defection , as though he had done it of purpose , to learne all advantages against the English , which now he could discover to him , he so prevailed with Canutus once againe to try his fortune , that with a Navy of two hundred Ships he set saile for England , and landed at Sandwich , where he gave the English a great overthrow , and passed victoriously through the Counties of Dorset , Somerset , and Wilts. When ( Ethelred lying dangerously sicke at Cossam ) the managing of the Warre was committed to Prince Edmund his sonne , who preparing to give the Danes battaile , had suddenly notice given him , that his Brother in Law Edricke , meant to betray him into his Enemies hands , which made him suspend his proceeding ; and Edricke perceiving his designe to be discovered , cast off the masque , and with forty of the Kings ships fled openly to the Enemy ; and thereupon , all the West Countries submitted themselves unto Canutus . By this time King Ethelred having recovered his sicknesse , prepared to goe on with the Battaile , which his sonne Edmund had intended , but his Forces being assembled , he likewise had suddenly notice given him , that his Subjects meant to betray him to the Danes . Hereupon he withdrew himselfe to London , as the place in which he most confided ; where falling into a relapse of his former sicknes , he ended his unfortunate dayes , in the yeare 1016. when he had Raigned 37. yeares ; and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul , whose bones as yet remaine in the North wall of the Chancell , in a chest of gray Marble ; adjoyning to that of Sebba King of the East Saxons . He had by his two Wives , eight Sonnes , and foure Daughters ; of whom , his youngest named Goda , was marryed to one Walter de Maigne , a Nobleman of Normandy ; by whom she had a sonne named Rodolph , which Rodolph had a sonne named Harold , created afterward by King William the Conquerour , Baron of Sudeley , in the County of Glocester , and Ancestor to the Barons of that place succeeding , and of the Lord Chandowes of Sudeley now being .

Ethelred being dead , his third sonne Edmund called Ironside ( of his ability in enduring labour ) but the eldest living at his fathers death , succeeded , and was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames , by Levingus Archbishop of Canterbury , in the yeare 1016. A great part of the English both feared and favoured , and indeed out of feare favoured Canutus ; especially the Clergy , who at Southampton ordained him their King , and sware Feaalty to him : but the Londoners stood firme to Prince Edmund , and were the principall authors of his Election . Canutus before the death of King Ethelred , had besieged the City , and now with a large Trench encompassed it : but the new King Edmund comming on , raised the siege , and made Canutus flie to the Isle of Sheppey , where having stayed the winter , the Spring following , he assayled the West of England , and at Penham in Dorse●shire , a battaile was fought , and the Danes discomfitted . After this , in Worc●stershire at a place called Sherostan , another battaile was fought , where the Danes were like againe to be discomfited , but the traiterous Edrick perceiving it , he cut off the head of a souldier like unto King Edm●nd both in haire and countenance , and shaking his bloody sword , with the gasping head , cried to the Army of the English , Fly ye wretches flie , & get away , for your King is slain ; behold , here is his head : but King Edmund having notice of this treacherous stratagem , hasted to shew himself where he might best be seen : whose sight so encouraged his men , that they had gotten that day a finall Victory , if night had not prevented them . Duke Edrick excused his fact , as being mistaken in the countenance of the man , and desirous to save the blood of the English ; upon which false colour hee was received into favour againe . After this , Canutus secretly in the night brake up his Campe , and marched towards London , which in a sort was still besieged by the Danish ships : but King Edmund hearing of his departure , followed him , and with small adoe removed the siege , and in Triumphant manner entred the City . After this , neere unto Otford in Kent , was another great battaile fought , in which Canutus lost foure thousand five hundred men , and King Edmund onely six hundred ; the rest of the Danes saving themselves by ●light ; whom if King Edmund had pur●ued , it is thought that day had ended the warres betweene these two Nations for ever . But the ever traiterous Edrick , kept King Edmund from pursuing them , by telling him of Ambushes and other dangers : So as Canutu● had leisure to passe over into Essex , but thither also King Edmund followed him ; where at Ashdone three miles from Saffron Walden , another battaile was fought , in which ●he Danes being at the point to be overthrowne , the traiterous Edrick with all his Forces revoulted to their side , by which treachery the English lost the day . There died of King Edmunds Nobility , Duke Alfred , Duke Goodwyn , Duke Athelward , Duke Athelwyn , Earle Urchill , Codnoth Bishop of Lincolne , Woolsey Abbot of Ramsey , with many other . The remembrance of which battaile is retained to this day , by certaine small hils there remaining , whence have beene digged the bones of men , Armour , and horsebridles . After this ; at Dereherst neere to the river Severn● , another battaile was ready to be fought ; when suddenly a certaine Captaine steps forth , and for saving of blood u●ed great perswasions , that either they should try the matter by single Combat , or else divide the Kingdome betwixt them . Upon this the Combat is agreed on , and the two Princes entering into a small Island called Alney , adjoyning to the City of Glocester , in compleat Armour assayled each other , at first on horsebacke , and after on foote : when Canutus having received a dangerous wound , and finding himselfe overmatched in strength , desired a Compromise , and with a loud voyce used these words . What necessity should move us most Valiant Prince , for obtaining of a Title to endanger our lives ? were it not better to lay malice aside , and condescend to a loving agreement ? let us therefore become sworne brothers , and divide the Kingdome between us . This motion was by King Edmund accepted , and thus was the Kingdome divided betweene these two Princes ; Edmund enjoying that part which lies upon the coast of France , and Canutus the rest . But now Duke Edrick hath his last and greatest Act of treachery to play : for King Edmund being retired to a place for natures n●cessity , he thurst from under the draught a sharpe speare into his body , and then cutting off his head , presented it to Canutus , with these fawning words , All hayle , thou sole Monarch now of England , for here behold the head of thy Copartner , which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off . Canutus though ambitious enough of soveraignty , yet aba●hed at so disloyall a fact , replyed and vowed , that in reward of that service his own head should bee advanced above all the Peeres of his Kingdom , which soone after he performed ; for by his command the false Edricks head was cut off , and placed upon the highest gate in London . The death of this King in this manner , some say was acted at Oxford ; other , that he died of naturall sicknesse in London , but howsoever he came to his death , his Raigne was but onely seven months , & his body was buried at Glasten●ury , neere to his Grandfather King Edgar . This King Edmund had by his wife Algyt● , two sonnes ; the eldest named Edward , surnamed the Outlaw , because he lived out of England in Hungary as a banished man , for feare of King Canutus : but when his Uncle King Edward the Confessor , had obtained the Crowne , he was recalled , and honourably entertained till he died . He married Agatha , sister to Queene Sophia , wife to Salomon King of Hungarie , and daughter to the Emperour Henry the second ; by whom he had Edgar surnamed Atheling , the right Heire of the English Crowne , though he never enjoyed it . King Edmund had also two daughters , Margaret and Christian , of whom the younger became a Veyled Nunne at Ramsey in Hampshire ; the elder Margaret , after sole Heire to the Saxon Monarchie , married Malcolme the third King of Scotland , from which Princely bed in a lineall Descent , our High and Mighty Monarch King Iames the first , doth in his most Royall person , unite the Britaines , Saxons , Normans , and Scottish Imperiall Crownes in one .

Of the first Danish King in England .

CAnutus being possest of halfe the Kingdome by composition with King Edmund , now after his death seised upon the whole , and to prevent all further question , he called a Councell of the English Nobility , wherein it was propounded , whether in the agreement betwixt Edm●nd and him , any claime of Title to the Crowne had beene reserved for King Edmunds brethren or sonnes : to which ( not daring to say otherwise ) they absolutely answered no , and thereupon tooke all of them the Oath of Allegeance to Canutus . Being thus cleered of all Opposites he prepared with great solemnity for his Coronation , which was performed at London , by the hands of Levingus surnamed Elstane , Archbishop of Canterbury , in the yeare 1017. being the first Dane that Raigned Monarch of England . But Canutus not thinking himselfe sufficiently safe , as long as any that might pretend , were in the peoples eye , caused first Edwyn the sonne of King Ethelred , and brother of Edmund , to abjure the Realme , who was yet afterward recalled , and treacherously murthered by his owne men , and his body buried at Tavestock in Devonshire . Next were the two sonnes of Edmund Ironside , Edward and Edmund , whom to the end the people might not see him shed the blood of Innocents , he sent to his halfe brother King of Sweden to be made away . Then remained Edward and Alfred , the sonnes of King Ethelred , and them their mother Queene Emma had sent away before to her brother the Duke of Normandie , there to be in safety : so as none of the Royall blood was now left in the land , to give Canutus any feare of competition . After this , he tooke to wife the vertuous Lady Emma , the Relict of King Ethelred , by which match he procured to himselfe three great benefits : one that hee wonne the love of the people by marrying a Lady whom they so entirely loved ; another , that he got the Alliance of the Duke of Normandi● , a neighbou●ing Prince of great power ; the third , that by marrying the mother , hee secured himselfe against the sons : as likewise Queene Emma was not unwillingly perswaded to the match , upon agreement to make her issue , if he had any by her , to inherit the Crowne of England . And to winne the love of the people more , hee caused great numbers of his Danes , who pestered the Country , to return home , bestowing amongst them for their satisfaction foure score and two thousand pounds . And to winne the love of the people yet more , he now set himselfe to the making of good lawes● in a Parliament at Oxford , whereof , for a Patterne of those times , some that concerne Religion , may not unfitly be here related . First , for the celebration of divine Service , it was ordained , that all Ceremonies tending to the encrease of reverence & devotion should bee used as need required . Secondly , that upon the Sabbath day , all publike Faires , Markets , Synods , Huntings , and all secular actions should be forborne , unlesse some urgent necessity should require it . Thirdly , that every Christian should thrice in the yeare receive the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper . Fourthly , that if a Minister of the Altar killed a man , or committed any notorious crime , he should bee deprived both of his Order and Dignity . Fifthly , th●t a married woman convict of adultery , should have her nose and eares cut off . Sixthly , That a widow marrying within a twelvemonth after her husbands decease , should lose her Joynture . These and many other good lawes were made , whereby the kingdome remained during all his time , in a most peaceable state and government . In the third yeare of his Raign , he heard how the Vandales taking advantage of his absence , had entred Denmarke , and annoyed his subjects ; whereupon with a great Army of English hee passed over the Seas , and gave them battaile , but with ill successe the first day ; when preparing for the next dayes battaile , the Earle Goodwyn who was Generall of the English , secretly in the dead of the night , set upon the Vandals Campe , & with a great slaughter of their souldiers , made their two Princes Ulfus and Anlave , to flie the field . In the morning it was told Canutus , that the English were fled , for that their station was left , and not a man of them to be found , which did not a little trouble his patience : but he going in person to see the truth , found the great overthrow the English had given , for which service ever after , hee held the English , and especially the Earle Goodwyn in great estimation . After this , returning home hee made a prosperous Expedition against Malcolme King of Scots ; and at last , in the fifteenth yeare of his Raigne , wearied with the honourable troubles of the world , and out of devotion , he tooke a Journey to Rome , to visit the Sepulchre of St. Peter and Paul , from whence he writ to the Bishops and Nobility of England , that they should carefully administer Justice , and never seeke to advance his profit by any undue wayes , or with the detriment of any man . At his returne from Rome , he built in Essex the Church of Ashdone , where he got the victory against King Edmund ; in Norfolke , the Abbey of St. Benets , which Saint he greatly reverenced ; and in Suffolke the Monastery of St. Edmund , which Saint he deadly feared . To the Church of Winchester hee gave many rich Jewels , whereof one was a Crosse , valued to be worth as much as the whole Revenue of England amounted to in one yeare . To Coventry he gave the arme of the great St. Austin , which he bought at Pavia in his returne from Rome , for which he payd an hundred Talents of silver and one of gold . One strange Act is recorded , which he did for convincing his fawning flatterers , who used to tell him that his power were more then humane . For being one time at Southampton , he commanded that his chaire of State should be set on the shoare when the Sea began to flow , and then sitting downe there in the presence of his many attendants , he spake thus to that Element : I charge thee that thou presume not to enter my Land , nor wet these Robes of thy Lord that are about me . But the Sea giving no heede to his command , but keeping on his usuall course of Tyde , first wet his skirts , and after his thighes , whereupon suddenly rising , he thus spake in the hearing of them all . Let all the worlds Inhabitants know , that vaine and weake is the power of their Kings ; and that none is worthy of the name of King , but he that keepes both heaven and earth and sea in obedience . After which time he would never ●uffer the Crowne to be set upon his head , but presently Crowned therewith the Picture of Christ on the Crosse at Winchester : from which example arose perhaps the custome , to hang up the Armour of Worthy men in Churches , as Offerings consecrated to him who is the Lord of battaile . When he had Raigned nineteene yeares , he deceased at Shafte●bery in the County of Dorset , the twelfth of November , in the yeare 1035. and was buried in the Church of the old Monastery at Winchester , which being after new built , his bones with many other English Saxon Kings , were taken up , and are preserved in gilt Coff●rs , fixed upon the wals of the Quire in that Cathedrall Church . He had by his two wives , three sonnes , Sweyne , and Harold by his first wife Alfgive ; and Hardicnute by his second wife Queene Emma , and two daughters , of whom the eldest , called Guinhilda , was married to the Romane Emperour Henry the third , who being accused of adultery , and none found to defend her cause , at last an English Page adventured to maintaine her Innocency against a mighty Gyantlike-Combatant ; who in fight , at one blow cutting the sinewes of his adversaries legge , with another he felled him to the ground , and then with his sword taking his head from his shoulders , redeemed both the Empresses life and honour . But the Empresse after this hard usage forsooke her husbands bed , and tooke upon her the Veyle of a Nun , in the Towne of Burges in Flanders , where she devoutly spent the r●st of her life .

Of the second Danish King in England .

KIng Canutus dying left his Kingdome of Norway , to his eldest Son Sweyn● , and his Kingdome of England , to his youngest Sonne Hardikn●te , whom he had by his wife Emma , but he being at the time of his Fathers death in Denmarke , Harold his elder Brother , by a former wife , taking advantage of his absence , layes claime to the Crowne . For determining of which Right , the Lords assembled at Oxford , where Queene Emma pleaded for her sonne Hardiknute , urging the Covenant of Can●tus at their marriage , and his last Will at his death ; as also Earle Goodwyn of Kent did the like , being left Guardian of her Children , and keeper of his last Will . But Harolds presence , together with the favour of the Londoners , Danes , and Northumbrians , so wrought with the Lords , that the absent Hardiknute was neglected , and Harold was Proclaimed and Crowned King at Oxford , by ●lnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the yeare 1036.

Harold having now attained the Crowne , was not so jealous of his Brother Hardiknute , as of his mother in Law Queene Emma , and her Sonnes by King Ethelre● who were beyond Sea , and therefore how to secure himselfe against these , was his first care . For effecting whereof , he framed a Letter , as written by Queene Emma , to her two Sonnes Edward and Alfred ; instigating them to attempt the Crown usurped by Harold , against their Right : to which letter , comming first to the hands of Alfred , he suspecting no fraud , returned Answer , that he would shortly come over , and follow her Counsaile . And thereupon with a small Fleet , and some few souldiers , lent him by Baldwyn Earle of Flaunders , he tooke the Sea for England , where comming to shoare , Earle Goodwyn met him , and bound himselfe by Oath to be his guide to his Mother Queene Emma , but being wrought firme for Harold , he led him and his company a contrary way , and lodged them at Guilford , making knowne to King Harold what he had done , who presently committed them all to slaughter , sparing onely every tenth man , for service or sale . Prince Alfred himselfe he sent Prisoner to the Isle of Ely , where having his eyes inhumanely put out , in griefe and torment he ended his life . Some adde a more horrible kind of cruelty , as that his belly was opened , and one end of his bowels drawne out , and fastned to a stake , his body pricked with Needles , or Poignards , and forced about , till all his Entrailes were extracted . This done , he then set upon Queene Emma , confiscated her Goods , and banished her the Realme . And now further to secure himselfe , he kept the Seas with sixteene Danish Ships , to the maintenance whereof , he charged the English with great payments ; by which , if he procured the safety of his Person , he certainly procured the hatred of his Subjects . This King for his swiftnesse in running was called Harefoot ; but though by his swiftnesse he out-runne his Brother for the Kingdome , yet could he not runne so fast , but that death quickely overtooke him ; For having Raigned onely foure yeares and some moneths , he dyed at Oxford● and was buryed at Westminster ; having never had Wife or Children .

Of the third and last Danish King in England .

KIng Harold being dead , the Lords to make amends for their former neglect , send now for Hardiknute , and offer him their Allegeance , who accepteth their offer , and thereupon taking Sea , arrived upon the Coast of Kent , the sixth day after he had set saile out of Denmarke ; and with great pompe conveyed to London , was there Crowned King by Elnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the yeare 1040. His first Act , was to be revenged of his deceased brother Harold , whose body he caused to be digged up , and throwne into the Thames , where it remained till a Fisherman found it , and buryed it in the Church yard of Saint Clement without Temple Barre , commonly called Saint Clement Danes , because it was the burying place of the Danes , as some write . But towards his Mother , and halfe Brother Prince Edw●rd , he shewed true naturall affection , inviting them both to returne into England ; where he received them with all the honour , that from a Sonne or Brother could be expected .

But now , as the King Harold , for his swiftnesse in running was surnamed Harefoo●e ; So this King for his intemperance in dyet , might have been surnamed Swines-mouth , or Bocc●di Porco ; for his Tables were spread every day foure times , and furnished with all kindes of curious dishes , as delighting in nothing but Gormandizing and Swilling ; and as for managing the State , he committed it wholly to his Mother Q●eene Emma , and to the politicke Earle of Kent , Godwyn ; who finding this weaknesse in the King , began to thinke himselfe of aspiring● and to make the better way for it , he sought by all meanes to alien the Subjects hearts from the Prince , amongst other courses , he caused him to lay heavy Taxes upon them ; onely for Ship-money to pay his Danes , amounting to two and thirty thousand pounds : which was so offensive to the people , that the Citizens of Worcester slew two of his Officers , Thursta● and Fe●dax , that came to Collect it . But this King had soone the reward of his Intemperance ; For in a Solemne Assembly and Banquet at Lambeth , Revelling and Carowsing , he suddenly fell downe without speech , or breath , after he had Raigned only two yeares , and was buryed at Winchester . His death was so welcome to his Subjects , that the day of his death , is to this day commonly celebrated with open pastimes in the street , and is called Hocks-tide , signifying scorning or contempt , which fell upon the Danes by his death . For with him ended the Raigne of the Danes in England ; after they had miserably afflicted the kingdome , for the space of two hundred and forty yeares , though in Regall Government , but onely six and twenty .

Of English Kings againe , and first of Edward the Confessour .

KIng Hardiknute dying without issue , as having never beene marryed , and the Danish line cleane extinguished , Edward , for his Piety called the Confessour , halfe Brother to the deceased Hardiknute , and sonne to King Ethelred by his Wife Queene Emma , was by a generall consent admitted King of England , and was Crowned at Winchester by Edsyne Arch-bishop of Canterbury , on Easter day , in the yeare 1042. being then of the age of forty yeares . He was borne at Islip , neare to Oxford , and after his Fathers death , for safety sent into France , to the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother , from whence he now came , to take upon him the Crowne of England . His Acts for gaining the Peoples love , were first , the remitting the yearely tribute of forty thousand pounds , gathered by the name of Danegilt , which had beene imposed by his Father , and for forty yeares together paid out of all mens Lands , but onely the Clergy ; and then , from the divers Lawes of the Mercians , West Saxons , Danes , and Northumbrians , he selected the best , and made of them one Body certaine , and written in Latine , being in a sort the Fountaine of those which at this day we tearme the Common Lawes , though the formes of pleading , and processe therein , were afterward brought in by the Conquerour . The Raigne of this King was very peaceable : Onely in his sixth yeare , the Danish Pirates entred the Port of Sandwich ; which with all the Sea-coast of Essex they spoyled , and then in Flanders made merchandise of their prey . As likewise the Irish , with thirty ships entred Severne , and with the assistance of Griffyth King of Southwales , burnt or ●lew all in their way , till at last , Reese the brother of Griffyth was slaine at B●lenden , and his head presented to King Edward at Glocester . His Domesticall troubles were onely by Earle G●dwyn and his sonnes ; who yet after many contestations and affronts , were reconciled , and Godwyn received againe into as great favour as before . But though King Edward forgave his Treasons , yet the Divine Providence did not ; for soone after , as he sate at Table with the King , on Easter Munday , he was suddenly strucken with death , and on the Thursday following dyed , and was buryed at Winchester . Some make his death more exemplar ; as that justifying himselfe for Prince Alfreds death , he should pray to God , that if he were any way guilty of it , he might never swallow downe one morsell of bread , and thereupon by the just Judgement of God , was choaked by the first morsell he offered to eate .

In this Kings time , such abundance of snow fell in Ianuary , continuing till the middle of March following , that almost all Cattell and Fowle perished , and therewithall an excessive dearth followed .

Two Acts are related of this King , that seeme nothing correspondent to the generall opinion had of his Vertue , one concerning his Mother , the other touching his Wife . That concerning his Mother Queen Emma was this , that because after King Ethelreds death , she marryed the Danish King Canutus , and seemed to favour her issue by him , more then her issue by King Ethelred , therefore he dispossest her of all her Goods ; and committed her to custody , in the Abbey of Worwell ; and more then this , so farre hearkned to an aspersion cast upon her , of unchaste familiarity with Alwyne Bishop of Winchester , that for her Purgation , she was faine to passe the tryall of Fire Ordeall , which was in this manner ; nine Plow-shares red hot we●e laid in unequall distance , which she must passe bare-foote and blindfold ; and if she passed them unhurt , then she was judged Innocent , if otherwise , Guilty . And this tryall she passed , and came off fairely , to the great astonishment of all beholders . The other touching his Wife was this ; He had marryed Editha the beautifull , and indeed vertuous daughter of the Earle Godwyn , and because he had taken displeasure against the Father , he would shew no kindnesse to the daughter ; he had made her his wife , but conversed not with her as his wife , onely at board , bu● not at Bed , or if at bed , no otherwise then David with Abishagh , and yet was content to heare her accused of Incontinency , whereof if she were guilty , he could not be innocent . So as , what the vertues were , for which after his death , he should be reputed a Saint , doth not easily appeare . It seemes he was chaste , but not without injury to his wife ; Pious , but not without ungratefulnesse to his Mother ; Just in his present Government , but not without neglect of Posterity ; for through his want of providence in that point , he left the Crowne to so doubtfull succession , that soone after his decease it was translated out of English into French , and the Kingdome made servile to a fourth forraine Nation . One Ability he had which raised him above the pitch of ordinary Kings , and yet at this day is ordinary with Kings , that by his onely touching and laying his hand upon it , he cured a Disease , which from his Curing , is called The Kings Evill . His Mother Queene Emma , in memory of the nine Plow-shares she had passed in her Tryall , gave nine Manors to the Minster of Winchester , and himselfe remembring the wrong he had done her , bestowed on the same place , the Island of Portland in Dorsetshire , being about seven miles in compasse . He made also of a little Monastery in the West of London● by the River of Thames , a most beautifull Church , ( called of the place Westminster ) where he provided for his owne Sepulchre , and another Dedicated to Saint Margaret , standing without the Abbey . This of Westminster he endowed with many rich revenues , and confirmed his Charters under his broad Seale , being the first of the Kings of England , who used that large and stately Impression in their Charters and Patents . He Founded also the Colledge of Saint Mary Otterey in Devonshire , and gave unto it the Village of Otereg , and removed the Bishops See from Cridington to Exceter , as to a place of farre more Dignity : and when he had Raigned the space of three and twenty yeares and six moneths , he ended his life , the fourth of Ianuary , in that roome of his Palace at Westminster , which is now called the Paynted Chamber , in the yeare 1066. and was buryed in the Church at Westminster , which he had builded .

Of Harold the second English King after the Danes .

KIng Edward the Confessour , being himselfe without issue , had in his life time , sent into Hungary for his Nephew Edward called the Outlaw , the sonne of Edmund Ironside ; with a purpose to designe him his Successour in the Crowne , but he dying soone after his comming into England , King Edward then gave his Sonne Edgar the name of Atheling ; as to say ; Prince Edgar meaning to designe him for his Successour , but being prevented by death , before the successour was fully established , and Edgar Atheling , though he had right , yet being young , and not of power to make good his Right , Harold the sonne of Earle Goodwyn steps into the Throne , and never standing upon ceremonies , set himselfe the Crowne upon his owne head , wherein , though as a violater of holy Rites , he offended the Clergy , yet not any either of Clergy or Layity , durst oppose him , as being at that time the most martiall man in the Kingdome ; and such a one , as the state of the Realme stood at that time in need of , and besides his owne worthinesse had the assistance of Edwyn and Marchar , the two great Earles of Yorkeshire and Chester , whose sister Algyth he had marryed . It is true withall , that King Edward had appointed the Crowne after his owne decease , sometimes to William Duke of Normandy , sometimes to Edgar Atheling , and sometimes to this Harold , so as he was Crowned by Aldred Arch-bishop of Yorke , as not comming in by intrusion or wrong , but by the appointment of King Edward , though that appointment of King Edwa●d , was rather to make him Regent , during the minority of Edgar , then to make him absolute King , but howsoever , being once in the Throne , he was then able to make his owne Title , and to make Prince Edgar some amends , he created him Earle of Oxford , which was indeed to use him like a Childe , take away a Jewell , and please him with an Apple . Yet Harold having once gotten into the Throne , he c●rryed himselfe with great Valour and Justice , for the time he sate in it , which was but very short , as being indeed but tottering from the very beginning , and that chiefly by meanes of his owne Brother To●stayne , who by diverting his Forces to suppresse a Rebellion , made him of lesse force to resist an invasion . But now that we have shewed how Harold entred the Throne , we must forbeare to shew how he was cast out , till we come to him that cast him out , who because he was not onely of another Family , but of another Nation , we must necessarily take the beginning from a deeper roote , and indeed , seeing in him , we shall joyne our Island to the Continent , which is a larger world : Our Kings hereafter , will afford a larger Extent for matter of Discourse then heretofore they have done .

THE LIFE OF KING WILLIAM THE FIRST , CALLED THE CONQVEROUR .

His Parentage and Descent .

THere were six Dukes of Normandie in France , in a direct line succeeding from father to sonne . The first was Rollo , who of a private man in Denmarke , comming forth with the exuberancy of his Nation , wrested by force of Armes from Charles the Simple King of France , to bee made Duke of Normandy . The second was William his sonne , called Long Espee , or Long Sword . The third was Richard his sonne , called the Hardie , who had Richard , and a daughter called Emma , married to Ethelred King of England , father of Edward the Confessor . The fourth was Richard the second his sonne , called the Good . The fifth was Richard the third his sonne , who by a first wife had three sonnes , Richard , Robert and William , and by a second , two other sonnes , William Earle of Argues , and Ma●ger , Archbishop of Roan . So as Richard his eldest sonne by his first wife succeeded him by the name of Richard the fourth , and dying without issue , the Dukedome descended to Robert his second sonne by his first wife ; which Robert was father to our William the Conquerour , of whom it is thus recorded : that riding one time abroad , he happened to passe by a company of Country Maides that were a dancing , where staying a while to looke upon them , he was so taken with the handsomnesse and gracefull carriage of one of them whose name was Arlotte , a Skinners daughter , ( from whence as some thinke our word Harlot comes ) that affection commanding him , and authority her , he caused her that night to be brought to his bed ; where being together , what was done or said betweene them is no matter for History to record , though some Historians have recorded both ; making her not so modest as was fit for a Maide : onely tenne monthes after , it appeared that at this time our Duke William was begotten ; who proving a man of extraordinary spirit , we may attribute it to the heate of affection in which he was begotten .

His succeeding in the Dukedome , notwithstanding his Bastardie .

IT appeares by many examples , that Bastardie in those dayes was no barre to succession , till a law was afterward made to make it a barre . It brought some disgrace where the mother was meane , but no impediment where the father was Noble ; and even his Bastardie seemed to have some allay , if it be true ( as some write ) that his father tooke the said Arlotte afterward to be his wife , and yet perhaps he had not the Dukedome so much by succession , as by gift . For when hee was about nine yeares old , his father calling his Nobility together , caused them to swear Allegeance to this base sonne of his , and to take him for their Liege Lord after his decease . Neither was this in those dayes infrequent , for Princes to conferre their Principalities after their owne deceases upon whom they pleased ; counting it as lawfull to appoint successours after them , as substitutes under them ; even in our time and Kingdome , the Duke of Northumberland prevailed with King Edward the sixth , to exclude his two sisters , Mary and Elizabeth , and to appoint the Lady Iane Grey , daughter of the Duke of Suffolke , to succeed him .

His Education and Tuition in his minoritie .

HIs father having declared and appointed him to be his Successour , went soone after ( whether out of devotion , or to do Penance for procuring his brothers death , whereof he was suspected ) into the Holy Land , in which Journey he died , having left the tuition of his young sonne to his two brothers , and the Guardianship to the King of France , in whose Court for a time he was brought up . A strange confidence , to commit the tuition of a sonne that was base , to Pretenders that were legi●i●ate , and to a King of France , who aimed at nothing more , then to reannexe this Dukedome to his Crowne . But it seemes his confidence was grounded upon the proximitie of blood in his brothers , and upon the merits of his owne service formerly done to the King of France ; which though it proved well enough with him , yet is not to betaken into example to follow .

His Troubles in his minoritie .

FIrst , Roger de Tresny , who derived his Pedegree directly from Rollo , and had won much honour by his valour in the warres , ( notwithstanding the Oath of Allegeance he had formerly taken ) takes exception to his Bastardy , and invites Complices to assist him in recovering the Dukedome to ● legitimate Race : a fal●e pretext if the Fate of Duke William had not beene against it ; who though hee were himselfe but young , and could not do much in his owne person , yet the Divine Providence raised him up friends that supplied him with Assistance , and particularly Roger de Beamont , by whose valour this Roger de Tresny , with his two brothers , was defeated and slaine . After Roger de Tres●y , William de Arques his Unckle layes claime to the Dutchy , and assisted by the King of France comes to a battaile , but by the valour of Count Gyfford , the Dukes Generall , was likewise defeated : and these were troubl●s before he arrived to seventeene yeares of age . After this , one Guy Earle of Burgoigne , Grandchild to Richard the second , Duke of Normandy , grew sensible also of his Right to the Dukedome , and joyning with Viscount Neele , and the Earle of Bes●in , two powerfull Normans , conspired Duke Williams death , and had effected it , if a certaine Foole about him , had not stolne away in the night , to the place where the Duke was , and never left knocking and crying at the gate , till he was admitted to his presence , willing him to flye for his life instantly , or he would be murthered . The Duke considering that being related by a Foole , it was like to be the more palpable , and that there might be danger in staying , none in going , rode instantly away , all alone , toward Falaise , his principall Castle , but missing his way , he happ●ned to passe where a Gentleman was standing at his doore , of whom he asked the way , and was by him , as knowing him , directed ; which he had no sooner done , but the conspiratours came presently inquiring if such a one had not passed that way , which the Gentleman affirmed , and undertooke to be their guide to overtake him , but leading them of purpose a contrary way , the Duke by this meanes , came safely to F●l●ise ; and from thence journeyes to the King of France , complaining of his inj●ries ; and imploring his ayd , as one that wa●●is homager , and committed to his care● by his ●ervant his Father . The King of France moved with his distre●se , and remembrance of his Fathers meri●s , though he wish●d he was lesse then he was , yet he ●o ayded him , that he made him greater then he was ; for himselfe in person , suffering much in the Battaile , procured him the Victory . By which we may see that folly , and fortune , and even Enemies themselves are all assistants to the Destinies ; or to say better , indeed to the divine Providence . Many other affronts were offered him , some by meaner Princes ; some afterward by the King of France himselfe , who was now growne jealous of his Greatnesse ; all which he encountred with such dexterity , that made his Bastardy , as it were become Legitimate , and Vertue her selfe to grow proud of his person .

His Carriage afterwards in Peace .

BY this time he was come to the age of two and twenty yeares , and where all this while he had shewed himselfe a valiant Generall in Warre , he now began to shew himselfe a provident Governor in Peace , composing and ordering his state , wherein he so carryed himselfe , that as his Subjects did both feare and love him , so his Neighbouring Princes did both feare and hate him , or if not hate him , at least emulate him .

His Incitements for Invading of England .

HE was now growne about fifty yeares old : an Age that might well have arrested all ambitious thoughts in him , but who can thinke himselfe too old for a Kingdome ; when Galba for attaining the Romane Empire , was contented to buckle on Armour , being fourescore yeares old ? The D●ke in his time of peace came over into England to visite his cousin King Edward , who besides his Princely entertainment , made him at that time ( as some thinke ) a promise to leave him his Successour in the Kingdome ; & Harold after this , going over to the Duk● in Normandy , for procuring some friends of his to be released , the better to effect it , tooke his solemne Oath to assist him for obtaining the Kingdome . So as having the word of Edward , and the oath of Harold , he had now sufficient obligations to expect it . But hearing of the death of King Edward , and that Harold was Crowned King , he thought himselfe not more forgotten by Edward , then wronged by Harold ; and therefore sent messengers to him to put him in mind of K. Edwards P●omise , and his owne Oath : but Harold puffed up with the conceit of being a King , as though that very name were enough to expiate all breach of Oathes , and that nothing could binde him , who had now the fetters in his owne hand ; returned onely sleight answers , that his Oath was forced , and voyd in it selfe , as being made without consent of the Kingdome . Whereupon the Duke thus sleighted by Harold , endevours to make him an honest man by force , assuring himselfe , he should find him the weaker Enemy , for finding him a perjured Friend .

The Reasons that facilitated his Conquest of England .

DUke William incensed with Harolds answers , acquaints his Nobility with his purpose , who with some adoe consented to ayd him , as likewise many other great Lords of France , but specially Baldwyn Earle of Flanders , whose daughter he had marryed ; and who being at that time Guardian of the young King of France , procured ayde from him also ; and to make the Enterprise the more successefull , Pope Alexander the second sent him a Banner with an Agnus of Gold , and one o● the haires of Saint Peter . So as the preparation of the Duke , both by Sea and Land was very great , having three hundred saile of ships , and as some write , 890● and as one Norman , above a thousand , and as Cemeticensis , three thousand : and though Harold had likewise provided a warlike Fleet to encounter him , yet it was at tha● time unfortunately diverted another way ; for Taustay●e his Brother , being then in rebellion in the North , and Harold Harfager : King of Norway , at the same time invading those parts , and perhaps upon a bruite , that the Dukes● Fleet was not yet ready to come forth , removed both his Fleet and Army thither : where though he got the Victory at Stamford , with the death both of his Brother Toustayne , and of the King of No●way , yet it made way for the Duke to land quietly , and he entred the Kingdome , as one may enter a house , when the doores are all left open . By this meanes King Har●lds shipping , ( the best wall of defence to an Island ) was utterly frustrate : and as for his Land Forces , they were by his Battaile at Stamford , exceedingly both weakned and impaired ; yet hearing that Duke William was landed at Pemsey , not farre from Hastings in Sussex , he repaired thither with all speed , and gathering together his broken Forces , and encreasing them by all the meanes he could , made himselfe ready to give the Duke Battaile . Duke William in the meane time , as soone as he had landed his men , sent his ships presently away , that there might be no thinking of any thing , but either Death or Victory . And then going himselfe on land , it is said , his foot slipped , and he fell downe ; which some that stood by , taking for an ill signe , No ( saith he ) I have by this , taken possession of this Land . And indeed Presages are but as Animus ejus qui praesagit , as in this Dukes fall it afterwards fell out . Many wayes of composition , betweene Duke William , and King Harold were propounded , yet Harold would hearken to none , as nothing doubting of successe , and perhaps thinking it a disgrace , to capitulate for that , which was now his owne : and when one of his Brothers called Gyrth , being lesse interessed , and therefore clearer sighted , intreated him to consider what a fearefull thing it was to breake an Oath , which he so solemnely had sworne : Harold seemed to conceive , that nothing which he did , being a private man , could be of force to binde him now being a Prince ; and so on the fourteenth day of October , being Saturday , in the yeare 1066. ( which day he liked the better , because it was his Birth-day , hoping , that the day of his Birth would not so much degenerate , to prove the day of his death , though even this also bred no good blood to the Action , for the Souldiers of Harold , thinking thereby to honour their Kings Birth-day , spent the night before in revelling and drinking , where the Souldiers of the Duke , out of consideration of their next dayes worke , spent the night in quietnesse and devotion ) they joyned battaile , ( the Kentish-men being placed in the Fore-front , as by an ancient custome is their due , and King Harold with his Londoners , leading the maine Battaile ) where though their Armies were not much unequall in number , ( for they were each of them neare about threescore thou●and men ) yet there was great oddes in the expertnesse of their Souldiers , and more in the advantage of their weapons : for , the Duke had with him all the flowre of France and Flanders , where King Harold had lost his best men , in his late Battaile : and for advantage of weapons , the Normans had long Bowes and Arrowes , which of the English at that time , were not at all in use : what mervaile then that the Normans got the Victory , though King Harold losing his life , yet lost no Reputation ; and though the English Souldiers shewed no lesse valour , in being Conquered , then the Normans did in Conquering . One circumstance may not be omitted , that King ●arold as an expert Generall , had ordered his men in so firme a Body , that no force of the Normans could disorder their Rankes , till Duke William● used a Stratagem , commanding his men to retire , and to counterfeit flight ; by which he drew the English on , upon a hollow ground , covered with earth , whereinto many of them fell , and perished , and besides into an ambush of his Horsemen , which unexpectedly fell upon them , and cut them in pieces . Withall , there seemes one great errour to have beene committed ( at least , if it were an errour , and not rather a nece●sity ) that there was not a supplementall Army provided ; ( as his Brother Gyrth would have had it ) which might have come on if the first had failed , and would have beene of great advantage against a wearyed Army . But when Sic visum est superis , all humane force is weake and cannot withstand , all humane Providence is unprovided , and cannot prevent . The body of Harold at his Mother Thyrace suite was recovered , and lyes buryed in Waltham Abbey , which he had begunne to build , at least to repaire . But here Gyraldus Cambrensis tels a strange story , that Harold was not slaine in the Battaile , but onely wounded and lost his left eye , and then escaped by flight to Chester , where he afterwards led a holy Anchorets life .

How Duke William proceeded after his victory at Hastings .

AS his Valour wonne him the Victory , so his Victory wonne him a Crowne ; that now of an old Duke , he was suddenly become a young King : and indeed , nothing so much renues life , and makes the yeares in a manner young againe : as addition of Honour , specially when it is the fruite of merit . First therefore , having given publicke thankes to God for his happy successe , he led his Army towards London , not the direct way ( perhaps doubting some new Encounter ) but coasting about through part of Kent , through Sussex , Surrey , Hampshire and Barkeshire , where at Wallingford he passed over the Thames ; and then through Oxford●shire , Buckinghamshire , and Hartfordshire , untill he came to Barkehamstead , where there came unto him Aldred Arch-bishop of Yorke , Woolstan Bishop of Worcester , Willfere , Bishop of Hereford , and many other Prelates , accompanyed with Edgar Atheling , with Earle Edwyn and Mar●har , Brothers , and men of the greatest sway in the Kingdome , and many others of the Nobility . It is true , upon the defeate at Hastings , Earle Edwyn and Marchar , had a purpose to set up Edgar Atheling , as next Heire of the Royall blood ; and Grand-childe to Edmund ●ronside , and so beloved of the people , that he was called their Darling : but considering his young yeares , and other inabilities , but specially finding the mindes of the Bishops , ( who at that time bore all the sway ) to be otherwise inclined , they desisted from that course , and thus the Duke , without any opposition , comming to London , was received by Bishops , and Lords and all , with great joy , though small gladnesse , and if he had not their hearts , yet he had their knees , for in most humble manner they submitted themselves to him , acknowledging him for their Soveraigne Lord , and upon Christmas-day after , he was Crowned at Westminster by Aldred Arch-bishop of Yorke , the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Stigand , not being admitted to doe that office , for some defect in his Investiture ; and perhaps for some aspersion in his manners .

How he rewarded his followers . :

THough he hath had the name of Conquerour , yet he used not the Kingdome as gotten by Conquest , for he tooke no mans living from him , nor dispossessed any of their goods , but such onely , whose demerit made unworthy to hold them ; as appeares by his Act to one Warren a Norman , to whom he had given the Castle of Sherborne in Norfolke ; for when Sherborne , who was owner of it , acquainted the King , that the Castle was his ; and that he had never borne Armes against him ; he presently commanded Warren , to deliver it quietly up unto him● Onely vacancies of Offices , and filling up the places of those who were slaine or fled , were the present meanes he made use of , for preferring his Followers . One speciall preferment we cannot omit , that where one Herlowyn a Nobleman in Normandy , had marryed his Mother Arlette , and had by her a Sonne named Hugh Lupus , he gave to the said Hugh , the Earledome of Chester , to hold of him as freely by his sword , as himselfe held England by his Crowne , by vertue of which Grant , the said Hugh ordained under him foure Barons , Nigell he made Baron of Halton : Malbanke , Baron of Nantwich : Eustace Baron of Mawpase ; and Vernon , Baron of Shipbrooke : Such an Honour , as no Subject before or since , ever enjoyed the like .

What meanes he used for securing himselfe in the Kingdome :

BEsides the Oath of Fealty , which he tooke of all his Lords both Spirituall and Temporall , at his Coronation ; in Lent following , going into Normandy , he tooke along with him the greatest part of the great men of the Kingdome , of whom , Edwyn and Marchar , the two Earles of Northumberland and Mercia , Stigand Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Edgar Atheling , Waltheoff sonne to Syward formerly Earle of Northumberland , and Agelnothus Abbot of Glastenbury were the chiefe ; leaving the care of the Kingdome in his absence to Odo Bishop of Bayeux , his Brother by the Mother ; and to William Fits Osburne , whom he had made Earle of Hereford . And to abate the greatnesse of the Prelates , which at that time was growne in a manner unlimited , he ordained that from thenceforth , they should not command with any Temporall Authority whatsoever . And because the common people are no lesse to be feared for their number , then the Nobility for their greatnesse , he first tooke from them all their Armour , to the end , that leaving them without stings , they might afterward be but Droanes . And because there is seldome any danger from singular numbers , but all the danger riseth from plurality : therefore to prevent conspiracies and combinations , which are commonly contrived in the night , he commanded that in all Townes and Villages , a Bell should be rung at eight a clocke in the Evening , and that in every house they should then put out their Fire and Lights ( which was called Couure Feu ) and goe to Bed . And for more security he erected Castles in the most doubtfull places of the Kingdome . One at Yorke , another at Lincolne , a third at Nottingham , ( at that time called Snottingham ) and a fourth at Hastings , where he first Landed . By these meanes the Kingdome was quiet all the time of his being away in Normandy , saving onely that Edrick the Forester , in the County of Hereford , calling in to his ayde the Kings of Wales , made some small disturbance . And indeed all the States of the Kingdome might in his very person finde something to make them apt to tolerate his Government . For first , the People might thinke themselves in a sort advanced , being now made members of a greater Body ; when the Dukedome of Normandy should come to be annexed to the Kingdome of England ; and by experience of his good Governement being a Duke , they might well hope , he would not governe worse being made a King . And the Nobility might be well content , as having a King of their former Kings choosing , and though a Stranger , yet no Alien , as having in him many veines of the same blood , and therefore likely also to have some ve●nes of the same goodnesse , of their good King Edward . But specially the Clergy could not chuse but be content , as having a King who came commended to them , by a commending as strong as a commanding , the Popes Benediction .

What Troubles or Insurrections were during his Raigne .

BUt the Body of a State being more obnoxious to crudities and ill humours , then the state of a Naturall body ; It is impossible to continue long without distempers ; notwithstanding any preservatives that can be applyed . And therefore in the second yeare of his Raigne , brake forth the discontentment of Edgar Etheling , justly the first , as having most cause , being the next of the late Royall blood , and therefore most apt to be sensible of servitude ; who taking along with him his mother Agatha , and his two Sisters , Margaret and Christine ; stole secretly away to Sea , with intention to passe into Hungary , the Country where he was borne ; but by cont●ary winds was cast upon the Coast of Scotland , where the King Malcolme , not onely most kindly entertained him , but for a stricter bond of kindnesse , tooke his Sist●r Margaret to Wife , by whom he had many Children , out of which , in the second Generation after , a match was found , by which in the person of King Henry the second , the Sax●n and Norman blood were conjoyned , the union whereof continues in the race of our Kings of England to this day . Not long after to Edgar in Scotland , came the two great Earles , Edwyn and Marchar , brothers to Agatha the late King Harolds Wife ; also Hereward , Gospatrick , and Syward , with many other Lords ; and shortly after Stigand and Aldred Arch-bishops , with divers of the Clergy . And these Lords being together in Scotland , did but watch opportunity , to recover that , which for want of taking opportunity they had lost ; And assisted by the Scots , they invaded the North parts , spoyling the Country , and killing many for the fault they had themselves committed , but all they could do , was but to forrage the Country , and so returne .

After this , in the third yeare of his Raigne , the two sonnes of Swayne King of Denmarke , Harold and Canutus , with a Fleet of 240. ships , entered Humber , and invaded the North parts , with whom the English Lords in Scotland joyned , and ●orraged all the Country , till they came neere to Yorke . When the Normans that were in the Towne , to save the City , set fire on the suburbs ; but the fire not so contented , by assistance of a violent winde , tooke hold of the City it selfe , burning a great part of it , and which perhaps was more worth then the City , a Library of excellent Bookes , and the Normans that were left in defence of the City , to the number of three thousand , were all slaine . King William hearing hereof was so much incensed , that with all speed he raised an Army , and entred Northumberland , wasting the Country that already lay wast ; and yet for all his great rage , was contented with a great summe of money , to purchase the Danes departure . By these devastations in many Shires of the Kingdome , but especially in Northumberland , so great a Dearth and Famine followed , that men were glad to eate horses and dogges , cats and rats , and what el●e is most abhorrent to nature ; and betweene Yorke and Durham , the space of 60. miles , for nine yeares together , there was so utter desolation , as that neither any house was left standing , nor any ground tilled .

Many other insurrections there were in his Raigne ; as at Exceter , at Oxford , in the Isle of Ely , and many times by the Scots in the Northerne parts ; but all these were easily supprest , for they were but scattered Forces ; Et dum singuli pugnant , universi vincuntur ; whereas if they had united themselves into an Army , they might perhaps have made it a Warre , which now were little more then Routs and Riots . Yet some write , that King William granted Cumberland to Malcolme King of Scots , to hold from him conditionally , that the Scots should not attempt any thing prejudiciall to the Crowne of England , for which Grant King Malcolme did him Homage .

The greatest and last was an Insurrection raised in Normandie , by his sonne Robert , the more dangerous because unnatural , for by the instigation and assistance of Philip King of France , ( emulous now of K. Williams greatnesse ) he entred Normandie , & claimed it as in his owne right . His father indeede had made him a promise of it long before , but Robert impatient of delay , as counting so long staying to bee little better then disinheriting , endeavoured by strong hand to wrest it from his father . But his father King William hearing hereof , with a strong Army passeth over into Normandie , where in a battaile meeting hand to hand with his sonne , was by him unhorsed , and hurt in the arme : but his sonne perceiving him by his voyce to bee his father , suddenly leapes off his horse , takes up his father , casts himselfe downe at his feete , and humbly intreats his pardon ; which as a father he easily grants , embraceth his sonne , and ever after , the sonne from the father had fatherly love , and the father from the sonne a filiall obedience . But though his father did thus pardon him , yet it seemes there is a Nemesis , or to say better , a Divine Providence , that did not pardon him ; for after this , it is observed he never prospered in any thing hee undertooke . It cannot perhaps be discovered , whether the Kings severity begat his subjects Insurrections , or his subjects Insurrections the Kings severity ; but which of them soever was the mother , it is certaine they were nurses each of them to other .

His aptnesse to forget Injuries .

CErtainly there is no such goodnesse of nature , as aptnesse to be reconciled ; of which vertue it seemes King William had a large proportion , for he seldome remembred injuries after submission . Edric the first that rebelled against him , he placed in Office neere about him . Gospatric who had beene a factious man , and a plotter of conspiracies against him , he made Earle of Glocester , and trusted him with managing a War against Malcolme King of Scots . Eustace Earle of Boleyne , who in the Kings absence in Normandy attempted to seise upon Dover Castle , he received afterward into great favour and respect . The Earles Marchar & Syward , with Wolnoth the brother of Harold , a little before his death , he released out of prison . Edgar , who as next heire to the Saxon Kings , had often attempted by Armes to recover his right , he not onely after twice defection pardoned , but gave him also allowance as a Prince : It is said twenty shillings a day , or rather a pound weight of silver , and other large livings besides ; so as Edgar finding the sweetnesse of safety , and the pleasures of a Country life , spent the rest of his dayes ( which were many ) retired from Court , neither envying nor being envyed . Only Waltheoff Earle of Northumberland , and Northam●ton , of all the English Nobility was put to death in all the time of this Kings Raigne ; and not he neither , till hee had twice falsified his Oath of Allegeance .

Of new Acquests to this Kingdome , by this Kings meanes .

IN the thirteenth yeare of his Raigne , he subdued Wales , and made it tributary to him , as before in the seaventh yeare of his Raigne , he brought Malcolme King of Scots to do him Homage , and thereupon to give him Hostages ; that if England made him greater then he was before , a King of a Duke ; he no lesse made England greater then it was before , three Kingdomes in one .

Of his Exactions and courses for raysing of money .

AS his Taxations were many in number , so they were various in kinde , not alwayes bringing in money directly , but sometimes obliquely saving it . The first taxe he laid upon his subjects was in the first yeare of his Raigne , after his returne out of Normandie ; a grievous taxe all writers say , but none what taxe it was . In the third yeare of his Raigne he ransacked all Monasteries , and all the gold and silver of either Chalices or Shrines , he tooke to his owne use . Likewise he Sessed all Bishops and Abbots what number of souldiers they should finde to serve him in his warres : also the strangers which he maintained in Pay , he dipsersed into Religious houses , and some also among the Nobility to bee maintained at their charge . Many other taxations he made , but last of all in the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne , by the advise of Roger Earle of Hertford , he caused the whole Realme to be described in a Censuall Roll , ( whereof hee tooke a President from King Alfred ) so as there was not one Hyde of Land , but both the yearely rent , and the owner thereof was therein set downe : How many Ploughlands , what Pastures , Fennes or Marishes , what Woods , Farmes , and Tenements were in every Shire , and what every one was worth : Also how many Villaines every man had ; what Beasts , what Cattell , what F●es , what other goods , what rent or commodity his Possessions did yeeld . This booke was called the Roll of Winton , because it was kept in the City of Winchester . By the English it was called Doomesday booke , either by reason of the generality thereof , or else corruptly , instead of Domu● Dei booke , for that it was laid in the Church of Winchester , in a place called Domu● Dei. According to this Roll taxations were imposed ; sometimes two shillings , and at this time six shillings upon every Hyde of Land , ( a Hyde containing as some account it , twenty Acres , bu● as Master Lambert proveth , a hundred Acres . ) In all those Lands which he gave to any man , hee reserved Dominion in chiefe to himselfe , as also a yearely rent , and likewise a Fine whensoever the Tenant did alien or dye . These were bound to him by Oath of Fealty and Homage , and if any died , his heire being within age , the King received the profits of his Lands , and had the custody and disposing of the heires body , untill his age of one and twenty yeares . To be short , his greedinesse of money was so great , that he spared not his owne brother Odo , but found accusations against him● to the end he might seise upon his Treasure ; which was infinite great , and which he had gathered in hope to buy the Papacy . Onely one kinde of profit he forbare to meddle with , that is , Vacancies of Abbeys and Bishopricks , which he alwayes reserved for the Successours : but then he tooke another course of farre greater profit , for he compelled all men to make new Fines at his pleasure , for confirmation of any Grant or Priviledges formerly granted by any Prince of the Realme : by which devise he got into his possession , the greatest part of all the riches of the Land , as well of the Clergie , as of the Laity . And one particular may not be omitted that is reported of him , which was this : The Monkes of Ely to purchase their peace , agreed to give him seven hundred Markes , when comming to pay it , there wanted a Groat in the weight , ( for in those dayes greater summes were not payd by tale , but by weight ) which the King understanding , denied them all composition for Peace , untill with much suite he was intreated to accept of a thousand Markes more .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances , and Courts of Iustice erected by him .

ALthough at his Coronation he had taken an Oath to observe the Lawes of King Edward then in use , yet afterwards ( perhaps counting his Coronation Oath but a matter of course ) he abrogated many , and in their stead brought in the Lawes of Normandie ; commanding them to be written in French , and also that all Causes should be Pleaded , and all matters of Forme dispatched in French ; upon a pretense to dignifie the French tongue , but with a purpose to intrappe men through ignorance of the language , as indeed it did : or perhaps to make the Normans language predominant in the Kingdome as he had made their persons ; which yet hee was so farre from effecting , that there is not so much as any footsteps remaining of the Norman language in the English tongue . Formes of Judgement , and trials by Fire and Water , called Ordeal , formerly used , were in short time after the Conquest disused , and in the end utterly abrogated by the Pope , as derived from Paganisme . That of Combat continued longer , but of no ordinary use : and all actions both criminall and reall , began now to be wholly adjudged by the Verdict of twelve men , according to the custome of Normandie , where the like Forme is used , and called by the name of Enquest , with the same cautions for the Jurours , as it is here continued to this day ; though by the Lawes of Ethelred it appeares , that the triall by twelve men was in use long before his time . And where before the Bishop and the Alderman were the absolute Judges to determine all businesse in every Shire , and the Bishop , in many Cases , shared in the benefit of the Mulcts with the King ; now hee confined the Clergie within the Privince of their owne Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction , to deale onely in businesse concerning rule of soules , according to the Canons and Lawes Episcopall . And where the Causes of the Kingdome were before determined in every Shire , and by a Law of King Edward , all matters in question were upon speciall penalty decided in their Gemote , or Conventicle held monethly in every Hundred : Now he ordained that foure times in the yeare , for certaine daies , the same businesses should be determined in such place as he would appoint , where he constituted Judges to attend for that purpose . Also he Decreed there should be Sheriffes in every Shire , and Justices of Peace for punishment of Malefactors . Finally he ordained his Councell of State , his Chancery , his Exchequer , ( Scaccarium corruptly called so , of the word Statarium , or rather of the Boord or Table where the Officers sate ; ) also his Courts of Justice , which alwayes removed with his Court . These places he furnished with Officers , and assigned foure Termes in the yeare for determining controversies among the people . The place of these Courts was Westminster , where King William Rufus afterward built a stately Palace . Now for his provisionary Revenues , the Kings Tenants who held Lands of the Crowne , payd him no money at all , but onely Corne and other victuals ; and a just note of the quality and quantity of every mans ratement , was taken through out all the Shires of the Kingdome , and levyed ever certaine , for maintenance of the Kings house . Onely the Kentish men procured the continuance of their ancient Lawes by a trick ; for King William riding towards Dover , at Sw●nscombe two miles from Gravesend , the Kentish men met him , but in the forme of a moving wood , by reason of the great boughes they had cut and carried in their hands , and compassing the King about , they onely made suite for the continuan● of their Lawes , which the King without any great scruple granted , and glad he was so ridde of them . A strange conceite in the Kentish men , to hazard themselves more , for the preserving a simple Custome ; then for preserving the Liberty of themselves and their Country : But such is the violence of conceit , till it be mastered by time , or rather so very a Changeling is Humane Reason , that what they then cut downe great Woods to defend , they have since beene content to see abolished , without cutting downe so much as a twigge . But one Law especially he made , extreamely distastefull to all the Gentry of the Land : for where before they might at their pleasure hunt and take Deere which they found abroad in the Woods ; Now it was Ordained , under a great penalty , no lesse then putting out their eyes ; that none should presume to kill or take any of them , as reserving them onely for his owne delight . And indeed so great delight he tooke in that kinde of sport , that he depopulated a great part of Hamshire , the space of thirty miles , where there had beene ( saith Car●on ) six and twenty Townes , and fourescore Religious Houses , and made it a Habitation for such kind of Beasts ; which was then , and to this day is called the New-Forest . But the lamentable dysasters that have happened to this Kings Issue , doe plainely shew , that there is a power , that observes all our Actions , and which we may know to be Memorem Fandi atque Nefandi . But in the first yeare of this Kings Raign● , he granted to the City of London , their first Charter and Liberties , in as large forme , as they enjoyed them in the time of King Edward the Confessor , which he granted at the suite of William a Norman , Bishop of London ; in gratefull remembrance whereof , the Lord Major and Aldermen , upon the solemne dayes of their resort to Pauls , doe still use to walke to the Gravestone , where this Bishop lies interred . Also this King was the first , that brought the Jewes to inhabite here in England , as likewise he made a Law , that whosoever forced a woman , should lose his genitals : and in his time , long Bowes came first into use in England , which as they were the weapons with which France under this King Conquered England : so they were the weapons with which England under after-Kings , Conquered Fra●ce ; as if it were not enough for us to beate them , if we did not beate them with their owne weapons . This King also appointed a Constable of Dover Castle , and a Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports , with Immunities as they are at this day .

Affaires of the Church in his Raigne .

IN the twelfth yeare of his Raigne , Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury , held a Synod at London , where amongst other things , he removed Bishops Sees , from small Townes to great Cities , as from Silliway to Chichester ; from Kyrton to Exceter ; from Wells to Bathe ; from Shirborne to Salisbury ; from Dorchester to Lincolne ; and from Lichfield to Chester ; and from thence againe to Coventry ; and not long before , the Bishopricke of Lindafferne , otherwise called Holy Land , upon the river Tweede , had beene translated to Durham . In the sixth yeare of his Raigne , a controversie arising betweene the two Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke , they appealed to Rome , and the Pope remitted it to the King and Bishops of England . Hereupon a Synod is holden at Windsor , where sentence was given on Lanfranks then Arch-bishop of Canterburies side : that in matters of Religion , the Arch-bishop of Yo●ke , should ever be subject to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury : Onely at Rome it was decreed , for matter of Title , that the See of Yorke should be stiled Primas Angliae , and the See of Canterbury , Primas totius Angliae , as it is at this day . And as the Arch-bishop of Yorke oweth obedience to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury ; So all the Bishops of Scotland owe obedience to the Arch-bishop of Yorke , as to the Primate of Scotland .

But as this King tooke downe the Prelates in Temporalties , for he ordained they should exercise no Temporall Authority at all ; So in Spiritualties , he rather raised them , as may be seene by a passage betweene Aldred Arch-bishop of York , and the King : for at a time , upon the repulse of a certaine suite , the Arch-bishop in great discontentment offered to depart , when the King , in awe of his displeasure , stayed him , fell downe at his feet , desired pardon , and promised to grant his suite . The King all this while being downe at the Arch-bishops feet● the Noblemen that were present , put him in mind that he should cause the King to arise , Nay ( saith the Arch-bishop ) let him alone , let him find what it is to anger Saint Peter . And as by this story , we see the insulting pride of a Prelate in those dayes : So by another , we may see the equivocating false-hood of a Prelate at that time ; For St●gand Arch-bishop of Canterbury would often sweare , he had not one penny upon the Earth , when under the Earth it was afterward found he had hidden great Treasure . Also it is memorable , but scarce credible of another Bishop , who being accused of Simony , and denying i● , the Cardinall before whom he was to Answer , told him , that a Bishopricke was the gift of the Holy Ghost , and therefore to buy a Bishopricke , was against the Holy Ghost , and thereupon bid him say , Glory be to the Father , and to the Sonne , and to the Holy Ghast ; which the Bishop beginning , and oft essaying , could never say , [ and to the Holy Ghost ] but said it plainely when he was put out of his Bishopricke . And yet was not the Church in that Age so barren of Vertue , but that it afforded some good Bishops , as William Bishop of Durham , Founder of University Colledge in Oxford , but specially Bishop Woolstan ; whom , upon Lanfrankes reporting , to be insufficient for the place , for want of Learning , the King commanded to put off his Pontificall Robes , and to leave his Bishopricke : when suddenly out of a divine Inspiration , Woolstan answered : A better then you , O King , bestowed these Robes upon me , and to him I will restore them . And therewithall going to Saint Edwards Shrine , who had made him a Bishop , and putting off his Robes , he strucke his Staffe upon Saint Edwards Monument , which stucke so fast in the stone of it , that by no strength it could be drawne forth , till he drew it forth himselfe : which so terrifyed both Lanfranke and the King , that they intreated him to take his Robes againe , and keepe his Bishopricke . Also Oswald Bishop of Salisbury , who devised a Forme of Prayers to be daily used in his Church , and was used afterwards in other Churches , from whence proceeded the common saying of Secundum usum Sarum . In this Kings time was Berengarius , who denyed the true body of Christ to be in the Sacrament ; Also in his time , Pope Gregory the seventh , removed marryed Priests from executing Divine Service , whereof great troubles arose in England .

Workes of Piety , by him , and others in his time .

THis King Founded the Abbey of Baltell in Sussex , where he overcame Harold ; the Abbey of Selby in Yorkeshire ; and a third neere London , called Saint Saviours . He founded also the Priory of Saint Nicholas at Exceter ; and gave great priviledges to Saint Martins le Grand in London ; which Church was founded before the Conquest , by Ingelricus and Emardus his Brother , Cousins to King Edward the Confessour . These were this Kings workes of Piety in England , but in Normandy he Founded also an Abbey at Caen : where his Wife Maude built likewise a Monastery of Nunnes . He gave also to the Church of Saint Stephens in Caen , two Manors in Dorsetshire , one Mannor in Devonshire , another in Essex , much Land in Barkeshire , some in Norfolke , a Mansion house in Woodstreete ; London , with many Advowsons of Churches , and even he gave his Crowne and Regall Ornaments to the said Church , being of his owne Foundation , for the redemption whereof , his Sonne Henry gave the Manour of Brydeton in Dorsetshire . In this Kings time , Robert , sonne to Hyldebert La●ie , Founded the Priory of Pon●fraite ; Henry Earle Ferrers Founded a Priory within his Castle at Tutbury ; Alwyn Chylde , a Citizen of London , Founded the Monastery of Saint Saviours at Bermondsey in Southwarke , and gave to the Monkes there divers Rents in London : Also in this Kings time , Mauric● Bishop of London , after the firing of the former Church of Saint Paul in London , began the Foundation of the new Church , a worke so admirable , that many thought it would never have beene finished . Towards the building of the East end whereof , the King gave the choyce stones of his Castle , at the West end of the City , upon the banke of the River Thames ; which Castle having beene at that time fired , in place thereof Edward Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury , did afterwards Found a Monastery of Blacke-fryers . The King also gave the Manor of Storford to the same Maurice , and to his Successours in that See ; after whose decease , Richard his next Successour , bestowed all the Rents of his Bishopricke , to advance the building of this Church , maintaining himselfe by his private Patrimony ; and yet all he could doe , made no great shew , but the finishing of the worke was left to many other succeeding Bishops . In the fifteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne , William Bishop of Durham , Founded University Colledge in Oxford : Also one Gylbert a Norman Lord , Founded the Abbey of Merton in Surrey , seven miles from London ; and Thomas Arch-bishop of Yorke , first builded the Minster of Yorke . In this Kings sixteenth yeare , his Brother Duke Robert , being sent against the Scots , builded a Fort , where at this day standeth New Castle upon Tyne : but the Towne and Walls w●re builded afterward by King Iohn . Also in this Kings time , Ledes Castle in Kent was builded by Creveken , and the Castle of Oxford , by Robert d' Oylie : two Noble men that came into England with him . Osmond Bishop of Salisbury built the new Church there ; Also Waring Earle of Shrewesbury , built two Abbeyes , one in the Suburbs of Shrewesbury , and another at Wenlocke .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN the twentyeth yeare of his Raigne , so great a fire happened in London , that from the West-gate to the East-gate , it consumed Houses and Churches all the way , and amongst the rest the Church of Saint Paul , the most grievous fire that ever happened in that City . Also this yeare , by reason of distemperature of weather , there insued a Famine : and afterwards a miserable mortality of Men and Cattell . Also this yeare in the Province of Wales , upon the Sea shoare , was found the body of Gawen , sisters sonne to Arthur , the great King of the Britaines : reported to be foureteene foot in length . Also in this Kings time , a great Lord ●itting at a Feast , was set upon by Mice , and though he were removed from Land to Sea , and from Sea againe to Land , yet the Mice still followed him , and at last devoured him .

Of his Wife and Children .

HE had to Wi●e , and her onely ; Mathilde or Maude , Daughter to Baldwyn Earle of Flanders . She was Crowned Queene of England , the second yeare of his Raigne : the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne , she dyed ; a Woman onely memorable for this , that nothing memorable is Recorded of her , but that she built a Nunnery at Caen in Normandy , where she lies Buryed . By her he had foure sonnes and fiv● daughters . His Sonnes were , Robert , Richard , William , and Henry : of whom Robert the eldest , called Court-cayse , of his short thighes , or Court-hose , of his short Breeches , or Courtois , of his courteous behaviour : ( for so many are the Comments upon his name ) succeeded his Father in the Dutchy of Normandy . Richard his second Sonne , was kild by mis-fortune , hunting in the New-Forest . William his third Sonne , called Rufus , succeeded his Father in the Kingdome of England . Henry his youngest Sonne called Beauclerke , for his Learning , had by his Fathers Will , five thousand pounds in money , and the inheritance also of his Mother . His Daughters were Cicelie , C●nstance , Adela , Margaret , and Elenor , of whom Cicelie was Abbesse of Caen in Normandy . Constance was marryed to Alan Earle of Britaine . Adela to Stephen Earle of Blois . Margaret affianced to Harold King of England , but never marryed , and dyed young . Elenor , betroathed to Alphonsus King of Gallitia , but desiring to dye a Virgin , she had her wish , spending her time so much in Prayer , that with continuall kneeling , her knees were brawned .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was but meane of stature , yet bigge of body , and therewithall so strong , that few were able to draw his Bow : growing in yeares , he was bald before ; his beard alwayes shaven , after the manner of the Normans ; and where in his younger time , he was much given to that infirmity of Youth , which grows out of strength of Youth , Incontinency : after he was once marryed , whether out of satiety , or out of Grace , he was never knowne to offend in that kind . Of so perfit health , that he was never sicke , till that sicknesse whereof he dyed . Of a sterne countenance , yet of an affable nature : In warre , as expert as valiant : In Peace , as provident as prudent : and in all his Enterprises , as Fortunate , as Bold and Hardy . Much given to Hunting and Feasting , wherein he was no lesse pleasant then magnificent . He made no great proficience in Learning ; as having had his education in the licentiousnesse of the French Court : yet he favoured learned men ; and drew out of Italy , Lanfranke , Anselme , Durand , Traherne , and divers others , famous at that time for Learning and Piety . Very devout he was , and alwayes held the Clergy in exceeding great Reverence : And this is one speciall honour attributed unto him , that from him we beginne the Computation of our Kings of England .

His Places of Residence .

HIs Christmas he commonly kept at Glocester ; his Easter at Wi●chester ; and his Whi●sontide at Westminster ; and once in the yeare , at one of these places would be new Crowned ; as though by often putting on his Crowne , he thought to make it sit the easier upon his head . And for the houses which the Kings of England had in those dayes in London ; I finde that at Westminster was a Palace , the ancient habitation of the Kings of England , from the time of Edward the Confessour : which in the Raigne of King Henry the Eight , was by casuall fire burnt downe to the ground . A very large and stately Palace this was , and in that Age , for building incomparable . The Remaines whereof , are the Chamber of assembling the High Court of Parliament , and the next unto it , wherein anciently they were wont to beginne the Parliament , called Saint Edwards painted Chamber , because the Tradition holdeth , that the said King Edward dyed in it . Adjoyning unto this , is the White-hall , wherein at this day the Court of Requests is kept ; Beneath this is the Great Hall , where Courts of Justice are now kept : This Hall which we now have , was built by King Richard the second , out of the Ground ; as appeareth by his Armes engraven in the stone worke : ( when he had plucked downe the old Hall , built before by William Rufus ) and made it his owne habitation . But the aforesaid Palace , after it was burnt downe in anno 15●2 . lay desolate , and King Henry the Eighth shortly after translated the Kings seat , to a house not farre off , built by Cardinall Woolsey● and is called White-Hall . The Tower of London also was anciently used by the Kings of England to lodge in . Other Houses they anciently had ; one where Bridewell now standeth , out of the ruines whereof , the now Bridewell was built . Another called the Tower Royall , now the Kings Wardrobe . Another in Bucklers-bury , called Sernes Tower . Another where now the Popes-head Taverne is , over against the Old Exchange ; and oftentimes they made use of Baynards Castle . But these are all long since demolished , that we may see Palaces and places have their Fa●es and periods as well as men .

His Death and Buriall .

TOwards the end of his Raigne , he appointed his two sonnes Robert and Henry with joynt authority , Governors of Normandy : These went together , to visit the King of France , lying at Constance , where entertaining the time with variety of sports ; Henry played with Lewis the Daulphin of France at Chesse , and winning much money of him , Lewis grew so cholericke , that he threw the Chess-men at Henries face ; calling him the sonne of a Bastard : and thereupon Henry strucke Lewis with the Chess-board , and had presently slaine him , if his Brother Robert had not stept in , and stayed him . Upon this the King of France invades Normandy , and drawes Robert , King Williams eldest sonne , to joyne with him against his Father : but King William comming presently over with an Army , was soone reconciled to his Sonne , yet being corpulent and in yeares , was by this meanes much distempered in Body , and so retyred to Roan , where he stayed , as not being well in health . The French King hearing of his sicknesse , scoffingly said , that he lay in Childe-bed of his great belly . Which so incensed King William , that he swore by Gods Resurrection and his Brightnesse , ( his usuall Oath ) that assoone as he should be Churched of that Childe , he would offer a thousand Lights in France ; and indeed he performed it ; for he entred France in Armes , and ●et many Townes and Corne-fields on fire , in which he was so violent , that by reason of his travaile and the unreasonable heate , being in the moneth of August , it brought upon him a relapse of his sicknesse , and withall , leaping on horse-backe over a ditch , his fat belly did beare so hard upon the pommell of his saddle , that he tooke a rupture in his inner parts ; whereupon returning to Roan , his sicknesse so encreased , that in short time he dyed ; and that which is scarce credible , yet Recorded for certaine , the very same day he dyed at Roan , his death was knowne at Rome , a thousand miles off . In all the time of his sicknesse , he retained to the very last , his memory and speech : and shewed many demonstrations of Devotion , and true contrition , specially for his severity used towards the English . And thus he who was a Conquerour of men , was conquered himselfe by death ; the ninth day of September , when he had Raigned twenty yeares , and neare eleven moneths , in the threescore and fourth yeare of his age : I may well say , he was conquered by Death ; seeing death used him more despitefully● then ever he living used any whom he had conquered : For no sooner was the breath out of his body , but his attendants purloyning what they could lay hands on , forsooke him and fled : leaving his body almost naked upon the Ground . Afterwards , William Arch-bishop of Roan , commanded his body should be conveyed to Caen , but his command was little regarded : till at last , one H●rlewyne , a Country Knight , at his owne charges caused his body to be Embalmed , and conveyed thither ; where the Abbot and Monkes meeting the Corps , suddenly in the middest of their solemnities , a violent fire brake out in the Towne , with the fright whereof , every man left the place ; and thus was his body the second time left forlorne . In the end a few Monkes returned and accompanyed the Herse to the Abbey Church ; but when the Divine Office was ended , and the body ready to be laid in the Grave , one Anselme Fits Arthur , stood up , and claimed that Ground to have beene the Floore of his Fathers house , which King William had violently wrested from him ; and thereupon charged them , as they would answer it before the dreadfull face of God , not to cover his Body with the Earth of his Inheritance . Whereupon after some pause , agreement was made with him , and three pound was payed in hand for the Ground broken up , and a hundred pounds more afterward for the Ground it selfe , payed him by Henry the Kings youngest Sonne , who onely of all his Sonnes was present at the Funerall . And yet this was not all , but when his Body was to be put in the Earth , it happened that the Sepulchre of Stone which stood within the G●ave , was hewne somewhat too strait for his fat belly , so as they were faine to presse it downe with some violence , with which , whether his bowels burst , or whether some Excrements were forced out of their naturall passage ; such an intolerable stinke proceeded from him , that none were able to endure it , but made all the hast they could to be gone . And yet neither was this the last of his miseries : For in the yeare , 1562. when Castillion tooke the City of Caen , certaine dissolute Souldiers opened his Tombe , and not finding the Treasure they expected , threw forth his bones with great derision : whereof some were afterward brought into England . So that if we consider his many troubles in life , and after his death , we may well thinke , that notwithstanding all his greatnesse , a very meane man would hardly be perswaded to change fortunes with him .

Men of Note in his time .

MEn of Learning in his time , were but rare in this Island , yet some there were , particularly Marianus Scotus , a Historiographer , and Alpheredus a Monke o● Beverley , a Writer also of Historicall Argument . And as for Men of Valour , they are not to be expected in a time of Servitude , but as if all the English Valour were now remaining in the Kentish men , they onely made resistance , when all other Countries had submitted .

THE RAIGNE OF KING WILLIAM THE SECOND .

KING William the Second called Rufus , second Son to William the Conquerour , appointed Successor by his Fathers Will ; was upon the fifth of October , in the yeare 1087. by Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury , Crowned at Westminster King of England . Wherein his Father seemes to have followed the Example of Iacob , who gave to his younger sonne Ioseph , the Land which he had taken with his Sword and his Bow : for with his sword and his Bow , had King William gotten the Land of England ; and therefore might justly bestow it on which of his Sonnes he pleased . And besides , there was cause enough , why he should shew this Sonne of his some extraordinary favour , seeing in the Rebellion of his brother Robert , yet he stood firmely for his Father ; and in his quarrell incurred no small hazard of his life , as wherein he received divers wounds : and perhaps also , his Father thought the rough disposition of this sonne , fitter to bridle the insurrections of the English , then the softly disposition of his sonne Robert .

But though he have thus quietly gotten the Crowne , he must not looke to hold it so ; and indeed at his very beginning is assaulted with two troubles in one : for both his Brother Robert prepares to recover it from him , and the Lords of the Kingdome combine with Robert to assist him in it . The first mover of this trouble was Odo Bishop of Bayeux , his Unckle , who finding himselfe not to beare the sway he expected , and specially for an old grudge he bore to Lanfranke , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , as by whose means , in the former Kings time he had bin imprisoned ( the Arch-bishop telling him , that though he might not imprison a Bishop , yet he might imprison an Earle of Kent , as this Odo was made not long before ) he drawes many other Bishops and Temporall Lords to joyne with him● in behalfe of Duke Robert , against the King : but though the storme were violent for a while , yet it soon passed over ; that indeed of his Lords , with more difficulty : but that of his brother Robert with more cost : For it was at last agreed , that Rufus should pay him three thousand markes a yeare , during his life , and leave him the Kingdome after his owne decease . But there was difficulty in repressing his Rebell Lords , by reason of their spreading themselves abroad in many quarters . For Odo fortifyed himselfe in Kent ; Roger Montgomery , Earle of Shrewsbury , in Norfolke , Suffolke , and Cambridgeshire ; Hugh de Grandmenill , in Leycestershire , and Northamptonshire ; Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland , possest himselfe of Bristow ; William Bishop of Durham , of the North parts of the Realme ; and divers other of the Clergy , and Nobility , fortify themselves in Herefordshire , Shropshire , Worcestershire , and all the Countries adjoyning to Wales , thinking by this meanes to distract the King that he should not know where to beginne , nor whither to turne him . But this course , as it made it hard to represse them suddenly , so it made it easie to represse them at leisure ; for being thus divided , they were but as single stickes , that are easily broken ; where if they had united themselves , as into a Faggot , they might have made a strength of farre greater resistance . But the King having Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and Woolstan Bishop of Worcester , firme of his side : partly by their Authority and love amongst the people ; but chiefely by his owne promises , to restore their ancient Lawes , and to allow them liberty of hunting in his Forests , he so firmely wonne the hearts of all unto him ; that some of the Rebell Lords he reconciled with faire words , as Robert Montgomery ; ( a principall sinew of the Faction ) some againe he mastered by strong hand , and Odo the chiefe Engineere of all the worke , he besieged in the Castle of Rochester , tooke him Prisoner , and forced him to abjure the Realme . And thus this great Rebellion was suppressed : In which it is observable , that though so many hot bloods were up , yet there was but little blood spilt . A happy rebellion for the English ; for the Rebell Lords and Bishops being all Normans , the King had none to trust to , but the English , whom for their faithfulnesse to him in this service , he ever after respected more then he had done befo●e .

After this storme was over in the South , there ariseth another in the North ; For now Malcolme King of Scots , thinking it a fit time to doe some feates when King William was troubled at home ; invades Northumberland , and having burnt and spoyled the Country , returnes home laden with booties . Which King William hearing , he takes his brother Robert along with him , and with a mighty Army enters Scotland , brings Malcolme to acknowledge his ancient homage : and upon Faith given , returnes to London . After this , Duke Robert finding his brother King William , not to keep his promise , in paying his Pension , complaines to the King of France , and with his ayde , assaults and takes some Townes , which he before had delivered in pawne for money to his brother King William ; who hearing of it , hastens into Normandy with an Army , and by the mediation of money takes off the King of France , and makes his brother , being left destitute of assistance , to aske him pardon : a wise and mercifull course in King William ; for to buy his peace with the King of France , did cost him but money , where to have purchased it by Warre , must besides money , have cost the lives of many . After this Malcolme , King of Scots , came in kindnesse to visit King William at Glocester : but the King not vouchsafing so much as to see him , put him into so great an indignation , that returning home , he makes ready an Army , invades Northumberland , making great spoyle and getting great spoyles , but by Robert Mowbray , the Kings Lieutenant there , was taken in ambush , and together with his eldest sonne Edward , defeated and slaine . This King Malcolme was a most valiant Prince , as may appeare by an Act of his of an extraordinary straine ; for hearing of a conspiracy plotted to murther him , whereof one was Authour , whose name is not recorded , he dissembled the knowing it , till being abroad one day a hunting , he tooke the fellow apart from the company , and being alone , said unto him : Here now is a fit time and place , to doe that manfully , which you have intended to doe treacherously ; draw your weapon , and if you kill me , none being present , you can incurre no danger : with which speech of the King , the fellow was so daunted , that presently he fell downe at his feet , confessed his fault , humbly asked forgivenesse , and being granted him , was ever after serviceable and faithfull to him . The death of King Malcolme and his Sonne , was so grievous , and so grievously taken of Margaret his Queene , the sister of Edgar Atheling , that she made it her Prayer , and had it granted , not to over-live them , and so , within three dayes after dyed : a woman as full of vertues all her life , as at this time of sorrowes ; whom yet I should not breake order to mention , but for one pious Act of hers , in causing a most barbarous custome of Scotland to be abrogated , that when a man marryed , his Lord should lye the first night with his Bride . Which custome by her indevour was altered to a payment in money .

After these troubles were ended in the North , a new trouble ariseth in the West ; for now the Welsh men hearing of King Williams distractions , enter upon the English borders , making spoyle and havocke of men and Townes : whom King William went with an Army to encounter , but could doe no good upon them , till he was faine to returne to London , and provide him a stronger Army . About this time also Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland , by whom Malcolme King of Scots was in King Williams service formerly slaine , finding his service not rewarded as he expected , enters into Conspiracy against the King ; but the King being informed of the practise , seiseth suddenly upon many of his Compl●ces , and himselfe , after many devises and shifts for flight , is taken and put in prison , in the Castle of Windsor . After this , King William to take a further revenge of the Welsh , and to make an absolute conquest of that unquiet people , with a farre greater Army then ever before , enters Wales , and thinkes with new devices of Castles and Forts , utterly to subdue them , but they defending themselves , with their Woods , and Mountainous passages , tyre and weary out the King and his Army , so as he leaves the businesse to two Hughes , one , Earle of Salop , the other of Chester , who first invaded and tooke Anglesey , ( their Island of refuge ) where they used all kinde of cruelty , pulling out of eyes , and cutting off hands and noses : in prosecuting of which businesse , Hugh Earle of Salop was slaine , but Hugh Earle of Chester , entred Wales , and in the end , with the slaughter of Rees , the last King of Wales , made an absolute Conquest of the Country . For after this , though they often rebelled , yet they were in a true subjection . And these for the most part , were all the troubles of his Raigne : where we may observe , that none of them did ever overtake him , but still he met them , and from none of them he ever fled , but was still the pursuer , and yet so many as might well have taken away all the comfort of a Crowne , and have made him willing to change his Diadem for a paire of Beades , but that Ambition , though sometimes weary , yet never ty●es .

His Exactions and Courses for raising of money .

IN the second yeare of his Raigne , Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury dyed , who had kept the kingdome and King in some good Order , but assoone as he was dead , the King , as though he were then got loose , ranged without reines , in all licentiousnesse : preying especially upon the Clergy , as amongst whom he found the richest Booties . When Bishoprickes or Abbeyes were vacant , it was familiar with him to seise them into his owne hands , as this of Lanfranke , he kept to his owne use foure yeares together , and longer would have kept it , if a sicknesse of his Body had not healed this disease of his minde : For finding himselfe in some hazard of death , he then conferred the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury upon Anselme , and the Bishopricke of Lincolne , upon Robert Bloet , two eminent men of that time ; but assoone as hee was well againe , it repented him of that he had done , and was not quiet , till hee had drawne from the said Bloet , five thousand pounds , and from Anselme also good summes of money . For he repented not more in time of sicknesse for the evill he had done in health , then being in health , he repented him of the good he had done in sicknesse ; that it may in a manner be said , there was nothing made him sicke but health , and nothing made him be in health but sicknesse . But this preying upon the Clergy was growne into such a custome with him , that he kept in his hands at one time , three Bishoprickes , Canterbury , Winchester , and Salisbury ; and twelve Abbeys ; all which he let out to Farme , and received the profits : and from this King , the use is said to have risen first in England , that the Kings succeeding had the Temporalties of Bishops Sees , as long as they remained voyd . Having agreed to pay the King of France a great summe of money , he raised it in this manner ; He caused twenty thousand men to be levied , under pretence for his warres in Normandy ; but when they were ready to be shipped , it was signified to them from the King , that whosoever would pay tenne shillings towards the levying of Souldiers in Normandy , should be excused from going , and stay at home ; which was so plausible an offer to the Army , that scarce a man was found that accepted not the condition . When Duke Robert went into the Holy Land he pawned his D●tchy of Normandy to his Brother King William for 6666. pounds , or as some write , for 12600. which money King William tooke up part by a grievous Imposition : so that Bishops melted their Plate , and the Temporall Lords spoyled their Tenants for the payment thereof : and part by loane ; but chiefely of Religious persons . He sold the Abbey of Glastenbury to Thurstan for five hundred pounds ; and when he built Westminster Hall , he made that an occasion to lay a heavie taxe upon the people , who grudged at it , as done of purpose . He usually sold all Spirituall preferments , to them would give most ; and tooke Fines of Priests for Fornication : as also he tooke money of Jewes , to cause such of them as were converted , to renounce Christianity , and returne to Judaisme , as making more benefit by their Unbeliefe then by their Conversion . He caused divers of the Nobility to pay grievous Fines for transgressing his Laws , though the fault were never so small . He set forth a Proclamation that none should goe out of the Realme without his Licence , by which he drew much money from many ; for either they must tarry at home and live discontented , or else content him for giving them leave to goe abroad . And from thence the Custome or Law of Ne exeas Regno , seemes to have taken its beginning : for Precedents of servitude are sure to live , where Precedents of Liberty are commonly still-borne . These were his wayes for raising of money , wherein Promoters and Informers were his darling servants ; and the most officious of all was Ralph Bishop of Durham , of whom he would often say , there was not such another man in the world to serve a Kings turne . And yet he was not so greedy of lucre but that he did some Acts that may serve for examples : as one time , an Abbey being vacant , two Monkes of the Covent came suiters to him for the place , offering great summes , and each of them out-bidding the other ; whereupon the King looking about , and espying another Monk standing not farre off , asked him what he would give for the place ? Who answering , he neither had any thing to give , nor would give any thing if he had it : Well ( said the King ) thou hast spoken honestly , thou art fitter to be Abbot then either of these ; and so bestowed the place upon him gratis .

Of his Magnanimity .

WOrd was brought him as he sate at dinner , that his City of Mans in Normandy was besieged , and in great danger to be taken , if not presently relieved : whereupon the King asked which way Mans lay ; and then caused Masons presently to take downe the Wall , to make him passage the next way , and so rode instantly towards the Sea . His Lords about him , advising him to stay till his people were ready : No ( saith he ) but such as love me I know will follow me . And being come on Shipboard , and the weather growing very tempestuous , he was advised by the Master of his Ship , to stay for some calmer season : No ( saith he ) Feare nothing , I never yet heard of any King that was drowned . And thereby comming to Mans●nexpected ●nexpected , he presently dispersed the Besiegers , and tooke Helias Count de la Flesche , who had been Authour of the tumult , Prisoner ; who vaunting to the King , and saying , Now indeed you have taken me by a wile ; but if I were at liberty againe , you should finde me to doe other manner of feats : at which the King laughing ; Well then ( saith he ) go your wayes and doe your worst , and let us see what feats you will do . Being reconciled to his Brother Robert , he assisted him to recover the Fort of Mount Saint Michael , which their Brother Henry did forcibly hold in Normandy : during which siege , straggling one time alone upon the shoare , he was set upon by three horsmen , who assaulted him so fiercely , that they drove him from his saddle , and his saddle from his horse ; but he taking up his saddle , and withall drawing out his sword , defended himselfe till rescue came : and being afterward blamed for being so obstinate to save his saddle , he answered : It would have angred me at the very heart , that the knaves should have bragged they had wonne the saddle from me .

Of his justnesse in keeping his word .

THis vertue specially was commended in him , and he would often say , that even God himselfe was obliged by his word . But if we observe the course of his life , we shall finde that howsoever he might keepe his word in small matters , yet certainly not in great● For he kept not his word with his Brother Robert , to whom he promised to leave the Kingdome of England after his decease , but performed it not . Nor he kept not his word with his subjects , for in the rebellion of the Norman Lords , he promised the English , if they would now stick to him , they should have their ancient Lawes restored , and be allowed liberty to hunt in his Forests ; which promise he either kept not at all , or at least soone brake . Nor he kept not his word with God himselfe ; for being sick at Glocester , and in some hazard of his life , he made a solemne vow , that if he recovered , he would leade a new life , and give over all his disorderly courses : but being recovered , he grew more disorderly then he was before that if denomination be made from the greatest actions , it cannot be truly said that he was just of his word ; but such is the priviledge of Princes over their subjects , that if they make a promise it must be beleeved ; and if they breake it , it must not be questioned .

Of his Incontinencie .

MUch is spoken of his lascivious life in generall , but nothing in particular : for neither is mentioned any violence he ever offered to any ; nor is any woman named to have beene his Concubine , and Princes Concubines are seldome concealed . It is true he was never married , and of a strong constitution of body , and so probable he might be inclining to that vice ; but probabilities are not alwayes concluding , and therfore whether it be a true accusation , or but a slander , it may well be doubted : only one base son of his is spoken of , called Bertrannus , whom he advanced in honour , and matched in a Noble Family . But why should we more look for particulars of his Incontinency , then of his Prodigality ? for he was taxed no lesse for being Prodigall , then for being Incontinent ; and yet of his Prodigality there is not so much as one instance recorded , unlesse we take this for an instance ; that when his Chamberlaine brought him a paire of hose , which because they were new , he asked what they cost ? And being told they cost three shillings , in a great chafe he threw them away ; asking him , If he thought a paire of hose of three shillings , to be fit for a King to weare ? Get thee gone ( saith he ) and let me have a paire of a Marke . His Chamberlaine went , and bringng him another paire scarce so good as the former , and telling him they cost a Marke ; I marry ( saith the King ) these are something like , and was better satisfied with hearing what they cost , then with seeing what they were worth : and yet was this no imputation to his wisdome , for to say the truth , it is no defect of wisdome in a King to be ignorant what his cloaths are worth .

Of his wavering in Religion .

HE appointed a disputation to be held betweene Christians and Jewes , and before the day came , the Jewes brought the King a Present , to the end they might have an indifferent hearing ; The King took the Present , encouraging them to quit themselves like men : and swore by Saint Lukes face ( his usuall oath ) that if they prevailed in Disputation , he would himselfe turne Jew , and be of their Religion . A young Jew on a time was converted to the Christian Faith , whose Father being much troubled at it , presented the King sixty Markes , intreating him to make his sonne to returne to his Judaisme ; whereupon the King sent for his sonne , commanding him without more adoe to returne to the Religion of his Nation . But the young man answered , he wondred his Majesty would use such words ; for being a Christian , he should rather perswade him to Christianity : with which answer the King was so confounded , that he commanded the yo●g man to get h●m out of his sight . But his Father finding the King could doe no good upon his sonne , required his money againe ; Nay ( saith the King ) I have taken paines enough for it , and yet that you may see how kindly I will deale , you shall have one halfe ; and the other halfe you cannot in conscience deny me . There were fifty Gentlemen accused for hunting and killing the Kings Deere , which they denied , and were therefore condemned to the triall of fire ; which by Gods mercifull judgement they passed through untouched : the King hearing it , and deceived of the confiscation he expected , is said in a great chafe to say ; How happens this ? Is God a just Judge in suffering it ? Now a murraine take him that beleeves it . It seemes also he doubted of many points of Religion , then in credit . For he would often prote●t , that he beleeved not that Saints could profit any man in Gods sight , and therefore neither would he , nor any other that were wise ( as he affirmed ) make Intercession either to Peter , or to any other for helpe .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

THe King claimed the Investiture of Bishops to be his right , and forbad Appeales and Intercourse to Rome ; ( for no Appeales had ever beene used till Anselme in this Kings Reigne appealed to the Pope ) upon whose complaint the Pope was about to Excommunicate the King , but having a little before Excommunicated the Emperour Henry the fourth ( the first Christian Prince with Soveraigne author●ty , that was ever Excommunicate by any Pope ) he forbore at that time to doe it , lest by making Excommunication common , he should make it be slighted . At this time great contention arose betweene the King and the Arch-Bishop Anselme : and Ans●lme not yeelding to the King in any point prejudiciall to the Popes authority ; nor the King yeelding to Anselme in any point prejudiciall to his owne Prerogative ; ( which were points indeed Incompatible ) the contention continued long and hot , and the hotter , because there were at that time two Popes on foote at once : one elected by the Conclave , called Urbanus the second ; another set up by the Emperour , called Clement the third : for Anselme held with Urban , the King with Clement : and thus not agreeing in a third , it was impossible they should agree between themselves ; and this contention , though palliated with pretentions , somtimes of one side , sometimes of another , yet brake out againe , and was renewed both in this Kings time , and in the times of many Kings after . Anselme often threathing his going to Rome , the King told him plainely he would not thrust him out of the Realme , but if he would goe without his leave , he would then keepe him out during his pleasure ; and besides , he should carry nothing out of the Realme wi●h him : yet Anselme ventured it , and the King performed it ; for William Warlewast was sent to rifle him in his passage at Sea of all he had , neither was he suffered to returne as long as the King lived ; during all which time , the King tooke the profits of his Archbishoprick to his owne use . It may not be amisse to shew a passage here concerning the first cause of contention betweene the King and Anselme , which some say was this ; The King required a thousand Markes of him for having preferred him to that See : which Anselme refused to give , as judging it no lesse Simony to give after the preferment then before : but yet afterward offering five hundred pounds , the King refused to accept it , as being worth ( he said ) five times as much : whereupon Anselme told him , Your Grace may have me , and all that is mine , to serve your turne in a friendly manner ; but in the way of servitude and bondage , you shall never have me nor mine : Which words so angred the King , that they could never after be reconciled . In this Kings Reigne Pope Urbane exhorted all Christian Princes to joyne together for recovery of Ierusalem and the Holy Land : and by the solliciting of Peter an Hermite , there assembled for that enterprise , under the conduct of Godefry of Bulloigne , to the number of three hundred thousand men ; amongst whom was Robert Duke of Normandy , who so valiantly carried himselfe in the action , that after Ierusalem was won , the Kingdome of it ( as some write ) was offered to him : but he looking more after the Kingdome of England , and therefore refusing it ; It is observed he never prospered all his life after . In this Kings Reigne , although he had no command in Ireland , yet their Bishop of Dublin was sent over to Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury , to be Consecrated by him ; and the Citizens of Waterford also desiring to have a Bishop , procured Murcherdach , King of Ireland , to write to Anselme , to give his consent . Also in this Kings dayes , the Pope forbad the marriage of Priests .

Workes of piety of this King , or by other in his time .

THis King gave to the Monkes of Southwarke , the Church of Saint Saviour of Be●mondsey , and Bermondsey it selfe ; he also Founded at Yorke the Hospitall of Saint Leonards : He gave the Church of Saint Peter in the City of Bathe to be a Bishops See . Hugh Earle of Chester , in this Kings dayes builded the Abbey of Chester : Oswald Bishop of Salisbury , Founded the Cathedrall Church of Salisbury : Remigius Bishop of Dorchester , to the end his Bishoprick might be removed to Lincolne ; beganne to build the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne ; and Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury builded two Hospitals without the City ; the one of Saint Iohn , the other at Harbaldowne , repaired Christs Church , and caused five and twenty Manors to be restored to that See , which had unjustly beene withholden . He repaired also the Abbey of Saint Albans , and the Church of Rochester , where for foure secular Priests , he placed to the number of fifty Monkes . In the sixth yeare of this Kings Reigne , William Warren the first Earle of Surrey , and Gundred his wife , Founded the Abbey of Lewis in Sussex : and Warren Earle of Shrewsbury built two Abbeys , one in the Suburbs of Shrewsbury , the other at Wenlock . In his twelfth yeare , Robert Losaunge , Bishop of Thetford , removed his See from Thetford to Norwich , and founded there a faire Monastery .

His buildings and Structures .

THis King enlarged the Tower of London , and compassed it with new wals : he also built the great Hall at Westminster , being 270. foote in length , and 74. in breadth ; but thinking it too little , he intended to have built another Hall which should have stretched from the Thames to the Kings streete . He repaired the City and Castle of Carlile , which had beene wasted by the Danes two hundred yeares before , and because it had but few Inhabitants , he brought a Colony thither out of the Southerne parts . He finished New-Castle upon Tyne , and many other Castles he erected or repaired upon the borders of Scotland ; many also upon the frontires , and within the very breast of Wales .

Casualties happening in his Reigne .

IN the fourth yeare of his Reigne , on Saint Lukes day , above six hundred houses in London were throwne downe with tempest ; and the roofe of Saint Mary Bow Church in Cheape , was so raised , that in the fall six of the beames being 27. foote long , were driven so deepe into the ground : ( the streets being not then paved with stone ) that not above foure foote remained in sight , and yet stood in such ranke and order as the workmen had placed them upon the Church . Also in this Kings Reigne all the Lands in Kent , sometimes belonging to Earle Godwin , were by breaking in of the Sea covered with Sands , and are called Godwins Sands to this day . In his eleventh yeare , at a Towne called Finchamstead in the County of Barkshire , a Well cast out bloud , as before it had done water : and after by the space of fifteene dayes , great flames of fire were seene in sundry places and at sundry times .

Of his Personage and Condition .

HE was but meane of stature , thick and square bodied , his belly swelling somewhat round , his face was red , his hai●e deepe yellow , whereof he was called Rufus ; his forehead foure square like a window ; his eyes spotted , and not one like another ; his speech unpleasant , and not easily uttered , specially when he was moved with anger . Concerning the qualities of his minde , they may best be knowne by looking upon the actions of his life ; in which we shall finde he was never more assured , then when he was least sure , never lesse dejected , then when in most extremity ; being like a Cube , that which way soever he fell , he was still upon his bottome . For his delights to passe the time , there was none in more request with him then hunting , a delight hereditary to him , which was the cause that as his Father had begunne the great new Forest , so he enlarged it to a farre greater extent . Other delights of his we finde not any , unlesse we shall reckon his warres for delights : for though they were oftentimes forced upon him , when he could not avoyd them ; yet sometimes he entred into them when he needed not , but for his pleasure . And in generall , it may be said that one of his greatest vertues , was that which is one of the greatest vertues , Magnanimity ; and his worst vice , was that which was the worst of vices , Irreligion .

Presages that preceded his Death .

AT Finchamstead in Barkshire , neare unto Abington , a spring cast up liquor for the space of fifteene dayes , in substance and colour like to bloud . The night before the King was kild , a certaine Monk dream'd , that he saw the King gnaw the Image of Christ crucified with his teeth ; and that as he was about to bite away the legges of the same Image , Christ with his feete spurned him downe to the ground : and that as he lay on the earth , there came out of his mouth a flame of fire , with abundance of smoake . This being related to the King by Robert Fits Mammon , he made a jest of it , saying ; This Monke would faine have something for his Dreame : Goe , give him a hundred shillings ; but bid him looke that he dreame more auspitious Dreames hereafter . Also the same night , the King himselfe dream'd that the veines of his armes were broken , and that the bloud issued out in great abundance : and many other like passages there were , by which it seemes he had friends somewhere , as well as Iulius Caesar , that did all they could to give him warning : but that as Caesars , so his Malus Genius would not suffer him to take it .

Of his Death and Buriall .

KIng William having kept his Christmas at Glocester , his Easter at Winchester , his Whitsontide at Westminster , notwithstanding forewarned by many signes of some great dysaster towards him , would needs the day after Lammas , goe a hunting in the New Forest ; yet something resenting the many presages , he stayed within all the forenoone : about dinner time , an Artificer came and brought him sixe Crosse-bow Arrowes , very strong and sharpe ; whereof foure he kept himselfe , and the other two he delivered to Sir Walter Tyrell , a Knight of Normandy his Bow-bearer ; saying , Here Tyrell , take you two , for you know how to shoot them to purpose : and so having at dinner drunke more liberally then his custome , as it were in contempt of Presages , out he rides into the new Forest , where Sir Walter Tyrell shooting at a Deere , the arrow glanced against a tree , or as some write , grazed upon the back of the Deere , and flying forward , hit the King upon the breast ; with which he instantly fell downe dead . Thus it is delivered by a common consent of all ; onely one Sugerius , a writer that lived at that time , and was a familiar acquaintance of the said Tyrels ; against the current of all Writers , aff●irmes that he had often heard the said Sir Walter sweare that he was not in the Forest with the King all that day . I have beene the longer upon this point , because a more pregnant example of Gods judgement remaines not any where upon Record . For not onely this King at this time , but before this , a brother of his named Richard , a young Prince of great hope ; and also a Nephew of his , the sonne of his brother Robert , came all in this place to violent deaths : that although King William the Founder of the Forest , escaped the punishment in his owne person , yet it was doubled and trebled upon him in his issue . Thus died King William Ruf●s , in ●he three and fortieth yeare of his age , and twelfth and some moneths of his Reigne . His body was drawne in a Colliers Cart with one Horse to the City of Winchester , where the day following it was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Swithen , and was laid there in the Quire under a Marble stone , till afterward it was translated , and laid by King Canutus bones .

Men of Note i● his time .

FOr men of valour , he must stand alone by himselfe : for men of learning , there was Lanfranke , a Lombard , but Bishop of Canterbury : also Robert a Lorayne , who Epitomized the Chronicle of Marianus Scotus : also Turgotus an English man , Deane of Durham , who wrote the Annals of his owne time , and divers other works : but especially Osmund Bishop of Salisbury , who composed the ordinary Office , or book of Prayer .

THE RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIRST .

Of his comming to the Crowne .

ALthough Henry came not to the Crowne , as his Brother William did , by the gift of his Father , yet he came to it by the Prophesie of his Father : For , when his Father made his Will , and divided all his Estate in Land betweene his two eldest Sonnes , giving to Henry his youngest onely a portion in money , with which division he perceived him to be much discontented ; he said unto him , Content thy selfe Harry , for the time will come , that thy turne shall be served as well as theirs . And now the time was come that his prediction was accomplished ; for on the fifth of August , in the yeare 1100. he was Crowned King of England , at Westminster , by Maurice Bishop of London , ( as Deane of all the Bishops of England , and therefore might doe it without any prejudice to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , though he had beene present , who was indeed at this time in Exile . ) But though it appeares fuisse in Fatis , to be decreed by the Divine Providence that it should be so , yet it would not have been so , if his owne endevours had not beene concurring . And therefore being in the New Forest , when his Brother King William was killed , he never stayed to complement the Dysaster , but rode presently to Winchester , and there , not without some opposition of the keepers , seis●d upon his Brothers Treasure , as knowing treasure to be the meanes for getting of Friends , and Friends the meanes for getting the Crowne ; and having now gotten the first meanes , he made use of it for the s●cond , and both of them together brought him to this he is . Yet withall there were circumstances in his owne Person that conduced to it ; his Brother was borne , when their Father was but a Duke , he , when he was a King ; Robert was a Forrainer , being borne in Normandy , himselfe a Native , borne at Selby in Yorkeshire ; and it was not the least circumstance , that he was called Beauclerke , as to say , a good Scholar , having beene bred in Cambridge ; not perhaps that his learning was so great , but that it was great , either in respect of that age , which had but little ; or in respect of his Brothers , who had none at all : and the People having beene oppressed before , by the ill Government of two Kings , that were illiterate ; could not chuse but be glad to come under the Government of a King ●hat was Learned . And though his Brother Robert , as being the Elder , had right unto it , yet he as out of sight was out of minde , and perhaps neglected , as being himselfe negligent ; withall it was given out , that he was chosen King of Hierusalem , and therefore no looking for him to come home ; and to give force to all these reasons , Henry Newborough Earle of Warwicke was a principall ●urtherer .

His course for establishing himselfe in the Kingdome .

IT is a hard matter to keepe that safely , which is unjustly gotten ; and therefore he tooke all possible care to overcome that hardnesse : which he effected by these meanes ; First , he called Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury home from Exile ; placed William Gyfford a learned man , in the Bishopricke of Winchester ; and Monasteries that had beene long vacant , he furnished with good Abbots . And because it is no lesse pleasing to the People , to have bad instruments punished , then the good to be advanced , he cast Ralph Bishop of Durham , ( a principall cause of their late oppressions ) into prison : then mitigated the rigour of the new Lawes ; and promised restitution of the old . And that there might be no abuse in measures , he ordained a measure , made by the length of his owne Arme , which is called a Yard . He restored to his Subjects the use of Lights and Fire in the night , which before had beene forbidden after eight a clocke at night . He acquited the People from the Taxe of Danegelt , and from all other unjust payments , which had beene imposed upon them by the two former Kings . He gave free liberty to the Nobility and Gentry of the Realme , to inclose Parkes for Deere , and Warrens for Coneyes ; and such like game . And because he knew Scotland might be an ill Neighbour to him , if not tyed by some Bond , and none so sure as the Bond of Alliance , he therefore takes Matild sister of the present King Edgar to be his Wife .

His Troubles during his Raigne .

RAlph Bishop of Durham , the late King Williams great Instrument for Exactions , that had by this King beene committed to the Tower , made an escape , and passing over to Duke Robert in Normandy ; incenseth him , not to suffer himselfe to be baffled by a younger Brother ; as for his Brother William , there was some reason , because his Father had given him the Kingdome by his Will , but what could Henry pretend , who had his Portion given him in money ? Besides , it was an agreement with his Brother William , with consent of all the Lords of the Re●lme , that the Surviver of them should succeed . With such like instigations , and withall assuring him , there were many in England would take his part ; he easily perswaded the Duke to that , from which he could hardly have disswaded him ; who thereupon with a convenient Army , puts to Sea , and lands at Portsmouth , while Henry waited for his comming about Hastings ; and being landed there , much people resorted to him , that it was like to have beene a bloody businesse ; but by mediation of Friends , working upon the flexible nature of Duke Robert , it was brought at last to this agreement , that King Henry should pay to Duke Robert , three thousand markes yearely , and Duke Robert should succeed him in the kingdome , if he survived . And thus , this cloud , that threatned so great a storme , brought with it , ●ather Sunshine and faire weather : for now , to his possession of the Kingdome , there was added a right , and he might now justifie his being a King , without any scandall or usurpation . After this , another little cloud arose , but was soone dispersed : For Robert de Belesme Earle of Shrewsbury , a rash young man of disposition , but more through discontentment , though discontented for nothing , but that having a great Estate , he was not a King as well as some others , fortifyed the Towne of Shrewsbury , and the Castle of Bridgenorth , and got many Welshmen to assist him , but the King comming with a mighty Army , so terrifyed the Welsh , that they abandoned the Earle , and left him a prey to the King in his person , and more in his Estate , for the King seised his Estate into his hands , but for his Person he onely banisht it the Realme . For as yet , the shedding of blood and putting to death , though for great Treasonable practises , was not much in use ; Policy of State was not yet growne to that heighth of severity . The like attempt , and upon the like occasion , was made by William Earle of Mortaigne in Normandy , and of Cornwall in England , Unckle to the King , onely for denying him the Earledome of Kent , which because he could not obtaine , he entred into Treasonable practises , by which he lost the Earledomes he had before . But these troubles were but as the labour of a Woman that is safely delivered ; painefull for a time , but ending in joy : and indeed for the most part this King had the fortune to be a gainer by his losses .

After this , Duke Robert came in kindnesse into England , to visit● his Brother Henry ; where he was so well pleased with his entertainment , that in requitall thereof , and to doe a favour to the Queene , that was his God-daughter ; he released to King Henry , the three thousand markes , which he was yearely to pay him . But returning into Normandy , and considering better what he had done , he so repented him , that he spared not to give out , that his Brother had directly cousened him . Which comming to King Henryes eare , so incensed him , that he presently sent over a mighty Army , which forraged the Country , and wonne many Townes and Cities , and soone after went over himselfe ; where he so prevailed , that he left Duke Robert but onely Roan in all Normandy to put his head in , and this done , returnes into England . And now Duke Robert beginnes to be sensible of his owne weaknesse , and therefore comes over into England to try the u●●ermost of his Brothers good nature ; himselfe had sent him a Tunne of Wine to refresh him withall , when in a siege he was ready to perish for want of water : and it cannot be , but that gratefulnesse and naturall affection , meeting together , must needes worke something in the minde of a Brother . Thus resolved , he presents himselfe to the King , referring both his Dukedome and himselfe , and all differences and debates to his will and pleasure . But whether incensed with the scandalous words , Duke Robert had given out of him , or whether aspiring to joyne Normandy to England , as his Father had done before ; King Henry scarce vouchsafed to heare him speake , at least vouchsafed not to make him any answer , but in a sullen manner turned away , and so left him : which scornefull usage put the Duke into such indignation , that he resolved to set his whole state at stake , and either to redeeme his disgrace , or to forfeit his life . So returning into Normandy , he useth all his force in raising of Forces , but King Henry suspecting his intentions , and not using to give Insurrections time to ripen , came upon him so suddenly with a mighty Army , that he drew him to a battell before he was halfe ready to fight . Yet desire of revenge so animated the Duke , and the Duke his Souldiers , that never battell was more fiercely fought , and the Normans seemed at first to have the better , till King Henry shewing himselfe in the Army , put such courage into his Souldiers , that they quickly made good the advantage they had in number , and King Henry obtained a compleate victory , both in slaughter of men , ( of whom there wer● slaine above ten thousand ) and in taking of prisoners , ( to the number of foure hundred ) amongst whom , besides divers other Great ones , as the Earle of Mortaigne , William Crispine , and William Ferreis , was Duke Robert himselfe , whom the King , ( having first taken order for all things , in his new State of Normandy ) brought over with him into England , and committed him to the Castle of Cardyffe in Wales , where he remained a prisoner till he dyed , used for a time with reasonable liberty for Recreation , till attempting to make an esc●pe , it was thought fit to put out his eyes ; which though it encreased his misery , yet it shortned not his life , for he lived many yeares after , in all , from the time of his first imprisonment , sixe and twenty . And thus this great Duke , who in his birth was the joy of Nature , in his life was the scorne of Fortune ; and it is not unworthy the observing , that the English wonne Normandy , the very same day forty yeare , the Normans had wonne England . Such Revolutions of fortune there are in kingdomes , and so unstable is the state of all worldly Greatnesse .

And now is King Henry as great as ever his Father was , and as Greatnesse draws envy , as much envyed as ever his Father was ; and as Envy makes Enemies , as much opposed as ever his Father was : for now Fulke Earle of Angio● , and Baldwyne Earle of Flanders , upon small occasions , and Lewis the grosse King of France , upon none , but such as envy suggested , seeking to place William , Sonne to Duke Robert , in his Right to Normandy , assaulted the Kings Dominions , perhaps to try whether Greatnesse had not made him unwieldy ; but King Henry , to shew that Greatnesse had made him more Active , went over into Normandy with a mighty Army , and at Nice encountred the French King , where a bloody Battell was fought , with exceeding valour on both sides , but at last King Henry repelled the French King , and recovered Nice , and after many other conflicts betweene them , with variety of Fortune , at l●st the King made peace with the Earle of Angiou ; confirmed by a marriage of the Earles Daughter with his Sonne William● and upon this also the two Kings grow to a peace , in which William , Son to King Henry , being about seventeene yeares of age , was invested into the Dutchy of Normandy , doing homage for the same to the King of France : From whence it was afterward a Custome , that the King of Englands eldest Sonne ( as long as Normandy remained in their hands ) was made alwayes Duke of Normandy . After this , Charles Earle of Flanders , being slaine at Bruxels by a conspiracy of his owne people , and leaving no issue behind h●m , Lewis King of France invested William , Sonne to D●ke Robert , in the Earledome of Flanders , as descended from Ea●le Baldwyn , whose Daughter Maude was wife to King William the first , and Grandmother to this William : so as William now having gotten this steppe of advanc●ment , seekes to goe on , and to recover Normandy , and was thereof , by assist●●ce of the King of France , in a faire possibility , when in a certaine light con●l●ct , receiving a wound in his hand , the thread of his faire possibility was upon a suddaine cut off , and of that light wound , he shortly after dyed .

King Henry now in perfect peace abroad , was not without some little disquietings at home , and marching thorow Powis-land in South Wales , to represse some Insurrections of the Welsh , he came to certaine Straights , where his maine Army could not passe , in which place the King was smitten with an Arrow full upon the breast , whereat he swore by our Lords death ( his usuall Oath ) that it was no Welsh arme , had shot that Arrow , yet in this dist●esse , for a thousand head of Cattell , he had the passage left open , and came safely off . And these were his troubles of Armes , both at home and abroad , during all his Raigne .

His Taxations and wayes for raising of money .

TOwards the marriage of his Daughter Maude with the Emperour , he obtained at his first Parliament at Salisbury , three shillings upon every Hide of Land , throughout the kingdome ; which was afterward drawne to a custome , to receive ayde from the Subjects , whensoever the King gave his eldest Daughter in marriage . Besides this he had no more in all his Raigne , but onely one supply for his Warres in France ; but he kept Bishoprickes and Abbeyes voyd in his hands , and that of Canterbury five yeares together . By an Act of Parliament , or rather by a Synod of Bishops holden at London , he was authorised to punish marriage , and incontinency of Priests ; which the Bishops afterwards repented , for he suffered Priests to have Wives for Fines , or rather tooke Fines of them whether they had wives or no , b●cause they might have them if they would . Punishments which before his time were mutilation of Member , he made Pecuniary . And the Provisions of his house , which were used to be paid in kind , were in his time rated at certaine prizes , and received in money . By this Chapter and the next before , it appeares there were in this Kings dayes , but few troubles at home , nor but few Taxations ; whereo● the one may be thought to be cause of the other , the first perhaps of the second , but certainely the second of the first .

Lawes first instituted in his t●me .

HE first instituted the forme of the High Court of Parliament : for before his time , onely certaine of the Nobility , and Prelates of the Realme were called to consultation , about the most important affaires of State , but he caused the Commons also to be assembled , by Knights and Burgesses of their owne appointment , and made the Court to consist of three parts , the Nobility , the Clergy , and the Common people , representing the whole body of the Realme , and appointed them to sit in severall Chambers , the King , the Bishops , and Lords of the Realme in one Chamber , and the Commons in another , to conferre together by them●elves . Other Orders of that Court he Ordained , as they are in use at this day . The first Councell of this sort was held at Salisbury , on the 19. day of Aprill , in the 16. yeare of his Raigne . He forbad the wearing of long haire ; which at that time was frequent , after the manner of the French . He commanded Robbers upon the High way , to be hanged without redemption : of whom a famous one at that time was one Dunne , and of him , the place where he most used , by reason of the great Woods thereabouts , is to this day called Dunstable , where the King built the Borough as now it standeth . Counterfeiters of money he punished with pulling out their eyes , or cutting off their privy members , a punishment both lesse then death , and greater .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

AT his first comming to the Crowne , he fo●bore his claime to the Investit●res of Bishops , but after he had beene King some time , he claimed that both to invest Bishops , and to allow , or hinder appeales to Rome , belonged to him . In these , Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury opposed him , affirming that both of them belonged to the Pope . The contention at last was brought to the Pope , to whom King Henry sent William Warlewast , elect Bishop of Exceter , who saying to the Pope , that his Master would not , for the Crowne of his Realme , lose the Authority of Investing his Prelates , the Pope started up and answered , Neither will I lose the disposing of Spirituall Promotions in England , for the Kings head that weareth the Crowne ; before God ( said he ) I avow it . So the contention grew long and hot , and many messengers were sent to and fro about it , the conclusion was ( which proved no conclusion ) that the King should receive homage of Bishops elect ; but should not Invest them by Staffe and Ring : to which the King said no●hing for the present , but forbore not to doe it ever the lesse : for five yeares after the death of Anselme , Ralph Bishop of Rochester , was by the King made Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and notwithstanding all former Decrees , and Threatnings of the Pope , he received his Investiture of the King . About this time a Canon was made against the Marriage of Priests , to which purpose Iohannes Cremensis , a Priest Car●dinall , by the Kings licence came into England , and held a solemne Synod at London , where inveighing sharpely against it , affirming it to be no better then profest Adultery , he was himselfe the night following , taken in bed with a common harlot . Even Anselme himselfe , the most earnest enforcer of single life , dyed not , it seemes , a Virgin , for else he would never in his Writings make such lamentation for the losse thereof . Anselme about this time dying , Rodulph succeeded in the See of Canterbury , and Thomas dying , Thurstine succeeded in the Arch-bishopricke of Yorke : betweene which two Prelates , there arose great contention ; Rodulph would not consecrate Thurstine , unlesse he would professe obedience ; Thurstine was content to embrace his benediction , but professe obedience he would not : In this contention the King takes part with Rodulph , the Pope with Thurstine : after many passages in the businesse , upon the Popes threatning to Excommunicate the King , Thurstine entred upon his Bishopricke , and the King connived . In the tenth yeare of his Raigne , the Abbey of Ely was made a Bishops See , and Cambridgeshire was appointed for the Diocesse thereof , which because it belonged before to the Jurisdiction of Lincolne , the King gave the Bishop of Lincolne , in recompence thereof , the Manor of Spalding . This King also created a Bishopricke at Carlile , and endowed it with many Honours . In his time , the Order of the Templars beganne , and in the 27. yeare of his Raigne , the Grey Fryers , by procurement of the King , came first into England , and had their first house builded at Canterbury . I may here have leave to tell two stories of Church-men , for refreshing of the Reader : Guymond the Kings Chaplaine , observing that unworthy men for the most part were advanced to the best dignities of the Church , as he celebrated Divine Service before him , and was to read the●e words out of Saint Iames , [ It rained not upon the Earth , III yeares and VI moneths ] he read it thus ; It rained not upon the Earth , one , one , one yeares , and five one moneths . The King observed his reading , and afterwards blamed him for it , but Guymond answered , that he did it of purpose , for that such Readers were soonest preferred by his Majesty . The King smiled , and in short time after , pre●erred him to the Government of Saint Frideswids in Oxford . The other is this , Thomas Arch-bishop of Yorke falling sicke , his Physitians told him , that nothing would doe him good , but to company with a woman ; to whom he answered that the Remedy was worse then the disea●e , and so dyed a Virgin . This King granted to the Church of Canterbury , and to William and his successours , the Custody , and Constable-ship of the Castle of Rochester for ever .

Workes of Piety done by this King , or by others in his time .

THis King Founded and erected the Priory of Dunstable , the Abbey of Circester , the Abbey of Reading , and the Abbey of Shirborne . He also new builded the Castle of Windsor , with a Colledge there : He made also the Navigable River , betweene Torkesay and Lincolne , a worke of great charge , but greater use . His Wife Queene Maude , passing over the River of Lue , was somewhat endangered , whereupon she caused two stone-Bridges to be built , one at the head of the Towne of Stratford , the other over another Streame there , called Channel-bridge , and paved the way betweene them with Gravell . She gave also certaine Manors , and a Mill called Wyggon Mill , for repairing the same Bridges and Way . These were the first stone-Bridges that were made in England , and because they were Arched over like a bow , the Towne of Stratford was afterward called Bow . This Queene also founded the Priory of the Holy Trinity , now called Christs Church , within the East Gate of London called Aldgate ; and an Hospitall of Saint Giles in the Field , without the West part of the City . In this Kings time Iordan Brifet Baron , Founded the House of Saint Iohn of Hierusalem , neare to Smithfield , in London , and gave 14. Acres of ground , lying in the field next to Clerkenwell , to build thereupon a House of Nunnes , wherein he with Myrioll his Wife were buryed in the Chapter house . Robert Fitsham , who came out of Normandy with the Conquerour , Founded anew the Church of Teukesbury , and was there buryed . Herbert Bishop of Norwich , Founded the Cathedrall Church there . The Priory and Hospitall of Saint Bartholomew in Smithfield , was Founded by a Minstrell of the Kings , named Reior who became first Prior there . Before this time Smithfield was a Laystall of all ordure and filth , and the place where Felons were put to Execution . Hugh Lacy Founded the Monastery of Saint Iohn at Lanthony , neare to Glocester . Iuga Baynard , Lady of little Dunmow , Founded the Church there , and gave to maintaine it , halfe a Hide of Land . This Lady Iuga was late Wife to Baynard , that first built Baynards Castle in London . Eud● the Kings Sewer , Founded the Monastery of Saint Iohn at Colchester , of blacke Chanons , and those were the first of that Order in England . Simon Earle of Northampton , and Mande his Wife , Founded the Monastery of Saint Andrew in Northhampton . In the seventh yeare of this Kings Raigne , the first Chanons entred into the Church of our Lady in Southwarke , called Saint Mary Overey ; Founded by William Pountlarge knight , and William Dancyes , Normans . Robert the first Earle of Glocester , the Kings base Sonne , builded the Castles of Bristow and Cardyffe , with the Priory of Saint Iames in Bristow : And his Sonne Earle William began the Abbey of Kensham . Geoffrey Clinton , Treasurer , and Chamberlaine to the King , Founded the Priory at Kenelworth , of Regular Chanons . Henry Earle of Warwicke , and Margaret his Wife , Founded the Colledge of Saint Mar● , in the Towne of Warwicke ; and Roger de Belemond his Sonne , and Ellyne his wife , translated the same Colledge into the Castle of Warwicke , in the yeare 1123. Roger Bishop of Salisbury built the Devises in Wiltshire ; the Castles also of Mamesbury and Shirborne . He repaired the Castle of Salisbury , and environed it with a wall ; he also built the stately Church of Salisbury : destined to a longer life then any of his other workes . Ralph , Bishop of Durham , began to build the Castle of Norham , upon the banke of the River of Tweed . In the 32. yeare of this Kings Raigne , the Priory of Norton in Cheshire , was founded by one William , the sonne of Nychel , and the Abbey of Cumbermere in the same Shire . The Colledge of Secular Chanons also in the Castle of Leycester , and the Abbey without the North gate of the same Towne , called Saint Mary de Prato . Also in this Kings Raigne , was Founded the Monastery of Plimpton in Devonshire , with the Cathedrall Church of Exet●r ; the Priory of Merton , the Hospitall of Kepar , the Priory of Oseney neare Oxford by Robert de Oylye Knight : and the Hospitall of Saint Crosse neare Winchester by Henry Blois Bishop there : also Robert Earle of Ferrers Founded the Abbey of Merivall : and indeed so many in his time were built , that one would thinke the Inhabitants of England to be all Carpenters and Masons , that were able to finish so many great buildings in so short a time as this Kings Raigne . ●

Casualties happening in his time .

IN this Kings dayes all the foure Elements were guilty of doing much mischiefe , but chiefely the water : For King Henry returning into England after his conquest of Normandy , left his sonne William with his sister Mary Countesse of Perche ; Richard his sonne by a Concubine ; the Earle of Chester with his wife Lucie , the Kings Neece by his sister Adela , and other Lords and Ladies , and passengers to the number of 180. to follow after him : who taking Shipping ( and ●he best Ship the King had ) whether by carelesnesse , or drunkennesse of the Saylours , were all drowned . The Prince indeed was got into the Ship-boate , and out of danger ; but hearing the lamentable cries of his sister , compassion wrought so in him , that he turned about his boate to take her in , which over-charged with the multitude , over-turned , and they all perished : none escaped but onely one Saylour , who had been a Butcher , who by swimming all night upon the Mast , came safe to Land . An accident not more grievous then exemplary ; for amongst other conclusions , from hence we may gather , that no state is so uncertaine as prosperity ; no fall so sudden as into adversity ; and that the rule [ He that stands , let him take heed he fall not ] cannot alwayes be observed , because a man happens sometimes to fall before it is possible for him to take heed . Another great mischiefe was in this Kings dayes wrought by the water ; for by the breaking in of the Sea , a great part of Flanders was drowned : whereupon a great number of Flemmings being Suiters to King Henry for some place to inhabit ; he assigned them a part in Wal●● neare the Sea , called Pembrokeshire , where they have inhabited to this day : the King by this one action , working two good effects , both shewing compassion to distressed strangers , and putting a bridle upon unquiet Natives . But the water had another way to doe mischiefe as much by defect , as this was by excesse ; for upon the tenth of October , the River of Medway many miles together did so faile of water , that in the midst of the Channell , the smallest vessels could not passe : and the same day also in the Thames , betweene the Tower of London and the Bridge , men waded over on foote for the space of two dayes : also at another time the River of Trent at Notingham was dryed up a whole day . Now for the Earth , though naturally it be without motion , yet it moves sometimes when it is to do mischiefe , specially being assisted by the Aire ; as in this Kings dayes , it moved with so great a violence that many buildings were shaken downe , and Malmesbery saith , that the house wherein he sate , was lifted up with a double remove , and at the third time setled againe in the proper place . Also in divers places it yeelded forth a hideous noyse , and cast forth flames at certaine rifts many dayes together , which neither by water , nor by any other meanes could be suppressed . But yet the active Element of Fire was busiest of all , for first Chichester with the principall Monastery was burnt downe to the ground : From West-cheape in London to Aldgate , a long tract of buildings was consumed with fire : Worcester also and Rochester , even in the Kings presence ; then Winchester , Bathe , Glocester , Lincolne , Peterborough , and other places , did also partake of this calamity , that there could be n● charging the fire with any partiality : and to speake of one forraine casualty , because a strange one . In Lombardy this yeare was an Earthquake that continued forty dayes , and removed a Towne from the place where it stood , a great way off .

Of his Wives and Children .

AT his first comming to the Crowne , he married Matild or Maude , sister to Edgar then King of Scotland , and daughter to Malcolme by Margaret the sister of Edgar Etheling . This Matild , if she were not a veyled Nun , she was at least brought up in a Nunnery , and thereby growne so averse from marriage , that when the motion was first made her to marry with King Henry , she utterly refused it , as resolved though perhaps not vowed , to die a Virgin ; till at last importuned , and even forced by the authority of her brother , she rather yeelded then consented ; for she did it with so ill a will , that it is said she prayed , if ever she had issue by the marriage , that it might not prosper : and indeed it prospered but untowardly , as will be seene in the sequell . But though she made this imprecation before she knew what it was to be a Mother , yet when she came to be a Mother , she shewed her selfe no lesse loving and tender of her children , then loyall and obsequious to her husband . And to make amends for this seeming impiety towards her children , there is a story related of her reall piety towards the poor : for a brother of hers comming one morning to visit her in her chamber , found her sitting amongst a company of Lazar people , washing and dressing their ulcers and sores ; and then kissing them afterward when she had done : who wondring at it , & saying to her , How could she think the King should like to kisse that mouth , which had kissed such filthy ulcerous people ? she answered ; she had a greater King to kisse , who she knew would like her never the worse for it . By this Queen Matild , King Henry , according to some Writers , had foure children ; but as the received opin●on is , onely two , a sonne named William , and a daughter called Mawde ; of whom the sonne at foureteene yeares old had fealty sworne to him by the Nobility of Shrewsbury : at seventeene married the daughter of F●lke Earle of Anjou : and at eighteene was unfortunately drowned , as hath beene shewed . The daughter lived to be an Empresse , and afterwards a Dutchesse ; but could never come to be a Queene , though borne to a Kingdome ; as shall be shewed hereafter . She survived her second husband seventeene yeares , living a Widow , and at R●an in Normandy died , and was buried there in the Abbey of Bec ; though there be ● Tradition that she was buried at Reading , in the Abbey there beside her Father : but ●t appeares to have beene a custome in those dayes , for great personages to have their Monuments erected in divers places . After the death of this Queene Matild , who died at Westminster , in the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne , King Henry married Ade●za , the daughter of Godfry Duke of Lorraine ; who though she were a beautiful and accomplisht Lady , yet had he never any iss●e by her . When she was to be Crowned , Ralph Arch-bishop of Canterbury , who was to doe the office , came to King Henry , sitting Crowned in his chaire of State , asking him who had set the Crowne upon his head ? the King answering , he had now forgotten , it was so long since . Well ( said the Arch-bishop ) whosoever did it , did me wrong , to whom it belonged ; and as long as you hold it thus , I will doe no office at this Coronation . Then ( saith the King ) doe what you thinke good : whereupon the Arch-bishop tooke the Crowne off from the Kings head ; and after , at the peoples intreaty , set it on againe , and then proceeded to Crowne the Queene . By Concubines King Henry had many children ; it is said seven sonnes , and as many daughters : of whom , some perished in the great Ship-wrack ; of the rest , two of the sonnes , Reynold and Robert , were made Earles : Reynold of Cornwall , Robert of Glocester , and was a great assister of his sister Mawde , in her troubles with King Stephen , who after many acts of valour performed by him , in the twelfth yeare of King Stephen , died , and was buried at Bristow . The daughters were all married to Princes and Noble men of England and France , from whom are descended many worthy Families : particularly one of those daughters by An●e C●●bet , was married to Fits-herbert , Lord Chamberlaine to the King● from which Fits-●erbert , our Family ( absit i●vidia verbo ) is by Females descended ; passing by the na●es of Cummin , Chenduit , Brimpton , Stokes , Foxcote , Dyneley , and so to B●ker .

Of his Incontinency .

OF this enough hath beene said , in saying he had so many children basely● begotten : but if comparison be mad● betweene his brother ●ufus and him , it may be said , that howsoever they might be equall in loosenesse of life ; yet in that loosenesse , William Rufus was the baser , and King Henry the more Noble ; for King Henry had certaine selected Concubines , to whom he kept h●mselfe constant ; where King William tooke onely such as he found : constant to the pleasure , but not to the persons .

His course for establishing the succession in Mawde and her issue .

HE married his onely daughter Mawde , being but sixe yeares old , to the Emperour Hen●y the fourth ; but he leaving her a Widow without issue● he married her againe to G●●ffrey Plantagenet , sonne to Fulke Duke of Anjo● : not the greatest Prince that was a Suitour for her ; but the fittest Prince for King Henries turne : for Anjou was neighbouring upon Normandy , a great security to it , if a friend ; and as great a danger , if an enemy . And having thus placed her in marri●●● , h● now considers how to establish her succession in the Crowne of England● whereu●on he cals his Nobility together , and amongst them D●vid King o● Scots , and causeth them to give their Oaths of Allegeance to her and her issue : and a● thinking ●e could never ma●e her succession ●ure enough , he causeth his Lords the yeare ●●ter againe to tak● the like Oath , and after that a third time also ; as conceiving that being doubled and trebled , it would make the tye of Allegeance the stronger : wherein nothing pleased him so much , as that Stephen , Earle of ●loi● , was the first man that tooke the Oath , because he was knowne to be , at least known● he might be , a Pretender . But the King should have considered that N●ll● fides Reg●i● and therefore no Oath , though never so often iterated , sufficient to warrant loyalty in persons so deeply interessed , as Stephen was : yet providence could doe no more , and the King was well satisfied with it ; especially when hee saw his daughter a mother of two sonnes : for this , though it gave him not assu●ance , yet it ga●e him assured hope to have the Crowne perpetuated in his Poste●ity .

Of Ireland in his time .

THe King of England as yet had nothing to doe with Ireland , the 〈◊〉 was governed by its owne Kings : and the people of both Nations● 〈◊〉 they were ne●ghbours , yet divided by a rough Sea , but little ●●quai●ted ; but now beganne entercourse to be more frequented : and Murc●●●d●●h , ch●●fe King of the Irish , bore such awfull respect to King Henry , that he would doe nothing but by his counsell , and with his good liking .

Whom King Henry used as his Vicegerent in his absence .

HE was absent sometimes in Normandy , three or foure yeares together ; during which times , he committed commonly the care of the Realme to Roger Bishop of ●alisbury , a politick Prelate ; and one as fit to be the second in government , as King Henry to be the first .

His pers●●●ge a●d conditions .

HE was a person tall and strong , ●●●ad breasted , his limbes well kni● , and fully furnished with ●lesh ; his face well f●shioned , his colour cleare , his eyes large and faire , his eye-browes large and thick , his hair● black , and ●omewhat thin●● towards his forehead ; his countenance pleasan● , specially when h● was disposed to mirth . A private man , vilified , and thought to have but little in him : but come to the Crowne , never any man shewed more excellent abilities : so true is the saying , Magistratus indicat virum . His naturall affection in a direct line was strong ; in an oblique , but weake ; for no man ever loved children more , no● a brother l●●●e . Though a King in act , yet he alwayes ac●ed not a King ; but in ba●●●ls some●●m●s the part of a common Souldier , though with more then common valou●●s at a ba●tell in France , where he so farre hazarded himselfe , that though he lost not his life , yet he lost his bloud .

Of his death and buriall .

A Discontent of minde upon some differences between him and his sonne in law , the Earle of Anjo● , brought upon him a distemper , which encreased by eating , against his Physiti●ns advise , of a L●mprey ; a meate alwayes pl●●s●ng 〈◊〉 him● but never agreeing with him ; cast him into a ●●aver , which in few ●aye● put a p●●i●d to his life : So cer●aine it is , that one intemperate action is eno●●h to overthrow the temperance of a whole life ; as of this King Henry it is said● th●● he seldome did ea● but when he was hungry , never did drink but when he was ●thirst● yet this but on●e yeelding to his sensuall appetite , made h●m forfe●● all benefit of his former abstinence : though some write he too●● his d●●th by the f●ll off his h●rs● . He died upon the first of D●●ember at night , in ●he ye●re 1135. when he had Raigned five and thirty yeares , lived threescore and seven . His bowels , braines , and eyes , were bu●ied at Roan in No●mandy where he died : the rest of ●i● body was stuffed with Salt , wrapped in Oxe hides , and brought over in●● England , and with hono●rable Exequies , buried in the Monastery of ●e●ding● which himselfe had Founded . His Physiti●n that ●ooke out his braines , with the intolerable stinch shortly after died . In this King Henry ended the line of the N●rmans , as touching the Hei●es Males ; and then c●me in the Fre●ch , by the title of Heires generall .

Men of n●te in his time .

MEn of learning in his time were many● first , Stephen Harding a Benedictine Monke , who was Founder of the Cistercian Orde●● Then Anselme , Arch-bishop of C●●terbury , who be●ides his activenesse in matters of State , writ many great and learned bookes . Then Walt●r C●l●●● , Arch-deacon of Oxford , who delivered a History written in the British tongue , from Brute to Cadwallader , to Geoffry of Mon●●●●●h to translat● , and added forty yeares of his owne ●ime . Also 〈◊〉 a Mon● of W●●c●ster , who writ D● reb●s Gestis Anglorum . Also E●dm●r●s , a M●●k of C●●terbury , who ●●sides oth●r w●●ks , writ the History of his owne t●me , under the two Willi●●s and H●●●y the first .

THE RAIGNE OF KING STEPHEN .

AFter the decease of King Henry , presently steps upon the Stage of Royalty , Stephen Earle of Boleyne , Sonne to Stephen Earle of ●loys , by Adela , Daughter of King William the Conq●●●our ; and though there were two other before him , Ma●de the Empresse , and Theobald his elder Brother , She in a substantiall right , He in a colourable , yet taking advantage of being Pri●●● Occ●pans , the first Invader , ( as being quickly here after King Henries death , where the other stayed lingring about other Aff●ires ) he solicits all the Orders o● the Realme , Bishops , and Lords , and People , to receive him for their Sover●ine : wherein besides his owne large promises , what great matters he would do for them all , he had the assistance also of Henry his Brother , Bishop of Winchest●r●nd ●nd the Popes Legate , and of Roger , Bishop of Salisbury , his great friend : ( 〈◊〉 the most powerfull men at that time in the State ) who partly by force of Reasons , but more indeed by force then Reasons , procure the State to accept him for their King ; and so upon Saint Steph●ns day , in Anno 1135. he was Crowned at Westminster , in presence of but three Bishops , few of the Nobility , and not one Abbot , by William Arch-bishop of Canterbury , with great solemnity . That which put ● scruple in mens minds , and made them averse at first , from consenting to Stephe● , was the Oath they had taken to receive King Henries Daugh●●r Maude to be their Q●een , after his decease ; but the weight of this scruple was something abated , when it was urged , that no Precedent could be shewed , that ever the Crowne had beene set upon a Womans head . And Roger , Bishop of Salisbury , brought another Reason , because they had taken that Oath but upon condition , that the King shoul● not marry he● out of the Realme without their consents , and the King having brok●n the condition , was just cause to nullifie their Obligation : to which was added , th●● the Oath having beene exacted by Authority , which is a ●ind of forcing , it might have the Plea of Per min●s , and therefore void . And yet more then all these , H●gh Big●t , sometime Stew●●d to King Henry , immediately after his decease , came ove● into England , and tooke a voluntary Oath before divers Lords of the Land , that he was present a little before King Henries death , when he adopted and chose his Nephew Stephen to be his Successour , because his Daughter M●●d● had gr●evously at that tim● displeased him . But howsoever their breach of Oath was thus pallia●ed ; it is certaine that many of them , as well Bishops as other Lords , came afterward to an evill end at least ●o many calamities before their end .

What course he tooke to establish himselfe in the Kingdome .

IT is a true saying , 〈◊〉 reb●s opti●● servat●● Imperium , quibu● p●●atur ; and this was Stephens course , he got the kingdome by Pro●ises , and he establisht it by Performances ; he pleased the People with easing them of Taxes and Impositions ; He pleased the Clergy with forbearing to keepe Bishoprickes and Abbeyes Vacant , and with exempting them from the Authority of the Temporall Magistrate ; He pleased the Nobility with allowing them to build Castle● upon their owne Lands ; He pleased the Gen●●y with giving them liberty to hunt the Kings Deere in their owne Woods ; and besides with advancing many of them in Honours : and for his Brother Theobald , who being the elder , was before him in pretence to the Crowne , he pleased him with a grant to pay him two thousand Markes a yeare ; and then to strengthen himselfe abroad no lesse then at home , he marryed his Son E●stace to Constance a Daughter of Lewis King of France , which alliance alone might be thought a sufficient security against all Opposition . And yet one thing more , which establisht him more then these , at least these the more for this , that he had seise● upon King ●enries tre●sure , which amounted to a hundred thousand pound , beside● Plate and ●ewels of inestimable value , which he spe●t no● 〈◊〉 vaine riot , but imployed to his best advantage , both in procuring of Friends , and in levying of Souldiers out of Britany and Flanders .

Of his Troubles in his Raigne .

THere may wel be made a Chapter of the troubles of his Raign , seeing his whole Raign was in a manner but one continued trouble , at lea●t no longer intermissiō , then as to give him breath against new encounters ; til at last , when he grew towards his l●st , he rather left to be in trouble , then was at quiet , being forced to make his adversary his He●re ; and to leave his Crown to him that had sought his life . For he was no sooner set in his Chaire of State , but he was presently disquieted and made to rise , by the provocation of David King of Scots , who solicited by some Lords of England , but chiefly by Ma●de the Empresse ( whose Right he had sworne to defend ) with a mighty Army entred N●rthumberland , tooke Carlile , and Newcastle , and was proceeding further , till King Stephen with a greater Army comming against him , yet rather bought his Peace then wonne it ; for to recover Newcastle out of his hands , he was faine to let King David hold Cumberland , and his Sonne Henry the Earledome of Huntington , as their Inheritance ; for which , the Father would not for his , as being engaged , but the Sonne for his , as being free , did Homage to King Stephen .

No sooner was this trouble over , but he was presently under another ; for being faine somewhat ill at ease● it was bruited abroad that he was dead ; which ●o distracted mens mindes , that every one thought it wisdome to shift for himselfe ; and the Great Lords made a contrary use of Castles , to that which King Stephen intended , when he gave liberty to build them ; for the King intended them for his owne defence against his Enemies , and they made use of them in their owne defence against the King ; for now Hugh Big●t Earle of Norfolke possesseth himselfe of N●rwich , Baldwyn Rivers of Oxford , and Robert Quesqu●rius of other Castles . In these difficulties King Stephen , though he could not in person be in all places at onc● , yet in care he was● and there most , where was most danger ; imploying others against the rest : Against Baldwyn he went himselfe , whom , driven before out of Oxford , and gotten to the Isle of Wight , the King fo●●owed and drove him also from thence , aud at last into Exile .

And now England afforded him once againe to take a little breath , but then Normandy presently begins with him afresh : For now G●offrey Pl●●tagenet Duke of Anjou , in right of Maude his Wife , enters upon his Townes there , and ●ee●es to get possession of the Country ; when King Stephen passeth over with an Army , and ar●ests his proceeding : and after some small defeates of his Enemies , brings the matter at last to a pecuniary Composition : He to pay the Duke five thousand Markes a yeare , and the Duke to relinquish his claime to Normandy . This done , he returnes into England , where new Commotions are attending him● For the Lords in his absence , resenting his breach of Promises , upon which they had a●mitted him to the Crowne , make use every one of their Castles , and stand upon their Guard : The Lord Talbot held Hereford ; Earle Robert Ma●ds Brother , Bristow ; William Lovell , the Castle of Cary ; Paganell , the Castle of Ludl●w ; William Moun● , the Castle of Dunster ; Robert Nicholor of Lincolne , the Castle of Warham ; Eustace the Sonne of Iohn , the Castle of Melton ; William the Sonne of Alan , the Castle of Shrewsbury ; and withall David King of Scots , never regarding his former agreement , enters Northumberland with an Army , committing so great cruelty , in ravishing of Maydes , murthering of Infants , slaughtering of Priests , even at the Altar , that never any barbarous Nation committed greater . Thus the kingdome from the one end to the other was in Combustion , that if the King had had as many hands as Briareus , there would have beene worke enough for them all . Yet all this dismayed not the King , but as having learned this Lesson , Tu ne cede malis , sed contra audentior ito , growes the more in confidence , the lesse he was in assurance ; and as if danger were the fuell of Courage , the more erected in himselfe , the lesse he was upheld by others ; and so , venturing what his Rebels at home would doe in his absence , he passeth himselfe in person against David King of Scots ; as being the most dangerous , and therefore the first to be repressed : but finding it hard to draw him to a Battell , and impossible without a battell to doe any good upon him ; he leaves the care of that quarrell to Thurstine Arch-bishop of Yorke , and returnes himselfe home , if it may be called home , where he scarce had a safe place to put his head in . But though many Lords were Rebellious against him , yet some there were stucke firmely to him , by whose Assistance and his owne industry , partly by inticements , partly by inforcements , he reduced most of them to Obedience , and all of them to Submission ; when in the meane time Thurstine Arch-bishop of Yorke ; and in his sicknesse , Ralph Bishop of Durham , assisted with William Earle of Aumerle , William Piperell of Nottingham , and Hubert de Lacy , fought a memorable Battell against David King of Scots ; wherein though King David himselfe , and his Sonne Henry performed wonderfull Acts of Prowesse , yet the English got the Victory , with the slaughter of eleven thousand Scots in the Fight , besides many other slaine in the flight ; where of the English none of account were slaine , but onely a Brother of Hubert Lacyes , and some small number of Common Souldiers . This Victory infinitely pleased and comforted King Stephen , who not long after to make an absolute suppression of the Scots , passeth againe with an Army , and inforceth King David to demand a Peace , delivering his Sonne Henry into King Stephens hands for a pledge ; and comming homeward , by the way he besieged Ludlow , one of Rebels nests , where Prince Henry of Scotland had beene taken Prisoner , if King Stephen in his owne person had not rescued him .

After this , once againe the King got a little breathing time , but it was but to prepare him for greater Encounters : For now Maud the Empresse her selfe in person comes into play ; in whom the Oath before taken was to have its tryall ; for till now , though never so really intended , yet it could not actually be performed ; for how could they receive her for Queene , who came not in place to be received ? but now that she came in person , now was the time of tryall , how the Oath would worke ; and worke it did indeed with many , and that strongly ; For Maude comming into England , with Robert Earle of Glocester her Brother ; was most joyfully received at Arundell Castle , by William de Aubigny , who had marryed Adeliza the Queene Dowager of the late King Henry , and had the said Castle and County assigned her for her Dower . King Stephen having intelligence hereof , commeth to Arundell Castell wi●h an Army , and besiegeth it ; but either diverted by ill counsell , or else finding the Castle to be inexpugnable , he left the siege , and suffered the Empresse to passe to Bristow . The King hearing , that Ra●ulph Earle of Chester , Sonne in law to Robert Earle of Glocester , had possest himselfe of the City of Lincolne , thither he goeth with an Army and besiegeth it : thither also came the said Earle of Chester , and Robert Earle of Glocester to raise his siege ; at which time , a most fierce battell was fought betweene them , upon Candlemas day ; wherein it is memorable what wonders of valour King Stephen performed ; For , when all his men about him were either fled or slaine ; yet he kept the field himselfe alone : no man daring to come neare him : Horrentibus inimicis incomparabilem ictuum ejus immanitatem , saith Hoveden : yet over-mastered at last by multitude , he was taken prisoner , and brought to Maude the Empresse ; who sent him to be kept in safe custody in the Castle of Bris●ow , where he remained till All-hollantide after . And now the Empresse having gotten King Stephen into her hands , she takes her journey to London ; received in all places , as she went , peaceably , and at London joyfully ; where Queene Matild made humble suite un●o her , for the liberty of King Stephen her husband ; and that he might but be allowed to live a private life : the Londoners also made suite to have the Lawes of King Edward restored ; but the Empresse not onely rejected both their suites , but returned them answers in harsh and insulting language ; Indeed most unseasonably ; and which gave a stop to the current of all her fortunes : for Queene Matild finding thereby , how high the Empresse pulses did beate ; sent presently to her Sonne Eustace , being then in Kent , to raise Forces with all speed , with whom , the Londoners , as much discontented as she , doe afterwards joyne ; and Hen●y Bishop of Winchester , as much discontented as either of them , fortifies his Castles at Waltham and Farnham ; and specially Winchester , where he stayes himsel●e , attending upon what Coast the next wind of the Empresse would blow . Of all these things the Empresse had intelligence , and thereupon secretly in the night she fled to Oxford , sending streight charge , to have King Stephen more narrowly watched , more hardly used ; put ( as some write ) into fetters ; and fed with very bare and poore Commons ; withall she sends to her Unkle David Kings of Scots , to come unto her with all speed possible , who comming accordingly , they fall into consultation what is first to be done ; the lot fals upon Winchester , as being their greatest adversary , now , no lesse in apparence then in power : so Winchester they besiege ; which Queene Matild hearing , she with her Sonne Eustace and the Londoners , come presently to the succour , where a fierce battell being fought , the end was , that the party of Queene Matild prevailed , and the Empresse to make her escape , was faine to be laid upon a Horse backe in manner of a dead Corps , and so conveyed to Glocester ; while Earle Robert her brother disdaining to flie , was taken Prisoner , whom Queene Matild caused to be used the more hardly , in retaliation of the hard usage which the Empresse before had shewed to King Stephen . Things standing in these termes , propositions were made by the Lords for pacification , but such were the high spirits of the Empresse , and her brother Robert , that no conditions would please them , unlesse the Empresse might enjoy the Crowne . But after long debate , whether by agreement betweene themselves , or by connivence of the keepers , both King Stephen and Earle Robert got to be at liberty . When the first thing King Stephen did , was to looke out the Empresse , to requite the kindnesse she had shewed him in prison ; and hearing her to be at Oxford , he layes siege to the Towne , and brings the Empresse to such distresse , that she had no way to free her selfe but by flight ; and no way to flee but with manifest danger , yet she effected it by this devise : It was in the Winter season , when frost and snow covered all the ground over ; she therefore clad her selfe , and her foure servants that were with her in white cloathes , which being of the colour of Snow , made her passe the Watches without being discerned , and by this meanes came safe to her friends at Wallingford . Yet Mamesbury who lived at that time , confesseth he could never learne certainely by what meanes she made her escape . But howsoever she escaped this present danger ; yet it left such an impression of feare upon her , that she never after had any mind to appeare upon this stage of Warre , but left the prosecution of it to her Sonne Henry , who was now about sixteene yeares of age , and being forward of his age , and able to beare Armes● was by his great Unkle David King of Scots , Knighted , to make him more forward .

It was now the ninth yeare of King Stephens Raigne , when Ralph Earle of Chester , keeping possession of the City of Lincolne , was in the night time assaulted by the King ; but the Earle perceiving the Kings Forces to be but small , suddenly issued forth , and repelled the King with the slaughter of fourescore of his men . Yet two yeares after this , the Earle was reconciled to the King , and came of his owne accord to waite upon him , when perfidiously he was detained by the King ; and not set at liberty , till he had surrendred into the Kings hands all the Castles that were in his possession ; which though it brought the King some present benefit , yet it wrought him a greater future losse ; for it lost him his credite with all men , and no man afterward would trust his word .

Now was Duke Henry come to the age of nineteene yeares , and was in possession of the Dukedome of Anjou , by the death of his Father Geoffrey Plantagenet ; and not long after this , he marryed Eleanor the Daughter and Heire of William Duke of Guyen , by whom he had that Dutchy , and also the Earledome of Poicton : Normandy he had by his Mother ; but more by the peoples inclination . So as being possest now of foure great Principalities , this greatnesse of Estate added to the greatnesse of his spirit , made him aspiring to recover his Right in England ; and over he comes , bringing with him but small Forces , but promising himselfe great , from the people of this kingdome : and many indeed resorted to him ; with whom he fell presently , and besieged Marleborough ; but by the Kings greater Forces was repelled .

After this , their Armies continued in the field still ; rather watching advantages to be doing , then doing any thing ; sometimes advancing when no Enemy was neare , and then retiring when the Enemy came ; till at last it was like to come to a set Battell , when suddenly Eustace King Stephens onely Sonne unfortunately dyed : Unfortunately for himselfe , but fortunately for the kingdome ; For now King Stephen being left destitute of issue to succeed , was the more easily drawne to conditions of Peace , as likewise the Empresse Maude , having lately lost her Brother Robert Earle of Glocester , and Miles Earle of Hereford , ( her two best Champions ) was no lesse willing of Peace then he ; which being furthered by the Lords of both sides , was at last concluded upon these conditions , that Stephen should hold the kingdome of England during his life , and adopt Duke Henry as his Heire to succeed him . And this agreement thus made , and in a Parliament at Winchester confirmed , Duke Henry ever after accounted King Stephen no lesse then a Father , and King Stephen , Duke Henry no lesse then a Sonne : and well he might , if it be true which some write , that the Empresse , when a Battell was to be fought betweene King Stephen and her Sonne , went privily to him , asking him how he could find in his heart to fight against him that was his owne Sonne ? could he forget the familiarity he had with her in her firt Widow-hood ? But this was no matter for the Writers of that time to deliver : It touched too neare the interest of Princes then in being : and Princes must not be touched while they live , nor when they are dead neither with uncertainties , as this could be no other : But howsoever it was , certaine it is , that after this Agreement betweene King Stephen and Duke Henry , they continued in mutuall love and concord , as long after as they lived .

But what became of Maude the Empresse at this time ? For , that she was alive , and lived many yeares after this agreement betweene King Stephen and her Sonne Henry , all Writers agree ; and to say that she consented to the Agreement , without any provision made for her selfe , is to make her too much a Woman ; a very weake vessell : and to say there might be provision made , though it be not Recorded , is to make all Writers defective in a great excesse . And besides , being so stirring a woman as she was , that upon a suddaine she should be so quiet , as not to deserve to have one word spoken of her , in all the long time she lived after , ( being no lesse then twelve or thirteene yeares ) is as strange as the rest . And if she placed her contentment so wholly in her Sonne , that in regard of him , she regarded not her selfe at all ; It deserves at least the Encomium of such a motherly love as is very unusuall , and not alwayes safe . Whatsoever it was , I must be faine to leave it as a Gordian knot , which no Writer helpes me to unty .

Of his Taxations , and wayes for raising of money .

OF Taxations in his time , there is no mention made ; for Taxations indeed , are properly drawne from a body of State when it is entire , where the State all this Kings time was altogether in Fractions . But what he wanted in Taxations , he supplyed with Confiscations , which by reason of the many revoltings of men of all sorts , could not chuse but fill his Coffers ; every Rebellion being in nature of a Purchase to him , for whatsoever became of the Persons , their Lands and Goods were sure to be his . And if it happened at any time , that Confiscations came in but slowly , he had then devises to hasten their pace , for upon light suggestions ( not so much oftentimes as just suspitions ) he would call men into question , and seise upon their good , as in the case particularly of Ralph Bishop of Salisbury ; and it may not be unpleasing to heare from what beginning this Bishop grew to such a height of greatnesse ; which was thus ; In the time of King William Rufus , he was a poore Priest , serving a Cure in a village neare to Ca●n in Normandy , when the Kings younger Brother Henry chanced to passe that way , and to make some stay in the said Village ; who being desirous to heare a Masse , this Roger being Curate , was the man to say it ; which he dispatched with such celerity , that the Souldiers ( who commonly love not long Masses ) commended him for it , telling their Lord , that there could not a fitter Priest be found for men of warre then he . Whereupon Henry appointed him to follow him , and when he came to be King , preferred him to many great places , and at last to be Chancellour of England , and Bishop of Salisbury . You have heard his rising , now heare his fall ; When King Stephen came to the Crowne , he held this man in as great account as his Predecessour King Henry had done , and perhaps in greater ; For being a great begger of Suites , the King would say of him , If this man will never give over asking , neither shall I ever give over giving . Yet this great Prelate fell first through Pride into Envy , and then through Envy into Ruine . For King Stephen having given liberty to build Castles , this man did so f●rre exceed all others in magnificence ( for he builded the Castles of Salisbury , the Vyes , Sherburne , Mamesbury and Newarke , to which there were no Structures comparable in the kingdome ) that the Lords out of envy put it into the Kings head , that these Castles of his were built thus magnificently for entertainment of Ma●de the Empresse : which so possessed the King , or he would be thought to be so possessed , that taking this for a just cause , he seised them all into his hands , and forty thousand Markes besides , which he had in money : and not co●tented with this , he tooke the like course also with Alexander Bishop of Lincolne , onely because he was his Nephew and of his neare kindred . Another way he had for gaining of money : For in the first yeare of his Raigne , having given liberty to hunt in his Forests , be afterward at Oxford caused many to be impleaded for using that liberty ; a tricke which perhaps he learned from hunting , First to give men leave to doe a thing , and then to Fine them for having done it . But this is the priviledge of Princes , that their leave must be interpreted by him that gives it , and not by him that takes it .

Lawes and Ordinances in his time .

HE gave licence to the City of Norwich to have Coroners and Bayliffes , before which time , they had onely a Sergeant for the King to keepe Courts ; and after this , in the 37. yeare of King Henry the third , they had license to inclose the Towne with Ditches .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

VPon the Kings seising into his hands , the Bishop of Salisburies Castles , and Goods , complaint was made , and a Synod called by the Bishop of Winchester the Popes Legate , to right the Bishop , where the King was cited to appeare ; who sending to know the cause , Answer was made , that it was to answer for his imprisoning of Bishops , and depriving them of their Goods , which being a Christian King he ought not to doe . The King replies by his Lawyer , Alveric de Ver , that he had not arrested the Bishop of Salisbury as a Bishop , but as his Servant , that was to make him accompt of his imployment . To this the Bishop answereth , that he was never Servant or Accomptant to the King : and many Allegations and Probations were urged to and fro , but in conclusion the Synod brake up , and nothing was done . The Bishops durst not Excommunicate the King without the Popes privity ; so in the end they fell from Authority to Submission ; and in the Kings Chamber fell downe at his Feet , beseeching him he would pity the Church ; and not suffer dissention to be betweene the Kingdome and the Priest-hood . And this was no small magnanimity in the King , that he was able to pull downe the high stomachs of the Prelates in that time . In the eighth yeare of his Raigne a Synod was held in London by Henry Bishop of Winchester , where it was decreed , that whosoever should lay violent hands upon any Clergy man , should not be absolved but by the Pope himselfe : and from this time forward , Clergy men were exempt from the secular power . In the tenth yeare of his Raigne , by the soliciting of Saint Bernard , many tooke upon them the Crosse , for a supply to the Holy Land ; amongst whom , some English Lords also .

Workes of piety done by him , or by others in his time .

HE Founded the Abbeys of Cogshall in Essex ; of Furneys in Lancashire ; of Hurguilers and Feversham in Kent ; at Heigham in Kent , a House of blacke Nunnes ; also an house for Nunnes at Carew : His Queene Matild builded the Hospitall of Saint Katherines by the Tower of London : A knight called Sir William of Mount Fitchet , Founded the Abbey of Stratford Langthorne , within foure miles of London ; William of Ypre Founded Boxeley Abbey in Kent ; Robert Earle of Ferrers , Founded the Abbey of Merivall in Warwickshire ; and in the same Shire , Robert Earle of Glocester , the Abbey of Nonne Eaten . Also by others were Founded the Abbeys of Tiltey ; of Rievall ; of Newborough and Beeland ; of Garedon in L●ycestershire ; of Kirkstead in Yorkeshire : and divers others in other places , so that more Abbeys were erected in his dayes , then had beene within the space of a hundred yeares before .

Of his Wife and Children .

HE marryed , by his Unkle King Henries meanes , Matild , Daughter and Heire of Eustace Earle of Boleyne , a Woman made for the proportion of both Fortunes : In adversity not dejected ; in prosperity not elated : while her Husband was at liberty , a Woman ; during his durance , as it were a Man ; Acting his part for him when he was restrained from acting it himselfe ; not looking that Fortune should fall into her lappe , but industrious to procure it . By this Queene , he had onely one Sonne named Eustace , a Prince more then of hope , for he lived to the blossoming of much Valour , though it came not to maturity , as being cut off at eighteene yeares of age , some say , by drowning , and some by a stranger accident . But strange Relations must not alwayes be rejected , for though many of them be forged , yet some no doubt are true ; and who knowes but it may be of this kind , which some Writers relate of the death of this Prince : that being at the Abbey of Bury in Norfolke , and denyed some money he required to have had ; he presently in a rage went forth , and set fire on the Cornefields belonging to the Abbey , but afterwards sitting downe to dinner , at the first morsell of bread he put into his mouth , he fell into a fit of madnesse , and in that fit dyed ? Certainely , the Persons of Princes are for more observation then ordinary people ; and as they make Examples , so they are sometimes made Examples . This Prince Eustace was so beloved of his father , that he had a purpose to have joyned him King with himselfe , but that the Pope upon the Bishops complaining to him of it , diverted him from it . Howsoever being dead , he was buried in Feversham Abbey , where his mother was buried a little before . Other legitimate issue King Stephen had none , but by a Concubine he had a sonne named William , whom he made Earle of Norfolke , which honour was confirmed upon him , by a speciall Article , in the agreement made betweene King Stephen and Duke Henry : Onely a French Chronicle speakes of another sonne of his , named Gervase , made Abbot of Westminster , and that hee died in the yeare 1160. and was there buried .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was tall of stature , of great strength , and of an excellent good complexion . Concerning the qualities of his minde , there was apparent in him a just mixture of valour and prudence ; for if he had not had both , hee could never have held out with such weake friends as he did , against such potent adversaries as he had . And specially it must be confest , he was of an excellent temper for a souldier , seeing he never kild any enemy in cold blood , as Anthonie did Cicero ; nor any friend in hot blood , as Alexander did Clitus . What he would have beene in Peace , we are left to Judge by onely a Patterne , the short time betweene his agreement with Duke He●ry and his death : which seeing he spent in travelling to all parts of the Realme , and seeking to sti●ch up the breaches which the violence of Warre had made ; we may well thinke , that if his life had beene continued , he would have given as good Proofes of his Justice in Peace , as he had done of his Valour in Warre . For of his extraordinary good nature we have a sufficient example in one Action of his , which was this : Duke Henry being on a time , in some straights for money , sent to his Mother Maude the Empresse , desiring her to furnish him , but she answered , that she was in as great straights her selfe , and therefore could not do it ; then he sent to his Unkle Earle Robert to furnish him , and he answered , he had little enough to serve his owne turne , and therefore could not doe it ; at last he sent to King S●ephen , and he though an Adversary , and standing in termes of opposition , yet sent presently and supplyed him with it . He was withall a great oppugner of Superstition , which made him on a time to ride into Lincolne with his Crowne upon his head , onely to breake the people of a superstitious opinion they held , that no King could enter into that City in such manner , but that some great dysaster would fall upon him . One speciall Vertue may be noted in him , that he was not noted for any speciall vice , whereof if there had beene any in him , Writers certainly would not have beene silent .

Of his death and buriall .

AS a Fish cannot live out of Water , no more was it in the Destiny of this King , to live out of trouble ; as ●oone as he came to enjoy quietnesse , he left to enjoy life , no more time left him betweene his Agreement with Duke Henry and his Death , but onely so much as might reasonably serve him to take his last leave of all his Friends ; For it was but from Ianuary to October ; and the last Friend he tooke leave of , was Theodoricke Earle of Flanders , whom he met at Dover , and as soone as he had dismissed him , he was suddenly taken with the Iliake Passion , and with an old disease of the Emeraulds : and dyed in the Monastery there , the five and twentyeth of October , in the yeare 1154. when he had Raigned almost nineteene yeares , Lived nine and forty ; and was Buryed in the Abbey of Feversham , which he had Founded .

Men of note in his time .

OF Clergy men , there was Thurstine Arch-bishop of Yorke , and Henry Bishop of Winchester the Kings Brother , also William , another Arch-bishop of Yorke , whom we may finde in the Calender of Saints , as likewise Saint Bernard who lived in this time , though not of this Country , and if we may reckon strangers , there lived at this time , Peter Lombard , Master of the Sentences ; Peter Comester , writer of the Ecclesiasticall Story ; and Gratian , Compiler of the Canon Law , all three Brothers , and all three Bastards ; also Avicen , Averroes , Mesues , and Rabbi Salomon were in this time famous . Of military men , there was Ranulph Earle of Chester ; Reynold Earle of Cornwall ; Robert Earle of Leycester ; Hugh Bigot , Earle of Norfolke , but specially Robert Earle of Glocester , the Kings base Sonne , whose praises , if any desire to heare sounded out to the full , let him read William of Malmesbury , who writ the History of those times , of purpose to be his Trumpet . Of the Writers of our Nation , there was this William of Malmesbury , Henry Huntington , Simon Dunelmensis , William Revellensis , and Geoffrey of Monmouth , Bishop of Saint Asaph in Wales . Also Hugo Carthusianus , a Burgundian , but made Bishop of Lincolne here in England .

THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SECOND .

KING Stephen being dead , Henry Duke of Anjou , by his Father Geoffry Plantagenet , succeeded him in the Kingdome of England by agreement ; whom he preceded by right , as being Sonne and Heire of Mawde , sole daughter and Heire of King Henry the first ; and was crowned at Westminster , by The●bald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , on the seventeenth of December , in the yeare 1155. and was now a greater Prince then any of his Ancestours had beene before : and indeed , the Kingdome of England , the Dukedome of Normandy , and the Dukedome of Anjou in his owne right ; and in the right of his wife Queen Eleanor , the Duchy of ●uyen , and the Earldome of Poictou b●ing all united in his person , made him a Dominion of a larger extent then any King Christian had at that time .

He was borne at Ments in Normandy , in the yeare 1132. a great joy to his Father Geoffry , Duke of Anjou ; a greater to his Mother Mawde the Empresse ; but so great to his Grandfather King Henry the first , that it seemed to make amends for his sonne William , whom unfortunately he had lost before by Shipwrack . The yeares of his childhood were spent at home under the care of his Parents : at nine yeares old or there abouts , he was brought by his Unkle Robert Earle of Glocester into England , and placed at Bristow , where under the tuition of one Matthew his Schoolemaster , to instruct him in learning , he remained foure yeares , after which time he was sent into Scotland , to his great Unkle David King of Scots , with whom he remained about two yeares , initiated by him in the Principles of State , but chiefely of his owne estate : and being now about fifteene yeares of age , was by him Knighted , and though scarce yet ripe for Armes , yet as a fruit gathered before its time , was mellowed under the discipline of his Unkle Robert , one of the best Souldiers of that time . And now the Duke his Father not able any longer to endure his absence , sent with great instance to have him sent over to him ; for satisfying of whose longing , Earle Robert provided him of passage , and conducted him himselfe to the Sea side , where he tooke his last farewell of him . Being come into Anjou , his Father , perhaps over-joyed with his presence , not long after died , leaving him in present possession of that Dukedome , being now about nineteene yeares of age : when shortly after he married Eleanor , late the wife of Lewis King of France , but now divorced . A yeare or two after he came againe into England , where after some velitations with King Stephen , they were at last reconciled , and his succession to the Crowne of England , ratified by Act of Parliament . Not long after he went againe into France , and presently fell to besiege a Castle which was detained from him by the French King : in the time of which siege , newes was brought him of King Stephens death ; which one would have thought should have made him hasten his journey into England ; yet he resolved not to stirre till he had wonne the Caste : which resolution of his being knowne to the Defendants , they surrendred the Castle ; but yet no sooner , but that it was sixe weekes after before he came into England , when he was now about the age of three and twenty yeares .

His first Acts after he came to the Crowne .

He beganne his Raigne as Solomon would have begunne it , if he had beene in his place : for , first he made choyce of wise and discreet men to be his Consellours : then he banished out of the Realme all strangers , and especially Flemmings , with whom the Kingdome swarmed ; as of whom King Stephen had made use in his warres , amongst whom was William of Ypres , lately before made Earle of Kent . Castles which by King Stephens allowance had beene built , he caused to be demolished , ( of which there were said to be eleven hundred and fifteene ) as being rather Nurseries of rebellion to the subject , then of any safety to the Prince . He appointed the most able men of that profession , to reforme abuses of the Lawes , which disorder of the wars had brought in : He banished many Lords , who against their Oath had assisted King Stephen against him ; as thinking that men onc● perjured , would never be faithfull : and to the end he might be the lesse pressing upon the people with Taxations , he resumed all such Lands belonging to the Crown , which had any way beene aliened or usurped ; as thinking it better to displease a few then many : and many other things he did , which in a disjoynted State were no lesse profitable and expedient , then requisite and necessary .

His Troubles during his Raigne .

HE had no Competitors , nor Pretenders with him for the Crowne ; and therfore his troubles at first were not in Capite , strooke not at the roote , as K. Stephens did : but were onely some certaine niblings at inferiour parts ; till at last he brought them himselfe into his own bowels . For what was the trouble in his first yeare with the Welsh , but as an exercise rather to keep him in motion , then that it needed to disquiet his rest ? for though they were mutinous for a time , while they looked upon their owne Bucklers ; their Woods and Mountainous passages : yet as soone as K. Henry did but shew his sword amongst them , they were soone reduced to obedience for the present , and to a greater awfulnesse for the future . It is true , Henry Earle of Essex that bore the Kings Standard , was so assaulted by the Welsh , that he let the Standard fall to the ground , which encouraged the Welsh , and put the English in some feare , as supposing the King had beene slaine ; but this was soone frustrated to the Welsh , and punished afterward in the Ea●le , by condemning him to be shorne a Monke , and put into the Abbey of Reading , and had his lands seised into the Kings hands . And what was his trouble with Malcolme King of Scots , but a worke of his owne beginning ? for if he would have suffered him to enjoy that which was justly his owne , Cumberland and Huntingtonshire , by the grant of King Stephen , and Northumberland , by the gift of his Mother Maude the Empresse ; he might have staied quietly at home , and needed not at all to have stir●ed his foote ; but he could not endure there should be such parings off from the body of his Kingdome : and therefore went with an Army into the North , where he wonne not , but tooke Northumberland from him , with the City of Carl●ill , and the Castles of Newcastle and Bamberg : and meerely out of gratefulnesse , in remembrance of the many co●rtesies done him before , by David King of Scots ; he left him the County of Hunting●on , but yet with condition to owe feal●y , and to doe homage to him for it . And what was his trouble with his brother Geoffrey , but a Bird of his owne hatching ? For his Father Geoffrey , Duke of Anjou , had three sonnes , Henry , Geoffrey , and William ; and dying he left his Dukedome of Anjou to his eldest son Henry , but to hold no longer then till he should come to be King of England , and then to deliver it up to his second sonne Geoffrey : and he made his Lords to sweare , not to suffer his body to be buried , untill his sonne Henry had taken his Oath to doe it ; which Oath Henry afterward , in reverence to his Fathers body , did take : but as he tooke it unwillingly , so he willingly brake it , and sent presently to Adrian the then Pope , for a Dispensation of his Oath : which granted , he enters Anjou with an Army , and takes from his brother Geoffrey , being little able to make resistance , not onely the Dukedome of Anjou , but some other Cities also , which his Father had absolutely given him for his maintenance : yet out of brotherly kindnesse was content to allow him a Pension of a thousand pounds a yeare : which brotherly kindnesse was so unkindly taken by his brother Geoffrey , that it brake his heart ; and within a short time after died .

And thus these troubles begun by Henry himselfe , were soone ended ; but now a trouble is comming on , begun by Lewis King of France , and this is like to stick longer by him . For King Lewis not having yet digested King Henries marriage with his divorced wife Eleanor , seekes all opportunities to expresse his spleene , by doing him displeasure ; and a fit opportunity was now offered : for there fell out a difference betweene Raymond Earle of Saint Giles , and Henry King of England , about the Earledome of Tholouse , which Raymond possest , and Henry claimed : in this difference , King Lewis takes part with Raymond , as pretending it to be the juster side . Hereupon are great forces provided on both sides , and it was like to have come to a dangerous battell ; but that by mediation of friends , a Peace was made ; and to make the Peace the firmer , a marriage was concluded betweene Henry , King Henries eldest sonne , scarce yet seven yeares of age ; and Margaret , daughter of King Lewis , not past three : who was delivered to King Henry to bring up till fit yeares for consummation . This was then thought a strong linke to hold them in friendship , but it proved afterward a cause to make the greater breach : and indeed when a sonne is once matched into a Family , the Father must never looke from thence afterward to have a good wish ; seeing the daughter thus matched can have no advancement , but by the advancement of her husband ; and he none , at least , none so w●ll , as by the ruine of his Father : yet this brake not out till some yeares after . It was now about the eighteenth yeere of King Henries Raigne , and his sonne Henry growne to be seventeene yeares of age● when it came into the Kings minde to have his sonne Henry crowned King , and Raigne with himselfe in his owne time ; partly out of indulgence to his sonne , but chiefely , as having found by his owne experience , that Oaths for succession are commonly eluded : but Oaths for present Allegeance , as being Verba de Praesenti , can have no evasion : and pleasing himselfe with this conceit , he acquaints his Lords with his purpose , and causeth his sonne Henry to be crowned King by the hands of Roger Arch-bishop of Yorke ; and all the Lords to sweare Allegeance to him : at the Feast of which solemnity , King Henry to honour his sonne , would needs carry up the first dish to his Table ; whereupon the Arch-bishop Roger standing by , and saying merrily to the new King : What an honour is this to you , to have such a waiter at your Table ? Why ( saith he ) what great matter is it for him that was but the sonne of a Duke , to doe service to me , that am the sonne of a King and Queene ? Which the old King hearing , beganne to repent him , now it was too late of that he had done . For indeed the honour which by Gods commandement , children are to doe to their Parents ; is by such making them their equals , in a manner abolished ; at least it gives them stomachs to take more upon them then is fit . But King Henry passed it over , and meant to set the best side outward .

And now King Lewis tooke displeasure that his daughter was not crowned as well as her husband , and therefore to satisfie him in that point , King Henry sendeth his sonne Henry and his wife Margaret into England● and causeth them both to be crowned by Walter Arch-bishop of Roan : and shortly after , the young King Henry and his wife goe backe to King Lewis her Father , and by him with great joy , and variety of sports were entertained . In the time of their being there , King Lewis partly out of his old spleene to King Henry , and partly to make his sonne in law more absolure ; fals oftentimes into conference with him , and finding his hot spirit to be fit tinder for such fire , tels him , it was a shame he should suffer himselfe to be made a stale ; have the title of a King , and not the authority : and that as long as he stood in such termes , that which seemed an honour , was indeed a disgrace . With which words of King Lewis , the young King Henry was set afloate , and from that time forward , stucke not openly to oppose his Father : whereof his Father having intelligence , sent messengers to King Lewis , desiring him from the King their Master , to be a meanes to bring his sonne to more moderation . But King Lewis hearing the Embassadours name their Master King , with an angry countenance said unto them ; What mean you by this to call him King , who hath passed his Kingdome over to his son ? and with this answer sent them away . To this evill , another worse was added : that Queene Eleanor his wife enraged with jealousie of her husbands Concubines , both incenseth her sonne Henry , and perswadeth also two other of her sonnes , Richard and Geoffrey , to joyne against their Father ; telling them , it would be better for them that their brother should prevaile , who could not chuse but allow them better maintenance , then their Father did . With these perswasions they passe over into Normandy , and joyne with their brother Henry ; who emboldned by their assistance , growes now more insolent then he was before ; that when messengers were sent to him from his Father , requiring him to lay downe his Armes , and to come lovingly to him : he proudly made answer , that his Father must not looke he would lay downe his Armes , unlesse himselfe first would lay downe his authority , and resigne the Kingdome . And now Lewis King of France , calling together the great Lords of his Kingdome , and with them William King of Scots , Hugh Earle of Chester , Roger Mowbray , Hugh Pigot , and other of his sonnes party ; they all take their Oaths to assist the young King Henry with all their power ; and thereupon all in one day , the French invade Normandy , Aquitaine and Britaine ; the King of Scots Northumberland ; and King Lewis the City of Vernoill , which he brought to that distresse , that it was agreed by the Inhabitants , if it were not succoured within three dayes , then to surrender it . King Henry hearing of this agreement , promiseth to succour them by that day . But here King Lewis useth a trick , gets that by fraud , which he could not doe by force ; for he sends to King Henry , that if he were willing to have peace with his sonnes , he should meet him at a place appointed , at such a time , and he doubted not to effect it . King Henry glad of such an offer , and with that gladnesse perhaps blinded , and not suspecting any deceit , promiseth to meete ; and comming to the place at the day , which was the day he should have succoured Vernoill , he stayed there all day looking for King Lewis comming ; who instead of comming , sent word to Vernoill , that King Henry was defeated ; and therefore their hope of succour was in vaine : whereupon the Citizens thinking it to be so indeed , because he came not according to his promise , surrendred the Towne : which King Lewis finding himselfe unable to hold , set it on fire , and so departed . But King Henry when he perceived the fraud , followed him with his Army , and tooke a bloody revenge of his fraud , with the slaughter of many of his men . At the same time also King Henries forces encountred Hugh Earle of Chester , and Robert Fulger , who had taken Dole in Britaine , tooke them prisoners , and brought them to King Henry : and about the same time likewise in England , Robert Earle of Leycester thinking to surprise Raynold Earle of Cornwall , and Richard Lacy , King Henries Generals , at unawares , was himselfe by them overthrowne , and the Towne of Leycester taken ; which onely the site of the place defended from being battered to the ground . Robert Earle of Leycester being thus defeated● passeth over into France , and being supplied by King Lewis with greater forces then before , is together with Hugh Bigot sent backe into England , to draw the Countrey to Henry the sonnes party ; who at first assault take Norwich : and then setting downe before Bury , they are in a great battell , by Richard Lacy , and other of King Henries Captaines , overthrowne with the slaughter of tenne thousand men , and as many taken prisoners ; amongst whom Earle Robert himselfe . Yet were not Roger Mawbray and Hugh Bigot so daunted with this overthrow , but that together with David the King of Sco●s brother , they gather new forces , and invade Northumberland and Yorkshire , when Robert Scoccee , Ralph Granula , William Vesci , and Barnard Bayliol ( of whom Baynards Castle in London , first tooke the name ) Knights of those parts , as●emble together , and fighting a great battell with them , overthrew them , and tooke the King of Sco●s prisoner , with many others . Yet is not Hugh Bigot daunted with this neither , but gathers new forces , and takes Norwich ; and Robert Ferris , Nottingham : the newes whereof , when King Henry the sonne heard , he recovered new spirits , and obtaining new assistance from King Lewis , prepares himselfe afresh for warre : which King Henry the Father hearing , returnes speedily into England ; and to appease Saint Thomas Beckets Ghost , goes to visit his Tombe , and there askes him forgivenesse . This done , he goes into Suffolke , and at Framingham Castle , which belonged to Hugh Bigot , stayes with his Army , when suddenly moved , by what instinct , no man knowes ( unlesse the appeasing of Saint Thomas Ghost did worke it ) both Hugh Bigot delivers up his Castle into King Henries hands , and likewise Roger Mawbray , Robert Ferris , and many others of that party , come voluntarily in , and submit themselves to the Kings mercy . Hereupon King Henry returnes to London , about which time he committed his wife Queene Eleanor to prison , for her practises against him . In the meane time , King Lewis understanding that Normandy was but weakly guarded , together with his sonne the young King Henry , and Philip Earle of Flaunders ; he besiegeth Roan , which the Kings forces valiantly defended , till he came himselfe in person ; and thereupon King Lewis despairing of any good to be do●e , sends messengers to King Henry for a truce , and appointed a day to meete at Gysors , where he doubted not to make a reconcilement betweene his sons and him ; K. Henry agreed willingly , but of the meeting nothing was done : It seemes it was but one of King Lewis his old tricks to come fairely off .

After this truce made with King Lewis , King Henry hearing that his son Richard had in the meane time possest himselfe of a great part of the Province of Poicto● ; goes thither with an Army , where Richard at last , after some hesitation , as doubting his forces , submits himselfe to his Father , and askes his pardon ; which his Father as freely grants , as if he had never committed any fault ; and thereupon King Henry imployes him to King Lewis and his brother Henry , to perswade them to peace : who wearied now with the warres , were easily drawne , and so reconciliation on all parts is made ; and to confirme the reconciliation betweene the two Kings , Henry and Lewis , his daughter Adela is affianced to King Henries sonne Richard , as Earle of Aquitaine , and because the Lady was but young , she was committed to the care of King Henry , till she should be fit for marriage . Upon this King Henry sets Robert Earle of Leycester , and Hugh Earle of Chester , giving hostages and oath for their Allegeance , at liberty ; and William also King of Scots , paying a certaine mulct ; for which he delivered in pawne the strong Castles of Berwick , Roxborough , and Sterling to King Henry , and was fined also to lose the County of Huntington , and never to receive any Rebels into his protection . These things done , the King with his sonnes returnes into England , where with all joyfulnesse they were received . It was now the yeare 1179. when King Lewis beganne againe to grow discontented with King Henry , because his daughter was not yet married to his sonne Richard , as was agreed : but King Henry making him promise to have them married within a few dayes , gave him satisfaction ; though indeed he meant nothing lesse , for it was thought he kept her for himselfe , as with whom he had before that time , had unlawfull familiarity . The yeare after was memorable for nothing , or for nothing so much as the death of the young King Henry , who died then ; whose Widow Margaret returning into France , was afterward married to Bela King of Hungary . Now King Henries sonne Richard , no longer enduring to have his marriage delayed , which his Father often promised , but would never suffer to be performed ; fals into his old fit of discontentment : wherein though he cannot perhaps be justified , yet he may justly be excused , for to be kept from a wife at that time of his age , for which a wife was most proper ; and especially having beene affianced so long before , which could not chuse but make his appetite the sharper : must needs be , if not a just cause , at least a strong provocation to make him doe as he did : Howsoever , from this fit of discontentment , he fals into a relaps of Rebellion , and infecting with it his brother Iohn , and a great part of his Fathers Adherents ; they all take part with Philip ( now after the decease of Lewis ) King of France , who willing to make use of their assistance , before the streame of filiall awfulnesse should returne into the naturall Channell , takes them along with him , and besiegeth the City of Ments , in which King Henry at that time was himselfe in person ; who apprehending the danger , and then resenting the mischiefe of falling into his enemies hands , gets him secretly out of the City , leaving it to defend it selfe , till he should returne with greater forces : but hearing afterward that the Towne was taken , he fell into so great a distraction of minde , that it made him break out into these blasphemous words ; I shall never hereafter love God any more , that hath suffered a City so deare unto me , to be taken from me : but he quickly recollected himselfe , and repented him that he had spoken the words . Indeed Ments was the City in which he was borne , that to have this City taken from him , was as much as to have his Birth-right taken from him ; and to say the truth , after he had lost this City , he scarce seemed to be alive ; not onely because he shortly after died , but because the state of Majesty which had all his life accompanied him , after this forsooke him : for now he was faine to begge peace of his enemies , who often before had begged it of him : now he was glad to yeeld to conditions , which no force before could have wrested from him . It is memorable and worth observing , that when these two Kings had meeting betweene Turwyn and Arras , for reconcilement of differences ; there suddenly happened a Thunderbolt to light just betweene them , with so terrible a cracke , that it forced them for that time to breake off their conference : and afterward at another meeting , the like accident of Thunder happened againe , which so amazed King Henry , that he had fallen off his horse , if he had not beene supported by those about him ; which could be nothing but drops let fall of the Divine anger , and manifest presages of his future dysasters . And thus this great Princes troubles , which beganne in little ones , and were continued in great ones , ended at last in so great a trouble , that it ended his life , and left him an example of desolation , notwithstanding all his greatnesse ; forsaken of his friends , forsaken of his wife , forsaken of his children ; and ( if he were not himselfe when he blasphemed for the losse of Ments ) forsaken of himselfe ; which might be exemplar in this King , if it were not the common Epilogue of all greatnesse .

Of his Acquest of Ireland .

RObert Fits-stephen was the first of all Englishmen , after the Conquest , that entred Ireland , the first day of May , in the yeare 1170. with 390. men : and there took Werford , in the behalfe of Deruntius , sonne of Marcherdach , called Mac Murg , King of Leymster . In September following , Richard Earle of Chepstow , surnamed Strong-bow , sayled into Ireland with twelve hundred men , where he tooke Waterford and Dublin ; and married Eeve , the daughter of Deruntius , as he was promised . From these beginnings , King Henry being then at rest from all Hostile Armes , both at home and abroad , takes into his consideration the Kingdome of Ireland , as a Kingdome which oftentimes afforded assistance to the French ; and therefore purposing with himselfe by all meanes to subdue it : he provides a mighty Army , and in the Winter season saileth thither , taking Shipping at Pembroke , and landing neare to Waterford : where entring into consultation what course was fittest to be taken in the enterprise , suddenly of their owne accord , the Princes of the Countrey came in , and submitted themselves unto him , onely R●d●rick King of Connacht stood out ; who being the greatest , thought to make himselfe the onely King of that Nation : but King Henry forbearing him for the present , who kept himselfe in his fastnesses of Bogges and Woods , and was not to be followed in the Winter season : takes his journey to Dublin , the chiefe City of the Countrey ; and there calling the Princes and Bishops of the Nation together , requires their consent to have him and his heires to be their King : which they affirming they could not doe without the Popes authority ; to whom , at their first conversion to the Christian Religion , they had submitted themselves ; the King sent presently to Adrian the then Pope an English man , requiring his assent ; which upon divers good considerations he granted : and hereupon the King built him a stately Palace in the City of Dublin ; and having thus without bloud possest himselfe of the Kingdome , the Spring following he returnes joyfully into England . About foure yeares after Rodorick also sends his Chancellour to King Henry , to offer his submission , with a tribute to be paid of every tenne beasts , one sufficient . After this , in the one and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne , he sent his sonne Iohn to be the Governour there .

His Taxations , and wayes for raising of money .

TAxations in his time , was chiefely once ; when he tooke Escuage of Englishmen , towards his warres in France , which amounted to 12400. pounds : but confiscations were many , because many Rebellions , and every Rebellion was as good as a Mine . Also vacancies of Bishopricks and Abbeys , kept in his hands , sometimes many at once ; no time without some . He resumed also all Lands which had either beene sold or given from the Crowne by his Predecessours : but a principall cause that made him plentifull in money , was his Parcimony ; as when he was injoyned for a Penance , to build three Abbeys , he performed it , by changing Secular Priests into Regular Chanons , onely to spare cost . And it was not the least cause of alienating his sonnes from him ; that he allowed them not maintenance answerable to their calling . And it could be nothing but Parcimony while he lived , which brought it to passe , that when he died , there were found in his Coffers , nine hundred thousand pounds besides Plate and Jewels .

Lawes and Ordinances in his time .

IN the beginning of his Raign , he refined and reformed the Lawes of the Realm ; making them more tolerable & more profitable to his people then they were before . In the one and twentieth year of his Raign , he divided his whole kingdom into six several Circuits ; appointing in every Circuit three Judges , who twice every year should ride together , to heare and determine Causes between man and man : as it is at this day , though altered in the number of the Judges , and in the Shires of Circuit . In this Kings dayes the number of Jewes all England over was great : yet , wheresoever they dwelt , they might not bury any of their dead any where but in London ; which being a great inconvenience to bring dead bodies oftentimes from farre remote places , the King gave them liberty of buriall in the severall places where they lived . It was in this Kings dayes also ordained that Clergy-men offending in hunting the Kings Deere , should be punishable by the Civill Magistrate , according to the Lawes of the Land ; which order was afterward taken with them for any offence whatsoever they committed . Though it be not a Law , yet it is an Ordinance which was first brought in by this King , that the Lions should be kept in the Tower of London .

Affaires of the Church in his tim● .

THis Kings Raigne is famous for the contention of a Subject with the Prince , and though it may be thought no equall match , yet in this Example we shall find it hard to judge which of them had the victory . But before we come to speak of the Contention , it is fit to say something of the Man , and of the Quarrell . The man was Thomas Becket , borne in London , his Father , one Gilbert Becket , his Mother an outlandish Woman , of the Country of Syria . His first rising was under Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury , who taking a liking to him , ( as one saith , no man knew for what ) made him first Arch-deacon of Canterbury , and then used meanes to have him be the Princes Tutor , after that to be Chancellour of England , and after the decease of the said Theobald , was himselfe made Arch-bishop of Canterbury in his place . One memorable thing he did at his comming to be Arch-bishop , he surrendred his place of being Chancellour , as not thinking it fit to sit at the Helme of the Common-wealth , and of the Church , both at once . But now began the Contention betweene the King and him : the difference was , the King would have it ordained that Clergy men who were malefactors , should be tryed before the Secular Magistrate as Lay men were : This Becket opposed , saying , it was against the liberty of the Church , and therefore against the honour of God . Many Bishops stood with the King , some few with Becket the Contention grew long , and with the length still hotter , till at last Becket was content to assent to the Ordinance with this clause , Salvo Ordine suo : the King liked not the Clause , as being a deluding of the Ordinance : He required an absolute assent , without any clause of Reservation . At last , after many debatings and demurres , the Arch-bishop yeelds to this also , and subscribes the Ordinance , and sets his hand unto it . But going homewards , it is said , his Crosse-bearer and some other about him , blamed him for that he had done , but whether moved with their words , or otherwise upon second thoughts , the next day when they met againe , he openly repented his former deed , retracts his subscription , and sends to the Pope for absolution of his fault : which the Pope not onely granted , but encouraged him to persist in the course he had begunne . It may be thought a Fable , yet is related by divers good Authours , that one time during this Contention , certaine fellows cut off the Arch-bishops horses taile ; after which fact , all their Children were borne with tailes like horses ; and that this continued long in their Posterity , though now long since ceased , and perhaps their Families too . But King Henry finding there was no prevailing with Becket by faire meanes , beginnes to deale more roughly with him , and first makes use of Authority upon his Temporalties ; and withall a censure was spoken of to be intended against his person ; which Becket understanding , thought it his best course to flee the Realme , and thereupon passing under the name of Dereman , he passeth over Sea , and there , two yeares by the Pope , and five by the King of France , was maintained as it were of Almes : in which misery , nothing vexed him so much , as that King Henry sent all his kindred , Men and Women , old and young into Banishment after him . And now King Henry finding that Becket stood much upon his Legatine Power , sent messengers to the Pope , desiring him to take that power from him , and to conferre it upon his Arch-bishop of Yorke , but the Pope answered , he would not doe so , but was content the King himselfe should be his Legate , and sent him Letters to that purpose , which King Henry tooke in such scorne , that he threw away the Letters , and sent them presently backe to him againe .

In this meane time , the King of France prevailed with King Henry to afford Becket a conference , hoping to bring them to some Agreement , where being together , King Henry alledged before the King of France , that he required nothing of Becket , but his assent to an Ordinance , to which in his Grandfather King Henries the first time , all the Bishops of the Realme , and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury that then was did give their Assent ; yet this moved not Becket at all , but he continued his former Tenet , it was against the honour of God , and therefore desired to be excused . See now ( saith King Henry ) the perversenesse of this man , all that agrees not with his owne humour , is presently against the honour of God . While these things were thus a working , Becket had gotten him more friends at Rome , and by their meanes prevailed with the Pope , to give him power to interdict some Bishops in England that had done him wrong , and the Pope spared no● to threaten Excommunication to King Henry himselfe , if he restored not Becket to his Dignity . But whether awed with his threatning , or wonne by the King of Frances importunity , or else perhaps relenting in himselfe , he was contented at last that Becket should returne home , and enjoy his Bishopricke ; who being come to Canterbury , the Bishops whom he had indicted , for Crowning the young King Henry , ( which he said , was his right to have done ) made humble suite unto him , to be released of the censure . Which , when the Arch-bishop would not grant , but with certaine cautions and exceptions , the Bishops discontented went over to the King , complaining of the hard measure that was offered them by the Arch-bishop : whereat the King being much moved , Shall I never ( saith he ) be at quiet for this Priest ? If I had any about me that loved me , they would find some way or other to ridde me of this trouble . Whereupon foure knights standing by that heard the King make this complaint , namely Reynold Fits-urse , or Bereson , Hugh Morvyll , William Tracy , and Richard Britton , thinking they should doe an acceptable service to the King , went shortly after into England , and going to Canterbury , found the Arch-bishop then at Church , when upon the steps there , they strucke him upon the head with their swords and slew him the thirtieth day of December , in the yeare 1172. Afterward , with much adoe , by King Henries meanes they were pardoned by the Pope , onely enjoyned Penance , to goe on P●lgrimage to Ierusalem , as some write ; but others more probably , that the King abhorred them ever after ; and that within three yeares they all dyed miserably . You have heard his persecution , and ( as some would have it called ) his Martyrdome : now heare the honours that have beene done him , and the visitations to his Tombe . And first King Henry himselfe comming to Canterbury , as soone as he came within sight of Beckets Church , lighting off his horse , and putting off his hose and shooes he went barefoot to his Tombe , and for a further penance suffered himselfe to be beaten with rods , by every Monke of the Cloyster . A few yeares after , King Lewis of France comes into England of purpose to visite the Shrine of Saint Thomas , where having paid his Vowes , he makes Oblations with many rich Presents . The like many Princes since that time have done ; and many Miracles are reported to have beene done at his Tombe , which yet may be unbeleeved without unbeliefe , and with Faith enough . Another difference in this Kings dayes , was betweene the two Arch-bishops of England , about the jurisdiction of Canterbury over Yorke , which being referred to the Pope , he gave judgement on Canterburies side . Also in this Kings dayes there was a Schisme in the Church of Rome , two Popes up at once , of whom Alexander the third was one ; which Schisme continued the space of almost twenty yeares . Also in this Kings dayes , one Nicholas Breakespeare , borne at Saint Albans , or as others write , at Langley in Hartfordshire , being a bondman of that Abbey , and therefore not allowed to be a Monke there , went beyond Sea , where he so profited in Learning , that the Pope made him first Bishop of Alba , and afterward Cardinall , and sent Legate to the Norwayes , where he reduced that nation from Paganisme to Christianity , and returning backe to Rome , was chosen Pope , by the Name of Adrian the fourth , and dyed being choaked with a Fly in his drinke . In his dayes also , Heraclius Patriarch of Hierusalem , came to King Henry , desiring ayde for the Holy Land , but not so much of money as of men ; and not so much of men neither , as of a good Generall , as himselfe was ; to whom King Henry answered , that though he were willing to undertake it , yet his unquiet State at home would not suffer him ; with which answer the Patriarch moved , said , Thinke not Great King , that Pretences will excuse you before God , but take this from me , that as you forsake Gods cause now , so he hereafter will forsake you in your greatest need . But ( saith the King ) if I should be absent out of my kingdome , my own Sonnes would be ready to rise up against me in my absence ; to which the Patriarch replyed , No marvaile , for from the Devill they came , and to the Devill they shall● and so departed . Also in this Kings dayes there came into England , thirty Germans , Men and Women , calling themselves Publicans , who denyed Matrimony , and the Sacraments of Baptisme , and of the Lords Supper , with other Articles , who being obstinate , and not to be reclaimed , the King commanded they should be marked with a hot iron in the forehead , and be whipped , which punishment they tooke patiently , their Captaine ( called Gerard ) going before them singing , Blessed are ye when men hate you . After they were whipped , they were thrust out of doores in the Winter , where they dyed with cold and hunger , no man da●ing to relieve them . This King after his conquest of Ireland , imposed the tribute of Peter pence upon that kingdome , namely , that every house in Ireland should yearely pay a penny to Saint Peter .

Workes of piety done by him , or by others in his time .

THis King Founded the Church of Bristow , which King Henry the eighth afterward erected into a Cathedrall : He also Founded the Priories of D●ver ; of Stoneley ; and of Basinwerke ; and the Castle of Rudlan : and beganne the Stone Bridge over the Thames at London . He caused also the Castle of Warwicke to be builded . Maude the Empresse his Mother , Founded the Abbey of Bordesly . In his time also Hugh Mortimer Founded Wigmore Abbey , Richard Lucye the Kings Chiefe Justice laid the Foundation of the Coventuall Church , in the honour of Saint Thomas , in a place which is called Westwood , otherwise Les●es , in the Territory of Rochester , in the new Parish of Southfleete . He also builded the Castle of Anger in Essex . Robert Harding a Burgesse of Bristow , to whom King Henry gave the Barony of Barkeley ; builded the Monastery of Saint Augustines in Bristow . In the tenth yeare of his Raigne , London Bridge was new made of Timber , by Peter of Cole-church a Priest . Robert de Boscue Earle of Leycester , Founded the monastery of Gerendon , of Monkes ; and of Leycester , called Saint Mary de Prate , of Chanons Regular , and his Wife Amicia , Daughter of Ralph Montford , Founded Eaton , of Nunnes . In the two and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne , after the Foundation of Saint Mary Overeyes Church in Southwarke , the Stone bridge over the Thames at London , beganne to be Founded , towards which a Cardinall , and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury gave a thousand Markes . Aldred Bishop of Worcester Founded a Monastery at Glocester of Benedictine Monkes .

Casualties that happened in his time .

IN the Eleventh yeare of this Kings Raigne , on the six and twentyeth day of Ianuary , was so great an Earth-quake in Ely , Norfolke , and Suffolke , that it overthrew them that stood upon their feet , and made the Bells to ring in the Steeples . In the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne , there was seene at Saint Osythes in Essex , a Dragon of marveilous bignesse , which by moving , burned houses , and the whole City of Canterbury was the same yeare almost burnt . In the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne , the Church of Norwich with the houses thereto belonging was burnt , and the Monkes dispersed . At Andover , a Priest praying before the Altar , was slaine with Thunder . Likewise one Clerke and his Brother was burnt to death with Lightning . In the three and twentyeth yeare , a showre of Blood Rained in the Isle of Wight two houres together . In the foure and twentyeth yeare , the City of Yorke was burnt , and on Christmas day , in the Territory of Derlington , in the Bishopricke of Durham the Earth lifted up it selfe in the manner of an high Tower , and so remained unmoveable from morning till evening , and then fell with so horrible a noyse that it frighted the Inhabitants thereabouts , and the earth swallowing it up , made there a deepe pit , which is seene at this day : for a Testimony whereof Leyland saith , he saw the Pits there , commonly called Hell-kettles . Also in the same yeare , on the tenth day of Aprill , the Church of Saint Andrewes in Rochester was consumed with fire . In the eight and twentyeth yeare of his Raigne , Barnewell , with the Priory , neare unto Cambridge was burnt . In the thirtyeth yeare , the Abbey of Glastenbury was burnt with the Church of Saint Iulian. In the yeare 1180. a great Earthquake threw downe many buildings , amongst which the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne was rent in peeces the five and twentieth of Aprill : And on the twentieth of October , the Cathedrall Church of Chichester , and all the whole City was burnt . This yeare also , neare unto Orford in Suffolke , certaine Fishers tooke in their Nets a Fish , having the shape of a Man in all points , which Fish was kept by Bartholomew de Glanvile in the Castle of Orford sixe moneths and more ; he spake not a word ; all manner of meates he did gladly eate , but most greedily raw Fish , when he had pressed out the juyce ; oftentimes he was brought to Church , but never shewed any signe of adoration : at length , being not well looked to , he stole to the Sea , and never was seene after . In the yeare 1188. on the twentieth of September , the Towne of Beverley with the Church of Saint Iohn there was burnt . And in this Kings time the bones of King Arthur , and his Wife Guynevour , were found in the Vale of Avalon , under an hollow Oake , fifteene foote under ground ; the haire of the said Guynevour being then whole and of fresh colour ; but as soone as it was touched , it fell to powder , as Fabian relateth .

Of his Wife and Children .

HE married Eleanor Daughter and heire of William Duke of Guien , late Wife of Lewis the seventh , King of France , but then divorced , but for what cause divorced is diversly related ; some say King Lewis carryed her with him into the Holy Land , where she carryed her selfe not very holily , but led a licentious life , and which is the worst kind of licentiousnesse , in carnall familiarity with a Turke ; which King Lewis though knowing , yet dissembled , till comming home , he then waived that cause , as which he could not bring without disgrace to himselfe , and made use of their nearenesse in blood , as being Cousins in the fourth degree , which was allowed by the Pope , as a cause sufficient to divorce them , though he had at that time two Daughters by her . Being thus divorced , Duke Henry marries her , with whom it was never knowne , but she led a modest and sober life , a sufficient proofe , that the former Report was but a slander . By this Queene Eleanor he had five Sonnes , William , Henry , Richard , Geoffry , and Iohn ; and three Daughters , Maude , marryed to Henry Duke of Saxony ; Eleanor , marryed to Alphonso the Eighth of that name , King of Castile ; and Iane or Ioane , marryed to William King of Sicilie . Of his Sonnes , William dyed young . Henry borne the second yeare of his Raigne , was Crowned King with his Father , in the eighteenth yeare , and dyed the nine and twentyeth yeare , and was buryed at Roan ; marryed to Margaret , Daughter of Lewis King of France , but left no issue . Richard , borne at Oxford , in the fourth yeare of his Fathers Raigne , and succeeded him in the kingdome . Geoffrey , borne the fifth yeare of his Fathers Raigne , marryed Constance , Daughter and Heire of Conan , Earle of Little Britaine , in the foureteenth yeare , and in the two and thirtieth yeare dyed ; leaving by his Wife Constance , two Daughters , and a Posthumus Sonne named Arthur . Iohn , his youngest , called Iohn without Land , because he had no Land assigned him in his Fathers time ; borne the twelfth yeare of his Fathers Raigne , and succeeded his Brother Richard in the kingdome . And this may be reckoned a peculiar honour to this King , that of his five Sonnes , three of them lived to be Kings ; and of his three Daughters , two of them to be Queenes . Concubines he had many , but two more famous then the rest ; and one of these two , more famous then the other : and this was Rosamond , Daughter of Walter Lord Clifford ; whom he kept at Woodstocke , in lodgings so cunningly contrived that no stranger could find the way in , yet Queene Eleanor did , being guided by a thread : so much is the eye of jealousie quicker in finding out , then the eye of care is in hiding . What the Queen did to Rosamond when she came in to her , is uncertaine , but this is certaine , that Rosamond lived but a short time after , and lyes buryed at the Nunnery of Godst●w neare to Oxford . By this Rosamond King Henry had two Sonnes , William called Long-Sword ; who was Earle of Salisbury in right of his Wife Ela , Daughter and Heire of William Earle of that Country , and had by her much issue , whose posterity continued a long time : And a second Sonne named Geoffrey , who was first Bishop of Lincolne , and afterward Arch-bishop of Yorke , and after five yeares banishment in his Brother King Iohns time , dyed in the yeare 1213. The other famous Concubine of this King Henry , was the Wife of Ralph Blewet a knight ; by whom he had a Sonne named Morgan , who was Provost of Beverley , and being to be elected Bishop of Durham , went to Rome for a dispensation , because being a Bastard , he was else uncapable : But the Pope refu●ing to grant it , unlesse he would passe as the Sonne of Blewet , he absolutely answered , he would for no cause in the world deny his Father ; and chose rather to lose the Dignity of the Place , then of his Blood , as being the Sonne , though but the base Sonne , of a King .

Of his personage and conditions .

HE was somewhat red of face , and broad breasted ; short of body , and therewithall fat , which made him use much Exercise , and little Meate . He was commonly called Henry Shortmantell , because he was the first that brought the use of short Cloakes out of Anjou into England . Concerning endowments of mind , he was of a Spirit in the highest degree Generous ; which made him often say , that all the World sufficed not to a Couragious heart . He had the Reputation of a wise Prince all the Christian World over ; which made him often say , that all the World sufficed not to a Couragious heart . He had the Reputation of a wise Prince all the Christian World over ; which made Alphonsus King of Castile , and Garsyas King of Navarre , referre a difference that was betweene them , to his Arbitrament : who so judicious●y determined the Cause , that he gave contentment to both Parties ; a harder matter then to cut Cloath even by a thread . His Custome was to be alwayes in Action ; for which cause , if he had no Reall Warres , he would have Faigned : and would transport Forces either into Normandy or Britaine , and goe with them himselfe , whereby he was alwayes prepared of an Army : and made it a Schooling to his Souldiers , and to himselfe an Exercise . To his Children he was both indulgent and hard : for out of indulgence he caused his Son Henry to be Crowned King in his owne time ; and out of hardnesse he caused his younger Sonnes to Rebell against him . He was rather Superstitious , then not Religious ; which he shewed more by his carriage toward Becket being dead then while he lived . His Incontinency was not so much that he used other Women besides his Wife , but that he used the affianced Wife of his owne Son : And it was commonly thought , he had a meaning to be divorced from his Wife Queene Eleanor , and to take the said Adela to be his Wife . Yet generally to speake of him , he was an excellent Prince ; and if in some particulars he were defective , it must be considered he was a Man .

Of his death and buriall .

HE was not well at ease before , but when the King of France sent him a List of those that had conspired against him , and that he found the first man in the Lyst to be his Son Iohn , he then fell suddenly into a fit of Fainting , which so encreased upon him , that within foure dayes after he ended his life : So strong a Corrosive is Griefe of mind , when it meetes with a Body weakned before with sicknesse . He dyed in Normandy , in the yeare 1189. when he had lived threescore and one yeares ; Raigned neare five and thirty : and was buryed at Founteverard in France . the manner of whose buriall was thus : He was Cloathed in his Royall Robes , his Crowne upon his head , white Gloves upon his hands , Bootes of Gold upon his legges , Gilt Spurres at his heeles , a great rich Ring upon his finger , his Scepter in his hand , his Sword by his side , and his face uncovered and all bare . As he was carrying to be Buryed , his Sonne Richard in great haste ranne to see him , who no sooner was come neare the Body , but suddenly at his Nostrils he fell a bleeding afresh ; which though it were in Prince Richard no good signe of Innocency , yet his breaking presently into bitter teares upon the seeing it , was a good signe of Repentance . It may not be unseasonable to speake in this place of a thing which all Writers speake of , that in the Family of the Earles of Anjou , of whom this King Henry came , there was once a Princesse a great Enchantresse , who being on a time enforced to take the blessed Eucharist , she suddenly flew out at the Church window , and was never seene after : From this Woman these latter Earles of Anjou were descended , which perhaps made the Patriarch Heraclius say , of this King Henries Children , that from the Devill they came , and to the Devill they would . But Writers perhaps had beene more compleat , if they had left this Story out of their Writings .

Men of note in his time .

OF Clergy men , there was Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Hugh Bishop of Lincolne ; Richard Bishop of Winchester ; Geoffrey of Ely ; Robert of Bathe ; Aldred of Worcester ; all Learned Men , and of great integrity of life . Of Military Men , there was Robert Earle of Leycester ; Reynold Earle of Cornwall ; Hugh Bigot , Robert Ferrys , Richard Lacy , Roger Mowbray , Ralph Fulger , Ranulph Granula , William V●sei , ●nd Baynard Baylioll ; Men of great atchievements in Warre , and of no lesse abilities in Peace .

THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE FIRST .

Of his comming to the Crowne , and of his Coronation .

KING Richard , the first of that name , after his Fathers Funerall , went to Roan , where he setled the state of that Province ; and from thence came into England , where he was Crowned King at Westminster , by the hands of Baldwin Arch-bishop of Canterbury , the third day of September , in the yeare 1189. And herein this Prince is more beholding to Writers then any of his Predecessors : for in speaking of their Crowning , they content themselves with telling where , and by whom they were Crowned : but of this Prince , they deliver the manner of his Crowning , in the full amplitude of all circumstances ; which perhaps is not unfit to doe , for satisfaction of such as are never like to see a Coronation ; and it was in this manner . First , the Arch-bishops of Canterbury , Roan , Tryer , and Dublin , with all the other Bishops , Abbots , and Cleargy , apparelled in rich Copes , and having the Crosse , holy Water , and Censers carried before them ; came to fetch him at the doore of his Privie-Chamber ; and there receiving him , they led him to the Church of Westminster , till they came before the high Altar , with a solemne Procession . In the middle of the Bishops and Clergy , went foure Barons , bearing Candlesticks with Tapers ; after whom came Geoffrey de Lucie , bearing the Cap of Maintenance , and Iohn Marshall next to him , bearing a massive paire of Spurres of Gold ; then followed William Marshall Earle of Striguill , alias Pembroke , who bare the Royall Scepter , in the toppe whereof was set a Crosse of Gold ; and William de Patricke Earle of Salisbury going next him , bare the Warder or Rodde , having on the toppe thereof a Dove . Then came three other Earles , David , brother to the King of Scots , the Earle of Huntington , Iohn the Kings brother , Earle of Mortaigne , and Robert Earle of Leycester , each of them bearing a Sword upright in his hand , with the scabberds righly adorned with Gold . The Earle of Mortaigne went in the midst betwixt the other two ; after them followed sixe Earles and Barons , bearing a Checker Table , upon the which were set the Kings Scotchens of Armes● and then followed William Mandevill Earle of Albemarle , bearing a Crowne of Gold a great heighth before the King , who followed having the Bishop of Durham on the right hand , and Reynold Bishop of Bathe on the left ; over whom a Canopy was borne : and in this order he came into the Church at Westminster , where before the high Altar , in the presence of the Clergy and the people , laying his hand upon the holy Evangelists , and the reliques of certaine Saints , he took a solemne Oath that he should observe peace , honour and reverence to Almighty God , to his Church , and to his Ministers , all the dayes of his life : also that he should exercise upright justice to the people committed to his charge , and that he should abrogate and disanull all evill Lawes and wrongfull customes , if any were to be found in the precinct of his Realme ; and maintaine those that were good and laudable . This done , he put off all his garments from his middle upwards , but onely his shirt , which was open on the should●rs , that he might be annoynted . Then the Arch-bishop of Canterbury annoynted him in three places ; on the head , on the shoulders , and on the right arme ; with Prayers in such case accustomed . After this , he covered his head with a linnen cloath hallowed , and set his Cap thereon ; and then after he had put on his Royall Garments , and his uppermost Robe , the Arch-bishop delivered him the Sword , with which he should beate downe the enemies of the Church : which done , two Earles put his Shooes upon his feete , and having his Mantle put on him , the Arch-bishop forbad him on the behalfe of Almighty God , not to presume to take upon him this Dignity , except he faithfully meant to performe those things which he had there sworne to performe ; whereunto the King made answer , that by Gods grace he would p●rforme them . Then the King tooke the Crowne beside the Altar , and delivered it to the Arch-bishop , which he set upon the Kings head , delivering to him the Scepter to hold in his right hand , and the Rod Royall in his left hand : and thus being Crowned , he was brought backe by the Bishops and Barons , with the Crosse and Candlesticks , and three Swords , passing forth before him unto his Seate . When the Bishop that sang the Masse , came to the Offertory , the two Bishops that brought him to the Church , led him to the Altar , and brought him backe againe . The Masse ended , he was brought with solemne Procession into his Chamber : and this was the manner of this Kings Coronation . But at this solemnity there fell out a very dysastrous accident : For this Prince not favouring the Iewes , as his Father had done ; had given a strict charge , that no Iew should be admitted to be a spectator of the solemnity : yet certaine Iewes , as though it had beene the Crowning of their King Herod , would needs be pressing in ; and being put backe by Officers set of purpose , it grew to a brabble , and from words to blowes , so as many Ie●es were hurt , and some slaine : and thereupon a rumour was suddenly spread abroad , that the King had commanded to have all the Iewes destroyed . Whereupon it is incredible what rifling there was of Iewes houses , and what cutting of their throats : and though the King signified by publike Declaration , that he was highly displeased with that which was done , yet there was no staying the fury of the multitude till the next day ; so often it fals out , that great solemnities are waited on with great dysasters ; or rather indeed , as being connaturall , they can hardly be asunder .

Of his first Acts after he was Crowned .

HE beganne with his Mother Queene Eleanor , whom upon her Husbands displeasure , having been kept in Prison sixteen yeares ; he not onely set at liberty , but set in as great authority , as if she had beene left the Regent of the kingdom . The next he gratifies , was his brother Iohn ; to whom he made appeare , how much the bounty of a Brother was better then the handnesse of a Father . For he conferred upon him , in England , the Earledomes of Cornwall , Dorset , Somerset , Nottingham , Darby , and Leycester ; and by the marriage of Isabel , daughter and heire to the Earle of Glocester , he had that Earledome also ; as likewise the Castles of Marleborough , and Lutgarsall , the Honours of Wallingford , Tichill , and Eye , to the value of 4000. Markes a yeare : an estate so great , as were able to put a very moderate mind into the humour of aspiring , of which Princes should have care . Concerning his affianced Lady Adela , it may be thought strange , that having desired her so infinitely when he could not have her , now that he might have her , he cared not for her : but the cause was knowne , and in every mans mouth ; that she was now but his Fathers leavings : yet he would not send her home but very rich in Jewels , to make amends , if it might be , for the losse of her Virginity : though this was something hard on his part , when the Father had taken all the pleasure , that the sonne should afterward pay all the charges . But by this at least he made a quiet way for his marriage now concluded ; and shortly after to be consummated in Sicilie with Berengaria the daughter of Garsyas King of Navarre . And now his minde is wholly set upon his long intended voyage to the Holy Land , for which he thinkes not the treasure left by his Father , to be sufficient , which yet amounted to nine hundred thousand pounds : but forecasting with himselfe the great charge it must needs be , to carry an Army so long a journey , he seekes to enlarge his provision of money by all the means he can devise . Not long before , Hugh Pudsey had been advanced to the Bishopricke of Durham ; and now for a great summe of money he sold him the Earledome : and then said merrily amongst his Lords , Doe yee not thinke me a cunning man , that of an old Bishop can make a young Earle ? From the Londoners also he drained great summes of money , and made them recompence in Franchises and Liberties , which they had not before . He made also greatsales : to the the King of Scots , he sold the Castles of Berwick and Roxborough , for ten thousand pounds : to Godfryde Lucie , Bishop of Winchester , the Manors of Weregrave and Ments : to the Abbot of Saint Edmundsbery , the Manor of Mildhall , for one thousand Markes of silver : to the Bishop of Durham , the Manor of Sadborough ; and when it was marvelled that he would part with such things , he answered , that in this case he would sell his City of London , if he could finde a Chapman . But the worst way of all was , that pretending to have lost his Signet , he made a new ; and made Proclamation , that whosoever would safely enjoy what under the former Signet was granted , should come to have it confirmed by the new ; whereby he raised great summes of money to himselfe , but greater of discontentment in his subjects . By these , and such like meanes he quickly furnished himselfe with money : and now it remained onely to consider , to whose care he should commit the government of the Kingdome in his absence ; and after deliberation , he made choyce for the North parts , of Hugh Bishop of Durham ; joyning in Commission with him , Hugh Baldulph , and William Brunell : and for the South parts , he appoints William Longshampe Bishop of Ely , and Chancellour of England , and for his greater strength , causeth the Pope to make a Legat of all England and Scotland : and for Normandy , and Aquitaine , Robert Earle of Leycester ; all men eminent for prudence and uprightnesse , and which is most of all , for loyalty : and indeed to make a man fit for such imployment , all these vertues must concurre . As for his brother Iohn , he knew very well his aspiring minde , and therefore would have tied him to live in Normandy , and not to come into England till his returne ; but that their Mother Queene Eleanor interceded , and passed her word for him : and that nothing might be left unprovided for , he appointed his Nephew Arthur , the sonne of his brother Geoffrey Duke of Britaine to be his Successor , if himselfe should faile . And now , Undique convenere , vocat jam carbasus auras : every man is ready to take Shipping , and no stay now but for a Wind ; onely some say that King Richard before his departing , calling his Lords and Knights unto him , and swearing them to be true ; gave to overy of them a blew riband to be knowne by ; from whence the first occasion of the Order of the Garter is thought to beginne .

Of his journey into the Holy Land .

KING Richard having prepared an Army of thirty thousand foote , and five thousand horse , and having appointed to meete Philip King of France in Sicilie , at the latter end of Iune , in the yeare 1190. sets forward himselfe by Land to Marseillis , and there stayes till his Ships should come about ; but his Navy being driven by tempest to other parts , and the King weary of long staying , after sixe weekes , he hireth shipping for himselfe and his company , and passeth forward to Messana in Sicilie , where arrived also the King of France ; and not long after , his owne Navy . In this Iland the King William now lately dead , had married Iane , King Richards sister ; from whom Tancred the present King with-held her Dower : and therefore though he shewed King Richard faire countenance , yet he dealt secretly with the Messanians to use all meanes to get him gone ; whereupon the Messanians taking a small occasion , set suddenly upon the English , and thrust them out of their Towne : with which King Richard justly offended , who had his Campe without the Towne , prepares himselfe to revenge the affront ; when Tancred sending to him , to signifie that the affront was offered without his knowledge , and much against his liking , so pacified him , that for the present he remained satisfied ; but understanding afterward , that the Messanians did but waite their opportunity till the Spring , when King Richard should be going : he resenting their intention , staies ●ot their leisure , but assaulting the Towne with fire and sword , in one dayes labour takes it , and had made great slaughter in it , if King Richard had not beene moved to compassion with the Messanians teares , but chiefely with King Tancreds offers ; both to pay his sister Iane her Dower , and to marry his daughter to King Richards Nephew Arthur , Duke of Britaine , and to give a good part of the Portion in hand . But King Philip was not well pleased with these conditions , yet he breakes not out into open dissention , till more fuell was afterward cast upon the fire of his anger . In the Spring King Philip sayles with his Army to Ptolemais otherwise called Acon ) which the Christians had long besieged , and with them he joynes : while King Richard taking his sister Iane , and Berengaria the young daughter of the King of Navarre with him in 190. Ships , and 50. Galleys , puts to Sea for the Holy Land , but is by tempest cast upon the Coast of Cyprus ; where the Ilanders seeking to hinder his landing , he sets upon them with his forces ; and invading the Iland , easily subdues , and brings it under his subjection ; and the King of the Cou●trey being taken prisoner , and intreating King Richard not to put him in bonds of Iron , King Richard gives him his word , and keeps it , but puts him in bonds of Silver . In this Iland he solemnizeth his marriage with Berengaria , and then leaving Richard de Canvile , and Robert de Turnham , his Lieutenants in Cyprus ; he passeth on to Ptolemais , which City was defended by Saladine , and had beene besieged now two yeares : when the enemy seeing and fearing the encrease of the Christian forces , propounds conditions , upon which accepted , they deliver it up in August , the yeare 1192.

At the taking of this Towne there fell out an accident , seeming an honour to King Richard for the present , but proving a disgrace , at least a great trouble and charge to him afterward . For Leopold Duke of Austria had first set up his Colours upon the wall , which King Richard caused to be throwne downe , and his owne to be set up ; but this was no place to stand a quarrelling , it came not to the reckoning till some time after . When Ptolemais was taken , Saladine fearing the Christians further proceeding , dismantles all the best Townes that were neare it : as Porphyria , Caesarea , Ascalon , Gaza ; but of Ioppa King Richard takes a care , and placeth in it a Colony of Christians . For Ioppa is a City of Palestine , that was built before the Floud ; and hath belonging to it a Haven of great convenience . And now the King of France , though valiant enough himselfe , yet thinking his owne great acts to be obscured by greater of King Richards ; he beganne , besides his old hating him , now to envie him . For indeed emulation when it is in Vertue , makes the stronger knot of love and affection : but when it is in Glory , it makes a separation , and turnes into the passion of envie and malice ; and so did it with King Philip , who pretending the aire of the Countrey did not agree with his body ; but was indeed because the aire of King Richards Glory did not agree with his minde ; obtained King Richards consent to returne home , swearing first solemnly , not to molest his Territories in his absence . But this fell out for the present enterprise most uns●asonably : For the departure of the King of France , though it diminished not much the strength ; ( for he left Od● , Duke of Burgundy in his place ) yet it diminished much the shew of assistance : and indeed Saladine , who was at this time in termes of surrendring Ierusalem ; when he saw the King of Franc● departed ; as knowing there must needs be a conclusion , where there was a beginning , doubted not but the rest would follow soone after , and thereupon st●ied his hands ; and grew more confident then he was before . At this time Guy of Lu●ignan was possest of the City of Tyre , and with it , of the right of the Kingdome of Ierusalem : with him King Richard makes an exchange , that G●y should have the Iland of Cyprus which King Richard had wonne , and King Richard should have the kingdome of Ierusalem , to which Guy had a right : and upon this Title the Kings of England , were stiled Kings of Ierusalem a long time after : as likewise the posterity of the said Guy hath by this exchange held the kingdome of Cyprus to this day . Now was King Richard more hot upon taking Ierusalem then ever before , and had cert●●nely taken it , but that by ill counsell diverted , because the Winter drew on : and indeed by the drawing backe of Odo Duke of Burgundie , who envied that King Richard should have the honour of taking it , he removed for that season to Askalon ; after which time , the Enemy growing stronger , and the Christians weaker ; all opportunity of taking it was utterly lost , and they could never come to the like againe . And shortly after King Richard was advertised of the King of France his invading Normandy , contrary to his oath at his departure ; which forced King Richard , much to his griefe , to conclude a peace with Saladine , and that upon conditions not very honourable for the Christians ; and himselfe presently to retu●ne home : and so sending his wife Berengaria , and his sister Iane , with a great part of his Army into Sicilie , and from thence into England : he passeth himselfe with some few in his company , by the way of Thrace , and was by tempest brought into Dalma●iae ; from whence being to passe through Germany , and particularly through Duke Leopolds Countrey of Austria : he remembring the old grudge , changed his apparell , and travelling sometimes afoote , and sometimes on horsebacke , he used all meanes possible to keepe himselfe from being knowne : but destiny is not to be avoyded , for as soone as he came to Vienna , partly by his tongue , and partly by his expenses , it was presently found he was an Englishman , and withall some great man ; and by and by a rumour was spread , that it was Richard King of England : who finding himselfe to be discovered , and no meanes possible to escape , he puts off his disguise , putting on his Princely apparell , and avowes himselfe : which Duke Leopold understanding , sent presently to have him apprehended ; but King Richard refusing to yeeld himselfe to any , but to the Duke himselfe ; the Duke himselfe came and led hi● to his owne Palace honourably enough , but yet strongly guarded : whereof as soone as Henry the Emperour heard , he sent with great instance to Duke Leopold to send King Richard over to him , under pretence of safer custody , but with a purpose indeed to be a sharer in his Ransome . And the Duke though well knowing his meaning , yet knowing withall that it was not safe for him to deny the Emperour , he sent him over to him ; who soone after put him into a prison he had , called Trivallis , into which no man was ever knowne to be put that escaped with life , though done perhaps to him , but in terrorem , to draw the better Ransome from him . That with which King Richard was charged , beside the wrong done to Leopold , in throwing downe his Colours at Ptolemais , was the death of Conrade Duke of Tyre , whom they pretended King Richard had murthered ; wherein though King Richard made his innocency appeare by the testimony of Limbeldus , who confessed himselfe to have beene the author of the Marquesses death ; yet the pretence served to detaine him in prison ; and in prison indeed they kept him , till his Ransome was agreed upon and paid : which being a hundred thousand pounds , fourescore thousand was paid in hand : whereof two parts to the Emperour , a third part to Duke Leopold : and for the rest , hostages given to the number of fifty ; of whom the Bishop of Roan was one : though the hostages afterward were delivered without paying the rest : for Henry the Emperour dying shortly after , his Successour had the conscience not to take it , as knowing it had beene unjustly exacted : and indeed the accidents that befell both the Emperour and the Duke Leop●ld , were evident demonstrations of the injustice they had done ; for the Emperour shortly after died ; and the Duke Leopold , in a Tilting for solemnity of his Birth-day , fell off his horse , and so broke his leg , that to save his life , he was faine to have his leg cut off . And now after fifteen months imprisonment , King Richard is released , and returnes into England foure yeares elder then he went out ; and thus ended his journey to the Holy Land . Yet one memorable accident happening to him in the Holy Land , may not be omitted ; that going one day a Hawking about Ioppa , finding himselfe weary , he laid him downe upon the ground to sleepe ; when suddenly certaine Turkes came upon him to take him ; but he awakened with their noyse , ri●eth up , gets a horsebacke , and drawing out his sword , assaults the Turkes , who faigning to flie , drew the King into an Ambush where many Turkes lay ; who had certain●ly taken him if they had knowne his person : but one of the Kings servan● , called William de Patrellis , crying out in the Saracene tongue , that he was the King ; they presently lay hold upon him , and let the King escape .

Troubles in his Dominions in his absence .

KING Richard at his going out of England , had so well setled the Government of the Kingdome , that might well have kept it in good order during all the time of his absence ; but disorders are weeds which no foresight can hinder from growing , having so many hands to water them : where occasions of distast are no sooner offered , then taken ; and o●tentimes taken before they be offered , as was here to be seene . For King Richard had left in chiefe place of authority , William Longshampe , Bishop of Ely ; a man who so carried himselfe , that although the things he did , were justifiable ; yet the pride with which he did them was unsuffer●ble : seldome riding abroad without five hundred , some say a thousand in his traine ; not for safety , but for state : and though there were other left in authority besides himselfe , yet his power was so predominant , that he made of them but Ciphers , and ruled all as he list himselfe . This insolency of governing was soone distasted by many , and specially by Iohn the Kings brother , who counting the greatnesse of his Birth an equall match at least with any substitute greatnes , affronted the Bishop in the managing of affaires , in such sort , that while some adhered to the one , and some to the other ; the Kingdome in the meane time was in danger to be rent asunder , till at last the Bishop finding himselfe too weake , or at least fearing that he was so ; but rather indeed deposed from his authority by the Kings Letters , and the Arch-bishop of Roan put in his place , thought it best for him to flie the Real●e : wherupon for his greater safety , disguising himselfe in womans apparell , and carrying a Webbe of Cloath under his arme , hee sought in this manner to take Shipping and passe the Sea . But being discovered and knowne , the women in revenge of the abuse done to their cloathes , in making them his instruments of fraude ; fell upon him , and so beat him , that it might have beaten humility into him for ever after . This disgrace made him glad to get him into Normandy , his native Countrey , where to little purpose he wooed King Richard and Queene Eleanor for reparation . But this was but a sport in comparison of the mischiefes done in Normandy by Philip King of France : for first he invades Normandy , where he takes many Towns , and amongst others Gysorts , and drawes the Kings brother Iohn to combine with him , promising to assist him in winning the Kingdome of England , and to have his sister Adela , whom King Richard had repudiated to be his wife ; with which promise Duke Iohn had beene ensnared , if his Mother Queene Eleanor had not disswaded him . But in England Duke Iohn tooke upon him as King , perswading the people that his brother King Richard was not living ; and indeed it was easie to remove , the knowing him to be a prisoner , to the affirming him to be dead ; but such was the faithfulnesse of the Arch-bishop of Roan , and other the Princes of the Realme to King Richard , that they opposed Duke Iohn , and frustrated all his practises : and the Bishop of Ely had told him plainely , that though King Richard were dead , yet the succession in the kingdome belonged not to him , but to Arthur Duke of Britaine , sonne of Geoffrey his elder brother . And in these termes King Richard found his State when he returned from the Holy Land .

His Acts and Troubles after his returning from the Holy Land .

AT his comming home from the Holy Land , the first thing he did ; was to give his Lords and people thankes for their faithfulnesse to him in his absence , and then for their readinesse in supplying him for his Ransome . But as for his brother Iohn in whom ungratefulnesse seemed to strive with ambition , which should be the greater in him ; he depriveth him of all those great possessions he had given him : some adoe he had to make sound certaine peeces which he had corrupted , as the Castles of Marleborough , Lancaster , and a Fortresse at Saint Michaels Mount in Cornwall ; but chiefely the Castles of Nottingham and Tichill , which stood so firmly for Duke Iohn , that they were not reduced to obedience without some bloud , and much expense . But h●s greatest trouble was with Philip King of France , in whom was so ingraffed a spleene against King Richard , that he seemed to be never well but when he was working him some ill . Now therefore King Richard to make it appeare he had not left the Holy War for nothing ( having first obtained in Parliament a Subsidy towards his charges , & caused himselfe to be new Crowned at Winchester , lest the people through his long absence might have forgotten they had a King ) he departs with a hundred Ships into Normandy ; but it was withall , upon this occasion : sitting one day at dinner , in his lit●le Hal ( as it was called ) news was brought him , that King Philip had besieged Vernoull , with which he was somoved , that he swore a great oath , he would not turne his face till he were revenged : whereupon he caused the wall right before him to be presently beaten downe , that so he might passe forward without turning his face ; and thus in haste he goes to Vernoull , whither he was no sooner come , but the King of France made as great haste to be gone , not without some losse , and more disgrace . Here his brother Iohn submits himselfe to him , and with great shew of penitence intreats his pardon , which he readily granted ; saying onely , I wish you may as well remember your fault , as I shall forget it . The King of France having left Vernoull , enters Turonia , and neare to Vindocinum pitcheth his Tents ; thither King Richard followes him , and with his comming so affrighted him , that leaving bagge and baggage , Munition , Tents , and Treasure to a marvellous valew , he gets him gone , and glad hee was so rid of King Richard . After this a Truce was agreed upon for a yeare , which each of them longed till it were expired , as having no pleasure but in troubling one another . In this time there was a trouble at home , though not to the King , yet to the kingdome : for Robin Hood accompanied with one little Iohn , and a hundred stout fellowes more , molested all passengers upon the High-way ; of whom it is said , that he was of Noble bloud , at least made Noble , no lesse then an Earle , for some deserving services : but having wasted his estate in riotous courses , very penury forced him to take this course ; in which yet it may be said he was honestly dishonest , for he seldome hurt any man , never any woman , spared the poore , and onely made prey of the rich : till the King setting forth a Proclamation to have him apprehended , it hapned he fell sicke at a certaine Nunnery in Yorkshire , called Birckleys ; and desiring there to be let bloud , was betraid , and made bleed to death . Such another trouble , though not to the King , yet to the kingdome , fell out by reason of the Jewes : and first at the Towne of Linne in Norfolke , upon this occasion : A Jew being turned Christian , was persecuted by those of his Nation , and assaulted in the streete ; who thereupon flying to a Church hard by , was thither also followed , and the Church assaulted ; which the people of the Towne seeing , in succour of the new Christian they fell upon the Jewes , of whom they slew a great number , and after pillaged their houses . By this example the like assaults were made upon the Jews at Stamford ; and after that at Lincolne ; and lastly at Yorke , where infinite numbers of Jewes were massacred ; and some of them blocked up in the Castle , cut the throats of their wives and children , and cast them over the wals upon the Christians heads , and then burnt both the Castle and themselves : neither could this sedition be staied , till the King sent his Chancellour , the Bishop of Ely , with force of Armes , to punish the offenders . His last trouble was a punishment of covetousnesse , for one Guydomer having found a great treasure in the Kings Dominions , and ●or feare of King Richard , flying to a Towne of the King of France for his safegard ; was pursued by the King , but the Towne denying him entrance , and he thereupon going about the wals to finde the fittest place for assaulting it , one Bertram de Gurdon , or as others call him , Peter Basile , shot at him with a Crosse-bow , and hit him on the arme , of which wound he died within fo●re dayes after , and so ended all his troubles .

Of his Taxations , and wayes for raising of money .

OF Taxations properly so called , there were never fewer in any Kings Raigne : but of wayes to draw money from the subject , never more . It is true , the first money raised for his journey , was all out of his owne estate , by selling or pawning of Lands ; but when at his comming backe , he resumed the Lands into his hands aga●ne , without paying backe the money he had received ; this if it may not have the name , yet certainely it had the venome of a bitter Taxation . Likewise the feigning to have lost his Seale , & then enjoyning them to have their Grants confirmed by a new ; though it went not in the number , yet it had the weight of a heavy Taxation where it lighted . Afterward , the money raised for his Ransome , was not so properly a Taxation , as a Contribution : or if a Taxation for him , yet not by him ; which was done in his absence , by the subjects themselves : and indeed no Taxations are commonly so pinching , as those which are imposed upon the subject by the subject , and such was this ; for to raise money for his Ransome , ther● was imposed upon every Knights Fee , 20. s. of all Lay-mens Revenues , the fourth part ; and the fourth part of all the Revenues of the Clergy , with a tenth of their goods . Also the Chalices and Treasure of all Churches were taken to make up the sum . Afterward , this onely was a plaine Taxation , and granted in Parliament ; that of every Plough-land through England , he should have two shillings , and of the Monkes Ci●teaux , all their Wooll of that yeare : And one more greater then this ; and was this yeare imposed towards his warres in Normandy ; that every Hide of Land , as much as to say , every hundred Acres of Land , should pay five shillings ; which computed without deductions , will rise to a summe that will seeme incredible .

Lawes and Ordinances in his time .

HIs Ordinances were chiefely for the Meridian of London : for where before his time the City was governed by Portgraves , this King granted them to be governed by two Sheriffes and a Major , as now it is ; and to give the first of these Magistrates the honour to be remembred , the names of the Sheriffes were Henry Cornhill , and Richard Reyner ; and the name of the first Lord Major , was Henry Fits-Allwyn , who continued Major during his life , which was foure and twenty yeares . And now beganne the City first to receive the forme and state of a Common-wealth , and to be divided into Fellowships and Corporations , as at this day they are : and this Franchise was granted in the yeare 1189. the first year of King Richard the first .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

THe Church within his owne Dominions was quiet all his time , no contestation with the Pope , no alterations amongst the Bishops , no difference betweene the Clergy and the Laity , or the Clergy amongst themselves ; they all seemed to lie asleepe , till they were afterwards awakened , in the time of the succeeding King . But abroad , in his time , there was an addition of three Orders of Devotion ; the Order of the Augustine Friers , called Friers Mendicants , begunne by William of Paris ; then the Order of Friers Minors begunne by Saint Francis ; and lastly the Orders of Friers Preachers begunne by Saint Dominick , though not confirmed till the first yeare of Pope Honorius .

Workes of Piety in his time .

WOrkes of Piety are for the most part workes of plenty ; penury may inwardly have good wishes , but outwardly it can expresse but little : and indeed all parts of the kingdome , all sorts of people were drawne so dry ; by the two great occasions of his Journey and his Ransome , and afterward by other Taxations , that the richest men had enough to doe to maintaine themselves , without being at the charge to make provision for others . All workes of Piety were now for the service of the Holy Land , and therefore it may well passe , if not for a worke of Devotion , at least worthy to be remembred ; that William Bishop of Ely builded the outer wall of the Tower of London , and caused a deepe ditch to be made about it , with an intention the River of Thames should have surrounded it , though it could not be effected . Onely Hubert Walter , who at one time was Arch-bishop of Canterbury , the Popes Legat , Lord Chancellour , Lord Chiefe Justice , and the immediate Governour under the King , both in Wales and England , Founded a Monastery at West Derham in Norfolke , where he was borne : begunne another at Wolverhampton , and finished a Collegiate Church at Lambeth .

Of his Wif● and Children .

IN his Infancy he was contracted to a daughter of Raymond Earle of Barcelone , after that affianced to Adela , or Alice , daughter of Lewis King of France , yet married to neither of them ; but he married Berengaria daughter of Garsias King of Navarre , whom his Mother Queene Eleanor brought unto him into Sicilie , from whence passing into Cyprus , their marriage was there solemnised : afterward , going forward to the Holy Land , he carried her and his sister Iane Queene of Sicilie along with him , where they remained till his returne home ; and then sent them to passe to Sicilie , and from thence into England : but that ever she came into England , no mention is made , neither what became of her after she parted from King Richard at the Holy Land . But children certainely he had none , either by his wife , or by any Concubine , unlesse we reckon as a Priest in Normandy did ; who told King Richard , he had three daughters : and the King marvelling who they should be , seeing he knew of none he had ; yes ( saith the Priest ) you have three daughters , Pride , Covetousnesse , and Lechery ; which the King taking merrily , called to the company about him , and said ; I am told by a Priest here , that I have three daughters , and I desire you to be witnesses how I would have them bestowed : my daughter Pride , upon the Templars and Hospitallers : my daughter Covetousnesse , upon the Monks of the Cistercian Order : and my daughter Lechery , upon the Clergy .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN his time the Towne of Mawling in Kent , with the Nunnery , was consumed with fire , and in his time the bones of Arthur the famous King of Britaine were found at Glastenbury in an old Sepulchre , about which stood two Pillars , in which letters were written but could not be read ; Upon the Sepulchre was a crosse of Lead , whereon was written , Here ly●th the Noble King of Britaine Arthur . Also in this Kings dayes for three or foure yeares together , there raigned so great a dearth , that a Quarter of Wheate was sold for 18. shillings 8. pence , and then followed so great a mortality of men , that scarce the living sufficed to bury the dead .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was tall of stature , and well proportioned , faire and comely of face , of haire bright abourne , of long armes , and nimble in all his joynts , his thighes and legs of due proportion , and answerable to the other parts of his body . To speake of his morall parts , his Vices for the most part , were but onely upon suspition : Incontinency in him much spoken of , nothing proved ; but his Vertues were apparent , for in all his actions he shewed himselfe Valiant , ( from whence he had the appellation or surname of Cae●r de Lyon ) wise , liberall , mercifull , just , and which is most of all , Religious ; a Prince borne for the good of Christendome ; if a Barre in his Nativity had not hindred it . The remorse for his undutifulneesse towards his Father , was living in him till he dyed : for at his death he remembred it with bewailing , and desired to be Buryed as neare him as might be , perhaps as thinking they should meete the sooner , that he might aske him forgivenesse in another world .

Of his Death and Buriall .

HE dyed of a wound with an Arrow in his Arme , which neglected at first , and suffered to wrankle , or as others say , ill handled by an unskilfull Chirurgeon , in foure dayes brought him to his End . But his Charity deserves to have it remembred , that finding himselfe past hope of Recovery , he caused the Party that had wounded him to be brought before him , who being asked what moved him to doe this Fact ? answered , that King Richard had killed his Father and two of his Brothers with his owne hand , and therefor● would doe it , if it were to doe againe . Upon this Insolent answer , every one looked the King should have censured him to some terrible punishment , when contrary to all their expectations in a high degree of Charity , he not onely freely forgave him , but gave a speciall charge he should be set at liberty , and that no man should dare to doe him the least hurt : commanding besides to give him a hundred shillings for his paines . An Act that well shewed he had beene at the Holy Land , or rather indeed that he was going to it . He dyed the sixth day of Aprill in the yeare 1199. when he had lived 44. yeares , Raigned nine , and about nine moneths , and had his Body Buryed at Founteverard , by his Father ; his heart at Roan , in remembrance of the hearty love that City had alwayes borne him ; and his bowels at Chalons , for a disgrace of their unfaithfulnesse ; others say at Carlile in England .

Of Men of Note in his time .

IN his time were famous Baldwyn Archbishop of C●nterbury , who followed King Richard into the Holy Land , and dyed there ; Hubert that succeeded him ; Hugh Bishop of Lincolne ; William Bishop of Ely , a man equally famous and infamous ; also Baldwyn Archbishop of Canterbury , a learned Writer in Divinity ; Daniel Morley a great Mathematician , Iohn de Herham , and Richard de Herham , two notable Historians ; Guilielmus Stephonides a Monke of Canterbury , who wrote much in the praise of Arch-bishop Becket ; also one Richard Divisiensis , Nicholas Walkington , and Robert de Bello Foco , an excellent Philosopher . Of Martiall men , Robert Earle of Leycester ; Ranulph de Fulgers ; two of the B●●dolphs , Hugh and Henry ; three Williams , Marshall , Brun●ll and Mandevill , with two Roberts , Rosse , and S●vevile .

THE RAIGNE OF KING IOHN .

KING Richard being dead , the right of Succession remained in Arthur , Sonne of Geoffrey Plantagen●t elder Brother to Earle Iohn , but Iohn as thinking the title of Arthur but a Criticisme in State , and not for every ones capacity , at least in common sense not so plaine as his owne , who was the sonne of a King , and the Brother to a King , ascends into the Throne as confidently as if he had no competitor : Onely Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury went before , and made an Oration in his behalfe , wherein seeking to doe him a courtesie , he did him indeed a wrong ; for waiving his Right of Succession , he insisted wholly upon their Right of Election ; whereof would follow , that as they brought him in , so they might cast him out ; of which errour when he was told , he said , he did it of purpose to make King Iohn the more carefull of his Government , by making him sensible upon what an unsure ground his Regality stood : King Iohn resented it , but seeing it to serve his turne for the present , he tooke it not ill , as knowing that his turne once served , he could afterward be his owne carver of what title he pleased ; and so upon Ascension day in the yeare 1199. he was Crowned King at Westminster , with more solemnity then joy ; many presaging by their countenances , and more in their mindes , that all would not long be well . It cannot be denyed , but that in morall circumstances Earle Iohn had the advantage of his Nephew Arthur ; for he was a Man of yeares fit to Governe , Arthur but a Childe , not above thirteene yeares old ; he a Native , at least alwayes bred up in the Kingdome , Arthur a Forrainer , and had never beene here ; He well knowne both to the Nobility and the People , Arthur a stranger to both , as one they had never ●eene ; and besides to these morall advantages , he had now added one from the Politickes , that he had gotten Possession ; ( of more force in the practicall part then all the former ) and withall a greater then all these , if it be true which some write , that his Brother King Richard had assigned him his Successour after his decease . But yet knowing the Title at last would come to be tryed in a Court , where the Sword must be Judge ; he imployeth all his endevours to get this Judge to be his friend , and by all meanes possible to strengthen himselfe with Armes ; and thereupon going to Chinon and Roan , he seiseth upon the Treasure which his Brother had left in those parts , and with it , gets Friends and Souldiers , the Armour of Armes . And indeed all he could have done himselfe would have done him no good , if he had not had the helpe of able Assistants , who yet assisted him no lesse for their owne ends then for his ; and these were chiefly his Mother Queene Eleanor , who knew if her Grand-sonne Arthur should be King , that then his Mother Constantia would rule all ; at least during his Minority , and thereby her selfe put from the Stage of all Authority ; and the Arch-bishop Hubert , who also knew that if Arthur should come to Raigne , that then the Anjouyn and French should have all the best Offices , and the English wholly be neglected , as it was in the time of King William the Conquerour . And yet a greater Friend then both these , for comming to Roan , he used meanes that Walter the Arch-bishop in the Cathedrall Church with great pompe girt him with the Ducall sword of Normandy , and Crowned him with a Coronet of Golden Roses , he taking his Oath for Faithfull Administration in that Dukedome , and they their Oath for being his Loyall Subjects .

Of his troubles in contestation with his Nephew Arthur .

THough King Iohn had entred upon Normandy , and made that Province sure unto him , yet the Province of Anjou stood firme for Arthur , in observance of their love to his Father their former Prince : which also King Iohn soone after invading , reduceth by Force of Armes to his Obedience . And now Constantia the Mother of Prince Arthur , finding King Iohn too powerfull an adversary , and no likelihood for her party , to be able long to stand out against him without further assistance , conceives it her best way to have recourse to the King of France , and thereupon commits her Sonne Arthur to his Tuition : who seemed to receive him with the tendernesse of a Father , and promiseth to assist him with his uttermost Forces , in the recovery of his Right both in France and England . Here we may observe upon what hinge the affection of the Kings of France was used to turne . For in King Henry the seconds time , King Lewis of France was so great a Friend to his Sonne Richard , that by all meanes he would helpe him to get the kingdome from his Father ; Afterward when Richard was King , then Philip King of France , was so great a Friend to Iohn , that by all meanes he would helpe him to get the kingdome from his Brother ; and now that Iohn is come to be King , he is presently growne so great a Friend of Arthur , that by all meanes he will helpe him to get the kingdome from his Unkle ; and no doubt , if Arthur should ever have come to be King , he would have beene as ready to helpe any other to get the kingdome from him : by which it appeares , that it was not the Persons of the Men they either hated or loved , but that they were alwaies jealous of their growing too great ; and indeed this ballancing of States keepes Princes affections alwayes in suspense , and never suffers the Glasse of their Love or Hate , to make a true Reflection . About this time William King of Scots came to London to visit King Iohn , and there did homage to him for his kingdome of Scotland , though some say , but onely for the Counties of Northumberland and Cumberland , but being required ayde against the French , he excused himselfe , saying , he could not doe it without consent of his kingdome , and so returned home .

And now Philip King of France having undertaken the protection of the young Prince Arthur , with a mighty Army enters Normandy , takes many of the best Townes , and pursuing his Victories , enters the Province of Anjou also , and recovers it from King Iohn , which he the yeare before had gotten from Prince Arthur . Upon this King Iohn makes a Journey into Normandy , accusing King Philip for breaking the Truce , which formerly he had made with King Richard for five yeares ; but when he should come to make his Accusation good by Armes , he falleth to Treaties , and obtaineth a new Truce for fifty dayes : with which new Truce , Baldwyn Earle of Flanders , who had professed himselfe of that side , was not well pleased ; and thereupon commeth to King Iohn to Roan , and entring a new League with him , they there consult how to proceed , when the fifty dayes should be expired . This consultation the King of France understood ; and thereupon both sides prepare for warre , but at the end of the Truce , both sides seemed to relent , and divers meetings were had for Treaties of Peace , and in conclusion , King Iohn more desirous of Peace then was for his Honour , agreed to these Conditions ; that his Ni●ce Blanch , Daughter of Alphonsus King of Castile by his Sister Eleanor , should marry with Lewis King Philips Sonne , who should have with her in Dower , besides thirty thousand Markes in money , all those Cities , except onely Angiers , which the French before that time had taken , which were many and very great : and his Peace thus made , he returnes into England with great joy , but was not with like joy received of the English Lords , who counted themselves dishonoured , in the dishonourable Conditions he had made ; and Baldwyn Earle of Flanders also , when he saw the poore spi●its of King Iohn , to descend to such base Conditions ; left his Party , and entring League with the King of France , disposed himselfe for the Holy Warre .

But King Iohn having now gotten a Vacation , and a time of ease , which agreed much better with his nature then Warre , sets his minde wholly upon pleasures ; and for maintaining his pleasures , upon seeking after profit , which he pursues by all manner of injustice , under the name of Prerogative ; and with such violence , that when his Brother Geoffrey Arch-bishop of Yorke , in the dutifulnesse of a Counsellour , advised him not to take such unlawfull courses , he most unworthily tooke from him all he had , and it was a yeares worke for all the Arch-bishops friends to pacify his anger . In the necke of this injustice , he commits another , he procures a divorce from his Wife Avis , the Daughter of Robert Earle of Glocester , onely for being of kinne to him in the third degree , and by advice of the King of France , marries Isabell Daughter and Heire of the Earle of Angoulesme , Affianced before to Hugh le Brun Earle of March ; and shortly after brings her with him into England , where he and she together , are both Crowned at Canterbury . And here the Earles and Barons of the Realme , being all summoned to attend the King into France at Whitsontide following ; they all by a generall consent send him word , that unlesse he would restore them their Rights and Liberties , they would doe him no service out of the kingdome . But what it was that made the Lords more violent in pressing their Demands at this time then before , no Writers of these times doe sufficiently deliver : Onely some of them speake scatteringly of certaine oppressions ( besides the generall Grievance for Exactions ) lately offered to some of the Lords , one to the Earle of Chester , whom he would have banished , onely for advising him to leave his cruelty and incontinency : Another , a pursuite in Love to a Daughter of Robert Fits-Water , called Maude the Faire , who not consenting to the Kings lust , a messenger was sent to give her poyson in a potched Egge , whereof she dyed : And a third , offered to William de Brawse and his Lady , for a rash word spoken ; for when the King sent to have de Brawses Sonne delivered him for a pledge , the Lady answered , We shall doe well indeed to commit our Sonne to his keeping , who kept so well his owne Nephew Prince Arthur . This rash word cost de Brawse his Country , and his Lady and their Son their lives , both of them being famished to death in Prison . For , though these directly were but particular Grievances , yet reflectingly they were generall , what one suffered all might ; but whether any of these , or all of these together , were Ingredients to make a Compound of violence in the Lords at this time , or whatsoever was the true cause , this was plainely the effect , that unlesse the King would restore their liberties , they would not follow him out of the kingdome . But notwithstanding this refusall of his Lords , he passeth over with his Queene into Normandy , and from thence to Paris , where the King of France receives them with all complements of Love and amity . But now Hugh Earle of March , resenting the injury done him by King Iohn ; in taking away his affianced Wife , joynes with Prince Arthur , and the King of France also , for all his faire shew of amity lately made , joynes with them , as having sometime before marryed his youngest Daughter to Prince Arthur , and these with their Forces joyned , invade first the Turones , and then the Anjovins : of which Province Queene Eleanor the Kings Mother was left Regent , who thereupon betakes her selfe to Mirabell the strongest Towne of those parts , and sends to her Sonne King Iohn , acquainting him with the danger she was in , aud requiring his speedy succour . When in the meane time Prince Arthur takes the City , and in it his Grand-mother Queene Elea●or , whom he used with greater reverence and respect then she expected . But King Iohn at the hearing hereof , was so moved , calling the French King ungratefull and perfidious for succouring Prince Arthur , contrary to his League , that study●ng presently the Art of Revenge , he fell upon a stratagem , of all other the most prudent against an Enemy : For a Surprise in Warre is like to an Apoplexy in the Body , which strikes without giving warning for defence : And this Stratagemme at this time King Iohn put in practise , for travelling night & day with indefatigable labor , he came upon his enemies before they were aware , and setting upon them unprovided , it was rather an execution then a battell ; and they who remained unslaine were taken prisoners , amongst whom Prince Arthur him●elfe , who committed presently to the custody of Robert de Veypont in Roan , lived not long after whether it were that attempting to make escape , he fell down from the wals of his Prison , and was drowned in the River Seyne , as some say ; or whether it were , that through anguish of minde he fell sicke and dyed , as others say ; or whether indeed he w●re made away by King Iohn , as the common fame went ; Certaine it is , that he survived his imprisonment but a very few dayes . But though he were gone , yet his sister Eleanor , a preceding Competitor to King Iohn , was still remaining : Her therefore , at this time also King Iohn seiseth upon , and commits her in safe custody to Bristow Castle , where , after she had lived long , she dyed .

Of his Troubles after the death of his Nephew Arthur .

KIng Iohn being now freed from his Competitor , one would thinke he should have ended all his troubles , but like a Hydraes head , they rather multiplyed upon him : For they who had beene so ready to assist Prince Arthur in his life , were now as ready to revenge his death . And first , Constance his Mother comes to King Philip , with open exclamations against King Iohn , accusing him with the murther of her Sonne , and with all the instance of Teares and Intreaties , solicites him to revenge it . Hereupon King Philip summons King Iohn to appeare at a day , and because he appeared not according to the tenure of his Homage , it was decreed against him , that he had forfeited all the property of his Estate in France , and thereupon King Philip with mighty Forces invades his Territories , takes many Townes of principall consequence , while King Iohn lived idle at R●an , no more regarding it then if it had not at all concerned him ; and when some of his Lords seemed to marvell what he meant to suffer the French to rob him of such goodly Cities : You say true indeed , ( saith he ) for it is but Robbery , and within a few dayes you shall see , I will make him to restore them backe with usu●y . In this slighting humour he returnes into England , where he lookes not after the levying of Souldiers , or the raising of an Army , as this case required , but continues his old course for raising of money , accusing sometimes one of his Lords , sometimes another , as 〈◊〉 it w●re their fault that he had lost these Townes in France● and upon 〈…〉 made many of them pay great summes of money , which brought 〈…〉 into hatred at home , but into contempt abroad ; for the King of 〈◊〉 ●n●●●standing his unworthy courses , proceeds more violently in his Invasi●ns 〈…〉 , getting Falai● , Damfr●nt , and all the good Townes of Normandy , but onely Roan , and at last , though R●an was a Towne strongly fortifyed with Walls , and more strongly with the faithfull hearts of the Inhabi●ants , yet finding no hope of succour from King Iohn , it was forced for want of Victuals to submit it selfe to the King of France , whose example all the other Cities followed ; and so all Normandy returned to the subjection of the French , after three hundred and sixteene yeares that Roll● the Dane had first possest it . It was now the yeare 1205. and the fourth of King Iohns Raigne , about which time , the two props of his Estate , or rather indeed , the two Bridles of his intemperancy , dyed , his Mother Queene Eleanor , whose vertues had oftentimes qualifyed the vices of her Sonne ; and Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury , who repented him at his death of nothing more , then that he had beene an Instrument of bringing him to the Crowne .

And now King Iohn being a Substantive of himselfe , hath a devise in his head to make his subjects as willing to give him money as he was to have it : for knowing the great discontentment they all had for his losses in France ; he gives it out , that he would presently rais● an Army , for recovery of those losses , if he might have money to goe about it : whereupon , never was money given with more alacrity ; and as soone as he had it , he instantly went to Portesmouth , and there took Shipping before it was possible for his Lords and others to be in readinesse to accompany him ; and sayling forward some certaine Leagues into the Sea , upon a sudden he returnes backe againe , and then laies the fault upon his Lords , that had not followed him ; and for this backwardnesse of theirs , imposed afterwards great Fines upon them ; by which meanes he got money no lesse by pretence of his not going , then he had done before by pretence of his going . About this time died Geoffrey Fits-Peter Justitiar of England , who while he lived kept the King in some awe , in so much , as hearing he was dead , he swore by the feete of God , that now at length he was King of England ; and with great rejoycing said to some Lords about him : Now when this man comes into Hell , let him salute the Arch-Bishop Hubert , whom certainely he shall finde there . But Philip , King of France , intending to leave the English nothing on that side the Sea , invadeth Chinon , and takes it ; and in it the valiant Captaine Roger Lacie , which had given a period to King Philips victories , had not Guido the husband of Constantia Prince Arthurs Mother revolted to King Iohn ; who with his assistance once againe leavies an Army , besiegeth Mount Auban , a Castle thought impregnable , and within fifteene dayes takes it , which Charles the Great could not get with his seven yeares siege : where so great a number of French Lords were taken prisoners , that King Iohn sent a Catalogue of their names into England , for a memoriall of so great a victory . After this , he taketh the strong Towne of Angiers , and utterly defaceth it ; for which afterward he was sorry , as being the Towne where he was borne . But now when the two Kings were ready to meete , and to give battell , intercession was made by friends of both sides , and thereupon a Peace concluded for two yeares : and King Iohn returned into England .

King Iohn being returned , performes no lesse worthy acts at home , then he had done in France : for first he invades the Borders of Scotland , and brings Alexander King of Scots to doe him homage ; and then understanding many of the Irish to be revolted , he passeth over to Dublin , and reduceth them to his obedience ; and then placing Iohn Bishop of Norwich Governour there , he returnes into England ; where passing through Wales , he subdueth certaine Rebels there , and takes eight and twenty children of the best Families , for pledges of their future loyalty ; but not long after , hearing they grew mutinous and rebelled againe , he was so incensed , that he would not goe to dinner till he had seene those twenty eight children to be all hanged before his face : so inconsiderate a thing is the desire of revenge , that it makes no difference betweene innocency and guiltinesse ; though indeed a thing oftentimes must be done for example , which considered in it selfe , would be forborne .

And it was the yeare 1214. and the fourteenth of K. Iohns Raign , when he going to Angiers , strongly repaires it ; and the Province of Poictou revolted to him ; which Lewis King Philips sonne understanding , comes upon them with a mighty Army , and using much severity upon the Authors of the revolt , takes prisoners , Reynold Earle of Boleigne , and William Earle of Salisbury , with many others of King Iohns Captaines , and defeateth his whole Army : whereof when King Iohn was certified , he grew in a manner desperate , and as a man dejected , makes a new Truce upon any conditions with the King of France , and returnes into England ; where he findes a worse businesse ready to entertaine him : for the Lords of the Realme having often required their ancient Rights and Liberties ; and finding nothing but delusions , endure no longer to be abused ; but meeting at Saint Edmundsbery , they there conferre how they may finde a remedy to redresse this evill ; and at la●t concluded to goe to the King themselves in person , and make their Demands ; whereof a Charter was produced , that had beene formerly granted in King Henry the firsts time : whereupon comming to the King after Christmas , lying then in the New Temple , and acquainting him with their Demands ; he gives them this faire Answer , that within a few dayes he would give them satisfaction ; and causeth the Bishops of Canterbury and Ely , with William Marshall , Earle of Glocester , to passe their words for him , that it should be performed . But the King meaning nothing lesse then to doe as he said , fals presently a leavying of Souldiers ; which the Lords understanding , they also doe the like ; and going to the Bishop of Canterbury , deliver him a Copy of their Demands , and require the Kings Answer . But the Bishop shewing it to the King , and humbly intreating him to give the Lords a satisfactory Answer : he swore a great Oath , they might as well demand the Kingdome , and that he would die before he would yeeld to any such demands . Whereupon the Lords ( knowing now what they were to trust to ) fall to besiege Northampton , and after that , Redford , which is yeelded to them ; and withall they are sent to by the Londoners , to signifie their readinesse to joyne with them . At this time the King was at Windsor providing an Army , but hearing the Londoners were joyned with the Lords , he thought it no good way to proceed by force , but rather by fraud ; and thereupon sends to the Lords , that if they would come to him to Windsor , he would grant their demands . The Lords comming thither , but in a Military manner , ( for they durst not trust his word ) the King saluted them all kindly , and promised to give them satisfaction in all they demanded ; and so in a Meadow betweene Windsor and Stanes , called Running-meade , he freely consented to confirme their former Liberties ; and was content some grave Personages should be chosen to see it performed . But the next day , when it should be done , he gets him gone to South-hampton , and from thence to the I le of Wight ; where advising with his Councell , what in this case was fittest to be done : It was concluded he should send to the Pope , to acquaint him with this mutiny of the Lords , and to require his help : while the King in the meane time lived skulking up and downe in corners , that no man might know where to find him ; or which is worse ( as some write ) roving about and practising Piracy . And now the Lords beginne to suspect fraud , when shortly after the Kings Messengers , who were Walter and Iohn , Bishops of Worcester and Norwich , returne with the Popes Decree ; which was , that the Kings Grant to the Lords should be void : with this Decree , the King after three moneths that he had staied in the I le of Wight , comming backe to Windsor , acquaints the Lords ; but they accusing the Messengers for false informing the Pope , and the Pope also for making a Decree without hearing both sides , betake them to Armes , and sweare by the holy Altar to be revenged for this Iudification and injurious dealing . The King finding the Lords nothing moved with the Popes Decree , sends againe unto him , to acquaint him with it : who mightily incensed to have his Decree so sleighted , adjudgeth them all to be held as enemies of Religion ; and gives power to Peter Bishop of Winchester , and to the Abbot of Reading to Excommunicate them . In the meane time the King had sent the Bishop of Worcester , Chancellour of England , and others with his Seale , to hire Souldiers from the parts beyond the Seas ; who returned shortly after , bringing along with him out of Poicto● and Glasconie , Savery de Malcon , Geoffrey and Oliver B●t●vile , brothers ; & under their conduct so great a rabble , that with these Forces , within halfe a yeare the King had gotten all the Castles of the Barons , to the borders of Scotland . And now he divides his Army , committing part of it to his brother William , Earle of Salisbury , and others , to set upon London ; and with the other part he goes himselfe into Yorkshire , where most of the Lords had Possessions , which in most cruell manner he destroyeth with fire and sword . The Lords being thus on all sides distressed , resolve upon a course , neither honourable nor safe ; yet such as necessity made seeme both : they send to Philip King of France , requiring him to send over his sonne Lewis to their aide , and promising they would submit themselves to be governed by him , and take him for their Soveraigne . To this motion of the Lords , King Philip was as forward as themselves ; which King Iohn understanding , sends againe to the Pope , requiring him to use his authority to stay the King of France from comming . But King Philip , though much regarding the request of the Pope , yet nothing so much as the acquest of England ; with all speed provides an Army , and with a fleete of sixe hundred sayle● sends over his sonne Lewis ; who passing into England , landeth at Sandwich , whither many of the Lords and others resort unto him ; and giving Oaths of Allegeance , joyne themselves with him . King Iohn at this time was at Dover , but not daring to stay there for feare of the enemy , he commits the Castle to Hubert Burgh ; and goeth himselfe to Canterbury , and from thence to Winchester in manner of a flight ; which Prince Lewis understanding , goeth straight to London , and by a plausible Oration makes that City sure unto him : and thither come to him the King of Scots with an Army of choyce Souldiers , as also the Earles , Warren , Arundel , Salisbury , with many others . And now Prince Lewis passeth all the Countrey over without resistance , but not without infinite outrages committed by his Souldiers , which it was not in him to hinder : and then comming to Norwich , he takes that City easily , but Dover cost him a longer siege , as being defended by the valiant and loyall Captaine Hubert Burgh . In this meane while King Iohn finding his enemies imployed in these difficult sieges ; sends about and gathers a rabble of all raskall people to him , and with them runneth over all the Countrey , spoyling and killing in most barbarous manner ; and now was the kingdome made the Stage of all miseries of rapine and cruelty : two Armies in it on foote at once , each of them seeking to prey upon the other , and both of them upon the Countrey . But the King comming to Wallpoole in Norfolke , where the Washes were to be passed over , he sendeth one to search where the Foord was passable , and there himselfe with some few passed over , but the multitude , with all the cariages , passing without orde● , they cared not where , were all drowned ; with which dysaster , the King through anguish of minde fell into a Feaver , whereof within a few dayes he died . And here was an end of all the troubles of this King : In whom it is observable , that loving his case● so well as he did , he should runne voluntarily into such troubles , especially at home , upon so small occasions as he did ; but it should seeme there is no greater hinderance to men for accomplishing their will , then their owne wilfulnesse .

Of his Taxations .

TO speake of his Taxations , it may not unproperly be said that it was but one continued Taxation all his Raigne through ; yet to divide it into parts : his first was the Taxation of three shillings upon every Plough-land through the kingdom● , to pay the thirty thousand Markes , for his Neece Blanches Portion ; and to mend this Taxation , he seiseth upon all the Temporalties of his brother Geoffrey Arch-bishop of Yorke , for opposing it ; and for a continuation , he makes a progresse shortly after into all the North parts , where he exacts great Fines of offenders in his Forests . Very shortly after solicited by the Popes Legate , he grants a Subsidy of the fortieth part of al his subjects Revenues for one year , to succor the Holy Land . Shortly after this , he chargeth his Earls and Barons with the losses he sustained in France ; & thereupon Fines them to pay the seventh part of all their goods : neither spared he the Church , or the Commons in this Imposition . Before this year is ended another Lea●y is made at a Parliament in Oxford , wherein is granted two Markes and a halfe of every knights Fee , for Military aide ; neither are the Clergy exempted from paying their part : and before another yeare is out , another Imposition is laid of the thirteenth part of all movables and other goods , both of the Clergy and Laity . It may be reckoned amongst his Taxations , that when the Monkes of Canterbury had displeased him about the election of their Arch-bishop , he seised upon all their goods , and converted them to his owne use : and presently after this , upon the like displeasure , he deputes many Bishopricks , Abbeys , and Priories into the hands of Lay-men , and confiscates all their Revenues . To these may be added that he tooke eleven thousand Markes of Silver of the King of Scots for granting him Peace . Adde to these also great summes of money exacted and gathered from the Iewes , among whom there was one that would not be ransomed , till the King caused every day one of his great teeth to be pulled out by the space of seven dayes , and then he was content to give the King tenne thousand Markes of Silver , that no more might be pulled out . Adde to these , that at his returne out of Ireland , he summoned all the Prelates of the kingdome to appeare before him ; of whom he extorted for their redemption , the summe of an hundred thousand pounds Sterling . Adde lastly to these , that at his returne out of Wales , he exacts of every knight that attended him not in that expedition , two Markes .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

HE was the first that appointed the Formes of Civill Government in London and other Cities , endowing them also with their greatest Franchises . The first that caused Sterling money to be here Coyned ; The first that ordained the Honourable Ceremonies in Creation of Earles ; The first that setled the Rates and Measures for Wine , Bread , Cloath , and such other necessaries of Commerce● The first that planted English Lawes and Officers in Ireland ; The first that enlarged the Royall stile with Lord of Ireland , and both annexed that kingdome , and fastned Wales to the Crowne of England .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

AFter the death of Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury , the Monkes of th●● Covent secretly in the night Elected one Reginold their sub-prior to succeed him ; and caused him to goe to Rome for confirmation : but afterward doubting how the King would take it , being done without his knowledge , they crave leave of the King to chuse a fit man , the King is content to allow them the Election , but requires himselfe to have the Nomination , and thereupon commends unto ●hem Iohn Grey Bishop of Norwich , whom he specially favoured , and accordingly the Monkes Elect him . But the matter being afterward referred to the Pope , which of these two Elections should stand good , after many Allegations of both sides , the Pope to shew himselfe indifferent to both , disallowes them both , and nominates a third man , one Stephen Lancthon , Cardinall of Saint Chrysogone , an Englishman borne , and a man of great learning . The Monkes admit him , but the King opposeth it : and now , as it were , a Prize began to be played between the two Swords , the Spirituall and the Temporall : but he that used the Spirituall Sword , proved so much the better Fencer , that he disarmed the other , and tooke away his temporall Sword from him . It is true , in the first Venue , the King gave the Pope as good as he brought ; for as the Pope threatned the King to excommunicate him , and to interdict the kingdome ; So the King threatned the Pope to nullifie his Authority , and to banish Clergy men out of the Realme . In the second Venue , as the Pope acted as much as he had threatned ; ( for he interdicted the ●ingdome ) So the King performed as much as he had spoken ; ( for he drove the Monkes ou● of their Cloyster ) yet at last when Pand●lphus the Popes Legat came into England , and made appeare to the King in what great d●ngers he stood ; First● of the King of France , by Invasion ; and then of his owne Subjects , by Rebellion ; for both which , there was no other helpe but Reconcilement with the Pope ; he so touched him to the quicke , that he made him leave his great words , and fall to asking forgivenesse . So as taking off the Crowne from his head , he laid it downe at Pand●lphus fe●te , to be disposed of , as the Pope should please . And Pandulphus stucke not to ●●ke up his Crowne , and to keepe it three or foure dayes in his hands before he restored it ; and did not then neither , but upon condition that he ●nd his Successours sho●ld hold the kingdome of the See of Rome , at the annuall tribute of ● thousand Markes . And all those three or foure dayes , in which Pandulphus kept the Crowne , it might be truely said , the kingdome was without a King . And upon this , no doubt it was that Peter an Her●●te in a Propheticall Rapture had given out some time before , that by Asc●●sion day , there should be no King of England . Which though in some sort it was true , yet in some sort it was not true , and it was in the Prerogative of the King to make his owne interpretation : And so it cost the poore Hermite and his Sonne their lives , and they remaine as a pillar of Salt , to make men take heed of Ludere cum Sanctis ; and of playing the Critickes in matters of State .

But by this meanes the kingdome was released of the Interdiction , which had continued sixe yeares , three moneths , and foureteene dayes : During all which time , there was no publique Exercise of Religion ; no Churches open ; no Ecclesiasticall Sacraments administred● but onely to them that were in danger of death , and baptisme to children ; all that dyed were buryed like dogges , in ditches and corners , but onely such as had purchased or procured licence from the Pope .

In this Kings Raigne , Saint Dominicke continued his Preaching ten yeares together , against the Albigenses . Also in his time Saint Francis renounced the world ; and when a Priest to whom he offered it , would not take his money , he cast it away● and entred into a Vow of perpetuall Poverty . Also in this Kings time , was held the L●teran Councell , under Pope Innocent the Third , in which was established the Popes power over Princes , and in matters of Faith , Auricular confession , and Transubstantiation .

Of his Irreligion .

I Need not relate a Speech of his , though very unchristian , that having beene a little before reconciled to the Pope , and then taking an overthrow in France , in great anger he cryed out , that nothing had prospered with him since the time he was reconciled to God and the Pope . Nor another speech of his , which though spoken merrily , was in good earnest very irreligious , that being on a time a hunting at the opening of a fat Bucke , he said : See how this Deere hath prospered , and how fat he is , and yet I dare sweare he never heard Masse . It is sufficient to relate one act of his , ( if it be true which some write ) that being in some distresse , he ●ent Thomas Hardington , and Ralph Fits Nichols , knights , in Embassage to Mir●●m●malim King of Africke and M●r●cco , with offer of his kingdome to him , upon condition he would come and aide him ; and that if he prevailed , he would himselfe become a Mahometan● and renounce the Christian Faith . Though some there be that ●ay , All the●e were but false Criminations charged upon him by Monkes that did not love him . But though we believe not these things of him ; yet to suffer his kingdome to stand Interdicted so many yeares together , upon so small occasion as he did , was certainely no good signe of Religion in him . Yet one Act he did , wherein he shewed a respect to Religion , by the honour he did to a Religious man : For Hugh Bishop of Lincolne lying very sicke , he not onely went to visit him , but being dead , was one of the three Kings , ( the other two were , William King of Scotland● and the King of Southwales ) that carryed his Herse upon their shoulders , till they delivered it to the Peeres , and the Peeres afterward to the Arch-bishops and Bishops to carry it in●o the Quire .

Workes of piety done by him , or by others in his time .

YEt did this King leave more Workes of Piety behinde him , then all his Subjects that were in his time . For he Founded the Abbey of Bowley in the New Forest in Hampshire : also an Abbey of blacke Monkes in the City of Winchester , and the Monastery of Farend●n , and the Monastery of Hales Owen in Shropshire : he reedified ●odsto● and Wr●xell , and enlarged the Chappell of Knarisborough . Now for his Subjects , onely Richard Prior of Ber●mon●sey builded an House against the wall of the said house of Ber●on●sey , called the Almary or Hospitall of Converts and Children , in honour of Saint Thomas . In this Kings time Saint Mary Overeyes in Southw●●ke was begun to be builded , and the Stone Bridge over the Thames , was by the Merchants of London finished . Also Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Founded a Monastery at West Derham in Norfolke , which upon the dissolution came to the family of the Derhams , who hold it to this day .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

IN this Kings time , five and thirty of the most substantiall Citizens of London , were chosen out , and called the Counsell of the City , and the King gave the City liberty to alter their Major and Sheriffes every yeare , which before continued during life . He caused the Lawes of England to be executed in Ireland , and money to be Coyned there , according to the weight of English money .

Of his Wives and Children .

KING Iohn lived to have three Wives : His first was Alice Daughter of Hubert Earle of Morton , who left him a Widower without issue . His second was Isabell Daughter and Heire of Robert Earle of Gl●c●ster , by whom no issue neither , divorced from her by reason of Consanguini●y in the third degree . His third Wife was Isabel Daughter and Heire of Aymer Earle of Angoules●e , Affianced before to Hugh le Brun , Earle of March : By this Wife he had two Sonnes , Henry and Richard , and three Daughters , Ioane , Eleanor , and Isabell : Henry succeeded him in the kingdome ; Richard was Earle of Cornwall , and Crowned King of the Romans , and had issue Henry and Iohn , that dyed without issue : also Edward Earle of Cornwall , and others . Ioane his eldest Daughter marryed to Alexander the second King of Scots , dyed without issue : Eleanor the second Daughter ( marryed to Simon Earle of Leycester ) had issue Henry , Simon , Almaricke , Guy , Richard , and Eleanor . Henry slaine without issue . Simon Earle of Bigorre , and ancestour to a Family of the Mountfords in France . Almaricke , first a Priest , after a knight . Guy Earle of Angleria in Italy , and Progenitour of the Mountfords in Thuscany , and of the Earles of the Campo Bacchi in the kingdome of Naples . Richard● remaining privily in England , and changing his name from Mountford to Wellesborne , was ancestour of the Wellesburnes in England . Eleanor borne in England , brought up in France , marryed into Wales , to Prince Lewin a● Griffith . Isabel his youngest Daughter , marryed to the Emperour Fredericke the second , had issue , Henry appointed to be King of Sicilie , and Margaret Wife of Albret Lantgrave of Thurine . She dyed in Childbed , after she had beene Empresse sixe yeares . He had also two naturall Sonnes , Geoffrey Fits Roy , and Richard , that marryed the Daughter and Heire of Fulbert de Dover , ( who built Childham Castle ) had issue by her , of whom some Families of good account are descended . Also one base Daughter named Ioane , marryed to Lewin Prince of Wales .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was of Stature indifferent tall , and something fat , of a sowre and angry countenance , and concerning his conditions , it may be said , that his Nature and his Fortune did not well agree : For naturally h● loved his e●se , yet his Fortune was to be ever in Action . He won more of his Enemies by surprises then by Battels , which shewes he had more of Lightning in him then of Thunder . He was never so true of his word as when he threatned , because he meant alwayes as cruelly as he spake , not alwayes as gratiously ; and he that would have knowne what it was he never meant to performe , must have looked upon his promises . He was neither fit for Prosperity nor Adversity : For Prosperity made him insolent , and Adversity dejected ; a meane Fortune would have suited best with him . He was all that he was by Fits : Sometimes doing nothing without deliberation● and sometimes doing all upon a sudden ; Sometimes very Religious , and sometimes scarce a Christian. His insatiablenesse of money was not so much as that no man knew what he did with it , gotten with much noyse , but spent in silence . He was but intemperate in his best temper , but when distempered with sicknesse , most of all , as appeared at his last , when being in a Feaver he would needs be eating of raw Peaches , and drinking of sweete Ale . If we looke upon his workes we must needes thinke him a worthy Prince , but if upon his Actions , nothing lesse : For his Workes of Piety were very many , as hath beene shewed before , but as for his Actions , he neither came to the Crowne by Justice , nor held it with Honour , nor left it in Peace . Yet having had many good parts in him , and especially having his Royall posterity continued to this day , we can doe no lesse then honour his memory .

Casualties that happened in his time .

ONe Casualty we might count dysastrous , if it had not had relation to our selves : for Hugh de Bones comming to aide King Iohn with threescore thousand out of Britany and Flanders , by misfortune at Sea were all Drowned , to whom the King had granted Norfolk and Suffolk for the people he brought with him to Inhabit . In this Kings time were great thunders and lightnings , and showers with hailstones as big as Goose-Egges . Fishes of strange shape were taken in England , armed with helmets and shields , and were like unto armed knights , saving that they were farre greater in proportion . About Maidestone in Kent a certaine Monster was found strucken with the Lightning , which Monster had a head like an Asse , a belly like a man , and all other parts farre differing from any other Creature .

Of his death and buriall .

WHen Prince Lewis of France was come into England , and was received by the Lords and by the Londoners , King Iohn with an Army went into the North parts , and comming to Wallpoole , where he was to passe over the Washes , he sent one to search where the water was passable , and there himselfe with some few passeth over , but the multitude with all his Carriages and Treasure passing without Order , they cared not where , were all Drowned . With the griefe of which dysaster , and perhaps distempered in his body before , he fell into a Feaver and was let blood ; but keeping an ill dyet , ( as indeed he never kept good ) eating greene Peaches , and drinking sweete Ale , he fell into a loosenesse , and grew presently so weake , that there was much adoe to get him to Newarke● where soone after he dyed . Though indeed it be diversly related ; Caxton saith , he was poysoned at Swi●●sheads Abbey by a Monke of that Covent ; the manner and cause this : The King being there , and hearing it spoken how cheape Corne was , should say , he would ere long make it dearer , and make a penny loa●e be sold for a shilling . At this speech the Monke tooke such indignation , that he went and put the poyson of a Toade into a cup of Wine , and brought it to the King , telling him there was such a cup of Wine as he had never drunke in all his life , and therewithall tooke the assay of it himselfe , which made the King to drinke the more boldly of it ; but finding himselfe presently very ill upon it , he asked for the Monke , and when it was told him that he was falne downe dead ; then ( saith the King ) God have mercy upon me , I doubted as much . Others say , the poyson was given in a dish of Peares . But the Physitian that dis-bowelled his body , found no signe of poyson in it , and therefore not likely to be true ; but howsoever the manner of his death be uncertaine , yet this is certaine , that at this time and place he dyed , on the 19. day of October , in the yeare 1216. when he had Raigned seventeene yeares and sixe moneths ; Lived one and fifty : He was buryed , his bowels at Croxton Abbey , his body at Worcester under the High Altar , wrapped in a Monkes Cowle , which the superstition of that time accounted Sacred , and a defensative against all evill Spirits .

Of the prises of things in his time .

NEitheir is this unfit to be recorded in Chronicles , to the end comparison may be made betweene the time past and the present : as in the time of King Henry the second , a Quarter of Whea●e was sold for twelve pence ; a Quarter of Beanes or Oates for a groat . Neitheir is the price of Silver it selfe much lesse altered , for an ounce of Silver was then valued but at twenty pence ; which is now valued at least at five shillings . Whereof Philosophers must tell the reason , for seeing scarcity makes things deare , why should not plenty make them cheape ?

Of Men of speciall Note in his time .

IN Military matters there were many famous men in his time , as Robert Fits-Roger , and Richard Mount-Fitchet , with many others ; but chiefely two , whose Acts make them specially memorable : the one was Hubert Burgh , whom K. Iohn had left Governour of Dover Castle , of whom it is related , that when Prince Lewis of France came to take the Towne , and found it difficult to be taken by force ; he sent to Hubert , whose brother Thomas he had taken prisoner a little before ; that unless● he would surrender the Castle , he should presently see his brother Thomas be put to death with exquisite torments before his eyes : but this threatning moved not Hubert at all , who more regarded his owne loyalty , then his brothers life : then Prince Lewis sent againe , offering him a great summe of money ; but neither did this move , but he kept his loyalty as inexpugnable as his Castle . The other was Robert Fits-Water , of whom it is related , that King Iohn being with an Army in France , one of his knights in a great bravery would needs make a challenge to any of the French Campe , that durst encounter him in a Combat , when presently comes forth this Robert Fits-Water ; and in the encounter , threw horse and man downe to the ground : whereof when King Iohn heard , By Gods tooth ( saith he ) he were a King indeed that had such a Champion ; whereupon some that stood by , saying to him , He is Sir , a servant of your owne , it is Robert Fits-Water , whom you have banished . Whereupon his sentence of banishment was presently reversed , and the King received him , as he well deserved , into speciall favour . In matter of Literature also there lived many famous men in the Kings Raigne ; as Geoffrey Vinesaufe , Simon Fraxinus , alias Ash , Adam Dorensis , Iohn de Oxford , Colman sirnamed The wise● Richard Canonicus , William Peregrine , Alane Tewksbery , Gervasius Dorobernensis , Iohn Hanwill , Nigell Worker , Gilbert Holland , Benet de Peterborough● William Parvus a Monke of Newburgh , Roger Hoveden , Hubert Walter , Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , Alexander Theologus , Gervasius Tilberiensis , Gyraldus Cambrensis , Iohannes Devonius , Walter Mapis , Radulphus de Diceto , Gilbert Legley , Mauricius Morganius , Iohn de Fordeham , William Leycester , Ioceline Brakeland , Roger of Crowland , Hugh White , alias Candidus , who wrote an History intituled Historia Petroburgensis ; Iohn de Saint Omer , Adam Barking , Iohn Gray an Historigrapher , and Bishop of Norwich ; Walter of Coventry , Radulphus Niger , and lastly , Simon Thurvay , who for his pride in Learning , but more for his blasphemies against Moses and Christ , became at last so utterly ignorant , that hardly he could read a letter of the booke .

THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE THIRD .

Of his comming to the Crowne , and of Acts done in his Minority .

KING Iohn being dead , his eldest soone Henry was next to succeed : who being but nine yeares old , though he were capable of having his Right , yet he was scarce c●pable of understanding his Right : especially there being another at that tim● , to whom a great part of the Kingdome had sworne Allegeance . But those Lords who had beene constant to the Father , notwithstanding his faults , were more tender of the son , who was altogether innocent , and whose gracious aspect gave no small hope of a better disposition . Amongst all which Lords , there was none of eminent in worthinesse , none so neare him in Alliance , as William Marshall Earle of Pembroke , who had married his Aunt ; and he drawing the rest of the Lords together , with a solemne Oration in behalfe of the young Prince , so confirmed them , and so ordered the matter , that on the twenty eight day of October , in the yeare 1216. he was Crowned at Glocester , by Peter Bishop of Winchester , and Ioceline Bishop of Bathe , in the presence of Guallo the Popes Legat , and many Lords and Bishops : and the said William Earle of Pembroke , by a generall consent , assigned Protector of the Realme during the Kings Minority . In which place , the first thing he did , was to give notice of the new Kings Coronation to all the Countries round about ; and proclaime pardon to all offenders , that within a time limited should come and submit themselves to him . In the meane time Prince Lewis of France , who at his first hearing of King Iohns death , thought himselfe then sure of injoying the Kingdome quietly , and that he should need to feare no more opposition ; now that he heares of the new Kings Crowning , and that so solemnly , and with so unanimous a consent , he begins to thinke himselfe in worse case then before ; and to grow jealous of the English Lords that had adhered to him , what they would doe in this new world . And indeed a conflict was already growne in their minds , which of the two Obligations should be the greater ; either that of their Oath to Prince Lewis , or that of their Allegeance to King Henry . They could not but think it extreme ungratfulnes to forsake Prince Lewis , whom they had themselves invited to come : and they could not but thinke it extreme undutifulnesse to stand out in opposition against K. Henry , their naturall Soveraigne : and that which added no small weight to this scale , was a discovery lately made by the Viscount Melun a French Lord at the time of his death , who confessed as a matter of conscience , that Prince Lewis had 〈◊〉 , if once he got th● kingdome , utterly to extirpate all the English Nobility and to admit 〈◊〉 but F●●nch to any place of dignity . But whether any of these reasons , or any other 〈◊〉 their motives ; certaine it is , that many of them , of who● were princip●●● , the Earles of Ar●nd●ll , Warren , Salisbury , and William , the eldest sonne of the Protectour , shrunke from Prince Lewis , and went to King Henry , as thinking no Obligation so great as Allegeance : and many againe continued constant to Prince Lewis , as thinking no Obligation so great as an Oath . And now Prince Lewis● to cast the Dice of Fortune , before his enemies , though they had gotte● them a Head , should gather to a head , and draw more for●●s together ; staying ●imself● a Londo● , 〈…〉 his Lieu●enant● with an Army of twenty thousand , to take in as many Townes as they could ; and many they tooke with small opposition : but comming to Lincolne , where though they had the Towne it selfe , yet the Castle stood o●●● and ●ad beene defended by a Noble Lady a whole yeare before ; they found such resistance , that their proceeding was there arrested ; for thither came presently Wi●●ia● the Pro●ect●ur with h●s sonn● William , the Bishops of Winchester , ●alis●ury , and ●●ester ; t●e ●arles of ●alisbury , Ferrers and Albemarle , William de Albinet , William de Cantilupe , Falcasius , Thomas Basset , Robert Vipon● , Bren● de Lis●e , Ge●●frey Lacie , and many other Barons , with all the power of the young King : who with wonderfull violence assault the City ; at which time it was propounded by the French , to sally forth , and give them battell ; but conceiving their Army to be greater then indeed it was ( for the English had set double Ensignes to every Company , which made a shew of twice as many as they were ) they forbare that course , and kept them selves within the Towne ; by which meanes being cooped up and straitned i● place , so as they cou●● 〈◊〉 make use of their Forces as otherwise they might ; the● were in conclusion 〈…〉 , and all the principall men of the English that had adhered to Prince 〈◊〉 ● were taken prisoners : as namely , Sa●● Earle o● Winchester , Henry de ●ohun 〈◊〉 of Hereford , Gilbert de Gant , lately made Earle of Lincolne by Prince Lewis ; 〈◊〉 Fi●●●water , Richard Mount-fi●●het , William Mawbr●y , William Beauchamp , Willi●● Maude● , Oliver Harcourt , Roger de Cressy , William de Colvil● , William de Ro● , Robert de Rope●●●y , ●alph Chendui● Barons ; besides foure hundred knights or men at Armes . Onely the Earle of Perch their Generall , being compassed about , and willed to render himselfe , swore he would never become prisoner to any English : and thereupon was runne thorow the sight of his Helmet into the braines , and instantly died . This was a maine blow to Pr●nce L●●is , and th● last of his battels in England ; and because the City was very rich in Merchandise , the English in derision called it Lewis Faire . But Prince Lewis was not yet discouraged , for he had sent to King Philip his Father , to send him new supplies out of France ; and new supplies were indeed sent : but Hubert de Bu●gh , Governour of D●ver , being as vigilant as he was valiant , watched their comming , and in a Sea-fight defeated them all , of whom but few escaped : and now this blow at Sea was so much greater then that at Land ; that where that made him onely doubt , this made him despaire , at leas● made him malleable , and fit to be wrought upon by composition ; whereupon it was at last concluded , that Prince Lewis should have fifteene thousand Markes for the charges he had beene at , and abjure his claime to any interest in the kingdome ; and withall to worke his Father for restitution of such Provinces in France as appertained to this Crowne : and that when himselfe should be King , he should resigne them in a peaceable manner . On the other part , King Henry takes his Oath ; and for him the Legat Guallo and the Protectour , to restore unto the Barons of the Realme , and other his subjects , all their Rights and Priviledges ; for which the discord beganne betweene the late King and his people . After this Prince Lewis is honourably attended to Dover , and departs out of England about Michaelmas , above two yeares after his first arrivall .

And now the kingdome is come to unity within it selfe , one King and one people ; and for a yeare or two there was little to be done , onely some few there were , whom the corruption of the times had engendred ; and who being borne in a storme , could not live in a calme : of whom the principall were the Earle of Lisle● and Hugh de Bayli●l● ; who bustling about , got possession of some Castles : with what intention , all men knew ; but with what hope of effecting their intention , no man could imagine : for being but a handfull of men to the body of the Realme ; they were easily suppressed ; and either brought to acknowledge their faults , or else punished for not acknowledging them . It was now the fourth yeare of King Henries Raigne , at which time William Earle of Pembroke , Protectour of the Realme , died , and was buried in the new Temple at London : in whose place came the Bishop of Winchester ; and now was the King the second time Crowned , and had granted him by Parliament● for E●c●age , two Markes of silver of every knights Fee , for the affaires of the kingdome , and recovery of his Transmarine Dominions , which is now designed : and Mall●on de Savery , the Poicto●in , with William Long-sword Earle of Salisbury , sent over to try the affections of that people ; whom they finde for the most part inclinable to the obedience of this Crowne : but the King of France being required peaceably to deliver them ; made answer , that having gotten them by the sword , by the sword he would hold them . But now the King being come to some yeares of understanding , was in a Parliament holden at London , put in minde by the Archbishop of Canterbury , of the Oath he had taken for confirmation of the Liberties of the kingdome , which though oppugned by some ( and sp●cially by William Brewer , and Hubert de Burgh , whom the King had now made his chiefe Justiciar ) as having beene an Act of constraint : yet the King then againe ratified , and twelve knights or other Legat men of every Shire , by Writs were charged to examine what the Lawes and Liberties were which the kingdome injoyed under his Grandfather ; and that they should returne them by a certaine day : and here the King by Parliament resumeth into his hands such Alienations as had beene made by his Ancestors of any Crowne Land . The next yeare after , another Parliament is held at Westminster , wherein is required the fiftieth part of all the movables , both of the Clergy and Laity , for the recovery of those parts in France , with-held from the Crowne by Lewis now King , contrary to his Oath and promise made here in England at his departure ; which , though it concerned the Honour and Dignity of the kingdome , and the estates of most of the Nobility ; yet would it not be yeelded to , but upon confirmation of their Liberties , which in the end was obtained , in the same words and forme as King Iohn had granted them in the two Charters before : and twelve knights are chosen in every Shire , to dispart the old Forests from the new , and the new to be laid open and ploughed , and improved● to the great comfort and benfit of the subject ; and two yeares they were accordingly injoyed .

Of his Acts after he came to be of age .

IT was now the tenth yeare of King Henries Raigne , and being about nineteene yeares of age , he claimed to take the government of the kingdome into his own hands , and no longer to be under a Protectour ; and now will presently appeare the difference betweene a Prince that is ruled by good Counsell , and a Prince that will doe all of himselfe , and take no advise . For the ten yeares hee was ruled by a Protectour , were all passed , as it were in a calme , without noyse or clamour ; but as soone as he tooke upon him the government himselfe , there grew presently stormes and tumults ; no quietnesse either to the subject or himselfe : nothing but grievances all the long time of his Raigne . For at the Parliament now holden at Oxford , as soone as he was Crowned againe , he presently cancels and annuls the Charter of the Forests , as granted in his Nonage ; and therefore he not bound to observe it : and then not using any longer the Seale which the Protectour had used , he makes a new ; and causeth a Proclamation to be made , that whosoever would enjoy any benefit of Grants under his Seale , should come and have them signed by his new Seale ; by which course he drew much mony from many : and this was the first grievance . Shortly after , he commits the keeping of Barkehamstead Castle to one Walleran a Du●chman , which Castle belonged to his Brother Richard Earle of Cornewall : but when Earle Richard required to have the possession● as o● right he ought , it was then plotted by Hube●t Burgh Chiefe Justice , and the Kings chiefe Counsellor , to commit him to prison , which the Earle understanding , o● at least suspecting , flies pres●ntly to M●rleborough , where he finds William Earle Marshall his vowed friend , with whom he has●ens to Stamford , and there mee●es with the Earles of Chester , Glocester , Warren , Hereford , Ferrers , Warwicke , and diver● other Barons ; who all confederate together , and send to the King ●hat unlesse he restore the Castle to his brother , and ●o them the Liberties of Forests which he had lately cancelled at Oxford , they would seeke to recover them by the sword . Here , upon King Henry to pacifi● his brother● not onely renders the Castle to him● but gives him besides all that his Mother had in Dower and also great possessions which the Earle of Britaine , and th● Earle of B●leigne lately deceased● had in England ; but to the Petition of the Lords he makes a dilatory answer● and this was another grievance . Not long after King Henry is perswaded by Hugh ●e Brun , Earle of March , who had married his Mother , to make a journey into France , for recovery of his right there● but the Earle perswaded it for ends of his owne ; which to have discovered , had beene no way to com●●●●e them●●e must therefore ●ay some colours upon his worke , and it was colour enough● that the action would be of great benefit to the King , if it might succeed● and the likelihood of succeeding was most apparent , by reason of the great inclina●ion of the people to King Henry ; and their great aversnesse from King Lewis . Upon these colours , King Henry undertaking the action , raiseth great summes of money from the Clergy● and from the Londoners for redemption of their Liberties● and takes the ●hird part of all the goods of the Iewes● but when he returned home a yeare after , without having done any thing but spent his treasure and his time● and that which was mo●e worth then both these , the lives of many Noble men and others : this was another grievance . And now King Henry bringing many P●●ct●●ins over with him , who had served him in his warres● he was to reward them ●ere ; which he could not doe , but by displacing and spoyle of his Officers . First therefore he calleth Ralph Bretton Treasurer of his Chamber to account , and grievously F●nes him for defrauding him in his Office : Then likewise is Hubert de Burgh Chiefe Justiciar , and his Chiefe Counsellour called to account , for such Treasure as passed his Office , who being further charged with crimes of Treason , flies to the Church of Merton for sanctuary ; from whence , when the King commanded him to be drawne out by violence , the Bishop of London hearing of it , commanded him to be returned back to sanctuary , upon paine of Excommunication : but the King commanding him to be kept from sustenance , hunger at last enforced him to render himselfe to the Kings mercy : all his goods , which were very great , confiscate . Also Walter Bishop of Carlile is thrust out of his Office of Treasure , and William Rodon knight , from his place of Ma●shall of the Kings house , and all the chiefe Counsellours , Bishops , Earles , and Barons of the kingdome are removed , as distrusted● and onely strangers preferred to their roomes : of which course , Peter de Rupibus a Poictouin , Bishop of Winchester , and one Peter de Rivalis , the Kings speciall Favorite , were said to be the Authors : and this was another grievance . The King was now about eight or nine and twenty yeares old , and a Consultation was had for a fit wife for him . There was propounded a sister of Alexander King of Scots , but it was not thought fit the King should marry the younger sister , when Hubert de Burgh had married the elder : he therefore takes one of his owne choosing , and marries Eleanor , daughter to Raymond Earle of Province ; by which match he neither had Portion by his Wife , nor strength of Alliance by friends ; or if any were , it was all made vaine by distance : onely he had by her a number of poore kindred , who to his great cost , lay hanging upon him ; yet was the marriage solemnised with as great charge as if he had beene to have Mountaines with her : and this was another grievance . And now is the score of these grievances called upon to be paid , for the Lords could no longer endure so many indignities , to see themselves fleighted , and onely strangers advanced ; as Foulke de Brent● who held the Earledomes of Nottingham , Oxford , Bedford , and B●ckingham , and others the like : and to see their persons exposed to danger , and their estates to ruine ; for which no remedy could be but onely the Kings confirming their Charter of Liberties : wherein it is strange to observe upon what different grounds the King and the Lords went : It seemes the King thought , that to confirme that Charter , were to make himselfe to be lesse then a King ; and the Lords thought , that as long as it was denied , they were no better then slaves● and as the King could endure no diminution , so the Lords could endure no slavery ; but the King might keep his owne with sitting still , the Lords could not recover their owne but by motion : and seeing their strength must be in their number , by commotion ; hereupon they confederate together , and of this confedencie , Richard now Earle Marshall , upon the death of his brother William , is chiefe ; who repaire to the King , and boldly shew him his errour , and requires satisfaction . Hereupon the King sends presently over for whole Legions of Poict●uins , and withall summons a Parliament at Oxford , whither the Lords refuse to come after this a Parliament is called at Westminster , whither likewise they refuse to come , unlesse the King would remove the Bishop of Winch●ster , and the Poictouins from the Court ; and more then this , they send him word , that unlesse he did this ; they would expell both himselfe and his evill Counsellours out of the Land , & create a new King . Upon this threatning , Pledges are required of the Nobility for securing of their Allegeance , and Writs a re●ent out to all who hold by knights service , to repaire to the King at Glocester by a certaine day ; which the Earle Marshall and his associates refusing , the King without the ●udgement of hi● Court and their P●●rs , causeth them to be Proclaimed Out-lawes , seiseth upon all their Lands , which he gives to his Poictouins ; and directs out Writs to attach their bodies wheresoever in the kingdome . But now of these confederate Lords , the Bishop of Winchester wonne the Earles of Chester and Lincolne with a thousand Markes ; and the King had so pleased his brother the Earle of Cornwall , that he likewise left them : whereupon they withdrew them into Wales , and confederate with L●●ilin Prince of Wales● whither also came Hubert de Burgh , escaped out of prison , and joynes with them ; taking intermutuall Oaths , that no one without other should make their accord . Hereupon the King goeth himselfe in person into Wales , where not prevailing , he returnes to Glocester , imployes new forces of strangers , but all without successe . At last a Frier is imployed to perswade the Earle Marshall to submit himselfe to the King , but all in vaine ; till at length a traine is laid to draw him over into Ireland , to defend his state there , being seised upon by the King ; where by treachery circumvented he lost his life . Yet the King disavowes the sending of any such Commission into Ireland , protesting he never knew thereof ; and laies the fault upon his Officers : an easie way for Princes , never to be found in any fault .

After two yeares affliction , a Parliament is assembled at Westminster , wherein the Bishops admonish the King by his Fathers example , to be at unity with his people , and to remove from him strangers , and to governe the kingdome by Natives of the Realme ; and by the Lawes : otherwise they would proceed by Ecclesiasticall censure , both against his Counsellours and himselfe . The King seeing no way to subsist but by temporising , consents to call home those Lords out of Wales ; restores them to their places and possessions ; removes all strangers from about him , and cals his new officers to account . Hereupon the Bishop of Winchester , Peter de Rivalis , and Stephen Seagrave take sanctuary ; but afterward by mediation they obtained with great Fines their Liberty , dearly paying for their two years greatnes . After this a Parliament is againe called , which the King would have to be kept in the Tower , whither the Lords refusing to come , another place of more freedome is appointed ; in which Parliament , order is taken for removing all Sheriffes from their places , upon complaint of corruption : and here the King displaceth his Steward , and offers to take from the Bishop of Chichester then Chancellour , the great Seale , which he refuseth to deliver , as having received it by the common councell of the kingdome ; and now Pe●●r de Rivali● , a●d St●phen Seagrave , are received againe into grace : by which may appeare the vici●●itude of fortune in Princes favours . After this , in the one and tw●ntieth year● of ●is Raigne , another Parliament is held at London ; where the King requires the thirteenth part of all the moveables as well of the Clergy as Laity ; which being directly opposed , the King promiseth by oath , never more to injure the Nobility , so they would but relieve him at that present : After foure dayes consultation , ●he King p●omising to use onely the counsell of his naturall Subjects , and protesting against the Revocation lately propounded● and freely granting the inviolable obse●vation of their Liberties , under paine of Excommunication , a Subsidy is granted him ; bu● so , that foure knights be appointed in every Shi●e to receive and deliver the same , 〈◊〉 to some Abbey or Castle , where it may be saf●ly kep● , that if the King ●aile in p●rformance of his Grants , it may be restored to the Coun●rey from whence it was collected : And now the King , to make a shew of true reconciliation for his part , suddenly causeth the Earles , Warren and 〈◊〉 , with Iohn Pits Geoffrey to be sw●rn his Counsellours , yet was neither of the points either for removing of strangers , or for disposing the money observed afterward by the King● for the money he made bold to take at his pleasure ; and for strangers , they were so farre from removing , that they were drawne nearer to him : for now William Valentine ; Unkle to the Queen , is growne the most inward man with him , and nothing done but by his counsell ; also the Earle of Province , the young Queenes Father , a poore Prince , hath a good share of the money that was collected : and Simon de Montford , a French man borne , is entertained by the King , and preferred s●cretly in marriage to Eleanor the Kings sister , Widow of William Earle of Pembroke , the great Marshall , and is made Earle of Leycester , by right of his Mother Avice , daughter of Blanchman , Earle of Leycester : which courses so incense the Nobility , that it put them out into a new commotion ; and Richard the Kings brother becomes one of the party whom the other Lords make their spokesman to the King , to aggravate his breach of promise , and to acquaint him with all the disorders of the kingdome ; with whose remonstrance the King is so moved , that after he had tried the Londoners , and found them also to partake with the Lords , he cals a Parliament a● London , whither the Lords come armed for their own safety : where after long debating , the King taking his Oath to referre the matter to certaine grave men of the kingdome ; Article● are drawne , sealed , and publikely set up to the view of all , with the seales of the Legat , and divers great men : but before it came to be effected , the Earle of Cornwall , by the working of Simon Montford , hath his edge rebated , and is brought to be unwilling to meddle in the matter any more ; which the other Lords seeing , they also grow cold , and so for that time it rested , and no more was done in it .

And now is the Kings turne to play his part , in using his authority , which he failes not to doe to the uttermost : for upon a small-occasion he causeth the gates of Gilbert now Earle of Pembroke ( the third sonne of William the great Marshall ) to be shut against him at Winchester , whereupon the Earle retires into the North. Also Simon Norman , Master of the Kings Seale , and his greatest Favorite , is thrown out with disgrace , and his brother Geoffrey a knight Templar , is put out of the Counsell ; both of them for not yeelding to passe a Grant from the King , made unto Thomas Earle of Flanders , the Queenes Unkle , of foure pence upon every sack of Wooll . And now that load enough is laid upon those of the Laity , comes a new load to be laid upon the Clergy ; for the Pope nothing dainty to make use of the power he had in the King , sends over three hundred Romans , requi●ing to have the first Benefices that should be vacant , bestowed upon them : which seemed so unreasonable a request , and to the Clergy of England so dammageable , that it made Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury to give over all , and betake himselfe to a voluntary Exile in the Abbey of Pontiniac in France ; yet to shew his respect to the Pope , gave him e●ght hundred Markes before his departure . And to lay more weight upon the Clergy , great summes are also required of them for maintenance of the Popes warre against the Emperour : which though the Clergy opposed , and shewed many good reasons of their opposition both to the King and the Legat , yet by promises or threatnings , they were won or forced to yeeld unto it . And now comes the Earle of March , and once againe solicits the King to make another journey into France , which being yeelded to by the King , and assented to in Parliament , an aide presently was demanded towards it : but this demand was not onely opposed , but all the Kings Taxations and aides before granted , were now repeated ; and thereupon an absolute deniall to grant any more . Upon this , the King comes to the Parliament himselfe in person ; earnestly , and indeed , humbly craving their aide for this once : but all prevailed not , they had made a vow to the contrary : and the King is driven to get what he could of particular men , of whom partly by gift , and partly by ●oane , he gets so much , that he carries over with him thirty Barrels of Sterling money . This expedition had no better successe then the former , for after a whole yeares stay , the King was driven to make a dishonourable Truce with the King of France , and returne home . At his returne he puts the Iewes to another redemption , and the Londoners to another exaction ; and to helpe on his charge , his wives mother , the Countesse of Provence comes now to visit him ; who bringing her daughter Zanchia with her , a marriage is solemnised betweene her and Richard Earle of Cornwall , whose wife was lately dead , and he returned from the Holy warres . The old Countesse at her returne , is presented with many rich gifts , having besides received an Annuall Pension of foure thousand Markes out of England , for five yeares past ; in consideration of a pact made , that King Henry after her decease should have the Earledome of Provence : but shortly after her returne , she disappoints him of that , and bestowes it upon her youngest daugh●er Beatrix , married to Charles the French Kings brother ; who was after King of Naples and Sicilie● so as this Countesse lived to see all her foure daughters Queenes : Richard Earle of Cornwall comming after to be elected King of the Romans . Upon th●se profusions , a consultation is had for new supplies , and no way thought so fit as by Parliament ; hereupon a Parliament is againe assembled at Westminster , whith●r the King comes againe himselfe in person , urging his necessities , yet nothing wou●d be granted without the assurance of reformation and due execution of the Lawes . And here they desire to have it ordained that foure of the most grave and discreet Peeres should be chosen as conservatours of the kingdome , and sworne of the Kings Councell , both to see Justice administred , and the treasure issued ; and these , or two of them at least , should ever attend about the King . Also that the Lord Chiefe Justiciar , and the Lord Chancellour , should be chosen by the generall voyces of the States assembled , or else be one of the number of those foure . Besides they propound , that there might be two Justices of the Benches , two Barons of the Exchequer , and o●e Justice for the Iewes , and those likewise to be chosen by Parliament . But while these things were in debating , comes one Martin , a new Legat from the Pope , with a larger Commission then ever any before , to exact upon the State ; but at the same time , Letters comming from the Emperour Fredericke , to intreat that the Pope might have no more supplies out of England ; the Popes Mandate is rejected , and his Agent Martin disgracefully sent home . This businesse took up so much time , that nothing else was done in this Parliament ; but onely an aide granted to the King for the marriage of his daughter to Alexander King of Scots , twenty shillings of every knights Fee ; and that with much adoe , and repetition of his former aides .

The Winter following he assembles another Parliament , wherein he moves for an ayde upon a designe he had upon Wales , and to pay his debts , which were urged to be so great that he could not app●are out of his Chamber for the infinite clamour of such , to whom he owed for his Wine , Waxe , and other necessaries of house : but they all to his face , refused to grant him any thing : whereupon other violent courses are taken , an ancient quarrell is found out against the City of London , for which they are commanded to pay fifteene thousand Markes , and Passeleve the Clerk is imployed , with others , in a most peremptory commission , to inquire of all such Lands as had beene inforested , and either to fine the occupyers thereof at their pleasure , or else to take it from them and sell the same to others ; wherein such rigour was used , that multitudes of people were undone . But now to shew the King the estate of his kingdome , and the oppressions of Popes , inquiry was made of the Revenues which the Romans and Italians had in England : which were found to be annually sixty thousand Markes ; being more then the yearely Revenues of the Crowne : which so moved the King that he caused the same to be notifyed , with all other Exactions , to the Generall Councell now Assembled at Lyons ; and this ( with the ill usage of his Agent Martin ) so vexed the Pope , that he is said to have uttered these words : It is time to make an end with the Emperour , that we may crush these petty Kings , for the Dragon once appeased or destroyed , these lesser Snakes will soone be trodden downe . But upon the Popes rejecting the consideration of these grievances of England , and despi●ing the Kings message ( who he said , began to Frederize ) it was absolutely here ordained , under great penalty , that no contribution of money should be given to the Pope by any Subject of England : and the King for a time assents unto it , but being of an irresolute and wavering nature , and afraid of threats , he soone gave over what he undertooke , so as the Pope continued his former rapine ; and though he had promised never to send any more Legats into England , ye● sent he other Ministers under the title of Clerkes , that had as great power as Legats , and effected as much . And now , for the other part of the State , new occasions also of complaint were offered : Peter of Savoy Earle of Richmond , comes into England , bringing with him certain Maides to be marryed to young Noble men of this Countrey , the Kings Wards , of whom Edmund Earle of Lincolne hath one , and Richard de Burgh another , and the same yeare three of the Kings Brothers by the Mother , Guy de Lusignan , William de Valence , and Athelmar Clerke , are sent over to be provided of Estates in England : also Thomas of Savoy ( sometimes Earle of Flanders by Right of his Wife ) comes with his sister Beatrix , Countesse of Provence the Queenes Mother , who are againe Feasted and Gifted ; for which the King is taxed the next Parliament in Candlemas Terme , and besides sharply reprehended for his breach of Promise , having Vowed and Declared by his Charter never more to injure the State in that kinde ; also for his violent taking up of provision , of Waxe , Silke , Roabes , and specially of Wine , contrary to the will of the sellers , and many other grievances they complaine of ; all which the King patiently heares , in hope to obtaine his desire , but yet nothing is effected , and the Parliament being Prorogued till Midsummer following , and the King growing more obdurate then before , it afterward brake up in discontent . But the Parliament not supplying him , he is advised to furnish his wants with sale of his Plate , and Jewels of the Crowne , being told , that though they were sold , yet they would revert againe unto him ; and having with great losse received money for them , he askes who had bought them : Answer is made , the City of London . That City ( said he ) is an inexhaustible Gulph : If Octavius Treasure were to be sold , they surely would buy it .

And now to vexe them , he appoints a Faire to be kept at Westminster , forbidding under great penalty , all exercise of Merchandise within London , for fifteene dayes , and all other Fayres in England , and namely that of Ely : but this Novelty came to nothing ; the Inconvenience of the place , as it was then , and the foulenesse of the weather , brought more affliction then benefit to the Traders . That Christmas also he requires Newyeares gifts of the Londoners , and shortly after writes unto them his Letters imperiously deprecatory to ayde him with money , and thereby gets of them twenty thousand pounds , for which the next yeare after he craves pardon of them . And notwithstanding his continuall taking up all Provisions for his House , yet he lessens his House-keeping in no honourable manner . And then seeing he could get nothing of the States together , he calls unto him , or writes to every Nobleman apart , declaring his poverty ; and how he was bound by Charter in a debt of thirty thousand pound to those of Burdeaux and his Gascoynes , ( who otherwise would not have suffered him to depart home ) at his last being in France : but fa●ling herein of Temporall Lords , he addresseth his Letters to the Prelates , of whom he findes as little reliefe ; by much importunity and his owne presence , he got of the Abbot of Ramsey a hundred pound , but the Abbot of Borough had the face to deny him , though the King told him , it was more Almes to give money to him , then to a Begger that went from doore to doore . The Abbot of Saint Albons yet was more kind , and gave him threescore Markes . To such lownesse did the necessity of this indigent King ( through his profusion ) bring him . The Iewes ever exposed to his will , feele the weight of these his wants ; One Abraham , found a Delinquent , redeemes himselfe for seven hundred Markes , and Aaron another Iew protests , the King had since his last being in France taken from him at times thirty thousand Markes of Silver , besides 200. Markes of Gold given to the Queene .

But now the Lords assemble againe at London , and presse him with his promise made unto them , that the Chiefe Justiciar , Chancellour and Treasurer , should be appointed by the Generall Councell of the kingdome , but by the absence of Richard Earle of Cornwall , ( which was thought to be done of purpose ) they returne frustrate of their desire . And now the Bishopricke of Winchester falling void , the King sends presently to the Monkes of the Cathedrall Church ; to Elect his Brother Athelmar ; and because he would not be denyed , he goes thither himselfe in person , and there enters the Chapter house as a Bishop or Prior , gets up into the Presidents Chaire , beginnes a Sermon , and takes his Text , Iustice and Peace have kissed each other ; and thereupon useth these words : To me and other Kings who are to governe the people , belongs the rigour of Judgement and Justice ; to you who are men of quiet and Religion , Peace and Tranquillity ; and this day I heare you have ( for your owne good ) beene favourable to my request ; with many such like words : whereby the Monkes finding the earnestnesse of his desire , held it in vaine to deny him , and Athelmar is Elected ; but with this reservation , if the Pope allow it . Shortly after followes the memorable Case of Sir Henry de Bathe , a Justiciar of the kingdome , and a speciall Counsellour to the King● who by corruption had attained to a mighty Estate , and is said , in one Circuit to have gotten two hundred pound land per annum ; He is accused by Sir Philip D●rcy of falsehood in the Kings Court ; and the King is so incensed against him , that in the Parliament at this time holden in London , Proclamation is made , that whosoever had any Action or Complaint against Henry de Bathe should come and be heard . One of his fellow Justiciars accused him of acquiting a malefactor for a bribe . The King seeing Henry de Bathes friends to be many and strong● breakes out into rage , protesting , that whosoever would kill Henry de Bathe should be acquited for the deed . But afterward by intercession of the Earle of Cornwall , and the Bishop of London ; the King becomes pacifyed , and Sir Henry is released , paying two thousand Markes ; and after is restored to his former place and favour . The King keeping his Christmas at Yorke , the marriage is solemnized betweene Alexander King of Scots , and Margaret his Daughter : to the Feast of which solemnity it is said the Arch-bi●hop gave sixe hundred fat Oxen , which were all spent at one meale : and besides , the Feast cost him foure thousand Markes .

About this time , the Pope solicits King Henry to undertake the Crosse , and so doth Alphonsus King of Castile , offering to accompany him in person , to rescue the King of France , who was now held Prisoner by the Souldan . And because a ransome collected for him in France was by tempest cast away at Sea , the Captive King offers to restore Normandy to the King of England , so he would come to his rescue . Upon this solicitation of the Pope , and the grant of a tenth of the Clergy and Laity for three yeares to come ; the King undertakes the Crosse , rather , it seemes , to get the money , then with any purpose to performe the Journey : which had it beene collected ( saith Paris ) would have amounted to six hundred thousand pounds , to the utter impoverishing of the kingdome . And now the King by Proclamation cals the Londoners to Westminster , and there causeth the Bishops of Worcester and Chichester to declare his Intentions , and to exhort the people to undertake the Crosse and attend him : but few are moved by their perswasions , onely three knights of small note , whom thereupon the King in open view , imbraceth , kisseth , and cals his Brethren ; checking the Londoners as ignoble Mercenaries : and there himselfe takes his Oath for performing it , and to set forth upon Midsummer day next . In taking his Oath , he layes his right hand on his Breast , according to the manner of a Priest ; and after on the Booke , and kist it as a Layman . About this Tenth ( granted by the Pope , but not by the People ) a Parliament is called at London , where the Bishops are first dealt withall , ( as being a worke of Piety ) and they absolutely refuse it ; then the Temporall Lords are set upon , and they answer as the Bishops : which put the King into so great a rage , that he drove out all that were in his Chamber , as he had beene madde . Then he ●als to perswade them apart , sending first for the Bishop of Ely , and deales with him in all kind manner , recounting the many favours he had done him . The Bishop replies , Disswading him from the Journey by the Example of the King of France ; and to that purpose useth many good reasons ; which the King hearing , in great passion commanded his servants to thrust him out of doore , perceiving by this what was to be expected of the rest ; and thereupon fals upon his former violent courses ; and first the City of London is compelled to the Contribution of a thousand Markes : and the Gascoyners being upon revolt , unlesse speedy succour be sent them ; generall Musters are made , and commandement given , that whosoever could dispend thirteene pounds per annum , should furnish out a Horseman . This occasions another Parliament , wherein it seemes , the State beganne wisely to consider that all their oppositions did no good , the Kings turne must be served one way or other ; therefore they agreed to relieve him rather by the usuall way , then force him to those extravagant courses which he tooke ; but yet so , as the Reformation of the Government , and the ratification of their Lawes and Liberties , might once againe be solemnely confirmed . And after fifteene dayes consultation , to satisfie the Kings desire for his holy Expedition , a Tenth is granted by the Clergy , and Scutage , three Markes of every knights Fee by the Laity ; and thereupon those often confirmed Charters are againe ratifyed , and that in the most solemne and Ceremoniall manner , that State and Religion could possibly devise . The King with all the Great Nobility of England , all the Bishops in their reverent Ornaments with burning Candles in their hands , assemble to heare the terrible sentence of Excommunication against the infringers of the same . And at the lighting of those Candles the King having received one in his hand , gives it to a Prelate that stood by , saying : It becomes not me , being no Priest , to hold this Candle , my heart shall be a greater Testimony ; and withall laid his hand spread upon his Breast all the time the sentence was read ; which was thus Pronounced , Authoritate Dei Omnipotentis , &c. Which done , he caused the Charter of King Iohn his Father , granted by his free consent , to be openly read . In the end , having throwne away their Candles , which lay smoaking on the ground , they cryed out , So let them who incurre this sentence be extinct , and have no better savour then these snuffes : and the King with a loud voyce said , As God helpe me , I will , as I am a Man , a Christian , a Knight , a King Crowned and annoynted , inviolably observe all these things : and therewithall the Bels rung out , and the people shouted for Joy .

Yet was not all so quieted by this Grant , but that there were grievances still , whereof the first fals upon his Brother Richard Earle of Cornwall : for the King having seven and twenty yeares before given him the Province of G●scogne , now that he had a Sonne of his owne , he would take it from his Brother , and give it to his Sonne ; and the Earle refusing to deliver his Charter , it is plotted to imprison him , but he escaping out of Burdeaux , comes over into England . The King to win the Nobility of Gascogne to turne to him , promiseth them thirty thousand Markes , which they accept , so as he binde himself● by his Oath and Charter to performe it . This strictnesse of theirs the King takes in ill part , and thereupon sends Sim●● Montford Earle of Leycester , a sterne man , to be their Governour , who with his insolent Government , so discontents them , that after three yeares suffering , they send the Arch-bishop of Burdeaux , with other great men , to complaine of his Insolencies ; whereupon Montford is sent for , and because the Lords tooke part with him , the King takes part with the Gascoyners ; which Montford tooke so ill , that he upbraides the King with breaking his Promise : to whom the King in great rage replyed , that no promise was to be kept with an unworthy Traytor : at which word Montford riseth up , protesting that he lyed ; and were he not Protected by his Royall Dignity , he would make him repent those words . The King commands his Servants to lay hold on him , but the Lords would not permit it . Yet after this great affront to the King , is Montford sent over againe into Gascogne , though with a more limited Authority , and shortly after the King with a Fleete of three hundred Ships goes thither himselfe , and soone composeth all differences in the Country .

But now the King of Spaine pretends a title to Aquitaine , and to take him off , King Henry sends to treate of a marriage betweene Prince Edward and his Sister Eleanor , which being accepted by the King of Spaine , the Marriage is solemnized at Burgos , where the King of Spaine knights the Prince , and quits his claime to Aquitaine for him and his Successours for ever : and King Henry invests the Prince and his Wife in it , and gives unto him besides , Ireland , Wales , Bristow , Stamford , and Grantham ; and from hence it came that ever after this , the Kings eldest Sonne was immediately upon his Birth Prince of Wales , and Earle of Chester . After this King Henry prepares to returne home , and well he might , having spent in this and his former Journeyes into those parts , the summe of seven and twenty hundred thousand pounds : More then all the Lands if they had beene sold were worth ; which when the King was told , he desired there might be no words made of it for his credite . And now being to returne , he is desirous with the King of Frances leave , to passe thorow France ; and comming to Paris with a thousand Horse , where he stayed eight dayes , is there most Royally Feasted by the King of France ; and he as royally Feasts the King of France againe . But it is the Londoners and the Iewes that are like to pay for all . For comming home about Christmas , when the Londoners presented him with a hundred pounds in money , and afterwards with two hundred pounds in Plate : it was so sleighted , and so ill taken , that a hole was presently found in their coate , for an escape of a Prisoner , which cost them three thousand Markes : Yet was not this enough , but he takes good Fleeces from the Iews , and then lets them out to Farme to his Brother Richard , for a great summe of money , and he to make what more of them he could .

Yet after all this he complaines of his Debts , which he saith are at least three hundred thousand Markes , which must needes be the heavyer to him , because he had diminished his own● meanes , by the allowance of fifteene thousand Markes per annum to his Sonne the Prince . The onely hope is in the Parliament , but a Parliament being called , they fall presently upon their old Grievances , complaining upon the King for breach of Charters , and renuing their Claime , to have the Chiefe Justiciar , the Chancellour and Treasurer , to be chosen by themselves : so nothing was done for the King at this time , and the Parliament being prorogued till Michaelmas after , as little then , by reason many of the Peeres came not , as not being summoned according to the tenour of Magna Charta . And now while the King was using meanes to winde himselfe out of Debt , there happened occasions to put him further in ; For now Thomas Earle of Savoy , the Queenes Brother , being at warre with the City of Thuryn , must be supplyed with money towards it by the King of England : Now the Elect Bishop of Toledo the King of Spaines Brother , comes into England , and must be sumptuously Feasted , and have great gifts presented him : Now Eleanor the Princes Wife , arrives with a multitude of Spaniards , and must all be entertained at the Kings charge , and have no small presents given them at their departure : Now comes Rustandus from the Pope , with power to Collect the Tenth of the Clergy , for the Popes use and the Kings , and to absolve him from his Oath of the Holy warre , so he would come to destroy Manfred Sonne to the Emperour Fredericke , now in possession of the kingdome of Sicilie , and Apulia . And this man likewise hath great gifts bestowed upon him , besides a rich Prebend in Yorke . But the Pope by too much seeking his profit , loseth credit and all , for the Clergy sleights him , and will give him nothing : and when he would have borrowed of the Earle of Cornwall five hundred Markes , the Earle answered , he liked not to lend his money to one , upon whom he could not Distraine . But King Henries greatest charge , was his purchasing a kingdome for his Sonne Edmund ; for now comes the Bishop of B●nonia from the Pope , with a Ring of Investiture to Prince Edmund , in the kingdome of Sicilie , which he pretends to be at his disposing ; and King Henry takes it in so good earnest , that after this he cals his Sonne Edmund by no other name then King of Sicilie . But all this was done by the Pope , but to angle away King Henries money , as indeed upon this hope , he had drawne the King into the engagement of a hundred and fifty thousand Markes ; for to draw the King on , it was given out that the Pope had dele●ted all Manfreds Forces , and was thereby in possession of the kingdome , when the truth was , that Manfred had defeated the Popes Forces , and was thereby himselfe established in the kingdome .

The yeare 1275. the King keepes his Christmas at Winchester , where new Grievances arise . The Merchants of Gascogny , having their Wines taken from them by the Kings Officers without satisfaction ; complaine to their Lord the Prince , he to his Father , and his Father having beene informed before-hand by his Officers , that their clamour was unjust , as relying upon the Princes favour ; he falls into a great rage with the Prince , and breakes out into these words : See! now my Blood and my owne Bowels impugne me : but afterwards pacified , he gives order the injuries should be redressed . And now the Princes Followers themselves come to be a Grievance , who relying upon their Master commit many outrages , and spoyle and wrong men at their pleasure , and the Prince himselfe is not altogether free , of whom it is said , that meeting a young man travailing by the way , he caused one of his eares to be cut off , and one of his eyes to be put out : and many such prankes plaid by him and his Followers in Wales , made the Welsh breake out into open Rebellion , which the Prince would faine have suppressed , but there was no money to be had towards the doing it . And now the King fals to shifts , he comes into the Chequer himselfe , and there layes penalties upon Sheriffes , that returne not their moneys in due time ; then he fals upon measures of Wine and Ale , upon Bushels and Weights , and something he gets ; but London is his best Cheq●er , and every yeare commonly he hath one quarrell or other to the Londoners , and they are sure to pay . And now fals out an accident , seeming of great honour , but certainely of no profit to the kingdome . Richard Earle of Cornwall the Kings Brother is Elected King of the Romans , for although Alphonsus King of Spaine the great Mathematician were his Competitour , yet Earle Richards money wrought more then his Learning , and the Arch-bishop of C●llen comes over to fetch him , and Crowned he is at Aquisgrane . This Earle of Cornwall is reported able to dispend a hundred Markes a day , ●or ten yeares , besides his Revenues in England . But now , as a man that payes deare for an Office , lookes that his Office should pay him againe : So Earle Richard having given infinitely to compasse this Advancement , looked to helpe himselfe againe by the Place ; and this , and the desire he had to revenge himselfe upon those tha● had opposed his Election● made him take such violent courses that he came soone to be dispossessed , forsaken , and forced to returne into England a poorer King , then he went out an Earle .

Acts done in the c●ntention betweene the King and his Barons .

NOw King Henry very proud to have his younger sonne a King as well as his brother , cals a Parliament , wherein he brings forth his sonne Edmund , clad in Sicilian habit , and ●els the Parli●ment , that for advancing this sonne of his to the kingdome of Sicilie , he had bound himselfe under covenant of losing his kingdome in the summe of an hundred and forty thousand Markes , and hoped they would not thinke much to aide him with money for so great an advancement : but the Parliament stood firme to their usuall condition of Margna Charta ; so as that might be confirmed , they were content to give two and fifty thousand Marks , but this gave the King no satisfaction . The yeare after , another Parliament is holden at London , wherein upon the Kings pressing them againe for meanes to pay his debts to the Pope ; the Lords tell him plainely , they will not yeeld to give him any thing for any such purpose ; and give their reasons , and withall repeate their owne grievances , his breach of promise , the insolencie of his brothers , and specially William de Valence , who had given the lie to the Earle of Leycester , and no right done him in it ; and many such things , which the King hearing , and not able to deny , humbles himselfe , and tels them how he had often by ill counsell beene seduced ; but promiseth by his Oath which he tooke on the Tombe of Saint Edward , to reforme all those errours . But the Lords not well knowing how to deale in this businesse , as being divided betweene a desire to satisfie the King , and a desire to be satisfied themselves ; and knowing withall the variablenesse of the Kings nature , they get the Parliament to be adjourned to Saint Barnabies day , and then to assemble at Oxford . In which meane time , the Earles Glocester , Leycester , Hereford , the Earle Marshall Bigod , Spenser , and other great men confederate , and provide by Armes to effect their desire : and here is the foundation laid of those bloudy wars that ensued betweene King Henry and his Barons . And now the King being put to his shifts for money , gets the Abbot of Westminster to put his Seale and that of his Covent to a Deed Obligatory , as a surety for two hundred Markes ; making account , that by his example , others would be drawne to doe the like : but his trusty servant Simon Passeleve being imployed to other Monasteries , and telling them amongst other reasons to perswade them , that the King was Lord of all they had , they onely answered ; they acknowledged indeed the King to be Lord of all they had , but yet so , as to defend , not to destroy the same : and this was all he could get of them . The Prince also in no lesse want then his Father , is driven to morgage his Towne of Stamford , Brahan , and many other things , to William de Valence , a Poictouin , wherby appeared the disorder of the time , when the Prince was in want , and strangers had such plenty . And now is the Parliament assembled at Oxford , whither the Lords come attended with large traines : and here they beginne with the expostulation of the former Liberties , requiring that the Chiefe Justiciar , the Chancellour and Treasurer may be ordained by publike choyce ; and that the twenty foure Conserva●ours of the kingdome may be confirmed , twelve by the election of the Lords , and twelve by the King , with whatsoever else made for their imagined security . The King seeing their strength , and in what manner they required these things ; sweares solemnly againe to the confirmation of them , and causeth the Prince to take the same Oath . But the Lords left not here , the Kings brethren , the Poictouins , and other strangers must presently be removed ; and this also , though with some little opposition , was at last concluded : and thereupon the Kings brethren and their followers are despoyled of all their fortunes , and ●xiled by proscription under the Kings owne hand , directed to the Earles of Hereford and Surrey . But now sicknesse and mortality happening to many great ones , it is imputed to poysons , supposed to have beene prepared by those strangers proscribed ; the Earle of Glocester in a sicknesse , suddenly lost his haire , his teeth , his nailes ; and his brother hardly escaped death : which made many to suspect their nearest servants , and their Cookes : Walter Scoynie the Earle Steward , is strictly examined , committed to prison , and afterward without confession , is upon presumptions onely executed at Winchester : Elias a converted Iew , is said to have confessed , that in his house the poyson was confected ; but it was when he was a Iew , and not a Christian. Every man that had received any wrong by those strangers , now put up their complaints , and are heard . Guydo de ●●chfort a Poictouin , to whom the King had given the Castle of Rochester , is banished , and all his goods confiscate . William Bussey , Steward to William de Valence , is committed to the Tower of London , and most reproachfully used . Richard Gray , whom the Lords had made Captaine of Dover Castle , is set to intercept whatsoever the Poictouins convaied that way out of England ; and much treasure of theirs , and of the elect of Winchester is by him taken , besides great summes committed to the new Temple are found out , and seised for the King .

And now the new Chiefe Justiciar Hugh Bigod , brother to the Earle Marshall , ( chosen this last Parliament by publike voyce ) procures that foure knights in every Shire should inquire of the oppressions of the poore , done by great men ; and certifie the same , that redresse might be made . Also order was taken against corrupting of justice ; when yet notwithstanding this pretended care of the publike , it is noted by the Writers and Records of that time , how the Lords were themselves but as ●otidem tyranni , enforcing the services of the Kings tenants that dwelt neare them . But to make their cause the more popular , it was rumored that the King stood upon it , that his necessity must be supplied out of the estates of his people , whether they would or no : which the King hearing , sends forth Proclamation , declaring how certaine malitious persons had falsely and seditiously reported , that he meant unlawfully to charge his subjects , and subvert the Lawes and Liberties of the kingdome ; and by these false suggestions , averted the hearts of his people from him : and therefore desires them not to give credit to such per●urbers : for that he was ready to defend all Rights and Customes due unto them : and that they might rest of this secured , he caused his Letters to be made Patents . But now Montford Glocester , and Spenser , inforce the King to call a Parliament at London , where they get the authority of the twenty foure to be estated wholly upon themselves , and they alone to dispose of the custody of the Castles , and other businesses of the kingdom : and here they bind the King to lose to them their Legall obedience whensoever he infringed his Charter . At this time intelligence was given to the Lords , that Richard King of the Rom●ns had a purpose to come into England ; and the Lords suspecting he would come with power to aide the King his brother , take order for guarding the Ports , with intent to hinder his landing : but finding his traine to be but small , accompanied onely with his Queene , two German Earles , and eight knights : upon his promise to take their propounded Oath , they admit him to land ; but would nether permit the King ( who came thither to mee●e him ) nor himselfe to enter into Dover Castle . At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house , where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the midst , cals out the Earle , not by the name of King , but Richard Earle of Cornwall ; who in reverent manner comming forth , taketh his Oath in these words . Heare all men , that I Richard Earle of Cornwall , doe here sweare upon the holy Evangelists , that I shall be faithfull and diligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England , and ●e an effectuall Coadjutor to expell all Rebels and disturbers of the same ; and this Oath will inviolably observe , under paine of losing all the Land I have in England : so helpe me God . But though this Earle came home but weake and poore , yet upon his returne the King takes heart , and seeks all meanes to vindicate his power : and first sends messengers secretly to Rome , to be Absolved from his enforced Oath ; and to have the more assurance from the King of France , he makes an absolute resignation of all his Right to the Dutchy of Normandy , and the Earledomes of Anjou , Poictou , Tourene , and Maine : in regard whereof , the King of France gives him three hundred thousand pounds ( some say Crownes ) o● Anjouin money ; and gran●s him to enjoy all Guyen , beyond the River Garo●ne , all the Countrey of Xan●oigne to the River of Charente , the Countrey of Limousin and Quercy , for him and his successo●rs , doing their homage to the Crowne of France , as Duke of Aquit●i●e . And now was the King of France made Arbiter of the difference betweene King Henry and his Barons , who gives sentence against the Barons concerning the Provisions at Oxford ; but of their side concerning King Iohns Charter : by which nice distin●tion , though he did but leave the matter as he found it : ( for those Provisions , as the Lords pretended , were grounded upon that Charter ) yet did his sentence draw many away from the party of the Barons , amongst whom was Henry sonne to the Earle of Cornwall , Roger Clifford , Roger de Leisbourne , Haimo Lestrange , and many others . But the Earle of Leycester , notwithstanding this revolt , recovers the Town and Castle of Glocester ; constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption ; goes with an Army to Worcester , possesseth him of the Castle , thence to Shrewsbery , and so comes about to the I le of Ely , subdues the same , and growes exceeding powerfull . The King doubting his approach to London , fals to treat of a Peace , and a Peace is concluded upon these conditions ; that all the Castles of the King should be delivered to the keeping of the Barons ; the Provisions of Oxford should inviolably be kept ; all strangers by a certaine time should avoid the kingdome , except onely such as were licensed to stay . The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle ; but Leycester comming to besiege it , he treats with him for Peace , which is refused , and the Castle is rendred to him .

The King at this time , to win time , convokes another Parliament at London , wherin he won many Lords to take his part ; as namely the Prince Richard his brother , Henry his son , William Valence , with the rest of his brothers lately returned , and with them the King marcheth to Oxford , whither divers Lords of Scotland repaire to him ; as Iohn Commin , Iohn Baylioll , Lords of Galloway , Robert Bruce , and others : also many Barons of the North ; Glifford , Percey , Basset , and others . From Oxford he goes to Northampton , where he tooke prisoners , Simon Montford the younger , with foureteene other principall men ; thence to Nottingham , making spoyles of such possessions as pertained to the Barons in those parts . And now the Kings side growes strong , which the Earles of Leycester and Glocester seeing , they write to the King , protesting their loyalty , and how they opposed onely such as were enemies to him and the kingdome , and had belied them . The King returnes answer , that themselves were the perturbers of him and his State , and sought his and the kingdomes destruction ; and therefore defies them . The Prince likewise and the Earle of Cornwall send letters of defiance to them . Yet the Barons continue to mediate a Peace , and send the Bishops of London and Worcester , with offer of thirty thousand Markes to the King , for the dammages done in these warres , so as the Statutes of Oxford may be observed ; but this offer is not accepted . The Earle seeing no remedy , but it must be put to a day ; takes his time to be earlier ready then was expected , and supplies his want of strength with policie , placing on the one side of a hill neare Lewis , where the battell was fought , certaine Ensignes without men , in such sort , as they might seeme a farre off , to be Squadrons of succours to second those he brought to the encounter , whom he caused all to weare white Crosses , both for their owne notice , and the signification of his cause , which he would have to be thought for justice . Here the fortune of the day was his , the King , the Prince , the Earle of Cornwall , and his sonne Henry , the Earles of Arundell and Hereford , with all the Scottish Lords , are taken prisoners ; the Eale Warren , William de Valence , Guy de Lusignan , the Kings brothers , with Hugh Bigod Earle Marshall , save themselves by flight : five thousand ( some say twenty thousand ) others are slaine in the battell . A yeare and a halfe is Simon Montford in possession of his prisoners , carrying the King about with him to countenance his actions , till he had gotten all the strongest Castles in the kingdome .

And now comes Erinnys and sets debabte betweene the two great Earles of Leycester and Glocester , about their Dividend : Leycester is taxed to doe more for his owne particular then the common good ; his sonnes also presuming upon his greatnesse , grew insolent : whereupon Glocester discontented , forsakes that side , and betakes him to the Prince ; who lately escaping out of the Castle of Hereford , had gotten a power about him to try the fortune of another battell . The revolt of this Earle being great in it selfe , was greater by its example ; for now many others revolted likewise : and the Earle of Leycester seeing the improvement of the Princes forces , who was now with his Army about Worcester , though he ●aw his owne disadvantage , yet imbattels in a Plaine neare Ev●sham to encounter him , and noting the manner of the approach of the Princes Army , said ●o those about him ; These men come bravely on , they learne it not of themselves , but of me ; and seeing himselfe likely to be be●et , and overlaid with multitude , he advised his friends , Hugh Spenser , Ralph Basset , and others , to shift for themselves ; which when they refused to doe , then ( saith he ) let us commend our soules to God , for our bodies are theirs : and so undertaking the maine weight of the battell , perished under it● and with him are slaine , his sonne Henry , eleven Barons , with many thousands of common Souldiers . And thus ended Montford the great Earle of Leycester , highly honoured in his life , and more highly should have beene after his death , if the people might have had their will , who talkt of Miracles enough to have made him a Saint .

And now is King Henry by this victory of his sonne , at liberty ; who together repaire to Winchester , where a Parliament is convoked , and all who adhered to the Earle Montford are disinherited , and their estates conferred on others , at the Kings pleasure ; the Londoners also have their Liberties taken from them . But though the death of Montford gave a great wound to the party of the Barons , yet it was not mortall , at least not mortal presently , for there remained reliques that kept it alive a good while after . Simon and Guy de Montford , sons of the Earle of Leycester , and other of the Barons , take and defend the I le of Ely : the Castle of Killingworth held out halfe a yeare , till their victuals failed ; and then yeelded upon conditions to have their lives and goods saved : and many others there were , resolute and desperate persons , strongly knit and fastned together , though now shortly upon dissolving . For after the Parliament at Westminster , the King with an Army going against them , and being at Northampton , Simon and Guy de Montford submit themselves to him : but when the Earle of Glocester opposed the restoring them to their estates , they were faine to flie the kingdome , and make their fortunes in other Countries , as indeed they did ; the younger in Italy , the elder in France , where they were Propatours of two great Families . Their mother was banisht shortly after the battell of Evesham , a Lady of eminent note , as being the daughter and sister of a King ; and yet of more note for her patient bearing of adversity , or rather for her making a benefit of adversity ; for by this meanes she betooke her selfe to the veile of piety , and died a Nunne at Montarges in France .

Three yeares after this , the disinherited Barons held out , till at length , conditions of render are propounded ; but here the Councell are divided in opinion : Mortimer and others stated in the possessions of the disinherited , are against restoration ; alleadging , it were injustice to take from them the rewards of their service . Glocester , and the twelve ordained to deale for the peace of the State , are earnest for restoration ; alleadging , it were hard measure to grant them their lives , & not their livelihoods : but not prevailing , in great discontentment Glocester retires from Court , sends messengers to warne the King to remove strangers from his counsell ; and observe the Provisions at Oxford , as he promised at Evesham : otherwise that he should not marvell if himselfe did what he thought fit . Hereupon Iohn de Warren , Earle of Surrey , and William de Valentia are sent to the Earle of Glocester : who though they could not perswade him to submit to the King ; yet thus much they got of him under his hand and seale , that he would never beare Armes against the King or his sonne Edward , but onely defend himselfe , and pursue Roger Mortimer and his other enemies . And now a Parliament is convoked at Bury , wherein many demands are made by the King and the Legat , and all for money from the Clergy ; but all denied , that nothing but denials are done in this Parliament . After this , the Legat imployes Solicitours to perswade the disinherited Lords which held the I le of Ely , to returne to the faith and unity of the Church , and to the peace of the King , according to the forme propounded at Coventry : to which the Lords make answer , that they never opposed the unity of the Church● but the ●varice of Church-men that were put in authority ; and that they never opposed the King , but for the good of the kingdome : and then required that the Provisions of Oxford might be observed , and pledges be given them for their security . Hereupon the yeare after , the King prepares a mighty Army , and Prince Edward with bridges entring the I le of Ely , shuts them up so , that he constraines them at last to yeeld ; also the Earle of Glocester comming to London with an Army , is by the Legat once againe perswaded to render himselfe to the King , and upon forfeiture of twelve thousand Markes if ever he should raise any commotion againe , is reconciled . Now remaines Lewilin and the Welsh , to be chastened for aiding of Simon Montford ; but the King going against them with an Army , they give him two and thirty thousand pounds Sterling , and so make their peace . And here was an end of the first warres betweene the Kings of England and their Barons . The next yeare after the Popes Legat Ottobon signes with the Croysado both the Kings sonnes , Edward and Edmund , the Earle of Glocester , and divers Noble men induced to undertake the Holy warre , by the sollicitation of him and the King of France : who nothwithstanding his former calamities endured in that action , would once again adventure it : and because Prince Edward wanted meanes to furnish himselfe out , the King of France lends him thirty thousand Markes upon a morgage of Gascoyne . And now whilst this preparation is in hand , King Henry labours to establish the peace of the kingdome , and to reforme the excesses which the warre had bred ; and the same yeare assembles his last Parliament at Marleborough , where the Statutes of that title were enacted . Neare two yeeres it seemes to have beene after the undertaking the Crosse before Prince Edward set forth ; but then taking his wife Eleanor with him , though young with childe , he set forward ; and in the voyage , when many of his people seemed desirous to leave him● and returne home , he is said to have strucken his breast , and sworne ; that if all his followers forsooke him , he would yet enter Acon , or Ptolemais ; though but onely with his horse-keeper Fowin . Shortly after Richard King of the Romans died , and the yeare following King Henry .

Of his Taxations , and wayes for raising of money .

NEver sonne was more like a Father in any thing , then King Henry was like his Father King Iohn , in this point , for raising of money ; for he trode directly in all his steps , if he added not something of his owne . King Iohn had great Subsidies granted him by Parliament , for any great action he undertooke , so had King Henry . King Iohn resumed the lands aliened from the Crowne , so did King Henry . King Iohn made benefit of the vacancie of Bishopricks and Abbeys , so did King Henry . K. Iohn took great Fines of many for crimes not proved , but onely supposed , so did King Henry . King Iohn made benefit of a new Seale , so did King Henry . King Iohn extorted great summes from the Iewes , so did King Henry . And one way more he had to get money , which perhaps his Father had not , and that was by begging , as he told the Abbot of Borough ; It was more Almes to give money to him , then to the Begger that went from doore to doore . Indeed Taxations in this Kings Raigne may be reckoned amongst his Annuall Revenues , for scarce any yeare passed without a Parliament , and seldome any Parliament without a Taxe ; or if any sometimes without , it was then cause of the greater Taxation some other way ; as when he tooke of the Londoners for having aided the Barons , twenty thousand Markes .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

IN this Kings Raigne were ratified and confirmed the two great Charters of Magna Char●a , and Charta de Foresta : also in his time were enacted the Statutes called of Merton , of Oxford , and of Marleborough . Also stealing of cattell , which before was but Pecuniary , he made capitall : and the first that suffered for the same , was one of Dunstable ; who having stollen twelve Oxen from the Inhabitants of Colne , and being pursued to Redburne , was by a Bailiffe of Saint Albons , according to the Kings Proclamation , condemned and beheaded . And it may seeme strange that in these times so much bloud should be shed in the field , and none upon the scaffold ; for till the twenty sixth yeare of this King , that one William Marisc , the sonne of Geoffrey Marisc , a Noble man of Ireland , being condemned for Piracie and Treason , was hanged , beheaded , and quartered ; there is no example of that kinde of punishment to be found in our Histories . Particularly in this Kings Raigne was made that Statute , by which the Ward and marriage of the heires of Barons within age , is given to the King . Also in this Kings Raigne the Pleas of the Crowne were pleaded in the Tower of London . All Weares in the Thames are in this Kings time ordained to be pluck'd up and destroyed . Also the Citizens of London are allowed by Charter , to passe Toll-free through all England , and to have free Warren about London , also to have and use a common Seale . Also it was ordained that no Sheriffe of London should continue in his office longer then one yeare , which they did before for many . In the five and twentieth yeare of this King were Aldermen first chosen within the City of London , which then had the rule of the City , and of the Wards of the same , and were then yearely changed , as now the Sheriffes are . It was in this Kings time allowed to the City of London , to present their Major to the Barons of the Exchequer to be sworne , which before was to be presented to the King , wheresoever he were . In his time the clause No● obstante ( brought in first by the Pope ) was taken up by the King in his grants and writings . Also in this Kings time , William Bishop of Salisbury , first caused that custome to be received for a Law , whereby the Tenants of every Lordship are bound to owe their suite to the Lords Court , of whom they hold their Tenements .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

AFfaires of the Church for matter of Doctrine , were never more quiet then in this Kings Raigne ; for now all Heresies accounted of the time , especially the Albigenses were in a manner suppressed by the Armes of the King of France , not without the Vote of the King of England , who forbore to make warre upon him in tendernesse to this service ; but for matter of manners , they were never more turbulent : for now Abbeys were fleeced , Sanctuaries violated , Clergy-men outraged , Bishops themselves not spared ; and all for greedinesse of money , or for revenge . Ottobone the Popes Legat here in England , lying at the Abbey of Oseney , there happened a difference betweene his servants and the Schollers of Oxford ; in which contention , a brother of his was slaine , and the● Legat himselfe faine to fly into the Steeple for safegard of his life : whereupon afterward being gotten from thence by the Kings safe conduct , he thundred out curses against the Schollers , and interdicted the University , so as the Colledges grew desolate , and the Students were dispersed abroad into other places , for the space of halfe a yeare : till the Monkes of Oseney , and the Regent Masters of Oxford were faine to goe bare-foote and bare-head through London , as farre as Durham house , where the Legat lay ; and there upon their humble submission , and great mens intercession , they were absolved , and the University restored to its former estate . But of this Ottobone , it may not be impertinent to relate a little further ; that going afterward out of England , he came by degrees , after the death of Innocent the fifth , to be Pope of Rome himselfe , by the name of Adrian the fifth , and died within fifty dayes after his election . Amongst affaires of the Church , may be reckoned the Ulcers of any member of the Church : such a one as in this Kings time brake out most loathsome ; for one procuring five wounds to be made in his body , in resemblance to the five wounds in Christs body , tooke upon him to be Christ , and had gotten a Woman , that tooke upon her to be the Virgin Mary ; who continuing obstinate in their madnesse , were adjudged to be immured and shut up betweene two wals , to the end ( no doubt ) the contagion of their filthinesse should spread no further . In this Kings time , a little novelty was first brought in by Pope Innocent the fourth , who ordained that Cardinals should weare red Hats : something perhaps for mystery , and something for distictnion .

Workes of piety done by him , or by others in his time .

THis King caused a chest of Gold to be made for laying up the Reliques of King Edward the Confessour , in the Church of Westminster . Hee builded a Church for converted Iewes in London : also an Hospitall at Oxford , for passengers and diseased persons : also the new Coventuall Church and the Chappell of our Lady at Westminster , whereof hee laid himselfe the first stone : also the hou●e of Black-Friers in Canterbury . In his time , Ela Countesse of Salisbury , founded the Abbey of Lacok in Wiltshire ; Richard Earle of Cornwall , founded Hayles a Monastery of Cistersian Monkes neare to Winchcombe in Glocestershire : Reginold de Moun , Earle of Somerset , and Lord of Dunster , founded the Abbey of Newham in Devonshire : Ranulph the third Earle of Chester , and Lord of little Britaine , builded the Castles of Chartley , Bestone , and the Abbey of Dela Cresse : Sir Iohn Mansell the Kings Chaplaine , founded a house of Regular Chanons neare to Rumney in Kent : William de Albineto Earle of Arundell , founded the Priory of Wimondham : William Brunc , a Citizen of London , and Rosia his wife , founded the Hospitall of our Lady without Bishopsgate in London : And Isabel Countesse of Arundell , founded the Nunnery of Marran neare to Linne . Friers Minors first arrived at Dover , nine in number , whereof five remained at Canterbury , and there builded the first Covent of Friers Minors that ever was in England : the other foure came to London , who encreasing in number , had a place assigned them in Saint Nicholas Shambles ; which Iohn Iwyn , Mercer of London , appropriated to the use of the said Friers , and became himselfe a Lay brother . Also in this Kings time the new worke of Saint Pauls Church in London was begunne . If it were piety in the Iew , who falling into a Privie upon a Saterday , would not be taken out that day , because it was the Iewes Sabbath : It was as much piety in the Earle of Glocester , that would not suffer him to be taken out the next day , because it was the Christian Sabbath ; and when the third day he was taken out dead , whose piety was the greater ? A strange accident upon an act of piety , is related in this Kings time ; which if true , is a Miracle , if not true , is yet a Legend , and not unworthy to be read : that in a time of dearth , one man in a certaine Parish , who allowed poore people to relieve themselves with taking Corne upon his ground , had at Harvest a plentifull crop ; where others that denied them , had their Corne all blasted , and nothing worth . In this Kings time also , Hugh Balsamus , Bishop of Ely , founded Saint Peters Colledge in Cambridge . Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent , was buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers in London , to which Church he gave his Palace at Westminster , which afterward the Arch-bishop of Yorke bought , and made it his Inne ; since commonly called Yorke place , now White-Hall .

Casualties happening in his time .

AT one time there fell no Raine in England , from the first of March to the Assumption of our Lady ; and at another time there fell so much Raine , that Holland and Holdernes in Lincolneshire were over-flowed and drowned . In the seventeenth yeare of his Raign , were seene five Suns at one time together ; after which followed so great a Dearth , that people were constrained to eate horse flesh , and barkes of Trees : and in London twenty thousand were starved for want of foode . Also in his time the Church of Saint Mildred in Canterbury , and a great part of the City was burnt . Also the Towne of New-Castle upon Tine was burnt , Bridge and all . And though it may seeme no fit place to tell it , yet here or no where it must be told ; that in this Kings time there was sent by the King of France , the first Elephant that ever was seene in England .

Of his Wife and Children .

HE marryed Eleanor , the second of the five Daughters of Raymond Earle of Provence , who lived his Wife thirty seven yeares , his Widow nineteene , dyed a Nun at Aimesbury , and was buryed in her Monastery . By her , he had sixe Sonnes , and three Daughters : of his Sonnes , the foure youngest dyed young , and were buryed , three of them at Westminster , and the fourth in the New Temple by Fleetstreet . His eldest Sonne Edward , surnamed Longshanke , of his tall and slender body , succeeded him in the kingdome . His second Sonne Edmund , surnamed Crouch-backe , of bowing in his backe , ( as some say ) but more likely of wearing the signe of the Crosse , ( anciently called a Crouch ) upon his backe , which was usually worne of such as had vowed voyages to Hierusalem , as he had done . He was invested Titular King of Sicilie and Apulia , and created Earle of Lancaster ; on whose person originally the great contention of Lancaster and Yorke was Founded . He had two Wives , the first was Avelin . Daughter and Heire of William Earle of Albemarle , by whom he left no issue . The second was Queene Blanch , Daughter of Robert Earle of Artois , ( Brother of Saint Lewis King of France ) Widow of Henry of Champaigne King of Navarre : by her he had issue three Sonnes , and one Daughter . His eldest Sonne Thomas , who after his Father was Earle of Lancaster , and having marryed Alice , Daughter and Heire of Henry Lacie Earle of Lincolne , was beheaded at Pomfret without issue . His second sonne Henry Lord of Monmouth , who after his Brothers death was Earle of Lancaster , and Father of Henry the first Duke of Lancaster : his third Sonne Iohn ; who dyed unmarryed . His Daughter Mary marryed to Henry Lord Percy , Mother of Henry the first Earle of Northumberland . This Edmund dyed at Bay in Gascoyne , in the yeare 1296. when he had lived fifty yeares , whose body halfe a yeare after his death was brought over into England and entombed at Westminster . Of King Henries three Daughter , the eldest Margaret was marryed to Alexander the third , King of Scotland , by whom she had issue , two Sonnes , Alexander and David ; who dyed both before their Father , without issue , and one Daughter Margar●t Queene of Norway , Wife of King Erike , and Mother of Margaret the Heire of Scotland and Norway , that dyed unmarryed . The second Daughter of King Henry was Beatrice , borne at Burdeaux , marryed to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine , and had issue by him , Arthur Duke of Britaine , Iohn Earle of Richmont , Peter ; and Blanch marryed to Philip Sonne of Robert Earle of Artois , Eleanor a Nunne at Aimesbury , and Mary marryed to Guy Earle of S. Paul● she deceased in Britaine , and was buryed at London , in the Quire of the Gray Fryers within Newgate . The third Daughter of King Henry , named Katherine , dyed young , and lies buryed at Westminster , in the space betweene the Chappels of King Edward and Saint Benet .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was of stature but meane , yet of a well compacted body , and very strong : one of his eyelids hanging downe , and almost covering the blacke of his Eye : For his inward endowments , it may be said , he was wiser for a man , then for a Prince ; for he knew better how to governe his life then his Subjects . He was rather Pious then Devout , as taking more pleasure in hearing Masses then Sermons , as he said to the King of France , He had rather see his Friend once , then heare from him often . His minde seemed not to stand firme upon its Basis , for every sudden accident put him into passion . He was neither constant in his love , nor in his hate ; for he never had so great a Favorite whom he cast not into disgrace , nor so great an Enemy whom he received not into favour . An example of both which qualities was seene in his carriage towards Hubert de Burgh , who was for a time his greatest Favourite , yet cast out afterward in miserable disgrace , and then no man held in greater ha●red , yet received afterward into grace againe . And it is memorable to heare with what crimes this Hubert was charged at his Arraignment ; and ●pecially one : That to disswade a great Lady from marriage with the King , he had said , the King was a squint-eyed Foole , and a kinde of Leper , deceitfull , perju●ed , more faint-hearted then a Woman , and utterly unfit for any Noble Ladies company . For which , and other crimes laid to his charge in the Kings Bench , where the King himselfe was present ; he was adjudged to have his Lands confiscate , and to be deprived of his title of Earle ; yet after all this , was restored to his estate againe , and suffered to live in quiet . He was more desirous of money then of honour , for else he would never have sold his Right to the two great Dukedomes of Normandy and Anjou to the King of France for a Summe of money . Yet he was more desirous of honour then of quietnesse , for else he would never have contended so long with his Barons about their Charter of Liberty , which was upon the matter , but a point of Honour . His most eminent vertue , and that which made him the more eminent , as being rare in Princes , was his Continency ; for there is nothing read , either of any ba●e children he had , or of any Concubine he kept .

Of his Death and Buriall .

THough he had lived a troublesome life , yet he dyed a quiet death ; for he had ●etled Peace in his kingdome , and in his Conscience . For being at Saint Edmundsbury , and finding himselfe not well at ease , he made the more hast to London ; where calling before him his Lords , and specially Gilbert de Clare , Earle of Glocester ; he exhorted them to be true and faithfull to his Sonne Prince Edward , who was at that time farre from home , and therefore had the more need of their care , which consisted chiefly in their agreement one with another . And then , his sicknesse encreasing , he yeelded up his Soule to God , on the sixteenth day of November , in the yeare 1272. when he had lived threescore and five yeares , Raigned five and fifty , and was buryed at Westminster , which he had newly Builded .

Of Men of note in his time .

OF Martial men famous in his time there were many , but three specially who obscured the rest : The first was William Marshall Earle of Pembroke , memorable for the great care he had of King Henry in his minority , and more memorable for the little care , that Destiny had of his Posterity ; for leaving five Sonnes behind him , they all lived to be Earles successively , yet all dyed without issue : So as the great name and numerous Family of the Marshals came wholly to be extinct in that Generation . The second was Richard de Clare Earle of Glocester , who in a Battaile against Baldwyn de Gisnes , a valiant Fleming , imployed by King Henry , himselfe alone encountred twelve of his Enemies , and having his Horse slaine under him , he pitcht one of them by the legge out of the saddle , and leapt into it himselfe , and continued the fight without giving ground , till his Army came to rescue him . An Act that may seeme fitter to be placed amongst the Fictions of knights Errant , then in a true Narration . The third was Simon Montford , a man of so audacious a spirit , that he gave King Henry the lye to his face , and that in presence of all his Lords ; and of whom it seemes , the King stood in no small feare : for passing one time upon the Thames , and suddenly taken with a terrible storme of Thunder and Lightning , he commanded to be set ashore at the next Staires , which happened to be at Durham House , where Montford then lay , who comming downe to meet the King , and perceiving him somewhat frighted with the Thunder , said unto him , Your Maj●sty need not feare the Thunder , the danger is now past : No Montford ( said the King ) I feare not the Thunder so much as I doe thee . Of men famous for Sanctity of life , there were likewise many in his time , but three more eminent then the rest , Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Richard Bishop of Chichester , and Thomas Arch-deacon of Hereford ; All three either Canonized , or at least thought worthy to be Canonized for Saints . To these may be added Robert Grosshead Bishop of Lincolne , who Translated the Testaments of the twelve Patriarchs , out of Greeke into Latine ; which through envy of the Jewes never came to the knowledge of Saint Hierome , wherein are many Prophesies of our Saviour Christ . Of men famous for learning there were likewise many in his time ; of whom , some left workes behinde them for testimonies of their knowledge in divers kindes , as Alexander Hales a Fryer Minor , who wrote many Treatises in Divinity ; Ralp● Coggeshall , who wrote the Appendix to the Chronicle of Ralph Niger ; Randulph Earle of Chester , the third and last of that name , who compiled a Booke of the Lawes of England ; Henry Bracton , who wrote the Booke commonly called by his name , De Consuetudinibus Anglicanis : and besides these , Hugh Kirkestead , Richard of Ely , Peter Henham , Iohn Gyles , and Nicholas Fernham , excellent Physitians ; Richard surnamed Theologus , and Robert Bacon , two notable Divines ; Stephen Langthon , Richard Fisaker , Simon Stokes , Iohn of Kent , William Shirwood , Michael Blaunpaine , Iohn Godard , Vincent of Coventry , Albericke Veer , Richard Wich , Iohn Basing , Roger Waltham , William Seningham , and others .

THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIRST . Surnamed of WINCHESTER .

Of his comming to the Crowne ,

AS soone as King Henry was dead and buryed , the great Lords of the Land caused his eldest Sonne Prince Edward to be proclaimed King : and assembling at the New Temple in London , they there tooke order for the quiet Governing of the kingdome , till he should come home . For at this time he was absent in the Holy Land ; and had beene there above a yeare when his Father dyed . But we cannot bring him home without telling what he did , and what he suffered in all that time , and in his returne ; for at his first comming thither , he rescued the great City of Acon , from being ●urrendred to the Souldan ; after which , out of envy to his Valour , one Anzazim a desperate Saracen , who had often beene employed to him from their Generall , being one time , upon pretence of some secret message , admitted alone into his Chamber , with a poysoned knife gave him three wounds in the Body , two in the Arme , and one neare the arme-pit , which were thought to be mortall , and had perhaps beene mortall , if out of unspeakeable love , the Lady Eleanor his Wife had not suckt out the poyson of his wounds with her mouth , and thereby effected a cure , which otherwise had beene incurable : and it is no wonder , that love should doe wonders , which is it selfe a wonder . And now being disappointed of Aides that were promised to be sent him , and leaving Garrisons in fit places for defence of the Country , he with his Wife Eleanor takes his journey homewards , and first passing by Sicilie , was there most kindly received by Charles King of that Island , where he first heard of his Fathers death ; which he tooke more heavily farre , then he had taken the death of his young Sonne Henry , whereof he had heard a little before ; at which when King Charles marvailed , he answered , that other Sonnes might be had , but ●nother Father could never be had . From hence he passeth through Italy , where much honour is done him both by the Pope and other Princes ; and then descends into Burgoigne , where by the Earle of Chalboun , a stout man at Armes , he is challenged at a Turneament , with a pretence to solemnize his presence , but with a purpose indeed to disgrace his person ; and though Prince Edward in many respects might justly have refused it , yet the noblenesse of his mind would not suffer him to passe by any occasion of shewing his valour and in this 〈…〉 as he made it appeare , that ●ame had beene no 〈…〉 the report it ma●e of hi● . And here a great part of his English Nobility met 〈◊〉 ; from whence he passeth into France , where the King Philip his ●eare Cou●● ( as being Sister Sonnes ) entertaines him with great solemnity : and graceth his solemnity with so much courtesie , that it wonne Prince Edward vol●ntarily to do him homage for the Territories he held in France ; & this voluntarines in Prince Edward , won the King of France againe to grant quietly unto him , all the Lands in France that belonged to him ; and so these two great Kings by reciprocall courtesie effected that , which thei● Predecessours by force could never effect . From her 〈◊〉 , passeth through A●uitaine , and having there taken homage of his Subjects , and set all things in order , he set Saile and arrived in England , above a yeare after the death of his Father : a long time for plotting of mischiefe , and a strong temptation to plotters of mischiefe ; if all the causes of quietnesse had not concurred : but such was the worthinesse of Prince Edwards person , and such the undoubtednesse of his Title , that as there could be no Competitour , so there would be no Oppugner● And indeed the Divine Providence had shewed a speciall care over him from his Child-hood ! whereof one or two Examples will not be unfit to be related . One was this , that being yet but young , and playing one time at Chesse with a Friend , in the midst of his game , without any apparent occasion , he removed himselfe from the place where he sate , when suddenly there fell from the roofe of the house a great stone , which if he had stayed in the place but never so little had beaten out his braines . Another Example of the Divine Providence over him , ( though it happened afterwards ) was this : Having prepared a great Fleete of Ships for a journey into Flanders , and being at Winchelsey , where the Ships were to meete ; it happened that riding about the Harbour , his Horse frighted with the noyse of a Windmill , which the wind drove violently about , skrambled up and leapt over the Mud●wall of the Towne , so as neither the King nor the Horse was to be seene , but every one judged the King could not chuse but be throwne and killed ; yet such was the Divine Providence over him , that the Horse lighted upon his feet , and the King keeping the Saddle returned safe . And under the wing of this Divine Providence , he had now passed all the dangers of his tedious Journey ; and being safely come to London , was on the fifteenth day of August in the yeare 1274. Crowned at Westminster , together with his Wife Queene Eleanor , by Robert Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury : where five hundred great Horses were let loose , for any that could take them ; and yet the outward solemnity was not more great , then the inward joy was universall , every man rejoycing , not onely at a change , which of it selfe is pleasing , but at a change so much for the better , as this was like to be .

Of his Acts done after he was Crowned .

THe Acts of this King after he was Crowned , may not unfitly be divided into five parts : His Acts with his Temporall Lords ; His Acts with his Clergy ; Then with Wales ; Then his Acts with Scotland ; And lastly with France . And first , concerning his Lords , he gave them good contentment in the beginning of his Raigne , by enlarging their liberties , and granting them easier Lawes , for which purpose he called a Parliament , wherein were made the Statutes called of Westminster the first , so as he had no difference with them , till toward the end of his Raigne , as shall be shewed hereafter . In the next place , concerning his Acts with his Clergy , he began with them betimes ; for having lived to be of good age , three or foure and thirty yeares old , in his Fathers Raigne , he observed in that time , that their power was too predominant , and therefore thought fit to clip their wings ; at least to keepe them from farther growing : which he did by these meanes : First , in the sixth yeare of his Raigne , he deprived many chiefe Monasteries of their Liberties , and tooke from the Abbot and Covent of Westminster , the Returne of Writs granted them by the Charter of his Father , King Henry the third . The next yeare after he got to be enacted the Statute of Mortmaine , to hinder the encrease of their Temporall Possessions . In the second Statute of Westminster , he defalked the Jurisdiction of Ecclesiasticall Judges ; and growing more upon them , he required the moity of all their Goods , as well Temporall as Spirituall , for one yeare . Then cals he a Parliament of his Nobles at Salisbury , without admission of any Church-men in it : And it is worth the noting , that Marchian his Treasurer , acquainting him that in Churches and Religious houses , there was much treasure to be had , if it might be taken ; he made no scruple of it , but caused it to be taken and brought into his Exchequer . But finding his Prelates not well contented with it , to please them againe , he bids them aske something of him , wherein they should see how much he favoured them . And they asking of him to repeale the Statute of Mortmaine , that had beene made so much to their hinderance ; He answered , that this was a Statute made by the whole body of the Realme , and therefore was not in his power , who was but one Member of that Body , to undoe that which all the Members together had done ; and perhaps whatsoever they should have asked else , he would have had an answer to redeeme his Offer . And thus much concerning his Clergy .

In the next place are the Welsh , who had themselves begun with the King : For their Prince Leolyn being summoned to attend at his Coronation , refused to come ; and afterward at more leisure , being required to come and doe his Homage , he stood upon termes of safe conduct , pretending doubt to be used , as his Father Gryffin had beene ; who upon hard usage in the Tower , seeking to make escape , fell from the Walls and brake his necke . But indeed it was alwayes a Custome with this Nation , at every change of Princes in England , to try conclusions , hoping at one time or other to have a day of it , and to change their yoke of bondage into liberty ; for which they were never better Provided then now ; especially ( which is the greatest matter in Warre ) having a Valiant Prince to be their Leader . But there happened an accident which tooke off their edge at this time : For the Lady Eleanor , a Daughter of the late Earle Simon Montford , whom Prince Leolyn extreamely loved , being passing out of France into Wales , was by the way upon the Sea taken by English ships , and brought to King Edward , and for the love of her , Prince Leolyn was content to submit himselfe to any conditions : which besides subjection of his State , was to pay fifty thousand pounds Sterling , and a thousand pounds per annum during his life ; and upon these conditions the marriage with his beloved Lady was granted him , and was solemnized here in England , whereat the King and Queene were themselves present . Three yeares Leolyn continued loyall , and within bounds of obedience , in which time David , one of his Brothers , staying here in England , and found by the King to be of a stirring Spirit , was much honoured by him ; Knighted , and matched to a rich Widow , Daughter of the Earle of Darby , and had given him by the King besides , the Castle of Denbigh , with a thousand pounds per annum : though ( as it was afterwards found ) he lived here but in the nature of a spy : For when Prince Leolyns Lady was afterward dead , and that he ( contrary to his Conditions formerly made ) brake out into rebellion , then goes his Brother David to him , notwithstanding all these Favours of the King : and they together enter the English Borders : Surprise the Castles of Flynt and Rutland , with the person of the Lord Clifford , sent Justiciar into those parts : and in a great Battaile overthrew the Earles of Northumberland and Surrey , with the slaughter of Sir William Lyndsey , Sir Richard Tanny , and many others . King Edward advertised of this Revolt and overthrow , being then at the Vyzes in Wiltshire , prepares an Army to represse it ; but before his setting forth , goes privately to his Mother Queene Eleanor , lying at the Nunnery of Aimesbury , with whom whilest he conferred , there was one brought into the Chamber , who faigned himselfe ( being blinde ) to have received his sight at the Tombe of King Henry the third : A●soone as the King saw the man , he remembred he had seene him before , and knew him to be a most notorious lying Villaine , and wished his Mother in no case to beleeve him : but his mother , who much rejoyced to heare of this Miracle , for the glory of her husband , finding her sonne unwilling that his Father should be a Saint , grew suddenly into such a rage against him , that she commanded him to avoid her Chamber : which the King obeyes ; and going forth , meetes with a Clergy man , to whom he tels the story of this Impostour , and merrily said ; He knew the justice of his Father to be such , that he would rather pull out the eyes ( being whole ) of such a wicked wretch , then restore them to their sight . In this meane time the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had gone of himselfe to Prince Leolin , and had laboured to bring him and his brother David to a re-submission , but could effect nothing ; for besides other reasons that swayed Prince Leolin , the conceit of a Prophesie of Merlin , that he should shortly be Crowned with the Diadem of Brute , so overweighed him , that he had no care for peace , and shortly after no head : for after the Earle of Pembroke had taken Bere Castle , which was the seat of Prince Leolin , he was himself slain in battell ; and his head cut off by a common Souldier , was sent to King Edw. who caused the same to be Crowned with Ivie , and to be set upon the Tower of London ; And this was the end of Leolin , the last of the Welsh Princes , betraied ( as some write ) by the men of Buelth . Not long after his brother David also is taken in Wales , and judged in England to an ignominious death : First , drawn at a horse taile about the City of Shrewsbury , then beheaded , the trunke of his body divided , his heart and bowels burnt , his head sent to accompany his brothers on the Tower of London , his foure quarters to foure Cities , Bristow , North●●pton , York , and Winchester : A manifold execution , and the first shewed in that kind to this kingdome , in the person of the son of a Prince , or any other Noble man that we reade of in our History . It is perhaps something which some here observe , that at the sealing of this conquest , King Edward lost his eldest son Alphonsus , of the age of twelve years , ( a Prince of great hope ) and had onely left to succeed him , his sonne Edward lately borne at Carnarvan , and the first of the English , intituled Prince of Wales , but no Prince worthy of either Wales or England . And thus came Wales to be united to the Crowne of England , in the eleventh yeare of this King Edwards Raigne ; who thereupon established the government thereof , according to the Lawes of England , as may be seene by the Statute of Rutland , in the twelfth yeare of his Raigne .

The worke of Wales being setled , King Edward passeth over into France , upon notice of the death of Philip the Hardy , to renew and confirme such conditions as his state in those parts required , with the new King Philip the fourth , intituled the Faire ; to whom he doth homage for Aquitaine , having before quitted his claime to Normandy for ever . After three yeares and a halfe being away in France , he returns into England ; and now in the next place comes the businesse with Scotland , and will hold him wo●ke at times as long as he lives , and his sonne after him . Alexander the third , King of Scots , as he was running his horse , fell horse and man to the ground , and brake his necke , and died immediately● by reason whereof ( he leaving no issue , but onely a daughter of his daughter Margaret , who died also soone after ) there fell out presently great contention about succession . Ten Competitors pretend title , namely , Erick King of Norway , Florence Earle of Holland , Robert Bruce Earle of Anandale , Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway , Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeveny , Iohn Cummin Lord of Badenaw , Patrick de Dunbarre Earle of March , Iohn de Vescie , Nicholas de Sul●s , William de Rosse ; all or most of them de●cending from David Earle of Huntington , younger brother to William King of Scots , and great Unkle to the late King Alexander . This title King Edward takes upon him to decide , pretending a Right of Superiority from his Ancestours over that kingdome and proving it by authority of old Chronicles , as Marianus Scotus , William of Malmsbury , Roger de Hoveden , Henry of Huntington , Ralph de Luceto , and others ; which though the Scottish Lords who swaied the Interregnum opposed , yet are they constrained for avoyding of further inconveniences , to make him Arbiter thereof , and the tenne Competitours bound to stand to his award . Two are especially found , betweene whom the ●ight lay , Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway , and Robert Br●ce ; the one descending from an elder daughter , the other from a sonne of a younger daughter of Alan , who had married the eldest daughter of this David brother to King William . The controversie held long , twelve of either kingdome learned in the Lawes , are elected to debate the same at Berwick ; all the best Civilians in the Universities of France are solicited to give their opinions ; all which brought forth rather doubts then resolutions : whereupon King Edward the better to sway this businesse by his presence , takes a journey Northward ; where being come as farre as Lincolnshire , he lost his beloved wife Queene Eleanor : and thereupon going backe to see her Funerall performed at Westminster : that done , he returnes presently to his Scottish businesse . And now sixe yeares were passed since the death of King Alexander , and yet nothing concluded in this controversie ; whereupon King Edward deals privately with Bruce , ( who had the weaker Title , but the more friends ) and promiseth him , if he would sweare fealty and homage to the Crowne of England , he would Invest him in that of Scotland . But Bruce answers , he was not so d●sirous to rule , as thereby to infringe the liberties of his Countrey . Whereupon with the like offer he sets upon Baylioll , who having better right , but lesse love of the people , and more greedy of a kingdome then honour , accepts the condition ; and thereupon is Crowned King at Scone , hath fealty done him by all the chiefe Nobility , except Bruce : comes to New-Castle upon Tyne , where King Edward then lay ; and there , with many of his Nobles , sweares fealty , and doth homage to him , as his Soveraigne Lord . Which act done to secure him , overthrew him : for being little beloved before , hereby he became lesse : such as stood for Bruce , and others of the Nobility ( tender of the preservation of their Countries liberty ) took stomach against him ; and not onely for this , but shortly after for his injustice in the case of the Earle of Fife , one of the sixe Governours in the time on the Interregnum , who had beene slaine by the Family of Alberneth ; the brother of which Earle prosecuting Law before King Baylioll , in his high Court of Parliament , and having no right done him ( King Baylioll giving judgement of the side of the Alberneths ) he appeales to the Court of the King of England : whereupon King Baylioll is summoned , appeares , sits with King Edward in his Parliament till his cause was to be heard , and then is cited by an Officer to arise , and to stand in the place appointed for pleading ; then he craves to answer by a Procuratour , but is denied , and thereupon descends to the ordinary place , and defends his cause himselfe : which indignity ( as he tooke it ) so incenseth him , that he returnes home with a breastfull charged with indignation ; meditates revenge , renues the ancient league with France , confirmes it with marriage of his sonne Edward , to a daughter of Charles brother to King Philip , glad in regard of late offences taken against the King of England , to embrace the same ; which done , Baylioll defies King Edward , renounceth his Allegeance , as unlawfully done , being not in his power , without consent of the State , to doe any such Act. Hereupon brake out that mortall dissension betweene the two Nations , which consumed more Christian bloud , and continued longer then ever quarrell we reade of did , between any two people in the world . For he that beganne it , could not end it , but it lasted almost three hundred yeares , and was never throughly abolished , till the late blessed union wrought by him in whom Wisdome and Vertue , Right and Power concurred all to make it firme . And now the fatall Chaire in which the Kings of Scotland used to be Inaugurated , seemes to recover its secret operation , according to antient Prophesie : that whither soever that Chaire should be removed , the kingdome should be removed with it ; and this Chaire King Edward caused to be brought out of Scotland to Westminster , and to be placed there amongst the Monuments , where it still continues . But now King Baylioll being summoned to appeare at New-Castle , and refusing to come ; King Edward enters Scotland with an Army , consisting of foure thousand horse , and thirty thousand foot , besides five hundred horse , and one thousand foote of the Bishop of Durham . Berwicke is first wonne , with the slaughter of fifteene thousand Scots ; ( our Writers say more ) and after that , the Castles of Dunbarre , Roxborough , Edinbough , Sterli●g , and Saint Iohns Towne ; and now King Balioll sues for Peace , submits himselfe , takes againe his Oath of Fealty to King Edward , as his Soveraigne Lord : which done , a Parliament for Scotland is held at Berwicke , where the Nobility likewise did Homage to him , confirming the same by their Charter , under their hands and seales : onely William Dowglasse refuseth ; content rather to endure the misery of a Prison , then yeeld to the subjection of the King of England . But King Baylioll , notwithstanding his submission , is sent prisoner into England after his foure yeares Raigne in Scotland ; and King Edward returnes home , leaving Iohn Warren Earle of Sussex and Surrey , Warden of all Scotland ; Hugh Cressingham Treasurer , and Ormesloy Chiefe Justice , with Commission to take in his name , the Homages and Fealties of all such as held Lands of that Crowne . But this continued not long , for King Edward being absent in France , the Scots fell upon the Officers he had left ; slew Sir Hugh Cressingham with sixe thousand English , recovered many Castles , and regained the towne of Berwick , and all by the animation and conduct of one William Walleys , a poore private Gentleman , ( though Nobly descended ) who seeing his Countrey without a Head , and thereby without a Heart ( all the great men , either in captivity or subjection● assembles certaine of as poore and desperate estate as himselfe , and leads them to attempt upon whatsoever advantages they could finde to annoy the English , and having therein good successe , it so encreased both his courage and company , that he afterward came to be the generall Guardian of the whole kingdome ; and was in possibility to have absolutely redeemed his Countrey from the subjection of the English , if the speedy comming of King Edward had not prevented him . For now King Edward , to bring his worke neare together , removes his Exchequer and Courts of Justice to Yorke , where they continued above sixe yeares ; and thither he cals a Parliament , requiring all his subjects that held of him by knights service , to be ready at Roxborough by a peremptory day : where there assemble three thousand men at Armes on barded horses , and foure thousand other armed men on horse without bards , with an Army of foote answerable , consisting most of Welsh and Irish , besides five hundred men at Armes out of Gascoyne ; and with this power he makes his second expedition into Scotland : the Earles of Hereford and Norfolke , with the Earle of Lincolne , led his Vauntgard at the famous battell of Fonkirke , where the shouts of the Scots were so great , that King Edwards horse frighted withall , cast him off , and brake two of his ribs ; which notwithstanding he gets up againe , goes on , and gets the victory ; wherein are reported to be slaine two hundred knights , and forty thousand foot of the Scots : but William Walleys with some few , escaped to make more work . And here againe that kingdome might seeme as if quite overthrowne . Most of the estates of the Earles and Barons of Scotland ( with their titles ) that had stood out , were bestowed on the English ; and a Parliament is called at Saint Andrewes , where all the great men of that kingdome , except onely Walleys , once againe sweare Fealty to the King of England . It seemes swearing of Fealty was with the Scots but a Ceremony without substance , as good as nothing : for this is now the third time they swore Fealty to King Edward ; yet all did not serve to make them loyall : for not long after , comes the newes of a new King made and Crowned in Scotland : Robert Bruce Earle of Carrick , sonne to that Bruce who was competitour with Baylioll , escaping out of England , becomes Head to the confused Body of that kingdome : and perceiving Iohn Cummyn ( who had a title himselfe ) to goe about to bewray his intentions to King Edward ; he finding him at Dunfrayes , sets upon him , and murthers him in the Church . Whereof as soone as King Edward heard , he sends Aymer de Valence , Earle of Pembroke , and the Lords Clifford and Percie , with a strong power to revenge the death of Cummyn , and to relieve his Wardens of Scotland ; who upon Bruces revolt , were all retired to Berwicke , whilst himselfe prepares an Army to follow : wherein to be the more nobly attended , he caused Proclamation to be made , that whosoever ought by their Paternall succession , or otherwise had meanes of their owne for service , should repaire to Westminster , at the Feast of Pentecost , to receive the Order of knighthood , and a Military Ornament out of the Kings Wardrobe . Hereupon three hundred young Gentlemen , all the sonnes of Earles , Barons , and knights , assemble at the day appointed , and receive Purples , silkes , Sindons , Scarffes , wrought with Gold or Silver , according to every mans Estate . For which traine ( because the Kings House was too little , by reason a part of it had beene lately burnt ) roome is made , and the Apple-trees cut downe at the new Temple for their Tents , where they attire themselves , and keepe their Vigile . The Prince ( whom the King then likewise knighted , and gave him the Dutchy of Aquitaine , kept his Vigile with his Traine at Westminster , and the next day girds these three hundred knights , with the Military Belt , in such manner as he himselfe had received it . Which done , the King before them all makes a Vow , that alive or dead , he would revenge the death of Cummyn upon Bruce , and the perjured Scots : Adjuring his Sonne and all the Nobles about him , upon their Fealty , that if he dyed in this Journey , they should carry his Corps with them about Scotland , and not suffer it to be interred , till they had vanquished the Usurper , and absolutely brought the Country to Subjection . The Prince and all the Nobles promise upon their Faith , to imploy their uttermost power to performe his Vow : and herewithall he sets forth with a potent Army , presently after Whitsontide , and makes his last Expedition into Scotland , in the foure and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne .

The Earle of Pembroke , with that power sent before , and aid of the Scottish party , had before the King arrived in Scotland , defeated in a battaile neare Saint Iohns Towne , the whole Army of the new King , and narrowly missed the taking of his Person , but he escaping in disguise , and sheltring himselfe in obscure places , was reserved for greater Battailes , his Brothers Nigell , Bruce , and shortly after , Thomas and Alexander a Priest , were taken and Executed after the manner of Traytors at Berwicke . And now King Edward had done for Fighting , all was now for Executions , and indeed his desire of Revenge made him inexorable , and vow to spare none of what degree soever . The Earle of Atholl , ( though of Royall blood , and allyed unto him ) was sent to London , where all his preferment was , to have a higher paire of Gallowes then the rest . The Wife of Robert Bruce , taken by the Lord Rosse , is sent Prisoner to London , and his Daughter to a Monastery in Lindsey . The Countesse of Boughan , who had beene ayding at Bruces Coronation , is put into a woodden Cage , and hung out upon the walls of Berwicke for people to gaze on . But though Bruces party was thus dejected , and himselfe at this time appeared not , but shifted privily from place to place , in a distressed manner , ( attended onely with two Noble Gentlemen , who neeer forsooke him in his misfortunes , the Earle of Lenox and Gilbert Hay ) yet gives he not over , but gathers new Forces , with which he suddenly assailes the Earle of Pembroke at unawares , gives him a great defeate , and within three dayes after chaseth the Earle of Glocester into the Castle of Aire , where he besieged him , till by the Kings Forces he was driven againe to his former retire . Whereupon King Edward , who had spent his Winter at Carlile , in Iuly following with a fresh Army enters Scotland himselfe , but falling into a Dysentery or Bloody-flix , at Borough upon the Sands he ended his life : and thus ended King Edwards troubles with Scotland , but not Englands troubles , which are more to come , then yet are past .

But though this businesse of Scotland never left King Edward till his dying day , yet it had been upon him but as an Ague , sometimes putting him into violent heats , and sometimes leaving him in a quiet temper , with such a vicissitude , that when he had quietnesse with Scotland , he had troubles with France , whereof the time is now to speake . It is well knowne , that Philip King of France , Father of the present King , and Edward King of England were neare Cousins , the Sonnes of two Sisters ; and it hath beene shewed before at King Edwards returning from the Holy Land , and passing through France , what extraordinary kindnesse and mutuall courtesie passed betweene them , that one would have thought neither they no● theirs should ever have falne out : and perhaps never should , if they had beene private men , and not Princes . For private men may easily continue Friends , as having none to consider but themselves ; but Princes hardly , as having besides themselves , their Subjects to consider . And though they be the Subjects oftentimes that make the Quarrell , yet they are the Princes that must maintaine it . And besides , betweene Princes there can never be but jealousies , and where jealousies are , every trifle makes a quarrell . And this was the case of these two Kings , certaine of the King of Englands Subjects , had upon the Coast of Normandy done spoyle to some Subjects of the King of France : and this difference of the Subjects made a difference betweene the Kings , while each of them standing in defence of his owne , fall out themselves ; and for a beginning the King of France summons King Edward , as owing homage to that Crowne , to appeare and answer it in his Court. And King Edward , though voluntarily before he had done it in a way of Courtesie , yet being now impetiously commanded , he refuseth it : upon which refusall , all his Territories in France are condemned to be forfaited , and an Army is presently sent to seise upon the same , led by Charles de Valois , and Arnold de Neele , Constable of France . Burdeaux ; with divers other Peec●s of importance , are taken from him . And now King Edward well knowing what danger it was to have so powerfull an Adversary ; endevours first to strengthen himselfe with Friends abroad , seekes to match his Sonne Edward with a Daughter of Guy Earle of Flanders : Marries one of his Daughters to the D●ke of Barr● , who pretended Title to Champaigne ; another to Iohn Duke of Bra●ant ; sends fifteene thousand pounds Sterling to Adolph de Nassaw the Emperour , for recovery of certaine Lands which he claimed in France ; and with all these and many other con●ining Princes , he sets upon the King of France , and then sends over his Brother Edmund Earle of Lancaster , the Earles of Lincolne and Richmond , with eight and twenty Banners , seven hundred men at Armes , and a Navy of three hundred and sixty Saile . In the meane time the King of France , having had intelligence of the intended alliance betweene King Edward , and Guy Earle of Flanders , sends for the said Earle ( as if knowing nothing thereof ) to come with his Wi●e and Daughter to make merry with him at Paris : where instead of Feasting him , he makes him Prisoner , and takes from him his Daughter , in regard he sought ( being his Vassall ) to match her with his capitall Enemy . The Earle excuseth it the best he could , and by much mediation is released himselfe , but not his Daughter ; whereupon the Earle , presuming upon aide from King Edward , takes Armes , and defies the King of France ; who thereupon comes with an Army of sixty thousand against him : which caused King Edward , with all speed possible to relieve this distressed Earle ; and so leaving the Government of the kingdome in his absence , to the Bishop of London , the Earle of Warwicke , and the Lords Reynold , Grey , and Clifford ; with five hundred Saile , and eighteene thousand men at Armes , he passeth over into France , but finding the Country distracted into many popular Factions , and the King of France daily getting upon them , ( having already won Lisle , Doway , Courtray , Burges and Dam ) and the Emperour Adolph failing to send him aide as he had promised , he fell into great perplexity : and having stayed the whole Winter at Gaunt , where by reason of many outrages committed by his Souldiers , he was so affronted by the Gauntois , that his owne person was not without some danger ; He thereupon in the Spring of the yeare , concludes a Truce with the King of France for two yeares , takes his sister Margaret to Wife , and affianceth the Daughter of the same King to his Sonne Prince Edward , and so returnes into England : And these were all the troubles King Edward had with France .

But now must something be spoken of troubles with his Lords at home , whereof this was the beginning : In a Parliament at Salisbury , the five and twentieth yeare of his Raigne , the King requires certaine of his Lords to goe to the Warres in Gascoyne ; which needed a present supply by reason of the death of his Brother Edmund : but the Lords make all their excuses , every man for himselfe : Whereupon the King in great rage threatned , they should either goe , or he would give their Lands to others that should . Upon this Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford , High Constable , and Roger Bigod Earle of Norfolke , Marshall of England , make their Declaration , that if the King went in Per●on they would attend him ; otherwise not . Which answer offended the King more , and being urged againe , the Earle Marshall protested he would willingly goe thither with the King , and march before him in the Vauntguard , as by right of inheritance he ought to doe ; But the King told him plainely , he should goe with any other , though he we●● not himselfe in Person● I am not so bound ( saith the Earle ) neither will I take t●●t journey without you . The King swore by God , Sir Earle , you shall either goe or h●●●● And I sweare by the same Oath ( said the Earle ) I will neither goe no● hang● and so without leave departs . Shortly after the two Earles assemble many Noble men , and other their Friends , to the number of thirty Bannere●s , so as they were fifteen hundred men at Armes , well appointed , and stood upon their Gu●●d● The King like a prudent Prince , who knew his times , prosecu●es them not as then , b●● lets the matter passe , in regard that his businesse called him presently into Flanders ; when being ready to take ship , the Arch-bishops , Bishops , Earles , Barons , and the Commons send him a Roll of the Grievances of his Subjects , concerning his Taxes , Subsidies , and other Impositions , with his seeking to force their services by unlawfull courses : to which the King sends answer , that he could not a●t●r any thing without the advice of his Councell , who were not now about him , and therefore required them , seeing they would not attend him in his Journey , ( which they absolutely refused to doe , though he went in Person , unlesse he had gone into France or Scotland ) that they would yet doe nothing in his absence , prejudi●iall to the peace of the kingdome ; and that at his returne , he would set all things in good order to their contentment . But having taken his Journey , and being held there with long delayes , to his exceeding great expenses , he was forced to send over for more supply of Treasure ; and thereupon gave order for a Parliament to be held at Yorke by the Prince , and ( because of his Minority , for he was then but sixteene yeares of age ) by such as had the manage of the kingdome in his absence : and to the end he would not be disappointed of aide , he condescends to all such Articles as were demanded , concerning the great Charter : Promising from thenceforth never to charge his Subjects otherwise then by their consents in Parliament , and to pardon all such as had denyed to attend him in this Journey . After this , in the 27. yeare of his Raigne , a Parliament is called at Westminster , wherein the promised Confirmation of the two Charters , and the allowance of what disafforestation had heretofore beene made , was earnestly urged , and in the end with much adoe Granted ; and that with omission of the Clause , Salva Iure Coronae nostr● : which the King laboured to have inserted , but the people by no meanes would agree , and the perambulation of the Forests of England was then committed to three Bishops , three Earles , and three Barons . But some yeares after , in the two and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne , King Edward begunne to shew his resentment of the stubborne behaviour of his Nobles towards him in times past ; and so terrifies Roger Bigod , Earle Marshall , that to recover his favor the Earle made him his Heire● in Possession ; ( though he had a Brother of his owne living ) reserving onely to himselfe a thousand pounds per annum , during his life . Of others likewise he go● great summes for the same offence ; The Earle of Hereford escaped his fine by death . But the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , ( whom he accused to have disturbed his Peace in his absence ) he sends over to Pope Clement the fifth , ( who succeeded Bonifac● ) that he might be crusht with a double power . This Pope was Native of Burdeaux , and ●o the more regardfull of the Kings desire ; and the King● the more confident of his favour ; which to entertaine and encrease , King Edward sends him a whole furnish of all vessels for his Chamber of cleane Gold : which great gift so wro●ght with the Pope , that he untied the King from the Covenant made with his Subjects concerning their Charters , confirmed unto them by his last three Acts of Parli●ment , and absolved him from his Oath : A safe time for Princes , when they mighttye themselves in any obligation to their Subjects , and afterward for a bribe to the Pope be untyed againe .

His Taxations , and wayes for raising of money .

IF Taxations may suffer degrees of comparison , it may not unfi●ly be said of these three last Kings , that King Iohn was in the Positive ; his Sonne Henry the third in the Comparative : and this King Edward in the Superlative . For not onely he farre escape th● two former , but he hath left a spell to all that come after , for ever comming neare him : but then under the name of Taxations , wee must include the wayes he tooke for raising of profit . But first in the way of Parliament . In the first yeare of his Raigne , was granted him a tenth of the Clergy for two years , besides a fifteenth of them and the Temporalty . In his fifth yeare , a twentieth of their goods towards the Welsh warres . In his seventh , the old money was called in , and new coyned , in regard it had beene much def●ced by the Iewes ; for which 297. were at one time executed in London : and this brought in profit of no small value . In his eleventh yeare , he had a thirtieth of the Temporalty , and a twentieth of the Clergy , for his warres in Wales . In the thirteenth , Escuage , forty shillings of every knights Fee . In his foureteenth yeare , he had a thousand Markes of certaine Merchants Fined for false weights . In his nineteenth , the eleventh part of all movables of the Clergy , and shortly after a tenth for sixe yeares . In his twentieth , William Marchyan then Lord Treasurer of England , perceiving great riches to be in Churches and religious houses , put it so into the Kings head , that they were all brought into the Kings Treasury . In the eighth yeare of his Raigne , he sent ou● his Writ Quo Warrant● , to examine by what title men held their lands ; which brought him in much money , till Iohn Earle of Warren , being called to shew his title , drew out an old rusty Sword , and then said , He held his land by that , and by that would hold it to death ; which though it made the King desist from his Project , yet he obtained at that time a fifteenth part of the Clergy . In his seventeenth yeare he Fined all his Judges for corruption : Sir Ralph Higham Chiefe Justice of the higher Bench , in seven thousand Markes : Sir Iohn Loveton Justice of the lower Bench , in three thousand Markes : Sir William Brompton , in sixe thousand Markes : Sir S●l●mon Rochester , in foure thousand Markes : Sir Richard Boyland , in foure thousand : Sir Walter Hopton , in two thousand : Sir William Saham , in three thousand : Robert Lithbury Master of the Rolls , in one thousand : Roger Leycester , in one thousand : He●●y Bray Escheatour , and Judge for the Iewes , in one thousand : but Sir Adam Stratt●● chiefe Baron of the Exchequer , in foure and thirty thousand : and Thomas Wayland ( found the greatest Delinquent , and of the greatest substance ) had all his goods , and whole estate confiscated to the King ; and himselfe banished out of the kingdome . In his eighteenth yeare he banished the Iewes ; of whom there was at that time above fifteen thousand in the kingdom , who had but all their goods confiscate● leaving them onely meanes to beare their charges in going away .

In his foure and twentieth yeare , he commanded a new Subsidy to be levied upon all sarplers of Wooll going out of England : as likewise with Fels and Hides . In his five and twentieth yeare , he cals a Parliament at Saint Edmundsbery , where is granted the eighth part of the goods of good Townes , and of other people the twelfth . As for the Clergy , they desire to be excused , and refuse to contribute , in regard of their many late paiments ; as in the two and twentieth yeare of his Raigne , they paied the mo●ty of their goods : and in his three and twentieth yeare , he sei●ed into his hands , all Priories aliens and their goods : besides he had a loane of the Clergy , which amounted to an hundred thousand pounds : but notwithstanding upon this refusall of the Clergy , the King puts all Clergy men out of his protection , whereby they were to have no Justice in any of his Courts ; ( a straine of State beyond any of his Predecessours ) which so amazed them , that in the end , the Arch-bishop of Yorke , with the Bishops of Durham , Ely , Salisbury , and Lincolne , yeelded to lay downe in their Churches , the fifth part of all their goods towards the maintenance of the Kings warres ; whereby they appeased his wrath , and wer● received into grace . But the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , by whose animation the rest stood out , had all his goods seised on , and all the Monasteries within his Diocese , taken into the Kings hands , and Wardens appointed to minister onely necessaries to the Monkes , conve●ting the rest to the Kings use : at length by much suite , and Abbots and Priests , giving the fourth part of their goods , redeeme themselves , and the Kings favour . In the sixe and twentieth yeare of his Raigne , at a Parliament holden at Yorke , is granted him the ninth penny of the goods of the Temporalty : the tenth penny of the Clergy of the Diocese of Canterbury , and of Yorke the fifth : and in this yeare also he raised the Imposition upon every sack of Wooll , from a noble to forty shillings . In his two and thirtieth yeare he sends out a new Writ of Inquisition , called Traile-baston , for intruders on other mens lands ; who to oppresse the right owner , would make over their land to great men ; for Batterers hired to beate men , for breakers of Peace , for Ravishers , Incendiaries , Murtherers , Fighters , false Assisours , and other such Malefactours : which Inquisition was so strictly executed , and such Fines taken , that it brought in exceeding much treasure to the King . As likewise did another Commission at the same time , sent forth to examine the behaviour of Officers , and Ministers of Justice ; wherein many were found Delinquents , and paid dearly for it . At this time also he called his Lords to account for their stubbornnesse some yeares before , in denying to attend him into Flanders ; which brought him in profit answerable to their greatnesse that were called . After all this , in his foure and thirtieth yeare , there is granted him the thirtieth penny of both Clergy and Laity , and the twentieth of all Merchants towards his journey into Scotland . And this may be sufficient to shew his Taxations to have beene in the Superlative degree . And yet besides these , he had no small benefit by Silver Mines , which in his time were found in Devonshire .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

IN the first yeare of his Raine were made the Statutes called of Westminster the first . In his twelfth yeare were made the Statutes of Acton Burnell . In the foureteenth yeare of his Raigne were made the Statutes called Additamenta Glocestriae . He ordained such men to be Sheriffes in every County , as were of the same County where they were to be Sheriffes . He ordained that Iewes should weare a Cognisance upon their upper Garment whereby to be knowne , and restrained their excessive taking of Usury . In his time was also Enacted the Statute of Mortmaine . In his twelfth yeare , in the Quindenes of Saint Michael , the Justices Itinerants beganne to goe their generall Circuits . In his time new pieces of money were coyned , and halfe pence of Silver came to be in use , which were before of base metall . In his time , three men for rescuing a prisoner , arrested by an Officer , had their right hands cut off by the wrists . In his time all Iewes were banished out of the Realme . This King by Proclamation prohibited the burning of Sea-coale in London and the Suburbs , for avoiding the noysome smoake . In his eleventh yeare the Bakers of London were first drawne upon Hurdles , by Henry Waleys Major ; and Corne was then first sold by weight . In this Kings time the title of Baron which had before beene promiscuous to men of estate , was first confined to such onely as by the King were called to have voice in Parliament .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN his time , at a Synod holden at Reading by the Arch-bishop of C●nterbury , it was ordained according to the Constitutions of the Generall Councell , that no Ecclesiasticall person should have more then one Benefice , to which belonged the Cure of soules : and that every person promoted to any Ecclesiasticall Living , should take the Order of Priesthood within one yeare after . In his time lived and died Pope Boniface the 8. of whom his Predecessour had Prophesied : Ascendes ut Vulpes , Regnabis ut Leo , Morieris ut Canis .

Workes of Piety done by him , or by others in his time .

THis King Founded the Abbey of the Vale Royall in Cheshire , of the Cisteaux Order . In his time Iohn Baylioll King of Scots , builded Baylioll Colledge in Oxford : also in his time , Walter Marton Lord Chancellour of England , and after Bishop of Rochester , Founded Marton Colledge in Oxford , who was drowned passing over the water at Rochester , being at that time no Bridge there , as now there is . In his time was finished the new worke of the Church of Westminster , which had b●ene threescore and sixe yeares in building . In his time was laid the Foundation of the Black-Friers besides Ludgate , and of Baynards Castle : also in his time , his second wife Queene Margaret beganne to build the Quire of the Gray-Friers in London . In his time was begunne to be made the great Conduit in London , standing against the Church called Acres in Cheape . In his time Henry Walleys , Major of London , caused the Tonne upon Cornhill , to be a Prison for night-walkers : and also builded a house called the Stocks , for a Market of fish and flesh , in the midst of the City . In this Kings time , Edmund Earle of Leycester , the Kings brother , Founded the Minories , a Nunnery without Aldgate . This King builded the Castle of Flint in Wales , and the Castle of Beaumaris in the I le of Anglesey , and the Castle of Carnarvan by Snowdon . Also in this Kings time , Iohn Peckham Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Founded a Colledge of Canons at Wingham in Kent .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN the second yeare of this Kings Raigne , there happened the greatest rot of Sheepe in England that ever was knowne , which continued five and twenty years ; and came ( as was thought ) by one infected Sheepe of incredible greatnesse , brought out of Spaine by a French Merchant into Northumberland . In the fifteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne , Wheate was sold for tenne Groats a Quarter ; where the next yeare after there was so great a Dearth , that it was sold for eighteene pence the Bushell . In the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne , there fell so much raine , that Wheate was raised from three pence the Bushell , to sixteene pence ; and so encreased yearely , till at last it was sold for twenty shillings the Quarter . And this yeare the City of Carlile , and the Abbey with all the houses belonging to the Friers Minors , was consumed with fire . In his one and twentieth yeare , a great part of the Towne of Cambridge , with the Church of our Lady , was also burnt . In the seven and twentieth yeare of his Raigne , his Palace at Westminster , and the Monastery adjoyning , were consumed with fire . The Monastery of Glocester also was burnt to the ground . In this yeare also , an Act of Common Counsell , by consent of the King , was made concerning victuals ; a fat Cocke to be sold for three halfe pence , two Pullets for three halfe pence , a fat Capon for two pence halfe penny , a Goose foure pence , a Mallard three halfe pence , a Partridge three halfe pence , a Pheasant foure pence , a Hearon sixe pence , a Plover one penny , a Swanne three shillings , ● Crane twelve pence , two-Woodcocks three halfe pence , a fat Lambe from Christmas to Shrovetide , sixteene pence ; and all the yeare after for foure pence .

Of his Wives and Children .

HE had two Wives , his first was Eleanor , daughter to Ferdinand the third King of Spaine ; and was married to him at B●res in Spaine : who having lived with him sixe and thirty years , in a journey with him towards Scotland , at Herdeby in Lincolneshire she died ; in whose memory , and as Monuments of her vertue , and his affection , King Edward caused Crosses with her Statue to be erected in all chiefe places , where her Corps in carrying to Westminster , rested : as at Stamford , Dunstable , Saint Albons , Waltham , Cheapside ; and lastly , at the place called Charing Crosse : she was buried in Westminster , at the feete of King Henry the third , under a faire Marble Tombe , adorned with her Portraiture of Copper guilt . By this wife , King Edward had foure sonnes and nine daughters ; his eldest sonne , Iohn ; his second , Henry ; his third , Alphonsus ; died all young in their Fathers time : his fourth sonne , Edward , called of Carnarva● , because borne there , succeeded him in the kingdome . Of his daughters , the eldest named Eleanor , was first married by Proxie to Alphonsus , King of Arragon ; but he dying before the marriage solemni●ed , she was afterward married at Bristow , to Henry Earle of Barry in France ; by whom she had issue , sons and daughters . Ioane the second daughter of King Edward and Queene Eleanor , borne at Acon in the Holy Land , was married to Gylbert Clare called the Red Earle of Glocester and Hereford ; by whom she had issue , sonnes and daughters . She survived her husband , and was re-married to the Lord Ralph Monthermere , Father to Margaret the mother of Thomas Montacute , Earle of Salisbury ; from whom the now Vicount Montacu●e is descended . Margaret the third daughter of King Edward and Queene Eleanor , was married to Iohn Duke of Brabant . Berenger and Alice , their fourth and fifth daughters , dying young and unmarried . Mary their sixth daughter , at tenne yeares of her age , was made a Nunne in the Monastery of A●mesbury in Wiltshire , at the instance of Queene Eleanor her Grandmother , who lived there . Elizabeth their seventh daughter , was first married to Iohn Earle of Holland , Zeland , and Lord of Freezeland ; he dying within two yeares , she was afterward married to Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex , Lord of Breknok , and High Constable of England ; by whom she had issue , sonnes and daughters . Beatrice and Blanch , their eighth and ninth daughters , died young and unmarried . King Edwards second Wife was Margaret , eldest daughter of Philip King of France , called the Hardy , and sister to Philip called the Faire ; at eighteene yeares old she was married to King Edward , being above threescore ; yet at the unequall yeares she had issue by him , two sonnes and a daughter : their eldest sonne was borne at a little Village in Yorkshire called Brotherton , and was thereof called Thomas of Brotherton : he was created Earle of Norfolke , and Earle Marshall of England , after Roger Bigod , who died without issue . Their second sonne Edmund , was borne at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire , and of the place was so called : he was created Earle of Kent , and married Margaret daughter of Iohn , and sister of sole Heire of Thomas Lord Wakes of Lydell in the County of Northampton ; by whom he had issue two sonnes and one daughter : his sonnes Edmund and Iohn , died without issue ; his daughter Ioane , for her beauty called the Faire maid of Kent , was married first to William Montacute Earle of Salisbury , and from him divorced ; was re-married to Sir Thomas Holland , in her Right Earle of Kent , and by her , Father of Thomas and Iohn Holland , Duke of Surrey , and Earle of Huntington : and lastly , she was the Wife of Edward of Woodstocke , the blacke Prince of Wales ; and by him Mother of King Richard the second . This Earle Edmund was beheaded at Winchester , in the fourth yeare of King Edward his Nephew . Eleanor , the daughter of King Edward by his second Wife Margaret , died in her childhood .

Of his personage and conditions .

HE was tall of stature , higher then ordinary men by head and shoulders , and thereof called Longshanke ; of a swarthy complection , strong of body , but leane ; of a comely favour ; his eyes in his anger , sparkling like fire ; the haire of his head black and curled . Concerning his conditions , as he was in warre peacefull ; so in Peace he was warlike , delighting specially in that kinde of hunting , which is to kill Stagges or other wilde beasts with Speares . In continencie of life , he was equall to his Father ; in acts of valour , farre beyond him . He had in him the two wisdomes , not often found in any , single ; both together , seldome or never : An ability of judgement in himselfe , and a readinesse to heare the judgement of others . He seemed to be a great observer of opportunity ( a great point of wisdome in any , in Princes greatest ) and that he could beare an injury long , without seeking to revenge it ; as appeared by his carriage towards the Earle Roger Bigod , whom when he saw his time , he called to account for an affront he had offered him di●ers yeares before . He was not easily provoked into passion , but once in passion , not easily appeased , as was seene by his dealing with the Scots ; towards whom he shewed at first patience , and at last severity . If he be censured for his many Taxations , he may be justified by his well bestowing them ; for never Prince laid out his money to more honour of himselfe , or good of his kingdome . His greatest unfortunatenesse was in his greatest blessing ; for of foure sonnes which he had by his Wife Queen Eleanor , three of them died in his owne life time , who were worthy to have out-lived him ; and the fourth out-lived him , who was worthy never to have beene borne .

Of his death and buriall .

IN his last expedition into Scotland , being at Carlile , he fell sicke ; and lying in his death-bed , he sent for his sonne Edward : to whom , besides many admonitions to Piety ; he commanded three things specially : that he should carry his bones about with him through Scotland till he had subdued it : that he should send his heart into the Holy Land , with sevenscore knights to that warre , and the two and thirty thousand pounds he had provided for that purpose ; and that he should never recall Gaveston from banishment : and soon after of a dysentery or Bloudy-Flix , he died at Borough upon the Sands , the seventh of Iuly , in the yeare 1307. when he had Raigned foure and thirty yeares and seven moneths , lived threescore and eight yeares : Being dead , his Corps was brought to Waltham Abbey , and there kept the space of sixteene weekes , and after , on Simon and Iudes day buried at Westminster .

Men of Note in his time .

OF Martiall men there were many , these specially : Iohn Earle of Warren , who opposed the Kings Inquisition by Quo Warranto : and Roger Bigod , who gave the King an affront to his face . Of learned men also many , specially these ; Iohn Breton bishop of Hereford , who compiled a book of the Lawes of England , called l● Breton : Thomas Spot a Chronographer : Iohn Eversden a writer of Annals , and of this Kings Raigne : Gregory Cairugent a Monke of Glocester , and a writer also of Annals . Iohn Peckham a Franciscan Frier , made Arch-bishop of Canterbury , who writ many excellent workes : Iohn Read an Historiographer : Thomas Bungey a Frier Minor , an excellent Mathematician : Roger Bacon a Franciscan Frier , an excellent Philosopher and Mathematician : Robert Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and after made a Cardinall : also Ralph Baldock Bishop of London , who writ a Chronicle of England in the Latine tongue : but above them all , though of another Countrey , Thomas Aquinas , borne of a Noble Family , whose workes are too famous to be spoken of ; who going to the Councell holden at Lyons by Pope Gregory the tenth , died by the way .

THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SECOND .

Of his Acts before , and at his Coronation .

EDward of Carnarvan , eldest Sonne of King Edward the first , succeeded him in the kingdome ; and never did Prince come to a Crowne with more applause of Nobility and People ; and there was good cause for it : For he had beene trained up in all good courses for Piety and Learning ; he had seene the Government of his Father , from whose Example he could not but have learned many good Lessons ; he had been initiated in the wayes of State , having beene left Governour of the Realme , and presiding in Parliament in his Fathers absence ; and he was now three and twenty yeares old , a fit age for bearing the weight of a Scepter ; and yet for all these advantages , there wanted not feares of him in the mindes of many , who could not but remember what prankes he had played not long before ; how he had broken the Bishop of Chesters Parke , and in most disorderly manner had killed his Deere , for which both himselfe had beene committed to Prison , and his Friend Pierce Gaveston banished the Realme : and if he did such things being but Prince , what might not be feared of him comming to be King ? For seldome doth advancement in honour alter men to the better ; to the worse often , and commonly then , when it is joyned with an Authority that sets them above controlement . Neither yet was their feare more out of what they had seene , then out of what they saw ; for where he should have endevoured to accomplish the charge his Father had given him in his death-bed , he seemed to intend nothing lesse : nothing more then wholly to breake it ; for he presently called home Pierce Gaveston from banishment ; and the two and thirty thousand pounds , which his Father had specially appointed for the Holy Warre ; either all or the most of it he be●towed upon Gaveston : and for carrying his Fathers bones with him about Scotland ; it had beene well if he had suffered them quietly to be laid at rest in England ; for after the Corps had beene kept above ground , sixteene weekes in the Abbey of Waltham , and that the Bishop of Chester , Walter Langton , the then Lord Treasurer , and Executor of his Fathers Will , was busie in preparing for his Funerals ; he sent the Constable of the Tower to arrest him , and imprison him at Wallingford , seising upon all his Goods , and giving them to Gaveston ; and all for old grudges . And ( that which seemed a high straine of incongruity ) before he had seene performed his Fathers Funerals , which was not till the 27. of October following ; he entred into Treatie of his owne Nuptials , forgoing over to Boleigne , on the two and twentieth of Ianuary , he marryed Isabell , the Daughter of Philip the Faire , King of France : which Marriage was honoured with the presence of foure Kings , the King of France himselfe , the King of Nav●rre his Sonne , the King of the Romans , and the King of Sicilie : and three Queenes besides the Bride , Mary Queene of France , Margaret the Dowager Queene of England , and the Queene of Navarre : and yet did Gavest●n exceed them all in bravery . This was observed by the Lords of England : and thereupon when his Queene and he came afterward to be Crowned , they went unto him , signifying what a hainous transgression of his Fathers will it was to call home G●veston ; and seeing the charge was no lesse given to them then to him , if he did not performe it they would ; and therefore unlesse he would remove Gaveston from the Court and kingdome , they would hinder his Coronation from proceeding : which strooke such a dampe to Prince Edwards spirits , to thinke what a disgrace it would be to him ; if so many of his great Friends being present , Charles of Valois , the King of Frances Brother , the Dukes of Britaine and Brabant , the Count of Luxenburg , who was afterward Emperor , the Duke of Savoy , the two Dutchesses of Brabant & Artois , with many other Princes and great Ladies , if now his Coronation should be called in question , that he solemnly swore he would do what they desired in the next Parliament , so they would be quiet now ; and thereupon , on the 24. day of February , in the yeare 1307. his Queene and he were both Crowned at Westminster , by the hands of Henry Bishop of Winchester , by Commission from Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury , being then in Exile , and out of the kingdome : At which solemnity there was so great a presse of People , that Sir Iohn Blackwell knight was crowded to death . And now in the very Act of his Coronation , there was given another provocation to the Lords against Gaveston : for the King had appointed him to carry the Crowne of Saint Edward before him , ( the greatest honour could be done to a Subject ) which added to the other honours the King had done him , ( for he had made him Earle of Cornewall , Lord of Man , and Lord Chamberlaine ) so incensed the Lords , that they entred into consultation , how to suppresse this violence of the Kings affection ; which shortly after they put in execution . Portion in money King Edward had none with his Wife : but the King of France gave him the Dutchy of Guyenne , which he had seised upon before , as confiscate to him : and thereupon King Edward did him Homage for that Dutchy , and for the County of Ponthieu .

Of his difference with his Lords about Gaveston .

WE shall have here no Quinquennium Neronis , no such five yeares , as Nero afforded in the beginning of his Raigne ; but this King at his first entrance will shew what he is , and what he will continue to be as long as he lives ; for though he tooke some great and grave men to be of his Councell , yet ( as appeared afterward ) he did it rather to the end they should be pliant to him , then that he had any meaning to apply himselfe to them ; For let them say what they would , Gaveston must be the Oracle ; all the Kings actions were but Gavestons impressions : And now Gaveston presently after the Coronation , to let the world be a witnesse of his worthinesse , and that the King had not bestowed his Favours upon him without cause ; caused to be published a Turneament at Wallingford : whither came all the great Lords of the kingdome , as Thomas Earle of Lancaster , Humfrey Earle of Hereford , Aymer Earle of Pembroke , and Iohn Earle of Warren , with many others , all Valiant men at Armes ; yet none had the honour of the day like to Gaveston . And thus farre he did well , if he could have stayed here , if having gotten true glory , he had not falne into vaine-glory : For the Lords envyed him not so much for his advancement in Honours , as they hated him for his insolency in Manners : for in a scornefull pride he would be casting scoffes upon them all , calling Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage Player , the Earle of Lincolne Burstenbelly ; ●imer de Valence Earle of Pembroke , Ioseph the Iew ; and Guy Earle of Warwicke , the blacke Dogge of Arderne ; which scoffes together with his other insolencies , drew such a party upon him , that in the next Parliament , the whole assembly obtaines of the King to draw Articles of their grievances : of which the chiefe were , that the great Charter of Magna Charta should be observed● that all strangers should be banished the Court and kingdome ; that the businesse of the State should be treated of by the Counsell of the Clergy and the Nobles ; and that the King should not begin any warre , nor goe out of the kingdome without consent of Parliament . Which Articles , though seeming harsh to the King , yet for avoyding of further inconvenience , he yeelds unto them ; and specially to the bani●hment of his Minion Gaveston , as hoping that would excuse him for all the rest ; and Robert of Winchelsey , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , lately called home from Exile , pronounceth Excommunication against all such as should oppose the Articles . Hereupon Gaveston is sent away into Ireland , where he lived awhile , not as a banisht man , but as Lieutenant rather of the Country , and indeed not unworthily ; for in the time of his being there , he is said to have made a Journey into the Mountaines of Dublin , and to have broken and subdued the Rebels there ; built New Castle in the Kerns Country , repaired the Castle of Kevyn , and passed up to Munster , and Thoumond : performing every where much service with great valour and worthinesse , that if he had stayed there but a while longer , he might perhaps by his desorts in Ireland , have redeemed his defects in England : but the King impatient of his absence , and asking advice what meanes might be used to recall him ; It was told him , that if he could but match him with the Earle of Glocesters sister , a man of such greatnesse , and so greatly beloved of the people , for his sake certainely no man would grudge at his comming home . Hereupon the King sends for Gaveston , and makes up the match betweene them , and marryed they were at Barkamstead ; but this did no good . For Gaveston still working upon the King in such manner , that he scarce left him meanes to sustaine himselfe , and as little to maintaine the Queene ; nothing being done but as Gaveston would have it ; put the Lords into a new discontentment ; who thereupon went againe to the King , and told him plainly , that unlesse he would put Gaveston out of the Court and kingdome , they would rise up in Armes against him as a perjured King . This put the King into a great strait : Loath he was to leave Gaveston , and fearefull he was to provoke the Lords ; in the end , his feare prevailing over his love , he was content he should be Banished , and in such sort Banished , that if ever he returned , or were found in the kingdome , he should be held , and proceeded against as an Enemy of the State . So once againe is Gaveston sent packing out of the kingdome , and goes into France , but found no safe Harbouring there : For the King of France hearing of it , gave strait charge , if he were found in his Dominions to apprehend him : Then he passeth into Flanders , but is there no sa●er then in France : After waving about , and finding no place to rest in safety , he returnes secretly into England , relying upon the Kings Love , and the Duke of Glocesters Favour . The King receives him as an Angell sent from Heaven , and to be out of the Lords Eye , goes a Journey to Yorke , taking Gaveston along with him , and there thinkes to be in quiet ; but the Lords hearing of it follow him thither , chusing for their Generall , Thomas Earle of Lancaster , a man possest of five Earledomes , Lancaster , Leycester , Ferrers , Lincolne , and Salisbury , besides the Liberty of Pickering , and the Honour of Cokermore , and other Lands in Wales ; and there was not a man of the whole Nobility that was not of the Party , but onely Gilbert Earle of Glocester , the Kings Sisters Sonne ; These Lords sent to the King , either to deliver Gaveston into their hands , or at least to send him peremptorily out of the kingdome . But the King led by ill Counsell , and little regarding the Lords Message , takes Gaveston with him to New-Castle upon Tine , thence to Tynmouth , where the Queene then lay , who ( though great with Childe , and entreating the King with teares to stay with her ) yet such was his desire to see Gaveston put into some place of security , that hearing of the Lords approaching , he tooke a Ship , and passed with Gaveston to Scarborough , and leaving him there in a strong Castle , not easie to be wonne , he went himselfe into Warwickshire ; perhaps that the Lords might see he had not Gaveston with him . But the Lords hearing where Gaveston was , assaulted the Castle with such violence , that Gaveston seeing no meanes to escape , was content to render himselfe ; requesting onely , that he might but once be allowed to see the Kings face ; and the King hearing he was taken , desired as much : to which the Earle of Pembroke consented ; and taking Gaveston into his custody , promised upon Forteiture of all he had , to have him forth-comming : but desiring to be with his Wife that night , who lay not farre off , at Dedington h● delivers him to his Servants to carry to Wallingford ; From whom , as they passed by Warwicke , the Earle of that place hearing of it , tooke him forcibly from his keepers , and brought him to his owne Castle . Where after long deliberation , whether it were wisedome to suffer Gaveston to speake with the King or no ; It was at last concluded to take of● his head ; which at a place thereby , called Blacklow , was presently put in execution . His Corps was carryed to Oxford , and kept there two yeares , till the King caused it to be brought to Longley , and there builded a Monastery of purpose , where his Soule should be prayed for .

This Gaveston was the Sonne of a Gentleman of France , who had done good service for King Edward the first , in France ; and for his sake this Sonne of his was taken and brought up with the Prince : a man of excellent parts of body , and of no lesse Endowments of minde ; Valiant and Witty ; to which if we might adde Vertuous , he had beene compleate ; Though the Lords ( whether they had heard so , or whether they said it to weane the King from him ) told the King that his Father was a Traitor to the King of France , and for the same was executed ; and that his Mother was burnt for a Witch ; and that this Gaveston was banished out of France for consenting to his Mothers Witch-craft ; and that he had now bewitched the King himselfe . But why should the Lords be so violent against Gaveston ? might not the King place his Affection where he pleased ? Might he not make his owne choyce of what companion he liked ? No doubt he might ; and fit he should : but yet in this case , the Lords had great cause to doe as they did ; both in regard of the King , of themselves , and of the Common-wealth . It is true , if the Valour of Gaveston could as well have made the King Valiant , as his riot made him riotous ; there might some good have come of their extraordinary conjunction : but seeing Vertues are but personall , Vices onely are communicative ; it now made the King not onely more Vicious then otherwise he would have beene , but Vicious , where otherwise he would not have beene ; and therefore great cause in regard of the King , to remove Gaveston from his company ; and no lesse in regard of the Lords themselves ; For Gavestons advancing was their debasing ; his greatnesse with the King made them but Cyphers : but in regard of the Common-wealth , most cause of all ; For while the King was altogether ruled by Gaveston , and Gaveston himselfe was altogether irregular ; the Common-wealth could have but little hope of Justice , but was sure to suffer as long as Gaveston was suffered . And this may be sufficient to justifie the Lords , that it be not interpreted to be Rebellion , which was indeed but Providence .

Of his Troubles with Scotland .

ANd now we have seene two of the charges of his Fathers Will broken by the King , and punished in him ; the two and thirty thousand pounds appointed for the Holy Warre , bestowed upon Gaveston , and the King for it punished himselfe with want ; Gaveston called home from banishment , and the King for it punished with the losse of his Subjects love . It remaines to see how well he performed the third charge of his Fathers Will , for subduing of Scotland . It was now the sixth yeare after the death of his Father King Edward , and Robert Bruce now gotten to be King of Scotland , had stayed all this while to see how this new King Edward would prove : and when he found by the courses he held , that he was like to prove a good easie Enemy ; he thereupon tooke heart , and began to stirre , and in a very short time had brought almost all Scotland under his obedience ; and finding no opposition he entred the English Borders , tooke and burnt Townes ; that now King Edward , unlesse he would sit still , and suffer Bruce to come and pull his Crown from his head , he could not chuse but doe something to stop his proceeding . Hereupon he prepares an Army , but like himselfe , fitter for a Court then for a Campe : Many men , and great Bravery ; but readie● to take spoiles , then to make spoile : and accordingly they sped ; For going to raise the siege at Str●veling , defended for King Edward , by the valiant knight Philip Mowbray ; the Kings Army consisting of a hundred thousand , was defeated and overthrowne by the Scots Army , consisting of scarce thirty thousand : So true is that saying of an ancient Souldier ; There is more hope of an Army where the General is a Lion , though the Souldiers be but Sheepe ; then of an Army where the Generall is a Sheepe , though the Souldiers be Lions . But indeed the Scots , besides Valour , used Policy : For having in their owne Army none but Foot , no Horse at all , they had made Trenches in the Ground three foot deepe , covering them with Twigges and Hurdles , where the English Horsemen were to passe , who Floundring in those Trenches , were killed no lesse by their owne Fellowes then by the Enemy . In this Battell , called of Bannocks borough , were slaine the Lord Mawle , the Lord Clifford , the Lord Tiptoft , the Lord William Marshall , Sir Giles , Doctor Argenton , and seven hundred Knights and Squires , specially Gylbert Earle of Glocester , who had shewed much Valour that day ; and whom the Scots would willingly have kept for ransome ; if they had knowne him ; but he had forgotten to put on his Coate of Armes , whereby to be knowne . The slaughter of common Souldiers was certainely great , though perhaps not so great as Hector Boetius speakes of , who saith they were fifty thousand . There were taken Prisoners , Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford , Iohn Seagrave , Iohn Claveringham , William Latimer , and Sir Roger Northbrooke , bearer of the Kings shield ; the King himselfe with the Bishops , the Earles of Hartford and Pembroke , and Hugh Spenser , saved themselves by flight ; Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford , was afterward released in exchange for Bruces Wife , who had beene long kept a Prisoner in England . After this , many English fell away to the Scots , and all the North parts from Carlile to Yorke , came under their Subjection ; and the English grew so faint-hearted , and into such contempt , that three Scots durst venture upon a hundred English , when a hundred English durst scarce encounter with three Scots . And what can be thought the cause of this great dysaster to this King , but the want of his Fathers blessing for not performing the charge he gave him dying , which is commonly accompanyed with the want of a higher blessing , without which a Vacat is set upon the labours of men , that makes them all frustrate ? But Bruce , not satisfied with his Acquests in England , sends his Brother Edward into Ireland also ; who so farre prevailed , that many Irish came in unto him , and in the end Crowned him King of a great part of that Island , and so continued the space of three yeares ; till the Primat of Armagh , and the Lord Brinningham , Justiciar of Ireland , gathering Forces together opposed him , and in a Battaile taking him Prisoner , at Dundalke cut off his head , with the slaughter of many thousands of the Scots besides . With which the Scots are so incensed , that they invade againe the English Borders , forraging as farre as Yorke ; whereupon a Parliament is assembled at London , wherein an ayde is granted of Armed men to goe against them ; London sets forth two hundred , Canterbury forty , Saint Albons ten , and so proportionably for all Cities and Boroughs , whereby a great Army was levyed ; which comming to Yorke , through mutiny , emulation , and other impediments , was soone dissolved , and returned backe without effecting any thing . Not long after the Towne of Berwicke was betrayed to the Scots , through the treason of Peter Spalding the Governour , and other Englishmen ; whom the King of Scots to make them an Example , caused to be hanged for being Traitors to their Country . King Edward hearing of the surrendring of Berwicke , raiseth an Army , and beleaguers it ; but the Scots to divert his Forces , enter upon England by other wayes , and were like to have surprised the person of the Queene , lying then neare ●orke . The siege of B●rwicke is notwithstanding eagerly continued , and the King in great possibility to have regained the Towne , had not the Earle of Lancaster with his foll●wers withdrawne himselfe upon discontent , hearing the King say he would give the keeping thereof to Hugh Spen●●r the younger , who was now grown a speciall favourite of the Kings , and theref●r● not to be en●ured by the Earle . In the mean 〈◊〉 the Scots wonne the Castles of 〈…〉 , and Mid●ord ; so as they possessed the greater part of all North●mberland , burning all before them , 〈◊〉 they came to ●●●pon , which Towne they spoyled● and carrying there three dayes , they received ● thousand Markes to save the Towne from burning , as they had done the Townes of Nor●hallerton , Bor●ugh-bridg● and others . In their returning backe , they 〈◊〉 Knaresborough , and Shipton in C●●ven ; and all other afore them , carrying into ●●land a marvellous number of Cattell , besides prisoners , men and women● The● ●●●●shire men thus grievously endammaged , gather together to the number of ten thousand : and at the Towne of Mitton , tenne miles from Yorke , encounter the Sco●● where they lost three thousand of their men , and were defeated● which b●ttell , because of the many Spirituall men that were in it , was called the white battell . Whereof when the King heard● he left the siege of Be●wicke , to follow the Scots , but they returned another way . The yeare following , King Edward once againe with a great Army entred Scotland ; but the Scots having destroyed all afore , the King oppressed with famine was forced to re●urne● whom the Scots followed , and in a place of the Forest of Blackmore , se● upon him that he hardly escaped ; where were taken Iohn Earle of Britaine , and the Lord of Sil●ac● , the French Kings Embassadour , and many others . After this , King Edward finding the Scots either too strong , or too wily for him , made a Truce with them for two yeares , some say for thirteene . And this was the successe of this unfortunate King in his warres with Scotland .

Of his tr●●bles at home .

BUt his troubles abroad were not so grievous as those at home ; or rather , they were those at home that made his troubles abroad so grievous ; for though the Lords having made an end of Gaveston , and cut off his head , thought they had made an end of their need to beare Armes , and had cut off the head of all their discontents ; yet as if Gaveston had beene a Phoenix , as it were out of his ashes another Phoenix riseth presently up , and puts the Lords to as much trouble as ever Gaveston did . For now the younger Spenser upon a sudden growes as great a Favorite of the Kings as ever Gaveston was : and indeed in all points just such another , equall to him in goodlinesse of personage , in favour of the King , and in abusing the Lords , for though they were the Lords themselves that brought him at first in to be the Kings Chamberlaine , the rather ( as was thought ) because he was one whom the King did not love : yet being once in the place , he so wonne upon the King by diligent service , and by complying with the Kings humour ; that he brought the King at last to comply with his humour , and nothing must be done but as Spenser would have it . It seemes it was the Kings nature , that he could not be without a bosome friend ; one or other to be an Alter idem : and to seeke to remove such a one from him , was to seek to remove him from him selfe● as impossible a thing as to alter nature ; yet the Lords being more sensible of their owne grievance , to be insulted on by a Favourite , then of the Kings grievance to be affronted by his subjects , are more intentive to worke their owne ends then the Kings : and therefore to remove Spenser and his Father from the King , which they knew was a worke not to be done but by strong hand ; they continue their Armes , and conf●der●ting together , they send to the King , peremptorily requiring the confirmation and execution of the Articles formerly granted ; threatning withall , that unlesse he presently performe the same , they would constraine him to it by force of Armes : and thereupon assemble strong forces about Dunstable , where the King ●hen lay . The great Prelates of the kingdome , with the Earle of Glocester , labour to appease them , and with two Cardinals sent lately by the Pope to reforme these disorders : they repaire to Saint Alb●ns , and desire conference with the Lords , who receive them very peaceably ; but the Letters which the Pope had written to them , they refuse to receive , saying , they were men of the Sword , and cared not for reading of Letters ; that there were many w●rthy and learned men in the kingdome , whose counsell they would use , and not strangers , who knew not the cause of their commotion : so the Cardinals with this answer returned to London . But the Prelates of England●o ●o labour the businesse , that the Lords were content to yeeld up to the King such horses , treasure , and jewels , as they had taken of Pierce Gaveston at New-Castle , so as the King would grant their Petitions ; and thereupon Iohn Sandall Treasurer of the kingdome , and Ingelard Warle keeper of the Wardrobe , are sent to Saint Albons to receive those things at their hands .

Shortly after a Parliament is called at London , wherein the King complaines of the great contempt was had of him by the Barons , their rising in Armes , their taking and murthering Pierce Gaveston , and such other affronts . Whereunto with one accord they answer , that they had not offended therein , but rather merited his love and favour ; having taken Armes , not for any contempt of his royall person , but to destroy the publike enemy of the kingdome , which otherwise would never have beene done . Which stout resolution of theirs , the Queene with the Prelates and the Earle of Glocester seeing , they seeke by all meanes to qualifie their heate ; and at length so prevailed with them , that they humble themselves to the King , and crave pardon for that they had done , which they obtained ; and the King receives them into grace , as his loyall subjects : grants them their Articles● and particular pardons by his Charter , for their Indemnity concerning the death of Gaveston : and for the greater shew of true reconcilement , Guy de Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke , is made of the Kings Counsell , though shortly after he ended his life , not without suspition of poyson ; as being a man much envied by such as possest the King . The King kept his Christmas at Clipston , and his Easter at Clarendon : and they seemed to be all good friends , but this reconcilement of the King with his Barons , was but as the covering of fire with ashes , every little wind that blew , made it breake out into flames afresh ; & the time being so unsetled as it was , it was impossible but such winds would continually be blowing . It was such a wind blew , when the great Earle of Lancaster had his wife ( a Lady who had lived with him alwayes in good fame ) taken out of his house at Canford in Dorsetshire● by one Richard Saint Martin● a deformed lame Dwarfe , who challenged her to be his wife , and that he had lien with her before the Earle married her● and this wind was made to blow the stronger , by the Ladies owne confession ; for upon examination , she voluntarily averred , it was all true : and thereupon the o●gly fellow in her right claimed the two Earledomes of Lincolne and S●lisbury , which he durst not have done● if he had not beene back'd with great Abettours : and it was not without aspersion upon the King himselfe . It was another such wind blew , when at the Feast of Pentecost , at dinner in the open Hall at Westminster ; a woman fantastically disguised , entred on horsebacke , and riding about the Table , delivered the King a Letter , wherein was signified the great neglect he shewed of such as had done him and his Father noble services , taxing him for advancing men of unworthy parts , and such other complaints ; which Letter read , and the woman departed , put the King into a great rage ; they who guarded the doore being sharply reprehended for suffering her to enter in such manner , answered , It was the fashion of the Kings house in times of Festivals , to keepe out none that came as this woman did , to make sport . Search being made for the woman , she is found and examined who set her on ; she confessed a knight gave her money to doe it ; the knight is found , and upon examination , boldly answered , he did it for the Kings honour , and to no other end ; and thereupon escaped without further trouble . It was such another wind blew , when a knight was taken passing by Pomfret , with Letters sealed with the Kings Seale , directed to the King of Scots , about murthering the Earle of Lancaster ; which messenger is executed , his head set upon the top of the Castle , and the Letters reserved to witnesse the intended plot . Which whether it were fained , or true , the report thereof reflected upon the King , and made many to take the Earles part . It was such another wind blew , when a fanatick fellow , one Iohn P●●dras , a Tanners sonne of Exeter , gave forth , that himselfe was th tr●e Edward , eldest sonne of the late King Edward the first , and by a false Nurse was changed in his Cradle , and that the now King Edward was a Carters son , and laid in his place : but this wind was soone blowne over , when at his death , being drawne and hanged , he confessed he had a Familiar Spirit in his house in the likenesse of a Cat , that assured him he should be King of England , and that he had served the said Spirit three yeares before to bring his purpose about . But most of all , it was such a wind blew , when a Baron named William Brewis , having wasted his estate , offers to sell unto divers men , a part of his inheritance called Powis . Humphrey 〈◊〉 Earle of Hereford , obtaines leave of the King to buy it , & bargains for it . The two Roger M●rtimers , Unkle and Nephew , great men likewise in those parts , not understanding , it seemes , any thing of the former bargaine , contract also for the same Land with the said Sir William Brewis . Hugh Spenser the younger , hearing of this sale , and the land adjoyning to part of his , obtaines a more speciall leave of the King , being now his Chamberlaine , and buyes it out of their hands . The Earle of Her●ford complaines hereof to the Earle of Lancaster : who thereupon at Sherbourne enters into a new confederation with divers Barons there assembled , taking their Oaths intermutually , to live and die together in maintaining the right of the kingdome ; and to procure the banishment of the two Spens●r● , father and sonne , whom they now held to be the great seducers of the King , and oppressours of the State , disposing of all things in Court at their pleasure , and suffering nothing to be obtained but by their meanes : and under this pretence they take Armes , and comming armed to Saint Albons , they send to the King , being then at London , the Bishops of London , Salisbury , Hereford , and Chichester , ( who were there assembled to consul● for peace ) requiring him as he tendred the qu●et of the Realme , to rid his Court of those Traitours , the Spensers , condemned in many Articles of high treason by the communalty of th● Land ; and withall to grant his Letters Patents of pardon and indemnity both to them and all such as tooke part with them . The King returnes answer , that Hugh Spenser the father was now beyond the Seas , imployed in his businesse , and his sonne was guarding the Cinque-ports according to his office ; and that it was against Law of Custome they should be banished without being heard : and withall swore , he would never violate the Oath made at his Coronation , by granting Letters of pardon to such notorious offenders , who contemned his person , disturbed the kingdome , and violated the royall Majesty . Which answer so exasperated the Lords , that presently they approached to London , and lodged in the Suburbs , till they had leave of the King to enter into the City , where they peremptorily urge their demands : to which at length by mediation of the Queene , and the chiefe Prelates , the King is wrought to condescend , ●nd by his Edict , published in Westminster Hall , by the Earle of Hereford , the Spensers are banished the kingdome . Hugh the father hearing it , keepes beyond the Seas , but the sonne secretly hides himselfe in England , expecting the turne of a better season . And indeed shortly after , the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in a Councell holden at London , pronounceth the banishment of the Spensers to have beene erronious ; and thereupon the Edict is revoked , and the Spensers are called home , and se● in as great authority as they were before . But the Lords having thus obtained their desire , with the Kings Letters of indemnity returne home , but yet not with such security as to give over the provision for their owne defence . Not long after there fell ou● an unexpected accident , that suddenly wrought the Lords confusion . The Queene making her progresse towards Canterbury , intended to lodge in the Castle of Leedes , belonging to the Lord Badlesmer , ( who had beene long the Kings Steward , but now tooke part with the Lords ) and sending her Marshall to make ready for her and her traine ; they who kept the Castle told him plainely , that neither the Queene , nor any else should enter there without Letters from their Lord . The Queene her selfe goes to the Castle , and receives the like answer ; whereupon she is driven to take such lodging otherwhere as could be provided . Of which indignity she complaines to the King ; who tooke it so to heart , that presently with a power of armed men out of London , he laies siege to the Castle , takes it , hangs the keeper Thomas C●●epepper , sends the wife and children of the Lord Badlesmer to the Tower , and seiseth upon all his goods and treasure . And having this power about him , and warmed with successe and the instigation of the Queene , suddenly directs his course to Chi●hester , where he keepes his Christmas , and there provides for an Army against the Barons : whereof many ( seeing the Kings power encreasing ) lef● their Associats , and yeeld themselves to his mercie : amongst whom were the two Roger Mor●i●●rs , men of great might and meanes ; the Lord Hugh Audely , the Lord M●●rice Barkely , and others : who notwithstanding , contrary to their expectation , were sent to divers Prisons . The Earles of Lancaster and Hereford seeing this sudden change , withdrew themselves and their companies from about Glocester , towards the North-parts : whom the King followes with his Army ; wherin were the Earles of Ath●ll & Angus ; and at Burton upon Trent , where they had made a head , discomfited their forces , and put them to flight . In the meane time the Earle of Lancaster had sent into Lancashire a knight of his , named Robert Holland , ( one whom he had brought up of naught ) to raise more forces amongst his Tenants ; but he hearing of this flight of his Lords , goes with his forces to take the Kings part ; which so dismaies the Earle , that he beganne now to thinke of suing to the King for grace ; but being in the way , at a Towne called Borough-bridge , was there set upon by Sir Simon Warde Sheriffe of Yorke , and Sir Andrew Harkeley Constable of Carlile , who utterly defeat his forces : In which fight was slaine the Earle of Hereford , ( who fighting valiantly upon a Bridge , was by a Varlet skulking under the Bridge , thrust with a Speare into the fundament ) Sir Roger Benefield , Sir William Sulland and others ; there was taken the Earle of Lancaster , Sir Roger Clifford , Sir Iohn M●wbray , Sir Roger Tuckets , Sir William Fits-Williams , with divers other , and were led to Yorke . This field was fought the fifteenth day of March , in the yeare 1320. It was not long ●fter that Sir Hugh Daniell , Sir Bartholomew de Baddelsmer were taken . Three dayes after the Earle of Lancaster is brought to Pomfret , where the King sitting himselfe in judgement with Edmund Earle of Kent his brother , the Earle of Pem●●●ke , the Earle Warren , Hugh Spencer , lately created Earle of Winchester , and others ; sentence of death is given against him , to be drawne , hanged , and beheaded as a Traitor . The two first punishments are pardoned , in regard he was of Royall bloud : onely beheaded he was the same day without the Towne of Pomfret , before his owne Castle . To speake of the Miracles said to be done by him after his death , might be fit for a Legend , but not for a Chronicle , and therefore I omit them . By the like judgement were condemned , the Lord Roger Clifford● the Lord Warren Lisle , the Lord William Tuchet , Thomas Maudit , Henry Bradburne , Willi●m Fits-Williams , William Lord Cheyney , Thomas Lord M●wbray , Ioceline Lord Danill , all which were executed at Yorke . Shortly after , the Lord Henry Teyes is taken , drawne , hanged , and quarter●d at London ; the Lord Aldenham at Windsor ; the Lords Baddlesmere and Ashburton at Canterbury : at Cardiffe in Wales , Sir William Flemming ; at Bristow , Si● Henry Womington ; and Sir Henry Montford Bannerets ; at Glocester , the Lord Clifford● and Sir William Elminbridge , principall men in principall places , to spread the more ●e●rour over the kingdome : all their estates and inheritances are confiscated , and ●●ny new men advanced by the same . And this is the first bloud of Nobility that ever was shed in this manner in England since William the Conquerour .

But not long after , the King in a calmer humour , beganne to have a sense o● the Earle of Lancasters execution , which he discovered upon this occasion : some ●bou● him making earnest suite for a Pardon to one of the Earles followers ; and pre●●●ng the King hard to it , he fell into a great p●ssion , excl●iming ●g●inst them as unjus● and wicked Counsellours , who would urge him to save the life of a notorious V●●let , and would not speake one word for his neare kinsman , the Earle of Lancaste● : who ( said he had ) he lived , might have beene use●ull to me , and the whole kingdome ; but this fellow the longer he lives , the more mischiefe he will doe , and therefore by the soule of God , he should die the death he had deserved . Sir Andrew Harkeley , who was the man that tooke the Earle of Lancaster prisoner , being advanced for his service to the Earledome of Carlile , enjoyed his honour but a while ; for the next yeare after , either thrust out into discontent by the Spensers , envying his high preferment , or combining with the Scots , upon hope of a great match , ( as he was accused ) he is degraded of all his honours ; drawne , hanged , and quartered at Lond●n for Treason . But now the King of France summons King Edward to come and doe his homage for Gascoyne ; and he not comming , all his Territories in France are adjudged to be forfeited , and many places of importance are sei●ed on by the French . Hereupon a Parliament is called , and it is by common consent of all agreed , that the King should not goe in person himselfe , in regard of the distraction of the times , but should send some speciall man to excuse his appearance ; whereupon Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent , but to little effect . Then it is thought fit the Queene should goe , and indeed the Queene went ; but what was the cause of her going , there is amongst Writers great variance : some say she was sent by the King to accommodate this businesse , which she negotiated so well , as that all quarrels were ended , upon condition the King should give to his sonne Edward , the Dutchie of Aquitaine , with the Earledome of Ponthieu , and send him over to doe his homage for them ; which after many consultations● the King is wrought to yeeld unto ; and the Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of France accordingly : but others say● she went out of discontent , to complaine to her brother the King of France , for wrongs offered her by the Spensers , who had so alienated the Kings minde from her , that he would scarce come where she was , nor allow her fit maintenance for her calling . But whatsoever was the cause of her going● there appeared no cause of her staying , but that she had gotten into her company , Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigm●re , a gallant young Gentleman● whom she specially favoured , lately escaped out of the Tower of London , by giving his keepers ( as was said ) a sleeping drinke . And withall , the Bishop of Exeter perceiving some plots to be in hand , and their close consultations made without him , withdrawes himselfe secretly , and discovers to the King what he observed in their courses . Whereupon the King sends presently for the Qu● and Prince , and solicits the King of France to hasten their return ; which when he saw was neglected and delaied , he caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome , banished them and all their adherents out of the Land : and withall causeth all the Ports to be strongly kept ; and sends three Admirals to attend in severall Coasts to hinder their landing . It was not without suspition , that as the King for love of the Spensers , had his minde alienated from loving the Queen ; so the Queen for love of M●rtimer , had her minde alienated from loving the King , and therefore having him with her , c●red not how long she staied . However it was , when the Queene heard of the Kings Proclamation , she knew there was no returning for her into England without some good assistance : whereupon soliciting her brother the King of France , he aided her with men and money ( say some : but others , that he refusing to aide her , as being wrought under hand by the Spensers against her ; she left the French Court , and went into Heynault , to the Earle of that Countrey , who upon a contract betweene her sonne Prince Edward and Philippa the Earles daughter●●ided her with a competent Army , under the conduct of his brothe● Iohn : and with them and her beloved Mortimer , she tooke shipping and landed at Orwell , a Port neare unto Harwich in Suffolke : where presently came to her the Earle Marshall , Henry Earle of Leycester , and Henry Earle of Lancaster with the wry neck , called T●rtc●ll , with many other Lords and Bishops . The King at this time being at London , and hearing of the Queenes landing with such forces , and chiefely how all the Realme ranne flocking to her , was ●uddenly strucken into a great amazement ; and though he had his great Counsellours the Spensers about him , yet now he found what little good th●ir counsel could do him : and indeed in this case , what should he , or what could he do ? To stay in London was apparent danger , for he plainely saw the Lond●ners to be more inclining to take the Queenes part then his ; and to goe from London to any other place was as unsafe , all places being possest eithe● with certaine Enemies or uncertaine Friends● at last the Isle of Lundy is thought of , a place plentifull of provision● abounding with Conies , Fish and Fowle , and the Island of hard accesse , as having but one place in it where it could be entred , and that so narrow , that a few might easily keepe out many ; upon this place he resolves● and taking with him the Earle of Glocester , the Spensers , and Robert ●ald●cke , with some fe● others , he ●akes shipping , but by contrary windes is driven backe , and raine through Tempests to land in Wales , and there in the Abbey of Neth in 〈◊〉 kept himselfe close . In the meane time the Queene was come to Oxford where Ad●m Bishop of Hereford Preaching tooke for his Text , Caput meum dol●● , and thereupon inferred , that the kingdome being now deadly sicke of its head , it was fit to remove that head , and put a sounder in the place . At this time also , th● L●●d●ners to shew their love to the Queene , seised upon Walter Staplet●n the good Bishop of Exceter and Lord Treasurer of England , left Governo●r the●● by the King , and with great despight beheaded him , as also divers others , onely because they favoured the King . In the meane time , the Queene went from Oxford to Glocester , and from thence to Bristow , where Hugh Sp●ncer the Father was , a man of fou●escore and ten yeares old , who is there taken , and without examination or Judgement , in most cruell manner Executed , having his heart pulled out of his body being yet alive , and his body left hanging upon the Gallowes . After this the Queene stayed at H●reford the space of a moneth● and then dividing her Army , she sends one part of it , under the Conduct of Henry Earle of Lancaster , and Ryce a Powell a Clerke , ●o find out the King : and this Ryce being a Welsh●an , and knowing th● Country well , brought the Earle to the Monastery of N●th● where the King was , whom they there take together with Spenser the Sonne , Rober● Bald●cke , and Simon of Reading . The King is by the Bishop of Hereford committed to the custody of the Earle of Leycester : where all that Winter he was used no worse then was fit for a captive King . But Edmund Earle of Arundell , Iohn Daniel , and Th●m●● Micheldens , at the instance of Mortimer , are all three beheaded . Presently after is Hugh Spenser the younger , who was now Earle of Glocester , drawne , hanged and quar●e●ed , his head sent up to be set upon London Bridge , and his foure quarters bestowed in severall Cities . The like is done with Simon of Reading , but Robert Baldocke is committed to New-Gate , against whom , when no just cause of death could be found , there was used so much cruelty in his imprisonment , that he shortly after dyed .

Presently after Christmas a Parliament is called , wherein it is agreed to depose the King , and set up his Sonne ; which he hearing refused it , unlesse his Father would freely resigne ; whereupon are appointed three Bishops , two Earles , two Abbots , foure Barons , and of every City a Burgesse , to goe to the King ; ( in custody then at Kenelworth ) The Bishops were , Iohn of S●ratford Bishop of Winchester , Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford , and Henry Bishop of Lincolne . But the Bishops of Winchester and Lincolne , getting to the King before the rest came , perswade the King to resigne his Crowne to his eldest Sonne ; cra●tily promising him he should have as good maintenance afterward , as ever he had when he was King . And contrarily threatning him , that if he did it not , the people would exclude both him and his Sonne too , and m●ke a King of another Race . By these promises and threatnings , the meeke King is drawne to yeeld to the Bishops mo●●on ; but when afterward the Bishop of Hereford , and the other Commissioners came , and were sate in a place appointed to take his Resignation , the King comming forth amongst them in mourning Robes , upon a sudden fell downe in a swound● in whom the Earle of Leycester , and the Bishop of Winchester , had much ado● to recover life ; but then the Bishop of Hereford rising up , delivered the cause of their comming , as the other Bishops before had done . To which ●he King answered , that as he much grieved his People should be so hardned against him as utterly to reject him ; so it was some comfort unto him , that they would yet receive his Son to be their Soveraigne . After this , Thomas Blunt knight , Steward of the Kings house , brake the Staffe of his Office ; and William Tr●ssell Speaker of the Parli●ment , in name of the whole kingdome , pronounced a Forme of Renouncing all Allegeance to Edward of Carnarvan . Here Caxton writes , that from the time of this Kings Deposing , which was in December , to the time of his Sonnes Crowning , which was not till Candlemas following , all Pleas of the Kings Bench were stayed , and all Prisoners , arrested by Sheriffes , commanded to be set at liberty ; which seemes to have little probability , seeing his Sonne Edward presently upon his Deposing was received for King : But howsoever so great a Dowre was then assigned to Queene Isabel , that scarce a third part of the Revenues of the Crowne is le●t for the new King and his Wife : And to the late King is allowed a hundred Markes ● moneth for his maintenance ; with which he lived with his Cousin the Earle of Leycester , in good plenty and contentment for a time ; onely this grieved h●m most of all ( he said ) that the Queene his Wife would never be gotten to come to see him : For he swore most devoutly that from the time he first saw her face , he could never like of any other Woman . By which it may appeare , that neither Gaveston no● the Spensers had so debauched him , as to make him false to his bed , or to be disloyall to his Queene . But the Queene being hardned against him , and conceiving he had too great Liberty under the Earle of Leycester , by advise of her pestilent Counsellour , Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford , appoints Thomas Go●rney , and Io●● Matrevers knights , to take him from the Earle into their owne Custody , and to carry him whither they thought good ; who thereupon take him from Kenelw●rth , and carry him first to Corfe Castle , and from thence to Bristow , where they shut him in the Castle ; till upon knowledge of a Plot laid to get him out , and send him beyond Sea , they tooke him in the night and carryed him to B●rkeley Castle , where by the way they abused him most inhumanely , as Sir Thomas de la More a knight of Glocestershire in his Life relateth : For to the end he should not be knowne , they shaved his Head and Beard , and that in most beastly manner ; for they took him from his Horse and set him upon a Hillocke , and then taking puddle water out of a Ditch thereby , they went to wash him , his Barber telling him that cold water must serve for this time : whereat the miserable King looking sternely upon him , said , That whether they would or no , he would have warme water to wash him : and therewithall to make good his word , he presently shed forth a showre of teares . Never was King turned ou● of a kingdome in such a manner ; Many kingdomes have beene lost by the chance of Warre , but this kingdome was lost before any Dice were cast ; no blow strucke , no Battell fought ; done forcibly , and yet without force ; violently , and yet with consent ; both parties agreed , yet neither pleased ; for the King was not pleased to leave his kingdome , and the Queene was not pleased to leave him his life ; it was not safe to leave him a part , by which he might afterward recover the whole ; and therefore this was the marke now aimed at , having taken away his kingdome openly , how they might take away his life secretly ; be the Authours of it , and not be seene in it ; but this must be the Contents of a Chapter hereafter .

Of his Taxations .

BY this King it appeares , there is something else besides the grievance of Taxations , that alienates the mindes of English Subjects from their King ; for never were fewer Taxations then in this Kings time , yet never were the Subjects minds more alienated from their King , then they were from him . Before his Coronation , in a Parliament holde● at Westminster , ●●ere was granted him a fifteenth of the Clergy , and a twentieth of the Temporalty . In his fifth yeare in a Parliament at L●●don , was granted him a fifteenth of the Temporalty . In his fifteenth yeare was granted the sixth pen●y of temporall mens Goods , through England , Ireland , and Wales , towards his Warre● with Scotland . And more then these we reade not of : but then at the defeate of the Earle of Lancaster , there were Confiscations that supplyed the place of Taxations , by which ( as one saith ) he became the richest King that had beene since the Conquest .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

HE Ordained that the moneyes of his Father , though counted base by the People , should be currant . In the eight yeare of his Raigne , by reason of a dear●h which raised the price of all Victuals , it was Ordained by Parliament , that an Oxe fatted with grasse , should be sold for fifteene shillings ; fatted with Corne , for twenty ; the best Cow for twelve shillings ; a fat Hogge of two yeares old , three sh●llings foure pence ; a fat Sheepe shorne , foureteene pence , with the Fleece , twenty pence ; a fat Goose for two pence halfe-penny ; a fat Capon two pence ; a fat Hen a penny ; foure Pigeons a penny ; whosoever sold for more , should forfait their Ware to the King . But after these Rates imposed , all kinde of Victuals grew so scarce , that provision could hardly be made for the Kings house ; whereupon shortly after , the Order was revoked , and Market Folkes permitted to make the best of their Wares . In this Kings time an Ordinance was made against knights Templars , accused of Heresie and other crimes , and they were all apprehended , and committed to divers Prisons . The like was done by all the Kings of Christendome , at one instant , being condemned in a Generall Counsell at Vienna . In the 14. yeare of his Raigne , on the 15. of October , the Clerkes of the Exchequer went towards Yorke with the Booke called Domus Dei , and other Records and Provision that laded one and twenty Carts , but within halfe a yeare they were brought backe againe .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN the 17. yeare of his Raign the Bishop of Hereford was arrested● accused of High Treason , for aiding the Kings enemies in their late rebellion ; but he refu●ed to answer , ( being a consecrated Bishop ) without leave of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , whose Suffragan he was , ( and who he said was his direct Judge , next the Pope ) or without the consent of his fellow Bishops : who then all arose , and humbly craved the Kings Clemency in his behalfe ; but finding the King implacable , they tooke him away from the Barre , and delivered him to the custody o● the Arch-bishop of Canterbury : shortly after , he was againe taken and convented as before , which the Clergy understanding , the Arch-bishops , Canterbury , Yorke , and Dublin , with tenne other Bishops , all with their Crosses erected , went to the place of Judgement , and againe tooke him away with them ; charging all men , upon paine of Excommunication , to forbeare to lay violent hands upon him ; with which audacious Act , the King was so much displeased , that he presently commanded inquiry to be made ex Officio Iudicis , concerning those Objections against the Bishop ; wherein he was found guilty , though absent , and had all his Goods and Possessions seised into the Kings hands . In this Kings time the Crowchet Fryers came first into England . In his time , Pope Iohn the two and twentieth , first Instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi ; begunne before by Urban the fourth .

Workes of piety done by him , or by others in his time .

THis King founded Oriall Colledge , and Saint Mary Hall in Oxford : He builded ● Church of Fryers at his Manour of Langley , where the soule of Gaveston , should b● prayed for . In this Kings twentieth yeare , Richard Rothing Sheriffe of London b●●lded the Parish Church of Garlickhithe in London . Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London gave two thousand Markes to the building of the new Worke of the Chappell , on the South side of Pauls Church : And left much more by his Testament .

Casualties .

IN the eighth yeare of this Kings Raigne , was so great a dear●h , that Horses and Dogges were eaten , and Theeves in prison pluckt in peeces those that were newly brought in amongst them , and eate them halfe alive ; which continuing three yeares , brought in the end such a pestilence , that the living scarce sufficed to bury the dead . In the fourth yeare of his Raigne , the Church of Middleton in Dorsetshire , with all the Monuments , was consumed with Lightning , the Monkes being at Mattins . In this Kings time , digging the Foundation of a worke about Pauls , were found more then a hundred heads of Oxen and kine , which confirmed the opinion , that of old time it had beene the Temple of Iupiter , and that there was the Sacrifice of Beasts .

Of his Wife and Children .

HE marryed Isabel Daughter of Philip the Faire , King of France , she being but twelve yeares of age ; who lived his Wife twenty yeares , his Widdow thirty , and dying at threescore and three yeares old , at Rysings neare London , was buried in the midst of the Gray Fryers Quire in London . By her he had issue two Sons and two Daughters : his eldest Sonne named Edward of Windsor , because borne there , succeeded him in the kingdome . His second Sonne named Iohn of Eltham , because borne there , was at twelve yeares old created Earle of Cornwall : he dyed in Scotland , in the flowre of his Youth , unmarryed . His eldest Daughter Ioane , being a childe , was marryed in the fourth yeare of King Edward her Brother , to D●vid Prince of Scotland , Sonne to King Robert Bruce , at seven yeares old , who comming afterward into England to visit her Brother , dyed here , and was buryed at the Gray Fryers in London . His second Daughter Eleanor , was marryed to Reginold the second Earle of Gelder , with a portion of fifteene thousand pounds , and had issue by him two Sonnes , who were Earles successively .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was faire of body , and of great strength , but given much to drinke , which made him oftentimes bewray his owne Secrets ; For his other conditions , his greatest fault was , that he loved but one , for if his love had beene divided , it could not have beene so violent . He was extreame in nothing but in loving ; and though love moderated , be the best of affections , yet the extremity of it is the worst of passions . He was rather unfortunate then unhappy ; seeing unfortunatenesse is in the Event , unhappinesse in the Cause ; and if his fortune had beene to love good men , his owne goodnesse would have made him happy . Two Vertues were eminent in him above all his Predecessours , Continence , and Abstinence : So continent that he left no base issue behind him ; So abstinent , that he tooke no base courses for raising of money . They who despised him being alive , so much honoured him being dead , that they could have found in their hearts to make him a Saint .

Of his Death and Buriall .

MAny wayes were attempted to take away his life : First , they vexed him in his dyet , allowing him nothing he could well endure to eate , but this succeeded not . Then they lodged him in a chamber over carion and dead carkasses , enough to have poysoned him ; and indeed he told a workman at his window , he never endured so great a misery in all his life , but neither did this succeed : Then they attempted it by Poysons , but whether by the strength of his constitution , or by the Divine Providence , neither did this succeed . At last the pestilent Achit●phel , the Bishop of Hereford , devised a Letter to his keepers , blaming them for giving him too much liberty , and for not doing the service which was expected from them : and in the end of his Letter wrote this line , Edwardum Octidere ●●lite timere bonum est : Craftily contriving it in this doubtfull sense , that both the keepers might find sufficient warrant , and himselfe might find sufficient excuse . The keepers guessing at his meaning , tooke it in the worst sense , and accordingly put it in execu●ion ; they tooke him in his bed , and casting heavy bolsters upon him , and pressing them hard downe , stifled him ; and not content with that , they heated an iron red hot , and through a pipe thrust it up into his Fondament , that no markes of violence might be seene ; but though none were seene , yet some were heard ; For when the Fact was in doing , he was heard to roare and cry all the Castle over . Gourney and Matrevers , his murtherers , looking for reward , had the reward of murtherers : For the Queene and Bishop Torleton disavowing the command , threatned to question them for the Kings death : whereupon they fled beyond Sea ; and Gourney after three yeares being taken in France , and sent into England , was in the way upon the Sea beheaded . Matrevers flying into Germany , had the grace to repent , but lived ever after miserably . Thus dyed this King in the yeare 1327. more then halfe a yeare after his deposing ; when he had Raigned almost 19. yeares , lived 43. His body was c●rryed to Glocester , and there without any Funerall Pompe buryed in the Monastery of Saint Peter , by the Benedictine Fryers .

Of Men of note in his time .

IN this Kings time , of Martiall men were many , whose Acts have beene spoken of in the late Kings life . Of Learned men , also many , as Iohn Duns the great Logician , called Doctor Subtilis , borne in Northumberland , at Emildune a Village three miles distant from Al●wi●ke ; though both the Scots and the Irish challenge him for thei●s . Robert Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer , who wrote divers Treatises . Robert Baston borne in Nottingham-shire , a Carmelite Fryer of Scarborough , whom King Edward tooke with him into Scotland , to write some Remembrances of his victories ; but being taken by the Scots was constrained by Robert Bruce to write Remembrances of his overthrowes . William Rishanger , a Monke of Saint Albans , an Historiographer ; Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London , who wrote a History intituled Historia Anglica ; Iohn Walsingham , a Carmelite Fryer , who wrote divers Treatises ; Nicholas de Lyra a Jew by birth , who wrote many excellent Treatises in Divinity ; William Ockam a Fryer Minor , who wrote divers Treatises , and namely against Iohn Duns , and also against Pope Iohn the 23. in favour of the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria ; Thomas Haselwood , a Canon of Leedes in Kent , who wrote a Chronicle , called Chronicon compendiarium ; Robert Perscrutator , borne in Yorkeshire , a blacke Fryer and a Philosopher , or rather a Magician ; and lastly , though not least worthy to be remembred , Iohn Mandevile , the great Travellour , a Doctor of Physicke , and a Knight .

THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD .

Of his comming to the Crowne , and Acts done in his minority .

EDward of Windsor , eldest sonne of King Edward the second , by Order of Parliament , upon his Fathers Resignation , was proclaimed King of England , on the five and twentieth day of Ianuary , in the yeare 1327. and because he had not yet received the Order of knighthood , he was by Henry Earle of Lancaster gi●t solemnly with the Sword ; and on the first day of February following , was Crowned at Westminster by Walter Reginolds Archbishop of Canterbury : and thereupon a generall Pardon is Proclaimed , which hath since beene used as a Custome with all the succeeding Kings : that at their first comming to the Crowne , a Generall Pardon is alwayes granted . And because the King was under age , scarce fifteene yeares old ( though Froyssard saith he was then Eighteene ) there were twelve appointed Governours of him and the kingdome● namely the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke , the Bishops of Winchester , Hereford , and Worcester ; Thomas of Brotherton , Earle Marshall , Edmund Earle of Kent , the Kings Unkles ; Iohn Earle Warren , Thomas Lord Wake , Henry Lord Percie , Oliver Lord Ingham , and Iohn Lord Rosse : but though these were appointed and bore the name , yet the Queen and Roger Mortimer tooke all the authority to themselves . The first action that was undertaken , was an expedition against the Scots ; for Robert Bruce , though now old and sickly , and ( as was said ) Leprous : yet considering the youth of the new King , and the distractions of the kingdome , thought it now a ●it time to doe some good upon England : and entring the English borders with an Army , sent defiance to King Edward : whereupon an Army is raised , and the Heyna●lders ( whom the Queen had brought over ) are joyned with the English ; but a variance falling out betweene the two Nations , made the action not successefull . For the Kings Army encountring the Scots at Stanhope Parke in Weridall in the Bishopricke of Durham , though three times as many as the Scots , as being thirty thousand ; yet through this variance , but more through treason of some great men , suffered them all to escape their hands , and the Scots returned home in safety , the English with dishonour : and after this , the English seeing the Heynaulders could doe them no good , sent them away to their owne Countrey . In King Edwards second yeare , his marriage with Philippa of Heynault is solemnised , ( a dispensation being first gotten , because of their nearenesse in bloud ) and a Parliament is holden at Northampton , where the King made three Earles : Iohn of Eltham his brother , Earle of Cornwall ; Roger Mortimer , Earle of March , and Iames Butler of Ireland , Earle of Ormond : and in this Parliament a dishonourable peace is concluded with the Scots , and confirmed by a match betweene David Bruce Prince of Scotland , being but seven yeares old , and Ioane sister to King Edward , not so old ; at which time , by the secret working of Queene Isabell , Roger Mortimer and Sir Iames Dowglasse ; the King surrenders by his Charter , all his title of Soveraignty to the Kingdome of Scotland , restores divers Deeds and Instruments of their former Homages and Fealties , with the famous Evidence called Ragmans Roll , and many ancient Jewels and Monuments , amongst which was the blacke Crosse of Scotland ; and besides , any English man is prohibited to hold lands in Scotland , unlesse he were a dweller there . In consideration whereof King Bruce was to pay thirty thousand Markes , and to renounce his claime to the Counties of Cumberland and Northumberland , and any other place possessed by him in England . This was no good beginning , and yet worse followed after . For another Parliament being holden at Winchester , Edmund Earle of Kent , the Kings Unkle , is there accused , and condemned upon his confession , for intending to restore his brother , the late King Edward ; an intention onely without any fact ; yet condemned he was , and brought to the Scaffold , but generally , so beloved of the people , that he stood on the Scaffold from one a clocke till five , before any executioner could be found that would doe the office , till at last a silly wretch of the Marshalsey was gotten to cut off his head . But the Authors of his death escaped not long themselves , for in the third yeare of the Kings Raigne , another Parliament is holden at Nottingham , wherein the Queen hath all her great Joynture taken from her , and is put to her Pension of a thousand pounds a yeare , and her selfe confined to a Castle , where she remained the rest of her dayes , no fewer then thirty yeares , a time long enough to finde that her being the daughter of a King , the sister of a King , the wife of a King , and the mother of a King , were glorious titles , but all not worth the liberty of a meane estate ; and as for Mortimer , ( lying then in the Castle of Nottingham ) and lately created Earle of the Marches of Wales ) he was seised on in this manner ; the King taking with him William Montacute , Robert Holland , and others , goe secretly one night by Torch-light , through a privie way under ground , till they came to the Queenes Chamber , where leaving the King without , they entred , and found the Queene with Mortimer , ready to goe to bed : then laying hands on him , they led him forth , after whom the Queene followed , crying , Bel fits , ●el fits , ayes pitie du gentil Mortimer ; good son good sonne , take pity upon the gentle Mortimer , suspecting that her sonne had beene amongst them : this course was taken to apprehend him for avoyding of tumult , he having no fewer then ninescore knights and Gentlemen , besides other meaner servants continually about him . But thus seised on , he is committed presently to the Tower , accused of divers great crimes , whereof these were chiefe ; that he had procured the late Kings death ; that he had beene the author of the Scots safe escaping at Stanhope Parke , corrupted with the gift of thirty thousand pounds ; that he had procured the late marriage and Peace with Scotland , so dishonourable to the King and kingdome ; that he had beene too familiar with the Queene , as by whom she was thought to be with child : of which Articles he is found guilty , and condemned ; and thereupon is drawne and hanged on the common Gallowes at the Elmes , now called Tiburne , where his body remained two dayes as an opprobrious spectacle for all beholders .

After these businesses in England , there comes a new businesse upon him from the King in France : for about this time Philippe le Bel , King of France , the Queens brother dying without issue , the right of succession to the Crowne is devolved upon the Heire to Charles a former King , wherein are competitours Philip Duke de Valois , and Edward King of England ; Edward is the nearer in bloud , bu● drawes his Pedegree by a Female : Philippe , the further off , but descending by all Males ; and because the Law Salique excluding Females , was conceived as well to exclude all descendants by Females , therefore is Philips title preferred before King Edwards , and Philip is received and crowned King of France : to which preferment of his , Robert d' Arthois a Peere of great power , gave no small furtherance . And now as soone as Philip was Invested in the Crowne , he summons King Edward to come and doe his Homage for the Dutchy of Guyenne , and his other lands in France , held of that Crowne , according to the custome ; which though it were some prejudice to King Edwards claime afterward , yet in regard his kingdome of England was scarce well setled , and himselfe but young , he was contented to doe ; and thereupon the sixth of Iune , in the yeare 1329. King Edward in a Crimson Velvet gowne imbroidered with Leopards , with his Crowne on his head , his Sword by his side , and golden Spurres on his heeles ; presents himselfe in the body of the Cathedrall Church of Amyens before King Philip , sitting in his Chaire of Estate , in a Velve● Gowne of a Violet colour imbroydered with Flowers de lys of Gold , his Crowne on his head , and his Scepter in his hand , with all his Princes and Peeres about him . The Viscount Melun Chamberlaine of France , first commands King Edward to pu● off his Crowne , his Sword , and his Spurres , and to kneele downe , which he did , on a Crimson Velvet Cushion before King Philip ; and then the Viscount putting both his hands together betweene the hands of the King of France , pronounced the words of the Homage , which were these : You become Liegeman to my Master here present , as Duke of Aquitaine and Peere of France , and you promise to beare faith and loyalty unto him ; Say yea : and King Edward said yea , and kissed the King of France in the mouth , as Lord of the Fee . The like Homage also he did for the Earldome of Ponthieu . But this act of submission left a rancour in King Edwards heart , which afterwards brake so out , that it had beene good for France 〈◊〉 had never beene exacted .

This done , King Edward returnes home , and there finds a new busines with Scotland , upon this occasion . Edward Baylioll , sonne to Iohn Baylioll ( sometimes King of Scotland ) two and thirty yeares after his fathers deposition , beganne now to shew himselfe , attempting the recovery of that Crowne ; and comming out of Fra●ce , where he had all that while remained ; and getting aide under-hand in Engla●d , with them he suddenly assailes those who had the government of Scotland , during the Nonage of the young King David , ( being at that time with the King of Fra●ce ) and in a battell overcame them , with the slaugher of many Noble men , and thousands of the common people ; and thereupon was immediatly Crowned King of Scotland at Scone . But notwithstanding this great defeat , King Baylioll was forced to retire him into England to get more aide of King Edward : who now shewes himselfe in the action , joynes with Baylioll against his brother in Law , King David ; goes in person with a strong Army to recover Berwicke , which after three moneths siege , being valiantly defended by the Lord Seton , was taken in ; and the Army of the Scots which came to the rescue thereof , at Hallidowne-hill , utterly defeated : where were slaine seven Earles , ninety knights and Bannerets , foure hundred Esquires , and about two and thirty thousand common Souldiers , as our Writers report ; as theirs , but foureteene thousand : and with this effusion of bloud is Baylioll returned to his miserable kingdome , and to hold good correspondence with the King of England hereafter , doth him Homage for his Realme of Scotland , and the Ilands adjacent . But though he had a kingdome , yet he had not quietnesse , for many of the Scots aided by the French , made warre upon him divers yeares after ; during all which time , King David with his wife remained in France . If any man marvell why King Edward would aide Bailioll against King David , who had married his sister ; he may consider that Alliances , how neare soever , weigh but light in the Scales of State .

About this time the I le of Man is conquered by William Montacute , Earle of S●lisbury ; for which service King Edward gave him the Title of King of Man .

Of his Acts after he came of age .

ANd now Robert of Arthois banished out of France , comes into England , whom King Edward makes Earle of Richmond , and of his Counsell . This Robert perswades King Edward to make warre upon France , to which Crowne ( he said ) he had more right then he that held it ; with whose perswasions , King Edward is at last resolved to undertake the enterprise : and to furnish himselfe of Noble Chiefetaines , he at one time in a Parliament at Westminster , the eighth yeare of his Raign , creates sixe Earles , Henry of Lancaster he made Earle D●rby , William Montacute he made Earle of Salisbury , Hugh Audeley Earle of Glocester , William Clinton Earle of Huntington , and Robert Clifford or Ufford Earle of Suffolke ; also twenty knights , of whom Thomas de la Moore , who writ the life of the Kings Father , was one : withall he enters League of amity with many Princes abroad , with the Dukes and E●rles of Gelders , Iulyers , Cleves , Heynault , and Brabant , and with the Arch-bishop of Colen , and Valeran his brother : as on the other side , the King of France got to take his part the Bishop of Liege , Iohn King of Bohemia , Earle of Luxemburg , Henry Count Palatine , Aubert Bishop of Mets , Otho Duke of Austria , Ame Earle of Geneva , with many other Princes and Captaines out of Germany , Spaine , and other Countries . King Edward thus resolved in himselfe , and furnished with friends abroad , goes over into Flanders with his Queene and children , makes his residence at Antwerp , where by perswasion of the Flemings he takes upon him the Stile , Title , and Armes of the King of France ; for by this they accounted themselves disobliged of the Bond of twenty hundred thousand crownes , which they had entred into , never to beare Armes against the King of France ; and hereupon the League was established betweene them and King Edward . And now King Edward for a beginning to put his claime in execution , sets upon Cambray , and enters France by the way of Vermandois and Thierach ; on the other side King Philip seiseth on the Dutchy of Guienne , and sends thither the Conte d' Eu , Constable of France , with the Earles of Foix and Armigniack . At last both Armies came so neare together , that a fight was appointed the Friday after ; but upon better consideration , the English thought it no discretion to give battell to an Army so much greater then their owne , if they could avoid it ; and the French thought it as little discretion for them to hazard the person of their Prince within his owne kingdome ; and perhaps were not a little moved with the warning given them by Robert King of Sicilie , a great Astronomer , that he fore-saw by the Starres , some great misfortune to threaten the French , if they should that day fight with the Engli●h , King Edward being present : and thus both Armies having their severall reasons to decline the battell , they parted without doing any thing ; onely an accident happened scarce worth remembring , yet must be remembred . 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 battell , disposed themselves to fight , and foureteene Gentlemen for encouragements sake , as the custome is , were knighted ; called afterward in merriment , knights of the Hare .

But now King Edward must a little looke home , and therefore leaving the Queen in Brabant , he passeth himselfe into England about Candlemas , having beene in Brabant about a yeare ; and landing at the Tower about midnight , and finding ●t unguarded , was so much displeased , that he presently sends for the Major of ●ondon , commanding him to bring before him the Chancellour and Treasurer , with Sir Iohn Saint Paul , Michael Watch , Philp Thorpe , Henry Stratford , Clergy men , ( who it seemes were Officers for his Receipts ) and Iohn Sconer Justice of the Bench ; all which , except the Chancellour , were apprehended and committed to prison ; as were afterward in like manner divers Officers of Justice , and Accomptants , upon inquiry made of their unjust proceeding . During the Kings abode in England , William Montacute Earle of Salisbury , and Robert Ufford Earle of Suffolke , le●t in Flanders to oppose the French , having performed divers great e●ploits , were a● last in an encounter about Lis●e , so overlaid by multitude , as they were both taken , and sent prisoners to Paris . Besides , about this time two accidents happened that were thought would be great rubs in King Edwards proceeding ; one , that his Wives Father , William Earle of Hayn●ult , dying , and leaving his sonne to succeed , this son left his brother King Edward , and fell to take part with the King of France : the other , that the Duke of Normandy , thinking himselfe as strong as ever William Du●● of Normandy was that conquered England , he saw no reason but he might conquer it as well as that William ; and thereupon makes preparation by Sea and Land to attempt the enterprise : but these were but vapours that never came to be winds , at least brought no stormes : for Iohn Earle of Haynault had quickly enough of the King of France , and was soone after reconciled to his brother King Edward ; and the Duke of Normandy went no further then preparations : for indeed King Edw●●d prosecuted his courses against France with such heate , that all the neighbouring Princes seeing a fire kindled so neare their owne borders , were glad to looke ●o themselves at home . But now to impeach the King of Englands returne into Fra●ce● King Philip had provided a mighty Navie in the Haven of Sluce , consisting of tw● hundred saile of Ships ( besides many Gallies ) and two thousand armed men in th● Port ready to encounter him upon his landing : whereof King Edward being adve●tised , prepares the like number of Ships , and sets out to Sea upon Midsommer Eve ; is m● the morrow after with a Navy likewise from the North parts , conducted by Sir ●●bert Morley ; and encounters his enemy who lay to intercept him with such force and courage , and such advantage of Wind and Sun , that he utterly defeated their whole Navy , took and sunke all their Ships , slew thirty thousand men , and landed with as great glory , as such a victory ( the greatest that ever before was gotten by the E●glish at Sea ) could yeeld , though King Edward himselfe was there wounded with an Arrow in the thigh . Most of the French , rather then to endure the Arrowes of the English , or be taken , desperately leapt into the Sea ; whereupon the French Kings Jester , set on to give him notice of this overthrow , ( which being so ill newes , no●● else would willingly impart unto him ) said , and oftentimes repeated it in the Kings hearing ; Cowardly English men , Dastardly English men , faint-hearted Englis● men● the King at length asked him why● for that ( said he ) they durst not leap out of their Ships into the Sea , as our brave French men did . By which speech the King apprehend a notion of this overthrow : which the French attribute to Nichol●●●●chet , one of their chiefe Commanders , who had armed his Ships with men of base condition ( content with small pay ) and refused Gentlemen and sufficient Souldiers , in regard they required greater wages : And indeed it often happens that the avarice of Commanders is the occasion of great defeats .

By this victory King Edward gained a free entrance into Flanders , and presently went and besieged Tournay with an Army of five and fifty thousand , but was so valiantly encountred by the Duke of Burgundy and the Earle of Armigniack , that they routed his Army , and slew foure thousand upon the place ; which so enraged King Edward , that two dayes after he sent a Challenge to King Philip to meete him in ● single combate , or with an hundred against as many , before the wals of Tourn●● . King Philip answers , that his Challenge being made to Philip de Valois , withou● mention of King , he tooke it not to be to him , who was truly King of France● but he wished him to remember the Homage he had done him at Amiens , and the wrong he did to the Christian world● by his troublesome courses to hinder him from his voyage intended to the Holy Land . Besides this answer in writing he sends to him by word of mouth ; that by his Challenge he hazarded nothing of his owne , but exposed onely the Dominion of another , which was against all reason : but if he would set his kingdome of England , though much meaner , agai●●● his of France , he would then accept the Challenge , and meete him in the field 〈◊〉 single combate . But this King Edward would not hearken to for as he was valiant to make the Challenge , so he was circumspect to looke to the conditions . But here upon he continues his siege of T●●rnay ; to the reliefe whereof King Philip sends all the forces he could possibly make by himselfe o● his friends ; and after the siege had continued three moneths , partly by mediation of Robert King of Sicilie , but chiefely by the Lady Iane of Valois , sister to King Philip , and mother of King Edwards wife ( who had vowed her selfe a Nunne ; but to doe this good office , travelled from one to another ) a Truce was concluded for a yeare , and both their Armies are dissolved .

After this , K. Edward returning into England , was advertised how the Scots after many other places gained , had besieged the Castle of Striveling ; for reliefe whereof , the King makes all the haste he can ; and yet before he could come , it was by force of battery , compelled to render it selfe upon conditions . Then King Edward being at Berwicke , passeth to New-Castle upon Tyne , where he staies a moneth waiting for his provision that was to come by Sea ; but that being driven into other parts by tempest , he makes a Truce with the Scots for three or foure moneths , and then returnes home . In the time of this Truce ; the Scots send to King David , to come and governe the kingdome in his owne person ; who thereupon taking his leave of the King of France , with whom he had remained seven yeares , he with his wife Ioane , King Edwards sister , returnes into Scotland ; where after he had beene most honourably received by the Prince of Or●nay , and the other Lords and Barons of the Kingdome , as soone as the Truce was ended , with a strong Army enters Northumberland , passing on to New-Castle upon Tyne , where he plants his Campe. Of this Castle , Iohn Nevile was left governour by King Edward , who sending out certaine companies , tooke the Earle Murray prisoner , and with the slaughter of divers of his men , and rich booties , returned backe to his Castle ; which so incensed King David , that he assaulted the Castle as a man enraged , but finding it too strong for his taking , he then passed into the Province of Durham , where he used all kinds of cruelty , first upon the Countrey , and then upon the City , killing men , women and children , Clergy , and others ; burning and destroying houses and Churches , and utterly defacing it . From thence he passeth on to the Castle of Salisbury , which Castle belonged to William Mountacute Earle of Salisbury in right of his wife ; but himselfe being then prisoner in France , onely his Countesse , and one William Mountacute a Cousin of his , was in the Castle . This William perceiving the Scottish horse to be so over-charged with pillage , that they were scarce able to goe ; issues out of the Castle with forty horse , sets upon them , kils two hundred , and takes sixe score , whom he brings with their rich pillage , into the Castle . King David soone after with his whole Army arrived , but hearing of King Edwards comming ( who certified of these things , made all the haste he could ) he retires himselfe from thence ; and King Edward finding him gone before he came , yet would needs goe in and visit the Countesse : of whom , as soone as he saw her , he was so enamoured , that he laid more battery to her chastity , then King David had done to her Castle ; but finding it inexpugnable , after a day and a night he left it , and followed after the Scots , with whom for three dayes together he had many skirmishes , till at last a Truce was concluded for two yeares ; and amongst other conditions , William Earle of Salisbury , prisoner with the King of France , was set at liberty in exchange for the Earle Murray , prisoner with the King of England .

About this time another difference fell out betweene the Kings of France and England . Iohn Earle of Montford laid claime to the Dutchy of Britaine , but in the quarrell was taken prisoner by the King of France : his Lady sends to King Edward for succour ; which King Edward grants upon condition that a marriage be made betweene his daughter Mary and the Earle of Montfords sonne ; which being agreed on , he sends over to her aide , first , Walter de Manny a valiant knight , and afterward Robert d' Arthois : but whilest his Army was preparing , King Edward was informed by Edward Baylioll , the pretended King of Scotland , and Governour of Berwicke , that the Scots had not kept the conditions of the Truce ; whereupon King Edward drawes a great Army to Berwicke , with a purpose to doe great matters , but nothing was done , for a new Truce was againe concluded for two yeares . By this time Robert d' Arthois had made ready his Army , and taking with him the Countesse of Montford , the Earles of Pembroke , Salisbury , and Suffolke , and many other Barons ; after great tempests and encounters at Sea lands safely at last neare to Vannes , which was held by the French , and laying ●●ege to the City , with the assistance of Walter de Manny , who came unto him , after many assaults , at last he tooke it , to the great joy of the Countesse of Montford , though she held it not long ; for certaine resolute French knights assaulted it soone after , and recovered it from the English . In which action many Lords were slaine or wounded , and particularly Robert de Ar●hois himselfe ; who passing over into England , for the better curing of his wounds , soone after died , and was buried in Pauls Church in L●ndon . And now King Edward himselfe with a strong Army passeth over into Britaine , and plants his Campe before the City of Vannes , where was like to have beene a cruell battell ; but in the instant , there came from Pope Cl●ment the sixth , two Cardinals , the Bishops of Preneste and Thusculum ; who upon certaine conditions concluded a Peace ; amongst other conditions , this was one ; that the City of Vannes should be delivered to ●ing Philip , and thereupon Iohn Earle of Montford should be set at liberty , but yet with this charge , not to goe into Britaine : which promise notwithstanding , he kept not , but went presently and besieged a Tow●e in Britaine , though he were forced to retire , and died shortly after . But the Truce cracked ●hus , as it were , by Montford , was afterward absolutely broken by King Edward though he charged the breach of it upon K. Philip , and King Philip upon him . But howsoever broken it was ; and Henry of Lancaster Earle of Derby , with divers other Earles and Barons , is sent into France , who won many Townes in Gascoyne● and in the Counties of Perigort and Tholo●se , and then went to winter at Burdeaux . And afterward , in May following , pursuing his victories , he wonne many mor● Townes ; and amongst others , the great Towne of Reoll . After this againe , he tooke Montpesat , Maurore , Villefranche , and many other Townes ; and at last the great City of Ango●lesme , and then came to winter againe at Burdeaux .

Of his Acts together with the Prince .

KING Philip informed of so many great losses , assembles a mighty Army , no lesse then a hundred thousand men , with which he recovers Miremont , and Villefranche , and then proceeded to besiege Angoulesme , whom the Earle of Derby having not forces sufficient to encounter , King Edward ( leaving for Wardens of England in his absence , the Lords Percie and Nevill ) goeth himselfe in person with an Army ( as Froyssard saith ) of fourescore thousand men at Armes , and ten thousand Archers , besides those out of Wales and Ireland ; taking with him his sonne , the Prince of Wales , and Duke of Guyenne , being then but of the age of fifteene yeares . It may be thought preposterous in King Edward , to put his sonne to be a Souldier before he was come to be a man ; but it seemes he had a longing to try his sonnes valour in the bud , and perhaps was loath to omit any thing that might give any countenance to this battell , in which the two kingdomes were laid as it were at stake ; but howsoever , taking him along with him , and almost all the Lords of his kingdome , he takes Shipping , and lands at Normandy , where at the first setting his foote on ground , he tooke such a fall , that the bloud gushed out at his nose ; which the Barons tooke for an ill signe , but the King tooke it for a good : saying , it was a signe that the Land desired to have him : and in deede he presently tooke the Townes of Harsteur , Moulbourg , Carenton , and Saint Lo , and afterward the City of Ca●n it selfe ; and from thence passed to the County of Eureux , saccaged and pillaged it , as also the City of Gisors , Vernon , Meulan , and Boulebourse to the City of Poyssy . King Philip all this while staied about Paris , as looking for King Edward to give him battell there ; and for that purpose had planted his Campe neare to Saint Germans ; but King Edward deceived him : for going from Poyssy , he passed into Picardie and Ponthie● , where he tooke and burned many Townes and Castles : and then passed the River of 〈◊〉 , though not without danger : for King Philip had sent thither Gundemar de Fay with a thousand horse , and sixe thousand foote , to stop his passage : King Edward notwithstanding resolves to passe , or perish , and plungeth forem●●● into the River ; crying out , They who love me , will follow me at which voyce , 〈◊〉 man strove who should be foremost , and so the shoare was presently gained by the English . Gun●emar astonished with this bold adventure , astonisheth his peo●●● with his fearfull countenance : so that the English encountring the French all in 〈◊〉 , put them to flight . King Philip enraged with this dishonour , resolves to 〈◊〉 it ; and presently provokes King Edward to a battell . King Edward had 〈◊〉 ●●camped in a Village called Cressy , his Army consisted of thirty thousand 〈◊〉 ●hich he divided into three battalions : the first was led by the young Prince 〈…〉 , with whom were joyned the Earle of Warwicke , Geoffrey of Harecourt , 〈◊〉 Holla●d , Ric●ard Stafford , Iohn Chandoes , Robert Nevile , and many other 〈◊〉 and Gentlemen , to the number of eight hundred men at Armes , two thou 〈…〉 , and a thousand Welsh . In the second were the Earles of Northam●●●●●nd ●nd of 〈◊〉 , the Lords Rosse , Basset , and others , to the number of eight hun〈…〉 Armes , and twelve hundred Archers . In the third the King was him●●●●● h●ving about him seven hundred men at Armes , and three thousand Archers . 〈◊〉 battels thus ordered , mounted on a white Hobby , he rode from ranke to ranke 〈◊〉 ●●em ; encouraging every man that day to have regard to his right and ho 〈…〉 The French Kings Army was farre greater , consisting of above sixty thou 〈…〉 well armed ; whereof the chiefe were Charles Duke of Alanson 〈…〉 Iohn of Luxembourg King of Bohemia , Charles de Blois the Kings 〈…〉 Duke of Lorraine , the Earles of Flanders , Nevers , Sancerre ; of Ba 〈…〉 and Gentlemen , about three thousand . The Vauntguard he commits to his ●rother the Count de Alanson , the Reere to the Earle of Savoy , the maine battell ●e lead● himselfe ; his heate out of confidence of victory was so great , that 〈…〉 permitted time for a little counsell what was fit to be done . The old King 〈…〉 advised that the Army should take some repast , and that the Infantry c●●●isting of Ge●oueses ( which were above fifteene thousand Crossebowes , and 〈◊〉 men● should make the first Front , and the Cavallery to follow ; which was agreed on . But the Count of Alanson , contrary to this order , tooke it ill that the 〈◊〉 were in the first ranke , and in fury caused them to change place ; which 〈…〉 discontentment , that it irritated them more against the Leader , then the 〈◊〉 ; besides there fell at the instant , such a showre of raine , as dissolved their 〈◊〉 , and made their Bowes of little use ; and at the breaking up of the showre , the 〈…〉 full in the face of the French ( dazling their sight ) and on the backe of the 〈◊〉 , as if all made for them . K. Edward who had gotten to a Windmill , beholding 〈◊〉 a Sentinell , the countenance of the Enemy , and discovering the disturbance 〈◊〉 by the change of place ; instantly sends to charge that part , without giving 〈…〉 to re-accommodate themselves ; whereupon the discontented Gen●●ese 〈◊〉 which the Co●nt de Alanson perceiving , he comes on with the horse , and 〈…〉 ●age cries out , On , on , Let us make way upon the bellies of these Genoueses , 〈…〉 but hinder us : and instantly pricks on with a full careere through the midst 〈…〉 , followed by the Earles of Lorraine and Savoy , and never staies till he came 〈◊〉 the English battell , where the Prince was ; the fight grew hot and doubtfull , 〈…〉 as the Commanders about the Prince send to King Edward to come up with his power to aide him . The King askes the messengers whether his son were 〈…〉 hurt : who answering , no ; but that he was like to be over-laid : Well then ( 〈◊〉 ●he King ) returne , and tell them who sent you , that so long as my sonne is a 〈…〉 they send no more to me what ever happen ; for I will that the honour of this 〈…〉 his . And so being left to try for themselves , they wrought it out with the 〈◊〉 ● the rather by reason the French King having his horse slaine under him , and 〈◊〉 danger to be trodden to death , had he not been recovered by the Lord Beau 〈…〉 ●●●s to the great discouragement of his people , withdrawne out of the field : 〈◊〉 no●●ce being once taken by the English , the day was soone after theirs , and 〈…〉 victory they ever had yet against the French , and so bloudy , as there is 〈…〉 made of any one prisoner taken in the battell , but all ●laine out-right ; ●nely ●ome few troopes that held together , saved themselves by retiring to places neare adjoyning . The French King himselfe with ● small company , got to Bray in the night , and approaching the walls , and the Gu●rd asking him who goes there ? he answered , the Fortune of Fr●●c● . By ●i● voyce ●e was knowne , and thereupon received into the Towne , with the teares and lamenta●ions of his people . The number of the slaine are certified to be thirty thousand : the chiefe whereof , were Charles de Al●ns●n , Iohn Duke of 〈◊〉 , ●alph Earle of Lorraine , L●wis Earle of Fl●●●ers , I●ques Da●lphin de 〈◊〉 , So●●e to I●b●rt , ( who after gave Daulphin to the Crowne of France ) the Earl●● of S●●c●rre , H●r●court , and many other Earles , Barons , and Gentlemen , to the number of fiftee●● hundred . This memorable Victory happened upon the S●turday after Bart●●l●●●● day , in the yeare 1346. The next day , earely in the morning , being Sunday , he s●n● out 300. Lances , and 2000. Archers● to discover what was becom● of t●● 〈◊〉 who found great Troopes comming from Abbe●●l● , Saint 〈…〉 , a●d B●●uvoyes , ( ignorant of what had happened 〈◊〉 by the Arch-Bishop of R●●● , and the Priour of France : whom they likewise defeated , and slew s●ven thousand .

But this was not all th● Victories that fell to King Edward that yeare , there was another of no lesse importance gotten in Engl●●d , by the Queene and hi● peopl● at home against the Scots ; who being set on by the French , to divert the wa●●● there● entred upon this kingdome wit●●hreesco●e thousand men , ( as our Writers report ) assuring himselfe of successe , in regard ( as he supposed ) ● the ma●●e stre●gth thereof was now gone into France ; but ●e found it otherwise● For the Lords of the North , as Gylbert de Umfrevile , the Earl● of Ang●●● , Henry Perc● , Ralph Nevile , William D●y●co●●t , with the Arch-bishop of Yorke , the Bishop of Dur●am , and others of the Clergy , gathered so great Forces , and so well ordered them , by the animation of the Queene , ( who was there in person ) as fighting a great Battaile at Nevils Crosse in the Bishopricke of Durha● , they utterly defea●ed this great Army , tooke David their King Prisoner , with the Earles of Fif● , Menteth , Murry , Sutherland , the Lord Dowglas , the Arch-bishop of Saint Andrewes , and others ; and put to the sword fifteene thousand Sc●ts . This Victory also fell upon a Saturday , sixe weekes after that of Cressy . He that tooke King David Prisoner , wa● one Iohn C●pl●nd , an Esquire of Northumberland , whom King Edward rewarded with five hundred pounds land a yeare , and made him a Banner●t . And as if all concurred to make this yeare Triumphant , the Aides sent to the Countesse of Montford in Britaine , led by Thomas Dagworth a Valiant knight , overthrew and tooke Prisoner , Charles de Blois , Pretender to that Dutchy , and with him Mounsi●ur la Vall , the Lords Rochford , Bea●●anoyre , Loi●c●ue ; with many other Barons , Knights , and Esquires : Where were slaine the Lord De la Vall , Father to him that was taken , Viscount Rohan , Mounsieur de Chastea● Bryan , de ●alestroit , de Quintin , de Dyrev●ll , besides many other knights and Esquires , to the number of seven hundred . And now King Edward without medling with the great Cities of Amiens and Abbevile , marcheth on directly , and sits downe before Callice , a Town of more importance for England , and the Gate to all the rest : Wherein Iohn d● Vienne Marshall of France , and the Lord de Andregh●n , ( a great man in his time ) commanded .

All that Winter King Edward lay without any molestation by the French King , who was busied at home in his owne State about raising of money ; wherewith supplyed at last , he raiseth an Army and approacheth Callice , but findes no way open to come to relieve it . The King of England was both Master of the Haven , and possest all other wayes that were passable ; and the Flemings his friends had besieged Aire ; to oppose whom , Iohn Duke of Normandy is sent for out of Guyenne : who departing leaves Henry of Lancaster Earle of Derby , Master of the Field , and ●e having an Army consisting of twelve hundred men at Armes , two thousand Archers , and three thousand other Foot , takes in most of the Townes of Xaintoigne , and Poict●● , and in the end besieged and sacked P●ityer● , and then returnes to B●rdea●x , with more ●illage then his people could well beare : Thus the 〈◊〉 prosper every ●●here , and the French suffer . During this siege of Calli●e , ( ●n 〈◊〉 some t●in●● King Edw●●● first used Gunnes ) the Fleming● send to King 〈◊〉 to make a marriage betweene his Daughter Isabell and their Lord the 〈…〉 ; to which the King consented , but the Duke of Br●●●nt gets 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 , ●o make the match for a Daughter of his● The Flemings presse 〈◊〉 Lord with t●e match of England ; but he absolutely refuse●h it , saying● h● 〈◊〉 never marry a Daughter of him , that had killed his Father , though he would 〈…〉 ●●lf● his kingdome . This answer so incensed the Flemi●gs , that they 〈…〉 Lord in Prison , till with long durance he at last consented ; and there 〈…〉 E●ward and his Queene , with their Daughter Is●●●ll , come over to 〈…〉 there the young Earle is aff●an●ed to her ; but returning after●●rds 〈…〉 as ●e found opportunity , he went to King Philip , and ●eft 〈…〉 ; and marryed afterwards a Daughter of the 〈…〉 this whi●●●he siege of Callice was continued ; and King Philip 〈…〉 come to relieve it ; sollicits King Edward to appoint some● place 〈…〉 would mee●e him . But King Edward returnes answer , that if he 〈…〉 owne way to come thither to him , there he should finde him , but 〈…〉 be would not pa●●● having laine there so long to his great l●●our and 〈…〉 b●ing now so neare the point of gaining the place● Two●●a●●●nals 〈…〉 the Pope , to mediate a Peace , but could effect nothing , so as the 〈…〉 w●s forced to breake up his Army and retire to Paris , leaving C●llice 〈…〉 the Besieger : which when the Towne understood , they sent to de 〈…〉 granted , and therein received this finall answer , that ●ixe of the chiefe Burgesses should be sent to the King , bare-headed , bare-footed , in their shirts , 〈…〉 their neckes● the keyes of the Towne and Castle in their hands , 〈…〉 th●●●elves to the Kings will ; the rest he was content to take to mercy . 〈…〉 condition , and much difficulty who should be those sixe : but 〈◊〉 up , and out of love to his Country offering himselfe to be one , the sixe 〈…〉 made ●p ; for now by his example every one strove to be of the 〈◊〉 who presenting themselves before the King , he commanded them instantly 〈…〉 to death . Great supplication was made by his Lords for their lives , but 〈…〉 would not be drawne to alter his sentence , till the Queene , great with 〈…〉 on her knees , and with teares obtained pardon for them ; which done , 〈…〉 them to be cloathed , and besides a good repast , gives to every one of them 〈◊〉 Nobles a p●ece . But though the King in this sentence shewed severity , 〈…〉 Act before he had shewed mercy ; For when Victuals began to faile in 〈…〉 , and all unusefull persons , as old men , women , and children , were put 〈…〉 Gates ; he forced them not backe againe as he might have done , there●● 〈◊〉 sooner to consume their store ; but suffered them to passe through his Ar●y● 〈◊〉 them to eate , and two pence a piece to all of them . And thus was that strong 〈◊〉 of Callice gotten , the third day of August , in the yeare 1347. after eleven 〈…〉 siege , and continued afterward in possession of the English two hundred 〈…〉 . All the Inhabitants are turned out , but onely one Priest , and two 〈…〉 to informe of the Orders of the Towne : and a Colony of English , amo●gst which seven and thirty good Families out of London is sent to inhabit it● 〈…〉 and Queene enter the Towne triumphantly , and make their abode there , 〈◊〉 Queene was brought a bed of her Daughter Margaret . The King made 〈◊〉 of the Town Ayme●y of Pavia a Lombard , whom he had brought up from 〈…〉 , and then with his Queene returnes into England ; at which time the 〈◊〉 Electours send to signifie● that they had chosen him King of the Romans , but 〈…〉 refuseth to accept it , as being an honour out of his way , and scarce com 〈…〉 his State at home .

●fter this Tr●●●s were made by mediation , from one time to another , for the 〈…〉 ●wo yeares , in which time , Geoffrey de Charmy Captaine of Saint Omer , 〈…〉 Aymery of P●via , whom King Edward had left Governour of Callice , to 〈…〉 for twenty thousand Crownes : which King Edward hearing of , sent to A●mery , and charged him with this perfidiousnesse ; whe●●●pon Ay●●●y comes to the King , and humbly desiring pardon , promiseth to h●ndl● the 〈◊〉 so as shall be ●o the Kings advantage , and thereupon i● sen● backe to Callice . The King , the ●ight before the time of agreement● arrives with three ●und●ed men at 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 hundred Archers : 〈◊〉 de Charmy 〈…〉 likewise the 〈◊〉 ●●ght from Saint Omers with his Forces , and sent a hundred m●n before with the Crownes to 〈◊〉 : the men are let in at a Posterne Gate● the crownes received , ●nd assured to be all weight : which done , the Gates of the Towne are opened , and out marches the King before day , to encounter 〈◊〉 de Charmy ; who perceiving himselfe betrayed , defended ●imselfe● the best he could , and put King Edward to a hard bickering , who for that ●e would not b● 〈…〉 person , put hi●self● and the Prince under the Colours of the Lord 〈…〉 bea●en ●●wne on ●is knees by 〈…〉 ●hom he fought hand to hand ) and ye● recove●●d , and 〈…〉 prisoner . Charmy was likewise taken , and all his Fo●●●● defeated . Ki●g ●dward the night after ( which was the first of the New-yeare ) feasted with the Prisoners , and gave ●ibo●●●nt in honour of his valou● , 〈…〉 Chaplet of Pearle , which himselfe wore on his head , ( for a New-yeares gift ) forgave him his ransome , and set him at liberty . But the English not long after , in the like practise , had better successe , and got the Castle of Guysnes , ( a piece of great importance ne●r● Callice , ) for a summe of money , given to one Beaconr●y a French ●●n . Of which C●s●le , when the French King demanded restitution in regard of the Truc● , King Edwar● returnes answer , that for things bought and sold betweene their people , there was no exception , and so held it .

About this time Philip King of France dyed , leaving his Sonne Iohn to succeed him ; in the beginning of whose Raigne , Humber● P●ince of D●●lphin , dying without issue , made him his Heire , and ther●upon Charles King Ioh●● Sonne , was created the first Daulphin of France : from whence it grew to be a Custome , that the King of France his Heire should alwayes be called Daulphin of France . About this time also the Duke of Lancaster was to perfo●me a combat , upon a challenge , with a Prince of B●h●mia , but when they were entred the Lists , and had taken their Oathes , King Iohn interposed , and made them Friends . And now when after many meanes of mediation , no Peace could be concluded betweene the two Kings ; the Prince of Wales being now growne a man , is appointed by Parliament , to goe into Gascoyne with a thousand men at Armes , two thousand Archers , and a great number of Welshmen ; and in Iune following he sets forth with three hundred Saile , attended with the Earles of Warwick● , Suffolke , Salisbury , and Oxford , the Lord Chand●s , the Lord Iames A●deley , Sir ●obert Knolles , Sir Francis Hall , with many others . About Michaelma● following● the King himselfe passeth over to Callice , with another Army , taking with him two of his Sonnes , Li●n●ll of Antwerpe , now Earle of Ulster i● Right of his Wife , and Iohn of Gant , Earle of Richmond . There met him at Callice of mercenaries out of Germany , Flanders and Brabant , a thousand men at Armes , so that his Army consisted of three thousand men at Armes , and two thousand Archers on horse-backe , besides Archers on foot . The City of London sent three hundred men at Armes , and five hundred Archers , all in one livery , at their owne charge ; but all this great Army effected nothing at that time , by reason the King of France would not be drawne to any Encounter , and had so disfurnished the Country of all provisions , that the King of England was forced to returne . King Edward solicited by the King of Navarre to aide him against the King of France , sends over the Du●e of Lancaster with foure thousand men at Armes , who winnes many Townes● and the Prince enters G●yenne , passeth over Langn●d●c to Tholouse , Narbonne , Burges , without any Encounter , sackes , spoyles and destroyes where he goes , and loaden with booties returnes to Burdeaux . The French King thus assaulted on all ●ides , gathers all the power he possibly could , and first makes against his E●emies in N●●●●●dy , recovers many of his lost Townes , and was likely to have there prevaile● , but that he was drawne of force to oppose 〈◊〉 fresh Invader , the Prince of Wales , who was come up into Tourayne , against 〈◊〉 he brings his whole Army , consisting of above threescore thousand : where●●●● the Prince , whose Forces were not likely to be able to encounter him ( being 〈◊〉 for one ) was advised to retire againe to Burdeaux . But the French King , to preve●● this course , followes ; and within two leagues of Poyctiers , hath him at a 〈◊〉 advantage : at which instant , two Cardinals came from the Pope to mediate ● Pe●ce . But the French King supposing he had his enemy now in his mercy , would accept of no other conditions , but that the Prince should deliver him foure Hostage● , ●nd ●s vanquished , render himselfe and his Army to his discretion . The Prince wa● content to restore unto him what he had gained upon him , but without pr●ju●●●● of his honour , wherein he said he stood accomptable to his Father , and to his C●u●tr●y . But the French King would abate nothing of his demands , as making hims●lf● sure of victory ; and thereupon was instantly ready to set upon the Princ● : 〈◊〉 seeing himselfe reduced to this straight , takes what advantage he could of th● 〈◊〉 , and providently got the benefit of Vines , Shrubs , and Bushes , on that part 〈…〉 like to be assailed , to impester and intangle the French horse , which he saw 〈◊〉 ●ome furiously upon him . The successe answered his expectation , for the 〈◊〉 of his enemies upon their first assault were so wrapt and encombred 〈◊〉 ●he Vines , that his Archers galled and annoyed them at their pleasure . For 〈◊〉 Fre●●h King , to give the honour of the day to his Cavallery , imployed them onely without his Infantery ; so as they being disordered and put to rout , his whol● Army came utterly to be defeated . In this battell were taken prisoners , King Iohn himselfe , with his yo●ngest sonne Philip , by Dennis de Morbecque a knight of Ar●h●is ; Iaques de Bourbon , Conte de Ponthieu ; the Arch-bishop of Sens ; Iohn de Arth●is ; Conte de En ; Charles de Arthois ; his brother Count de Longueville ; Iohn de 〈◊〉 , Count de Tankarvile ; the Counts of Vendosme , Va●demont , Estampes , Salbourg , 〈◊〉 and La Roche ; also Iohn de Ceintre , accounted ( as Froissard saith ) the 〈◊〉 ●night of France , with many other Lords , besides two thousand Knights and Gen●lemen ; in so much , as the Conquerours holding it not safe to retaine so many , le●●●ny of them goe . The French , who can give best account of their owne losses , ●●por● there died in the battell , a thousand seven hundred Gentlemen , amongst which were fifty two Bannerets : the most eminent , Peter de Bourbon , the Duke of Ath●●s Constable of France , Iehan de Clermont Marshall ; Geoffrey de Charmy , High Chamberlain● ; the Bishop of Chalons , the Lords of Landas , of Pons , and of Cham●●y . There escaped from this battell , three of the French Kings sons , ( for he brought them all thither ) Charles Prince Daulphin ; Louys after Duke of Anjou ; and Iohn Duke of B●●ry● all great actours in the time following . The special great men of the English i● th●● fight , were the Earles of Warwicke , Suffolke , Salisbury , Oxford , Stafford ; the Lord●● Cobham , Spenser , Barkeley , Basset : of Gascoynes , Le Capital de Beuff ; the Lords , Pumyer , Chaumont , and others . The Lord Iames Andeley wonne honour both by his valour , and his bounty ; for having vowed to be foremost in this fight , he pe●formed his word , and sealed it with many wounds : for which the Prince having rewarded him with the gift of five hundred Markes Fee-simple in England , he p●esently gave it to foure of his Esquires ; whereupon the Prince demanding whether he accepted not his gift ? he answered , that these men had deserved the same as well ●s himselfe , and had more neede of it ; with which reply the Prince was so well pleased , that he gave him five hundred Markes more in the same kinde . A rare example , where desert in the Subject , and reward in the Prince , strive which should be the greater .

And now , though King Iohn had the misfortune to fall into the hands of his enemy , yet he had the happinesse to fall into the hands of a Noble enemy ; for Prince Edw. used him with such respect and observance , that he could not find much d●●ference betweene his captivity and liberty . After the battell , which was fought the ●in●●●enth day of September , in the yeare 1357. Prince Edward leads King Iohn and the captive Lords to Burde●ux , where he retaines them till the spring following ; but 〈◊〉 present newes of his victory to his Father : who thereupon causeth a generall Thanksgiving all England over eight dayes together : and in May following ; King Iohn rather comming over with the Prince , then brought over by him , is lodged at the Savo● ; a Palace belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster , and the fairest at that time about London . And King Edward , as though he thought it honour enough to have one King his prisoner at once , at the suite of his sister Queene I●ane , he sets her Husband David King of Scots at liberty , after he had beene prisoner in England eleven yeares , but not without paying a Ransome , which was a hun-thousand Markes , to be paid in ten yeares .

After this , by mediation of Cardinals sent by the Pope , a Truce for two yeares is concluded betweene the two kingdomes of France and England , and in the time of this Truce , Articles of Peace betweene the two Kings are propounded● King Edward requires the Dutchies of Norm●●●● and G●yenn● , the Counties of Poicto● , T●uraine , Mayne , and Anjo●● with all their ●ppur●e●ances as large as King Richard the first held them , and many other Provinces besides , and to hold them all without Homage or any other service ; to which Articles , King Iohn ( weary of imprisonment ) assents and seales , but the 〈◊〉 ●nd Councell of France utterly reject it : whereupon King Edward in great disple●sure resolves to make an end of this worke with the sword , and to take possession of the kingdome of France ; and leaving his younger sonne Thomas Gove●●our of his kingdome at home , with a Fleet of ●leven hundred saile , and taking all the great Lords of the Realme with him , he passeth over to Callice , dividing his Army into three battels , whereof one he commits to the Prince of Wales , another to the Duke of Lancaster , and the ●hird he leads himselfe● and first marching through 〈◊〉 where he takes in many Townes , he plants his si●ge afterward before 〈◊〉 ; but having spent there sixe or seven weekes without effecting any thing , he ●asseth thence , and takes in the Cities of Sens & Nevers ; the Dutchy of , B●rgoyne redeemes it self from spoil with paying two hundred thousand Flo●ens of gold : then he marcheth up to ●aris , and plants his Camp within two small Leagues of the Tow●● , where ●e honoured 400. Esquires and Gentlemen with the Order of knighthood : but when Sir Walter de Manny had made a Bravado before the Gates of the City , and the King saw that the Daulphin would by no provocations be drawne out to battell ; he raiseth his siege , and returnes into Bri●aine to refresh his Army ; from thence he marcheth towards Char●res with a purpose to besiege that City , and though great offers were made him by the French , and Commissioners from the Pope solicited him with all earnestnesse to accept them , yet neither they , nor the Duke of Lancasters perswasions could prevaile with him , till a terrible ●torme of haile with thunder and lightning fell upon his Army , which so terrified him , being a warning as it were from Heauen , that he presently vowed to make Peace with the French King upon any reasonable conditions , as shortly after he did at a Treaty of Britigny neare to Chartres , upon these Articles : that the Fiefs of Thouars and Belleville , the Dutchy of Guyenne , comprising Gascoyne , Poictou , San●ogne , Limo●sin , Perigort , Quercie , Rhodes , Angoulesme , and Rochell , together with the Counties of Guysnes and Callice , and some other places , with the Homages of the Lords within those Territories should be to the King of England , who besides was to have three Millions of crownes of gold● whereof sixe hundred thousand in hand , foure hundred thousand the yea●e following , and the rest in two yeares after : and for this the King of England , and his sonne the Prince of Wales , for them and their successours for ever , should renounce all their right pretended to the C●owne of France ; the Dutchy of Normandy , the Countries of Touraine , Anjou , Mayne , the Homage and Soveraignty of Britaine , and the Earledome of Flanders ; and within three weekes King Iohn to be rendred at Callice at the charge of the King of England , except the expenses of his house . For assurance of which accord , should be given into his hand five and twenty of the greatest Dukes and Lords of France for Hostages . The Scots not to be aided by the French King , nor the Flemmings by the English . This accord and finall Peace signed by both Kings , was ratified by their two eldest sonnes , Edward and Charles , and sworne unto by the Nobility of both kingdomes . The Hostages are delivered to King Edward , who brought them into England ; and thereupon King Iohn is honourably conducted to Callice , after he had remained prisoner in England neare about five yeares : but being come to Callice , he was detained there above three moneths , till the money which he was to pay in hand , could be provided ; and for providing the rest he was put to hard shifts ; being faine to give the Iewes leave to dwell in France for twenty yeares , paying twelve Florins a man at the entry , and sixe every yeare after . At this time the Prince by dispensation marries the Countesse of Kent , daughter to Edmund , brother to Edward the second , and his Father investing him with the Dutchy of Aquitaine , he was now Prince of Wales , Duke of Aquitaine , Duke of Cornwall , and Earle of Chester and Kent : and not long after , with the Princesse his wife , he passeth over into France , and keepes his Court at Burdeaux .

This was now the yeare 1362. and the fiftieth yeare of King Edwards age , wherein for a Iubilee , he shewes himselfe extraordinarily gracious to his peopl● , freely pardoning many offences , relesing prisoners , revoking exiles ; with many other expressions of his love and bounty . The yeare following was famous for three Kings comming into England : Iohn King of France , Peter King of Cyprus , and D●vid King of Scots . The King of Cyprus came to solicite King Edward to joyne with other Princes in the Holy Warre , but receives onely royall entertainment and excuses . The King of Scots came for businesse and visitation , but why the King of France came , is not so certaine , whether it were about taking order for his Hostages , or to satisfie King Edward for breach of some Articles , or else for love to the Countesse of Salisbury ; or perhaps out of a desire to let England see his Majesty , being at liberty , which had beene darkened before by the cloud of captivity ; but whatsoever the cause of his comming was , the cause of his staying ( at least , of longer staying then he meant ) was a mortall sicknesse , whereof ( having lien all the Winter at the Savoy ) in March or Aprill following , he died ; and his body convaied over into France , was buried at Saint Donis with his Ancestours . The Prince of Wales was now growne famous all the Christian world over , and the man to whom all wronged Princes seemed to appeale , and to flie for succour : for which end there came at this time to his Court , Iames King of Majorque , and happened to come at a time when the Princesse lay in ; and thereupon he and Richard King of Navarre were taken to be Godfathers to his sonne Richard . For the like assistance also , there came at the same time to him , Peter King of Castile , driven out of his kingdome by the French , in favour to Peter King of Aragon : and Prince Edward , partly out of charity , to succour a distressed Prince , and partly out of policy , to keepe his Souldiers in exercise ; undertakes the enterprise , and was so prosperous in it , that with one battell , ( having but thirty thousand against a hundred thousand ) hee put King Peter in possession of his kingdome , though he was ill rewarded for his labour : for the ungratefull King would not so much as pay his Souldiers . An unfortunate journey for the Prince , for though he came back with victory , yet he brought backe with him such an indisposition of body , that he was never throughly well after : not perhaps by poyson , nor given him by his brother the Duke of Lancaster , though both were suspected ; but there were causes of distempering him enough besides , the Countrey , the season , the action it selfe ; and it may be more marvelled that his Souldiers came home so well , then that he came so ill ; but howsoever , being now returned , there was presently to his indisposition of body , added discontentment of minde : for not having meanes to pay his Souldiers , which forced him to winke at that which he could not chuse but see , and seeing , grieve at , how they preyed upon the Countrey , and thereupon how the Countrey murmured against him : and now to stop this murmuring , his Chancellour , the Bishop of Rhodes , devised a new Imposition , of leavying a Frank for every Chimney , and this to continue for five yeares , to pay the Princes debts : but this Imposition made the murmuring the more ; for though some part of his Dominions , as the Poict●●ins , Xaingtonois , and Lymo●sins in a sort consented to it , yet the Count of Armigni●ck , the Count of Comminges , the Viscount of Carmayn , and many others so much distasted it , that they complained thereof to the King of France , as to their Supreme Lord ; who upon examination finding their complaint to be just , he thereupon , by advise of his Councell , Summons Prince Edward to appeare in person , to answer the complaint : whereunto Prince Edw. made answere , that if he must needs appeare , he would bring threescore thousand men in Armes to appeare with him ; and had certainely brought his Army that Summer against Paris , if he had not fallen into Symptomes of a Dropsie , which ( Walsingham saith ) was wrought by Enchantments . But upon this answer of the Prince , King Charles sends defiance to King Edward ; who thereupon prepares Armes both by Sea and Land to oppose him . The French enter upon the Territori●s of the Prince , and defeate divers of his Troopes ; in revenge whereof , Iohn Chandos the Princes Lieutenant , assaults Terrieres in the Province of Tholouse , and takes it . The Count of Perigourd a●saults Royanville , in Quer●y , and puts all the English to the sword ; in revenge whereof , Iames Audeley Sene●chall of Poicton , assaults the City of Brosse , and takes it . In the meane time Robert Knols , by some called Robin , and by others , Arnould , or Reynold Knoll , had drawne Perducas de Albert to the party of the English ; and thereupon wen● and encamped before the Fort of Darc●ell in Quercy , which Iohn Chandos understanding , went also and joyned with him in the Siege ; but finding they could doe no good there , they removed , and Besieged the City of Damme : and when they could doe no good there neither , they marched forward , tooke the Fort of Froyus , Rochevaudour , and Villefranche ; and that done , returned to the Prince at Angoulesme . At the same time , the Earles of Cambridge , and Pembroke , having spent nine weekes at the Siege of Bordeille , at last tooke it ; but other Captaines of the English did yet more , for they scaled Belleperche in the Province of Bourbon , where the Mother of the Duke of Bourbon , and of the Queene of France was , and take her prisoner .

About this time , Philippa Queene of England , King Edwards Wife died , and was buried at Westminster ; but this hindred not the proceeding of the English in France ; the Earle of Pembroke enters Anjou , where he takes many Townes : the Duke of Lancaster doth the like about Callice , and marching forward , plants his Campe before Harfleur , with a purpose to burne the King of France his Navy , but being watched by the Count Saint Poll , was forced to forbeare that designe ; and so passing other wayes , and spoyling all the places where he passed , he returned to Callice . Winter now was drawing on , and Iohn Chandos , desiring to recover the Abby of Saint Silvin in Poictou , which not long before had beene betraied to the French ; was in the enterprise discovered , and being assaulted by greater forces , was slaine in the place , to the great griefe of the Prince of Wales , and of the English Lords : but dying without issue , his estate , which amounted to foure hundred thousand Franks , came to the Prince . At this time , the Dukes of Anjou and Berry , with two great Armies enter upon the Territories of the Prince of Wales ; whereof the Prince advertised , assembles Forces to oppose them : but when the newes was brought him of the taking of Limouges , he was so much troubled at it , by reason of the Bishop of that place was his Gossip , and one in whom he specially had affiance ; that he resolved to recover it at any price , and not to spare a man that had any hand in the rendring it up : and thereupon taking it by force , he commanded to sacke and pillage it , and would not be staied by the cries of the people , casting themselves downe at his feete ; till passing through the Towne , he perceived three French Captaines , who themselves alone had withstood the assault of his victorious Army , and moved with the consideration of their valour , he then abated his anger ; and for their sakes , granted mercy to all the Inhabitants . So much is vertue even in an enemy , respected by generous minds . In the meane time , David King of Scots died without issue ; and Robert Stuart his Nephew succeeded him in the kingdome , and was Crowned at Scone . At this time Robert Knolls with a great Army is sent into France , where making many attempts , with valour enough , but with little successe ; he was comming home , though with no gaine , yet with no losse : till Bertrand de Gueschlyn assaulting him , slew the most part of his men ; and so this great Army on a sudden came to nothing . It seemes Knolls his action was the lesse succesfully , by reason some young Lords that wen● with him , sco●ning to ●e 〈◊〉 his command , as being but a new man , and risen fro● a low estate ; were refractory to hi● directions : And indeed what can a Generall do , if he have not as well reputation of person , as of place ?

And now the Prince of Wales , his eldest sonne Edward dying 〈◊〉 Bu●de●●● , the 〈◊〉 with his wife , and his other sonne Richard , come over into England , at whi●● time the vallant knight Walter de M●●ny died at Lond●n , and was buried in the Monastery of the Chartreux which he had builded ; leaving one onely daughter ; married to Iohn Earle of Pembroke . This Earle of Pembroke was soone after sent Go●ernour into Aquita●ne , but set upon by the way by Spaniards in favour of the Fr●●ch ; was by them taken prisoner , and carried with other into Spain●● who being chained together , as the manner is ; one Evans a Welsh Fugitive● who gave ●●●selfe out for the right Heire of Wales ; cam● unto him foolishly playing upon him with scornfull language , as though to insult over another mans misery , could s●●le for a co●diall to mitigate his owne . And now upon the taking of this Earle , the Princes Dominions in France are either taken away , or ●all away faster then they ●ere gotten ; Gueschly● enters Poictou , and takes Montm●rillon , Chauvigny , Luss●● , and Mo●t●onti●r : straight after followes the Countrey of Aulnys , of Xaintoigne , and the rest of Poic●ou ; then Saint Maxen● , Neele , Auln●y ; then Benaon , Marant , Surg●rs , 〈◊〉 ; and at last they came to Thouars , where the most part of the Lords of Poic●o● , that held with the Prince , were assembled ; at which time King Edward with the Pr●●ce , the Duke of Lancaster , and all the great Lords of England , set forward to their succour , but being driven back● by tempest , never came to give them assistance , so as Thouars yeelded upon composition . Yet did this preparation of the King stand him in nine thousand Markes ; that it may be truly said , it cost him more now to lose Townes , then it had cost him before to win them so great oddes there is betweene the Spring and Fall of Fortune . After this , the Duke of Lancaster is sent over with another great Army , who passed up into many parts of the Country , but King Charles resolved to hazard no battell ; saying , They were but clouds , and would soone passe away ; yet so watched him , that what with light skirmishes , and what with skarcity of victuals , his forces were so diminished , that of thirty thousand which went out of Callice , there scarce retunred six thousand home : which made King Edward say of this King Charles , that he did him more mischiefe sitting still , then his Predecessours had done with all their stirring . And now by this time all Poictou is lost , and all Aquitaine also , but onely Burdeaux and Bayon : when the Arch-bishop of Roan and others , are sent from Pope Gregory the eleventh , to mediate a Peace betweene the two Kings ; but each of them standing upon high termes of conditions , nothing could be effected but Truce upon Truce , for two or three yeares together . In which time Edward Prince of Wales died , and with him we may say , the Fortune of England ; being a Prince so full of vertues , that he left no place for any vice ; and if he had lived in the Heroicke times , might well have beene numb●ed amongst the nine Worthies . His body was buried at Canterbury , where his Monument standeth . King Edward in his seven and fortieth yeare calleth a Parliament at W●stminster , which lasted but eight dayes ; and to which were Summoned by Writ , of Clergy men onely foure Bishops , and five Abbots .

Of King Edwards Acts after the death of the Prince .

IN the time of the Princes sicknesse , King Edw●rd cals a Parliament at Westminster ; in which , when demands were made for supply of the King , demands were presently made for redresse of grievances for the subjects . It was required that the Duke of Lancaster , the Lord Latymer then Lord Chamberlaine , Dame Alice Pierce the Kings Concubine , and one Sir Richard Sturry might be removed from Court . And this was so vehemently urged by their Speaker , Sir Peter la Moore , that the King , rather then not to be supplied , gave way unto it ; and thereupon all these persons are presently put from Court : but the Prince soone after dying , they are all recalled to Court againe , and restored to their former places .

About this time ex●mplary justice was done upon Sir Iohn Minsterworth knight , who was drawne , hanged , and quartered at Tiburne , for Treason , by him committed , in defrauding Souldiers of their wages .

Thi● was now the f●ftieth yeare of King Edw●●ds Raigne , and he for another Iubilee , gra●●s another generall pardon to his subjects● onely William Wic●ham Bishop of Winchester is excepted , being lately , by procurement of the Duke of Lancaster , fallen into the Kings displeasure● and forbidd●● to come to the Parliament . This Parliament was called the good Parliament●●●ough it wrought ill effects ; for Sir . Peter de la Mare , at the suite of Alice Pierce , is committed to perpetuall imprisonment at Not●ingham , though within two years after , by importunate suite of friends ; he regained his liberty . This Alice Pierce presuming upon the Kings favour , grew so insolent , that she entermedled with Courts of Justice , and other Offices , where ●he herselfe would fit , to countenance her Causes . And now the Duke of Lancast●● is come to have the Regencie , and to manage all the affaires of the kingdome ; but King Edward to prevent the mischiefes , when by disordering the succession might grow in the kingdome , providently settled the same in Parliament upon Richard of Burdeaux ; ●reating him first Earle of Chester and Cornwall , and then Prince of Wales , and caused all the Lords of the Realme to tal●e an Oath , to accept him for their King , as his lawfull Heire , when himselfe should be dead . In this meane time a Treaty was had about a marriage betweene this Prince Richard , and M●ry a daughter of Charles King of France : and an offer was made to King Edward , to leave him foureteene hundred Townes , and three thousand fortresses in Aq●itaine , upon condition he would render Callice and all that he held in Picardy ; but before any thing could be concluded , King Edward died .

Of his Taxations .

IN the eighth yeare of his Raigne , in a Parliament holden at London , there was granted him a fifteenth of the Temporalty , a twentieth of the Cities and Boroughs , and a tenth of the Clergy . In his tenth yeare , in a Parliament at Northampton , is granted a tenth penny of Cities and Boroughs , a fifteenth of others , and a tenth of the Clergy . Also all such treasure as was committed to Churches through England for the Holy Warre , is taken out for the Kings use , towards his warres with France . The next yeare after , all the goods of three orders of Monks , Lom●ards , Cluniakes , and Cistercians ; are likewise seised into the Kings hands : and the like Subsidy as before granted at Nottingham . In his twelfth yeare ( and as some write , in absence of the King ) in a Parliament at Northampton , is granted by the Laity , one halfe of their Wooll , but of the Clergy the whole . The next yeare after a fifteenth was likewise paid in Wooll by the Commonalty . In his foureteenth yeare , in a Parliament at London , is granted him for Custom● of every sacke of Wooll forty shillings , for every three hundred Wooll Fells forty shil● for every Last of Leather forty shillings ; and of other Merchandises according to the rate : the same to endure from that Easter to the Whitsontide twelve moneth after . Besides , there was granted of Citizens and Burgesses , a ninth part of goods ; of forraine Merchants and others , a fifteenth ; of Husbandmen , the ninth Sheafe , the ninth Fleece , the ninth Lamb for two years ; also another tenth of the Clergy : and for his present supply , he had Loanes of divers persons ; and the City of London lent tw●nty thousand Markes . For the grant of which mighty Subsidy , the King ( besides his Pardon to divers kinds of offendours ) remits all Amerciaments for transgressions in his Forests , Reliefs and Scurage , to the first time of his going into Flanders , besides all aides for the marriage of his sonnes and daughters during his Raigne ; pardoning and remitting all ancient debts and ●rr●rages , both of his Fermors and others , till the tenth yeare of his Raigne ; and likewise confirmes the great Charter of Magna Chartae : In his eighteenth yeare , in a Parliament at London , a tenth was granted by the Clergy , and a fifteenth by the Laity● Besides a Commission is sent into every Shire to inquire of mens abilities , and all of five pounds to tenne of Lay Fee , were appointed to finde an Archer on horsebacke ; of twenty five , a Demilaunce ; and so ratably above . There had formerly been made a certaine coyne of Gold called the Floren , of base alloy , for the Kings benefit , towards his warres in France , but this was now called in● and Nobles of finer metall coyned , to the great contentment of the people . In his nine and twentieth yeare , he hath by Parliament granted unto him fifty shillings upon every sack of Wooll , for six years next ensuing ; by which Imposition , it was thought , the King might dispend a thous●●d Markes Sterling a day , the vent of Wooll was so great in that time . But that which exceeded all his Taxations , was the Ransome he had in his foure and thirtieth yeare , of the King of France , three millions of crownes of Gold . In his twelveth yeare , he had taken from the Priors Aliens , their houses , lands , and tenements , for the maintenance of his French warres , which he kept twenty yeares in his 〈◊〉 and then restored them againe . In his six and thirtieth year was greater twenty sixe shillings eight pence , for transportation of every sacke of Wooll for three yeare● . In the five and fortieth yeare of his Raigne , in a Parliament at Westminster , the ●lergy granted him fifty thousand pounds to be paid the same yeare , and the Lai●y as much ; which was lev●ed by setting a certaine rate of five pounds fifteene shillings upon every Parish , which were found in the 37● Shires to be eight thousand and sixe hundred ; and so came in the whole to fifty thousand one hundred eighty one pounds and eight pence : but the 181. li. was abated to the Shires of Suffolk● and Devonshire , in regard of their poverty . In his eight and fortieth yeare , in a Parliament , is granted him a tenth of the Clergy , & a fifteenth of the Laity . In his fifti●h year , a Subsidy of a new nature was demanded by the young Prince Richard , whom ( being bu● eleven years of age ) the Duke of Lancaster had brought into the Parliament of purpose to make the demand ; to have two tenths to be paid in one yeare , or twelve pence in the pound of all Merchandises sold , for one yeare ; and one pound of silver for every knights Fee , and of every Fire-house , one penny : but instead of this Subsidy , after much altercation , there was granted another of as new a nature as this ; that every person , man and woman , within the kingdome , above the age of foureteene yeares , should pay foure pence , ( those who lived of Almes onely excepted ) the Clergy to pay twelve pence of every Parson Beneficed , and of all other religious persons foure pence ; a mighty aide , and such as was never granted to any King of England before .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

HE instituted the Order of the Garter , upon what cause is not certaine ; the common opinion is , that a Garter of his owne queene , or ( as some say ) of the Lady Ioane Countesse of Salisbury , slipping off in a Dance , King Edward stooped and tooke it up ; whereat some of his Lords that were present , smiling , as at an amorous action ; he seriously said , it should not be long ere Soveraigne honour should be done to that Garter ; whereupon he afterward added the French Morto , Honi soit qui maly pense ; therein checking his Lords sinister suspition . Some conjecture that he instituted the Order of the Garter , for that in a battell wherein he was victorious , he had given the word Garter , for the word or signe : and some againe are of opinion , that the institution of this Order is more ancient , and begunne by King Richard the first , but that this King Edward adorned it , and brought it into splendour . The number of the knights of this Order is twenty sixe , whereof the King himselfe is alwayes one , and president ; and their Feast yearely celebrated at Windsor on Saint Georges day , the Tutelar Saint of that Order . The lawes of the Order are many , whereof there is a booke of purpose . In the five and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne , he was earnestly Petitioned by a Parliament then holen , that the great Charter of Liberties , and the Charter of Forests might be duly observed ; and that the great Officers of the kingdome should ( as in former times ) be elected by Parliament : to which Petition , though the King at first stood stiffe upon his owne Election and Prerogative ; yet at last ( in regard to have his present turne served , ( as himselfe after confessed ) he yeelded , that such Officers should receive an Oath in Parliament , to doe justice to all men in their Offices : and thereupon a Statute was made and confirmed with the Kings Seale , both for that and many other Grants of his to his Subjects● which notwithstanding were for the most part shortly after revoked .

This King also causeth all Pleas , 〈◊〉 were before in Fren●h , to be made in English , that the Subject might understand the course of the Law . Also in his time an Act was passed for Purveyours , that nothing should be taken up but for ready money , upon strict punishment . In the next Parli●ment holden the seven and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne , certaine S●mp●uary Lawes were ordained , both for apparell and diet ; appointing every degree of men , the stuffe and habits they should weare , prohibiting the wea●ing of gold and silver , silkes and rich furres to all , bu● eminent persons . The lab●●rer and husbandman 〈◊〉 ●ppointed but one 〈◊〉 day● and what meates he should 〈◊〉 . Also in his time , at the instance of the Lo●●oners● an Act was made that no common Whore should wea●e any Hood , except striped with divers colours ; nor Furres , but Garments reversed the wrong side outward . This King also was the first that created Dukes● of whom Henry of B●llingbr●oke , 〈◊〉 of Lancaster , created Duke of Lancaster , in the seven and twentieth yeare of his Raigne● was the first . But afterward he erected Cornwall also into a Dutchy , and conferred it upon the Prince : after which time , the Kings eldest sonne used alwayes to be Prince of Wales , Duke of Cornwall , and Earle of Chester . This King altered monies , and abated them in weight , & yet made them to passe according to the former value . Before his time , there were no other peeces but Nobles and halfe Nobles , with the small peeces of Silver , called Sterlings ; but ●●w Groats of foure pence , and halfe Groats of two pence , equivalent to the Sterling money , are coyned ; which inhaunsed the prises of things , that rise or f●ll , according to the plenty or scarcity of coyne ; which made Servants and Labourers to r●ise their wages accordingly . Whereupon a Statute was made in the Parliament now held at Westminster , to reduce the same to the former rate . Also an Act was made in this Kings time , that all Weares , Mils , and other stoppages of Rivers , hindering the passage of Boats , Lighters , and other Vessels , should be removed ; which though it were most commodious to the kingdome , yet it tooke little effect , by reason of bribing and corrupting Lords and great men , who regarded more their owne private , then the publike benefit . In a Parliament holden the tenth yeare of his Raigne , it was enacted that no Wooll growing within the Realme should be transported , but that it should be made in Cloath in Peter-pence are forbidden by the King , to be paid any more to Rome . The c●stome of washing poore mens feete on Maundy-Thursday , thought to have beene first brought in by this King .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

KING Edward upon some displeasure had imprisoned divers Clergy men ; whereupon Iohn Stratford Arch-bishop of Canterbury writes him a Letter , charging him with violation of the Rights of the Church , and with the breach of Magna Charta ; and after much good counsell given him , threatens , that if he amend not these disorders , he must and will exercise his Ecclesiasticall authoritie , and proceed to Excommunication of his Officers , though not of himselfe , Queen , or children . The King answers , and sends his Letter to the Bishop of London ; charging the Arch-bishop to be the c●●se of all this disturbance , having beene the man that first set him upon the warre with France ; assuring him he should want no money , and now had beene the hinderance , that monies given him by Parliament , were not duly levied : and after many remonstrances to such purpose , concludes , that if he desisted not from his re●●llions obstinacie , he would use his Temporall authority , and prooceed 〈…〉 as against a Rebell . But this difference betweene them was not long after , upon the Arch-bishops submission , reconciled . And indeed the great account which this King made of Clergy men , may appeare by his imploying almost none but Clergy men in all his Offices of account● Simon ●●●gham Arch-bishop of Canterbury , was Chancellour of England ; William Wickam Arch-deacon of Lincolne , keeper of the Privy Seale ; David Willer Parson of Somer●●●● , Master of the Rolles ; ten Beneficed Priests , Civilians , Masters of the Chancery ; William Mulse Deane of Saint Martins le Grand , chiefe Chamberlaine of the 〈◊〉 , Receiver and keeper of the Kings Treasure and Jewels● Will●am A●●●y Arch-deacon of Northampton , Chancellour of the Exchequer● William Di●ht●● 〈◊〉 of Saint Mar●ins , Clerke of the Privy Seale● Richard Chesterfield P●eb●nd 〈…〉 Stephens● Treasurer of the Kings house ; Henry Snatc● Parson of 〈…〉 of the Kings Wardrobe ; Iohn N●w●ham Parson of Fen●y-sta●●on , one of the 〈◊〉 of the Exch●quer ; Iohn ●ouseby Parson of 〈◊〉 , Surveyor and 〈◊〉 of the Kings workes ; Thomas Brittingham Parson of Asby , Treasurer 〈…〉 King , for the parts of Guisnes , and the Marches of Callice , Iohn Troys a Priest , 〈◊〉 of Ireland .

〈◊〉 the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne , in a Parliament holden at West●inster , 〈◊〉 is made of the great inconvenience that came by the Popes Collation of Benefices in England , conferring them upon Strangers who understood not the 〈◊〉 ; and therefore not fit to be Pastours over a Flocke they could not feed : and hereupon Sir Iohn Shordich is sent to Pope Clement the sixth , to require him to fo●●eare such Collations , and to signifie his consent therein : but this Message was 〈…〉 welcome to the Pope , that the Messenger came backe , unheard , at least unanswered● and the King taking his silence for consent● or perhaps not much caring whether he consented or no ; proceeded to a Prohibition of all such Collations within his Realme , on paine of Imprisonment , or death , to whomsoever should in time to come , present or admit any such person , who by the Pope were so preferred to the prejudice of the Kings Prerogative . These were disturbances in matter of Discipline ; but towards the end of his Raigne , there fell a disturbance in matter of Doctrine , for a certaine Divine , named Iohn Wickliffe , inveighed in his 〈◊〉 and other Acts in the Schooles , against the abuses of Churchmen , Monks , and other religious Orders ; and had by his Doctrine wonne many Disciples unto him , ( who after were called Lollards ) professing poverty , going bare-foot , and poorely clad in Ru●●et ; amongst other his Doctrines , he taught that neither King ●●r other secular Lord , could give any thing ●n perpetuity unto Church-men ; and th●● Temporall Lords , if they needed , might lawfully take the Goods of Religious Persons to relieve them in their necessities , by the example of William Rufus , and others . This man , the Duke of Lancaster , and Sir Henry Percy Marshall , much favour and cherish , extolling him for his learning and integrity of life ; which made him so farre to presume , that daily in one Church or other , he published his Opinions ; whereupon at length he is cited to answer before the Arch-bishop , the Bishop of London and others in ●auls . At the day appointed , the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Marshall goe to conduct him ; when they were come to our Ladies Chappell , the Duke and Barons with the Bishops sitting downe , Iohn Wickliffe was by the Lord Marshall willed to sit downe , in regard ( he said ) the man had much to answer , and needed a convenient seat . The Bishop of London told him ; It was against all Law and Reason , that he who was there ●ited before his 〈◊〉 should sit . Hereupon contumelious words arose betweene the Lord M●●●hall and the Bi●●op ; the Duke takes the Marshals part , and sharpely reprehended the Bishop ; the Bishop returnes the like to the Duke ; who in a gre●● rage 〈◊〉 he would pull downe the pride of him , and of all the Bishops of E●gland● and whispering in his eare , told him he had rather pull him out of the Church by 〈…〉 of the head , then to suffer such indignities ; which words , the Londo●ers over-hearing , swore with a loud voyce , they would rather lose their lives the●● suffer ●●eir Bishop to be thus injuriously used . Their fu●y was the more against the Duke , for that the day before in the Parliament ( whereof he was President ) it was 〈◊〉 in the Kings name , that from thenceforth ●h●re should be no more a Major of London , but a Captaine appointed for the Government of the City , and that the Lord Marshall of England should arrest Offenders within the Liberties , as in other places . The morrow after the Citizens assembling to consult of this businesse , it happened the Lord Fits-water , and Guid● Bryan , came into the City ; which the People seeing , furiously ranne upon them , and were like to beate them downe for comming at that time . The Lord Fits-water protested , he came to no other end , but to offer his service to the City , being by inheritance their Standard bearer , and was to take injuries offered to them , as to himselfe ; and therefore willed them to looke to their defence . Whereupon they pres●ntly take Armes , assaile the Marshals Inne , bre●ke open the Ga●es , brought fo●th a Prisoner in his Gives , and set him at liberty , but found 〈◊〉 the Lord 〈…〉 with th● Duke , was that day to dine with one Iohn de 〈◊〉 . T●●n this furious multitude ranne to assaile the Sav●y ; which a knight of the Duk●●●●●ing , ha●tes to the plac● where his Lord dined , and acquain●● him with this 〈◊〉 in the C●●y . The Duke upon hearing it , leapes from the Table so hastily , that he hurt bot● his shinnes on the fowrme ; and with Sir Henry ●ercy alone takes boate , and goes to , Kennington neare Lambe●h , where the Princesse with the young Prince lay : to whom he complaines of this Riot , and the violence offered him . In the me●ne time the multitude comming to the Savoy , a Priest inquisitive to know the businesse , was answered , they went to take the Duke , and the Lord Marshall , and compell them to deliver Sir Peter de la Mar● , unjustly kept in Prison . The Priest replyed , th●t Sir Peter was a Traytor to the King , and worthy to be h●nged . At which words they all cryed out , This is Percy , This is the Traytor of England , his speech bewrayes him , though his App●rell be disguised , and presently they r●n upon him , and wounded him to death . The Bishop of London hearing of this outrage , leaves his dinner , hastes to the Sav●y , admonisheth them of the holy time being Lent ; assuring them all should be fairely ended for the good of the City with whose perswasions they were somewhat pacified ; but yet they tooke the Dukes Armes , and hung ●hem up reversed , in signe of Treason , in all the principall stree●s of the City . Upo● the Princesses advice , the chiefe Citizens send to the sick● King , to excuse this tumult ; saying , it was not in their power to suppresse it , the Commonalty being in commotion , upon an information that their Liberties should be taken from them by Parliament . The King told them , it never was in his thought to infringe their liberties , but he rather desired to enlarge them . But this affr●nt of the Citizens would not downe with the Duke , till he had pulled downe som● of the Principall of them ; for he caused the Major and Aldermen to ●e displaced , and other put in their roomes : a revenge he had better beene without , for he never had the love of the City after : and to want their love is a kind of banishment . Wickliffe himselfe , censured by the Bishops to abjure his Opinions , chose rather to leave his Country then his Doctrine , and going over into Bohemia , was there much honoured while he lived , and hath beene more since he dyed ; at least , a great part of his Doctrine continues in veneration amongst that people to this day .

Workes of piety done by him , or by others in his time .

HIs workes of Piety were great and many , as the Founding of East Minster , an Abbey ( of the Cistea●● Order ) neare the Tower . An Abbey for Nunnes at D●rtford in Kent . The Kings Hall in Cambridge for poore Schollers . An Hospitall for the poore at Callice . He conferred upon the University of Oxford , where he had himselfe beene trained up , under the learned Walter Burley , the chiefe rule of the City , subordinating the Major and Citizens to the Chancellour of the University . He Built Saint Stephens Chappel at Westminster , with the endowment of 300. pound per annum . He augmented the Chappell at Windsore , and made provisions there for Church-men , and foure and twenty poore knights . These were his publicke workes ; But besides these , his private Buildings were , the Castle of Windsore , which he re-edified and enlarged , the Castle at Quinborough , Fortifications at 〈◊〉 and other places . His Queen Philippa founded Queens Colledge in Oxford : 〈…〉 Countesse of Pembroke , the Colledge called Pembroke Hall in Cambridge . In this Kings t●me Sir Iohn Poultney Major of London , built the Colledge in London cal●●d 〈◊〉 L●wrence Poult●●y , and little Alhollo●es , a Parish Church in Thames street , ●●d also the Carmelite Friers Church in C●ventry . Henry Earle of Lancaster and 〈◊〉 , ●ounded the new Hospitall by the Castle of Leycester , wherein a hundred 〈◊〉 impotent people were provided for with all things necessary . William Elsing Merc●● of London , made a new Hospitall of an old house of Nunnes by Crippleg●●● , and placing Chanons Regular there , he became the first Prior thereof . Walter 〈◊〉 Bishop of Exeter , Founded Exeter Colledge , and Hart Hall in Oxford . William B●●eman Bishop of Norwich , builded Trinity Hall in Cambridge . Simon 〈◊〉 Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Founded Canterbury Colledge in Oxford . William 〈◊〉 Treasurer of England , Founded the Monastery of Edendon ; the religious brethren whereof were called B●nhommes . Sir Walter de Manny , borne in Cambray , purchased a piece of ground called Spittle Croft , containing thir●eene Acres , withou● the barres of West Smithfield , and caused the same to be enclosed , where he built a Chappell , and after Founded the same to be a house of Charter-house Monkes . Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex , re-edified the Augustine Friers Church in London , and was buried in the Quire there● In the two and thirtieth yeare of this Kings Raigne , Iohn Stody Major of London , gave unto the Vintners of London all the Quadrant where the Vintners Hall now standeth , with the Tenements round abou● , from the lane to this day called Studis lane● where are Founded thir●eene houses for thirteene poore people , which are there kept of charity . Also in this Kings time Sir Iohn Cobham Founded the Colledge of Cobham in Kent . I●hn L●vekin foure times Major of London , builded at Kingston upon Thames , where he was borne , a Chappell called Magdalens , to the which he joyned an Hospitall , wherein was a Master , two Priests , and certaine poore men : and for that the Parish Church of Saint Michael by Crooked-lane , where he dwelled , was a very homely thing , and the ground thereabout a filthy plot , by reason of the Burchers in Eastcheape , who made the same their lay-stall ; he on the same ground builded the faire new Parish Church of Saint Michael now standing , and was buried there in the middle of the Quire , under a faire Tombe of stone . He also Founded a Colledge to the same Church , neare thereunto adjoyning . Iohn Barnes Major of London , gave a Chest with three locks , and a thousand Markes to be lent to young men , upon sec●rity , so that it passed not one hundred Markes ; and for the occupying thereof , if he were learned , to say at his pleasure , De Profundis , for the soule of Iohn Barnes ; if he were not learned , to say Pater Noster : but howsoever the money is lent , the Chest at this day standeth in the Chamber of London , without money or p●●dges . Thomas of Woodstocke , the youngest sonne of King Edward , Founded a Colledge at Playsi● in Essex , where in his life he had provid●d a sumptuous Tombe , where he was first laid , but translated afterward to Westminster .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN the the two and twentieth yeare of his Raigne , a contagious Pestilence arose in the East and South parts of the world , and spread it selfe over all Christendome ; and comming at last into England , it so wasted the people , that scarce the tenth person of all sorts was left alive . There died in London ( some say in N●rwich ) betweene the first of Ianuary , and the first of Iuly , 57374. persons . In Yarmouth , in o●e yeare , 7052. men and women : before which time , the Parsonage there was worth 700. Markes a yeare , and afterwards was ●carce worth forty pounds a yeare . This Plague beganne in London about Alhollan●ide , in the yeare 1348. and continued till the yeare 1357. ●here it was observed , that those who were borne after the beginning of this mortality , had but twenty eight teeth , where before ●hey had two and thirty . In the twelveth yeare of his Raigne , a sudden ●●undation of water , at New-castle upon Tyne , bare downe a pi●ce of the Towne w●ll , and sixe pearches in length , neare to a place called Walkenew ; where a hundred and twenty men and women were drowned . In the five and thi●●ieth yeare of his Raigne , another Pestilence h●pp●ned in England , which was called the second Pestilence , in which died Henry Duke of La●caster , also Regin●ld Lord C●●ha●● , and Walter Fits-warren , two famous men ; and five Bishops , of W●rcester , of London , of Ely , of Lincolne , and of Chich●ster . In this Kings time , a Frost lasted from the midst of September , to the moneth of Aprill . In the fourth yeare of his Raigne , a solemne Justing or Turnament was holden at London in Ch●●pside , be●wixt the great Crosse and the great Conduit , 〈◊〉 S●per-la●●● which lasted three dayes ; where the Queen Philippa , with many Ladies , fell from a Stage , set up for them to behold the Justing ; and though they were not hurt at all , yet the King threa●●ed to p●nish the Carpenters for their negligence , till the Que●ne in●●●ated pardon for them upon her knees : as indeed she was alwayes ready to doe all good offices of mercie to all people . In the eleventh yeare of his Raigne was so great plenty , that a quarter of Wheate was sold at London for two shillings , a fat Oxe for a Noble , a fat Sheepe for sixe pence , and sixe Pigeons for a penny , a fa● Goose for two pence , and a Pigge for a penny , and other things after that rate .

Of his Wife and Children .

HE married Philippa , the daughter of William Earle of Haynault at Yorke ; a match made up in haste by Queene Isabell his mother , for her owne ends , although a better could never have beene made upon deliberation for King Edwards ends : for though her Parentage were not great , and her portion less● ; yet she made amends for both , in vertue ; for never King had a better Wife . By her King Edward had seven sonnes and five daughters : his eldest sonne Edward Prince of Wales , and commonly called the Blacke Prince , ( but why so called uncertaine for to say , of his dreadfull acts , as Spe●de saith , hath little probability ) was borne at Woodstocke , in the third yeare of his Fathers Raigne ; he married Ioane , the daughter of Edmund Earle of Kent , brother by the Fathers side to King Edward the second . She had beene twice married before ; first to the valiant Earle of Salisbury , from whom she was divorced : next to the Lord Thomas Holland ; after whose decease , this Prince passionatly loving her , married her : by her he had issue two sonnes , Edward the eldest , borne at Angoulesme , who died at seven yea●es of age ; and Richard borne at Burdeaux , who after his Father , was Prince of Wales , and after his Grandfather King of England . This Prince had also naturall issue , Sir Iohn Sounder , and Roger Clarendon Knights ; the latter being attainted in the Raign● of King Henry the fourth , is thought to have ●eene Ancestour to the house of Smiths in Essex . He died at Canterbury , in the sixe and fortieth yeare of his age ; and of his Fathe●● Raigne , the nine and fortieth , and was buried at Christs Church there . His second sonne William was borne at Hatfield , in Hertfordshire , who deceased in his childhood , and was buried at Yorke . His third sonne Lyonell was borne at Antwerpe , in the twelveth yeare of his Fathers Raigne ; he married first Elizabeth , the daughter and Heire of William Burgh , Earle of Ulster in Ireland ; in who●e Right he was first created Earle of Ulster : and because he had with her the honour of Clare , in the County of To●mond ; he was in a Parliament , created Duke of Clarence , as it were of the Countrey about the Towne and Honour of Clare ; from which Dutchy , the name of Clarentieux ( being the title of the King of Armes , for the South parts of England ) is derived . This Duke had issue by her one onely daughter , named Philippa afterward wife of Edmund Mortimer , Earle of March ; mother of Earle Roger , Father of Anne Countesse of Cambridge , the mother of Richard Duke of Yorke , Father of King Edward the fourth . The second marriage of this Duke was at Millaine in Lombardy , with the Lady Vi●lanta , daughter of G●leac●● the second Duke thereof ; but through intemperance he lived not long ●fter . King Edwards fourth sonne named Iohn , was borne at Ga●●t , in the foureteenth yeare of his Fathers Raigne ; he had three wives , the first was ●l●nch , daughter and Coheire , and in the end the sole Heire of Henry Duke of Lancaster , sonne of Edmund , sirnamed Crouch back ; by whom he had issue , Henry of Bullingbrooke Earle of Derby , after Duke of Hereford , and lastly King of England , named Henry the fourth , who first placed the Crowne in the house of Lancaster . By her also Iohn of Gaunt had two daughters , Philip wife of Iohn the first , King of Portugall ; and Elizabeth married first to Iohn Holland , Earle of Huntington , and after him , to Sir Iohn Cornwall , Baron of Fanhope . Iohn of Gaunts second wife was Constance , the eldest daughter of Peter King of Castile and Leon , in whose Right , for the time he intitled himselfe King of both those Realmes : by her he had issue one onely daughter named Katherine , married to Henry the third , sonne of King Iohn , in possession before , and in her Right after King of both the said Realmes . Iohn of Gaunts third wife was Katherine , the Widow of Sir Hugh Swinford , a knight of Lincolnshire , eldest daughter and Coheire of Payn Roet , a Gascoyne , called G●●en King of Armes for that Countrey ; his younger daughter being married to Sir Geoffrey Chawcer , our Laureat Poet. By her he had issue born before matrimony , and made legitimate afterward by Parliament , in the twentieth yeare of King Richard the second ; Iohn Earle of Somerset , Thomas Duke of Exeter , Henry Bishop of Winchester , and Cardinall , and Ioane ( who was first married to Robert Ferrers Baron of Wemme , and Ou●sley , in the Counties of Salop and Warwicke ) and secondly , to Ralph Nevill , the first Earle of Westmerland . She and all her brethren were sirnamed Beaufort , of a Castle which the Duke had in France , where they were all borne ; and in regard thereof , bare the Portcullis of a Castle for the Cognisance of their Family . This Duke in the thirteenth yeare of his Nephew King Richard was created Duke of Aquitaine , but in his sixteenth yeare he was called home , and this title re-called ; and the third yeare after , in the sixtieth of his age , he died at Ely house in Holbourne , and lieth honourably Entombed in the Quire of Saint Paul . King Edwards fifth sonne Edmund , sirnamed of Langley , was first in the yeare 1362. created Earle of Cambridge , and afterward in the yeare 1386. made Duke of Yorke ; he married Isabell , daughter and Coheire to Peter , King of Castile and Leon : his sonne Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke , tooke to wife Anne Mortimer , Heire of the foresaid Lyonell , elder brother to Edmund of Langley . King Edwards sixth sonne William , sirnamed of Windsor , where he was borne , died young , and is buried at Westminster . King Edwards youngest sonne Thomas , sirnamed of Woodstocke , where he was borne , was first Earle of Buckingham , and after made Duke of Glocester by his Nephew King Richard the second . He was a man of valour and wisdome , but the King surmizing him to be a too severe observer of his doings ; consulted with Thomas Mowbray , Duke of Norfolke , how to make him away : whom Mowbray unawares surprising , convaied secretly to Callice , where he was strangled the twentieth yeare of King Richards Raigne . He had issue one sonne , Humphrey Earle of Buckingham , who died at Chester of the Pestilence , in the yeare 1400. and two daughters , Anne married first to Edmund Earle of Stafford , by whom she had Humphrey Duke of Buckingham ; secondly to William Bourchier Earle of Ewe , by whom she had Henry Earle of Essex , and Ioane married to Gylbert Lord Talbot , and h●d issue by him a daughter , who died young . Of King Edwards daughters , the eldest named Isabell , was married at Windsor to Ingelram of Guysnes , Lord of Co●cy , Earle of Soysons , and after Arch-duke of Austria ; created also by King Edward , Earle of Bedford : by whom she was mother of two daughters ; Mary married to Henry Duke of Barre , and Philip married to Robert de Vere Earle of Oxford , Duke of Ireland , and Marquesse of Dublyn . This Robert in the height of his fortunes forsooke his Lady Philip , and married one Lancerona a Joyners da●ghter ( as was said ) which came with King Richard the seconds wife ou● of Bohemia ; and being for abusing the Kings eare , driven out of the Land by the Lords , he died at London in extreame poverty in the yeare 1392. Isabell his wives mother , was buried in the Church of Friers Minorites neare Aldgate in London . King Edwards second daughter Ioane was married by Proxie to Alphonsus , King of Castile and Leon● but passing into Spaine , died by the way ; and King Alphonsus met her , instead of consummating his Espousall , to solemnise her Funerall . His third daughter Blanch died young . His fourth named Mary , was married to Iohn Montford Duke of Britaine . His youngest named Margaret , borne in Callice , was the first wife of Iohn de Hastings , Earle of Pembroke , but died without issue .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was of stature indifferent tall , of sparkling eyes , of a comely and manly countenance , in his later time something bald ; and concerning his conditions , no man was more gentle , where there was submission ; where opposition , no man more sterne . He was a Prince no lesse of his passions , then of his people ; for he was never so loving , as to be fond ; nor ever so angry , as to be inexorable : but this must be understood of the time while he was a man , for in his old age , when he came to be a childe againe , he was Prince of neither . He was no lesse fortunate then valiant ; and his fortunatenes was the greater by a kind of Antiperistatis , as comming betweene two unfortunate Princes ; Successour to one , and Predecessour to another . He was of so warlike a disposition , that his very sports were warlike ; for no delights were so frequent with him as Justs and Tournaments . To shew his devotion , one example may be sufficient , for when neither Cardinals nor Counsellours could move him to make peace with France , a tempest from Heaven did it ; to which may be added , that he never wanne great battell , of which he wanne many , but he presently gave the glory of it to God by publike Thanksgiving . He out-lived the best wife , and the best sonne that ever King had ; and to say the truth , he out-lived the best of himselfe , for his later years were not answerable to his former .

Of his Death and Buriall .

KING Edward besides his being old , and worne with the labours of warre , had other causes that hastened his end : his griefe for the losse of so worthy a sonne , dead but tenne moneths before ; his griefe for the losse of all benefit of his conquests in France , of all which he had little now left , but onely Callice : and oppressed thus in body and minde , he was drawing his last breath , when his Concubine Alice Pierce packing away what she could catch , even to the Rings of his fingers , left him ; and by her example , other of his attendants , sea●sing on what they could come by , shift away ; and all his Counsellours and others forsooke him , when he most needed them , leaving his Chamber quite empty ; which a poore Priest in the house seeing , he approaches to the Kings Bed-side , and finding him yet breathing , cals upon him to remember his Saviour , and to aske mercie for his offences , which none about him before would doe : but now moved by the voyce of this Priest , he shewes all signes of contrition , and at his last breath expresses the name of Jesus . Thus died this victorious King at his Manor at Sheene , ( now Richmond ) the one and twentieth day of Iune , in the yeare 1377. in the sixty fourth yeare of his age , having Raigned fifty yeares , foure moneths , and odde dayes . His body was conveyed from Sheene by his foure sonnes and other Lords , and solemnly interred within Westminster Church , where he hath his Monument , and whereit is said , the sword he used in battell , is yet to be seene , being eight pound in weight , and seven foote in length .

Of Men of Note in his time .

MArtiall men were never more plentifull then in this Kings Raigne : whet●●r it were that the Starres have an influence to produce such men at one time more then another : or whether it were that Regis ad exempl●● , the Kings example made his subjects like himselfe : or lastly , that his continuall exercise of Armes put them as it were into a mould of fortitude . The first of this kinde , is worthily Edward the Blacke Prince , and so worthily the first , that Longe erit ● primo quisque secundus erit . Next him is Henry Earle of Lancaster , the Princes right hand , in all his great at●●●evements : then William the valiant Earle of Salisbury , then Iohn Eure , Ancestor to 〈◊〉 Lord Eures that now liveth ; then follow the Lord Iohn Chandos , Sir Iames Aude●● , Sir Walter de Manny , Sir Robert Knolls , then Sir Iohn Hawkewood born in Essex ; who ●●ough not much honoured at home , having been a Taylour , yet in forrain parts , and ●●ecially in Italy so famous , that his Statue was erected in publike , for a Monument 〈◊〉 testifie his valour to posterity . And here must not be forgotten , Venile●night ●night , a Norfolke man ; who when the Scots and English were ready to give battell , ● certaine stout Champion of great stature , commonly called Tournboll , comming 〈◊〉 of the Scots Army , and challenging any English man to meete him in a single combate ; this Robert Venile accepteth the challenge , and marching towards the Champion , and meeting by the way a certaine blacke Mastiffe Dogge which wai●ed on the Champion , he suddenly with his sword cut him off at the loynes , and afterwards did more to the Champion himselfe , cutting his head from off his shoulders . And as there was this great plenty of Martiall men , so there was no lesse plenty of learned men ; Iohn Baconthorpe borne in Norfolke , a Carmelite Frier , who wrote divers excellent Treatises in Divinity ; Nicholas Trivet born also in Norfolk : a black Frier , who wrote two Histories , and a book of Annals : Richard Stradley , born in the Marches of Wales , a Monk and a Divine , who wrote divers excellent Treatises of the Scriptures : William Herbert a Welshman , and a Frier Minor , who wrote many good Treatises in Divinity : Tho. Walleis a Dominican Frier , and a writer of many excellent books : Iohn Eversden a Monk of Bury in Suffolk , an Historiographer : Walter Burley a Doctor of Divinity , brought up in Martin Colledge in Oxford , who wrote divers excellent Treatises in Naturall and Morall Philosophy , which remaine in estimation to this day ; and who for the great fame of his learning , had the honour to be one of the Instructours of Edward the blacke Prince : Roger of Chester , a Monke of that City , and an Historiographer : Iohn Burgh a Monke , who wrote a History , and also divers Homilies : Richard Aungervill Bishop of Durham , and Lord Chancellour of England , borne in Suffolke : Walter Heminford , an Historiographer : Richard Chichester a Monke of Westminster , who wrote an excellent Chronicle from the yeare 449. to the yeare 1348. Richard Rolle , alias Hampole , who writ many excellent Treatises in Divinity : Robert Holcot a blacke Frier , borne in Northampton , a learned Schooleman , and wrote many bookes in Arguments of Divinity : Thomas Bradwardin , borne neare Chichester in Sussex , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and who wrote against the Pelagians , and for his depth of learning , had the Title of Doctor Profundu● : Richard Fits Ralph , Arch-bishop of Armagh in Ireland , a learned writer : William Grysant , named Anglicus , a notable Physitian , whose son came to be Pope , and was called Urbane the fifth : Iohn Killingworth an excellent Philosopher , Astronomer , and Physitian : Ranulph Higden a Monke of Chester , an Historiographer : Bartholomew Glanvile , descended of those Glanviles that were sometimes Earles of Suffolke : Simon Islip Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and Founder of Canterbury Colledge in Oxford , who wrote many Treatises : Matthew Westmonasteriensis , who wrote the booke called Flores Historiarum : William Fleete an Hermit , who wrote sundry Treatises , exhorting England to repentance : Henry Knighton , who wrote a History Intituled De gestis Anglorum : and lastly two other , worthy perhaps to have beene placed first ; Iohn Mandevill the great Travellour , a Doctor of Physicke , and a knight , who died at Liege , in the yeare 1372. and Sir Geoffrey Chawcer , the Homer of our Nation ; and who found as sweete a Muse in the Groves of Woodstocke , as the Antients did upon the banks of Helicon .

THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND .

RICHARD , called of Burdeaux , because born there , the onely Sonne of Edward the black Prince , was by his Grandfather in his life-time declared to be his Heire and lawfull Successour ; and accordingly after his death was crowned King of England , at Westminster , the sixteenth day of Iuly , in the yerre 1377. by Simon Su●bury Archbishop of Canterbury : And for the more solemnity of his Coronation , he then m●de nine Knights , and created foure Earles : Thomas of Woodstock , King Edward the Thirds youngest Sonne , was created Earle of Buckingham and Northampton ; Thomas Mowbray , younger brother of Iohn L. Mowbray , Earle of Nottingham ; Gifford Angoulesme a Gascoigne , was made Earle of Huntington ; and Henry Percy sonne of Henry L. Percy , was created Earle of Northumberland . At the time of the Coronation , the Duke of L●ncaster , by the name of Iohn King of Castile and Leon , and Duke of Lancaster , put in his claim as Earle of Leicester , to have the place of Earle Marshall of England ; as Duke of Lancaster , to carry the sword called Curtana ; as Earle of Lincolne , to be Carver that day ; all which to be executed by himselfe , or by his sufficient Deputy ; which , with the fees thereunto belonging , were confirmed unto him . As likewise , divers others made their claimes : Robert de Veere , E●rle of Oxford , to have the office of Chamberlaine , and to powre out water for the King to w●sh : Iohn Wiltshire Citizen of London , by reason of a Moyitie of the Manour of Heydon , holden in Sergeantie , claimed to hold a Towell for the King to wipe with when he went to meat : Thomas Beauchampe Earle of Warwick , to beare the third Sword before the King ; and also to exercise the office of Pantler : Sir Iohn Argentine , by reason of his Manour of Wimondtey in the County of Hartford , to serve the King at his Cup : William L. Furnivall , for his Manour of Fernham , to support the Kings right arme when he held the Royall Scepter : Anne late wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Pem●rooke , ●or hi● Manour of Ashele in Norfolke , to have the Office of Naperer ; which she was admitted to doe by her Deputy Sr. Thomas Blunt : Richard Earle of Arundell , for his Manour of B. in Kent , was admitted to be chiefe Butler : The L. Major of London , to attend in his owne person , as chiefe Cup-waiter : Sir Iohn Dimmock , for his Manour of Scrivelbie ; and Sir Baldwin Frevile , for his Castle of Tamworth , in the County of Warwick , contended for the Office of being the Kings Champion ; but adjudged to Dimmock : William de Latimer , and Iohn the sonne and heire of Iohn Mowbray of Axholm , joyntly petitioned to have the Office of Almoner ; but adjudged to Latimer : Richard Lion , as Tenant of the Manour of L. held by the service of making wafers for the King at his Coronation , was thereunto admitted : The Barons of the Cinque-Ports were admitted to beare the Kings Canopy , upon foure staves of silver , over the Kings head ; and also to sit at meat in the Hall , at the highest Table on the Kings right hand : Iohn Fitz-Iohn , by reason of his Manour of S. in Norfolk , was admitted to be chiefe Larde●er : Richard Herring , for the Manour of C. in the County of Surry , claimed to be Usher of the Kings Chamber ; but because that claim did no way concern the Coronation , he was left to pursue his Right some other time . The Coronation it selfe was performed with great solemnity : After a Sermon , the King tooke his Oath ; and then the Archbishop blessed the King ; which done , he tore ●ff his garments , and strippped him into his shirt ; then he annoynted his hand● , head , breast , shoulders , and the joynts of his armes , with the s●cred Oyle ; and after certaine Prayers , he then cl●dd● him , first with the Coat of S. ●dward , and after with his Mantle : after which , the Archbishop delivered him the Sword , saying , Accipe Gladium ; with which two Earles gyrded him : Then he gave him Bracelets , saying● Accipe Armillas : After this , he put upon him an upper vesture called a Pall , saying● Accipe Pallium : In the meane time , while the Archbishop blessed the Crowne , he to whose Office it pertained , put spurres on his heeles ; after the Crown was blessed , the Archbishop set it on his Head , saying , Coronet te Deu● : then he delivered him a Ring , saying , Accipe An●●lum : Immediately herewith came the L. Fur●ivall , by virtue of his Office , offering him a red Glove ; which the Arch B. blessed , and putting it on his hand , gave him the Scepter , saying , Accipe Scep●rum : and after that , in his other hand , delivered him a Rod , on the top whereof stood a Dove , saying , Accipe Virgam Virtuti● ; and then blessed the King , saying , Benedicat te De●● : which done , the King kissed the Bishops and Abbots , by whom he was afterward led to his seat : and so ended the solemnity .

The tender yeares of the King , being but eleven yeeres of age , required a Protector : but being perhaps thought dangerous to commit that Authority to onely one , who might rather seeke to get it for himselfe , then to keep it for another , It was thought fit to commit it to many ; and thereupon Iohn Duke of Lancaster , Edm●●d Earle of Cambridge , the Kings Unkles ; with some other Lords and Bishops , were joyned in Commission to manage the State ; and Guishard de Angoulesme appointed to be his Schoole-master . And now the Kings Minority made forreigne Princes conceive , that this would be a time of advantage for any that had quarrell to England : which the French and Scots tooke presently hold of ; For , the French came now , and burnt the Town of Rye ; and soone after , entring the Isle of Wight , burnt divers Townes there ; and though they were repelled from the Castle by the valiant Sir Hugh Tyrrell Captaine thereof , yet they constrained the men of the Isle to give them a thousand Markes , to spare the residue of their houses and goods : and departing thence , they set on land where they saw advantage , burning sundry Towns neere to the shoare ; as Portsmouth , Dertmo●th , and Plimmouth : and then sayling towards Dover , they burnt Hastings , assaulted Winchelsey ; but being valiantly defended by the Abbot of Battell , were forced to retire : After this , they landed not far from the Abby of Lewis , at a place called Rottington ; where the Prior of Lewis , with Sir Thomas Cheyny , and Sir Iohn F●llesly , encountring them , were overthrowne , and taken Prisoners . And no lesse then the French , were the Scots also now busie ; for comming one morning by stealth , they wonne the Castle of Barwick ; but shortly after , upon knowledge thereof had , they were driven out againe by the Earles of Northumberland and Nottingham ; and all the Scot● they found in it , except Alexander Ramsey their Captaine , put to the sword . About Michaelmas , a Parliament was held at Westminster , wherein Alice Pierc● , the late Kings Concubine , was banished the Realms , and all her goods confiscate ; and two Tenths of the Clergie , and two Fifteenths of the Temporalty were granted ; but so , as that two Citizens of London , William Walworth , and Iohn Philpot , should receive and keepe it , to see it bestowed for defence of the Realme . In this time , Sir Hugh Calverley , Deputy of Callis , burnt six and twenty French ships in the Haven of Bulloigne : and at the same time a great Navy is set out , under the guiding of the Earle of Bucki●gham , the Duke of Britaine , the Lord L●timer , Sir Robert Knolls and others , with a purpose to intercept the Spanish Fleet ; but through Tempest were twice driven back : when in the mean time , one Mercer a Scottish Pyrate , came to Sc●rborough , tooke there divers ships , and committed many outrages : and no order being taken to repell him , a Citizen of L●●do● n●med Iohn Philpot , at his own charges set forth a Fleet , and in his own person encountring them , tooke the said Mercer , and all his ships : and returning home , in stead of being rewarded for his service , he was called in question for presuming to raise a Navy , without advice of the Kings Councell : but he gave ●uch reasons for that he had done , that not onely he came off then wi●h credit , but lives in reputation for it to this day . Indeed Reasons of State , though they may secretly be censured , yet they must not openly be controlled , for this were to bring Authority into contempt , and in stead of Errors to bring in Confusion ; but yet when wrongs be offered that are publick , every particular person seemes to have an interest in taking revenge ; and though it may be no manners not to stay the States leisure , yet it can be no offence to doe their worke for them . Many actions passed at this time with the French and Scots , some prosperous , and some adverse : The Scots burne Roxborough ; this was adverse : but the Earle of Northumberland entring Scotland with ten thousand men , spoyleth the Lands of the Earle of March , the chief Incendiary , this was prosperous : but when the Northern men would needs make a Road into Scotland , and were encountred by the Scots , and put to flight , this was adverse . Anon after Midsomer , the Duke of Lancaster , with the Earles of Buckingham , Warwick , Stafford , and others of the Nobility , with a strong Power to●ke the Sea , and landing in Britaine , besieged the Towne of S● . Malo , but finding strong opposition , is forced to raise his Siege , and returne home : this was adverse . And now againe , the Scots by night entred secretly into the Castle of Berwick , and slew Sir Robert Baynton , that was Constable there : this also was adverse : But when the Earle of Northumberland , being advertised ther●of , came with a Power , assau●ted the Castle , and after two daye● defence recovered it againe ; this was prosperous . William Montacute E●rle of Salisbury , the Kings Lieutenant in Callis , forrageth the Country round about , and furnisheth Callis with Booties of French cattell : Sir Hugh Calverley and Sir Thomas Percy made Admiralls● put to Sea● and take divers ships laden with merchandise , and one sh●p of warre : Sir Iohn H●●leston , Captaine of Chierbourg in France , issuing forth , assaults a Fortresse of the French , which was the storehouse of their Provision , and with much valour takes it : these were prosperous : But when Sir Iohn Clerke , lying in Ga●rison in a Castle in Britaine , where la● many Eng●●sh ships in the Haven , ●ad ●he●e ships let upon by the French , where though he shewed incredible valo●r in the action , yet the ships were taken , and himselfe slaine : this was adverse . Also in the third yeere of this Kings Reigne , Sir Iohn Arundell , Sir Hugh Calverley , Sir Thomas Percie , Sir William Elmham , Sir Thomas Banister , and many other Knights , went to Sea , with a purpose to passe over into Britaine ; but were so beaten back w●th Tempest , that divers of their ships were ●ast away ; and Sir Iohn Arundell , Sir Thomas Banister , Sir Nicolas Trumping●on , Sir Thomas Dale , and above a thousand others were all drowned ; onely Sir Thomas Percie , Sir Hugh Calverley , Sir William Elmham , and certaine others escaped . It may not be imper●inent to note here the sumptuousnesse of those times ; for this Sir Iohn Arundell was then said in his Furniture to have two and fifty new sutes of apparell of cloath of Gold and Tissue , all lost at Sea . This yeere also , there being found inconvenience in having many Governors of the King and Kingdome , it was by Parliament decreed , Th●t the Lord Thomas Beauchampe , Earle of Warwick● should himself alone hold the place of Protector . About this time Sir Iohn Annesley Knight accused Thomas Katrington Esquire , for betraying the Fortresse of St. Saviour to the French : which Katrington denying● at the suit of Annesly a solemne combat is permitted to be between them ; at which combat the King and all the great Lords were present : the Esquire Katrington was a man of a mighty statu●e , the Knight Annesley a little man● yet through the justnesse of his cause , after a long fight , the Knight prevailed , and Katrington , the day after the combat dyed . In the beginning of the fourth yeere of this King , Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham , the Kings Unkle , with divers Earles and Lords , and an Army of seven or eight thousand , was sent into France , to aide the Duke of Britaine ; but the King of France at that time dying , the Duke of Britain grew to have peace with the new King ; whereupon the Earle of Buckingham came home againe , without doing much , but making of Knights , and forraging the Country . In this time the French and Spanish Gallies did much mischiefe on the Coast of England : they burnt Rye , H●sti●gs , a●d Portsmouth ; and at last , ent●ing the River of Thames , they came up to Gravesend , where they burnt most part of the Towne , and taking many Prisoners and Booties returned into France . At this time also , there fell out an Accident of great disturbance to the Realme ; for the Commons rose in divers parts , beginning at Dep●ford in Kent : and the cause of their Rising grew ( as was thought ) through the rude behaviour of a Collector of the Poll-money , who comming into the house of one Iohn Tyler , and demanding Pollmony of his wife for a daughter of hers , and she saying that her daughter was not of that age to pay , the rude fellow said , he would presently see whether that were so , or no , and thereupon forceably turned up her clo●thes ; whereat the mother making an outcry , her husband being at work hard by , and hearing the noyse , came in with his lathing-staffe in his hand , with which he gave the Collector such a blow on the head , that his braines flew out , and he presently dyed . Upon this , at the complaint of Tyler amongst his neighbours , and withall , a factious Clergie-man , one Iohn ●●ll , taking occasion hereat to rip up the ground of this Misgovernment , and telling the people , that this difference of mens Estates , where some are Potentates , and some are Bondmen , was against Christian liberty , taking for his Theame , When Adam delv'd and Eve span , who was then ● Gentleman ? he so incensed them , that the Commons in divers parts drew together ; and whether beginning in Kent , or otherwise in Essex , they drew at last into their faction the Commons of S●ssex , Hartfordshire , Cambridgshire , Suffolk , Norfolk , and other Shires ; and arresting all such as passed , made them sweare to be true to K. Richard , and to the Commons , and never to receive any King that should be called Iohn ; which they did for the envy they bore to Iohn Duke of Lancaster . Thus their number still increased , that by that time they were come as farre as Black-heath , they were esteemed to be a Hundred Thousand . The first thing they did when they came to London , was to send for one Richard Lyon , a grave Citizen , who had been Tylers Master , and his head they struck off , and carried it upon a pole , in Triumph before them : The next day they goe to the Savoy , the Duke of La●casters house , which they set on fire , burning all his rich Furniture , breaking in pieces all his Pla●e and Jewels , and throwing them into the Thames , saying , They were men of justice , and would not like Robbers enrich themselves with any mans goods : and when one of their fellowes was espyed to thrust a faire silver piece into his bosome , they tooke him , and cast both him and the piece into the fire : Two and thirty of them were got into the Dukes Wine-Cellar , where they stayed drinking so long , till the rafte●s of the house , on fire , fell upon them , and so covered them , that not able to get out , they were heard cry seven dayes after , and then perished . From the Savoy they went to the Temple , where they burnt the Lawyers lodgings , with their bookes and writings , and all they could lay hand on : Also the House of St. Iohns by Smithfield they set on fire , so that it burned for the space of seven dayes together . After this they came to the Tower , where the King was then lodged ; and though he had at that time sixe hundred armed men , and as many Archers about him , yet he durst not but suffer them to enter ; where they abused the Kings mother , offering to kisse her , in such rude manner , that she fell into a swound : and finding in the place Simon Thybold Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellour ; and Sr. Robert Hales also Lord Treasurer ; they led them to the Towerhill , and there in most cruell manner struck off their head● , as also of divers others : Neither spared they sacred places ; for breaking into the Church of the Augustine Fryers , they drew forth thirteene Flemmings , and beheaded them in the open streets ; as also seventeen other , out of other Churche● . Yet after all these outrages , the King proclaimed Pardon to all such as would lay down Armes , and goe quietly home ; which the Essex-men did , but the Kentish-men continued still , with their Captaine Wat Tyl●r : to whom when the King sent Sir Iohn Newton to understand what his meaning was ; Wat Tyler , offended because he came on horse-back , told him , it became him to light from his horse in his presence ; a●d therewith drew out his dagger to strike him : the King perceiving his Knight to be in danger , bade him alight from his horse : but when this would not pacifie him , the Major of London , William Walworth , by the Kings appointment rode to him and arrested him , and gave him such a blow on the head , that he astonied him ; and then other of the Kings servants drew their swords , and thrust him through in divers parts of his body , so as he died there in the place . When the Commons saw this , they cryed out , Our Captain is slain , let us revenge it . Here the King , though very young , not above fifteen yeeres of age , yet had the courage to ride unto them , telling them , that now their Leader was dead , he would be their Leader himselfe ; and if they would follow him into the fields , they should have whatsoever they desired . In the meane time , the Lord Major Walworth had gone into the City , and raised a Thousand armed men , and meeting Sir Robert Knolls by chance , got him to be their Leader ; who comming into the fields where the Rebels were , so daunted them , that throwing downe their weapons , they cryed for mercy : that it was a wonderfull thing to see how suddenly Fear overtook Presumption ; for scarce their words of Insolency were out of their mouths , when they fell to words of most servile submission : And as strange an alteration in those about the King , to see how suddenly Boldnes surprized Feare ; for scarce they left trembling at the sight of the Rebels , when suddenly upon sight of this Ayde their fingers itched to be setting ●pon them , but that the King would not suffer it , because some amongst them were there by compulsion , and to set upon them thus mingled , might as well be the death of the innocent , as of the guilty . But to pacifie them the more , the King caused his Charter of Manumission to be sent unto them ; which yet stayed them not from committing outrages at S● . Albans , and cancelling the antient Charters of the Abbots and Monks there . Besides , the Sedition was more generall , then that the appeasing it in one place could be finall ; for at the same time there were gathered together in Suffolk to the number of Fifty thousand , by the setting on of one Iohn Wraw a lewd Priest : and these fell to destroying the houses of Lawyers speciallly ; and Sir Iohn Cavendish L. Chiefe Justice of England , they beheaded , and set his head upon the Pillory in St. Edmundsbury . The like commotion of the Commons was at the same time also in Cambridgeshire , in the Isle of Ely , and in Norfolke , under the guiding of one Iohn Littester a Dyer : and to countenance their proceeding the more , they had a purpose to have brought William Vfford Earle of Suffolke into their fellowship ; but he , advertised of their intention , suddenly rose from supp●r , and got him away : but many other Lords and Knights they compelled to be sworne to them , and to ride with them ; as the Lord Scales , the Lord Morley , Sir Iohn Brewi● , Sir Stephen Hales , & Sr. Robert Salle , who not enduring their insolencies , had his braines dasht out by a Country Clowne that was his Bondman : The rest terrified by this example , were glad to carry themselves submissively to their Chieftaine Iohn Lit●ester , who named himselfe King of the Commons , and counted it a preferment for any to serve him at his Table , in taking the assay of his meates and drinkes , with kneeling humbly before him , as he sate at meat . And now these fellowes , upon a c●nsultation , send two choycemen , namely , the L. Morle● and Sir Iohn Brewi● , with three of their chiefe Commons , to the King , for their Charter of Manumission and Enfranchising : who being on their way , at Itchingham not farre from New market , they met with Henry Spenser Bishop of Norwich ; and he examining them if there were any of the Rebels in their company , and hearing that thr●e of the chiefe were there present , he presently caused their heads to be struck off ; and then pursuing on towards Northwalsham in Norfolke , where the Commons stayed for Answer from the King ; by that time he came thither , where he had at first but eight Launces , and a small number of Archers in his company , his number was so increased , that it came to be a compleat Army , with which he set upon the Rebels , discomfited them , and tooke Iohn Littester and their other Chieftains , whom he caused all to be executed ; and by this meanes the Country was quieted . After this , the Major of London●ate ●ate in Judgment upon Offenders ; where many were found culpable , and lost their heads ; amongst other , Iack Straw , Iohn Kirkeby , Alane Tredder , and Iohn Sterl●ng , who gloried that he was the man had slaine the Archbishop . Also Sir Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice , was appointed to sit in Judgement against the Offenders ; before whom above fifteen hundred were found guilty , and in sundry places put to death : amongst others , Iohn Ball Priest , their Incendiary ; of whom it is not impertinent to relate a letter he wrote to the Rebell-rabble of Essex ; by which we may see how fit an Oratour he was for such an Auditory , and what strength of perswasion there was in Non-sence : Iohn Sheepe St. Mary Priest of Yorke , and now of Colchester , greeteth well Iohn Namelesse , and Iohn the Miller , and Iohn Carter ; and biddeth them that they beware of guile in Borough , and stand together in Gods name : and biddeth Piers Plowman goe to his work , and chastise well Hob the robber , and take with you Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes , and no moe . Iohn the miller ye ground small , small , small ; the Kings Sonne of Heaven shall pay for all . Beware or ye be woe : Know your friend from your foe : Have enough , and say Ho ; and doe well and better : Flee sinne , and seeke peace , and hold you therein : and so biddeth Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes .

Neither is it impertinent to declare the Confession of Iack Straw at his execution : When we were assembled ( said he ) upon Blackheath , and had sent to the K. to c●me to us , our purpose was to have slaine all Knights and Gentlemen that should be about him : and as for the King , we would have kept him amongst us , to the end the people might more boldly have repaired to us ; and when we had gotten power enough , we would have slaine all Noblemen , and specially the Knights of the Rhodes ; and lastly we would have killed the King , and all men of possessions , with Bishops , Monkes , Parsons of Churches ; onely Friers Mendicants we would have spared , for administration of the Sacraments : Then we would have devised Laws according to which the people should have lived ; for we would have created Kings , as Wat Tyler in Kent , and other in other Countries : and the same evening that Wat Tyler was killed , we were determined to set fire in foure corners of the City , and to have divided the spoyle amongst us : and this was our purpose , as God may helpe me now at my last end . ] For his service done in this seditious businesse , the King knighted the Major William Walworth , and gave him a hundred pounds a yeere in Fee ; also he knighted five Aldermen his brethren , girding them abou● the waste with the girdle of knighthood , which was the manner of Graduating in those dayes : And to doe the City it selfe honour , he granted there should be a Dagger added to the Armes of the City ; for till this time the City bore onely the Crosse without the Dagger .

And now all parts being quiet , the King by Proclamation revoked and made void his former Charters of Infranchising the Bondmen of the Realme ; and that they should stand in the same condition they were before . In the time of this sedition , the Duke of Lancaster had been sent into Scotland , to keep the Scots quiet ; who so carried the matter , that before the Scots heard of the Sedition , a Truce was concluded for two or three yeeres . But the Duke comming back to Berwick , was denied by the Captaine Sir Matthew Redman , to enter the Towne , because of a Commandement given him by the Earle of Northumberland , L. Warden of the Marches , not to suffer any person to enter the same ; which the King indeed had appointed to be done , forgetting the Duke of Lancaster that was then in Scotland : but howsoever , this bred such a spleen in the Duke against the Earle , that at his comming home , he laid many things to the Earles charge , and the Earle as stoutly answered his objections : and so farre it proceeded , that both of them came to the Parliament which was then beginning , with great numbers of Armed men , and themselves in Armour , to the great terrour of the people : but the King , wisely taking the matter into his owne hands , made them friends . At which time , the Lady Anne , Sister to the Emperour Wincesl●us , and affianced wife to the King , was come to Callis ; whereupon the Parliament was Prorogued : the Lady was brought to London , joyned in mariage to the King , and Crowned Queene at Westminster by the Archbishop of Canterbury , with great solemnity . After the Mariage , the Parliament began againe ; in which William Vfford Earle of Suffolke being chosen by the Knights of the Shires to deliver in behalfe of the Commonwealth certaine matters concerning the same , the very day and houre in which he should have done the businesse , as he went up the staires towards the upper House , he suddenly fell down and dyed , having been merry and well before , to all mens judgements . About this time the Lord Scroope was deposed from the Chancellourship , for refusing to seale some Grants which the King had made : and the King receiving the great Seale at his hands , kept it a certaine time , and sealed with it such Grants and Writings as he pleased ; till at length it was delivered to Robert Braybrooke Bishop of London , who was made Lord Chancellour .

Henry Spenser Bishop of Norwich , had lately with the Kings leave raised an Army , and was gone into France , in behalfe of Pope Vrban , against the Anti-pope Clement ; and entring first into Fla●ders , he tooke and sacked many Townes ; at last besieged Ypres ; till by an Army of French ( greater then was thought could have been raised in France ) he was forced to raise his siege : and then passing divers places , he came to Gr●●eling ; from whence he writ to King Richard , that if ever he meant to try battell with the French , now was the time . The King was at that time at Dayntrie in North●mptonshire ; and being at supper when the word was brought him , he instantly rose from the Table , got to horse-back , and rode in Post with such speed that he came to St. Albans about midnight ; where making no stay , but while he borrowed the Abbots Gelding , he hasted forth till he came to Westminster , as though he had meant never to rest till he had given battell to the French-men : but after he had taken councell of his pillow , his minde was altered , and h● thought it better to imploy some other , then to goe himselfe : so the Duke of Lancaster is thought the fittest man ; but he protracted the time so long in making preparation , th●t before he could be gone , the Bishop was come away : And this indeed is the condition of many , to spend so much time in preparing , that they utterly lose all opportunity of acting ; like to men that are putting on their cloathes so long , till it be time to put them off againe . Shortly after , a Truce was concluded between Fra●ce and England , to endure till the Feast of St. Michael , which should be in the yeere 1384.

Of Acts done after He came of Age.

THe Scots in this meane time had made Roades into England , and taken and burnt divers Townes upon the Borders : whereupon the Duke of Lancaster , with his Brother the Earle of Buckingham , is sent with a mighty Army to represse them ; but having entred Scotland , and not able to draw the Scots to a Battell , they onely burnt certaine Townes , and then returned .

About this time an Irish Frier , of the Order of the Carmelites , charged the Duke of Lancaster with heynous crimes● as that he intended to destroy the King , and us●rpe the Crowne ; shewing the time , the place , and other circumstances of the whole plot . But the Duke called to his Answer , so cleered himselfe , a● least gave such colours of cleering , that the Accuser was committed to the custody of Iohn Holland the kings halfe-brother , till a day appointed for further tryall : The ni●ht before which day , the said Lord Holland and Sir Henry Greene are said to have come to this Frier , and putting a cord about his neck , tyed the other end about his privy members ; and after hanging him up from the ground , laid a stone upon his belly , with the weight whereof his very back-bone burst asunder ; thereby putting him to a most tormenting death : An act not more inhumane then unadvised ; for though it took away the Accuser , yet it made the Accusation more suspitious .

At this time , though a Truce had been made with the Scots , yet they would not be quiet , but entred and wonne the Castle of Barwick , whereof the Earle of Northumberland was Captaine , but had committed the keeping of it to another ; for which being blamed , he went against them with an Army , but took an easier course , for with the summe of two thousand markes he bought them out , and had the Castle surrend●ed into his hands againe . The king upon some new displeasure , being now incensed against the Duke of Lancaster , had a purpose to have him arrested , and arraigned of certaine points of Treason , before Sir Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice , though he ought to be tryed by his Peeres : but the Duke having intimation hereof● got him to his Castle of Pomfret , and stood upon his guard ; till the Kings mother , ( notwithstanding her indisposition of body , by reason of her corpulency ) riding to and fro betwixt them , pacified the King , and made them friends .

In the ninth yeere of K. Richards Reigne , the French-king sent the Admirall of France into Scotland , with a Thousand men of Armes , besides Crosse-bowes and others , to ayde the Scots against the English ; with which ayde the Scots encouraged , enter the English Borders : whereof K. Richard advertised , himselfe with a mighty Army enters Scotland ; and comming to Edingborough , and finding all the people fled● he set fire on the houses , burnt the Church of S. Giles , onely Holy-Rood-house was spared at the Duke of Lancasters suit , in remembrance of friendship he had formerly received in that house . The Scots by no meanes could be drawn to any Battell ; bu● to divert the Kings Army , they entred Cumberland , and besieged Carlile , whereby the valour of Sir Lewis Clifford and Sir Thomas Musgrave they were repelled ; and hearing of the Kings Army comming towards them , and fearing to be inclosed , they drew back into Scotland , and the King returned into England . But in this meane while , the English of Callis tooke many prizes of French ships at Sea , and many Booties also by land ; at one time foure thousand sheep , and three hundred head of great Cattell . This yeere the King called a Parliament at Westminster , where he created two Dukes , one Marquesse , and five Earles : Edmund of Langly Earle of Cambridge , the Kings Unkle , was created Duke of Yorke : Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham , his other Unkle , Duke of Glocester : Robert Veere Earle of Oxford , was made Marquesse of Dublin : Henry of Bullingbrooke sonne of Iohn of Gaunt , was created Earle of Darby : Edward Plantagenet sonne to the Duke of Yorke , was made Earle of Rutland : Michael de la Poole Chancellour of England , was created Earle of Suffolke : and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham , was made Earle Marshall . Also by a●thority of this Parliament , Roger Mortimer Earle of March , sonne and heire of Edmund Mortimer , and of the Lady Philip eldest daughter and heire to Lionell Duke of Clarence third sonne to king Edward the Third , was established heire apparent to the Crowne of the Realme , and shortly after so Proclaimed : but going into Ireland to his Lordship of Vlster , was there by the wilde Irish slaine . This Roger Earle of March had issue , Edmund , Roger , Anne , Alice , and Eleanor ; which Eleanor was made a Nun : The two sonnes dyed without issue : Anne his eldest daughter , was maried to Richard Earle of Cambridge , sonne to Edmund of Langley ; which Richard had issue by the said Anne , a sonne called Richard , that was after Duke of York , and father to king Edward the Fourth ; also a daughter named Isabel , maried to the Lord Bourchier . Also this yeere Henry of Bullingbrooke Earle of Darby , maried the daughter and heire of Humfry Bohun Earle of Hereford ; in whose Right he was after made Duke of Hereford .

This yeere also K. Richard holding his Christmas at Eltham , Leo king of Armenia came thither to him ; who in feare to have his kingdome conquered by the Turkes , was come into Christendome to seeke for ayde : but his chiefe Errand into England was , to have procured a Peace between the two kings of England and Fran●e ; but their spleenes were so great against one another , that it was not in the physick of hi● Power to cure them .

At this time , the Duke of Lancaster , taking with him his wife the Lady Const●nce , and a daughter he had by her named Katherine , and two other daughters which he had by his former wife , failed into Spaine : he was attended in his journy with the Lord Lucie , the Lord Talbot , the Lord Basset , Willoughby , Fitzwater , Poy●ings , Br●●ston , and many other Lords and knights , to the number of fifteen hundred men of Armes ; whereof a thousand at the least were knights and Esquires . The king at his taking leave gave him a Crowne of Gold , and commanded he should be called king of Spaine : and the Queen likewise gave another Crown of Gold to the Dutche●●e . He landed first at Brest , and freed that Castle from the French : from thence he sailed , and arrived at the Groyne in Spaine , where he remained a moneth ; and then went to Compostella , where he stayed a while : In which time , his Constable Sir Iohn Holl●●d wonne divers Townes . At Monson , the king of Portingale , and the Duke of L●●caster met ; where a mariage was concluded between the said king of Portingale and the Lady Philip daughter to the Duke● which mariage shortly after was consummated , and the Lady sent into Portingale honorably accompanied . The Duke continued at Co●postella all the winter : At March the king of Portingale and he en●●ed the Confines of Castile , where they tooke many Townes ; and passing over the River of Dure , entred into the Country De Campo : But the Spaniards not willing to come to a Battell , but meaning to weary them out with delayes ; the English not used ●o such hot aire , fell daily into many diseases : which the Duke seeing , accorded ●o a Truce . There dyed in this action , the Lord Fi●zwater , Sir Burley●●night ●●night of the Garter , the Lord Poynings , and Sir Henry Percy Cosin-german to the E●●le of Northumberland , also the Lord Talbot ; and in all , twelve great Lords fourscore ●nights , two hundred Esquires , and of the meaner sort above five hundred . When the Army was broken up , the Duke of Lancaster , and the Dutche●se his wife went into Portingale ; and after some stay there , they sailed to Bayon , in the Marches of Gascoigne , where he rested a long time after : In which meane while , there were offers made for a Mariage to be had , betweene the Duke of Berry , Unkle to the Fr●●ch king , and the Lady Ka●herine , daughter to the Duke of Lancaster : which the king of Spaine understanding , he began to doubt , least if that mariage went forward , it might turne to his disadvantage ; and thereupon by earnest suit , at length conc●uded a peace with the Duke of Lancaster , on this wise , That his eldest sonne He●ry should marry the the Lady Katherine , the Duke of Lancasters daughter , and be intituled Prince of Austurg●s ; and in consideration of this mariage , and that all claimes should cease , which the Duke in right of his wife might challenge or pretend● It was agreed , that the said Duke should receive yeerely the summe of Ten thous●nd marks , during the lives of him and his Dutchesse ; and to have in hand the summe of two hundred thousand Nobles .

At this time , the French had a purpose to invade England , with no lesse a hope then to make a Conquest : and to that end , they prepared a mighty Navy ; so as in the moneth of September , there were numbred about Sluis , Dam , and Bla●kerk● , 1●87 ships , besides those which were rigged in Britaine by the Constable , who had caused an inclosure of a Field to be made of Timber , that when they were landed in E●gland , they might therewith inclose their field , and so lodge at more surety : but it so fortuned , that the Lord William Beauchampe Captaine of Callis , tooke two of their ships , whereof one was laden with a piece of the said Inclosure ; and after that , ●nother ship , laden with Guns , Gunpowder , and other Instruments of warre ; and after that againe , two ships more , laden with parcels of the said Inclosure , which K. ●ichard caused to be reared and set up about Winchelsey Towne : at last the foresaid Army came into Flanders , and arrived at Sluis ; where , after some stay , they were so distressed for victuals , that in the end of November , they were glad to be gone , and returne into France .

At this time , in a Parliament , Robert Veere Earle of Oxford and Marques of Dublin , was created Duke of Ireland ; and Michael de la Poole , a Merchants son , had lately before been created E. of Suffolk , and made Chancellor of England . And now begins K. Richard to enter , I may say , upon the confines of his Destiny : His gracing of undeserving men , and disgracing of men deserving , if they were not the causes , they were at least the occasions of his owne disgracing , and destruction in the end . He was now come to be of full age to doe all himselfe ; which was indeed to be of full age to undoe himselfe : for the faults of his younger yeeres might have the excuse to be but Errors ; but the faults of the age he was now at , were peremp●ory against him , and admitted no defence . And to hasten the pace of his destiny the faster , the ill Counsell which before was but whispered in his eare , was now scarce forborne to be given him aloud : It is told him , that he is under tuition no longer , and therefore not to be controll'd , as in former times he had been ; That to be crost of his will by his subjects , was to be their subject ; It is no Soveraignty , if it be not absolute . At the instigation of which Counsell , the king in a Parliament now assembled , fell to expostulate with his Lords , asking them what yeeres they thought him to be 〈◊〉 who answering , that he was somewhat more then one and twenty ; Well , then ( sa●● he ) I am out of Wardship , and therefore looke to injoy my kingdome as freely , 〈◊〉 your selves at the like yeeres enjoy your Patrimonies . But his flattering Favori●● should have remembred , that though the king may not be controlled , where he ca● command ; yet he may be opposed , where he can but demand ; as now indeed he wa● for when he came to demand a Subsidy towards his warres , he was answered , That he needed no subsidie from his Subjects , if he would but call in the debts which th● Chancellour owed him : and if he were so tender of him , that he could not finde i● his heart to doe it himselfe , they would doe that work for him : and thereupo● charged him with such crimes , that all his goods were confiscate , and himselfe adjudged to dye , if the king so pleased : though some write , his sentence was onely to pay a Fine of twenty thousand markes , and a thousand pounds yeerly beside . Upo● this provocation , the opposite side seek present revenge : It is devised , that the Duke of Glocester as principall , and other Lords that crossed the kings courses , should be invited to a Supper in London , and there be murthered . In the execu●●on of which plot , the former Lord Major , Sir Nicolas Brember , had a speciall hand● but the present Major Rich●rd Exton , moved to it by the king , would by no mean●● consent ; and thereupon the plot proceeded not . But for all these harsh straines , and many such other that passed this Parliament , a Subsidie was at length granted to the king , of halfe a Tenth , and halfe a Fifteenth ; but with condition , that 〈◊〉 should not be issued but by order from the Lords , and the Earle of Arund●ll was appointed to receive it . But before this time , both Houses had directly agreed , that unlesse the Chancellour were removed , they would meddle no further in the P●●liament . The king advertised hereof , sent to the Commons , that they should se●● unto Eltham ( where he then lay ) forty of their House , to declare their mindes 〈◊〉 him : but upon conference of both Houses , it was agreed , that the Duke of Glo●●st●r , and Thomas Arundell Bishop of Ely , should in the name of the Parliament goe unto him : who comming to the king , declared , That by an old Statute , the king once a yeere might lawfully summon his Court of Parliament , for reformation of all corruptions and enormities within the Realme : and further declared , That by an old Ordinance also it was Enacted , That if the king should absent himself 40 dayes not being sick , the Houses might lawfully break up , and returne home . At this the king is said to say , Well , we perceive our people goe about to rise against us , and therefore we thinke we cannot doe better then to aske ayd of our Cosin the king of France , and rather submit us to him then to our own Subjects . To which the Lord● answered , They wondred at this opinion of his Majesty , seeing the French king was the antient Enemy of the kingdome ; and he might remember what mischiefes were brought upon the Realme in king Iohns time , by such a course . By these and the like perswasions , the king was induced to come to the Parliament : and soon after , Iohn Fortham Bishop of Durham is discharged of his Office of Lord Treasurer ; and in his place was appoint●d Ioh● Gilber● Bishop of Hereford , a Frier of the order of Preachers : also Michael de la P●●le Earle of Suffolke , is discharged of his Office of Chancellour ; and Thomas Aru●dell Bishop of Ely , by consent of Parliament , placed in his roome . Also by Order of Parliament , thirteen Lords were chosen to have oversight , under the king , of the w●ole government of the Realme : of which thirteen , there were three of the New-Officers named ; as the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour , the Bishop of Hereford Lord Treasurer , and Nicolas Abbot of W●ltham Lord keeper of the Privy Seale : The other ten were , William Archbishop of C●●terbury , Alexander Archbishop of York , Edmund of L●ngley Duke of York , Thoma● Duke of Glocester , William Bishop of Winchester , Thomas Bishop of Exeter , Rich●rd Earle of Arundell , Richard Lord Scr●●pe , and Iohn Lord Devereux . But this participation of the Government being found inconvenient , held not long . Also in this Parliament , it was granted , that Robert de Veere , lately created Duke of Ireland , should have & receive to his own use 30000. markes , which the French-men were to give for the heires of ●he Lord Charles de Bl●ys : but it was granted upon ●his condition● That before the next Easter he should passe over into Ireland , to recover such lands as the King had there given him : so desirous the Lords and Commons were to have him removed from the Kings presence . But though the King gave way to this torrent of the Parliament for the present , yet as soone as the Parliament was dissolved , he dissolved also all that had been done , either against the Lord Chancellour , or against the Duke of Ireland , or against Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York ; and received them into more favour then ever he had done before .

In his Tenth yeere , about the Beginning of March , Richard Earle of Arundell appointed Admirall , and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham , the Earle of Devonshire , and the Bishop of Norwich , went to Sea , with a warlike power of men and ●rmes , to watch for the Fleet of Flanders , that was ready to come from Rochell with wines ; and meeting with them , they set upon them : and tooke of them , to the number of a hundred Vessels , all fraught with wines ; so as wine grew so plentifull , that it was sold for thirteen shillings foure pence the Tonne ; and the best and choysest for twenty shillings . Besides this , they landed in Flanders , where they relieved and fortified Brest , and demolished two Forts which the Enemy had built against it . But this happy service of the Earle of Arundell ; the Duke of Ireland , the Earle of Suffolke , Sir Simon Burley , and Sir Richard Sturrey , who continued still about the King , seemed rather to envy , then to commend ; insomuch that when the Earle of Nottingham , that had ever been the Kings play fellow , and of equall age to him , came to the Court , he was neither received by the Duke of Ireland with any good welcome , nor by the King with any good countenance : and therefore indeed , not by the King with any good Countenance , because not by the Duke of Ireland with any good Welcome .

About this time ; the Duke of Ireland sought to be divorced from his lawfull wife , daughter to the Lady Isabel , one of king Edward the third's daughters ; and took to wife one Lancerona a Vintners daughter of Bohemia , one of the Queenes maids : at which indignity , the Duke of Glocester , that was unkle to the Lady thus forsaken , tooke great displeasure ; which the Duke of Ireland understanding , studied how by some meanes he might dispatch the Duke of Glocester out of the way . Easter was now past , the time appointed for the D. of Irelands going over into Ireland ; when the King , with a shew to bring him to the waters side , went with him into Wales , and in his company , Michael de la Poole Earl of Suffolke , Robert Tresilian L. Chie● Justice , and divers others ; who there consulted how they might di●patch the Duke of Glocester , the Earles of Arundel , Warwick , D●rby , Nottingham , with divers others of that Faction : but when the King had remained in those parts a good while , he returned , and brought back the Duke of Ireland with him ; and so his voyage into Irel●●d was cleane forgotten . About the same time , Robert Tresilian Chiefe Justice came to Coventry , where he Indicted two thousand persons . The King and the Queene came to Groby ; and thither came by his Commandement the Justices of the Re●●me , Robert Belknap Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas , Iohn Holt , R●ger Fulthorpe , and William Borough , knights : to whom it was propounded , to an●wer to these Questions following : First , Whether the New Statute and Commission made in the last Parliament , were against the kings Prerogative , or no ? To which they all answered , It was . Secondly , How they ought to be punished , that procured the said Statute and Commission to be made ? They answered with one assent , that they deserved death , except the king would pardon them . Thirdly , How they ought to be punished who moved the King to consent to the making of the said Statute and Commission ? They answered , They ought to lose their lives , unlesse the King would pardon them . Fourthly , How they ought to be punished , that com●elled the king to the making of that Statute ? They answered , They ought to suffer as Traitours . Fiftly , Whether the king might cause the Parliament to proceed upon Articles by him limited , before they proceeded to any other ? They answered , That in this the king ●hould over-rule ; and if any presumed to doe contrary , he was to be punished as a Traitour . Sixthly , Whether the king might not at his pleasure dis●olve the Parliament , and command the Lords and Commons to depart ? They all answered , He might . Seventhly , Whether the Lords and Commons might , without the kings will , impeach Officers and Justices upon their offences , in Parliament , or no ? It was answered , They might not ; and he that attempted contrary , was to suffer as a Traitour ? Eightly , How he is to be punished , who moved in the Parliament , that the Statute wherein Edward the Second was indicted in Parliament , might be sent for ; by i●spection of which Statute , that present Statute was de●ised ? It was answered , That as well he that moved it , as he that brought the 〈◊〉 into the House , were to be punished as Traitours ? Ninthly , Whether the Judgement given in Parliament against Michael de la Po●le were erronious and revocable ? They answered , It was erronious and revocable● and that if the Judgement were now to be given , the Justices would not give the same . In witnesse of the Premises , the Justices aforesaid , to these Presents have set their Seales ; in the presence of Alexander Archbishop of Yorke , Rob●●t Arcbishop of Dublin , Iohn Bishop of Durham , Thomas Bishop of Chester , Iohn Bishop of ●●ng●r , Robert Duke of Ireland , Michael Earle of Suffolk , Iohn Ripon Clerk , and Iohn Blake .

At this time the Londoners incurred much obloquie ; For , having before beene pardoned by the king of some crime●●aid to their charge , they were now ready to comply with the king in his desires ; and thereupon being impannelled , they indicted some Lords of many crimes informed against them . But not onely the Justices aforesaid , but all other Justices and Sheriffes of the Realme were called at this time to Nottingham : the chiefe cause was , to understand what power of men they could assure the king of , to serve him against the Lords : and further , that where he mean● shortly to call a Parliament , they should so use the matter , that no knight or Burgesse should be chosen , but such as the King and his Councell should name . To which the Sheriffes made answer , that it lay not in their power to assemble any forces against the Lords , who were so well beloved : And as for choosing knights and Burgesses , the Commons would undoubtedly look to enjoy their antient liberties , and could not be hin●ered . But yet the king and the Duke of Ireland sent into all parts of the Realme , to raise men in this quarrell against the Lords : Whereof the Duke of Glocester being advertised , he came secretly to Conference with the Earles of Arundell , Warwick , and Darby ; who upon consultation , determined to talke with the king , with their Forces about them : and the king , on the other part , tooke advice how he might apprehend them apart ; and thereupon , sent the Earle of Northumberland and others to the Castle of Rygate , to take the Earle of Arundell , who lay there at that time : but howsoever it fortuned , they fa●●ed of their purpose . After this , he sent others to apprehend him : but he being warned by a messenger from the Duke of Glocester , conveyed himselfe away by night ; and by morning was come to Haringey-Parke , where he found the Duke of Glocester and the Earle of Warwick , with a great power of men about them . The king hearing of this Assembly at Hari●gey-Parke , called his Councell , to heare their opinions what was fit to be done : Some were of opinion , that the king should assemble his friends , and joyning them with the Londoners , give them battell ; the chiefest of this minde was the Archbishop of York : Others thought best , the king should seeke to appease the Lords with faire promises , till a fitter opportunity to suppresse them . But the king not yet resolved what course to take , caused onely order to be taken , that no Citizen of Lond●n should sell to the Duke of Glocester , the Earle of Arundell , or to any other of the Lords , any armour or furniture of warre , under a great paine . But for all this , the Lords proceeded in their course , and sent the Arcbishop of Canterbury , the Lord Iohn Lovell , the Lord Cobham , and the Lord Iohn Devereux , requiring to have delivered to them such as were about the king , that were Traitours and Seducers both of him and the Realme : and further to declare , that their Assembling was for the honour and wealth both of him and the kingdome . The Duke of Ireland , the Earle of Suffolk , and two or three other about the king , per●wad●d him to offer Call●● to the king of France , to have his assistance against the Lords . Withall , the king seat to the Major of London , requiring to know how many able men the City could make ? To which the Major answered , that he thought it could make Fifty thousand men at an houres warning . Well then ( said the king ) goe and prove what will be done . But when the Major went about it , he was answered , They would never fight against the kings friends , and defenders of the Realme . At the same time , the Earle of Northumberland said to the king : Sir , there is no doubt but these Lords have alwaies been , and still are your true and faithfull subjects , though now distemper'd by certaine persons about you , that seeke to oppresse them : therefore my advice is , that you send to them , to come before your presence in some publick place ; and I verily believe , they will shew such reasons of their doings , that you will hold them excused . The Archbishop of Canterbury , and the Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour , and other of the Bishops there present , approved all of the Earles advice : whereupon the king sent the Archb●shop of Canterbury , and the Bishop of Ely to the Lords , requiring them to come to him to Westminster , on Sunday then next following : which , upon oath given by the Archbishop and the Chancellour , that no fraud nor evill practice should be used against them , they were content to doe . But when the Lords were ready to come at the day appointed , they heard of an Ambush laid to intrap them at the Mewes , and thereupon stayed , so as they came not at the time appointed : Whereupon , the king asking why they came not according to their promise ? It was answered , because hee kept not his promise , there being an Ambush of a Thousand armed men laid to surp●ize them at the Mewes . The king hearing this was astonied , and swore he knew of no such thing , and commanded presently the place should be searched , but it was true ; an ambush was laid , but not at the Mewes , but in a place a●out Westminster , where Sir Thomas Tryvet and Sir Nicholas Brember had assembled them . This one action might have made the king sensible of his favorites abusing his authority ; but that where affection makes the construction , all things are taken in a good sense ; or was it perhaps they had a Warrant dormant , to prosecute the kings ends without the kings knowledge ? Yet the Lords after this , receiving a safe conduct from the king , came to Westminster ; of whose comming when the king heard , hee apparelled himselfe in his royall-Robes , and with his Scepter in his hand , came into the great Hall ; before whom , the Lords upon their knees presented themselves , the king bidding them welcome , and taking each of them by the hand ; Then the lord Chancellor making a speech , wherein he blamed them for raysing of Armes , and requiring to know the cause ; they answered , They had done it for the good of the King and kingdome , and to take away the Tra●tors about the King . Upon this the king himself spake , asking him whether they thought to compel him by strong hand ? have not I ( saith he ) sufficient men to beat you down ? truly in this behalf I make no more account of you then of the basest skullion in my kytchin ; yet after these great words , he lift up the Duke of Glocester , who all this while was kneeling , and commanded the rest also to rise , and then led them courteously to his chamber , where they sate and dranke together : And finally it was concluded they should all meete againe , as well these Lords , as those they accused , at the next Parliament ; which the king promised to call speedily , and each party to receive there according to Justice , and in the meane time all parties to be in the kings protection . But when the Favorite Lords heard this , they told the king plainly , they neither durst nor would put themselves to the hazard of such a meeting , and therfore the Duke of Ireland and the rest of that faction left the Court to bee out of the way : But the king not enduring their abs●nce , app●l●ted Thomas Mollineux Constable of ●he castle of Chester , to rayse an Army , and to safe-conduct the duke of Ireland to him ; But ●●ey being come as far as Radcoat-bridge , were encoun●red by the Earle of Darby ; and the Duke of Ireland , not d●ring to joyne battell with him , fled ; and being to passe a River , cast away his gantlets and sword ( to bee the more nimble ) and giving his horse the spur , leapt into the river , and so escaped ; that when these things were afterwards found , it was verily thought hee had been drowned , till news came he was got into Holland , where being no very welcome guest , hee went from thence into the Bishoprick of Vtricht , and after two or three yeeres scambling about in manner of a fugitive , at Lovaine in Brabant he ended his life . A man of many good parts , and worthy enough of his Princes favor , if with that favor he had not grown proud , and in that pride , injurious and insulting over others no lesse deserving then himselfe . Hee was valiant enough against any man but the Earle of D●rby , and of him indeede both the Genius of the Duke of Ireland , and of King Richard himselfe seemed to stand in feare , for neither of them durst meet him in the field , though encouraged to it by those about them .

About this time the Duke of Suffolke doubting some plots laid to surprize him , fled over to C●llis in disguise , shaving his beard , and counterfeiting himselfe a Poulterer , to sell certain foule which hee had gotten ; but being come to Callis , was by the Lord William Beauchampe , Deputy of the Town , sent back into England , whom the King notwithstanding permited to goe at large , to make it be thought hee was more afraid then hurt , more suspicious then he needed By this time the Lords h●d gotten matter enough against the King , at least to justifie their Armes , and thereupon with an Army of forty thousand men , they came to London , where after some debate , they were received ; and then the Duke of Gloucester , the Earles of Darby and Nottingham went to the King in the Tower ; to whom , after humble salutations , they shewed the Letter which he had written to the Duke of Ireland , to levy an Army for their destruction : likewise the Letters which the French King had written to him , conteining a safe conduct for him to come into France , there to doe Acts to his own dishonor and the kingdoms .

This done , upon the Kings promise that he would come the next day to Westminster to treate further of these matters , the Lords departed , only the Earles of Nottingham and Darby , at the Kings instance , stayed all night ; but before the King went to bed , his minde was cleane altered for keeping his promise to meete the Lords the next day at Westminster : which the Lords understanding , they sent peremptorily to him , that if he came not according to his promise , they would choose another king , that should hearken to the faithfull Counsell of his Lords . This touched the king so to the quick , that the next morning he went and met the Lords ; who there declared to him , how much it concerned the good of the kingdome , that those Traitours so often spoken of , should be removed from the Court : To which , the king , though much against his will , yet at last condiscended . And thereupon presently Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York , and Thomas Rushoke Bishop of Chichester , and Confessour to the king , were expelled the Court ; who not willing to come to after-reckonings , fled no man knew whither . They expelled also Iohn Fourdham Bishop of Durham , Lord Treasurer ; the Lord Zouch of Haringworth , the Lord Burvell , the Lord Beaumont , Albery de Veere , Baldwin de Bereford , Richard Adderbury , Iohn Worth , Thomas Clifford , and Iohn Lovel , knights : but constreined to put in Sureties to appeare at the next Parliament . Also certaine Ladies were expelled the Court ; as the Lady Poynings , the Lady Mouling , and others ; bound to appeare at the next Parliament . There were also arrested , and committed to severall Prisons , Sir Symon Burley , William Elmham , Iohn Beauchamp Steward of the kings house , Sir Iohn Salisbery , Sir Thomas Trivet , Sir Iames Berneys , Sir Nicolas Dagworth , and Sir Nicolas Brember , knights . Also Richard Clifford , Iohn Lincolne , Richard Mitford , the kings Chaplains ; Nicolas Sclake Deane of the kings Chappell , and Iohn Blake a Lawyer .

Shortly after , the Parliament began , ( called afterward , The Parliament that wrought wonders : ) On the first day whereof , were arrested as they sate in their places , all the Justices ( but onely Sir William Skipwith : ) as Sir Roger Fulthorpe , Sir Robert Belknappe , Sir Iohn Cary , Sir Iohn Holt , Sir William Brooke , and Iohn Alac●on the kings Serjeant at Law ; and were all sent to the Tower , for doing contrary to an Agreement made the last Parliament . Also in the beginning of this Parliament , Robert Veere Duke of Irel●nd , Alexander Nevill Archbishop of York , Michael de la Poole Earle of Suffolke , and Sir Robert Tresilian Lord Chiefe Justice of England , were openly called to answer Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Glocester , Richard Earle of Arundell , Henry Earle of Darby , and Thomas Earle of Nottingham , upon certaine Articles of high Treason : and because none of them appeared , It was ordained by whole consent of Parliament , they should be banished for ever , and all their land● and goods ●eized into the Kings hands ( their intailed lands onely excepted . ) Shortly after , the Lord Chief Justice Robert Tresilian , was found in an Apothecaries house in Westminster ; where being taken , he was brought to the Duke of Glocester , who caused him the same day to be had to the Tower , and from thence drawne to Tyburne , and there hanged . On the morrow after , Sir Nicolas Brember was brought to his Answer ; who being found guilty , was beheaded with an Axe which himselfe had caused to be made for beheading of others . After this , Sir Iohn Salisbery , and Sir Iames Berneys , lusty young men , were drawne and hanged ; as also Iohn Be●●champ L. Steward of the Kings house , Iohn Blake Esquire : and lastly , Sir Symon Burley , sonne to the great Sir Iohn Burley Knight of the Garter , was beheaded on Tower-hill ; whose death the King tooke more heavily and more heynously then all the rest . Also all the Justices were condemned to dye ; but by the Queenes intercession , they were onely banished the Realme , and all their lands and goods confiscate , onely a small portion of money was assigned them for their sustentation . Finally , in this Parliament , an Oath was required and obteined of the King , that he should stand unto , and abide such Rule and Order as the Lords should take : and this Oath was required also of all the Inhabitants of the Realme .

In the later end of the Kings eleventh yeere , the Earle of Arundell was sent to Sea , with a great Navy of ships and men of warre ; with whom went the Earles of Nottingham and Devonshire , Sir Thhmas Percy , the Lord Clifford , the Lord Camoi● , Sir William Elmham , and divers other Knights , to ayde the Duke of Britaine against the king of France : but before they came , the Duke of Britaine was reconciled to the king of France ; and so needing not their ayde , all this great Fleet returned with doing nothing . And it was indeed a yeere of doing nothing , unlesse we reckon some petty Inroades of the Scots : and that Sir Thomas Tryvet dyed with a fall off his horse : and that Sir Iohn Holland , the Kings brother by the mother , was made Earle of Huntington : and that there was Contention in Oxford , between the Northerne and the Southerne Scholars ; which was pacified by the Duke of Glocester .

In his twelveth yeere , Commissioners were appointed to meet at Balingham , betwixt Calli● and Bulloigne , to treat of a Peace betweene the Realmes of England , France , and Scotland : and after long debating , a Truce was at last concluded , to begin at Midsomer next , and to last three yeeres . But now the king , to shew his plenary authority of being at full age , removed the Archbishop of York from being Lord Chancellor , and put in his place William Wickham Bishop of Winchester : also he removed the Bishop of Hereford from being Treasurer , and put another in his place : The Earle of Arundell likewise , unto whom the Government of the Parliament was committed , and the Admiralty of the Sea ; was removed , and the Earle of Huntington put in his roome .

About this time , the Lord Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembrooke , as he was practising to learne to Just , was stricken about the Privy parts , by a knight called Sir Iohn St. Iohn ; of which hurt he soone after dyed . In whose Family , it is memorable , that for many Generations together , no sonne ever saw his father , ( the father being alwaies dead , before the sonne was borne . ) The Originall of this Family was from Hastings the Dane , who in the Reigne of K. Alured , long before the Conquest , about the yeere 890. came with Rollo j●to England . But howsoever , in this Iohn Hastings ended the then Honorable Titles of the Hastings ; for this man dying without issue , his Inheritances were dispersed to divers persons : The Honour of Pembrooke came to Francis at Court , by the kings Gift : the Baronies of Hastings and Welford came to Reynold Gray of Ruthin : the Barony of Aburg●veny was granted to William Bea●●hamp of Bedford .

About this time , Iohn Duke of Lancaster was created Duke of Aquitaine , receiving at the Kings hands the Rod and the Cap , as Investitures of that Dutchy . Also the Duke of York's sonne and heire was created Earle of Richmond .

In his thirteenth yeere , a Royall Justs was Proclaimed to be holden within Smithfield in London , to begin on Sunday next after the Feast of S. Michael : which being published , not onely in England , but in Scotland , in Almaigne , in Flanders , in Brabant , and in France ; many strangers came hither ; amongst others , Valeran Earle of S. Poll , that had maried king Richards Sister ; and William the young Earle of Ostervant , sonne to Albert de Bav●ere Earl of Hollond and Heynoult . At the day ●ppointed there issued forth of the Tower , about three a clock in the afternoone , sixty Coursers apparrelled for the Justs ; and upon every one an Esquire of Honour , riding a soft pace : After them , came forth foure and thirty Ladies of Honour , ( Froyssard saith , threescore ) mounted on Palfries , and every Lady led a knight with a chaine of Gold : These knights being on the Kings part , had their armour and apparell garnished with white Hearts , and Crownes of Gold abo●● their necks ; and so they came riding through the streets of London , unto Smithfield : The Justs lasted divers dayes ; all which time the King and Queen lay at the Bishops Palace by Pauls Church , and kept open house for all Commers .

In his Fifteenth yeere , the Duke of Lancaster went into France , having in his traine a thousand horse ; and met the king of France at A●iens , to treat of a Peace between the two kingdomes : but after long debate , a Truce onely was concluded for a yeere .

About this time also , the King required the Londoners to lend him a Thous●nd pounds : which they refused ●o doe ; and not onely so , but they abused an Italian Merchant , for offering to lend it . This moved the King to some indignation : to which was added the complaint of a Ryot committed by the Citizens , against the servants of the Bishops of Sali●bury L. Treasurer ; for that , where one of the Bishops servants , named Walter Roman , had taken a horse-loafe out a Bakers basket , as he passed in the streets , and ran with it into his Lords house ; the Citizens thereupon assaulted the house , and would not be quieted , till the Major and Aldermen were faine to come , and with much adoe appeased them . Upon complaint hereof , urged against the Citizens , by the Bishop of Salisbury L. Treasurer , and Thomas Arundell Archbishop of York L. Chancellour , the Major and Aldermen , and divers other substantiall Citizens are arrested : the Major is committed to the Castle of Windsor , and the other to other Castles ; the liberties of the City are seized into the Kings hands , and the authority of the Major utterly ceased ; the king appointing a Warden to governe the City , first Sir Edmund Derligrug , and afterward Sir Baldwin Radington ; till at length , by speciall suit of the Duke of Glocester , the king was contented to come to London , to so great joy of the Citizens , that they received him with foure hundred on horse-back , clad all in one livery , and presented the king and Queene with many rich gifts : yet all gave not satisfaction , to have their liberties restored , till they afterwards paid Ten thousand pounds . This it is to provoke a Lyon : It may be fortune enough to us , if by any meanes we can but keepe him quiet ; for if once we provoke him to lay his paw upon us , it will be hard getting from him , and not be torne in pieces .

In his Sixteenth yeere , the Dukes of Lanc●ster and Glocester are once againe sent into France , to treat of a Peace : but when they could not agree with the French-Commissioners upon Articles propo●nded , there was onely a Truce concluded for foure yeeres ; though perhaps a further Agreement had then been made , but that the king of France fell newly againe into his old fit of Frensie , which called away the French Commissioners from further Treaty .

In his Eighteenth yeere , a Proclamation was set forth , That all Irish men should avoyd this Realme , and returne home : The occasion was , because so many Irish were come over , that Irela●d in a manner was left unpeopled : in so much , that where K. Edward the Third had received from thence yeerely the summe of Thirty thousand pounds , the king now laid forth as much to repell Rebels . Whereupon at Michaelmas K. Richard went himself into Ireland , attended with the Duke of Glocester , the Earles of March , Nottingham , and Rutland , the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward , and divers others of the English Nobility ; to whom came in the Great O●eale king of Meth , Bryan of Thomond king of Thomond , Arthur Macmur king of Leymster , and C●nhur king of Cheveney and Darpe : and there K. Richard stayed all that winter , and after Christmas called a Parliament ; at which time also , the Duke of Yorke Lord Warden of England , in the Kings name called a Parliament at Westminster : to the which was sent forth of Ireland the Duke of Glocester , that he might declare to the Commons the Kings great occasions for supply of money : whose words so farre prevailed , that a whole Tenth was granted by the Clergie , and a Fifteenth by the Laytie .

In his Twentieth yeere was the famous Enterview between the two Kings of England and France : There was set up for K. Richard a rich Pavilion , a little beyond Guysnes , within the English pale ; and another the like for the French King , on this side Arde : The distance betwixt the two Tents was beset on either side with Knights armed with thei● swords in their hands , foure hundred French on one side , and foure hundred English on the other : The two Kings before their meeting , took a solemne Oath , for assurance of their faithfull and true meaning , to observe the sacred Lawes of Amity one toward another , in this Enterview . After the two Kings were come together , it was accorded , that in the same place where they met , there should be builded at both their costs , a Chappell , for a perpetuall memory , which should be called , The Chappell of our Lady of Peace . On Simon and Iudes day , the kings talked together of Articles concerning the Peace ; and having concluded them , they received either of them an Oath , upon the holy Evangelists , to observe and keepe them . This done , the French king brought his daughter Isabel , and delivered her to K. Richard , who shortly after at Callis maried her , and upon the 17. of January following , she was Crowned Queen at Westminster . A Match of great honour , but of little conveniency , and lesse profit ; for the Lady being but eight yeeres of age , there could be no hope of issue a long time , which was K. Richards greatest want ; and as little supply of his wants otherwise , her Portion perhaps scarce paying the charges of his journey to fetch her , which cost him three hundred thousand markes .

The Duke of Lancaster , in the thirteenth yeere of K. Richards Reigne , had been created Duke of Aquitaine : but when the Gascoigners would not receive him , shewing reasons why that Dukedome ought not to be separated from the Crown of England , his Grant was revoked , and so it remained still in Demesne of the Crown .

At this time , in a Parliament , the Duke of Lancaster caused to be legitimated , the issue he had by Katherine Swinford , before he maried her ; of whom , Thomas Beaufort was created Earle of Sommerset .

This yeere also , the king receiviug the money back , which had been lent to the Duke of Britaine , upon Brest , delivered up the Towne unto him ; and thereupon , the English souldiers that were there in Garrison , were all discharged and sent home ; who , at a Feast which the king kept at Westminster , comming in companies together into the Hall ; as soone as the king had dined , and was entring into his Chamber , the Duke of Glocester asked him , if he did marke those men that stood in such troops in the Hall : Yes marry ( said the king ) who were they ? They were ( said the Duke ) those souldiers , who by your rendring up of Brest have been sent home , and now must either starve or steale ; and therewithall , very unadvisedly in words , taxed the king with unadvisednes of his deed : To whom the king in great anger reply'd , Why Unkle , doe you thinke me either a Merchant , or a Foole , to sell my land ? By S. Iohn Baptist , no : But could I refuse to render the Town , when tender was made of the money lent upon it ? Indeed nothing could more discover the Duke of Glocesters , either weaknesse , if he knew not that Brest was but onely a Morgage ; or injustice , if knowing it , he would have had the king , though the money were tendred , to have kept it still : but such is the course of many , to take part with the Politicks against the Ethicks ; work their ends by doing unjustly , when doing justly ought to be their chiefest end . How-ever it was , the multiplying of words about this matter , kindled in the King such a displeasure against the Duke , that it could never afterward be quenched , but by his blood . And first he complained to his other two Unkles , the Dukes of L●ncaster and Yorke , of his undutifull behaviour towards him ; who told the King , Their brother perhaps might let fall some unadvised words , but they knew his heart to be true and faithfull . Yet doubting how far the King might presse upon them to answer for their brothers faithfulnes , they retired from Court : which gave the D●kes enemies time to incense the King farther against him . It happened , that the Duke of Glocester had with him one day at his house , the Abbot of S. Albans , that was his Godfather , and the Prior of Westminster : and after dinner falling in talke with them , amongst other communications the Duke required the Prior to tell truth , whether he had any Vision the night before ? To which the Prior was loath , at first , to make a direct Answer ; but at last , being earnestly requested , as well by the Abbot as the Duke , he confessed that he had a Vision indeed , which was , that the Realme of England should be destroyed through the Misgovernance of K. Richard . By the Virgin Mary ( said the Abbot ) I had the very same Vision . Whereupon the Duke presently disclosed to them all the secrets of his minde , and by their devices contrived an assembly of divers great Lords of the Realme , to meet at Arundell-Castle that day Fortnight● at which time he appointed to be there himselfe , with the Earles of D●rby , Arundell , Marsh●ll , and W●rwick ; also the Archbishop of Canterbury , the Abbot of S. Albans , the Prior of Westminster , with divers others : And accordingly all these met at Arundell Castle , at the day appointed : where receiving first the Sacrament , by the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury , to be assistant each to other , in all such matters as they should determine ; They resolved to seize upon K. Richard , and upon the Dukes of Lancaster and York , and commit them to Prison ; and all the other Lords of the Kings Councell , they determined should be drawne and hanged . But the Earle Marshall , that was Deputy of Calli● , and had maried the Earle of Arundels daughter , discovered all their Counsell to the King ; who thereupon , by a plot devised by his Councell , tooke his brother the Earle of Huntington with him , and rising from supper , rode that night to the Duke of Glocesters house at Plashey in Essex . When the King came thither , the Duke was a-bed ; but informed of it , cast his cloake about his shoulders , and came down , bidding the Kings Grace , with all reverence , welcome . The King courteously requested him to goe and make him ready , for that he must needs ride with him a little way , to conferre of some busines . The Duke presently made him ready and came downe ; and as soone as the King and his Company was gone a little way from the house , and the Duke with him , the Earle Marshall arrested the Duke , as he had been appointed to doe by the King ; who immediately was sent to Callis , where , after some time , he was dispatched of his life , either strangled , or else smothered with pillowes , as some write . At the very same time was the Earle of Arundell apprehended , by the Earles of Rutland and Kent : the Earle of Warwick also , when the King had invited him to dinner , and shewed him very good countenance , was taken and arrested in the place : As likewise at the same time were apprehended , and committed to the Tower , the Lord Iohn Cobham , and Sir Iohn Ch●yny . Shortly after , the King procured them to be indicted at Nottingham , suborning such as should appeale them in Parliament ; namely , Edward Earle of Rutland , Thom●● Mowbray Earle Marshall , Thom●s Holland Earle of Kent , Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington , Thomas Beaufort Earle of Somerset , Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury , Thomas L. Spenser , and the Lord William Scroope L. Chamberlaine : and in the meane time , the King sent for a Power of Cheshi●● men , to keep Watch and Ward about his person .

On the 17. of September , a Parliament began at Westminster ; wherein the King complained as well of many things done by the Lords in his Minority , as also of the hard dealing which they had used towards the Queen , who was three houres at one time on her knees , before the Earle of Arundell , for one of her Esquires , named Iohn Calverley , who neverthelesse had his head smitten from his shoulders ; and all the answer she could get , was this : Madame , pray for your selfe and your Husband , and let this suit alone . Those that set forth the Kings grievances in this Parliament , were Iohn Bushie , William Bagot , and Thomas Greene. The cause of a●sembling the Parliament was shewed , that the King had called it for reformation of divers transgressions against the Peace of his Land , by the Duke of Glocester , the Earles of Arundell , Warwick , and others . Then Sir Iohn Bushie , Speaker of the Parliament , made request on behalfe of the Commonalty , that they might be punished according to their deservings ; and specially the Archbishop of Canterbury● who then ●ate next the king , whom he accused of high Treason . When the Archbishop began to answer , Sir Iohn Bushie besought the king that he might not be admitted to answer , lest by his great wit and cunning he might lead men away to believe him . And here Sir Iohn Bushie in all his talke did not attribute to the king Titles of honour due and ●ccustomed , but such as were fitter for the Majestie of God then for any Earthly Prince . And when the Archbishop was constrained to keepe silence , Sir Iohn Bushie proceeded ; requiring on the behalfe of the Commons , that the Charters of Pardon , granted to the Duke of Glocester , and the Earles of Arundell and Warwick , should be revoked . The king for his part protested that they were drawne from him by compulsion , and therefore besought them to deliver their opinions , what they thought thereof : whereupon , the Bishops first gave their sentence , that the said Pardons were revocable , and might be called in ; but pretending a scrupulosity , as if they might not with safe consciences be present where Judgement of Blood should passe , they appointed a Lay-man to be their Prolocutor for that turne . The Temporall Lords likewise gave their sentence , that the Pardons were revocable : onely the Judges and Lawyers were not of this opinion . But howsoever , the Archbishop of C●nterbury is hereupon condemned to perpetuall Exile , and appointed to avoyd the Realme within sixe weekes . Also the Earle of Arundell is by the Duke of La●caster who sate that day as High Steward , condemned of Treason , and on the Tower-hill beheaded . There went to see the execution , divers Lords ; amongst whom was the Earle of Nottingham , that had maried his daughter , and the Earle of Kent , that was his daughters sonne : to whom , at the place of his execution he said , Truly it would have beseemed you rather to bee absent , then here at this businesse ; but the time will come ere long , that as many shall marvell at your misfortune , as they doe now at mine . After his death , a Fame went , that his head was grown to his body againe : whereupon , the tenth day after his buriall , his body , by the kings appointment was taken up , and then found to be a Fable . After this , the Lord Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwick was brought forth , and charged with the like Treasons ; but by the intercession of the Duke of Lancaster and other Lords , after confession of his fault , was only confin'd into the Isle of Man . Likewise the lord Cobha● , and Sir Iohn Cheyny were onely banished , or ( as Fabian saith ) condemned to perpetuall Prison . The Parliament after this was held at Shewsbery ; where , for the love the king bore to the Gentlemen and Commons of the Shi●e of Chester , he caused it to be Ordained , that from thenceforth it should be called and known by the name of the Principality of Chester ; and herewith intitled himselfe Prince of Ch●ster . At this Parliament also , called the Great Parliament , He created five Dukes , and ● Dutchesse ; one Marquesse , and foure Earles . The Earle of Darby was created Duke of Hereford ; the Earle of Nottingham , Duke of Norfolke ; the Earle of R●tland● D●ke of A●bemarle ; the Earle of Kent , Duke of Surrey ; the Earle of 〈◊〉 , Duke of Exceter ; and the Lady Margaret Marshall Countesse of Norfolke , was created Dutchesse of Norfolke : The Earle of Somerset was created Marquesse Dorse● ; the Lord Spenser was made Earle of Glocester ; the Lord Nevill , Earle of West●erl●●d ; the Lord Scr●●pe , Earle of Wiltshire ; and the Lord Thomas Percy L. Steward of the king● house , was made Earle of Worcester : and for the better maintenance of their es●●te● , he divided amongst them a great part of those lands that belonged to the Duke of Glocester , the Earles of Aru●dell and Warwick . Also in this Parliament , the Judges gave their opinions , That when Articles are propounded by the king to be handled in Parliament , if other Articles be handled before those be first determined , that it is Treason in them that doe it . And in this Parliament , the king brought it so ●bout , that he obtained the whole power of the Parliament to be conferred upon cer●taine persons , namely , Iohn Duke of Lancaster , Edmund Duke of Yorke , Edm●●● Duke of A●merle , Thomas Duke of Surrey , Iohn Duke of Exceter , Iohn Marque●●e Dorset , Roger Earle of March , Iohn Earle of Salisbury , and divers others ; or to any seven or eight of them : and these , by virtue of this Grant , proceeded to conclude upon many things , which concerned generally the knowledge of the whole Parliament , to the great prejudice of the State , and a dangerous example in time to come . A Generall Pardon was also granted for all offences , to all the Kings subjects , but only to Fifty , whose names he would not expresse , but reserved them to his own knowledge , that when any of the Nobility offended him , he might at his pleasure name him to be one of the number excepted , and so keepe them still within his danger . And for the more strengthening the Acts of this Parliament , the King purchased the Popes Buls , containing grievous censures and curses to them that should break them . And now the heads of the opposite Faction having lost their heads , and all things as well setled as could be desired , the King was secure , as thinking himselfe safe ; and he had indeed been safe , if Time and Fortune were not Actours in Revenge , as well as men ; or rather , if a superiour Power did not interpose , whose wayes are as secret as himselfe is invisible .

It now fell out , ( though W●iters differ what it was fell out ) for some write , that Thom●s Mowbray accused the Duke of Hereford ; others , that Henry Duke of Herefo●d accused Thomas Mowbr●y Duke of Norfolke , for speaking words sounding highly to the Kings dishonour : to which the Duke of Norfolk being called to answer , charged the Duke of Hereford before the King , that he lyed falsly . Whereupon a Combat was agreed upon between them : The King labored to make them friends ; but not prevailing , he gave way to proceed in Combat , and the place to be at Coventry : where at the day and houre appointed , the Duke of Hereford , mounted on a white Cou●se● , b●rded with green ●nd blew Velvet , imbroidered sumptuously with Swans and Antelops of Goldsmiths worke , approached the Lists ; Of whom the Marshall , being the Duke of Surry , demanding who he was ? he answered , I am Henry of L●●caster , Duke of Hereford , that am come hither to doe my endeavour against Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke , as a Traitour , untrue to God , the King , his Realme , and me : Then incontinently he swore upon the holy Evangelists , that his quarrell was true and just , and thereupon required to enter the Lists , where in ● Chaire of green Velvet he sate downe and reposed himselfe . Then came the Duke of N●rf●lke , his horse barded with Crimson velvet , imbroidered richly with Lyons of Silver , and Mulbery trees ; and when he had taken his oath before the Constable the Duke of A●merle , that his quarrell was just , he entred the Lists , and sate him down in his Chaire of Crimson velvet , curtained about with white and red Damask . Then the Marshall viewed their speares , to see that they were of equall leng●h ; and then the Heralds proclaimed , on the Kings behalfe , they should mount on horseb●ck , and addresse themselves to the Combat . But when they were set forward , and had their Speares in their Rests , the King cast down his Warder , and the Heralds cryed , Stay , Stay . Then the king caused their Speares to be ●aken from them , and deliberated with his Councell , what was ●it to be done in so weighty a cause . After two long houres , it was at last concluded , that Henry Duke of Hereford should within fif●●en dayes depart out of the Realme , and not returne before ten yeeres were expired , upon paine of death ; And that Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke , should likewise avoyd the Realme , and never to returne into England , upon the like paine . It is observable , that this Censure was passed against the Duke of Norfolke , the very same day Twelve-moneth , in which he had taken order to put the Duke of Glocester to death at Calli● , whereof he was then Governour . When these Judgements were once read , the king called before him both the Dukes , and made them sweare , that the one should never come in place where the other was . After this , the Duke of N●rf●olke went into Alm●i●● , and from thence to Venice , where after some time he dyed with sorrow . The Duke of Hereford , at the taking his leave of the king , had foure yeeres of his Banishment released ; ●nd then went to Callis , and from thence to ●aris , where , of the French king he was so kindly received , that by his favour he had obtained in mariage the onely daughter of the Duke of Berry , Unkle to the French king , if King Richard by messengers had not hindered him .

It was a Custome in those dayes , to punish the delinquencies of Great men by banishment out of the Realme ; a Custome not more grievous to the Subject , then dangerous to the Prince ; for by this course , they had meanes to worke so closely in their mines of Revenge , that the Fabrick of a Kingdome was in danger to be blown up , before their working could be perceived . An example whereof was never more plainly seen then at this time , in the Archbishop of Canterbury , and the Duke of Hereford : For they in their Banishment meeting often together , and aggravating the Grievances of king Richards Government , fell at last to consult by what meanes he might best be removed , seeing there was no hope he could ever be reclaimed . In the time of their consultation about it , Iohn Duke of Lancaster , father to the Duke of Hereford , dyed , at Ely house in Holborne : And as if Fortune herselfe meant to doe their worke for them , Sollicitations came from many parts of England , to move the Duke of Hereford to come now & take the Government upon him , wherein they would be ready to assist him . The Duke heated before by the Archbishops instigation , and now set on fire by this sollicitation , gives Fortune no leisure to alter her minde , by delaying the time , but without further deliberation prepares to be going : and taking with him the Archbishop , the Lord Cobham , Sir Thomas Erpington , and Sir Thom●s Ramston Knights ; Iohn Norbury , Robert Waterton , and Francis Coynt Esquires , and about some threescore other persons , as many as he could readily get ; in three ships which the Duke of Britaine lent him , he put to Sea ; where hovering about the Coast a while , to marke the countenance of the shores , he landed at last , about the beginning of July , at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire : which no sooner was knowne , but there repaired to him , the Lords , Willoughby , Rosse : Darcie , and Beaumont ; and shortly after , at Doncaster , the Earle of Northumberland , and his sonne Sir He●ry Percy , with the Earle of Westmerland , and great numbers of the Gentry and common sort ; of whom , though some had invited him to come to take the Goverment of the Realme upon him , yet he forbore to pretend that for any cause of his comming , but made a solemne Protestation , that he came onely to take possession of the Inheritances descended upon him from his father , which king Richard most unjustly , and contrary to his promise , had seized into his hands : for this was a Reason had no objection : the other he reserved , till his Power should not need to regard Objections . And indeed , no snow-ball ever gathered greatnesse so fast by rolling , as his Forces , increased by marching forward ; for by that time he came to Berkly , he had got a mighty Army ; and within three dayes after , all the Kings Castles in those parts were surrendred to him . The Duke of Yorke , left Governour of the Kingdome , used his best meanes to raise Forces to resist him , but found few willing to beare Armes against him : whereupon , and perhaps hearing withall that the Dukes comming was but onely to take possession of his Inheritance , he thought good to goe to Berkly to him , to have there some communication about it . At Berkly , at that time , was arrested the Bishop of Norwich , Sir William Elmham , and Sir Walter Burli● knights ; Laurence Drew , and Iohn Golofer Esquires . From Berkly the two Dukes went forward towards Bristow ; where in the Castle were the Lord William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire and Treasurer of England , Sir Henry Greene , and Sir Henry Bushye ; who were taken , and brought forth bound before the Duke of Lancaster , and the day after arraigned before the Constable and Marshall , found guilty of Treason for misgoverning the King and the Realme , and presently had their heads smitten off . Sir Iohn Russell also was taken there ; but he feigning himselfe to be our of his wits , escaped for that time .

All this while K. Richard was in Ireland , where he performed Acts in repressing the Rebels there , not unworthy of him ; and having with him amongst other of the Great Lords , the Duke of Lancasters sonne Henry , he there for his towardlinesse in service , Knighted him● by which it appeared that he had no great feare of ●he Father , when he graced the Sonne ; and indeed he needed not have feared him i● his owne absence out of England had not given him advantage . Six weekes were now passe● after the Dukes arrivall in England ; in all which time king Richard had no notice● it , by reason the windes were contrary to come ●orth of England : But as soon as 〈◊〉 heard it , and in what hostile manner he proceeded , he then determined to returne instantly into England ; and had done it , but that the Duke of Aumerle his princip●● Counsellor ( whether out of a good meaning , but grounded upon errors , or ou● of an ill meaning , but shadowed with colours ) by all meanes perswaded him to stay so long till things fitting for his journy might be made ready . It was king Richards ill luck to hearken to this Counsell : but yet he presently sent the Earle of Salisbury into England , to provide him an Army out of Wales and Ch●shire , against his own comming , which he promised faithfully should be within sixe dayes at the most . The Earle landed at Co●way in Wales , and had soon gotten to the number of Forty Thousand men : but the sixe dayes passed , and no newes of the King : which made the souldiers suspect that he was dead , and thereupon were ready to disband ; but at the Earle of Salisburies perswasion , they were contented to stay for some dayes longer ; and when the King came not in that time neither , they then would stay no longer , but departed and went home . At length , about eighteen dayes after that the King had sent away the Earle of Salisbury , he tooke shipping , together with the Dukes of A●merle , Exceter , and Surrey , and diver● other of the Nobility ; with the Bishops of London , Lincolne , and Carlile ; and landed at Barklowly in Wales . He had about him some Ch●shire men , and was at first in no great doubt of prevailing : but when he heard that all the Castles from the borders of Scotland unto Bristow , were delivered to the Duke of Lancaster , and that the gratest part of the Nobility and Commons tooke part with him , and specially that his principall Counsellors had lost their heads at Brist●● ; then , solvuntur frigore membra , he fell so utterly to despaire , that calling his Army together , he licensed every man to be gone , and to shift for himselfe . The souldiers besought him to be of good cheere , swearing they would stand with him to the death : But this encouraged him not at all ; so as the next night he stole from his Army , and with the Dukes of Exceter and Surry , the Bishop of Carlile , Sir Stephen Scroope , and some halfe a score others , he got him to the Castle of Co●●ay , where he found the Earle of Salisbury , determining there to stay , till he might see the world at some better stay . Here the Earle of Worcester Steward of the Kings house , broke his white staffe , and without delay went to the Duke of Lancaster ; who understanding that k. Richard was returned out of Ireland , he left the Duke of York at Bristow , and came back with his Power to Berkly , and from thence the next day came to Glocester , then to Rosse , after to Hereford , where came to him the Bishop of Hereford and Sir Edmund Mortimer : on the Sunday following he went to Ly●ster , and there the Lord Charleton came to him : from thence he went to Ludlow , and the next day to Shrewsbery , and thither came to him Sir Leigh●nd ●nd Sir Iohn Leigh , and many other , being sent from Chester , to offer their service ; thither also came to him the Lord Scales , and the Lord ●ardolphe , forth of Ireland : From Shrewsbery he went to Chester , and from thence sent for his sonne and heire , and likewise for the Duke of Glocesters sonne and heire ( whom K. Richard had left in custody in Ireland ) with all speed to come into England ; but the Duke of Glocesters son through misfortune perished at Sea , or as some write , dyed of the plague ; the sorrow whereof caused , shortly after , his mothers death . After this , the Duke sent the Earle of Northumberland to the king ; who upon safe-conduct comming to him , declared , that if it might please his Grace to undertake , that there should be a Parliament assembled , in which Justice might be had , and herewith pardon the Duke of Lancaster of all things wherein he had offended , the Duke would be ready to come to him on his knees , and as an humble subject obey him in all dutifull services . Yet upon this conference with the Earle , some say , the king required onely , that himselfe and eight more , whom he would name , might have honorable allowance , with the assurance of a private quiet life , and that then he would resigne his Crown ; and that upon the Earles Oath that this should be performed , the king agreed to go● with the Earle to meet the Duke : but after foure miles riding , co●ming to the place where they had laid an Ambush , the King was enclosed , and constrained to goe with ●he Earle to Rutland , where they dined , and from thence to Flint , to bed . The 〈◊〉 had very few of his friends about him , but onely the Earle of Salisbury , the ●ishop of Carlile , the Lord Scroope , Sir Nicolas Ferehye , and Iames D'Arthois a Gas●●●gne , who still wore a white Heart , the Cognisance of his Master K. Richard , and neither for Promises nor Threats would be drawne to leave it off .

The King being in the Castle of Flint , and Duke Henry with his Army approaching neere the Towne , the Archbishop of Canterbury , with the Duke of Aumerle a●d the Earle of Worcester , went before to the King ; whom the King spying from the walls where he stood , went downe to meet , and finding they did their due reverence to him on their knees , he tooke them up , and taking the Archbishop aside , n●ked with him a good while ; and as it was reported , the Archbishop willed him to be of good comfort , for he should be assured not to have any hurt as touching his person . After this , the Duke of Lancaster came to the Castle himselfe , all-armed ; and being within the first gate , he there stayed , till the King , accompanied with the Bish●p of Carlile , and Earle of Salisbury , and Sir Stephen Scroope , who bore the sword before him , came forth , and sate down in a place prepared for him . As soone as the● Duke saw him , he came towards him , bowing his knee ; and comming forward , did so the second time , and the third , till the king tooke him by the hand , and lift him up , saying , Deere Cousin , you are welcome . The Duke humbly thanking him , s●●d● My Soveraigne Lord and king , the cause of my comming at this present , is ( your Honour saved ) to have restitution of my Person , my Lands and Heritage : Whereto the king answered : Deere Cousin , I am ready to accomplish your will , so that you may enjoy all that is yours without exception . After this , comming forth of the Castle , the king called for wine ; and after they had drunke , they mou●●ed on horse-back , and rode to Chester , the next day to Nantwych , then to Newc●stle , from thence to Stafford , and then to Lichfield , and there rested Sunday : after that , they rode forward , and lodged first at Coventry , then at Dayntree , then at N●r●h●mpton , next day at Dunstable , then at S. Albans , and so came to London : In all which journy they suffered not the king to change his apparell , but made him ri●e still in one suit of raiment , and that but a simple one , though he in his time was ●x●●eding sumptuous in apparell , having one Coate which was valued at Thirty Thousand markes : And in this ●ort he was brought the next way to Westminster , and from thence the next day had to the Tower , and committed to safe Custodie . After this , a Parliament was called by the Duke of Lancaster , but in the name of ● . Richard ; in which many heinous points of Misgovernment were laid to his charge , and were ingrossed up in three and thirty Articles , the chiefe whereof were these : That he had wastefully spent the Treasure of the Realme . That without Law or Iustice , he had caused the Duke of Glocester , and the Earle of Arundell to be put to death . That he had borrowed great summes of money , and given his Letters Patents to repay thesame , and yet not one Penny ever paid . That he had said , The Laws of the Realme were in his head , and in his breast : by reason of which fantasticall opinion , he destroyed Noble-men , and impoverished the Commons . That he changed Knights and Burgesses of the Parliament at his pleasure . That most tyrannously he said , that the lives and goods of all his subiects were in his hands and at his disposition . That whereas divers Lords were by the Court of Parliament appointed to treat of matters concerning the state of the Kingdome ; they being busied about the same Commission , ●e w●●t about to appeach them of high Treason . That by force and threats , he enforced the Iudges of the Realme , at Shrewsbery , to condiscend to his way , for the destruction of divers of the Lords . That he caused his fathers own brother , the Duke of Glocester , without Law to be attached and sent to Callis , and there without reason secretly murthered . That notwithstanding the Earle of Arundell at his Arraignment pleaded his Charter of Pardon , yet he could not be heard , but was shamefully and suddenly put to death . That he ●ssembl●d certaine La●cashire and C●●shire men , to m●ke warre upon his Lord● and suffered them to rob and spoyle , without prohibition . That though he had made Proclamation that the Lords were not attached for any cri●● of Treason , yet afte●ward in the Parliament he laid Treason to their charge . That notwit●standing his Pardon granted to th●m , he enforced divers of the Lords partak●rs to be againe intolerably Fined , to their utter undoing . That without the ●ssent of the Peeres , he caried the Iewels and Plate of this Kingdom● into Ireland .

Upon these , and some other Articles , he was by Parliament adjudged to be deposed from all Kingly Honour , and Princely Government . And thereupon , the King being advised by his owne servants , rather voluntarily to resigne the Crowne , then by compulsion to be forced to it ; on the Monday before the nine and ●●entieth day of September , in the yeere 1399. he made a sol●mne Resignation , bef●re diver● Lords and others , sent to him for that purpose : and an Ins●●ume●t of hi● R●signation being made , he would needs read it before them all himselfe , and then subscribed it ; and withall , made it his suit , that t●● Duke of Lanc●ster might be his Successor , and King after him ; and for a signe of his desire hereof , he tooke his Signe● Ring of Gold from his finger , and put it upon the Duke of Lancasters ; that never man who had used a Kingdome with such violence , gave it over with such patience , or rather such willingnes , that he seemed rather to affect it , then that he was any way forced to it . This Resignation of K. Richard being shewed to the Parliament , both Houses gave their assent ; and then C●mmissioners were appointed to pronounce openly the sentence of his deposing , which was done by the Bishop of Assaph , and all Allegiance renounced to him .

And now it is easie to be observed , what a wonderfull concurrene of fortunes , in behalfe of the Duke of Lancaster , and against K. Ri●hard , happened together , whereof if any one had been missing , he had never been turned ●ut of his Throne in such manner as he was : For first , if it had not happened that K. Richard had been in Ireland at the time when the Duke began his attempt , it had ●or been possisible for him to compass● his designe as he did : And then , if King Richard being in Ireland , he had not by misfortune of weather been kept sixe weekes from hearing of the Dukes arrivall , he had not given him so large a time for raising of Forces , and ●o more easily might have resisted him : Or after K. Richard heard of the Dukes arrivall , if he had followed the Earle of Salisbury , and not stayed so many dayes longer then he promised , he had found an Army ready to receive ●im , sufficient at least to have given a stop to the Dukes proceedings : Or when at last he came over , and found his Army to faile him , if withall his own courage had not failed him , but that he had manfully put it to the hazard of a Battell , as his souldiers themselves would have had him to doe , he could not chuse but have made a better end of his busines then now he did . But when all is done , there is no warding ●he blowes of Fortune ; or to say better , No resisting the Decree of Heaven : but seeing that Decree is an Abyssus to us , and may perhaps but be conditionall ; we shall manifestly be Traitors to our selves , if we use not our uttermost endeavours to divert it : That it may truly be said , King Richard lost his Crown , more by his own Treason , then by the Treason of any other .

Of his Taxations .

IN his second yeere , in a Parliament held at Glocester : was granted to be paid by the Merchants , upon every sack of wooll a Mark , for this present yeere ; and for every pounds worth of wares , brought from beyond Sea , and sold here , sixe pence of the Buyer . In his Third yeere , in a Parliament of Westminster , a Subsidie was granted to be levied of the Great men of the Realm , to the end the Commons might be spared : The Dukes of Lancaster and Britain paid 20 marks ; every Earl 6 marns ; Bishops and Abbots with Miter , as much : every Monk , three shillings foure pence : also every Justice , Sheriffe , Knight , Esquire , Parson and Vicar , were charged after a certaine rate ; but no Commons of the Layitie . Also this yeere , in another Parliament , was granted a Tenth by the Clergie , and a Fifteenth by the Laytie ; but with this condition , That from thenceforth , which was in March , 1380. till the Feast of S. Michael , which should be in the yeere 1381. there should be no more Parliaments : but yet was not observed . In his Fourth yeere , in a Parliament at Northampton , a new kinde of Subsidie was granted ; of every Priest Secular or Regular , sixe shillings eight pence ; and as much of every Nunne ; and of every man or woman , maried or not maried , being sixteen yeeres of age , ( beggers onely excepted ) foure pence . In his Fifth yeere , a Subsidie was granted by the Merchants , of certaine Customes of their wools which they bought and sold , called a Maletot , to endure for foure yeeres . In his Seventh yeere was granted him one Moyity of a Fifteenth by the Laytie ; and shortly after , a Moyitie of a Tenth by the Clergie . In his Ninth yeere , halfe of a Tenth , and halfe of a Fifteenth by the Laytie . In his Eleventh yeere , there was granted him a Tenth of the Clergie , and a Fifteenth of the Laytie . In hi● Twelveth yeere , at a Parliament , was granted of every Sack of wooll , forty shillings ; whereof , ten shillings to be applyed presently to the Kings use ; the other thirty to remaine in the hands of Treasurers , towards the charges of warres , if any should happen . Also there was a Subsidie granted , of sixe pence in the pound ; whereof● foure pence to the use last mentioned ; the other two pence to be at the kings pleasure . In his Fifteenth yeere , at a Parliament , was granted a Tenth of the Clergie , and a Fifteenth of the Laytie , towards the charges of Ioh● Duke of La●caster , sent into France . In his Eighteenth yeere , a Tenth was granted by the Clergie , and a Fifteenth by the Laytie , towards his own journey into Ireland . In his Twentieth yeere , the Clergie granted him a Tenth , to be paid that yeere . In his one and twentieth yeere , upon pretence of having ayded the Duke of Glocester , and the Earles of Arundell and Warwick against him , he caused blanke Charters to be made , which he compelled both Citizens and Gentlemen in the Country to seale , whereby he might charge them afterward to pay whatsoever he required . In his two and twentieth yeere , a Fifteenth and a halfe was granted ; and for the Customes of wools , fifty shillings upon every Sack , of Englishmen borne , and three pounds of Strangers .

Of Lawes and Ordinances in his time .

IN his second yeere , in a Parliament at Glocester , it was enacted , That Merchant-strangers might buy and sell in Grosse , or by Retaile , within this Realme . In his Third yeere , in a Parliament at Westminster , It was Ordained , that the Priviledges and Immunities of the Abby of Westminster should remaine inviolate ; but with this Proviso , against those that tooke Sanctuary with pu●pose to defraud their Creditours , That their lands and goods should be lyable to their debts . In his Sixth yeere , a Parliament was holden , in which the Major of London , upon suggestion that the Fishmongers used great deceit in uttering of their Fish , obtained to have it Enacted , That from thenceforth , none of that Company , nor of the Vintners , Grocers , Butchers , or other that sold any provision of Victuals , should be admitted Major of the City : but in the Parliament next following , were restored to their liberty againe , saving that they might not keepe Courts among themselves , but that all transgressions of their Customes should be tryed at the Majors Court. In his Eleventh yeere , K. Richard created Iohn Beauchamp of Holt , Baron of Kedermister , by his Letters Patents ; the first that was so made ; for before this time , Barons were alwayes made by calling them to Parliaments by the Kings Writ .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN the second yeere of this Kings Reigne , there came messengers from the new-elected Pope Vrban , to require the Kings ayd against such Cardinals as he named Schism●ticks , that had elected another Pope , whom they named Clem●nt : which Cardinalls sent messengers likewi●e to crave his ayd for them , but through perswasion of the Archbishop of Canterbury , Vrbans request was granted , and Clement rejected . In his fourth year , Iohn Wickliffe set forth his opinion touching the Sacrament of the Altar , denying the doctrine of Transubstantiation , in such sort , as the Church of Rome did then teach . In his sixth year , Henry Spencer Bishop of No●wi●h received Bulls from Pope Vrb●n , to grant all priviledges of the Crusado to all such as would come over and assist him against the Anti-Pope Clement ; which being debated in Parliament , It was after much opposition , agreed that it should go forward ; and thereupon , the Bishop not only gathered much money from such as would contribute to the expedition , but drew many great Captaines to go themselves in person ; as namely , Sir Hugh Calverley , sir William Farington , the Lord Henry Beau●●●t , sir William Elmham , sir Tho●as Tryvet , and divers others . The money raised by contribution , came to 25000 Franks , and the Army to 3000 Horse , and 15000 Foot ; with which Forces , the Bishop passing over into Flanders , wonne the Towns of Graveling , Dunkirke , and Newport ; but at last encountred by a mighty Army of the French , he was put to the worse , and returned into England . In the twelveth yeare of this Kings Reigne , an Act was made that none should passe the Seas to purchase promotions or provisions ( as they tearmed them ) in any Church or Churches . Also in this yeare Thomas late Earle of Lancaster , by reason of miracles reported to be done by him , was Canonized for a Saint . At this time also , the Wickliffs mervelously increased , Preaching against Pilgrimages and Images , whose greatest opposer was the Bishop of Norwich . In his thirteenth yeare , Proclamation was made , that all Beneficed men abiding in the Court of Rome , should return into England by a certain day , under pain of forfeiting their Benefices ; and all other not Beneficed , under a certain pain likewise . Also about this time a Statute was made , that no Ecclesiasticall person should possesse Manours , Houses , Lands , Revenues , or Rents whatsoever at the hands of the Feoffee , without the Kings Licence , and the chiefe Lords . In his eighteenth yeare , the Wickliffs were persecuted , and excommunication pronounced against them by the Archbishop of Canterbury . In this Schisme of the two Popes , the French Clergy wrote in behalfe of Clement their Pope , and sent it into England ; the Clergy of England on the contrary , wrote in behalfe of Pope Vrban , and so nothing was agreed .

Works of Piety in his time .

IN the 20th yeare of this Kings Reign , William B●teman Bishop of Norwich builded Trinitie Hall in Cambridge . In the third year of his Reign , Iohn Philpot Major of Lo●don , gave to the Citie certain Tenements , for the which the Chamberlain payeth yearly to thirteen poore people , to every of them seven pence the week for ever ; and as any of those thirteen persons dyeth , the Major appointeth one to succeed , and the Recorder another . In the one and twentieth yeare of his Reign , King Richard caused the great Hall at Westminster to be repaired , both the Walls , Windows , and Roofe . In his time , Si●●● Archbishop of Canterbury , slain by the Rebels upon Tower hill , built the West-gate of Canterbury , and from thence to the North-gate , commonly called the long wall . Thomas Fits-Ala● or Arundell , being Bishop of Ely , built the great Gatehouse of Ely house in Holborne ; and being after Bishop of Canterbury , he built a faire spire steeple at the West-end of his Church there , called to this day , Arundell steeple , and bestowed a tuneable ring of five Bells upon the same .

Of Casualties happening in his time .

IN his third yeare , so great a mortality afflicted the North parts of England , that the Country became almost desolate . In his sixt yeare , on the 24 day of May , there happened so great an earthquake , or ( as some write ) a watershake , that it made Ships in the Havens to beat one against the other . In Iuly , in the year 1389. whilest the King was at Sheene ; there swarmed in his Court such multitudes of Flyes and Gnats , skirmishing with one another ; that in the end they were swept away with brooms by heaps , and bushels were filled with them . In his twelveth yeare , in March , first there were terrible Windes ; afterward followed a great mortality , and after that a great dearth ; that a bushel● of wheat was sold for thirteen pence , which was then thought a great price ; for the years before it was sold for six pence , and Wooll was sold for two shillings a stone . In his fourteenth year , on Christmas day , a Dolphin was taken at London-bridge , being ten foot long , and a monstrous grown fish . Ind his eighteenth year , an Exhalation , in likenesse of fire appeared in the night in many places of England ; which when a man went alone , went as he went , and stayed as he stayed ; sometimes like a wheele , sometimes like a Barrell , sometimes like a timberlogge ; but when many went together , it appeared to be far off . Also in a Parliament time , ther was a certain Image of waxe made by Necromancie ( as was sayd ) which at an houre appointed , uttered these words :

The Head shall be cut off ; the Head shall be lift up aloft ; the feet shall be lift up above the Head : and then spake no more . This happened in the Parliament , called the Marvellous Parliament , not long before the Parliament that wrought wonders . In his one and thirtieth yeare , a River not far from Bedford , suddenly ceased his course , so as the channell remained dry by the space of three miles ; which was judged to signifie , the Revolting of the Subjects from their naturall Prince . In his two and twentieth yeare , almost through all England , old Bay-trees withered , and afterwards grew green againe ; which was supposed to import some strange event . About the yeare 1380. the making of Gunnes was found by a Germa●e , which may well be reckoned amongst casualties , seeing it was found by casualty ; for this Germane having beaten Brimstone in a morter to powder , and covered it with a stone ; it happened , that as he struck fire , a sparke chanced to fall into the powder ; which caused such a flame out of the morter , that it raised the stone a great heigth ; which after he perceived , he made a Pipe of iron , and tempered the powder with some other ingredients , and so finished that deadly Engine . The first that used it , were the Venetians against the inhabitans of Geneva .

Of his Wives .

KING Richard in his time had two Wives ; the first was Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the Fourth , and Sister to the Emperour Wenceslaus ; who lived his wife ten years , and dyed without issue at Sheene in Surry , in the year 1392 ; whose death King Richard tooke so heavily , that he caused the buildings of that Pallace to be thrown down and defaced , as though to revenge himselfe upon the place , could ease his minde , and mitigate his sorrow . His second Wife was Isabel Daughter to Charles the Sixth King of France ; She was married to him at eight years of age , and therefore never co-habited . After King Richards death she was sent home , and married afterwards to Charles Son and heire to the Duke of Orleance .

Of his Personage and conditions .

HE was the goodliest personage of all the Kings that had been since the conquest ; tall of stature , of streight and strong limbes , faire and amiable of countenance ; and such a one as might well be the Son of a most beautifull mother . Concerning his Conditions , there was more to be blamed in his Education , than in his Nature ; for there appeared in him many good inclinations , which would have grown to be abilities , if they had not been perverted by corrupt flatterers in his youth . He was of a credulous disposition , apt to believe , and therfore easie to be abused . His greatest transgression was , that he went with his friends ultra aras , where he should have gone but usque ad aras . His greatest imbecilitie , that he could not distinguish between a flatterer and a friend . He seemed to have in him both a French nature and an English ; violent at the first apprehension , calm upon deliberation ; He never shewed himself more worthy of the Government , than when he was deposed as unworthy to Governe ; for it appeared , that his Regality was not so deare unto him , as a private quiet lif●● which if he might have enjoyed , he would never have complained that Fortune had done him wrong .

Of his Death and Buriall .

KIng Richard , shortly after his Resignation , was conveyed to the Castle of Leeds in Kent , and from thence to Pomfret ; where the common fame is , that he was served with costly meat , like a King , but not suffered once to touch it , and so dyed of forced famine . But Thomas Walsingham referreth it altogether to a voluntary pining of himselfe , through grief of his misfortunes . But one Writer , well acquainted with king Richards doings , saith , that king Henry sitting one day at his Table , said sighing , Have I no faithfull friend that will deliver me of him who will be my death● This speech was specially noted by one Sir Piers of Ex●on ; who presently , with eight persons in his company , went to Pomfret , commanding the Esquire that tooke the Assay before king Richard , to doe so no more , saying , Let him eat now , for he shall not eat long . King Richard sitting down to dinner , was served without Assay ; whereat marvelling , he demanded of his Esquire , why he did not his duty ? Sir ( said he ) I am otherwise commanded by Sir Piers of Ex●on , who is newly come from king Henry . When king Richard heard that word , he tooke the Carving knife in his hand , and stroke the Squire on the head , saying , The Devill take Henry of Lancaster and thee together : And with that word , Sir Piers entred the Chamber , with eight armed men , every of them having a Bill in his hand . King Richard perceiving this , put the Table from him , and stepping to the foremost man , wrung the bill out of his hands , and slew foure of those that thus came to assaile him ; but in conclusion , was felled with a stroke of a Poll-axe , which Sir Piers gave him upon the head , with which blow he fell down dead● though it be scarce credible , that ● man upon his bare word , and without shewing any warrant , should be admitted to doe such a fact . Sir Piers having thus slaine him , wept bitterly : a poore amends for so heynous a trespasse . King Richard thus dead , his body was embalmed , and covered with Lead , all save the face , and then brought to London , where it lay at Pauls three dayes together , that all men might behold it , to see he was dead : The corps was after had to Langley in Buckinghamshire , and there buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers : but afterward , by k. Henry the Fift , it was removed to Westminster , and there honorably entombed , with Queen Anne his wife ; and that beautifull picture of a King , sitting crowned in a Chaire of State , at the upper end of the Quire in S. Peters at Westminster , is said to be of him : although the Scots untruly write , that he escaped out of Prison , and led a solitary and vertuous life in Scotland , and there dyed , and is buried ( as they hold ) in the Black-Friers at Sterling . He lived three and thirty yeares , Reigned two and twenty and three moneths .

Men of Note in this Kings time .

MEn of Valour in his time were so many , that to reckon them all , would be a hard taske ; and to leave out any , would be an injury : yet to give an instance in one , we may take Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lanca●ter , whose valour was no lesse seen abroad then at home : In France , in Germany , in Spaine ; in all which places he left Trophies of his Victories . But of learned men , we may name these : William Thorne an Augustine Frier of Canterbury , an Historiographer : Adam Merimouth , a Canon of Pauls Church in London , who wrote two Historicall Treatises ; one intitled Chronicon 40. annoru● ; another , Chr●nicon 60. ●nnorum . William Packington sometime Secretary to the Black Prince , an excellent Historiographer : William Badbye a Carmelite Frier , Bishop of Worcester , and Confessour to the Duke of Lancaster : Iohn ●ourg , Chancellour of the University of Cambridge : William Sc●ade , a Monke of Buck●ast Abby in Devonshire : Iohn Th●risbye Archbishop of Yorke , Lord Chancellour of England , and a Cardinall : Willi●m Berton Chancellour of Oxford , an Adversary to Wickliffe : Philip Repington Abbot of Leicester , a Defender of Wickliffe : Walter Brit , a Scholar of Wickliffs , a writer both in Divinity and other Arguments : Iohn Sharpe , a great adversary to Wickliffe , who wrote many Treatises : Peter Pateshall , a great favourer of Wickliffe : Marcell Ingelno , an excellent Divine , one of the first Teachers in the University of Heydelberg : Richard Withee a learned Priest , and an earnest follower of Wickliffe : Iohn Swasham Bishop of Bangor , a great adversary to the Wickliffs : Adam Eston , a great Linguist , and a Cardinall : Iohn Trevise , a Cornish man , and a secular Priest , who translated the Bible , Bartholmew , De Proprietatibus Rerum ; Polichronicon of Ranulph Higden , and divers other Treatises : Iohn Moone , an English man , but a Student in Paris ; who compiled in the French tongue , The Romant of the Rose ; translated into English by Geoffry Ch●wcer , and divers others .

THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH .

Of his comming to the Crowne .

AFter the Resignation of King Richard , and the sentence of his Deposing openly read in Parliament ; Henry Duke of Lancaster riseth up from his seat ; and first , making the Signe of the Crosse upon his forehead and breast , he said : In the name of the Father , the Sonne , and the Holy Ghost : I Henry of Lancaster claime the Crown of England , as descended by right line from King Henry the Third . And having thus spoken , he sate downe againe . Upon this , the Archbishop conferred with the Lords ; and having heard their opinions , he ●urned to the Commons , asking them , if they would joyne with the Lords , in choosing Henry of Lancaster for their King : who all with one voyce cryed , Yea , Yea : whereupon going to the Duke , he bowed his knee , and taking him by the hand , led him to the Royall seat ; and then began a Sermon , taking for his Text , out of the first Booke of the Kings , cap. 9. Vir dominabitur in populo : wherein he declared what a happinesse it is to a Nation to have a King of wisedome and valour , and shewed the Duke of La●caster to be such a one ; and as much the defects in both , of the late king Richard . The Sermon ended , the king thanked them all for his El●ction ; and testified unto them , that he meant not to take advantage against any mans estate , a● comming in by Conquest ; but that every one should freely enjoy his own , as in times of lawfull succession . And now a time was appointed for his Coronation ; and accordingly , upon the 13th day of October following , the very day wherein the yeere before he had been banished , he was Crowned at Westminster , by the Archbishop of Canterbury , with all Rites and Ceremonies accust●med . At his Coronation , he was anoynted with an Oyle which a Religious man had given to Henry , the first Duke of Lancaster , together with this Proph●re , That the kings anoynted with this oyle , should be the Champions of the Church . This oyle comming to the hands of king Richard , as he was looking amongst his Jewels , going then into Ireland , he was desirous to be anoynted with it , but that the Archbishop of Canterbury told him , it was not lawfull to be anoynted twice : whereupon putting it up againe , at his comming afterwards to Fli●t , the Archbishop got it of him , and kept it till ●he Coronation of king Henry , who was the first king of the Realme that was anoynted with it . The day before the Coronation , the king in the Tower made one and ●orty , some say but twelve , knights of the Bathe , whereof foure were his owne sonnes , Henry● Thomas , Ioh● , and Humfry , all then alive ; and with th●m , ●hree Earles , a●d five ●●rons . Upon the Feast-day , many claimed Offices , as belonging to their Tenures , ●o which , upon shewing their Right , they were admitted . And now the King ●ade divers new Officers : The Earle of Northumberland he made Constable of Eng●●nd ; the Earle of Westmerland was made Lord Marshall ; Sir Iohn Serle , Chancellor ; ●ohn Newbery Esquire , Treasurer ; and Sir Rich●rd Clifford was made Lord Keeper of ●he Privy Seale : The Lord Henry his eldest sonne , being then about thirteen yeers ●f age , was created Prince of Wal●s , Duke of Cornwall , and Earle of Chester , and ●oone after also Duke of Aquitaine : and the Crowne was by Parliament E●●ailed ●o King Henry , and the heires of his body lawfully begotten .

After this a Parliament was holden , in which the Acts made in the Eleventh yeere of King Richard were revived , and the Acts made in his one and twentieth yeere were wholly repealed ; and they who by that Parliament were attainted , were re●tored to their Lands and Honours : whereupon Richard Earle of Warwick was de●ivered out of Prison , and the Earle of Arundells sonne recovered his Inheritance ; ●nd many other also that were banished , or imprisoned by King Richard , were then ●ully restored to their liberty and estates . Also the King gave to the Earle of West●erland the County of Richmond ; and to the Earle of Northumberland the Isle of M●n , to be holden of him by bearing the sword wherewith he entred into England . And now was the time for shewing of Spleens : Sir Iohn Bagot then Prisoner in the Tower , accused the Earle of A●merle for speaking words against the Duke of Lanc●ster , now King : also the Lord Fitzwater accused him for the death of the Duke of Glocester : the Lord M●rley appealed the Earle of Salisbury of Treason : and one Hall accused the Duke of Exceter , for conspiring the death of Iohn of Gaunt the Kings father : But King Henry having entred the Throne in a storme , was willing now to have a Calme ; and therefore laying aside the ones Accusations , he accepted of the others Excuses , and received the Duke of A●merle , and the Duke of Exceter into as much favour , as if they had never been accused :

And to qualifie the hard opinion which forraigne Princes might conceive of King Richards Deposing , He sent Ambassadours into divers Countries , to make it knowne , by what Title , and by what favour of the People he came to the Kingdome . To the Court of Rome he sent Iohn Trenevant Bishop of Hereford , Sir Iohn Cheyny Knight , and Iohn Cheyny Esquire : Into France he sent Walter Sherlow Bishop of Durham , and Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester : Into Spaine he sent Iohn Trevor Bishop of Assaph , and Sir William Parre : and into Germany he sent the Bishop of Bangor , and certaine others . Most of these Princes seemed either not to regard what was done , or were easily perswaded that all was done well : onely Charles King of France was so distemper'd with this indignity offered to his sonne in Law K. Richard , that by violence of his Passion , he fell into his old pangues of Frensie ; but somewhat recovered , he resolved to revenge it ; wherein many Lords of France shewed themselves forward , but specially the Earle of S. Paul , who had maried K. Richards halfe-sister : yet having prepared an Army in readinesse , when afterward they heard of King Richards death , they dissolved it againe , as considering the time was then past . The Aquitaines also , and specially the Citizens of Burdeaux , as being the place where K. Richard was born , were mightily incensed : but Sir Robert Knolls Lieutenant of Guyen , and afterwards Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester , being sent to them by the King , so perswaded them , that with much adoe they continued in obedience .

It was about this time , moved in Parliament , what should be done with King Richard ( for he was not as yet murthered : ) Whereupon , the Bishop of Carlile , ● learned man and wise , and who had never given allowance to the Deposing of King Richard ; now that he was in a place of freedome of speech , he rose up , and said :

My Lords , The matter now propounded is of marvellous weight and consequence ; wherein there are two points chiefly to be considered : the first , Whether King Richard be sufficiently put out of his Throne : the second , Whether the Duke of Lancaster be lawfully taken in . For the first , how can that be sufficiently done , when there is no Power sufficient to doe it ? The Parliament cannot , for of the Parliament the King is the Head ; and can the Body put down the He●● You will say , But the Head may bow it selfe downe ; and so may the King ●esign● It is true ; but what force is in that which is done by force ? and who knowes 〈◊〉 that King Richards Resignation was no other . But suppose he be sufficiently ou● yet how comes the Duke of Lancaster to be lawfully in ? If you say , by Con●uest , you speak Treason ; for what Conquest without Arms ? a●d can a subj●ct take Ar●● against his lawfull Soveraigne , and not be Treason ? If you say , by El●ction of 〈◊〉 State , you speake not reason ; for what power hath the State to El●ct , while any 〈◊〉 living that hath right to succeed ? but such a Succ●s●or is not the Earle of Lancaster , as descended from Edmund Crouchback , the elder sonne of King Henry the Third , though put by the Crowne for deformity of his body ; For who knowes not the falsenesse of this allegation ? seeing it is a thing notorious , that this Edmund was neither the elder brother , nor yet crooke-backr , ( though called so for some other reason ) but a goodly personage , and without any deformity . And your selves cannot forget a thing so lately done ; who it was , that in the fourth yeere of K●●g Richard was declared by Parliament to be Heire to the Crowne , in case K. 〈◊〉 should dye without issue . But why then is not that claime made ? because , Sil●●● leges inter arma ; what disputing of Titles against the streame of Power ? B●● howsoever , it is extreame injustice , the King Richard should be condemned , without being heard , or once allowed to make his defence . And now , my Lords , I have spoken thus at this time , that you may consider of it before it be too late ; for as yet it is in your power to undoe that justly , which you have unjustly done .

Much to this purpose was the Bishops speech ; but to as little purpose as if he had gone about to call back Yesterday : The matter was too farre gone ; and scarce a person there present , that had not a hope of either a private or a publick benefi● by that which was done . Yet against this speech of the Bishop there was neither Protesting nor Excepting ; It passed in the House as but one mans opinion : And as for the King , it was neither fit he should use much severity against any Member of that Parliament which had so lately shewed so much indulgence towards him ; nor indeed safe , to be too hot in his Punishment , when he was yet scarce warme in his Government . Yet for a warning to use their liberty of speech with more moderation hereafter , the Bishop was arrested by the Marshall , and committed to Prison in the Abby of S. Albans , but afterward without further censure se● at liberty ; till upon a conspiracy of the Lords , wherein he was a Party , he was condemned to dye , though through extremity of griefe he prevented execution . But as for King Richard , and Edmund Mortimer Earle of March , enough was spoken by the Bishop in both their behalfes , to undoe them both : and indeed , K. Richard was soone after made away ; the Earle secured himselfe by retiring farre off , to his Lordship of Wigmore : avoyding the danger of Contention , by not entring the Lists of Aspiring : But although the Divine Providence , for causes hidden from humane knowledge , gave way at this time to the advancement of the younger , the House of Lancaster ; yet in the third Generation after , the elder , the House of Clarence recovered its Right , in K. Edwa●● the Fourth ; that we may know , it is but staying the leisure of Heaven , for every one to have his Right , either in Person , or by Proxie .

But whether incited by this speech of the Bishop , or otherwise out of the ran●●ur of envy is some , and malice in others ; it was not long after , before there grew in the mindes of many both Lords and other , a malignant inclination towards King Henry ; and came first to be a Conspiracie in the house of the Abbot of Westminster . This Abbot was a kinde of Booke-statesman , but better read in the Politicks of Aristotle then of Solomon ; who remembring some words of King Henry , which he had spoken long before , when he was but Earle of Darby ; That Princes had too little , and Religious men too much : and fearing , lest being now king , he should reduce his words into act , he thought it better to use preventing Physick before-hand , then to sta●d to the hazard of a curing afterward : and thereupon invited to his house the discontented Lords ●●s namely , Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter , Thomas Holland hi● brothers sonne , Duke of Surry , Edward Duke of A●merle , Iohn Montacute Earle of S●lisbury , Hugh Spenser Earle of Glocester , Iohn Bishop of Carlile , Sir Thomas Blunt , and Ma●●lin one of King Richards Chappell : who after dinner conferring together , and communicationg their spleenes against King Henry one with another ; they resolved at last , both to take away the Kings life , and of the way how to doe it . The device was this : They would publish a solemne Justs to be●olden at Oxford , at a day appointed , and invite the King to honor it with his presence ; and there , in the time of acting the Justs , when all mens intentions should be otherwise busied , they would have him be murthered . This device was resolved on ; Oaths for secrecy were t●ken ; and Indentures sextipartite for performing conditions agreed upon between them , sealed and delivered : The Justs are proclaimed ; the King is invited , and promiseth to come ; secrecie of all hands kept most firmly to the very day : But though all other kept counsell , yet Fortune would not , but she discovered all ; For it fortuned , that as the Duke of Aumerle was riding to the Lords at Oxford , against the day appointed , he tooke it in his way to goe visit his father the Duke of Yorke ; and having in his bosome the Indenture of Confederacy , his father , as they sate at dinner , chanced to spy it , and asked what it was ? to whom his sonne answering , It was nothing that any way concerned him ; By S. George , saith his father , but I will see it : and there withall snatching it from him , read it ; and finding the Contents , and reviling his sonne for being now the second time a Traitour , before to King Richard , and now to King Henry , he commanded his horses to be instantly made ready , and with all the speed he could make , rode to Windsor , where the King then lay : but the younger yeeres of his sonne out-rid him , and came to the Court before him ; where locking the Gates , and taking the keyes from the Po●ter , pretending some speciall reason , he went up to the King , and falling on his knees , ●sked his Pardon . The king demanding , for what offence ? he then discovered the whole Plot : which he had scarce done , when his father came rapping at the Court-gates , and comming to the king , shewed him the Indenture of Confederacy which he h●d taken from his sonne . This , though i● amazed the king , yet it informed him of the truth of the matter , whereof he was before doubtfull ; and thereupon layes aside his journey to see the Justings of others in jest , and takes care that he be not justled in earnest out of his Throne himselfe . In the meane time , the confederate Lords being ready at Oxford , and hearing nothing of the Duke of Aumerle , nor seeing any preparation for the kings comming , were certainly perswaded that their Treason w●s discovered : Whereupon falling into consideration of the case they were in , they found there was no place left for them of Mercy , and ther●fore were to stand upon their Guard , and provide the best they could for their safety : To which purpose , the first thing they did was to apparell Magdalen in Princely robes , a man as like to king Richard in countenance and pesonage , as one man lightly can be to another ; and to give forth that he was king Richard escaped out of Prison , thereby to countenance their proceedings : The next thing was to dispatch me●senger● to the king of France , and require his assistance . This done , they set forward in Battell-array towards Windsor , against king Henry ; but finding him gone to London before they came , they then deliberate what course to take : Some advised to set K. Richard at liberty , before their counterfeit Richard should be discovered : Others ●hought best to follow the king to London , and set upon him unprovided , and befo●e he had g●thered Forces . In this division of Advises , when they could not doe both , they did neither ; but as men amazed , ma●ched on , though they knew not well wh●ther , till they came to Colbrooke ; by which time the king had gathered an Army of twenty thousand , and was marching towards them : but they not thinking so well of their c●●se , that they durst put it to the tryall of a battell ; or perhaps staying for ayde out of France ; withdrew themselves back to Sunnings neere to Reading , where the young Queen lay● to whom their comming gave some flashes of comfort , but quenched before they were throughly kindled : and from thence they march to Cicester ; where the Duke of Surry and the Earle of Salisbury●o●ke ●o●ke up their lodging in one Inne ; the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Glocester in anoth●● : And now a strange Accident , beyond the reach of all consultation , gave a period to their Designe ; for who would thinke that a private company durst oppose those Lords having their Army so neere them ? yet the Bailiffe of the Towne , upon intelligence ( no doubt ) that these Lords were up in Arme● against the King , taking with him a company of Townsmen , in the night assaulted the Inne where the Duke of Surry and the Earle of Salis●ury lay ; who thus assaulted , made shift to defend themselve● till three a clock in the afternoone ; but then , being in danger to be taken , a Priest , one of their company , set divers houses in the Towne on fi●e , thinking thereby to divert the Assailants from prosecuting the Lords , to save their houses : but this inflamed them the more ; and so hotly they pursued their as●ault , that they wounded the Duke and the Earle to death ; who dying that night ; their heads were stricken off , and sent up to London . With them also were taken , Sir Bennet Shelley , Sir Barnard Brocas , Sir Thomas Blunt , and eight and twenty other Lords , Knights and Gentlemen ; who were sent to Oxford , where the King then lay , and there were put to execution . The Duke of Exceter in the other Inne , hearing of this assault , fled out of the backside towards the Campe , intending to bring the whole Army to the rescue● but the souldiers having heard a clamour , and seeing fire in the Towne , supposing the King had been come with all his Forces , out of a sodaine feare dispersed them selves and fled ; which the Duke seeing , he also , with Sir Iohn Shelley , fled into Essex , where wandring and lurking in secret places , he was at last apprehended as he sate at supper in a friends house , and led to Plashey , and there shortly after beheaded ; the place , where by his counsell and countenance , the Duke of Glocester formerly had been apprehended : that we may observe , how the Divine Providence , in revenging of injuries , takes notice , and makes use of the very circumstance of place where the injuries are ●one . The Earle of Glocester fled towards Wales , but was taken , and beheaded at Bristow . Magdalen the counterfeit king Richard , was apprehended and brought to the Tower , and afterward hanged and quartered ; with Mr. Fereby , another of king Richards Chaplaines . Divers other Lords , and Knights , and Gentlemen , and a great number of meane persons , were in other places put to death ; that so much Noble blood , at one time , and for one cause , hath scarce been heard or read of . The Abbot of Westminster , in whose house the Plot was contrived , hearing of these misfortunes , as he was going between the Monastery and his Mansion , fell suddenly into a Palsie , and shortly after , without speech , ended his life . About this time also , a strange peece of Treason is reported to have been practised against the kings life : that there was found in his bed-cloaths an Iron with three sharpe pikes standing upright ; that when the king should have layd him downe , he might have thrust himselfe upon them . But seeing there is no farther mention of inquiring after it ; it seemes to have been but an idle rumour not worth beleeving .

But now that the hot English blood was well allayed , the Welch blood springs up as hot : For now , Owen Glendour an Esquire of Wales , brought up at the Innes of Court in London ; partly out of a desire to revenge a wrong done him ( as he conceived ) in a suit for lands in controversie between the Lord Grey of Ruthin and him , but chiefly out of an humour of aspiring , endeavored to draw the Welchmen to a generall defection , telling them , That the English being at variance amongst themselves , now was the time to shake off their yoake , and to resume their owne antient Lawes and Customes . To whose perswasions the Welchmen hearkening , made him their king and Captaine ; and he having gotten a competent Army , sets first upon his old Advers●ry ●ey●old Lord Grey of Ruthin , and takes him Prisoner ; yet with promi●e of Releasement , if he would marry his daughte● ; which offer , though the Lord Grey at first not onely refused , but scorned , yet out of necessity at last he was contented to accept ; when notwithstanding , his deceitfull father in Law trifled out the time of his enlargement , till he dyed . But the Welchmen growing confident upon this successe , breake into the borders of Herefordshire , making spoyle and prey of the Country as freely as if they had leave to doe it ; for indeed none opposed them but onely the Lord Ed●●nd Mortimer , who had formerly withdrawne himselfe to his Castle at Wigmore ; an● he having assembled the Forces of the Country , and joyning b●ttell with them , was taken Prisoner , and then fettered , and cast into a deepe and vile Dungeon . It was thought if Glendour had as well known how to use his victory , as to get it ; he might at this time have put the English yoak into a great haz●rd to be shaken off : but he having killed a thousand of the English , thought he had done for that time , and so giving over the pursuit , retired . The inhumanity of the Welsh women was here memorable , who fell upon the dead carkasses of the English , first stripping them , and then cutting off their privie parts , and noses ; whereof the o●e they thrust into their mouthes , the other they pressed between their buttock● . Many noble men , specially his kinsmen the Percies , sollicited King Henry to deliver Mortimer ; but the King was deafe of that eare , he could rather have wished both him and his two Sisters in heaven , for then he should be free from conceal'd competitours .

These affronts were at this time suffered in the Welch , because the King was now employed in a more dangerous service with the Scots ; for they taking advantage of the distraction in the kingdome ( as it was alwayes their custome to do ) had made an In-rode into the County of Northumberland , and sudden●y one night set upon the Castle of Werke ; tooke and spoiled it , and then returned . In revenge wherof , the English invaded and spoiled certain Islands of the Orkn●ys : Then the Scots set forth a Fleet , under the conduct of Sir Robert Logon ; but before he came to any action , he was encountred , and the greatest part of his Fleet taken . But these were but such affronts , as often happen between troublesome neighbours ; for all this while the Peace was still in being between the Nations , but at last it brake out into an open warre upon this occasion : Robert King of Scots had offered to match his Son David with a D●ughter of Geo●ge Earle of Dunbarre , and had received money of him in part of her portion ; and afterward would neither suffer the March to proceed , nor yet pay back the money ; but married his Son to a Daughter of Archibold Earle of D●●glasse : Upon which indignity , George of Dunbarre flyes into England to king Henry ; and with his ayd makes divers incursions into Sco●land : Whereupon Rober● king of Scots sent to king Henry , that if he would have the Truce between them to continue , he should deliver to him George of Dunbarre . King Henry answered , that he had given him a safe conduct , and could not now recall it with his Honor ; but as for continuing the Truce , king Robert might do in that what he thought best● Upon this answer , the king of Scots presently proclaimed warre against him ; But king Henry as ready in that matter as he , stayed not for king Roberts invading of England ; but himselfe with a puissant Army invaded Scotland , burning Castles , and Cities , and not sparing Churches , and Religious Houses . About the end of September , he besieged the Castle of Maydens in Edenbourgh , where Prince David , and the Earle Dowglasse were : At which time , Robert Duke of Albanye , who in the king of Scots sicknesse managed the businesse , sent an Herald to king Henry , protesting upon his honor , that if he would stay but six dayes , he would give him battell . K. Henry rewarded the Herald , and stayed ; but six times six dayes passed , but neither Duke of Albany , nor any other for him appeared . And now winter came on , Victualls grew scant , and which was worst , a mortality began in the Engl●sh Campe ; For which causes , king Henry removed his Siege , and retu●ned i●t● England . As soone as he was gone , sir Patrick Hebborne a Scottishman , having a good opinion of his valour , thought to do great matters ; and with a competent Army of the men of L●●gh-deane , he invaded Northumberland , making great spoile , and loading his Soul●diers with prey , and prisoners ; but in the Retreit , marching loosely and licentiously , was set upon by the Earle of Northumberland Vice-warden , at a Towne called Neshye ; where Hebborne himselfe , and all the floure of L●ugh-deane were slain ; sir Iohn and William Cockburne , sir William Busse , Iohn and Thomas Hablington Esq●ires and a multitude of common Souldiers taken prisoners . On the Engl●sh part few sl●in● and none of any ranke or quality : In revenge whereof , Archibold Dowglasse with an Army of twenty thousand entred Northumberland ; but at a place called Hom●ldon , were encountred by the English , under the leading of Henry Lord Percye , sirnamed Ho●spu●●e , and George Earle of March , who put them to ●light ; and after the slau●hter of ten thousand of them , tooke five hundred prisoners ; whereof the chieft were Mordack Earle of Fife , ( sonne of the Generall , who in the fight lost one of his eyes ) Thomas Earle of Murrey , Robert Earle of A●gus , the Earls of Atholl and Menli●●● and amongst the slaine , were Sir Iohn Swinton , Sir Adam Gourdon , Sir Iohn Leviston , Sir Alexander Ramsey , and three and twenty other knights .

In this meane time , Glendour of Wales had solicited the king of France for ayde , who sent him twelve hundred men of quality , but the windes were so contrary , that they lost twelve of their ships , and the rest returned home . The English , deriding this ill successe of the French , so exasperated the French-king , that presently after he sent twelve thousand , who landed safely , and joyned with the Welch ; but as soone as they heard of the English armies approach , whether mistrusting their own strength , or suspecting the Welch-mens faithfullnesse , they ran to their ships and disgracefully went home .

King Henry's Ambassadors lately sent into Britaine to fetch the Lady Iane de Navarre Dutchesse of Britiane , the relict of Iohn de Montford sirnamed the Conquerour● with whom the king by Procurators had contracted Matrimony ; in the beginning of February returned with her in safety : The king met her at Winchester , where the seventh of February the marriage was solemnized .

About this time some affronts were offered by the French : Valerian Earle of S. Paul , with seventeene hundred men , landed in the Isle of Wight , where hee burnt two Villages and some few Cottages ; but hearing the people of the Island to have assembled , hee made haste to his ships , and returned home . Also Iohn Earle of Clermont ( the heire of Bourbon ) won from the English the Castles of S. Peter , S. Mary , and the New-Castle : The Lord de la Brett , won the Castle of Cal●●in ; places of great consequence to the English .

And now to make k. Henry sensible that a Crown can hardly ever sit easie upon the head , if it be not set on right at first ; a new Conspiracy is hatching against him : The Percies , Earls of Northumberland and Worcester , with Henry Hotspur , began about thi● time to fall off from king Henry ; their reason was , First , because the king at their request refused to redeeme their kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery ; and then because he denied them the benefit of such prisoners as they had taken of the Scots , at Homildon or N●shye : whereupon they went of themselves , and procured Mortimer's delivery , and then entred into a League offensive and defensive with Glendour , and by their Proxies , in the house of the Arch-deacon of Bangor , they agreed upon a Tripartite Indenture under their hands and seales , to divide the kingdome into three parts ; whereby all England from Sever● and Trent , South and Eastward , was assigned for the portion of the Earle of March : All Wales and the Lands beyond Sever● Westward , were assigned to Owen Glendour : And all the remainder of land from Trent Northward , to bee the portion of the Lord Percy . In this , as Glendour perswaded them , they thought they should accomplish a Prophesie ; as though king Henry were the Mouldwarp cursed of Gods own mouth ; & they three were the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolfe which should divide the Land among them . In this meane time king Henry , not acquainted with this Conspiracy , caused a Proclamation to bee made , intimating that the Earle of March had voluntarily caused himself to bee taken prisoner , to the end , the Rebels having him in their custody , might pretend some colour for their Conspiracy ; and therefore hee had small reason to take care for his deliverance . Hereupon the Percies assisted with a company of Scots , and drawing to their party the Earle of Stafford , and Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke and many other , purposed to joyne with the Captain of the Welch , but first they framed certaine Articles against the king , and sent them to him in writing . That hee had falsified his Oath given at his landing , swearing that he came but only to recover his Inheritance , and would not meddle with the King , or with the Crowne . That most trayterously hee had taken Armes against his Soveraigne Lord , Imprisoned him , and then most barbarouusly caused him to be murthered . That ever since the death of king ●ichard , he had unjustly kept the Crown from his kinsman Edmund M●rtimer Earl of March , to whom of right it belonged . That upon no occasion , hee had imposed divers Taxes upon the people . That by his Letters hee procured Burgesses and Knights of the Parliament to bee chosen ; for which causes and many other , they defyed him , and vowed his destruction , and the restoring of the Earle of March to his right . King Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true , yet seeing the knowing it hindred him not from seeking to get the Crowne when hee had it not ; it could lesse hinder him from seeking to keep it now that he had it ; and if he were able , being a private man , to get it from a King , he was likely to bee more able , being now a king , to keepe it from privat● men ; and as for any objections that Conscience could make , he had enough to answere them all : For , if his Title were good against king Richard , by his Resignation , it was as good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance ; and upon these grounds , with a minde as confident as if all cyrcumstances were of his side , he raysed an Army , and marched towards the Lords , taking care they might by no meanes joyne with the Welch ; and about Shrewsbury , on Saturday S. Mary Magdalens Eve , hee encountred them , in which fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shewed much valour , yet the victory rested on the kings side ; Hotspur himselfe was slayne , the Earle of Worcester was taken prisoner , together with Sir Richard Vernon , Sir Theobald Trussel , the Baron of Kinderton ; and the rest fled . On the kings part ( besides the Earle of Stafford , who had that morning revolted from the Conspirators ) were slaine Sir Hugh Sherley , Sir Iohn Clifton● Sir Iohn Cockayn , Sir Nicholas Gausell , Sir Walter Blunt , Sir Iohn Calverley , Sir Iohn Massie of Puddingtr● , Sir Hugh Mortimer and Sir Robert Gausell , all which had beene but that morning dubbed knights , with Sir Thomas Wendsley , who died afterwards of his wounds ; of common Souldiers about sixteene hundred , but of the Conspirators above six thousand , whereof 36 the king slew with his own hand , but was once unhorsed by Dowglasse , who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt , with divers others , that day in all things attired like to the king ; for which exployt , Dowglasse ( being after by the fall of his horse taken prisoner ) was by the kings command , carefully attended , and without Ransom set at liberty : In this batttell , the young Prince Henry , though wounded in the face with an Arrow , yet was not wounded in his courage , but continued fighting still . After this victory the king caused publique thanks to bee given to God , and then caused the Earle of Worcester to bee beheaded , and many others of that Rebellion to bee drawne hanged and quartered , and their heads placed on London Bridge : And then the king sent his sonne Henry Prince of Wales , with his whole Army into that Country ; but before his comming , Owen Glendour was abandoned by all his Company , and lurking in the woods was there famished ; many of his associats were taken and put to death . Whilest the Prince was in Wales , Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland , of his own accord , came and submitted himselfe to the king , protesting his innocency , a● not being once acquainted with any intent of Treason and Rebellion ; whose excuse the king received for the present with gentle language , the rather for that hee had the possession of Barwick Castle and other places of strength in his power , but yet he wiped not off the score of his misdemeanors out of his minde .

And now with the fourth yeere of his Reigne ended all the great Troubles of this k. Henry the fourth : those that follow are but such accidents as are frequent in all times both abroad and at home . The Britans under the leading of the Lord of Castiles , spoyled the Towne of Plimouth ; In revenge whereof , the Western-men , under the command of William Wilford , set forth ● Fleete , which arriving in Britaine , tooke forty ships laden with Oyle and Wines , and burnt forty more . Againe the French landed a thousand men in the Isle of Wight● where they got together a great booty of Cattell , but the Islanders comming upon them tooke away their booty , and made many of them leave their Carkases for a booty to the ●sland . Yet the French would not leave so , but a while after , as having gotten new spirits , they cast Anchor before the Isle of Wight , and require no lesse then to have the Island into their possession , but a resolute answere of the Islanders frighted them away , and made them glad they were gone . Soone after this the Duke of Orleance , brother to the French king , in a vaunting stile , sent a challenge to king Henry to meete him in the field , each of them to have a hundred in his Company ; to which the king answered , That for his own valour it had sufficiently been tryed , and for this challenge of the Dukes , neither the Person nor the Cause were worthy of his undertaking . Upon this refusall of the kings , divers taunts and jeeres were bandied be●weene them , till at last the Duke , in great passion , falls upon Vergie a Towne in Guyen , but after three moneths assaulting it , being valiantly defended by Sir Robert An●field and three hundred Englishmen , he was glad to give over with losse , and returne into France . Presently upon this , the Admirall of Britaine , accompanied with the Lord du Castile , and thirty saile of ships , attempted to land at Dertmouth in Devonshire , but were repelled , and the Lord du Castile , and two of his brothers , and foure hundred of his men were slaine , besides two hundred taken Prisoners ; of whom , the Lord Baquevile Marshall of Britaine , was one . After this , five hundred men of armes , five hundred Crosse-bowes , and a thousand Flemmings , under the conduct of the Earle of S. Paul , laid siege to the Castle of Mar●k , three leagues fr●m C●llice ; but first by Sir Philip Hall Captaine of Callice , and after by Sir Richard Aston Lieutenant of the English pale , they were forced to retire and flye : The Earle of S. Paul escaped to S. Omers , but left many of his men of quality behind him , and more taken Prisoners . After this , Thomas Duke of Clarence , the Kings second sonne , and the Earle of Kent , with competent Forces entred the Haven of Sluce , where they burnt foure ships riding at anchour , and then returned to the reliefe of Callis , besieged at that time by the French ; and in the way tooke three Carricks of G●noua richly laden , and brought them into the Chamber of Rye . And these were the troubles of this King abroad : But now at home , the Reliques of the former Northerne Rebellion began to revive ; for now , Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland , Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke , Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall , the Lords , Hastings , Fawconbridge , and Bardolfe , with divers others , conspired , at a time appointed , to meet upon Yorkswould-Downes , and there to bid defiance to king Henry . Articles of Grievances were framed , and set up in all publick places , which drew multitudes to be partakers of the enterprize . But now , Ralph Nevill Earle of Westme●land , with the Lord Iohn the Kings third sonne , the Lords Henry Fitz-Hughes , Ralph Evers , and Robert Vmphrevile , make head against them ; and comming into a Plaine in the Forrests of Galltree , they sate down right against the Archbishop and his Forces , which were twenty thousand ; and Westmerland perceiving the Enemies forces to be farre more than theirs , he used this policie : he sent to the Archbishop , demanding the reason why he would raise Forces against the king ? who answering , that his Armes were not against the king , but for his owne defence , whom the king , upon the instigation of Sycophants , had threatned ; withall he sent him a scrowle of their grievances , which Westmerland read , and seemed to approve , and thereupon desired a conference with him : The Archbishop more credulous then wise , perswaded the Earle Marshall to goe with him to the place appointed to conferre : the Articles are read and allowed of ; and thereupon Westmerland seeming to commiserate the souldiers● having beene in armour all day , and weary , wished the Archbishop to acquaint his Party , as he would his , with this their mutuall agreement ; and so shaking hands , in most Courtly friendship dranke unto him ; whereupon the souldiers were willed to disband , and repaire home : which they had no sooner done , but a Tro●p of horse , which in a colourable manner had made a shew to depart , wheeled about , and afterwards returned ; and being come in ●ight , the Earle of Westmerland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earle Marshall , and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Po●fret ; who passing from thence to York , the Prisoners likewise were carried thither , and the next day both of them beheaded . At Durham , the Lords Hastings and F●wconbridge , with two knights , were executed . Northumberland , with the Lord Bardolfe , fled first to Barwick , and after into Scotland , where they were entertained by David Lord Flemming : whereupon the king gave summons to the Castle of Barwick , which at first they refused to obey , but upon the planting and discharging of a Piece , they presently yeelded without composition : and here William Greystock , Henry Baynton , and Iohn Blink●nsop , knights , and five other were presently put to execution , and many others committed to severall Prisons . About this time , Iames sonne and heire of Robert king of Scotland , a childe of nine yeares old , attended by the Earle of Orkney , as he was sailing into France , was taken by certaine Mariners of Norfolk , who brought him to the King at Windsor , the 30. of March , 1408. and the King sent them to the Tower of London .

Northumberland and Bardolfe , after they had been in Wales , France , and Flanders , to raise a Power against King Henry , returned back into Scotland , and after a yeere with a great Power of Scots entred England , and came into Yorkshire , making great spoyle and waste as they passed : but Sir Thomas Rokesby Sheriffe of Yorke , levying the forces of the County , upon Bramham-moore gave them battell ; in which Northumberland was slaine , Bardolfe taken , but wounded to death , and the rest put to flight . About this time also , Sir Robert Vmphrevile Vice-admirall of England , with ten men of warre entred Scotland , burnt their Gally●t , and many other ships over against Lieth , and brought away with him fourteen tall ships laden with corne and other staple commodities , which at his returne he sent into the Markets round about , and thereby brought down the prizes of all things , and purchased to himselfe the name of Mend-market .

The Prince had been a Student In Queenes Colledge in Oxford , under the tuition of his Unkle Henry Beaufort , Chancellor of that University , afterwards Bishop of Lincol●e and Winchester , and lastly made a Cardinall , by the title of Eusebius . From Oxford , the Prince was called to Court , and the Lord Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester was made his Governour : but comming afterward to be at his owne disposing , whether being by nature valorous , and not yet well stayed by time and experience ; o● whether incited by ill companions , and emboldened by the opinion of his owne greatnesse ; he ranne into many courses so unworthy of a Prince , that it was much doubted what he would prove when he came to be Prince . Once , it is said , he lay in wait for the Receivers of his fathers Rents , and in the person of a Thiefe set upon them and robbed them . Another time , when one of his companions was arraigned for felony before the Lord Chiefe Justice , he went to the Kings Bench barre , and offered to take the Prisoner away by force ; but being withstood by the Lord Chiefe Justice , he stepped to him , and struck him over the face : whereat the Judge nothing abashed , rose up and told him , that he did not this affront to him , but to the King his father , in whose place he sate ; and therefore to make him know his fault , he commanded him to be committed to the Fleete . You would have wondred to see how calme the Prince was in his own cause , who in the cause of his companion had been so violent : for he quietly obeyed the Judges sentence , and suffered himselfe to be led to Prison . This passage was not a little pleasing to the King , to thinke that he had a Judge of such courage , and a Sonne of such submission : but yet for these and such other pranks , he removed him from being President of the Councell , and placed in it his third sonne Iohn . This made the Prince so sensible of his fathers displeasure , that he thought it necessary to seek by al means to recover his ●ood opinion ; which he endeavored to doe by a way as strange as that by which he lost it : for , attiring himselfe in a garment of blew Sattin , wrought all with Eylet-holes of black silke , at every hole the needle hanging by which it was sowed , and about his arme a thing in fashion of a hounds collar , studded with SS. of gold , he came to the Court at Westminster : to whom , the King ( though not well in health ) caused himselfe , in a Chaire , to be brought into his Privy Chamber ; where , in presence of but three of foure of his Privy Councell , he demanded of the Prince the cause of his unwonted habit and comming ? who answered , That being not onely his subject but his sonne , and a sonne so tenderly alwayes regarded by him , he were worthy of a thousand deaths , if he should intend or but imagine the least offence to his sacred Majestie , and therefore had fitted himselfe to be made a sacrifice ; and therewithall reached his dagger , holding it by the point to his father , For ( said he ) I desire not to live longer , than I may be thought to be , what I am and shall ever be , Your faithfull and obedient Vassall . With this or the like Answer , the King was so moved , that he fell upon his sonnes neck , and with many teares imbracing him , confessed that his ears had been too open to receive reports against him , and promising faithfully , that from thenceforth no reports should cause any disaffection towards him● The king about this time , made his Son Iohn Duke of Bedford , and his Son Humphe● Duke of Glocester ; he made also sir Thomas Beauford Earle of Dorset , and the Earle of Arundel he created Duke of Yorke .

The rest of king Henries dayes , from this time forward , being scarce a year , was free from all trouble both abroad and at home ; unlesse perhaps he might be troubled in minde : for having shed so much English and Noblebloud ; for expiation whereof , or else to the end he might joyne Valour and Devotion in one action together , which hitherto he but used singly ; he tooke upon him the Crusado , and at a Councell in White-Friars , order was taken , and great preparation was made for his journey to Ierusalem : But it was otherwise Decreed in Heaven ; and yet not so otherwise , but that he ended his life in Ierusalem , as shall be shewed hereafter .

Of his Taxations .

IN the very begining of his Reigne , it might passe instead of a Taxation , that he found in king Richards Coffers , in money and jewells , to the value of seven hundred thousand pounds . In his fourth yeare , an extraordinary Subsidie was granted him ; Twenty shillings of every knights Fee , and of every one that had twenty shillings a yeare in land , twelve pence and upward , according to that rate ; and of every one that had twenty pounds in goods , twelve pence , and upward according to that rate ; but with this caution and protestation , that it should not hereafter be drawn for a President , and that no Record thereof should be made . In his sixth yeare , the Clergie granted to the king a Tenth . In his seventh yeare , the Clergie granted a Tenth and a halfe , and the Commons two Fifteens . In a Parliament holden the ninth yeare of his Reigne , the king moved to have allowed him in every yeare wherein there was no Parliament kept● a Tenth of the Clergy , and a Fifteenth of the Layity ; to which demands the Bishops assented , but the Commons would not . In his seventh yeare , a Parliament began which lasted almost a whole yeare , in which a Subsidie was at last granted ; so sharpe , that even Priests and Friers who lived of Alms , were forced every one to pay a noble .

Of Lawes and Ordinances made in his time .

IN this kings dayes , burning and execution by fire for controversies in Religion was first put in practise .

Also in the first yeare of his Reigne an Act was made , that no person of what degree soever , should after that day alleadge for his excuse , any constraint or coa●cting of his Prince● for doing of any unlawfull act ; and that such excuse after that day , should stand him in no stead .

Also an Act was made , that no Lord , nor other , might give any Liveries to any but their houshold and meniall servants . In his twelveth yeare , the king caused a new coyne of Nobles to be made , which was of lesse value than the old Noble , by foure pence .

Also that all Rypiers , and other Fishers from any of the Sea-coasts , should sell their fish in Cornhill and Cheapside themselves , and not to Fishmongers that would buy it to sell againe .

Also this king instituted the Dutchie Court , which he did in honor of the House of Lancaster ; to the end , the Lands belonging to that Dutchie , might in all following times be distinguisht and known from the Lands of the Crown . In his sixt year , the king called a Parliament at Coventry , and sent Processe to the Sheriffes , that they should chuse no knights nor Burgesses , that had any knowledge in the Lawes of the Realm ; by reason whereof , it was called the Lay-mens Parliament . In his seventh yeare , the Major of London for preservation of fish ; obtained , that all Weres which stood between London and seven miles beyond Kingstone ; as also , such as stood betweene London and Gravesend , should be pulled up and taken away .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

BY reason of discord between Iohn of Gaunt , and Wickham Bishop of Winchester ; the Bishop either in durance , could not , or in feare durst not come to the Parliament House , at a time when the King required a supply of money ; but the Clergie unanimously affirming , that without their brother , the Bishop of Winchesters presence , they neither can nor will consult of any thing● he is presently sent for , and by the King secured . After this , the King called a Parliament at Coventry , and sent Processe to the Sheriffs that they should chuse no knights or Burgesses that were Lawyers , and was therefore called the Laymens Parliament : And shortly after another Parliament was called , and named the unlearned Parliament , either for the unlearnednesse of the persons , or for their malice to learned men ; In which the Commons presented a Petition to the King and the upper House ; desiring that the king might have the Temporall Possessions of the Bishops and Clergie ; the value whereof , they pretended wou'd be sufficient maintenance for a hundred and fifty Earls , one thousand five hundred knights , six thousand two hundred Esquires , and a hundred Hospitals for maymed Souldiers . They craved likewise , that Clerks convict should not be delivered to the Bishops prison ; and that the Statute made in the second yeare of the king against Lollards , might be Repealed . But the king denied their Petition ; and in Person commanded them from thenceforth , not to presume to trouble their brains about any such businesse , for he was resolved to leave the Church in as good state as he found it . In the twelveth yeare of his Reigne , certain learned men in Oxford , and other places , in their Sermons maintained the opinions of Wickliffe ; but the Bishops and Doctors of the University , inhibited and condemned them . In his time was a great Schisme in the Church , by reason of two Anti-Popes ; but afterwards in an assembly of Cardinalls and Bishops , a third man was elected , named Alexander the fifth , who had been trained up at Oxford .

Works of Piety in his time .

KING Henry Fownded a Colledge at Battlefield in Shropshire , where he overcame the Lord Henry Percy . In his third yeare , the Conduit upon Cornhill was begun to be built . Also in his time Sir Robert Knolls made the Stone bridge of Rochester in Kent ; and founded in the Town of Pomfret a Colledge , and an Hospitall ; he also re-edified the body of the White-Friers Church in Fleetstreet , where he was afterward buried : Which Church was first founded by the Ancestours of the Lord Grey of Codnor . In the eighth yeare of his Reigne , Richard Whittington Major of London , erected a house or Church in London , to be a house of Prayer , and named it after his own name , Whittington Colledge ; with lodgings , and weekly allowance for divers poore people . He also builded the Gate of London , called Newgate , in the yeare 1420 , which was before a most loathsome prison : He builded also more than halfe of St. Bartholmews Hospitall in West-Smithfield , and the beautifull Library in the Gray Friars in London● now called Christs Hospitall : He also builded a great part of the east end of Guildhall , and a Chappell adjoyning to it , with a Library of stone , for the custodie of the Records of the Citie . But he that exceeded all at this time in works of Piety , was William Wickham Bishop of Winchester ; his first worke was the building of a Chappell at Tychfield , where his Father , Mother , and Sister Perr●t was buried : Next , he founded at Southwick in Hampshire , neere the Towne of Wickham , the place of his birth , as a supplement to the Priorie of Sout●wicke ; a Chauntry , with allowance for five Priests for ever : He bestowed twenty thousand marks in repairing the houses belonging to the Bishopricke ; he discharged out ●f Prison in all places of his Diocesse , all such poore prisoners as lay in execution for debt , under twenty pounds : he amended all the high-wayes from Winchester to London , on both sides the River . After all this , on ●he fifth of March 1379 , he began to lay the foundation of that magnificent Structure in Oxford , called New-Colledge , and in person layd the first stone thereof ; in which place before , there stood Naetius-Colledge , built by Alver , at N●tius intreaty ; and for the affinity of the name , came to be called New-Colledge . In the yeare 1387 , on the 26 of March , he likewise in person layd the first stone of the like foundation in Winchester , and dedica●●● the same , as that other in Oxford , to the memory of the Virgin Mary . The Grocer● in London purchased their Hall in Cu●●yhope Lane for 320 marks ; and then layd th● foundation thereof on the tenth of May. King Henry founded the Colledge of F●●ringhey in Northampto●shire ; to which King He●ry the fifth gave land of the Priories of Monkes Aliens , by him suppressed .

Iohn Gower the famous Poet , new builded a great part of St. Mary Overyes Church in South●●rke , where he lyes buried . In the second yeare of this king , a new market in the Poultry , called the Stocks , was builded for the free sale of Forreign Fishmongers and Butchers . In his twelveth yeare , the Guildhall of London was begun to be new Edified ; and of a little Cottage , made a goodly house , as now it is .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN his third yeare , in the Moneth of March , appeared a Blazing-starre ; first betwixt the East and the North , and then sending forth fiery beams towards the North ; foreshewing perhaps the effusion of bloud that followed after , in Wales and Northumberland . In the same yeare , at Danbury in Essex , the Devill appeared in likenesse of a Gray-Frier ; who entring the Church , put the people in great fear , and the same houre , with a tempest of Whirlewinde and Thunder , the top of the steeple was broken down , and halfe the Chancell scattered abroad . In his seventh ye●re , such abundance of water brake suddenly over the Banks in Kent , that it drowned Cattell without number . Also this yeare , the Town of Reystone in Hartfordshire was burnt . In his ninth yeare was so sharpe a winter , and such abundanc● of snow ; continuing December , Ianuary , February , and March , that almost all small Birds died through hunger .

Of his Wives and Children .

HE had two Wives , the first was Mary , one of the Daughters and heirs of H●mphrey de Bo●un Earle of Hereford , Essex , and Northampton ; she died before he c●me to the Crowne , in the yeare 1394. His second Wife was Ioane , Daughter to Charles the first king of Navarre , she being the widdow of Iohn de Montford surnamed Strea●y , or the Conquerour , Duke of Brittaine ; who dyed without any issue by king Henry , at Havering in Essex , the yeare 1437 , in the fifteenth yeare of king Henry the sixth , and lyeth buried by her husband at Canterbury . He had foure Sons and two Daughters ; Of his Sons , Henry his eldest was Prince of Wales , and after his Father , king of England . His second Son was Thomas Duke of Clarence , and Steward of England ; who was slaine at Beaufort in Anjo● , and dyed without issue . His third Son was Iohn Duke of Bedford ; he married first with Anne Daughter to Iohn Duke of Burgundie ; and secondly with Iacoba Daughter of Peter of Luxenbourgh , Earle of St. Paul , but dyed also without issue . His fourth Son was Humphry ; by his brother king Henry the fifth created Duke of Gloucester , and was generally called the good Duke ; he had two Wives , but dyed without issue , in the yeare 1446 , and was buried at St. Albans ; though the vulgar opinion be , that he lyes buried in St. Pauls Church . Of king Henry the fourths Daughters ; Blanch the elder was married to Lewis Barbatus , Palatine of the Rhene , and Prince Elector : Philippe his younger Daughter , was married to Iohn king of Denmarke , and Norway .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

COncerning his Body ; he was of a middle stature , slender limbes , but well proportioned . Concerning his Minde ; of a serious and solid disposition , and one that stood more upon his own legges than any of his Predecessors had done : in cases of difficulty , not refusing , but not needing the advice of others ; which might confirme , but not better his own . He was neither merry nor sad , but both : best pleas'd when he was opposed , because this was like to doe him good , by sharpening his invention : most angry when he was flattered , because this was sure to doe him hurt , by dulling his judgement . No man ever more loved , nor lesse doted upon a wife , than he : a good husband , but not uxorious ; that if there be reines to that Passion , we may know he had them . It may be thought , he affected the Crown , not so much out of Ambition as out of Compassion , because the oppre●sions of his Country he could not so well helpe being a Subject , as a King ; for otherwise we may truly say , he was a loser by the Crowne , being not so great for a King , as he was before for a Subject : The Crowne rather was a gainer by him , which hath ever since been the richer for his wearing it . We may thinke he was either weary of his life , or longing for death ; for why else would he take upon him the Crusado , having been told by a skilfu●l Southsayer , that he should dye in Ierusalem ? but it seemes , he did not believe him .

Of his Death and Buriall .

IN the fortysixth yeare of his Age , having Peace both at home and abroad , and being of too active a spirit to be idle , he tooke upon him the Crusado , and great provision was made for his journey to Ierusalem : but alas , his journey to Ierusalem required no such provision ; for being at his prayers at S. Edwards shrine , he was suddenly taken with an Apoplexie , and thereupon removed to the Abbot of Westminsters house ; where recovering his senses , and finding himselfe in a strange place , he asked what place it was ? and being told that he was in the Abbots house , in a Chamber called Ierusalem : Well then ( said he ) Lord have mercy upon me , for this is the Ierusalem where a Southsayer told me I should dye . And here he dyed indeed , on the 20. day of March , in the yeare 1413. when he had lived sixe and forty yeares , Reigned thirteen and a halfe . It is worth remembring , that all the time of his sicknesse , his will was to have his Crowne set upon his bolster by him ; and one of his fits being so strong upon him , that all men thought him directly dead ; the Prince comming in , tooke away the Crowne : when suddenly the king recovering his senses , missed his Crown ; and asking for it , was told , the Prince had taken it : whereupon the Prince being called , came back with the Crown , and kneeling down , said : Sir , to all our judgements , and to all our griefes , you seemed directly dead , and therefore I tooke the Crown as being my Right : but seeing to all our comforts , you live , I here deliver it much more joyfully than I tooke it , and pray God you may long live to weare it your selfe . Well ( saith the king sighing ) what right I had to it , God knowes . But ( saith the Prince ) if you dye king , my sword shall mai●teine it to be my Right against all Opposers . Well ( saith the king ) I referre all to God : but I charge thee on my Blessing , that thou administer the Lawes indifferently , avoyd Flatterers , deferre not to do Justice , nor be sparing of Mercy : And then turning about , said , God blesse thee , and have mercy on me : and with those words , gave up the Ghost . His body with all Funerall pomp was conveyed to Canterbury , and there solemnly buried .

Of men of Note in his time .

OF men of Valour in his time , of whom there was great store , I shall need to say no more than what hath already been said in the body of the story : onely I cannot but remember Sir Robert K●olls , who borne of meane parentage , made himselfe famous over all Christendome ; and dying at a Manour of his in Norfolk , was brought to London , and buried in the Church of the White F●ie●s in London , which himselfe had re-edified . But for men of learning , I must set in the first place , William Wickham , a man of no learning , yet well wor●hy t● hold the place : In relating of whose life , I must have leave to expatiate a little . His fathers name was Iohn Long , or as some say , Perot ; but as Campian proveth , Wickham ; and not from the place of his dwelling , though he was Parish-Clerke of Wickham in Hampshire , where he taught children to write : in which quality his sonne William proved so excellent , that Nicolas Wooddall , Constable of Winchester Castle , tooke him from his fa●her , ●nd kept him at Schoole , first at Winchester , afterward at Oxford , till himselfe being made Surveyor-generall of the Kings works , he sent for this William to serve him as his Clerke ; who in short time grew so expert in that imployment , that Adam Torleto● B●shop of Winche●ter , commended him to the King , who imployed him presently in surveying his Fortifications at Dover , and Quinborough Castles , and afterward made him Surveyor of his Buildings at Windsor Castle , and his houses of Henley and East-Hamstead . And here first , Envy rose up against him ; for having caused to be engraven on the stone of a wall in Windsor Castle , these words ; This made William Wi●kham : some that envyed his rising , complained to the King of this insolencie , as arrogating to himselfe , that excellent piece of Building to de done at his charge : but Wickham called before the King about it , made answer , that his meaning wa● not , neither by any ind●fferent construction could it import , that Wickham made that bui●ding , but that the same building made Wi●kham , as being a meanes of the Kings great favour towards him . This answer pacified the King , who tooke him daily more and more into his favour ; and being now entred into the Ministery , was first made Parson of S. Martins in the Fields , then Minister of S. Martins le Grand . ●f●erwards Archdeacon of Lincolne , Provost of Wells , and Rector of Manyhens in Devo●shire ; so as at one time he had in his hands so many Ecclesiasticall livings , that the value of them , in the Kings bookes , amounted to eight hundred seventy sixe pounds thirteen shillings : besides which , he was honored with many Temporall places of great profit and respect , as to be his principall Secretary , Keeper of the Privy Seale , Master of the Wards and Liveries , Treasurer of the Kings Revenues in France , and some other Offices . After which , the Bishoprick of Winchester falling voyd , meanes was made to the King to bestow that place upon him : And here , the ●●cond time , did Envy rise up against him , informing the King that he was a man of little or no learning , and no way sit for such a dignity : whereupon the King made stay of granting it : but when Wickham came before the King , and ●old him , that what he wanted in personall learning , he would supply with being a Founder of learning ; This so satisfied the King , that he bestowed the place upon him . After this , he was made Lord Treasurer of England : and here the third time did Envy rise up against him ; for the King requiring of his subjects a supply of money , It was answered , that he needed no other supply , than to call his Treasurer to accompt : This blow struck deepe upon the Bishop ; for he was presently charged to give accompt for eleven hundred ninety six thousand pounds ; and whilst he was busie in preparing his account , all his Temporalties , upon importunity of Iohn of Gaunt . were seized into the Kings hands , and given to the Prince of Wales , and himself● upon paine of the Kings displeasure , commanded not to come within twenty miles of the Court. In this case , he dismisseth his traine , and sendeth copies abroad of his accompt , if it might be received ; but was hindred by the working of Iohn of Gaunt against him . Upon this ground ( as was thought ) Queen Philip wife to K. Edward the Third , upon her death-bed , by way of Confession , told Wi●kham , that Iohn of Gaunt was not the lawfull issue of king Edward , but a supposititious Son ; for when she was brought to bed at Gau●t , of a Daughter , knowing how desirous the King was to have a Son ; she exchanged that daughter , with a Dutch woman , for a Boy● whereof she had been delivered about the same time with the Queen . Thus much she confessed , and withall made the Bishop sweare , that if the said Iohn and Gaunt should at any time , either directly , or indirectly attempt the Crown ; or that rightfully , through want of issue , it should devolve unto him ; that then he should discover this matter , and make it known unto the King , and Councell . Afterward the Queen being dead , and the Bishop finding Iohn of Gaunt , as he thought , too much aspiring , he secretly told him this relation , and this adjuration of his supposed mother , advising him not to seeke higher than a private state ; for else he was bound by oath to make it known to all the World : Thus far the Bishop did well ; but when he saw the Son of Iohn of Gaunt not only aspiring , but possessed of the Crown , why did he not then discover it , and joyn at least with the Bishop of Ca●lile , in opposing it ? Certainly , we may know , that either the whole relation was but a Fable , or that Wickham was a Temporizer , or that Iohn of Gaunt was a most patient man , to suffer the affront of such an indignity , with l●sse than the death of him that did it . But howsoever it was , it is certain , the Duke bore a mortall grudge to the Bishop ; who had no way to withstand such an enemy , but by making Alice Pierce his friend : by whose means , after two years , he was restored to all his livings ; and afterward K. Edward being dead , and Alice Pierce banished ; by the means of a greater friend than Alice Pierce ( his full ourse ) he obteined in the second year of k. Richard , a generall pardon under the Great Seale of England ; and from that time forward enjoyed a quiet life , and dyed in the fourth yeare of this King Henry the fourth , being then of the age of above 80 years , and lieth buried in the Church of St. Swithen● in Winchester , in a monument of his own making in his life time ; leaving for his heire Thomas Perrot , the son of his sister Agnes , married to William Perrot .

Another great example of the volubility of Fortune , in Professors of learning , was Roger Walden , who dyed in the ninth yeare of this King : he was at first a poor Scholler in Oxford ; and the first step of his rising , was to be a Chaplain in the Colledge there of St. Maries ; from thence by degrees he got to be Dean of Yorke ; and after this , a high step , to be Treasurer of England ; and yet a higher after that , up●n the banishment of Thomas Arundell , to be Archbishop of Canterbury : But bein● now at the top , he came down again , for in this kings time , Thomas Arundell bei●g restored to the Archbishopricke , Walden was not only put out of ●hat place , 〈◊〉 was called to accompt for the Treasure●ship : and though he shewed hi● quietus est , yet all his Temporalties were seized , and his person imprisoned , till by the mediation of the now Archbishop Arundell , he was made Treasurer of Calice , and after promoted to be B●shop of London .

The next place after these , is justly due to Geoffry Ch●ucer , and Iohn Gower , two famous Poets in this time , and the Fathers of English Poets in all the times after : Cha●cer dyed in the fourth yeare of this king , and lyeth buried at Westminster : Gower , in this kings ninth yeare , and was buried in St. Mary Overys Church in Southwarke . And now come others to be remembred , who lived and died in this kings time : Hugh Legate , born in Hartfordshire , a Monke of St. Albons , who wrote Scholies upon Boetius de Consolatione . Nicholas Gorham , born also in Hartfordshire , a Dominick Frier , and the French kings Confessor , though an Englishman . Walte● Disse , so called of a Town in Norfolke where he was borne , Confessor to the Duke of Lancaster . Lawrence Holbeck , a Monke of Ramsey , who wrote an Hebrew Dictionary . Iohn Cotton Archbishop of Armagh : Rich●rd Scroope , brother to William Scroope Lord Treasurer of England , made Archbishop of Yorke ; and writing an invective against King Henry , lost his head . William Thorpe , an earnest follower of Iohn Wickliffe , for which he was committed to Saltwood Castle , where he dyed . Stephen Patrington , born in York●shire , and Robert Mascall a Carmelite Frier of Ludlow ; both of them Confessors to king Henry the fifth . Boston a Monke of the Abbey of Burie in Suffolke ; who wrote a Catalogue of all the Writers of the Church , and other Treatises . Iohn Purvey , who was convented for teaching Doctrine con●rary to the Church of Rome , and compelled to recant . Thomas Rudburne Bishop of S. Davids , who wrote a Chronicle . Nicolas Riston , who considering the strife between the then Anti-popes , wrote a booke , De tollendo schismate . Robert Wansham a Monke in Dar●etshire , who wrote a booke in verse , Of the Originall and signification of Words . Robert Wimbledon an excellent Preacher , as app●ar●th by the Sermon he made upo● this Text , Redde rationem Villicatio●is tuae .

THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIFTH .

HENRY of Monmouth ( so called from the place in Wales , where he was born ) eldest Son of King Henry the fourth , succeeded his Father in the kingdom of England , to whom the Lords of the Realm swore Homage and Allegiance , before he was yet Crowned ; an honor never done before to any of his Predecessors : and afterwards , on the ninth of Aprill , in the yeare 1412 , he was Crowned at Westminster , by Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury ; with all Ri●es and Solemnities in such case accustomed : And as the Scripture speaks of Saul , that assoone as Samuel had annointed him King , he had a new heart given him , and he became another man than he was before . So was it with this king Henry ; for presently after his Coronation , he called before him all his old Companions , who had been fr●tres in malo with him ; strictly charging them , not to pre●ume to come within ten miles of his Court , untill such time as they had given good proofe of their amendment in manners ; and least any of them should pretend want of maintenance to be any cause of their taking ill courses , he gave to every one of them a competent meanes whereby to subsist . And knowing ( as he did ) the fashion of the Scots and Welch ; that in times of change they would commonly take adva●tage , to make Inroades upon the Borders ; he therefore ca●sed Forts and Bulwarks in fit places to be erected , and placed Garrisons in them , for preventing or repelling any such incu●sions . Immediately after this , he called a Parliament , where a Subsidie was granted without asking : and in this Parl●ament the Commons began to harp upon their old string , of taking away the Temporalties of the Clergie ; and the Bishops fearing how it might take in the kings ears , thought it best to divert him , by striking upon another string , which they knew would be more pleasing to him ; which was , to shew him the great right he had to the Crown of France . And hereupon Chicheley Archbishop of C●nterbury , in a long narration , deduced the kings Right from Is●bel Daughter to Philip the fourth , married to king Edward the second ; from whom it discended by direct line to his Majesty , and no hinderance of enjoying it , bu● pretension of the Sal●que laws ; which ( said he ) was neither according to the law of God , nor yet intended at first to that Nation ; and though his Predecessors , by reason of other incumbrances forbore to prosecute their Claime , yet he being free from all such incumbrances , had no lesse power , than right to do it . This indeed struck upon the right string of the kings inclination ; for as he affected nothing more than true glory , so in nothing more than in Warlike actions . Hereupon , nothing was now thought of , but the Conquest of France . First there●ore he begins to alter in his Arms the bearing of Semy-de-Luces , and quarters the three Flower Deluces , as the Kings of Fra●ce then bare them ; and that he might not be thought to steale advantage , but to do it fairly , he sent Embassadours to Charles the sixth then king of France , requiring in peaceable manner , the surrender of the Crown of Fra●ce ; which if he would yeeld unto , then King Henry would take to Wife his Daughter Katherine ; but if he refused to do it , then King Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him , or lose his life . The Ambassador● sent , were the Duke of Exeter , the Archbishop of Dublin , the Lord Gray , the Lord High Admirall , and the Bishop of Norwich , with five hundred horse : who comming to the Court of F●ance , were at first received and feasted , with all the honor and shew of kindnes that ●●ght be ; but assoone as their message was delivered , and that it was knowne what they c●me about , the copy of their entertainment was altered , and they were sent away with as little complement , as they wer● before received with honor ; only told , that the king would speedily make Answer to the King their Master , by his owne Ambassadors : and speedily indeed he did it ; for the Earle of Vendosme , William B●●●tier Archbishop of Bourges , Peter Fresnel Bishop of Lysea●x , with others , were arrived in England , assoone almost as the E●glish were returned● But being come , the Archbishop of Bourges made a long Oration in the praise of Peace , concluding with the tender of the Lady K●theri●e , and 50000 Crowns with her in Dower , besides some Towns of no great importance : To which King H●●●y , by the Archbishop of Ca●terbury made Answer ; That these offers were trifles , and that without yeelding to his demands , he would never desist from that he intended : and with this Answer , the French Ambassadors were dismissed . It is sayd , that about this time , the D●lphi● ( who in the King of France his sicknes , managed the State ) sent to King Henry a Tonne of Tennis Balls , in derision of his youth , as fitter to play with them , then to manage Arm● ; which king He●ry tooke in such scorne , that he promised with an oath , it should not be long ere he would tosse such iron b●lls amongst them , that the best armes in France should not be able to hold a Racket to r●tur●e th●m . And now all things are prepared and in a readines for the kings journey into France , his men shipped , and himselfe ready to go on shipb●●rd ; when sodainly a Treason was discovered against his Person , plotted by Richard Earle of Cambridge , H●●●y Lord Scroope of Masham , Lord Treasurer , and Thomas Grey Earle of N●●thu●berl●●d , and plotted and procured by the French Agents . These being appreh●●ded , and upon examination confessing the Treason , and the money ( which was sayd to be a Million of Gold ) by them for that end received ; were all of them immediately put to death . From this Richard Earle of Cambridge , second Sonne of Edmund of L●●gle● , did Richard afterward Duke of Yorke claime and recover the Crown from the La●castrian Family . This execution done , and the winde blowing faire , king Henry weighs Anchor ; and with a Fleet of 1200 Sayle , ( Grafton saith , but 140 ships ) but Enguerant saith , 1600 , attended with six thousand spears , and 24000 Foo● , besides Engineers and labourers ; he puts to Sea , and on our Lady Eve landeth at Caux ; where he made Proclamation , that no man upon paine of death , should robbe any Church , or offer violence to any that were found ●narmed ; and from thence passing on , he besieged Har●lew ; which when no succour came within certain dayes agreed upon , the Town was surrendred and sacked . Of this Towne he made the Duke of Exeter Captain , who left there for his Lievetenant , Sir Iohn F●lstoffe , with a Garrison of 1500 men . It is said that when king Henry entred H●r●lew , he passed along the streets bare foot , untill he came to the Church of St. Martin ; where , with great devotion , he gave most humble thanks to God , for this his first atchieved Enterprize . From thence he marched forward , and comming to the River of Soame , he found all the Bridges broken ; whereupon he passed on to the bridge of Sr. Maxenae , where 30000 French appearing , he pitcht his Campe , expecting to be fought with ; and the more to encourage his men , he gave the ●rder of knighthood to Iohn Lord Ferrers of Groby , Reynold Graystocke , Percy Temp●s● , Christopher Morisby , Thomas Pickering , William Huddleston , Henry Mortimer , Ioh● Hosbalton , Philip Hall , but not perceiving the Fre●ch to have any minde to figh● he marched by the Town of A●yens to Bow●s , and there stayed two dayes , expec●●ing battell , and from thence marched to Corby ; where the Peasants of the Coun●ry , with certain men of Arms sent from the Dolphi● , charged the right wing of the English , which was led by Hugh Stafford Lord Bo●rchier , and wonne away his Standard , but was recovered againe by Iohn Bromeley of Bromeley , a Commander in the Lo●● Staffords Regiment , who with his own hand slew him that had taken the Colo●●●● and then taking them up , displayed the same ; with sight whereof , the English were so encouraged , that they presently ro●ted the Fre●ch , and put them to flight : which valiant exploit , the Lord Stafford recompenced , by giving to Bromeley an A●●●ity of fifty pounds a yeare out of his lands in Staffordshire . After this , the king marched towards Callice , so strictly observing his Proclamation against Church robbing● that when one was complained of for having taken a silver Pyxe ●ut of a Church , he not only caused the same to be restored , but the souldier also to be hanged : which point of Discipline , both ●ept the re●● from offending in that kinde , and drew the people of the Country , under hand to relieve his men with all things necessary . The French king hearing that king He●ry had passed the River of S●ame ; by advice of his Councell ( who yet were divided in opinion ) sent Montjoy the French king at Arms to defye king Henry , and to let him know he should be fought with ; which king Henr● , though his Army was much infected with Feavers , whereof the Earl of Stafford , the Bishop of Norwich , the Lords Molines and Burnell , were lately dead● yet he willingly heard , and rewarded the Herald for his me●●age : and first having cleered a passage over a bridge , where of necessity he was to passe , on the 22 of October he passed over with his Army : At which time the Duke of York that led the Rereward , had discovered the Enemy to come on ●pace , whereof he sent word to the king ; who thereupon made a stand , and appointing his Officers what course to hold , and encouraging his Souldiers , they all attended when the battell should begin . The French Army was divided into three battels ; in the first were placed eight thousand men at Arms , foure thousand Archers , and fifteen hundred Crosse-bowes , the wings consisting of two thousand two hundred men at Arms ; this battaile , was led by the Constable of France himselfe , the Dukes of Orleance and Bourbon , the Earles of Ewe , Richmond , and Va●dosme , the Lord Dempier , the Lord Admirall of France , the Marshall Bouciquale , and others . The middle Battaile , wherein were more men at Arms , was commanded by the Dukes of Barre , and Al●●so● , and by the Earles of V●●mon● , Salings , Blamont Grantpee , and Rusey . In the Rereward , we●e all the remainder of the French forces , guided by the Earles of M●rle , Dampmartin , Fauco●bridge , and the Lord Lo●rey , Captaine of Ardy . The Frenchmen thus ordered , being six times , some say ten times as many as the English , ( who were not above nine thousand ) thought of nothing , but of the booty they should get : In the meane time king Henry having made choice of a piece of grou●d halfe fen●ed on his back with the Village , wherein they had rested the night before , on both sides having strong hedges and ditches , begun there to order his battell ; but first he appointed an ambush of two hundred Archers , which upon a watch-word given , should discharge their whole flight upon the flanke of the Enemies horse : The Vauntguard consisting of Archers only , was conducted by the Duke of Yorke ; who out of an heroicke courage made su●e for that place , with whom were joyned the Lords Beaumont , Willoughby , and F●●hope . The maine Battaile was led by the king himselfe , which consisted of Bill-men , and some Bow-men ; with him were the Duke of Glocester his Brother , the Earle Marshall , Oxford , and Suff●lke . The Rereward was led by Thomas Duke of Exeter , the kings Uncle , consisting of all sorts of weapons ; the horsemen as wings guarded the companies on both sides . The king to prevent the fury of the French Cavallery , by the direction of the Duke of Yorke , appointed divers stakes studded with iron at both ends , of six foot long , to be pitched behinde the Archers , and appointed Pyoners to attend to remove them , as they should be directed : These things thus ordered , publique Prayers were humbly made , and the on-set was presently given by the French horsemen ; whereupon Sir Walter Orpington , according to direction , caused the Bow-men behind the ●●dges , to let flie their arrowes ; which so galled the French horses , that either they cast their Riders , or through their unrulinesse so opened their Ranks , that the right wing of the English horse had way to come in upon the French foot ; & withall , the French horse disorderly retiring , they were miserably troden down & disranked by their own company . Upon which , the King with his Main-battell came on with such 〈◊〉 , that himselfe in person charged the Duke of Ala●son , by whom he was well neere unhorsed ; but afterward , having first slaine two of the Dukes men , he ch●●ged the Duke againe , and with his sword beat him from his horse ; whom the Kings Guard , notwithstanding the King cryed out to the contrary , slew outright : and with his fall , the maine-battell of the French first gave ground , then turned their backs , and lastly cast away their weapons and fled . But then certaine of the French-horsemen that first ran away , led on by Robert Bondile and the Captain of Agincourt , meaning to wipe away the blot of running away from souldiers , by fighting with boyes , set upon the Pages and Laundresses that were left in the Campe ; who gave such a lamentable shreeke , that king Henry verily thought some fresh forces had been come : whereupon he caused all the arrowes that were sticking in the field , to be g●●hered , and the stakes to be plucked up , and made ready to be againe used ; amongst which the Duke of Yorks body was found , miserably hacked and defaced : the fight whereof , together with danger of a second Charge , made king Henry give o●der , the Prisoners should be all slaine , except onely some principall men , whom ●e caused to be bound back to back , and so left . For which fact , though done in cold blood , yet the King could not justly be taxed with cruelty , seeing the number of the prisoners was more than of his own souldiers ; and nothing could give assurance of safety , but their slaughter . But all was not yet done : for the Earles of Marle and F●●co●bridge , with sixe hundred men at Armes , who had stood still all day , began now to stir , and gave a brave Charge upon King Henries Army : but being but few , and their horses galled with the stakes , they had onely the honour to dye bravely ; and indeed , they slew more of the English , than the whole Army had done before . And now at last , the King being satisfied by the Scouts , that no Enemy was more to be seen , he asked what the place was called ? and being told , Agincourt ; Well then ( said he ) this shall be from henceforth called the Battell of Agincourt : and presently he c●●sed the whole Army , in their array as they were , to give God thankes ; causing the Clergie there present , to sing the Psalme of David , In exitu Israel de Aegypto ; and made Proclamation , that every one , at the verse , Non nobis Domine , sed nomini tu● d● gloriam , should kneele downe , and the horse-men bow their bodies : and then singing Te Deum and other holy Hymnes , they marched to the Enemies Camp , where the souldiers had liberty given them to take the spoyle .

A great Victory no doubt , but yet a Victory by which the English gained not one foote of ground in France , more then they had before ; and which ●o●shelet attributeth not so much to the valour of the English , as to the indiscretion of the French , who had so streightned the vantguard of their Army , and pent them up so close together , that they had not roome to draw out their swords ; so true is that saying , Quos Deus vult perdere , dementat . The next day after the Battayle French He●●uld● came to aske leave to bury their dead , and had it ; and the English Hera●lds , appointed to make search , made returne that there were slayn of the French above ten thousand , whereof a hundred twenty six were of the Nobility bearing 〈◊〉 ; of Knights and Gentlemen of Coat-Armour , seven thousand eight hundred seventy foure , whereof five hundred were knigh●ed the night before the Battell : & of common souldiers , about sixteen hundred . Amongst the slain of the Nobility , were Charles le Brets High Constable , Iaques of Chatillon Admir 〈…〉 , the great Master of France , the Master of the Crossebowes , the Dukes o● ●●a●son , Bra●●●● , and Barre ; the Earles of Nevers , Marle , Vaudemont , Beaumont , Gra●●●ee , Rousey , F●uconbridge , F●ys , and Lestreuck : There was taken Prisoners , Charles Duke of Orleance , Iohn Duke of Bourbon , the Lords Danvert , Fosseux , Humiers , Roy , C●wn● , ●●●court , No●ll , Bonciqualt ; to the number in all of fifteen hundred . On the English part were slaine , Edward Duke of York , and the Earle of Suffolk , and not full six hundred in all ; but ( saith C●xt●n ) not above six and twenty in all ; and Paulu● Aemilius saith , besides the two Lords , onely two Knights , and but ten private souldiers in all : a Miracle rather then a Victory . But not onely K. Henry was the death of the French Lords before-named , in the field with his sword ; but of another great Prince , at home , with his Victory ; for Lewis the Dolphin , eldest sonne of Ch●rles the sixth , king of France , presently upon it , without any other cause apparent , fell sick and dyed . Yet king He●ry , to make his enemies the better contented with their overthrow , and to take away the envy of his Victory ; at his returne into England with his Prisoners , which was on the sixt of November following , he presently gave straight order , that no Ballad or Song should be made or sung , more then of Thanksgiving to God for his happy Victory and safe Returne ; but without words of either disgracing the Fre●ch , or extolling the English . At his entrance into London , the City presented him with a thousand pounds , and two Basons of Gold worth five hundred pounds more . The bodies of the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Suffolke were brought into England , and the Dukes buried at Fodringhey in Northamptonshire , the Earles at New-Elm● in Oxfordshire .

About this time , the Emperour Sigismond Cosin-german to king Henry , having been first in France , came accompanid with the Archbishop of Rhemes , Ambassador from the French king , into England ; for whom there were thirty great ships sent from the King to waft him over : but approaching to land at Dover , the Duke of Glocester , with a company of Gentlemen , having their swords drawn , s●ept up to the knees in water , saying to him , That if he came as the Kings friend , he should be welcome ; but if as claiming any jurisdiction , they would resist him : whereupon the Emperour renounceth all Imperiall Authority ; and is thereupon admitted to land , and received with as much honour as could be done him ; and afterward , together with Albert D●ke of Holland , who was lately likewise arrived at Winchester , is elected Companion of the Order of the Garter , and sa●e in their Cells at the solemnity of the Feast . A principall cause of the Emperors comming , was to mediate a Peace between England and France ; wherein he had brought king Henry to a good degree of inclination ; till newes came of the besieging of Harflew by the French , and of the Earle of Armi●iacks setting upon the Duke of Exceter , being Governour there : and then he presently grew so averse from Peace , that he would hearken no more to any Treaty of it ; Not that he misliked they should treat of Peace with their swords in their hands , as all wise men would doe ; but that to treat of Peace , and in the time of the Treaty to do● acts of Hostility , was an affront to all honesty , and not to be tolerated with any patience .

And now the Earle of Arminiack having set downe before the Towne , the Vice-Admirall of France brought up the whole Navy of the French , with intent whilst the Earle should assaile it by land , to have entred the Towne by the waters side : but of this purpose , the valour and diligence of the Duke of Exce●er prevented them . A●●oone as king Henry had intelligence hereof , he would presently have gone himself ; but being disswaded by the Emperor , he sent his brother the Duke of Bedford , with the Earles of March , Oxford , Huntington , Warwick , Arundell , Salisbury , De●●●shire , and divers others , with two hundred Saile , to the rescue of Harflew ; who upon the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady , came to the mouth of the River Seyne : whereupon , Norbo● the French Admirall set forward , and got the mouth of the Haven : and here began a Fight , which was resolutely maintained on both sides , untill the English having sunke five hundred Vessels one and other of the French , and taken three great Carricks of Genoua , wonne the harbour , and at last , though with some opposition made by their Gallies , relieved Har●lew , and made the Earle of Arminiack glad to raise his Siege . Upon the news hereof , the Emperor desisted from mediating any further for Peace with France ; and entring into a League defensive and offensive with king Henry , wherein onely the Pope was excepted , on the 19 of October he departed towards Germany , whom king Henry accompanied to Callis ; whither the Duke of Burgundy came , to confirme the League concluded on before by the Earle of Warwick and him , concerning Flanders and Arthois only . In the meane time the French had hyred divers Carracks and other great ships of the Geno●aes and Italians , which joyning with the french-fleete , lay at the mouth of the River of Seyne , under the command of Iaques Bastard of Bourbon , to hinder all succors from comming to Har●lew ; but Iohn Earle of Huntington ( sonne to the Duke of Exeter beheaded at Cicester ) being sent to s●oure the coasts , encountred with him , and after a long fight tooke him Prisoner , and three of his great Carricks , with all the money for the halfe yeers pay of the fleete , and sinking three other of his Carricks , and dispersing the rest , cleered the mouth of the River and then returned to the king at Southampton . And now upon the twenty third of July , in the ●ourth yeere of his Reigne , the king himselfe , with the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester , the Earles of Huntington , Warwick , Devo●shire , Salisbury , Suffolke and Somerset , the Lords Rosse , Willoughby , Fits-hugh , Clynton , Scroope , Matrevers , Bourch●er , Ferrers of Groby , Ferrers of Chartley , Fa●hope , Grey of Codnor , Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile , Sir Gylbert Talbot , and an Army consisting of twenty five thousand five hundred twenty eight fighting men , besides a thousand Artificers and Pyoners , tooke shipping at Portsmouth , and upon the first of August landed in Normandy neere to the Castle of Tonque , which hee presently besieged , and upon the ninth of August had it yeelded to him , at which time the Earle of Salisbury tooke the Castle of Albervilliers which the king gave him , to him and his heires , being the first land given by the king in France .

At the winning of Tonque , the king made eight and twenty Knights ; and from thence marched with his Army to Caen ; where to prevent the Citizens from sallying out , he cast up a Mount ; and then making many assaults , but finding them to doe little good , he caused his Pyoners to undermine the walls : which being done , upon the fourth of September he offered the Besieged their lives , if they would submit : which they refusing , he thereupon made a shew of a generall assault , whilst many of his men entred the City under the foundation , of whom the Duke of Clarence with his Company was the first : and they comming upon the backs of those that defended the walls , easily overcame them ; and then the whole Army entred without resistance . The next day , the King caused all the principall men of the Towne to come before him at their Senate house ; where some of them , for their stubborne refusing the grace he had offered them , were adjudged to death , and the rest fined : the spoyl of the Town was distributed amongst the souldiers . The Captaine of the Castle stood out a while ; but being advertised that the king had sworne to shew no mercy , if he did not surrender ; he gave twelve Hostages , that if it were not relieved before the twentieth of September , he would then give it up ; which not comming , he performed : and so the king had possession both of C●en and the Castle .

And now Charles the new Dolphin , being but seventeene yeeres of age and bare of money , had got into his possession all the jewels , plate and money of the Queen his mother ; which so incensed her against him , that to doe him a spight , she placed the Duke of Burgundy in chiefe authority about the king , who by reason of his infirmity was u●able himselfe to manage the State ; and the Duke having now the sword in his hands , meant first ●o represse the growing boldnesse of the Dolphyn , and afterward to repell the common Enemy : and the Dolphyn likewise , envying the Dukes advancement above him , meant first to take down his swelling greatnes , and afterward to fall upon the forreigne adversary ; and thus while private respects were preferred before publique , whilest the Duke and the Dolphyn had their first intentions against one another , not looking afte● king Henry , but in the second place , after their owne turnes served , an easie way was left for king Henries proceedings , and hee went on at his pleasure with small opposition . Hee sent the Duke of Clarence , who tooke in the City of Bayeux , as likewise the Duke of Glo●cester the City of Lyse●x ; whilst himselfe remayning still at Caen , put out of the city the natives that were impotent or yong infants to the number of fifteen hundred , & in their places put English people , and finding a great masse of money and plate , deposited by the Citizens in the Castle , ●e caused the same , upon proofe , to bee respectively delivered to the right owners● upon condition they would acknowledge him for their Soveraigne ; which moderate and just dealing wonne him more hearts then the force of his Armes had wonne him knees , specially with the Normans , who are easier to bee drawn with gentlenesse and love , then forced by violence and compulsion . From hence the king marched the first of October to Corfye Castle , which within three dayes yeelded . The fourth of October he came to Argenton , which not relieved by a day agreed upon , was likewise surrendred . The Towne of Al●nson endured eight daies siege , but in the end did as other their neighbour Townes had done . From Alanson the Earle of S●lisbury was sent to Faleys , to view the strength thereof , whom the king presently followed , where the besieged concluded , if it were not relieved before the second of January , then to yeelde up the Towne : No reliefe comming , the Towne was yeelded up , and soone after upon the like termes , the Castle . From hence the king returned to Caen , to put in execution a Proclamation he had formerly made ; That if the inhabitants of Normandy that were fled , returned not by a day assigned , hee would then grant their Lands to his souldiers : and thereupon he gave to the duke of Clarence during life , the Vicounties of A●ge , Or●er and Pon●i●● , with all the Lands of those that were not returned according to the Proclamation . All the Lent the king lay at Bayeux , whilest his Navy still kept the Seas , and daily tooke many French ships , but upon the sixteenth of July such a Tempest took them , that they were driven to fall in with Southampton ; and yet , with all their diligence , could not so save themselves , but that two Ballingers , and two great Carricks laden with merchandize , were in the very Haven drowned . In the meane time the Earle of Warwick and the Lord Talbot besieged the strong Castle of D●mfront : The Duke of Cl●rence tooke Court●n and Burney ; and many other being taken , as Cha●bois , Bechelouyn , H●rcourt , Fantgernon , Cre●en●r , Anvyll●ers , B●gles , in all of them he placed Captaines and Garrisons , and particularly in Fres●y , Sir Robert Brent , lately made Viscount . The Duke of Glo●cester also , with the Earle of March , and the Lord of Codnor , tooke in all the Isle of Co●st●●ti●e , except Chereburg , and then returned to the king , but was sent back to take in that City also : which after some time , when no reliefe came , was , together with the Castle , likewise surrendred ; although by this time the Duke of Burg●●di● and the Dolphyn , by mediation of the Pope , were reconciled , and began to joyne thei● Forces to make resistance . And now the Duke of Exeter the kings Uncle , with a supply of fifteene thousand men out of England , came to the king , who presently took in the City of Eureux ; and the Earle of Ryme , the strong Cast●e of Mill●y le Vesco .

The next thing attempted , was the siege of Ro●● , a Citie strongly fortified , both with walls and di●ches , and to which there was no convenient passage , but by the Citie of Lovie● ; to this Citie therefore he first layes ●iege , which when no reliefe came within a time agreed on , was surrendred ; and yet there was another impediment to be removed , a stone-bridge , which hindred the approach to Roan , being exceeding strongly guarded : For this , King Henry devised floats of wicke● , covered with be●sts hides , by which the Duke of Cl●rence with his quarter passed the River , ●nd then laid siege to the Towne on ●hat side ; and for the other side , he had other devises made with hogsheads and pipes , fastned to ●irrepoles and Barges , with which he passed his men over at pleasure ; and in the meane time he caused divers of his Souldiers that could swimme , to make shew of passing the River three miles off another way ; with which the French-men being deluded , drew all their forces thither , ●nd by this meanes the Fort being left unfurnished of sufficient guard , was presently forced to surrender , and the Souldiers were taken to the Kings grace ; The bridge being thus gained , the Duke of Exeter was sent , and with him Windsor the Herald , to summon the Citizens to surrender the Towne ; who not only gave proud answers , but also made a sallye forth , though with the losse of thirty of their men . Upon this obstinacie of theirs , the King presently orders his siege ; his own quarter was the Ch●rteux , the Duke of Clar●nce at St. Gervays , the Duke of Exeter at Port St. Dennis , and every great Commander had his quarter assigned , so as the Citie was begirt round , and a great chaine of iron set upon piles , and a strong wooden bridge for passage from one Campe to the other , was made over the River . At this time the Earle of Kilmayne with sixteen hundred Irish came to the King , and had their quarter assigned them , who behaved themselves with great valour : The Kings Cosen Germane the King of Portugall , sent likewise a Navie of Ships to the mouth of the River of Seyne , which stopped all passage of succour to Roan ; many policies and practices were used against the Citie , but none prevailed , till famine forced it ; for there being in Roan 210000 persons at the begining of the Siege , and the Siege continuing long , it grew to that extremity , that the Citizens dranke no thing but vinegar and water , and had little to eate , but Rats and Mice , Cats and dogs , and such like : Great numbers of the poorer sort were thrust out of the Citie , who not suffered to passe the English Army , miserably perished ; onely ●pon Christmas-day , in honor of Christs birth , the King relieved and suffered to passe as many as were at first put out , but not others that were put out the second time , but suffered them to perish .

In this distresse , a Parley is required by the Citizens ; who notwithstanding their misery , yet stood upon such high termes , that nothing was concluded , only a truce for eight dayes was granted them ; the eight dayes ended , and nothing yet agreed upon amongst themselves , they crave one day longer , and neither in that day could any thing be agreed on ; then they crave four dayes more , in which the multitude and common people so pressed the Magistrates and Governours of the Citie , that on the fourth day , being about the nineteenth of Ianuary , the Citie was surrendred , and the Inhabitants themselves , and all their goods were yielded to the Kings mercy ; the Duke of Exeter was appointed to take possession , who accordingly entred with his Souldiers . The next day after , being Friday the twentieth of Ianuary , the King himselfe made his entry , with four Dukes , ten Earles , eight Bishops , sixteen Barons , and others , and was by the Clergie conducted to our Lady Church ; where after publique thanksgiving , he tooke Homage and fealty of the Burgesses and Inhabitants ; making Proclamation , that all that would come and acknowledge him to be their Soveraigne , should enjoy the benefit of his Protection , and retaine their possessions , whereupon many came in , and many Townes were surrendred . In this time of the Kings lying at Roan , the Earle of Salisbury tooke in Hunflew , Munster de Villiers , Ewe , and Newcastle ; the Duke of Clarence tooke Vernon , and Naunt ; and the Earle of Warwicke la Roche Guyon .

And now the Duke of Burgundie seeing the great successes of King Henry , could thinke of no better way for his own safety , then to make a reconciliation betweene the two Kings ; to which end , Ambassadors are sent to procure their meeting ; at which time , King Henry for their service already performed , and in hope of more here●fter , made the valiant Gascoigne Captaine le Beuff , Earle of Longuevyle , Sir Iohn Gra● Earle of T●nkevyle , and the Lord Bo●rch●er Earle of E●● . Upon the l●st of M●y , King Henry accompanied with the Dukes of Clarence , Glocester , and Exeter , his Uncle Beaufort , the Bishop of Winchester , with the Earles of March , and Salisb●ry , and a thousand men at Armes , entred the place appointed for the meeting of the two Kings . The French Queene ( her Husband being taken with hi● 〈◊〉 ) with the Duke of Burg●igne , and the Earle of St. Paul , and a company of Ladies● amongst whom , as a bait to entangle the Kings affection , was the kings D●ughter , the beautifull Lady Katherine ; with whose sight , though the King was marvellously taken , yet he made no shew thereof , till other things should be agreed upon ; but the Dolphin having made means to the Duke of Burgoigne to hinder all agreement , nothing was effected ; whereupon at their parting , the King told the Duke , that he would have both the Lady , and all his other Demands , or else drive the King of France out of his kingdome , and him out of his Dukedome : Upon thi● , the Duke thought it best to agree with the Dolphin , and upon the sixth of Iuly , Articles of their reconcilement are signed and sealed ; In the meane time , the Ea●le of Long●●vyle surprized the Towne of Ponthoyse , but had scarce beene able to make good the surprize , if the Duke of Clarence had not co●e to his ●uc●●ur ; 〈◊〉 thence the Duke marched to Paris , and there stayed two dayes , but pe●ceivi●● no shew of sallye to be made , he returned to Ponth●yse , whither the King himselfe came ; and from thence marching on , tooke in the Castle of Vanyon Villeirs ; and on the last of August , the Castles of Gysors , and Galyard , and Dumall ; so that now all Normandy ( Mou●t St. Michael only excepted ) was reduced to the possession of the King of England , which had beene wrongfully detained from him , ever since the yeare 1207.

The Dolphin all this while , though having outwardly made a reconcilement with the Duke of Burgoigne , yet inwardly bearing a spleene against him , intended nothing so much as his destruction ; which to e●●ect , he procured a meeting betweene the Duke and him , and all the Peers of the Realm at Mountstrew ; where the Duke though humbling himselfe in reverence to the Dolphin on his knee , was most barbarously murthered ; which act , was so much the lesse to be pitied in the Duke , by how much he in the like kinde , upon the like enterview , had caused Lewis the Duke of Orleance to be murthered . But though this barbarous act might justly incens● Philip Earle of Carolois the Duke of Burgoig●es heire to seeke revenge ; yet as a wise and and politicke Prince , he forbore for the present to make shew of choller or distemperature , and considering with himselfe , that difference betweene the Dolphin and him , would but give King He●ry the greater advantage , he endeavoured to propose an overture of peace betweene the two Kings ; And to that end Ambassadors are sent from the King of France , and the yong Duke of Burgoig●● , whom the King kindly entertained , but seemed to intimate unto them , that hee could give no great credit to their propositions , unlesse the Lady Katherine would joyne in them , whose innocence he knew would never abuse him . Whilest these things are in agitation , the Earle of Salisbury tooke in Fres●●y , and the Earls Marshall and Huntington entred into Mayn , who approaching Ments , were encountred by the forces of the Dolphin , whereof they slew five thousand , and tooke two hundred prisoners ; for which , newes being brought to Roan , whither King Henry was come to solemnize the Feast of Christs Birth , thanksgiving to God were publickly made ; and in the instant thereof , arrived other Ambassadors from the King and Queene of France , and a letter from the Lady Katherine to King Henry , was secretly by the Bishop of Arr●s delivered ; The conclusion of all was , that the king of England should speed himselfe to Troyes , there to be Espoused to the Lady Ka●herine , and to have assurance of the Crowne of France , after the decease of the present king Charles : Whereupon , with a Guard of fifteen thousand choice Souldiers , accompanied with the Duke of Clare●ce and Glocester , the Earls of Warwicke , Salisbury , Huntington , Lo●g●evile , Tankervile and Ewe ; the king of England came to Troyes in Champaign , upon the eighteenth day of May , where he was met by the Duke of Burgoign● , and divers of the French Nobility , who attended him to the Pallace , where the Queen with her Daughters , the Dutchesse of Burgoigne , and the Lady Katherine gave him Princely entertainment ; and after some intercourse of complement between the Princes and the Ladies , K. Henry tendred to the Lady Katherine a Ring of great value , which she ( not without some blushing ) received ; and afterward , upon the twentieth day of May , she was affianced to him in St. Peters Church , and on the third of Iune following , the marriage was solemnized ; and therewithall king Henry was published to be the only Regent of the Realme , and Heire apparent to the Crown of France ; the Articles whereof , with all convenient expedition were Proclaimed both in England and in France , and the two kings , and all their Nobles , and other Subjects of account , were sworne to observe them ; and in particular the Duke of Burgoigne .

And thus was the Salique Law violated , and the heire Male put by his Sucession in the Crowne , which the Genius of France will not long endure , a while it must ; and therefore the maine endeavour of both kings now is , to keep him down , whom they had put downe ; and thereupon , on the fourth day of Iune , king Henry with the French king , Iames king of Scots , who was newly arrived , the Duke of Burgoig●e● the Prince of Orenge , one and twenty Earles , five and forty Barons , with many Knights and Gentlemen , and an Army consisting of French , English , Scotish , Irish , and Dutch , to the number of six hundred thousand , marched towards the Dolphin ; and upon the seventh day , laid siege to the Towne of Se●●s , which sided with the Dolphin , which after foure dayes siege was yielded up . From thence they removed , having the Duke of Bedford in their company , who was newly come out of E●gla●d , with large supplies of men and money to Monst●●●● , which was taken by Escalado , onely the Castle held out still ; during the siege whereof , king Henry cre●●ed an Officer of Armes , to be king of Heralds over the Englishmen , and intitled him Garter ; whom he sent with offers of mercy to the Castle , but was by the Captaine thereof reproachfully upbraided : for punishment of which his presumption , ● Gibbet was erected , and in view of Mounsieur Guitry the said Captaine , twelve of his friends were executed : whereupon those of the Castle treated for peace ; but the king , in eight dayes together , would not grant so much as a parley● so that after six weekes siege , they were enforced ( their lives saved ) simply to yield . From thence the king marched to Melun upon Sein , and besieged it the thirtieth of Iuly ; the Captaine whereof was Barbason a Gascoigne , no lesse politick than valiant , who countermined some , and stopt other Mines made by the English , and fo●ght hand to hand in the Barriers with king Henry ; yet at last , through Famine and Pestilence was forced to yeild ; but being suspected to have had a hand in the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne , he was sent prisoner to Paris ; and presently thereupon , both the kings with their Queens , the Duke of Burgoigne and his Dutchesse , with a Royall Traine came thither ; where the French king was lodged in the House of S. Paul , and the king of England in the Castle of Lo●vre . And here the three States of France anew under their hands and Seals in most a●thenticke manner Ratified the former Articles of king Henries Succession in the Crowne of France ; the Instruments whereof were delivered to the king of England , who sent them to be kept in his Treasury at Westminster .

And now King Henry began to exercise his Regency , and as a badge of his Authority ; he caused a new Coyne which was called a Salute , to be made , whereon the Armes of France and England were quarterly stamped ; he placed and displaced divers Officers , and appointed the Duke of Exeter with five hundred men , to the Guard of Paris : He awarded out Processe against the Dolphin , to appeare at the Marble-Table at Paris , which he not obeying , Sentence was denounced against him , as guilty of the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne ; and by the sentence of the Parliament , he was banished the Realme .

After this , the King making Thomas Duke of Clarence his Lievetenant Generall of Fra●ce and Normandy ; on the 6th of Ianuary , with his beloved Queen Katherine he left Pari● , and went to Amyens , and from thence to Calli● , and thence landing at Dover , came to Canterbury , and afterward through Lo●do● to Westminster ; where the Queene upon St. Matthews day , the fourth of Febru●ry was Crowned ; the King of Scots sitting at dinner in his State , but on the left hand of the Queen , the Archbishop of Ca●terbury , and the Kings Uncle the Bishop of Winchester being on the right hand , All were served with covered messes of silver , but all the Feast was Fish , in observation of the Lent season .

After this , the king tooke his Progresse through the Land , hearing the complaints of his poore Subjects , and taking order for the administring of Justice to high and low ; and then met the Queen at Leicester , where they kept their Easter .

In the meane time , the Duke of Clarence making a Road into A●jo● , came to the Citie of Ampers , where he knighted Sir William Rosse , Sir Henry G●d●ard , Sir Rowla●d Vyder , Sir Thomas Beauford his naturall Son ; and returning home laden with prey , was advertised that the Duke of Alanson intended to intercept his passage ; whereupon , he sent the Scout-master , Fogosa● Lombard , to discover the face of the Enemy ; who being corrupted , brought report that their number was but small , and those but ill ordered , that if he presently charged , there could be no resistance . The Dukes credulity caused him to draw all his horses together , and leaving his bowes and bill● behinde which were his chief●st strength , with his 〈◊〉 only he makes towards the Enemy ; but the Traitor leading to a straight , where by his appointment an ambush was layd , tha● the Duke could neither retreat , nor flee ; he soone perceived the Trea●chery , but finding no remedy , he manfully set sp●● to his horse , and charged upon the Enemy ; but over-layd with multitude , and wearied with fight , was himselfe , with the Earle of Ta●kervile , the Lord Rosse , the Ea●le of Angus , Sir Iohn 〈◊〉 , and Sir Iohn Vere●d , and above two thousand English slaine ; The Earls of S●●erset , Suffolke and Pearch , Sir Iohn Berkl●y , Sir Ralph Nevill , Sir Willi●● B●wes , and 60 Gentlemen were taken prisoners : The body of the Duke of Cl●rence , was by Sir Iohn Beauford his base Son , ( the D. dying without other issue ) convey'd to England , and buried at Canterbury besides his Father : and this disaster happened upon ●aster-Eve . The King was at Beverley when he heard of his brothers death , and presently thereupon , dispatched away Edmund Earle of M●rt●●gne into Nor●●●dy , making hi● Lievtenant thereof ; and then calls his high Court of Parliament to Westminster , requiring ayd by money to revenge his br●thers death , which was readily granted ; and the king thus provided , sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with an Army to C●lli● , consisting of foure thousand men at Arms , and foure and twenty thousand Archers , whom about the middle of May he followeth himselfe , and saf●ly a●riving at C●lli● , hasted to relieve Charters , which the Dolphin with seven thousand men had besieged ; but hearing of the kings comming , was retired to Tours . The king of Scots , with the Duke of Glocester , about the eighth of Iuly besieged Dreux ; which agreed , if it were not relieved by the twentieth of that moneth , then to surrender it ; no reliefe comming , it was surrendred . The king pursu●d the Dolphin from place to place , but could not overtake him , but in the way , surprized the Towne of B●wg●●cy , where all that craved it , he ●ooke to mercy , as likewise he did at Ro●gemo●t ; from thence he went to Orleance , and from thence to Vigne● St. To● , and from thence to Paris ; where having fitted himselfe with supplies , he went and sate downe before Menixe in Brye , which after some opposition , he also tooke ; and thereby had possession of all the Fortresses in the Isle of France , in 〈◊〉 , in ●rye , and in Champaigne .

Upon St. Nicholas day , in the yeare 1422 , Queen Katherine was brought to bed of a Son at Windsor , who was by the Duke of Bedford , and Henry Bishop of Winchester , and the Countesse of Holland Christned by the name of Henry ; whereof , when the king had notice , out of a Propheticke rapture he sayd ; Good Lord , I Henry of Monmouth shall small time Reigne and much get , and Henry borne at Windsor , shall long time Reigne and lose all , but Gods will be done .

About this time the Dolphin layd siege to Cosney , which the king was intentive to relieve , as being a Town of the Duke of Burgoignes ; and therefore tendredit more than if it had beene hi● owne ; and making over-hasty journeys , he over-heat himselfe with travell ; and comming to S●●lys , found himselfe so ill at ease , that he was forced to remaine there , and to send his brother the Duke of Bedford to prosecute his designe , which the Duke performed , and the Dolphin upon his approach , retired into Berry ; whereof , in mockage he was after called the king of Berry . But the kings Feaver and fl●● increasing , he was removed to Boys de Vincens ; where growing worse and worse , within a few dayes he dyed . But somewhat before his departure , he had made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Lievetenant Generall of Nor●●●dy , and Regent of the kingdome of France , and his Brother the Duke of Glocester , he had made Protector of England , and of his Sons Person : Exhorting all to be true and faithfull to the Duke of ●urgo●g●e , to be at unitie amongst themselves , to be loyall to their young Prince , to be serviceable to his dearly beloved Queene , to hold a●d preserve what he by his valour , and Gods assistance had wonne ; and never to conclude contract of amitie with the Dolphin , or Duke of Alanson , untill they had submitted themselves to the kings Grac● . And so giving God thanks for all his favors and blessings bestowed upon him , in the midst of saying a Psalme of David , he departed this life ; who might justly have prayed God with David , Take me ●ot away in the midst of my dayes , for he dyed about the age of five or six and thirty years , which in Davids account is the midst of the number of the dayes of mans life : but though he dyed in the midst of his dayes , yet he dyed in the fulnesse of his Glory ; and of whom it may he said , — Iamque arce potitus , Ridet anhel●●tes dur● ad fastig●● montis . When he had Reigned nine yeares and five moneths .

Of his Taxations .

IN his first yeere an incredible sum of money was given him by the Clergy , to di●ert him from a motion propounded to take away their Temporalties . And in the same yeere a Subsidie was granted him both by the Clergy and the Laity . In his fourth yeere was granted him , towards his warres in France , two whole Tenths of the Clergy , and a fifteenth of the Laity ; which being farre too short to defray his great charge , he was forced to pawne his Crowne to the Bishop of Beauford his Uncle for a great sum of money , as also certain Jewels to the Lord Major of London , for ten thousand markes . In his ninth yeere in a Parliament at We●●minster , for revenge of the Duke of Clarence death , two tenths of the Clergy , and one fifteenth by the Laity , which because the haste of the businesse could not stay the usuall course of collection , the Bishop of Winchester brought in presently twenty thousand pounds , to receive it againe when the Subsidie should be gathered . The same yeere also , the Duke of Bedford in the kings absence called a Parliament , wherein was granted towards his warres , one fifteenth to be paid in such money as was at that time current . These are all the Subsidies that were given him , notwithstanding his many and great atchievements , by which it appeares what great matters a moderate Prince may doe , and yet not grieve his subjects with Taxations .

Of Lawes and Ordinances made by him , or in his ●ime .

HE ordained the king of Heralds over the English , which is called G●rter .

In his ninth yeare , in a Parliament holden at Westminster , It was ordained , that no man should offer Gold in payment , unlesse it were weight ; and thereupon were appointed ballances and weights .

An act made in the thirteenth yeare of king Richard the Second , which disabled the Alien Religious to enjoy any B●nefices within England , was in the beginning of this kings Reigne put in execution : and further , this king excluded also the French from all preferments Ecclesiasticall ; and those Priors Aliens Conventuall , who had institution and induction , were bound to put in security , not to disclose or cause to be disclosed , the Counsell and secre●s of the Realme .

Affaires of the Church in his ti●e .

IN the beginning of his Reigne , the Wickliffs increased greatly , of whom Sir Iohn Oldcastle was a Chiefe ; who by mariage of a kinswoman of the Lord Cobham● of C●●ling in Kent , obtained that Title : This knight , being very valorous , and in great favour with the king , was in a Synod at London accused for maintaining of Wickliff● doctrine : whereof the king being informed , sent for him , and instantly dealt with him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church : But Sir Iohn Oldcastle told the King , that he owed his subjection onely to his Majestie ; and as for others , he would stand for the truth against them , to the uttermost of his life . Upon this , he was served by Processe , to appeare in the Archbishops Court ; and not appea●ing , was condemned of Contumacy , and afterwards in a Synod at Rochester , was by the Archbishop pronounced to be an Heretick ; who then enacted that Decree , That the Holy Scriptures ought not to be translated into the English tongue : But marke the judgement that fell upon his owne tongue , who●e rootes and blade shortly after ( as is recorded ) grew so bigge in his mouth and throat , that he could neither speake , nor swallow downe meat , but in horrour lay languishing , till at last ●●●●ved by famine , he so dyed . In the meane time , Sir Iohn Oldcastle wrote his Beliefe , and presented it himselfe to the King ; which the King would in no wise receive , but suffered him , in his presence , and Privy chamber , to be summoned ; who appearing before the Archbishop , after divers examinations , he was condemned of Heresie , and committed to the Tower of London , from whence shortly after he escaped , and got into Wales . The king , by his Proclamation , promised a thousand Marks to any that should bring him in : but so much was his doctrine generally favoured , that the kings offer was not much regarded , but he continued foure yeares after undiscovered : At last he was taken in the borders of Wales , within a Lordship belonging to the Lord Powes , who brought him to London , before the Duke of Bedford Regent of the Realme ; where in the end he was condemned , and finally was drawn from the Tower to S. Giles field , and there hanged in a chaine by the middle , and after consumed with fire , the gallowes and all . At the time of his first conviction , foure yeares before , it was rumour'd , that twenty thousand men in armes were assembled in S. Giles field : whereupon , the king , at midnight , himselfe in person went thither , where he found many indeed , who upon examination confessed , that they came to meet their Captaine Sir Iohn Oldcastle , but without any intent against the king : yet was Sir Roger Acto● , and eight and twenty others of them apprehended , and executed in Smithfield ; and all the Prisons in and about London were filled with them .

In his third yeare , the order of Church service throughout England , was changed from the use of Pauls to the use of S●lisbury , to the great disliking of many in those dayes .

In his fourth yeare , a Councell was holden at Constance , whither he sent Ambassadors , the Earle of Warwick , the Bishops of Salisbury , Bath , and Hereford ; the Abbot of Westminster , and the Prior of Worcester : In which Councell it was decreed , that England should have the title of the English Nation , and should be accounted one of the five principall Nations in ranke before Spaine ; which often before had been moved , but never granted till then . And herein were all Wickliffs positions condemned : also Iohn Husse , and Hierome of Prague ( notwithstanding the Emperours safe-conduct ) were both of them burned . In this Councell , the Schisme of Anti-popes , which had continued the space of nine and twenty yeares , was reformed : ●e●edict the 13. had been elected by the Spaniard ; Gregory the 1● . by the French ; Iohn the 24. by the Italians : And now in this Councell , begun in February 1414 , and continued above three yea●es ; wherein were assembled , besides the Emperour , the Pope , and the Palsgrave of R●●ime , foure Patriarks , twenty seven Cardinals , seven and forty Archbishops , one hundred and threescore Bishop● , Princes and Barons with their attendants , above thirty thousand ; The foresaid elected Popes were all put down , or else resigned ; and in the place , as legitimate Pope , was elected Otho Lolo●na , by the name of Marti● the fifth .

In this yeare also , fell out an Accident , which shews the strict observance of Ecclesiasticall censures in those dayes . The wives of the Lord Strange , and Sir Iohn Trussell of War●ington in Cheshire , striving for place at a Sermon in S. Dunst●●s Church in the East , their husbands being present , fell themselves to striving in their wives behalf● , and great part-taking there was on both sides , some slaine , and many wounded : The delinquents were committed to the Counter , the Church suspended , and upon examination , the Lord Strange being found guilty , was by the Archbishop of Canterbury adjudged to this Penance , which was accordingly performed : The Parson of S. Dunst●●s went before , after whom followed all the Lords servants in their shirts ; after them went the Lord himselfe , bare-headed , with a waxe taper in his hand ; then followed the Lady , bare-footed ; and then last came the Archdeacon Reynold R●●●ood : in which order they went from Pauls where the sentence was given , to S. Dunst●●s Church ; where at the rehallowing thereof , the Lady filled all the Vessels with water , and according to the sentence , offered to the Altaran ornament of the value of ten pounds ; and the Lord , a Pixe of silver , of five pounds A Penance , no doubt , which the Lord and the Lady would have redemed with a great deale of money , if the discipline of the Church had in those dayes allowed it : but it seemes , the commutation of Penance was not as yet come in use .

In his ninth yeare , in a Parliament at Leicester , a hundred and ten Priories alient were suppressed , because they spoke ill of his Conquests in France ; and their possessions were given to the King : but by him , and King Henry the sixth , were afterward given to other Monasteries , and Colledges o● learned men .

Works of Piety by him , or others in his time .

THis King re-edified his Royall Manour , which was then called Sheene , now Richmond , and founded two Monasteries not farre from it ; the one of Carthusians , which he named Bethelem ; the other of Religious men and women of the Order of S. Bridget , which he named Syon : He also founded the Brotherhood of Saint Giles without Cripplegate in London . In the second yeare of his Reigne , Mooregate neere to Colemanstreet was first made , by Thomas Fawkener Major of London , who caused also the ditches of the City to be cleansed , and a common Privy that was on the Moore without the wall , to be taken downe , and another to be made within the City upon Wallbrooke , into the which brooke he caused the water of the City to be turned by grates of iron in divers places . In his sixth yeare , William of Sevenoak Major of London , founded in the Town of Sevenoak a Free schoole and thirteen Almshouses . This man was found at Sevenoak in Kent , anew-borne infant of unknown Parents , but by charitable people was Christned and brought up , bound prentise in London , and came at last to be Major of the City . Also Robert Chic●ely Major of London gave liberally to the Almshouses founded by his brother Henry Chiche●●y Archbishop of Canterbury , at Higham-Ferrers in Northamptonshire , where they were born . But Henry Chicheley the Archbishop founded two Colledges in Oxford ; one called Bernard Colledge , renewed by Sir Thomas White , and named S. Iohns Colledge ; the other called All-Soules , which continueth at this day as he left it . Also Iohn Kempe Archbishop of Canterbur● , converted the Parish-Church of Wye in Kent where he was borne , into a Colledge of Secular Priests .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN the fift yeere of his Reigne a great part of the City of Norwich was burnt , with all the house of the Friers Preachers , and two fryers of that Order . In his third yeere , on the feast of the Purification , seaven Dolphins came up the River of Th●mes , whereof foure were taken .

Of his Wife and issue .

HE married Catherine the daughter of king Charles the sixth of France , who was his Queene two yeeres and about three moneths , married at Troyes in Champaigne the third day of June 1420. and afterward February the foureteenth crowned at Westminster : Shee surviving king Henry , was re-married to Owen Teu●●● an Esquire of Wales , who pretended to be discended from Cadwallade● the antien● king of Wales , though some write him to be the sonne of a Brewer , whose meannesse of estate was recompensed by the delicacy of his personage ; so absolute in all the lineaments of his body , that the only contemplation of it might well make her forget all other circumstances ; by him she had three sonnes , Edmond , I●sper , and Owen , and a daughter that lived but a while . Her sonne Owen tooke the habit of Religion at Westminster , the other two were by king Henry the sixt ( their halfe brother ) advanced in honor : Edmond was created Earle of Richmond , and marrying the sole heyre of Iohn Beaufort Duke of Somerset , was Father , by her , unto Henry the s●aventh , king of England , the only heyre of the house of Lancaster . Iasper her second sonne was first created Earle of Pembroke , and after Duke of Bedford , but dyed without lawfull issue . This Queen● , either for devotion or her owne safety , ●oke into the Monastery of Bermo●dsey in Southwarke , who dying the second o● January 1436. she was buried in our Ladies Chappell within St. Peters Church at Westminster , whose corps taken up in the Reigne of king Henry the s●aventh , her Grand-childe ( when he laid the foundation of that admirable structure ) and her Coffin placed by king Henry her husbands Tombe , hath ever since so remained , and never since re-buried , where it standeth ( the cover being loose ) to bee seene and handled of any that will . By her king Henry had only one son , named Henry , who succeeded him in the Kingdom .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was tall of stature , leane of body , and his bones small but strongly made , somewhat long necked , black haired , and very beautifull of face , swift in runing , so as hee with two of his Lords , without bow or other engine , would take a wilde Buck or Doe in a large Parke : Hee delighted in songs and musicall Instruments , insomuch that in his Chappell amongst his private prayers , he used certaine Psalmes of D●vid , translated into English meeter by Iohn Lydgate Monke of Bury . And indeed it may be truly said of him as was said of Aenae●s : Quo justior alter ; Nec pi●tate fuit , nec bello major & ar●i● , for he seldom fought ba●●ell where he got not the victory , and never got victory whereof he gave not the glory to God , with publique Thanksgiving . He was a better man , a King then a Subject ; for till then he was not in his right Orbe , and therfore no mervaile if he were somthing exorbitant . He was of a mercifull disposition , but not to the prejudice of wisedom ; as thinking wise cruelty to be better then foolish pitty . He was no lesse politick then valian● , for he never fought battell , nor wonne Town , wherein hee prevailed not asmuch by stratagem as by force . He was so temperate in his dyet , and so free from vain-glory , that we may truly say , he had something in him of Caesar which Alexander the Gre●● had not , that he would not bee drunke ; and som●hing of Alexander the Great , which Caesar had not , that he would not be flattered . He was indeede a great affector of Glory , but not of glory the bl●st of mens mouthes , but of the Glory that fills the sailes of Time . He dyed of full yeeres , though not full of yeeres : if he had lived longer he might have gone over the same againe , but could not have gone further . If his love were great to Military men , it was not small to Clergy men , insomuch as by many he was called the Prince of Priests .

Of his Death and Buriall .

SOme say he was poysoned , which Polydore Virgill saith was much suspected : The Scots write that he died of the disease called St. Fi●cre , which is a Palsie and a Crampe : E●guerant saith that he died of St. Anthonies fire : But Peter Basset Esquire , who at the time of his death was his Chamberlaine , affirmeth that hee died of a Pleurisie , which at that time was a sicknesse strange and but little known . Being dead his body was embalmed and closed in lead ; and laid in a Chariot-Royall richly apparelled in cloath of Gold , was conveyed from Boys de Vin●●n●es to Paris , and so to Roa● , to A●bevyle , to C●llys , to D●ver , and from thence through London to Westminster , where it was interred next beneath King Edward the Confessor ; upon whose Tombe Queene Katherine caused a Royall picture to be layed , covered all over with silver plate gilt , but the head thereof altogether of massie silver ; all which at that Abbies suppression were sacrilegiously broken off and transferred to p●ophaner uses . Hee dyed the last day of August , in the yeere one thousand foure hundred twenty two , when he had reigned nine yeeres and five Moneths , lived eight and thirty yeeres .

Of men of Note in his time .

MEN of valour in his time were so frequent , that we may know it to be a true saying , Regis ad exemplu● ; and men of learning likewise in such numbers , that we may know the Prince to have been their Patron . First Alayn de Lyn , a Carmelite Frier in that Towne , who wrote many Treatises ; Then Thomas Otterborne a Franciscan frier who wrote an History of England ; Then Iohn Seguerd , who kept a Schoole in Norwich , and wrote sundry Treatises , reproving as well the Monkes and Priests as Poets for writing of filthy verses . Robert Ros● a Carmelite frier in Norwich ; who writing many Treatises , yet said nothing against the Wickle●ists . Richard C●yster borne ●o Nofolke , a man of great holinesse of life , favoring ( though secretly ) the doctrine of Wickliff● ; William Wallis a Black frier in Li● , who made a booke of Moralizations upon Ovids Metamorphosis● William Taylor a Priest and a Master of Art in Oxford , a stedfast follower of Wickliffes doctrine , and burnt for the same at Smithfield in London the last yeere of this ●ings reigne . Bartholomew Florarius , called so of a Treatise which he wrote called Florarium , who writ also another Treatise of Abstinence , wherein he reproveth the corrupt manners of the Clergie , and the p●ofession of the Friers Men●icants . Als● Titus Livi●● de Fo●● L●vis●is an It●lian born● , but seeing he ●as r●siant here , and w●ote the life of this King , it is not unfit to make mention of him in this place : also many others .

THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH .

THere had beene a Race of Princes , of which for three generations together , it might be rightly sayd ; Pulcherrima proles ; Magnanimi Heroes nati melioribus Annis . For King Edward the Third had many Sons , not inferior in valour to the many Sons of King Pri●●●s , not excepting his valiant Son Hector , having so equall a match for him , as Edward the blacke Prince , who wanted but an Homer , to have been an Achilles . Then Iohn of G●un● likewise had divers Sons , men as valorous as any that Age afforded . Then Henry the Fourth had foure Sons , o● so heroicall disposition all , that you might know them all to be his Sons , only King He●ry the Fifth to be his eldest . And now that in him the heroicall nature was come to the height , it degenerated againe in King Henry the Sixth , which must needs be attributed to the mothers side ; who though in her selfe she were a Princesse of a noble spirit , yet being the issue of a crazie father , what marvell , if she proved the mother of a crazie issue ! and yet even this issue of hers , a Prince no doubt , of excellent parts in their kinde , though not of parts kindly for a Princ● ; in a private man praise-worthy enough , but the sword of a King required a harder mettall than the soft temper of King Henry the sixth was made of : and in him we may see the fulfilling of the Text ; Vae genti cujus Rex est puer ; Woe to that Nation whose King is a Childe ; for he was not above eight moneths old , when he succeeded his father in the Kingdome ; although that Text perhaps is not meant so much of a child in years , for which there may be helps by good Protectors ; as of a childe in abilities of ruling , whereof , though possibly there may , yet probably there can be no sufficient supply , of which , in this King we have a pregnant example ; for as long as he continued a childe in yeares , so long his Kingdomes were kept flourishing by the Providence of his carefull Uncles ; but assoone as he left being a Childe in years , and yet continued a childe in ability of Ruling , then presently began all things I● pejus ruere , & retro sublapsa referri , all things went to wracke both in France and England . And thus much was necessary to be sayd by way of a Preface to that great fall as it were of Nilus , in King Henry the Sixth .

Henry called of Windsor , because borne there , the only childe of King Henry the Fifth , as yet scarce nine moneths old , succeeded his Father , and was Proclaimed King of England on the last of August , in the yeare 1422 ; by reason of whose infancie , King Henry his Father had before by his Will appointed , and now the Lords by their consent confirmed , the Regency of France to Iohn Duke of Bedford , the Government of England , to Humphry Duke of Glocester , the Guard of his Person to Thomas Duke of Exeter , and H●nry Beauford Bishop of Winchester , and Lord Chancellor , wherein it was wisely provided that one man should not rule all , lest it should prove a spurre to aspiring ; and withall stay them from envying one another , when many were alike placed in the highest forme of authori●y : and indeed they all carried themselves so uprightly and carefully in their places , that it well appeared the trust reposed in them by the dying King , had made a strong impression of love and loyalty towards his Son .

The Duke of Bedford Regent of France , was to keepe that by the sword , which King Henry the Fifth by his sword had gotten , wherein he had many and great assistants , specially the two terrours of France , Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury , and Iohn Lord Talbot ; and amongst the French themselves , the Duke of Burgoigne , a friend no lesse powerfull , than firme unto him . The Dolphin also ( now crowned king at Poytiers , and called Charles the seventh of France , his father being newly dead , within little more than a moneth after king Henry ) had likewise great assistants , the Duke of Alanson , and many other Peers of France , and of the Sco●s many , and some perhaps of the English that tooke part with him ; by meanes whereof , the game of Fortune was a long time played betweene them with great variety . The first act of the Duke of Bedfords Regency , was an Oration which he made to the French in Paris , which wrought this good effect ; that king Henry is Proclaimed king of England and of France , and such French Lords as were present did their Homages , and tooke their oathes to be true unto him . The first act of hostility was performed by the new king of France , who sends the Lord Granvile to Pont Meulan , who surprized it , putting all the English Souldiers to the sword ; but the Regent sending thither Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury , so strongly beleaguered it , that the Lord Granvile not only surrendred it , but swore allegiance ( though he kept it not ) to the king of England , From thence the Earle marched to Seyne , which hee tooke by assault , and put all the Souldiers ( except the Captain Sir William Maryn ) to the sword .

At this time the Regent , the Duke of Burgoigne , Iohn Duke of Brittaine , and his brother in law the Earle of R●chmond , ( who revolted afterward to the new king of France , and was by him made Constable of France ) met at Amyens ; and there not only renewed the old League , but further enlarged it ; to be offensive and defensive respectively : and to make the friendship the more firme , the Regent married Anne the Sister of the Duke of Burgoigne at Troys . In this meane time the Parisians taking advantage of the Regents absence , conspired to have let in the new king into Paris ; but the day before the night appointed for his admission , the Regent with his power entred , apprehended the Conspirators , and put them to publicke execution . That done , he furnished all the Forts and places of strength with Englishmen , and sent Sir Iohn Falstaffe , who tooke in Pacye , and Coursay , two strong Castles ; whil'st himselfe with his forces tooke in Tray●els , and Br●y upon Seyne .

The Constable of France the meane while with the new kings forces , layd siege to Cravant in Burgoigne ; but the Regent sent thither the Earle of Salisbury , who set upon the French , and after a long fight , putting them to flight , slew about 1800 knights and gentlemen of note● and three thousand common Souldiers , Scots , and French , tooke prisoners the Constable himselfe , the Earle of Ventadour , Sir Alex●●der Alerdyn , Sir Lewis Ferignye , and two and twenty hundred Gentlemen . Of the English part , were slaine Sir Iohn Gray , Sir William Hall , Sir Gilbert Halsall , Richard ●p Maddocke , and one and twenty hundred Souldiers . From thence the E●rle led his forces to Montaguillon , and sate downe before it , which after five moneths Siege he took , whil'st the Duke of Suffolke took in the two strong Castles of Cowcye , and le Roche .

Whil'st these things are done in France ; in England the Protectour Ransomed and inlarged the young king of Scots , Iames the first ; ( who by the space of eighteene yeares had been kept a Prisoner ) which he did out of opinion , th●t he might withdraw the Scots out of France , taking Hom●ge and fealty of him for the Crown of Scotland , in these words ; I●ames ●ames S●eward , King of Scot● , shall be true and faithfull to you Lord Henry , King of England and France , the Superiour Lord of Scotland● and to you I make my fidelitie for the sayd Kingdome , which I hold and claime of you , and shall do you service for the same , so God me helpe , and these holy Evangelists ; and therewithall , with consent of all the Nobility , the Protector gave him to Wife , Iane Daughter to the deceased Duke of Somerset , and Cosen Germane to the King , with a large Dowry , and married them at St. Mary-Overys in Southwarke ; yet all this curtesie could not keep him afterward from being unfaithfull , and unthankfull .

And now the Protector sent over to the Regent ten thousand wel furnished Souldiers , with which fresh succour he wonne many Townes and places of strength ; which the French seeing , and finding themselves too weak by plaine force to withstand the English , they sought by subtilty to compasse their ends ; and first , they worke upon the inconstancie of the Duke of Brittaine , and his brother Arthur , by King Henry the fifth created Earle of Yewry , whom by gifts and promises they suborned , perfidiously to deliver over into their possession , the Castles of Crotoye , and Yerney ; but the English before the French Garrisons were setled , fell upon Crotoye and recovered it ; and that done , the Regent besieged Yerney , and by secret mining , and violent Batteries so shooke the Walls , that they agreed to yeild it up , if not relieved by a certaine time : whereupon the Duke of Ala●son , with sixteene thousand French came to the rescue , but perceiving the English to be prepared to receive them , he wheeled about to Ver●oyle , and swore to the Townsmen that hee had put the Regent to flight , and rescued Yerney ; which they believing , rendr●d up Vernoyle to him : but the Regent followed him thither , when by the encouragement of some fresh Companies of Scots come to his succour , he came to a battell in the field , where the English , with the losse of two thousand one hundred common Souldiers , and two of the Nobility , the Lord Dudley , and the Lord Charleton ; got the honor of the day , and slew of their enemies , five Earles , two Viscounts , twenty Barons , and above seven thousand other of the French , besides two thousand seven hundred Scots lately arrived , and tooke Prisoners the Duke of Alanson himselfe , the Lord of Her●ys , and divers other French , and Sir Iohn Tour●●ull , and two hundred Gentlemen , besides common Souldiers . This battell was fought the eight and twentieth day of August , in the yeare 14●4 , and thereupon Vernoyle was presently redelivered . After this , the Earle of Salisbury with ten thousand men , taketh in the strong Towne of M●●●ts , the Towne of St. Susan , the Fort S● . Bernard , and others ; from thence he went to A●jou , where he performed such heroicke Acts , that his very name grew terrible in all France ; as for instance , the new High-Constable perfidious Richmond , with forty thousand men layd Siege to the good Town of St. Iames in Benyo● , the Garrison whereof consisted but of six hundred English , who being driven to some extremity , sallied forth , crying Sa●nt George , a Salisbury ; which word of Salisbury so frighted the French , thinking hee had been come to rescue them , that casting away their weapons , they ran all away , saving some few that yielded themselves prisoners , leaving all their Tents , fourteen Peeces of Ordnance , forty Barrels of Powder , three hundred Pipes of Wine , much Armour , and some treasure behinde them . After which , other Castles , as that of Beam●●t , of Vicount , Tenney , Gilly , Osce , Rusey , Vasicke , and many more were taken in by Sir Iohn Mon●gomery , and Sir Iohn Falstaffe ; so as once againe the French are glad to betake themselves to their old course of fraud ; they compounded with a Gascoigne Captaine for delivery of Al●●son to them ; whereof the Regent having notice , he sent the Lord Willoughby , and Sir Iohn Falstaffe to prevent it , who encountering with Charles de Villiers , that with two hundred horse , and three hundred foot , was come to the place appointed for entry , tooke and slew them all , except some few horse , which saved themselves by flying . After which , the Earle of Salisbury tooke in and demolished above forty Castles and strong Piles , for which there was publique thanksgiving to God in London .

Whil'st these things were done in France , an unkinde variance fell out betweene the Protector , and his brother the Bishop of Winchester , Lord Chancellor : for appeasing whereof , the Regent having substituted the Earle of Warwick Lievtenant Generall in his absence , came into England , where in a Parliament he compounded all differences between them : in honour whereof , king Henry kept a solemne feast ; at which time the Regent dubbed the King knight , not yet above foure yeares old ; and then the King presently invested with that dignity many of his servants : and Edmund Mortimer the last Earle of March , at this time dying , his Inheritance descended to Richard Plantagenet sonne and heire to Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded at Southampton , who was now created Duke of York , & was afterward father to king Edward the fou●h : and at this time also , Iohn Mowbray sonne and heire to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk , banished before by king Richard the second , was restored to the Title of Duke of Norfolk . And now , all things peaceably setled in England , the Regent , with the Bishop of Winchester , returned into France ; where , at the intercession of the Duke of Burgoigne , the Duke of Alanson was ransomed , for two hundred thousand Crownes : and the Bishop of Winchester returned to Callice , where he was invested with the dignity and Hat of a Cardinall , which his brother the Regent put upon his head .

About this time , the Duke of Glocester , Protector , tooke some blemish in his honour , by marying another mans wife , I●queline Countesse of Haynoult , Holland and Zealand , who was maried before to Iohn Duke of Brabant yet living , and had lived with him ten moneths as his lawfull wife , but at that time upon some discontent gone from him , intending to be divorced : at which injury offered to the Duke of Braba●t , the Duke of Burgoigne , being his Cosin , tooke so great offence , that first by friendly letters he admonished the Duke of Glocester of it , and that not prevailing , they grew to termes of challenge , and a Combat between them was appointed ; but in the meane time , the Lady betrayed , was caried to the Duke of Burgoigne , who conveyed her to Gaunt ; from whence , by friendship of a Burgonian knight , in mans apparell she escaped into Holland , and there made a defensive warre against her husband the Duke of Brabant , and the Duke of Burgoigne . To her ayd , the Duke of Glocester sent the Lord Fitzwater , with a Power of a thousand men : but she being discomfited by the Duke of Brabant , and the Pope also pronouncing the first mariage legall , the Duke of Glocester deserted her , and then tooke for a second wife Eleanor daughter of the Lord Cobham of Sterborough , his old mistresse : and the Lady Iaqueline , after the death of Iohn Duke of Brabant , maried a meane Gentleman ; whom the Duke of Burgoigne imprisoned , and brought herselfe to live in much trouble .

And now in France , the Constable with forty thousand men besieged the Town of S. Iames de Benuron ; and having made a breach fit for assault , whilst his Captaines stood streining of courtesie , which of them should first enter , Sir Nicolas Burdet with all his forces sallied forth , crying aloud , A Salisbury , a Suffolk ; whose names struck such a terrour into the besiegers , that they stood like men amazed , of whom six hundred were slaine , two hundred drowned in the ditches , fifty taken prisoners , with eighteen Standards , and the Constable was glad to quit the place , and give over the Siege .

At the same time also , the Earle of Warwick and the L. Scales , with seven thousand besieged Ponterson many weekes together ; but Pov●sion waxing scant , the Lord Scales with three thousand men went a forraging into the Enemies Country ; and in his returne with plenty of provision , was encountred with six thousand French , of whom he slew many hundreds , tooke above a thousand prisoners , and then returned safe into the Campe.

About this time also , Sir Iohn Falstaffe besieged the strong Towne of Gravile , which after twelve dayes , offered to render it selfe by a day , if it were not relieved . The offer was taken , and Pledges delivered : but before the day came , they within ●he Towne had victualled and manned the place , and thereupon neglecting their Pledges , refused to render the Castle according to agreement : whereupon the Pledges were brought before the sight of them within the Castle , and there openly put to death .

And now a conspiracy of the Clergie and Magistrates in Maunts so prevailed , that the Marshals of France with five hundred men , about midnight came to the Town-walls ; where the Guard of the English , by those that seemed their friends , were suddenly massac●ed , and setting open the Gates , made way for the Enemy to enter : whereupon , the Alarum given , the Earle of Suffolk with the surviving English withdrew to the Castle , wherein they were sharply assayled by the French , who yet had more minde to ransack houses , and to make good cheere : whereof the Lord T●lbot having intelligence by Captaine Goffe , whom he had sent to discover the state of the French , he secretly gave notice to the Earle of Suffolk , who thereupon sallied forth of the Castle at a time when the Lord T●lbot was ready with his Troopes , and on both sides crying , St. George , a T●lbot , they fell upon the carelesse French , who lost foure hundred of their best men , the rest were all taken , the Town re-gained , and the Conspiratours , thirty Citizens , twenty Priests , and fifteen Friers , condemned and put to execution .

Whilst these things went on prosperously in France , a great disaster fell out in England ; for the right Noble Thomas Beauford ( sonne of Iohn of G●u●t , and Katherine Swi●ford ) Duke of Exeter , and Guardian of the King , makes king Henry his heire , and at East-Greenwich in Kent ended his life ; whose place was presently supplyed by the Earle of Warwick , and the Earles place in France , by the Earle of Salisbury ; who thereupon with five thousand men came to Orlea●ce , and besieged the City , and won from the French the great fort . But here happened another great disaster : for from an high tower in this fort , the Besiegers observed the passages of the Townsmen ; when the Noble Earle of Salisbury , intending to informe himselfe of the state of the Towne , unfortunately looking out at a window of the fort , with Sir Th●●●● G●rgrave ; a great shot from the Town striking the barres of the window , the splinters thereof were driven into his head and face ; of which wounds , within eight dayes he died . This was now a second weakning to the English party : but in his place the Earle of Suffolk succeeded ; to whom the Regent sendeth Sir Iohn Fals●●●●● with fresh supplies , whom the Lord de la Brets , nine thousand strong , endeavours to intercept : but Sir Iohn resolving to abide the charge , placeth his cariages behind , the horse next , and the foot before , lining his bowes with bill-men , and pitching stakes behind the Archers , who having discharged their first volley , retired behind the stakes : on which the French , forgetting their former defeats by that course , ran and goared their horses ; by which their Vaward being disordered , the Battaile made a stand : which Sir Iohn perceiving , cryeth out , St. George ! They●●ie ! at which words they fled indeed , and lost two thousand five hundred of their men , with the Lords de la Brets , and William Steward ; eleven hundred were taken Prisoners : with whom , and a rich booty , they came to the Campe before Orleance . Hereof the besieged having notice , they offered to submit themselves to the Duke of Burg●igne , who was contented to receive them , so as the Regent would consent : But the Regent consented not ; and therefore in the meane time , the besieged made meanes to the Duke of Al●●so● , who furnished the Towne with fresh Forces and Provision ; which put such spirits into the Citizens , that they made a sally out , slew six hundred English , and adventured upon the Bastile , where the Lord T●lbot commanded , who repelled them with great slaughter of their men ; but yet the next day the Earle of Suffolk gave over his siege , and dispersed his Army into their Garrisons .

And now the wheele of Fortune began to turn to the French against the English , which once set a going , was not easie to be stayed . And first , the Duke of Al●●so● tooke by assault the Towne of Iargeux , and in it the Earle of Suffolk and one of his brothers , and slew Sir Alexander Pole another of his brothers , and many other Prisoners in cold blood , by reason of a contention amongst the French , to whom the Prisoners should belong . Presently upon this , ●nother great blow was given the English : for the Lords Talbot , Scale● , and Hungerford , going to fo●tifie the Town of S. Meu● , were encountred by the said Duke of Al●●son , and Arthur of Britaine , with three and twenty thousand men : with whom the English Lords interchanged some blowes ; but oppressed with multitude , were all three taken prisoners , all sore wounded , twelve hundred of their company slaine , and the rest hardly escaping to Me●● , where they fortified themselves the best they could against future assaults .

These were great blowes given to the English fortune in France ; Salisbury slaine , and now Talbot taken prisoner : which though they made her a little to totter , yet there must be greater blowes given before she will fall . And indeed , these disasters were seconded by the perfidous surrender of many Townes and strong Holds to the French king ; who now encouraged by these successes , marcheth into Champaigne , where by composition he tooke Troyes the chiefe City of that Province ; Chalto●s rebelleth , and enforceth their Captaine to yield it up : by whose example the Citizens of Rhemes doe the like , where the French king is anew Proclaimed , and with accustomed ceremonies Anointed and Crowned ; whereupon many Townes submit themselves to him , and revolt from the English . Upon this , the Duke of Bedford ( to make the French know , that all the English strength consisted not in onely Salisbury and Talbot ) with ten thousand English , besides Normans , marched out of Pa●is , and sent letters of defiance to the French king , affirming , that deceitfully and by unjust meanes he had stolne many Cities and places of importance belonging to the Crown of England ; which he was come to justifie by battell , if he would appoint a time and place . To which the King of France making a slight answer , the Regent marcheth apace towards him , and as fast the King of France marcheth away : The Regent followed him , but could not overtake him , till he came neere Se●lys : there both the Armies encamped and embattelled , yet only some light skirmishes p●●●ed between them ; and a night or two after , the French king fled with his Army to Br●y : which the Duke thinking to be but a plot to draw him further off from Paris , of whose fidelity he had no great assurance , followed him no further , but returned thither . At which time , the Regents brother the Cardinall , having prepared forces to assist Pope Martin in Bohemia , the Regent borrowed them of him for a present expedition , and with them marched into Champaigne , where he found the French king encamped upon the Mount Pihall ; whose number being twice as many as the Regents , yet by no provocations could he be drawn to battell , but secretly fled to Crispis ; whereupon the Regent also returned to Paris .

Whil●st these things are done in France , In England , upon St. Leonards day the 6. of November 1429 , King Henry not yet eight yeers old , was with great solemnity Crowned at Westminster : at whose Coronation were made six and thirty Knights of the Bathe , and after the solemnity , a feast ; and if any man desire to know so much Cookery , hee may read in Fabian , all the dishes of meate that were served at that feast .

About this time , in France , a strange Impostor ariseth ; a maid called la Pucelle , taking upon her to be sent from God , for the good of France , and to expell the English : and some good indeed she did ; for by her subtle working , the King was received into Champaigne , and many Townes were rendred to him ; whil'st the Lord L●nguevile tooke by surprize the Castle of Aumarle , and slew all the English that were in it . But all these were but petty acquests to the king of France : there is a knot of friendship between the Dukes of Bedford and Burgoigne , which must be broken , or he will never be able to compasse his designes . He therefore labours by all meanes possible to disunite them ; wherein he so little prevailed , that the Duke of Burg●ig●e acquaints the Regent with all the practises ; who thereupon , with many thanks , exhorteth him to continue fi●me , of which he should never have cause to repent him : And because Normandy was a principall part of the English strength in France , he goeth thither , and by many reasons perswades them , as their Ancestors had alwayes been , to be faithfull to the Crown of England .

In this time of the Regents absence from Paris , the King of France drew all his forces thither , using all meanes possible , by Escalado , Battery , and burning the gates , to enter the City ; but was so withstood by the vigilancy of the Citizens , that he was glad to sound Retreat , leaving his slaine and maimed souldiers behind him , all but the Pucelle , who being hurt in the legge , and almost stifled with myre in the ditch , was by a servant of the Duke of Alanson drawne up , and conveyed after the King to Berry , who by the way received the submission of the Inhabitants of L●ig●ye . Some other services were performed on both sides , by the Duke of Suffolk and Sir Thomas Kyriell , for the English ; by the Bastard of Orleance and Sir Stephe● le Hye , for the French ; but of no great importance : till at last , the Pucelle ( who a little before had caused an English Captaines head to be cut off , because he would not humble himselfe to her upon his knee ) was by Sir Iohn of Lu●zemburgh taken , and presented to the Duke of Burgoigne , who sent her to the Regent , and he to the Bishop of the Diocesse , who judicially proceeding against her as a Sorceresse , and deceiver of the King and his subjects , she was ( after many delayes of promise to discover secret practises , and lastly of her feigning to bee with childe ) publickly burnt at Roan .

And now , the Regent finding how much the Crowning of the French king had furthered his designes , he made account the like effect would follow the Crowning of King Henry in France : whereupon he is sent for to come over ; and comming to Paris , was , by his Uncle the Bishop of Winchester and Cardinall of Eusebius , not yet above nine yeares old , with all usuall ceremonies Crowned King of France , receiving the oaths of Homage and Fealty of all the French Nobility that were present , and of all the Inhabitants of Paris , and of the places adjacent . Upon this , Pope Eugenius laboured a Reconcilement between the two Kings , but could effect nothing , but onely a Truce for six yeeres : which agreed upon , King Henry re●urn● into England , and landeth at Dover , the eleventh of February . But the six-yeares● Truce was scarce openly Proclaimed , when the French had cunningly possessed themselves of divers Castles and places of strength , justifying their actions , affirming● That what was politickly obtained without blowes , was no infringement of the Truce : and afterwards they perfidiously conveyed two hundred men into the Castle of Roan , with intent to have surprized it ; but being discovered , they were all taken , and either ransomed , or put to execution . Upon this , the Regent ( whose wife , the Sister of the Duke of Burgoig●e , being lately dead , and he maried againe to Iaquelin● the Earle of S. Pauls daughter , with whom he went over into England ) returned againe to Paris ; to whom the Lord Talbot , having now paid his ransome , commeth , bringing with him seven hundred tryed souldiers ; and with them the Regent takes the field , where the French Army lay ; but the French slun● away in the dark , as not daring to abide the hazard of a battell .

About this time , the Duke of Bourbon , taken at the battell of Agincourt , after eighteen yeares imprisonment , paying eighteen thousand pounds for his Ransome , the same day he was enlarged , dyed at London .

And now a very great effect was produced out of a very small cause : There had been sparks of unkindnesse between the two great Dukes of Bedford and Burgoig●● , which brake out into a flame upon this occasion : A time and place was appointed , where they should meet to compound some differences that were between them ; The place agreed upon , was St. Omers , a Town in Burgoigne : When the time came , they stood upon this nice point , Which of them should first come to the place ; as thinking that he which did so , should thereby acknowledge himselfe to be the meaner person . The Duke of Bedford thought he had no reason to doe it , seeing he was Regent of France , and therefore superiour to any subject in the Kingdome : And the Duke of Burgoigne thought he had no reason to doe it , seeing it was to be done in his own Dominions , where he was himselfe the Soveraigne Lord . Upon this nice point they parted without meeting ; and the unkindnesse grew afterward to so great hatred , that the Duke of Burgoigne chose rather to be friends with him th●t had murthered his father , than ever to have any more commerce with the Duke of Bedford . Thus was one great branch of assistance lopt off from the English , which had been a great meanes before to make it flourish : and it was not so much , that the assista●ce was taken from the English , as that it was added to the French ; for after this , the Duke of Burgoig●e brought more assistance to the new king of France , than ever he had done before to the King of England . By which we may see , when the Divine Providence hath a worke to effect , what slight occasions it oftentimes takes to effect the worke .

Great blowes had been given before in France , to the English fortune by the enemie , but now a blow was given to it by Destiny , which made the Enemyes blowes the more incurable ; for now the wise , valiant , faithfull Regent of France , Duke of ●●●ford , Anjou , and Alans●n , Earle of Mayne , Harcourt , Drieux , Richmond , and Carlile , and Viscount Be●mont ; upon the fourteenth of September 1435 , ended his life at P●ris , which was in a manner the ending the life of the English fortune in France : all former blowes had beene upon inferior members , but this was a blow upon the head , and therefore mortall , and indeed the English fortune in France , never 〈◊〉 li●●ed up its head , but very weakely . He was buried in our Ladies Church at 〈◊〉 , whereat the Nobility of Normandy much repined , who would have had thei● owne Territory honored with his Sepulchre : yet see the levity of these men , who a few years after , in the Reigne of Lewis the Son of Charles , would have had his Monument to have beene demolished , as being dishonorable , such an Arch enemie to France , should be Interred in the Metropolitan Citie of that Province : But 〈◊〉 answered , God forbid , I should give way to so dishonorable an act , to disquiet his dead bones , who living would have disquieted us all , and it savours of too much basenesse to insult upon a dead Lyon .

But yet in these disasters , there might have beene some reparation by a good Succe●●or , had not Envy and Ambition bred disturbance ; the Duke of Somerset desired the Succession , but the Duke of Yorke obtained it ; which bred such an envy in the Duke of Somerset towards him , that he laboured nothing so much as to crosse his designes , and was a means to hinder the Duke of Yorkes going to his charge so long , th●● the P●risians had time to thinke of freeing themselves from the English servi●●de ; and thereupon the Citie after it had remained seventeen yeares in the posses●●●● o● the English , yeilds to the Constable , and upon composition expels all the English ; and which was worse , many other Towns followed this example of Paris , for what Town would not willingly do as Paris did , the epitome as it were of all France ? and which they stick not to call Le Monde de Paris , as though there were upon earth no o●h●r world but Paris . Even the Normans , who had alwaies been most firm to the English , y●● had run the ●ame course , if the Lord Talbot had not kept them in awe , with the ●laughter of five thousand of them that way inclined . And now after thes● great losses , we must be content to play smaller game , cast at Castles and Forts , and some small Towns , like the strugling of dying men , doing acts of life , till there be no more life remaining ; And this was now our case in France . The new Regent with eight thousand Souldiers arrived at Harfl●w , and from thence marcheth to 〈◊〉 , where he wonne the reputation of justice and uprightnesse , notwithstanding all the calumniations of the Duke of Somerset : when the revolted Duke of 〈◊〉 pretending title to the Town of Callis , approacheth it with an Army of forty thousand men , takes the poore ●●stile of Oy● , and slaughters and hangs many of the ●●fendants . The ●●xards besieged the Castle of St. Mark● , tooke it , and demolished it● from thence they begirt Callis with a ●iege , but were repelled : Then the Duke of B●rgoig●e sent the Lord Croy to besiege the Castle of Guysnes● but were repelled th●r● also : In the meane time Pembroke the Herald brought a defiance to the Duke of ●urgoigne from the Duke of Glocester the Protector , that he would give him battell if he would abide it ; to whom the Duke of Burgoigne answered , he should be 〈◊〉 to finde him where he now was : Whereupon he calleth a Councell , and whilst they are debating what is best to be done , the Calliciens make a sallye , take the Ba●●●●● which they had builded , by force , and slew eight score of the Burgoig●ians , which so terrified them , that they upbraid the Duke of Burgoigne , and make both him , ●nd the Lord Croy to quit their quarters , and in such haste to be gone , that they left ●●reat part of their best Ordnance , and all their Provision for the reliefe and helpe of the besieged ; and it seemes they had reason so to do , for the next day being the s●ven and twentieth of Iuly , the Duke of Glocester landed at Callis , with five and twenty thousand good fighting men , who finding the enemy recolled , forraged all the Countrey thereabout , and for the space of sixe weekes ●arrowed all th● parts of Fl●●ders , Arthol● , and Hainault ; and then returning by St. Omers , Arde , and G●●s●es , arrived at Callis .

And now we must look a little home , for the D. of Yorke returning into● E●gl●n● findes the Castle of Roksborough be●ieged by the King of Scots , with thirty th●usand men ; but he hearing of the Earle of Northumberlands app●o●ch , and the Dukes returne , incontinently fled . And now againe to France , where the Towne of H●rflew was sold to the French , but the Duke of Somerset , and the Lord Talbot besetting it both by sea and land ; though the Earle of Ewe , and the Bastard of Orleance and Bourbon , wi●h foure thousand men came to relieve it , yet upon composition , it was surrendred .

And here we may have leave to speake of a private matter ; for about this time the Dutchesse of Bedford married Sir Richard Woodvile , a gallant young Gentleman , but of small meanes , which though it offended her friends , yet it seems offended not God , who made her mother of many children by him ; and amongst the rest , of the Lady Elizabeth , afterwards married to King Edward the fourth . Also about this time Iames King of Scots , who before had beene eighteene years Prisoner in England , and afterward released , with a wife of a noble house , a great Dowre , and many honorable Presents , yet proved ungratefull , was murthered in his bed-chamber by night , whose murtherers being found out , were cruelly tortured . And now againe to France ; when the Duke of Burgoigne could neither by force nor policie take C●llice , he attempted a ridiculous practise , to cut a ditch that should drow● both the Town and Country ; but after much labour and expence , his designe like a vapour vanished into ayre . The Lord Talbot besieged Tankervile , and after foure moneths siege , hath it rendred to him : In revenge whereof , the French King in his owne person layes siege to Monstreau ; which whil'st the Duke of Yorke was providing to rescue , he was discharged of his office , done of purpose by his enemies , to lay a blot upon him : A lamentable thing in a State , when private envy shall be suffered to undermine the publique safety ; and by this meanes Sir Thomas G●rard had the more opportunity to sell the Towne , for which , if he were a gainer in money , he was yet a loser in reputation , and hated both of French and English , in much discontent dyed . Arthur Constable of France , and Iohn Duke of Alanson besieged the Towne of Auranc●es , but were with dishonor repelled by the Lord Talbot : After this , Le Hyre sent Letters to them , that he had a promise from divers Burgers of Ro●● to let them in at any time appointed , against which time they came to R●ze , within foure leagues of Roan ; but the Lord Talbot having notice hereof , marched covertly to Roa● , and from thence before day to Ryze , where he surprizeth the French , takes the Lord Fountaines , Sir Allan Geron , and many others , and with a rich booty returneth to Roan . The sixt day of November , in the sixteenth year of the Kings Reign , the Earle of Warwicke having oftentimes been aboord , and still beaten back by tempest , landed at Harfl●w with a thousand fresh Souldiers , and from thence came to Roa● ; but in the meane time the Duke of Burgoigne seeing no new Regent yet come , besieg●th the Towne of Cro●●y , to the reliefe whereof , the new Regent now come , sent the Lord Talbot with five thousand men , whose approach the Duke not enduring , retired to Ab●evyle , leaving onely foure hundred , with whom hee had manned the ●●style by him there erected , which was soone gained , and all the souldiers either taken or slaine . And here the valiant Talbot sent word to the Duke , that if he would save his Countrey from vastation , he should come to a battell ; but the Duke not liking the match , conveighs himselfe to A●ye●s : Twenty dayes together did the Lord Talbo● with fire and sword passe through Piccardie , and Artho●s without opposition , and then returned : Sir Th●m●● Kyriell seized upon the Dukes Carriages and Ordnance ; and having left in Crotoy victuall enough for six hundred men for a whole yeare , he brought the rest to the Earle of Warwicke . And now Henry Earle of Mortaig●e , Son to Edmund Duke of Somerset , arrived with two hundred Archers , and three hundred Spears , took the Castle of St. A●yo● , wherein were three hundred Scots and French ; the Scots he flew all , and hanged the French , because they had sworn fealty to England , and broke it ; he tooke likewise the Castle of Algarche , and by means of an ambush , taketh the Lord Camerois , comming to the rescue thereof . On the other side , the Towns of Neux in Brye , and Susan were sold and delivered to the French by the treacherous Burgers . In Iune , the Earle of Huntingt●● with two thousand Archers , and foure thousand Speares was sent into Gascoigne , whither the Earle of Danois was lately come to buy Towns and Castles , but the Earle of Huntington upon his comming thither , changed all the Captains and Officers , whereby he prevented all such bargains ; and so farre had bribery spread it selfe at this time , that even in Normandy , the English Captaines ●ad but small confidence in the Natives , and not much in some of their owne Nation ; whereupon Sir Richard Wo●dvile , Sir William Chamberlaine , and sir William Pe●o were sent thither to stop the current of that corruption .

At this time , the Councell of France procured a reconcilement between the king and the Dolphin , who had beene long in jealousies and dissention ; which if ●t had not beene done , the kingdome had beene torne with Factions , and never beene able to subsist .

And now in a great frost and snow , the English under the conduct of Sir Iohn Clifford , having covered their Armour with white shirts , and their heads with white Alm●● skulls , came to Ponthois by night , and undiscovered past the ditches , scaled the walls , slew the Guards , and tooke the Towne ; but this good lucke was accompanied with a bad of more importance , for presently upon it , the Earle of Warwicke dyed in the Castle of Roan , and conveyed into England , was buried in his Castle of W●rwicke . To reduce Pont●ois , the French King in person layeth siege unto it ; when Richard Duke of Yorke being the second time made Regent , having with him the Earle of Oxford , aud the Earle of Ewe , levyes a power to raise the Siege ; and arriving there , sends word to the King , that the next morning he would give him battell ; but the King liked not his bidding , but leaving his Ordnance , at midnight stole away to Poyssy ; thither also the Regent followes him , but with no provocations could draw him to fight .

About this time , a treaty for Peace between the two Kings is appointed to be held at Callis , by the mediation of the Dutchesse of Burgoigne , a Portugall Lady ; Commissioners meet of both sides , but nothing concluded , only the Duke of Orleance who had been prisoner to the English five and twenty years , is by the Dutchesse med●ation , ransomed with three hundred thousand Crowns of the Duke of Burgoignes money . The Lord Willoughby besiegeth Deepe , which the Dolphin with sixteene thousand men commeth to raise ; and there young Talbot is taken prisoner , with Sir Ioh● Peto , and sir Iohn Repley , but are shortly after redeemed by exchange . And now another weakning happened to the English party , the Earle of St. Paul forsakes them , and is reconciled to the King of France . The English lay siege to Tartus , for the raysing whereof , the French King marcheth thither with 60000 men , relieveth the Towne , and then marcheth to Saveryne , which he taketh in , and in it , Sir Iohn Rampston ; after which , he tooke in Arques , but then the English cutting off all convoyes of victualls from comming to him , he is forced to returne ; after whose departure , the English recover all that he had taken ; and to boot , take his Lie●tenant prisoner , slaying or hanging all his Souldiers . In this meane while the Lord Talbot taketh in Conquet , and driveth the Bastard of Orleance from the siege of Gagli●rd● ; but the French in the Castle of Cornhill detained many English prisoners● for redeeming of whom , Sir Francis the Aragonist used this stratagem ; he apparelled halfe a dozen lusty fellowes like Peasants● carrying baskets with corne and victualls , and sends them to the Castle , while he with his company lyes in ambush , in a Valley neere the Castle ; the six unsuspected are admitted , and comming to the Captaines chamber , seize upon him , and withall give the signe to the ambush , who comming readily on , entred the Castle , put the Souldiers to the sword , set the prisoners at liberty , burnt downe the Castle , and with the booty and Captaine of the Castle , returned to Roan .

Whil'st these alternations passed in France , a more unnaturall passed in Eng●and , the Uncle riseth against the Nephew , the Nephew against the Uncle ; The Duke of Glocester Articles against the Cardinall , charging him with affecting Preheminence , to the derogation of the Kings Prerogative , and contempt of his Lawes ; which Articles are delivered to the King , and by him to his Councell , who being most of the Clergie , durst not meddle in them , for offending ●he Cardinall . On the other side , the Cardinall finding nothing whereof directly to accuse the Duke of Glocester himselfe , accuseth his or her selfe , the Lady Cotham●he ●he Dukes wife , of Treason , for attempting by sorcery and witchcraft the death of the King , and advancement of her husband to the Crown : for which , though acqui●ed of the Treason , she is adjudged to open Penance , namely , to goe with a wax taper in her hand , hoodlesse ( save a kerchiffe ) through London , divers dayes together , and after to remaine in perpetuall imprisonment in the Isle of Man . The crime objected against her , was procuring Thomas Southwell , Iohn Hunne Priests , Roger Bollingbrock● a supposed Necromancer , and Margery Iourdan called the Witch of Eye in Suffolke● to devise a picture of waxe in proportion of the king , in such sort by sorcery , that as the picture consumed , so the kings body should consume : for which they were all condemned ; the witch was burnt in Smithfield ; Bollingbrooke was hanged , constantly affirming upon his death , that neither the Dutchesse , nor any other from her did ever require more of him , than onely to know by his art , how long the king should live : Iohn Hunne had his pardon ; and Southwell dyed the night before he shou●d have been executed .

About this time , the Countesse of Cominges being dead , the king of France and the Earle of Arminiack are Competitors for the Inheritance : The Earle takes possession ; but fearing the King of France his greatnesse , makes offer of his daughter in mariage to the King of England , with a large portion in money , and besides , to deliver full possession of all such Townes and Castles as were by him or his Ancestors detained in Aquitaine , and had been formerly by the Progenitors of the King of England , conquered . The Ambassadors for this businesse , were by King Henry graciously heard , and honorably returned : after whom were sent Sir Edward Hall , Sir Robert Rose and others , to conclude all things , and the young Lady is by Proxy affianced to king Henry . But the king of France not liking the proceeding of the match , sende●h the Dolphin with a puissant Army , who tooke the Earle , with his youngest sonne , and both his daughters , aud gained the Counties of Arminiack , Louverne , Rouergue , Moulessenois , with the Cities of Sever●e and Cadeack , chasing the Bastard of Arminiack out of ●he Country ; by meanes whereof , the mariage was then deferred , and left in suspense .

In this distraction of Christendome , many Princes , the kings of Spaine , Denmark , and Hungary , became Mediators for a Peace between the two kings of France and England : Ambassadors of both sides are sent , many meetings were had , many motions made , but in conclusion , onely a Truce for eighteen moneths is agreed upon . In the meane time , the Earle of Suffolk one of the Commissioners for the Peace , takes upon him beyond his Commssion , and without acquainting his fellowes , to treat of a mariage between the king of England , and a kinswoman of the king of France , Neece to the French Queene , daughter to Rayn●r Duke of Anjou , stiling him●elfe king of Sicilie and Naples : In which businesse he was so intentive , that it brought an aspersion upon him of being bribed : but howsoever , an Enterview betwixt the two kings is appointed , without any warrant of king Henries part , to be between Charter● and Roan . The Commissioners returne ; the Earle of Suffolk sets forth the beauty of the proposed Bride , and the great benefits that would redound to the kingdome by this match . The king was easily induced to credit the relation ; but divers of the kings Councell , especially the Duke of Glocester , opposed it ; partly for the meannesse of the match , her father being onely a Titular Prince , and withall but poore , unable to give any portion at all ; and partly , for the wrong which should hereby be offered to the Duke of Arminiacks daughter , to whom the king had been in solemne manner publickly affianced . But Reasons could not prevaile against favour : the Earle of Suffolks affirmation must not be undervalued . And hereupon , a new creation of Lords first made ; ( Iohn Beaufort Earle of Somerset , made Duke of Somerset ; Iohn Lord Talbot made Earle of Shrewsbury ; Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington , made Duke of Exeter ; Humfry Earle of Stafford , made Duke of Buckingham ; Henry 〈◊〉 Earle of Warwick , made Duke of Warwick ; Edmund Beaufo●t Earle of Dorset , made Marquesse Dorset ; and William de la Poole Earle of Suffolke , made Marquesse of Suffolke : ) this new Marquesse honorably accompanied , is sent into Fra●ce to fetch the Lady Margaret the proposed Bride ; who shortly after is maried at Southwick in Hampshire , and crowned Queen of England at Westminster , on the 30 day of May 1444 , in the three and twentieth yeare of king Henries Reigne . And now in stead of benefits by this mariage , there presently followed great inconveniences : for first , in exchange of her person , the Dutchy of Anjou , the City of 〈◊〉 , with the whole County of Mayne , ( the best props of the Dutchy of Normandy ) are agreed to be surrendred into the hands of the French : and then the Duke of Arminiack , to revenge the injury offred to his daughter , is a meanes to expell the English ●ut of all Aquitaine .

At this time , the Duke of Somersets spleen against the Duke of Yorke , not onely is revived , but is growne stronger ; for the Duke of Yorke , who was now after the death of the Earle of Warwick , made the second time Regent of France , is so undermined by him , through assistance of the new Marquesse of Suffolke , who bore now all the sway with the King and Queen ; that not onely he supplanted him in his place , but planted himselfe in it , to the great heart-burning of the Duke of York and his friends ; but he wisely dissembled his anger , and for the present passed it ove● . And now is no man in grace , but the new Marquesse of Suffolk ; all favours from the King and Queene must passe by him , and the extent of his power over-r●acheth all the Councell : He gets of the King the wardship of the body and lands of the Countesse of Warwick , and of the Lady Margaret , sole daughter and heire of Iohn Duke of Somerset , afterward mother to king Henry the seventh . And now , the kings weaknesse in judgement growes every day more apparent then other , whil'st governed by no counsell , but of his Queen ; and she by no counsell but her owne will , and the new Marquesse of Suffolke . King Henry is himself the least part of the king , and serves but to countenance the devices of others , whereof he little understands the drifts ; and which , proving ill , the blame must be his ; if well , the benefit and honour , others . For by instigation of the Queene , he suffers the Duke of Glocester , for his care of the Common-wealth called the good Duke , to be excluded not onely from Command , but from the Counsell-Table ; and permits Informers , s●t on by the Marquesse of Suffolke , the Duke of Buckingham , the Cardinall Bishop of Winchester , and the Archbishop of Yorke , to come aganst him ; who lay to his charge , that he had caused divers persons to be executed contrary to Law : wherein though he justified himselfe , yet no justification would be heard ; but to avoyd tumultuary part-taking , it was concluded , he should be privately convicted and condemned : and to this end , a Parliament by the procurement of his enemies , unwitting to the king , is called at Bury ; to which the Duke of Glocester resorting , is , on the second day of the Session , by the Lord Beamont L. High Constable ( abetted by the Duke of Buckingham ) arrested and put in Ward , all his followers sequestred from him , whereof two and thirty are committed to severall prisons ; and the next day after his imprisonment , he is found in his bed , murthered ; yet shewed the same day , as though he had dyed of an Imposthume ; though all that saw his body , saw plainly that he dyed of a violent and unnaturall cause : some say , strangled ; some , that a hot spit was put up at his fundament ; and some , that he was stifled between two feather-beds . His corps the same day was conveyed to St. Albans , and there buried . Five of his meniall servants , Sir Roger Chamberlaine knight , Middleton , Herbert , Arizis , Esquires , and Iohn Needham Gentleman , were condemned to be hanged , drawne , and quartered ; and hanged they were at Tiburne , let downe quick , stript naked , marked with a knife to be quartered ; but then the Marquesse of Suffolk , to make a shew as though he had no hand in the businesse , brought their Pardon , and delivered it at the place of Execution , and so their lives were saved . It is no unmemorable thing which Sir Thomas Moore writes of the pregnancy of this Duke of Glocester : It happened , the King comming one time in Progresse to St. Albans , a Begger borne blinde , as he said , at the Shrine of St. Alban obtained his sight : which miracle being noised in the Towne , the Duke of Glocester being there with the King , d●sired to see him , whom being brought unto him , he asked if he were borne blinde , who told him , yes truly ; and can you now see ( saith the Earle ) yes I thanke God , and St. Albon , saith the begger ; then tell me saith the Earl , what colour is my gown ? the begger readily told him the colour ; and what colour saith the Earle is such a mans gown ? the begger likewise told him presently , and so of divers others . Then saith the Earle , go you counterfeit knave , if you had been borne blinde , and could never see till now , how come you so suddenly to know this difference of colours ? and thereupon , instead of an Almes , caused him to be set in the Stocks . But in the death of this Duke , the Queene who had a speciall hand in it , was either not so intelligent , or no● so provident as she might have beene ; for as long as he had lived , his Primogeniture would have kept backe the Duke of Yorkes claime to the Crown , being but discended from the fifth Sonne of Edward the third , where this Duke Humphrey was discended from the fourth . And here were the first seeds sowne betweene the two houses of La●caster , whose badge was the Red-rose , and Yorke , whose badge was the White-rose . And now upon the death of this Duke of Glocester , the Duke of York began amongst his familiars privily to whisper his right and title to the Crown ; but so politickly carried his intent , that all things were provided to further his project , before his purpose was any whit discovered .

And in this time the rich Cardinall and Bishop of Winchester dyes , who lying on his death bed , as Doctor Iohn Baker his privie Counsellor and his Chaplain writeth , used such like words ; why should I dye , saith he , having so much riches ? If the whole Realme would save my life , I am able either by policy to get it , or by money to buy it : Fie , will not death be hired ? will money do nothing ? and other words to such purpose . But he being dead , there succeeded in his Bishopricke a more deserving Prelate ; William Wa●●le●e , called so of the place in Lincolneshire where he was borne , though his name was Patterne , of the worshipfull family whereof hee was descended . And now to the end the Marquesse of Suffolke might not come behinde them in dignity , whom he went before in power , he is about this time made Duke of Suffolke .

In France about this time a victory was gotten , which proved no better than an overthrow ; Before the Truce was expired , Sir Francis Sur●ens an Aragonois , a man thought worthy to be admitted into the honorable Order of the ●arter ; taking advantage of the security of the French Garrisons , suddenly surprizeth a Frontier Towne called Fougiers , belonging to the Duke of Brittaine ; the Duke advertiseth the French King thereof , who by his Ambassadors complaines both to the King of England , and to the Duke of Somerset then Regent in France : Answer was made , it was the fault of the Aragonois , who did it without warrant from either the King , or the Councell ; neverthelesse Commissioners are appointed to meet at Louviers , to treate of some course for satisfaction ; but in the time of the Treaty , newes is brought to the Regent , that the French by a stratagem of a Carter that with a load of Hey comming over the Draw-bridge , caused the Axletree to breake ; and whil'st the Porter was ready to helpe the Carter , the Porters braines were beaten out , the Towne of Ardes surprized , and the Lord Fawco●bridg● Captaine thereof was taken prisoner . Restitution being required by the English , answer is made them in their owne language , it was done without warrant from either the French King , or any of his Councell , so it was but one for another ; and from thence forward the Truce is broken of both sides , and all things grow worse and worse . The French King by composition taketh Louviers , Gerbury , and Ver●oyle , whil'st the Regent stands demurring what were best to be done ; If he command , not obeyed , If he counsell , not followed , as it happens to men once blemished in Reputation , to have an ill construction made of all their actions ; by which means the French go on without resistance , get Con●●●●ce , Guisard , Gatiard , St. Loe , Festampe , and many other pieces in Normandy ; upon notice whereof , Maulesson in Guyen surrenders to the Earle of Foi● , and by their example the City of Ro●n it selfe takes composition to surrender , where the E. of Shr●wsbury , and the Lord Butler , heire to the E. of Ormond , were kept pledges till it was performed . It is true , succours were provided to be sent out of England , under the conduct of the Duke of Yorke ; but a Rebellion happening in Ireland , which was thought of more importance to be speedily suppressed , diverted him and his forces thither , where not only he suppressed the Rebels , but so wonne the hearts of that people , that it was no small furtherance to his proceedings afterward . A fresh supply indeed of fif●eene hundred men , under the command of sir Thom●s Kyriell is sent over ; but what could a handfull of men do against such multitudes as opposed them ? for he marching with the rest of the Army towards Baugeux , was encountred by the Earle of Clermont , with seven thousand French and Scots , whom yet at first he made to recoyle , till the Constable of France with foure hundred men at Armes , and eight hundred Archers came to the rescue , and then fresh men comming upon them that were already tyred , the English lost three thousand and above seven hundred , besides divers that were taken prisoners . After this losse of men , followes presently a losse of Towns ; Harflew is assaulted , and though valiantly for a while defended by Sir Robert Curson , yet surrendred at last upon composition : Then the French King with an Army royall besiegeth Caen in Normandy , a Towne belonging to the Duke of Yorke , defended in his absence by his Lievtenant Sir David Hall ; but the Duke of Somerset being Regent , in commiseration of his Dutchesse being in the Towne , notwithstanding the s●out opposition of Sir David Hall , surrenders it upon composition to the French ; whereof Sir David giving notice to the Duke of Yorke , it bred such a deadly quarrell between the two Dukes , that they were never after throughly reconciled . And thus is all Normandy recovered from the English , after it had been in their possession a hundred years ; and finally , all France is reduced to the obedience of Charles the French King .

And now hereafter there will be little to do abroad , but there will be the more to do at home , and more bloud will be shed in England by civill dissentions , then was shed before in all the Wars of France . This losse of Normandy and other parts in France , is imputed much to the Duke of Somerset , at that time Regent ; but the Duke of Suffolke must beare a great part of the blame , partly for having beene the cause of the surrender of Anjou and Mayne , and the chiefe procurer of the Duke of Glocesters death , and partly for having wilfully wasted the Kings treasure , and been a meanes to remove the ablest men from the Councell Boord ; of all which aspersions the Queen takes notice , and knowing how far they trenched upon the Dukes destruction , and her own ; She so wrought , that the Parliament assembled at the Black-Friers , is adjourned to Leicester , and from thence to Westminster ; but though all means were used to stop these accusations against the Duke , yet the lower House would not be taken off , but exhibited their Bill of Grievances against him : That he had traiterously incited the Bastard of Orleance , the Lord Presigny and others to levy warre against the King , to the end that thereby the King might be destroyed ; and his Son Iohn , who had married Margaret Daughter and sole Heire of Io●n Duke of So●●●set , whose title to the Crowne the sayd Duke had often declared , in case king Henry should dye without issue , might come to be King ; That through his treachery the French King had gotten possession of the Dutchie of Normandy , and had taken prisoners the valiant Earle of Shrewsbury , the Lord Fawc●●bridge and others : but to these accus●tions , he peremptorily affirmed himselfe not guilty , so much as in thought . Then were further allegations made against him , that being with others sent Ambassador into France , he had transcended his Commission , and without privity of his fellow Commissioners , had presumed to promise the surrender of Anjou , and the delivery of the County of Mau●ts to Duke Rayner , which accordingly was ●erformed , to the great dishonour of the King , and detriment of the Crowne ; That he had traiterously acquainted the French King with all the affaires of State , and passages of secrecie , by which the enemy , was throughly instructed in all the designes of the King and Councell : That he had received rewards from the French king , to divert and disappoint all succours sent to the kings friends in France . Upon these and divers other accusations brought against him , to bleare the peop●es eyes , he is committed to the Tower ; but the Parliament was no sooner dissolved , but he was set at liberty ; which so incensed the common people , that they made an Insurrection ; and under the leading of a desperate fellow , styling himselfe Blewbeard , they committed many outrages ; but by the diligence of the Gentlemen of the Country , the Captain was apprehended , and the Rebellion ceased . And now another Parl●ament is called , where great care is taken in chusing of Burgesses , presuming thereby to stop any further proceeding against the Duke of Suffolke ; but his personall appearance at the Parliament gave such a generall distaste to the House , though he came in the company of the king and Queene , that they forbore not to begin the Assembly , with Petitioning the king , for punishment to be inflicted upon such as had plotted or consented to the resignation of A●jo● , and Mayne , whereof by name they instanced in the Duke of Suffolke , Iohn Bishop of Salisbury , Sir Iame● Fynes , Lord Say and others . This Petition was seconded by the Lords of the upper House : whereupon , to give some satisfaction to the Houses , the Lord Say Lord Treasurer , is sequestred from his place , the Dukes Officers are all discarded , and himselfe formally banished for five yeares , but with an intent after the multitude had put out of minde their hatred against him , to have revoked him : but God did otherwise dispose of him , for when he was shipped in Suffolke , with intent to have passed over into France ; he was met by an Englishman of War , taken and carried to Dover sands , and there had his head chopt off , on the side of the long-boate , which together with the body was left there on the sands , as a pledge of some satisfaction for the death of Duke H●●phry .

Whil●st these things are done in England , the Duke of Yorke in Ireland began to make his way to the Crowne , as descended from Philippe daughter and heire of George Duke of Clarence , elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt , great Grandfather to the present king Henry the sixth . And for a beginning , it is privately whispered , that king H●nry was of a weake capacity , and easily abused ; the Queene of a malignant spirit , and bloudily ambitious , the Privie Councell , if wise enough , yet not honest enough , regarding more their private profit , then the publique good , that through their delinquencies all Fr●●ce was lost , and that God would not blesse the usurped possession of king He●ry : with these suggestions the Kentishmen seemed to be taken ; which being observed by an instrument of the Duke of Yorke , called Mortimer , he takes his time , and tells the multitude , that if they will be ruled by him , he will put them in a course to worke a generall Reformation , and free them for ever from those insupportable burthens of taxations , so often , upon every slight occasion obtruded upon them . These promises of Reformation and freedome from impositions , so wrought with the people , that they drew to a head ; and make Mortimer , otherwise Iacke Cade their leader , who stiling himselfe Captaine Mend-all , marcheth with no great number , but those well ordered , to Bl●ck-heath , where betweene Eltha● and Greenwich , he lay by the space of a moneth , exercising his men , and sending for whom he pleased , and for what he pleased : Then he presents to the Parliament the complaints of the Common● : That the Queenes favorites share amongst them the Revenews of the Crowne , whereby the king is enforced for the supportation of his present estate to taxe and burthen the Commons , to their utter undoing , and to the generall impoverishment of the kingdome : That the Commons have their commodities daily taken from them , for the purveyance of the kings Houshold , for which they are not payd , nor any assurance for payment thereof given , but onely Court promises : That upon the apprehension of any man for treason or felony , the kings meniall servants , before conviction , b●gge the goods and lands of the impeached ; whereupon indirect and unlawfull proceedings are used by subornation of witnesses , embracery of jurors , and great mens letters to the Judges ; whereby Justice is perverted , and the innocent after attainted , if not executed , yet at least imprisoned to their undoing : That the Commons have no legall proceedings in their Law-suits , so as the rightfull owners of Inheritance , dare not ( if opposed by any Courtier ) maintaine their Titles , or attempt the recovery of their interest , how just so ever : That the kings Collectors and other Accomptants are much troubled in passing their Accompts , by new extorted Fees , and by being enforced to procure a late invented Writ of Quorum nomina for allowance of the Barons of the Cinque-Ports , and their suing out their Quietu● at their own charge , without allowance from the King : That the Bayliffs of Sheriffes under colour of the green waxe out of the Exchequer , doe levy greater summes than are by the Record justifiable , yet maintained ; That they cannot have the freedome of electing knights and Burgesses for the Parliament ; but by letters from the Favorites of the Court , to their friends and Retainers , the Knights and Burgesses are commonly chosen : That they are too much troubled with too often comming to attend the generall Sessions , being enforced in many places to make five dayes journey to the place where they are kept . These and some other , were the complaints of the Commons ; but the Captaine for his owne particular ( after protestation made to live and dye in the quarrell of the King ) required , that his Majesty would be pleased to receive again into favor , the truly noble Prince the Duke of Yorke , and with him the Right Honorable the Dukes of Exeter , Buckingham , and Norfolke , and the ancient Noblemen of the Realm ; by the undue practises of Suffolke , and his complices , commanded from his presence , and that all their opposites might be banished the Court , and put from their Offices : That there might be a generall amotion of corrupt Officers , an abolition of the Greene waxe , and other instruments of Extortion out of the Exchequer ; a qualification of the rigour of proceeding in the Kings-Bench ; an inhibition of unequall purveyance of provision for the Kings houshold , and a present execution of the Promoters , Slegge , Cr●mer , Isell , and East , whom he pretended by wrongfull information to have abused the king , and wronged his Subjects . These Petitions are sent from the Lower-House to the Upper , and from thence committed to the Lords of the Kings Privy Councell , who having examined the particulars , explode them as frivilous , and the Authors thereof to be presumptuous Rebels . Whereupon the king is solicited by his Privy Councell , to prosecute them by force rather than intreary ; which advise is seconded by the Queene as conceiving they secretly aymed at her : and hereupon the king drawes his Forces to Greenwich , and appointeth divers Lords to assaile the Rebels ; but the Lords could get no followers to fight against them who sought only for reformation of abuses ; and for punishment of such Traitors as the Lord Say the kings Chamberlane was : whereupon the Lord Say is presently committed to the Tower , the king and Queene retire to London , from whence within two dayes , the king being now fifteen thousand strong , marche●h in Person towards Captain Mend-all , who politickly withdraweth his forces into Seven●ake wood ; upon notice wherof , the king retireth again to London , but the Queen longing for dispatch , send● the two Staffords , Sir Humphrey , and William , with many hot-spurs of the Court to follow the Rebels , who were soone cooled ; for they found Captain Mend-all in good order , ready to receive them , and in the first encounter , slew Sir Humphry , and afterwards his brother , and put all the rest to flight ; the k. Forces being at Black●eath , could neither by threats nor intreaties be gotten to go to the rescue , but rather wished the Queen and her favorites in the Staffords case , or that the Duke of Yorke were in England , to ayd his Cosen Mortimer , ( now first acknowledged to be of his kindred ) and many of them stole away to the Rebels , whose number from Sussex and Surrey daily encreased , whom yet their Captain restraineth from forraging or taking away any thing by force , and so returneth againe to Black●eath , where the kings Army lay the night before , but was now fallen down to Greenwich . And now the Archbishop of Canterbury , and the Duke of Buckingham are sent to expostulate with the Rebels about their demands ; to whom Iacke Cade gave very good language , but directly affirming no cessation from Arms , unlesse the king in Person would heare the grievances of the Subject , and passe his Princely word for reformation of their wrongs . This resolution of his made known to the king , who was not sure of his own Souldiers faith , made him march presently away to Killingworth Castle in Warwickeshire , where he fortified himselfe , as expecting a siege , having left the Lord Scales onely to Guard the Tower . Iacke Cade taking advantage of the kings departure , commeth to South●●rke , where hee quarters his men , streightly charging them to commit no outrage , nor do wrong ●o any ; which was duly ob●erved . The next morning ●e marcheth to London-bridge , where he caused his men to cut the ropes of the Drawbridge , no resistance being made against him ; and so in good order marcheth up by London-stone , upon which he strooke his sword , saying , Now is Mortimer Lord of London . The Major of London , Sir Thomas Chalton , standing upon the threshold of his doore bade him take heed he attempted nothing against the quiet of the City : To whom ●e made answer , Let the world take notice of our honest intention by our actions . And indeed this orderly cariage of himselfe and his company , wonne him a good opinion amongst the common sort of people : And now ass●ming to himselfe the place of Chiefe , he sendeth o●● his letters of safe●conduct , to such whom he pleased to make use of : amongst other , he wrote this letter to Thomas Co●k Draper of London .

By this our writing ensealed , we grant , that Thomas Cock of London Draper , shall safely come into our presence , and avoyd from us againe at his pleasure , with all other persons comming in his company . Subscribed thus :

His Majesties loyall Subject , Iohn Mortimer , Captaine Mend-all .

Upon Cocks admission , he had private conference with three other that came with him ; to whom , at their departure , he gave these instructions in writing : You shall charge all Lombards and Merchant-strangers , Genona's , Venetians , Florentines , and others , this day to draw themselves together , and to ordaine for us the Captain , twelve Harnesse compleat of the best fashion , foure and twenty Brigandi●es , twelve Battell-axes , twelve Glaves , sixe horses with saddle and bridle compleatly furnished , and a thousand ma●ks in ready money : and if they shall faile herein , we shall strike off the heads of as many as we can get . But they failed not , but sent him what he had demanded : who thereupon the next morning , being the third of Iuly , returnes to London ; and presently sends to the Lord Scales , to bring his Prisoner the Lord Say to the Guildhall , whither he had called the Lord Major with his brethren ; before whom he caused the Lord Say to be arraigned , who craving to be tryed by his Peeres , was forthwith taken from his keeper , caried to the Standard in Cheap , and there had his head chopt off , which being pitched upon a Pike , was borne before him to Mile-end , whither he went to have conference with the Rebels of Essex ; and by the way meeting with Sir Iames Cromer High-sheriffe of Kent , who had lately maried the Lord Sayes daughter , he caused his head also to be strucken off , and caried likewise before him in de●ision . The next morning he came againe to London ; where , after publick execution done upon some of his fellowes , and particularly upon a petty Cap●aine of his , named Paris , that had done things contrary to his Proclamation ; upon a displeasure taken against Alderman Malpas , he sent and seized upon all his wares and goods , and fined Alderman Horne in five hundred marks : whereupon , the Citizens finding him to grow every day more insolent than other , they send to the Lord Scales for assistance , who sendeth Matthew Gough an old souldier to them , with some forces and furnitures out of the Tower ; who presently make a stand at the Bridge , where Cade notwithstanding forceth his passage , and then began to set fire on houses where many aged and impotent people miserably perished ; Captaine Bough Alderman , Sutton and Robert Hayson , valiantly fighting , were slaine : yet upon a fresh supply , the Londoners recovered the bridge againe , and drove the Rebels beyond the Stoope in South-warke ; at which time , both sides being weary , agreed of a Truce , till the next day . After the Retreat , Cade finding he had lost many of his best men , was driven for supply , to set at liberty all the Prisoners in Southwarke , aswell Felons as Debtors : when now his company entring into consideration of their danger , and of the desperate services their Captaine had brought them to , began to discover by their countenances their willingnesse to leave this course : whereof the Archbishop of Canterbury having notice , he with the Bishop of Winchester came from the Tower by water to Southwarke , and there shewed the Kings Generall-Pardon under the Great Seal of England ; which was so welcome to the Rebells , that without taking leave of their Captaine , they withdrew themselves that night to their severall habitations . Iack Cade with some few followers bent his journey to Quinborough Castle , where being denyed entrance , he disguised himselfe , and privily fled : but upon Proclamation , with promise of a thousand markes to any that should bring him dead or alive ; he was afterward , by one Alexander Eden Gentleman , attached ; and making resistance , in a Garden at Hothfield in Sussex , was there slaine ; his body was brought to London , beheaded and quartered , his head set upon London bridge , his quarters dispersed in divers places in Kent . Upon the news whereof , the King sends Commissioners into Kent , to enquire of the abettours of this Rebellion : whither he followeth himselfe in person , and though five hundred were found guilty , yet eight onely were executed . Though London were the chiefe stage of this Rebelion , yet other Countries were not free ; especially Wil●shire , for the Rebels there , upon the nine and twentieth day of June , drew William Askot Bishop of Salisbury , from the High Altar , where he was saying Masse in Edington Church , to the top of the hill ; and there in his Priestly roabes , most inhumanely murthered him .

This Insurrection was not unknown to the King of France , who taking advantage thereof , seizeth upon all places which the English had in France , leaving them nothing but only Callice , and the Castles of Hames and Guisnes ; and this was the issue of the Duke of Somersets Regency in France : whereupon comming into England , at a P●●liament holden at Westminster , the sixth of November , in the nine and twentieth yeer of the Kings r●igne , he was put under Arrest ; upon notice whereof , the Commons of London despoiled his house at Blackfriers , and ceased not , till Proclamation was made to inhibite them : for disobeying whereof , there was one man beheaded , at the Standard in Cheape .

At this time , the Duke of Yorke , under pretence of comming to the Parliament , comes out of Ireland ; and at London had private conference with Iohn Duke of Norfolk , Richard Earle of Salisbury , the Earle of Devonshire and other his assured friends ; where it was resolved , to keep the chiefe purpose , ( the claime to the Crown ) secret ; and onely to make shew , that his endeavours were but to remove ill Counsellours from the King ; of whom they instanced in the Duke of Somerset as chiefe ; and hereof , the Duke sent divers letters to the King , complaining of the wrongs the Duke of Somerset had done him , but withall making Protestation of his own loyalty . To which the King maketh answer , that he would take his complaints into consideration ; but somewhat blames him for the death of the Bishop of Chester , by his means suspected to be slaughtered , and for dangerous speeches uttered by his servants , tending to Rebellion : concluding , that notwithstanding any thing said or done to the contrary , he took and esteemed him a faithfull subject , and a loving kinsman . But the Duke of York , not herewith satisfied , departeth into Wales , and there levi●●h men , making his colour for the good of the Common wealth : and the reremoving of bad Counsellours . The King advertised hereof , presently raiseth an Army ; and with the Duke of Somerset ( now enlarged ) marcheth towards Wales : while the Duke of Yorke , having notice which way the King came , by another way marcheth toward London ; but being told , the Londoners would not admit him entrance ; he passed the river Thames at Knightbridge , marched into Kent , and encamped at Burnt-heath . The King in his pursuite , came to Blacke-heathe , and there pitched his Tents , from whence he sent the Bishops of Winchester and Ely , the Lord Rivers , and Richard Andrews Keeper of the Privy Seale , to know the cause of this commotion , and to make offer of reconcilement , if the Dukes Demands were not unreasonable . The Duke made Answer , that nothing was intended against the Kings person , his Crown or Dignity : All that was sought , was to remove ill Counsellours from about the King , but especially Edmund Duke of Somerset ; whom if the King would be pleased to commit toward , till his legall tryall might be had in Parliament , he would then not onely dismisse his army , but come unto his presence as a loyall subject . Hereupon the Duke of Somerset is committed to prison : The Duke of Yorke dismisseth his army , and commeth in person to the King : in whose presence , ( contrary to his expectation ) he found the Duke of Somerset , which so moved him , that he could not hold , but presently charged him with Treason : which the Duke of Somerset , not onely denieth , but 〈◊〉 a●re the Duke of Yorke , to have conspired ●he kings death , and the usu●pation of the Crown : whereupon , the king removeth to London , the Duke o● Yorke as a prisoner ryding before him , and the Duke of Somerset at liberty , which was not a little mervailed at by many . And now the king calleth a Councell at Westminster , where the two Dukes are earnest in accusing each other ; but while the Counsell are debating of the matter , there comes a flash of lightning out of France , which diverted them ; for the Earl of Kendall , and the L' Espar , c●me Embassadours from Burdeaux , offering their obedience to the Crown of England , if they might but be assured to be defended by it : but withall , at the same time there came a report , that Edward Earle of March , sonne and heire to the Duke of Yorke , with a great power was marching towards London . Here was matter for a double consultation : and for this latter , it was resolved on , that the Duke of York , should in the presence of the king and his Nobility , at the high Altar in Paul● , take his Oath of submission and Allegiance to king Henry : which he accordingly did , and then had liberty to depart to his Castle of Wigmore . And for the former , the Earle of Shrewsbury with about three thousand men was sent into Gascoigne , who ariving in the Isle of Madre , passed forth with his power , and took Fro●sack and other pieces , but having received in the night instructions from Burdeaux of certaine conspiratours , he makes all the speed he can thither ; and was entred the Town before the French had notice of his comming : so that many of them were slaine by the Lord L' Espar in their beds . Shortly after there arrived , the Earle of Shrewsbury's sonne , Sir Ioh● Talbot , with the bastard of Somerset , and two and twenty hundred men , by whose means Burdeaux is well manned with English : in which time the Earle was not idle , but went from place to place , to receive the offered submission of all places where he came : and having taken Chatillo● , he strongly fortified it , whereupon the Fre●ch king raiseth an army , and besiegeth Chatillon , to the rescue whereof , the Earle maketh all possible speed with eight hundred horse , appointing the Earle of Kendall , and the Lord L' Espar to follow with the foot : In his way he surprized a Tower the French had taken , and put all within it to the sword ; and meeting five hundred French men , that had been forraging ; many of them he slew , and the rest he chased to their Campe. Upon whose approach , the French left the siege , and retyred to a place which they had formerly fortified ; whither the Earle followeth them , and resolutely chargeth them so home , that he got the entry of the Campe : where being shot through the thigh with an Harquebuse , and his horse slaine under him ; his sonne desirous to relieve his father , lost his own life , and therein was accompanied with his bastard brother Henry Talbot , Sir Edward Hall , and thirty other Gentlemen of name . The Lord Nolius with threesco●● other were taken prisoners , the rest fled to Burdeaux , but in the way a thousand of them were slaine . And thus on the last day of July , in the yeer 1453. at Chatillo● , the most valourous Earle of Shrewsbury , the first of that name ; after foure and twenty yeers service beyond the seas , ended his life , and was buried at Roa● in Normandie ; with this Inscription upon his Tombe : Here lyeth the right Noble knight Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury , Weshford , Waterford , and Valence , Lord Talbot of Goodrich and Orchenfield , Lord Strange of Blackmere , Lord Verdon of Acto● , Lord Cromwell of Winkfield , Lord Lovet●ft of Worsoppe , Lord Furnivall of Sh●ffield , knight of the Noble Orders of St. George , St. Michael , and the golden fleece , great Marshall to King Henry the sixth , of his Realme of France . The Earle of Kendall , the Lords Montserat , Rosaine and D●●gledas entred the Castle of Chatillon , and made it good against the French the space of ten dayes ; but then having no hope of succour , they delivered it , upon composition to have liberty to depart to Burdeaux : and now the Gascoig●●s were as ready to open their gates to the French , as they were before to the English ; by means whereof , in short time , the French recovered againe all Gascoig●e except Burdeaux , and that also at length , upon condition that both garrisons and inhabitants with all their substance , might safely depart for England or Callice , and that the Lords L' Espar and Durant , with thirty others , upon paine of death should never after be found in the Territories of France .

At this time upon St. Bartholomews day , an ancient custome being , that the Major of London , and the Sheriffs should be present in giving prizes to the best wrestlers ; It h●ppened that at the wrestling place neere Moore-fields , the Prior of S. Iohns was there to see the sports , when a servant of his , not brooking the disgrace to be foyled before his Master , against the custome of the place would have wrestled againe , which the Major denyed , whereupon the Prior fetcht Bowmen from Clark●●●ell , to resist the Major , and some slaughter was committed ; the Majors Cap was shot through with an Arrow , he neverthelesse would have had the spo●t goe on , bu● no wrestlers came , yet the Major Sr. Iohn Norman told his brethren , he would stay awhile , to make tryall of the Citizens respect towards him : which he had no sooner said , but the Citizens with Banners displayed came in great numbers to him , and fetcht him home in great triumph . Upon the neck of this , began the quarrell in Holborne , between the Gentlemen of the Inns of Chancery and some Citizens , in appeasing whereof , the Queens Atturney and three more were slaine .

And now the Duke of Yorke , by all means laboureth to stirre up the hatred of the Commons against the Duke of Somerset , repeating often , what dishonour England sustained by Somersets giving up the strong Towns of Normandy , and how he abuseth the Kings and Queens favour to his own gaine , and the Commons grievance , then he addresseth himselfe to those of the Nobility that could not well brook his too much commanding over the Kings and Queens affection : amongst others he fasteneth upon the two Nevils , both Richards , the father and the sonne , the one Earle of Salisbury , the other of Warwick ; with whom he deales so effectually , that an indissoluble knot of friendship is knit betwixt them ; by whose assistance , ( the King lying dangerously sick at Claringdon ) the Duke of Somerset is arrested in the Queens great Chamber , and sent to the Tower ; and in a Parliament now convoked , appe●ched of Treason , and many heynous crymes objected against him : whereupon , the King though weake is brought to London , of purpose to dissolve the Parliament , and that di●solved , the Duke of Somerset is presently set at liberty againe , and not only so , but is made Captaine of Callice and Guysnes , the onely remainder the English had in France . Upon this , the Duke of Yorke and his party , with a great power march towards London : against whom , the King attended with the Duke of Somerset , the Duke of Buckingham and his sonne , both named Humfry , Henry Earle of Northumberland , Iames Earle of Wiltshire , Iasper Earle of Pembrooke , and two thous●nd men , marcheth forwards ; at S. Albans both armies meet : the Duke in the morning send● a letter to the King , protesting his fidelity and synderity ; onely he desires , the Duke of Somerset may be delivered , to stand or fall by the Judgement of his Peers ; and this he would have , or dye in the pursuite . The King for answer , Commands him to disband , and submit to his mercy ; and not expect , that he will deliver any in his Army , who have shewed their loves in standing to him . Herewith the Duke acquaints his friends , who hereupon fall every one to his quarter : The Earle of Warwick fell upon the Lord Cliffords quarter , where the Duke of Somerset , h●sting to the rescue , was slaine , and with him the Earle of Northumberland , Humfry Earle of Stafford , the Lord Clifford , and about five thousand others , besides many that were hurt ; the King himselfe shot in the neck with an arrow ; the Duke of B●ckingham and the Lord Scales , in the faces ; the Earle of Dorset so hurt , that he was faine to be carryed home in a Cart : The Kings army had been increased after his comming forth , to eight thousand ; but now they are all dispersed or slaine , and the King unguarded , is left in a poore thatcht house ; whither , to be freed from the danger of arrows , he had withdrawn himselfe . The Duke of Yorke having notice where the King was , goes with Wa●wick and Salisbury , who all three upon their knees present themselves before him , making humble petition to him , for pardon of what was past : and now , seeing the common Enemy was slaine , they had what they aymed at . To whom the King throughly affrighted , said : Let there be no more killing then , and I will doe what you will have me . This first battell of S. Albans was fought upon the three & twentieth day of May , in the three & thirtieth year of King Henries raigne . The bodies of the Duke of Somerset , the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Glifford , were buried in the Chappell there . And now the Duke of York , in the kings name , commands a surcease from ●●rther hostility : and in all reverent manner conveyeth the king to London ; where they keep the feast of Pentecost together ; at which time , a Parliament is summoned to begin at Westminster , the ninth day of July ; and therein it is enacted , that the Duke of Glo●cester should be decl●red publikely a loyall Subject , and that none should misreport or dispute the actions of the Duke of Yorke , or of any in his company ; and moreover , the Duke of Yorke is m●de Protector of the kings Person , and of the Realme , the Earle of Sali●bury is made Lord Chancellor , and the Earle of Warwicke Captain of Callis , wherein they all carried themselves with unblameable demeanour .

In this meane time , the Queene not well pleased with these proceedings , s●ekes all me●ns to incite the Lords of her party , and they as much seeke to incite her to make opposition ; she puts the Duke of Buckingham in minde that these Traitours had slaine his hopefull Son at S. Albans ; she tells the now Duke of Somerset , that by them his deare Father lost his life : And they againe put the Queen in minde of the unsufferable indignity done to her , in making her Husband only a king in name , setting a Tutor over him , as though he were a childe , whil'st the Duke of Yorke and his complices manage all : Upon which incitation , all the enemies of the Yorkshire Faction are assembled by the Queene at Greenwich ; where it is debated of some course to be taken for restoring the king to his former liber●y and Government ; at length it is concluded , that the duke of Yorke should be comma●ded to give over his place of Protectorship , for that the king was of yeares and discretion sufficient to Rule of himselfe without a Guardian , and the Earle of Salisbury to surrender his place of being Lord Chancellor , for that the great Seal was never delivered him , seeing that which was now used , was made since the kings restraint , and therefore not sufficient ; to which conclusion of theirs , the king easie to be wrought upon , yields his co●sent , and thereupon they are both discharged from their Offices , and summoned to appeare at the Councell Table at Gr●enwich ; but the Lords were wiser than to put themselves into their hands , and therefore make answer , that none had power to displace them , nor to command their appearance in any place , but in Parliament , and so they continued about Lond●n , placing and displacing whom they pleased , ●nd by their triumvirat authority , tooke Iohn Holland Earle of Exeter out of Sanctuary , and sent him prisoner to Po●f●et Castle . These proceedings gave occasion to the licentious multitude to raise commotions , and the Prentices of London upon a very slight occasion , fall upon out-landish Merchants , rifle and robbe their houses ; and the Major assembling a company of substantiall Citizens to suppresse them , the Ring-leader of the disorder flyes to Sanctuary ; Commissioners are sent to enquire and punish the offence , but when the Major and Commissioners were set , tydings came that the Commons were up in Arms ; whereupon the Commissioners left the busines to be proceeded in by the Major , who so discreetly ordered the matter , that many of the offenders were punished , some by death , others by fine , and all things were quieted and appeased .

At this time the French having little to do against the English in France , would needs be doing something against them in England : They set out two Fleets , one under the conduct of William Lord Pomyers , the other of Sir Peter Bressy ; the Lord fell ●pon Fulney in the West-Country , the knight upon S●●dwich in Kent , where some hurt they did , but not of importance to countervaile their Voyage .

And now the Queen finding the little respect the Londoners bore to her party or the kings , perswades the king , as for his health and recreation , to make a Progresse into Warwickeshire , which he did , by the way hunting and hawking , and the Queen making show of minding nothing but pastimes ; and this she did , with a purpose the easier to entrap the three Lords , of Yorke , Salisbury , and Warwicke , to whom shee writ most loving letters , earnestly inviting them to be at Coventry by an houre appointed ; which they , not doubting any fraud , intended to have done , but hearing by the way of the mischiefe plotted against them , they caused their Retinue to goe on-ward the way to the Court , as though themselves were comming after ; but they provided otherwise for their safety , the duke of Yorke with a Groome and a Page getting him to Wigmore Castle , the Ea●le of Salisbury to his Castle of Middleham in the North , and the Earle of Warwicke to the Sea side , and so to Callis ; but before they parted , they agreed upon an Alphabet , by which they might have entercourse of letters , yet their intentions kept undiscovered .

The king unwitting of this mischiefe intended against the duke of Yorke and his friends , returneth to London , where he calleth a Councell ; and therein of his owne accord desireth that some course might be invented for a perfect reconcilement of all parties ; promising upon his salvation ( an asseveration not usu●ll with him ) so to entertaine the duke of Yorke and his friend● , that all discontents should be removed , and a perfect amity on all parts ●stablished : to which end messengers are dispatched to the duke of Yorke , and all other of his party , commanding them upon urgent affairs of the Realm , and upon Royall promise of safe conduct , to repaire to his Court at London , at a day appointed . The duke of Yorke accordingly came , and with 400 men well apparelled , lodged at his house called Baynards Castle ; T●e Earle of S●lisbury with 500 men , lodged likewise at his house called the Herbour ; The duke of Exeter ( lately released ) and the Duke of Somerset with 800 men , were lodged within Temple-Barre ; The Earle of Northumberland , the Lord Egremont , and the Lord Clifford , with 1500 men , were lodged in Holborne ; The Earle of Warwicke with 600 in red jackets with ragged staves embroydered behinde and before , were lodged at the Gray Friers in London . Upon the seventeenth of March the King and the Queen came to London , and were lodged at the Bishops Pallace ; the Major having five hundred well appointed men in readinesse , rode with a competent number all day long round the Citie , for preservation of the Kings Peace : The Lords lodging within the Citie , held their Councell at Black-Friers ; the other , at the Chapterhouse at Westminster : Between both , the Reverend Archbishop of Canterb●ry , the Son of Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex , with some other of the most able Prelates interceded so , that by their mediation it was at last concluded , that all wrongs and misdemeanours on every side should ●e forgotten and forgiven , that each side should be friends to the other , and both be obedient to the commands of the king . Besides this in generall , there were some particular Articles to be performed by the Duke of Yorke , the Earles of Salisbury , and Warwicke , which afterward was ratified under the great Seale of England , the 24 day of March , in the 36 yeare of the Reigne of king Henry the Sixth . Upon the publication whereof , a solemne Procession was made in Pauls Church , at which the king was present with his Cr●wn on his head ; before him , hand in hand went the Duke of Somerset , and the Earle of Salisbury , the Duke of Exeter , and the Earle of Warwicke , and so one of the one , and another of the other part , till they were all Marshalled ; behinde the king came the Queen , the Duke of Yorke leading her by the hand , who in going made shew of favorable countenance towards him : Divine Service ended , they returne to the Court , in all outward appearance truly reconciled ; but all was dissembled , as will presently appeare ; for presently upon this , an affray fell out betweene a servant of the Earle of Warwicke , and a Courtier , who in the encounter is dangerously wounded , the Earles man flyeth ; the kings servants seeing their fellow hurt , and the offender escaped , watch the Earles comming from the Councell Table , and assaile him ; many are hurt , but the Earle getteth a Wherry , and so escapes to London ; the Queen incontinently commands the Earle to be committed to the Tower , but hee foreseeing the danger , posts to Yorkshire , where he acquaints the Duke of Yorke , and his father the Earle of Salisbury of all the occurrence , with the palpable discovery of the Queens canker'd disposition , advising them to stand upon their Guard , and to provide against the approaching storme . Himselfe speeds to Callis , and being then Lord Admirall , takes with him all the kings ships that were in readinesse , and scouring the Seas , meets with five great Carricks , three of Geno●a , and two of Spaine ; and after two dayes fight , takes two of them , with which hee returned to Callis where he unloaded their fraight , and found it worth ten thousand pounds in Staple commodities , besides the Ships and Prisoners .

In the meane time , the Earle of Salisbury with about five thousand men marcheth through Lanc●shire , to passe that way to the king , with a purpose to acquaint him with the affront offered to his Son , and the inveterate malice discovered in the Queen against him : The Queene with the Dukes of Buckingham and Som●rset , hearing of his comming , gave order to the Lord Audley to use means to apprehend him ; who thereupon levyeth ten thousand men in Cheshire and Shropshire , and with them about a mile from Drayton , in a plaine called Bloreheath he attended the Earle , there being but a small brooke of no great depth between them . Early in the morning the Earle made a seeming Retreat , which the Lord Talbot observing , presently causeth his Troops to passe the River , but before they could be reduced againe into order , the Earle with his whole strength falls upon them , and with the slaughter of the Lord Audley , and most of them that had passed the River , he discomfited the rest , and slew about 24. hundred of them ; Sir Iohn and sir Thomas Nevill knights the Earl● Sons were sorely wounded , who with Sir Thomas Harrington travelling into the North Country , were apprehended and sent as Prisoners towards Chester , but upon a message from the Marchmen were presently released .

And now the Duke of Yorke thinking fit no longer to conceale his designe , make● preparation to take the Field , the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick do the like ; and amongst others of approved valour , whom the Earle of Warwicke had brought from Callis with him , were two principall noted men , Iohn Blunt , and Andrew Trolloppe . Likewise the King , with the Dukes of Somerset , and Exeter , drawes his Forces to Worcester , from whence Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury , is sent to offer the Yorkists a full and generall Pardon , if they would lay down Arms , and become loyall Subjects . Whereunto they answered , that there was no trust to the Kings Pardons , as long as the Queen had a Predominant power ; but if they might have assurance of safety , they would expresse their loyalty , and humbly render themselves at his service . Hereupon the King advanceth neerer , and approaching the Lords Armie , caused Proclamation to be made , that whosoever would abandon the Duke of Yorke , should be received to mercy , and have Pardon . Upon this , the night following , Andrew Trolloppe , with all the Callicians submit to the King , and by him are all the counsells of the Duke of Yorke discovered ; which so much discouraged him , that he with his young Son , the Earle of Rutland , fled first into Wales , and then into Ireland : The Earles of March , Salisbury , and Warwicke got into Devonshire , where by the means of Iohn Dynh●m Esquire ( the same man that afterward by king Henry the Seventh was made Lord Treasurer of England ) they were shipt from Exmouth , to Gernsey , and so to Callis . All the common souldiers the king Pardons , onely makes exemplary punishment of some few Captains , sends the Dutchesse of Yorke , and her two younger children , to the Dutchesse of Buckingham her Sister to be ●afely kept ; and then having spoiled the Town and Castle of Ludlow , he dismist his Armie . And now a Parliament is called at Coventry , wherein the Duke of Yorke , Edward Earle of March his Son , Richard Earle of Richard●arle ●arle of Warwicke● Iohn Lord Clifford , and many other the confederates of the Duke of York , are convict of Treason , and all their lands and goods seized on to the kings use . Henry D. of Somerset by the Queens means is made Captain of Callis , whither comming to take possession , he was , by reason of Ordnance shot at him from Rice-banke forced to Retire ; which the Queen hearing , was so incensed , that in great passion she gave order to make ready all the kings Ships lying at Sandwich , to give assistance to the Duke of Somerset : but the forementioned Iohn Dynham , out of love to the Earle of March , boorded those ships in the harbour , and tooke the Lord Rivers designed Admirall for that service , and carried both him and the Ships to Callice , from whence the Earle sayled to Ireland , to the Duke of Yorke , who having conferred and concluded what course to take , he returned to Callice , the new Admirall the Duke of Exeter not daring to stop his course . Sir Simon Montford was appointed ●o guard the Cinque Ports , having divers ships under his command to barre the Earle of Warwick●s entrance ; but the Earle by his espyalls having perfect intelligence of all passages , fell sodainly upon Sir Simon before his ships were ready , tooke him prisoner , ransackt the Town of Sandwich , & carried his prisoner and the ships to Callice : By the way he understood how much the kentishmen desired his return and longed for his comming ; whereupon he came the second time to Sandwich , to whom presently resorted the Lord Cobham and very many Gentlemen of the Country : so as now his army was five and twenty thousand strong ; with which he marched towards London , against whom the Lord Scales was appointed to goe , and with some convenient troopes to assure London : but the Major directly refused to admit him ; whereupon he resorted to the Tower , from whence afterwards he did the Londoners no small displeasure . The Earle of Warwick having notice , that his father the Earle of Salisbury was upon march to meet him : passeth over his men ; and without impeachment , joyned with him and his friends neer Exeter .

The King with the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham with a great Army marcheth towards them , and neer to the Town of Northampton both Armies meet : The Earle of March with the advice of the Earle of Warwick prepares for the fight : The Queen ( the King more intentive to devotion then fighting ) did the like , the fight continued about two houres , wherein were slaine of both sides above ●en thousand men ; but upon the fall of Humfry Duke of Buckingham , the Kings side was discomfited , and Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury , Thomas L. Egremont , Iohn L. Beaumont and some other of account were slaine : The Queen with the Duke of Somers●t , taking with them the young Prince , fled to the Bishoprick of Durham : The King himselfe was taken , and as a prisoner conveyed to London : where the Tower is yeelded to the Earle of Warwick ; The Lord Scales in disguised apparell endeavouring to escape , is taken by the water-men , and by them beheaded , and his Corpes carelesly left upon the sands . Thomas Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer , in the habit of a Monke , his Crown shorne , purposing to flie to the Queen , is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower , and after by the Commons beheaded at Highgate . The Duke of Yorke being advertised of this good successe , leaveth Ireland and posts to London , where in the kings name he summoneth a Parliament , which being assembled , he in the presence of the Lords in the upper House , placeth himselfe in the Imperiall Seate , and with great boldnesse layes open his rightfull claime to the Crowne of England , as being the Sonne and heire of Anne daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March , Sonne and heire of Philip the sole daughter and heire of Lyonel Duke of Clarence , the third sonne of Edward the third , and elder brother of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster , Father of the usurper Henry the Fourth , Grandfather to Henry the Fifth , who was Father to him that at this time untruly stileth himselfe king Henry the sixth . And after relating the many miseries that had befallen the Realme since the time of this Usurpation , he concluded , that he would not expect nor desire possession of the Crown , except his discent were undisputable , and his title without exception . This being a businesse of importance , required deliberation : but in conclusion , the Duke having before hand prepared the Lords Spirituall ; and few of the Nobility being present , that were not of his part , the Burgesses were easily perswaded : and it was generally resolved , and enacted accordingly , that king Henry during his life , should reteine the name and honour of a king ; that the Duke of Yorke should be Proclaimed heire apparent to the Crown , and Protectour of the kings Person , his lands and dominions ; and that if at any time , any of king Henries friends , allies or favourites , in his behalfe should attempt the disa●●lling of this Act , that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crown . It is not unworthy the noting , that while the Earle of March was declaring his title in the upper house , it happened in the nether house , that a Crowne which hung in the middle of the house , to garnish a branch to set lights upon , without touch or winde , fell suddenly down : as likewise at the same time , fell down the Crown which stood on the top of Dover Castle : a signe as some thought , that the Crowne of the Realme should be changed . Assoone as the Parliament was dissolved ; the Duke dispatcheth letters into Scotland ; requiring in the kings name , the Queen , the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter , and all other of the Nobility , that remained in that kingdome , with all speed to repaire to his presence in London : but they had other worke in hand ; for having goten together of English and Scots , to the number of eighteen thousand , they came ma●ching into England● against whom went the Duke of Yorke , with his younger sonne the Earle of Rutland , and the Earle of Salisbury , ( leaving the king in the custody of the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwick ; ) and approaching neer the Que●ns A●my , he was certified by his sc●uts , that the Enemie farre exceeded his power , both in number and in all warlike preparation , ( he not having in his Army above five thousand men ) and thereupon the Earle of Salisbury advised him to rety●e , and to attend the comming of the Earle of March , who was gone into Wales to raise the March men ; but the pride of his former victory made him deale to all Counsell of declining the battell ; and so hastened on by his destiny , from S●nd●ll Castle he marched on to Wakefield greene ; where the Lord Clifford on the one side , and the Earle of Wiltshire on the other were placed in ambuscado ; The Duke of Yorke supposing that the Duke of Somerset who led the battell , had no more forces then what were with him , undauntedly marcheth towards him : but being entred within their danger , the ambushes on both sides brake out upon him , and slew him , with three thousand of his men , the rest fled ; the Earle of Salisbury is taken prisoner ; and harmlesse Rutland , not above twelve yeers old , who came thither but to see fashions , is made a sacrifice for his Fathers transgression , who kneeling upon his knees , with tears begging life , is unmercifully stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford , in part of revenge ( as he swore ) of his Fathers death ; and the Queen most unwomanly in cold blood , caused the Earle of Salisbury , and as many as were taken prisoners , to be beheaded at P●mfret Castle , and to have their heads placed on poles about the walls of Yorke . Thus dyed Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke , who had taken to wife Cicely daughter of Ralph Nevyll , the first Earle of Westmerland , by whom he had issue , eight sonnes and foure daughters ; his eldest sonne Henry dyed young , his second son Edward was afterward king of England ; his third Edmund Earle of Rutland , was slaine with his father● Iohn , Thomas and William died young , his seventh sonne George , was after Duke of Clarence , his youngest sonne Richard , sirnamed Crouchb●ck , w●s after king of England . Anne his eldest daughter was married to Henry Holland Duke of Exeter , his second daughter Elizabeth was married to Iohn de la P●ole Earle of Suffolk , his third Margaret to Charles Duke of Burgoigne , his fourth Vrsula dyed young . This Duke being dead , had his head crowned with a paper Crown , together with many circumstances of disgracing him : but this act of spight was fully afterwards recompensed upon their heads that did it .

The Earle of March hearing of his fathers death , laboured now so much the more earnestly , in that he laboured for himselfe ; and parting from Shrewsbury , whose Inhabitants were most firme unto him , he increased his army to the number of three and twenty thousand , and presently took the field ; and having advertisment , that Iasper Earle of Pembrooke , with the Earle of Ormond and Wiltshire followed after him with a great power of Welsh and Irish : he suddenly marcheth back againe , and in a plaine neer Mortimers Crosse , on Candlemas day in the morning gave them battell , wherewith the slaughter of three thousand and eight hundred , he put the Earles to flight . Owen Tewther who had married Queen Catherine , Mother to king Henry the sixth , and divers Welsh Gentlemen were taken , and at Hereford beheaded . Before the battell , it is said , the Sunne appeared to the Earle of March like three sunnes , and suddenly it joyned all together in one ; for which cause , some imagine , that he gave the sunne in its full brightnes , for his badge or Cognisance .

The Queen in the mean time encouraged by the death of the Duke of Yorke , with a power of Northern men marcheth towards London : but when her souldiers were once South of Trent , as if that river were the utmost limit of their good behaviour , they fell to forrage the Country in most babarous manner : Approaching S. Albans , they were advertised that the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwick were ready to give them battell ; whereupon the Queens Vaward hasteth to passe through St. Alb●●s ; but being not suffered to passe , they encountred with their Enemies in the field called Barnard heath ; who perceiving the maine battaile to stand still , and not to move ; which was done by the treachery of Lovelace , who with the kentish men had the leading of it ; they soone made the Southerne men to turne their backs and f●y ; upon whose flight , the rest in doubt of each others well meaning , shifted away ; and the Lords about the King perceiving the danger , withdrew themselves : Only the Lord B●nvile com●ing in a complementall manner to the King , and saying it grieved him to leave his Majesty , but that necessity for safeguard of his life , enforced it● was importuned , and Sir Tho●as Kyriell a knight of Kent likewise , by the king to stay ; he passing his Royall word , that their stay should bee no danger to them ; upon which promise they stayed , but to their cost : for the Queen hearing that the Commo●s had beheaded Baron Tho●pe at High-gate ; ●he in revenge thereof , caused both their heads to be stricken off at S. Alb●●s : so as there were slaughtered at this battaile the full number of three and twenty hundred , but no man of name , but onely Sir Iohn Grey , who the same day was made knight , with twelve other at the village of Colney .

And now the King was advised , to send one Thom●s Hoe , ( tha● had been a Barrister ) to the Victors , to tell them ; that he would gladly come to them , if with conveyance it might be done : whereupon the Earle of Northumberland , appointed divers Lords to attend him to the L. Cl●ffords Tent , where the Queen and the young Prince met to their great joy : but it was now observed , as it were in the destiny of King He●ry , that although he were a most Piousman , yet no enterprise of warre did ever prosper , where he was present ; that we may know the prosperity of the world to be no inseparable companion to men of Piety . At the Queens request , the king honored with knighthood thirty gentlemen , who the day before had fought against the part where he was ; the Prince likewise was by him dubbed knight , and then they went to the Abby , where they were received with Anthems , and withall an humble petition , to be protected from the outrage of the loose souldiers● which was promised , and Proclamation made to that purpose , but to small purpose ; for the Northern men said , It was their bargaine to have all the spoyle in every place , after they had passed Trent : and so they robbed and spoiled whatsoever they could come at . The Lond●ners hearing of this disorder , were resolved , seeing there was no more assurance in the Kings promise , to keep the Northern men out of their gates ; insomuch that when they were sent to , to send over to the Campe certaine Cart-loads of Lenton provision ; which the Major accordingly provided : the Commons rose about Cripplegate , and by strong hand kept the Carts from going out of the City . Hereupon , the Major sends the Recorder to the Kings Counsell● and withall intreats the Dutchesse of Bedford , and the Lady Scole● , to intercede for h●m to the Queen ; and to excuse his not using force , considering how dangerous it might be in these doubtfull times , to stirre their fury , that would not easily be a●layed . It was well advised to send women to intreate a woman , for by this means they prevailed , that some of the Lords of the Counsell , with a guard of foure hundred good souldiers , were appointed to goe for London , to enquire and certifie of these things : when suddenly news was brought , that the Earle of March with a great Ar●y was marching towards them : for the Earle of Warwicke having gathered together his scattered troops , and joyned with the Earle of March , they hasted towards Lo●don , and were joyfully received upon the eight and twentieth day of February , and upon Sunday , the second of March , the Earle of Warwick mustred all his army in S. Iohn's field , and having cast them into a ring , read unto them the agreement of the last P●●liament , and then demanded , whether they would have King Henry to raign still who all cryed , no , no : then he asked them , whether they would have the Earle of March eldest sonne of the Duke of Yorke ( by that Parliament proclaimed King ) to raigne over them ? who with a great clamor cryed , yea , yea● Then went there certaine Captaines , and others of the Citty , to the Earle of March at Baynards Castle , to acquaint him with w●at was passed ; who at first seemed to excuse himselfe , a● unable to exec●●e so grea● a charge : but animated by the Archbishop of Canterbury , the Bishops of London , and Exeter , and the Earle of Warwick , he at last consented to take it upon him ; and thereupon , the next morning he wept in Procession at Pauls , and offered there , and after Te Deum sung , he was in great state conveyed to Westminster , and there in the great Hall , seated in the Kings seat , with the Scepter of St. Edw●●d in his hand ; and then again the people , of whom there was a great concourse , were aloud demanded , if they would acknowledge him to be their King ? to which with great willingnesse they all cried , yea , yea . Then taking homage of divers Noblemen there present , he was with Procession and great solemnity conveyed to the Abbey , and placed in the Qui●e as King , whil'st Te Deum was singing : That done , he offered at St. Ed●ards Shrine , and then returned by water to Pauls , and was lodged in the Bishops Pallace , and upon the fou●th of March he was generally Proclaimed King , by the name of Edward the Fo●r●h . And here in the course of all Writers , ends the Reigne of King He●ry the Sixth ; that it may be truly sayd , never any came to be King so soone ●fter his birth , nor left to be King so long before his death ; for he came to be King at eight mon●ths old , and he left to be King , living twelve years after . There was indeed in that space of time , a certaine Vicissitude , sometimes a King , and sometimes no King ; the passages wher of must be related in the following Kings Reigne .

Of hi● Taxatio●s .

IN the first yeare of his Reigne , a Parliament was holden at London , where the Queen Mother , with the young king in her lap came and sate amongst the Lords ; and there was then granted a Subsidie of five Nobles upon every sacke of wooll that should passe out of the Land , for three years , but if carried out by Merchant strangers , then to pay three and forty shillings for every sacke . In the third year of his Reigne , a Parliament was holden at Westminster , wherein was granted a Subsidie of twelve pence in the pound of all Merchandize comming in , or passing out of the Realme , and three shillings of a Tonne of Wine , for the terme of three years . In his sixth year in a Parliament at Wes●●inster was granted a Subsidie , of every Tonne of Wine three shillings● and of other Merchandize except Wooll , Fell , and Cloth , twelve pence in the pound : Also of every Parish through the Realme ( except Cities and Boroughes ) the Benefice being in value ten Markes ; Tenne of th●t Parish shall pay sixe shillings eight pence ; and of every Benefice of the value of ten pounds , ten Parishioners should pay thirteen shillings foure pe●ce , and so rateably of every Benefice , from the lowest to the highest . And for the Inhabitants of Cities and Boroughes , every man being worth twenty shillings above his housholdstuffe , and the apparell of him and his wife , should pay foure pence , and so after that rate to the richest .

Of L●wes and Ordi●ances in his time .

IN this kings time , the Lord Major of Lond●● first began to go by water ●o Lo●do● , where before they used to go by land . Also in this Kings Reigne the Art of Printing wa● first found at Mog●●ce in Germa●y , by a knight called Iohn Cuttenberghe● , and brought into England by William Caxton of Lo●don Mercer , who first practised the same in the Abbey at Westminster , in the yeare 1471. In the 23 yeare of his Reigne , in a Parliament then holden , it was Enacted , that when Wheat was so●d for six shillings eight pence the quarter , Rye for fo●●e shillings , and Barley for three shillings ; It should be lawfull for any man to carry the sayd kindes of Corn , into the parts beyond the Sea without license , so it were not to the kings enemies or Rebel● ; which Act was afterward confirmed by king Edward the Fourth .

Affa●●es of the Church in his time .

A Great Schisme was in the Church in this kings time by reason of Anti-popes ; for remedy whereof , a Councell is called at Co●sta●ce , to which the Emperors of Constanti●ople and Trabiz●nd send their Amba●●adors . In this Councell Ioh● the three and twentieth is convented , condemned , deposed , and imprisoned : Gr●gory the twelveth , and Benedict the thirteenth are deprived , and Otho Colonn● , by the name of Martin the fifth , is chosen Pope . During these confusions in the Westerne Church , the Christians in the Easterne Church are utterly ruinated : The Emperor smothered to death in a prease of people , and the great City of Constantinople wonne by the Turke , made ever since the seate of his Empire . In the six● and thirtieth yeare of this king , Reynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester , who had laboured many yeares in Translating the holy Scripture into English , was accused and convicted , for holding and publishing certaine opinions at that time held Hereticall ; which at last , openly at Pauls Crosse he revoked ; That he had held there was no necessity to believe that Christ descended into Hell ; also , no necessity to believe in the communion of Saints , or that the Universall Church cannot erre in matters of Faith , or that it is necessary to believe and hold whatsoever a Generall Councell shall determine : Also that he had held , that spirituall persons ought to have no Temporall Possessions , and that personall Tythes were not due by Gods Law : these Points he openly renounced , but was notwithstanding deprived of his Bishopricke ; only a certaine Pension was assigned him to live on in an Abbey , where soone after he dyed .

Workes of Piety done by him , or others in his time .

THe King himselfe Founded two famous Colledges , the one in Cambridge , to our Lady and St. Nichol●s , called the Colledge Royall , or the kings Colledge ; the other of Eate● besides Windsor , called of our blessed Lady ; to the maintenance whereof , he gave 3400 pounds by yeare . In the 28 year of his Reigne , his Queen Margaret began the Foundation of Queens Colledge in Cambridge . In the time of his Reigne also , Henry Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury Founded two Colledges in Oxford ; one called All-Soules Colledge , the other Bernard Colledge . In his time also , H●mp●ry Duke of Glocester ( but others say , Thomas Kempe Archbishop of Ca●ter●●ry ) built the Divinity School in Oxford ; also the sayd Archbishop built Pauls-Crosse in forme as now it standeth ; and William W●ynflete Bishop of Winchester , and Lord Chancellor of England Founded Mary Magdalen Colledge in Oxford . In his seventeenth yeare , Ralph Lord Cromwell , builded the Colledge of Tatshall in Linc●l●shire . Also this yeare , William ●●stfield Major of London , caused to be builded at his own charge the Water-Conduict in Fleetstreet . In his ninth year , Iohn Wells Major of London , caused the Cond●ict commonly called the Standard in Cheape , to be builded . In his first yeare , the West Gate of London , sometime called Chamberlaine gate , and now Newgate , was begun to be new builded by the Executors of Sir Richard Whittington Lord Major of London . In his fifth yeare , Iohn Reynwell Major of London , gave certaine lands to the Citie of London , for which th● Citie is bound to pay for ever , all Fif●eens that shall be granted to the King , ( so as it passe ●ot three Fifteens in one year ) for three Wards in London ; namely , Dowg●te-Ward , Billi●gsgate-Ward , and Aldgate . Also this yeare , the Tower at the Drawbridge of Lo●don was begun by the same Major . In his foure and twentieth yeare , Simon Eyre Lord Major of L●ndon builded the Leaden-Hall in Lo●do● , to be a Storeho●se for Graine and Fewell for the poore of the Citie , and faire Chappell at the East end of the same , leaving in stocke a thousand pounds , which a●terward King Edward the Fourth borrowed and never paid it again . Also in this kings time , William de la Poole Duke of Suffolke , and Alice his wife , Daughter to Thomas Ch●●cer , Son of Geoffry Chawcer the famous Poet ; translated and encreased the Mannour place of Ewelme in Oxfordshire , and builded new the Parish Church of Ewelme , and an Hospitall or Almeshouse for two Priests , and thirteene poore men , to which he gave three Manours , Ramruge in Hampshire , Co●ocke in Wiltshire , and Me●sh in Buckingh●mshire : They also founded the Hospitall of Do●nington Castle .

Of Casualtie● happening in his time .

In his Fifth yeare was ●o unseasonable weather , that it rained almost continually , from Easter to Michaelmasse . In his seventh yeare , the eight of November , the Duke of Norfolke was like to have been drowned passing through London-Bridge , hi● Barge being set upon the piles , overwhelmed , so that thirty persons were drowned , and the Duke with others that escaped , were fain to be drawn up with ropes . In his 18 year , all the Lyons in the Tower dyed : Also this year , the 18 day of Iuly , the Postern-Gates of London by E●st-Smithfield against the Tower of London , sanke by night more than seven foot into the earth . In his two and twentieth year , on Newyears day , neer unto Bedford , a very deep water , which ran betwixt the Towns o● Swelstone and Harleswood , stood suddenly still , and divided it selfe , so that by the sp●ce of three miles the bottome remained dry ; which wonder , many thought to signifie the division of the people , and falling away from the king , which happened shortly after . In the three and thirtieth year of his Reign , besides a great Blazing Starre , there happened a strange sight , a monstrous Cock came out of the Sea , and in the presence of a multitude of people at Portland , made a hideous crowing three times , each time turning about clapping his wings , and beckning toward● the North , the South , and the West ; as also many prodigious births . In his six and thirtieth year , in a little Town in Bedfordshire , it rained bloud , wherof the red drops appeared in sheets hung out to dry .

Of his Wife and issue .

HE married Margaret Daughter of Rayner Duke of Anjou , and Ti●ular king of Ierusalem , Sicilie , and Arragon ; by whom he had small Portion , and little strength of Alliance ; yet might have been a good match , if they could have changed conditions with one another , that he might have had her active and stirring spirit , and she his softly and milde disposition ; She was his wife six and twenty years , and after her husbands depulsion from the Regall Throne , his Forces being vanquished at the Battell of Tewkesberry , in a poore Religious house , where she had fled for safety of her life , was taken prisoner and carried captive to London , where shee remained in durance , till Duke Rayner her Father purchased her liberty , unto whom she returned , and lastly dyed in her native Country . By her , king Henry had issue only one Son named Edw●rd , who when the day was lost at T●wkesberry , sought to escape by flight , but being taken , was brought into the presence of king Edward ; whose r●solute answers provoked king Edward so much , that he dashed him on the mouth with his Gantlet , and then Richard the Crouchback ran him into the heart with his Dagger ; his body wa● buried amongst the poore persons there slain , in the Monasticall Church of the Black-Friers in Tewkesberry .

Of his Death and Buriall .

UPon King Edwards recovering the Crown , he was committed to the Tower ; where the 21 of May , in the yeare 147● , he was murthered by the bloudy hand of ●ichard Duke of Glocester : the day after he was brought to Pauls Church in an open Coffin bare-faced , where he bled ; thence carried to the Black-Friers , where ●e ●lso bled ; from thence in a Boat to Chersey Abbey , without Priest or Clerk , ●orch or taper , saying or singing , and there buried ; but afterwards at the appointment of King Edward , was removed to Windsor , and there interred , and a fair Monument made ov●r him .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HEe was tall of statu●e , spare and slender of body , of a comely countenance , and all parts well proportioned . For endowments of his minde , he had virtues enough to make him a Saint , but not to make him a God , as kings are said to be gods ; for of that commanding power there being two parts , Parcere subjectis & debellare ●uperbos ; he wanted the latter . He was not sensible of that which the world calls Honour , accounting the greatest honour to consist in humility ; His greatest imperfection was , that he had in him too much of the Logge , and too little of the Storke ; for he would not move , but as he was moved , and had rather be devoured , than he would devoure . He was not so stupid , not to know prosperity from adversity ; but he was so devout , to thinke nothing adversitie , which was not a hinderance to Devotion : He was fitter for a Priest than a King , and for a sacrifice than a Priest ; and he could not choose but dye a Martyr , who all his life had beene a Confessor . He had one immunity peculiar to himself , that no man could ever be revenged of him , seeing he never offered any man injury . By being innocent as a Dove , hee kept his Crown upon his head so long ; but if he had been wise as a Serpent , he might have kept it on longer . But all this is not sufficient , if we expresse not in particular his severall virtues : So modest , that when in a Christmas , a shew of women was presented before him with their breasts layd out , he presently departed ; saying , fie , fie for shame , forsooth you be to blame . So pittifull , that when he saw the quarter of a Traytor over Cripplegate , he caused it to be taken down ; saying , I will not have any Christian so cruelly handled for my sake . So free from swearing , that he never used other oath , but forsooth , and verily : So patient , that to one who strooke him when he was taken prisoner ; he onely sayd , forsooth you wrong yourselfe more than me , to strike the Lords annointed : So devout , that on principall Holy-dayes he used to weare sackcloth next his skinne : Once for all , let his Confe●●or be heard speak , who in ten years confession never found that he had done or sayd any thing , for which he might justly be injoyned Pennance . For which causes , King Henry the Seventh would have procured him to be Cannonized for a Saint , but that he was prevented by death● or perhaps because the charge would have been too great , the Canonization of a king being much more costly than of a private person .

Of men of Note in his time .

THere were men of valour in this Kings Reigne , of extraordinary eminencie ; as first , Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France , whom when a French Lord upbraided , that his sword was of lead ; he made him answer , and made him feel that it was of steele . Next him was Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury , whose very name was a sufficient charme to daunt a whole French Army . Then the next was Iohn Lord Talbot , so great a terror to the French , that when the women would still their children from crying , they would use to say , Talbot comes . Then was Richard Nevill Earle of Warwicke , so much greater than a king ; as that which makes , is greater than that it makes , and such a one was he . Many other besides these , not much inferior to these ; that we may truly say , there never was a more heroicall King of England than Henry the Fifth ; nor ever a King of England that had more heroicall Subjects , than Henry the Sixth . And though Arms and Letters seem to be of different conditions , yet they commonly grow up and flourish together ; as in this kings Reigne , were Iohn Leland sirnamed the Elder , who wrote divers Treatises for instruction of Gramarians : William White a Priest of Kent , professing the Doctrine of Wickliffe , for which he suffered Martyrdome by fire : Alexander Carpenter , who wrote a booke called Destructorium vitiorum , against the Prelates of that time : Peter Basset Esquire of the Privy Chamber to king Henry the Fifth , whose life he wrote : Iohn Pole a Priest , who wrote the life of St. Walhorayle an English woman : Also , Thom●s Walden , alias Netter , who wrote divers Treatises against the Wickliffifts : Pe●er Clerke a Student in Oxford , and a defender of Wickliffes doctrine ; for which he fled , and was put to death beyond Sea : Thomas Walsingham born in Norfolk a diligen● Historiographer : Thomas Ringstead the younger , an excellent Preacher , who wrote divers Treatises : Thomas Rudborn a Monke of Winchester , and an Historiographer : Peter P●yne an earnest professor of Wickliffes doctrine , for which he fled into ●●be●●● : Nicholas Vpton a Civilian , who wrote of Heraldry , of colours in Armory , and of the duty of Chivalry : Iohn Capgr●ve born in Kent , an Augustine Frier , who wrote many excellent Treatises , particularly the Legend of English Saints : Humphry Duke of Glocester , Protector of the Realm , well learned in Astrologie , whereof he wrote a speciall Treatise , inti●u●ed Tabula Directionum : Iohn Whethamstead , otherwise called Fr●mentariu● , Abbot of St. Alb●ns , who wrote divers Treatises ; and amongst others , a booke of the Records of things happening whiles he was Abbot , which book Holinshead had seen , and in some passages of his time followed : Roger O●l●y accused of Treason , for practising with the Lady El●●nor Cobham by sorcery to make the king away ; and therof condemned , and dyed for it : he wrote one Treatise intituled Contra ●●lgi superstitiones ; and another , De sua Innocentia : Henry Walsingham a Carmelite Frier o● Norwich , who wrote sundry Treatises in Divinity : Lidgate● Monke of Bury , who had travelled France and Italy to learne languages , and wrote many workes in Poetry : Thomas Beckington Bishop of Bath , who wrote against the Law Salique of France : Michael Trigurie born in Cornw●ll , whom for his excellent learning king Henry the Fifth made Governor of the Universitie of Ca●n in Normandy , after he had conquered it : Reynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester , who wrote many Treatises touching Christian Religion : Robert Fleming , who wrote a D●ctionary in Greeke ●●d Latine , and a worke in verse of sundry kindes : Nicholas M●ntacute an Historiographer : Iohn Stow a Monke of Norwich , and Doctor of Divinity in Oxf●rd : Nich●l●● Bu●geie , born in a Town of Norfolke , of that name , who wrote an History called Ad●●●ti●nes Chronicorum : Robert ●als●cke , who wrote a booke De ●e Milit●ri : Thomas D●●d● a Carmelite Frier of M●rleborough , who wrote the life of Alphred king of the West-Saxons : Robert B●le , ●irnamed the Elder , Recorder of London , who gathered a Chronicle of the Customs , Laws , Foundations , Changes , Offices , Orders , and publique Assemblies of the Citie of London , with other matters touching the perfect discription of the same Citie ; he wrote other workes also touching the state of the same Citie , and the Acts of King Edward the third .

THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FOURTH .

EDWARD Earle of March , born at Roane in Normandy , sonne and heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke , slaine in the battell at Wakefield , succeeded his Father in the Right , but exceeded him in the possession of the Crown of England ; and that by virtue of an act of Parliament lately made ; wherein the said Duke of York not only was declared heire apparent to the Crown , and appointed Protector of the King and Kingdome ; but it was further enacted , that if King Henry , or any in his behalfe , should attempt the disanulling of this Act ; that then the said Duke or his heire should have the present Possession : which because his friends attempted to doe , therefore justly doth Edward Earle of March his sonne , by virtue of this act , take possession of the Crown ; and is Proclaimed king of England , by the name of Edward the fourth , through the City of London , on the fifth day of March in the yeer 1460. But before he could have leasure to be Crowned , he was forced once againe to try his fortune in the field by battell : For King Henry in the North was raising a new army ; against whom King Edward , upon the twelveth of March , marched with his forces from London , and by easie journeyes came to Pomfret Castle , from whence the Lord Fitzwater was sent to guard the passage at Ferribridge , to stop the Enemies approach that way ; King Henry likewise advanceth forward , sending his power , under the conduct of the Duke of Somerset , the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Clifford , whilest himselfe with his Queen and Sonne stay at Yorke . The Lord Clifford very early on Palm sunday , with a troop of Northern men , fals upon those that guarded Fetribridge , and defeated them with the slaughter of the Lord Fitzwater and the bastard of Salisbury . The Earle of Warwicke hearing of this defeate , comes posting to King Edwards C●mpe , and in his presence killing his horse , Pro●ested his resolution to stand with him to the Death . Upon ●his Resolution of the Earles , the King made presently Proclamation , that all who were afraid to sight , should at their pleasure depart ; but to those that would stay , he promised good reward , adding withall , that if any that stayed , should after turn his back or flee , then he that should kill him , should have double pay . After this , he gave order to the Lord Fawconbridge , and Sir Walter Blunt , to leade on the Vaw●rd ; who in their march about Dandingdale , encountred with the Lord Clifford ; ( who formerly in cold blood had slaughtered the young Earle of Rutland ) and he being stricken into the throate with an arrow ( some say ) without a head ; and presently dying : the Lord Nevill Sonne and heire of the Earle of Westmerland was also slaine , with most of their companies , and the rest put to flight . The next day likewise ( the Duke of Norfolke being dangerously sick , to whom that place was assigned ) F●●conbridge and Blunt continue the leading of the Vaunt-guard ; and on Palm-sunday , by break of day , they came to a plaine field between Towton & Saxto● , from whence they made a full survey of king Henries Army , and certified king Edward , that the Enemy was threescore thousand strong ; where his Army was but forty thousand and six hundred : whereupon a second Proclamation was made through the Campe , that no quarter should be kept , nor prisoner taken . The Armies being both in sight , the Lord Fauconbridge gave direction to the Archers ( upon a signall by him given ) to shoote every man a flight-arrow ( for that purpose provided ) and then to fall back three strides , and stand . The Northern men in the mean time plyed their bowes , till all their sheaves were empty ; but their arrowes fell short of the Enemy by threescore yards , and not onely did no hurt to the Enemy , but did hurt to themselves ; for their arrows being spent , and comming to hand-blows , their own arrows sticking in the ground , galled their shins , and pierced their feet . Ten houres the battell continued doubtfull ; till the Earle of Northumberland being slaine , with the Lord , Beaumont , Gray , Dacres , and Wells , Sir Iohn Nevill , Andrew T●ollop , and many other knights and Esquires ; the Earles of Exeter and Somerset fled , leaving the Conquest to King Edward , but the bloodiest that ever England felt , for there fell that day six and thirty thousand seven hundred threescore and sixteen persons , no prisoner being taken but the Earle of Devonshire . The battell ended , K. Edward hastes to York , where he caused the heads of his father and other friends , to be taken down and buried with their bodies , setting in their places the heads of the Earle of Devonshire , and three other , there at that time executed . The Earle of Somerset acquainting King Henry with this overthrow , perswades him , with his Queen and Son , to flie to Barwick ; where leaving the Duke of Somerset , they flie further for succour to the King of Scots , who comforteth them with promise of reliefe , but maketh a sure bargaine ; for in lieu of a pension to be allowed King Henry during his abode there , the Towne and Castle of Barwick were delivered to him . Queen Margaret and her Sonne are sent into France , who obtained of Lewis the Eleve●th her Cosin , that all of King Edwards friends were prohibited Stay or Traffick in the French kings Dominions : but all King Henries friends might live there freely . After this , king Edward comes to London ; and upon his entrance to the Tower , makes foure and twenty knights , and the next day foure more ; and upon the 28 day of Iune , in the yeare 1461. he rode from the T●wer to Westminster , and was there Crowned in the Abby-Church .

Shortly after , a Parliament is summoned , which began at Westminster the fourth of November ; In which , all Acts of king Henry the Sixth , prejudiciall to king Edwards Title , are repealed : and therein , Iohn Earle of Oxford , a valiant and wise man , ( he who in a former Parliament had disputed the question concerning the precedency of Temporall and Spirituall Barons ; a bold attempt in those dayes ; and by force of whose Arguments , Judgement was given for the Lords Temporall ) with his Sonne Aubry de Veer , Sir Thomas Tiddingham knight , William Tyrrell & Walter Montgomery Esquires , were , without answer , convicted of Treason , and beheaded . And to encourage others to well-deserving , king Edward at this time advanced many in honour : his brother George he created Duke of Clarence ; his brother Richard , Duke of Glocester ; Iohn Lord Nevill brother to the Earle of Warwicke , he made first Viscount , then Marquesse Montacu●e ; Henry Bourchier brother to the Archbishop of Canterbury , is made Earle of Essex ; and William Lord Fauconbridge , Earle of Kent . And now their new honours are presently put into imploiment ; the Earls of Essex & Kent , accompaneid with the Lords Audeley and Clinton , Sir Iohn Howard , Sir Richard Walgrave and others , to the number of ten thousand , are appointed to scowre the Seas , who landing in Britaine , took the town of Conque● , and the Isle of Ree , and then returned . At this time Henry Duke of Somerset , Ralph Percy and divers others came in , and humbly submitted themselves to king Edwards mercy ; who protested his propension of freely pardoning them , and as many other that would submit themselves as they did .

All this time King Henry was in Scotland , and Queen Margaret in France ; where she obtained of the French King , a company of five hundred men ; with whom she sayled towards Newcastle , and landed at Tinmouth , but suddenly againe returned , and was herselfe by tempest beaten to Barwick , but her company was driven on the shore before Bamburg Castle ; where they set their Ships on fire , and fled to an Isl●nd called Holy Island , but were so assayled there by the bastard Ogle and Iohn Manners Esqu●re , that many of them were slaine , and almost foure hundred taken prisoners , onely their Coronell Peter Bressie h●ppened upon a Fisherman , who brought him to ●●●wick to Queen Margaret , and by her was made Captaine of the Castle of Alnewick , which he with his French-men kept , till they were resc●ed . Shortly after● Queen Margaret having gotten together a great company of Scots , and other of her friends bringing her husband with her , and leaving her Sonne at Barwick , entred Northumberland , tooke the Castle of Bamburg , made Captaine thereof Sir Ralph Grey ; and then came forward to the Bishopprick of Durham : whither resorted to her the lately Reconciled , and now againe revolted Duke of Somerset ; Sir Ralph Percy and divers others , who altogether made a competent army . King Edward hearing hereof , makes preparation both by sea and land ; and first he sends Viscount Montacute with some Companies into Northumberland ; whom he in person followeth with his whole power : The Viscount marcheth towards king Henry , and by the way encountreth the Lord Hungerford at Hegley-moore ; but he , with Lord Basse , upon the first charge , ran away , leaving Sir Ralph Darcy alone with his own Regiment , who there valiantly fighting , dyed . After this the Viscount understanding that king Henry was encamped in Levels plaine , neer the river of Dowell in Hexamshire , marcheth thither by night , and set upon him in his Campe , whose charge the Northern men receive with a desperate resolution , but were in the end with great slaughter overcome . Henry Beaufort Duke of Somerset , the Lords Basse , Molins , Hungerford , Wen●worth , Hussey and Sir Iohn Finderne knight , with many others are taken prisoners : king Henry himselfe by the swiftnes of his horse escaped , but very hardly ; for one of his Hench-men that followed him was taken , who had on his head king Henries Helmet , or as some say , his high Cap of Estate , called Abacot , garnished with two rich Crowns , which was presented to king Edward at Yorke the fourth of May. The Duke of Somerset was beheaded presently at Exam ; the other Lords and knights were had to Newcastle , and there , after a little respite , were likewise put to death . Besides these , divers others , to the number of five and twenty , were executed at Yorke and in other places . This Duke of Somerset was never married , but had a naturall Sonne named Charles Somerset , who was afterward created Earle of Worcester . Sir Humfry Nevill , and William Tailbois calling himself Earle of Kyme , Sir Ralph Grey and Richard Tunstall with divers others that escaped from this battell , hid themselves in secret places ; but yet not so closely , but that they were espied and taken● The Earle of Kyme was apprehended in Riddesdale , and brought to Newcastle , and there beheaded , Sir Humfry Nevill was taken in Holdernesse , and at York lost his head . After this battell , called Exam-field , king Edward came to the City of Durham , and sent from thence into Northumberland , the Earle of Warwick , the Lord Montacute , the Lords Fawconbridge and Scroope , to recover such Castles as his Enemies there held ; which they effected ; and taking in the Castle of Dunstanburg , they found in it Iohn Gois servant to the Duke of Somerset , who was brought to Yorke and there beheaded : and taking in the Castle of Bamburg , they found in it Sir Ralph Grey , whom because he had sworn to be true to king Edward , and was now revolted to king Henry● they degraded from his Order of knight-hood at Doncaster , by cutting of his gil● Spurs , renting his Coate of Arms , and breaking his sword over his head , and then beheaded him .

In this mean time , king Henry ( upon what occasion , no man knows ; but onely led by the left hand of destiny ) ventring in disguise to come into England , and shifting from place to place , was at length discovered , and taken by one C●ntlow , or as others say , by Thomas Talbot sonne to Sir Edward Talbot of Bashall , who deceived him being at his dinner at Waddington Hall in Lincolnshire , and brought him towards London , with his legs tyed under the horse belly ; in whose company were also taken Doctor Han●ing Deane of Windsor , D. B●dle , and one Ell●rton , whom the Earle of Warwicke met by the way , ●nd brought them all to the Tower of London ; whils● the distressed Queen with her sonne once again is driven to fly for shelter into France ; whither the new Duke of Somerse● and his brother Iohn sayled also , where they lived in great misery ; and the Earle of Pembr●●ke went from Country to Country little better then a Vagabond .

At this time , king Edward , to reward his followers , distributeth the Lands and Possessions of those that held with king Henry amongst them , but first made Proclamation that whosoever of the contrary faction would come in and submit , should be received to grace and restored to their Patrimonies .

In the fourth year of king Edward , in Michaelmas Tearm were made eight Serjeants at Law , Thomas Young , Nicholas Geney , Richard Neale , Thomas Brian , Richard Pigot , Ioh● Catesby and Guy Fairfax ; who held their feast in the Bishop of Elyes place in Holborn , where the Lord Grey of Ruthin then Lord Treasurer of England , was placed before the Lord Major of London , being invited to the feast , which gave such a distaste to the Major , that he presently departed with the Aldermen and Sheriff● , without tasting of their feast : and it was Registred to be a president in time to come .

And now king Edward no lesse intentive to perform the Office of a king in peace , then he had been before of a Captaine in warr● , considering with himselfe that seditious and civill dissensions must needs breed disorders in a state , and that disorders bred by troubled times , are not like troubled waters , that will in time settle of themselves and recover cleernesse ; but are rather like weeds , which once springing up and let alone , will in time over run the whole gro●nd where they grow : He like a good Gardener seeks to weed them out before they grow too rank , and endeavours to make a generall reformation of abuses ; and to that end in Michaelmas Term in the second yeare of his Reigne , Three daies together he sate publikely with his Judges in Westminster-hall on the Kings Bench , to acquaint himselfe with the Orders of that Court , and to observe what needed Reformation in it , either at Bench or ●t Barre : as likewise he ordered the officers of his Exchequer , to take more moderate Fees ; and to be more intentive to the benefit of the Subject , than to their own unjust gaine : He also daily frequented the Councell Table ; which he furnished for the most part , with such as were gracious amongst the Citizens , whom he imployes about references and businesses of private consequence ; whilest mysteries o● State were intimated only to such whom he selected to be of his more private Cabinet Counsaile ; by whom , he being now of the age of three and twenty years , w●● advised that it was now time to provide for posterity , by taking a wife , and to provide also for the present time , by taking a fit wife , which they conceived to be no where so fitly found as in France ; both thereby to bury old grudges between the two Nations , and also to avert assistance from Queen M●rg●ret , the onely disturber of the State ; and this being concluded , it onely remained to make choice of a fit man for that imployment , for which none was thought so fit as Richard Nevill Earle of Warwick ; he therefore is presently sent into Fra●ce , to treate of a Marriage to be had between king Edward and the Lady Bon● , daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy , and Sister to the Lady Carlote then Queen of Fra●ce : a Lady , no lesse for beauty and virtuous qualities , then for Nobility of blood , worthy to be a Queen . The Proposition is in Fra●ce readily embraced , and willingly assented unto on all parts . But in the mean time king Edward being hunting in Witchwood Forrest besides Stonystratford ; he chanced to come to the Manour of Grafton , where the Dutchesse of Bedford then lay , and where her daughter by Sir Richard Woodvile , the Lady Elizabeth Gr●y widdow of Sir Iohn Gr●y of Gr●vy , slaine at the last battell of St. Albans ; became a suitour to him for some lands which her ●usband had given her in Joynture ; with whose beauty and gr●cefull behaviour , king Edward was so taken , that hee presently became a Suitor to her ; and when he could not obtaine his suit by termes of wanton love , he was forced to s●eke it by terms of Marriage .

And here we may well thinke there was no small c●fl●ct in King Edwards minde , between the two great commanders , Love and Honor , which of them should bee most potent ; Honor put him in minde , that it was against his Law to take to wife a meaner person than himselfe ; but Love would take no notice of any difference of degrees , but tooke it for his Prerogative to make all persons equall ; Honour pe●swaded him that it stood him much upon to make good the Ambassage , in which he had sent the Earle of Warwicke to a great Prince ; but Love perswad●d him that it stood him more upon , to make good the Ambassage sent to himself from a greater Prince : In conclusion , it appeared to be true which one observes , Improbe ●mor quid non mortalia pectora cogis ? what is it that love will not make a man to do ? Whether it be , that love brings upon the minde a forgetfulnesse of all circumstances but such as tend to its own satisfaction ; or whether it be that love is amongst passions , as oyle amongst liquors , which will alwayes be supreme and at the top ; Honour may be honoured , but love will be obeyed : And therefore king Edward , though he knew no Superior upon Earth , yet he obeys the summons of Love ; and upon the first day of May , marries the sayd Lady Gray at Grafton ; the first of our kings since the Conquest that married his Subject : At which marriage none was present but the Dutchesse of Bedford , the Priest , two Gentlewoman , & a yong man to helpe the Priest at Masse : the yeare after , with great solemnity she was Crowned Queen at Westminster . It is not unworthy the relating the Speech which king Edward had with his Mother , who sought to crosse this ma●ch : Where you say ( saith he ) that she is a widdow , and hath already children ; by Gods blessed Lady , I am a Batchelour , and have some too , and so each of us hath a proofe , that nether of us is like to be barren ; And as for your objection of Bigamy , ( for his mother had charged him with being contracted to the Lady Elizabeth Lucie ) Let the Bishop ( saith he ) lay it to my charge when I come to take Orders , for I understand it is forbidden a Priest , but I never wist it was forbidden a Prince . Upon this marriage , the Queens Father was created Earle Rivers , and made High-Constable of England ; her brother the Lord Anthony , was married to the sole Heire of the Lord Scales , and by her had that Barony ; her Son sir Thomas Gray was created Marquesse Dorset , and married Cicelie , heire to the Lord Bonvile . It may be thought a h●ppy fortune for this Lady to be thus marched ; but let all things be considered , and the miseries accruing to her by it , will be found equivalent , if not over-weighing all the benefits : For first , by this match she drew upon her selfe the envy of many , and was cause that her Husband fled the Realm , and her selfe in his absence glad to take Sanctuary , and in that place to be delivered of a Prince , in a most unprincely m●nner . After which , surviving her husband , she lived to see her two Sonnes most cruelly murthered ; and for a conclusion of all , she lived to see her selfe confined to the Monastery of Berdmondsey in Southwarke , and all her goods confiscate by her own Son in Law .

And n●w the Earle of Warwicke at his return , found that knot tyed in England , which he had laboured to tye in France : His Ambassage frustrated , the Lady Bona deluded , the king of France abused , and himselfe made a stale , and the disgracefull instrument of all this ; which although he resented in a high degree , yet he had not been a Courtier so long , but in that time he had sufficiently learned the Art of dissembling ; he passed it over lightly for the present , but yet carried it in his minde till a fit opportunity ; and thereupon procures leave to retire himselfe to his Castle of Warwicke .

King Edward in the meane time , having just cause to suspect hee had made the French his enemies , seeks to make other Princes his friends : He enters into a League with Iohn king of Aragon ; to whom he sent for a Present a score of Cotsall Ews , and ●ive Rams , a small Present in shew , but great in the event ; for it proved of more benefit to Spain , and of more detriment to England than could at first sight have been imagined . And to secure himselfe at home , he tooke truce with the king of Scots for fifteen years . And where he had married before his two Sisters , Anne the eldest to Henry Holland Earle of Exeter ; and Elizabeth to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolke ; he now matched Margaret his third Sister , to Charles Duke of Burgoigne ; which proved a greater assistance to him , than that which he had lost in France .

By this time the Earle of Warwickes spleen began so to swell within him , that hee could no longer containe it ; and having with much adoe drawne to his party his two brothers , the Archbishop of Yorke , and the Marquesse Montacute ; he seek● also to draw in the kings two brothers , the Duke of Clarence , and the Duke of Glocester ; but he found Glocester so reserved , that he durst not close with him ; the Duke of Clarence he found more open , and to him he addresseth himselfe , complaining of the disgrace he had sustained by the king , in his employment into France , and other wrongs : to whom the Duke presently made answer , in as great complaint of his brothers unkindnesse to himself ; saying , he had married his Wives brother Anthony to the heire of the Lord Scales , and her Son Thomas to the heire of the Lord Bo●vile , but could finde no match of preferment for him being his own brother : And upon this agreement in complaints , they agree to joyne against king Edward ; and to make the knot the firmer , the Duke of Clarence takes to wife Isabel the Earle o● Warwicks Daughter , and with her hath assured unto him halfe of the Lands the E●●l held in right of his Wife , the Lady Anne , Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earle of W●rwicke deceased . Upon this marriage , the Earle of Warwicke discovered to hi● what hitherto he had concealed ; concerning his project for the restoring of k. H●nry ; to which Clarence gave approbation , with promise to assist him in it to his uttermo●● .

At this time , Sir Thomas Cooke late Major of London , was by one Hawkins appeached of Treason , for the which he was sent to the Tower , and his place in Londo● seized by the Lord Rivers . The case was this ; the sayd Hawkins came to Sir Thomas , requesting him to lend a thousand Marks upon good surety ; who answered , he would first know for whom it should be , and for what intent ; and understanding it should be for the use of Queen Margaret , he refused to lend a penny . The matter rested two or three years , till the sayd Hawkins was layd in the Tower , and brought to the Brake , called the Duke of Exeters Daughter ; by means of which paine , hee confessed amongst other things , the motion he had made to Sir Thomas Cook● , and accused himselfe so farre , that hee was put death . Sir Thomas Cooke lying in the Tower from Whitsuntide till Michaelmas , had his place in Essex named Gyddihall , spoyled , his Deere in his Parke destroyed ; and though arraigned upon life and death , he were acquitted of the Indictment ; yet could not be delivered till he had payd eight thousand pounds to the king , and eight hundred to the Queen .

And now the Earle of Warwicke sendeth to his brothers the Arcbbishop and the Marquesse , to prepare all things ready to set on foot the intended revolt from king Edward , and to procure some rebellious commotion in the North , whil'st he and his new Son in law would provide to goe forward with the worke ; which they accordingly did in Yorkeshire , an occasion being taken for the breach of an ancient custome there , to give to the poore people of St. Leonards in the City of Yorke , certain quantities of Corn and Grain . This commotion the Archbishop and the Marqu●sse underhand fomented ; yet to colour the matter , the Marquesse opposed the Rebels , and cut off the head of Robert Huldorne their Captain ; but his head being cut off , the Rebels got them other Captains ; Henry , Son and heir to the Lord Fi●zhugh , and sir Henry Nevill Son to the Lord Latimer ; the one the Neph●w , the other ● Cozen-germane to the Earle of Warwicke , with whom they joyne the valiant Captaine Sir Iohn Conyers : These when they could not enter Yorke , came marching towards London , all the way exclaiming against king Edward as an unjust Prince , and an usurper . King Edward hearing of this commotion , sends Sir William Herbert , whom of a meane Gentleman , two years before , he had made Earle of Pembrooke , and his brother sir Richard Herbert , together with the Lord Stafford of Southwick to suppresse the Rebels ; and they with an Army of seven thousand , most Welchmen , march towards them ; but the Lord Stafford being put from his Inne where he used ●o lodge , by the Earle of Pe●brooke , tooke such a distaste at it , that he withdrew his Arche●s , and gave over the businesse ; yet the Earle of Pemb●ooke though thus for●●●en , with his own Regiment encountred the Rebels , slew Sir Henry Nevill , and divers others● when being upon the point of victory , one Iohn Clappa● a servant of the E●rle of Warwicke , comming in with five hundred rascally fellows , and crying aloud , a W●rwicke , a Warwicke ; the Welchmen supposing the Earle had beene 〈◊〉 , turned presently their backs and fled ; five thousand of them were slain , the E●●le of Pembr●●ke himselfe , and his much lamented brother Sir Richard Herbert , a most goodly personage , were taken prisoners , brought to Banbury , where both o● th●● , with ten other Gentlemen were put to death . And now the Northamptonshire men joyning with the Rebels , in this fury , made them a Captain named Robert Hilla●d , but they named him Robin of Riddesdale , & suddenly came to Grafton , where they tooke the Earle Rivers father to the Queen , and his sonne Sir Iohn Woodvile ; brought them to Northampton , and there without Judgement beheaded them . King Edward advertised of these mischances , wrote to the Sheriffs of Somerset-shire and D●v●●-shire to apprehend the Lord Stafford of Southwick , ( who had treacherously ●●●saken the Earle of Pembrooke ) and if they could take him , to put him to death ; who being soon after found in a Village within Brentmarsh , was brought to Bridge●a●er , and there beheaded . After this battell fought at Hedgecote , commonly called B●●bury field , the Northern men resorted to Warwick , where the Earl with great joy received them ; and hearing that king Edward with a great army was comming thither , he sent for his sonne in Law the Duke of Clare●ce , with all speed to repaire ●●to him ; who joyning together , and using means cunningly , by having some co●●●nication of Peace , to make the king secure , and to take little heed of himself●● they took advantage of his security , and in the dead of night set on his Campe , and killing the watch , before the king was aware , at a place called Wolney foure miles from Barwick , they took him prisoner in his bed , and presently conveyed him to Middleham Castle in Yorkeshire , to be there in safe custody with the Archbishop of Yorke . And now they had the Prey in their hand , if they had as well looked to ke●p it , as they had done to get it : but king Edward , whether bribing his Keepers , or otherwise winning them by faire promises , got so much liberty , sometimes for his re●reation to goe a hunting ; by which he caused Sir William Stanley , Sir Thomas of 〈◊〉 and divers of his friends , at a certaine time to meet him , who took him from hi● Keepers , and set him againe at liberty : whil'st the Earle of Warwicke nothing doubting his brother the Archbishops care in safe keeping him , & thinking the brunt of the warres to be now past , dismist his Army , and intended only to finde out King Henry● who was kept a prisoner , but few men knew where .

King Edward being now at liberty , posteth to York , and from thence to Lanca●●e● ; where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces , with which he marcheth to London , aud is there joyfully received : The Earle of Warwick likewise sends to his friends , and makes preparation for a new army ; whil'st in the me●n time , by mediation of divers Lords , an enterview in Westminster-hall is agreed upon ; and solemn Oath taken on both sides for safety , between King Edward , the Duke of Clarence , and the Earle of Warwicke ; but each party standing strictly upon terms tending to their own ends ; they parted as great Enemies as they met : and so from thence the K. went to Canterbury , the Duke and the E. to Lincolne : whither they had preappointed their forces to repaire , under the Conduct of Sir Robert W●l● , Son & heir of the L. Wels , a man of great valour and experience in the wars : K. E●●●rd , to take off so able a man from the Earles part , sends for his Father the L. Wels to come unto him ; who taking with him , his Son in Law Sir Thomas Dymock , and comming to attend the Kings pleasure , was told by his friends how wonderfully the King was incensed against them : whereupon for their safety , they take Sanctuary at Westmi●ster . But upon the Kings Princely word , they come unto him , who comm●ndeth the Lord Wells to write to his Sonne , to desist from adhering to the Ea●le of Warwicke , which the Lord Wells accordingly did : but Sir Robert Wells notwiths●●nding his Fathers letters , continuing firme to ●he Earle still , so much incensed King Edward , that he caused both his Father and Sir 〈◊〉 Dymock to be behe●ded . He supposed perhaps , that the Lord W●lls was himself underhand a friend to the Earl , and had not dealt sincerely with him , in procuring his Sonne to leave that party . But now Sir Robert Wells seeing the King draw neer to Stamford , where he had pitched his Tents , and hearing of his Fathers beheading , was much distracted what to doe : to decline b●ttell with the King , he thought would shew too much feare ; and ●o give him battell before the E●rle of Warwicke were come with his forces , would shew too much boldnesse ; But his Veines were so filled with a desire of revengi●● his Fathers death , that he thought he could never shew boldnesse enough ; and thereupon encountring with the Kings Army , farre greater ●hen his own , opprest with multitude was taken prisoner , together with Sir Thomas de L●●d and divers others ; who presently in the place were put to execution : as soone as Sir Robert W●ll● was taken , the Lincolneshir● men to make themselves the lighter to run away , threw off their Coates , for which cause , this battell was afterward called L●se-●oate-field , in which , it is reported , were slaine above ten thousand men .

The Earle of Warwick 〈◊〉 of this De●eate , and not having present 〈…〉 raise an army sufficient to oppose king Edward● when he could by no means dr●● the Lord Stanley to his party , he determined to sayle into Fr●●c● , and hyring ships at Dartmouth in Dev●●●●ire , he with his sonne in Law the Duke of Clarence , 〈◊〉 their wives , took to Sea ; and thinking to land at C●lli●e , of which Town he hims●●●● was Captaine , he was by the Lord V●●cleere a Gascoigne , whom he had left his Deputy there , repelled ; and with so great inhumanity , that the Dutchesse of Clar●●●● who was then in labour , was faine to be delivered in the ship , ( all the courtesie 〈◊〉 th●● distresse shewed , was only to send a flaggon or two of wine , ) which fact of V●●cleeres when king Edward heard of , he was so well pleased with it , that he presently sent him a Patent to be Captaine of the Town himself : and the Duke of 〈◊〉 for the same service , sent unto him Philip de Comi●es ( who hath written the History of these times ) with a grant of one thousand Crowns pension during his life . Never man was beter paid for one act of di●sembling ; for the truth was , Prae 〈◊〉 excl●sit for●● , it was out of his love , that he suffered him not to enter the Town , for he knew there were many great ones in it so addicted to king Edward , and so maliciously bent against the Earle , that if he or any of his company should have come , they would in all likelihood have done them some mischiefe : And hereof he made a good proofe soon after : for when the Earle took to sea again , the Lord 〈◊〉 sent him word , he should take heed where he landed ; for that the Duke of 〈◊〉 lay in waite to take him ; which advertisement did the Earle more good , then the keeping him out of Callice did him hurt . The Earle upon this advertisement , ●●●ded at D●epe in Nor●a●die , whereof when king Lewis heard , he sent and invited him to come to his Court at Amboi● , where he received him with no lesse honour , than ●f he had been a king . In the mean time king E●●ard made enquiry for all such as were ayders to the Earle of Warwick● of whom some were apprehended as guilty , some fled to Sanctuary , and some submitted to the kings mercy ; as Iohn Marquesse Mo●●●cute , whom he courteously received . Queen Margare● , who at this time sojourned with Duke Rayner her father , hearing of the Earle of Warwicks arrivall , with her Son Prince Edward , came to Ambois , and with her also came Iasper Earle of Pembrooke , and Iohn Earl of Oxford , lately escaped out of prison and fled into France ; between whom a new Combination is made ; and for a foundation of firme ami●ie , king He●ries sonne Prince Edward , marries Anne the Earle of Warwicks second daughter : after which marriage , the Duke of Clarence and the Earles took a solemn Oath , never to leave the warre till either king Henry or his sonnne Prince Edward were restored to the Crown● But notwithstanding this Oath , this marriage put new thoughts into the Duke of Clarence his minde , casting with himselfe that the issue of it could be no lesse then the utter extirpation of the house of Yorke : whereupon , making faire shew still to his Father in Law the Earle of Warwicke , he underhand fals off , and secretly gives advertisement to his brother king Edward of all their proceedings . And now the Earle of Warwicke having been six months in France ; in this time he had 〈◊〉 from the king of France , both ships , and men , and money , and receiving 〈◊〉 out of England , that many Lords and others were ready to adventu●e their lives in his qua●rell , if he would come , ( for the people generally held him in such 〈◊〉 , that they thought the Sunne was taken from the world , when he was 〈◊〉 and this in great part for his gre●t Hospi●ality , who it is said , used to spend ●spam● a breakf●st ) he with the Earles of Oxford and Pembrooke took to 〈◊〉 ; and though the Duke of B●rgoigne had a Fle●● at sea , to in●ercept him ; ye● his Fleet be●●g by ●empest scattered , and king Edw●rd●rusting ●rusting to that Flee● , having provided no other● the Earle had a quiet passage to land at Dar●mouth in Devonshire , whe●e being landed , he made Proclamation in king He●ry the six●h● name , that all good Subj●ct● should prep●re to fight against king Edward , who contrary to Right had usurpe●●he Crown : Upon which Proclamation , it is scarce to be believed , how m●ny tho●●●nds of men resorted to him ; with which fo●ces , he made towar●s Lo●don : upon notice of whose approach , on the Sunday next after 〈◊〉 day , one Doctor G●ddard a Chaplaine of Hi● , preaching at Paul● Cross● , did so s●t fo●th his Earles pious intention , that many of his auditory were moved to favour the Earle : proceeding : insomuch , that the M●rquesse Montacu●e , who had in king Edwards beh●lf , 〈◊〉 six thousand men about London , found them all inclinable to goe with him 〈◊〉 the Earle of Warwick , and accordingly w●nt and joyned with him . King Ed●●rd h●●ring of the great flocking of people to the Earle , sent forth letters into all parts of the Realme for raysing an army ; but few came , and those few , with no great good will : which when he perceived , he began to doubt his case ; and thereupon ●●co●panied with the Duke of Glocester his brother , the L. Hastings his Chamber●●●●● , ( who having married the Earle of Warwick● sister , yet co●tinued ever true to 〈◊〉 Edward ) and the Lord Scales brother to the Queen ; he departed into Li●col●shire , and c●mming to Lyn , he found there an English Ship , and two Hul●s of Holland ready to make sayle : whereupon he , with the forenamed Lords , and about seven or 〈◊〉 hundred persons entred the Ship , having no provision with him but only the apparell they wore ; and so bare of money , that he was faine to reward the Master of 〈◊〉 Ship with one of his Garments : and thus making course towards the Duke of 〈◊〉 Country , they were presently chased by eight great Ships of Easterlings , op●n Enemies both to England and France ; which drove him before a Towne in the Country called Alquemare , belonging to the Duke of Burgoigne : where by ch●nce , the Lord Grunture Governour of that Country , at that time was , who defended them from the Easterlings , and brought them to the H●ge in Holland , where they had all things ministred to them , by order from the Duke of Burgoigne .

At this time , upon news of the Earle of Warwick● approach , Queen Eliz●beth fo●saketh the Tower , and secretly taketh sanctuary at Westminster , where in great p●nury forsaken of all her friends , she was brought a bed of a sonne called Edward , who like a poore mans childe was Christened ; the Godfathers being the Abbot and P●y●r of Westminster , and the Lady Scroope Godmother .

And now the Earle of Warwicke entring the Tower , removes king He●ry out of his hold of durance , whe●e he had been almost nine years , into his own lodging , where he was served according to his Estate ; which the Ear●e did more congratulate , then t●e king himselfe . Upon this sixth day of October , king Henry accompanied with ●he Archbishop of Yorke , the Pryor of S. Iohns , the Bishop of London , the Duke of Cl●rence , the Earle of Warwicke and other Noblemen , apparelled in a long gown of ●lew Velvet , was conducted through London , ●o the Bishops Palace where he rested ●ill the thirteenth of ●hat moneth , on which day he went in solemne proces●●●●●bout Paul● Church , wearing his Imperiall Crown ; the Earle of War●ick bearing up his trayne ; and the Earle o● Oxford the sword before him . The next day , in all usuall places about London , king Edward was Proclaimed an Usurper , 〈◊〉 all his partakers Traytors to God and the king ; whereof Iohn Lord Tip●of● Earle of Worcester , as a partaker with king Edward , was made the first example . Thi● Lord had been Lievtenant for King Ed●ard in Ireland , where having done something 〈◊〉 which he fled , he was afterward found on the top of a high Tree , in the Forres● of W●●bridge , in the County of 〈◊〉 ●nd being there taken , was brought to Lo●do● , Attain●ed , and 〈…〉 the Tower hill , and af●er buried at the Blackfry●rs .

About this time happen●● 〈…〉 to be related : Sir Willi●● H●●kesford knight● one of 〈…〉 Jus●i●●s ●t the L●w● who dwelt at Anno●y in D●vo●s●ire , a man of grea● 〈◊〉 , and ●●ving no so●ne , ●he Lord Fitz●a●re● , Si● Io●● S●●●●eger , and Sir Willi●● 〈◊〉 m●rried his d●ughte●● , and were his heires● This m●n grew into such ● deg●●● of Melancholy● th●t one 〈◊〉 he called to him the Keeper of hi● Par● , ch●●ging him 〈◊〉 n●gligence , in suffering his Deere to be stoln : and thereupon comm●nded him , ●hat if he met any man in his circuit in the night-time , that would not stand or 〈◊〉 he sho●ld not spar● to kill him whatsoever he were● The knight having th●● la●d hi● found●tion , and meaning to end his dolefull dayes ; in ● certaine darke night se●●●●ly conveyd himselfe out of his house , ●nd walked alone in his P●r● . The Keeper in hi● night-walk ●e●ring one stirring , and comming towa●ds him , asked , who was there ? but no answer being made , he willed him to stand● which when he would not doe , the Keeper shot and k●lled him , and comming to see who he was , fo●●d him to be hi● Master .

On the twentieth d●y of 〈◊〉 , a P●rli●ment is held at Westmi●ster , wherein King Edward and all his p●rtak●●●●re ●ttain●ed of high Treason , and al● their Lands and Goods seized on to King 〈◊〉 use . Ge●●ge Pl●●t●gene● Duke of Clarence , is by authority of this Parliament , adjudged heire to Richard Duke of Yorke his father , and that Dutchy setled upon him and his heires , notwithstanding the Primogeniture of Edward : upon him also wa● entailed the Crown of England , in case heires males of the body of King He●ry f●iled . Iasper Earle of Pembrooke , and Iohn Earle of Oxford , are fully restored ●o their Lands ●nd Honour● and Wa●wick and Cl●rence are made Governours of the King and kingdome● To this Parliament came the M●rquesse Montacute , e●cusing himselfe , that ●or ●eare of dea●h he had taken King Edwards part , which excuse was accepted . Que●n Margaret i● sent for into France , but by reason of contrary windes was kept back all that Winter .

About this time , Iasper Earle of Pembrooke going into Wales to view his lands in Pembrookeshire , found there the Lord Henry , borne of Margaret the onely daughter and heire of Ioh● the first Duke of Som●rset , not being then full ten years of age , kept in manner like a captive , but honourably brought up by the Lady Herbert ; him he brings with him to Lo●do● , and p●esents him to King Henry ; whom when the Ki●g had a good while beheld , he said to the Lords about him : Loe , this is he , to whom both we and our adversaries , leaving the possession of all things , shall hereafter give place . Which if it be true , It shews a very Propheticall Spirit to have been in King Henry ; that could so long before● foretell a thing so unlikely to happen : for this was he , that was afterward King H●●ry the Seventh , before whom at that time there were many lives in being , of bo●h the hous●● of Yorke and L●ncaster .

Shortly after this , by the Duke of Burgoignes means , King Edward is furnished with eighteen tall ships , two thousand Dutchmen , and fifty thousand florens of gold ; and thus furnished , he took to Sea , and landed at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire , where he found but cold entertainment ; neverthelesse he made a wary march to Yorke , where likewise he found no great expression of welcome , so as he was forced to change his pretence , swearing deeply and receiving the Sacrament upon it , that he came not to disturbe King Henry , but only to recover his own inheritance ; and for the more shew thereof , wearing an Estrich● feather , Prince Edwards livery ; which ●roposition seemed so ●easonable , that many who resisted him before , were as ready to assist him now : and if he be blamed for breaking his Oath ; it must be considered , It was Reg●i causa , to recover his Kingdome , which perhaps was the Inheritance he meant , when he took his Oath , that he intended nothing , but to recover his Inheritance : and so he brake not his Oath neither . From Yorke he marched towards Wakefi●ld and Sendall , leaving the Castle of Pomfret upon his left hand● where the Marquesse Montacute with his Army lay , but did not offer to stop him : From Wakefield he came to Do●caster , and from thence to Nottingham , where there came to him Sir William Parre and Sir Iames Harrington with six hundred men ; also Sir Thomas Burgh and Thomas Montgomery with their aydes , who caused him to make Proclamation in his own name : affirming ●hey would serve no man but a King . From Nottingham he came to Leicester , where three thousand able men , and well armed came unto him : From Leicester he came before the wals of Coventry ; into which City the Earle of Warwick had withdrawn himselfe , keeping himselfe close therein , with his people , being about six or seven thousand men ; three dayes together king Edward provoked him to come forth to battell ; but he stayed for more forces , and would not doe it : whereupon King Edward marched forward to Warwicke eight miles from Coventry , thinking thither at least he should have drawne the Earle of Warwicke , but neither would that doe it : Indeed the Earle looked for the comming of the Duke of Clarence , with twelve thousand men to joyn with him , but that expectation proved vaine , for the Duke was now fully reconciled to his Brother King Edward , and brought all his forces to joyn with him ; onely he sought to make amity between King Edward and the Earle : but though King Edward offered generall Pardon , and other faire conditions ; yet none would please the Earle , without restoring of King Henry . But now to repaire the defection of the Duke of Clarence , there came to the Earle of Warwick at Coventry ; the Earle of Oxford , the Duke of Exceter , and the Marquesse Montacute , by whose comming that side was not a little strengthened ; yet all this ayde would not make the Earle of Warwick to come to battell : whereupon King Edward marched forward towards London : Both sides seek to make London their friend ; the Earle of Warwicke sends to his brother the Archbishop of York to labour in it ; who thereupon caused king Henry to mount on h●●seback , and to ride from Pa●ls through Cheape down Walbrooke , supposing that this shewing of the king , would have allured the Citizens to assist him : but this device prevailed little , brought not in above seven or eight thousand men , a small proportion to withstand king Edward ; and when the Archbishop of York saw this backwardnes in the Citizens , or rather indeed an inclination to king Edward , he secretly sent to him , to receive him into grace ; which upon Promise to continue faithfull hereafter , he obtained . The eleventh of April in the year 1471 , and the eleventh of his Reigne , king Edward made his entry into the City of London , ryding first to Pauls Church , and from thence to the Bishops Palace , where the Archbishop of York presented himselfe unto him , and having king Henry by the hand , delivered him to king Edw●rd ( six moneths after his readeption of the Crown ) and then king Edward being seized of his person , went from Pauls to Westminster , and there gave God most hearty thanks for his safe return . The reasons alleadged hereby Philip Comines for the Citizens receiving of king Edward , seeme scarce worthy of so good an Authour : one cause ( saith he ) was , because king Edward being extreamly indebted in the City , if they had not received him , they should have lost their debt ; another , because he had won the love of many Citizens wives , who importuned their husbands to receive him .

The Earle of Warwicke having intelligence that king Edward was received into Lo●don , and king Henry delivered into his hands ; marched out and encamped at St. Alban● , and after some refreshing of his Army , removed towards Barnet , and in a large plaine there , called Gl●dmore heath , pitched his Campe ; which king Edward hearing , on Easter Eve the thirteenth of April , he marched forth , and came that evening to Barnet , where he would not suffer a man of his Army to stay in the town , but commanded them all to the field , and lodged with his Army more neer to the Enemy then he was aware , by reason of a Myst , ( raised some say , by one Bungey a Conjurer ) which made it so darke , that it could not be well observed where they were encamped . In taking his ground , he caused his people to keep as much ●i●ence as was possible , thereby to keep the enemy from knowing of their approach● Great Artillery they had on both parts , but the Earle more then the King ; and therefore in the night time , they shot from his Campe almost continually , but did little hurt , because they still overshot them , as lying neerer then was conceived . On Easter-day , ●arly in the Morning , both Armies are ordered for battaile ; The Earle of Warwick appointed the Command of the Right wing , which consisted of Horse , to his brother the Marquesse Montacute , and the Earle of Oxford ; The Left wing consisting likewise of horse , was led by himselfe and the Duke of Exceter ; and the main Battell consisting of Bills and Bows , was conducted by the Duke of Somerset . On the kings part , the Vaward was commanded by the Duke of Glocester ; the battell ( in which was king Henry ) was led by king Edward himself ; and the Lord H●stings brought on the Reere . After exhortations for encouragement of their S●uldiers , the fight began ; which with great valour was maintained by the space of six hour●s , without any apparent disadvantage on either side ; onely the Earles Vaward , by the valiancy of the Earle of Oxford , seemed somewhat to over-match the kings ; which made s●me flying towards London to carry news , that the Earle of Warwick had wonne the field ; and he had perhaps done so indeed , but for a strange misfortune which happened to the Earle of Oxford and his men ; for they having a Starre with streams on their liveries , as king Edwards men had the Sunne , the Earle of Warwicks men , by reason of the Myst , not well discerning the badges so like , shot at ●he Earle of Oxfords men , that were on their part : whereupon the Earle of Oxford cryed , Treason ! and fled with eight hundred men . At length after great slaughter made on both side● , king Edward having the greater number of men , ( as some write , though other say the contrary ) caused a new power of fresh men ( which he had kept of purpos● ) to come on : which the Earle of Warwick observing , being a man of an invincible courage , nothing dismaied , rushed into the midst of his enemies , where he adventured so ●arre , that amongst the preasse he was stricken down and slaine . ( Though some write , that the Earle seeing the desperate estate of his Army , leapt on a horse to fly ; and comming to a Wood where was no passage , one of king Edwards men came to him , killed him , and spoyled him to the naked skin . ) The Marquesse Montacute , thinking to succour his brother , lost likewise his life , and left the Victory to king Edward . On both sid●s were slaine , as Hall saith , ten thousand at the least ; Fabian saith , but fifteen hu●dred , but then he means onely of the kings side . Upon the kings part were slaine the Lord Cromwell , the Lord Say , the Lord Montjoyes Sonne and heire , Sir Humfry Bo●rchier sonne and heire to the Lord Berners , and divers other knights and gentlemen . On the Earls part were slaine , the Earle himselfe , the Marqu●ss● Montacute , and three and twenty knights , of whom Sir William Tyrrell was one . The Duke of Somerset , and the Earle of Oxford fled into Wales , to Iasper Earle of Pembro●ke . The Duke of Exceter being strucken down , and so wounded that he was left for dead , amongst other the dead bodies , because he was not k●own ; but comming to himselfe , he got up , and escaped to Westminster , and there took Sanctuary . The dead bodies of the Earle and Marquesse were brought to London in a Coffin , and by the space of three dayes lay open-faced in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul , and then buried with their Ancestours , in the Priory of Bissam . This Earle of Warwick was Richard Nevill , sonne and heire of Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury , who married the daughter of Richard Beauchamp the sixth Earle of Warwick , and in her right was Earle of Warwick , in his own , of Sali●bury : he was also Lord Monthermer , great Chamberlaine , and high Admirall of England , Lord Warden of the North Marches towards Scotland , and high Steward of the Dutchy of La●caster : he had issue two Daughters , Isabell married to George Duke of Clarence ; and Ann● , ●●rst married to Prince Edward king Henry the sixths Sonne , and after to Richard Duke of Glocester .

Wee may here observe a Constellation of disastrous influences , concurring all to the overthrow of this great Warwicke ; whereof , if any one had been missing , the wheele of his fortune had perhaps not turned : For if the City of Yorke had not too credulously believed king Edwards Oath , not to d●sturbe king Henry ; or if the Marquesse Mo●tacute had stopped ( as he might ) his passage at Pomfret ; or if the Duke of Clarence had not at the very point of the battell at St. Albans , deserted his party and joyned with king Edwards● or if Qu●en Margaret had not by tempest been kept from comming into E●gla●d in time ; or if the Londoners had not been retrograde and deceived his expectation , he had never perhaps been overthrown as he was : But Fata viam invenient ; destiny will finde waies that were never thought of , will make way where it findes none ; and that which is ordained in heaven , shall be effected by means of which Earth can take no notice .

Queen Margaret , when it was too late , accompanied with Iohn Longstrother Prior of Saint Iohns , and the Lord Wenlock , with divers Knights and Esquires tooke shipping at Harflew , the foure and twentieth of March , but by tempest was kept back till the thirteenth of April ; and then with her sonne Prince Edward , shee landed at Weymouth , and from thence went to an Abby hard by called Ceern , and then to Bewly in Hampshire , whither there came unto her Edmund Duke of Somerset , and Thomas Courtney Earle of Devonshire , with divers others ; amongst whom , it is resolved once more to try their fortune in the field ; but then the Queen would have had her sonne Prince Edward to be sent into France , there to remaine in safety , till the next battell were tryed ; but they being of a contrary minde , and specially the Duke of Somerset , shee at length consented , though afterward she repented it . From Bewly she with her sonne and the Earle of Somerset passeth on to Bristow , intending with what power they could raise in Glocestershire , to march into Wales , to joyn with I●sper Earle of Pembrooke , who was there making preparation of more forces . King E●ward hearing of these things , resolves to crosse this Conjunction , and followes Queen Margaret with a great Power so close , that neere Tewkesbury in Glocestershire he overtakes her forces , who resolutely turn and make head against him ; where Somerset , on the Queens part , leading the Vaunt-guard , performed the part of a valiant Commander ; but finding his souldiers thro●gh wearines begin to faint , and that the Lord Wenlock , who had the conduct of the battaile on the Queens part , moved no , the rode unto him , and upbrayding him with cowardise or treachery , never staid , but with his Pollaxe beat out his brains ; and now before he could bring in his men to the rescue , their Vaward was routed , and Iohn Earle of Devonshire , with above three thousand of the Queens part were slaine : The Queen her selfe , Iohn Beaufort the Duke of Somersets brother , the Prior of Saint Iohns , Sir Gervis Clifton and divers others were taken prisoners ; all which except the Queen , were the next day beheaded . At which time Sir Richard Crofts presented to king Edward king Henries Son Edward , whom he had taken prisoner ; to whom king Edward at first shewed no uncourteous countenance ; but demanding of him , how he durst so presumptuously enter into his Realm with Arms ? and he answering , though truly , yet unseasonably , To recover my Fathers Kingdome and Heritage ; King Edward with his hand thrust him from him , or ( as some say ) strooke him with his Gantlet , and then presently George Duke of Clarence , Richard Duke of Glocester , Thomas Grey Marquesse Dorset , and William Lord Hastings standing by , fell upon him in the plac● , and murdred him . His body was homely interred with other ordinary Corpses , in the Church of the Monastery of the Black-fryers in Tewkesbury . After the Victory thus obtained , king Edward repaired to the Abbey Church of Tewkesbury , to give God thankes for his good successe ; and finding there a great number of his enemies , that were fled thither to save themselves , he gave them all free Pardon ; onely Edmuud Duke of Somerset , 〈◊〉 Longstrother Pryor of Saint Iohns , Sir Thomas Tressham , Sir Gervi● Clifton and divers other Knights and Esquires , who were apprehended there , and brought before the Duke of Glocester , sitting that day as Constable of England , and the Duke of Norfolk as Marshall , were all arraigned , condemned and judged to Dye , and accordingly upon the Tuesday being the seventh of May , they were all , and twelve other knights more , on a Scaffold set up in the middle of the Town , beheaded , but not dismembred● and permitted to be buried . The same day Queen Margaret was found in a poore house of Religion , not farre from thence , into which she was fled for safeguard of her life ; but she was after brought to London , and there kept a Prisoner , till her Father ransomed her with great summes of money . This was the last pitcht battell that was fought in England , in king Edward the fourths dayes , which happened on the fourth of May , being Saturday , in the Eleventh yeere of his reigne , and in the yeere of our Lord 1471.

King Edward being assured , that as long as any partakers of king Henry lived and were at liberty , he should never be free from plots against his life ; sent Roger Vaugha● , a Gentleman much reckoned of in his own Country , to entrape Iasper Earle of Pembrooke , who had escaped from the last encounter : but he having notice of the plot before , prevented it by striking off Vaughans head .

After these great Clouds were thus dispersed , there arose a little Cloud , which gave the Realme , at least the City of London no small disquiet . For now , Thomas bastard Fa●conbridge , who had been imployed by the Earle of Warwick to scowre the Seas , hearing of these defeats ; having enriched himselfe by Piracy , gathered together an Army of seventeen thousand men , and comming to London , imp●riously commanded admission into the City , and releasement of King Henry out of prison : but being denyed entrance , and hearing that king Edward with a great power was comming towards him , he brings up his shipping to Saint Katherines , and taking with him his most desperate men , with them he marcheth to Kingston-bridge , but finding that bridge broken down , and all the places of passage guarded , he withdrew his forces into Saint Georges field , from whence he prepared to assault the City of London ; for the effecting whereof , he landed all his ship Ordinance , and planted them all alongst the Banks-side , with which he battered down many houses , and much annoyed the City ; but the Citizens on the other side , lodged their great Artillery against their Adversaries , with which they so galled them , that they durst not abide in any pla●e alongst the water side , but were driven even from their own Ordinance : Then he appointed his men to set fire on the bridge , and withall caused three thousand to passe over the Thames , and some of them to assault Aldgate , and some Bishopsgate , but were in all places , by the industry of the Citizens repelled , and chiefely by Robert Basset and Ralph Iocelyne Aldermen : Upon this he retyred to Black-heath and there encamped by the space of three dayes ; but then hearing that king Edward was commming with a great Army , he got him to his ship , but the rest fled some one way , some another . The one and twentieth of May , the king comming to London , thanked the Citizens for their pains and care , and dubbed the Major , the Recorde● Vrsewicke , and B●sset and Iocelyne Aldermen , Knights .

And now the time was come for king Henry to be delivered out of all his troubles ; for the bloody Duke of Glocester entring the Tower , where he found king Henry , nothing at all troubled with all his Crosses , struck him into the heart with his Dagger and there slew him . And now we have had within the space of half a yeer , one Parliament Proclaming king Edward an Usurper , and king Henry a lawfull king ; and another Proclaming king Edward a lawfull king , & king Henry an Usurper : that we may know in humane affairs , there is nothing certaine , but uncertainty ; nothing stable , but instability .

King Edward presently after the inte●rment of king Henry , drawes his forces towards ●andwich in Kent , where some of the followers of F●uconbridge , to the number of eight or nine hundred , had in the Castle there strongly fortified themselves , but upon their asking Pardon and submitting themselves to the king , with promise to be faithfull Subjects ever after , they had their Pardon granted them , and then they delivered up both Castle and Ships to the number of thirteen , to the kings use . But how this Composition was observed , may be imagined ; when Fauconbridge who was comprised in the same Pardon , was afterward taken and executed at Southampton Spicing and Quintine the Captaines that affailed Aldgate and Bishopsgate , and were in Sandwich Castle , at the surrender thereof ; were presently beheaded at Canterbury , and their heads placed on poles , upon those gates : and by a Commission of Oyre and Te●miner , many both in Essex and Kent , were arraigned and condemned for this Rebellion , and more fined .

And now king Edward , desiring to be secured from all suspected persons , sent the Archbishop of Yorke , brother to the Earle of Warwick , over to Guisnes , there to be kept in safe custody ; and there he remained a long time , till at length by friendship he was delivered , and shortly after dyed . Likewise Iohn Earle of Oxford , who after Barnet Field yeelded himselfe to king Edward , had his life pardoned ; but yet was se●t over sea to the Castle of H●mmes , where for the space of twelve years he was shut up in strong prison , and narrowly looked too . As for the Earles of Pembrooke and Richmond , who were fled out of the Realme , to the Duke of Britaine , king Edward sent to the Duke , requiring to have them delivered up unto him , upon promise of great rewards ; to which the Duke made answer , that he could no● with his honour deliver them up , whom he had taken into his Protection ; but that for king Edwards sake , he would take such care of them , that he should need to take no care for them ; and to that end , he sequestred their own servants from them , and appointed Britaines to attend upon them .

It was now the thirteenth year of king Edwards reigne ; in which a Parliament was called at Westminster : wherein all acts formerly made by him , are confirmed or revived ; and all their Lands and Goods confiscated , that had taken part against him and were fled and all their lands and goods restored to such as had taken part with him .

King Edward being destin'd to be alwayes in troubles ; now that he had quietnesse at home , was drawn into new broyles abroad ; for the Duke of Burgoigne at this time having warres with France , thought he could no way make a better harvest to himselfe , then by sowing seeds of dissention between France and England ; and to this end , he sends Ambassadours to king Edward , to sollicite him to set on foot his Title to the Crown of France ; making great offers , with Protestation to assist him in it , both with Purse and Person . This proposition being seriously debated by the Kings Privy Counsell , is at last approved of , as being both lawfull and behovefull , for the honour of the King , and good of the kingdome . Onely means to beare the charges of the warre , were wanting ; to supply which by a Parliamentary course , would ask too much time : a new course therefore is devised , to procure mony from the Subject by way of Benevolence ; and this course was taken .

About this time , Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and Earle of Huntington , dis-inherited by Act of Parliament , in the fourth yeer of this King , ( though he had married King Edwards Sister ; yet grew to so great misery , that passing over into Flanders , he was there forced all ragged and bare-foot to beg his bread : ) was found dead , and stript naked , between Dover and Callice : but how he came to his death , no enquiry could bring to light .

Provision for this French expedition being throughly made ; and order taken for the quiet government of the kingdome in his absence , and the stop of incursions , if any by the Scots should be made : King Edward with an Army of fifteen hundred men at arms , all of the Nobility and Gentry , fifteen thousand Archers on horseback , eight thousand Common souldiers , and three thousand Pioners , came down to Dover ; whither the Duke of Burgoigne had sent five hundred flat bottom'd boates , to transport the Horse to Callice ; yet for all that helpe , it was two and twenty dayes before the kings forces were all past over . Before the kings departure from Dover , ( to the end he might not seem to surprize him ) he sent an Herauld named Garter , a Norman by birth , with a letter of Defiance to the French king , ( so well written , saith Co●●●●s , that he thought it not of any English mans enditing ; as though Englishmen could not endite aswell as the French ) Requiring him to yeeld unto him the Crown of F●●●ce , his unquestionable Inheritance ; which if he should dare to deny , ●e 〈◊〉 then endeavor to recover it by the Sword . This letter the French king read & thereupon withdrawing himselfe , caused the Herauld to be brought to his presence● to whom in private he gave this answer : That the Duke of Burgoigne and the Earle of Saint Paul the Constable , ( by whose instigation , he knew the king of E●gland was drawn to this Designe ) would but delude him , for that they were Dissembler●●nd Impostors ; and therfore said , It would conduce more to the honor of the king of 〈◊〉 to continue in League with him , though an old Adversary ; then to hazard th● fortune of the warres , upon the promised assistance of new-come Dec●ivers●●nd so commend me ( saith he ) to the king thy Master , and say what I have told ●he● ; and then with an honourable reward of three hundred Crowns , dismist him : The Herauld promised to doe all that in him lay , and ( beyond his Commission ) shew●d the French king wayes , ( by working upon the Lords Howard and Stanley ) by which he might enter into a Treaty for Peace , which he doubted not , would sort to a good Conclusion . The French king glad to he●r it , gave the Herauld , besides the other reward , ● piece of Crimson Velvet of thirty yards long ; and withall sent to king E●ward the goodliest Horse he had in his Stable , as also an A●●e , a Wolph , and a wild●●ore , bea●ts at that time rare in England : and then the Herauld returning to Callice , delivered to king Edward the French kings ●nswer .

And now to make good the French kings a●●egation to the Herauld ; the Duke o● Burgoigne , who had promised in the word of a Prince , to bring to Callice by this time , two thousand Launces and foure thousand Seradiots or ●ight ho●se , failed to come : whereupon the Lord Scales is by king E●ward sent to the D●ke , to put him in minde of his promise , and to ha●ten his comming with his promised forces : But the journey was to little purpose ; onely it occasioned the Duke with a small ●roop of horse to come to ●he king , formally to excuse himselfe for having been so backward ; but the cause ( he said ) was , for that having been imbroiled in the siege of N●z , he could not depart thence without infinite disgrace , if neither composition nor submission were enforced ; which now notwithst●nding● because he would not too much trespasse upon his pat●ence , he was enforced to doe , by the ob●t●nacy of the besieged : but promised to supply all defects , both with his presence and power , and that speedily . The Constable likewise by his letter perswades the king of England to proceede in the action , and not to doubt both from the Duke and himself , to be sufficiently every way accommodated .

King Edward thus encouraged , passeth on , but in his way found no performance of promises , either on the Dukes or Constables part ; for the Duke did not accommodate the souldiers at their comming to Pero●●● , with victuals or lodging in such manner as was requisite and expected ; and the Constable in stead of surrendring up Sain● 〈◊〉 according to agreement , made a sa●ly out upon such as were sent from the king of E●gla●d to take possession , and plaid upon them with his great Ordinance ; whereupon k. Ed●ard began to suspect the truth of the French k. description of the Dukes and Constables conditions ; and from thence forward stood upon his own guard , and gave no further credit to their Protestation ; which the Duke of Burgoig●e resenting , pretended occasions for the hasting forward his forces● & promising speedy return together with them , taketh his leave and departeth , which did not a little increa●e the kings suspition .

The French king having intelligence of the Duke of Burgoignes departure , forecasting the danger , if they should unite their forces ; resolved with himselfe , to 〈◊〉 what might be done to mediate a Peace in the Dukes absence ; and yet so to 〈◊〉 , that if it took not effect , he might disclaime the knowledge of the overture : whereupon he privately dispatcheth a messenger , in ●hew an Herauld ; but was indeed● fellow of no o●●ice or estimation , and not known to any of the Kings household , but to Villiers the Master of the Horse , who only was acquainted with the plot and party . This counterfeit Pursuivant at Arm● , with a coate made of a Trumpets Banne●towle , addressed himselfe to the king of E●gla●d , and upon admission to his pesence , insinuates the French Kings desire , which was , to have Commissioners on both parts assigned , to conferre of the means to reconcile the differences between the two Kings ; or at least to conclude a cessation from arms fo● some time : And so well this Messenger delivered his errand , that it was credited , and the kings request grant●d ; and thereupon letters of safe conduct , are sent of both sides , for such Commissioners as to this purpose should meet at A●ye●s . For king Edward , came the Lord Ho●●●d , Sir A●tho●y Se●tleger , and Doctor Mor●on , after made Lord Chancelour of E●gla●d . For king Lewis , came the Admirall of France , the Lord Saint Piers , and Heberg●●shop ●●shop of E●reux . After long Conference , Articles of Peace were concluded on ●o this effect : That the French king should pay presently to the king of E●gla●d , threescore and fifteen thousand Crowns , and from thence forth , annually , fifty thous●nd Crowns , during the life of king Edward : That within one yeare , the French king should send for the Lady 〈◊〉 the king of Englands daughter , and joyn her in marriage to the Dolphin : That the Lord How●rd , and Sir Iohn Cheyney Master of the Horse , should remaine in hostage there , till the English army had quitted France , and ● generall peace for nine yeer● ; wherein the Dukes of Burgoigne and Britt●●●e , are ●●cluded , if they will accept thereof : This Conclusion was the more easily compassed , by the king of France his following the Herauld● Counsell ; fo● he distributed sixteen thousand Crowns amongst king Edwards Counsellours and Favorites ; two thousand Crowns to the Lord Hastings the kings Chamberlaine , and to the Lord 〈◊〉 , Sir Iohn Cheyn●y , Sir Anthony Sentleger , and Mo●●gomery , the residue ; besides great store of Plate and Jewels , distributed amongst inferiour Officers of the Court . The Duke of Glocester onely opposed this accord , as not suiting with his designe ; Neverthelesse it proceeded , and not●ce thereof is presently sent to the Duke of 〈◊〉 ; who thereupon onely with fifteen horse , comes posting to the English Campe , whom king Edward perswades to enter into the peace , according to the reservation ; but he in a great chafe , reproacheth king Edward for entring into it himselfe ; saying , that his predecessours had by many brave exploits gotten fame and rep●tation upon the French ; and now he had brought his souldiers onely to shew them the Country , and returne as they came ; adding withall , that to make it appe●●e he was able without helpe of the English to subsist of himselfe● he utterly discl●●med any benefit by that Truce , untill three months after the English were re●●●ned to their own Country ; and so in a great snuffe returned home .

For the better Confirmation of what wa● agreed upon between the two kings , an 〈◊〉 is desired ; but before the same is e●●ectua●ed , the French king sends to the Eng●●sh army an hundred Tonne of Gascoigne wine , to be drunke out amongst the priv●●e ●ouldiers , and therewithall , free licence for Commanders and Gentlemen to recreate themselves in Amye●s , where they were lovingly entertained by the Burgers of the Town , by the kings expresse command . The place of enterview of these two 〈◊〉 is agreed on to be at Picquency , a Town three miles distant from Am●e●s , seated in ●●ottome , through which the river of Some runneth , over which a strong bridge was bu●●t , and in the midst thereof a gra●e made overthwart with ●artes , no wider 〈◊〉 than a man might well thrust in his arme ; covered with boardes overhead● to avoid the rain●foure of the Bed-chamber on both sides , are appointed to search the room● , to prevent traps of instrumen●● of treachery : and being by them certified that ●ll as was cleere , the kings advance themselves . King Edward being come in sight of the place , made a stand ; being told , that the circumstance of comming f●r●t to th● place , was a matter of great disparagement in point of State : but the French king ●o●e regarding subst●nce then circumstance , gave the king of England the advan●●●● to come at hi● pleasure , and went first to the barre appointed for conference , 〈◊〉 the●e did attend king Edwards leasure . He had in his Company , Iohn Duke of 〈◊〉 , with his brother the Cardinall , and eight hundred m●n at Arms. King Ed●●●● h●d with him , his brother the Duke of Clarence , the Earle of Northumberland , ●he Lords Chamberlaine and Chancellour , and at his backe his whole Army in b●t●e●● . The kings lovingly salute each other , and complements of courtesie re●ipro 〈…〉 which finished , They with their Noblemen there present , take all ●heir 〈◊〉 upon the holy Evangelists , in all to their ●ower , to observe the Articles o● 〈◊〉 agre●d on . After which , In private the French king impor●u●es king Ed●●●● , that the Duke of Brittaine might be left out of these Articles : but after much 〈◊〉 to that purpose , king Edward gave his resolute answer● that if king Lewis 〈◊〉 the frendship of Engl●nd , he should not molest the Duke of Brittaine● for ●hat he was resolved , at any time to come in person to relieve him● if he were distu●●ed : King Edward pretended the many kindnesse he had forme●ly rec●ived of the Duke of Brittaine : but it was conceived , that the desire of compassing the Ea●les o● 〈◊〉 and Pembrooke , now in the Duke of Brittaines Country , were the greatest 〈◊〉 of his standing ●o ●irmely for him . The money to be payd to king Ed●●rd 〈◊〉 the Articles , is accordingly payd ; and thereupon the French Hostages are delivered , and the Englis● Army re●●res to Callice , and from thenc● is transported into 〈◊〉 and then the English Hostages are likewise delivered . This Peace was 〈◊〉 ●o be made only by the holy Ghost ; because on the day of mee●ing , a white Dove came and sate upon the king of Englands Tent : though the Dukes of Glocester and Burgoig●e thought it was made by no good spirit .

King Edward being returned into England , had his minde running still upon the dange● that might grow from the Earle of Richmond : he therefore dispatched D. Stillington and two other his Ambassadors to the Duke of Bri●aine , to send him over to him , under this subtle pretence , that he meant to match him in mariage with the Lady Cicill● his younger daughter ; and withall , sent also no small store of Angels to speake for him : which so prevailed with the Duke , that he delivered the Earle o● Richmond to the Ambassadors , who conducted him thence to Saint Malo● , where whil'st they stayed for a winde , the young Earle , by the cunning plotting of Peter Landoi● the Dukes Treasurer ( more out of scorne that he was not gratified by the English Ambassadour to the proportion of his place , than for any love to the Earle ) escapes into Sanctuary ; from whence neither prayers nor promises could get him cut : Neverthelesse , upon Peter Landois his promise he should be safely kept there , the Ambassadors departed , and returned home , acquainted K. Edward with the Duke of B●●goig●●s courtesie in delivering him , and their own negligence in suffering him to escape , onely making amends with the promise of Peter Landois ; which might be to K. Edward some contentment , but was no satisfaction .

At Christmas following , being the sixteenth yeere of his Reigne , he created his eldest sonne Edward , Prince of Wales , Duke of Cor●wall , and Earle of Chester : his second sonne he made Duke of Yorke ; giving the order of knighthood to the sonne and heire of the Earle of Li●col●e , and many others . He created also foure and twenty knights of the Bath , whereof Brian Chiefe Justice , and Littleton a Judge of the Common Pleas , were two .

About this time , there were two examples of severity seene ; not unworthy the relating , if but onely to make us see how dangerous a thing it is Ludere cum sancti● , to speake words that may be taken as reflecting upon the king . The first was of one Walter Walker , a wealthy Citizen , dwelling at the signe of the Crown in Cheapside : This man one day when his childe cryed , bid him be quiet , and he would make him heire of the Crowne : which words being subject to interpretation , he was called in question about them , arraigned , condemned , and put to death . The other was of Thomas Burdet of Arrow in Warwickeshire Esquire : It happened that K. Edward hunted in his Parke , he being from home ; and there killed a white Buck , whereof Mr. Burde● made speciall account : so as comming home , and finding that Buck killed , he wished it hornes and all in his belly that had counselled the king to kill it : and because none counselled the King to kill it but himselfe ; it was thought those words were not spoken without a malignant reflecting upon the King : and thereupon Burdet was arraigned and condemned , drawne to Tiburne , and there beheaded : though M●rkh●● then Chiefe Justice , chose rather to lose his place , than assent to the Judgement .

And now began ambition to boyle in Richard Duke of Glocester ; whereof the first heate fell upon his brother the Duke of Clarence , how to rid him out of the way ; to which end , he seeks to raise Jealousies in King Edwards head against him , telling him , that some of Clare●ce his followers were Sorcere●s and Necromancers , and had given forth speeches , that one whose name begun with G. should disinherit his Children and get the Crown : and for a colour of this suggestion , one of the Duke of Clar●●ce his servants , who came with him out of Ireland , from Dublin , where the Duke was born ; is in his Masters absence , by the procurement underhand of the Duke of Glocester , indicted , ●rraigned , condemned and executed at Tyburne for a Conjurer , and all within the space of two dayes : and the Duke of Glocester , to make shew that he had no hand in this fellows death , set on the Duke of Clarence to complaine of it to King Edward ; and in the mean time finds matter , at least colour of matter , to make him be committed to the Tower ; ●nd then againe , to make shew he had no hand in his imprisonment , bids him be of good cheere , for it should not be long ere he would see him released : and he kept his word ; for not long after , by his procurement , he was drowned in a But of Malmesey , ( and this was his releasement ) and then laid in his bed , to make the people believe that he died of discontent ; whose death , King Edward though perhaps consenting to it , so much resented , that afterwards when he was sued unto for any mans Pardon , he would ●ighing break out into such words : Oh unfortunate brother● for whose life not one man would open his mouth . Being dead , he was buried at Tewkesbury in Glocestershire , by the body of his Dutchesse , who great with childe , dyed of Poyson a little before .

It was now the two and twentieth yeere of King Edwards Reigne , when Iames King of Scotland sent Ambassadors to treate of a Mariage between his eldest sonne Iames Duke of Rothsay , and Cicely king Edwards second daughter . This overture for a March , was by the king and his Councell readily imbraced , and a great part of the Portion was delivered to the Scots , with this Proviso , That if the mariage di● not proceed , the Provost and Merchants of Edenbourgh should be bound to rep●y it againe . But the Scotish king , who had other fantasies in his head , and would take counsell of none but his owne will , and diverted also perhaps by the king of France ; not onely dallyed the proceeding in the ma●ch , but affronted those of the Nobility th●t perswaded him to it ; in so much that his Brother the Duke of Albany was enforced to abandon the Country , and to flie for refuge into England : by whom king Edward being informed of king Iames his fickle disposition , was so much incensed , that under the conduct of the Duke of Glocester , accompanied with the Duke of Albany , he sent an Army of twenty thousand against Scotland ; who in their way took in Barwick , and besieged the Castle ; which being resolutely defended by the Earle Bothwell , the Duke left the Lord Stanley to continue the siege , whil'st he , wi●h the rest of the Army , marched towards Edenbourgh ; where within the Castle of Maydens , king Iames had immur'd himselfe . But the Nobility of Scotland , seeing the danger they were in , endeavoured by humble submission , to procure a peace , at least a cessation from war ; which with much importunity they obtained , upon these Conditions : That full satisfaction should be presently given , for all dammages sustained by the late incursions : That the Duke of Albany should be fully restored to grace and place , with an abolition of all discontents between his brother king Iames and him : That the Castle of Barwicke , ( which had been now out of the Possession of the English , one and twenty yeers ) should immediately be surrendred into the Generals hands ; and from thence no reduction of that or the Town attempted : That all such summes of money as upon the proposition of the marriage , had been delivered , should be repaid . All which , except the first Article , were accordingly p●●formed .

When this busines with Scotland was indifferently accomodated ; King Edward receiv●s intelligence from his Ambassadour-Leidger in France , that the French King not only denied the payment of the annuall Tribute of fifty thousand crowns , agreed upon and sworn to upon the ratification of the late concluded Peace ; but had also married the Dolphin of France to the Lady Margaret , daughter of Maximill●n Sonne of the Emperour ; which so much incensed K. Edward , that he resolves to revenge it ; and by the advise of his Counsell , open warre was presently Proclamed against France : but whil'st King Edward is making preparation , and intentive to the busines , he is attached by the hand of death ; and upon the ninth of April , in the yeer 1483 , at Westminster ended this mortall life .

Of his Taxations .

IN his second yeer , he sent his Privy Seale through England , to move men to give him a certaine summe of money towards resisting the Scots , wh●ch was granted and given liberal●y . In his seventh yeer , in a Parliament at Westminster , were ●●sumed all manner of gifts , which the King had given , from the first day he tooke possession of the Realm , to that time . In his eighth yeer , at a Parliament , were grant●d two Fifteens and a Demy . In his thirteenth yeer , a Parliament was holden , wherein , a Sub●idie was granted ; and the yeer following , towards warre to be undertaken in France , a new way of raysing money is devised , called a Benevolence , by which great summes of money were gotten of the Subject : and it is not unworthy the relating , what an old rich Widdow at this time did ; whom King Edward , amonstothers having called before him , merrily asked , what she would willingly give him towards his great charges ? By my troth ( quoth shee ) for thy lovely countenance , thou shalt have even twenty pounds . The King looking scarce for half that summe , thanked her , and lovingly kist her ; which so wrought with the old widdow , that she presently swore , he should have twenty pound more ; and payd it willingly . No● long before his death , he was by ill Counsellours put upon a distastefull course for raysing of mony ; which was , by fining men for delinquencies against Penall Statures by which course some money was gathered ; but before it came to full execution , he dying , that also dyed with him .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

IN his fourth yeer , he newly devised the Coyne both of Gold and Silver , as a● this day it is ; the Gold , he named Royals and Nobles ; the Silver , Groats and 〈◊〉 Groats : the new Groate weighing scantly three pence ; and the Noble of six shillings eight pence , appointed to goe for eight shillings foure pence . In his fifth yeer , it was Proclamed in England , that the Beakes or Pykes of Shooes and Bootes , should not passe two Inches , upon paine of Cursing by the Clergie , and forfeiting twenty shillings , to be paid one noble to the King , another to the Cordwayners of London , and the third to the Chamber of London ; and for other Countries and Towns the like order was taken . Before this time , and since the yeer 1382. the Pykes of Shooes and Bootes were of such length , that they were faine to be tyed up to the Knees with chaines of Silver and gilt , or at least with silken laces .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN this Kings time , the Jubile which was before but every fiftieth yeer , was by Pope Six●●● the fourth , brought to be every five and twenty yeer . Also , where before this time , the Scottish Bishops had no Metropolitane , but the Bishop of Yorke was Metropolitane and Primate of Scotland ; now in this Kings time , Pope Six●●● appointed the Bishop of Saint Andrews to be Metropolitane of Scotland , who had twelve Bishops under his obedience .

Of Workes of Piety done in his time .

THIS King laid the foundation of the new Chappell at Windso● , and his Queen Elizabeth founded the Queens Colledge in Cambridge , and endowed it with large Possessions . About his fifteenth yeere , Doctor Woodlarke Provost of Kings Colledge in Cambridge , Founded Katherine-hall there . In his seventeenth yeer , the Wall of the City of London , from Cripplegate to Bishopsgate , was builded at the charges of the Citizens , also Bishopsgate it selfe was new built by the Merchants 〈◊〉 of the Styliard . Also in this yeere dyed Sir Iohn Crosby Knight , late Major of London ; who gave to the repairing of the Parish-Church of St. Helens in Bishopsgatestreet , where he was buried , 500 Marks : to the repairing of the parish Church of He●w●rth in Middlesex , forty pounds : to the repairing of London-wall , an hundred pounds : to the repairing of Rochester-bridge , ten pounds : to the Wardens and Commonalty of the Grocers in London , two large Pots of silver chased halfe gilt , and other Legacies . About this time also , Richard Rawson one of the Sheriffs of London , caused an house to be builded in the Church-yard of St. Mary Hospitalll without Bishopsgate , where the Major and Aldermen use to sit and heare the Sermons in Easterholy-daies . In his nineteenth yeere , William Tailour Major of London , gave to the City certaine Tenements ; for the which the City is bound to pay for ever , at every Fifteene granted to the King , for all such as shall dwell in Cordwainers-street-ward , sessed at twelve-pence apiece , or under . And about the same time , one Thomas 〈◊〉 Sheriffe of London , builded at his own costs the great Conduit in Che●pside . In his three and twentieth yeere , Edmund Shaw Goldsmith , who had been Major of London , at his own costs re-edified Cripplegate in London , which gate in old time had been a Prison .

Of Casualties happening in his time .

IN his third yeare , the Minster of Yorke , and the Steeple of Christs Church in Norwich were burnt . In his seventeenth yeere , so great a Pestilence reigned in England , that it swept away more people in foure moneths , than the Warres had done in fifteen yeeres past . Also in his nineteenth yeere was another Pes●●lence ; which beginning in the later end of September , continued till the beginning of November twelve-moneth following ; in which space of time innumerable people dyed .

Of his wife and issue .

KIng Edward had been contracted to Eleanor daughter of Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury , maried after to Sir Thomas Butler Baron of S●dely : but he maried Elizabeth the widdow of Sir Iohn Grey , daughter of Richard Woodvile by his wife Iaqueline Dutchesse of Bedford : she lived his wife eighteene yeeres and eleven moneths ; by whom he had three sonnes and seven daughters . Edward his eldest sonne , borne in the Sanctuary at Westminster : Richard his second sonne , borne at Shrewsbury : George his third sonne , borne also at Shrewsbury , but dyed a childe . Elizabeth his eldest daughter , promised in mariage to Charles Dolphin of France ; but maried afterward to King Henry th● Seventh : Cicely his second daughter , promised in mariage to Iames Duke of ●othsay , Prince of Scotland ; but was maried afterward to Iohn Viscount Wells , whom she outlived , and was againe re-maried , but by neither husband had any issue : she lyeth buried at Quarena in the Isle of Wight . Anne his third daughter was maried to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke , Earle Marshall , and High Treasurer of England ; by whom she had two sonnes , both dying without issue : she lyeth buried at Framingham in Norfolk . Bridget his fourth daughter , borne at Eltham in Kent , became a Nunne in the Nunnery of Dartford in Kent , which king Edward had founded . Mary his fifth daughter , was promised in mariage to the King of Denmarke , but dyed in the Tower of Greenwich , before it could be solemnized : she lyeth buried at Windsor . Margaret his sixth daughter , dyed an Infant . Katherine his seventh daughter , was maried to William Courtney Earle of Devo●shire ; to whom she bare Lord Henry , who by King Henry the eighth was created Marquesse of Exeter .

Concubines he had many , but three specially ; and would use to say , that he had three Concubines , who in their severall properties excelled : One , the merriest ; another , the wyliest ; the third , the holyest harlot in his Realme ; as one whom no man could lightly get out of the Church to any place , unlesse it were to his bed ; The other two were greater personages than are sit to be named : but the merriest was Shores wife ; in whom therefore he tooke speciall pleasure : This woman was borne in London , worshipfully descended . and well maried : but when the King had abused her , anon her husband ( as he was an honest man , and did know his good , not presuming to touch a Kings Concubine ) left her up to him altogether .

By these he had naturall issue ; Arthur sirnamed Plantagenet , ( whose mother , as is supposed , was the Lady Elizabeth Lucy ) created Viscount Lisle , by King Henry the Eight , at Bridewell in London : And Elizabeth , who was maried to Sir Thomas Lumley knight ; to whom she bare Richard , afterward Lord Lumley , from whom the late Lord Lumley did descend .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was ( saith Comines ) the goodliest Personage that ever mine eyes beheld ; exceeding tall of statu●e , faire of complexion , and of most Princely presence : and we may truly say , he was of full age before he came to one and twenty ; for being but eighteen yeeres old when his Father dyed , he sued out his livery presently : so as he began the race of his for●●ne just like Augustus Caesar , each of them at the same age succeeding an Ancestour after a violent death ; and each of them left to set on a roofe , where but onely a fo●●●●tion was laid before . For his conditions , he was of an erected composure both of body ●nd minde , but something sagging on the Fleshes side ; and never any man that did marry for Love , did so little love Mariage ; for he tooke as much pleasure in other mens wives as in his owne . He was never more confident , than when he was in danger ; nor ever more doubtfull , than when he was s●●ure . Of the foure Cardinall virtues , For●●nde and Prudence were in him naturally ; Temperance ●●d Justice , but to serve his turne . He was politick even to irreligion ; for to compasse his ends , he would not stick to sweare what he never meant . Yet he was Religious beyond Policy ; for before Battailes , he used to make his Prayers to God ; after Victories , to give him Thanks . He was farre from being proud , yet very ambitious ; and could use familiarity , and yet retaine Majestie . He was a great Briber ; and wha● he could not get by force , he would by Rewards ; as much as what he could not get by Battery , he would by Mines . H● was too credulous of Reports , which made him be in errour , sometimes to the h●rt of himselfe , oftentimes of others . He had made the White Rose to flourish as long as Henry the Fourth made the Red , if he had not made it change colour with too much blood . He had been fortunate in his children , if he had not been unfortunate in a brother : but he was well enough served , that would thinke a Wolfe could ever be a good Shepheard . He had an excellent art in improving his favours ; for he could doe as much with a small courtesie , as other men with a great benefit : And that which was more , he could make advantage of disadvantages ; for he got the love of the Londoners by owing them money ; and the good will of the Citizens by lying with their wives .

Of his Death and Buriall .

WHether it began from his minde , being extreamely troubled with the injurious dealing of ●he King of France ; or from his body , by intemperance of dyet , to which he was much given ; he fell into a sicknesse , ( some say a Catarche , some a Feaver ) but into a sicknesse whereof he dyed . In the time of which sicknesse , & at the very point of his death , Sir Thomas Moore makes him to make a speech to his Lords ; which I might thinke to be the speech of a sick man , if it were not so sound , and of a weake man , if it were not so long : but it seemes , Sir Thomas Moore delivers rather what was fit for him to say , than what he sayd ; the Contents being onely , to exhort his Lords , whom he knew to be at variance , to be in love and concord amongst themselves ; for that , the welfare of his children , whom he must now leave to their care , could not otherwise be preserved but by their agreement . And having spoken to this purpose as much as his weaknes would suffer him , he found himselfe sleepy ; and turning on one side , he fell into his long sleep , the ninth of April , in the yeere 1483. when he had lived one and forty yeeres , Reigned two and twenty and one mo●eth ; and was buried at Windsor , in the new Chappell , whose foundation himselfe had laid .

Of men of Note in his time .

MEN of valour in his time were many , but himselfe the chiefest , the rest may be observed in reading his story . For men of letters , we may have leave at this time to speake of some strangers , having been men of extraordinary fame ; as Iohānes de Monte Regi● , Purbachiu● and Bl●●chinu● , all great Astronomers ; Ludovicus Pontanus , Paulus Castrensis , and A●thonius Rossellanus , all great Lawyers ; Servisanus , Sava●arola , and Barzizius , all great Phisitians ; Bessarion and Cusanus , both great Cardinalls ; Argyr●pole , Philelphus , Datus , Leonardus Aretinus , and Poggius , all great men in humane lit●rature . And of our own Countrimen ; Iohn Harding an E●quire , borne in the North parts , who wrote a Chronicle in English verse , and among o●her speciall points therein touched , hath gathered all the Submissions and Homages made by the Scottish kings , even from the dayes of King Athelstan : whereby it may evide●●●y appeare , how the Scottish kingdome , even in manner , from the first Establish●ng thereof here in Britaine , hath been appertaining unto the kings of England , and holden of them as their chiefe and superiour Lords . Iulian Bemes , a Gentlewoman of excellent gifts , who wrote certaine Treatises of Hawking and Hunting ; also a book of the L●wes of Armes , and knowledge pertaining to Hera●lds . Iohn For●●scue a Judge , and Chancellour of England , who wrote divers Treatises concerning the Law and Politick Government . Rochus a Charterhouse-Monk born in London , who wrote divers Epigrams . Walter H●nt a Carmelite Fryer , who for his excellent learning , was sent from the whole body of the Realme , to the Generall Counsell h●ld●● fir●● at Ferr●ra , and after at Florence , by Pope E●genius the fourth ; where ●e am●ngs● others dis●uted with the Greekes i● defence of the Order and Ceremo●●es o● the Latine Church . William Caxton , who wrote a Chronicle called Fructu● Temporum , and an Appendix unto Trevisa besides divers other bookes and translations . Iohn Milverton , a Carmelit● Frier of Bristow , and provinciall of his Order , who because he defended such of his Order as preached against endowments of the Church with Temporall possessions , was committed to prison in the Castle of Saint Angel● in Rome , where he continued three yeers . David Morgan a Welshman , who wrote of the Antiquities of Wales , and a description of the Country . Iohn Tiptoft , a nobleman born , who wrote divers Treatises , but lost of his head in the yeer 1471. Robert Huggon born in Norfolk , who wrote certaine vaine Prophesies . Thomas Norto● born in Bristow , an Alchymist● Scoga●● a learned Gentleman , and a Student for a time in Oxford ; who for his plesant wit and merry conceits , was called to Court . But most worthy of all to be remembred , Thomas Littleton a reverend Judge of the Common Ple●s , who brought a great part of the Law into a Method , whic● lay before confusedly dispersed ; and his book called Littletons Tenures .

THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIFTH .

KING Edward the Fourth being dead , his eldest Sonne Edw●●● , scarce yet eleven yee●● old , succeeded in the kingdome , but not in the Crown ; for he was Proclaimed king , but never Crowned : and indeed it may not so properly be called the Reigne of E●●●●d●he ●he fifth , as the Tyranny of Richard the Third ; for from the time of king Edward● death , though not in Name , yet in effect● he not onely ruled as king , but raged as a Tyrant . Prince Edwa●● when his Father dyed , was at Ludlow in Wales , where he had lived some time before , the better by his presence , to keep the Welsh in awe ; He had about him of his Mothers kindred many ; but Sir Anthony Woodvile , the Earle Rivers his Uncle , was appointed his chiefe Counsellour and directour . The Duke of Glocester was at this time in the North , but had word presently sent him , from the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine , of his brother king Edwards death ; who acquainted him withall , that by his Will , he had committed the young king , his Queen and other children , to his care and government ; and thereupon putting him in minde , 〈◊〉 necessary it was for him speed●ly to rep●ir● to London : But the Duke of Gloce●●er needed no spurre to set him forward , who was already in a full cariere ; for he had long before projected in his minde , how he might come to attaine the Crown ; and now hee thought the way was made him . For as it is said , the very night in which king Edward dyed , one Misselbrooke , long ere morning , came in great haste to the house of one Potter dwelling in Red-crosse-streete without Cripplegate ; where he shewed unto Potter , that king Edward was departed : to whom Potter answered , By my troth man , then will my Master the Duke of Glocester be king : what cause he had so to thinke , is hard to say ; but surely it is not likely he spake it of nought . And now the young king was comming up to London with a strong guard ; partly to make a first expression of his greatnesse , and partly to oppose any disorders that might be offered . But the Duke of Glocester finding this proceeding like to be a rub in his way , at least not fit for his designes , he presently fals to undermining ; writes most loving letters to the Queen , protesting all humble and faithfull service to the king and her , but withall perswading her , that this great guard about the king might be presently dismissed ; which did but minister matter of suspition , and would be apt to breed new jealousies in them who were now throughly reconciled . The Queen of a nature easie to be wrought upon , gives credit to his glozing letters ; and thereupon sends in all haste to her Sonne , and to her brother the Lord Ri●ers ; requiring them by all meanes , for some causes to her known , to dismisse their g●●●d , ( not ●en●●oning by whose advice she writ them ; which if she had done , they would never have done ) but now upon her letters , they presently did ; and came forward with o●●ly a sober company . And now is Glocesters first work 〈◊〉 but he knowing that the worke yet behinde was too great to be done by himselfe ●●one , gets the D●ke of Buckingham and the Lord Hastings ; two of the greatest men of power at that time in the kingdome , to joyn with him in opinion , that it was not fit ●he 〈◊〉 kindred should be so wholly about the king ; and others of better blood and d●●●rt , to be estranged from him ; and therefore by all means , fi●●o endeavour to ●emove them : to which the Duke of Buckingham is easily wrought , upon a promise to have the Earledome of Hartford conferred upon him : and the Lord Hasting● not hardly , upon a hope by this means to cut off many , whom in king Edwards daies 〈…〉 ●ustly offended . And now another great worke was done ; It remaines in 〈…〉 place , to put it in execution , which was presently this e●fected : The 〈◊〉 king had been at Northampton , and from thence was gone to Stonystratford , 〈◊〉 the two Dukes of Glocester and Buckingham a●rived ; but pretending the Town to be too little for the entertainment of their Comp●nies , they went back to ●●●thampton , and alighted at the same In●e where the Earle Ryver● had taken up h●s lodging for that night , intending the next morning early to overtake the king . Upon this their accidentall meeting , great shews of courtesie passed between them ; and supper ended , the Dukes pretending wearines , retire to their lodgings , the Earle to his ; but the Dukes being entred into their Chambers , enter into consultation 〈◊〉 their private friends , in which they spent a great part of the night , and then secretly get the keyes of the Inne gates , suffering none to passe either in or out ; whereof the Earle having notice by his Host , though he suspected the worst , yet setting a good countenance upon the matter , and trusting to his own Innocency , he bold●y went to the Duke of Glocesters Chamber , where he found the Duke of Buckingham and the rest closely set in counsell ; with whom he expostulates the reason of this co●●se , to imprison him in his Inne against his will ? b●t they in stead of answer , c●mmand presently to lay hands on him , charging him with many crimes , whereof themselves were onely guilty : And then taking order for his safe imprisonment , they speedily took horse , and came to Stonistratford , at such time as the king was taking horse , whom in all reverent manner they saluted : but presently in the kings presence , a quarrell is pickt against the Lord Richard Grey , the kings halfe brother : The Duke of Buckingham making relation to the king , that he and the Marquesse his brother , with the Earle Rivers the Queens brother , had endeavoured and almost e●fected to draw to themselves the whole mannaging the affaires of the kingdom● , and to set variance between the Peeres of the Realme : and particularly , that the L●●d Marquesse without any warrant , had taken out of the Tower of London both Treasure and Armour , to a great quantity ; but to what purpose , though they were ignorant , yet there was just cause to suspect it was to no good end : And therefore it was thought expedient by the advise of the Nobility , to attach him at Northamp●●● , to have him forth-comming to make his answer for these and many other his ev●●-b●ld actions ; The king unable to sound the depth of these plots , mildly ●aid 〈◊〉 him : What my brother Marquesse hath done , I cannot say ; but for my Uncle 〈◊〉 Brother here , I dare answer , that they are innocent of any unlawfull practises 〈◊〉 against me or you . Oh ( saith the Duke of Buckingham ) that hath been their 〈◊〉 , to keep their treachery from your ●races knowledge : and thereupon ●n●an●●y in the kings presence , they arrested the Lord Richard , Sir Thomas Vanghan , Sir Richard Hall , and brought the king and all his company back to Northampton , p●●●ing away a●l his old servants , and placing in their room● creatures of their own , whom they had power to command . At which ●ealing , the young king wept , but it 〈◊〉 nothing ; and to colour the matter , the Duke of Glocester at dinner , sent a dish from his own table to the Lord Rivers , bidding him ●e of good cheer , for all 〈◊〉 should be well : but the Lord Rivers thanking the Duke , prayed the Messenger to carry it to the Lord Richard , with the same message for his comfort , as one to whom such adversity was strange ; but as for himselfe , he had all his dayes been acquainted with it , and therefore could the better beare it . But for all this comfortable courtesie of the Duke of Glocester , he sent the Lord Rivers , and the Lord Richard , with Sir Thomas Va●g●●● into the North Country , into divers places to prison , and afterward to Po●fres , where in Conclusion they were all beheaded .

And now the Duke of Glocester having thus gotten the custody of the King , set forwards toward London , giving out by the way , that the Marquesse and the Queens kindred had plotted the destruction of the king , and of all the antient Nobility of the Realme , and to alter the Government of the Commonwealth ; and that they were onely imprisoned to be brought to their tryall according to Law : and the better to settle these suggestions in the apprehension of the Vulgar , they brought along with them divers Carts laden with Armour , ( of their own providing ) with Dryfats and great Chests , wherein they reported to be treasure for the payment of souldiers ; with which they so possest the common-people , that all was believed for truth which was thus rumored : But the finest devise of all was , to have five of the Duke of Glocesters instruments manacled and pinioned like Traytors ; and these in every place where the King lodged● to be dispersed and given out to be men of great birth , drawn into this vile plot of Treason by the Queens brother ; who must seem to be penitent for their offence , and to confesse their own guilt : and this devise continued acting till the king came to L●ndon , where their visards were pull'd off , and the disguise was soon discovered .

The Queen in the mean time having intelligence of these dolefull accidents , and fearing there were worse to follow , with her second Son and five D●ughters takes Sanctuary at Westminster : and the young king hearing of these things , with tears and sighes expressed his griefe ; but the Dukes making Protestation of their fidelity , and care of his safety , seemed onely to mervaile why he should be melancholy .

At this time a messenger came from the Lord Chamberlaine , to the Archbishop of Yorke Lord Chancellour of England , to signifie to him , that there was no feare of any thing , for that he assured him all should be well . Well ( quoth the Archbishop ) be it as well as it will ; I assure him , It will never be so well as we have seen it . And thereupon , presently after the messengers departure , he calleth up his servants ( being then in the night ) and taking the great Seale with him , came before day to the Queen , whom he found sitting alone aloe on the Rushes , all desolate and dismaied ; whom he comforted the best he could , a●●uring her that if they Crowned any king but her Sonne whom they had with them , he would presently after Crown his brother whom she had with her ; and therewithall delivering to her the great Seale , departed : but soon after , bethinking himselfe better , he thought he had done too rashly , to deliver the great Seale to the Queen ; and therefore sent for it againe , and had it delivered him ; yet shortly after reproved for delivering it , by the Counsell Table , he had it taken from him , which was then delivered to Doctor Russell Bishop of Lincolne , the most learned man of that time .

And now th● Duke of Glocester so respectively carries himselfe towards the King , with so much shew of care and faithfulnes , that by a generall consent of the Counsell he is appointed and established Protectour of the king and kingdome ; and by this means he hath the king in his custody : It remains now how to get his brother the Duke of Yorke , for without having both , he were as good ( as to his purpose ) have neither : and to effect this , he makes the Effect to become a Cause : for where by his undue dealing● he had made the king Melancholy , he now makes that Melancholy a cause to require his brothers company to make him merry ; and therefore wishes some course may be taken , either by perswasion or otherwise , to procure the Queen to send the Duke of Yorke to keep his brother the king company : Here the Archbishop of Yorke the Lord Cardinall , the man thought most fit to be sent in this imployment , riseth up and faith , He would doe his best endeavour to perswade her ; but if he could not , he then thought it was not to be attempted against her will , for that it would turn to the high displeasure of God , if the priviledge of that holy place should now be broken , which had so many yeers inviolably been kept , which 〈◊〉 Kings and Popes so good had granted , so many had confirmed ; and which holy ground was more then five hundred yeers agoe , by Saint Peter in his own person , ac●ompani●d with great numbers of Angels , by night so specially hallowed and dedicated to God ; and for proof whereof , there is yet in the Abby Saint Peters Cope 〈◊〉 shew : that from that time hitherward , there never was so undevo●● a King that durst violate the sacred place , nor so holy a Bishop that durst presume to Consecrate it ● and therefore ( saith he ) God forbid , that any man for any earthly thing , should enterprise to breake the immunity and liberty of that sacred Sanctuary ; and I trust w●●h Gods grace , we shall not need it , at least my endeavours shall not be wanting ; if the Moth●rs dread and womanish feare be not the let . Womanish feare , nay womanish frowardnes ( quoth the Duke of Buckingham ) for I dare take it upon my Soule , she well knoweth there is no need of any feare , either for her sonne or for herselfe● and prosecuting his discourse , declareth at large , that as there was no just 〈◊〉 for the Queen to keep her Sonne , so there was great cause for them to require him ; and that for breach of Sanctuary in this case there could be none ; for that he had often heard of Sanctuary men , but never heard of Sanctuary children . And to this purpose having spoken much , It was all assented to by the Lords that were present , and with this Instruction is the Archbishop ( upon whom the Queen specially relyed ) sent unto her ; who after humble salutations , acquaints her with his message , earne●●ly perswading her not to oppose the Lord Protectours request , and giving her many reasons , first that she ought not , and then that she could not keep him in Sanctuary : she answered all his reasons , though with great mildenesse , yet with great earnestnes ; so as the Archbishop finding little hope to prevaile with her by perswasion , turns the tenour of his speech another way ; telling her plainly , that if she did not consent to send her Sonne , he doubted some sharper course would speed●ly be taken . This warning sank so deep into the Queens minde , that after a little pausing , taking her Sonne by the hand , she said , My Lord Archbishop , here he is , for my own part I will never deliver him ; but if you will needs have him , Take him , and at your hands I will require him ; and therewith weeping bitterly , Deer childe ( saith she ) let me kisse thee before we part , God knows whether ever we shall meet againe ; and so the childe weeping as fast as she , went along with the Archbishop to the Star-chamber , where the Lord Protectour and other Lords had staid all the while looking for his comming back : and as soone as he was entred the roome , the Protectour spying the childe , riseth up and embraceth him saying , Deere Nephew , Now welcome with all my heart : next to my Soveraigne Lord your brother , nothing gives me so much contentment as your Presence : and we may believe him , he spake as he thought ; for now he had the prey which he so much desired . A few dayes after , pretending to have them lodged in a place of more security , untill the distempers of the Commonwealth might better be quieted ; he caused them in great pompe and state to be conveyed through London to the Tower , there at pleasure to remaine , till the time of Coronation ; whereof there was great shew of preparation made .

But now the great work is to be done ; the Princes are to be made away : and how to have it done , Hoc opus , hic labor est : there must be potent Instruments ; and none so potent as the Duke of Buckingham ; and he , by a match to be concluded betwixt their children , and an equall partition of the Treasure of the Realme betwixt them two ; not onely is drawne to condiscend , but is most forward to contrive and plot stratagems to effect it . The first rub in the way was the Lord Hastings ; who being sound so firm to his old Masters King Edwards sons , that nothing could remove him , it was fit to remove him out of the way ; which was done in this manner : All the Lords of the Privy Councell , in the Protectors name , are convoked to the Tower ; where ●itting preparations for the Coronation of the young King are proposed , untill the Protectour came in ; who taking his chaire , very affably saluted them , merrily jesting with some , and more than ordinarily ple●sant with them all : when after a little talke , he said to the Bishop of Ely ; My Lord , I heare you have very good Strawberries at your Garden in Holborne ; I pray let us have a messe of them . Most gladly ( said the Bishop ) and presently sent for some : and then the Protectour rising up , prayed the Lords to spare his absence a little ; and so departed . Within the sp●ce of an houre he returned ; but so changed in countenance , and with such inward perturbations , which with sighings and other passionate gestures he expressed so , that it made them all to mervaile . After long silence ( the better to prepare them to the more attention ) he confusedly interrogates● What they deserved that ne●ariously had pr●ctised his destruction ? This unexpected interrogation strooke such ama●ement amongst the Lords , that they all sate gazing on one another , and were , as ●t were , stricken dumbe : At length the Lord Hastings , by Buckinghams instigatio● , as one presuming of his intimacy with the Protector , boldly answered , That they deserved the punishment of Traytors ; which all the rest by their silence approved : whereat the Protectour riseth up , and with a sterne looke upon the Lord Hastings , replyed : Why it is the old sorceresse my brothers widow , and her partner that common Strumpet Iane Shore , that have by incantation conspired to be●eave me of my life ; and though by Gods grace I have escaped the end of their malice , yet see the mischiefe they have done me ; for behold ( and then he bared his left arme to the elbow , and shewed it ) how they have caused this deare limbe of mine to wither , an● grow uselesse ; and so should all my body have been served , if they might have had their will a little longer . Those to whom the Queenes religious courses were not unknown , a●d who knew his withered arme to have been such from his birth , ●at● gazing one upon another , not knowing what to thinke or say ; untill the Lord Hastings , thinking thereby to leave all blame upon the Queen , and excuse his Paramour Mistris Shore , ( whom ever since the death of King Edward , he had entertained for his bed-fellow , and had but that morning parted from her ) with a sober looke submissely said , If the Queene have conspired — : which word was no sooner cut of the Lord Hastings mouth , when the Protectour clapping his hand upon the boord , and frowningly looking upon him , said : Tellest thou me of If & And ? I tell thee , They , and none but they have done it ; and thou thy selfe art partaker of the villany . Who I my Lord , quoth he ? yea Thou traytor , quoth the Protectour ; and therewith , upon a watch-word given , those prepared before for that purpose , in the outer Chamber , cryed , Treason , Treason ! when presently a great number of men in arm● came rushing in as it were to guard the Protectour ; one of which with a Pollax strook a maine blow at the Lord St●nley and wounded him on the head ; and had slain him outright , if he had not avoided the stroake by slipping backward , and falling down to the ground . Forthwith the Protectour arrested the Lord Hastings of high Treason ; and wisht him to make haste to be Confessed , for he swore by S. Paul ( his usuall Oath ) that he would not touch bread nor drinke till his head were off . It booted no● to ask , why ? for he knew the Protectours actions were not to be examined . So he was led forth unto the Greene before the Chappell within the Tower , where his head was laid downe upon a long logge of Tymber , and there strucken off . His body afterward with his head were interred at Windsor , beside the body of King Edward . In this mans death we may see how inevitable the blowes of Destiny are : for the very night before his death , the Lord Stanley sent a secret messenger to him at midnight , in all the haste , to acquaint him with a Dreame hee had , in which hee thought that a Bore with his tusks so goared them both by the heads , that the blood ran about their shoulders : and for-as-much as the Protectour gave the Bore for his Cognisance , this Dreame made so fearefull an impression in his heart , that he was throughly resolved to stay no longer ; and had made his horse ready , requiring the Lord Hastings to goe with him , and that presently , to be out of danger , before it should be day . But the Lord Hastings answered the messenger : Good Lord ! leaneth your Master so much to such trifles , to put such faith in dreames , which either his owne feare fanta●ieth , or else doe rise in the nights rest , by reason of the dayes thoughts : Goe back therefore to thy Master , and commend me to him , and pray him to be merry , and have no feare ; for I assure him , I am as sure of the man he wo●●eth of , as of my own hand . The man he meant , was one Catesby , well learned in the Lawes of the Land ; who by his favour was growne into good authority in Leicestershire , where the Lord Hastings Estate lay . Of this man he m●de himselfe so sure , ●hat he thought nothing could be plotted against him , which he would not presently reveale unto him . But this man deceived him ; and was growne so inward with the Protectour , that being set by the Protectour to draw him to be a party in his designes , and finding he could not doe it , was himselfe the first mover to rid him out of the way . Another warning the Lord Hastings had : the same morning in which he was beheaded , his horse twice or thrice stumbled with him , almost to falling ; which though it often happen to such to whom no mischance is toward , yet hath it of old beene observed as a token foregoing some great misfortune . Also at the Tower-wharfe , neere to the place where his head soone after was strucken off , he met with one Hastings a Pursuivant of his own name ; to whom he said : Ah Hastings , dost thou remember I met thee here once with a heavy heart ! Yea my Lord , saith he , I remember it well ; and God be thanked , that time is past . In faith , man , said the Lord Hastings , I never stood in so great dread of my life , as I did when thou and I met here : and loe how the world is changed ! now stand my Enemies in the danger , as thou mayest hap to heare hereafter ; ( for the Enemies he meant were the Lord Rivers , and other of the Queens kindred , who that very day were beheaded at Pomfret ) and I never so merry , nor in so good surety as now I am . That we may know , there is not a greater Omen or signe of ill fortune , than to presume of good . And indeed , such is the uncertainty of our estate in this life , that we seldome know when we are in a Tempest at Sea , nor when we are in a Calm on shore ; thinking ourselves oftentimes most safe , when we are most in danger ; and oftentimes to be in danger , when we are most safe : He onely is in the true Haven , that can say as Christ teacheth us , Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven .

But this Lord being thus put to death ; the Lord Protectour , to colour the matter , immediately after dinner , in all haste sent for many substantiall Citizens ; at whose comming , himselfe with the Duke of Buckingham stood harnessed in old rusty Brigandines , to make a shew they were forced by the sudden danger to take such as they could first come by : and withall , a Herald of Armes is sent with a Proclamation in the Kings name , signifying , that the Lord Hastings with some others had conspired the same day to have slaine the Lord Protector and the Duke of Buckingham , as they sate in Counsell ; and after to have taken upon them to rule the King a●d Kingdome at their own pleasures . Now was this Proclamation made within two houres after the Lord Hastings was beheaded ; and was so curiously indited , and so so faire written in Parchment , and withall so long , that every childe might perceive it was prepared before : which made one that was Schoolemaster of Pauls , standing by when the Proclamation was read , to say , Here is a gay goodly Cast , foule cast away for haste : To whom a Merchant answered , It was written by Prophesie . And now by and by , as it were in revenge of her offence , the Protectour sent the Sheriffs of Lo●do● into the house of Shores wife , and spoyled her of all her goods , above the value of three thousand markes ; and then conveying her through London to the Tower , there left her Prisoner : where he laid to her charge , that she went about to bewitch him , and was of counsell with the Lord Hastings to destroy him . In conclusion , she was laid into Ludgate , and by the Bishop of London put to open Penance for incontinency ; going before the Crosse in Procession , upon a Sunday , with a Taper in her hand : in which , although she were out of all array , save her ki●tle only ; yet went she so faire and lovely , and withall so womanly and demurely , that m●ny who hated her course of life , yet pittied her course usage , and were not a little grieved to see her misery . And indeed , this may be said in her behalfe : that being in extraordinary favour with King Edward , yet she never used it to the hurt of any , but to the reliefe of many : and was ever a Mediatour , an Oppressour never .

Now it was so contrived by the Protectour , that the very day in which ●he Lord Hastings was beheaded at London , and about the very same houre , there were beheaded at Pomfret , the Lord Rivers and the other Lords and Knights that were taken from the King at Northampton and Stonistratford ; which was done in the presence , and by the order of Sir Richard Ratcliffe knight , whose service the Protectour specially used in that businesse ; who bringing them to the Scaffold , and not suffering them to declare their innocency , lest their words might have inclined men to hate the Protectour , caused them hastily without Judgement or Order of Processe to be beheaded .

When these were thus rid out of the way , then thought the Protectour that now was the time to put himselfe in possession of the Crown : but all the study was , by what means this matter being so hein●us in it selfe , might be broken to the people , in such wise , as that it might be well taken : for which purpose , It was thought fit to call to this Counsell Ed●●●d Sh●● knight the then Major of London ; who upon promise of advancement , should frame the peoples inclination to it . And because Spirituall men are best hearkened to for matters of Conscience , some of them were used also ; amongst whom , choice was made of Iohn Shaw Clerk , brother to the Major ; Fryer Penker , Provinciall of the Order of the Augustine Fryers : both great P●●achers , both of more learning then vertue , of more fame then learning . These two were appointed to preach , the one at Pauls Crosse , the other at the Spittle , in praise of the Protectour : Penker in his Sermon so lost his voice , that he was saine to leave off and come downe in the midst : Shaw by his Sermon lost his reputation , and soon after his life , for he never after durst come abroad , for very shame of the world .

But now was all the labour and study , to finde out some convenient pretext , for which the people should be content to have the Prince deposed , and the Protectour be received for King ; to which purpose many things were devised ; the cheife was to alleadge bastardy either in King Edward himselfe , or in his children , or in both● To ●ay bastardy to King Edward , sounded openly to the reproach of the Protectours own Mother , who was Mother to them both ; he would therefore that point should more favourably be handled : but the other point concerning the bastardy of his children , he would have enforced to the uttermost : The ground whereof was , that King Edward had been formerly contracted to the Lady Elizabeth Lucie , by whom he had a childe ; though the said Lady , having been examined about it , confessed plainly , they were never assured . Yet upon this pretext , Doctor Shaw taking for his Text , Bastard Plants shall take no deep roote ; in his Sermon declared , that King Edward was never lawfully married to the Queen , but was before God , husband to the Lady Elizabeth Lucie , and so his children bastards . And besides that , neither King Edward himselfe , nor the Duke of Clarence were reckoned very sure for the children of the noble Duke Richard , as those that by their favours more resembled other known men ; but the Lord Protectour ( saith he ) is the fathers own figure● his own countenance , the very print of his visage , the plaine expresse likenes of that noble Duke . Now , It was before devised , that just at the speaking of these words , the Protectour should have come , to the end that th●se words meeting with his presence , might be taken among the hearers , as though the Holy Ghost had put them in the Preachers mo●th , and so should move the poeple even then to cry , King Richard , King Richard that it might be after said , he was specially chosen by God , and in a manner by Miracle : but this devise failed ; for whither by the Protectours slacknes in comming , or the Doctors haste in Preaching , he had passed those words , and was gone to cleane another matter , before the Protectour came ; so as afterward seeing him come , he was ●aine to leave the matter , he had in hand , and out of all order and frame begin to repeate those words againe : This is the very noble Prince , the Fathers own figure , his own countenance , the very print of his visage , the plaine expresse likenes of that noble Duke . While these words were in speaking , the Pro●e●tour accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham , passed through the people into the place where the Doctors sit ; and there sate to heare the Sermon : but the people were ●o farre from crying King Richard , that they cryed shame on the Preacher , for abusing his sacred function with so shamefull a Sermon .

The Tuesday following this Sermon , the Duke of Buckingham with divers Lords and Knights came to the Guildhall in London ; and there before the Major and whole assembly of Citizens , made a very solemne and long Oration , wherein he recited many grievances of the late King Edwards Government , his many unnecessary Taxations and unjust severities ; thereby to bring his children into hatred : and then re●embred them of the late Sermon made at Pauls Crosse , by a learned Doctor ; who cleerly shewed the bastardy of King Edwards children ; and that Richard Duke of Glocester was the onely rightfull and indubitate heire to the Crowne of England : which the Lords of the Kingdome having taken into their consideration , had thereupon agreed to accept him for their King ; and now himselfe was come to acquaint them with it , and to require their consents . Which Oration ended , all men stood wondring at the motion , but no man offered to speak a word . At which the Duke marvelling , as supposing the Major had prepared them before ; he asked the Major privately , what this silence meant ? who answered , that perhaps they had not heard or understood what it was he said . Whereupon the Duke with a more a●dible voice repeated the same matter againe , in a more earnest and plain expression ; yet neither did that move them to shew any inclination to the motion . Then the Duke whispering with the Major , It was thought , that the Citizens being used to have such motions made them by their Recorder , they would better it from him ; and thereupon the Recorder is commanded to move them in it : but the Recorder ( called Fitzwilliams ) being an honest man and newly come to his place ; repeated onely as neer as he could the words of the Duke , but added nothing of his own ; so as neither did this move the people to breake their silence . At last , the Duke seeing their resolved ●ullennesse , told them plainly , that all the Nobility and Commons of the Realme were agreed to choose the Protectour for their King , as the true and undoubted heire ; so as he needed not to have moved them to it , but onely for the great respect they all bare to this honourable City ; and therefore required them plainly to speak their mindes , whether they would joyn with them in this choice or no. At this , certaine servants of the Dukes , and other of their procuring , standing at the lower end of the Hall , cast up their Caps , and cryed aloud , King Richard , King Richard ; whereat , though the whole multitude of Citizens marvelled what they meant ; yet the Duke taking advantage of it , as of an unanimous conset : A goodly cry ( saith he ) and thanked them all for their universall approbation ; promising he would acquaint the Protectour with the great love they shewed toward him : and then requiring the Major and chiefe Citizens to meet him the next morning at Baynards Castle , where the Protectour then lay ; there to joyn with him , in Petitioning the Protectour to accept of this their freely profered subjection ; he tooke his leave and so departed .

The next morning according to appointment , they all meet at Baynards Castle ; where the Duke of Buckingham sends up word to the ● . Protector , th●● himself with the L. Major & his Brethren , were come to present a Supplication to him , concerning a busines of great importance : but the Protectour though ( preacquainted with all passages , yet made it strange what their Supplication should be ; and answered , that though he suspected nothing which the Duke of Buckingham presented to him ; yet he desired at least some some slight in●imation to what it might tend . To this it was answered , that the busines they came about was to be made known to himself in Person ; and therefore humbly besought him of admission in his presence : Upon this , as if not yet well assured of their well meaning towards him ; he appeares unto them in an upper Gallery , making semblance as though he would prevent all danger , by standing something aloofe and in his Fort : To whom the Duke of Bucking●●● , in behalfe of the Major and Nobility there present ; in most respective and re●erent manner makes req●est , that his Grace would pardon what he should deliver to him : and much circumstance he used , before he would discover their cause of ●omming : but though long first , yet at last , he told it : That in respect of the urgent nec●ss●ties of the Common-wealth , they all humbly intreated him to take upon him the Government of the Kingdome , as in his own Right , to whom they all tendred their Allegiance . At which words , the Protectour starting back , as if he had heard something most unpleasing to him , passionately answered : I little thought , good Cozen , that you of all men would have moved me to a matter which of all things in the world I most decline : Farre be it from to accept of that , which without apparent wrong to my deare deceased brothers sweet children , and my own upright Conscience , I cannot well approve of . And then being about to proceede in his premeditated di●●imulation ; the Duke in a seeming abrupt passion , kneeling upon his knee , sayd ; Your Grace was pleased to give me free liberty to deliver unto you , in the name of this worthy assembly , the tender of their ●●tifull obedience to you : but I must further adde , that it is unanimously resolved on , that your late brother King Edwards children , as being generally known to be Illegitimate , shall never be admitted to the Crown of England ; and therefore if your Grace shall neither regard your selfe , nor us so much , as to accept it , we are directly determined to conferre it upon some other of the House of L●●caster , that will be more sensible of his own and our good . These words wrought so powerfully upon the Protectours passions ; that with some change of Countenance , and not without a seeming reluctation , he said ; Since I perceive the whole Realme is so resolved , by no mean● to admit my deer Nephews , being but children , to Reigne over you ; and seeing the Right of succession belongs justly to me , as the indubi●ate Heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke , my Illustrious Father : Wee are contented to condiscend to your importunities , and to accept of the Royall Government of the Kingdome , and will to the uttermost of my power endeavour to procure and maintain the welfare thereof . And having so said , he came downe from his Gallery , and very formally saluted them all : which so pleased the giddy multitude , that presently they fell to acclamations , Long live King Richard our dread Soveraigne Lord● and then every man departed .

THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE THIRD .

IT was now the eighteenth day of Iune , in the yeer 1483. when Richard Duke of Glocester tooke upon him the Crown : so as the imaginary Raigne of Edward the fifth , continued but just tenne weeks . The next day , King Richard with a great train went to Westminster-hall , and placed himselfe in the Court of the Kings Bench , saying , he would take the Crown upon him in that place where the King himselfe sitteth and ministreth the Law ; because he considered that it is the chiefest duty of a King to administer the Laws : And here to get the love of the people by a feigned clemency ; he sent for one Fogge out of Sanctuary , who for feare of his displeasure was fled thither ; and there in the fight of all the people , caused him to kisse his hand .

After his return home , he tooke to wife the Lady Anne , youngest daughter of the great Warwicke , and the relict of Prince Edward , sonne of Henry the sixth ; though ●hee could not be ignorant , that he had been the Author both of her husbands and 〈◊〉 death . But womens affections are Eccentrick to common apprehension ; whereof the two Poles are Passion and Inconstancy .

Against his Coronation he had sent for five thousand men out of the North ; and these being come under the leading of Robin of Riddesdale , upon the fourth of Iuly● together with his new bride , he went from Baynards Castle to the Tower by wa●●● , where he created Edward his Sonne a childe of ten yeers old , Prince of Wales● 〈◊〉 Lord Howard Duke of Norfolke , his Sonne Sir Thomas Howard Earle of Surry● 〈◊〉 Lord Berckley Earle of Nottingham , Francis Lord Lovell Viscount Lovell , 〈…〉 Chamberlane , and the Lord Stanley ( who had been committed pri●oner to the ●ower , in regard his Sonne the Lord Strange was reported to have levied forces 〈…〉 ) not only that day was released out of prison , but was made Lord 〈◊〉 of his Househould . The Archbishop of Yorke was likewise then delivered ; but Morton B●shop of Ely ( as one that could not be drawne to the disinheriting of 〈◊〉 Edwards children ) was committed to the Duke of Buckingham , who sent him to his Castle of Brecknock in Wales , there to be in custody . The same night were made seventeen knights of the Bath , Edmund the Duke of Suffolkes sonne , George Gray the Earle of Kents sonne , Willia● the Lord Zouches sonne , Henry Aburga●●●● Christopher Willoughby , Henry Babington , Thomas Arundell , Thomas Boleigne , Gerv●● Clifton , William ●ay , Edmund Bedingfield , William Enderly , Thomas Lewku●● , Th●m●● of Vrmond , Iohn Bromne , and William Berckley . The next day , being the fifth o● Iuly , the King rode through the City of London to Westminster , being accompanied with the Dukes of Norfolk , Buckingham , and Suffolk ; the Earles of Northu●b●rland , Arundell , Kent , Surrey , Wil●shire , Huntington , Nottingh●m , Warwick , and Lincol●● the Viscounts Liste and Lovell ; the Lords Stanley , A●dely , D●cres , Pe●●ers of Chartley , Powis , Scroope of ●psale , Scroope of Bolton , Gray of Codner , Grey , of Wilton , Sturton , Cobham , Morley , Burgeveny , Zouch , Ferrers of Croby , Wells , Lumley , Matr●vers , Herbert and Beckham , and fourescore Knights . On the morrow , being the sixth of Iuly , the King with Queene An●e his wife , came downe out of the White-Hall , into the Great Hall at Westminster , and went directly to the Kings Bench ; and from thence , going upon Ray-cloath , bare-footed , went unto St. Edwards shrine , all his Nobility going with him , every Lord in his degree . The Bishop of Rochester bore the Crosse before the Cardinall : Then followed the Earle of Huntington , be●ng a paire of gilt-spurres , signifying Knighthood : Then followed the Earle of ●●●ford , bearing St. Edwards sta●fe , for a Relique : After him came the Earle of ●●●thumberland bare-headed , with the pointl●sse sword naked in his hand , signifying Mercy : The Lord Stanley bare the Mace of the Constableship : The Earle of Ken● bare the second sword , on the right hand of the King , naked , with a point ; which signifyed Justice to the Temporalty : The Lord Lovell bore the third sword on the Kings left hand , with a point ; which signifyed Justice to the Clergie : The Duke of Suffolk followed with the Scepter in his hand , which signified Peace : The Earle of Lincolne bore the Ball and Crosse , which signified Monarchy : The Earle of S●rry bore the fourth sword before the King , in a rich scabbard ; which is called the sw●●d of Estate : Then went three together ; in the midst went Gartar king of Armes , in his rich Coat ; and on his right hand went the Major of London , ●earing a Mace ; and on his left hand went the Gentleman-Usher of the Privy Chamber : Then followed the Duke of Norfolk , bearing the kings Crown between his hands : Then followed king Richard in his roabes of Purple-velvet , and over his head a Canopy , bor●e by foure Barons of the Cinque-Ports ; and on each side of the king went a Bishop● on one side , the Bishop of Bath ; on the other , of Durham : Then followed the Duke of Buckingham , bearing the kings traine , with a white staffe in his hand , signifying the office of High Steward of England . Then followed the Queenes traine , before whom was borne the Scepter , the Ivory rod , with the Dove , ( signifying innocency ) and the Crown : herselfe apparelled in roabes like the kings , under a rich Canopy , at every corner thereof a bell of gold : On her head she wore a circlet , set full of precious stones , the Countesse of Richmond bearing her traine ; the Dutchesses of Norfolk and Suffolk in their Coronets , attending ; with twenty Ladies of Estate most richly attired . In this order they passed the Palace into the Abbey : and going up to the High Altar , there shifted their roabes ; and having other roabes open in divers places from the middle upward , were both of them Anoynted and Crowned : and then after the Sacrament received , ( having the host divided betwixt them ) they both offered at St. Edwards shrine ; where the king left St. Edwards Crowne , wherewith he had been Crowned , and put on his owne : and this done , in the same order and state as they came , they returned to Westminster-hall , and there held a most Princely feast : at the second course whereof , there came into the Hall Sir Robert Dymock the kings Champion , making Proclamation , that whosoever would say th●● king Richard was not lawfull king of England , he was there ready to prove it against him ; and thereupon threw down his Gantlet : and then all the Hall cryed , king Richard , king Richard . And thus with some other Ceremonies , the Coronation ended ; and the king and Queen returned to their lodgings .

Presently after this , king Richard sent a solemne Ambassage to Lewis king of France , to conclude a Leag●e and Amity with him : but the French king so abhorred him and his cruelty , that hee would not so much as see , or heare his ●●b●ssadors ; but sent them away with shame , in disgrace of their Master .

At this t●me , with his Queen , he made a Progresse of Glocester , under colour to 〈…〉 of his old Honour ; but indeed , to be out of the way , having a speciall 〈…〉 to be acted : for though he had satisfied his Ambition , by depriving his 〈◊〉 Nephews of their livelihoods ; yet it satisfied not his Feare , if he deprived 〈…〉 also of their lives . For effecting whereof , his old friend the Duke of Buck●●●●●● was no fit instrument ; it must be one of a baser metall : and to finde out 〈…〉 henceded not goe farre ; For upon inquiry , he was told of two that lay 〈…〉 it Chamber to him ; Sir Thomas and Sir Iames Tyrrell● two brothers , like 〈…〉 , not more neere in blood , than different in conditions ; of equall 〈…〉 of personage both , but not of equall goodnesse of minde ; Sir Thomas 〈◊〉 of in honest and sober disposition ; but Sir Iames of a turbulent spirit , and one 〈…〉 after preferment , would not stick to make a fortune out of any villany . 〈◊〉 told of this man , as he was sitting at the close-stoole , he presently ro●e and 〈◊〉 to him : where being met , the ma●ch is soon made up between them ; for he 〈◊〉 Sir Iames more ready to undertake the work , than he was himselfe to set him 〈◊〉 it . It onely remained , to procure him free passage to the place where the 〈◊〉 was to be done : for King Richard had formerly sent a trusty Privado of his , 〈◊〉 Iohn Greene , to Sir Robert Brackenbury then Lieutenant of the Tower ; think 〈…〉 , having been raised by him , would not have refused to doe the deed himselfe , but when he heard how averse he was from it , Good Lord ( saith he ) whom 〈◊〉 man trust ? Once he saw plainly , that whilst he was Lieutenant , there was 〈…〉 to effect it . To remove therefore this Rub , he sends his Letters Man●●●● to Br●ckenbury , to deliver presently the keyes of the Tower to Sir Iames 〈◊〉 : who being now Lieutenant for the time , and having the two innocent 〈◊〉 under his custodie ; gets two other , as very villaines as himselfe ; the one 〈…〉 , the other Iames Dighton his horse-keeper , a bigge sturdy knave : and 〈…〉 makes his under-agents ; who comming into the childrens chamber in the 〈◊〉 , ( for they were suffered to have none about them , but one Black - Will , or 〈◊〉 ●●●●ghter , a bloody rascall ) they suddenly lapped them up in their cloaths , 〈…〉 down by force the featherbed and pillowes hard unto their mouths , so 〈…〉 , that their breath failing , they gave up their innocent soule ; to God : 〈◊〉 when the mur●herers perceived , first by their strugling with the paines of 〈◊〉 , and then by their long lying still , to be throughly dead ; they laid their bodies out upon the bed , and then fetched Sir Iames to see them ; who presently caused their bodies to be buried under the staires , under a heap of stones : from whence they were afterward removed to a place of Christian buriall , by a Priest of Sir Robert 〈◊〉 ; who dying within a few dayes after , and none knowing the place but 〈◊〉 , was cause that it hath not been known to this day ; and gave occasion afterward●● the Imposture of Perkin Warbeck , in King Henry the Seventh's Raign . Some 〈◊〉 , that king Richard caused their bodies to be taken up , and closed them in lead , and then to be put in a Cossin full of holes , hooked at the ends with Iron ; and so 〈…〉 a place called the Black Deepes , at the Thames mouth , to be sure they should 〈◊〉 rise up , not be seen againe . And now see the Divine revenge upon the actors 〈…〉 ●●cerable murther : Miles Forrest , at St. Martins le Grand , peece-meale rot●●● away : Dighton lived at Callice a long time after ; but detested of all men , dyed 〈◊〉 misery : Sir Iames Tyrrell was beheaded afterward on the Tower-hill for 〈◊〉 and king Richard himselfe , after this abhominable fact done , never had 〈◊〉 minde ; troubled with fearfull dreames , and would sometimes in the night 〈◊〉 of his bed , and run about the Chamber in great fright , as if all the Furies of 〈◊〉 were hanging about him : that it was verefied in him , ●ltrix Tisiphone vocat 〈◊〉 seva sororum .

Con●●deracies in evill are seldome long-lived , and commonly end in a reciprocall 〈◊〉 : and so was it now with king Richard and the Duke of Buckingham : They had confederated together to the destruction of many ; and now their confederacy dissolves in both their ruines : but what the cause was of their dissolving , is not so certaine : whether it were that the Duke thought not himselfe so well rewarded , as his great services had deserved ; or whether it were , that King Richard thought not himselfe absolute King , as long as the Duke , by whose means he came to be King , was in such a height of greatnesse ; or whether it were ( as was rather thought ) that the Duke being a man ambitious and of an aspiring spirit ; though he had himselfe been the means to bring King Richard to the Crown ; yet when the Crown was put upon his head , so envied at it , that he turned his head another way , ●s not enduring the sight ; and for the same ca●se , was willing not to have been present at the Coronation , pretending sicknes in excuse of his absence ; but that King Richard sent him a sharpe Message , requiring him to come or he would fetch him : whereupon the Duke went , but with so ill a minde , that he bore it in minde ever after . Whatsoever it was , certaine it is , that presently after the Coronation , there grew great jealousies between them ; and the Duke retired himselfe to his Castle at Brecknock , where he had the Bishop of Ely in custody . And here we may observe the unsearchable depth of the divine Providence ; the bottome whereof , the soundest judgement of Man can never sound , as working effects by contrary causes : for where King Richard had committed the Bishop to the Duke , as to one that would have a most watchfull eye over him ; This which the King did for the Bishops greater punishment , proved a means afterward of the Bishops greater advancement , and a means at the present of King Richards ruine . For the Duke being retyred home , and having his head so full of thoughts , that of necessity it required ●ent ; for his own recreation , would sometimes fall in talke with the Bishop ; with whose discourse ( as he was a man of great wit and solid judgement ) the Duke was so taken , tha● he grew to delight in nothing more then to be conferring with him . One time it happened , that the Duke had opened his minde something freely to him ; and the Bishop following him in his own way , and cunningly working upon that humour of the Duke , which he found most working in the Duke ; which he conceived to grow out of envy to king Richard : he said to this purpose ; My Lord , you know I followed first the part of king Henry the sixth , and if I could have had my wish , his Sonne should have had the Crown , and not king Edward : But after that God had ordained king Edward to Reigne ; I was never so mad , that I would with a dead man strive against the quick . And so was I to king Edward also a faithfull Chaplaine , and glad would have been that his childe had succeeded him : How be it , if the s●cret Judgement of God have otherwise provided ; I purpose not to labour to set up that which God pulleth down . And as for the Lord Protectour , and now King● ; and even there he left : saying , he had already meddled too much with the world ; and would from that day meddle with his Books and his Beads , and no further . Then longed the Duke exceedingly to heare what he would have said ; because he ended with the king , and there suddenly stopped : and thereupon intreated him to be bold to say whatsoever he thought ; whereof he faithfully promised there should never come hurt , and peradventure more good then he would thinke ; and withall , that himselfe intended to use his secret Counsell ; which ( he said ) was the only cause for the which he had procured of the king to have him in his custody . The Bishop humbly thanked him , and said : In good faith my Lord , I love not to talke much of Princes , as a thing not all out of perill , though the word be without fault , for so much as it shall not be taken as the party meant it , but as it pleaseth the Prince to construe it . And ever I thinke on Aesops Tale , that when the Lyon had proclaimed on paine of death , that no horned beast should abide in a certaine Wood ; one that had in his forehead a bunch of flesh , fled away a geart pace : the Fox that saw him run so fast , asked him whither he made all that haste ? who answered , in faith I neither wot nor reck , so I were once hence , because of the Proclaimation made of horned beasts : why foole , ( quoth the Fox ) thou mayest abide well enough , the Lyon meant it not by thee , for it is no horn that is in thy head : No mary ( quoth he ) that wote I well enough ; but what if he call it a horne , where am I then ? The Duke laughed at the Tale , and said ; My Lord , I warrant you , neither the Lyon not the Bore shall picke any matter at any thing here spoken ; for it shall never come neere their eare . Then said the Bishop , In good faith Sir , if it did , the thing I was about to say , taken as well as a fore God I meant it , could deserve but thank ; and yet taken as I ween it would , might happen to turne me to little good , and you to les●e . Then longed the Duke much more , to heare what it was : whereupon the Bishop said , My Lord , as for the late Protectour , sith he is now king in Possession , I purpose not to dispute his title ; but for the weale of the Realme , I could wish he had in him those excellent virtues which God hath planted in the person of your Grace : and there left again . The Duke somewhat marvelling at his sudden pause , said , My L. I cannot but note your sudden stopping in your speech , so as your words come not to any direct sentence , whereby I may have knowledge , eith●r what your inward intent is now toward the king , or what your affection is toward me : I therefore intreate you to use no more such obscurity , but plainly to disclose your minde unto me , who upon mine honor will be as secret in the case , as the deafe and dumb person is to the singer , or the Tree to the Hunter . The Bp. then upon confidence of the D. promise , said● my Lord , I plainly perceive , the kingdome being in the case as it is , under such a King as now we have , must needs decay and be brought to confusion ; but one hope I have , that when I consider and daily behold your noble Personage , your Justice , your ardent love towards your Country , and in like manner the great love of your Country towards you ; I must needs thinke this Realme fortunate , that hath such a Prince in store , meet and apt to be a Governour ; in whose person consisteth the very undoubted Image of true honour . And then taxing the present king with many cruelties and oppressions , he concluded , saying : And now my Lord , if either you love God , your Linage , or your native Country , you must your self take upon you the Crown and Imperiall Diadem of this Realme ; but if your selfe will refuse to take it upon you , I then adjure you , by the faith you owe to God , and by the love you beare to your native Country , to devise some way , how the Realme may by your Princely policy be reduced to some convenient Regiment , under some good governour by you to be appointed : And if you could devise to set up againe the Linage of Lanc●ster ; or advance the eldest daughter of King Edward to some puissant Prince : not onely the new Crowned king should little enjoy the glory of his dignity , but all Civill Warre should cease , and Peace and Profit should againe flourish . When the Bishop had ended his saying , the Duke sighed , and spake not of a good while ; which sore abashed the Bishop , and made him change colour : which the Duke perceiving , he said ; Be not afrayd my Lord , all promises shall be kept : so for that time they parted . The next day , the Duke sent for the Bishop , and having rehearsed unto him the Communication had between them the day before , he went on and said : My Lord of Ely , since I perceive your true heart and sincere affection toward me ; I will now discover unto you , all that hath passed my own imaginations . After I had found the dissimulation and falsenesse of king Richard , and specially after I was informed of the murther of the two young Princes , to which ( God be my Judge ) I never condiscended ; I so much abhorred the sight , and much more the company of him , that I could no longer abide in his Court ; but feigning a cause to depart , I tooke my leave of him ( he thinking nothing lesse , then that I was displeased ) and so returned to Brecknok to you ; but in that returning , whether it were by inspiration , or els● through some melancholike disposition , I had divers imaginations how to deprive this unnaturall and bloody Butcher of his Royall seat and dignity . First● I fantasied , that if I list to take upon me the Crown , Now was the time , when this Tyrant was abhorred and detested of all men ; and knowing not of any that could pretend Title before me : In this imagination I rested two dayes at Tewkesbury ; in my journey from thence , I mused and thought , that it was not best nor convenient to take upon me as a Conquerour , for then I was sure that all men and specially the Nobility would oppose me ; but at last there sprung up a branch in my head , which I surely thought would have brought forth faire flowers , but they turned indeed to dry weeds : For I suddenly remembred that the Lord Edmund Duke of Somerset , my Grandfather , was with king Henry the ●ixth , in two or three degrees of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lanc●ster ; so that I thought certainely , my Mother being eldest Daughter to Duke Edmund , that I was next heire to king H●nry the sixth , of the House of Lanc●ster : This Title pleased well such as I made of my Counsell , and much more it eleva●ed my ambitious intent ; but while I was in a maze , whether I were best suddenly to set this title open amongs● the Common people , or else keep it secret a while , see what chan●ed : As I ●ode between Worcester and Bridgenorth , I met with the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond , now wife to the Lord Stanley , who is the daughter and sole heire to Iohn Duke of Somers●t my Grandfathers elder brother ( which was as cleane out of my minde , as if I had never seen her ) so that she and her sonne the Earle of Richmond h●ve both of them Titles before mine , and then I cleerly saw how I was deceived : w●●●eupon I determined , utterly to relinquish all such fantasticall imaginations concerning the obtayning the Crown my selfe● and found there could be no better way to settle it in a true establishment , then that the Earle of Richmond , very heire of the house of Lancaster ; should take to wife the Lady Elizabeth , eldest Daughter to king Edward , the very heir of the house of York ; that so the two Roses may be united in one : & now ( saith the Duke ) I have told you my very minde . When the Duke had said this , the Bishop was not a little glad , for this was the marke he had himselfe aymed at : and thereupon , after some complements of extolling his device , he said : Since by your Graces incomparable wisdome , this noble conjunction is now moved ; It is in the next place necessary to consider , what friends we shall first make privy of this intention . By my truth ( quoth the Duke ) we will begin with the Countesse of Richmond the Earles Mother ; who knoweth where he is , either in captivity or at large in Brittaine . And thus was the foundation laid of a league , by these two great men ; by which the death of the two young Princes was fully revenged : and it was not talk● of onely , but presently put in execution ; for now is Reynold Bray imployed by the Bishop , to his Mistresse the Dutchesse of Richmond ; Doctor Lewis the Dutchesses Phisitian was imployed by her to the Queen Elizabeth ; Hugh Conway and Thom●● R●me were imployed to the Earle of Richmond ; to acquaint them , but in most secret manner , with the intended plot , and to procure their promises to the propounded marriage ; which was no hard matter , to make them all willing to their own wishes . This done , Instruments are imployed , to draw in parties to the confederacy ; Bray by his credit drew in Sir Gyles Danbe●y , Sir Iohn Cheyney , Richard Guildford , Thomas R●me and others ; Vrswick likewise drew in Hugh Conway , Thomas Colepepper , Thomas Roper with some others ; Doctor Lewis drew in Edward Courtney and his brother Peter Bishop of Exceter . It is memorable , that Thomas Conway being sen● most part by Sea , and Thoma● R●me most part by Land ; yet came to the Ea●le of Richmond in Brittaine , within the space of little more then an houre ; upon whose information of the plot , the Earle acquaints the Duke of Brittaine with it , who , though by Hutton King Richards Ambassadour , he had by many great offers been sollicited to detaine him in prison ; yet he both readily promised and really performed both his advice and ayde to the Earles proceedings . In this meane time Bishop Morto● , not without asking the Dukes leave , though without obtaining it , secretly in disguise , gets him into his Isle of Ely ; and there having done the Earle good Offices by procuring of friends , he thence passeth into Brittaine to him ; from whence he returned no more , till afterward the Earle being king , sent for him home and made him Archbishop of Canterbury .

But though all these things were carried closely , and Oath taken by all for secresie , yet came it to King Richards knowledge ; who notwithstanding dissembling it , sends for the Duke of Buckingham to come unto him ; and he putting off his comming with pretended excuses , is at last peremptorily sent for to come upon his Allegiance : when he returned this resolute answer , that he owed no Allegiance to such a perjur'd inhumane Butcher of his owne Flesh and Blood : and so from that time , preparation for Arms is made on both sides . The Duke had gotten a good power of Welshmen ; and the Marquesse Dorset having gotten out of Sanctuary , was labouring in Yorkeshire to raise forces ; the like did the two ●ourtneys in Devonshire and Cornwall , and Guilford and R●me in Kent . King Rich●rd setting forward with 〈◊〉 forces ; the Duke of Buckingham doth the like , intending at Glocester to have 〈◊〉 Severn , and so to have joyned with the two Courtneys ; but such abundance o●●aine at that time fell , that the Severn was broken out , and impossible to be passed 〈◊〉 ; which the Welshme● seeing , and taking it for an ill signe , they secretly sl●pt away : so as the Duke le●t well neer alone , without either Page or so much as a Footm●● ; repaired to the house of one Humfry Bannister neere to Shre●sbury ; who having been raised by him , and his father before him ; he thought himselfe safe under his roofe : But Bannister , upon Proclamation made by king Richard , that whosoever could apprehend the Duke , should have a thousand pound for his labour ; like an ungratefull and perfidious wretch , discovered him to Iohn Milton High Sheriffe of 〈◊〉 , who took him in a pilled black Cloak , as h● was walking in an Orchard behinde the house ; and carried him to Shrewsbury , where king Richard then lay ; ●nd there without Arraignment or Legall proceeding , was in the Market place beheaded . Whether Bannister received the Proclaimed reward from the hand of the King , is uncertaine ; but certaine it is , that he received the reward of a Villaine from the hand of Divine Justice ; for himselfe was afterward hanged for man-slaughter , his eldest daughter was deflowred by one of his Carters , or as some say , strucken with a foule Leprosie ; his eldest Sonne in a desperate Lunacy murthered himselfe , and was ●ound to have done so , by the Coroners inquest ; and his younger Sonne in a small puddle was strangled and drowned .

Upon this disaster of the Duke of Buckingham , his complices shifted for themselves ; s●me taking Sanctuary , some keeping themselves in unknown places , but many convayed themselves into Brittaine to the Earle of Richmond● of whom the Marquesse Dorset , Iohn Lord Wells , the Bishop of Exceter and his brother Sir Ioh● 〈◊〉 , Sir Edward Woodvile brother to Queen Elizabeth , Sir Robert Willoughby● Sir Giles Da●beney , Sir Thomas Arundell , Sir Iohn Cheyney and his two brethren , Sir Willia● B●rckly , Sir William Brandon and his brother Thomas , Sir Richard Edgecombe , Hollowell and Poynings Captaines , were the chiefe . Whil'st these things are in doing , king Richard receives intelligence from Hutton his Ambassadour leiger in Britaine ; that the Duke not onely refuseth to restaine the Earle of Richmond , but intendeth also to give him assistance : whereupon the king ●●oke present order for preparing his Navy to stop the Earles landing in any Port of England .

Upon the twelveth day o● October in the yeer 1484. The Earle of Richmond with forty Ships , and five thousand waged Brittain tooks , to sea ; but that Evening , by tempest of weather , his whole Fleet was dispersed , so as only the Ship wherein the Earle himselfe was , with one little Barke , was driven upon the Coast of Cornw●ll ; where discovering upon the shore great store of Armed Souldiers to resist his landing ; he hoysed sayle , and returning toward France , arrived in Normandy ; from whence sending Messengers to Charles the Eighth King of France , he was by him not onely kindely invited to come to his Court , but was ayded also with good s●mmes of money to beare his charges . After this , the Earle returning into Britt●i●e , received there the news of the Duke of Buckinghams death , and the disp●r●ing of the Confederates forces ; with which though he was at first much troubled , yet was he as much comforted afterward , when he saw the Marquesse Dorset and those other Lords and Captaines come unto him : soon after whose comming , upon Christ●●sse day before the high Altar in the great Church of Rheims , the Earle of Richmo●d gave Oath , to marry the Lady El●zabeth , as soone as he should be quietly ●e●led in the Government of England : and thereupon all the Lords and Knights there present , did him homage , and in the same place , each to other Religiously Vowed , taking the Sacrament upon it ; never to cease prosecuting warre against king Richard , till either his Deposition or Destruction .

King Richard being informed of these things , makes diligent enquiry after all such as might be suspected to be favourers of Richmonds association ; of whom Sir George Brown , and Sir Roger Clifford with foure other Gentlemen are apprehended and ex●cuted at London : Sir Thomas Sentl●ge● , whom m●rried Anne the Duke of Excet●rs widdow , this kings own sister , and Thomas Rame Esquire were executed at Exceter . Thomas Marquesse Dorset , and all such as were with the Earle of Rich●●●d , were at a Parliament then holden att●inted of Treason , and all their Good● a●d Lands seized on to the kings use : Besides these , a poore Gentleman called C●lli●gbor●● , for making a small ryme of th●ee of his wicked Co●nsellours ; the Lord L●●●ll , Sir Robert Ratcliffe , and Sir William Catesby : which ryme was thus framed : 〈◊〉 Cat , the Rat , and ●●vell the Dog ; rule all Engla●● under a ●●og : was put to deat● , ●nd his body divided into foure quarter● .

At this time , a Truce is concl●ded betwixt England and Sc●●land , for three years● and for a se●ling a firmer Amity between the two kingdomes , a marriage it treated● of between the Duke of Rothsay , eldest Sonne to the king of Scots ; and the Lady Anne de la Poole , daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolk , by Anne sister to king Ri●hard , which sister he so much favoured , that after the death of his own sonne , who dyed some time before ; ●e caused Iohn Earle of Lincolne , her sonne and his Nephew , to be proclaimed Heire apparent to the Crown of England .

And now King Richard , to take away the Root of his feare , once againe sent Amb●●●adors to the Duke of Britaine , with orde● ( besides the great gifts they caried with them ) to make offer , that king Richard should yeerly pay and answer the Duke of all the Revenues and Profits of all lands and possessions● as well belonging to the Earle of Richmond , as of any other Nobleman or Gentleman that were in his company ; if he after that time would keep them in continuall prison , and restraine the● from liberty . But the Duke of Brit●ine being at that time fallen into such infirmity , that the Ambassadors could have no audience ; they addressed themselves to ●eter Landois , the Dukes chief Treasurer : and he taken with this golden hook , faithfully promised to satisfie their Request ; and had done so indeed , but that B. Morto● , sojourning then in Fl●●ders , had by his friends Intelligence of his purpose , and presently informed the E. thereof . The E. was then at Va●●e●● who , upon the Bps. information , taking with him only five servants , as though he went but to visit some friend ; when he was five miles forward on his way , suddenly turned into a Wood adjoyning ; and there changing apparell with one of his servants , followed after as their attendant ; and never rested , till by wayes unknown he came to his company abiding at Angi●r● : yet was not his departure so secret nor so sudden , but that Peter Landois had notice of it ; who sending Posts after him , was so neer overtaking him , that he was scarce entred one houre into Franc● , when the Posts arrived at the Con●ines , and then durst goe no further . In the mean time , Sir Edward Woodvile and Captaine P●ynings , who with their companies were left behinde in Vannes , had been in danger of Peter L●ndis his malice ; but that the Duke being informed by the Chancellour of their case , not only protected them , but furnished them with all necessaries for their journey to the Earle : and was so incensed against L●●dois for this action of his , that for this and some other over-bold pre●umptions , he was afterward hanged .

The Earle having passed this danger in Britaine , and being arrived in France , addresseth himselfe to the French king , imploring his ayde ; and hath it promised and performed : and in this time Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford , who had long time been kept prisoner in the Castle of Hammes , so farre prevailed with Iames Blunt Captaine of the Fortresse , and Sir Iohn Fortescue Porter of the Town of Callice ; that not onely they suffered him to be at liberty , but accompanied him also to the Earle of Richm●●● , to whom Captain Blunt gave assurance that the Fortresse remained wholly at his devotion . At this time also there resorted to the Earle , divers young Gentlemen that were Students in the University of Paris , profering him their service ; amongst whom was Richard Fox , at that time famous for his learning ; with whom afterward the Earle advised in all his affaires , made him one of his most Privy Counsell , and at last Bishop of Winchester .

But now king Richard having been disappointed of his designe in Britaine , hath another way in his head , to disapoint the Earle of Richmond of his marriage with the Daughter of Queen Elizabeth : and to this end , he sent to the Queen● ( being still in Sanctuary ) divers messengers , who should first excuse and purge him of all things formerly attempted and done against her ; and then should largely promise promotions innumerable , not onely to her selfe , but also to her sonne Lord Thomas Marquesse D●r●et● by ●or●e of which promises , the messengers so prevailed with her , ●hat no● onely she began ●o relent , but 〈…〉 was content to submit her selfe wholly to th● king● pleasure . And thereupon putting in oblivion the murther of her inno●●●● Children , the butchering of her own Brother and Sonne , the infamy of her ●oy●ll Hu●●and , the aspersion of Adulte●y cast upon her selfe , the imputation of Bastardy laid to her Da●●hter●● forgetting also her Oa●h made to the Earle of Richmonds Moth●r ; seduced by fla●tering words , she first delivered into king Richards hands her ●ive Daughters , and after sent letters to the Marquesse her Sonne , being then at Pari● wit● the Earle of Richmond ; willing him by any means to leave the Earle , and with all speed to repaire into England● where for him were provided great Honours and Promotions : Assuring him further , that all offences on both parts were forgot●en ●nd forgiven ; and both he and she incorporated in the kings favour . If we wonder at this credulity in the Queen , we may conceive she was moved with the 〈…〉 motives of Feare and hope ; she feared ( no doubt ) that if she denyed the king● request , he would presently take some sharpe course both against her and her D●●●ht●rs ; and she hoped that if she yeelded to his request , he would undoub●e●ly performe his promise , seeing it was as easie for him to keep it as to breake it .

But now king Richards purpose being to marry one of his brother king Edwards daughters : there was one impediment which directly hindred it ; that he had a wife living ; and how to be rid of her , that he might not bring new aspersions upon hi●selfe , he could not well tell ; yet this he resolved , that be rid of her he would by some way or other : but before he would use extremity , he would first try milder wayes ; and first he absteyned both from her bed and company , and complained to divers of her barrennesse ; which comming to her ●are , he hoped might cause her ●o dye with griefe : And when this device failed , he then caused a rumour to be s●●●●d among the people , that she was suddenly dead ; hoping the very conceite thereof would kill her : when this device also failed , ( for the Queen hearing of it , and mistrustring the worst , with a most sorrowfull countenance came unto him , demanding what she had done , that he should judge her worthy to dye ? who answered with faire words , bidding her be of good cheere , for ( to his knowledge ) she should have no other cause : ) he then made sure worke ; for within few dayes after , whether by poyson or by what other ●eans , it is not certainly known , she departed this life ; and with all solemnity , not without some formall tears of king Richard , was interred in St. Peters Church at Westminster .

King Richard now by his wives death , having made himself way to marry another ; 〈◊〉 all the alluring means he can devise , to win the love of the Lady Elizabeth his 〈◊〉 , but meaning at last to purchase his desire by Rape , if he could not otherwise● and had perhaps done it , but that the storms threatned from beyond the seas , growing every day more strong then other , forced him to prorouge the execution of his desires , and look to the prevention of his present danger . The Lord Stanley is commanded presently to levy forces for the kingsayde , as he will justifie his integrity to him ; but yet is not permitted to goe down into the Country , untill he had left George Lord Strange his eldest Son , as a Pledge of his Loyalty , behinde him . And now king Richard being informed ( though the information was craftily suborned by his Enemies ) that the Earle of Richmond was out of hope of any great assistance from France ; dischargeth the ships which he had appointed to guard the seas , ●●d likewise all the souldiers ; onely order is given for diligent watching of the Beacons .

At this time , one Morga● Kidwelly , a Student at the Innes of Court , with great ha●●d of his life , passed over to the Earle ; Informing him , that King Richard by all means laboured to match himself with the Lady Elizabeth : which so wrought with the Earle , that he saw there was no lingring : and the more , being by him further informed , that Ric● ap Thomas and Iohn Savage , two powerfull men in their Coun●r●es , were ready with great forces to assist him : Whereupon not having above two thousand Mercenaries , and but indifferent shipping to convay him over : about the middle of August he put to sea , and by the advice of the said Kidwelly , steered his course for Wales , and on the seventee●●● day after his departure from Harflew , arrived at Milford Haven ; and there landing his for●es without trouble or impeachment , from thence m●●●hed peacably 〈◊〉 Hereford , where by the Inhabitants he was joyfully received . Here he receiveth news by Captaine Arnold Butler , that the Earle of Pembrooke with all hi● reti●●● , was upon the way to joyne with him ; also thither came to him R●chard Griffith and Iohn Morgan , with a band of brave Welsh men ; and the same day , Sir Gi●ber● T●lbo● with all the Earle of Shewsbury●s Tenants , ( being about two thousand well appointed men ) came unto him : with these he marched towards Shrewsbury ; at which time word is brought him , that Sir Robert Herbert and Rice ap Thomas , were ready with a great power to stoppe his passage : which somewhat troubled him , that his friends so suddenly should revolt : but it was but a trick of R●ce ap Tho●●● to make his bargaine the surer : for soon after , Rice ap Thomas meets him , and offers him his service , so as the Earle will pledge his faith to performe his promise formerly made ; which was , that having once obtained the Crown , he would make Rice sole Governour of Wales : which was now assented to , and afterward performed● At this time the Lord St●●ley with five thousand men , had taken up his lodging at the Town of Leicester ; but hearing of the Earles march that way , he le●t Leicester and went to Adde●t●● , not daring to shew himselfe openly for the Earle ; for feare the King should put his Sonne the Lord Strange to death , whom he had left an Hostage with him .

All this time King Richard lay at Nottigham , and was as it were fatally taken with a spirit of security , hearing that the Earle had but small assistance either from France or in England ; and therefore slighting him as little able to doe any great matter : but when he heard that part of his own forces was revolted to him , then he began to looke about him , and sends present direction to the Duke of Norfolke , the Earles of Northumberland and Surry , with Sir Thomas Brackenbury Lievetenant of the Tower , with all speed to bring their forces to him at Lutterworth , from whence upon their arrivall , hearing that the Earle was encamped at Lichfield : he marcheth thitherward : At which time , Sir Walter Hungerford and some others , withdrew themselves from King Richards part : and Sir Iohn Savage , Sir Bryan Sta●ford , and Sir Simon Digby , with their severall Forces , joyned with the Earle .

King Richard tooke the advantage of a large Plaine neere Bosworth , adjoyning to a Hill called Anne Beame ; where he encamped : And observing by his Adversaries manner of approach , that they meant to give him battell ; He the next morning put his Forces in order : The Vauntguard was led by the Duke of Norfolk , which consisted of one thousand two hundred Bow-men , flanked with two hundred Cuyrassiers , under the conduct of the Earle of Surrey : The Battaile King Richard led himselfe , which consisted of a thousand Bill-men , empaled with two thousand Pikes : The Reereward was led by Sir Thomas Bracke●bury , consisting of two thousand mingled weapons , with two wings of Horsemen , containing fifteen hundred , all of them cast into square maniples ; expecting the Lord Sta●ley's comming with two thousand , most of them Horsemen : But the Lord Stanley caried himselfe so warily , that he might neither give cause of suspition to the King , nor yet cause of disadvan●tage to the Earle : that when , early in the morning , the Earle sent unto him , desiring his prese●t repaire ; he answered , that he must looke for no ayde from him , till the Battailes should be joyned ; and therefore advised him , with all possible speed to give the Onset . This Answer somewhat staggered the Earle , because his number did but little exceed one halfe of the Kings : Yet to make the best shew he could● by the advice of his Counsell of War , he made his Vaward open and thin ; of which Iohn Earle of Oxford had the leading : The Earle himselfe led the Battaile : Sir Gilbert Talbot commanding the Right wing , and Sir Iohn Savage the left : whose souldiers being all alike clad in white Coates and hoods of Frize ; by the reflection of the Sun upon them , made them appeare in the view of their Enemies , double the number . The Reereward was governed by the Earle of Pembrooke , which consisted most of ●orse , and some Pikes and Black bills . King Richard to incourage his souldiers , made a solemne speech unto them : but alas ! what hope co●ld he have to put them in heart , whose hearts he had lost ? or to rise alacrity in others , who had none in himselfe ? For now the remembrance of his fore-passed villanies , and specially a fearfull dreame he had the night before , ( wherein it seemed to him he saw divers Images like Devils , which pulled and haled him , not suffering him to take any rest or quiet ) so damped his spirits , that although he set a good face upon the matter , yet he co●ld not choose but have a presaging feare that the date o● hi● dayes was not farre from expiring . The Earle of Richmond on the other side , having a cleere conscience in himself , and speaking to men that followed him for love● had the easier means ●o give them encouragement : which he did with so cheerfull a countenance ; as though already he had gotten the victory . After their military exhor●ations ended , King Richard commanded to give the onset . Between both Armies , there was agreat Marsh ; which the Earle left on his right-hand , that it might be a defence for his souldiers on that side ; and besides by so doing , he had the Sunne at his back , and in the faces of the enemy . When king Richard saw that the Earles company wa● pa●●ed this Marish , he commanded with all speed to set upon them . Then were the Arrows let fly on both sides , and those spent , they came to hand-strokes ; at which encounter comes in the the Lord Stanley , and joyns with the Earle . The Earle of Oxford in the mean time , fearing lest his company should be compassed in with the multitude of his enemies , gave charge in every ranke , that no man should goe above ten foot from the Standard : whereupon they knit themselves together , and ceased a while from fighting : which the Enemy seeing , and mistrusting some fraud , they also paused and left striking . But then the E●rle of Oxford , having brought all his Band together , set on the Enemy afresh ; which the Enemy perceiving , they placed their men slender and thinne before , but thick and broad behinde ; and resolutely againe began ●he Fight . While these two Va●ntgu●rds were thus contending , King Richard was informed , that the Earle of Richmond with a small ●●●ber was not farre off : whereupon he presently makes towards him ; and being of an invincible courage , whereof he was now to give the last proofe , he made so furious an assault , that first with his own hands he slew Sir William Brandon , who bore the Earles Standard ; next , he unhorst and overthrew Sir Iohn Cheyny , a strong and stout man at Armes ; and then assaulted the Earle of Richmond himself , who ( ●hough no man would have thought it , yet ) for all the Kings fury , held him off at his Launces point , till Sir William Stanley came in with three thousand freshmen ; and then opprest with multitude , King Richard is there slaine . It is said , that when the Battell was at the point to be lost , a swift horse was b●ought unto him , with which he might have saved himselfe by flight : but out of his undaunted courage he refused it , saying He would that day make an end of all Battells , or else lose his life . In this Battell , He●ry Earle of Northumberland , who led King Richards Reereward , never struck stroke ; as likewise many other , who followed King Richard more for Feare than Love : and so King Richard who had deceived many in his time , was at this time deceived by many : which was not unforeseen by some , who caused a Rhyme to be set upon the Duke of Norfolks gate the night before the Battell ; which was this : Iack of Norfolke be not too bold , For Dickon thy Master is bought and sold. Yet notwithstanding this warning , the noble Duke continued firme to king Richard ; and more considering what he was towards him , then what towards others ; followed him to the last , and in his quarrell lost his life . This Iohn Howard was the sonne of Sir Robert Howard knight , and Margaret eldest daughter of Thomas ●●●bray Duke of Norfolke , in who●e right he was created Duke of Norfolke by king Richard the Third , in ●he yeere 1483. having been made a Baron before by king Edward the Fourth . The whole number slain in thi● battell on kin● R●ch●rds par● was not above a thousand persons ; whereof of the Nobility , besides the Duke of Norfolke , only Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley , Sir Richard Rat●liffe , and Sir Robert ●rakenbury Lievtenant of the Tower , and not many Gentlemen more . Sir William Catesby , one of the chiefe Counsellours of king Richard , with divers others , were two dayes after beheaded at Leicester . Amongst those that ran away , were Franci● Viscount Lovell , Hu●fry Stafford , and Thomas Stafford his brother , who took Sanctuary in Saint Iohns at Glocester . Of Captives and Prisoners there were great number . Henry Earle of Northumberland , who though on king Richards side , intermi●ted not in the battell ; was incontinently taken into favour , and made of the Counsell ; But Thomas Howard Earle of S●rry , though he submitted himselfe , yet as having been specially familiar with king Richard , was committed to the Tower ; where he remained a long time : but at last was delivered and highly promoted . On the Earle of Richmonds part were slaine scarce a hundred persons ; ( some say , but ten ) of whom the principall was Sir William Brandon , the Earles Standard-bearer . This battell was fought at Rodmer , neer Bosworth in Leicestershire , the two and twentieth day of August , in the yeer 1485. having continued little above two houres . Presently after the battell , the Earle knighted in the field , Sir Gilbert Talbot , Sir Iohn Mortimer , Sir William Willoughby , Sir Rice ap Thomas , Sir Robert Poynts , Sir Humfry Stanley , Sir Iohn Turbervile , Sir Hugh Pershall , Sir R. Edgecombe , Sir Iohn Bykenill , and Sir Edmund Carew : and then kneeling down , he rendred to Almighty God his hearty Thankes for the victory he had obtained ; and commanded all the hurt and maimed persons to be cured : whereat the people rejoycing , clapped their hands and cryed , king Henry , king Henry : which good will and gladnesse of the people when the Lord Sta●ley saw , he tooke the Crown of king Richard , which was found amongst the spoiles in the field , and set it on the Earles head , as though he had been elected King by the voice of the people . It may not be forgotten , that when king Richard was come to Bosworth , he sent to the Lord Stanley to come presently to his presence ; which if he refused to doe , he swore by Christs Passion , that he would strike off his sonnes head before he dined : whereto the Lord Stanley answered , That if he did so , he had more sonnes alive , and he might doe his pleasure ; but to come to him , he was not then determined . Which answer when king Richard heard , he commanded the Lord Strange immediately to be beheaded ; but being at the very time when both Armies were in sight of each other ; his Lords perswaded him , it was now time to fight , and not to put to Execution : and so the Lord Strang● escaped .

Of his Taxations .

WEE must not looke for Taxations in kinde , in this kings reigne ; for he drew from his Subjects not money so much as blood ; and the money he drew was most by blood , which drew on confiscation : whereof , let never any Prince make a president : for where Taxations properly doe but Tondere , the●e did Deglu●ere . Yet in his second yeere , he called a Parliament , wherein besides the great confiscations of those that were then attainted , he imposed upon the people a great Tax , which what it was , is not Recorded .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

HAving gotten the Crowne by Pestilent courses , he sought to Establish i● by wholsome Laws : for in no Kings reigne were better Laws made , then in the reign of this man . Amongst other of his Laws , It was enacted , that from thence forth , the Commonalty of the Realme should in no wise be charged by any imposition called a Benevolence , nor any such like charge ; and that such exactions called a Benevolence , before this time taken , shall be taken for no example to make any such like charge hereafter ; but shall be damned and annulled for ever . Many other good Laws were by him made ; that we may say , he took the wayes of being a good King , if he had come to be King by wayes that had been good .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN his time , the troubles of the Temporalty kept the Clergie at quiet ; and though there were complayning in the streets , there was none in the Church . Only ●hores wife might complaine , why shee should doe Penance for offending lightly against onely the seventh Commandement ; and king Richard doe none for offending heavily against all the ten ; but that perhaps he had gotten some good fellow to be his Confessour .

Workes of Piety done by him .

AS bad as this King was , yet some good workes he did : he founded a Colledge at Middleham beyond Yorke ; and a Collegiate Chauntry in London , neere unto the Tower , called our Lady of Barking : He endowed the Queens Colledge in Cam●●●●ge , with five hundred Marks of yeerly revenue ; and disforested the great field of Whitchwood , which king Edward his brother had inclosed for Deere .

Of Casualties happening in his time .

IN his second year , at the time when the Duke of Buckingham meant to passe with his Army over Severn ; so great an inundation was of wa●er , that men were drowned in their beds , houses were overturned , children were carried about the fields swimming in Cradles , beasts were drowned on hills : which rage of water conti●●ed ten dayes ; and is to this day in the Countries thereabout , called the great water , or the Duke of Buckingham● water .

Of his wife and issue .

HEE marryed Anne the second Daughter of Richard Nevill the great Earle of Warwicke , being the widdow of Edward Prince of Wales , the Sonne of king He●●y the sixth : she lived his Wife to the last yeer of his reigne ; and then to make way for another , was brought to her end , and layd a● rest in the Abbey of Westminster : by her he had onely one Sonne , born at Middleham neer Richmond in the County of Yorke ; at foure yeers old , created Earle of Salisbury by his Uncle king Edward the fourth ; at ten yeers old , created Prince of Wales by his Father king Richard , but dyed soon after .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

THere never was in any man a greater uniformity of Body and Minde then was in him ; both of them equally deformed . Of Body he was but low , crooke-backt , hook-shouldred , splay-footed , and goggle-eyed , his face little and round , his complexion swarsie , his left arm from his birth dry and withered : born a monster in nature , with all his teeth , with haire on his head , and nailes on his fingers and toes . And just such were the qua●●ties of his minde : One quality he had in ordinary , which was , to look faw●●ngly when he plotted , sternly when he executed . Those vices which in other men are Passions , in him were Habits : and his cruelty was not upon occasion , but naturall . If at any time he shewed any virtue , it was but pretence ; the truth of his minde was onely lying and falsehood . He was full of courage and yet not valiant ; valour consisting not only in doing , but as well in suffering , which he could not abide . He was politick and yet not wise , Policie looking but to the middle , wisdome to the end : which he did , and did not . And it was not so much ambition that made him desire the Crown , as cruelty , that it might be in his power to kill at his pleasure : and to say the truth , he was scarce of the number of men who consist of flesh and blood , being nothing but blood . One Miracle wee may say hee did ; which was , that he made the truth of History to exceed the fiction of Poetry , being a greater Harpy than those that were feigned . He would faine have been accounted a good King , but for his life he could not be a good Man ; and it is an impossible thing to be one without the other . He left no is●ue behinde him : and it had been pitty he should , at least in his own Image ; One such Monster was enough for many Ages .

Of his Death and Buriall .

BEing slaine in the Battell at Bosworth , as before is related ; his body was left naked and des●oyled to the very skin , not so much as a c●out left about him to cover his privy parts : and taken up , was trussed behinde a Pursuivant at Armes , one Bla●ch Senglyer or White-boare ; his head and armes hanging on one side of the horse , and his leggs on the other ; and all besprinkled with mire and dirt , he was brought to the Gray-Friers Church within the Towne of Leicester , and there for some time lay a miserable spectacle ; and afterward , with small Funerall-pompe , was there interred . But after this , King He●ry the Seventh caused a Tombe to be made , and set up over the place where he was buried , with a picture of Alablaster representing his person ; which at the suppression of that Monastery was utterly defaced : Since when , his Grave overgrowne with nettles and weeds , is not to be found ; onely the Stone-chest wherein his Corps lay , is now made a drinking-trough for horses , at a common Inne in Leicester , and reteineth the onely memory of this Monarchs greatnes . But his body ( as is reported ) was caried out of the City , and contemptuously bestowed under the end of Bow-bridge , which giveth passage over a branch of Stowre , upon the West side of the Towne . Upon this bridge ( the like report runneth ) stood a stone of some heigth ; against which king Richard , as hee passed ●owards Bosworth , by chance strook his spurre : and against the same stone , as he was brought back , hanging by the horse side , his head was dashed and broken ; as a Wise-woman ( forsooth ) had fore-told ; who before his going to battell , being asked of his successe , said , that where his spurre strooke , his head should be broken . But these are but Repo●●● He had lived seven and thirty yeeres , Reigned two , and two moneths .

Of men of Note in his time .

OF men of Note for wickednesse and villany , enough have been mentioned i● the body of the Story : and for men of Valour and Learning , they will fitte● be placed in a better Kings Reigne .

THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SEVENTH .

HENRY Earle of Richmond , borne in Pembrooke-Castle , sonne to Edmund Earle of Richmond , by his wife Margaret , sole daughter of Iohn Duke of Somerset , which Iohn was sonne of Iohn Earle of Somerset , sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster , by his third wife Katherine Swinford ; and by this descent , Heire of the House of Lancaster : having wonne the Battell at Bosworth , against King Richard ; is by publick acclamations saluted King of England , on the 22 day of August , in the yeere 1485. and this was his first Title . And now to take away a Root of danger ; before his departure from Leicester , he sent Sir Robert Willoug●by to the Castle of Sheriffehaton in the County of Yorke , for Edward Plantage●et Earle of Warwick , sonne and heire to George Duke of Clarence , being then of the age of fifteen yeeres , whom King Richard had there kept a prisoner all his time ; who was thence conveyed to London , and shut up in the Tower to be kept in safe custodie . In the same Castle also , King Richard had left residing the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth : and her now King Henry appoints honorably attended to be brought up to London , and to be delivered to the Queene her mother . This done , he tooke his journey towards London ; where at his approaching neere the City , Thomas Hill the Major , Thomas Brittaine and Richard Chester Sheriffs , with other principall Citizens , met him at Shore-ditch , and in great state brought him to the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul , where he offered three Standards : in the one was the Image of St. George ; in another was a red fiery Dragon , beaten upon white and greene Sarcenet ; in the third was painted a dun Cow , upon yellow Tarterne . After Prayers said , he departed to the Bishops Palace , and there sojourned a season : And in the time of his stay here , he advised with his Councell , and appointed a day for solemnizing his mariage with the Lady Elizabeth : before which time notwithstanding , he went by water to Westminster , and was there with great solemnity Anointed and Crowned King of England , by the whole consent as well of the Commons as of the Nobility , by the name of Henry the Seventh , on the thirtieth day of October , in the yeere 1485 : and this was his second Title . And even this was revealed to Cadwalloder last King of the Britaines , seven ●u●dred ninety and seven yeeres past ; That his off-spring should Raigne and b●a●e Dominion in this Realme againe .

On the seventeenth day of November following , he called his High Court of Parliament ; where , at the first sitting , two scruples appea●ed : One concerning t●e Burgesses ; for that many had been returned Burgesses and knights of Shires , who by a Parliament in king Richards time , stood Attainted still : and it was thought incong●uous , for men to make Law●● , who were themselves out-lawed : For remedy whereof , an Act was presently passed for their restoring ; and then they were admitted to sit in the House . The other concerning the King himselfe , who had been Attainted by king Richard : but for this , It was resolv●d by all the Judges in the Ch●quer Chamber , that the possession of the Crowne takes away all defects ; yet for Honours sake , all Records of hi● Attainder were taken off the File . And so these scruples thus removed , the Parliament b●ga● ; wherein were Attainted , first Richard late Duke of Glocester , calling himselfe Richard the Third : Then , his Assistants at the Battell of Bosworth : Iohn late Duke of Norfolk , Thomas Earle of Surrey , Francis Viscount Lovell , Walter Devereux late Lord Ferrers , Iohn Lord Zouch , Rober● Harington , Richard Cha●leto●● Richar● Rat●liffe● William Ber●ley of Weley , Robert Middleton , Iames Haringto●●●obert Br●c●enb●●y , T●omas Pilkington , Wal●er Ho●ton , William Catesby , Roger W●ke , William Sapco●e , Humfry Stafford , William Clerke of Wenlock , Geoffry St. Germaine , Richard Watkins , Herauld at Armes , Richard Revell , Thomas Pul●er , Iohn Welsh , Iohn Ken●all l●te Secretary to the late king Richard , Iohn Buck , Andrew Rat , and William Brampton of Burford . But notwithstanding this Attainder , divers of the persons aforesaid , were afterwards not only by King Hen●y pardoned , but restored also to their lands and livings . As likewise he caused Proclamation to be made , that whosoever would submit themselves , and take Oath to be true subjects , should have their Pardon : whereupon many came out of Sanctuaries and other places ; who submitting themselves , were received to mercy .

And now King Henry con●idering that ●aena & Praemio Respublica contine●uy ; after Punishing for Offence● , he proceeds to Rewarding for Service : and first , Iasper Earle of Pembrooke his Unkle , he created Duke of Bedford : Thomas Lord Stanley he created Earle of Darb● : the Lord Chendow of Britaine , his speciall friend , he made Earle of Bathe : Sir Giles Dauben●y was made Lord Dawbeney : Sir Robert Willoughby was made Lord Brooke : and Edward Stafford eldest sonne to Henry late Duke of Buckingham , he restored to his Dignity and Possessions . Besides , in this Parliament , an Act was made , for se●●ing the Crowne upon the person of king Henry and the heires of his Body successively for ever . And then with all speed he sent and redeemed the Marquesse Dorset , and Sir Iohn Bourchier , whom he had left Hostages in France for money : and called home Morton Bishop of Ely , and Richard Fox ; making Morton Archbishop of Canterbury , and Fox Lord Keeper of the Privy S●ole , and Bishop of Winchester . Besides these , he made also of his Privy Counsell , Iasper Duke of Bedford , Iohn Earle of Oxford , Thomas Stanley Earle of Darby , Iohn Bishop of Ely , Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine of his Houshold ; Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brooke , Lord Steward of his Houshold ; Giles Lord Dawbeny ; Iohn Lord Dyn●●m , after made Lord Treasurer of England ; Sir Reginold Bray , Sir Iohn Cheyny , Sir Richard Guildford , Sir Richard Tunstall , Sir Richard Edgecombe , Sir Thomas Lovell , Sir Edmund P●ynings , Sir Iohn Risley , with some other .

These things thus done : as well in performance of his Oath , as to make his Crown sit the surer on his head ; on the eighteenth day of Ianuary , he proceeded to the solemnizing his marriage with the Lady Elizabeth ; which gave him a third title : And indeed this conjunction made a wreath of three so indissoluble , that no age since hath ever questioned it : and it is fixt upon a Tree planted so happily by the waters side , and hath at this day so many flourishing branches , that there is good hope it will continue as long as the world continues .

And now whether King Henry doubted any suddaine attempt upon his person , or whether he did it to follow the example of France : in the very beginning of his reigne , he ordained a band of tall personable men to be attending upon him , which was called the Kings guard ; which no King before , and all Kings since , have alwaies used : But though he provided a guard for defence of his own body ; yet for the bod●●● of his people he could provide none ; for at this time a sicknesse ( of the symp●●●e called the sweating sicknesse ) seized so violently upon them , that within a ●●ort time many thousands perished ; particularly in London , two Majors successive●y and six Aldermen within eight dayes dyed : and for this : sicknesse no Physick aff●●ded any cure ; till at last , this remedy was found : if a man were taken with the sweat in the day time , that then he should presently lye downe in his cloathes , and so lye still the whole foure and twenty houres : if he were taken in the night , then ●e should not rise out of his bed for the space of foure and twenty houres ; not provoking sweat , nor yet eating or drinking at all , at least but very moderately . In 〈◊〉 sicknes there was one good circumstance ; that though it were violent , yet it lasted not long : for beginning about the one and twentieth of September , it cleered ●p before the end of October following .

And now all things being set in good order in the South parts there ariseth a little s●o●me in the North , but was soon dispersed . For King Henry making a journey in●o the North parts , to shew himselfe there where he had not yet been ; and where 〈◊〉 respect to King Richard might have left some opposites : at his comming to Li●colne was certified that the Lord Lovell and Humfry Stafford were gone out of S●nctuary in Colchester ; but whither , no man knew . The King therefore not much regarding it , went forward to York ; and being come thither , it was then plainly told him , that the Lord Lovell with a strong power was at hand , and would presently invade the City . This made the King in a great streight ; for neither had he any Army r●●dy ; no● if he had men , had he any weapons or Munition ●or them . Yet in this streight , he commanded the Duke of Bedford with three thousand men to ●et out ag●●nst him , but so ill armed , that their armours for the most part were but of tanned l●●ther ; who being come neere the Campe of the Rebels , caused Proclamation to be made , that whosoever would submit themselves as loyall Subjects , should have their Pardons , and be received into grace : which Proclamation so prevailed , that i● made the Lord Lovell secretly in the night to flye away ; and then the Army left without a head , submitted themselves to the Kings mercy . The Lord Lovell fled into Lancashire ; and there for a time lurked with Sir Thomas Broughton , a man powerfull in those parts . Humfry Stafford took Sanctuary in a village called Culnh●m two miles from Abington : but the Sanctuary being judged by the Justices of the Kings Bench , to be no lawfull defence for Traytors ; he was taken from thence by force , and convayed to the Tower , afterward to Tyburne , and there hanged . His brother Thomas was pardo●ed , because it was thought , he was drawn in by his brother Humfry .

In this yeere , Iohn Persivall the Major of London's Carver , waiting at his Table , was chosen one of the Sheriffs of London , only by Sir Iohn Collet's , then Major , drinking to him in a cup of Wine , ( as the custome is , to drinke to him whom he li●t to name Sheriffe ) and forthwith the said Persivall sate downe at the Majors Table , ●nd covered his head , and was afterward Major himselfe .

At this time a mean instrument attemped a great worke ; by which we may see , how farre imagination may out-goe reason : One Richard Symond a Priest , a man of base birth though some learning ; had a scholler of baser birth , the Sonne of a Shoemaker , ( some say a Baker ) named Lambert Symnell ; but of a pregnant wit , and comely personage : Him he gives out to be Edward Earle of Warwicke , lately ( as was sayd ) escaped out of prison ; Both of them being of like yeers and stature : with this Scholler of his , he sailes into Ireland ; and so sets forth the matter : that not only the Lord Thomas Fitz-Gerard Earle of Kildare , and Deputy of Ireland ; but many other of the Nobilty gave credit to his words ; and as those that affected the house of Yorke , were ready to take his part ; and even already saluted the young Symnell King . Withall they sent into Flanders to the Lady Margaret , sister to the late King Edward , and widdow of ●harles Duke of Burgoigne , requiring ayde and assistance from her . This Lady being of the house of Yorke , bore an inward grudge ag●inst King Henry , being of the house of Lancaster ; and ●herefore though she well understood it was but a coloured matter , yet was willing to take advantage of it : and thereupon promised her assistance . King Henry being advertised of these things , advised with his Counsell ; by whom it was agreed , that two things presently should be do●e . First , to grant ● Pardon to any that would submit themselves , for any offence whatsoever , though it were for High Treason ; the next , that the Earle of Warwicke should be openly shewed abroad in the City , and other publike places ; whereby , the report spread abroad of his being in Irel●nd , might appeare plainly to be false . Withall , the Queen Elizabeth , widdow of King Edward the fourth , and Mother to the present Queen , was adjudged to forfeit all her Lands and Possessions , and to live confined in the Abbey of Bermondsey in Southwarke ; where in grea● pensivenes , within a few yeers she died . But for what cause this severity was used against this Queen , is not altogether certaine : To say , ( as was commonly said ) that it was for rendring her selfe and her daughters into the hands of king Rich●rd , were manifest injustice , to punish her for doing a thing out of feare , which else she should have been compelled to doe by force : and to say ( as some also have said ) that it was for giving aide underhand to Perki● , were a manifest unlikelihood , tha● she should aide a Counterfeit against her own Sonne in Law : we must therefore content our selves with knowing the bare colourable pretext , and leave the true reason as a secret of State . But this shewing abroad of the true Earle of Warwicke , though it satisfied some , yet not all : for some gave out that it was but a trick of the King , and not the true Warwicke . At least the Earle of Lincolne , sonne to Iohn de l● Poole Duke of Suffolke , and Elizabeth sister to king Edward the fourth , would not omit to take the advantage , though he knew that Symnell was but a Counterfeit . And thereupon , assoone as ●he Parliament was dissolved , he fled secretly into Fl●nders , to his Aunt the Lady Margaret D●tchesse of Burgoigne ; between whom it was concluded , that he and the Lord L●vell should goe into Ireland , and there attend upon the Counterfeit Warwicke , and honour him as king● and with the power of the Irishmen bring him into England : but it was concluded withall , that if their actions succeeded● then the Counterfei● Warwicke should be deposed , and the true be delivered out of prison , and anoynted King . And to this purpose , the Earle of Lincol● , by the aide of the Lady Margaret , had gotten together two thousand Almaines , with one Martin Swart a valiant and expert Captaine to be their leader . With this power , the Earle sayled into Ireland , and at the City of Dublin , caused young Lambert the Counterfeit Warwicke , in most solemne manner , first to be Proclaimed , and after to be Crowned king of E●gland : and then with a great number of beggerly and unarmed Irishmen , under the Conduct of the Lord Thomas Gerardine Earle of Kild●re , they sayled into England , and landed at a place called the Pile of Fowdray , not farre from Lancaster ; hoping there by the meanes of Sir Thomas Broughton , a powerfull man in that Country , to have their Army both furnished and increased . King Henry hearing that the Earle of Lincolne was landed at Lancaster , assembled a great Army , Conducted by the Duke of Bedford , and the Earle of Oxford ; and with these he marched to Nottingham , and there by a little wood called Bowres , he pitched his field ; whither there came unto him , the Lord George Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury , ●he Lord Strange , Sir Iohn Cheyney , and divers other Knights and Gentlemen . In which mean time , the Earle of Lincolne being entred into Yorkeshire , passed quietly on his journy , without doing spoile or hurt unto any ; trusting thereby to have won the people to come to his aide : but when he perceived few or none to resort unto him , he then determined to venture a battell with the Army he had already ; and thereupon tooke his way from Yorke to Newarke upon Trent . King Henry understanding which way he took , came the night before the battell to Newarke ; and going three miles further , neer to a little Village called Stoke , there waited the approach of the Earle of Lincolne ; So the next day they joyned battell ; where after a long fight , of at the least three houres ; though the Almaines , and specially their Captaine Martin Swart behaved themselves most valiantly ; yet their Ir●sh , being in a manner but naked men , were at last overthrown , foure thousand slaine , and the rest put ●o fl●ght ; but not one of their Cap●aines ; for the Earle of Lincolne , the Lord L●vell , Sir Thomas Broughton , Martin Swart , and the Lord Gerardine were all found dead in the very place where they had stood fighting ; that though they lost the battell , yet they wonne the reputation of hardy and stout souldiers . Onely of the Lord Lovell , some report , that attempting to save himselfe by flight ; in passing over the river of Trent , was drowned . On the kings part , though some were slaine , yet not any m●n of note . This battell was fought on a Saturday ( observed as alwayes fortunate to king Henry ) being the sixteenth of Iune , in the second year of king Henries reigne . The young Lambert , and his Master Simond the Priest , were both taken ; and both had their lives saved : Lambert , because but a Childe ; S●mond , bec●use a Priest : yet Symo●d was kept in prison , Lambert was taken into the kings kitchin , to turn the spit in the turne of his fortune , and at last made one of the kings Fau●kners .

In the beginning of his third yeer , king Henry having been in Yorkeshire , to settle the m●ndes of that people : about the midst of August , came to Newcastle upon Tine , and from thence sent Ambassadours into Scotland , Richard Fox lately before made Bishop of Exceter , and Sir Richard Edgecombe Comptroller of his House , to conclude a Peace or Truce with Iames king of Scots : A Peace , by reason of the peoples backwardnes , could not be obtained : but a Truce was concluded for the term of seven yeers ; with a promise from the king , that it should be renued before the first seven yeers should be expired .

At this time , Ambassadours came from the king of France● to king Henry ; who declared , that their Master king Charles was now at warre with Francis Duke of Britai●e , for that he succoured the Duke of Orleance and other Rebels against the Realme of France ; and therefore requested , that for the old familiarity that had been between them , he would either a●●ist him , or not assist the Duke , but stand Ne●ter . King He●ry answered , that having received courte●ies from them both , he would doe his uttermost endeavour to make them friends : and to that end , as soon as the French Ambassadours were departed , he sent Christopher Vrswick his Chaplain over into France ; who should first goe to the French king , and after to the Duke of Britaine , to mediate a Peace between them .

In the time of Vrswicks Ambassage , king Henry caused his Wife the Lady Elizabeth to be Crowned Queen , on Sai●t Katherines day in November , with all solemnity ; and at the same time delivered the Lord Thomas Marquesse Dorset out of the Tower , and received him againe into his former favour .

Vrswick travelled between the two Princes , to procure a Peace ; but they , though making a shew to incline to Peace , yet prepared for warre , and offers on neither side would be accepted . In which time , Edward Lord Wood●ile Uncle to the Queen , made suite to the king , for leave to goe over with a power of men , in aide of the Duke of Britaine ; which su●e , though the king denied , yet the Lord Woodvile would venture it ; and with a power of ●oure hundred able men , got secretly over , and joyned with the Britaines against the French . This the French king took ill at king Henries hand ; but being informed that it was against the kings will , he seemed sati●fied : and a Peace was concluded between Fr●●●e and England , to endure for twelve months . But in conclusion , king Henry finding that the French king dealt not r●ally with him , but only held him on with pretences● he called his high Court of Parliamen● , requiring their advice what was fit to be done : where it was con●●uded , that the Duke of Britaine should be aided ; and to that end great ●ummes of money were by Parliament granted . This Determination of the Parliament , king Henry signifies to the French king , hoping , it would have wrought him to some terms of Peace● But the king of France little regarding it , proceeded on in his violent cour●es against the Britaines ; so as at last , on ●he eight and twentieth day of Iuly , the Britaines gave battell to the French , neer to a Town called 〈◊〉 ; having apparelled seventeen hundred of the Britai●● , in Co●● with ●ed ●rosse● after the English fashion , to make the Frenchmen believe ●hey were all English , although in ●eed they had no more English than the foure hundred of the Lord Woodvile . But no●withstanding this device , the Victory fell to the French ; so that all the Englishmen almost were slaine , with the Lord Woodvile himselfe ; besides six thousand Britaines● The Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Orange , who were there on the Britain●s part , were taken Prisoners . The French lost twelve hundred men ; and amongst other● that valiant Italian Captaine Iames G●le●t .

This news being brought into England , caused king H●●●y to make haste to send forth his Army : and thereupon , the Lord Brooke , with Sir Iohn Cheyny , Sir Iohn Middleton , Sir Ralph Hilton , Sir Richard Corbet , Sir Thomas Leighton , Sir Richard Lacon , & Sir Edmund Cor●●all , are sent over with all speed into Britaine ; having with them eight thousand men , to aide the Duke of Britaine against the French . But while this warre was thus set forward , the Duke of Britaine died ; leaving in effect , one only Daughter , the Lady A●●e ( for the other being the younger , died soon after ) and then the chiefe Rulers of Britaine falling at dissention amongst themselves , little regarded the defence of the Country : whereupon the English returned home , within five moneths after their setting forth : and the French king getting the upper hand of the Britaines , and marying the Lady Anne sole daughter of the Duke of Britaine , incorporated that Dutchy to the Crown of France .

In the last Parliament , a Subsidie was granted , for the furnishing out an Army into Britaine ; and it was agreed , that every man should be taxed after the rate of his substance , to pay the tenth penny of his goods : which Taxe the most part of Yorkeshire and the Bishoprick of Durh●● refused to pay : whereof the Collectours complained to He●ry E. of Northumberland , President of the North parts . The E. signifies it to the King ; and the K. commands him to levy the same , by distresse or otherwise ( without sparing of any ) as he should think most meet . The rude multitude , hearing of this Command from the King , with great violence set upon the Earle , by the exciting of a simple fellow named Iohn a Chamber ; and alledging all the fault to be in the Earle , as chiefe authour of the Taxe ; they cruelly murthered both him and divers of his houshold servants . And to make good their seditious fact , they assembled a great number , and made one Sir Iohn Egremond their Captaine : Declaring , that in defence of their liberties , they would bid the King battell . In this bravery they stood , as long as none opposed them : but when Thomas Earle of Surry appeared with an Army , though they skirmished a while , yet they were soon discomfited , and their Ring-leader Iohn a Chamber was taken , and at Yorke on a Gibbet set upon a square paire of Gallows , like an arch Traytour was hanged , and many of his Complices on a lower Gallows ; the innocent people for the most part Pardoned . But Sir Iohn Egremond fled into Flanders , to the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundie ; the common and sure refuge for all Rebels against King Henry . After this , the king appointed Sir Richard Tu●st●ll to gather the Subsidie , and would not spare the paiment of a penny . This year , notwithstanding this Taxe , the king borrowed of every Alderman of London two hundred pounds , and of the Chamber nine thousand eighty two pounds seventeen shillings and foure pence , which was paid again at the time with great thankfulnesse ; which he did at a time he needed no● , to the end perhaps he might doe it another time , when he needed .

At this time , Iames the third , king of Scotland , having by some errors of Government incurred the hatred of his Nobility and people ; laboured with king Henry , as also with the Pope , and the king of France , to make an Accord between him and his people , who had compelled Prince Iames his Sonne , to be the Titular head of those Armes which they assumed against him . The kings accordingly interposed their mediations by Ambassadours ; but could receive no other but this outragious answer , That there was no talking of Peace , unlesse he would resigne his Crowne . Which answer the kings protested against , declaring by their Ambassadors , that they thought it a common injury done to themselves , and that the Example was not sufferable , for Subjects to lift their hands against their Soveraigne . Hereupon it came to a Battell , at B●nnocks-borne by Strivelin : where king Iames , rashly beginning the fight , before his whole Forces were come , was ( notwithstanding the contrary commandement of the Prince his sonne ) slaine in the Mill of that field , whither he fled , after the Battell ended .

About this time , a Difference fell out which grew to a Warre , between the Emperour Frederick , and some Townes of his in Flanders , especially Gaunt and Bruges : In this warre , the Lord Ravenstein a principall person about Maximilian , not onely forsooke the Emperour and his sonne Maximilian his Lord , ( corrupted as was thought from France ) but made himselfe head of the popular party , seizing upon the Towns of Ipre and Sluce : and not this onely , but forthwith sent to the Lord de Cordes Governour for the French king in Picardie , to ayde him against some Towns in Flanders : To which the Lord de Cordes , willing of any occasion to set foot in Flanders , was easily drawne . But king Henry not liking to have the French so neere his English pale , sent over the Lord Morley with a thousand men , who should joyne with the L. Dawbeney then Deputy of Callice , to resist them . Amongst other acts by them performed , this was chiefe ; That the Lord Dawbeney , with the Lord Morley , Sir Iames Tyrrell Captaine of Guisn●s , Sir Henry Willoughby , Sir Gilbert Talbot , and Sir Humfry Talbot Marshall of Callice , and others to the number of two thousand , issued secretly one night out of Callice , and came to Newport , and from thence to Dix●●e ; where the Lord Dawbeney commanded all men to send back their hors●s : wh●ch the Lord Morley onely refusing to doe , was cause that he onely of all the Captaines was sl●ine with a Gun : for the rest , after their arrowes discharged , fell prostrate to the ground ; by which meanes the Enemies Ordnance overshot them , k●lling onely the Lord Morley that was on horse-back . Here they slew of the Enemy , to the number of eight thousand ; of the English part was slaine the Lord Morley , and not above a hundred more . This Victory so enriched the English , that they who went forth in cloath , came home in silke ; and they who went out on foot , returned back on horse-back . Upon this Defeat , the Lord de Cordes lying at Ypre with twenty thousand men , and thinking to be revenged , besieged the Town of Newport ; and so strongly assaulted it , that one day his men entred , and set up his Banner upon a Tower of the Towne : when suddenly a Barke arriving with onely fourescore ●resh English archers , so terrified them , thinking their number to be farre greater , that the French were glad to leave their Banner behinde them , and give over the assault ; and the night following , the Lord de Cordes ( who so much longed for Callice , that he would commonly say , he could be content to lie seven yeeres in Hell , so that Callice were in the poss●ssion of the French ) brake up his siege , and returned to Helding with as much shame , as the English to Callice with honour .

A little before this t●me , Francis Duke of Britaine dying , left onely one daughter , the Lady Anne , affianced to Maximilian King of the Romans ; and in so solemne a manner , that she taking upon her to be the Bride , and being laid in her bed , was contented to permit Maximilians Deputy , in presence of many Noble witnesses , as well men as women , to put his legge , stript naked to the knee , between the spousall sheets ; accounting that Ceremony to amount to a Consummation . The King of France likewise had been contracted to the Lady Margaret daughter to the foresaid Maximilian , and had received her to that end : Yet all this notwithstanding , out of a violent desire to joyne the Dutchy of Britaine to the Crowne of Fr●●ce , he disanulled and made void both the Contracts . But to the end he might doe it without opposition of the King of England , he sent Ambassadors , the Lord Francis of L●●zemburg , Charles Marignane , and Robert Gaguine , to King Henry ; partly to conclude a Peace , but chiefly to procure king He●ries good will to make voyd the foresaid contracts : to which though king Henry was not willing to give consent , yet he consented willingly to have a Treaty for Peace : and to that end , sent over Tho●as Earle of Ormond , and Thomas Goldenston Prior of Christs Church in Canterbury , to the French King about it . But during this Treaty , and before conditions of Peace could be agreed on , the French King had gotten into his poss●ssion the Lady Anne of Britaine , and solemnly maried her . Which under-hand dealing so incensed King Henry , that he presently called his High Court of Parliament , and there declared the just cause he had of War with France , desiring their Benevolence towards the charge thereof ; which was as readily granted as desired , and great summes of money were soon collected .

In the yeere 1491 , being the sixth yeere of the Kings Reigne , on the sixth of April , the Nobility of the Realme assembled in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul in London ; where also was the Major and Aldermen , and principall Citizens in their liveries : to whom D. Morton Lord Chancellour made an Oration ; declaring from his owne letters , that the King of Spaine had wonne the great and rich City and Country of Granado from the Moores , which had been in their possession above seven hundred yeeres : and having in places of their superstition , built Churches to the honour of Christ , was thereupon intituled the Catholick King . For joy whereof , Te De●m was sung with great solemnity .

In the moneth of May was holden a solemne Justing , at the kings Palace of Shee●e , now called Richmond , which continued the space of a moneth ; sometimes within the Palace , and sometimes without , upon the green before the gate ; in which Justs , Sir Iames Parker running against a Gentleman named Hugh Vaughan , by reason of a faulty Helmet , was strucken into the mouth at the first course ; so that his tongue was borne to the hinder part of his head , in such sort that he dyed presently upon the place .

And now Maximilian having received back his daughter from the king of France , was so displeased , that he presently sent an Ambassadour , one Iames Contibald to king Henry , requiring him to take his part in a warre against the French king ; towards which he promised to provide ten thousand men , with pay for two years : king Henry consented to it ; and having p●ovided himselfe of a puissant Army , on the sixth day of October , sayled to Callice ; but sending his Almoner Christopher ●rswi●ke , and Sir Iohn Resley to Maximilian , requiring his promised forces ; they found him altogether unprovided of either men or money : which brought king Henry into a great streight what he should doe : To proceede in the warre with his own forces alone , would be ●ull of hazard ; To return home without doing any thing , would bring an imputation upon him amongst his Subjects ; as though he had used the pretence of war , but as a trick to get money : at last , he resolved to doe something ; and thereupon , went and besieged Boloigne , having in his Army of chiefe Lords , Iasper Duke of Bedford , his Lieutenant Generall , Thomas Marquesse Dorset , the Earles of Arundell , Oxford , Suffolke , Shrewsbury , Darby , Ke●t , Devonshire and Ormond , sundry Barons , as D●wbeney , Aburgayny , De la Ware , Zouch , Hastings , Cobham and others . During his siege of Boloigne , ( in which there were but few slaine , and no man of note , but Sir Iohn Savage , who riding to take view at what place the town might best be assaulted , was set upon by certaine French men , and by them slaine ) King Henry was secretly dealt with by the Lord Cordes Governour of Heynault , on the king of France's behalf , to accept of certaine conditions of Peace . Who thereupon sent Richard Fox Bishop of Exceter , and Giles Lord Dawbeney to conclude them ; which amongst other Articles were , That king Henry without quitting his claime to France , should for a Peace to continue during the two kings lives , receive in present of Charles king of France , for his charges in that warre , seven hundred forty and five thousand Dockets , which in English money amounts to one hundred eighty six thousand two hundred and fifty pounds ; and five and twenty thousand crowns yeerly , towards the expenses he had been at before in aiding the Britaines ; which ( by the English , called Tribute ) was duly paid , during all the Kings Reigne , and also to king Henry his Sonne afterward , longer then it could continue upon any computation of charges . There were also assigned by the French king unto all king Henries principall Counsellours , great pensions , besides rich gifts for the present . Which whether the king did permit , to save his own purse from Rewards , or to communicate the envy of a businesse that was displeasing to his people , was diversly interpreted : for certainly , the King had no great fancy to own this Peace ; and therefore a little before it was concluded , he had underhand procured some of his best Captaines and Men of Warre , to advise him to a Peace under their hands , in an earnest manner , in the nature of a Supplication , that he might have it shew for justifying himselfe , and to give some allay to the discontentments of many , who had sold and engaged their Estates , upon the hopes of the warre . After the Peace thus concluded , he went to Callice , where he stayed some time , and the seventeenth of December following came to Westminster , where he kept his Christmasse .

Soon after his return , he elected into the order of the Garter , Alpho●sus Duke of Calabri● , Sonne and Heire to Ferdinand King of Naples : to whom Christopher Vrswicke the kings Almoner , was sent to Naples to carry it ; which as soon as Alphonsus had received , he apparelled himselfe presently in the Habit , before a great assembly , indeed to shew what favour he was in with the king of England .

There had been disturbance in the Realme before , by a Counterfeit Sonne of the Duke of Clarence ; but that device had two maine imperfections : One , that the true Sonne of the Duke was for●h-comming , and to be shewed openly for convincing the false ; the other , that though the counterfeit had been the true , yet he could have laid no claim to the Crown , as long as any Daughters of King Edward the fourth were living : Now therefore a device is found , by which those imperfections were both of them amended : for now a Counterfeit was set on foot , who pretended to be Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward the fourth ; so that neither any other could be produced to convince him of being false , nor any Daughters of King Edward could hinder his Right for claiming the Crown . This device was first forged by Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundie ; a woman that could never be quiet in her minde , as long as king Henry was quiet in his kingdome ; and by this device she hoped , if not to put him cleane out of his seat , yet foulely at least to disturbe him in it ; and this was the purpose of the Pl●t : but by what instrument it was acted , by what abe●tours fomented , and what issue the device had , are wor●hy all to be related . The Dutchesse having formerly given out , that Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward , was not murthred , but in compassion spared , and sent secretly a way to seek his fortune ; and having after long search gotten at last a fit Boy to personate a Prince ; keeps him seretly a good time with her ; in which time she so throughly instructed him in all Circumstances , and he afterward put them so gracefully in practice , that even those who had seen and known the young Prince while he lived , could hardly perceive but that this was he . It is true , though he were not King Edwards Sonne , yet he was his Godsonne ; and might perhaps have in him some base blood of the house of Yorke . This Perkin Warbeck , ( for so was the youths name , called Perkin , as a diminutive of Peter ) when he so perfectly had learned his lesson , that he was fit to come upon the Stage ; she sent him into Portingall , that comming from a strange Country , it might be thought , he had been driven to wander from one Country to another , for safeguard of his life , at least that she of all other might not be suspected . From Portingal she caused him to passe into Ireland , where the house of Yorke was specially respected , in regard of the great love which Richard Duke of Yorke , Father of King Edward the fourth , had wonne amongst them : by reason whereof , this Perkin as esteemed his Grand-childe , was well entertained by them , and held in great estimation . He had not been long in Ireland , when the French king sent for him ; for being at that time at variance with King Henry , hee thought he might make good use of Perkin , as a pretender against King Henry for the Crown . Perkin being come to Paris , was entertained in a Princely fashion ; and for his more honour , had a guard assigned him , over which the Lord Congreshall was Captaine . He had not been long at Paris , when there resorted to him Sir George Nevill bastard , Sir Iohn Taylour , Richard Robinson , and about a hundred other English : Amongst the rest , one Stephen Fryon , that had been King Henries Secretary for the French Tongue ; but discontented , fled , and became a chiefe Instrument in all Perkins proceedings . But this float of Perkins lasted not long ; for as soon as Peace was concluded between the two Kings ; the King of France dismissed Perkin and would keep him no longer . Then passed he secretly to his first foundresse , the Lady Margaret ; who at his first comming , made a shew of suspecting him to be a Counterfeit . But causing him in great assemblies to be brought before her , as though she had never seen him before ; and finding him to answer directly to all questions she put unto him : she openly professed , that she was now satisfied , and thought him verily to be her true Nephew ; and thereupon assigned a gu●rd of thir●y persons , cloathed in Murrey and Blew , and call●d him the White Rose of England . Upon report hereof , many in England were inclined to take his part ; and Sir Robert Clifford and Robert Bareley were sent into Flanders , to acquaint the Dutchesse with the peoples respect to Perkin : and indeed Sir Robert Clifford , upon sight and conference with him , wrote letters into England , wherein he affirmed , that he knew him to be true Sonne of king Edward , by his face , and other Lineaments of his body . King Henry hearing of these things , sent certaine espials into Flanders , that should feigne themselves to have fled to Perkin ; and by that means the better search out who were of the Conspiracy with him . Whose name being returned to the King , he caused them ●o be apprehended and brought to his Presence ; the chiefe of whom were Iohn R●tcliffe Lord Fitzwater , Sir Simon Montford , and Sir Thomas Th●●y●● knights , William Dawbeney , Robert Ratcliffe , Thomas Cressenor , and Thomas Astwo●d , also certaine Priests , as William Richford D. of Divinity , Thomas Boyns , D. William Sutton , William Worseley Dean of Pauls , Robert Layborne , and Richard Lesley , of whom , some hearing of it , fled to Sanctuary , o●hers were taken and condemed , as Sir Simon Montford , Robert Ratcliffe , and William Dawbeney , who were all three behe●ded . The Lord Fitzwater pardoned of life , was conveyed to Calice , and there laid in hold ; where seeking to make escape by corrupting his Keeper , hee lost his head . Shortly after , Sir Robert Clifford returning out o● Flanders ( not as some think , sent a spye from the beginning ; but rather now at last either discerning the fraude , or wo● by rewards ) and submitted himselfe to the kings mercy : discovering unto him , as farre as he knew , all that were either open or secret abettours of the Conspiracy ; amongst whom he accused Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine : his accusation was this that in Conference between them , Sir William had said , that if he certainly knew ; that the young man named Perkin were the Sonne of king Edward the fourth , he would never fight nor beare Armes against him . These words being considered of , by the Judges , seemed to expresse a tickle hold of Loyalty ; for who could tell how soon he might be perswaded that he knew it ? and upon the matter , was to be Loyall to king Henry , but for want of better ; and withall it strook upon a string which had alwaies sounded harsh in king Henries ears , as preferring the Title of Yorke before that of Lancaster . Sir William being hereupon arraigned ; whether trusting to the greatnesse of his favours , or the smalnes of his fault , denied little of that wherewith he was charged , and upon confession was adjudged to dye ; and accordingly on the sixteenth day of February was brought to the Tower-hill , and there beheaded : after whose death , Giles Lord Dawbeny was made L. ●hamberlaine . This was that Sir William Stanley , who came in to rescue the Earle of Richmond , when he was in danger of his life ; who set the Crowne upon his head , and was the cause of his being saluted King : And could it enter into his breast , to put him to death , that had saved his life , and done him so many great services besides ? But it may be said , It was not the Earle of Richmond that did it , but the King of England ; for certainly , in many cases , a King is not at liberty to shew mercy , so much as a private man may . Though there be that affirme , the cause of his death was not words onely , but reall acts , as giving ayde to Perkin under-hand by money . And yet it seemes , there was some conflict in the minde of King Henry , what he should doe in this case ; for he stayed six weekes after his Accusation , before before he brought him to his Arraignment . How-ever it was , the Summer following , the King went in Progresse to Latham , to the Earle of Darby , who had ma●ied his mother , and was brother to Sir William Stanley : perhaps to congratulate his own safety ; perhaps to condole with him his brothers death ; but certainly to keepe the Earle from conceiving any sinister opinion of him : For to thinke that Sir William's suing to be Earle of Chester , ( an Honour appointed to the kings sonne ) or his great wealth ( for he left in his Castle at Holt , in ready money forty thousand markes , beside● Plate and Jewells ) were causes that procured or set forward his death ; are considerations very unworthy of so just a Prince , against a Servant of so great deserving .

But in this meane while , Perkin having gotten a Power of idle loose fellows , took to Sea , intending to l●nd in Kent ; where though he were repelled , yet some of his Souldiers would needs venture to goe on Land ; of whom a hundred and sixty persons were taken Prisoners , whereof five were Captaines ; Mortford , Corbet , Whitebolt , Qu●●tyn and Gemyne : These hundred and sixty persons were brought to London , rayled in ropes , like horses drawing in a Cart , who upon their Araignement , confessing their offence , were executed , some at London , and some in Towns adjoyning to the sea-coast . Perkin finding no entertainment in Kent , sayled into Ireland , and having stayed there a while , and finding them also , being a naked people , to bee no competent assistants for him , from thence he sayled into Scotland , where he so moved the King of Scots with his fayre words and colourable pretexts ( made no doubt before by the Dutcesse of Burgoigne ) that hee received him in great state , and caused him to bee called the Duke of Yorke : and to perswade the World that hee thought him so indeede , hee gave to him in marriage the Lady Katherine Gourdon , da●ghter to Alexander Earle Huntley , his own neer kinswoman ; and soone after , in Perkins quarrell , entred with a puissant Army into England ; making Proclamation , that whosoever would come in and ayde the true Duke of Yorke , should bee spared ; but none comming in , he then used all kinde of cruelty , and the whole County of Northu●berland was in a manner wasted : whereat Perkin , at his returne , expressed much griefe , saying It grieved him to the heart to see such havock made of his people : To whom the King answered , Alas , Alas , you take care for them , who for any thing that appeares are none of yours ; for not one of the Countrey came in to his succour . King Henry incensed with this bold attempt of the king of Scots , called his High Court of Parliament , acquainting them with the necessity hee had of a present warre to revenge this indignity offered him by the Scots , and thereupon requiring their ayde by money , had a subsidie of sixscore thousand pounds readily granted him ; and then in all haste a puissant Army is provided , and under the conduct of the Lord Dawbeney sent into Scotland , but before hee arrived there hee was suddenly called back , by reason of a commotion begun at Cornwall , for payment of the Subsidie lately granted , which though it were not great , yet they grudged to pay it . The Ring-leaders of this commotion were Thomas Flammock , a gentleman le●●ned in the Lawes , and Michael Ioseph a Smith ; who laying the blame of this exaction upon Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterbury , and Sir Reynold Bray , as being chiefe of the Kings Councell , exhorted the people to take armes ; and having a●sembled an Army , they went to Taunton , where they slew the Provost Pery● , one of the Commissioners for the Subsidie , and from thence came to Wells , intending to goe to London where the King then lay , who having revoked the Lord Dawbeney , appointed Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey ( after the death of the Lord Dinham , made Lord Treasurer of England ) to have an eye to the Scots , and if they made invasion , to resist them . In the meane time Iames Twychet Lord Audley confederated himselfe with the Rebells of Cornwall , and tooke upon him to bee their Leader , who from W●lls went to Salisbury , and from thence to Winchester , and so to Kent , hoping there ●o have had great ayde , but found none ; for the Earle of Kent , the Lord of Aburg●●● , Iohn Brook Lord Cobham , Sir Edmond Poynings , Syr Richard Guildford , Sir Th●●as Bourchier , Iohn Peachy and William Scott were ready in Armes to resist them ; whereupon the Rebels brought their Army to Black-heath , foure miles distant from L●nd●n , and there in a plaine on the top of a hill encamped themselves ; whereof when the King had knowledge , hee presently sent Iohn Earle of Oxford , Henry Bou●●●ier Earle of Essex , Edmond de la Poole Earle of Suffolke , Sir Riceap Thomas and Sir H●●fry Stanley to inviron the hill on all sides , that so all hope of flight might hee tak●n from them ; and then set forward himselfe , and encamped in St. George● fields , where for encouragement he made divers Bannarets . The next day he sent the Lord Dawbeney to set upon the Rebels early in the morning , who first got the bridge at Deb●ford Strand , though strongly defended by the Rebels Archers , whose arrowes were ●eported to bee a full cloath-yard in length ; but notwithstanding the Lord 〈◊〉 comming in with his Company , and the Earles assayling them on every side , they were soone overcome : In which conflict were slaine of the Rebels above 〈◊〉 thousand ; taken prisoners a very great number , many of whom the King p●●doned , but of the chiefe Authors none : for the Lord Audley was drawne from Newgate to Tower-hill , in a coate of his owne Armes paynted upon paper , reversed and all torne ; and there , on the foure and twentieth day of Iune was beheaded . Thomas Flammock and Michael Ioseph were hanged drawn & quartered , and their heads and quarters pitched upon stakes , set up in London and other places . Of the Kings Army were slaine not above three hundred . It is memor●ble with what comfort Ioseph the black-smith cheered up himselfe at his going to execution , saying that yet he hoped by this that his name and memory should be everlasting : so deere even to vulgar spirits is perpetuety of Name , though joyned with infamy , what is it then to Noble spirits , when it is joyned with Glory ?

In the meane time the king of Scots taking advantage of these troubles in England , invaded the Frontiers , forraged the Bishoprick of Durham , and at last besieged the castle of Norham , whereof Richard Fox then Bishop of Durham was owner ; who thereupon sent presently to the Earle of Surrey , acquainting him with this Invasion : Whereupon the Earle , taking with him Ralph Earle of Westmerland , Thomas Lord Barnes , Ralph Lord Nevill , George Lord Strange , and many other Lords and knights , and an Army of little lesse then twenty thousand men , besides a Navy , whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall ; set forward against the Scots , and not only forced the Scots to raise their siege of Norham Castle , but followed them also into Scotland , where he overthrew and defaced , the Castle at Cawdestraynes , the Tower of He●e●hall , the Tower of Edington , the Tower of Fulden , and at last by composition tooke the strong Castle of Hayton , and rased it to the ground . At the Earles being at Hayton , the King of Scots sent to him Marchemont and another Herald , requiring him , at his election , either to fight with him with their whole Armies , or else they two to fight in single combat ; upon condition , that if the victory fell to the Scotish king , the Earle should deliver for his Ransome the Towne of Barwick : Whereunto the Earle made answer , that the Town of Barwick was the King his Masters , and therefore not for him to dispose of ; but for his offer of single combat , he willingly accepted it , and thought himselfe highly honored by such a match : But King Iames of Scotland had no meaning to performe either one or other , but privily in the night fled back into Scotland ; and then the Earle returned to Barwick . In the meane time , one Peter Hyal●s a man of great learning and policie , was sent Ambassadour to the King of Scots , from the King of Spaine , to mediate a Peace between the two kings of of England and Scotland ; who finding the King of Scots conformable to his motion , found after the King of England ( who was never averse from Peace upon honourable Conditions ) no lesse enclining to it : and so a Truce was concluded for certaine yeeres ; upon conditition , that Perkin Warbeck should be sent out of the Scotish Dominions .

About this time , the Lord of Camphyre and others sent from Philip Archduke of Austria and Duke of Burgundy , came to king Henry for a conclusion of Amity , and to procure the English merchan●s resort againe to his Country : for king Henry some time before , upon displeasure with the Flemings , but specially with the Lady Margaret , for abetting Perkin Warbeck ; not onely had banished all Flemish wares and merchandizes out of his Dominions , but had also restrained all English merchants from having any traffick in any of their Territories , causing the Mart for all English commodities to be kept at Callice : but now , upon this invitation , and having found it had been a great hinderance to his owne Merchant-adventurers , and thereupon some insurrections had risen , he willingly condiscended to their Request ; and so the English resorted againe into the Archdukes Dominions , and were received into Antwerp with generall Procession ; so glad was that Towne of the Engglish-mens returne .

In this eleventh yeere of the Kings Reigne , dyed Cicely Dutchesse of Yorke , mother to king Edward the fourth , at her Castle of Berkhamstead , being of extreme age ; who had lived to see three Princes of her body Crowned , and foure Murthered : she was buried at F●dri●g●am by her Husband .

Shortly after the Truce concluded between England and Scotland , Perkin Warbeck was commanded to depart out of the Scotish Dominions : who thereupon with his wife and familie , sayled into Ireland : where understanding that the Cornish-men were ready to renue the warre againe , he thought best not to let p●sse so faire an occasion ; and thereupon , having with him foure small ships , and not above six-score men , he sailed into Cornwall , and there landed in the moneth of September , and came to a Town called Bodmyn ; where with faire words and large promises , he so prevailed with the people , that he had gotten to him above three thousand persons to take his part ; and then made Proclamations in the name of King Richard the Fourth , as sonne to King Edward the Fourth : and by the advice of his three Counsellors , Iohn Heron a bankrupt Mercer , Richard Skelton a Tailour , and Iohn Astley a Scrivener , determined to attempt first the winning of Exceter ; which with great violence he assaulted , and the Townsmen with as great valiantnes defended : whereof when the King heard , he sent the Lord Dawbeny to their rescue : but before he came , the Lord Edward Courtney Earle of Devonshire , and the valiant Lord William his sonne , accompanied with Sir Edmund Carew , Sir Thomas Trenchard , Sir William Courtney● Sir Thomas Fulford , Sir Iohn Hal●well , Sir Iohn Croker , Walter Court●ey , Peter Edgecombe , William St. Maure with others came to their ayde : upon whose comming , Perkin left the siege , and retired to Taunton ; where he mustered his men , as though he meant to prepare for battell : but finding his number to be much diminished , ( fo● of six thousand which he had at Exceter , many were fled from him , when they saw no Great ones to take his part ) he began to distrust his case ; and he●●ing withall , that the king with a great Power was at hand : about midnight , with threescore horse-men in his company , he departed in post from Taunton , and tooke Sanctuary in a Town called Beauly neere to Southampton . When king Henry he●rd that Perkin was fled , he sent after him to the Sea-side , to stop his passage and apprehend him : But the messengers that were sent , when they came to St. Michaels 〈◊〉 , though they found not Perkin , yet there they found his wife the Lady Katherine Gourdon , whom they presently brought to the king ; a beautifull young Lady : to whom , in honour of her birth , and commiseration of her beauty , the king allowed a competent maintenance , which she enjoyed during the kings life , and m●ny yeeres after . king Henry being come to Exceter , stayed there a few dayes , about examination of the Rebellion , and execution of the chiefe Offendours : of whom there being a great multitude , and all of them craving pardon , the king caused them all to be assembled in the Church-yard of St. Peter , where they all appeared bar●-headed in their shirts , and halters about their necks : whom the king viewing out of a window made for the purpose ; after he had paused a while , made a speech unto them , exhorting them to obedience ; and then , in hope they would afterward be dutifull Subjects , he pardoned them all : whereat they made a great shout , crying 〈◊〉 , God save king Henry ! though some of them afterward , like ungratefull wretches , fell into new Rebellions .

All this whi●e Perkin was in Sanctuary : and the King thinking himselfe in danger as long as he was in safety , set a Guard about the place , to keepe him for escaping ; whereby Perkin was so restrained , that at last hee submitted himselfe to the kings mercy , and was thereupon sent to the Tower to b● there in s●fe custodie . This do●e , king Henry appointed Thomas Lord D●rcy , Sir Amy●s Pawle● , and Robert Sherb●●●● Deane of Pauls● to be Commissioners , for ma●ing enquiry of the Offenders , 〈◊〉 for assessing their Fines ; which they did with great severity to some , with great mildnesse to others , to all with equity .

〈◊〉 was now the fourteenth yeer of the kings Reigne , when one Sebastian ●●bato , ● Ge●●●a's Sonne , born ●t B●iston , perswaded the king to man and victua●● a ship at Bristow , ●o search for 〈◊〉 stand , which ( he said ) he knew to be replenished with rich Commodities ; who setting forth with three other small sh●ps of London merchants , returned home two yeer● after , when he had made a large discovery westward , and would have gone to 〈◊〉 , if the Mariners had not forced him to return : a likewise si● years before , one Christop●er Columbus a Spanyard , made the first discovery of America .

Perkin being in the Tower and carefully guarded , yet found me ●s to escape ; and fled to the Priory of Sheen neer Richmond ; where discovering himselfe to the Pryor of that Monastery , he begged of him for Gods sake , to get the kings Pardon fo● his life ; which the Prior effected : but then was Perkin brought to the Court at Westminster , and was one day set fettered in a paire of Stocks before Westminster-hall , and there stood a whole day ; the next day he was set upon a like Scaffold in Cheape-side , and there standing the whole day also , hethen read openly his confession , wr●tten with his own hand ; wherein he declared his Parentage and the place of his Birth , and all the passages of his Life , and by what means he was drawn to make this attempt . After this , he was committed againe to the Tower , and care taken , he should be better looked to than he was before . But all the care notwithstanding , once againe Perkin attempted to escape , and drawing into a Confederacy with him the young Earle of Warwicke ; by faire words and large promises so corrupted his keepers , Stra●gwish , Bl●wet , Astwood and long Roger , servants to Sir Iohn Digbie Lieutenant of the Tower , that they intended to have slaine their Master , and set Perki● and the Earle of Warwicke at liberty . But this practice was soone discovered , ●o that Perki● and Iohn a Water , sometime Major of Corke in Ireland , one of Perki●s chiefe founders , were on the sixteenth day of November arraigned at Westminster and condemned , and both of them on the two and twentieth day were drawn to Tyburne and there hanged ; where Perki● tooke it upon his death , that the Confession he had formerly made , was true : soon after also Blewet and Astwood , two of the Lieutenants men , were in the same place executed . On the one and twentieth day of the same month , Edward Plantagemet Earle of Warwicke was arraigned at Westminster , before the Earle of Oxford , then High Steward of England ; not for consenting to breake Prison , but for conspiring with Perkin to raise Sedition and destroy the king ; and upon his Confession , had Judgement , and on the eight and twentieth day of the same month , in the yeer 1499. was brought to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill , and there beheaded . This Earle of Warwick was the eldest Sonne of the Duke of Clarence , and was the last Heire male of the name of Plantagenet , and had been kept in the Tower from his very In●ancy out of all company of Men and fight of Beasts ; so as he scarcely knew a Hen from a Goose , nor one beast from another ; and therefore could never know how to practice his escape of himselfe , but by Perki●s subtlety : for which cause the king favoured him so farre , that he was not buried in the Tower , but at Bissam by his Ancestours . And thus ended the designes of Perki● Warbeck , which had troubled both the Kingdome and the King , the space of seven or eight yeers , a great part of the Kings Raigne .

But in the time of Perki●s being in the Tower , another like practice was set on foot ; for an Augusti●e Frier called Patrick , in the County of Suffolk , having a Scholler named Ralph Wilford a Cordwayners Sonne , he caused him to take upon him to be the Earle of Warwicke , lately by great chance gotten out of the Tower ; and they going together into 〈◊〉 ; when the Frier perceived some light credit to be given to him , he then stuck not to declare it openly in the Pulpit , desiring all men to assist him . But this practice was soone discovered , and both the Mr. and the Scholler were apprehended & attainted ; the Scholler Wilford was hanged on Shrovetuesd●y at S. Thomas Waterings , and the Frier was condemned to perpetuall Prison : for at that time so much reverence was attributed to holy Orders ; that a Priest , though ●e had commited Treason against the king , yet had h●s life spared . And this pract●●e was some cause to exasperate the king against the Earle of Warwicke , who though innocent in himselfe , yet was nocent in pretenders : and besides ; king Ferdinand of Spai●e , with whom at this time there was a Treaty for marriage of his Daughter to Prince Arthur , had written to the king in plaine terms , that he saw no assurance of his Sonnes succession , as long a● the Earle of Warwicke lived : and thus all things unfortunately concurred to bring this innocent Prince to his end .

In the fifteenth yeer of his Reigne , partly to avoide the danger of the Plague , then raigning in England ; but chiefely to conferre with the Duke of Burgoigne about many important businesses : the King and Queen sayled over to Callice ; where at an enterview between him and the Duke , at Saint Peters Church without Callice , the Duke offered to hold the kings sturrup at his alighting , which the king by no meanes would permit ; but descending from horse-back , they embraced wi●h great affection ; ●nd after Communication had between them , the King and Queen in the end o● Iu●● returned into England .

In his seventeenth yeer ●wo great Marriages were solemnized : the Lady 〈◊〉 of Spaine was sent by her Father king Ferdi●a●d , with a puissant , Army of S●●ps into E●gland ; where she arrived at Plimouth , the second day of October ; and on the fourteenth of November after● was espo●sed openly to Prince Ar●hur , both be●ng clad in white ; He of the age of ●●fteen yeers , shee of eighteen : at night they were laid together in one Bed , where they lay as Man and Wife all that night : when ●o●ning appeared , the Prince ( as his servants about him reported ) called for drinke , which before time he had not used to doe ; whereof one of his Chamb●rlaines ●sking 〈◊〉 the cause● he answered merrily , saying , I have been this night in the middest o● Spa●●● , which is a hot Country , and ●hat make● me so dry : though some write , tha●● grave Matron was laid in bed between them , to hinder actuall Consummation●● T●e Ladies portion was two hundred thousand Duckets ; her joynture , the 〈◊〉 part of the Principality of Wales , Cornwall and Ch●ster . At this Marriage was gr●●● solemnity and Royall Justings ; during which time , there came into London 〈◊〉 Earle , a Bishop , and divers other noble personages sent from the king of Scots 〈…〉 conclusion of a Mariage , ( before treated of , between the Lady Margaret the 〈◊〉 eldest daughter , and him ; where the Earle by Proxie , in the name of king Iames 〈◊〉 Mas●er , affied and contracted the said Ladie , which Contract was published at 〈◊〉 Crosse● the day of the Conversion of Saint Paul ; for joy whereof , Te Deum 〈…〉 , and great fires were made through the City of London ; and if such joy we●e made when the match was made , what joy should be made now at the issue of the match , when by the Union of those persons is made an Union of these kingdomes ; and England and Scotland are but one great Britaine ? The Ladies portion was ten thousand pounds , her joynture two thousand pounds a yeer , after king Iames his death ; and in present one thousand . When this match was first propounded at the Connsell Table , some Lords opposed it ; objecting , that by this means the Crown of England might happen to come to the Scottish Nation . To which King He●ry answered , what if it should ? It would not be an accession of England to Sco●la●d , but of Scotland to England : and this answer of the kings passed for an Oracle , ●nd so the match proceeded , and in August following was Consummate at Edi●b●rgh , conducted thither in great State by the Earle of Northumberland .

Prince Arthur after his marriage , was sent againe into Wales , to keep that Count●y in good order ; to whom were appointed for Counsellours , Sir Richard Poole , hi●●insman and chiefe Chamberlaine , Sir Henry Vernon , Sir Richard Crof●s , Sir David 〈◊〉 , Sir William Vdall , Sir Thomas Englefield , Sir Peter Newton , Iohn Walleston , 〈◊〉 Marton , and Doctor William Smith President of his Counsell : but within five moneths after his marriage , at his Castle of Ludlow he deceased , and with great sole●●ity was buried in the Cathedrall Church at Worcester . His Brother Henry Du●e of Yorke , was stayed from the title of Prince of Wales , the space of halfe a yeer , till to women it might appeare , whether the Lady Katherine , the Relict of Prince Ar●●●● were with childe , or no. The towardlines in learning of this Prince Arthur is ve●y memorable ; who dying before the age of sixteen yeers , was said to have read over al● or most of the Latine Authours , besides many other .

And now Prince Arthur being dead , and the Lady Katherine of Spaine left a young widdow ; King Henry loath to part with her dowry , but chiefely being desirous 〈◊〉 continue the Alliance with Spaine : prevailed with his other Sonne Prince Henry , though with some reluctation , such as could be in those years ( for he was scarce ●welv● years of age ) to be contracted with the Princesse Katherine his bro●h●rs widdow ; for which marriage , a dispensation by advice of the most learned men at that 〈◊〉 in Christendome , was by Pope Iulius the second granted , and on the five and twentieth day of Iune , in the Bishop of Salisbury●s house in Fleet-street , th● marriage was solemnized .

A little before this time , 〈…〉 Earle of S●ffolke , Son to Iohn Duke of Suffolke and Lady Eliz●b●t● Sister ●o king Edward the ●ourth , had in his fury kill'd a mean person● and was thereupon I●dighted of Murther ; for which , although he had the kings Pardon , yet because he was brought to th● Kings-bench-b●rr● , and there arraigned ; he took it for so great 〈…〉 his honour , that in great rage he fled into Flanders to his Aun● the Lad● M●●garet ; where having stayed a while , when his p●ssion was over , he return●d againe . ●ut after the marriage between Prince Arthur and the Lady 〈◊〉 , w●●ther it were that in that solemnity he had run himselfe in debt ; or 〈◊〉 he were ●rawn to doe so by the Lady Margare● , he passed over the second time , with his b●other Richard , into Fl●nder● . This put the king into some doubt of his intention● whereupon he hath recourse to his usuall course in such cases , and Sir 〈…〉 Captaine of Hamme● Castle , to feigne himselfe one of that Conspiracy , the●●by to learn the depth of their intentions : And to take away all susp●●ion of his imployment ; ●he first Sunday of November , he caused the said Earle and Sir Robert C●rson with five others to be accursed openly at Pauls Crosse , as Enemies to him and his Realme . In conclusion , Sir Robert Curson acquainted the king with divers of that faction ; amongst whom , Willia● Lord Court●ey , and Willia● de la Poole , brother to the foresaid Earle of Suffolke , who were taken but upon suspition , yet held long in prison : but Sir Iames Tyrrell ( the same that had murthered the two young Princes in the Tower ) and Sir Io●● Windham , who were proved to be Traytor● , were accordingly attainted , and on the sixth day of May at the Tower-hill beheaded . Whereof when the Earle heard , despairing now of any good successe , he wandred about all Germany and Fr●●c● , where finding no succour , he submitted himselfe at last to Philip Duke of Austria , by whom afterward he was delivered to king Henry , by this occasion : Ferdi●a●d king of Aragon , by his Wife Isabella Queen of C●stile , had onely two Daughters , the eldest whereof named Ioa●e , was married to this Philip Duke of Austria ; the younger , named Katherine , to Arthur Prince of England : and now Queen Isabella being lately dead , by whose death the kingdome of Castile descended in Right of his Wife , to this Duke Philip ; they were sayling out of Germany into Sp●ine to take possession of the kingdome ; but by tempest and contrary windes were driven upon the coast of England , and landed at Weymouth in Dorsetshire ; where desiring to refresh themselves a little on shore , they were invited by Sir Thomas Tre●cha●d ( a principall knight of that Country ) to his house , who presently sent word to the king of their arrivall . King Henry glad to have his Court honoured by so great a Prince , and perhaps upon hope of a courtesie from him , which afterward he obtained : ●ent presently the Earle of Arundell to waite upon him , till himselfe might follow ; and the Earle went to him in great magnificence , with a gallant troope of three hundred Horse , and for more State came to him by Torch-light . Upon whose Me●●●ge , though king Philip had many re●sons of haste on his journey ; yet not to give king He●ry distaste , and withall to give his Queen the comfort of seeing the Lady Katherine her Sister ; he went upon speed to the king at Windsor , while his Queen followed by easie journeys . After great magnificence of entertainment , king Hen●y taking a fit opportunity , and drawing the king of Castile into a roome , where they two onely were private ; and laying his hand civilly upon his arme , said unto him ; Sir , you have been saved upon my Coast : I hope you will not suffer me to wrack upon yours . The king of Castile asking him , what he meant by that speech ? I mean it ( saith the king ) by that haire-brain'd fellow the Earle of Suffolke ; who being my subject , is protected in your Country , and begins to play the foole when all others are weary of it . The king of Cas●ile answered ; I had thought , Sir , your felicity had been above those thoughts ; but if it trouble you , I will banish him : king Henry replyed , that his desire was to have him delivered to him : with this , the king of Castile a little confused said , That can I not doe with my honour : Well then ( said the king ) the matter is at an end : at last the king of Castile , who held king Henry in great estimation , composing his countenance , said , Sir you shall have him ; but upon your Honour , you shall not take his life : I promise it upon mine Honour , said King Henry : and he kept his promise ; for he was not put to death during all his Reigne ; but yet he tooke such order , that in the Reigne of his Sonne K. Henry the Eighth , he had his head cut off . During the king of Castiles being here , a Treaty was concluded , and beares date at Windsor ; which the Flemings terme Intercursus malus , for that the Free fishing of the Dutch upon the Coasts and Seas of England , granted in the Treaty of Vndecimo , was not by this Treaty confirmed , as all other Articles were . And now , when king Henry had received the king of Castile into the Fraternity of the Garter , and had his Sonne Prince Henry admitted to the order of the Golden fleece ; and that the Earle of Suffolk was brought over and committed to the Tower ; the king of Castile departed home .

In this kings time were two Calls of Serjeant● at Law : One in his eleventh yeere , in which were called nine Serjeants , Mordant , Higham , Kingesmill , Conisby , Butler , ●●xely , Frowick , Oxenbridge , and Constable ; who kept their feast at the Bishop of Ely's Place in Holborne , where the King , the Queen , and all the chiefe Lords dined . The other Call , in his twentieth yeere ; in which were called ten Serjeants , Robert Brudnell , William ●revill , Thomas Marow , George Edgore , Lewis Pollard , Guy Palmes , and William Fairfax ; who kept their feast at the Archbisho●s house in Lambeth .

King Henry having gotten as much honour as the Estimation of neighbouring Princes could give him , began now to be intentive to getting of wealth ; wherein he quickly found Instruments fit for his purpose , but specially two , Empson & Dudley both Lawyers ; Dudley of a good family , but Empson the son of a Sieve-maker . These two persons being put in Authority , turned Law and Justice into Rapine . For first , their manner was , to cause divers Subects to be indicted of Crimes , and then presently to commit them ; and not produce them to their answer , but suffer them to languish long in Prison ; and by sundry artificiall devices and terrors , extort from them great Fines , which they termed Compositions and Mitigations . Neither did they ( towards the end ) observe so much as the halfe face of Justice , in proceeding by Indictment ; but sent forth their Precepts to attach men , and convent them before themselves and some others at their private houses , and there used to shuffle up a Summary proceeding by examination , without tryall of Jury ; as●uming to themselves , to deale both in Pleas of the Crowne , and controversies Civill . Then did they also use to enthrall and charge the Subjects lands with Tenures in Capite , by finding false Offices ; refusing upon divers pretexts and delayes , to admit men to traverse those false Offices , as by Law they might . Nay the Kings Wards , after they had accomplished their full age , could not be suffered to have livery of their lands , without paying excessive Fines , farre exceeding all reasonable rates . When men were outlawed in personall actions , they would not permit them to purchase their Charters of Pardon , except they paid great and intolerable summes ; standing upon the strict point of Law , which upon Outlawries gives forfeiture of goods . Nay , contrary to all Law and colour , they maintained , the King ought to have the halfe of mens lands and rents during the space of full two yeeres , for a Paine in case of Outlawry . They would also ruffle with Jurors , and enforce them to finde as they would direct ; and if they did not , then convent , imprison , and fine them . These and many other cours●s they had of preying upon the people : but their principall working was upon Penall Statutes ; wherein they considered not whether the Law were obsolete , or in use ; and had ever a rabble of Promoters and leading Jurors at their command , so as they could have any th●ng found , either for Fact or Valuation . There remaineth to this day a Report , that King Henry was on a time entertained very sumptuously by the Earle of Oxford , at his Castle of Heningham : and at the Kings going away , the Earles servants stood in their livery-coates with cognisances , ranged on both sides , to make the King a lane : Whereupon the King called the Earle to him , and said : My Lord , I have heard much of your Hospitality , but I see it is greater than is spoken ; These handsome Gentlemen and Yeomen whom I see on both sides of me , are sure your Meniall servants . At which the Earle smiled , and said : It may please your Grace , that were not for mine ease ; They are most of them my Retainers , and are come to doe me s●rvice at such a time as this , and chi●fly to see your Grace . Whereat the King started a little , and said : By my faith ( my Lord ) I thanke you for my good cheere ; but I may not endure to have my Lawes broken in my sight : my Attourney must speake with you about it . And it is part of the Report , that it cost the Earle for a composition , fifteen thousand marks . And to shew further the Kings extreme diligence : I remember ( saith Sir Francis Bacon Lord of Virula● in his History ) to have seene long since a Booke of Accompt of Empsons , that had the kings hand almost to every leafe , by way of signing ; and was in some places postilled in the Margent with the kings owne hand likewise , where was this Remembrance : Item , Received of such a one five markes ; for the Pardon to be procured ; and if the Pardon doe not passe , the money to be repayd , except the party be some other way satisfied . And over against this Memorand●m ( of the kings owne hand , ) Otherwise satisfied . This ( saith he ) I doe the rather mention , because it shewes in the king a Nearnesse , but yet with a kinde of Justnesse .

In his three and twentieth yeere , there was a sharpe prosecution against Sir William Gapell now the second time , for misgovernment in his Majoralty : The great matter was , that in some payments he had taken notice of false monies , and did not his diligence to examine who were the Offenders : for which and some other things ●aid to his charge , he was condemned to pay two thousand pounds ; whereof , being a man of stomack , he refused to pay a farthing ; and thereupon was sent to the Tower , where he remained till the Kings death . Knesworth likewise , that had been lately Major of London , and both his Sheriffs , were for abuses in their offices questioned and imprisoned , and not delivered but upon payment of one thousand foure hundred pounds . Sir Lawrence Ailmer , who had likewise been Major of London , and his two Sheriffs , were put to the Fine of one thousand pounds ; and Sir Lawrence , for refusing to pay it , was committed to prison , where hee stayed till Empson himselfe was committed in his place . By these courses hee accumulated so great store of Treasure , that he left at his death , most of it in secret places , under his own key and keeping at Richmond , ( as is reported ) the summe of neer eighteen hundred thousand pounds sterling . But though by this course he got great store of Treasure , yet by it he lost the best treasure ( the peoples hearts ) but that he something qualified it by his last Testament , commanding that Restitution should be made of all such moneys as had unjustly been levied by his Officers .

It seemes king Henry , after the death of his Queene the Lady Elizabeth , had an inclination to marry againe ; and hearing of the great beauty & virtue of the young Queene of Naples , the widow of Ferdinando the younger ; he sent three confident persons , Francis Marsyn , Iames Braybrooke , and Iohn Stile , to make two inquiries ; one of her person and conditions , the other of her Estate : Who returning him answer , that they found her Beauty and Virtues to be great , but her Estate to be onely a certaine Pension or Exhibition , and not the kingdome of Naples as he expected , he then gave over any further medling in that matter . After this , another Treaty of Mariage was propounded to the king , betweene him and the Lady Margaret Dutchesse Dowager of Savoy , onely daughter to Maximilian , and Sister to the king of Castile ; a Lady wise and of great good fame : In which businesse was imployed , for his first piece , the kings then Chaplain , and after the great Prelate , Thomas Woolsey . It was in the end concluded , with ample conditions for the king , but with promise de Futuro onely . Which mariage was protracted from time to time , in respect of the Infirmity of the king ; which held him by ●its till he dyed .

He left Executours , Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester , Richard Fitz Iames Bishop of London , Thomas Bishop of Durham , Iohn Bishop of Rochester , Thomas Duke of Norfolk & Treasurer of England , Edward Earl of Worcester and Lord Chamberlaine , Iohn F. knight , chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench , and Robert R. knight chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas. A little before his death , he had concluded a marriage ( in which negociation Foxe Bishop of Winchester was imployed ) between his younger Daughter the Lady Mary , of the age of ten years ; and Charles king of Castile , not much elder : but though concluded , yet not solemnized ; and she was afterward married to Lewis the French king .

Of his Taxations .

IN his third yeer , there was by Parliament granted toward the maintaining an Army in Britaine ; that every man should pay the tenth penny of his Goods : which Tax though at first withstood in Yorkeshire and Durham ; yet was afterwad levied to the uttermost . In his seventh yeer , towards his warres in France , a Benevolence was by Parliament granted ; by which great summes of money were collected of the richer sort only . In his eleventh yeer , a Subsidie of sixscore thousand pounds was granted him by Parliament , towards his wa●s with Scotland , which caused afterward the insurrection in Cornwall . In his nineteenth yeer a Subsidie was granted him by Parliament . In his one and twentieth yeer , ●e raised great summes of money from offenders against Penall Statutes : the greatest , but the unjustest way for raising of money , that every any king of England used : and not content with this , he required and had at the same time a Benevolence both from the Clergie and Laity . To the Clergie was imployed Richard Fox , then Bishop of Winchester ; who assembling the Clergie before him , exhorted them to be liberall in their contribution ; but the Clergie being of two sorts , rich and poore , made each of them their severall excuses : The rich and such as had great livings , said , they were at great charges in keeping hospitality and maintaining their families , and therefore desired to be spa●ed : The poorer sort alledged , that their means were small , and scarce able to finde them necessaries , and therefore desired to be forborne . But the Bishop answered them both with a pretty Dilemma , saying to the rich , It is true , you live at great charges in hospitality , in apparell and other demonstrations of your wealth ; and seeing you have store to spend in such order , there is no reason but for your Princes service you should do it much more , and therefore you must pay . To the poorer sort he said , though your livings be small , yet your frugality is great , and you spend not in house-keeping and apparell as other doe ; therefore be content , for you shall pay .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

THIS King was the first that ordained a company of tall strong men , ( naming them Yeomen of the Guard ) to be attending about the person of the king ; to whom he appointed a Livery by which to be known , and a C●ptaine by whom to be chosen . In his time , the authority of the Star-chamber , which subsisted before by the Common Lawes of the Realme , was confirmed in certaine cases by Act of Parliament . In his time were made these excellent generall Laws : One , that from thenceforth sines should be finall , and conclude all strangers rights : Another for admission of poore suitours , In forma pa●peris , without paying Fee to Counsellour , Atturney or Clerke . Another , that no person that did assist by Armes or otherwise the King for the time being , should after be Impeached therefore or Attainted , either by course of the Law , or by Act of Parliament ; and that if any such Act of Attainder did happen to be made , it should be void and of none effect . Another for the Benevolence , to make the summes which any had agreed to pay , and were not brought in , to be leviable by course of Law . Another , that Murtherers should be burnt on the Brawn of the left hand , with the letter M. and Theeves with the letter T. so that if they offended the second time , they should have no mercy , but ●e put to death ; and this to ●each also to Clearkes Convict . In his fifth yeer , It was ordained by Parliament , that the Major of London should have Conservation of the river of Thames , from the bridge of Stanes , to the waters of Yendal● and M●d-way . In his seventeenth Iohn Shaw Major of London , caused his brethren the Aldermen to ride from the Guild-hall to the waters-side , when he went to Westminster to be presented in the Exchequer : ●e also caused the kitchins and other houses of office ●o be builded at the Guild-hall ; where since that time , the Majors feast ha●h been kept , which before , had been in the Grocers or Taylours-hall . In his eighteenth yeer king Henry being himselfe a brother of the Taylours Company , as divers kings before had been , namely , Richard the third , Edward the fourth , Henry the sixth , Henry the fifth , Henry the fourth , and Richard the second ; also of Dukes 11. Earles 28. Lords 48. he now gave to them the Name and Title of Merchant Taylours ; as a name of worship to endure for ever .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN the tenth year of his Raigne , Ioane Boughton widdow , was burnt in Smithfield , for holding certain opinions of Iohn Wickliffe . In his seventh yeer , king Henry finding great inconvenience by the priviledge of Sanctuaries ; wrote to Pope Alexander , desiring him by his authority , to adjudge all English men being fled to Sanctuary for the offence of Treason , to be Enemies to the Christian Faith ; and to prohibite the priviledge of Sanctuary to all such as once had enjoyed it before : which request the Pope granted , to the great contentment of the king , and quiet of the Realme . In his sixteenth yeere being the yeer 1500. a Jubilee in Rome was celebrated ; whereof Alexander the then Pope , by his messenger Gaspar Pons a Spanyard , gave notice to the king : offering withall , that those who could not come to Rome , should notwithstanding at a certaine price have Pardons , and as full a benefit of the Jubilee , as if they came ; and to the end the king should not hinder his purpose , both offered part of his gaines to the king , and also promised to bestow it upon a warre against the Turke ; by which course he gathered great summes , for which he had other use , than to spend it so idly . In the two and twentieth yeer of this king● Pope Alexander the sixth dyed of Poyson , by this accident : He went to supper in a Vineyard neer the Vatican , where his sonne Valentionis meaning to poyson Adria● Cardinall of Cornetta , sent thither certaine flaggons of Wine , infected with poyson , and delivered them to a servant of his , who knew nothing of the matter ; commanding him , that none should touch them , but by his appointment : It happened , the Pope comming in something before supper , and being very dry through the immoderate heat of the season , called for drinke , his own provision being not yet come : The servant that had the poysoned wine in keeping ; thinking it to be committed to him as a speciall wine , brought of it to the Pope ; and while he was drinking , his sonne Valentinois came in , and dranke also of the same ; whereby they were both poysoned , but the Pope onely overcome of the poyson , died ; his sonne by the strength of youth bare it out , though with long languishing .

Workes of Piety and other structures by him● and others .

THIS King magnificently enlarged Greenwich , which Humfry Duke of Glocester had formerly builded , calling it Placentia . In his sixteenth yeer , ●e new builded his Manour of Shee● , and named it Richmond : He also new builded Baynards Castle in London . In his two and twentieth yeer , he finished the goodly Hospitall of the Savoy neere to Charing-crosse , to which he gave lands for the relieving of two hundred poore people : This was first called Savoy place , built by Peter Earle of Savoy Father to Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury , about the nine and twentieth yeer of Henry the third , who made the said Peter Earle of Richmond . The house belonged since to the Duke of L●●caster ; and at this time was converted to an Hospitall , reteyning still the first name of the Savoy . In this Kings time , Iohn Morton being Bishop of Ely , bestowed great cost upon his house at Hatfield in Hartfordshire , now the house of the Right Honourable the Earle of Salisbury ; and at Wesbich Castle in Cambridgeshire , a house belonging to that See ; all the Brick building was of his charge : Being afterward Bishop of Canterbury , he bestowed great sums in repairing and a●gmenting his houses at M●idstone , Alington-Parke , Charing , Ford , L●mbeth , and specially at Knoll in Kent , where he dyed . King Henry also builded three houses of Franciscan Friers , which are called observants ; one at Richmond , ●n other at Greenwich , a third at Newark ; and three other of Franciscan Friers , which are called Conventuals , one at Canterbury , another at Newcastle , and a third at South●amp●on . And drawing neer his end , he did these workes of charity : He granted a generall Pardon to all men , for any offence commited against any of his Lawes , Theeves and Murtherers only excepted : He paid also all Fees of all Prisoners in all Goales in and about London , abiding there for that cause only : He paid also the Debts of all such persons as lay in the Counters or Lud-gate for forty shillings or under , and some also for ten pounds . In his eighteenth yeer , the Chappell of our Lady , abo●e the East-side of the high Altar at Westminster Church , with a Tavern called the White-rose neer adjoyning , was taken down ; in which place a most beautifull Chappell was then presently begun to be builded , by King Henry ; the charges whereof amounted to the summe of fourteene thousand pounds ( as Stow witnesseth . ) In his second yeer , the great Conduite in Cheape-side , at the charges of Thomas Il●m Alderman of London , was new made ; and the Crosse also in Cheape was new builded , toward the charges whereof , Thomas Fisher Mercer gave five hundred Markes . In his seventh yeer , the Conduite in Grace-street was begun to be builded by the Executors of Sir Thomas Hill Grocer , late Major of London . Also this yeer , Hugh Cl●pton Major of London builded the great bridge of Stratford upon A●o● , as likewise a faire Chappell toward the South end of that Town ; and neer unto the same , a pretty house of B●rick and Timber , where he lay and ended his life : Hee glazed also the 〈◊〉 of the Parish Church in that Town ; and made a Way of foure miles long , 〈◊〉 miles from Alisbury towards London , and one mile beyond Ali●bury . In his ●●nth yeer , Iohn T●le Major of London , builded the Church of Saint Antho●●es , with a Free-schoole , and certain Almeshouses for poore men . In his time , his Mother the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond , builded two Colledges in Cambridge , one called Christs Colledge , the other St. Iohns ; and endowed them with large possessi●ns , for the maintenance of learning . Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester founded Corpus Chirsti Colledge in Oxford ; and William Smith Bishop of Lincolne , Brazen-nose Coll●●ge : He also builded at Liechfield an Hospitall , for a Master , two Priests , and ten poore men , as likewise a Free-schoole , with a Shoole-master and an Usher . Anne A●eling gave a hundred Marks towards the building of the Church in Cicester . In his time also Iohn Alcock Bishop of Ely , builded Iesus Colledge in Cambridge : and in his two and twentieth year , Thomas Knesworth Major of London , builded the Conduite at Bishopsgate at his own charge ; and gave to the Fishmongers certaine Tenements ; for which they are bound to allow to foure Schollers , two at Oxford , and two at Cambridge , to each of them foure pounds a yeer : also to poore people and Prisoners in Ludgate something yee●ly . In his twentieth yeer , Sir William Capell Major of London , caused all Hounseditch to be paved over ; which till that time , had 〈◊〉 very noyously to all travellers that way . In his fourteenth yeer , all the Gardens without Mooregate ( which had continued time out of minde ) were destroyed ; and of them was made a plaine field , for Archers to shoot in . In this Kings time also , 〈◊〉 Savege Archbishop of Yorke , repaired the Castle of Cawood , and the Manour of 〈◊〉 , and founded the Chappell at Maclesfield in Cheshire , where he was borne . Also in his time , Stephen Granings Major of London , founded a free Gramm●r Schoole 〈◊〉 Wolverhampton in Staffordshire where he was borne ; and gave lands sufficient for a Master and an Usher , leaving the oversight to the Merchant-Taylours in London . Thi● Town of Wolverhampton , commonly so called , is originally and rightly called 〈◊〉 - hampton , upon this occasion : The Town was antiently called Hampton , to which a noble woman named Wilfrune , a widdow , sometime wise of Athel●s Duke of Northampton ; obtained of King Ethelred , to give lands to the Church there , wh●ch she had founded ; and thereupon the Town tooke the addition of the said Wilfrune . In this Kings time also , Iohn Coll●t Deane of Pauls , founded Pauls Schoole in the Church-yard there .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN his first yeere happened the Sicknesse called the Sweating-sicknesse , which though it continued not long , yet tooke away many thousands : and in his two and twentieth yeer , the like Sweating-sicknesse happened againe ; but by reason of Remedies found in the former , took away fewer .

In his second yeer , Wheat was sold for three shillings the Quarter , Bay-salt at the like price : In his seventh yeer , Wheate was sold at London for twenty pence the Bushell ; which was counted a great dearth . In his tenth yeer , Wheate was sold at London for six pence the Bushell , Bay-salt for three pence halfe penny , Nantwich●salt ●salt for sixpence , white Herrings nine shillings the Barrell , red Herrings three shillings the Cade , red Sprats six pence the Cade , and Gascoigne wines for six pounds the T●● . In his fifteenth yeer , Gascoigne wine was sold at London for forty shillings the Tunne , a Quarter of Wheate foure shillings , and Bay-salt foure pence the Bushell .

The two and twentieth of August 1485. the very day that King Henry got the victory of King Richard ; a great fire was in Bread-street in London , in which was burnt the Parson of Saint Mildreds , and one other man in the Parsonage there .

In his tenth yeer , in digging to lay a new foundation in the Church of Saint Mary Hill in London , the body of Alice Hackney , which had been buried in the Church a hundred seventy five yeeres before , was found whole of Skin , and the joynts of her Armes pliable ; which Corpes was kept above ground foure dayes without annoyance , and then againe buried .

In his twelveth yeere , on Bartholomew day , at the Towne of Saint Ne●des in Bedfordshire , there fell Hayle-stones that were measured eighteene Inches about .

In his thirteenth yeer , on the one and twentieth of December ; suddenly in the night brake out a fire in the Kings lodgings , being then at his Manour of Shee● ; by violence whereof , a great part of the old building was burnt , with hangings , beds , Apparell , Plate and m●ny Jewells . In his fifteenth yeer , the Town of Babra● in Norfolke was burnt : Also this yeer , a great Plague happened ; whereof many people died in many places , but specially in London , where there died in that yeer thirty thousand .

In his twentieth yeer , Alum which for many yeers had been sold for six shillings a hundred , rose to five nobles a hundred , and after to foure marks .

In his two and twentieth yeer , the Citty of Norwich was well neere consumed with fire . Also in the same yeer in Iuly , a gallery new builded at Richmond , wherein the King and the Prince his Sonne had walked not an houre before , fell suddenly downe , yet no man hurt .

The great Tempest which drave king Philip into England , blew down the Golden Eagle from the Spire of Pauls ; and in the fall , it fell upon a signe of the Black-Eagle , which was in Pauls Church-yard , in the place where the School-house now standeth ; and battered it , and brake it downe . This the people interpreted to be an ominous Prognostick upon the Imperiall House , as indeed it proved ; for this king Philip being the Emperours sonne , arriving in Spaine , sickned soon after ; and being but thirty yeeres of age , deceased : upon whose decease , his wife Queen Iohn out of her tender love to him , fell distracted of her wits .

Of his wife and children .

HE maried Elizabeth eldest daughter of King Edward the Fourth , being of the age of nineteene yeeres ; whom two yeeres after his Mariage he caused to be Crowned : She lived his wife eighteen yeeres , and dyed in Child-bed in the Tower of London , the eleventh of February , the very day on which she was borne ; and is buried at Westminster , in the magnificent Chappell and rich Monument of Copper and Guilt , which her Husband had erected . He had issue by her , three Sonnes and foure Daughters : his eldest sonne Arthur was born at Winchester , the twentieth day of September in the second yeere of his Reigne ; and dyed at Ludlow , at fifteen yeeres old and a halfe : and of this short life some cause may be attributed to his Nativity , being borne in the eighth moneth after conception : He was buried in the Cathedrall Church of St. Maries in Worcester , where in the South side of the Quire he lies en●ombed in Touch or Jet , without any remembrance of him by Picture . His second sonne Henry was borne at Greenwich in ●ent , on the two and twentieth day of Iune , in the seventh yeere of his Fathers Reigne ; and succeeded him in the kingdome . His third sonne Edmund was borne in the tenth yeere of his Fathers Reigne , and dyed at five yeares of age , at Bishops Hatfield , and lyes buried at St. Peters in Westminster . His eldest daughter Margaret was born the nine and twentieth day of November , the fifth yeer of her Fathers Reigne ; and at fourteen yeers of age was married to Iames the fourth King of Scotland ; unto whom she bare three Sons , Iames the fifth , Arthur and Alexander , and one Daughter , which three last dyed all of them young ; and after the death of her husband king Iames , ( slaine at Flodden field in 〈◊〉 against the English ) she was remarried to Archib●ld Dowgl●sse Earle of Augus , in the yeer 1514. to whom she bare Margaret , espoused to Mathew Earle of Lenox , Father of the Lord Henry , who died at the age of nine moneths , and lyeth interred in the upper end of the Chancell in the Parish Church of Stepney neer London : Her second Sonne was Henry Lord D●●nley , reputed for personage the goodliest Gentleman of Europe ; who married Mary Queen of Scotland , the Royall Parents of the most Royall Monarch Iames the first , King of great Britaine : Her third Sonne was Charles Earl of Lenox , Father to the Lady Arbella . King Henries second Daughter the Lady Eliz●beth was borne in the yeere 1492. at three yeers of age , died ; and was buried at Westminster : His third Daughter the Lady Mary , had been promised to Charles King of Castile ; but was married to Lewis the twelveth , King of France ; who dying three moneths after , she was then married to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke : His fourth Daughter , the Lady Katherine , was borne in the yeer 1503. in the eighteenth yeer of her Fathers Reigne , and dyed ●n Infant .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was of Body leane and spare , yet of great strength ; of statu●e somewhat higher than the common sort , his Eyes gray , his Teeth single , his Haire thinne , of a faire complexion and pleasing countenance . Concerning his Conditions , ●e had in him the virtue of a Prince , and of a private man ; affable , yet reserved . We might say he was Politick ; if not rather , that he was Wise : for though he used 〈◊〉 of Cunning sometimes , yet solid Circumspection more . He loved not Warre , but in case of necessity ; alwayes Peace , but with conditions of Honour . Never ●●y Prince was lesse addicted to bodily pleasures of any kinde , than he . Three pleasures he had , but in three Cares ; One for Safety ; another for Honour ; and the third for Wealth : in all which hee attained his end . His great respect of the Church , was seen by his great imployment of Church-men ; for through the hands of Bishop Morton , Bishop Foxe , and his Chaplaine Vrswick , the greatest part of all his great negotiation passed . He was Frugall from his youth , not Covetous till ancient and sickly ; and therefore what defect he had in that kinde , must be attributed to age and weaknesse . This City of London was his Paradise , for what good fortune 〈◊〉 befell him , he thought he enjoyed it not , till he acquainted them with it . His Parliament was his Oracle ; for in all matters of importance he would aske their advice ; and he put his very Prerogative sometimes into their hands . He was no great lover of women ; yet all his great fortune both Precedent and Subsequent came by women : His own title to the Crown , was by a woman ; His Confirmation in the Crown , was by a woman ; His Transmission of the Crowne to his Posterity , was by a woman : The first by the Lady Margaret , descended from Ioh● of Gaunt ; the second by the Lady Elizabeth , eldest Daughter of King Edward the fourth ; the third by the Lady Margaret , eldest Daughter of himselfe King of England , and maried to Iames the Fourth , King of Scotland ; by meanes whereof , as he was the Prince that joyned the two Roses in one , so he was the Founder of joyning the two Kingdomes in one . And lastly , it may be said of him , as was said by one of August●● Caesar , — Hic ●ir hic est ti●i quem promitti saepius audis : for Cadwalloder last king of the Britaines , seven hundred yeeres before , had Prophesied of him ; and of later time , King He●ry the Sixth plainly fore-shewed him .

Of his Death and Buriall .

IN the two and twentieth yeer of his Reigne , he began to be troubled with the Goute ; but a Defluction also taking into his Breast , wasted his Lungs , so that thrice in a yeer , and specially in the Spring , he had great fits and labours of the Tissick , which brought him to his end , at his Palace of Richmond , on the two and twentieth day of April in the yeer of 1508. when he had lived two and fifty yeers , Reigned three and twenty and eight moneths : Being dead , and all things necessary for his Funerall prepared ; his Corps was brought out of his Privy Chamber , into the great Chamber , where it rested three dayes ; and every day , had there a Dirge and Masse sung by a Plelate , Mitred : and from thence it was conveyed into the Hall , wherein it remained also three dayes , and had a like service there ; and so three daies in the Chappell : Upon Wednesday the nineth of May , the Corps was put into a Chariot , and over the Corpes was a Picture of the late King , laid on Cushions of Gold ; and the Picture was apparelled in the Kings rich Robes , with a Crown on the head , and a Ball and Scepter in the hands : when the Chariot was thus ordered , the Kings Chappell and a great number of Prelates set forward , praying ; then followed all the kings Servants in Black ; then followed the Chariot , and after the Chariot nine Mourners , and on every side were carried Torches , to the number of six hundred , and in this order they came from Richmond to St. Georges field ; where there met with it all the Priests and Religious men within the City and without ; the Major and Aldermen , with many Commoners , all cloathed in Blacke , met with the Corpes at London-bridge ; and so the Chariot was brought throught the City to the Cathedrall of St. Paul , where the Body was taken out and carried into the Quire , and set under a goodly Hearse of Wax ; where after a solemne Masse , was made a Sermon by the Bishop of Rochester : The next day , the Corps in like manner was removed to Westminster ; Sir Edward Haword bearing the kings Banner . In Westminster was a curious Hearse full of lights , which were lighted at the comming of the Corps ; and then was the Corpes taken out of the Chariot by six Lords , and set under the Hearse , which was double railed : when the Mourners were set , Gart●r king at Armes , cryed , For the Soule of the Noble Prince king Henry the seventh , late king of this Realme : The next day were three Masses solemnly sung by Bishops , and after the Masses was offered the kings Banner and Courser , his Coat of Arms , his Sword , his Target and his Helm , and at the end of the Masse , the Mourners offered up rich Palls of Choath of Gold and Bodkin ; and when the Quire sang Liber● me , the Body was put into the Earth ; then the Lord Treasurer , Lord Steward , Lord Chamberlaine , the Treasurer and Comptroller of the kings houshold , brake their Staves and cast them into the Grave : Then Gartar cryed with a loud voice ; Vive le ●oy , Henry le ●●itiesme ; Roy d'Angleterre & de France , syre d' Irlande : and thus ended the Funerall .

Of men of Note in his time .

OF Men of Valour and Armes , they are to be seene in the History of this Kings Reigne . For men of letters in his time , of forreigners were Sancts Pagui●●s a great Hebrician ; Leonicenus , Gattinaria , Cabellus and Optatus Phisitians ; Augustinus Niphus , Iacobus Faber , Stapulensis and Pighius Philosophers ; Petrus Bembus● and the famous Clerke Rheudin , who restored againe the knowledge of the Hebrew Tongue . Of our own Country , there lived in his time , George Rippley a Carmelite Frier of Boston , who wrote divers Treatises in the Mathematicks ; and after his death was accounted a Necromancer . Iohn Erghom borne in Yorke , a Black-Frier , studious in Prophesies , as by the Title of the workes he wrote , may appeare . Thomas Mallorie a Welshman , who wrote of King Arthur , and of the round Table . Iohn Rouse borne in Warwickshire , a diligent searcher of Antiquities , and wrote divers Treatises of Historicall Argument . Thomas Scroope sirnamed Bradley , of the Noble family of the Scroopes , entred into divers orders of Religion , and after withdrew himselfe to his house , where for twenty yeeres he lived the life of an Anchorite ; and after , comming abroad againe , was made a Bishop in Ireland , and went to the Rhodes in Ambassage ; from whence being returned , he went bare-footed up and downe in N●rfolk , teaching the ten Commandements ; and lived till neere a hundred yeeres old . Iohn Ton●eys an Augustine Frier in Norwich , who wrote certaine Rules of Grammar , and other things printed by Richard Pinson . Robert Fabian a Sheriffe of London , and an Historiographer . Edmund Dudley , the same man whom king Henry used to take the forfeitures of Penall Statu●es ; who wrote a Booke intituled Arbor Re●-publicae . Iohn Bockingham an excellent Schoole-man : and William Blackeney a Carmelite Frier , a Doctor of Divinity , and a Necromancer .

THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE EIGHT .

KING Henry the seventh being deceased , his only sonne Prince Henry , Heire by his Father of the house of Lancaster , and by his Mother of the house of Yorke : by unquestionable right succeeded in the Crowne , at the Age of eighteene yeers , on the two and twentieth of Aprill , in the yeere 1509. who having been trained up in the study of good letters all his Fathers time● he Governed at first , as a man newly come from Contemplation to Action , as it were by the Booke● in so regular and fair a man●er , that as of Neroes Goverment , there was said to be Quinquennium Neronis ; so of this Kings , there might as justly be said , Decennium Henrici ; and perhaps double so long a time , comparable with so much time of any Kings Reigne , that had been before him . How he came to alter , and to alter to such a degree of change as he did , we shall then have a fit place to shew , when we come to the time of his alteration . King Henry having learned by Bookes , that the weight of a Kingdome is too heavy to lie upon one mans shoulders , if it be not supported by able Councellours ; made it his first care , to make choice of an able Councell ; to which he called William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury , and Chancellour of England , Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester , Thomas Howard Earle of Surry , and Treasurer of England , George Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury , and Lord Steward of his Houshold , Charles Summerset Lord Chamberlaine , Sir Thomas Lovell● Sir Henry Wyat , Doctor Thomas Ruthall , and Sir Edward Poynings ; by advise of these Councellours , his first Act after the care of his Fathers Funerall ; was the care to performe his Fathers Will , in marrying the Lady Katherine of Spaine , the Relict of his Brother Prince Arthur ; to which perhaps but in respect of filiall pierie , he had not the greatest devotion ; and for relinquishing whereof , he might ( no doubt ) more easily have obtained a Despensation from the Pope , then his Father had done , for getting it to be allowed : but obsequiousnesse to his Fathers desire , and respect to his Councels advice , so far prevailed with him , that he would not be Crowned , till that were performed , that one Coronation might serve them both : and so on the third day of Iune following , he married the said Lady , at the Bishop of Salisburies house in Fleetstreet ; where of many great solemnities , I will remember but this one ; that though the Bride were a Widdow , yet to shew she was a Virgin Widdow , she was attired all in white , and had the haire of her head hanging-downe behinde at the full length : and then ( having made in the Tower four and twenty Knights of the Bath ) two dayes after being Midsomer day , he was Crowned at Westminster , together with his Queene , by the hands of William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury ; with all Circumstances of State , in such cases usuall ; and then all the Nobility Spirituall and Temporall , did him Homage ; and the people being asked whether they would receive him for their King , they all with one voice , cryed , yea , yea .

This done , his next Act was another part of performing his fathers Will , which was to proclaime Pardons for all offences , ( Treason , Murder , and Felonie only excepted ) and to have restitution made of all goods unjustly taken from any ; and because the Instruments of such injustice , are alwayes most odious , and nothing gives the people so much contentment , as to see their Persecutours punished ; he therefore caused Empson and Dudley the two chiefe Actours of the late unjust proceedings , to be committed to the Tower , and divers of their inferiour Agents , called Promoters , as Canby , Page , Smith , Derby , Wright , Simpson , and Stockton , to be set on the Pillory in Cornhill , with papers on their heads , and then to ride through the City , with their faces to the horse tailes ; with the shame whereof within seven dayes after , they all died in Newgate . Shortly after a Parliament was called ; whereof Sir Thomas Ingleby was chosen Speaker ; and therein Empson and Dudley were attainted of High Treason , and after arraigned ; Edmund Dudley in the Guildhall , on the seventeenth of Iuly , and Sir Richard Empson at Northampton in October following , and on the seventeenth of August the yeere following , they were both of them beheaded on the Tower Hill ; and their Bodies and Heads buried , the one at the White Fryers , the other at the Black .

On Midsomer Eave at night , King Henry came privily into Westchester , cloathed in one of the Coats of his Guard , to behold the same : and this first yeer King Henry spent in Justs and Maskes , which were almost perpetuall , performed with great Magnificence alwayes ; and sometimes with great Acts of Valour , on the Kings part specially .

In February the same yeer , Embassadours came from the Kings Father in law , the King of Aragon ; requiring Ayde against the Moores ; in which service , the Lord Thomas Darcy , a Knight of the Garter , making suite to be imployd ; he was sent thither , and with him the Lord Anthony Gray , brother to the Marquesse Dorset , Henry Guilford , Wolstan Browne , and William Sidney Esquires of the Kings House , Sir Robert Constable● Sir Roger Hastings , Sir Ralph Elderton and others ; who on the Mund●y in the Rogation Weeke , departed out of Plimot● Haven , with four ships Royall , and on the first of Iune , arrived at the Port of Cadis in south Spaine ; of whose comming the King of Aragon hearing● sent to bid them welcome , but advertising them withall , that he had now by reason of new troubles with France , taken truce with the Moores ; and therefore they might returne againe into their owne Country , to whom yet he allowed wages for all his souldiers . W●ereupon the Lord Darcy and all his men went aboord their ships , but Henry Guilford , Wol●tan Br●wne , and William Sidney , desirous to see the Court of Spaine , went thither and were honourably entertained . Henry Guilford , and Wolstan Browne were made Knights by the King ; who gave to Sir Henry Guil●ord a Canton of Granado ; and to Sir Wolstan Browne an Eagle of Sicily on a Chiefe , to the augmentation of their Armes : William Sidney so excused himselfe , that he was not made Knight . After this they returned to their ships , and their ships into England .

During the time that the Lord Darcy was in Spain , the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Sa●oy , Daughter unto Maximilian the Emperour ; and Governesse of Flande●s and other the Low-countryes , pertaining to Charles the young Prince of Ca●tile , sent to King Henry for fifteen hundred Archers , to aid her against the Duke of Gelders , which the King granted ; and thereupon Sir Edward Poynings Knight of the Garter , and Comptroller of the Kings House appointed to goe , accompani●d with his sonne in law the Lord Clinton , Sir Matthew Browne , Sir Iohn Dig●y , Iohn Werton , Richard Wetherill , and others , to the number of fifteen hundred , took shipping at Sandwich , and passing over to the said Lady Regent , did her there great service ; for which Iohn Norton , Iohn Fogge , Iohn Scott , and Thomas Lynde were knighted ; and then with many thanks and rewards , returned , not having lost in all the Journey , by warre or sicknesse , above an hundred men .

In the third yeer of King Henryes Reigne , one Andrew Barton a scottish Pirate , was grown so bold , that he robbed English-men no lesse then other Nations● till the King sent his Admirall , Sir Edward Howard to represse him , who in a fight , so wounded the said Barton , that he died ; and then taking two of his ships , brought the men prisoners to London ; and though their offence deserved no lesse then death , yet the King was so mecifull as to pardon them all ; provided , they departed the Realme within twenty dayes . The King of Scotts hearing the death of Barton , and taking of his ships ; sent to King Henry , requiring restitution ; but King Henry answered his Herauld , that he rather looked for thanks for sparing their lives , who so justly had deserved death .

In the third yeer also of King Henryes Reigne , the French King made sharpe Warre against Pope Iulius the second ; whereupon King Henry wrote to the French King , requiring him to desist from his Warre against the Pope being his friend and confederate ; but when the King of France little regarded his request , he then sent him word , to deliver him his Inheritance of the Dutchy of Normandie and Guyen , and the Countryes of Angiou and Mayne ; as also his Crown of France , or else he would recover it by the sword . But when the King of France was not moved with this threatning neither ; King Henry then joyning in league with the Emperour Maximilian , with Ferdinand King of Spaine , and with divers other Princes ; resolved by advise of his Councell to make warre on the King of France , and to that end made preparation both by Sea and Land .

This yeer the King kept his Christmas at Greenwich in a most Magnificent manner . On New-yeers day was presented one of his Joviall Devises , which onely for a Patterne what his showes at other times were , I thinke fit to set downe at large . In the Hall was made a Castle , garnished with Artillery and weapons in a most warlike fashion , and on the Front of the Castle was written , la Forteresse Dangerense : within the Castle were six Ladies , clothed in russet Sattin , laid all over with leaves of gold : On their heads Coyfes and Caps of gold . After this Castle had been carried about the Hall , and the Queen had beheld it ; in came the King with five other , apparelled in Coates , one halfe of russet-Satten , with spangles of fi●e gold ; the other halfe of rich cloath of gold : on their heads Caps of russet Sattin , embrodered with works of fine gold . These six assaulted the Castle , whom the Ladies seeing so lusty and couragious , they were contented to solace with them ; and upon further communication , to yeeld the Castle ; and so they came downe , and daunced a long space : after that the Ladyes led the Knights into the Castle , and then the Castle suddenly vanished out of their sights . On Twelfth day at night , the King with eleven more were disguised , after the maner of Italie , called a Maske ; a thing not seen before in England . They were apparelled in garments long and broad , wrought all with gold , with Vysors and Caps of gold . And after the banket done , these Maskers came in , with six Gentlemen disguised in silke , bearing staffe Torches ; and desired the Ladyes to dance , and after they had danced and communed together ; tooke their leave and departed .

The five and twentieth of Ianuary began the Parliament , of which was speaker Sir Robert Sheffield knight , where the Archbishop of Canterbury shewed the wrong which the King of France did to the King of England , in with-holding his Inheritance from him ; and thereupon the Parliament concluded that Warre should be made on the French King and his Dominions .

At this time King Ferdinand of Spaine , having Warre with the French King , wrote to his Sonne in law King Henry , that if he would send over an Army into Biskey , and invade France on that side ; he would aid them with Ordnance , Horses , and all other things necessary ; whereupon Thom●s Gray , Marquesse Dorset was appointed to go , and with him the Lord Howard Sonne and hei●e to the Earle of S●rry , the Lord Brooke , the Lord Willoughby , the Lord Ferrers , the Lords Iohn , Anthony , and Leonard Grey , all brothers , to the Marquesse ; Sir Grisseth ap Ryce , Sir Maurice Barkeley , Sir William Sands , the Baron of B●r●ord , and Sir Richard Cornwall his brother , William Hussey , Iohn Melton , William Kingst●n Esquires , and Sir Henry Willoughby , with divers others , to the number of ten thousand , who taking ship at Southampton , o● the sixteenth of Ma●● the third of Iune they landed on the coast of Biskey , whither within three dayes after their arrivall , came from the King a Marquesse and an Earle to welcome them ; but of such necessaries as were promised , there came ●one ; so as the English being in some want of victualls , the King of Navarre offered to supply them , which they accepted ; and promised thereupon not to molest his Territories . After the Army had lyen thirty dayes , looking for aid and provision from the King of Spaine , at last a Bishop came from the King , desiring the● to have patience a while , and very shortly he would give them full contentme●t . In the mean time , the Englishmen forced to feed much upon Garlick , and 〈◊〉 drink of ho●t Wines ; fell into such sicknesse , that many of them dyed , at least eighteen hundred persons ; which the Lord Marquesse seeing , he sent to the King to know his pleasure , who sent him answer , that very shortly the Duke of Alv● should come with a great power , and joyne with him ; and indeed the Duke of Alva came forward with a great Army , as if he meant to joyne with him as was promised ; but being come within a dayes Journey , he suddenly turned towards the Realme of Navarre ; and entring the same , chased out the King , and Conquered the Kingdom to the King of Spaines use . This Spanish policie pleased not the English , who finding nothing but words from the King of Spain , and being weary of lying so long idle ; they fell upon some small Townes in the border of Guyen , but for want of Horses as well for service as draught ; were unable to performe any great matter ; at which time , being now October , the Lord Marques fell sick , and the Lord Howard supplied his place of General , to whom the King of Spaine once again sent , excusing his present coming , and requiring him , seeing the time of yeer was now past , that he would be pleased to break up his Army , and disperse his Companies into Townes thereabou● , till the nex● spring , when he would not faile to make good all his promises : Hereupon the Lord Howard and his Company went to Rendre , the Lord Willoughby to Gorscha●g , and Sir William Sands with many other Captaines to Fontarely . King Henry in the meane time , hearing what the King of Spaines intention was ; sen● his Herauld Windsor with Letters to the Army , willing them to tarry there●for that very shortly he meant to send them a new supply of Forces , under the conduct of the Lord Herbert his Chamberlaine ; but this message so incense● the Souldiers , that in a great fury they had slaine the Lord Howard if he had ●o● yeelded presently to returne home ; who thereupon was forced to hire shippe●● and in the beginning of December they landed in England ; being taught ●●y this experience what trust is to be given to Spanish promises .

About the same time that the Marquesse went into Spaine , Sir Edward H●●ard Lord Admirall of England , with twenty great ships made forth toward● Br●ttaine ; where setting his men on land , he burned and wasted divers Town● and Villages , and being threatned by the Lords of Brittaine to be encountred , to encourage his Gentlemen , he made divers of them Knights ; as Sir Edwa●● Brook brother to the L. Cobham , Sir Grif●eth Downe , Sir Thomas Windham , Sir Thomas Lucy , Sir Iohn Burdet , Sir William Pirton , Sir Henry Sherburne , and Sir Stephen Bull. The Brittains were tenne thousand , the English but five and twenty hundred ; yet the Brittaines not contented with this advantage of number , would ne●ds use policy besides , for by the advice of an old experienced Captaine , their Generall commanded his men that a●soone as Battels were joyned● they should retire a little , meaning thereby to draw the English into some disadvantage ; but the common Souldiers not knowing their Generalls purpose , and supposing he had seen some present danger , instead of retyring tooke their heeles and fled ; so giving the English by their Brittish policy , if not a Victory , at least a safety to returne to their ships . After which the Brittaines sued for truce , and could not obtaine it ; for the English Admirall pursued his forraging the Countrey , till fearing there were many French ships abroad at Sea , he came and lay before the Isle of Wight . King Henry in the meane time followed his pleasures ; and in Iune kept a solemne Just at Greenwich , where he and Sir Charles Brandon took up all cummers ; and the King shewed himselfe no lesse a King at Arms , then in Estate .

After this , King Henry having prepared men and ships ready to go to Sea ; under the Governance of Sir Anthony Out●read , Sir Edmund Ichingham , William Sidney and divers other Gentlemen ; appointed them take the sea , and to come before the Isle of Wight , there to joyne with the Admirall ; which altogether made a Fleet of five and twenty faire ships : and to Portesmouth he we●t himselfe to see them , where he appointed Captaines ; for one of his chiefest ships called the Regent , Sir Thomas Knevet master of his horse , and Sir Iohn Carew of Devonshire , and to another principall ship called the Soveraigne , he appointed for Captaines Sir Charles Brandon , and Sir Henry Guildford ; and then making them a banke● , sent them going . The French King likewise had prepared a Navy of nine & thirty ships in the Haven of Brest , whereof the chief was a great Carrick , called the Cordelyer , pertaining to the Queen his wife . These two Fleets met at the Bay of Brittaine , and there entred a tirrible fight ; The Lord Admirall made with the great ship of Deepe , and chased her ; Sir Charles Brandon and Sir Henry Guildford being in the Soveraigne , made with the great Carrick of Brest , and laid stemme to stemme to her but whether by negligence of the Master , or by reason of the smoake from the Ordnance , the Soveraigne was cast at the ster●e of the Carrick ; whereat the Frenchmen shoured for joy ; which Sir Thomas Knevet seeing , suddenly he caused the Regent in which he was , to make to the Carrick , and to grapple with her a long boord ; and when they of the Carrick perceived they could not get a sunder , they let slippe an Anchor , and so with the streame the ships turned , and the Carrick was on the Weather side , and the Regent on the Lee side ; at which time a cruell fight passed between these two ships : but in conclusion the Englishmen entred the Carrick , which when a Gunner saw , he desperately set fire on the Gunpowder ( as some say ) though others affirmed , that Sir Anthonie Outhread following the Regent at the sterne , bowged her in divers places , and set her powder on fire ; but howsoever it chanced , the Carrick and the Regent both were consumed by fire . In the Carrick was Sir Piers Morgan , and with him nine hundred men : in the Regent were Sir Thomas Knevett , and Sir Iohn Carew , and with them seven hundred men , all drowned and burnt . King Henry to repaire the losse of the Regent , caused a great ship to be made , such a one as had never been seen in England ; and named it Henry Grace de Dieu .

Though King Henry had hitherto followed his pleasures , as well agreeing with his youth and constitution ; yet he neglected not in the meane time severer studies ; for he frequented daily his Councell Table , and no matter of importance was resolved on , till he had heard it first maturely discussed : as was now a War wi●h France , which he would not enter into upon his owne head , nor yet upon advise of his private Councell , till he had it d●b●ted and concluded in Parliament ; whereupon he called his High Court of Parliament , wherein it was resolved ; that himselfe in person with a Royall Army , should invade France ; and towards the charges thereof , an extraordinary Subsidy was willingly granted .

On May even this yeer , Edmund de la Poole , Earle of Suffolke , was beheaded on the Tower Hill : This was that Earle of Suffolke whom King Phillip Duke of Austria , had delivered up into the hands of King Henry the seventh , upon his promise that he would not put him to death ; which indeed he performed , but his sonne King Henry the eight was not bound by that promise , and by him he was ; and shortly after , to bring another Lord in his place , Sir Charles Brandon was created Viscount Lisle .

For all the great preparation for France , King Henry forbore not his course of Revelling , but kept his Christmas at Greenwich , with divers cu●ious devises , in most magnificent manner . In March following , the Kings Navy Royall , to the number of two and forty ships was set forth , under the conduct of Sir Edward Howard Lord Admirall , accompanied with Sir Walter Deveraux Lord Ferrers , Sir Wolston Browne , Sir Edward Ichingham , Sir Anthony Poynings , Sir Iohn Walloppe , Sir Thomas Windham , Sir Stephen Bull , William Fits Williams , Arthur Plantagenet , William Sidney esquires ; and divers other Gentlemen , who sayling to Brittane , came into Bertram Bay , and there lay at Anchor in sight of the French Navie , wherof one Prior Iohn was Admirall , who keeping himselfe close in the Haven of Brest ; the English Admirall intended to assaile him in the Haven , but because his ships were to great to enter the Bay ; he caused certaine Boa●es to be manned forth , thinking thereby to toule out the French ; but when this neither would draw them to come abroad , he then called a Councell , where it was determined , that first they should assayle Prior Iohn and his Gallies , lying in Blankesable Bay , and after set upon the rest of the French Flee●e in the Haven of Brest ; and it was further appointed , that the Lord Ferrers , Sir Stephen Bull , and others should go on land , with a convenient number , to assault the Bulworkes , which the French had there made ; while the Admi●all with Row B●rges and little Gallies entred into the Bay , that so the Frenchmen might at once be assailed both by sea and land . But though this were determined by the Councell of Warre ●et , the Lord Admirall had a trick by himselfe , for by the advise of a Spanish Knight called Sir Alphonso Charunt , affirming that he might enter the Bay with little danger ; he called to him William Fi●s-Williams , William Cooke , Iohn Colley , and Sir Wolston Browne , as his most trusty friends , making them privy to his intent , which was to take on him the whole enterprize with their assistance only ; and so confident he was of successe , that he wrote to the King to come thither in person , to have the honour of the enterprize himselfe ; but it seemes the King had better Fates , at least went not ; and thereupon , on Saint Marks day the Admirall put himselfe in a small row B●rge ; and appointing three other small row Ships , and his own Ship-boat to attend him : and therewith on a sudden rowed into the Ba● , where Pryor Iohn had moored up his Gallies just to the ground ; which Gallies with the Bulworks on the land shot most cruelly ; yet the Admirall went on , and comming to the Gallies , drove out the French-men . The Bay was shallow , and the other ships by reason the Tide was spent , could not enter ; which the French-men perceiving , they entred the Gallies againe with Morris Pikes , and began a new fight ; whereupon the Admirall attempting to returne back into his row B●rge ; which by violence of the Tide , was driven downe the streame ; with a Pike was throwne over boord , and drowned ; the just issue of his head-strong enterprize ; the forenamed Alphonso was also there slaine : upon which sorrowfull accident , the Lord Ferrers with the rest , returned into England . After whose departure , Pryor Iohn came forth with his Gallies ; and coasting over the borders of Sussex , burnt certaine poore Cottages● but the King made suddenly a new Admirall , the Lord Thomas Howard , eldest Brother to him that was drowned ; sonne and heire of the Earle of Surrey : who so skowrd the seas , that the French were no more to be seen on any coast of England .

King Henry had hitherto performed Acts of Armes , though in Jest , yet with great magnificence ; he will not performe them with lesse , being now in earnest and especially to deale with so potent aa adversary : and therefore when it was concluded by Parliament , that he should make a Warre in France himselfe in p●rson ; he sent before to prepare the way for him , George Talbot , Earle of Sh●ewsbury , high Steward of his Houshold ; accompanied with the Lord Thomas Stanley Earle of Derby , the Lord Dowckeroy Pryor of Saint Iohns , Sir Robert Ratcliffe , Lord Fitswater , the Lord Hastings , the Lord Cobham , Sir Riceap Thomas , Sir Thomas Blunt , Sir Richad Sacheverell , Sir Iohn Digby , Sir Iohn Askew , Sir Lewis Bagot , Sir Thomas Cornwall and others , to the number of eight thousand ; who arrived at Callice about the middle of May ; after him in the end of May , followed Sir Charles Somerset , Lord Herbert , Lord Chamberline , accompanied with the Lord Percy Earle of Northumberland , the Lord Gray Earle of Kent , the Lord Stafford Earle of Wiltshire , the Lord Dudley , the Lord Delaware , Sir Edward Hussey , Sir Edward Dimmock , Sir David Owen , with others , to the number of six thousand : These Generalls joyning together , issued out of Callice , and on the two and twentieth day of Iune , sate downe before the strong Towne of Terwin , which City was strongly fortified ; and in it was Governour the Lord Poultreny , who had with him six hundred Horsemen , and five and twenty hundred Almans , besides the Inhabitants . Here at the very first happened two disasters to the English ; one , that the Baron Carew was slaine with a shot from the Towne ; the other , that Sir Nicholas Va●x , and Sir Edward Belknappe coming from Guys●es with four and twenty Carts of Provision , were set upon by the Duke of Vendosme , Lieutenant of Picardie , and many of the English slaine , and the Provision taken . In this state was the English Campe at Terwin ; when King Henry the last day of Iune came himselfe to Callice , and on the one and twentieth of Iuly took the field , having in his Army of fighting men , not above nine thousand , but with Pyoners , and others that attended the Cariages , eleven thousand and three hundred men : His foreward was led by Charles Brandon Viscount Lisle , his maine Battaile by himselfe , and Sir Henry Guildford carried his Standard ; and in this order he marched forward to the siege of Terwin , entring upon the French ground , the five and twentieth of Iuly . On the morrow after , by negligence of the Carters , that mistook the way , a great Gunne called the Iohn Evangelist , was overthrowne in a deep Pond of water , aud could not at that time be recovered ; but a few dayes after , the Master Carpenter taking with him a hundred labourers , went and weyed it up ; but having carted it ready to bring away , was set upon by eight hundred French ; and the most of his company slaine : the Gunne was taken by the French , and carried to Bulloyne . In the French Army were to the number of eleaven thousand footmen , and four thousand Horse ; whereof were Captaines , the Lord De la Palyce , the Lord De Priennes , the Duke De Longuevyle , the Earle of Saint Paul , the Lord of Floringes , the Lord of Clermont , and Richard De la Poole an English man , sonne to Iohn Duke of Suffolke . The Armies were come within two miles one of another , and some light skirmishes passed between them , specially one ; on a day called the dry Wednesday , for the day was wonderfull hot , and the King with his Army stood in order of battaile , from six a clock in the morning , till three in the afternoone : after this , the King removed towards Terwyn ; and as the Army marched , another of the Kings Bombards of Iron , called the Redde Gunne , was overthrowne in a lane , and there left ; which the French understanding , went with a great power to fetch it away , as they had done the other ; but the Lord Berners , Captaine of the English Pyoners , prevented them ; and though set upon by the French , to the number of nine or ten thousand , yet by the valour of the Earle of Essex , and Sir Riceap Thomas , with the bold adventures of Sir William Tyler , and Sir Iohn Sharpe , they recovered it and brought it safe to the Campe. On the fourth of August K. Henry came before the city of Terwyn , where he strongly fortified his Tents with Ord●ance , and other Warlike defences . In which meane time , the Captaine of Bulloigne , knowing that many of the Garison of Callice were gone with the King , thought to take advantage of ●heir absence , and do some great exploit upon Callice ; and therupon with a thousand men , came to New●ha● Bridge , and killing the watchmen , tooke it ; but afterward some of his company going to fetch Booties , and coming so neere the walls of Callice , that they were descried ; about sixscore Coopers and other Artificers issued forth , and driving them back , recovered againe Newnham Bridge , and took divers of them prisoners ; especially when the gate of Callice , called Bulloign gate was opened , & that Colepepper the under Marshal , with two hundred Archers issued forth , and joyned with them . The French prisoners were brought to Callice , and there sold in open Market ; amongst others , a Cooper of the Town of Callice , bought a prisoner that dwelt in Bulloigne , and had of the prisoner for his ra●some , a hundred Crowns ; when the mony was paid , the French man prayed the Cooper to see him safe delivered , and to conduct him out of danger ; the Cooper was content , and went himselfe alone with the French man , till he came beyond the Cawsey , and there would have departed ; but the French man perceiving that the Cooper was aged , and that no rescue was nigh● by force tooke the Cooper prisoner , ●●d caried him to Bulloigne ; making him pay two hundred Crownes , before h● was delivered .

Whilst King Henry lay thus at the siege of Terwyn , on the eleventh of Au●●●● , the Emperour Maximilian was come to Ayre ; which King Henry understanding , went and met him between Ayre and the Campe ; where with great complements they saluted each other ; but their complements were broken off , by ●●e extreame foule weather which happened that day : the morrow after , the Emperour Maximilian came from Ayre to the Kings Campe , wearing a Crosse of Saint George , as the Kings Souldier , and receiving wages of him for service ; an honour never done to any King of England before ; and yet was no disparagement to the Emperour , for he was royally received , and lodged in a Tent of cloath of gold ; that as no Emperour before , had ever been souldier to a King ; so no souldier before was ever lodged in such a Tent. At this time the City of Terwyn , being in some distresse for want of victualls ; the French King appointed all his horsemen to the number of eight thousand , to see victualls by any means convoyed into it ; the charge of which Convoy was committed to Monsieur De Priennes : but King Henry by advise of the Emperour Maximilian , had made Bridges to passe his men over the river , to the other side of the Towne , where was easiest accesse ; in such sort , that when the French Convoy came with their victualls , and thought to have entred the Towne , they found the English Army there ready to resist them ; whereupon a fierce battell was fought between them : but in conclusion the French were put to flight , and fled so fast , that from thence it was called the battell of Spurres , for that they used more their spurres in running away , then their Launces in fighting . In this battell , the Duke of Longuevyle , the Lord of Clermont , Captaine Bayard , and others to the number of twelve score were taken prisoners , and all brought to the Kings presence ; with six Standards that were likewise taken . After the battell , the King made Sir Iohn Pechye Banneret , and Iohn Carre Knight , who had both of them done great service in this encounter . King Henry having obtained this victory against the French horsemen , and hindred the Towne of Terwyn from reliefe of victualls , and withall plying his battery more fiercely then before ; made the Townsmen soone fall to desire composition , and upon condition that the souldiers might depart with Horse and Armour , they yeelded up the Towne into the Kings hands . This was done on the eighteenth of August , and the Earle of Shrewsbury entred the Towne the same night ; and set up the Banner of Saint George in the highest place of it , in signe of victory , and swore all the Townsmen to be true subjects to the King of England . The four and twen●eth of August , the King himselfe entred the Towne , and dined in the Bishops Palace , where it was resolved , that the Walls and Fortifications of Terwyn should be raced , and the Towne burnt all but the Cathedrall Church and the Pallace , all the Ordnance was sent to Ayre , to be kept there to the Kings use .

After this it was concluded , that the King should lay siege to the City of Tourney ; whereupon he set forward in three battells , the Eeale of Shrewsbury led the Vangard ; the King and the Emperour , the Battaile ; and the Lord Chamberlaine the Re●eward . In this order the Kings Army marched forwards towards Tourney ; by the way , he went and visited the yong Prince of Castile , and the Lady Margaret , Governesse of the Prince , in the Towne of Lisle , where with all Mag●ificence ; or rather indeed Reverence , he was entertained ; and after he had staied there three dayes , he took his leave , and being gone a mile and somewhat more out of the towne , he asked where his Campe lay , and no man there could tell the way , and guide they had none ; the night was so darke and mystie , by chance at last they met with a victualler comming from the Camp , who was their guide and conducted them to it . By which we may see , to what distresse a great Prince may be brought by a little over-sight .

On the one and twentieth day of September , the King removed his Campe towards Tourney ; and being come within three miles of the towne , he sent Garter king of Armes to summon the towne ; but they , though they had but few men of warre amongst them , yet stood upon their guard ; whereupon the King begin it on all sides , and made such firce batteries upon it , that though it were written on the gates of the towne , graven in stone , Iamais tu ne as perdu ton Pucellege ; thou hast never lost thy Maidenhead ; yet now they were glad to loose it : and in conclusion , they sent a trumpet to require a Parley , and then sued for mercy , and yeelded it up , and paid ten thousand pounds sterling besides , for redemption of their liberties : and then Master Thomas Woolsey the Kings Almoner , calling before him all the Citizens yong and old , swore them to the King of England ; the number of whom was fourescore thousand . This done , the King entred into Tourney , and calling into his presence Edward Guildford , William Fitzwilliams , Iohn Dansie , William Tyler , Iohn Sharpe , William Hussey , Iohn Savage , Christopher Garnysh , and some other valiant Gentlemen ; he gave to them the order of knighthood ; and then remembring the great entertainment the Prince of Castile and the Lady Margaret had given him at Lisle , he would not be behinde them in such courtesie ; and thereupon in●ited them solemnly to his citie of Tourney , whom at their coming he brought into the towne in great triumph : during their abode in Tourney , amongst other compliments of entertainment , there was had a Justs , where the King and the Lord Lisle answered all comers : after the Justs , was a sumptuous Banquet ; after the Banquet , the Ladies danced , and then came in the King , and eleven other in a Maske , all richly apparelled with Bonnets of gold : and when the● had passed the time at their pleasures , the garments of the Maskers were cast off ; amongst the Ladies take them that could . This was King Henries disposition , that he could not forbear Revelling in the midst of his Armes ; and Ladies must be entertained as well as souldiers . After this , finding the French not willing to come to a Battaile , and the winter drawing on , he left Sir Edward Poynings Governour of Tourney , and then returned to Callice , and from thence passed into England , and rode in post to Richmond to the Queene .

Whilst King Herry was thus busied in his warre with France , the King of Scots , though his Brother in law , yet instigated by the French King , and taking advantage of King Henries absence , assembled his people to Invade England ; but before his whole power could come together , the Lord Humes his Chamberlin , with seven or eight thousand men entred the borders ; but as he was returning with a great booty of Cattle , in a field overgrowne with Broome , called Milfield , he was encountred by Sir Edward Bulmer , having with him not above a thousand men ; who lying in that field in ambush , broke out upon him , and put him to flight , with the slaughter of five or six hundred of his company , and foure hundred taken prisoners , the Lord Humes himselfe escaped by ●light , but his Banner was taken ; and this , by the Scots was called , the ill Rode . In the meane time the whole power of Scotland was assembled , no fewer then one hundred thousand men ; though Buchanan in favour of his Countrey , ●aith , not the fifth part of that number ; and with these , King Iames approaching the borders , and coming to Norham Castle , laid siedge unto it , which for want of Powder , was soone delivered up unto him . But by this time the Earle of Surrey , Lievtenant of the North parts , had assembled an Army of six and twenty thousand men ; to whom also soone after , his Sonne the Lord Admirall , with one thousand expert souldiers came and joyned● and now having many great Lords and Knights in his Army , he appointed to every one their station ; and then was informed , that King Iames being removed six miles from Norha● , lay embattelling upon a great Mountain called Floddon , where it was impossible to come neere him , but with great disadvantage ; for at the foot of the hill , o● the left hand , was a great ma●ish ground full of reeds and water , on the right hand was a river called Till , so swift any deepe that it was not possible ; on the back-side were such craggie rocks and thick woods , that there was no assayling him on that part ; the forepart of his Campe he had fenced with his great Ordnance . Being in such a hold , the Earle of Surry found there was no possibility of a Battaile , unlesse he could draw him from the hil ; wherupon he called a coun●ell , by which it was determined to s●nd Roug-Cross● Pu●suivant at Armes with a trumpet , to the K. of Scots , to let him know , that he was ready on Friday following to give him Battaile , if he would abide it ; wherunto the King of Scots by his Pursuivant Ilay , made answer , that at the day prefixed he should finde him ready for Battail as he desired , that he would willingly have come to such a ma●ch if he had bin at Edenburgh ; but though he made this answer , yet he would not leave the strong Hold he was in , but kept himselfe still upon the Hill ; at last , Thomas Lord Howard , sonne and hei●e to the Earle of Surrey , having viewed the Countrey round about , declared to his Father , that if he would but fetch a smal compasse , and come with his Army on the back of his Enemies , he should enforce the Scottish King to come down out of his strength , or else stop him from receiving of victuals o● any other thing out of Scotland . This councell of the Lord Howard his Father followed , and King Iames perceiving what their meaning was , thought it stood not with his honour to be forestalled out of his owne Realme , and thereupon immediately raised his Camp , and got to another Hill , but not so steepe as the other ; which the Earle of Surrey perceiving , he determined to mou●t it , and to fight with the Scots , before they should have leisure to fortifie their Campe ; and herewith making a short Speech , for encouragement of his Souldiers , he divided his Army into Battailes ; the Van●guard was led by the Lord Howard , to whom was joyned as a Wing , Sir Edward Howard ; the middle-ward was led by the Earl himself , and the Rear-ward by Sir Edward Stanley ; the Lord Dacres with a number of horsmen was set apart by himselfe , to succor where need should be ; the Ordnance was placed in the Front , and in other places , as was thought most convenient : and in this order they March forward , towerds the Scots . On the other side , King Iames reckoning upon the benefit of the Hill , thought the English half mad , to venture a Battaile upon such disadvantage ; and thereupon making a Speech to encourage his Souldiers , who were of themselves so forward , that they needed no encouraging . Hee divided his Battailes in this manner ; the maine Battaile he led himself , to which he appointed two Wings ; the right led by the Earls of Huntley , Cr●wford and Mountrosse ; the left by the Earls of Lenox and Argyle , together with the Lord H●mes Lord Camberlain : and so confident they were of victory , that the King first , and after all the Lords and meane● me● , put away their Horses , as thinking they should not need them ; which confidence was afterward their undoing ; for when the Battaile being joyned , Sir Edward Howard in getting up the Hill , was so assaulted by the Earles of Lenox and Argyle , that he was left almost alone , and in manifest perill to be slaine ; in comes the Lord Dacres with his Horsmen , and trode under foot the Scottish Battaile of speeres on foot , which he could not have done , if they had kept their Horses . And this part of the Scottish A●my being led by the Earles of Crawford and Mountrosse , they were both of them slaine , and the whole Battaile but to flight . In another part also Sir Edward Stanley did the like , upon the Battaile led by the Earles of Lenox and Argyle , putting it to flight , with the slaughter also of these two Earles . King Iames notwithstanding , maintained the fight still , with great resolution , till Sir Adam Forman his Standard-bearer was beaten downe ; and then not fainting , though despairing of successe , he rushed into the thickest of his Enemies , amongst whom he was beaten downe and slaine ; and to make his death the more honourable , there dyed with him three Bishops ( whereof one was Alexander , Archbishop of Saint Andrewes , the Kings base Sonne ) two Abbots , twelve Earles , and seventeene Lords , of Knights and Gentlemen very many , in all about eight thousand , and almost as many taken prisoners ( as Paulu● Iovius saith ) amongst whom was Sir William Scot , Chancellour to the said King , and Sir George Forman his Sergiant Porter ; the Lord Hume and the Earle Huntley got horses and escaped . Neither was the Battaile without blood to the English , for there was slaine at lest a thousand , and ( that which in a Defeat was strange ) many also taken prisoners ; for many in pursuing the Scots , went rashly so farre● that they knew not which way ●o returne , and by Bands of Scots that had not fought that day , were set upon and ●aken . When the field was done , the Lord Generall called to him certaine Lords and Gentlemen , and made them Knights , as Sir Edward Howard his Son , the Lord Scroope , Sir William Percy , Sir Edward Gorge , and others . This Battaile was fought on Friday the ninth of September , in the yeere 1513. called by some Bramston , by some , ●lodden Field . King Iames heere slaine was the same that had maried the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter of King Henry the seaventh ; and sister to the present King Henry ; and might have enjoyed many happy dayes , if he had kept himselfe firme to his alliance , but being carried away with the inveterate spleen betweene the two Nations , and propension to France ; he ended his life , though honorably , yet miserably under many wounds . It is a very memorable , but s●arce credable thing ; which , ( from the mouth of a very credible person who saw it ) George Buchanan relates concerning this King ; that intending to make a warre with England ; a certaine old man of venerable aspect , and clad in a long blew garment , came unto him , and leaning familiarly upon the chaire where the King sat , said , I am sent unto thee O King , to give thee warning , that thou proceed not in the warre thou art about ; for if thou doe , it will be thy ruine : and having so said , he pressed thorow the company , and vanished out of sight ; for by no inquiry it could be knowne what became of him . But the King was too resolute to be frighted with Phantosmes , and no warning could divert his Destinie , which had not been Destiny if it could have been diverted . The day after the Battaile , his Body , though disfigured with wounds , was knowne by the Lord Dacres and others , to be his ; and thereupon bowelled , embalmed and wrapped in lead , was brought to the Monastery of Sheene in Surrey , and there interred ; but at the dissolution of that House , was taken up and thrown into a waste roome amongst timber and stone ; which Iohn Stow saith , he so saw ; and further relateth , that the servants of Launcelot Young , Glasier to Queene Elizabeth being at Sheene , in new Glazing the windowes , either upon a foolish pleasure , or desire of the lead , cut the head from the rest ; but smelling the sweet perfums of the Balms , gave it to their Master ; who opening the lead , found therin the head of a man , retaining favour , though the moisture were cleane dried up , whose haire both of head and beard was red : which afterward , he caused to be buried , at Saint Michaels Church in Woodstreet , where he dwelled . But notwithstanding this relation of Stow ; Iohn Lesly Bishop of Rosse affirmeth , that it was held for certaine , the Body thus found , was the Body of the Lord Bouchard slaine in that B●ttaile . Buchanan saith , of Alexander Elfinston , who in countenance and statu●e was like the King ; and that King Iames was seene alive the same night at Kelso , whence he passed to Hierusalem , and there spent the rest of his dayes in holy contemplation : but howsoever it was , he was never seen any more in Scotland .

King Henry being now returned from Tourney into England , and finding the great services done in his absence against the Scots ; on the day of the Purification of our Lady , at Lambeth he created the Earle of Surrey Duke of Norfolke , with an augmentation of the Armes of Scotland ; Sir Charles Brandon Viscount Lisle , he created Duke of Suffolke , the Lord Howard high Admirall , hee made Earle of Surry , Sir Charles Somerset Lord Herbert his chiefe Chamberlaine Earl of Worcester , and shortly after Sir Edward Stanly he made Lord Monteagle ; and in March following , Master Thomas Woolsey his Almoner , was made Bishop of Lincolne . Here before we goe further , it will be fit ●o ●ay something of this man , that he be not a rub afterward in the way of the Story : He was borne at Ipswich in Suffolke , the sonne of a Butcher , sent to Oxford by reason of his pregnancy of wit , so soone , that taking there the first degree of Art , he was called the Boy Batchelour ; proceeding in learning , he was made Fellow of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford , and afterward Schoolemaster of the Schoole there , at which time the Marquesse Dorset committed three of his Sonnes to be Instructed by him ; and having a Benefice fallen in his gift , sent for him one Christmas , and bestowed it upon him ; whereof Woolsey going to take possession , at his being there , for what misdemeanour is not delivered , he was by Sir Amyas Pawlet set by the heeles , which afterward he remembred to Sir Iam●s his no small trouble , for he made him attend his pleasure five or six yeeres ; all which time lying in the Middle-Temple , where he re-edified the Gate-house next the street very sumptuously , setting the Cardinals Armes upon it , to appease him . After this disgrace he went over-sea , where he fell in acquaintance with Sir Iohn Naphant treasurer of Callice , and by him was preferred to be King Henry the sevenths Chaplaine : and now being by this meanes in the Kings eye , he so diligently carried himselfe , that he soone got into the Kings heart . One time it happened , the King had occasion to send a Messenger to the Emperour Maximilian , about a businesse that required haste ; for which imployment no man was thought more fit then Woolsey ; whereupon , the King called him , gave him his Errand , and bad him make all the speed he could ; Woolsey departed from the King at Richmond about noone , and by the next morning was got to Dover , and from thence by noone that day was come to Callice , and by night was with the Emperour ; to whom declaring his Message● and having a present dispatch , he rode that night backe to Callice , and the night following came to the Court at Richmond . The next morning he presented himselfe before the King , who blamed him for not being yet gone , the ma●ter requiring haste ; to whom Woolsey answered , that he had beene with the Emperour , and had dispatched the businesse , and for proofe shewed the Emperours lines ; the King wondred much at his speed , but then asked him if he met not his Pursuivant , whom he sent after to advertise him of a speciall matter hee had forgotten ; whereto Woolsey answered , May it please your Grace I met him yester-day upon the way , but that businesse I had dispatched before , taking the boldnesse so to doe without commission , as knowing it to be of speciall consequence ; for which boldnesse I humbly intreat ●our Graces pardon . The King not onely pardoned him , but bestowed presently upon him the Deanery of Lincolne , and soone after made him his Almoner . In this state King Hen●y the eight found him , with whom also he grew into such favour , that he made him of his Councell ; and having won Tourney , made him Bishop of that Citie ; and returning into England , ( the Bishopricke of Lincolne falling void by the death of Doctor Smith ) made him Bishop of that Diocesse . And thus far the story hath now brought him , but soone after he was raised higher ; for Doctor Bambridge Archbishop of Yorke dying , he was translated from Lincolne to that See ; and that he might not be inferiour to the Archbishop of Canter●ury , he procured of the Pope to be made Cardinall , and Legat a Latere ; and after , by the King was made Lord Chancellour of England : and being come to this height of dignity , he so carried himselfe in Expences of Houshold , in number of Retinve , and in all circumstances of State , that no Subject before or since , hath in any degree come neere him . And if we may say it , he was the first Debaucher of King Henry ; for to the end he might have the managing of all matters himself , he perswaded the King that he should not need trouble himselfe with frequenting the Councell Table as he did , but take his pleasure , and leave those things to his Councell , whereof himselfe would alwa●es give him ●nie Information . This was plausible Councell , and no marvaile if it were embraced of a yong King , coming from the mouth of so great a Prelate .

In this fifth yeer of the King , the Citizens of London finding themselves grieved with the Inclosures of the common fields about Islington , Hogsdon and Sh●rdich , and other places adjoyning ; went one morning , and threw downe all the Hedges , and filled up all the Ditches ; whereat though the Kings Councell were at first offended , yet the Maior and City shewed them such reaso●s , that they rested satisfied , and the fields were never since hedged .

On the nineteenth of May , this yeer Pope Iulius the second sent to King Henry a Cap of Maintenance and a Sword ; and being angry with the King of France , transferred by Authority of the Lateran Councell , the title of Christianissimo from him , upon King Henry , which with great solemnity was published the sunday following , in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul ; but this solemnity must not passe without Revelling , Maskes , and Justs ; wherein the King and the Duke of Suffolke were defendants against all commers ; who having the Duke of Longuevyle , and the Lord of Clermont to be spect●tours , spread the fame of their Chivalrie into forreigne Nations .

And now the great love that had been long between King Henry and the Flemings , began to abate ; upon this occasion , King Henry the seventh had concluded a match between his daughter Mary , and Charles Prince of Spaine : but by reason of her young yeers , and for want of assurance of Joynture , the match was deferred during his time ; but now King Henry the eight seeing his sister of convenient yeers , began to call upon it , and signified so much to the Councell of Flanders ; but they , whether having other ends , or out of Spanish delayes , put him off with excuses , and at last sent him word plainly , they could doe nothing in it that yeer . The King of France had soone Intelligence how much King Henry distasted these Spanish dealings , and meant to make some good use of it , for the ends he began to propose to himselfe , which were , to get the Lady Mary for himselfe , and thereby procure peace with England , being now old , and weary of the War . And for this purpose he got the new Pope Leo the tenth to be his mediatour , and both of them send Embassadours to King Henry , the Pope to perswade him to have peace with France , the French King to treat about a Marriage with the Lady Mary : upon whose Embassages , King Henry partly to satisfie the Pope , and partly to advance his sister ; did not unwillingly hearken to the motions : but whilst this was in working , Pryor Iohn ( who knew nothing of these intentions ) began again to play his Pra●ks ; and coming with his Gallyes on the coast of Sussex , burnt Bhighthem-steed , and took away the goods he found in the Village , whereupon the Lord Admirall sent Sir Iohn Walloppe to sea , with divers ships and eight hundred men , who for one Village that Pryor Iohn burnt in England , burnt one and twenty Villages and Townes in France , to the great honour of himselfe , and his countrey .

And now King Henry by advice of his Councell , and specially of Woolsey Bishop of Lincolne , concluded both the peace with France , and the Marriage of his Sister the Lady Mary , with the French King ; but yet it stuck a while upon some differences , King Henry demanding Bulloigne , and the King of France Tourney : in conclusion these demands were waved , and the principall conditions were● first concerning the Ladies Joynture , that she should have two and thirty thousand Crownes of yeerly revenues if she survived the King ; and then concerning ths peace , that the French King should pay yeerly to King Henry for five yeers one hundred thousand Crownes , and the peace to continue between them during their lives , and a yeer after , and bound reciprocally to assist each other with ten thousand foot , if the warre were by land , with six thousand if by sea . All things thus concluded , the Lady Mary was brought to Dover by King Henry and his Queen : and on the second of October taking shippi●g , was conducted by the Duke of Norfolke , the Marquesse Dorset , the Bishop of Durham● the Earle of Surry , the Lord De la ware , the Lo●d Berners , the Lord Monteagle , Sir Maurice Berkely , Sir Iohn Pechye , Sir William Sands , Sir Thomas Bulleyne● Sir Iohn Carre , and many other Knights and Ladies ; but being not past halfe way over the sea , their ships by tempest were dispersed , and the Lady with some jeoperdy landed at Bullen , where Sir Christopher Garnish was faine to stand in the water and take her in his armes , and so set her on shore , and there the Duke of Vendosme with a Cardinall and many other great States received her . From Bullen the eight of October , she came to Abbevyle where the Dolphyn received her : on the morrow being Saint Dennis day , she came to Saint Dennis , where the marriage between the King of France and her , was solem●ized ( though some write it had been solemnized before at Abbevyle . ) The fifth of November she was Crowned Queene of France , at which time the Dolphyn held the Crowne over her head , as being too massie for her to weare ; and the day following she was received into Paris in most magnificent manner . In honour of whose Marriage and Coronation , the Dolphyn had caused a solemne Justs to be proclaimed , which should be kept in Paris the seventh of November . Upon report of this Proclamation in England , the Duke of Suffolke , the Marquesse Dorset and his four Brothers , the Lord Clinton , Sir Edward Ne●●ll , Sir Giles Capell , Thomas Cheiney and others , obtained leave of the King to be at the challenge , where they all behaved themselves with great valour , but specially the Duke of Suffolke ; whose glory the Dolphyn so much envied , that he got a Dutch-man the tallest and strongest man in all the Court of France , secretly as another person to encounter him , with a purp●e to have the Duke foyled ; but indeed it turned to his greater honour , for he foiled the Dutch-man in such sort , that when they came to the Barriers , the Duke by maine strength took him about the neck , and so prommeled him about the head , that he made the blood issue out at his nose : many other Princes and Lords did bravely ; and after three dayes the Justs ended .

King Henry was not long behinde to solemnize it in England also ; for at Greenwich the Christmas following , on Newyeers night , and Twelfth night ; he presented such strange and magnificent devices , as had seldome been seene ; and the third of February following he held a solemne Justs , where he and the Marquesse Dorset answered all commers , at which time the King brake three and twenty speares , and threw to the ground one that encountred him both man and horse .

At this time preparation was making for King Henry in person to go to Callice , there to meet with the French King and Queene , but death hindred the designe ; for before the next spring , the first of Ianuary the French King dyed at the City of Paris , fourscore and two dayes after his marriage ; teaching others by his example , what it is for an old man to marry a young Lady . King Henry hearing of the French Kings death , sent the Duke of Suffolke , Sir Richard Winkefield , and Doctor West , to bring over the Queene Dowager , according to the Covenants of the marriage . Whereupon the Queene was delivered to the Duke by Indenture , who obtaining her good will to be her husband , ( which was no hard matter , that had been her first love : ) wrote to the King her brother for his consent ; whereat the King seemed to stick a while , but at last consented ; so as he brought her into England unmarried , and then marry at his return ; but the Duke for more surety married her secretly in Paris , and after having received her Dower , Apparrell and Jewels ; came with her to Callice , and there openly married her with great solemnity . At their coming into England , King Henry to shew his conten●ment with the marriage , in the company of the Duke of Suffolke , the Marquesse Dorset , and the Earle of Essex , all richly apparelled ; held a new kinde of Justs , running courses on horseback in manner Volant , as fast as one could follow another , to the great delight of the beholders .

This yeer the King at his Mannour of Oking ; Woolsey Archbishop of Yorke came and shewed him letters , that he was elected Cardinall ; for which dignity he disabled himselfe , till the King willed him to take it upon him , and from thenceforth called him Lord Cardinall , but his Hat and Bull were not yet come : after which Doctor Warham Archbishop of Canterbury , and Lord Chancelour of England ; finding Woolsey being now Cardinall , to meddle more in his office of Chancelourship , then he could well suffer● resigned up the Seal , which the King presently gave to Woolsey . About this time , Cardinall Campejus was sent by Pope Leo to King Henry , to solicite him to a Warre against the Turke , with whom Cardinall Woolsey was joyned in Commission , who hearing of the ragged retinue of his fellow Cardinell ; sent store of red cloath to Callice to make them fit followers of so great a Lord : and when Campejus was landed at Dover , Cardinall Woolsey caused the gentry of Kent to waite upon to Black-heath , where he was met and received by the Duke of Norfolk and many Prelates , & there in a Tent of cloath of gold shifted himself into his Cardinals robes . Eight Mules he had laden with necessaries ; but Woolsey not thinking them enough for his honour , sent him twelve more . But now see the shame of pride , for in Cheap-side his Mules by some mischance overthrew their Carriages and Coffers on the ground , whose lyds flying open , shewed the world what treasure it was they carried , old Breeches , Boots , and broken Shoos , broken Meat , Marybones and crusts of Bread ; exposing him to the laughter of all the people : yet the Cardinall went joging on afore with his Crosses , guilt Axe and Mace , unto Pauls Church ; and by the way had an Oration made him by Sir Thomas Moore , in name of the City , and then waited on with many Bishops , was conducted to Bath Place , where he was lodged for his own particuler : he got well by the Journey , for the King gave him the Bishoprick of Salisbury ; but the errand he came about , which was to have Ayde by mony , for a Warre against the Turke , he could not obtaine , for it was well known to be but a devise to get money , without any intention of what was pretended .

In his seventh yeer , King Henry kept his Christmas at his Mannour of Eltham ; where on Twelfth night according to his custome , was a stately Maske of Knights and Ladies , with solemne Daunsing and a most Magnificent Banquet .

It was now the eight yeer of King Henryes Reigne , when the new league between him and the French King was Proclaimed in the City of London : and this yeer Mageret Queene of Scots eldest Sister to King Henry , having before married Archibald Dowglasse Earle of Angus ; by reason of dissention amongst the Lords of Scotland , was glad with her husband to flye into England , and to seek succour at her brothers hands ; who assigned to her the Castle of Harbottell in Northumberland to reside in ; where she was delivered of a daughter named Margaret . From thence the King sent for her and her husband to come to his Court ; and thereupon the third of May , Queene Margaret riding on a white Palfrye ( which the Queen of England had sent her ) behinde Sir Thomas Parr● , came through London to Baynards Castle , and from thence went to Greenwich : but her husband the Earle of Angus , was secretly before departed into Scotland ; which when King Henry heard , he onely ●aid it was done like a Scot. And now in honour of his sisters coming , King Henry the nine and twentieth of May , appointed two solemne dayes of Justs ; where the King , the Duke of S●ffolke , the Earle of Essex , and Nicholas Carew Esquire : took upon them to answer all commers , amongst others , the King and Sir William Kinston ran together , which Sir William though a strong and valourous Knight , yet the King overthrew him to the ground : all the rest was performed with no lesse valour then magnificence . This yeer died the King of Aragon , Father to the Queene of England , for whom was kept a solemne Obsequie in the Cathedrall Church of Pauls ; and Queene Margaret after she had been a yeer in England , returned into Scotland .

In this yeer were sent twelve hundred Carpenters and Masons , with three hundred Labourers , to the City of Tourney in France , to build a Castle there , to keep the City in Awe . And now the Cardinall being weary of hearing so many Causes himselfe , as were daily brought before him ; ordained by the Kings Commission ( aftet the patterne of Mases , divers under Courts to hear co●mplaints of Suitours : whereof one was kept in the Whitehall , another before the Kings Almoner Doctor Stokesley , a third in the Lord Treasurers lodging neere the Starre-chamber , and the fourth at the Roles in the afternoone : these Courts for a time were much frequneted ; but at last , the people perceiving that much delay was used in them , and that sentence given by them bound no man by Law : they thereupon grew weary of them , and resorted to the common Law . By occasion of this Government of the Cardinall , who under colour of Justice , did what he pleased : many great men withdrew themselves from the Court ; as first the Archbishop of Canterbury , and the Bishop of Winchester , who went and lived in their Diocesses ; then the Duke of Norfolke , and at length the Duke of Suffolke , who being run deep into the Kings debt , by reason of his many Imployments into France , and his great House-keeping since his marriage with the Kings Sister , hoped the King would have forgiven it , and would no doubt have done it , but that the Cardinall opposed it , to the end the Duke should be the more at his command .

In October this yeer , Matthew Bishop of Sion commonly called the Cardinall of the Swizzers came into England from the Emperour Maximilian ; by whose soliciting , and Cardinall Woolseys perswasion , the King lent the Emperor a great some of money , for Woolsey being angry with the King of France , for detaining the revenewes of his Bishoprick of Tourney , perswaded King Henry that the best way to abate the French Kings power , was to furnish the Emperour money , the better to maintaine warre against him : and what Woolsey said , was in those dayes to King Henry an Oracle .

This yeer the King kept his Christmas at his manner of Greenwich ; where on Twelfth night according to his custome , rare devices with great magnificence were presented ; after which time the King exercised himselfe much in Hawking , which was like to have proved no good sport to him ; for one time following his Hawke , and leaping over a Ditch with a Pole , the Pole brake , so that if one Edmund Mody a foot-man had not leapt into the water and lift up his head which was fast in the clay , he had been drowned .

In this yeer also there happened in the City of London , an Insurrection against strangers , specially of Artificers , complayning that strangers were permitted to resort hither with their Wares , and to exercise Handy-crafts , to the great hindrance and impoverishing the Kings own Subjects ; and not onely so , but that they were borne out in many great Insolencies , and wrongs they offered to the English , as one time it happened , a Carpenter in London called Williamson , had bought two Pigeons in Cheap-side and was about to pay for them , when a French-man tooke them out of his hand , saying , they were no meat for a Carpenter : well ( said Williamson ) I have bought them , and I will have them ; nay ( said the French-man ) I will have them for my Lord Embassadour ; hereupon they grew to words , and complaint was made to the French Embassadour , who so aggravated the matter to the Major , that the Carpenter was sent to prison , and when Sir Iohn Baker sued to the Embassadour for him , he answered , by the body of God , the English knave was worthy to loose his life for denying any thing to a French-man , and other answer he could have none . Matry like and worse Insolencies were offered by changes ; which one Iohn Lincoln a Broker drew into a Bill , and prevailed with Doctor Beale , Preacher on Easter Tuesday at the spittle to reade it openly in the pulpit , which so stirred up many , that strangers could hardly passe the streets , but were strucken , and sometimes beaten downe . At last , one evening , many Prentises and others assembling , rifled some strangers houses , and much mischief was like to be done : but by the tare of the Maior and Aldermen and by the ind●stry of Robert Brook Recorder , and Sir Thomas Moore , ●hat had bin under shriefe of London ; they were gotten to be quiet and many of the disturbers were sent to prison , whereof Lincolne and twelve other were hanged , foure hundred more in their shirts , bound in ropes and halters about their neckes ( and thereupon called the black wagon ) were brought to Westminster , where the King himselfe sate that day ; and when the Cardinall had charged them with the greatnesse of their offence ; they all cryed , mercy , mercy : and then the King by the mouth of the Cardinall , pardoned them all which clemency purchased the Ki●g no small love amongst the people .

In this ninth yeere , in Iune King Henry had divers Embassadors at his Court ; for whose entertainment he prepared a costly Justs ; himselfe and twelve more against the Duke of Suffolke and other twelve . The King had on his Head a Ladies sleeve full of Diamonds , and perhaps something else of the Ladies in hes heart , which made him performe his courses with the applause of all beholde●s . This yeere by reason of a sweating sicknesse , Michaelm●s Tearme was adjourned ; and the yeere following , Trinity Tearme was held one day at Oxford , and then adjourned againe to Westminster .

About this time Cardinall Woolsey obtained of Pope Leo , authority to dispence with all Offences against the spirituall Lawes ; by vertue whereof he set up a Court , and called it , The Court of the Legat ; in the which he proved Testaments , and heard Causes , to the great hindrance of all the Bishops of the Realme ; and to the debauching of Priests and Religious persons , who relying upon his greatnesse , tooke ●uch a liberty of licentiousnesse , to themselves , that none was more disorderly , then those that were in orders : and supposii●g perhaps , they might lawfully comit such sins themselves , as they forgave to others . And indede the Cardinalls carriage exceeded all boundes of moderation ; for when he said masse , he made Dukes and Earles to serve him of wine , with a say taken , and to hold the bason at the Lauatory : and when the Archbishop of Canterbury , writing a letter to him , subscribed , your brother William of Canterbury , he tooke it in great dudgion , to be termed his brother .

It was now the tenth yeere of King Henries Reigne , when the Kin● of France , longing much , to have Turney restored to him : by great guifts and greater promises● wonne ●he Cardinall Woolsey , to move the King in it ; who upon his perswasions , was contented to be treated withall about it : to which the King of France sent the Lord Bonquet high Admirall of France : and the Bishop of Paris , who in there attendance , having above fourescore Gentlemen , and with their servants and all above twelve hundred , arived in England ; and on Munday the seaven and twentieth of September , were met at Black-heath by the Ea●le of Surrey high Admirall of England , attended likewise with above five hundred Gentlemen and others , who conducted them to London , where they were lodged at Marchantailors Hall : The last of September , the Embassadours went to the King at Greenwich , where after long communication , an Agreement was at last concluded under pretence of a marriage to be had , betweene the Dolphin of France , and the Lady Mary Daughter to the King of England , that in name of her marriage money , Tourney should be deliveted to the French King : he paying to the King of England , for the Castle he had made in that Citty , six hundred Thousand C●ownes in twelve yeeres , by fiftie Thousand Crownes yeerly : and if the marriage should chance not to take effect , then that Tourney should be againe restored to the King of England ; for performance of which article , Hrstages shotld be delivered : namely , Monsi●ur de Memorancye , Monsieur de Monpesac , Monsieur de Moy , and Monsieur Morett , and moreover the French King should pay to the Cardinall of England a thousand markes yeerly , in recompence of his Revenewes , received before of his Bishoprick of Tourney : All things thus concluded , the Cardinall made to the Embassadours a solemne Banquet , and after presented them with a stately Mummery . The eighth of October , the King feasted them at Greenwich , and at night presented a stately Maske of Knights and Ladies , with reare devises and great magnificence : The next day , Sir Thomas Exmew Major of London , feasted them at Goldsmiths-Hall , and then delivering their foure Hostages , they tooke their leave . At whose departure , the King gave to the Admirall of France , a Garnish of guilt vessell , a paire of covered Basons , gilt , twelve great guilt Bowles , fower paire of great guilt Pots , a standing Cup of Gold , garnished with great Pearles , and to some other he gave Plate , to some other cheins of Gold , to some rich Apparell : to the great comendation of his liberality . Shortly after their departure , the Earle of Worcester Lord Chamberlaine , the Bishop of Ely , the Lord of Saint Iohns , Sir Nicholas Vaux , Sir Iohn Pechy , and Sir Thomas Bullen , as Embassadours from the King of England , accompanied with Knights , Gentlemen , and others , to the number of above foure hundred , passed over to Callice , and from thence went to Paris ; where after Royall Entertainment by the King , with di●erse Maskes and stately shewes , they tooke their leaves and rode to Tourney to see the Citty delivered to the French men , on the eighth of February to the great griefe of the English Garrison . After the English Embassadours were returned , King Henry to cheere up the foure French Hostages , left heere for performance of covenants , on the seaventh of May , presented a solemne and stately Maske , wherein himselfe , the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene were Actors , and on the eight of March following was a solemne Just holden , and with great magnificence performed .

In the eleventh yeere of King Henries Raigne died the Emperour Maximilian , for whom , the King caused a solemne obsequie to be kept in Paules Church . After whose death the French King and the King of Spain , endeavoured by sundry plots , each of them to get the Empire , but in conclusion , Charles King of Castile , ( afterwards called Charles the fifth ) was elected Emperour ; for joy whereof , a solemne Masse was sung at Pauls , the seaventh of Iuly , at which were present the Cardinall Campeius , the Cardinall of Yorke , the Duke of Buckingham , Norfolke and Suffolk , with the Embassadours of Spaine , France , Venice , and Scotland ; and this yeere the King kept Saint Georges feast at Winsor , with great solemnity .

At this time , diverse young Gentlemen that had been in France , after the manner of that Country , carried themselves so familiarly with the King ; that the Lords of his counsell thought it a disparagement to him : and thereupon , with his leave first obtained , they banished them the Court : and in their places , brought in more staied aud graver men : namely , Sir Richard Winkefield , Sir Richard Ierningham , Sir Richard Weston and Sir William Kingston .

In the summer of this yeere , the Queene lying at her Mannor of Havering in Essex , desired the King to bring thither the foure Hostages of France to whom shee made a Royall Banpuet and in September following the King lying at his Mannor of Newhall in Essex , otherwise called Beaulieu ; where he had newly built a stately Mansion , invited the Queen and the French Hostages thither , where after a sumptuous Banquet , he presented them with an extraordinary Mask , for the Maskers were the Duke of Suffolk , the Earl of Essex , the Marquesse Dorset , the Lord Aburgaveny , Sir Richard Winkfield , Sir Richard Weston and Sir William Kingston , the youngest of whom was fifty yeeres old at least , that the Ladies might see , what force they had to make age young againe .

At this time , the French King was very desirous to see the King of England with whom he had entred into such a league of alliance , and to that end made meanes to the Cardinall , that there might be an Enterview betweene them at some convenient place : to which the Cardinall , no● so much to satisfie the French King as to shew his owne greatnesse in France ; e●sily condiscended , and thereupon perswaded King Henry , how necessary it was , that such an Enterview should be : and then were sent unto Guysnes , under the rule of Sir Edward Belknap three thousand artificers , who builded on the plaine before the Castle of Guysnes , a most stately Pallace of timber , curiously Garnished without and within : whither both the Kings in Iune next following , agreed ●o come and to answere all commers at the Tilt , Tournies and Barriers , whereof proclamation was made in the Court of England , by Orleance King of Armes of France and in the Court of France by Clarentius , King of Armes of England : whilst these things were preparing on Candlemas Even , as the King and Queene were come from Even-song at their Mannour of Greenwich ; suddainly there blew a Trumpet , and then entred into the Queenes Chamber , foure Gentlemen , who brought with them a waggon , in which sate a Lady richly apparelled ; which Lady , acquainted the King , that the foure Gentlemen there present , were come for the love of their Ladies , to answer all commers at the Tilts on a day by the King to be appointed ; which day was thereupon appointed on Shrovetuesday next ●nsuing , where they all behaved themselves with great valour , to the great delight of the King and Queene .

By this time King Henry was ready for his journey into France , and so removing from his Mannour of Greenwich , on Friday the five and twentieth of May he with his Queene arived at Canterbury , where he ment to keepe his Whitsontide . At which time , the Emperour Charles returning ou● of Spaine arrived on the coast of Kent , where by the vice Admirall of England , Sir William Fitz-Williams , he was conducted to land , and there met aud received by the Lord Cardinall in great state . After which the King himselfe rode to Dover , to welcome him : and on Whitsunday earely in the morning conducted him to Canterbury , where they spent all the Whitsontide in great joy and solace . The chiefe cause that moved the Emperour at this time , to come on land , was to have disswaded the King from any Enterview with the French King : but when he saw him ●o forward in that jour●ey , he then onely endeavoured to perswad● him , that he should put no trust in the French Kings words , and with great gui●ts and promises , prevailed with the Cardinall to joyne with him in this perswasion . The last of May , the Emperour tooke his leave , and the same day , the King made saile from Dover and landed at Callice , together with the Queen and many Lords and Ladies . The fourth of Iune the King and Queen removed from Callice to his Princely lodging beside the Towne of Guysnes , the most Royall Building that was e●er seene ; likewise Francis the French King had his lodging prepared close to the Towne of Ard , in a strange but most magnificent fashion . Both Kings had given authority and power to the Cardinall to affirme and confirme , ●o bind or unbind , whatsoever should be in difference betweene them ; no lesse an honour to the Cardinall then a confidence in the Kings . On Thursday the seaven●h of Iune , the Kings met in the vale of Andren so magnificently attired , both themselves , and all their followers , that from thence it was called ●he campe of cloath of Gold . Heere they spent that day in loving complements ; and at night departed , the one to Guysnes , the other to Ard. On Satureday the ninth of Iune were set up in a place , within the English pale two Trees of honour , with stately roomes and stages for the Queens , and thither the two Kings came , most Royally accompan●ed ; wherein most magnificent manner , they performed Acts of valour , both on foo●e and horseback ; and after them all the great Lords both of France and England did the like : this solemnity of Justs and Maskes was continued to the foure and twentieth day of Iune ; at which time , the Kings and Queenes tooke leave of each other , the French King and Q●eene removed to Ard ; the King and Queene of England to Callice , where he remained till the tenth of Iuly , and then ridings ●oward Graveling , was by the way met by the Emperour , and by him conducted thithet , and there in most royall manner ente●tained ; whereof when the French King heard , he began from that day forward , to have King Henry in a kinde of jelousie , as though to love him and the Emperour both were inconsistent , and could not stand together . On Wednesday the eleventh of Iuly , the Emperor and his Aunt the Lady Margaret , Dutchesse of Savoy , came with the King of England to the town of Callice , and there continued with Feasting , Dancing and Masking , till the fourteenth of Iuly . In which time , all the Articles of the league tripartito , betweene the Emperour and the Kings of England and France were reviewed ; to which the King of France had so fully condiscended , that he had sent Monsieur de Roche to the Emperor with Let●ers of credence ; that in the word of a Prince , he would inviolably observe and keepe them all : all which notwithstanding , he dispenced with his conscience afterward , in breaking them all . On Saturday , Iuly 14. the Emperor tooke his leave and went to Graveling ; the King with his Queene returned into England .

It was now the twelfth yeer of King Henries reigne ; when being returned from Callice , he kept his Christmas at Greenwich with great magnificence ; & on twelfth day he and the Earl of Devonshire maintained a solemn Justs against al commers .

The Cardinal had long born a grudg against the Duke of Buckingham , for speaking certain words in his disgrace , and now hath made his way for reveng : for the Earl of Surrey , Lord Admirall , who had maried the Dukes daughter , the Cardinall had caused to be sent Deputy into Ireland , and the Earle of Northumberland , the Dukes speciall friend he had caused upon certain suggested crimes to be Imprisoned ; so as the Duke having his friends sequestred from him , he lay now open to accusations , and accusations shall not long be wanting ; for the Duke having some time before put from him in displeasure , one Charles Knevet , that had been his Surveyar , and inward with him ; him the Cardinall gets to him , to see what he could get out of him against the Duke . And whether it was out of desire of revenge , or out of hope of reward , or that the matter was so indeed , this Knevet confessed to the Cardinall , that the Duke had once fully determined to make away the King ; being brought into a hope to be King himselfe by a vaine Prophesie , which one Nicholas Hopkins ( a Monke of an house of the Chartnar Order , besides Bristow , called Henton ) somtimes his Confessor , had opened to him ; and as for the Cardinall , that he had often heard the Duke sweare , he would punish him soundly for his manifold misdoings . And now had the Cardinall matter enough for Accusation , which he so aggravated to the King , that the King bid him do with him according to Law . Hereupon the Duke is apprehended and brought to the Tower by Sir Henry Marney , Captain of the Guard , the fifteenth of April , and shortly after in Guild-hal before Sir Iohn Brugge , then Lord Major , was indited of divers points of High-treason ; the substance whereof was , that in the second yeer of the Kings reign , and at divers times before and after , he had imagined and compassed the Kings death at London and at Thornbery in Glocestershi●e ; and that in the sixth yeer of the Kings reign , he went in person to the Priory of Henton , and there had conference with the foresaid Nicholas Hopkins , who told him he should be King ; and that he had often said to the Lord Aburgayne who had maried his daughter , that if King Henry died without issue , he would look to have the Crown himself . Vpon these points hee was arraigned in Westminster-hall , before the Duke of Norfolk , sitting then as high Steward of Engla●d , the Duke of Suffolk , the Marquesse Dorset , the Earls of Worcester , Devonshire , Essex , Shrewsbury , Kent , Oxford and Darby , the Lords of Saint Iohns de la ware , Fitz-water , Willoughby , Brook , Cobha● Herbert & Morley . The Duke pleaded for himself til he swet again , but al booted ●ot , for by these Peeres he was found guilty and condemned , and so on Friday the seventeenth of May was led by Iohn Keyme and Iohn Skevington Sheriffes of London to the scaffold on Tower-hill , and there beheaded . The Augustine Friers took his body and head and buried them . This Edward Bohun Duke of Buckingham was the last high Constable of England ( the greatest place , next the high Steward in the kingdome ) whose Power extended to restrain some actions of the King . He was also Earl of Hereford , Stafford and Northampton , he maried Elianor the daughter of Henry Earle of Northumberland , and had issue Henry Lord Stafford ( Father to Henry Lord Stafford la●e living ) and three daughters , Elizabeth maried to Thomas H●ward Earl of Surrey , Katherine maried to Ralph Nevil Earl of Wes●merland , and Mary maried to George Nevill Lord of Abu●ga●enie .

In this meane while , a new Warre was begun between the Emperour and the King of France ; for composing whereof , the Cardinall of Yorke was sent attended with the Earle of Worce●ter , Lord Chamberline , the Lord of Saint Iohns , the Lord Ferrers , the Lord Herbert , the Bishop of Du●ham , the Bishop of Ely , the Primate of Armagh , Sir Thomas Bullen , Sir Iohn Pechye , Sir Iohn Hussey , Sir Richard Winkfield , Sir Henry Guild●ord , and many other Knights , Gentlemen and Doctors . On the twelfth of Iuly he arrived at Callice , whether came to him the Cha●cellour of France , and the Count de Palice attended with four hundred horse , as Embassadours from the French King ; and from the Emperour the like , with Commissions to treat and conclude of Peace . There were also Embassadours from the Pope , whom the Cardinall moved to have the Pope be a party also in their League , but they wanting Commission . Letters were presently sent to Rome about it , and in the time till answer might be had , the Cardinall went to Bruges , to speak with the Emperour , with whom having stayed thirteene dayes , after most Royall entertainment , he returned back to C●llice , and then fell presently to the treaty of Peace , with the French Commissioner , but was colder in the matter then he was before , as having had his edge taken off , by some dealings with the Emperour , so as nothing was concluded ; but that Fishermen of both the Princes might freely Fish on the Seas without disturbance , till the end of February following ; whereof he sent advertisement to both the Princes ; to the Emperour by the Lord of Saint Iohns and Sir Thomas Bullen ; to the French King by the Earle of Worcester and the Bishop of Ely . During all which time of the Cardinalls stay in Callice , all Writs and Pa●ents were there by him sealed , and no Sheriffe could be chosen for lack of his presence , having the Great Seal there with him , and full power in things , as if the King had been there in person . Before he returned he made a new League with the Emperour , and intimated to the French King , that he doubted the King of England would not hereafter be so much his friend , as heretofore he had been ; whereat , though the King of France were much offended , yet he signifyed by his Letters ( perhaps dissemblingly ) that he would continue the King of Englands friend asmuch as ever : onely he enveighed against the Cardinall , as a man of no truth , & withdrew many Pensions which he had before given to some English . Presently upon this , was Tourney besieged , by the Lord Hugh de Moncada a Spaniard ; and though the French King sent great Forces to succour it ; yet it was rendred up to the Emperour the last of November , in the thirteenth yeer of King Henries Reigne .

This yeer Pope Leo died the first of December , suspected to be poysoned by Barnabie Malespina his Chamberlaine , whose office was alwayes to give him drinke . After whose death , Doctor Pace was sent to Rome , to make friends in behalfe of the Cardinall of Yorke ; who was brought into a hope through the Kings favour to be elected Pope , but that hope was soon quailed ; for before Doctor Pace could get to Rome , Adrian the sixth was chosen Pope . This Doct. Pace was a very learned and religious man , yet thorow crosses in his imployment , fell mad and dyed ; in whose place of Imployment succeeded Doct. Stephen Gardyner .

On the second of February , King Henry being then at Greenwich , received a Bull from the Pope , whereby he had the Title given him to be defender of the Christian Faith , for him and his successours for ever ; which Title was ascribed ●o him , for writing a Booke against Luther , of which Booke ( saith Holings●eard ) I will onely say ●hus much , that King Henry in his Booke , is reported to rage against the Devill and Antichrist , to cast out his foame against Luther , to race out the Name of the Pope , and yet to allow his Law ; which Booke Luther a●swered with as little respect to the King , as the King had done to him .

In this meane time , many displeasures grew between the two Kings of England and France , specially two : one that French-men seized upon English ships as they passed : for remedy whereof , one Christopher Cee an expert seaman , was sent with six ships to safeguard the Merchants . Another , that the Duke of Albanye was returned into Scotland , contrary to that which was Covenanted by the league , which though the King of France denied to be done with his privity , yet King Henry knew the Duke of Albanye had Commission from the French King to returne , which did the more exasperate him ; and hereupon were Musters made in England , and a note taken of what substance all men were .

This yeere died the Lord Brooke , Sir Edwad Poynings Knight of the Gar●er , Sir Iohn Pechy , and Sir Edward Belknappe , all valient Captaines , suspected to have poysoned at a Banquet made at Ard , when the two Kings met last .

At this time , Owen Dowglas Biship of Dunkell , fled out of Sco●lnad into England , because the Duke of Albanye being come thither , had taken upon him the whole Government of the King and Kingdome ; whereupon Clarentiaux the Herald was sent into Scotland , to command the Duk of Albany to avoid that Realm ; which he refusing , the Herald was ●ommanded to defie him . Thereupon the , French King seized all English-mens goods in Burdeaux , and impisoned their persons ; and retained not onely the money to be paid for the restitution of Tourney ; but also with-held the French Queenes Dower : whereof when King Henry understood ; he called the French Embassadour residing in England , to give account thereof ; who though he gave the best reasons he ●ould to excuse it , yet was commanded to keep his house , and the French Hostages remayning here , for the money to be paid for the delivery of Tourney , were restrained of their liberty , and committed to the custody of the Lord of Sa●t Iohns , Sir Thomas Lovell , Sir Andrew Windsor , and Sir Thomas Nevyle ; each of them to keep one ; and withall , all French-men in London were committed to prison , and put to their Fines ; and all Scots-men much more . There were then also sent to sea under the conduct of Sir William Fitz-Williams Viceadmirall , eight and twenty great ships , and seven more towards Scotland ; who set fire on many Scottish-ships in the Haven , and at length tooke many prisoners , and returned .

King Henry hearing that the Emperour would come to Callice , so to passe into England , as he went into Spaine ; appointed the Lord Marquesse Dorsett , to go to C●llice , there to receive him● and the Cardinall to receive him at Daver● The Cardinall taking his Journey thither on the tenth of May , rode thorow London accompanied with two Earles , six and thirty Knights , and a hundred Gentlemen , eight Bishops , ten Abbots , thirty Chaplains , all in Velvet and Sattin ; and Yeomen seven hundred . The five and twentieth of May being Sunday , the Marquesse Dorset with the Bishop of Chichester , the Lord de Law●re and divers others , at the water of Graveling , received the Emperour , and with all honour brought him to Callice , where he was received with Procession , by the Lord Berners Lieutenant of the Towne . On Munday he tooke ship at Callice , and landed at Dover , where the Cardinall with three hundred Lords , Knights and Gentlemen received him , and in great State brought him to the Castle , where he was lodged . On Wednesday being Ascention Even , the King came to Dover , and there with great joy and gladnesse , the Emperour and he met . On Friday in the afternoone they departed from Dover , and came that night to Canterbury , and from thence next day to Greenwich , where the Queene received her Nephew with all the joy that might be . Here to honour the Emperours presence , Royall Justs and Turneys were appointed ; where the King , the Earle of D●vonshire and ten Aydes , kept the place against the Duke of Suffolke , the Marquesse Dorset and other ten Aydes , on their part . On Friday the sixth of Iune , the Emperour and the King with all their companies went to London , where the City received them with Pageants , and other as rare device● , as at a Coronation , and the Emperour was lodged at the Blackf●yers , and all his Lords in the new Palaces of Bridewell . On Whitsunday , the King and the Emperour rode to the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul , where the Cardinall sung M●sse , and had his Traverse and his Cupboord . Before Masse , two Barons gave him water , and after the Gospel , two Earles , and at the last Lavatory two Dukes , which pride the Spaniards much disdained . After many Feastings in other places , at last they rode to Windsor , where they stayed a whole weeke ; and there on Corpus Chris●i day , the Emperour wore his Mantle of the Garte● , and sate in his owne Stall . On the same day , both the Princes received the Sacrament , and took their oathes to observe the League concluded betweene them . On the morrow after , they came to Winchester : before whose comming thither there was come to Hampton , the Earle of Surrey Admirall of England , with all the Kings Navy , and with him the Lord Fitz-Water , the Barron Curson , Sir Nicholas Carew , Sir Richard Wink●●eld Sir Richard Ierning●am , Francis Brian , Sir William Barentine , Sir Adrian Foskew , Sir Edward Donne , Sir Edward Chamberlaine , Sir Richard Cornwall , Sir Antony Poynes , Sir Henry Shirborn , and the Viceadmirall , Sir William Fitz-Williams , Sir Edmund Bray , Sir Giles Capell , Sir William Pirton , Iohn Cornwallis , Sir Iohn Walloppe , Sir Edward Ichingham , Sir William Sidney , Anthony Browme , Giles Hus●ey , Thomas Moore , Iohn Rus●el , Edward Bray , Henry Owen , George Cobham , Thomas Old●all , Thomas Lovell , Robert Ichingham , Anthony Knevet , Sir Iohn Tremaile , Sir William Skevington , Master of the Ordinance , and Iohn Fabian Serjant at Armes , by whom chiefly a diss●gne was moved , though now noised onely that it was but to scowre the seas for the safe conducting of the Emperour . For the Earle of Surrey having wafted the Emperour over to the co●st of Biskay ; upon his returne , made to the coast of Brittaine ; and there landing seven thousand of his men , marched to the Towne of Morleys , and by assault took it : having ●onne this Towne , the E●rle called to him certaine Gentlemen and made them Knights ; as Sir Francis Brian , Sir Anthony Browne , Sir Richard Cornwall , Sir Thomas Moore , Sir Giles Hus●ey , Sir Iohn Russell , Sir Iohn Rainsford , Sir George Cobham , Si● Iohn Cornwallis , Sir Edward Ridgley , and some others ; and after the Earle had lien a while on the Coast of Brittaine , he was commanded home by the Kings letters : who thereupon brought back his whole fleet , to a place ca●led the Cow under the Isle of Wight , and then went on land , leaving diverse of of his ships , under the Governa●ce of the Vice-admirall Sir William Fitz-Williams .

In this meane time , diverse exploits were atchieved between them of the Garrison in the marches of Callice , and the French men of Bulloigne , where the French commonly had the worst : but being of no great moment , may well be passed over without relating . Likewise at the same time the Lord Rosse , and the Lord Dacres of the North , appointed to keepe the Borders against Scotland , burnt the Towne of Kelsie , and fourescore Vilages , and overthrew eighteene Towers of stone , withall their Bulwarkes .

King Henry intending now to goe seriously on with his warres in France , levied an Army , which under the conduct of the Earle of Surrey , he sent over to C●llice ; whither the Earle being come , he divided his Army into three battailes ; the first was led by Sir Robert Ratcliffe Lord Fitz-water , the middle-ward by himselfe and his brother the Lord Edmund Howard , the reare-ward by Sir William Sands and Sir Richard Winkfield , both of them Knights of the Ga●ter : and Sir Edward Guildford was Captaine of the horsemen . In this order the Earle entred the French ground the second of September , and took his Journey ●owards Hedring . By the way there came to him a great Power of ●●rgognias , sent by the Lady Margaret , according to the Articles of the League . All the Townes , Villages and Castles , in the Countrey through which they passed , they burnt and sacked ; as the Towne and Castle of Selloys , the Towne of Brun●rigge , Senekerke , Botington and Manstier , with divers others . On the sixteenth of September , they came before the Castle of Heding , and laid siege unto it ; but the Castle being wel fortified , & the Earle having not battering Ordnance , which by reason of the foule weather , he could not bring with him : after eleven dayes he raised his siege , and passing from thence to Dorlens , burnt the Towne and raced the Castle , as also the Towne of Dortyer , and then the yeer being farre spent , came back to Callic● the sixteenth of October .

At this time , the Duke of Albany being established Governour of Scotland , raised an Army of fourscore thousand men , with which he approached the b●●ders , but made no Invasion , as thinking perhaps that the onely report of his great Army , would fright the English ; but yet this stayed not the Lord Marquesse Dorset , Warden of the east and middle Marches ; to enter into Tividale , and so forward ten miles into Gallaway , burning all townes and Villages on every side as he passed . All that night he tarried within the Scottish ground , and the next day being good-Friday , withdrew back into England , with a head of four thousand cattell ; having burned Grimseley , Mowhowse , Donford , Myles , Ackforth , Crowling , and many other Townes and Villages .

In King Henries fourteenth yeer , on the fifteenth of Aprill began a Parliament , which was holden at the Blackfryers , whither the King came , and there sate downe in his Royall Seate ; at his feet on the right side sate the Cardinall of Yorke , and the Archbishop of Canterbury ; and at the Raile behinde , stood Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London , who making an Oration , told there the causes of calling this Parliament ; which were ( as he said ) for remedying of mischiefs by the common Law , as Recoveries , Forraigne Vouchers and corrupt Trialls● and for making new Lawes for the good of the Common-wealth : whereof notwithstanding , no one word was spoken all the time of the Parliament , nor any other thing done , but a Subsedie granted ; but howsoever , being commanded to chuse their Speaker , they chose Sir Thomas Moore , who at first disabling himselfe , at last made two Petitions to the King ; one for himselfe , that if he should be sent by the Commons to the King on a Message , and mistake their inten● , he might then with the Kings pleasure resort again to the Commons to know their meaning . The other , for the House of Commons , that if in communication and reasoning , any man should speake more largely then of duty he ought to do , yet all such offences should be pardoned , and that to be entred of Record . Which Petitions were granted , and then the Parliament began ; where at first a Subsidie was demanded , but as there was much adoe in the House of Commons about it , so there was no lesse amongst the Clergey in the Convocation House ; for Richard Bishop of Winchester , and Iohn Bishop of Rochester were much against it , but most of all , one Rowland Philips , Vicar of Croyden , and a Canon of Pauls , but the Cardinall taking him aside , dealt so with him , that he took him off , so as he came no more to the House● and then the Bel-weather ( as one saith ) giving over his hold , the rest soon yelded ; and so was granted the half of all their spiritual yeerly Revenues , to be paid in five yeers following . The Clergey being thus brought on , on the nine & twentieth of April , the Cardinall came into the House of Commons , to work them also ; and there shewing the great charges the King was necessarily to be at in his present Wars : demanded the sum of eight hundred thousand pounds , to be raised of the fifth part of every mans Goods and Lands , which was four shillings of every pound . This demand was enforced the day after by the Speaker Sir Thomas Moore ; but the Burgesses were all against it , shewing that it was not possible to have it gathered in money ; for that men of Lands had not the fifth part thereof in Coyne . And further alleadged , that there be not many parishes in England one with another , able to spare a hundred Marks , except Cities and Townes ; and seeing there were not above thirteen thousand Parishes in the Kingdome , ( at this day there are but 9285. ) how could such a summe be raised ? Hereupon certai●e of the House were sent to move the Cardinall , to be a meanes to the King to accept of a lesser summe , but the Cardinall answered , he would rather have his tongue plucked out of his mouth with a paire of Pinsors , then make to the King any such motion . Whereupon the Cardinall came again in●o the House , and desired that he might reason with them that were against the demand ; to which it was answered , that the order of that house was to heare , and not to reason , except amongst themselves . When the Cardinall was gone , the Commons after long debating the m●tter ; at last , agreed of two shillings in the pound , from twenty pounds upward , and from forty shillings , to twenty pounds ; of every twenty shillings , twelve pence , and under forty shillings , of every head of sixteene yeeres and upwards , foure pence , to be paid in two yeeres : when this was told to the Cardinall , he was much offended ; so that to please him , the Gentlemen of fifty pound Land and upward , by the motion of Sir Iohn Hussey , a Knight of Lincolneshire , were charged with twelve pence more in the pound , to be paid in three yeeres . The Cardinall to move them to it , bore them in hand , that the Lords had agreed to foure shillings of the pound ; which was untrue , for the Lords had granted nothing , but stayed to see what the Commons would doe ; whereof when the King heard , he reproved the Cardinall for it ; saying withall , that ere it were long he would looke to things himselfe , without any Substitute . Which speech of the Kings , though it da●ted the Cardinall for a while , yet he soone recovered his Spirits , and now as peremptory afterwards as he had been before . After this , the Parliament was prorogued till the tenth of Iune ; during with prorogation , the Common people said to the Burgesses , we heare say , you will grant foure shillings of the pound , we advise you ●o doe so , that you may goe home ; with many like threatnings . At this time , the Cardinall by his power Legant me , dissolved the Convocation at Pauls , convoked by the Archbishop of Canterbury , calling him and all the Clergy , to his Convocation at Westminster : which was never seene before in England ( saith Hall . ) The one and thirtieth of Iuly , the Parliament was adjourned to Westminster , and there continuing till the thirteenth of August , was that day at nine of the clock at night dissolved .

About this time , the Bishop of Durham died , and the King gave that Bishoprick to the Cardinall ; who resigned the Bishoprick of Bath to Doctor Iohn Clerke , Master of the Rolles , and Sir Henry Marney , that was Vice-chamberlain , was made Lord Privy Seale , and shortly after , was created Lord Marney : also during this Parliament , Sir Arthur Plantagenet , bastard sonne to King Edward the fourth at Bridewell , was created Vicount Lisle ; in right of his wife who was wise before to Edmund Dudley , Beheaded .

The fifteenth of Iune ; in the fifteenth yeere of the Kings Reigne , Christian King of Denmarke with his Queene ; driven out of his own Country , came into England , and was lodged at Bath place ; who after , he had been feasted by the King and by the Citty of London , and received great guifts of both , returned again into Flanders , where he remained as a banished man : some yeers after , King Henry sent Doctor Henry Standish , Bishop of Saint Assaph , and Sir Iohn Baker Knight , into Denmarke , to perswade the people to receive him againe into his Kingdome ; but they could not prevaile , he was so much hated for his cruelty .

About this time , the Earle of Kildare having recovered againe the favour of the Cardinall , was sent Deputy into Ireland , as he had bin before , where he reduced the wilde Irish to indifferent conformity . All this while had England warres both with the French and with the Scots . In Scotland the Marquesse of Dorset threw downe the Castles of Wederborne , of Nesgate , of Blackater , of Mackwals , and burnt to the number of seven and thirty Villages , yet never came to skirmish . In France , the Lord Sands , Treasurer of Callice , with twelve hundred men went before Bulloigne , where he skirmished with the Enemie ; and after taking divers Churches and Castles in the Enemies Countre● , returned backe to Callice , with the losse onely of a dozen men . King Henry being advertised that the Duke of Albanie was providing of Forces in France , with which to returne into Scotland , sent forth his Vice-admirall Sir William Fitz-williams , with divers great Shippes to intercept him ; but when he could not meet with him , he then landed in the Haven of Trepor● ; where with seaven hundred men , hee beat six thousand French that sought to impeach his landing , took their Bulworks and much Ordnance in them● burned the suburbs of the town of Treport , and all in five houres , and then returned .

All this while King Henry had but played with the French , but ●ow he means to be in earnest , and therefore sends over the Duke of Suffolk with an Army , the foure and twentieth of August ; attended with the Lord Montacute and his b●other Sir Arthur Poole , the Lord Herbert , sonne to the Earle of Worces●er , the Lord Ferrers , the Lord Marney , the Lord Sands , the Lord Barkley , the Lord ●owis , and the Baron Curson , Sir Richard Wink●●eld , Chauncellour of the Duchy of Lancaster , Sir Iohn Vere , Sir Edward Nevile , Sir William Kings●on , Sir Richard Weston , Sir Andrew Winsore , Sir Robert Winkfield , Sir Anthony , Winkfield , Sir Edward Guildford , Sir Edw: Grevile , Sir Edw: Chamberlaine , Sir Thomas Lucy , Sir Everard Digby , Sir Adrian Foskew , Sir Richard Cornwall , Sir William Courtney , Sir William Sidney , Sir Henry Owin , sand many other Knights and Gentlemen . In the whole Army were six hundred Demylaunces , two hundred Archers on Horsback , three thousand Archers on foo● , and five thousand Bilmen . Also seventeen hundred taken out of the Garrisons of Hammes , Guysnes , and Callice , in all , ten thousand and five hnndred , besides two thousand six hundred labourers and Pioners . With this Army the Duke of Suffolk took the field , his vauntguard was led by the Lord Sands ; Cap●aine of the right wing , was Sir William Kingston ; of the left , Sir Everard Digby , Captain of all the Horsmen was Sir Edward Guildford , Marshall of Callice ; the Duke himselfe led the Battaile , and Sir Richard Winkfield the Reareward . The Dukes first enterprise was the winning of Bell Castle , which the Lord Sands and the Lord Ferres assaulted , and had it yeelded to them : and then Sir William Skevington was placed Captaine in it . At this time , the Duke of Bourbon , high Constable of France , began to have his mind aliena●ed from the King of France , and ●o draw him the more on , the Duke of Suffolk sent Sir Iohn Russel ( afterward created Duke of Bedford ) to him , who passing in disguised apparell , so prevailed with him , that he professed to take part with the Emperour , and the King of England , who having ten thousand Almans in his pay : it was thought fit ( for encourag●ment of the English ) to proclaime in the Army , the accesse of so powerfull an assistant : and therupon the Duke of Suffolk removed to Ard , and so forward into Picardie . At Cordes between Terwyn and Saint Omers , there came to him the Lord of Isilst●yn , and with him of Spaniards , Almans and others , three thousand Foot-men , and five hundred Horse . With these forces , the Duke marching on , took first the rich Town of Anchor , then the Castle of Bounguard , and then by assault the Towne of Bray , though two thousand good men of war were in it . After this , the Towres of Cappe and Roy , Lihome and Davenker , and then came before ●he Towne of Mount-Dedyer , in which were a thousand foot and five hundred horse ; yet upon Sir William Skevingtons Batteries , was yeelded to him . From hence he removed to Roy , where he rested a while with hi● whole Army : and there on Alholland-day , in the chiefe Church of Roy , made Knights , the Lord Herbert , the Lord Powis , Oliver Manners , Arthur Poole , Richard Sands , Robert Ierningham , Robert Salisbury , Edward Beningfield , Richard Corbet , Thomas Wentworth , William Storton , Walter Mantel , George Warram and Edward Seymour ( that was after Duke of Somerset . ) The day after , the Army removed to a place called Neele , from thence to Veane , and then ●o Beauford , where the Duke made Iohn Dudley , and Robert Vtreight Knights , and from thence on the eighth of November to a place called Mount Saint Martin ; here the Welshmen began to murmure , that they might not returne home , the winter being so far spent ; but there was to the number of a thousand persons , under the leading of Sir Iohn Walloppe , who having no wages , but what they could got by booties , and were therefore called Adventurers , and by some Kreekers , and these had more desire to stay , then the Welshmen had to be gon ; for the great gaines they made , by the spoyles of so many Townes that were taken . The thirteenth of November , the Duke removed to a place within two miles of Boghan Castle , defended by great Marishes , that lay before it , but the frost being at that time so great that many lost their fingers and toes with cold , and some died ; Sir Edward Guildford acquainted the Duke , that he thought the marishes were hard enough frozen to beare great Ordnance ; whereupon , the Duke bid him venture it then and goe on , which he resolutely did , and had the Castle presently delivered up to him . In this meane time , the King hearing in what state the Army stood , had prepared six thousand men to be sent to the Duke for a reliefe , under the leading of the Lord Montjoy ; but before they could be put in order to passe the Sea , the Duke , partly by extremity of the weather , and partly by the murmuring of the Souldiers , was constrained to breake up his Army , and returne to C●llice .

In this meane time , the Scots knowing that the strength of England was gone into France , tooke boldnesse to invade the Marishes ; but then the Earle of Surrey , Treasurer and high Admirall of England , with six thousand men , being sent against them , tooke divers of their Castles and Holds ; and at Yedworth , skirmishing with a great Garrison of Scots , overthrew them , and tooke and burned both the Towne and Castle . And now the French King finding that the Scots did not worke any great trouble to the English , whereby to keepe them from molesting of France , and thinking it to be for want of the Duke of Albanies presence , whom they accounted their Governour ; he therefore prepared a Navie of Ships to transpo●t him into Scotland ; but when the Duke of Albany heard that Sir William Fitz-williams was sent with a great Fleet to stop his passage , he brought his Ships into the Haven of Brest , and gave it out that he would not goe into Scotland that yeere ; which being told to the King of England , he commanded that his Ships also should be laid up in Havens , till the next spring . And now see the cunning of the Scot ; for when he saw the Kings Ships discharged , he then boldly tooke shipping himselfe , and sailed into Sc●tland ; whither being come , he presently levied a great Army , and approached the English Borders ; but when he heard the Earle of Surrey was coming against him with a mighty power , he then sent a Her●uld to him● promising of his honour , to give him Battaile ; and if he tooke him prisoner , to give him good quarter . To whom the Earle answered , that he would not faile to abide his Battaile ; but if he tooke him prisoner , the quarter he would give him , should be to cut off hi● head , and send it for a Present to his Master the King of England . At this time , to the Earle of Surrey being at Alnewicke , came the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland , the Lords Clifford , Dacres , Lumley , Ogle and Darcye , with many Knights , Gentlemen and other Souldiers , to the number of forty ●housand ; and from the Court , came the Master of the Horse , Sir Ni●holas Carew , Sir Francis Bryan , Sir Edward Baynton , and others . The last of October , the Duke of Albonye sent two or three thousand men over the water to bes●edge the Castle of Warke ; who by battery of their Ordnance won the ou●ermost Ward , called the Barnekins ; and continuing their battery , won the second Ward ; but then Sir William Lisle , that was Captaine of the Castle , issuing forth with those few he had left , drove the Fr●nch-m●n from the place , and slew of them to the number of three hundred : a memorable service , and for which the Earle of Surrey afterwards gave him great thankes . The Earle would gladly have followed his enemies in●o their owne Borders , but that his Commission was onely to defend England , and not to invade Scotland . Shortly after the Quee●e of Scots , Mother to the King , sent to her Brother the King of England , for an abstinence from Warre , till a further communication might be had ; which being gra●●ed , the English Army brake up , and the Earle of Surrey returned to the Court.

And now for a while we must be co●●ent to heare of pet●y Occurrances , because greater did not happen ; which if it make us like the Story the worse , it may make us like the times the better ; seeing they are ever the best times that afford lest matter to be talked of : but this time will las● but a while ; for shortly we shall come to hear Occurrances , that have been matter of talk to this day , whereof the like have never scarce been seen , and will hardly be beleeved , when they are heard ; a Marriage dissolved after twenty yeeres co●summation ; houses built in Piety ; under pretence of Piety demolished ; a King made a captive● a Pope held a prisoner● Queenes taken out of love , put to death out of loathing ; and the Church it selfe so shaken , that it hath stood in distraction ever since .

At this time , the Emperou● Charles sent to the King of England two M●ses trapped in crimson Velvet , richly embridered ; also eleven goodly Je●its , trapped with russe● Velvet , richly wrought ; foure Speares and two Javelins of strange timber , and worke richly garnished ; and five brace of Greyho●nd● . To the Queene he sent two Mules richly trapped and high Chai●es after the Spanish fashion : which Presents were thankfully received both of the King and Queene .

At this time in the moneth of October , the Cardinall sent out Commissions , that every man being worth forty pounds , should pay the whole Subsedie before granted , out of hand ; which he called an Anticipation : which fine new word , he thought would make them pay their money the more willingly ; but they loved their money better then any words he could devise .

In this yeere the King sent the Lord Morley , Sir William Hussey , knight , and Doctor Lee his Almoner , to F●rdinand Archduke of Austria , with the Order of the Garter ; which he received in the towne of Norimberg , to his great contentment .

In this yeere , through Bookes of Prognosticat●ons , foreshewing much hurt to come by waters and ●●oods , many persons withdrew themselves to high grounds , for feare of drowning ; specially one Bolton , Prior of Sain● Barthol●mewes in Smithfield , builded him an House upon Harrow on the Hill , and thither wen● and made provision for two moneths . These great waters should have fallen in February , but no such thi●● happeni●g , the Astronomers excused themselves , by saying , that in the computa●ion they had miscounted in their number an hundred yeeres .

In this meane time , many enterpri●es were attempted , betweene the Englishmen of Callice , and Guy●●es , and the Frenchmen of Bulloigne , and the Fro●●tiers of Picard●● , and still Sir William Fitz Williams , Captaine of Guysnes , Sir Robert I●rningham , Captaine of Newnham Bridge , Sir Iohn Walloppe , and Sir Iohn Gage , were the men that did the French most hurt .

This yeere , the first of September , was Docter Thomas Hannibell Master of the Rolles , receaved into London , by Earles , Bishops , and diverse Lords and Gentlemen , as Embassadours from Pope Clement : who brought with him , a Rose of gold for a present to the King● & on the day of the Nativity of our Lad● after a solemne Masse sung by the Cardinall of Yorke , the said present was delivered to the King , which was a Tree forged of fine Gold , and with branches , leaves , and flowers resembling Roses .

About the beginning of Winter , the advent●rers called Kr●ekers , being not above two hundred ; and of them , five and twenty horsmen , made an attempt to fetch some booty from a Village not farre from Mattrell , wherof the Earle of D●mmartine having notice , he set upon them with a far greater number , and slew most of them , and this was the end of the Kreekers , as brave men as ever served any Prince .

In December this yeere , there came to London diverse Embassadours , out of Scotland , about a peace to be had● and a mariage to be concluded , between the King of Scots , and the Lady Mary daughter to the King of England .

At this time , the Lord Leonard Gray , and the Lord Iohn Gr●y , brothers to the Lord Marquesse Dorset , Sir George Cobham sonne to the Lord Cobham , Willia● Carye , Sir Iohn Dudley , Thomas Wyat , Francis Poynts , Francis Sid●●y , Sir Anthony Browne , Sir Edward Seymor , Oliver Manners , Percivall Hart , Sebasti●● Nudigat● , and Thomas Calen , Esquires of the Kings Household ; made a challenge of Arms against the Feast of Christmas , which was proclaimed by Windsor the Herauld , and performed at the time appointed very Nobly ; at Tilts , T●rneys , Barriars , and the assault of a Castle erected for that purpose , i● the Tilt-yard at Greenwich , where the King held his Christmas that yeer , with great State and magnificence .

About this time , Iohn Iokyn Steward of the Household to the French Kings Mothe● , came into England , and was received in secret man●er into the House of one Doctor Larke , a Prebrendary of Saint Stephens ; who oftentimes talked with the Cardinall , about a Peace to be concluded between the two Kings of ●ngland and France , of whose often meetings , Monsieur de Brate the Emperours Embassadour , grew very jealous . The four and twentieth of Ianuary , Monsie●r Brynion President of Roan , came to London as Embassadour from the French King , and was lodged with the said Iohn Iokyn , which small things should not be related , but that they were preparatives to great matters afterward .

On Sunday the fifth of March , were received into London Monsieur de Beuer Lo●d of Campher , Admirall of Flanders , Monsieur Iohn de la Coose President of 〈◊〉 , & Master Iohn de la Gache , as Embassadours from the Lady Margaret in the name of the Emperour , who required three things . First they demanded the Lady Mary the Kings only daughter , to be presently delivered , and she to be n●●ed Empresse , and as Governesse take possession of all the Low-Countryes . Secondly , that all such summes of money as the King should give with her in ma●riage , should be paid incontinently . Thirdly , that the King of England should passe the sea in person , and make Warre in France the next Summer . The ●●rst two demands were not agreed too for certaine causes ; and as to the third , the King said , he would take time to advize . On Thursday the ninth of March , a Gentleman came in Post from the Lady Margaret , with Letters signifying , that whereas the King of France had long lyen at the siege of Pavia ; he had now been forced to raise his siege , and was himselfe taken prisoner by th● Imperialests● for joy whereof , Bonfires and great Triumph was made in 〈◊〉 , and on the twentieth of March being Sunday , the King himselfe came to Pauls , and there heard a solemne Masse . But for all this shew of joy , it was thought if the King of France had not now been taken prisoner ; that the King of England would have joyned in amity with him , as being angry with the Fle●●●gs , for Inhau●●ing his Coyne in Flanders , which caused much money to be con●ayed out of England thither . The King of France being taken prisoner , was after some time convayed into Spaine , and at last brought to Madrill , where he ●ell so sicke , that the Physitians had little hope of his life , unlesse the Emperour would be pleased speedily to visit him ; upon whose visitation he recovered his health , though not presently his strength . In which time , many propositions were made for his delivery , but the Emperour would accept of ●one , without restitution of the Dutchy of Burgoigne . At last , the French King weary of imprisonment , and longing for liberty , was content to agree to any conditions● the chiefe whereof were , that the French King by a certaine day should be set at liberty , and within six weeks after should resigne to the Emperour the Dutchy of Burgoigne , with all Members pertayning to it ; and at the ●ame ●●stant , should put into the Emperours hands , the Dolphyn of France , ●nd with him , either the Duke of Orleance his second sonne : or else twelve pri●cipall Lords of France , whom the Emperour should name ; and that there should be between them a League and perpet●all co●federation fo● defence of their estates . Of whose attonement when King Henry heard , as before he had expressed gladnesse , that he was taken prisoner , so now he sent Sir Thomas Cheiney to him , to expresse his joy for being set at liberty ; so suddaine is the enterchange of love and hate amongst great Princes . The French King being thus delivered , the Emperour married the Lady Isabel , Daughter to Emanuel King of Portingal ; and ●ad with her in Dower eleven hundred thousand Ducke●s● though three yeers before being at Windsor , he had covenanted to take to wife the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter .

At this time Cardinall Woolsey obtained licence of the King to erect a Colledge at Oxford , and another at Ipswich ; and towards the charge of them , got leave also , to suppresse certaine small Monasteries , to the number of forty ; and after , got a confirmation of the Pope , that he might imploy the Goods and Lands belonging to those Houses , to the maintenance of those two Colledges ; a perni●ious president , and that which made the King a way afterward , to make a generall suppression of all religio●s Houses , though indeed there be great difference between converting of Monestaries into Colledges , and utter subverting them .

In March King Henry sent Cuthert Tunstall Bishop of London , and Sir Richard Winkfield Chancelour of the Du●chy of Lanc●ster into Spaine , to conferre with the Emperour , about matters of great importance , and particularly about Warre to be made in France , and yet were these two Princes at this time in League : but he that shall observe the carriage of these three Princes towards one another , and how convertible their Leagues were into Warre , and their Warre into Peace ; shall finde it a strange Riddle of Ragion di stat● , and their Leagues to have been but meere complements , where the skale was turned with the least graine of a circumstance ; and though they were bound by Oath , yet that Oath made the Leagues but little the firmer , seeing the League might be broken , and yet the Oath kept : for while one gave the occasion , and the other took it , though they were both accessaries , yet neither was principall ; and where there is not a principall , the Oath remains inviolate . And upon those Hinges did the friend-ship of these Princes turne , as at this time ; the Emperour , though not long before , he had parted with the King of England , in the greatest kindnesse that could be ; yet gave not the English Embassadours so kinde entertainment now , as he had formerly done ; but for what cause was not apparent , unlesse upon some sinister report made to him , by Monsieur de Prate ; who having been his Ligier with the King of England , was without taking leave of the King departed , and come to the Emperour before the English Embassadours came .

But howsoever , King Henry being determined to make Warre in France himselfe in person , his Councell fell into consideration how the charge of the Warre should be maintained : which care the Cardinall takes upon him ; and thereupon appoints Commissioners in all Shiers , to sit and draw the people to pay the sixth part of every mans substance , in plate or money : but the people opposed it , alleadging that it was against the Law of the Realme , for any man to be charged with such payments , unlesse by Parliament : and as the Cardinall continued to presse it , so the people continued to denye it ; and when some for denying it were committed to prison , the Commons in many Countryes , made great assemblies for their defence : the report whereof at last came to the King , who thereupon came to Westminster and protested openly , that it was done without his knowledge , and that it was never his meaning , to ask any thing of his Subjects but according to Law : and therefore desired to know by whose Authority it was done . Here the Cardinall excused himselfe and said , that it was the opinion of all the Judges , and of all his Councell , tha● he might Lawfully demand any summe , so it were done by Commission , and thereupon it was done . But the King liked not to take advantage of a distinction to draw money from his Subjects ; and thereupon gave warning for doing any such thing hereafter : and signified so much by his Letters into all the Shiers of England giving also a generall pardon to all that had offered to rise upon it ; which though he did of his owne free grace , yet the Cardinall to win a good opinion in the Commons , gave out , that it was by his meanes the King granted the pardon .

King Henries seventeenth yeer , was honoured with the advancing of many in honour , for on the eighteenth of Iune , at his Pallace of Bridewell , the Kings sonne ( which he had by Elizibeth Blunt daughter to Sir Iohn Blunt Knight ) called Henry Fitz-Roy , was created first Earl of Nottingham , and after on the same day Duke of Richmond and Somerset , Henry Courtney Earle of Devonshire was created Marquis of Excetur , the Lord Brandon , sonne to the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene ( a child of two yeers old ) was created Earle of Lincolne , Sir Thomas Manners Lord Rosse , was created Earle of Rutland , Sir Henry Clifford , was created Earle of Cunberland , Sir Robert Ratcliffe Lord Fitz-Water , was created Viscount Fitz-Water , and Sir Thomas Bullen Treasurer of the Kings Houshold , was created Viscount Roch●ord .

At this time the French Kings mother , as then Regent of France , procured by her Embassadours , at first a Truce , and afterward a peace with England , which was proclaimed in London , the eighth of September . By the covenants of which peace , the King of England should receive at certaine dayes , twenty hundred thousand Crowns , which in sterling money amounted to the summe of foure hundred thousand pound ; whereof fifty thousand was to be paid in hand . Sir William Fitz-Williams and Doctor Talour , was sent to the Lady Regent , to take her corporall oath , and likewise King Henry the foure and twentieth of Aprill , at Greenwich , in presence of the Embassadours of France , Rome and Venice , tooke his corporall oath , to observe the peace betweene him , and his loving brother the French King , during his life , and one yeer after .

In this winter was great mortality in London , so as the Terme was adjourned , and the King kept his Christmas at Eltham , with a small number , and was therfore called the still Christmas . At which time , the Cardinall comming to the Court , took order for altering the state of the Kings House : many officers and other servants were discharged , and put to their pensions , in which number were foure score and foure Yeomen of the Guard : who before having had twelve pence the day with check , were now allowed but six pence the day without check , and commanded to goe into their Countries .

On Shrovetuesday this yeere , a solemne Justs was held at Greenwich , the King and eleven other on the one part , the Marques of Excetur and eleven other of the other part .

In his nineteenth yeer , King Henry kept a solemne Christmas at Greenwich , with Revels , Maskes , disguisings , and Banquets , and the thirtieth of December and third of Ianuary were solemne ●usts holden , when at night the King and fifteen other with him , came to Bridewel , and there putting on masking apparel , took his Barge , and rowed to the Cardinalls place , where were at supper many Lords and Ladyes , who da●ced with the maskers , and after the dancing was made a great Banquet . This Christmas was a play at Grayes-Inne , made by one Master Roe a Sergiant at Law , the effect whereof was , that Lord Gouvernance was ruled by dissipation and negligence , by whose evill order Lady Publick-Weale was put from governance . This the Cardinall took to be meant by him , and therupon se●t the said Master Roe to the Fleet , though the Play were made long before the Cardinall had any authority : by which we may see how inseperable a companion suspition is to a guilty conscience .

The fourteenth of Ianuary came to the Court Don Hugo de Mendoza , a Grande of Spaine , as Embassadours from the Emperour to the King , with a large commission , to make King Henry Judge ; how just the conditions were , which the Emperour required of the King of France , and about this negotiation ●arried two yeers in England , so desirous the Emperour was to continue good correspondence with the King of England .

On Shrovetuesday the King and the Maquesse of Excester with others , in most sumptuous attire came to the Tilt , and ran so many courses , till two hundred fourescore and six Speares were broken ; and then disarming themselves went into the Queenes Chamber , where a sumptuous Banquet was provided . But this Banquet was one of the last of the Queenes preparing ; for hitherto there had been no exception taken to the lawfulnesse of her marriage , but now came over Embassadours from the King of France , requiring to have the Kings Daughter the Lady Mary , to be given in marriage to the Duke of Orleance second Sonne to their Master the French King , wherein they that were the suitors for it , were the hinderers of it ; for amongst them was the President of Paris , who made a doubt , whither the marriage betweene King Henry and the Lady Katherin of Spaine , having been his Borthers wife , were lawfull or no : But howsoever , the French Embassadours at Greenwich on Sunday the fifth of May , in the name of their Master the French King , took their O●thes to observe the League concluded betweene them during their lives . And shortly after were sent Sir Thomas Bullen Viscount Rochford , and Sir Anthony Browne Knight , as Embassadours to the King of France , to take his Oath in person for performance of the League .

But enough of small Occurrances , and indeed there will be Occurrances now more worthy to be related , but more lamentable to be heard ; for now the Duke of Bourbon Generall of the Emperours Army in Italie , was slaine by a shot from the Walls of Rome , as he was passing by ; upon whose death , the Army entred and sacked the City , made the Pope flye to the Castle of Saint Ang●lo , and there cooped him up ; abused the Cardinals , and put them to grievous ransomes , spared neither Sacred places , nor Religious persons , but commit●ed all manner of barbarous and inhumaine cruelty . These insolencies of the Emperours Army committed against the Pope ; ●ogether with the hard conditions the Emperour had imposed upon the King of France , for setting him at liberty ; and the Emperours breach of promise , in not marrying the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter , were the apparent causes of King Henries breaking League with the Emperour Charles : but a more enforcing though concealed cause perhaps was the growing greatnesse of the Emperour , by his acquests in Italie and other places ; enough to breed a jealousie in all neighbouring Princes ; and indeed King Henry had some cause to thinke the Emperours spirits were grown higher with his Victories , seeing where before he was wont alwayes to write letters to King Henry with his own hand , and subscribe them , your son and faithfull friend , now after his Victories in Italie , he caused his Secretaries to write them , subscribing only Charles . And yet a more pressing cause though not avowed , might be the Cardinalls spleene against the Emperour , for denying him the Bishopricke of Toledo in Spaine . But which soever of these was the predominant cause , all of them together made a cause sufficient for King He●ry to fall off from amity with the Emperour ; and his falling off from the Empe●our , cause sufficient ●o fall in with the King of France : and thereupon , the two Kings send their severall Heraulds to the Emperour : King Henry Clarentiu● , the French King his Herauld Guyen , to expostulate their grievances with the Emperour , and he refusing to returne a satisfactory answer , to defi● him as their enemy . The Emperour heard the Heraulds with great temper , and answered Clarentius very mildely ; that he knew his Masters grievance was grounded upon misinformation , wherein he would shortly rectifie him by his Letters , as desiring nothing more then to continue his friend ; but ●uyen hee answered rougly , bidding him tell his Master that he had broken his faith , in not performing the Covenants agreed upon for his liberty ; and with these answers dismissed them , only Guyen not thinking it fit to deliver his answer , being in such termes by word of mouth , obtained to have it sent in writing . The Heraulds being returned home , and delivering the answers ; the King of France was so incensed , to be charged with breach of faith , that soone after he sent another defiance to the Emperour , telling him in plaine tearmes , that he lyed in his throat ; and thereupon challenged him the Combate , requiring him to appoint the field , and himselfe would the weapons . The Emperour accepted the chalenge , but other occurrances intervening , hindred the performance .

In this meane time , the Cardinall was appointed to go Embassadour to the King of France ; carrying with him twelve score thousand pounds , to be employed by the French King , and other the confederates ; in a Warre against the Emperour , who the eleventh of Iuly took shipping at Dover , and landed that day at Callice ; with whom was Cut●ert Tuns●all Bishop of London , the Lord Sands Chamberlaine to the King , the Earle of Derby , Sir Henry Guild●ord , Sir Thomas Moore , with other Knights and Gentlemen , in all to the number of twelve hundred horse . At Amynes he was received by the French King himselfe , and by his Mother , and by all the chiefe Peers of France . By whom it was agreed , that Articles of Accord should be offered to the Emperour ; which if he refused , then the French King should marry the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter , and they both to be enemies to the Emperour . These things concluded , the Cardinall returned , and on the last of September came to the King at Richmond . In October following , there came Embassadours from the French King , to take King Henries Oath , for obseruing the League with the King of France : and on Sunday the tenth of November , King Henry at Greenwich received the Order of Saint Michael , by the hands of the Lord Ann●s de Memorancye great Master of the Kings Household ; and Monsieur Humieres : as likewise the same day at Paris the French King received the Order of the Garter by the hands of the Lord Li●le , Doctor Taylor Master of the Roles , Sir Nicholas Carew Master of the Kings horse , Sir Anthony Browne and Sir Thomas Wriothslye Knight , otherwise called Garter king of Armes , who were sent thither with the whole Habit , Coller and other habiliments of the Order .

Upon King Henries defiance of the Emperour in the French Kings quarrell , English Merchant● their ships and goods were attached in Spaine , and in the Low Countries , as likewise all Spanish & Flemish Merchants were attached here ; which being very detrimentall to both Nations ; at last , by mediation of Hugo de Mendoza , the Emperours Embassadour Legier , a reconcilement was made , and free traffique betweene the Nations was revived .

In this twentieth yeer , on the two and twentieth of February : Sir Piers Butler of Ireland , was created Earl of Oscry . And now King Henry began to be troubled in mind about his marriage with Queen Katherin , but whether his trouble of minde grew for scruple of conscience , or from desire of change , was by many men doubted ; some thought he had set his affection upon the Lady Anne Bullen whom afterward he maried , and to make way for that mariage , moved his scruple , that he might be divorced ; but this is not likely , for he maried not the said Lady , til above three yeers after this doubt had bin moved ; and three yeers was a long time to have affection be delaid , which comonly is impatient of any delay : if King Henries own protestation may be taken , it was very scruple of conscience that troubled his mind ; but then by what meanes this scruple came first into his ●ead , is another doubt ; some thought it was first moved by his confessor , Doctor Longland telling him , that the mariage with the relict of his Brother , could not be lawful ; but neither is this likely , for Doctor Longland was not like to tel him so , who knew the mariage had been made by dispensation from the Pope , an authority in that time beyond exception ; some thought it was a plot of Woolseis , thereby to make variance between King Henry and the Emperour , with whom he was at varience himself , and for spleen to the Nephew , he revenged upon the Aunt ; but neither is this likely● or els the Cardinall was much deceived in his plo● ; for though the Emperor laboured Milan and some other Vniversities , to forbeare giving sentence against the mariage , yet he continued amity with King Henry , as much afterward as before ; if we wil beleeve the King himself , it was the President of Paris , comming Embassadour from the King of France , that ●irst moved it , upon a proposition of mariage betweene the Lady Mary , King Henries daughter , and the Duke of Orleance , second sonne to the French King : but by what meanes his scruple had beginning , King Henries desire was now it should have an ending , and that the matter might be debated with indifferency ; he allowed the Queene to make choyce of what councell she thought best ; who thereupon chose William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury , and Nicholas West Bishop of Elye , Doctors of the Law ; Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester , and Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph , Doctors of Divinity , with many other ; and in the mean time , sent to all the Vniversities in Italie & France to have their opinions , but specially to the Court of Rome , desiring the Pope ●o send his Legat to hear the cause ; who thereupon sent Cardinall ●ampeius , and joyned Cardinall Woolsey in Commission with him . The place appointed for the Cardinalls to sit and to heare the cause , was at the Black-friers : where in the great Hall preparation was made of seats , and all things necessary for such a session . Amongst other Officers of the Court , Stephen Gardiner ( afterward Bishop of Winchester ) ●ate as chiefe scribe . The Court being set , the Judges comm●nded silence , whilst their Commission was read ; which done , the Scribes commanded the Cryer to call the King , by the name of King Henry of England , come into the Court ; who answered , Here : then called he the Queen , by the name of Katherine Queen of England , come into the Court : the Queen though present , yet answered not , but rising from her seat , went to the place where the King sat , and kneeling down , said in effect ; Sir , I humbly desire you to take pity upon me , for I am a poor woman & a stranger , & have here no indifferent Councel , where all are your Subjects , and lesse assurance of friendship when they all depend upon your favour ; I have bin your wife these twenty yeers , and have borne you divers children , if you can charge me with dishonesty or undutifulnesse , I am content to depart from you to my shame ; but if you cannot , I then desire you to do me justice , and to spare me untill I may know what councel my friends in Spain will give me ; but if you will not , then your pleasure be fulfilled : and having so said , she rose up , and making a low cursie , departed . The King being advertised that she was going out of the House , commanded the Cryar to call her again ; who there upon called her , saying , Katherine Queen of England come into the Court , which her Gentleman-usher Master Griffith hearing , told her , Madam , you are called ; wel ( said she ) it makes no matter , I will not tarry , go your way : and thus she departed , and never after would appear in any Court , but appealed from the Cardinals to the Pope himselfe . The Queen being gone , the King said , I confesse she hath bin to me , the most dutifull and loving wife , that ever Prince had ; and if it were ●ot for this scruple of my conscience , I would not leave her for any woman living : and having now referred the judgement of the cause to these Commissioners , I should be most glad they could finde the marriage between us to be in such sort lawfull , that with obedience to the Law of God , we might continue together ; for I take God to witnesse , there is nothing I more desire . This said , the King rose , and the Court was adjourned to another day ; for notwithstanding the Queens Appeal ( from which she would by no meanes be drawn ) the Cardinals continued their Session weekly , & heard all of both sides : the Point that was chiefly stood on , was , whether Prince Arthur had ever had carnall knowledg of her , or no ; the Kings Councell alleadged , he had , and proved it ; first , by Prince Arthurs speech , the nex● morning after his mariage , that ●e had bin that night in the midst of Spain ; and then by the words of the last Dispensation , Vel forsan Cognitam : the Queens Advocates alleadged the contrary ; appealing to the Kings owne conscience ; whom the Queene charged that he knew her to be a Virgin when he married her ; ( though , to say the truth , i● were strange , Prince Arthur and she having lyen five moneth together , and hee no lesse then almost sixteene yeeres old . ) But whilest Arguments were thus urged on both sides , and no certainty could appeare ; the King sent the two Cardinals to the Queene , lying then in Bridewell , to perswade her , she should submit her selfe to the Kings pleasure , and not stand so peremptorily to her Appeale . The Cardinals coming to her found her at work amongst her Maids , with a skaine of white thred about her necke : who having heard their message , answered , That in all other things she would willingly submit her selfe to the Kings will , but in this which concerned her honesty , and the legitimatenesse of her children , she durst not , but would relye upon the wisdom and pietie of both their Fathers , who ( she knew ) would never have assented to the marriage , if there had bin the least scruple of unlawfulnesse in it ; and othe● answer she would not give . Upon their returne to the King , when he perceived she could not be removed from her opinion ; he commanded the Court to goe on ; so that at last it came to judgement , which every man expected should be the next day . At which day the King came thither ( but in so secret manner that he might heare and not be seene ) where the Kings Councell at the Barre calling for Judgement ; Cardinall Campeius , as being chiefe Commissioner , stood up and said ; I finde the case very doubtfull , and the party Defendant standing to her Appeale , I will therefore give no Judgement , till I have conferred with the Pope ; and therefore I adjour●e the Court for this time , according to the order of the Court of Rome , which heares no Causes judicially from the last of Iuly till the fourth of October ; at which protraction of time , King Henry was not a little angry , and the Duke of Suffolk being present , in a great rage said ; it was never merry in England , since we had Cardinals amongst us . Soon after this , the Cardinall tooke his leave of the King , and returned to Rome : he was indeed commanded so to doe by the Pope , who would else most willingly have gratified King Hen●y , that had bestowed upon him the Bishoprick of Salisbury . Whilst these things were in acting , Cardinall Woolsey had an inkling of the Kings affection to Anne Bullen , daughter of the Viscount Rochford ; and that the Divorce once passed , he ment to marry her ; which Match , because for many reasons , he misliked ; one perhaps , because she was a Lutheran , he sent privily to the Pope , that by no means he should give sentence for the Divorce , till he had framed the Kings minde another way ; for his desire was , that the King should marry the Dutchesse of Alanson , the French Kings sister . This packing of Woolsey was not so closely carried , but that it soone came to the Kings knowledge ; and the King finding him a rubbe in his way , whom he expected to have expedited his proceeding , began to thinke it necessary to remove him , and to take him off from that greatnesse which had made him so presuming ; and indeed he made short worke with him ; for soone after he sent the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke to him for the Seale , which yet he would not deliver to them , till they brought him a Warrant under the Kings owne hand . When the Seale was brought to the King , he delivered it to Sir Thomas Moore , Speaker then of the Parliament ( the first Lay-man that bore that Office in any memory ; ) and in his roome was chosen Speaker Thomas Audley , Attourney of the Dutchie . Woolsey now removed from his Chauncellourship ; was in the Parliament then holden , charged with points of treason ; but that charge was so cleerely taken off by his servant Thomas Cromwell , who was then of the House , that the Cardinall was acquitted , to the great commendation of Cromwell , both for abilities in himselfe , and faithfulnesse to his Master .

After this , the King being informed , that all those things which the Cardinall had done by his power Legantine , were within the case of Praemenire ; he caused his Attourney Christopher Hales to sue out a Praemunire against him ; and thereupon the two Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke were sent unto him , to let him know , the Kings pleasure was , he should goe to Asher , a House neere to Hampton-Court , belonging to his Bishopricke of Winchester , and there to reside : whereupon , the Cardinall having first delivered up all his Moveables to the Kings use ; ( the greatest store and richest that was ever knowne of any Subject ) went presently to Putney by water , and from thence rode to Asher , where he and his Family continued three or ●oure weekes , without either Bed , Sheetes , Table-loathes or Dishes to eat their meat in , or money wherewith to buy any , but what he was forced to borrow of the Bishop of Carlile . After this , his matter for the Praemunire being called upon in the Kings Bench , his two Atturnies confessed the Action , and thereupon had Judgement to forfeit all his Lands and Goods , and to be out of the Kings protection ; but the King of his clemency , sent him a sufficient Protection , and left him the Bishopricks of Yorke and Winchester , with Plate and stuffe convenient for his dignity . His Bishopricke of Duresme was given to Doctor Tunstall , Bishop of London ; his Abbey of Saint Albans to the Prior of Norwich , and the Bishopricke of London to Doctor Stokestey , Embassadour then beyond the Seas .

In this meane while , Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy , aunt to the Emperour , and the Lady Loyis Dutchesse of Angoulesme , Mother to the French King , met at Cambray to treat of a Peace between the Emperor , the Pope and the Kings of England and France , where were present Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London , and Sir Thomas Moore , then Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster , Commissioners for the King of England : after long debating , through the diligence of the said Ladies , a Peace was concluded ; and was thereof called , The Womans Peace ; and was indeed as fickle as women , for it was soone broken , and neither of the Princes trusted the other ere the more for it .

King Henry before this time had beene wholly ruled by the Cardinall and by the Clergie , but now growing sensible of that errour , he called his high Cour● of Parliament ; in which the Commons complained sharply of their grievances against the Clergie , specially in six things .

The first , for that they exacted unreasonable summes of money , as due fees , for the probate of mens last Wils and Testaments : in so much , that Sir Henry Guildford Knight of the Garter , and Comptroller of the Kings House declared openly , that he and others being Executers to Sir William Compton ; payed for the pro●ate of his Will to the Cardinall , and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand markes . The second , the extreame exaction , which spirituall men used in taking of corps , or mortuaries . The third , that spirituall men became Farmours of great Granges and Farmes : to the prejudice of Husbandmen and Graziers . The fourth , because many Abbots , Pryors , and other spirituall men , kept Tan-houses , and bought and sold wooll , cloath , and other wares , as temporall Merchants . The fifth , because such Clergy men as had the best livings , would take the uttermost of their right , and yet live in the Court or in Noble mens or Bishops houses , where they spent nothing . The sixth , because diverse ignorant men amongst them , held ten or twelve Benifices to themselves severally , and yet lived not upon any one of them , but kept great schollers at small pension .

These things before this time might not be touched , because the Bishops were Chancelours , and had all the rule about the King : but now the King looking better into ●he matter , gave way to these complaints : whereupon the Burgesses drew up three Bils ; one of the probate of Testaments , another for Mortuaries : and the third , for Non-residence , pluralities , and taking of farmes by spirituall men . The bill of Mortuaries , passed first the House of Commons , and was sent up to the Lords : within two dayes after , was sent up the Bill of probate of Testaments , at which the Archbishop of Canterbury , and a●l the Bishops much frowned , but specially Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester who rose up and said ; my Lords , you see what Bills come dayly from the Common House , and all is to the destruction of the Church , for Gods sake , consider what a realme Bohemia was , and when the Church went downe , then fell the glory of that Kingdome . Now with our Commons is nothing but downe with the Church ; and all this mee seemeth , is for lacke of faith onely . When these words were reported to the House of Commons , they tooke the matter very hainously , and thereupon sent their sp●aker Thomas Audeley , with thirty of the House , to the King , complayning what a dishonour to the King and to the whole Realme it was to say , that they which were elected for the wisest men of all Shires , should be charged to lack faith , which was all one as to say , they were Infidels and no Chrystians , so as what Acts or Laws soever they made should be taken as Laws made by Paynims and Heathen , and not worthy to be kept by Christian men . And therfore humbly besought his Majesty , to call the said Bishop of Rochester before him , to give accompt of the words he had spoken . Wherupon within few daies after , the King sent for the Bishop , and acquainted him with the Commons complaint against him ; who excused himselfe , by saying he meant the doings of the Bohemians was for lack of faith , and not the doings of the House of Commons ; of which excuse , the King sent word to the House by Sir William Fitz-Williams Treasurer of his houshold , but it pleased the Commons nothing at all . After divers meetings between the Lords and the Commons , about the Bils of probate of Testaments and Mortuaries , the temporalty laid to the spiritualty their owne lawes and constitutions , and the spiritualty defended them , by prescription and usage ; to whom a Gentleman of Grays-Inne made this answer , the usage hath ever been of theeves , to robbe on shooters hill ; is it therefore lawfull ? whilst these Bils were in debate , an Act was passed , which released to the King all such summes of money as he had borrowed at the Loane , in the fifteenth yeere of his Reigne ; which Bill at first was much opposed , but the most part of the House being the Kings servants , it was at last assented to , which once knowne in the Country abroad , made much murmering , and the Parliament to be ill spoken of ; for every man counted it as a sure debt , so as some made their Wils of the money , and some turned it over in satisfaction to their creditours . To qualifie which grievance , the King granted a generall pardon for all offences ( certaine excepted ) and was a meanes also to have the three Bils passed ; one for probate of Testaments , another for Mortuaries ; and the third , against plurality of Benefices ; Non-residence , buying and taking of farmes by spiritual persons , though this last with some qualifying .

During this Parliament , the King created Viscount Rochford , Earl of Wiltshire , the Vicount Fitz-Water Earle of Sussex , and the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington .

By this time , the Lords of the upper House , had drawne certaine Articles against the Cardinall , and sent them downe to the House of Commons , the chiefe wherof were these .

First , that without the Kings assent , he hath procured himselfe to be made a Legat , by reason whereof he tooke away the right of all Bishops and spirituall persons . Secondly , that in all his writings which he wrote to Rome , or to any foraign Prince he wrote Ego et Rex meus , I and my King ; so preferring himselfe before the King . Thirdly , that without the Kings assent , hee carried the great Seale of England with him into Flanders . Fourthly , that having the French-pox , he presumed to come and breath upon the King . Fifthly , that he caused the Cardinals-hat to be put upon the Kings Coyne . Sixthly , that he would not suffer the Kings Clerke of the Market to sit at Saint Albanes . Seventhly , that he had sent infinite store of treasure to Rome , for purchasing of his dignity .

These Articles were read in the House , and if not otherwise proved , yet confessed afterward under the Cardinals owne hand , which added to the former Praemunire ; all his Lands and goods were seized on to the Kings use .

This Parliament being ended , the King removed to Greenwich , and there kept his Christmas with his Queene Katherine in great state ; for though this matter of making void the marriage between them , was hotly pursued by the King ; yet abstaining onely from her bed , he conversed with her still , and they kept Court together , in as loving manner as they had done before . And now King Henry understanding that the Pope and the Emperour was to meet at Bologna , he sent Embassadours thither , the Earle of Wiltshire , Doctor Stokesley Elect of London , and Doctor Lee , to declare both to the Pope and to the Emperour , the opinions of divers learned men in the matter of his Marriage ; who all agreed that it was against the Law of God ; and thereupon requiring the Pope to doe him Justice ; and shewing to the Emperour , that the King moved this matter for discharge of his Conscience onely , and to no other end . To which the Pope answered , that when he came to Rome , he would heare the matter disputed , and doe the King right . The Emperour answered , that he would in no case be against the Law of God , and if this marriage were Judged such by the Court of Rome , he would rest contented : with these Answers the Embassadours returned .

It was now the two and twentieth yeere of King Henries reigne , when the Emperour gave to the Master of Saint Iohns of Hierusalem the Island of Maltas , in supplying of the Island of Rodes , which the Turke sometime before had won from that Order .

In this yeere , the New Testament having beene Translated into English , by Tindall , Ioy , and others , was forbidden to be read ; and many for reading it , were sharply punished by command of the Bishops and Sir Thomas Moore then Lord Chancellour ; but none was more violent in the matter then the Bishop of London , who caused all the Bookes to be brought into Pauls Church-yard , and there burned .

King Henry having heard by good information , that when Campeius was sent Legat into England , he had brought with him a Bull of Di●orce ; but was afterward upon change of the Popes mind , commanded to burne it ; saw plainly by this , that the Pope had no meaning of proceeding really in the matter , but to keepe it a foot for his owne ends ; neither to displease the Empour by granting it , nor King Henry by not granting it , but promising expedition to keepe him in expectance ; yet using delayes to keepe him in dependance ; and therefore resolved now to take such a course , that he should not need to care whether the Pope granted it or no ; and thereupon caused a Proclamation to be published , that no person of what estate or condition soever should Purchase , or attempt to purchase from the Court of Rome , any thing prejudiciall to the Jurisdiction , or Prerogative of this his Realme , upon paine of imprisonment , and other punishments at his Graces pleasure ; and shortly after an Act was made , that Bishops should pay no more Annats , or money for Buls to the Pope ; for as much as it was proved , there had been paid for Bulls of Bishops , since the fourth yeere of King Henry the seventh , an hundred and threescore thousand pounds , besides what had been paid for Pardons and other dispensations . Another Act was then also made , that no person , should appeale for any cause , out of this Realme to the Court of Rome , but from the Commissary to the Bishop , and from the Bishop to the Archbishop , and from the Archbishop to the King : and all Causes of the King , to be tried in the upper House of the Convocation .

At this time , the Cardinall lying still at Asher , and his Adversaries doubting l●ast lying so neare the King , he might one time or other get accesse to the Kings presence , and come againe into favour ; they using meanes to have him sent further off , and thereupon the King appointed him to goe to his Diocesse of Yorke , and not to come Southward without speciall licence , whereupon in Lent he made great preparation for his journey , and having in his train to the number of an hundred and threescore persons : by easie journeyes came to Peterborrow , and there kept his Easter ; the weeke after he went to Stamford then to Newark , and so to Southwell , where he continued most part of all that summer : and then rode to Seroby , where he staid till Michaelmas and then came to Cawood Castle , within seaven miles of Yorke where he kept a plentifull house for al commers : and repaired the Castle , being greatly in decay , having above three hundred Artificers in daily wages . At last , he determined to be installed at Yorke , the next Munday after Alhallan-day ; against which time great preparation was made , and the Cardinall sent to the King , to lend him the Miter and Pall , which he used to wear at any great solemnity . At which p●esumption the King marvailed not a little ; saying to those that were about him , what a thing is this , that pride should thus reigne in a man that is quite under foot ? but before the day of Instalment came ; he was arrested in this manner ; Sir Walter Walsh one of the Kings Privy-chamber , was sent downe to the Earl● of Northumberland , with whom he was joyned in Commission to arrest the Cardinall ; whereupon they goe together to Cawood , where the Cardinall lay : and being entred into the house , it was told the Cardinall , that the Earle of Northumberland was come , and in the Hall ; then ( quoth the Cardinall ) I am sorry wee have dined , for I doubt our Officers are not provided of any good cheere . With that , he went and brought the Earle up , welcomming him in a complementall manner , as if he had come but onely to visit him : but being come into the Chamber , the Earle with a soft voyce , laying his hand upon the Cardinals arme , said ; My Lord , I arrest you of high treason : the Cardinall somewhat astonied , asked to see his Commission , which the Earle denying to shew ; then ( saith the Cardinall ) I will not obey your arrest ; at that instant Master Walsh came in , and kneeled downe to the Cardinall ; who asked him if he were joyned in Commission with the Earle ; who answered , he was● well then , said the Cardinall , I trow you are one of the Kings Privie Chamber , your name is Walsh ; I am content to yeeld to you , but not to my Lord of Northumberland , unlesse I see his Commission : the meanest of the Kings Privie-chamber is sufficient to arrest the greatest Peere of the Realme , by the Kings commandement , without any Commission . Then the Earle took the Cardinals keyes from him , and put him in custody of his Gentlemen : some few dayes after , he was conveyed from Cawood to Pomfret , and after to Sheffield Parke , where he had kinde entertainment , and staid with the Earle of Shrewsbury and his Lady eighteene dayes ; till at last sitting one day at dinner , his colour was observed to change , and being asked how he did ; not well ( saith he ) I have something suddenly at my stomacke , as cold as a whetstone , which I know is winde ; I desire to have something from the Apothecary , to breake winde ; which was brought , and the Earle seeing the say taken , he tooke it , and thereupon broke winde indeed ; but whether it were he tooke it in too great a quantity , or that there was some foule play used , he fell soone after into such a loosenesse , that the night following he had above fifty stooles ; yet the next day he rode to Nottingham , and the day after to Leicester Abbey ; being so sicke by the way , that he was ready to fall off his Mule ; comming to the Abby gates , the Abbot with all the Covent met him ; to whom he said , Father Abbot , I am come hither to lay my bones among you ; and then was led up into his chamber , and went to bed ; where growing sicker and sicker ; the next morning Master Kingston Lie●tenant of the Tower , who had beene sent to bring him up , comming to him , and a●king him how he did ; I doe but tarry ( saith he ) the pleasure of God , to render up my poore soule into his hands ; for this is my case , I have a flux with a continuall feaver , the nature whereof is , that if there be no amendment within eight dayes , either excoriation of the entrailes will ensue , or frenzie , or else present death ; and the best of them is death ; and ( as I suppose ) this is the eight day . Sir ( said Master Kingston ) you are afraid of that you have no cause ; for I assure you , the King commanded me to say unto you , that you should be of good cheere , for that he beareth you as much good will as ever he did ; No , no ( Master Kingston ) said the Cardinall , I see how it is framed ; but if I had served God as diligently as I have done the King , he would not have given me over in my gray hayres ; but it is a just reward for my study to doe him service , not regarding the service of God , to doe him pleasure ; and having so said , his speech failed , and incontinent the clock struk eight , and then he gave up the Ghost ; which made some about him to remember , how he had said the day before : that at eight of the clock they should loose their master . Being dead , he was buried in the Abby of Leicester . This man held at once the Bishopricks of Yorke , Winchester , and Durhan , the dignities of Lord Cardinall Lega● and Chancelour of England , the Abbey of Saint Albans , diverse Priories , and sundry great Benefices in Commendum : he had also in his hands , as it were in Farme , the Bishoprick of Bath , Worcester and Here●ord , which having beene given by King Henry the seventh to strangers , that lived out of the Realme , they suffered Woolsey to enjoy them , receiving of him a Pension onely . The Re●inue of this Pre●ate is scarce credible , a thousand persons daily in his houshold , of whom many Knights and some Lords ; all which greatnesse as it came by the Kings favou● , so by the withdrawing of his favour , it was overthrowne : so true is that saying of Salomon , The Kings favour is as dew upon the grasse ; but his wrath is as the roaring of a Lion , and as a messenger of death . After this the King removed from Hampton-Court to Greenwich , where with his Queene Katherine he kept a solemne Christma● , and on twelfth night he sat in state in the Hall , where was divers Enterludes ; costly Masques , and a sumptuous Banquet . After Christmas he came to his Mannor of Westminster , which before was called Yorke Place ; for the Cardinall had made a Feoffment of it to the King , which the Chapter of Yorke confirmed , and then it was no more called Yorke Place , but the Kings Mannor of Westminster , now Whitehall .

At this time the whole Clergie of England was charged by the Kings learned Councell , to be in a Praemunire , for supporting and maintaining the Cardinals Legatine power ; and were thereupon called by Processe into the Kings Bench to answer ; but before their day of Appearance came , they in their Convocation concluded an humble submission in writing , and offered the King an hundred thousand pound to have their pardon by Parliament ; which offer , after some labour , was accepted , and their pardon promised . In which submission the Clergie called the King supreame Head of the Church . This Pardon was signed with the Kings hand , and sent to the Lords , who assented to it ; and then sent it to the Lower House : but here , divers of the House excepted against the Pardon , unlesse themselves also might be included in it ; who ( they said ) having had something to doe with the Cardinall , might be brought into the same case as the Clergie were . Hereupon their Speaker Thomas Audeley , with a convenient number of the House , was sent to the King about it ; to whom the King made answer , that he was their Soveraigne Lord , and would not be compelled to shew his mercy ; and seeing they went about to restraine him of his liberty , he would grant a Pardon to the Clergie , which he might doe by his great Seale without them ; and for their Pardon , he would be advised before he granted it : with this Answer the Speaker and Commons returned , much grieved and discontented ; and some said that Thomas Cromwell , who was newly come into the Kings favour , had disclosed the secrets of the House , which made the King give this unpleasing Answer . But soon after the King of his own accord , caused their Pardon also to be drawn , and signed it● which easily passed both Houses , with great commendation of the Kings judgement , to denie it at first when it was demanded as a right , and to grant it afterward , when it was received as of grace .

In this Parliament time , on the thirtieth of March , Sir Thomas Moore Lord Chancellour , with twelve of the Lords , came into the Lower House , acquainting them , that though in the matter of the Kings Divorce , he might sufficiently rest upon the judgement of learned men in his owne Universities of Oxford and Cambridge , yet to avoid all suspicion of parciality , he had sent into France , Italy , the Popes Dominions , and the Venetians , to have their opinions ; and then causing them to be read , Sir Bryan Tuke tooke out of a box certaine writings sealed , which were the determinations of the Universities of Orleance , of Paris , of Anjou , of Burges , of Bolonia , of Padua , and of Thoulouse : all which were peremptory in these two Points ; that the Brother , by the Law of God , might not marry the Relict of his brother ; and then , being against the law of God , that it is not in the power of the Pope to dispence with it : and now ( said they ) you may know , that the King hath not sought this Divorce for his pleasure ; but for discharge of his conscience ; and this said , they departed . The King himselfe , when he heard of these determinations , was so farre from rejoycing at it , that he rather mourned , as for the losse of so good a wife ; yet he conversed with her as he had done before , in nothing altered but in abstaining from her bed . But being willing the Queene should know these Determinations ; in Whitsonweeke after , he sent divers Lords to acquaint her with them ; requi●ing her thereupon to recall her Appeale , and to refer the matter to eight indifferent Lords ; which she utterly refused , using her usuall Answer , that she was his lawfull wife , and would abide the Determination of the Court of Rome , but of no other . After Whitsontide , the King and Queen removed to Windsor , and there continued till the fourteenth of Iuly , on which day the King removed to Woodstocke and left the Queen at Windsor , where she remained a while , and after removed to Easthamsted , whither the King sent to her divers Lords , first to perswade her to be conformable to the law of God ; which if they could not do , then to let her know , that his pleasure was , she should be at either of these three places , his Mannor of Oking , or of East-hamstead , or the Monastery of Bisham , and there to continue without further molesting him with her suits .

And now came Cranmer in to play his part . It chanced that Doctor Stephe●s , Doctor Foxe and he met at Waltham one day at dinner ; where falling into discourse , about the case then in agitation , of the Kings mariage with Queene Katherine ; the other Doctors thought the mariage might be proved unlawfull by the Civill Law : ( but ( said Cranmor ) ● it may better be proved by the Law of God , and it is no hard matter to doe it ; which words of his being made knowne to the King● Cranmor is sent for , and commanded to set his reasons down in writing : which having done , and shewed them to the King ; he was asked whether he would stand to that which he had written : who answered , he would , even before the Pope himselfe , if his Majesty pleased : marry ( said the King ) and to Pope you shall go ; and thereupon sent him to the Court of Rome , and with him Thomas Bullen Earl of Witshire , Doctor Stokesley Elect of London , Doct. Lee the Kings Almoner , and others : who coming to Bolonia where the Pope was , had a day of audience appointed , but was hindred by a ●●diculous accident ; for the Pope holding out his foot for them to kisse his toe , as the manner is , a dog of the Earls , by chance in the room , ran and caught the Popes foot in his mouth , & made it for that time unfit to kisse . After this , when Cranmor had made his Proposition , he was told , it should be answered when the Pope came to Rome : so the Embassadors were dismissed , and Cranmor went to the Emperour● Court ; where in private conference he satisfied Cornelius Agrippa , the most learned at that time about the Emperour , and brought him to be of his opinion . Cranmor returning home , and giving the King this satisfaction ; the Kings mariage with Queen Katherine was soon after dissolved by Parliament , and the Bishop of Canterbury accompanied with Doctor Stokesley Bishop of London , Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester , the Bishop of Bathe and Lincolne , and other learned men , rode to Dunstable where Queen Katherine then lay ; where being cited to appeare , and making default fifteen dayes togethers , for lack of appearance , she was divorced from the King , and the mariage declared to be void and of none effect ; and from thenceforth it was decreed , she should no more be called Queen , but Princesse Dowager : after which time , the King never saw her more .

At this time , being the foure and twentieth yeer of King Henries reigne , Sir Thomas Moore , after long suit , delivered up the great Seal , which was then delivered to Thomas Audeley Speaker of the Parliament ; and he made first Lord Keeper , and shortly after Chancelour ; in whose roome of Speaker , H●nfrey Wing●eld of Grayes-Inne was chosen on the first of September this yeer : the King being at Windsor , created Anne Bullen Marchionesse of Pembrooke , giving her a thousand pounds land a yeere : and then being desirous to talke with the King of France in person , on the tenth of October , taking the said Lady with him , and divers Lords , as the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke , the Marquesse of Dorset and Excester , the Earles of Arundell , Oxford , Surrey , Essex , Derby , Rutland , Sussex and Huntington , with divers Viscounts , Barons and Knights , he sailed over to Callice ; and on the twentieth of October me● with the King of France at Bolloigne , with whom he staid foure dayes ; in which time , to doe him honour , the King of France honored the two Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke with the Order of Saint Michael , and then both Kings went to Callice , where the French King stayed certain dayes ; in which time to doe the King of France honor , King Henry honored two of his great Lords with the Order of the Garter , and then after great magnificence in revelling & feasting , on the twentieth of Ostob. the French King departed from Callice , and King Henry returned into England , where on the fourteenth of November following , he maried secretly the Lady Anne Bulle●● which mariage was not openly known till Easter after , when it was perceived she was with childe ; at which time William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury dyed , Thomas Cranmor was elected Archbishop in his roome .

After that the King perceived his new wi●e to be with childe , he caused all Officers necessary to be appointed to her ; and so on Easter eave she went to her closet openly as Queen , and then the King appointed her coronation to be kept on Witsunday following ; and writings were sent to all Sheriffes , to certifie the nams of men of forty pounds , to receive the order of Knighthood , or else to mak● fine : the assesment of which ●ines was appointed to Thomas Cromwell Master of of the Jewel-house , and of the Kings Councell ; a man newly come in the King● favour , by whose industry great sums of money were by such fines gathered . In the beginning of May , the King caused Proclamation to be made , that all men who claimed to doe any service at the Coronation , by the way of tenure , gran● , or prescription , should put in their claime three weekes after Easter in the Star-chamber , before Charles Duke of Suffolke , for that time high Steward of England , the Lord Chancellour and other Commissioners . Two dayes before the Coronation were made Knights of the Bath , the Earle of Dorset , the Ea●le of Der●y , the Lord Clifford , the Lord Fitzwater , the Lord Hastings , the Lord Monteagle , the Lord Vaux , Sir Iohn Mordant , Sir Henry Parker ; Sir William Windsor , Sir Francis Weston , Sir Thomas Arundell , Sir Iohn Hurlson , Sir Thomas Poynings , Sir Henry Savill , Sir George ●itzwilliams , Sir Iohn Tindall , and Sir Tho: I●rmey . On Whitsunday the Coronatio● was kept in as great state & 〈◊〉 for al circumstances as ever an● was , and the day after a solem Just● was ●olden .

In May this yeer Pope Clement sent a messenger to King Henry , requiring him personally to appeare at the generall Councell , which he had appointed to be kept the yeer following ; but when his Commission was shewed , there was neither time nor place specified for keeping of the said Councell ; and so with an uncertain Answer to an uncertain Demand , the Messenger departed .

It was now the five and twentieth yeere of the Kings reigne , when on Midsomer day , Mary the French Queene , and then wife to Charles Duke of Suff●lke , dyed ; and was buried at Saint Edmund-berry ; and on the seaventh of September following , between three and foure a clocke in the afternoone , the Queene was delivered of a daughter that was named Elizabeth ; the Godfather at the christning was the Archbishop of Canterbury ; the Godmother the old Dutchesse of Norfolke , and the old Marchionesse Dorset widow ; and at the Confirmation , the Lady Marchionesse of Excester : the Christning was performed with exceeding great state , and great gifts were given by the Gossips .

This yeere , one Pavier the Town-clerke of London hanged himselfe , ( whom Hollinshead saith ) he heard once sweare a great oath ; that if he thought the thought the King would set forth the Scripture in English , rather then he would live to see that day , he would cut his owne throat : which I therefore relate , that the judgement of God may be seene upon such unhallowed oathes .

A little before this time one Elizabeth Barton , named the Holy Maid of Kent , came to be discovered ; whose abettours were Richard Master a Priest , Parson of Aldington in Kent , Edward Bocking Doctor of Divinity , a Monke of Canterbury , Richard Deering a Monke , Edward Thwayts Gentleman , Henry Gold Parson of Aldermary , Hugh Rich a Fryar observant , Richard Risby and Thomas Gold , Centlemen . This Maid had learned to counterfeit falling into Trances ; in which she would deliver many strange things , and amongst others , said , that by Revelation from God and his Saints she was informed ; that if King Henry proceeded to the Divorce , and married another , he should not be King of England one moneth after . And here we may see how credulous oftentimes great Schollars are in beleeving Impostures , when Warham Archbishop of Canterbury , and Fisher Bishop of Rochester were thought to give credit to this Counterfeit , that we need not wonder at Saint Austin ; who though he gave credit to many lying Miracles , yet they were such as had more probability in them then this ; which consisted in nothing but making of faces , as upon Examination of the Maide and her Abettours was confessed ; and thereupon she and most of them were condemned , drawne to Tyburne and there hanged .

In this meane time the Scots had beene troublesome , and made Intodes upon the Borders ; till at last , Commissioners being sent to treat of agreement ; a Peace was concluded , to continue both the Kings lives ; which on the twentieth of May this yeer , was openly Proclaimed .

About this time , at the suit of the Lady Katherine Dowage , a Bull was sent from the Pope , which cursed both the King and the Realme ; which Bull was set up in the Towne of Dunkerke in Flanders , the Messenger not daring to come neerer : and because it was knowne that the Lady Dowager had procured this Curse to be sent , the Duke of Suffolke was sent to her , lying then at Bugden besides Huntington , to discharge a great part of her houshold servants ; yet leaving her a convenient number , like a Princesse .

It was now the six and twentieth yeer of King Henries reigne , when in a Parliament holden , an Act was made for establishing the succession in the Crown , upon the Lady Elizabeth ; to which , first all the Lords , Knights and Burgesses were sworne ; and after Commissioners were sent into all parts of the Realm , to take the oath of all men and women to the said Act. Another Act was also made , which authorized the King to be Supreame Head of the Church of England , and the Popes authority to be utterly abolished . But Doctor Iohn Fisher , Bishop of Rochester , Sir Thomas Moore Knight , and Doctor Wilson Parson of Saint Thomas Apostles in London , expresly denied at Lam●eth , before the Archbishop of Canterbury , to take the Oathes ; of whom Doctor Wilson recanted , but the other two persisting in their opinion , were both of them beheaded . Of these two Bishop Fisher was much lamented , as reputed a man both of great learning and good life . The Pope had elected him Cardinall , and his Hat was come as farr● as Callice , but before it could come into England his head was off . Sir Thomas Moore was both learned and very wise , but so given to a vaine of jesting and merry scoffing , that he could not refrain it at the very time of his death : as when he was carried to the Tower , being demanded his upper garment ( meaning his Gowne ) you shall have it , said he , and gave them his cap ; saying , it was the uppermost garment he had : also , when being upon the Scaffold , the Hangman kneeled downe and asked him forgivenesse ; I forgive thee ( said he ) but I promise thee , thou wilt never have credit by cutting off my Head , my necke is so short : and when he was to lay his head downe upon the blocke , having a great gray beard , he stroked it out , and said to the Hangman , I pray you let me lay my beard over the blocke , lest you should cut it ; for though you have Warrant to cut off my head , you have none to cut my beard . But his Devotion was no jesting matter , for he used to weare a shirt of haire next his skin , for a perpetuall pen●ance ; and oftentimes in the Church he would put on a Surplesse , and helpe the Priest to say Masse ; which he forbore not to doe even when he was Lord Chancellour of England ; as one time the Duke of Norfolke comming to the Church found him doing it . Two memorable things are recorded of him ; one , which shewes his great integritie , and the small reckoning he made of riches ; that having passed through so many great imployments , and borne so many great Offices ; yet in all his time , ●e never Purchased above one hundred pounds land a yeere , nor left any great stocke of money behinde him , when he died . The other , which shewes his filiall piety , that being Lord Chancellour of England , at the same time that his Father wa● a Judge of the Kings Bench , he would alwayes at his going to Westminster , goe first to the Kings Bench and aske his Father blessing , before he went to sit in the Chancery .

The ninth of Iuly , this yeere , the Lord Dacres of the North was arraigned at Westminster of high treason , before the Duke of Norfolke , as high Steward of England ; his Inditement being read , he so answered every part and matter therein contained , that by his Peeres he was found Not guilty ; a rare thing to stop a currant that ran with such violence . The one and twentieth of September Doctor Taylour Master of the Roles , was discharged of that Office ; and the ninteenth of October following , Thomas Cromwell was sworne in his place .

This yeere the King of Scots was installed Knight of Garter , by his Deputy the Lord Erskin and Stephen Gardiner , who after the Cardinals death , was made Bishop of Winchester , was sent Embassadour Legier , into France , where he remained three yeeres . Also in Ianuary , of this yeere , Katherine Princesse Dowage● , fell into her last sicknesse ; to whom the King sent the Emperours Embassadour Legier , desiring her to be of good comfort ; but she finding her death to approach , caused onely one of her Gentlewoman to write a Letter to the King ; commending to him her Daughter and his , and beseeching him to be a good Father to her ; and then desiring him further , to have some consideration of her Servants . On the eighth of Ianuary , at Kimbolton , she departed this life , and was buried at Peterborough . A woman of so vertuous a life , and of so great obsequiousnesse to her husband , that from her onely merit , is grown a reputation to all Spanish wives . Also the nine and twentieth of Ianuary , this yeere , Queene Anne was delivered of a childe before her time , which was borne dead .

And now King Henry began to fall into tho●e great disorders , which have been the blemish of his life , and have made him be blotted out of the Catalogue of our best Princes ; for first , in October this yeer , he sent D●ctor Lee and others , to ●isit the Abbeys , Priories , and Nunneries in England ; who set at liberty all those Religious persons , that would forsake their habit , and all that were under th● age of foure and twenty yeers ; and in December following , a survay was taken of all Chantries , and the names of such , as had the guift of them . After which , in a Parliament holden the fourth of February , an Act was made , which gave to the King all Religious houses , with all their lands and goods , that were of the value of three hundred marks a yeere and under : the ●●mber of which Houses , was three hundred seventy and six : the value of their lands yeerly , above two and thirty thousand pounds , their movable goods , one hundred thousand , the Religious persons put out of the same houses above ten tho●sand . This yeere , William Tindall , was burnt at a Town in Flanders , betweene Brussels and Mechlyn , called Villefort , for translating into English the New Testament , and divers parts of the old ; who having beene long imprisoned , was upon the Lord Cromwels writing for his Deliverance , in all haste , brought to the fire , and burnt .

It was now the eight and twentieth yeere of King Henries Reigne , when on Munday , there were solemne Justs holden at Geeenwich , from whence the King suddainely departed , and came to Westminster , whose suddaine departure stroke great amazement into many , but to the Queene especially , and not without cause ; for the next day , the Lord Rochford her brother , and Henry Norris were brought to the Tower of London , prisoners , whither also the same day at five a clock in the afternoone , was brought Queene Anne her selfe , by Sir Thomas Audeley Lord Chancelour , the Duke of Norfolke , Thomas Cromwell Secretary , and Sir William Kingston Leivtenant of the Tower , who at the Tower-gate , fell on her knees before the said Lords , beseeching God to help her , as she was innocent of that whereof she was accused : on the ●ifteenth of May , she was arraigned in the Tower , before the Duke of Norfolke , sitting as high Steward of England . When her Inditement was read , she made unto it so wise and discreet answers , that shee seemed fully to cleere her selfe of all matters laid to her charge : but being tried by her Peeres , whereof the Duke of Suffolke was chiefe ; she was by them found guilty , and had Judgment pronounced by the Duke of Nor●olke ; immeadiatly the Lord Rochford her brother , was likewise arraigned and condemned : who on the seaventeenth of May , together with Henry Norris , Marke Smeton , William Briorton , and Francis Weston , all of the Kings Privy-chamber , about marters touching the Queen , were behe●de● on the Tower-hill , Queen Anne her selfe on the nineteenth of May , on a Sca●fold upon the Green within the Tower , was beheaded with the sword of Callice by the hangman of that Towne ; her body with the head , was buried in the Quire of the chappell there . This Queen Anne , was the daughter of Thomas Bullen Earle of Wiltshire , and of Lady Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Nor●olke ; the Earles Father was the sonne of Sir William Bullen , whose wife was Margaret the second daughter and Coheire of Thomas Butler Ealre of Ormond , and the said Sir William , was the sonne of Sir Godfrey Bullen , Lord Major of London , who lieth buried in Saint Leonards Church in the Iewry , whose wife was Anne eldest daughter & coheire to Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings : and his discent was out of the house of the Bullens in the County of Norfolke ; thus much for her Parentage : for her Religion , she was an ●arnest Professor , and one of the first Countenancers of the Gospell : in Almes-deeds so liberall , that in nine moneths space ; It it is said , she distributed amongst the poore , to the value of fifteene thousand pounds : now for the crimes for which she died , ( Adultery and Incest : ) proofes of her guiltinesse there are none recorded : of her Innocency , many ; first , her owne clearing of all objections , at the time of her arraignment : then Cromwels writing to the King , after full examination of the matter ; that many things have been objected , but none confessed , onely some circumstances had been acknowledged by Marke Smeton : ( and what was Marke Smeton , but a meane fellow , one that upon promise of life , would say any thing ; and having said somthing , which they took hold of was soone after executed least he should retract it : ) lastly , they that were accused with her , they all denied it to the death : even Henry Norris , whom the King specially favoured , and promised him pardon if he would but confesse it . It was a poore proofe of Incest with her brother , that comming one morning into her chamber before she was up , he leaned down upon her bed , to say somthing in her eare ; yet this was taken hold of for a proof : and it need be no marvaile if we consider the many aduersaries she had ; as being a Protestant , and perhaps in that respect , the King himselfe not greatly her friend : ( for though he had excluded the Pope , yet he continued a Papist stil : and then who knowes not , that nature is not more able of an Acorn to make an oake , then authority is able of the least surmise , to make a certainty . But howsoever it was , that her death was contrived : certain it is , that it cast upon King Henry a dishonourable Imputation ; in so much , that where the Protestant Princes of Germany had resolved to choose him for head of their League ; after they heard of this Queens death , in such a manner , they utterly refused him as unworthy of the honour : and it is memorable what conceit Queene Anne her selfe had of her death ; for at the time , when shee was led to be beheaded in the Tower● shee called one of the Kings Privy-chamber to her , and said unto him , commend me to the King , and tell him ; he is constant in his course of advancing me , for from a private Gentlewoman , he made me a Marquesse , from a Marquesse , a Queen ; and now , that he had left no higher degree of worldly honour for me , he hath made me a Martyr .

Immediatly after her death , in the weeke before Whi●●on●ide , the King maried Iane Seymour , daughter to Sir Iohn Seymour , who at Whitsontide was openly shewed as Queene : and on the Tuesday in the Whitson-weeke her brother Sir Edmund Seymour , was created Viscount Beauchamp , and Sir Walter Hangerford , was made Lord Hangerford .

The eight of Iune , the Parliament began ; during the which , the Lord Thomas Howard , without the Kings assent , had affianced the Lady Margaret Douglas , daughter to the Queen of Scots , and Niece to the King : for which he was attainted of treason , and an Act was made for like offenders hereafter ; and so he died in the Tower , and shee long time remained there a prisoner ; yet afterward was set at liberty , and maried Mathew Earle of Lenox , who by him had Henry , Father of Iames the first King of Great Brittaine .

In the time of this Parliament , the Bishops and all the Clergy had a solemne Convocation at Pauls Church in London ; where after much disputation and debating of matters , they published a book of Religion ; intituled , Articles devised by the Kings Highnesse : in which booke are specially mentioned but three Sacraments : namely Baptisme , Eucharist , and Pennance ; also certaine Injunctions were set forth , whereby many of the old Holi-dayes were abrogated , specially those that fell in Harvest time .

The two and twentieth of Iuly , Henry Duke of Richmond and Somerset , base sonne of King Henry by Elizibeth Blunt , died at Saint Iames , and was buried at Thets●one in Norfolke .

The nine and twentieth of Iune the King held a great Justs and Triumph at Westminster , but a disastrous Sea-fight on the water ; where one Gates a Gentl●man was drowned in his harnesse , and by the breaking of a Gunne two Mariners were sore mained : in Iuly following , Thomas Cromwell , Secretary to the King , and Master of the Rolles , was made Lord Keeper of the Privy-seale : and the ninteenth of Iuly the Lord Fitz-Warren was created Earl of Bath ; and the day after , the said Cromwell was made Lord Cromwell ; and on the eighteenth of Iuly , Vic●r Generall under the King over the Spiritualty ; who sate diverse times in the Convocation House , amongst the Bishops as head over them : and now was the state of Religion in England come to a strange passe ; because alwayes in passing , and had no consistance ; for at first , the authority of the Pope was excluded in some cases onely , a while alter in all ; but yet his Doctrine was wholly retained . Afterward , his Doctrine came to be Impugned , but in some few points onely : a while after , in many more : that the fable of Proteu● might no longer be a fable , when the Religion in England might be his true Morral● : and indeed , it could be no otherwise ; the distance between the two Religious being not possible to be passed Per saltum ; but must be done by degrees , which degrees may be observed in the progresse of the story : for where at first , it was permitted onely to read the Bible in English , now it came to be permitted , to pray in English ; for now in September , the Lord Cromwell set forth Injunctions , to have the Lords prayer , the Ave , the Creed , the ten Commandements , and all Articles of the Christian-faith translated into English , and to be taught by all Parsons and Curates to their Parishoners : which Innovation so stirred up the people , that in Lincol●shire they assembled to the number of twenty thousand ; against whom the King himselfe went in person , who win●●ng by perswasions their chief leaders , brought the rest upon pardon to submit themselves : but when he had himselfe done the work of mercy ; he afterward sent the Duke of Suffolke , with Sir Francis Brian , and Sir Iohn Russell to doe the worke of Justice ; who caused Nicholas Melton , and a Monke naming himselfe Captaine Cobler , and thirteen others ( Ringleaders of the sedition , ) to be apprehended , and most of them to be executed . But this Commotion was scarce appeased , when presently there rose another in the North-parts , where forty thousand were assembled , giving themselves out for an holy Pilgrimage , where on one side of their Ensignes , they had Christ hanging on the crosse , on the other side , the Cuppe and Bread of the Sacrament , as taking Armes onely for maintenance of the Faith of Christ , and deliverance of the holy Church now oppressed : but these were opposed by George Earle of Shrewsbury , who having raised an Army without Commission , though to resist the Rebels , yet began to be much troubled , whither in so doing he had not committed Treason , and was never quiet till he had se●t to the King for pardon and commission to proceed : at which time a rumour being raised amongst his souldiers , that the Earle so well liked the Rebels cause , that what shew soever he made , yet when it should come to the triall , he would not stick to joyne with them and take their parts : to remove which Opinion out of their mind● , he caused all his souldiers to come before him , and made his Chaplaine give him an oath ; by which he swore in their hearing , to be true to the Crowne , and never to be assisting to any Rebels : to his aide were sent the Duke of Norfolke , with the Marquis of Excetur● the Earles of Huntington and Rutland : who with a mighty Army approachi●g the Rebels , beyond Doncaster , in the way towards York , attempted first to have pacified them without blood-shed ; but when no perswasions would serve , it was resolved of both sides to come to a battell ; but see here the great goodnesse of God , for the night before the day appointed for battel , it happened that a litle Brook called Dun , running betweene the two Armies , upon a small raine grew to such a height , that it was not passable by either foot or horse ; so as the Armies having time to consider , and considering perhaps this miracle as sent of God , they came to agreement , and upon pardon disbanded and returned to their houses : but in the mean time they had besieged the Castle of Scarborough where the resolute carriage of Sir Ralph Evens is memorable ; who held the Castle by onely his owne servants and Tennants , and that , when for twenty dayes together , he had no other sustenance but bread and water : but all Comotions were not yet appeased , for at this very time , there was another great Army assembled out of Cumberland , Westmerland , and the North-parts of Lancashire , marching South-wards ; but by the diligence of the Earl of Darby , to whom also the Earle of Sussex was sent , they were suppressed , and their chief Leader● , as the Abbo●s of Wally , Sauly , and others , apprehended and hanged : but neither is there yet an end of comotions , for now in February Nicholas Musgrave , Thomas Til●y , with o●hers to the number of twelve thousand , began a Rebellion , and besieged Carlile , but by the power of the City were first beaten back , and then were encountred by the Duke of Norfolke , who caused seventy foure of them , by Martiall-law ●o be hanged on the walls of Carlile : but neither was there yet an end of Comotions , for now in Setrington , Pickering , L●igh and Scarborough , began a new Rebellion , by procurement of Francis Bigot ; who had r●ised a great power , and meant to have taken Hull , but by the industry of Sir Ralph Ellarker , and the Major of the Towne , threescore a● the Rebels were taken and hanged , and the rest put to flight , and glad to be quiet : but neither yet was there an end of Commotions , for in the latter end of this eight and twentieth yeer , the Lord Darcy , the Lord Hussey , Sir Robert Constable Sir Iohn Bulmer and his wife , Sir Thomas Percy brother to the Earl of Northumberland , Sir Stephen Hamilton , Nicholas Tempest Esquire , and others began to conspire , although each of them before had been pardoned by the King : but this as being but the fagge end of Commotion ; was soon suppressed , the Lord Darcy was beheaded on the Tower-hill , the Lord Hussey at Lincol●e , Sir Robert C●nstable was hanged in cheins at Hull , Sir Iohn Balmers Paramout was burnt in Smithfield , and most of the other were executed at Tyburne : Tantae molis erat , so great a matter it was● to make the Realme be quiet , in so great innovations of Religion .

This yeer on Saint Georges-feast , the Lord Cromwell was made Knight of the Garter , and on the twelfth of October , which is Saint Edwards-eve● , at Ha●ton-Court , the Queen was delivered of a sonne ; ( but with so hard a labour that she was faine to be ript ) the child was named Edward , whose Godfathers at the Christning were the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Norfolke , his Godmother was his sister the Lady Mary : at his Bishoping , his Godfather was the Duke of Suffolk : on the eighteenth of October , he was made Prince of Wales , Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester : but the birth of his sonne brought not so much joy to the King , as the death of his Queene brought him sorrow ; for within two dayes after she died , and was buried at Winsor , and ●o much was the Kings grief for her death , that he continued a widdawer two yeeres after .

It is not unworthy the relating , what a miserable dissolation befell the family of the Geraldynes or Fitz-Garrets , ( Earle of Kildare in Ireland ) about this time ; for Gerald Fitz-Garret , who had been ten yeers Deputy in Ireland ; upon complaint of some fault , was sent for over into England , where not making a satisfying answer , he was committed to the Tower ; but before his commi●g over , had with the Kings leave , left Deputy there his own sonne , a Young-man of not above twenty yeers of age , but yet ripe of understanding and fit for the pla●e : this young Lord , hearing that his father was committed prisoner to the Tower ; and soon after , as the rumour encreased , that he was put to death ; in rage to be revenged , rose up in Armes ; and having five Unckles in the Cou●try ( men of great estimatio● ) drew them ( though some of them unwillingly ) to take his part ; amongst other outrages he committed , the Archbishop of Dublin was slaine in his presence● the Father in the Tower hearing hereof , with very griefe died ; the Sonne and his Uncles , upon the Kings sending a● Army , were all either taken or submitted ; and being sent for over into England , those of his Unckles , that against their wils had been drawn into the Action , had good hope of their lives , till entring the ship of passage , which was called the Cow ; they then presently dispaired , because of a Prophesie , that five sonnes of a certaine Earl should be carried into England in the belly of a Cowe , and never after return : and indeed it fell out true , for through the malice of their adversaries , ( exasperating the King against them and saying , there would never be quietnes in Ireland , as long as any of the Geraldines were left alive , ) they were all put to death : one onely sonne of the family remained , a youth of thirteene yeers of age , who though at that time sick of the smal-pox , yet made shift to save himselfe by flight ; fled first into France , and frighted from thence , afterwards into Flanders , and driven from thence , at last into Italy , where pr●oected by Regin●ld Poole , ar that time made Cardinall , by Pope Iulie the third , he was afterward , by this meane● , restored to his dignity and his patrimony .

This yeere Edward Seymour , Viscount Beauchamp the Queens brother , was created Earl of Hartford , and Sir William Fitz-Williams Lord Admirall , was created Earl of Southamton , Master Paulet was made Vice Treasurer , Sir Iohn Russell was made Controller of the Kings House , and diverse Gentlemen were made Knights .

In February diverse Roodes were taken downe by the Kings commandement , as the Roode of Boxeley , called the Rood of grace , which was made with vices to move the eyes and lips , also the Rood called Saint Saviour at Bermondsey Abbey in Southwarke , a●d diverse others : in May a Frier Observant , called Frier Forrest , who had taken the oath of Supremacy himselfe , yet privately perswaded others , that the King was not supreme head of the Church ; was thereupon examined , and for his defence said , that he took the oath with his outward man , but his inward man never consented to it ; but this answer served not his turn from being condemned ; and on a paire of Gallowes prepared for him , in Smith●●eld , he was hanged by the middle , and arme-holes , all quick , and under the Gallowes was made a fire wherewith he was consumed : a little before his executio● , a huge great Image was brought to the Gallowes , fetched out of Wales , which the Welch-men had in great reverence , called Darvell Gatheren , of which there went a Prophesie , that thi● Image should set a whole Forrest on fire , which was thought to take effect , in ●erring this Frier Forrest on fire , and consuming him to nothing .

In September , by the speciall motion of the Lord Cromwell , all the notable Images , unto which were made any speciall Pilgrimages and offerings , were taken downe and burnt ; as the Images of Walsingham , Ipswic● , Worcester , the Lady of Wilsdon , with many other , and forthwith by meanes of the said Cromwell all the orders of Friers and Nunnes , with theirs Cloysters and Houses were suppressed and put downe : also the shrines of counterfeit Saints ; amongst others , the shrine of Thomas Becket in the Priory of Christ-church was taken to the Kings use , and his bones , scull and all which was there found , with a peece ●roken out by the wound of his death , were all burnt in the same Church by command of the Lord Cromwell : and the one and twentieth of October , the Church of Thomas Becket in London , called the Hospitall of Saint Thomas of Acres was suppressed : the sixteenth of November the Black-friers in London was suppressed ; the next day the White-friers , the Gray-friers , and the Monkes of the Charter-house , and so all the other immediately after , 〈◊〉 three Abbots resisted , the Abbot of Colechester , the Abbo● of Reding , and the Abbot of Glastenbury , who therefore were all taken and executed . The foure and twentieth of November the Bishop of Rochester Preached at Pauls-crosse , and there shewed the blood of Hales , affirming it to be no blood , but honey clarified and coloured with sa●●ron , as it had been evidently proved before the King and Councell . The number of Monasteries suppressed , were six hundred forty five , besides fourescore and ten Colledges , one hundred and ten Hospitals , and of Chantries and free Chappels two thousand three hundred seventy foure . But now to make amends for the suppressing of so many Monasteries , the King instituted certaine new Bishoprickes , as at Westminster Oxford , Peterborough , Bristow , Chester and Gloster ; and assigned certaine Canons and Prebends to each of them .

The third of November Henry Courtney Marquesse of Exceter , and Earle of Devonshire , Henry Poole Lord Montacute , Sir Nicholas Carew of Bedington , Knight of the Garter , and Master of the Kings Horse , and Sir Edward Nevill , brother to the Lord of Aburgeiney , were sent to the Tower , being accused by Sir Geoffry Poole , the Lord Montacutes brother , of high treason ; the● were indi●ed for devising to promote and advance one Reinold Poole to the Crowne , and put downe King Henry . This Poole was a neere kinsman of the Kings ( being the sonne of the Lady Margaret Countesse of Salisbury , daughter and heire to George Duke of Clarence ) he had been brought up by the King in learning , and made Deane of Excetur ; but being sent after , to learne experience by travaile , he grew so great a friend of the Popes , that he became an enemy to King Henry , and for his enmity to the King , was by Pope Iulius the third made Cardinall ; for this mans cause , the Lords aforesaid being condemned , were all executed , the Lord Marquis , the Lord Montacute , and Sir Edward Ne●ill , beheaded on the Tower-hill , the ninth of Ianuary , Sir Nicholas Carew the third of March , two Priests condemned with them were hanged at Tyburn , Sir Ieoffry Poole though condemned also yet had his pardon .

About thi● time one Nicholson alias Lambert , being accused for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament , appealed to the King , and the King was co●tent to heare him ; whereupon a Thron● was set up in the Hall of the Kings Pallace at Westminster , for the King to si● : and when t●e Bishops had urged their arguments , and could not prevaile , then the King tooke him in hand , hoping perhaps to have the honour of con●erting an Hereticke , when the Bishops could not doe it , and withall promised him pardon if he would recant ; but all would not doe , Nicholso● remained obstin●te , the King mist his honor , the delinquent mist his pardon ; and shortly after was drawne to Smithfield and there burnt .

About this time King Henry being informed that the Pope , by instigation of Cardinall Poole , had earnestly moved divers great Princes to invade England ; He as a provident Prince , endea●oured a●●arn●stly to provide ●or defence ; a●d to that end , rode himselfe to the S●a-coast● 〈◊〉 them fortifi●● , and in needfull places Bulwarkes to be erected : Hee c●used hi● Na●●e●● be rigged , and to be in readinesse at any short warning : he c●●sed Musters ●● be raken in all shee●es ; and lists of all , able men in e●ery Count● , in L●●●don specially ; where Sir William Forman the ●hen M●jor , ●●●●ified the number of fifteene thousand ; not that they were 〈…〉 , but that so many were ready prepared ; and these on the eight of May , the King himselfe saw Mustered in Iames Parke ; where the Citize●s ●●●ove in such sort to exceed each other in bravary of armes , and forwardnesse of service , a● if the City had bin a Campe , and they not men of the gown● , but all profest Souldiers ; which they performed to their great cost , but greater comend●●ion .

It was now the one and thirtieth yeere of King Henri●s reigne , and the nine and fortieth of his age ; when having continued a widdower two yeere , he began to thinke of marrying againe ; and bee needed not be a sui●our for a wife , for he was sued unto take one . The Emperour sollicited him to marry the Dutchesse of Milan ; but to marry her he must first obtaine a Licence from the Pope , and King Henry was resolved rather to have no wife , then to have any more to doe with the Pope . Then the Duke of Cleve made suit unto him , to marry the Lady Anne hi● Sister , and hee was a Protestant Prince ; and so , though differing in points of Doctrine , yet in the maine Point of excluding ●he Pope , both of one min●e . Many about the King were forward for thi● Ma●ch , but the Lord Cro●well specially ; and indeed it concerned him more then any other , that the King should take a Protestant wife , seeing 〈◊〉 actions h●d beene such as none but ● Protestant Queene would ever like ; and if the Queene should not like them ; the King , though done by his leave , would ●ot like them long . Hereupon such meanes was used , that Emb●ssa●ours came from the Duke of Cleve to conclude the March ; and the● , the elev●nth of December , the Lady her selfe in gr●at state was brought , first to Callice , and then over to Dover ; and being come to Rochester , the King secretly came to see her , afterward she was conducted to London , me● by the way in severall places , by all the great Lords and Ladies of the Kingdome . The third of Ianuary she was received into London by Sir William Hollice , then Lord Major , with Oration● , Pageants , an● all complements of Sta●e , the greatest that ever had beene seene . On Twelfth day the Marriage was ●olemnized , the Archbishop of Canterbury did the office , the Earle of Oversteine , a German Lord ga●e her . In Aprill following the Lord Cromwell , as though he had won the Kings heart for ever by making this march , was made Earle of Essex ; for in March before , Henry Rourchie● Earle of Essex● and the ancientest Earle of England , had broken his necke by seeking to breake a yong Horse , leaving onely one Daughter , and the dying without issue , the Earldome came to the Family of Devereux , which yet enjoyed not the honour , till afterward in Queene Elizabeths time , and then made but not restored .

The ninth of March , the King created Sir William Paulet Treasurour of his House , Lord Saint Iohn , Sir Iohn Russell Controlour , Lord Russell , and shortly after Sir William Par was created Lord Par. The eight and twentieth of April began a Parliament at Westminster , in the which Margaret Countesse of Salisbury , Gertrude wife to the Marquesse of Exceter , Reynold Poole Cardinall , bro●her to the Lord Montacute , Sir Adrian Foskew , Thomas Dingley Knight of Saint Iohns ; and divers others were attain●ed of high treason ; of whom Foskew and Dingley the tenth of Iuly were beheaded , the Countesse of Salisbury two yeeres after : and in this Parliament the Act of the six Articles was established , and Sir Nicholas Hare was restored to his place of Speaker in the Parliament .

It was now five moneths after the Kings marriage with the Lady Anne of Cleve ; and though the King at the first sight of the Lady , did not like her person ; yet , whether as respecting the honour of Ladies , he would not disgrace her at the first meeting ; or whether he ment to try how time might worke him to a better liking ; or indeed , that he would not give distaste to the German Princes at that time , for sole ends he had a working , he dissembled the matter , and all things went on in a shew of contentment on all hands . But for all these shewes ; the crafty Bishop of London Stephen Gardiner , finding how the world went with the Kings affection towards his Queene ; and for her sake with Cromwell ; to neither of whom he was greatly affected ( not to the Queene , as misliking her religion ; not to Cromwell , as envying his greatnesse ; ) he so wrought upon the Kings inclination ; what by suggesting , and what by aggravating , that the Lord Cromwell the ninth of Iuly , sitting in the Councell Chamber , was suddenly apprehended and committed to the Tower ; and the ninteenth of the same moneth was attainted by Parliament , and never came to his Answer ; by a Law , which ( as some reported ) he himselfe had caused to be made ; and the eight and twentieth of Iuly was beheaded on the Tower-hill ; for crimes ( as appeares in Record ) of Heresie and Treason . This Lord Cromwell was borne at P●tney , a Village in Surrey neere the Thames side ; sonne to a Smith , after whose decease , his Mother was married to a Sheereman ; for the pregnancy of his wit he was first entertained by Cardinall Woolsey , and by him imployed in many great affaires ; the Cardinall falling , the King tooke him into his service ; and finding his great abilities , first advanced him for his worth , and then for his pleasure overthrew him . But the greatest part of Stephen Gardiners practice had beene done before ; for at Midsomer before , the King caused the Queene to remove to Richmond , as for her health and pleasure ; and and in the time of her absence , on the sixt of Iuly , sent certaine Lords to the Lower House of Parliament , who there declared certaine causes , for which the Kings marriage with the Lady Anne of Cleve , was not to be counted lawfull ; and so carried the matter , that the Convocation cleerly determined , the King might marry any other ; and so might she . Being thus Divorced ; it was further Enacted , she should no more be called Queene , but the Lady Anne of Cleve . The fault for which this Divorce was decreed , is not expresly delivered● some say , a precontract of the said Lady with a Lord of Germany was pretended ; but it seems to have bin for some womanish defect in her body ; as she spared not to a●firme that she had never bin carnally known by the King in al the time of their lying together : and as it is said , when her Ladies , one time said unto her , that they looked now every day to hear of her great belly ; she should answer , they might look long enough , unlesse , saying , how dost thou sweerest , God morrow sweet-heart , and suc● like words , could make a great belly ; for ( said she ) more then this , there never passed between the King and me . How ever it was , she willingly submitted to the Decree , whether out of fear , or perhaps as little liking the King as the King did her ; and afterward led a private life here in England , wel respected of the King , and dying sixteen yeers after , in the fourth yeer of Quee● Mary , was buried at Westminster .

About this time Leonard Gray Deputy of Ireland , was on the Tower-hill beheaded , for suffering his Nephew Gerald Fitz-Garret to escape , who had been declared an enemy to the state , and then also was Thomas Fines Lord Dacres , a young m●n of foure and twenty yeers of age , hanged at Tyburne , ●or kiling a meane peson upon a suddaine affray ; also the fourth of A●gust , Thomas Epson a Monke of Westminster , for denying to take his oath , to be true to the King , had his Monks garment plucked from his back , the last Monke that was seen in such habit in England till Queen Maryes dayes .

The sixt of Iuly in the two and thirtieth yeere of his Reigne , King Henry had been divorc●d from the Lady Anne of Cleve , and now the eighth of August following , the Lady Katherine Howard , Niece to the Duke of Norfolke and daughter to the Lord Edward Howard was shewed openly as Queene at Hampton-Court .

On the tenth of Iune the yeere following , Sir Edmund Knevet of Norfolke , Knight , was arraigned before th● Officers of the Green-cloath , for striking one Master Cleere of Norfolke , within the Tennis-court of the Kings House● being found guilty , he had judgment to loose his Right hand , and to forfeite all his lands and goods ; whereupon there was called to do execution , first , the Serjeant Surgion , with his Instruments pertaining to his office , then the Serjeant of the Wood-yard , with a mallet and a block to lay the hand upon , then the Kings Master-cooke with the knife ●o cut off the hand , then the Serjeant of the larder to set the knife right on the joynt , then the Serjeant Farrier with searing●irons to seare the veines , then the Serjeant of the ●oultry with a Cock , which cock , should have his head smitten off upon the same block , and with the same knife ; then the Yeoman of the Chandry with seare-cloaths , then the Yeoman of the Scullery , with a pan of fire to heare the irons , a chafer of water to coole the ends of the irons , and two formes for all Officers to set their stuffe on , then the Serjeant of the Cellar with wine , Ale and Beere , then the Serjeant of the Ewry , with Bason , Ewre , and towels : all things being thus prepared Sir William Pickering Knight Marshall , was commanded to bring in his prisoner , Sir Edmund Knevet , to whom the chiefe Justice declared his offence , which the said Knevet confessed , and humbly submitted himselfe to the Kings mercy , onely he desired , that the King would spare his Right hand and take his left , because ( said he ) if my right hand be spared , I may live to doe the King good service : of whose submission , and reason of his suite , when the King was informed , he granted him to loose neither of his hands , and pardoned him also of his lands and goods .

The summer of his three and thirtieth yeer● King Henry with his Queene Katherine , made a progresse into the North-parts , and ret●rning at Alhallantide to Hampton-court he was there informed , of the Queens dessolute life first before her mariage with one Francis Deerham , a Gentleman of N●rfolke , whom imployed afterward in Ireland ; she had lately againe at Pomfret received into her service , and now since her mariage with one Thomas Colepepper , of the Kings Privy-chamber ; whereupon the thirteenth of November , Sir Thomas Wriothsley Knight secretary to the King , was sent to the Queen at Hampton-Court , to charge he● with these crimes , and discharging her houshold , to cause her to be convayed to Sion , there to remaine , till the Kings pleasure should be further knowne : the deli●quents being examined , Deerham confessed , that before the King● mariage with the Lady Katherine , there had been a pre-contract between himselfe and her ; but when he once understood of the Kings liking towards her , he then waved and consealed it for her preforment : so the first of December , the● Gentlemen being arraigned at the Guild-hall , they confessed the Indictment , a●● had Judgment to die , as in cases of treason : the tenth of December , they we●e drawne from the Tower to Tyburne , where Colepepper was beheaded , and Deerham was hanged and dismembred ; Colepeppers body was buried in Sepulchers Church in London , but both their heads were set on London-bridge : the two and twentieth of December , there were arraigned at the Kings-bench , the Lord William Howard and the Lady Margaret his wife , Katherin Tilney and Alice Restwold Gentlewomen , Ioane Bulmer , wife to Anthony Bulmer Gentliman , Anne Howard wife to Henry Howard Esquire , and brother to the Queene , with divers others , who were all condemned for misprision of treason , for concealing the Queens misdemeanor , and adjudged to forfeit all their lands and goods during life , and to remaine in perpetuall prison . The sixteenth of Ianuary the Parliament began at Westminster , where the Lords and Commons p●●itioned the King , that he wo●ld not vex himselfe with the Queenes offence , and that both she and the Lady Rochford might be attainted by Parliament ; and that to avoid protracting of time , he would give his royal assent un●o it , under the great Seale , without staying for the end of the Parliament . Also , that Derham and Colepepper having beene attained before by the Common-Law , might be attainted likewise by Parliament : all which was assented to by the King ; and after , on the thirteenth of February , the Queen and the Lady Roch●ord were beheaded on the-greene within the Tower , where they confessed their offences , and dyed penitently : yet something to take off the offences of this Queene ; it is certainly said , that after her condemnation , she protested to Doctor White Bishop of Winchester , her last Confessour , that as for the Act for which she was condemned , she tooke God and his holy Angels to witnesse , upon her soules salvation , that she died guiltlesse .

Before this , on the three and twentieth of Ianuary , King Henry was proclaimed King of Ireland ; where as before this ●ime , the Kings of England were onely entituled Lords of Ireland : and this title was given him both by the Parliament here , and by the Parliament holden in Ireland , before Sir Anthony Seintleger knight , the Kings Deputy there .

About this time Arthur Plantagenet Visconnt Lisle , base sonne to King Edward tha fourth ; having beene imprisoned upon suspition of a practice , for betraying of Callice to the French , whilst he was the Kings Lievtenant there , was now found to be innocent of the Fact : and thereupon , the King to make him some reparation for his disgrace , sent him a Ring and a very gracious message , by Sir Thomas Wriothsley his Secretary ; whereat the said Viscount tooke so great joy , that the night following , of that very joy he died : so deadly a thing is any passion , even joy it selfe , if it be extream . After his death Sir Iohn Dudley , his wives Sonne , was crea●ed Viscount Lisle . This Sir Iohn Dudley was sonne to Edmund Dudley , beheaded in the first yeere of this Kings reigne , and was made Viscount Lisle in right of his Mother .

During this Parliament , one George Ferrers Gentleman , servant to the King and Burgesse for the town of Plimmouth in Devonshire , in going to the Parliament House , was arrested in London by a Processe out of the Kings Bench , for a Debt wherein he was late afore condemned , as surety for one Welden , at the suit of one White ; which arrest being signified to Sir Thomas Moyle knight , ●peaker then of the Parliament , and to the Knights and Burgesses there ; order was ●aken , that the Serjeant of the Parliament , called Saint Iohn , should be sent to the Counter in Bredstreet ( whither the said Ferrers was carried ) and there demand to have him delivered : but the Officers of the Counter not onely refused to deliver him , but gave the Serjeant such language , that they fell at last to an affray ; at which time the Sheriffes comming , they also tooke their Officers part ; so as the Serjeant was faine to returne without the prisoner ; which being signified to the Speaker and the Burgesses , they tooke the matter in so ill part , that they would sit ●o more without their Burgesse ; and thereupon rising up , repaired to the Upper House , where the whole Case was declared by the Speaker , before Sir Thomas Audeley Lord Chancellour , and the Lords and Judges there assembled : who judgeing the contempt to be very grea● , referred the punishment thereof to the House of Commons it selfe : whereupon returning to their places againe● upon new debate of the Case , they tooke order that t●eir Serje●nt shou●d once more rep●ire to the Sheriffe of London , and demand ●●e prisoner , wit●out carryi●g any Writ or Warrant for the matter . It is tru●● the Lord Chancellour offered to grant a Writ , but the House of Common● refused it ; being of a cle●re opinion , that all Commandements from the nether House were to be executed by their Serjeant without Writ , onely by shewing his Mace , which is his Warrant : but before the Serjeants returne into London , the Sheriffes better advised , became more mild , and upon the second demand , delivered the prisoner without any deniall , but then the Serjeant had further in charge , to command the Sheriffs and Clerkes of the Counter , to appeare personally the next morning before the House of Commons : where appearing , they were charged by the Speaker , with their contempt , and compelled to make immediate answere , without being admit●ed ●o any counsaile , Sir Roger Chomley Recorder of London , offered to speak in the cause , but w●s not suffered , nor any other but the p●rties themselves : in conclusion , the Sheriffes and White who had caused the Arrest , were committed to the Tower , the Officer that did the Arrest , with foure other Officers to Newgate ; but after two or three dayes , upon the ●umble sui●e of the Major , were set at liberty ; and because the said Ferrers being in execution upon a condemnation of debt , and set at large by priviledge of Parlaiment , was not by law to be brought againe into execution ; and so the creditour without remedy for his debt , against him as his princip●ll debtour ; therefore after long debate , by the space of nine or ten dayes together , they at last resolved to make an Act of purpose , to revive the execution of the said debt , against Welden who was principall debtour , and to discharge Ferrers that was but surer● : wherein notwithstanding , the house was devided , and the Act passed but by fourteen voyces : the King being adver●ised of this proceeding , called before him the Lord Chancelour and the ●udges , the Speaker and divers of the lower House , to whom he decla●ed his Opinion to this effect : first commending their wi●dome , in maintaining the priviledges of t●eir house , ( which hee would ●o● have to be infringed in any point ) he alleaged , that ●e being head of the Parliament , and attending in his owne person upon the businesse t●ereof , ought in reason , to have Priviledge for himselfe and all his servants attending upon him , so as if the said Ferrers had been no Burgesse , but onely hi● servant ; yet in that respect , he was to have the priviledge as well as any other : for I understand ( saith he ) that you , not onely for your owne persons , but also for your necess●ry servants , even to your Cookes and Hors-keepers injoy the s●me p●i●iledge● i● so much , as my Lord Chancelour here present , hath informed u● , that whilst he was Speaker of the Parliament , the Cook of the Temple was Arrested i● London , and in execution upon a statute of the S●aple , and for so much , as the said Cook during all the Parliament served the Spe●ker in t●at office ; he was taken out of execution by priviledge of Parliament ; the Prerogative of which Court , ( as our learned Counsaile informeth us ) is so great , that all Acts and processes comming ou● of any other Court , must for the time ce●se and give place to it : and touching the party himselfe , though for his presumption he was worthy to have lost his debt , yet I commend your Equity , that have restored him to hi● debt against him that was the principall : when the King had said this , Sir Edward Mountacute Lord chiefe Justice , rose up , and confirmed by many reasons , all that the King had said , as likwise did all the other Lord● , none speaking any thing to the contrary .

It was now the foure and thirtieth yeere of King Henries Reigne , when in May he took a loane of money of all such as were valued at fifty pounds and upward● in the Subsidy book , the Lord Privy-seale , the Bishop of Winchester , Sir Iohn Baker , and Sir Thomas Wriothsley were commissioners , that the loane in London , who so handled the matter , that of some chief Citizens they obtained a thousand ma●kes in prest to the Kings use : for which Privie Seales were delivered to repay it againe within two yeeres .

At this time , were many complaints made by the ●●gli●h , against the Scots , partly for receiving and maintaining diverse English Reb●ls , 〈◊〉 into Scotland , and partly for invading ●he Engli●h Borders ; but still w●en the King of Englan● was preparing to oppose them , the Scottish King would send Embassadours to tre●t of reconcilement , till at last , ●fter m●n● delusory prankes of the Scots ; the King of England , no longer ●nduri●g such abuses , sent the Duke of Norfolke his Leivtena●● Generall , accompanied with the Earls of Shrewsbury , Darby , Cumberland , Surrey , Hart●o●d , A●●us , Rutland , the Lords of the North parts , Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Kings horse , and Sir Iohn Gage Controller of the King● House , with others , to the number of twenty thousand men ; who on the one and twentieth of Oc●ober entred Scotland , where staying but eig●t daye● onely he burnt above eighteen Towne● , Abbeys , and Castles , and then without ●aving bat●aile offered , for want of victuals returned to Barwick ; ●● soon as ●e was returned , comes abro●d the King of Scots , raiseth a power of fifteen thous●nd men , and using great threatnings what he would doe , invaded the west Borders , but the edge of his threatning was soon taken off , for the bastard Da●●es , with Iack of Musgrave setting upon them with onely an hundred Light●horse , and Sir Thomas Wharton with three hundred , put them to flight ; upon a concei● , th●● the Duke of Norfolke with all his Army had beene come i●to those part● ; where were taken prisoner● of the Scots , the Earl of Cassill and Glenc●●ne , the Lord Maxwell Admir●ll of Scotland , the Lord Flemming , the Lord So●erwell , the Lord Oli●ha●t , the Lord Gray , Sir Oliver Sinclee●e , the Kings Minion , Iohn Rosse Lord of Gragy , Robert Erskin sonne to the Lord Erskin , Car Lord of Gredon , the Lord Maxwells two Brothers , Iohn Lesloy bastard sonne to the Earl of Rothus , George Hame Lord of Hemetton , with divers other men of account , to the number of above two hundred , and more then eight hundred of meaner calling ; so as some one English m●n , and some women also , had three or foure prisoner● in their hands : at which over●hrow , the King of Scots took such grief , that he fell into a burning Ague , and thereof died , leaving behind him one onely daughter ; and heere King Henry began to apprehend a greater matter then the victory , for he and his Couns●ile conceived , that ●hi● daughter , would be a fit match for his sonne Prince Edward , thereby to make ● perpetuall union of the two Kingdomes ; and to ●his purpose they confer●ed with the Lord whom they had taken prisoners , who exceeding glad of the proposition , and promising to further it by all the possible meane they could , were ●hereupon s●t at liberty , and suffered ●o return home . Comming into Scotland 〈◊〉 acquainting the Earl of Arraine wi●h the motion , who was chosen Gover●our of the young Queen and of the Realme ; t●e matter with great liking was entertained , and in Parliament of the three est●tes in Scotland , the marriage was confirme● , and ● peace between the two Re●lms , for ten yeer● wa● proclaimed , and Embass●dours sent into England , for sealing the conditions . But Beton Archbishop of S●int Andrews being Cardinall , and at the Popes devotion , and therefore an utter enemy to King Henry , so crossed the businesse that it came to nothing , but ended in a war between the two Kingdomes ; so as in March the yeere following , the Lord Seymour Earle of Hartford , with an Army by Land and Sir Iohn Dudley Lord Lisle , with a Flee●e by Sea , me● at New-castle , and there joyned together , for invading of Scotland ; with the Earl of Hartford , were the Earl of Shrewsbury , the Lords Cobham , Clinton , Conyers , Stinton , the Lord William Howard , with Knights and others , to the number of ten thousand , with Sir Iohn Dudley the Admirall , were two hu●dred s●ile of ships : on the fourth of May , the whole Army was landed two miles from the Towne of Lieth , at a place called Granther Crag ; and there the Lord Lievtennant puting his men in order , ma●ched toward the Towne of Lieth : the Lord Admirall led the foreward , the Lievtennant the Battell , and the Earl of Shrewsbury the Rearward . Before they came to the Towne of Lieth , the Cardinal with six hundred ●orse , besides foot , lay in the way to impeach their passage ; but they were so assailed by the , Harqu●butars , that they were glad to flye , and the first man that fled was the Cardinal himself , and then the Earls of Huntley , Murrey & Bothwel ; hereupon the English made forward to Lieth , and entred it without any great resistance : the sixth of May they marched towards Edenbrough , and as they approached the Towne , the provost with some of the Burgers , came and offered the keyes of the Towen , to the Lord Lievtennant , upon condition they might depart with bag and baggage , and the Towne to be preserved from fire ; but the Lord Livetennant told them , their falshood had been such , as deserved ●o fa●our , and therefore unlesse they would deliver the Towne absolutely without any condition , he would pro●eed in his enterprise , and burne the Towne . Here wee may see , what it is to make men desperate , for to this the Provest answered , they were better then to stand upon defence , and so indeed they did , and made the English glad to retire , for the Castle shot so fiercely upon them , that having burnt onely a part of the Towne , they returned to Lieth ; but whilst they lay there , they so wasted the Country , that within seaven mile● every way of Edenbrough , there was not a Towne , nor Village , nor house t●at was left unburnt : at Lieth , the eleveth day of May , the Lord Generall made Knights , the Lord Clinton , the Lord Conyers , Sir William Wroughton , Sir Thomas Holecraft , Sir Edward Dorrell , Sir Francis Hothome , and other● , to the number of at least threescore : in Lieth Haven , they seized upon all the Scottish Ships ; whereof two were of notable fairnesse , the one called the Salamander , given by the French King , at the mariage of his daughter into Scotland , the other called the Unicorne , made by the late Scottish King ; the ballast of which two ships was Cannon-shot , whereof they found in the Towne , to the number of fourscore thousand . On the fiftee●th of May , their Army and their Flee● departed from Lieth , both in one houre , having first set the Towne on fire and burned it to the ground : from Lieth the English Army marched to Seaton , from thence to Haddington , from thence to Dunbar , from thence to Ranton , all which Towns and Castles with diverse others they burnt and utterly defaced ; and on the eighteenth of May came to Barwick , not having lost in all the journey above fourteen men●

In the meane time , in King Henries five and thirtieth yeer , on Trinity sunday a new league was entred into and sworne , between the King and the Emperour at Hampton-court , to be both offensive and defensive .

In this yeer , Proclamation was made , whereby the people were licensed to eate white meats in Le●t , but streightly forbidden the eating of flesh ; whereupon shortly after , the Earle of Surrey with diverse other Lords and Knights , were imprisoned for eating of flesh contrary to the proclamation .

The third of Iune this yeer , there came ou● of Ireland three Lord● , of whom Obrine was here created Earle of Thonmo●d , ( which ho●our his posterity injoyeth to this day ) Mack William a Bary , was created Ea●le of Clanrinckford , and Mack Gilparick , was made Barron of Ebranky .

King Henry had already had five wives all of them Maides , and no good luck with any of them , he will now therefore try his fortune with a Widdow , a●d therupon the twelveth of Iune , in the five and thirtieth yeere of his Reigne hee took to wife the Lady Katherine Par , widdow of the Lord Latimer late deceased , who was then proclaimed Queen ; but how lucky would this ma●ch have proved , if the King had longer lived , God knowes , seeing in the short time of three yeers they lived together , it was no smal danger she escaped , which though it hapenned not till a yeer or ●wo after this time , yet will not unfitly be spoken of in this place , that so her story may come together ; this Queen as being an ●arnest Protestant , had many great adversaries , by whom she was accused to the King , to have Hereticall books found in her closet ; and this was so agravated against her , that they prevailed with the King , to signe a warrant to commit her to the Tower , with a purpose to have her burnt for Heresie ; this warrant was delivered to Wriothsley Lord Chancelour , and he by chance , or rather indeed by Gods providence , letting it fal from him , it was taken up and caried to the Queen ; who having read it , went soone after to visit the King , at that time keeping his chamber , by reason of a sore leg ; being come to the King , he presently fel into talk with her , ●bout some points of Religion , demanding her resolution therin ; but she knowing that his nature was not to be crost , specially considering the case she was in , made him answer , that she was a woman accompanied with many imperfections , but his Majesty was wise and judicious , of whom she must learne as of her Lord and Head ; not so by Saint Mary ( said the King ) for you are a Doctor Kate to instruct us , and not to be instructed by us , as often we have seen heretofore : indeed Sir ( said she ) if your Majesty have so conceived , I have been mistaken , for if heretofore I have held talke with you touching Religion , it hath bin to learn of your Majesty some point , whereof I stood in doubt , and sometimes that with my talke , I might make you forget your present infirmity : a●d is it even so Sweet heart ( quoth the King ) why then we are friends , and so kissing her , gave her leave to depart . But soon after , the day was appointed by the Kings warrant , for apprehending her ; on which day , the King being disposed to walk i● the Garden , had the Queen with him , when suddenly the Lord Chancelour with forty of the Guard● c●me into the Garden , with a purpose to apprehend her : when as soon as the King saw , he stept to him , and calling him knave and foole , bid him avaunt out of his presence : the Queen seeing the King so angry with him , began to intreat for him , to whom the King said ; ah poore soule , thou little knowest what it is he came about , of my word sweet heart , he hath bin to thee a very knave ; and thus by God● providen●● was this Queen preserved , who else had tasted of as bitter a c●p , as any of his former wives had done .

About this time King Henry and the Emperour sent Garter and Toyson d●or , kings at Armes , to demand performance of certain Articles of the French King : which if he denied , they were then comanded to defie him : but the French King would not suffer them to come within his land , and so they returned : wherupon King Henry caused the s●id demand● to be declared to the French Embassadour at Westminster ; aud in Iuly sent over six thousand men , under the leading of Sir Iohn Walloppe accompanied with divers Knights & Gentlemen , Sir Thomas Seymour was Marshal of the Army , Sir Robert Bowes Treasuror , Sir Richard Cronwal Captain of the horse , and Sir George Carew his Lieutenant . There were likewise Sir Thomas Palmer , Sir Iohn Rainsford , Sir Iohn St. Iohn , and Sir Iohn Gascoigne Knights , that were Captains of the foot . Their Comission was to joyn with the Emperor , and together to m●ke war upon France . The third of August open wa● was proclaimed in London , between the Emperor & the King of England on the one part , and the F●e●ch King on the other , as mortal enemy to them both ; and to all other christian Princes besides , as he that had confederated himselfe with the Turk . Sir Iohn Wallop marching forth of Callice with his Army , joyned with ●●e Emperors Forces , who together went and besieged Landersey a Town lately fortified by the French , lying within the borders of the Emperors dominions : to raise this siege , the French King had raised a mighty army ; with which he came on , as if he ment to give the Emperor battaile ; and thereupon the Emperor raising his siedge , with a purpose to encounter him , the French King tooke the opportunity to put men and victuals into the town , which was the thing he intended : and having done this , the night following departed with his army ; and then the Emperour seeing him gone , and finding the winter coming on , and no hope of sudden ge●ting the Town , being now newly supplied , he also broke up his Army , and returned home .

This yeer , the sunday before Christmas , the Lord William Parre , brother to the Queen , who had maried the daughter and heire of Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex , was at Hampton Court created Earl of Essex , & Sir William Parre knight unckle to them both , was made Lord Parre of Horton and Lord Chamberlin to the Queen ; and on New-yeers-day Sir Thomas Wriothsley , the Kings Secretary , was made Lord Wriothsley of Tichfield .

In Iune this yeer , Matthew Earl of Lenox fled out of Scotland and came into England , whom King Henry received kindly , and gave him in marriage the Lady Margaret his Sisters daughter , by whom he had Henry , Father of our late King Iames of blessed memory .

Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour , being lately dead , Thomas Lord Wriothsley succeeded him in the place ; and now was an Army levied to goe for France ; the Duke of Norfolke and the Lord Privie Seal , accompanied with the Earl of Surrey the Dukes Son , the Lord Gray of Wilton , the Lord Ferrers of C●artley and his Son Sir Robert Devereux , Sir Thomas Chainey Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , the Lord Montjoy , Sir Francis Byran , Sir Thomas Poynings Captaine of Guysnes , with many other Knights and Gentlemen , about Whitsontide passed over to Callice ; and marching toward Muttrel , joyned with the Emperours forces , under the leading of the Count de Buren ; which two Armies laid siedge to Muttrel , wherof Monsseur de Bies , one of the Martials of France was Captaine , but being then at Bulloign , and hearing of the siedg of Muttrel , he left Bulloigne and with his forces came thither , which was the thing that was desired , to draw him from Bnlloign ; and thereupon was the Duke of Suffolke appointed to passe over with the Kings army , accompanied with the Earl of Arundell . Marshall of the Field , the Lord St. Iohn , the Bishop of Winchester , Sir Iohn Gage Controlor of the Kings house , Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Kings horse , with divers others ; who the ninteenth of Iuly came and incamped before Bulloigne ; the four and twentieth of Iuly the King in person , accompanied with divers of the Nobility , came to Callice ; and the six and twentieth incamped before Bulloign on the north side ; many batteries and assaults were made , so long , till at last the Town upon composition yeelded , and the Duke of Suffolke entred and tooke possession , suffring six thousand French , as was agreed , with bag and baggage to depart . The eight of September King Henry entred the town himselfe , and then leaving the Lord Lisle Lord Admirall , his Deputy there , he returned into England , landing at Dover the first of O●tober . Many enterprises after this were made by the Dolphin of France , and by Monsieur de Bies for recovery of Bulloigne , but they were still repulsed , and the English kept the towne in spight of all they could doe ; although at one time there came an Army of eighteene thousand foot , at another time an Army , wherein were reckoned twelve thousand Lance-knights , twelve thousand French foot-men , sixe thousand Italians , foure thousand of Legionarie souldiers of France , a thousand men of Armes , besides eight thousand light Horse ; great Forces certainly to come and doe nothing .

Whilst these things were doing about Bulloign , the ships of the west Country and other places wa●ted abroad on the Seas , and took above three hundred French ships ; so that the Gray-friers Church in London was laid full of wine , the Austin-friers and Black-friers full of herrings and other fish , which should have bin convayed in France .

About this time the King demanded a Benevolence of his Subjects , towards his wars in France and Scotland , to which purpose , the Lord Chancelour , the Duke of Suffolke , and other of the Kings Counsaile sate at Baynards Castle , where they first caled before them the Major and Aldermen , and because Richard Read Alderman , would not agree to pay as they set him , he was commanded to serve the King in his wars in Scotland , which the obstinate man rather choose to doe , then he would pay the rate he was required , but being there , he was taken prisoner by the Scots , to his far greater damage , then if he had agreed to the Benevolence required . For at this time , Sir Ralph Evers Lord Warden of the Marches , after many fortunate Roades into Scotland , assembled four thousand men , and entring Scotland now againe , was encountred by the Earl of Arraigne by whom he and the Lord Oagle , and many other Gentlemen were slaine , and diverse were taken prisoners , of whom Alderman Read was one .

It was now the seaven and thirtieth yeer of King Henries Reigne , when on Saint Georges day Sir Th●mas Wriothsley Lord-Chancelour , was made Knight of the Garter , also Trinity Tearme was adjourned , by reason of the warres but the Exchequer and the Court of the Te●thes were open .

At this time , the English fleet went before New-haven , but being there encountred by a farre greater fleet of French , they ret●rned ; with whose retreate , the French Admirall emboldned , came upon the Coast of Sussex , where hee landed Souldiers , but upon firing of the Beacons was driven back , after which he landed two thousand men in the Isle of Wight , but was there repelled , though reported to have in his ships threescore thousand men .

In Angust this yeer , died the valiant Captaine , the Lord Poynings , the Kings Lievtenant of his Towne of Bulloigne , and the same month also , died at Guildford , the noble Duke of Suffolke , Charles Brandon , Lord great Master of the Kings House , whose Body was honourably buried at Windsore at the Kings cost .

About this time , the Scots having received aide out of France , approached the English Borders , but durst attempt nothing , whereupon the Earle of Hertford , Lievtenant of the North parts , raising an army of twelve thovsand men , English and strangers , entred Scotland and burnt a great part of Mers and Tividale , as Kelsay Abbey and the Towne , the Abbeys of Medrosse , Driborne , and Yedworth , with a hundred Townes and Villages more ; when on the sixteenth of September , an Army of Scots and French attempted to enter into England on the East borders , but in a streight were set upon by the English , who slew and tooke of them to the number of seven score , amongst whom was the Lord Humes sonne , and a principall French Captaine ; in another roade , which they made into the West Borders , the Lord Maxwels sonne , and diverse other were taken , but then at another time ( such is the chance of war ) five hundred English entring the West Borders of Scotland were discomfited , and the greatest part of them either taken or slaine .

And now to revenge the presumptious attempts of the French upon the Isle of Wight , the Lord Admiral with his fleet approached the Coasts of Normandy landed six thousand men at Treport , burnt the Suburbs of that Towne with the Abbey , destoryed thirty ships there in the Haven , and then returned , not having lost above fourteen persons in the whole voyage .

At this time the Earle of Hartford lying at Bulloigne , had in his Army above fourscore thousand men , and many skirmishes passed between him and the French , till at last , by mediation of the Emperour and diverse other Princes a meeting was appointed to treat of a peace , between the two Kings of England and France ; hereupon there came to Guisnes for the King of England , the Earl of Hertford , the Bishop of Winchester , Sir Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle , Baron of Mawpas and high Admirall of England , Sir William Paget the Kings Secretary & Doctor Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury . For the French King , there came to Ard , Claude Danebolt Admirall of France , the Bishop of Eureux , Monsieur Reymond chiefe President of Roan , and the Secretary Bouchetell . Diverse times they met betwixt Ard and Guisnes , and after long debating of matters , and diverse breakings off● at length , the seventh of Iune , a Peace was concluded , and proclaimed in the City of London on Whitsunday the thirteenth of Iune , by sound of trumpet ; and the same day in like manner at Paris and Roan ; the chiefe Article of which Peace was this ; that the French King paying to the King of England eight hundred thousand Crownes , within the terme of eight yeeres , should have Bulloigne againe restored to him , which in the mean time should remain in possession of the King of England , as a pledge for assurance of the said money ; and now for a full establishment of this Peace , the Viscount Lisle Lord Admirall , with the Bishop of Duresme and divers other Lords , were sent into France to take oath of the French King and of the Dolphin ; as likewise at the same time , divers Lords came from the French King to take oath of King Henry ; who by the way were met by the yong Prince and many Lords , and conducted to the King at Hampton-Court .

In his seven and thirtieth yeere , the three and twentieth of November , a Parliament began at Westmins●er , wherein was granted to the King , a Subsidie both of Spiritualty and Temporalty , and all Colledges , Chanteries and Hospitalls were given to him to dispose of : the foure and twentieth of December the Parliament was prorogued , on which day the King comming to the Parliament House , the Speaker made to him an Oration , which the Lord Chancelour was used to answere , but at this time the King would answer himselfe , the effect whereof was , that where Master Speaker had commended him for many excellent qualities that were in him , he thanked him for it , not that he had them , but for putting him in mind , how necessary it was , he should have them ; then he thanked the whole House for their Subsidie , and for giving him the Colleges and Chanteries , which hee promised to see bestowed , to the glory of God and good of the Realme ; lastly , he ackowledged their love to himselfe , but found fault with want of love to one another ; for what love , where there is not concord ? and what concord , when one calleth another Heretick and Anabaptist , and he againe calleth him Papist and Hipocrite : and this not onely amongst those of the Temporalty , but even the Clergy men themselves preach one against another , inveigh one against another , without Charity or Discretion ; some be so stiffe in their old mumpsimus , and others so curious in their new sumpsimus , that few or none Preacheth truly and sincerely the word of God ; now therfore let this be amended , feare and serve God , be in Charity amongst your selves , to the which I as your supream Head and Soveraigne Lord , exhort and require you : and this said , the Acts were openly read , to some he gave his Royall assent , and to diverse assented not .

Whilst oath for the peace was thus taken by both Kings , Bulloigne remaining still in King Henries possession , Monsieur de Chatillon Captain of Mont-pleasier began to make a new Bastillion at the very mouth of the Haven of Bulloigne naming it Chatillous Garden : hereof the Lord Gray of Wilton as then Deputy of Bulloigne advertised the King by Sir Thomas Palmour , requiring to know his pleasure whither he should race it , as a thing very incommodious to the Town , or let it stand ; the King asked advice of his Counsail , who all agreed , that the conditions of the peace ought in no wise to be infringed , and therefore to let the Bastillian stand ; whereupon the King caused his Secretary the Lord Paget , to write a letter to the Lord Gray , to that purpose , but then called Sir Thomas Palmour secretly to him , bidding him tell the Lord Gray , that whatsoever he had written in his letter , yet with all speed possible , he should race the fortification to the ground ; Sir Thomas Palmour replying that a message by word of mouth being contrary to his leter , would never be beleeved , wel ( said the King ) do you tell him as I bid you , and leave the doing it to his choice ; upon the comming back of Sir Thomas Palmour , the Lord Gray called a counsaile , shewing them th● King● letter , and withall Sir Thomas Palmours message , and then asked their Advise , what in this case he should doe ? who all agreed without any question , that the letter was to be followed , and not the message , to which the Lord Gray himselfe said nothing , but caused the message to be wtitten verbatim from Sir Thomas Palmours mouth , and those of the Counsaile , to set their hands to it : this done , the night following he issued forth with a company of Armed men and Pioners , aud overthrew the fortification to the ground , a●d then sent Sir Thomas Palmour with letters to the King , who as soon as he saw him , asked aloud , what , will he doe it or no ? Sir Thomas Palmour delivering his letter said , your Majesty shall know by these , but then the King halfe angry , nay tell me ( saith he ) wil he doe it or no ? being then told it was done , and the fortification clean raced , he turned to his Lords and said , what say you my Lords to this , Chatillous Garden is raced to the ●loore ; whereto one presently answered , that he that had done it , was worthy to loose his head , to which the King streightl● replyed , that he would rather lose a dozen such heads as his was , that so J●dged , then one such servants as had done it , and therewith commanded the Lord Grays pardon should presently be drawn , the which he sent with letters of great thanks , and promise of reward ; the cause why the King took this course was this , lest if he written the racing of the Fortification , in his letter it might have come t● the French-mens knowledge , before it could have been done , and so have been prevented , and by this may be taken a scantling of King Henries great Capacitie .

It is now the eight and thirtieth yeere of his reigne , when about Michaelmas Thomas Duke of Norfolke , and Henry Earle of Surrey his Sonne and heire , upon certaine surmises of treason , were committed to the Tower of London ; and the thirteenth of Ianuary , the King then lying at the point of death , the said Earle was arraigned in the Guild-hall , before the Lord Major , the Lord Chauncellour , and other Lords there in Commission ; the speciall matter wherewith he was charged , was the bearing of certaine Armes that were said to belong to the King and to the Prince ; though the Earle justified the bearing of them , as belonging to divers of his Ancestours ; affirming withall , that he had the opinion of Heraulds therein : But this notwithstanding , being no Lord of the Parliament , he was tried by a common Jurie , and by them was found guilty , and thereupon had judgement of death ; and the nineteenth of Ianuary was beheaded on the Tower-hill . The Duke was attainted by Parliament and kept in prison , ●ill in the first yeer of Queen Mary the Attaindour was reversed . The death of this Earle might lay an imputation of cruelty upon King Henry , if a just jealousie growing from the many circumstances of the Earles greatnesse , in the tender age of his owne Sonne did not excuse him .

Soone after the death of this Earle , the King himselfe died ; having made his last Will , in which he tooke order , that his Sonne Edward should succeed him in the Crowne , and he dying without issue , his daughter Mary , and she dying without issue , his daughter Elizabeth ; although another order of succession had passed before by Act of Parliament . The Executors of his last Will were these sixteene ; Thomas Cranmor Archbishop of Canterbury , Thomas Wriothsley Lord Chancellour , Sir William Pawlet Lord Saint Iohn , and great Master of the Houshold , Sir Edward Seymor Earle of Hartford and high Chamberlin of England , Sir Iohn Russell Lord Privie Seale , Sir Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle , Lord Admirall● Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham , Sir Anthonie Browne Master of the Horse , Sir Edmund Montacute , Lord chiefe Justice of the Common-Pleas , Sir Thomas Bromley one of the Justices of the Kings Bench , Sir Edward North Chancellour of the Augmentation , Sir William Paget Knight of the Order , Sir Anthonie Dennie , Sir William Herbert , Sir Edward Wootton Treasurour of Callice , and Nicholas Wootton Deane of Canterbury and Yooke . To whom were adjoyned as assistance these twelve , Henry Fitz Allan Earle of Arundell , William Par Earle of Essex , Sir Thomas Cheyney Treasurour of the Houshold , Sir Iohn Gage Controlour , Sir Anthony Wingfield Vice-chamberlaine , Sir William Peter Principall Secretary , Sir Richard Rich , Sir Iohn Baker of Sissingherst in Kent , Chancellour of the Exchequer , Sir Ralph Sadler , Sir Thomas Seymour , Sir Richard Southwell and Sir Edward Peckham . And it was not without need to leave a full Councell Table , considering in what termes he left the Kingdome when he died . Abroad , in league with the Emperour , at Peace with the King of France ; but whether these were not personall onely , and no longer binding then King Henry lived , might be doubted ; with the Scots at deadly send ; with the Pope at utter defiance ; from both which coasts there could be expected but little faire weather : at home , the frame of Religion extreamly disioynted ; and the Clergie that should set it in frame , out of frame themselves : the mindes of the people extreamly distracted ; and the Nobility that should cyment them , scarce holding themselves together : And in this stare was the Kingdome when King Henry the eight dyed , in the yeer 1547. the fifty sixth of his life , and of his Reigne the eight and thirtieth .

Of his Taxations .

IN his fourth yeer , in a Parliament at Westminster , was granted to the King , two Fifteens of the Temporalty , and two Tenths of the Clergie , and Head-money ; of every Duke ten marke , an Earle five pound , a Barron ●oure pound , a Knight foure markes , and every man valued at eight hundred pounds in goods , to pay ●oure markes , and so after that rate till him that was valued at forty shillings , and he paid twelve pence , and every man and woman of fifteen yeers & upward four pence . In his sixth yeer , a Parliament was holden , wherin divers subsidies were granted to the King , towards the charges of his wars in France : in his fourteenth yeer , order was taken by the Cardinall , that the true value of all mens substance might be knowne , and he would have had every man swom , to tell what they were worth , and required a ●enth part thereof , towards the Kings charges in his present wars , as the spiritualty had granted a fourth part : this the Londoners thought very hard , and thereupon were excused for taking oath , and were allowed to bring in their bils upon their honesties ; but when all was done , after much labouring by the Cardinall , the Clergy granted one halfe of all their yeerly Spirituall Revenues , for five yeers , and the Temporalty two shillings in the pound , from twenty pounds upwards , and from forty shillings to twenty pounds , of every twenty shillings twelve pence ; and under forty shillings , of every head of sixteen yeers and upwards four pence , to be paid in every two yeers : in his sixteenth yeer , the Cardinall of his owne head , attempted by Comission , to draw the People to pay the sixth part of every mans substance in plate or monie ; but this was generally opposed , and the People in many Countries rise upon it , so as comming to the Kings knowledg , ●e utterly disavowed it , and blamed the Cardinall exceedingly for attempting it . In his foure and twentieth yeer in a Parliament then holden , a fifteenth was granted to the King , towards his charges of making fortifications against Scotland . In his one and thir●ieth yeer , a Subsidie of two shillings in the pound of lands , and twelve of goods , with foure fifteenes were granted to the King , towards his charges of making Bulwarks . In his five and thirtieth yeer , a Subsidie was granted to be paid in three yeers , every English-man being worth in goods twenty shillings and upwards to five pounds , to pay four pence of every pound , and from five pounds to ten pounds eight pence , from ten pounds to twenty pound six pence● from twenty pounds and upwards , of every pound two shilings ; strangers as wel denizens as others , being inhabitants to pay double , and for lands , every English-man paid eight pence o● the pound , from twenty shillings to five pounds , & from five pounds to ten pounds sixteen pence , and from ten pounds to twenty pou●d● two shillings , and from twenty pounds and upwards , of every pound three shillings , strangers double ; the Clergy six shillings in the pound of Benefices , and every Priest having no Benifice , but an Anual stipend , six shillings eight pence yeerly , during three yeers .

Of Lawes and Ordinances in his time .

IN a Parliament holden in his sixth yeere , diverse Lawes were made , but two most spoken of ; one for Apparell , another for Labourers . In his twelvth yeere , he caused the Statutes against Inclosures to be revived , and Commanded that decaied houses should be built up againe , and that inclosed grounds should be laid open ; which though it did some good , yet not so much as it might have done , if the Cardinall for his owne benefit , had not procured liberty for great men , to keep up their inclosures , to the oppression of poor men . In his seventeenth yeer , the King lying at Eltham , diverse ordinances were made b● the Cardinall touching the Governance of the Kings House , and were long after called the Statutes of Eltham . In his eighteenth yeere , in the month of May , Proclamation was made against all unlawfull games , so that in all places tables , dice , cards and Bowles , were taken and burnt ; but this order continued not long , for young men being restrained from these Games , fell some to drinking , some to stealing of Conies and Deere , aud such other misdemeanours : also in this yeere , was an inhauncing of Coyne , for preventing the carrying it over to places where it went at higher rate , so that the Angell which went before but for seven shillings , should now goe for seven and six pence , and every ounce of Gold should be five a●d forty shillings , which was before but forty , and other Coynes accordingly . In his twentieth yeer Sir Iames Spencer being Major of London , the watch used on Mid-somer night was laid downe . In his three and thirtieth yeer , in a Parliament then holden , an Act was made , that whosoevet should poyson any person should be boyled to death , by which Statute one Richard Roose , who had poysoned diver●e persons in the Bishop of Rochester place , was boyled to death in Smithfield , to the terrible example of all other . In his two and twentieth yeer , three Acts were made , one fo● probate of Testaments , another for Mortuaries , the third against plurality of benefices , Non-Residence , buying and taking of Farmes by spirituall persons . In his thirtieth yeer , it was ordained by Cromwel the Kings Vicar General , that in al Churches a Register should be kept of every Weddng , Christning , and buriall within the same Parish for ever . In his one and thirtieth yeer , the King first instituted and appointed fifty Gentlemen called Pensioners , to waight upon his person , assighning to each of them fifty pounds a yeer , for the maintainance of th●mselvs and two horses , in his six and thirtieth yeer , Proclamation was made for the inhancing of Gold , to eight and fort● shillings , and silver to foure shillings the ounce , also he caused to be coyned base money , mingling it with brasse which was since that time called downe the fifth yeere of Edward the sixth , and called in the second yeer of Queen Elizibeth . In his seven and thirtieth yeer , the brothell houses , called the Stewes on the Bank-side in Southwarke , were p●t downe by the Kings Commandement , and was done by proclamation and sound of Trumpet . In his three and twentieth yeer , it was enacted , that Butchers should sell their meat by weight , Beef for a half-peny the pound , and Mutton for three farthings , also at this time forraigne Butchers were permitted , their flesh in Leadenhall-market , which before was not allowed ; in his time also , the Government of the President in the North was first instituted , and the first President there , was Tunstall Bishop of Durham .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN the yeer 1517. the eighth yeer of this Kings Reigne , Martin Luther of Wittemberg in Germany a Frier of the Order of the Hermisses , taking occasion from the abuse● of Indulgences , began to Preach against the Authority of the Pope , and to bring in a Reformation of Religion ; for repressing of whom the Counsaile of Trent was called by Pope Paul the third , in the yeere 1542. which continued above forty yeers , but was never received in the Kingdome of France● which Counsaile , by decreeing many things to be poins of faith , which were not so accounted before , hath made no small distraction amongst P●pists themselves : against this Luther , King Henry wrote a booke with great bitternesse , and with as great bitternesse was answered ; at the same time with Luther , there arose also in the same Country other Reformers of Religion , as Zuingliu● , Occloampadious , Melancthon , who differing from Luther in some few points , made the difference which is at this day of Lutherans and Protestants , so called at first Auspurg , for making a protestation in defence of their Doctrine , which soon after spread all Christendome over : King Henry in the sixth and twentieth yeer of his Reigne , had excluded the Popes Authority ou● of his Realme ; but thinking the worke not sufficiently done , as long as Abbeys and Prio●ies kept their station , which were , as it were his Forteresses and Pillars ; there w●s not long after me●nes found to have them suppressed , for aspersio●s being l●id upon them ( and perhaps no more then truth ) of Adulteries and Murther● , they by Act of Parli●ment , in his eight and twentieth yeer , at lest neere foure hundred of them suppressed , and all their lands and goods conferred upon the King . In his one and thi●tieth yeer all the rest ; and lastly , in his five and thirtinth yeer , all Colledge● , Chantries and Hospitals ; so as the hives being now all removed , there have never since any Bees or Drones been seen in the Country : in this Kings time , the Citty of Rome was taken and sacked by the Imperiall Army , forcing the Pope to fly to his Castle Saint Angelo , and there kept a prisoner , till he agreed to such conditions as his Adversaries propounded . In the two and twentieth yeere of this Kings reigne , a Proclamation was set forth that no person should purchase any thing from the Court of Rome , and this was the first blow given to the Pope in England . In his three and twentieth yeer the Clergy submitting themselves to the King , for being found guilty of a Praemunire , were the first that called him supream head of the Church . In his foure and twentieth yeere a Parliament was holden , wherein one Act was made , that Bishops should pay no more Annats or money for their Buls to the Pope , and another that no person should appeale for any cause out of this Realm , to the Court of Rome , but from the Commissary to the Bishop , and from the Bishop to the Archbishop , and from the Archbishop to the King , and all causes of the King to be tried in the upper Ho●se of the Convocation . In his six and twentieth yeer in Iuly , Iohn Frith was burnt in Smithfield , a●d with him at the same stake one Andrew Howet a Tailor , both for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament ; and in a Parliament holden t●is yeer , an Act was made which Authorized the Kings Highnesse , to be supreame head of the Church of England , and the Authority of the Pope to be abolished , and then also was given to the King the first fruits and tenths of all Spirituall livings ; and this yeer were many put to dea●h , Papists for denying the Kings Supremecy , Protestants for denying the Reall presence in the Sacrament ; and it is incredible what numbers for thes● two causes were put to death , in the last ten yeers of this Kings Reign , of whom if we should make perticular mention , i● would reach a great way in the Book of Martyrs : in his eight and twentieth yeer , the Lord Cromwell was made Vi●a● General under the King , over the Spiritualty , and sate divers times in the Convocation House amongst the Bishops as head over them ; and in September thi● yeere , he set forth injunctions , commandi●g all Parsons and Curates to ●each their Parishoners the Pa●er Noster , the A●e , and Creed , with the ten Commandements and Articles of the Christian F●ith in the English tongue . I● his one and thirtieth yeer , was set forth by the Bishops , the Book of the six Articles , condemning all for Hereticks and to be burnt that should hold , 1. That the body of Christ was not Really present in the Sacrament after Consecration . 2. That the sacrament might not truly ●e Administred under one Kind . 3. That Priests entred into Holy Orders might marry . 4. That vowes of Chastity entred into upon mature deliberation , were not to be kept . 5. That private Masses were not to be used . 6. That Auricular Confession was not necessary in the Church .

T●is yeere also the Religion of St. Iohns in England , commonly called the Order of Knights of the Rhodes was dissolved ; and on Assension day , Sir William Weston Knight , Prior of St. Iohns departed this life , for thought ( as was reported ) after he heard of the dissolution of his Order , for the King took all the lands that belonged to that Order into his owne hands ; in his six and thirtieth ●eere , the Letany or Praecession was set forth in English , with commandement by the King , to be generally used in Parish Churches .

Workes of Piety done by him or others in his time .

UPon the suppressing of Abbeys , King Henry instituted six new Bishopricks ●nd six Cathedrall Churches , endowing them with convenient mainte●ance , he also gave competent Pensions during their lives , to such Riligious Persons as were turned out of their Cloysters ; he also insti●uted in both the Universities , Professors of the Hebrew and Greek tongues , of Divinity , Civil-law and Physick , allowing to each of them forty pound a yeer : he also founded a Colledge at Cambridge ; he gave at his death a thousand markes to the poor , and to twelve poore Knights of Windsore , each of them twelve pence a day for ever , and every yeere a long gowne of white cloath : in the fifth yeer of this Kings reigne , George Monor Major of London , re-edified the decayed steeple of the Church of Waltham-stow in Essex , adding thereunto a side Isle with a Chappel where he lieth buried ; on the North side of the Church-yard there he founded a faire Alms-house , for a Priest and thirteen poor men and women , giving them a weekly maintenance ; he also for the commodity of Travelours made a cawsey of timber over the marshes , from Waltham-stow to Lock-bridg towards London . In this Kings eighth yeer Richard Foxe Bishop of Winchester founded Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford , minding to have made it a house for Monkes , but Hugh Oldham Bishop of Exceter , perswaded him to make it rather a Colledge for Schollars , and joyned with him in it , contributing great sums of money towards it , contenting himselfe with the name onely of a Benefactour . In his seventh ye●r King Henry builded the town of Greenwich . In this Kings time , Cardinall Woolsey Founded two Colledges , one at Oxford , another at Ipswich ; to his Colledge at Oxford he had given foure thousand pounds Land a yeere , but his Lands being all confiscate to the King , the King tooke the Lands , but yet gave to the Colledge a competent maintenance for a Deane , eight Prebends , and a hundred Fellowes ; which Colledge is now called Christ-Church , and accounts King Henry for their Founder . His Colledge at Ipswich was demolished . This Cardinall also built Hampton-Court , the chiefest at this day of all the Kings houses , and built or enlarged White-hall , called then Yorke-Place . King Henry in his foure and twentieth yeer , built his Mansio● House of Saint Iames , where also he made a faire Parke . This place before had ●eene an Hospitall of Sisters , with whom the King compounded , giving them Pensions during their lives . In his thirtieth yeere , Nicholas Gibson Gro●er , then Sheriffe of London , builded ● Free-School at Ratcliffe nere London with maintenance for a Master and an Usher ; ●e also builded an Alms-house there for fourteen poor and aged people . In his one and thirtieth yeer , Thomas Huntlow the then Sheriff of London , gave certain tenements to the Haberdashers , for finding of ten Almes-men of the same company . In his six and thirtieth yeer , Sir Iohn All●n who had been twice Major ● London , and of the Kings Counsaile , gave at his death , to the Citty of London , a rich Coller of Gold , to be worn by the Major : which Collor was first wor●e by S●r William Laxton on Saint Edwards day , at the Election of the new Major , who gave to every Ward in London twenty pounds , to be distributed amongst poore Housholders , besides to sixscore persons , whereof threescore men to every one a gowne of broad-cloth and a black cap ; and threescore women , to every one a gowne of the like cloath ●nd a white Kerchiffe . In his eight and thirtieth yeer , King Henry gave to the Citty of London , for reliefe of poore people Saint Barthalomews Spittle , the Church of the Gray-Friers , and two Parish Churches , the one at Saint Nicholas in the ●hambles , the other Saint Ewins in Newgate-Marke● , all to be made one Parish Church of the Gray-Fryers ; and in Lands he gave for the maintenance of the same five hundred markes a yeere for ever : and this Church to be named Christ-Church ; founded by King Henry the eighth .

Casualties in his time .

IN his ninth yeere happened a Swea●ing-sicknesse , whereof infinite multitudes in many parts of England dyed , specially in London ; and was so violent , that in three and sometimes two houres , it tooke away mens lives , and spared neither rich nor poore ; for in the Kings Court the Lord Clinton , the Lord Gray of Wilton , and many Knights , Gentlemen and Officers dyed of it . It began in Iuly , and continued to the midst of December . In his thirteenth yeere , was a great mortality in London , and other places of the Realme , and many men of Honour and Worship dyed ; amongst others , Doctor Fitz-Iames Bishop of London , in whose place Doctor Tunstall succeeded . In his nineteenth yeere , by extremity of raine in seed-time , there followed a great dearth of Corne , which would have caused great calamity , but that it was relieved in London by Merchants of the Styliard out of Germany , and a thousand quarters supplied out of the Kings owne provision . In his twentieth yeere , in the end of May , began in London another Sweating-sicknesse , which afterwards infected all places of the Realme ; by reason whereof the Tearme was adjourned , and the Cicuit of the Assizes also ; many dyed in the Court , as Sir Fra●cis Poynts , Sir William Compton Knights , and William Carew Esquire of the Kings Privie-Chamber ; the King himselfe for a space , removed almost every day , till he came to Tittinhanger , a place of the Abbot of Saint Albones , where he with the Queene and a small number remained , till the sicknesse was past . In his thirtieth yeere , the manner of casting Pipes of Lead , for conveyance of water under-ground , without using of soder , was first invented by Robert Brocke Clerke , one of the Kings Chaplaines : a profitable invention , for by this , two men and a boy will doe more in one day , then could have beene done before by many men in many dayes : Robert Cooper Goldsmith , was the first that made the Instruments , and put this Invention in practice . In a Rebellion in the North , in this Kings time , when the Duke of Nor●olke , was sent with an Army against the Rebels , and that a day o● battaile betweene them was appointed , it happened , that the night before a small Brooke called Dun , running between the two Armies , upon the fall of a small rai●e , swelled to such a height , that it was not passable by either foot or horse ; a thing which had never happened before upon a great raine , and was then accounted ( as indeed it was ) no lesse then a Miracle . In his three and thirtieth yeere , was a great mortality in the Realme , by reason of hot Agues and Fluxes ; and withall so great a drouth , that small Rivers were clean dryed , much cattell dyed for lacke of water , and the Thames were grown so shallow , that the Salt-water flowed above London-bridge , till the raine had encreased the fresh waters . In his five and thirtieth yeere , the first cast-Peeces of Iro● that ever were made in England , were made at Buckstead in Sussex by Ralph H●ge and Peter Bawde . In his six and thirtieth yeere , was a great Plague in London , so as Michaelm●s Tearme was adjourned to Saint Albones , and there kept . In his seven and thirtieth yeere , on Tuesday in Easter-weeke , William Foxley Pot-maker for the Mint of the Tower of London , fell asleepe , and could not b● waked with pinching or burning , till the first day of the next Tearme , which was full fourteene dayes ; and when he awaked , was found in all points , as if he had slept but one night , and lived forty yeeres after . About ●●is fifteenth yeere , it happened that divers things were newly brought int● England , whereupon this Rime was made : Tur●●s , Carps , Hoppes , Piccarell and Beere , Ca●●e into ENGLAND all in one yeere .

Of his Wives and Children .

KIng Henry had six Wives , his first was Katherine , daughter of Ferdinand King of Spain , the Relict of his brother Arthur , she lived his Wife above twenty yee●s , and then was divorced from him ; after which she lived three yeers by the name of Katherine Dowager , she deceased at Kimbolton in the County of Huntington , the eighth of Ianuary in the yeere 1535. and lieth interred in the Cathedral Church of Peterborough , under a Hearce of black say , having a white Crosse in the midst . His second Wife was Anne second da●ghter of Sir Thomas Bullen , Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond ; shee was maried to him the five and twentieth day of Ianuary , in the yeere 1533. lived his wife three yeers , three months and five and twenty dayes , and then was beheaded , and her body buried in the Quire of the Chappell in the Tower : his third Wife was Iane daughter of Sir Iohn Seymour and sister to the Lord Edward Seymour , Earle of Hartford and Duke of Somerset , she was maried to him the next day after the beheading of Queen Anne , lived his Wife one yeer five months and foure and twenty dayes , and then died in Child-bed , and was buried in the midst of the Quire of the Church within the Castle of Windsor . His fourth Wife was Anne , sister to the Duke of Cleve , she lived his wife six moneths , and then was Divorced ; she remained in England long after the Kings death , and accompanied the Lady Elizabeth through London , at the solemnizing of Queene Maries Coronation . His fifth wife was Katherine , daughter of Edmund , and Neece of Thomas Howard his brother Duke of Norfolke ; she was married to him in the two and thirtieth yeere of his reigne ; lived his wife one yeere sixe moneths and foure dayes , and then was beheaded in the Tower of London , and buried in the Chancell of the Chappell by Queene Anne Bullen . His sixt wife was Katherine , daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendall , and sister to the Lord William Parre , Marquesse of Northampton ; she was first married to Iohn Nevill Lord Latimer , and after his decease to the King at Hampton-Court , in the five and thirtieth yeere of his reigne : she was his wife three yeeres six moneths and five dayes ; and then surviving him , was againe married to Thomas Seymour Lord Admirall of England , unto whom she bore a daughter , but died in her Childe-bed , in the yeere 1548. He had children by his first wife Queene Katherine , Henry borne at Richmond , who lived not full two moneths , and was buried at Westminster ; also another Sonne , whose name is not mentioned , lived but a short time neither : then a daughter named Mary , borne at Greenwich , in the eighth yeere of his reigne , and came af●erward to be Queene of England . By his second wife , Queene Anne Bullen , he had a daughter named Elizabeth , borne at Greenwich , in the five and twentieth yeere of his reigne ; who succeeded her sister Mary in the Crowne : he had also by her a sonne , but borne dead . By his third wife Queene Iane , he had a Sonne named Edward , borne at Hampton-Court in the nine and twentieth yeere of his reigne , who succeeded him in the Kingdome . Besides these , he had a base Sonne , named Henry Fitz-roy , begotten of the Lady Talboyse , called Elizabeth Blunt , borne at Blackamore in Essex , in the tenth yeere of his reigne ; who was made Duke of Richmond and Somerset ; married Mary daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke ; with whom he lived not long , but dyed at Saint Iames by Westminster , and was buried at Framingham in Suffolke .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HEE was exceeding tall of statu●e , and very strong ; faire of complexion , in his latter dayes corpulent and burley : concerning his condition● , Hee was a Prince of so many good parts , that one would wonder he could have any ill ; and indeed he had no● many ill , till flattery and ill councell in his latter time got the upper hand of him . His cruelty to his wives may not onely be excused , but defended ; for if they were incontinent , he did but justice ; if they were not so , yet it was sufficient to satisfie his conscience , that he thought he had c●use to thinke them so ; and if the marriage bed be honourable in all ? in Princes it is sacred . In suppressing of Abbies he shewed not little Piety , but great providence ; for though they were excellent things being rightly used , ye● most pestilent , being abused ; and then may the use be justly suppressed , when the abuse scarce possibly can be restrained . To thinke he suppressed Abbies out of covetousnesse and desire of gaine , is to make him extreamly deceived in his reckoning ; for if we compare the profit with the charge that followed , we shall finde him certainly a great looser by the bargaine . He was so farre from Pride , that he was rather too humble , at lest he conversed with his Subjects in a more familiar manner then was usuall with Princes . So valiant , that his whole li●e almost , was nothing but exercises of valour ; and though performed amongst his friends in jest , yet they prepared him against his enemies in earnest , and they that durst be his enemies found it . It may be said , the complexion of his government for the first twenty yeers , was sanguine and joviall ; for the rest , collerick and bloody : and it may be doubted , whether in the former , he were more prodigall of his owne treasure , or in the latter of his Subjects blood ; for as he spent more in Fictions , then any other King did in Realities , so in any distemper of his people , he had no other Physicke , but to open a veine : but we shall do him extreame wrong , to thinke that all the blood shed in his time , was of his shedding ; they were the Bishops that were the Draco to make the bloody Laws ; the Bishops that were the Phalaris , to put them in execution : the King of●entimes scarce knowing what was done . Certain it is , when a great Lord put a Gentlewoman the second time on the rack , the King hearing of it , exceedingly condemned him for such extream cruelty . As for Religion , though he brought it not to a full Reformation ; yet he gave it so great a beginning , that we may truly say of that he did , Dimidium plus toto . They who charge him with the vice of lust , let them shew such another example of continence as was seen in him to lye six moneths by a yong Lady , and not to touch her ; for so did hee with the Lady Anne of Cleve : but this is to make Nosegayes , I like better to leave every flower growing upon its staulke , that it may be gathered fresh ; which will be done by reading the Story of his Life .

Of his Death and Buriall .

IT is Recorded of him , that in his later time he grew so fat and slothfull , that engines were made to lift and remove him up and downe ; but howsoever in the six and fiftieth yeer of his age , whither a dropsie , or by reason of an ulcer in his leg , he fell into a lang●ishing feaver , which brought him into such extreamity , that his Physitians utterly despared of his life , whereof yet none durst speake a word to him , till Master Denny one of his Privy-chamber tooke the the boldnes to goe to him , telling him of the danger he was in , and withall putting him in mind to thinke of his soules health ; to which he answered , that hee confessed his sin●es to be exceeding great , yet had such confidence in the mercy of God through Christ , that he doubted not of forgivenesse though they had been much greater ; and being then asked by Master Denny , if he would have any Divine brought to him with whom to confer , he answered he would willingly have the Archbishop Cranmer , but not yet a while , til he had taken a litle rest : whereupon the Archbishop being then at Croydon , was presently sent ●or , but before he could come , the King was growne speechlesse , onely seeming to retain a little memory , so as putting out his hand , and the Archbishop desiring him to shew some signe of his faith in Christ , he then wrung the Archbishop hard by the hand , and immediately gave up the Ghost , the eight and twentieth of Ianuary , in the yeer 1547. the six and fiftieth of his age , and of his reigne the eight and thirtieth : his body with great solemnity was buried at Windsor under a most costly and stately Tombe , begun in copper and guilt , but never fi●ished .

Men of note in his time .

MEn famous for the sword were many in his time , and in a manner all , that it is hard making choice , without being partiall , unlesse we shal preferre Dukes of equal valour , before others of meaner caling , and then wil the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolk hold worthily the place first , and next to them the yong Earl of Surrey , who had been more fortunate if he had been lesse valiant . Of men of letters in his time , there were whole Armies in forraigne parts , the most ●amous , were Budaeus , Ludovicus Vines , Iohn Revolin , Erasmus Roteradamu● , Vrsinus , Cornarius , Sadolet , Martin Bucer ; in England were Iohn Collet Deane of Pauls and Founder of the Schoole there , William Lilly borne a● Odiham in Hamshire , first Scholmaster of Pauls-Schoole , Thomas Linaker a learned Phisitian , Iohn Skelton a pleasant Poet , William Horman Vice Provest of Eaten , who wrote divers workes , Sir Rastal● a Citizen and Stationer of London , Christopher Saint-Germane an excellent Lawyer , Sir Thomas Elyot , Iohn Leland , a diligent searcher of Antiquities , Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight , Lord Berners , who translated ●he Chronocles of Froysard out of French into English , Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph , who w●ote a book against Erasmus traslation of the new Testament ; Arnold of London , who wrote certain Colections touching Historicall matters , Thomas Lupset a Londoner , who wrote sundry vertuous Treatises , Henry Bradshaw a black Monke , who wrote the life of Saint Werborough , and also a certain Chronocle , Iohn Palsgrave a Londoner , who wrote instructions for the perfect understanding of the French tongue , Iohn S●vish a Cornish-man , who wrote certaine abbreviations of Chronicles , with a Treatise of the wars of Troy , Anthony Fitz-Herbert a Judge , who wrote an Abridgment of the Law , Wilfride Holme who wrot a Treatise of the rebellion in Lincolnshire , Thom●s Lanquet who wrote an Epitomy of Chronicles , and also of the winning of Bulloigne , Thomas Soulman of Gernsey , who wrote divers notes of History , Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham , Robert Whittington who wrote divers Treatises for the instruction of Grammarians , Iohn Russell , who wrote a Treatise entituled super jure Caesaris et Papae , also commentaries in Cantica , Simon Fish a Kentish-man , who wrote a book called the supplication of Beggars , George Bullen Lord Rochford brother to Queen Anne who wrote divers songs and sonets , Francis Bigod Knight born in Yorkeshire , who wrote a book against the Clergy , intitled de Impropriationibus , Henry Lord Morley , who wrote divers Treatises , as Comodies and Tragedies , as the life of sectaries , and certaine rimes , William Botevile alias Thynne , who restored the works of Chawcer , Richard Turpin , who ser●ing in the Garrison of Callice , wrote a Chronicle of his time , and died in the ●eer 1541. Sir Thomas Wiat Knight , who wrote divers matters in English-meeter , and transl●ted the seven Penitentiall Psalmes , and ( as some say ) the whole Psalter , he died of the pestilence , as he was going Embassadour to the Emperour , in the yeer 1541. Henry Howard Earle of Surrey , who wrote divers Treatises in English-meeter , Iohn Field a Londoner , who wrote a Treatise of mans Free-will , de Servo homi●is Arbitrio , and Collections of the common Laws of England , Robert Shingleton borne in Lancashire , who wrote a Treatise of the seven Churches , and certaine Prophesies , William Parry a Welsh-man , who wrote a booke intitled speculum Iuvenam .

THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SIXTH .

IT was now the yeere 1547. when on the eight and twentieth of Ianuary King Henry dying ; Prince Edward his Sonne by his third wife , the Lady Iane Seymour , and the onely Sonne he left behinde him , as well by right of Inheritance , as by his last Will , succeeded him in the Kingdome ; to whom as being but nine yeers old , and therefore unripe for Government ; hee had assigned eight and twenty Councellours ; a fit number , if agreeing amongst themselves ; too many , if at variance : and at variance they would soon fall , if there were not a moderatour to keep them in concord ; the first worke therfore necessary to be done in this new world , was to make choice of such a man , as might be to the Counsailors a Moderator , a protectour to the King , and in his minority , to the Kingdome . To this place , by common consent of the King and Counsaile , Edward Seymour Earl of Hartford the Kings Unckle , was chosen to hold the place , untill the King should accomplish the age of eighteene yeeres . In which Office the first thing he did , was to make the young King Knight , who presently thereupon , made Henry Hobblethorne Major of London Knight , and then King Henries Obsequies being solemnly performed ; on the seaventeenth of February , were raised in Honour the Earl of Hartford Protectour , to be Duke of Somerset , William Par Earle of Essex , to be Marquis of Northampton , Dudly Viscount Lisle , to be Earle of Warwick ; Wriothsley Lord Chancelour , to be Earle of Southampton , Sir Thomas Seymour the Protectours brother , was made Lord of Sudeley , and Admirall of England , Sir Richard Rich was made Lord Rich , Sir William Willoughby was made Lord Willoughby , and Sir Edmund Sheffield was made Lord Sheffield of Butterwick : on the nineteenth of February , the King in great state rode from the Tower to the Pallace of Westminster , where the day following , he was Crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury , with all rites accustomed , in great solemnity . At which time a generall pardon was Proclaimed for all offenders , six onely excepted , namely the Duke of Norfolke , Cardinall Poole , Edward Courtney eldest sonne to the Marquis of Excetur , Master Fortescue , Master Throgmorton , and Doctor Pa●es Bishop of Worcester , who was fled to Rome , to avoid taking the oath of Suprem●cy , all which six continued unpardo●ed , till the first yeere of Queene Mary , and then were restored . A few dayes after , the Earle of Southampton Lord Chancelour for be●ng contumacious to the rest of the Lords in matters of Counsaile , was removed both from his Office of being Chancelour , and from his place in Counsaile , and the great Seale was delivered to Sir William Pawlet , Lord Saint-Iohn , and Lord great Master of the Kings Huoshold .

Within two months after the death of King Henry , died Francis King of France also , for whom solemne Obsequies were kept in Pauls Church , as hee likewise had kept before at Paris for King Henry : these two Kings were of so consenting natures , that they had certainly been great friends while they lived , if they had not been Kings , and that jelousie of state had not made them oftentimes not to be themselves .

King Henry before his death , had left in charge with the Lords of his Counsaile , by all meanes possible , to procure a proceeding in the mariage with the young Queen of Scots ; and now in discharge therof the Lord Protectour himselfe , with an Army of twelve thousand foot , and six thousand horse , besides Labourers and Pioners thirteen hundred , entred Scotland the third of September , at which time also Edward Lord Clinton with a fleet of threescore saile assisted by sea , but before he would doe any hostile Act , he caused Proclamation to be made , that his comming was onely to have performance of the Articles heretofore agreed on fo● the mariage , tending to the good of both Kingdomes , if they would yeeld unto , he would then returne in peaceable manner , and the more to draw them on , w●ere before it was demanded to have the Queen brought into England , and there to be brought up , the Protectour was content , she should remaine in Scotland till yeers of consent● this demand , the more moderate sort of the Scots accou●ted very reasonable , but those of the French and Papal faction , who were the greatest persons , and the greatest number strongly opposed ; wherupon , the Lord Protectour , presently put his Army into Array , the Lord Gray and Sir Francis Brian , with eight hundred Light-horse , were sent before to provide lodging for the Army , and to give advertisement of the enemies approaches ; then followed the Avant-guard , in number between three and foure thousand foot , one hundred men at Armes , and six hundred Light-horse , led by the Earle of Warwick ; then followed the maine Battaile , consisting of above six thousand foot , six hundred men at Armes , and one thousand Light-horse led by the Protecter himself lastly followed the Arrear , wherein were between three and foure thousand foot , one hundred men at Armes , and six hundred Light-horse , u●der the conduct of the Lord Dacres , upon one wing the Artillery was drawne , being sixteen pieces of great Ordinance ; the other wing was made by men at Armes and Demilances ; for the Avant-guard and halfe the battaile , ridi●g about two flight shoot from their side , the other halfe of the battaile , and th● whole flanke of the Arrear was closed by the carraiges , being nine hundred ●arts besides Waggons ; ●he rest of the men at Armes , and the Demilances marched behinde . In this order they marched two dayes , taking in three Castles ●s they went , with little resistance ; where it is memorable , what a suddaine device the Defendants of one of them used to save themselves ; for finding they w●re no longer able to defend themselves , and that their obstinacy had excluded a●● hope of pardon ; they made suite , they might not presently be slain , but have some time to commend their soules to God , and afterwards be hanged : which respite being obtained , thei● pardon afterward did more easily ensue ; so much doth the winning of time oftentimes prevaile , more then any other policy . T●e Governour of Scotland , hearing of the Protectours approch and having no sufficient Army ready to resist him , sent his Heralds abroad , into all parts of the R●alm , and commanded the fire-crosse to be carried ( an antient custome in cases of importance ) which , was two firebrands set in fashion of a crosse , and pitched upon the point of a speare , and therewith Proclamation to be made , that all above sixteen yeers of age , and under sixty , should resort forthwith to Musselborough & bring convenient provision of victuals with them . By this meanes , having gotten a sufficient Army , he set forward towards the English who were now come to a River called Linne , and here the Earle of Warwick being too ●enterous , was like to have bin entrapped , but by his valour came off bravely ; and now the Scottish Horse-men began to hover about the English Army , and to come pricking towards them , sometimes within length of their staves , using provoking words , to draw the English from their strength , but the Protector , not moved with their provocations , maintained a close march till he came to Salt-presion by the Frith , where he incamped within two miles of the Scottish Army : and here the Scots having gotten the advantage of a Hill came upon the English with the number of twelve hundred Horse , besides five hundred foot that lay in ambush behind the Hill ; at which time the Lord Gray and Sir Francis Brian , impatient of such bravaries , obtained leave of the Gene● to encounter them , and so as they came scattered upon the spurre , within a stones cast of the English , and were beginning to wheele about , the Lord Gray with some troops of Light hors-men , charged them home , and was forthwith seconded by certaine numbers of Demilances , and both of them backed with a thousand men at Armes ; yet the Scots resolutely maintained the fight three houres and more , but in the end , overlaid with number , they were put to flight and chased almost to the edge of their Camp . In this fight the chiefest force of the Scottish Hors-men was defeated , the Lord Hume , by a fall from his Horse lost his life , his sonne and Heire with two Priests and six Gentlemen were taken prisoners , and about fifteene hundred slaine : the next day , the Protectour and the Earle of Warwick , rode towards the place where the Scottish Army lay , to view the manner of their incamping . As they returned , an Herauld and a Trumpeter from the Scots overtook them ; who having obtained Audience , the Trumpeter said , that the Lord Huntley his Master , to spare effusion of Christian blood , would fight upon the whole quarel , either with twenty against twenty , or with ten against ten , or else try it between the Lord Generall and himselfe : the Protectour answered , that for number of Combatants , it was not in his power to conclude any bargaine ; and as for himselfe , that being in publick charge , it was not fit he should hazard himselfe against a man of private Conditions , which otherwise he would most willingly accept : here the Earle of Warwick intreated the Lord Generall , that he might accept the Challenge , and Trumpeter ( saith he ) bring me word , that thy Master will performe the Combat with me , and thou shalt have an hundred Crownes for thy paines ; nay rather ( saith the Lord Generall ) bring me word that thy Master will abide and give us battaile , and thou shalt have a thousand Crownes for thy paines : and thereupon , when no other agreement could be made , a generall battaile was resolved on : in the Army of the Scots , were five or six and thirty thousand men ; in the Avant-guard , commanded by the Earle of Angus , about fifteen thousand ; in the Battaile , over whom was the Lord Governour , about te● thousand ; and in the Arreare as many , led by the valiant Gourdon Earle of Hackbutters●hey ●hey had none nor men at Armes , bur about two thousand Hors-men ( Prickers as they terme them ) the rest were all on foote we'●l furnished with Jack and Scull , pikes , daggers , Bucklers made of boord , a●d slicing swords broad and thin ; every man had a long Kirchiffe , folded twic● or thrice about his neck , and many of them had cheines of Lattin , drawne th●ee or foure times along their hoses and doublet-sleeves : they had also to affright the enemies Horses , great ●attles covered with parchment or paper , and small stones within put upon staves three ells long . And now both Armies joyned in battaile , where a long fight and much variety of fortune on both sides ; at length , the victory fell to the English : in this fight , divers of the Nobility of Scotland were slain ; of the inferior sort about ten , or as some say , fo●rteen thousand : of the English were slain , onely one and fifty Horse-men a●d on footmen , but many hurt ; the Lord Gray was dangerously thrust with a pike in the mouth which struck two inches into his neck ; the Scottish prisoners accounted by the Marshals booke , were about fifteene hundred , the chiefe whereof were , the Earle of Huntley , the Lords Yester , Hobley and Hamilton , the Master of San●-Poole and the Lord of Wimmes ; the Earle of Huntley being asked whilst he was a prisoner , how he stood affected to the marriage ; made this answer , that he liked the mariage wel enough , but he liked not this kinde of woing . This victory of Muskelborough against the Scots , was on the tenth of December , the very same day on which thirty yeers before a victory had bin had against them at Flodden field ; so as it seems this day was fatall to the Scots , and confirms the opinion of Astologers , that there are dayes to some men fortunate & unfortunate to others if they could be known . This victory strook such a terror into many of the Scots , that the Earl Bothwel and divers chiefe Gentlemen of Tividale and Meers submitted themselves to the King of England , and were received by the Prorectour into his protection : after this , the English army took many towns and Castles , and then for want of Provision , returned into England , having not stayed above five and twenty dayes in Scotland , and not lost above threescore men . But notwithstanding this great overthrow at Muskelborough , the Governour of Scotland would not yet be quiet ; but assembling the people , made unto them a long Oration , exhorting them to defend the liberty of their Countrie , and not to be daunted with any event of warre . In this mean time many distractions and troubles hapned in England ; partly in matters of Religion , and partly about Inclosures : ●nd first for inclosures , the Lord Protector caused Proclamation to be set forth , commanding they who had Inclosed any Lands , accustomed to lye open , should upon a certain pain , before a day assigned , lay them open again : and then in matter of Religion , certain Injunctions were set forth , for removing of Images out of Churches ; and divers Preachers were sent with Instructions to disswade the people from praying to Saints or for the dead ; from use of Beads , Ashes & Processions ; from Masses , Durges , praying in any unknown tongue ; and for defect of Preachers , Homilies were appointed publickly to be red in Churches : & many for offering to maintaine these Ceremonies , were either punished or forced to recant . Edmund Bonner Bishop of London , was committed to the Fleet , for refusing to receive these Injuctions ; Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester , was likewise committed first to the Fleet and after to the Tower , for that he had preached ; It were well , these changes in Religion should be stayed untill the King were of yeers to govern by himselfe : for the like causes Tunstall Bishop of Durham , Heath Bishop of Rochester , and Day Bishop of Chichester , were in like manner committed to prison , and all of them dispossessed of their Bishopricks ; and that which was worse , the Bishopricks themselves were dispossessed of their Revenues , in such sort , that a very smal pa●t remained to the Bishops that came after . And now a Parliament was held , in the first yeer of the King , and by Prorogation in the second ; wherein divers Chantries , Colledges , free Chappels , Fraternities and Guildes , with all their Lands and goods were given to the King ; which being sold at a low rate , enriched many and ennobled some , and thereby made them firme in maintaining the change : also it was then ordered , that no man should speak against receiving the Eucharist in both kindes , and that Bishops should be placed by Collation of the King under his Letters Patents , without any election preceding , or confirmation insuing ; and that all Processes Ecclesiasticall should be made in the Kings name , as in Writs at the Common-Law ; and that al Persons exercising Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction , should have the Kings Armes in the Seales of their Office : and further , the Statute of the six Articles and other Statutes concerning punishment of Lollards were repealed , and the Kings Supremacy over the Church of England was confirmed .

All this while the warres in Scotland continued , and were managed by the Lord Gray of Wilton with variable successe ; and now about this time was sent to him in aide , the Earle of Shrewsbury with fifteen thousand men ; against him , in aid of the Scots was sent the Rhinegrave with ten thousand French ; who entring into consul●ation , how to remove the yong Queene out of the reach of the English ; provided a Fleet , and sailing round about Scotland , notwithstanding the English Fleet lay in wait to impeach their passage , yet conveyed her safely into France , being then but six yeers old ; accompanied in the journey with Iames her base brother , Iohn Erskin and William Leviston ; and in April following was married to Francis the Dolphin of France .

You heard before the alterations , now heare the troubles ; for when the Injunctions were sent abroad into the Countrey , and Commissioners appointed to see them executed ; one Master Bodye a Commissioner , as he was pulling down Images in Cornwall , was suddenly by a Priest stabbed into the body with a knife . Hereupon the people flocked together in divers parts of the sheere , taking Armes , and beginning to commit outrages ; and although the chiefe Offendour was hanged and quartered in Smithfield , and many of his complices executed in divers parts of the Realme ; and withall a Pardon proclaimed to all that would lay downe Armes , yet neither could that severity , nor this lenity restraine them from their insolencies ; but in divers Countries , as Sussex , Hampshire , Kent , Glostershire , Warwickshire , Wostershire , but specially in Semersetshire and Devonshire , great assemblies of people gathered to a head ; whose chiefe Leaders were Humfrey Arundel , and about six others of inferiour note , but many Priests . Some of these ( we may say ) were Commonwealth mutiners ; and some mutined for religion : they who were for the Common-wealth could agree upon nothing ; some would have no Justices , some no Gentlemen , some no Lawyers , nor ordinary Courts of Justice , but above all Inclosures must down ; but whether all , or which , or how to be imployed , none could tell . The religious Mutiners were not altogether so various in their voyces , as having some few amongst them by whom they were guided : these in name of the people hamered up these Ar●icles following ; upon granting of which , they pro●essed that both their bodies and goods should be at the Kings devotion .

1. That Curates should administer Baptisme at all times of necessity , a● well o● week-dayes as on holy-dayes . 2. That their children might be confirmed by the Bishop . 3. That the Masse might be celebrated , no man communicating with the Priest . 4. That they might have reservation of the Lords body in their Churches . 5. That they might have holy-bread and holy-water in remembrance of Christs precious body and blood . 6. That Priests might live unmarried . 7. That the six Articles set forth by King Henry the eight might be continued , at lest till the King should come to full age .

Upon these demands , the King , although he knew that Reasons would little prevaile with unreasonable men ; yet to discharge the place he held , he sent them in writing Answers to them all , and withall a generall pardon , if they would desist and lay downe armes . But the sedicious growing the more outragious , the fairer they were intreated ; and finding themselves unable to subsist with their owne estates , began to thinke upon the spoyle of Cities ; and first they came to Excetour , and demanded entrance , which the Citizens refusing , they fell to set fire on the ga●es ; but the Citizens prevented this , by casting in wood and maintaining the fire , till they had cast up a halfe moone within ; upon which when the Seditious attempted to enter , they were presently hewen and cut in peeces . After this they mined the wals , laid powder , and rammed the mouth ; but the Citizens prevented this also , by making a countermine , whereinto they poured such plenty of water , that the wet powder could not be fired . All this while , the Lord Russell Lord Privie Seale , who had beene sent downe to suppresse the Commotion , lay at Huntington , expecting more Forces ; whilst these Citizens of Excetour , for twelve dayes together endured so great famine , that they were faine to eat horses , and make bread of course bran moulded in cloathes , for that otherwise it would not cleave together . At last the Lord Gray came to the Lord Russell with supply of Forces ; who after many conflicts with the Rebels , forced them to raise their siedge at Excetour ; and thereby freed the City from many miseries : to whom the King afterward , gave the Mannour of Evyland , in reward for their loyalty . After this , the Rebels rallying their Force● , were againe set upon by the Kings Army , and the greatest part of them slaine , the rest fled ; many were taken and executed by Martiall Law ; the chiefe Leaders were sent to London and there executed . The sedition being thus suppressed ; it is memorable what sport Sir William Kingston the Provost Marshall made , by vertue of his Office , upon men in misery . One Boyer Major of Godmin in Cornwall , had bin amongst the Rebels , not willingly but enforced ; to him the Provost sent word he would come and dine with him , for whom the Major made great provision ; a little before dinner , the Provost took the Major aside , and whispered him in the eare , that an execution must that day be done in the town , and therefore required to have a paire of Gallows set up against dinner should be done ; the Major failed not of his charge , presently after dinner the Provost taking the Major by the hand , intreated him to lead him to the place where the Gallowes was , which when he beheld he asked the Major if he thought them to be strong enough ; yes ( said the Major ) doubtlesse they are ; well then ( said the Provost ) get you up speedily , for they are provided for you . I hope ( answered the Major ) you mean not as you speak : in faith ( said the Provost ) there is no remedy , for you have bin a busie Rebell ; and so without respit or defence he was hanged to death : ) a most uncurreous part , for a guest to offer his host . Neere the said place dwelled a Millar , who had bin a busie actor in that Rebellion ; who fearing the approach of the Marshall , told a sturdy fellow his servant , that he had occasion to go from home , and therefore bid him , that if any man came to enquire after the Millar , he should not speak of him , but say that himselfe was the Millar , and had bin so for three yeers before . So the Provost came and called for the Millar , when out comes the servant , and saith , he was the man : the Provost demanded how long he had kept the Mill ; these three yeeres answered the servant : then the Provost commanded his men to lay hold on him , and hang him on the next tree . At this the fellow cryed out , that he was not the Millar but the Millars man : nay Sir ( said the Provost ) I will take you at your word , and if thou beest the Millar thou art a busie knave ; if thou beest nor , thou art a false lying knave , and howsoever thou canst never do thy Master better service then to hang for him ; and so without more adoe he was dispatched .

When this sedition in Devonshire was appeased , there rose another in Norfolke , and that specially upon a grievance for enclosures ; the Rebels had got one Robert Ket a Tanner of Wimondham to be their Leader , and were growne to a body of twenty thousand , seating themselves at Monshold , neer Mount-Surrey , where they carried a face as it were of Justice and Religion ; for they had one Conyers an idle fellow to be their Chapleyne , who morning and evening read solemn Prayers , also Sermons they had often , and as for Justice they had a bench under a tree where Ket usually sate , and with him two of every hund●ed whence their Companies had been raised , to heare complints and to give Judgment , and from hence were warrants sent in the Kings name , to bring in powder , shot , victuals , and all things necessary : which tree hath ever since been called the tree of Reformation ; and now being grown to a heighth , they presented certain complaints to the King , requiring , he would send a Herauld to them , to give them satisfaction ; the King though he tooke it for a great indignity , to have such base fellowes to capitulate with him , yet framing himselfe to the time , he returned this answer ; that in October following he would cal a Parliament wherin their complaints should be heard , and all their grievances should be redressed , requiring them in the meane time , to lay downe Armes and returne to their houses , and therupon granting them a generall pardon : but this was so far from satisfying the seditious , that hereupon first , they assaulted the Town of Norwich tooke it , and made the Major attend them as their servant , and then returned again to their station at Manshold● not long after William Parre Marquesse of Northampton , with the Lord Sheffield , the Lord Wentworth , divers Knights , and fifteen hundred Horse , with a small band of Italians was sent against them ; whom the seditious so stoutly oppos●d , that much mischiefe was done on both sides , the Lord Sheffield falling with his Horse in a ditch was taken prisoner , and as he pulled off his helmet to shew who he was , he was by a Butcher strucken downe with a club and slaine ; so as the Marquesse with his forces not prevailing , there was afterward sent the Earle of Warwick with six thousand ●oot , and fifteen hundred Horse , with whom were the Lords Willoughby , Powis and Bray his two sonnes Ambrose and Robert , and many Knights and Gentlemen of Name . When the Earl was come neere to the Camp of the seditious , he sent a Herauld to them , offering them the Kings pardon , if they would desist , but they were so far from accepting it , that a lewd Boy turned up his naked breech towards the Herauld and bid him kisse it ; upon this , many skirmishes passed between the Earle and them , with losse sometimes to one side , and sometimes to another ; at last they came to a Battaile , where the Rebels placed in the Fro●t , all the Gentlemen they had taken prisoners , meaning they should be the first slain , of whom yet very few were hurt , but of the Rebels were slain above two thousand , and now once againe the Earle offered them pardon , if they would desist ; but for all their losses , they continued obstinate still , at last the Ea●le sent to know if they would entertaine their pardon , in case he should come in person and assure them of it ; this moved them much , and then they answered , they knew him to be so honourable , that from himself they would embrace it ; wherupon the Earle riding to them , and causing their pardon to be read , they thre● away their weapons , wishing all joy and prosperity to the King : nine of ●he principall Rebels were hanged upon the tree of Reformation ; Ket himselfe flying away was taken and hanged in chaines upon Norwich Castle ; the day of this defeat of the sedicious , was a long time after observed for a festivall day by the Inhabitants of Norwich , and thus ended the sedition in Nor●olke ; whe● at the same time another arose in Yorkshire , whereof the chiefe movers were William Ombler a Gentleman , Thomas Dale a Parish Clerk , and Stephenson a Post , to whom were assembled foure or five thousand , who tooke their encouragement from a certain Prophesie , which did foretell , that the time should come , when there should be no King , when the Nobility and Gen●ry should be destroyed , when the Realm should be ruled by foure Governours elected by the Commons , holding a Parliament in commotion , which should begin at the South and North Seas of England , and that time they understood to be the present , and that the Rebels of Devonshire , Norfolke and Yorkshire should draw together to accomplish this prophesie ; but as soon as they heard that the tumults of Devonshire and Norfolke were quieted , they found that they were deceived in the understanding of the prophesie , and therupon presently upon the Kings pardon , they fell off and dispersed , their chiefe Leaders Ombler , Dale and foure others were executed at Yorke ; and with this , the Spirit of sedition was quite laid in all places of the Kingdome .

But the King of France , taking advantage of these sedicio●s , though he had been in treaty before of peace with England , yet now he brake off the treaty , Proclaimed war , and denounced it by his Embassadour to the King : hereupon all French-men in England , not Denizens , were taken prisoners , and all their goods seized for the King , which the French King understanding , he sent a fleet of Ships to surprise Gernsey and Iarnsey , but was repelled with the losse of a thousand men : after this , he levied an Army by land , and went himselfe in person against Bulloigne , defended by the valiant Sir Nicholas Arnold , but being weary of the worke , he left his Lievtenant Chatillon to pursue the Siedge , who having made many fierce batteries , and at last assaults and no● prevailing , hee then attempted to hinder the Towne from supply of victuals ; and to this end , charged a Galley with gravell and stones , meaning to sinke it in the Haven , but the English took the Galley before it was sunke , and made use of the stones for their owne defence : after this , they made faggo●s of light matter , mixed with pi●ch , tar , tallow , rosi●● powder and wild-fire , with intention to fire the ships in the Haven , but that enterprise was defeated by the Bulloignes , and the faggots taken from the French ; and more then this , there was little done in those parts at this time .

But in England in the meane time , an unfortunate accident happened , which beginning upon a very light occasion , produced afterward very heavy effects ; whereof , though there were many concurrant circumstances , yet the originall cause was the pride of a woman , upon a point indeed , wherein the natures of women are commonly most tender , Precedency of place : the Protectour had maried Anne Stanhope , a woman of a haughty stomack , and the Lord Admirall his Brother the Queene Dowager , a Lady of great mildnesse : the neerenesse of the Husbands , gave occasion to the Ladies often meeting , where the Dutchesse would inwardly murmur , why shee being the wife of the elder brother and the better man , should give place to her , who was the wife of the younger brother , and the meaner man ; this envy of hers toward the Queen , bred a malice in her towards the Admirall , as thinking the mischiefe she did to the husband , to be a part of revenge upon the wife , and though the Queene shortly after died in Child-bed , yet the mallice of the Dutchesse towards the Admirall lived still ; ( so hard a thing it is , for malice once setled in a womans heart , to be removed ) out of this malice , she put divers surmises into her husband the Protectours head against his brother the Admirall , as though he went about to procure his death , to the end he might aspire to the place he held ; but certainly as misliking his government being a Protestant , who was himselfe a Papist ; in this case causes of jealousie against the Admirall was obvious enough , for it was knowne that in King Henries time , he had aimed at the mariage of the Lady Elizabeth King Henries second daughter ; and now his wife the Queen Dowager being dead ( and not without suspition of poyson ) he fell upon that mariage a fresh , which could not be thought to tend , but to some very high aspiring end : the Protectour a plain man , and one that had not the cleerest insight into practises ; whether too importunately provoked by his wife , or whither out of an honest mind , not willing to patronize faults though in a brother , gave way to accusatio●s brought against him , so as in a Parliament then holden , he was accused , for attempting to get into his custody the person of the King , and government of the Realm , for endeavouring to marry the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister , for perswading the King in his tender yeers , to take upon him the rule and ordering of himselfe ; upon which points ( though perhaps proved , yet not sufficiently against him , who was never called to his answere ) he was by Act of Parliament condemned , and within few dayes after condemnation , a warrant was sent under the hand of his brother the Protectour to cut off his head ; wherein ( as after it proved ) he did as much , as if he had laid his own head downe upon the block ; for whilst these brothers lived and held together , they were as a strong fortresse one to the other ; the Admirals courage supporting the Protectours authority , and the Protectours authority maintaining the Admirals stoutnesse ; but the Admiral once gone , the Protectours authority as wanting support began to totter , and fell at last to utter ruine : besides there was at this time , amongst the Nobility a kind of faction ; Protestants who favoured the Protectour for his owne sake , and other of Papall inclination , who favoured him for his brothers sake , but his brother being gone , both sides forsooke him , even his owne side ; as thinking they could expect little assistance from him , who gave no more assistance to his own brothe● ; and perhaps more then all this , the Earl of Warwick at this time , was the most powerfull man both in Courage and Counsaile amongst all the Nobility , and none so neere to match him as the Admirall while he lived , but he being gone , there was none left that either was able and durst , or durst and was able to stand against him : however it was , not long after the Admirals death , the Protectour was invaded with sundry accusations , wherein ●h● Earl of Warwick made not alwaies the greatest show , but yet had alwayes the greatest hand ; one thing the Protectour had done , which though a private act , yet gave a publick distaste . To make him a Mansion house in the Strand ( the same which is now called Somerset-house ) he pulled downe a Church , and two Bishops houses by the Strand Bridge ; in digging the foundation wherof , the bones of many who had been there buried , were cast out and carried into the fields ; and because the stones of those houses and the Church suffised not for his work , the steeple a●d most part of the Church of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem neer Smithfield , was mined and overthrowne with powder , and the stones applied to this sparious building ; and more then this , the Cloyster of Pauls on the North side of the Church , in a place called Pardon Church-yard , and the dance of Death very curiously wrought about the Cloyster , & a Chapel that stood in the midst of the Churchyard ; also the Charnal house , that stood upon the South side of Pauls ( now a Carpenters yard ) with the Chappell , timber and Monuments therin were beaten downe , the bones of the dead caried into Finsbury-fields , and the stones converted to this building . This Act of the Protectours , did something alienate the Peoples minds from him ; which the Earle of Warwick perceiving thought it now a fit time to be falling upon him ; and therupon drew eighteene of the Privy Counsaile to joyne with him , who withdrawing themselves from the Court , held secret consultations together , and walked in the Citty with many Servants weaponed , and in new Liveries ; whereof when the Lord Protectour heard , he sent secretary Peter to them , to know the causes of their Assembly , requiring them to resort unto him peaceably , that they might comune together as friends ; but in the meane time , hee Armed five hundred men , and removed the King by night from Hampton-court to Windsor : on the other side , the Lords at London having first taken possession of the Tower , sent for the Majo● and Aldermen of the Citty , to the Earle of Warwicks lodging at Ely-house in Holburn ; to whom the Lord Rich then Lord Chancelour made a long Oration wherin he shewed the ill government of the Lord Protector , and the many mischifes that by it were come upon the Kingdome ; and therup●n requiring them to joyn with the Lords there assembled to remove him ; and presently that day , a Proclamation was made in divers parts of the Citty to that purpose ; to which the Lords and Counsailors that subscribed their names were these ; the Lord Rich Chancelour , the Lord Saint-Iohn Lord great Master , the Marquesse of Northampton , the Earle of Warwick Lord great Chamberlaine , the Earle of Arundell Lord Chamberlaine , the Earle of Shrewsbury , the Earle of Southampton , Sir Thomas Cheyney Treasurer of the Houshold , Sir Iohn Gag● Constaple of the Tower , Sir William Peter secretary , Sir Edward North Knight , Sir Edward Montague chiefe Justice of the Common-pleas , Sir Iohn Baker Chancelour of the Exchequer , Sir Ralph Sadler , Sir Edward Wootton , Sir Richard Southwell Knights : and Doctor Wootton Deane of Canterbury . In the afternoone of the same day , the Lord Major assembled a Common Counsaile in the Guild-hall where two letters arrived almost in one instant from the King and the Lord Protectour , for a thousand men to be Armed for defence of the Kings Person ; another from the Lords at London for two thousand men to aide them in defence of the Kings person also ; both pretending alike , and therefore hard how to please them both . The Recorder set forth the complaint of the Lords against the Protectour , in such sort , that he made many inclinable to favour that side , but one named George Stadlow better advised , stept up , and in a long Speech shewed , what mischiefes had come to the City by opposing the King ; and therefore gave his opinion to suspend giving aide to the Lords , at lest for a time . His advice was harkened to , and thereupon the Court resolved onely to arme a hundred Horsemen and foure hundred foot , in defence of the City ; and to the letters , returned submissive but dilatory answers . After some other passages betweene the Protectour and the Lords , Sir Edward Winkfield Captaine of the Guard , was sent from the Lords to Windsor ; who so well perswaded the King of the Lords loyall affection towards him , and of their moderate intention towards the Protectour , that the King was contented to have him presently remvoed from him , and suffered him within two dayes after to be carried to the Tower . In whose absence , seven Lords of the Councell and foure Knights were appointed by turnes to attend the Kings person ; and for affaires of State , the government of them was referred to the whole body of the Councell : soone after were sent to the Protectour in the Tower , certain Lords of the Councell , with Articles against him , requiring his present Answer , whether he would acknowledge them to be true , or else stand upon his justifica●ion . The chiefe Article was this ; That he tooke upon him the Office of Protectour , with expresse condition , that he should doe nothing in the Kings affaires , but by assent of the late Kings Executours , or the grea●est part of them ; and that contrary to this condition , he had hindered Justice , and subverted laws of his owne authority , as well by letters as by other command ; and many other Articles , but all much to this purpose . The Protectour , whether thinking to speed better by submission then by contesting ; or perhaps finding himselfe not altogether innocent , ( for indeed in so great a place , who can beare himselfe with such sincerity , but he will commit errours , with which he may be taxed ; ) subscribed an acknowledgement with his owne hand ; humbly submitting himselfe to the Kings mercy , and desiring their Lordships favour ●owards him . Upon this submission , three moneths after he had bin imprisoned , he was released , entertained and feasted by the King , and swor●e again to be a Privie Councellour , but no more Protectour : at which time , betweene him and the Lords , a shew at lest of perfect amity was made ; and to make it the more firme , the Dukes daughter was afterward married to the Lord Lisle , Sonne and heire to the Earle of Warwicke ; at which marriage the King himselfe was present ; and perhaps to honour their reconcilement and this marri●ge , the Earle of Warwicke was made Lord Admirall of England , Sir Iohn Russell Lord Privie Seale was created Earle of Bedford , the Lord Saint-Iohn was created Earle of Wiltshire , and soone after made Lord Treasurour , Sir William Paget Controlour of the Kings House , was made Lord Paget , Sir Anthony Winkfield Captaine of the Guard , was made Controlour , and Sir Thomas Darcye was made Captaine of the Guard . But of the other side , the Earle of Arundell , the Earle of Southampton , were put off from the Councell ; of whom , the Earle of Southampton dyed shortly after at Lincolne-Place in Holborne , and was buried in Saint Andrewes Church there .

About this time a Parliament was held at Westminster , wherein one Act was made against spreading of Prophesies ; another against unlawfull Assemblies : but for feare of new tumults , the Parliament was untimely Dissolved , and Gentlemen were commanded to retyre to their Count●ey-habitations ; and ●or the same cause also Trinity Terme did not hold .

About this time also , Pope Paul the third dyed ; after whose death the Cardinals being divided about the election of a new Pope ; the Imperial part , which was the greatest , gave their voyces for Cardinall Poole ; which being told him , ●e disabled himselfe , and wished them to choose one that might be most for the glory of God , and good of the Church : upon ●his stop , some that were no friends to Poole , and perhaps looked for the place themselves , if he were put off , laid m●ny things to his charge ; amongst other , that he was no● withou● suspition of Lutharisme , as having bin very conversant with Immanuell Tremellius and Anthonius Flaminius , great Lutherans , and not altogether without blemish of incontinency ; there being a young Nunne that was thought to be his daughter . But of these criminations Poole so cleered himselfe , that he was afterward more importuned to take the place then he was before ; and thereupon one night the Cardinals came unto him , being in bed ; and sent him word they came to adore him ( which is one special kind of electing the Pope ) but he being awaked out of his sleepe , and acquainted with it ; made answer , that this was not a worke of darkenesse , and therefore required them to forbeare till the next day , and then to doe as God should put in their mindes . But the Italian Cardinals attributing this putting off , to a kinde of stupidity and sloth in Poole ; looked no more after him , but the next day chose Cardinall Montanus Pope , who was afterward named Iulius the third .

And now the King of France , upon many just considerations , was growne desirous to have a Peace with England ; and thereupon sent one Guidol●i a Florentine in●o England , to make some overture of his desire to the Lords of the Councell ; who addressing himselfe to the Earle of Warwicke , whom he knew to be most prevalent ; so prevailed , that it was concluded foure Embassadours should be sent from the King of England into Franee● and foure from the French King , to treat with them . The Commissioners for the English were Iohn Earl of Bedford , William Lord Paget , Sir William Peter and Sir Iohn Mason , Secretaries of State . For the French were Monsieur Rochpot , Monsieur Chatillon , Guyllart de Martyer and Rochetelle de Dassie : much time was spent to agree about a place of meeting ; till at last the English to satisfie the French , were contented it should be before Bulloigne ; where were many meetings and m●ny diff●rences about conditions ; but in conclusion , a Peace was concluded upon certaine Articles ; the chiefe whereof was , that Bulloigne and the places adjacent should be delivered up to the French within six weekes after the Peace Proclaimed ; and that the French should pay for the same two hundred thousand crownes , within three dayes after delivery of the Towne ; and other two hu●dred thousand crowes upon the fifth day of August following : hostages were on both sides given for performance ; and to those Articles the French King was sworne at Amyens , and the King of England in London : the Lord Clinton who had been Deputy of Bulloigne was made Lord Admirall of England .

Presently after this Agreement , the Duke of Brunswicke sent to the King of England , to offer his service in the Kings wars , with ten thousand men , and to intreat a marriage with the Lady Mary , the Kings eldest sister . To his offer of aide , answer was made , that the Kings warres were ended ; and touching the marriage with the Lady Mary , ●hat the King was in speech for her marriage with the Infanta of Portugall , which if it succeeded not , he should then be favourably heard . Upon this , the Emperours Embassadour demanded of the King , that the Lady Mary might have free exercise of the Masse , which the King not onely constantly denied , but thereupon Sermons were exercised at Court , and order taken , that no man should have any Benefice from the King , but first he should Preach before him ; and shortly after , under pretence of preparing for Sea-matters , five thou●and pounds were sent to relieve Protestants beyond the Seas . At this time also , an Embassadour came from Gustanu● King of Sweden , to enter league with the King for entercourse of Merchants ; and charge was then also given , that the Lawes of England should be administred in Ireland .

About this time the Queene Dowager of Scotland , going from France to her Countrey , passed thorow England , having first obtained a safe Conduct , she arrived at Portesmouth , and was there met by divers of the English Nobility ; conducted to London , she was lodged in the Bishops-Pallace : after four dayes staying , having beene feasted by the King at Whitehall , she departed ; being waited on by the Sheriffes of Counries to the borders of Scotland . And now was one Steward a Scot apprehended in England , and imprisoned in the Tower , for intending to poyson the yong Queene of Scots , whom the King delivered to the French King upon the frontiers of Callice , to be by him justiced at his pleasure .

At ●his time certaine Ships were appointed by the Emperour , to transport the Lady Mary either by violence or by stelth out of England to Antwerpe ; whereupon Sir Iohn Gates was sent with Forces into Essex , where the Lady lay ; and besides , the Duke of Somerset was sent with two hundred men , the Lord Privie Seale with other two hundred , and Master Sentleger with foure hundred more , to severall coasts upon the Sea , and the Lord Chancellour and Secretary Peter were sent to the Lady Mary ; who after some conference , brought her to the Lord Chancellours house at Lyee in Essex , and from thence to the King at Westminster . Here the Councell declared unto her , how long the King had permitted her the use of the Masse , and considering her obstinacy , was resolved now no longer to permit it , unlesse she would put him in hope of some conformity in short time . To which she answered , that her soule was Gods ; and touching her faith , as she could not change , so she would not dissemble it . Reply was made , that the King intended not to constraine her faith , but to restrain the outward profession of it , in regard of the danger the example might draw . After some like enterchange of speeches , the Lady was appointed to remain with the King , when there arived an Embassadour from the Emperor , with a threatning message of warre , in case his cousin the Lady Mary , should be denied the free exercise of the Masse : hereupon the King presently advised with the Archbishop of Canterbury , and with the Bishop of London and Rochester , who gave their opinion , that to give licence to sin was sin , but to connive at sinne might be ●llowed so it were not too long , nor without hope of reformation : then answere was given to the Embassadour , that the King would send to the Emperour within a month or two , and give him such satisfaction as should be fit .

And now the King being uncertaine of the faith , both of his Subjects and of his Confederates , intended by alliance to strengthen himselfe ; and thereupon sent one Bartwicke , to the King of Denmarke with private instructions , to treat of a mariage , betweene the Lady Elizabeth the Kings youngest sister , and the King of Denmarks eldest son ; but when it came to the point , this Lady could not be induced to entertaine mariage with any .

After this , the Marquesse of Northampton was sent Embassadour to the French King , as well to present him with the Order of the Garter , as to treat with him of other secret affaires : with him were joyned in Commission the Bishop of Elye , Sir Philip Hobbie , Sir William Pickering , Sir Iohn Mason , and Master Smith Secritary of State ; also the Earle of Worcester , Rutland , and Ormond were appointed to accompany them ; as likewise the Lords Lisle , Fitzwater , Bray , Aburgavenie and Evers , with other Knights and Gentlemen of note , to the number of six and twenty ; and for avoiding of immoderate traine , order was given that every Earle should have but foure attendants , every Baron but three , every Knight and Gentlem●n but two , onely the Commissioners were not limited to any number . Being come to the Court of France , they were forthwith brought to the King , being then in his Bedchamber ; to whom the Marquesse presented the Order of the Garter , wherewith he was presently invested : then the Bishop of Elye in a short Speech , declared , how the King of England , out of his love and desire of amitye , had sent this Order to his Majestie ; desiring with all , that some persons might be authorized to treat with them , about some other m●tters of importance ; whereupon a Commission went forth to the Cardinall of Lorraigne , Chastillion the Constable , the Duke of Guysae , and others . At the first , the English demanded , that the yong Queene of Scots might be s●nt into England for perfecting of marriage betweene King Edward and her . But to this the French answered , That conclusion had beene made long before for her marriage with the Dolphin of France . Then the English proposed a marriage betweene King Edward and the Lady Eliza●eth the French Kings eldest daughter : to this the French did cheerfully incline ; but when they came to talke of Portion , the English demanded at first fifteen hundred thousand crownes , then fell to foureteene , and a● last to eight hundred thousand : the French offered at first , one hundred thousand crownes , then rose to two hundred thousand , and higher they would not be drawne ; saying , it was more then ever had bin given with a daugh●er of France . Shortly after Monsieur the Marshall and other Commissioners were sent by the French King , to deliver to the King of England the Order of Saint Michael ; and then was further treaty about the marriage ; and because the French could be s●rued no higher then two hundred thousand crownes , it was at last accepted , and the agreement was reduced into writing , and delivered under Seale on both sides .

And now King Edward supposing his state to be most safe , when indeed it was most unsure ; in testimo●y both of his joy and love , advanced many to new titles of honou● ; the Lord Marquesse Dorset , who had maried the eldest daughter of Charles Brandon was created Duke of Suffolke , the Earle of Warwicke Duke of Northumberland , the Earle of Wiltshire was created Marquesse of Winchester , Sir William Herbert Lord of Cardisse and Master of the Horse , was created Earle of Pembrooke ; also William Cecill the Kings Secretary , Iohn Cheeke one of his Schoolmasters , Henry Dudley and Henry Nevill were made Knights , and ( that which perhaps it had bin happy , if it had never bin ) Sir Robert Dudley one of the Duke of Northumberlands sons ( the same who was afterward the great Earle of Leicester ) was sworne one of the six orninary Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber ; for after his comming into a place so neere about him , the King enjoyed his health but a while .

The aspiring thoughts of the Duke of Northumberland , were now growne up to be put in execution : He was advanced in title of honour equall with the highest ; in authority and power above the highest ; he had placed his politicke Sonne neere about the Kings person ; the next thing was to remove the Duke of Somerset out of the way ; and for this also he had prepared instruments ; Sir Thomas Palmer , Crane , Hamond , Cecill , and others ; who brought severall accusations against the Duke ; some trenching upon the King and Kingdome , but one specially against the Duke of Northumberlands person ; whose practises when the Duke of Somerset found , and had cause to feare ; he went one day Armed into the Duke of Northumberlands Chamber , with a purpose to kill him ; but finding him in his bed , and being received with much kinde complement by him , his heart relen●ed , and thereupon came away without any thing done : at his comming out , one of his company asked him if he had done the deed ? who answered , No : then said he , you are your selfe undone : and indeed it so fell out ; for when all other Accusations were refelled , this onely stucke by him , and could not be denyed ; and so on the first of December he was arraigned at Westminster ; where the Lord William Pa●let Marquesse of Winchester and Lord Treasurour , sat as high Steward of England , and with him Peeres to the number of seven and twenty ; the Dukes of Suffolke and Northumberland , the Marquesse of Northampton , the Earles of Derby , Bedford , Huntington , Rutland , Bathe , Sussex , Worcester , Pembrooke and Hert●ord ; the Barons , Aburgaveuy , Audeley , Wharton , Evers , La●ymer , Borough , Zouth , Stafford , Wentworth , Darcye , Sturton , Windsor , Cromwell , Cobham and Bray . The Lords being set , the Indit●ments were read , in number five , containing a charge , for raising men in the North parts of the Realme ; and at his house , for assembling men to kill the Duke of Northumberland ; for resisting his Attac●ment , for raising London , for assaulting the Lords , and devising their deaths . To all which he pleaded , Not guilty , and made a satisfactory Answer to every point , though the Kings learned Councell p●essed them hard against him . This done , the Lords went together , where exception was taken by some , ●s a thing unfit , that the Duke of Northumberland , the Marquesse of Northampton , and the Earle of Pembrooke should be of the Jurie ; seeing the prisoner was chiefely charged with practises against them . But to this , the Lawyers made answ●r , that a Peere of the Realm might not be challenged ; so after much variation of opinions , the prisoner was acqui●t of Treasor , but by most voyees found guilty of Felony ; and that by a Statute , lately by his owne p●ocureme●t made ; That if any should attempt to kill a Privie Councellour , although the Fact were not done , yet it should be Felonie , and be punished with death . But upon his being acquit of Treason , t●e Axe of the Tower was presently laid downe , which m●de people conceive he had beene acquitted of all ; who thereupon for joy , gave so great a shout , that it was heard as farre as Charing-Crosse : but the Duke was little the better for being acquitted of Treason , seeing he was found guilty of Felonie ; and had Judgement to dye . It is thought by some , he might have saved his life , if he had demanded his Clergie ; but it is rather thought , that in that Statute Clergie w●s denied . Two moneths after his condemnation ; ( much against the Kings will ) Hee was brought to the Tower-Hill to execution ; wher● b●ing ●scended the Scaffold , hee entred into a Speech , wherein though he justified himselfe , for any matter tending to the hurt of the King or Kingdome ; yet he confessed , he was justly by the Law brought to th●● d●●●h ; and thanked God , that had given him so large a time of repentance , spe●ially that he had opened his eyes , to see cleerely the light of the Gospell ; and going on in his Speech , a sudden noyse arose , of some crying , away , ●way ; which made some thinke a Pardon had beene come ; but was indeede the voyce of some that had beene warned to be at the Execution , and were come somewhat late : but the tumult being appeased , the Duke went on with his Speech , and at last commending his soule to God , with a coun●enance not shewing a signe of feare or perturbation , onely his cheekes a little redder then they use ●o be ; he peaceably laid downe his head upon the blocke , and in a moment with one stroke of the Axe , had it strucken off . The death of this Duke , made the Duke of Northumberland more odious to the people then he was before ; and there were some that dipped H●ndkerchiffes in his blood , and kept them to upbraide the Duke of Northumberland withall , when he came himselfe afterward to the like end . After execution of the Duke , Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Miles Partridge were hanged at the Tower-hill , Sir Michael Stanhope and Sir Thomas Arundell were there beheaded .

After the Dukes condemnation , it was thought fit to have something done for averting the Kings minde , from taking thought ; and to that end , one George Ferrers , a Gentleman of Lincolnes-Inne , was appointed in the Christmas-time , to be Lord of Misrule ; who so carried himselfe , that he gave great delight to many , and some to the King , but not in proportion to his heavinesse .

About this time was a call of seven Serjeants at Law , who kept their Feast at Grayes-Inne ; of whom , Master Robert Brooke Recorder of London , was the first ; and the next Master Dyer , who was chosen Speaker the next Parli●ment .

About this time also , the Lord Paget was committed to the Tower , ●or what cause is not certaine ; and being a Knight of the Order , his Garder was taken from him by Garter king at Armes , upon this pretence , that he was said to be no Gentleman , either by Father or Mother ; and the Garter was then bestowed on the Earle of Warwicke , the Duke of Nor●hum●erlands eldest Sonne , and the Lord Rich Lord Chancellour , was put off from his Place , and the Seal then delivered to Doctor Thomas Goodricke Bishop of Elye .

About this time also three great Ships were set forth at the Kings charge , for discovery of a passage to the East Indies by the North Seas ; the chiefe Pilot and directour in this Voyage , was one Sebastian Gabato an Englishman , borne at Bristow , but the son of a Genoway : these Ships at the last arrived in the Countrey of Muscovia , but not without losse of their Captain Sir Hugh Willoughby , who being tossed and driven by tempest , was afterward found in his Ship frozen to death , and all his people .

At this time al●o the Duke of Suffolks three Daughters , which he had by Frances , Daughter of Charles Brandon and Mary Queene of France , were married at Durham-House ; the eldest Iane to the Lord Guildford Dudley● , fourth Soone of the Duke of Northumberland : the second Katherine , to Henry Sonne and heire to the Earle of Pembrooke ; the yo●gest Mary , being somwhat deformed , to Martyn Keyes the Kings Gentleman-Porter . And then also Katherine the Duke of Northumberlands yongest daughter , to the Lord Hastings , eldest sonne of the Earle of Huntington . And now had the Duke of Northumberland gone a great way in his design ; it remained to perswade King Edward to exclude his two sisters from succession in the Crowne ; for that do●e , his daughter in law the Lady Ian● , would come to have a right ; for as for pretenders out of Scotland , or any other , he made no great matter . And now to worke the King to this perswasion , ( being in a languishing sicknesse , not farre from death ) he inculcates to him , how much it concerned him to have a care of Religion , that it might be preserved in purity , not onely in his owne life , but as well after his death ; which would not be , if his sister the Lady Mary should succeed , and she could not be put by unlesse her other sister the Lady Elizabeth were put by also , seeing their rights depended one upon another ; but if he pleased to appoint the Lady Iane , the Duke of Suffolkes eldest daughter , and his owne next kinswoman to his Sisters , to be his successour , he might then be sure that the true Religion should be maintained , to Gods great glory , and be a worthy Act of his owne religious Providence . This was to strike upon the right string of the yong Kings affection , with whom nothing was so deere as preservation of Religion ; and thereupon his last Will was appointed to be drawne ( contrived chiefly by the Lord chiefe Justice Montague , and Secretary Cecill : ) by which Will , as farre as in him lay , he excluded his two sisters from the succession , and all other , but the Duke of Suffolkes daughters ; and then causing it to be read before his Councell , he required them all to assent unto it , and to subscribe their hands ; which they all , both Nobility , and Bishops and Judges did ; onely the Archbishop Cranmer refused at first , Sir Iames Hales a Judge of the Common-Pleas to the last , and with him also Sir Iohn Baker Chancellour of the Exchequer . And now remained nothing for the Duke of Northumberlands purpose , but that the King should dye ; which soone after he did at Greenwich the sixth of Iuly , in the yeere 1553. One point of the Dukes policie must not be forgotten , that fearing what troubles the Lady Mary might raise after the Kings decease , if she should be at liberty ; he therefore , seeing the King drawing on , used all meanes possible to get her within his power ; to which end Letters are directed to her in the Kings name from the Councell , willing her forthwith to repaire to the King , as well to be a comfort to him in his sicknesse , as to see all matters well ordered about his person : whereupon , the Lady suspecting nothing , addressed her selfe with all speed to the journey ; till being upon the way , she was advertised of the Dukes designe ; and then she returned to her House at Hoveden , and so escaped the snare ; by whose escape , the whole designe of the Duke of Northumberland was disappointed ; as soone after will be seene .

Of his Taxations .

IN no Kings reigne was ever more Parliaments for the time , nor fewer Subsidies ; the greatest was in his last yeere , when yet there was but one Subsidie , with two fifteenes and tenths granted by the Temporalty , and a Subside by the Clergie . And indeed to shew how loath this King was to lay Impositions upon his people , this may be a sufficient argument ; that though he were much in debt , yet he chose rather to deale with the Foulker in the Low-Countries for money upon loane , at the interest of fourteene pounds for a hundred , for a yeere . But his wayes for raising of money , was by selling of Chantrie Lands and Houses , given him by Parliament ; and by inquiring after all Church-goods , either remaining in Cathedrall and Parish-Churches , or embezeled away , as Jewels , gold and silver , Chalices , ready money , Copes , and other Vestments ; reserving to every Church one Challice , and one covering for the Communion-Table , the rest to be applied to his benefit . He also raised money by enquiring after offences of Officers in great places ; in which inquirie , one Beamont Master of the Rolles , being convinced of many crimes , surrendred all his Offices , Lands and Goods into the Kings hands : also one Whalley Receiver of Yorkeshire , being found a delinquent , surrendred his Office , and payed a great fine besides : also the Lord Paget , Chancellour of the Dutchie , convinced , that he had sold the Kings Lands and Timber-woods without Commission , and had applied the Kings Fines to his owne use ; for these and other offences , surrendred his Office , and was fined at foure thousand pounds , which he payed in hand . One thing more was done in his time for raising of money ; twenty thousand pounds weight of Bullion , was appointed to be made so much baser , that the King might gaine thereby a hundred and forty thousand pounds .

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

IN his third yeere a Parliament was holden ; wherein one Act was made against spreading of Prophesies ; another against unlawfull Assemblies . In his fourth yeere a Parliament was holden , wherein Priests children were made legitimate ; and usury for the loane of money was forbidden . In his fifth yeer , it was ordained that the Lawes of England should be administred in Ireland ; and a king at Armes named Vlster , was newly instituted for Ireland ; whose Province was all Ireland ; and he was the first fourth king of Armes , and first Herauld appointed for Ireland . Also in his fifth yeere , base monies formerly coyned , were cried downe ; so as the shilling went but for nine pence , and shortly after but for six pence , the g●oat but for three pence , and shortly after but for two pence .

Affaires of the Church in his time .

IN the first yee●e of this Kings reigne , Injunctions were set forth , for pulling downe a●d removing all Images out of Churches ; also certaine Homilies were appointed to be made by learned men , to be read in Churches , for the peoples instruction : and at Easter this yeer , it was ordered , that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper should be ministred to the Lay-people in both kindes ; also Marriage was allowed to Clergie men ; Auricular Confession and prayer for the dead were forbidden : and it is observable , that the very same day that Images were pulled downe at London , the great overthrow was given to the Scots at Mu●kleborough . Also at this time , by the Archbishop Cranmers means , divers learned Protestants came over into England , and had here ente●tainment , as Peter Martyr , Martin Bucer , and Paulus Fagius ; of whom Peter Martyr was sent to read a Divinity Lecture in Oxford , Bucer and Fagius in Cambridge . In this Kings foutth yeer , all Altars in Churches were comma●ded to be taken downe , and Tables placed in their roomes . In his fifth yeer the Book of Common Prayer was established .

Casualties happening in his time .

IN his second yeere , Saint Annes Church within Aldesgate was burnt . In his ●ifth yeere , a sweating sicknesse infested first Shrewesbury , and then the north parts , and after grew most extreame in London , so as the first weeke there dyed eight hundred persons , and was so violent that it tooke men away in foure and twenty houres , sometimes in twelve , and somtimes in lesse : amongst other of account that dyed of this sicknesse , were the two Sonnes of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke , who dyed within an houre after one another , in such order that both of them dyed Dukes . This disease was proper to the English Nation , for it followed the English wheresoever they were in foraigne parts ; but seized upon none of any other Countrey . In this yeere , one Master Arden of Kent , by procurement of his wife was murthered in his owne house ; being dead , his body was carried out and laid upon the ground , in a close hard by ; where this is memorable , that for two yeers after , the ground where his body lay , bore no grasse , but represented still as it were a picture of his body , onely in the space between his legges and armes there grew grasse , but where any part of his body touched , none at all . Yet this miraculous accident was not so much for the murther , as for the curses of a widow-woman , out of whose hands the said Master Arden had uncharitably bought the said close , to her undoing . And thus the divine justice even in this world oftentimes works miracles upon offenders , for a mercifull warning to men , if they would be so wise to take it . In his sixth yeer , the third of August , at Middleton-stony , eleven miles from Oxford , a woman brought forth a childe which had two perfect bodies from the navill upward , the legges for both the bodies grew out at the midst where the bodies joyned , and had but one issue for the excrements of them both : they lived eighteen dayes , and were women children . This yeere also were taken at Quinborow three Dolphins , and at Black-Wall six more , the least of which was bigger then any horse .

Works of Piety by him or other in his time .

THis King gave three houses to the reliefe of the poor ; first for the fatherlesse and beggers children , he gave the late Gray-Fryers in London , which i● now called Christs Hospitall : then for lame and diseased persons he gave the Hospitall of Saint Thomas in Southwarke , and Saint Barthalomews in West Smithfield : Thirdly , for riotous and idle persons , he gave his house of Brid●well ; and for their maintenance , he took six hundred pounds a yeer land from the house of the Savoy ( which had been long abused ) and bestowed it upon these houses ; to which he added four thousand marks a yeer more . By his example Sir William Chester Alderman of London , and Iohn Calthroppe Draper , at their owne costs made the Brickwalls and way on the backside that leadeth to the Hospitall of Saint Barthalomews ; and also covered and vawted the Towne Ditch , which before was very noysome . In the second yeer of this King , Sir Iohn Gresham then Major of London , founded a free Schoole at Host in Norfolke ; also at his decease , he gave to every Ward in London ten pounds , to be distributed amongst the poor , and to maids marriages two hundred pounds . In his third yeer , Sir Rowland Hill the ●hen Lord Major of London , caused to be made a Cawsway commonly called Overlane pavement , in the high way from Stone to Nantwich , in length four miles , for the ease of horse and man . He caused also a Cawsway to be made from Dunchurch to Bransen in Warwickshiere , more then two miles in length ; and gave twenty pounds towards the making of Roitton Bridge three miles from Coventry . He made likewise the high way to Kilborne neere to London . Also four Bridges , two of them of stone , containing eighteen arches in them both ; the one over the River of Severne called Acham Bridge , the other Terne Bridge ; and two other of Timber at Stoke , where he built also a good part of the Church . A free Schoole likewise he builded at ●rayton in Shropshiere , with Master and Usher , and gave sufficient stipends to them both . Also he purchased a free fair to the said Towne , with a free Market weekly ; and every fourteen dayes a free Market for cartell . Besides all thi● , he gave to the Hospitall of Christ-Church in London in his life time , five hundred pounds , and at his death , a hundred . In this Kings fourth yeer , Sir Andrew Iud Major of London , founded a notable free Schoole at Tunbridge in Kent ; he builded also an Almshouse for six poor people , nigh to the Parish Church of Saint Helens in Bishopsgate-streete ; and gave threescore pounds land a yeer to the Skinners of London , for which be bound to pay twenty pounds to the Schoolemaster , and eight pounds to the Usher of his free Schoole at Tunbridge yeerly for ever ; and four shillings weekely to the six poor Almspeople , and something more yeerly . In his sixth yeer , Sir George Barnes Major of London , gave a Windmill in Finsbury-field to the Haberdashers of London , the profits thereof to be destributed to the poor of that Company ; also to Saint Bartholamews the little , certaine Tenements to the like use .

Of his personage and conditions .

COncerning his personage , it is said , he was in body beautifull , of a sweete aspect , and specially in his eyes , which seemed to have a starry livelinesse and lustre in them . Concerning his conditions , in matter of fact , there is not much to be said ; but in matter of disposition and inclination very much , even to admiration . For though his tree was not yet come to the maturity of bearing fruit , yet it was come to the forwardnesse to bear plenty of buds and blossomes . For proofe of his mercifull disposition this one example may be sufficient ; when one Ioan Butcher was to be burned for blasphemy and heresie , all the Counsell could not get him to signe the Warrant , till the Archbishop Cranmer with much importunity perswaded him , and then he did it , but not without weeping . For his pregnancy of wit , and knowledge in all kindes of learning ; we shall need but to hear what Cardan ( who coming into England , had often conference with him ) reporteth of him : that he was extraordinarily skilfull in Languages , and in the Politicks ; well seen in Philosophy and in Divinity , and generally indeed a very miracle of Art and Nature . He would answer Embassadours somerimes upon the suddaine , either in French or Latine ; he knew the state of forraigne Princes perfectly , and his own more . He could call all Gentlemen of account through his Kingdome by their names ; and all this when he had scarce yet attained to the age of fifteene yeers ; and died before sixteene ; that from hence we may gather , it is a signe of no long life , when the faculties of the minde are ripe so early .

Of his death and buriall .

IN the sixth yeer of his reigne , which was the yeer before he died , he fel sick of the Measels , and being well recovered of them , he fell after soon into the smal Pox , & of them also was so well recovered , that the summer following he rode a progresse , with a greater magnificence then ever he had done before ; having in his traine no fewer then four thousand horse . In Ianuary following , ( whether procured by sinister practise , or growing upon him by naturall infirmity ) he fell into an indisposition of body , which soon after grew to a cough of the Lungs . Whereupon a rumour was spread abroad by some , that a Nosegay had been given him at Newyeerstide , which brought him into this slow but deadly consumption ; by others that it was done by a Glister : how ever it was , he was brought at last to so great extremity , that his Physicians despared of his life ; and when Physicians could do him no good , a Gentlewoman ( thought to be prepared for the purpose ) tooke him in hand , and did him hurt ; for with her applications his legges swelled , his pulse failed , his skinne changed colour , and many other symptomes of approaching death appeared . The hour before his death , he was overheard to pray thus by himselfe , O Lord God , deliver me out of this miserable and wretched life ; O Lord , thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee ; yet for thy chosens sake , if it be thy will send me life and health that I ma● truly serve thee : O Lord God , save thy chosen people of England , and defend this Realme from Papistrie , and maintaine thy true Religion , that I and my People may praise thy holy Name , for thy Sonne Jesus Christs sake . So ●urning his face and seeing some by him , he said ; I thought you had nor been so nigh : Yes , said Doctor Owens we heard you speak to your selfe ; then said the King , I was praying to God : O , I am faint ; Lord have mercy upon me , and receive my spirit ; and in so saying gave up the Ghost , the sixth day of Iuly , in the yeer 1553. and in the sixteenth yeer of his Age when he had reigned six yeers , five moneths , and nine dayes . It is noted by some , that he died the same moneth , and the same day of the moneth that his father King Henry the eight had put Sir Thomas Moore to death . His body was buried upon the ninth of August in the Chappell of Saint Peters Church in Westminster ; and laid neere to the body of King Henry the seventh his grandfather . At his funerall which was on the tenth of August following , his sister Queen Mary shewed this respect to him , that though Doctor Day a Popish Bishop preached , yet all the service with a communion was in English .

Men of note in his time .

THis Kings reigne being short , and having but small warres , had not many sword-men famous for any acts they did ; Gowne men there were some , as Edward Holl a Councellour in the Law , who wrote a notable Cronicle of the union of the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster ; William Hugh a Yorkeshireman , who wrote a notable Treatice called The troubled mans medicine ; Thomas Sternehold , borne in Southampton , who turned into English Meete● seven and thirty of Davids Psalmes .

The Interregnum betweene the death of King Edward and the proclaiming at London of Queene Mary .

KIng Edward being dead , the Duke of Northumberland tooke upon him to sit at the Sterne , and ordered all things at his pleasure : so two dayes after he with others of the Councell , sent to the Lord Major that he with six Aldermen and twelve principall Commons , should repaire presently to the Court ; to whom when they came , it was secretly signified that King Edward was dead ; and that by his last Will , to which all the Nobility and Judges had given assent , he had appointed the Lady Iane , daughter to the Duke of Suffolke , to succeede him ; his Letters Patents whereof were shewed them , and therupon they were required , to take their Oathes of Allegeance to the Lady Iane , and to secure the City in her behalfe ; which whether dissemblingly , or sincerely ; whether for love or fear , yet they did , and then departed . The next day the Lady Iane in great state , was brought to the Tower of London , and there declared Queene ; and by edect with the sound of Trumpet proclaimed so through London ; at which time , for some words seeming to be spoken against it , one Gilbert Pot a Vint●ers servant , was set in the Pilory , and lost both his ears . Before this time , the Lady Mary having heard of her brothers death , and of the Duke of Northumberlands designes ; removed from Hovesdon to her Mannour of Keninghall in Norfolke , and under pretence of fearing infection , ( having lately lost one of her houshold servants of the plague ) in one day she rode forty miles , and from thence afterward to her Castle of Framingham in Suffolke ; where taking upon her the name of Queene , there resorted to her the most part of all the Gentlemen both of Norfolke & Suffolke , offering their assistance ; but upon condition she would make no alteration in Religion , to which she condiscended ; and thereupon soone after came to her , the Earles of Oxford , Bathe and Sussex , the Lord Wentworth , Thomas Wharton , and Iohn Mordant Barrons eldest sonnes ; and of Knights Cornwallis , Drury , Walgrave , Shelton , Beningfield , Ierningham , Suliard , Freston and many others . The Lady Mary being thus assisted , wrote her letters signed the ninth of Iuly to the Lords of the Councell , wherein shee claimed the Crowne , as of right belonging to her ; and required them to proclaime her Queene of England in the City of London , as they tendred her displeasure . To this letter of hers , the Lords answered , that for what they did , they had good Warrant ; not onely by King Edwards last Will , but by the Lawes of the land , considering her Mothers divorce , and her owne Illegitimation ; and therefore required her to submit her selfe to Queene Iane , being now her Soveraigne . This Letter was written from the Tower of London , under the hands of these that follow , Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury , Thom●s Elye Chancellour , William Marquesse of Winchester , Iohn Earle of Bedford , Henry Duke of Suffolke , Francis Earle of Shrewsbury , Iohn Duke of North●mberland , William Earle of Pembrooke , Thomas Lord Darcey Lord Chamberlin , Cobham , Rich , Huntington , Cheyney , Iohn Gates , William Peter , William Ce●ill , Iohn Clerke , Iohn Mason , Edward North and Robert Bowes . The quarell on both sides being thus begun by Letters , is prosecuted by Armes ; and the Lords for their Generall make choyce of the Duke of Suffolke , as a man most likely to be firme and sure in the imployment ; but the Queen his daughter cannot misse his presence ; and besides , is not willing to hazard his person ; and thereupon , she by intreaties and the Lords by perswasions prevaile with the Duke of Northumb●rland to undertake the charge ; who before his going having conference with the Lords , let them know how sensible he was of the double danger he under-went in this enterprize ; both in respect of the Lady against whom he went , and in respect of them whom he left behinde him ; for if they in his absence should by any accident be drawne to waver in their resolution , they might worke their owne safety with his destruction , and make themselves seeme innocent in his guiltinesse . To which one of the Lords replied and said ; Your Grace makes a doubt of that which cannot be , for which of us all can wash his hands cleane of this businesse ? and therefore it behooves us to be as resolute as your selfe ; and the Earle of Arundell , to testifie his resolution in the matter , said , he was sorry it was not his chance to goe with him , at whose feet he could finde in his heart to spend his blood . So the Duke with the Marquesse of Northampton , the Lord Gray , and divers other of account , on the fourteenth of Iuly set forward on the journey with eight thousand foot and two thousand horse ; and passing through Shoreditch , the Duke said to the Lord Gray , see how the people presse to see us , but not one of them saith , God speed you . The Duke had every dayes march how farre he should goe , appointed him by Commission ; which being very slow , whether it were done of purpose , by some that favoured the Lady Maries side , was certainly a great helpe to her proceedings ; for by this meanes she had the longer time to make her preparations ; and indeed in this time two accidents happened , of great benefit to her ; one , that Edward Hastings the Earle of Huntingtons brother , having an Army of foure thousand foot committed to him by the Earle of Northumberland , he now left his Party , and went to the Lady Mary : the other , that six great Ships which lay before Yarmouth to intercept the Lady Mary , if she shouly attempt to flye , now at the perswasion of Master Ierningham , came in to her aide : which two revolts so terrified the Londoners , that though Doctor Ridley Bishop of London , on the sixteenth of Iuly , at Pauls Crosse Preached a Sermon , wherein he invited the people to stand firme to Queene Iane , whose cause he affirmed to be most just , ye● few or none were perswaded by him ; so as the Lords themselves fell off from the side , who assembling at Beynards-Castle , first the Earle of Arundell , then the Earle of Pembrooke fell to invectives against the Earle of Northumberland ; and then all the Lords joyning in opinion with them , they called for the Major , and in London Proclaimed the Lady Mary Queene ; as likewise the Lord Windsor , Sir Edmund Peckham , Sir Robert Drurie and Sir Edward Hastings did in Buckinghamshire ; Sir Iohn Williams of Tame , and Sir Leonard Chamberlaine in Oxfordshire , and Sir Thomas Tresham in the County of Northampton . All this came soone to the knowledge of the Duke of Northumberland , being then at Burie ; who thereby seeing how the world went , thought it his best course to turne with the streame , and thereupon returning to Cambridge , he tooke the Major of the Towne with him into the Market-place , and there himselfe for want of a Herauld , Proclaimed the Lady Mary Queene , and in signe of joy threw up his Cap ; which yet served not his turne , for the next morning Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundell , came into Cambridge from Queene Mary , who entring his Chamber , the Duke at his feet fell on his knees ; desiring him for Gods love to consider his case , that had done nothing but by the Warrant of him and the Councell : My Lord ( said the Earle ) I am sent hither by the Queen to arrest you ; and I ( said the Duke ) obey your arrest ; yet I beseech your Lordship , to use mercy towards him whose Acts have been no other then were injoyned by Commission : you should have thought of that sooner ( said the Earle ) and thereupon committed him to a Guard , and left him to the Queenes mercy . Thus ended all this great Dukes designes , in his owne destruction , and brought him to fall on his knees to them , who had often before bowed their knees to him ; and the Earle , who at the Dukes going ou● , could have beene contented to spend his blood at his feet , was now contented to be made an instrument of his fall : so sudden are the turnes of mens affections , and so unstable is the building upon their asseverations ; at lest no man must looke to have his case be of any weight against him , who hath his owne case put in the Ballance . Together with the Duke his three Sonnes Iohn , Ambrose and Henry , the Earle of Huntington , Sir Andrew Dudley , the two Gates , Iohn and Henry , Sir Thomas Palmer and Doctor Sands were conveyed towards London , and brought to the Tower ; and the next day the Marquesse of Northampton , the Lord Robert Dudley and Sir Robert Corbet . Before which time , the Duke of Suffolke entring his daughters the Lady Ianes Chamber , told her , she must now put off her Royall Robes , and be contented with a private life : to which she answered , She would much more willingly put them off , then she had put them on ; and would never have done it , but in obedience to him and her Mother . And this was the end of the Lady Ianes ten dayes Reigne .

THE REIGNE OF QUEEN MARY .

THE Lady Mary having bin Proclaimed Queen in London and other parts of the Realme ; removed from her castle of Framingham towards London ; and being come to Wanstead in Essex , on the thirtieth of Iuly , the Lady Elizabeth her sister , with a traine of a thousand horse , rode from her place in the Strand to meet her : on the third of August the Queene rode through London to the Tower , where at her entrance were presented to her Thomas Duke of Norfolke , Edward Lord Courtney , Stephen Gardiner late Bishop of Winchester , and the Du●chesse of Somerset ; who all kneeling downe● she kissed them , and said , These be my Prisoners , and then caused them presently to be set at liberty : the next day she restored the Lord Courtney to his Marchisate of Exceter ; and the same day also she not onely restored Stephen Gardiner to his Bishopricke of Winchester , but a few da●es after made him Chancellour of England ; yet this was the man that had subscribed to her Mothers Divorce● and had written Bookes against the lawfulnesse of her mariage . The fift of August Edmund Bonner late Bishop of London prisoner in the Marshalsey , and Cutbert Tunstall the old Bishop of Durham prisoner in the Kings Bench , had their Pardons and were restored to their Sees . Sortly aft●r , all the Bishops which had been deprived in the time of King Edward the sixth , were restored to their Bishopricks● and the new removed , as Ridley was removed from London and Bonner placed , Skory from Chichester and Day placed , Miles Coverdale from Exceter and West placed , Iohn Hooper from Worcester and Heath placed . Also all Beneficed men that were married , or would not renounce their Religion , were put out of their Livings , and other of a contrary opinion put in their rooms .

On the thirteenth of August one Master Bourne a Canon of Pauls , preaching at Pauls Crosse , not onely prayed for the dead , but also declared that Doctor Bonner Bishop of London , ( late restored , and there in presence ) for a Sermon by him made foure yeeres before , in the same place , and upon the same Text , had unjustly beene cast into the vile prison of the Marshalsey ; which Speech so offended some of the Auditory , that they cried , Pull him downe , pull him downe ; and had certainly done him violence ( for a Dagger was throwne at him ) if Master Bradford a Protestant Preacher , had not stept into his place and appeased the tumult , and Master Rogers another Protestant Minister ( who were both afterward burnt for Religion ) had not shifted away Bourne into Pauls Schoole .

Hitherto Queene Maries reigne had beene without blood , but now the Cataracts of seventy will be opened , that will make it raine blood : for now on the eighteenth of August , Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland , William Parre Marquesse of Northampt●n , and Iohn Earle of Warwicke , so●ne and heire to the Duk , were arraigned at Westminster-hall , before Thomas Duke of N●●folke as high Steward of England ; where the Duke of Northumberland , after his Indictment read , required the opinion of the Court in two points ; first , whither a man doing any Act by authority of the Princes Couns●●le , and by warrant of the great Seale of England , might for any such Act be charged with treason : secondly , whither any such persons as were equally culpable , and by whose commandements he was directed , might be his Judges and passe upon his triall : whereunto was answered , that concerning the first ; the great Seale which he alleaged for his warrant , was not the Seale of the lawfull Queene of the Realm , but of an Usurper , and therfore could be no warrant for him : and as to the second , it was resolved , that if any were as deeply to be touched in the case as himself , yet so long as no Attainder were of record against them , they were persons able in law to passe ●pon his triall , and not to be challenged but at the Princes pleasure . After which answers , the Duke used few words , but confessed the Indictment , and accordingly had judgment to dye . By whose example the other prisoners arraigned with him , confessed the Indictments , and therupon had judgment : the ninteenth of August , Sir Andrew Dudley , Sir Iohn , and Sir Henry Gates brethren , and Sir Thomas Palmer Knights , were arraigned at Westminster , who c●nfessing their Indictments , had judgment , which was pronounced by the Marquesse of Winchester , Lord high Treasu●er , sitting that day as chiefe Justice : after these condemnations , followed the executions ; for on the two and twentieth of August Iohn Duke of Northum●erland was brought to the Tower-hill , and there beheaded ; being upon the scaffold in a gowne of green coloured damaske , he put it off and then made a long Speech , wherein he asked the Queen forgivenesse , whom he acknowledged to have grievously offended ; and then making profession of his Faith , that he died a true Catholick ( meaning a Papist ) he said the Psalmes of Miserere and De Profundis , the Pater noster , and six of the first verses of the Psalme In te Domine speravi , ending with this verse , Into thy hands , O Lord , I commend my spirit ; and this said , he looked about him , as looking for a Pardon , but none comming , he laid his head downe upon the blocke , and at one blow had it strucken off ; his body with the head was buried in the Tower , by the body of Edward late Duke of Somerset ( mortall enemies while they lived , but now lying together as good friends ) so as there lyeth before the high Altar in Saint Peters Church , ●wo Dukes between two Queens , namely the Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Northumberland between Queen Anne and Queene Katherine , all foure beheaded . Of what religion this Duke was may well be doubted , seeing at his death he professed himself a Papist , when lately before he had importuned King Edward to make the Lady Iane his successour , lest the Papall religion should be restored ; it seems he was not greatly of either but for other ends ; a Protestant then when it was to make his daughter in law Queen ; now a Papist , when it was to save his life ( for it was thought he had Pardon promised , if he would recant . At the same time and place were beheaded Sir Iohn Gates and Sir Thomas Palmer , who were no such temporizers but persisted and dyed in the Protestant Religion , which they had alwayes professed .

After this , a sprinkling of mercy came from the Queene ; for on the third of September the Lord Ferrers of Chartley , the two chiefe Justices , Sir Roger Cholmley and Mountague , Sir Iohn Cheeke and others were delivered out of the Tower whether before they had been committed ; but a shower of severity followed soon after , for on the fifteenth of September Master Latimer and Doctor Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury were sent to the Tower , and on the third o● November following , the said Archbishop Cranmer , the Lady Iane ( late Queene ) and the Lord Guildford her husband , with the Lords Ambrose and Henry , sonnes to the late Duke of Northumberland , were all arraigned at the Guild-hall , found guilty and had judgement to dye .

All this while Queen Mary had contented her selfe to be Queene by Proclamation ; but now that things were something setled , she proceeds to her Coronation : for on the last of September she rode in her Chariot through London towards Westminster in this order ; first rode a number of Gentlemen and Knights , then Doctors , then Judges , then Bishops , then Lords , then the Councell , after whom followed the Knights of the Bath , thirteene in number in their Robes , then the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellour , and the Marquesse of Winchester Lord high Treasurer , next came the Duke of Norfolke , and after him the Earle of Oxford who bore the sword , then the Major of Lond●n in a Gowne of Crimson Velvet , who bore the Scepter of Gold ; after came the Queenes Chariot , and then followed another Chariot wherein sat the Lady Elizabeth her sister and the Lady Anne of Cleeve , and then came Ladies and Gentlewomen riding on horses , trapped with red velvet : &c. In this order they came through London to Westminster ; where in many places by the way , were Pagents and stately shewes , and many rich presents given to the Queene . The next day she went by water to the old Palace , and remained there till eleven of the clock , and then went on foot upon blew cloth , being railed on either side to Saint Peters Church , where she was Crowned and Anointed by the Bishop of Winchester , ( the two Archbishops being then in the Tower ) with all Rites and Ceremonies of old accustomed .

After her Coronation , a generall pardon was published in her name , but interlaced with so many exceptions of matters and persons , that very few tooke benefit by it ; for after the pardon published , there were Commissioners assigned , to compound with such persons as were excepted : from some of whom they tooke away their Fees and Offices , some they fi●ed , and some they deprived of their estates and livings .

About this time Sir Iames Hales one of the Justices of the Common Pleas , who in the time of King Edward had refused to signe a writing for disinheriting the Lady Mary , and the Lady Elizabeth ; ( a fact worthy at least of a kinde remembrance from the Lady Mary now Queene ) yet now , for that at a quarter Sessions in Kent , he gave charge upon the statutes of King Henry the eight , and King Edward the sixth , in derogation of the Primacy of the Church of Rome ; he was first committed to the Kings Bench , then to the Counter , and lastly to the Fleet ; where he grew so troubled in minde , that he attempted with a Pen-knife to kill himselfe ; and being afterward recovered of that hurt , and brought to the Queenes presence , who gave him very comfortable words , yet could never come to be quiet in his minde ; but in the end , drowned himselfe in a River not halfe a mile from his house , the River being so shallow , that he was faine to lye groveling before he could dispatch him●elfe of life .

And now another sprinkling of mercy came from the Queene ; for the Marquesse of Northampton , and Sir Henry Gates , lately before condemned to dye , were now pardoned and set at liberty . The Lady Iane also was allowed the liberty of the Tower , not without hope of life and liberty altogether ; if her father the Duke of Suffolke had not the second time been cause of her destruction .

About this time also a Synod was assembled , for consulting about matters of Religion ; and the point specially of the reall presence in the Sacrament . The Prolocutour was Doctor Weston ; and of the Protestant side , were Iohn Almer and Richard Cheyney , both Bishops afterward in Queene Elizabeths time , also Iohn Philpo● , afterward burnt , Iames Haddon and others . After long disputation , where reasons were not so much weighed as voyces numbred ; the Papall side , as having most voyces , carried it ; and thereupon was that Religion againe restored , and the Masse commanded in all Churches to be celebrated , after the ancient manner .

It was now the yeer 1553. when Queene Mary was come to the age of seven and thirty yeers , and therefore high time now to thinke of marriage , at least if she meant to have issue of her body ; but a hard ma●ter it was to finde a husband in all points ●itting for her , yet three at this time ( in common fame at least ) were taken into consideration : one was the Lord Courtney M●rquesse of Exceter , a goodly Gentleman and of Royall blood , but there was exception against him because inclining ( as was thought ) to Lutheranisme ; another was Cardinal ●oole , of a dignity not much inferiour to Kings , and by his Mother descended from Kings ; but there was exception against him also , because foure and fifty yeers old , ( as old a Batchelour as Queen Mary was a maid ) and so the lesse hope of issue betweene them : but the third ( if he might be had ) was without exception , and this was Phillip Prince of Spaine , the Emperour Charles his eldest sonne , with whom being a Spaniard , she was the fitter matched , as being by the Mother a Spaniard her selfe . And now very oppertunely came in the beginning of Ian. Embassadors into England about it ; amongst others , the Cou●● of Egmond Admirall of the L●w Countryes ; and Iohn of Memorancy Lord of Curryers ; whose message was so kindely entertained , that the marriage in short time was absolutely concluded , though it seemed something strange to many , that she should now be wife to the sonne , who thirty yeers before should have been wife to the father . But so it is , Queenes are never old , so long as they are within yeers of bearing children . And indeede the match was concluded , with conditions of farre more advantage to Quee●e Mary , then they were to King Phillip , as on the fourteenth of Ianuary Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancelour of England , openly in the Presence Chamber at Westminster , declared to all the Lords and Gentlemen there present : for it was agreed , that after the mar●iage , King Phillip should have the Title of all the Queenes Dominions , and be assumed into fellowship of the government ; but yet with reservation to the Queene , of all Priviledges and Customes of the Kingdome , and free disposition of all Offices and Honours , as likewise the Queene should be assumed into the fellowship of all the Kings Dominions , and surviving him , should have a Joynture of two hundred thousand Pounds a yeer . Then for the issue betweene them , if she had a Sonne , that he should inherit the Low Countryes and Burgundy ; and King Phillips sonne Charles , which he had by a former wife , should inherit all his Dominions in Italie and Spaine ; but if his sonne Charles should fail without issue , then the sonne he should have by Queene Mary , should inherit his Kingdomes of Italie and Spaine also . And the like good provision was also made for daughters . But notwithstanding these great ●dvantage● of the ma●ch , yet such was the precipitant rashnesse of some ; that thinking themselves wiser then the Queene and the Councel , they sought by all meanes to oppose the match ; giving out that it ●ended to bring England under the yoke of Spaine , and to make the Countrey a slave to strangers . This was the generall murmuring of people ; but the first that shewed himselfe in Armes , was Sir Thomas Wyat of Kent ; who having communicated the matter with the Duke of Suffolke the Lady Ianes father , with Peter Caroe a Knight of Devonshire , and divers others ; intended onely to make secret provision , but not to stirre till Prince Phillip should be come , that so their cause of taking armes might have the better colour . On the fifteenth of Ianuary , Robert Dudley sonne to the Duke of Northumberland , was arraigned at the Guildhall of high Treason , who confessed the indictment , and had judgement given by the Earle of Sussex , to be drawen , hanged , bowelled and quartered .

But now in counsels communicated to many , it is a hard matter to have counsell kept , and Sir Peter Caroe finding that their plot was discovered , fled privily into France , where lurking for a time , he was afterward taken at Bruxells , and brought captive into England ; as likewise at the same time and place Sir Iohn Cheeke King Edwards Schoolmaster was taken , who being drawne by terrours to embrace the Papall Religion , with very griefe afterward of his errour pined away and dyed ; Sir Peter Caroe lived many yeers af●er , and dyed in Ireland ; though it be falsely recorded , they were both burnt for Religion , in Iune of this yeer . Wyatt hearing of Sir Peter Caroes flight , and that all their purpose was discovered ; was driven before his time to enter into armes , giving out for the cause that it was not to attempt any thing against the Queene , but onely to remove ill Councellours , and chiefly to repell Prince Phillip ; least by this mariage the Kingdome should come in subjection to the Spaniard . With Wyatt were joyned Sir Henry Isley , Sir George Harper , Anthony and William Knevet , and divers other Gentlemen of the County ; against him were the Lord Abuegaveny , Sir Thomas Cheyney Lord Warden of the Ports , Sir Sobert Southwell Sheriffe of Kent , Sir Warram Sentleger , Sir Thomas Kempe Sir Thomas Moyle , Sir Thomas Finch with divers other ; yet all these great men had such doubt of the people , that they durst not proceed but very warily . The five and twentieth of Ianuary , newes came to London of Wyats rising ; against whom was presently sent the Duke of Norfolke , with Sir Henry ●erningham Captaine of the Guard , Sir Edward Bray , Sir Iohn Fogge , Iohn Covert Roger Appleton Esquires , and five hundred souldiers out of London ; appointed to go after him , under the leading of Captaine Brett . And now see in times of Sedition , how uncertaine a thing it is to trust to the people ; for before Brett could overtake the Duke , Sir George Harper was secretly got to him , who so perswaded him that he and his five hundred souldiers left the Duke and went all to Wyatt ; which made the Duke and those with him presently to flye , and put such boldnesse into Wyatt , that now he marched in great confidence towards London , with so great terrour to all sorts of people , that at Westminster-Hall , the Serjeants and other Lawyers , pleaded in harnesse .

In the meane time , the Duke of Suffolke was perceived in Warwickshire , to be raising of Forces in assistance of Wyatt ; against whom was presently sent the Earle of Huntington , and the Duke finding himselfe unable to make resistance , having with all his industry gotten together but onely fifty men ; he betooke himselfe to a Tenant of his One , Vnderwood , with whom he hoped and had promise to remaine undiscovered , till he might have oppertunity to escape , as some say , as others to a Keeper of his Parke called Nicholas Lawrence , who kept him in a hollow Oake in the said Park● for two or three dayes : but whether Vnderwood or Lawrence , either out of fear , or out of hope of reward , he betrayed him to the Earle , by whom he was taken , and under a strong guard carried to the Tower . Upon this , Queen Mary her selfe came into London , where calling the Major and chiefe of the City together , she made an Oration , wherein she shewed the insolency of Wyatt ; who though he pretended the but onely the crossing of the marriage ; yet was now grown to such presumption , that he required to have the custody of her person ; and to have Councellours retained or removed at his pleasure . A●d as for her mariage , she there affirmed she had done nothing in it , but by advice of her Councell ; and for her selfe , tha● she was not so longing for a husband , but that if it were not more for the good of the Kingdome , then for her ownsatisfaction , she would never once think of entertaining it . Having by her speech confirmed the minds of the Citizens ; Forces are presently raised , and placed about the Bridge , and other fit places of the City . The third of February , Wyatt with an Army of three or four thousand , came to London , hoping of present entrance , but finding the Bridge broken , and souldiers placed to resist him , after two dayes stay in Southwarke , he removed to Kingstone , where he found likewise the Bridge broken , yet with great industry suddenly repairing it , he passed over his men , and meant with all speed , to get to the Court , before the Queene should have notice of him coming ; and had done so indeede , if a mischance , and an errour upon that mischance had not hindred him . For being come within six miles of London , the carriage of one of his great Ordnance brake , in mending whereof so much time was spent ( and Wyatt by no perswasions would go forward without it ) that the time was past , in which his friends at London expected his coming ; which disappointment made many in those parts to fall off , and being perceived by those about him , many of them also ; so as one halfe of his Army was suddenly gone and left him ; amongst other , Sir George Harper , the most intimate of all his councell , went to the Queene and discovered all his purposes : whereupon the Earle of Pembrooke with a company levied upon the sudden● was sent against him ; which made Wyat slacke his pace , so as it was noone before he came to the suburbs of the City ; and then placing his Ordnance upon a hill , and leaving there the greatest part of his Army , he onely with five Ensignes marched towards Ludgate , and being encountred at Charing-crosse by the Lord Chamberlin and Sir Iohn Gage , after a small fight put them to flight in such sort , that word was carried to the Queene , how neer Wyat approached , and how wonderfully he prevailed all the way he came : with which nothing dismayed ; well then ( said she ) I will go in person against him my selfe ; and was prep●ring to doe so indeed ( so much was her Fathers valour running in her veines : ) but it needed not ; for by this time Sir Henry Ie●ningham Captaine of the Guard , Sir Edward Bray Master of the Ordnance , and Sir Phillip Paris , had given him battaile and slaine many of his men ; and that which was more , comming ●o Ludgate , he was denied entrance ; and then thinking to retyre , ●e heard the Earle of Pembrooke with his Forces was behinde at Cha●ing-crosse ; so as neither able to goe forward nor yet backward , he was at a stand and in amazement , and then lea●ing a while upon a stall by the Bell-savage , after a little musing , he returned towards Temple-gate ; where Clarentius the Herauld meeting him , fell to perswade him , not to be a cause of more effusion of blood , nor by persisting in obstinacy to exclude all hope of the Queenes mercy . The Souldiers of Wyat were earnest with him to have stood it out ; but Wyat as sillily ending , as he had unadvisedly begun ; yeelded himselfe to Sir Maurice Berkeley , and getting up upon his horse behinde him , in that manner rode to the Court ; where he had not the entertainment he expected , for without more adoe he was presently sent away to the Tower . The Captaine taken , the rest made no resist●nce , few fled , and of the other many were taken and laid in prison : and this was done the sixth of February . And now consultation was held what Delinquents should be punished ; where the first that was thought on was the Lady Iane , in whom was verified , edge● the innocent Lady must suffer for her Fathers fault ; for if her Father the Duke of Suffolke , had not this second time made shipwracke of his loyalty , his Daughter perhaps had never tasted the salt-waters of the Queens displeasure : but now as a rocke of offence , she is the first that must be removed ; and thereupon is Doctor Fecknam sent to acquaint her , that she must prepare her selfe to dye the next day : which Message was so little unpleasing to her , that she seemed rather to rejoyce at it , as wherby she should at last be set at liberty ; and the Doctor being earnest with her to leave her new Religion , and to embrace the old ; she answered , She had now no time to thinke of any thing , but of perparing her selfe to God by Prayer : Fecknam thinking she had spoken this , to the end she might have some longer time of life , obtained of the Queene three dayes longer , and then came and ●old so much to the Lady Iane ; whereat she smiling said , You are much deceived if you thinke I had any desire of longer life ; for I assure you , since the time you went from me , my life hath beene so tedious to me , that I long for nothing so much as death , and since it is the Queenes pleasure , am mo●● willing to undergoe it . Before she was brought to Execution , her hu●band the Lord Guildford , had made suit , and obtained to see her and have some conference with her ; but she refused it , saying , These were rather augmenters of griefe , then comfort● of death● she made no doubt , but they should shortly meet in a better place , and in a better condition of society : so on the twelfth of February , her husband the Lord Guildford first , and then she an houre or two after , was beheaded within the Tower ; where she acknowledged her selfe to have deserved death , not for seeking the Crown , but for not refusing it , being offered ; and after prayers to God , unclothing her selfe , and putting a Handcarchiffe before her eyes , she laid her head downe upon the blocke , and patiently suffered death , more grievous to the beholders , then to her selfe . This end had the Lady Iane Gray , a Lady of incomparable Pietie ; and ( for her yeers ) of incomparable learning ; for being not past seventeen yeeres of age , she understood perfectly the Greek and Latine tongues , and was so ready in all points of Divinity , as if she knew them by inspiration rather then by instruction ; no lesse a miracle in this kinde then King Edward ; and therefore no mervaile if he appointed her to succeed him in the Kingdome , who in the endowments of minde was so like unto him , that whilest she reigned , it might be thought he continued to reigne himselfe , at lest no more differing but onely the sex . It may not be forgotten , that Judge Morgan , who at her arraignement gave the sentence against her , shortly after fell mad , and in his raving , cried continually to have the Lady Iane taken away from him , and so ended his life .

Two dayes after the execution of the Lady Iane , namely the fourteenth and fifteenth of February , twenty paire of Gallowes were set up in divers places of the City , whereon were handed fifty of Wyats faction ; on the eighteenth of February Bret was hanged at Rochester in chaines , Sir Henry● Isle , who had beene taken in an old freeze coat and an old paire of hose , with his brother Thomas Isle and Walter Mantell were hanged at Maidstone , Anthony Knevet and his brother William , with another of the Mantels were executed at Sevenocke ; but then on the twentieth of February a sprinkling of mercy came , for foure hundred of Wyats followers , being brought before the Queene with halters about their necks , were all pardoned and set at liberty . But then severity soone after began againe , for on the three and twentieth of February the Lord Henry Gray Duke of Suffolke , and Father to the Lady Iane , who the weeke before had been attaigned and condemned , was on the Tower-hill beheaded , and on the eleventh of Aprill , in the same place was beheaded ( the Author of all this mischiefe ) Wyot himselfe , whose quarters were set up in divers places of the City , his head upon the Gallowes at Hay-hill , besides Hide Parke . This man , in hope of life , having before accused the Lord Courtney and the Lady Elizabeth the Queenes sister● to be privie to his conspiracy , yet at his death he cleered them , and protested openly , that they were altogether innocent , and never had been acquainted with his proceedings . Yet was this matter so urged against them by Stephen Gardiner , Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellour , that both of them in March before had beene committed to the Tower , though in May following they were both againe released , but yet confined , the Lady Elizabeth to Woodstocke , under the custody of Sir Henry Beningfield of Oxenborough in the County of Norfolke ; the Lord Courtney to Foderingham , under the custody of Sir Thomas Tres●am , who after some time was set at liberty , and going into Italie there dyed . It is memorable , what malice this Bishop Gardiner bore to the Lady Elizabeth , by whose onely procurement , not onely she was kept i● most hard durance , but a Warrant was at last framed under certaine Councellours hands , to put her to death , and had beene done , but that Master ●ridges L●ev●enant of the Tower , pitying her case , went to the Queene to know her pleasure , who utterly denied that she knew any thing of it ; by which meanes here life was preserved . Indeed the Bishop would sometimes say , how they cut off boughes and branches , but as long as they let the root remaine , all was nothing : and it is not unworthy the remembring what ●raines were laid to ens●are her . The common net at that time for catching of Protestants , was the Reall Pres●nce , and this net was used to catch her ; for being asked one time , what she thought of the words of Christ , This is my Body ; whether she thought it the true body of Christ , that was in the Sacrament . It is said , that after some pawsing , she thus answered : Christ was the Word that spake it : He tooke the Bread , and brake it : And what the Word did make it , That I beleeve , and take it .

Which though it may seeme but a slight expression , yet hath it more solidnesse then at first fight appears ; at lest it served her turne at that time to escape the net , which by direct answering she could not have done .

On the seventeenth of Aprill Thomas Lord Grey , the Duke of Suffolkes brother was beheaded , the last , and indeed the lest in delinquency , that suffered , for having any hand in Wyats conspiracy . There remained yet a fagge end , and was indeed but a fagge end , as nothing worth ; for on the same day Sir Nichol●s Thr●gmorton , being accused to have beene a party in Wyats conspiracy , was at the Guild-hall arraigned before Sir Thomas White Lord Maior , the Earles of Shrewsbury and Derby , Sir Thomas Bromley Lord chiefe Justice of England , Sir Nicholas Hare Master of the Roles , Sir Francis Englefield Master of the Wards , Sir Richard Southwell and Sir Edward Walgrave Privie Councellours , Sir Roger Chomley , Sir William Portman one of the Justices of the Kings Bench , Sir Edward Sanders one of the Justices of the Common Pleas , Master St●●ford and Master Dyer Serjeants at Law , Master Edward Griffin Atturney ge●erall , Master Sendall and Peter Titch●orne Clarkes of the Crowne , where the said M●ster Nicholas Throgmorton so fully and discreetly answered all objections brought against him , that he was found by the Jurie , Not Guilty , and was cleerly acquitted , but the Jury notwithstanding was afterward troubled for acquitting him , and sent prisoners , some of them to the Tower , and some to the Fleet , and afterward fined to pay a thousand makes a peece at lest , and some 2000. l. though these sums were afterward something mitigated .

More of Wya●s complices had beene taken , arraigned and adjudged to dye , but in judgement the Queene remembred mercy , and gave them their Pardon ; of which number were Master Rudston of Kent , Sir Iames a Crofts , the Lord Iohn Gray brother to the Duke of Suf●olke , and some others .

About this time , a little before and after , were advancements in honour , the Lord William Howard , Lord Admirall of England , was created Baron Ho●ard of E●●ingham , Sir Iohn Williams was created Baron of Tames , Sir Edward North was created Ba●on of Chartleigh , Sir Iohn Bridges was created Baron Chandowes of Sudeley , Gerrard Fitz Garret was created Earl of Kildare and B●ron of Ophelley , and not long after Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Horse , was created Viscount Mountag●● .

It is scarce worth remembring , that in the end of this fir●● yeer of ●he Queens reign● , one Elizabeth Cro●t , a wench of eighteen yeeres old , was by pr●ctice put into a Wall , and thereupon called the Spirit in the Wall , who with a whistle made for the purpose , whistled out many seditious words against the Queene , the Prince of Spaine , the Masse , Confession , and such other Points ; for which she did Penance , standing upon a skaffold at Pauls Cro●●e all the Sermon time , where she made open confession of her fault .

There had beene good store of Laymens blood shed already , and now the times is comming to have Clergie mens shed , and for a preparative to it , on the tenth of Aprill , Cranm●r Archbishop of Canterbury , Nicholas Ridley la●e Bishop of London , and Hugh Latimer late Bishop of Worcester , are conveyed from the Tower to Oxford , there to dispute with Oxford and Cambridge men in points of Religion , but specially of the Eucharist ; the Oxford men were Cole , Cha●scy , Pye , Harpsefield , Smith and Doctor Weston Prolocurour : the Cambridge men Young , Seaton , Watson , Atkinson , Fecknham and Sedgewicke : the Disputation ended , which ( we may well thinke , as the matter was carried ) went against the prisoners ; on the twentieth of Aprill they were brought again on the Stage ; and then demanded , whether they would persist in their opinion , or else recant ; and affirming they would persist , they were all three adjudged Hereticks , and condemned to the fire ; but their execution we must not looke for till a yeere or two hence ; but in the meane time we have Iohn Rogers , the first Martyr of these time , burnt at London the fourth of February ; after whom the ninth of February , Iohn Hooper late Bishop of Worcester , burnt at Glocester ; after him , Robert Ferrar Bishop of Man , burnt at Carmarden ; after him Iohn Bradford , with many others ; and then the two famous men Ridley and Latimer , no lesse famous for their constant deaths , then their religious lives , both burnt at Oxford the sixteenth of October .

This rising of Wyat had beene a Remora to the Queenes marriage , and now to avoid all such obstacles hereafter , the Queen in Aprill called a Parliament ; wherein were p●opounded two things ; one for confirmation of the Marriage , the other for restoration of the Popes Primacie . This latter was not assented to , but with great difficulty ; for the six yeers reigne of King Edward had spred a plantation of the Protest●nt Religion , in the hearts of many ; but the Proposition for the marriage was assented to readily , but yet with the adding of some conditions , which had no● beene thought of in the former Articles : First , that King Phillip should admit of no Stranger in any Office , but onely Natives● secondly , that he should innovate nothing in the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome . Thirdly , that he should not carry the Queen out of the Realme , without her consent , nor any of her children without consent of the Councell . Fourthly , that surviving the Quee● , he should challenge no right in the Kingdome , but suff●r it to descend to the next heire . Fiftly , that he should carry none of the Jewels of the Realme out of the Kingdome , nor suffer any Ships or Ordnance to be removed out of the Realme : and lastly , that neither directly nor indirectly , he should cause the Realme of England to be intangled with the warre betweene Spaine and France .

All things being thus agreed on , the Earle of Bedford Lord Privie Seale , the Lord Fitzwaters , and divers other Lord● and Gentlemen , are sent into Spaine to fetch over Prince Phillippe , who arrived at Southampton the twentieth of Iuly in the yeere 1554. and the three and twentieth came to Winchester , where the Queene met him , and the five and twentieth , the marriage betweene them there was openly solemnized : ( the desparity of yeeres , as in Princes , not much regarded , though he were then but seven and twenty yeeres of age , shee eight and thirty ) at which time , the Emperours Embassadour being present , openly declared ; that in consideration of that mariage , the Emperour had given to Prince Phillippe his sonne , the Kingdomes of Naples and Hierusalem ; and thereupon ( the solemnity of marriage being ended ) Garter King of Heraulds openly in the Church , in the presence of the King , the Queene , and the Lords both of England and Spaine , solemnly proclaimed , the title and stile of these two Princes , as followeth : Phillip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England , France , Naples , Hierusalem , and Ireland , Defenders of the Faith , Princes of Spaine and Scicily , Archdukes of Austria , Dukes of Millany , Burgandy , and Brabant , Counts of Habspurge , Flanders and Tyroll . After this the King and Queene by easie journeys came to Winsor Castle , where the King was instal'd Knight of the Garter , and the Earle of Sussex with him : The eleventh of August they removed to Richmond , the seven and twentieth to Suffolk-place in Southwark , and the next day to London ( where the stately shews that were made , may well enough be conceived without relaring ) from hence after foure dayes they removed againe to Richmond , where all the Lords had leave to depart into their Countries , and indeede so many departed , that there remained not an English Lord at the Court , but the Bishop of Winchester : from Richmond they removed to Hampton-court , where the Hall door within the Court was continually kept shut , so as no man might enter unlesse his errand were first known , which might perhaps be the fashion of Spain , but to Englishmen seemed very strange .

About this time Cardinall Poole , sent for by the King and Queene , came over into England ; and had come sooner , but that the Emperour fearing he might prove a corrivall with his sonne Phillip , had used meanes to stop his passage , but now that his Sonnes marriage was past , he was content to let him passe , who though he came from Rome with the great authority of a Legat ● Latere , yet he would not but come privately into London , because his Attaindour was yet upon Record ; an Act therefore was presently passed to take it off , and to restore him in blood ; for passing of which Act , the King and Queene in person came to the Parliament house ; whither a few dayes after , the Cardinall came himselfe , which was then kept in the great Chamber of Whitehall , because the Queen by reason of sicknesse , was not well able to goe abroad ; and here the King and Queene sitting under the cloath of Estate , and the Cardinall on their right hand , all the Lords , Knights and Burgesses being present , the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellour , made a short speech unto them ; signifying the presence of the Lord Cardinall , and that he was sent from the Pope as his Legate a Latere , to doe a worke tending to the glory of God , and the benefit of them all ; which ( saith he ) you may better heare from his own mouth . Then the Cardinall rose up , and made a long solemne Oration , wherin he first thanked them for his restoring , by which he was enabled to be a member of their society ; then exhorting them to returne into the bosome of the Church , for which end he was come ; not to condemne , but to reconcile ; not to compell , but to call and require ; and for their first worke of reconcilement , requiring them to repeale and abrogate all such Lawes as had formerly beene made in derogation of the Catholicke Religion . After which Speech , the Parliament going together , drew up a Supplication , which within two dayes after they presented to ●he King and Queene ; wherein they shewed themselves to be very penitent for their former errours , and humbly desired their Majesties to intercede for them to the Lord Cardinall and the See Apostolicke , that they might be Pardoned of all they had done amisse , and be received into the bosome of the Church ; being themselves most ready to abrogate all Lawes prejudiciall to the See of Rome . This Supplication being delivered to the Cardinall , he then gave them Absolution , in these words ; Wee , by the Apostolicke authority given unto us , by the most Holy Lord Pope Iulius the third ( Christs Vicegerent on Earth ) doe Absolve and deliver you and every of you , with the whole Realme and Dominions thereof , from all Heresie and Schisme , and from all Judgements , Censures and Paines for that cause incurred , and also Wee doe restore you againe , to the unity of our Mother the holy Church , The report hereof comming to Rome , was cause that a solemne Procession was made , for joy of the conversion of England to the Church of Rome . And now the Queene had a great desire to have King Phillip crowned , but to this the Parliament would by no meanes assent .

In October this second yeere of her reigne , a rumour was spread of the Queenes being with childe , and so forward that she was quicke ; and thereupon were Lettes sent from the Lords of the Councell : to Bonner Bishop of London , that Prayers of Thanksgiving should be made in all Churches ; and the Parliament it selfe was so credulous of it , that they entred into consideration of the education of the childe , and made an Act ; desiring the King ( our of 〈◊〉 confidence they had in him ) that if the Queene should faile , he would be pleased ●o take upon him the Rule and Government of the childe ; but after ●ll this , in Iune following , it came to be knowne , that it was but a Tympany , ●r at lest the Queene so miscarried , that there came no childe , nor the Queene likely ever after to have any . But howsoever , in hope of the joy that was expected ; in Ianu●ry of this yeere , divers of the Councell , as the Lord Chancellour , the Bishop of Elye , the Lord Treasurour , the Earle of Shrewsb●ry , the Controlour of the Queens house , Secretary Bourne and Sir Richard So●thwell Master of the Ordinance , were sent to the Tower , to discharge and set at liberty a great part of the Prisoners in the Tower ; as ●amely , the late Duke of Northumberlands sonnes , Ambrose , Robert and Henry , also Sir Andrew Dudley , Sir Iames Cro●ts , Sir Nicholas Throgmorton , Sir Iohn Rogers , Sir Nicholas Arnold , Sir George Harper , Sir Edward Warner , Sir William Sentlow , Sir Gowen Carow , William Gybbs Esquire , Cutbert Vaughan , and some others .

About this time , one William Fetherstone , a Millers sonne , of the age of eighteene yeeres , named and bruted himselfe to be King Edward the sixth ; for which being apprehended and examined , he answered as one lunaticke ; and thereupon was whipped at a Carts ●ayle , and banished into the North ; but the yeere after , spreading abroad againe , that King Edward was alive , and that he had talked with him , he was arraigned and condemned of treason , and at Tyburn hanged and quartered .

In the moneth of March , the Queene was taken with a fit of Devotion , and thereupon called unto her foure of her Privie Councell , namely , William Marquesse of Winchester Lord Treasurour , Sir Robert Rochester Comptrolour , Sir William Peter Secretary , and Sir Francis Englefield Master of the Wards , and signified unto them , that it went against her conscience , to hold the Lands and Possessions as well of Monasteries aud Abbeys as of other Churches , and therefore did freely relinquish them , and leave them to be disposed , as the Pope and the Lord Cardinall should thinke fit ; and thereupon charged them to acquaint the Cardinall with this her purpose . A●d shortly after in performance hereof , Iohn Fecknam late Deane of Pauls , was made Abbot of Westminster , and had possession delivered him , and with him fourteen Monkes received the Habit at the same time : and on the twentieth of November , Sir Thomas was instituted Lord of Saint Iohns of Hierusalem , and was put in possession of the Lands belonging unto it . And when it was told her● that this would be a great diminution of the Revenues of her Crowne ; she answered , she more valued the salvation of her soule , then a thousand Crownes : a most religious speech , and enough , if there were but this , to shew her to be a most pious Prince .

The fourth of September this yeer , King Phillip waited on with the Earle of Arundell Lord Steward , the Earle of Pembrooke , the Earle of Huntington and others , went over to Callice , and from thence to Brussels in Brabant , to visit the Emperour his Father ; who delive●ing him possession of the Low Countries , in March following he returned into England ; but then , on the sixth of Iuly following , by reason of wars with France , he passed again over to Callic● and so into Flanders , from whence he returned not till eighteene moneths after ; which made great muttering amongst the common people , as though hee tooke any little occasion to be absent , for the little love hee bore to the Queene .

In the third yeere of the Queene dyed Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester at his house in Southwarke ; of whose death it is memorable , that the same day in which Bishop Ridley and Master Latimer suffered at Oxford , he would not goe to dinner till foure a clocke in the a●ternoone , tho●gh the old Duke of Nor●olke was come to dine with him ; the reason was , because he would first heare of their being burnt , and as soon as word of that was brought him , he presently said , Now let us goe to Dinner ; where sitting downe and eating merrily , upon a sudden he fell into such extremity , that he was faine to be taken from the Table and carried to his bed , where he continued fifteen dayes , without voyding any thing either by urine or otherwise , which caused his tsongu to swell in his mouth , and so dyed ; after whose death , Nicholas Heath Archbishop of Yorke was made Lord Chancelour .

And now comes the time of Archbishop Cranmers execution , who the yeere before had beene condemned and degraded by Commission from the Pope ; after which , being by the subtiltie of some , put in hope of life , out of frailty , he subscribed to a Recantation , which yet did him no good ; for whether it were , that Cardinall Poole would no longer be kept from being Archbishop ( which he would not be as long as he lived ) or that the Queen could ●ot be gotten to forget , his being the chief instrument of her Mothers di●orce ; his ex●cution was resolved to be the 14. of Febr. in the same place at Oxford where Ridley and Latimer five month before had bin : before the execution D●ct . ●●le preached , who to make use of Cranmers Recantation , told the people , they doe well to harken to this learned mans confession , who now at his death , and with his death wold testifie which was the true religion , never thinking that Cranmer wold ha●e denied his former Recantation ; but Cranmer being brought to the stake ( contrary to expectation ) acknowledged , that through frailty he had subscribed it , praying God hartily to forgive it ; and now for a punishment , that hand which had done it should first suffer , and therewithall thrusting his right hand into the fire , he there held it , till it first and then his whole body was consumed ; onely ( which was no small miracle ) his heart remained whole and not once touched with the fire . The same yeer also , no fewer then 84. of both sexes were burnt for Religion ; and it was a cruelty very far extended , that the bones of Bucer and Ph●gi●● some time before dead and buried , were taken up and publikely burnt in Cambridge . No sooner was Cranmer dead , but the very same day was Cardinall Poole made Archbishop of Canterbury .

In the fourth yeere of the Queene , exemplar Justice was done upon a great person ; for the Lord Sturton , a man much in the Queens fa●our , as being an earnest Papist , was for a murther committed by him , arraigned and condemned , and he with foure of his servants , carried to Salisbury , was there in the Market-place hanged , having this favour to be hanged in a silken halter , his servants in places neere adjoyning to the place where the Murther was committed .

The foure and twentieth of Aprill , Thomas Stafford second son to the Lord Stafford , with other , to the number of two & thirty persons ( set on by the French King ) attempted to raise Sedition against the Queen , for marrying with King Phillip , and comming out of France , arrived at Scarborough in Yorkeshire , where they tooke the Castle , but within two dayes were driven out by the Ea●le of Westmerland , and then taken and arraigned : the eight and twentieth of May Stafford was beheaded on the Tower-hill , and the next day three of his associates Strelley , Bradford & Proctor were drawn from the Tower to Tyburne and there executed . The first of May Thomas Percy was first made Knight , after , Lord , and the next day was created Earle of Northumberland , to whom the Queene gave all the Lands that had bin his Ancestours .

At this time the Queene intangled her selfe ( contrary to her promise ) in her husbands quarrell , sent a defiance to the French King , by Clarenti●● king at Armes ; and after on the Munday in Whitsonweeke , by sound of trumpet , proclaimed open warre against him in Cheapside , and other places of the Citie ; and shortly after , caused an Army of a thousand Horse , and foure thousand foo● , to be transported over , to the aid of her husband King Phillip , under the leading of the Earle of Pembrooke Captain Generall , Sir Anthony Bro●ne Viscount Mountague Lievtenant Generall , the Lord Gray of Wilton Lord Marshall , the Earle of Rutland Generall of the Horse , the Earle of Lincolne Coronel of the Foot , the Lord Ro●ert Dudley Master of the Ordnance , the Lord Thomas Howard , the Lord De la Ware , the Lord Bray , the Lord Chandowes , the ●or● Ambrose Dudley , the Lord Henry Dudley , with divers Knights and Gent●ement ; who joyning with King Phillips Forces , they altogether ●et down before S●int Quint●ns , a town of the French Kings of great importance . To the res●●● whereof , the French King sent an Army , under the leading of the Constable 〈◊〉 France , which consisted of nine hundred men at armes , with as many light 〈◊〉 , eight hundred Reystres , two and twenty Ensignes of Lancequene●s , and 〈◊〉 Ensigns of French footmen ; their purpose was not to give battell , but to 〈◊〉 more succours into the Town ; which the Philippians perceiving , encountred them , and in the ●ight slew Iohn of Burbon Duk of Anghien , the Viscount of T●●rain , the Lo of Ch●denier , with many gentlemen of account ; they took prisoners the Duk of Memorancy Constable of France , the Duk of Montpensyer , Duk Longuevile , the Marshall of Saint Andrewes , the Lord Lewis brother to the Duke of Mantova , the Baron of Curton , the Rhinegrave Colonell of the Almaynes , Monsieur d'Obigny , Monsieur de Biron , and many others ; and then pursuing the victory , under the government of the Earle of Pembrooke , on the seven and twentieth of August they tooke the towne of Saint Qintyns ; in the assault whereof , the Lord Henry Dudley , yongest sonne to the Duke of Northumberland , was with a peece of great Ordnance slaine , and some other of account . The saccage of the Town King Phillip gave to the English , as by whose valour chiefly it was won .

The joy was not so great for this winning of Saint Qintyns , but there will be greater sorrow presently for other losses . Many of the Garrison of Callice had beene drawne from thence , for this service of Saint Quintyns , and no new supply sent , which being perceived by the French King , a Plot is laid how to surprize it , which yet was not so secretly carried , but that the Officers of Callice had intelligence thereof ; who thereupon signified it to the Councell of England , requiring speedy succours , without which , against so great an Army as was raisd against them , they should not be able to hold out . But whether they gave no credit to their relations , or whether they apprehended not the danger so imminent as indeed it was , they neglected to send supplies till it was too late . For the Duke of Guyse , with no lesse speed then Policie , tooke such a course that at one and the same time , he set both upon Newnambridge and also Ricebanke , ( the two maine Skonces for defence of the Towne , ) and tooke them both , and then fell presently to batter the Wals of the Castle it selfe , and that with such violence of great Ordnance , that the noyse was heard to Ant●erp● , being a hundred miles of . But having made the wals assaultable , the English used this stratagem , they laid traines of Powder to blow them up , when they should offer to enter , but this stratagem succeeded not ; for the French in passing the Ditch , had so wet their cloathes , that dropping upon the traine , the Powder would take no fire , ( so all things seemed to concurre against the English ) and thereupon the Castle was taken also , and with it the Towne also had beene taken , but that Sir Anthony Ager , with the losse of his owne life and his eldest sonnes , valiantly defended it , and for that time repelled the French , but their numbers increased so fast upon the Towne , that the Lord Wentworth the Deputy , seeing no other way of safty , demanded Parlee , where a composition was made , that the Towne should presently be yeelded to the French King , the lives of the Inhabitants onely saved , with safe conduct to passe away , saving the Lord Deputy with fifty other , such as the Duke should name . And here to be quit with the English for their hard usage at Saint Quintins , the Duke caused Proclamation to be made , that all and every person of the Towne , should bring their money , jewels and plate ; to the value of a groat , and lay it downe upon the high Altar of the Church ; by which meanes an inestimable sum of treasure was there offered , enough ●o enrich an Army , which had before enriched a Towne : and now to make it appeare how unable the Towne was to hold out against so great an Army . It is said , there were in it but onely five hundred souldiers of ordinary , and scarce two hundred more of able fighting men ; but of other people , men , women and children foure thousand and two hundred , all which were suffered to depart , saving the Lord We●tworth the Deputy , Sir Ralph Chamberlaine Captaine of the Castle , Iohn Hu●●ston Captaine of Ricebruke , Nicholas Alex●nder Captain of New●hambridge , Edward Grimston the Controlour , Iohn Rogers the Surveyour , with others to the number of fifty , who were al caried prisoners into France . And thus Callice , which had bin in possession of the English above two hundred yeers , was won from the English in eight dayes , which King Edward the third had not won from the French in lesse then a yeer . The Lord Wentworth was suspected , and in Queen Elizabeths time arraigned for betraying it , was acquitted by his Peeres . Callice thus won , the Duke with his Army marched to Guysnes , five miles distant , whereof was Captaine the Lord Gray of Wilton , who held out the siedge and batteries five or six dayes with so great valour and resolution , that he appeared in nothing inferiour to the Enemy but in multitude , yet a● last overlaid with their numbers , and importunde by his souldiers , much again●● his owne will , he made composition , that the Towne and Castle should be wholly rendered , himselfe and all Officers remaine prisoners , all other to depart with their Armour and Baggage . The Lord Gray afterward ransomed for foure and twenty thousand crownes . And now the Duke of Guise considering that Guysnes would be too costly a Castle to be kept , and too dangerous a neighbour to Callice , if it should be recovered , raced it with the Bulwarkes and Fortifications to the ground . Guysnes thus won , there remained nothing within the English pale , but the little Castle of Hammes , whereof was Captaine the Lord Edward Dudley , who considering that though it were naturally strongly scituate , as being invironed with Fens and Marshes , yet it had but little helpe● by Art of Fortifications , and being assured that the Duke of Guyse would speedily come upon him , he secretly in the night with all his garrison , departed into Flanders , so as the Castle was not won , but taken by the Duke of Guyse ; and with the losse of this Castle , the English lost all their footing in Terra firma , and the Kings of England all the reality of their Title in France , having nothing left but nudum nomen .

Presently after this , the French King caused the mariage between his eldest sonne Francis the Dolphin , and Mary Steward sole heire of Iames the fift King of Scotland to be solemnized : whereupon great wars insued soon after between England and Scotland .

Queen Mary being infinitely troubled in minde for the losse of Callice , sent presently forth her Admirall the Lord Clinton , with a Fleet of more then a hundred sayle , to recover , at lest reparation in honour , by doing some exploit upon France , who not finding opportunity to set upon Brest , as he was appointed , fell upon the towne of Conquest , which he tooke and bur●t , and also divers Villages thereabouts , and then returned . In which meane time , many great conflicts having been between King Phillip and the King of France ; at last , by mediation of the Dutchesse of Lorraigne , a treaty of Peace is agreed on , where all things seemed to be well accorded , but onely that King Phillip by all meanes required restitution of Callice , to which by no means the French would assent ; but whilst they stood upon these termes , it happened that first the Emperour Charles King Phillips father dyed , and shortly after Queene Mary , and the day after her Cardinall Poole , and shortly after Sir Iohn Baker of Sissingherst in Kent , who had been a Privie Councellour to Henry the eight , Edward the sixth a●d Queen Mary . And so our Story hath no further relation to either War or Peace , between the two Kings of France and Spaine .

Of her Taxations .

SHEE began with a rare Example ; for in the first yeer of her Reign , wa● pardoned by Proclamation , the Subsidie of foure shillings the pound of Land , and two shillings the pound of goods , granted in the last Parliament of King Edward the sixth . In her second yeer in a Parliament then holden , was granted to the King and Queen , a Subsidie of the Layitie , from five pounds to ten pounds , of eight pence in the pound ; from ten pounds to twenty pounds , of twelve pence in the pound ; and from twenty pounds upwards , sixteen pence in the pound ; all Strangers double ; and the Clergie six shillings in the pound . If this were all , then upon the matter , in all her time , there came to new charge upon her people ; for one Subsidie r●mit●ed and one received , made but even . In her last yeer she borrowed twenty thousand pounds of the City of London , and paid twelve pounds a yeer interest for every ●undred pou●d .

Lawes and Ordinances in her time .

IN her first yeere , on the fourth of September , were proclaimed certaine new Coynes of gold and silver , a Soveraigne of gold of thirty shillings ; the halfe Soveraigne fifteene shillings ; an Angell often shillings ; the halfe Angell five shillings . Of silver , the groat , the halfe groat and penny ; all these Coynes to be currant as before . In her second yeer , Proclamation was made , forbidding the shooting in Hand-guns and bearing of weapons . The yeer in which she was married to King Phillip , a straight charge was to all Victuallers , Taverners and Alehouse-keepers , that they should sell no Meat nor Drinke nor any kinde of Victuals , to any Serving-man whatsoever , unlesse he brought a testimoniall to shew whole servant he was . Also in a Parliament holden this yeere , amongst other Acts , the Statute Ex Officio , and other Lawes made for the punishment of Heresies , were revived ; but chiefly the Popes Bull of Dispensation of Abbey Land was there confirmed . In her second yeere , on Michaelmas Eeven , the Prisoners that lay in the Counter in Bredstreet , were removed to a new Counter made in Woodstreet , of the Citie Purchase and building ; the which removing was confirmed by the Common Councell of the City .

Affaires of the Church in her time .

IN the first yeere of this Queenes reigne , all Bishops which had beene deprived in the time of King Edward the sixth , were restored to their Bishopriks , and the new removed ; also all Benefized men that were married , or would not forsake their opinion , were put out of their Livings ; and other of a contrary opinion put in their roomes . Also this yeere , on the seven and tweetieth of August , the Service begun to be sung in Latine in Pauls Church . Also this yeere the Popes authority was by Act of Parliament restored in England ; and the Masse commanded in all Churches to be used . In her second yeer , the Realme is Absolved , and reconciled to the Church of Rome , by Cardinall Poole ; and first Fruits and Tenths are restored to the Clergy : but this was soone revoked , the Councell finding the necessity of it for the Queenes support . In her fourth yeere , Monasteries were begun to be reedified ; of which number were that of Westminster , that of Sheene and Sion , that of the Black-fryers , and the Fryers of Greenwich . Of the number of those that dyed for Religion in her time , there are recorded five Bishops , one and twenty Divines , and of all sorts of men and women , two hundred threescore and seventeene .

Workes of Pietie done by her or others in her time .

THis Queen restored a great part of Abbey-lands that were in her possession , and if she had lived longer , very likely she would have restored more . In her first yeer , Sir Thomas White then Major , erected a Colledge in Oxford , now called Saint Iohns Colledge , before , Bernard Colledge ; he also erected Schooles at Bristow and Reading , and gave two thousand pounds to the City of Bristow to purchase Lands , the profits whereof to be imployed for the benefit of young Clothiers for ten yeeres , and after that to be imployed in like manner , to the benefit of two and twenty other shires and Cities . In her third yeere dyed Sir Iohn Gresham , late Major of London , who founded a free School at Holt in Nor●olke , and gave to every Ward in London ten pounds , to be distributed to the poore ; also to Maids marriages two hundred pounds . Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Du●ham , erected a goodly Library in Cambridge , storing it with many excellent both Printed and written Bookes : he also bestowed much upon building at Durham , at Alnewicke and at Tunbridge .

Casualties happening in her time .

IN her first yeere , on the seven and twentieth of August , the goodliest Ship in England , called The Great Harrye , being of the burthen of a thousand tun , was burnt at Woolwich by negligence of the Mariners . In her second yeer on the fifteenth of February , appeared in the skie a Rainbow reversed , the bowe turned downward , and the two ends standing upward : also two Sunnes shined at one time , a good distance asunder , which were taken for ill signes . This yeere also in the moneth of August , at a place in Suffolke by the Sea side , all of hard stone and pibble , lying betweene the Townes of Oxford and Alborough , where never grasse grew , not any earth was ever seene , there chanced suddenly to spring up without any tillage or sowing , so great abundance of Peason , that the Poore gathered above an hundred quarters , yet there remained some ripe , and some blossoming , as many as were before . In her fourth yeer , hot burning Agues and other strange diseases , tooke away much people ; so as between the twentieth of October and the last of December , there dyed seven Aldermen , namely , Henry Heardson , Sir Richard Dob●s la●e Major , Sir William Laxton late Major , Sir Henry Hobblesterne late Majors , Sir Iohn Champneys late Major , Sir Iohn Aleph late Sheriffe , and Sir Iohn Gresham late Major . In her fourth yeer , before Harvest , Wheat was sold for foure Markes the quarter , Mault at foure and forty shillings the quarter , and Pease at six and forty shillings eight pence ; where after harvest , Wheat was sold for five shillings the quarter , Malt at six shillings eight pence , Rye at three shillings foure pence the quarter . In the Countrey , Wheat was sold for foure shillings the quarter , Mault at foure shillings eight pence , and in some places a bushell of Rye for a pound of Candles , which was foure pence . In her fift yeer , within a mile of Nottingham , so mervailous a tempest of thunder happened , that it beat down all the Houses and Churches in two Towns thereabouts , cast the Bels to the outside of the Church-yard , and some webs of Lead foure hundred foot into the field , writhen as if it had been leather ; the rive● of Trent running between the two Townes , the water with the mud in the bottome was carried a quarter of a mile , and cast against trees ; with the violence whereof the trees were pulled up by the the roots , and cast twelve score off ; also a childe was taken forth of a mans hand and carried two speares length high , and then let fall two h●ndred foot off , of which fall it dyed ; five or six men thereabouts were slaine , and neither flesh nor skin perished ; also there fell some Hale-stones that were fifteen inches about . This yeer also in Harvest-time was great mortality , and specially of Priests , so as many Churches were unserved , and much corne was lost in the field for want of Workmen ; whereupon ensued a great scarcity , so that corne was sold for fourteen shillings a quarter , and Wood sold in London for thirteen shillings a thousand of Billets , and Coles ten pence a sacke . Also this yeer on the last of September , fell so great store rain , that Westminster Hall was full of water , and Boats were rowed over Westminster-bridge into Kings-street .

Of her Personage and Conditions .

OF her Personage we can make no particular description , only we may say , she was none of the most amiable , but yet without deformity ; but of her Conditions we may say , she was not without deformity , and yet was very amiable . If we account her Religion a deformity , yet her constancy and devotion in it , we must needs count a beauty : if it were a deformity to promise the Suffolke men , not to alter the Religion w●ich King Edward had established , yet it was certainly a Pious dissem●ling , Cretizare cum C●etensibus ; and equivocation ( will some say ) was there a vertue , where she deceived them into truth , and did them good against their wils . And as for her sister Elizabeth , if she did not love her , it was but a quality hereditary in her ; for their Mothers did not love one another before ; and indeed not without some cause in both ; for as those upbraided each others marriage , so these , each others birth . We shall not doe her right , if we deny her to be of a mercifull disposition , seeing oftentimes she pittied the person , where she shed the blood ; she could have found in her heart to have spared the Lady Ianes life , if Ragion di●stato had not beene against it● and she did spare her Father the Duke of Suffolkes life , till his second offence gave her just provocation . The goodnesse of her nature might be seene in the badnesse of her fortune ; who tooke nothing so much to heart , as unkindnesse of friends ; the revolt of Callice , and the absence of King Phillip , being the two chiefe causes that brought her to her end .

Of her Death and Buriall .

THE conceit of her being with childe , had kept Physitians to looke into the state of her body ; so as her distemper at first neglected , brought her by degrees into a Dropsie , to which was added a burning Feavour , brought upon her by a double griefe ; one for the long absence of King Phillip ( who had now beene away a yeer and a halfe ; ) the other , and perhaps the greater , for the losse of Callice ; as she forbore not to say to some about her , that if they looked into her Heart , being dead , they should finde Callice there . She began to fall sicke in September , and dyed at her Mannour of Saint Iames the seventeenth of Novemb●r , in the ●eer 1558. when she had reigned five yeers four moneths and eleven dayes . Lived three and forty yeers . Her Body was interred in a Chappell in the Minster of Saint Peters Church at Westminster , without any Monument or other Remembrance .

Men of note in her time .

OF Men of Valour in her time , there were many , as may be seen in the Story of her Re●gne ; but to name some for example , there was William Herbert Earle of Pembrooke , the chiefe assistant of King Phillip in the winning of Saint Quintins ; there was William Lord Gray of Wilton , Captain of Guysnes , who though he yeelded the Town , yet more out of tendernesse to his Souldiers , then out of feare of his Enemies , which he would never else have yeelded up ; and to speake of one of a meaner ranke , there was Sir Anthony Ager , who in defence of the Town of Callice lost his life , but not till he made the Enemie turne their backes and flye . O● learned men also there were many , as Iohn Rogers borne in Lancashire , who Translated the Bible into English with Notes , Richard Moryson Knight , borne in Oxfordshire , who wrote divers Treatises , Robert Record a Doctor of Physicke , who wrote a Booke of Arithmaticke , C●●bert Tunstall , of a worshipfull Family in Lancashire , though base borne , who●e Ancestours came into England with the Conquerour , as his Barbour , and ●herefore hath three Combs his Armes ; Bishop first of London , and after of D●●ham , who wrote divers learned Workes : Richard Sampson , Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield , who wrote certaine Trea●●ses : Luc●s Shephea●d borne a● Colechester in Essex an English Poet : Iane Dudley , daughter ●o Henry Gray Duke of Suffolke , wrote divers excellent Treatises : William Thomas a W●lshman , who w●ote the History of Italie , and other things : Iames Brookes and Iohn Standish , both of them writers in defence of the Popes Doctrine : William Peryn a black Fryer , who wrote in defence of the Masse , and also divers Sermons : Henry Lord Stafford , sonne to Edward Duke of Buckingham , who amongst other things which he wrote , Translated a Booke out of Latine into English , intituled Differentia● which Booke ( as some thinke ) was first compiled by Edward Foxe Bishop of Hereford : Iohn Hopkins who translated divers of Davids Psalmes into English Meeter , which are to be found amongst those appointed to be sung in the Church .

THE RAIGNE OF Queen Elizabeth .

QUeen Mary dying on Thursday the seventeenth of November , in the Yeer 1558 , her sister , the Lady Elizabeth , of the age of five and twenty yeers , the onely surviving childe of King Henry the eighth , by undoubted Right , succeeded Her in the Crown ; which happened in a time of Parliament : Nicholas Heath , Arch-bishop of York , and Lord Chancellor , sent to the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower House , to repair immediately to the Lords of the Upper House ; to whom he signified , That Queen Mary was that morning dead , and therefore required their Assents to joyn with the Lords in proclayming Queen Elizabeth ; which accordingly was done , by the sound of Trumpet , first at Westminster , and after in the City of London . The Queen was then at Ha●field● from whence , on Wednesday the three and twentieth of November , she removed to the Lord North's house in the Charter-house , where she stayed till Monday the eight and twentieth of November , and then rode in her Chariot thorow London to the Tower ; where she continued till the fifth of December ; and then removed by water to Somerset-House in the Strand ; from whence she went to her Pallace at Westminster ; and from thence , on the twelfth of Ianuary , to the Tower ; and on the fourteenth of Ianuary , to Westminster , to her Coronation● where it is incredible , what Pageants and Shews were made in the City , as she passed : On Sunday the five and twentieth of Ianuary , she was Crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster , by Doctor Oglethorp , Bishop of Carlile , with all Solemnities and Ceremonies in such case accustomed . At this time , to honour her Coronation , she conferred more Honour , then in all her life after : William Parre , degraded by Queen Mary , she made Marquesse of Northampton ; Edward Seymor , whose father had been Attaynted , she made Earl of Hertford ; Thomas Howard , second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk , she made Viscount Bindon ; Sir Henry Carie , her Cousin German , she made Baron of Hunsdon ; and Sir Oliver St. Iohn , she made Baron of Bletsho .

And now the Queen , though she were her self very wise , yet would not trust ( and it was a great point of wisedome that she would not trust ) to her own wisedome ; and therefore she chose Counsellors to assist her : In which number she took Nicholas Heath , Arch-bishop of York ; William Pawlet , Marquesse of Winchester , L. High Treasurer ; Henry Fitz Alan , Earl of Arundell ; Francis Talbot , Earl of Shrewsbury ; Edward Stanley , Earl of Derby ; Wil. Herbert , E. of Pembroke ; Edw. L. Clinton , L. Admirall ; and William L. Howard of Effingham ; Sir Thomas Cheyney ; Sir William Peter ; Sir Richard Sackvyle ; and Nicholas Wootton , Dean of Canterbury ; all which had been Counsellors to Queen Mary , and were of her Religion : But then to make a counter-poyse of Counsellors of her own Religion , she joyned with them William Parre , Marquesse of Northampton ; Francis Russell , Earl of Bedford ; Sir Thomas Parry ; Sir Edward Rogers ; Sir Ambrose Cave ; Sir Francis Knolles ; and Sir William Cecill , late Secretary to King Edw. the sixth ; and a little after , Sir Nicholas Bacon , whom she made Keeper of the Great Seal . And having thus provided for her State at home , she seeks correspondence with Princes abroad : To the Emperour Ferdinand , she sent in Embassage Sir Tho. Chaloner ; to the King of Spain in the Low-Countreyes the Lord Cobham ; to the Princes of Germany Sir Henry Killigrew ; Sir Aemygill W●ad , to the Duke of Holst ; and another Ambassadour to the King of Denmark . There were also Ambassadours sent to the Pope , to the State of Venice , and to the French King ; with whom at this time there was a Treaty of Peace holden at Cambray , between the Kingdoms of France , England and Spain ; where for England was employed , the Earl of Arundell ; Thursbey , Bishop of Ely ; and Doctor Wootton , Dean of Canterbury ; with whom , William , Lord Howard of Effingham was joyned by a new Commission .

As soon as King Philip heard of the death of his wife Queen Mary , pa●●ly out of considerations of State , and partly out of affection of love , he solicited Q. Elizabeth by his Ambassadour , the Earl of Feria , to joyni● Marriage with himself ; which was no more for two sisters to have successively one husband , then was done before , for two brothers to have successively one wife ; and for this he promised to procure a Dispensation from the Pope . To which motion the Queen , though she well knew , That to allow a Dispensation in this case to be sufficient , were to make her own Birth Illegitimate ; yet to so great a Prince , and who in her sisters time had done her many favours , she would not return so blunt an Answer ; but putting the Ambassadou● off for the present in modest tearms : She conceived there would be no better way to take him off clean from further sute , then by bringing in an Alteration of Religion ; which yet she would not do all at once , and upon the sudden ( as knowing the great danger of sudden changes ) but by little and little , and by degrees : as at first , she permitted onely Epistles and Gospels , the Ten Commandments , the Lords Prayer , and the Creed to be read to the People in the English Tongue ; in all other matters they were to follow the Romane Rite and Custome , untill order could be taken for establishing of Religion by Authority of Parliament ; and a severe Proclamation was set forth , prohibiting all Points of Controversie to be medled with : by which means , she both put the Protestants in hope , and put not Papists out of hope . Yet privately she committed the correcting of the Book of Common Prayer , set forth in the English Tongue under King Edward the sixth , to the care and diligence of Doctor Parker , Bill , May , Cox , Grindall , Whitehead , and Pilkington , Divines of great Learning ; with whom she joyned Sir Thomas Smith , a learned Knight : but the matter carryed so closely , that it was not communicated to any , but ●o the Marquesse of Northampton , the Earl of Bedford , and Sir William Cecile . The two and twentieth of March , the use of the Lords Supper in both kindes was by Parliament allowed : The four and twentieth of Iune , the Sacrifice of the Masse was abolished , and the Liturgy in the English Tongue established , though , as some say , but with the difference of six voyces . In Iuly the Oath of Supremacy was propounded to the Bishops and others : And in August , Images were removed out of Churches , and broken or burnt . By these degrees the Religion was changed ; and yet the change , to the wonder of the world , bred no disturbance : which if it had been done at once , and on the sudden , would hardly ; at least not without dangerous opposition , have been admitted .

During this time , a Parliament had been summoned to begin at Westminster , upon the fifteenth of Ianuary ; and now the Queen , for satisfaction of the people , appointed a Conference to be held , between the Prelates of the Realm ; and Protestant Divines now newly returned , who had fled the Realm , in the time of Queen Mary : for the Prelates were chosen Iohn White , Bishop of Winchester ; Ralph Bayne , Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield ; Thomas Watson , Bishop of Lincolne ; Doctor Cole , Dean of Pauls ; Doctor Langdell , Arch-deacon of Lewis ; Doctor Harpsefield , Arch-deacon f Canterbury ; and Doctor Chadsey , Arch-deacon of Middlesex : For the Protestant side were appointed , Doctor Scory , Doctor Cox , Doctor Sands , Doctor Whitehead , Doctor Grindall , Master Horne , Master Guest , Master Elmer , and Master Iuell . The place was prepared in Westminster Church ; where , besides the Disputants , were present the Lords of the Queens Councell , with other of the Nobility ; as also many of the Lower House of Parliament . The Articles propounded against the Prelates , and their adherents , were these : First , That it is against the Word of God , and the Custome of the ancient Church , to use a Tongue unknown to the people , in common Prayer , and in the Administration of the Sacraments . Secondly , That every Church hath authority to appoint and change Ceremonies , and Ecclesiasticall Rites , so they be to edification : Thirdly , That it cannot be proved by the Word of God , that there is in the Masse a Sacrifice Propitiatory for the living and the dead . For the manner of their Conference , it was agreed it should be performed in writing ; and that the Bishops should deliver their Reasons in writing first . The last of March was the first day of their meeting ; where , contrary to the Order , the Bishops brought nothing in writing ; but said , They would deliver their mindes onely by Speech : This breaking of Order much displeased the Lords , yet they had it granted . Then rose up Doctor Cole , and made a large Declaration concerning the first Poynt : when he had ended , the Lords demanded if any of them had more to say ; who answered , No : Then the Protestant Party exhibited a written Book ; which was distinctly read by Master Horne . This done , some of the Bishops began to affirm , they had much more to say in the first Article : This again much displeased the Lords ; yet this also was granted them , to do at their next meeting on Munday next : but when Munday came , so many other differences arose between them , that the Conference broke off , and nothing was determined . But in the Parliament there was better Agreement ; for there it was enacted , That Queen Elizabeth was the lawfull and undoubted Queen of England ; notwithstanding a Law made by her Father King Henry the eighth , that excluded both her and her sister Mary from the Crown , seeing , though the Law be not repealed , yet it is a Principle in Law , That the Crown once gained , taketh away all defects . Also in this Parliament , First fruits and Tenths were restored to the Crown ; and the Title of Supreme Head of the Church of England was confirmed to the Queen , with so universall consent , that in the Upper House none opposed these Laws , but onely the Earl of Shrewsbury , and Sir Anthony Brown , Viscount Mountague : and in the Lower House , only some few of Papall inclination , murmured , saying , That the Parliament was packt ; and that the Duke of Norfolk , the Earl of Arundel , and Sir William Cecill , for their own ends , had cunningly begged voyces , to make up their Party .

The Supremacie thus confirmed to the Queen , the Oath was soon after tendred to the Bishops and others ; of whom , as many as refused to take it , were presently deprived of their livings . And that we may see , how inclining the Kingdom at this time was to receive the Protestant Religion ; It is said , that in the whole Realm ( wherein are reckoned above Nine thousand Spirituall Promotions ) there were no more that refused to take the Oath , but onely fourscore Parsons , fifty Prebendaries , fifteen Masters of Colledges , twelve Archdeacons , twelve Deans , six Abbots , and fourteen Bishops , ( indeed all that were at that time , except Anthony Bishop of Landaff● as Nicholas Heath Archbishop of York , Edmund Boner Bishop of London , Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham , Thomas Thursby Bishop of Ely , Gilbert Bourn Bishop of Bath and Wells , Iohn Christopherson Bishop of Chichester , Iohn White Bishop of Winchester , Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincoln , Ralph Bayne Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield , Owen Oglethorp Bishop of Carlile , Iames Turbervile Bishop of Exeter , and David Pool Bishop of Peterborough : And with these Doctor Fecknam Abbot of Westminster : All which were at first committed to prison , but soon after delivered to the custody of private friends , excepting those two sawcie Prelates , Lincoln and Winchester , who threatned to excommunicate the Queen . Three onely , namely , Cutbert Scot Bishop of Chester , Richard Pate Bishop of Worcester , and Thomas Goldwel Bishop of Saint Assaph , changed their Religion of their own accord ; as also did certain Noble Personages , namely , Henry Lord Morley , Sir Francis Englefield , and Sir Robert Peckham , ( who had been Privie-Councellours to Q. Mary ) Sir Thomas Shelley , and Sir Iohn Gage .

In the seas of the Prelates removed , were placed Protestant Bishops , as Matthew Parker was made Archbishop of Canterbury , ( who was consecrated by the Imposition of the hands of three that formerly had been Bishops ; namely , William Barlow of Bath and Wells , Iohn Scory of Chichester , and Miles Coverdale of Exeter ) and being consecrated himself , he afterward consecrated Edmund Grindall Bishop of London , Richard Cox Bishop of Ely , Edwyn Sands Bishop of Worcester , Rowland Merick Bishop of Bangor , Thomas Young Bishop of Saint Davyes , Nicholas Bullingham Bishop of Lincoln , Iohn Iewell Bishop of Salisbury , Richard Davis Bishop of Saint Assaph , Edward Guest Bishop of Rochester , Gilbert Barkeley Bishop of Bath and Wells , Thomas Bentham Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield , William Alley Bishop of Exceter , Iohn Parkhurst Bishop of Norwich , Robert Horn Bishop of Winchester , Richard Cheyney Bishop of Gloucester , Edmund Scambler Bishop of Peterbo●ough , William Barlow Bishop of Chichester , Iohn Scory Bishop of Hereford , Young Archbishop of York , Iames Pilkington Bishop of Durham , Iohn Best Bishop of Carlile , and William Downham Bishop of Chester .

Whilest these things were done in England , the Treaty of peace at Cambray continued still ; Wherein King Phillip stood for the restitution of Calice to the English , as firmly as if it had been his own interest ; and without it would agree to no peace with France : But when by Messages he understood , that his suit for marriage with Queen Elizabeth was rejected ; and that the Protestant Religion was established in the Kingdom , he then left Queen Elizabeth , seeing she would not be his , to her self ; and though he became not presently a Foe , yet he became presently lesse then a Friend , and forbore to do any more good offices in that businesse . Queen Elizabeth thus left to her self , agreed with the French King , to conclude her own peace apart ; and thereupon , Delegates on both sides were appointed to meet at Cambray : For the Queen of England were , Thursby Bishop of Ely , the Lord Williams , the Lord Howard of Effingham , Chamberlain to the Queen , and Doctor Wootton Dean of Canterbury and York : For the King of France were , Charls Cardinall of Lorrain , the first Peer of France , Annas Duke of Memorancy , Iames Albon Lord of Saint Andrews , Iohn Morvilliers Bishop of Orleance , and Claude Aubespine Secretary of the Privie Councel . The Commissioners meeting , the chief point in difference , was the restitution of Calice ; for which , the English Commissioners● by the Q●eens appointment , offered to remit two Millions of Crowns , that by just accompt were due from France to England ; but the Queen was not more desirous to recover Calice , then the French King was to hold it : And thereupon at last , it was concluded , that Calice should remain in possession of the French fo● the term of eight yeers ; and those expired , it should be delivered to the English , upon forfeiture of five hundred thousand Crowns● for which , hostages were given : But all this notwithstanding , though the Conditions were sealed and sworn to , and though hostages were assigned to remain in England , till one or other were performed ; yet all was frustate , and came to nothing .

About this time , Henry King of France married his daughter Isabell to Phillip King of Spain , and his sister Margaret to Emmanuel Phylibert Duke of Savoy ; at the solemnity of which Marriages , he would needs be a Tiltor himself ; and thereupon commended the Earl of Montgomery to run against him , who unfortunately breaking his Launce upon the Kings Cuyrasse , a splinter thereof ( his Beaver being somewhat open ) struck him so deep in the eye , that within few dayes he ended his life : After whose death , Francis his son at the age of sixteen yeers , succeeded him in the Crown , having by the marriage of Queen Mary the Title of Scotland , and upon ground thereof laying claim to the Crown of England also , and giving the Arms of England , as properly belonging to him .

And now begins the game of Faction to be play'd , wherein the whole estate of Queen Elizabeth lyes at stake , a game that will hold playing the most part of her Reign , and if not play'd well , will put her in jeoparey of losing all , seeing all about her are against her , Phillip King of Spain hath a quarrell to her , for being rejected in his suit ; the King of France hath a quarrell to her in right of his wife , which is now his right . The Que●n of Scots hath a quarrell to her for detaining her Inheritance : The Pope hath a quarrell to her , for excluding his Authority : The King of Sweden hath a quarrell to her , for slighting his son in the way of marriage : And all these being against her , whom hath she of her side , but onely her own Subjects , Papists yesterday , and to day Protestants , who being scarce setled in their Religion , how should they be setled in their Loyalty ? And not being Loyall , where can she finde to cast Anchor for her safety ? But it is a true saying , Nullum numen abest si sit prudentia ; Wisdom is a s●pply for all defects : And indeed , the Queen being very wise her self , and having a wise Councell about her , she passed all these difficulties , though not without danger , yet with little or no hazard .

It happened ( if at least it happened , and were not rather plotted of purpose ) that a Reformation of Religion was pretended in Scotland ; but was indeed an incroachment upon the Princes Authority ; for at the preaching of Iohn Knox , and other headstrong Ministers , not onely Images and Altars were cast down and burnt , the Monasteries of Saint Andrews , of Stone , of Stryveling , and of Lynlithew were overthrown ; but it was further put into the heads of the Nobility , that it pertained to them , of their own Authority , to take away Idolatry , and by force reduce th● Prince to the prescript of Laws : Whereupon there was presently a bandying of the Lords of Scotland , against the Queen Dowager , Regent of the Country ; and in this case each of them ●ought for aid ; The Queen Dowager had aid out of France , the Lords of Scotland sent for aid to the Queen of England : But this was matter for consultation ; It seemed a bad Example , for a Prince to give aid to the rebellious Subjects of another Prince . On the other side , it seemed no lesse then impiety , not to give Ayd to the Protestants of the same Religion ; but most of all it seemed plain madnesse , to suffer adversaries to be so neer neighbours , and to let the French nestle in Scotland , who pretend Title to England : upon such like considerations , it was resolved to send them Ayd ; and thereupon an Army of six thousand Foot , and twelve hundred Horse , was sent under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk , the Lord Grey of Wilton his Lievtenant Generall ; Sir Iames a Crofts , Assistant to him ; the Lord Scroop , L. Marshall ; Sir George Howard , Generall of the men at Arms ; Sir Henry Percy , Generall of the Light-horse ; Thomas Huggens , Provost Marshall ; Thomas Gower , Master of the Ordnance ; Master William Pelham , Captain of the Pyoners ; and Master Edward Randoll , Serjeant Major , and divers others . These coming into Scotland , joyned with the Scotish Lords , and set down before Leith , where passed many small skirmishes , many Batteries , and sometimes Assaults : to whom , after some time , a new supply came of above two thousand Foot ; whereof were Captains , Sir Andrew Corbet , Sir Rowland Stanley , Sir Thomas Hesbith , Sir Arthur Manwaring , Sir Lawrence Smith , and others : yet with this new supply there was little more done then before ; many light skirmishes , many Batteries , and sometimes Assaults ; so long , till at last the young French King , finding these broyls of Scotland to be too furious for him to appease , he sent to the Queen of England , desiring that Commissioners might be sent , to reconcile these differences : whereupon were dispatched into Scotland , Sir William Cecill , her principall Secretary , with Doctor Wotton , Dean of Canterbury ; who concluded a Peace between England and France , upon these Conditions , That neither the King of France , nor the Queen of Scotland , should thenceforth use the Arms or Titles of England or Ireland ; And that both the English and the French should depart out of Scotland ; And a generall pardon should be enacted by Parliament , for all such as had been actors in those stirs . This Peace was scarce concluded , when Francis the young King of France died , leaving the Crown to his younger brother Charles , who was guided altogether by the Queen-Mother , and molested with the Civill dissentions between the Princes of Guise and Conde ; for whose reconcilement , the Queen sent Sir Henry Sidney , Lord President of Wales ; and shortly after an Army , under the leading of the Lord Ambrose Dudley , Earl of Warwick ; who arriving at Newhaven , was received into the Town ; which having kept eleven months , he was then constrayned , by reason of a Pestilence , to surrender again upon Composition , and so returned .

About this time when the Parliament was upon dissolving ; it was agreed upon by the House of Commons , to move the Queen to marry , that she might have Issue to succeed her ; to which purpose , Thomas Gargrave , Speaker of the House , with some few other chosen men , had accesse to the Queen who humbly made the motion to her , as a thing which the Kingdom infinitely desired ; seeing they could never hope to have a better Prince , then out of her loyns : Whereunto the Queen answered in effect thus ; That she was already marryed ; namely , To the Kingdom of England : and behold ( saith she ) the Pledge of the Covenant with my husband ; and therewith she held out her finger , and shewed the Ring , wherewith , at the time of her Coronation , she gave her self in Wedlock to the Kingdom : and if ( saith she ) I keep my self to this husband , and take no other ; yet I doubt not but God will send you as good Kings , as if they were born of me ; forasmuch as we see by dayly experience , That the Issue of the best Princes do often degenerate : And for my self , it shall be sufficient that a Marble stone declare , That a Queen having Raigned such a time , lived and dyed a Virgin . Indeed before this time , many Matches had been offered her : First , King Philip : and when he was out of hope of matching with her himself , he then dealt with the Emperor Ferdinand his Unkle , to commend his younger Son Charles , Duke of Austria , to her for a husband . And when this succeeded not , then Iohn , Duke of Finland , second Son to Gustavus King of Sweden , was sent by his father , to solicite for his eldest Brother Erricus● who was honourably received , but the Match rejected . Then Adolphus Duke of Holst , Unkle to Frederick King of Denmark , came into England , upon a great hope of speeding ; but the Queen bestowed upon him the Honour of the Garter , and a yeerly Pension , but not her self . Then Iames Earl of Arran , was commended to her by the Protestants of Scotland ; but neither the man nor the motion was accepted . Of meaner Fortunes there were some at home that pleased themselves with hope of her Marriage : First , Sir William Pickering , a Gentleman of a good House , and a good Estate ; but that which most commended him , was his studiousnesse of good letters , and sweet demeanour . Then Henry , Earl of Arundel , exceeding rich , but now in his declining age . Then Robert Dudley , youngest son of the Duke of Northumberland , of an excellent feature of face , and now in the flower of his age : but these might please themselves with their own conceit ; but were not considerable in her apprehension : they might receive from her good Testimonies of her Princely favour ; but never Pledges of Nuptiall love .

About this time the Earl of Feria ( who had married the daughter of Sir William Dormer ) being denyed leave of the Queen for some of his wives friends to live out of England , grew so incensed , that he made means to Pius the fourth , then Pope , to have her excommunicate , as an Heretick and Usurper : but the Pope inclining rather to save then to destroy ; and knowing that gentle courses prevail more with generous mindes , then roughnesse and violence ; in most loving manner wrote unto her , exhorting her to return to the Unity of the Catholike Church ; and as it is said , made her great offers , if she would hearken to his counsell ; Particularly , That he would recall the Sentence pronounced against her mothers Marriage ; confirm the Book of Common Prayer in English ; and permit to her people the use of the Sacrament in both Kindes . But Queen Elizabeth neither terrified with the Earl of Feria's practises , nor allured with the Popes great offers , according to her Motto , Semper Eadem , persisted constant in her resolution , To maintain that Religion , which in her conscience she was perswaded , to be most agreeable to the Word of God , and most consonant to the Primitive Church .

Whilst these grounds of Troubles are sowing in England , France , and Scotland , it is not likely that Ireland will lie fallow ; though indeed it be a Countrey that will bring forth Troubles of it self , without sowing : but howsoever , to make the more plentifull Harvest of troubles at this time , Iohn Oneal ( whose father King Henry the eighth made Earl of Tyrone ) to prevent the punishment of a private Out-rage upon a Brother , broke into open Rebellion against the Prince : and though his attempts were maturely made frustrate by timely opposition ; yet this was he that in the beginning of the Queens Raign , sowed the seeds of that trouble in Ireland ; which afterward took so deep root , that till the ending of her Raign it could never thorowly be rooted out : though this man a yeer or two after came into England , and casting himself at the Queens feet , acknowledged his fault , and obtained pardon .

The Treaty of Edinburgh should by promise have been confirmed by Francis the French King while he lived : he not having done it , Queen Elizabeth requires his Dowager the Queen of Scots to confirm it : but she solicited often to it by Throgmorton the Queens Ligier in France ; made alwayes answer , She could not do it without the counsell of her Nobility in Scotland : whereupon Queen Elizabeth suspecting that this answer was but to hold her in amuzement , while some mischief was practising against her , sent Sir Thomas Randoll into Scotland , to perswade the Lords there to enter into a League of mutuall amity with her , and other Protestant Princes● and further , by no means to permit their Queen , now a widow , to marry again to any forraign Prince ; for which she alleadged many great reasons . In the mean while , the Queen of Scots , purposing to return into Scotland , sent before-hand D'Oysette a French Lord , to intreat Queen Elizabeth , that with her leave , she her self might passe by Sea into Sco●land , and D'Oysette might passe by Land . But Queen Elizabeth openly denyed both the one and the other , unlesse she would confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh ; saying , It was no reason she should do the Queen of Scots courtesie , if the Queen of Scots would not do her right . The Queen of Scots much troubled with this answer , expostulates the matter with her Ligier Throgmorton , and much complains of the unkindenesse : but in the mean time providing Shipping , she loosed from Calice ; and under covert of a mist , notwithstanding that Ships were laid to intercept her , she arrived safe in Scotland ; where she intreated her subjects in so loving a manner , that she gave great contentment to the whole Kingdom ; as well to the Protestant Party , as the other : and then sent Letters to Queen Elizabeth , proferring all observance and readinesse to enter League with her ; so she might by Authority of Parliament be declared her Successor ; which was but her Right . To this Queen Elizabeth answered , That though she would no way derogate from her Right : yet she should be loth to endanger her own security , and as it were to cover her own eyes with a Grave-cloth while she was alive ; but fell again to her old Admonition , requiring her to confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh : And now to shew the respect she bore her , when her Unkles the Dukes D'A●male , D' Albeufe , and other Lords of France that had brought her home , returned thorow England , she gave them most bountifull and loving entertainment .

These two Queens indeed were both of great Spirits , and both very wise ; but these grew such Jealousies of State between them ; ( the Queen of Scots doubting lest Queen Elizabeth meant to frustrate her Succession ; Queen Elizabeth doubting lest the Queen of Scots meant to prevent her succession ) that it kept them more asunder in love , then they were neer in blood , and was cause of many unkinde passages between them : in all which , though the Queen of Scots were a very neer Match to the Queen of England in the abilities of her minde ; yet in the favours of Fortune she was much her inferiour .

But now for all the courtesie which Q. Elizabeth shewed to the Queen of Scots Unkles at their returning thorow England , yet new practises were again set on foot against her at Rome ; the Duke of Guise especially labouring to have her be Excommunicate ; but Pope Pius still averse from such roughnesse , meant now to try the Queen another way ; and thereupon sent the Abbot Martinengi● and when he might not be admitted to enter England , then caused the Bishop of Viterbo his Nuntio in France , to deal earnestly with the Queens Ligier Throgmorton , that she ( as other Princes had done ) would send her Orators to the Councell of Trent , which he before had called . But the Queen nothing tender in this point , made peremptory answer , That a Popish Assembly she did not acknowledge to be a Generall Councell ; nor did think the Pope to have any more Right or Power to call it , then any other Bishop . This Answer not only exasperated the Pope , but so alienated also the King of Spain's minde from her , that he was never after so kinde a friend to her as he had been ; and none of her Embassadours ever after had any great liking to be employed to him . And now at this time , as the Abbot Martinengi was the last Nuntio that ever was sent from the Pope into England , so Sir Edward Carne , now dying at Rome , was the last Ligie● that was ever sent to the Pope from the Kings of England .

And now Queen Elizabeth knowing well that she had drawn many ill willers against her State , she endeavoured to strengthen it by all the means she could devise : She caused many great Ordnance of Brasse and Iron to be cast ; She repaired Fortifications in the Borders of Scotland ; She encreased the number of her Ships , so as England never had such a Navy before ; She provided great store of Armour and Weapons out of Germany ; she caused Musters to be held , and youth to be trayned in exercises of Artillery ; and to please the people ( whose love is the greatest strength of all ) she gave leave to have Corn and Grayn transported ; and called in all base Coyns and Brasse Money .

It was now the Fifth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raine : when diverse great persons were called in question : Margaret Countesse of Lenox , Neece to to King Henry the eight , by his eldest sister , and her husband the Earle of Lenox , for having had secret conference , by letters with the Queen of Scots , were delivered prisoners to Sir Richard Sackvile , Master of the Rolles , and with him kept a while in custody . Also Arthur Poole and his brother , whose great grand-father , was George Duke of Clarnce , brother to King Edward the fourth : Antony Fortescue , who had married their sister , and other , were arraigned , for conspiring to withdraw themselves to the Duke of Guise in France ; and from thence to return with an Army into Wales ; to Declare the Queen of Scots , Queen of England ; and Arthur Poole Duke of Clearnce ; which particulars they confessed at the Barre , and were thereupon condemned to die ; but had their lives spared , in regard they were of the Blood Royall . Also the Ladie Katherine Grey , daughter to Henry Grey Duke of Suffolke , by the eldest daughter of Charles Brandon● having formerly been married to the Earle Pembrookes eldest sonne ; and from him soone after lawfull divorced , was some yeers after found to be with childe by Edward Seymoure Earl of Hertford : who being at that time in France , was presently sent for ; and being examined before the Archbishp of Canterbury : and affirming they were lawfully married ; but not being able within a limited time to produce witnesses of their marriage ; they were both committed to the Tower : where she was brought to Bed : and after by the Connivence or Corruption of their Keepers , being suffered sometimes to come together : Shee was with childe by him again , which made the Queen more angry then before ; so as Sir Edward Warner Lieutenent of the Tower was put out of his place , and the Earle was fined in the star-chamber , five thousand pounds , and kept in prison nine yeers after . Though in pleading of his Case ; One Iohn H●les argued ; They were lawfull man and wife , by virtue of their owne bare Consent , without any Ecclesicsticall Ceremonie . The Lady a few yeers after , falling through grief into a mortall Sicknesse , humbly desired the Queens Pardon , for having married without her knowledge , and commending her children to her clemency , dyed in the Tower .

At this time ( the King being under Age ) dissentions amongst the Peeres grew hot in Erance ; of which there were two Factions ; Both pretending the cause of Religion : of the One the Duke Guise , a Paipst , was Head ; of the other the Prince of Conde a Protestant : but while Delirant Reges Plectunter Achiui : while these Princes are at variance , the people suffer for it : and chiefly , as being under the weaker protection , the Protestant Party : where upon Queene Elizabeth , having well learned the Lesson : Tum tua res agitur , partis cum proximus ardet● and fearing least the flaim of their dissention , might kindle a fire within her owne Kingdome ; sent over Sir Henry Sidney Lord Presiden of Wales into France , to endeavour by all possible means their reconcilement , which when hee could not effect , ( and perhaps it was never meant he should effect it , but onely to see what invitations would be made to the Queen for her assistance ) she thereupon , at the moan of the afflicted Protestants , sent over an Army of six thousand Souldiers , under the Conduct of the Earl of Warwick , in assistance of the Prince of Conde , and other Protestant Lords , who delivered to him the Town of Newhaven , to hold in the King of France his name , untill such time as Calice were restored : But the Prince of Conde marching to joyn with the English Forces , was by the Duke of Guise interrupted and taken prisoner● which had been a great disappointment to the English , but that the Duke of Colin joyned with him , besieged Caen in Normandy , and took it ; toge●her with Bayeux , Faleise , and Saint Lo. The French Hostages that were pledges for the payment of five hundred thousand Cowns , if Calice were not restored , were remaining still in England ; who perceiving there was like to be War with France , prepared secretly to get away ; but being ready to take Shipping , were discovered , and brought back again .

In the mean while , the Prince of Conde drawn on with a hope , to marry the Queen of Scots , and to have the chief Government in France , during the Kings Minority , concluded a Peace with the King , and with the Guises ; so as now , all French , as well Protestants as Papists , required to have Newhaven delivered up : But the Earl of Warwick perceiving the ●icklenesse of the French Protestants , First to make su●e to draw him into France , and now upon so slight occasion to require him to be gone , he shutteth all ●rench , both Protestants and Papists , o●t of the Town , and layes hold of their Ships ; the French on the other side make ready to set upon the Town , saying , They fought not now for Religion , but for their Countrey ; wherefore it was meet that both Protestants and Papists should joyn their Forces , seeing they had already concluded a Peace betwixt themselves . And hereupon the Duke of Memorancy sent a Trumpetter to the Earl of Warwick , commanding him yeeld the Town ; who making answer by Sir Hugh Pawlet , That he would never yeeld it without the Queens leave : he thereupon besieged the Town , and with great violence of Battery , sought to get it by force : Which Queen Elizabeth hearing , she sent a Commission to the Earl of Warwick to yeeld it up , if upon honourable Conditions ; which soon after was accordingly done , after the English had held it eleven months ; and then the Earl , without any dishonour for yeelding up a Town , which the Pestilence made him no lesse unwilling then unable to hold , he returned into England : but that which was more dolefull then the losse of Newhaven , he brought the Pestilence with him into England . The recovery of this Town not onely made the French to triumph , but hereupon the Chancellor of France pronounced openly , That by this Warre , the English had lost all their Right to Calice , and were not to require it any more , seeing it was one of the Conditions , That neither of the Nations should make Warre upon the other ; which was the Point stood upon by the King of France and his mother , when Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Thomas Smith to demand Calice to be restored .

At this time there were such crosse designes amongst the Princes of Christendome , that a very good Polititian could hardly understand their Ayms . The Duke of Guise being slain in the Civill Warre , the Queen of Scots Dowry was not paid her in France , and the Scots were put off from being the Kings Guard : This exceedingly displeased the Queen of Scots : but then to please her again● and for fear lest hereupon she should apply her self to the friendship of the English , her Unkle the Cardinall of Lorrain solicites her afresh , to marry Charls Duke of Austria , offering her for her Dowry the County of Tyroll . The Queen of Scots , to make use of her Unkles fear , and perhaps to bring Queen Elizabeth into an opinion of depending upon her , acquaints her with this motion , and therein requires her advice . Queen Elizabeth not willing she should marry with any forraign Prince , perswades her to take a husband out of England , and particularly commended to her the Lord Robert Dudley ( whose wife a little before had with a fall broke her neck ) promising withall , that if she would marry him , she should then by Authority of Parliament , be declared her successour , in case she dyed without issue . But when her Unkles and the Queen-Mother were informed of this motion , they so much disdained the Marriage with Dudley , that so she would refuse that Match , and perseverein the friendship of the French , they offered to pay her the Dowry money that was behinde , and to restore the Scots to all their former liberties in France . And as for the King of Spain , he had indeed a Ligier Embassadour here in England ; but rather by way of complement , and to watch advantages , then for any sincere love ; which he began now to withdraw from the English , as suspecting them to intend a Trade to the West Indies .

And now the French Protestants may see what they brought upon themselves , by leaving the English at Newhaven , and by trusting to their Country-men the French Papists ; for their peace was but a snare , and the Marriage of Henry of Bourbon , Prince of Navarre , with Margaret of Valois , the French Kings sister , was but a bait to entrap them ; for upon the confidence of this Marriage , being drawn together into Paris , they were the readier for the slaughter ; and a few dayes after the Marriage , which were all spent in Feasts and Masks , to make them the more secure , upon a Watch-word given , the bloody faction fell upon the Protestants , and neither spared age , nor sex , nor condition , but without mercy , and sense of humanity , slaughtered as many as they could meet with , to the number of many thousands .

It was now the sixth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign , a yeer fatall for the death of many great Personages : First died William , Lord Grey of We●lon , Governour of Berwick , a man famous for his great Services in War : then William , Lord Paget , a man of as great Services in Peace ; who by his great deservings , had wrought his advancement to sundry dignities , and honourable places : and though zealous in the Roman Religion , yet held by Queen Elizabeth in great estimation to his dying day : Then Henry Mannors , Earl of Rutland , descended by his mother from King Edward the fourth : And lastly , Francis the Dutchesse of Suffolk , daughter to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk , and mother to Queen Iane.

And now Queen Elizabeth finding how fickle the French Protestants had carryed themselves towards her , intended to make a Peace ; and to that end sent Sir Thomas Smith into France , joyning Throgmorton in Commission with him ; and in conclusion a Peace was agreed on ; whereof , amongst other Articles , this was one , That the Hostages in England should be freed , upon the payment of six hundred thousand Crowns : and this Peace was ratified by the Oath both of the Queen of England , and the King of France .

About this time the English Merchants were hardly used both in Spain● and in the Netherlands , upon pretence of Civill differences , but indeed out of hatred to the Protestant Religion : whereupon the English removed the seat of their Trading to Embden in Freezland● but Gusman the Spanish Liegier , newly come into England , finding the great dammages that the Netherlands sustained by these differences , endeavoured by all means to compose them ; and thereupon Viscount Mountague , Nicholas Wootton , and Walter Haddon , Master of the Requests , were sent to Bruges in Flanders ; who , after many interruptions , brought the matter at last to some indifferent agreement .

It was now the seventh yeer of Queen Elizabeth ; when making a Progresse , she went to see Cambridge ; where after she had viewed the Colledges , and been entertained with Comedies , and Scholasticall Disputations , she made her self a Latine Oration , to the great encouragement of the Schollars , and then returned . Presently after her return● she made the Lord Robert Dudley Master of her Horse , first Baron of Denbigh ( giving him Denbigh and all the Lands belonging to it ) and then Earl of Leicester , to him , and the heirs males of his body lawfully begotten : which Honour was conferred upon him with the greatest State and Solemnity that was ever known . And now Leicester , to endear himself to the Queen of Scots , accused Sir Nicholas Bacon , Lord Keeper , for being privy to the libell of Hales , who affirmed the Right of the Crown to belong to the Family of Suffolk , in case the Queen should die without Issue ; and thereupon was Bacon cast into prison ; till afterward , upon his purgation , and the mediation of Sir William Cecill , he was set at liberty , and restored to his place .

And now for a while we must cast our eyes upon Scotland , for that was now the Stage where all the great businesses of State were acted : Matthew Steward , Earl of Lenox , who had marryed Margaret Dowglas , King Henry the eighth's Neece by his eldest sister , had been kept as an Exile in England now twenty yeers ; him the Queen of Scots invites to come into Scotland● under pretence of restoring to him his ancient Patrimony ; but indeed to conferre with him about a Marriage with his son the Lord Darlie , for being reputed heir to the Crown of England , next after her self ; she thought by matching with his son , to strengthen her own title , and to prevent the hope of any other . Queen Elizabeth , upon sute made by his wife , gave the Earl leave to go ; but soon after , suspecting what the Queen of Scots intent was in sending for him , she , to hinder the proceeding , sent Sir Thomas Rand●ll to her , to let her know , That if she proceeded in this Ma●ch , she would exceedingly wrong her self ; for that it was a Match so much disliked by all the English , that she was fain to prorogue the Parliament , lest upon dislike thereof , there should something be enacted against her Right of Succession : But if she would marry the Earl of Leicester , she should then by Parliament be declared her next Heir . Hereupon , in the month of November , the Earl of Bedford , and Sir Thomas Randoll for Queen Elizabeth● the Earl of Murray and Lidington for the Queen of Scots at Barwick , entred into a Treaty concerning the Marriage with the Earl of Leicester . The English Commissioners urged the great benefits that by this Match would accrew both to the Queen of Scots her self , and to the whole Kingdom of Scotland : The Scotish on the other side , urged the great disparagement it would be to the Queen of Scots , if refusing the offers made her of divers great Princes , she should match her self with so mean a person as the Earl of Leicester . This matter held long debate , partly for that the English Commissioners were so appointed by Queen Elizabeth ; and partly for that the Scotish Commissioners had a good minde to hinder her from marrying at all ; and perhaps not the least ; for that the Earl of Leicester , being verily perswaded he should at last obtain Queen Elizabeth her self , by secret Letters warned the Earl of Bedford not to urge the Marriage with the Queen of Scots too far ; and was thought for this cause to favour Darly under hand . The matter being in this manner protracted for two whole yeers together , the Queen of Scots impatient of longer delay , and being resolved in her minde what she would do● used means that the Lord Darly got leave of Queen Elizabeth to go into Scotland for three months onely , under colour to be put in possession of his fathers Lands ( though it be strange , the Queen upon any te●●ms would let him go , if she really intended to hinder the Marriage : but such was the destiny , if there were not a plot in it ) and ●o in Febr●ary he came to Edinburgh ; who being a young man , of not above nineteen yeers of age , of a comely countenance , and most Princely Presence , the Queen of Scots as soon as she saw him , fell in love with him , yet in modesty dissembling it for the present ; she sought to get a Dispens●on from Rome , because of their neernesse in Consanguinity . And now , her inclination being grown so apparent , that there was no concealing it , she sent Lydington to Queen Elizabeth , desiring her consent . But she , through the suggestions of the Earl of Murray , being induced to believe that the Queen of Scots intention was , by this Marriage , to get the Crown of England , and to bring in Popery , entred into consultation with her Privy Councell , what was fit to be done to hinder the Marriage ; who all concluded , that these were the best wayes : First , To have a Company of Souldi●rs levyed for terrour ●ake , about the Borders towards Scotland ; then to commit to prison the Countesse of Lenox , the Lord Darlies Mother ; and to recall from Scotland the Earl of Lenox and his ●on Darly , upon pain of the losse of all their goods in England : then that the Scots , who were known to be averse from the Marriage , should be relieved and assisted : and lastly , That Katherine Grey , with the Earl of Hertford , should be received into some grace ; about whom onely ( it was thought ) the Queen of Scots was most solicitous , as being her Rivall to the English Crown . Hereupon Sir Nicholas Throgmorton was sent to the Queen of Scots , to counsell her in the Queens name , not to proceed in this Marriage ; and to shew her the many inconveniences that would accrew unto her by it . But she returned answer , That the matter was too far passed to be recalled ; and that Queen Elizabeth had no cause to be displeased with i● ; seeing herein she followed her advice , Not to match with ● stranger , but with an English man born . Queen Elizabeth being informed of her answer , calleth home the Earl of Lenox , and the Lord D●rly his son , commanding them upon their Allegiance to return : The Father modestly by Letters excu●eth himself ; the son humbly intrea●eth her not to be a hinderance to his preferment ; which he vows to employ in her Majesties Service to the uttermost of his power . And now , to make him the fitter match for her , the Queen of Scots honoured him first with Knighthood ; then with the Dignities of the Lord Armanack , Earl of Rosse , and Duke of Rothsay ; which Dukedom by Bir●h , pertaineth to the eldest sons of the Kings of Scotland . After this , when he had not been above five months in Scotland , she marryed him , and with the consent of most of the Peers , declared him King . At this , the Earl of M●rray , and other whom he drew to his pa●ty extremely fretted , and fell to moving of turbulent questions , Whether it were lawfull to admit a Papist King ? Whether the Queen of Scots might choose a husband at her own pleasure ? and whether the Peers of the Kingdom might not out of their Authority , impose one upon her ? But howsoever , they raised Arms , and had disturbed the Nuptialls , but that the Queen levyed an Army to encounter them ; with which she pursued them so closely , that they were fain to fly into Engl●●d for protection ; where Queen Elizabeth made no ●cruple to receive them , seeing the Queen of Scots had received Yareby , Sta●don , and Walsh , that were fled out of England ; but the Ea●l of Murray especially , who had alwayes been found addicted to the English . Queen Elizabeth perhaps was not much troubled at this Marriage ; partly as knowing the milde disposition of the Lord Darly , and how little accesse of strength it brought ●o ●he Queen of Scots ; but most of all , 〈◊〉 plain●y ●eeing ●here wo●ld ●●ouble● 〈◊〉 in Scotland upon it ; and the troubles of Scotland would be the q●i●tnes●e of England ; which , as a good Mother of her Co●●●rey , was the ●ark she aymed at : yet she made ● shew of being offended with it ; but rather to co●ceal her aym , then that ●he was offended with it indeed .

At this time the Emperour Maximlian sent to Queen Elizabeth his Embassadour , Adam Smiricote , renewing the former sute for his brother Charles of Austria ; for which Marriage the Earl of Sussex was very earnest ; the Earl of Leicester as much against it ; so as it grew to a quarrell between them , and the Court was divided into factions about it : but the Queen , who never liked the dissentions of her Peers ( though it be a Rule with some , Divide , and Raign ) made them friends , at least in countenance .

We may now leave Scotland a while , and see the Honour done at this time to Queen Elizabeth , not much inferiour to the Honour done to Solomon by the Queen of Saba ; for now Cecile , the sister of Errick King of Sweden , and wife of Christopher Marquesse of Baden , being great with childe , came from the farthest part of the North ( a long Journey ) thorow Germany , of purpose to see her , for the great fame she had heard of her Wisedom : At her being here , she was delivered of a childe , to whom , in requitall of her kindenesse , Queen Elizabeth was God-mother , and named him Edward●s Fortunatus ; giving to her and her husband , besides Royall Entertainment , a yeerly Pension . At this time also , for the great Fame of her wisedome , Donald mac Carty More , a great Potentate of Ireland , came and delivered up into her hands all his most ample Territories ; and then receiving them again from her , to hold them to him and his Heirs males lawfully begotten ; and for want of such Issue , to remain to the Crown of England . The Queen in requitall , invested him with the honour of Earl of Glenkarne , and Baron of Valence ; and besides many Presents given him , paid the charges of his Journey .

It was now the eighth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign ; when Sir Nicholas Arnold , a Knight of Gloucestershire , Governing Ireland under the title of a Justice , was called home , and Sir Henry Sidney placed in ●his room . And here by the way it is to be noted , That the Governours of Ireland , after it came under the English , were at first called Justices of Ireland ; afterwards , Lievtenants ; and their Vice-gerents were called Deputies . Afterwards at the Princes pleasure , sometimes Deputies , sometimes Justices , and sometimes Lievtenants ; which last Title , though it be of greatest honour , yet in power is in a manner but the same . Si● Henry Sidney at his coming into Ireland , found the Province of Munster in much disorder● by reason of strife between Gyrald Earl of Desmond , and Thomas Earl of Ormond : whereupon the Queen sending for the Earl of Desmond into England , ordained a new Government in that Province , appointing a President to administer Justice , together with an Assistant on the Bench ; two Lawyers and a Notary : and the first President she made in this place , was Sir William Sent-leger .

And now Queen Elizabeth in a Progresse went to Oxford ; where she took pleasure in viewing the Colledges , in hearing Orations , in seeing of Comedies , till the Comedy of Palemon and Arcett turned to a Tragedy , for by the fall of a wall , through the multitude of people that pressed in to see it ; three men were slain . At her coming away , she made an Oration in Latine to the Schollars , a sufficient recompence for all the Orations they had made to her . And this yeer , was a call of seven new Serjeants at Law , who kept their Feast at Grayes Inne in Holborn .

Upon the Queens return from Oxford , the Parliament began , where they presently fell upon the m●tter of succession ; and moving the Queen to marry● in which points some went so far , that they spared not to accuse the Queen , as one carelesse of Posterity● to defame Cecill with libells and reproaches , as if he were her Counsello●● in this matter ; but above all , to curse Doctor Huic her Physitian , who was thought to disswade her from Marriage , by reason of I know not what womanish insufficiency . At last in the Upper House it was agreed , That Sir Nich●la● Bacon , Lord Keeper , their Orator , should in all their names beseech the Queen to marry ; and withall , to declare a Successor in the Crown , if she should happen to die without Issue ; for which he gave many reasons , declaring what mischiefs were likely to befall the Kingdom , if she should die before a Successor were designed . But in the Lower House there were some , amongst whom , were Bell and Mou●son ( two Lawyers of great account ) Dutton , Sir Paul Wentwort● , and other , who grew to far higher tearms , disparaging the Queens Authority , and saying , That Princes were bound to designe a Successor ; and that in not doing it , the Queen should shew her self no better then a parricide of her Countrey . The Queen was contented to bear with words spoken in Parliament ; which spoken out of Parliament , she would never have endured : but not willing to expostulate the matter with the whole number , she commanded that thirty of the Higher House , and as many of the Lower , should appear before her , to whom she delivered her minde to this effect ; That she knew what danger hangeth over a Princes head , when a Successor is once declared ; she knew that even children themselves , out of a hastie desire of bearing Rule , had taken up Armes against their own fathers ; and how could better conditions be expected from kindred ? She had by reading observed , That Successors in a collaterall Line , have seldom been declared ; and that Lewis of Orleance , and Francis of Angoulesme were never declared Successors , and yet obtained the Crown without any noyse . Lastly , she said , Though I have been content to let you debate the matter of Succession , yet I advise you to beware , that you be not injurious to your Princes patience . With these and the like reasons she gave so good satisfaction , that they never after troubled her with making any more such motion . And though she consented not in plain tearms to declare a Successor , yet soon after she gave some intimation of it ; for one Thornton , a Reader of the Civill Law in London , who in his Lectures , called the Queen of Scots Right in question , was clapped up in prison for his labour .

In the beginning of her ninth yeer , Charles the ninth , King of Fr●nc● , sent his Ambassadour Ramboulet into England to the Queen , with the Robes and Ornaments of the Order of S. Michael , to bestow upon which two of her Nobility she pleased ; and she making choice of the Duke of Norfolk , and the Earl of Leicester , they were by Ramboulet invested with them ; an Honour that had never been conferred upon any English , but only K. Henry the eighth , King Edward the sixth , and Charls Brandon Duke of Suffolk , though afterward prostituted almost to any , without difference .

And now to return to the Affairs of Scotland : The nineteenth of Iune last past , the Queen of Scots , in a happy hour , was at Edinborough Castle dilive●ed of a Son , that was afterward Iames the sixth of Scotland , and the first Monarch of Great Britain ; whereof she presently sent word to Queen Elizabeth by Iames Melvyne ; who thereupon sent Sir Henry Killigrew to congratulate her safe deliverance , and her young son , with all demonstration of love and amity . But now the love of the Queen of Scots to her husband the Lord Darly , was not so hot at first , but it was now grown to be as cold ; and she had not heaped honour on him so fast before , but now as fast she taketh them off : for where before in all publike Acts , she had used to place her husbands name first , now she caused it to be placed last , and in the coyning of money began to leave it quite out .

This unkindenesse between them was fomented by one David Rizie an Italian , whom the Queen had taken into her service , first , as a Musician , and then taking a liking to him , made him here Secretary for the French Tongue ; by means whereof , he had oftentimes secret conference with her , when the King her Husband might not be admitted . This indignity the King himself , being given to his pleasures of Hunting and Hawking , resented not so much , as some Lords that were his fri●nds ; who told him plainly , That it stood not with his Honour to suffer this fellow to live . By whose instigation the King drawn to plot his death ; One day , taking with him the Earl of Reuven , and other , he rushed into the Queens Chamber at her Supper time , where finding David Rizie at a Cupboord , tasting some meat that had been taken from the Table , he seized upon him , dragged him forth into an outer Chamber , and there murthered him ; the Queen at that time being great with childe , and like by that affright to have miscarryed : But the Fact being done , the King came in to her again , assuring her there was no hurt at all intended to her Person . The man that had animated the King to do this fact , was especially the Earl Murray , of whom it is necessary to say something , because his part will be the greatest of all the Scottish Actions of this time . He was the base sonne of King Iames the fifth , and so the base brother of the Queen ; made at first , Prior of Saint Andrewes : But not liking that Religious Title , he affected rather some Temporall Honour ; which when the Queen , being then in France , denyed him , then in an angry mood returned into Scotland , where , by the advice of Knox , whom he held for a great Patriark , brought the matter so to passe , that in an Assembly of the States , the Religion was altered , and the French were banished out of Scotland . Yet afterward , as soon as the Queen was a Widow , he posted into France , and so insinuated with her , that she created him Earl of Murray , and promoted him to an Honourable Marriage . Being thus exalted , he returned into Scotland ; where , for the further growth of his ambitious designes , he sowed seeds of Sedition , affirming often , what a misery it was to be under the Command of a woman ; and that Royalty was not to be tyed to any Stock or Kindred , but to Vertue onely , whether the parties were legitimaie or no ; by this course making way to the Kingdom for himself . To this end , he used all the mea●s he could to keep the Queen from marrying again ; which when he could not effect , he then sought wayes how to make discord between her and her Husband ; for which cause he had caused the King to murther Rizie . Of the foulnesse of which Fact , when the King had a while grew sensible , he meant to be revenged of Murray , who had counselled him to do it : which Murray understanding , prevented it with causing the like to be done to him , as will presently be seen . For the Queen having been delivered of a Son , and the day appointed for the Christning being come ; where the God-fathers were Charles King of France , and Philibert Duke of Savoy ; Queen Elizabeth being requested to be God-mother , sent thither the Earl of Bedford as her Deputy , and a Font of Massie Gold for a Present , in value 1043 l. but gave him expresse Command , That he should not honour Darly with the Title of King . But before a month or two , after the Christning were passed , The King in a stormy and tempestuous night , was strangled in his Bed , and then cast forth into the Garden , and the house immediately blown up with Gun-powder .

The rumour of this murther being spread abroad , the common Fame laid it upon Murray and Morton , and their Confederates ; Murray and Morton upon the Queen : But we must not here give ear to that which BUCHANAN writes ; who to curry favour with the Earl MURRAY , layes most impudent scandalls upon the Queene ; whereof , before his death , he repented himself extremely . The King thus murthered , and the QUEENE left alone to her self , she is counselled to marry with some , that might be able to assist her against all her opposites : IAMES Hepburn Earl of Bothwell being then greatly in her favour , and of great eminencie for his valour : And though he were the man that had acted the murther , yet is he by Murray and his confederates , commended to the Queen ; to which motion , as being destitute of friends , and not knowing whom to trust ; she at last consents , but upon these conditions , That above all things , respect might be had to her yong Sonne ; and that Bothwell might be legally quitted , both from the bond of his former marriage , and also of the Kings murther . Hereupon a course is plotted , by which , Bothwell is called to the Barre ; and Morton being his Advocate , by the Sentence of Judges he is cleerly acquitted . Upon this , he is created Duke of Orken●y , and by consent of many of the Nobility , is marryed to the Queen ; which bred a suspition in many , that the Queen was conscious of the murther , which was the thing that by the marriage they intended : And the suspition once raised , they seek by all means to increase , that they may have the better colour against her ; and so , the very same man who had absolved Bothwell , and consented to the marriage , now takes Arms against her , as a Delinquent in both ; force him to flee , and then seize upon the Queen , whom , cl●d in a very homely garment , they thrust into prison in Loch-levyn , under the custody of Murray's mother , who had been the Harlot of King Iames the fifth ; but boasting her self to have been his lawfull wife , and her son , his lawfull Issue . Queen Elisabeth having at length notice hereof , sent Sir Nicholas Throgmorton into Scotland , to expostulate with the Confederates , touching this insolent usage of the Queen ; and to consult , by what means shee might be restored to her liberty . But Throgmorton coming into Scotland , found the Confederates in more insolent terms then had been reported ; being divided in opinion , what to do with the Queen , some would have her banished perpetually , into England or France ; some would have her questioned before the Judges , committed to perpetuall custody , and her son proclaimed King : others , more inhumane , would have her at once deprived of Princely Authority , of life and all ; and this , Knox and some other Ministers thundred out of the Pulpits . Throgmorton on the other side , alleaged many passages out of the holy Scriptures , touching Obedience to the higher Powers ; maintaining , That the Queen was subject to no Tribunall , but that in Heaven ; That no Judge upon Earth might call her in question ; That there was no Office nor Jurisdiction in Scotland , which was not derived from her Authority , and revokeable at her pleasure . They again opposed the peculiar Right of the Kingdom of Scotland ; and that in extraordinary cases , they were to proceed besides order , taking up Buchanans Arguments ; who in those dayes , by instigation of Murray , wrote that damned Dialogue , De Iure Regni apud Scotos ; wherein , against the verity of the Scottish History , he indeavours to prove , That the People have power , both to create , and to depose their King . After all their debating , all that Throgmorton could get of them , was a Writing without any Subscription , wherein they protested , They had shut up the Queen for no other intent , but to keep her apart from Bothwell , whom she loved so desperately , that to injoy him , she regarded not all their ruines ; willing him to rest satisfied with this Answer , till such time as the rest of the Peers met together . And notwithstanding all he could say , they shut up the Queen daily , in more straight custody , though with tears she besought them to deal more mildly with her , and to let her but once have a sight of her son , which would not be granted her . At last when fair perswasions would not serve to make her freely give over the Kingdom , they threatned to question her openly for incontinent living , for the Kings murder , and for Tyranny , so as through feare of death , they compelled Her , unheard , to set her hand to three Instruments ; In the first whereof , she gave over the Kingdom to her young son , at that time scarce thirteen Months old : In the second , she constituted Murray Vice-Roy during the minority of her son : In the third , in case he refused the charge , these Governours were nominated ; Iames Duke of Chasteau , Herald , Giles Spike Earl of Argile , Matthew Earl of Lenox , Iohn Earl of Atholl , Iames Earl of Mo●ton , Alexander Earl of Glencarn , and Iohn Earl of Mar. And presently she signified to Queen Elizabeth by Throgmorton , that she had made these grants by compulsion through the counsell of Throgmorton , telling her that a grant extorted from one in prison ( which is a just fear ) is actually void and of no effect .

Five dayes after the Queen had made this Resignation , Iames the sixth , the Queens Son , was Anointed and Crown'd King , Iohn Knox preaching at the same time ; but a Protestation was then put in by the Hamiltons , that all this ought to be no prejudice to the Duke of Chasteau Herald in his Right of succession against the Family of Lenox ; but Queen Elisabeth had forbidden Throgmorton to be at the Action , that she might not seem by the presence of her Embassador , to approve their proceeding in displacing of the Queen .

Fifteen dayes after this transaction , Murray himself returned ou● of France into Scotland , and within three dayes went to the Queen with some other of the confederates , who charged her with many crimes , and wished her if she tendered her Life and Honor , to observe these prescriptions : Not to disturb the peace of the Kingdom , nor desire to be at Liberty , not to stir up the Queen of England , or the King of France to m●le●t Scotland with any War , not to think any more of Bothwells love , or meditate revenge upon Bothwells adversaries .

Murray being now proclaimed Regent of Scotland , he bindeth himself under his Hand and Seal to do nothing which shall concerne War or Peace , the Kings Person or his marriage , or the Liberty of the Queen , without the consent of the confedera●es ; and then gives Throgmorton warning by Lyding●on , not to make any further intercession for the Queens Liberty , for that he and the rest had rather run any hazard then to suffer it . Soon after he puts to death Iohn H●pburn , Daglish , and others that were Bothwells servants , for having a hand in the murther of the King : But they ( which he little expected ) when they were at the Gallows , ready to dye , protested before God and his holy Angells , that Bothwell had told them , that Morton and M●rray were the first authors of the murther . They freed the Queen from all suspition , like as Bo●hwell himself being prisoner in Denmark , both living and dying , often protested with deep asse●erations , that the Queen was innocent . And fourteen yeers after , Morton going to execution , confessed that Bo●hwell dealt with him to consent to the murther of the King , which , when he refused utterly unlesse the Queen under her hand writing would allow of it ; Bothwell made answer , that could not be , but the fact must be done without her knowledge .

A little before this time , upon one and the same day , dyed two of the Privy Councell , Sir Iohn Mason Treasurer of the Queen● Chamber , a grave and learned man , but a great Usurper and Encroacher upon Ecclesiasticall Livings ; and Sir Richard ●ac●vile Vice-Treasurer of the Exchequer , a man both prudent and provident , and allyed to the Queen by her mother An●e Bol●● . In his room succeeded Walter Mildmay , a man of wisdom and integrity ; In Masons Office came Sir Francis Knowles , who married Katherine Car●e , the daughter of Mary Bolen , the Queens Mothers Sister .

It was now the yeer 1567. And the tenth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign , when the Earl of Stolberg came into England from the Emperour Max●millian , to treat of the mariage of the Queen with the Archduke Charls upon which very occasion the Queen a little before had sent the E. of Sussex to the Emperor , with the Order of the Garter : But in the Treaty of marriage , there fell out so many difficulties , about Religion , maintenance of the Duke , about the Royall Title , and concerning succession , that after it had been treated of seven whole yeers together , it came at last to nothing , and the Duke not long after marryed Mary daughter to Albert the fifth Duke of Bavaria ; yet both he and the Emperour continued ever after a good correspondence with the Queen .

About this time , there came from Iohn Basil Emperour of Russia and Muscovia , Stephen Twerdic● , and Theodore P●gorella , with a Present of rich Furs of Otter , Miniver , and the like , tendering all service and obsequiousnesse to the Queen and the English . The Merchants by vertue of a Grant from Queen Mary , had combined themselves into a Society , which they called the Muscovie Company ; and having large Priviledges granted them from the Emperour , went thither with a Navie yeerly , making a very gainfull Voyage ; but then it proved most gainfull , when for the Queens sake they obtained at the Emperours hands , in the yeer 1569. That none but the English of that Company , should Traffique in the North-parts of Russia . With these Russian Embassadours there returned into England , Anthony Ienkinson , who in his Travels had made curious Observation of Russia , set forth a Geographicall Description of it , and was the first of the English that sailed through the Caspian Sea . And this yeer , the 8. of June , Sir Thomas Sackvile was created Baron of Buckhurst , at Whitehall .

We have seen before , the first Act of the Queen of Scots Tragedy : Now comes in the second , having been 11 Moneths kept a prisoner ; at last , by the help of George Dowglas , to whose Brother she was committed , she made escape from Loch-levyn , to Hamiltons castle ; where upon the testimonies of Robert Melvyn , and others , in a meeting of a great part of the Nobility , there was drawn a sentence declaratory , That the Grant extorted from the Queen in prison , ( which is Iustus metus ) was actually void from the beginning . Upon which Declaration , great multitudes ●locked to her , so as within a day or two she had gotten an Army of at least six thousand ; but when they joyned battell with Murray , being but raw and unexpert Souldiers , they were soon defeated . In this case , the Queen sought to save her self by flight , journeying in one day threescore miles , and coming at night to the house of Maxwell Lord Heris , from thence she sent Iohn Beton to Queen Elisabeth with a Diamond Ring , which she had fo●merly received from her , as a Pledge of mutuall Amity ; intimating , that she would come into England , and implore her aid , if her Subjects offered to prosecute her any further . Queen Elisabeth returned answer , that she should expect from her , in abundant manner , all loving and friendly offices . But before the Messenger was returned , she , contrary to the advice of her friends , entred into a small Bark , & with the Lords , Heris , and Flemming , and a few others , landed at Wickinton in Cumberland , neer the mouth of the River of Decwent , the seventeenth day of May ; and the same day wrote Letters to the Queen in French with her own hand , the effect whereof was , That having made an escape from the the hands of her insolent and rebellious Subjects , she was now come into England , upon certain hope of her approved clemencie ; and therefore humbly desiring , she might forthwith be conducted to her presence . Queen Elisabeth sending Letters by Sir Francis Knolles , comforted her , and promised her aid and defence , according to the equity of her cause ; but denyed her accesse , for that she was held guilty of many crimes , giving command to have her brought to Carlile , as a place of better safety . The Queen of Scots receiving this answer , and finding accesse to the Queen denyed her , maketh request again by Letter , that she might have leave , both to unfold the injuries she had received , and to answer the crimes objected , in her own presence ; humbly intreating her , that either she might be admitted to have conference and assistance , or else have free leave to depart out of England , to gain supply elswhere , and not be held a prisoner in the Castle at Carlile● for ●s much as she came voluntarily into England , relying upon her love so often professed . Upon thes● Letters , Queen Elisabeth exceedingly commisera●ed her case , and could have fo●nd in her heart to admit her to her presence , but that her Councellours conceived it to be matter for consultation , what to do in this case . To detain her in England , had many mischiefs attending on it ; to send her into France ; as many ; to send her back into Scotland , many more ; so as in conclusion , the most were of opinion , to have her detained , as one taken by right of War , and not to be dismissed , till she had made satisfaction for assuming the Title of England , and for the death of Darly her husband , who was born one of the Queens Subjects . In this diversity of opinions , Queen Elisabeth out of her own judgement , sent word by Middemore , to the Regent of Scotland , that he should come himself in person , or else depute some fit persons to answer the complaints of the Queen of Scots against him and his confederates , and render sufficient reasons wherefore they had deprived her ; otherwise● she would forthwith dismisse her , and with all the forces she could , settle her in her Kingdom . To this Summons , Murray obeys , and comes to York , the place appointed for this Treaty , accompanied with seven more of his intimate friends , who stood Delegates for the Infant King , namely , Iames Earl of Morton , Ad●m Bishop of the Ork●neys , Robert of Dunferm , Patrick Lord of Lyndsey , Iames Mac-gylly , and Henry ●adinary ; and with these , Lydington the Secretary , and Ge●rge Buchanan . And the very same day came thither Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk , Thomas Ratcliff Earl of Sussex , and Sir Ralph Saedler a Privie-Councellour , appointed Commissioners for Queen Elisabeth . For the Queen of Scots , ( who took it hainously , that Queen Elisabeth would not hear the caus● h●r self , but refer h●r to Subjects , being an absolute Prince , and not ty●d to their proc●edings ) there appeared Iohn Lesley Bishop of Ross , William Lord Levyng●●on , Robert Lord Boyde , Ga●●● of Kilwynnin , Iohn G●urd●n , and Iames Cock●urn . Being met , Lydingto● turning himself to the Scots , in a wondrous liberty of Speech , gave them this advice , Maturely to consider , what prejudice they should draw upon themselves , by accusing th● Queen of Scots , and calling her Reputation in question publikely before the English , professed enemies of the Scottish Nation . Likewise , wha● account they shall be able to give hereof to the King , when he shall grow to ●iper y●●rs , and shall see what an injury this was to the Kingdom , his Mother , and his own per●on . Wherefor● ( said he ) it seemeth requisite to forbear this businesse al●ogether , unlesse the Queen of England will enter into a ●u●uall league of Offence and Defence , against all those , which under this pretenc● , shall go about ●o molest us . Upon this Speech of his , the D●l●gates of the Que●n of Scots made Protestation , That although it pleased the Qu●●n of Scots , to have the cause between her and her disloyall Subjects , d●●●ted befo●● the English , yet she being a free Prince , and obnoxious to no earthly Prince whatsoever , did not thereby yeeld her self subject to th● Jurisdiction and command of any person . On the contrary , the English pro●est●d , That they did in no wise admi● that Protestation , in pr●judice to the right which the Kings of England have anciently challenged as superiou● Lords of the Kingdom of Sco●land . The day after , the Queen of Sco●s Delegates s●t forth at large the injurious dealing of Morton , Murray , Marre , Gle●car● , 〈◊〉 , and others , against the Queen ; and how they had compelled h●r , for fear of death , to resign her Crown ; which therefore ( they said ) was of no ●or●● . Murray and his confederates make answ●r , That they had done nothing , but by consent of the Peers in Parliament ; and tha● in pros●cu●ing o● Bothwell , the author of the Kings murther , whom the Queen protected ; and as for her resignation , ●hat it was voluntarily and freely done . All this the Queen of Scots Delega●es answered and confuted , affirming in particular , That where there are 100 Earls , Bishops and Barons , ( more or lesse ) that have voices in the Parliament of Scotland , there were not in that tum●ltous assembly they speak of , above four Earls , one Bishop , an Abbot or two , and six Barons ; wherefore their earnest request was , that the Q●een of England would be ●●nsible of these indignities offered her ; and take some course for a speedy rednesse . After this , some new Commissioners from Queen Elizabeth were added to the former , to some of whom , the Queen of Scots took exception ; unlesse the French and Spanish Embassadors might be taken in , and her self admitted into the presence of the Queen and them , publickly to defend her own innocency ; and that Murray might be detained and ●ited , whom she affirmed , she was able to prove to have been the chief Plotter of the murther of her husband Darley . This was held to be a just demand by the Duke of Norfolk , the Earls of Arundell , Sussex , Leicester , and the Lord Clinton : But Queen Elizabeth waxing somewhat angry , openly said , that the Queen of Scots should never want an Advocate as long as Norfolk lived : It was seen here , which is said , that the heart of the King is inscrutable ; for how Queen Elizabeth stood affected in this case of the Queen of Scots , no man could well discern● she detested the insolency of her Subjects in deposing her , and yet gave no assistance to restore her . After long agitation of this businesse , and nothing concluded , Murray a little before his return into Scotland , slyly propounded the mariage of the Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk ; which he with a modest answer rejected as a thing full of danger . But withall , Murray the more to alienate Queen Elizabeths mind from the Queen of Scots , gave ou● , that she had passed away to the Duke of Andyn her Right to the Crown of England , and that the transaction was confirm'd at Rome ; he shewd Letters also which the Queen of Scots had written to some friends whom she trusted ; wherein she accused the Queen for not dealing with her according to promise , and boasted of succours she expected from some others . This last clause something troubled Queen Elizabeth , neither could she conjecture from whence any such succour should come ; seeing both France with the Civill Wars , and the King of Spain in the Low-countries had eno●gh to do at home . But at last it brake out , that one Robert Ridolph a Florentine under the habit of a Merchant in London , was suborned by Pope ●ius the fifth , to make a secret commotion of the Papists in England against the Queen , which he performed indeed with a great deal of secrecy and much cunning ; whereupon the Queen of Scots was removed from Bolton ( a Castle of the Lord Scroops ) where all the neighbouring people were Papists● to Tutbury more toward the heart of the Country , under the custody of George Earl of Shrewsbury .

About this time the Guises in France , and the Duke D'Alva in the Low-countries , began to endeavour the utter extirpation of the Protestant Religion . In France the Ministers of the Gospell are commanded within a limitted time to depart the Kingdom ; when Queen Elizabeth forgetting the ●icklenesse of the Protestants at New-haven , once again takes upon her their protection ; supplyes them with two hundred thousand Crowns in money , besides Munition in abundance , and with all humanity receives the French that fled into England ; the rather , for that they made solemn protestation they took not up Arms against their Prince ; but only stood upon their own defence . In the Low-countries likewise , the Duke D'Alva , breathing nothing but slaughter and blood ; made the Dutch come flocking into England as into a Sanctuary , where with all courtesie they were received .

And here it will be fit to shew how the War in the Low-countries began first , which was thus : At which time the King of Spain brought in the Spanish Inquisition● a small number of the meaner sort of people , in tumultuous manner● cast the Images out of Churches and brake ●hem in pieces , and although that tumult was soon quieted , yet the King of Spain taking advantage at the rashnesse of a few , to charge the whole Nation with Rebellion : sent amongst them Ferdinando Alvarez , Duke D' Alva , a bloody and fierce man , ( who contrary to the Ordinances and customes of the Country ) took away all authority from the ordinary Courts of Justice ; Erected new consistories ; condemned and put to death the Peers , without tryall by their lawfull Judges ; Placed Garrisons of Spaniards throughout all their Cities and Villages , and by force exacted the twentieth part of the fruits of the Earth , and the tenth of moveables upon every Alienation . At that time , a mighty masse of money borrowed from the Genowayes , and other Italian Merchants was sent out of Spain into the Low-countries , there to be imployed to interest , which being brought by shipping , was pursued by the French ; and forced to fly for succour into the Havens of England , whom the Queen commanded to be succour'd ; as conceiving the money to be the King of Spains as it was given out : But at the same time , Cardinall Odette coming out of France into England , and giving notice to the Queen that the money was not the King of Spains , but belonged to certain merchants of Geneva ; from whence the Duke D' Alva had taken it against their will , with a purpose to imploy it to the ruine of the Protestants ; and information also being given her by one that had a property in the money that it was so● she determined to put in security , and to borrow the money of the merchants her self , which is an usuall thing with Princes when goods are taken in their Ports ; and the King of Spain himself had lately done the like . The Duke D' Alva being informed of this dealing of thee Queens ; by Gerard de Spese the King of Spains Embassador in England ; seizeth presently upon all the goods of the English in the Low-co●ntries , and kept the men prisoners ; The Queen did the like with the Dutch merchants in England , Letters of Mart were granted on both sides , and this grew to such a quarrell between the Nations , that being nourished with other differences afterward , it brought forth in Eighty Eight , that Spanish Invasion , which is , and will be memorable in all future Ages .

Upon occasion of this Money detained , certain Peers of England , amongst whom , were the Duke of Norfolk , the Marquesse of Winchester , the Earls of Arundell , Northumberland , Pembroke , Leicester , and others , Accused Sir William Cecill , for sending away money into France , making this their colour , but done indeed out of envying his great favour with the Queen , and suspecting him to incline to the house of Suffolk in the matter of succession . Hereupon they consult sec●etly how to get him be imprison'd ; and Throgmorton ( who envyed him as much as they ) suggesting that if he were once clapp'd up , they might soon find out a way to crush him ; But the Queen ( by what means it is uncertain ) coming to have notice hereof , gave a check to their purpose , and protected Cecill against their combined practises .

The Earl Murray being returned into Scotland , makes the Lords believe that he desires a meeting at Edinbourgh , to consult about restoring the Queen to her Liberty ; but as Hamilton Duke of Chasteau Herald ( appointed Vicegerent of the Kingdome by the Queen ) and the Lord Heris were coming thither , he circumvented them , and before any of the rest came cast them into prison ; and forthwith in an open War , oppresseth all her Favourers . It may be thought , the Earl Murray could have been content , the Queen should have been set at liberty ; but that he knew , her liberty could not be without his servitude ; and Queen Elisabeth perhaps would willingly have had her resto●e● to her Kingdom , but that she doubted , her restoring would indanger her own security : And thus , while they regarded their own ends in the first place , and hers but in the second , she had the fortune to be pitied , but not the happinesse to be relieved ; and all she could do her self , was but to tye the knot of her bonds the faster ; if she could have sate still , they would perhaps have loosened of themselves ; but now , the more she stirred , the more she was intangled .

And now the Destiny of the Duke of Norfolk began to work : It was in every ones mouth , that the Duke should marry the Queen of Scots ; and it is true , there had been motions made ; but the matter not so forward , as the Voice of the People , which commonly presageth what will follow . It had been motioned to the Duke at York , by the Bishop of Ros●e ; and afterward ( in pretence at least . ) by Murray himself at Hampton-Court ; but the Duke , before he would resolve in the matter , deliberated with the Earls of Aru●dell , Northumberland , Westmerland , Sussex , Pembroke , Southampton , and Leicester himself , who all judged it fit , he should acquaint the Queen with it first , and then leave the matter to her liking . Within a few dayes , Sir Nicholas Throgmorton meeting the Duke in the Pallace at Westminster , advised him , to move the Earl of Leicester himself to embrace the match , seeing he had formerly sued for it ; but if he refused it , then at least to take him along with him , for that himself alone would hereby be able to procure the Queens consent . A day or two after , the Earl of Leicester propounded the matter to the Duke , and then communicateth it to the Earls of Arundell and Pembroke ; who thereupon , together with Throgmorton , wrote Letters to the Queen of Scots , commending the Duke of Norfolk to her for a Husband ; the Duke himself likewise writeth to her , tendering his singular Love and respect unto her . Upon this , Articles are drawn , written with Leicesters own hand , and sent to the Queen of Scots ; to which if she consented , they then promised to procure , that Queen Elisabeth should give her assent , and that forthwith she should be reinvested in her Kingdom , and the Succession of England should be confirmed upon her . Wee may easily believe , the Queen of Scots was not hardly drawn to give consent to her own desire ; but in the mean time , the Duke had imparted to the Lord Lumley the whole proceeding , and had much ado to get the Earl of Leicesters consent , that he might advise of it with some other of his Friends ; yet a little after , he opened the matter to Cecill also . The rumour of this Marriage was soon come to the Queens ears ; which the Duke understanding , hee dealt earnestly with the Earl of Leicester , to have the matter propounded to the Queen out of hand . Leicester makes delayes , and pretends causes to put it off● which Cecill seeing , he adviseth the Duke , to go and acquaint the Queen with it himself . This councell Leicester opposed , promising to open it to the Queen as she went in Progresse . At length , at Farnham , the Duke standing by as the Queen sate at Table , she gave him a tart Admonition , That he were best take heed , upon what pillow he rested his head . After this , at Tichfield , Leicester fell sick , or at least counterfeited ; to whom the Queen coming , and bidding him be of good cheer ; hee with sighs and tears craved pardon for his fault , and unfolded to her the whole story from the very beginning . Whereupon , the Queen called the Duke into the Gallery , reproving him sharply , for going about the Marriage , without acquainting her ; and commanding him , upon his Allegiance , to desist . The Duke made her a free and hearty promise of obedience , and spared not to say ( as if he little regarded the Qu. of Scots ) that his Revenues in England were not much lesse then hers in Scotland ; and that when he was at his house in Norwich , he thought himself in a sort not inferior to some kings : but notwithstanding , finding the Queens anger by her countenance , and perceiving Leicester to be in a manner quite alienated , & most of the Nobility also , as scarcely saluting him when they met him , he grew extremely dejected , and prepared presently to leave the Court , meaning to stay at Norfolk , till by his friends intercession , and his own submissive Letters , the Queens heart might be mollified towards him : Mean while , the Court was suspitously fearfull , lest he should raise Rebellion , and ( they say ) it was concluded , that if he did so , the Qu. of Scots should presently be made away . And now the Duke , who held secret commerce by Letters with the Bishop of Ross , Throgmorton and Leicester ( for they were sent to and fro in bottles ) being examined touching the marriage of the Qu. of Scots , and certain secret conferences with the Bishop of Rosse , confessed most of the Objections , and was thereupon committed to the Tower , under the custody of Sir Henry Nevill ; within two dayes after the Bishop of Rosse likewise is examined , and together with the Florentine Robert Ridolph , is delivered to the custody of Sir Francis Walsingham , the Earl of Pembroke is confined to his house , and examined privately ; but his confession was not committed to writing ; It being his request because he could not write himself . At this time , the rumor of Insurrection in the North , begun in Autumne before , grew very strong , by reason of some frequent meetings of the Earls of Northumberland , Westmerland , and others , who thereupon being upon their Allegiance sent for to repaire presently to the Queen , they make delayes ( for they stayed waiting for supplies , both from the Scots , and from the Duke D'Alva ) when the Earl of Northumberland , doubtfull what to do , was frighted of purpose by his servants , telling him , that men in Arms were neer at hand to apprehend him ; Who thereupon in a tempestuous night , riseth out of his bed , and in great fear gets into his Park at Topcliffe , and the night following to Branspith to the Earl of Westmerlands house , where a great many were met that were acquainted with the Enterprise : Here they brake forth into an open Rebellion , being pressed forward , by one Nicholas Morton a Romish Priest , sent by the Pope to pronounce Queen Elizabeth an Heretick ; and therefore to have utterly lost all Right of Soveraignty : By and by they send forth a writting , wherein they declare that they had taken Arms for no other end , b●t that the Religion of their fore-fathers might be restored , wicked Counsellors removed from the Queen , the Duke of Norfolk , and others of the loyall Nobility relieved , who were now in disgrace ; but towards the Queen , professing themselves most dutifull Subjects ; withall they send Letters to the Papists all the Kingdom over , requiring them to come to their assistance● but they were so far from joyning with them , that many sent both the Letters and the bearers of them to the Queen , and afforded their aides and purposes against them ; no lesse then the best Protestants , even the Duke of Norfolk himself was not backward in it . These Rebells go first to Durham , where th●y tear in pieces all the Bibles and Books of Common Prayer they could finde in Churches of the English tongue : when they had been twelve dayes in Rebellion , they numbered their Army , and could not reckon above 600 horse , and 4000 foot ; wherupon being certainly informed , that the E : of Sussex with 7000 , and the E : of Warwick with 12 , were setting out against them , they betook themselves to Rabie , the chief house of the E : of Westmerl●●d ; going from thence they besieged Bernards castle , which for lack o● provision , was yeelded to them . At which time , being proclaimed Traitors and he●ring afresh of the great forces that were coming against them , th● two Earls with a small company , get presently into Scotland hard by , where the Earl of Northumberland hid himself at Harclow ; in a poor Cottage , amongst the Grayhams ( famous Robbers ) who afterwards betrayed him to the Earl Murray : Westmerland made a shift to get into the Low-Countryes , where he had a slender Pension from the King of Spain , and there lived even to old age . Of the rest , for terrour and examples sake , there were hanged at Durham , threescore and six of the chief ; amongst whom , Plomtree , a noted Priest . At York were executed , Simon Digby , Iohn Fulthrop , Thomas Bishop , Robert Penyman ; and at London a few months after , Christopher and Thomas ; and some other in other places . After this , the heads of the Rebels being convict of High Treason , were proscribed ; namely , Charles , Earl of Westmerland ; Thomas , Earl of Northumberland ; Anne , Countesse of Northumberland ; Edward Dacres of Morton ; Iohn Nevill of Leversege ; Iohn Swinborn , Thomas Markenfield , Egremond Ratcliffe , brother to the Earl of Sussex ; Christopher Nevill , Richard Norton , Christopher Marmaduke , Robert and Michael Tempest , George Stafford , and forty others of good account . Out of the ashes of this Rebellion , a new fire was kindled at Naworth in Cumberland , by Leonard Dacres , second son to the Lord Dacres of Gyllisland ; He was a Party with the Earls in their Rebellion ; but they breaking forth sooner then he expected , and he at that time being at the Court , and there admitted to kisse the Queens hand , tendered his service to go against them ; and to that purpose , was sent home : but in his Journey ( branding himself with a double disloyalty ) he consulted with the Rebels , and encouraged them to go on ; and by vertue of Letters of Credence from the Queen , he surprised the Castle of Greystock , and other houses of the Dacres , and gathered together an Army of three thousand men : But being encountred by the Baron of Hunsdon , after a great fight , wherein , though he were crook-backt , he behaved himself valiantly , he was put to flight , and fled into Scotland , from whence soon after , he passed over into the Low-Countryes , and in great misery and poverty died at Louvayn .

But though the Queen were thus entangled with Rebellions at home , yet she was not carelesse of the afflicted Protestants in France ; for she stirred up the Protestant Princes to defend the common Cause ; supplyed them with money , taking in pawn the Queen of Navar 's Jewells ; and gave leave to Henry Champernoon to lead into France a Troop of a hundred Horse , Gentlemen all , and Voluntaries ; amongst whom were Philip Butshed , Francis Barkley , and Walter Raleigh , a very young man , who now began to look into the world . But as the Queen of England assisted the French , so in revenge thereof , the King of France meant to assist the Scots , but that he was taken away by death ; being slain by a shot , at the Siege of S. Iohn D'Angelo .

There was at this time a Rebellion in Ireland also , raised by Edmund and Peter , brothers to Boteler Earl of Ormond ; but after many out-rages by them committed : the Earl of Ormond first by perswasions , obtained of them to submit themselves ; and when notwithstanding they were committed to prison , he then obtained of the Queen they should not be called to the Barre , being exceedingly grieved that any of his Blood should be attaynted of Rebellion . The rest of the Rebells were pursued by Sir Humphrey Gilbert , and soon dispersed .

And now the Earl of Murray , Regent of Scotland , when he had wrought all things to his hearts desire , and thought himself secure , at Lithquo , riding along the streets , was shot into the belly with a Bullet , beneath the Navill , and there fell down dead . The actor was a Hamilton , who did it upon a private revenge , for that Murray had forced him to part with a piece of Land which he had by his wife ; who thereupon falling Lunatick , he in a great rage committed this slaughter .

After Murrayes death , the Countrey being without a Regent , was cause of many disorders . Tho. Carre , and Walter Scot , two principall men amongst the Scottish Borders , and devoted to the Queen of Scots , made In●odes into England ; wasting all places with fire and sword , till by Forces sent out of England ; under the command of the Earle of Sussex , and the Lord H●nsdon , they were defeated . In whose pu●suit , three hundred villages were ●ired , and above fifty Holds were over-turned . For which service the Earl made many Knights , as Sir William Drury , Sir Thomas Manners , Sir George Carie , Sir Robert Constable and others , and then returned . And now to prevent further disorders , the Lords of Scotland being ready to assemble about the election of a new Regent , they asked counsell of Queen Elizabeth in the matter ; but she making answer she would not meddle in it , because she would not be thought to work any thing prejudiciall to the Queen of Scots , whose cause was not yet tried● they created Matthew Earl of Lenox Regent ; which Queen Elizabeth did the better like , as conceiving he could not chuse out of naturall affection , but have a speciall care of the young King being his Grand-childe .

But while Queen Elizabeth favoured the Kings Party in Scotland , the Earl of Hun●ley , the Duke of Castle-H●rald , and the Earle of Argyl● , ( the Queen of Scots Li●u●enants ) imploy the Lord Seton to the Duke D'Alva , Requiting him for many great reasons , to vindicate the Queen of Scots liberty alleadging how acceptable a work it would be to all Christian Princes and to the whole Catholike Church : whereunto the Duke made answer ; They should finde him ready to the uttermost of his power to satisfie their Request . At which time also the French King dealt earnestly with Queen Elizabeth to the same purpose ; and the Spanish Embassadour in his masters name urged it no lesse extremely ; but Queen Elizabeth assaulted with all these Importunities , made answer , That as she would omit nothing that might serve for the Reconciling of the Queen of Scots and her subjects , so sh● must have leave to provide for her own and her subjects safety ; a thing which Nature , Reason , and her own Honor requires at her hands . And now when these Princes prevailed not with Queen Elizabeth to set the Queen of Scots at liberty , ou● comes Pope Pius Quintus with his Bull Declaratory , which he caused to be fastened in the night time upon the gate of the Bishop of Londons Palace , wherein all her subjects are absolved from their Oa●h of Allegiance , or any other dutie ; and all that obey her , accursed with Anathem● . He that fastned up the Bull was one Iohn F●lton ; who never fled for the matter , but as affecting Martyrdome , suffered himself to be apprehended , confessed and justified the Fact , and thereupon arraigned , was condemned and hanged neer the place where he had fastened the writing .

The same day that Felton was Arraigned , the Duke of Norfolk seeming now extremely pontitent for his fault , and utterly to abhorre the marriage , was delivered out of the Tower , and suffered to goe to his owne house , but yet to be in the custodie of Sir Henry Neuill still . Indeed Cecill being a good friend of the Dukes , had told the Queen , That the Law of 25 of Edward the third could not take hold upon him : And now being in a kinde of liberty , Cecill deales earnestly with him to marry speedily some other ; thereby to take away all suspition in that behalf : yet some again thought that this liberty of the Dukes was granted him of purpose to bring him into greate● danger .

At this time died William Herbert Earl of P●mb●ook the grand-child of an Earl of P●mbrook , yet the son but of an Esquire , and grand-father to Phillip Earl of Pembrook and Mountgomery now living , who lieth buried in Pauls , under a faire Monument of Marble , with an Inscription ●estifying his great deservings while he lived .

Many conspiracies were at this time to set the Queen of Scots at liberty ; amongst others , there conspired Thomas and Edward Stanley younger sonnes of the Earl of Derby , with others ; but the matter discovered , they were soon suppressed , and some of them executed . And now the Lords of the Queen of Scots Party continuing to protect the English Rebells , the Earl of Sussex once again , accompanied with the Lord Scroop , entereth Scotland , burneth the Villages all along the Valley of Anandale , and compasseth the Duke of Castle-Herald , and the Earls of Huntley and Argyle , under a Writing signed with their own Hands and Seals , to forsake the English Rebells . Whereupon the Earl of Sussex returned home , he made these Knights ; Edward Hastings , Francis Russell , Valentine Browne , William Hilton , Robert Stapleton , Henry Carwen , and Simon Musgrave .

Queen Elizabeths minde being now in great suspension , by reason of that Bull from Rome , and the late conspiracy in Norfolk , sent Sir William Cecill , and Sir Walter Mildmay to the Q●een of Scots , who was then at Chattesworth in Derby-shire , to consult with her by what means the breach in Scotland might best be made up , She re-invested in her former Dignity , and her son and Queen Elizabeth might be secured● The Queen of Scots did little deplore her own afflicted condition , putting her self wholly upon the Queens clemency ; when the Commissioners made unto her certain Propositions of Agreement : First , That the Treaty of Edinborough should be confirmed : then , That she should renounce her Right and Title to England , during Queen Elizabeths life , or any children of her body lawfully begotten : then , That she should send her sonne for a Hostage into England , with other six Hostages ; such as the Queen should nominate : then , That the Castles of Humes and Fast-castle should be held by the English for three yeers ; with some other . To which Propositions the Queen of Scots for the present gave a provident answer ; but referred the fuller Answer to the Biship of Rosse her Ambassadour in ENGLAND , and some other Delegates ; who afterwards allowing some of the Propositions , and not allowing others ; the Treaty came to nothing , but the matter rested in the state it was before .

A● this time Philip King of Spain had contracted Marriage with Anne of Austria , Daughter to the Emperour Maximilian , his own Neece by his Sister ; who was now setting Sayl from Zealand towards Spain ; when Queen Elizabeth , to testifie her love and respect to the House of Austria , sent Sir Charls Howard with the Navy Royall , to conduct her thorow the Bri●ish Sea .

And now was the twelfth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign finished ; which certain Wizards had made Papists believe should be her last : but contrary , as if it were but her first , a new Custome began , of celebrating the seventeenth day of November ( the Anniversary day of her Raign ) with ringing of Bells , Tiltings , and Bon-fires : which Custome , as it now began , so it was never given over as long as she lived , and is not yet forborn so long after her death .

At this time in Ireland , Connagher ô Brien Earl of Towmond , no● brooking the severe Government of Edward Fitton , President of Connaght , entred into Consultation with some few to raise a new Rebellion ; which , being at the point ready to break forth , was strangely discovered : for the day before they meant to ●ake up Arms , Fitton knowing not at all of the matter , sent ●h● Earl word in friendly manner , That the next day he and a few friends with him , would be his Guests . The Earl convinced by his own conscience , imagined that his Intendments were revealed ; that Fitton would come as an enemy , rather then a Guest . Out of which feare● he presently set Sayle into FRANCE ; where repenting himselfe seriously of his fault , he confessed the whole businesse to Norris , the Queenes Embassadour in France ; and by his intercession , was afterward pardoned and restored .

In Ianuary , the thirteenth yeer of her Raigne , Queen Elizabeth in royall pompe , entring the City of London , went to see the Burse which Sir Thomas Gresham had lately built , for the use of the Marchants ; and with sound of trumpets , and the voice of a Herald , solemnly named it the Royall Exchange . A few dayes after , for his many great services , she made Sir William Cecill Baron Burgley .

There were now about the Scottish affaires , in the name of the King of of Scots , the Earle Morton ; Peruare Abbot of Dumformelin ; and Iames Mac-Gray ; whom when Queen Elizabeth required to shew more clearely , for what causes they had deposed the Queen ; they exhibited a long and tedious Commentary ; wherein with a certain insolent liberty , they endeavoured to prove , by the ancient Right of the Kingdom of Scotland , that the people of Scotland were above the King : and urged Calvins Authority also , That Popular Magistrates are constituted for the moderation of the Licentiousnes of Princes : and that it is lawfull for them , both to imprison Kings ; and upon just causes , to depose them . This writing the Queen could not reade without indignation ; but to the Delegates she gave this Answer ; She saw no just cause yet , why they should handle the Queen in such manner ; and therefore willed them to think upon some course out of hand , how to allay the dissentions in Scotland . Hereupon in Sir Nich. Bacons house , Keeper of the Great Seal , a Proposition was made to the Bishop of Rosse , the Bishop of Galloway ; and Baron Levingston , delegates for the Queen of Scots , that for the security of the Kingdom , and the Qu. of England ; it were requisite , that before the Queen of Scots should be let at libertie : The Duke of Castle-Herald the Earle of Huntley and Argyle , the Lord Humes , Heris , and another of the Barons should be delivered for Hostages , and the castle of Dumbriton and H●●e● yeelded up into the hands of the English , for three yeers . But they made Answer , that to yeeld up great personages , and such fortifications as were demanded ; were nothing else ; but to leave the miserable Queen utterly destitute of faithfull friends , and naked of all places , fit for guard and defence : yet they offered , to give two Earls and two Barons for Hostages , till two yeers were expired : which not being accepted , they straightway gathered , and spoke it openly ; That now they plainly perceived the English meant to keepe the Queen of Scots perpetually prisoner , and likewise to break off the Trea●y ; seeing they rigorously demanded such securitie as Scotland was not able to make good . And now Queen Elizabeth seeing that nothing could be done , for her owne , the King and Queen of Scots safety , unlesse Both Factions in Scotland consented ; she held it fit that the Lords of Scotland should themselves appoint some chosen persons to compound the matter .

While matters in England , proceeded in this sort ; the Queenes partie in Scotland was hardly used : Dumb●tion Fryth● the strongest castle in Scotland was taken : and I. Hamilton Archbishop of Saint Andrewes ; the Duke of Castle-Heralds brother , as an accessary to the murder of D●●lye , was hanged without being arraigned according to Law . In England , the Queen of Scots had all her servants taken from her , except Tenne only , and a Priest to say masse : with which indignities the Queen of Scots provoked , causeth a large Commentary of her Counsels , with certain love-letters to the Duke of Norfolk , to be carried to the Pope , and the King of Spain , by Ridolphu● ; which being brought first to the Duke , Higford ( one that waited on the Duke in his bed chamber ) had copyed out : but being commanded to burne them , he hid them under a Matt in the Duke Bed-chamber ; and that ( it should seeme ) purposely . Ridolphus to daw on the Duke to be Head of the discontented Partie in England , aggravated to him the wrongs he had suffered● how against all law he had been kept a long time in prison : and now , to his great disgrace , was not Summoned to the Parliament : he exhibited to him a Catalogue of such of the Nobilitie , who had vowed to Assist him : he shewed how the Pope , ( so the Catholick Religion might be promoted ) would himself undergo all the charge of the Warre , and had already layd down an hundred thousand Crownes ; whereof himself had distributed twelve thousand amongst the English that were fled : he promised , that the King of Spain would send four thousand horse , and six thousand foot to his Assistance ; to these reasons the Bishop of Rosse added , That it was an easie matter for him to surprize the Queen ; whom , when he had in his hands , he might then set the Queen of Scots at liberty , and might easily obtain of Queen Elizabeth , a toleration of Religion . The former Reasons tooke somewhat with the Duke , but this point of surprizing the Queen , he abhorred , as an impious fact , and therefore rejected as pernitious and Dangerous .

In France a little before this , was the mariage solemnized between Charles the ninth King of France , and Elizabeth of Austria daughter to the Emperor Maximilian ; in gratulation whereof , Queen Elizabeth sent into France , Thomas Lord Buckhurst , who with great magnificence was received , and perhaps the more , in regard of a motion now intended to be made : for the Lord Buckhurst , having in his retinue , one Guydo Cavalcantius a noble man of Florence , the Queen Mother of France , as being a Florentine her self , had often conference with him , when she would many times say , what a happines it would be to both the Kingdoms , if a Match were made between the Queen of England and her sonne Henry Duke of Angiou ; and at last desired him to commend the motion to the Queen of England , both from her , and from her son the King of France , as a thing they both exceedingly desired . The Lord Buckhurst returned , having for a present from the King of France a chayn weighing a thousand French crowns ; and Cavalcantius at his return made the motion to the Queen , who seemed not unwilling to hearken to it ; for by this Match , there should be added to the Kingdome of England , the wealthy Dukedoms of Angiou , Bourbon , Auverne , and in possibility , the Kingdome of France it self . Hereupon a Treaty was held , in which the French propounded three Articles , one concerning the Coronation of the Duke ; another , concerning the Joynt Administration of the Kingdom ; a third , concerning a Toleration of his Religion : to which it was answered , that the two first Articles might in some sort be composed ; but the third , scarce possibly : for though a contrary Religion might be tolerated , between Subjects of the same Kingdome ; yet between a wife and her husband , it seemed very Incongruous and inconvenient ; yet the matter at last came to this conclusion , That if the Duke would afford his presence with the Queen at divine Service , and not refuse to hear and learn the doctrine of the Church of England ; he should not be compelled to use the English Rites , but at his pleasure use the Romane ; not being expresly against the word of God . But upon these Punctili●s they could not accord : and so the Treaty , after it had continued almost a yeer , brake utterly off . It was indeed generally thought , that the Ma●ch was never really intended of either side , but that they both pretended it , for onely their owne ends : for the Earle of Leicester ( who knew more of the Queenes minde then any man ) wrote at this time to Sir Francis Walsingham , the Queens Embassador in France , That he found the Queens inclination so cold in the matter , that though the Point of Religion were ●ully accorded ; yet she would finde one point or other to breake it off .

At this time the continuance of the Duke of Norfolkes affection towards the Queen of Scots , came to be discovered by a packet of Letters , sent by Ridolphus to the Bishop of Ros●e , and by Bayliffs confession ( who brought the letters ) being set upon the Rack ; so as the Bishop of Rosse was confined to the Isle of Ely : Thomas Stanlie , Sir Thomas Gerard , and R●l●ton were cast into the Tower : and H●nry Howard , who had an aspiring minde to be Arch-bishop , was committed to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury's keeping . At the same time the Queen of Scots sent money to her confederates in Scotland ; which being by Higford delivered to one Browne to carry , and told it was Silver , when he found by the weight that it was Gold , he began to suspect something ; and thereupon went and delivered both the money and Letters to the Lords of the Councell . Upon this , Higford being examined , confessed the whole matter ; and withall gave notice of that Commentary also of the Queen of Scots which is mentioned before . Two dayes after , the Duke himself being examined , and knowing nothing what his servau●s had confessed , de●yed every particular ; and thereupon , was brought again to the Tower , by Ralph Sadler , Thomas Smith , Henry Nevill , and Doctor Wilson : And after him Bannester , who was the Dukes Counsell at Law : The Earls of Arun●el and Southampton ; the Lord Lumley , the Lord Cobham ; Henry Percy , Lowder , Powell , Goodyer , and others , are committed to prison ; who upon hope of pardon , confessed all they knew concerning the matter . When these things , and especially the Commentary , which the Duke thought had been burnt , were shewed him , he then cryed out , I am betrayed by my own servants ; not having learned to be distrustfull , which is the very sinew of Wisedom . And then with all submission , he besought the Lords to mediate for him to the Queen ; towards whom , he protested he never had the least thought of doing any hurt .

And now seeing it appeared that the Bishop of Rosse had been the whole-contriver of the businesse , it was deliberated what to do with him , because he was an Ambassadour . Hereupon divers Civilians are called ; as David Lewis , Valentine Dale , William Drury , William Aub●y , and Henry Iones ; of whom these questions were asked :

First , Whether an Ambassadour who raiseth Rebellion against that Prince ●o whom he is an Ambassadour , may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour , and is not lya●le to pun●shment ?

They answered , That such an Ambassadour hath forfeited the Priviledges of an Ambassadour , and is liable to punishment .

Secondly , Whether the Minister or Procter of a Prince , who is deposed by publike Authority , and in whose room another is Ina●gurated , may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour ?

They answered , That if such Prince be lawfully deposed , his Proct●r cannot challenge the Priviledges of an Ambassadour , forasmuch as none but absolute Princes , and such as have-Right of Majesty , can appoint Ambassadours .

Thirdly , Whether a Prince who is come into another Princ●s Countrey , and held in Custody , may have his Proctor ; and if he shall be held an Ambassadour .

They answered , If such a Prince have not lost his Soveraignty , he may have his Proctor ; but whether that Proctor shall be reputed as an Ambassadour or no , this dependeth upon the Authority of his Delegation .

Fourthly , Whether if a Prince give warning to such a Proctor , and to hi●● Prince who is under custody , that this Proctor shall not from hencef●rth be accounted for an Ambassadour ; Whether that Proctor may by Law challenge the Priviledge of an Ambassadour ?

They answered , A Prince may forbid an Ambassadour to enter into hi● Kingdome , and may command him to depart the Kingdome , if he ●ontain n●t himself within his due limits ; yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour .

Upon these Answers , the Bishop of Rosse is warned by the Lords of the Councell , that he shall no longer be esteemed an Ambassadour , but be punished as his fault shall deserve . The Bishop alle●dged for himself , That he had not violated the Right of ●n Ambassadour Via Iuris , but V●● Fact● , ( to use his own words ) and therefore adviseth them , not to use harder measure to him , then was used to the English Ambassadours , 〈…〉 in France , R●ndoll and T●mwo●th in Scotland ; who had raised Rebellions there , and were open Abettors of the same ; and yet had no greater punishment , then to be gone at a time limitted . When they began to urge him what the English had testified against him , he lovingly requested them to give no credit to it● forasmuch as by a received Custome , which hath the force of a Law , The Testimony of an English man against a Scot , or of a Scot against an English man , is not to be admitted : but after some other altercations , the Bishop is led away to the Tower , and kept close prisoner .

At this very season , Matthew Earl of Lenox , Regent of Sco●●and , the Kings Grand-father was by the adverse party set upon at unawares ; who having yeelded himself to David Spense of Wormester , ( that was then very carefull to defend him ) together with him , was slain by Bell and C●ulder ; when with great industry he had governed the Kingdom for his Grand-childe about fourteen months . In whose room , Iohn Areskin , Earl of Mar●e , by common consent of the Kings Faction , was chosen Regent of Scotland ; who being a man of a quiet disposition , through extreme grief of the m●ny troubles he sustained in the place , departed this life when he had governed thirteen months .

And now a Parliament was held at Westminster ; wherein , besides a Law for preventing of the treacherous endeavours of seditious subjects , another Law was made , That if any one , during the Queens life , by Books written or printed , shall expressely affirm , That any i● , or ought to be the Heir or Successor of the Queen ( besides the naturall Off-sp●ing of her Body ) or shall to that purpose publish , print , or dispers● any Book or Schedules ; he , and his favour●rs , shall for the first offence suffer a yeers imprisonment , and the losse of one half of his goods : and if they offend again , they shall be in a Pr●munir● . A Law also was made , by which to be reconciled to the Sea of Rome , was made Treason : and it was pronounced against the Queen of Scots , That if she offended again against the Laws of England , it might be lawfull to question her , as the wife of a Peer of the Kingdom of England . But here the Queen interposed her Authority , and would not suffer it to be enacted . About this time , in May , a solemn Tilting was performed at Westminster ; where th● Challengers were Edward Earl of Oxford , Charles Howard , Sir Henry Lee , and Chri●●●pher Hatt●n Esquire ; who all did valiantly , but the Earl of Oxford best .

Assoon as the Parliament was dissolved , a Consultation was held , Whe●her Iohn Story , Doctor of the Laws , the Duke D'Alva's Searcher ( who somtime before , was by a wile brought into England ) being an Englishman born ; and having in Bra●ant consulted with a for●aign Prince , about the invading of England , were to be held guilty of high Treason ? It was resolved a●firmatively : whereupon he is called to the Bar , and indicted of Treason● That he had consulted with one Pres●all a Conjurer , to make away the Queen ; That he cursed her dayly , when he said Grace at Table ; That he shewed a way to the Secretary of Duke D'Alva how to invade England , &c. where he affirming , That the Judges had no power to meddle with him , for that he b●longed not to the Queen of England , but was the King of Spain's sworn subject● is neverthelesse condemned by the Fo●m of Nihil dicit ( forasmuch as no man can renounce the Country wherin he was born , nor abjure his Prince at his own pleasure ) and finally executed after the manner of Tray●ors .

Ireland at this time was indifferent quie● ; for Sir Iohn Perot , President of Munster had brought Iames Fitz Morris to submit himself , and crave pardon . Sidney the Lord Deputy returned into England , and Sir William Fitz Williams , who had marryed his sister , succeeded in his room .

It was now the fifteenth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign ; when Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk , on the sixteenth day of Ianuary , was brought to his Tryall at Westminster-Hall ; where sate as Commissioners , George Talbot , Earl of Shrewsbury ( made High Steward of England for that day ) Reynold Grey , Earl of Kent ; Thomas Ratcliff , Earl of Sussex ; Henry Hastings , Earl of Huntington ; Francis Russell , Earl of Bedford ; Henry Herbert , Earl of Pembr●●k ; Edward Seymor , Earl of Hertford ; Ambrose Dudley , Earl of Warwick ; Robert Dudley , Earl of Leicester ; Walter Devereux , Viscount of Hereford ; Edward , Lord Clinton , Admirall ; William , Lord Howard of Effingham , Chamberlain ; William Cecill , Lord Burley , Secretary ; Arthur , Lord Grey of Wilton ; Iames Blunt , Lord Mountjoy ; William , Lord Sands ; Thomas , Lord Wentworth ; William , Lord Borough ; Lewis , Lord Mordant ; Iohn Pawlet , Lord St. Iohn of B●sing ; Robert , Lord Rich ; Roger Lord North ; Edmund Bruges , Lord Ch●ndois ; Oliver , Lord St. Iohn of Bl●tsho ; Thomas Sackvile , Lord Buckhurst ; and William West , Lord de la Ware . After silence bidden , Sir Owen Hopton , Lievtenant o● the Tower , is commanded to bring the Duke to the Bar ; and then the Clerk of the Crown said , Thomas , Duke of Norfolk , late of Keningale , in the County of Norfolk , Hold up thy hand ; which done , the Clerk with a loud voyce readeth the crimes laid to his charge : That in the eleventh yeer of the Queens Raign , he had trayterously consulted to make her away , and to bring in forraign Forces for invading the Kingdom : Also , That he dealt with the Queen of Scots concerning Marriage , contrary to his promise made to the Queen under his hand writing : Also , That he relieved with money the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland , that had stirred up Rebellion against the Queen : Also , That in the thirteenth yeer of the Queens Raign , he implored Auxiliary Forces of Pope Pius the fifth , the Queens professed enemy , of the King of Spain , and the Duke D'Alva , for the freeing of the Queen of Scots ; and restoring of the Popish Religion : And lastly , That he sent supply to the Lord Heris , and other the Queens enemies in Scotland . These Indictments being read , the Clerk demanded of the Duke , if he were guilty of these crimes , or not ? Here the Duke requested he might be allowed to have Counsell . But Catiline , chief Justice , made answer , That it was not lawfull . Yet ( saith the Duke ) I have heard that Humphrey Stafford , in the Raign of K. Henry the seventh , in a Cause of Treason , had one assigned to plead for him . To which Dyer chief Justice of the Common-Pleas , made answer , That Stafford had Counsell assigned him concerning the Right of Sanctuary , from whence he was taken by force● but in the Inditement of Treason he pleaded his own cause . After this , the Duke yeelding to be tryed by the Peers ; first Barham , Serjeant at Law ; then Gerard the Queens Atturney ; and lastly , Bromley , the Queens Solicitor , enforced the crimes objected against him : to all which the Duke made colourable answers ; but most of them being proved by sufficient testimony , he asked upon occasion , Whether the subjects of another Prince , who is confederate , and in league with the Queen , are to be accounted the Queens enemies● to which Catiline answered , They were ; and that the Q. of England might wage War with any Duke of France , & yet hold firm Peace with the French King . When it grew towards night , the L. high Steward demanded of the Duke if he had any more to say for himself ? who answered , I rely upon the equity of the Laws . After this , the Lords withdrawing a while , and then returning , the Lord Steward beginning at the lowermost , asked them , My Lord de la Ware , Is Thomas Duke of Norfolk guilty of these crimes of High Treason , for which he is called in question ? He rising up , and laying his hand upon his breast , answered guilty , in like manner they answered all . After this , the Lord Steward with teares in his eyes , pronounced sentence in forme as is used . A few dayes after were Barnes and Mather executed , who conspired with one Herle , to make away certaine of the Councellors , and to free the Duke ; but Herle revealed the businesse presently , to whom Barnes ( when hee saw his Accuser brought forth ) smilingly said , Herle thou wert but one houre before mee ; else I had beene in thy place for the accuser , and thou in my roome to be hanged : at the same time with them was hanged also Henry Rolfe , for counterfeiting the Queens hand . But though the Duke were now condemned , yet the Queen was so tender of his case , that it was foure Moneths after before he was executed , at last on the second of June at eight of the clock in the morning , he was brought to the Scaffold upon the Tower-Hill , and there beheaded .

At this time and upon this occasion , a Parliament was Assembled , wherein amongst other Lawes , it were Enacted , that if any man shall go about to free any person imprisoned by the Queens expresse Commandement● for Treason or suspition of Treason , and not yet Arraigned , he shall lose all his goods for his life time , and be imprisoned during the Queens pleasure , if the said person have beene Arraigned , the Rescuer shall forfeit his life ; if condemned , he shall be guilty of Rebellion .

In the time of this Parliament , the Queen created Walter Devereux Earl of Essex , being before but Viscount Hereford ; because he was descended by his Great-grand-mothers from the Bourchiers , and made the Lord Clinton ( who had large Revenues in Lincolnshire ) Earl of Lincoln ; Also she called forth Iohn Paulet of Basing , the Marquesse of Winchester's son , Henry Compton , Henry Cheyney , and Henry Morris for Barons by Summons .

Within ten dayes after the Dukes death , William Lord De-la-ware , Sir Ralph Sadler , Thomas Wilson Doctor of the Laws , and Thomas Brumley the Queens Solicitour , were sent to the Queen of Scots , to expostulate with her ; That shee had usurped the Title and Arms of the Kingdom of England , and had not renounced the same , according to the agreement of the Treaty at Edinburgh , That shee had endeavoured the marriage of the Duke of Norfolke , without acquainting the Queene , and had used all forcible meanes to free him out of prison ; had raised the Rebellion in the North , had relieved the Rebels both in Scotland and in the Low-Countries ; had implored Aids from the Pope , the King of Spaine and others ; had conspired with certaine of the English , to free her out of Prison , and Declare her Queen of England ; Lastly , that she had procured the Popes Bull against the Queen , and suffered herself to be publikely named the Queen of England in Forreigne Countries : All which accusations she either absolutely denyed , or else fairly extenuated , and though ( as she said ) she were a free Queen , and not subject to any creature ; yet she was content , and requested , that she might make her personall answer at the next Parliament .

About this time , the King of Spain by his Embassadour here , complained to the Queen , that the Rebels of the Netherlands were harboured and entertained in England , contrary to the Articles of the League ; whereupon the Queen set forth a severe Proclamation , That all the Dutch , who could any wayes be suspected of Rebellion , should presently depart the Realm ; which yet turned little to D'Alva's , or the King of Spains benefit : For hereupon , Count Vander-Mark , and other Dutch going out of England surprized the Brill first , then Flushing , and afterwards drew other Towns to Revolt , and in a short time excluded the Duke D'Alva in a manner from the Sea . And this errour , to suffer the Protestant party to get possession of the Sea-towns , hath been the cause they have been able to hold out , even all this long time , against the King of Spain . And now many military men having little to do at home , got them into the Netherlands , some to Duke D'Alva ; but the far greater number to the Prince of Orenge : The first of whom , was Thomas Morgan , who carryed three hundred English to Flushing ; then followed by his procurement nine Companies more under the conduct of Humphry Gilbert ; and afterward it became the Nursery of all our English Souldiers .

At this time , Charls the French King setting his mind wholly ( at least seeming so ) upon the Low-Country War , concluded a peace and entred into a league with Queen Elizabeth ; which was to remain firm , not only during their two lives , but between their successors also , if the s●ccessor signifie to the surviver within a yeer that he accepteth it , otherwise to be at liberty . It was likewise agreed , what aid by Sea or Land , they should each of them afford to other upon occasion ; and for ratification of this League , Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln and Admirall of England was sent into France , with whom went the Lord Dacres , Rich , Talbot , Sands , and others . The French King likewise sent the Duke of Memorancy , and Paul Foix i●to England with a great train ; that the Queen in the presence of them , and the Embassador in Ordinary might sweare to the league , which she did at Westminster , the seaventeenth of May , in the yeer 1572. The day after she made Memorancye Knight of the Garter .

Memorancye whilst he tarryed in England , made intercession in his Kings name , that what favour could be without danger , might be shewed to the Queen of Scots ; and then made much a do again about the marriage with the Duke of Angiou ; but being hopelesse to make conclusion thereof , by reason of the diversity of Religion he returned into France ; for now was great provision making ready for the mariage , between Henry King of Navarre ; and the Lady Margeret the French Kings Sister ; to which solemnity with notable dissimulation , the Queen of Navarre and the chief of all the Protestants were allured , being born in hand that there should be a renovation of love , and a perpetuall peace established : The Earl of Leicester likewise and the Lord Burleigh were invited out of England , and out of Germany , the sons of the Prince Elector Palatine under colour of honour : but indeed , that they might be intrapped , and they , and together with them the Protestant Religion at one blow , if not clean cutt off , yet receive● deadly wound : For the marriage being celebrated , there presently followed that cruell Massacre at Paris , and the terrible slaughter of the Protestants throughout all the Cities of France ; but to set a shew of equity upon the fact , Edicts and Proclamations were presently set forth , that the Protestants had plotted a wicked conspiracy against the King , the Queen Mother , the Brethren , the King of Navarre , and the Princes of the blood Royall ; and to keep the thing in memory , Coyne was presently stamped , upon the one side whereof was the Kings picture with this Inscription , Virtus in Rebelles , on the other side ; Pietas excitavit justitiam ; But the King of France , notwithstanding all the shew hee made of Piety , escaped not the Divine revenge , for before the yeer came about , hee fell sick of a bloody Flixe , and afterwards with long and grievous torments ended his life .

A little before this , Mota Fenell Embassador to the King of France , being in England , by vertue of an order from the Queen Mother of France , propoundeth to Queen Elizabeth at Kenelworth ( two dayes before the Massacre in that Kingdome ) the marriage of her youngest sonne Francis Duke of Alenson ( for the Queen Mother had been told by some cunning men , that all her sons should be Kings , and she knew no way for it but this ) B●t Queen Elizabeth , by rea●on of the disparity of age , modestly excused her self , ( For he was scarce ●eventeen yeers old , and she was now past eight and thirty ) yet she promised to consider of it , and Alenson did not leave to prosecute the ●●it .

At t●is time , Thomas Percy Earl of North●mberland , who first Rebelled , and afterwards fled into Scotland , was for a sum of money delivered by the Earl of Morton , to the Lord Hunsdon Governour of Barwick ; and a while af●er was beheaded ●t York . And now as these two great Personages , the Duke of Norfolk● and the Earl of Northumberland were taken away by a violent death ; so three other great Personages were at this time t●ken away by a naturall death : First W●ll●am Paulet , who from a private man came by degree ; to be Marquesse of Winchester : lived to the age of within three yeers of a hundred , and could reckon a hundred and three of his children , and his childrens issue , after he had held the p●ace of Lord Treasurer of England above twenty yeers ; in whose roome succeeded Sir W●lliam Cecill , Lord Burleigh , then dyed Edmund Earle of Darby , famous as well for his hospitality and good house-keeping , as for his skill in Surgery and Bone-setting ; then dyed Sir William Peter , who being descended from an honest stock at Exceter in Devonshire , was Privy Counsellor and Secretary to King Henry the Eight , Ki●g Edward the Sixth , Queen Mary , Queen Elizabeth ; who plant●d himself in Essex , where he purchased grea● possessions ; whose son Iohn was by King Iames made Baron of Writle in that Country .

And now Q●een Elizabeth having formerly borrowed money o● her Subjects , she thankfully repayd it , which wonne her no lesse love , then if she had given it , and more love she gained also at this time by two Proclamations ; by one of which , she commanded Noble men to observe the Law of keeping Ret●iners ; by the other , she restrained Informers , who , under colour of spying out Crown Land concealed by private perso●s , sacralegio●sly seized upon the Lands of Parish-Churches , and Alms-Houses piously endowed by the Queens Ancestors . And more Love and Honour also she gained at this time by two acts of Justice ; the one , that she satisfied the English Merchants out of the goods which were det●ined belonging to the Dutch , and restored the rest to the Duke D' Alva , and make a full transaction with the Merchants of Geneva for the mon●y intercepted ; the other , that she freed England at this time of the debts which her Father and her Brother had run into in forraign part● , and were increased by yeerly interest , and caused the obligations of the City of London , which had so often been renued to be given in , to the great rejoycing of the Citizens .

The Spanish affairs growing now very turbulent in the Netherlands , Flushing lost , the towns of Holland revolted , and the Spanish Navy vanquished by the Zelanders , Duke D'Alva against his will , began to shew more kindnesse towards the English , so as in the month of Ianuary , the trade which in Anno 1568. had been forbidden , was now allowed again between the Dutch and the English for two yeer● ; but those two yeers expired , the English removed their trading to the confederates State● .

The last yeer in the month of November , a daughter was born to the French King , to whom he requested Queen Elizabeth to be God-mother , who the●eupon sent William Somerset Earl of Worcester into France with a Font of massy Gold to stand as her Deputy at the Christning . Hereupon , and for that the Queen promised to observe the League strictly , the French King and the Queen mother began to affect her more and more , and the Duke D'Alenson wrote sundry love-letters to her , the French King and His Mother interceding for the mariage with all earnestnesse . It is true , the Queen conceived divers reasons , why it was fit for her to marry ; but the Courtiers for their own ends disswaded her as much from it : at last the Queen Mother of France was wonderfull importunate , that her sonne Alenson might have leave to come and see her● whereunto , being wearyed with continuall Letters and Messages , she gave her consent ; but upon condition , that hee should not take it for any disgrace to him , if hee returned without obtaining his suit : But as soon as Queen Elizabeth had notice , that his brother Henry was elected King of Poland , and that the King of France was very sick , shee gave intimation to Alenson , by Edward Horsey Governour of the Isle of Wight , that hee should not make too much haste into England ; but should first procure a peace by some meanes or other in France , and declare by some notable Argument , his good will towards the Protestants , thereby to be the more welcome Ghest into England . Hereupon a peace was concluded in France , and in certain places the Protestants were allowed to exercise their Religion : and then again the French King and the Queen Mother , used all their endeavour to have the marriage go forward ( for they were very desirous th●t Alenson , who was of a crooked and perverse disposition , and prone to raise tumults ) might bee removed out of France ; and withall , they requested of Queen Elizabeth , that if the Duke of Angiou took his voyage into Poland by Sea ; hee might have publike caution to sail through the British Ocean . To this last request , she not only consented with all alacrity , but also made offer of a Fleet to conduct him thither . In the mean while , Alenson fell sick of the Meazles , which his mother signified to Queen Elizabeth by Count Rhets , excusing him thereupon for not coming into England as he had determined : The Count found the Queen at Canterbury , where she gave him Royall intertainment : and Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury , Royall intertainment to them both .

All this while since the death of the Earl of Marre , there had been no Regent in Scotland , but now by the procurement of Queen Elizabeth chiefly ; Iames Dowglas Earl of Morton , is made Regent ; who , when his Authority in a Parliamentary Assembly was established , Enacted many profitable Laws for the defence of Religion against Papists and Hereticks , in the name of the King : But the pro●ection and keeping of the Kings Person , hee confirmed to Alexander Areskin Earl of Marre ( to whom the custody of the Kings in their tender yeers , by speciall priviledge belongeth ) though hee were himself in his Minority : Upon these conditions , That no Papists , nor factious persons should be admitted to his presence : An Earl should come with onely two servants attending him : A Baron , with onely one : All other , single : and every one unarmed . The French King in the mean time , sent his Embassadour Mounsier Vyriar , to corrupt the Earls of Atholl and H●ntley with large promises , to oppose the Regent : Queen ELISABETH as much laboured to defend him : but though by the ministery of Killigrew , shee had drawn Iames Hamilton Duke of Castle-Herald , and George Gourdon Earl of Huntley , and the most eminent of that Faction , upon indifferent conditions , to acknowledge the Regent , yet William K●r●●ld , Lord Gra●nge , ( whom Murray when hee was Rege●t , had made Gove●nour of Edingborough Castle ) The Lord Hum●s , Lydington , the Bishop of Dunkeld and others , would by no meanes admit of the Regents Government , but held that Castle , and fortified it in the Queen of Scots name , having Lydington for their Counsellor herein , and trusting to the naturall strength of the place , and to the Duke D' Alva's and the F●e●ch Kings promises , to send them supplies both of men and money . Now when these persons , could by no meanes drawne to accept of conditions of peace , and to deliver up the Castle to the Regent , Queen Elizabeth ( who could in no case endure the French in Scotland ) suffered her self at length to be intreated by the Regent , to send Forces , Gunnes and Ammunition , for assaulting of the Castle upon certain conditions , whereof one was , that ten Hostages should be sent into England , to be security fo● returning the men and Munition , unlesse by the common hazard of War they should chance to miscarry . The conditions being argued on ; William Drury Marshall of the Garrison at Barwick , with some ●reat Ordnance and Fifteen hundred Souldiers , ( amongst whom were some noble Voluntiers , George Carie , Henry Carie , Thomas Cecill , He●ry Lee , William Knolles , Sutton , Cotton , Kelway , William Killigrew , and others , entred into Scotland , and besieged the Castle , which after three and thirty dayes siege , was delivered up to the Regent for the Kings use , with all the persons that were in it ; amongst whom Kircald Lord Grange , and Iames his brother Musman , and Cook gold-smiths ( who had counterfeited Coyne in the Castle ) were hanged ; although to redeem Granges life , a hundred of the Family of the Kircalds , offered themselves to be in perpetuall servitude to the Regent , besides an annuall Pension of three thousand Marks ; and twenty thousand pounds of Scottish money in present ; and to put in caution , that from thence forth he should continue in duty & homage to the King ; but it would not bee accepted . Humes and the rest were spared , through Queen Elizabeths mercifull intercession ; Lydington was sent to Leith , where hee dyed , and was suspected to bee poysoned : A man of the greatest understanding in the Scottish Nation , and of an excellent wit , but very variable ; for which , George Buchanan called him the Camelion .

And now from this time Scotland began to take breath , after long Civill Warres , and as well the Captaines of both parties , as the Souldiers , betook themselves into Swedeland , France and the Low-Countries , where they valorously behaved themselves , and wonne great commendation . As for Iohn Lesle Bishop of Rosse he was now set at liberty , but commanded to depart presently out of England , and being beyond the Sea , he continued still to sollicite his Mistresse the Queen of Scots cause , with the Emperour , the Pope , the French King , and the German Princes of the Popish Religion ; who all led him on with faire promises , but performed nothing : For indeed he in whom he had greatest confidence , which was the Duke D' Alva , was at that time called away , partly out of Jealousie of State , as being thought to grow too great , and partly out of opinion , that by his cruelty he made the people to revolt ; and therefore in his place was sent Ludovicus Zuinga , a man of great Nobility in Spain , ●ut of a more Peaceable disposition then D' Alva ; & ●ow this man did all good Offices to win Queen Elizabeth to him , and minding his owne Affairs only , would not intermeddle with the Scottish or English matters .

About this a frentick Opinion was held by one Peter Bourche● a Gent●eman of the Middle-Temple , that it was lawfull to kill them that opposed the truth of the Gospell ; and so far was he possest with this opinion ; that he assaulted the famous Seaman Captain Hawkins , and wounded him with a dagger , taking him for Hutton , who at that time was in great favour with the Queen , and of her privy Counsell , whom he had been informed to be a great Adversary to Innovations . The Queen grew so angry hereat , that she commanded Marshiall Law should be executed upon him presently , till her Counsell advised her that Marshiall Law was not to be used , but in the Field , and in turbulent times , but at home and in time of Peace , there must be Legall proceedings : Hereupon Bourchet was sent to the Tower , where taking a brand out of the fire , he strook it into the brains of one of his keepers named Hugh Longwroth and killed him , for which fact , he was condemned of murther , had his right hand cutt off , and nayled to the Gallows , and then himselfe hanged .

After the violent death of this Varlet , we may speake of the naturall death of two great persons ; First , William Lord Howard of Effingham , Son of that warlike Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk , by his second wife Agnes Tilney . This William was made a Baron by Queen Mary , and Lord High Admirall of England , and by Queen Elizabeth Lord Chamberlain , till such time that being taken with age , he yeelded up that place to the Earl of Sussex , and was then made Keeper of the Privy Seal , which is the fourth degree of honour in England . His Son Charles succeeded him in the Dignity of his Barony , who was after made Lord Chamberlain to the Queen , and then Lord High Admirall of England . A while after him , dyed Reginold Grey Earl of Kent , whom the Queen a yeer before of a private man had made Earl of Kent , when as that Title , from the death of Richard Grey Earl of Kent , who had wasted his Patrimony , and was elder brother to this mans Grand-father ; had lyen asleep for fifty yeers together .

At this time many particular Rebellions were in Ireland ; The O C●nors , and O Moors took Arms , and committed many outrages : In Munster , Iames Fitzmorris , and Fitz Edmund did the like ; but by the industry of Sir Iohn Perrot , President of Munster , were suppressed . In Ulster , Bryan Mac Phelym burnt Knockfergus , and many other joyned in Rebellion with him . Against these , Walter Devereux , ( whom the Queen had lately created Earl of Essex ) desired leave to go ; which Sir William Fitz-Williams Deputy of Ireland opposed , as fearing , that the glory of so great an Earl would ecclipse his light . But for this , the Queen findes a remedy , by appointing Essex , to take a Parent of the Deputy , whereby to be made Governour of Ulster . But this remedy for Fitz-Williams , might have made a sore in the minde o● E●sex ; ( to receive his Authority from his inferiour ) but that the noblenesse of his minde , made him more to regard the vertue , then the glory . And so , in the end of August , hee landed at Knockfergus , having with him the Lords , Darcy and Rich , and Sir Henry Knowles and his four Brothers , Michael and Iohn Carves , Henry , William , and Iohn Norreses : At his landing , Bryan Mac Pheli● welcomed him , tendring unto him all manner of dutifulnesse and service ; but presently a●ter , falls from him , and joyns with Turlogh Leynigh . After this revolt , the Ea●l of Essex , finding many difficulties in the businesse , and himself not well provided of skilfull Souldiers , makes suit to the Queen for leave to come home ; which the Earl of Leicester , ( who liked his room better then his company ) opposed ; till after expence of a yeer● time , and much treasure , hee at last obtained leave , and returned home .

The next yeer , being 1574. and the seventeenth yeer of Queen Elisabeths Raign , the Duke of Alenson grew more importunate in his suit , then at any time before ; so as hee obtained of the Queen , to come into England , any time before the twentieth of May ; and this she the rather did , because shee perceived him now to bee really bent against the Guyses her sworn Enemies . But before this Answer was brought him , Valentine Dale Doctor of the Civil Law , the Queens Embass●dour in France , gave intimation to the Q●een , That Alenson and Navarre were in restraint , and committed to Keepers : For the Guyses had suggested , that Alenson held intimate friendship with Admirall Colin , the chief Leader of the Protestants in France ; and indeed , Alenson being examined , freely confessed , that hee had now for a good while desired the marriage of the Queen of England● and conceiving , that good correspondence with Colin might be usefull to him to that end , hee had thereupon had conference with him thereabout , and concerning the Low-Country Warre . In the mean time , Thomas W●lks , Dales Secretary , got cunningly to Alenson , and in the Queens name , made promise both to him , and to Navarre , that she would omit no opportunity of procuring their inlargement . For which , the subtle Queen-Mother so complained of him to Queen Elisabeth , that hee was fain to go into France , and there to crave pardon for his fault . But Navarre , not unmindfull of this kindnesse in Wilks , when about five and twenty yeers after , being King of France , hee saw him in Normandy , hee Knighted him . Hereupon the Queen sent Thomas Randoll into France , to the Queen-Mother , that if it were possible , hee might gain Reconciliation for Alenson her sonne , and for the King of Navarre . But before hee was landed in France , Charles the then French King dyed , whose Funerall Rites were solemnly performed in Saint Pauls Church in London .

Assoon as Henry the third , King of France , was come from Poland , Roger Lord North was sent into France , to congratulate his return , and his happy Inauguration into the Kingdom ; who thereupon , together with the Queen-Mother , did forthwith send their joynt Letters into England , strongly soliciting the businesse of marriage , between Alenson and the Queen . In the mean time notwithstanding , they used all possible devices , ( and left no means unsought ) to get the yong King of Scotland to bee sent into France , and to deprive Morton who was the Regent , of his Authority , whereof the Queen of Scots also was very desirous ; shee being perswaded , that if her sonne were once gotten safely into France , shee and the Catholicks in England should bee more mildly used . At which time , an aspersion was cast upon the Queen of Scots , as if she had made the match between Charles Unckle to the Queen of Scots ( who had lately the Earldom of Lenox confirmed to him by Parliament ) and Elizabeth Cavendish the Countesse of Shrewsburie's daughter by a former husband ; upon which ground , both their mothers and some others also were kept in Prison for a time ; and being doubted whereunto this marriage should tend : Henry Earle of Huntington , President of the Councell in the North , is authorized with secret Instructions to examine it . It will be fit here to say something of this place of Government in the North ; which from small beginnings , is now become so eminent as it is at this day , whereof this was the Originall . When as in the Raigne of Henry the Eight , after that the Rebellion in the Northerne parts , about the subversion of Abbyes was quieted , the Duke of Norfolke tarryed in those quarters , and many complaints of injuries done were tendered unto him , whereof some he composed himself , and others hee commended under his Seale to men of wisdome to determine : Hereof when King Henry heard , he sent down a peculiar Seal to be used in these cases , and calling home the Duke , committed the same to Tunstall Bishop of Durham , and Constituted Assistants with Authority to heare and determine the complaints of the poor , and he was the first that was called President ; and from that time , the authority of his successours grew in credit .

It was now the yeer One thousand five hundred seventy five , and the Eighteenth yeer of Queen Elisabeths Raign , when Henry the third King of France being returned from Poland , and Crowned at Rheims , was carefull to have the League of Blois confirmed ; which , in the Yeer 1572. had been concluded betweene his Brother Charles and that most Illustrious Queen ELIZABETH ; Now therefore hee confirmed it with His owne Subscription , and delivered it to Dale the Queen 's Legier , as the Queen like wise ratified it at Saint-James neere Westminster : But a little after he demanded by Letters , whether the mutuall defence against all persons mentioned in the League , was intended to comprehend the case of Religion also ? Whereunto she answering , that it did comprehend it ; hee thereupon hearing this from the Queen , began presently to prepare Warre against the Protestants , and Alenson being drawne to the Adverse party , there was no speech of the marriage for a long time .

In the Netherlands at this time , Lodovicke Zuinga who was successor unto Duke D'Alva , was wholly bent to recover the Command of the Seas , which D'Alva had neglected ; but not being sufficiently provided of a Navy , he sent Boischott into England , that with the Queens leave , he might take up Ships and Marriners to goe against the Hollanders and Zelanders , but this she would not grant : Then hee made suite , that the Queen would please not to take it in evill part , if the banished persons of the English in the Low-Countries served the King of Spaine in a Sea-Fight against the Hollanders ; and that they might have free accesse to the Ports of England , to buy provision for ready money ; But this shee would not grant neither : Then he made request , that the Dutch , who were Rebels against the King of Spaine , might be put out of England ; but neither would shee grant this , as being an Action voide of Humanity ; and against the Lawes of Hospitality ; yet because shee would not be thought to violate the old Burgundian Law , shee Commanded by Proclamation , that the Shipps of the Dutch which were made ready , should not go forth of the Haven ; nor yet the Dutch , who had taken up Armes against the King of Spaine , enter into the Ports of England , and by name , the Prince of Orenge , and Fifty other the prime of that Faction ; and this shee did the more willingly , because Zuinga at the intercession of Wilson the English Embassador , had removed the Earle of Westmerland , and other English Fugitives out of the Dominions of the King of Spaine , and had also dissolved the English Seminary at Doway ; though in stead thereof , the Guises through the procurement of Pope Gregory the thirteenth , set up another Seminary at Rhemes .

And at this time the Prince of Orenge , perceiving his Forces but small , and thinking himself too weake for the King of SPAINE , and little hope of ayde from England , he entered into Consultation with the Confederate States , to whose protection , they were best and in the most security to betake themselves : The Princes of Germany they knew were not all of one minde , parted from money very hardly , and did not every way , nor would not by no meanes possible accord and concurre with them in their Religion ; and therefore they were not so fit . Then , the French they saw , were intangled in a Civill War , and so had enough of their owne to do ; besides the old grudges and heart-burnings that were between the French and Dutch ; and therefore neither were they so fit . There remained then the English , as the fittest of any ( if it might be obtained ) seeing they were Neighbouss , of the same Religion , and of a Language not much different , strong in shipping , and rich in Merchandize . Hereupon ( considering the commodiousnesse of the English Nation ) they send into England , Philip Marnizie of S. Aldegond ; Ianus Dowsa , William Nyvell , and Doctor Melsen ; who in an honourable Ambassage , offer the Countries of Holland and Zealand to be possessed or protected by the Queen , forasmuch as she was descended from the Princes of Holland , by Philip wife of Edward the third , daughter of William of Bavaria , Count of Hanonia and Holland ; by whose other sister , the hereditary Right of ●hose Provinces came to the King of Spain . To this offer , the Queen takes time to answer ; and at last , having maturely advised of the matter , her Answer was this , That as yet she conceived not how with safety of her honour , and an upright conscience , she could receive those Provinces into her protection , much lesse assume them into her possession ; but promised , She would deal earnestly with the King of Spain , that a well conditioned Peace might be concluded . Presently upon this , Zuinga , Governour of the Low-Countries died ; after whose death , the States of Brabant , Flanders , and the other Provinces , took upon them the ancient Administration , and Authority in the Common-wealth ; which the King of Spain was fain to confirm to them , till such time as Iohn of Austria were come , whom he determined to make Governour there . In the mean time , Queen Elizabeth in behalf of the King of Spain , sent William Davyson in Ambassage to those Provinces , to exhort them to be peaceable and quiet , which yet , by reason the Spanish Souldiers , were so outragious , little prevailed .

In England all was calm and quiet for all this yeer , onely a difference fell out between Sir Iohn Forster , Governour of Berwick , and Iohn Cormichill , Keeper of Liddesdale in Scotland : In composing whereof , the Regent of Scotland , having given Queen Elizab●th some discontentment , was fain to come unarmed before the Earl of Huntington , appointed the Legate for England , at Bonderod , and so the matter was taken up , and the Regent ever after continued constant in observing the Queen , and to his great commendation , restrayned the Freebooters of the Borders , to the great good of both Kingdomes .

This yeer there died in Scotland , Iames Hamilton , Duke of Castle-Herald , and Earl of Arran , who was great Grand-childe to Iames the second , King of Scots , by his daughter , appointed Tutor to Mary , Queen of Scots , and designed Heir and Governour of the Kingdom , during her minority .

At this time the Earl of Essex is come into Ireland again , wh●re having done good services , and being in the midst of Victory , he was on a sudden commanded to resigne his Authority in Ulster ; and as though he were an ordinary Commander , is set over three hundred Souldiers ; which disgrace was wrought by his adversaries in Court , to the continuall pe●plexing of his milde spirit . And now is Sir Henry Sidney the third time sent Deputy into Ireland ; who going into Ulster , there came to him and submitted themselves Mac Mahon , Mac Guyre , Turlogh Leynigh , the O Conors and O Moors , the Earl of Desmond , and the rebellious sons of the Earl of Clanricard , all whom he received into favour , and with great commendation administred the Province .

At this time the Spaniard in the Low-Countries began to deal roughly with the people , and haryed the Inhabitants with all manner of spoyl and injury ; Antwerp , the most famous Town of Traffick in all Europe , was miserably pillaged , the English Merchants houses rifled , insomuch that the States were enforced to take up Arms , and Messengers were sent to all neighbouring Princes ; and to Q. Elizabeth was sent Monsieur Aubig●y , both to shew her upon how necessary and just causes they had taken up Arms , and also to borrow of her a great sum of money , the better to enable them to resist the Spaniard . But she being certainly informed , That they first sued to the French King for help , denieth the request , yet promiseth to intercede earnestly with the King of Spain● for peace . And in that imployment , she addressed into Spaine , Iohn Smith , cosen German to King Edward the sixth , a man of Spainsh behaviour : and well knowne to the King of Spaine , who was liberally received by the King ; and with such wisdome retorted the contumelious speech , of Gasper Quiroga Archbishop of Toledo , and the Spanish Inquisitors , who would not admit in the Queenes Title , the Attribute of Defendor of the Faith ; that he had gained great thankes from the King of Spaine himself , who requested him , not to speake of it to the Queen , and gave severe command , That the Title should be admitted .

And now by this time was Iohn of Austria come into the Low-countries , with a large Commission : for he was the Naturall sonne of the Emperour Charles the fifth ; to whom the Queen sent Edward Horsey , Governour of the Isle of Wight , to Congratulate his coming thither , and to offer help , if the States called the French into the Netherlands ; yet at the same time , Swevingham being exceeding importunate on the States behalfe , she sent them twenty thousand pounds of English mony ; ( so well she could play her game of both hands ) upon condition , they should neither change their Prince nor there Religion , nor take the French into the Low-countries , nor refuse a Peace , if Iohn of Austria should condiscend to indifferent Conditions , but if he embraced a Peace , then the money should be paid back to the Spanish souldiers , who were ready to mutiny for lack of pay . So carefull she was to retaine these declining Provinces in obedience to the King of Spaine .

At this time a Voyage was undertaken , to trie if there could be found any sea upon the North part of America , leading to the wealthy coast of Cathaia , whereby in one Comerce , might be joyned the riches of both the East and West parts of the worlde , in which voyage was imployed Martyn Frobysher , who set saile from Harwich the eighteenth of Iune , and the ninth of August , entred into that Bay , or sea , but could passe no further for Snow and Ice . The like expedition was taken in hand , two yeers after , with no better successe .

About this time died the Emperour Maximilian , a Prince that Deserved well of Queen Elizabeth and the English , who thereupon sent Sir Philip Sidney to his sonne Ridolphus King of the Romanes , to condole his Fathers death , and congratulate his succession : as likewise to doe the like , for the decease of the Count Electour Palatine , named Frederick the third , with her surviving sonne .

And now Walter Deveruex Earl of Essex , who out of Leicesters envie , had bin recalled out of Ireland , was out of Leicesters feare , ( as being threatned by him ) sent back again into Ireland , but with the empty title of Earl Marshall of Ireland ; with the grief whereof , he fell into a bloody Flux , and in most grievous torments ended his life . When he had first desired the standers by to admonish his sonne ( scarce tenne yeers old at that time ) to have alwayes before his eyes , the six and thirtieth yeer of his age , as the utmost terme of his life , which neither himself , nor his father before him could out-go , and the sonne indeed attained not to it , as shall hereafter he declared . He was suspected to be poisoned , but Sir Henry Sidney , Deputie of Ireland , after diligent search made , wrote to the Lords of the Counsell , That the Earl often said , It was familiar to him upon any great discontentment to fall into a Flux , and for his part , he had no suspition of his being poisoned , yet was this suspition encreased ; for that presently after his death , the Earl of Leicester , with a great sum of money and large promises , putting away Dowglasse Sheffield , by whom he had a son openly marryed Essex his widdow . For although it was given out , That he was privately marryed to her , ye● Sir Francis Knolles his father , who was well acquainted with Leicester's roving loves , would not believe it , unlesse he himself were present at the Marriage , and had it testified by a publike Notary . At this time also , died Sir Anthony Cook of Gyddy-Hall in Essex , who had been School-master to King Edward the sixth , and was no lesse School-master to his own daughters , whom he made skilfull in the Greek and Latine Tongues ; marryed all to men of great Honour ; one to Sir William Cecill , Lord Treasurer of England ; a second , to Sir Nicholas Bacon , Lord Keeper of the Great Seal ; a third , to Sir Thomas Hobby , who died Ambassador in France ; a fourth , to Sir Ralph Lowlet ; and the fifth to Sir Henry Killigrew .

At this time , the sons of the Earl of Cla●ricard , who scarce two months before had obtained pardon for their Rebellion , fell into Rebellion again ; but were by the Deputy soon supprest ; and William Drury newly made President of Munster , reduced the whole Provice to good Order , except only the County of Kerry , whither a number of Vagabonds were gotten , trusting to the Immunities of the place . For King Edward the third made Kerry a County Palatine , and granted to the Earls of Desmond all the Royall Liberties which the King of England had in that County , excepting Wreckby Fyre , Forestall , and Treasure Trou●e . The Governour notwithstanding , who wisely judged that these Liberties were granted for the better preservation of Justice , and not for maintenance of outragious malefactors , entred into it , and violently put to flight and vanquished the mischievous crew , which the Earl of Desmond had placed there in ambush . The Earl in the mean while made great complaints of Drury to the Deputy ; and particularly , of the Tax which they call Ceasse , which is an exaction of provision of Victualls at a certain rate , for the Deputies Family , and the Souldiers in Garrison . This Tax , not he onely , but in Leinster also many Lords refused to pay , alleadging that it was not to be exacted but by Parliament ; but the matter being examined in England , it appeared by the Records of the Kingdome , That this Tax was anciently imposed ; and that , as a certain Right of Majestie , a Prerogative Royall , which is not subjected to Laws , yet not contrary to them neither , as the wise Civilians have observed . Yet the Queen commanded to use a moderation in exactions of this nature , saying , She would have her subjects shorn , but not devoured .

It was now the yeer 1577 , and the twentieth of Queen Elizabeths Raign , when Iohn of Austria , pretending to Queen Elizabeth nothing but Peace , yet is found to deal secretly with the Pope , to peprive her of her Kingdome , and himself to marry the Queen of Scots , and invade England : of which his practices the Prince of Orange gives Queen Elizabeth the first intelligence . Whereupon ( finding his deep dissembling ) she enters into a League with the States , for mutuall defence both at Sea and Land , upon certain Conditions ; but having concluded it ( because she would not have it wrongfully interpreted , as though she meant to foster a Rebellion in the Netherlands ) she sent Thomas Wilkes to the King of Spain with these Informations ; That she had alwayes endeavoured ●o keep the Low-Countryes in obedience to the King of Spain ; had perswaded ( even with threatnings ) the Prince of Orange to accept of Peace ; but withall , if the King of Spain would have his Subjects obedient to him , she then requests him to restore their Priviledges , and to remove I●hn of Austria from the Government , who not onely was her deadly enemy , but laboured by all means to bring the Netherlands into utter servitude . If this be granted by the King of SPAIN , she then faithfully promiseth , That if the States perform not their Allegiance to him , as by their Promise to her they are engaged to doe , she will utterly forsake them , and bend her self with all her Forces to compell them . While Wilkes in Spain unfoldeth the●e matters , Iohn of Austria sendeth to Queen Elizabeth , in most grievous manner accusing the States for disobedience , and making a large declaration of the causes for which he had taken up Armes again . Thus Queen Elizabeth ( like a fortunate Princesse ) sate as an Honourable Arbitresse between the Spanish , the French , and the States ; insomuch that it was not untrue which one wrote , That France and Spaine were Ballances in the Scale of Europe ; and England the Beame to turne them either way ; for they still got the better , to whome she adhered .

About this time , when the Judges sate at the Assizes in Oxford , and one ●owland I●nkes a Book-seller was questioned for speaking approbrious words against the Queen , suddenly they were surprised with a pestilent favour ; whether rising from the noysome smell of the prisoners , or from the dampe of the ground , is uncertaine , but all that were there present , almost every one , within forty hours died , except Women and children ; and the Contagion went no further . There died Robert Bell Lord chief Baron , Robert D'Oylie ; Sir William Babington : D'Olye Sheriffe of Oxford-shire , Harcourt , Weynman , Phetiplace , the most noted men in this Tract ; Barham the famous Lawyer ; almost all the Jurours , and three hundred other , more or lesse .

This yeer the title of the Lord Latimer , ( which had flourished in the Familie of the Nevills , ever since the dayes of King Henry the sixth ) was extinct in Iohn Nevill , who died without issue male , and left a faire estate to four daughters , whereof the eldest marryed Henry Earl of Northumberland , the second , Thomas Cecill , who was afterward Earl of Exceter ; the third , Sir William Cornwallis ; and the fourth Sir Iohn Daverse .

In Ireland the O-Moores and O-Conors , and others , whose Ancestours the Earl of Sussex in Queen Maries dayes , had for their rebellion , deprived of their Patrimonie in Loyse and Oph●li● , did now break forth into a new Rebellion , under the conduct of Rori● Oge , that is , Roderick the younger : set on fire the village of Naasse , assault L●chlin , from whence being driven back by the valour of George Care● the Governour , he was afterward slain .

Out of England at this time there went into the Low-countries , Iohn North , the Lord Norths eldest sonne● Iohn Norris , second son to the Lord Norris , Henry Cavendish , and Thomas Morgan Colonells , with many voluntaries , to learn Militarie experience . Thither also came Caesamire the Elector Palatines sonne , with an Army of German Horse and foot , at the Queenes charges : upon the●e Don Iohn , assisted by the Prince of Parma , Mondragon , and other the best Commanders of Spain , confident of victorie , flyeth furiously , before they expected him , yet after a long fight , was forced to retreat ; but then turning again , and thinking to breake through the Hedges , and Brakes where the English and Scottish voluntaryes had placed themselves , was again repulsed ; for the English and Scottish were so hot upon the matter , that casting away their garments , by reason of the hot weather , they fought in their shirts , which they made fast about them . In this battell N●●●●● fought most valiantly , and had three horses s●ain under him , as also 〈◊〉 the Scot , Bingham , and William M●r●ham .

Now for comfort ●o the afflicted Provinces , there came at that ●●me into the Netherlands , the Count Sw●●zenberg from the Emperour , M●nsie●● Be●●●●●re from the French King , and from the Queen of England , the Lord Cobham and Wal●ingham , with Commission to procure conditions of Peace , but returned without doing any thing , for that Don Iohn refused to admit the Pro●estan● Religion , and the Prince of Orange refused to return into Holland .

About this time Egr●m●●d R●●cliffe , son to Henry Earl of Susse● , by his second wife , who had been a prime man in the rebellion of the North , and served now under Don Iohn , was accused by the English fugitives , that he was sent under hand to kill Don Iohn ; which ( whether true or false ) he was thereupon taken and put to death . The Spaniards have affirmed , That Ratcliffe at his last end , confessed voluntarily , That he was freed out of the Tower of London , and moved by Walsinghams large promises , to do this Fact ; but the English that were present at his death , deny that he confessed any such thing , though the English Rebells did all they could to wrest this confession from him .

At this very time , Don Iohn , in the flower of his age , died of the Pestilence , or ( as some say ) of grief , as being neglected by the King of Spain his brother ; a man of an insatiable Ambition , who aymed first at the Kingdom of Tunis , and after , of England ; and who , without the privity of the French King , or King of Spain , had made a league with the Guises , for the defence of both Crowns .

Alanson , although very busie about the Belgick War , yet now began again to pursue the Marriage with Queen Elizabeth ; for renewing of which suit , first was Bachervyle sent to the Queen ; and soon after Ramboulet , from the French King ; and within a month after that , Simier , a neat Courtier , and exquisitely learned in the Art of Love , accompanied with a great number of the French Nobility ; whom the Queen at Richmond entertained in such loving manner , that Leicester began to rage , as if his hopes were now quite blasted . Certainly a little before , when Ashley , a Lady of the Queens Bed-chamber , mentioned the Earl of Leicester to her for husband , she , with an a●gry countenance , replyed , Dost thou think me so unlike my self , and so forgetfull of Majestie , as to prefer my servant , whom I my self have advanced , before the greatest Princes of the Christian world ?

But it is now time to return to the Scottish Affairs . The Earl of Morton , Regent of Scotland , though a man of great wisedome and valour , yet was now so overcome of covetousnesse , that he grew universally hated ; and thereupon , with the joynt consent of the Nobility , the Administration of the Common-wealth was translated to the King , though he was yet but twelve yeers old , and twelve of the chief Lords were appointed to attend him in Councell , three of them by course for three months ; amongst whom , the Earl of Morton for one , that they might not seem to cast him quite off . The King having taken upon him the Administration , sent presently the Earl of Dumformelin to Queen Elizabeth , acknowledging her great deserts towards him , and requesting to have the Treaty of Edinburgh , agreed on in the yeer 1559 , to be confirmed , for the more happy restraining the robbers about the borders ; and withall , That his ancient Patrimony in England ; namely , the Lands granted to his Grand-father Ma●●hew , Earl of Lenox , and the Countesse his Grand-mother , might be delivered into his hands● who was the next Heir . The Queen readily promised the former demands , but stuck a little at the last , concerning the Patrimony ; For she would not grant , That Arbella , the daughter of Charles the King of Scots Unkle , Born in England , was the next Heir to the Lands in England ; neither would she grant the Ambassadours proof out of History , That the Kings of Scots , born in Scotland , did anciently ( without question ) hold the Earldome of H●ntington by Right of Inheritance . Yet she commanded a Sequestration to be made of the Revenues of those Lands , by B●rleigh Master of the Wards ; and willeth the King , That out of the goods of the Earl of Lenox in Scotland , satisfaction might be made to his Grand-mothers Creditors here . For she too● it in ill part , that the King had recalled the In●●o●●ment of the Earldom of Lenox ( made to his Unkle Charl● and his Heirs ) after the death of Charles , to the prejudice ( as was suggested to her ) of Arbella ; although indeed , it be a Priviledge of the Kings of Scotland , That they may recall Donations made in their minor●ty .

The Earl of Morton in the mean while , not enduring the disgrace to be outed of his Regency , regarded not the prescript Form of Government lately set down , but drew the Administration of all matters to himself , and kept the King in his own power , at the Castle of Sterling , admitting none to his presence , but whom he pleased . At this presumption , the Lords growing angry , made the Earl of Atholl their Captain , and in the Kings Name levyed a great Army , and were ready to encounter Morton ; but by the intercession of Robert Bowes , the English Ambassadour , they were stayed from fighting ; and Morton presently betook himself home , and the Earl of Atholl soon after died , not without suspition of being poysoned .

At this time the King of Spain , and Pope Gregory the thirteenth , held secret Consultation , to invade at once both England and Ireland , and to work the absolute ruine of Queen Elizabeth ; The Pope to gain the Kingdom of Ireland for his son Iames Buen of Compagno , whom he had made Marquesse of Vincola . The King of Spain secretly to relieve the Irish Rebells , as Queen Elizabeth did the Dutch , while friendship in words was upheld on both sides : and being known , That the greatest strength of England consisted in the Navy Royall , and Merchants Ships , it was advised , that the Italian and Dutch●Merchants should hire these Ships for long Voyages ; to the end that while they were absent , the Queens Navy might be surprized with a greater Fleet : and at that time Thomas Stukeley , an English fugitive , should joyn himself to the Irish Rebells with new Forces . For he making great boast , and promising the Kingdom of Ireland to the Popes bastard son , had so insmuated himself into grace with the ambitious old man , that he adorned him with the Titles of Marquesse of Leinster , Earl of Wexford and Caterlogh , Viscount M●rogh , and Baron of Rosse ( the principall dignities of Ireland ) and made him Commander over eight hundred Italian Souldiers , to be employed in the Irish War . With which Forces Stuckeley setting Sayl from 〈◊〉 Vecchia , arrived at length in Portingall , where he and his Forces● were by the divine providence , diverted another way . For S●●a●●ia● King of Porti●gall ( to whom the chief Command , in this Expedition against England was assigned ) being first to dispatch a War in Africa , in Ayd of Mahomet Abdall , son to the King of Fesse , perswaded Stukeley to go along with him into Maure●ania , together with his Italian Souldiers ; and then afterward they would go together against Ireland : To this motion Stukeley soon agreed , and therein agreed with his destiny ; for in that memorable Battell where three Kings were slain , both he and Sebastian lost their lives .

At this time Sir Henry Sidney ( who had been Deputy of Ireland at severall times eleven yeers ) delivered up his Deputy-ship to Sir William Drury , President of Munster : Such a Deputy , for good Government , that if any have equalled him , none have exceed him .

It was now the yeer 1579 , and the two and twentieth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign ; when Iohn Casimire , son of Frederick the third , Count Pala●ine of the Rhyne , came into England ; where , after he had been entertained with Tiltings and Justs , made Knight of the Garter ( the Queen tying the Garter about his leg ) and rewarded with a yeerly Pension , he returned . And now was Alexander ●●rnise , Prince of Parma , made Governour of the Netherlands by the King of Spain : and Queen Elizabeth supplied the States with a great Sum of money ; for which William Davyson brought into E●gland the ancient precious Habilliments of the Family of Burgundy , and their costly Vessells , laid to pawn by Matthew of Austria and the States .

Si●ier in the mean time herein England , cea●eth not by all amorous devices to perswade the Queen to marry Alanson ; wherein he drew her so far , that the Earl of Leicester gave ou● , He crept into the Queens affection by love Potions and unlawfull Arts : and Simier on the other side endeavoured by all means to cast down Leicester , discovering his mariage with the Earl of Essex widdow , whereat the Queen grew so angry , that she consined him to the Castle at Greenwich , and had meant to have him Committed to the Tower , but that the Earl of Sussex ( though his greatest Adversarie ) disswaded her : telling her that none ought to be molested for contracting lawfull Matrimonie . But Leicester notwithstanding was so provoked for his confining , that he was bent to revenge it , and if it be true , as some said● he had suborned on Teud●r a Yeoman of the Guard to murder Simier , sure it is the Queen by Proclamation commanded that no person should offer injury to the Embassadour or any of his servants . At which time it fell out that as the Queen , together with Simier , the Earle of Lincolne , and Hatton Vice-Chamberlaine were rowed in a barge to Greenwich , a young man shooting off a Harquebus out of a boate , shot one of the rowers in the Queenes Barge thorough the arme with a bullet , who was presently taken and ledde to the Gallowes , but upon solemne Protestation , that he did it unwillingly , and out of no malicious Intent , he was let go and Pardoned . Some would have perswaded the Queen that was purposely suborned to shoote either her or the French Embassadour : but she was so far from suspecting her Subjects ; that she would often say , She would not believe any thing against them which a mother would not believe against her children .

After a few dayes Alanson himself came privately into England with only on or two attendants , and came to the Queen at Greenwich , at a time when she thought not of it ; they had secret conference together , all parties being sent away , after which , being seen of very few , he returned home ; but within a moneth or two after the Queen enjoyned the Lord Burleigh treasurer , the Earle of Sussex , Leicester , Hatton and Walsingham , seriously to weigh both the dangers , and the Commodities likely to arise from the marriage with him , and to consult with Simier concerning the marriage Covenants .

As in England there was some feare of this Frenchman : So in Scotland at this time of another Frenchman , called Esme Steward , Lord of Aubigny , who came now into Scotland to visit the King his cosen . He was the sonne of Iohn Steward brother to Matthew Steward Earle of Lenox the Kings grandfather , and had denomination from Aubigny in France , which title Charles the seaventh King of France had antiently conferred upon Iohn Steward of the Familie of Lenox , who being constable of the Scottish Army in France , vanquished the English in one battile , and was slain by them in another : and from that time the title belonged to the younger descent of that house . This Esme Steward , the King embraced with exceeding great love , made him Lord Chamberlaine of Scotland , and Captain of the Castle of Dumbriton , and created him first Earle and then Duke of Lenox . The feare from this man was ; because he was deuoted to the Guises and the Popish religion , and that which encreased the feare from this man ; because he applied himselfe to Mortons adversaries , and mediated to have Thomas Carre Lord of Fernishurst called home , who of all men was most addicted to the Queen of Scots .

About this time Queen Elizabeth , at the request of William Harbou●ne an Englishman , procured a grant from the Turkish Emperour for the English merchants to exercise free traffick in all places of his dominions , as well as Venetians , Polanders , and other neighbouring Nations ; whereupon they set up first the Companie of Turkie Merchants , managing a most gainfull Trade at Constantinople , Alexandoria ; Egypt , Aleppo , Cyprus , and other parts of Asia , bringing home Spices , Perfumes , unwrought Silks , Tapistry , Indico , Corrants , and the like .

This yeer died Sir Nicholas Bacon , Lord Keeper of the Great Seal ; but who , by vertue of an Act of Parliament , alwayes exercised the Jurisdiction of Lord Chancellor ; a very fat man , but singularly wise , and a chief prop of the Queens Privy Councell : In whose place succeeded Sir Thomas Bromley , the Queens Solicitor , with the Title of Lord Chancellor of England .

In Ireland at this time , in the Province of Munster , Iames Fitz Morris kindled a new fire of Rebellion ; for after his former submission upon his knees , vowing all Obedience to the Queen , he stole away into France , and promised the French King , if he would lend him assistance , to make him King of Ireland . But being by him slighted , he went into Spain , and made the like offer to the King there . The King of Spain sent him to the Pope , from whom ( by means of Nicholas Sanders , an English Priest , and Alan an Irishman , both Doctors of Divinity ) he obtained a little money , a Legats Authority for Sanders , a consecrated Banner , and Letters of Commendation to the Catholike King . And returning from Spain with those Divines , three Ships , and a few men , he landed at Smerwick Kerry , a Demy Island in the West part of Ireland , about the first day of Iuly , where ( the place being first of all consecrated by the Priests ) he built a Fort , and brought the Ships close under it ; but these were presently set upon and carryed away , by Thomas Courtney , and thereby the Spaniards deprived of their opportunity of coming thither by Sea . But now Iohn and Iames , brothers to the Earl of Desmond , gathering together a small number of Irish , joyn themselves presently with their kinsman Fitz Morris . Yet the Spaniards seeing that but a very few Irish , and those unarmed , came unto them , they began to distrust the estate they were in , and to cry out , That they were undone ; whom Fitz Morris heartened the best he could , telling them that Supplyes were presently to come . And going himself to get more company , he passed thorow the Land of his Cosin William a Burgh , who though he had been a Rebell before , yet was now grown loyall , so as there fell out a Skirmish between them ; in which Fitz Morris being strucken thorow with a Pike , and shot into the head with a Leaden Bullet , died in the place , and most of his Company with him ; but withall , two of William Burghs sons were in that Skirmish slain also ; when the Queen , to comfort him for the losse of his sons , adorned him with the Dignity of Baron of Castle Conell , and rewarded him with a yeerly Pension besides : which favours so overwhelmed him with joy , that he lived but a short while after . And now Sir William Drury the Deputy growing very sick , appointed Sir Nicholas Malby then Governour of Connaght , to be President of Munster , and Generall of the Army ; at which time , the Earl of Desmond , who had all this while made a shew of Loyalty , breaks openly ou● into Rebellion ; when now Drury the Deputy dying at Waterford , and by his death Malbyes Authority ceasing , Sir William Pelham is by the Counsell chosen Justice of Ireland , with Authority of Vice-Roy , untill such time as a Deputy were appointed , and the Earl of Ormond is made President of Munster . Pelham goeth into Munster , and sendeth for the Earl of Desmond , who refusing to come , is thereupon proclaymed Traytor , and an enemy to the State ; and this being published , the Justice committed the following the War to the Earl of Ormond , who slaying most of the Spaniards , and adherents to Desmond , compelleth him to send his wife to the Justice , to beg his pardon .

The Lord Justice Pelham now certified , that Arthur Lord Grey was landed with authority to be Deputy of Ireland , at Munster delivereth the Army to George Bour●hier , the son of Iohn , second Earl of Bathe , of that name , and himself returneth to Dublin , to deliver up the Province to his Successor . The Lord Grey at his landing , before he received the Sword , hearing where the Rebells had their Randevouz , marcheth towards them , who presently betake themselves to Glandilough , a grassie Valley , and beset thick with Trees , where they who dwell neer , scarce know the winding out ; yet the Deputy ( taking one C●sbie an old man , well acquainted with the place , to be is leader ) entred into it , where he lost divers of his men ; namely , Peter Carew the younger , George Moore , Audeley , and Cosbie himself th●t was his Leader .

A short time after , there landed at Smerwick in Kerry , under the command of San Ioseph an Italian , about seven hundred Italian souldiers , who fortifie the place , and name it Fort del Or. Whereupon the Deputy sent a Trumpetter to the Fort to demand who they were , what they had to do in Ireland , and who sent them ; withall commanding them to depart immediately . But they replyed , That some of them were sent from his Holinesse , other from the Catholike King , upon whom the Pope had bestowed the Kingdome of Ireland , for that Queen Elizabeth ( by reason of heresie ) hath forfeited the Right unto her ; and therefore what they had gotten , they would maintain . Upon this the Deputy prepares for Battery , le ts flie his Ordnance four dayes together ; in which time the Spaniards once or twice make sallyes out , to their own losse much , but not an English-man slain , but onely Iohn Cheek , a couragious young Gentleman , son to Sir Iohn Cheek , a learned Knight . And now San Ioseph , who commanded the Fort , a white-liver'd souldier , terrified with the continuall Battery , and having no hope of relief , either from the King of Spain , or Desmond ( contrary to the will of all his souldiers ) he set up a White Flagge , and desired Parlee , but Parlee was denyed , because he had combined with Rebells , with whom it is not lawfull to hold Parlee . Then he demanded that his Company might passe away with their Baggage , but neither would this be granted . Then he required ●hat some of the chiefer sort might have leave to depart ; but neither could this be obtained . At last , when they could prevail in nothing , they hanged out the white Flagge again , and submitted themselves absolutely , without any condition , to the Deputies mercy , who presently consulteth how to deal with them , and this was the Case ; Their number was well neer as great as the English ; there was present fear of danger from the Rebells ; and the English were so destitute of meat and apparell , that they were ready to mutiny , unlesse they might have the spoyl granted them ; and besides , there were no ships neither to send them away if they were spared : For these Reasons it was concluded ( the Deputy gain-saying , and letting tears fall ) That onely the Leaders should be saved , the rest all slain , and all the Irish hanged up ; which was presently put in execution ; to the great disliking of the Queen , who detested the slaughter of such as yeelded themselves , and would accept of any excuses or allegations .

And yet more cruelty then this was at that time committed in the Netherlands ; for Iohn Norris , and Oliver Temple , English Commanders , together with some Companies of Dutch , setting out early one morning , took Mechlyn a wealthy Town of Brabant , at an assault with ladders , where they promiscuously murthered both Citizens and Religious Persons , offering violence even upon the dead , taking away Grave-stones , which were sent into England to be sold.

About this time certain English Priests , who were fled into the Netherlands , in the yeer 1568 , by the procurement of William Allen , an Oxford Schollar , joyned themselves to study at Doway , where they entred into a Collegiate Form of Government ; to whom the Pope allowed a yeerly Pension . But tumults arising in the Low-Countries , and the English Fugitives being commanded by the King of Spains Deputy to depart from thence , other the like Colledges , for the trayning up of the English youth , were erected , one at Rheims by the Guises , and another at Rome by Pope Gregory the thirteenth , which alwayes afforded new ●upplyes of Priests for England , when the old fayled , who should spread abroad the seeds of the Romish Religion here amongst us ; from whence , those Colledges had the name of Seminaries , and they called Seminary-Priests who were trayned up in them . In these Seminaries , amongst other Disputations , it was concluded , That the Pope hath such fulnesse of Power , by Divine Right , over the whole Christian world , both in Ecclesiasticall and Secular matters , that by vertue thereof , it is lawfull for him to excommunicate Kings , absolve their subjects from their Oath of Allegiance , and deprive them of their Kingdoms . From these Seminaries at this time , there came two into England , Robert Parsons , and Edmund Campian , both of them English-men , and Jesuites . Parsons was born in Somerset-shire , a fierce and rough conditioned fellow ; Campian was a Londoner , of a milder disposition . They had been both brought up in Oxford ; Campian a Fellow of St. Iohn's Colledge , and had been Proctor in the yeer 1569 ; and when he was made Deacon , counterfeited himself to be a Protestant , till such time as he slipped out of England . Parsons was of Baylioll Colledge , where he made open profession of the Protestant Religion , till for dishonest carriage , he was expelled the House , and then fled to the Popish Party . Both these came privily into England , in the disguise one while of Souldiers , another while of Noble-men ; sometimes like English Ministers , and sometimes in the habit of Apparitors . Parsons , who was made the Superiour , brake forth into such open words amongst the Papists , about deposing the Queen , that some of themselves had a purpose to complain of him to the Magistrates . Campian , though something more moderate , yet in a Writing provoked the English Ministers to a dispu●e ; and published in Latine an Elegant Book of his ten Reasons , in maintenance of the Doctrine of the Romish Church ; as Parsons in like manner , set forth another violent Pamphlet against Clark , who had written modestly against Campians Provoca●ion . But Doctor Whitaker soundly confuted Campian , who being after a yeer apprehended , and put upon the Rack , was afterward brought out to a Disputation ; where he scarcely made good the great fame that went of him .

In this yeer was the return of Captain Drake from his incredible Voyage round about the World ( which Magellan had before attempted , but died in the Voyage ) whereof to rela●e all particular accidents , would require a large Volume : It may suffice in this place , to deliver some speciall Passages . He was born of mean Parentage in Devon-shire , yet had a great man ( Francis Russell , after Earl of Bedford ) to be his God-father . His father , in K. Henry the eighth's time , being persecuted for a Protestant , changed his Soyl , and lived close in Kent . K. Henry being dead , he got a place amongst the Marriners of the Queens Navy , to reade Prayers , and afterward bound his son Fran●is to a Ship-Master , who in a Ship which went to and fro upon the Coast with Commodities , one while to Zealand , another while to France , trayning him up to pains and skill at Sea ; who afterward dying , took such a liking to him , that he bequeathed his Barque to him by his Will : This Barque Drake sold , and then in the yeer 1567 , went with Sir Iohn Hawkins into America ; in which Voyage , he unfortunately lost all he had . Five yeers after , having gotten again a good sum of Money by Trading and Pyracy , ( which the Preacher of his Ship told him was lawfull ) he bought a Ship of Warre , and two small Vessells , with which he set Sayl again for America , where his first Prize was great store of Gold and Silver , carryed over the Mountains upon Mules ; whereof the Gold he brought to his Ships , but left the Silver , hiding it under ground : After this , he fired a great place of Traffique , called , The Crosse , at the River Chiruge , when roaming to and fro upon the Mountains , he espyed the South Sea ; where falling upon his knees , he craved assistance of Almighty God , to finde out that passage , which he reserveth for another Voyage ; and for the present , having gotten much riches , he returned home . Afterwards , in the yee● 1577 , the thirte●●th day of November , with five Ships , and Sea-men , to the number of 163 , he set Sayl from Plimmo●th , for the Southern Sea , and within five and twenty dayes , came to Cantyne , a Cap● in Ba●b●ry , and then sayled along by the Isl● of F●g● , which sends forth ●●emes of Sulphur ; and being now un●e● the Line , he let every one in his Ships blood . The sixteenth of Ap●●l , entring into the mouth of the Plate● they espyed a world of Sea-Calves ; in which place Iohn-●oughty , the next to Drake in Authority , was called in question for raising Sedition in the Navy , w●o being found guilty , was beheaded . Some report , That Drake had charge given him from the Earl of Leicester ; to make away Doughty upon some pre●ence or other , for that he had said , that the Earl of Essex was craftily made away by Leicester● The twentyeth of August , two of his Ships he turneth off , and with the other three came to the Sea , which they call● The Straight of Magell●n . The sixth of September , entring into the wide Southern Ocean , which they call● The Pacifique Sea , he found it out of measure troublous , so that his Ships were here by Tempests dispersed ; in one of which , Iohn Winter was Master , who returned back into England ; Drake himself , with onely one Ship , coasted along the Sho●e , till he came to the Isle Mo●cha , from whence loosing , he lighted upon a fellow fishing in a little Boat , who shewed him where a Spanish Ship laden with Treasure ●ay ; Drake making towards it ; the Spaniards thought him to be their owne Country man , and thereupon invited him to come on ; but he getting aboord presently shut the Spaniards ( being not above eight persons ) under ●atches , and took the Ship , in which was four hundred pound weight of gold . At Taurapasa , going again on shoar , he found a Spaniard ●leeping by the Seaside● who had lying by him twenty bars of mass●e Silver , to the value of four thousand Duckats , which he bid his follower● take amongst them , the Spaniard still sleeping . After this , going into the Port of Africa , he found there three Vessels without any Marriners in them ; wherein , besides other wares , were seven and fifty silver bricks , each of which weighed twenty pound ; From hence , Tyding it to Lime , he found twelve Ships in one Road , and in them great store of Silks , and a Chest full of money coined , but not so much as a Ship-boy aboord ; ( such security there was in that Coast : ) Then putting to Sea with those Ships , he followed the rich Ship called Cacofoga● and by the way met with a small Ship , without Ordnance or other Arms , out of which he took fourscore pound weight of gold , a golden Crucifix , and some Em●aulds of a fingers length . The first day of March , he overtook the Cacofoga , set upon her , and took her● and in her , besides jewels , fourescore pound weigh● of gold , thirteen Chests of silver ready coyned , and as much silver as would ballast a Ship . And now thinking he had gained wealth enough , he resolved to return home● and so on the third of November 1580. he landed at Plimmouth , having sayled round about the World , in the space of three years ; to the great admiration of all that know what compasse the World is of .

The Queen welcomed him home , but made a sequestration of the goods , that they might be ready if the King of Spain required them ; and commanded the ship to be drawn on shoar neer Detford for a monument ( where the carkasse of it is ye● to be seen ) and her selfe feasted in it , at which time She Knighted Captaine Dr●ke . But Bernardine M●ndoz● , the KING of Spaines Embassadour in ENGLAND began to rage ; and earnestly demanded Restitution of the Goods , and complained , that the ENGLISH sayled upon the INDIAN Sea . To whom it was answered , That the goods were sequestred , and ready to make the King of Spain satisfaction , although the Queen had expended against the Rebells , whom the Spaniard had excited in England and Ireland , more money then that which Dr●ke brought home . And as for sayling on the Indian Sea● that it was as lawfull for the Queens subjects as his , seeing the Sea and the Ayr are common for all to use . Notwithstanding , to Pedro S●●●●a , the K●ng of Spain's Agent in this businesse , a great sum of money was re-paid● which was not ●estored to them ●o whom it belonged , but employed to the Spaniards Wars in the Low-Co●●●ries , as was known after● when it was too late .

But at this time , when Iackman and Pett , two skilfull Pilots , were sent forth with two Ships by the Londoners , to finde out ● shorter cut to the East Indies , by the North-West Passage ; they had not the like successe ; for a few Leagues beyond the Isles of ●aygat● , they met with such uncertain Tydes , so many Shallows , and such Mountains of Ice , that ●hey could go no further , and had much ●do to return home .

About this time , Henry Fitz Allen , Earl of Arundel died , in whom the Sirname of a most Noble Family ended , which had flourished in this Honour for above three hundred yeers , from Richard Fitz Alan ; who being descended from the Al●anets ( ancient Earls of Arundel and Sussex , in the Raign of King Edward the first ) obtained the Title of Earl , by re●so● of the possession of Arundel Castle , without Creation . He had ●hree daughters by his wife Katherine , daughter to Thomas Grey , Marquesse of Dorset , all whom he out-lived ; H●nry , a young man of great hope , who died at Brussells ; Ioan , wife to the Lord Lumley ; and Mary , who being marryed to Thomas Howard , Duke of N●●folke , brought forth Philip , in her Right , Earl of Arundel .

In Ireland , Arthur Lord Grey the Deputy , going against the O Conors , who ●aised stirs in Ophalie , putteth to death Hugh O Moley , quieteth all that Quarter , even the Families of the Mog●hig●ns , and O Charles , and in the very beginning suppresseth a conspiracy which was breaking forth , by putting to death the Lord N●g●n●● who being confident in his own innocency , when the Deputy promised to save his ilfe , if he would but confesse himself guilty , chose rather to die and be held guiltlesse , then to live in infamy , by betraying his own Innocency . With whose death the Queen was extremely displeased , as by which she was made a Patronesse of cruelty , to her great dishonour . But the Deputy knew with what kinde of people he dealt , and by this example of severity , brought Turl●gh Leymigh to accept conditions of Peace ; and the O B●i●s , and Cavenaghs ( rebellious Families in Leinster ) humbly to crave Peac● also , and to offer Hostages .

In Scotland at this time , great jealousie was ●ad of Lenox , Lord of Obig●y , lest , being in so great favour with the King , he should allure him to marry into France , and bring into Scotland the Popish Religion . Whereupon ( although he purged himself by Letters to Queen Elizabeth , and proferred himself to be a Protestant ) yet many courses were taken to sequester him from the King● but so far from taking effect , That on the contrary , the Earl of Morton ( who among all other was most addicted to the English ) was soon after accused of Treason by the Earl of Arran , and cast into prison● and not long after ( notwithstanding all the means the Queen could use to save him ) was beheaded , as convicted to be accessary to the murder of the Kings Father . Whereupon the Earl of Angus , and other , who laboured for M●rt●● , fled straightwayes into England .

In the Low-Countries about this time , the Count Rheinberg proceeded victoriously for the King of Spain , and beleaguer'd St●nwick in Freezland ; against whom the States sent Norris Generall of the Field , who put the ●●einburghs Company to the worst● and raised the Siege : but afterward 〈…〉 with Verdugo the Spaniard at N●rthone , even when the Vi 〈…〉 gotten ( Roger Williams having put the enemies to flight ) 〈…〉 of the War turned , Norris is vanquished , wounded , and a great 〈…〉 his men slain ; amongst whom were Cotton , Fitz● Williams , and 〈…〉 Commanders . Here it must not be omitted● That the English 〈…〉 the dwellers in the Northern parts of the World , were hither 〈…〉 Drinkers , and deserved praise for their sob●iety ) in these Dutch 〈…〉 to be Drunkards ; and brought the vice so far to over-spread 〈…〉 ●ome , that Laws were fain to be enacted for repressing it .

〈…〉 whilst the States and the King of Spain con●end about a few 〈…〉 the Low-Countries , he seizeth upon the whole Kingdom of Por●●● 〈…〉 For the last yeer , Henry , King of P●●tingall dying , many Compe 〈…〉 allenge the Kingdom ; as the Duke of Savoy ; the Prince of Par 〈…〉 Natharine Bracant , and the Queen of France . But Philip King of 〈…〉 son of Henries eldest sister , putting the case to his Divines and 〈…〉 and adjuring them to pronounce to whom of Right it belonged , 〈…〉 , For him : whereupon he sent Duke D'Alva , who put to 〈…〉 ●●tonio , whom the people had elected King , and within seventy dayes 〈…〉 all Portingall . The Queen of France angry hereat , and enviously be 〈…〉 the King of Spain's Dominions thus enlarged ( being now Master 〈…〉 gall , the East Indies , and many Islands besides ) adviseth , amongst 〈…〉 P●●●ces , Queen Elizabeth , to bethink themselves in time , of restrayn 〈…〉 ●o excessive Dominions . Whereupon the Queen received Don 〈◊〉 , and l●vingly relieved him , which she thought might be done without 〈…〉 breath of the League with Spain , seeing Don Antonio was descended of 〈…〉 Blood , and of the House of Lancaster ; and that no Cau●ion was 〈…〉 ●eague ; That the Portuger should 〈◊〉 be admitted into England .

And now the Queen-Mother of Frano● , and the King her son , mo●e 〈◊〉 then ever , pursue the Ma●ch with Alanson , now Duke of A●gio● ; 〈…〉 transacting whereof , they sent in Ambassage into England● Francis 〈◊〉 , Prince of Daulphine ; Arthur C●sse● Marshall of France , and many 〈◊〉 Hono●rable Personages , who were entertained with great respect ( a 〈◊〉 being purposely built at Westminster for that use , Royally furnished ; ●●tings and Justs proclaimed , by Philip Earl of Arundel , Frederick Baron 〈◊〉 Windsor , Sir Philip Sidney , and Sir Fulk Grevill , against all come●s● The ●●●●gates that were to confer with the French concerning the Marriage , 〈◊〉 Sir William Cecill Lord Treasurer ; Edward , Earl of Lincoln , Lord Ad●●●●ll ; Robert Dudley , Earl of Leicester ; Sir Christopher Hatton , and Sir 〈◊〉 Walsingham , Secretary● by whom , Covenants of Marriage were at ●●th agreed on ; First , That the Duke of Angio● , and the Queen of Eng●●●● , within six weeks after the ratification of the Articles , should contract ●●trimony● and the rest , most of them such as were before agreed on , in the ●arriage between Queen Mary and King Philip , chiefly consisting in confer●●ng Honour upon the Duke , but Power upon the Queen . It was also ar●●ed , That all pa●ticulars should be ratified within two Months● by the ●●●thfull Promise and Oath of the French King , for him and his Heirs , and ●eservation also was added apart , with the Hands and Seals of every 〈◊〉〈…〉 Delegates , That Queen Elizabeth is not bound to finish the Marriage , ●●till she and the Duke have given each other satisfaction in some 〈◊〉 , and have certified the French King of the same within six we●ks● Be●ore those six weeks were expired , Simier , Secretary to the Cou●●●ll , is 〈◊〉 into France , to require the King of France his Confirmation● The 〈◊〉 will not hear him , but presseth to have the Marriage accomplished , 〈…〉 was contracted , and that nothing else was to be done . ●i●●ier on the 〈◊〉 side , sheweth by the Articles , That a League offen●●●e and defensive 〈◊〉 first be concluded : This the French King disclayme●h : Whereupon W●lsinghams is presently sent ●o compose this differan●e , who joyntly with Henry C●bham , the Embass●●our in ordina●●●● and Simier , alleadgeth to the French King these Partic●l●●s , That Queen Elizabeth for no other reason was willing to marry , but for the ●atisfaction of he● people ; and seeing many Impediments were come in the way since the first Treaty , namely the Civill Warre in Franc● and the Dukes engagement in a war with Spain , w●● makes the wi●est of her subjects to be now against the Ma●ch . This hath made her to deferre the accomplishment of it , although her affection be still constant toward the Duke● For this cause the Queen would have no further Treaty to be held● till the French Duke be freed from the Spanish warre , and a Leauge of mutuall offe●●● and defence be agreed on . The French King willingly accepted of ●●e L●agu● defensive ; but of the offensive he would heare no speech , till th● marriage were finished .

No● long aft●r● the French D●k● himself came into England , having with good successe raised the Si●ge of C●●bray ; he was here received with as great humanity as he cou●● w●sh , and nothing omitted● where by he might judge himsel● to be truly welcome . Insomuch th●● in November , when the Anniversari● of the Qu●●●s Inauguration came to be solemnized , the Q. ( while they were in Love conference ) drew a Ring off from her finger , and put it upon his , upon some private conditions . The standers by imagined , that by this Ceremonie the Marriag● was confirmed between them ; and Aldeg●nd Governour of Antwerp being there , presently dispatched messengers into the Low-Countries● to give notice of it ; and thereupon Bonfires were made , and all shewes of Rejoycing● But the Earl of Leicester ( who priv●ly plotted to crosse the Ma●ch ) H●●ton the Vice-Chamberlain , and Secretary Walsingham , fr●● and are enraged , as if the Kingdom , the Queen and Religon , were now utterly ov●●throwne . The Maids of Honour , and Ladi●s that were familiar wi●● th● Queen , made grievous lamentation , and so 〈◊〉 and daunted her , that she could take no rest that night . The nex● day● she calleth to her the French Duke , and causing all companie to go aside , they privately ●n●er●ain a long discourse . At length the Duke returning to his lodging , cast the Ring away from him , and after a while takes it up again , terribly exclayming against the Levity and inconstancie of Women .

The Queen at this time was much troubled at a Book lately put forth , with this Title , The Gulph wherein England will be swallowed , by the French Marriage : whereof , conceiving that some Puritan was the Author , it made her highly displeased with the Puritans : whereupon within a few dayes , Iohn Stubbes of Lincolnes-Inne , a Zealous Professour , and the Author of this booke , ( w●ose sister , Thomas Cartwright , the father of the Puritants , had married ) William Page that dispersed the copies , and Singleto● the Printer , were apprehended● against whom Sentence was pronounced , That their Right hand should be cut off● by vertue of a Law made in the Raigne of Phillip and Ma●ie , against the A●thors and dispersers of Seditious Writings ; ( though the cheife Lawyers and Judges of the Kingdom could not agree concerning the f●●ce of that S●a●ue : ) Hereupon Stub●●s and Page were brought to the Scaff●ld , made of purpose , in the Market place at Westminster , and their right hands , with a Butchers knife and a malle● , cut off by the wrest ; the Printer was p●●doned● At that time , Stubbs when his right hand was cut off , uncovered his head with the left , and cried out , God save the Queen , to the great amazement of all the beholders .

At this time the Queene , upon importunate suite of her Counsell , gave way , ●hat Edmund Campian , Ralph Sherwin , and Alexa●der Bryant , Priests , should be called to the ●arre , who being accused by vertue of a Law made in the five and twentieth yeare of King Edward the Third , to have plotted the ruine of the Queene and Kingdome ; to be adhering to the Pope , the Queens enemy , and coming into England , to raise Forces against the State , were then condemned of High-treason , and accordingly executed . Campian after he was convicted , being demanded ; First , whether Queen Elizabeth w●re a lawfull Queen ? would make no answer ; afterward , Whether he ●ould stand for the Queen , or for the Pope , if he should send an Army against the Queen ; he plainly professed , That he would be of the Popes side , ●nd witnessed so much under his hand . After this , some other Papists upon the like occasion were also put to death , which the Queen rather necessa●ily , than willingly assented to , as being unwilling to force the conscience of any . These , and the like exorbitancies of Papists , were cause , that new ●●d strict Laws were enacted against them the Parliament following , which began the next Ianuary .

The French Duke after three moneths abode in England , took his journey in February , into the Low-Countries , whom the Queen her self brought on his way as far as Canterbury● and then commanded the Earl of Leicester , the Lord Charles Howard , Hunsdon , Willoughby , Windsor , Sheffield , Sir Philip Sidney , Sir Francis Russell , Sir George Bourchier , and some other prime knights , to accompany him to Antwerpe , where he is made Duke of Brabant , Limb●●rg , and Lorraine ; for the Dutch had long before removed the King of Spains Government , and quitted the people from their oath of Allegiance , that it might be in their power to choose any other Prince . He●e the Duke of Anjou gave free leave to exercise the Roman Religion , to as many as would swear Fealty to him , and abjure the King of Spains authority : but ●fter all , having spent a great masse of money , with which he was supplied from England ; and observi●g , that only vain and empty titles were conferred upon him , while the States held all the Dominion in their own hands , he rashly enterprized an assault upon Antwerpe , and some other Towns , and shortly departed without any great matter performed .

At this time Queen Elizabeth , as well to get her some friends , as she had procured her selfe many enemies ; received into the Order of t●e Garter , Fredericke the Second King of Denmarke ; to whom she employed Sir Peregrine Bertye ( whom she had lately made Lord Willoughby of Eresby ) to Invest him .

But now to prevent the Duke of Guyses designe in Scotland , which was to make use of the Duke of Lenox favour with the King , to withdraw his affection from the English : William Reuthen , whom the King had lately made Earle of Gowry , endeavoured with others , by all means to remove Lenox , and the Earl of Arran from the King ; and so , while Lenox was gone from Ferth ( where the King at that time was ) to Edinburgh , and Arran was also absent on a journey : The Earls Gowry , Marre , Lindsey , and other , taking the opportunity , invited the King to the Castle of Reuthen , and there detained him , not permitting him to walk abroad : All his trusty servants they removed from about him , Arran they cast in prison , enforced the King to call home the Earl of Angus , and to send away Lenox into France , who being a man of a soft and gentle disposition , for the Kings safety readily consented ; and not content with all this , they compelled the King by his Letters to Queen Elizabeth , to approve and allow of this his thraldome . The Queen of Scots in the mean while , bewailing her own hard fortune , and the distresse of the King her Son , layeth open the same in a large letter , written to the Queen in French : With which letter , Queen Elizabeth being somewhat affected , sent unto her Robert Beale Clerk of the Councell , to expostulate with her concerning the querulous writing , and joyntly with the Earle of Shrewsbury , to treat of the setting her at liberty . And indeed , serious consultation was held at the Councell Table about it , and the most were of opinion● that upon certain conditions she should have her liberty ; but the Scottish of the English faction opposing it , nothing was effected .

Soone after this , the King sent Colonell William Steward , and Iohn Colvill to Queen Eliz●beth , profering all manner of respect and observance , and requesting her advice for quieting the tumults in Scotland , and also for his contracting of marriage . At which time , news was brough● , that the Duke of L●nox was dead in France , who departing this life ●t Paris , even at the very point of death , as oftentimes before , made open profession of the Pro●●stant Religion ; thereby confuting those who had maliciously traduced him for a Papist . After whose death , when the surprizers of the King were lift up in their own conceits , as thinking they had him safe enough . He on a sudden ( though scarce eighteen yeers of age ) with some few others , conveyed himselfe to the Castle of St. Andrews , to whom the Nobility presently repaired , bringing Armed Bands with them , as fearing some danger might befall him . Afterwards , in fair words , he advised some of his surprizers to go from the Court , for avoyding of tumults , and promised them pardon , if they wo●ld crave it . But Gowry only asked pardon , and submitted himselfe , using this distinction , That he had not offended in matter , bu● in forme onely ; and then the King sent for the Earle of Arran to the Court , and respected him as his intimate friend , imploying him to compose the differen●es amongst the Nobility , and to purge the kingdome and his own Court from civill dissensions .

Whiles he is sedulous in these cares , comes Sir Francis Walsingham from Queen Elizabeth , to advise him not to be led away by evill Councellours , to the destruction of both kingdoms . He findeth the King accompanied with the flowr of the nobility , and beholdeth another maner of Majesty than he looked for in Scotland : Pla●ing Audience given him , he put the King in minde , of what the Queen out of Isocrates , in private Letters had formerly admonished him : That a Prince must be such a lover of Truth ; that more credit may be given to his bare word , than to anothers oath ; and in many words advised him , to beware now in his youth of evill Councellours , and alwayes to be like himselfe . The King answered , That he was an absolute Prince , and would not that others should appoint him Councellors whom he liked not ; but that he had long since devoted the first-fruits of his amitie to the Queen of England , his deer Sister , and doth now willingly make profer of the same . Walsingham now dealt with him farther ; not to lay to the Queens charge what broyls had lately fallen out in Scotland ; sheweth , how beneficiall to him , and to both kingdoms Amity had been hitherto , and would be in time to come also , so it were not neglected ; and that the same might the better be confirmed , if the variance between the Nobility were layd asleep , by a Law of oblivion Enacted in Parliament , The Peers which now were removed from the Court called back again , Religion looked into , and a firm League concluded between both kingdoms . The King made answer , that he gladly embraced Amity with England , and that he would constantly defend the Religion already established : Afterward he lovingly dismissed Walsingham , though he held him no good friend to him and his Mother ; and carefully looking to matters , with undestanding , even above his yeers , proposed and profered reconciliation to those that had surprized him , if within a limited time they asked Pardon ; which they were so far from doing , that the entred into new consultations to surprize him again ; whereupon they are commanded within a set time to leave the kingdom , of which number , Marre , Glames , Paslet and some other , betook themselves into Ireland ; Boyde , Zester , Weeme , Lochlevin , into the Low-Countries ; Dumfermilin into France , the Earle of Angus is confined to his Earldome , Gowry onely to his owne ruine stayeth behinde after the limited time , hatching new devises .

About this time happened a difference , and thereupon a Warre , between the Emperors of Muscovia , and the King of Sweden ; when Iohn King of Sweden , doubting himself to be no fit Match for the Emperour , sent a Roy●●l Ambassage to Queen Elizabeth , requesting her to intercede for him to ●●e Emperour ; which she did without delay , and by her Ambassadour drew the Muscovian to a Peace upon reasonable Conditions . B●t the Muscovian●●ortly ●●ortly after dying , and Theodorus his Successor , granting free Traffique to ●●rchants of all Nations that would come thither ; the Queen importuned him to admit of none but English Merchants , requiring him to confirm the Priviledges which his Father had granted them : Whereto , by way of Answer , he demanded Free Trading for all the English , saying , It was not fit that a small Company should exercise a Monopoly , and all other be ●estrayned : But as for Customes , he promised to take lesse by one half of that Company , then of any other , because they first opened the way thither .

The next Summer , Albertus Alasco , a Palatine of Poland , of a comely personage , and great learning , came into England to see the Queen , who was nobly entertained , both by her , and the Nobility , as also by the Scholl●rs of Oxford , with learned Orations , and other Recreations : but having ●●rryed here four Months , and run i●to much debt , he secretly withdrew himself and departed . This man I saw my self afterward in Crakow , very bare , though it was reported of him , That he had in a Dowry with a wife , fif●y Castles of great value : but what Myne can bear the charges of prodigality ?

This yeer proved fatall to divers great men ; for there died this yeer , ●●●st , Thomas Ratcliffe , the third E●rl of Sussex of this Family ; a man of grea● spirit , and great faithfulnesse to his Countrey . There died also Henry Wriothsley Earl of Southampton ; one exceedingly devoted to the Romish Religion , and a great favourer of the Queen of Scots , which cost him Queen Elizabeths displeasure , and imprisonment besides . There died also Sir Humphrey Gilbert , who was cast away at Sea , in his return from the North p●rt of America , whither he lately sayled with five Ships , having sold his Patrimony , in hope to plant a Colony t●ere . There died also Edmund Grindall , Arch-●ishop of Canterbury , being blinde through age , a gra●e and pious P●elate , who stood highly in the Queens favour for a long time , till he lost 〈◊〉 last , by favouring ( as was said ) the Puritans Conventicles ; but the ●●ue cause indeed was , for disallowing the Marriage of Iuli● an Italian Physitian , with another mans wife , against the Earl of Leicester's pleasure . Grind●ll dying , Iohn Whiteguyft succeeded in the See of Canterbury , being transla●ed thither from the See of Worcester .

At this time , certain popish Books written against the Queen , and Princes Excommunicate , withdrew divers from their Allegiance , and particularly , so intoxicated one Somervile , an English Gentleman , that he went privately ●o the Court , and breathing out nothing but blood and death against all Protestants , set upon one or two by the way , with his drawn Sword . Being apprehended , he stuck not to say , That he would murder the Queen with his own hands . Hereupon he , and upon his intimation , Arden●is ●is father in Law ( a man of an ancient House in Warwick-shire ) Ardens wife , their daughter ; Somerviles wife , and Hall a Priest , were brought to the Bar , and all condemned ; Somervile as principall , the rest as accessaries . Th●ee dayes after , Somervile was found strangled in the prison ; Arden was ●●●cuted and quartered ; the women and the Priest were spared . Many pi●ied the old Gentleman Arden , as misled by the Priest , and ( as it was gen●rally believed ) brought to his end through the envy of Leicester , whom he used to call Whore-master , Upstart , and many such opprobrious ●●mes .

In the Netherlands , the English Garrison at Alost in Flanders being neglected , the Governour Pigot , and the other Captains , for want of pay , upon Composition , yeelded up the Town to the Spaniard , and then fearing disgrace at home , joyned themselves to the Prince of Parma ; at whose hands finding themselves slighted , by degrees they stole all away , and came all to unlucky ends .

In Ireland the famous Rebell , Gyrald-Fitz Gyrald , the eleventh Earl of Desmond of this Family , having a long time in lurking places escaped the English , was now by a common Souldier found out in a poor Cottage , and slain . His head was sent into England , and set upon London-Bridge . This end had this great Lord , descended from Ma●rice , the son of Gyrald of W●ndsore , an English-man , famous amongst those who first set upon Ireland , in the yeer 1170. He possessed whole Countries , together with the County Palatine of Kerry , and had of his own Name and Race , at least five hundred Gentlemen at his command . All whom , and his own life also , he lost within the space of three yeers , very few of his House being left alive . And this disaster he fell into , by proving Trayterous to his Prince , at the instigation of certain Popish Priests . Of whom , the chief was one Nicholas Sanders an English-man , who at the same time died miserably of Famine , being starved to death , when as being forsaken , and running mad upon his ill successe , he roamed up and down the Mountains and Groves , finding nothing to sustain him . In his Scrip were found certain Orations and Letters , written to hearten the Rebells , and promising large rewards from the Pope and King of Spain . Upon the Rebells ill successe , Iames Fitz Eustace , Viscount Baltinglas , fled into Spain , where he pined away with grief . He out of zeal to the Romane Religion , a little before he had taken up Arms with the Rebells , and exhorting the Earl of Ormond his neighbour to do the like , ( who drew his Linage from St. Thomas of Canterbury ) he used these w●rds to perswade him , That if Saint Thomas of Canterbury had not dyed for the Church of ROME , thou hadst never been Earl of Ormond , for King HENRY the second , to expiate the murther of THOMAS B●CKET , gave large Lands in Ormond to his Predecessors .

The beginning of the next Spring , certain Scots , together with Gowry , plotted again to surprize the King , pretending onely a care of Religion , and to remove ill Councellors from him : but the King having intelligence of their practise , used means by Colonell Steward , to have G●●ry taken and cast into prison : whereupon Marre , Glames , Angus , and other of the confederates , flie into England , and beseech the Queen to commiserate their estate , who had incurred the Kings displeasure , to do her and the Kingdom of England service . The King on the other side , accuseth them to the Queen of haynous crimes , and requires to have them delivered up into his hands . But Secretary Walsingham , who bore great good will to these men , sent Letters with a Command , That they should be safely admitted into Linds Ferme , otherwise called , The holy Island ; where Hu●sdon being Governou● there , and great addicted to the King of Scots , resisted Walsinghams Command , alleadging he could not satisfie the Secretary in this point , unlesse the Queen gave expresse Command . Hereupon grew a Dispute , Whether a Secretary of State might not transact a businesse of State , without speciall Commission from the Prince . How this Case was determined , is uncertain ; but sure it is , the Scots came not thither , though some favour they had shewed them here in England . In the mean time , Gowry was tryed by his Peers , at S●eclyn ; where , being accused of many Treasons , though he gave colourable answers to them all , yet was found guilty , condemed , and beheaded ; whose head his servants sewing to his body , committed to the Grave .

About this time were practises plotted against Queen Elizabeth , in behalf 〈◊〉 the Queen of Scots , chiefly by Francis Throgmorton , eldest son of Iohn ●●●●gmorton , Justice of Chester , who came to be suspected , by reason of ●etters sent to the Queen of Scots which were intercepted . Upon his ap●●●hension , Thomas Lord Paget , and Charles Arundel , privately stole away 〈◊〉 France , grievously complaining against Leicester and Walsingham , for ●●ienating the Queen from them , and using such wiles , that scarce any m●n was able to live in safety . Henry Earl of Northumberland , and Philip Earl of Arundel , were confined to their houses , his wife committed to the ●●stody of Sir Thomas Shirley ; William Howard , the Earls brother , and He●●y Howard their Unkle , brother to the Duke of Norfolk , were examined about Letters from the Queen of Scots ; and many Statagems were set on foot , dangerous to some particular persons , but necessary ( as should 〈◊〉 ) for the Queens security . Certain it is , That now the malice of the Papists against the Queen , brake forth more violently than ever before ; for in printed Books they stirred up the Queens own servants to ●ttempt the like upon her , that Iudith did on Olephernes . The Author of these Books could not be found , but the suspition lay upon one G●egory Martin , sometime of Oxford ; and Carter a Statio●er , who printed the Books , suffered for it . And whereas the Papists every where ●●aduced the Queen for cruelty , she desirous alwayes to leave a blessed ●●membrance behinde her , grew extremely offended with the Commissioners for Popish causes , taxing them of too much cruelty , insomuch that they were fain , in a printed Declaration , to cleer themselves , protesting ; That they questioned no man for his Religion , but onely for dangerous attempts against the Queen and State● and that C●●pian himself was never so Racked , but that he could presently walk up and down . But all this gave not the Queen satisfaction , but she commanded the Commissioners to forbear tortures , and the Judges other ●u●ishments ; and not long after , when seventy Priests were taken , and some of them condemned , and the rest in danger of the Law , she caused them all to be Shipped away , and sent out of England : The chief of whom : were Gaspar Heywood , the great Epigrammatist's son , the first ●esuite that ever set foot in England ; Iames B●sgrave , Iohn Hart , and Ed●●●d Rishton .

At this time Mendoza the Spanish Ambassadour , was thrust out of England , for joyning with Throgmorton , in his Treason against the Queen ; whereupon Sir William Waad was sent to the King of Spain , to satisfie him how ill Mendoza had discharged the Office of an Ambassadour here in England ; who , when the King admitted him not to his Presence , but in a slighting manner , putting him off to his Councellors ; Waad taking it in great disdain , boldly said , That it was a declared Custome among Princes ( though in heat of War ) to give Ambassadours audience , and thereupon stou●ly refused to ●●clare his Ambassage , and so returned into England unheard . The greatest matters laid to Mendoza's charge , were gott●n out of Throgmorton's Confession ; for when he was in danger to be apprehended , he sent to Mendoza a box of Writings ; and when his Ch●sts were searched , there were found two Scrowls , one with the names of the Ports of England , and in the other the names of the Nobility and Gentry in England that favoured the Romish Religion . These , when Th●ogmorton saw brought forth , he said they were counterfeited , and ●tood to it upon the very Rack ; but being brought to the Rack the second time● he then confessed all , That Morgan by Letters out of France , had given him information , that the Catholike Princes had decreed to invade England , and with the help of the Duke of Guise , to free the Q. of Scots ; and that nothing was now wanting , but mony & ayd in England : and that for procuring of this , Charls Pa●e● , under the counterfeit name of Mope , was sent into Sussex , where the Duke of Guise intended to land ; and that he had imported all this matter to Mendoza , and intimated the names of the Ports , and of the Noble-men that should assist . But being arraigned at the Guild-hall , he denyed all this again , saying , He had spoken so , because he would not be Racked again . Yet being condemned to die , he flying to the Queens mercy , confessed in a manner all he had before related● and then at the Gallows went about to deny it again . So false to it self is the minde of man when it is divided between hope and fear , and lies under the burden of a guilty conscience .

Sir William Wade being returned from Spain , was employed to the Queen of Scots , about a Treaty begun two years before : To whom , the distressed Queen sincerely professed , That she devoted her service and her selfe to the Queen of England ; and made solemne promise , That if the former Treaty might go on , she would mediate with the King her Son , to receive into favour the Earl of Angus , and the other Scottish Lords , and would charge the Bishops of Rosse and Glasco , her Agents in France , to have no further to do with the English Fugitives . These things Q●een Elizabeth heard gladly , and thereupon sent Beale to the Queen of Scots , who joyntly with the Earl of Shrewsbery should signifie unto her , That if she continued still in the same minde , as she had delivered to Waad ; Sir Walter Mildmay should come out of hand ●o her , and Treat concerning her liberty : but withall she commanded Mildmay and Beale to dive into her as well as they could , to know what practises the Duke of Guyse had on foot . To that which she had spoken to sir William Waad , the Queen of Scots made a wary answer ; but to that concerning the Duke of Guyse , she plainly confesseth ; That being sickly he● selfe , and weak of body , she had committed her selfe and her Son , to the Protection of the Duke of Guyse , her dear Cosen , of whose intendments she knoweth nothing ; nor if she did , would she disclose them , unlesse she might be sure of her own liberty . Lastly , she requesteth , That being a free and an absolute Prince , she may not be worse handled , than Queen Elizabeth her selfe was , when she was a subject , and kept in prison by her Sister . These things had a hearing , but no feeling , and the rather by a strange accident ; for Creighton a Scottish Jesuit , sayling from the L●w-Countries , and taken by Dutch Pirats , had certain papers which he tore and thre● away , which thrown over-boord , and by the winde blown back into the ship , miraculously ( as Creighton himselfe sayd ) they were brought to sir William Waad , who patching them together with much labour and cunning , discovered by them some new intendments of the Pope , the King of Spain● and the Guyse , about the Invading of England : Whereupon , and upo● divers other rumors , the better to provide for the safety of the Queen , a number of her Subjects ( the Earl of Leicester being the foremost ) men of all ranks and conditions , bound themselves mutually to each other , by their oaths and subscriptions , to persecute all those to the very death , that should attempt any thing against the Queen ; which league of theirs , they called the Association .

The Queen of Sco●s who presently apprehended , that this Association was entred into for her destruction ; maketh this proposition by Nave her Secretary , to the Queen and the Councell● That if she might have her liberty granted , and be assured of the Q●een●●ove , she would enter a strict league and ●mity with her , and passing by all matters of offence , esteem and honor ●er , above all the Princes of the Christian World ; yea , and ( saving the ancient League betwixt Fra●ce , and Sc●●la●d ) she would her selfe be comprehended in t●e Association , and a League defensiv● , against all that should go about to injure the Queen . Herewith Queen Eli●abeth was wonderfully pleased , and at that time cer●●●nly had an inclination to grant her freedom . B●t see what malice can do ; for many in England● but specially the Sco●s of 〈◊〉 ●dverse party , endeavoured by all means to hinder it ; exclaiming , That 〈◊〉 Queen could be no longer in safety , if the Queen of Scots were set at liberty , That both Kingdoms were utterly undone , if she were admitted into 〈◊〉 ●oynt Government of the Kingdom of Scotland , and that the reformed ●●●●gion lay a bleeding , if Papists were admitted within the Court walls ; 〈◊〉 was this all , but the Scottish Ministers in their Pulpits , loaded the 〈◊〉 of Scots with all manner of contumelies , slandred the King himselfe , and 〈◊〉 Councell in most bitter manner ; and being cited to appear before him , 〈◊〉 , saying , That the Pulpits were exempted from all Regall Authority , and that Ecclesiasticall persons , were not to be censured by the Prince , but 〈◊〉 their own Consistory ( directly against the Laws made the year before in Pa●liament ) whereby the Kings Authority over all persons , whether Eccle●●●s●icall , or Secular , was confirmed ; and namely , That the King and his Councell , were Supream Judges in all Causes ; and that whosoever refused 〈◊〉 b● tryed by them , should be holden guilty of High-treason ; all Presby●●●●●s and Lay-conventicles forbidden , Parity of the Clergy taken away , 〈◊〉 the authority of Bishops restored , whose Calling the Presbyteries had condemned as wicked and Antichristian : And lastly , all scurrilous Libels ●●●inst the King and his mother , prohibited , namely , the Scottish History of George Buchanan , and his Dialogue , De Iure Regni apud Scotos .

At this time , upon her adversaries suggestion , the Queen of Scots is taken from the Earl of Shrewsbery , and committed to the custody of sir Pawlet●nd ●nd sir Drue Drury , and that on set purpose ( as some were perswaded ) to drive her into abrupt and desperate attempts ; and indeed upon this , she grew more importunate with the Pope and King of Spain , to hasten their in●●ndment , whatsoever became of her , as ill indeed was like to become of her , if it be true ( as some sayd ) that Leicester sent out assasinats to make her ●way , but that Drury detested the villany , and would grant them no ●●cesse .

And how to alienate Queen Elizabeth utterly from her ; it is suggested to 〈◊〉 , That Allen for the Catholicks of the Clergy , Inglefield for the Layity , ●nd the Bishop of R●sse for the Queen of Scots , with consent of the Pope and the King of Spain , had joyntly combined to depose her , and to bar the King of Scotland from his hereditary Right to the Crown of England , and to marry the Queen of Scots to an English Noble-man of the Romish Religion , and him the English Catholikes should chuse King of England , and the Pope confirm the Election ; and all this upon the credit of Hart the Priest : but who this English Noble-man should be that should marry the Queen of Scots , could not be found , though Walsingham were very busie to seacrh i● out : the fame went upon Henry Howard , the Duke of Norfolks brother , ●ho was a single man , a great Papist , and of high estimation amongst the Catholikes .

This yeer died in Exile and misery , Charles N●vill , who was in the Rebellion of the North , the last Earl of Westmerland of this Family ; a House from whence descended many Noble Personages , six Earls of Westmerland , ●wo Earls of Sali●●●●y and War●i●k , an Earl of Kent , a Ma●quesse Mount●cut● , 〈◊〉 Duke of Bedford , Baron Ferrers of 〈◊〉 , the Lord Latymer , the Lord of 〈◊〉 , one Queen , and five Dutchesses ( to let passe Counte●●es and Baronne●ses ) an Arch-bishop of York , and a numerous company of other Lords . In E●gl●nd died none of ●eckoning this yeer , but onely Pl●●den the famous Lawyer ; but in France , ●he Duke of Angi●● died of grief● a●d in Holland , William Prince of Orange , shot into the body with ●hree Bullets , by one B●lth●s●r Gerard , a Burgundian .

It was now the yeer 1585 , and the eight and twentieth of Queen Eliza●●●●● Raign , when , to ti● the French King more neerly to her , whom the 〈◊〉 ●●fore she had received into the number of the Knights of the ●arter , she sent the Earl of Derby into France , to invest him with the Robes and Ornaments , according to the due Solemnity ; which he kindely accepted , and at Evening Prayer was invested with them .

At this time a Parliament was assembled at Westminster , wherein William Parrie a Welsh-man , a Doctor of the Laws , when in the Lower House a Bill was read against the Jesuites , he alone stood up , and exclaimed that it was a cruell and bloody Law : and being asked his reason , he stoutly refused , unlesse he were required by the Lords of the Councell . Hereupon he was sent to the Gate-house , but upon submission , was received into the House again . Soon after , he was accused by Edward Nevill , for holding secret consultations about making the Queen away ; Who thereupon apprehended , upon his examination , confessed in effect thus much , That out of discontent he went beyond the Sea , where , by the encouragement of Campegio the Popes Nuntio at Venice , and grant of a plenary Indulgence from the Pope , he undertook to kill the Queen ; but coming into England to that intent , he altered his minde , and disclosed to the Queen the whole matter . After this , he received a Letter from the Cardinall of Com● , perswading him to go forward with the Enterprise ; and this Letter also he shewed the Queen . After this , he chanced to see a Book of Doctor Allens , written contra Iustitiam Britannicam , wherein was declared , That Princes who were for heresie excommunicate , might lawfully be deprived of their life and Kingdom . This book wonderfully confirmed him , and he read it to Nevill ; who , though he took an oath of secrecy , yet now upon a hope of the Earldom of Westmerland● betrayed him . This was his confession , before Baron Hunsdon , Sir Christopher Hatt●n , and Sir Francis Walsingham : as likewise in his Letters to the Queen , to the Lord Burleigh , and the Earl of Leicester , acknowledging his fault , and craving mercy . A few dayes after , he was called to the Bar in Westminster-Hall , where he confessed himself guilty , and thereupon was condemned . After the Sentence of death pronounced , he furiously cited the Queen to Gods Tribunall : five dayes after he was laid upon a Hurdle , and dragged thorow the City to Westminster , where at the Gibbet he made a vain-glorious boasting of his faithfulnesse to the Queen , but not so much as in a word commended himself to God ; and in the great Palace at Westminster was executed as a Traytor , the Nobility and Commons sitting then in Parliament .

In this Parliament , the Association before spoken of , was universally approved , and enacted in this Form ; That four and twenty , or more , of the Queens Privy Councell , and Peers of the Realm , should be selected and authorized , under the Great Seal of England , To make enquiry of all such persons as shall attempt to 〈◊〉 the Kingdom , or raise Rebellion , or shall attempt any evill against the Queens Person ; f●r whomsoeve● , and by whomsoever , that layeth any claim to the Crown of England ; and that person for whom , or by whom they shall ●ttempt ●ny such thing , shall be altogether uncapable of the Crown ; and more to this purpose . Laws also for the Queens safety , were enacted against Jesuites and Popis● Priests , and against all that shall receive or relieve them . These Laws ter●ified many , and particularly out of fear of them , Philip Ea●l of Arundel ; the Duke of Norf●lks eldest son , purposed with himself to travell beyond Seas● for having been once or twice cited before the Lords of the Councell , and confined to his house , and after six months set at liberty , he ●hereupon wrot● a Letter to the Queen , That for the Service of God , and hi● souls health , he purposed to leave his Countrey , but not his loyall ●ffection towards her● but as he was taking Shipping , by his own servants treachery he was discovered , apprehended , and laid in the Tow●r .

At the same time lay in the Tower , Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland● a man of a lofty spirit , being suspected by rea●on of secret consultation 〈◊〉 Throgmorton , the Lord Paget , and the Guises , about the invading of Eng●●●●● and freeing of the Queen of Scots ( whose cause he ever highly favou●●d ) but in the m●neth of Iune , he was found dead in his bed , shot into the body with three bullets , under his right pappe , and the door bolted on the ●●de : The Corroners Inquest examining the matter , found and pronoun●●d , that he had killed himselfe . Three dayes after , the Lords meeting in ●he Star-chamber , Bromeley Lord Chancellor , declared this fact of the Earls , ●nd then commanded the Atturney Generall to shew the causes of his im●●●sonment , and the manner of his death ; whereupon , Popham first , and then Egerton the Queens Solicitor , in long Orations , lay open all his Treasons , and how for feare of the Law , he had layd violent hands upon himselfe .

And now the Queen knowing that the seeds of these Treasons proceeded from the Duke of Guise , and his adherents , she sought for the strengthning of her selfe , to enter into League with the Princes of Germany ; and to this end , she sent Sir Thomas B●dley to the King of Denmarke , to the Count Elector Palatine of the Rhine , to the Duke of Saxony , Wittenberg , Brunswicke , L●●ceburg ; the Marquesse of Brandenburg , and the Lant grave of Hessia ; and into Scotland , she sent Sir Edward Wootton , to let the King understand how sincerely she was affected towards him , and withall to draw the King ( if he could ) into a League of mutuall defence and offence , and to commend to him the Match of the King of Denmarks Daughter . The King was very inclinable to the matter of the League , but for the present the businesse was interrupted , by the death of Francis Russell , Son to the Earl of Bedford , slain at a meeting to compound a difference between the Borderers , by a sudden tumult of the Scots , but who it was that slew him , was not known . The English layd it upon the Earl of Arran , and the Lord Fernihurst Governour of the middle Borders ; whereupon , at the Queenes complaint , the Earl of Arran was confined , and Fernihurst committed to prison at Dundee , where he dyed ; a man of great valour and resolution , and one that was alwayes f●rm for the Queen of Scots . But Queen Elizabeth not thus satisfied , gave leave by way of connivance to the Scottish Lords that were fled into England , namely , the Earl of Angus , the Hamiltons , Iohn and Cladius , the Earl of M●rre , Glames , and other , that they should steal away into Scotland ( she sup●lying them with money ) there to master and subdue the Earl of Arran . For Maxwell , who was lately made Earl of Bothwell , Baron Humes , Coldingkn●lls and other in Scotland , had already promised them their assistance , even ●n the very Court . Sir Patrick Grey ( Arrans great Rivall for the Kings favour ) Belenden , and Secretary Maitland ( by Woottons craft ) were made against Arran . These men , upon their first entry into Scotland , command all persons in the Kings name , to ayd them for conserving the truth of the Gospell , for freeing the King from corrupt Councellors , and for maintaining of Amity with the English , so as there presently joyned with them ●bout eight thousand men . The Earle of Arran hearing hereof , makes haste to the King , and accuseth Patricke Grey as author of this commotion : but whiles Arran was making provision for defence of the Town , the enemies were ready to scale the Walls : whereupon , Arran being advised , that only his life was sought , gets secretly away with only one servant , the rest betook themselves to the King in the Castle . Then the Rebels get into the Market-place , and display their Banners against the Castle : the King sends Grey to know the reason of their comming ; they answer , to submit themselves , and in humble manner to kisse the Kings hands : the King offereth restitution of all their goods , if they would depart ; They desire to be admitted to his Pre●ence , which upon these conditions the King granted . That they should not attempt any thing against his li●e , or those whom he should nominate , nor make any innovation in the Government . They protest , They are ready to sacrifice their lives for the Kings safety , and of any Innovation they had not so much as a thought ; onely they request to have their adversaries , and the Fortifications of Scotland delivered up into their hands . Hereupon after a dayes Consultation , they are admitted into the Kings Presence and forthwith the Earls of Mount Rosse , Crawford , and Rothsay ; Colonell Arran's brothers , and others , were delivered to them : The Earl of Arran , who was fled into the Western Islands , is called home ; the assaulters were pardoned , and pronounced good subjects . Hamilton is set over Dumbriton Castle ; Goldingknolls over Edinburgh ; the Earl of Angus over Tantallon ; the Earl of Marre over Stelyn ; and Glames is made Captain of the Guard . Upon this , all Proscriptions and Outlaries whatsoever against all persons , since the Kings Inauguration ) sa●ing some few proscribed for the murder of the Kings Father ) are called in , and with an unanimous consent of all parties , the Treaty of a League with the Queen of England is agreed upon , and Delegates nominated to that purpose .

In Ireland likewise was a Combustion this yeer ; first the Burkes ( descended of the ancient Family of the Burroughs in England ) provoked by the severe Government of Richard Bingham , Governour of Conn●ght , raise Rebellion ; but this was soon suppressed , for Thomas Burk dyed fighting ; M●yler , and Theobald Burke , were taken and hanged . After this , the Clan-Gibbons , Clan-Donells , and Ioyes , combined together in great numbers , and say plainly , They will have a Mac-William of their own , one of the Burks to rule over them , or some other Lord out of Spain ; they will admit of no Sheriff into their Countrey , nor appear before the English Courts of Justice ; and thereupon harryed all the Countrey with Fire and Sword , and neither by the perswasions of the Arch-bishop Tuan , nor by the intreaties of the Earl of Clan-ricard ( the chief of the House of the Burks ) would be quieted , till Iohn Bingham the Presidents brother , following them into the Woods , drave away five thousand Head of their Cattell , so as after forty dayes , half starved , they came forth and submitted themselves . But this was not yet an end ; for now the President understood , That two thousand Scottish Islanders were landed , and ready to break into Connaght ; whereupon he Musters his men to give them Battell ; but they flying to Bogs and Woods , he retires back as though in fear , thereby to draw them from the Bogs to firm ground , and then with his whole Forces set upon them , slew three thousand of them ( indeed all but fourscore ) amongst whom were Donell Garmy , and Alexander Garmy , the sons of Iames Mac-Conell , who had long disquieted this part , and those Burkes who were the first authors of this Rebellion . This was a famous Victory , for the good of the present and future times ; for hereby the name of the Mac-Williams in Connaght was utterly extinct , and the insolent attempts of the Scottish Islanders absolutely crushed .

In the Low-Countries at this time the States were very hard beset , so as they held a Consultation , Whether to flie for protection , either to the French King , or to the Queen of England . Monsieur Prunie the French Ambassadour shewed many advantages , and gave many reasons why they should flie rather to the French King ; the English on the other side , alleadged many reasons why they should flie rather to the Queen of England : but in conclusion , they have first recourse to the King of France , and afterward being by him neglected , to the Queen of England . But then in England it was consulted , Whether it were meet to protect them ; wherein the Councell was divided ; some were of opinion , That it were good to receive and aid them , lest the Spaniard first conquering them , might have the better way to annoy England ; other again thought , They were to be held no better then Rebells to their lawfull Soveraign , and therefore unworthy of assistance . After long deb●●ing the matter , the Queen refuseth to take into protection , much lesse to exercise Soveraignty over them . Neverthe●esse , to raise the Siege of Antwerp , which was then beleaguer'd by the Prince of Parma , she was content to supply them with four thousand Souldiers , so as the Town of Sluce , and the Ordnance belonging to it , were given up into their hands : but while this matter was discussing● the Town of Antwerp was fain to yeeld it self .

But the Queen better bethinking herself , partly , as fearing the growth of the King of Spain's power , and partly , as commiserating the afflicted of her own Religion , at last resolves to undertake their protection , upon condition of her part , to supply them with five thousand Foot , and a thousand Horse , under a sufficient Generall , paying them during the War ; And afterward the expences to be payed back , upon condition on their part , by way of Pledge , to deliver Flushing , and the Fort of Ramekyn , the Town of Brill , with the two neighbouring Forts : and for the justifying of this her action , ●he set forth a large Declaration . And knowing that herein she incensed the King of Spain , she thought best to turn his anger further from home , and thereupon sent out Sir Francis Drake , and Christopher Carlile , with a Navy of one and twenty Ships ( wherein were two thousand Voluntaries and Marriners ) toward the West Indies ; who first surprized the Town of St. ●ago , afterwards St. Dominick ( where five and twenty thousand Crowns were given them , to spare the Town from burning ) afterward Cartagena , which they held seven weeks , till the Spaniards redeemed it for a hundred and ten thousand Crowns . After this , the Calenture waxing hot , and diminishing their Forces , they returned homewards , passing by Virginia , a Colony which Sir Walter Raleigh had there planted ; from whence Drake brings hom● with him Ralph Lane , who was the first that brought Tobacco into England , which the Indians take against crudities of the Stomack . At this Expedition were lost about seven hundred men , who for the most part died of Calentures : their Booty amounted to the value of threescore thous●nd pounds Sterling , besides two hundred and forty Brasse and Iron Pieces . These things were done under the Torrid Zone in America ; when in the mean while , Captain Iohn Davis , with two Ships ( at the charges of William Sanderson , and other Citizens of London ) found out away to the East-Indies , ●y the higher part of America , under the Frigid Zone .

At the end of this yeere , the Earle of Leicester is sent Generall of the Queenes Forces into Holland , accompanied with the Earle of Essex , the Lords Audley , and North , Sir William Russell , Sir Thomas Shirley , Sir Arthur Basset , Sir Walter Waller , Sir Gervase Clifton , and divers other Knights , besides five hundred Gentlemen . Landing at Flushing , he was first by Sir Philip Sidney the Governour his Nephew and after by the Townes of Zeland and Holland , entertained in most magnificent manner , ●nd comming to the Hague in Ianuary ; the States by Patent committed to him the command and absolute authority over the united Provinces , with the Titles of Governour and Captain Generall of Holland , Zeland ; and the Confederate Provinces : So as being now saluted with the Title of his Excellency , he began to assume unto him Princely spirits . But the Queene tooke him soone off from further aspiring , Writing to him in most peremptory manner ; That she wondred how a man whom ●he had raised out of the dust , could so contemptuously violate her commands , and therefore charged him upon his Allegiance , to put in ●xecution the Injunctions she sent him by HENNAGE her VICE-CHAMBERLAINE ; Withall , in Letters apart , She expostulateth with the States , that to her great disparagement , they had cast upon the ●arle of Leicester her Subject , the absolute command over the united PROVINCES without her privity , which she her selfe had utterly refused ; and therfore willeth them to Devest him of that absolute authority , to whom she had set bounds , which he should not passe . The States returne Answer , That they are heartily sorry they should incurre her displeasure by conferring upon the Earle that absolute Authority , not having first made her acquainted , but they beseeched her to consider the necessity of it ; seeing , that for avoyding of confusion , that Authority must needs be cast upon some one or other ; Neither , was there any great matter in the word Absolute , seeing the Rule and Dominion resided still in the people . By these Letters , and Leicesters own submissive writing , the Queen was soon satisfied ; Leicester all this while receiveth Contributions and Rewards from all Provinces , maketh Martiall Laws , and endeavouring likewise to raise new Customs upon Merchandizes , incurred great dislike amongst the common people . His first service was to relieve Grave , a Town in Brabant , which the Prince of Parma , by Count Mansfield had besieged : Hither he sent the Count Hohenlo a German , and Norris Generall of the English Foot ; but notwithstanding all the great service they did there , the Town in the end was taken ; but Hemart the Governor , for his cowardly yeelding it up , lost his head . From hence the Prince of Parma marched into Gelderland , and pitched his Tents before Venlow , where Skenkic a Friezlander , and Roger Williams a Welshman performed great service , yet that Town in a short time was taken also . But in the mean while , the Lord Willoughby Governor of Bergen ap Zome , cut off the enemies Convoyes , and took away their victualls ; and Sir Philip Sidney , and Maurice the Prince of Oranges Son , upon a sudden on-set , took Axale a Town in Flanders . From Venl● the Prince of Parma goes to Berke , where there were twelve thousand English , under the command of Colonell Morgan ; he notwithstanding layd Siege to the Town , which the Earl of Leicester came to raise , but finding his Forces to weak to raise it , he seeks to divert it , by Beleaguering Duisbourgh ; which before the Prince of Parma could come to relieve , he tooke . And now the Prince of Parma , fearing least Zutphin should come in danger , commandeth victualls to be carried thither , which the Spaniards carrying along in a fogge , the English by chance lighted on them , vanquished a Troop of their Horse , slew Hannibal Gonzaga , and divers other , bat then on the English side was one slain , more worth than all the English and Spaniards put together ; Sir Philip Sidney , who having his horse slain under him , and getting upon another , was shot into the thigh , and 25 dayes after , in the ●loure of his age , dyed : A man of so many excellent parts of Art and Nature , of Valour and Learning , of Wit and Magnanimity ; that as he had equalled all those of former Ages , so future Ages wil hardly be able to equal him . His Funeralls were in sumptuous manner solemnized at St. Pauls Church in London . Iames King of Scotland made his Epitaph , and both Universities celebrated his death with Funerall Verses .

After this , Leicester assaulteth Zutphen , where setting upon a Fort , he takes it in this manner ; Edward Stanley ( of the Stanlies of Elford ) catching hold of a Spaniards Launce , which was brandished at him , held it so fast , that by it he was drawn into the very Fort ; whereupon , the Spaniards being affrighted ( as thinking all the enemies were comming up ) forsook the place ; Leicester knighted Stanly for this act , gave him forty pounds in present money , and yeerly Pension of an hundred Marks during his life . And now though in this forwardnesse to winne the Town , yet winter being already come on , he thought it unseasonable to besiege it any longer ( especially so many English Garrisons lying round about it , which were in nature of a siege ) but returned to the H●g●e , where the States entertained him with complaints , that their money was not carefully husbanded , that the number of the English supplies was not full , that forreign souldiers were levyed without their consent , that the priviledges of the united Provinces were set at nought , and new devises for contribution invented ; for all which evills , they entreat him to provide some present remedy . To which complaints ( having a purpose to go for England ) he gave a friendly answer ; but upon the very day in which he was to depart , he committeth the government of the Province , to the deliberation of the States ; and the same day , made another private instrument of writing , where he reserved to himself the whole authority over the Governours of the severall Provinces , Cities , and Forts ; and more than this , taketh away the wonted jurisdiction ●rom the States Councell , and Presidents of the Provinces ; and came into England the third day of December . And thus passed the affairs of the Nether-lands for this yeare .

But in England , Philip Earle of Arundel , who had lyen in Prison a whole year , was at last brought to the Starchamber ; and being charged with fostering of Priests , and having correspondence with Allen and Parsons the Jesuit , and offering to depart the Kingdom without licence , was fined ten thousand pounds , and imprisonment during the Queens p●easure .

At this time , the Queen , by Sir Horatio Palavicino , supplied with a large summe of money the King of Navarr● ; thorow whose side , the Guyses opposed the reformed Religion in Scotland , but her most intentive care was how to unite England and Scotland in a solid friendship : To which end , she sent Thomas Randoll into Scotland , who making Propositions to the King , touching a League offensive and defensive , though the King at first required some additions , and though the French Ambassador infinitely opposed it , yet at last he consented to it ; and in Iuly following , there met at Barwick , Edward Earle of Rutland , William Lord Euer , and Thomas Randoll for the Queen of England ; Francis Earl of Bothwell , Robert Lord Boyde , and Humes for the King of Scots , and there the League ( which was called the League of strict Amity ; for that the word offensive liked not the Scots ) was upon certain points concluded : First , for the maintenance of the reformed Religion , and then other such Articles , as commonly in Leagues are usuall .

The very same moneth that this League was agreed on , a most dangerous conspiracy against the Queen was discovered . For first , one Iohn Savage , was by the perswasions of Gifford , Doctor in Divinity , induced to believe , that it was a meritorious work , to take away the lives of Princes Excommunicate , who thereupon vowed to kill Queen Elizabeth : but to make the Queen and her Councell secure , at the very same time they wrote a book● exhorting the Papists in England , to attempt nothing against their Prince , and to use only the Christian weapons of Tears , Prayers , Watching , and Fasting . About Whitsuntide , one Ballard a Seminary Priest of Rheims , acquainted with the vow of Savage ( having dealt in France with Mendoza and Charles Paget , about invading of England ) arrived here in a souldiers habit , and by a counterfeit name , called Captain Fos●● ; with these matters he acpuaints one Anthony Babington , a gentleman of Darbyshire , who by the Bishop of Glasco , the Queen of Scots Ambassador in France , had been commended to her , as one worthy of her love ; so , as between them , there passed often letters in unknown characters . In short time , Babington had drawn into the Plot , other gentlemen as zealous of the Romish Religion as himselfe ; namely , Edward Windsor , brother to the Lord Windsor , Thomas Salisbery of a good Family in Devonshire , Charles Tilney one of the Queens Pensioners , Chydiock Tichburne of Hamshire , Edward Abington ( whose father was Coferer to the Queen ) Robert Gage of Surrey , Iohn Travers● , and Iohn Charnock of Lancashire , Iohn Iones● Savage formerly spoken of , Barnwell of a noble Family in Ireland , and Henry Dunne a Clerk in the Office of First-fruits and Tenths , one Pollie also serued himselfe into their company , a fellow throughly acquainted with the affairs of the Queen of Scots , who was thought to have revealed all their consultations to Walsingham day by day . To these Gentlemen , Babington communicateth his affairs , but not every particular to every one , but to Ballard , Tichburne , and Dunn● , he sheweth the Letters which passed between him and the Queen of Scots ; with Tilney and the rest , he dealeth to be the Assassinates ; of whom , some at first loth , at last consented , and in a foolish vaingloriousnesse , a picture of the Assassinates was made to the life , and Babington in the midst , with these words ; Quorsum haec alio properentibus ? This Picture ( they say ) was gotten and privately shewed to the Queen , who knew none of them by face , but only Bernwell ( who had oftentimes come to her in the causes of the Earl of Kildare , whose servant he was ) Certain it is , that the Queen one day walking abroad , spyed this Bernwell , and turning to Hatton sayd , Am not I well Guarded , that have not so much as one man in the company with a sword by his side ? Thus much Bernwell himselfe told the rest of his confederacy , and how easie a matter it had bin to have dispatched her at that time , if the rest had been present . The chief discoverer of the Plot , was the aforesayd Gifford : This man was a gentleman of a good Hou●e at Chellington in Staffordshire , not far from Chartley , where the Queen of Scots was kept prisoner , and was now sent by the English fugitives in France , under the counterfeit name of Luson , to put Savage in minde of the vow he had made , and to convey letters between them and the Queen of Scots . But he , whether pricked in conscience , or dismayed in minde , came to Walsingham privately , revealing who he was , and for what end , and by whom sent into England . Walsingham courteously entertained him , and sent him down into Staffordshire , to do the work he had undertaken . Here Gifford bribing the Brewer of the House , where the Queen of Scots lay , contrived the matter in such sort with him , that by a hole in the wall , in which a loose stone was put , he should give in , and receive forth Letters , the which by messengers purposely layd by the way , came evermore to Walsinghams hands , who broke them open , copied them out , and by the rare cunning of one Thomas Philips , found out the meaning of the private Characters , and by the singular Art of Arthur Gregory , sealed them again so curiously , that no man would imagine them to have been opened , and ever sent them to the parties , to whom the superscription directed them . In like manner were the former letters from the Queen of Scots to Babington intercepted ; as also , other letters written at the same time to Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador , Charles Paget , the Lord Paget , the Archbishop of Glasco , and Francis Englefield . The Queen as soon as she understood by these letters of the storm hanging over her head , both at home and abroad , commanded Ballard to be apprehended , who on a sodain is taken in Babingtons house . Babington hereupon goeth to Walsingham , with whom he had long been a suiter , for licence to go into France , promising to do great matters in discovering the practises of the Fugitives ; Walsingham with fair promises drives him off from day to day ; and now perswades him , that for a small space till he could get his license sealed , he would lodge at his house in London , where they might have secret conference without suspition . This Web Walsingham himselfe had spun hitherto , and no other of the Queens Councell were made acquainted ; and longer yet he would have drawn the thread out , but that the Queen was unwilling ; least ( as she sayd ) by not avoyding danger when she might , she should seem rather to tempt God , than to trust in him . Whereupon , Walsingham sent a Note to his man Scudamore from the Court , to looke carefully to Babington : This Note was delivered in such manner , that Babington sitting by at Table when Scudamore read it , overlooked him , and read it likewise ; Hereupon , suspecting that all was discovered , the next night he and Scudamore , and one or two more of Walsinghams servants supping at a Tavern , and being very merry , he made an excuse that he must needs step aside , and rose up , leaving his Cloak and his sword , and so made haste through the dark to Westminster , where Gage and he changed apparel , and then together withdrew themselves 〈◊〉 S. Iohns wood neer the City , whether Barnwell also and Dun betook them●●●ves . In the mean space they were proclaimed Traytors all England over● Hereupon they lay lurking in Woods and by-places ; they shave Babingtons 〈◊〉 , disfigure the beauty of his countenance ( for he was of an extraord●●ary beauty ) with the husks of green Wall-nuts ; and when they were hal● starved , went to the houses of the Bellamies , neer Harrow on the hill , who were great Papists ; There they were hid in Barns , and put into a Coun●●ey habit : but notwithstanding all their shifting , within ten dayes after they were discovered and brought to London . The other Complices were soon after taken , most of them in the Suburbs of the Citie , Salisbury and Trav●●se in Cheshire , and Iones in Wales , who harboured them in his house , after he knew they were Proclaimed Traitors , Windsor only was never heard of . Many dayes were spent in the examination of them , who cut one the others throats with their own confessions . All this while , the Queen of Soits and her servants are so narrowly looked to by Pawlet , that she knew nothing of all these passages : Assoon as they were apprehended , Thomas Gorge was sent to acquaint her with the whole matter , which yet he did not do , till she was got on horse-back to Ride a hunting , and was not then suffered to return , bu● in shew of curtesie was carried up and down , to see the Houses of the Gentry thereabouts . In which mean while , Iohn Manners , Edward Acton , Richard Bagot , and Sir William Waad , took Nave and Curle the Queen of Sc●●s Secretaries , and the rest of her servants , and delivered them to Keepers apart , that they might have no speech between themselves , nor with their Lady the Queen of Scots . Then they break open all doors , and such Desks and Boxes as they found with any papers in them , they set their seals upon , and sent them to the Court : In which , being broken open before the Queen , were found a number of Letters from Forreign parts , the copies likewise of Letters sent to severall persons , and threescore Alphabets at least of private Characters ; as also , Letters to her from some of the English Nobility , containing great proffers of love and service , which the Queen notwithstanding took no notice of , but passed over in silence , according to her Motto , Video , & Taceo , I see , and say nothing , Gifford now , who had all this while served their turn , is sent into France ; but ere he went hence , left an Indenture with the French Ambassador here in England , with instructions , that he should deliver no Letters to the Queen of Scots , or the Fugitives in France ; but to him that exhibited an Indenture matching with that , the which he sent underhand to Sir Francis Walsingham .

The twentieth o● September , seven of the forenamed Conspirators were Arraigned , and pleading guilty , were condemned of High-treason . Two dayes after , seven other were called to the Bar , who pleaded not guilty , but notwithstanding were found guilty by their own confessions , and condemned ; Pollie only , though he were privie to all passages , yet because he had disclosed many things to Walsingham , was not called in question . The twentieth day of the moneth , the first seven in St. Giles Fields , where they were wont to meet , were hanged , cut down instantly , their privy members cut off , and themselves yet living and beholding it , were in cruell manner bowelled and quartered ; namely , Ballard , Babington , Savage ( who , the roap breaking , fell dowd from the Gibbet , and was presently taken by the hangman , his privie members cut off , and bowelled , while he was perfectly living ) Barnwell , Tichburne , Tilney , And Abbington . The next day , the other seven were drawn to the same place , and executed in the same fashion , but in a more gentle manner , by the Q●eens speciall charge , who detested the former cruelty , for they were to hand till they were quite dead . Salisbery first , then Dun , then Iones , Cherno●k , Traverse , Gage , and with them Hierome Bellam● , who had concealed Babington after he was Proclaimed Traytor ( whose brother being guilty of the same fact , had strangled himselfe in Prison .

When these men were executed , Nave a Frenchman , and Curle a Scots-man , Secretaries to the Queen of Scots , were examined concerning the Letters , the copies of Letters , and priviate Characters found in the Queen of Scots Closet ; who under their own voluntary subscriptions acknowledged , that they were their own hand writings , dictated in French by the Queen her self , taken by Nave ; turned into English by Curle , and copied out in secret Characters . Hereupon , Sir Edward Wootton was sent out of hand into France , to make known to the King , the order of the Treason , and to shew him the copies of the Queen of Scots Letters , confirmed by the testimony of sundry of the English Nobility , that the French King might see what dangerous plots were by Charls Paget , and the English Fugitives contrived against the Queen of England .

And now , what should be done with the Queen of Scots , was a great consultation , wherein the Councellours were not all of one minde ; some conceived , That it were not good to take any rigorous course against her , but only to hold her in fast custody ; both for that she was not Authour of the Treason , but only conscious to it , and because she was crazie , and not likely to live long . Others , out of a care of Religion , were of opinion , To have her forthwith Arraigned and put to death according to the Law ; Leicester thought it better to have her poisoned , and sent a Divine to Walsingham to prove it lawfull , but Walsingham protested against that course . A difference then arose amongst them , by what Law to proceed against her ; Whether by the Law of the 25. of Edward the Third ? ( In which they are Pronounced guilty of Treason , who plot the destruction of the King or Queen , raise War in his Dominions , or adhere to his Adversaries . ) Or else by the 27. of the Queen , Enacted a year since : Their opinion at last prevailed , who thought best to proceed against her by this latter Law , as being indeed in this case provided . Whereupon , divers of the Lords of the Privie Councell , and other of the Nobility , are Authorized by the Queens Letters , to enquire by vertue of that Law , and passe sentence against all such as raised Rebellion , Invaded the Kingdome , or attempted any violence against the Queen . These Commissioners therefore upon the 11. day of October , repaired to Fotheringay Castle in Northamptonshire , where the Queen of Scots was then held prisoner ; and the next day , sent unto her Walter Mildmay , Pawlet and Edward Barker , publick Notary , who delivered her the Queens Letters ; which , having with a setled countenance read , She sayd , It seems to me strange● that the Queen should lay her Command upon me , to hold up my hand at the Bar ; as though I were a Subject , seeing I am an absolute Queen , no lesse than her selfe ; but howsoever , I will never do any thing prejudiciall to Princes of my degree , nor to my Son the King of Scotland . After many meetings , she standing still upon her innocency , and upon her exemption from answering , as being an absolute Prince , and specially for yeelding to be tryed by the English Laws ; of which , One ( she sayd ) had lately been made of purpose for her destruction . It was at last told her plainly , by the Chancellour and Treasurer , That if she refused to answer to such crimes as should be objected , they would then proceed against her , though she were absent . Being brought at last , with much ado to consent , the Commissioners came together in the Presence Chamber ; a Chaire of Estate was set for the Queen of England , in the upper end of the Chamber , under a Canopy ; beneath over against it , was placed a Chair for the Queen of Scots ; on both sides of the Cloth of Estate , stools were set , upon which on the one side sate the Lord Chancellor , the Lord Treasurer , the Earls of Oxford , Kent , Derby , Worcester , Rutland , Cumberland , Warwicke , Pembrooke , Lincolne , and Viscount Mountacute● On the other side sate the Lords Aburgavany , Zouch , Morley , St. Iohn of Bletsho , Compton , and Cheyney ; Next to these , sate the Knights that were Privie Councellors , Sir Iames Crofts , Sir Christopher Hatton , Sir Francis Walsingham , Sir Ralph Sadler , Sir Walter Mild●● , and Sir Amis Pawlet ; Foreward , before the Earls , sate the two Chiefe Justices , and the Lord chiefe Baron ; on the other side , the two Barons , and the other Justices ; Dale , and Foord , Doctors of the Civill Law , at a Table in the midst , Popham the Queens Atturney Generall , Egerton her Solicitor , ●●●die her Serjeant at Law , the Clerk of the Crown , and two Notaries . When the Queen of Scots was come , and had placed her selfe , silence being made , Bromely Lord Chancellor turning towards her , sayd ; That the Queen had appointed these Commissioners , to hear what she could Answer to crimes layd to her charge , assuring her , that nothing would be cause of more joy to the Queen , then to hear , that she had proved her selfe innocent . Upon this , she rising up , sayd ; That although , being an absolute Prince , she could not be compelled to appear before the De●egates , yet to manifest her innocency , she was now content to appear . Then Gawdie , opened every speciality of the Law lately made ( against which she had taken excception ) shewing , By Babingtons confession , by Letters passed between them , by the confessions of Ballard , and Savage , by the confessions of her Secretaries , Nave , and Curle , that she was privy to their Treasons , and consented to the Invasion of England , and destruction of the Queen . To which she answered , That Letters might be counterfeited , her Secretaries might be corrupted , and rest , in hope of life , might be drawn to confesse that which was not true : In this she stood peremptorily , That she never consented to any Attempt against the Queens Person ; though for her own delivery , she confessed she did . After many other charges by the Commissioners , and replies by the Queen of Scots ; At last , she requested , that she might be heard in a full Parliament , or before the Queen her selfe , and her Councell . But this request prevailed not ; for on the 25. day of October following , at the Star-Chamber in Westminster , the Commissioners met again , and there pronounced sentence against her ; Ratifying by their Seals and subscriptions , that after the 1. day of Iune , in the seven and twentieth year of our Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth , divers matters were compassed and imagined in this Kingdom , by Anthony Babington , and others , with the privity of Mary Queen of Scots , pretending Title to the Crown of England , tending to the hurt , death , and destruction of the Royall Person , of our sayd Soveraigne Lady the Queen .

After a few dayes , a Parliament was holden at Westminster , the which was begun by Authority from the Queen , derived to the Archbishop of Canterbury , the Lord Treasurer , and the Earl of Derby ; and the same , not without some Presidents . At this Parliament , the Proscriptions of the Lord Paget , Charls Paget , Francis Inglefield , Francis Throgmorton , Anthony Babington , Thomas Salisbury , Edward Iones , Chyd●ock Tichburne , Charles Tilney , and the other complices , was confirmed , and their goods and possessions adjudged confiscate . Also the Peers of the Kingdom , with an unanimous consent , exhibit a Petition to the Queen by the Lord Chancellor , that for the preservation of the true Religion , and safety of the Queen , of themselves , and their Posterity , the Sentence passed against Mary Queen of Scots , might according to Law be presently Promulged : They put the Queen in minde of the fearfull examples of Gods Judgements extant in Scripture , upon King Saul , for sparing of Agag , and upon Ahab , for not putting Benhadad to death . But the Queen answereth them to this effect : First , acknowledging Gods miraculous preservation of her , and then their constant affections towards her , for whose sakes onely she desires to live : Otherwise , when she calls to minde things past , beholds the present , and expects what may happen in time to come , that she accounts them most happy , who go soonest hence . That the Law lately made , by which the Queen of Scots is condemned , was not made ( as some maliciously have imagined ) to ensnare her ; but cont●ariwise , to forewarn and deterre her from attempting any thing against it , which though it had not been made , yet were there other ancient Laws enough to condemne her . Nothing could have been more grievous to me , than that a Prince , and one so neer Allied unto me , should deserve the Sentence pronounced against her ; and seeing the matter is of rare example , and of a very weighty consequence , I hope you will not expect , that I should at this present determine any thing ; Yet that there may be no danger in delay● I will in due time signifie my minde unto you ; and in the meane time , would have you to expect from me , whatsoever good Subjects may looke for , from a Gracious Prince .

Twelve dayes after , having deeply weighed the matter in her minde , she sent the Lord Chancellor to the Peers , and Puckering to the Lower House , entreating them to advise more diligently concerning so weighty a matter , and to bethinke themselves of some wholesome remedy , by which the life of the Queen of Scots might be spared , and their security also provided for . They , when they had a long time in most serious manner deliberated hereof , Return at last this Verdict ; That the Queenes life could not be in safety , while the Queen of Scots lived , unlesse she either repented and acknowledged her crimes , or were kept in straight custody , or bound by her oath and obligations , or gave Hostages , or lastly , departed the Kingdome . And seeing none of these were likely to be remedies ; It remained , that only her death would be a remedy . Repentance in her they could little hope for , who would not so much as acknowledge her self faulty : Close Imprisonment , Obligations , Oath , and Hostages they accounted as nothing , which all vanished , if the Queens life were once taken away ; and if she departed the Kingdom , they feared she would straightway go about to Invade it again . These things the Lord Chancellor , and Puckering the Speaker of the Lower-House , declared to the Queen at large , and urged her in their names , to have the Sentence put in execution . Hereupon , the Queen after a short pawse , spake at last to this effect : I protest , my chief desire hath been , that for your security , and my own safety , some other way might be devised , than that which is now propounded ; but seeing it is now evident and certain , that my safety without her destruction , is in a more deplorate estate , I am most grievously affected with inward sorrow ; That I , who have pardoned so many Rebells , have neglected so many Treasons ( either by connivance , or silence ) should now at last exercise cruelty , upon a Prince so neerly Allied to me . As for your Petition , I beseech you to rest in an Answer , without an Answer : If I say I will not grant your Petition , I shall happily say what I mean not ; I● I should say , I will grant it , then cast I my selfe into destruction headlong , whose safety you so earnestly desire , And that I know , you in your wisedoms would not I should doe .

After this , the Parliament was Prorogued , and then were the Lords Buckhurst and Beale sent to the Queen of Scots , to let her understand that Sentence was pronounced against her , and confirmed by Parliament , and that the execution of it was earnestly desired , by the Nobility and the Commons ; and therefore perswaded her , that before her death , she would make acknowledgement of her offences , against God and the Queen ; Intimating , That if she lived , the Religion received in England , could not subsist . Hereupon , she was taken with an unwonted alacrity , and seemed to triumph for joy , giving God thanks , and gratulating her own felicity , That she should be accounted an Instrument , for establishing Religion in this Island ; and therewith requested , She might have some Catholike Priest to administer the Sacrament to her ; but was denied , which some deemed , not inhumane onely , but tyranicall and heathenish . The Bishop and the Dean , whom for this cause they commended to her , she utterly rejected , and jeered at the English Nation , saying ; The English were ever ●nd anon wont to murther their own Kings , and therefore , no mar 〈◊〉 they should now thirst after her destruction . In Dcember following the Sentence against her was Proclaimed , in London first , and after , over all the Kingdom , wherein Queen Elizabeth seriously protested , that this Promulgation of the Sentence was extorted from her , to her great grief , by the importunity of the whole Body of the Kingdome . The Queen of Scots being told hereof , seemed not a whit dejected with it ; but writing to the Queen , never maketh intercession for her self , nor expostulateth her death , but onely makes three small requests , one , That she might be buried in France , by her Mother ; another , That shee might not be put to death privately , but her servants to be present ; the third That her servants might freely depart , and enjoy such Legacies as she had given them . Of which Requests , she desireth the Queen to vouchsafe her an answer ; but whether this Letter ever came to Queen Elizabeth , is uncertain .

This condemnation of the Queene of Scots , as a thing strange , and scarce credible , was soone spread farre and neare ; so as intercessions came thicke in her behalfe to Queene ELIZABETH , but specially from the King of Scots , and the King of FRANCE , who sent their severall Ambassadors , using all the reasons that naturall affection in the one , and likenesse of condition in the other , could urge , for sparing of her life ; but when the necessity of the State , seemed to obstruct all wayes of clemency , the French Ambassador L' Aubespine , falls from reasons to action , and thinketh no way so effectuall for saving the Queen of Scots life , as to take away Queen ELIZABETHS life ; and thereupon , First , he dealeth covertly with William Stafford , a young Gentleman , and prone to embrace hopes ( whose Mother was of the Bed-chamber to Queen ELIZABETH , and his brother at that time , Ambassador Lieger in France ) and afterward , more openly by Trappe his Secretary , to murther the Queen . Stafford , though not daring to act such a villany himselfe , yet commended one Moody to him , a resolute fellow , and one that for money would be sure to do it . Upon this , Stafford brings Trappe to Moody , being then in the common Gaole , who upon Trappes offers , undertakes it : But then the consultation was , by what way it should be done ? Moody propounded poison , or else to lay a bagge of Gunpowder under the Queens Bed , and suddenly fire it . But Trappe liked of neither of these wayes , but would rather have it done , as was done to the Prince of Orange . But while they are thus consulting about the way of doing it ; Stafford discovers all to the Lords of the Councell . Whereupon Trappe , who was now bound for France , was apprehended , and being examined , confessed the whole matter . Upon this , the Ambassador himself was sent for to Cecills house , the twelveth of Ianuary ; where met him by the Queens appointment , Cecill Lord Treasurer , the Earl of Leicester , Sir Christopher Hatton Vice-Chamberlain , and Davyson one of her Secretaries ; who declare to the Ambassador every particular which Stafford , Moody , and Trappe his Secretary had confessed . Assoone as Stafford was brought forth , and began to speake , the AMBASSADOR interrupted him , and revyling him , made asseveration , that St●fford first propounded it ; when Stafford falling on his knees , made fearful imprecations , that the AMBASSADOR first propounded it himself . But whosoever propounded it ( sayth BVRLEIGH ) It appeares , that you were made acquainted with the matter . To which hee presently Replyed ; That if hee had knowne of any such thing , yet , being he was an AMBASSADOVR , he o●ght not to give notice of it , but to his own King . After much reasoning in this manner ; The Lord Burleigh admonished him , to beware how he offended hereafter in this kinde ; and let him know , That he is not quitted from the offence , though for this time the Queen be pleased to forbear him .

But upon this Treason , the Queen of Scots Adversaries put many terrors into Queen Elizabeths minde , giving out , That the Spanish Navy was come to Milford Haven , That the Scots were broken into England , That the Duke of Guyse with a great Army was landed in Sussex , That the Queen of Scots was escaped out of Prison , and had gotten a Company up in Arms , and many other such feigned suggestions ; Through which , at length they drew the Queen to this : That she sealed Letters , for executing the Sentence against the Queen of Scots ; and one of her greatest perswaders to it ( as the Scots reported ) was one whom the King of Scots had sent to disswade her from it ; namely , Patricke Grey , who sounded often in her ears , Mortua non mordet ; when she is dead , she cannot bite .

The Queen notwithstanding , began to weigh with her self , whether it were better to rid her out of the way , or else to spare her ; and many great reasons offered themselves on both sides , but where only speculative reasons presented themselves for sparing her ; many practicall reasons , and those pressed both by Courtiers and Preachers , were presented to her ; so as long holden in suspence , she would oftentimes sit speechlesse , and her countenance cast down : At last , her fear prevayling , she delivered to Secretary Davyson , Letters under her hand and Seal , to get the Commission made under the Great Seal of England , for the Execution of the Queen of Scots , which might be in a readinesse upon any fear of danger ; charging him not to disclose the matter , to any whomsoever . But the next day her minde was altered , and sent Sir William Killegrew to Davyson , to countermand the making of the Commission . Whereupon Davyson goes to her , and lets her know , That the Commission was already made , and the Seal put to it ; Whereat , the Queen extreamly angry , rebuketh him sharply for his hastinesse ; yet Davyson imparteth the matter to Privy Councellors ; and perswades them , That the Queen Commanded , the Commission should be put in execution . Hereupon , Beale Clerk of the Councell , is sent down with Letters , wherein authority is deputed to the Earls of Shrewsbury , Kent , Derby , Cumberland , and others , that she should be put to death according to the Law ; with which proceeding , the Queen was not once made acquainted ; and more than this , Although she had intimated to Davyson , That she would take some other order concerning the Queen of Scots , yet did not he stay Beale from going .

And now comes in the last Act of the Queen of Scots Tragedy● for assoon as the Earls were come to Fotheringay ; They , together with Sir Amis Pawlet , and Sir Drue Drurie , with whom she was then in custody ; go unto her , and reading the Commission , signifie the cause of their comming ; and in a few words , admonish her to prepare her selfe for death , for that she must dye the next day . Whereto , without any change of countenance or passion of minde , she made Answer ; I had not thought that my Sister the Queen , would have consented to my death , who am not subject to your Laws ; but since it is her pleasure , death shall then be to me most welcome . Then she requesteth that she might conferre with her Confessor , and Melvyn her Steward , which would not be granted : The Bishop or Deane of Peterborough they offered her , but them she refused . The Earles being departed , she gave order that Supper should bee hastened , where shee eat ( as she used to doe ) soberly , and sparingly ; and perceiving her men and women servants to lament and weepe , she comforteth them , and bid them rejoyce rather , that she was now to depart out of a world of misery . After supper , she looketh over her Will , read the Inventory of her Goods and Jewells , and writ their names severally by them , to whom she gave any of them ; at her wonted hour she went to bed , and after a few hours sleep , awaking ; spent the rest of the night in her devotion . And now the fatall day being come , wich was the 8 of February , she getteth up , and makes her ready in her best Apparell , and then betook her self in her Closet to Almighty God , imploring his assistance with deep sighes and groans ; untill Thomas Andrews Sheriffe of the County gave notice , that it was time to come forth , and then with a Princely Majesty , and chearfull conntenance , she came out , her head covered with a linnen Vayl , and carrying an Ivory Crucifix in her hand ; In the Gallery the Earls met her , and the other Gentlemen , where Melvyn her servant upon his bended knees , deplored his own fortune , that he should be the messenger to carry this sad newes into Scotland ; whom she comforted saying , Do not lament Melvyn , Thou shalt by and by see Mary Steward freed from all cares . Then turning her self to the Earls , She requested that her servants might stand by her at her death , which the Earl of Kent was very loath to grant , for fear of superstition ; To whom she sayd , Fear nothing , these poor wretches desire only to give me my last farewell . I know the Queen my Sister , would not deny me so small a request . After this , the two Earls , and the Sheriff of the County leading the way , she came to the Scaffold , which was set up at the upper end of the Hall , where was a Chayre , a Cushion , and a Block , all covered with Mourning . Then the Dean of Peterborough going to Prayers , she falling upon her knees , and holding up the Crucifix in both her hands , prayed with her Servants in Latine , out of the Office of the blessed Virgin . Prayers being ended , she kissed the Crucifix , and signing her self with the Sign of the Crosse , said , As thy arms , O Christ , were spread forth upon the Crosse , so embrace me with the open arms of thy mercy , and forgive me my sins . Then the Executioner asking her pardon , she forgave him . And now her women helping off her outer Garments , and breaking forth into shrikes and cryes , she kissed them , signed them with the Crosse , and willed them to leave lamenting , for now an end of her sorrows was at hand ; and then shadowing her face with a Linnen Cloth , and lying down on the Block , she repeated the Psalm , In te Domine speravi , ne confundar in aeternum ; at which words she stretching forth her Body , her head at two blows was taken off . Her Body was afterward Royally buried in the Cathedrall Church at Peterborough ; but since that , her Noble Son Iames , King of Great Britain , erected a Royall Monument for her , in King Henry the seventh's Chappell at Westminster . This end had Mary Queen of Scots , in the six and fortieth yeer of her age , and of her Imprisonment in England the eighteenth ; a Lady so compleat in all excellent parts of body and minde , that must needs have made her a happy woman , if she had not been a Queen ; and perhaps a happy Queen too , if she had not been Heir to the Crown of England : For why did all her endeavours want successe , but onely from the fear of that Succession ; and no Innocency of heas could be a Defence , where the fury of Jealousie made the Assault .

Assoon as it came to the Queens knowledge , that the Queen of Scots was put to death , her countenance grew dejected , and her speech fayled her ; insomuch that all in mourning weeds , she gave her self over to sorrow , Commanded her Councellors from her Presence , and caused Davyson to be cited to the Starchamber . And assoon as grief would suffer her , She wrote a Letter with her own hand to the King of Scots , and sent it by Sir Robert Cary , to this effect ; That her minde was infinitely disquieted , in regard of this lamentable event , against her meaning and intent ; entreating him to believe , That if she had commanded it , she would never have denyed it , and withall , Protesting her true affection towards him , and her assiduous watchfulnesse for the prospering of his affairs .

While Carye was on his journey , Davyson is cited to the Star-Chamber before these Delegates , Sir Christopher Wray Chiefe Justice of the Kings-Bench , for that time made Lord Privy Seal , the Archbishop ; of Canterbury and York , the Earls of Worcester , Cumberland , and Lincolne , the Lords Grey , and Lumley , Sir Iames Croft , Comptroller of the Queens House , Sir Walter Mildmay , Chancellor of the Exchequer , Sir Edmond Anderson , Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , and Sir Roger Manwood , Lord Chief Baron ( where note , That Bromely Lord Chancellor , Burleigh Lord Treasurer , Leicester , and Hatton , who were indeed more guilty of the fact , than Davyson , were none of the number . ) Before these Delegates , Popham the Queens Atturney layeth to Davysons charge , Contempt of the Queen ; Majesty , violating of his trust , and neglect of his duty , laying open all particulars of his fact ; which after Egerton the Queens Solicitor , Gawdy , and Puckering her Serjeants at Law , urged also against him with great aggra●ation : To which Davyson mildely answered , That he would not contest with the Queen ; only protests , That if he had done any thing otherwise than he ought , it was out of ignorance and mistaking , and not out of any purpose to disobey her Majesty . It seems the Queen had carried her selfe , as one that would have it done , and yet was loth to do it , scarce knowing her one minde , and yet would have another know it ; meaning to make it the work of mistaking , rather than of purpose , that so at least she might leave some place of satisfaction to her selfe , that it was not absolutely of her doing .

The Pleadings ended , the Commissioners went to censure ; Manwood began , and gave his opinion , That Davyson , for the inconsideratnesse of his fact● should be fined ten thousand pounds , and Imprisonment during the Queens pleasure ; the rest went on in that Sentence , only the Lord Grey excused Davyson so far , That he tho●ght him worthy of reward , rather than of punishment : The conclusion was , the first Sentence for his Fine and Imprisonment , was by Wray keeper of the Privy Seal confirmed ; and Davyson never after recovered the Queens favour , though she relieved him sometimes in his necessity . A man ingenious indeed , but not throughly acquainted with the wayes of the Court ; and thought to have been raised to this place , of purpose to Act this part , and for nothing else .

By this time Sir Robert Cary , Son to the Lord Hunsdon , who was sent to excuse the Queen , was come to the Borders ; but being come thither , was not suffered to set foot in Scotland , The King would scarce hear him by another , and with much adoe received his Letters . He called home his Ambassador out of England , and thought of nothing but revenge .

But the Queen still laying the fault upon Davyson , and the unadvised credulity of her Councellros , by little and little allayeth his passion ; and expecting , till time had somewhat asswaged his griefe , that it would endure to be touched , at length , by her Agents in Scotland ; And soon after by the Lord Hunsdon Governor of Berwicke , She admonished him , How dangerous it would be for him , to break out into War against England , and what little help he could justly expect from either Spain or France , but if he persisted in the amity with England , he might be sure the Queen of England , would most lovingly account him for her Son . And to the end , that he should assure himself , that the Queen his Mother was put to death without her privity , she sent him the Sentence against Davyson , under the Seals of all the Delegates , and attested under the Great Seal of England ; and another Instrument likewise signed with the hands of the Judges of England ; in which they averre , That the Sentence against the Queen of Scots , could in no wise be prejudice to his right in the Succession .

Having now by these and the like courses , somewhat asswaged the King of Scots indignation ; to prevent the War which they foresaw was imminent from the King of Spain , they send forth Drake with four of the Queens ships and others , unto the Coast of Spain , to set upon their ships in the Have●s , and to intercept their Munition . Drake entring into the Port of Cales , sunck , took , and fired , about an hundred ships , wherein was great store of Munition and Victualls : Then returning to the Cape of St. Vincent , he set up three Forts , and compelled them to yeild . Thence setting sayl towards the Western Islands , called Azores , under the great Meridian ; by great good fortune he happened upon an huge and wealthy Carack , called St. Philip , returning from the East-Indies , and easily vanquished it ; Wherupon the Mariners on both sides , from the name of Philp , portended no good luck to Philip King of Spain .

At the same time , Thomas Cavendish of Suffolke , in the other part of the World , who two years before had set sayl from England with three ships , passing thorough the Straights of Magellan , in the Coast of Chily , Peru , and Nu●va Hispania , fired a great number of Spanish Towns , took and pillaged ninteen great ships , and amongst them a wealthy ship of the Kings , nigh unto Caliphornia , in North America ; and so by the Philippine Isles , the Mol●cce , the Cape de Bone Esperance , and the Island of St. Helene , returned home the next year , being the third after Magellan , that sayled about the World .

As Drake and Cavendish at this time gained great fame and renown● so two other men in the Netherlands ( Stanley and Yorke ) purchased as great infamy and disgr●ce : This Yorke was a Londoner , a bold fellow , and of loose behaviour ; famous for bringing first into England , the manner of turning the point upon the Adversary in single Combats , whereas the English till this time , were wont to be armed with Bucklers and swords , and to strike with edge , and it was held no manhood to turn the point , or strike below the girdle . He suffering some affront from the Earl of Leicester , fled away , and for a time , served under the Spaniards in the Netherlands , till at length being reconciled to Leicester , he was sent over the Fort near Zutphen ; but being bribed , he not only yeilded up the place to the Enemy , but drew to the like villany one Stanley , who with great valour had served in an Irish expedition ; to yeild up Daventry to the Spaniards , a wealthy and well Fortified Town . But what got they by their treachery , The Spaniards set Yorke and Stanley at variance , they poison Yorke and seize upon his goods , his carkasse was three years after digged up by the States commandment , and hanged upon a Gibbet till it rotted away● Stanley went into Spain , where there was no credit given to him ; for the Spaniards have a saying , It is lawfull to give honor to a Traytor sometimes , but never to trust him .

These late treacheries , wrought the Earl of Leicester much envy with the Confederate Netherlands , because the Traytors were very intimate with him ; whereupon the States in large letters to the Queen , accuse Le●cester for his ill managing of the Weal-Publick , in the matter of money , Merchandize , and Military affairs ; and to his credulity , They impute the harm which accrewed by Yorke and Stanley . The Queen , for the narrow sifting of the matter , and composing it ; sent thither Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckehurst ( lately taken i●to her Privie Councell in Leicesters absence ) Norris , and Bartholmew Clerke : B●t when as the officious diligence of Buckhurst , seemed to trench upon Leicesters re●utation ; his grace with the Queen proved so forcible , that Buckhurst at his return , was for certain moneths confined to his house .

Afterward , Sluce being beleaguered by the Prince of Parma , Leicester was by the States sent for out of England , to succour it ; the Town was furiously a●saulted , with seventeen thousand great shot , and a mighty breach was made into it ; which neverthelesse , Roger Williams , Franis Vere , Nicholas Baskervile , with the Garrison of the English and Wallons , were valiantly defended for a while , but at last were enforced to yeild it up● Leicester , that came to relieve it , finding himself too weak for the Besiegers , being gone away . And indeed , the States would not commit any great Army to his Command ; who ( they knew had a determination to se●ze L●yden , and some other Towns into his own hands , and had a purpose to surprize the absolute Government . Whereupon , the States used means , that Leicester was called home ; gave up the Government to the States , and in his roome succeeded Maurice of Nassaw Son to the Prince of Orange , b●ing now but twenty years of age . ) Peregrine Lord Willonghby , was by the Queen made Gene●all of the English Forces in the Low-Countries , to whom she gave command to reduce the English Factions into the States obedience ; the which , with the help of Prince Maurice , he easily effected .

Leicester being now come home , and perceiving that an accusation was preparing against him by Buckhurst and others , for his unfaithfull managing of affairs in Holland ; privately with tears he cast himself down at the Queens feet , entreating her , that she would not receive him with disgrace , at his return , whom she had sent forth with honor ; and so far prevailed with her , that the next day being called to examination before the Lords , he took his place amongst them , not kneeling down at the end of the Table , as the manner of Delinquents is ; and when the Secretary began to read the heads of his Accusation , he interrupted him , saying ; That the publick instructions which he had received , were limited with private restriction ; and making his appeal to the Queen , eluded the whole crimination , with the secret indignation of his Adversaries .

This year was famous for the death of many great Personages : In the moneth of February , dyed Henry Nevill Lord of Aburgaveny , great Grand-childe to Edward Nevill , who in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth , got this Title in the right of his Wife , only Daughter and Heir to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Worcester , and Lord of Aburgaveny ; In which right , when as the only Daughter of this Henry , Wife to Sir Thomas Fane , challenged the Title of Baronesse of Aburgaveny ; a memorable contention arose concerning the Title between her , and the next Heir Male , to whom by Will ( and the same confirmed by Authority of Parliament ) the Castle of Aburgaveny was bequeathed . This question being a long time debated ; at last in a Parliament holden in the second year of King Iames , the matter was tryed by voyces ; and the Heir Male carried the Lordship of Aburgaveny , and the Barony Le Dispencer , was ratified to the Female . This year also , in the moneth of Aprill , dyed Anne Stanhope Dutchesse of Somerset , ninety years old , who being the Wife of Edward Seymer Duke of Somerset , and Protector of England , contended for precedency , with Katherine Parre , Queen Dowager to King Henry the Eight . There dyed also , Sir Ralph Sadler , Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster , the last Baneret of England , with which dignity he was adorned at the Battell of Musselborough in Scotland . After him dyed Thomas Bromley Lord Chancellor of England ; and six dayes after , He , whom the Queen meant should have succeeded him , Edward Earl of Rutland ; but he now fayling , Sir Christopher Hatton was made Lord Chancellor , who though he were a Courtier , yet the Queen knowing him to be an honest man , thought him not unfit for that place , where conscience hath , or should have more place than Law ; although some were of opinion , That it was not so much the Queens own choice , as that she was perswaded to it by some that wisht him not well ; both thereby to be a cause of absenting him from the Court , and thinking that such a sedentary place , to a corpulent man that had been used to exercise , would be a means to shorten his life , and indeed he lived not full out three years after .

This yeer Sir Iohn Perot was called home out of Ireland , and left all in 〈◊〉 quiet to Fits Williams his Successor . For hitherto the English 〈◊〉 it no hard matter to vanquish the Irish , by reason of their unskil●ulnesse in Arms ; eight hundred Foot , and three hundred Horse , was ●●ld an invincible Army : but after that by Perots command , they were ●●●●cised in Feats of Arms , and taught to discharge Muskets at a Mark , 〈◊〉 had in the Low-Countries learned the Art of Fortification , they held the English better to it , and were not so easily overcome .

And now we are come to the one and twentieth yeer of Queen Eliza●●●●s Raign , being the yeer 1588 , long before spoken of by Astrologers , 〈◊〉 be a wonderfull yeer , and even the Climactericall yeer of the World . And yet the greatest Wonder that happened this yeer , was but the wonderfull Fleet that Spain provided for invading of ENGLAND , if the defeat of that wonderfull Fleet were not a greater Wonder .

It is true , there was at this time a Treaty of Peace between England and Spai● ; and the Earl of Derby , the Lord Cobham , Sir Iames Crofts , Dale and Rogers , Doctors of Law , Commissioners for the Queen : for the Prince of Parma , the Count Aurenberg , Champignie , Richardot , Ma●s , and Garvyer , Doctors , had many meetings about it neer to Ostend ; but it seemed on the p●rt of Spain , rather to make the English secure , that they should not make provision for War , than that they had any purpose of reall proceeding , seeing they accepted not of any reasonable Conditions that were offered , but trifled out the time , till the Spanish Navy was come upon the Coast , and the Ordnance heard from Sea , and then dismissed the English Delegates .

The Spanish Navy consisted of one hundred and thirty Ships ; whereof Galeasses and Galleons , seventy two , goodly Ships , like to floating Towers ; in which were Souldiers , 19290 ; Marriners , 8350 ; Gally-slaves , 2080 ; Great Ordnance , 2630 : For the greater holinesse of their Action , twelve of their Ships were ca●led , The twelve Apostles . Chief Commander of the Fleet , was Don Alphonso , Duke of Medina ; and next to him , Iohn Martin Recalde , a great Sea-man . The twentieth of May they weighed Anchor from the River Tagus , but were by Tempest so miserably disperst , that it was long ere they m●t again : but then they sent before to the Prince of Parma , That he with his Forces , consisting of fifty thousand old Souldiers , should be ready to joyn with them , and with his Shipping conduct them into England , and to land his Army at the Thames Mouth .

The Queens Preparation in the mean time , was this ; The Lord Charles Howard , Lord Admirall , with all her Navy ; and Sir Francis Drake , Vice-Admirall , to be ready at Plimouth ; and the Lord Henry Seymor ( second son to the Duke of Somerset , with forty English and Dutch Ships , to keep the Coasts of the Netherlands , to hinder the Prince of Parma's coming forth . Then for Land-Service , there were laid along the Southern Coast , twenty thousand souldiers , and two Armies besides of Trayned men were levyed ; over one of which , consisting of a thousand Horse , and two and twenty thousand Foot , the Earl of Leicester commanded , and pitched his Tents at Tilbury , neer the Thames mouth : Over the other , appointed to Guard the Queens Person , and consisting of four and twenty thousand Foot , and two thousand Horse , the Lord Hunsdon was Generall . Arthur Lord Grey , Sir Francis Knolles , Sir Iohn Norris , Sir Richard Bingham , Sir Roger Williams , and other Military men , were chosen to make a Councell of War , and consult how the Land-service should ●e ordered . These declared , amongst other things , That the places which lay fittest for the enemies landing , as Milford Haven , F●lmouth , Plimouth , Portland , the Isle of Wight , Portsmouth , the Downs , the Thames mouth , Harwich , Yarmouth , Hull , and such other , should be fortified with Works and Garrisons ; the Trayned Souldiers of those Shires which lay neer the Sea Coast , should defend those places , and be ready at the Alarm to hinder the Enemy from Landing ; but if he did land , then to spoyl the Countrey round about , that he might finde no food ; and by continuall crying , Arm , Arm , give the Enemy no rest , but yet should not give Battell , till good store of Commanders were come together .

At this time many fearing the Papists at home , no lesse than the Spa●iards abroad , perswaded the Queen to take off the heads of some of t●e greatest of them ; but she detesting such cruelty , took order onely , That some few of them should be committed to custody in Wisbych Castle .

And now all things on both sides prepared , the Spanish Navy set forth out of the Groyne in May , but was dispersed and driven back by weather . The English Navy set forth somewhat later out of Plimouth , bearing up towards the Coast of Spain ; but partly by occasion of contrary windes , partly by advertisement that the Spaniards were gone back , and upon some doubt also that they might passe by towards the Coast of England , whilest they were seeking them afar off , they returned to Plimouth ; At which time , a confident ( though false ) advertisement came to the Admirall , That the Spaniards could not possible come forward that yeer : whereupon the E●glish Navy was upon the point of disb●nding , and many of the men were gone on shore ; when suddenly the invincible Armada ( for so it was called in a Spanish ostentation ) was discovered upon the Western Coast : whereof the Lord Admirall being informed , had much ado to get the Queens Navy out of the Haven ( the winde being contrary ) yet at length he haled it forth . The next day , the English beheld the Spanish Ships , in height like to Castles , sayling slowly along , whom they suffered peaceably to passe by , that they might have the benefit of the winde to follow after . The one and twentieth day of Iuly , the Admirall of England sent a Pinnace before , called , The Defianc● , which by a great shot , challenged the Spaniards to fight , and by and by they fell to it . Then Drake , Hawkins , and Forbisher let fly against the outmost Squadron , which Recalde commanded , making him glad to fly to their main Navy for succour . The night following● a mighty Biskayner of Oquenda's ( in which the King of Spain's Treasure was ) was by chance fired with Gun-powder , but was timely quenched by other Ships sent to her succour ; one of which Ships , was the Galleon of Don Pedro , whom Sir Francis Drake took prisoner , and sent him to Darthmouth . The Biskayner it self ( the Treasure being taken out by the Spaniards ) they left behinde them , which the English brought into the Haven at Weymouth .

The three and twentieth day of this Month , they had a seco●d Fight , in which most of the Spanish Shot flew over the English Ships , and never hurt them ; Onely Cock an English-man , being with his little Vessell in the midst of the enemies , died valiantly . The four and twentieth day , they rested on both sides ; in which time the Lord Admirall ranked his whole Fleet i●to four Squadrons : The first he ruled himself , Drake the second , Hawkins the third , and Forbisher the fourth .

The five and twentieth day ( which was the Saint Iames day ) they fell to it the third time ; in which Fight , the English had again the better , so as after this time , the Spaniards would no more turne upon the English , but holding on their course , dispatched a Messenger to the Prince of Parma ; Requiring him forthwith to joyne himself to the Kings Fleet , and withall to send them Bullets .

The day following , the Lord Admirall Knighted Thomas Howard , the Lord Shefield● Roger Townsend , Iohn Hawkins , and Martin Frobisher ; and holding a Councell of War , they decreed not to set again upon the Enemy , till they came to the streight of Calice , where the Lord Henry Seymor and Sir William Winter waited for their coming . And now so far were the English from being terrified with this invincible Navy , that many of the Nobility and other of speciall note , hired Ships at their own charges and came to the Admirall ; as the Earls of Oxford , Northumberland , Cumberland , Thomas and Robert Cecill , Henry Brook , Sir Charls Blunt , Sir Walter Raleigh , Sir William Hatton , Sir Robert Carie , Sir Ambrose Willoughby , Sir Thomas Gerard , Sir Arthur Gorge and others .

The seaven and twentieth of July towards the Evening , the Spaniards cast Anchour neer unto Calis , and not far from them rode the English Admirall , within shot of a great Ordnance , to whom Seymor and Winter joyned themselve● , so as by this time there were in the English Navy a hundred and forty Ships , nimble and serviceable for Fighting or Sayling , yet only Fifteen of them bore the stroke of the Battell . And now againe the Spaniards sent Post after Post to the Prince of Parma to send them forty Flye-boates , without which they were not able to skirmish with the English , by reason of the greatnesse and unweldinesse of their Ships , and importune him presently to put to Sea with his Army ; But he was unprepa●ed , and his Flat-bottomed Boates were full of chinks and leaked , and besides , the Hollanders hovered before the Ports of Dunkerk and Newport , in such sort , that he durst not look forth .

The eight and twentieth day ; the Lord Admirall made ready eight of his worst Ships , on the out-side dawbed with wild-fire , Rozin and Brimstone , within , full of combustible matter , and under the conduct of Young and Prowse , sent them down with the winde in the silent time of the night towards the Spanish Fleet ; the which when the Spaniards saw approach them , and the Sea as it were all on a light fire ; imagining withall , that those Fire-ships might carry in them some murthering Engines , they made ● hideous noise , took up Anchours , cutt Cables , spread Sayles , and betook themselves to their Oars , but more to flight : One of the Spanish Galleasses having lost her Rudder , and floating up and down , was held in fight by Annias Preston , Thomas Gerard , and Harvie , who ●lew Captain Hugh Moncada , cast the Souldiers over board , and carryed away a great deale of Gold , but the Vessell and Ordnance was wreck to the Governour of Calice .

Drake and Fencz in the mean while perceiving the Spanish Fleet to gather togethea again before Graveling , set upon them with great violence , to whom str●ightwayes , Fenton , Southwell , Beeston , Crosse , and Riman joyne themselves , and soon after the Admirall himself , Sir Thomas Howard , and the Lord Sheffield , the Galleon called Saint Matthew , was sorely battered by Seymor and Winter , driven toward Ostend , and set upon again by the Zelanders , and at last was taken by the Flushingers .

And now the Spanish Navy having want of many nec●ssaries , and no hope of the Prince of Parma's coming , they resolved to returne Northward for Spain ; in which passage they lost both many Ships and men , the English Navy still following them close , till they were faine to give them over for want of Powder . Whilest these things passed at Sea , the Queen ●n Person came to Tilbury to view the Army and Campe there , where she shewed such undaunted Courage and Resolution , that it wonderfully animated the spirits of them all .

And thus this Navy , which was three whole Yeers in preparing , in the space of a month was often beaten , and at length put to flight , many of their men being slain , more then halfe of their Ships taken and sunk ( of the English not above a hundred at the most missing , nor so much as a Ship , but Cocks little Vessell ) and Sayling about all Brittaine by Scotland , the Orkeneys and Ireland , they returned into Spain with as much dishonour as they came out with boasting , for indeed Mendoza in France by a Book in Print , Triumphed before the Victory .

For the happy successe of this Action , Queen Elizabeth appointed prayers and thanksgiving over all the Churches of England , and she ( as it were in triumph ) came in Person , attended with a great Troop of the Nobility into the City , and went into the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul ( where the Banners taken from the Enemy was placed in view ) and there in most humble manner gave thanks to Almighty God . And ●hat which increased the publike joy , was the newes which Sir Robert Sidney brought out of Scotland , That the King had over-past all injuries , was lovingly affected towards the English , and desired to imbrace sincere and perfect amitie with the Queen . For as for the King of Spain , he wittily told the Embassadour , that he expected no other courtesie from him , but such as Polyphemus promised Ulisses , that he should be the last whom he would devoure .

And now dyed the great Earl of Leicester the fourth day of September , at his Mannor of Killingworth of a violent Feaver ; I may well say the great Earl , considering the many great Honours he enjoyed , which are extant in the Story ; yet one honour greater then any he had before , he effected even then when he was ready to go out of the world , and that was● To be Vice-gerent in the high Government of England and Ireland , for which the Patent was already drawne , and had been sealed ; but that Burleigh and Hatton shewed the Queen how dangerous a thing it might prove , for so great Authority to reside in one Subject . He was while he lived in so great favour with the Queen , that some thought ( and himselfe not the least ) that she meant to marry him ; yet when he dyed , his goods were sold at an Outcry to make payment of the debts he owed her .

About this time Philip Earl of Arundell , who three yeers before had been cast in prison , was now cited in Westminster Hall , to the judgement of his Peers , and Henry Earl of Derby was made High Steward of England for the time . The matters layd to his charge were these : That he had contracted friendship with Cardinall Allen , Parsons the Jesuite , and other Traytours , exciting divers both abroad and at home to restore the Romish Religion , promising his assistance thereunto : and for that reason had a purpose to depart the Kingdom . That he was privy to the Bull , in which Pope Sixtus Quintus had deposed the Queen , and given England to the Spaniard ; that being imprisoned in the Tower he caused Masse to be said for the prosperous successe of the Spanish Fleet , and for that purpose had framed peculiar prayers for his own private use . Being demanded whether he were guilty of these things ; turning himself to the Judges , he asked them these questions : First , whether it were lawfull to heap up so many crimes together in one Bill of Indictment ? They answered that it was : Then whether Arguments taken from presumptions were of force ? They answered , that it was lawfull for him to interpose exceptions if he saw cause . Then again , if he might be Arraigned for those things which were Capitall , by the Law made the thirteenth yeer of the Queen , after that the time expressed in the Act was expired ? They promised , they would proceed against him by no Law ; but the old Statute of Treason , made in the Raigne of King Edward the Third . But now again asked if he were guilty or not● He pleaded not guilty , whereupon Puckening the Queens Sergeant at Law , Popham Atturney Generall , Shuttleworth Sergeant at Law , and Egerton the Queens Sollicitour , in their turnes , urged and proved the crimes objected ; some whereof he denyed , some he extenuated ; but in conclusion was by his Peers found guilty and condemned ; yet the Queen spared his life , and was content with thus much done in terror to the Papists .

It was now the yeer 1589. And the two and thirtieth of Queen Eliza●eths Raign ; when to be in some sort revenged of the Spaniards for their invasion , she gave leave to Sir Iohn Norris and Sir Francis Drake to under●ake an Expedition at their own private charges , requiring nothing of her but a few Ships of War , who took along with them Anthony the bastard , laying clayme to the Kingdom of Portingall , and of Souldidrs to the number of eleven thousand , of Sea-men about fifteen hundred : setting Sayle from Plimmouth the fifth day of Aprill , they arrived at the Groyne in Ga●acia ; whereof , with great valour they took first the Lower town , and afterward the Higher , and from thence sayling toward Portingall , they met Robert Earl of Essex , who without the Queens leave had put to Sea : After two dayes they arrive at Penycha a Town of Portingall , which they took ; and left the Castle to Don-Antonio , and from thence they march by land towards Lisbon threescore miles off : The Foot Companies led by Norris , whom Drake promised to follow with the Fleet. Being come to the West Suburbs of Lisbon , they found no body there but a few poor disarmed Portugalls who cryed out , God save King Antonio . The day following the Spaniards made a sayle out , in which Skirmish Bret , Caresley , and Carre , ( stout Commanders ) were slain ; yet did the Earl of Essex drive the Spaniards to the very gates of the Citie . And now having tarryed here two dayes , and seeing no signe of the Portingalls revolting ; which Don-Anthonio had assured them would be , finding fresh supplies come into the Town , their own Army sickly , Victualls and Powder failing ; and that which most of all Sir Francis Drake not bringing the great Ordnance as he promised , they departed from the Suburbs of Lisbon towards Cascais , a little Town at the mouth of the River Tagus , which Town Drake had taken this meane while , who excused his not coming to Lisbon , by reason of the Flat● he must have passed , and the Castle of Saint Julian , Fortified with fifty pieces of great Ordnance . Neer this place they found threescore Hulke● of the Hause towns of Germany , laden with corne and all manner of Munition , which they took as good prize towards their charges , in regard the Queen had forbidden them to carry Victualls or Munition to the Spaniard . From hence they set sayle toward Virgo , a forlorne Town by the Sea-side , and pillaging all along that Quarter , returned for England , having lost in the Voyage of Souldiers and Marriners about six thousand ; yet not so much by the Enemy , as by eating of strange fruites and distemper of the Climate .

It concerns the state of England , to look at this time into the state of France ; for while those things were in doing between Spain and England , the Popish Princes of France , under pretext of defending the Catholike Religion , entred into a combination , which they called , The holy League : The purpose whereof was , to root out the Protestants , and to divert the Right of Succession to the Crown of France ; For they bound themselves to each other by oath , to suffer no person but a Catholike to be King of France ; which was directly to exclude the King of Navarre , and the Prince of Conde , if the present King , without issue male , should fail . The head of this League , was the Duke of Guise , who having given some overthrows to the German Forces , that came into France in aid of the Protestants , was immeasurably extolled by the Clergie and others ; and grew to such a height of reputation , that entring into Paris , he made the King glad to leave the City , and in an Assembly at Bloys , to make him great Master of the French Cavalery , and to consent by Edict , to the cutting off the Protestants . So as the King standing now in fear of him , used means at last , even in the very Court , to have him murthered ; and soon after , the Cardinall his brother to be strangled . Hereupon so great a confusion followed , that the people every where disobeyed the Magistrates , and spoiled the Kings very Pallace at Paris . Some Cities affected a Democr●cie , others an Aristocracie , but few liked of a Monarchy . The Confederates in the mean while , made a new Seal , usurped the Royall Authority , seized into their hands the best fortified places , intercept the Kings Revenues , call in Spanish Souldiers , and in all places denounce war and violence against the King . And the King in this case being forced to flye to the Protestant● for succour , they then most wickedly , by one Iames Clement a Monk , made him away . The King being ready to dye , Declareth the King of Navarre to be his lawfull successor , but the Confederates would exclude him as an open Heretick ; and yet whom to make choice of they cannot well agree , some would have the Duke of Lorraine , as being descended from the ancient Kings of France , some th● Duke of Savoy , as borne of the French Kings daughter , a Prince Po●e●t and Couragious ; others would have the Duke of Guises brother that wa● murthered● others the King of Spain ; but the greatest part gave thei● voices for the C●rdinall of Bourbon , who was one degree neerer al●yed to the slain King , then the King of Navarre his Nephew . He therefore was presently proclaimed King of France , with the Title of Charls the Tenth ; but he being a Priest , the King of Navarre also was at the same time proclaimed King of France , who abode at Diepe a Sea Town of Normandy , and doubted not to drive the Cardinall easily out of France .

The King of Navarre being thus raised in Dignity , but weake in means , implored Aid of the Queen of England , offering to make a League Offensive and Defensive ; the Queen out of a pious respect to a King of her own Religion , sent him presently two and twenty thousand pound sterling in Gold ( such a summe of Gold , as he professed he had never seen at one time before ) and withall supplyed him with four thousand Souldiers , under the command of Peregrine Lord Willoughby ; for Colonells , she appointed Sir Thomas Wilford , who was made Marsh●ll of the Field , Iohn Boro●ghs , Si● William Drury , and Sir Thomas Baskervyle , and gave them a months pay in hand . Hereupon the Confederates ( whom the King had vanquished ● little before at Arques beyond all expectation ) began to quaile , and the day before the Arrivall of the English they vanished away , with this addition of Forces the King marcheth to Paris , and being ready to enter the Citie , causeth a retreat to be ●ounded , as loath to have spoile made of a Citie , which he hoped shortly should be his own . Afterwards by the assistance of the English he wonne many Towns , and then having marched at least five hundred miles on foot , he gave them leave after a long winters service , to returne into England . In which Voyage of men of note , dyed Captain Hunnings , but of a naturall death , also Stubbs ( he whose right hand was cutt off for writing the book against the Queens marriage ) and Sir William Drury slain by Master Boro●ghs in a single Combat , where the quarrell was , that he being but a Knight , would take place of Boroughs that was the younger son of a Baron , contrary to the Lawes of the English Gentry .

About this time , Iames King of Scots ( with Queen Elizabeths good liking ) Espoused Anne the daughter of Frederick the second King of Denmarke by his Deputy ; but she afterward sayling for Scotland , was by tempest cast upon Norway , and there , through continuall stormes forced to stay , so as the King in the winter season set sayle thither , that the marri●ge according to his vow might be accomplished within the yeer : some were of opinion that those stormes were caused by witch-craft , and was confirmed indeed by some witches taken in Scotland ; who confessed they had raised those stormes to keep the Queen from landing in Scotland , and that the Earl of Bothwell had asked Counsell of them concerning the Kings end ; who was thereupon cast into prison , but in a short time breaking loose , occasioned new stirs in Scotland .

This yeer , many Noble personages dyed ; Frances Countesse of Sussex , sister to Sir Henry Sidney , Sir Walter Mildway , Chancellour and Vice-Treasurer of the Exchequer , William Somerset Earl of Worcester , so numerous in his off-spring , that he could reckon more children of both Sexes , then all the Earls of England . Also Iohn Lord Sturton , Henry Lord Compton , and at Bruxels the Lord Paget .

At this time , the Queen who was alwayes frugall , strained one point of Frugality more then ever she had done before ; for upon the information of one Caermarden , ( though Burleigh , Leicester , and Walsingham were offended , that credit should be given to such a one , and themselv●s neglected ) she raised Thomas Smith the customer from thirteen thous●nd pounds yeerly , to two and forty thousand pounds , and at last to fifty thousand .

It was now the yeer 1590. and the three and thirtieth of Queen Elizabeths Raigne , in which , the Earl of Cumberland made a Voyage to the Indies , where he laid levell to the ground the Fort of the Isle of ●iala , and brought away eight and fifty Pieces of great Ordnance .

This yeer was fatall to many Noble personages ; first dyed Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick , ( son to Iohn Duke of Northumberland ) without issue . After him Sir Francis Walsingham , Secretary , a man more skilfull in the Politicks , then in the Oeconomicks ; more cunning in managing matters of the publick State , then of his own private estate , which he left so mean , and dyed so much indebted , that he was fain to be buryed by night , without a●y Funerall pomp , in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul ; leaving behinde him one onely daughter , famous for her three husbands , all of them the goodliest men of their time ; the first , Sir Philip Sidney ; the second , Robert Earl of Essex ; the third , Richard Burgh Earl of Clanricard , by King Charls made Earl of Saint Albans . Within two Moneths after W●lsingham , dyed Sir Thomas Randol● , who had been fourteen times sent in Embassage to severall Princes , yet was never rewarded with any greater dignities , then the Chamberlainship of the Exchequer , and the Postmastership of England . Soon after him dyed Sir Iohn Crof●s , who had done good service in Scotland , in Edward the sixths time ; in Queen Mary's time was condemned of high Treason ; in Queen Elisabeths time set at liberty , and made Comptroller of her house . After him dyed George Talbot , the seventh E. of Shrewsbury of this house ; he was made Earl Marshall of England , and left behinde him a memoriall of Wisdom and Integrity . Lastly dyed Thomas Lord Wentworth , the last of the English that had been Governour of Calice .

In Ireland at this time Hugh Gaveloc ( so called , because he had been long kept in Fetters ) the naturall son of Shan O Neale , accused Hugh Earl of Tir-Oen , for holding private consultations with certain Spaniard , who in 88 were by Shipwrack cast upon the coast of Ireland : Tir-Oen to prevent the Accusation , took the said Hugh , and when others refused to do it , took a cord and with his own hands strangled him . Hereupon he was sent for into England , and came , and upon pardon obtained , solemnly undertook in presence of the Queen at Greenwich , to maintain the peace with Turlogh Leynigh ; Not to usurpe the Title of O-Neale , nor any authority over the Gentry about him ; to reduce the Territory of Tir-Oen to the form of a County , and civil behaviour , and many such matters ; giving hostages for his true performance ; and indeed for a time he observed all things very duly . This trouble allayed , another arose ; for soon after this , Hugh Roe Mac-Mahon , a Potentate in the Territory of Monaghan , compelled those under his jurisdiction to pay him tribute ; whereupon the Deputy caused him to be taken , and tryed by a Jury of common Souldiers , and then to be hanged up , dividing his lands amongst certain English ; and some of the Mac-Mahons , reserving a certain yeerly Rent to the Crown of England , by this means thinking to extinguish the Power and Title of Mac-Mahon . But hereupon , O-Rork , fearing hee should be served in like manner , took up Arms against the Queen , whom Bingham President of Connacht soon distressed , and drave into Scotland , and at the Queens request , was by the King delivered up into his hands .

It was now the yeer 1591. and the Four and thirtieth of Queen Elisabeths Raign , when she , carefull lest Britain should come into the Spaniards hands , sent Edmund York into France , to advertise the King to take care thereof ; and promising to send him Forces to that end , if he would , some Towns , where they might be in safety . Hereupon he named Cherburg , Granvile , or Brest , as the fittest ; and it was agreed , that Three thousand English should be sent into Brittainy and Picardy ; but in the mean time , Henry Palmer was sent to Sea , with certain Ships , who seized upon Thirteen Spanish Ships , as they were returning from Nova Francia . And now Roger Williams , with a Company of Six hundred Souldiers , passeth over to Diepe in Normandy ; and Sir Iohn Norris with the rest of the Forces , hasted into Britain soon after . Roger Williams , with his own Six hundred , and the help of Charter Governour of Diepe , put to rout the Confederates , that had blocked up the passages ; whose valour , the French King in his Letters to the Queen , highly extolled . Whereupon growing more couragious , and not minding his charge , which was to stay at Diepe , he accompanyed the King to the very Suburbs of Paris , where in honour of his Nation , he sent a Challenge to the Spaniards , to encounter Two hundred Pikemen of the English , and a hundred Musquetiers , with as many Spaniards in open Field .

After this , the King of France acquainted the Queen , that he had a purpose to set upon Roan , or New-haven , before the Prince of Parma should come into France , and thereupon requested her , to send Four thousand English into Normandy , which upon certain conditions she willingly did , and sent them under the Command of Robert Earl of E●sex , accompanyed with Sir Thomas Leighton , and Sir William Killegrew , as his Counsellours . When the Earl came into France , he found that the King was at Noyon , and in Normandy no preparation for the War at all , which seemed strange , and much troubled him ; but by and by Sir Roger Williams comes to him from the King , requesting him to come to Noyon , that they might confer concerning a course of War . Thither the Earl made a tedious journey , and being come thither ; the King told him , he was now of necessity to go himself into Champaigne ; but promiseth to send Marshall Biron , and the Duke of Montpensier forthwith to him , to lay siege to Roan . Hereupon the Earl returned to his Tents , expecting their coming , but neither of th●m ●●me , which troubled the Earl more then before ; so as being weary now 〈◊〉 doing nothing , he made himself one approach to Roan , where hi● Brother W●lt●● Devereux was unfortunately slain . Indeed the affairs of the ●ing of Fr●nce were at this time upon so uncertain terms , that before he could ●●t 〈◊〉 h● had resolved , something still intervened , that diverted him ; for which , by his Letters he excused himself to the Queen of England , and by the mediation of the Ea●l , and Mornay Lord du Plessie , whom to that end he sent into England , obtained new supplies , and then besieged Roan .

At this time was memorable the prodigious cariage of one Hacket , born at Oundale in Northamptonshire , a mean fellow of no learning , whose first prank was this ; That when , in shew of Reconciliation to one with whom he had been at variance , he imbraced him , he bit off his Nose , and the man desiring to have his Nose again , that it might be sowed on , while the wound was green , he most villanously eat it up , and swallowed it down before his face . After this , all on a ●udden , he took upon him a shew of wonderfull holinesse , did nothing but hear Sermons , and getting Scriptures by heart , ●●d counterfeting Revelations from God , and an extraordinary calling , and ●rew to be so magnified by certain zealous Ministers , and specially of one ●●●ard Coppinger , ( a Gentleman of a good house ) and one Arthington , a great admirer of the Geneva Discipline ; that they accounted him as sent ●rom Heaven , and a greater Prophet then Moses or Iohn Baptist , and finally , that he was Christ himself , come with his fanne in his hand , to judge the world . And this they proclaimed in Cheapside ; giving out that Hacket participated of Christs glorified body , by his especiall Spirit , and was now come to propagate the Gospel over Europe , and to settle a true Discipline in the Church of England ; and that they themselves were two Prophets , the one of Mercie , and the other of Judgement ; with many other such incredible blasphemies ; whereupon Hacket was apprehended and arraigned ; and at last , hanged , drawn and quartered , continuing all the time , and at his death , his blasphemous Assertions . Coppinger a while after starved himself to death in prison , Arthington repented , and made his Recantation in a publike writing .

Besides these , other also at this time opposed the established Government of the Church of England , crying down the calling of Bishops , with whom sided some Common-Lawyers also , affirming , that the Queen could not depute , nor these men exercise any such Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction ; and that the Oath Ex Officio was unchristian . But the Queen conceiving , that through the sides of the Prelates , she her self was shot at , suppressed them what she could , and maintained the Government formerly established .

About this time , the Lord Thomas Howard , with six of the Queens ships , having waited at the Azores six whole Moneths , for the coming of the Spanish Fleet from America , was at last set upon by Alphonso Bassano , with three and fifty ships , sent out for the Convoy of the American Fleet , where Richard Granvile Vice-Admirall , being in the Revenge , and separated from his company , was so hemmed in by the Spanish ships , and so battered with great shot ; that most of his men being slain , his Main-mast cut off , himself sore wounded in the head , he commanded to sink the ship , that it might not come into the Spaniards hands ; but this being countermanded by most voices , it was agreed , to yeeld it to the Spaniards , upon condition that the men should be set at liberty . Granvile himself was carryed into the Spanish Admirall , where within two dayes he dyed , not without praise of his very enemies : Thus the great ship called the Revenge , was yeelded , but had so many leaks in the Ke●l , that soon after it was cast away in a storm ; and the losse of this one ship the English soon made good upon the Spaniards , by taking many of theirs .

About this time also , Cavendish , who in the yeer 1578. had sailed round about the world , now with five ships bent his course toward the Magellan Straits , but by reason of foul weather , was not able to passe them , being driven to the coast of Brasile , was there cast away .

And now , enmity increasing daily between Spain and England , two Proclamations were set forth ; one , prohibiting upon pain of high-Treason , to carry Victuals or Munition into any of the King of Spains dominions : Another , forbidding all persons to entertain any in their houses , till inquiry made , what they were , lest they might entertain Popish Priests , who at this time came swarming into England , by reason the King of Spain had lately founded a Seminary at Valledolid for the English .

At this time dyed Sir Christopher Hatton , Lord Chancelour , whom of a mean Gentlemans house , the Queens favour had raised to this height of Dignity ; a goodly personage of body , of Noble , but no aspiring spirits ; the onely of all the Queens speciall Favourites , that dyed a Batchelour ; and therefore left William Newport his sisters son his heir , who erected for him , in Pauls Church , a sumptuous Monument . After his death , the keeping of the great Seal was for certain Moneths committed to the Lord Burleigh Treasurer , Hunsdon , Cobham and Buckhurst : Afterward , Puckering the Queens Sergeant at Law was elected , not Chancelour , but Keeper of the great Seal .

At this time also , Brian O-Rork , the Irish Potentate , was arraigned at Westminster ; his Indictments were , For raising Rebellion against the Queen , for dragging her Picture at a horse tail , for giving the Spaniards entertainment ; which things being told him by an Interpreter , ( for he understood no English ) hee said , Hee would not be tryed , unlesse the Queen her self in person sate to judge him . Yet being told , that it was the Law ; hee onely said , If it must be so , let it be so ; and so condemned , was executed at Tyburn as a Traitour , whereof hee seemed to make as little reckoning , as if it had but been in jest . And now this yeer , the Queen made the Colledge of Dublin in Ireland , an University , which was formerly the Monastery of All-Saints , endowing it with power to confer Scholasticall Dignities .

At this time , Sir Iohn P●rot , who had been Deputy of Ireland , and done good service there , was yet by the malice of Adversaries , of whom Hatton was one , called in question , before the Baron Hunsdon , the Lord Buckhurst , Sir Robert Cecill , ( lately made a Councellour ) Sir Iohn Fortescue , Sir Iohn Wolley , and some of the Judges : His Accusations were ; first , that he had spoken opprobrious words against the Queen , saying , Shee was illegitimate and cowardly ; secondly , that hee had fostered notorious Traitours , and Popish Priests ; thirdly , that hee held correspondence with the Prince of Parma , and the Queens enemies . To the first of which he confessed , that in his passion he had spoken of the Queen unadvisedly , for which hee was infinitely grieved ; the rest hee denyed : And all men knew , he was never Popishly affected . His Accusers were , one Philip Williams , sometime his Secretary ; Denys O-Roghan an Irish marryed Priest , whose life hee had saved ; and one Walton , a fellow of no worth or Reputation . Yet the crimes being urged against him , by Popham and other Lawyers , till eleven a clock at night ; hee was at last condemned of high Treason , but Sentence wa● not pronounced till twenty dayes after ; and yet was not put to death , but dyed a naturall death in the Tower ; hee was a man of a goodly personage , stout and chollerick , and one whom ( many thought ) the Queen had the more reason to respect , for her father King Henry the Eighths sake .

The Earl of Ess●x , after a tedious Winters siege in Normandy , challenged Monsieur Villerse Governour of Roan to a single combate , who refusing to meet him ; hee then returned into England , being called home by the Queen , whose favour , by his long absence , might else have suffered prejudice .

And now the King of France , hearing that the Prince of Parma was coming i●to France , once again was fain to flye to the Queen for succour , to whom , upon certain conditions , she granted an Army of four thousand men , and some great Ordnance , with which Sir Iohn Norris was sent into France ; whom yet the French King imployed not , as was agreed , to the great displeasure of the Queen . But as for the Prince of Parma's coming into France , hee was prevented by death , when hee had governed the Netherlands under the Spaniard fourteen yeers ; a Prince of many excellent parts , and whom Queen Elisabeth never mentioned but with honour .

And now Queen Elizabeth considering that the King of Spaines chiefe strength was in his Gold of America , sends forth Sir Walter Ralegh with a Fleet of fifteene Ships to meete with the Spanish Fleet ; who passing by a Promontory of Spain , received certain intelligence , that the Spa●ish Fleet was not to come forth that yeare : Whereupon , dividing his Navy into two parts ; whereof , the one he committed to Sir Iohn Bur●●●ghs , the other to Sir Martin Forbysher ; he waited other opportunities , when soon after , a mighty Caraque came in view , called The Mother of God , which from the Beake to the Sterne , was a hundred threescore and five foot long , built with seven Decks , and carrying six hundred men , besides rich Merchandize . This great Vessell they took , and in it , to the ●●lue of a hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling , over and above what the Commanders and Sea-men pilfered .

This yeare , the Queene going in Progresse , passed through Oxford , where she was entertained by the Schollers with Orations , Stage-Pl●yes , and Disputations ; and by the Lord Buckhurst Chancellor of the University , with a sumptuous Feast . At her departure , She made a Latine Oration , wherein she vowed a vow , and gave them counsell ; Her vow was , That as she desired nothing so much , as the prosperity and flourishing estate of her Kingdome , so she as much wished to see the Universities and Schools of learning to flourish likewise . Her Counsell was , That they would serve God above all , not following the curiosity of some wits , but the Lawes of God , and the Kingdome , That they would not prevent the Lawes , but follow them , nor dispute whether better Lawes might be made , but observe those which were already Enacted .

This year , dyed Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute , whom Queene Mary honored with this Title ; because his Grandmother was Daughter , and one of the Heirs of Iohn Nevill Marquesse Montacute ; who , though he were a great Roman Catholike , yet the Queen finding him faithfull alwayes , loved him , and in his sicknesse went to visit him . There dyed at this time also , Henry Lord Scroope of Bolton , Knight of the Garter , and long time Governour of the Westerne Border toward Scotland .

At this time Henry Barrow , and his Sectaries , condemning the Church of England to be no Christian Church , and derogating from the Queens Authority in matters Ecclesiasticall ; he the sayd Barrow , as Ring-leader of the rest , was put to death , in terror to all such disturbers of the peace of the Church .

About this time , by reason of the Queens correspondence with the Turk , to the end , her Subjects might have free Trading in his Territories ; It was maliciously given out by some , that she had excited the Turke to a War against the Christians ; which caused the Queen to write to the Emperour , shewing him the falsenesse of this report , wherein she gave him full sa●●sfaction .

And now a constant report came into England , That the King of France had already embraced , or was ready to embrace the Romish Religion , which so much troubled the Queene , that she presently sent Thomas Wilkes into France ; with reasons ( if it were not too late ) to divert him from it . But before Wilkes came , the King indeed had openly professed the Romish Religion , at the Church of Saint Denis in Paris ; of which his Conversion , he declared the causes to Wilkes at large , shewing , the necessity of it , unlesse he would suffer himselfe to be utterly thrust out of the Kingdome . And the French AMBASSADOR signifying as much to the Queene , in great perplexity , She writ to him to this effect .

Alas , what grief ? what anxiety of minde hath befallen me , since I heard this news ? was it possible that worldly respects should make you lay aside Gods feare ? ●●uld you thinke , That He , who had hitherto upheld and kept you , would now at the last , leave you ? It is a dangerous thing to doe evill , that g●od may come thereof . But I hope your minde may alter ; In the meane while , I will pray for you , and beg of God , That the hands of Esau , may not hinder the blessing of Jacob.

To this the KING Answered , That though he had done this in his owne Person out of necessity ; yet , He would never be wanting to those of the Reformed Religion , but would take them into his speciall care and Protection .

And now was Richard Hasket , condemned and executed for Treaso● , being sent from the English Fugitives beyond Sea , to perswade Ferdinand Earle of Derby , Sonne to Henry newly deceased , to assume the Title of the Kingdome ; by right of Descent from Mary , Daughter to Henry the Seventh ; and threatning him , that unlesse he undertooke this enterprize , and withall , concealed him the Abettor , he should shortly dye in most wretched manner . But the Earle fearing a trap was layd for him , revealed the matter ; yet the fellows threating proved not altogether vaine , for the Earle within foure Moneths , dyed a most horrible death . This yeare , Death had his tribute payd him from the Nobility ; for there dyed Henry Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex , and three renowned Barons , Arthur Grey of Wilton , Henry Lord Cromwell , and Henry Lord Wentworth ; besides Sir Christopher Carlile , whose Warlike Prowesse at Sea and land , deserves to be remembred .

In IRELAND , at this time , divers great men in Connaght Rebelled ; and Tu●logh Leynigh being dead , Tir-Oen assumed to himselfe , the title of O-Neale , ( which in IRELAND is more esteemed , than to be called EMPEROVR ) But upon a sudden , dissembling his disconte●t , hee submitted himselfe to the DEPVTY , and promised all obedience .

I● was now the yeare 1594 , and the seven and thirtieth of Queen ELIZABETH● Raigne ; when the good correspondence betweene the King of Scots and Queen ELIZABETH , gave the Papists small hope that ever he would prove an Instrument to restore the Catholike Religion . Whereupon , they began to bethinke themselves of some English Papist , that might succeed the Queene ; but finding none of their owne Sect , a fit person , they fixed their thoughts upon the Earl of Essex , who alwayes seemed a very moderate man ; and him they devised to have some right to the Crowne , by Descent from Thomas of Woodstocke , King EDWARD the Thirds Sonne . But the English Fugitives , were for the Infanta of Spaine , and desiring to set the King of Scots and the Earle of Essex at ods ; they set forth a Book , which they Dedicated to Essex , under the name of Doleman , but was written indeed by Parsons ( Dolemans bitter Adversary ) Cardinall Allen , and Francis Englefield . The scope of which Booke was , to exclude from Succession , all persons whatsoever , and how near soever Allied to the Crowne , unlesse they were Roman Catholikes ; Contending further , for the right of Isabella , Infanta of Spaine , as being descended from Constance , Daughter of WILLIAM the Conquerour ; from Eleanor eldest Daughter to HENRY the Second , Married to Alphonso the ninth King of Castile ; from Beatrix , Daughter to King HENRY the Third , Titles obsolete , and which exceed the bounds of Heraldry to discusse . This year , the nineteenth of February , was Henry Prince of Scotland born , to whom the Queen was Godmother , and sent Robert Earl of Sussex for her Deputy .

But now greater matters were in hand , Plots were layd against the Queenes life ; some Spaniards thinking to make her away by Poison , and not daring to trust any Englishman in such a businesse ; they treat to that purpose , with Rodericke Lopes a JEV● , and Phisitian to the Queen , wi●h Stephen Ferreir● , Emmanuel Loyfie , and other Portugalls ; for divers of that Nation came into England at this time , in relation to Don Anthonio● who being discovered by letters of theirs , that were intercepted , were Arraigned at Guildhall , and by their own confessions convinced , to have conspi●ed against the life of the Queen , they were all condemned , and Exe●●●ed at Tiburne ; LOPES professing that he loved the Queen , as well as Jesus Christ , which was cause of laughter to them● that knew him to be a JEW . The next day after them , was condemned Patrick C●llen● an Irish Fencer , sent hither by the English Fugitives , to kill the Queen , who was straightway executed , though he were at that very time sick and ready to dye .

About this time , Sir Iohn Norris having been in a hot conflict at sea against the Spaniard , where Sir Martin Forbysher received his deaths wound , was now called home , with a purpose to send him into Ireland . In which mean while , Richard Hawkins , Sonne of Sir Iohn Hawkins the famous sea Captain , had been set forth a year since , with three of the Queens ships , and two hundred men in them ; whereof , one of them at the Isle o● St. Anne , was by chance fired , another of them seperated by tempest , returned into England ; himself in the third , passed the Straights of Magellan , being the sixth man in the Spanish accompt , that had ever done it ; and being now come into the wide Southern sea , he took five ships laden with Merchandize ; one whereof he took away , the rest he suffered to redeeme themselves for two thousand Duckats : But at last , being set upon by Bertrandus a Castro , who was sent out by the Vice-Roy of those parts , with eight ships against him ; after three dayes battery , he yeilded , and though upon composition , yet was neverthelesse sent into Spain , and there for divers years kept prisoner .

But Iames Lancaster in another part of America , had better successe ; for being set forth by some London Merchants ( whose goods the Spaniards had seized ) with three Ships and a long Boat , Hee tooke nine and thirty Spanish Ships , and at Fernanbucke in Brasile , where the wealth of an East-Indian Caraque was lately unloden ; hee desperately venturing upon the Shoare , Loaded Fifteene Ships with the wealth of the Indian Caraque ; Sugar , Reed , Redwood called Brasill , and other Merchandize , and then safely and victoriously returned home .

At ROME , about this time dyed Cardinall ALLEN , borne in Lancashire of an honest Family , brought up in Oxford , in Oriall Colledge . In Queene Maries dayes he was Proctor of the University , and after Canon of the Cathedrall Church at YORKE . Upon the change of Religion in ENGLAND , he left the Kingdome , and was Divinity Professor at Doway in Flanders , and made Canon of the Church at Cambray . He procured a Seminary to be set up in Doway , for the English , another at Rheims , and a third at Rome ; and through zeal of the Romish Religion , forgot whose subject he was born .

At home , at this time , dyed Iohn Peers Archbishop of Yorke , in whose place , succeeded Matthew Hutton , translated from the See of Durham . There dyed also Ferdinand Stanley Earl of Derby , being in the floure of his age , miserably tormented , and vomiting ●tuffe of a darke rusty colour , being thought to have been poysoned or bewitched . There was found in his chamber a little image of wax , with hairs of the colour of his hairs , thrust into the belly ; which some thought was done of purpose , that men should not suspect him to be poisoned ; his vomit so stained the silver Andirons , that it could never be gotten out , and his body though put in searcloathes and wrapped in lead , did so ●tinck and putrifie , that for a long time none could endure to come neer where he was buried . The Master of his Horse was much suspected , who the same day the Earl tooke his bed , took one of his best Horses , and fled away . About this time also dyed Gregory Fines Lord Dacres , a man somewhat crazed , the Son of Thomas Lord Dacres , hanged in the Raign of King Henry the Eight .

And now Sir William Fitz Williams Lord Deputy of Ireland was called home , and William Russell youngest Son of Francis Earl of Bedford , was sent in his room ; to whom presently came the Earl of Tir-Oen , and in humble manner craved pardon of his fault , that he had not presented himself at the call of the late Lord Deputy . Bagnall Marshall of the Irish Forces , exhibited many Articles against him , but he so pleaded for himself with promise of loyalty hereafter , that he was dismissed . But see the subdolousnesse of this man , for he would never after be gotten to come again , though the Deputy sent for him with many kinde messages .

It was now the year 1595 , and the eight and thirtieth year of Queen Elizabeths Raign ; when Ed●ond Yorke , and Richard Williams who were formerly apprehended , came to their tryall , and were executed at Tiburn , for being bribed to kill the Queen .

At this time a constant rumor was blown abroad from all parts of Europe , that the Spaniards were coming again against England , with a farre greater Fleet than that in Eighty Eight , and that it was already under sayl ; whereupon , Souldiers were levyed , and placed on the Sea-coast . Two Navies were made ready , one to expect them at home in the Channell ; the other , to go for America , under Hawkins and Drake ; but when all came to all , it was but certain Spaniards , who loosed from the sea-coast of France , with four Gallies , which betimes in the morning landing in Cornwall , fired a Church standing alone in the fields , and three Villages of Fishermen , Neulyne , Moushole , and Pensaus , and then presently retyred , not taking or killing any one person ; And these were the first and last Spaniards , that in hostile manner ●ver set foot upon English ground .

And now mischiefs growing daily in France , a great number perswaded the King , to conclude a Peace with Spain , and the Queen her self began to mistrust him ; especially , having lately received intelligence out of the Popes Conclave ; that he was received into the bosome of the Church of Rome , with the Popes Benediction , and that upon conditions prejudiciall to the Protestants .

And therefore at this time , were divers undertakings of the English against Spain ; Sir Walter Rawleigh Captain of the Guard , having defloured a Mayd of Honor ( whom afterward he married ) had lost the Queens favour , and was held in Prison for certain moneths ; but afterward being set at liberty , though banished the Court . He undertook a Voyage to Guyana , setting sayl from Plimmouth in February , he arrived at Trinidada , where he took St. Iosephs Town , but found not a jot of money there : From hence , with Boats , and a hundred souldiers , he entred the vast River Orenoque , ranging up in Guyana four hundred myles , but getting little , but his labour for his travell . In like manner , Amyas Preston and Sommers , Pillaged sundry Towns of the King of Spains in the Western parts ; and three ships of the Earl of Cumberland , set upon a huge Caraque , which by casualty was fired when they were in fight , and these were the enterprises of private persons : but the Queen being informed , that great store of wealth for the King of Spains use , was conveyed to Port Rico , in St. Iohns Island ; sent thither Hawkins , Dr●k● , and Baskervile with land Forces , furnishing them with six ships out of her own Navy , and twenty other men of War . They set sayl from Plimmo●th the last of August , and seven and twenty dayes after , came upon the Coast of the great Canarie , which being strongly Fortified , they forbore to assault . A moneth after , they came to the Isle of St. Dominicke , where five Spanish ships being sent forth to watch the English , lighted upon one of the small English ships which was strayed from the Company , and ●●●ting the Master and Marriners upon the Rack , understood by them , That the English Navy was bent to Port Rico ; whereupon they make all possible speed to give notice thereof , that being fore-warned , they might accordingly be armed . And thereupon , as soon as the English had cast Anchors 〈◊〉 the Road at Port Rico , the Spaniards thundered against them from the shore ; si● Nicholas Clifford , and Brute Browne were wounded as they sate at ●upper , and two dayes after died . Hawkins also , and Drake , partly of dis●●se , and partly of grief for their ill successe , died soon after . At the end of eight months , the Fleet came home , having done the enemy little hurt , fired onely some few Towns and ships , but received infinite damage thems●lves ; lost two such Sea-men , as the Kingdom , I may say , all Europe had ●ot their like left . For the Spaniards having of late yeers received great ●●rms by the French and English , had now provided for themselves with Fortifications which were not easie to be won .

At this time the Queen made known to the States in the Low-Countries , the great charges she had been at in relieving them ten yeers together ; for which she requiteth some considerable recompence : The States again alleadge the great charges they were at in Eighty Eight , in repelling the Spaniards in her cause ; yet ( not to fall out about the matter ) they were content to allow some reasonable retribution ; but yet for the present , nothing was concluded . Likewise at this time , the Hanse Towns in Germany make complaint to the Emperour , and the Princes of the Empire , That the Immunities from customes antiently granted them by the Kings of England , began to be Antiquated , and that a Monopoly of English Merchants was set up in Germany ; to which , the Queen by Sir Christopher Perkins , first shewing the cause of the first Grant , and then the Reason of Queen Maries prohibiting it afterward , makes them so satisfactory an answer , that those very Hanse-Towns which complained , brought into England at this time , such store of Corne , that it prevented a mutiny , which thorough dearth of Corn , was like to have hapned in London .

This yeer was famous for the death of many great Personages , Philip Earl of Arundel , condemned in the yeer 1589. The Queen had all this while spared , but now death would spare him no longer , having since that time been wholly given to contemplation , and macerated himself in a strict course of Religion , leaving one onely son , Thomas , by his wife Anne Dacres of Gillis●and . He had two brothers , Thomas Lord Howard , whom Queen Elizabeth made Baron of Walden , and King Iames afterward Earl of Suffolk ; and William Lord Howard of the North , who yet liveth ; and one sister , the Lady Margaret , marryed to Robert Sackvile , afterward Earl of D●rset , and father of Edward Earl of Dorset now living ; a Lady so milde , so vertuous , and so devout in her Religion , that if her brother macerated himself being in prison , she certainly did no lesse , being at liberty ; whom I the rather mention , because I had the happinesse to know her living , and the unhappinesse to be a Mourner at her Funerall . There died this yeer also , William Lord Vaulx , a zealous Papist , and Sir Thomas Hineage , Vice-Chamberlain , and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster , whose onely daughter marryed to Sir Moyle Finch of Kent , was no small advancer of that House . There died also William Whitaker , Master of S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge , and Divinity Professor : As likewise Sir Roger Williams , and Sir Thomas Morgan ; so as this yeer was honoured with the deaths of two great Lords , one exquisite Courtier , one great Schollar , and two famous Souldiers .

In Ireland at this time , Russell the Deputy doubting a storm of War from Tir-Oen , sent into England , requiring to have some experienced souldier sent to him with Forces , who though he desired Baskervyle to be the man , yet Sir Iohn Norris was sent , with thirteen hundred old souldiers , besides a further supply ; whom Tir-Oen hearing to be coming , set presently upon the Fort of Blackwater , and in the absence of Edward Cornwall the Governour , took it . But now being doubtfull of his case , in a subdolous manner ( as he was a double dealing man ) he both offereth his help to the Earl of Kildare , against the Deputies servants ; and at the same time , maketh promise to the Earl of Ormond , and Sir Henry Wallope , of loyalty and obedience ; but notwithstanding he was forthwith proclaimed Traytor , under the name of H●gh O Neal , bastard son to Con O Neal. There was at this time with the Rebells in Ulster , a thousand Horse , and 6280 Foot : and in Connaght , two thousand three hundred , all at Tir Oens command ; and the Forces of the English under Norris , not much fewer , with whom the Deputy himself joyned , and marched together to Armagh ; which so terrified the Rebels , that Tir Oen forsaking the Fort of Blackwater , began to hide himself . Whereupon the Deputy returned , leaving Norris to follow the War , with the Title of Generall of the Army . But this satisfied not Norris , and therefore out of emulation betwixt himself & the Deputy , he performed nothing worth the speaking of , and seemed to favour Tir Oen , as much as the Deputy hated him ; insomuch , as he had private conference with him ( a thing not lawfull with proclaymed Traytors ) and upon his submission , and Hostages given , a Truce was granted both to him and Odonell , till the first of Ian●ary . When the Truce was expired , Tir Oen exhibited certain Petitions , protesting , if they were granted , he would then perform all duties of a loyall subject . In consulting about which Petitions , another Truce was concluded , till the first of April : during which Truce , Tir Oen dealt secretly with the King of Spain for Ayd to be sent him , making neverthelesse a fair shew of willingnesse to obedience , so far , that by the procurement of Norris and Fenton , a pardon was granted him ; the which he pretended to receive more joyfully , than the Instrument whicd conferred the Earldome upon him ; yet all this was but dissimulation , to win the time for his own ends .

In the midst of these Irish Affairs , Albertus Arch-Duke of Austria , and Cardinall , whom the King of Spain had newly set over the Netherlands , mustered together the Spanish Forces , upon pretence of raising the Siege of La Fere in Picardie ; but upon a sudden turneth aside , and besiegeth Calice ; and taking Newnham Fort , the very first day became Master of the Haven . The Queen informed hereof , forthwith , upon the very Sunday , in time of Divine Service , commandeth to leuy souldiers , whom she committeth to the Earl of Essex ; but before they could be shipped , certain News came , That the Town and Fort were taken by the Spaniard : Whereupon , the Queens Army was dismissed , and onely some money lent to the French King .

But a few dayes after , a far greater , and more select Army is raised in England , wherein many of Noble Houses served as Voluntaries : For the Queen , to divert the King of Spain from invading her Borders , thought it the best way to invade his : Whereupon a Navy of a hundred and fifty Ships was made ready ; where were souldiers under pay , 6360 ; Voluntaries of the Nobility and Gentry , 1000 ; Marriners , 6772 , besides the Dutch-men , who brought two and twenty ships . Robert Earl of Essex , and Charls Howard Lord Admirall of England , were made Generalls with equall Authority ; but the Admirall to hold Prerogative at Sea , Essex at Land . To these , for a Councell of War , were joyned , the Lord Thomas Howard , Walter Raleigh , Francis Vere , George Carew , and Conyers Clifford . The whole Fleet was divided into four Squadrons ; the Admirall commanded the first , Essex the second , the Lord Thomas Howard the third , and Raleigh the fourth . The Officers of the Army were Francis Vere , Serjeant Major Generall , or Marshall ; Iohn Winkfield , Quarter-Master Generall ; George Carew , Master of the Ordnance ; Conyers Clifford Serjeant Major . Colonells were , Robe●t Earl of Sussex , sir Christopher Blunt , sir Thomas Gerrard , sir Richard Winkefield ; William Winkefild was Commander of the Vo●untaries , and Anthony Ashley , Secretary to the Councell of War , was to Register their Acts and Consultations . The Commission being drawn , the Queen gave them private Instructions , and withall , a Prayer of her own making , to be d●ily used in every Ship .

This F●eet set forth from Plimouth at the beginning of Iune . Nigh un●o Cabo S. Vincent they lighted upon an Irish Barque , which told them , That at Cales they were secure , and that in the Haven there were at Anchor Gallies , ships of War● and a great many Merchants Vessells . The twentieth of Iune , they cast Anchor on the West side of the Island ; within two dayes they were agreed to set upon the Spanish ships , whereat the Earl of Essex cast up his Cap for joy . This businesse was alot●ed to the lesser ships , because the Road was too shallow for the great . The Gallyes quickly fled , and creeping along the shore , shifted away , but the Spanish ships that lay at Anchor at Puntall , turned their broad sides ; so as the English Fight with them , lasted from break of day till noon ; at which time , the Spaniards having their Gallons miserably tor● , and many of their men slain , resolved to fire the the ships , or run them ashore . The Spanish Admirall , being fifteen hundred Tun of Burthen , was fired by a Moor , and two other ships which lay next her took the fire , and were lost likewise . When this Sea-Fight was ended , Essex landed eight hundred souldiers at Puntall , a league from the Town of Cales , when half a mile from the Town , the Spanish Horse and Foot shewed themselves , and presently gave back again ; but straightway cometh forth a greater number : Then Essex commanded his Forces to make a fair Retreat ; and having enticed forth their enemies , they turned upon them with such violence , that they forced them back into the Town . Then the Earl got up to a Bulwark newly raised , neer the Gate , where he spyed a passage into the Town● but so high from ground , that they must leap a Spears length to get down . Yet Evans the Earl of Sussex his Lievtenant , Arthur Savage , and other , leaped down ; and the mean while Sir Francis Vere broke the Gate , and rushed in , and the rest with him . In the Market place Iohn Winkfield was shot in the head , and with stones from the tops of the houses divers were wounded ; amongst whom , Samuel Bagnall received eight wounds , and Arthur Savage was bloody all over ; which two were Knighted in the place . The next day the Castle was yeelded , upon condition , That the Inhabitants might depart with the clothes on their backs , the rest to be left for spoyl . For five hundred and fourscore thousand Duckets the Castle was to be redeemed ; and for the payment , forty of the chief Citizens to be sent Hostages into England . Now Raleigh was commanded to fire the Merchants Ships lying at Port Reall , when they promised two Millions of Duckets to redeem them : but this the Admirall would not hear of , saying , He was sent to destroy Ships , not to dismisse them upon Composition . A world of Munition was found in the City , and great store of money privately carried away , every one shifting for himself . It was thought by the wiser sort , That the Spaniard could not be damnified lesse by this Expedition , than twenty Millions of Duckets . None of note was slain amongst the English , but onely Winkfield , who also slew a Spanish Captain ; and now at last , threescore Military men were honored with Knight-hood . After this , having spoyled the whole Island● and demolished the Forts● they returned into England , much against the will of Essex , who would fain have bin attempting some other enterprise .

The Queen received them home with much affability , giving many thanks to those of principall note , but extolling the Earl of Essex and the Admirall , above the rest . And now bethinking her self of a fit man to be Governour of the Bryll , which was given by the States as a Caution Town for money due , she made choyce of Sir Francis Vere , although Essex commended other to her for the place : but another thing he took with great indignation , That in his absence she had made Sir Robert Cecill Secretary , whereas he had formerly with great instance commended Sir Thomas Bodley to her●

And now the King of Spain , to recover his honour lost at Cales , setteth forth a Navy for England and Ireland , with a great number of Irish Fugitives● but being at Sea , most of his ships were either run upon Rocks , or cast away in storms ; so as this Expedition came to nothing .

But the Queen at this time , for her better security , entred a League of Defence and Offence with the French King , against the Spaniard , upon certain Conditions ; which League , she confirmed by Oath , in the Chappell at Greenwich , the nine and twentieth of August , laying her hand upon the hand of Henry de la Tour , Duke of Bulloign , and Marshall of France ; the Bishop of Chichester holding forth the Evangelists , and a great company of the Nobility standing round about . In September following , Gilbert Talbot , Earl of Shrewsbury , was sent on Ambassage into France , to take the French Kings Oath , and to present Sir Anthony Mildmay for the Queens Ambassadour in Ordinary , in the room of Sir Henry Unton lately there deceased , and to invest the King with the Order of the Garter . Soon after , Baskervile wafted into Picardy with two thousand souldiers ; for no more were by agreement to be sent this yeer .

It was now the yeer , 1596 , and the nine and thirtieth of Queen Elizabeths Raign , when Thomas Arundel of Warder returned into England , from the Wars in Hungary against the Turk ; whom , for his good service done there● the Emperour by his Letters Patents , had created Earl of the sacred Empire , and all and singular his Heirs and their Posterity , Males or Females , lawfully descended from him , to be Earls and Countesses of the holy Empire for ever . Those who are graced with this Title , have a Place and Voice in the Imperiall Diets , May purchase Lands in the Emperours Dominions , May take up voluntary souldiers , And are not bound to answer any matter before any Judge , but onely in the Chamber of the Empire . At his return , a great Question came in agitation , Whether Titles of Honour given to the Queens subjects without her privity , ought to be accepted by them , or admitted by her . For this new Earl stuck in the stomacks of the English Barons , who inwardly grudged to give him place . The matter was long disputed on both sides , but what issue it had , or whether he were permitted this Honour here at home , I finde not : Certain it is , That Sir Nicholas Clifford , and Sir Anthony Shirley , whom the French King two yeers since received into the Order of S. Michael , were laid in prison at their coming home , and charged to resigne their Robes of the Order .

This yeer many great persons died ; Iohn Puckering , Lord Keeper of the Great Seal , whom Thomas Egerton succeeded ; Richard Fletcher , Bishop of London ; who for marrying the Lady Baker ( as goodly a Lady as he was a Prelate ) incurred the Queens displeasure ; and to cure his cares , fell immoderately to drinking of Tobacco , and so expired . Henry Cary , Baron of Hunsdon , Lord Chamberlain of her Majesties House , and her Cousin German . Sir Francis Knolls , who marryed Hunsdons sister , in Queen Maries dayes an Exile in Germany for the Gospell , by Queen Elizabeth made first Vice-Chamberlain , then Captain of the Guard , afterward Treasurer of the Houshold , and Knight of the Garter . Henry Hastings Earl of Hu●tington , and President of the Counsell in the North , who spent his estate upon Puritan Ministers : Francis Lord Hastings , Nephew to him by his brother George , who succeeded him in the Earledome , and Margaret Clifford Countesse of Derbie , ( who descended of the blood Royall , from Charles Brandon ) consulted with sorcerers and cunning men , and thereupon a little before her end , was in a manner excluded from the Queens favour .

The Queen at this time was told , that the King of Spain was preparing a new Fleet against Ireland ; whereupon to encounter him , she also prepared a Navy of a hundred and twenty Ships , seventeene of the Queens , Three aud forty lesser Ships of Warre , the rest for the carriage of provision : They were parted into three Squadrons : Essex Commanded the first , who was also chiefe Commander in the expedition ; The Lord Thomas Howard the second , and Raliegh the third . In this Fleet were sundry of the Nobility and Gentry , Charls Blunt , Lord Mountjoy , Vere , Carew , Sir Christopher Blunt , the Earles of Rutland and Southampton ; the Lords , Grey , Crumwell , Rich , and many other . The ninth of July they weighed Anchour from Plimmouth and were to direct their course to Ferall and the Groyne , to sieze upon the Spanish Fleet in the Harbour , and towards the Isles called Azores , to intercept the Indi●n Fleet at their returne into Spaine ; but this expedition was crossed and overthrowne by Tempests , for they had not sayled forty Leagues from Plimmouth , when they were shaken with such a terrible Tempest for foure dayes together , that the Marriners themselves were at their witts end , and the Fleet had much a do to recover Plimmo●th ; the Navy being mended , then hoise up sayle the second time , but the winde ●ell presently againe so crosse , that for a whole Moneths time they could not get out of the Haven , returning to Plimmouth the seventeenth of August they got out of the Haven ; and now the third time , with a side wind hoyse up sayle , but before they came in view of Spaine , they were dispersed by another horrible Tempest● wherein of the two great Ships which were taken at Calis , one was dashed in pieces , the other wandered no man knew whither . At the Island Flores the Fleet met againe , where Rawleigh being distressed for water , went on shore without leave ; and ere he had watered , had charge to follow Essex to Fay●ll : but not finding him there , hee observed the Port , and calling a Councell , the Commanders wished him to set upon the place , and not let slippe so faire a booty . Upon this , Rawleigh with some of the prime Voluntaries , got to shoare , and wonne the Towne , but found no booty in it . The next day Essex came thither , whom Merrick informeth what Rawleigh had done , affirming spitefully , that he had done it only to prevent his Lordshippe in the honour of the exploite : whereupon , some perswaded the Earle to call a Councell of Warre and than d●●place him , others again ? to take of his Head for going to Land , without the chiefe Commanders leave ; saying , hee was never like for to have such another opportunity to bee rid of his Adversary ; upon this , Sidney , Brett , Berry , and other of Rawleighs company were displaced , and layed by the heeles ; Rawleigh himselfe was sent for , and entertained with a grimme looke by Essex and all his Party ; Essex rebuketh him angerly , for landing his Forces , which none upon payne of death might do , without the Generalls command ; Rawleigh made answer , that the Captaines indeed , Ship-masters & the rest were within the compasse of that Law ; but not the Three prime Commanders , of whom himself was One : That he had a long time wayted his comming , and longer would have wayted , but that the Islanders provoked him to fight . And now the L. Thomas Howard mediated , that no severity might be used against Rawleigh , & perswaded him to acknowledge his fault ; which being done , all were friends , and the displaced Captaines were restored to their places , for the Earle was of a placable disposition ; easily apt to take offence , and as easily ready to remit it .

From hence they saile to Gratiosa , where the Inhabitants crave mercy and obtained it ; & here Essex would have tarried , in expectation of the Indian fleet ; but that Graves the Pilot disswaded , because the harbour was not good : and now see the unluckinesse of ill counsell , for the English were not gone above an houre , or two , ●rom this place ; when loe , the American fleete ; ( wherein were forty Ships , and seven of them loaden with treasure ) cometh thither ; which , hearing that the English were there abouts , directed their course to Tezcera , where they gained the haven , all but three ships , indifferent wealthy ; which English tooke : and then were minded to set upon the rest , in the Port ; but finding the attempt not forcible , they passed from hence , to Saint Michaells ; where Southampton , Rutland , Evers , Bredon and Dockwray , were Knighted● and then Essex landed within six miles of the Towne ; nigh unto Villa Franca , a faire Towne , and well furnished with marchandize ; wine , wood , and corne ; where they tarried six dayes : and the common souldiers found good booty . And now a Caraque was espied , coming out of the east Indies ; which , by a warning peece shot off in a Dutch ship , perceiveing that the English were there ; run herselfe a shoare , unloaded her merchandize , and then fiered herselfe . Thus the English had ill lucke every where in this expedition : And the ninth of October they hoysted sayle for England ; but within two dayes , a terrible tempest , from the northward dispersed them ; and the Spanish Fleete also at the same time , so as they never came in view of one another : one Spanish shippe was cast upon Dertmouth , the Marriners and souldiers halfe starved in her ; who intimated , that the Spanish fleete intended to seize upon some haven in Cornwall , which being nigh the mouth of the channell ; might be convenient to receive forces from Spaine : but the divine providence frustrated the designes both of the Spaniard and the English .

But now at his returne , the Earle of Essex found that done in England , in his absence , which infinitly discontented him : Sir Robert Cicill made Chancelour of the Dutchy of Lancaster ; & which was more , Charles Lord Howard , created Earle of Nottingham , with relation in his patent to the Victory in eighty eight ; and his good service at Cales : This glory he envyed him , and besides stomacked it ; that he must now take place of him . It being enacted in the Raigne of Henry the eighth , that the chiefe Officers of the Kingdome , should have Presidence of all men of their degree . Whereupon the Queen , to give him content , was faine to create him Earle Marshall of England ; by which he recovered his place againe .

About this time , an Embassadour came into England , from the KING of Poland ; who , when the Queen expected he should give her thanks for having procured a Peace between the King his Master , and the Turke , he cleane contrary expostulated unkindnesse , for breach of Priviledge in trading with Spaine , requiring a present remedy , or else the King would otherways right himselfe . The Queen not a little offended , suddenly replyed , ●ow was I deceived ? I expected an Embassadour , and behold a Herauld ; such a speech I never heard in all my life time : And after some further checking of him for his boldnesse , she referred him to her Councell ; and then retired into her Closett . The Embassadour afterward , in private conference with some of the Councell , excused himselfe , saying , that his speech was penned by others , and then given him in wrighting . To his Message , the Councell gave the like answer ; as they had given before the Hanse-Townes , upon the like occasion : though now againe , the Hanse-Townes obtaine of the Emperour , to prohibite the English from trading in Germany , which made the Queen to prohibit the Hause towns from trading in England , and put them out of the Stilyard till this difference was accorded .

This yeer the Chancellor of Denmarke came into England to restore the Garter , which she had bestowed upon the Kings Father , and withall offering the Kings helpe , to make a peace for the Queen with the Spaniard . The Queen thanked him ; but meant not to use his helpe for that which shee did not desire , and especially not now , when he had newly molested the King of France her Allye , and had taken Amyens the strongest Town of Picardie : Though why should the Queen be so tender of the French King , when now to get an aid of four thousand Souldiers from her , he fell to Devises ; intimating unto her , that he was now offered by the Popes Nuntio a very commodious peace , if he would but forsake her . But while these things were in Treaty , Amyens was recovered againe by the valour of Baskervile ( who dyed at the seige ) and of Sir Arthur Savage , as the King in His Letters to the Queene thankfully acknowledged .

About this time a Parliament was holden at Westminster , where Subsidies were willingly granted ; and to this Parliament was called the Lord La Ware and restored to his blood , which by Act of Parliament in the Raigne of King Edward the sixth was tainted ; Also to this Parliament was called Thomas Lord HOWARD , by the Title of Baron Howard of Walden .

In Ireland at this time , a great part of Ulster , and almost all Connacht was in Rebellion ; Whereupon Russell the Deputy was called home , and Thomas Lord Burrough sent in his place , a man very stout and couragious , but no souldier : This infinitely discontented Norris , who thought himselfe sure of the place himselfe , and now to see his Rivall preferred before him , and himselfe to be under him , President of Munster , drave him into such a melancholly , that in a very short time , ( and as he thought to himselfe with much disgrace ) he ended his life .

And now the Farle of Tir-Oen craveth , and obtaineth a moneths Truce of the new Deputy , at the moneths end , the Deputy marcheth against the Rebels , and gaineth the Fort at Blackwater , when suddenly the Rebells sl●w themselves upon a hill hard by , against whom the Earle of Kildare marcheth and puts them to flight ; but yet with some losse of his owne side , as Francis Vaughan the Deputies brother in Law , Turner a Sergeant Major , and two Fosters , brothers of the Earle of Kildare , whole death hee tooke so heavily , that within a few dayes he dyed himself .

As soon as the people had fortified the Castle at Blackwater and withdrawne his Army , the Rebels began to besiege it againe ; ( for this was the main place of their strength ) which caused the Deputy with all possible speed to make thither , but unhappily dyed by the way . Whereupon the Rebells set upon the Fort more fiercely then before ; but being still reppelled ; they comforted themselves with this , that there was not many dayes provision left in the Fort ; yet the admirable fortitude of Thomas Williams the Captain , and the Garrison Souldiers saved the place , who , when their horse-flesh was all spent , fedde upon weeds growing within the Trenches , and endured all kinde of misery . And now the Lord Burrough the Deputy being dead , the Army by direction from England , was committed to the Earle of Ormond , and the Government to two Lords Justices , Adam Lofthouse Archbishop of Dublin and Chancellour , and Robert Gardyner : To this new Lieutenant , Tir-Oen exhibiteth a Bill of his oppressions and greivances with request of pardon , and at the same time stirreth up Mac-Hugh to a new Rebellion in Leinster .

In France at this time , the French King being importuned by the Pope , and by his own Subjects , began to incline to a Peace with Spain , which the Queen understanding , she sent into France , Sir Robert Cecill , Herbert and W●lks , ( who dyed at his landing in France : ) The States likewise sent thither , Iustine of Nassaw , and Barnevolt , and others likewise into England to disswade the Peace : but notwithstanding all they could say , or do , the French King shortly after concluded a Peace , to the great discontentment of the Queen and the States , but to the great good , and establishment of the French Common-wealth .

And now the Queen providing for her own and her peoples safety , sent Sir Francis Vere to the States , to know if they were willing to joyn in a Treaty of Peace with the Spaniard ; if not , what they would afford toward a Warre ; and to deal earnestly with them , about repayment of money due to her from them . At home in the mean time , a great Consultation was holden , whither a Peace with Spain were convenient for England , or no ; and many Reasons were on both sides alleaged . Burleigh Lord Treasurer was for Peace , Essex for Warre , and so vehement in it , that the Treasurer , after a long debating , in a strange manner of Presage , reached forth the Book of the Psalms to him , pointing him to that Verse , The bloody minded man shall not live out half his dayes . Which made Essex afterward to set forth an Apology , with Reasons for justification of his opinion .

But now another Consultation was held , about a fit man to be Deputy of Ireland ; The Queen intended to send Sir William Knolles , Essex his Uncle ; but Essex was violent for Sir George Carew , whom hee had a minde to remove from the Court ; and when hee could not by any means perswade the Queen to it , hee then , forgetting himself and his duty , uncivilly and contemptuously turned his back upon the Queen , mutteri●g certain words . Whereupon shee growing impatient , gave him a box on the ear , and bid him be gone with a vengeance ; Essex laid his hand upon his sword hilt , and swore a great oath , That he could not , nor would not put up such an Indignity ; and that hee would not have taken it at King Henry the Eighth his hands ; and so in a rage flun● away from the Court . But afterward , admonished by the Lord Keeper , hee became more milde , and in a short time , returned into the Queens favour .

About this time , William Cecill Lord Burleigh , and high Treasurer of Eng●and , finding himself to droop with age , ( for hee was now threescore and seventeen yeers old ) sent Letters to the Queen , intreating her to release him of his publike charge ; whereupon shee went to visit , and comfort him , but within a few dayes hee ended his life , after hee had been the principall stay of the English Commonwealth for many yeers together . One great good hee did to his country , a little before his death , that hee brought the States of the Low-Countries to a Composition , for the payment of Eight hundred thousand pounds , by Thirty thousand pounds yeerly ; likewise , a new League to be concluded with them .

The King of Denmarks Subjects having lately seized upon some goods of the English as Prize , to the value of a hundred thousand Dollers ; the Queen sent the Lord Zouch , and Christopher Perkins Doctor of Law , in Embassage to the Dane , both to congratulate his late marriage with the Electors daughter of Brandenburg ; and also to crave restitution of the English goods ; who obtained , that in lieu thereof , Threescore thousand Dollers were repaid . And now George Clifford Earl of Cumberland , having with a Navie of eleven ships , waited for Portingall Cariques , and the American Fle●t , till the season of the yeer was past ( they not daring to stirre forth ) he at last set upon Port-Rico and took it ; but seaven hundred of his men falling sick of Calentures , and dying within forty dayes , he was faine to returne home with some honour , but little profit .

About this time , one Edward Squire was Arraigned of high Treason , he had been at first an ordinary Scrivener , afterward a Groome in the Queen ; stable , and going as a Souldier in Drakes last expedition , was taken prisoner and carryed into Spaine , there he came acquainted with one Wallpoole an English Jesuite , who caused him to be put into the Inquisition for an Heretick , and the fellow tasting of misery , was easily drawn to become a Papist , and afterward to attempt anything for the Catholique cause . His ghostly father perswaded him it were meritorious to make away the Queen and the Earl of Essex , and sent him into England with a certain poyson , wherewith to anoint the pommell of the Queens Saddle , and the chayre in which the Earl should sit , which he accordingly performed , but neither of them tooke effect , whereupon Wallpoole suspecting Squires fidelity was bent to revenge it , and sent one into England , who in generall termes should lay this aspersion upon him ; whereupon Squire is called in question , and never thinking that his Confessor would detect him , directly denyed all at first ; but after seeing himself betrayed , confessed all the matter and was executed .

This whole yeer the Rebellion was hot in Ireland ; For Tir-Oen notwithstanding his pardon lately obt●ined , all on a suddain besieged the Fort at Blackwater , to the raising of which siege , the Lieutenant Generall ( for there was as yet no Deputy ) sent 13 Companies under the command of the Marshall , Tir-Oens sworre adversary , him Tir-Oen slew , and put his whole Army to rout , and atchieved such a Victory , with so great losse to the English , as they had never ●elt the like since they first set footing in Ireland● for thirteen valiant Commanders ; and fifteen Hundred Common Souldiers were slain at this Skirmish , and soon after the Fort of Blackwater was yeelded up . And now Tir-Oens fame began to resound , as the Assertor of the Liberty of the Nation , and upon a suddain all Munster brake forth into rebellion . For the cherishing whereof Tir-Oen sent thither O●ny Mac-Rorye and Tyrell ( who originally an Englishman , was growne a deadly enemie to the English Nation ) with four hundred Kernes . Against these ; Thomas Norris President of the Province , marcheth to Killmallock with a good force ; but finding that the Irish Souldiers of his Company were ready to revolt , he was faine to disperse his Army and retire to Corke . Hereupon the Rebells grew insolent , spoyled the Countrey , and in cruell manner put all the English to the sword . Furthermore they declare Fitz Thomas to be Earl of Desmond● but upon condition he should hold of O-Neal● , that is , of Tir-Oen , who now dispatched Letters to the Spaniard , relating his victories to the full , and vowing to accept no termes of peace with the English , and yet at the same instant ( after his wonted treacherous manner ) proffered some kinde of submission to the Lieutenant ; but withall made unreasonable demands .

The State of Ireland being thus in combustion , a serious consultation is holden whom to send to quench it , the Queen and most of the Counsell thought Sir Charls Blunt Lord Mountjoy the fittest man● but Essex covertly intimated , that he had no military experience , and besides was too bookish to prove a good Commander , he seem'd to aym at the place for himself , though he made a shew modestly to refuse it , and yet still ready with his exceptions if any other were nominated● many thought it dangerous to have an Army put into his hands , for his followers talked of great matters , that he ( forsooth ) was descended of the blood Royall of Scotland and England , and had better Right to the Crown , then any other of the Competitors . In Conclusion , he is appointed Vice-Roy ; with ample Authority , to make Warre or conclude Peace , and pardon all offenders , even Tir-Oen himselfe . An army is allotted him as great as he desired : Indeed greater then ever Ireland had seen before ; Twenty Thousand Foot , and Thirteen Hundred Horse : with these , and a great Retinue besides of the Nobility , he passeth into Ireland ; where as soon as he had taken the Sword , contrary to his Commission ( which was to go immediately against the arch-Rebell ) he marcheth towards Munster , against the petty Rebels , taketh the Castle of Cahir , and driveth the Rebels into the Woods and Groves adjoyning . His Forces being now impaired , he tarrieth to make them up ; but in the mean time sendeth directions to Sir Coniers Clifford , President of Connacht , to set upon the Rebels in one place , ( thereby to sever their forces ) while he assaulted them in another ; Clifford marcheth toward Belike , with 1500. Souldiers , where the Rebels are upon them at unawares , under the conduct of O-Rorke , ( his Sonne that was hanged here in England ) The English repell them at first with ease , and march along , but the Rebels finding they wanted Powder , set upon them againe , and put them to flight ; in which Skirmish , Clifford and many of the old Souldiers were slain .

Essex having by this time received new supplies out of England , and a check for neglecting the Queens Command , setteth forth at length toward the Borders of Ulster , with Thirteen hundred Foot , and five hundred horse , being come thither , Tir-Oen by a Messenger requesteth Parley , Essex refuseth saying , he might speake with him the next morning , between the two Armyes ; the next day , word is brought to Essex , that Tir-Oen craved the Queens mercy , and that he might onely be heard speake , appointing the shallow of Balla Clinch for a most convenient place ; thither came Essex alone , with whom Tir-Oen ( riding his horse up to the girts ) had private conference a full houre ; A while after , Con Tir-Oens base Sonne came to Essex , requesting in his Fathers name a second Parley , and that some of the chiefe on both sides might be present : Essex consented , so there came not more then six . At the day appointed , many words had not passed , but it was argued , that their Delegates should Treat the next day concerning a Peace : between them it was concluded , that a Truce should be held from six weekes to six weeks , till May●day .

By this time , the Qu. understanding that no more was done , after so much time and money spent , in a great anger taxeth the Earls proceedings , and I know not how , it fell from her to some others that stood by , that he had other thoughts in his mind , then the good of his Prince and Country : And thereupon dispatched very sharp Letters to him , blaming his delay , and letting slip every faire opportunity : with which Letters Essex was so netled and chiefely troubled , that the Queen had now made Cecill Master of the Wards , which he expected himselfe : that he beganne to cast strange Projects within his minde , and held private consultations of returning into England with part of his Forces , to surprize his Adversaries ; But from this course , the Earl of Southampton , and Sir Christopher Blunt disswaded him , as being dangerous and wicked . Yet within a moneth , over he went , and came to the Court at Nonesuch ; to informe the Queen of the State of Ireland . By the way , the Lord Gray of Welton crossed him , but saluted him not ; whom one of his followers offered to kill for his contempt : but Essex would not suffer him : And made such hast , that early in the Morning he was upon his Knees , before the Queen in the Privy Chamber . She enteriained him courteously , but not with the countenance She was wont : and after a little talke , bid him keepe in his Chamber ; And soon after , Committed him to Custody , in the Lord Privy Seales House ; where entring into Consideration of his case , he giveth himselfe wholly to Divine Contemplation , and writeth wonderfull Letters to his friends , of the vanity of the things of this life .

It was now the yeer one thousand six hundred , and the two and fortieth of Queen Elizabeths Kaign , when after the departure of the Earle of Essex , Tir-Oen began to carry himselfe as Monarch of Ireland , and sendeth Kernes to make spoyle in the possessions of such as continued in their loyalty to the Queene , under Mac-Guir their Captaine , who lighting casually upon Sir Warham Saint Leger , thrust him thorough with a speer , and was himself thrust thorough withall . Whereupon the Queen sent Sir Charls Blunt Lord Montjoy , to take upon him the Deputies place , who looseth no time , but first of all marcheth towards Ulster buildeth a fort , within eight miles of Armagh , which , in hononr of Sir Iohn Norris , under whom he had his first military schooling , he calleth by the name of Mount N●rris ; there he placed Edward Blanye who kept the Rebels in awe in those pa●●s , from thence back he goeth into Leynster , wherein the Glynnes he reduceth into order , Donell-Spaniah , Phelim Mac-Pheoph , and the Rebelling Nation of the O-Tooles , taking hostages of them , then back into Ulster again , being victor wheresoever he cometh , and at Tradagh , receiveth into protection Mac-Henry , Mac-Cowly , and other rebels who fell at his feet for mercy . All this and more he did in his first yeer , and no lesse successefull was Carew President of Munster , who drave out of the County the Titular Earle of Desmond , and having found Munster a turbulent Province in Aprill , he overcomed and made it so quiet by December following , that the Rebels maintained not one Fort in it against the Queen .

And now a new consultation was holden in England , touching a peace with the King of Spaine , the which he sought both by the French King , and by Alb●rtus the Archduke , who was now returned into the Netherlands out of Spain , where he was marryed to the Infanta . The Queen consenting to a Treaty , left it to the French King to nominate both the time and place for the meeting of the Delegates , who set down the Month of May , and Bulloigne in France ; But now foreseeing that a question would arise about Precedency , some were appointed to search Ancient Records concerning that point . These men found in the Book of the Ceremonies of the Court of Rome , which ( according to the Canons ) giveth Rule to the rest , as the Lady and Mistresse ; that amongst Kings , the first place is due to the King of France , the second to the King of England and the 3. to the King of Castile ; That the English quietly held this priviledge in the Generall Counsells of Basill Constance , and others , besides the Kingdome of Castile , which is the Spaniards first Title , is but an upstart in regard of England , which had Earles , but no Kings till the yeere one 1017. In like manner , that Pope Iulius the third , gave sentence for Henry the seaventh of England , against Ferdinand , who was then King of Castile .

At the day appointed , the Delegates met at Bulloign , Sir Henry Nevyll , Legier Embassadour , Sir Iohn Herbert , Robert Beale , and Thomas Edmunds for the English , and other for the King of Spaine and the Archduke . The English had Instructions , first concerning Precedency , in no case to give way to the King of SPAINE ; yet if they contended , to put the matter to the devision of Lots , rather then the Treaty should be dissolved ; and for the rest , to propose and mention the renewing of the ancient Burgundian League , freedome of commerce , &c.

At the meeting , when the had severally shewed their cōmissions ; the English challenge the Precedency , the Spaniards do the like , and in soe peremptory a manner , that without it they would dissolve the Treaty : hereupon the English made a proposition , to let passe the question of Precedency ; and to transact the businesse by wrighting , and Messengers between them : Or that the Treaty might be intermitted onely for threescore dayes , not quite brooken off ; but all was to no purpose ; And at three monthes end , they parted .

The States the meane while , were so farr from regarding a Peace , that at this time , they thought upon reducing the Sea Coast of Flanders into their command● and thereupon they landed an Army there , of Fourteen thousand Foote , and three thousand horse under the conduct of Maurice of Nasaw ; and Fifteen hundered of the English under the command of Sir Francis Vere , and his Brother Horatio : At which true happened the famous Bataile of Newport , against the Arch-duke , wherein nine thousand of the Spaniards were slaine ; and the Victory by the valour of the English , fell to the Dutch , for so forward were the English in this Battaile , that of their fifteen hundred , eight hundred were slaine and sore wounded , eight Captaines killed , and of the rest every man hurt .

All this year , and the year past , sundry quarells and complaints arose betweene the English and the French , touching reprisalls of goods taken from each other by Pirates of either Nation : Also touching Customes and Impositions , contrary to the Treaty of Bloys , and deceit in English Clothes , to the great infamy of our Nation . In Denmarke likewise arose controversies touching Commerce , and the Fishing of the English upon the coast of Island and Norway . The Queen also either time , for the increase of Navigation and Commerce , Founded the Company of East-India Merchants , allowing them large Priviledges : but whether , thi● hath proved beneficiall to the Common-wealth , ( there having been by this meanes such a masse of mony and great store of other commodities c●rried out of the Kingdom , and so many Marriners lost every year ) wise men make a question .

About this time also , Pope Clement the eight , perceiving the Queen to be in her declining age , sent two Breeves into England , the one to the Popish C●ergy . the other to the Layity , to suffer no person whatsoever , to take the Kingdome upon him after the Queenes death , but one that should promise by Oath to promote with all his might , the Roman Catholick Religion , how neer soever otherwise , he were allyed to the Bloud Royall of the Kings of England .

This year by reason of intemporate weather , happened a great scarcity of Corne in England , and thereby many grievous complaints was occasioned . The common people cast out reprochfull slaunders , against the Lord Treasurer Buckhurst , as the granter of Lycences for transportation of Corne ; but he appealing to the Queene , shee forthwith defended his Innocency , and made it knowne by open Proclamation , imputed the fault , upon the Broggers of Corne , and Forestallers of Markets , and gave order that the slanderers should be reprehended and punished .

The Earle of Essex , who had now beene Prisoner six moneths in the House of the Lord Privie Seale● he then began to repent in good earnest , resolving to put away his perverse Councellors , Cylly Merick and Henry Cuffe , and then he shewed so much patience and great submission , that the Queene then sent him to his owne house , and to bee there confined , alwayes protesting that shee would doe nothing that should bee for his ruine● but onely that , which should bee for his amendment . Neverthelesse , when as the common people extolled his Innocency , she could not , for the removall of suspition of injustice , free her self and her counsellors , but bring him to a tryall , not in the Star-Chamber , lest the Censure should fall too heavy on him ; but in the house of the Lord Privie Seal , where the cause should have a plain hearing before the Lords of the Councell , four Earls , two Barons , and four Judges of the Realm . The objections were , That contrary to his Commission , he had made the Earl of Southampton , Generall of the Horse , had drawn his Forces into Munster , neglecting the Arch-Rebell Tir-Oen , entertained a Parlee with him , against the Dignity of the Queens Majesty , and the person of a Vice-Roy , which he represented ; and that the sayd Parlee was suspitious , in regard it was private . Some aggravations the Lawyers added from abrupt sentences , in his Letter to the Lord Privie Seal , written two years since , as these ; No storme is more fierce than the indignation of an Impotent Prince . What ? Cannot Princes erre ? May they not injure their Subjects , and such like .

He falling upon his knee at the end of the Boord , professed he would not contest with the Queen , nor excuse the faults of his young years , either in whole , or in part , Protesting that he alwayes meant well , howsoever it fell out otherwise , and that now he would bid the World farewell , withall , shedding many tears , so as the standers by wept also . Yet could he not contain himself , but began to plead excuses , till the Lord Privy Seal interrupted him , advising him to proceed as he had begun , to flie to the Queens Mercy , who would not have him questioned for disloyalty , but only for a contempt ; and that he did not well to pretend obedience in words , which in deeds he had not performed . At length , in the name of the rest , he pronounceth this Sentence against him ; That he should be deposed from the office of a Privy Councellor , suspended from the functions of the Earl Marshall , and Master of the Ordnance , and be Imprisoned during the Queens pleasure . She had given expresse charge , not to suspend him from the office of Master of the Horse ( minding to take him shortly into favor ) and that his Censure in no case should be Recorded . Af●er this , he made shew of wonderfull humility and mortification , which so affected the Queen , that shortly she removed Barkeley his keeper , and gave him leave to go at large ; only admonishing him , To make his own discretion his keeper , and not to come at the Court , or in her Presence .

After this Sentence , Cuffe , who alwayes perswaded the Earle to stand stoutly in his own defence , began so plainly to tax him of cowardize and pusillanimity ; that the Earl in anger , commanded his name to be put out of the Rowl of his servants , yet Merrick the Steward did it not , as being of Cuffes minde himself .

Essex , being now ready to go into the Countrey , remembred himself to the Queen , by the Lord Henry Howard , in these words ; That he kissed the Rod , and the Queens hands , which had ●nely corrected , not overthrown him ; yet he should never enjoy solid comfort , till he might see those blessed eyes , which had been his load-stars , whereby he had happily steered his course , whiles he held on his way at lawfull distance ; But now he resolved to eat grasse with Nebuchad-nezzar , till it please the Queen to restore his senses . She being greatly joyed with these his speeches ; Would to God ( sayd she ) his deeds might be answerable to his words ; he hath long tried my patience , I must now make tryall of his humility .

And now the Earl grew so confident of thee Queens favor , That he became a suitor to her for the Farme of sweet Wines ; but she to try his temper , and with what minde he would bear a repulse , made him Answer ; That she must first know what it was worth , and not give away things hand over head ; and had oftentimes in her mouth , the Aphorisme of Phisitians , That foul bodies , the more you nourish them , the more you corrupt them . And indeed , this was the right way to finde , whether the ulcer of his minde were throughly cured or no ; for being not throughly cured , it would endure no touching ; and no more did his , but as though every denyall of a curtesie , were an injury that required revenge ; his melancholy was presently turned into choller , and now began to hearken to Cuffe again ; telling him , That it was now plain , the Queen determined to make him as poore as Iob , that he should live of the basket , and gather crums under the Ta●●e . Hereupon he returned to London , Southampton is sent for out of the Low-Countries , his doors are set open for all commers , Merricke his Steward receiveth to his own table decayed souldiers , discontented and audacious persons ; Sermons are made there every day by Puritan Ministers , to which the Citizens flock , and all signes of popularity appeared ; which matters coming to the Queens ears , Alienated her affection from him daily more and more ; but especially she was exasperated , that her Person was despised by him ; for ( not to say the worst ) he had muttered , That the Queen was now old and decrepit , and withered as well in minde as body .

And now again , he runneth upon desperate counsells , for the removall of his adversaries from the Court , seeketh to scrue himself into the King of Scots favour , to whom he traduceth his adversaries , by name Raleigh , Cobham , Carew , Cecill , and the Admirall , as inclined to the Spanish Faction , and at one and the same time , seeketh to win to him both Puritans and Papists . Many were of his party , but few of his counsell ; and these were the Earl of Southampton , Sir Charls Davers , Sir Ferdinando Gorge , Captain of the Garrison of Plimmouth , Sir Christopher Blunt , and some other . With these he met privately in Drury House to avoyd suspition , where he first giveth them a Catalogue of the Nobility and gentry that favoured him , to the number of a hundred and twenty . Then they consult , whether it were better to set upon the Tower of London , or the Queens Pallace ; this latter they resolve upon , which should be done in this manner . Blunt should keep the great Gate , with a selected number of men , and Danvers seize upon the Presence Chamber : Then Essex with his company should come from the Mues , and present himselfe before the Queen . But now suspitions arising from divers circumstances , Secretary Herbert was sent to call him before the Councell , at the Treasurers House ; but he doubting the matter , excuseth himselfe , that he was not very well . And now the Plot of seizing upon the Court , which had been four moneths in contriving , was by this means quite dashed , for they had ready at the present , neither Souldiers , nor muition , so as some speedier course must now be thought on ; at which time very opportunely cometh one to them ( set on no doubt by Essex his Adversaries ) as if he had been sent on purpose from the Citizens , to promise him their Ayd , which made Essex to applaud his own great good fortune .

And now were four of the Lords , namely the Lord Keeper , the Earle of Worcester , Sir William Knolles , and the Lord Chiefe Justice of England , sent by the Queen to Essex house , who could hardly be suffered to come , in , all their Attendants were kept out , save he that carried the Seal before the Keeper . In the Court , they found a confused number of people , and the Earls of Essex , Rutland , and Southampton in the midst of them . The Keeper turning himselfe to Essex , telleth him , The Queen had sent him and the rest to understand the cause of this concourse , promising Justice , if any person had done them wrong . Essex with a loud voice cryeth out , They lye in waite for my life , we are met to defend our selves . The Keeper urging Essex again to unfold some part of his grievance ; the unruly multitude crieth out , Away , let us be gone , they come to betray you , Kill them , cast away that Great Seal . Essex retireth into the house , the Lords follow him , he chargeth them to make the doors fast , and turning him to the Lords , Have patience for a while ( saith he ) I must go into the City , to dispatch a little businesse with the Maior and Sheriffs , I will return presently .

There the Lords are kept prisoners ; Essex maketh haste into the City , with a Troop of 200 men at his heels ; the E. of Bedford , the L. Cromwell , and ●●her Lords meeting him by the way , joyn themselves : coming into London , ●e cryeth out aloud , For the Queen , for the Queen , they lay wait for my life . The Citizens came running to gaze , but not so much as one person took Arms to take his Part. Passing along the City , he came all in a sweat to the Sheriff Smith's house , who shifteth himself forth at a back door , and goeth to the Lord Maior . By this time , certain of the Nobility entred the City with a Herald , declaring Essex and his adherents Traytors . Hereupon , hearing also that the Lord Admirall made towards him with an Army , he began to be dishear●ned ; Gorge taketh care for himself , requesteth he might be sent to release the Counsellors , and with them to crave the Queens mercy , whiles the issue was yet doubtfull . The Earl content , that Popham only should be freed ; but he refused , unlesse the Keeper also might be dismissed . Then Gorge freeth them all , and goeth along with them to the Court by water .

Now when Essex thought to return , he found a Chain fastened crosse the street , at the West end of Pauls , and men in Arms on the other side : then he began to draw his sword ; and having once given the word , Blunt letteth fly at them , slew one of them incontinent , himself being sorely wounded and taken . Essex himself had his Hat shot thorow ; whereupon retiring , he took Boat at Queen Hythe , and went to Essex House ; where finding the Counsellors all dismissed , he grew extreme angry and dismayed , and cast certain papers into the fire , saying , They should tell no tales . By and by the Admirall besiegeth the house , commanding them to yeeld . Southampton offereth , if the Admirall would give Hostages to secure them , they would present themselves to the Queen . The Admirall answereth him by Sidney , That Rebells are not to profer Conditions . Within an hour , Essex finding the case desperate , resolved to rush forth ; and the Lord Sands ( the most aged in the company ) greatly urged it , saying , It were better to die valiantly , than by the hands of a Hang-man . But Essex his minde , upon a little deliberation altering , they fell upon their knees , and deliver their weapons to the Admirall , when it was ten a clock at night . Owen Salisbury , and one or two more were slain with Musket Shot , and as many of the Besiegers . The next day , Thomas Lea , Commander of a Company of Souldiers in Ireland , who to one Crosse a Sea-Captain ( that detected him ) intimated , how noble an exploit it were , for six stout fellows to go to the Queen , and compell her forceably to release Essex and Southampton , was presently apprehended , examined , found guilty and executed . Essex and Southampton were carryed first to Lambeth , to the Archbishops house , because it was a dark night ; but anon were sent to the Tower , by the Queens direction ; and with them , Rutland , Sands , Cromwell , Mounteagle , Danverse , and Bromley , the rest were put in common prisons .

On the nineteenth of February , Essex and Southampton were called to their Arraignment , before their Peers in Westminster-Hall , where Buckhurst Lord Treasurer , was appointed Lord High Steward of England for that time . The Peers being severally called by their names , Essex demanded , If it were not lawfull for them to except against some of the Pee●s , as private persons might do against the Jurors . The Judges made answer , That the credit and fidelity of the Peers of England was presumed to be such , that in Tryalls they were not bound to take an Oath , nor are they lyable to any exception . Then were they joyntly indited of High Treason ; namely , That they plotted to deprive the Queen of her life and Kingdom , To surprize her in her very Palace ; And that they brake forth into open Rebellion , by imprisoning the Counsellors of the Kingdom , By exciting the Londoners to Re-bellion with vaine Fictions ; By assaulting the Queens loyall Subjects in the City , and by defending of Essex House against the Queens Forces . Hereunto they pleaded , Not guilty . Essex withall averring , That they had done nothing but of necessity , and the Law of Nature . Yelverton aggravateth the specialties ; and Edward Cook Atturney , argueth , That the Earl could not excuse himself from the Law of Nature , seeing Majesty is not to be affronted for private revenge . The Earl of Essex with great confidence made answer , That to his Prince and Countrey , he alwayes had and would bear a loyall affection . The Francis Bacon ( one that was little expected to speak against Essex , by whom he had been raised ) in defence of Cobham , Cecill , and Raleigh , aggravateth his crying out , That the Crown of England was sold to the Spaniard : wherto Essex replyed , that he heard indeed , that Cecill the Secretary should say to one of the Lords of the Councell , That the Right of the Infanta of Spain to the Kingdom of England , was as good as any of the Competitors . Upon this Cecill ( who stood by as an Auditor ) steppeth in , and falling upon his knees , beseecheth the Steward that with his good leave , he might quit himself from this foul aspersion : which leave being granted him , he provoked Essex , if he durst , to name the Counsellor ; but he would not : therefore ( saith Cecill ) It is a Faction : still Essex averreth it . Then Cecill turning himself to Southampton , besought him , by all manner of Obtestations , to name the man . He referreth it to the Honorable Assembly , and to Cecill himself , if in Honour and good Reason he ought to do it : they affirming , He might , Southampton nameth Sir William Knolles , Essex his Unkle . He being sent for , at Cecills intreaty , said , That Cecill two yeers since told him , that one Dolman , in a Book , had asserted the Right of the Infanta , and had spoken no otherwise than so .

Now after the Judges had delivered their opinion what was Law in the matters alleadge● , the Earls , by the Stewards direction , were taken aside : Then the Peers rose , and went apart , and having consulted about an hour , returned to their seats , and in their order , pronounced the Earls guilty of high Treason . Then the high Steward , advising Essex to implore the Queens mercy , giveth Sentence , and that done , brake his Staff and departed .

The next day , Sir Robert Vernon , Sir William Constable , Sir Edmund Baynham , Littleton , Cluff , Captain Whitlock , Iohn and Christopher Wright and Orell an old Souldier , were called to their Tryall : but the Queen ( informed by Sir Fulk Grevill , That most of them were drawn unwittingly into the danger ) commanded that onely Littleton , Baynham , and Orell should have their Tryall , the rest to be sent back to prison . These were all condemned , but their lives spared ; which favour , Raleigh ( for a good sum of money received of Baynham ) procured .

Essex in the mean while , requested he might speak with some of the Counsellors , to whom he reconciled himself , and to Cecill especially ; and then intimated , That the Queen could not be in safety while he lived ; he requesteth he might be executed privately in the Tower : He grievously inveigheth against some of the Conspiracy , and wished to speak with some of them , but specially with Blunt and Cuffe ; whom as soon as he saw , he brake forth into these words ; O Cuffe , ask pardon of God and the Queen , for thou hast chiefly provoked me to this disloyalty . Also he intimated Sir Henry Nevill , ordinary Ambassadour in France , to have been acquainted with the Conspiracy ; and that other in Scotland , France , the Netherlands , and the Lord Mountjoy , Deputy of Ireland , knew of his purpose , and other in England ; who being many in number , and the Lord Mountjoy ordering the Affairs of Ireland in good fashion , the Queen wisely would take no notice of it .

The five and twentieth day of February , which was to be the fatall day , there were sent to the Earl divers Ministers , to give him ghostly comfort . The Queen now wavering in her self , one while remembring the ●●ci●nt kindenesse she had shewed him , she commanded he should not be ●xecu●ed ; then again , thinking of his stubbornnesse , That he would not once ask her mercy , and had said openly , That he could not live , but she must perish ; countermanding her former word , she gave order that he should ●e executed .

Then was he brought forth into the Yard , where a Scaffold was erected , and sundry of the Nobility present , amongst whom Raleigh also ; but being ●old , It was an inhumane thing to stand by and behold the death of his adversary , he withdrew himself into the Armory , and from thence beheld the Tragedy . Essex being ascended the Scaffold , uncovered his head , cast up his eyes towards Heaven● and cryed God mercy for the manifold sins of his youth , but this last specially , which he said was a bloody , crying , and contagious sin ; craved pardon of the Queen and her Councellors , commended his Spirit into the hands of God , and had his head taken off at the third blow , though the first bereft him both of sense and motion .

The fifth of March , Sir Christopher Blunt , Sir Charles Davers , Sir Iohn Davis , Sir Gyllie Merrick , and Cuffe , were brought to their Tryall in Westminster-Hall , before the Queens Delegates . The Heads of their Inditements , were the same which were objected to Essex and Southampton . The others said little in their defence , onely Cuffe stood upon these two Answers ; Whereas ( saith he ) I am challenged of Treason , because I was in Essex house the day of the Rebellion ; by the same Argument the Lion in the Celler might be indited ; all that day I lamented the Earls Fortune , and dealt with him to flie to the Queens mercy . And as for the Consultation in Drury House , it is no more to be called High Treason , than an Embryon may be accounted a perfect man . The Lawyers on the other side demonstrated , That no necessity lay upon him to tarry in the House ; and that the Consultation in Drury House was it self a Treason , though it had never broke forth into act . Merrick said onely this , The Earl of Essex raised me , and he hath overturned me .

The thirteenth of March , Merrick and Cuffe are drawn to Tyburn , where Cuffe entring into a long Speech , was by the Sheriff interrupted ; and then , after prayers to God , and desiring God and the Queen to pardon him , he was cast from the Ladder : a man of great Wit and Learning , but of a boysterous and turbulent disposition . In the same manner died Merrick .

The fifteenth of March , Sir Charles Davers , and Sir Christopher Blunt were beheaded on the Tower-Hill ; albeit Davers offered ten thousand pounds to redeem his life , though with perpetuall Imprisonment . The Earl of Southampton , and the Sheriff Smith , were kept prisoners ; though Smith , after some time , was upon sureties suffered to go at large . The eighth of Iuly , Sir Henry Nevill was cited before the Lords of the Counsell , where it was laid to his Charge , That he was present at the Consultation in Drury House , yet had not revealed their sinister purpo●es ; and had imparted to Essex the secrets of his French Ambassage . He confessed , That at the Earls intreaty , he shewed him the Commentaries of the French proceedings , was present at one of their Consultations onely , but contemned their counsells , yet durst not be an Informer against so great Personages . Hereupon he had a grievous check given him , and was committed to prison .

One Act of the By , is not here to be omitted . Essex at his Arraignment had complained , That his hand-writing was counterfeited . It happened , the Countesse of Essex being fearfull in her husbands behalf , gave a Letter which she had received from him , to the custody of one Ri●ove , a Dutch-woman that waited on her : this Dutch-womans husband , named Daniell● lighted by chance upon the Letter , and perceiving some passages in it which might bring the Earl of Essex into danger , got a cunning fellow to draw a counterfeit Copy of the said Letter ; with this he cometh to the fearfull Lady , who was newly brought to bed , threatning to give the same to her husbands adversaries ; unlesse she would presently give him three thousand pounds . She to shun the danger , paid him eleven hundred and seventy pounds at the very instant ; yet did he deliver her the counterfeit Copy only meaning to make use of the true one , to get another sum of the Earls adversaries . This imposture being found out , he was censured to perpetuall Imprisonment , condemned in three thousand pounds ( two of which were to go to the Countesse ) and his ears nayled to the Pillory , with this Writing over his head ; A notorious Cheater .

Soon after , a Parliament was assembled , wherein grievous complaints being tendred to the lower House touching Monopolies ; the Queen , by way of prevention , sendeth out Proclamations , declaring the said Licenses and Patents to be voyd in part , leaving some part to the discussion of the Laws : which thing was so acceptable to the Lower House , that they presently sent 80 selected persons ; together with the Speaker , to give the Queen thanks ; and she on the other side , gave them thanks , for being such faithfull Monitors to her , to recall her from an errour , whereinto through ignorance , not wilfulnesse , she was fallen .

In Ireland , the Deputy , at the entry of the Spring , draweth his Forces together and driveth Tir-Oen from where he had fortified himself ; Carew , President of Munster , taketh the titular Earl lurking in a Cave , and receiveth intelligence , That the Spaniards , invited by Tir Oen , had a purpose to land in Munster , yet could not perswade the Deputy they had any designe for Ireland ; but in the midst of September , certain news was brought , The Spaniards were in sight , who wanting winde to carry their Fleet to Cork , put in to Kinsale , the three and twentieth of September , and land their Souldiers without resistance . Richard Percy , having but few Souldiers to defend the Town , is commanded to come away , and leave Kinsale to the Spaniards , into which they enter with Ensignes displayed , and by the Magistrates and Inhabitants , were bidden welcome .

D'Aquila , who commanded the Spaniards , publisheth a Declaration , wherein he sheweth , That Queen Elizabeth was deposed from her Kingdom by sentence of the Pope , her subjects absolved from their Allegiance ; And that the Spaniards were now come to deliver Ireland from the Jaws of the devill . Tir Oen joyneth his Forces with them , so as they were now six thousand Foot , and five hundred Horse , and promised themselves assured Victory , the English being not neer so many . The four and twentieth of December , a Battell is joyned ; where , after a long Fight , the Victory inclined to the English . Tir Oen , O donell , and the rest , cast away their Weapons , and save themselves by flight . Alphonso O Campo , chief Leader of the Spaniards , together with three other Captains , was taken prisoner , and six Ensigne-bearers , twelve hundred were slain , nine Colours taken , whereof four belonged to the Spaniards : of the English not many were slain , but a great number wounded .

After six dayes , D'Aquila sendeth Letters to the Deputy by a Drummer , requesting that some person of account might be sent to him , with whom to confer ; Sir William Godolphine is sent , to whom he complained of cowardise , and ( he feared ) treachery of the Irish ; and therefore , although he wanted nothing to hold out the Siege , and did daily expect great Forces from Spain , yet was willing to make a Composition : whereupon , at last it was agreed , The Spaniards should yeeld up Kinsale to the Deputy , as also the Castles and Forts at Baltimore , Bere-Haven , and Castle-haven , and should depart with life and goods , and Colours displayed . The English , at a reasonable price , should furnish them with Ships and provision into Spain ; and that they should not carry Arms against the Queen of England , till they were arrived in Spain , &c.

And now the Spaniards being driven out of Ireland , the Queen , to prevent their coming again , sendeth out Sir Richard Levison , and Sir William M●●son , with eight Ships of her own , and some smaller Ships of War , to attempt something upon the Coast of Spain . On the nineteenth of March , Levis●n hoyseth Sayl , and Monson afterward , having in vain tarryed behinde , for some Dutch Ships to joyn with them . Levison in the mean time lighted upon the Spanish Navy of eight and thirty Ships , which brought the Treasure from America , and set upon them , but to no purpose . When Monson was come with the rest of the Fleet , they had certain notice , That a mighty Indian Caraque of sixteen hundred Tun , and richly laden , was upon the Coast of Portugall . There indeed they found it , but it lay close under a Fort , attended with eleven Gallies ; and the Caraque it self appeared as big as a Castle ; yet they resolved to fire it , if they could not take it . The next day , they thundered so violently against the Gallies , that within seven hours the Marquesse of St. Crosse , together with Portugall Gallies which he commanded , withdrew themselves ; two of them were taken and fired ; and in them was great store of Powder , which was going for the Low-Countries . And now Levison signified to the Captain of the Caraque , That the Gallies which they trusted to , were driven away , and therefore , if they now refused mercy , they must expect none hereafter . After much speech to and fro , it was at last agreed , That the Caraque , with the Ordnance and Merchandise , should be yeelded up . Thus the English , having a fair winde , returned homeward with a Booty , to the value of a Million of Duckets , by the Portugall account , and not past five of their men lost in the Voyage .

At this time there arose a Contestation amongst the Popish Clergy here in England ; for the Jesuites and the Secular Priests , made bitter Invectives in their writings , one against the other . The originall of the Priests quarrell was , That Blackwell , one wholly at the beck of the Jusuites , was set over them as Arch-Presbyter , who first of all despoiled them of their Faculties ; and when they appealed to the Pope , caused them to be declared Schismaticks and Hereticks . They in sundry Books extolled the Queen very highly , as one that dealt mildly alwayes with the Catholikes , till such time as they set all in a combustion in England ; and by their Treasons , caused most severe Laws to be enacted against the Catholikes . Parsons they traduced , as a Bastard , an Equivocator , and a Traytor . Whether they contended thus in good earnest , or in jest only , is hard to say ; but the Bishop of London politickly nourished the contention ; and all he gained , was this , That the Queen and her Councell , finding them dangerous to the Common-wealth , both the one and the other , upon Penalty of the Laws , were by Proclamation commanded to depart out of the Kingdom presently .

In France , the Marshall Biron , for entring into dangerous attempts against the publike Peace , was arraigned , and lost his head . His confession brought some other into danger ; and amongst them , the Duke of Bulloign , of the Protestant Religion , that when he was cited , he durst not appear , but fled into Germany . Hereupon the King of France sendeth to Queen Elizabeth , complaining that the Duke held his Marriage unlawfull , and the Popes Dispensation nothing worth , pronouncing his son Illegitimate ; had destined the Prince of Conde to the Succession of the Crown , and conspired the destruction of the prime of the Nobility . The Queen , by her Legier Ambassadour , adviseth the King not too credulously to entertain those reports , as doubting these suggestions might proceed from some of the Spanish Faction . Hereupon the King grew very angry , saying , The Queen held a better opinion of the Duke then he deserved , and that he was one of the chief Architects of Essex his Treason ; and being questioned by the King about it , was not able to deny it . About this time also , the Duke of Savoy , by cunning slights , and open force , practised against the State of Geneva ; and the Queen relieved them with a great sum of money , gathered amongst the Clergy and Laity all over England .

And now the Earl of Tyrone , perceiving himself in a desperate estate , resolved to sue for mercy , and promised at last to submit his life and Fortunes to the Queens pleasure , absolutely without condition . Hereupon , being admitted to the presence of the Deputy , at the very entry of the room , he fell on his knees ; and then passing on a few steps , prostrated himself again , saying , I confesse and crave pardon for my great fault , against God , and a most bountifull Prince , my dread Soveraign : I fly to the Queens mercy , as a sacred Anchor , permitting her to dispose of my life and Fortunes at her pleasure . Upon this his submission , the Deputy commanded him to go aside , and the next day took him along to Dublin with him , meaning to bring him into England , that the Queen might deal with him according to her Royall pleasure : But before he could come into England , the Queen died .

Her TAXATIONS .

IN a Parliament holden the first yeer of her Raign , a Subsidy was granted , of two Shillings eight pence the pound of Goods , and four Shillings of Lands , to be paid at two severall Payments , of every person Spirituall and Temporall . In her sixth yeer , in a Parliament holden at Westminster , one Subsidy was granted by the Clergy , and another by the Laity , together with two Fifteenths and Tenths . In her eighth yeer , in a Parliament then holden , there were offered to her four Subsidies , upon condition she would declare a Successor ; but she refused their offer , and directly remitted the fourth Subsidy , which they had granted , saying , It was all one , whether the money were in her Subjects Coffers , or in her own . In her thirteenth yeer , in a Parliament then holden , towards her charges of repressing the Northern Rebellion , there was granted her by the Clergy , a Subsidy of six Shillings in the pound : and by the Temporalty , two fifteens , with a Subsidy of two shillings and eight pence in the pound . In her six and thirtieth yeer , a Parliament was holden , wherein was granted by the Clergy , two whole Subsidies , and by the Laity , three , besides six Fifteens and Tenths ; but it was put into the Act , That this great Contribution , the like whereof had not been known in former Ages , should not be drawn into Example . In her fortieth yeer , in a Parliament at Westminster , were granted her by the Clergy , three entire Subsidies ; and by the Laity , as many , with six fifteenths and Tenths . In her two and fortieth yeer , to furnish her self with money towards the Irish War , she delegated certain Commissioners , to confirm the Crown Lands to the possessors , that held any of controverted Titles , and to take money for the Confirmation , thereby to take away the troubles by concealers , who at this time were very busie .

Of her LAWS and ORDINANCES .

IN a Parliament holden in her first yeer , an Act was made , That every person should go to Divine Service upon Sundayes and Holy-dayes , or else pay twelve pence to the poor . Also it was enacted , That Bishops should not let the Lands of the Church , longer then for one and twenty yeers , or three Lives , except to the Queen or her Successors . In her third yeer , Proclamation was made , That the Teston , coyned for twelve pence , and in the Raign of King Edward embased to six pence , should not be currant but for four pence ; the Groat , but for two pence ; and the piece of two pence , but for a penny : And not long after , all the said base Moneyes were called in , and fine Sterling money was allowed for them , after the Rate . For Ireland also , she coyned Sterling money ; where nine pence in England , went for twelve pence there . The Queen was the first that brought certain Counties to deliver Provision at a certain rate , that so they might be freed from the Purveyors : Also the first that granted allowance to Judges for their Circuit . In her sixth yeer , in a Parliament then holden , it was made Treason to refuse taking the Oath of Supremacy ; yet with this limitation , That by it the blood should not be dishonoured , nor goods confiscate ; nor the Oath to be required of any Baron of the Kingdom . Also this yeer , by a Common Councell in London , It was enacted , That all such Citizens as from thenceforth should be constrained to sell their houshold-stuff , Leases of houses , or such like , should first cause the same to be cried thorow the City , by a man with a Bell , and then to be sold by the common Outcryer appointed for that purpose , and he to receive one farthing upon the shilling for his pains . In her three and twentieth yeer , she represseth by Proclamation excesse in apparell , Gold Chayns , and Clokes which men wore down to their heels . The length of Swords was limitted to three Foot , and Daggers to twelve Inches , besides the Hilts. Buildings likewise in the Suburbs were restrained , In-mates forbidden , and expresse charge set forth , That no dwelling house should be new built within three miles of any of the City Gates , under pain of imprisonment , and losse of the materialls . In her time was set on foot by Sir Thomas Smith , the Law made for the serving of Colledges with provision , to the great benefit of those Scholasticall Societies . In her two and fortieth yeer , she setteth forth Proclamations against the Transportation of Gold or Silver , wrought or unwrought , according to the former Acts of Parliament in that case provided . This yeer also she founded the Company of the East India Merchants , and allowed them ample Priviledges . In her three and fourtieth yeer , all Monopolies are called in by Proclamation . In her four and twentieth yeer , severe Laws are made against Papists , some inflicting death , some fine and imprisonment . In her eight and twentieth yeer , a Proclamation was set forth , prohibiting to sow Wo●d within eight miles of any of the Queens Houses , and four miles off any Cities or Towns Corporate .

AFFAIRS of the CHURCH in her time .

ON Sunday the first of Ianuary , next after the Queens coming to the Crown , by vertue of her Proclamation , the English Letany was read accordingly as was used in her Graces Chappell , in all Churches thorow the City of London , and likewise the Epistle and Gospel of the day , begun to be read at Masse-time in the English To●gue . Also in a Parliament holden in her first yeer , the first Fruits and Tenths were restored to the Crown , and the Supreme Government over the State Ecclesiasticall , and the book of Common-Prayer , and Administration of the Sacraments in the English Tongue was restored , and by degrees the Protestant Religion was established . The Bishops that refused the Oath of Supremacy , were all removed , and Protestant Bishops placed in their room . It was enacted also , That all persons should go to Divine Service upon Sundayes and Holy-dayes , and a Fine of twelve pence imposed upon every one that should be absent , and the same to be given to the poor . In her fourth yeer , the Queen was solicited by Pope Pius , to send her Orators to the Councell of Trent , which she refused , as not acknowledging it a lawfull Councell . In a Parliament holden in her eighth yeer , it was enacted , and by a generall consent declared , That the Election of the Arch-bishops and Bishops in England , together with their Consecration , Confirmation , and Investiture ( which some persons slanderously called in question ) was lawfull and Canonicall , and that they were rightly , and according to the Acts and Statutes of the Kingdom , chosen and consecrated . In her eleventh yeer , there arose in England two contrary factions in Religion : on the one side , Thomas Harding , Nicholas Sanders , and other Divines that had fled out of England , began to exercise the Episcopall Jurisdiction upon the Queens Subjects , which they had derived from the Sea of Rome : On the other side , Colman , Burton , Hallingham , Benson , and other , making profession of the pure Religion , would allow of nothing but what was directly taken out of the Scriptures , openly condemning the received Discipline of the Church of England , together with the Church Liturgy , and the very Calling of Bishops , as savouri●g too much of the Romish Religion , protesting in the Pulpi●s , That it was an impious thing to hold any thing common with the Church of Rome ; and used all diligence to have the Church of England reformed in every point , according to the Rule of the Church of Geneva . These , although the Queen commanded to be committed to prison , yet it is incredible how upon a sudden their followers encreased , known by the envious name of Puritans . This sect so mightily encreased , that in her sixteenth yeer , the Queen and Kingdom was extremely troubled with some of the Clergy , who breathing out nothing but Evangelicall parity , cryed down the Ecclesiasticall Form of Government ( as a thing polluted with Romane dr●ggs ) and setting forth Books likewise , Intituled , The Admonition to the Parliament , and the Defence of the Admonition : they refused to resort to the Divine Service publikely in use , and framed to themselves other Rites . Whereupon , the Queen , to suppresse them , whom by no means she liked , commanded every where the severity of the Law touching the Uniformity of Common-Prayer , to be put in execution , and those books , upon pain of Imprisonment , to be delivered into the hands of the Bishops , or some of the Queens Councell . And this yeer were taken at Masse in their severall houses , the Lord Morley's Lady and her children , the Lady Guildford , and the Lady Browne , who being thereof indited and convicted , suffered the penalty of the Law in that case provided . Untill the twentieth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign , the Papists in England were mercifully connived at , while they solemnized their own Rites within their private houses ( though that also were against the Laws ) but when as that Thunder-bolt of excommunicating the Queen came abroad , then was the Law enacted against those who brought into the Kindome any Agn●s Dei , or hallowed Beads , or reconciled any of the Queens subjects to the See of Rome ; yet for six whole yeers together after this Law was made , it was not executed upon any Papist , till Cuthbert Mayne , a Priest , and an obstinate maintainer of the Popes Authority against the Queen , was executed at Launston in Cornwall , and the Gentlemans goods that harboured him confiscate , and himself adjudged to perpetuall Imprisonment . In her three and twentieth yeer , divers Priests and Jesuites came into England ; amongst whom , Robert P●●sons , and Edmund Campian , English-men and Jesuites , being now bound for England , to promote the Catholike Cause ; at which time a Proclamation was set forth , That whosoever had any children beyond the Sea , should by a certain day call them home ; and that no person should receive or harbour any Seminary Priest or Jesuite . At this time also , there arose up in Holland a certain Sect , naming themselves , The Family of L●ve , who perswaded their followers , That those only who were adopted into that Family , were elected , and no other could be saved , but were all reprobates , and damned , and that it was lawfull for them to deny upon oath whatsoever they pleased , before any Magistrate or whomsoever , that were not of their Family . Many of their books were printed , under these titles , The Gospel of the Kingdom , The Lords Sentences , The Prophesie of the spirit of love , The publication of Peace upon earth , by the Author H. N. but who this Author was , they would by no means reveal : at last ) he was found to be Henry Nicholls of Leyden , who blasphemously preached , That he was partaker of the Divinity of God , and God of his humane Nature : all which books were by Proclamation commanded to be burnt . In a Parliament holden the eight and twentieth yeer of her Raign , some , out of a desire of a Reformation , began to pick quarrells at the Clergy , desiring to passe Laws for the restraint of Bishops in their granting of Faculties , conferring of holy Orders , Eccles●asticall Censure , and the Oath Ex officio . They complayned likewise of the non-residency of Ministers , and the like . But the Queen ; who alwayes hated Innovation ( which for the most part changeth for the worse ) would give no ear unto them ; conceiving besides , That these proceedings in Par●iament in Ecclesiasticall Affairs , derogated from her Prerogative . In her six and twentieth yeer , the Queen gave a speciall charge to Whitgift Arch-bishop of Canterbury , to settle an Uniformity in the Ecclesiasticall Discipline , according to the Laws , which through the connivence of Bishops , and perversenesse of the Puritans , lay now almost gasping , Wh●reupon , he provided three Articles , to which every Minister should subscribe : The first , That the Queen had Supreme Authority over all persons born within her Dominions , of what condition soever they were ; and that no other Prince , or Prelate , or Potentate , hath , or ought to have any Iurisdiction , Civill or Ecclesiasticall , within her Realms and Dominions . The second , That the Book of Common-Prayer , and of the Ordination of Bishops , Priests and Deacons , containeth nothing contrary to the Word of God , but may lawfully be used ; and that they will use that , and none other . The third , That the Articles agreed on in the Synod holden at London , in the yeer 1562 , and published by the Queens Authority , they did allow of , and believe them to be consonant to the Word of God .

It is incredible , what reproaches the Arch-bishop incurred by setting forth these Articles , both from factious Ministers , and from some also of the Nobility ; yet by his patience and constancy , he brought at last Peace to the Church , making this his Motto , Vincit qui patitur . Neither did these at home onely disturb the Peace of the Church , but others also from abroad , as Robert Brown , a young Student of Divinity in Cambridge ; from whom came the Sectaries called Brownists ; and Richard Harrison , a petty School-Master . These presuming to judge matters of Religion by their own private spirit , by books set forth in Zealand , and dispersed at this time over England , condemned the Church of England for no Church , and ensnared many in the nets of their new Schism . Neither could they be restrayned , though their books were prohibited by the Queens Authority , and soundly confuted by sundry learned men ; and one or two of the Ring-leaders executed at S. Edmunds Berry . In her one and thirtieth yeer , these Puritans flames brake forth again , Books are written by the names of Martin Mar-Prelate , and A Demonstration of the Discipline , by Penry a●d ●●dall , against the Government of Bishops ; and nothing would please them , but the Discipline of Geneva : Many Abettors they had , Knightly and Wigstone , Knights , besides Cartwright ( the father of them ) Snape , King , Pradlow , Payn , and others ; who though called in question , fined and imprisoned , could never be reclaimed . In her six and thirtieth yeer , the Queen caused the severity of the Laws to be executed upon Henry Barrow and his Sectaries , for disturbing the Church , and the publike Peace , by scattering of their monstrous Opinions , condemning the Church of England as no Christian Church , and derogating from th● Queens Authority in Causes Ecclesiasticall .

WORKS of Piety in her time .

THis Queen converted Westminster Abbey into a Collegiate Church , and there ordained a Dean , twelve Prebendaries , a Master , Usher , and forty Schollars , Vicars , Singing-men , and twelve Alms-men . In her third yeer , the Merchant-Taylors , founded a notable Grammar-School , in the Parish of S. Lawrence Pountney in London . Also this yeer , William Harper , Maior of of London , founded a Free-School in the Town of Bedford , where he was born . In her seventh yeer , on the seventh of Iune , Sir Thomas Gresham laid the first stone of the Royall Exchange in Cornhill , which in November the yeer after , at his own charges was finished , being the yeer 1567. In her tenth yeer , the Citizens of London builded a new Conduit at Walbrook corner , neer to Dowgate , the water whereof is conveyed out of the Thames . Also this yeer , Sir Thomas Roe Maior of London , caused to be enclosed within a wall of Brick , one Acre of ground , neer unto B●dlam , without Bishops-Gat● , to be a place of Buryall for the dead of such Parishes in London as lacked convenient ground within their Parishes : He also builded a convenient room in Pauls Church-Yard , on the South side of the Crosse , to receive a certain number of Hearers at the Sermon time . Sir William Peter , having himself been born at Exceter in Devon-Shire , he gave to Exceter Colledge in Oxford , a hundred pounds Lands a yeer : He also builded at Ingerstone in Essex , Alms-houses for twenty poor people , and giving them some competent maintenance . Sir Thomas Gresham had his dwelling house in Bread-str●et London , which he dedicated to the profession of the Liberall Sciences , erecting there Lectures of Divinity , Civill Law , Physick , Geomitry , Astronomy , Musick , and Rhetorick , alotting to the Professors very competent allowance . In her seventeenth yeer , died Matthew Park●r , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , who founded a Grammar School in Rochdale in the County of Lancaster : He also procured to Corpus Christi Colledge in Cambridge , thirteen Schollarships , and built two Chambers for Schollars , and the inward Library of the same Colledge , and procured to it the Patronage of S. Mary Abchurch in London , with many other works of like kinde . Sir Nicholas Bacon , Lord Keeper gave for six Schollars to be found in Ben●t Colledge in Cambridge , three pounds , six shillings and eight pence a piece for ever . Edmund Grindall Arch-bishop of Canterbury , founded a Free-School in Cumberland , where he was born , and gave many Pensions to both Universities . Frances , Countesse of Sussex , sister to Sir Henry Sidney , founded Sussex-Sidney Colledge in Cambridge : As likewise Sir Walter Mildmay , Chancellor of the Exchequer , founded Emmanuell Colledge in the same University . Sir Thomas Bodley erected and furnished the famous publike Library at Oxford . Alexander Nowell Dean of Pauls , endowed Brasen nose Colledge in Oxford , where he was brought up , with two hundred pound per annum , and died in the yeer 1602. Sir Roger Manhood , chief Baron of the Exchequer , built seven Alms-houses in Canterbury , giving to every Alms-man four pounds yeerly : and our worthy Countrey-man William Lambard built an Alms-house at Gr●enwich , which he called , The Colledge for the poor of Queen Elizabeth .

CASUALTIES in her time .

IN the first yeer of her Raign , died Sir Thomas Cheyney , Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports , of whom it is reported for certain , That his Pulse did beat more then three quarters of an hour after he was dead , as strongly as if he had been still alive . In her third yeer , there was found neer Keswrick in Cumberland , a most rich Veyn of pure and native Brasse , which had lain neglected a long time : Also the Stone called Lapis Calaminaris , which is of great use in Brasse Works , was first brought into England at this time , and that in most plentifull manner . Likewise this Queen was the first that caused Gun-Powder to be made in England , which before was had from forraign parts , and at dear rates . In her third yeer , the Spi●e of the Cathedrall Church of Pauls , being five hundred and twenty foot from the ground , and two hundred and sixty from the square Steeple where it was placed , and was made of wooden materialls , but covered with Lead , was with lightning burnt down , together with the Roofs of that large Church , and that within the space of five hours ; the Roofs were after re-edified , but the Spire is yet wanting . The Queen gave towards it a thousand Marks in money , and a thousand load of Timber ; and the City granted a Benevo●●●ce , and three Fifteens ; and the Clergy also contributed towards it . Also this yeer there were many monstrous Births : A Mare brought forth a Foal with two heads , and a long tayl growing out between the two Heads . A Sow farrowed a Pig with two Bodies , eight Feet , and but one Head . A man-childe was born at Chichester in Sussex , having arms and legs like to an Anatomy , the Brest and Belly monstrous big , about the neck a great coller of flesh and skin , growing like the ruff of a Shir● . In her sixth yeer● upon the returning of the Army from Newhaven , the Pesti●ence war brought into England , but especially into London ; where in o●e yeer there died one and twenty thousand and five hundred . This yeer also , in the Month of December , was driven on the shore at Grimseby in Lincoln-shire a monstrous Fish , in length nineteen yards , his tayl fifteen foot broad , and six yards between the eyes . Twelve men stood upright in his mouth to get the Oyl . In her seventh yeer ; on the one and twentieth of De●ember began a Frost , so extreme , that on New-yeers Even people passed over the Thames on foot ; some played at Foot-ball , some shot at pricks , as if it had been firm ground . Yet this great Frost , the third of Ianuary at night began to thaw , and by the fifth day , there was no Ice at all to be seen ; which sudden thaw caused great Inundations . In her eighth yeer , within the space of ten Months , there died in London seven Aldermen , namely , Edward Banks , Richard Chamberlain , Sir Martin Bowes , Sir Richard Mallory , Sir William H●wet , Sir Thomas White , and Richard Lambert , one of the Sheriffs for that yeer . The same yeer also , in the Town of Ossestry in Wales , two hundred houses , in the space of two hours , were consumed with fire . In her tenth yeer , were taken in Suffolk , at Downham Bridge neer to Ipswich , seventeen monstrous Fishes ; some of them being seven and twenty foot in length : And in the same yeer , many Dutch flying into England , to avoid the persecution of the Duke D'Alva , were the first that brought into England the Art of making Bayes , Sayes , Serges , and such woven stuffs , both Woollen and Linnen . In her time a rich Veyn of Copper was found in the Earl of Nor●humberlands Grounds , which she by her Prerogative seized upon . In her thirteenth yeer , a prodigious Earthquake happened in the East parts of Hereford-shire , at a little Town called Kinnaston . On the seventeenth of February , at six of the clock in the evening , the earth began to open , and a hill with a Rock under it ( making at first a great bellowing noyse , which was heard a great way off ) lifted it self up a great heighth , and began to travell , bearing along with it the Trees that grew upon it , the Sheep-folds , and Flocks of Sheep abiding there at the same time . In the place from whence it was first moved , it left a gaping distance forty foot broad , and fourscore Ells long ; the whole Field was about twenty Acres . Passing along , it overthrew a Chappell standing in the way , removed an Ewe-Tree planted in the Church-yard , from the West into the East : with the like force it thrust before it High-wayes , Sheep-folds , Hedges and Trees , made tilled ground Pasture , and again turned Pasture into Tillage . Having walked in this sort from Saturday in the evening , till Munday noon , it then stood still . In her fifteenth yeer , in the Month of November , a new Star , or rather a Meteor ( but that it was found to be above the Moon ) was seen in Cathedra Cassiopeae , exceeding Iupiter in brightnesse , and in that place was carryed with the Diurnall motion of the Heavens sixteen Months together , though after eight Months it was perceived to grow lesse and lesse . In her sixteenth yeer , was a great Dearth , so as Wheat was sold at five and six shillings the Bushell , and other things in proportion . In her seventeenth yeer , a vast mighty Whale was cast upon the Isle of Thanet in Kent , twenty Ells long , and thirteen foot broad from the belly to the back bone , and eleven ●oot between the eyes . One of his eyes being taken out of his head , was more then a Cart with ●ix horses could draw ; the Oyl being boyled out of the head , was Parmasittee . This yeer also , the River Thames ebbed and flowed twice within an hour : and in the Month of November , the Heaven seemed to be all on fire . Also on the four and twentieth of February , being a great Frost , after a Flood which was not great , there came down the River of Severn such a swarm of Flyes and Beetles , that they were judged to be above a hundred Quarters ; the Mills thereabout were dammed up with them for the space of four dayes , and then were cleansed by digging them out with Shovells . In her thre● and twentieth yeer , in the beginning of April , about six a clock after noon , happened an Earthquake not far from York , which in some places , strook the very stones out of Buildings , and made the Bells in Churches to jangle . The night following , the earth trembled once or twice in K●nt , and again the first day of May. In her six and twentieth yeer , being the yeer 1583 , the like Prodigie happened in Dorset-shire , as in the yeer 1571 had happened in Hereford-shire ; A field of three Acrees in Blackmore , with the Trees and Fences , moved from its place , and passed over ano●her Field , travelling in the High-way that goeth to Herne , and there stayed . In her eight and twentieth yeer , Tobacco was first brought out of the West Indies into England , by Ralph Lane . In her five and thirtieth yeer , there was so great a Drouth , that not onely the Fields , but the Springs themselves were dried up , and many Cattell every where died for want of water . The River of Thames likewise did so fail , that a horse-man might ride over at London Bridge . In her six and thirtieth yeer , was a great Plague in London , so as there died this yeer , in London and the Suburbs , seventeen thousand eight hundred and ninety , besides the Lord Maior , and three Aldermen ; and Michaelmas Term was holden at S. Albons .

Of her PERSONA●E and CONDITONS .

SHe was of stature indifferent tall , slender and straight , fair of Complexion , her hair inclining to pale yellow , her fore-head large and fair , her eyes lively and sweet , but short sighted ; her nose somewhat rising in the midst ; the whole compasse of her countenance somewhat long , yet of admirable beauty , but the beauty of her minde was far more admirable : She had been a subject , which taught her to rule ; she had been in misery , which taught her to be mercifull ; and indeed , never Prince ruled with more Justice , and with her Justice mingled more mercy . She had more Valour in her then was fit for a woman , but that she was a Ruler over men ; and more Humility in her then was fit for a Prince , but that she meant to be a President to women . She delighted in nothing so much , as in the love of her Peopl● , which she procured by ordaining good Magistrates , and forbearing Impositions . Her way not to need them , was frugality ; and her way to have them when she needed them , was liberality . She made Honour in her time the more honourable , by not making it common ; and indeed , knowing it to be an influence from her self , she kept it , as her self , a Virgin , and would not prostitute it to unworthy persons . She declined being a mother of children , to the end she might be a mother of her Countrey ; and indeed , no mother ever loved her children more , then she did her people ; and therefore never children loved a mother more , then her people did her . She cove●ed not so much to be an owner of riches , as of rich Subjects ; for she thought money did as well in their Coffers , as in her own : and indeed , ●he never wanted it , when they had it ; and they alwayes had it , when she ●●eded it . Never Prince had a wiser Coun●ell then she , yet never Prince ●eeded it lesse ; for she was her self a Counsellor to her Counsell . In sum , whatsoever may in flattery be said of a wise , just , mercifull , religious , and learned Prince , may truely be said of her ; in all which , if ever she had an ●●uall , yet she never certainly had a superiour . In playing her game of ●ortune , she loved not an after-game ; for she liked Preventions , better then Remedies . She was admirable in expressing her minde , both by speech and writing : and if collection could be made of her Apophthegms , and extemporall Orations , it would certainly excell any thing extant in that kinde : And for her writing , Sir Henry Savile affirms , That he had seen some Translations of hers , which far exceeded the Originalls . Never Prince kept greater State with lesse statelinesse : Her Pensioners and Guard were alwayes the tallest and goodliest Gentlemen and Yeomen of the Kingdom : her maids of Honour , and other women about her , the fairest and most beautifull Ladies of the Realm ; and yet her self a Diana amongst her Nymphes ; insomuch that a great Lord of France being entertained at Court , and the Queen asking him how he liked her Ladies , made answer , It was hard to judge of Stars , in presence of the Sun .

Of her DEATH and BURYALL .

IT was now the yeer 1602 , when she feeling some Infirmities of Old-age and Sicknesse , retired her self at the end of Ianuary , to Ri●hmond ; at which time , in a sad Omen , she commanded the Ring to be filed off her finger , wherewith she was solemnly at the first inaugurated into the Kingdom , and since that time had never taken it off , it being grown into the flesh in such manner , that it could not be drawn off without filing . At the beginning of her sicknesse , the Almonds of her Jaws began to swell , and her appetite by little and little failed her ; withall she gave her self wholly to sadnesse and heavinesse , which some imputed to her care for the losse of the Earl of Essex ; others , because she heard , That divers of the Nobility sought the favour of the King of Scots , adoring him as the Sun rising , and neglecting her : but howsoever , in March a kinde of benummednesse seized upon her , with a deep melancholly , so as she would sit silently , refrain her meat , and not admit of any conference , but with the Archbishop of Canterbury , with whom she prayed ●ervently , till such time as her speech failed her , which failed her a day before she died . She being in this case , it was thought fit the Admirall and Secretary should go to her , to know her minde concerning a Successor ; to whom she gave this answer ; My Throne hath been the Throne of Kings , I would not a mean person should succeed me . The Secretary requesting her to speak more plainly , I will ( said she ) have a King succeed me ; and what King , but the King of Scots , my neerest Kinsman ? After this , the Arch-bishop exhorting her to think of God , That do I ( said she ) nor do my thoughts ever wander from him . And when her tongue no longer served her , it was evident by the lifting up of her hands and eyes , that her thoughts were fixed upon him . And so on the four and twentieth day of March , being the last day of the yeer 160● , she yeelded up her soul to God , when she had lived threescore and nine yeers , six months , and seventeen dayes ; Raigned four and forty yeers , four months , and seven dayes . Her Body was embalmed , wrapped in Lead , and brought to White-hall , from whence on the eight and twentieth of April following , in great solemnity , it was carried into the Collegiate Church of S. Peters at Westminster , and there interred in the Vault of her Grand-father , K. Henry the seventh , in his magnificent Chappell , where our renowned Soveraign K. Iames hath built her a Princely Monument , inscribed with Epitaphs to her eternall glory . At her Funerall were said to be Mourners in black , to the number of on● thousand and six hundred persons .

MEN of NOTE in her time .

THe Ocean is not more boundlesse , then the number of men of note in her time ; but though all of them cannot be reckoned , yet some of them must not be omitted . And to begin with Sates-men : An exquisite States-man for his own ends , was Robert Earl of Lèicester ; and for his Countries good , Sir William Cecill , Lord B●rleigh ; as also Sir Francis Walsingham , that great underminer of Conspirators . Famous Sea-men , were the Earl of Cumberland , the Lord Thomas Howard , afterward Earl of Suffolk : and of meaner Rank , Sir Iohn Hawkins , Sir Martin Forbys●er , Sir Walter Raleigh , Cavendish , Preston , Ryman ; and , to name the worthiest last , Sir Francis Drake , who though he were but a short square bodied man , yet his great Acts have made the Spaniards believe that he was some goodly Personage . Great Commanders by Land , were Robert Earl of Essex , the Lord Willoughby , the Lord Grey of Wilton , Sir Francis Vere , Sir Roger Williams , Baskervile , Savage ; and the Honour of his Family , and our English Nation , Sir Iohn Norris . Learned Gentlemen and Writers , were Sir Thomas Chaloner , employed by Queen Elizabeth as her Ligier in Spain , who wrote five books of the restoring of the English Common-wealth , in elegant Verses , while ( as he said ) he lived in a Stove in Winter , and in a Barn in Summer : Roger Askam , born in York-shire , notably skilfull in the Greek and Latin Tongues , who had sometime been School-master to Queen Elizabeth , and her Secretary for the Latin Tongue ; but taking too great delight in Gaming and Cock-fighting , he both lived and died in mean estate , yet left behinde him sundry Monuments of Wit and Industry . Sir Thomas Smith , born at Saffron Walden in Essex , sometime Secretary to K. Edward the 6 , who wrote an imperfect Work of the English Common-wealth , a singular Book of the Orthography of the English Tongue , and another of the Pronunciation of the Greek ; the first man that set on foot the Law for serving the Colledges with Provision . Sir Henry Savill , Provost of Eaton , and Reader to Queen Elizabeth , who set forth all S. Chrysostomes works in Greek , and by translating of Cornelius Tacitus , , deserved as much of the English Tongue , as he of the Latin : But above all , the admirable sir Philip Sidney , who by writing in a light Argument , shewed how excellently , and beyond all comparison he could have done in a grave . Learned Divines were Iohn Iewell , born in Devon-shire , a Student in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford , in Queen Maries time an Exile , by Queen Elizabeth made Bishop of Salisbury , who wrote an Apologie for the Protestant Doctrine , and died at scarce fifty yeers of age , in the fourteenth yeer of Queen Elizabeth . Iohn Whitaker , Master of S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge , who learnedly answered all the books of Bellarmine . Bilson , Bishop of Winchester , sometimes Fellow of New Colledge in Oxford , who , amongst his other learned Works , hath written notably of Christs descent into hell . Richard Hooker , Preacher at the Temple , who with too much meeknesse smoothered his great Learning , yet hath something discovered it in his five Books of Ecclesiasticall Discipline , and died in the yeer 1599. Alexander Nowel , Dean of Pauls , who forbearing deeper Works , set forth a Catechism , according to the Doctrine of the English Church , and died in the yeer 1602. After such men , it might be thought ridiculous to speak so Stage Players ; but seeing excellency in the meanest things deserves remembring , and Boscius the Comedian is recorded in History with such commendation , it may be allowed us to do the like with some of our Nation . Richard Bourbidge , and Edward Allen , two such Actors , as no age must ever look to see the like : and , to make their Comedies compleat , Richard Tarleton , who for the Part called the Clowns Part , never had his match , never will have . For Writers of Playes , and such as had been Players themselves , William Shakespeare , and Benjamin Iohnson , have specially left their Names recommended to posterity .

THE RAIGNE OF King Iames.

IAMES the fourth King of Scotland , marryed Margaret eldest daughter of Henry the 7 K. of England , by whom he had Iames the 5 , who had one only child Mary Q. of Scots , who had one only son Iames the 6 , who from Iames the fourth had undoubted right to the Kingdome of Scotland● and from Margaret , King Henry the 7 eldest daughter ( the male line being cleane extinct ) unquestionable title to the Crown of England : whereupon Q. Eliz. being dead about 10 a clock in the morning , K. Iames the 6 , K. of Scotland was the very same day ( M. Secretary Cecill himself reading his Title , and Q. Eliz. Will ) proclaimed K. of Eng. Scot. and Ireland , by sound of Trumpet , first at White-Hall , and then in Cheapside , in presence of all the Lords and the Counsell , and other of the Nobility , with a generall acclamation of all sorts of people , that we may truly say , sorrow was never more deceived than at this time ; for where upon the death of Q. Eliz. It was expected there would be nothing for a long time but sorrowing and lamenting . Now that very sorrow was swallowed up of joy , her death bringing with it no other alteration but only of sex , in all other points in a manner the same , the like wisdome , the like learning , the like Iustice , the like religiousnesse in them both : only bettered in this , that we changed a Q. of 70 years old , whom we could not look to keepe long , for a K. of 36 , whom we might well hope to enjoy many years .

Q. Eliz. was not sooner dead● but Sir Robert Cary a younger son of the Late L. Hunsdon , posted away unsent , to K. Ia●es in Scotland , informing him of the accident● for bringing which news , the K. afterwards rewarded him with making him a Ba●on of the Realm , and L. of Leppington . But though it were sufficient for the K. information that he heard the news by Sir Robert Carye ; yet it was not sufficient for the Lords of the Counsell in discharge of their duty , if he heard it not from them , and therefore within a very few dayes , as soon as they could provide fit men , they sent first Sir Charles Percy and Mr. Thomas Somerset , and after them Sir Thomas Lake Clerk of the Signet , a man well acquainted with the State of the Kingdome , both to acquaint him with the generall applause of all the Realme , to receive him for their Soveraigne , and also informe him in what termes the State of the Kingdom stood , that so he might not come altogether a stranger when he came into it .

Q. Elizabeth indeed had left him not only a Kingdom , but a Kingdom without incombrance ; No wars abroad , no sedition at home , and not only so , but a kingdom furnished with all the fruits of Peace , plenty of all things necessary , and of all necessary things ; the chiefest a wise Cousell , for the left Sir Thomas Egerton L. Chanselor , Thomas L. Buckhurst , L. Treasurer : Charles E. of Nottingham , L. Admiral & Sir Rob. Cecill principall Secretary . Foure such men that the meanest of them were sufficient to sit at the Helme of any Kingdom . Yet to these and 〈◊〉 other besides ( all wh●● the K. now by his letters authorizeth to exerc●●●●●eir severall places , ●s formerly they had done ) he addeth certaine new ones of his own choosing , as namely the E. of Northumberland , and Cumberland● the L. Th● . Howard , and then after the L. Henry Howard ; the one the brother , the other the son of the late D. of Nor●olk , who had suffered so much , that at last , he suffered for the Q. his mother . But although the calling of these two last to such place , was done ( no doubt ) out of ●avour to that house ; yet one of them being known , the other doubted to be a Papist , it was presently apprehended , as a fa●vour to that sid● ; and the Catholicks were not a little confident of his good inclination to them all in generall . And it was indeed but necessary they should at this time have such a conceit , for in the late Q. sicknes , a little before her death , Pope Clement the 8 , had written two Brieves to the Catholicks in England , to admit of none to succeed in the Kingdom , when that miserable woman should happen to dye ( so he pl●ased to s●il● the most glorious Q. that ever lived ) but such a one , of whose good inclination to the See of Rome , they should at least be well perswaded . And now K. Iames having setled the Government of his Kingdom of Scotland , and made convenient preparation for his journey : on the 5 of Aprill 1603 , he set forward , and rode that day from Edinburgh to Dunglasse , and from then●● the next day to ●●rwick ; who having stayed two days● the 8 of Aprill he r●de to With●rington● a house of Sir Robert Caries , from thence the 9 to Newcastle , wh●re he stayed Sunday and heard the Bish. of Durham preach , and so joyfull w●re the Townsmen of his being there , that all the time of his stay they bore the charg● o● his houshold . The 13 of Aprill he set forward to Durham , and from thence the 14 to Walt●orth , the 15 towards York , where his traine encreased to such a multitude , that he was faine to publish an inhibition of the peoples resort , and flocking to him . At York it was a question to whom it belonged to beare the sword before the K● in that place , for both the E. of Cumberland claimed it , as her●ditary to his House , and the President of the North claimed it as belonging to his place , but it was adjudged to George E. of Cumberland , who accordingly did it●●rom York the 18 day the K. r●de to Grimston , to a house of Sir Edw. Stanhopes , the 19 to P●●f●● and so to Duncaster , where he lodged at the signe of the Beare and Sun● The 20● of Aprill●e ●e rode towards Worsuppc . a house of the E. of Shrews●●ri●s ; from thence the 21 to Ne●●rk upon Trent , where a Cutpurse being taken in the fact , was by the K. warrant hāged , a most unseasonable delinqēnt , who would force the K. to commit Iustice at a time when hee intended nothing but mercy , the as to Beaver Castle , a house of the E. of Rutlands , hunting all the way as he rode : From Beaver the 23 to Burleigh , who having stayd 2 or 3 days , the 27 he removed to Hitchinbr●●k , a house of Sir Oliver Cromwels , where the heads of the Vniversity of Cambridge met him● From thence he rode towards Royston , and as he passed thorough Godmanchester a Town close by Huntington , the Bayliffes of Town presented him with 70 Teeme of horse , all traced to faire new Ploughs● at which the K. wondring , they said , it was their ancient custome so to do , when any K. of England passed thorough their Town , and by which as being the K. tenants they held their Land . At Royston he lodged that night at M. Chesters house , at his own charge , which he had not done before , since his comming into Eng. The ●0 of Aprill he rode to Stand●● , a house of S. Thomas Sadlers , where he stayd Sunday , and heard the Bish. of London preach . The 2 of May he removed to Brosbourne , a house of S● Henry Cocks , cofferer to the late Q. and now to the K. where ●●t him the L. Keeper , the L● Treasurer , the L. Admirall & divers other Lords : The 3 of May he came to Theobalds , a house of Sir Robert Cecils ; when all the Lords of th● late Queenes most honorable Privy Counsell ; presented themselves , and th●r● the Lord Keeper made a grave Oration . At this house , the fourth of 〈◊〉 , the King made diverse Noblemen of Scotland , of his Privy Counsell here in England ; namely the Duke of L●n●x , the Earle of Marre , the Lord 〈◊〉 , Sir ●●●rg● 〈◊〉 , Treasurer of Scotland , S. Iames Elphingston his Secretary and the Lord of Kinlosse made afterward Mr. of the Rolles . Saterday the se●●●th of May , he rode towards London , where by the way , the Sheriffe Swyn●er●●● and the Aldermen met him ; and by their Oratour Mr. Richard Martin ; made him an eloquent Oration ; and then he rode on to the Charter-house nee●e Smithfield , a house belonging to the Lord Thomas Howard , where he stayed foure dayes : and at his departing from thence made the Lord Zouche● and the Lord Burgley , of his privie Counsell . But wee must here omit , that from the Kings first setting forth of Scotland● as hee was in all places received with most Royall entertainment and rich presents ; so he againe carryed himselfe most affable , and distributed his favours in most plentious manner : in some places , discharging all prisoners , but such as lay for Treason or murther : but specially in conferring the order of Knighthood , of which sort the first he made , was Mr. Iohn Peyton , son to Sir Iohn Peyton , Leiutenant of the Tower . After him divers Scots in sundry places at Theobalds , eight and twenty ; ( of which number the compiler of this worke , though the unworthiest was one ; ) at Charter-house above fourescore : and not many dayes after , no fewer than at least a hundred , and before the yeare went about , God knowes how many hundreds ; that one would wonder what the King would doe with so many Milites , having no warre to●ard . But it wa● indeed fit to give a vent to the passage of Honour , which during Queene Elizabeths Raigne had been so stopped , that scarce any County of England had Knights enow in it to make a Iury.

Before we goe further , it will not be amisse , to shew what great men attended King Iames out of Scotland ; as namely the Duke of Lenox , the Earle of Marre , the Lord Hame and many other great Lords : and many other whom he afterward made great Lords , as bring in his speciall favour ; first Sir George Hame , made afterward Earle of Dunbarre : then Sir Thomas Erskin , made Earle of Kelly ; then Sir Iohn Ramsey made Earle of Holdernesse ; ( which two last had the fortune to come first in to his rescue against the Gowries ) then Sir Iames Hay , made afterward Earle of Carlile ; and then Sir Richard Preston made Earle of Kildare in Ireland ; but whose great fortune by marrying the Heire of that Earledome , was afteward the occasion of his great misfortune ; for comming out of Ireland he was unfortunately cast away and drowned .

But though King Iames was now safely come himselfe to London ; yet he accounted himselfe but halfe come , untill his Queene and children were come to him ; and therefore there are now appointed to goe to conduct them , of Lords , and Earle of S●ssex , the Earle of Lincolne , the Lord Compton , the Lord Norris , and Sir George Carow Knight , Lord President of Munster : of Ladies the Countesse of Worcester , the Countesse of Kildare , the Lady Anne Herberts daughter to Henry Earle of Pembrooke ; the Lords Scroopes Lady , the Lady Rich wife to the Lord Rich , and the Lady Walsingham , one of the late Queenes bedchamber : But although these only were appointed to goe , yet many other Lords and great Ladies went of themselves to attend her Majesty , as the Countesse of Bedford , the Lady Hastings , the Lady Cecill , the Lady Hatton , the Lady Harington , and divers other : and with this Princely attendance , the Queene with two of her children , namely Prince Henry of the age of nine yeares , and the Lady Elizabeth on the eleventh of Iune came to Yorke : where resting themselves some few dayes , on the seven and twentieth of Iune they came to Easton in Northamptonshire , a house of Sir George Fermors , where the King met them at dinner : and afterward they rode together to a house of Sir Iohn Fortescue , and so to London . The Kings younger sonne , Charles Duke of Albany came not at this time , as being not three yeeres old , and therefore not thought able to endure such a journey , but the yeare following falling sick of a feavor , Doctor Atkins one of the Kings Physitions was sent to conduct him , who in six weekes cured him of his feavour ; and the first weeke of October brought him safe to Windsor , where the King then lay ; for which service he was so well rewarded , that together with the gayn●s of his usuall practice● hee grew to a greater wealth then was usuall for Physitions .

King Iames had distributed the meaner Order of Knightho●d very plentifully ; now he thinks fit to raise his distributions to a higher degree , and therupon on the twentieth of May , he made Sir Robert Cecil Baron of Esindon ; Sir Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst ; Sir William Knowles Baron of Greyes ; and Sir Edward Wooten Baron of Morley : and not long after hee made the Lord Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton ; and Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst , he made Earle of Dorset .

The King had by this time found the love and affection of his own people ; but the affection of neighbouring Princes towards him stood yet in suspence , when now to take away that doubt came first in the beginning of Iune , an Embassador from the Palsgrave of Rhyne ; presently after another from the States of Holland and Zeland ; another from the Arch-Duke of Austria ; another from the King of Spaine ; from the Seignory of Venice another ; another from the Duke of Florence ; and lastly on the eight of Iune , Mon●ieur de Rhosny from the King of France : all congratulating his happy comming to the Crowne of England , for entertainment of which Embassadors , and all other that should come after ; the King had erected an Office by the name of Master of the Ceremonies , allowing him two hundred pounds a yeer Fee , and the first that had the place was Sir Lewis Lewkenor : a Gentleman , who besides other good parts was very skilfull in the neighbouring languages .

Vpon the seventeenth of May this yeere , were made fourteene Serjeants at Law : whereof eleven had received Writs the last yeare of Queene Elizabeth : namely , Thomas Coventry , Robert Haughton , Lawrence Tanfield , Iohn Crooke , Thomas Foster , Edward Philips , Thomas Harris , Iames Altham ; Henry Hubbard ; Augustine Nicholls ; and Robert Perker ; to whom the King added three new ; Iohn Sherley ; George Snygge ; and Richard Hutton , who all kept their Feast together in the Middle Temple Hall

One would thinke that by this time , all Offences against Queene Elizabeth had been forgotten : but King Iames more tender of wrongs done to her than to himselfe , would not suffer Valentine Thomas so to escape ; who after he had lyen many yeeres prisoner in the Tower , was on the fourth of ●une arraigned at the Kings Bench-Barre ; and for conspiracy against the late Queene and some of her Counsell , was on the seventh of Iune after six a clock at night , drawne to S●● Thomas Waterings , and there hanged and quartered .

About this time the Honourable Charles Lord Montj●y , returned out of Ireland ; bringing alone with him Hugh O Neale , Earle of Teroen ; at whose comming to the King , the Lord Montjoy was sworne of the Kings Privie Counsell , and the Earle of Teroen who had beene the cause of so much English bloud shed , was yet pardoned ; and Proclamation made , that by all men he should be used with respect and honour .

All this while the King had moved within his own Spheare , and had done nothing out of the Realme ; his first Imployment abroad was now in Iune , to his brother the King of Denmark , to whom he sent in Embassage the Earle of Rutland upon two occasions : the one to be Godfather to his sonne , who was named Christianus , the other to present him with the Order of the Gar●er , upon the like imployment ; soone after , he sent the Lord Spen●er to Frederick Duke of Wirtenberg ; which Lords , saw the said Princes Invested with the Garter , and after honourable entertainment returned home .

It was now a time that every man might sit under his Vine : and enjoy the happinesse of a peaceable Government : when suddenly like a storme in a faire Somers day , brake forth a Treason of a strange Composition : for where in all Treasōs commonly they are all of some one Faction in this , there were people of all sorts ; Priests and Laymen , Papists and Protestants , Noblement , Knights and Gen●lement ; that one would think it should be a well mannaged Treason , and yet was the shallowest that was ever set on foot ; so shallow , that it could scarce be observed , either what the Authors of it ayled , or what it was they would h●ve done . Indeed the great favour which King Iames at his first comming to the Crown , shewed to the Earle of South-Hampton , was like to breed no good blood in those that were his oposites ; and it was said ( how true I know not ) that as the King had sent to enlarge the Earle of South-Hampton , and apointed him to meet him upon the way : So when he heard of an Intention that the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Ralegh had to meet him ; he sent them word they should spare their labour . But why there it were so or no , it seemes they found some ●ause of discontentment , and discontentment will never want Complyces ; and by this meanes was the composition of this T●eason made up , and thereupon were apprehended Henry Lord Cobham , and George Brook his brother , Thomas Lord Grey of Wilton , Sir Walter Ralegh , Sir Griffith Markham , and Sir Edward Parham Knights , Bartholmew Brookesby and Anthony Copley Gentlemen , William Watson and William Clerke Priests : But though they were apprehended in Iuly , yet they come not to their arraignment till November following ; for by reason of the sicknesse , which was then hot in London , the Terme was put off till Crastino Martini , and then to be kept at Winchester in Hamp-shire , only the Courts of the Exchecker , Wards , Liveries and the Dutchy of Lancaster were kept in the Kings Mannour at Richmond in the County of Surrey ; and so in the fourth of November following , all the foresaid Delinquents were removed from the Tower of London and other Prisons , by strong Guards to Winchester , and there arraigned ; whose Indictment was for Conspiring , 1 To kill the King . 2 To raise Rebellion . 3 To alter Religion . 4 To subvert the State . 5 To procure Invasion by Strangers .

Concerning the first Point , it was proved , that the Lord Grey intended to obtaine the levying of two thousand men , for defence of the Low-Countreyes , and with them to seize u●on the King and Prince , and take the Lords of the Counsaile in their chambers . For the other Points , It was proved , that the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Ralegh , met at S , Martins in the Fields ; and there consulted about raising Sedition , mooving Rebellion , altering Religion , subverting the State , and to set up the Lady Arbella . And particularly for the Point of subverting the State : It was proved , that Watson was designed to be Lord Chancellor , George Brooke Lord Treasurer , Sir Griffin Markham Secretary , and the Lord Grey to be Master of the Horse , and Earle Marshall of England , and for effecting of these Treasons , It was proved that Waston the Priest had devised Oaths in writing , by which all parties were bound to keep them secret . And for the last point , It was proved , that Sir Walter Ralegh was appointed to treate with Count Aramberg for six hundred thousand C●owns , and the Lord Cobham to go to the Arch-Duke and to the King of Spaine , to perswade them to assist the Lady Arbella . These things being proved against them , on the dayes in which they were severally Indicted , the most which was replied in mitigation of their fault , was first by Waston , who affirmed it could not be Treason , because the King was not yet Crowned ; and then by the Lord Grey , that it was but a verbal matter and never took effect , and therfore could be no Treason , but these assertions being both refuted ; they were al ( except Sir Edw● Parham , who only was acquitted ) on their severall dayes of inditement , found guilty of Treason ; and had Iudgement accordingly . The Priests Watson and Clerk were executde at Winchester , the nine and twentieth of November : George Brooke was beheaded the fift of Decemb. but then the hand of Iustice stayed● and this was the course which the K. held in shewing mercy . After the death of the three before named he signed three other warrants for the execution of the late L. Cobham , the Lord Gr●y ; and Sir Griffin Mark●h●m , on a certain day then following ; but before that day came he privately framed another warrant , written with his own hand to the Sheriffe ; ( who was then Sir Benjamin Tichburne , ) by which he countermanded the former Warrants : and that there might be no notice taken of it : he sent it by Mr. Iohn Gybbe : a Scotch-man : and one utterly unknown to all the company , appointing him to deliver it so , that it might not take effect , til after their severall confessions , and at the very point of their Execution , which was accordingly performed : At which time it was a wonderfull thing to see how the Delinquents falling on their knees , lamented their misdoings , and most of all how they extolled the Kings unspeakable mercy . But though thus pardoned : yet were they carryed back to the Tower , where the L : Grey not long after dyed , and in him was extinct that Barony , which had formerly bro●ght forth many valourous & worthy men . Sir Griffin Markhā after some time was set at liberty & passed beyond sea , wher he lived long after in meane account . The Lord Cobham likewise was afterward discharged of imprisonment , but deprived of his Estate , lived divers years after in great pennury ; and in him ended that noble Family , which had flourished in great honor many Ages . Sir Walter Ralegh was kept in the Tower , where to his great honour he spent his time in writing , and had bin a happy man if he had never beene released . But such is our state , that no mans fortune is understood , whether it be good or bad , untill it be discovered by the Event .

But in this meane time many things had passed● for his Majesty having deferred the Feast of St. George untill his being at some of his owne houses : held now the said Feast at Windsor , the second of Iuly where the Prince was installed Knight of the Garter ; as also the Duke of Lenox , the Earle of South-Hampton , the Earle of M●rre , and the Earle of Pembrooke ; and at the same time were elected the King of Denmark , and the Duke of Wirtenberg : though their investing have been spoken off before .

And now was preparation made for the Kings Coronation , and for a preparative unto it , h● first restored the Earle of South-Hampton , and then raised in honor these following : Sir Thomas Eger●on Lord Chancellour● he made Baron of Elsemere ; Sir William Russell , Baron of Thorn●ugh ; Sir Henry Grey Baron of Grobye ; Sir Iohn Peter Baron of Writtle ; Sir Iohn Harington , Baron of Exton ; Sir Henry Denvers , Baron of Da●sey ; Sir Thomas Gerard Baron of Gerads Bromely in the County of Stafford ; and Sir Robert Spenser , Baron of Wormeleyton . After this he conferred inferiour Orders ; and made Knights , all the Iudges and Serjeants at Law , all Civilians and Clerkes of the Signet : all his Gentlemen Vshers and divers other : and lastly made Knights of the Bathe threescore and two , most of them Noble mens sons , and the rest Gentlemen of speciall worth . These things done , on the five and twentieth of Iuly being St. Iames day ; the King and Queen were together crowned , and anoynted at Westminster by the hands of Iohn Whitegift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , in presence of the Nobility and other , namely Sir Robert Lee Lord Major of London , in a gow●e of Crymson Velvet , his brethren the Aldermen in gownes of Scarlet , and twelve principall Citizens admitted to attend on them : all other Citizens stayed from passing thither , either by water or by Land , by reson of the sicknesse ; and the first of A●gust following , all suitors were by Proclamation forbidden to repay●e to the Count till the winter following .

At this time the King forgot no● a deliverance he had formerly had , which though it were had in Scotland , yet he would have notice of it taken in England , which was his deliverance from the conspiracy of the Go●ries , on the fift day of August three ye●●es before , and thereupon Friday being the fift of August was by commandement appo●●●ed to be kept Holy day with Morning Prayer , Sermons , and Evening Prayer th●t day , and Bonfires ●t night which was then ; and after during his life solemnely o●●erved .

King Ia●●● had in hi● a● it were two Persons ; one as he was King of Scotland ; and in this he was in perfect amity with ●he King of Spain● , another as he was King o● England , and in this he had some difference with Spaine ; but he , as Rex pacific●● , ●●oke the best from both , and was altogether for the Olive branch , and thereupon when at his comming into England , he found letters of Mart granted against Spaniards : he first caused them all to be called in , and then cons●nted to a Treaty of per●it reconcilment : In which Treaty handled at London , the 18 o● August 16●4 : The Commissioners for the King of England were Thomas Earle of Dorset , Charles Earle of Nottingham , Charles Earle of Devonshire , Henry Earle of North-Hampton and Robert Viscount Cranbourne : For the King of Spaine , Iohn de Velasco Constable of Castile , Iohn de Tassis Earle of Villa Media●a , and Alexander Robidius Professor of the Law in the Colledge of Millaine : For the Archdukes , Charles Count of Aramberg , Iohn Richardo● President of the Privy Counsaile , and Lodowick Verreikin principall Secretary : by whom a Peace being concluded and contained in many Articles . The Somer following , the King of Spaine sent Don Iohn de Velesco Constable of Castile and Duke of Fryas , also Pedraca de la Syerra , his great Chamberlaine : accompagnied with diverse Marquises , Earles and Barons , who comming into England , were by the Earle of Devonshire on the nineteenth of August brought to the Court , where the King in his Chappell in the presence of the ●ommissioners and other English Lords , ( the Duke of Fryas holding the Kings hands between his ) tooke his Oath upon the holy Bible , religiously to obserue and keep all the Articles of the Peace and League agreed upon , and in March following , being now the third yeare of King Iames , Charles Earle of Nottingham , Lord high Admirall of England was sent into Spaine to take in like manner the King of Spaine's Oath : who accompanied with three Barons , and many Knights , Gentlemen and other , to the number of six hundred and fifty , the fifteenth of Aprill arrived at Groyne , from whence he was conducted to Valledolid , three hundred miles off , where the King of Spaine then kept his Court , enterteined in all places as he passed , at the King of Spaine's charge , with so great provisions and such demonstration of love and gladnesse : that it plainly shewed the Spaniards were as glad of our friendship as we of theirs . The Lord Embassadour being come to Court : He caused Thomas Knoll Esquire , to deliver the presents sent from the King of England , which were siz goodly Horses , with saddles and saddle cloaths very richly imbrodered , whereof three for the King , and three for the Queen : two crossebows with sheafes of arrows● foure fowling pieces , inlaid with plates of Gold : and a couple of Lyme hownds , of singular qualities : which the King and Queen in very kind manner accepted , and then on the thirtyth of May , the Lord Embassadour being sent for , the King came forth into a large room : where having a little Table set before him , and a Bible very reverently laid upon it , together with a Crucifix : The Archbishop of Toledo read the Oath , at the reading whereof , the Lord Embassadour held the Kings hands between his and the King kneeling down , layd his hands upon the Book , and after his Oath , subscribed to the Articles formerly concluded . Whilst the E. of Nothingham was thus imployed in Spaine , the right honorable Edward Earle of Hartford , was likewise sent Emb●ssador to Albertus and Isabella , Archdukes of Austria , to take their Oaths , for confirmation of the said Articles of Peace , which were taken at Bruxell the first of May with great State and solemnity : After which , as the Earle bestowed on the Archduks servants , to the full summe of three thousand pouns ; So the Archduke at his departy , bestowed upon the Earle , a Iewell worth nine hundred pounds , and a suite of Arms worth three hundred , and bore his charges all the time of his stay at Bruxels . And now was King Iames , truly Rex Pacificus , Peece and amity with all Princes of Christendome , which few of his Auncestors ever were

A little before this , in the Month of August , in the yeare 1604 , the strong Town of Ostend in Flanders , after above three years siege , and the slaughter of a hundred and twenty thousand men of both sides , and in defense whereof , Sir Francis Vere Generall , and his brother Sir Horatio Vere had shewed great Valour , was by the Marquis Spinola taken ; for which Service , the King of Spaine made him Duke of Santa Severina , and Lord Generall of all his Forces in the Low-Countryes .

It was now the third yeare of King Iames his Reigne , when he kept Saint Georges Feast at Grenwich , and there made two new Knights of the Garter ; namely , the High and Mighty Prince Duke Ulrick , heire of Norway , and brother to our gracious Queen Anne : and the right Noble Lord Henry Howard , Earle of North-Hampton . And upon the Saturday following , in the Hall at Grenwich , being richly hanged with Arras , he created three Earles , one Viscount and foure Barons : namely , Sir Robert Cecil Viscount Cranbourne , he created Earle of Salisbury : Thomas Cecil , Lord Burley his eldest brother , he created Earle of Exceter , and Sir Philipe Herbert , yonger brother to the Earle of Pembrooke , he created Earle of Montgomery : then Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst , Lord Chamberlaine to the Queen , he created Viscount Lisle : Sir Iohn Stanhope , Vicechamberlaine to the King , he made Lord Stanhope of Harington : Sir George Carew Vicechamberlaine to the Queen , he made Lord Carew of Clopton● Master Thomas Arundell of Devonshire , he made Lord Arundell of Wardez : and Master William Cavendish , he made Lord Cavendish of Hardwick .

About this time a strange fancy possessed the braines of a professed Physition , one Richard Haidock of new Colledge in Oxford , who pretended to preach at night in his sleep , in such sort , that though he were called aloud or stirred and pull'd by the hands or feet , yet would make no shew of either hearing or feeling : And this he did often , in the presence of many honorable persons , that came to heare him ; so as within a short time , his fame was spread thorough the land , by the name of the sleeping Preacher . At length the King commanded him to be brought to the Court , where his Majesty sate up the most part of a night to attend the event : when at last , Haidock making a shew to bee a sleepe , began to Pray ; then taking a Text , made his Division ; applying it to his purpose , for in his Preaching his use was to Inveight against the Pope , against the Crosse in Baptism and against the last Canons of the Church of England ; and having ended his Sermon seemed to continue sleeping . His Majesty having well observed the manner of his cariage ; after a few days , called the said Haidock before him , and in Conference with him ( as he had indeed an admirable sagacity in discovering of Fictions ) made him confesse , that all he did was but imposture : and thereupon to fall upon his knees , and aske forgivenesse , which the King granted , upon condition , that in all places he should openly acknowledge his offence ; because many were brought into beliefe , that his nightly preaching was either by inspiration or by vision .

We may not here think it unworthy the relating , seeing King Iames thought it not unworthy the seeing , thereby to observe the nature of the Lyon , and made a solemne matter of it : for on Munday the 3 of Iune ( taking with him the Duke of Lenox , and diverse Earles and Lords ) he went to the Lyons Tower and caused two Lyons a male and a female , to bee put forth , and then a live Cock to bee cast before them● which they ( as being their naturall ennemy ) presently killed and sucked his bloud . Then a live Lambe to bee put downe to them , which the generous Lyons ( as having respect to its Innocency ) never offered to touch , though the Lamb was so bold to go close unto them . Then the King caused those Lyons to be taken away and another Lyon to be put forth , and two Mastifs to be put into him , who presently flew upon the Lyon and turned him upon his back , and though the Lyon were superior to them in strength , yet it seemes they were his matches in courage and so much superior , as that they were the first assailants , with whom otherwise , perhaps the Lyon would not have offered to meddle .

On Friday the 4 of Ianuary in the Kings second yeare , Charles Duke of Albany the Kings second son being then but 4 yeares old , was created Duke of Yorke ; ●hich , because it was done with extraordinary solemnity , is not unworthy to ha●e the manner of it , here related . First were appointed Knights of the Bathe , the Duke of Albany himselfe , then the Lord Willowby , the Lord Chandois , the Lord C●mpton , the Lord Norris , William Cecill , sonne and heire to the Viscount Cranbourne , Allan Percy , brother to the E. of Northumberland , Thomas Somerset second son to the Earle of Worcester , Francis Manners brother to the Earle of Rutl●●d ; Thomas Howard second son to the Earle of Suffolk , and Iohn Harington son and heire to the Lord Harington , the Earles of Oxford and Essex were Esquires to the Duke of Albany ; all the Knights tooke their lodging that night in the first Gate-house going to Kings street ; where they supped , and had Bathes provided for them . The next morning being Saturday , they went out into the Parke in their Hermits weeds , the Minstrels playing and the Heraulds going before them into the Court , and so into the Chappel , where every Knight with his Squires went to the Altar , and there offered ( the Deane of the Chappell , in a rich Cope , holding the Bason . After this they went up into their lodgings , and ●here new attired themselves in robes of Crimsin Taffaty , with hats and white feathers , and so went back to the great Chamber : where by the King they were girded with the sword , and had gilt spurs put upon them . This done , they were solemnly served at dinner , and after went again to the Chappell , and there offered their swords . The next day being Sunday and Twelfe day in robes of purple Sattin● with Doctors hoods on their shoulders and hats with white feathers , they issued out of the Revestry , with the Duke of Albany ( being then to be made Duke of York ) into the Hall , where the King sate under the cloath of Estate , and then the Heraulds going before , the Knights of the Bath followed , and then the Earle of Suffolk , Lord Chamberlain came alone , then followed Henry Howard Earle of North-Hampton and Charles Blunt Earle of Devonshire , carrying the robes of Estate , for the Duke of York , after whom Wriothsley Earle of South-Hampton carried the Coronet , George Clifford Earle of Cumberland , the Golden Rod , the Earle of Worcester the Cappe of Estate , and the Earle of Nottingham bore the Duke of Albany in his Armes , supported by the Earles of Dorset and Northumberland , who all comming in this order before the King ; the Duke of Albany was after the Patent read Created Duke of York , with the Robes and Coronet put on him and the Golden Rod , delivered into his hand : all which performed , they went to dinner , and the solemnity ended .

About this time on the fifteenth of Iune , Thomas Dowglas a Scotch-man , was committed to the Tower and had Irons put upon him , being sent hither , but three dayes before , from the Count Palatine of the Rhyne . His offence was , that he had counterfetted the Kings Privy Seale to divers Princes of Germany ; One to the Archbishop of Cullen , another to the Archbishop of Tryer , another to the Duke of Cleve , another to the Archbishop of Moguntia , and a fifth to the Count Palatine of the Rhyne● whereof being examined and convicted ; he was drawn on a hurdle into Smithfield , and there hanged and quartered :

And now was a second Parliament appointed to be held at Westminster , on the nineteenth of March following , when foure dayes before the day of sitting ; The King , the Queen and Prince rode solemnly in great state thorough the City of London , where in diverse places were erected Pageants : Presents given , Orations made and all demonstrations of love and observance ; and then the Parliament beginning , the King made a long and loving Speech to the House , wherein he signified the ●auses of his calling it ; but in the time , when it should have proceeded , there was suddenly discovered a Plot of Treason ( ●o damnable and foule , that posteri●y will hardly thinke it true , when they shall heare it ) the ●●ot was , to blow up with Gun-powder , both Houses of Parliament at a time , wh●n the King , Prince and all the Nobility should be sitting in the upper House , and all the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower .

The principall contriver of this Plot was Robert Catesbie , a Gentleman of great account in Northampton-shire , descended from that Catesby who had been a speciall Counseller of King Richard the third , to whose family the Divine Providence had now ordained to give a disastrous period . This Catesby not able to performe the worke himselfe alone , drawes in many to assist him , as namely , Thomas Percie , Thomas Winter , Iohn Grant , Ambrose Rookwood , Iohn Wright , Francis Tresham , Guido Fawkes , and at last Sir Edward Digby , all earnest Papists , and all bound by Oath , and by receiving the Sacrament to be secret ; For effecting of this plot , they hired a house close adjoyning to the Upper house of Parliament , where they were to dig thorow a Wall , for the fit placing of their Powder . About Candlemasse they had wrought the Wall halfe thorow : when suddainly they heard a noyse in the next room which made them feare they had beene discovered : but sending Guy Fawkes ( who went now under the name of Iohn Iohnson , as Master Percies man ) to see what the matter was , he brought word , that it was a Cellar where Sea-Coles had beene layd , and were now a selling , and the roome offered to bee let for a yearely rent . This roome therefore as most fit for their purpose , being right under the Parliament House , Master Percie presently went and hired , laying into it twenty barrells of powder , which they covered with Billets and Faggots , for being discovered . Thus the first part of the plot was put in a good readinesse . It now remained to consider what was to be done , when the blow should be given : for though the King and Prince might be slain , yet the Duke of York , and the Lady Elizabeth should still be safe , and so they should bee no nearer their end than now they were . This work therefore for surprizing the D. of Yorke , Percie undertook , and for surprizing the Lady Elizabeth , they agreed upon a match of hu●ting neare to Dunchurch , under colour whereof they would draw company together , and surprize her at the Lord Haringtons house in Warwick-shire , where she then lay , and then proclaime her Queen , and so be sure to have all things done , as they would themselves . Thus farre their bloudy plot went fairely on , and had perhaps gone on so still , if they had continued onely bloudy ; but now a tendernesse of heart tooke some of them , lest their friends should perish together with the rest , and this tendernesse overthrowes them ; for to prevent such promiscuous slaughter , a Letter was framed , and sent to the Lord Mounteagle , sonne and heire to the Lord Morley , brought him by one of his Foot-men , which hee received from an unknowne man in the street . The Letter was this . My Lord , out of the Love I beare to some of your friends , I have a care of your preservation ; therefore I would wish you , as you tender your life , to forbeare your attendance at this Parliament ; for God and man have concurred to punish the wickednesse of this time : And thinke not slightly of this Advertisement : for though there bee no appe●r●ce of any stirre ; yet I say , they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament , and yet shall not see who hurts them . This Councell is not to be contemned , because it may doe you good , and can doe you no harme ; for the danger is past , as soone as you have burnt this Letter ; and I hope you will make good use of it .

My Lord having read the Letter , though much perplexed , yet went presently to the Court at White-hall● ( the King being then a hunting at Royston ) a●d delivered it to the Earle of Salis●●●ie , principall Secretary of State , and the Earle having read it , acquainted first the Lord Chamberlaine with it , and then the Lord Admirall , the Earle of W●rcester and Northampton , who as soon ●s the King was returned from Hunting● acquainted him with it : the Earle of 〈◊〉 telling hi● , th●● he thought it must be written either by a foole , or by a mad 〈◊〉 , because of those words , for the d●●ger is past as soone as you ●ave 〈◊〉 thi● Letter ) ●or i● the da●g●r-w●re so so●ne past , what needed 〈◊〉 warni●g● But th● 〈◊〉 considering it more deeply , apprehended presently some violent 〈◊〉 ; and th●t it must be some suddaine danger 〈◊〉 blowing up with powder ; and thereupon commanded , than diligent search 〈◊〉 be made in the Parliament house , and all other roomes and lodgings 〈◊〉 adjoyning● which search was made by the Lord Chamberlaine , accom●●ny●● with the Lord Mount●●gle , who entring the Cellar under the upper 〈◊〉 ● found there great store of Faggots and Billets ; which was answered to 〈…〉 Mr. P●rcie's owne provision ; but then ( it being considered why such sto●e 〈◊〉 be laid in for Mr. Percie , who used to make but little stay in Towne● and ●hereu●on more diligent search being made , there was found under the Billets one of the Barrells of powder ; and after that all the rest , being six and thirty ; ●og●ther with other instruments fit for their purpose , and then spying the 〈◊〉 F●wkes to stand suspitiously , they apprehended him , and found in his pocket a peece of Touch-wood ; a Tynder boxe to light the Touch-wood , and a Watch , which Mr. Percie had bought the day before , to trie the short and long burning of the Touch-wood , which he had prepared to give fire to the traine of powder . The plot being thus discovered , yet the most of the confederates met at Dunchurch , as they had agreed ; where they divulged many detestable untruths against the King and State : signifying withall , that they were there met for advancement of the Catholike cause ; hoping thereby to have drawne many to joyne with them in their Rebellion : but this availed them no●●ing : for first Sir Richard Verney high Sheriffe of Warwick-shire chased them from thence ; and then Sir Richard Welsh , Sheriff of Worcestershire , knowing them to be entred into Master Littleton's house at Walbach , beset them round , where Cate●●i● and Percie issuing forth , were both slaine with one shot of a Musquet ; and after them , both the Wrights , Iohn and Christopher were likewise slaine outright ; Thomas Winter was taken alive ; all which time , Francis Tresham remained still about the Court , offering his service for their suppression : but being suspected , was examined , and sent to the Tower , where he confest all , and within a few dayes after dyed of the Strangu●ie . On the seven and twentieth of Ianuarie following , a Commission was directed to divers Lords and Iudges of both Benches , for tryall of the rest of the Confederates : namely , of Thomas Winter , Guydo Fawkes , Robert Keyes , Thomas Bates , Robert Wint●r , late of Hoodington in Warwick-shire Esquire , Iohn Graunt , late of Yorthbrook , in the Countie of Warwick Esquire , Ambrose Rookwood , late of Staningfield in Suffolk Esquire , Sir Edward Digby , late of Gotthurst , in Buckingham-shire , Knight , who were all condemned , and had judgement to dye , and on the thursday following Sir Edward Digbie , Robert Winter , Graunt and Bates , were accordingly drawn , hanged and quartered , at the west end of Pauls Church in London , and on the friday , the other foure ; namely , Thomas Winter , Keyes , Rookwood , and Fawks were executed in the Parliament yard at Westminster . Of all whom , none was so much lamented as Sir Edward Digbie , and indeed worthily ; for he was a goodly personage , and of excellent parts , and had it seemes beene cunningly drawne in , and bound to secresie by Oath , when he little thought of any such treason . The seventh of November the Earle Northumberland , upon suspition of being acquainted with the plots , was first commanded to keep his house , and after a while committed to the Tower . And thus was this great plot discovered , and the Plotters punished , to the great rejoycing of all people : insomuch , that even the King of Spain's and Arch-dukes Embassadors made Bonfires , and threw money amougst the people in token of joy . And at this time , on the fourth of Ianuarie , the Spanish Embassador delivered a Present to the King from the King his Master : namely six Iennets of Andalusia , with saddles very richly imbroydered , and saddle-cloathes of cloth of Tissue : One of which Iennets was snoe white , and had a Maine which reached to the ground . But this was a Present sent before any knowledge had of the Powder Treason : but as soone as that was knowne , there was presently another Present sent from the Queen of Spain to the Queen of England● of purpose to congratulate the Kings happy delive●ance from the intended Powder Treason ; and the Present was brought by D●● Io●n de Mendosa , which was a Roave of Murrie Sattin , imbroydered all over with Amber leather ; and upon the leather , in every s●ame and skirt twice imbroydered about with gold ; the fore-part whereof was set with eight and forty tagges three inches long of beaten gold , hollow within , and filled with Amber-greece ; also two large Chaines of Amber-greece● Two Carkanets of Amber-greece , a velvet Cappe with gold Buttons , curiously enammeled , and a girdle suteable to the Bu●tons ; all which were presented together in a large vessell of gold , in forme of a ●ason , so as it seemes there was none rejoyced more for the overthrow of this plot for the Catholike cause , than the Catholike King himselfe . And now King Iames , not to be unmindfull to the Lord Monteagle , for being the meanes of discovering this treason , he gave unto him in Fee Farme of Crowne land 200 l. a yeare to him and his heires , and 500. l. a yeare besides , during his life : and not to be unthankfull to God for the deliverance , he caused the fifth of November , being the day of the discovery , to be kept holy , whith Prayers and Thanksgiving to God , which was then solemnly performed , and hath beene since , and is likely for ever to be continued .

But in the midst of this great joy , there was suddenly spread a rumour of greater sorrow , for on Saturday the two and twentieth of March , newes was brought to the Court for certaine , that the King was slaine at Oking , twentie miles from London , stabbed with an invenomed knife ; whereupon the Court gates were presently shut , and double guard set in all places about London , and all mens mindes were infinitely distracted ; but within two houres all these clouds were cleane dispersed , and the Sun began to shine out againe ; and it was certainly knowne , that the King was safe , and in perfect health : for which a Proclamation was presently set forth to signifie it to the people ; and that afternoone the King came himselfe to White-hall , where thousands of people , ravished with joy , came flocking to see him ; and so generall was the rejoycing , that the Spanish Embassador , gave Sir Lewis Lewk●●r , Mr. of the Ceremonies , a chaine of gold of good value for bringing him the newes : Though afterward it was thought by some , that this rumour was but politickly devised to make the Parliament and people more tender of the Kings safety , and by making them more sensible what a treasure they had of his life , to make them more willing to part with their treasure for his living , as indeed this Parliament they did , giving more Subsidies then are usuall .

The eight and twentieth of March following , Henry Garvet Provinciall of the English Iesuites , was arraigned in Guild-hall , for concealing the foresaid treason , where he had Iudgement to be hang'd , drawne , and quartered , and accordingly on the third of May , was drawne from the Tower to the west end of Pauls Church , and there executed . At his death , he confessed his fault , asked forgivenesse , and exhorted all Catholikes never to attempt any treason against the King or State ; as a course which God would never prosper .

On Tuesday the twentieth of May , were enstalled at Windsor Knights of the Garter , Robert Cecill , Earle of Salisburie , and Thomas Howard Viscount Byndon ; both of them honourably attended , but the Earle of Salisburie beyond ordinary proportion .

There was yet a Fag end of the late powder treason behind to be examined : whereupon two Barons of the Realms ; namely , Henrie Lord Mordant , and Edw. Lord Sturton , were brought from the Tower , to the Star-Chamber : and there , not charged indeed with any poynt of the treason , but onely reflectingly , because they neglected to appeare at the Parliament , according to their summons , for which neglect onely , without any further charge , they were fined to pay to the King , the Lord Mordant ten thousand Marks , and the Lord Sturton six thousand , and to be prisoners during the Kings pleasure . But on the 27. of Iune H●●rie Earle of North●mberla●d was likewise brought from the Tower to the 〈◊〉 Chamber , and more directly charged with circumstances concerning the 〈◊〉 , specially in regard of Thomas Percie , whom hee had admitted to bee 〈◊〉 of the Kings Gentlemen Pentioners , without ministring unto him the Oath o● Supremacy● knowing him to be a Recusant ; for which , and some misprisions , he was fined to pay to the King thirty thousand pounds , to forfit all his Offi●●● , and to be kept prisoner during the Kings pleasure , as indeed hee continued m●ny yeares , and at last released , was yet confined .

It was now the 4. yeare of King Iames his Reigne , and was a time of Princely ●i●itation ; for this Summer , the 17. of Iuly , Christianus King of Denmarke , brother to the Queen , having beene long expected , with eight ships came into the River of Thames , and Anchored before Graves-end ; to whom the next day , King Iames , with Prince Henrie , and divers of his Lords went by Barge , and conducted him to London , where he stayed till the twelfth of August following : in which time , he was entertained with all the magnificence that could be de●vised ; the King and he riding in great state thorow the City ; where Pageants in many places were erected ; and a●ter he had beene shewed the chiefe places about London● as namely , the old Exchange , the Tower , the Monuments at Westminster , and had gone up to the top of Pauls , had beene feasted by the King , by the Earle of Salisburie foure dayes together at Theobalds , had seene Tilting , Fencing , wrastling , and many other pastimes , on the twelfth of August , conducted by the King , the Queen , and Prince , with many other great Lords , he departed to his ships , and in eight dayes arrived at home : A hapy thing when Princes can converse together like private persons , and are not kept asunder with jealousies of State .

After the King of Denmarks departure , on the 23. of September , arrived at London Francis Prince of Vaudemount , third sonne to the Duke of Lorraine , accompanyed with seven Earles , ten Barons , forty Gentlemen of quality , and six-score common persons ; who all the five and twentieth of September went by Coach to the King at Hampton Court , where foureteen dayes together they were feasted and royally entertained , and then returned .

But these Festivalls were follwed with a little disturbance ; for in May , the yeare after , great Assemblies were gathered together in Northampton-shire , Warwickshire , and Leicester-shire , throwing downe Inclosures , at first , without any particular head : but at last rose up a base fellow , called Iohn Reynolds , whom they named Captaine Pouch , because he had a great leather Pouch hanging by his side , who affirmed to the Company , that in that Pouch he had sufficient to defend them against all cummers : but when hee was afterward apprehended , and his Pouch searched , there was nothing found in it but a piece of green Cheese . Proclamation was made , commanding them to surcease their disorder : But this prevailed nothing , till the King sent Henrie Earle of Huntington , Thomas Earle of Exceter , Edward Lord Zouch , and Sir Edward Co●ke Lord Chiefe Iustice of England to suppresse them by force of Armes , and to punish the Levellers according to the nature of their offences ; some by Death , as for Treason ; some by Fines , as for Routs : but Captaine Pouch was made exampler .

On Friday , the twelfth of Iune , his Majesty attended with divers Lords , dyned with the Lord Major , Sir Iohn Wats , who after dinner presented him with a purse full of Gold , and humbly besought his Majestie , that he would be pleased to bee free of his Company , the Cloath-workers : To which , the KING graciously condiscended ; and thereupon called to Sir William Stone , Master of the Company , and said , Stone give me thy hand ; and now I am a Cloath-worker : And in token of my speciall favour to this fraternity , I doe here give to this Company a brace of Bucks yearely for ever , against the time of the Election of the Master and Wardens : at which time also many Lords and Gentlemen were made Free of the Cloath-workers .

On Thursday the 16. of Iuly , the King and Prince with many Lords , dined at Merchant T●l●rs-Hall , where the Master and Warden of that Society , presented the King with a Purse of Gold , giving him humble thankes for gracing their Fraternity with his ●oyall presence● and therewithall shewed him a Roll , wherein were Registred the names of seven Kings , one Queene , 17 , Princes , and Dukes , two Dutchesses , one Archbishop ; one and thirty Eearles , threescore and six Barons , seven Abbots , seven Pryors , with a great number of Knights and Esquires , who had been free of that Company ; which His Majesty graciously accepted , but told them , that he himselfe was already free of another Company : but the Prince his son should be free of theirs , and that he would see the Garland put on his head : whereupon the Master presented the Prince also with a purse of Gold , which he graciously accepted , and said , that not only Himselfe would bee free of the Merchant Tailors● but the Lords also that were with him should do the like , all which was performed with great solemnity .

The fourth of Iuly this yeare , Sir Thomas ●nevet was called by Writ to the Parliament by the name of Baron of Estrick , the next day Sir Iulius Caesar , Chancelor of the Exchecker was sworne a Privy Counsellor ; and the sixteenth of November fallowing Sir ●ervis Clyfton Knight , was called to the Parliament by Writ , by the name and title of Baron of Layton Brameswold , whose only daughter and heire , was soon after married , to Eysme Steward , Baron of Aubigny in France , sole brother of the Duke of L●nox ; whom he afterward succeeded in that Dignity .

About this time , Hugh Earle of Tervon , most ungratefully and utterly forgetfull of the Kings great clemency to him , together with Te●rconell : Hugh Baron of Dungaunon , and divers other Irish Lords , fled into the parts beyond Sea , with a purpose to solicite forreign Princes against the King , and to offer the Kingdom of Ireland to the Pope , which was presently signified to the Realm by Proclamation .

On the Eleventh of Aprill this year , George Iervis a Seminary Priest , and the three and twentieth of Iune● following : Thomas G●rnet a Iesuit , were both executed at Tybourn ; Thom●● Garnet having the favour offered him to be pardoned , if he would but take the Oath of Allegeance , which he refused .

The nineteenth of Aprill at Whitehall , died Thomas Earle of Dorset Lord Treasurer , whose death ( because he dyed suddenly as he sate at the Counsell-Table ) was by some untowardly interpreted ; but being dead and his head opened , there were found in it certain little bags of water , which whither by the strayning of his study the night before , in which he sate up till eleven a clock , or otherwise by their own maturity , suddenly breaking and falling upon his braine , caused his suddain death . So certain it is that death comes not always by determinate steps ; but sometimes per saltum , and we all cary about us the causes of suddain death , though unsensible of them till we be unsensible . This Lord was of excellent parts , and in his place exceeding Industrious , and I have heard many Checker men say , there never was a better Treasurer , both for the Kings profit and the good of the subject .

The twentith of May at Windsor , were made two Knights of the Ga●ter , George Earle of Dun●arre , and Philip Earle of Mo●●g●mery ; but the Earle of Dunbarra , within a yeare or two after left both his honor and his life ; but not his life without honour , having been a faithfull servant , and a wise Counsellor to the King , and was honorably Interred in the Church at Westminster .

About this time were many famous English Pirates that stuck not some of them to turne Turks and lived in great state at Tunis , of whom the chiefe were W●rd , Bishop , Sir Francis Verney and Gl●●●●le , whom after many depredations and outragious acts at Sea , partly the King of Spaine suppressed , and partly the King of Eng. and 19 of their associ●tes being taken , were hanged a● Wapping .

Also at this time , in the Strand on the North side of Durham house , where ●●ood an old long stable : Robert Earle of Salisbury now Lord Treasurer of Eng●●●d , caused to be erected a stately Building ; which upon Tuesday the tenth of Aprill , in the yeare 1609 , was begun to be richly furnished with wares ; and the next day after , the King , the Queene , and Prince , with many great Lords and Ladies came to see it : and then the King gave it the name of Britteines ●urse .

On the eight of May this year , the King by Proclamation prohibited all forreine Nations , that after August they should not fish upon any of the Coasts of England , Scotland or Ireland , nor the Isles adjacent , without the speciall Licence from the Commissioners in that behalfe Ordained .

At this time the making of Allum , which heretofore with great charges , had been fetched from forreigne parts , was by diverse that laboured in it , and now lastly by Sir Iohn Burchier , brought to perfection in England , and therupon the King prohibited upon paine of confiscation , any Allum to be brought from beyond the Seas , and took the whole traffick therof to himself .

And now the King according to an ancient custome , had ayde of His Subjects thorough England : for making his eldest sonne Prince Henry Knight , which yet was Levied with great moderation , and the Prince to shew himselfe worthy of it : performed His first Feates of Armes at Barriers , with wonderfull skill and courage : being not yet full sixteene yeares of Age.

It was now the eight yeere of King Iames His Reigne ; being the yeare 1610 , when Prince Henry being come to the age of seventeen yeares ; It was thought fit , He should be Initiated into Royalty : and thereupon the thirtieth of May this yeare , He was Created Prince of Wales in most solemne manner ; which was this ; Garter King at Armes , bore the Letters Patents , the Earle of Sussex the Robes of Purple Velvet , the Earle of Huntington the Traine , the Earle of Cumberland the Sword , the Earle of Rutland the Ring , the Earle of Darby the Rod , the Earle of Shrewsbury the Cape and Coronet , the Earle of Nottingham and North-Hampton supported the Prince : being in His Surcoate only and bare-headed : and in this manner being conducted to the King , attended on by the Knights of the Bathe , five and twenty in number , all great men , and great mens sons : The Earle of Salisbury principall Secretary , read the Letters Pattents : the Prince kneeling all the while before the King : and at the words accustomed , the King put on him , the Robe , the Sword , the Cape and the Coronet , the Rod and the Ring , and then kissed him on the cheeke , and so the solemnity ended .

After this , it was thought fit , he should keep his Court by himselfe : and thereupon Sir Thomas Chaloner , a learned Gentleman , who had before been his Governour , was now made his Lord Chamberlaine , Sir Edw. Philips his Chancellor , and all other officers assigned him , belonging to a Princes Court : wherein he shewed himselfe so early ripe for Majesty , that he seemed to be a King , while he was yet but Prince : And all mens eyes began to fix upon him .

King Iames had long since shut up the Gates of Ianus , and was in Peace with all Princes abroad ; his only care now was how to keep Peace at home ; and to this end , the three first dayes of Iune , in his own person he heard the differences between the Ecclesiasticall and the Temporall Iudges , argued touching Protections out of the Kings●Bench and Common-Pleas , to this end , the eight , ninth , & tenth of Iune , he heard the manifold complaints of the abuses of the Victualers , & other Officers of his Navy Royall ; to this end , the 4 of Iune , 1610 , he once again by Proclamation , commanded all Roman Priests , Seminaries and Iesuits , as being the chiefe Incendiaries of troubles , to depart this Kingdome by the 5 of Iuly next , and not to returne upon pain of severity of the Law : also all Recusants , to returne home to their Dwellings , and ●ot to ramaine in London , ●o● to come within ten miles of the Court , without speciall Licence ; a●●●r which Proclamation , the O●th of Allegeance was presently ministred to all sorts of people , and their names certified to the Lords of the Counsell , that ref●●ed to take it ; and this Hee the rather did out of consideration of the bloudy fact , committed lately by one Revill●ck , upon the person of the renowned K. of France , Henry the fourth , & whereas Queen Elizabeth in her 43 years had granted her Letters Pattents to continue for 15 years , to the East India Merchants , now upon their humble petition , the King was pleased to enlarge their Pate●●s , giving them a charter to continue for ever , enabling them thereby to be a body Corporate and Politick , which so encouraged the Merchants , that they built a ship of twelve hundred ●un , the greatest that was ever made in this Kingdome by Merchants ; which the King and Prince honored with going to Deptford to see it ; and then named it , The Trades encrease : and at this time gave to Sir Thomas Smith , ( Governour of that Company ) a faire chaine of Gold , with a Iewell , wherein was his Picture . But this great Ship having been in the Read Sea , and returning to Banthem , was there lost and most of her men cast away . But then the King himselfe builded the goodliest Ship of War , that was ever built in England , being of the burthen of 1400 tun , and carrying threescore and foure pieces of great Ordnance , which he gave to his son Prince Henry , who named it after his own dignity , The Prince .

And now whereas a Parliament had been holden this year , and was Prorogued to a certain day ; the King perhaps , not finding it to comply with his designes , or for some other cause known to himself , on the last day of December , under the gr●●t S●ale of England , dissolved it .

Before this time , one Sir Robert C●rre , a Gentleman of Scotland or of the bord●●● , being a hunting with the King , chanced with a fall off his horse to breake his leg ; upon which mischance , he was forced for some days to keep his bed , in which time the King was sometimes pleased to come and visit him : and then it was first perceived that the King had begun to cast an eye of favour upon him : and indeed ●ro● that time forward ( as he was a very fine Gentleman and very wise ) many great favours were heaped upon him : So as on Easter Munday , in the yeare 1611 , he was Created Viscount Rochester . On the two and twentieth of Aprill , 1612 , was swo●ne a privy Counsellor . On the fourth of November 1613 , was Created Earle of So●erset , and the tenth of Iuly following , made Lord Chamberlaine .

B●● this Sun-shine of Fortune lasted not long ; yet not by any inconstancy in the King , but by the Earles own undeserving , which thus fell out : The Right Honourable Robert Earle of Essex , had before this time married the beautifull Lady Francis Howard , daughter of Thomas Earle of Suffolk , who upon ca●ses ●udicially heard , were afterward Divorced and left free to marry any other . Afte● which Divo●ce , this great favorite ( the Earle of Somerset ) takes her for wife ; th● King g●acing their marriage with all demonstrations of love and favour ; and the Lords gracing it with a stately Masque that night , and a few dayes after , the Bride and Bridegroom , accompanied with most of the Nobility of the Kingdome were ●easted at Merchant Taylors Hall , by the Lord Major and Aldermen . But see how soon this faire we●●her was overcast : For it hapned , that one Sir Th●mas ●●erb●ry , a very ingenious Gentleman , and the Earles speciall f●●●●d , who had written a witty Tre●tise of a Wife : and it seemes , not thinking th● Lady in all points answerable to his description , had been an earnest disswa●●● of the M●●●● , and to ●●rengthen his di●●wasion , layd perhaps some unjust 〈◊〉 up●● the Ladyes 〈◊〉 , which so incensed them both against him ; that 〈…〉 could not give them sati●●●ction , than to take away his life : So 〈…〉 saying : Improbe 〈…〉 r , quid non mortalia pectora cogis ? 〈◊〉 this , they finde pretences to have the said Sir Thomas committed to the ●●wer , and there by their Instruments effect their revenge : some say by a ●●●●oned Tansey sent him to eat , some by a poysoned Glyster ministred unto 〈◊〉 , but howsoever effected it was● for which Fact Sir Iervis Elvis then Lieu●●●●●● of the Tower , and three or fou●e other of inferiour condition were put to death , the Lady and Earle themselves were arraigned and condemned : but ●horough the Kings great clemency had their lives spared , but in such a sort spa●ed● as was to them no lesse grievous than death it s●lf , being never after suffered to see the Kings face , nor to come neere his Court.

This Favorite being thus out of favour , there was place made for entertaining another ; for indeed King Iames was of so sociable and loving a nature , that he could not be long well without an Alter idem ; a bosome friend with whom to communicate his Internos sensus , and upon whose shoulders he might sometimes lay a burthen , which he was not willing to beate himselfe ; and this new friend was Mr. George Villers , a Gentleman of a good House , but a younger brother , but of so delicate a composure of body , and withall of so excellent pa●ts of mind , as if nature had framed him of purpose to be a Kings Favorite . And indeed never any man was partaker of the Royall Influence like to him , made first a Knight , and Gentleman of the Kings Bed-chamber , soone after made a Viscount and Master of the Horse ; a while after erected Earle of Buckingham , then Marquis of Buckingham , and made Lord Admirall : Lastly , made Duke of Buckingham , the greatest Title of Honour that a Subject is capable of● and yet his Title not greater than his Power : for all matters of Grace passed from the King by him , and to grace him the more , his Mother ( who after his Fathers death ) had marryed a younger sonne of the Lord Comptons , was created Countesse of Buckingham , his sister who had marryed a Gentleman of no ex●raordinary Family : had her husband made Earle of Denbigh , his two brothers were made , one of them Viscount Berbach ; the other Earle of Anglesey ; besides many other of his friends and kindred highly advanced ; For this Lord affected not an advancement that should bee only personall , but rather bee in common to all his Family , and was not of the disposition of some , who like to great Oakes , love to keep all that are neer them underwood ; though it be in truth both against Nature and Policy to stand alone , when they would be lesse subject to the violence of windes , if more stood together . And though never any man had juster cause to be envyed than hee , yet never any man was lesse envyed ; because though his Honours made him great , yet they made him not swell , but he retained the like temper of affable carriage after his advancement , as he had done before .

But before all these favours were heaped upon him , many other great pas●ages had intervened ; for first , after the death of Thomas Earle of Dorset , Robert Earle of Salisbury had beene Lord Treasurer , and after him Thomas Earle of Suffolke . But this Lord , though of a most noble disposition : yet as having had his trayning up another way , seemed lesse ready in discharging the place , and whether for this , or for his Ladies taking too much upon her by his indulgence ; the staffe was soone after taken from him ; after whom there came in , such a sequence of Treasures as no Age before had ever seene● all wise and able men indeed ; but yet in whom the Office seemed an imployment , rather to ennoble the Officer than to enrich the King . For first Sir Henry Montague was taken from the Kings Bench : and on the fourth of December 1620. made Lord Treasurer , and presently upon it Earle of Manchester , and before the yeere went about put off . After whom Sir Lyonell Cranfield , from Master of the Wards was made Lord Treasurer , and shortly after , Earle of Middlesex : and then not only put off , but fined to pay the King fifty thousand pounds : After him Sir Iames Lee from chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench was made Lord Treasurer , and soone after Earle of Marleborough ; and then having made a good returne of his Place , p●● i● off himselfe . After him Sir Richard W●ston , from Chancelour of the Ex●he●●●r was made Lord Treasurer , and soone after Earle of Portland : so as within the compasse of little more than foure yeares , foure Treasurer● in a row were made four● Earles ; enough to make a praescription for all Treasurers hereafter , to clayme a Right of being made Earles , which yet I speake not as derogating from those worthy men whose memories I reverence , but as observing , Fataq●e F●rtunasque Virum ; so rare as that there was never any President of the like .

Also the five and twenteth of Iune , 1612. the Lord S●nquer a Nobleman of Scotland , having in a private revenge suborned Robert Carlile , to murther Iohn Tu●ner a Master of Fence , thought by his greatnesse to have borne it out ; but th● King respecting nothing so much as Iustice , would not suffer Nobility to be a shelter for villany , but according to the Law ; on the nine and twenteth of Iune ; the said Lord Sanquer having been arraigned and condemned by the name of Robert Cr●ight●● Esquire ; was before Westminster Hall gate executed , where he dyed very penitent .

About this time , the King in speciall favour for the present Plantation of English Colonies in Virginia , granted a Lottery to be held at the West end of Pauls ; whereof one Thomas Sharplys a Taylour of London had the chiefe Prize , which was foure thousand Crownes in faire Plate .

At this time also the Corps of Mary late Queene of Scotland , the Kings Mother was translated from Peterborough , to St. Peters Church in Westminster , and from thence was carryed to the Chappell Royall there ; where it was interred in a Royall Tombe , which the King had erected for her .

About this time also Sir Robert Sherley , third sonne of Sir Thomas Sherley of Sussex Knight , who sixteene yeares past had betaken himselfe to travaile : and had served diverse Christian Princes for the space of five yeares ; but chiefly Rodolphus the Roman Emperour ; who for his service , made him an Earle of the Empire , hee afterward went into Persia , and served the Persian ten yeares , who made him Generall of the Artillery : and held him in so great account , that hee gave him the Lady Teresia in marriage , whose sister was one of the Queens of Persia , after which the Persian imployed him to sundry Princes of Europe ; and se●t him in speciall Embassage into England to King Iames , to whom he delivered his Letters , and shewed his Commission , all which signified the Persians great love and affection to his Majesty : with franke offer of free Commerce to all his Highnesse Subjects , thorough all the Persians Dominions : After a yeares stay here , in which time his Lady lay in of a sonne , to whom the Queene was God-Mother , and Prince Henry God-Father ; hee left the child here in England , and then with his Lady departed into Persia.

It was now the yeare 1612. and the tenth of King Iames his Raigne , when the Illustrious Prince Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne ; with whom a Treaty of marriage had been before , with the Lady Elizabeth : on the sixteenth of October arrived at Gravesend ; to whom the Duke of Lenox and diverse other Lords were sent by the King , who conducted him to White-Hall , and from thence into the great B●●quetting-House , where the King , the Queene , Prince Henry , and the Lady Elizabeth entertained him in all kind manner , and after by Barge conducted him to Essex House , appointed for his lodging . It was many ye●res since any Kings Daughter had beene marryed in England ; which now happening , and to so Illustrious a Prince ; was just cause of Triumph and rejoyceing● but see the misery of Humane Affaires ; joy can no sooner be setting forth , but sorrow will be sure to follow her at the heeles , as now indeed it happened : for on the nine and twentieth of October , the Prince Palatine , with all the great Lords of the Kingdome in most joviall manner , dining at Guild-Hall : Prince H●●●● who wa● also invited and expected , could not come , being newly fallen exce●ding sick of a popular malignant feavour , which raigned that yeare in most parts of this Land : whereof on the sixth of November , between seven ●nd eight a Clock at night , at his Court of St. Iames he dyed . But hee being infinitly beloved of the people , and one that had given great hope of pro●ing an Heroick Prince . It caused suspition in many mens heads , that his death was not without violence offered to Nature ; some said , by bunches of Grapes given him to eate : some by gloves of a poysoned perfume , given him ●or a present : but these were but idle rumours and conceits : It seemes the Divine Providence had ordained it should be said of him ; Hanc tantum terris ●●●endent Fata nec ultra● esse sine●t : whose death would have given a great blow to the happinesse of this Kingdome , if there had not beene another Prince left of a milder spirit perha●s , but so accomplished with all excellent endowments , that there could be no great want of Prince Henrie , as long as there was left Prince Charles . The Corps of Prince Henrie , who dyed at the age of eighteene yeares , eight moneths , and seventeene dayes , was drawne in a Chariot to the Abbey Church at Westmin●ter , and there interred in the Chappell Royall● on the seventh of December following .

This Accident something appealed the generall joy , but yet triumphs went on . Vpon Saint Thomas day , the Palsgrave and Grave Maurice were Elected Knight of the Garter ; and the seven and twentieth of December , the Palsgrave was betroathed to the Lady Elizabeth . On Sunday , the seventh of Februarie , the Palsgrave in person was enstalled Knight of the Garter at Wind●or , and at the same time was Grave Maurice enstalled by his Deputy , Count Lod●wick of Nassaw . On the fourteenth of Februarie , being Shrove-Sunday , and Saint Valentines day , this happy marriage of the Palsgrave with the Lady Elizabeth was solemnized in the Chappell at White-hall : The Bride was led to Church by two Batchellors , her brother Prince Charles , and the Earle of Northampton , Lord Privie Seale : she was attired all in white , having a rich Crowne of Gold upon her head , her haire hanging downe at length , curiously be●e● with Pearles and precious stones , her Train supported by twelve yong Ladies in white Garments : The King gave her in marriage , the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie married them , the Bishop of Bath and Wells preached the Bridall Sermon : which ended , the Bride was led home by two married men , the Duke of Lenox , and the Earle of N●ttingham , Lord Admirall . This marriage was solemnized the first night with a stately Masque of Lords and Ladies : the second night with a magnificent Masque of the Gentlemen of the middle Temple , and Lincolnes Inne : The third night with a sumptuous Masque of the Gentlemen of the Inner Temple , and Graees Inne , provided indeed then , but was not performed till the satturday night following , by reason the concourse of people was so great , it would have hindred the Show . After this , the Lord Major and Aldermen gave the Bride a Chain of Orientall Pearle , valued at two thousand pounds : and now when all things had beene done for honouring their marriage , which either love and observance could device , or Art and Magnificence could performe : On the tenth of April , the Bride-groome with his Bride tooke leave of the King and Queene at Rochester , ( who had by Barge conducted them thither ) and there taking Ship : On the nine and twentieth of April they arrived at Fl●shing ; from whence the Duke of Lenox , the Earle of Arundell , the Viscount Lisle , and the Lord Harington , waited upon them to their chiefe City of Heydelburgh ; in all places as they passed , being received with all State and magnificence : but then on the foureteenth of Iune , the English Lords returning home , the Lord Harington dyed by the way at Wormes , whose Corps was brought over , and bu●ied in England And here it will not be amisse , to shew of what extent and largenesse the Palsgrave's Countrie is● because of the iniquity of some that seeke to disgrace it . It is in length about two hundred English miles , taking the lower and upper Countrie . In the lower hee hath six and twenty walled Townes , besides an infinite number of faire Villages , and two and twenty houses of residence . In the uper , not so many walled Townes , and houses , but those that are generally fairer than in the lower , especially Amberg , and New-market .

But it is now time to looke home ; in the yeare 1609. the King having care for the quietnesse of Ireland , had granted to the City of London the present possession and Plantation in the Province of Ulster : whereupon afterward in the yeare 1612. they sent thither about three hundred persons , of all sorts of handy-crafts men , chiefely to inhabite the two Cities of London-Derrie and Coleraigne : where they ordained Alderman Cockaine for their first Governour . And for the advancing of this , or the like Plantation in Ireland , King Iames about this time began a new Order of Knights , which are called Barone●s , because they take place next to Barons younger sonnes● and hee appoynted certaine Lawes , to make them capable that should be admitted . First that they should maintaine the number of thirty foot souldiers in Ireland , for three yeares , after the rate of eight pence a day , and to pay the wages of one whole yeare , upon the passing of their Patent : Then that they should bee Gentlemen of Bloud of three Descents ; and lastly , should have land of Inheritance , in possession or immediate Reversion , to the value of a thousand pounds per annum : And to keep the Order from swarming , he stinted it within the number of onely 200. and as the issue should faile , the Order to cease . But he that will look , how wel the end of the Institution , and the Laws of it have bin observed shall perhaps find it to be here , as it was in the Order of St. Michael in France , into which at first● there were none admitted , but Princes and Emminent persons : but afterward , all sorts of men , without any difference , were admitted , that it came almost to bee doubted , whether the Dignity of the Order did more grace the persons , or the meanesse of the persons disgrace the Order : and indeed , when the Lawes of an Institution are not in some measure observed , it seemes to make a kind of nullity in the collation .

About this time , on Sunday the ●4 . of October , an exemplar pennance was imposed upon Sir Peck●all Br●●kas Knight , which was to stand at Pauls Crosse in a white sheet , holding a stick in his hand , having been formerly convicted before the high Commissioners , for many notorious Adulteries with divers women .

This yeare 1614. in the month of Iuly , Christianus King of Denmark , ( out of his love to his sister , and King Iames ) came the second time into England ; but as being now secure of himselfe , privately , and with a small company , so as he came to the Queen at Somerset house unexpected , and before any knowledge was had of his comming ; but K. Iames being then in progresse in Bedford-shire , and hearing of it , came presently back , and after he had entertained him here , with Hunting , Hawking , running at Ring , Bear-baiting , Plays , Fire-works● and Fencing , on the first of August Prince Charles brought him aboard his Ship , who then took his leave , and returned home .

In Octob. this yeare was a call of Sarjeants at Law , being 11. in number , namely , George Wild , Wil Towes , Rich● Bawtrie , Henry Finch , Th●● Chamberlain , Francis Mo●r● , Thomas Attow , Iohn Mo●re , Francis Harvie , Charles Chibbourn , and Tho. Richardson ; and in Trenity Terme before there had two other been called , namely , Sir Randal Cre● of Lincol●s Inne , and Sir Robert Hitcham of Grayes Inne , Knights .

About this time an Embassador came from the young Emperour of Russia to King Iames , desiring his continuall love and amity , and to be a means of making attoneme●● , between him and the K. of Swethland , and withall presented him with a rich present of Furs : which was no smal honour to the K. of great Britain to have so great a Potentate as the Emperor of Russia a solicit him to be his mediator .

Though King Iames out of all naturall goodnesse was addicted to peace , yet out of providence he neglected not to be prepared for war , and thereupon in the yeare 1610. had granted priviledges to a society called of the Millitarie Garden ; and this year 1614 , caused a Muster of men to be presented before him , which was performed to his great liking , and to the great commendation of the City .

About this time a memorable Act was performed by M. Hug. Middleton , Citizen and Gold-smith of London , and borne in Den●igh-shire , who having an Act of Parliament for his Warrant , with infinite cost and indefatigable labour , brought water to the City of London , from the two great springs of Chadwell and Amwell in Hartfort-shire , having cut a Channell from thence to a place neere Islington , whither he conveyed it , to a large Pan , and from thence in pipes of young Elmes to all places of the City : for as the Poeth saith : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Nothing is so commodious for the life of man , as water .

Another memorable Act was about this time done on the North side on Lon. called Moore-fields , which being before invironed with deep stinking ditches and noysome common showers , was now , not only made faire & sweet , but so levelled into walkes and let with trees , that it is the pleasantest place of all the City .

The next yeare being 1615 , another memorable Act , for the benefit and beauty of the City of London , was performed ; for Smith-field , which was before a rude dirty place , was now paved all over , and strong railes sequestring the middle part of it , were set up , to make it a faire walking place , and fit for Market or any other use .

The Lady Arbella a neare kinsewoman of the Kings , had sometime before , without the Kings privity , secretly married Master William Seymour , younger son of the Earle of Hartford , now Earle of Hartford himselfe ; for which they were both committed to the Tower : and now this yeare , on the seven and twentieth day of Sep. she ended her lif there , and was buried in the Chappell Royall at Westminster .

This yeare also in Iuly , were Enstalled Knights of the Garter , Francis Earle of Rutland , Sir George Villers Master of the Horse , and Sir Robert Sidney Viscount Lis●● : and in another kind of Honour , the Earle of Arundell , the Lord Carews , and Doctor Andrews Bishop of Ely , were sworne Privie Counsellours .

Wales by the death of Prince Henry , had been a good while without a Prince , and now to supply that place , Prince Charles is Created Prince of Wales : In Ioy whereof , the Town of Ludlow in Shropshire , and the City of London , performed great Triumphs : and the more to honour his Creation : There were made five and twenty Knights of the Bathe ; all them Lords or Barons sons , and yet more to honour it , there were forty selected Gentlemen of the Innes of Court , that performed a solemne Iusts at Barries , with great magnificence .

This yeare was a Censure of divers great Delinquents , for first Sir Edward Cook● , was upon displeasure discharged from being Lord Chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench ; and two dayes after his discharge , Sir Henry Montag●e the Kings Sergeant at Law , was placed in his room : Next to him the Lord Egerton , whyther disabled by sicknesse or age , to exercise the place , or upon displeasure also , had the Sele taken from him , which was delivered to Sir Francis Bacon the King's Attourney , he made first Lord Keeper ; and the Lord Egerton dying soon after , Lord Chancellour . Not long after him Sir Henry Yelverton the Kings Attourney , for adding new priviledges to the Londo●ers Charter , without the Kings privity , was in displeasure put from his place ; and in his room was placed Sir Thomas Coventry , the Kings Sollicitor . But awhile after , Sir Henry ●elverton , was made a puny Iudge of the Common Pleas ; having indeed the reputation of an excellent Lawyer .

And yet this work of Censuring stayed not here , for much about this time ; Thomas Earle of Suffolk Lord Treasurer of England , had the staffe of his Office taken from him ; which was soon after delivered to Sir Henry Montag●● Lord Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Be●ch . If Sir Iohn Benet , Iudge of the Prerogative Court , had made a little more haste , he mihght have made one in this number of Delinquents : but he came short three or foure yeares ; and then being charged by his own servant with brybery , he was put from his place and censured in the Starre-Chamber to pay twenty thousand pounds : and in his roome was placed Sir William Byrde a man of more integrity .

Though King Iames upon the death of Queene Elizabeth , came to reside in England , yet ●e forgot not that Scotland was his native Countrey ; and therefore after he had spent some yeares in England , to acquaint himselfe with the State of the Kingdome . In March this yeare one thousand six hundred and sixteent● , he made a Iourney into Scotland : for though he had left very able men to sit at the Helme there in his absence : yet he knew , that as it is the Masters Eye , that makes the Horse fat : So it is the Prince's presence sometimes that keeps out many distempers in a State , that would otherwise creep in● and now , when in his staying six Months there , he had seen all things well setled , both in the Ecclesiasticall State and in the Temporall , and made it appeare , that he resided not in England out of any neglect of Scotland ; but to the end , he migt be in the place of most conveniency to both Kingdoms : on the fifteenth of September , he returned to London , not more to the griefe of the Scots to leave him , than to the joy of the English to receive him , so much was King Iames as a just and wise Prince , beloved of both the Nations .

Now comes to be related a matter of speciall observation ; Sir Walter R●wlegh had lived a condemned man many yeares in the Tower , and now his Destiny brought him to his end ( by liberty ) which it could not do by imprisonment , for out of a longing for liberty ; he propounded a project to the King , upon which ( as he was a well spoken man and of a great capacity ) he set such coulours of probability ; especially guilding it over , with the Gold he would fetch from a Mine in Guyana ; and that without any wrong at all to the King of Spa●ne ( if he might be allowed to go the Iourney ) that the King , if he gave not credit that he could performe it , at least gave way that he should undertake it : and thereupon with diverse ships , accompanied with many Knights and Gentlemen of quality , he set forward on the Voyage ; but when after long search , or shew of search , no such place of Treasure or no such treasure could be found , whether it were , that he thought it a shame , to returne home , with doing nothing : or that his Malus Genius thrust him upon the Designe : He fell upon Saint Th●m● , a Towne belonging to the King of Spaine : sacked it , pillaged it , and burnt it : and here was the first part of his Tragicall Voyage acted , in the death of his eldest son : the last part was Acted in his own death at his returne . For Gundomore the Spanish Lieger , did so aggravate this fact of his to the King , against him ; that it seemed nothing would give satisfaction but Rawlegh's head , without which he doubted there would follow a breach of the League between the two Nations . Rawlegh excused it , by saying that he was urged to it by the Spaniards first assaulting of him ; and besides , that he could not come at the Myne , without winning this Town : but Gundomor was too strong an Adversary for him ; and the King preferring the publique Peace , before the life of one man , already condamned , gave way to have the Sentence of his former Condemnation executed upon him ; and thereupon , brought to the Kings Bench Ba●●e : he was not newly Arraigned or Indicted , as being already M●rtuus in Lege , but only hath the former Sentence averred against him , and so carryed to the Gate-house , and from thence the next morning to the Parliament Yard : a Scaffold was there erected , upon which after fourteen yeares reprivall , his head was cut off : at which time , such abundance of bloud issued from his v●i●es , that shewed he had stock of Nature enough left to have conti●ued him many yeares in life : ●hough now above threescore yeares old , if it had not been taken away by the hand of Violence .

And this was the end of the great Sir Walter Rawlegh : great sometimes , in the ●●vour of Queene Elizabeth , and next to Drake the great scourge and hate of the Spaniard , who had many things to be commended in his life ; but none more , than his constancy at his death , which he tooke with so undaunted a resolution that he might perceive , he had a certaine expectation of a better life afte● it : so farre he was from holding those Atheisticall opinions ; an aspersion whereof some traducing persons had cast upon him .

About this time King Iames made a progresse to the Vniversity of Cambridge , who delighted with the Disputations and other scholasticall exercises : he stayed three whole dayes , and could have been content to have stayed as many yeares : for next being a King , he was made to be a Scholler .

In the yeare 1619. being the seventeenth yeere of King Iames his Raigne , that knot of love which above twenty yeares had beene tyed , betweene him and his Queene was by death dissolved ; for on Tuesday this yeere the second of March , Queen Anne dyed at Hampton Court , whose Corps was brought to Denmark house , and from thence conveighed to Westminster : wherein the Royall Chappell , with great solemnity it was interred : a Princesse very memorable for her vertue , and not a little for her Fortune , who besides being a Queene , was so happy as to be Mother , of such admired children , as she brought into the World . But the dissolving of this knot cast the King into an extreame sicknesse ; and after some recovery , into a Relaps : from which notwithstanding , it pleased God to deliver him , as having yet some great worke to doe .

This yeare on Munday the third of May , one Mr. Williams a Barrister of the Middle Temple , was arraigned at the Kings Bench , for civilling , and for writing Bookes against the King : and upon Wednesday following was hanged and quartered at Charing Crosse.

But an action of another nature was performed this yeare , the seventeenth of Iuly ; not unworthy the relating , which was this ; that one Bernard Calvert of Andover , rode from St. Georges Church in Southwarke to Dover , from thence passed by Barge to Calice in France , and from thence returned back to Saint Georges Church the same day , setting out about three a clock in the morning , and returned about eight a clock in the Evening , fresh and lusti● .

In the yeare 1621. a Parliament was holden at Westminster ; wherein two great examples of Iustice were shewed ; which for future terrour are not unfit to bee here related : One upon Sir Gyles Montpesson , a Gentleman otherwayes of good parts ; but for practising sundry abuses in erecting and setting up new Innes and Alehouses , and e●acting great summes of money of people , by pretence of Letters Patents granted to him for that purpose , was sentenced to bee degraded ; and disabled to beare any office in the Common-wealth , though he avoyded the execution by flying the Land ; but upon Sir Erancis Michell , a Iustice of Peace of Middlesex , and one of his chiefe Agents , the sentence of Degradation was executed : and he made to ride with his face to the horse tayle , thorough the City of London . The other example was of Sir Francis Bacon , Viscount , St. Albans Lord Chancelour of England , who for bribery was put from his place , and committed to the Tower : but after some few dayes enlarged : in whose place Doctor Williams Deane of Westminster was made Lord Keeper .

The Count Palatine , being now strengthned with the allyance of the King of Great Brittaine , was thought a fit man to be King of Bohemia , and accordingly was elected , by the States of that Kingdome , but he was no sooner invested in the Crowne ; but the Emperour with great Forces assaulted him in Prague , and not only drove him with his wife and children from thence ; but tooke from him also his owne Patrimony the Palatinate : so as though now a King he was fayne to flye to the States of the Low Countries for a place of residence , King Iames though he had never given his consent to the Palsegra●es taking upon him that Kingdome , as foreseeing in his great judgement what the event will bee : yet in this distresse , he could no● forbeare to take care of his daughter , and thereupon sent Sir Richard Wes●on the same that was after Lord Treasurer in Embassage to the Emperour to sollicite the restoring of the Palatinate to the Palsegrave ; but he returning without successe ; the King had then conference with Count Gund●mar the King of Spaines Ligier in England , what course might bee taken to procure the restoring it : who made him answere , there could be no better course than to make a marriage , betweene his sonne the Prince of Wales , and the Infant of Spaine which he said would easily be effected , if the Prince might have leave to make a Iourny into Spaine . King Iames though he considered the inveterate grudges betweene Spaine and England , and as dangerous it might be● to put the heire of the Kingdom into the Spaniards hands , yet grounding himself upon the saying : Fidelem si putaveris , facies : and drawne on by the insinuating speeches of Count Gundomar , not perhaps without some Indinction in the Marquis of Buckingham , was contented at last the Prince should goe . And so Prince Charles sending his ships about , and taking along with him only the Marquis of Buckingham ( who in the time of his being in Spaine was created Duke of Buckingham ) Endymion Porter , and Mr. Francis Cottington : ( two that were well acquainted with the Language and affaires of Spaine ) he tooke his Iourney by the way of France , went to Paris , and secretly in disguise to the Court there , where he had the sight of that Lady , that might well have stayed him from going further , but yet on he went .

In the meane time Gundomar a cunning man , and one that besides his Masters had ends of his owne , and could play his Game no lesse for his owne profit than his Masters Honour ; as he had perswaded the King of the facility of the Match with Spayne , so he perswaded a certainty of it , especially amongst Catholick Ladies , by which meanes he brought no small store of Grists to his owne Mill , receiving from one Lady three hundred pounds to bee made Groome of the Stoole , when the Spanish Princesse should come ; of another a good round summe to be made Mother of the Maydes , and of diverse other the like for other places .

But the Prince being arrived in Spayne , was received indeed with all the demonstrations of love and kindnesse that could be devised , so as the charge of his entertainment was said to stand the King of Spayne in nine and forty thousand Duckats ; but yet his acquaintance with the Lady was much restrained , for in all the time of his staying in Spayne , which was no lesse than eight moneths , being from February to October ) he saw her but very seldome , and that at good distances , never spake with her but twice , and that before company , besides that his speeches were limited , how much and what he should say , farre from any meanes of tying the knot betweene them which was pretended , what the cause should bee was much in obscurity ; some thought that a difference betweene the Duke of Buckingham , and the Count Olivares , the King of Spayne's great Favorite was a great hinderance of the proceeding : but other , and more likely that the Spanyard indeed never really intended the Match at all , but had drawne the Prince into Spayne for other Ends : but what those ends were , was no lesse uncertaine ; ( one thought it was done to hold the Prince in a treaty of marriage with a Daughter of Spayne , till the Daughters of France should bee bestowed , thereby to keepe him from that allyance , but others and more likely , that the King of Spayne entertayned this Treaty with the King of great Brittayne , meaning to spinne it out till he had compassed some designes in the Low-Countries , and the Palatinate , at least to make King Iames , most vigilant for those pa●ts .

But when much time had beene spent in protracting , upon pretence of difficultities in obtaining the Popes dispensation , King Iames partly wearied with delay , but chiefely angred with delusion , sent to the Prince , with all speed to returne into England ; which the Prince presently signified to the King of Spaine , and had his leave to depart ; but upon promise to continue the treaty of the marriage still . Though it was said , the Prince was gone but a few dayes on his journey , when a Post was sent to have stayed him , if he had been overtaken . But whether it was so or no , it was Gods providence that he came safely to his ships , and in them safely into England ; arriving at Portsmouth , where he was beheld of the people , with no lesse gladnesse , than the Sunne after a long Eclipse : and now his safe returning did both justifie King Iames his judgement in suffering him to goe , and the King of Spaines justice , in suffering him to come back : and was cause , that the people began to have a better opinion of the Spanish faith , than they had before . But now it presently brake out , that this match with Spaine could never take effect : for King Iames having received Declarations of the Articles touching the marriage , found many very strict and large for exercise of the Catholike Religion : but none at all for restitution of the Palatinate ; which made him so much discontented , that he presently brake off all treaty of the marriage ; and signified as much , not onely to the King of Spaine , but to divers other Princes of Christendome : Vpon which breach , two great Points were presently had in consultation : One for preparing forces , for recovering the Palatinate by way of Armes , which could not be done by a way of friendship : and for this purpose , a Councell of warre was called , and a proposition resolved on both of men and money , for undertaking the enterprise : as also a great contribution by way of benevolence was collected ; towards which , the compiler of this worke , gave himselfe fifty pounds : as many other farre greater summes , though the collection went not thorow the whole Land● by reason there was hope given of a peaceable reconcilement : so as many that were not over-hasty in their payments escaped without contributing at all . The other point was for providing a fit wife for the Prince , in some other place . It was said , the States of Holland offered a very great portion in marriage to the Prince , if hee would match with some Lady of that Countrie : but matches are made in heaven , and there was a young Lady of France destined to his bed : and for this purpose , the Earle of Carlile , and the Earle of Holland were sent into France , to treat of a marriage with a younger daughter , of the Great Henrie the fourth , King of France deceased , and sister to the present King Lewis ; which marriage afterward took effect , but was not accomplished in King Iames his dayes ; who dyed soon after the agreement .

It was now the yeare 1623. in which in Michaelmas Terme , there was a Call of fifteene Sarjeants at Law , who kept their Feast in the Middle-Temple Hall .

Some Passages of small moment I confesse are omitted by me , in this Raigne of King Iames , as whereof , for want of knowing the particulars , I dare not venture upon making the Relation : which if some men would have done , the truth of our Chronicles should not have been mingled with so many falsities .

Of his TAXATIONS .

IN his second yeare , in the moneth of September , he sent Privie Seales , to the wealthiest Citizens of London , for monies to bee borrowed of them : and in October following , the customes of Merchandises , both outward and inward were raised , and then were letten out to Farme . In a Parliament holden at Westminster , the third yeare of his Reigne , there were given him three entire Subsidies , and six fifteens by the Temporalty , and by the Clergie foure entire Subsidies . This yeare also Henry Lord Mordant , convicted in the Star-Chamber , for divers misprisions , was fined to pay ten thousand Marks , and Edward Lord Sturt●n for the like offence to pay six thousand Marks , and Henry Earle of Northumberland for offences laid to his charge , to pay thirty thousand pounds , and some yeares after Sir Iohn Bennet , Iudge of the Prerogative Court was fined to pay twenty thousand pounds . In his fourth yeare he repayed threescore thousand pounds to the Citizens of London , which the Londoners had lent to Queen Elizabeth , three yeares before her death ; an act by which he got more love , than hee payed money . In his seventh yeare hee had ayd througho●t England , for making his eldest Son Prince Henrie Knight : which though levied with great moderation , brought him in great summes of money . In his eighteenth yea●e , in a Parliament holden at Westminster , the Temporalty gave him two Subsidies , and the Clergie three : and in another Parliament , in the yeare 1623. the Temporalty gave him three subsidies ; and three fifteens ; the Clergy foure Subsidies . Besides these Subsidies hee sent abro●d many great Privie Seales , and had also a benevolence throughout the Realme : not without some grudging , but without any just cause ; for it should have been remembred , that he took it not out of covetousnesse to gather wealth , but out of very necessity to supply wants : For by his imploying many Embassadours in Ordinary , many Extraordinarie , by his necessarie bounty to his followers , and by his charge of keeping severall Courts ; none of all which hee could avoyd : His expences were farre greater than any of his Predecessors had ever beene ,

Of his Lawes and Ordinances .

THE day of his removing from Charter-house , at his first comming into England , he caused Proclamation to be made , that all Monopolies and Protections should cease ; as likewise all oppressions done by Salt-Peeter men , by Purveiers , and Carters . On the 26. of May following hee set forth a Proclamation , restraining all persons under great penalties from killing of Deere , or any kind of Fowle used for Hawking . The seventeenth of May , Proclamation was made against Robberies on the borders : and on the nineteenth of May , another for ●niting the people inhabiting about the borders of England and ●c●●land , to live in love ●nd qui●tnesse . In this first yeare , in a Parliament ●hen holden● it was Enacted , that neither Arch-bishop , nor Bishop , should Alienate , Grant , or Demise , or in any sort convey , no not to the King himselfe ●●y of the Honours , Lands , Tenements , or Hereditaments , being parcell of the possessions of his Arch-bi●●op , or Bishoprick : and if any were , it should be utterly voyd , and of no effect , notwithstanding any former Law , Act , or Ordinance to the contrarie . He then also , caused himself by Proclamation to be Enstyled King of Great Britaine , that the division of England and Scotland might be no more remembred . In his second yeare , by his Letters Patents he incorporated the Fel●-makers of London , by the name of Master , Wardens , and Communalty of the Art or Mysterie of the Felt-makers , granting them divers privileges and liberties , for their good government of their Corporation . In Novem. of his second yeare , were Proclaimed in London certaine new pieces of coyne , both of gold and silver , with the true valuation and weights of them , according to the Mint of both Nations , English and Scottish . In a Parliamen● holden the 3. year of his Reigne , the Oath of Allegiance was devised and ordained , and soon after min●●tred to all sorts of people .

This yeere also hee m●de Proclamation to redresse the misimployment of L●●ds , or goods given to 〈◊〉 uses . Also this yeare , he set forth a Proclamation for beari●g of 〈◊〉 in S●ips to be in this manner , that from thenceforth all the Subjects of gre●● ●ritt●●●● should bea●e in their mayne top , the Red-Crosse , co●monly called the 〈◊〉 Ge●●ges Cr●sse , and the 〈◊〉 Crosse , commonly call●d St. Andre●●● Cr●sse joyn●d toge●her , and the Subjects of South-Brit●●●●● should ca●●y in their Foretop only the Red-●ro●se as they were wont ; and 〈◊〉 ●ubjects of North-Bri●●●ine only the White-Cro●se . In this ●ourth yeare on the 〈…〉 he set ●orth a Proclamation , commanding all Iesui●s , Semin●ry 〈…〉 to depa●● the Realme before the first of August following and 〈…〉 returne upon pa●ne of death , according to diverse Statutes in that 〈◊〉 ●rovided . In his second yeare he had set forth a Proclamation against 〈…〉 increase of new buildings , which being little regarded ; Now in his four●● y●●re he renewed the said Proclamation● adding withall that the 〈◊〉 and windowes of all new buildings should be either of Brick o● stone● 〈◊〉 ●●sobeying whereof , many were called in the Star-chamber , and there fined● 〈…〉 yeare , he gave order for planting of Mulberry Trees ; and breeding of 〈◊〉 wormes , that England might be a Country as well of silke as Cloath : In his ●●venth yeare , he instituted the Order of the Baronets , which hath much dege●●●ated ●ince his institution , and thereby having been devised for the benefit of 〈◊〉 , hath caused but little contentment unto England . This yeare also the ●ing himselfe in person came to the Star-chamber , where he had appointed the 〈◊〉 - men to meet● and there , for the better keeping of Coynes of Gold within 〈◊〉 Realme● he raised the prizes of them ; ordayning the price called the Vnity , which went before but for twenty shillings , to bee cur●ant now for tw● and twen●y , the double Crowne and all other peeces to encrease in the l●ke proportion . in his fifteenth year , he granted to the Apothecaries of London to be a Corporation for themselves , and their successours for ever ; and by Letters Pa●en●s made them a Body Politick and corporate . In his time by his appointment ● strict decree passed in the Star-chamber against Duells and single Comb●ts , and a strict Law was made in Parliament against stabbing with a dagger o● knife , making it to be wilfull Murther .

Affayres of the Church in his time .

THe King as a Religious Prince , desiring nothing so much as to settle Peace in the Church , and hearing of some dissensions of his Divines in points of Religion , in the very first yeare of his Raigne , appointed a Conference to bee holden before himselfe at Hamp●on Court , to which were called diverse Bishops , Deanes , and Doctors of one side , and of the other , foure eminent Divines ; namely , Doctor Reynolds , Doctor Sparkes , Mr. Knewstabbs , and Mr. Chadderton : who all meeting before the King the 14 day of Ianuary : the King first signified , the cause of his calling them together , and then told them he was there ready to heare , what they could object or say against the present Government of the Church , whereupon Doctor Reynolds being their Foreman , redu●ed all matters disliked , or questioned to these foure Heads .

1. First that the doctrine of the Church might be preserved in purity , acco●ding to Gods Word . 2. That good Pastours might be plan●ed in all Church●s to preach the same . 3. That the Church Government might be sincerely administred , according to the Word of God . 4. That the Book of Common Prayer might be fitted to more encrea●e of Piety .

Out of these Heads , he drew and moved divers points : One that Confirmation might not be by Bishops only , but that every Pastour in his Parish might Confirme , but this was thought to trench too much upon the Iurisdiction of Bi●hop● , and to be a step to bring in a Presbiterian government , which the King much misliked , and the Bishop of Winchester challenged Dr. Reynolds with a●● his learning to shew , where ever he had read , that Confirmation was at a●● used in antient times , by any other than by Bishops . Another motion of Doc●o● Reynolds was ; That there might be a new Translation of the Bible beca●se the present from sevenscore to two hundred , so he increased their Pensions , from two shillings a day , for three moneths in the summer , to seven groats a day for six moneths in the summer . Then , where at his comming , he found but only foure Iudges in the Courts of Law at Westminster , hee added a fifth , with the like allowance as the former had ; besides many other Pensions of like nature . But the works of Piety done by others in his time , were very many : whereof we may justly set in the first place , the repairing of Pauls Church , begun in his time , though not finished till many yeares after ; a worke of as great cost and labour , as the first founding it : towards the furtherance whereof , though many well devoted persons contributed liberally : yet none was more industrious , than the learned Doctor Laud , first Bishop of London , and after Arch-bishop of Canterburie ; who also was a bountifull Benefactor to the Colledge of Saint Iohns in Oxford , where he had his Education . Next to him his Predecessor next before him , the worthy George Abbot , Arch-Bishop of Canterburie , founded a faire Almes-house at Croydon in Surrie : as likewise Robert the second Earle of Dorset , founded another in Sussex ; to the maintenance whereof , hee gave Lands to the value of three hundred pounds a yeare . But of all the Almes-houses that were ever founded in Christendome , there is none I thinke can parallell that of Thomas Sutton Esquire . This man borne at Snayth in Lincoln-shire , having alwayes lived a Batchelour , and by sundrie imployments , and parcimony , being growne to great wealth , bought of the right Honourable , Thomas Earle of Suffolk , his Mansion house , called the Charter-house , neare to Smithfield in London , and out of a pious mind converted it into an Almes-house , by the name of Suttons Hospitall , endousing the same with above three thousand pounds of yearely rent : wherein are maintained fourescore poore men , with convenient lodging , dyet , and allowance of money for apparell : also forty poore children with the like provision , and a Grammer Schoole , with a Master and Vsher to teach them : overall whom , hee ordained a learned man to bee Master of the houshold , and to be chosen by the Governours , whom he appoynted for the present , by the Authority of the Kings Letters Patents , to be George , Arch-Bishop of Canterburie , Thomas Lord Elsmore , Lord Chancellour , Robert Earle of Salisburie Lord Treasurer , Iohn Bishop of London , La●ncel●t Bishop of Ely , Sir Edward Cook , chiefe Iustice of the Common Pl●as , Sir Thomas Foster , a Iudge of the Common Pleas , Sir Henrie Hubbard the Kings Atturney generall , Doctor Overall Deane of Pauls , Doctor Mountaine Deane of W●stminster , Henrie Thursby Esquire , Master of the Chancerie , Richard Sutton Esquire , Auditor of the Imprests , Ieff●rie Nightingall Esquire , Iohn Low Gentleman , Thomas Browne Gentleman , and Master of the Houshold for the time being , to bee alwayes one : and as any of these six●eene Governours should dye , the Survivers to make present addition of others . Next to this , was a faire Colledge in Oxford founded by Nicholas Wil be Esquire , and called after his name . About this time also Edward Allin of Dulwich in Surrie , founded a faire Hospitall at Dulwich for six poore men , and six poor women , and for twelve poore children , from the age of foure or six yeares , to be there maintained and taught till the age of foureteen or sixteen , and to have a Schoolemaster with dyet , and a convenient stipend . This man may be an example , who having gotten his wealth by Stage-playing , converted it to this pious use● not without a kind of repu●ation to the Society of Players . In this Kings time also , William Cambden , King at Armes , founded an Historie Professor in Oxford , to which hee gave the Mannor of Bexley in Kent , which some yeares expired , will be worth foure hundred pounds a yeare . In his tenth yeare , Sir Baptist Hicks , one of the Iustices of Peace in Middlesex , who was after made Viscount C●●bden , built a faire Sessions house of Brick and Stone in St. Iohns street , which by the Iustices was called after his name , Hicks Hall , a great convenience for the Iustices ; who sate before in a common Inne , called the Castle . Hee also founded a faire Hospitall of Free stone at Cambden in Gloucester-shire , for six men and six wowomen , allowing each of them a yearely Gowne , and two shillings six pence a week , with two roomes and a garden . In this Kings time , George Patyn Citizen and Grocer of London , gave to good uses , three thousand an six hundred pounds , whereof twelve hundred pounds to the two Vniversities , nine hundred pounds for an Almes-house , and a certaine summe of money to buy two Bells , and make a Chime in Bow-Church . Also Thomas Teasdale of Glympton in the Countie of Oxford Gentleman , gave five thousand pounds to purchase lands , for perpetuall maintenance of seven fellowes , and Six Scholars , to be placed in Baylyoll Colledge in Oxford , and to be chosen thither from time to time , out of the Free-Schoole of Abbington in Berk-shire : to which Schoole he also gave lands for maintenance of an Vsher. In this Kings time also , Sir Mermaduke Darrell , being Lord of Fulmer , a Town in Buckingham shire , where was an old ruinous Church , standing a mile distant from the Towne , pulled downe that old Church , and at his owne charge builded a faire new one in the Towne , and furnished it with a Font , a Pulpit , and all Ornaments necessarie . Also Thomas Watson of Halstead , in the County of Kent , Esquire , new builded a faire Chappell , on the North side of the parish Church of Halstead , of Free-stone from the ground , and gave to the Church foure new Bells , and two Pulpits . In his time also Doctor Aylmer Bishop of London , and Elizabeth Countesse Doweger of Shrewesburie , gave certaine summes of money towards the better maintenance of Sermons hereafter at Pauls Crosse : As likewise Thomas Russell Draper gave ten pounds a yeare for ever , to be given to unbeneficed Ministers , that should preach there : and to the same use , George Bishop Stationer of London , gave ten pounds a yeare more . In this Kings time also , the Citizens of London new builded Algate , where pulling downe the old Gate , they found many ancient R●ma● Coynes .

On the fi●●een●h of Iune , 1614. dyed Henrie Earle of Northampton , who built from the ground a house neare Charing-Crosse ; and dying , was buried in the an●ient Chapp●ll of Dov●r Castle , who in his life time founded three faire Hospit●lls , and endowed them with large maintenance for ever , one at Rysing in Norfolke for twelve poore women , and a Governesse , a second at Clun in Shr●p-shire , for twelve poore men and a Governour● The third at Greenwich in ●ent , for a Governour , and twenty poore Almes-men . In this Kings time also , Master Robert Dowes of London Merchant Tayler , give a competant maintenance for ever , unto Sepulchers parish , for the tolling of the great Bell , and for finding some Devine to come to the prison of New-ga●e , the mid-night before Execution , and there to ring a hand Bell , and put the prisoners in mind of their approaching death , with a Christian remembrance and exhortation ; and the next morning to toll the great Bell , from sixe a Clock till ten , and then to ring it out when the Execution should be past . He also established a free singing Schoole , in Christs Hospitall : for the better education of the poore children there● besides many other good deeds of Almes . About the same time , Robert Peake of London Gold-smith , gave to Sepulchers Church a Communion Table of two yards long , and three quarters and a halfe broad , richly guilded over , and at every corner imbost with pla●es of silver . In this Kings foureteenth yeare , William Iones of London Merchant , gave about eight thousand pounds to found a Free-Schoole in Wal●s , where he was born , with Almes-houses and Pensioner● in London : and a hundred pounds a yeare for ever to a learned Preacher in London : ord●yning all things to bee ordered by the Company of Haberdashers , whereof himselfe was free . This yeare also the old ruinous gate , called Aldersgat● was q●ite taken downe , and new builded from the foundation , to●wa●ds the b●●●●ing whereof , William Par●et , Merchant Taylor of London , gave a thousand pounds . In this Kings time also , was erected a building neare to Chels●y● with a purpose to be a Colledge for Devines to study the Controversies of Religion : but upon the second thoughts , the Cage indeed stands finished , but 〈◊〉 Birds have ever yet beene brought to sing in it ; and perhaps never will . If any other deeds of Almes , or publike benefit were done in this Kings time , as perhaps there were many , the Reader may be pleased both here and in other Kings Reignes● to adde them , as hee meets with them : for partly to this end , I have digested this Chronicle into such severall Heads and Chapters .

Of Casualties happening in his time .

IN his first yeare , on the seven and twentieth of April , thirteen persons were slaine , by mis-fortune with Gun-powder , at the Gun-powder Mill in ●●driffe , and much other hurt done in divers places . This yeare also , the plague in London was so great , that from the three and twentieth of December , 1602. to the two and twen●ieth of December following , there dyed in London , and the Liberties , eight and th●rty thousand , two hundred and foure and forty , whereof the Plague thirty thousand , five hundred threescore and eighteen of them in one week , three thousand fourescore and tenne , where the next yeare after , though the City were encreased with great number of strangers , yet there dyed that yeare of all diseases , within London and the Liberties , but onely foure thousand , two hundred threescore and three persons . In the second yeare of his raigne , a strange accident happened , to the terrour of all bloudy murtherers , which was this ; one Anne Waters enticed by a lover of hers , consented to have her husband strangled , and then buried him secretly under the dung-hill in a Cow-house ; whereupon the man being missing by his neighbours , and the wife making shew of wondring what was become of him : It pleased God , that one of the inhabitants of the Towne , dreamed one night , that his neighbour Waters was strangled , and buried under the dung-hill in a Cow-house ; and upon declaring his dreame , search being made by the Constable , the dead body was found , as he had dreamed : and thereupon the wife was apprehended , and upon examination , confessing the fact , was burned . And now what hope can murtherers have of being concealed , when they are subject to be discovered by any mans dreame . The nineteenth of Ianuarie in his third yeare , a great Porpus was taken at Westham ; in a small Creek , a mile and a halfe within the Land : and within few dayes after , a Whale came up within eight miles of London , whose body was seen divers times above water , and judged to exceed the length of the largest ship in the River : but when shee tasted the fresh water , and scented the Land , she returned into the Sea . In his fourth yeare , being the yeare 1607. a mighty west wind brought in the sea into the River of Severne , with such violence , that in some places of Somerset-shire and Glocester-shire , the waters in divers Towns and Villages , grew higher than the tops of their houses ; so as ( notwithstanding all courses that could be taken , there were drowned in Somerset-shire 80. Persons , and damages done to the value of twenty thousand pounds . At Coventrie also , the seventh of April so suddaine a flood came into the Suburbs and City , that in one houre it rose in some places above 3 yards in height , to the great damage and hurt of many , and that which is much strange , as it suddenly came , so it suddenly abated : so as in foure houres and a halfe , it both came and went away . In his 6. year , being 1608. a frost began in Decem. which continued till April following , with such violence that not onely the Thames was so frozen , that Carts loden were driven over as on dry land , but many fowles and Birds perished , as also much herbage in gardens , especially Artichoaks and Rosemarie were destroyed . This year also the 11. of April a Malt-house in the Town of St. Edmonds berry being by chance set on fire , continued burning till it had consumed 160. houses : but by the Kings bountifulnesse , ( giving 500. loads of timber ) and the City of Londons reliefe , the Towne was forthwith new builded , in a fairer manner than it was before . In the yeare 1613● on the seventeenth of April , in the parish of St●ndish in Lancashire , a mayden child was borne , having foure legges , foure armes , two bellies joyned to one back : one head with two faces , the one before , the other behind , like the picture of Ianus

This year also on the 26. of Iune , in the parish of Christs-Church in Hampshire , on Iohn Hitchel a Carpenter , lying in bed with his wife & a yong child by them , was himself & the child both burned to death with a suddain lightning , no fire appearing outwardly upon him , and yet lay burning for the space of almost three dayes , till he was quite consumed to ashes . This yeare also on the seventh of August , the Towne of Dorchister was quite consumed with fire , begun on the house of a Tallow Chandler , destroying all the houses , except a few neare the Church , and all their wares and goods , to the value of two hundred thousand pounds , yet not any man or woman perished . About the same time also , the Play-house called the Globe upon the Banks side neare London , was quite consumed with fire , by discharging a Piece of Ordnance , and yet no man hurt : and about foure years after , a new built Play-house , neare Golding-lane , called the Fortune , was by negligence of a Candle , cleane burnt to the ground . In the year 1614. the Town of St●atford upon Avon , was burned : and left the water should be behind in doing of mischiefe , so great Iundations were at this time in Norfolke and Lincoln-shire , that the sea entred twelve miles into the land . In the yeare 1612 , on the 18. of Novemb. a Blazing star bgan to be seene in the South-east , about five a clock in the morning , the flame or streame whereof , enclined towards the west . This comet , in the opinion of D. B●mbridge , the great Mathematician of Oxford , was as far above the Moon , as the Moon is above the earth : what i● portended is onely known to God : but the sequell of it was , that infinite slaughters and devastations followed upon it , both in Germany and other Countries . In the year 1622 , on Friday the 24. of October , a Roman Catholike Priest preached in the after-noon , at Hunsdon house in the Black Friers in London , in an upper chamber where there were assembled above 300 men and women , when about the middle of the Sermon , a great part of the Floore brake , and fell down with such violence , that it brake down the next floor● under it : in the fall whereof , were slain the Preacher , and almost 100● of his Auditors , besides as many more hurt . In this Kings time course paper , commonly called white brown paper was first made in Engl. specially in Surry , & about Winsor .

Of his Wife and Children .

HE married Anne , the daughter of Frederick , the second King of Denmarke , whose marriage was there solemnized in the yeare 1589. By whom he had borne in Scotland , two Sons , Henrie who dyed before him , and Charles who succeeded him in the Crown ; and one daughter named Elizabeth , married to Frederick the fi●th of that name , Count Palatine of the Rheine , by whom she had many children , both Sons and Daughters . King Iames had also by his wife Queen Anne , two other daughters borne in England , the Lady Marie , and the Lady Sophia , who both dyed young● the Lady Marie at about three yeares old , the Lady Sophia the next day after she was borne , and were both of them buried with great solemnity , in the Chappell Royall at Westminster .

Of his Personage and Conditions .

HE was of stature somewhat higher than ordinary , of a wel compacted body , of an Ambourne haire , of a full and pleasing vi●age● in his latter dayes enclining to be fat and bu●ley● of bodily exercises , he tooke most delight in hunting● which yet ( some thought ) hee used rather as a retiring himselfe from the importunity of Sta●e affaires , than for any great pleasure hee took in it . It is said , he had such a fashion in riding , that it could not so properly bee said he rid , as that his horse carried him ; for hee made but little use of his Bridle , and would say , a horse never stumbled , but when hee was reined . Hee was of an admirable pregnancie of wit , and that pregnancy much improved by continuall study from his child-hood : by which , he had gotten such a promptnesse in expressing his mind , that his extemporall speeches were little inferiour to his premeditated writings . Many no doubt had read as much , and perhaps more than he ; but scarce ever any concocted his reading into judgement as he did : by which hee became so judicious , that though hee could not Prophesie , yet he could presage ; and his Conjectures were little lesse than Oracles . In all the Liberall Sciences , hee was ( we may say ) a Master of Arts : but in Divinity , a Doctor , as he made appeare in the Conference at Hampton Court , and is seene still by the learned Writings he hath le●t behind him . And as for that part of the Politicks , which concernes Monarchie , Regere Imperio populos , which himselfe used to call King Craft : in this he excelled . Hee knew how to take the inclinations of the people at their first bound , and never suffer them to rise higher , than hee could well reach them : nor to grow stronger , than he could either alter or divert them . He would be sure to keep his Subjects in a temper of contentment ; which if he could not doe by preventives , he would by lenitives . He was so wise , that hee could dissemble , without seeming a Dissembler : be free in opening his mind , and yet keep counsaile . He was as a provident Pilot , that in a calme would provide for a storme : and you should never finde him committing the fault of Non p●taram . He was both Marti & Mercurio ; but not tam morti quam Mercurio , as being of his temper who said , Cedant Arma Toga : and indeed , seeing peace is the end of both . It were not wisedome to seeke it by Armes , if it may be had by the Gowne , as it is in the Aphorisme , Consili● omnia experiri prius , quam Armis sapientem Decet . That which was bountie in him being a King , would have beene frugality , if he had beene a private person , there being of both , one radicall reason . Of all the Morrall vertues , he was eminent for chastity ; in which the Poet seemes to include all vertu● : where he saith ; Nulli fas casto sceleratum in sistere limen .

By nulli casto , meaning no vertuous person ; it was a manifest argument of his , being an excellent Prince , that comming next to the admirable Queen Elizabeth , which was , in a manner to compare them together : yet there appeared no inequallity , that it might not untruely be said , King Iames was but the continuation of Queen Elizabeth , the same vertue , though different sexes : and now to expresse his Character in a word , which worthily might be matter for many volumes : He was to his wife a most loyall husband , to his children a most loving father , to his servants a most bountifull Master , to his Subjects a most just prince , to all Princes neare him a most peaceable neighbour ; that more justly it may be said of him , than of whom it was said ; Quaete tam laeta telerunt saecula ? a Prince af●e● Plato's owne heart , for his learning , and which is infinitly more worth , after Gods owne heart , for his Religiousnesse and Piety .

O● his Death and buriall .

OF his death , there were many scandalous rumours spread , and some were so impudent● as to write that he was poysoned , as the Duke of Richmond , and the Marquis Hambleton had been before : but King Iames being dead , and his body opened , there was found no signe at all of poyson , his inward parts being all sound , but that his Spleen was a little faulty , which might bee cause enough to cast him into an Ague : The Ordinary high way , especially in old bodies to a naturall death : Of this ague after a months anguishing , notwithstanding all the remedies that could be applyed , he departed this life a● Th●●balds , on the 27 of March , in the yeare 1625 , in the 59 yeare of his age● when he had Raigned two and twenty years compleat . His body for the greater Sta●e , was convayed by Torche light , from Theobalds to Denmark house ; who having tested from the 23 of Aprill , to the 7 of May : it was carryed to Westminster , and there interred in the Chappell Royall with great solemnity , but with greater lamentation : there being scarce any of the infinite multitude that was present , of whom it might not be said , Multa gemens , largoque humectat flumine Vultum .

Of Men of note in his time .

MIlitary Men of Note , in a time of Peace , as the whole Raigne of King Iames was , we have no reason to expect ; yet if we look amongst the Voluntaries that went to the Schoole of War in the Low-Countryes ; we shall find a payre of brothers , that may stand in comparison , with the greatest Souldiers in the most Martiall times , S. Francis Vere , who as another Hanniball , who with his own eye , could see more in the Martiall Discipline , than common men can do with two ; and Sir Horatio Vere ; who as another Philopaemen , contained in a very little body , a very great , both skill and courage . But for Men of Note in Learning : as being in the time of a most learned Prince , there was never greater store ; of whom these for example . In curiousnesse of Preaching , there was Doctor Andrewes Bishop of Winchester ; who hath left to posterity , a Century of such golden Sermons , that shews , he as well deserved the name of Chrysostome , as he that had it . In multiplicity of Reading , there was Doctor Reynolds of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford ; who seemed as it were , a living Library ; and one would have thaught his Memory to be a perfect Index of all the Books had ever beene written . In knowledge of Law there was Sir Edward Cook , Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench ; who hath written such excellent Commentaries of the Law , that he seemes as another Bartholus or Baldus amongst us . In Elegancy of writing , there was Sir Francis Bacon , Viscount Saint Albans ; who besides his profounder Books of Novum Organum , hath written the Reigne of K. Henry the 7 , in so sweet a style , that like Manna , it pleaseth the tast of all palats . In the skil of Antiquities , there was William Camden , King at Armes ; who hath set forth the Description of Brittaine , and the life of Q. Eliz. in so lively colours , that he seems to have brought Brittaine out of darknesse into light , and to keep Q. Eliz. alive after her death . And to speake it in a word , the Trojan Horse was not fuller of Heroick Grecians , than K. Iames His Raigne was full of men excellent in all kinds of Learning . And here I desire the Reader leave to remember two of my own old acquaintance , the one was Mr. Iohn Dunne , who leaving Oxford , lived at the I●n●● of Court , not dissolute , but very neat ; a great visiter of Ladies , a great frequen●er of Playes , a great writer of conceited Verses ; untill such time as King Iames taking notice of the pregnancy of his Wit , was a meanes that he betooke him to the study of Divinity● and thereupon proceeding Doctour , was made Deane of Paules ; and became so rare a Preacher , that he was not only commended , but even admired by all that heard him . The other was Sir Henry Wootton● ( mine old acquaintance also , as having been fellow pupils , and chamber fellows in Oxford divers yeares together . ) This Gentlemen was imployed by K. Iames in Embassage ●o Venice ; and indeed the Kingdom afforded not a fitter man , for ma●ching the Capriciousnes of the Italian W●●s : a man of so able dexterity with his Pen , that he hath done himself much wrong● and the Kingdom more , in leaving no more of his Writings behind him .

Of the English Plantation in the Indies , that w●re i● King IAMES his time .

AN● now we are come to a time , wherein we may very neare say as much of King Iames , as was said of Agustus Caesar : Super & Garamantus & Indos profert Imperium . In this better , that where Augustus did it by the violent way of Armes , King Iames did it by the civill way of Plantations : for in his dayes began the great plantation of the English in the Indies ; and must be acknowledged the proper effect of his peaceable Government . The first Plantation of the English in the Indies , was that which is now called Virginia , in memorie of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth : but called before Wingandacoa . It was first discovered by Sir Walter Rawlegh , in the yeare 1584 ; to whom the first Letters Patents were granted for making a Plantation there : but yet no Colony was sent thither , till the yeare 1606. It is a Countrie in America , between the degrees of 34 , and 45 , of the North Latitude : but that part of it which is planted by the English , is under the Degrees of 37 , 38 , and 39. It is no Island , as many have imagined , but a part of the Continent adjoyning to Florida . The first and chiefe Towne made here by the English , is called Iames Towne , in honour of the Kings most Eexcellent Majesty . It is a Countrie abounding with all sorts of Fish and Fowle ; so fruitfull , that it yeelds thirtie and sometimes fortie Bushells of Corne upon an Acre : and that , ( which to us is more strange ) hath three harvests in a yeare , the Corne being sowed , ripe , and reaped , in little more than two moneths . Many● Plantations had beene attempted here before , but came to nothing : the first to any purpose was in the yeare 1607. under the conduct of Captaine Gosnoll , Iohn Smith , and Mr. Edw. Maria Winkfield , who carried a Colonie thither of a hundred persons ; but of these , many dying of sicknesse , or slaine by the Savages , a new supply came in the yeare 1608. of a hundred and twenty persons , under the Conduct of Captaine Nels●n . After which , was sent another supply of threescore and ten persons : and in the yeare 1609. a third supply came of five hundred persons , under a Patent granted to Sir Thomas West , Lord de la Ware , but conducted thither by Sir Thomas Gates , Gates , Sir George Sommers , and others . In the yeare 1611. was a fourth supply of three hundred men under the conduct of Sir Thomas Gates . In the yeare 2612. two other supplies were sent of forty men in each ; and now was the Lotterie spoken of before granted by the King , for further supplies of this Plantation . After this Master Samuel Argall being appoynted Governour in in the yeare 16●8 . the Lord De la Ware came thither with a supply of two hundred people ; but in his stay there , dyed . After this , in the yeare 1620. were sent thither eleven Ships , with twelve hundred and sixteene persons , and now they founded themselves into Corporations . In the yeare 1621. Sir Francis Wiat was sent thither Governour , with thirteene hundred men , women , and children , and now they founded Schooles , and Courts of Iustice ; and the Plantation was extended a hundred and forty miles up , on the River of both sides . But now when the English were secure , and thought of nothing but peace , the Savages came suddenly upon them , and slew them , three hundr●d and seven and forty men , women and children . For r●pairing of which losse , the City of London sent presently over a supply of a hundred men . This massacre happened , by reason they had built their Plantations remote from one another , in above thirty severall places , which made them now , upon consultation , to reduce them all to five or six places , whereby they may better assist each other : since which time , they have alwayes lived in good security . And thu● much for Virginia .

Next was the Plantation of the Island called Barmudas , so called of a Spanish ship , called Bermudas , which was there cast away , carrying Hogs to the West Indies , that swam a shoare , and there increased . The first Englishman that entred this Isle , was one Henry May in the yeare 1591 : but in the yeare 1610 , Sir George S●mers was sent thither , who dying there , in memory of his Name , the Isles have ever since been called Somers Isles . In the yeare 1612. One Mr. Moore landed there with 60 persons , and then builded the chiefe Town there called S. Georges , together with 8 to 9 Forts . The same yeare a supply of 30 more persons was sent thither , and the yeare after 60 more , under one Mr. Bartlet ; with a shew to survey the land ; but with a purpose indeed to get from thence a great lump of Amber-greece , and no lesse than 80 po●●d weight , that had been found & taken up in the Island some yeares before , and was there still reteined . A while after this , came a Ship called the Blessing , with a hundred passengers ; and two dayes after came the Star , with a 180 more ; and within 14 dayes after that again came thither the Margaret and two Frigates , with 130 passengers : So as now they began to divide the Coun●●y into Tribes , and the Tribes into shares . In the yeare 1616 , Captain Da●●el Tuckard was sent from Virginia to be Governour there , and now it began indeed to be a Plantation ; for now they began to build them houses : and now was sent from thence into England , a Ship fraighted with 30000 weight of Tobacco , valued there but at 2 s. 6 d. the pound , though sold here oftentimes for V●rinos at great rates . In the yeare 1619● Captain Nathaniel Butler was sent Governour , with new supplies ; in whose time they build them a Church ; held Assizes for Criminall Causes , twice a yeare ; and began to have Parliaments as in England : and now in the Ship called the Magazin , came diverse Gentlemen of good fashion , with their wives and families : so as now their number , was no fewer then fifteen hundred people : Dispersed twenty miles in length . In the yeare 1622 , came Governou● M. Iohn Bernard , bringing with him a supply of a 140 persons ; but he and his wife dying presently upon their comming : M. Iohn Harrison in the yeare 1623 was chosen Governour . These Isles of Bermudas are in 32 degrees of Northern latitude : So as they are distant from Virginia , at least 500 leagues , and from Egland above three thousand three hundred . This Country is of a most healthfull Ayre , abounding with all sorts of Fowles , Birds and Fish ; and where great pieces of Amber-gr●ce are oftentimes found , which is valued there at no lesse than three pounds an ounce . And thus much concerning the state of Bermudas , till the yeare 1624.

Next comes the Plantation of New England , concerning which , we must first know , that King Iames in the yeare 1606 , granted two Letters Patents for Plantations in Virginia , one to the City of London ; another to the City of Bristow , Exceter and Plimmouth ; with power to plant Colonies any where between the Degrees of 38 and 44 , provided there should be at least a 100 miles distance between the two Colonies . So as the first Colony was from the City of London , and is that which is called Virginia . The Second Colony was from Bristow and the other Towns , and is that which is now called New England , and is scituate between the Degrees of 41 and 45 : the very meane betwixt the North Pole and the Line . And now to speak a little of the Country , there are on the Sea Coast , 25 excellent good Harbours , in some whereof there is Anchorage for 500 sayle of Ships of any burthen . The Earth as fruitful and the Ayre as healthfull , as any part of the World : abounding with all sorts of Grain , Fowles and Fish : Many of such kinds as a●e to us unknown , yet excellent meat : Many Voyages had been made for the perfect discovery of the Countrey : Many Attempts for setling a Plantation there : Many Miscariages and Disasters in making the attempts : but all at last came to this , that in the yeare 1624 ( which is the limit of ou● Narration ) there was a Plantation setled ; though but a small one : but a few yeares after ( by the sending forth of new supplyes ) encreased to so many thousands , that if God continue to prosper it , as he hath begun : the New England in a few ages may prove as populous as the Old ; and the King of England likely to have as many and greater Crowns in the Indies , than he had in His Realmes of Great Brittaine and Ireland . But seeing of these and all other English Plantations in the Indies , whereof there are many large discourses written by divers Authors ; It should be more than supperfluous to speake more of them in this place : It is sufficient to have shewed , that King Iames had the honour , to have them setled in His time , and under the Influence of His peaceable Government .

Of the Earles and Barons made by King JAMES .

IN former Kings Raignes , the making of Earles and Barons was but rare , and therefore they are fitly set down , at the severall times of their making ; but in King Iames His Raigne , there were so many made , that it may not be unfit , to set them down in a Cathalogue together .

In His first yeare were made foure Earles and nine Barons : namely , Henry Howard , yonger brother of the last Duke of Norfolk , was made Earle of Northampton : Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst , was made Earle of Dorset ; and shortly after Charles Blount Lord Montjoy , was made Earle of Devonshire , and Thomas Howard Baron of Walden , was made Earle of Suffolk : Henry Grey was made Lord Grey of Groby , ( afterward by King Charles made E. of Stamford ) Henry Danvers was made Baron of Dansley , ( afterwards by K. Charles made Earle of Danby ) Sir Iohn Peter of Essex , was made B. of Writtle : Sir W. Russell was made Baron of Thornaugh : Sir Thomas Gerard was made Baron of Gerards Bromly in Stafford-shire : Sir Robert Spencer was made B. of Wormelayton in the County of Warwick : Sir Thomas Egerton was made B. of Elesmore : and Sir Robert Cecill was created B. of Henden in Rutlandshire : and Sir Iohn Harington was made Baron of Ex●on . In His second yeare on the 20 of May were made foure Barons and one Viscount : Sir Robert Sidney was made Baron of Penshurst : Sir William Knowles , Baron of Grayes : Sir Edw. Wotton , Baron of Marley : and Mildmay Fanc , Lord de Spencer ; and in August the same yeare , Sir Robert Cecill Baron of Essenden , was created Viscount Cranbourne . In His third yeare of the 4 of May , were created three Earles , and one Viscount , and foure Barons ; namely , Sir Robert Cecill Viscount Cranbourne , was created E. of Salisbury● Sir Thomas Cecill his elder brother L. Burghley , was created E. of Exeter ; and Sir Philip Herbert , younger brother to the E. of Pembrok , was created E. of Montgomery : Robert Sidney Baron of Penshurst , was created Viscount of Lisle : Sir Iohn Stanhope , was made Baron of Harington : Sir George Carew , Baron of Clopton : Mr , Thomas Arundell of Devonshire● Baron of Warder and Master William Cavendysh , Baron of Hardrick● In his fourth yeare , on the fourth of Iuly , Sir Thomas Kneve●t , was called by writ to the Parliament , by the name of B●ron of Estrick● and was thereby Baron of that Title : and on the seventh of September , Sir Iervys Clifton was likewise called by writ to the Parliament , by the name of Baron of Layton Bromsensold , and was thereby Baron of that Title . In his ninth yeare , upon Easter-munday , Sir Robert Carre was created Viscount Rochester : and In his tenth yeare , an the fourth of November , was created Earle of Somersett . In his eleventh yeare , Lewis Steward Duke of Lenox , was made Earle of Richmond , and after , Duke of Richmond . In his thirteenth yeare , on the 29. of Iu●e , Sir Iames H●y of Scotland was created Baron of Sawley , and about three yeares after , was made Viscount Doncaster , and Sir ●obert Dor●er was created Ba●on of Wyng , ( afterward by K. Charles , made Earle of Car●arvan . ) In his fourteenth yeare , on the 9. of Iuly , Sir Iohn Hollis was created Baron of Haughton , and Sir Iohn Roper of Ken●● was made Baron of Tenham : and on the 17. of August , Sir George Villiers was created Baron of Whadden and Viscount Villiers , and on the 7. of November , Thomas Egerton L. Elsemore , was created Viscount Brackley ( and he dying soon after , his sonne Iohn was created Earle of Bridgewater , William L. Knowles was created Viscount Wallingford ; and Sir Philip Stanhope was created Baron of Shelford : On the 5 of Ianuary , the Viscount Villiers was created Earle of Buckingham , and on the third of March , Sir Edward Noell of Rutland-shire ; was made Baron of Rydlington . In his fifteenth yeare , on New-yeares day , Sir George Villiers Earle of Buckingham was created Marquis of Buckingham , and on the 12 of Iuly , Sir Francis Bacon Lord Chancellour , of England , was created Baron of Verulam , and not long after , Viscount Saint Albans . Also in the Summer of this year , the King created foure Earles and one Countesse : namely , the Viscount Lisle was made Earle of Leycester , the Lord Compton was made Earle of Northampton , the Lord Rich was made Earle of Warwick , the Lord Cavendish was made Earle of Devonshire , and the lady Compton wife to Sir Thomas Compton , and mother of the Marquis of Buckingham was created Countesse of Buckingham . In his sixteenth yeare , on the 25 of November , Sir Iohn Digby Vice chamberlaine to the King was created Baron of Shirbourne , by Patent to him and his heires Males . In his seventeenth yeare , in the moneth of Iune Esme steward Lord d' Aubigny ; younger brother Duke of Lenox , was created Earle of March ; Iames Marquis Hammilton was created Earle of Cambridge , and Sir Iohn Villiers brother to the Marquis of Buckingham was Baron of St●k and Viscount Purbeck . In his eighteenth yeare , William C●vendish was created Viscount Mansfield ; ( afterward by King Ch●rl●s m●de Earle of Ne●castle ) and on Munday the fourth of Dec●mber ; Sir Henry M●●tague , being first made Lord Treasurer , was created Baron of Kimbolton , and Viscount M●●devile , and not long after , Earle of Manchester , and Sir Iohn Ramsey Viscount Haddington of Scotland , was created Earle of Holdernesse , and William Fielding was created Baron of Newhen●●● and Viscount Fielding . In his ninteenth yeare , Henry Cary was made Lord Cary of L●ppington , ( afterward by King Charles made Earle of Manmouth , Sir Edward Mountague elder Brother to the Viscount M●●devile was made Baron of Boulton , the Lord Darci● of Essex , was created Viscount Colchester , ( afterward by King Charles made Earle R●vers ) the Lord Hu●sdo● was created Viscount Rochford , ( afterward by King Charles , made Earle of D●ver ) Sir Lyonell Cranfield , Master of the Wardes , was created Baron of Cranfield in Bedford-shire , and Sir Thomas Howard● second sonne to Thomas Earle of Suffolke● was created Baron Chorleton , and Viscount Andover , ( afterward by King Charles made Earle of Barke-shire . In his twentyth yeare , in the moneth of September , the Viscount Doncaster , was created Earle of Carlile , the Viscount Fielding was created Earle of Denhigh , the Lord Digby was made Earle of Bristow , the Lord Cranfield , was created Earle of Middlesex , and Sir Henry Rich was made Baron of Kensington . In his one and twentyth yeare , the Marquis of Buckingham , being then in Spaine with Prince Charles , had his Patent sent him to be Duke of Buckingham , William Grey was created Baron of Warke , Elizabeth the widdow of Sir Moyle Fynch of Kent , was created Viscountesse Maidestone , ( afterward by K. Charles made Countesse of Winchelsly . ●his two and twentieth year , the Earle of Clanricard of Ireland , was created Viscount Tunbridge in Kent ( afterward by King Charles made Earle of Saint Albans ) Sir Iohn Hollis Baron of Haughton was created Earle of Clare , Sir 〈…〉 Ri●h Baron of Kensington was created Earle of Holland , the Lord 〈…〉 Baron of Say and Seale , was made Viscount Say and Seale : Sir 〈…〉 ●ane was created Earle of Westmerland , Oliver Lord St. Iohn of Blet●●● 〈◊〉 made Earle of Bullinbrook , Sir Christopher Villers brother to the Duke of B●ckingham , was made Earle of Anglesey , and Sir Iames Ley was made 〈…〉 ( afterward by King Charles made Earle of Marlborough . ) Also this year●● Sir Francis Leak was made Baron of Deincourt , and Sir Richard Roberts was made Lord Roberts of Truro in Cornwall .

And this was the number of all the Earles and Barons made by King Iames● but in his time also began another sort of Nobility to bee made in England , which had none of the Priviledges of English Barons , but had onely Title to bee called Lords , of some place either in Scotland or Ireland , although they possessed not a foot of Land in either : Of which ●o●t , the number being great , I forbeare to rehearse them , lest I should be tedious , or otherwise bee thought to encroach too much upon the Heralds office . It is sufficient to have shewed , that King Iames advanced so many in honour , that in a kind it might be said of him , as was said of Augustus Caesar , That he left Rome of Marble , which hee found built of Brick .

The beginning of THE RAIGNE OF KING Charles .

KING Iames being deceased on the 27 day of March in the forenoon , the same day in the afternoone , Charles Prince of Wales His only son , then living , was Proclaimed King of Great-Brittain , France and Ireland , with the Generall acclamation of all sorts of People , as being a Prince of admirable endowments both of mind and body . He was now about the age of 25 yeares , whereof , the most part of one he had spent in Spaine ; where , although he was frustrated of the end for which he went , yet it gave him a tincture of Travaile and Expe●ience , more worth perhaps , then the end he went for : For by this meanes he attain●● to a greater degree of that , which made Ulysses so famous : Quod mores hominum multorum vidit & urbes . The first thing he did after his Coronation , was to proceed in the marriage agreed upon in His Fathers time , with the beautiful & vertuous Lady Henrieta Maria , yonger daughter of the Great Henry the 4● K. of France ; after which marriage , we have only to say , that he was happy in the Wife of His bosome : Happy in His hopefull Issue : Happy in the love of His people : Happy in the Peace and tranquility of his Kingdomes● and Happy in the continu●nce of all these Happinesses , for 15 years together , and might have so continued still , if it had not been for , Discordia Demens Viperiu●s crinem vitti● innexa cruentis .

But of that which happened afterward , I dare not take upon me to be a Register : Neither is it indeed safe to begin a Narration , which I must be faine to breake off in amaz●ment , as having nothing left me to say , but Omnia in malu●●●ere ; and so far from any apparance of humane remedy ; that our only Anchor must be this : supersunt● Yet our hope is , It will be but a fit , and the storme once past , faire weather again , and fairer perhaps than it was before , and then with Ioy we shall resume our stile .

Laetumque choro Poeana canemus :

In the meane time comforting our selves with the words of the Prophet David ; Many are the troubles of the Righteous , but the Lord delivers him out of them all .

Carolus en Rex magnus in armis , major in ermis . Quid mirum ? Imperio magnus , amore magis . FINIS .