made him Duke of Norfolk he being altogether vnworthie of so great honor 8. Item that the King to further his last Expedition for Ireland without law without iustice tooke from the Clergie and many Religious houses great store of monie plate iewels and rich ornaments not hauing the owners consent so to doe 9 Item that in the same iournie without the approbation of his Counsell of Estate hee carried with him into Ireland the plate and rich iewels belonging to the Crowne which might haue tended to the great inpouerishment of this Realme 10 Item that in euerie Shire he had secret Intelligencers vpon whose bare information that ane man had repined at the Kings bad gouernement the partie so accused without examination or triall was enforced to procure his pardon by the payment of a grieuous fine 11 Item that by the lewd aduise of his wicked Counsellours hee had deuised manie subtle and craftie Oathes by meanes whereof manie of his honest Subiects had beene vndone 12 Item that by the like aduise and counsell he procured Ruffians and desperate companions to accuse rich but weake men of sundrie falsly-supposed crimes and imagined offences and by meanes thereof enforced them to redeeme the combate with much monie 13 Item that he gaue large gifts vnto wicked and lewd companions who malitiously to aduance their owne Estates animated him against diuers of his Barons who only desired a good reformation of his euill gouernment and imposed diuers Taxes vpon his people to enrich them 14 Item that hee had procured such Records to bee cancelled and imbeselled as testified his extortions and his oppressions vniustly imposed vpon his people 15 Item that he had oftentimes said that the Lawes of his Kingdome were in his owne breast and that vpon this opinion hee had put to death manie of his noble men and some of his inferiour subiects without iust cause 16 Item that most of his writings and letters vnto foraigne Princes and Estates were so craftie ambiguous doubtfull and vncertaine that they could not relie confidently vpon anie thing which he had written 17 Item that in his Parliament holden in the one and twentieth yeare of his Raigne his Cheshire Guard who onely were permitted and suffered to weare weapons committed many Robberies and Murders and yet not one of them was punished or reproued for the same 18 Item that to insinuate fauour with those loose and lewd companions the King had basely and fondly dishonoured his High Estate and Soueraigntie by entitling himselfe The Prince of Cheshire 19 Item that whereas in the same Parliament sundrie great Lords intended liberally and dutifully to haue spoken of such things as were not well ordered to the end that they might haue beene reformed the King in such sort threatned them that for feare of ensuing dangers they held themselues silent and spake not at all 20 Item that hee exacted great fines from the wealthiest of his Subiects for adhearing to the Barons notwithstanding that in full Parliament he had before granted them his free pardon 21 Item that by himselfe and his owne authoritie he had displaced diuers Burgesses of the Parliament and had placed such other in their roomes as would better fit and serue his owne turne 22 Item that contrarie to his solemne Oath and instrument in writing vnder the great Seale of his Kingdome Hee had not only disallowed the Commission granted in the same Parliament to the thirteene Lords to enquire of and to reforme the great abuses and the apparant misgouernment of the Common-Weale But also had exiled beheaded and otherwise executed diuers Noble Men and others who for the Kings honour and for the safetie and welfare of the Common-Weale had procured the said Commission or had executed the said Authoritie according to the trust and confidence in them reposed 23 Item that whereas hee had caused certaine Lawes in the same Parliament to bee made for his owne gaine and to serue his owne turne hee procured the Popes Bulles to curse such as should withstand or disobey them which thing greatly tended to the derogation of his Crowne and was done expressely against his owne law made against the Authoritie of the Pope within this Realme but seuen yeares before 24 Item that hee had displaced lawfull and good Shiriffes and had elected others whom he suffered to continue and to hold the said Office two yeares together and more because their vniust oppressions augmented and encreased his gaine King Richard confesseth all the Articles The transcript of all these Articles and Obiections were by both the Houses of Parliament authentically sent vnto the king who not only confessed them to bee true and acknowledged his owne insufficiencie to rule and to gouerne better but also by a plaine He resignes his Crowne King Richard is deposed Henrie Duke of Lancaster is made King Thomas Arundell restored to the Archbishopprick of Canterburie and exact instrument in writing vnder his hand and Seale hee resigned his Crowne and kingdome to his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke Duke of Lancaster which being read publikely and beeing generally ratified approoued and confirmed by the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and by the Commons in the same Parliament assembled they deposed king Richard and made the said Duke king And his true and faithfull friend and his companion in Banishment Thomas Arundell Archbishoppe of Canterburie being then and there restored to his place and dignitie installed the said Henrie in the kingly Throne And the late King Richard was sent to Pomfret Castle there to bee safely kept and with Princely honour to bee maintained but verie shortly after by the new kings direction and commaundement who feared least his Estate might bee shaken so long as Richard liued hee was wickedly and villanously assaulted in his Lodging King Richard is cruelly murdered by Sir Pierce Exton and eight other armed men from one of which with a Princely courage hee wrested a browne-Bill and therewith slewe foure of his Mischieuous and Vngodly Assailants He was very valiant and with admirable resolution fought with all the rest vntill comming by his owne Chaire in which the base Cowardly Knight himselfe stood for his owne safetie hee was by him striken with a Polle-axe in the hinder part of his head Though hee were an euill King yet no religion warranted those vniust proceedings so that presently he fell downe and died And thus was hee wicredly and treacherously murdered and his bodie buried at Langley but was afterwardes remoued vnto Westminster where it now lieth THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE FOVRTH ALTHOVGH the Crowne of England ANNO. 1. 1399. in right if Richard the deposed king should die without issue was by succession to descend vnto Edmund Mortimer Earle of March the Son and heire of Edmund Mortimer by Philip his wife who was the daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of Edward the third Yet his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke Duke of Hartford and
and of Holdernes William de Fortibus maried Hawse or Avice the daughter and heire of the aforenamed Stephen and was in her right created Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernes by King Stephen William de Fortibus their sonne succeeded and was Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernesse William de Fortibus his sonne was Earle of Albemarle and Holdernes and dyed without issue Male. R. 2. Thomas Plantagenet otherwise called Thomas of Woodstock a yonger sonne of King Edward the Third was by his Nephew King Richard the Second created Earle of Albemarle Holdernes Darby Lancaster and Leicester Henrie Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Albemarle Holdernes Darby Lancaster and of Leicester R. 2. Edmund Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund of Langley another of the yonger sonnes of King Edward the Third and Duke of Yorke was by king Richard the Second his Cosen created Earle of Rutland and Duke of Albemarle Thomas Plantagenet Duke of Clarence and sonne to King Henrie the Fourth was by him created Earle of Warwick and of Albemarle Arundell Conq. ROger Mountgomery was by William the Conquerour created Earle of Arundell and of Shrewsbury Hugh Mountgomery his sonne succeeded him and died without issue Robert Mountgomery his brother being Earle of Belesme succeeded and dyed without issue Wiliam de Albeney was by Mawld the Empresse created Earle of Arundell Mauld and Sussex because he tooke her part against King Stephen he maried Adeliza the widdow of King Henrie the First and was confirmed in his honors H. 2. by king Henrie the Second William de Albeney his sonne succeeded in those honors R. 1. William de Albeney his sonne was by King Richard the First restored to the said Earledomes which for displeasure had been kept from him by Henrie the Second William de Albeney his sonne succeeded in those Earledomes Hugh de Albeney was Earle after his brother and dyed without issue H. 3. William de Albenetto was created Earle of Arundell by king Henrie the Third and dyed without issue E. 1. Richard Fitz-Alen maried Isabel who was one of the daughters of the last Earle William and was by king Edward the First created Earle of Arundell hee was before that time Lord of Clun and Oswaldstry Edmund Fitz-Alen their sonne was Lord of Clun and Oswaldstry and succeeded in the Earledome of Arundell but was beheaded on displeasure and by the commandement of Queene Isabel the wife of king Edward the second Richard Fitz-Alen his sonne succeeded in all those honors hee was also Earle of Warren and of Surrey Richard Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun and Oswaldstry and Earle of Arundell Warren and of Surrey hee was also Lord of Bromfield and Yale and was beheaded at Bristow whilst king Richard the second liued Thomas Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun Oswaldstry Bromflet and Yale and Earle of Arundell Warren and of Surrey and died without issue Male. Iohn Fitz-Alen and Lord Maltrauers H. 6. being the next heire Male to the said Thomas was by King Henrie the sixt created Earle of Arundell and Duke of Torayne Humfrey Fitz-Alen his sonne was Earle of Arundell and dyed without issue William Fitz-Alen his Vncle and brother to the last Earle Iohn was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell Thomas Fitz-Alen his sonne succeeded and was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell William Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell Henrie Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell and dyed without issue Male. Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey and the fourth and last Duke of Northfolke maried Marie one of the daughters and coheires of the said Henrie Fitz-Alen and was in her right Lord Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell The other moytie descended to the Lord Barkley Philip Howard his sonne was Lord Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell and of Surrey Thomas Arundell his sonne is Lord Maltrauers K. Ia. and Earle of Arundell to which honours hee was restored by the mightie Prince King Iames. Bathe PHilbert de Chandew a Britton borne H. 1. was by King Henrie the first created Earle of Bath he dyed without issue Male. Iohn Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock in Deuon being the sonne of Foulke Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren who was the sonne of William Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren who was the yonger sonne of William Bourchier H. 8. Earle of Ewe in Normandie who was the yonger brother of Henry the first Earle of Ewe was by king Henry the eight created Earle of Bath Iohn Bourchier his sonne was Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock and Earle of Bath William Bourchier the sonne of Iohn Bourchier who was the sonne of the said Iohn last Earle of Bath is now Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock and hath issue one sonne only who is named Edward Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock Bedford E. 3. INgram Lord Concy a Frenchman borne maried Isabel the daughter of king Edward the third and being by him created Earle of Bedford he dyed without issue Male. Iohn Plantagenet the third sonne of king Henrie the fourth was by his father created Duke of Bedford H. 4. and whilst king Henrie the sixt liued to whom he was Vncle he was Regent of France Ruled it with great wisedome and valour and dyed without issue George Neuil was by king Edward the fourth created Duke of Bedford E. 4. and dyed without issue Iaspar Tuthar surnamed Iaspar of Hatfield sonne to Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine the widdow of king Henrie the fifth was by his halfe brother king Henrie the sixt created Earle of Pembroke H. 7. and was after by his Nephew king Henrie the seuenth created Duke of Bedford and dyed without issue Iohn Russel was by king Henrie the eight made Lord Russel and by king Edward the sixt E. 6. he was created Earle of Bedford Francis Lord Russel his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Bedford Edward Lord Russel his sonnes sonne viz. the sonne of Francis third sonne to the said Earle Francis is now Earle of Bedford Bridgewater GIles Dawbeney was by king Henrie the Seuenth made Lord Dawbeney H. 8. and his sonne Henrie was after his fathers death created Earle of Bridgewater by king Henrie the Eighth and died without issue But Alice his sister and heire was maried to Iohn Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstocke in Deuon from whom William Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstocke and Earle of Bath is descended Buckingham WAlter Gifford Earle of Longuile in Normandie Conq. and cosen to the Conquerour was by him created Earle of Buckingham and Pembroke Walter Gifford his sonne succeeded and died without issue Thomas Plantagenet surnamed Thomas of Woodstocke the sixth sonne of King Edward the Third was by his nephew King Richard the Second created Earle of Buckingham Northampton and Essex R. 2. and afterwards he made him Duke of Glocester And for his good counsell to the same King he was sent prisoner to
Calice and there murdered Humfrey Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Buckingham Northhampton and Essex and died without issue Humfrey Stafford Lord of Brecknocke and Holdernes H. 6. and being Earle of Stafford was by King Henrie the Sixth created the first Duke of Buckingham Henrie Stafford his sonne being Lord of Brecknocke and Holdernes was Earle of Stafford and Duke of Buckingham and was beheaded by King Richard the Third Edward Stafford his sonne being Lord of Brecknocke and Holdernes and Earle of Stafford by restitution from King Henrie the eight was the third and last Duke of Buckingham H. 7. and was beheaded whilest King Henrie the Eighth raigned Cambridge E. 3. IOhn of Henault brother to William Earle of Henault and vncle to Queene Philip the wife of King Edward the Third was by him created Earle of Cambridge But hee reuolted to the French King and thereby lost his honour E. 3. William Marquesse of Iulier Bergen and Cleueland was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Cambridge E. 3. Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Edmund of Langley being the fifth sonne of King Edward the Third and Duke of Yorke was by his father created Earle of Cambridge Edward Plantagenet his sonne was Duke of Yorke and Albemarle Earle of Rutland and of Cambridge and being slaine in the battaile of Edgingcourt he died without issue Richard Plantagenet his brother was Earle of Cambridge and had issue Richard Richard Plantagenet was Lord of Clare and of Wigmore Duke of Yorke and Earle of Vlster March and Cambridge and was slaine in his warres against King Henrie the Sixth Edward Plantegenet his sonne succeeded him in all those honourable dignities and was afterwards King Edward the Fourth Chester Conq. HVgo Lupus Viscount of Aurenges in Normandie nephew to the Conquerour was by him created Earle Palatine of Chester Richard Lupus his sonne succeeded and died without issue Ralphe Meschynes being the sonne of Margaret the sister and heire of Hugo Lupus was by King Henrie the First created Earle of Chester H. 1. Ralphe Meschynes his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Chester Hugh Meschynes surnamed Keuelitocke because hee was there borne succeeded his father in the Earledome of Chester Ralphe Meschynes surnamed Blundeuile his sonne being Lord of Little Britaine was Earle of Chester Lincolne and of Richmond K. Iohn Iohn surnamed Scot was by King Iohn created Earle of Chester and died without issue male Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowch-backe the second sonne of king Henrie the Third and brother to king Edward the First H. 3. was by his father created Earle Palatine of Chester Edward the Prince sonne and heire apparant to king Edward the First was by his father created Earle Palatine of Chester E. 1. Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales He was afterwards king Edward the Second Edward the Third was in his fathers daies created Earle Palatine of Chester Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales E. 2. and was afterwards king Edward the Third Edward Plantagenet surnamed The Blacke Prince the eldest sonne of king Edward the Third was in Parliament created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester Richard Plantagenet sonne to the Blacke Prince was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and was after that king Richard the Second Henrie Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Henrie the Fourth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Henrie the Fifth Edward the sonne of king Henrie the Sixth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill hee was shamefully murdered Edward Plantagenet the sonne of king Richard the Third was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Arthur Tuther the eldest sonne of king Henrie the Seuenth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Henrie Tuther the second sonne of king Henrie the Seuenth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Henrie the Eighth Edward Tuther his sonne was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Edward the Sixth He died without issue Henrie Stewart the eldest sonne of the illustrious Prince King Iames the First was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Charles Stewart his brother is Prince of Wales Duke of Yorke Cornwall and Rossay and Earle Palatine of Chester Clarence K. Steph. GIlbert de Clare was by king Stephen created Earle of Clarence Roger de Clare his brother succeeded and was Earle of Clare Richard de Clare his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Clare E. 3. Lionel Plantagenet the third sonne of king Edward the Third was by his father created Duke of Clarence He had no issue male but his daughter and heire Philip was maried to Edmund Mortimer Earle of March from whom the Familie of Yorke did lineally descend H. 4. Thomas Plantagenet the second sonne of king Henrie the Fourth was by his father created Earle of Albemarle and Duke of Clarence George Plantagenet the third sonne of Richard Duke of Yorke and brother to king Edward the Fourth was by him created Duke of Clarence and was murdered in the Tower Cornwall CAndor a Briton was Earle of Cornwall at the time of the Conquest and did homage to the Conquerour for the same Candor his sonne was the second Earle of Cornwall Conq. Robert Earle of Mortaigne in Normandie was by the Conquerour created Earle of Cornwall William his sonne being Earle of Mortaigne was also Earle of Cornwall K. Steph. Reynold the base sonne of king Henrie the First was by king Steuen created Earle of Cornwall H. 2. Iohn the second sonne of king Henrie the Second was by his father created Earle of Cornwall He was afterwards king Iohn H. 3. Richard the second sonne of king Iohn was by his brother king Henrie the Third created Earle of Cornwall Hee was also king of the Romans Henrie Plantagenet his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Cornwall and died without issue E. 1. Edward Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Edward the First was by his father created Prince of Wales Earle Palatine of Chester and Duke of Cornwall and hee was afterwards king Edward the Second Pierce Gaueston a Gascoigne borne E. 2. was by king Edward the Second created Lord of Wallingfold and Earle of Cornwall and Glocester He was beheaded by the Barons because hee misse-lead the king He died without issue Iohn Plantagenet second sonne to king Edward the second E. 2. was by his father created Earle of Cornwall He died without issue Edward Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Edward the Second E. 2. was by his father created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester which hee enioied vntill hee was king Edward the Third
the Second created Lord of Wallingford Earle of Cornwall and Glocester and died without issue being executed by the Barons Hugh Spencer the younger was by King Edward the Second created Earle of Glocester and was executed at London E. 3. Hugh Awdley Lord Awdley of Helie Castle was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Glocester and died without issue R. 2. Thomas Plantagenet surnamed Thomas of Woodstocke the sixth sonne of King Edward the Third was by his father created Earle of Essex Buckingham and Northampton and by King Richard the Second his nephew hee was created Duke of Glocester but was murdered at Calice in prison for reprouing the King friendly of his faults R. 2. Thomas Lord Spencer the grand-childe of the aforenamed Hugh Spencer was by King Richard the Second created Earle of Glocester and died without issue male H. 4. Humfrey Plantagenet the fourth sonne of king Henrie the Fourth being Earle of Pembroke was by his father created Duke of Glocester and died without issue E. 4. Richard Plantagenet the sonne of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke and brother to King Edward the Fourth was by the same King created Duke of Glocester Hee was also King Richard the Third and died without issue Hartford H. 2. ROger de Clare Earle of Clarence was by King Henrie the Second created Earle of Hartford Richard de Clare his sonne enioied both those Earledomes Gilbert de Clare his sonne was Earle of Clare Hartford and of Glocester Richard de Clare his sonne enioied those three Earledomes Gilbert de Clare his sonne succeeded in those honours Gilbert de Clare his sonne succeeded and died without issue male Ralphe de Mounthermer who maried Ione of Acres one of the daughters of king Edward the First E. 1. was by him created Earle of Glocester and of Hartford he dyed without issue Edward Saint-Maure alias Seymour H. 8. was by king Henrie the Eight made Viscount Beauchamp and Earle of Hartford hee was Vncle and Protector to king Edward the Sixt by whom hee was created Duke of Somerset and lost his head Edward Saint-Maure alias Seymour his sonne Q. Eliz. was by Queene Elizabeth created Viscount Beauchamp and Earle of Hartford and he now liueth Hereford WIlliam Fitz Osborne Conq. who first perswaded the Conqueror to vndertake that weightie businesse was by him created Earle of Hereford and Lord of the Isle of Waight because he made the first Conquest thereof Roger Fitz-Osborne his sonne who succeeded was attainted of Treason and dyed a prisoner without issue Miles Fitz-Water was by King Henrie the First H. 1. created Earle of Hereford Roger Fitz-Water his sonne succeeded and dyed without issue Walter Fitz-Water his brother was Earle and dyed without issue Henrie Fitz-Water his brother succeeded and dyed without issue Humfrey Bohun was by king Henrie the Third H. 3. created Earle of Hereford and of Essex Humfrey Bohun succeeded his father in those Earledomes Humfrey Bohun his sonne was Earle after him Humfrey Bohun his sonne was his successour in those Dignities Iohn Bohun his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue Hurmfrey Bohun his Nephew viz. the sonne of William brother to the said Iohn was Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton and dyed without issue Male. Thomas of Woodstock the sixt sonne of king Edward the Third E. 3. married Eleanor the eldest sister of the said Humfrey and was by his Father created Earle of Hereford Essex Buckingham and Northampton he was afterwards by his Nephew king Richard the Second created Duke of Glocester and was murdred in prison at Calice because he informed the king friendly of his faults Humfrey Plantagenet his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue Male. Henrie Plantagenet surnamed Bullingbroke the sonne and heire apparant of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster being Earle of Darby was by his Cosen R. 2. king Richard the Second created Duke of Hereford and was afterwards king Henry the Fourth Humfrey Stafford was Earle of Stafford Northampton and Hereford and was by king Henrie the Sixt created Duke of Buckingham but he lost his head Huntington Conq. WAldolf a Saxon married Iudith the Conquerors Neece and was by him created Earle of Huntington hee dyed without issue Male. Simon de S. Lize otherwise Saint-Leger married Mawld one of the daughters of Waldolf Rufus and was by William Rufus created Earle of Huntington and Northompton and hauing issue Simon hee dyed Dauid Prince of Scotland and sonne to Malcolme the Third being Earle of Northumberland Steph. and Cumberland was by king Stephen made Earle of Huntington for Simon was but a child and vniustly kept from his Inheritance Henrie Prince of Wales assoone as Dauid his father was king of Scotland enioyed the Earledomes of Northumberland Cumberland and Huntington After the death of King Stephen the said Simon being sonne to the said Simon entred into his Earledomes of Huntington and Northampton and enioyed the same in peace during his life Malcolme Prince of Scotland and sonne to the before named Henrie because the rightfull Earle of Huntington was in his minoritie was by king Henrie the Second H. 2. made Earle of Huntington as he was Earle of Northumberland and of Camberland William his brother being Prince of Scotland and Earle of Northumberland Cumberland and of Huntington made warres vpon King Henrie the Second after he was king of the Scots and was taken prisoner in the field ransomed and lost those honors Simon de S. Lize otherwise Saint-Leger the third of that name was by king Henrie the Second restored to his Earledome of Huntington and was also Earle of Northampton and died without issue Dauid the brother of the aforenamed William was by the fauour of king Richard the Second restored to the Earledome of Huntington R. 1. Iohn his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Huntington and died without issue male He was surnamed Scot. William Clinton was by king Edward the Third created Earle of Huntington and died without issue E. 3. Guischard a Gascoigne borne in Angolesme R. 2. was by king Richard the Second created Earle of Huntington and died without issue Iohn Holland halfe-brother to King Richard the Second R. 2. was by him created Earle of Huntington and Duke of Exeter and lost his head for conspiring against king Henrie the Fourth Iohn Holland his sonne was restored to his Earledome by King Henrie the Fifth H. 5. and by king Henrie the Sixth to his Duchie of Exeter Henry Holland his sonne was attainted when king Edward the Fourth raigned and was drowned on the coast of Calice Thomas Grey sonne in Law to king Edward the Fourth was by him created Marquesse Dorset and Earle of Huntington Thomas Grey his sonne succeeded in those honours William Herbert the eldest sonne of William Herbert whom king Edward the Fourth had made Earle of Pembroke E. 4. was by the same King made Earle of Huntington George Hastings Lord
a child without issue Edward Fines Lord Clinton was by Queene Elizabeth Q. Eliz. created Earle of Lincolne Henrie Fines Lord Clinton the sonne of the said Edward was Earle of Lincolne after his Father and yet liueth March EDwin a Saxon at the time of the Conquest was Earle of March hee with Marcarus and Swardus kept the Isle of Waight against the Conqueror and was banished Roger Mortimer Lord Mortimer of Wigmore E. 3. was by king Edward the Third created Earle of March and was executed for Treason Roger Mortimer the sonne of Edmund Mortimer who was the sonne of the said Earle Roger E. 3. was by the same king restored to the Baronie of Wigmore and to the Earledome of March. Edmund Mortimer his sonne married Philip the daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of king Edward the Third and was Earle of March and from them two did descend the heires of the Familie of Yorke Roger Mortimer their sonne was Earle of March and of Vlster in Ireland and by king Richard the Second was proclaimed heire apparant to the Crowne of England and was slaine long after in Ireland Edmund Mortimer his sonne was Earle of March and after one and twentie yeares imprisonment in Wales and elsewhere he died without issue Richard Plantagenet Earle of Cambridge was the sonne of Edmund of Langley Duke of Yorke the fift sonne of King Edward the third hee maried Anne the sister and heire of the said Edmund daughter to the said last Earle Roger and in her right he was Earle of March and they two had issue Richard Duke of Yorke who was father to King Edward the fourth Richard Plantagenet sonne to Richard Earle of Cambridge was Earle of March and Duke of Yorke and had issue Edward the fourth Edward his sonne was first Earle of March then by his Fathers death he was Duke of Yorke and by his victorie at Barnet field hee attained the Kingdome of England and was King Edward the fourth Mountgomery K. Ia. SIr Philip Herbert Knight the second sonne of Henry late Earle of Pembroke and younger brother to William Lord Herbert now Earle of Pembroke was by K. Iames created Earle of Mountgomery Northfolke RAlph Waer at the time of the Conquest was Earle of Norfolke and Suffolke and fled for treason Conq. Ralph Bygot President of the East Angles was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northfolke but hee was disherited for conspiring against him H. 1. Hugh Bygot was by King Henry the first created Earle of Northfolke Roger Bygot his sonne was Earle after him Hugh Bygot his sonne was Earle of Northfolke Roger Bygot his sonne succeeded in that Earledome Roger Bygot his Nephew vizt the sonne of his brother Robert was Earle of Northfolke and dyed without issue E. 2. Thomas Plantagenet surnamed Brotherton who was a yonger son to King Edward the first and brother to King Edward the second was by his brother created Earle of Northfolk he had one daughter and heire who was named Margaret Iohn Lord Segraue maried the said Margaret they two had issue Margaret R. 2. which Margaret was by King Richard the second created Duchesse of Northfolke after her husbands death and then she maried Iohn Lord Mowbray Thomas Lord Mowbray their sonne R. 2. was by King Richard the second created Earle of Nottingham Marshall of England and Duke of Norfolke hee dyed without issue Hee complained of Henry of Bullinbrooke to King Richard the second and should haue fought a combate with him but died at Venice in his banishment Thomas Lord Mowbray his sonne was neuer Duke of Northfolk but was in his fathers life time only Earle of Nottingham and was executed for treason with Richard Scroop Archbishop of Yorke by King Henry the fourth and his brother Iohn succeeded their father and was Marshall of England Earle of Nottingham and Duke of Northfolke Iohn Lord Mowbray his sonne was Earle of Nottingham Warren and Surrey High Marshall of England and Duke of Northfolke Iohn Lord Mowbray his sonne succeeded his father in all those honourable Dignities he died and had issue Anne Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke and second sonne to King Edward the fourth was maried in his childhood to the said Anne and was in her right possessor of all those honors But he was murdred by his Vncle King Richard the third and died without issue The said Anne also died without issue whereby all the Lordshippes of the Mowbrays by course of inheritance was devolued to Iohn Lord Howard and to William Lord Barkley Iohn Lord Howard who by his mothers side R. 3. was discended from the before named Mowbrayes was by King Richard the third created Duke of Northfolke and lost his life in the said Kings quarell at Bosworth field H. 8. Thomas Howard his sonne who by King Richard the third was made Earle of Surrey was created Duke of Northfolke by King Henry the eighth Thomas Howard his son succeeded and was Duke of Northfolk Thomas Howard the sonne of Henry who was the sonne of the last Thomas Duke of Northfolke was Duke of Northfolke and Earle Marshall of England He was also in the right of his wife Marie the eldest daughter of Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundell Northumberland MArcarus at the time of the Conquest was Earle of Northumberland and Lincolne he with others kept the I le of Wighte against the Conqueror and was taken dyed in prison and had no issue Conq. Robert de Cumine was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northumberland but was slaine by the Northumbers Conq. Gospatrick was created Earle of Northumberland by the Conqueror but he tooke it from him againe Conq. Waldrofe was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northumberland but lost his head for treason Conq. Walcher Bishop of Durham bought the Earledome of Northumberland of the Conqueror and died without issue Conq. Robert de Mowbray was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northumberland but he rebelled and lost it Steph. Dauid Prince of Scotland sonne to King Malcolme the third was Earle of Northumberland Cumberland and Huntington Henrie his sonne assoone as his father was King enioyed all those Earledomes Malcolme his son was Earle of Northumberland and of Cumberland and Huntington William his brother succeeded him in his Kingdome and was Earle of Northumberland Cumberland and Huntington he warred against King Henry the second was taken Prisoner ransomed and lost those honors R. 1 Hugh de Puddsey Bishop of Durham was by King Richard the first created Earle of Northumberland and died without issue R. 2. Henry Percy was by King Richard the second created Earle of Northumberland hee was father to Henry surnamed Hotspurre who was slaine in their rebellion against King Henry the fourth H. 5. Henry the sonne of Henry Hotspur was by King Henry the fifth restored to the Earledome of Northumberland Henry Percy his sonne was Earle of Northumberland Hee and his
second husband Hugh de Brun H. 3. was by his halfe-brother King Henrie the Third created Earle of Pembroke Aymer de Valentia his sonne was Earle of Pembroke and was by King Edward the First made Vice-roy of Scotland and died without issue Laurence Lord Hastings was by King Edward the Third created Lord of Abergauenny and Earle of Pembroke Iohn Lord Hastings and Abergauenny was Earle of Pembroke Iohn his sonne succeeded and died without issue Humfrey Plantagenet the youngest sonne of King Henry the Fourth H. 5. and brother to King Henry the Fifth was by his brother created Earle of Pembroke and Duke of Glocester He was also Protector to his Nephew King Henrie the Sixth and died without issue H. 6. William de la Pole was by King Henry the Sixth created Earle of Pembroke Earle Marquesse and Duke of Suffolke Iaspar of Hatfield the second sonne of Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine his wife widow to King Henry the Fifth and being halfe-brother to King Henry the Sixth H. 6. was by him created Earle of Pembroke and by King Henry the Seuenth Duke of Bedford He died without issue E. 4. William Herbert was by King Edward the Fourth made Lord of Cardisse and Earle of Pembroke and was slaine at Banbarie field William Herbert his sonne succeeded and resigned the said Earledome to King Edward the Fourth Edward the Prince being sonne and heire apparant to King Edward the fourth E 4. was by his father created Earle of Pembroke Flint and March He was King Edward the Fifth Anne Bullen H. 8. who was afterwards maried to King Henry the Eighth was by him created Marchionesse of Pembroke and lost her head William Lord Herbert sonne to Richard Herbert who was brother to the last Earle William E. 6. was by King Edward the Sixth created Earle of Pembroke Henry Lord Herbert his sonne succeeded in those honours Williom Lord Herbert his sonne is Lord of Cardiffe Fitz-Hugh Marmion and S. Quintens and Earle of Pembroke Richmond EVdo was by the Conqueror made Lord of Middleham and Earle of Richmond Conq. Allen Fergaunt surnamed The Red being his sonne was Lord of Middleham and Earle of Britaine and of Richmond He died without issue Allen surnamed The Blacke being his brother succeeded him and died without issue Stephen his brother possessed all those honours Allen his sonne by descent enioied the said dignities Conan his sonne succeeded him and had issue Constance Geoffrey Plantagenet the third sonne of King Henry the Second maried the said Constance and was in her right Earle of Richmond Arthur Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Richmond and died without issue Ralphe Blundeuile being Count Palatine of Chester K. Iohn was by King Iohn created Earle of Richmond Peter Earle of Sauoy who built the Sauoy H. 3. was by King Henrie the Third created Earle of Richmond Iohn de Dreux Duke of Britaine sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine was by King Edward the First created Earle of Richmond E. 1. Iohn de Dreux his sonne was Earle of Richmond Iohn de Dreux his sonne succeeded and died without issue Robert de Arthoys sometimes Earle of Arthoys but disinherited by Philip de Valoys the French King E. 3. was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Richmond Iohn Plantagenet the sonne of King Edward the Third being surnamed Iohn of Gaunt being Duke of Lancaster E. 3. was by his father created Earle of Richmond Henry of Bollingbroke his sonne was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford and Earle of Richmond vntill he was King Henry the Fourth Ralphe Lord Neuil of Rabie Castle the first Earle of Westmorland was by King Henry the Fourth created Earle of Pembroke for his life only H. 4. Iohn Plantagenet Duke of Bedford and brother to King Henry the Fifth H. 4. was by his father created Earle of Richmond He died without issue H. 6. Edmund of Hadham called Edmund Tuthar the eldest sonne of Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine his wife the widow of King Henry the Fifth and daughter to Charles the Sixth of France and halfe brother to King Henry the Sixth was by him created Earle of Richmond He maried Margaret the daughter and heire of Iohn Beauford Marquesse Dorset and Duke of Somerset who was the sonne of Iohn Beauford who was the sonne of Iohn of Gaunt by Katherine Swinsford his third wife and had issue Henry who was king Henry the Seuenth Henry Tuthar their sonne was Earle of Richmond vntill hee obtained the Crowne and was King Henry the Seuenth H. 8. Henry Fitz-Roy base sonne to King Henry the Eighth was by him created Earle of Nottingham and Duke of Richmond and died without issue in the sixteenth yeare of his age Rutland EDward Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund of Langley the fifth sonne of King Edward the Third and Duke of Yorke was by his cosen King Richard the Second created Earle of Rutland R. 2. and Duke of Albemarle After his fathers death he was Duke of Yorke and was slaine at Agencourt field Edmund Plantagenet brother to Edward who was afterward King Edward the Fourth was Earle of Rutland and died in his childhood without issue being slaine H. 8. Thomas Mannors Lord Roos of Hamlake Beluoyr and Trusbut was created Earle of Rutland by King Henry the Eighth Henry Mannors his sonne succeeded his said father Edward Mannors his sonne enioied those honours and died without issue male Iohn Mannors his brother succeeded him Roger Mannors his sonne enioied those honours and died without issue Sir Francis Mannors his brother is now Lord Roos Hamlake and Trusbote and Earle of Rutland Ryuers RIchard Wooduile of Grafton Knight maried Iaquet the widow of Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France and daughter to Peter of Luxenburgh Earle of S. Paul He was by King Henry the sixth made Lord Ryuers Afterwards king Edward the Fourth maried his daughter the Ladie Elizabeth Grey the widow of Sir Iohn Grey deceased by whom he was made Lord Treasurer of England and Earle Ryuers He and his sonne Iohn were slaine by the Commons in an vprore Anthonie Wooduile his sonne being Lord Scales and Earle Ryuers was by King Richard the Third beheaded vniustly at Pomfret Castle and died withour issue Richard Wooduile his brother succeeded him in that Earledome and died without issue Salisburie STephen Patrick of Eureux was by the Conquerour created Earle of Salisburie Conq. William his sonne was Earle of Salisburie and died without issue male William Longspée the base sonne of King Henry the Second by the faire Rosamond Clifford his Concubine R. 1. was by King Richard the First his halfe-brother created Earle of Salisburie William Longspee his sonne was Earle of Salisburie after his father and was slaine in the warres in the Holy Land Henry Lacy was by King Henrie the Third created Earle of Salisburie H. 3. and died without issue Thomas Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund
Crowch-backe being Earle of Lancaster was also Earle of Salisburie Lecester and Lincolne and died without issue Henry Plantagenet his brother was Earle of Salisburie Lecester Lincolne and Lancaster Henry Plantagenet his sonne was created Duke of Lancaster He was also inheritor to all those Earledomes His daughter and heire called Blanch was maried to Iohn of Gaunt and from them descended the house of the Lancastrians E. 4. William Mountague Lord of the I le of Man was by King Edward the Fourth created Earle of Salisburie William Mountague his sonne being Lord of the I le of Man and Lord Mounthermer was also Earle of Salisburie and died without issue Iohn Mountague sonne to Sir Iohn Mountague brother to the said William was Lord Mounthermer and Earle of Salisburie Hee with others conspired the death of King Edward the Fourth at Oxford and was slaine Thomas Mountague his sonne was Lord Mounthermer and Earle of Salisburie Richard Neuil the second sonne of Ralphe Neuil who was the first Earle of Westmorland H. 6. maried Alice the eldest daughter and coheire of the said Thomas and was by King Henry the Sixth created Earle of Salisburie He was taken prisoner in the battaile of Wakefield by Queene Margaret wife to King Henry the Sixth and lost his head Richard Neuil his sonne was Earle of Salisburie and of Warwicke also in the right of Anne his wife who was the daughter and heire of William Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke This was that great Earle of Warwicke who deposed and raised King Henry the Sixth and was slaine at Barnet Field by King Edward the Fourth Richard Pole a Knight of Wales maried Margaret Plantagenet the daughter of George Duke of Clarence brother to King Edward the Fourth which the said George begot on Isabel the eldest daughter and coheire of the last Richard Earle of Warwicke and Salisburie She was by Parliament in the fifth yeare of King Henry the Eighth restored to those Earledomes H. 8. but in Parliament in the one and thirtieth yeare of King Henry the Eighth shee with Gerthrude the widow of Henry Courtney Marquesse of Exeter Reynold Pole Cardinall being her sonne and others were attainted of treason and she lost her head She was the last of the name and royall stocke of the Familie of the Plantagenets out of which had issued successiuely fourteene Kings of England Robert Cecil the second sonne of William Cecil Lord Burleigh and Treasurer of England was by King Iames created Lord Cecil of Essendeu in Rutlandshire Viscount Cranborne in Dorsetshire and Earle of Salisbury William Cecil his sonne is now Lord of Essenden Viscount Cranborne and Earle of Salisbury Shrewsburie EDrick a Saxon sirnamed the wilde being Earle of Shrewsbury was by the Conqueror dishinherited Roger de Mountgomery Earle of Belesme in Normandy Conq. was by the Conqueror made Earle of Arundel and of Shrewsbury Hugh de Mountgomery his sonne succeeded and died without issue Robert Mountgomery his brother being Earle of Shrewsbury and of Arundel was taken by king Henry the first and depriued of his eyes Iohn Lord Talbot Strange Blackmore Furnivall and Verdon H. 6. was by Henry the sixth created Earle of Shrewsbury Iohn Talbot his sonne succeeded in those honors Iohn Talbot his sonne was Lord c and Earle of Shrewsbury George Talbot his sonne was Lord c. and Earle of Shrewsbury Francis Talbot his sonne was Lord c. and Earle of Salisbury George Lord Talbot his sonne succeeded in those honors Gilbert Lord Talbot his sonne is Lord Talbot Strange Blackmore Furnival and Verdon and Earle of Shrewsbury Somerset OSmond Bishop of Salisbury was by the Conqueror Conq. made earle of Somerset William de Mohun was by King Henry the first H. 1 created Earle of Somerset Reynold de Mohun in King Iohns time K. Ioh. receiued the inheritance of his Grandfather Earle William and was created Earle of Somerset he was disinherited by King Henry the third because he tooke part against him with the Barons in their warres Iohn Beauford the sonne of Iohn of Gaunt by Katherine Swinsford his thitd wife was by King Richard the second created Earle of Somerset and Marques Dorset but the latter of those two hee voluntarily did renounce H. 5. Henry Beauford his sonne was Earle after him Iohn Beauford his brother was created Earle of Somerset by K. Henry the fifth H. 6. Edmund Beauford his brother was Earle of Somerset and by king Henry the sixt was created Marques Dorset and Duke of Somerset and was slaine at Saint Albons by Richard Duke of Yorke Henry Beauford his sonne was Duke of Somerset hee revolted from King H. the sixth to King Edward the fourth and afterward from King Edward the fourth to King H. the sixth and was by the Yorkish faction taken Prisoner at Hexhamfield and lost his head Edmund Beauford his brother was Duke of Somerset and being taken prisoner at Tewkisbery-field by king Edward the fourth he lost his head and had no issue H. 7. Edmund Tuther a yonger sonne to king Henry the seuenth was at fiue yeares of his age created Duke of Somerset and died without issue at that age Henry Fitz-Roy base son to king H. the eight was created earle of Nottingham and Duke of Somerset and Richmond and died without issue Edward Seymour Earle of Hartford was by his Nephew King Edward the sixth created Duke of Somerset and lost his head Sir Robert Carre was by king Iames created Viscount Rochester Earle of Somerset Southampton BEavoys was at the Conquest Earle of Southampton E. 1. H. 8. William Gobion was by Kng Edward the first created Earle of Southampton and died without issue male William Fitz-William was by King Henry the eight created Earle of Southampton and died without issue male E. 6. Thomas Wryothesley Lord Chancelor of England was by King Henry the eighth created Baron of Tichfield in Hamshire and by King Edward the sixt hee was created Earle of Southampton Henry Wryothesley his sonne was Lord Tichfield and Earle of Southampton Henry Wryothesley his sonne is Lord Tichfield and Earle of Southamton Stafford RAlph Stafford was by King Edward the third E. 3. created Earle of Stafford Hugh Stafford his sonne succeeded in that Earledome Thomas Stafford his Grandchild by Ralph his sonne was Earle of Stafford William Stafford his brother was Earle of Stafford after him Edmund Stafford his brother was Earle and died without issue Humfrey Stafford his sonne was Earle and by king Henry the sixt he was created Duke of Buckingham and was slaine in Yorkeshire in the said kings quarrell Humfrey Stafford his son was dignified with those honors Humfrey Stafford his sonne H. 7. succeeded and was beheaded by king Richard the third Edward Stafford his son was restored by king Henry the seuenth and lost his head in the raigne of king Henry the eighth Suffolke RAlph Glandvile Lord of Bromhelme H. 2. was by king Henry the second created Earle
of Suffolke William Glandvile his sonne being Lord of Bromhelme was Earle of Suffolke Gilbert Glandvile his sonne enioyed those Honors Ralph Glandvile his son was Lord Bromhelme and Earle of Suffolke and died without issue William de Vessey who maried Mauld his Daughter and Heire E. 2. was by King Edward the second created Earle of Suffolke Robert de Vfford who married Sarah daughter and heire of the said William was by King Edward the third E. 3. created Earle of Sufolke William de Vfford his son being Lord of Eay and Framlingham was Earle of Suffolke Michael de la Poole a man more rich then honorably discended R. 2. was Chancelor to king Richard the second R. 2. and by him created Earle of Suffolke and was banished as a corrupter of him by his lewd counsell he died with griefe at Paris Michael de la Poole his son was Lord Wingfield and Earle of Suffolke and dyed at the siege of Harflew Michael de lâ— Poole his son succeeded his father but died within one moneth after H. 6. William de la Poole his brother was Lord Wingfield and Earle of Suffolke he was by king Henry the sixt created Earle of Pembrooke then Marques of Suffolke and last of all Duke of Suffolke hee was banished taken at Sea and lost his head on a boats side Iohn de la Poole his sonne was Lord Wingfield Earle of Pembrooke and Duke of Suffolke Edmund de la Poole his sonne was of a turbulent disposition in the fifth yeare of Henry the eighth he was executed for treason H. 7. Charles Brandon the sonne of Sir William Brandon knight who was Standard-bearer to the Earle of Richmond in Bosworth field was slaine by king Richard the third was by Henry the seuenth made Viscount Lisle H. 8. and hauing maried king Henry the eight his second sister Mary Queen Dowager of France he was by Henry the eight created Duke of Suffolke Henry Brandon his sonne was Earle of Lincolne and Duke of Suffolke and died without issue Henry Grey Lord Ferrers of Groby Lord of Astley Harington Bonvile being also Marques Dorset and hauing maried Francis who was one of the Daughters and Coheires of Charles Brandon E 6. was by king Edward the sixth created Duke of Suffolke and was attainted of treason whilest Queene Mary raigned their daughter was the Lady Iane who maried Guilford Dudley the fourth son of the Earle of Northumberland K. Ia. who lost her head Thomas Lord Howard of Walden second sonne to Thomas the last Duke of Northfolke was by king Iames created Earle of Suffolke Surrey Rufus William Warren Earle of Warren in Normandie maried one of the Conquerors daughters named Goundred and was by king William Rufus created Earle of Surrey William Warren his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Surrey William Warren his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue male William de Blois sonne to king Stephen being Earle of Mortaigne Bolloigne and Eagle and being Lord of Lancaster maried Isabel the daughter and heire of the last Earle William and was in her right Earle of Surrey and died without issue Hamlyn Plantagenet brother to king Henry the second maried the said Ladie Isabel and was in her right Earle of Surrey and king Henry the second created him Earle of Warwick William Plantagenet their sonne was Earle of Surrey and of Warwicke Iohn Flantagenet his sonne was Earle of Surrey Warren and Sussex and died without issue male Iohn Flantagenet his brother succeeded him in those Earledomes and died without issue Edmund Fitz-allen Earle of Arundel maried Alice the daughter of the aforesaid William and was in her right Earle of Surrey and of Warren Richard Fitz-allen their sonne was earle of Arundel Surrey and Sussex Richard Fitz-allen his sonne was earle of Arundel Surrey and Sussex Thomas Fitz-allen his sonne was earle of Surrey Arundel and Sussex and died without issue Thomas Holland R. 2. halfe brother to king Richard the second was by him created earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey Edmund Holland his sonne was earle and Duke Iohn Lord Mowbray sonne to the Duke of Northfolke was discended from the earles of Warren and Surrey H. 6. and was by king Henry the sixth dignified with those honors and also after his fathers death he was Duke of Northfolke Thomas Howard the sonne of Iohn Howard R. 3. whome King Richard the third had created Duke of Northfolke was by the same King created earle of Surrey and by king Henry the eighth Duke of Northfolke Thomas Howard his sonne E. 4. by Anne daughter to king Edward the fourth was by the same King created earle Marshal of England and earle of Surrey Henry Howard earle of Surrey was in his fathers life time attainted and executed and had issue Thomas Thomas Howard his sonne was Duke of Northfolke Q. Ma. and earle of Surrey after his Grandfathers death being restored by Q. Mary Philip Howard his sonne was Earle of Surrey and of Arundel Thomas Howard his sonne is Earle of Arundel and of Surrey Sussex H. 2. VVIlliam de Albaney was Earle of Sussex and of Arundel by his mariage with Queene Adeliza the widdow of king H. the first which Earledomes were her joynture and those honours were giuen to him by king Henry the second William de Albaney their sonne succeeded and was Earle VVilliam de Albaney his sonne was Earle of Sussex and of Arundel William de Albaney his sonne succeeded his father Hugh de Albaney his brother enioyed those Earledomes and died without issue Iohn Plantagenet the seuenth Earle of Surrey was Earle of Sussex and died without issue male Iohn Plantagenet his brother enioyed those honours and died without issue H. 8. Robert Ratclife Lord Fitzwater Egremount and Burnel was by King Henry the eighth created Viscount Fitzwater and Earle of Sussex Henry Ratclife his sonne enioyed all those honors Thomas Ratclife his son was Lord Viscount and Earle and died without issue Henry Ratclife his brother succeeded in those dignities Robert Ratclife his sonne is Lord Egremount and Burnel Viscount Fitz-water and Earle of Sussex Warwicke TArquinius a Saxon was Earle of Warwick at the Conquest hee was banished and died without issue Conq. Henry Beamount alias Newburgh brother to Robert Earle of Millent and of Leicester was by the Conqueror created Earle of Warwick Roger Beamount alias Newburgh his sonne was Earle of Warwick William Beamont alias Newburgh his sonne was Earle of Warwick Walteran Beamount alias Newburgh his brother was Earle of Warwicke after him Henry Beamount alias Newburgh his sonne was Earle of Warwicke Thomas Beamount alias Newburgh his sonne succeeded his father Iohn Marshall maried Margerie the sister and heire of the said Thomas and was Earle of Warwicke in her right but died without issue Iohn de Plessetis the second husband of the said Margerie was in her right Earle of Warwicke Hugh de Plessetis their sonne succeeded and died without
issue William Maledoctus otherwise Manduyt Lord of Hanslop cosen and heire to the said Margerie Countesse of Warwicke was Earle of Warwicke and died without issue William de Beauchampe maried Isabel sister and heire to the said William and had issue William William Beauchampe their sonne was Earle of Warwicke Guido de Beauchampe his sonne succeeded his father Thomas de Beauchampe his sonne was Earle of Warwicke Thomas de Beauchampe his sonne was Earle of Warwicke Richard de Beauchampe his sonne was Earle of Warwicke He was Lieu-tenant of Munster in Ireland and a great Warriour in France in the daies of King Henry the Fifth and King Henry the Sixth Henry Beauchampe his sonne was Earle of Warwicke and by King Henry the Sixth he was created Duke of Warwicke H. 6. Hee died without issue male Richard Neuil the eldest sonne of Richard Neuil Earle of Salisburie maried Anne the daughter and heire of Richard Beauchampe and was in her right Earle of Warwicke Hee is termed The great Earle of Warwicke for he was so powerfull that he aduanced King Edward the Fourth deposed King Henry the Sixth and made him King againe but was at last slaine by King Edward the Fourth at Barnet Field George Plantagenet Duke of Clarence and brother to King Edward the Fourth maried Isabel the eldest daughter of the said Earle Richard and was in her right Earle of Warwicke They had issue Edward who was beheaded by King Henry the Seuenth and Margaret maried to Sir Richard Pole She lost her head in the one and thirtieth yeare of the raigne of King Henry the Eighth Edward Plantagenet their sonne was Earle of Warwicke He liued a prisoner from his infancie and was beheaded by King Henry the Seuenth because he sought to escape with Perkin Warbecke out of the Tower and died without issue Iohn Dudley Lord Somery Basset and Tays and Viscount Lisle was by King Edward the Sixth created Earle of Warwicke E. 6. and Duke of Northumberland But in Queene Maries daies hee lost his head Iohn Dudley his sonne died in his fathers life time but was Earle of Warwicke and had issue Ambrose Ambrose Dudley his sonne was Lord Somery Basset and Tays and Earle of Warwicke and died without issue Westmorland RAlphe Neuil Lord Neuil of Rabie Castle Standrop and Branspeth was by King Richard the Second created Earle of Westmorland Ralphe Neuil his grand-childe viz. the sonne of Sir Iohn Neuil was Lord Neuil of Rabie Standrop Branspeth Warkworth and Sherrie-hutton and was Earle of Warwicke Ralphe Neuil his Nephew by Sir Iohn Neuil his brother succeeded his vncle in all those honours Ralphe Neuil his grand-childe by Ralphe Lord Neuil his sonne enioied those Lordships and was the fourth Earle of Westmorland Henry Neuil his sonne was Lord Neuil of Rabie Standrop Branspeth Warkley Sherrie-hutton and Middleham and Earle of Westmorland Charles Neuil his sonne succeeded in all those honours and was in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth attainted of Treason by Parliament with others Wilshire R. 2. WIlliam le Scrope was an euill Counsellor to King Richard the Second and was by him created Earle of Wilshire But hee lost his head Aymer Butler the sonne and heire apparant of Iames Butler the fourth Earle of Ormond in Ireland H. 6. was by King Henry the Sixth created Earle of Wilshire He died without issue Iohn Stafford the younger sonne of Humfrey the first Duke of Buckingham was by K. Edward the Fourth created Earle of Wilshire E. 4. Edward Stafford his sonne was Earle after him and died without issue Henry Stafford of the house of Buckingham H. 8. was by King Henry the Eighth created Earle of Wilshire Thomas Bullen was by King Henry the Eighth made Viscount Bullen and Earle of Wilshire H. 8. Hee was father to Queene Anne Bullen and grandfather to Queene Elizabeth William Pawlet was by King Henry the Eighth made Lord S. Iohn of Basing E. 6. and by King Edward the Sixth he was created Earle of Wilshire and Marquesse of Winchester Iohn Lord S. Iohn his sonne enioied all those honours William Pawlet his sonne succeeded his father and was Lord S. Iohn of Basing Earle of Wilshire and Marquesse of Winchester William Pawlet his sonne is Lord S. Iohn of Basing Earle of Wilshire and Marquesse of Winchester Winchester CLyton a Saxon was at the Conquest Earle of Winchester and was banished and died without issue Saer de Quincy Lord Quincy of Groby K. Iohn was by King Iohn created Earle of Winchester Ralphe Quincy his sonne was Earle after him and died without issue male Hugh Lord le Despencer E. 2. was by King Edward the Second created Earle of Winchester and died without issue being beheaded Lewys de Burgh a Burgundian and Lord of Granthouse was by King Edward the Fourth in Parliament created Earle of Winchester E. 4. because hee had highly fauoured and releeued King Edward when he fled from the great Earle of Warwicke and from King Henry the Sixth This Earledome he afterwards surrendred to King Henry the Seuenth William Pawlet was by King Henry the eighth made Lord S. Iohn of Basing and by King Edward the Sixth Earle of Wilshire E. 6. and Marquesse of Winchester Iohn Pawlet his sonne succeeded in those honours William Pawlet succeeded and was Lord Earle and Marquesse William Pawlet his sonne is Lord S. Iohn of Basing Earle of Wilshire and Marquesse of Winchester Worcester Rufus VRsus de Abtot was by King William Rufus created Earle of Worcester Walteran de Beamount Earle of Millent in Normandie was by King Stephen created Earle of Worcester K. Steph. Thomas Percie brother to Henrie the first Earle of Northumberland R. 2. was by King Richard the Second created Earle of Worcester Hee conspired with his Nephew Henry Hotspurre against King Henry the Fourth and lost his head H. 5. Richard Beauchampe was by King Henry the Fifth created Earle of Worcester and died without issue male H. 6. Iohn Lord Tiptost was by King Henrie the Sixth created first Viscount and then Earle of Worcester but was beheaded for taking part against the said King with Edward Earle of March who was afterwards king Edward the Fourth E. 4. Edward Tiptost his sonne was by King Edward the Fourth restored to his Viscountship and to the Earledome of Worcester and died without issue H. 8. Charles Somerset Lord Herbert and Gower was by King Henrie the eighth created Earle of Worcester Henry Somerset his sonne was Lord Herbert Chepstow Ragland and Gower and was also Earle of Worcester William Somerset his sonne succeeded in all those honours Edward Somerset his sonne is Lord Herbert Chepstow Gower and Ragland and Earle of Worcester Yorke EDrick a Saxon was Earle of Yorke at the Conquest He lost his eies and died a prisoner H. 1. Robert Escouyle was by King Henry the First created Viscount of Yorke Robert Escouyle his sonne was Viscount of Yorke Edmund Plantagenet
Crowne is setled by Parliament The Scots ouerthrow and doe sley the Duke of Yorke in the b 1460 battaile of Wakefield 259 The yong Duke of York winneth the field of Queene Margaret 260 He is by the Queen ouerthrown and the King is enlarged 260 The Dukes newe Armie consisting of 49000. men the Queens new Armie consisting of 60000. men The c 1460 Queene is ouerthrown in the battaile of Towton 260 The King to winne fauour with the king of Scots deliuereth to him the Castle and the Towne of Barwike and the Duke of Yorke is crowned King 261. King EDWARD the Fourth IN Parliament hee repealeth all former Acts which attainted him and his friends of high treason 263 He is troubled by wars raised against him by Queene Margaret in which he preuaileth 265 He taketh especiall * 1462 care for the Common-weale 266 King Henrie is taken prisoner 266 The Earle of Warwick becomes his Enimie because he wronged him in the choice of his wife 267 George Duke of Clarence taketh part with Warwick against his brother King Edward 268 The a 1467 Yorkshire-men doe rebell 269 King Edward is taken prisoner and escapeth 271 The discommodities of Warre 272 A new b 1468 Rebellion in which the Rebells were ouerthrowne 273 Warwick and Clarence flie to Calice and finde bad entertainment 274 Prince Edward sonne to King Henrie the sixth marieth the second daughter of the Earle of Warwick 275 Clarence secretly revolteth to King Edward his brother 275 Warwick landeth in England where his forces doe so encrease that king Edward flieth 277 King Henrie is enlarged and by Parliament the crowne is intailed to him 277 King Edward landeth in England and breaketh his oath made to the citizens of Yorke 278 Hee and his Armie are ioyfully receiued into the citie of London 280 Hee triumpheth victoriously at Barnet field 280 The Queene Margaret leuieth another Armie and is ouerthrown in the battaile of Tewkesbury 282 King Henrie being murdered is brought open faced into S. Pauls Church 283 King Edward hath new wars in France and the Duke of Burgoine breaks promise with him 285 A peace for nine yeares is concluded for which the Duke of Burgoine is angrie with the King who cares not for it 286 The bountie of the French King to the English Armie 288 Henrie Earle of Richmond is by the Duke of Brittaine deliuered to King Edwards Ambassadours but Peter Landoys freeth him 289 The Duke of Clarence being a prisoner is murdered 290 King Edward changeth the forme of his gouernment and by executing of penall statutes he enricheth himselfe but looseth his peoples loue 290 He hath new warres with Scotland but on certaine conditions he grants him peace 291 The French King breaks all his Articles annexed to the last concluded peace wherefore King Edward leuieth a new Armie but falleth sick and dyeth 292 The Description of King Edward 297 King EDWARD the Fifth HE was a child when his father dyed 297 His Vncle Richard Duke of Glocester aimeth to haue his crown 299 He practizeth mischiefe against the Queene Mothers kindred 300 He betrayeth them and bereaueth them of their liues 301 307 The Queene Mother with her children taketh Sanctuarie 302 The Duke of Glocester is made Protector 302 By subtiltie he getteth the yong Duke of Yorke out of prison and sends the King and him to the Tower vnder pretence of greater safetie 302 Hee with the Duke of Buckingham practizeth their destruction 304 305 His villany at the Tower 306 His friend the Lord Hastings is beheaded because hee will not consent to that murder 307 Doctor Shawes flattering sermon 308 Richard Duke of Glocester is made King 309 King RICHARD the third KIng Richard by base flatterie endeuoureth to make a bad matter good 311 Doctor Morton Bishop of Ely is committed to the custodie of the Duke of Buckingham 311 King Richard is despised by the French king 312 The two young Princes by the villanous procurement of King Richard are murdred 312 The reasons which might haue disswaded him from that wickednesse are examined 313 His only sonne by death is taken from him 315 Doctor Morton by flatterie insinuateth himselfe into the inward loue and familiaritie of the Duke of Buckingham and hauing with him resolued on the destruction of king Richard hee escapeth and flyeth into Flanders from whence hee giues good intelligence of all King Richards proceedings to Henrie Earle of Richmond 315 Hee moueth him to marrie the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth which hee protesteth to doe 317 King Richard had almost gotten into his hands the Earle of Richmond but Peter Landoys freeth him 317 The Duke of Buckingham and the K. do leuie two strong Armies but the fight is deferred by a sodain floud The Welshmen forsake the Duke he flyeth he is proscribed he is betraied by his owne seruant and looseth his head 318 Peter Landoys would haue betrayed the Earle of Richmond to king Richard but hee and his doe escape hardly into France where they are comforted and aided 320 King Richard by flatterie and bribes gets King Edward the Fourth his children into his owne possession and maketh loue to his owne Neece the said Lady Elizabeth 322 His owne wife sodainly dyeth and he reviueth his incestuous sute to his said Neece who wittily protracteth that businesse 323 False newes from France makes him secure 323 The Earle of Richmond landeth in England and the King and he are with their Armies in Bosworth field 323 King Richards people cleaue not to him 324 Hee is desperate in fight but is slaine by the Earle himselfe and his body is vsed with great despight by the common people 324 325 Henrie Earle of Richmond is proclaimed and crowned King by the souldiers in the open field wher his Enimie lay dead And in the same place Hee with his whole Armie doe thanke GOD. 325 King HENRY the Seuenth KIng Henrie the Seuenth as he had sworne vniteth the two diuided houses of Lancaster Yorke by his mariage with the Lady Elizabeth King Edward the Fourth his eldest daughter 327 He causeth the Crowne to be intayled 328 He maketh Yeomen of his Guard and is thankfull to his friends 327 He repaieth the French King the Duke of Britaigne 328 He repealeth Acts of Attainders makes good lawes and granteth a generall Pardon 328 He suppresseth Rebells 329 Lambert the counterfaited Earle of Warwick by force and policie is taken 329 330 331 King Henrie the Seuenth takes part with the Duke of Britaigne against the French King 332 333 The Earle of Northumberland leuying of a Tax is slaine by the people 333 334 The Rebells flie and are punished 334 Maximilian being aided by King Henrie the Seuenth comes not forth yet King Henrie alone warreth against the French King 335 The King demaunds a Benevolence 335 He besiegeth Bullein and granteth a peace 336 Perkin Warbeck the counterfaited Duke of Yorke vexeth king Henrie 337 He is supported
as if hee onely waited for a fit oportunitie to depart Yet in the meane time king Philip his father with great care and cost prepared new Forces for his aide and shipped them for this Realme But Hugh de Burgh being a man prouident Hugh de Bergh preuaileth on the sea and truly valiant and being chiefe Master of the fiue Ports hauing fitted a strong Fleete of good Shippes and furnished them to the proofe with choice Mariners and expert men of Warre encountred them brauely vpon the Sea and with such hardie blowes so fiercely did assayle them that beeing altogether vnable to resist him they submitted themselues and all their Shippes vnto his mercie The French are absolued and doe returne This noble Exploit being thus attended by Victorie forthwith drew Prince Lewis to a milde entreatie of Peace So that being absolued by Guallo and receiuing good summes of money to further his returne he surrendred all such Forts Castles and Townes as hee had taken and with his companies sayled into France leauing his English friends who had supported his Estate and part in all these Warres to the censure of the Lawes and to end their miserable dayes with sundrie executions and strange deaths The Common-weale being now suffered to breath A Parliament and hauing found some leisure to prouide fitting medicines to cure such maladies as distempered her estate required that a Parliament might be sommoned which was graunted King Edwards lawes restored and in it the ancient Lawes of King Edward were reduced and restored to their former vigor and strength And the Grand Charter in those dayes called Magna Charta comprising sundry laws Magna Charta which were both easefull and commodious to the common people was ratified and confirmed And whereas the Wardships of the heires of such of the Kings tenants as died Warships marriages Ann. 902. Ann. 1056. seized of any lands by them holden in Knights seruice was graunted to King Edgar during their minorities and their marriages were afterwards granted to King Edward the Confessor Those lawes which a long time had lien asleepe were now reuiued and awaked and were restored to their former vse In the same Parliament also a voluntarie Taxe was frankely giuen to the King A voluntarie Taxe partly to discharge such debts as former warres had occasioned and partly to leuie new forces to be conducted by Richard the kings brother for the recouering of Poyters and of Gascoyne which of late yeers most iniuriously and with too much violence had been vsurped and taken from King Henries predecessors by the French King The Parliament being ended the said Taxe An Armie transported into Gascoyne c. with great celeritie and without contradiction by any was soone leuied so that the Kings Coffers were replenished with siluer and with gold and all requisits were carefully prouided and a gallant Armie of couragious men of warre were assembled and safely transported Richard recouereth Poyters and Gascoine With which Richard the Kings brother did almost wonders subduing where he found resistance and seizing vpon Lordships Towns Forts Castles and other defenced places quietly and without blowes where no head was made against him So that within few moneths such was his valor and good fortune he recouered both those Prouinces wholly for the king and returned with much honor into England But the kings absence from those places The French King winneth Poyters Perigot c. ministred opportunity to the French king to be vnfriendly and daily to make wars roads incursions and inuasions into those Prouinces which without colour of right he endeuored to subdue So that hee refusing no aduantage which might in any sort further his desires suddenly led a new Armie into Poyters and quickly made himselfe the Lord thereof And then he marched into Pierigot and Aluerne and other places in Guian where he did the like But king Henry sent thither another Armie A new Army transported with which his brother Richard Earle of Cornwall fought many cruell and sharpe battailes and in the most of them Fortune assisted him with good successe and all things afforded him great hopes A peace is concluded that hee should recouer whatsoeuer in his absence had been lost But in the height of all these broyles a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Richard returned safely into England The causes of dislike betwixt the K. and his Barons These troubles being thus ended and peace gladding the hearts of all such as had been tired with those warres vnkinde iealousies began to breed much hart-burning betwixt the King and his own Barons for that as they conceiued the King reposed little confidence in their faith neglected their seruice and societie and applied himselfe and his fauours wholly vnto strangers whom neither alliance nor Countrie bound to performe any dutie towards him nor would be found trustie when the hand of his bountie and liberalitie was closed vp The King reconcileth himself to his Barons And the King perceiuing their discontent entered into the secret closet of his owne breast and tooke a strict examination of his owne dealings And finding them to bee such as iustly might displease he reformed his error remoued the causes of those dislikes and louingly reconciled himselfe to his Nobles Iohn Scot Earle of Chester dieth About this time Iohn Scot Earl of Chester died without issue male hauing foure daughters heirs From them the king resumed into his own hands that Earledom and all the Territories belonging thereunto which he augmented with large additions of yearely reuennues and many Regall Priuiledges Liberties and Honours And for a recompence and by way of exchange he gaue vnto those Ladies many Honors Lordships Castles and Mannors which exceeded their owne in true value And hauing married Prince Edward Chester and Wales annexed to the Kings eldest sonnes his sonne to Elyanor sister vnto the King of Spain he gaue vnto him the Prouince of Guyan the Lordship of all Ireland and created him Earle of Chester and Prince of Wales which two later dignities he then annexed to the eldest sonnes of the Kings of this Realme The murdering of the King is attempted And not long after a Clerk dwelling in Oxford counterfeiting a kind of madnesse attempting to murther the King for which purpose in the depth of the night he crept in at the window of the Kings chamber in which most commonly hee lodged But failing of his purpose because the King lay not then there hee was taken examined confessed his villanie and by the course of law being condemned he was put to a cruell death The French King breaks the league We haue heard before that a peace was concluded between the Kings of England and of France but the French kings were alwaies secretly or openly malicious to the Kings of this Realme because they had certaine Territories and Prouinces in France which bordered on their Countries And
Counsell But because the most of them were Clergie-men they afforded no manner of redresse where at the Protector was much displeased But to requite him with more vexation and a greater trouble they caused the Lady Eleanor his wife The Protectors wife condemned for witchcraft to be accused and conuicted for conspiring of the Kings death with Witches and such like gracelesse people for which shee was inforced three times to doe publike Penance in the Citie of London and afterwards shee was committed to perpetuall Imprisonment But diuers of her condemned associates were Executed and put to sundrie kinds of death And now to returne to the French Warres King Henrie in regard of former seruices and of future hopes of the like performance Created the Lord Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsburie Iohn created Earle of Shrewsbury A worthy Captaine and sent him into Normandie with three thousand selected men for the better securing of that Duchie In which expedition hee worthily demeaned himselfe and wonne much Honour This yeare the Countesse of Coming in Guyen died without issue and her inheritance was claimed by the French King And likewise the Earle of Arminacke pretended himselfe to be her next heire A mariage offered to King Henrie And to strengthen himselfe the better to gaine his right he offered his Daughter in marriage to King Henrie with the gift of much money and with the surrendring into his hands of all such Territories and possessions within the Duchie of Aquitaine and Guyen as either by Conquest or by discent did belong vnto him The King is offered to the Earle of Arminaks daughter This offer was willingly hearkned vnto and accepted by the King who by his Ambassadors was publikly offered to the said Lady But the French King minding rather to preuent dangers before they come then to remooue them after they were hapned so suddenly inuaded the said Earles Countries and Dominions with an Armie that with small or no resistance hee quickly made himselfe the Owner of them all The King refuseth her The newes whereof so altered and changed the minde and the affections of King Henrie towards his offered Lady that he would neuer after be perswaded to hearken vnto or to thinke vpon that match The grieued compassion which forraine Princes tooke vpon the lamentable distresse of poore France because the bloud of Christians was so vnmeasurably and so vnmercifully shed in those warres incited them to mediate both these Kings to make a friendly peace which was not effected according to their endeuours and desires A truce for eighteene moneths The Earle of Suffolke solliciteth another mariage for King Henry without authority giuen to him A dishonorable match propounded and concluded Reasons why this match was disliked but a truce only was concluded for eighteene moneths In the handling whereof the Earle of Suffolke not warranted by his Commission nor making his associates acquainted with his purpose sollicited a mariage betwixt his Lord and master King Henry and the Lady Margaret cosen to the French King and daughter vnto Reyner Duke of Angeow being the titularie King of Sicilie Naples and Ierusalem With her hee made no demand for any money because her father was but poore nay which was much worse hee consented that if the said mariage might be effected King Henry should freely and frankly release vnto her father all his right and title to the said Dutchie of Angeow and to the Country of Mayne The Lords of France were quickly wonne to hearken to this motion and King Henry was glad at the heart that he should haue for his wife such a faire and fresh Lady as the Earle of Suffolke could neuer praise enough But the Protector strongly opposed himselfe against this match terming her descent to be but Titularie and vrging much the pouertie of her father and told the King that his honour and reputation would receiue many scandals if he should reiect the Earle of Arminaks daughter vnto whom with all due ceremonies he was publikely affied and also that his losse would be lamentable if he released his lawfull and iust title to the Dutchie of Angeow and to the Country of Mayne according to the Earle of Suffolkes vnaduised offer But all his reasons as friuolous were reiected and his counsell was not cared for But the King to gratifie and to please such of his Noble-men as therein enclined themselues to his humour Creation of Lords bestowed on them new Dignities and honours For Iohn Lord Holland Earle of Huntingdon was created Duke of Exeter as his father had beene Humfrey Earle of Stafford was made Duke of Buckingham Henry Earle of Warwicke was made Duke of Warwicke and the said Earle of Suffolke was created Marques of Suffolke Which Marques being very honourably accompanied with great troupes of Lords The new Marquesse fetcheth the yong Queen The King is maried Ladies and other personages of great worth and honour went richly prouided into France and according to his condition receiued the Lady Margaret from the French King and from Reyner her father and conueied her with great pompe and princely magnificence into England where within few daies after she was maried to the King and crowned Queene Now as the prefixed time for the truce drew towards an end so King Henry perceiued that this his new alliance with the French King promised him not any certaintie that it should be enlarged or that he should haue peace For in France fresh supplies were hourely prouided to reuiue the former warre and euery day offered euident demonstrations that nothing was more to be expected then blowes Wherefore to encounter those preparations with the like prouisions the King assembled his high Court of Parlament A Parliament The Marquesse of Suffolks oration His motion in which the Marques of Suffolke in a powerfull glozing and tedious Oration extolled his owne deserts aboue the skies as well in his seruice in the French warres as also in mouing and in concluding the late truce and the Kings mariage He also admonished his Highnesse and the two houses there assembled what preparations for warre were made in France and how behoouefull it was for the King to doe the like And vpon this motion proceeding from his haughtie pride and ambitious minde the whole assemblie became humble suters to his Maiestie A Record made of his acts that not only his said admonition and aduice but also all his said former seruices and doings might in most ample sort be registred among the Rolles of Parliament for the perpetuallizing of his honour and of his name which with wonderfull applause was consented vnto and shortly after he was created Duke of Suffolke He is made a Duke Yet for all this before many yeares were expired he was in the same place accused conuicted and condemned for sundrie treasons Humana caduca misprisions and offences for which he was exiled taken and without law put to death as hereafter wee shall
Normandie and Aquitaine being all lost and no warres now busying the Nobilitie of this Realme franke and free libertie was thereby giuen to the Duke of Yorke The Yorkish Conspiracie grieuously to complaine to diuers Lords of the greatest power of the manifold trecheries and treasons of the Duke of Somerset as formerly he had done And at the same time Richard Earle of Salisburie being the second sonne of Rafe Neuil Earle of Westmerland whose daughter the Duke of Yorke had maried and Richard his sonne who hauing maried Anne the sister and heire of Henry Beauchampe first Earle and afterwards Duke of Warwicke and in whose right he was created Earle were men of prime honour and of great power and for their valour and their vertues were especially obserued and regarded both of the Nobles and also of the Commons of this Kingdome but chiefly Richard the sonne Earle of Warwicke whose courtesie wisdome and true manhood had gained him much loue These two Earles among others faithfully ioined themselues and their fortunes with the Duke of Yorke and his and chiefly by their meanes and good assistance he preuailed as in the sequell of this Historie it shall appeare When the Duke of Yorke had thus strengthned himselfe with these noble and powerfull friends he caused the Duke of Somerset to be arrested of high treason in the Queens great Chamber from whence he was drawen and conueied to the Tower The Duke of Somerset is arrested for treason and shortly after in the Parliament the Duke of Yorke accused him of all those treasons which are formerly mentioned But because the King indeed fell sicke or fained himselfe for the Dukes good to be diseased The Parliament breaketh off suddenly The Duke of Somerset is enlarged and made Captaine of Calice the Parliament was suddenly adiourned and the King by many protestations faithfully promised that he should answer those accusations at some other time But within few daies after hee was not onely by the Queene set at libertie but was graced with the Kings especiall and publike fauour and was made chiefe Captaine of the Towne and Castle of Calice whereat the Nobilitie the common people grudged much and exclaimed vpon the vniust proceedings of the King and Queene The Duke of Yorke and his associates supposing that their proiect would still be crossed if they remained quiet expected faire proceedings against the Duke of Somerset by the ordinarie course of Law The Duke of Yorke leuieth an Armie resolued once againe to shew themselues with an Armie in the field and by open warre not only to reuenge themselues vpon their enemies but also to settle the Crowne vpon the Duke of Yorkes head For which purpose they raised a puissant Armie within the Marches of Wales and confidently directed their march towards the Citie of London The King meeteth him with an Armie The battaile of S. Albons The King is ouerthrowen The King and his Counsell fearing lest the Duke of Yorke and his complices would finde too many friends if they came thither met them with another Armie at S. Albons and betwixt them a doubtfull and a bloudie battaile was fought from which the Duke of Buckingham and Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and of Wilshire fled and Edmund Duke of Somerset Henry the second Earle of Northumberland Humfrey Earle of Stafford sonne and heire to the Duke of Buckingham Iohn Lord Clifford and more then eight thousand Lords Knights Gentlemen and common souldiers were slaine on the Kings part He is taken prisoner and the King himselfe was taken prisoner and brought to the Duke of Yorke The King is vsed reuerently A Parliament The Duke of Yorke is made Protector And albeit hee might then haue put him to death and by that meanes might quietly haue possessed himselfe of the Crowne yet because his rising in Armes pretended none other thing but the reforming of some great abuses in the Common-weale hee reuerenced him with all dutie brought him with great honour vnto London where he praied him to assemble his high Court of Parliament which he did by that great Counsell honorable estate the Duke of Yorke was made Protector of the Kings royall person and of his Realme The Earle of Salisburie is made Chancelor The Earle of Warwicke is made Captaine of Calice Their good gouernment the Earle of Salisburie was made Lord Chancelor of England and his sonne the Earle of Warwicke was made Captaine of Calice And thus all the regiment of the ciuill estate of this Common-weale was settled in those former two and the disposing of warlike affaires and businesse was conferred on the third In the administration of which Offices they shewed no iniustice vsed no briberie oppressed no man were indifferent to the poore and rich and ordered all things in a most commendable and praisefull fashion to the good contentment of most of the Nobilitie Gentrie and Commons of this Realme But Humfrey Duke of Buckingham who in the battaile at S. Albons had lost his eldest sonne and Henry Beauford the new Duke of Somerset who then also lost his father with reuengefull mindes and inraged spirits informed the Queene that this faire and glozing shew was vsed but as a subtill meane to set the Crowne of England vpon the Duke of Yorkes head That the Kings life and his sonnes was secretly conspired That her vnfortunate miseries approched neere vnto her And that all would bee starke naught except the subtiltie and cunning of those three Lords were wittily preuented and their haughtie and ambitious stomackes were with force and violence subdued and beaten downe Hereupon the Queene and they assembled a great Counsell at Greenwich The Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie are remoued by the Queen Aspoile on the Merchant strangers in London by the authoritie whereof the Duke of Yorke and the Earle of Salisburie were remoued from their gouernment This sudden alteration bred many broiles in the Common-weale For the English Merchants in London perceiuing that the Common-weales gouernment was vnsettled quarrelled with the Venetians and Italians who dwelt among them and by their trading in merchandizing and by their parsimonie and sparing waxed rich and depriued them of their chiefest meanes to liue Those strangers they rifled and robbed for which offence not without much trouble and difficultie the principall offenders were corrected or put to death The Frenchmen also being diuided into many warlike Fleetes landed The Frenchmen land and burne The Scots inuade They flie home robbed and burnt some Frontier Townes within this Realme And the Scots being conducted by Iames their King did much harme to the Duke of Yorkes Countries in the North. Against whom the Duke himselfe marched with a braue Armie But the Scots fearing the sequell of their vnaduised inuasion suddenly fled and returned into their owne Countrey The Queene dissembleth with the Yorkish Faction The Queene who now ruled the King and almost all other
left her sonne The Queene raiseth a new Armie and with the King began once more to leuie a strong Armie in Northumberland and in the Bishopricke of Durham whereof when the Kings reconciled enemies the Duke of Somerset Sir Ralphe Percie and some others had intelligence they treacherously slunke away and came vnto the Queenes aide Now when King Edward perceiued that neither his estate nor his succession could be established without bloud The Kings resolution he sent a gallant and a strong Fleet of ships well furnished into the Northern Seas and raising a puissant Armie hee sent the Lord Montacute with some part thereof before him and with the rest hee himselfe speedily followed after The Lord. Montacutes braue victory The said Lord boldly seeking aduentures and longing much to make himselfe famous by his valour couragiously did set vpon the Lords Hungerford and Roos and vpon Sir Ralphe Percie and their troupes These Nobles in the beginning of the fight fearing their owne shadowes quickly ran away but Sir Ralphe Percie and some others preferring an honourable death before a cowardly and a shamefull flight disdained to turne their backes The Lord Montacute setteâ—â— on the Queenes Armie fought stoutly and were slaine like valiant men of warre From this victorie the Lord Montacute with much confidence and true magnanimitie marched towards the King and Queenes Armie Exhamfâ—â—ld and met with them in Exhamshire Many prouocations he vsed to dare them to the fight whereof they seemed to take no notice whereupon he furiously pressed them in their owne Campe so that despaire depriuing them of all good hope except they fought like men they confronted their assailants with such courage that nothing for a while was more vncertaine then vnto whom the honour and victorie of that day would fall But in the end the Lord Montacute determining to enlarge his fame with the hazard of his life before King Edward should enter into the field to succour him rushed with such violence into the Kings battaile that he disordered it wholly in a moment Then blowes were exchanged with desperate resolution on both sides and either partie fought in bloud The King and Queene are ouerthrowen Great Prisoners taken But in the end the Kings Armie was discomforted and ouerthrowen and such as were vnslaine fled But in the pursuit there were taken these prisoners Henry Duke of Somerset William Taylboys who enstiled himselfe Earle of Kent the Lords Roos Molynes and Hungerford Sir Henry Neuil Sir Thomas Wentworth and Sir Richard Tunstal all which were beheaded in sundrie places A terrible execution and seuen and twentie others suffred the like executions shortly after But King Henry with fast riding escaped into Scotland so did his halfe-brother Iaspar Earle of Pembroke Sir Ralphe Grey and some others And King Edward when he came forth with his Armie and vnderstood perfectly what was done humbly thanked Almightie God and then praised the Lord Montacute and all his followers for this honourable and great victorie and with part of his Armie he sent the Earle of Warwicke and the Lords Montacute Fawconbridge An Armie sent into the North. and Scrope into Northumberland for the recouerie of such Forts and Castles as were detained and kept from him where they wonne the Castles of Alnewike and Dunstanburgh with the Castle of Bambrough in which was Captaine Sir Ralphe Grey who had formerly sworne his seruice to King Edward Him they beheaded Sir Ralphe Grey degraded and executed when they had degraded him from the honour of Knighthood by hewing off his spurs renting in peeces of his Coat of Armes and breaking his sword ouer his head The King to despight the Earle of Northumberland who fought against him dignified the Lord Montacute with his Title and gaue the Earledome of Pembroke from Iaspar Tuther vnto William Lord Harbert But within few daies after the said late Earle of Northumberland in all submissiue manner reconciled himselfe to the Kings fauour and was by him restored to his possessions and estate And lest hee should disgrace and wrong the Lord Montacute by taking from him so quickly that dignitie which so lately for his great seruice he had bestowed on him he created him Marquesse Montacute The Lord Montacute is created Marquesse Montacute and gaue him full contentment in that behalfe After this victorie was thus obtained the King bestowed many rich and princely gifts vpon his Lords and Gentlemen which serued him faithfully and valiantly in his warres and with such familiaritie and kindnesse demeaned himselfe among them that they were confidently assured of his loue Captaines and souldiers rewarded The Kings care of his Common-weale He pardoneth offenders He fortifieth Hee also shared and diuided the lands and goods of his slaine enemies among his souldiers and wonne their hearts by his great bountie He augmented some of his coines of siluer and of gold and with new stampes and inscriptions he minted others Hee published sundrie proiects and effected them for the commoditie and welfare of his people Hee pardoned such as had borne armes against him in the field or elsewhere vpon their humble submission and contrition for their offence He builded strong Forts Castles Rampiers and Bulwarkes vpon the Sea-coasts to prohibite his enemies landing within this Kingdome And on the maine land hee did the like to hinder all traiterous Rebels from collecting of new forces to do him harme And whilest King Edward was thus disposing of his affaires and ordering the businesses of the Common-weale King Henry is taken and imprisoned King Henry who in a disguised fashion for some secret purpose was trauelling towards London was taken in the North and brought vnto King Edward who committed him to a strait imprisonment within the Tower of London And when he had settled and ordered his estate and kingdome The King intendeth to mâ—rte because hee was young and lustie about the age of foure and twentie yeares hee was intreated by his Counsell and Nobilitie to consider of his succession and to take a wife whereunto he willingly gaue consent There were nominated vnto him the Ladie Margaret sister to the King of Scots and Elizabeth the sister and heire apparant to Henry King of Castile But the former of those two was thought to be vnfit because she was continually diseased and infirme The latter also was not liked because shee was not seuen yeares old But the Ladie Bona daughter to Lewys Duke of Sauoy and sister to Queene Carlot the wife of King Lewys the eleuenth of France was most of all desired And for that purpose the Kings best friend The Earle of Warwicke obtaineth the Duke of Sauoyes daughter Richard Neuil Earle of Warwicke was sent Ambassadour into France with an honourable traine where in the behalfe of the King he wonne his sute and with much ioy on all parts obtained his request But in his absence the King as hee hunted in Wich-wood neere to Stony-Stratford
came for his repose into the Lordship and Manour of Grafton where the Ladie Iaquet daughter to Peter of Luxenburgh late Earle of S. Paul and sometimes the widow of Iohn the renowned Duke of Bedford and wife to Sir Richard Wooduile Lord Ryuers then lay vpon whom there attended her daughter the faire and fresh Ladie Elizabeth the widow of Sir Iohn Grey who was slaine as hee fought for King Henry at S. Albons in the last yeare of his raigne The King in his absence marieth the Lady Elizabeth Grey This Lady was on the sudden so liked so loued so fawned and doated on by the lustie and young King that for dalliance sake hee resolued to make her his wanton play-fellow if he might But her constant modestie and amorous denials repulsing him from his vnchaste hopes he to obtaine the fruits of his desires without any further delay aduice or counsell tooke her to his wife and created the Lord Ryuers Creation of Lords her father Earle Ryuers and made him high Constable of England Her brother Anthony whom he had made Lord Anthony was by his procurement maried to the sole and only daughter and heire of Thomas Lord Scales and was in her right dignified with that honour Her sonne Sir Thomas Grey was created Marquesse Dorset and was by the Kings motion maried to the Ladie Cicilia the only daughter and heire to the Lord Bonuyle and of Harrington And though this his mariage with the Queene were pleasing for a time yet was it most vnhappie and vnfortunate in the end Euill effects of the Kings mariage For it occasioned his expulsion out of this Realme Secondly the deaths of his true friend Richard the most eminent and valorous Earle of Warwicke and of the Marquesse Montacute his brother Thirdly the slaughter and execution and the murdering of many Nobles Gentlemen and braue souldiers Fourthly the destruction of the Kings two sonnes and almost the vtter ruine and destruction of the Queenes kindred and of her bloud as hereafter in this Historie it shall appeare When the sudden newes of King Edwards hastie mariage was published in France 1464. 4 euery person whom it concerned was highly displeased at this frumpe which thereby hee gaue to his worthiest and dearest friend the Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Warwicke hateth the King and the Earle himselfe by reason thereof conceiued such an inward hatred against the King that in his heart he resolued when time should serue to depose him if he might yet notwithstanding he made faire weather He dissembleth for a time and at his returne seemed rather to make sport at his own disgrace then to take any discontented notice of it The King also who chiefly by this Earle was seated and setled in his Throne endeuoured secretly to abridge him of his authoritie and power because hee feared lest his greatnesse might doe him harme And the Earle although hee staied a while at the Court after his returne out of France yet as long as hee remained there he imagined that he stood on thornes Wherefore hee asked leaue of the King to depart vnto his Castle of Warwicke for his repose and for recreations sake But being come thither his head was busied with new proiects and all his thoughts were imployed how and by what meanes hee might subdue and depose the King The Lady Elizabeth borne And at this time was borne the Lady Elizabeth who was afterwards the wife of King Henrie the seuenth and mother vnto king Henrie the eight The King purposing to gaine the loue of forraine Princes that by meanes thereof he might with the more securitie defend himselfe against Lewis the French King A truce with the Scots who threatned to bee reuenged for the iniurie which by King Edwards marriage was done to him and to the sister of his Queene concluded a Truce for fifteene yeares with the King of Scots Notwithstanding that by the deliuerie of the Queene Margaret hee detained from him his strong Castle of Barwicke He also sent vnto Henrie King of Castiell and vnto Iohn King of Arragon many Cotshall Sheepe English sheep sent to the Kings of Castiell and of Arragon which neuer before vpon any entreatie or request they nor any other Prince could obtaine From which Sheepe such a multitude haue increased that it hath since turned to the vnspeakable preiudice and hurt of this kingdome and Common-weale The King also contrarie to the opinion and good liking of the Earle of Warwicke contracted and afterwards married his Sister the Lady Margaret vnto Charles the Duke of Burgoine The Duke of Burgoine marrieth the Kings Sister as formerly he had done two other of his Sisters to the Dukes of Exeter and of Suffolke The Earle of Warwicke who secretly thirsted for reuenge and thought the time to be long before hee had restored king Henrie the sixt to his libertie and Crowne by faire promises and insinuating perswasions wonne his two brothers the Archbishop of Yorke The Marques of Montacute was still a secret friend to king Edward and the Marques Montacute to take his part But the Marques who was exceeding hardly induced to giue his consent to so ill an intended action performed all things with an vnwilling minde which in the end turned to his owne ruine and to the destruction of his brethren The Earle likewise being right wel assured that the Kings brother George Duke of Clarence secretly enuied the King because he had preferred Anthonie the Queenes brother in marriage with the sole daughter and heire of the Lord Scales The Duke of Clarence ioyneth with the Earle of Warwicke against his brother the King and Sir Thomas Gray her Sonne in marriage with the sole daughter and heire of the Lord Bonuile and Harrington and the Lord Hastings to the sole daughter and heire of the Lord Hongerford was carelesse of his aduancement by such a match watched a fit opportunitie to complaine to the Duke of Clarence of the Kings sullen vngratefulnesse towards him Why quoth the Duke can you my Lord thinke that the King will be thankfull to his friend who is too too vnkind to his owne brethren Thinke you that friendship or good deserts can worke in him more vertuous effects then nature hath afforded him Is hee not now so highly mounted that hee vouchsafeth not to cast downe an eye vpon such as are of his owne bloud Nay who lay in his owne Mothers wombe Are not the allies and kinsfolkes of his Wife preferred by him to all Promotions Dignities Offices and good places And are not his owne brothers and his truest friends who haue fought in many assaults skirmishes and battailes to make him a Soueraigne King neglected vnrewarded and vncourteously shaken off Were my brother of Glocester of mine humour and disposition my Lord we would with your assistance and aide make him to know himselfe better and to set a difference betwixt his auncient and truely dignified Nobilitie and such
Edward Plantagenet surnamed The Blacke Prince E. 3. was by his father king Edward the Third in Parliament created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester Richard Plantagenet sonne to the blacke Prince E. 3. was by his Grandfather king Edward the Third created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester which hee enioied vntill he was King Richard the Second Henry Plantagenet the eldest sonne of king Henry the Fourth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill he was king Henry the Fifth Edward the sonne of king Henry the Sixth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and was murdered Edward the sonne and heire apparant of King Richard the third was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Arthur Tuther the eldest sonne of king Henry the Seuenth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester and died without issue Henry Tuther his brother enioied the Principalitie of Wales the Duchie of Cornwall and the Earledome of the Palatinate of Chester vntill he was king Henry the Eighth Edward Tuther the sonne of king Henry the Eighth was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill hee was King Edward the Sixth Henry Stewart the eldest sonne of King Iames the First was Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle Palatine of Chester vntill hee died without issue Charles Stewart his brother is Earle Palatine of Chester Duke of Rossay Yorke and Cornwall and Prince of Wales Cumberland Conq. RAlphe Meschynes a Norman was by the Conquerour created Earle of Cumberland and Carlile H. 8. Henry Lord Clifford Bromflet and Vessey was by King Henry the Eighth created Earle of Cumberland George Lord Clifford Bromflet and Vessey being his sonne was Earle of Cumberland and died without issue male Francis Lord Clifford his brother is Earle of Cumberland Darbie Conq. WIlliam Peuerell base sonne to the Conquerour was by him created Earle of Darbie and of Nottingham William Peuerell his sonne succeeded in those Earledomes K. Steph. Robert de Ferrers Lord of Tedburie and Earle of Ferrers and of Nottingham was also Earle of Darbie William de Ferrers succeeded his father in those honours William de Ferrers his sonne was Lord of Tedburie Chartley and Groby and Earle of Ferrers Nottingham and of Darbie Robert de Ferrers his sonne possessed his fathers dignities Hee was disherited because he sided with the Barons against King Henrie the Third Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowch-backe being Earle of Lancaster second sonne to King Henry the Third and brother to king Edward the First H. 3. was by his said father created Earle of Lecester and of Darbie Thomas Plantagenet his sonne being Earle of Lancaster Lecester Lincolne and Salisburie was by descent Earle of Darbie and died without issue Henry Plantagenet his brother was dignified with all those honours Henry Plantagenet his sonne enioying those Earledomes together with the Earledomes of Albemarle and Holdernes was by king Edward the Third created Duke of Lancaster E. 3. And his daughter and heire named Blanch was maried to Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of the same King Iohn Plantagenet surnamed Iohn of Gaunt being Duke of Lancaster Earle of Leicester Lincolne and Salisbury was also Earle of Darby Henrie Plantagenet surnamed Bullingbroke being his sonne was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford and Earle of Leicester Lincolne and of Salisbury he was likewise Earle of Darby and was king by the name of king Henrie the Fourth Thomas Stanley Lord Stanley whose Father Thomas was by king Henrie the Sixth made Lord Stanley was by king Henrie the Seuenth created Earle of Darby H. 7. Thomas Stanley his Grand-child viz. the sonne of his sonne Henrie who married Ione the daughter and heire of Iohn Lord Strange and Knoking being Lord Stanley and Strange was also Earle of Darby Edward Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking being his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Darby Henrie Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking being his sonne was Earle of Darby Ferdinando Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking being his sonne was Earle of Darby and dyed without issue Male. William Lord Stanley Strange and Knoking his brother is now Earle of Darby Deuonshire RIchard de Bruer surnamed Richard of the Heath being a Norman was by the Conqueror created Earle of Deuonshire Conq. hee dyed without issue Adela de Bruer his sister and heire Conq. was by the Conqueror created Viscountesse of Deuonshire Baldwine de Riuers being Earle of Exeter H. 2. was by King Henrie the second created Earle of Deuonshire Richard Riuers his sonne succeeded in those honors Baldwine Riuers his sonne was Earle after him and dyed without issue Richard Riuers his brother was Earle and dyed without issue William Riuers surnamed de Valentia was their Nephew and heire was after them Earle of Deuonshire Baldwine Riuers his sonne was Earle of Deuon Iohn Riuers his sonne being Earle dyed without issue Isabel Riuers surnamed de Fortibus being the Generall heire of the Earles of Deuonshire did enioy the said Earledome Shee married one who was named William de Fortibus Earle of Albemarle and Lord of Holdernes by whom shee had a plentifull issue But King Edward the Third would not permit them to enioy the said Earledome of Deuonshire Hugh Courtney Knight who was descended from the before named Earles of Deuonshire E. 3. was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Deuonshire Hugh Courtney his sonne was Earle after him Edward Courtney surnamed the Blinde who was the sonne of Edward the sonne of the last Hugh Courtney was Earle of Deuonshire Hugh Courtney his sonne was Earle of Deuonshire Thomas Courtney his sonne being Lord of Okehampt in Deuon was also Earle of Deuonshire Hee tooke part in the warres with King Henrie the sixt and being taken prisoner at the battaile of Towton in Yorkeshire he lost his head E. 4. Humfrey Stafford Esquire was by King Edward the Fourth first made Lord Stafford of Southweeke and afterward Earle of Deuonshire and because he cowardly left the field at Banbury in the ciuill warres at Bridgewater hee was beheaded by the commandement of the said King Edward Courtney Lord of Hackham being Cosen and heire to the said Thomas Courtney H. 7. was by king Henry the seuenth created Earle of Deuonshire William Courtney his sonne married the Lady Katherine one of the daughters of king Edward the Fourth and was Earle of Devonshire Henrie Courtney his sonne was Earle of Deuonshire and by his Cosen German king Henrie the Eight H. 8. hee was created Marques of Exeter but lost his head Q. Ma. Edward Courtney his sonne was by Queene Marie restored to the Earledome of Deuonshire but dyed at Padua without issue K. Ia. Charles Blunt Lord Mountioy was by King Iames the First created Earle of Deuon he dyed without issue
Dorset Conq. OSmond a Norman being by the Conquerour created Earle of Dorset dyed without issue Thomas Beauford the sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Iohn of Gaunt called all his Children by that Wife by the name of Beaufords by Katherine Swinsford his third wife was by king Richard the Second created Earle of Somerset and Marques Dorset which latter dignitie was taken from him in Parliament in An. 1. H. 4. Iohn Beauford his brother was Earle of Somerset only and was afterward by king Henrie the Fourth created Marques Dorset H 4. and by king Henrie the Sixt hee was created Duke of Somerset His daughter and heire named Margaret was married to Edmund Tuther Earle of Richmond and they two had issue king Henrie the seuenth Edmund Beauford his brother was Earle of Somerset and by king Henrie the Fifth hee was created Earle of Mortoigne in Normandie and by king Henrie the Sixt Marques Dorset H. 6. and Duke of Somerset Henrie Beauford his sonne was Earle of Mortaigne Marques Dorset and Duke of Somerset and dyed without issue Thomas Grey the sonne of Sir Iohn Grey knight and of the Lady Elizabeth his wife and widdow who was afterwards married to king Edward the Fourth E. 4. was by the same king created Marques Dorset he was also Lord of Groby Astley Bonduile and Harrington Thomas Grey succeeded his Father in those honors Henrie Grey his sonne being Lord Ferrers of Groby Lord Harrington Bonduile and Astley was after his fathers death Marques Dorset and by king Edward the Sixt he was created Duke of Suffolke and was executed in Queene Maries raigne Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst and Lord Treasuror of England was by king Iames created Earle of Dorset K. Ia. Robert Sackvile his sonne was Lord Buckhurst and Earle of Dorset Richard Sackvile his sonne is Lord Buckhurst and Earle of Dorset Essex GEoffrey de Magna Villa otherwise Mandevile K. Steph. was by king Stephen created Earle of Essex Geoffrey his sonne was Earle of Essex and dyed without issue William his brother was Earle of Essex and dyed without issue Geoffrey Fitz-Pearce otherwise Ludgarshall married Beatrice the heire of the said William Mandevile K. Ioh. and was by king Iohn created Earle of Essex shee had by him two sonnes Geoffrey and William whom at his wiues request hee named Mandeviles according to the name of their Grand-father Geoffrey Mandevile their sonne was Earle and dyed without issue William Mandevile his brother was Earle and died without issue H. 3. Humfrey Bohun was by King Henrie the Third created Earle of Essex and of Hereford Humfrey Bohun his sonne succeeded in those honors Humfrey Bohun his sonne was Earle after him Humfrey Bohun his sonne was Earle of Essex and of Hereford Iohn Bohun his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue Humfrey Bohun the sonne of William Bohun who was the sonne of the last Humfrey was Earle of Essex Hereford and Northampton and died without issue Male. And Eleanor his eldest sister was maried vnto Thomas of Woodstock one of the sonnes of king Edward the Third E. 3. Thomas of Woodstock the sixt sonne of King Edward the Third was by his father created Earle of Essex Buckingham Hereford and Northampton and by his Nephew king Richard the Second he was created Duke of Glocester and murdred in prison at Calice because he had warned the king friendly of his faults Humfrey Plantagenet his sonne succeeded in those Earledomes and dyed without issue Male. Henrie de Bargo Caro otherwise Bourchier being Earle of Ewe in Normandie who was the sonne of William Bourchier who by king Henrie the Fift was at Maunt in Normandie created Earle of Ewe was by king Edward the Fourth E. 4. created Viscount Bourchier and Earle of Essex his sonne William had issue Henrie and dyed whilest his father liued Henrie Bourchier was Viscount and Earle and died without issue H. 8. Thomas Cromwel was by King Henrie the eighth made Lord Cromwel and was by him created Earle of Essex but lost his head H. 8. William Parre was by king Henrie the eighth made Lord Parre of Kendall and Earle of Essex and by king Edward the Sixt he was made Marques of Northampton and dyed without issue Walter Deuereux Lord Ferrers of Chartly and Viscount Hereford was by Queene Elizabeth Q. Eliz. created Earle of Essex Robert Deuereux his sonne was Lord Ferrers of Chartly Viscount Hereford and Earle of Essex Robert Deuereux his sonne was restored to all his fathers honors by king Iames the First K. Ia. and now liueth Exeter Iohn Holland halfe-brother to King Richard the Second R. 2. was by him created Earle of Huntington and Duke of Exeter Hee was executed because he conspired against King Henrie the Fourth Thomas Beauford one of the sonnes of Iohn of Gaunt H. 4. by his third wife Katherine Swinford was by his brother K. Henry the Fourth created Earle of Dorset and Duke of Exeter He died without issue Iohn Holland the sonne of the aforenamed Iohn H. 6. was by King Henrie the Fifth restored to his Earledome of Huntington and by King Henrie the Sixth to his Duchie of Exeter Henry Holland his sonne was attainted when King Edward the Fourth raigned and was drowned on Calice Sands Henry Courtney Earle of Deuonshire H. 8. was by king Henrie the Eighth created Marquesse of Exeter and lost his head Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh K. Iames. was by King Iames the First created Earle of Exeter and yet liueth Glocester WIlliam Fitz-Eustace Conq. being by the Conquerour created Earle of Glocester died without issue Robert Fitz-Hamon Lord of Astreuile in Normandie Conq. was by the Conquerour created Earle of Glocester William Fitz-Hamon his sonne was Earle of Glocester Robert de Millent base sonne to king Henry the First H. 1. was by him created Earle of Glocester He died without issue H. 2. Iohn Plantagenet the sonne of king Henry the Second was by his father created Duke of Glocester But hee was afterwards King of England Geoffrey Mandeuile the last of that name Earle of Essex K. Iohn was by King Iohn created Earle of Glocester and died without issue Almericus Earle of Eureux K. Iohn was by King Iohn created Earle of Glocester and died without issue Gilbert de Clare being Earle of Hartford H. 3. was created Earle of Glocester by King Henry the Third Richard his sonne was Earle of Clare and Glocester and Hartford Gilbert de Clare his sonne had those three Earledomes Gilbert de Clare his sonne was Earle of Hartford Clare and Glocester and died without issue male E. 1. Ralphe Mounthermer who maried Ione of Acres one of the daughters of King Edward the First and who was widow to the last Gilbert de Clare was by the same King created Earle of Hartford and Glocester and died without issue E. 2. Pierce Gaueston a Gascoigne borne was by King Edward
Hastings Botreaux and Molines was by king Henrie the Eighth created Earle of Huntington H. 8. Francis Hastings his sonne succeeded in those honours Henry Hastings his sonne being Lord Hastings Hungerford Botreaux Molines and Moeles was also Earle of Huntington George Hastings his brother succeeded and died without issue Henry Hastings the sonne of Francis Hastings who was the sonne of the said George now liueth and doth enioy the said Lordships and Earledome of Huntington Kendall GAscoigne de Fois a Gascoigne borne was at Maunt in Normandie created by king Henrie the Fifth Earle of Longuile and Kendall He reuolted and became French H. 5. Iohn de Foys his sonne maried the Neece of William de la Pole Duke of Suffolke H. 6. by whose mediation he was by king Henrie the Sixth restored But he became French H. 6. Capdaw de Beuffs was by king Henry the Sixth created Earle of Kendall But he reuolted to the French King Kent WIlnotus at the Conquest being brother to King Harold was Earle of Kent But for feare he fled into Denmarke and died without issue Conq. Odo Bishop of Bayon and halfe-brother to the Conquerour was by him created Earle of Kent and he died without issue K. Steph. William de Ipre Earle of Flanders was by King Stephen created Earle of Kent and died without issue Hubert de Burgh being Lord chiefe Iustice of England was by king Henrie the Third created Earle of Kent H. 3. and died without issue male Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Edmund of Woodstocke being sonne to king Edward the First E. 2. and brother to king Edward the Second was by his brother created Earle of Kent but lost his head in the raigne of his nephew king Edward the Third R. 2. Thomas Holland halfe-brother to King Richard the Second was by him created Earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey Thomas Holland his sonne was Earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey and died without issue Edmund Holland brother to the said Thomas was Earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey and died without issue William Neuil Lord Fawconbridge a younger brother to Ralphe Neuil E. 4. the first of that Familie Earle of Westmorland was by king Edward the Fourth created Earle of Kent and died without issue male Edmund Grey Lord Grey of Ruthen was by king Edward the Fourth created Earle of Kent E. 4. Richard Grey his sonne succeeded and died without issue Reynold Grey who was descended lineally from the said Edmund Q. Eliz. was restored to the Earledome of Kent by Queene Elizabeth and died without issue Henry Grey his brother is now Earle of Kent Lancaster IOhn Plantagenet brother to king Richard the First R. 1. was by him created Earle of Lancaster Lecester and Darbie Hee was afterwards King of England Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowch-backe the second sonne of king Henry the Third was by his father created Earle of Lancaster H. 3. Lecester and Darbie He maried Blanch the Queene of Nauarre and had issue by her Thomas and Henry Thomas Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Lancaster Lecester Lincolne Salisburie and Dorset and died without issue Henry Plantagenet his brother was dignified with all those honours Henry Plantagenet his sonne enioying all those Earledomes together with the Earledomes of Albemarle and Holdernes was by king Edward the Third created Duke of Lancaster E. 3. His daughter and heire named Blanch maried Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of king Edward the Third Iohn Plantagenet surnamed Iohn of Gaunt enioied all those Earledomes and was Duke of Lancaster Henry Plantagenet his sonne surnamed Bolingbroke held all those Earledomes and was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford and was king Henry the Fourth by deposing of king Richard the Second Lecester LEofrick was Earle of Lecester when Edward the Confessor liued Algarus his sonne succeeded in that Earledome Edwin his sonne was Earle at the Conquest Robert de Beamont was created Earle of Lecester by king Henrie the First H. 1. Robert de Beamont his sonne was Earle after him Robert his sonne surnamed Blanch-Maynes was his successor Robert his sonne was Earle and died without issue Simon de Mountfort was by king Iohn created Earle of Lecester K. Iohn and was slaine at the siege of Tholouse Simon de Mountfort was Earle of Lecester He tooke king Henrie the Third prisoner in the Barons warres But the young Prince Edward set his Father at libertie and slue this Simon with many more at the battaile of Eversham and his possessions were confiscate to the king Edmund Plantagenet surnamed Crowchback second sonne to king Henrie the Third was by his Father created Earle of Lecester Lancaster c. Thomas Plantagenet his sonne succeeded and died without issue Henrie Planagenet his brother possessed all those honors Henrie Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Lecester c. and was by King Edward the Third E. 3. created Duke of Lancaster his daughter and heire named Blanch was married to Iohn of Gaunt Iohn Plantagenet surnamed Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of king Edward the Third married Blanch and was Earle of Lecester c. and Duke of Lancaster Henrie of Bullingbroke his sonne was Earle of Lecester c. and Duke of Lancaster and of Hereford and was afterwards king Henry the Fourth Robert Sutton otherwise Dudley a yonger sonne to Iohn Duke of Northumberland was by Queene Elizabeth created Earle of Lecester and dyed without any lawfull issue Lincolne MArcarus being Earle of Lincolne and Northumberland at the time of the Conquest rebelled and dyed in prison without issue Rufus William de Romara was by King William Rufus created Earle of Lincolne and died without issue Steph. Gilbert de Gaunt was in the right of Avis his wife created Earle of Lincolne and died without issue Male. Lewis Gilbert de Gaunt in the troublesome times of King Iohn was created Earle of Lincolne by the Dolphin Lewes son to the French King Ralf de Meschynes surnamed Blundevile being the sixt Earle of Chester H. 3. was by king Henrie the Third created Earle of Lincolne and of Richmond because he tooke his part against the Barons he dyed without issue Iohn Lacy Baron of Haulton was by king Henrie the Third created Earle of Lincolne Henrie Lacy the sonne of Edmund Lacy sonne to the said Iohn succeeded and was Earle of Lincolne Thomas Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund Crowchback was Earle of Lancaster Leicester Darby and Salisbury Hee married Alice the daughter and heire of Henrie Lacy and was in her right Earle of Lincolne and died without issue Iohn de la Pole the sonne of Iohn de la Pole the second of that name Duke of Suffolke was created Earle of Lincolne E. 4. by king Edward the Fourth and dyed without issue Henrie Brandon the sonne and heire apparant of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke was by his Vncle king Henrie the eighth H. 8. created Earle of Lincolne he dyed
kingdome and finding that manie inconueniences did daily presse him with much dishonor and disgrace because he intermedled not with the Temporalties of Bishoprickes when they were vacant nor with the inuesture of Bishops as his Ancestors had done and being informed That those things were inseparable incidents vnto his Crowne and that his neglect to vse them depriued him not of his Right vnto them resolued That he would not any longer forbeare to chalenge and to put in practise those things which so justly did belong vnto him Whereat Anselme the Archbishop of Canterburie was much displeased and did vtterly refuse to consecrate such new Bishops as had receiued their Inuestures from the king But Gerald then Archbishop of Yorke cheerefully performed that Ceremonie vpon the kings commaund This new quarrell transported Anselme the second time from England vnto Rome Anselme goeth to Rome the second time complaineth to Pope Pascal the second The Archbishop preuaileth where he complayned to Pope Paschal the second of those and of manie other wrongs all which were controuerted and debated with the strongest oppositions on either partie But two yeares after Anselme with the licence and fauour of the king returned and in a Synod of the Clergie holden by him in London by the Popes authoritie it was enacted That from thenceforth no Temporall man should giue Inuesture to any Bishop by the Crosse and Ring Within three yeares after Anselme died and the Temporalties of that Dignitie being seized into the kings hands The King entreth vpon the Temporalties of the Archbishop of Canterburie were for the space of fiue yeares taken receiued and conuerted to the kings vse And if at anie time as hee was often hee were entreated by the Bishops to conferre that See vpon some other his answere was That he onely kept it for a sufficient and a worthie man In the yeare of our Lord one thousand one hundred and eight hee erected the Bishopricke of Ely The Bishoprick of Ely founded in Anno 1108. and endowed it with large and honourable Possessions which wonne him much fauour with the Pope and procured him the loue of his owne Clergie Thus when the King for a few yeares had enjoyed the benefite of an happie Peace Normandie inuaded and held all Normandie subject to his owne commaund his tranquilitie and his pleasure were enuied by Lewis le Grosse then king of France who first of all procured Fulke Earle of Angeou vpon a weake pretence to seize vpon the Countrey of Mayne and then animated Baldwyne Earle of Flanders to declare against the king in Armes for the with-holding of a yearely pension of three hundred markes which the Conquerour gaue onely vnto Baldwyne the fifth Earle of Flanders during his life But the same had afterwards beene payd to his Sonne and Nephew by the courtesie of the succeeding kings because the Conquerour had beene well assisted in his Warres with England by the said Baldwyne the fifth All these made strong preparations to inuade the Kings Duchie of Normandie But the newes thereof rowsed the King from his bed of ease The King sayleth into Normandie preuaileth filled him full with Princely resolutions occasioned him to passe the Sea with an Armie of rough and tough Nobles Gentrie and common Souldiors And shortly after his landing loosing no time he set vpon the Earle of Angeou and his associates And after he had beaten him soundly on euerie side he enforced him to saue himselfe by a shamefull flight Another victorie And neere vnto the Towne of Nice which was surprized and holden by the King of France King Henrie encountred the other two This Battaile was made famous by the continuance of nine houres and was on all parts fought with such eager and manlike resolution that albeit the King of England wonne the Field and had the long chase of his flying enemies yet he boldly and truly would confesse that hee then fought not for victorie but for his life A peace is concluded At length when the heat of Anger was well quenched and when manie lay cold on the floore of death who in their life times had blowne the coales of contention betweene those foure Princes A Mariage they all were reconciled vnto peace and the King married to his eldest sonne William the daughter of the said Fulke But in their journey towards England the said young Princes Richard and Marie Countesse of Perch two others of the Kings children his Neece Lucie A great misfortune with her husband the Earle of Chesier and more than an hundred and fourescore others were vnfortunately drowned by the carelesse folly of the drunken Mariners Drunkennes This vnexpected newes being accompanied with manie millions of sorrowes and of dolefull passions much grieued the King but made him not heartlesse as most Princes would haue beene in the like case The Kings admirable patience For Wisdome had sufficiently instructed him with patience to sustaine and beare those burthens which could not by any meanes be shaken off And likewise the King was at that time affoorded but little leisure to fixe his cogitations on those mishaps because the obstinate Rebellion of the Welchmen drew him vnwillingly into a new Warre For when he saw and perceiued that though he were a King yet vrgent necessitie commaunded him to Armes and that Iustice did require him by the Sword to judge and to execute those lewd and gracelesse Malefactors The Welchmen rebell and are subdued hee marched with a strong Power into Wales when the Rebels trusting ouer-much to their owne valour which little or nothing at all helpeth in Treasonable Plots and Imployments resolued to abide the vtmost push of their fortune which yeelded to the King a speedie and a successefull end of those Warres For with little danger and as small a losse he gaue them the ouerthrow and permitted the wastfull deuouring swords of his associates to surfet vpon the carkasses of those Rebels whome neither gentle vsage nor former executions of that nature could persuade to performe those duties which good subjects doe owe vnto their Prince Then returned the King loaden with much honour Maulde the kings daughter married to the Emperour Henrie the fifth and was joyfully receiued by all his people especially by Mauld his daughter whome he forthwith sent to be married vnto the Emperour Henrie the fifth her affied husband with a princely portion of Siluer and of Gold which in the nature of a Taxe was leuied vpon the common people of their Land which he tooke for an ayde towards her marriage And the same custome Aid purfiâ—e marrier for the marriage of the eldest daughter of the Kings of this Realme hath beene and is continued vnto this day At the same time he deuised and ordered the manner and fashion of a Court in Parliament Anno 1114. The High Court of Parliament fâ—â—â—t established at Salisburie in April appointing it to consist of the three
Estates of which himselfe was the Head So that his Lawes being made by the consents of all were not disliked of anie It chaunced that about fiue yeares after the death of Anselme Ralph Bishop of Rochester The King inuesteth the Archbishop of Canterburie was by the King appointed to succeede him and notwithstanding all former Counsels Decrees Commaundements Letters and Threatenings from the Pope he receiued his Inuesture from the King Then died the Archbishop of Yorke To which See Thurston the kings Chapleine should haue beene preferred Pride But Pride hauing a more large rule and dominion in him than Lowlinesse and Humilitie hee refused to sweare obedience to the See of Canterburie which his predecessors had both sworne and performed And because the king disliking his obstinacie would not inuest him he appealed and went to Rome where by the fauor of some Cardinals Thurston inuested by the Pope The King is highly displeased Thurston preuaileth and the King yeeldeth who had the Popes Censure at their commaund he so preuailed that the Pope not onely freed him of his said obedience and subjection but also inuested him and gaue him the Pale whereat the king was extraordinarily displeased and prohibited his returne But in the end the Popes threatenings menacing nothing but Curses Suspensions Excommunications and such like he was permitted to returne and to enjoy the dignitie of his Place In the seuen and twentieth yeare of his Raigne died the Emperour Henrie the fifth not hauing anie issue by Maulde the Kings daughter and heire At which time shee being aged about foure and twentie yeares Mauld the Empresse married to Geoffrey Plantagenet and being much sued vnto by most of the greatest Princes of the Christian World the king to strengthen his Realme against the kings of France married her to Geoffrey Plantagenet the sonne and heire apparant of Fulke then Earle of Angeou By whome she had issue three sonnes Henrie who was after Stephen king Her issue Geoffrey and William This faire off-spring enriched the king with the truest endowment of good content for that as he conceiued he saw in them the setled continuance of his Line in the Crowne of this Realme An oath to maintaine the succession of the Crowne in the Kings Line And to make it the more sure within the space of fiue yeares hee tooke three solemne Oathes of his Nobilitie and greatest Officers of his kingdome That with their best aduice and with the hazard of their goods lands liues and fortune they should support and maintaine the succession of his daughter and of her heires The King surfeteth and dieth Finally when he had raigned more than fiue and thirtie yeares he surfetted on a Lamprey of which he languished a few dayes and died and was honourably buried in the Abbey of Reading which himselfe had founded This king was Wise Learned Milde Valiant and Iust beyond most of his Predecessors more enclined to Peace than vnto Warre so that hee made Warre his Champion stoutly to chalenge his Rights and to reuenge his Wrongs He neuer leuied but two Taxes vpon his People the first was to maintaine his Warres against the king of France and the second was to preferre his daughter in marriage with the Emperour He waxed rich with his owne and yet he was very liberall but he onely extended his bountie to such as merited it by their publike Seruice and hee confined his Gifts within the Limits of Thrift and of Measure He established Lawes which were profitable to such as were vertuous but sharpe vnto malefactors who did transgresse against whome he caused them to be put in execution with more Seueritie than Mercie he being persuaded that Pitie extended to such as were wicked hardened them in their sinne and too much encouraged such as nothing but correction could either terrifie or reforme To his friends he was a sure Pillar whereunto in all necessities they might boldly leane and to his enemies he was rough and stiffe vntill time presented occasion of more loue and then he was verie flexible and easie to be reconciled And as he would neuer forget good seruice done nor anie good turnes performed for him so would he seldome or neuer take rest vntill by some worthie gift or correspondent requitall he had shewed himselfe thankfull to such as deserued well He was too lasciuious in his course of life vsing manie concubines by whome he had twelue knowne bastards He erected the two Bishoprickes of Ely and of Carelyle and founded the Monasteries of Circester Reading and Shyrborne with the Priorie of Dunstable and some others all which he beautified with manie Priuiledges and Possessions answerable to their Dignities and Charge Yet did he not retaine the chiefest roome in the Clergies loue because that after the death of Anselme hee rejected the Popes Decrees to which he had formerly subjected himselfe and inuested Bishops receiued Homage of Prelates seized their Temporaltieâ—â—hen their Sees were vacant gaue no allowance to any Canons of the Church except they were ratified and confirmed by the King compounded with Priests for annuall pensions to keepe their wiues or to take them though vnto them the holy estate of Matrimonie was forbidden which pensions he enforced them to pay whether they had wiues or no. Thus in this King ended the issues males of the Conquerour and the Crowne of this Realme was deuolued to his generall Heires THE HISTORIE OF KING STEPHEN THe experience of all Ages hath made sufficient proofe Stephen vsurpeth that the eager appetite which most Men haue to gaine Wealth and Riches hath made them carelesse to performe those common Duties which doe belong to Honestie and to Right But if a Kingdome may be obtained though with the breach of a most solemne Oath no scruple is then made For the desire of Soueraignetie and to enjoy a Crowne makes men play fast and loose and to hazard the losse of their Soules by the wilfull periurious violating of their Faith This proued too true at this time For albeit that Stephen Earle of Boloigne the sonne and heire apparant of Stephen Earle of Bloys and of Adela the Conquerours Daughter was one of the chiefest The former Oath is forgotten whome king Henrie the first had obliged by manie solemne and publicke Oathes to further the succession of Mauld the Empresse being his Daughter and of her children yet when the king was dead hee finding that all the Nobles though sworne as himselfe was applyed themselues to wait vpon his pleasure he either vtterly forgot or at least he cared not for the vowes of former times but caused himselfe to be crowned king And so well was hee instructed by the former examples of his Progenitors that as they did so did hee endeuour by Wisdome and by Policie to lay a sure Foundation to his Estate And because Riches are the Synewes and the Strength of the strongest Kings Good policie hee therefore to enrich himselfe seized vpon the
Treasure of his vncle The Kings liberalitie the last deceased King Which hee closed not vp in Chests or in Bagges as idle Archers doe their Arrowes in their Quiuers when for their honest recreation they should shoote but with a large and an open hand hee bountifully disposed of them among such as eyther by Armes or by Counsell were best likely to stand him in the greatest stead He also created sundrie Noblemen and dignified manie others with the honourable Title of Knighthood whose loue by those meanes he procured And because benefits receiued doe more please the vulgar and common sort of People than Right or Reason can doe he therefore released vnto them the Dane-gelt and all other extraordinarie Burthens and Exactions whatsoeuer causing a large Charter thereof and of the mitigation of the Seueritie and Penalties of sundrie Lawes to be made and bound himselfe by a solemne Oath to keepe and to obserue the same He also renounced the future Seisures of all Ecclesiasticall Dignities and Promotions Priuiledges graunted to the Clergie when they should become vacant Hee gaue to the Church and Church-men such gracefull and profitable Priuiledges and Immunities as they would demaund And among other things he freely exempted them from the authoritie of the Temporall Magistrate for all offences whatsoeuer except the Ordinarie should bee pleased that hee should deale therewith Finally he endeuoured to doe all things justly and pleasing vnto all Castles and Fortresses erected To preuent suddaine Eruptions Rebellions and Incursions tending to the generall disturbance of the common Peace by hauing manie strong and fortified places for good defence himselfe erected manie Forts Fortresses Bulwarkes and Castles and licenced his Nobles and his Gentrie and Clergie to doe the like He gaue vnto Dauid the King of Scots and vncle to Mauld the Empresse because hee should not second her in her demaunds The Scots flattered by the King or warlike attempts the whole Prouince of Cumberland and created his eldest sonne Henrie Earle of Huntingdon Yet notwithstanding not long after in her quarrell hee entred into the Northren parts of this Kingdome The King of Scots ouerthrowne by the Archbishop of Yorke which hee tormented with fire and sword But in the end he was encountred by Thurston then Archbishop of Yorke who compelled him being pursued with vnspeakable dangers to flye into Scotland and to leaue behinde him dead vpon the ground more than tenne thousand men of his Armie In the sixt yeare of his Raigne Mauld the Empresse Mauld the Empresse landeth in England being accompanied with her base brother Robert Earle of Glocester landed with an armie in England and was quickly strengthened and emboldened in her Enterprise by the plentifull accesse of manie of the English and of Raynulph Earle of Chester with a lustie crew of bold and forward Welchmen Hereupon the King imposing no confidence in delay but Experience instructing him that aduised Expedition is the chiefest enabler of good successe leuied a strong armie and marched with good resolution against the Empresse and her Forces who greeted him with such Musicke as her warlike Troupes did gallantly present So that a cruell and a bloudie Battaile with equall hopes for manie houres was fought betweene them But at length King Stephen ouerthrowne the Kings common Souldiors striuing faintly and as cowards rather endeuouring to saue themselues by flight than manfully to defend their King did basely leaue the King who with his Nobles and Gentrie scorning to turne their backes maintained their part with as much courage as manhood could affoord King Stephen taken prisoner till in the end the King was taken and committed to the Castle of Bristoll where hee remayned a prisoner about the space of three moneths and was at the last deliuered King Stephen is set at libertie to free the Earle of Glocester who had beene taken and was imprisoned by the Queene After this victorie thus obtained the Empresse with manie honourable Triumphs and Solemnities was receiued into the Cities of Circester Oxford Winchester and London The Londoners attempt to surprize the Empresse But the Londoners desiring the Restitution of King Edwards Lawes and not obtaining their request consulted to surprize the Empresse and to deliuer her vnto the King By meanes whereof good counsell aduised her to flye which suddainely she did and came vnto Oxford Where within few dayes and vnexpectedly shee was enuironed with a strong Siege So that despaire of good successe dis-heartening her The Empresse besieged in Oxford and teaching her a readie meanes for her escape taking the benefit of the Snow which at that time lay thicke vpon the ground she with her chiefest complices apparrelling themselues in white linnen secretly issued forth A politike flight and posting with all speede towards the Sea they embarked themselues and sayled into Normandie Manie yeares together after these turmoyles this Realme enjoyed a blessed Peace And in the seuenteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne died the most valorous and hardie knight Raynulph Earle of Chester Henry Short-Mantel heire apparant to the Empresse and so did Geoffrey Plantagenet husband to the Empresse And Henrie surnamed Short-Mantle her eldest sonne tooke to wife Elianor the daughter and heire of the Earle of Poytou which Elianor not long before for neerenesse in bloud and after she had borne him two daughters was diuorced from Lewis the seuenth then King of France So that Prince Henrie was now Duke of Normandie in the right of his Mother Earle of Angeou by descent from his Father and Earle of Poytou in the right of his wife by whome not long after he also had the Earledome of Tholouse This worthie Prince by manie of his friends and valiant men of Warre who longed to haue employment in so faire a journey was incited to leuie a strong armie and to transport them into England and by their helpe and the assistance of other wel-willers to attempt the recouerie of his Right and the rather for that king Stephen and Eustace his onely sonne did now begin to warre vpon manie of those who held their Castles for the Prince his vse His strong Expectation and hope to be enthroned in this Kingdome through the fauour of diuers Lords and Commons of this Realme easily persuaded him to lend a listening eare to their whisperings So that to giue vnto them good content and to forward the attayning of his owne desires Henry Short-Mantel inuadeth England hee raysed a strong power of willing and able men of Warre Which beeing brauely conducted by noble Captaines well skilled in those Affaires arriued safely in England where King Stephen and his sonne disdained to be idle for they had prouided with an equall strength to encounter him Both armies had daily newes the one from the other they threatned much did somewhat but it was but little Yet in those Expeditions Eustace the kings sonne by misaduenture was vnfortunately drowned Prince Eustace drowned
which ouercame the king with infinite passions of sorrow and extreame griefe But it made a quiet end of this quarrell For now the king not hauing anie sonne which might succeed him was well pleased to lend a listening eare to the faire proffer of a friendly Peace The quarrell is compâ—unded ended And thereupon hee adopted Prince Henrie for his Sonne proclaymed him to bee the Heire apparant of his Crowne gaue him manie honourable and kingly Gifts assured him of his vnchangeable loue and friendship And by these meanes all Armes were cast aside and Peace triumphed hauing gotten a certaine and a sure Victorie with few blowes And the Prince with his followers returned into Normandie where they were with much honour and incredible joy receiued And the next yeare after king Stephen died King Stephen dieth The Saxons bloud restored to the Crowne of England See the descent in the Raigne of King Henrie the first when hee had raigned almost nineteene yeares and lyeth buried in the Abbey of Feuersham in Kent which himselfe had founded And by the happie Succession of this Henrie the Saxon Bloud was againe restored vnto the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE SECOND WHEN Henrie was returned into Normandie the French King fearing least Time and his Fortunes would make him too puissant and too great for his bordering Neighbours and intending to deale roughly with him before he should be the absolute Master and Commander of his owne strength very iniuriously seized vpon diuers of his Fortresses and Castles in Normandie and elsewhere which questionlesse ought to haue beene subiect to his Gouernment But Henrie being wise Henry Short-Mantels valour and courage and full of courage and heroicall Magnimitie and foreseeing that if hee should shrinke as a coward and not make himselfe knowne by his valour to the world when the wrongs which were done vnto him were too apparant raysed a faire Armie and for the regayning of one of those his Castles he girded it round about with a strong Siege And whilest he was thus employed to winne his right He sayleth speedily into England but first winneth the Castle which he had besieged the newes of King Stephens death came freshly vnto his eares And to preuent such vsurpation as oftentimes in the absence of the lawfull Kings depriueth them of their Crownes he was by his neerest and dearest friends aduised to abandon the Siege and without tarrying to transport himselfe into England But his answere was full of discretion and true valour to this effect A resolute speech The Kingdome of England quoth hee shall henceforth be at my commaund in despight of those who dare to crosse mee most And so shall these intruding Frenchmen ere I goe hence This Resolution redoubled his honour among his friends and so it did among his enemies For when the besieged were informed what he had said and determined fearing the euent if obstinately they should detaine him there too long they surrendred the Castle and submitted themselues to his mercie who receiued it and them with a fauourable and gracious acceptance And then giuing such directions as both the time and occasions did require and being accompanied with manie Lords and Gentlemen of the best and chiefest ranke he sayled with a prosperous winde into England where not long after hee was crowned King The singular zeale and loue which he bare to the furtherance of Iustice and to the execution thereof appeared manifestly by two Actions of his The King reformeth the Lawes performed the one in the beginning and the other towards the later end of his Raigne For first hee made an especiall choise of certaine men who were verie honest vpright and best learned in the Lawes of this Realme by whose industrious labours and trauailes hee refined and reformed the common Lawes making them to be more tolerable and profitable vnto his People England diuided into Circuits into which Iudges were sent to ease the people And towards the end of his dayes hee diuided his whole Kingdome into six seuerall Circuits and for the administration of Iustice and for the tryals of Causes betwixt men and men for the better ease and comfort of his Subiects hee appointed certaine Iudges twice in euerie yeare to ride and to trauaile through those Circuits which course and order is carefully continued at this day Strangers banished and the cause why Hee also banished the greatest part of Strangers who in those dayes by multitudes flocked hither and by their extraordinarie Sparing and painefull Industrie procured to themselues much Wealth and beggered such as were Natiues borne Oath-breakers banished Hee also exiled manie of the Nobles who contrarie to their publike Oathes Duties and Consciences had more than ordinarily adhered vnto King Stephen beeing fully resolued That the Cogitations of their owne Guiltinesse in that behalfe would neuer suffer them to be heartie and faithfull vnto him Hee differed much from the opinion of his last predecessor Castles politikely razed and ouerthrowne and affirmed That strong Forts and Castles erected and maintained in the Heart or Bodie of a Kingdome did rather animate great men vpon all displeasures to reuolt than in anie sort containe them within the bounds and limits of their Obedience and of their Dutie wherefore he caused them to be rased for the greater number to the ground Hee also seized into his owne hands such Territories Manors He seizeth on Crowneâ—ands formerly giuen away Lordships and Possessions as his Predecessors had eyther giuen or sold from the Crowne holding it to be the dutie of euerie Subiect to refuse the Gift or Purchase of such things as doe so immediately concerne the Honour and Maintenance of the King Nota. And the like he did in the Northren Parts where many great Men commaunding almost as they listed had wrought themselues and their Posterities into manie Honors Castles and Manors without title which in truth and in deed appertained to the King Hee also resumed into his owne hands the Prouinces of Cumberland and of Northumberland together with the Earledome of Huntingdon which Dauid the King of Scots and Henrie his sonne had receiued as a gift from King Stephen because they should not intermeddie in the furtherance of his mother Mauld the Empresse to her Right and Crowne In the thirteenth yeare of his Raigne Geoffrey the Kings yonger sonne is Duke of Britaine he married Geoffrey being one of his younger sonnes vnto Constance the daughter and heire apparant of Conaccus Duke of Britaine who died not long after and left vnto them that Duchie He also affied his younger sonne Richard vnto Adela one of the daughters of Lewis the King of France and married his daughter Mauld vnto Henrie Duke of Saxonie Mauld the Empresse dieth And about the same time the Empresse his mother died Hee loued Peace though he were passing valiant because hee found it to be pleasing and profitable Peace
the suddaine sailed into France And in the French Kings presence hee conferred with Becket oftentimes and made him this offer That if at last hee would take the said Oath againe and would subscribe the said Instrument Tripartite as himselfe and the Archbishop of Yorke had done to the other two He should then returne into England Graced with the Kings especiall fauour and that hee should enioy his place and dignitie and be in ample sort restored to all things taken from him and whereof iustly hee had beene depriued And that the like bountie should be extended to his exiled friends But he proudly answered that if the king would consent that hee might so sweare and subscribe with this exception Saluo honore Dei Salua honore Dei he then would yeeld But this exception displeased the King more then all the rest had done For then hee perceiued plainely that Becket intended thereby to expresse That those Lawes tended to the dishonour of Almightie God and that therefore hee had a purpose no longer to obey them notwithstanding he should subscribe and sweare then he should please Beckets proud resolution But Becket told him proudly and plainely That hee feared none but God and that sith those his Lawes were derogatorie to the auncient customes and priuiledges of the Church and robbed God of his honour the King in seeking to establish them should not haue his owne will whilst he liued The King failing of his purpose returned into England and not long after two Legates came to him from Rome Two Legats sent to interdict the king to interdict him from comming to the Church vntill he had in all things whatsoeuer restored Becket according to the Popes commaunds High displeasure transported the King into Normandy where he conferred againe with Becket but found him still the selfe-same man He sayleth into Normandie but finds no alteration in Becket The King is pleased that Becket shall returne into England The King would faine haue Becket dispatched And being desirous to set an end of those troubles hee gaue him way and consented to his returne and came againe into England And not long after Becket followed the King But the King muttringly repined that among all such as he had aduanced there was not one who would endeuour to rid him of so dangerous and malapert an enemie He also receiued a strange welcome of Henrie the young king who exiled him from his Court and confined him to his owne house in Canterburie because in his absence the king in his Parliament desiring that his said sonne should be crowned King the Bishop of London and three other Bishops vpon the kings commandement had performed those ceremoniall Solemnities and were suspended by Becket because they presumed so to doe without his leaue and could not be absolued by Becket although he had beene entreated therein by both those kings And within foure dayes after Becket by foure gracelesse malefactors was wickedly murdered in his owne Church Thomas Becket murdred whereof the king was accused by the Pope but he denied it vpon his oath The King accused Yet in regard of his former muttering speeches which by all conjecture hastened his end the king submitted himselfe to the Popes Censure The Kings Penance Who enjoyned him to warre three yeares in person in the Holie Land which he redeemed by erecting three Houses of Religion He was also enjoyned to goe from London to Canterburie bare-footed to visit Beckets Shryne which he did and suffered himselfe to be scourged with roddes by euerie Monke there He is whipped And thus the king had a bad end of all those Troubles THE HISTORIE OF KING RICHARD THE FIRST RICHARD the eldest sonne liuing of Henrie the second being in Normandie when his Father died succeeded in his Throne And because those Countries wanted settlement and required a longer time of his presence aboue all other things he was most carefull for the enlargement of Queene Elianor his Mother A good sonne but an euill husband who by her deceased husband was committed to strait Imprisonment because shee loathed and would not endure his lasciuious course of liuing with his wanton Rosamond but sharpely reproued him for the same And because shee was euerie way vertuous discreete and wise Queene Elianor is made Regent of England hee committed the whole Gouernment of this Realme in his absence to her care And because her owne Experience had informed her what anguish and what sorrow poore helpelesse Captiues did endure shee set at libertie all such as were imprisoned for ordinarie offences Non ignara maâ—i miseris succurâ—ete discit or for small Debts which her selfe did pay and administred the Common-weales affaires with great Moderation Integritie and Iustice vntill her sonne the king came home and was with all Solemnitie and strange Triumphs annointed and crowned king This king imitating the milde disposition of his mother and commiserating the troubles of such as were afflicted freed out of euerie Prison all such as were his Debtors A mercifull King or were enthralled for anie transgression which concerned himselfe and whome without injustice done to others he might acquite And in the whole course of his Gouernment he so prouided that Iustice with Mercie should be extended vnto all Too much honor elateth He heaped manie Honors and profitable Promotions vpon his brother Iohn whome he created Earle of Lancaster and gaue vnto him the Prouinces of Nottingham Deuonshire and Cornwall and married him to the sole and onely Daughter and Heire of the Earle of Glocester from whome he receiued the Lordship of that Countrey These great and kind fauors required that he should be thankfull But oftentimes it happeneth that as the addition of too much Oyle extinguisheth the Lampe which otherwise would burne and yeeld her light and as the ouer-abundance of too much water falling vpon a Wheele maketh it the lesse seruiceable for the vse to which it is employed So the conferring of too much Honor and of too manie Titles of Dignitie vpon such as are not capable of them all altereth and changeth their milde and gentle dispositions and maketh them altogether vnthankefull for those benefits which they haue receiued And oftentimes they are incited and prouoked thereby to affect things of higher consequence and moment than are fitting and to conjecture that the greatest fortunes are most agreeable to their Estates So that they neuer cease to attempt great things which in the end will rather be hurtfull to them than doe them anie good An vnthankfull brother This proued true betwixt the king and his brother Iohn For when the king had powred on him plentifull showers of his bountie and great abundance and had aduanced him in Honor and in Estate aboue all others his thoughts mounted aboue the Moone and made him vnnaturally and vnthankfully to affect the Crowne and to boast That his endowments were sufficient and fitting for a king And though
that quarter where the Prince serued And to saue themselues from his furie vpon his comming thither they raised their siege from the Citie of Acon The siege of Acon raised which for a long time they had continued with more then a hundred thousand men And seeing that his death could not be hastened by force and violence in the open field The Prince was villanously wounded they attempted it by poysonings and other secret villanies which tooke no effect But at length a dogged Sarazen grieuously wounded him with an enuenomed Knife yet after much paine and great danger hee escaped death But in his absence his father King Henrie died and was buried at Westminster The King dieth when he had raigned more then fiftie and six yeers whereof the Prince was quickly informed and therfore by great iournies hee safely returned with great honour into ENGLAND THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE FIRST WHEN Edward surnamed Longshankes was informed of his fathers death he made quick preparations for his returne from the Holie Land The new King returneth from the Holie Land and by great journeyes trauailed vntill he came into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and common People hee was crowned King when he was of the age of fiue and thirtie yeares Wee haue heard how when The French kings practise against King Edward and where Symon de Mountford Earle of Leicester Henrie his eldest sonne and sundrie other Barons were slaine in the last Battaile betweene them and the last King And it is true that after his ouerthrow the Ladie Elianor his daughter with manie others of his allies and kinsfolkes were sentenced to Exile and departed into France where they were courteously receiued by the French king Philip the third surnamed the Hardie whose kind entertaining of them proceeded not so much from his owne bountie and naturall disposition to Liberalitie as it did from an opinion which hee conceiued That in so doing hee should gaine the loue and good liking of manie English Lords who being discontented with the last Kings Gouernment were not well pleased with his sonne who had crossed them in most of those affaires And moreouer he knew the noble valour and courage of King Edward to be so eminent that it was now high time to craue counsell of Wisdome and of Policie how and by what meanes he might preuent him from making himselfe more great And because Reason and common Experience taught him That hee whose owne house is on fire will rather imploy his endeuours to quench that flame than to set his enemies house on fire also hee therefore practised secretly with Lluellen the most valiant Lluellen of Wales sueth to the French King to haue in marriage Elianor the exiled daughter of the late Earle of Leicester and greatest in dignitie among the Welchmen that he with those inhabitants would rebell if at anie time anie Warres were but likely to be attempted against the French Nation by King Edward And this his plot was much furthered by the exile of the aforesaid Ladie Elianor who being by reason of her misfortunes in the disposing and power of the French King was with great importunitie desired in marriage by the said Lluellen to whome vpon those conclusions and agreements especially shee was sent with honourable attendance and rich gifts She is sent towards Wales But king Edward being secretly informed both of the said purpose and of her passage towards Wales wisely preuented his owne danger and intercepted her on the Sea She is taken at Sea and detained her as his prisoner By meanes whereof Lluellen whose best Rhetoricke to persuade was by open Warre and Rebellion entred into the field with manie thousands Lluellen rebelleth who were more readie to robbe and to steale than to reclayme themselues and to be mindfull of their dutie to their Prince The King rayseth an Armie The King likewise on his part purposing to make his first voyage terrible to the Welchmen for examples sake to that fickle Nation leuied so strong an Armie that by all conjectures the Welchmen were altogether vnable to resist him And it seemed they thought so too For their chiefest Captaine and Leader partly for the loue which he bare to his longed-for Ladie and partly to preuent those fatall dangers which knocked at his dore vnexpectedly submitted himselfe to the Kings Grace Lluellen voluntarily submitteth himselfe and yeelded himselfe to be disposed of wholly and onely at the Kings pleasure and vowed and protested with manie great and solemne Oathes That his obedience should be constant Lluellen voweth and sweareth loyaltie and his sword alwaies readie to serue the King both against France and against all others in future time if he might be made happie with the Kings fauour and haue the enjoyment of his Ladie Lluellen is pardoned fauored and wiued The King whose heart was euer enclined to mercie and more desired by affabilitie to winne an enemie than to conquer him by blowes and supposing that his loue to his Mistresse would be a stronger bond to strengthen his allegeance than anie other thing freely granted him his pardon his fauour and his wife And thus those Warres which menaced the death of manie thousands were quietly ended without the effusion of anie bloud But within few yeares after Lluellen Lluellen rebelleth by the wicked persuasions and enticement of his brother Dauid a man more contentious than prouident and lesse valiant than mutinous and yet one whome the King did extraordinarily loue and fauour rebelled against the King and fought with Sir Roger Mortymer manie sharpe and aduantagious battailes Lluellen and his brother are taken and beheaded But at length Gods judgements hastening Traytors to a shamefull end both of them were taken and their heads as Trophies of the victorie were sent vnâ—â— the King who caused them to be set vpon the Tower of London for a terror vnto others and there they remained long after But notwithstanding all this yet the naturall disposition of the Welchmen so strongly preuailed and so blind they were and vnable to foresee their owne ruine The Welchmen rebell againe and againe that within few moneths after they rebelled twice and by manie slaughters and strange executions they were subdued and compelled to obey And because their Warres were rather maintained and cherished by shiftings and by startings into the huge and vast Woods which made those Rebels more disordered They are subdued and confident to saue themselues when greatest danger did approach the King caused those Woods to be hewen downe Their woods are burned and to be consumed with fire By meanes whereof they were reduced to a more ciuill kinde of life They become more ciuill and began to practise diuers commendable Occupations Arts and Sciences and tooke some pleasure from thenceforth to liue like honest men In the eighteenth yeare of King Edwards Raigne The King of Scots breaketh
and boarded her and found in her the King and Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne whome they so much desired and brought them to the Queene who presented them before the Castles view and vpon the sight of them the besieged yeelded the possession of their Fort into the Queenes hands Then were the heads of Sir Hugh Spencer the father Earle of Winchester and of Iohn Earle of Arundell whose daughter was married to the younger Spencer smitten off And the King being committed vnto honorable and safe keeping the Queene with the young Prince her sonne beeing accompanied with the Barons and a strong Armie marched towards London carrying with them Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne as a slaue before whom certaine vnworthie and base Fidlers vpon Pypes which they had made of Reedes skornfully played skipped and sung in euerie Towne which they passed through And being come to the Citie of London hee was fast bound vpon the top of an high Ladder and his priuie members and his heart being seuered from his bodie and burned his head was forthwith cut off and set vpon London Bridge A iust reward for their wickednesse Thus GODS judgements pursued those two vngodly and ambitious caitiues by whose lewd aduice and euill counsell the King forsooke the bed and companie of the Queene his wife liued wickedly made hauocke of his Nobilitie neglected his common People permitted his Enemies to his disgrace to triumph and to insult ouer him and gouerned more like a Tyrant than a King And thus those times of Trouble being now againe blessed with a happie Peace Sir Iohn of Henault and his companie are feasted and rewarded the Queene bountifully feasted and rewarded Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont and all his associates who taking leaue departed and were receiued into their Countrey with much joy and great honour And then the Queene and the young Prince to reforme such things as were amisse A Parliament and to settle a better course of Gouernment within this Land assembled an High Court of Parliament at Westminster In which the King by a generall consent was deposed The King is deposed Prince Edward crowned King and being verie honourably respected and attended he was committed to the Castle of Killingworth and Prince Edward was crowned King And not long after the King being remoued to the Castle of Corff was wickedly assayled by his Keepers who through a Horne which they did put into his fundament pierced his guts with a burning Spit and murdered him The old King is murdered when hee had raigned almost nineteene yeres THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE THIRD EDVVARD the third being of the age of fifteene yeares and crowned King whilest his deposed father liued was chiefely directed in his younger yeares by the aduice and counsell of Queene Isabell his mother and of his vncle Edmund of Woodstock Earle of Kent and of Sir Roger Mortymer Sir Roger Mortymer wickedly procured the murder of the old King which knight to interesse himselfe more especially in the Queenes loue traiterously conspired and procured the murder of the last king by the monstrous villanie and barbarous crueltie before mentioned In the second yeare of this kings Raigne Robert le Bruse the busie vsurping king of the Scots denounced Warres against him and his kingdome which occasioned the leuying of a strong Armie King Edward inuadeth Scotland which consisted of foure and fiftie thousand men with which the king himselfe being accompanied with Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont and fiue hundred Lords Knights and Gentlemen strangers his associates marched into Scotland The Scots flye into the Woods and Mountaines Where he hunted and chased his enemies from Marish to Marish from Wood to Wood from Hill to Hill and from Mountaine to Mountaine for the space of one moneth and more yet by reason of the Scots cowardise which made them to skulke and runne from place to place tyring out the English Armie The King returneth The King marrieth Philip daughter to the Earle of Henault A Parliament Persons attainted A dishonorable peace with Scotland Their tenure is released The Charter called Ragman deliuered vp A marriage with Scotland Sir Roger Mortimer created Earl of March He is too familiar with Queen Isabel He procureth the Kings vncle to be beheaded Articles against Sir Roger Mortimer The King with his whole companie not hauing performed any memorable seruice returned home and shortly after took to wife the Ladie Philip yongest daughter to William Earle of Henault his cousen german in the third degree and assembled his high Court of Parliament at Northampton in which among other passages the two deceased Spencers and Walter Stapleton the late Bishop of Exeter were attainted of high treason And then the King by the directions of his mother and of Sir Roger Mortimer concluded a dishonorable peace with the Scots and released to them their homage fealtie and seruices to him due for that Kingdome and deliuered vp to them the Grand Instrument or Charter called Ragman which vnder the hands and seales of their late King and of the Nobilitie of Scotland testified their tenure and subiection to the Kings of this Realme and then hee married his sister Iane vnto Dauid the sonne and heire apparant of Robert le Bruse the vsurping Scottish King and created Sir Roger Mortimer Earle of March whereat his Nobles were exceedingly discontent And such was this new Earles inward malice and hatred vnto the Kings vncle the Earle of Kent and so powerfull was he with the King by reason of his too much familiarity with his mother Queen Isabel that he neuer desisted from his wicked and vngodly plottings vntill he had bereaued him of his head But God permitted not this wretched man to sway long in his vngodly courses For within few moneths after he was accused by the State for these horrible and hainous crimes 1. Imprimis For that hee had wickedly plotted and procured the murther of the Kings father 2. Item For that by his false accusations and sinister counsaile he had caused the King to cut off the head of his said vncle who was truly Noble Religious valiant honest and a strong pillar to the Common-weale 3. Item For that too too familiarly he conuersed with Queene Isabel the Kings mother to her iust reproach and the dishonor of the King 4. Item for that hee receiued of the Scots a bribe of twentie thousand pounds for which he procured the Kings retreat out of Scotland and the releasement of his Signiorie and homage due for that Kingdom 5. And lastly because hee had deceitfully cousened and beguiled the King of his Wards and Treasure conuerting all to his owne vse For these his wicked Treasons and horrible transgressions Sir Roger Mortymer attainted and Executed Queene Isabel sequestred The Kings Homage for Guyan required The King would not doe Homage in such sort as it was required The French King is angrie The Kings Homage againe required It is sent
vnder the Great Seale The Nobles are offended The Kings Title to France first broched hee was condemned to die in the same manner which he had deuised for the execution of Sir Hugh Spencer the yonger And Queene Isabel being most honourably prouided for and attended on was sequestred into a strong Castle where shee liued more then thirtie yeares after and then died In the fifth yeare of King Edwards Raigne his personall appearance in kind and friendly sort was required by Philip de Valoys king of France and vncle to the yong Queen that is to say brother to Iane Countesse of Henalt who was mother to K. Edwards wife together with his Homage Fealtie for his Duchie of Guyan For the performance whereof he departed hence and was with much triumph magnificence receiued entertained feasted in France But his homage and his fealtie he would and did only confesse by words and would not doe them in such solemne and submissiue fashion as they were demanded Whereat the French King was so inwardly moued that King Edward at his departure from the French Court might well perceiue that his welcome was more respected and honoured then his going from thence Assoone as the King came home by new Embassadors his homage was againe required to be performed with all solemnitie and due rites And therupon to giue some contentment to the French King it was sent vnto him in an instrument in writing vnder the great seale Whereat the Lords and Peeres repined much affirming that the crowne of France in the right of Queene Isabel his mother did belong to him and that therefore hee might iustly haue refused to haue done vnto him any homage at all Not long after these businesses thus ended King Edward by his Embassadors required Dauid the yong King of Scots The King requireth the Castle of Barwicke to bee restored It is denyed by the King of Scots and his Homage denied also being his brother-in-law to restore vnto him his Castle of Barwick and to doe him homage for his kingdome But Dauid stoutly returned answer that his father by conquest and by his sword wonne that Castle and that he had receiued it by discent from him and therefore would hold and keep it as his owne And touching the kings demand of his homage for the kingdome of Scotland his answer was that his Father neuer acknowledged any such seruice that king Edward had released it if any had been due And that therefore he would not confesse any tenure of king Edwards crowne The King warreth in Scotland The King preuaileth Barwicke is recouered The high spirit of the King would not suffer him thus to bee slighted and shaken off for he resolued to make himselfe the Lord of both For which cause he marched with a strong Armie into Scotland and quickly subdued the better the greater part of that kingdome with small resistance And hauing fortifyed for his own vse the Castles and Townes of best defence he returned and came to Barwick where the Towne after a strong siege was by composition surrendred into his hands Edward Baylyol Crowned King of Scotland And then he crowned Sir Edward Baylyol king of Scotland and committed the gouernment of the Towne of Barwick vnto his charge and returned into England with much honour The King in person setleth the Gouernement of Scotland But before two yeares more were expired he passed againe with an armie into Scotland placed his new king in his throne and receiued his homage and reinuested diuers English Lords and gentlemen of such Lordships and Territories as by reason of the kings dishonorable peace with the Scots when he first began to raigne had been taken from them Dauid flyeth into France These disasters and aduerse fortunes which inseparably accompanied Dauid the deposed king compelled him to flie into France where after two yeares continuance his heart was cheered with faire promises and his necessities were relieued plentifully with large and ample supplies of all things needfull and conuenient He returneth with an Armie into Scotland he also obtained an Armie with which hee sailed into Scotland his hopes fairely promising that ere long he should bee a king againe But he was much deceiued For king Edward hauing certain intelligence of his of the French kings endeuours prouided effectually for the encounter Dauid is ouerthrowne by King Edward and marched into Scotland with a strong Armie where hee fought often with fortunate successe against Dauid and the French kings forces and at length by battaile obtained an honourable victorie and securing the gouernment of that kingdome according to the rules of wisdome and of policie he returned joyfully into England Robert de Arthoys comes into England In the tenth yeare of this kings raigne Philip de Valoys then king of France sentenced the Earledome of Arthoys from Robert De Arthoys vnto Maud Countesse of Burgondie Aunt to the said Robert which censure so incensed the said Earle that in his heat he vttered these wordes By me was he made a King and by me he shal be againe deposed For which offence The King requites his former kindnesse he was throughout all France proclaimed to be a traytor to the crowne so that to preserue his life hee was compelled to flie into England where in regard of his fidelitie and honourable seruice performed to Queene Isabel and to the king himselfe when they were both in France he was with all complements of kindnes and heartie loue receiued and entertained by king Edward who knowing him to be right valiant hardie wise and not forgetting to requite fauours extended to him in his distresse created him Earle of Richmond He is Created Earle of Richmond and so entirely loued him that whilest he liued he neuer attempted anie great and important matter without his counsell and aduice This noble Knight ceased not to informe the King of his Title to the Crowne of France By Queene Isabel his mother who was the daughter of Philip the Faire which appeared to stand thus Philip the Hardie had issue two sonnes Philip the Faire King Edwards title to the Crowne of France and Charles de Valoys Philip the Faire had issue three sonnes all which successiuely were Kings and died without issue Male that is to say Lewes the tenth Philip the fifth sirnamed the Long Charles the fourth He had also one daughter which was named Isabel Queene of England and married to the Kings Father named Edward the second And Charles de Valoys the second sonne of Philip the Hardie was father vnto Philip de Valoys who raigned then in France Charles de Valoys and of this Charles it is noted that he was the sonne of a King The brother of a King The vncle of a King and the father of a King that himselfe was no King According to the Lawes of France the Crowne was to descend to the Issue Male and no woman
with three hundred men at armes vnder the Banner of Sir Walter of Mannie brake forth out of the Castle and furiously rushed vpon the Frenchmen who attended for better newes But when they did perceiue that they were deceiued they resolued to acquit themselues like men and for an houre and more so they did But when manie of them were slaine the rest fled and were thus depriued both of their manie and of their hope In this conflict the King himselfe encountred hand to hand with the Lord Eustace of Rybamount Sir Eustace Lord Rybamont a right hardie and valiant knight and was by him twice stooped on his knees But skorning to yeeld to anie base conceit or froward Fortune hee aduanced himselfe so nobly A noble King and in such sort redoubled his courage and his strength that in the end he tooke the said Sir Eustace prisoner with his own hand the said Lord not knowing with whom he had so sharply contended But the King making him to know all released him without Ransome promised him future fauours and dismissed him with a Princely reward About the same time the French king Philip of Valoys died The French King dieth ANNO 24. Iohn is Crowned King of France The Kings Victorie at Sea Guyens is yeelded to the Callicians ANNO. 25 ANNO. 27 A Duke of Lancaster Created How Iohn of Gaunt became Duke of Lancaster A Combate appointed betweene the Duke of Lancaster and the Duke of Brunswicke A reconciliation The Marts for England remooued from the Flemings and his sonne was crowned King In the beginning of his Raigne hee created Sir Charles a Noble man of Spaine Earle of Angolesme because he entred into the narrow Seas on the French behalfe with a powerfull Fleet and miserably spoiled robbed and rifled the English Marchants and exposed them to much crueltie With him king Edward fought and compelled him to flie hauing lost manie of his chiefest men and two and twentie of his best ships And about the same time the Castle of Guyens was yeelded to the Kings people of Callice and in the seuen and twentieth yeare of his Raigne hee created his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke who was Earle of Darby Duke of Lancaster with whose daughter and heire the kings sonne Iohn of Gaunt afterwards married and was Duke of Lancaster in her right He also created Sir Roger Stafford Earle of Stafford The said Duke vpon some misinformation that hee should publish some disgracefull wordes of the Duke of Brunswicke was by him challenged to a single Combate before king Iohn of France whereof hee gladly accepted and at the appointed time they both being throughly fitted for that purpose entred with hautie courage into the Lists for the triall of their cause But they both of them were reconciled by the French King to the great contentment and honour of the Duke of Lancaster notwithstanding that he was an Englishman and a subject to his Enemie King Edward during the time of the aforesaid Truce had vsed all friendly meanes to reconcile the Flemmings and to draw them from the French to his owne part but finding that al his endeuours proued vaine and that no courtesie could winne them hee withdrew from them all his Marts for Marchandizing which Iaques Dartuell had procured for them Which thing in a short time became exceeding hurtfull and prejudiciall to the Flemmings And now the time of the former Truce with France being long since ended King Edward leuied a puissant Armie of his most expert and approued men of warre The Blacke Prince landeth in Gascoyne with an Armie which hee committed to the charge and Gouernment of his sonne the Noble and Valorous Prince of Wales sirnamed the Blacke Prince Who being accompanied with manie Earles Lords Knights and Gentlemen of name He preuaileth The French King lâ—uieth a huge armie departed out of England and landed in Gascoyne where hee ransacked spoiled burnt and consumed Villages Townes Cities Forts and Castles in all places as hee passed by without any resistance or defence But King Iohn of France intending to â—op this Torrent and making no doubt but that the multitude of his souldiers should giue him an easie Victorie ouer so small a Companie as the Prince conducted Ten thouâ—anâ— men only 〈◊〉 English Armie which exceeded not tenne thousand men Leuied a huge Armie which hee assembled from all places subiect to his Dominion And being accompanied with Philip his yonger sonne and with the Flower of all the Chiualrie of France He marched with great strength ANNo 30 1355. The Battaile of Poyters against the Black Prince whom he found neere vnto Poyters readily prepared in the field to receiue him The French armie was diuided into foure Battailes who as their turnes or lots came fought with much valour but with little vse of their great skill For the thicke shot of the English Archers galling vnmeasurably their great Horses was the cause that quickly they brake their order and their array which suddenly bred such a totall disturbance in the whole armie The French men are disordred that themselues as waues of water doe in a turbulent and in a tempestuous Sea ouerwhelmed each others so that such as were downe were troden to death by their owne friends who could not auoid them such as would presse forward to make good proofe of their valour were repressed by such as did retire And such as did recoyle were stopped and hindred of their purpose by those who could not choose but resist their comming backe Notwithstanding the French Kings owne Battaile which was better ordered then all the rest encountring with that Battaile of the English armie in which the Prince of Wales was performed most rare and wonderfull feates of Chiualrie King Iohn is a most valiant Prince which to the vtmost of their powers they encreased being extraordinarily animated thereunto by the matchlesse valour and fortitude of their King who like a worthie Knight for his surpassing valour and courage exceeded all his Nobles for performance of that day The Braue valour and resolution of the English But the Blacke Prince and his Battaile whom no disorder troubled striuing almost beyond the abilities of men to winne honour and to saue them selues remained vndaunted spirits And as dangers pressed forth so did they with incomparable manhood driue them backe againe making the Frenchmen know by their miserable experience that they could not so much as dreame of any flight The Blacke Prince his vow nor of yeelding but were so greedie of the best honour that nothing but Death or Victorie could content them The Prince himselfe vowed that through the helpe of Almightie God he would that day performe the part of a good Knight And to say the truth such were his vnmatchable deedes of armes so hautie was his spirit so pleasing was his example and so cheerefull were his encouragements to his whole armie that euery one among them striuing to imitate his valour
execrable and a vile oath hee swore that the Esquire should loose his head bâ—fore he himselfe would either eat any meat or drinke anie drinke The Major of London named Iohn Hadley who then attended on the King disdaining that a proud Traitor should so confront and braue the King drew forth his sword and strake him so sound on the head that he felled him to the ground and incontinently he was slaine Whereat some hope was sodenly conceiued that the rest of the Rebels would haue gone away But they being desperatly resolued to reuenge his death according to their litle skil cast themselues in some order so that now euery minute of time threatned the destruction and slaughter of manie men The Citizens of London being informed what had hapned and purposing with all speed to aide the King and to free themselues and the Câ—â—ie from ruine and from spoile sent an Armie of eight thousand men well armed and well appointed to the King all which were quickly marshalled and readie to giue the charge But first the King required the Rebels to submit themselues or else to deliuer vnto him such of his Banners and Free Pardons and Manumissions as they had gotten into their hands But so farre off were they from being sorrie or repentant for their Treasons that in a proud brauerie and in much scorne they redeliuered them all vnto the King Who caused them in their open view to be cancelled and to bee torne in peeces The doing whereof so sodainely daunted and quailed the heartes and courages of those insolent and gracelesse Rebels that when the King expected nothing but all violence to be executed by the sword they cowardly dispersed themselues and ranne away The Rebels flye euery man without any order or staying making all possible hast and shift to saue themselues And thus vanished this cloud which threatned an outragious storme of much danger and mischiefe to the King and Common-weale And the chiefest of those malefactors a thing which neuer faileth in such tumultuous rebellions were by their owne companions to insinuate grace and fauour with the King deliuered into the hands of Iustice who afterwardes The Captaines deliuered to the King by the Rebels themselues Fifteene hundred Rebels Executed with fifteene hundred more of the principall agents in this businesse were vpon due enquiries and iust conuictions according to the Law executed and put to sundrie tortures and deaths in diuers places of this Realme The King hauing thus pacified this Rebellion and Vproare ANNO. 5. King Richard marrieth married the Ladie Anne daughter to the deceased Emperour Charles the fourth and sister vnto Wenceslaus the Emperour who then raigned and was made happie through much prosperitie and peace vntill the ninth Yeare of his Gouernment ANNO. 9. 1385. A ParliameÌ„t Two of the Kings Vncles were created Dukes of Yorke and Glocester Henrie of Bullingbroke created Earle of Darby Other Earles created King Richards euill Counsellours And then hee summoned and held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster In which he created his fifth and sixth Vncles Edmund of Langly being then Earle of Cambridge Duke of Yorke and Thomas of Woodstock who was then Earle of Buckingham Duke of Glocester He also created his Cousin Henrie of Bollingbrooke sonne and heire apparant to his fourth Vncle Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Earle of Darbie and his Cousin Edward Plantagenet the sonne and heire apparant of his said Vncle Edmund of Langley he created Earle of Rutland and Sir Iohn Holland brother to the Earle of Kent was made Earle of Huntingdon and Thomas Lord Mowbray was made Earle of Nottingham The King whose affections were but greene and who was easily seduced by such as hee best loued was at this time wholy directed and counselled into manie euill and vngodly courses by his vnworthie fauourites Michael De la Pole his Chauncellor whom he created Duke of Suffolck and by Robert de Vere Earle of Oxford and Marquesse of Dublyn whom hee made Duke of Ireland Affection without reason and would haue made him King of that Countrie if his Nobilitie would haue consented thereunto In the same Parliament Roger Mortymer Proclaimed heire Apparent He caused his Cousin Sir Roger Mortimer Earle of March who was the sonne and heire of Edmund Mortimer and of Philip his wife who was the Daughter and heire of the Kings third Vncle This Sir Roger Mortimer was slaine many yeares after ANNO. 10 1386. The King neglecteth his Nobilitie and their Counsell Michaell de la Poole Robert de Vere Alexander Archbishop of Yorke Robert Tresilian The King intendeth the surprisall of the Duke of Glocester and of the Earles of Warwicke and of Arundell They come well garded to the Parliament Foure Fifteenes demanded It is denied A ParliameÌ„t may be held once a yeare In what case the Knights and Burgesses may depart The Houses of ParlameÌ„ts demands Lionel Duke of Clarence to bee proclaimed heire apparant to his Crowne But hee was long afterward slaine in Ireland by such Rebels as he endeuored to suppresse It is now to bee obserued that from henceforth the King respected not the sage aduice and counsell of his grauest and most experienced Lords and that he began careleslely to neglect the Nobilitie and his great Officers of his Kingdome and that hee did all things preposterously by the lewd and vnskilfull perswasions and directions of his two newly-created Dukes of Suffolke and of Ireland and of Alexander then Archbishop of Yorke and of Robert Tresilian his Chiefe Iustice And as they all did lead him into many erros so did they especially exasperat him without iust cause against his renowned and truly noble Vncle Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester and against the two Earles of Warwick and of Arondel which three hee intended to haue surprized at a Banquet in London if Nicholas Exton then Major of that Citie would haue consented thereunto But because his helpe then failed and the King could not at that time obtaine his purpose Hee resolued to effect it at a more solemne meeting For which cause principally He summoned his High Court of Parliament but the said three Lords vpon good information being jealous of such vnkindly entertainment repaired to the said assembly being strongly garded by a multitude of valiant men at armes by meanes whereof they secured their own libertie and the vngodly project of the King and of his wicked Counsellors came to nought Now when this long Parliament produced nothing worthie to bee noted Michael de la Pole in the Kings behalfe required a Tax of foure fifteenes affirming that a lesser gift could not support his Estate and maintaine such warres as hee was likely to vndertake But the Lords and the Lower House not only refused to yeeld vnto this motion but made a solemne declaration That as the Kings of this Realme for the better ordering and preseruing of their Estate and Kingdome might once in euery yeare assemble a
and Robert Tresilian the chiefe Iustice was hanged at Tiborne and the rest of those Iudges had beene hanged in like sort Execution if vpon the importunate and vncessant request of the Queene their liues had not beene redeemed by their banishment Banishment And thus were the threatnings of ciuil wars conuerted into some assurance of prosperitie and of peace ANNO. 12 The Scots do inuade But the next yeare following the Scots inuaded this realme and did much harme against whom great preparations were made by the King who resolued to recompence his owne damage by iust and seuere reuenge A Truce betwixt England France and Scotland for seuen yeares ANNO. 13 Iohn of Gant goeth with an Armie into Spaine But the wisdome and discretion of manie great Estates were such that a Truce was concluded to endure for three yeares betwixt England France and Scotland which shortly after was enlarged for foure yeares more So that now all matters betwixt those three Kingdomes and their Kings being blessed with tranquilitie and with peace the Kings fourth Vncle Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was suffered by the King to leuie a strong Armie which hee transported into Spaine where he demanded his right to the Kingdome of Castile in the behalfe of Constance his wife who was the eldest daughter of Peter the deposed and slaine king ANNO. 14 How his bran attempts succeeded there His two Daughters are married to the Kings of Spaine and of Portingall In those Warres the Duke and his Armie performed manie honourable seruices and with the assistance of the king of Portugale so preuailed that to conclude a sued for peace the king of Spaine married with Constance the Dukes eldest daughter by his said wife and gaue vnto him eight Waggons loaden with massie Gold and secured him and his wife of the yearely payment of ten thousand Markes during both their liues And then the Duke went into Portugale where he married Anne his yonger daughter to the king of that Countrie and then returned into England with great riches and much honour ANNO. 16 Lawes against the Popes vsurped Authoritie This time of peace betwixt England other nations bred some quarrelling betwixt the king and the Pope who vsurped too too much authoritie and iurisdiction within this Realme Wherefore to preuent such mischiefes as this intolerable sufferance mght beget in a Parliament vpon graue and great aduise it was enacted That the Popes pretended authoritie within this kingdom should cease and be determined and that no appeale for anie matter or cause whatsoeuer should from thenceforth bee made to the See of Rome vpon the penaltie of a premunire which did extend to perpetuall imprisonment and to the forfeiture of the Lands and goods of such as contrarie to that law presumed to offend ANNO. 17 In the seuenteenth yeare of king Richards Raigne his faire and vertuous Queene Anne died ANNO. 19 And about two yeares after the king married the Ladie Isabel daughter to the French king Charles the sixth By reason whereof a peace was concluded betwixt those two kings King Richard marrieth the French kings daughter A Peace for thirtie yeares Brest is yeelded vp The Duke of Glocester reprooues the King for it The death of the Duke of Glocester the Kings Vncle is plotted A Machauillian pollicie Ambition makes euill Princes confident that their Vertues doe deserue much The King intendeth the destruction of his Barrons being gulled with an vntrue report Certaine Lords surprised A ParliameÌ„t A grosse flâ—ttering Speaker The Archbishop of Canterburie is accused of Treason How the king wronged the Archbishop to endure for thirtie yeares And king Richard being too kind but too little aduised of his owne accord and free will surrendred and gaue vp to the Duke of Brittaine the strong Towne and Castle of Brest which verie much grieued and discontented his Nobilitie especially his Vncle Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester who told him plainly that it was not conuenient that without blowes with the said Duke of Brittaine hee should haue departed with that strong Towne and Castle which his ancestors had wonne with the expence of much bloud Whereat the king was so much displeased that in his heart hee causelessely vowed seuere reuenge and in this his hastie passion he was abused and furthered by such of his Fauourites as enuied the estate the vertues and honour of the Duke causing strangers to informe the king flateringly and malitiously that diuers of the Princes Electors intended to haue made him Emperor had not some others of them gainsaid it and alleadged that he was altogether vnfit to gouerne the dispersed Segniorieâ— and Dominions of the Empire who could not rule and command his owne subiects at home The greedie desire which king Richard had to bee magnified and made great by being dignified with the name and power of the Empire and his strong reliance vpon the vntrue report which was suggested vnto him by such as only endeuoured to whet his anger against his Lords armed him with subtletie and with a heartie desire to circumuent his Barons though it were done with the breach of his oath and with the shipwracke of his honour So that pretending much loue and fauour towards them but especially to the Duke of Glocester his Vncle and to the two Earles of Arondell and Warwicke hee caused them to be apprehended when as they imagined they had least cause to feare And hauing so done he assembled his High Court of Parliament In which his basest and his grossest flatterer the speaker of the Lower House named Sir Iohn Bush who was a man of a most proud insolent and aspiring spirit irreligiously profanely and dishonestly in a formall and in a tedious speech attributed vnto the King the highest titles of diuine honour and therefore condemned almost to Hell all such as traiterously had conspired against his Maiestie Among whom hee particularly impeached Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterburie sitting next vnto the King who made no answere at all thereto because the King himselfe vnder pretence of more then ordinarie loue and fauour had priuatly enioyned him vnto silence and vnto future absence from that Assembly promising and protesting that nothing should be attempted or done against him by anie meanes Yet notwithstanding for want of his presence and of his answere to the said vntrue obiections he was with the Kings consent banished this Realme He is banished Warwicke and Arundell are condemned as Traytors Arundell is beheaded Salisburie is banished and dieth miserably The Duke of Glocester murdered at Callice by Thomas Mowbray Earle of Notingham A weake parliament to grant such an vnreasonable Commission And the two Earles of Arundell and of Warwicke were also condemned of High Treason and shortly after the former of those two lost his head And so had Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke if by his humble confession of thinges vntrue and vpon his great submission steeped in teares and much
sorrow he had not procured a mitigation of his punishment For hee was confined into the I le of Wight where contrarie to the Kings promise hee endured such miserie and was so grieuously oppressed with the griefe which hee sustained by reason of his great wants that he quickly died But the good Duke of Glocester the Kings Vncle being vnsentenced was sent to Callice where according to the Kings directions Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham betwixt two feather-beds caused him to be smothered to death for which good seruice he was afterwards made a Duke This being done the King procured the Vpper and the Lower Houses of Parliament to make an example without precedent by granting full and absolute authoritie vnto six or eight such persons as he should nominate finally to determine all such causes and to enact them as then remained vndiscussed and not ended there This act not only made him proud but to serue his present turnes he nominated for that purpose such as to please his humour decreed manie thinges which were dishonourable to the King and hurtfull to the Common-weale The King will be called Prince of Cheshire The King also to please his Guard who for the most part were Cheshire men of ordinarie parentage and of base birth caused himselfe verie ridiculously to bee stiled Prince of Cheshire as if it had beene more honourable for him to be such a Prince then to be the King and Monarch of the whole Realme And to adde more strength and liking vnto those thinges which then were done amisse the King bestowed manie honorable dignities vpon some of his best liked Noble-men So that his Cousin Henrie of Bullingbrooke sonne and heire apparant to the Kings fourth Vncle Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and who was at that time Earle of Darby was by him created Duk of Hartford his Cousin Edward Plantagenet being Earle of Rutland Creation of Noblemen was created Duke of Aubemarle and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham was made Marshall of England and Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Kent was created Duke of Surrie and Sir Iohn Holland his brother being Earle of Huntington was made Duke of Exeter and the Earle of Somerset was created Marquesse Dorset and the Lord Spencer was made Earle of Glocester the Lord Neuil Earle of Westmerland the Lord William Scrope Earle of Wilshire and the Lord Percie was created Earle of Worcester and vpon all these he bestowed many great Lordships Mannors and large reuenewes which of late did belong to his murdred vncle Thomas of Woodstock sometimes Duke of Glocester and vnto the said two deceased Earles of Arundell and of Warwicke He also granted his free pardon to all offendors whatsoeuer A craftie Pardon which inabled the King to much mischiefe fifteene only excepted whom he would not nominate By which vngodly and craftie pollicie hee hedged his Nobilitie â—ound about with continuall feare and made them most seruile and most base For if anie one of them in anie high measure had offended him hee would then pronounce him to bee one of those fifteene who were excepted out of his free and generall pardon and then would put his life vpon triall for supposed and surmised Treason It happned about this time ANNO. 22 that Henrie Bullinbrooke Duke of Hartford and Cousin to the King The Kings Cousin desireth reformation in the King by his friend Tho. Mowbray Duke of Norfolke whom the King did fauour extraordinarily was much grieued daily to heare such slanderous reports as were too commonly noysed of the King partly vpon his too much libertie which beyond the Lawes hee challenged in the course of his Gouernment and partly by reason of his vniust and vnskilfull managing of the weightie affaires and businesses of his Kingdome And though affection by meanes of his neere consanguinitie with the King moued him heartily to wish for and to desire a present reformation of those euills yet could hee not better deuise how hee might effect that which hee so much craued than by making vse of his great familiaritie and acquaintance with Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke who had an extraoâ—dinarie interest in the Kings fauour Wherevpon very priuately and in great secrecie as vnto a most kind and louing friend he imparted the causes of his griefe in that behalfe vnto the said Duke and earnestly entreated him vpon fit opportunitie and at his leasure and as from himselfe seriously to informe the King of the said reports and withall to entreate his Highnesse to extend more grace and more fauour to those Lords who for his honour and the Kingdomes good had both incurred his displeasure and also were with too much extremitie condemned of High Treason But the Duke of Norfolke who more respected his owne preferment than the kings honour and strongly presumed that hee had now gotten fit meanes to advance himselfe by his friends fall related all his sayings to the King A false and an vnfaithfull friend in the rudest and most vnciuill maner which he could deuise and added manie things to his relation which were vntrue and neuer spoken thereby aggrauating an offence which was not committed and incensing the king with high indignation to vow reuenge and punishment when the Duke of Hartfords fidelitie and loyall seruice deserued great thankes and a good reward The King is angrie The Duke of Hartford answereth for himselfe The king was so much vexed and enraged by meanes of these tidinges that nothing could giue him anie contentment in anie thing vntill his Cousin the Duke had made his answere therevnto And being sharply pressed thereunto by the king Such things as in that secret and friendly manner hee had desired might bee reformed he both confessed and iustified But the vntrue suggestions which falsly and malitiously were added he denied The Combat challenged and accepted And to cleare himselfe of them hee challenged the Duke of Norfolke to a single Combate which was by him accepted and consented vnto by the king But when the appointed day was come and the two Dukes were within the Lists readily prepared and aduanced themselues each toward the other for the encounter The King would not permit them to proceed but banished the Duke of Norfolke for euer Banishment who shortly after died at Venice and his Cousin the Duke of Hartford hee exiled for six yeares King Charles the sixt Whereupon Hee sayled into France and was honourably receiued by King Charles the sixth Father to the Queene of England King Richards wife who so effectually iustified him in his said actions and doings and so highly affected his Descent his Personage his Wisdome his Vertues and his right Noble Conditions that he would haue bestowed vpon him in marriage the Daughter of his Vncle the Duke of Berrie if his Sonne-in-law King Richard by extraordinarie sollicitations and by vnusuall meanes had not beene the hinderer thereof Iohn of Gant dieth Not long after this Dukes Banishment his
Armie And King Henrie to withstand him did the like But the English Armie landing in those Countries before the French King was in a readinesse and being boldly commanded and conducted by the Lord Percie Earle of Worcester vnto Sir Thomas Knowles the King of Englands Lieutenant there The French King giueth ouer his enterprise and they hauing taken the fealtie and the homage of the Lords of those Prouinces for their obedience and alleageance vnto King Henrie caused the French King to change his mind and dishonourably to disband all such companies as hee had leuied Yet for all this King Henrie still distrusting the weakenesse of his vsurped title and endeuouring to support it with a more sure foundation entreated the French King Charles the sixt to giue in marriage his daughter Isabel sometime King Richards wife vnto his eldest sonne Henrie Marriages with France are seldome fortunate Prince of Wales But her father obseruing that marriages betwixt England and France were but seldome fortunate denied the kings request whereupon she was conueied into France with Princely attendance and great honour And not long after shee was married to her Cousin Charles the eldest sonne of Lewes Duke of Orleance her Vncle. The aforesaid Treason conspired against the king by the aforesaid Lords and the late preparations of the French King first to haue inuaded the Kingdome of England and secondly to haue wrought wonders in Aquitaine and in Guyan and the frequent speeches which euerie where were vttered touching the manner of the Kings attaining to the Crowne animated the Welchmen and the Scots to shew themselues troublesome neighbours vnto the King Owen Glendor rebelleth For in Wales Owen Glendor a bold Squire with manie hundreds of his lawlesse and vnciuill companions entred into Armes and did much harme in the Marches which bordered neere vnto them Against whom Edmund Mortimer taken and sharply imprisoned the Lord Gray of Ruthen and Edmund Mortimer who was the true and rightfull Heire of the Crowne conducted their Forces and fought with him But they both were taken Prisoners and the said Edmond was by him kept close in a darke Dungeon which was both cold and vnhealthie where hee was ouerburdened with daily wants and much miserie All which were with the greater extremitie laid vpon him because king Henrie his Cousin should bee enforced the sooner to redeeme him with a great Ransome Wherein because the King was too too slacke and negligent hee was entreated and vrged by his Lords The King would not redeeme him but especially by the distressed Earles kinsmen the Percies But vnto them all he turned the deafe eare rather desiring his destruction then holding it safe for him to set him free The Scots also inuaded the Northerne parts of this Kingdome The Scots inuade but King Henrie with a puissant Armie entred into their Countrie and reuenged his wrongs euerie where with fire and sword at his owne pleasure The king curbeth them But because the Winter was extraordinarily wet and cold hee dissolued his Armie and with great honour victoriously he returned backe But as soone as hee was gone the angrie Scots being in number twentie thousand at the least entred with barbarous crueltie into England vpon the Northumbers The Scots againe doe inuade Henrie Hotspurre ouerthroweth them His great Prisoners but were gallantly encountred by Sir Henrie Hot-spurre the sonne and heire apparant of Henrie Percie Earle of that Prouince who with tenne thousand lustie and braue men gaue the Scots such a bloudie ouerthrow that he slew of them more then tenne thousand in the field and tooke aboue fiue hundred Prisoners among whome Mordake Earle of Fyffe Archibald Earle Douglasse Thomas Earle of Murrey and Robert Earle of Angus were the chiefe The next yeare following ANNO. 1. The Frenchmen spoyled by a storme at Sea the French King sent for Wales to assist Owen Glendor in his rebellious enterprises twelue hundered Lords Knights and Gentlemen of good accompt that they might be leaders and directors to those disordered Traytors But the winds not being answerable to their desires were so contrarie at the Sea and a storme so violently encreased that twelue of their greatest shippes with all their men and furniture were swallowed into the Sea and the rest with great difficultie returned into France This misfortune so animated the English Nation The English doe deride the French that they beganne euerie where to talke of and to iest at the French King because all his warlike expeditions had still beene vnfortunate and disastrous and though they threatned much Twelue thousand Frenchmen sent into Wales yet alwayes they vanished as a cloude The report whereof so whetted and exasperated his resolutions to doe some memorable seruice that forthwith hee sent vnto the said rebelling Welchmen an armie of twelue thousand men who safely landed and ioyned with ten thousand of that Nation The King marched into Wales This Armie occasioned King Henrie to prepare soundly for his safetie For hee was well assured that if anie neglect or want of skill or of courage should giue them the least aduantage whatsoeuer then his Crowne would be shaken and manie miseries would threaten his ouerthrow Wherefore hee in his owne person marched with a strong and with a compleat Armie into Wales But assoone as the Frenchmen had certaine notice of his comming they thought it was high time for them to aduise what course to take perchance not because they were distrustfull of their owne valour and resolution but because the inconstancie of that turbulent and fickle Nation when danger did appeare affrighted them fully with feares and with doubts least they would flie into the Woods and craggie Mountaines and forsake them when they should craue the best performance of their helpe The Frenchmen flie to their ships And so strongly did this doubtfull feare possesse them that suddenly like men amazed and heartlesse they ranne vnto their ships and not hauing performed anie manner of seruice whatsoeuer disgracefully and cowardly they returned into France The King is victorious without blowes Hereupon the Welch Rebelles desperatly shifting for themselues fled euerie man his owne way so that king Henrie found those Traiterous multitudes dispersed and quite vanished and would not be fought with Wherefore hee dissolued his great armie and returned in peace without blowes The King marrieth the Dutches of Britaine The King makes great friends abroad ANNO. 3. The King requireth the Percies to deliuer to him their Scotish Prisoners They refuse it The Percies resolue to set Edmond Mortimer at libertie and to restore him to the Crown Afterwards King Henrie tooke to wife Iane the widdow of Iohn the deceased Duke of Brittaine and gaue Blanch his eldest daughter in marriage vnto William Duke of Bauier the sonne and heire apparant of the Emperor Lewes of Bauier And some few yeares after hee matched Philip his yongest daughter with the King of Denmarke For his daily
troubles and turmoiles at home gaue him aduise to make himselfe more strong by procuring of great friends abroad In the third yeare of his Raigne hee required Henrie Percie Earle of Worcester Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland and Henrie Hot-spurre his sonne to deliuer vnto him such Scottish Prisoners as they had taken in those last warres But they affirmed stoutly that by the Lawes of Armes and Chiualrie those Prisoners belonged vnto them and thereupon they refused to deliuer them vnto the King By meanes whereof some vnkindnesse grew betwixt the king and them which not long after was made apparant to the World For the Percies now beganne to resolue vpon the restoring of their inthralled Cousin Edmund Mortimer Earle of March both vnto his libertie and also to his Crowne and to depose King Henrie if by anie meanes and endeauours they could bring their purposes to passe Yet for a time they concealed their intent and making none other shew but of naturall kindnesse and friendship to the said Earle in regard of their affinitie and kindred earnestly praied the king to ransome him and to set him free They desire the King to Ransom him because he was vnfortunately taken in his seruice and was oppressed with much miserie But the king not hearkning to their sute nor indeed desiring that he should bee enlarged made answere and caused it to be proclaimed The King wil not but accuseth him that the said Earle had voluntarily caused himselfe to bee taken prisoner so that Rebels hauing him in their custodie and companie might pretend some colour therwith to varnish such Conspiracies and Treasons as secretly they had plotted and contriued against his Crowne and him and that therefore his owne safetie and his good discretion gaue him aduise and counsel not to hearken to their motion but to punish his offence The Percies hauing receiued this answere ANNO. 4. Sir Edmond Mortymer is Ransomed by the Percies and being much grieued with the said Proclamation and being resolued no longer to delay and to deferre the enlargement of the said Earle paid his Ransome to Owen Glendor and redeemed him at their owne cost and secretly entred into such a League of friendship and familiaritie with Owen Glendor Owen Glendor conspireth with the Percies that hee faithfully promised to sticke vnto them stoutly whensoeuer they would attempt the deposing of king Henrie And then the said Lords Percies being by reason of their Scottish prisoners assisted with a multitude of warlike Scots ioyned vnto their part the Earle of Stafford and Richard Scrope Archbishop of Yorke brother to the beheaded Earle of Salisburie and manie others who encreased their numbers with Englishmen and purposed to ioyne with Owen Glendor and his Welch Consorts in the deposing of the king against whom by way of accusation they framed certaine Articles which they published and sent them to him in writing to this effect Articles against King HENRIE 1. INprimis That when hee came into England from his Banishment he tooke an oath only to challenge and to recouer his inheritance and his wiues and not to intermedle with the King nor with the Crowne By reason of which oath diuers loyall and good Subiects to King Richard resorted vnto him not hauing anie treasonable intent But when he perceiued that his strength was so much encreased that he might doe what hee pleased hee wickedly brake his oath and without anie title or right procured himselfe to be made and to be crowned King 2 Item that not only as an Archtraitor hee had imprisoned his naturall and vndoubted Lord and Master King Richard but had caused him wickedly and traiterously to be murdered that with greater securitie hee might enioy his Crowne and his Kingdome 3 Item that euer since the death of King Richard hee had vniustly kept the Kingdome and the Crowne from his Cousin Edmund Mortimer Earle of March who was the sonne and heire of Philip the daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt father to the vsurping King 4 Item that when no want or need compelled him hee had imposed diuers Subsidies and taxes vpon the people to their great griefe and discontentment of which they willingly would but dared not to complaine 5 Item that no iustice could be expected at his hand because contrarie to the oath which hee tooke when hee was crowned he had by letters written and sent into sundrie Shires procured certaine Burgeships for the Parliament all which hee bestowed vpon such as would not faile to serue his turne when opportunitie did serue 6 And lastly that whereas in honour and for affinities sake hee ought to haue ransomed and redeemed his said Cousin the Earle of March from his strait and loathsome imprisonment and the rather for that hee was earnestly solicited so to doe he not only denied the said request but falsly and vntruly published and proclaimed that the Earle himselfe was of his owne accord become a voluntarie Prisoner to the end that Traitors and Rebels ioyning with him might haue somwhat wherewith they might colour such Treasons as they would conspire against him For all which causes and manie others more The Percies doe defie the King they vtterly defied him as a Traytor and as a Vsurper and as an enemie they vowed his destruction and the restoring of the said Earle to his Right The King perceiuing that nothing but strong blowes could end this strife and being persuaded The King rayseth an Armie that if hee became victorious in this Rebellion he should bereaue all his enemies of all hope to preuaile in the like attempts had leuied a strong Armie with which hee marched couragiously against those Lords hoping to meet with them before they should joyne their forces with the Welchmen and so great was his care The battaile of Shrewsburie that he failed not therein of his purpose For both their Armies met neare vnto Shrewsburie and in their first encounter the Scots gaue a braue onset vpon the King But with such hardie violence he receiued them The Scots are ouerthrowne that almost in a moment the greatest part of them were slaine Yet notwithstanding the Lords and their Armie stoutly performed their taske and fought with such admired courage and resolution that they persuaded themselues of good successe vntill the King and the martiall Prince his sonne determining by honourable death rather to be subdued 3. 1401. The Percies are ouerthrowne than to become the laughing stocks of aduerse and froward fortune redoubled their strength and valour and by their particular examples each to the other they so renewed the fight that Sir Henrie Hotspurre and some others of the principall Leaders of those companies and manie thousands more were slaine and his vncle the Earle of Worcester was taken prisoner in the field and the rest fled And so the King with the losse of sixteene hundred of his souldiours The King himselfe slew 36. Douglas is
suddaine feare to be swallowed vp betwixt the English Armie and the Towne he remoued from thence in the night leauing to the Protector who landed with his companies the day before all his Tents Ordnance Armour and Prouisions being of great worth The Protector who brought with him thither fiue and twentie thousand men entred into the Dukes Countries of Flanders and Arthois where he slew burnt ransacked and wonne rich booties at his owne pleasure And without resistance he returned vnto Callice and with such superfluities as he had gotten abundantly and plentifully he supplyed it with all things which they wanted and then hee returned into England where hee found the State much troubled For Iames the first being King of Scots forgetting quite the manifold fauors and Princely education which Rosbrough besieged by the Scots being a prisoner he found within the Kingdome of England with thirtie thousand men had for manie weekes besieged the Castle of Rosborough which was valiantly defended by Sir Ralph Grey But the Earle of Northumberland as hee was appointed prepared to giue him battaile and to remoue the Siege Whereof when notice was giuen to the Scottish Armie they remoued The Scots flye and fled with extraordinarie speede into their owne Countrey About the same time died Queene Katherine mother to the King who after her husbands death fancying more her owne pleasure and contentment than the supporting of her high and honorable estate married a goodly Gentleman named Owen Tuthar who though his meanes were but small yet was he discended from Cadwallader the last King of the Britons And by her hee had issue two sonnes halfe brothers to the King that is to say Edmund and Iaspar This Edmund was by King Henrie created Earle of Richmond and tooke to wife the Ladie Margaret sole Daughter and Heire vnto Iohn Duke of Somerset and begot on her King Henrie the seuenth And Iaspar was created Earle of Pembroke Likewise the Ladie Iaquet sister vnto the Earle of Saint Paule and Duchesse Dowager to Iohn Duke of Bedford the late Regent of France contrarie to her friends liking yet to please her selfe married a gallant Gentleman who was much inferiour to her estate named Sir Richard Wooduyle Sir Richard Wooduyle made Baron Ryuers and afterwards Earle Ryuers whome afterwards the King made Baron Ryuers and then Earle Ryuers And by him among manie other children she had issue Elizabeth who was after the wife of King Edward the fourth and was mother to the Ladie Elizabeth whome King Henrie the seuenth espoused and tooke to wife It pleased the Kings Councell of this Realme to discharge Richard Duke of Yorke of his Regencie in France The Earle of Warwike is made Regent 1437. 16 and to establish the Earle of Warwike in his place Who embarked himselfe seuen times before he could set one foot in Normandie But at last his arriuall was fortunate and happie And hauing intelligence that the Duke of Burgoine with tenne thousand men lay strongly entrenched before Crotoy hee sent the Lords Talbot and Fawconbridge Sir Thomas Kyriell and manie other valiant Captaines Crotoy is besieged with fiue thousand Englishmen to rayse that Siege But the Duke fearing with his double number to encounter with his enemies fled with his whole Armie vnto Abbeuyle From whence hee being eagerly pursued and hourely dared to make a stand and to play the man The Duke of Burgoine will not fight he posted vnto Amiens where the Englishmen who daily hunted after him found him and his companies strongly enclosed within the walls But because he played the coward and would not fight the Lord Talbot entred into Picardie and Arthois where vnresisted he wasted and consumed the whole Countrey the walled Townes Castles and Forts onely excepted and enriched all his Armie with Cattell Money Plate and many other things of great worth and value Sir Thomas Kyriels valor Sir Thomas Kyriel also surprized the Dukes Carriages and his Ordnance all which booties were brought vnto Crotoy with as much victuals as would maintaine six hundred men for one whole yeare And all the residue of those spoyles he sent to the Earle of Warwike which abundantly supplyed his great wants Periurie punished The Earle of Mortayne sonne to Edmund Duke of Somerset by violent assaults tooke the Castle of Saint Auyan in Mayne and slew therein three hundred Scots and hanged all the Frenchmen whom he found there because hauing once beene sworne to King Henrie they reuolted and became French Thus Fortune euerie day turned her Wheele making him who yesterday wonne much to day to lose all and suddainely aduancing those to great honour whome former disasters had made miserable and bare The French King winneth by trecherie not by valour But the Frenchmens Treasons and Trecheries daily betrayed more Cities Townes and Castles to the French King than either the Englishmen could hold by Policie or gaine by Strength The Dolphin rebelleth against his father And albeit that by reason thereof he comforted himselfe and prosperous successe accompanied most of his Attempts yet was he on a suddaine checked by the open Rebellion of his eldest sonne the Dolphin of Vyen Who being assisted by the Dukes of Alanson and of Burbon vsurped the Gouernment of France and by publike Edicts diuulged the insufficiencie of his Father to rule that Kingdome The Rebellion is appeased This Clowd threatened a shrewd storme and begat this Question in his Father and in his Councellors of State Whether it were better to attempt the curing of this Maladie by Ciuill Warre and by letting of Bloud or by Discretion and by Policie without blowes The later Project being entertained publike Proclamations were made in the French Kings Name by which he prohibited all his subiects vpon the paines of death to yeeld anie subiection to the Dolphins Commands and pardoned all such as by his persuasions had deuoted themselues to his seruice And moreouer sundrie Letters were written diuers Messengers were sent and manie powerfull Mediators so preuayled that the Dolphin with his confederates were quickly reconciled and joyfully receiued into the Kings fauour Whilest these vnnaturall broyles breathed fresh hopes into the English Nation that Paris might bee regayned The regayning of Paris attempted they prepared a great Armie for that purpose But by meanes of the said Reconciliation and Agreement those their designes were strangled in their birth their Armie was dissolued and beeing enforced to sayle by a smaller Compas they endeuoured to effect such things as were proportionable to their strength Ponthois surprized and to win those things which were within their reach About the same time the ground being couered with a thicke Snow which was much hardened by a suddaine Frost Iohn Lord Clifford clothing himselfe and his followers all in white passed in the night season ouer the Ditches of Ponthois which not long before was treacherously yeelded to the French King Policie the Walls they scaled entred in
them The Londoners refuse to receiue the Lord Scales and told the Lord Scales that hee was able enough without his helpe or counsell to keepe that Citie which by the King was committed vnto his charge whereat he was much displeased and went to the Tower from which hee much wronged and damnified the inhabitants of London The King to defend himselfe The King marcheth towards the Lords and to master his rebellious enemies being accompanied with the Dukes of Somerset and of Buckingham and many other Lords Knights Gentlemen and a strong Armie marched towards them And though the King himselfe for necessities sake was personally present yet his minde and cogitations were more religiously bent to his praiers and his desires affected nothing more then quietnesse and peace But the Queene whose heart was manly The Queene encourageth and threatneth and whose anger threatned death with souldier-like termes and speeches cheared vp her followers debased their enemies promised rewards if they deserued well and the seuerest of all punishments to such as fled At length neere vnto the Towne of Northampton the two Armies met the Earle of March being very frolicke The Armies doe meet The battaile of Northampton and in the heat and flower of his youth by the aduice and counsell of the Earle of Warwicke ordered his Armie for the battaile The Queene and her adherents did the like The fight quickly beganne and fiercely continued somewhat more then two houres but at length the Earles became victors The King is ouerthrowen Ten thousand men slaine Slaughter slew more then ten thousand men on the kings part among which were Humfrey Duke of Buckingham Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewesburie Thomas Lord Egremont Iohn Viscount Beamond and many others The Queene with the Duke of Somerset and diuers others Flight taking with them the young Prince fled into the Bishopricke of Durham where they hoped to raise a new Armie or resolued in default thereof to goe into Scotland and to remaine there vntill fortune and their friends should inable them to recouer what they had lost The King taken prisoner The Tower is deliuered to the Lords The King who was left behinde was taken prisoner and conueied by the Earles with great pompe and much honour vnto London and at their comming thither the Tower was deliuered into their possession by the souldiers against the liking and good will of the Lord Scales who attempted to flie from thence disguised in a Whirrie But being discouered by the Water-men he was by them taken The Lord Scales beheaded by the Water-men Tho. Thorpe taken and imprisoned The Duke of Yorke commeth into England A Parliament What the Duke of Yorke did and said in the Parliament house The Duke of Yorkes title and made shorter by the head and his body was negligently left vpon the sands And Thomas Thorpe the second Baron of the Exchequer who mortally hated the house of Yorke purposing in the habit of a Monke with a shauen Crowne to flie vnto the Queene was taken and brought to the Earle of Warwicke who sent him to the Tower where hee remained long after The Duke of Yorke being speedily informed of this victorie left Ireland and came to London and procured a Parliament to be assembled in the Kings name and in the presence of all the Lords in the Vpper House hee sate himselfe downe in the Imperiall Seat and in an eloquent and powerfull Oration hee discouered to the Nobles his rightfull claime and title to the Crowne he being the sonne and heire of Anne the daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March sonne and heire to Philip the sole daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of King Edward the Third and elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt who was father to the Vsurper King Henry the Fourth who was father to King Henry the Fifth who was father to the King who was vntruly named King Henry the Sixth Englands plagues He also related vnto them that because God blessed not his vnlawfull gouernment therefore the Common-weale of England had beene plagued with many mischiefes As first by the murdering and by the executing of many honourable and great Lords Secondly by the slaughter of thousands of the common people in France Normandie and elsewhere Thirdly by ciuill and bloudie warres at home Fourthly by the losse of all Territories beyond the Sea belonging to the Crowne of England excepting Calice and the Marches thereof Fifthly by sudden incursions made by the Frenchmen and by the Scots And lastly by all manner of violence 1460. extortion and oppression practised vpon the poorer sort And in his conclusion hee craued no fauour vnlesse that iustice gaue them warrant The title to the Crowne settled by act of Parliament nor quiet possession of the Crowne except they found his descent and title to be infallibly true When the Lords and the Commons there assembled had with mature deliberation and good aduice debated soundly of this important businesse it was by them all enacted that King Henry should so long as he liued retaine the name and honour of a King and that the Duke of Yorke should be proclaimed to be the heire apparant of the Crowne and should be the Lord Protector both of the Kings person and also of his dominions and countries and that the said Duke should haue the present possession of the Crowne of this Realme deliuered vnto him if at any time King Henry or his friends allies or fauourites in his behalfe attempted the infringing of the said Acts which were agreed and confirmed by their oathes The Duke of Yorke hauing by these meanes gotten the gouernment of the Kings person and of all his dominions into his hands The Lords in Scotland refuse to come to the Duke of Yorke dispatched his letters into Scotland in the Kings name requiring the Queene the Dukes of Somerset and of Exeter the Earle of Demonshire the Lords Clifford and Rosse and such other great men as were fled and remained in that Kingdome to repaire with all expedition to the Kings presence They come on with a great Armie But they all not onely refused to obey this peremptorie command but with an Armie of eighteene thousand Englishmen Scots they marched boldly towards the Kings Court. Whereupon the Duke of Yorke with his younger sonne the Earle of Rutland and the Earle of Salisburie leauing the King in the custodie of the Duke of Norfolke and of the Earle of Warwicke and being accompanied with no more then fiue thousand men directed his iourney towards the Queene They are encountred The battaile of Wakefield Haste made waste The Duke of Yorke ouerthrowen and slaine A blâ—udie fact and met her neere to the Towne of Wakefield where no perswasions or good aduice could preuaile but the Duke of Yorke who euery houre expected the approch of Edward Earle of March his eldest sonne with a strong Armie would forth with
in law Charles Duke of Burgoine to prohibit his subiects and his friends from giuing to the said Earle any aide Warwicke is enuied by the Duke of Burgoine helpe or succour and with a Nauie to surprise him The Duke willingly consented to the Kings request First because the said Earle opposed himselfe against his mariage with the Ladie Margaret the Kings sister Secondly because the said Earle loued Lewys the French King whom the Duke mortally hated And lastly because the Earle was so generally beloued of the English Nation that when he was at home he clipped the wings of the Kings authoritie in his owne Kingdome When the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke came before Calice Clarence and Warwicke â—eateaâ—â—â—â— at Calice The Duchesse deliuered 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 Mâ—nsieur de Vawcler made Câ—ptaine of Calice A peâ—â—iâ—n is giuen him hauing their wiues and many other Ladies and Gentlewomen with them in stead of friendly entertainment the Earles vnkinde Deputie Monsieur de Vawcler kept their ships off with the great Ordinance of the Castle And though the Duchesse was in ship boord deliuered of a sonne yet would hee not permit that it should be landed or Christned there neither would hee affoord any thing needfull and necessarie in that extremitie to the said distressed Ladie The King tooke so much ioy to heare of this good newes that forthwith by his Letters Patents hee granted the chiefe Captainship of that place to the said Deputie And the Duke of Burgoine so thanked him that he gaue him an yearely pension of one thousand Crownes Yet for all this Monsieur de Vawcler was so vncertaine in all his dealings towards the King that hee aduised the said Earle to direct his course to the King of France and promised to yeeeld vnto him a good account for Calice when time and opportunitie should it require This counsell gaue some hope and contentment to the Earle who intending to do as he directed lanched his ships into the sea The Earle of Warwicke taketh the Duke of Burgoines subiects at Sea The French King is gratious to the Lords where hee met with diuers of the Duke of Burgoines subiects fully loaden with great varietie of rich merchandises of all sorts all which he rifled and tooke away and landed at the Towne of Deepe and from thence by the French Kings inuitation they came to the Castle of Amboys which standeth vpon the riuer of Loyer where hee met them receiued them cheerefully feasted them with great bountie supplied their present wants and faithfully promised to aid and to assist them when time should serue with his best meanes all which hee did not in regard of any grounded loue towards them but because he knew that they were enemies to his enemies King Edward the Duke of Burgoine Queene Margaret and Prince Edward her son together with Iaspar sometimes Earle of Pembroke some others who with him had broken prison in England were fled into France vnderstanding that the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Warwick and others of their friends were friendly entertained in the French Court repaired to them New plotting against K. Edward where they entred into new conferences and communications for the restoring of K. Henry to his Crowne Kingdome and solemnly tooke their oathes neuer voluntarily to leaue each other vntill they had done their best to effect the same And the Earle of Warwicke to make his own part the stronger gaue his second daughter in mariage to Prince Edward Prince Edward maried to Warwickâ—s second daughter This mâ—riage mâ—keth Clarence a secret enemie to Warwicke whereof when the Duke of Clarence had deliberately considered and thought what might be the sequell of this businesse hee euidently foresaw that this mariage and their newly intended warres would be the vtter confusion of him and of the whole familie and house of Yorke For Kings doe alwaies looke with a iealous eie vpon all such as by any possibilitie may lay any leuell towards their Crowne This consideration not without good cause made him very distrustfull of his own fortunes And to preuent a great mischiefe which as hee thought began to threaten him and his estate his loue his heart began secretly to forsake the Earle of Warwicke and that Faction insomuch that hee gaue priuate intelligence to his brother King Edward Clarence his mâ—ssage to the King that at their landing within the Kingdome of England he would be but a faint and a weake enemie in those affaires Thus when those Lords had concluded to returne The Lâ—rds prâ—â—â—â— fâ—rth for England they were with all expedition well furnished with men munition money ships and all things fitting by the French King But being in a readinesse to passe out of the Riuer of Seyne the Burgundians met them with a strong Fleet at the mouth of that Riuer and purposed to defeat them if they might But an euening storme approching with vnwonted rage and furie The Burgundians drowned compelled the Burgundians to runne into the Sea where many of them were drowned some were driuen into Scotland and the rest being all dispersed laboured and toiled hardly to saue themselues The Earle of Warwicke who by letters some few daies before receiued from his friends was certified that his landing was hourely expected and sufficient strength prouided to backe him and his although they came destitute of all other helpes and succours determined to loose no time but making a present benefit to himselfe and his of the Burgundians mishap and hard fortune and leauing the Queene and the Prince her sonne behinde him the next morning entred into the Sea and with much speed and safetie he landed with all his companies and friends at Dartmouth in Deuonshire The Lords doe land at Dartmouth The King was too secure from whence hee gaue speedie notice of his arriuall to his dearest and nearest friends The King so much relied vpon the bold seruice intended by the Burgundians Fleet and not knowing what shipwracke and dammage it had receiued made no preparation at all either to withstand their arriuall or to encounter them after they were landed but hauked hunted and solaced himselfe according to his humour and wonted fashion in the societie and companie of young Ladies and faire maidens to whom his affections were more obliged then to the warres Warwickes Proclamation But the Earle of Warwicke marshalled his small companie in good order and by publike Proclamations which he made in King Henries name he required all men to repaire vnto his aide with money victuall armour and all things needfull for that purpose and valiantly to fight against the Duke of Yorke who as hee affirmed by meere vsurpation and bloudie tyrannie vntruly and falsly called himselfe King He hath a â—uge Armie This politicke practise within few daies increased his small companies to a huge Armie with which they marched towards London And such were the quicke
Burgoine he with all celeritie and speed possible hasted to King Edward and in his melancholie mood he told him His obiections that it was in a high measure dishonourable for him to returne into England not hauing burnt in France one poore cottage nor hauing slaine as much as a flie with his whole Armie He told him also that his Ancestors King Edward the Third and King Henry the fifth neuer passed into France to demand their right but that they obtained and won it victoriously with their swords and swore that King Edward had lost more glorie and honour by his infamous peace made with France then he had won by all his victories in nine battailes which he had fought and that he himselfe so scorned the French Kings malice and his power that he would and did absolutely refuse to be included in the said dishonourable league vntill six moneths were fully ended after King Edwards Armie was landed againe in England The King seeing the vnfaithfull Duke so angrie The Kings answere made him this replie That King Edward the Third and King Henry the Fifth entred into France with their Armies of their owne accord to gaine their inheritance and not otherwise nor for any other purpose which they performed with true valour and wisdome And that hee himselfe would neuer haue departed out of that Kingdome vntill he had done the like if hee had come thither in that manner of his owne accord But quoth hee I vndertooke this iourney vpon your request for your aide and to assist you and your Territories by plucking downe the pride of France and the claime which I made to that kingdome was at this time only published to giue mee some colour to helpe you And albeit you vaunt much of your owne strength and doe seeme little to regard the French King and his anger yet me thinkes you cannot well forget how by his strength and power he hath wonne from you the faire Citie of Amyens and the strong pile of S. Quintens and other Castles and Townes within your dominions which notwithstanding all your crakes and brags you neither dare to attempt nor can againe winne You know likewise that your selfe and mine Vncle of Luxenburgh to traine mee into France promised to mee mountaines of gold but they quickly changed into snow and are now dissolued into water If your faith your offers and your promises had beene honestly performed I would sooner haue lost my life and haue aduentured for you my Crowne and Kingdome rather then I would haue beene found vnfaithfull or vnthankfull to you But if any thing be amisse you your selues haue beene the occasioners thereof and therefore you may thanke none others And so farewell Hereupon the angrie Duke in a pelting chafe tooke his horse and rode away And from that time forward they neither loued nor saw one another The French Kings bountie to the English Armie After the aforesaid Articles were concluded and sealed and a little before the enteruiew betweene the two Kings the French King of his owne bountie sent into the English Armie one hundred Wagons loaden with the best wines which he could procure and licenced the souldiers for the space of three or foure daies to disport and recreate themselues within the Citie of Amyens and at their comming thither they found many Tables thorowout both sides of the streets richly and plentifully furnished with great store of costly dishes both of flesh and fish and many Gallants and Bon-companions of purpose were chosen to make them mirth and to attend them so that nine thousand English armed men were within the same Citie at one time But when the French King was informed how great a number of them were within the walles of so strong a Towne hee reproued and condemned his owne kindnesse and feared lest hee might loose it by reason of his great loue and by that meanes might occasion more iarres betwixt England and his Kingdome of France But the Englishmen disdaining to be found false or vnthankfull merily passed away the time with the Frenchmen and hauing sufficiently solaced and refreshed themselues they departed out of the Citie and quietly returned to their owne Campe. And the French King being well pleased with this their honest and plaine dealing The French Kings bountie to the English Captaines The King arriueth in England sent vnto the English Captaines rich presents in plate and in coined siluer and gold And then King Edward with his whole Armie returned to Calice and from thence into England where hee was cheerefully receiued with much ioy And thereupon the aforesaid Hostages receiuing great gifts and honourable vsage were set at libertie and returned home The French King if hee might would faine haue excluded the Duke of Britaine out of the former league But in regard that the young Earle of Richmond was in his possession and whose returne into England to make challenge to the Crowne King Edward euer feared he would not in any sort agree thereunto And not long after Henry Earle of Richmond deliuered by the Duke of Britaine to K. Edwards Ambassadors King Edward by his Ambassadours with much entreatie rich gifts and vpon solemne protestation that he only intended to marie one of his owne daughters to the said Earle obtained his deliuerie to those messengers who being glad at the heart that they had obtained what King Edward so instantly desired tooke their leaue of the Duke of Britaine and brought the young Earle of Richmond to S. Malloes where they were enforced to stay expecting a faire and a good winde But in the meane time Good counsell the Duke being informed by Iohn Cheuelet his true and faithfull seruant that the said mariage was but colourably pretended to get the young Earle into King Edwards hands and that his death was certainly pretended if hee could bee brought home and being also told that his honour would perpetually be obscured by so foule a deede the said Duke could neuer be at rest vntill Peter Landoys his chiefest Treasurer attempted the repossessing of him with the said young Earle Whereupon the said Peter repaired to S. Malloes Peter Landoys recouereth the Earle of Richmond into the Duke of Britaines possession and pretended much loue and familiaritie with the English Ambassadours with whom hee pleasantly conuersed and spent his time But in the meane season the seruants of the said Peter being thorowly instructed for that purpose conueied the said Earle into a Sanctuarie whose priuiledges might not by any meanes be infringed The Englishmen vnderstanding what had hapned were much displeased and condemned the said Treasurer for this vnfriendly practise and too much skill But hee on the other side assigned the whole fault to their owne negligence and follie And by this meane the harmelesse and sillie Sheepe was deliuered from the Woolfe And thus was King Edward defrauded and beguiled of his money and of his hopes But vpon the Dukes faithfull promise that the
was himselfe stabbed with a dagger 10. E. 4. and slain in the Tower of London by the said Richard Duke of Glocester And not long after 10. E. 4. the Duke of Clarence was found dead in his bed he hauing beene drowned in a Butte of Malmesie not without the Kings consent as it was supposed And thus open and ciuill warres by the sword and the common Executioner with his axe and inueterated enuie and malice with bloudie hands bereaued and tooke away the liues of the greater number of the most renowned and valiant Noblemen Captaines and Gentlemen of this Realme THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE FIFTH IF our memories be pleased to take a reuiew of the life and actions of the late deceased King Edward the Fourth Edward the Fourth described wee may thereon make this pretie abbreuiate and short collection That hee was of a goodly personage and of a kingly presence That he was very strong and passing valiant not proud in prosperitie nor deiected with aduerse fortune That hee was moderately pleasant and merie That he was pleasing to his Nobles familiar with his souldiers and amiable to his inferiour subiects That he was mercifull to offenders and fauoured all such as did well That he was very wise discreet prouident and soundly aduised in all his actions Yet was he somewhat too credulous and too wanton and in his latter daies more couetous then formerly he had beene By many worthy endeuours he expressed how much hee longed for his peoples loue His affabilitie and by one action hee more particularly declared it then by all the rest For in the next Summer before he died hee required the Lord Maior of London and his brethren to repaire to his Castle of Windsour where hee then lay And when they expected some extraordinarie imploiment in State affaires because so many of them were called thither not troubling them with any businesse either great or small priuate or publike nor requiring of them any supplies from their plentie hee royally feasted banqueted and entertained them not only with the choisest best and most costly delicates that could bee gotten but also hee gladded them vnspeakably with his owne presence and companion-like behauiour Hee afterwards carried them into his Parke where the thicke fall of fat Deere besides many other things gaue them warrant of their kinde welcome And at their departing from him he sent such great store of venison into the Citie for the friendly feasting of their neighbours there that nothing euer won him more heartie loue among his subiects of that place He left behinde him two sonnes Edward who being of the age of thirteene yeares vnfortunately succeeded him in this Kingdome and Richard Duke of Yorke who was two yeares younger and fiue daughters namely Elizabeth who afterwards maried King Henry the seuenth and was mother to King Henry the eighth and Cicilie Bridget and Katherine whose fortunes seldome laughed and Anne who maried Thomas Lord Haward who after was created Earle of Surrey Richard Duke of Glocester described The said noble King when he died left behinde him but one brother namely Richard Duke of Glocester who was by common report a monster in nature For he had many teeth when he was borne He was exceedingly deformed in the composure of his bodie for of stature he was but low crooke-backed his left shoulder was much higher then the other his visage was vncomely his complexion swart and browne he was exceeding strong yet much withered in his left arme he was violent fierce and bloudily cruell a good souldier discreet to order well and politicke to rule Hee was very hastie and forward in great expeditions and weightie actions yet wise and well aduised before hee would attempt to fight He was ambitious beyond measure and his desires for soueraigntie had no bounds What he contriued were it good or bad hee would by one meanes or by another assuredly effect it Hee made his conscience in all things to serue his will though his will could not bee obtained without the effusion of guiltlesse bloud He would oftentimes make himselfe poore by his lauish bountie to such as wickedly serued his turne and would againe quickly enrich himselfe by pilling and by polling of ciuill and of honest men Hee was so cunning a dissembler that hee would accompanie most familiarly and iest pleasantly with such as hee inwardly hated in his heart Hee spared no mans death whose life resisted his vngodly purposes nor punished any man for any offence if his wickednesse might be applied to his seruice This ambitious this fierce and this cruell man in his brother King Edwards daies as wise men did coniecture directed his aime to make himselfe a King 10. E. 4. For he with others murdered Prince Edward the eldest sonne of King Henry the Sixth 10. E. 4. and with his owne hand hee slew the same King when he was a prisoner in the Tower and was consenting as the world blabbed to the death and destruction of his elder brother George Duke of Clarence in the same place 10. E. 4. King Edwards death and the minoritie of his two sonnes Richard aimeth to the Crowne gaue him fit opportunitie to worke mischiefe which first of all he resolued to prosecute by the reuiuing of olde grudges betwixt the Queenes kindred and the Kings although the last King in his death-bed had reconciled them and made them all friends For he knew that where malice and hatred are of counsell there no good action or sound conclusion can be expected And by this practise he endeuoured first to make him selfe equall with the best and then to be the best of all Wee must also now obserue that at the time of King Edwards death the young Prince in his owne person kept his residence and Court at Ludlow in the dominion of Wales that by his presence he might restraine the Welshmen from such outragious enterprises as oftentimes their licentious and bad manners incited them to commit And the protection of his person was by the last King appointed to Anthonie Earle Ryuers the Queenes brother and by the mothers side Vncle to the said Prince And her allies and her kinsfolkes did now possesse all roomes and offices of honour and of profit about him hee being King which the Duke of Glocester much maligned and so scorned it that in his conceits he contriued how he might thrust them all out of those places For which purpose hee oftentimes secretly and seriously conferred with Edward Duke of Buckingham and Richard Lord Hastings who was Chamberlaine to the last King To them hee discouered the meane descent of the Queene and of her kinsfolkes in respect of theirs and told them plainly that if those Vpstarts remained so neere vnto the King in his youth they would through his fauour be so powerfull when he came to his full age that all their honours their possessions and their liues would be in danger to be made
politicke and cunning And of all those his qualities hee made such vse Doctor Morton that in the end he obtained his libertie occasioned the Duke of Buckinghams ouerthrow procured the destruction of King Richard conioined by mariage the two Houses of Lancaster and Yorke aduanced the Earle of Richmond to the Crowne and also preferred himselfe to great honour as hereafter it shall appeare The Duke of Buckingham to whom he was a prisoner was not only great in regard of his high dignitie and large possessions He applieth himselfe to the Dukes humour but by his learning and much applauded courtesie hee also wonne the extraordinarie loue and fauour of all sorts and degrees of people in this Kingdome But his wittie prisoner perceiuing that hee was ambitious and greedie of his owne praise and commendation as commonly great men are insinuated himselfe into his especiall loue and fauour by applying his talke and conference to those humours They beginne to be inwardly familiar insomuch that within a short time the Dukes heart conceiued nothing which his tongue reuealed not to the Bishop yea they began to speake their mindes freely each to other touching the bloudie villanies and tyrannie of the King This craftie Bishop likewise to prouoke the Duke not onely to a further detestation of those cruelties Morton raileth on the Vsurper but also to a resolued purpose to depose him first of all recounted how slenderly the Vsurper had rewarded the Duke himselfe without whose aide and countenance he could neuer haue aduanced himselfe ar he did to the Crowne Then he minded him of the instabilitie of the Kings word who restored not to the Duke nor to his sonne the Earledome of Hartford according to his promise in that behalfe Now vnto that he remembred him of the iealousie which the King conceiued of the Dukes greatnesse so that he rather diminished then in any sort graced or augmented his authoritie power Fourthly the vilifying of the honour and reputation of his owne mother making her vnchafte and such a woman as prostituted her bodie vnto strangers in the conception of his two elder brothers King Edward and the Duke of Clarence to make himselfe more legitimate then they Fifthly his vnlawfull and bloudie executing of Anthonie Lord Ryuers Richard Lord Gray Sir Thomas Vaughan and of the Lord Hastings chiefe Chamberlaine to the two last Kings Sixthly his horrible murdering of Prince Edward the eldest sonne of King Henry the Sixth and of the same King and of the Duke of Clarence his owne brother And last of all and the worst of all the bastardizing deposing and murdering of his poore innocent and guiltlesse nephewes which gaue him by wicked vsurpation his passage to the Crowne and Scepter of this Kingdome Mortons motiues All these things when the Bishop had recounted then for a full conclusion to all that had beene spoken he aduised the Duke of Buckingham for the safetie of his owne life and for the preseruation of his Countrey either to make vse of his owne vertues and greatnesse and of the extraordinarie fauour and loue which all the people bare him and to make himselfe their King or otherwise to further the vniting of the two houses of Lancaster and of Yorke by marying of King Edwards eldest daughter the Ladie Elizabeth with the Earle of Richmond the sonne and heire apparant of Margaret Countesse of Richmond daughter and heire to the Duke of Buckinghams great Vncle Iohn Duke of Somerset sonne to Iohn of Gaunt the fourth sonne of King Edward the Third and so to make the said Earle a true and a lawfull King by means whereof the Crowne of this kingdome should not only be settled where iustly it ought to be but also all future occasions of Factions and of Ciuill warres would bee taken cleane away and the world should be quited of such a Monster who was loathed and hated by all good men Buckinghams resolution The Duke of Buckingham although he were ambitious beyond measure and liked well to be stiled by the great name of a King yet because vsurpation must needs haue beene his best title and Vsurpers neuer wanted enuie hee therefore imploied his wits to conclude that match and to make the Earle King When the Bishop by often disputes had thorowly confirmed the Duke in this his resolution Morton would faine be a libertie hee made him a solemne protestation that if he would permit him to goe into his Ile of Elie he then would quickly furnish the said Duke with store of money and of men But the Duke was most desirous of his companie for two reasons First because his escape would vndoubtedly be laid vnto his charge and reuenged if that proiect were not supported with sufficient strength And secondly because by his absence he should be depriued of such a friend as was right well able to aduise and counsell him at his neede The Bishop knowing that whilest he was a prisoner Morton escapeth his head was subiect to King Richards command and that his great familiaritie with the Duke cleared him of all suspition vnmannerly to depart watched his fittest time of opportunitie and being disguisefully apparrelled in base clothes he secretly stole away and came to Elie where hee furnished himselfe among his friends with store of money and other necessaries He flieth into Flanders and then without lingring hee sailed into Flanders where by his counsell and best meanes he animated the Earle of Richmond who was in Britaine His motion and encouragement to the Earle of Richmond and to others to returne into England to take to wife the Ladie Elizabeth King Edwards eldest daughter to depose the Tyrant and to make himselfe a true and a lawfull King He also sollicited by his letters and by secret messengers diuers Noblemen and Gentlemen of this Realme to bee aiding and assisting to the said Earle at his returne And the Earle himselfe so preuailed with Francis Duke of Britaine that albeit King Richard by his Ambassadors had striued by the disbursement and gift of much money rich iewels K. Richard practiseth to get the Earle of Richmond and by franke promises to make him a new Prisoner and consequently to depriue him of all good hope yet the Duke of Britaine as his faithfull and constant friend began to succour him with his best helpes And albeit that this plot deuised by Morton was exceeding secret as all the Conspirators did imagine yet was King Richard acquainted therewith as well as they And therefore K. Richard knoweth Mortons plot Buckingham refuseth to come to tha Court to cut off the Duke of Buckingham from that Faction by violence or else to win him by faire promises to take his part he courteously importuned his companie at the Court But he hauing a guiltie conscience and knowing that King Richard was not niggardly in shedding of bloud nor vsed to spare any man of whom hee doubted or feared submissiuely and with humble
his Supporter The Rat the Cat and Louel the Dogge Rule all England vnder the Hogge Now though the Duke of Buckingham could not hurt King Richard for a dead dogge biteth not yet he resolued by new friendship and alliance to make himselfe more strong for which purpose he not only concluded a peace with Iames then King of Scots but also a mariage betweene a neece of his named the Ladie Anne and the Prince of Rothsay the eldest sonne of the said King Hee also attempted once more by lauish prodigalitie to get into his hands the worthie and braue Earle of Richmond He attempteth to get Richmond into his hands and for that purpose he sent his Ambassadors into Britaine to the Duke to offer to him great store of siluer and of gold and all the Rents and the Reuenues of the said Earle and of his Confederates if he would be pleased to giue him the quiet and the safe possession of him The Duke at that time was exceeding sicke so that his High Treasurer Peter Landoys who at S. Maloes had freed the said Earle from the Ambassadors of King Edward the fourth Peter Landoys abase slaue as formerly we haue heard ordered and disposed of all the affaires and businesses of that Countrey wherefore those bribes and promises were made and tendred vnto him and hee being greedie of so great a prey did vndertake with great expedition to effect all things according to their desire But notwithstanding all this secret practising and cunning iuggling this mischieuous plot and intended villanie was by secret messengers reuealed to Doctor Morton Bishop of Elie he being in Flanders D. Morton discouereth the danger and he with all celeritie and posting speed aduertised the Earle of the danger which he was in by meanes whereof and to saue themselues he with his chiefest friends and followers as priuately as they could departed from Vannes and passing thorow the Countrey of Britaine in great haste they came into France Richmond and his friends escape narrowly and presented themselues to the French King who not onely receiued them ioifully as his friends but promised sufficient aid and succour to the Earle for his releefe But in the meane time Peter Landoys supposing that the Earle of Richmond and his associates had left Vannes but for a few daies to visit some inward friends prepared certaine troupes of resolued souldiers well armed at all points pretending in outward shew that they were by him prouided to goe into England for the Earles aid but to say the truth they were only fitted to haue surprised him and his Confederates and to haue transported them all to King Richard But when hee was certainly informed of their escape into France hee was sore troubled and vexed at the heart because he was discouered to be so treacherous and yet could not effect the mischiefe which by him was intended Now when it was voiced abroad that the young French King and his Counsell would assist the Earle in his enterprise to gaine the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme Sir Iames Blunt Captaine of the Castle of Hammes and Sir Iohn Fortescue Porter of the Towne of Calice and Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford who was a prisoner with the said Sir Iames secretly repaired to the Earle who because they were valiant men at armes and skilled much in martiall discipline receiued them courteously and with much ioy When King Richard was by his owne Ambassadors truly assured in what strange manner the Earle of Richmond and his friends had saued them selues by flying into France and that he was preparing of new forces to trie his fortune when he should land and that the French King and his Nobles both fauoured and assisted him and that the Earle of Oxford with the other two were with him his continuall feare gaue him no rest Another villanous practise of King Richards vntill hee had in some sort pleased himselfe by a new deuice And his plot was thus By subtill and craftie messengers he made large profers of massie siluer and of gold besides his earnest promise of much aduancement and especiall fauour to the mother Queene conditionally that shee would commit vnto his custodie and keeping her fiue daughters so that by meanes thereof the Earle of Richmond might vtterly be depriued of all hope to match with the Ladie Elizabeth as he intended for hee strongly perswaded himselfe that if that mariage were by craft and subtiltie preuented few men would then engage themselues to depose him and make the Earle King The olde Queens follie and couetousnesse The vnconstant and the vnprouident Queene whom couetousnesse and ambition had made credulous and willing to beleeue him who in the field had formerly slaine Sir Iohn Gray her first husband vniustly had executed her brother and her sonne and who had not only bastardized her two other sonnes K. Richard is possessed of K. Edwards fiue daughters but had wickedly and villanously caused them both to bee murdered in the Tower accepted of those his gifts and promises and deliuered vnto him her fiue daughters And no sooner had hee gotten them into his custodie but to make his title to the Crowne more sure he longed in his heart incestuously to marie with his owne brothers daughter His incestuous purpose the said Ladie Elizabeth But the life of Queene Anne his wife who was the daughter of Richard Earle of Warwicke and the former wife of Prince Edward the sonne and heire of King Henry the Sixth and whom himselfe and his brother the Duke of Clarence had murdered in King Edwards presence was the onely impediment to that match The Queene suddenly died It must now be diligently obserued that suddenly vncertaine Authors made report that Queene Anne who was not sicke was dead and moreouer King Richard himselfe forsooke her companie and her bed pretending much discontentment and great dislike because she was barren and not likely to haue any more children to establish his succession in the Crowne The Queene who shrewdly ghessed at the wicked intention of her gracelesse husband much greeued and vexed her selfe thereat and whether her priuate conceits that her death was conspired or whether any poison as many did imagine shortned her daies or no it was vncertaine but within few daies after she was suddenly found dead indeed He maketh loue to his owne Neece The King so little regarded the death of his said Queene that presently he began to make loue to the Ladie Elizabeth his owne Neece who being discreet and modest and hating his detested villanies and well considering what perill and danger her selfe and all her sisters were in She makes him hopefull if the Tyrant should rashly be reiected tempered her denials with tempting and alluring lookes and prettily fed his fancie with the musicke of her sweet tongue and instantly requested him not to vrge his sute with too much loue vntill he had defeated the Earle of Richmond of all his hopes
good respects hee cheerefully consented to his request First because by all likelihood and probable coniecture this mariage would establish a perpetuall peace betwixt those two Kingdomes And secondly because if issues males and females failed of the bodies of his two sonnes then the Kingdome and the Crowne of this Realme descending to the said Ladie Margaret and to her issue would draw the Scottish King into England as vnto an estate of greater power magnificence honour and riches whereas if she were ioined to a Prince equall or exceeding her father in those respects this Kingdome would then wait vpon the greater and more worthie and so might be guided gouerned directed and commanded by a Deputie or a Substitute which would bee derogatorie from the maiestie of such a Monarchie and Common-weale These Halcyon daies Prince Arthur dieth which made King Henry fortunate and happie were suddenly exchanged into daies of heauinesse and of sorrow for Prince Arthur within fiue moneths after he was maried departed out of this troublesome and transitorie vale of miserie and was buried with great pompe and incredible lamentation both of the Nobles Gentlemen and common people in the Cathedrall Church within the Citie of Winchester by whose decease without issue his brother Henry Duke of Yorke without Creation was Prince of Wales 1502. as vnto him of right that dignitie did belong and appertaine and the next yeare after he was created Earle of Chester by his Father The King not long after by an honorable attendance of Lords Knights Ladies and men and women of especiall note and qualitie sent his eldest daughter the Ladie Margaret into Scotland to her espoused husband Iames the Fourth who receiued her vpon the limits of his owne Kingdome from the Earles of Surrey and Northumberland and was the next day maried to her in his Citie of Edenburgh 1503. to the great reioicing of the people of both those Nations Now when King Henry had thus ouercome his enemies and the Rebels and had settled himselfe in peace 1504. hee determined to plucke downe the high stomackes and stout courage of his people The King taketh aduantage of forfeitures vpon Penall Lawes supposing that their wealth and riches occasioned their rebellions and was the cause that many enormous insolencies were done and committed in the Common-weale And by that meane hee also intended to enrich himselfe And the plot whereby he intended to effect it was by taking of the aduantage of the breach of Penall Lawes Empson and Dudley And the principall charge of that polling businesse hee committed to Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley men learned in the Law but ready enough to execute the Kings commands in a worser matter if occasion did so require These two being attended by troupes of base Informers Promoters Catch-poles Cheaters Knaues and cousening Rascals Many are vndone prosecuted and persecuted many of the Kings good Subiects to their vtter ruine and ouerthrow insomuch that many people in euery Shire of this Kingdome by their oppressions waxed poore and were vtterly decaied in their estates But the Kings Coffers were filled his Bagges were stuffed and those two gracelesse and cruell Cormorants got to themselues the Deuill and all But no remedie there was to cure this maladie for the King authorized them and they so rigorously and so vnconscionably executed their tyrannie that no man could assure himselfe that hee was free and without the danger of their lash 1605. In the 21. yeare of K. Henries raigne Elizabeth Q. of Castile wife to Ferdinando K. of Aragon and Spain died without issue male of her bodie so that her Kingdom not being deuidable among sisters according to the custome of that Countrie discended to her eldest daughter the Ladie Iane The King and Queene of Castile doe come into England by a storme wife to Philip Arch-Duke of Austria and Duke of Burgoine so that hee being King of Castile in her right prepared a Nauie of strong and well appointed ships and entred into the Sea purposing to take the possession of his new Kingdome But by the violence of an outragious storme himselfe with his Queene was driuen into Waymouth in Dorset shire where at his landing hee was receiued by Sir Thomas Trenchard a worthie Sir Thomas Trenchard entertaineth them at his house and a compleate Knight who instantly importuned the King to accept of the entertainment of his house vntill King Henrie were certified of his being there which courteously he did Whereof when he had louingly accepted hee was conducted thither and feasted like as hee was a King The Knight forthwith sent diuers Posters to King Henrie who being much gladded by this newes because the said King and he were vnfained and faithfull friends They are entertained by the King forthwith sent for his better direction and attendance the Earle of Arundell and some others who inuited him and his Queene and their Companie to the Kings Court which was then at his Castle of Windsor of which great courtesie he accepted with a kind hart and as he came within fiue miles of the Castle he was met by the Noble Henrie Prince of Wales who was accompanied by diuers Earles Lords Knights and Gentlemen of choice reckoning aad account and within halfe a mile of his iournies end the King himselfe with the greatest part of his Nobilitie Ladies and Personages of great worth and honour being richly apparrelled and brauely mounted met him likewise where kind salutations and friendly greetings proceeded from the heart and were performed with most exquisite complements of loue that by any could be imagined From the Kings Castle of Windsor the King conducted him and his Queene to the Citie of London where nothing was omitted that anie deuise or cost could make sumptuous thereby to expresse the heartie welcome of such beloued guests And thus when with great contentment mirth and pastime the King and he had spent some dayes they renewed the League which was betwixt them and taking kind farewels each of other the said King and Queene imbarked themselues againe lanched into the Sea and safety arriued according to their owne wils But not long after King Philip and his wife died and that Kingdome discended to Charles his eldest sonne From this time forwards King Henrie waxed sickly weake 1506. and infirme and by meanes thereof the two scourgers of the Common-weale Empson and Dudley tooke larger libertie to extend their villanies then was giuen to them and did oppresse torment and vex the People of this land But when the King perceiued that his time was short 1507. hee depriued them of their authoritie remitted and pardoned all offences committed against his penall Lawes and enlarged all prisoners The King waxeth sickly His deeds of charitie which were in durance for any offence treason and murder excepted only he also paid the debts of all such as for trifling and smal summes were prisoners in any Ward and gaue certaine
their deserts The next yeare the King in Parliament was made and acknowledged to be the supreme head of the Church within all his Countries and Dominions The Supremacie of the King in all Spirituall and Ecclesiasticall things and causes and the Popes Bulles Pardons Indulgences and other Instruments of the like nature were vtterly banished frustrated made void and of none effect validitie or force concerning the King and his Subiects And likewise the First Fruits and Tenths of all Benefices and Ecclesiasticall dignities and promotions were in the same Parliament giuen and granted to the King and to his heires and successors for euer And not long after Queene Anne sometimes the Kings dearest wife was beheaded yet innocently as at her death shee religiously protested and as all men present did beleeue Queen Anne Bulleine beheaded for that it was vniustly surmised and falsly testified that she had incestuously conuersed with and prostituted her bodie to the Lord Rochford her owne brother Execution who likewise with some others receiued the like sentence and were put to death This Tragedie being thus ended The King marieth the King within twentie daies after maried a vertuous and a faire Gentlewoman whose name was Iane the daughter of Sir Iohn Seymor Knight who bare vnto him a goodly Prince named Edward who succeeded and was King But within few daies after his birth the good Queene died We haue formerly heard that Iames the Fourth King of Scots was slaine at Flodden Field And wee must now know that Queene Margaret his wife being the eldest sister of King Henry was maried afterwards vnto Archibald Douglas Earle of Angus who by her had a daughter named Margaret This Ladie the Lord Howard without the Kings notice or consent tooke to wife The Lord Th. Howard is beheaded for which vnaduised boldnesse and offence she being of the bloud royall he was condemned as a Traitor and lost his head The King who within his owne Territories and Dominions daily furthered his owne intentions to abrogate the authoritie power and iurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome The 32. Commissioners procured it by Parliament to be enacted that thirtie and two such persons spirituall and temporall as his Maiestie should vnder his great Seale nominate and appoint should haue authoritie and power to make and establish Lawes and Ordinances Ecclesiasticall which should binde the Subiects of this Kingdome And by the same Parliament all religious houses Petit houses of Religion suppressed whose possessions in yearly reuenue exceeded not the summe of two hundred pounds were suppressed and dissolued and all their scites and possessions whatsoeuer were giuen for euer to the King The booke of Articles The Clergie also at the same time of their owne accord and to insinuate themselues into grace and fauour with the King composed and published in printed bookes certaine Articles for the ordering and gouerning of the Church in which mention was made of three Sacraments only and the rest of them which former times superstitiously receiued and did maintaine were left out of the said bookes A rebellion in Lincolnshire These proceedings of the King and Clergie against the Pope and holy Church were so generally disliked by the rude ignorant and wilfull people that in many places their lauish tongues were witnesses of their inward griefe and discontent so that they publikely affirmed that the Kings Counsell irreligiously and absurdly aduised and directed him amisse and that the soothing smoothing and temporizing Clergie of this Land prophanely and wickedly practised by all meanes possible to extinguish all deuotion and vtterly to subuert the ancient rites ceremonies and commendable gouernment of the Church And in madde humour and franticke fashion the rude and vnrulie people in Lincolnshire to the number of 20000. assembled themselues in armes taking vpon themselues to frame and to deuise better orders for the gouerning of the Church and Common-weale The King marcheth against the Rebels The King who scorned to be thus checked by his owne Vassals and loathing to proue himselfe a coward at home seeing that forraine Nations had found him to be valiant and full of courage leuied a strong and a puissant Armie with which in his owne person he marched with princely magnanimitie against those rebellious people The Rebels petition who as he drew towards them by their petition craued a reformation of those things which lately had beene done and concluded against Religious Houses and against the former and ancient gouernment of the Church which things being consented and yeelded to they solemnly protested their humble dutie and seruice to the King The King is stout But hee who highly disdained that such plaine Swads and rusticke people should presume to giue instructions vnto him and vnto his whole Clergie and Court of Parliament in matters so farre aboue their vnderstanding and capacitie reiected their petition and resolued by an exemplarie course of iustice to be by the sword martially vsed in the open Field to punish and to correct them except one hundred of those their chiefest Conspirators might be sent and deliuered absolutely into his hands This resolution and quicke demand so appalled the fainting hearts of the rude and headlesse multitude that they suspecting each other of being to be sent vnto the King forsooke the Field The Rebels flie Captaine Cobler Execution and with all speed resorted to their owne houses But Captaine Cobler their chiefest Ring-leader being indeed Doctor Makarell with some others were shortly after apprehended and executed according to their merits and deserts The King who now supposed that all things had beene settled in a sure and in a firme peace was suddenly informed of another Insurrection in the North A rebellion in the North. and that their greeuance was grounded vpon the same points and that the number of those Rebels exceeded the number of 40000. men The holy Pilgrims who termed themselues the Holy Pilgrims who intended nothing but the establishing of true Religion and the reformation of great abuses which defaced the gouernment of the Church To encounter these men The Kings Armie and to correct their braine-sicke humour and foolish madnesse the King appointed the two Dukes of Norfolke and of Suffolke and some other Lords with a strong and well appointed Armie to march against them with all speed And the Rebels expressing much ioy because they were to fight came neere vnto the Dukes Armie and before them expressed many signes and tokens of vndaunted courage and desperate boldnesse But in the night before the two Armies intended to haue ioined together in handie strokes A strange accident a little brooke which ranne betwixt them and which with a drie foot might the day before haue beene passed ouer grew so outragiously great and violent by the fall of immoderate and continuall showres of raine that the Armies could not meet as they determined This miraculous pitie and this mercifull compassion
ouerthrowne in one yeare 289 Iohn Earle of Oxford 144 Oxford Earle P PAgeants 376 Pandulphus 55. 56 Partialitie 71 Pardon craftie 153 Parents honored 43 Paris is English 204. and reuolteth 229 Parliament and the King striue 142. 143 Parliament the first 23 Parliament once a yeare 142 Parliament complaines 133 Parliament threatned 143 Parliament makes a King 160 Parliamentum insanum 60 Parliament breakes vppe suddenly 256 Parliament wronged by Bishop Fisher 382 Pawlet made Lord Saint Iohn 406 Peace 52. 64. 285. 333 336. 364. 392 Penall lawes 290. 351 Penance 42 People wasted 14 Percies 171. 362. 363 Percies will not deliuer Scottish Prisoners 67 Percies doe ransome Edmund Mortimer 169 Percie Sir Thomas 406 Periury 232 Perkin Werbeck 337. c. Peter Landoys 289. 315 Petition of the Rebelles 404 Pickering 363 Pilgrims holy 405 Piracie 96 Pitie 44 Plantagenet Geoffry 24 Plantagenet Arthur 51 53 Plimouth 136 Poydras 93 Pollicies 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 12. 18 23. 29. 35. 82. 117. 140 212. 215. 233. 246. 250 299. 331. 339. 340 408. Pollicies touching Warbeck 339. 340. 341 Pollicies touching Lambert 331 Pollicie touching Cade 247 Pollicie by fire 347 Pomfret 301 Pontlarch 241 Popham Sir Iohn 113 Pope 14. 15. 18. 53. 150 curbed 401 Popish blindnesse 57 Popish pride 54 Poynings 341. 361 Poysoned 59 Poyters 63 Practises of Richard Duke of Glocester 299. c. Premunire 380. feared by the Cleargy 388 Prerogatiue crossed 66 Presumption 140 Prey rich 395 Pride 396 Pride of Longchamp 46 47. 48 Primacie 7 Prince of Chester Prince imprisoned 86 177 Prince of Wales 114 Prince reclaimed 177 Prior Iohn 364 Prisoners Marcarus 7 Edwinus 7 Egelwinus 7 Mowbray 13 Curthose 20 Belesme 20 King Stephen 29 Queene Elianor 43 King Richard the first p. 48 Bayliol 84 The Prince 86. 177 Queene Isabel 105 King Dauid 122 King Iohn of France 127 Earle of Pembroke 132 King Richard the second pag. 156 Edmund Mortimer 166 French Pris slaine 185 Lord Talbot 222 Lord Scales 222 Lord Hongerford 222 Duke of Suffolke 222 King Henry the Sixth 257. 266. 281 King Edward the fourth 271 Duke of Burbon 277 Duke of Orleance 235 Scottish prisoners 413 Mordack Earle of Fife 167 Archibald Douglas 167 Earle Murrey 167 Priuie Seales 397. 398 Proclamations 192. 276 387 Proclaimed heire of Fra. 141. 200. 204 Proscribed 248. 319 Protector 61. 251 Protector displaced 240 Q QVartered 345 Queen Anne beheaded 403 Queene Katherine beheaded 410 R RAgman 104 Ramsey 136 King Richard the First ransomed 48 Douglas ransomelesse 171 King of Scots ransomed 214 Duke of Burbon ransomed 227 Duke of Orleance ransomed 235 Edmund Mortimer ransomed 164 Queene Margaret ransomed 283 Raine 405 Rebellions 6. 7. 10. 11. 12 13. 20. 22. In London 71. 76. Lluellen 80 Wat Tilar 137. In Kent 277. Owen Glendor 166. Percies 170 171. In Ireland 241. Iacke Cade 247. 264. 273. 328. 334 Cornishmen 345. 347. 349. In Yorkshire 269. In Lincolnshire 404. In the North 405. In Ireland 407 Rebels flie 405. quietly depart 405 Reconcilement 64. 279 Reformation 66. 69. 64 153 Regents 43. 201 Regent dieth 228 Regent drowned 358 Religious houses 178. 374 403. 403 Repayment 327 Repeales 4. 263. 328 Repentance 8. 353 Reprofe 167 Reseisure 35. 34 Resolution 15. 34. 95 Restitution 18 Returne vnlicenced 358 359 Reuenge 49 Reuolt 214. 242. 244 Renulph 81 Ribamont 124 Riceap Thomas 344 King Richard the First valiant 46 47 Rich Souldiers 191 King Henry the Second Rich 37 Richmond Earle in danger 289. 317. sweareth 320. landeth 323 and is victorious 325 Rifling 389 Roan 192. 193. 197. 241 Robberies 14. 18. 33 Robin Hood 50 Robinet of Bonuile 187 Rochford 400. 410. 411 Bolloigne Viscount Rochford 385 Rokesbie 174 Rosamond Clifford 37 Rosbrough 112. 130 Rowclif 363 Rufus staine 16 Russell Lord 406 Rutland murdered 281 Rutland Earle 400 Ryuers 256 S SAnctuarie 302. 303 304 Saluo honore Dei 41 Sands 365. 396. 397 Sarum secundum vsum 7 Sauadge 324 Scales 218. 222. 257. 258 Scot Earle of Chester 64 Scottish homage 11. 214 Scots 25000. slaine 83 Scots sweare obedience 86 Scots ouerthrowne in Ireland 97 Scots ouerthrow K. Edw. the Second 93 94 Scots inuade England 11 28. 111. 122. 167. 171. 251. 291. 361. their crueltie 343. They inuade 345. and are slaine 346. 412 Scots misuse the French 147 Scots aide Warbecke 342 345 Scottish King slaine 363 Scotland surrendred 81 82. 84 Scotland gouerned by England 84 Scotland wasted 346 Scotland inuaded 97. 103 306. 111 147. 174. 412. 415. 416. 419 Scotland disposed by King Edward the Third 106 Scotland claimed by the Pope 86 Scottish King ransomed 214 Scottish tenure released 106 Scottish chaire 86 Scottish prisoners 413 Scroope 155. 173. 180. 265 Sea victories 62. 110. 125 188. 189 Seales Priuie 394 Secrecie 107 Secundum vsum Sarum 7 Securitie 221. 271 Seisure 3. 35 Seymour Earle of Hartford 406. 415 Seymor Sir Iohn and Ladie Iane 403 Shawes Sermon 408 Shepard Iacke 137 Sherborne Sir Henrie 361 Ships 300. taken 56 500. Ships 188 1200. Ships 146 Ships in Sandwitch 256 Sheepe 268 Sheriffe of Northumberland 174 Shoreswife 309 Shrewesburie Earle 392 Shrines destroied 406 Sicknesse 181 Slaine King William Rufus 5. 16 Malcolme 11 King Edward the Second 101 King Richard the first 50 King Richard the second 160 Simon Montfort 74 Lord Beamont 113 Peter of Castile 131 Wat Tilar 140 Vere Duke of Ireland 149 Prisoners French 185 Thirtie six slaine by King Henry the Fourth 171 Edward Duke of Yorke 187 Richard Duke of Yorke 259 Duke of Suffolke 187 Iohn Earle of Shrewesburie 249 Earle of Salisburie 220 Clarence 206 Earle of Warwicke 281 Arundell 226 Marquesse Montacute 281 Courtney Earle of Deuon 283 Wooduile 333 Iames the Fourth King of Scots 362 Stafford 329 Humfrey Duke of Buckingham 257 Thomas Lo. Egremount 257 Iohn Viscount Beamont 257 Northumberland 260 Westmorland 260 Lord Dacres 260 Lord Welles 260 Lord Clifford 260 Somerset Sir Charles 360 Spencers 92. 94. 96. 99 Northumberland 334 Spencer chiefe Iustice 74. 68 Speeches 194 195. 209 Spencers executed 100 Souldiers vnlicensed returne 358. 397 Sonnes disobedient 36 Southampton Earle 406 Stafford Earle 181 Stakes 183 Stanley 341. 344 Stapleton B. of Exeter 99 Stapleton 363 Stoutnesse of K. H. 8. 404 Strangers Marchants 34 251. 138 Subiects dutie 35 SubmissioÌ„ of K. Io 56. 66 Submission of the Barons 58 Submission of King Richard the Second 155 Submission of Londoners 75 Submission of Lluellen 80 Supremacie 403 Duke of Suffolke 237. 238. 244. 392. 418 Duke of Suffolke warreth valâ—antly in France 396 Surfet 24 Surrey beheaded 420 Surprisall 173 Sussex Earle 385 Swanus 6 Swimming 48 149 Sword giuen to Exeter 349 Sydney 362 T TAle-bearers 227 Talbots name terrible 226 Talbot 106. 324 Talbot slaine 220 Talbot Gilbert 192 Talbot Lord George 360 Taxes 5. 10. 97. 109 Taxes causing rebellions 6. 7. 136. 333. 335. 343 Taxes lost Aquitaine c. 130 Taxes pleasing 12. 52. 189 Taxes released 18. 28 Taxes not demanded 37 45 Tax on Wools and Hides 83 Tempest Nicholas 406 Temporalties 20. 21 Terryll 312 Terwyn 360. 361 Thankfulnesse 24. 297 Thanksgiuing 171. 186 190. 282. 325 Theeues 50. 93 Thorp 258 Thwaits 396 Title to France 105. 107 relinquished 129 Title King of Ireland 410 Title Defensor Fidei 357. 393 Tournay taken 361. redeliuered 380 Trade restored 346 Translation 7 Transubstantiation 58 Traitor Archb. of Cant. 151 Treasons 64. 164. 180 226 Treason to speake c. 409 Treason at Oxford 164 Traitors 145. 173 Trecherie 152. 213 252 Trenchard 352 Treport 364 Tresham 283 Tresilian 147. 149 Troyl-Baston 86 Tuthar 260. 249 Tylar Wat. 137 Tylney 362 Tyron Earle 410 Tyrwyn taken and burnt 361 V VAlour 33. 46. 47. 124 Vaughan 283. 307 Vere 142. 149. 242 Vernoyle 205 Vicar generall 107 Victorie in Castile 130 King Edward the Fourth victorious 281 Victorie without blowes 168 Victorie miraculous 216 Victorie ouer the Percies 171 Victories at Sea 62. 110 125. 188. 189 Vicegerent Cromwell 406 Victuals cheape 108 Visited by three Kings 130 Vmfreuyle 192. 206 Vniuersitie opinions 386 Vnthankfulnesse 14. 44 Vnthankfull Frenchmen 414 Vsurpers Rufus 9 Henricus Primus 17 Stephanus 27 Edwardus Tertius 101 Henricus Quartus 160 Henricus Quintus 177 Henricus Sextus 211 Richardus Tertius 311 W WAights 18 Wales 86. Prince 114 Wallop 364. 396 Warres in the Holy Land 45. c. 77 Wars with Arthur Plantagenet 51 Hee is drowned 53 Wars incommodious 272 Wars with Charles the Emperour 401 Ward Sir Christopher 362 Wardships 63 Warbeck 337. c. Warlike discipline 35 Warwicke Protector 251 Warwicke slaine 281 Warrens 18 Watermen 258 Welles 260. 273 Welshmen rebell 11. 12. 13. 22. 80. 81. 83. 84. 85 166 Wenlocke 283 Wharton Lord 412 Whipped 42 Wife a good one 43 Willoughbie 363. 183. 392 Witchcraft 236 Wiues paid for 24 Wooduile 231. 333 Woods in Wales burnt 81 Woolsey 365. c. vntill pag. 388 Wounding 77 Worcester Earle 392 Wryothesley 417 Errata PAg. 305. lin 4. for daughter to the Dukes son reade son to the Dukes daughter Pag. 324. lin 3. for George Stanley reade George Talbot
a Kentish Rebell named Iacke Cade but falsly nominating himselfe Iohn Mortimer made an Insurrection in that Countrey and with his rudely-armed crew and banners displayed he marched towards the King who was then at Greenwich His message to the King But before hee came vnto him by messengers he informed him that hee intended not any hurt against his Royall Person but would displace and punish some of his euill Counsellors who were his flatterers and partiall to their owne friends bitter to their enemies enrichers of themselues oppressors of the common people greedie of too much honour and who for rewards corruptly ordered or rather disordered all things as they pleased When the King and his Counsell had maturely considered of this vndutifull and insolent message he was aduised to encounter them not with faire words which might breed further contempt but with the Sword for ensamples sake that others might by their punishment afterwards take better heede The Kings Armie pursueth the Rebels And thereupon a strong Armie was suddenly prepared of which when the Rebels were informed to gaine aduantage by their valour vnder a false pretence of cowardly feare they retired many miles The Queene who was resolued that this retreat rather proceeded from basenesse then from pollicie and wit sent after them Sir Humfrey Stafford and William Stafford his brother they being accompanied with many lustie Gentlemen and braue Souldiers Some of the Kings forces are ouerthrowen But most of them were quickly slaine by the Rebels who boldly and couragiously confronted them when opportunitie and place gaue them good aduantage to returne This victorie being thus obtained The Rebellion is appeased Iacke Cade to whom multitudes of rude and gracelesse people from many shires daily resorted pressed forth againe and boldly came into Blacke Heath and from thence to London where they did much harme But at length the Kings Generall Pardon was proclaimed by the Archbishop of Canterburie and by the Bishop of Winchester A good policie to all such as were not the Ring-leaders of that vngodly rebellion by means whereof the inconstant and fearfull multitude left their Captains and returned home Then was Iacke Cade proscribed by the King and proclamation was made by which a reward by the gift of one thousand markes was promised to him that could take him aliue or dead The hope of this paiment occasioned very many to make good inquiries and narrow searches after him Iacke Cade is prescribed and slaine so that in the end being found he was slaine as he fought desperately for his life and his head was presented to the King who willingly paid the reward which was promised Thus was this caitiffe destroied and thus was this commotion appeased which threatned destruction to the King and Common-weale Such of the Nobilitie and such of the Commons as could no longer endure or digest the euill gouernment of the Queene and of her adherents The Duke of Yorke commeth into England aduertised the Duke of Yorke who remained in Ireland that a Parliament was neere at hand and praied him to consider what was fittest to be done for the redresse thereof and for his owne good Whereupon he left his deputation in Ireland and returned home and openly conferred with his best friends Iohn Duke of Norfolke Thomas Courtney Earle of Deuonshire Richard Earle of Salisburie Richard Neuill his sonne Earle of Warwicke Edward Brooke Lord Cobham and with diuers others how and by what meanes he might soberly without vsurpation or treason set forth his right and title to the Crowne The causes for which he leuied an Armie After this matter had beene long debated it was concluded that the Duke of Yorke should raise an Armie vnder pretence to remoue the Duke of Somerset from the King and Queene because he ruled them both and the Common-weale too and against him it was publikely alleged that he was an oppressor of the people a deceiuer of the King a secret friend to his enemies a principall occasion that England had lost France Normandie and Aquitaine and had by his manifold treacheries and treasons deserued ill of the Prince and of his Countrey The King raiseth an Armie The King also fearing the worst raised another Armie but being certified from the Duke of Yorke that he intended nothing against his royall person nor against his State but onely craued that in a Parliament the Duke of Somerset might receiue his triall he committed the said Duke for a shew only to the Tower and thereupon the Duke of Yorke expecting fitter opportunitie dissolued his Armie A dissembled pacification and priuately repaired to the King where contrary to his expectation hee met with the Duke of Somerset who accused him of treason The Duke of Somerset accuseth the Duke of Yorke of high Treason He is imprisoned and enlarged for that without the Kings leaue or commandement he had raised an Armie with which he intended to haue murdered the King and to make himselfe the inheritor and possessor of his Crowne And though the Kings iealousie being grounded vpon strong presumptions that it was true caused the King to detaine and keepe the Duke of Yorke as a prisoner yet within few daies after he was enlarged because it seemed vnlikely to the Kings Counsell that his aime was directed to the Crowne seeing that without compulsion he had dissolued his Armie vpon the Duke of Somersets commitment vnto prison when he was strong enough to haue made his partie good against the King by force of Armes in the open field This businesse was the more easily passed ouer by the King because that in the middest of those disturbances the Lords of Aquitaine vpon whose fidelities Guyan and Aquitaine yeelded to King Henry but regained by the French King the French King being departed into France King Henry much relied by secret messengers had made offer to surrender al that Duchie againe into his hands if he would speedily send vnto them a conuenient Armie to defend and keepe it as his owne And thereupon the Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewesburie was sent thither with three thousand selected and valiant men who receiued that Duchie to the Kings vse as it was promised But assoone as the French King had notice of this Reuolt hee marched thither with an Armie of two and twentie thousand men fought with the English Iohn Earle of Shrewesburie slaine slew the most renowned and braue Earle and almost all his followers and in few daies regained all Aquitaine and almost all Guyen into his owne hands The Queene was now deliuered of a faire sonne Prince Edward borne who was afterwards named Edward and liued vntill almost hee came to a mans estate Creation of Lords And neere about the same time King Henry created his two brothers by the mothers side Edmund Tuthar who was father to King Henry the Seuenth Earle of Richmond and Iaspar Tuthar Earle of Pembroke but he died without issue France
by meanes whereof when the ship turned the Ordinance ran backe to the one side and bare the port holes vnder water so that the sea violently and abundantly flowed in and in a moment swallowed vp both ship Captaine Men Ordinance and all other things there to the great griefe and sorrow of the King himselfe and of all such as were present and beheld it The Lord Dambalt high Admirall of France being by certaine poore Fishermen whom he had taken informed that the King in his owne person being accompanied with an infinite number of valiant men of warre expected and longed to be made victorious and rich by their landing feared to hazard all his fortunes in so desperate and hot a seruice Wherefore be hoised Ancors and without Fame or Honor returned basely into France Now must wee know The Scots invade England that no sooner was King Henrie departed out of England to the siege of Bullein as wee haue heard but the Scottish Nation obseruing their old custome entred riffled spoiled and burnt many Houses Villages and small Townes in the marches of England without pitty Wherefore King Henrie after his returne resolued to correct their madnesse and their folly and to take reuenge for those iniuries and wrongs And for that purpose he sent the Noble Earle of Hartford into that Kingdome An Armie sent into Scotland with an Armie of twelue thousand men where hee hauoked Men Townes Castles and the Countrie in such a furious and fierce manner that the Scots were extremely damnified thereby and thousands of them were vtterly vndone About the same time the valiant Lord Lisle Lord high Admirall of England Treport entred into and landed within the Hauen of Treport and burnt the suburbs of that towne and many other houses Villages and Townes which bordered vpon the Sea coasts And at his returne from thence as a rich prey he caried with him many Ships Barges Boats and Vessels which he found there Now like as after many ruffe and boisterous stormes a sweet and a delectable calme doth follow so after these busie conflicts and martiall contentions The Duke of Northfolke and the Earle of Surrey committed whereof wee haue already taken a perfect view A peace was louingly concluded and ioyfully proclaymed betweene the two kingdomes of England and of France But this joy as in humane affaires it often hapneth was quickly checked with an other sorrow for the most victorious faithfull and euer to be honored Captaine the Duke of Northfolke and his sonne the most illustrious Earle of Surrey both which in this Kings raigne performed many memorable and braue seruices in Scotland England and in France were sodainely apprehended and sent vnto the Tower For none other thing but because they quartered and bare in their Escoucheon certaine Armes which were pretended properly and only to belong vnto the King and Prince which Armes notwithstanding they and their Auncesters timeout of minde had so borne without controlment reproofe or check For this offence the said Earle was indicted of high Treason arraigned thereon and tryed by a Iurie of Knights and Gentlemen The Earle of Surrey beheaded and not by his peeres because he was no Lord of the Parliament by whom he was found guiltie and then receiued his iudgement and lost his head to the great griefe and sorrow of many thousands who lamented the causelesse death of such a worthy man as had so well deserued of the King and of the common weale The King dieth But the Duke his father by reason of the Kings sicknesse and death which followed shortly after was preserued by God from that danger for better fortunes He is described The Presence of this King was amiable and Princely for hee was somewhat more then ordinarie tall strongly limmed proportionably composed faire in his complexion nimble and full of agilitie in his yonger yeares and alwaies as resolutely valiant as a man might bee Hee had a pregnant and a sharpe wit and was generally held to bee well learned because hee could and vsed to speake well He was exceeding humble and passing stout applying the former to gentle spirits and opposing the latter against prowd insolent and rough Mates He was bountifull and magnificently liberall if occasion so required Yet in regard that hee was a man He was not free from all faults For he was too too much familiar and conversant with wanton and light women And delighted too much in varietie and in change as most men did coniecture because he had sixe wiues From two of them he was seuered because his mariages were held to be void frustrate and of no force other two of them for the obiected crime of incontinencie lost their heads A fifth died in her child-bed and the sixt escaped fairely by his death Finally hee oftentimes much pleased himselfe to be ouer-familiar in the swaggering companie of loose Fellowes yet in most respects he was a famous a worthie and a most noble King Thus ended he his life and thus doe I conclude this Historie of these twentie Kings hoping that some other who shall be better able will with more sufficiencie write the rest FINIS THE SVCCESSIONS OF THE DVKES AND EARLES OF THIS KINGDOME OF ENGLAND FROM THE CONQVEST vntill the twelfth yeare of the famous Raigne of the mightie Monarch King IAMES THE FIRST THOV SHALT LABOR FOR PEACE PLENTIE LONDON Printed by W. Stansby for Henrie Fetherstone 1615. Princes of VVales since the Conquest Iohn Speede 97 1 EDward Caer-Nervon sonne to King Edward the First afterwards king Edward the Second 2 Edward of Windsour sonne to king Edward the Second afterwards king Edward the Third 3 Edward the Black Prince sonne to king Edward the Third 4 Richard of Bordeaux sonne to the Black Prince afterwards king Richard the Second 5 Henrie of Monmoth sonne to king Henrie the Fourth afterwards king Henrie the Fifth 6 Henrie of Windsour sonne to king Henrie the Fifth afterwards king Henrie the Sixth 7 Edward of Westminster sonne to king Henrie the Sixth 8 Edward of Westminster sonne to king Edward the Fourth afterwards king Edward the Fifth 9 Edward Plantagenet sonne to king Richard the Third 10 Arthur Tuther sonne to king Henrie the Seuenth 11 Henrie Tuther sonne to king Henrie the Seuenth afterwards king Henrie the Eighth 12 Edward the sonne of king Henrie the Eighth afterwards king Edward the Sixth 13 Henrie the sonne of king Iames. 14 Charles the sonne of king Iames. THE SVCCESSIONS OF THE DVKES AND EARLES OF THIS KINGDOME OF ENGLAND From the Conquest vntill the twelfth yeare of the famous Raigne of the mightie Monarch King IAMES the First Albemarle and Holdernes EVDO Sonne to the Earle of Champagne married one of the Conquerours sisters Conq. and was by him created Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernes Stephen their sonne succeeded and was Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernes William surnamed Le Grose being his sonne succeeded K. Steph. and was Earle of Albemarle