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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Seigniories of Callice Marguise Sandgate and Coloigne 4. And lastly That in regard thereof King EDWARD The Title to the Crowne of France is relinquished As well in the behalfe of himselfe as of his Successours Kings of England should vtterly renounce and leaue both the name and title to the Kingdome of France And for the performance of these Articles ANNO. 34 How the obseruation of this Peace was ratified The King and Prince returne into England Charles the Regent of France and the Prince of Wales in the presence of six Knights of either Nation receiued the holy Sacrament at the high Altar and then King Edward and his sonne returned into England and were with all complements of loue and kindnesse entertained and feasted at the Tower of London by the French King who was conueyed from thence to Callis The French King feasteth them The two princes sweare Hostages where according to agreement he remained foure moneths and then King Edward repaired to him and both of them at a high Masse solemnly swore to obserue performe and keepe the said Articles and the peace And King Iohn for the hostages of his Ransome deliuered to King Edward foure Dukes seauen Earles ten Barons many Knights and two of the worthiest Burgesses of euery great Citie in France and tooke a most friendly leaue of the King and of the Prince of Wales and departed towards Boleine King Iohn was a prisoner foure yeares he hauing remained a prisoner more then foure yeares And King Edward with his sonne returned into England bringing with them their honorable Hostages who were with all humanitie and kindnesse feasted and entertained by the King and by his Nobilitie and were permitted freely to vse all sports pastimes and exercises for pleasure and contentation as they pleased ANNO. 37 Three Kings doe visite King Edward King Iohn dieth in England The Blacke Prince liueth in Burdeaux ANNO. 40 The causes of King Edwards future losses in those Countries Peter King of Castile is deposed by Henry the Bastard King Charles the fifth taketh part with Henrie the Bastard The Blacke Prince being victorious resetleth Peter in his Kingdome About two yeares after king Edward was at one time visited for loue and kindnesse onely and for no businesse at all by three Kings that is to say by king Iohn of France Dauid the king of Scots and by the king of Cyprus and were with all munificent bountie and liberalitie feasted and honored by the King but king Iohn fell sick and dyed in the Sauoy and his body was conuayd vnto S. Dennis in France where with great pomp and princely ceremonies it was buried The next yeare following the noble Prince of â—ales and his wife being very gallantly attended and prouided went vnto Burdeaux where he liued and gouerned the kings Prouinces thereabout and elsewhere in France to the great contentment and good liking of the Nobles and commons of those Countries In the fortith yeare of king Edwards raigne an vnfortunate businesse was taken in hand by the valiant Prince of Wales which albeit it were performed with great resolution and was rewarded with deserued honor yet within few yeares by reason of a future accident it was the occasion that king Edward lost a great part of his territories in France and it was thus Peter the true and lawfull king of Castile was in the field ouerthrowne put to flight and dispossessed of his Crowne by Henry his Bastard Brother who was assisted by Charles the fifth the sonne of Iohn the deceased king of France This poore distressed king in his wants and miserie repaired to the Prince of Wales for ayd who for his restoring and vpon large and faithfull promises of liberall pay and great rewards conducted an armie into Castile And albeit that the Spanish and the French forces were in number four times more then the Princes were yet in a bloudie battaile the most of them were slaine and the rest were put to flight And king Peter was againe restored to his Crowne and setled in his kingdome by the Prince who returned againe to Burdeaux with great honor But not long after Henry the Bastard Henrie the Bastard taketh and slaieth Peter Peters two heires married to Iohn of Gant and Thomas of Woodstocke The want of pay was the Prince his ouerthrow This Taxe mard all being newly supplied with fresh forces warred with such great furie and violence vpon king Peter that he subdued him and to preuent all future claymes and troubles which he might make he caused him to be put to death But his two daughters and heires were after marryed vnto Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and to Thomas of Woodstock two of king Edwards sonnes By reason of king Peters death the Prince his souldiours being hopelesse to receiue their promised pay and large rewards and being oppressed with many wants daily petitioned the Prince to supply their need But he finding none other meanes to support their necessities nor being stored with money to relieue their pouertie imposed contrary to the customes of those Countries diuers Taxes vpon the inhabitants of Aquitaine which so highly did displease them that the Lords thereof complained of this sharp noueltie to the French king who flatly contrary to the Articles not long before concluded on for peace betwixt England and France arrogated to himselfe the Soueraignty ouer the Prince The French King breakes the League and his Dominions in France and sommoned him to appeare before him at Paris So that the peace and those agreed Articles were broken by the French king The Prince sommoned to appeare at Paris Warres proclaimed Almost all do reuolt from the Prince The mutabilitie of fortun An vnfortunate yeare and warres were againe proclaymed betweene England and France But before the Prince of Wales could enable his forces for a strong defence the inhabitants of those Countries for the most part reuolted from him and dayly yeelded their Townes Cities Forts and Castles into the hands of the French king So that king Edward who for the space of forty yeares together was most honorable and more fortunate then any other Christian Prince by gayning of incredible victories vpon the Scots and French Nation within the compasse of one yeare without blowes lost almost all his Commaund in those Prouinces which by the said agreement and articles of peace were allotted and by solemne oath assured vnto him King Charles of France forgetting what he had sworne ANNO. 43 The French Name and pleasing himselfe thus quietlie to be made the Lord of all those Countries which were assigned to king Edward conceiued strong hope not only to defeat him vtterly of all these Countries but also to vex him at home in his owne kingdome And for that purpose he furnished a strong Nauie with which he kept the Narrow Seas But king Edward to driue those forces back againe sent his sonne Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Iohn of Gant with an
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
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
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
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
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
was in great disfauour with the King But he taking little notice of the Kings dislike contrarie to the Kings pleasure vpon the suddaine surrendred to the King his Chancelorship and the great Seale The King enquired diligently for the cause why he so did But such was his obstinate follie and vnthankfulnesse that he would not reueale it vnto anie These jarres betweene the King and the Archbishop emboldened the baser and the worser sort of the Clergie to commit manie great and horrible sinnes and offences for which they receiued small punishment because though their transgressions were Murthers Manslaughters Thefts and Robberies yet they being to be tryed and adiudged by men of their owne profession were too too much winked at So that by meanes of their carelesnesse the Commonweale was much wronged The Clergies temp rall offences made subiect to be tried before the Temporall Iudge Wherefore the King summoned and assembled his High Court of Parliament In which that Law made by king Stephen which exempted the authoritie of the Temporall Iudge to meddle with anie Ecclesiasticall persons for anie crime by them committed whatsoeuer was abolished and the ancient Lawes of this Realme vsed in the times of Henrie the first and of others the kings Progenitors and which were commonly called Auitae Leges were reduced to their former validitie and force Auitae Leges But in these proceedings the king was much crossed and interrupted by the obstinate and bold frowardnesse of Thomas Becket and of some few other Bishops who vnaduisedly made themselues partakers of his Faction But after manie Conferences Disputes and Consultations touching those businesses all the Bishops Becket onely excepted ratified and subscribed those newly reuiued Lawes Becket would not giue way to those Laws But Becket would not by anie meanes assent thereunto except hee might insert this Clause Saluo ordine suo Which words would clearely haue annihilated the life and substance of those Lawes His Exception Saluo iure suo This his follie made the king to bite his lippe and to say little So that the other Bishops much fearing to what end the kings extraordinarie displeasure and discontentment would tend did priuately commune with the Archbishop and prayed him for the preuenting of future mischiefes to submit himselfe whereunto he gaue his free consent Becket is persuaded and sweareth to those Lawes and as the rest had done so did he take a solemne Oath to giue allowance to those Lawes The king forthwith altered the strangenesse of his countenance into pleasing and familiar lookes he spake kindly vnto Becket and assured him of his former loue And being wise and politike and purposing to assure the Peace of future times whilest oportunitie did serue hee caused a tripartite Instrument to be drawne betwixt himselfe and the two Archbishops testifying this Submission and this Oath Two of which parts were forthwith subscribed by the King and by the Archbishop of Yorke But Thomas Becket falling into the relapse of his former follie did not onely refuse to doe the like Becket again withstandeth those Lawes but expressed great Repentance for the former Oath which he had taken And not so contented he secretly informed the Pope thereof and of his inward sorrow for that sinne Becket is absolued by the Pope The Pope not onely absolued him of that Oath and enioyned him to some priuate Penance but hee also required him without yeelding stoutly to persist with a strong Resolution in his opinion Hereupon the kings anger towards Becket daily encreased more and more And when this newes from Rome was diuulged Beckets temporalties seized by the King He is called to an accompt for 30000 marks and refuseth to accompt his Majestie seized into his owne hands all such Temporall Lands and Promotions as hee had giuen in former times vnto Becket and required him to render him an account for thirtie thousand Marks which to his vse he had receiued when he was Chancelor of this Realme But boldly hee affirmed That the king had frankely and freely giuen it vnto him and that therefore hee would not enter into anie such account Whereupon the king to satisfie himselfe His mouables are seized made a seizure of such moueable goods as appertained to him Thus whilest the Wheele thus turned Thomas Becket without the kings Licence transported himselfe secretly vnto Rome Becket goeth to Rome and the king thereby perceiuing that Becket intended nothing more than to incense the Pope against him sent his Embassadours and Letters vnto Rome The Pope denieth the Kings request and by them he signified vnto the Pope how reasonable his owne demaunds were and how peruersely Thomas Becket had refused to obey And therefore he entreated the Pope that he might be depriued of his Place and Dignitie protesting That he would prouide for him and his in some other kind He threateneth the king But the Pope not onely denied his request but with thundering termes he threatened to send two Legats into England who should curse the King and all his Realme except on their demaund hee restored the Archbishop both to his Place and Dignitie and also to all such Lands and Mouables as by the Kings commandement had beene taken from him And in the meane time hee commended Becket to the Abbot of Pontinyack where hee was gently receiued and kindly entertained as a Monke The Kings anger against Becket But when the King perceiued into what corner the winde did blow and that the Pope had filled Becket with the blasts of pride and vaine-glorie he being more and more exasperated sent vnto the said Abbot and required him to turne Becket out of his house or otherwise he protested he would not leaue one Monke of his Order in all France The King forbiddeth accesse from the Pope into England He also published certaine Iniunctions against the Pope and all Cardinals and Legates which without his Licence should presume to enter into his kingdome He also depriued Thomas Beckets nearest and choisest friends of all such Promotions Lands and Substance as they did enioy and banished them out of the Realme Beckets friends are banished because with counsell and with money they had joyned with him in this his obstinacie against the king This round and bitter course more troubled Becket then all other precedent passages whatsoeuer And to encrease his griefe the Abbot of Pontinyacke fearing the euent of the Kings displeasure if he submitted not himselfe to his command gently perswaded Becket to leaue his house The French King vnderhand animateth the Pope Whereof when Lewis the French King heard albeit his daughter Margaret was married vnto Henrie the yong King yet he procured him better entertainment elsewhere and secretly wrote in his behalfe vnto the Pope The King sayleth into France He conferreth with Becket His offer to Becket King Henrie desiring to see an end of these troubles if by any meanes conueniently hee might vpon
and had found more fidelitie and seruice in strangers borne than in those his owne subjects in milde and in gentle sort accepted of their submission pardoned their transgressions and restored them to their Honors and to their Lands Peace And by these meanes this Realme was disburthened of the French Nation and a quiet peace began to salute the King and his people who now found some leysure to looke vp and to refresh themselues as Fishes doe in a faire calme after they haue beene tumbled and tossed in the Waters by an vnquiet Storme 1212. The Councell of Lateran The Pope intending to make these his proceedings with King Iohn in England a president vnto other Princes assembled a generall Councell at Lateran wherein hee published them all at large together with the said kings Grant of his Kingdome to the Pope Princes excommunicated and their Prouinces and Kingdomes interdicted and his said regrant and the Tenure thereof to be of the Church of Rome And in the same Councell Otho the Emperour Peter king of Arragon and Raymond Earle of Tholouse and diuers other Princes were excommunicated and others were interdicted together with their Kingdomes and their Prouinces for Heresie as it was pretended A Popish Policie But the certaine scope of this craftie and cunning packing tended to none other end than onely to make temporall Princes subiect to the Popes correction and consequently to enrich himselfe and his successors Auricular Confession Transubstantiation Damnation with their spoyle In the same Councell also Auricular Confession and Transubstantiation were established and decreed and therein it was enacted That such as spake euill of the Pope should be damned in Hell and that no man should be Emperour Emperour vntill he had sworne his Homage to the Pope and had receiued his Crowne from him And thus all these troubles hauing had from the fourth yeare of King Iohns Raigne as long a continuance as the Troian Warres were at last ended Peace after tenne yeares warre But the Clergie would in no sort bee heartily reconciled to the King For such was their secret grudge and spleene towards him that vnder the colour of much seruice and dutie as hee lay in the Abbey of Swansteede not farre from Lincolne hee was poysoned by a Monke of the Order of Saint Bernard who to make his match sure King Iohn is poysoned and to auoid jealousie and suspition first dranke vnto the King and poysoned himselfe for companie And thus died King Iohn when he had raigned aboue seuâ—nteene yeares and lyeth buried at Winchester In the seuenth yeare of his Raigne hee transported a puissant armie of valiant men of armes and common souldiors 1205. into Ireland Ireland and with great resolution and courage he reduced that Nation to their former obedience from which with insolent obstinacie they had reuolted And in the ninth yeare by a new Charter 1208. A Maior in London hee enabled the Citizens of London to make their annuall choice of a Maior and of two Shirifes for the better Gouernement of that Citie And the yeare following London Bridge the Bridge of Stone was there built ouer the Riuer of Thames This King was verie wise politike and wonderfull valiant 1209. not to be subdued but by Death A descriptiâ—n of King Iohn nor wearied with anie Trauaile nor would be discouraged with more than ordinarie Dangers Hee fought manie successefull Battailes both at home and abroad yet was hee not alwayes fortunate For by meanes of the Popes quarrellings Philip of France wonne from him the greatest part yea almost his whole Duchie of Normandie and vexed him exceedingly at home in his owne Kingdome Hee was liberally bountifull and benigne to all Strangers but sparing in his gifts to his owne subiects And some reason hee had to be the more close-handed towards them because the most of them better louing France than their owne Countrey and caring more for the French King than for him who was their Soueraigne Lord and Master gaue him little stomack and courage to aduance them as otherwise no doubt hee would haue longed and desired to haue done Hee left behinde him foure sonnes viz. Henrie who succeeded him Richard who was elected King of the Romans William of Valentia and Guido Disnay and three daughters viz. Isabell married to Fredericke the Emperour the second to William Marshall Earle of Worcester and the third to the Earle of Leicester THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE THIRD AFTER the death of King Iohn Henrie his sonne being of the age of nine yeares was crowned King and the Protection of him A Protector and of this Realme was committed to the Earle of Glocester who hauing married one of the Kings aunts and being well learned politicke and wise temperate and valiant administred the Lawes and Iustice vprightly to the people So deepe an impression had confidence made in the hearts of Philip of France and of Prince Lewis his eldest sonne The French King againe inuadeth England that the Kings Minoritie Traiterous friends and their owne good fortune would make them the Soueraigne Lords of this kingdome that no former Commandements or Curses from the Pope preuailed to make them vtterly to abandon and to forsake this kingdome For their Hope 's fed them with this conceit that their new repaire hither and the daily disturbance and trouble which by their meanes should vnjoynt the Peace and the good Gouernment of this Commonweale would and in the end should shake it with a continuall feauer and make it hopelesse of all recouerie or reliefe sauing onely by their meanes And vpon this Proiect they landed fresh forces within this Land But the new Protector was not idle in his charge For his Preparations were expedited with great celeritie and judgement and with such forces as he had leuied he manfully opposed himselfe against all Encounters of the French The Welchmen take part with the French and of the Welch which obstinately adhered to the French part But the best successe by Warres in a distempered and in a mutinous Estate giues little cause of boasting to eyther part For the slaughter of manie friends and kinsfolke affoording the Victorie cannot chuse but bring with it a sorrowfull remembrance of their vntimely end and beget manie wishes that their vndutifull Errors hauing beene reformed they were aliue againe The Pope curseth again Honorius the Pope being truly informed how obstinately the French and the Welch Nations being assisted with some English daily warred and spoyled within this Realme not onely confirmed the authoritie of Guallo the Legate but by him he thundred more sharpe and terrible Curses against them all than formerly hee or his predecessors had done Whereunto hee added new Excommunications Depriuations and other bitter Censures of the Church of Rome His curses are not cared for Hereupon Prince Lewis with his confederates seemed to be peacefull for a while and made an outward shâ—w
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
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
them to reuolt and yeeld to King Charles By meanes whereof King Henrie as hee was counselled sayled with a puisant Armie from Douer 1431. 10 King Henrie crowned in Paris and arriued at Calice And taking Roan in his way Hee marched vnto Paris where hee was with all beseeming requisities annointed and crowned King of France and receiued homage and fealtie vpon the Othes of the Nobles Gentlemen and common People of that Citie These French warres were famous in all the Westerne parts of the world And the more were they spoken off because men generally did wonder how it was possible that so small an Iland England admired at as England was should for so many yeares together so grieuously torment and scourge so large so populous and so potent a Kingdome as France was and put it to the worst At length and after frequent mediations vsed by Eugenius the Fourth then Pope of Rome and by many other Christian Princes Such great hopes as made the fairest shew of an happie Peace An vnperfect Truce vanished quite and came to nothing sauing that an vnperfect Truce for sixe yeares was consented vnto which lasted but a while For shortly after King Henries returne into England Vnfortunately it hapned that the Ladie Anne wife vnto the Regent The Regents wife dyeth and sister to the Duke of Burgoine died And not long after hee married the faire and fresh Ladie Iaquet daughter vnto Peter Earle of S. Paul The Regent newly maried and thereby allied himselfe to the ancient and honorable Familie and house of Luxenbourgh and from thenceforth the great loue The Regent looseth a good friend which for many yeares had made the Regent and his brother in law the Duke of Burgoin fortunate happie waxed faint and feeble by meanes whereof the Duke won nothing and the Regent became lesse powerfull then he had beene in former times 1432. 11 The Truce broken The solemnities of this mariage were no sooner finished but that the six yeares truce which was so lately concluded was quite broken and warre began to threaten the effusion of much bloud For the aduerse part by secret vnderminings and trecherous perswasions possessed it selfe daily of many of the Regents Castles and Townes and iustified that manner of proceeding by affirming That politike gainings without blowes infringed not any Truce and so farre off were the Frenchmen from restoring those things which by those subtleties they had gained that to procure more Treason discouered they secretly conuaied two hundred Souldiers into the Castle of Roan hoping to haue surprized it but the treason was reuealed and the Conspirators were with maine strength beaten into the Dungeon From whence they were sentenced some to the Gallowes others to death by cruell torments others to sharpe imprisonment and such of them as sped best were for great ransomes and summes of money set at large 1433. 12 Talbots name was terrible in France These coales quickly kindled the fire of rage in so much that either partie made it selfe strong by the speedie supply of a new Armie And the Regents forces were much augmented by Iohn Lord Talbot who was of late redeemed out of prison who though hee brought with him out of England but only eight hundred chosen men at Armes yet his name and his presence more terrified the Frenchmen The Frenchmen would not fight then halfe the English Armie besides Oftentimes the two Armies by their neare approch striued to out-face and to daunt each other And twice the Regent boldly challenged the Frenchmen to entertaine the fight but they only made faire shewes to performe much and seemed as if they thirsted to make themselues famous by their manhood yet in two seuerall places and at two times they fled in the night and would not in any sort hazard their Fortunes in the field Now A Rebellion in Normandy whilest the Regent was thus carefully employed abroad the Rustickes of Normandie treacherously attempting to shake off the English yoke which was neuer burthensome vnto them rudely armed themselues and marched towards Cane exercising much violence and crueltie in all places where they did preuaile The Rebels are subdued But they were speedily encountred and ouerthrowne by the Earle of Arundell and the Lord Willoughby who slew more than a thousand of them and tormented their rebellious Leaders and Captaines with sundry sorts of deaths but permitted the baser sort to return home The Earle of Arundell slaine This noble and couragious Earle purposing to reseise for King Henrie the Towne of Rue which grieuously punished the Countries of Ponthew Arthois and Bolenois perceiued as hee marched that an old decayed Castle called Gerbory neere vnto Beauois was newly reedified and made strong This Castle hee assaulted with great courage but being mortally wounded on the ancle with the shot of a Culuerine hee was taken prisoner from the ground but within few daies after he died About the same time the Duke of Burbon who about eighteene yeares before was taken prisoner at the battaile fought at Agencourt paied his ransome of eighteene thousand pounds The Duke of Bourbon is ransomed and dieth but died in London the same day in which hee intended to set forwards towards France In the end of the raigne of King Henrie the Fifth The Regent and the Duke of Burgoine haue stout stomacks we may reuiew or remember what a precise charge and command that King gaue to his Brethren and to his Nobles neuer to loose the amitie and friendship of Philip Duke of Burgoine and this Historie maketh mention how carefull they haue beene euer since to obserue his counsell in that behalfe but the busie tongues of Tell-tales and of foisting Flatterers obtayning credit where reprehension was more fitting preuailed in such sort That the said Duke causelesly waxed iealous and his loue was cold towards the Regent Tale-bearers or Tale-tellers yet through the perswasions and by the mediation of their honorable friends an enteruiew to reuiue their friendship was procured and S. Omers was the place appointed for that purpose But when they both had made their entrance into that Towne The Duke of Bedford because he was Regent and the sonne brother and Vncle vnto Kings expected the prioritie of visitation by the Duke but he because he was the Lord and Soueraigne of that Towne supposed that he should be checked for dishonorable basenesse if hee should first repaire to the Regents lodging These conceits touching their preheminence and superioritie were very likely to distemper their humors more then formerly they had beene For the preuenting whereof their friends endeuoured to perswade them both to meete together in some indifferent place But the Regent refused to yeeld thereunto So they departed and left the Towne The Duke of Burgoine forsakes the Regent beeing both displeased and discontented with each others haughtinesse of spirit and great stomacke And forthwith the Duke of Burgoine entred into
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
right and title to that Crowne and Kingdome The King and his Counsell thereupon quickly resolued to vndertake that businesse principally for these reasons 1. First because the Crowne of France was not ambitiously but iustly desired by the King who thought hee had good right and title thereunto 2. Secondly because French warres enriched English souldiers 3. Thirdly because those warres kept them at home and gaue them not any libertie to inuade this Realme 4. Fourthly because the French King had assisted Queene Margaret the Earle of Warwicke and their Complices against King Edward in the late Ciuill Warres 5. And fifthly because the said French King made warres vpon the Duke of Burgoine who had formerly aided King Edward for the regaining of his Crowne and Kingdome A beneuolence craued by King Edward But because money wanted for the defraying of so great a charge King Edward without a Parliament craued a beneuolence to be freely enlarged to him by his Subiects who gaue him some money but with an euill will Yet among others a rich yet a sparing and a nigardly widow did cheerefully giue vnto him twentie pounds A mery iest The King himselfe who was present but to her vnknowen perceiuing that vnexpectedly shee had bestowed vpon him so good a summe did not only giue her thankes but merily came and kissed her telling her that for her money shee should kisse a King The old woman was so much gladded with that courtesie that shee told the King his kisse was worth more money and therefore she added twentie pounds more to the former summe The King hauing in a readinesse before Douer a Fleet of fiue hundred ships and boats and hauing a puissant and a compleat Armie of fifteene hundred men at Armes on horsebacke The King transporteth an Armie for France and fifteene thousand tall Archers besides all such as attended for other needfull seruices departed from England and landed safely at Calice where hee was receiued with great honour and state But he was much greeued because the Duke of Burgoine vpon whose motion and at whose entreatie and promise to be met by him at Calice with two thousand men at Armes The Duke of Burgoine breaketh promise and aids him not hee came thither trifled with his whole Armie in the siege of Nuyce which he was not likely to winne and at length after much time spent in vaine had sent all his forces to Berroys in Lorrayne to be reuenged vpon Reyner Queene Margarets father Duke of that Prouince for that hee had vsed foule and vnseemely words towards him when he lay at the siege of Nuyce whereas if the said Duke of Burgoine had ioined with King Edward against the French King and with the Duke of Britaine who sided with King Edward they would haue put into hazard of winning the whole kingdome of France Yet King Edward with his owne Companies marched by Bollen to Perone into the Duke of Burgoines Countrey He breakes his promise againe where the said Duke had not made any manner of prouision for the refreshing of the English Armie according to his promise but suffred them to lie without his Townes in the cold and in the open fields whereat they were all displeased From thence king Edward with the said Duke marched towards S. Quintens which was secretly promised to be deliuered to him by Lewys of Luxenburgh Hee was Earle of S. Paul and Constable of France The King is kept out of S. Quintens great Vncle to king Edwards wife But when they came before it their entrie was not only denied but sallies were made vpon them and the great Ordinance plaied from the Towne vpon the kings Armie so that plainly he perceiued that nothing was to be obtained there without blowes To these breaches of promise was added one vnkindnesse more by the Duke of Burgoine who to visit his Armie A peace is concluded for nine yeares which then lay in Berroys in Lorrayne vnexpectedly left king Edward and rode thither leauing word behinde that hee would come vnto him with his whole Armie as soone as he should be able The French king being politicke and wise and knowing that if all those his enemies should ioine their strengths against him they would put him in hazard of his estate and being informed that king Edward was highly discontented by reason of the Duke of Burgoines vnfaithfull vsage and knowing that he beganne to feele the extremities of a winter warre mediated a friendly conference and a firme peace which by their Commissioners was effected for nine yeares in this sort The Articles of peace FIrst it was agreed that the French King should forthwith pay to King Edward towards his forepassed charges threescore and fifteene thousand Crownes and also the summe of fiftie thousand more for an yearly pension so long as King Edward liued 2. Secondly that the French King within one yeare should send for the King of Englands daughter the Ladie Elizabeth into France and marie her to the Dolphin for whose maintenance the French King should for nine years space pay yearly to them fiftie thousand Crownes and at the end of those yeares should deliuer to them the quiet and peaceable possession of the whole Duchie of Guyen 3. And thirdly that the Lord Haward and Sir Iohn Cheney master of the Horses should staie as hostages with the French King vntill the whole Armie had quited France and were landed in the Kingdome of England Reasons mouing King Edward to conclude this peace To these propositions King Edward and his Counsell consented for these reasons 1. First as the Duke of Burgoines promises were seldome or neuer honestly performed so with the King whom hee had drawen into those Countries and into those warres hee did but gloze and faine 2. Secondly because the Earle of S. Paul Constable of France did but dissemble when hee protested to deliuer to King Edward the Towne of S. Quintens which he did not but offered violence to his Armie in stead thereof 3. Thirdly because the winter which approched sharply would haue enforced him for that time to haue returned dishonourably into England 4. And last of all because the late Ciuill Warres had consumed most of his best souldiers and chiefest Leaders and the greatest part of his treasure so that King Edward was hardly able to maintaine a great Armie any long time But the Duke of Glocester and his friends who mortally hated the French King striued much to disswade King Edward from these conclusions but all in vaine for those Articles were scaled and published the money was paid both the Kings in a familiar and kinde enteruiew by their solemne oathes had sworne to obserue and keepe them and hostage were deliuered accordingly It is to be noted The Duke of Burgoine stormeth at this peace that within this peace the Dukes of Burgoine and of Britaine were included if they would consent thereunto But when this newes was told to the Duke of
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
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
defend themselues that poore Perkin began to hang downe his head and being troubled with melancholicke passions filled the aire with sighes and groanes and was perplexed at the heart being weary of his match The King commeth into the West Countrey with an Armie The King who had beene speedily informed how violently that Citie was enuironed and how couragiously the Rebels were resisted so carefully regarded it and the inhabitants thereof that with a faire Armie he himselfe in his owne person marched towards the Rebels with all speede But before hee could come neere vnto them Edward Courtney Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord William his sonne Sir Wymond Carew Sir Thomas Trenchard Sir William Courtney Sir Thomas Fulford Sir Iohn Halwell Sir Iohn Crocker Walter Courtney Peter Edgecombe and their lustie followers repaired to the said Citie of Exeter and intended to giue such good helpe and assistance to the inhabitants thereof that the Rebels leauing the siege marched into Somersetshire The siege of Exetâ—r is â—ed Perkin Wâ—â—beâ—â—â—â—â—egâ— Tawnton where they besieged the Towne of Tawnton But the King vnderstanding that they were remoued from the Citie and where they then were directed his course towards Tawnton he hauing with him in his Armie Edward the young Duke of Buckingham who was a Prince of haughtie courage and of a gallant resolution Giles Lord Dawbeney his chiefest Chamberlaine Robert Lord Brooke Lord Steward of his house Sir Alexander Baynam Sir Maurice Barkley Sir Robert Tame Sir Iohn Guise Sir Robert Poynts Sir Henry Vernon Sir Iohn Morâ—â—mer Sir Thomas Tremaile Sir Edward Sutton Sir Amias Paulet Sir Iohn Sapcots Sir Hugh Lutterel Sir Francis Cheyney and sundrie other Knights and Gentlemen of great place and valour Perkin and the Rebels site But when Perkin Warbecke and his fellow Captaines heard of the Kings approche they fled with threescore horse vnto Beauly neere to South-hampton where poore Perkin and most of those his companions entred into the Sanctuarie and registred their names there but the residue of them were taken prisoners by the Kings light horsemen and being brought into the Kings Armie for examples sake vnto others they were ordered and executed by the martiall law in sundrie places in the Westerne parts But the rude rabble which were left behinde perceiuing that their Ring-leaders had left them The common sort of Rebels are pardoned and were run away fell downe vpon their knees craued mercie promised faith and loyaltie in future times and not only receiued the Kings pardon but were reuiued by his expressing of much fauour and graâ—e towards them This victory being thus obtained without blowes the King King Henry commeth to the Citie of Exeter with his greatest Lords and the brauest Gallants in his trayne came to the City of Exceter and was lodged in it certaine daies where he commended and thanked the inhabitants for their faithfull and valiant seruice promised them the fulnesse of his fauour The King giues his Sword to the Citie of Exeter and for an addition of Honour to that City gaue vnto them his sword from his owne side and commaunded that in future times and in all publike places within that Citie it should bee borne before the Maior as formerly and for the like purpose his noble predecessor King Edward the fourth had done Then the King intending to make a finall end of these ciuill warres sent some of his chosen Captaines Perkin Warbecke is brought to the King with certaine bands of armed men to apprehend poore Perkin who compassed the Sanctuarie at Bewly round about so that he recounting with himselfe his sundrie mishaps and his hopelesse fortunes to be a King yeelded himselfe and was brought vnto the King who carried him as his prisoner vnto London where albeit hee was closely kept and narrowly watched by diuers of the Kings Guard yet hee escaped But being daily and hourely searched for Perkin escapeth and is taken againe hee voluntarily committed himselfe to the Abbot of Shene neere to the Kings Palace of Richmond intreating him to haue compassion on him and to procure for him the Kings pardon He is stocked He is committed to the Tower which hee did Then was hee brought to the Kings Court at Whitehall where all his base descent and ignoble pedegree being in a paper fully written and pinned vpon his backe hee was stocked one whole day so was he the next morning vpon a high scaffold in Cheape-side within the Citie of London from whence hee was committed a close prisoner to the Tower He practiseth to escape and to conuey away the young Earle of Warwicke Hee being in prison there corrupted by infinite promises of honourable aduancement the seruants of Sir Iohn Digbie Lieutenant of the Tower to suffer him and Edward the young Farle of Warwicke who had been a prisoner from his infancie to escape But this plot being discouered Perkin Warbecke was shortly after by the due course of Law condemned for High Treason Perkin Warbecke beheaded and was executed at Tyburne within two daies after and the young Earle of Warwicke who consented to haue escaped likewise being altogether innocent of all crime and onely affecting libertie which men beasts birds and fishes doe naturally desire was indicted arraigned conuicted and adiudged guiltie of the like offence and was executed on a Scaffold at the Tower Hill The young Earle of Warwicke is beheaded His death much blemished the fame and reputation of King Henry who being mercifull and compassionate by nature and hauing extended it oftentimes vnto notorious malefactors now to worke his owne securitie and without any iust offence would not pardon him who all his life time had beene so secret a prisoner restrained from all companie and from the view of this vaine and transitorie world that he scarcely knew a Capon from a Goose nor euer attempted any thing which might offend the King sauing only to set himselfe at large 1500. As soone as these businesses were thus ended Arthur the noble Prince of Wales being of the age of fifteene yeares was by an honourable deputation betrothed to the Ladie Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine Prince Arthur marieth Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Aragon shee being of the age of eighteene yeares and the next yeare after with triumphant ioy and princely entertainment he receiued her into England and was maried to her in Pauls Church within the Citie of London And not long after Iames the Fourth King of the Scots vsed the mediation of Richard Fox 1501. then Bishop of Durham but shortly after translated vnto Winchester that hee might haue to wife the Ladie Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henry the Seuenth The Kings eldest daughter affied and after maried to Iames the fourth King of Scots And though the King for many important reasons might haue bestowed her vpon the greatest and most honorable Kings or Potentates in the Christian world yet for these
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
but applied them about Marcelles and by them they had no helpe And secondly because the Burgundians Flemings and their companions hauing Carts Waggons and other carriages and being neere vnto their owne Countries tooke and were able to carrie away the greater and the better part of all their spoiles and yet they would seldome fight as the Englishmen were compelled and enforced to doe The Duke not knowing what allowance the King would giue to the dissoluing of the Armie without his consent sent the Lord Sands and Sir Richard Ierningham to the King to informe him of the state of his Armie and also to know his pleasure touching the breaking of it vp But the King would not in any sort assent to their returne but prepared the Lord Mountioy with an Armie of 6000. men money and store of victuals and of other necessaries to hasten vnto their aide But before the returne of those two messengers the souldiers without the Dukes leaue wilfully departed home thorow Burgundie and Flanders And because the greater number of them had so done The Armie is dissolued therefore the Duke was compelled to breake vp his whole Armie whereat the King was highly displeased for a while but at length finding the Duke and chiefest Captaines faultlesse they returned home and were by his Maiestie receiued into his especiall grace and fauour The Scots are againe busie Whilest the Duke of Suffolke was thus busied in France the Duke of Albanie raised another Armie of 80000. men But to resist and to fight with them the Lord Admirall and Treasurer of England marched forth with an Armie of fortie thousand But the Scots not well enduring the sight of such powerfull and well appointed enemies presently ran away and would not strike one stroke And had the Earles commission beene enlarged and giuen them leaue to haue followed them into their owne Countrie vndoubtedly the Scots had receiued a fatall blow at that time but by quicke message A truce the Queene of Scots who was the Kings eldest sister againe obtained a truce so that in the meane time a triall might be made whether a peace woulde be concluded and agreed on or no. Betwixt the Marches of Bulleyn and of Calice diuers feats of Armes were euermore valiantly performed for honors sake in which sometimes the vanquished were againe victors and such as preuailed now were by and by ouercome The Duke of Albanie perceiuing that the Nobilitie of Scotland would no longer endure that hee being a Frenchman borne and next to the King the inheritor of that Crowne should haue the rule and gouernement of their King and Countrie The Duke of Albanie forsaketh Scotland Feared least any mischiefe might befall him or least by some deuise he should be deliuered to the King Wherefore hee secretly fled into France vpon whose departure much peace and quietnesse ensued betwixt the King and that kingdome For the Queene and Nobles of the Realme of Scotland The Scots desire peace by their Embassadors desired Peace And that the Ladie Marie who was then the only daughter of King Henrie and Heire apparant to his Crowne might be giuen in mariage to Iames their yong King To this motion it was answered that touching the said Peace if honorable and fit conditions might be proposed and concluded the King would willingly assent thereto But concerning the other point of their demaund hee said That hee was not yet resolued how to dispose of his said daughter for that shee was but yong yet in the end a peace was assented vnto and proclaymed in both those Realmes Likewise the Ladie Margaret Duches of Sauoy The Emperours Regent craueth peace and great Aunt to the Emperour and in his absence the Gouernour of the Low Countries by her Embassadours proposed to his Maiestie these requests First that the Lady Marie his daughter might bee giuen in mariage to the Emperour who longed for her with his best affections and respected her with his heartie loue Secondly that because the Emperour intended to giue vnto her for her Dowrie the Provinces of the Low Countries his desire was that forthwith shee might be sent thether to officiate the Protectorship of them in his absence Thirdly that such summes of money as the King intended to giue vnto her as her mariage portion might presently bee disbursed for the maintenance of the Emperors warres And last of all that the King himselfe would be pleased in his owne person the next spring to enter with a Royall Armie into France vpon the territories of the French King who in contempt of them both did diuers iniuries and wrongs vnto their Subiects and had made the first breach of the Peace which was concluded and by their oathes confirmed betwixt them three But because King Henrie was secretly displeased with the Emperor for that he by the raising and enhauncing of the prices and value of this gold and other coines within the Prouinces of the Low Countries had politikely drawne the greatest part of his money out of this Realme and in some other things had not respected him as his inleagued friend therefore hee only returned thanks for a fashions sake but made answere That his daughter was too yong to be maried to the Emperour and was as yet vnfit to be coupled with any Prince At the same time also the French King by his Embassadours The French desire to renew the peace desired that the said Ladie might bee espoused to his sonne the Dolphin And that the former peace betwixt the King and him might be renewed and reviued during both their liues These his motions to speake truly were best receiued and digested and were most likely to haue taken place if the French king him selfe and his children had not shortly after beene taken prisoners by the Duke of Burbons Armie and by the Marques of Pescarie as he lay at the siege of Paura where he lost fourteen thousand men and was defeated although he had then in his Armie almost fiftie thousand men The King in danger of death Among these friendly motions for peace and mariages an euill chance hapned to the King For one day as he hawked for his recreation and delight hee offered to leap ouer a wide and a watrie ditch but his staffe brake in sunder and his head pitched fast into the clay so that hee had assuredly dyed there if a footman of his owne named Edmund Moody had not quickly plucked his head out of the dirt About this time dyed the most Noble and Victorious Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke and was honourably buried at Thetford in his owne Countrie The King who for a long time had wantonly conversed with a beautifull and a lasciuious Gentlewoman of his Court named Elizabeth Blunt begate on her a sonne Noble men created who by the King was called Henrie Fitz Roy This yong Gentleman being now of the age of sixe yeares was by the King created Earle of Nottingham and forthwith Duke
for other lands Policie with his Nobles and Gentrie of his Kingdome many of whose Estates at this day doe wholly consist of possessions of that nature or else are greatly aduanced by those lands This hauocke thus made on Churchmen and of their possessions proceeded not as most men thought from the loue which the King bare vnto the reformation of Religion out of extraordinarie deuotion nor from the puritie of his minde desiring the extirpation of that wickednesse and sinne which indeede abundantly raigned and ruled among those irreligious religious men but from the couetous humour of his Nobles and from the secret grudge and vnreconcileable hatred which he bare vnto the Pope But thus the world then fared and thus was the Church pared and pruned and made a prey euery bird being desirous to beautifie her selfe with her faire feathers Cromwels match for the King with Anne of Cleue When the Lord Cromwel had thus effected that great businesse then he vndertooke another which in the end brake his owne necke For vpon his perswasiue motions strengthened by the view of flattering pictures and of vnmerited immoderate commendations the King tooke to wife the Ladie Anne of Cleue who was exceeding religious and replenished with many vertues but in her person and countenance she was neither well composed faire nor louely The King likes not his match Her religion and her vertues were not much respected by the King For when he first saw her he liked her not insomuch that albeit he were maried vnto her foure moneths and somwhat more yet his amorous appetite towards her was so amated and so insensible was he of wanton passions when he was priuate in her companie that he neuer did nor could know her as his wife Whereupon the Bishops and Clergie of this Land who for feare of after-claps were well pleased to daunce after the Kings pipe in their solemne Conuocation His mariage is dissolued published an authenticall Instrument in writing vnder the Scales of the two Arch-bishops by which they made it knowen to the Christian world that the Kings mariage with the said Ladie Anne of Clene was a nullitie void frustrate and of none effect because the said Ladie vnder her owne hand had vpon due examination confessed that the king neuer had nor could performe to her that beneuolence which by a husband was due vnto his wife The like sentence was enacted pronounced and published by the Parliament with these additions that it was lawfull for his Maiestie whensoeuer and with whomsoeuer to marie and to take another wife according to the Ecclesiasticall Lawe of this Realme and likewise that it was lawfull for the said Ladie Anne of Cleue to marie and take another husband when shee should please according to the Lawes of the holy Church Treason And further it was then enacted that all such as by writing printing speaking or by any other ouert act did expresse or maintaine the contrary should be guiltie of Treason and receiue punishment accordingly The King who was thus enlarged and freed from his bonds of discontented matrimonie tooke to wife within twentie daies after Katherine Howard the daughter of the Lord Edmund Howard The King marieth againe The King frowneth on Cromwel brother to the Duke of Norfolke and from thenceforth he began to alter the copie of his countenance and looked discontentedly vpon his great fauourite and inward Counsellor the Lord Cromwel who had fettered him in those his former troubles And because this alteration in the King was quickly perceiued by many who longed for his ruine and his downefall a long and a tedious Bill by some of them was vnexpectedly preferred against him into the Parliament Cromwels downefall in which rather in a generalitie then by many particulars hee was accused of sundrie Treasons Misprisions and of Heresie And among other obiections laid vnto his charge it was suggested that ioining with the last Queene Anne hee fauoured the Lutherans aboue measure and so strongly supported them against the Catholike Priests and Prelates of this Kingdome that when by some of the Clergie hee was told that they doubted not but that the King would shortly curbe their boldnesse and presumption the said Lord Cromwell did replie that the King should allow of their Religion whether he would or no. But how true or how false soeuer these surmises were the said bill was found Yet was hee not called to make his answere or defence thereto so that being by the said Parliament attainted of Heresie and of Treason He with the Lord Hungerford was beheaded on a scaffold on the Tower hill whereat his enemies did reioyce some of them attributing the cause to his haughtinesse and pride and some of them affirming that it was Gods reuenge and punishment for his hatefull defacing and wasting of the Church The Lord Leonard Gray executed And neare about the same time the Lord Leonard Gray who not long before had beene the kings deputie in Ireland was condemned for many treasons by him committed in that Countrie during the time of his Gouernement especially for that secretly he had once procured the Irish Rebels to enter into and to make havock within the English Pale all which hee of his owne accord confessed to bee true wherefore hee receaued his iudgement and lost his head The King who was but newly married to Queene Katherine was now informed by some who presumed that they knew it wel that before her mariage with the King Queene Katherine beheaded shee had liued a licentious and an euill life with a Gentleman named Francis Dyrham And furthermore it was much presumed and suspected that since shee was the Kings wife Francis Dyrham Thomas Culpeper The Lady Rochford shee had vnchastly conversed with another Gentleman whose name was Thomas Culpeper for it was fully proued that in her last Progresse the said Thomas was secretly brought by the Ladie Rochford into the Queenes chamber at eleuen of the clock in the night and that hee remayned there almost fiue hours And that at his departure he was gifted with a chaine of gold and a rich wrought cap. For these offences the said two Gentlemen at Tyborne suffered death And not long after the Queene by Parliament was attainted and so was the Lady Rochford and some others and lost their heads for the said offence And in the same Parliament King of Ireland The King marieth againe the King was proclaimed King of Ireland which Title his Predecessors neuer had The King likewise tooke to wife the Lady Katherine Parre sister to the Marques of Northampton and sometimes the wife of the Lord Lattimer who in the latter end of the Kings raigne was in a faire possibilitie to haue lost her head if her owne vertue modestie and the Kings sodaine sicknesse and death had not reserued her for a better fortune At this time Eustace the Great Oneyl and Matthias his sonne repaired to the Kings Court and with