Brother Earl of Longuevile Charles Earl of Vendosme the Earls of Tankervile Salbruch Nassaw Dampmarlin La Roch with many other Lords besides two thousand Knights and Gentlemen nor did the slain come far short of the prisoners the Chiefest whereof were Peter of Burbon Duke of Athens high Constable of France John Clermont Marshall George of Charney Lord great Chamberlain the Bishop of Chalons the Lords of Landas Pons and Chambly with others to the number of 1700. Knights and Gentlemen The Prince having commended his Souldiers needed not at that time reward them giving them the rich plunder of the Field which did sufficiently recompence them for their victory This indeed whetteth a Souldiers valour when desert is recompensed with reward The English whose valour was most conspicious were the Earls of Warwick Suffolk Salisbury Oxford and Stafford the Lords Cobham Spenser Berkley Basset and Audley which last named Lord for his valour was rewarded by the Prince with the gift of five hundred marks Fee simple in England which he presently gave to four of his Esquires whereupon the Prince demanding whether he accepted not his gift he answered that these men had deserved the same as well as himself and had more need of it with which reply the Prince was so well pleased that he gave him five hundred marks more in the same kinde an example worthy of immortal memory where desert in the Subject and reward in the Prince strive which should be greatest Nor did the Prince use less humanity towards his prisoners whom he entertained in most honourable manner so that King Johns Captivity was onely restraint of his liberty being attended on like a King in the hands of his enemy for noble spirits scorn to insult over misery 't is Plebean rage that is merciless Having refreshed his Army he marcheth with his prisoners to Burdeaux where he tarried a while longer to rest his Souldiers from thence he sets sail for England ariving at Plymouth King Edward as soon as he had knowledge of the Victory caused a general Thanksgiving all over England eight dayes together giving God the thanks and glory knowing him the Author and his Son but the instrument of this unparallel'd victory By reason of these his wonderful Atchievements his name grew famous all the Christian world over to whom for succour comes Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdom by the French with the assistance of the King of Arragon and his Bastard Brother Henry placed in his room Prince Edward considering what a dangerous president this might be against all lawful Kings that any one should be thus dis-throned having obtained leave of his Father resolveth to aid him and taking along with him an Army of thirty thousand men makes his way through the streights of Rouncevallux in Navarr accompanied with the Kings of Castile and Majorca John Duke of Lancaster his Brother with many other Knights and Gentlemen On the other side King Henry for defence of his Diadem had assembled an Army of an hundred thousand consisting of French under Glequin their famous Captain as also of Castilians both Christians and Saracens On the borders of Castile at a place called Nazers it came to a Battel where the Prince obtained a glorious Victory slew many thousands of his enemies and took above two thousand prisoners nor left he off here but proceeded so far untill he had set him in Burgus upon his Throne again The greater the benefit is of him that receives it the more monstruous is his ingratitude that doth not acknowledge it this ungrateful King notwithstanding the benefits he had received of the Prince dismissed his without money to pay his Army which constrained him in his return to Burdeaux to coin his Plate but that not supplying his present necessities he layes upon his Dominions in Gascoigne a new taxation which was the cause of a most dangerous revolt But this was not all the mischief that he accrewed by this journey for the Prince brought back with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after Some report him to have been poysoned by King Peter and probable enough he might be guilty of such wickedness whose whole course of life was so full of vice Duke John of Lancester was not freed from the suspition of hastening his death though the heat of the Countrey and the unfitness of the Season might be the principal cause How ever it was certain it is he survived not long after dying at Canterbury upon Trinity Sunday Anno 1376. aged about six and forty years a Prince excelling all the princes which went before him and surpassing in Martial deeds all the Heroes that have lived after him His body was buried at Christ-Church in Canterbury where his monument standeth leaving behinde him onely one Son who was afterwards King of England by the name of Richard the Second unless we should reckon his natural issue Sir John Sounder and Sir Roger Clarendon Knights which latter is thought to be Ancestour to the house of the Smiths in Essex The Life of Sir JOHN HAWKWOOD AMongst those many Worthies which this Martial age produced that valiant Knight Sir John Hawkwood deserveth remembrance who though of low birth by his Martial prowess purchased his own renown over the Christian world He was born at Sible Heningham in the County of Essex and was in his youth bound apprentice at London with a Taylor from whence he was prest in the musters for service of King Edward the Third and sent into France as a common Souldier where contrary to the Proverb which saith Taylors are no men he behaved himself so valiantly that he was made a Captain over a Company of Foot Souldiers and not long after upon some further good service by him performed advanced unto the order of Knighthood but a peace being concluded between the French and English and his estate not able to maintain his Title he was loath to return home again to follow his old occupation it being something preposterous from a Knight to turn Taylor again wherefore he joyned himself with the Companies called the Late-comers who being about five or six thousand made great spoil upon the East parts of France passing through Champain Burgondy and Damphin even to the very Gates of Avignion in Province From thence he departed into Lumbardy having the leading of that part of the Companies which was called the White Band with whom he served valiantly in the Wars of John Marquess of Montferrat but Lionel Duke of Clarence Son to Edward the Third King of England coming over into Italy to marry with the Lady Violanta Daughter of Galeacio Duke of Millain he forsook that service and attended the Duke to the marriage To omit their sumptuous entertainment which by Paulus Jovius upon the life of Galeacio is written at large Barnaby the Brother of Galeacio having at that time great Wars with the State of Mantua obtained of the Duke of Clarence that Sir John Hawkwood
consisted of an hundred and fifty thousand Horse besides them for carriages which were innumerable the Vantguard was led by the Constable of France the Dukes of Orleance and Bourbon the Earls of Ewe Richmond and Vandosme the Lord Dempier the Lord Admiral of France the Marshal Bouciquale and others The main Battle by the Dukes of Barre and Alanson the Earls of Vawinont Salings Blamont Grantpee and Russy And the Reer-guard by the Earls of Marle Dampmarlin Fauconbridge and Monsieur de Lorney Captain of Ardy King Henry desirous to know the numbers of the French sent forth one Captain Gam for discovery who brought word that there were of them enow to kill and enow to take and enow to runaway The French were so confident of victory that they sent to King Henry to know what Ransome he would give but they who reckon without their Hoast we say must reckon twice they might better have sent to know what Ransome he would rake who as full of courage though not so full of bravery was busied in the mean time about marshalling his Army The Vantguard he committed to the conduct of the Duke of York the main Battle he commanded himself and the Reer-guard was led by the Duke of Exeter Then to prevent the fury of the French Horse he commanded two hundred Bowmen to lodge in a low Meddow being provided with sharp stakes studded with Iron at both ends to guard them from danger and to endamage the French Horse The Battels thus ranged the most valiant King gallantly mounted with a chearful countenance and words full of courage thus animated his followers somewhat as I have it from other Historians to this purpose My most faithful Companions and worthy Souldiers we now are marching into the Field of Honour which your great valours so long have expected and prayed for loe the day is now come your enterprise is the noblest in the world pour now therefore forth your undaunted valours that ages to come may know what the Lance the Axe the Sword and the Bow can do in the hands of Englishmen Whosoever therefore desires riches honour and rewards here he shall finde them Nimirum haec medio posuit Deus omnia campo Having this said his Army fell prostrate on the ground and committing themselves to God their devotions ended the Drums and Trumpets summoned them to action the French Vant-guard being exquisitely appointed intended with their Horse to have burst thorow the Archers with a violent course who counterfeiting flight brought the over-hasty French into the jaws of destruction for having left their sharp pointed stakes sticking in the ground they miserably goared the foremost of their Enemies Horses being pressed on forward by the following Troops and then turning head sent such tempests of Arrows on the French that many thousands their knells were rung out that dreadful day The main Battles joyn together the Dukes of Glocester and Alanzon like enraged Lions encounter each other but Glocester is wounded and overthrown whose body his Brother Henry bestriding delivered from further danger and with redoubled stroaks brought the French Gallant himself to the ground with whose fall fell the courages of the French who for all their former bravadoes they turned their backs shamefully and fled with whom the Reer-guard ran for company not having struck one stroak all this while In all this fight which continued three hours were none taken Prisoners but the Sword now made weary and drunk with blood all danger past and humanity retired Prisoners were taken and lives spared which hitherto was neglected lest mercy to others might have proved destruction to themselves Whilest these things were thus acting certain of the French Troops led on by Robert Bondile and the Captain of Agencourt fell to rifeling the Kings carriages being guarded onely by Lackies and Laundresses whose terrible shreeks made King Henry to think some fresh Forces were come certain Troops also of the King of Sicills appearing in the Field made him give present order that every man should kill his Prisoner certain principal men onely excepted then setting his men in order he sends to the assembled Troops either to come to Battle or depart the Field but they fearing to drink of the same cup their fellows had done with shame and dishonor depart away The field thus cleared and the King by his Scouts satisfied that no more enemy was to be seen be caused the whole Army in their array as they were to give thanks unto God the Clergy then present singing the Psalm of David In exitu Israel de Egypto the Footmen kneeling down and the Horse men bowing their bodies at this verse Non nobis Domine non nobis sed nomini tuo da gloriam Then singing Te Deum with other Hymnes and Anthems he divideth the rich spoil of the enemies Camp among his Souldiers There were slain of the French in this Battel above ten thousand whereof a hundred twenty and six were of the Nobility bearing Banners of Knights and Gentlemen of Coat Armour seven thousand eight hundred and seventy four and of common Souldiers about sixteen hundred On the English side the account falls far short some reckon but sixteen slain in all other six and twenty the most not six hundred whereof the Duke of York and the Earl of Suffolk were chief whose slain bodies King Henry brought over with him into England The Duke was buried at Fodringhey in Northamptonshire and the Earl at New-elme in Oxfordshire Great was the joy of the English for the Kings return the City of London receiving him with Triumph as at a Coronation whilst France lamenteth the loss of her Nobles To unite the differences betwixt these two Kingdoms Sigismond the Emperour having been with the French King cometh over into England and with him the Archbishop of Rheimes as Ambassadour from France to treat of peace Henry willingly hearkeneth unto them and sends the Bishop of Norwich and Sir Thomas Erpingham with Commission to Beauvois to treat further of the matter but hearing the French in the mean time had besieged Harflew he recalleth his Amabssadours and would hear no further of peace but sendeth his Brother the Duke of Bedford with the Earls of March Oxford Warwick Huntington Salisbury Arundel Devonshire and divers others with two hundred sail of Ships to the rescue of Harflew who entring the mouth of the River of Seyne encountred with the French Fleet commanded by Viscount Narbon where after a sharp fight the Victory fell to the English who took and sunk most of their Navy chasing the residue into Brittain and relieved Harflew with men and victuals The Emperour hereupon leaves mediating any further for peace with France and concludeth a League offensive and defensive with King Henry the pope onely excepted who was the master Bee that then lead the swarm His affairs finished he returneth homeward whom King Henry accompanieth as far as Callis whither upon hostages given for his safe return repaireth the Duke of
five thousand men marched against them and although his numbers was nothing competent to his enemies yet would he not be advised but gave them Battel so that being encompassed on all sides thorow his own rashness was himself slain and his whole Army discomfitted his Son the Earl of Rutland being but twelve years old stabbed by the Lord Clifford his trusty friend the Earl of Salisbury beheaded by the common people and his own head fixt on a pole with a paper Crown was set on the Walls of York for the barbarous mirth of the uncivil multitude The unwelcome news of the Dukes overthrow coming to the Ears of VVarwick to stop the torrent of the Queens proceedings he musters all the men he could and taking King Henry along with him marches from London to oppose the Queen at St. Albans both Armies met where VVarwick lost the day with the slaughter of two thousand of his men King Henry also whom fortune neither favoured amongst friends nor foe was again taken This Victory of the Queens had it been discreetly mannaged might have turned the scales on the Lancastarian side but she wanton with success vainly imagined a security from future competition and either wanted power to restrain her Souldiers or licensed them to a free spoil by which unruly violence she untied the affections of the Commons who by their quiet and profit measure the vertues of their Princes So that the Citizens of London fearing to be plundered hearing of their approach shut up their Gates and arm'd for resistance The Queen hereupon with her plundering Army retires Northwards where we will leave her for a time and look back upon the Earl of March Who being at Glocester at such time as he heard news of his Fathers death spent not his time in womanish lamentation but considering how dangerous leasure in to increase the apprehension of misfortune having encreased his Army with some additional forces he marches against the Earls of Pembroke and Ormand who had raised a great power with purpose to surprise him Near Mortimers Cross on Candlemass-day they encountred each other where the two Earls and their whole Army were put to flight with the slaughter of there thousand eight hundred on the place Edward having obtained this Victory with his Triumphant forces directeth his march towards London in the way at Chipping-Norton he met the Earl of Warwick nothing daunted at his late misfortune and coveting nothing more then by the tryal of a new day to perswade or else to force back victory to his side then enter they London in a triumphant manner the Citizens receiving them with great acclamations of joy the Earl of March wich a joynt consent of them all is chosen King and accordingly proclaimed throughout the City by the name of Edward the Fourth This was done at London in the mean time the Queen and the Lords of her side were daring and vigilant in the North and having raised threescore thousand fighting men they resolved with expence of their blood to buy back that Majesty which the House of Lancaster by evill fate had lost Edward choosing rather to provoke then expect an enemy having mustered what Forces he could with his trusty friend the Earl of VVarwick marches against them and notwithstanding his Army came far short of the others in number yet by his Captains good conduct and his Souldiers valour joyning battel between Caxton and Towton he gave his enemies a mighty great overthrow In no one battel was ever poured froth so much English blood six and thirty thousand seven hundred seventy six persons all of one Nation many near in alliance some in blood fatally divided by faction were now united in death On the Lancastrian side were slain the Earls of Northumberland and VVestmorland the Lords Clifford Beaumont D'acres Gray and VVells John Lord Nevill Son to the Earl of VVestmorland with divers others On King Edwards side the Lord Fitz-VValter and the Bastard of Salisbury with many others of great reputation and courage King Henry with the poor remains of his party fleeth into Scotland whilest Edward in triumph returneth to London But notwithstanding this great overthrow yet did not the indefatigable Queen lose any thing from her spirit or endeavours but makes addresses to all Princes abroad whom alliance reason of state or compassion of so great a disaster might move to her assistance and notwithstanding all her endeavours she gathered together but five hundred French yet adding hope to her small number she crosses the Sea with them into Scotland Here some thin Regiments of Scots resorted to her in whose company taking her Husband King Henry along with her she enters England but this small number scarcely deserving the name of an Army were soon overthrown by the Lord Mountague most of the Lords of her side taken and beheaded King Henry escaped from the Battel but was soon after apprehended as he sat at dinner at VVaddington-Hall in Lancashire and by the Earl of VVarwick brought prisoner to London and committed to the Tower These great services done by VVarwick and his Brother Mountague for King Edward made them set so high a price upon their merits that the greatest benefits he could bestow upon them were received in the degree of a debt not a gift and thereupon their expectations being not answered according to their imaginations they begin to look upon Edward with a rancorous eye and certainly this was the main cause of their falling off from Edwards side though for a while they dissembled the same untill they should meet with a more plausible occasion which soon after was offered unto them for the Earl of Warwick being sent over into France to negotiate a marriage betwixt King Edward and the Lady Bona Sister to the French Queen whilest he was busie in courting this Lady Edward following more his fancy then reasons of State falls in love and marries the Lady Elizabeth daughter to the Dutches of Bedford and widdow of Sir John Gray slain on King Henries part at the Battel of St. Albans But when the Earl of Warwick understood how mighty an affront by this was given to his employment he entertained none but disdainfull thoughts against his Prince And exprest so bold a discontent that Lewis of France who was quick to perceive and carefull to foment any displeasure which might tend to the disturbance of another Kingdom began to enter into private communication with him for ever after this common injury so they called the errour of love in the King the Earl held a dangerous intelligence in France which after occasioned so many confusions to our Kingdom Nevertheless upon his return he dissembled all discontent and in every circumstance of respect applyed himself to applaud the Marriage and in particular the excellent personage of the Queen But long did not the fire of his revenge lie hid under the ashes of dissimulation for King Edward grown secure by an over-bold presumption the daughter of a long prosperity
served with the same sauce he intended to serve another verifying therein the ancient Proverb He that for others digs a pit Doth oft himself fall into it Having escaped this eminent danger he makes Licinius Governour of Sclavonia Co-partner with him in the Empire and to assure him to his side gives him his sister Constantia to wife and then with an Army of 90000. Foot and 8000 Horse hasteth towards Rome against Maxentius his enemy Constantine at the time of his setting forth of Brittain was as appeareth by Authours unsettled in his Religion for though he observed the adoration of the Gods of the Gentiles to be altogether frivolous and deceitful yet was he not confirmed in the Christian Faith but was then rather of no Religion then truly of any the cause of his conversion Eusebius and other Authours write was that being in his march against Maxentius aforesaid being then piously affected to worship and to invocate the true God he cast his eyes towards the East part of the Heavens and had presented unto him the sign of a Cross wherein were stars as letters so placed that visibly might be read this sentence IN HOC VINCE this sign being seconded by the voice of Angels confirmed him in that whereof before he was doubtful so that changing the Imperial Standard to the form of this vision as one armed from Heaven he marched against his hellish Adversary Who thinking to over-reach Constantine by a stratagem framed a false bridge over the River of Tybur but the trap he set for another he fell into himself for joyning battel with Constantine and being by him overcome either for haste or forgetfulness took over the same himself which falling under him as he passed he with many more were drowned escaping thereby a more cruel and ignominious death Maximinus who then governed the East part of the Empire hearing of the prosperous proceedings of Constantine purposed the destruction of him and all his partakers but man proposeth and God disposeth for he who dreamt of nothing less then a glorious victory was himself overcome by Licinius at Tarsus where he shortly after died being eaten up with lice Licinius hereupon growing insolent his prosperous proceedings making him ambitiously mad was in conceit no less then Emperour of the whole world so that now he began to unvizard himself and to show he was not what he pretended for though before he had outwardly suffered the Christian profession yet now he raised a bloody persecution against them in the East Constantine according to his Fathers commandment which was to wipe away all tears from the Christians eyes prepared his forces against this bloody persecutor with whom he encountred in the Countrey of Hungary his success being answerable to the justness of his cause Licinius and his Army being overthrown but he afterwards recruting in a battel at Byzantium was again overthrown and taken prisoner yet by the mediation of his wife Constantia had his life spared and confined within the City of Nicomedia but he afterwards endeavouring to recover his former dignity was for his treasons afterwards put to death so that then as Mr. Speed writes the peace of Gods Saints manifestly appeared and the progress of the Gospel passed uncontrolled Maxentius Maximinus and Licinius being vanquished Constantine remained sole Emperour under whom the Christians enjoyed Halcyon dayes returning from the deserts where before they were hidden Churches were reedified Temples founded and Festival Dayes celebrated in every place And that this foundation might have as glorious a building he congregated 318 Christian Bishops in the City of Nice where divers things were decreed for the godly government of the Church in that primitive Age. His next care was to demolish and pull down idolatrous Temples and Images as the Grove and Temple of Venus in Phenicia which was a School of wickedness to those which were addicted to lust where men and women frequently committed adulteries and fornications Constantine thinking it unfit that the sun should behold such villany sent a band of Souldiers to suppress it as also the Temple of Aesculapius with the Image of Venus at Heliopolis and many such like in other places Nor was his zeal more shown in suppressing Pagan Temples then in erecting structures for the advancing of Christianity building a most magnificent Temple in the very place where our Saviours Sepulchre was though some report it to have been built by his Mother Hellena but we will not herein set the Mother and Son at odds it may be she built it at his cost or that it was built by him and dedicated by her as also those other two the one on the Mountain where our Saviour Ascended the other over the Cave where he was Born The Kingdome of Christ beginning to appear thus visibly resplendent the Devil envying the prosperity thereof raised a new sedition in Antioch the whole City being divided into two factions about the choice of a Bishop Constantine well knowing that the War of the Church was the Infidels Peace wrote perswasive letters to them to maintain peace and concord among themselves which like lenitive Physick allay'd and cool'd the hot distempers of their rage who else had certainly killed and masacred one another Hitherto is Constantine's reign commended of most but the latter part of his life applauded of few In the first beginning of his reign saith Stow he was worthy to have been compared with the chiefest Princes of the Romans but for the end thereof to be resembled to such as were of the meaner sort Eutropius and Victor tax him of cruelty for putting to death his wife Fausta and Crispus his son though he be thereof excused by Paulus Orosius and Zosimus who affirme the causes of there deaths were just However he is taxed by other writers to have more prejudiced the Roman Empire then any of his predecessours first in removing the Imperiall seat from Rome to Bizantium adorning the same with magnificent buildings and commanding all the Princes of the Empire to raise therein some memorable edifices Likewise for transporting from Rome more curious statues and other costly monuments then any twenty of his predecessours had brought thither as the Image of the Goddess Pallas supposed to be the same that Aeneas brought from Troy the Image of Apollo of an unmeasurable higness with the statues of Juno Venus and Minerva where he also built a famous Library wherein were an hundred and twenty thousand Books changing the name to Constantinople which it still retaineth unto this day Another errour of this famous Prince was his dividing the Empire between his Children for though saith our learned Dr. Heylin it was quickly again reunited yet by his example others learned the same lesson renting the Empire into many pieces which finally occasioned the loss of the whole Another defect was his translating the Legions from Brittain France and Germany unto the Eastern Countrey for a Bulwark against the Persians thereby opening a gap for the barbarous
intended to adjudge him a perjured person and also a traytor for not yielding temporal Allegiance to his temporal Sovereign as himself had sworn to do and accordingly the Prelates themselves by joynt consent adjudged him of perjury and by the mouth of the Bishop of Chichester disclaimed thence forward all obedience unto him as their Archbishop But Becket herewith nothing daunted caused to be sung before him the next day at the Altar that Psalm Principes fedent The Princes sit and speak against me and the ungodly persecute me c. and forthwith taking his Silver Crosier in his own hands enters armed therewith into the Kings Prefence who more and more enraged at Beckets insolency commandeth his Peers to sit in judgement on him as on a traytor and the Courtiers like Ecchoes answering the King the whole Court sounded nothing but Treason so that Becket afraid of being slain hasteth home and changing his costly Robes into course Rags passeth over into Flanders calling himself by the name of Dereman The Archbishop gone the King banishes all his Kindred out of his Dominions and he on the other side excommunicates all such as had to do against him at length the King of France with intreaty and the Pope with the terrour of the Churches censures made a full atonement and reconciliation between them the Archbishop in great triumph returned to England having been absent from his native Countrey for the space of seven years All controversies seemed now fully to be ended though the sequel thereof proved far otherwise for some excommunicated Bishops and other men of great account desiring to be absolved he refused to do it unless with this caution that they should stand to the judgement of the Church in those things for which they were excommunicated but they disdaining the pride of the Archbishop poste over into Normandy where the King was then informing him that Thomas was now grown more haughty then before that he went up and down with great Troops of men both Horse and Foot that attended on him as upon the Kings own Royal Person that to be a King indeed he wanted but the name and setting the Crown upon his head The King herewith highly incensed in a great rage said And is it possible that I cannot peaceably enjoy neither Kingdom Dignity nor Life and all this for one onely priest Cursed be all such as eat my bread since none will revenge me of this fellow These words being over-heard by four Knights Sir Morvil Sir William Tracy Sir Hugh Brito Sir Richard Fitz-urse they thinking to do the King a pleasure though as the sequel of his reign proved they could not have done him a greater injury hasted into England and in his own Church of Canterbury most barbarously murthered him being then about 48. years of age not long after he was Canonized by Pope Alexander and the day of his death being the 29. of December kept annually holy Many miracles are reported to have been done by him and his Shrine so inriched by Pilgrims which from all places came thither in devotion that at the defacing thereof in the time of King Henry the Eighth the spoil thereof in Gold and Precious Stones filled two great Chests such as six or eight strong men could do no more then convey one of them at once out of the Church Thus the Images of many men were richly clothed when many poor Christians Gods Image went almost naked so full of charity were those empty times of knowledge a shame to us who know more but practice less Draiton in his Polyolbion hath these verses on him Concerning whom the world since then hath spent much breath And many questions made both of his life and death If he were truly just he hath his right if no Those times were much to blame that have him reckoned so Stapleton a Jesuite put forth a book entituled Tres Thomas Saint Thomas the Apostle Thomas of Becket and of Sir Thomas Moor he Canonizes the two last of either of which he writes six times as much as of St. Thomas the Apostle The Life of RICHARD the First THis reign as it in part epitomizes the History of the holy War without being guilty of an omission of the most admired part of Chronical History I could not but insert Richard the first who for his inexpugnable and Lion-like heart obtained the sirname of Coeur de Lion he was a most valiant and magnanimous Prince accustomed to Wars he died in the fields of Mars of whom as a Prince we shall say nothing having so much to relate of him after he came to be King This martial Prince born in a martial age was third son to King Henry the Second and succeeded him in the Crown after his Decease his elder Brothers dying before their Father At his Coronation he commanded no Jews should be present but they desirous to see the solemnities hasted thither in great numbers but the price of their lives paid for the pleasure of their eyes the common people falling upon them and slaying a great number so ominous to the enemies of Christ was the first day of this Kings reign presaging saith one his following successes in the Jewish Countreys For intending a journey to Jerusalem not as a Pilgrim to see the City but as a Souldier to conquer the Countrey he raises an Army of thirty thousand Foot and five thousand Horse his next care was for money the sinews of War and notwithstanding his Father had left him eleven hundred thousand pound a vast sum for that age yet was it no thought sufficient for so great a journey Therefore to the end he might be able to go thorow with his work he sells the Castles of Berwick and Roxborough to the Scottish King for ten thousand pounds the Priory of Coventry to Hugh Bishop of Chester for 300. marks and the County of Northumberland to Hugh Bishop of Duresme for his Life jeasting he had made a new Earl of an old Bishop then feigning he had lost his old Seal he made a new one proclaiming that whosoever would safely enjoy those things which before time they had enrolled should come to the new Seal by which princely skill not to say cheat he squeezed much money out of his Subjects purses Having proceeded thus far towards his journey his next care was for securing the Kingdom of England in his absence On his Brother John whom he knew to be of an ambitious spirit and apt to take fire on the least occasion on him he heaped both riches and honour that by his liberality he might win him to loyalty but the chief Government of the Land he committed to William Longchamp Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour of England chusing him for his Viceroy rather then any lay-Earl because a Coronet perchance may swell into a Crown but never a Mitre with him was joyned in Commission Hugh Bishop of Durham for the parts of England beyond Humber Yet as Suetonius reports of the
gave himself over to all licentiousness whilst Warwick had made his faction not onely mighty but monstrous being compacted of several natures for into conspiracy of this great enterprize he had drawn off the Cleargy and the Laity and most of them of affections most opposite The Archbishop of York was the principal mover because he mov'd upon the soul and made treason an act of Religion the easie multitude who build their faith upon the man not the Doctrine thinking it meritorious to rebell in regard his function seem'd to give authority to the action With him a greed the Marquess Mountague and many eminent persons of King Edwards Court whom either desire of War having never lived but in the troubled Sea of discord or want of expected recompence rendered discontented All the partakers in the calamity of the house of Lancaster most passionately at first overture embraced this motion amongst whom was Henry Holland Duke of Exeter who after his ruine with the fall of Henry the Sixth was reduced to such extremity that ragged and bare-footed he begg'd for his meat in the Low-Countries But the wonder of the world then was at the powerful sorcery of those perswasions which bewitcht the Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother to this conspiracy to whom the Earl of Warwick to tye him the faster to his side gave him in marriage the Lady Isabel his daughter and coheire to the rich Earldom of Warwick for consummation whereof they sailed over to Calice of which Town the Earl of Warwick was Captain and in which the young Lady then remained with her Mother Soon was the Ceremony past and soon did the Earl invite his Son-in-law from the softness of the Nuptial Dalliance as who had contrived this marriage for business not for pleasure and design'd the first issue of their embraces to be a monster and the most unnatural one War between Brothers Warwick having thus politickly order'd things that he left little or nothing to fortune with his Son-in-law returns to England where against his return the Archbishop of York with some other of his friends had raised a potent Army to oppose whom on Edwards side assembles a mighty power under the conduct of the Earls of Pembroke and Devonshire but they falling out at Banbury upon a trivial occasion made way for the enemy to conquer them both This overthrow was seconded with a great loss at Grafton in Northamptonshire wherein the Earl Rivers and the Lord Widdevil Father and Brother to the Queen were taken and barbarously beheaded Edward nettled with these losses raises what power he could and marches against Warwick whose pretence being that of all Rebells The good of the Kingdom yet to avoid effusion of blood seemingly is very desirous of peace but when with several overtures he had lulled the King in security in the dead of the night he sets upon his Army kills the watch and surpriseth his person buried in a careless sleep Warwick having thus gotten the prey into his hand he so long desired sends him prisoner to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire there to be kept by his Brother the Archbishop of that Sea but King Edward being of another temper then his predecessour Henry not enduring Captivity soon found a way for his own liberty for having gotten licence to hunt in the adjoyning Park he so contrived with Sir William Stanley and Sir Thomas Burgh that with a selected number they came to his rescue and took him away from his weak guard the Lord Hastings joyning to them with some forces he had raised about Lancaster they march directly to London where they were entertained with great expressions of joy The Earl of Warwick who upon the taking of the King had disbanded his Army hearing of his escape was almost distracted with a thousand several imaginations but soon by letters to the Lords of his faction he reassembles his forces and marches against the King but thorow the solicitation of some persons inclinable to peace an enterveiw was agreed on in Westminster Hall and oaths for safety being past on both sides accordingly they met but such intemperance of Language past at their meeting as rather aggravated then allayed their anger so that now they resolved the Sword alone should decide the controversie The Earl of Warwick leaving his Army under the command of Sir Robert Wells whilst he himself went to raise more men King Edward neglecting not the opportunity whilest they were thus disjoyned gives them battel and overthrows them with the loss of ten thousand of their men Sir Robert Wells was taken prisoner and soon after beheaded This overthrow struck Warwick to the heart so that having not sufficient force to withstand the King he with the Duke of Clarence sail over into France with which King as also with Queen Margret who then remained in the French Court they entred into a combination for the deposing of King Edward and setting up again King Henry And that there might not be left any tract of former discontent or path to future jealousie a marriage was concluded and celebrated between Prince Edward the Queens Son and the Lady Anne younger daughter to the Earl and for want of issue of these two the Crown to come to Clarence and his posterity Matters thus concluded and the French King supplying them with money they return into England to whom flocked almost all the Lords the Commonalty also desirous of innovation adhered unto them so that King Edward seeing himself in a manner wholly abandoned was forced to quit the Land and sail into Holland And now notwithstanding his former hostility with him Warwick restores King Henry to all his former dignity and honour a Parliament is called wherein nothing is denyed which the prevailing party thought fit to be authorized King Edward condemned for a Tyranous Usurper and all his adherents attainted of high treason the Crown is entailed upon King Henry and his Heires Males for default of which to George Duke of Clarence and his Heires for ever The Earls of Oxford and Pembroke and many others restored to their estates and titles the Duke of Clarence put in possession of the Dutchy of York and lastly the Government of the King and Kingdom committed to the Duke of Clarence and Earl of Warwick so that King Henry possest no more then the name of King and seem'd not to be set at liberty but to have changed his keeper King Edward in the mean time having hired four great Holland Ships and fourteen Easterling men of War transports his Army over into England which consisted of two thousand Dutch men and such English as accompanied him in his flight or had escaped over after him at Ravenspur in Yorkshire he landed from thence he marched to York but finding in every place where he came the people generally devoted to the House of Lancaster he fashioned his behaviour to a new art and solemnly took his oath that his intentions was not for the recovering of the Crown but
the times began to be very quick and active and fitter for stronger motions then those of the Carpet And it will be a true note of her magnanimity that she loved a Souldier and had a propension in her nature to regard and alwayes to grace them which the Courtiers taking into observation took it as an invitation to win Honour together with her Majesties favour by exposing themselves to the Wars especially when the Queens and the Affairs of the Kingdom stood in some necessity of a Souldier For we have many instances of the Sallies of the Nobility and Gentry yea and out of the Court and her privy Favorites that had any touch or tincture of Mars in their Inclinations and to steal away without licence and the Queens privity which had like to have cost some of them dear So predominant were their thoughts and hopes of honour growing in them as we may truly observe in the dispositions of Sir Philip Sidney Essex Mountjoy and divers others whose absence and the manner of their eruptions was very distasteful to her Whereof I can adde a true and no impertinent story and that of the last Mountjoy who having twice or thrice stoln away into Brittain where under Sir John Norris he had then a Company without the Queens leave and privity she sent a messenger unto him with a strict charge to the General to see him sent home When he came into the Queens presence she fell into a kinde of reviling demanding how he durst go over without her leave Serve me so quoth she once more and I will lay you fast enough for running you will never leave it until you are knockt on the head as that inconsiderate fellow Sidney was you shall go when I send you in the mean time see that you lodge in the Court which was then at White-hall where you may follow your Book read and discourse of the Wars But to our purpose it fell out happily to these and as I may say to those times that the Queen during the calm of her Reign was not idle nor rockt asleep with security for she had been very provident in the reparation and augmentation of her Shipping and Ammunition and I know not whether by a fore-sight of Policy or an instinct it came about or whether it was an act of her Compassion but it is most certain that she sent Levies and no small troops to the assistance of the revolted States of Holland before she had received any affront from the King of Spain that might deserve or tend to a Breach in Hostility which the Papists this day maintain was the provocation and cause of the after Wars Which act of hers though some applaud as done in defence of those poor afflicted Protestants yet she did not onely therein countenance Rebellion by consequence since disable her successours but also drew on her self a chargeable and dangerous War with the Spaniard But omitting what might be said to this point these Netherland Wars were the Queens Seminaries and the Nurseries of many brave Souldiers and so were likewise the Civil Wars of France whither she sent five several Armies the Fence Schools that inured the youth and gallantry of the Kingdom and it was a Militia wherein they were daily in acquaintance with the discipline of the Spaniards who were then turned the Queens inveterate enemies In the management of which politicial Affairs our Burleigh was a great assistant The Sword-men of those times complain that he was too much addicted to peace indeed he would never ingage the State in a War except necessity or her Majesties Honour required it To conclude he was the Column or rather Atlas of the State who after he had served his Royal Mistress forty years dyed at London in the seventy seventh yaar of his age 1598. His body was butied with his Ancestours in Stanford-Church A monument for his perpetual honour being erected for him in Westminster Abbey which bears this following inscription Si quaeratur quis sit hic vir senex genua flectens canitie venerabilis toga Parliamentaria amictus est Honoratissimus clarissimus Dominus Guilielmus Cecilius Baro de Burghley summus Angliae Thesaurarius Serenissimae Reginae Elisabethae à consillijs sanctioribus Ordinis Georgiani Eques Auratus c. qui hoc monumentum uxori filiae posuit placidè ex his terris in coelestem patriam anno salutis 1598. 4. die Augusti demigravit Cujus Exequiae magno apparatu tanto viro dignissimae hîc sunt celebratae die 29. ejusdem mensis Corpusque quod in hac Ecclesia sex dies requievit Stanfordiam in Ecclesiam Sancti Martini translatum fuit ubi secundum Christi adventum expectat Cor unum via una Epigramma De Gulielmo Cecilio nuper Angliae Thesaur Anno 1596. Per parvi sunt Arma foris strataegemata parvi Sit nisi consilium Caeciliusque domi Caecilius velut alter Atlas divinitùs ortus Hic humeris Coelum sustinet ille statum The Life of Sir FRANCIS DRAKE Quem timuit soevis etiam Neptunus in undis Et rediit toto victor ab Oceano Faedifragos bellens pelago prostravit Iberos Drakius huic tumulus aequoris unda fuit THis famous Sea Captain Sir Francis Drake one of the first that put a Sea Girdle about the world was born nigh South Davestock in the County of Devonshire and received his name Francis from Sir Francis Russel afterwards Earl of Bedford being his Godfather he was brought up in Kent his Father was a Minister who for fear of six Articles in the time of King Henry the Eighth fled into Kent where he lived privately till the death of the King He got a place to read Prayers amongst the Marriners of the Queens Navy and bound his Son Francis Apprentice to a Shipmaster who traded with Commodities into France and Zealand with whom he underwent a hard service by which means he was trained up to pains and skill at Sea his Master dying bequeathed him his Bark with which he a while followed his Masters profession But the Narrow Seas being too narrow for his spacious spirit he sold his Bark venturing himself and most of his estate with Captain John Hawkins into the West-indies but his journey proved unfortunate for at St. John de Vlva his goods were taken by the Spaniards himself hardly escaping with life This loss so exasperated the spirit of Drake that he vowed the Spaniards should repay him with advantage and to make his word good after two or three several voyages into the West-Indies to gain intelligence at last he effectually set forward from Plimouth with two ships and seventy three men and boyes sailing with all speed and secresie to Nombre de Dios the Granary of the West-Indies where the Spanish Treasure lay intending to surprize it being an unwalled Town but in the assault being dangerously wounded he was forced to retire again to his Ships when he had well near conquered the Town
University and on them he bestowed the preferments which fell in his gift thus he weighed their merits in the Balance His own manner of preaching being no less wise then eloquent so he would have men of his profession to be possessed with a Christian and religious wisdom to preserve peace and truth together Nevertheless as he understood his own qualifications he the better knew what men of his function were able to perform And though his improvements were admirable after he was Vicar of Saint Giles and his dislikes of all preaching which by being too frequent is withal too loose thence was his censure on himself recorded by Bishop Brockridge in his Funeral Sermon that when he preached twice a day at St. Giles he prated once not but that his very table talk and what in the depth of his humility he called his prating was more useful more learned then the very best preaching of them that are enemies to his Glory as well as Doctrine But because he thought the word of God was never well enough handled and that the work of God was never well enough done until it had received the utmost care and circumspection as Mr. Fuller excellently discoursing of preaching twice a day commends the necessity of a large repitition in the afternoon which he compares to a dish of cold meat which with a little addition will suffice those that are not of too greedy appetites all ear and nothing else Doctor Dun renders an excellent reason why some are so tedious and long-winded in their holding forth For that saith he there ware is course they can afford the larger measure But to return to our present undertaking our Bishops fidelity in his Almoner-ship was such that he would never suffer one penny of that which accrewed to him by that place to be mingled with any of his own Rents or Revenues and wherein he kept a more exact account then of his own estate And if upon accounts at any time he found any surplusage he would never suffer it to lie by him but like a faithful Steward distribute the same to poor housholders and other persons where he saw most need But in recounting his vertues let us not forget to what height they preferred him having held the Bishoprick of Chichester about four years his Majesty advanced him to that of Ely wherein he sat about nine years in which time he was made a Privy Councellour first of England and then of Scotland in his attendance of the King thither He was afterwards preferred to the Bishoprick of Winchester and the Deanry of the Kings Chappel which two last preferments he held to the day of his death He was ever faithful provident and careful to keep in good repair the Houses of all his Spiritual Preferments and spent much money that way As upon the Vicarage House of Saint Giles the Prebends and Deans House of Westminster and the Residentiaries House of S. Pauls Upon the house belonging to the Bishoprick of Chicester he expended above four hundred and twenty pound Of Ely above two thousand four hundred and forty pound Of Winchester besides a Pension of four hundred pound per annum from which he freed his See at his own charge he spent two thousand pound He bequeathed several Legacies to the Parishes of Saint Giles Saint Martins Ludgate where he had dwelt Saint Andrews in Holborn Saint Saviours in Southwark All-Saints Berking where he was born and others Also to Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge where he had been a Schollar Fellow and Master a thousand pound to purchase Land for two Fellowships Besides three hundred Folio Books of his own to the encrease of their Library together with a gilt Cup and a Bason and Ewer of great worth His gratitude to those from whom he had received any benefits was most conspicuous as Doctour Ward son to his first School-master upon whom he bestowed the Living of Waltham in Hampshire Master Mulcaster his other Schoolmaster he alwayes reverendly respected living and being dead caused his Picture having but few other in his House to be set over his Study door Upon a Kinsman of Doctor Wats which was all he could finde of that Generation he bestowed preferments in Pembroke-Hall But should I go about to particularize all his Vertues it were sufficient of its self to make up a Volumn Master Crashaw the second Herbert of our late Times write these following Verses in Latine and English on the Bishop some of which are placed before his Picture to his Sermons In Picturam reverendissimi Episcopi D. Andrews Haec charta monstrat fama quem monstrat magis Sed ipsa quem dum fama non monstrat satis Ille ille solus totam implevit tubam Tot ora solus domuit famam quoque Fecit modestam mentis igneae pater Agilio radio lucis aeternae vigil Per alta rerum pondera indomito vagus Cucurrit animo quippe naturam ferox Exhausit ipsam mille Faetus artibus Et mille linguis ipse se in gentes procul Variavit omnes fuitque toti simul Cognatus orbi sic sacrum solidum jubar Saturumque coelo pectus ad patrios libens Porrexit ignes hac eum Lector vides Huc ecce charta O utinam audires quoque Vpon Bishop Andrews Picture before his Sermons This Reverend Shadow cast that setting Sun Whose glorious course through our Horizon run Left the dim face of this dull Hemispheer All one great eye all drown'd in one great tear Whose fair Illustrious soul led his free thought Through Learnings Universe and vainly sought Room for her spacious self until at length She found the way home with a holy strength Snatcht her self hence to Heaven fill'd a bright place ' Mongst those immortal fires and on the face Of her great Maker fixed her flaming eye There still to read pure true Divinity And now that grave aspect hath deign'd to shrink Into this less appearance if you think 'T is but a dead face Art doth here bequeath Look on the following leaves and see him breath To draw to a period of his Life which happened September 25. 1626. in the third year of the Reign of King Charles and 71. of his Age. When he changed this mortal for an immortal life becoming one of those heavenly Choristers which sing continual Hallelujahs unto the Lord as Master Waller admirably expresses in his Poems All that the Angels do above Is that they sing and that they love He lieth buried in the upper Isle of the Parish Church of Saint Saviours in Southwark over whom his Executours have erected a very fair Monument of Marble and Alablaster enscribed with this Epitaph LECTOR Si Christianus es siste morae pretinum erit Non nescire te Qui vir hic situs sit Ejusdem tecum Catholicae Ecclesiae Membrum Sub eadem faelicis Resurrectionis spe Eandem D. Iesu praestolans Epiphaniam Sacratissimus Antistes Lancelotus Andrewes Londini oriundus
his private Devotions Sir Hardress Waller Collonel Harrison Collonel Dean Comissary General Ireton are to consider of the time and place of his Execution and in the Painted Chamber Munday January 29. the President and Judges met and within the Committee resolve that in the open street before White Hall his own House is the fittest place that the King be there executed to morrow Tuesday between ten and two of the Clock upon a Scaffold covered with black next to the Banquetting House where he was wont to ascend his Throne It was supposed the King would not submit his neck to the Enemies Axe and therefore it was so provided with staples and cords that he should not resist January 27. the King lodged at White Hall the next day Sunday the Bishop of London preached before him Afterwards his children had leave to visit him his children being come to him he first gave his blessing to the Lady Elizabeth and bad her to tell her Brother James when soever she should see him that it was his Fathers last command that he should no more look upon Charles as his eldest Brother onely but be obedient to him as his Sovereign that they should love one another and forgive their Fathers Enemies Then said the King to her Sweet Heart you 'l forget this no said she I shall never forget it whilest I live and pouring down abundance of tears promised him to write the Particulars Then the King taking the Duke of Glocester upon his knee said Now they will cut off thy Fathers head upon which the childe lookt very stedfastly on him Mark Childe what I say they will cut off my head and perhaps make thee a King But mark what I say You must not be King so long as your Brother Charles and James do live for they will cut off your Brothers heads when they can catch them and cut off thy head too at last therefore I charge thee do not be made a King by them at which the Childe sighing said I will be torn in pieces first at which the King smiled The fatal day appeared Tuesday 30. January when he prayes and receives the Sacrament just at ten of the Clock in the forenoon he is called to come forth from St. James's Palace then his Prison to go on foot over the Park to White Hall guarded with a Regiment of Foot Souldiers part before and the rest behinde him with Collours flying and Drums beating his private Guard of Partisans about him and Doctor Juxon Bishop of London next to him on one side and Collonel Thomlinson on the other Ascending the stairs up to the Park Gallery into his Cabinet Chamber he continued there at his devotion and refused to dine onely about twelve of the Clock he eat a bit of bread and drank a Glass of Clarret-wine from thence he was conveyed into the Banquetting House and the great Window enlarged out of which he ascends the Scaffold the Rails being hung round and the floor covered with Black the Executioners disguised with vizards encountring him he not affrighted shews more care of the people living then fear of his own dying for looking round about upon the people whom the thick set Guards and Troops of Horse kept a great distance off and seeing he could not be heard by them omitting probably what he purposed to have spoken to them turning to the Officers and Actors but rather to Collonel Thomlinson he said I would now speak nothing unto you in this place were it not that some men would interpret my silence as an argument of guilt and think that I took on me the crimes objected with the same conscience as I submit to the punishment with patience I call God to witness of my innocency before whose Tribunal I must shortly appear it never entred into my thoughts to intrench on the just priviledges of Parliament and that I raised not any Army before such time as they had raised hostile forces against me which from the order of proceedings on both sides and dates of Commissions and Proclamations will be clearly manifested to the inquirer Mean while I acknowledge and submisly own Gods Justice which this day by an unjust sentence of mine he hath inflicted a just judgement on me for as much as heretofore I would not quit an innocent man meaning the Deputy of Ireland when opprest by a most unjust decree With what Charity I embrace my enraged enemies this good man is my witness pointing to the Bishop of London I pardon them all from my very heart and I earnestly beseech the God of all mercies that he would vouchsafe to grant them serious repentance and remit this great sin Yet I cannot to my last gasp but be solicitous of the peace of my kingdom which I am not able at the present better co consult for then by chalking out the way from which you of the souldiery have exceedingly deviated and by which we must return to sobriety and peace Herein I perceive you are most miserably out of the way in that by the rule of the Sword without all even a shadow of right you think good to wrest the government to your selves and endeavour to establish the Kingdom not by the authority of the Laws but upon the score of Conquest which can never have any accruit of right unless adhered in by a just Cause and Triumph of War namely either by the repulsing of wrongs of recovering of rights unjustly detained But if more prosperous success shall advance the victor beyond the modest bounds of just and lawful nought hinders but that the Kingdoms that are erected both be and be accounted great robberies which we read heretofore a Pirat objected to Alexander But being out of the way as you are can you by no other expedient return into the the right wayes of peace by no other counsel believe me can you hope to divert Gods wrath then by restoring to God the King the people respectively such things as are their dues You shall give God his due by restoring his pure worship and Church rightly regulated according to the prescript of his holy word which hath long since been miserably convulst and disjoynted And this a national Synod duly called will best effectuate to the King namely my successour you will render full right if you restore those things which by the clear Letter of the Law stands exprest Lastly you will put the people in their rights and due liberties not by lifting them in the consort of the Throne and sway of the Scepter but by recovering unto the Laws there Authority and the peoples observance to the abrogating of which by the enormious power of the Sword when as by no means I could be induced I was brought hither to undergo Martyrdom for my people So his last breath gently dissolving into a most meek prayer the Bishop of London said to him thus If his most excellent Majesty pleased he would openly profess what he thought touching his Religion not
undertake his cause and use his best endeavours The King applauding his magnanimous resolution giving him thanks encouraged him to fit himself chearfully for so great a work and the better to carry on the design the King sent the Earl of Antrim into Ireland who engaged himself to be with Montross in Argile a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland with ten thousand men by the first of April 1644. this promise being past to him in December 1643. for a sTock of men to set up withal the King wrote to the Marquess of New Castle to furnish him with aid and sent Sir John Cockeram his Ambassadour with a Commission and Instruction for forreign Aids and Arms. This being done he sets forward in his journey from Oxford towards Scotland having in his company about two hundred Horse most of them Noblemen and Gentlemen who had formerly been Commanders in Forreign Countreys Being come to Durham he sends the Kings Instructions to the Marquess of Newcastle and the next day they met and conferred but Newcastles wants were so great that he could spare him at present onely an hundred Horse and two Brasse Field Peeces but sent his Orders to his Officers and Commanders in Cumberland and Westmerland to afford him all the assistance they could who accordingly met him near to Carlile with eight hundred Foot and three Troops of Horse With these small Forces he enters Scotland but having come to the River Anan upon occasion of a Mutiny among the English most of them fly their Colours and run back to England Notwithstanding he with his own men came to Dumfrise and took the Town into protection upon surrender where he stayed a while that he might be ready to entertain Antrim and his Irish but the time appointed being past and no news stirring of them the Covenanters gathering themselves together on every side to secure himself from being surprized he returns to Carlile And not loving to lie idle joyns with the Kings Forces in Northumberland takes the Town and Castle of Morpet as also an hundred Foot at the mouth of the River of Tine and afterwards victuals New Castle then intending to joyn his Forces with Prince Rupert who was coming to raise the Siege at York he made all the haste he could but met him not till he was upon his retreat the day after that unfortunate Battle All things thus failing him he returns to Carlile and sends the Lord Ogleby and Sir William Rolluck disguised into Scotland to discover the state of the Countrey who returning back brought him word that all things were in a desperate condition and therefore counselled him to bend his course some other way But Montross thinking it unworthiness in him to despair of so good a cause resolves upon a strange adventure for delivering those few Gentlemen that had been constant unto him to the Lord Ogleby to be conducted to the King he with Sir William Rolluck and one Sibbald being disguized entred Scotland Montross passing as Sibbalds man Thus making all the haste they could they came at last to the house of his Couzen Patrick Graham of Innisbrake not far from the River of Tay in the Sherifdom of Perth not long had he been there but he receives news of eleven hundred of Irish sent over by Antrim who were then upon the Mountains who being made to understand of his being there they came marching unto him and submitted to his command The next day the men of Athol to the number of eight hundred put themselves in Arms and joyned with Montross so that now having gotten this handful of men he desires to be in action impatient therefore of further delay he marches from thence with a resolution to set upon his enemies and having marched as far as Bucknith five hundred more under the command of the Lord Kilpont Son to the Earl of Taith joyned with him by whom he understood that the Covenanters were thick in Arms at a Rendezvouz at Perth whereupon with all the haste he could he speedeth thither these were commanded by the Lord Elcho who upon Montrosses approach provided to fight they were in number six thousand Foot and seven hundred Horse so that contemning the paucity of their enemies they grew to a foolish confidence of Victory but Montross so well ordered his Army that their confidence failed them for joyning Battel they were overthrown two thousand being slain and more taken prisoners The City of Perth upon this overthrow submitted her self to the Conquerour to whom he did not the least harm where having staid three dayes many of his Athol men returning home he marches with the rest of his Forces to Aberdeen but the Town having a strong Garrison therein refused to submit and he thinking it no wisdom to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late Victory upon the doubtful success of a Siege turns away towards Esk whither came to him the Lord Ogleby with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David who with admirable constancy continued with him to the very end of the War And now receiving intelligence that an Army of the Covenanters under the command of the Lord Burleigh lay at Aberdeen with long marches he hies thither sets upon them and after a long fight puts them to the rout with the loss of almost all their Foot who flying for refuge unto the City Montrosses men came in thronging amongst them through the Gates and Posterns and laid them on heaps all over the Streets This Battel was fought September the 12. 1644. After this defeat Montross calling his Souldiers back to their Colours entred the City and allowed them two dayes rest In the mean time news was brought that Argile was hard by with far greater Forces then those they had dealt with last whereupon he removes to Kintor a Village ten miles off from Aberdeen expecting some of the Gordons would have joyned with him but none appearing he resolved to withdraw his Forces into the Mountains and Fastnesses for though he had fought twice indeed very prosperously it could not be expected that seeing he was so beset on all sides with great and numerous Armies he should be able to hold out alwayes without relief whereupon hiding his Ordnance in a Bog he marches to an old Castle called Rothmurk intending to pass over the River of Spey but on the other side were the number of five thousand up in Arms to hinder his passage wherefore to save his Army from being oppressed with the enemies Horse he turned into Badenoth a Rocky and Mountainous Countrey here he fell very dangerously sick but recovering again he sends Mac-donel who commanded the Irish with a Party into the Highlands to invite them to take up Arms with him and if they would not be invited to force them he himself passes into the North of Scotland and having staid a while for recruit at Strathbogy he removed to Faivy Castle and possest it Secure now as he thought from Argile his confidence had well near
set Battle but Baily answers he would not receive order to fight from an Enemy Yet at last through the rashness of the Lord Balcarise a Collonel of Horse who precipitated himself and the Horse under his command into danger he was forced thereunto whereupon a bloody Fight ensued wherein Baily was overthrown with the loss of the greatest part of his Army This Battel was fought at Alford on the 2. of July 1645. Montross having obtained this Victory marches into Angus where he met his Couzen Patrick Graham with his Athol men ready to live and dye under his command and Mac-donel with a great power of Highlanders so that being reinforced with such an Army he resolves to make his way into the very heart of the Kingdom and passing over the Tay at Dunkeldon encamped in Methfyn Forrest the Covenanters at that time held a Parliament at Saint Johns Town but hearing of Montrosses approach they secured themselves by flight he to encrease their terrour drew nearer to the Town but finding it not safe for him to descend into the Champion Countrey having such want of Horse he retreated to little Dunkeldon But that want was soon supplied by a Party from the North under the Earl of Aboine and Collonel Nathaniel Gordon the Earl of Airley and Sir David his son so that being now thus recruited he thought it not good to lose any time but marched straight towards the Enemy And having in vain several times proffered them Battle at last it came to a pitcht Field in a place called Kilsythe where the Covenanters though they overmatcht him in number yet came so far behinde him in valour that he obtained over them an absolute Victory having the killing of them for fourteen miles so that of all their Foot it is thought there did not an hundred come off nor did their horse escape very well of whom some were killed some taken the rest disperst Their Ordnance their Arms their Spoils came clearly to the Conquerours who lost onely six of their men on the other side were slain six thousand a great disproportion in number and did not the effects which followed this Victory make it the more credible it might seem to some a falshood if not an impossibility For presently afterwards was a great alteration all the Kingdom over the chief of the Nobility who sided with the Covenanters some fled to Barwick some to Carlile some to New Castle others into Ireland the Marquess of Douglass the Earls of Limmuck Annandale and Hertfield the Lord Barrons of Seton Drummond Fleming Maderly Carnegy and Jonston with many others of great quality submitted themselves such as before onely privately wisht well unto the King now expressed it openly The Cities and Countreys that were furthest off began to dispatch their Commissioners to profess in their names their Allegiance to their King their duty and service to his Vicegerent and freely to offer him Men Arms Provision and other necessaries of War The City of Edenburgh to ingratiate themselves with the Conquerours they released their Prisoners of whom the chiefest were the Earl of Crawford and James Lord Ogleby son to the Earl of Airly whom with their Delegates they sent to Montross to entreat for peace proffering submission and promising obedience for the time to come yea the whole Kingdom every where sounded nothing but Montrosses praise But what thing on earth is permanent many of his Souldiers being loaden with spoil ran privily away from their Colours and returned home Presently after their very Commanders desired Furloghs for a little while pretending that the Enemy had no Army within the borders of the Kingdom and therefore their service for the present might very well be spared the Earl of Aboine whether the Lord Governour would or no carried away with him not onely his own men but all the rest of the Northern Forces yea Alexander Macdonel who had hitherto continued so faithful departed into the Highlanders with more then three thousand stout men and sixscore of the best Irish promising with a solemn oath their sudden return yet he never saw Montross after Montross seeing it would be no better with his small Army passing by Edenburgh into which he would not enter by reason the plague then raged in the City led them through Lothainshire and in Strathgale joyned with some Forces raised by the Marquess of Douglass afterwards he marches to Niddisdale and Annandale and the Countrey of Ayre that he might there raise what Horse he could and coming to Selkirk he quartered his Horse in a Village and his Foot in a Wood close by His Army consisting of onely five hundred Foot and those Irish and a very weak party of new rais'd Horse Lesley understanding of his weak condition having been newly sent for out of England to help the Covenanters in their exigency with six thousand Horse made such speed that before he was discryed by Montrosses Scouts he was not above half a mile off Montross at that present was very busie in dispatching Letters to the King but upon news of Lesley's coming he mounts the first horse he could light on and gallops into the Field appointed for the Rendezvouz where he findes a great deal of noise but no order The Cavalry being little acquainted with duty and lying already dispersed in their quarters where they dreamt more of baiting their horses then maintaining their lives and honours yet there were a few and those were for the most part Noblemen and Knights who made all speed thither and gallantly undertook to make good the right Wing but they being not above sixscore in all and being assailed by so potent an Enemy multitude overcoming valour having twice repulsed their Enemy with loss at last they betook themselves to flight the Foot fighting a good while stoutly and resolutely were forced to yield but found little mercy from the Conquerour putting them all to the Sword Montross seeing his men routed which he never saw before rallying about thirty Horse whom he had gathered up in that confusion he desperately chargeth thorow the Enemy who hotly pursuing him to make his flight the more honourable he chargeth his pursuers routs them and carries away one Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Cornets with their Standards Prisoners And now being safe from danger he makes what haste he could into Athole to recruit his Army Aboine bringing him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse with some addition of the Athol men he crosseth the Forth and came into Leven which he destroyed without any resistance but his Forces too weak to resist so powerful an Army as the Enemy had then in the Field he returneth back into the Countrey of Athole and goeth himself in person to Bogie Castle upon the mouth of Spey to speak with Huntley having by messengers often fruitlesly sollicited him to joyn with him as soon as they met Montross invited him in smooth and gentle language to associate with him him in the War for the
command to desist from his purpose because the Treaty betwixt the Prince and the Scottish Commissioners was now very near a conclusion made him precipitate himself and those that were with him into most inevitable ruine for considering his small preparation it was a desperate action to attempt so mighty a business but the matter being fatal he must needs contribute his own endeavours towards that destruction which his cruel fortune had provided for him Nor could the loss of two Ships with all the men and arms therein whom he had sent before to prepare his way alter his resolution but with the rest of his company passes over to Orkney and having raised what force he could there embarcks himself and in a short space lands upon the point of Cathnes which is the farthest land to the Northwest of Scotland as knowing the world was much astonisht at this invasion now whilest the King was upon a Treaty he published a Declaration wherein he laboured to clear himself of any aspersion of sinister ends that his intention was onely against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdom raised and maintained a War against the Kings Father and did now by their subtil practices endeavour to destroy the Son also but the Countrey for several causes did not come to second him as he expected so that being encountred by the Earl of Sunderland and Collonel Staughorn his Army was overthrown two hundred killed and twelve hundred taken In this skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caused to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the Portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was killed after he had several times refused quarter there was Collonel Hurry taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgety Collonel Hay of Naughton Colonel Grya and most of the Officers and two Ministers Montross himself after he saw the day was absolutely lost having with his Sword hewn out his way through the midst of his enemies hoping fortune might afterward be more favourable to him he endeavours by policy to save his life and forsaking his Horse throws away his Cloak and Sword then exchanging apparrel with a Highlander in that habit keeps himself undiscovered in the Fields for three or four dayes together but such narrow search being made for him that he could not long escape he freely discovers himself to the Lord of Astron who had been one of his followers before thinking to finde friendship at his hands but he greedy of the reward which was promised to his apprehender by the Council of State money having a deeper impression in his heart then amity seized on him and with a strong guard conveyed him to David Lesley He being now in the custody of his mortal enemies from whom he could not expect the least favour he yet exprest a singular constancy and in a manner a carelesness of his own condition And now joyful of their prey they conduct him to Edenburgh where by the way lodging one night at the Town of Dundee notwithstanding they had suffered more by his Army then any Town else within that Kingdom yet were they so far from insulting over him that they testified a great deal of sorrow for his woful condition and furnished him with cloathes suitable to his birth and person The Parliament of Scotland being otherwise affected who was then informed of his taking thought fit to give out this Sentence against him before he came to Edenburgh That so soon as he should come to Town he should be met at the Gate by the Magistrates and Hangman that he should be tyed with cords upon a Cart bare-headed and the Hangman to ride upon the Horse that drew the Cart covered before him amd so to be brought though the Town that he should be hanged on a Gibbet at the Cross of Edenburgh until he dyed his History and Declaration hanging about his neck and so hang three hours in publick view of all the people after wich he should be beheaded and quartered His head to be fixt upon the prison-house of Edenburgh and his Legs and Arms over the Gates of the Cities of Sterling Glascow St. Johns Town and Aberdeen All which was executed upon him with a great deal of insultation especially of the Ministery who having him now at their mercy could never be satisfied with his calamities they reviled him with all possible spite objected frequently to him his former condition and his present misery and pronounced heavy judgements against him and being asked why they could not otherwise be satisfied but by so ignominious handling of him they replyed They knew no other way to humble him and bring him home to God The fatal day being come design'd to put a period to all his troubles there was erected in the middle of the market-place a large Scaffold brest high in the midst of which was planted a Gibbet of extraordinary height to this place was he conducted by the Baliffs he was cloathed in a Scarlet Cloak richly laced with Gold lace as he came along the Streets in great State there appeared in his countenance so much Beauty Majesty and Gravity as amazed the beholders John Taylors honest Verses will serve for this dishonourable Scotch expedtion In a good cause to dye it is no shame Although a Halter do procure the same Being come thither he was much detained with a great many frivolous questions of which partly the Ministers partly those whom the States suffered to be about him desired to be satisfied He made a short Speech in which he was often interrupted the tenour of which was That be was satisfied in his conscience for what he had done for his Royal Master the King as in relation to War That for his own particular sins which were infinite he bad beg'd pardon earnestly of God and had an inward hope to obtain it he freely forgave all those who had sought his overthrow and intreated the charity of all the people to pray both for him and themselves The Ministers because he was under the Sentence of excommunication refused to pray for him and even on the very Scaffold were very bitter against him After he had about a quarter of an hour prayed with his Hat before his eyes he was ready to go to his suffering when his Book and Declaration and all other printed Papers which he had published in his life being tyed in a string together were hanged a bout his neck he was very earnest that he might have the liberty to keep on his hat it was denyed he requested he might have the priviledge to keep his Cloak about him neither would that be granted in despite of all their affronts uncivil and barbarous usage with a most undaunted courage he went up to the top of that prodigious Gibbet where having freely pardoned the Execuoner he gave him three
Parliament by a solemn Vote and Ordinance changed the Monarchical Government into a Commonwealth The Kingdom of Ireland discontented at this change uniting themselves wned the late Kings eldest Son and solemnly proclaimed him King no place considerable standing out for the Parliament saving onely Dublyn and London Derry the first whereof was immediately besieged by an Army of two and twenty thousand men commanded by the Marquess of Ormond and the other by a considerable party of the Natives of the Countrey To the reducing of this Kingdom was Oliver Cromwel nominated Governour of Ireland by the Commonwealth who with a well appointed Army set sail for Dublyn where although he found things in an indifferent good posture the Marquesse of Ormond having been beaten off by the valour of Michael Jones the Governour yet he met with work enough for his Army for Droghedah one of the best and considerablest places in all Ireland held out stiffly against them and having a strong party bid defiance to his Army yet notwithstanding after many assaults and much valour shown on both sides he at last took it putting therein to death three thousand Irish who though enemies yet for their valour and undaunted resolution might have been lookt on with a more merciful eye as they were men and more especially Christians Soon after followed the surrender of Trim Dundalke Nury Wexford Rove Bandonbridge and Kingsale yet notwithstanding the reducing of these Towns many of the Irish retreating to their Bogs and inaccessible places held out for a long time in despite of the English To proceed not onely the Irish shewed their dislike of this change of Government but also the Collonies in Virginia and the Carybde Islands to the reducing of whom the Parliament sent Sir George Askue with a Fleet of ships who brought them again into obedience In the mean time the Scots were very busie they had commenced a Treaty with Prince Charles at Breda which at last was concluded on he assenting to their Presbyterian Government and they to install and reestablish him in that Kingdom and in the other accordingly as they questioned not but Fortune would answer their blinde zealous Covenant expectations The Prince puts forth to sea and in despite of foul weather and the English King fishers that lay there to intercept him he landed safely at the Spey in the North of Scotland now though the Scots had a King yet as if they had none every one did that which was right in his own eyes and as if they intended him onely the Title being now in their power they forced him to follow the dictates of their haughty Cleargy in all their fanatick humours and imperious decrees First then they bereaved him of all his old Friends Councellours and Confederates whether of the Cleargy or Layety as those who adhered to Episcopal Government and so not pure enough for so reformed a people Thus they hamstringed him not as what was formerly in the sign-post onely of printed papers Next they make him take the Solemn League and Covenant that strange fire which the Scotch believe descended from Heaven and by which they at their pleasures kindle those Wars wherewith they infest England then these Horse Farriers of the Conscience gave him another drench he is taught to renounce the sins of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establishment of Church Government as it is laid down in the Directory for publick Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisme These with divers others of the like nature they wrought so on his necessity they obtruded or rather rammed into his conscience although with much reluctancy he signed to making many strange faces at these bitter pills he swallowed yet it bettered not his condition which was like that of a childe under Tutours and Governours for there was not an Officer in that Kirk or Commonwealth how vile and abject soever in place or person but enjoyed more freedom both in body and minde then he Guarded indeed he was but no otherwise then he was surrounded with the ignis fatuus of their zealous suspitions of him so that move he must not but in the Sphere of the Kirk their primum mobile whereby its apparent that the Government of that Nation might be almost questioned whether it ever were truly Monarchicall though they had Kings To proceeed the Parliament having notice of all their proceedings recalled General Cromwell out of Ireland making him Generalissimo of the Commonwealths Armies in the Lord Fairfax his stead who at the same time laid down his Commission he with a choice Army marches into Scotland and after many petty defeats gives them a great overthrow at Dunbar September 3. 1650. and prosecuting his victory takes Leith a very considerable and advantageous place as also Edenburgh the Metropolitan City of all Scotland Thus he set firm there his sword hewing his way for him to conquer that Countrey which the King lost by his pen. Now were the Scots truly miserable for besides a raging enemy in the very heart of their Kingdom they were miserably divided amongst themselves even to the killing and slaying of one another one party in the North was for the King without the Kirk another party in the West was for the Kirk without the King a third party was for King and Kirk yet notwithstanding these losses and divisions they assumed new courage levyed more men and Crowned their King with the greatest magnificence as the indigency and necessity of their Affairs would permit The English on the other side being resolved to terminate this War with Scotland passed over into Fife and having defeated four thousand Scots they soon became Masters of Inchigravy Brunt-Island and St. Johns Town mean while the Scots Army consisting of 16000. abandoned their own Territories and by the way of Carlisle entred England General Cromwel advertised hereof leaves Collonel Monk with 7000. men in Scotland to perfect the conquest of that kingdom and with the rest of the Army pursues the Scots who wheresoever they came proclaimed their King to be King of Great Brittain France and Ireland c. But few stirred unto their aid amongst others the unfortunate Earl of Darby who having assembled 1200 men in Lancashire was defeated by Collonel Lilburne and to save himself was constrained to flee to Worcester where the Scots after a long and tedious march had pitched their Camp whither General Cromwel soon pursued them and having the aid of the Train Bands of several Counties gave them Battel which proved fatal unto the Scots their whole Army being overthrown The King in a disguise escaped into France not without much difficulty and danger the Parliament having promised five hundred pounds to any one that could discover his person Such a list of prisoners as were then taken we shall seldome meet with in any Battle but Cromwels The Earl of Darby the Earl