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
Nations to enter which they afterwards soon did to the great prejudice of the Empire so that Zosimus though in other of his writings concerning this Emperour discovers his malice yet he truly calleth him the first subverter of that flourishing Monarchy Concerning the time when he was baptized Authors onely agree in disagreeing Eusebius writes that he was baptized in the City of Nicomedia Sozomenus and Theodoritus that it was a little before his death others think he was baptized with Crispus his Son to which opinion accords Platina and Sabellicus who affirm the Font wherein they were baptized to have remained unto their times In this diversity of Writers the Reader must not expect I should satisfie him seeing I cannot herein satisfie my self But of more certainty is the place of his death wherein they all accord that it was in Nicomedia a City of Bythinia where he died of a natural disease a thing to be taken notice of since of 40. Emperours that reigned before him above 30. of them came to untimely ends most of them being blood-thirsty Tyrants and Persecutours of Gods holy Saints whose ends were answerable to their lives their bloody actions having bloody deaths So true is that of the Poet Juvenal Few Tyrants do to Pluto's Court descend Without fierce slaughter and a bloody end At his death he divided his Empire betwixt his three sons Constantine Constantius and Constance To Constantine the eldest he allotted the Countreys of Brittain France Spain and part of Germany Constantius his second son had Italy Africa Sclavonia Dalmatia and Greece and Constance the youngest possessed the Countreys of Thracia Syria Mesopotamia and Egypt The Life of King ARTHUR BOth Poets and Historians out of the most famous Warriours that have lived in the world have extracted nine of the chiefest whom they termed Worthies of these this famous Prince whose life we now intend to relate was accounted one Questionless he was a Prince of a matchless prowess and pitty it is the naked truth of his actions hath not been delivered to posterity without the intermixture of ridiculous falshoods for Geffery of Monmouth is said to have feigned many things for the encrease of his fame though he hath thereby much impaired his own and although for the same he was bitterly inveighed at by William of Newberry and divers others yet was his follies followed by several Authours still adding to what he first had feign'd according to that of the old Poet. The thing at first invented great doth grow And every one doth something adde thereto Thus their over-lavish pens in seeking to make him more then he was have made many suspect he was not at all But besides the testimonies of William of Malmesbury Joseph of Excester Ninius Leiland and divers others for the truth of this Prince a Charter exemplified under the seal of King Edward the Third doth sufficiently testifie wherein mention is made of King Arthur to have been a great Benefactour to the Abbey of Glastenbury and to this day his Arms being an Escochen whereon a Cross with the Virgin Mary having Christ in her arms cut in stone standeth over the first gate of entrance into the Abbey and is said to be the Arms belonging to the same Of his person we shall not need to doubt though we may justly suspect the verity of many things said to be atchieved by him This by way of introduction I thought fit to insert I shall now pursue his History with truth and brevity He was base Son to Vter sirnamed Pendragon begotten of Igren Dutchess of Cornwall her husband yet living this Lady had often withstood his unlawful desires at last by the help of Merline a renowned Welch Enchanter as some Authours write he was brought to her bed in the likenesse of Gorlois her husband of whom that night he begat this Worthy whom at his death he appointed to be King of Brittain notwithstanding he had two Daughters lawfully begotten and as honourably married the one to Lotho King of Picts the other to Gouran King of Scotland But scarcely was the Crown settled on his head when the Saxons sought to strike it off who being called in by Vortigerne for an aid against the Scots and Picts like unmannerly guests sought to turn their hoast out of doors To the aid of these Saxons joyned Lotho King of Picts out of envy to the Brittains for that they had denied him to be their King and although Arthur was his Kinsman and professed Christianity the other strangers and enemies to true Religion yet neither Christianity nor Consanguinity could keep him from joyning with them in amity not caring who won so Arthur did but lose The first battel they fought was in the Countrey of Northumberland where Arthur dyed his Sword in the Saxons blood chasing them from thence to the City of York which notwithstanding he did straitly besiege yet their Captain named Colgerne escaped from thence and got into Germany where he obtained aid of one Cherdike a King of that Countrey who came himself in person with 70 sail of ships and having a prosperous Winde arrived in Scotland which when Arthur understood he raised his siege and marched towards London And that the multitude of his enemies might not daunt the courage of his Souldiers he sent for aid to his Nephew Howel King of little Brittain in France who came himself likewise in person to the aid of his uncle doing as old Authors write acts worthy to be eternized with a golden pen. Their forces thus augmented with undaunted resolutions they march to the City of Lincoln which Cherdike did then besiege whom they forced from thence to flee into a wood but there being likewise compassed about with Arthurs victorious Army they yielded themselves with condition to depart the Land leaving the Brittains their horse armour and other furniture but see what faith is to be expected from faithless people for having their markets spoiled at Lincoln they thought to make them good in the West ariving at Totnes and destroying all the Countrey till they came to Bathe but the price of their lives paid for their perjury being encountred by Arthur their Army was overthrown their three Captains Colgrine Cherdike and Bladulf being slain Howel King Arthurs Nephew was not at this last battel being besieged at that present in the Marches of Scotland to whose rescue hasted Arthur with the flower of his Souldiers and notwithstanding the Scots were aided by one Guillomer King of Ireland yet obtained he of them a glorious victory chasing Guillomer into Ireland and bringing Scotland into subjection like another Caesar it might be writ of him veni vidi vici as one of our poets sings of him Thus wheresoever he his course did bend Still victory did ox his sword attend Returning to Yorke he instituted the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord with such feasts and sports as are commonly now used an institution which the Scottish writers do altogether condemn comparing them to
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
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
Philosopher Plutarch reports that Marcus Tullius that eloquent Orator obtained the name of Cicero by reason he had a thing upon the tip of his nose as it had beeen a riche pease whereupon they sirnamed him Cicero because Cicer in English signifieth a riche pease So likewise we read of Ovid that darling of the Muses that he got the name of Nasonis from the greatness of his Nose and in the perusual of our English Histories we shall meet with many of the like examples as of William the Second sirnamed Rufus from his red face Richard the First got the name of Cordelion from his inexpugnable and Lion like heart even so this famous Prince whose life we now relate was sirnamed Ironside from his notable courage and strength of body to endure all such pains as is requisite for a Souldier not so called as some would have it for that he used to go alwayes in armour He was third son to Ethelred commonly called the unready the eldest living at his Fathers death his two Brothers dying in defence of their Countrey made way for him to succeed in the Kingdome which notwithstanding was with much opposition as well of Forreigners as his natural Subjects so that he inherited his Fathers troubles as well as his Crown and might be said to be a King without a Kingdome The most part of the Clergy and many of the Nobility out of hatred to the Father rejected the Son and at Southampton chose Canutus for their King this Canutus was King of the Danes who for six and thirty years together had miserably oppressed the English Nation turning all into ruine wheresoever he came Churches and Monasteries were made subject to his desolations and Church-men and Monks felt his cruel and merciless doings Wife Daughter and Maid these cruel Danes abused at their pleasures yea they forced the chaste Nuns to their filthy pollutions insomuch that some of them to save their chastities destroyed their beauties deforming their bodies to keep their souls pure To redresse these enormities Edmund like another Maccabeus stood up for his Countrey and being Crowned at Kingstone by Levingus Archbishop of Canterbury he hasted to London being then besieged by Canutus where he soon forced the Danes to raise their siege and winter themselves in the Isle of Sheepie But the Spring come they suddainly assailed the West of England and were as suddainly themselves encountred by Edmund who with great courage though with a small Army gave them Battel at Penham in Dorcetshire where many of these destroyers were themselves destroyed the rest for fafety flying towards Salisbury Edmund having recruited and refreshed his Army hasted after them and at Sheorstan in Worcestershire a second Battel was fought where Edmund behaved himself most gallantly executing the office both of a hardy Souldier and valiant Commander and undoubtedly the Danes had received a great overthrow had not Duke Edrick who for his many treasons was sirnamed the Traytor cut off the head of a Souldier resembling Edmond and holding it aloft thus cryed to the English Fly ye wretches fly and get away for your King is slain behold here is his Head but Edmond hearing of this treacherous stratagem hasted to show himself to his Souldiers whose sight so revived their drooping spirits that had not the approaching night prevented them they had obtained that day a most glorious victory Duke Edricks life had paid for his treason had he not presently fled to the enemy who afterwards excusing the fact as being mistaken in the countenance of the man as he was willing to save the lives of the English he was afterwards received into favour again There were slain on both sides by the report of writers no fewer then 20000 Souldiers which may very well be true considering the Battel lasted two whole dayes and that of Canutus side were many English who fought with a most furious and desperate hatred to the Danes so true is that expression of the Poets The highest fury raigns in civil War And Countrey men in fight most cruel are The Danes by stealth breaking up their camp in the night time hasted towards London which City they earnestly desired to conquer and where their ships lay in manner of a siege but Edmonds coming forced them to discamne who entred the City in a triumphant manner and two dayes after gave them Battel at Brentford where notwithstanding in passing the Thamesis he lost many of his men yet obtained he the victory and forced them to their ships But as if the fable of Hydra had been turned to a verity though they were suppressed in one place yet with double strength they encreased in another and though Edmond in person obtained many a Victory yet by his Subjects disloyalty and Duke Edricks treachery what he got in one place he lost in another so that sometimes he and sometimes Canutus were reputed as alternate Kings as the fate of War was either with or against them as a Poet writes of the successes of those times Now one side wins anon doth lose again This week doth Edmond next Canutus reign The Danes altogether minding mischief and to make havock of all wheresoever they came whilst Edmond was retired into the West with great booties and spoils returned to their ships and sailing up the river of Medway pitched their tent near Oteford in Kent Edmond as willing to save as they to destroy hasted after and pitched not far from his enemies Camp where he exhorted his Souldiers to remember their former victories and not to droop at the fight of them whom so often they had vanquished that the onely way to victory was to fight valiantly whilst cowards were causers of their own overthrow that those whom they dealt with were their ancient enemies accustomed to robberies enriched with rapines fatned with man-slaughters and tainted with perjuries their cause being thus just he desired them to fight valiantly and God would crown their endeavours with good success the edge of their valours whetted sharp by this oration with a general shout presaging victory they fell upon the Danes whom they discomfitted and slew of them to the number of four thousand five hundred and lost of their own onely six hundred This Victory might have put a Period to the Wars had not Duke Edrick disswaded Edmond from pursuing after them alledging the danger of ambush and the overwearied bodies of his Souldiers so that Canute thereby had leasure in safety to pass over into Essex Where beginning again to rob and spoil the Countrey many of the English for fear submitted themselves unto him but the restles Ironside hasted after them and at Ashdone three miles from Saffron Walden another Battel was fought where the Danes being at the point to have lost the day the traiterous Edrick revolted to their side by which treachery the English were overthrown In this bloody Battel the flower of the English Nobility lost their lives as Duke Alfred Duke Goodwyn Duke Athelward Duke
having ascended their full height began to decline for notwithstanding he sent over great forces under the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Hereford no great matter thereof ensued And now each day brings news of some Towns revolt or Commanders death the Earl of Warwick receives his death by a pestilential Dart Sir John Chandoys an expert Commander is unfortunately slain Sir William Molineux who had long served in the Wars of France deceaseth in England the Earl of Pembroke is taken prisoner by the Spaniards and the Noble Prince Edward dieth at Canterbury with whom saith Walshingham died all the hopes of the English during whose life they feared no invasion of the enemy abroad nor any division at home for he assailed no nation which he overcome not he besieged no City which he took not whose death lay so heavy on his heart that King Edward himself lived not long after A King saith Speed whose name among the surviving splendors of his actions is justly transmitted with honour to all posterity He died at his Mannor of Sheene near Richmond the 21. of July 1377. having lived 65. years and reigned 56. years 4. moneths and odde dayes his body was solemnly interred at Westminster Church where he hath his monument with this Epitaph engraven thereon made by Geffery Chaucer the Poet. Hic decus Anglorum flos regum praeteritorum Forma futurorum Rex clemens pax populorum Tertius Edwardus regni complens Jubilaeum Invictus Pardus pollens bellis Machabaeum Here Englands Grace the flower of Princes past Pattern of future Edward the third is plac't Milde Monarch Subjects peace Wars Machabee Victorious Pard his reign a Jubilee In the eleventh year of this Kings reign my Author writes was so great plenty that a quarter of Wheat was sold at London for two shillings a fat Ox for a noble a fat sheep for six pence and six Pigeons for a penny a fat Goose for two pence and a Pigg for a penny and other things after that the same cheap rate The Life of EDWARD the Black Prince IT may seem superfluous having writ the Reign of the Father in whose time he died to publish the life of this Prince but as an eminent Author writes as heroick persons purchase their own honours so they ought to inherit their own praises to wear their own laurels This may apologize for my enterprize more especially as I have endeavoured to avoid whatsoever hath been already written and to set down onely his more particular Transactions Edward the Black Prince so named of this dreaded acts and not from his complexion was the eldest son of King Edward the Third a Prince of an undaunted spirit so full of vertues that he left no room for any nnworthy vice who had he lived in the heroick times might well have been numbred amongst the nine Worthies At 15. years of age his father takes him over with him into France to initiate him as it were in the School of War as one of our modern Poets hath it In this fair heaven of magnanimity The Prince the star of honour decks the fly Fixt here so soon by 's Fathers band who meant He there should fall or gild that firmament I will for the more brevity treat onely of three special passages in this Princes life his Battel at Crescy his Victory at Poityers and his restoring Don Pedro to his Crown of Castile in the Battel at Crescy the French exceeded the English nigh four for one and by reason of their numbers being confident of Victory would needs hasten the Fates to their own destruciton and enforcd the English to make their passage through as they then determined the red Sea of their own blood nor could the terrible peals of Thunder from heaven nor shoals of Ravens and ravenous birds which came flying over their Hoast foreshewing the harvest of carcasses at hand hinder their proceedings but as if ascertained of victory they did erect their banner called Oliflame as a signe of taking none to mercy no more then fire is extinguisht by Oyl against which the English advance their Banner of the red Dragon to signifie no mercy to them that would shew none Both Armies divided into three Battalions the sign of Battel being given by King Philip the horrour of War began to show its self the grass was soon changed from green to red and their glistering faucheons to a purple colour Drums and Trumpets sounded the knells of death horrour and destruction appeared every where Amongst other Nations that assisted the French in this sad War were twelve thousand Genowayes being all of them Gross-bow men these were to open a way for the French horse with their shot but at the very instant fell such a showr of rain which for the present wet the Archers strings and made them less serviceable The French King hereupon commanded Count Alanson who commanded the Van to beat them from the point and to charge the English this was no sooner commanded then performed and the poor Genowayes trodden down by the horse who now turn their fury against the French seeking to destroy whom they came to help The English enemies unto either having reinforced their Archery liberally bestow their arrows amongst them endeavouring the destruction of them both who ever saw a Matachin dance imitate fighting might here see a fight imitate the Matachin dance The French way thus paved with Genoan bodies half out of breath with headlong haste never stay till they came up to the English Battel with whom encounters the noble Prince of Wales who commanded the English Voward that day the fight grew fierce and cruel each side striving to exceed the other in valour Who had seen the Prince of Wales at that present would have believed Pythagoras doctrine of Transmigration that the soul of great Hector had been infused into him what Poets have feigned of ancient Heroes fell short of the truth of what he performed that day The King of Bohemia whom age might have taught to have expected death in his Chamber and not to have sought him in the Fields of Mars seals his love to the French side with his dearest blood his troop of faithful followers with their slaughtered bodies covering him even in death whose plume of Ostrige feathers won then by valiant Edward hath every since been the Cognisance of the Princes of Wales Another trophey of the English Chevalry was the King of Majorca who in aid of the French was there likewise slain as a renowned Poet in his description of that victory One King 's too much but there two Kings must dye Leave two uncrown'd to Crown one victory It was now high time for King Philip to bring up the main Battel whose numbers threatned the destruction of the English this onset threatning so much danger King Edward is sent for to come up with his power to aid the Prince whose answer was Let them send no more to me for any adventure that may befall whilest my
Homero eruditus ille Italus dixit Hic ille est cujus de gurgite facro Combibit arcanos vatum omnis turba furores The deservingly honoured Sir Philip Sidney in his defence of Poesy thus writeth of him Chaucer undoubtedly did excellently in his Troylus and Crescid of whom truly I know not whether to marvail more either that he in that misty time could see so clearly or that we in this clear age walk so stumblingly after him And Doctor Heylin in his elabourate Description of the World ranketh him in the first place of our chiefest Poets Seeing therefore that both old and new Writers have carried this reverend conceit of him and openly declared the same by writing let us conclude with Horace in the eighth Ode of his fourth Book Dignum Laude causa vet at mori Gower and Chaucer were both of the Inner Temple Mr. Buckley a learned Gentlemen of those times gives an account of a Record he read in the same Inner Temple wherein Geofery Chaucer no friend to the covetous and leacherous Cleargy-men of those times was fined two shillings for beating of a Franciscan Frier in Fleet-street a considerable sum money was so scarce in those dayes I intended to have presented the world with the lives of three more of the most eminent of our modern Poets viz. Mr. Edmond Spenser Michael Drayton Esquire and Mr. Benjamin Johnson not that I could thereby imagine to add unto their fames they having built themselves everlasting Monuments in their never dying Works but out of a desire to imitate forreign writers who have ever done their Worthies that right I have not been wanting of a most diligent inquiry but as yet I cannot meet with any of their friends and honorers that are able to render me so full and happy an account of them as that I might have registred them in this volumne to Posterity The Life of HENRY the Fifth HEnry the fifth was born at Monmouth in Wales 1388. Of whom several Authors write that he was the most dissolute Prince but all agree that he was afterwards the most Martial King that England ever bred For during his Father Henry the Fourths Reign his chief associates were men of evil fame wicked life dissolute carriage Robbers and Thieves by whose instigation he struck the Lord Chief Justice of England for which offence he was imprisoned and dismissed of the Presidentship of the Kings Council With these Fratres in malo he committed many insolent pranks but having attained unto the Crown he summoned these his companions before him and instead of preferring them as they expected he banisht them for ever from his presence yet least they should pretend want of maintenance to be a cause of their taking ill courses he gave to every one of them competent means whereby to subsist Having thus reformed himself his next care was to reform his Kingdom and to this end he assembleth a Parliament as best able to informe him for his more discreet grievances of his Subjects and best able to counsel him for their redress In this Parliament was a Bill preferred by the Commons against the Cleargy whose Temporalities they affirmed would maintain fifteen Earls fifteen hundred Knights six thousand two hundred Esquires an hundred Alms-Houses more then before and unto the Kings Coffers twenty thousand pounds by year The Cleargy nettled with the Commons Bill being loath to have their Estates looked into as men who were fuller of goods then of goodness exceeding in riches more then in righteousness and preaching for Gold more then for God to divert the Kings minde another way by the mouth of Chicholy Archbishop of Canterbury propound the recovering of his Rights in France Henry as he affected nothing more then true glory so in nothing more then in Warlike action condescends to the motion sends Ambassadours to the French King to surrender him his Land threatning Fire and Sword upon his refusal but a Crown though accompanied with a great many troubles is not so easily parted withall yet the French King propounds him fair if he would desist from his intended War though the Dolphin in derision sent him a tun of Paris Balls as fitter for him to exercise then to attempt the recovery of the French Crown which King Henry took in such scorn that he swore it should not be long ere he would send such London Balls amongst them that should beat down their houses upon their heads And to make good his promise he raises an Army of 6000. Spears and 24000. Foot besides Engineers and Labourers but being about to put forth to Sea a treason was discovered against his person plotted by Richard Earl of Cambriage Henry Scroop Lord Treasurer and Thomas Gray Earl of Northamberland These men for a million of Gold were procured by the French Agents to kill the King but were discovered by Edmond Earl of March whom they would have drawn into the same Conspiracy Upon their examination they confessed the Treason as likewise the receipt of the money and were for the same immediately put to death For as Mr. Charles Allen writes Man and Money a mutual falshood show Man makes false money Money makes man so This execution done and the winde blowing fair he puts forth to Sea accompanied with his two Brothers the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester his Uncles the Duke of York and Earl of Dorset the Earls of Kent Cornwall and Huntington with many other Lords Barons and men at Arms and on our Lady-Eve landeth at Caen in Normandy where falling devoutly upon his knees desired Gods assistance to recover his right making Proclamation That no man upon pain of death should rob any Church or offer violence to any that were found unarmed From thence with his Army he marcheth to Harflew which after a few dayes was surrendred unto him where he leaveth Sir John Falstaffe with fifteen hundred men and takes his way towards Callis through the Counties of Caux and Eu. Charles the sixth was then King of France a weak brain-sick King his Nobles divided and the whole Court swarming with Factions yet the common enemy endangering all they unite in Counsell and agree the English should be fought with ere they got to Callis wherefore to impede his process they brake down the Bridges plashed the Woods intrenched the wayes struck stakes in Fords and conveyed all victual out of the Countreys thorow which he should go Then having raised a mighty Army they sent Montjoy the French King at Arms to defie him and to let him know he should be fougt with King Henry notwithstanding his Souldiers were faint and weary having spent their provisions some twelve dayes before being forced in the mean time to feed upon nuts roots and berries and drink onely water yet accepted the Challenge and rewarded the Herald for his message then passing the River of Soam he came to a Village called Agen-Court encamping from the French Hoast not above two hundred and fifty paces Their power saith Paradin
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
sollicitations he had from Henry Earl of Richmond and the Lords of his faction who to draw them off from Richards side that morning in which Bosworth Field was fought was found a world of papers strowed before Norfolks door Yet notwithstanding all this he regarding more his oath his honour and promise made to King Richard like a faithful Subject absented not himself from his Master but as he faithfully lived under him so he manfully died with him But to return to his Son the Earl of Surrey in this Battle he had the leading of the Archers which King Richard had placed in the fore-front as a Bulwark to defend the rest the undaunted courage of this Earl and his resolute brave carriage being taken prisoner are delineated to the life by the renowned Sir John Beaumont in his ever-living Poem of Bosworth Field which if to some it may seem a long Quotation the goodness of the lines will recompense the tediousness of reading them Courageous Talbot had with Surrey met And after many blows begins to fret That one so young in Arms should thus unmov'd Resist his strength so oft in war approv'd And now the Earl beholds his Fathers fall VVhose death like horrid darkness frighted all Some give themselves as Captives others fly But this young Lion casts his generous eye On Mowbray's Lion painted in his shield And with that King of Beasts repines to yield The Field saith he in which the Lion stands Is blood and blood I offer to the hands Of daring foes but never shall my flight Die black my Lion which as yet is white His Enemies like cunning Huntsmen strive In binding snares to take their prey alive While he desires t' expose his naked breast And thinks the sword that deepest strikes is best Young Howard single with an Army fights When mov'd with pitty two renowned Knights Strong Clarindon and valiant Coniers try To rescue him in which attempt they die Now Surrey fainting scarce his Sword can hold Which made a common Souldier grow so bold To lay rude hands upon that noble Flower Which he disdaining anger gives him power Erects his weapon with a nimble round And sends the Peasants Arm to kiss the ground This done to Talbot he presents his Blade And saith It is not hope of life hath made This my submission but my strength is spent And some perhaps of villain blood will vent My weary soul this favour I demand That I may die by your victorious hand Nay God forbid that any of my name Quoth Talbot should put out so bright a flame As burns in thee brave Youth where thou hast err'd It was thy Fathers fault since he prefer'd A Tyrants Crown before the juster side The Earl still mindeful of his birth reply'd I wonder Talbot that thy noble heart Insults on ruines of the vanquisht part We had the right if now to you it flow The fortune of your Swords hath made it so I never will my luckless choice repent Nor can it stain mine honour or descent Set Englands Royal Wreath upon a stake There will I fight and not the place forsake And if the will of God hath so dispos'd That Richmonds Brow be with the Crown inclos'd I shall to him or his give doubtless signs That duty in my thoughts not faction shines Which he proved to be most true in the whole course of his life for having continued prisoner in the Tower three years and a half the Earl of Lincoln confederating with one Lambert Simnel raised an Army against the King the Lieutenant of the Tower favouring their enterprise freely offered the Earl licence to depart out at his pleasure which he refused saying That he that commanded him thither should command him out again The King understanding of his fidelity not onely released him of his imprisonment but took him into a more specal regard and soon had he an occasion to make tryall of him a great insurrection happening in the North wherein the Rebells were grown so potent that they slew the Earl of Northumberland in the field and took the City of York by assault against these King Henry assembles a great power making the Earl of Surrey Chief Captain of his Voward who so behaved himself that the Rebells forces were dissipated their chief Leaders taken and soon after executed The King noting his great prudence and magnanimity made him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward had Warden of the East and middle Marches and Justice of the Forrests from Trent Northwards in which offices he continued the space of ten years during which time the Scots having committed some outrages upon the Borders he made a road into Tivydale where he burnt and destroyed all before him returning with great spoils and honour Not long after he made another road into Scotland returning with like success James the fifth then King of Scotland raised a great power to withstand him and sent to the Earl a challenge to fight with him hand to hand which he accepted but the King into his demands would have the Countrey or Lands then in Controversie to be made Brabium Victoris which was without the Earls power to engage being the inheritance of the King his Master but he proffers better Lands of his own upon the Combat which was not accepted and so nothing was concluded A peace being concluded with the Scots he was called home and made Lord Treasurer of England of the Privy Council living in great Honor and reputation all the dayes of King Henry who dying his Son Henry that succeded him added to his other dignities the high Marshallship of England and going in person with an Army into France left him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward to defend the Realm against the Scots for James the Fifth King of Scotland notwithstanding he were King Henries Brother-in-law yet did so firmly adhere to the French that to divert King Henries proceedings in his own person with a mighty Army he invades England The Earl of Surrey to oppose him raises what Forces he could and at a place called Flodden it came to a pitcht field which was fought with great courage and valour but God who owned the just cause of the English crowned them with success and set the Palm of Victory on the Earl of Surrey's head The Scottish King being slain and with him two Bishops eleven Earls seventeen Barrons four hundred Knights besides other Gentlemen and seventeen thousand common Souldiers The Earl for these services was by the King at his return home highly rewarded and restored to the Dukedom of Norfolk his Fathers Dignity Soon after was he sent chief Commissioner with the Lady Mary the Kings sister to be married unto Lewis the French King and after his return home the King and Queen going to Guines to visit the French King he was made Protectour of the Realm in his absence Old age seizing on him he obtained leave of the King to spend the remainder of his dayes at Framlingham
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
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
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
Whose ready Sails with every Winde can flie And make a covenant with th' unconstant Skie Our Oaks secure as if they there took root We tread on Billows with a steady foot Mean while the Spaniards in America Near to the Line the Sun approaching saw And hop'd their European Coasts to finde Clear'd from our ships by the Autumnal Winde Their huge capacious Gallions stuft with Plate The labouring windes drives slowly towards their fate Before Saint Lucar they their Guns discharge To tell their Joy or to invite a Barge This heard some Ships of ours though out of view As swift as Eagles to the Quarry flew So heedless Lambs which for their mothers bleat Wake hungry Lions and become their meat Arriv'd they soon begin that Tragick play And with their smoaky Cannon banish day Night horrour slaughter with confusion meets And in their sable Arms embrace the Fleets Through yielding Planks the angry Bullets fly And of one Wound hundreds together dye Born under different Stars one Fate they have The Ship their Coffin and the Sea their Grave Bold were the men which on the Ocean first Spread their new Sails whilest shipwrack was the worst More danger now from men alone we finde Then from the Rocks the Billows or the Winde They that had sail'd from near th' Antartick Pole Their Treasure safe and all their Vessels whole In sight of their dear Countrey ruin'd be Without the guilt of either Rock or Sea What they would spare our fiercer Art destroyes Excelling storms in terror and in noise Once Jove from Hyda did both Hoasts survey And when he pleas'd to thunder part the Fray Here Heaven in vain that kinde Retreat should sound The louder Cannon had the thunder drown'd Some we made Prize while others burnt and rent With their rich Lading to the bottom went Down sinks at once so fortune with us sports The Pay of Armies and the Pride of Courts Vain man whose rage buries as low that store as Avarice had digg'd for it before What Earth in her dark bowels could not keep From greedy hands lies safer in the deep Where Thetis kindely doth from Mortals hide Those seeds of Luxury Debate and Pride And now into her lap the richest Prize Fell with the noblest of our Enemies The Marquis glad to see the fire destroy Wealth that prevailing Foes were to enjoy Out from his flaming Ship his Children sent To perish in a milder Element Then laid him by his burning Ladies side And since he could not save her with her dy'd Spices and Gums about them melting fry And Phenix-like in that rich nest they dye Death bitter is for what we leave behinde But taking with us all we love is kinde What could he more then hold for term of life His Indian Treasure and his more priz'd Wife Alive in flames of equal love they burn'd And now together are to ashes turn'd Ashes more worth then all their Funerals cost Then the huge Treasure which was with them lost These dying Lovers and their floating Sons Suspend the Fight and silence all our Guns Beauty and Youth about to perish findes Such noble pitty in brave English mindes That the rich Spoil neglecting and the Prize All labour now to save their Enemies How frail our passion's how soon changed are Our wrath and fury to a friendly care They that but now to gain the Spanish Plate Made the Sea blush with Blood forget their hate And their young Foes while sinking they retrive With greater danger then they fought they dive With these returns Victorious Mountague With Laurel in his hands and half Perue Let the brave General divide that Bough Our great Protector hath such Wreaths enough His conquering Head hath no more room for Bayes Then let it be as the whole Nation prayes Let the rich Oare forthwith be melted down And the State fixt by making him a Crown With Ermins clad and Purple let him hold A Royal Scepter made of Spanish Gold That these Poetical Addresses may not seem too full of flattery it will not be amiss to insert what I have found under one of his Pictures engraven beyond the Seas Cernimus hic omni caput admirabile mundo Regibus hic Frater Populis Pater Host is multum Nullius ille timet quam summi Numinis Arma. Quis dubitat sacro hoc si pergat Flamine Victor Quod Reges Populi Barbariesque stupent Barbariem vera Religione domat Non timet at Pacem cuillibet esse parat Quin subito Meretrix de Babylone cadet These were the then glosses of several persons he came nearest the mark that said He was a Prince in his time I shall wave these Hyperbole's even to the Antipathy of what Vir quintae Monarchiae sets down That as he was Protectour he had a more unlimited power then any King before him About this time Christina Queen of Sweden made a resignation of the Crown a president seldom heard of putting her self into the condition of a Lady Errant to which purpose she made these propositions to the Prince her successor 1. She will retain the best part of the Kingdom and the Custom to her self 2. She would not be subject but free of her self without controul 3. That she would travel whither she pleased To which the Prince returned this answer 1. That he would not be a King without a Kingdom 2. He would have no more Rival then she a Supericur 3. He would not hazard himself about her designs abroad How these different Proposals were composed I know not but in a short time she resigned up all leaving her self only the bare title of the Queen of Sweden travelling up and down according as her wilde fancy led her and for the total finishing of this Comick Scene she at length also resigned up her Religion and was received into the bosome of the Church of Rome This Christina being first undermined with money which she wanted having lived at a great heighth Carolus Gustavus having a Regal aim so supplied her occasions as to the engaging of her Heroick Person to look more directly upon those respects which though she was the Daughter of Great Gustavus of a Masculine spirit yet in respect of the constitution of the Nation which could not admit of a Feminine conduct she was as it were forc'd to surrender he was suddenly afterwards proclaimed King the Queen having first formally resign'd all to him The Swede being now in his full power the Protectour honouring of his Martial spirit comparing their somewhat resembling rises ballancing in his minde the Swedes monstrous successes none in Europe being so like his own either for the Discipline of the Sword or to the future interests of Princes as to their consternation and fear more especially as he had poized in his discretion the Danish Affairs he sends the Pick-lock of the Law a Gentleman of admirable parts and inimitable Civilities the Lord Whitlock who as his Ambassadour perfected an Offensive and Defensive League with