to King Edward the sixth or any other person And againe the said two Ladies Mary and Elizabeth being but of the halfe bloud to King Edward albeit they had beene borne in lawfull matrimony yet by the ancient Lawes of the Realme they were not inheritable to him by descent and had no capacitie in any degree to receiue any inheritance from him The reasons or pretexts of necessitie to the State were these In case the Ladie Mary and the Lady Elizabeth should enioy the Crowne they would assuredly ioyne in marriage with some stranger who would reduce this noble and free Realme into the seruitude of the Bishop of Rome and thereby bring in forren customes and Lawes abolishing those whereupon the rights of all natiue subiects depend and haply the whole body of the Realme should hereby be annexed as a member to some other greater Kingdome to the vtter subuersion of the ancient dignitie and Estate thereof the people were not vnlike to elect a King of some priuate Stocke a popular and seditious man peraduenture one who to countenance his own vnworthinesse and obscurity would little regard what contumely he cast vpon the falling Family of the Kings before him wherefore he held it the most prouident aduice that the King by his authoritie should designe not only his next Successour but others also in reuersion that the Crowne might not be subiect to risling but remaine to those whom hee loued and who humoured him best These reasons did more easily sinke into the Kings iudgement partly by meanes of the great affection which he bare to the Religion that he had established of the change wherof he was assuredly perswaded in case the Lady Mary his sister should succeed and partly by reason of the entire loue hee bare to his Cosin the Ladie Iane a woman of most rare â—…nd incomparable perfections For besides her excellent beautie adorned with all varietie of vertues as a cleere skie with starres as a princely Diadem with Iewels shee was most deare to the King in regard both of her religion and of her education in the knowledge of the liberall Sciences and skill in Languages for in Theologie in Philosophie in all liberall Arts in the Latine and Greeke tongues and in the Vulgar Languages of diuers neere Nations shee farre exceeded all of her sex and any of her yeares vnlesse haply the King himselfe Hereupon the King consented that Letters Patents should be drawne importing that in case the King should die without issue of his bodie lawfully begotten then the Imperiall Crowne of England and Ireland with his title to the Crown of France and all things to them belonging should remaine and come to the eldest sonne of the Ladie Frances daughter to the Ladie Mary youngest sister to Henry the eighth in case such issue should be borne into the world during the life of King Edward and after to the heires male of the said issue and in like sort from sonne to sonne of the said Ladie Frances lawfully begotten as they should be in prioritie of birth and borne during the Kings life and in default of such sonnes and of heires male of euery such sonne lawfully begotten that then the said Crowne and all the proâ—… should remaine and come to the Lady Iane eldest daughter to the said Ladie Frances and the heires males of her lawfully begotten and for default of such issue the said Crowne to remaine to the Lady Katherine second daughter to the said Lady Frances with diuers other remainders ouer which as they were vainly appointed so are they needlesse to be repeated These Letters were dated the one and twentieth of Iune in the seuenth yeare of King â—…dwards raign and by him signed when he was in great debilitie of body and afterwards passed vnder the gâ—…eat Seale of England And albeit the course contriuance was almost visible first for that such prouision was made for the Issue male of the said Lady Frances who neither at that time had any and was commonly repâ—…ted to be past yeares of child-bearing secondly for that in case that beyond the ordinary course of nature she should conceiue the hope was desperate that the King should liue vntill the birth Lastly for that her children borne and to be borne were so carefully and orderly remembred and no mention made of herselfe from whom their title must be deriued yet these Letters were subscribed by all the Priuic Counsellours the greatest part both of number and power of the Nobilitie of the Realme the Bishops the Kings learned Councell and all the Iudges at the Common Law except only Sir Iames Holles one of the Iustices of the Common Pleas a man well obserued to be both religious and vpright who worthily refused to subscribe and was vnworthily requited by Queene Mary afterwards It is very like that some of these were guided with respect of their particular interest for that they were possessed of diuers lands which once pertained to Monasteries Chantries and other religions houses not long before dissolued of these they held themselues in some danger to lose in case religion should change to the ancient forme which by succession of Queene Mary they did euidently fore-see Others were drawne partly by feare and partly by obligation to the Duke of Northumberland who then was exceeding potenâ—… and almost absolute in gouernment of the State and supposed able to make any title good either by his authoritie or by his sword Now whether a King may lawfully dispose by his will or otherwise of a Kingdome that hath beene long carried in one forme of succession contrary to that ancient forme I haue largely discoursed in my History of the three Norman Kings about the beginning of the raigne of King William the second but certaine it is that when kingdomes haue customably beene â—…ried by right of succession according to 〈◊〉 of bloud the violation of which course hath alwayes beene either very vaine or with dangerous consequence it hath alwayes beene like the breaking of a banâ—… which holdeth a sheafe of arrowes together like a rupture in bankes which bindeth a riuer within its proper channell or like a casting downe of a pale wherewith deere oâ—… other beasts are inclosed It was neuer done but either no effect ensued or bloudle disorders or haply both and the Duke by piercing his ambitious purposes with his vniust policie did no otherwise than often doth a foolish greedie gamesteâ—… who by stealing a card to win a stake forfeits the whole rest But hauing thus in his owne opinion assured his owne deuices nothing remained but that the King should not longer suruiue leâ—…t haply his sickly iudgement might be ouerruled by sounder aduice his disease was violent but his Physitians conceiued some hope of recouery in case he might be remoued to change of healthfull aire which in infirmities of the vitall parts the seat of his sicknesse is of greatest moment for the cure But hereto the Councell would not consent so he continued
on foote 4000 l accounting the gulden at 3 s 4 d but accounting it more as without a higher valuation little seruice happily some mischiefe might be expected the monethly pay to strangers amounted higher Hereby a great error was discouered in that the strangers for defence of Boulaine were of greater strength then were the English Now the English commissioners hauing first procured some releife both for victualls pay prepared a tent without the towne for meeting with the French But they erected a house on the further side of the water within their owne territory in a manner halfe way betweene their forte and the towne The English perswaded the French to surcease their building pretending but for their fantasies it was not necessarie because neither their treaty was like to continue long neither was it by solemne meeting that the businesse in hand must be effected But in truth they feared least if peace should not follow the French might in short time either with filling or massing the house or else by fortifying make such a piece as might annoy the hauen or the towne Notwithstanding the French not only proceeded but refused any other place of enteruiew At their first meeting much time was spent in ceremony of salutation Then the commissions were read then M r de Mortier in a sharpe speech declared that the French King their M t had vpon iust grounds entred the warre for recouery of his right and defence of his allies yet was he well minded for an honourable peace so as the things for which the warre began might be brought to some reasonable appointment and hearing of the like disposition of the King of England he had sent them to treat of those affaires nothing doubting but that the English would accord to the restitution of Bouline and other pieces of their late conquest which so long as they should keepe so long they may be assured the warre would continue He further added that Bouline was but a bare ruinous Towne without territory or any other commodity to ballance the charge of defending it against the power of France Lastly he said there should want no good will in them to bring matters to good appointment hopeing to finde the like affection in the English After that the English commissioners had conferred a while the Lord Paget answered that the causes of the warre both with them and their Allies whom he tooke to be the Scots being iust and honourable The towne of Bouline other pieces subdued aswell by their late great master against them as by the K. their then M r against their Allies were acquired by iust title of victory and therefore in keeping of them no iniury was offered either to the French King or to the Scots But the further declaration hee left off vntill their next meeting because both the time was spent and the tide summoned them to departe Touching the good inclination of the King their M r hee had declared it well by sending them thither in whom they should finâ—…e such good conformity that if good successe ensued not the fault should be which they expected not in the French Nothing else was done sauing a surcease of hostility concluded for 15 daies which was proclaimed in both the frontires At the next meeting the Lord Paget spent much speech in setting forth the King of Englands title to Bulloine and to his debts and pension from the French king with all arrerages together with the iustice of his warre against the Scots The French were as earnest in maintaining the contrary wanting no words whatsoeuer their reasons were For betweene great Princes the greatest strength carrieth the greatest reason At the last M r de Mortier roundly said that to cut off all contentions of words he would propose two means for peace All that for old matters of pensions debts and arrerages the English should make white books and neuer mention them more but for Bulloine to set the higher value or else said he let old quarrells remaine so as your right may be reserued to clime and ours to defende And let vs speake frankly of some recompence for Boulloine As for the Scottish Queene For this had beene also mentioned before our King is resolued to keepe her for his sonne and therefore we desire you to speake thereof no more but of what other points you please so as we may draw shortly to an end The Lord Paget answered for the other commissioners that they had greatest reason to desire a speedy end but the matters whereupon they stood were of greater importance then to be determined vpon the sodaine For said he you may make doubts as you please But if the debt to our King be not iust being confessed iudged sworne and by many treaties confirmed wee know not what may be deemed iust neither is it a summe to be slenderly regarded being 2000000 crownes cleere debt besides 12000 crowns resting in dispute The iustice of the warres against Scotland he maintained aswell in regarde of breach of treatise with themselues as for that contrarie to their comprehension in the last treaty of France they had inuaded England in these entercourses the whole afternoone being spent it was agreed that both parties should advise vpon such matters as had beene propounded vntill the next meeting But the French either hauing or supposing that they had aduantage ouer the English partly by reason of their firme intelligence in the English court and partly because they found the English commissioners much yeelding to their desires as first in cumming into France then to Bouline lastly to a house of their owne erecting began to be stiffe and almost intractable sharpely pressing both for speedie resolution and short times for meetings But Guidolti continually trauailed to draw both parties to conformity the French being willing to be entreated by their friend to their most dissembled desires Guidolty in steed of the Queene of Scots propounded that the French kings daughter should bee ioyned in marriage to the King of England affirming that if it were a drie peace it would hardly be durable but hereto the English gaue no inclinable care Then he deliuered 17 reasons in writing for which he said it was necessarie for the English to conclude a peace The English demanded how many reasons he had for the French he answered that he had also his reasons for them which he intended likewise to deliuer in writing At the next meeting the French shewed themselues as before peremptory and precise standing stifly vpon their owne ouertures which they had they said no commission to exceede and therefore they refused to treat either of the pension or debt demanded by the English and declared themselues rather desirous then willing to breake off the treaty The English answered that before their comming Guidolti had declared from the French King that so as Bulloine might be rendred all that was owing from him to the King of England should be paid which Guidolti
with knighthood 1000 crownes rewards 1000 crownes pension 250 c pensiō to his sonne The Earle of Warwicke was made generall warden of the North had 1000 markes land granted to him and 100 horsemen of the Kings charge M r Herbert his chiefe instrument was made president of Wales and had a grant of 500 l land and thus whether immoderate fauours breed first vnthankfulnesse and afterwards hate and therewith ambitious desires or whether God so punisheth immoderate affections it often happeneth that men are prone to raise those most who worke their ruine in the end Also the Lord Clinton who had beene deputie of Bulloine was made Lord Admirall of England The captains and officers were rewarded with lands leases offices and annuities the ordinary souldiers hauing all their pay and a moneths pay ouer were sent into their countries and great charge giuen that they should be well obserued vntill they were quietly setled at home The light horsemen men at armes were put vnder the Marquis of Northhampton captaine of the Pensioners All the guarde of Bulloine were committed to the Lord Admirall The chiefe captaines with 600 ordinaries were sent to strengthen the Frontires of Scotland Lastly strangers were dispatched out of the realme who after some idle expence of their monies time were likest to be forward either in beginning or in maintaining disorders Presently after this agreement of peace The Duke of Brunswicke sent to the King of England to offer his seruice in the Kings warres with 10000 men of his bande and to entreat a marriage with the Lady Mary the Kings eldest sister Answere was made touching his offer of aide that the Kings warres were ended And touching marriage with the Lady Mary that the King was in speech for her marriage with the Infanta of Portugall which being determined without effect he should fauourably be heard Vpon this also the Emperors Embassadors did expostulate with the King that he had brokē his league with the Emperor To this the King answered that because the Emperor failed in his performances the King was enforced to prouide for himselfe The Embassador desirous as it seemed to make a breach demanded boldly that the Lady Mary should haue the free exercise of the masse This did the King not only constantly deny but herevpon sermons were encreased at court and order taken that no man should haue any benefice from the King but first he should preach before him and in short time after vnder pretence of preparing for sea matters 5000 l were sent to relieue Protestants beyond the seas and further because the Emperor made diuers streight lawes against those of the religion Merchants were charged to forbeare their trade into Flanders so much as they could So as it appeares had some of the English nobility beene either lesse powerfull or more faithfull then they were the King had eares enough and hands enough aswell at home as among good friends abroad either to haue maintained warres against the French or to haue reduced them to a more honourable peace Warres being thus at good appointment peaceable busines was more seriously regarded and whereas an Embassador arriued from Gostaue King of Sweden to knit amity with the King for entercourse of merchants At last these articles were concluded 1 That if the King of Sweden sent Bullion into England he might carry away English commodities without custome 2 That he should carry Bullion to no other Prince 3 That if he sent Ozimus steele copper c. he should pay custome for English commodities as an English man 4 That if he sent other merchandise he should haue free entercourse paying custome as a stranger The mint was set to worke so as it gained 24000 l yearly to the King which should beare his charges in Ireland and bring 10000 l to the treasure 400 men were sent into Ireland and charge giuen that the lawes of England should there be administred the mutinous be seuerely suppressed Verily it may seene strange that among all the horrible hurries in England Ireland was then almost quiet But besides that the King drew much people from thence for seruice in his warres who happely would not haue remained quiet at home the gouernors at that time were men of such choice that neither the nobility disdained to endure their commande nor the inferior sort were suppressed to supply their wants Further 20000 l weight was appointed to be made so much baser as the King might gaine thereby 160000 l. Agreement was also made with Yorke M r of one of the mints that he should receiue the profit of all the Bullion which himselfe should bring and pay the Kings debts to the value of 120000 l and remaine accountable for the rest paying six shillings 8d the ounce vntill the exchange were equall in Flanders and afterwards six shillings 8d and further that he should declare his bargaine to any that should be appointed to ouersee him and leaue off when the King should please that for this the King should giue him 15000 l in prest and license to transport 8000 l beyond the seas to abase the exchange Herewith the base monies formerly coined were cried downe Now it is certaine that by reason of the long hostility which England held against Scotland and France peace was not so hardly concluded as kept But albeit occasions of breach were often offered yet the iudgement moderation of both parts sufficed either to auoide or apease them The Bishop of Glasco comming into England without safe conduct was taken prisoner The French Embassador made means to the King for his discharge but answere was made that the Scots had no such peace with the English that they might passe without safe conduct This was not denied by the M r of Erskine whereupon the Archbishop was retained prisoner but after a short time remitted to his liberty After this the Queene Dowag◅r of Scotland going from France to her countrey passed through England but the French Embassador first obtained her safe conduct she arriued at Portsmouth and was there encountered by diuers of the English nobility of highest quality and estimation as well for doing her honour as for that hauing such pledges she neede not feare at London she soiourned 4 daies being lodged in the Bishops pallace and defraied at the charge of the Citty in which time she was roially feasted by the King at Whitehall At her departure she was attended out of the Citty with all ceremonies pretending to state the Sheriffes of euery shire through which she passed receiued her accompanied with the chiefe gentlemen of the countrey as also they conveied her from one shire to another making alwaies prouision for her entertainment vntill shee came into the borders of Scotland The Earle of Maxwell came with a strong hand to the borders of England against certaine families of Scots who had yeelded to the King of England and the Lord Dacre brought his forces to their aide in which seruice his valour
the woll fleete they aduised the King to send an Embassador legier for the Emperor as well to satisfie him for other matters by him required as to winne time thereby both to prepare a mart in England and to withdraw their goods out of Flanders So M r Wotton was dispatched with particuler instructions to desire the Emperor to be lesse violent in his requests And to aduertise him that the Lady Mary as she was his cozen so was she the Kings sister and which is more his subiect that seeing the K. was a soueraigne Prince without dependancy vpon any but God it was not reason that the Emperor should entermeddle either with ordering his subiects or with directing the affaires of his realme Thus much hee offered that what fauour the Kings subiects had in the Emperors dominions for their religion the same should the Emperors subiects receiue in England The Emperor pereeiuing that his threats were little regarded regarded little to threaten any more About the time that the Lady Mary should haue beene transported vnto Antwerp a rebellion was attempted in Essex where she then lay For furtherance whereof speeches were cast forth that strangers were arriued in England either to rule or to spoile the naturall inhabitants vpon this surmise many appointed to assemble at Chelinsforde and from thence to make pillage as their wants or wanton appetites should leade but the Principall being put to death and the residue pardoned all remained quiet Many Londoners also hunting after riot and ease contriued to tumult vpon May day pretending grieuances and fears from strangers but because where many are of counsaile counsell is hardly kept the enterprise was discouered and defeated before it was ripe herewith Lyon Gorran Ireland persons of meane condition but desperate and discontent endeauoured to raise a rebellion in Kent They often met and had conferences both priuate and long They seemed highly busied in minde and their heads trauailing with troubled thoughts which they often dissembled with impertinent speeches this was first discouered by one of their seruants doubtfull whether before knowing the mischiefe and vntill then secret or ignorant before and then first apprehending suspitions So they were apprehended and after conuiction the danger determined by their deaths Herewith rumors were raised of great discord and practises among the nobility for this cause the Lords assembled at London and feasted diuers daies together giuing order to apprehend the reporters of these surmises albeit happely not altogether vntrue For this cause gentlemen were newly commanded to remaine in the countrey to gouerne the people easy to be dealt with whilest they stand in feare The King being thus vncertaine of the faith both of his subiects and of his confederats intended by aliance to strengthen himselfe To this purpose one Bortwicke was sent to the King of Denmarke with priuate instructions to treat of a marriage betweene the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister and the King of Denmarks eldest sonne But this Lady albeit she was furnished with many excellent endowments both of nature and education yet could shee neuer be induced to entertaine Marriage with any After this the Lord Marquis of Northampton was directed with a solemne embassage to the French King aswell to present him with the order of the garter as to treat with him of other secret affaires with him were ioyned in commission the Bishop of Elie S r Phillip Hobbie S t William Pickering S r Iohn Mason knights and M r Smith secretary of state The Earles of Worcester Rutland and Ormond were appointed to accompany them and likewise the Lordes Lisle Fitswater Bray Abergauennie and Yuers with other knights and gentlemen of note to the number of 26 and for auoiding immoderate and burthensome traine order was giuen that euery Earle should haue foure attendants euery Lord three euery Knight and Gentleman two The commissioners were not limitted to any number They arriued at Nants and were there receiued by Mounsier Chastilion and by him conducted to Chasteau Bryan where the French King then lodged they were twice banquetted by the way and the neerer they approached to the castle the more encreased the resort of the French nobility to doe them honour being come to the court they were forthwith brought to the King abiding then in his bedchamber Here the Marquis presented vnto him the order of the garter wherewith he was presently inuested and thereupon gaue for the garter a chaine worth 200 l and his gowne addressed with aglets esteemed worth 25 l. Then the Bishop of Ely in a short speech declared how desirous the King of England was not only to continue but to encrease amity with the French King That to this purpose he had sent the order of the garter to be both a testimony and tye of loue betweene them to which purpose chiefly those societies of honour were first deuised He further declared that they had commission to make ouerture of some other matters which was like to make the concord betweene the Kinges their realmes not only more durable but in all expectation perpetuall desiring the King to appoint some persons enabled with authority to treat with them To this speech the Cardinall of Lorraine answered that the French King was ready to apprehend and embrace all offers tending to encrease of amity and the rather for that long hostility had made their new friendship both more weake in it selfe more obnoxious to ielosies distrusts and therefore he promised on the Kings behalfe that commissioners should be appointed to treat with them about any matters which they had in charge praying to God that it might be a means not only to assure but to enlarge their late setled loue so a commission went forth to the Cardinall of Lorraine and Chastilion the Constable the Duke of Guise and certaine others at the first the English demanded that the young Queene of Scots might be sent into England for perfection of marriage betweene K. Edward and her but hereto the French answered that they had taken too much aduenture and spent too many liues vpon any conditions to let her goe and that conclusion had beene made long before for her marriage with the Dolphine of France Then the English proposed a marriage between their King and the Lady Elizabeth the French Kings eldest daughter to which the French did cheerefully encline So after agreement that neither partie should be bound either in conscience or in honour vntill the Ladie should accomplish 12 yeares of age they fell to treat of the portion which should be giuen with her in marriage The English first demanded 150000 crownes and offered that her dowrie should be so great as K. Henry the 8 th had giuen with any of his wiues The offer of dower was not disliked but for the portion some of the French wondred others smiled that so great a summe should be demanded The English descended to 1400000 crownes after by degrees fell so low as 800000 but the French
with intent to make sedition and discorde betweene the King and his Nobles 24 That at diuers times and places he said the Lords of the counsell at London intend to kill mee but if I dye the King shall dye and if they famish mee they shall famish him 25 That of his owne head he remoued the King so sodainly from Hampton courte to Windsore without any prouision there made that he was thereby not only in great feare but cast into a dangerous disease 26 That by his letters he caused the Kings people to assemble in great numbers in Armor after the manner of warre to his aide and defence 27 That he caused his seruants and friends at Hampton court Windesore to be apparelled in the Kings armor when the Kings seruants and guarde went vnarmed 28 That he intended to fly to Iernsey and Wales and laid posthorses and men and a boat to that purpose Now albeit there is little doubt but that some of these articles were meerely deuised others enlarged or wrâ—…sted or otherwise inforced by odious interpretation yet the Duke being of base golde and fearing the touch subscribed with his owne hand that he did acknowledge his offences contained in them and humbly vpon his knees submitted himselfe to the Kings mercy That in like manner he entreated the Lords to be a meanes to the King that he would conceiue that his offences did proceede rather from negligence rashnes or other indiscretion then from any malitious thought tending to treason and also that he would take some gratious way with him his wife and children not according to extremity of lawes but after his great elemency and mercy Written with my owne hand 23 December Anno 3 o Edw. Regis To this I make no other defence but intreat the reader not to condemne him for perishing so weakly and for that he who should haue lost his life to preserue his honour cast away both his life and honour together Assuredly he was a man of a feeble stomacke vnable to concoct any great fortune prosperous or aduerse But as the iudgement of God and malice of a man concurre often in one act although it be easie to discerne betweene them so is it little to be maruailed that he who thirsted after his brothers blood should finde others to thirst after his Notwithstanding for that present his blood was respited but hee was stripped of his great offices of being Proteâ—…tor Treasurer and Marshall lost all his goods and neere 2000 lande in which estate if he had continued the longer he had liued the more punishment he should endure herewith it was sâ—…ossingly said that he had eaten the kings goose and did then regorge the feathers After this he sent letters to the Lords of the counsaile wherein he acknowledged himselfe much fâ—…oured by them in that they had brought his cause to be fineable which although it was to him impoâ—…able yet as hee did neuer intend to contend with them nor any action to iustifie himselfe as well for that he was none of the wisest and might easily erre as for that it is scarce possible for any man in great place so to beare himselfe that all his actions in the eye of iustice shall be blamelesse so hee did then submit himselfe wholly to the Kings mercy and their discretions for some moderation desiring them to conceiue that what he did amisse was rather through rudenes and for want of iudgement then from any malitious meaning and that he was therefore ready both to doe and suffer what they would appoint Finally hee did againe most humbly vpon his knees entreat pardon and fauour and they should euer finde him so lowly to their honours and obedient to their orders as hee would thereby make amends for his former follies These subiections obiections deiections of the Duke made a heauenly harmony in his enimies eares But they wrought such compassion with the King that forthwith he was released out of the Tower his fines discharged his goods and lands restored except such as had beene giuen away either the malice of the Lords being somewhat appeased or their credit not of sufficient strength to resist within a short time after he was entertained and feasted by the King with great shew of fauour and sworne againe of the priuy counsaile at which time betweene him and the Lords perfect amity was made or else a dissembling hate And that all might appeare to be knit vp in a comicall conclusion the Dukes daughter was afterwards ioined in marriage to the Lord Lâ—…sle sonne and heire to the Earle of Warwick and the Earle also was made Lord Admirall of England yet many doubted whether the Earle retained not some secret offence against the Duke which if hee did it was most cunningly suppressed doubtlesse of all his vertues he made best vice of dissimulation And as this friendship was drawen together by feare on both sides so it was not like to be more durable then was the feare And thus the second act ended of the tragedie of the Duke the third shall follow in the proper place In the meane time the Earle of Warwicke for what mischeiuous contriuance it was not certainly knowne but conceiued to be against the Duke ioined to him the Earle of Arundâ—…ll late Lord Chamberlaine and the Earle of Southhampton sometimes Lord Chancellor men of their owne nature circumspect and slow but at the time discountenanced and discontent whom therefore the Earle of Warwicke singled as fittest for his purpose Many secret conferences they had at their seuerall houses which often held the greatest part of the night But they accustomed to afford at other times either silence or shorte assent to what he did propose did then fall off and forsake him procuring thereby danger to themselues without doing good to any other For when the Earle of Warwicke could by no meanes draw them to his desires hee found means that both of them were discharged from the counsell and commanded to their houses Against the Earle of Arundell obiections were framed that he tooke away bolts and locks at Westminster and gaue away the Kings stuffe Hee was fined at 12000 l to be paid 1000 l yeerely But doubtlesse the Earle of Warwicke had good reason to suspect that they who had the honesty not to approue his purpose would not want the heart to oppose against it During these combats among the nobility many popular insurrections were assayled One Bell was put to death at Tyborne for mouing a new rebellion in Suffolke and in Essex hee was a man nittily needy and therefore aduentrous esteemed but an idle fellow vntill he found opportunity to shew his rashnesse Diuers like attempts were made in other places but the authors were not so readily followed by the people as others had done before Partly because multitudes doe not easily moue but chifly because misaduentures of others in like attempts had taught them to be more warily aduised About this time a Parliament was held at
as they held the first summe to be vnreasonable so all the other they esteemed excessiue Then the English demanded what the French would giue first they offered 100000 crownes afterwards 200000 which they said was the most more theÌ„ euer had bin giuen with a daughter of France they followed a stiffe contention both by reasons precedents but the French in no case would rise any higher only they agreed that the French K. at his proper charge should send her to the K. of England 3 moneths before she should accomplish her age for marriage sufficiently appointed with Iewells apparell furniture for house that bands for the performances should then be deliuered at London by the K. of England and at Paris by the French King and that in case the Lady should not consent after she should be of the said age for marriage the penalty should be 150000 crownes the French set downe these offers in writing and sent them to the King of England Soone after Mounsier lâ—… Marshall and other commissioners were sent by the French King into England where they arriued at such time as the sweating sicknesse was most furious a new strange violent disease for if a man were attached therewith he dyed or escaped within 9 houres or 10 at the most if he tooke cold he dyed within 3 houres if he slept within 6 hours as he should be desirous to doe he dyed rauing albeit in other burning diseases that distemper is commonly appeased with sleepe It raged cheifly among men of strongest constitution and yeares of whom 120 perished in some one day within the liberties of London few aged men or children or women died thereof Two of Charles Brandons sonnes both Dukes of Suffolke one of the Kings Gentlemen and one of his groomes died of this disease For which cause the King remoued to Hampton court with very few followers The same day the Marshall and other French commissioners were brought by the Lord Clinton Lord Admirall of England from Grauesend to London They were saluted by the way with all the shot of more then 50 of the Kings great ships and with a faire peale of Artillery from the Tower and lastly were lodged in Suffolke pallace in Southwarke and albeit they had more then 400 gentlemen in their traine yet was not one of them nor any other stranger in England touched with the sweating disease and yet the English were chased therewith not only in England but in other countries abroad which made them like tirants both feared and auoided wheresoeuer they came The next day the French were remoued to Richmond whence euery day they resorted to Hampton court where the King remained the first day after they had performed the Ceremonies of court and deliuered to the King their letters of credence they were led to a chamber richly furnished for their repose the same day they dined with the King and after dinner being brought into an inner chamber the Marshall declared that they were come not only to deliuer vnto him the order of S t Michaell but therewith to manifest the entire loue which the King his Master beare him which he desired him to conceiue to be no lesse then a father can beare to his naturall sonne That albeit diuers persons either witlesse or malitious raise diuers vaine rumors to draw the King as it is thought from his 〈◊〉 friendship yet he trusted that the King would not listen vnto them That it much concerned the common quiet that good officers be placed vpon the Frontires for as good may doe good in moderating things amisse so euill will doe euill albeit no bad occasion be offered Lastly he desired in case any new controuersie should arrise it might be determined by commissioners on both sides and not by conflicts the parent of warre To this the King both suddenly and shortly answered that he much thanked the French King for his order as for the large expression of his loue which he would be ready in all points to requite Touching rumours they are not alwayes to be credited nor alwayes to be contemned it being no lesse vaine to feare all things than dangerous to doubt of nothing and in case at any time hee listned to them it was only to prouide against the worst and neuer to breake into hostilitie concerning officers he appointed such as hee esteemed good and yet preferred the ouerdoubtfull before the ouer-credulous and secure new controuersies he would alwaies be readie to determine by reason rather than by force so farre as his honour should not thereby be diminished The French after this returne to their lodging at Richmond and the next day resorted againe to the King inuested him with garments of the order and accompanied him to the Chappell the King going betweene the Marshall de Guise both which after the Communion kissing his cheek The residue of that day and a few dayes following were passed ouer with pastimes and feasts At the last the Lord Marquis of Northampton and the residue who had beene formerly sent with commission from the King into France were appointed to treat with the French Commissioners touching the great matters of their Embassage And because the French could be serued no higher than their offer of 200000. crownes it was accepted The one moitie to be paid vpon the day of marriage and the other six moneths after the Dote was agreed to be 10000. markes of English money and not to be paid in case the King should die before marriage This agreement was reduced into writing and deliuered vnder Scale on both sides at the same time an Embassador arriued out of Scotland to demand an exemplification of the articles of peace betweene England and France vnder the great Seale of England which without any difficultie they obtained The Marshall at his taking leaue declared to the 〈◊〉 how kindly his Master did conceiue of the Kings 〈◊〉 nesse to conclude this treaty and also commended his 〈◊〉 sters great inclination to the agreements thereof Then presented Mounsier Boâ—…s to be Embassador Legier for 〈◊〉 French and the Marquis presented M r. Pickering to Embassador for the King of England in France The 〈◊〉 of the Marshall was three thousand pound in gold 〈◊〉 a Diamond taken from the Kings finger esteemed 〈◊〉 an hundred and fifty pound Mounsier de Guy had 100â—… Mounsier Chenault 1000 l. M r. Mortuillier 500 l. the 〈◊〉 cretâ—…ry 500. l and the Bishop of Pâ—…riguer 500 l. The 〈◊〉 were exceeding sumptuous and at their returne they 〈◊〉 wafted ouer the seas by certaine of the Kings ships reason of the wars betweene the Emporour and the 〈◊〉 King The Lord Marquis reward was afterwards 〈◊〉 red at Paris worth 500 l. the Bishop of Ely 200 l. Sir 〈◊〉 Hobbies 150 l. and so were the rewards of the rest Now the King supposing his estate to be most safe 〈◊〉 indeed it was most vnsure In testimony both of his 〈◊〉 and of his loue aduanced many