a spredding tree of royalty and therefore hee requested their loyalty and resolued courages to take his part that the right heire of the crowne might bee restored to England and themselues eternized to heereafter memory for so meritorious a worke Little needed a spur saith our Prouerb to a forward horse all that saw him beleeued it and such as heard onely the report according to the Poet errorem vocis vt omen amo Clapt their hands for ioy that they should bee employed in an enterprize of such wonder and important greatnesse whereupon money horse armour men and all things else were promised which might be aduantagious to such a businesse But alas Ireland was too weake and of themselues they did onely discouer their malice curbed yet with insufficiency giuing the King notice how their wills exceeded their power and that they were ready to entertaine euerie opportunitie to doe any mischeefe Therefore they sent ouer into England acquainting many discontented persons with the businesse but most principally as to the life of their actions they submitted to Margaret Duches of Burgundy sister of King Edward the fourth for her directions This was a woman of a wonderfull composure so adorned with princely qualities and setled in Maiesticall authoritie as you shall heare heereafter that she was admired of all Europe and beloued in her owne countrey Onely as stinking flies lying secretly in boxes of sweet oyntments putrifie the same did an innated malice and virulent hatred to the Lancastrian Family corrupt her other vertues and as it were thrust vp her princely enduments into a meere bog poole of dirt and filthinesse For although shee knew the bloud of Yorke extinguished and that the Earle of Warwicke was in King Henries possession as taken forth together with the Lady Elizabeth now his wife out of the castle of Sherrington in Yorke-shire vnder the custodie of Sr. Robert Willoughby Yet insatiate in her hate and so consequently in her reuenge Nam ingentes parturit ira minas She admitted of euerie motion of disturbance and inuented meanes of her owne to set in combustion the whole sâ—ate of England vnder a hopefull pretence to see the King ouerthrowne and supplanted Thus did she pile vp together the fire of this disturbance and countenanced the matter more with her greatnesse and power then all the other complices besides but if you aske me how she continued in this authority being a widow amongst strangers and enemie to so great a Prince as the King of England I will answer in a word and measure out the cheefe and principall cord that bound her royaltie together Charles Duke of Burgoine hauing married this Lady Margaret daughter to Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth had yet no issue by her but left one sole daughter behinde him named Mary which hee had by his first wife the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon this was married to Maximilian sonne to Frederick the Emperour by whom he had two Princes Philip and Margaret which children after the death of the Lady Mary their mother this Lady Margaret Duches Dowager so entirely beloued so tenderly brought vp so motherly nourished and so carefully preserued that she was highly reputed of and esteemed for the same To which when she added a politique ordring her affaires both for the maintenance of their honour and administration of Iustice in the Common-wealth so that I may say with the ancient Poet Saepenumero iam per subtiliores sermones iui ad contentiones veni maiores quam conueniat genus foemineum perscrutari c. The whole bodie of the gouerment willingly consented to be apparrelled and adorned after her fashion so that like an absolute Prince indeed she proceeded both in the gouernment for their benefit and the illustration of her owne greatnesse In this Orb of reputation thus moouing herselfe she still shined like a full planet from whose influence could proceede nothing but sweet presages till stepping aside into a contrary motion of despight and rankor against the King as an enemie to knowledge and her owne conscience she countenanced this ridiculous yet vnhappy coniuration which by her meanes grew apace like broad and stinking burs vnprofitable in themselues and spoiling all the grasse about them vntill at last they were by a politique hand of preuention pull'd vp by the roots and cast vnder foot into the dirt For when King Henry was certefied of all these tumults and comminations and knew the deepnesse and fulnesse of the channell in which the tottered barke of this rebellion steered he verily supposed the best point of wisdome was principiâ—s obstare and so attempted with all care and vigilancy to turne the rage of those troubles another way or else to preuent them from flowing ouer the banks of his enclosures and although the collusion fraud of the inuention vexed him more then the matter or substance of such a rebellion yet hee moderated his anger and with Ianus looked both waies smiling with one face at the ridiculousnesse and deceit of the proiect and marking warily with another all the meanes to redact the confused Chaos of this molestation to better order and vniformity desiring onely at Gods hands to preuent effusion of bloud which must needes bee spilt in any settled warre and contracted army Besides in well ordred battells the euent was disputable and many times punishments were ordained as well to reduce good men ad correctionem and amendment as to bring bad men to ruinam and destruction And therfore if it were possible he would rebate the insolency by other meanes and diuert it from handy blowes and bloudy contentions whereupon he called his Councell together at the Charter-house besides his royal mannour of Richmond and there consulted how to pacifie this sudden tumult and conspiracy without any further disturbance or open defiance This motion of the Kings so tempered with grauity mercy and commiseration was so well accepted of the whole company that they presently applauded his high wisdome and religious care and put in practise whatsoeuer seemed conuenient for their intended affaires They first began with a generall pardon published to all offenders that were content to receiue the same and remain obedient to the Maiestie of England For although at this very instant Sr. Th. Broughton who had obscured the Lord Louell a great season from the King was in a manner ready to giue him battell with many friendly coadiutors and a well-settled army yet did the King thinke it policie to desist from a forcible ouerrunning them because as desperate of life or pardon considering their former treasons and abuses they would hardly be reclaimed in their rages but now fight for their liues and liberties Againe in shewing exemplarie Iustice vpon them once subiect to accusation or condemnation he must needes proceed against many yea such whose offences in standing out could admit of no pardon and therefore as I sayd he gently proclaimed the
circuit of patience but answered this our Captaine somewhat like himselfe that he was as loyall to the King as he as seruiceable as he as louing to his countrey and crowne of England as hee and so defied him to his face which added only fuell to the former fire that the vndaunted Souldier apprehended and attached him of high treason which seemed an vnsufferable peece of businesse and had it not beene within Dublin or some principall place vnder the English command an Herculean and intricate Labour But thus is this great Earle vnder arrest and without any more adoe carried into England to answer the matter But when he came before the King and Councell to bee examined of treason and matters laid to his charge eyther his innocencie was a Perseus shield against this Gorgons head of calumniation or his wit and delicate iudgement brought him out of the labyrinth of those troubles or the times affordâ—d not such seueritie and proceedings or the King had other matters to thinke vpon or indeed it was no pollecie to rub these new soares with rude hands according to the rule Horrent admotas vulnera cruda manus For hee was quietly dismissed thanked rewarded and of Deputie made Lieutenant and so sent backe againe vpon the engaging of his hononr to withstand the landing of Perkin if euer he came into Ireland By this occasion the King was without feare of battaile and determined his progresse about Midsommer to visit his mother lying at Latham in Lancashire still wife to the earle of Derbie But as he was preparing his iourney newes came of Perkins landing in England which a while diuerted him and enforced his retardance from his first determination For in truth when the Duches of Burgundie had notice of all the Kings proceedings both in England and Ireland and that the principall offenders were condemned and executed and confederats dissipated and ouerwatched shee found too late her owne slacknesse and the first misfortune of the King of France his retractions from assisting the Prince For whether I name Peter or Perkin or Warbeck or Prince or Richard Duke of Yorke or Richard the fourth all is one man and all had one end And questionlesse if at his first repairing into Ireland hee had made for England while that rumour had possessed the people and the looking after nouelty busied them with strange and impossible hope while euery one stood amazed to gaze after wonders while the conspiracy was in growth and had diuers factious Nobles to forme it to a larger birth while the souldiers desired to bee doing and men grew weary of ease and quietnesse The businesse might haue plunged the Kingdome and successe tooke a flight with strong wings indeede whereby you may perceiue the sweetnesse and benefit of expedition in all dangerous businesse and resemble vniustifiable actions to theeuish bargaines which either must bee made away in the darke or hastned apace in the proudest market place according to the saying Praceps facit omne timendum Victor in nulla non creditur esse Carina Notwithstanding our great Duches remained vndaunted and in a manner of scorne to depend vpon others promises she aduentured on her owne power and determined to put him vnder the wings of Fortune let her ouershade him as she pleased so gathering his forces together and furnishing her ships with a sufficient company and some valiant Captaines shee sent him to sea and onely prayed to the wrathfull Nemesis as authour of her reuenge for successe and thriuing in so glorious an attempt Heere were of all nations and conditions of men Bankrupts Sanctuary-men Theeues Robbers Vagabonds and diuers others who affecting liberty rapine and spoile desisted from honest labor to be the seruants of dishonest rebellion His fortune as we now prophanely abuse that terme draue him on the coast of Kent before Deale-Castle where being becalmed he cast anchour sending diuers on shore to certifie the Inhabitants of this arriuall preparation purposes and well â— furnished army and to put them in minde of their ancient liberties priuiledges and vndaunted courages which haue giuen battell to Kings and made their owne peace with Conquerors But alas this oratory flew like a shaft without a head and they had learnt other lessons of stability and loyalty as finding the sweetnesse of peace and happinesse of gouernment Notwithwanding they called a Councell and I beleeue if they had beene fully resolued that hee was the true Prince indeed they would haue entertained the motion For some of their fingers itched to be doing but suspicious of his originall and former weaknesse and wisely apprehending how shame and reuenge dogged treason and rebellion at the heeles they concluded to continue firme and faithfull to the State and so with a kinde of policy to allure them to land they sent diuers to Perkin with flattering hopes of their assistance while they were indeede mustering of forces to surprize them as fast as they should land which when Perkin perceiued he imagined that all could not be well or consorting to his expectation For in this point his wit and experience serued him to vnderstand thus much that common people and multitudes stirred to sedition vse no solid councells or settled discourses but come flocking with their fulnesse and forwardnesse to assist their friends and follow their pretences according to Euripides description of a confused company and rebellious army In infinito enim exercitâ— Incoercita turba nauticaque licentia Violentior igne malus vero qui mali nihil agit Whereupon hee durst not land himselfe and was sorry so many of his company were on shore but seeing there was no remedy he sent others if neede were to releue them or bring them backe againe to his ships When the Kentishmen beheld such a rabble of strangers and dissolute persons and wisely foresaw that there was no no man of honor or eminence to giue credit to the attempt they presently coniectured that they came rather to spoile and forage the coasts then to releeue a distressed Prince in his right and so running the right way indeed stood firmly for their Countrey and set vpon them as they were stragling vp and downe in the villages enforcing the better sort and better armed backe againe to their boats and surprizing such as could not maiutaine the quarrell and had presumed too farre from the maine battell of whom they tooke 160. prisoners yea the principall Captaines themselues while they laboured to perswade the retreat and to gather them together after some martiall forme of resistance viz. Moumford Corbet Whight Bets Quintine or Geuge who were all brought to Sr. Iohn Pechy high Sheriffe and so raled in ropes like horses drawing in a cart sent vp to London and there executed in diuers places adioyning to the City whereby Perkin had matter of disconsolation for the time and time enough to saile backe againe into Flanders to entertaine better aduice and more company The King as
relate and therefore I desist to put you now to further wonder and amasement at the same because I haue them as it were registred in a scedule which at your Princely pleasure you may ouer-looke with the Duches and Councels of Burgundies hands to confirme the same so that I confesse when the King of France sent for me out of Ireland I was in a manner secure of my estate and thought vpon no further assurance then his gratious apprehension of my indâ—bitate claime But it should seeme most gratious King that you are reserued for the glory of this businesse and euerlasting memory of so remarkeable an action wherein I submit my selfe ships and people to your guidance and direction Oh doe not then annihilate my confidence nor reiect my demands For next to the high controuler of mens actions I haue put my selfe vnder the shadow of your supportation and altogether rely on the vnity of your willingnesse and power to beare me through the difficulties of this passage When he had made an end and giuen them cause of some amasement at his yeares and tendernesse of experience to deliuer yet his minde so freely and with some illustration of words and readines of gesture the King without any further scruple or diffidence cheered him telling him plainly he would assist him and what-euer he was or intended to be he should not repent him of his comming thither so concluding with a speech of Medeas to Iason Hinc amor hinc timor est ipsum timâ—r auget amorem he gaue order for his entertainment accordingly whereby he had time with his wearied people to repose himselfe and the King occasion to thinke of many matters yet rather for custome then to be diuerted from his resolutions he called his Councell and disputed the matter with them they again as it happened to Rheoboam and shall be withall the Princes in the World grew to contradiction and deuided themseelues some standing for their Countrie some for their priuate affection some to please the Prince and some to enioy a good opinion of polecie and wisedome The grauer sort and of greatest experience disannulled all the former intimation of the Prince with the impossibility of the businesse as if he were but a bare assumer of titles indeed The quieter sort and such as had smarted with the dissentions betweene England and Scotland disclaimed any further warrâ— and were weary with that which had passed The yonger sort apprehended it as a worthy enterprise and though it had but colour of commiseration yet considering he was befriended from the Emperour King of the Romains and the whole state of the Low-Countries it could not choose but help them with many friends There was another sort who confessing the pouerty of their Countrie concluded that by this meanes by forraging spoiling aâ—d getting good booties in England much wealth might inrich them without losse or hindrance of their owne and so cared not how the warre began nor how long it continued The last sort consisted of such who because they would haue their credit enlarged from an opinion of States-men and high reaching capacities argued as we say on both sides pro contra and from a kind of Enthymema raised profit and emolument to the Kingdome out of their sophistry That if the Duke were assisted and preuailed Scotland was sure to confirme their owne conditions If he were countenanced though not preuailing the King of England would accord to any offers or demands rather then King Ieames should take part with his aduersarie and so strange a competitor Whereupon it was resolued that without further diffidence or drawing the Duches of Burgundies businesse in question the King should entertaine the Prince who presently honored him accordingly and caused him to be proclaimed the Duke of Yorke shewing him all the fauours the Countrie could afford and affording him such entertainement as they imagined was both befitting his person and condition He againe as if that spes bona dat vires cheered himselfe and assumed a new kind of behauiour both tempered with grauity and yet commended for cheerefull and well becomming so that by the way of solace and inuitation to pleasure and delight he hauked and hunted yea the Ladies of the Country graced the Court and came with all conueniencie and befitting their estates to the Citie For vnderstanding so great a Prince in possibilitie to be one of the mightiest Kings of Europe not full eighteene yeares of age yong wise and in the compleate strength of beauty was resident amongst them they conceiued matters beyond the Moone and thought themselues happy if he would fancy or fasten vpon any of them What should I say although with the Poet Tarda solet magnis rebus inesse fides Yet heere was no mistrust nor any way giuen to feare and displeasure but as the time businesse and place afforded shewes masques and sundry deuises inuited him to his contentment and the present ouercomming all pensiuenesse so he courted with some danced with others iested with the rest and was acceptable to all till at last the King giuing way to the motion he fancied the Lady Katherine Gourdon daughter to Alexander Earle of Huntle nigh kinswoman to the Crowne and because she should not thinke him barren of education nor heart bound to his ambitious designes he tooke an opportunitie thus to discouer his loue vnto her and good opinion of her Lady said he and the first of Ladies that euer vsurped my libertie or taught my tongue to pronounce the accent of affection or liking If I proceed not so passionate as your sex expects or you may imagin is the custome of Courtiers I pray you impute it to the multiplicity of my businesse and greatnes of my affaires besides it is not seemly with Princes to betray their high spirits into the hands of deceit and ouerworkiâ—g fancy yea foppishnes either of words or gesture yet concerning your person I can say with Paris to Helena Si tu Venisses pariter certamen in illud in dubium Veneris Palma futura fuit and touching my good will If I liue I will make you as great in the World as my selfe and desire no more but that you keep you within the limits of loue and obedience that our children may be our owne and the Common-wealth reioice they bee not mocked or deceiued with extraâ—eall enheritors What I am you now see and their is no boasting in distresse what I may be I must put it to the triall and submit to the diuine prouidence If you dare now aduenture on the aduersity I sweare to make you partaker of the prosperity yea lay my Crowne at your feet that you shall play with me as Apame did with Darius to command and I obey Take me now then into your embraces and I will adore and reuerence your vertues as you commiserate my misfortunes Oh giue me leaue to say no more lest I be transported to vndecencies be now conformable
restraint of his liberty and stomaching his former disgraces indignities would endure no longer but studied euery hower how to escape not yet knowing what to do when he did escape to which purpose by faire promises and false perswasions he corrupted his keepers Strangwaies Blewet Astwood and long Roger seruants of Sir Iohn Digby Lieutenant of the Tower to slay their said Master and set both Perkin and the true Earle of Warwicke at large and so to make their fortunes as they could either by domestike or forraine friends to which when the innocent Prince condiscended as glad any way to enioy his libertie and to be freed of his imprisonment for you see birds kept in golden cages beat and flutter vp and downe as scorning their enclosure to get out into their natiue Country the region of the aire mischiefe and misfortune which plaies the tyrant with many men all their liues long neuer affordeth one day or breathing time to giue them a taste of any pleasure or contentment discouered the whole conspiracy to the King and his Councell not leauing out any circumstance which might either exasperate his rage or pull forward death and destruction to the delinquents Whereupon without further disputing the matter Perkin Warbeck Iohn a Water sometimes Maior of Corck and his sonne were the 16. of Nouember arraigned and condemned at Westminster of high Treason and the 23. hanged at Tyburn Perkin mounted on a scaffold reading his confession and contrary to all expectation aâ—king the King and Country forgiuenesse and dying penitently with great remorce of conscience and compunction of spirit Et sic â—inis Priami Not long after Edward Earle of Warwick who had beene the 21. of Nouember arraigned at Westminster before the Earle of Oxford high Constable of England for the present was vpon the 28. 1429. beheaded at the Tower Hill For he quietly confessed the enditement concerning his consent and willingnesse to obtaine his libertie though it were by violating the law in that kinde and breaking of prison whose simplicity I rather lament then condemne the offence For it was a dangerous time for any Plantaginet to liue in and I may well cry out Omne tulit secum Caesaris ira malum But the King was indeed glad of this occasion and fortune gaue vertue the check because as he had imprisoned him without a cause he knew not what to doe with him without a fault yet some report that the principall reason of accelerating his death was a speech of Ferdinando's king of Spaine who should sweare that the mariage betweene Lady Katherine his daughter and Prince Arthur of Wales should neuer be consummated as long as any Earle of Warwick liued For the very name and title was not only formidable to other Nations but superstitions to the wauâ—ring and vnconstant English whereupon the King was the gladder to take hold of this opportunitie where in the conuiction of Law had cast this stumbling-block of treason in his walke and race to a longer life and yet was there nothing done but by orderly proceedings and iustifiable courses more then when the silly Prince submitted to his mercy he thought it the greatest point of mercy to looke to himselfe and so for the benefit of his posteritie and the sedation of all troubles both present and to come struck off his head and with him the head of all diuision and dissention FINIS True Histories to be preferred before all prophane and deuised relâ—tions The house of Lancaster began the first wrong Rebellion in Ireland naturall Sparâ—ago Sebastian Mortimer Treason did neuer long prosper Margaret Duches of Burgundy chiefest enemy of Henry the seuenth The Lord Louel and Stafford rebell against Henry the seuenth No Saâ—ctâ—ary for Traitors â— new Earle of Warwick The end of diuelish deuices our destruction Lambert Earle of Wâ—rwicke saâ—â—eth into Ireland The Earle of Kildare a sauorer of this counterfet Margaret Duches of Burgundy entertaineth this quarrell Eurip. Mâ—dâ—â— Articles agreed vpon by the Councell to prâ—uent the warre The Earle of Warwicke shewne in publike Iohn de la Pooles sonne Duke of Susâ— folke by a sister of Edward the fourth Now Earle of Lincolne taketh part with Lambert The Earle of Lincolâ—e and Lord Louel goe into Ireland to Lambert The King raiâ—eth an Armie The Lord Marâ— quesse Dorceâ— sent to the Tower Eurip. Bacchâ— Mâ—rtinus Swart Lambert with his Armie commeth into England Lucan lib. 1. The King with his army is ready to the encounter Lucan lib. 2. The Earle of Lincolne commeth forward to Newarck to meet the King Stoke field The armies ioyne The King obtaineth the victory against the Rebells Lucan lib. 9. The Duches of Burgundy is rather enraged then daâ—nâ—ed with the newes Euriâ— Medea The Duches of Burgundy raiseth new troubles Another Richard the fourth Peter Warbâ—ck instructed by the Duches hâ—w to demeane himselfe Perkins Oration to the Irish Lords The French King sendeth for Perkin Lucan Lib. 7. Perkin welcommed to Lady Margaret Eurip. Hippolitus Coronatus England strangely possessed with the humor of Perkin Sr. Robert Clifford sent to Perkin Lucan lib 6. The King prepareth for Peâ—kin Paâ—â—â— Helâ—â—â— Embasie to the Arch-Duke Eurip. Andromache The Duches answer to Doctor Warrham oranâ—tion Oâ—id Epist. Petrâ—rck dâ— contemptu mu ndi dial 3. The Embassador returne into England Quid. de arte amandi lib. 3. Eurip. Iphigenia in aulide A riot 〈◊〉 the Esterlings Sir William Stanley accused Eurip. Herefuâ—â—â—â— Sir William Stanley beheaded Eurip Heraclida Libel â—rs hanged Speciall Commissioners sent into Ireland Lucan lib. 5. The North of Ireland Sueuorum morâ—scu Politianâ— The Earle of Kildare accused by Sr. Edward Poinings The King progresse intercepted vpon report of Perkins lanâ—ding 〈◊〉 lib. 9. Perkin commeth to Kent Eurip. Hecuba Perkins company defeated he driuen backe to seâ— Ouid. 6 6. â—aâ—torum Perkin resolueth for Ireland and so into Scotland Perkins Oration to the King of Scots The King of Scots resolueth to assist Perkin Ouid. Epist. Helena Paridi The King of Scoss prouideth Perkin of a wife The Ladies answer Perkin marieth the Ladie Katherin Gourdon daughter to the Earle Huntley The Scots inuade England in the behalfe of Perkin â—ucan lib. 2. Perkin lamenteth the English slaughters The Kings aâ—â—â—swer Lucan lib. 3. Perkins answer Eurip. Helena They prepare in England against Perkin Arebellionin the west diuerteth the army out of Scotland â—â—mock and Ioseph Captains of the Rebâ—lls Men in authority Eurip. Hâ—raâ—lida The Armies in England raised Lord Audley Captaine of the Rebels Black-Heathâ—ield London Lucan lib. 1. The Rebels â—uercome Lord Audeley executed Lib. 8. Lib. 9. The King of Scots prepareth against England King of Scots besiegeth Norham Castle The Earle of Surrey raiseth the siege Lucan lib. 7. The Earle of Surrey entreth Scotland The King of Scots offreth a priuate combate to the Earle of Surrey The King of Spaine would marry his daughter to Prince Arthur An Embassador to the King of Scots from Spaine Lucan lib. 7. An Embâ—ssador from Englâ—nd to Scotland The King of Scots will not deliuer Perkin Eurip suppliceâ— Perkin discharged out of Scotland Perkin retorneâ—h into Ireland Perkin ecâ—meth into England Perkin besiedgeth Excester Perkin discomfited leaueth Excester and departeth to Taunton The Lord Dawbney generall of the Kings forceâ— The King commeth forward with his Army The Duke of Buckingham Eurip. supplâ—ce◠〈…〉 Perkin desperat of all reliefe taketh Sauctuary Eurip. suppliceâ— The Lord Daubney sent after Perkin The Army of Perkin submitteth to the King without fighting The King râ—turneth to Exâ—ester Perkins Wife taken Eurip. Hecuba Perkin submittet to the King Lady Margaret much troubled with this discomfortable newes Perkin deceiueth his keepers anâ—â— escapeth Perkin commeth to the Prior of Shene Perkin once againe 〈◊〉 but ignominiously vsed 〈◊〉 lib. 5. Perkins confession Lib. 3. de pontâ— Perkin committed to the Tower Li. 4. de 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Perkin corrupting his keepers to escape out of the Tower is takâ—n and hanged at Tiburn The Earle of Warwicke beheaded
Therefore I will say the lesse in this point vnto you because you haue euer beene faithful to my progenitors and willing to be counted a Nation for the defence of vertue and propulsing of iniuries As for the ill successe of Lambert in personating my cozen the Earle of Warwicke and setting a foot that title whereby you may be terrified in heereafter prosecutions Alas I confesse it was for my sake and a meere deuise to sound the foord of the troublesome streames of those times proceedings wherein if my Vncle of Lincolne had any way thriued you must be assured thogh they would not hazzard my person so yong yet it was only to make way to my fortunes For smal recompeÌ„ce should haue stopped his mouth vt maior â—nx extinguit minorem my presence quickly haue turned the streame and with the sonne exhaled the strength of his meâ—eor This tricke my Grand-father put vpon the State when he was Gouernor amongst you by lack Cade of Kent who proclaimed himselfe Mortimer to see how the people affected the Title or could remember the Genealogie in the truth of his precedencie as marrying the daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence third son of our great Edward the third of England and Heroos of his time so that I hope this shall be no barre or interception either to my interest or your good will considering I am now come in person to offer vp my selfe a sacrifice if need be for you all and promise you by the secrets of my birth-right to make you a glorious and free Nation vnder me if I preuaile by your meanes These words were vttered so audaciously and yet with simulatory maiesty that they conceiued euery thing in his be halfe and not once disputed on the craft or cunning conueiance of the businesse but exalted and applauded him with all reuerence and due honor combining themselues with affectionate obedience to his aide and assistance wherein â—hat they might be the better induced iust at the same instant as if honour made hast to welcome him according to our Poet Nunc festmatos nimium sibi sâ—nsit honores and fortune determined to smile on them all Charles the French King in some diâ—pleasure with King Henry of England sent for Perkin out of Ireland with resolution to make him the roiall head of an Army against England which although it much animared the Irish to belieue the former seduction yet it was but a deuise of the French Kings to diâ—ert the warre which the King of England pretended out of France and so to enforce him backe againe to looke home to his owne affaires Howsoeuer this our Counterfet was not a little reuiued with such a message and supposed himselfe exalted to heauen in being thus called to the familiarity and acquaintance of Kings and Princes so that comming into France accordingly he was roially accepted and after a Princely manner entertained hauing a guard assigned him whereof the Lord of Congreshall was gouernour Hither also repaired vnto him especially while he lay in Paris Sir George Neuil the Bastard Sir Iohn Tailer Rowland Robinson and a hundred English Rebels But alas all these were but smoaking illusions For on a soddain Ingemâ—it rector sensitque deorum Esse dolos fata suae contraria menti And when a peace was to be determined and concluded betweene England and France the French King quickly dismissed the yong man and all his associats vnder colour of excuse that he durst no longer protect him against his new confederat and brother of England but some others attending vpon him yeelded a more forcible reason for his departure that he himselfe suspected how King Charles would deliuer him into the hands of the King of England and therefore he beguiled the Lord Congreshall and fled from Paris by night But howsoeuer this may be disputed and whether he departed without the Kings consent or no he was questionlesse deceiued in his expectation and in a manneâ— desperate of successe so that loth to remaine amongst such distrustfull enemies hee quietly returned to his most assured friend the Lady Margaret of Flanders the master builder of this worke The Duches before he came thought euery hower from his departure a whole yeare till his retorne For to heare how he proceeded was a quiet to her thoughts and to know how fortune would deale with him a ioy to her heart but to see him a very rauishment Yet when she vnderstood how he was abiected and repudiated in the French Court it could not choose but be a great agony and amasement vnto her Notwithstanding to preuent all suspition she seemed at his arriuall no lesse reuiued then a mother is glad for the retourne of her long absented sonne or a person condemned for a pardon and restauration to his life and dignity At his first approach she receiued him with large embraces and hanging ouer his neck seeming to shed teares of ioy and comfort for his escape from many dangers and aduentures O dissembling and deceiuable hypocrisie that euer a woman should be the author of such diuellish deuises and hellish proiects and yet ouer-daube her mischieuous imaginations with the sugred showes of loue and regard of pitty toward a Prince in distresse but this made Hippolitus long a goe cry out O Iupiter quodnam adulterinum hominibus malum Mulieres ad solis lucem habit are fecâ—sti c. and this she had learned of her owne Phisitians who in administring of bitter pils had shewed her to roule them ouer in some candide powder and this we haue taught our selues out of Gods one mouth who in seuerall places of Scripture hath puplished wherein a bad woman doth exceed all the creatures of the World After this extacy was past she proceeded with a cunning desire to haue him relate his first miraculous preseruation his after trauails and exploration of Countries his next entertainement in Ireland and France and finally his resolution to goe forward in his noble and necessary intendment for his inheritance and recouery of the Crowne of England wherein he proceeded so effectually and orderly without stammering or stuttering that the whole company verily belieued it and such as were not present the rather induced by the report of others sorrowing for nothing but that they heard him not Vina Voce and endeauouring what they could to present their personall obedience vnto him Whereupon when she perceiued how euery thing consorted to her owne wishes she assigned him a Guard of 50 persons in Murry and Blue and honoured him with a cloth of Estate and denomination of the White Rose and Prince of England From thence forward the Nobilitie of Flaunders and diuers of England with all obsequious diligence attended him and from a reuerent estimation of his auncestors performed all the good offices which belonged to the exornation of his maiestie and extention of their owne loues and dutâ—es so that in a word this Sinons horse entred the broken
wals of Troy and feined inuention shadowed with the pretence of verity and truth preuailed with their credulitie that they adhibited the more faith and indubitate trust vnto it supposing verily he had been preserued by the wil and prouidence of God and so committed to the trust and custody of some faithfull friend either by King Edward or his mother when she was in Sanctuary relying also on this impossibility that any Tyrant would so rebell against God as infring the orders of holy Church and take him perforce from thence as yet the story manifesteth was to be done euen by the Cardinall himselfe By this time the same of this iuggled miracle was not only blowne ouer Flanders and the Territories adiacent but so rumored in England by reason the present gouernment suppressed all publique reports libels and writings that in the very whispering Nam fraudibus euentum deder at fortuna It was more forcible then if it had been published by lâ—cence and authority Thus haue I seene a fire smoothered and enclosed in some secret place neâ—er to bee quiet till it were vented out and when it came to eruption made the more forcible and outragious noyse For it was heere receiued as an infallible truth and not onely beleeued of the better sort but entertained of the common people who being more liberall of audacious behauiour and lesse fearefull to offend God began to confirme it with oathes as a matter of truth which others but barely affirmed as a report of vncertainty Thus began trouble vpon trouble and as the Spring putteth forth the buds and blossomes like the messenger of Summer and pleasant times to ensue So did this fantasticall fable thus diuulged prognosticate following calamity â—nd consequent desolation For after it was knowne with what honour he had beene entertained in Flanders and reuerenced in other places of Europe there began sedition on euery side in England and no man was sure of his friend the times grew to such distraction Some that were fled to Sanctuaries for great and hainous offences perpetrated discharged themselues and went beyond the seas vnto him Some that had confined themselues to priuiledged places for debts and accounts began to shew themselues vnder his support and combination then being safest when the State is vnsafest Some euen of the better sort through rashnesse and â—emerity because they would bee counted factious and stirring drew apace vnto him Some out of the nature of inconstancy or rather impression of melancholy neuer to be remooued from the opinion they haue once entertained beleeued verily that this Perkin was the indubitate sonne of Edward the fourth Some through simplicity and easinesse of apprehension without examining the probability and likelihood of the matter yeelded to any thing which was told them Some temporizers to curry fauor in the change of Princes perswaded and solicited other to their opinions that so bringing many coadiutors they might not onely be reputed of strength and reputation in their countries but the better welcommed and entertained with the preuailer Some through indignation and enuy murmuring at their slender aduancement or grudging they were not more condignely rewarded for their former paines and aduentures in his Maiesties businesse resorted to this new Prince in hope of better acceptation And some ouerwearied with eâ—se and placability of idlenesse greeuing to see the world stand at a stay with desire of change ran headlong into this fury madnesseâ— and seditious conspiracy O tempora ô mores ô flagitiosa voluntas But for all this rumour of this twice borne Duke Richard of Yorke and that England was diuided and drawne into parts taking and seuerall factions so that the minds of men were vexed either with the hope of gaine or preferment or feare of losse and confusion Yet was the King and his Councell not much disturbed or affrighted more then their maruell and modest anger at so many persons seeming in their right wits to be seduced either in the contriuing such a manifest and notorious lie or assenting and preparing themselues to countenance the same without feare of God or men not once forecasting the dangerous penalty of treasons contempts conspiracies and practises against their naturall Prince and so sufficient a Gouernour For it was not onely a pernicious fable and fiction strange and maruellous but prodigious and vnnaturall to resussitate a maâ— from the dead and with impudent asseueration to set it forth and palliate it with the vesture and garment of a professed verity But in such cases be Kings ueuer so wise nor matters so triuiall and vnlikely there is no sitting still nor giuing way to the businesse especially there is no rebating an enemy with proclamations writings and prohibitions who commeth forward with the clamors of war well settled prepâ—ration of offence Therfore his Maiesty thought it the best course to looke about him and both by force and policy to preuent the mischeefe impending and threatned For hee perceiued how already the fire of rebellion had taken hold of some of the principall houses of England whom hee knew had vnderhand already sent messengers vnto Lady Margaret to vnderstand when Richard Duke of Yorke would come conueniently into England that they might be ready to help and succour him euen at his first arriuall This businesse encreased to a fulnesse and ripenesse about the eighth yeere of his Maiesties raigne insomuch that the confederates by common assent agreement posted ouer Sr. Robert Clifford Knight and William Barley into Flanders to be the better assured of all particulars who were not only gladly accepted and louingly welcommed of the Duches with full intimation of the truth and wonderfull deliuery of strangenesse of the story Nec grauide lachrymas continuere genae But brought to the sight and sweet entertainment of Perkin who played the counterfet so exactly that his words resembled for cible incantations according to that of the Poet Vna per at hereos exit voxilla recelsus Vâ—rbaque ad inuâ—tum praefert cogentia numen â— For all men praised his vertues and qualities with a resolued beleeâ—e of his princelinesse and Sr. Robert Clifford swore directly that he was extracted of the bloud royall and the very sonne of King Edward the fourth Whereupon hee wrote letters of confidence credit to his associates in England that as the Queene of Saba told Salomon she did not beleeue the halfe of that which was reported till shee had seene it with her eyes So he could not bee perswaded to so much as rumour had preferred till he had ouerveiwed him in person But when these letters were receiued in England the conspiratours caused them to be openly published and diuulged in many places with full credence that it was true and not fained which was spoken by the Duke of Yorke and therefore they neede not be afraid to be drawne to such a commotion and parts taking all yet was carried so orderly and couertly that the King more then vncertaine