Authority they have great limitation neither can they do any thing of great moment without the consent of certain principal men called Palatines or Castellians neither may their children or next of Bloud succeed except they be chosen as in the Empire Herbert l. 9. Hist Pol. Cromerus l. 3. Hist Polon In Spain France and England the priviledges of Kings are farre more eminent in both these points for that both their Authority is much more absolute and their next in Bloud do ordinarily succeed but yet in different manner for as touching authority it seemeth that the Kings of Spain and France have greater than the King of England for that every ordination of these two Kings is Law in it selfe without further approbation of the Common-wealth which holdeth not in England where no general Law can be made without consent of Parliament but in the other point of Succession it appeareth that the restraint is farre greater in those other two Countries than in England for that in Spain the next in Bloud cannot succeed be he never so lawfully descended but by a new approbation of the Nobility and States of the Realme as it is expresly set down in the two ancient Councels of Tolledo the fourth and fifth Concil blet 4. c. 74. coneil s c. 3. In confirmation whereof we see at this day that the King of Spain's own son cannot succeed nor be called Prince except he be first sworne by the said Nobility and States in token of their new consent and so we have seen it practised in our dayes towards three or four of king Philips children which have succeeded the one after the other in the Title of Princes of Spain and at every change a new Oath required at the Subjects hands for their admission to the said Dignity which is not used in the Kings children of France or England In France the World knoweth how Women are not admitted to succeed in the Crown be they never so near in Bloud neither any of their Issue though it be Male for which cause I doubt not but you remember how King Edward the third of England though he were son and heir unto a daughter of France whose three brethren were kings and left her sole heir to her father king Philip the fourth sirnamed the Fair yet was he put by the Crown Anne 1340. Anil hist Franc. l. 2. Gerard. du Haylan l. 14. hist Franc. as also was the king of Navar at the same time who was son and heir unto this womans eldest brothers daughter named Lewis Huttin king of France which king of Navâ—r thereby seemed also to be before king Edward of England but yet were they both put by it and Philip de Vallois a brothers son of Philip the fair was preferred to it by general decree of the States of France and by verdict of the whole Parliament of Paris gathered about the same affaires Franc. Belfor l. 5. c. 1. Anno 1327. Neither did it avail that the two kings aforesaid alleadged that it was against reason and conscience and custome of all Nations to exclude women from the Succession of the Crown which appertained unto them by propinquity of Bloud seeing both Nature and God hath made them capable of such Succession every where as it appeareth by example of all other Nations and in the old Testament among the people of God it selfe where we see Women have been admitted unto kingdomes by succession but all this I say prevailed not with the French as it did not also since for the admission of Dona Isabella Eugenia Clara Infanta of Spain unto the said Crown of France though by dissent of Bloud there be no question of her next propinquity for that she was the eldest childe of the king's eldest sister The like exclusion was then made against the prince of Lorain though he was a man and nephew to the king for that his Title was by a Woman to wit his mother that was younger sister unto king Henry of France And albeit the Law called Salica by the French-men by vertue whereof they pretend to exclude the Succession of Women be no very ancient Law as the French themselves do confesse and much lesse made by Pharamond their first king or in those ancient times as others without ground do affirme Gerard. du Hail l. 13. hist Fraâ—c Anno 1317. l. 14. Anno 1328 l. 3. de l'Estat defrunce Yet do we see that it is sufficient to binde all Princes and Subjects of that Realme to observe the same and to alter the course of natural Discent and nearnesse of Bloud as we have seen and that the king of Navar and some others of his race by vertue of this onely Law did pretend to be next in Succession to this goodly Crown though in nearnesse of Bloud they were farther off by many degrees from king Henry the third than either the foresaid Infanta of Spain or the prince of Lorain who were children of his own sisters which point yet in England were great disorder and would not be suffered for that our Lawes are otherwise and who made these Lawes but the Common-wealth it selfe By all which we see that divers Kingdomes have divers lawes and customes in the matter of succession and that it is not enough for a man to alleage bare propinquity of blood thereby to prevaile for that he may be excluded or put back by divers other circumstances for sundry other reasons which afterward we shall discusse Yea not onely in this point hath the common-wealth authority to put back the next inheritors upon lawfull considerations but also to dispossesse them that have bin lawfully put in possession if they fulfill not the lawes and conditions by which and for which their dignitie was given them Which point as it cannot serve for wicked men to be troublesome unto their Governours for their own interests or appetites so yet when it is done upon just and urgent causes and by publique authority of the whole body the justice thereof is playne not onely by the grounds and reasons before alleaged but also by those examples of the Romans and Grecians already mentioned who lawfully deposed their Kings upon just considerations and changed also their Monarchie and Kingly Government into other forme of regiment And it might be proved also by examples of all other nations and this perhaps with a circumstance which every man considereth not to wit That God hath wonderfully concurred for the most part with such juditiall acts of the common-Wealth against their evill Princes not onely in prospering the same but by giving them also commonly some notable successor in place of the deposed thereby hath to justify the fact and to remedy the fault of him that went before I am far from the opinion of those people of our dayes or of old who make so little account of their duty towards Princes as be their title what it will yet for every mislike of their owne they are ready to band
came to the reading of the Epistle the said Lord Arch Bishop turning about to Philip the Prince that was there present declared unto him what was the Catholick Faith and asked him whether he did believe it and whether he would defend it against all persons whatsoever who affirming that he would his Oath was brought unto him whereunto he must sweare which he took and read with a loud voice and signed it with his own hand and the words of the Oath were these Iâ— Phillippe parle grace de Lieu prochain dâ—estre ordounè Roy de France promets au jour de mon sacrè devant Dieu ses sanctes c. That is in English for I will not repeate all the Oath in French seeing it is somwhat long The Oath of the King of France I Philip by the grace of God neere to be ordained King of France do promise in this day of my annointing before Almighty God and all his Saints that I will conserve unto you that are Ecclesiasticall Prelates all canonicall priviledges and all Law and Iustice due unto every one of yâ—u and I will defend you by the helpe of God so much as shall lye in my power and as every King ought to do and as by right and equity he is bound to defend every Bishop and Church to him committed within his Realme and furthermore I shall administer Justice unto all people given me in charge and shall preserve unto them the defence of Lawes and eqnity appertaining unto them so far forth as shall lye in my authority so God shall helpe me and his holy Evangelâ—sts This oath was read by the King holding his handes between the hands of the Arch-Bishop of Rhemes and the Bishop of Syon and Bisanson legats of the Pope standing by with a very great number of other Bishops of the realme and the said Arc-Bishop taking the Crosse of Rimigius in his hands he shewed first unto all the audience the ancâ—ent authority which the Archbishops of Rhems had even from the time of Remigius that baptized there first Christian King Clodoveus to annoint and Crown the Kings of France which he said was confirmed unto them by priviledge of the Pope Hotmisday that lived in the yeare of Christ 516. Belfor l. 3. cap. 20. and after also by Pope Victor and this being done he then by licence first asked of King Henry the Father there present did chuse Philip for King Il esleut le dit Philippe son sils en pour Roy de France which is word for word the Arch-Bishop chose the said Philip King Henries Sonne in and for King of France which the legates of the Pope presently confirmed and all the Bishops Abbots and Clergy with the Nobility and people in their order did the like crying out three times in these words Nous le apprououns nous le vâ—ulons soit fait nostre Roy that is we approve his election we will have him let him be made our King and presently was song Te Deum laudamus in the quyar and the rest of the Ceremonies of annointing and Coronation were done according to the ancient order of this solemnity used in the time of King Philips predecessors Kings of France Thus far do French stories recount the old and ancient manner of annointing and Crowning their Kings of France which had endured as I have said for almost 600. yeares that is to say from Clodoueus unto King Philip the first who was crowned in France 7. yeares before our William Conqueror who also was present at this Coronation and had the third place among the temporall Princes as Duke of Normandy entred into England but after this time the manner and Ceremonies was somwhat altered and made more majesticall in outward show and this especially by King Lewis surnamed the young Nephew to the foresaid King Philip who leaving the Substance of the action as it was before caused divers externall additions of honour and Majesty to be adjoyned thereunto especially for the Coronation of his sonne Phillip the second surnamed Augustus whom he caused also to be Crowned in his dayes as his Grand-Father Phillip had been and as himselfe had been also in his Fathers dayes This man among other Royal Ceremonies ordâ—ined the offices of the twelve Peers of Fraunce 6 Ecclesiasticall and 6. temporall who are they which ever since have had the cheifest places and offices in this great action for that the foresaid Arch-Bishop of Rhemes intituled also Duke of Rhemes hath the first and highest place of all others and 〈…〉 King The Bishop and Duke of Laon beareth the glâ—sse of sacred 〈…〉 and Duke of Langres the Crosse The Bishop and Earl of 〈…〉 the Bishop and Earle of Noyon the Kings girdle and Last of all the Bishoâ— and 〈◊〉 of Chalons doth carry the ring and these are the 6 acclesiasticall Peites of France with their offices in the Coronation The temporall Peers are the Duke of Burgundie Deane of the order who in this day of Coronation holdeth the Crowne the Duke of Gasconiâ— and Guyene the first banner quartered the Duke of Normandie the Second banner quartered the Earl of Tholofa the golden Spurres the Earl of Champanie the banner Royall or standard of Warr and the Earl of Flanders the Sword Royall so as there are 3 Dukes and 3. Earles one of both rankes of Spirituall and temporall Lords and as Gidard noteth the King is apparraled on this day 3 times and in 3 severall sortes the first as a Priest the second as a King Warrier the third as a Judge Girard du haillan li. 3. de Pestat page 240. 242. and 258. and finally he saith that this solemnitie of annointing and Crowning the King of France is the most magnificent gorgious Majesticall thing that may be seen in the world for which he referreth us not only to the particuler Coronations of these two ancient King Philips the first and second but also to the Coronation of Henry the Second But to say a word or two more of Phillip Augustus before I passe any further which happened in the year 1179. and in the 25. of the reigne of our King Henry the 2. of England who as the French stories say was present also at this Coronation and had his ranke among the Peeres as Duke of Normandy and held the Kings Crown in his hand and one of his Sonnes had his ranke also a Duke of Gasconie and the form used in this Coronation was the very same which is used at this day in the admission of the Kings of France in recounting whereof I will let passe al the particular Ceremonies which are largely to be read in Francis Belforest in the place before mentioned and I will repaire onely the Kings Oath which the said author recounteth in these words The Arch-Bishop of Rhemes being vested in his pontificall attire and come to the Alter to begin Masse where the King also was upon a high seat placed he turned to him and said these
words in thâ— name of all the Cleargie and Churches of France Sir that which we require at your handes this day is that you promise unto us that you will keep all canonicall priviledges law and Justice due to be kept and dâ—fendâ—d as a good King is bound to do in his Realme and to every Bishop and Church to him Committed whereunto the King answered I do promise and avow to every one of you and to every Church to you committed that I will keep and maintaine all canonicall priviledges law and Justice due to every man to the uttermost of my power and by Gods helpe shall defend you as a good King is bound to doe in his Realme This being done the King did sweare and make his Oath laying his handes upon the Gospell in these words following Auâ—nom de Iesus Christ ie Jure promots aw peuple Christiâ—n a may suject cos thoses c. Which is in English in the name of Jesus Christ I do sweare and promise to all Christian people subject unto me these poiuts ensuing first to procure that all my subjects be kept in the union of the Church and I will defend them from all excesse rapin extortion and iniquitie Secondly I will take order that in all iudgments justice shall be kept with equity and mercy to the end that God of his mercy may conserve unto me with my people his holy grace and mercy 3. I shall endeavour as much as possibly shall lie in me to chuse and drive out all my Realm and all my Dominions all such as the Church hath or shall declare for Heriticks as God shall help me and his holy Gospells Thus sweareth the King and then kisseth the Gospells and immediately is sung Te Deum laudamus and after that are said many particular prayers by the Arch-Bishop and then is the King vested and the ring scepter Crown and other Kingly Ornaments and Ensignes are brought and put upon him with Declaration first what they signifie and then particuler prayers are made to God that their signification may be by the King fulfilled And after all ended the Arch-Bishop with the Bishops do blesse him and say these words unto him God which reigneth in Heaven and governeth all Kingdoms blesse you c. Be you stable and constant and hold your place and right from henceforth which here is committed and layd upon you by the Authority of Almighty God and by this present tradition and delivery which we the Bishops and other Servants of God do make unto you of the same and remember you in place convenient to bear so much more respect and reverence unto the Clergy by how much nearer then other men you have seene them to approach to Gods Alter to the end that Jesus Christ Mediatour of God and man may confirme maintaine you by the Clergy and people in this your Royall Seat and Throne who being Lord of Lords and King of Kings make you raigne with him and his Father in the life and glory everlasting Thus saith the Arch-Bishop unto him and after this he is led by him and the other Peeres unto the seat Royall where the Crown is put upon his head and many other large Ceremonies used which may be read in the Author aforesaid and are to long for this place And yet have I bin the larger in this matter of France for that I do not think it to be improbable which this Author and others do note to wit that most Nations round about have taken their particuler formes of Anointing and Crowning their Kings from this ancient Custome of France though the substance thereof I meane of their sacring and Anointing be deduced from examples of far more antiquity to wit from the very first Kings among the people of Israel 1. Reg. 10. 16. 2. Reg. 2. whom God caused to be anointed by his Priests and Prophets in token of his election and as a singuler priviledge of honour and preheminence unto them whereof King David made so great accompt when he said to the Souldier that had kissed Saul his enemy in the war 2. Reg. 1. quaere non to â—uisti mittere manum tuam in Christum Domini Why diddest thou not feare to lay thy hands upon the Anointed of God and he put him to death for it notwithstanding Saul had been long before deposed and rejected by God and that himselfe had lawfully borne Armes against him for many dayes so much was that ceremony of Anointing estemed in those daies and so hath it been ever since among Christian people also for that Kings hereby are made sacred and doe not only participate with Priests but also with Christ himselfe who hath his name of this circumstance of Anointing as all the world knoweth Probable then I say it is that albeit the substance of this ceremony of Anointing King be much elder then the Christian Kingdom of France yet is this particuler rule and maiesticall manner of doing the same by way of Coronation the most ancient in Frauce aboue all other Kingdomes round about especially if it began with their first Christian King Clodovious not full 500. Yeares after Christ as French Authors doe hold At what time also they recount a great miracle of holy Oyle sent from Heaven by an Angell for Anointing Clodouâ—us whereof they say they have still remaining for the Anointing of their Kings at Rhemes which point I will not stand to treat or discourse in this place but rather will referr my reader to the foresaid Chapter of Francis Belforest Chronicler of France Belfo. l. 3. Cap. 17. who alleadgeth divers writers of almost 500. year antiquitie that write of the same but howsoever that be very propable it seemeth that all the ceremonies of Coronation in Germany and Polonia before receited which had their begining long after the reigne of Clodoneus might be taken from thence so the affinity likenesse of one to the other doth seeme to agree and Garibay also the Chronicler of Spaine and Nauarra in his 22. Booke Estevan Garribay lib. 22. c. 1. talking of this custome of annointing and Crowning the Kings of Nauarra saith that this excellent custome began there I meane in Nauara about 800. yeares past and was brought in by certain Earls of Champain of France named Theobaldes who comming to attaine that Crowne brought with them that reverent ceremony of Anointing and Crowning their Kings according to the use of the French which custome endureth untill this day in that part of Navarra that is under the house of Vandome albeit in the other that is under the Spaniards which is firr the greater it was left of in the Year 1513. when Fardinande surnamed the Cathol que King of Spaine entred thereupon for the Spanish Kings are never Anointed nor Crowned but otherwise admitted by the Common wealth But among all other Kingdomes it seemeth that England hath most particularly taken this custome Ceremony from France not only for the reason before
acceptance fel on his knees also to prayer that he might observe his promise and other like Ceremonies saith Stow were used and this was done the 13 of Octob. 1359. and therefore upon good reason might this same Arch-Bishop put him afterward in mind of this his Oath as before I have shewed that he did At the admission also of King Edward the fourth 1 the peoples consent was demanded very solemnly in Iohns field by London the 29 of Febr. in the year 1460 notwithstanding that King Edward had proved his Title by succession before in the Parliament holden at Westminster And now this consent of the people being had or he being thus elected at Stowes words are he went the next day in procession at Paules and offered there and after Te Deum being sung he was with great royalty conveyed to Westminster and their in the hall set in the Kings seate with Edwards scepter in his hand and then the people were asked again if they would have him King and they cryed yea yea And if any would take exception against these of King Henry and King Edward the 4 because they entred and began their Reignes upon the deprivation of other Kings then living that are yet many living in England that have seene the severall Coronations of King Edward the 6 Q. Mary Q Elizabeth K. Iames K. Charles and can witnesse that at all and every of their Coronations the consent of the people and their acceptation of those Princes is not only demanded by the publique cry of a Harold at armes which standeth on both the sides of the high Scaffold or stage whereon the Prince is Crowned and the peoples answer expected till they cry yea yea but also that the said Princes gave there their corporall oath upon the Evangelists unto the Bishop that Crowned them to uphold and maintaine faith aforenamed with the Liberties and Priviledges of the Church as also to governe by justice and law as hath been said which oaths no doubt have been sworn and taken most solemnly by all the Kings and Queenes of England from the dayes of King Edward the Confessor at the least and â—e that will see more points of these oaths set down in particuler let him read Magna Charta and he will be satisfyed By all which and by infinite more that might be said and alleadged in this matter and to this purpose it is most evident that this agreement bargain contract between the King and his Common-wealth at his first admission is as certain and firme notwithstanding any pretence or interest he hath or may have by succession as any contract or marriage in the world can be when it is solemnized by words de praesenti as our law speaketh between parties espoused before by words de futuro which is an act that expresseth this other most lively and consequently I must needs affirme it to be most absurd base and impious That only succession of bloud is the thing without further approbotion which maketh a King and that the peoples consent to him that is next by birth is nothing at all needfull be he what he will and that his admission inunctiâ—n or Coronation is only a matter of externall Ceremony without any effect at all for increase or confirmation of his right these I say are vnlearned fond and wicked assertions in flattery of Princes to the manifest ruine of Common-wealths and perverting of all Law order and reason The sixt Speech COncerning the interest of Princes before their Coronation most of them have not failed to find as shamles flatterers as themselves were either vaine or wicked Princes and for my part I am of opinion that the propositions of Belloy did rather hurt and hinder then profit the Prince for whom and in whose favour he writ them is the King of Navara whom hereby be would have admitted to the Crowne of France without all consent or admission of the Realm But I for my part as I doubt not greatly of his title by propinquity of bloud according to the law Salique so on the other side am I of opinion that these propositions of Belloy in his behalf that he should have entered by only title of birth without condition consent or approbation of the Realm as also without Oath Anointing or Coronation yea of necessity without restraint or obligation to fulfill any law or to observe any priviledges to Church Chapell Cleargy or Nobility or to be checked by the whole Realm if he rule amisse these things I say are rather to torify the people and set them more against his entrance then to advance his title and therefore in my poore judgment it was neither wisely written by the one not politiquely permitted by the other And to the end you may se what reason I have to give this censure I shall here set down his own propositions touching this matter as I find them in his own words First then he avoucheth that all families which enjoy Kingdoms on the world were placed therein by God only aud that he alone can chang the same which if he referr unto Gods universal providence quae attingit à fine vsquae in finem fortiter â—s the Scripture saith and without which a sparrow falleth not to the ground as our Saviour testyfieth Matt. 6. no man will deny but all is from God either by his Ordinance or permission but if we talke as we do of the next and immediate causes of an Empyres Princes and of their changes cleere it is that men also do and may concurre therein and that God hath left them lawfull authority so to do and to despose thereof for the publique benifit as largly before hath been declared and consequently to say that God only doth these things and leaveth nothing to mans judgment therein is against all reason use and experience of the world The second proposition of Belloy is that where such Princes be once placed in Government and the Law of succession by birth established there the Princes children or next of kin do necessarily succeed by only birth without any new choice or approbation of the people Nobility or Clergy or of the whole Common-wealth together Apolog. Cathol part 1. parag 7. And to this assertion he joyneth an other as strange as this which is that a King never dyeth for that whensoever or howsoever he ceaseth by any meanes to Governe then entreth the successor by birth not as heyre to the former but as lawfull governour of the Realm without any admission at all having his authority only by the condition of his birth and not by addoption or choice of any Apolog. pro Rege c. 6. 34. Which two propositions albeit they have been sufficiently refuted by that which hath been spoken in the last two chapters going before yet shall I now again convince more amply the untruth thereof Other two propositions he addeth Apolog. Cathol part 2. parag 7. pro Rege c. 9. That a Prince once entred to
crown of whose election Morales writeth these words Muerto el Rey Don Alonso el casto fue eligido por los perlados grandes del reyno l Rey Don Ramiro primero deste nombre hyo del Rey Don vermudo el diacono Mor. c. 11. That is the K. Don Alonso the chaste being dead there was chosen K. by the Prelats Nobility of the Realm Don Ramiro the first of this name Son of K Vermudo the Deacon who resigned his crown to Don Alonso and it is to be noted thâ—t albeit this Don Ramâ—ro was next in bloud to the succession after the death of his uncle Don Alonso without children yet was hee chosen by the States as here it is said in expresse words Moreover it is to be noted that albeit this Author Ambrosio Morales other Spanish Writers do say that in the time of this K Ramiro the law of succession by propinquity in blond was so revived strongly confirmed that as the kingdom of Spain was made as Majorasgo as he termeth it which is an inheritance so intailed and tyed only to the next bloud as there is no possibility â—o alter the same and that from this time forward the King always caused his eldest Son to be named King or Prince so ever to be sworn by the Realm and Nobility yet shall we find this Ordinance and succession oftentimes to have been broken upon severall considerations as this Author himself in that very chapter confesseth As for example after four discents from this man which were Don Ordonio the 1. this mans Son and Don Alonso the 3. Don Garzia and Don Ordonio the second all four Kings by orderly succession it hapned that in the yeer of Christ 924. Don Ordonio the second dying left four Sons and one daughter lawfully begotten and yet the State of Spain displaced them all and gave the kingdom to their Uncle Don Fruela second brother to their Father Don Ordonio and Morales saith Mor. l. 16. cap. 1. an 924. â—hat there appeareth no other reason hereof but only for that these Sons of the King deceased were young and not so apt to govern well the Realm as their uncle was But after a yeers Reign this King Fruela dyed also left divers children at mans estate then did the Spaniards as much against them as they had done for him before against the children of his elder brother For they put them all by the crown and chose for their King Don Alonso the 4 which was eldest Son to Don Ordonio the 2. beâ—ore named that had been last King saving one and this man also I mean Don Alonso the 4 leaving afterward his Kingdom betaking himself to a religious habit offered to the Commonâ—welth of Spain his eldest Son lawfully begotten named Don Ordonio to be their King but they refused him and tooke his Brother I meane this Kings Brother Uncle to the young Prince named Don Ramiro Moral lib. 19. cap. 20. An. 930. who reigned 19 yeers was a most excellent King gained Madrid from the Moors though noted of cruelty for imprisoning and pulling out the eyes afterward of this King Don Alonso the 4. and all his children nephewes for that hee would have left his habit returned to be King again But this fact my auâ—hor Morales excuseth saying that it was requisit for pcace safety of the Realm so as here you see two manifest alterations of lineal succession together by order of the Common-welth Furthermore after this noble King Don Ramiro the 2. succeeded as heire apparent to the Crown his elder Son Don Ordonio the 3. of his name in the yeer of our Savior 950. but this succession endured no longer then unto his own death which was after 7 yeers for then albeit he left a Son named el enfante Don Vermudo yet he was not admitted but rather his brother Don Sancho the first of his name surnamed el Gordo who was Uncle to the young Prince and the reason of this alteration Morales giveth in these words el succeder en el regno al hermano fue por la racon ordinaria de ser el enfante Don Vermudo nino y no bastante para â—l goviernoy difenca de la terra Mor. l. 16. c. 29. An. 950. which is the cause why the Kings brother not his Son succeeded in the Crown was for the ordinary reason so often before alledged for that the Infant or young Prince Vermudo was a litle child not sufficient for Government and defence of the Country Truth it is that after this Don Sancho had reigned his son heir named Don Ramiro the 3. after him for the space of 30. yeers in all Mor. l. 17. c. 1 2 3 4. Then was this youth Don Vermudo that is now put back called by the relm to the succession of the Crown made King by the name of King Vermudo the 2. who left after him Don Alonso the 5. he again his Son Don Vermudo the 3. who marying his sister Dona Sancha that was his heir unto Don Fernando first Earle then King of Castile who was second Son to Don Sancho Mayor K ing of Navarras before hath been said he jâ—yned by these means the Kingdoms of Leon Castile together which were separate before so ended the line of Don Pelayo first Christâ—n King of Spain after the entrance of the Moors which had endured now 300. yeers the bloud of Navar entred as you see so continued therein untill the entrance of â—â—ose of Auâ—tria as before hath been said which was almost 500. yeers together And thus much I thought good to note out of the stories of Spain for this first discent of the Spanish Kings after the entrance of the Moors neither mean I to passe much further both for that it would be over long as also for that mine Author Morales who is the most diligent that hath written the Chronicles of that Nation endeth here his story with King Vermudo the 3. last of the Gotish bloud Notwithstanding if I would go on further there would not want divers evident examples also to the same purpose which Stephen Garabay another Chronicler of Spain doth touch in the continuation of this story weereof for examples sake only I will name 2 or 3 among the rest And first about the yeer of Christ 1021. there was a marriage made by K Iohn of England for Dona Blancha his Neece that is to say the daughter of his sister Dame Elâ—nor of Don Alonso the 9. of that name King Queen of Spain which Blancha was to marry the Prince of France named Luis son heir to K. Philip surnamed Augustus which Luis was afterward K. of France by the name of Luis the 8. was Father to Luis the 9. surnamed the Saint Car. lib. 11. c. 12. This Lady Blancha was Neece as I have said unto K. Iohn to K. Richard the â— of England for
themselves secure in conscience as you see for doing the same which God hath also since seemed to confirm with the succession happy successe of so many noble and most Christian Kings as have issued out of this line of Hugo Capet us unto this day And this spoken now of the second line of France I take to be sufficient for proof of our purpose without going any further for that if we do but number these Kings already named that have reigned in this second race from K. Pepin downwards unto Hugh Capet which are about 17 or 18 Kings in 238 yeeres we shall find that not some few but the most part of them did both enter and enjoy their crowns and dignities contrary to the law of lineall discent and of next succession by bloud Whereof also there would not want divers examples in the third and last discent since Hugo Capitus his time if we would passe further to examine the stories thereof For not to go further down then to the very next discent after Hugh which was K. Robert his Son Girard affirmeth in his story Gir. l. 6 an 1232. that of his two Sons which he had named Robert Henry Robert the elder was put back his younger brother Henry made K. of France reigned many yeers by the name of H. the 1. and this he saith hapned partly for that Robert was but a simple man in respect of Henry and partly also for that H. was greatly favoured and assisted in this pretence by Duke Robert of Normandy Father to our William the conqueror and in recompence hereof this King Henry afterward assisted the said William bastard Son to Robert for the attaining of the Dukedom of Normandy after the death of the said Duke Robert his Father notwithstanding that Duke Robert had two lawfull brothers alive at that time whose names were Manger Archbishop of Rone and William Earl of Argues in Normandy who pretended by successâ—ion to be preferred Gir. l. 6. an 1032. and 1037. But the States of Normandy at the request of Duke Robert when he went to the Holy land in which journey he dyed as also for avoidâ—ng dissention wars that otherwise might ensue were content to exclude the uncles and admit the bastard son who was also assisted by the Forces of the King of France so as no scruple it seemed there was it those days either to prefer K. Hen. to the crown of France before his elder brother or D. William the bastard son to the Duchy of Normandy before his lawfull uncles upon such considerations as those States may be presumed to have had for their doings I read also that some yeers after to wit in the yeâ—r 1â—10 when Philip the 1. of France son and heyr to this K. Henry was deceased the people of France were so offended with his evill life and government as divers were of opinion to dis-inherit his Son Lewis the 6. surnamed le Gros for his sake and so was he like to have been indeed as may appear by the chronicle of France if some of his party had not caused him to be crowned in hast and out of order in Orleans for prevnting the matter The like doth Philip Cominaeus in his story of K. Lewis the 11dâ— clare how that the State of France had once determined to have dis-inherited his Son Charles named after the 8 to puâ— him back from his succession for their hatred to his Father if the said Father had not dred while the other was very young aâ—â— noted before also that it hapned in K. Hen. the 3 of England wâ—o was once condemned by the Barons to be dis-inherited for the fault of K Iohn his Father Lewis the Prof France chosen in his place but that the death of K. Iohn did alter that course intended by the English Nobiâ—ity so as this matâ—er is neither nâ—w nor unaccustomed in all sorraign Countries and now will I passe also a little to our English stories to see whether the like may be found in them or no. And first of all that the Realm of England hath had as great variety changes diversity in the races of their Kings as any one Realm in the world it seemeth evident for that first of all after the Britains it had Romans for their Governours for many yeer then of them their Roman bloud they had Kings againe of their own as appeareth by that valiant King Aurelius Ambrosius who resisted so manfully prudently the Saxons for a time after this they had Kings of the Saxon English bloud after them of the Daâ—es â—hen of â—he Normans and after them again of the French last of all it seemeth to have returned to the Britains again in K. H. 7. for that his Father came of that race and now you know there bee pretenders of divers Nations I mean both of Scottish Spanish and I alian bloud so that England is liâ—e to perticipate with all their neighbors round about them I for my part do feel my self much of the French opinion before alleadged that so the ship be well and happily guided I esteeme it not much important of what race or Nation the Pylot be but now to our purpose I mean to passe over the first and ancient ranks of Kings as well of the Brittish and Roman as also of the Saxon races unâ—ill K. Egbert me 1 of this name King of the West Saxons almost of all the rest of England besides who therefore is said to be â—roperly the first Monarch of the Saxon bloud and he that first of all commanded that Realm to be called England which ever since hath been observed This man Egbert being a young Gentleman of a noble house in the West parts of England was bad in jelousie by his K. Britricus who was the 16. K. from Cordicius first K. of the West Saxons as he was also the last of his bloud And for that he suspected that this Egbert for his great prowess might come in time to be chosen King he banished him into France where he lived divers yeers was a captain under the famous K. Pepin that was Father to Charlâ—s the great hearing afterwards that K. Britricus was dead he returned inâ—o England where Polidâ—o saith omnium confensu rex creatur Pol. hist. aug l. 4. in sine That he was created or chosen King by consent voyce of all men though yet he were not next propinquity of bloud royall as is most evident and yet he proved the most excellent King that ever the Saxons had before or perhaps after his election hapned in the yeer of Christ 802. when K. Pepin the first of that race reigned in France so as this Monarchy of Egbert and that of Pepin began as it were together and both of them came to their crowns by election of the people as here you see This King Egbert or Egbrich as others do write him left a lawfull Son behind him
named Ethelwâ—lfe or Adâ—â—ulte or Edolph an 829. for all is one who succeeded him in the kingdom and was as worthy a man as his Father and this Adeluulfe again had four lawfull Sons who all in their turns succeeded by just and lawfull order in the crown to wit Ethelbald Ethelbert Ethelred and Alfred for that none of the former three had any children and all the latter three were most excellent Princes especially Alfred or Alured the last of all four whose acts are wonderfull an 8â—2 and who among other his renowned Guests drove Rollo that famous Captain of the Danes from the Boâ—ders of England with all his company into France where he got the country or Province named then Neustria and now Normandy and was the first Duke of that Province and Nation and from whom our William Conquerour came afterwards in the 6. discent This man also erected the University of Oxford being very learned himselfe builded divers good Monasteries and Churches dying left as famous a Son behind himself which was Edward the first surnamed the senior or elder Anno 900. This King Edward dying left two Sons lawfully begotten of his wife Edgina the one named Prince Edmund the other Eâ—â—â—ed and a third illegitimate whose name was Adelstan whom he had by a Concubine But yet for that this man was esteemed to be of more valour then the other he was preferred to the crown before the other two Princes legitimate an 924 for so testifieth Poâ—dor in these words Adâ—â—anus ex concubina Edwardi filius rax a populo consalutatur atque ad Kingstonum opidum more majorum ab Athâ—â—lmo cautuariensi Arel lepiscopo corâ—natur Pol. l. 5. hist ang which is Adelstan the Son of K. Edward by a Concubine was made King by the People and was crowned according to the old custome by Athelme Archbishop of Canterbury at the town of Kingston Thus far Polidor and Stow addeth further these words His coronation was celebrated in the Market place upon a stage erected on high that the King might better be seen of the multitude he was a Prince of worthy memory valiant and wise in all his acts and brought this land into one perfect Monarchy for the expelled utterly the Danes and quieted the Welch men Stow p. 136. an 924. Thus much Stow of the snccesse of chusing this King bastard to reign To whose acts might be added that he conquered Scotland and brought Constantine their King to doe him homage and restored Lewis d'Outremer his sisters Son to the Kingdom of France an 940. This man dying without issue his lawfull brother Edmond put back before was admitted to the crown who being of excellent expectation dyed after 6 yeers and left two lawfull sons but yet for that they were young they were both put back by the Realm their uncle Eâ—dred was preferred before them an 946. so saith Palidor Genuâ—t Edmondus ex Egilda uxore Edvinuus Edganum qui cum etate pueri esseâ—â— post Eldredum deinder regnarunt Pol l. 6. King Edmond begat of his wife Egilda two Sons named Edwin and Edgar who for that they were but children in yeers were put back and reigned afterward after their uncle Eldred The like saith Stow and yeeldeth the same reason in these words Eldred succeeded Edmond his bâ—other for that his Sons Edwin and Edgar were thought to young to take so great a charge upon them This Eldred though he entred as you see against the right of the Nephews yet saith Polidor and Stow that he had all mens good will and was crowned as his brother had been at Kingston by Odo Archbishop of Canterbury and reigned 9 yeers with great good will and praise of all men He dyed at last without issue aud so his elder Nephew Edwin was admitted to the crown but yet after 4 yeers he was deposed again for his lewd vicious life and his younger brother Edgar admitted in his place in the yeer of Christ 959. This King Edgar that entred by deposition of his brother was one of the rarest Princes that the world had in his time both for peace and war justice piety and valour Stow saith he kept a Navy of 3000. and 600 ships distributed in divers parts for defence of the Realm Also that he built and restored 47 Monasteries at his own charges and did other many such acts He was Father to King Edward the Martyr and Grandfather to K. Edward the confessor though by two different wives for by his first wife named Egilfred â—hee had Edward after martyrized and by his second wife Alfred he had Etheldred Father to Edw. the confessour and to the end that Etholdred might reign his mother Alfred caused K. Ed. the son of Egilfred to be slain after King Edgar her husband was dead After this so shamefull murther of K. Edw many good men of the Realm were of opinion not to admit the succession of Etheldred his half brother both in respect of the murther of K. Ed. his elder brother committed for his sake as also for that he seemed a man not fit to govern and of his opinion among others was the holy man Dunston Archbishop of Canterbury as Polidor saith Pol. l. 7. hist Ang. who at length in flat words denyed to consecrate him but seeing the most part of the Realm bent on Etheldreds side he foretold them that it would repent them after and that in this mans life the Realm should be destroyed as indeed it was and he ran away to Normondy and left Sweno and his Danes in possession of the Realm though afterward being dead hee returned againe and dyed in London This Etheldred had two wives the first Ethelgina an English woman by whom he had Prince Edward surnamed Iron-side for his great strength and valour who succeeded his Father in the Crown of England for a yeer and at his death left two Sons which after shall be named And besides this Etheldred had by his first wife other two Sons Edwin and Adelston and one Daughter named Edgina all which were either slain by the Danes or dyed without issue The second Wife of Etheldred was called Emma sister to Richard Duke of Noâ—mondy who was Grandfather to William the Conquerour to wit Father to Duke Robert that was Father to William So as Emma was great Aunt to this William and shee bare unto King Atheldred two Sons the first Edward who was afterward named King Edward the Confessor and Alerud who was slain trayterously by the Earl of Kent After the death also of King Etheldred Queen Emma was marryed to the Dane King Canutus the first of that name surnamed the Great that was King of England after Etheldred and Edmond Ironside his Son and to him she bare a Sonne named Hardicanutus who reigned also in England before King Edward the Confessour Now then to come to our purpose hee that will consider the passing of the Crown of England from the death of Edmond Iron-side elder Sonne
of King Etheldred untill the possession thereof gotten by William Duke of Normandy to wit for the space of 50 yeers shall easily see what Authority the Common-wealth hath in such Affaires to alâ—er Titles of Snccession according as publique necessity or utility shall require for thus briefly the matter passed King Eâ—â—ldred seeing himself to weak for Sweno the King of Danes that was entred the Land fled with his wife Emma and her two children Edward and Alerud unto her brother Duke Richard of Normandy and there remained untill the death of Sweno And he being dead Etheldred returned into England made a certain agreement and division of the Realme between him and Canutus the Son of Sweno and so dyed leaving his eldest sonne Edmond Iron-side to succeed him who soone after dying also left the whole Realm to the said Canutus and that by plain covenant as Canutus pretended that the longest liver should have all Whereupon the said Canutus took the two children of King Edmond Iron-side named Edmond and Edward and sent them over into Swethland which at that time was also subject unto him And caused them to be brought up honourably of which two the elder named Edmond dyed without issue but Edward was marryed and had divers children Ethâ—ldred and his Son Edmond being dead Canutus the Dane was admitted for King of England by the whole Parlâ—ament and consent of the Realm anno 1018. and crowned by Alerud Archbishop of Canterbury as Polidor saith and he proved an excellent King and went to Rome and was allowed by that See also He did many works of charity shewed himself a good Christian and very loving and kind to Englishmen marryed Queene Emma an English woman and mother to King Edward the Confessour and had by her a Son named Hardicanutus and so dyed and was much mourned by the English after he had reigned twenty yeers though his entrance and title was partly by force and partly by election as you have heard After this Canutus the first surnamed the Great for that he was King joyntly both of England Norway and Denmark was dead Polidor saith that all the States of the Realm met together at Oxford â—o consult whom they should make King and at last by the more part of voyces was chose Harald the first Sonne of Canutus by a Concubine King Harald the Bastatd 1038. Polid. l. 8. Hist Ang. By which election we see injury was done to the line all succession of three parties First to the Sons of king Edmond Iron-side that were in Swethland Then to the Princes Edward and Ajerud sons to king Etheldred and brothers to Iron-side that were in Normondy And thirdly to Hardie mutus son to Canutus by his lawfull wife Emma to whom it was also assured at her marriage that her issue should succeed if she had any by Canutus After the death of this Harald who dyed in Oxford where he was elected within 3 yeers after his election there came from Denmark Hardicanutus to claim the crown that his Father Brother had possessed before him of whose coming Polidor saith libentissimis animis accipitur communiqve omnium consensu rex dicitur an 1041. He was received with great good will of all and by common content made King this was done by the States without any respect had of the succession of those Princes in Normondy Swethland who by birth were before him as hath been shewed this is the second breach after lineal discent after Elthred But this Hardicanutus being dead also upon the sudden 〈◊〉 a certaine banket in Lambeth by London without issue within two yeers after his Coronation the states of the Relm had deâ—ermined to chuse Aludred for their king who was yonger bâ—other to Edw. for that cause sent for him out of Normondy as polid recounteth had made him K. without all doubt for that he was esteemed more stirring valiant then his elder brother Edw. had not E. Goodwin of Kent fearing the youngmans stomack raised a strong faction against him thereupon also caused him to be trayâ—eronsly murthered as he passed through Kent towards London nor had the State here in any respect to Antiquity of bloud for that before Alured were both 〈◊〉 own elder brother P. Ed. who after him was chosen King and before them both were Edm Edw. the children of their elder brother Edmond Iron 〈◊〉 and this the third breach of lineall discent But this notwithstanding Alerud being slain P. Edw. was made King tanta publica lat tia saith Polidor vt certatim pro ejus faelici principatu cuncti vota facerent that is he was made King with such universall joy contentment of all men as every man contended who should pray and make most vows to God for his happy reign and according to this was the successe for he was a most excellent Prince and almost miraculously he reigned with great peace void of all war at home abroad for the space of almost 20 yeers after so infinit broyls as had beene before him ensued after him yet his title by succession cannot be justified as you see for that his eldest brothers Son was then alive to wit Prince Edw. surnamed the outlaw who in this Kings reign came into England brought his wife three lawfull children with him to wit Edgar Margaret and Christian but yet was not this good K. Edw. so scrupulous as to give over his kingdome to any of them or to doubt of the right of his own title which he had by election of the Common-wealth against the order of succession This K. Edward being dead without issue Polidor saith that the States made a great consultation whom they should make King first of all it seemeth they excluded him that was only next by propinquity in bloud which was Edgar Aledin son to the said Prince Edw. the outlaw now departed and Nephew to K. Edmond I tonside the reason of this exclusion is alleadged by Pol. l. 8. in these words is puer id aetatis nondum regno gubernando maturus erat that is he beinâ— a child of so small yeers was not ripe enough to govern the kingdom and then he saith that Harald son of Earl Goodwin by a daughter of Canutus the first proclaymed himself King an 10â—â— morover he addeth Nond spt cuit omninoid factum populo qui plurimum spei in Haraldi virtue habehat itaque more majorum sacratus est which is this fact of Harald displeased not at all the people of England for that they had great hope in the vertue of this Harald so was he annoinâ—ed crowned according to the fashion of the ancient Kings of England by which words we may see that Harald had also the approbation of the Realm to be King notwithstanding that little Edgar was present as hath been said so as this was the 4. breach of succession at this time But in the mean space William Duke of Normandy
Odo for recompence the state of Aquitain with Title of a Duke wherwith in fine he contented himself seeing that he could get no more But yet his Posterity by vertue of this election pretended ever after a Title to the Crown of France and never left it of untill at length by Hugo Capetus they got it for Hugh descended of this King and Duke Odo This K. Charls then surnamed the simple and English womans Son being thus admitted to the crown of France he took to wife an English woman named Elgina or Ogin daughter of K. Edward the elder by whom he had a Son named Lewis and himself being a simple man was allured to go to the castle of eron in Picardy where he was made prisoner and forced to resign his kingdom unto Ralph K. of Burgâ—ndy an 927. and soon after he dyed through misery in the same castle his Q. Ogin fled inâ—o England where with her litlâ— son Lewis unto her uncle K. Adelstan as Q. Adeltrude had done before with her son unto K. Alâ—red and one of the chief in this action for putting downe of the simple was Count Hugh surnamed the Great E. of Paris Father unto Hugo Capetus which after was King But this new K Ralph lived but 3 yeers after and then the States of France considering the right title of Lewis the lawfull child of K. Charles the simple which Lewis was commonly called now in France by the name of d'Outremer that is beyond the Sea for that he had been brought up in England the said States being also greatly and continually sollicited hereunto by the Ambassadors of K. Adâ—lston of England and by Wil. Dâ—ke of Normandy surnamed long Speer great Grandfather to Wil. the Conquerour who by the K. of England was gained also to be of the young Princes part for these considerations I say they resolved to call him inte France out of England as his Father had bin before him and to admit crown him King and so they did and he reigned 27 yeers and was a good Prince and dyed peaceably in his bed the yeer of Christ 945. This K. Lewis of d'Outremer left two sons behind him the eldest was called Lothair the 1. who succeeded him in the crown of France and the 2. was named Charles whom he made Duke of Lorrain Luthaire dying left one onely son named Lewis as his Grandfathee was who was named K of France by the name of Lewis the 7. and dying without issue after two yeers that he had reigned the crown was to haye gone by lineall succession unto his Uncle Charles Duke of Lorrain second Son to Lewis d'Oâ—tremer as is evident but the States of France did put him by it for mislike they had of his person and did chuse Hugo Capetus Earl of Paris and so ended the second line of Pepin and of Charles the Great and entree the race of Hugo Capetus which endureth untill this day and the French stories do say that this surname Capet was given to him when he was a boy for that he was wont to snatch away his Fellowes caps from their heads whereof he was termed snaâ—châ—cap which some do interpret to be an abodement that he should snatch also a crown from the true owners head in time as afteward we see it fell out though yet he had it by election and approbation of the Common wealth And in this respect all the French Chroniclers who otherwise are most earnest defenders of their law of suceession do justifie this title of Hugo Capetus against Charls for which cause Frances Belforest doth alleadge the saying of W. Naugus an ancient diligent chronicler of the Abby of S. Denis in France who defendeth K. Capetus in thesâ— words We may not grant in any case that Hugh Capet may be esteemed an invador or usuroer of the crown of France se 〈◊〉 the Lords Prelats Princes Governours of the Realm did cail him to this dignity and chose him for their King and Soveraigne Lord upon which words Belforest saith as followeth I have laid before oon the words and censure of this good religious man for that they seem to me to touch the quick For in very truth we cannot by any other meanes defend the Title of Hugh Capet from usurpation and fellony then to justifie his coming to the crown by the cosent will of the Common wealth and in this I may well excuse me from inconstancy and contradiction to my self that have so earnestly defended succession before for he that will consider how add what conditions I defended that shall easily see also that I am not here contrary to the same I think it not amisse also to put down here some part of the oration or speech which the Ambassador that was sent at that time from the State of France unto Charles of Lorrain after their election of Hugh Capet Charls exclusion did use unto him in their names which Speech Girard doth reconnt in these words Gir. l. 6. an 988. Every man knoweth Lord Charles that the sucaession â—o the crown and realme of France according to the ordinary Lawes and rights of the same belongeth unto you and not unto Hugh Capet now our King but yet the very same laws which do give unto you this right of succession do judg you also unworthy of the same for that you have not endevored hitherto to frame your life and mâ—â—ers according to the prescript of those laws nor according to your use custom of your country of France but rather have allied your self with the German Nation â—ur old enemies and have acquainted your self with their vile base manners wherâ—ore seeing you have forsaken abandoned the ancient vertue sweetnes amity of the French we have also abandoned left you have chosen Hngh Capet for our King have put you back and this without any scruple or prejudice of our consciences at all esteeming it far better more just to live under Hugh Capet the present Possessour of the crown with enjoying the ancient use of our laws customs priviledges liberties then under you the inheritour by neernesse of bloud in oppressing strange customs cruelty For even as those which are to make a voyage in a ship upon a dangerous Sea do not so much respect whether the Pylot which is to guide the stern be owner of the ship or no but rather whether he be skilfull valiant like to bring them in safety to their ways end or to drown them among the waves even so our principall care is that we have a good Prince to lead and guide us happily in this way of civill politike life which is the end why Princes were appointed for that this man is fitter to be our King This message did the States of France send to Charles of Lorrain in defence of their doings with this he lost his succession for ever afterwards his life also in prison the Frenchmen thought
pretended that he was chosen before byâ— K. Edw. the Confessour that the Realm had given their consent thereunto that K. E. left the same testified in his last will testament an 1066. and albeit none of our English Authors do avow the same cleerly yet do many other forrain Writers hold it it seemeth very probable that some such thing had past both for that D. William had many in England that did favour his pretence at his entrance as also as Girard in his French story saith that at his first comming to London he punished divers by name for thâ—t they had broken their oaths and promises in that behalf Gir l. 6. â—n 1065. And moreover it appeareth that by alledging this title of election he moved divers Princes abroad to favour him in that action as in a just quarrel which is not like they would have done if he had pretended only a conquest or his title of sanguinity which could bee of no importance in the world for that effect seeing it was no other but that his Grandfather and King Edwards mother were brother and sister which could give him no pretence at all to the succession of the crowne by blood and yet we see that divers Princes did assist him and among others the French chronicles Girard so often named before writeth Chron. Cassin l. â— cap. â—4 that Alexander the second pope of Rome whose holinesse was so much esteemed in those daies as one constanâ—inus After wrote a booke of his miracles being informed by Duke William of the justnesse of his pretence did send him his benediction and a prâ—cious ring of â—od with a hollowed banner by which hee gett the victory thus writeth Girard in his French Chronicles and Antonius Archbishop of Florence surnamed Antoninus â—art 2 Chron. â—it 16. cap. 5. s 1. Sainct writing of this matter in his chronicles speaketh great good of vvilliam conqueror commendeth his enterprise But howsoever this was the victory we see he get and God prospered his pretence and hath confirmed his of-spring in the Crown of England more then 500 yeares together so as now accâ—unting from the death of King Edmond I consider unto this man we shall find as before I have said in lesse then 5â— yeares that 5. or 6 Kings were made in Engâ—and one after another by only authority and approbatiâ—n of the â—ommon wealth contrary to the ordinary course of ineall succession by propinquity of bloâ—d And al this is before the conquest but it we should passe any further down we should find more eâ—amples then before For first the two sonnes of the Conquerour himselfe that succeeded after him to wit William Rufus and Henry the first were they not both younger brothers to Robert Duâ—e of Normandie to whâ—m the most part of the realme was inclined as Polydor saith Polyd. in vita Gul. Conq. to have given the kingdome presently after the Conquerors death as due to him by succession notwithstanding that Wâ—illiam for perticular displeasure against his elder sonne and had ordeinâ—d the contrary in his testament But that Robert being absent in the War of Hierusalem the holy and learned man Lanfranke as he was accompted then Archbishop of Canterbury being deceived with vain hope of William Rufus An. 107 good nature perswaded thâ—m the contrâ—ry who was at that day of high estimation and authority in England and so might induâ—e the realme to do what he liked By like meanes gat Henry his younger brother the same crown afterwards to wit by fair prâ—mises to the peopâ—e and by help principally of Henry Newborow â—arle of Warwick that dealth with the nobility for him and Maurice Bishop of London with the cleargie for that Ansâ—lme Arch bishop of Canâ—erbury was in baâ—nishment Besides this also it did greatly helpe his cause that his elder brother Robert to whom the Crowne by reign appetteined was absent again this second time in the vvarre of Ierusalem and so lost thereby his Kingdome as before Henry having no ther title in the world unto it but by election and admission of the people which yet he so desended afterwards against his said brother Robert that came to claim it by the sword and God did so prosper him theâ— rein as he took his said elder brother prisoner and so kept him for many yeares untill he died in prison most pitifully But this King Henry dying left daughter behind him named Mawde or Mathilde which being married first to the Emperour Henry the fist he dyed witâ—out issue and then was shee married againe the second time to Geffry Pantageâ—t 〈◊〉 of Earle of Anjow in France to whom she bare a sonne named Henry which this King Henry his grand father caused to be declared for heire apparent to the Crowne in his daies buâ— yet after his disceasse for that Stephen Earl of Bollogne born of Adela daughter to William the Conquerour was thought by the state of England to be more 〈◊〉 to governe and to defend the land for that he was at mans age then was Prince Henry a child or Maâ—de â—is mother he was admitted and Henry put backe and this chiefly at the perswasion of Henry Bishâ—p of Wincheâ—â—er brother to the said Stephen as also by the sollicitation of the Abbot of Glastâ—nbury and â—thers who thought be like they might do the same with good conscience for the good of the realm though the evenâ— proved not so well for that it drew all England into factions and divisions for avoyding and ending whereof the states â—â—me years after in a Parliament at vval ingford made a agreement that Stephen should be lawfull King during his life only and that Henry and his of-spring should succeed him and that prince vvilliam King Stephens sonne should be deprived of his succession to the crowne and made onely Earle of Norfolke thus did the statâ— dispose of the crown at that time which was in the yeare of Christ 1153. To â—his Henry succeded by order his oldest sonne then living named Richard and surnamed Cordelton for his Valour but after him againe his succession was broken For that Iohn King Henries youngest sonne 〈◊〉 youuger brother to Richard whom his father the King had left so unprovided as in jest he was calâ—ed by the French Iean sens terre as if you wouâ—d say Sir Iohn lacke-land this man I say was after the death of his brother admitted and crowned by the states of England and Arthur Duke of Brittaine sonne and heir to Geffry that was elder brother to Iohn was against the order of succession excluded â—nd albeit this Arthur did seeke to remedy the matter by warr yet it seemed that God did more defend this election of the Common wealth then the right title of Arthur by succession for that Arthur was over-come and taâ—en by King Iohn though he had the King of Francâ— on his side anb he died pitifully in prison or rather as most authors do hoâ—d he was put to death by King Iohn
alleadged that diverse of our English Kings have come out of France as William Corquerour borne in Normands King Steven soune to the Earl of Blois and Bolen a French man and King Henry the Second born likewise in France and sonne to the Earl of Aâ—iou but also for that in very deede the thing it selfe is all one in both Nations and albeit I have not seen any particuler Book of this action in England as in French there is yet it is easie to gather by stories What is used in England about this affaire For first of all that the Arch-Bishop of Caâ—terbury did ordinarily doe this ceremony in England as the Arch-Bishop of Rhemes doth it in France there is no doubt and with the same solemnity and honour according to the condition and state of our Countrey and Polidor Virgill in his story Polid. ib. 13 Hist Angile in vita Henrici noteth that Pope Alexander did interdict and suspend the Arch-Bishop of Yorke with his two assistants the Bishops of London and Salisbury for that in the absence of Thomas Becket Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and without his licence they did Crown King Henry the seconds sonne named also Henry at his Fathers perswasion and divers do attribute the unfortunate successe of the said King Henry the younger that rebelled against his Father to this disorderly and violent coronation by his Fathers appointment Secondly that the first thing which the said Arch-Bishop requireth at the new Kings hands at his Coronation is about religion Church matters and the Clergie as in France we have seen it appeareth evedently by these words which the same Arch-Bishop Thomas surnamed commonly the martyr remaining in banishment wrote to the same King Henry the Second which are these Memores sitis confessionis quam fecitis posuistis super altare apud Westmonasteriam de servanda Ecclesiae liberiate quando consecrati fuistis uncti in regem a pradecessore nostro Thebaldo Invita D. Thom. Cantuar. apud surium in mense Decembris Which is do you call to your remembrance the confession which you made and laid upon the Alter at Westminster for keeping and defending the liberty of the Church when you were consecrated and Anointed King by Thebaldus our predecessour By which words appeareth that as the King of England was consecrated and anointed in those dayes by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury so did he sweare and give up his Oath also in writing and for more solemnity and obligation laid it down or rather offered it up with his owne hands upon the Alter so much as was required of him by the said Arch-Bishop and Clergie for the speciall safety of Religion and these Ecclesiasticall liberties which is the selfe same point that we have seene before as well in the Oath of the Kings of France as also of Polonia and Spaine and of the Emperours both Grecian and German The very like admonition in effect I finde made by another Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to another King Henry to wit by Thomas Aâ—undell to King Henry the fourth when in a Parliament holden at Coventry in the Yeare 1404. the King was tempted by certain temporall men to take away the temporalities from the Clergie whereunto when the said Arch-Bishop Thomas had answered by divers reasons at last turning to the King â—e besought him saith Stow in vita Henrici 4. to remember the Oath which he voluntarily made that he would honour and defend the Church and ministers thereof Whereof 〈◊〉 desired him to permit and suffer the Church to enjoy the priviledges and 〈…〉 of his prodecessours it did enjoy and to fear that King which reigâ—eth 〈…〉 by whom all other Kings do reigne moreover he desired him to consider his promise also to all the realm which was that he would preserve unto every man their wright and title so far as in him lay By which speech of the Arch-Bishop the King was so far moved as he would heare no more of that bil of the laytie but said that he would leave the Church in as good estate or better then he found it and so he did but yet hereby we come to learne what Oath the Kings of England do make at their Coronations touching the Church and Clergie The other conditions also of good government are partly touched in the speech of the Arch-Bishop Holinosh in his Cro. Page 476. and 1005. and much more expresly set down in the King of Englands Oath recorded by ancient writers for that he sweareth as both Holinshead and others do testifie in their English stories in these very words to wit That he will during his life beare reverence and honour unto almightie God and to his Caâ—holique Church and unto his Ministers and that he will administer law and justice equall to all and take away all unjust Lawes Which after he had sworne laying his handes upon the Gospells then doth the Arch-Bishop turning about to the people declare what the King hath promised and sworne and by the mouth of a harrald at armes asketh their consents whether they be content to submit themselves unto this man as unto their King or no under the conditions proposed whereunto when they have yealded themselves then begineth the Arch-bishop to put upon him the regall Ornaments as the sword the ring the scepter Crown as before in the French Coronation you have heard and namely he giveth him the Scepter of Edward the Confessor and then he adeth also the same words of Commission and exortation as the other doth to wit stand and hold thy place and keepe thy Oath and thereunto adjoyneth a great communication or treat on the behalf of Almighty God if he should take upon him that dignity without firm purpose to observe the things which this day he hath sworn and this is the summe of the English Coronation which you may read also by piece meale in Iohn Stow. Stow in vita Richardi 2 in fine according as other things in that his brief collection are set down but especially you shall se it in the admissions as well of the said King Henry the 4 now last mentioned as also of K. Edward the fourth at their first entrances to the Crown for in the admission of K. Henry Stow sheweth how the people were demanded thrice whether they were content to admit him for their King and that the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury who was the same Thomas Arundell of whom we speak before did read unto them what this new King was bound by Oath unto and then he took the Ring wherewith he was to wed him to the Common-wealth which wedding importeth as you know an Oath and mutuall obligation on both sides in every marriage and the Earle of Northumberland high Constable of England for that day was willing to shew the said Ring to the people that they might thereby se the band whereby the King was bound unto them And then it was put upon his finger and the King kissed the Constable in signe of