it is a general and common The rule of thirds rule of lavv that the vvyfe after the decease of her husband shal enioy the thyrd of his landes but yet the Queene shal not enioye the third parte of the Crovvn after the kings death as vvel appeareth by experience and is to be seene by lavv Anno. 5. 21. of Edvvard the third and Tennant by courtisie Anno. 9. 28. of Henrie the sixte Also it is a common rule that the husband shal hold his vvyues lands after her death as tennaunt by courtisie duringe his life but yet it holdeth not in a kingdom In like maner it is a general and common rule Diuision among daughters that if a man die seased of lād in fee simple hauing daughters and no sonne his landes shal be deuided by equal portions among his daughters vvhich holdeth not in the Crovvn but rather the eldest daughter inheriteth the vvhole as if she vvere the issue male So also it is a common rule of our lavv Executours that the executour shal haue al the goodes and chattels of the testatour but yet not in the Crovvn And so in manie other cases vvhich might be recited it is euident that the Crovvn hath priuiledge aboue others and can be subiect to no rule be it neuer so general except expresse mention be made therof in the same lavv as it is not in the former place and a statute alleaged but rather to the contrarie as after shal be shevved ther is expresse exception for the prerogatiue of such as descend of Royal blood Their second reason is for that the demaund or The secōd reason title of a Crovvn cannot in true sense be comprehended vnder the vvordes of the former statute forbidding Aliens to demaund heritage vvithin The Crovvn no such inheritaunce as is meant in the statute the alegiaunce of England and that for tvvoe respectes The one for that the Crovvn it self cannot be called an heritage of alegiaunce or vvithin alegiaunce for that it is holden of no superior vpon earth but immediatelie from God him self the seconde for that this statute treateth onlie and meaneth of inheritaunce by discēt as heire to the same for I haue shevved before that Aliens may holde lādes by pourchase vvithin our dominion then say they the Crovvn is a thing incorporat descēdeth not according to the cōmon course of other priuate inheritaunces but goeth by succession as other incorporations do In signe vvherof it is euident The Crovvn a corporation that albeit the king be more fauoured in al his doinges then anie common person shal be yet cannot he auoide by lavv his grauntes and letters patentes by reason of his nonage as other infantes common heires vnder age may do but alvvayes be said to be of ful age in respecte of his Crovvn euen as a Prior Person Vicare Deane or other person incorporat shal be vvhiche cannot by anie meanes in lavv be said to be vvithin age in respect of their incorporations VVhich thing maketh an euident difference in our case frō the meaning of the former statute for that a Prior Deane or Person being aliens and no denizens might alvvayes in tyme of peace demaund landes in England in respect of their corporations notvvythstanding the sayd statute or common lavv against aliens as apeateth by manie boke cases yet extant as also by the statute made in the tyme of K. Richard the secōd vvhich vvas after the foresaid statute of king Edvvard the third The third reason is for that in the former statute The third reason it selfe of K. Edvvard ther are excepted expreslie frō this general rule INFANTES DV ROY that is the The Kīgs issue excepted by name kings ofspring or issue as the vvord INFANT doth signifie bothe in Fraunce Portugale Spaine and other countries as the latin vvord liberi vvhich ansvvereth the same is taken commonlie in the L. liberorum F. de verb sign Ciuil lavv Neither may vve restreine the french vvordes of that statute INFANTES DV ROY to the kings childrē onlie of the first degre as some do for that the barraynnes of our lāguage doth yeld vs no other vvorde for the same but rather that therby are vnderstood as vvel the nephevves and other discendantes of the king or blood Royal as his immediate children For it vvere both vnreasonable and ridiculous to imagine that K. Edvvar◠by this statute vvould goe about to disinherit hi◠ovvn nephevves yf he shoulde haue any borne ou◠of his ovvn aleagiaunce as easilie he myght a◠that tyme his sonnes being much abrode from England and the blacke Prince his eldest sonne hauing tvvoe children borne beyonde the seas and consequentlie it is apparent that this rule o◠Maxima set dovvn against Aliens is no vvay to be stretched against the descendantes of the king or of the blood Royal. Their fourth reason is that the meaning of king The fovvrth reason The kīgs meaning Edvvard and his children liuing at such tyme as this statute vvas made could not be that anie of their linage or issue might be excluded in lavv from inheritaunce of their right to the Crovvn by their forreine byrth vvhersoeuer For othervvise it is not credible that they vvould so much haue dispersed their ovvn bloode in other countries as they did by giuing their daughters to straungers and other meanes As Leonel the The matches of England vvyth forreyners kinges third sonne vvas married in Millan and Iohn of Gaunte the fourth sonne gaue his tvvoe daughters Phylippe and Katherine to Portugal Castile and his neipce Ioan to the king of Scottes as Thomas of VVoodstock also the yongest brother married his tvvoe davvghters the one to the king of Spain and the other to the Duke of Brytane VVhich no doubt they being vvyse Princes and so neere of the bloode Royal vvould neuer haue done yf they had imagined that herebie their issue should haue lost al clayme and title to the Crovvn of England and therfore it is moste euident that no such barre vvas then extante or imagined Their fift reasō is that diuers persons borne out The fifte reason Exāples of forreiners admitted of al English dominion and aleagiaunce both before the conquest and sithence haue bene admitted to the succession of oure Crovvne as lavvful inheritours vvythoute anie exception againste them for theyr forreyne byrthe As before the conquest is euident in yong Edgar Etheling borne in Hungarie and thence called home to inherit the Crovvn by his great vncle king Edvvard the Confessor vvith ful consent of the vvhole Realm the Bishop of VVorcester being sent as Ambassador to Flores hist An. 1066. fetch him home vvith his father named Edvvard the ovvtlavve And since the conquest it appeareth plainlie in kinge Stephen and kinge Henrie the seconde bothe of them borne out of English dominions and of Parentes that at their birth vvere not of the English alleagiaunce and yet vvere they both
of Condie in the contrarie parte vvould King of Nauarre Prince of Condye think them selues greatlie iniuried by the state of Fraunce vvhich is different from them in religion at this day if after the death of the king that novv is his brother vvithout issue yf God so dispose they should be barred froÌ„ inheriting the Crovvn vnder pretence onlie of their religion My Lord of HuntingtoÌ„ him self also is he not knovveÌ„ to be of My L. of Huntingtons religion a different religioÌ„ from the present state of EnglaÌ„d and that yf he vvere king to morovve next he vvould alter the vvhole gouernment order condition state of religion novv vsed estblished vvythin the Realm But as I said in the beginning yf one of a vvhole familie or of diuers families be culpable or to be The title of thos vvhiche ensevve the Q. of Scottes touched herein vvhat haue the rest offeÌ„ded therby vvil you exclude al for the mislike of one And to descend in order yf the first in K. Henries line after her Ma. may be touched in this point yet vvhy should the rest be damnified therby The king of Scotland her sonne that next ensueth to speake in equitie vvhie should he be shut out for his religion And are not al the other in like maner protestantes vvhos discent is consequent by nature order and degre SCHOL For the yong king of Scotland quoth I the trueth is that alvvayes for mine ovvn parte I haue had great hope and expectation of him not onlie The yoÌ„g kâ—ng of Scotland for the conceipt vvhich commonlie men haue of such Orient youthes borne to kingdomes but especialie for that I vnderstod froÌ„ tyme to time that his educatioÌ„ vvas in allearning priÌ„celie exercises instruction of true religioÌ„ vnder rare and vertuous men for that purpose VVherby I conceyued hope that he might not onelie become in tyme an honorable and profitable neighbour vnto vs for assurance of the ghospel in thes partes of the vvorld but also yf God should depriue vs of her Maiesty vvhithout issue might be a meane by his sucâ—ssion to vnite in Concord and Gouernment the tvvoe Realmes together vvhich heretofore hath bene sought by the price of manie a thousand mens blood and not obteyned Marie yet novv of late I knovv not by vvhat meanes ther is begon in mens hartes a certaine mislike or grudge against him for that it is giuen ouâ— euerie vvhere that he is inclyned to be a Papist an enimie to her Ma. proceedinges VVhich argueth him verelie of singular ingratitude if it be true considering the great helpes and protection vvhich he hath receyued from her highnes euer sithence he vvas borne GENTL And are you so simple quoth the Genleman as to beleeue euerie report that you heare of this matter knovv you not that it is expedient for my L. of Leycester and his factioÌ„ that this youth aboue al other be held in perpetual disgrace vvyth her Ma. and vvyth this Realm You knovv that Richard The deuice to set out her Ma vvith the yong king of ScotlaÌ„d of Glocester had neuer bene able to haue vsurped as he did if he had not first persvvaded kiÌ„g Edvvard the fovverth to hate his ovvn brother the Duke of Clarence vvhich Duke stood in the vvaye betvvene Richard and the thing vvhich he moste of al thinges coueted That is the possibility to the Crovvn and so in this case is ther the lyke deuice to be obserued For truelie for the yong king of Scotlands religion it is euident to as manie as haue reason that it caÌ„ be no other of it self but inclined to the best both in respect of his education instruction coÌ„uersation vvith thos of true religion as also by hiâ— former Actions Edictes Gouernment and priuatâ— behauiour he hath declared Marie thes men vvhos profit is nothing lesse then that he or any other of that race should do vvel do not cease daylie by al secrete vvayes driftes and molestations possible to driue him either to mislke of our religion or els to incur the suspitioÌ„ therof vvith such of our Realm as othervvise vvould be his best friendes or if not this yet for verie need feare of his ovvn lyfe to make recourse to such other Princes abrode as may most offend or mislik this state And for this cause they suborne certaine busie felovves of their ovvn crevv and faction perteyning to the ministerie of Scotland but vnvvorthy of so vvorthie a caliÌ„g to vse such insoleÌ„cy tovvards The intolerable procedinges of certayne Ministers in ScotlaÌ„d agaiÌ„st theyâ— kig by sâ—bornation of â—ys â—â—ymyes in England their king and Prince as is not onlie vndecent but intollerable For he may do no thing but they vvil examin and discusse the same in pulpit If he go but on hunting vvhen it pleaseth them to cal him to their preaching if he make but a dinner or supper vvhen or vvhere or vvyth vvhom they like not if he receiue but a coople of horses or other preseÌ„t froÌ„ his friendes or kinsmen beyond the seas yf he salute or vse courteouslie anie maÌ„ or messiger vvhich coÌ„meth from them as you knovv Princes of their nobilitie courtesie are accustomed though they come froÌ„ their enimies as often hath bene seene highlie commended in her Ma. of England yf he deale familiarlie vvyth anie Ambassadour vvhich liketh not them or finalie if he do say or signifie any one thing vvhatsoeuer that pleaseth not their humour they vvil presentlie as seditious tribunes of the people exclame in publique and stepping to the pulpit vvher the vvord of the Lord only ought to be preached vvil excite the commonaltie to discontentation inveying against their souerain vvith such bitternes of speech vnreuerend tearmes and insoleÌ„t controlmentes as is not to be spokeÌ„ Novv imagine vvhat her Ma. her graue couÌ„cell vvould do in England if such procedinges should be vsed by the cleargie against them STHOL No doubt quoth I but that suche vnquiet spirites should be punished in our Realm And so I said of late to their moste Reuerend and vvorthie Prelat Primat the Archbisshop of S. Andrevves vvith vvhom it vvas my Luck to come acquainted Sir Patrik Adamson Archbishop of S. Andrevves in London vvhether he vvas come by his kings apointment as he said to treate certaine affaires vvith our Quene and Councell And talking vvith him of this disorder of his Ministerie he confessed the same vvith much greife of minde tolde me that he had preached therof before the king him self detesting and accusing diuers heades therof for vvhich cause he vvas become verie odious to them and other of their faction both in Scotland EnglaÌ„d But he said that as he had giuen the reasons of his doinges vnto our Quene so meaneth he shortlie to do the same vnto Monsieur Beza and to the vvhole church of Geneua by sending thither the articles of his and their doinges Protesting vnto me that the procedinges
and had borne him out in certaine of his vvickednes or at least not punished the same after it vvas detected and complained vpon the parties grieued accompting the crime more proper and hainous on the parte of him vvho by office should do iustice and protect other then of the perpetrator vvho folovveth but his ovvn passion and sensualitie let passe Attalus and made their reuenge vpon the blood and life of the king him self by one Pausanias Pausanias suborned for that purpose in the mariage day of the kings ovvn daughter Great store of like examples might be repeated out of the stories of other countries nothing being more vsual or frequēt amōg al nations then the afflictions of Realmes and kingedomes and the ouerthrovv of Princes and great potentates them selues by their to much affection tovvardes some vnvvorthie particular persons a thing inded so common and ordinarie as it may vvel seme to be the specialest rock of al other vvherat kinges and Princes do make their shipvvrackes For if vve loke into the states and Monarchies of al Christendom and consider the ruines that haue bene of anie Prince or ruler vvithin the same vve shal finde this point to haue bene a great and principal parte of the cause therof and in our ovvn state coūtry the matter is toto euidēt For vvheras Kinges of Englād ouer throvven by to much fauoring of some particular men since the conquest vve number principalie thre iust and lavvful kinges to haue come to cōfusion by alienation of their subiectes that is Edvvard the second Richard the second and Henry the sixt this onlie point of to much fauour tovvardes vvicked persons vvas the chiefest cause of destruction in al thre As in the first the excessiue fauour tovvardes Peter Gauesten and tvvo of the Spencers In the second the like extraordinarie and indiscrete affection K. Edvvard 2. tovvardes Robert Vere Earle of Oxeford and Marques of Dubline and Thomas Movvbray tvvo K. Richard 2. moste turbulent and vvicked men that set the kinge againste his ovvne vncles and the nobilitie In the third being a simple and holie man albeit no great exorbitant affection vvas sene tovvards K. Henrie 6. any yet his vvife Quene Margarets to much fauour and credit by him not controled tovvards the Marques of Suffolke that after vvas made Duke by vvhos instinct and vvicked Counsail she made avvay first the noble Duke of Glocester and aftervvard committed other thinges in great preiudice of the Realm and suffred the said moste impious sinful Duke to range make hauock of al sorte of subiectes at his pleasure much after the fashion of the Earle of Leycester novv though yet not in so high and extreme a degre this I say vvas the principal and original cause both before God and man as Polidore vvel noteth of al the Pol. lib. 23. hist Angl. calamitie and extreme desolation vvhich after ensued both to the kinge Queene and theyr onelie child vvith the vtter extirpation of theyr familie And so likevvyse novv to speak in our particular case if ther be anie grudge or griefe at this day anie mislike repining complaint or murmure against her Ma. gouernment in the hartes of her true and faithful subiectes vvho vvish amendmēt of that vvhich is amisse and not the ouerthrovv of that vvhich is vvel as I trovv it vvere no vvisdom to imagine ther vvere none at al I dare auouch vpon conscience that either al or the greatest parte therof procedeth from this man vvho by the fauour of her Ma. so afflicteth her people as neuer did before him either Gauestō or Spēcer or Vere or Movvbray or anie other mischieuous Tyraunt that abused moste his Princes fauour vvithin our Realm of England VVherby it is euident hovv profitable a thing it should be to the vvhole Realme hovv honorable to her Ma. and hovv grateful to al her subiectes if this man at length might be called to his accompt LAVV. Sir quoth the Lavvyer you aleage great reason and verilie I am of opinion that if her Ma. knevv but the tenth parte of this vvhich you haue here spoken as also her good subiectes desires and complaint in this behalfe she vvould vvel shevv that her highnes feareth not to permit iustice to passe vpon Leycester or anie other vvithin her Realm for satisfaction of her people vvhat soeuer some men may think and report to the contrarie or hovv soeuer othervvise of her ovvne mylde disposition or good affection tovvardes the person she haue borne vvith him hitherto For so vve see that vvise Princes can do at tymes conuenient for peace tranquilitie and publique vveale though contrarie to their ovvn particular and peculiar inclination As to goe no furder then to the last example named and aleaged by your self before though Queene Margaret the vvife of K. Henrie the sixt The punishemēt of VVilliā Duke of Suffolke had fauoured moste vnfortunatlie manie yeares together VVillm Duke of Suffolke as hath bene said vvherby he committed manifold outrages afflicted the Realm by sundrie meanes yet she being a vvoman of great prudence vvhen she savv the vvhole communaltie demaund iustice vppon him for his demerites albeit she liked and loued the man still yet for satisfaction of the people vpon so general a complaint she vvas content An. 30. of King◠Hērie 6. first to commit him to prison and aftervvard to banish him the Realm but the prouidence of God vvould not permit him so to escape for that he being incountred and taken vpon the sea in his passage he vvas beheaded in the ship and so receyued some parte of condigne punishment for his most vvicked loose and licentious life And to seeke no more examples in this case vve knovv into vvhat fauour and special grace Sir Edmond Dudley my Lord of Leycesters good Graundfather vvas crept vvith king Henrie the seuenth in the later end of his reigne and vvhat intollerable vvickednes mischiefe he vvrought againste the vvhole Realme and againste infinit particular persons of the same by the poolinges oppressions vvhich he practised vvherby though the king receyued great temporal commoditie at that tyme as her Ma. doth nothing at al by the present extorsions of his nephevv yet for iustice sake for meere compassion tovvardes The punishmēt of Edmond Dudley his afflicted subiectes that complained greuouslie of this iniquitie that moste vertuous and vvise Prince K. Henrie vvas content to put from him this levvde instrument and deuillishe suggestour of nevv exactions vvhom his sonne Henrie that insued in the Crovvn caused presentlie before al other busines to be called publiquelie to accompt and for his desertes to leese his head So as vvhere the interest of a vvhole Realm or cōmon cause of manie taketh place the priuate fauour of anie one cannot stay a vvise and godlie Prince such as al the vvorld knovveth her Ma. to be frō permitting iustice to haue her free passage GENTL Truelie it should not quoth the
tyme. But novve yf in England vve should lyue in peace and vnytye of the state as they do in Germanie notvvithstanding their differences of religion and that the one should not praye vpon the other then should the great Favvcons for the field I mean the fauorites of the time faile vvheron to feed vvhich vvere an incoÌ„uenience as you knovv GENTL Truelie Sir said the gentleman I think you roue nearer the mark then you vveene for if I be not deceiued the verie ground of much of thes broiles vvherof vve talke is but a verie praye not in the mindes of the Prince or state vvhose intentions no doubt be moste iust and holie but in the greedie imagination and subtile conceipt of him vvho at this present in respect of our sinnes is petmitted by God to tyrannize both Prince and state The Tyraunt of englishe state and being him self of no religion feedeth notvvithstanding vpon our differences in religion to the fatting of him self ruine of the realm For vvheras by the common distinction novv receiued in speech there are thre notable differeÌ„ces of religion in the land the tvvo extreames vvherof are the Papist and the puritan and the religious Protestant Three differences of relâ—gion in EnglaÌ„d obteining the mean this felovv being of neither maketh his gaine of al as he seeketh a kingdom by the one extreeme and spoile by the other so he vseth the authoritie of the third to compas the first tvvo the countermine of eche one to the ouerthrovv of al three SCHOL To this I ansvvered In good sooth Sir I see novv vvher you are you are falen into the coÌ„mon place of al our ordinarie talke coÌ„ference in the vniuersitie The Erle of Leycester for I knovv that you mean my L. of Leicester vvho is the subiect of al pleasaunt discourses at this day throughout the realme GENTL Not so pleaseaunt as pitiful ansvvered the gentleman yf al maters and circumstances vvere vvel considered except anie man take pleasure to â—east at our ovvn miseries vvihch are like to be greater by his iniquitie yf God auert it not then by al the vvickednes of England besides he being the man that by al probabilitie is like to be the bane and fatal destynie of our state vvyth the euersion of true religion vvherof by indirect meanes he is thâ— greatest enimie that the land doth nourishe LAVV. Novv verilie quoth the lavvyer yf you saye thus much for the protestantes opinion of him vvhat shal I say for his merites tovvardes the Papistes vvho for as much as I can perceyue doe take them selues litle beholding vnto him albeit for his gaine he vvas some yeares their secret frieÌ„d against you vntil by his friendes he vvas persvvaded and chiefly by the L. North by vvaye of pollicie as the said L. The L. Norths pollicie bosteth in hope of greater gaine to step ouer to the puritanes against vs both vvhom notvvythstanding it is probable that he loueth as much as he doth the rest GENTL You knovv the Beares loue said the gentleman vvhich is al for his ovvn paunche and so this Bear-vvhelp turneth al to his ovvn commoditie and for greedines therof vvil ouerturne al yf he be not stopped or mouzeled in tyme. And surelie vnto me it is a straunge speculation vvherof I cannot pick out the reason out onlie that I do atribute it to Gods punishment for our sinnes A strange speculation that in so vvise vigilant a state as ours is and in a counrrie so vvel acquainted and beaten vvyth such daungers a man of such a spirit as he is knovven to be of so extreme ambition pride falshood and trecherie so borne so bred vp so nooseled in treason from his infancie descended of a tribe of traytors and fleshed in conspiracie against the Royal blood of K. Henries children in his tender years and exercised euer since in driftes against the same by the blood and ruyn of diuers others a man so vvel knovven to beare secret malice against her Ma. for causes irrecoÌ„cileable and moste deâ—dlie raÌ„cour against the best and vvisest Councellors of her highnes that such a one I say so hateful to God and man and so markeable to the simplest subiect of this land by thee publique ensygnes of his tyrannous purpose should be suffred so manie yeares vvythout check to aspire to tyrannie by moste manifest vvayes and to possesse him self as novv he hath done of Court Councell and countrie vvythout controlement so that nothing vvaÌ„teth to him but onlie his pleasure and the day alredie conceyued in his minde to dispose as he list both of Prince Crovvn Realm and religion SCHOL It is much truelie quoth I that you saye and it ministreth not a lytle maruail vnto manie vvherof your vvorship is not the first nor yet the tenth person of accompt vvhich I haue hearde discourse and complaine But vvhat shal vve say hereunto ther is no man that ascribeth not this vnto the singular The Q. Ma most excellent good nature benignitie and moste bountiful good nature of her Ma. vvho measuring other men by her ovvn Heroycal and Princelie sinceritie cannot easilie suspect a man so much bounden to her grace as he is nor remoue her confidence from the place vvher she hath heaped so infinite benefites GENTL No doubt said the gentleman but this gracious and svveet disposition of her Ma. is the true original cause therof vvhich Princelie disposition as in her highnes it deserueth al rare commendation so lyeth the same opeÌ„ to manie daungers often tymes vvhen so benigne a nature meeteth vvyth ingrate and ambitious persons vvhich obseruation perhapes caused her Ma moste noble GrauÌ„dfather and father tvvo renoumed vvise princes to vvithdravv somtyme vpon the sudden their great fauour from certaine subiectes of high estate And her Ma. may easilie vse her ovvn excellent vvisdom and memorie to recal to minde the manyfold examples of perilous happes fallen to diuers Princes by to much confideÌ„ce in obliged proditours vvith vvhom the name of a kingdom and one houers Feares that subiectes haue of my L of Leycester reigne vveyeth more then al the duetie obligation honestie or nature in the vvorld VVould God her Ma. could see the continual feares that be in her faythful subiectes hartes vvhiles that man is about her noble person so vvel able and likelie if the Lord auert it not to be the calamitie of her Princelie blood and name The talke vvil neuer out of manie mouâ—hes and mindes that diuers auncient men of this Realm Sir Fran-VValsing ham and once a vvise gentleman novv a Councellor had vvyth a certaine friend of his concerning the presage and deep impression vvhich her Ma. father had of the house of Sir Iohn Dudley to be the ruin K Hâ—n presage of the house of Dudleâ— in tyme of his Ma. Royal house and blood vvhich thing vvas like to haue bene fulfilled soone after as â—1 the vvorld knovveth vpon the
being left in Sir Iho. Hibboâ— the roome absence of an other to ê“cure frynds said in a place secretlie not far from Ludlovv that if the matter came to blovvs he vvould folovv his Mistres leaue his Master in the briars GENTL Marie Sir quoth the gentleman I trovv manâ—e more vvould haue folovved that example For albeit I knovv that the Papists vvere moste named and misdoubted of his parte in that cause for their open inclination tovvardes Monsieur and consequentlie for greater discredit of the thing it self it vvas giuen out euerie vvhere by this Champion of religion that her Ma. cause vvas the Papistes cause euen as his father had done in the like enterprise before him though al vpon dissimulation as apeared Leicester Father a trayteious Papist at his death vvhere he professed him self an earnest Papist yet vvas ther no man so simple in the Realm vvhich discried nor this Vizard at the first neither yet anie good subiect as I suppose vvho seing her Ma. on the one parte vvould not haue taken against the other parte vvhat so euer he had bene And much more the thing it self in controuersie I meane the mariage of her Royal Ma. vvyâ—h the brother and heire apparant of Fraunce being taken and iudged by the best vvysest and faythfulest protestantes of the realm to be both honorable The honour and commodities by the mariage vvith Fraunce conuenient profitable and needful VVherby onlie as by a moste soueraign and present remedie al our maladies both abrode and at home had at once bene cured al forreine enimies and domestical conspirators al differences al daungers al feares had ceased together Fraunce had bene ours moste assured Spaine vvould not a litle haue trembled Scotland had bene quiet our competitors in England vvould haue quaked and for the Pope he might haue put vp his pipes Our differences in religion at home had been either lesse or no greater then novv they are for that Monsieur being but a moderate Papist and nothing vehement in his opinions vvas content vvyth verie resonable conditions fot him self and his straungers onlie in vse of their conscience not vnliklie truelie but that in tyme he might by Gods grace and by the great Ethelbert Kinge of Kent coÌ„uerted An. Do. 603. vvysdom vertue of her Ma. haue bene brought also to embrace the gospell as king Ethelbert an heathen vvas by noble Q. Bertha his vvyfe the first Christian of our English Princes Vnto all vvhich felicitie if the Lord in mercie should haue added also some issue of ther royall bodies as vvas not impossible vvhen first this noble matche vvas mouued vve then doubtles had bene the moste fortunate people vnder heauen and might haue bene perhaps the meane to haue restored the Gospell throughout all Europe besides as our brethren of Fraunce vvel coÌ„sidered hoped Of al vvhich singular benefits both present to come both in RE and in SPE this Tyraunt for his ovvn priuate lucre fearing leste heerby his ambition might be restrayned his trecherie reueyled hath bereaued the realm done vvhat in him lieth besides to alienate for euer make our mortal enimie this great Prince vvho sought the loue of her Ma. vvyth so much honour confidence as neuer Prince the like putting tvvice his ovvn person to ieopardie of the sea to the peril of his malitious enuiours here in England for her Ma sake LAVV. VVhen you speake of MoÌ„sieur said the lavvyer I cannot but greatlie be mouued both for these considerations vvel touched by you as also for some other especialie one vvherin perhaps you vvill think me partiall but truelie I am not for that I speak it onlie in respect of the quiet good of my countrie and that is that by MoÌ„sieurs matche vvyth our noble Princesse besides the hope of issue vvhich vvas the principal ther vvanted not also probabilitie that some vnion or litle tolleration in religion betvvene you and vs might haue bene procured in this state as vve see that in some other countries is admitted to their great good VVhich thing no doubt vvould haue cut of quite Toleration in Religion vvyth vnion in defence of our countrie al daungers and dealinges from forreine Princes and vvould haue stopped manie deuises and plotes vvythin the Realm vvheras novv by this breach vvyth FrauÌ„ce vve staÌ„d alone as me seemeth vvythout anie great vnition or friendship abrode and our differences at home grovve more vehement and sharp then euer before Vpon vvhich tvvoe heades as also vpon infinit other causes purposes driftes and pretences ther do ensue daylie more deep daungerous and desperat practizes euerie man vsing either the commoditie or necessitie of the tyme and state for his ovvn purpose Especialie novv vvhen all men presume that her Ma. by the contynual thvvartinges vvhich haue bene vsed against al her mariages is not like to leaue vnto the realm that pretious Ievvell so much and long desired of al English hartes I mean the Royall heires of her ovvn bodie GENTL Thvvartinges cal you the defeating of all her Ma. moste honorable offers of mariage said the other trulie in my opinion you should haue vsed an other vvorde to expresse the nature of so vviked a facte vvherby alone if theit vvere no other this vnfortunat man hath done more hurt to his common vvealth theÌ„ if he had murdered manie thovvsandes of her subiectes or betrayed vvhole armies to the professed enimie I can remeÌ„ber vvâ—l my self fovver treatises to this purpose vndermined by his Diuers mariages of her Ma. defeated meanes The first vvyth the Svveâ—hen king the secoÌ„d vvith the Archduke of Austria the third vvith Henrie K. of Fraunce that novv reigneth and the fourth vvyth the brother heire of the said kingdoÌ„ For I let passe manie other secret motions made by great Potentats to her Ma. for the same purpose but thes fovver are openlie knovven therfore I name them VVhich fovver are as vvel knovven to haue bene al disturbed by this DAVVS as they vvere earnestly pursued by the other Leicester de 〈…〉 to d 〈…〉 avvay all 〈◊〉 her Ma. And for the first thre Suters he droue theÌ„ avvaye by protesting and svvearing that him self vvas coÌ„tracted vnto her Ma. vvherof her highnesse vvas fufficieÌ„tlie aduertised by Cardinal Chatâ—lian in the first treatie for fraunce the Cardinal soone after punished as is thoughâ— by this maÌ„ vvyth poyson But yet this speech he gaue out then euerie vvhere among his frieÌ„des both strâ—ungers other that he forsooth vvas assured to her Ma. consequeÌ„tlie that al other Princes must giue ouer their sutes for him VVherunto notvvythstaÌ„ding vvheÌ„ the Svvâ—â— then vvould hardlie giue eare this man conferred vvyth his Priuado to make a moste vnseemelie disloyal proofe therof for the others satisfaction vvhich thing I am enforced by duetie to passe ouer vvyth silence for honour to the parttes vvho are touched therin as also I am to coÌ„ceale his said
the kinges handes by his ovvn submissioÌ„ dimissed again vvheÌ„ for his deserts he should haue suffred prouided after that the king should neuer be able to ouer-reache him the secoÌ„d tyme or haue him in his povver to doe hym hurt but made him Anno Regni 31. self strong enough to pul dovvn the other vvyth extirpation of his familie And this of the Court housholde and Chamber of her Ma. But novv if vve shal passe from Court to Councel vve shal finde him no lesse fortyfied but Ley puissance in the priuie Coucell rather more for albeit the prouidence of God hath bene such that in this moste honorable assemblie ther hath not vvanted some tvvoe or three of the vvisest grauest and moste experienced in our state that haue seene and marked this maÌ„s perilous proceedinges from the beginning vvherof notvvythstanding tvvo are novv disceased and their places L. Keeper L. Chamberlaine supplied to Leycesters good liking yet alas the vvisdom of thes vvorthie meÌ„ hath discouered alvvayes more then their authorities vvere able to redresse the others great povver and violence considered and for the residue of that benche and table though I doubt not but there be diuers vvho do in hart detest his doinges as ther vvere also no doubt among the Councellors of king Edvvard vvho misliked this mans fathers attemptes though not so hardie as to contraâ—ie the same yet for moste parte of the Councell present they are knovven to be so affected in particular the one for that he is to him a brother the other a father the other a kinsmaÌ„ the other an allie the other a fast obliged friend the other a fellovv or folovver in faction as none vvil stand in the breach against him none dare resist or encounter his designements but euerie man yeelding rather to the force of his flovve permitteth him to pearce passe at his pleasure in vvhat soeuer his vvil is once setled to obteine And hereof vvere I not stayed for respect of some vvhom I may not name I could alledge straunge examples not so much in affaires belonging to subiectes and to priuate men as vvere the cases Maters vvherin the CouÌ„cel are inforced to vvink at Leycester of Snovvden forrest Denbigh of Killingvvorth of his faire Pastures fovvlie procured by Southam of the Archbishop of CaÌ„turburie of the L. Barkley of Sir Iohn ThrogmartoÌ„ of M. Robinson and the like vvherin those of the Councell that disliked his doinges least dared to oppose them selues to the same but also in thinges that appertaine directly to the Crovvn dignitie to the state and commoÌ„ vveale and to the safitie and continuance therof It is not secure for anie one CouÌ„cellor or other of authoritie to take notice of my Lordes errors or misdeedes but vvyth extreme peril of ther ovvn ruin As for example in the beginning of the rebellion in Ireland vvhen my Lord of Leycester vvas in some disgrace and consequentlie as he imagined Leycester intelligeÌ„ce vvyth the rebellioÌ„ in Irelande but in fraile state at home he thought it not vnexpedient for his better assurance to hold some intelligence also that vvaye for al euentes and so he did vvherof ther vvas so good euidence and testimony found vpon one of the first of accompt that vvas there slaine as honorable personages of they re knovvledge haue assured me as vvoulde haue bene sufficient to touch the lyfe of aine subiect in the land or in anie state Christian but onelie my Lord of Leycester vvho is a subiect vvythout subiection For vvhat think you durst anie man take notice hereof or auo vvche that he had seene thus muche durst he that tooke it in Ireland deliuer the same vvher especialy he should haue done or they vvho receyued it in EnglaÌ„d for it came to great handes vse it to the benefit of their Princesse and countrie No surelie for yf it had bene but onelie suspected that they had seene such a thing it vvould haue bene as daungerous vnto them as it vvas to Acteon to haue sene Diana her maydens naked vvhose Acteons case novv come in England case is so common novv in England as nothing more so do the examples of diuers vvell declare vvhose vnfortunate knovvlege of to many secrets brought them quicklie to vnfortunate endes For vve heare of one Saluatore a straunger long Saluatore Slaine in his bed vsed in great Mysteries of base affaires and dishonest actions vvho aftervvard vppon vvhat demerite I knovv not susteined a hard fortune for being late vvith my Lord in his studie vvell neare vntill midinght yf I be rightelie informed vvent home to his chambre and the next morning vvas founde slayne in his bed VVe heare also of one Doughtie haÌ„ged in hast by Captaine Drake vpon Doughty haÌ„ged by Drake the sea and that by order as is thought before his departure out of England for that he vvas ouer pryuie to the Secretes of this good Erle Ther vvas also this last sommer past one Gates The story of Gates haÌ„ged at Tiborne hanged at Tiborne amonge others for robbing of Carriars vvhich Gates had bene latelie clark of my Lords kitchinge and had layed out much mony of his ovvne as he said for my L. prouision being also othervvise in so greate fauour and grace vvith his L. as no man lyuing vvas thought to be more priuy of his secrets theÌ„ this maÌ„ vvher vpoÌ„ also it is to be thought that he presumed the rather to commit this robberie for to such thinges doth my Lordes good fauour most extende and being appreheÌ„ded in daunger for the same he made his recourse to his honour for protestioÌ„ as the fashon is and that he might be borne out as diuers of lesse merite had bene by his Lordship in more heynous causes before him The good Erle ansvvered his seruant and deare Priuado curteouslie and assured him for his lyffe hovv so euer for vtter shevv or complement the forme of lavv might passe against him But Gates seing him self coÌ„demned nothing novv betvven his heade and the halter but the vvorde of the Magistrate vvhich might come in an instante vvhen it vvould be to late to send to his Lorde remembring also the smal assurance of his said Lords vvord by his former dealinges tovvardes other men vvherof this man vvas to much pryuie he thought good to sollicit his case also by some other of his frindes thoughe not so puisant as his L. and master vvho dealinge in deed both diligentlie and effectuallie in his affaire founde the mater more difficult a great deal then ether he or they had imagined for that my Lord of Leycester vvas not onely not his fauorer but a great hastener of his death vnder haÌ„d and that vvith such care diligence vehemencie and irresistable meanes hauing the lavv also on his syde that ther vvas no hope at all of escaping vvhich thing vvhen Gates heard of he easelie belieued for the experience he had of his Masters good
profession and exercise of lavve restraineth me from much companie keeping and vvhen I happen to be among some that could tel me much herein I dare not either aske or heare if anie of him self beginne to talke least aftervvard the speech coÌ„ming to light I be fetched ouer the coals as the prouerbe is for the same vnder preteÌ„ce of an other thing But you vvho are not suspected for religioÌ„ haue much greater priuiledge in such maters both to heare speak againe vvhich meÌ„ of mine estate dare not do Onelie this I knevv before that throughout al England The prerogatiue of my â— of Leycester my L. of Leycester is taken for Dominus sac totum VVhose excellencie aboue others is infinite vvhose authority is absolute vvhos coÌ„maundemeÌ„t is dreadful vvhos dislike is daungerous vvhose fauour is omnipotent And for his vvill though it be seldome lavve yet alvvayes is his povver aboue lavve and therfor vve lavvyers in al cases brought vnto vs haue as great regarde to his inclination as Astronomers haue to the Planet dominaunte or as sea men haue to the Northe Pole For as they that sayle do direct their course according Leyc the Starre directorie to Lavvyeres in theyr Clientes affayres to the situation direction of that starre vvhich guideth them at the Pole and as astronomers vvho make prognosticatioÌ„s do fortel thinges to come according to the aspect of the Planet dominaunte or bearing rule for the tyme so vve do guide our ClieÌ„ts barke and do prognosticate vvhat is lyke to ensue of his cause by the aspecte inclinatioÌ„ of my L. of Ley. And for that reasoÌ„ as soone as euer vve heare a case proposed our custome is to aske vvhat part my L. of Ley. is like to fauour in the mater for in al maters lightly of any importance he hath a parte or vvhat may be gathered of his inclination therin and according to that vve giue a gesse more or lesse vvhat end vvil ensue But this my masters is from the purpose and therfore returning to your former speach againe I do saye that albeit I vvas not priuie before to the particular prouisions of my L. and his friendes in such and such places yet seing him accompted L. generall ouer al the vvhole Realm and to haue at his commaundemeÌ„t al these seueral commodities and forces perteyning to her Ma. vvhich you haue mentioned before and so manie more as be in the Realm and not mentioned by you for in fine he hath al I could not but accompt him as he is a porent Prince of our state for al furniture needful to defence or offence or rather the only Monarche of our nobilitie vvho hath sufficient of him self to plunge his Prince yf he should be discontented especial for his abundance of money vvhich by the vvyse is tearmed the Sinours of Martial actions vvherin by al meÌ„s iudgemeÌ„ts he is better furnished Ley. furniture in money at this daye thaÌ„ euer anie subiect of our land either hath bene heretofore or lightly maye be hereafter both for baÌ„ks vvithout the realm stuffed coffers vvithin In so much that being my self in the Last ParliameÌ„t vvheÌ„ the mater vvas moued for the grauÌ„t of a Subsidie after that one for her Ma. had giueÌ„ very good reasons vvhy her highnesse vvas in vvaÌ„t of money and consequentlie needed the assistance of her faithful subiects therin an other that sat next me of good accoÌ„pt said in mine eare secretlie these reasoÌ„s I do vvel allovve am coÌ„tented to giue my The sayiÌ„g of a knight of the shyre touching Leycester money partiÌ„ money but yet for her Ma. need I could mak ansvvere as one ansvvered once the Emperour Tiberius in the like case cause AbuÌ„dè ei pecuniaÌ„ fore si a liberto suo in societateÌ„ reciperetur that her Ma. should haue money enough yf one of her seruauÌ„ts vvould voutchsafe to make her highnesse partaker vvyth him meaning therby my L. of Leycester vvhose treasure must needes in one respect be greater then that of her Ma. for that he layeth vp vvhat soeuer he getteth his expences he casteth vpon the purse of his Princesse GENTL For that said the GeÌ„tlemaÌ„ vvhether he do or no it importeth litle to the mater seing both that vvhich he spendeth that he hoordeth is truelie properlie his Princesse treasure and seing he hath so manie diuers vvaies of gaining vvhat should he make accompt of his ovvn priuate expences yf The infiâ—nit vvays of gayning that Leycester hath he lay out one for a thousand vvhat can that make him the poorer he that hath so goodlie laÌ„des possessions Seigniories and riche offices of his ovvn as he is knovven to haue he that hath so special fauour and authoritie vvith the Prince as he can obteine Sutes vvhat soeuer he listeth to demaund he that hath his parte and portion in al sutes besides that passe by grace or els for the moste parte are ended Landes by lavve he that may chop chaunge vvhat laÌ„des he lysteth vvith her Ma. dispoile them of al their vvooddes and other commodities and rack them aftervvard to the vttermoste penny and then returne the same so tenter-stretched and bare shorne into her Ma. handes againe by fresh exchaunge rent for rent for other landes neuer enhaunsed before he that possesseth so manie gainful licences to hiÌ„ self alone of VVine Oyles CurraÌ„tes Cloth veluets Licenses vvith his nevv office for LiceÌ„ce of alienation moste pernicious vnto the coÌ„mon vvealth as he vseth the same vvith manie other the like vvhich vvere sufficient to enriche vvhole tovvnes corporations countries and common vvealthes he that Fallinge out vvith her Ma. hath the arte to make gainful to him self euerie offence displeasure and faling out of her Ma. vvith him euery angry cooÌ„tenaunce cast vppoÌ„ him he that hath his share in al offices of great profit and Offices holdeth an absolute Monopole of the same he that disposeth at his vvil the Ecclesiastical liuinges of the Realm maketh Bisshoppes none but such as Cleargie vvil do reason or of his Chaplanes vvhom he listeth reteineth to him self so much of the liuing as liketh hiÌ„ best he that svveepeth avvay the glebe froÌ„ so many benefices throughout the laÌ„d coÌ„pouÌ„deth Benefices vvith the persoÌ„ne for the rest he that so schoureth the Vniuersitie Colleges vvher he is Chauncelor Vniuersitie selleth both headships Scholars places al other offices roumes dignities that by arte or violeÌ„ce maye yeeld money he that maketh title to vvhat land or other thing he please and driueth the parties to compound for the same he that taketh Oppressions in vvhole Forests CoÌ„mons VVooddes Pastures to him self compelling the teÌ„nauntes to pay Rapines him nevv rent and vvhat he cesseth he that vexeth and oppresseth vvhom so euer he list taketh from anie vvhat he list maketh his ovvn clayme sute Princes fauour
and end as he list he that selleth his fauour vvith the Prince both abrode in forreine countries and at home and setteth the price therof vvhat him self vvil demaund he that hath doth al this besids Presentes this hath infinit presents dailie brought vnto him of great valevv both in Ievvels Plate al kinde of Furniture redie Coyne this man I say may easelie beare his ovvn expeÌ„ces yet lay vp sufficientlie also to vverie his Prince vvheÌ„ needes shal require LAVV. You haue said much Sir quoth the Lavvyer and such mater as toucheth neerlie both her Ma. the coÌ„mon vvealth and yet in my conscience if I vvere to plead at the barre for my Lord I could not tel vvhich of al these members to denie But for that Leycester home-gaine by her Ma. fauour vvhich you meÌ„tion in the last parte of his gaining by her Ma. fauour both at home abrode Tovvching his home gaine it is euident seing al that he hath is goteÌ„ onlie by the opinioÌ„ of her Ma. fauour tovvardes him and many meÌ„ do repaire vnto him vvith fatte presentes rather for that they suppose he may by his fauour do them hurt if he feele not their revvarde then for that they hope he vvil labour anie thing in their affaires You remeÌ„ber I doubt not the storie of him that A pretye story offred his Prince a great yearelie rent to haue but this fauour only that he myght come euerie day in open audience and say in his eare God saue your Ma. assuring him self that by the opinion of confidence and secret fauour vvhich hereby the people vvould coÌ„ceiue to be in the Prince tovvardes him he should easilie get vp his rent againe double told VVherfore my L. of Leycester receiuing dailie from her Ma. greater tokens of grace and fauour then this and him self being no euil marchaunt to make his ovvn bargain for the best of his commodities cannot but gaine excedinglie at home by his fauour And for his Lucre abroode vpon the same cause Leycester forraine gayne by her Ma. fauour I leaue to other men to conceiue vvhat it may be sithence the beginning of her Ma. raigne the times vvherof and condition of al Christendom hath bene such as al the Princes and Potentates round about vs haue bene constreyned at one tyme or other to sue to her highnesse for ayde grace or fauour in al vvhich sutes men vse not to forget as yovv knovve the parties moste able by their credit to furder or let the same In particular onlye this I caÌ„ say that I haue heard of sundrie frenche men that at such tyme as the treatie vvas betvvene Fraunce and England for the redeliuerie of Callis vnto vs againe in the first yeare of her Ma. raigne that novv is vvheÌ„ the freÌ„ch meÌ„ vvere in great distresse misery K. Philippe refused absolutelie to make peace vvith them except Callis vvere restored to England vvhether for that purpose he had novv deliuered the french hostages Leycester bribe for betrayiÌ„g of Callis the french men do reporte I say that my L. of Leycester stoode them in great steade at that necessitie for his revvard vvhich you may vvel imagine vvas not smal for a thing of such importaÌ„ce becaÌ„ a suter that peace might be coÌ„cluded vvith the release of Callis to the freÌ„che vvhich vvas one of the most impious factes to saye the trueth that euer could be deuised against his coÌ„mon vvealth GENTL A smal mater in him said the Gentleman for in this he did no more but as Christ said of the Ievves that they filled vp the measure of their fathers sinnes And so if you reade the storie of K. Edvvardes tyme you shal finde it moste euident that this maÌ„s father before him solde Bullogne to the french by Leycester father solde Bullogne like trecherie For it vvas deliuered vp vpon coÌ„position vvith out necessity or reason the. 25. of April in the fourth yeare of K. Edvvard the sixt vvheÌ„ he I mean duke Dudley had novv put in the Tovver the L. Protector thrust out of the Councel vvhoÌ„ Erles of Arundel and SouchamptoÌ„ put out of the Councell by D. Dudley he listed as namly the Erles of Arundel SouthaÌ„pton so inuaded the vvhole gouernmeÌ„t him self to sel spoile dispose at his pleasur VVherfore this is but natural to my L. of Leycester by discent to make marchandize of the state for his GraÌ„dfather Edmund also vvas such a kinde of Copesman LAVV. An euil rase of marchauntes for the common vvealth quoth the Lavvyer but yet Sir I pray you said he expouÌ„d vnto me somvvhat more at large the nature of these licences vvhiche you named as also the chaunging of landes vvyth her Ma. yf you can set it dovvn anie playner for they seeme to be thinges of excessiue gaine especialie his vvay of gayning by offending her Ma. or by her hyghenes offence tovvardes him for it seemeth to be a deuice aboue all skill or reason Not so Leycester gayne by fallinge out vvith her Ma. quoth the Gentleman for you knovv that euery falling out must haue an attonement againe vvherof he being sure by the many puisaunt meanes of his fryendes in Court as I haue shevved before vvho shall not gyue her Ma. rest vntil it be donne then for this attonement and in perfect reconciliation on her Ma. parte she must graunte my Lorde some sute or other vvhich he vvil haue alvvayes redie prouided for that purpose and this sute shal be vvell able to revvarde his friendes that laboured for his recoÌ„cilement and leaue also a good remaynder for him selfe And this is novv so ordinarie a practize vvith him as all the Realm obserueth the same and disdaigneth that her Ma. should be so vnvvorthelie abused For yf her hyghnesse fall not out vvith him as often as he desireth to gayne this vvaye then he picketh some quarrell or other to shevv him selfe discontended vvith her so that one vvaye or other this gaynful reconciliation must be made and that often for his commoditie The like arte he excerciseth in inuiting her Ma. to his baÌ„quettes and to his houses vvher if she come she must graunt him in sutes ten tymes so much as the charges of al amount vnto so that Robin plaieth the broker iÌ„ al his affaires maketh the vttermost peÌ„ny of her Ma. euery vvay GENTL Novv for his chaunge of landes I think I haue bene reasonable plaine before yet for your fuller satisfactioÌ„ you shal vnderstand his further dealing therin to be in this sorte Besides the good landes of auncient possession to the Crovvn procured at her Ma. hand and vsed as before vvas declared he vseth the same trick for his vvurst landes that he possesseth any vvaie vvhether they come to him by extort meanes plaine oppressioÌ„ or through maiÌ„tenaunce broken tiltes or by cosinage of simple Leycester frauduleÌ„t chaunge of landes vvith her Maieâ—tâ—e vvherby he
Giffordes Gifforde and other for Throgmartons sake for that is also his L. disposition for one mans cause vvhom he brooketh not to plague a vvhole generation that anie vvaye perteyneth or is allied to the same his endlesse persecuting of Sir Drevve Drevvrie and Sir Drevv Drevvry manie other Courtyers both men and vvomen Al thes I say and manie others vvho daylie suffer iniuries rapines oppressions at his hādes throughout the Realm vvhat should it auaile to name thē in this place seing neither his L. careth anie thing for the same neither the parties agrieued are like to attaine anie least release of affliction therby but rather double oppressyon for theyr complayninge VVherfore to returne againe vvheras vve began The present state of my L. of Leices you see by this litle vvho and hovv great vvhat maner of man my L. of Leycester is this day in the state of England You see and may gather in some parte by that vvhich hath bene spokē his vvealth his strength his cūning his dispositiō His VVealth is excessiue in all kinde of riches for a priuate man Leycester VVealth and must needes be much more then anie bodie lightlie can imagine for the infinit vvayes he hath had of gaine so many years to gether His Strēgth Leycester Strength and povver is absolute and irresistable as hath bene shevved both in Chamber Court Councell and Countrie His Cunning in plotting and fortyfying Leycester Cūning the same both by Force and Fraud by Mines and Contermines by Trenches Bulvvarkes Flankers and Rampiers by Friēdes Enimies Allies Seruātes Creatures and Dependētes or anie other that may serue his turne is verie rare and singular His Disposition Leycester disposition to Cruelty Murder Treason and Tyrāny and by all these to Supreame Soueraignetie ouer other is moste euydent and cleare And then iudge you vvhether her Ma. that novv raigneth vvhose lyfe and prosperitie the Lord in mercie long preserue haue not iuste cause to feare in respect of these thinges onlie yf ther vvere no other particulars to proue his aspiring intent besides LAVV. No doubt quoth the lavvyer but these are great maters in the questiō of such a cause as is a Crovvn And vve haue seene by example that the least of these fovver vvhich you haue here named or rather some litle braunshe conteyned in anie of thē Causes of iust feare for her Maiesty hath bene sufficient to found iust suspition distrust or iealousie in the heades of most vvise Princes tovvardes the proceedinges of more assured subiectes thē my L. of Leycester in reason may be presumed to be For that the safitie of a state Prince standeth not onelie in the redines and habilitie of resisting open attemptes vvhen they shal fal out but also that much more as Statistes vvrite in a certaine prouident vvatchfulnes of preuenting al possibilities and likelihoodes of daunger or surpression for that no Prince commonlie vvil put him self to the courtesie of an other man be he neuer so obliged vvhether he shal retayne his Crovvn or no seing the cause of a Kingdom acknovvledgeth neither kinred duety fairh friendship not societie I knovv not vvhether I do expound and declare my self vvel or no but my meaning is that vvheras euerie Prince hath tvvo pointes of assurance from his subiect the one in that he is faithful lacketh vvill to annoie his souueraigne the other for that he is vveake and vvanteth habylytye to do the A point of necessarie policie for a Prince same the fyrst is alvvayes of more importance then the second and consequentlie more to be eyed and obserued in policie for that oure vvill may be chaunged at oure pleasure but not oure habilitie Considering then vpon that vvhich hath bene said and specified before hovv that my Lorde of Leycester hath possessed him self of al the strength povvers and sinovves of the Realm hath dravven al to his ovvn directiō and hath made his patty so strong as it seemeth not resistable you haue great reason to say that her Ma. maye iustlie conceyue some doubt for that yf his vvil vvere according to his povver most assured it is that her Ma. vvere not in safitie SCHOL Say not so good Sir quoth I for in such a case truelie I vvould repose litle vpō his vvil vvhich is so manye vvayes apparant to be moste insatiable of ambition Rather vvoulde I thinke that as yet his habilitie serueth not either for Tyme Place Force or some other circumstaunce then that anie parte of good vvil should vvante in him seing that not onelie his desire of soueraigntie but also his intent and attempt to aspire to the same is sufficientlie declared in my conceit by the verye particulars of his povver and plottes alredy set dovvn VVhich yf you please to haue the patience to heare a Scholars argument I vvil proue by a Principle of our Philosophie For if it be true vvhich Aristotle sayeth ther is no agent so simple in the vvorld vvhich vvorketh A Philosophicall argumēt to proue Ley intēt of soueraigntie not for some final end as the birde buildeth not her nest but to dvvel and hatche her yong ones therin not only this but also that the same agent doth alvvayes frame his vvorke according to the proportion of his entended end as vvhen the Fox or Badger maketh a vvide earth or denne it is a signe that he meaneth to dravve thither great store of pray then must vve also in reason think that so vvyse and polityke an agent as is my L. of Leycester for him self vvanteth not his end in these plottinges and preparations of his I meane an end proportionable in greatnes to his preparatiōs VVhich end cā be no lesse nor meaner then Supreame Soueraigntie seing his prouisiō furniture doe tend that vvay are in euerie point fullie correspondent to the same VVhat meaneth his so diligent beseeging of the The preparatiōs of Leyc declare his intēded ende Princesse person his taking vp the vvayes and passages about her his insolencie in Court his singularitie in the Councel his violent preparation of strength abrode his enriching of his Complices the banding of his faction vvyth the abundance of friendes euerie vvhere vvhat do thes thinges signifie I say and so manie other as you haue vvel noted and mentioned before but onelie his intent and purpose of Supreamacie VVhat did the same thinges protend in tymes past in his father but euen that vvhich novv they protend in the sōne or hovv should vve think that the sonne hathe an other meaning in the verie same actions then had his father before him vvhose steppes he folovveth I remember I haue heard often tymes of diuers Hovv the Duke of Northū dissēbled his end auncient and graue men in Cambrige hovv that in K. Edvvards dayes the Duke of Northumberland this mans father vvas generaly suspected of al men to mean indeed as aftervvard he shevved especialie vvhen he had once
this Testament but rather some friend of the house of Suffolk in vvhos fauour I take it that it vvas first of al forged GENTL It may be quoth the Gentleman nor vvil I stand obstinatlie in the coÌ„trarie for that it is hard sometyme to iudge of vvhat faction eche one is vvho discourseth of thes affaires But yet I maruail yf it vvere as you say vvhie Leycesters father after king Edvvardes death made no mention therof in the fauour of Suffolk in the other Testament vvhych then he proclaymed as made by K. Edvvard deceased for prefermeÌ„t of Suffolk before his ovvne sisters LAVV. The cause of this is euident quoth the Lavvyer The Duk of Northumbeâ—landes drift for that it made not sufficientlie for his purpose vvhich vvas to disinherit the tvvo daughters of K. Henrie him selfe aduaunce the house of Suffolk before them both GENTL A notable chaunge quoth the Gentleman that a title so much exalted of late by the father aboue al order right rank and degre should novv be so much debased by the sonne as though it vvere not vvorthie to hold anie degre but rather to be trodeÌ„ vnder foote for plaine bastardie And you see by this hovv true it is vvhich I tolde you before The mutable dealig of the house of Dudley that the race of Dudleys are moste cunning Marchantes to make their gaine of al thinges men tymes And as vve haue seene novv tvvo testameÌ„tes aleaged the one of the king father the other of the king sonne both of them in preiudice of the testators true successours so manie good subiectes begin greatlie to feare that vve may chaunce to see shortlie a third testament of her Ma. for the intituling of Huntington and extirpation of K. Henries blood that before her Ma. can think of sicknes vvherin I beseech the Lord I be no Prophet But novv Sir to the forsaid vvil testameÌ„t of K. HeÌ„ry I haue often heard in trueth that the thing vvas counterfeit or at the leaste not able to be proued and that it vvas discouered reiected and defaced in Q. Maries tyme but I vvould gladlie vnderstand vvhat you Lavvyers esteme or iudge therof LAVV. Touching this matter quoth the Lavvyer it cannot be denied but that in the tvventy and eight and thirtie and sixt yeares of king Henries reigne vpon consideration of some doubt irresolution The authoritie and occasion of K. Henries testameÌ„â— vvhych the king him selfe had shevved to haue about the order of succession in his ovvn children as also for taking avvay al occasions of controuersies in thos of the next blood the vvhole parliament gaue authoritie vnto the said king to debate determine thos matters him self together vvyth his learned councell vvho best knevv the lavves of the Realm and titles that anie man might haue therby and that vvhat soeuer succession his Ma. should declare as moste right and lavvful vnder his letters patentes sealed or by his last vvil and testament rightfullie made and signed vvyth his ovvn hand that the same should be receyued for good and lavvful Vppon pretence vvherof soone after K. Henries death ther vvas shevved a vvil vvyth the kings stamp at the same the names of diuers vvytnesses vvherin as hath bene bene said the succession of the Crovvn after the kings ovvn children is assigned to the heires of Fraunces and of Elenore neipces to the king by his yonger sister VVhich assignatioÌ„ of the Crovvn being as it vvere a mere guifte in preiudice of the elder sisters right as also of the right of Fraunces and Elenore them selues vvho vvere omitted in the same assignation their heires intituled onlie vvas esteemed to be against al reason lavv and nature consequentlie not thought to proceed from so vvise and sage a The kiÌ„gs TestameÌ„t forged Prince as K. Henrie vvas knovveÌ„ to be but rather ether the vvhole forged or at Leastvvyse that clause inserted by other and the kinges stampe set vnto it after his death or vvhen his Ma. lay novv past vnderstanding And hereof there vvanteth not diuers moste euident reasons and proofes For first it is not probable or credible that K. The first reason Henrie vvould euer go about against lavv and reason to disinherit the line of his eldest sister vvythout Iniustice improbabilitie anie profit or interest to him self and therby giue moste euident occasion of Ciuil vvarre and discorde vvyrhin the Realm seing that in such a case of manifest and apparent vvrong in so great a matter the authoritie of parliament taketh litle effect against the true lavvful inheritour as vvel apeared in the former tymes conteÌ„tions of Henrie the sixt Edvvard the fourth and Richard the third in vvhose reignes the diuers and contrarie parliamentes made and holden against the next inheritour held no longer vvyth anie man then vntil the other vvas able to make his ovvn partie good So Likevvise in the case of king Edvvard the The example of Fraunce third his succession to Fraunce in the right of his mother though he vvere excluded by the general assemblie and consent of their parliamentes yet he esteemed not his right extinguished therby as neither did other kinges of our countrie that ensued after him And for our present case yf nothing els shoulde haue restreyned king Henrie from such open iniustice tovvardes his eldest sister yet this cogitation atleast vvould haue stayed him that by geuing example of supplanting his elder Sisters Line by vertue of a testament or pretence of parliament some other might take occasion to displace his children by like pretence as vve see that Duke Dudley did soone after by a forged testament of K. Edvvard the sixt So redie Scholars ther are to be found vvhich easilie vvil learne such The secoÌ„d reason IncoÌ„gruities indignities Lessons of iniquitie Secondlye ther be to manye incongruyties and indignities in the sayd pretended VVyll to proceed from suche a Prince and learned Councell as king HeÌ„ries vvas For first vvhat can be more ridiculous then to giue the Crovvn vnto the heires of Fraunces and Elenore and not to anie of them selues or vvhat had they offended that their heires should enioye the Crovvn in their right and not they them selues VVhat yf king Henries children should haue died vvhiles Ladie Fraunces had bene yet a liue vvho should haue possessed the kingdoÌ„ before her seing her Line vvas next and yet by this testament she could not preteÌ„d her self to obteine Adrian Stokes it But rather hauing married Adrain Stokes her horskeper she must haue suffred her sonne by him yf she had anie to enioy the Crovvn and so AdriaÌ„ of a seruing-man and master of horses should haue become the Great Master Protector of EnglaÌ„d Of like absurditie is that other clause also vvherin the king bindeth his ovvn daughters to marrie by coÌ„sent directioÌ„ of his counsell or othervvise to leese the benefit of their succession but yet bindeth not his neipces
and attemptes of thos factious and corrupt men vvas moste scandalous seditious and perilous both to the kinges person and to the Realm being sufficient indeed to alienate vvholie the yong Prince from al affection to our religion vvhen he shal see the chiefe professours therof to behaue them selues so vnduetifulie tovvards him GENTL That is the thing vvhich thes men his competitours moste desire quoth the Gentleman hoping therby to procure him moste euil vvil daunger Treasons Plotted Against the K. of Scottes both at home frō Englād For vvhich cause also they haue practized so manie plotes treacheries vvith his ovvn subiectes against him hoping by that meanes to bring the one in distrust and hatred of the other and consequentlie the king in daunger of destruction by his ovvn And in this machination they haue behaued them selues so dexterouslie so couertlie vsed the manage and cōtriuing herof and so cunninglye conueied the execution of many thinges as it might indeed seme aparent vnto the yong king that the vvhole plot of treasons against his Realm person doth come from England therby to driue him into ielousie of our state our state of him and al this for their ovvn profit Neither is this anie nevv deuice of my Lord of Leycester to dravv men for his ovvn gaine into daunger hatred vvith the state vnder other pretences For I could tel you diuers stories and stratagemes of his cunning in this kinde and the one far different from the other in deuice but yet al to one end I haue a friend yet liuing that vvas tovvardes the olde Earle of Arundel in good credit and by that meanes had occasion to deal vvith the late Duke of Norfolke in his chiefest affaires before his troubles This mā is vvount to report straunge thinges from the Dukes ovvn mouth of my Lord Leycester cunning deuice for ouerthrovvīg the Duke of Norforke of Leycesters moste treacherous dealing tovvardes him for gayning of his blood as after apeared albeit the Duke vvhen he reported the same mistrusted not so much my Lordes malice therin But the summe of al is this in effect that Leycester hauing a secret desire to pul dovvn the said Duke to the end that he might haue no man aboue him selfe to hinder him in that vvhich he moste desireth by a thovvsand cūning deuises drevv in the Duke to the cogitation of that mariage vvyth the Q. of Scotland vvhich aftervvard vvas the cause or occasion of his ruine And he behaued him self so dexterouslie in this drift by setting on the Duke on the The impudencie of Iudas one side and intrapping him on the other as Iudas him self neuer played his parte more cunninglie vvhen he supped vvyth his master and set him self so nere as he dipped his spoone in the same dishe durst before others aske vvho should betraye him meaning that night to do it him self as he shevved soone after supper vvhē he came as a Captaine vvyth a band of conspiratours and vvyth a courteous kisse deliuered his person into the hādes of thē vvhō he vvel knevv to thirst after his blood The very like did the Erle of Leycester vvyth the Duke of Norfolk for the arte of treason though in the parties betrayed ther vvere great difference of innocēcie Namely at one time vvhen her Ma. vvas at Basing in Hampshire the Duke attēded their lo haue audience vvyth great indifferencie in him self to folovv or leaue of his sute for mariage for The speaches of Leices to the D. of Norfolk that novv he began to suspect her Ma. liked not greatlie therof my Lord of Leicester came to him and counsayled him in anie case to perseuere not to relent assuring him vvyth manie othes and protestations that her Ma. must should be brought to alovv therof vvhether she vvould or no and that him self vvould scale that purpose vvyth his blood Neither vvas it to be suffred that her Ma. should haue her vvil herein vvyth manie other like speaches to this purpose vvhich the Duke repeated againe then presentlie to my said friend vvyth often laying his hand vpon his bosome and saing I haue here vvhich assureth me sufficientlie of the fidelitie of my L. of Leycester meaning not onlie the foresaid speeches but also diuers letters vvhich he had vvriten to the Duke of that effect Ley. cousynage of the Quene as likevvise he had done to some other person of more importaunce in the Realm vvhich matter comming aftervvard to light he cousyned most notablie her Ma. by shevving her a reformed copie of the said letter for the letter it self But novv hovv vvel he performed his promis in dealing vvyth her Ma. for the Duke or against the Duke in this matter her highnes can best tel and the euent it self shevved For the Duke being admitted soone after to her Ma. speech at an other place and receyuing a far other ansvvere then he had in hope conceyued vpon Leycester promisses retired him self to London vvhere the same night folovving he receyued letters both from Leycester The Duke of Norfolks flyīg into Norfolk and Syr Nicholas Throgmarton vpon Leycesters instigation for they vvere at that tyme both friēdes and of a faction that he should presentlie flee into Norfolk as he did vvhich vvas the last and final complement of al Leycesters former deuices vvherby to plunge his friende ouer the eares in suspition and disgrace in such sorte as he should neuer be able to dravv him self out of the ditch againe as indeed he vvas not but died in the same And herein you see also the same subbtile Machauilian Machauellian Sleyghtes sleight vvhich Imentioned before of driuing men to attēpt somevvhat vvherby they may incur daunger or remaine in perpetual suspition or disgrace And this practize he hath long vsed and doth daylie against such as he hath vvil to destroye As for example VVhat say you to the Leycester deuises for the overthrovv of Syr Christopher Hatton deuice he had of late to intrap his vvel deseruing friende Sir Christopher Hatton in the matter of Hall his Priest vvhom he vvould haue had Sir Christopher to send avvay hide being touched and detected in the case of Ardent therby to haue dravven in Sir Christopher him self as Sir Charles Candis he can vvel declare yf it please him being accessarie to this plot for the ouerthrovv of Sir Christopher To vvhich intent moste diuelishe drift perteyned I doubt not yf the matter vvere duelie examined the late interception of letters in Paris from one Aldred of Lyons then in Rome to Henrie Vmpton seruaunt to Sir Christopher in vvhich letters Sir Christopher is reported to be of such credit and special fauour in Rome as if he vvere the greatest Papist in England VVhat meaneth also thes pernitious late dealīges Leycester deuises against the Earle of Shrevvsburie against the Earle of Shrevvsburie a man of the moste auncient and vvorthiest nobilitie of our Realm vvhat