the Oracle of the Netherlands but the Ornament and wonder of Europe yeâ—… of his time Q. E. See the fruites of Spaines Gold and the effects of his boundlesse Ambition for it is a common custome with him if not by the maine yet surely by the bye to breake the necke of Great Princes and free Estates publique Ministers whether they are great Souldiers or great Statesmen or both Q. A. Yea the Web of this Treason was so cunningly wouen and so subtilly and finely spun as if the Netherlands had not broken Barneâ—…elts necke he long ere this had assuredly broken the necke both of their libertie and State Q. M. Well Barnauelt is gone and now Spaine needs not feare his policy P. H. Nay Barneuelt being dead and Maurice that famous Prince of Orenge liuing Holland need not feare either the trechetie or force of Spaine H. 8. But Nephew I heare that the Vnited Prouinces of the Low-Countries will this Spring haue Warres with Spaine for their peace is neere expired and ended P. H. A braue noble and wise resolution of theirs E. 6. Heretofore England taught the Hollanders wit and valour and now they resolue to shew England the way to those two Vertues Q. M. But the Gold and Siluer of Spaine wâ—…ll preuaile against them and weigh them downe P. H. But the Hollanders had Ships enough of their owne and Gold Siluer and Men from England therefore they disdaine to feare Spaine nay rather they vow before the next Summer to make Spaine feare them H. 8. See see a handfull of men dare attempt that against Spaine which Great Brittaines huge infinitie will not Q. E. And yet their cause and reason is Englands viz. their Consciences Liues and Countries Q. A. Pray God England and France interpose not to crosse the Warres and seeke to conclude a Peace betwixt Holland and Spaine E. 6. But the Hollanders are resolued to make King Iames a large Offer to protect them against Spaine Q. M. But King Iames loues Spaine too well and therefore will not hearken to or regard their proffer for his Maiestie is resolued not to protect them P. H. The more is the pitty Q. E. The more my griefe Q. M. And without griefe or pitty the more is my ioy Q. E. I protected the Netherlands in despight of Spaine E. 6. But Spaine went neere by your Leicester to betray both you and them H. 8. If King Iames would now protect the Netherlanders how easily might he refetch backe Flushing the Brill and the 〈◊〉 E. 6. Nay how easily did his Maiestie depart with them to the Netherlands P. H. It infinitely reioyceth me to vnderstand the Hollanders braue resolution and forwardnesse to haue warres with Spaine Q. M. But there is a secret tricke to coole their courages which they least thinke of H. 8. As how Daughter Q. M. Why to Pistoll this Prince of Orenge as they did his Fatâ—…er Q. E. Heauen forbid it P. H. God defend it Q. M. Why 't is but one for another for he knowing Barnauelt a Traytor to his Countrâ—…y because a Pensioner to Spaine caused the Lords States to put him to death why then in exchange and requitall should not a Pensioner of Spaine either poison or pistoll the Prince of Orange E. 6. These Diabolicall resolutions and bloudy Positions come from Hell Q. E. And thither they goe that professe and practise them Q. M. The King of Spaine is too religious to authorise so execrable a Murther Q. E. But the Pope as holy as he is will pardon it and yet the World I hope knowes that the Kâ—…of Spaine cannot be so religious as his Holinesse Q. A. It were good then for Holland to be carefull of their Prince of Orange his life as all the world knowes his Excellency is of their safetie and preseruations P. H. And it will likhwise behooue them to obserue withall as I hope they doe how subtilly and trecherously Spinola takes their neighbour Townes for the Emperour and keepes them for the King of Spaine his Master E. 6. And if the Warres goe on 'twixt Holland and Spaine as I hope they will it will be needfull for Spaine to haue a speciall care of his West-Indies from the Holland Fleetes H. 8. Wherefore only Spaines West-Indies or rather why not all the worlds West-Indies sith their red and white earth sets all the Would on fire and in Combustion Q. â—… Surely ere this Summer passe and the next appeare the Hollanders vow to haue a heaue at them Q. M. Nay I hope the contrary for the West-Indies is the maine and onely prop of Spaine which if once found out and taken away from them will quickly make the greatnesse of his Ambition and Empire totter P. H. Till when all other Kingdomes and Estates of Christendome may thinke themselues exempt from Spaines feare but shall neuer be from his danger Q. E. This Holland perfectly and apparantly knowes and it were a greater happinesse for the rest of Europe if they would herein imitate their Generositie Valour and Wisedome who stand on their Guards with their swords drawne and their Match lighted ready to giue fire as being constantly and vertuously resolued neither to loue trust nor feare Spaine ENGLAND H. 8. But now leaue we all other Countries and come wee to England from whence being descended wee by the Lawes of Nature are eternally obliged to honour and loue it yea to preferre it and its prosperitie and glory to all other Countries of the world wherefore let vs see Spaines Ambition and Enuy towards it and how he hath from time to time borne himselfe to the English Q. M. There is no Kingdome in the world that Spaine loues better then England Q. E. Nor no people vnder the Sunne that it hates more then Englishmen E. 6. For Peter King of Castille most ingratefully and basely abused our famous and generous Edward the Blacke Prince the Ornament of Armes the Glory of England and the Honour of the World and his whole Army in Spaine after that he had inthronised and seated the said Peter in his Kingdome and with his Victorious Armes expel'd Henry the Bastard who Vsurped it Q. M. If Spaine had not loued England and Englishmen King Philip would neuer haue married mee Q. E. Hee loued you well Sister but your Kingdome farre better for you were the Obiect of his zeale but England that of his Ambition H. 8. But Elizabeth hee hated you more then euer he loued Mary Q. E. And yet I dare truly affirme that King Philip loued my Kingdome farre more then euer he hated my Perâ—…on H. 8. To speake truth Daughter he neither loued you nor Mary his wife and Queene but only England P. H. And I haue heard that if he had neuer married my Aunt Mary shee had neuer lost Calais nor consequently England France E. 6. Though that Match were vnfortunate to England in the losse of Calais yet it was fortunate in that Philip and Mary had no Children Q.
is gone for euer Q. E. And then shall Englands strong men fall vpon the edge of the Sword her Virgins bee defloured and murthered her Wiues defiled and slaine in sight of their dying Husbands and their Children and young Babes shall haue their braines dashed out against the walles in sight of their dead Parents P H. Yea then shall our Nobilitie and Gentrie dye vpon the swords of those barbarous 〈◊〉 and those who escape and suruiue their fury shall bee fettered and led Captiues and Slaues to worke in the Mines of Peru and Mexico E. 6. Then shall our Priests who are now cloathed in the white robes of Righteousnesse bee drowned in those of their owne scarlet blood No Church no Temple no Preaching no Sacraments but all couered with the thicke fogges of Romes superstitious Idolatries and Aegyption darknesse Q. A. Yea then the King my Husband the Prince my Sonne my excellent Daughter the Queene of Bohemia her Princely Posterity and if Spaine possibly can all Great Brittaines blood Royall shall be rooted out and exterminated as if they neuer had beene or at least no remembrance left of them or of the Name of GREAT BRITTAINE Q. M. This were musicke indeed for Rome and Spaine to dance at and for Gondomar to laugh himselfe to death for ioy Q. E. But I hope God of his mercy will confound all those who wish or desire it whether it be Gondomar the Iesuites Englands Recusants Spaine the Pope or the Diuell The Conclusion of the Consultation H. 8. But heere let vs make a stand and shut vp our Consultation and sith so many millions of imminent dangers desolations and miseries attend and hang ouer the head of England by this Match of Spaine let vs goe to suffrages and Votes that plurality may giue sentence whether it shall be a Match yea or no for what wee conclude I make no doubt but our great God with his owne voyce will ratifie and confirme H. 8. Q. M. E. 6. Q. E. P. H. Q. A. Whereunto we all consent and agree H. 8. I am against the Match E. 6. I am against the Match P. H. I am against the Match Q. M. I am for the Match Q. E. I am against the Match Q. A. I am against the Match H. 8. Daughter Mary wee are fiue against you one therefore the Match of England and Spaine hath end 〈◊〉 beginning and is absolutely cast without 〈◊〉 And now let vs breake vp our Consultation and againe repaire to the Throne of the Lambe of our sacred God both of Heauen and Earth to acquaint his Diuine Maiestie with all the particulars thereof and therein his Heauenly pleasure and Commaund When the Angell opening Heauens Starre-Chamber a great concourse and affluence of Saints and Angels singing most Diuinely conduct them to the blessed â—…ribunall where the whole newes of their Consultation being already arriued to the vnderstanding of the Almightie It pleased his Diuine and Coelestiall Maiestie to call foorth Queene Mary whom hee sharply reproues and checkes in louing Spaine to bee so vnnaturall to hate her natiue Countrey of England Then he infinitely disproues the Match of Prince Charles with the Infanta of Spaine as derogating from his Diuine Glory and England safetie and prosperitie and so to conclude very ioyfully and cheerefully approues of their Consultation which for the more grace and authoritie he makes and reputes as his owne When Commaunding these three Princes and two Queenes for Qâ—…eene Mary was now put by and excluded to send vnto England by its owne Tutulary Angell foure seuerall printed Copies of this their Consultation The first to be deliuered to King IAMES the second to Prince CHARLES â—…is Sonne the third to the High Court of Parliament and the â—…ourth to the Lords of his Maiesties most Honourable Priuy Councell the which in his Sacred presence was speedily performed and effected When a great shout of â—…oy and an Vniuersall plaudity being hereunto giuen by all the Angels and Host of Heauen These fiue Royall Personages followed the Lambe CHRIST IESVS where hee went This Consultation thus ended Queene Mary biting the lip at her checke and disgrace and grieuing to see the Match of the Infanta with Prince CHARLES thus vnexpected dash'd and consequently the Pope frustrated of his hopes and the King of Spaine of his Ambitious desires Shee calls Mercury to her and with all possible speed sends him away likewise to England with these two ensuing Letters which shee had written the one to Count Gondomar the other to all the Romane Catholiques of England Queene MARY To Count Gondomar Ambassador for Philip the III. King of Spaiine resident with IAMES King of Great BRITTAINE YOur Excellencie may vnderstand that I haue dispatch'd Mercurie to you in England 〈◊〉 aduertise you of a Consultation held here in Heaven by my Father King Henry VIII my Brother King Edward VI. my Sister Queene Elizabeth Queene Anne Prince Hâ—…nry and my selfe concerning your Masters pretences hopes of England by the Match of the Infanta his Daughter with Prince Charles which all the 〈◊〉 fiue haue opposed as preiudiciall and dangerous and my selfe maintayned as profitable and Honourable for England for louing Philip the Father I must and will euer honour Philip his Son They haue likewise ript vp and vnmasked Spaines former Ambition Cruelty and Treacherie as well towards England as other Kingdomes and States of Europe the discouery and relation whereof I could neither silence nor preuent your Excellencie must giue me leaue to signifie that I feare your Secretaries are not so honest as your selfe Politique â—…or you are here by these Princes brought on the Stage in your naked and naturall Colours therefore I could wish yâ—…u to be more modest and not so busie Onely to the vtmost of your mâ—…rtall power 〈◊〉 the knot of this Matâ—…h for if it holde the heart of England will be soone broken or if the contrary it will infallibly breake the necke of the King your Maisters generall hopes and preâ—…ences and also of your owne particular credit and reputation as well in England as Spaine you haue many eyes ouer you and although your sweet words and promises â—…ull King Iames asleepe you will neuerthelesse goe neere to be circumuented by those 〈◊〉 seeke to circumuent If you can bring in the Iâ—…fanta doubt you not but she will vsher in the Pope and consequently hee the Catholique King your Master For get not to continue and sorâ—…efie your Intelligence with 〈◊〉 Sâ—…minaries and Iesuites of England as also with the Catholique Ladies of that Kingdome and especially with those of the Nobler ranke and who are most powerfull at Court for they may open a passage for your Master when none else dare At any hand vse the prime of your Art and Inuention to keepe the King of England poore and be sure to riuet this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to his Maiestie that there is no Vertue so Royall and Magnificent in a Great King as Liberalitâ—…e I am sorie to
VOX COELI OR NEWES FROM HEAVEN OF A CONSVLTATION THERE HELD BY THE HIGH and mighty Princes King HEN. 8. King EDW. 6. Prince HENRY Queene MARY Queene ELIZABETH and Queene ANNE wherein SPAINES ambition and treacheries to most Kingdomes and free Estates in EVROPE are vnmaskd and truly represented but more particularly towards ENGLAND and now more especially vnder the pretended match of Prince CHARLES with the Infanta DONA MARIA Whereunto is annexed two Letters written by Queene Mary from Heauen the one to Count Gondomar the Ambassadour of SPAINE the other to all the Romane Catholiques of ENGLAND Written by S. R. N. I. Printed in Elesium 1624. TO THE ILLVSTRIOVS AND GRAVE ASSEMBLY OF THE HIGH COVRT OF PARLIAMENT The fruition of all Temporall Blessings The felicitie of all Spirituall Blessings LORDS KNIGHTS BVRGESSES TO you who are the re-presentiue body of England and the Epâ—…tomie and Compendium of this great Volume of our Estate To you who are assummoned by our King and sent vp by our Country to obay the first with your best Fidelities to serue the second with your chiefest Zeale and endeuours and to affect and honour both with your most religious Prayers and wishes To you from whom God for his glory our Soueraigne for his honour and safety and our Church and Common-weale for their flourishing well-fare and prosperity doe expect much by your transcendent and honourable imployments To you I say and to no other doe I present this Consultation termed VOX Coeli to your consideration and dedicate it to your protection And because in point of integritâ—…e and duty I hold my selfe bound â—…o bring the truth neerer to your knowledge or rather home to your vnderstanding May it please you to be informed that about some three yeares since at the first sitting of the last high Court of Parliament when our King was so earnest in proposing the match of our Noble Prince his Sonne with the Infanta of Spaine When the King of Spaine coulourably presented though not really intended to be dâ—…epely affected to entertaine and embrace the said motion When Counâ—… Gondmar his Ambassador made shew to be a zealous solicitour and a most actiue and officious stickler for compassing and finishing it When our Romish Catholiques became passionately and insultingly confident of the free tolleraâ—…lon of their Religion and in the skie-reaching mountaines of their ambitions and superstitious hopes were already preparing to erect their Groues and Altars to set vp their Idols and Images and consequently to introduce their Pope and his Masse in the Temples of our God when all Prisons were vnlocked and open to all pernitious Priests and dangerous â—…esuites and that many others 〈◊〉 Caterpillers and Vipers came flocking and swarming from diuers parts of Europe to poison and eate cut the soules of our people with their Idolatrous doctrine of Antichrist and to with-draw their hearts and consciences from their Alleagiance and Fideliâ—…ie to their naturall Prince and Countrey purposely with 〈◊〉 treachery then Religion to subiect them to a forraigne power and iurisdiction When the Emperour had beaten the King of Bohemia from Prague and the Duke of Bauaria with the assistance of the Swords Soulders and Treasure of the King of Spaine had in a setled truce assaulted and taken many Townes in the Palatinate contrary to their promises to our King and of his Maresties to the Prince his Sonne in Law and contrary to the Publique peace of Germany aend Christendome Then then it was that to pull off the Maske of Spaines ambition and malice who with the fire of this match sought to set England all flaming in a mournfull and miserable combustion thereby to bury her glory in the dust and her safety in the cinders of her subuersion and ruines that as Prometheus fetch'd fire from heauen so the fire of my zeale to the good of my Prince and Country likewise fetch'd from thence this Royall consultation for the discouery of our apparant and imminent dangers and in knowing them to know likewise how to preuent them Which resoluing to mâ—…ke publiqâ—…e because it solely reâ—…ded to Englands publique 〈◊〉 and prosperitie I contrary to my expectation but not to my feares saw my hopeâ—… nipâ—… in their blossoms and my desires stisâ—…ed in their births because the Seas of our Kings affection to Spaine went so loftle and the winder were so tempestious that it could not possibly be permitted to passe the Pikes of the Presse When albeit my zeale and fidelity againe and again infused new audacitie and courage to my resolutions to see it receiue the light yet it was imposible for mee or it to bee made so happy because I sawe Allureds honest letter Scots loyall Vox Populy D. Whiting D. Euerard and Claytoâ—…s zealous Sermons and others suppressed and silenced as also Wards faithfull picture which yet was so innocent as it onely breathed foorth his fidelity to England in silent Rethorique and dumbe eloquence Wherevpon inforced to take a lawe from the iniquitie of the time with much reluctation and more greife I bushed vp my said Consultations in silence because I could not serue my Prince and Countrie in that Booke of mine I therfore then renewed my constant resolution and zeale to serue them in my most seruent prayers and my most religious and zealous wishes the which I haue euer since faithfully and constantly performed Sitting thus to behold the constant inconstancie of the World Which presents as many different accidents to our knowledge as obiects to our eye and being Iealous Vigelant and attentiue to that which did or which might any way appertaine to my Soueraigne and his Princely posteritie to his Dominions and Subjects I was enforced to see O that I had beene so happie as not to banâ—… seene the perfidious progresse of Spaines now trecheries and vsurpation vpon many countries of Europe for first his Cousen Leopaldus hath deuoured the Dutchy of Cleaues and Iulleirs then he and his forces haue taken many other free Townes and whole Bishoprickes in the Countries of Luxembourg and Lâ—… Marke as also in the frontiers of Swisserland and Loraine Then he and his factor the Duke of Bauaria for him hath finished his absolute Conquest of the Pallatinate that dainty rich and fertile Prouince of Germany the dowry of our onely Princesse the inheritance of the Prince her Husband and the Patrimonie of their Royall issue wherein the honour of our King and his three famous Kingdomes doe most extreamely suffer I saw him conquer the chiefest Cities Forts and Passages of the Grisous and hath brought their liberties and liues to their last gaspe and periode yea to the mercilesse mercy of his not generous but bloody sword which being vnder the protection of the French King doth likewise cast a wonderfull stayâ—…e and blemish on the lustre of his honour and Crowne if he speedily take not his reuenge thereof by leauing these his honest 〈◊〉 as free as he found them and as great Henry his
Father left them And after the Triumphes and treacherous progression of the house of Austria in Germany The King of Spaine hath now made a body of his and the Imperiall forces and this Summer intends to play his bloody prize for the totall ruine and subuertion of the Netherlands who to the eye if the world and to humaine iudgement must shortly sinke if the two Kings of great Brittaine and France doe not make them swim by speedily sending them braue succours and assistance in this their vrgent necessity And wherevnto tends all this treacherous ambition and formidable vsurpation and greatnes of the King of Spaine but to cut out a passage with his sword and to make his troopes Regiments fly o're the Alpes for his erecting and obtaining of the Westerne Empire And wherevnto tends it I say but to make his territories and Dominions to encirculizâ—… great Brittaine and France yea to be their Cloyster and to make and esteeme those two famous Monarchies but onely as a fatall Church-yard to burie and interre themselues in But Illustrious and generoâ—…s Sirs it this all the malice and treacherie which Spaine hath offered towards England O no nothing lesse for vpon that Iournie which was as dangerous as suddaine of our Prince into Spaine then whome the world hath not a brauer Hath not the King of Spaine dealt treacherously with him about his match with the Infants his Sister yea haue they not in his Princely person violeted the Lawes of Hospitality and the priueledges of Princes when being vnder his owne roofe by attempting to tye him to formes which were diaâ—…etrally opposite to his honour yea to be so audatiously impudent as with much violency and virulency to seeke to put a rape vpon his Conscience and Religion and proffered inforcement of his Conuersion to Popery as if their Infanta had bin to him more pretious then his soule or that he had bin so wretchedly grounded and instructed in pietie that his Highnesse would haue forsaken his God purposely to haue obayed adored the King of Spaine who is not nor cannot be a greater King then he is a Prince And to step yet a degree further was it not a hellish pollicy and a diabolicall designe and resolution of the Counsell of Spaine to aduise our Prince vpon his returne into England to waerre vpon the Protestants and to proffer him an Army to suppresse and exterminate them The Protâ—…stants I say who are those by whome our King his Father raingeth and without whom his Maiesty can neuer subsist nor raigne nor his Highnesse sucessiâ—…ely aspire or hope to aspire to his Crownes and Kingdomes after him sith they are the life the vigour the heart and the soule thereof And will our King and our Prince our Parliaments and our Protestants of England then euer forget this inueterate rage and infernall malice of Spaine against them as also the rest of their imperious and insulting cariage towards his Highnesse and towards Great Brittaine as if they priz'd iâ—… at so low a rate and made their boundlesse ambition so excessinely ouer-valew their owne Spaine that that were in the Crisis of her weakenesse and misery and this in the prime and verticall point of her power and glory And when his Highnesse pressed them for the restitution of the Pallatinate which they had often promised to the King his Father then they temporized so cunningly and subtillized so trecherously with him that euery day brought forth new delayes and difficulties till in the end they had made the cure worse then the disease and hauing taken firme footing therein were enforced to vnuaile and vnmask their dissimulation and faintly and coldly to affirme that they would treat with the Emperour for the restitution thereof but could not promise it Thus hauing abused first our King the Father and then our Prince the Sonne they haue now likewise betrayed and ruined our Princesse the Daughter in their finall Conquest and resolute detention of the Prince her Husbands Palatinate that Princesse I say whose Royall and sublime vertues make her the honour of her time the ornament of her sexe and the Phaenix Princesse of the world Whereunto adding the absolute breach of the Match long since prophetically delacerated and cast in Heauen by the Princely and Royall Authors of this Consultation and since the same breach here on Earth likewise so happily confirmed by the King as also by the Prince so all these premisses considered hath not England reason to hate Spaine in regard Spaine hates it especially because of these two maine ensuing points and important considerations First for that the King of Spaine is a greater and more professed Enemy to our sacred King and his Royall posteritie then either the Emperour or Duke of Bauaâ—…ia and is to be held and esteemed of vs. Secondly that therefore to denounce Warre to him and to make it good as soone as it is denounced is as Honourable as necessary and as iust as honourable for England As vpon New-yeares day last I made these two points apparant and manifest to the King in my Discourse intituled Votiuae Angliae which I sent his Maiestie in the behalfe and fauour of the Prince Palatine his Sonne in law for the restoration of his Palatinate Hauing thus with as much disdaine as griefe seene his inueterate malice towards great Brittaine towards our King and his Royall posteritie and consequently the eminent dauger whereinto our profound securitie hath throwne and precipitated vs in particular and vnderstanding likewise how the said King of Spaine with Xerxes threatens the Seas and Mountaines of Europe in generall Being as well in heart as tongue an Englishman and therefore knowing by Grace what I owe by Nature to my Naturall Prince and Countrey like Cressus his dumbe Sonne I would not I could not be silent thereat but must expose this Consultation of Vox Coeli to the light and sight of the world I meane to the light of your knowledge and the sight of your consideration vnder the secure Target and safe shelter and Sanctuary of your auspicious protection To you therefore great Brittaines greatest Palladines and Champions to you the inuincible Bulwarke of our King and his Royall Progeny and the inexpugnable Cittadel and Acrocorinth of our Estate To you I say the Conscript Fathers of our supreamest Senate doth it in dutie present it selfe and in humilitie prostrate it selfe which when your first leasure hath curiously read and your best zeale carefully and maturely considered Then by all that true English bloud which streameth in your heart and veynes by all the loue whicâ—… your Countrie beares you and by all the dutie and affection which reciprocally you owe to your Country I both request and coniure you To tell our King that it is nothing for his Maiestie to haue made a braue and generous Declaration of Warres against Spaine except hee speedily second it with execution without which it will proue a vaine Fantasma and an abortiue Embrion
by their subordinate and yet transcendent power drawne from his most sacred Maiestie of Heauen as the Starres who actually deriue their light and borrow their lustre from the refulgent beames and glorious body of the Sun And as this great God seated in his Coelestiall throne of Glory with his All seeing and sacred eyes beholds in Heauen the thoughts and actions of men here on Earth so likewise out of his indulgent mercy and prouidence he likewise giues the same authority and power to his Angels Saints and Martyrs to doe the like who clad in white Robes the Ornaments of sanctity and purity with Palme branches in their hands the Emblemes of Peace and Ioy and Crowns and Coronets on their heads the rewards and markes of Glory Follow the Lamb Christ Iesus wheresoeuer hee goe still singing these ioyfull Io Peans and Epithalamians of Haleluiah and Glory be to God on high Peace on earth and good will towards men By vertue of which Diuine priuiledges the maske of Spaines boundlesse Ambition being discouered and pull'd off in supporting the Pope and seeking the increase of his spirituall Iurisdiction whereby his Holinesse in Exchange may enlarge that of Spaines temporall Monarchie so as that shall haue feete to goe and these wings to flie to the height of earthly greatnesse whereby the Catholique Kings ayme out of the ruines of Rome and Germany to erect another Empire in the west and endeauour by degrees to make most of the Kingdomes and Free Estates of Europe become Prouinces vnto Spaine as some by force some by policie some by treacherie and now England by the match of the Infanta his Daughter with our most Illustrious and Royall Prince Charles next to his Royall Father King Iames our most dread Soueraigne the hope of Englands life and the life of it's ioy and hope I say the newes of these proiects and resolutions of Spaine hauing with as much fortunary as celeritie passed the cloudes and peirced the Vaults and windowes of Heauen it fast arriued there to the vnderstanding of that immortall Mayden Queene Elizabeth whose heart euer loued England as her soule did Heauen and of whose flourishing wellfare and prosperity I cannot truely auerre whether she still remaine more iealous or ambitious whereat grieuing with as much disdaine as she disdained with griefe and knowing that her Nephew and God-sonne Prince Henry participated and burned in her zeale that the insatiable and blood-thirsty ambition of Spaine might not erect his Trophees vpon the Tombe of Englands downfall and the ruines of her subuersion shee speedily acquaints him with it whome although heauen had purified and deuested of his Earthly passions yet such was this young prince his neuer dying zeale to Englands euer liuing glory that his Highnesse could not refraine from looking red with anger and pale with feare at the report and knowledge thereof They consult hereon and hold it both expedient and necessary to acquaint other English Princes herewith especially those whome they knew stood deeply and sincerely affected to England So Prince Henry acquaints his Mother Queene Anne herewith and Queene Elizabeth her Brother King Edward 6. and both their Father king Henry 8. who so vppon aduise hereof could not refraine to looke on England with the eyes of affection and pitty and on Spaine with those of indignation and contempt So these fiue great Princes Queenes prepare themselues to Consult on this most important busines when loe they are suddenly met and assayled with a doubt of no meane consequence and consideration viz. Whether or no they should admit receiue Queene Mary into this their Consultation whom not her Romane merits but the prayers of the Protestants had brought to Heauen When at first they considering that in heart and soule she alwayes loued and preferred Rome and Spain before England they resolued to exclude her but at last vpon riper and more mature deliberation considering that she knew many secrets of Spain wherof peraduenture they were ignorant as also that from her innate and inueterate malice to England shee might either in iest or earnest bewray something that might turne and redound to the good of England they all consented she should be aduertised hereof and so admitted which was instantly performed and as the rest of these Royall Princes enuied Spaines ambition and pitied Englands dangers So to speake the truth and no more Queene Mary still resembling herselfe both in her speeches and lookes testified the contrary Vowing that as she loued â—…hilip the II. the Father so she would still honour Philip the III. his Son Thus these three Princes and three Queenes not daring to consult in Heauen on any thing without permission of the Superiour powers they all repayre to the sacred throne of the Lambe of that Great Maker and conductor of Heauen and Earth whose Tribunall is enuironed with more sparkling and burning Sunnes then we see Starres in the Firmament and who is waited and attended on by many millions and Meryades of Angels Where in signe of Gods glory and their humilitie these Royall personages fall on their faces to his blessed feet and so proffer vp their Petition to his heauenly Maiestie to haue authority and place giuen them to Consult on this important businesse betwixt England and Spaine Their Petition read and considered God out of the profunditie of his immense affection and fauour towards the prosperity of England Wherein for the space of well neere One hundred yeares his Sacred Maiestie hath seen himselfe truely serued and glorified ratifies their request and approues and authoriseth their sitting When departing from Gods most sacred Throne they were by a full Quire of Angels with Trumpets and Tymbrels in their hands vshered into the golden Starre-Chamber of Heauen which was purposely prepared for them when taking their seuerall seates the doore shut and guarded by Englands Tutulary Angell with a naked brandished sword in his hand all thinges being hushed vp in silence and all heauenly duties and ceremonies performed these sixe Royall personages begin their Consultation in this manner The Consultation H. 8. BEfore we descend to speake of Spaines ambition and Enuâ—…e towards England or the Match now in question betwixt England and Spaine with the dangers which threaten and presage vs will ensue thereof it will not be impertinent rather necessary that we mount vp the steps of this last century of yeares and so take a cursory though not a curious suruey with what Ambition and Crueltie and Treachery the Kings of Spaine from time to time haue knocked at most Kingdomes and Estates of Europe in the vnfolding and dilating whereof you must not expect much light from me rather I from your selues sith as your yeares so your raignes succeeded me Nauarre E. 6. ANd as you all know my yeares were so few and my raigne so short that neither these nor this made me capable to diue into the affaires of Princes and Kingdomes and yet I must confesse it was both with griefe and pitie
Bohemia Q. M. You mistake Madame for it is the Emperour Ferdinand and not King Philip that is their mortall Enemy P. H. If Philip had not vnder-hand powerfully assisted Ferdinand His Imperiall Maiestie had neither had legs to goe nor wings to flie into Prague and yet the King my Father will not asist his Son in Law King Frederick Q. A. Yes to recouer the Pallatinate if that were lost But Gondamâ—…r through his slye crouches and sugred insinuations hath extorred a hope and some say wrested a promise from King IAMES not to assist Bohemia but I hope the contrary Q. E. But will Spinola restore those townes he hath taken in the Pallatinate Q. M. Gondomar promised that Digby shall bring that home vnder his hand and seale onely he sayes t is fit that Spinola should be satisfied for his charges Q. E. That 's an old baffle and tricke of Spaine which vpon the matter will proue but a flat denyall Therefore if King IAMES please to hearken to my advise I would send an Army thither and re-fetch these Townes of the Pallatinate from Ferdinand Phillip Albertus and Bauariâ—… with the point of the sword in despight of Spinola Tilly and Cordoâ—…a P. H. If I were againe liuing in England I would so worke with the King my Father that this resolution of Queene Elizabeth should neuer dye but spedily bee put in execution for it is the safest cheapest shortest and honourablest way for England yea what would not England doe for my deare and Royall Sister of Bohemia if the King my Father would giue it the word of command Q. M. But content your selfe Nephew Count Gondomar hath promised that his Master King Phillip will giue King Iames content for his Townes of the Pallatinate Q. A. So Gondomar promised his Maiesty that Spinola should neuer attempt the Pallatinate and yet we see the contrary and being false in this how or what reason haue we to beleeue him to bee true in the match Q. M. England must beleeue him sith the King doth and will And herein I both triumph and glory P. H. Thus my Royall Father intreates where he should command and loues Spaine where he hath farre more reason to hate it Q. E And this is my truest griefe and deepest affliction that King Iames will still delight in contemplation when if his Maiesty will not all the world sees that King Phillip is vnder-hand deepe in actioÌ„ H. 8. It may be that King Iames thinkes King Phillip to be of Hanniballs minde who more feared Fabius not fighting then Marcellus fighting or of Pompeâ—… or of Marcus Crassus their opinion who were more afraid of Câ—…cero's gowne then of Caesars sword Q. M. Nothing lesse for King Phillip loues King Iames his Gowne and pen yet no way feares his sword Q. E. But if King Iames inherited my resolution as he doth my Kingdomes I would make Spaine feare his sword and Rome either loue or obey his pen and neuer consent to a Peace much lesse to the match Q. M. But why should King Philip feare King Iames his sword sith he neuer yet knew the way to drawe ir or why should his Catholike Maiesty feare the Counsell of England sith it is apparant to all the world that the eliment and delight of their King is bookes not battailes the pen not the pike H. 8. Why know you not Daughter that King IAMES hath lately established a Counsell of Warre and whereunto think you tends that Q. M. To peace I hope or rather assure my selfe Q. E. Then Sister you are of neere intelligence with Gondomar for not long since in one of his dispatches to Spaine he wrote the LL. of that Councell that they should not doubt nor feare of the Counsell or warre of England for it was said he but a scarre-Crow to feare not to hurt and would onely serue as a Vane on a house top rather for ornament then vse But if King IAMES were of my minde his Counsell of warre should strike rather then threaten and send a Royall Army into the bowels and heart of Castille ere they thought it could be ready to depart from the Ports of England Q. M. Not into Castille for then the peace were quite broken betwixt ENGLAND and SPAINE P. H. Why then into Bohemia the Pallatinate The Netherlands or the States of Uenice or wheresoeuer the Castillians Regiments disturbe the publique peace of Christendome E. 6. I see no reason to the contrary but England should be as soone in Armes and action as Spaine Q. E. But it is the inchanting melody of the match that brings England out of tune Q. M. But in this proposition and parlee of the match the King and Counsell of Spaine speake faire termes and giue reall not verball content to King Iames. Q. E. So did Philip your Husband and his Father by his Embassadours to mine at Bourbourg thereby to â—…ulle me a sleepe when his great Armado was in a manner ready to weigh Anchor and set Sayle from Lisbone to inuade me and my England Q. M. But King â—…Iames knowes Spaines affection and Gondomars sincerity to him and consequently to England in seeking this Match Q. A. But England knowes neither the affection of the Maister or the sincerity of the Seruant and therefore hath reason though not to feare yet to suspect both H. 8. It rather thinkes King Philip of Pericles his opinion and Ambition who desired that the â—…land in the port of Piree mought be remoued sith it was a moate and beame in his eye P. H. The morall is that Philip would 〈◊〉 England a prouince to Spaine but if the Match hold not Spaines Ambition Gondomars policie and both their treacherie will proue too weeke to performe so strong an execution Q M. Then the King of Spaine will hate Gondomar as much as he vaunts the King of England loues him But I must count Gondomar hath liued too long to dote or be made a Child in his old age P. H. No no Gondomar is too young to dotâ—… and too old to be a child therefore he is confident and sure that the Match will hold but withall he saieth the Parliament must be ended ere these Royall Nuptiall cerimonies can begin and I thinke so to E. 6. Indeed this Castillian Embassadour now sailes before winde and tide vnder fore sayle and maine top-sayle but very shortly he hopes to hoyst vp top and top-gallant P. H. He may chance to packe on so much sayle that he may at last crack the maine Mast of his policy or the maine stay of his hopes or be so busie and violent in the solicitation of this Match as he himselfe may giue himselfe a Shotte which may sinke either his reputation or iudgement or both betwixt winde and water Q. E. Intruth I found his predicessour Mendoza too busie and dangerous in my State and therefore I forbad him my presence and discharded him my Kingdom whereat I know not whether he or the King his Master more grieued
setled peace hee deuoured this rich and noble Kingdome making it not onely tributary but a Prouince to Spaine And was this also Religion or to plant the Catholique faith or rather was it not manifest treacherie and apparant vsurpation such if Don Anthony had not all the world knowes the Dutches of Braganca had more right to this Kingdome then King Philip. P. H. Yea that policy King Phil. learnt of the Emperour Charles 5. his Father who when himselfe and King Francis the first of France contended for the Empire of Germany whiles Francis was bribing of the Electors Charles brought an Armie into the field and so enforced them to elect and choose him Q. M. I must confesse I euer held the Portingalls to be zealous and good Romane Catholiques but as Nauarre lay fit for Biscay and Galicia so Portingall lay exceeding comodious for Andoulosie and if my husband King Philip had not seconded his right of descent by the law of his sword perhaps he might haue had a bad neighbor in Portingall which he and his counsell timely fore-seeing they as wisely preuented And howsoeuer although he hated Don Anthonie yet I know he loued the Dutches of Braganca well but When we speake of Crownes and kingdomes Religion will make his surprise of Portingall a matrer of State though to speake truth State can neuer make it a matter of Religion Q. A. How Well King Phillip loued the Dutches of Braganca I know not but this I am sure of that both Monsieur de Boysise Monsieur de Bisseaâ—…x and Monsieur de Marais Ambassadours with King Iames my Husband for the two last French Kings Henry 4. and Lewes 13. tolde me that Philips hatred and rage was so great against Don Anthony that he begged his body which lyes in a Coffin of Lead in the Cord-liers Church at Paris to be deliuered his Ambassadours and so sent him into Spaine but as they said these two most Christian Kings their Masters answered Philip that there was little Religion lesse charity to take vp and remoue the ashes of a dead Prince and King as was Don Anthony and so his body still remeanes in Paris P. H. If Spaine were so malicious to a dead Prince how ought those that are liuing to beware and take heed of him H. 8. As a guilty conscience can neuer finde â—…est so it may be that King Philip was afraid of a second Don Anthony as of a second Sebastian P. H. But King Philip 3 his sonne hath farre more reason to feare Don Anthony his two Princely sonnes Don Emanuel and Don Christopher and of Don Emanuell his two generous and Illustrious Sonnes Don Maurice and Don Lewes all foure liuing who are famâ—…os and Royall reserued Peeres of Shipwracke of that Royall Kingdome and blood of Portingall Q. M. O but they are poore and want friends and meanes to advance their iust title to that Crowne if they haue any E. 6. Their right and title to Portingall is iust and therefore cannot and should not dye Q. E. If the French forces had met mine at the Groyne Peneca or Lisbone or had the Portingals â—…isen my Norris Drake and noble Essex in despight of Philip and his forces had pluck'd the Crowne of Portingall from his head and set it on King Anthonies P. H. No no Don Anthonies Sonnes are beloued of the Nobilitie of England France and the Netherlands and Don Emanuels wife is Sister to that valiant and incomparable Captaine Maurice of Nassaw Prince of Orenge So if fortune smile and a fauourable gale blow these disinherited Portingall Princes may one day proue pricks and thornes to the sides of Spaine For all Portingall knowes that their veines and hearts streame with pure Portingall blood yea with the remainder of the royall blood of that Kingdome which Philip 3. his last entertainment together with the Prince his sonne at Lisbone had almost found true but that his Maiestie departed with as much feare secresie and shame as he came with resolution popularitie and glory in the interim these Portingall Princes remaine prodigious and ominious Commets to Spaine Q. M. Did Spaine thinke so it would quickly make these Princes ride Poast into another world Q. E. If Spaine should send these Princes Poast into another world either by the bâ—…cke doore of poyson by the wicket of a Ponyard and not by the great and fore-dore of Nature it would draw the fists of most Christian Prince about King Philips eares and make all Portingall solemnize their Funerals with their swords drawn and their Cities gates shut E. 6. Indeede I haue heard that the Commons and especially the Nobillitie of Portingall begin extreamly to distaste the imperious pride and ambitious carriage of the Spaniards as many of them let not to say boldly and publiquely that Phillip enioyes the Kingdome by vsurpation and nâ—…t by right Q. M. Not by right Why Pope Gregory 14. approued his Title and confirmed his Conquest of the Kingdome of Portingall Q. E. So did not our Sauiour Christ whose Successour and Vicar the Pope pretends himselfe to be P. H. In the meane time Spaine domineeres at her Conquest of Portingall and well shee may for it is one of the fairest flowers of his Garland and of the richest Diamonds of his Crowne H. 8 But the other Kings of Christendome haue â—…ust cause and reason to grieue and storme hereat for as it was Portingals mischance then to fall and vaile Bonnet to Spaine so it may be theirs to morrow for to a Prince and people so greedy and ambitions of Empire as is Spaine all fish is good that comes to his hooke or net P. H. Thus Spaine deuoures Kingdomes as the Cyclope Polephemus did passengers for he surprizeth no more then he meetes withall and yet will not Chirstendome beware of Spaine Italy H. 8. VVE haue past from Nauarre the West Indies Portingal now let vs come to Italy to see how Spain is beloued or feared of the Italians how he hath behaued himselfe there E. 6. In Italy the King of Spaine is nayled to the Pope as most of the Colledge of Cardinals and all die Iesuites are to him yea he hath the greatest and richest territories thereof as the Kingdome of Naples the Dutchy of Millane and the Island of Cicily and in a mannet the Marquesse of Monaco and Finall the Dukes of Montoua Parma and Vrbin the Princes of Massa and Piombino with the States of Genoua and Luca doe all march vnder his banner and call onely on his name yea he hath so incircled the Pope as hee is rather his Prisoner then his spirituall Father for if his Patrimony of St. Peter be the Temple his Naples and Millane is the Cloyster to impall it so as he hath no impeachment or obstacle from making himselfe sole Lord of Italy but the great Duke of Tuscany and the prudent and potent Seignorie of Uenice Q. M. O but the Pope neede not feare the King of Spaine for â—…s Spaine is the
〈◊〉 the Duke of Luynes so discreet and honest to aduise and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereunto P. H. 〈◊〉 neglect thereof may make one or both of them to repentâ—…t and peraduenture the kingdome too for already the Commons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Nobilitie would but cannot remedy it Q. M. Spaine loues France therefore France neede not feare Spaine P. H. The Panthers skin is faire yet his friendship is fatall and his breath infections Q. E. Indeed if France loued not Spaine it neede not feare it Q. M. King Philip loues King Lewis dearely Q. A. Not halfe so well as he loues his Kingdome of France Q. E. In truth France hath reason to haue a vigilant eye ore Spain for as long as shee sleepes in her bed of pleasure and securitie perhaps one of these dayes Spaines Ambition may awake her with Drum Trumpet and Cannon P. H. O no not as yet for if the king of Spaine were so ill aduised his Councell is not for they like old experienced Foxes will neuer permit him to discouer himselfe much lesse his Resolutions and least of all his Ambition and Sword vntill the Sunne hath attain'd the Meridian Q. M. I know not what my Nephew meanes by this Mathematicall Riddle Q. E. I was neuer greatly skild in the Mathematickes and yet consuming my Youth Yeares and Cares for England I haue reason to vnderstand his knowledge Wherefore Sister sith hee is a Noble and famous Prince let vs heare him for he hath some mistery to reueale twixt France and Spaine Q. M. He loues France and hates Spaine and which is worse hee was an Heretique therefore his tongue can make no Spherall melody E. 6. But his heresie hath brought him hither to heauen tho and hee is a famous and Noble Prince therefore Cosen Wales speake on of France and Spaine for now wee are all resolued to heare you Q. E. I gaue him my Fathers Name and he inheriteth my resolution and courage and the King his Fathers wisedome therefore he can neither flatter nor dissemble Q. A. Speake on Henry P. H. Know all men by these Presents that if Spaine did see the Heart and Bowels of France weltring in its bloud and flaming in the fire of an intestine Giuill warre if it did see the Princes banded against the King or the King against the Protestants these rifeling of the Lourre and of Paris and his Maiestie besieging of Rochell Sancerre Sedan Nismes or Samury or denouncing warre to all those of that Religion If it did see sixteene Parisian Tribunes carrying away the Court of Parliament prisoners to the Bastille and Chastellets the rebellious Barycadoes and a bloudie Massacre in Paris and generally in all the Cities of the Kingdome if hee did see some Princes of the bloud or two great Dukes as were Du Mayene and Merary Captiuating and Deboshing the obedience and affections of the French Nobilitie Clergie and Commons and couering their pernitious designes and trecherous attempts vnder the cloake of the holy League If it did see Calais Dourlaus Amiens Montdidier Valencienes Blauet and Croyden or other strong Cities or Forts of France bearing out the red ragged Crosse instead of the three yellow Flower Deluces and a second Mendoza for his Ambassadour sate as premier President and Oracle in the Louare Towne-house and Parliament That then Phillip the III. of Spaine loues his Sonne in Law Lewes the thirteene of France so well that hee would vse him as King Phillip the second had an eager desire and had almost done great Henry his Father Q. M. Why how was that P. H. Right as my Godmother Queene Elizabeth hath formerly told you nothing but to depriue him of his Kingdome E. 6. It were better that all the Iesuites were hanged and the young Queene of France sent home to Spaine with her Portion to the King her Father Q. E. But wee see strange alterations in the Court of France for some dare but will not and others would but dare not informe the King hereof Q. A. France hath reason yea it is high time for her to looke to her selfe for the Agents Iesuits and double Pistols of Spaine are busie and their Swords and Pikes are not Idle For whiles France playes the Theorie Spaine playes the Practique Of the Netherlands H. 8. How doth Spaine and the Netherlands â—…gree E. 6. Spaine hath so long inured and enforced the Hollanders to bloud and warres as now at Sea and Land they are become such braue Souldiers and Marriners as they feare not Spaine and to loue Spaniards they vow it is impossible much lesse to obey them Q. M. It is pittie that King Phillip the second ended not the chastising and Conquest of these Heretique Hollanders ere King Phillip the third began it or that hee cannot reduce them to obedience by ending these warres with more fortunacie and lesse danger and dammage Q. E. Nay Sister it is pittie that these two Kings of Spaine and the Archduke Albertus and Isabella haue from time to time beene so ambitious inhumane cruell and reuengefull to drowne the face of the Netherlands with many deluges of bloud in seeking to preserue their libertie liues and Consciences from the cruell Tyrannie and Inquisition of Spaine P. H. Indeed for this forty yeares the Netherlands hath beene the Schoole and Theater of Mars whereon there hath beene more braue souldiers and renowned Captaines flame then in any Country of the world or in many precedent Ages and yet all this bloud is not capable to quench Spaines Ambition and Tyranny in seeking to deuoure those Prouinces Q. A. Hath not Spaine assaulted the Netherlands as well by Trecherie as Hostilitie Q. E. Yes witnesse the damnable Villaine Gerrard who long since murthered William the famous Prince of Orange their Lieutenant Generall and Father to Maurice that valiant and incomparable Captaine who now succeeds him in his Principalitie Q. M. O Sister cast not so base an aspersion on King Phillip my Husband to affirme hee was accessary to the murther of William Prince of Orange much lesse authorised it or commanded it P. H. All the Ocean betweene Holland and Spaine cannot wash off that Murther from your Husband King Phillip for his proscription to murther him beares it and his Lieutenant the Duke of Parma commanded the Count Assonuille to deale with Gerrard about this murther who promised him twentie fiue thousand Crownes to effect it which O griefe to speake it he did E. 6. But his valiant Sonne hath long since had reuenge for the death of his Father Q. A. If he haue not he resolues to haue it H. 8. But hath not Spaine since attempted or broached any other Treason towards the Hollanders P. H. O yes very lately for whilst Spaine is Spaine Holland will neuer forget how neere he was to haue extinguished her libertie and surprized their State by infecting and corrupting their Secretary Barneuelt a man of so profound wit and deepe iudgement and experience in matters of State as he was not onely
M. If we had had any Males England had beene long since a Prouince to Spaine Q. E. God knew so much and therefore preuented it wherein I qle◅se his Mercy and prouidence as also your sterrilitie P. H. Aunt and I your resolution in speaking it Q. M. The Kings of Spnine are the greatest ◅nd most potent Kings of the World Q. E. Yea in Ambition and ostentation but not in power for I proued it not so I found it not so I left it not so P. H. You Madame found Warre with Spaine surer and safer then Peace Q. E. Yea farre more safer and farre more profitable too for England Q. A. Then I wonder that King Iames my Husband so delights and drownes himselfe in his peace with Spaine Q. M. O but Spaine findes both policy and reason enough to full King Iames a sleepe in the Cradle of Peace and Security Q E. I neuer feared Spaine lesse then when I loued it not no◅ more then when it made greatest shew to loue me P. H. And the King my Father neuer loued it more then now when he feares it E. 6. But is it possible King Iames feares Spaine P. H. It seemes so for else he would neuer loue it so excessiuely Q. E. Sir Nicholas Bacon my Chancellor on his Death-bed wrote me a Letter that the Glory and Conseruation of England consisted in holding Spaine at Rapiers point and will not his sonne Sir Francis the now Chancellor tell his Maister so much P. H. O no he is otherwise imployed H. 8. But tell mee Daughter was Spaine euer treacherous to your Person Q. E. Almost euery yeare Spaine hatched mee a new Treason witnesse Parry Babbington Williams Yeorke Lopez and infinite others who sought to lay violent hands on my Person and Life but that God in his infinite mercy and prouidence still protected and defended me to their owne confusion P. H. But King Phillip 2. chiefely discouered his loue to England in the treacherous attempt of his huge Armado of 88. tearmed by the Pope in a brauery The Inuincible Fleete at what time his ambition and greedy desire of Vsurpation so farre ore-swayed him and his Councell as he thought to haue made an absolute Conquest of England but hee was deceiued of his hopes for God looked on England with his indulgent eye of pitty and compassion and on that great and mightie Nauall Army with contempt and detestation Q E. Yea God was so gracious to England and so mercifull to mee as not only my Ships and People but the Windes and Waues fought for my defence and that of my Countrey against the pride and malice of Spaine who grew mad with anger and pale with griefe to see this his great and warlike Armado beaten foyled and confounded in the midst of their glory and ambition E. 6 But Sister was this all Spaines malice and trechery towards You and your State Q. E. No no for I had forgotten how before that his Maiestie in Spaine and his Lieutenant the Duke of Alua in Flanders embarg'd and confisk'd a world of Goods and Ships that belonged to my Subiects contrary to all Lawes of Conscience and Nations P. H. And no other Q. E. Yes King Phillip beg'd my Kīngdome of Ireland of the Pope and so assisted the Rebels and made a confederacy with them for ◅he Conquest thereof from me bringing in first Stukeley then Don Iuan of Aquila into that Kingdome to the same effect But Heauen alwayes laught at their ambition vsurpation and trecherie which still proued as vaine as impious and vniust P. H. And yet see the iustice of the Cause and the equitie of your Armes for Essex landed at Calez and in despight of Spaine tooke and rifled it beating and sinking their best and greatest Ships in a manner without any shew of defence or resistance Q. M. O but now the times are altered and changed for then Spaine was poore and England rich and now England is poore and Spaine rich Likewise Spaines warres parsimonie and frugalitie makes his Men Souldiers and our Peace Pride and superfluitie hath made our Souldiers either Courtiers or Cowards H. 8. France knew that I found Souldiers in England when I tooke Tourney and Bouloigne Q. E. And Spaine felt that English were Souldiers when my Drake beat them on my Seas and Coast in 88. my Norris at Croyden in 94. my Essex at Calais in 96. and my Montioy at Kingsale in 1600. Q. M. But when England was delighted in Combats Warres and Victories and now in Stage-playes Maskes Reuels and Carowsing so as their courages are become as rustie as their Swords and Muskets which serue to grace the walls and not the fields except in poore Musters and sleight Trainings and that but once a yeare which vpon the whole is more for ostentation then Seruice Moreouer then Englands Nauy-Royall could giue a Law to the Ocean and now time and negligence hath almost made all these ships vnseruiceable who lye rotting at Chatam and Rocesther E. 6. Here Queene Mary hath reason for now she is in the truth Q. E. What Sister and Brother my Royall-Nauy lye r◅tting who are the Bulwarkes and Walles of England and when I left them were capable to beate the power and pride of Spaine to shiuers O this grieues me but I beleeue not that my wife and prudent Successour King Iames will suffer or permit it I pray God-son and Nephew Prince Henry resolue me hereof P. H. Indeed Madam I confesse I haue seene so much my selfe when God knowes I grieued to see it neither did I faile to put the King my Father often in remembrance thereof and his Maiestie still promised me to new build and repaire that Royall Fleete to which number I added my Prince-Royall a ship who had she many fellowes England needed not feare all the Fleetes of the World but although the old Lord Admirall hath not beene carefull for the preseruation of the Nauy yet the new one is H. 8. If he be not I grieue for the Fleet. Q E. And I lament it E. 6. And I pittie it Q. A. And I bewaile it Q M. And not to dissemble both Gondomar King Phillip his Master the Pope my selfe and all the Romane Catholiques of England reioyce hereat for the Impotency and destruction of this Royall Nauy is the Harbinger to prepare the way and a step for King Phillip to mount the Throne of Estate to plucke off King Iames his Crowne and to place and ◅ettle it on his owne head Q. E. O my Ships my Ships God knowes they were still deare to me because still necessary to England Where is my Drake where my Cumberland my For bisher my Grinuille my Cau◅dish my Haukins my Rauliegh and the rest Alas they want me and king Iames and Englnad wants them for when they liued and I raigned our valour could stop the progression of Spaine yea my ships domineerd in his Seas and ports and their Clouds of smoke and fire with their Peales of thunder
strueke such such amazment to the harts and terrour to the courages of Castille and her faint-hearted Castillians that euery Spanish Bird kept his owne Nest not powerfull enough to defend themselues much lesse to offend any and lest of all England who was then â—…n her Triumphes in her lustre in her glory P H. Grieue no more deare Aunt for the Nauy Royall of England for although Nottingam were remisse and carelesse herein yet braue Buckingham hath of late yeares set a new face on that Fleet and makes it not onely his delight but his glory to re-edifie and reforme them yea there is not a yeare passes him but hee brings some new forth from their Dockes and puts in other old although Cranfield resembling himselfe bites his lips at the charge thereof because he affirmes he hath other occasions to disburse and pay away the Kings Treasure Q. E. Nephew Wales I am glad to heare that Buckingham is so carefull of England Fleet-Royall and in very deed his Ambition Care and Zeale herein will infallibly purchase him much loue and honour of the whole Kingdome especially if he continue it H 8. Me thinks Scotland annexed and vnited to England should make it farre the stronger Q. E. But how can King Iames say England and Scotland is strong when he feares the powers of Spaine and will not know or beleeue his owne E. 6. Yea it were much honour to the King and happinesse to his Kingdomes and Subiects if in any poynt knowing the weakenesse thereof he would fortifie and reforme it Q. A. And it were a great happinesse for most Kingdomes and free Estates of Europe if they would follow the examples of the Venetians and Hollenders who will neither trust nor loue much lesse feare Spaine P. H. And among the rest if England would follow it they should drawe securitie out of danger whereas now her apparant danger is drawne and deriued from her apparant security Q. A. O that the King my Husband would thinke hereof P. H. O that the King my Father would make vse hereof Q. E. O that King Iames my Heire and Successour would not hearken or beleeue the contrary hereof H. 8. But this were the way to haue warres with Spaine and King Iames I vnderstand is resolued to liue and dye in peace with them Q. M. Warre cannot be bought at a cheape rate Q. E. But it is pitty that peace should be bought at too deare and dishonourable a rate P. H. I haue alwayes beene enformed that England still gets by her warres with Spaine Q. E. I got by my warres with Spaine and Spaine lost by it P. H. My Father and his Subiects lose by his Peace with Spaine and Spaine gets by it Q. M. When England hath lost her selfe she can lose no more Q. E. But Sister your death was the death of the Popes hopes and of Spaines pretences to England P. H. But they both seeme to reuiue and bud forth a fresh if the Match betweene my noble Brother P. Charles and the Infanta of Spaine take effect Q. A. May Heauen deny the first and the King your Father neuer consent to the second Q. E. So shall Spaine euer feare England but neuer England Spaine Q. M. But I hope the contrary for in these dayes the King of Spaines Gold and his Ambassadour Count Gondomar act wonders in England H. 8. Hath Gondomar propounded this Match to King Iames P. H. O long since and hee hath vowed to weare out his red leather Coach and greene Buckram Litter but he will see an end of it this Parliament Q. A. I thought indeede it was not for nothing that he makes Aesops Fables his daily pocket guest E. 6. How doth King Iames relish this Match Q. M. His Exchequer is poore and King Philips Indies rich and therfore his Maiestie likes it so well as he will hearken to no other H. 8. How doth Prince Charles himselfe like this motion P. H. I know not how my Brother likes it but for my part I should euer haue preferred a Daughter of Francâ—… to that of Spaine and I hope the Match will not succeede because my noble Brother Prince Charles is wise valiant and generous E. 6. But how doth the braue and graue Parliament sauour this Spanish Match Q A. Fewe loue it most feare it But as the Match so the Parliament is not yet ended Q. E. This would be musicke indeede for the Romane Catholiques of England if it should take effect for the very first newes thereof made them flap their wings as if they were ready to crowe Q. M. Yea for they hope and which is more they know that if it proue a Match That the Infanta will soone introduce the Masse and Vsher in the Pope therefore they haue reason to reioyce at it P. H. But if the King of Spaine will not giue the summe which my Father King Iames demaunds will not they make it vp Q E. It is probable and credible That their Holy Father the Pope and themselues will stretch both their Purses and Credites to knit the Match H. 8. Why hath Gondomnr such power with King Iames to hope to see this Match effected Q. M. O yes for his Maiestie saith that his Master is an honest King and hee a wise Seruant The first all the world knowes and the second I hope England shall shortly feele at least if all hookes take P. H. Indeed if Gondomar can effect this match it is the direct way for him to be a Grande of Spaine and to procure a red Hat for his Sonne or Nephew Q. A. Was the Duke of Monteleone so rewarded for his French Matches Q. M. Hee is already a Grande of Spaine and hath the promise of a Hat Q. A. Why then Count Gondomar need not feare for hee hath as much policie as the Duke of Monteleone though not so much ostâ—…ntation H. 8. Who made and concluded the match with King Philip Q. M. My Selfe and the Parliament Q. E. Nay Sister put in Woolsey and Gardyner and leaue out the Parliament for you onely proposed it them but for forme and had secretly concluded it before hand your selfe Q. M. Suppose I did I might doe it of mine owne authority and prerogatiue Royall Q. E. But you offered no faire play to the Parliament though in asking their aduise when the Contracts were ready to be sealed Q. M. But I had reason to follow mine owne Iudgement not their Passions H. 8. Nay nay Daughter you contrariwise followed your owne passion not their Iudgements and so God gaue limits to Philips Ambition and your owne desires by making you â—…orsake Earth and he Engâ—…and E. 6. But wise King Iames is opposite to my Sister Mary as well in Religion as sexe and therefore I hope nay I assure my selfe he will first consult this Match with his Parliament ere he conclude it with Spaine P. H. If the voycâ—… of the Parliament be free and not enforced I make no doubt but the
heare that Englands Nauie Royall doth so prosper and flourish In which regard and Consideration the King your Master shall doe well to build store of new Ships in Biscay Ostend and Dunkeâ—…k for if Spaine master England at Sea England can neuer withstand Spaine by Land for now the English are Effeminate and you 〈◊〉 Souldiers I doubt not but by this time there is such order taken in Spaine that the English Fleet at Alicant and Carâ—…agena shall returne home with lesse shame and repentance whereby you may teach them that it is onely proper for Spaniards to Domineere at Sea and that the Sea and Maritine actions are now Spaines no longer Englands Element So whiles England lyes gasping on her bed of Peace and securitie let the King your Master prouide for Warre Continue to sowe Dâ—…uision in the Church of England and rather augment then diminish your Pensions to you know whâ—…m If 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 Army to goe out of England either for Bohemia the Paâ—…atinat the Netherlands or Venice deale so effâ—…ctually with King Iâ—…mes that either it be so small as it can 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great 〈◊〉 to Catholiques or be a mâ—…anes to cause them to staâ—… so long that it bee impossible to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gâ—…od for Protestants I commend 〈◊〉 Excellenâ—…ies poliâ—…y in being sharpe and bitter against those who either Speake Write or 〈◊〉 against the King your 〈◊〉 and his pretencâ—…s for now you 〈◊〉 the Hâ—…nour and feliâ—…itie to see your selfe 〈◊〉 to King 〈◊〉 his Eâ—…re and his Maiestie to your Girdle the 〈◊〉 anâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…f thâ—…se will terrific others Be sure to bee intimately 〈◊〉 with all Factious Discontented Catholikes for they will proue fine Agents and Instruments to execute your Masters Commands I am glad to see King Philip so sleight and dis-respect King Iames as hee hath not this many yeares sent him an Exraordinary Ambassadour especially now for Treating and Concluding this Match for the more you and he Debase the Honour and vnder value the Reputation of England the more you aduance and prise that of Spaine But that which grieues mee most is because GOD himselfe hath opposed and Confirmed the breach and delaceration of the Match but I hope that for the Catholike Kings sake our Holy Father the Pope and our blessed Mother the Church will so interpose their Prayers to his Sacred and Diuine Maiestie that very shortly hee will reuoke and change his Resolution and relish that which hee now distasteth Through your zeale and industry I likewise doubt not but before a few yeares bee past and 〈◊〉 ouer to see England made a Prouince to Spaine her Nobilitie most murthered and the rest caryed away Slaues to worke in the Mines of Peru and Mexico the Pope installed all Heretikes rooted out either with Fire or Halter Let your Excellency proceed as you haue well and happily begun and feare not but you shall enioy your wishes the King your Master his hopes and myselfe and all the Romane Catholikes of England our desires In the meane time I kindly greet and salute your Excellency and bp your next Dispatch for Spaine fayle not to signifie that I kisse the Catholiks Kings hand Written and sent from Heauen Your Excellencies Friend MARY Queene Queene MARY To the Romane Catholikes of England of both Sexes and of all Rankes MY Heart on Earth and my Soule in 〈◊〉 hath euer so deeply affected you and your Religion as to the vtmost of my power I will neuer admit that any aduâ—…rse accident or stratagem what soeuer shall endomage you or preiudice it to which end by Mercury Whom I haue purposely sent vnto you I would not faile to aduertise you of a Consultation which hath beene here held by my Father Henry VIII my Brother Edward VI. my Sister Queene Elizabeth Queene Anne Prince Henry and my Selfe tending to the safety and glory of England to the vnmasking of Spaines pretentious Ambition and Treachery to many Estates of Europe and more especially to the vtter breach of the Match betwixt Prince Charles and the Infanta of Spaine which two last points alone I 〈◊〉 and defended but they all most violently contradicted and opposed In which consultation I write it aswell with Griefe as pittie Couâ—…t Gondomar hath â—…eene narrowly both sifted and censured and all his Actions brought on the Table and made apparant and obuious to the dimmist Eye to the weakest Iudgement and vnderstanding the which I haue now signified his Excellency by a particuler Letter wherein I haue prayed him to haue a more Iealous and curious eye ouer his Secretaries as I know England hath ouer him And to the end your Soules and Consciences may haue Spirituall food and Consolation I wish and exhort you to put all your Wits on the tenter-hooks to bring in the Infanta or else neuer expect the Pope and consequently not the Catholike King For else all your intelligence with Rome and Spaine your correspondence with the Iesuites and Count Gondomar will not preuaile nor your Poyson Poâ—…iard or Powder take effâ—…ct if the Match doe not and because King Iames wants money and his Exchequer drawne drie and exhausted if he stand on a greater summe then the Catholike King can or will giue you shall doe a most acceptable seruice to our Blessed Father the Pope and to our Holy Mother the Church That you Lords and Knights Morgage your Manners and Plate and you Ladies and Gentle-women pâ—…wne your Ringes and Iewells to make vp the expected Summe For the Match once consumâ—…ted you know and Count Gondomar can perfectly teach you a thousand wayes to refetch it with a ioyfâ—…ll and golden Interest I highly 〈◊〉 and applaude your â—…oy when you 〈◊〉 Bohemia won and the Palaâ—…nate assaulted towards which Victories and 〈◊〉 your 〈◊〉 Contributions gaue a great stroke which although Ferdinand for the present cannot recompence yet doubt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phillip shoâ—…tly futâ—…rely will Sitâ—… his Ambassadour Gondomar â—…akes him confident that you are as fast nayled to his Scepter aâ—… his Catholicke 〈◊〉 is to the Popes triple Crowne Bee you still the eyes of Count Gondomar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him still continue your 〈◊〉 for you can neuer desire a better 〈◊〉 then himselfe nor a stronger Protector then the King his Master But in very deed I much feare that this great Parliament will teach the Protestants of England wit and you Romane Catholickes repentance If Holland the Palatioate or Venice be in the Field be you not Idle in your Houses or in England for although Douer bee shut you shall 〈◊〉 Ports enough open for it is for the Progression aâ—…d Aduancement of the 〈◊〉 Cause and for the Seruice of the Great Catholike King and if all things hit well you shall not repent your selues of your Valour Generosiâ—…ie employed and spent in his Seruicâ—… What though God 〈◊〉 here approued of this Consultation against the Match yet his great 〈◊〉 the Pope will confirme the Match against the Consultation Therefore make you your 〈◊〉 with the Pope and doubt not but his Holinesse both can and will at his pleasure make his with his God Howsoeuer bee ruled and beleeue in the Pope who is the Head of the Church For you know out of the Church there is no Saluation I like well that there daily Trauels some of your wisest Gentlemen for Spaine and now you see there is no feare to bring â—…ome Priests and Iesuites for Count Gondomar â—…ath found out the Art and Mysterie to open the Doores of Wisbich the Gatehouse and the Clincke at his pleasure To liue Idle is Effeminâ—…te and 〈◊〉 bee you therefore 〈◊〉 your selues still bâ—…sie and in action for as in matters of Religion and Pietie so in thâ—…se of the State the Pâ—…actique is alwayes more Honourable then the Theorie In a word as long as 〈◊〉 Kings raigne in England your zealous Catholikes shall there finde but little Peace and lesse Ioy and yet I must needâ—… confesse that God seâ—…mes to bâ—…are a particuler affection to King Iames out withall you know the second meanes must bee vsed wâ—…ich I write to my comfort I see his 〈◊〉 neglects So â—…f Gondomar continue in England and the Mâ—…tch dyë not then I hope a little time will worke all things to the best Tâ—…ll when I salute you all and will â—…till pray 〈◊〉 you for the Prosperitie of the Great cause Written and sent from Heauen Queene MARY FINIS