Religion then the Ceremonies of it did publickly refuse it From hence proceeded Tragedies Tumults War and Invasion for upon the first reading thereof the people were so violent against it that the Dean and Bishop of Edenburgh hardly escaped with life nor were they onely the rascal multitude that thus opposed it but many of the Noblemen Barons and Gentlemen amongst whom the chief were the Earl of Hume and the Lord Lindsey To appease these disorders the King sent down the Marquess Hamilton in the quality of an high Commissioner impowring him with a Commission to use the utmost of his interest and power for the settling of peace but whether as some write he dealt deceitfully in aspiring to the Crown himself or no I judge uncertain but most certain it is that after his coming the differences encreased far greater then before and no question but it had become far better for the King had this Marquess been either a more close friend or an opener enemy The King being at home in no good condition used all means he could to pacifie his enemies abroad not onely winking at many of the foul disorders of the Scots but also yielded unto them in their desires for many things which nevertheless allayed not their spirits but rather encouraged them to proceed as they had begun For as Cleaveland hath it Nor Gold nor Acts of Grace 't is steel must tame The stubborn Scot a Prince that would reclaim Rebels by yielding doth like him or worse Who saddled his own back to save his horse Hamilton being returned into England the Scots began might and main to levy Souldiers to impose Taxes to raise Fortifications to block up some and seize others of the Kings Castles and to prepare for War The King not to be behinde hand with the Scots it being no good policy in War to strain courtesie who should begin first raised a considerable power to the maintenance whereof many of the Nobility contributed largely especially the Bishops it being for the preservation of their own Hierarchy March 27. the Army began to march the Earl of Arundel commanding in Chief but all the preparation both of one side and the other proved onely an interview of two Armies nothing being acted considerable in the way of engagement for after a few dayes attendance upon each other a Pacification was concluded upon distributed into these Articles On the Kings Part. 1. His Majesty to confirme what his Commissioner promised in his name 2. That a general Assembly be indicted to be kept at Edenburgh August 6. 3. That command be given for a Parliament to be holden at Edenburgh August the 20. 4. That he recal all his Forces by Land or Sea and restore all Ships and Goods arrested and detained since the pretended Assembly at Glasgow upon the Covenanters disarming and disbanding of their Forces dissolving their Tables and restoring to the King all his Castles Forts and Ammunition and releasing all the Persons Lands and Goods then under restraint or detained since the pretended Assembly of Glasgow This his Majesty to do by Declaration On the Scots Part. 1. The Forces of Scotland to be disbanded within eight and forty hours after publication of the Kings Declaration 2. They to render up after the said publication all Castles Forts Ammunition of all sorts so soon as the King shall send to receive them 3. They to hold no meetings treatings nor consultations but such as are warranted by act of Parliament 4. They to desist from all fortifications and those to be remitted to the Kings pleasure 5. They to restore to all the Kings Subjects their Liberties Lands Houses Goods and Means taken or detained from them since the first of February last This Pacification being solemnly ratified on both sides the King well hoped a general peace would ensue but what ever the Scots pretended the sequel shewed they intended nothing less for they still kept their Officers in constant Pay they did not slight their fortification at Leith they still continued their Meetings and Consultations they still disquieted molested and frighted all of different inclinations and which was worst of all they dispersed a scandalous Libel entituled Some conditions of his Majesties Treaty with his Subjects of Scotland before the English Nobility are set down here for remembrance Which Book tending to the defamation of his Majesty and disavowed by the Commissioners then present at the Treaty was by the command of the Council burnt by the common Hangman The King who intended to stay till the General Assembly was met seeing matters remain in this doubtful posture returned into England leaving the Earl of Traquair his Commissioner August the 6 the Assembly met at Edenburgh wherein Episcopacy the five Articles of Perth the High Commission the Liturgy and Book of Canons were abolished the Earl of Traquiar assenting thereunto The Assembly being ended the Parliament began who instead of reforming Abuses fell upon new moddelling the Government forming an Act Recissory whereby former Acts concerning the Judicatory of the Exchequer concerning Proxies and concerning confirmation of Ward Lands should be nulled Which being signified to the King he by his Commissioner the Earl of Traquair prorogued the Parliament until the 2. of June next These actings of the Scots warping altogether towards War were much forwarded by an accident November 19. it happened a great part of the walls of the Castle of Edenburgh with the Cannons mounted fell to the ground this being the Anniversary night of the Kings Birth-day was construed in the Grammar of Superstition an ominous presage of the ruine of the Kings design The King appointed the Lord Estrich Colonel Ruthen and the Governour of the Castle to take order for the re-edification of what was lapsed but the Scots would not suffer any materials to be carried in for reparation This Indignity the King concludeth intollerable and thereupon resolveth to relieve himself by force to this end a private Juncto is selected for the close carrying on of the design wherein it was agreed his Majesty should call a Parliament to assemble April the 13. next The King approved well of their Councel but withal said My Lords the Parliament cannot suddenly convene and the subsidies they grant will be so long in levying as in the interim I may be ruin'd therefore some speedy course must be thought upon for supplies The Lords willing to forward the business told him they would engage their own credits and the Lord Deputy of Ireland giving the onset subscribed for twenty thousand pound the other Lords writing after his Copy subscribed conformable to their Estates the Judges also contributed largely as also the Recusants who are ever sure to undergo the lash yielded according to their abilities From which Loyalty of theirs to his Majesty the more envious and schismatical sort of people gave out that the King was in his heart a Papist I have thought it my duty to insert in Latin and in English his Majesties Declaration
dayes was set that whosoever lost the Monks ever won Several superstitious Writers render this King in his life to be of that holiness that he received power from heaven to cure many diseases amongst others the swelling of the throat commonly called the Kings-Evil a prerogative that continued hereditary to his Successours Kings of England which as they affirm was first derived from him Alluridus Rivallensis writing the life and death of this King reporteth him to be a man void of pride a lover of peace a contemner of covetousness abhorring wars and blood-shed insomuch as when he lived as a banished man in Normandy he would oftentimes say That he had rather live a private life for ever then to attain the Kingdom by the death of any man Indeed he was more fitting to be ruled then to rule being too much subject to his Subjects his familiarity causing their contempt accounting his humility to be meer simplicity though otherwise adjudged by the Poet. He 's soly wise who is not selfly wise But humble in the judgement of his eyes His innocent and harmless Government continued his Reign in length twenty three years six moneths and odd dayes he died and was buried in the Church at Westminster which he formerly had builded being after his death canonized for a Saint The Life of VVILLIAM the Conquerour WIlliam the First sirnamed the Conquerour was base son to Robert the first of that name the sixth Duke of Normandy begotten on Arlet a Skinners Daughter from whence our English word Harlot is thought to be derived when he was about seven years old his Father intending a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem assembled all his Nobles together and caused them to swear fealty to this his son William committing him to the governance of two of his Brothers and the defence of that Government to Henry the French King a strange confidence in the Duke to commit the tuition of his son that was base born to pretenders that were legitimate and a potent Monarch who desired to reannex that Dukedom to his Crown but the proximity of blood in his brothers and his former services to the French King made him so confident that in the eighth year of his Dukedom he sets forward on his voyage where entring Jewry and not able to travel he was born in a Litter on Saracens shoulders and near unto the City meeting a returning Pilgrim desired him to report in his Countrey that he was carried to heaven upon the devils back but so far he went that he never returned leaving his son a ball to be tost about in Fortunes Tennis-Court First one Roger de Tresny sought to toss him out of his Dukedom pretending the illegitimation of William which fair pretence got him many complices but the Divine Providence raised him up friends particularly Roger de Beamont by whose valour this Roger de Tresny was defeated and slain These troubles were scarce ended but far greater arose for William de Arques his base Uncle assisted by the King of France layes claim to the Dutchy but William so begirt his Castle with a strait siege that the Earl was almost famished was forced to yield and the French with disgrace returned home yet could not their ill success deter others from attempting the like but Guy Earl of Burgoyn Grand childe to Richard the Second would needs likewise try his chance in Fortunes Lottery which proved quite contrary to his expectation for he seeking to be made head of the Dukedom was for his treason made shorter by the head Duke William having thus vanquished his enemies and now grown more potent then he was before for every rebellion when it is suppressed makes the Prince stronger and the Subjects weaker comes over into England to visit his Cousen King Edward the Confessor to whom it is said Edward with the consents of Stigandus Archbishop of Canterbury the Earls Goodwin and Syward and of Harold son to Earl Goodwin promised if he dyed without issue to leave the Crown which promise was afterward ratified by the corporall oath of Harold who being at his mannor of Boseham in Suffolk one day for his recreation in a fishers boat launched forth to the Sea but by a contrary winde was driven upon the Coasts of Ponthieu in France where being taken by Earl Guido was presented to Duke William to whom he solemnly swore to assist him for obtaining the Kingdom but Edward dying the splendour of his Crown so dazeled the eyes of Harold that forgetting his former promise and oath he set the same upon his own head Duke William whose hopes were that England should be his now seeing his hopes frustrated by Harold prepares his forces against the perjured King with whom joyned many of the French Nobility and to make their endeavours the more successfull Pope Alexander the second sent him a consecrated Banner an Agnus Dei and one of the hairs of Saint Peter the Apostle Thus furnished on all sides with a Navy of 896. Ships he cuts the briney face of Neptune and arrives at Pemsey near Hasteings in Sussex from whence he sent a Monk on Ambassage to Harold who was newly returned from the slaughter of the Norwegians offering him three conditions the first was that he should resigne up the Crown or hold it as a Tributary Prince under him or else in sight of both armies to defend his Title in Person against the Duke if not to stand to the arbitrement of the Pope but Harold instead of granting his requests threatens his ruine except he forthwith returns into Normandy Both sides thus enraged the one seeking to get the other to keep that which by right belonged to another seven miles from Hasteings a bloody battel was fought wherein was slain of the English if I may credit my Author 66654. King Harold himself manfully fighting was likewise slain a Prince had he attained the Crown by right worthy to have injoyed it a longer time but his pride and ambition caused his destruction so true is that which one observes Much have I seen yet seldome seen I have Ambition go gray headed to the Grave William having thus obtained the victory of an old Duke was made a yong King being Crowned at Westminster by Aldred Archbishop of York the Year of our Salvation 1066. And now the better to secure himself in his new state he endeavours to get into his possession the strongest forts in the Kingdom and to this end takes his journey towards Dover the Lock and Key of the Kingdome as Matthew Paris calls it that by the command of so strong a place he might the more easily keep under the Natives and keep out strangers if any excited by his example should dare to attempt what he had done But the Kentish-men having notice of his intentions assembled together and at Swanscombe two miles from Gravesend met him in the forme of a moving Wood for seeing no way lay open save onely a front they agreed to carry in their hands great
Consulship of Caesar and Bibulus that nothing was reported of Bibulus but all of Caesar so Longchamps Sun ecclipsed Durhams Candle his great Bell making such a sound that the other Tantony could not be heard Having thus settled his affairs in England he crosseth the Sea to Philip King of France who according to appointment was to go along with him in this journey which after some stay occasioned by the death of the French Queen they agreed on these Christian and friendly terms 1. That each of them preserve the others honour and bear faith to him for life and member and earthly dignity 2. That neither of them shall fail the other in their Affairs but that the King of France shall help the King of England to defend his Land even as he would defend the City of Paris if it were besieged and Richard King of England shall help the King of France to defend his Land even as he would defend his City Roan if it were besieged These Articles agreed on and sworn to on both sides these two great Monarchs of the West Richard the first King of England and Philip the second King of France set forwards on their journey in the description of which give me leave to light my Candle at Mr. Fullers fire and to borrow some of his expressions to inrich my stile who in his History of the holy War hath so eloquently described it nor let me be accused for a fellon or a counterfeit in mixing his Gold amongst my Alchymy since it may well pass for pay which is stamped with so currant language There attended King Richard in this journey Baldwine Archbishop of Canterbury Hubert Bishop of Salisbury Robert Earl of Leicester Ralph de Glanvile late Chief Justice of England Richard de Clare Walter de Kime c. At Tours he took his Pilgrims Scrip and Staff from the Archbishop his Staff at the same time casually brake in pieces which some construed a token of ill success Likewise when he and the French King with their trains passed over the Bridge at Lyons which brake by reason of the throng of people on the fall of the Bride this conceit was built that there would be a falling out betwixt these two Kings which accordingly happened their intercourse and familiarity breeding hatred and discontent betwixt them At Lyons these two Kings parted company Philip passing over the Alps in Italy and Richard to the Sea-side to Marseillis to meet with his Navy which being by tempest driven to other parts after six weeks stay he hireth shipping for himself and his company and passing forwards upon occasion anchored in the Mouth of the River Tyber within fifteen miles of the City of Rome yet notwithstanding he was so hot on his journey his devotion was so cold towards his Holiness that he would not vouchsafe to give him a visit but plainly told Octavian Bishop of Ostia the Popes Confessor that having better objects to bestow his eyes upon he would not stir a step to see the Pope laying to his charge many shamefull matters touching the Romish Simony and Covetousness with many other reproaches alledging that they took 700. marks for consecration of the Bishop of Mains 1500. marks for the Legative power of William Bishop of Ely and of the Archbishop of Burdeaux an infinite sum of money whereupon he refused to see Rome Yet notwithstanding this his disobedience to his spiritual Father he arived safe as Messana where he met with the French King his most Christian brother and although he lost the Popes yet found he the Almighties Blessing his Navy within few dayes after ariving safe in Cicily Tankred at this time was King of the Island a Bastard born and no wonder if climing up to the throne the wrong way he shaked when he sat down besides he was a tyrant both detaining the Dowry and imprisoning the Person of Joan Wife to William late King of Cicily and Sister to King Richard And therefore though he shewed him a fair countenance his heart was full of poysonous rancour but King Richard perceived his hypocrisie notwithstanding his vizard as dissembling goeth not long invisible before a judicious eye and being offered some abuses by the Citizens of Messana he assaults and takes the City demanding satisfaction for all wrongs done to him and his Sister Tankred seeing how the case stood thought it his best thrift to be prodigal and bestows on King Richard many thousand ounces of Gold purchasing that with his purse which by using justice he might have had for nothing King Phillip seemed nothing pleased at these dissentions yet wisely covered the fire of his anger with the ashes of discretion till such time he might show it with more advantage and thinking to forestall the market of Honour and take up all for himself he hasted presently to Ptolemais which the Christians had long besieged and with them he joyns while King Richard taking his Sister Joan and Berengaria daughter to Sanctius King of Navarr in 190. Ships and 50. Gallies puts to Sea for the holy Land but is by tempest cast upon the Coast of Cyprus where the Islanders under Cursac or Isakius their King seek to impeach his landing But King Richard speedily over-ran the Island and having taken Cursac honours him with the magnificent Captivity of silver Fetters having given him his word not to put him in bonds of Iron This Island from all antiquity was celebrated for the seat of Venus according to the Poet Venus feasts hallowed thorow all Cyprus came And Venus fair was present at the same And that it so might prove to King Richard in the joyous moneth of May he solemnly takes to Wife his beloved lady Berengaria and pawning the Island to the Templers for ready money he passeth on to Ptolemais Long time had this City been besieged by the Christians and many were the miseries that were underwent by both sides the Famine raging within and the Pestilence reigning without so that now upon King Richard arival the Turks despairing of succour and their victualls wholly spent they yielded up the City on condition to be guarded out of it safely To take possession for the French there was sent in Drogou de Merlou and an 100. men at arms and for the English Hugo de Gurnay with the like number who equally parted the City Goods and People between them Here the English cast down the Ensigns of Leopoldus Duke of Austria which he had advanced in a principal place of the Wall and threw them into the Jakes for which injury King Richard paid dearly afterwards so dangerous it is to exasperate any though far inferiour for as the fable acquaints us the Beetle may anoy the Eagle and the Mouse befriend the Lion Eighteen dayes after the taking of Ptolemais the French King returned home leaving Odo Duke of Burgundy to manage the Army in his absence pretending the air of the Countrey did not agree with his body but more likely that the air
had won it for which cause he fortifies his Camp on all sides stopping all relief that might come to them by Sea with his Navy The French King not able to raise the Siege seeks to divert him by an invasion in England David the second King of Scots a sure friend to the French though allied to the English with an Army of threescore and two thousand enters England supposing considering what great numbers were abroad there were none left at home but Priests and Shepherds but he was utterly deceived of his expectation for at Nevils Cross in the Bishoprick of Durham he was encountred by the Archbishop of York with some Lords of the North who animated by the Queen who was there in person defeated this great Army slew the Earls of Murray and Strathern the Constable Marshall Chamberlain and Chancellour of Scotland with many other Nobles and fifteen thousand common Souldiers took King David himself prisoner together with the Earls of Douglass Fife Southerland Wigton and Menteith Thus France was not alone the stage of King Edwards Victories nor the French alone the Nation over whom he triumphed This loss of the Scots lost the French King the Town of Callis which after eleven moneths Siege was delivered up to King Edward who made Governour of the same one Aymery of Pavia and then with his Queen returned into England But good fortune attended not Edwards person alone it was likewise available in his Lievetenants Sir Thomas Dagworth in Little Brittain overthrew and took prisoner Charles de Bloys Monforts Competitor and besides many Knights and Esquires slew 700. common Souldiers Henry of Lancaster drave John Duke of Normandy King Philips eldest son from the Siege of Aquillon takes and sacks the Towns of Xaintoigne Poictou and Poityers and returns to Burdeaux with more pillage then his Army could well tell what to do withall Sir Walter Bentley puts the Marshall of France to flight with the slaughter of 13. Lords 140. Knights 100. Esquires and store of common Souldiers thus the English prosper every where and the French suffer King Edward was at that time elected King of the Romans but refused the tender as out of his way considering his French and other importunate affairs King Philip dying John his eldest son succeeds him who creates his son Charles Duke of Aquitain Edward herewith incenst bestows the same on the Prince of Wales commanding him to defend that right with his Sword against his adversaries hereupon an Army is raised for the Prince consisting of 1000. men at Arms 2000. Archers and a number of Welshmen with which he arives in Aquaitain and in emulation of his Fathers glory worketh wonders recovering multitudes of Towns and prisoners and loaden with booties returns to Burdeaux Winter being spent he again sets forth sacks spoils and destroyes where ever he goes whom to oppose King John with an Army of threescore thousand follows to Poicters and enforces him to fight the Princes army so small in comparison of his that he might say as Tygranes did of the paucity of the Romans if they come as Embassadours they are too many if to fight too few the French exceeding him six to one but what was wanting in number was made up in valor for after a long conflict they discomfitted their whole Army took King John and his Son Philip prisoners with many other Lords and about 2000. Knights and Gentlemen bearing armories slew 1700. Gentlemen whereof 52 were Bannerets and about 6000. common Souldiers of which victory a modern Poet sings Such bloody lines the English here did write Might teach posterity how they should fight The Prince with his prisoners marcheth in triumph to Burdeaux where resting a while he sets sail for England With what joy he was welcomed home may be easier immagined then expressed his acts exceeding all expection his performances afterwards as I referr to the description of his life and return again to his Father King Edward Who upon receit of the French King releases King David of his long imprisonment thinking it honour enough to have one King prisoner at once he had been here in durance the space of eleven years and was at the incessant suit of his Wife Queen Joan set at liberty yet not without a ransom of a hundred thousand markes with condition to demolish and raze down several of his Castles And now the third time on the behalf of the French two Cardinals solicite Edward for peace to which he yields but on such conditions that the Council of France will not condescend unto whereupon in great displeasure with a mighty Army he again enters France destroying all wheresoever he came and notwithstanding great offers were made him by the French yet would he not desist but concontinued inexarable God saith mine Author displeased thereat sent such a terrible storm of Hail with Thunder and Lightning upon his Hoast that it killed many of his men and horses whereupon wounded and struck with a remorse he vowed to make peace on reasonable conditions and not long after at a treaty at Bretagni concluded the same The chief Articles whereof were 1. That King Edward should have to his possession the Countries of Gascoigne Guyen Poytiers Limosin Balevile Exantes Caleis Guisness with divers other Lordships Castles and Towns without any dependancy but of God 2. That the two Edwards Father and Son should renounce all their right to the Crown of France the Dutchy of Normandy the Countries of Tourain Anjou and Maine as also to the homages of Brittain Armoricke and the Earldome of Flanders 3. That the King of France should pay for his ransom there millions of Crowns of Gold six hundred thousand in hand four hundred thousand the year following and the rest in two years after for assurance whereof a certain number of Hostages should remain in England 4. That the French should not aid nor assist the Scots against the English nor the English the Flemings against the French c. These Articles confirmed on both sides by seals and oaths King John is delivered from his imprisonment and King Edward with his Hostages returneth into England But notwithstanding seals and oaths it was not long ere these Articles were broken yet good correspondence was held during the life of King John who coming over into England to visit King Edward died of grief as one writes that the Duke of Anjou one of his pledges came not into England according as he had sworn after whom his son Charles sirnamed the Wise succeeded who with loving letters and presents works himself into the good opinion of King Edward whilest covertly he defrauds him of his interests in France it fortuned whilst his Ambassadours were in the Kngs presence news was brought him of the forcible invasion of the French in Poictow which when the King heard he commanded the Ambassadours to get them home with their deceitful presents to their treacherous Lord whose mocks he would not long leave unrevenged but King Edwards fortunes
Monster with two heads the misery of which Nation by occasion of these Wars is thus described by Polydor Virgil. While the English and French quoth he contend for Dominion Sovereignty and life if self mens goods in France were violently taken by the Licence of War Churches spoiled men every where murthered put to death or tortured Matrons ravished Maids forcibly drawn from out their Parents arms to be deflowred Towns daily taken defaced spoiled the riches of the Inhabitants carried whither the Conquerours thought good Houses and Villages round about set on fire no kinde of cruelty left unpractised upon the miserable French omitting many other kindes of other calamities which all at once oppressed them I shall onely adde that the Commonwealth being destitute of the help of Laws which for the most part are mute in times of War and Tumults floated up and down without any anchorage of right or justice Neither was England her self void of these mischiefs who by reason of her Civil Wars every day heard the news of her valiant Childrens Funerals slain in perpetual Skirmishes and Bickerings her general wealth continually decreasing so that their evils seemed almost equall and the whole Western World ecchoed the groans and sighs of either Nations quarrels being the common argument of the discourse and compassion of all Christendom The Regent having lately buried his Wife Sister to the Duke of Burgandy did now without his privity marry the Earl of St. Pauls Daughter no friend to the Burgundian which drave him into a discontentent and that discontent did King Charles so work upon that at length he seduced him from the English side though to effect the same he was fain to stoop so low as to send him a blank and bid him set down his own conditions which were both many and unreasonable saith Serres yet worth his cost For as Aemylius saith The end of that War did redeem the French from a Forreign Government as the first assuming thereof had made the English Lords over France The Regent out-lived this revolt not long but died at Paris with whom died all the English mens good fortune in France his body was with all Funeral Solemnities buried in the Cathedral Church of our Lady at Roan on the North side of the high Altar under a sumptuous and costly Monument which Tomb certain Courtiers would have perswaded King Lewis the Eleventh to have demolisht to whom he answered God forbid I should disturb him dead who living would have disturbed us all no let his bones rest in peace well worthy to have a more stately Monument How mighty a Prince he was this his stile sheweth Regent of France Duke of Bedford Alanzon and Anjon Earl of Main Richmond and Kendale and Constable of England But which excelleth his greatness as my Authour writes was that he was one of the best Patriots and Generals that ever blossomed out of the Royal Rosiar of England He died the 14. of September 1435. The Life of RICHARD NEVIL Earl of VVARWICK THis undaunted Heroe whose Life we now relate was he who in those times made and marr'd Kings and handled their Fortunes at his pleasure and was himself a great part of those famous Civil Wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster he was the eldest Son of Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury and by Marriage with Anne the Sister and Heir of Henry Beauchampe Earl and after Duke of Warwick was in her right created Earl of Warwick His Grandfather was Ralph Nevill Earl of Westmerland whose Daughter the Duke of York had married which might be one cause of his adhering so much to that side and the effusion of so much bloud as ensued thereon For the Wars being now ended in France which we have declared unto you in the Lives of Edward the Third Edward the Black Prince Henry the Fifth and John Duke of Bedford those uncivil Civil Wars soon after brake forth betwixt the two Houses of York and Lancaster For though during our Forreign Wars these dissentions appeared not so much as in the Embrio both sides spending their stock of valour against the common enemy these Wars being ended these Martial mindes difused to peace would still be acting though against themselves The two chief Heads of these Factions was Richard Duke of York and Henry the Sixth King of England if we may call him a head who had so faint an heart and not rather the Queen who acted all though under his name The Duke of York claiming the Crown as Heir to the third Son of Edward the Third the Line of whose eldest Son Edward the Black Prince extinguisht in the deposition and paracide of Richard the second procured by Henry of Bullingbrooke the first King of the house of Lancaster Edward the Thirds second Son dying without issue Henry pleaded the advantage of a long Reign an interrupted descent in Majesty for threescore years a Sovereignty acknowledged abroad by by all Christian Princes and obeyed at home by all Englishmen without dispute a title according to the Law Salique undubitable and which had been confirmed at the first entry of his Grandfather Henry the Fourth into the Kingdom not onely by resignation of Richard the Second but even by approbation nay particular negotiation of Edmond Duke of York Edward Duke of Aumerle and Richard Earl of Cambridge Father Uncle and Grandfather to the said Duke of York This weighty business being not the work of one day the Duke of York draws to his side the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and the better to prepare his way he practises all means to draw the King into the hatred of the people as one insufficient to supply the room which he held but Henry's piety having placed him so high in the affections of the people he seeks to undermine him in the downfall of his friends pretending not against the King but his evill Counsellours a pretence that hath been made use of in latter times The King at that present lying very sick he neglects no advantage but by the help of his friends wrought so effectually that the Duke of Somerset was sent to the Tower this man was exceedingly hated of the Commons conceiving him the chief cause that all Normandy was surrendered into the hands of the French of which their malice the Duke of York made good use though his intentions for the removing him out of the way was the hinderance he knew he would prove to his after claim of the Crown but when the King had recovered his strength again and resumed to him his Princely Government he caused the Duke of Somerset to be set at liberty and preferred him to be Captain of Calice wherewith not onely the Commons but many of the Nobility which favoured the Duke of York were greatly offended saying that he had lost Normandy already and would also lose Calice Hereupon the Duke of York with his adherents the Earls of Warwick Norfolk and Salisbury the Lords Cobham and Fawconbridge with many
five thousand men marched against them and although his numbers was nothing competent to his enemies yet would he not be advised but gave them Battel so that being encompassed on all sides thorow his own rashness was himself slain and his whole Army discomfitted his Son the Earl of Rutland being but twelve years old stabbed by the Lord Clifford his trusty friend the Earl of Salisbury beheaded by the common people and his own head fixt on a pole with a paper Crown was set on the Walls of York for the barbarous mirth of the uncivil multitude The unwelcome news of the Dukes overthrow coming to the Ears of VVarwick to stop the torrent of the Queens proceedings he musters all the men he could and taking King Henry along with him marches from London to oppose the Queen at St. Albans both Armies met where VVarwick lost the day with the slaughter of two thousand of his men King Henry also whom fortune neither favoured amongst friends nor foe was again taken This Victory of the Queens had it been discreetly mannaged might have turned the scales on the Lancastarian side but she wanton with success vainly imagined a security from future competition and either wanted power to restrain her Souldiers or licensed them to a free spoil by which unruly violence she untied the affections of the Commons who by their quiet and profit measure the vertues of their Princes So that the Citizens of London fearing to be plundered hearing of their approach shut up their Gates and arm'd for resistance The Queen hereupon with her plundering Army retires Northwards where we will leave her for a time and look back upon the Earl of March Who being at Glocester at such time as he heard news of his Fathers death spent not his time in womanish lamentation but considering how dangerous leasure in to increase the apprehension of misfortune having encreased his Army with some additional forces he marches against the Earls of Pembroke and Ormand who had raised a great power with purpose to surprise him Near Mortimers Cross on Candlemass-day they encountred each other where the two Earls and their whole Army were put to flight with the slaughter of there thousand eight hundred on the place Edward having obtained this Victory with his Triumphant forces directeth his march towards London in the way at Chipping-Norton he met the Earl of Warwick nothing daunted at his late misfortune and coveting nothing more then by the tryal of a new day to perswade or else to force back victory to his side then enter they London in a triumphant manner the Citizens receiving them with great acclamations of joy the Earl of March wich a joynt consent of them all is chosen King and accordingly proclaimed throughout the City by the name of Edward the Fourth This was done at London in the mean time the Queen and the Lords of her side were daring and vigilant in the North and having raised threescore thousand fighting men they resolved with expence of their blood to buy back that Majesty which the House of Lancaster by evill fate had lost Edward choosing rather to provoke then expect an enemy having mustered what Forces he could with his trusty friend the Earl of VVarwick marches against them and notwithstanding his Army came far short of the others in number yet by his Captains good conduct and his Souldiers valour joyning battel between Caxton and Towton he gave his enemies a mighty great overthrow In no one battel was ever poured froth so much English blood six and thirty thousand seven hundred seventy six persons all of one Nation many near in alliance some in blood fatally divided by faction were now united in death On the Lancastrian side were slain the Earls of Northumberland and VVestmorland the Lords Clifford Beaumont D'acres Gray and VVells John Lord Nevill Son to the Earl of VVestmorland with divers others On King Edwards side the Lord Fitz-VValter and the Bastard of Salisbury with many others of great reputation and courage King Henry with the poor remains of his party fleeth into Scotland whilest Edward in triumph returneth to London But notwithstanding this great overthrow yet did not the indefatigable Queen lose any thing from her spirit or endeavours but makes addresses to all Princes abroad whom alliance reason of state or compassion of so great a disaster might move to her assistance and notwithstanding all her endeavours she gathered together but five hundred French yet adding hope to her small number she crosses the Sea with them into Scotland Here some thin Regiments of Scots resorted to her in whose company taking her Husband King Henry along with her she enters England but this small number scarcely deserving the name of an Army were soon overthrown by the Lord Mountague most of the Lords of her side taken and beheaded King Henry escaped from the Battel but was soon after apprehended as he sat at dinner at VVaddington-Hall in Lancashire and by the Earl of VVarwick brought prisoner to London and committed to the Tower These great services done by VVarwick and his Brother Mountague for King Edward made them set so high a price upon their merits that the greatest benefits he could bestow upon them were received in the degree of a debt not a gift and thereupon their expectations being not answered according to their imaginations they begin to look upon Edward with a rancorous eye and certainly this was the main cause of their falling off from Edwards side though for a while they dissembled the same untill they should meet with a more plausible occasion which soon after was offered unto them for the Earl of Warwick being sent over into France to negotiate a marriage betwixt King Edward and the Lady Bona Sister to the French Queen whilest he was busie in courting this Lady Edward following more his fancy then reasons of State falls in love and marries the Lady Elizabeth daughter to the Dutches of Bedford and widdow of Sir John Gray slain on King Henries part at the Battel of St. Albans But when the Earl of Warwick understood how mighty an affront by this was given to his employment he entertained none but disdainfull thoughts against his Prince And exprest so bold a discontent that Lewis of France who was quick to perceive and carefull to foment any displeasure which might tend to the disturbance of another Kingdom began to enter into private communication with him for ever after this common injury so they called the errour of love in the King the Earl held a dangerous intelligence in France which after occasioned so many confusions to our Kingdom Nevertheless upon his return he dissembled all discontent and in every circumstance of respect applyed himself to applaud the Marriage and in particular the excellent personage of the Queen But long did not the fire of his revenge lie hid under the ashes of dissimulation for King Edward grown secure by an over-bold presumption the daughter of a long prosperity
sollicitations he had from Henry Earl of Richmond and the Lords of his faction who to draw them off from Richards side that morning in which Bosworth Field was fought was found a world of papers strowed before Norfolks door Yet notwithstanding all this he regarding more his oath his honour and promise made to King Richard like a faithful Subject absented not himself from his Master but as he faithfully lived under him so he manfully died with him But to return to his Son the Earl of Surrey in this Battle he had the leading of the Archers which King Richard had placed in the fore-front as a Bulwark to defend the rest the undaunted courage of this Earl and his resolute brave carriage being taken prisoner are delineated to the life by the renowned Sir John Beaumont in his ever-living Poem of Bosworth Field which if to some it may seem a long Quotation the goodness of the lines will recompense the tediousness of reading them Courageous Talbot had with Surrey met And after many blows begins to fret That one so young in Arms should thus unmov'd Resist his strength so oft in war approv'd And now the Earl beholds his Fathers fall VVhose death like horrid darkness frighted all Some give themselves as Captives others fly But this young Lion casts his generous eye On Mowbray's Lion painted in his shield And with that King of Beasts repines to yield The Field saith he in which the Lion stands Is blood and blood I offer to the hands Of daring foes but never shall my flight Die black my Lion which as yet is white His Enemies like cunning Huntsmen strive In binding snares to take their prey alive While he desires t' expose his naked breast And thinks the sword that deepest strikes is best Young Howard single with an Army fights When mov'd with pitty two renowned Knights Strong Clarindon and valiant Coniers try To rescue him in which attempt they die Now Surrey fainting scarce his Sword can hold Which made a common Souldier grow so bold To lay rude hands upon that noble Flower Which he disdaining anger gives him power Erects his weapon with a nimble round And sends the Peasants Arm to kiss the ground This done to Talbot he presents his Blade And saith It is not hope of life hath made This my submission but my strength is spent And some perhaps of villain blood will vent My weary soul this favour I demand That I may die by your victorious hand Nay God forbid that any of my name Quoth Talbot should put out so bright a flame As burns in thee brave Youth where thou hast err'd It was thy Fathers fault since he prefer'd A Tyrants Crown before the juster side The Earl still mindeful of his birth reply'd I wonder Talbot that thy noble heart Insults on ruines of the vanquisht part We had the right if now to you it flow The fortune of your Swords hath made it so I never will my luckless choice repent Nor can it stain mine honour or descent Set Englands Royal Wreath upon a stake There will I fight and not the place forsake And if the will of God hath so dispos'd That Richmonds Brow be with the Crown inclos'd I shall to him or his give doubtless signs That duty in my thoughts not faction shines Which he proved to be most true in the whole course of his life for having continued prisoner in the Tower three years and a half the Earl of Lincoln confederating with one Lambert Simnel raised an Army against the King the Lieutenant of the Tower favouring their enterprise freely offered the Earl licence to depart out at his pleasure which he refused saying That he that commanded him thither should command him out again The King understanding of his fidelity not onely released him of his imprisonment but took him into a more specal regard and soon had he an occasion to make tryall of him a great insurrection happening in the North wherein the Rebells were grown so potent that they slew the Earl of Northumberland in the field and took the City of York by assault against these King Henry assembles a great power making the Earl of Surrey Chief Captain of his Voward who so behaved himself that the Rebells forces were dissipated their chief Leaders taken and soon after executed The King noting his great prudence and magnanimity made him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward had Warden of the East and middle Marches and Justice of the Forrests from Trent Northwards in which offices he continued the space of ten years during which time the Scots having committed some outrages upon the Borders he made a road into Tivydale where he burnt and destroyed all before him returning with great spoils and honour Not long after he made another road into Scotland returning with like success James the fifth then King of Scotland raised a great power to withstand him and sent to the Earl a challenge to fight with him hand to hand which he accepted but the King into his demands would have the Countrey or Lands then in Controversie to be made Brabium Victoris which was without the Earls power to engage being the inheritance of the King his Master but he proffers better Lands of his own upon the Combat which was not accepted and so nothing was concluded A peace being concluded with the Scots he was called home and made Lord Treasurer of England of the Privy Council living in great Honor and reputation all the dayes of King Henry who dying his Son Henry that succeded him added to his other dignities the high Marshallship of England and going in person with an Army into France left him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward to defend the Realm against the Scots for James the Fifth King of Scotland notwithstanding he were King Henries Brother-in-law yet did so firmly adhere to the French that to divert King Henries proceedings in his own person with a mighty Army he invades England The Earl of Surrey to oppose him raises what Forces he could and at a place called Flodden it came to a pitcht field which was fought with great courage and valour but God who owned the just cause of the English crowned them with success and set the Palm of Victory on the Earl of Surrey's head The Scottish King being slain and with him two Bishops eleven Earls seventeen Barrons four hundred Knights besides other Gentlemen and seventeen thousand common Souldiers The Earl for these services was by the King at his return home highly rewarded and restored to the Dukedom of Norfolk his Fathers Dignity Soon after was he sent chief Commissioner with the Lady Mary the Kings sister to be married unto Lewis the French King and after his return home the King and Queen going to Guines to visit the French King he was made Protectour of the Realm in his absence Old age seizing on him he obtained leave of the King to spend the remainder of his dayes at Framlingham
freer access unto the Princes Court then to any others of the same profession and so by consequence to the presence of the Queen her self who did not think much to enter into discourse with him apart and with much familiarity as often as there was offered any opportunity not onely in reference to his Profession and about matters of Law but also about the weighty affairs of State and the concernments of the kingdom and at all times he gave her such judicious answers that she received great satisfaction by them But though she abundantly cherisht him with the favour of her countenance yet never with the favour of a bountiful hand as never having advanc't him to any publick office either of honor or profit excepting onely one dry reversion of a Registers Office in the Star-Chamber computed at the yearly value of 1600. pound into the possession of which he came not till about twenty years after or thereabout of which office his Lordship said pleasantly in Queen Elizabeths time That it was like another mans Farm bordering upon his own house and so might help his prospect but not fill his Barn But in King James his Reign he at length enjoy'd that office and manag'd it by a deputy Now that he was not sooner preferr'd cannot be any way attributed to the least aversion or displeasure that the Queen had in her minde against him but to the fraud and envy of some one of the Noble men at that time powerful with the Queen who sought by all means possible to depress and hinder him lest if he should be advanced to any heighth of honour his own glory should be eclipsed by him However though in the time of his Mistris Queen Elizabeth his merited promotion was still forestalled or kept back yet after the change of Government and the coming in of his new master King James he with a quickned pace soon made a large progress being by this King eminently enobled with places of trust honour anst great revenues I have seen some letters written with his own hand to King James in which he acknowledgeth him to have been so good a master to him as to have nine times conferred upon him his iterated favours thrice titles of great honour six times offices of profit the Offices he means I suppose were these he being Councel extraordinary to his Majesty in which place he had formerly served the Queen the Kings Sollitour General the Kings Atturney General or principal Procurator made one of the Kings Privy Council while yet he held the place of Atturney General Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England lastly Lord Chancellour of England Which two last Offices although they are the same in Authority and Power yet in their Patent degree of honour and favour of the Prince they differ and since the time of his holding that Magistracy none of his successours hath been honoured with that title unto this day His honours were first his being Knighted by the King then he was created Baron Verulam lastly Viscount of St. Albons besides other rich gifts and extentions of a bountiful hand which his Majesty was pleased to bestow upon him as well out of the profits of the great Seal as out of the Office of Alienation When he had arrived to that part of his age in which fortune smiled upon him he began to think of marrying and at length took to Wife Alice the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Bennet Bernham Esquire and Alderman of London with whom he received a very considerable Dowry as well in Land as in ready money children he had none by her but for as much as children conduce very much to the perpetuating our names after death he was not altogether destitute of that advantage since it was his hap to be blest with an other kinde of Off-spring for the perpetuation of his memory to after times namely the Off spring of his brain in which he was alwayes wonderfully happy like Jove himself when he was delivered of Pallace Nor did this want of children in the least measure abate his affection to his Wife toward whom he behav'd himself as an indulgent Husband and shewed her all manner of conjugal love and respect bestowing upon her rich Furniture precious Jewels and likewise settled upon her a fair Joynture nor is it to be omitted in honourable remembrance of him that she wore a rich Wedding Gown which he had bestowed upon her about twenty years after his death for so long she surviv'd her most honoured Husband The last five years of his life retiring himself from Court-Affairs and all kinde of busie employments he bent himself wholly to study and contemplation which kinde of life seem'd indeed to be most pleasing to him as if he would have chosen by his good will to dwell rather in the shade then in the sun-shine Of which also we may find some not obscure intimations in the reading of his Works in which space of time he wrote the greatest part of his Books as well those that were written in English as in Latin which according to the order of time that they were written in I who was present all the while and observ'd shall endeavour to reckon up and they were these following The History of the Reign of Henry the Seventh King of England written in English The Abecedary of Nature a Metaphysical tractate which I know not by what evil fate perisht The History of the Windes The History of Life and Death The History of Dense and Rare never till now in Print The History of Heavy and Light which also is lost These Books were composed in the Latin tongue Next were certain English Fragments as namely these A Discourse concerning the carrying on of a War with Spain A Diologue concerning the Holy War The-Fable of new Atlantis A Preface to be plac't before the body of the Laws of England The beginning of the History of Henry the Eighth King of England Between some of these came that learned work of his call'd The Advancement of Learning in the Translating of which a thing undertaken of his own accord out of his native Tongue into the Latine our most honour'd Author took very great pains and from time to time inricht it with many and various additions After these came his Councels Civil and Moral formerly call'd Essays augmented both as to their number and weight in the English tongue Some of Davids Psalms Composed into English Verse Moreover divers of his Works already mention'd he converted out of English into Latin which were these The History of the Reign of Henry the Seventh King of England His Counsels Civil and Moral call'd Faithful sayings or the Inward sense of things The Diologue of the Holy War and the Fable of New Atlantis these he translated in favour of Forreigners by whom he heard they were desired Other Books that he writ originally in Latin were his book of the Wisdom of the Ancients review'd by himself The last
his charge serious and vigilant remiss in nothing that might any way improve or expedite his dispatch in Martiall Affairs But to take a brief survey of his Military Exploits I shall in the first place omitting engagements of less consequence as not so pertinent mount up the Hill near Newbury and Enborn Chase the two places where that memorable Battle was fought where Sir Charles Lucas with sundry other worthy Commanders behaved themselves as bravely as any of the most eminent Heroes from the beginning of this unhappy War in which Fight Sir Charles was grievously wounded Here were his characters of Honour deeply stamped in a Crimson die For the more brevity I shall pass by his valiant courage upon the Parliaments Forces at the assault of Cawood Castle where with skill and valour he forc'd his way thorow their Quarters to such places as he thought convenient and that with such confidence and magnanimity as his very name became a terrour to his enemies His Gallantry at Marston Moor will be had in remembrance so long as that Fight shall be recorded in our English Annals His valiant mannagement of Affairs at Newark where he exprest himself an absolute Souldier both in his Discipline and personal action His brave and successful attempt in his march from Berkley Castle with part of his Regiment betwixt Slymbridge and Beverston Castle upon Colonel Masseys Garrisons His incomparable Gallantry in the pursuit of his design at Tidbury But to descend from these particulars to the main thing we intend namely his Magnanimity in defending Colchester besieged by a powerful and successful Enemy We will in the first place give you a brief account of the occasion thereof and then as briefly relate the most memorable concernments during the Siege When the Parliaments Army had so subdued the Kings Forces that not one Garrison stood our for him openly and the King himself sold unto them by the Scots it was expected by the people a composure of differences would have ensued and the King reestablished on his Throne again according as they had promised in many Declarations But contrary thereunto they enacted to settle the Kingdom without him this much discontented the generality of the people and first they shewed their dislike thereof by way of Petition but that not prevailing they resolve force Langhorn Powel and Poyer strengthen themselves in Wales the Scots notwithstanding they had sold the King not long before yet now exclaim against the English for breach of Covenant and resolve to have the other march for England Against the Welchmen was Lieutenant General Cromwel sent and Sir Thomas Fairfax designed to go against the Scots but called back to march against the Kentish-men who in a Body of six thousand had possessed themselves of Maidstone with a resolution to stand it out against all opposers But Sir Thomas Fairfax falling upon them after a short but smart fight the Kentish-men were routed and their Army dispersed onely the Earl of Norwich with about three thousand men crossed the Thames and passed into Essex Where he found Sir Charles Lucas with some other persons of eminent honour and quality as the Lord Capel Loughborough c. with a compleat body of resolute men who after they had secured the Committee at Chelmsford struck into Colchester a Town inconsiderable as was generally conceived both by the Enemy and adjacent parts of the Countrey either to receive by a provisional way of relief any great force into it or by reason of the indefensive and intenible condition of the Town to stand out any time upon their settling or planting in it Yet so constantly courageous vigilant and incredibly industrious were these loyally disposed Gentlemen as this Town which in opinion by reason of her disprovision could not probably hold out against so powerful and formidable an Enemy the space of one week continued three moneths in a most resolute defiance and resistance of a victorious Army sated with such fulness of Conquests and supplied with such fresh and constant Recruits to bring their successive Atchievements to a more absolute period At length after many stout endeavours Sallies and Assayes gallantly performed having eaten all the Horses Dogs Cats and whatsoever though most reluctant to Nature could afford them nourishment this unfortunate Town of Colchester was surrendered after the continuance of three moneths Siege compleatly ended with these strict conditions the superior officers to mercy and the Souldiery upon quarter for life To those that shall demand what should be the reason for the besieged to hold out so long by their continued resistance to bring both themselves and the rest of the inhabitants into such misery and fearful distress especially seeing there appeared no hope at all of raising that lasting Siege nor of the Generals remove till he had finished his design besides their pertinacy and aversion from such reasonable conditions as in the beginning were proposed to them could not but highly incense the General and bring them as afterwards it did to extreamer terms upon intelligence of their necessitous condition that they might either be enforc'd to perish through Famine or necessarily surrender the Town To this sad inquiry I answer that besides others there were three main reasons which induced them to hold out so long as they did The first was that not onely the County wherein they were beleagured but other Counties too had ingaged themselves upon their fidelity a strong gage of assurance to valiant men that they would really joyn in assistance with them but this strong engagement procured an easie dispensation none appearing visibly save onely a small party about Saffron Walden who as they were soon up were as soon down being routed at Linton by a party of Horse under Major Sparrow But far greater hopes had they from London many of of the Royalists having engaged their persons under the Earl of Holland Duke of Buckingham c. to succour them But this expected aid proved fruitless for having lost that active spark of Honor. the Lord Francis Villers the rest of their flying Army were surprized at Saint Needs few escaping to carry tidings of their disastrous success But the main reason which induced them on to the continuance of this Siege was their daily expectance of relief from the North for the Scots having now ended their debate with their Presbyterian Cleargy concerning the conveniency and inconveniency of this War with 30000. men under the leading of Duke Hamilton entered England This numerous Army of Covenanters appearing so invincible made the Presbyterians in England to rest confident and to cry out Hosanna to the Mother Kirk of Scotland But as an Army of Sheep having a Lion to their leader is better then an Army of Lions with a Sheepish Commander even so this Canopy-General whose port and magnificence in his march promised wonders though it proved but Majesty in an imbroidered habit with a feaverish heart At Preston in Lancashire he was encountred by Cromwel with
molested or disquieted concerning the same or for refusal thereof 2. And that no free-man be taken and imprisoned or be disseised of his free-hold or liberty or his free customs or be out-lawed or exiled but by the lawful judgement of his Peers or by the Law of the Land 3. And that your Majesty would be pleased to remove the Souldiers and Marriners now billetted in divers Counties and that your people may not be so burthened in time to come 4. That the late Commissions for proceeding by Marshal Law may be revoked and annulled and that hereafter no Commission of like nature may issue forth to any person or persons whatsoever to be executed lest by colour of them any of your Majesties Subjects be destroyed and put to death contrary to Law and the Franchises of the Land All which they most humbly pray of your most excellent Majesty as their Rights and Liberties according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm and that your Majesty would also vouchsafe to declare that all awards doings or proceedings to the prejudice of your People shall not be drawn hereafter into consequence and example Never writes a late Author of the History of the Reign of King Charles did arbritary power since Monarcy first founded so submittere faces so vail its Scepter never did the Prerogative descend so much from perch to popular lure as by this concession a concession able to give satisfaction ever so supererogation for what was amiss in all the Kings by-past government Much hoped it was that this Parliament would have had a happy conclusion but what Gregory Nazienzen complained of Councels That he never saw any one end well King Charles might with as much verity have pronounced as to his content of Parliaments not any one he summoned having had any termination other then disgustful to him for no sooner was the Petition of Right granted but the Parliament resolved upon a large Remonstrance to the King wherein they ripped up many grievances of the Kingdom accusing the Duke of Buckingham his excessive power and abuse of that power the principal cause of all those evils and dangers to which the King returned a smart answer wherewith the Commons being displeased fell down right upon another Remonstrance against Tonnage and Poundage Whereupon the King unwilling to hear of any more Remonstrances of that nature prorogued the Parliament unto October 20. During this Session the Earl of Denbigh with fifty Sail of Ships attempted the relief of Rochel but prevailing nothing a third Fleet was prepared ready whereof the Duke of Buckingham was to have the Command but being ready to embarque he was stabbed with a knife by Felton a discontented person of which as also of his unfortunate proceedings at the Isle of Rhe I refer my Reader to his foregoing Life The Duke being dead the charge of the Fleet was committed to the Earl of Lindsey a Gentleman of a gallant resolution but before his coming the Town was so blocked up by Land and barred up by Sea that it was almost unapproachable yet many gallant attempts were made by the Earl bringing up his Ships to the very mouth of the Bar but being ready to enter the pass the winde whisked about into an opposite Point which drove them dangerously foul one upon another whereupon the Rochellers hopeless of relief opened their Gates submitting themselves to the Kings mercy which was granted them The Famine and War having made such havock amongst them that of twenty two thousand souls but four thousand were left October the 20. being come the Parliament was prorogued to January the 20. following at which time they met who begun where they last left with Tonnage and Poundage for complaints came in thick and three-fold against the Customers for taking and distraining Merchants goods Great stickling was betwixt the King and Parliament concerning this business the King claiming it as a Prerogative belonging to the Crown they denying it as an infringement of the Petition of Right After much debating and high words on both sides the dissolution of the Parliament put a period to the contest Not long after by mediation of the Seignory of Venice a Peace was concluded between France and England Spain also hampred with wars and want of money made overtures of a Peace which at last was concluded and published with more then ordinary Solemnity These Wars with France and Spain had so emptied the Exchequer that the King was forced to make use of his Prerogative for a supply which was by summoning all persons who had Estates of forty pounds per annum to receive the Order of Knighthood formerly practised by several Kings though now a long disuse had made it a novelty Many of the Countrey Hobs who had gotten an estate liable to a Fine took it first as a jeast and thereupon made no appearance but their purses afterwards paid for it in good earnest This project alone bringing in to the Exchequer no less then a hundred thousand pound May the 29. 1630. the Queen was delivered of a Son who was baptized by the name of Charles having two years before miscarried of a son of the same name who lived not above an hour which occasioned Randolphs Muse thus to express her self Thy first birth Mary was unto a Tomb And sad Lucina did not aid thy womb To Heaven thou then wert fruitful now to earth Thou canst give Saints as well as Kings a birth It was now seven years and better since Charles was crowned King of England Scotland his Native Countrey had a Crown also to bestow upon him and the King adjudged it worth the going for for though saith one it conferreth no one dram of solid and real grandure to the Throne yet ceremoniated as it is with such formalities it representeth it self a serious vanity There attended him this journey the Earls of Northumberland Arundel Pembroke Southampton Salisbury Carlile Holland Monmouth and New Castle the Bishop of London Lord Treasurer Secretary Cook Vice Chamberlain with many other Gentlemen of quality June 18. 1633. he was crowned with great Solemnity at Edinburgh and having visited Ealkland Sterling and some other eminent places he returned back again into England Thus he was crowned by a Nation that afterwards snatcht it from his Royal Temples The King at his return found his Exchequer near empty whereupon he consults with his Attorney Noy for a way how to supply it he searching old Records being a man very studious that way findes an ancient precedent of raising a Tax for setting forth a Navy in case of danger to which purpose a Writ was issued out to the seveaal Counties in England for the raising of money sufficient for the setting forth of forty seven ships at which the Commons grumbled as an illegal Tax contrary unto the Petition of Right The King for his better satisfaction demands the opinion of the Judges who all of them under their hands confirmed the Legality thereof yet were not the
the Trial was January 6. engrossed and read and the manner referred to the Commissioners who were to try him in the Painted Chamber Munday the 8. of January a Proclamation resolved to be made in Westminster Hall the Commissioners to sit the next day to which intent Mr. Denby the younger a Serjeant at Arms to the Commissioners rid into the Hall the Drums of the Guard beating without the Palace and in like manner at the Old Exchange and in Cheapside Jan. 9. The Commons Vote the Title in Writs of Caroli dei gratia c. to be altered that great Seal be broken and ordered a new one with the Arms of England and the Harp for Ireland with this word The great Seal of England and on the reverse the Picture of the House of Commons with these words In the first year of Freedom by Gods Blessing 1648. Now there was a new Tribunal erected there being appointed 150 Judges or Tryers that so in number they might represent the people who are improved to covenant hear Judge and Execute Charles Stuart King of England of these there were of several sorts of persons six Earls of the upper House the Judges of the Kingdom Commanders of the Army Members of the Commons Lawyers men of several Trades and Professions The Presbyterian Ministers now too late disclaim against the prosecutions and the English Nobility offer themselves pledges on the the Kings behalf but all too late and now the penitent Scots with their predecessor repent themselves of their Silver and in a Declaration express their dislike The High Court of Justice was framed in the upper end of Westminster Hall betwixt the then Kings Bench and the Chancery Saturday Jan. 20. the King was brought from St. James through the Park in a Sedan to White Hall thence by Water with guards to Sir John Cottons House at the back end of Westminster Hall The Judges met in the Painted Chamber attending the President Bradshaw in his Scarlet Robe the Sword born before him by Collonel Humphry the Mace by Serjeant Denby the younger and twenty men for his guard with Partizans himself sits down in a Crimson Velvet Chair of State fixed in the midst of the Court with a Desk before him and thereon a Cushion of Crimson Velvet the seats of each side benches covered with Scarlet Cloath the Partizans divided themselves on each side O yes and silence made the great Gate of the Hall was opened for any one to enter Collonel Tomson brought forth the Prisoner the Serjeant with his Mace received him to the Bar where was placed a red Velvet Chair the King looks sternly on the Court where he spyes one person who had received signal favours from him at the sight of whom as I received it from one in the Court he laid his hand on his breast and pronounced to himself scarce audibly Caesars words Et tu Brute after which he sat down not shewing the least regard to the Court but presently rises and looks downwards on the guards and multitudes of the spectators The Act of parliament for the Tryal of Charles Stuart King of England was read over by the Clerk one Phelps who sat on the right side of the Table covered with a Turky Carpet placed at the feet of the President upon which lay the Sword and Mace The several names of the Rolls of Tryers were called over and eighty answered to their names in the charge the King is accused in the name of the People of England of Treason Tyranny and of all the Murthers and Rapines that had happened in the War they imposed all the weight of the accusation on this that he raised War against the Parliament A great many people looking on with groans and sights deploring the condition of their King The President stood up and said Sir you have heard your Charge containing such matters as appear by it and in the close it is prayed that you answer to your Charge which this Court expects The King whilest he heard this Charge with a majestick countenance and a smile in answer to the President asks the new judges by what Auhority they did bring to Tryal a King their most lawful Sovereign against the Publick Faith so lately given him when he commenced a Treaty with the Members of both Houses By what saith he emphatically lawful Authority for saith he I am not ignorant that there are on foot every where every mans unlawful powers as of Thieves and Robbers in the High Way he bids them onely declare by what authority they had arrogated this whatsoever power to themselves and he would willingly answer to the things objected which if they could not he advised them to avert the grievous crimes from their own heads and the kingdom whatsoever they did he resolved not to betray the charge committed to him by God and confirmed by ancient descent The President rejoynes that he was called to an account by authority of the people of England by whose election he was admitted King The king replyed the Kingdom descended to him in no wise elective but hereditary above a thousand years that he stood more apparently for the Liberties of the People of England by refusing as unlawful and arbitrary authority then the Judges or any other asserting it That the authority and power of the people was shewed in Parliamentary Assemblies but that here appeared none of the Lords who to the constituting of a Parliament ought to be there and which is more some King ought to be present but that neither the one nor the other nor both the Parliament Houses nor any other judicature on earth had any authority to call the King of England to an account much less some certain Judges chosen onely by his Accusers masked with the authority of the Lower House and the same proculated Howbeit he willed them again that they would at least produce this their Authority and he would not be wanting to his defence forasmuch is was the same offence with him to acknowledge a Tyrannical Power as to resist a lawful one The president often interrupting the Kings Speech told him that they were satisfied with theâ—r authority as it is upon on Gods authority and the kingdom in doing justice in this their present work The Munday after the Court met in the Painted Chamber where it was resolved that the king should not be suffered to argue the Courts Jurisdiction but that the President should tell him that the Commons in Parliament had constituted that Court whose power was not to be disputed that if he refuse to answer it shall be accounted a contumacy to the Court that if he answer with a Salvo his pretended Prerogative above the Court he shall be required to answer positively yea or no that he shall have a copy of his Charge till he own the Court and delare his intentions to answer on his second Tryal Sollicitor Cook moves that the Prisoner may make a positive answer or that the Charge may
Parliament by a solemn Vote and Ordinance changed the Monarchical Government into a Commonwealth The Kingdom of Ireland discontented at this change uniting themselves wned the late Kings eldest Son and solemnly proclaimed him King no place considerable standing out for the Parliament saving onely Dublyn and London Derry the first whereof was immediately besieged by an Army of two and twenty thousand men commanded by the Marquess of Ormond and the other by a considerable party of the Natives of the Countrey To the reducing of this Kingdom was Oliver Cromwel nominated Governour of Ireland by the Commonwealth who with a well appointed Army set sail for Dublyn where although he found things in an indifferent good posture the Marquesse of Ormond having been beaten off by the valour of Michael Jones the Governour yet he met with work enough for his Army for Droghedah one of the best and considerablest places in all Ireland held out stiffly against them and having a strong party bid defiance to his Army yet notwithstanding after many assaults and much valour shown on both sides he at last took it putting therein to death three thousand Irish who though enemies yet for their valour and undaunted resolution might have been lookt on with a more merciful eye as they were men and more especially Christians Soon after followed the surrender of Trim Dundalke Nury Wexford Rove Bandonbridge and Kingsale yet notwithstanding the reducing of these Towns many of the Irish retreating to their Bogs and inaccessible places held out for a long time in despite of the English To proceed not onely the Irish shewed their dislike of this change of Government but also the Collonies in Virginia and the Carybde Islands to the reducing of whom the Parliament sent Sir George Askue with a Fleet of ships who brought them again into obedience In the mean time the Scots were very busie they had commenced a Treaty with Prince Charles at Breda which at last was concluded on he assenting to their Presbyterian Government and they to install and reestablish him in that Kingdom and in the other accordingly as they questioned not but Fortune would answer their blinde zealous Covenant expectations The Prince puts forth to sea and in despite of foul weather and the English King fishers that lay there to intercept him he landed safely at the Spey in the North of Scotland now though the Scots had a King yet as if they had none every one did that which was right in his own eyes and as if they intended him onely the Title being now in their power they forced him to follow the dictates of their haughty Cleargy in all their fanatick humours and imperious decrees First then they bereaved him of all his old Friends Councellours and Confederates whether of the Cleargy or Layety as those who adhered to Episcopal Government and so not pure enough for so reformed a people Thus they hamstringed him not as what was formerly in the sign-post onely of printed papers Next they make him take the Solemn League and Covenant that strange fire which the Scotch believe descended from Heaven and by which they at their pleasures kindle those Wars wherewith they infest England then these Horse Farriers of the Conscience gave him another drench he is taught to renounce the sins of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establishment of Church Government as it is laid down in the Directory for publick Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisme These with divers others of the like nature they wrought so on his necessity they obtruded or rather rammed into his conscience although with much reluctancy he signed to making many strange faces at these bitter pills he swallowed yet it bettered not his condition which was like that of a childe under Tutours and Governours for there was not an Officer in that Kirk or Commonwealth how vile and abject soever in place or person but enjoyed more freedom both in body and minde then he Guarded indeed he was but no otherwise then he was surrounded with the ignis fatuus of their zealous suspitions of him so that move he must not but in the Sphere of the Kirk their primum mobile whereby its apparent that the Government of that Nation might be almost questioned whether it ever were truly Monarchicall though they had Kings To proceeed the Parliament having notice of all their proceedings recalled General Cromwell out of Ireland making him Generalissimo of the Commonwealths Armies in the Lord Fairfax his stead who at the same time laid down his Commission he with a choice Army marches into Scotland and after many petty defeats gives them a great overthrow at Dunbar September 3. 1650. and prosecuting his victory takes Leith a very considerable and advantageous place as also Edenburgh the Metropolitan City of all Scotland Thus he set firm there his sword hewing his way for him to conquer that Countrey which the King lost by his pen. Now were the Scots truly miserable for besides a raging enemy in the very heart of their Kingdom they were miserably divided amongst themselves even to the killing and slaying of one another one party in the North was for the King without the Kirk another party in the West was for the Kirk without the King a third party was for King and Kirk yet notwithstanding these losses and divisions they assumed new courage levyed more men and Crowned their King with the greatest magnificence as the indigency and necessity of their Affairs would permit The English on the other side being resolved to terminate this War with Scotland passed over into Fife and having defeated four thousand Scots they soon became Masters of Inchigravy Brunt-Island and St. Johns Town mean while the Scots Army consisting of 16000. abandoned their own Territories and by the way of Carlisle entred England General Cromwel advertised hereof leaves Collonel Monk with 7000. men in Scotland to perfect the conquest of that kingdom and with the rest of the Army pursues the Scots who wheresoever they came proclaimed their King to be King of Great Brittain France and Ireland c. But few stirred unto their aid amongst others the unfortunate Earl of Darby who having assembled 1200 men in Lancashire was defeated by Collonel Lilburne and to save himself was constrained to flee to Worcester where the Scots after a long and tedious march had pitched their Camp whither General Cromwel soon pursued them and having the aid of the Train Bands of several Counties gave them Battel which proved fatal unto the Scots their whole Army being overthrown The King in a disguise escaped into France not without much difficulty and danger the Parliament having promised five hundred pounds to any one that could discover his person Such a list of prisoners as were then taken we shall seldome meet with in any Battle but Cromwels The Earl of Darby the Earl
of Lauderdale Duke Hamilton General of the Scotch Army who afterwards dyed of his wounds the Earl of Rothe the Earl of Cornwarth the Earl of Shrewsbury Packington Cunningham and Clare Knights The Lord Spine and Sinclear the Earl of Cleaveland of Kelley and Collonel Greaves six Collonels of Horse thirteen of Foot nine Lieutenant Collonels of Horse eight of Foot six Majors of Horse thirteen of Foot seven and thirty Captains of Horse seventy and three of Foot fifty five Quartermasters eighty nine Lieutenants of Foot Major General Biscotty Major General Montgomery the Lieutenant General of the Ordnance the Adjutant General of the Foot the Marshal General the Quartermaster General the Conductor General of the Baggage seventy six Standards ninety nine Ensigns all which were hung up in Westminster Hall for successive Parliaments to understand what vigour of spirits they by their influence can infuse into those they please to authorize onely the want of the allay of their ambitions often works them high where it is impossible to set limits to generous mindes To continue the other Appendixes to this victory there were also taken nine Ministers nine Chyrurgions one hundred fifty and eight Colours and all the Cannon and Baggage generally the Royal Standard the Kings Coach and Horses the Royal Robe the Coller of the Order of the Garter thirty of his domestique Servants and that admirable Poet his Secretary Fanshaw Several other persons were also afterwards taken in the remotest Countries as Major General Massey who being committed to the Tower afterwards made an escape Major General Middleton Lieutenant General David Lesley and several others insomuch as that it may be said the gleanings of this victory were as considerable as the whole harvest it self Many of the common Souldiers were transported into the Barbadoes and other Plantations this mercy extended to them in saving their lives causing much gain to accrew thereby unto the Common-wealth in selling the poor heathenish Highlanders to the Plantations I shall onely end these sad transactions with what Mr. Wharton chronologized in these words since English Hoggs eat our dear Brethren up He onely reflects on the half graves were made for them in Tuttle Fields Of all this long list two onely suffered death viz. Sir Timothy Featherstone Knight and the Earl of Darby who on the 15. of October following was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire being conducted thither by sixty Foot and eighty Horse about two of the Clock he was brought forth to the Scaffold which was built at the Cross part of it with the Timber of his own house at Latham there was not above an hundred lookers on besides Souldiers presently after his coming upon the Scaffold there happened a great tumult the occasion thereof not being certainly known in appeasing of which there were some cut many hurt and one childe killed The Earl was no eloquent orator and the tumult put him out of his speaking what he intended at last after some silence made he began as followeth Since it hath pleased God by this untimely death to shorten my dayes I am glad it is in this Town where some have been made believe I was a cruel person that I might vindicate my self from this aspersion it was my desire the last time I came into this Countrey to come hither as to a people that ought to serve the King as I conceive upon good grounds it was said that I was accustomed to be a man of blood but it doth not lie upon my conscience I was wrongfully bely'd I thank God I desired peace I was born in honour and I shall dye honourably as I suffer for my Sovereign I had a fair estate good friends and was respected and did respect those that were ready to do for me I was ready to do for them I have done nothing but as my generous predecessors acted to do you good It was the King that called me in and I thought it my duty to wait upon his Highness to do him service Here he was disturbed by the noise of the people after some pause he said I intended to have exprest my self further but I have said I have not much more to say to you but as to my good will to this Town of Bolton I can say no more but the Lord bless you I forgive you all and desire to be forgiven of you all for I put my trust in Christ Jesus Looking about him he said I did never deserve this hard measure Honest friends you that are Souldiers my life is taken away after quarter given by a Councel of War which was never done before Walking up and down the Scaffold he said The Lord bless you all the Son of God bless you all of this Town of Bolton Manchester Lancashire and the rest of the kingdom and God send that you may have a King again and Laws I dye like a Christian and a Souldier Gods and my Sovereigns Souldier Causing his Coffin to be opened he said I hope when I am imprisoned here armed men shall not need to watch me Looking upon them that were upon the Scaffold he said What do you stay for it is hard that I cannot get a Block to have my head cut off Speaking to the Executioner he said Thy coat is so troublesome and cumbersome that I believe that thou canst not hit right the Lord help thee and forgive thee Other words he used which to avoid prolixity I willingly omit At last submitting his neck to the Block he had his head severed from his body with one blow his sorrowful Son who was a sad spectator of this woful tragedy out of a pious care and filial duty conveyed his Corps back with him that night to Wiggan and afterwards gave them honourable burial Not long before at London was Collonel Eusebius Andrews apprehended who having formerly practiced the Law changed his Gown into a Coat of Armour and ventured his life in the Kings service having received a Commission from the King of Scots for the raising men in England he was tryed in Westminster Hall at the High Court of Justice then again newly erected being the first unfortunate Gentleman that hanselled the Court. To pass over the large particulars of tryal he was acknowledged by all that were understanding Auditours of his Plea that he behaved himself like to a right English man spoke as good sound and as honest sense as any person before him upon such limitations as he was confined too he shewed himself an excellent Oratour an expert Lawyer and a person of strong and clear reason he acknowledged himself guilty as to the power of that present Government that his life was at their disposal He was condemned and the 22. of August 1650. brought to the Scaffold on Tower-hill where he expressed himself to the people in these his last words Christian Gentlemen and People your business hither to day is to see a sad spectacle a man to be in a moment unman'd and cut off in the prime
Sleidan Speed Stow Sozomenus Sabellicus Stapleton Suetonius Spenser Sir Philip Sidney Serres Selden T Theodoritus Tibullus Tacitus Trussel Nicholas Trivet Tertullian V Victor Verstigan Virgil W Will. of Newberry Will. of Malmsbury Walsingham Weever Waller X Xenophon Z Zosimus The Reader is desired to correct these Errata's with his Pen the most material being in Sir Walter Raleigh's Life his Letter to the Duke of Buckingham should have been placed after his Voyage to Guyana PAge 17. line 30. read falne p. 24. l. 25. for Danes read English l. 32. r. depart p. 44 l. 17. r. Denmark p. 80. l. 1. r. his l. 11. r. sky p. 92. l. 6. for himself r. him p. 101. l 6. r. progress p. 129. l. 18. after enterprize r. which they refused p. 186. l. 8. r. the. p. 207. l. 12. r. they p. 228. l 27. r. bait p. 251. in the title r. Sir Walter Raleigh p. 253. l. 17. r. Rams l. 29. r. unfortunately p. 255. l. 16. r. intercessor p. 279. l. 18. r. Pallas p. 329. l. 2. r. Strafford p. 333. l. 19. r. Strafford p. 405. l. 3. r. Louden p. 477. l. 29. r. fit p. 520. l. last r. Ship p. 562. l. 33. r. tail The Names of those whose Lives are written in this Book 1 COnstantine the Great Folio 1 2 King Arthur Folio 8 3 Dunstan Folio 16 4 Edmond Ironside Folio 22 5 Edward the Confessor Folio 29 6 William the Conqueror Folio 38 7 Thomas Becket Folio 49 8 Richard the First Folio 55 9 Edward the Third Folio 66 10 Edw. the Black Prince Folio 79 11 Sir John Hawkwood Folio 88 12 Geoffery Chaucer Folio 91 13 Henry the Fifth Folio 98 14 John D. of Bedford Folio 115 15 Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick Folio 125 16 Richard the Third Folio 140 17 Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey Folio 145 18 Cardinal Wolsey Folio 151 19 Sir Thomas Moor Folio 155 20 Thomas Cromwel Earl of Essex Folio 170 21 Sir Philip Sidney Folio 179 22 Robert E. of Leicester Folio 186 23 The Lord Burleigh Folio 195 24 Sir Francis Drake Folio 205 25 Sir Francis Walsingham Folio 215 26 Sir Nicholas Bacon Folio 219 27 Robert Devereux Earl of Essex Folio 221 28 Sir Robert Cecil Folio 238 29 Sir Tho. Overbury Folio 241 30 Sir Walter Rawleigh Folio 250 31 Mr. Wil. Cambden Folio 261 32 Mr. Tho. Sutton Folio 268 33 Sir Francis Bacon Folio 273 34 Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Winchester Folio 289 35 Doctor Donne Folio 298 36 George Villiers Duke of Buckingham Folio 308 37 Sir Henry Wotton Folio 319 38 Tho. Wentworth Earle of Strafford Folio 329 39 William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury Folio 343 40 Robert Devereux Earl of Essex General of the Parliaments Forces Folio 350 41 Sir Charles Lucas Folio 356 42 King Charles Folio 363 43 The Lord Capel Folio 433 44 James Marquesse of Montross Folio 446 45 Bishop Usher Folio 469 46 John Lilburne Folio 479 47 Oliver Cromwel Folio 525 Englands Worthies Select Lives of the most Eminent PERSONS of the Three Nations from Constantine the Great to the Death of the late Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell COnstantine for his many Victories sirnamed the Great was Son to Constantius Emperour of Rome his Mother was named Hellena being Daughter unto Caelus a Brittish Prince though some Jews and Gentiles out of hatred to her Religion have reported her to be an Inholder or Hoastess he was born in England as all Writers affirm two petty Greek Authors only dissenting who deserve to be arraigned of felony for robbing our Country of its honor Colchester was the place where he first beheld the light as the Ancient Poet Necham sung From Colchester there rose a Star The Rayes whereof gave glorious light Throughout the world in Climates far Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright At such time as he was Caesar under Constantius his Father he was left at Rome as Hostage with Galerius the Emperour but perceiving his death to be by him attempted he posted to Brittain in all haste to his father who was newly returned to the City of York from an expedition he had made against the Picts and Caledonians Constantius at the time of his sons arrival was sick of the Plague whereof he died immediately afterwards the sight of his son at the present so revived his spirits that raising himself upon his bed he set the Crown Imperial upon his head and in the presence of his Privy Councellours spake to this effect Now is my death to me more welcome and my departure hence more pleasant seeing I shall leave my unaccomplished actions to be performed by thee my Son in whose person I question not but that my memorial shall be retained as in a monument of eternal fame What I had intended but by death prevented see thou accomplish let thine Empire be governed uprightly by Justice protecting the innocents from the tyranny of oppressours wiping away all tears from the eyes of Christians for therein above all things have I esteemed my self happy to thee therefore I commend my Diadem and their defence taking my Faults along with me to my grave but leaving my Vertues to revive and live in thee With the conclusion of which words he concluded his life leaving his Subjects sorrowful for his departure but the grief they received by the death of the Father was mittigated in the hopes they conceived of his Son who so resembled his Father in all vertuous conditions that though the Emperour was changed yet his good government remained For as one writes Sol occubuit nox nulla secuta est The sun was gone but night was none Another writes thus of him Great Constantine preserv'd by Heavens decree Of mighty Rome the Emperour to be Constantine thus chosen Emperour in Brittain was confirmed Emperour by the Senate of Rome who like the Persians adored the rising Sun giving approbation to what they could not remedy his first expedition was against the Picts and Caledonians which War his Father had begun but death prevented him to finish it leaving the prosecution thereof to his son Constantine that the Fabrick of so many victories by him atchieved might have the foundation thereof laid in Brittain nor was his success contrary to his expectation subduing the inhabitants that were most remote witnesses saith one of the suns set or going down Whilest Constantine was thus busied in Brittain Maxentius by the tumultuous souldiers was proclaimed Emperour at Rome whose sister Fausta Constantine had married but his tyrannical usurpation grew so odious to the Senate that they sent to Constantine for his aid who willingly hearkening to what they so earnestly desired prepared his forces against the new elected Emperour Maximianus the Father of the Tyrant faining to abhor the outragiousness of his son but seeking indeed to uphold him in his tyranny repaired to his Son in law Constantine with an intent to murther him but revealing his intentions to his Daughter Fausta was by her detected and being taken was
faithfull and honest enemy or hurtful to none insomuch that this verse was rightly applied unto her Sicut spind Rosam Genuit Godwinus Egitham From prickled stalk as sweetest Rose So Egith fair from Godwin grows This Lady though accomplished with these endowments of minde and body the King notwithstanding refrained her bed committing thereby the offence forbidden by the Apostle 1 Cor. 7.5 Or if at any time he admitted her his bed it was no otherwise then David with Abishag for so much he himself on his death-bed did declare saying That openly she was his Wife but in secret embracings as his own Sister But whether it were for his debellity of body or love to Virginity I determine not certain it is he was content to hear her accused of incontinency whereof if she were guilty he could not be innocent nor can this his chastity though applauded by many be accounted otherwise then an injury and too tyrannical a trial of his Wives Vertues The King having no issue of his own and desirous to establish the Crown in the English blood sent into Hungary for his Nephew Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside who by reason of his long absence out of England was commonly called by the name of the Out-law who coming over brought with him his Wife Agatha and Edgar Margret and Christian his Children in hope of the Kingdom but his hopes with himself soon dissolved into dust for he lived but a while after so that Edward thereby was disappointed of his intentions which was to have made him his Successour in the Crown whereupon without delay he pronounced Edgar the Out-laws Son and his great Nephew Heir to the Crown and gave him to sirname Adeling a name appropriated to Princes of the blood which were born in hope and possibility of the Kingdom Whilest Edward was thus busied about settling a Successour Eustace Earl of Bulloigne who had married his Sister Goda came over into England to visit him and returning homeward at Canterbury his Harbinger dealing roughly with a Burgess for Lodgings caused his own death whereupon he in revenge killed the said Burgess with eighteen other Citizens the Canterburians herewith incensed in a great rage armed themselves killed twenty of his retinue and forc'd the Earl himself to flight who returning back again to the King exhibited grievous complaints against the Townsmen whereupon Earl Godwin was commanded to see execution done upon the offenders but he not greatly affecting the Earl was not overhasty to execute his commission but advised the King to examine the matter further before he proceeded against his true Subjects at the instigation of Strangers this Counsel though it gained him the love of the Commons procured the hatred of most of the Nobility who so incensed the King with his refusal that a day of meeting was appointed at Gloucester wherein Earl Godwin should answer his contempt The day come and the estates assembled Earl Godwin was sent for but refused to appear alledging his present service against the Welsh then ready to enter into Rebellion but they by Ambassadours clearing themselves the suspicions encreased and great preparation for War was made on both sides To the aid of the King came Leofrick Earl of Chester Siward Earl of Northumberland and Rodulf Earl of Hereford with competent forces to Godwin repaired his people of Kent and Surrey his two sons Harold and Swain bringing with them the men of Essex Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge Huntington Somerset Oxford Hereford Gloucester and Barkshires so that his Army exceeding the Kings made him so much exceed in pride as to demand Eustace Earl of Bulloign with all his French and Normans to be delivered unto him which being as good reason was denyed each side prepared themselves to battel but through the advice of some then present the matter was ended without blood-shed and referred to a Parliament to be holden at London so that now both sides seemed to be indifferently well pacified but under these ashes of dissimulation lay hidden burning coals of fire and revenge burst out into a flame for Edward with a strong guard entred London and Earl Goodwin with his sons in warlike manner came into Southwark to his own house where his great army soon dissolyed into nothing his Souldiers for the most part returning home again which when Edward understood he presently pronounced sentence of banishment upon him and his five sons without further proceeding by way of Parliament And that his wife who was daughter to Earl Godwin should have her sad share in the afflictions of her Parents brethren who were banished the realm he committed her Prisoner to the Monastery of Wilton attended onely with one maid an unjust act unbefitting a King to punish the Child for the Fathers offences contrary to the prescript Rule of God Ezek. 18.20 The soul that sinneth it shall dye the Son shall not bear the iniquity of the Father neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son Yea it was the observation of a Heathen man It is meer injustice if the father be a Rebell that the son should therefore be accounted a Traytour Yet as the Poet hath it Yet notwithstanding we see oftentimes Children are punish'd for their fathers crimes But as things violent are not long permanent so this storm of dissention betwixt King Edward and Earl Goodwin was soon blown over for the Nobles interceding for him unto the King a reconciliation was made and Earl Goodwin restored to his former Dignities but though the King forgave him his Treasons the King of kings forgot not his Perjury for he falsely swearing himself to be clear of Prince Alfreds death and wishing if he were guilty he might never swallow down one morsel of bread God himself manifested the truth and according to his wish though not his desire it happened unto him A fearful example to all foresworn wretches of Gods heavy judgements on their perjury Another Act of this Kings was touching his Mother which proclaimed him if not undutiful yet very unnatural he was troubled with an infirmity his ears were alwayes opened to the complaints of strangers and their mouths alwayes full with complaints against the English Robert Archbishop of Canterbury a Norman by birth accused Queen Emma that under colour of private devotions she had over familiarly accompanied with Alwine Bishop of Winchester The King crediting the Archbishops words forced her to wipe off this imputation to pass the triall of fire Ordeal which was by passing bare-footed and blinde-folded over nine Plow-shares glowing red hot and laid at unequal distance which she did without any hurt to the great astonishment of all the beholders in memory whereof she gave nine Mannors to the Minster of Winchester according to the number of the Plow-shares she had passed in her trial And Edward repenting the wrong he had done her bestowed on the same place the Island of Portland in Dorsetshire being about seven miles in compass for so the chance in those
Branches of Trees which not onely kept them from being discovered but induced him to think all the Woods thereabout of the like nature so that he willingly consented to what they desired which was the continuance of their former Laws and Pledges being given on both parts for performance Kent yieldeth up her Earldome and Castle of Dover to King William Now what the Kentish-men attained by arms the Citizens of London obtained by art for having to their Bishop one William a Norman they so wrought with him and he with the King that he granted them their first Charter written in the Saxon Tongue and sealed with green wax the coppy whereof followeth William Cyng greit William Biscop Godfreges Portgerefan ealle tha Burhwaren the on Lunden beon c. William King greeteth William Bishop and Godfrey Portreeve and all the Burgesses that in London be French and English friendly And I do you to wit that I will that you enjoy all the Law which you did in the dayes of Edward King And I will that each Childe be his Fathers Inheritour after his Fathers dayes And I will not suffer that any man you any wrong offer God you keep The Lord Major and Aldermen to honour his memory upon the Solemn Dayes of their resort to Pauls do still use to walk to his Grave-stone being in the midst of the great West Isle and on the same have affixed this Epitaph following Gulielmo viro sapientia vita sanctitate claro qui primùm divo Edwardo regi Confessori familiaris ruper in Episcopum Londinensem erectus nec multo post apud invictissimum principem Gulielmum Angliae Regem ejus nominis primum ob prudentiam fidemque singularem in consilium adhibitus amplissima huic urbi celeberrima privilegia ab eodem impetravit Senatus populusque Londinensis bene merenti posuit Sedic Episcopus Annos 20. Decessit anno à Christo nato 1070. Haec tibi clare pater posuêrunt marmora cives Praemia non meritis aequiparanda tuis Namque sibi populus te Londoniensis amicum Sensit huic urbi non bene praesidium Reddita libertas duce te donataque multis Te duce res fuerat publica muneribus Divitias genus formam brevis opprimat hora Haec tua sed pietas benfacta manent Thus turned into English by one of our modern Historians To William a man famous in wisdom and holiness of life who first with St. Edward the King and Confessour being familiar of late preferred to be Bishop of London and not long after for his prudency and sincere fidelity admitted to be of counsel with the most victorious Prince William King of England of that name the first who obtained of the same great and large Priviledges to this famous City The Senate and Citizens of London to him having well deserved have made this He continued Bishop twenty years and died in the year after Christ his Nativity 1070. These Marble Monuments to thee thy Citizens assign Rewards O Father far unfit to those deserts of thine Thee unto them a faithful friend thy London people found And to this Town of no small weight a stay both sure and found Their Liberties restor'd to them by means of thee have been Their Publick Weal by means of thee large gifts have felt and seen Thy riches stock and beauty brave one hour hath them supprest Yet these thy vertues and good deeds with us for ever rest The memories of this man Sir William Walworth Sir Thomas Gresham and such others deserve to be honoured with statues advanced in the most conspicuous places of the City lest otherwise she be reputed ingrateful to them from whom she derives so honourable a splendour But to leave the City and return unto the Court new troubles in Normandy arising in King Williams absence he was forced suddenly to raise an Army to suppress them carrying along with him those whom he most suspected might take the advantage of his troubles abroad so as to raise any new broils at home pretending their aid against his Rebells in Normandy but indeed fearing in his absence they should raise a new rebellion in England dealing therein as the politique Captain Sextorius did with the Spaniards whose children he kept under pretence of learning them the Latine Tongue but indeed as Hostages for their Fathers loyalties And because the common people are to be feared for their number as well as the Nobility for their greatnesse he disarmed them that so being left naked they might be uncapable of Insurrections yet notwithstanding his policy no sooner was he gone but Edrick Sylvaticus a man of great spirit and power aided by the Welsh-men made great spoils in Herefordshire wasting all to the mouth of Wye These troubles made the Englishmen so distasteful to King William that returning out of Normandy he laid such heavy Taxes and Impositions upon them that many of them preferring penurious liberty before fetters of gold left their habitations and lived as Outlaws in the woods and deserts The chiefest of these Male-contents were Edwyn and Morcar the two stout Earls of Yorkshire and Chester Hereward Gospatria and Syward with many other Lords to whom joyned Stigand and Aldred Archbishops with many of the Clergy who having Edgar Atheling amongst them endeavoured to recover that which for want of taking time by the foretop they had improvidently lost But their Forces being dissipated by Williams conquering sword every one sought how to save himself by flight some fled into Denmtrk others into Hungary most into Scotland whilest William with triumph returned to London from whence he sent Ambassadours to Malcolme Canmore then King of Scotland for the delivery of Edgar with the rest of his enemies which if he refused he would denounce open War against Scotland But King Malcolme not onely denied his request but also took to Wife the Lady Margret sister unto Edgar which occasioned bloody Wars on both sides and four several Armies were sent against the Scots The first under the conduct of one Roger a Norman who entering hastily into Northumberland was by the Scots discomfited and himself by his own Souldiers treacherously slain to second whose beginnings another Army was sent under the Command of Richard Earl of Glocester whose fortunes being not answerable to Williams expectations A third Army was sent led by Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent but he being more used to the Church then the Camp and fitter to handle a pen then a sword encountering with the Scots upon the first onset was quite defeated but King William nothing discouraged with these overthrows sent his son Robert with a far greater power then he sent before which notwithstanding did no far greater service then the fortifying of Newcastle at length a Peace was concluded betwixt them which though prejudicial to King Williams side yet as affairs then stood he could not well have acted otherwise which was that King Malcolme should enjoy that part
of Northumberland which lieth betwixt Tweed Cumberland and Stanemore doing homage to the Kings of England for the same By this Peace was Edgar Atheling and those other male-contented Lords restored to the Kings favour for William although a Martial Prince sought to establish his Crown rather by Peace then by the Sword which made him the more apt to forget former injuries And no doubt but this his too much lenity was one principle cause of his continual troubles for Edwin and Morcar the two stout Earls mentioned before combining with Fretherick Abbot of St. Albanes fell into a new conspiracy setting up Edgar Atheling once again their Generall William storming at these disloyal attempts with a mighty power hastneth against them who desperately bent to maintain what they had begun resolved to make the Sword their Judge but King William loath to lose that with shame which he had gotten by the effusion of so much blood prevailed so far with them that an Assembly was appointed to meet at Berkhamsted where he solemnly sware upon the Holy Evangelists and the Reliques of St. Albane the Martyr inviolably to observe the Ancient Laws of this Land especially those compiled by King Edward the Confessor which so wrought him into their good opinions that they all forthwith laid down their weapons But the storme being past the danger was soon forgotten and these mountains promises proved but molehill performances for notwithstanding his oath he dealt more roughly with the English now then before thrusting some into Exile and depriving others of their Lands which he bestowed upon his Normans whose Charters were of a far other tenour forme and brevity then those tedious and perplexed Conveyances since in use as may appear by this one taken out of on old Chronicle in the Library at Richmont I William King the third year of my reign Give to thee Norman Hunter to me that are both leef and dear The hop and the hopton and all the bounds up and down Vnder the Earth to Hell above the earth to Heaven From me and mine to thee and to thine As good and as fair as ever they mine were To witness that this is sooth I bite the white wax with my tooth Before Jug Maud and Marjery and my youngest sonne Henry For a Bow and a broad Arrow when I come to hunt upon Yarrow Nor need we wonder the King was so liberal to the Hunter since he himself loved hunting so well that to maintain his game he depopulated above 30. miles in Hampshire where had been saith Carton twenty six Towns and eighty Religious Houses so that where before God was Worshipped now wilde Beasts grazed a sin which God punished in his posterity his two sons William and Richard and his grandchilde Richard son to Duke Robert coming there to untimely ends which place was then and is to this day called by the name of the New Forrest The more to inrich his Coffers he laid great Subsidies upon the Land causing a strict Survey to be taken of the whole Kingdom exacting six shillings for every hide of Land to the so great impoverishing of the English Nation that they grievously groaned under their miserable estate nor would he permit any English man to bear any office of credit or countenance The English to ingratiate themselves with the Conquerour being forced to leave off their former customs and habits conforming themselves to the fashions of the Normans so that England was now wholly become French excepting Kent which retained their former Customs a long time after Towards the conclusion of his reign dissentions betwixt Philip King of France and him drew him once more over into Normandy where falling sick and keeping his bed more then he used to do the French King hearing that his disease was in his belly scoffingly said Our Cousin William is laid now in Childe-bed Oh! what a number of Candles must I offer at his going to Church surely I think a hundred thousand will not suffice This French frump being told to King William he made this answer Well our Cousin of France I trust shall be at no such cost but after this my Child-birth at my going to Church I will finde him one thousand Candles and light them my self And accordingly towards August following he enters France with a mighty Army spoiling all the West parts thereof before him And lastly set the City Meux on fire wherein he consumed the fair Church of our Lady in the Walls whereof were enclosed two Anchorites who might but would not escape holding it a breach of their Religious Vow to forsake their Cell though in never such extremity and so became their own murtherers The King busied in these attempts cheered his men to feed the fire and came himself so near the flames that with the heat of his harness he got a sickness which was encreased by the leap of his horse that burst the inward rim of his belly that returning to Roan he shortly after ended his life He was buried at Caen in Normandy in the Abby Church of Saint Stephen the first Christian Martyr to the Monks whereof he bequeathed two Mannors in Dorcetshire one Mannor in Devonshire another in Essex much Lands in Barkshire some in Norfolk a Mansion house in Woodstreet of London with many Advowsions of Churches as also his Crown and Regal Ornaments thereto belonging which his son Henry afterwards redeemed with the Mannor of Brideton in Dorcetshire his Tomb was afterwards opened by the Bishop of Bayeux in Anno. 1542. wherein was found a gilt Plate of Brass and this Epitaph engraven thereon Qui rexit rigidos Northmanos atque Britanos Audacter vicit fortiter obtinuit Et Caenomenses virtute coercuit enses Imperiique sui legibus applicuit Rex magnus parva jacet hac Gulielmus in urna Sufficit magno parva domus domino Ter septem gradibus se volverat atque duobus Virginis in gremio Phoebus hic obiit In English He that the sturdy Normans rul'd and over English raign'd And stoutly won and strongly kept what he so had obtain'd And did the swords of those of Mains by force bring under awe And made them under his command live subject to his law This great King William lieth here entomb'd in little Grave So great a Lord so small a house sufficeth him to have When Phoebus in the Virgins lap his circled course apply'd And twenty three degrees had past even at that time he dyed The Life of THOMAS BECKET Archbishop of Canterbury THomas Becket was the Son of one Gilbert Becket a Person of good Alliance and Riches who in his youth travelling to Jerusalem as he returned was taken prisoner by a Saracen Admiral with whom he remained a year and a half during which time the onely Daughter of the Admiral was so taken with his carriage and qualities that he having by flight obtained his liberty she wounded with his love abandoned her Fathers House and Countrey and followed him secretly into
England where being instructed in the Christian Religion and baptized in the Church of St. Paul by the Bishop of London with great Solemnity in the presence of six Prelates she was married to the aforesaid Gilbert of whom he had Issue this Thomas whose Life we now relate who as his Legend recites was first brought up in a Religious House of Merton afterwards was instructed in the Liberal Sciences and then sent to study in the University of Paris from whence returning home he was by Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury made his Archdeacon a place in those dayes of high degree in the English Cleargy next unto Lord Abbots and Bishops Much about that time Henry Duke of Aquitain and Normandy succeeded King Stephen in the Crown of England who in the very first year of his Reign advanced Becket to be Lord Chancellour of England in which high honour he carried himself like another King His retinue was great his Followers men of good account his House keeping such as might compare with if not surpass the greatest Earls of the Kingdom his Clothes very costly full of bravery his Furniture mighty rich his very Bridles of beaten silver Yea Fortune did seem to have made him her Darling and all things so flowed according to his desire that one would have judged him to have laid clean aside the very thought of a Clergy-man King Henry having Wars in France he served him with a Band of 700. Souldiers of his own Family besides many others with which and some additional Forces after the Kings departure he obtained a great victory At another time he himself in person unhorssed a Frenchman called Enguerranus de Creya a most hardy Souldier renowned for deeds of Arms and Chevalry for these valiant acts in reward and in further hope of his faithful service upon the death of Theobald the King made him Archbishop of Canterbury though the Monks objected against him that neither a Courtier nor a Soundier as he was both were fit to succeed in so high and sacred a Function But Thomas having obtained this dignity forgot the King who had raised him to the same For as the Poet hath it A swelling spirit hates him by whom he climes As Ivy kills the tree whereon it twines So rising men when they are mounted high Spurn at the means that first they mounted by For not long after began that great controversie between Regnum Sacerdotium the Crown and the Mytre the occasion whereof was the King being credibly informed that some Clergy-men had committed above an hundred murthers under his Reign would have them tried and adjudged in his Temporal Courts as Lay-men were but this as being contrary to the priviledges of the Church the Archbishop withstood This affront of a subject the King could not endure finding himself hereby to be but a demy-King Wherefore having drawn to his side most of the Bishops in an Assembly at VVestminster he propoundeth these Articles peremptorily urging Becket to assent to them 1. That none should appeal to the See of Rome for any cause whatsoever without the Kings licence 2. That it should not be lawful for any Archbishop or Bishop to depart the Realm and repair to the Pope upon his summons without licence from the King 3. That it should not be lawfull for any Bishop to excommunite any person that holdeth in Capite of the King without licence of the King nor grant any interdict against his Lands nor the Lands of any his officers 4. That it should not be lawfull for any Bishop to punish perjured nor false witnesses 5. That Clarks crimonous should be tried before secular Judges 6. That the King and his secular Justices should be Judges in matters of Tythes and other like causes Ecclesiastical There points so nearly touched the Papal Sovereignty that Becket resolutely denied to signe them but by the importunity of many Lords and Prelates at last he yields subscribes the Ordinance and sets his hand unto it The King hereupon supposing all contradiction ended and that Thomas would not waver in his faith called an assembly of the States at Clarendon in VViltshire to collect and enact these Laws where John of Oxenford sitting President Becket relapsed saying He had grievously sinned in that he had done and that he would not sin therein any more The King herewith vehemently incensed threatens banishment and destruction to him and his whereupon Becket once again perswaded swears in verbo Sacerdotali in the word of a Priest sincerely that he would observe the Laws which the King entituled Avitae and all the Bishops Abbots Priors and whole Clergy with all the Earls Barons and Nobility did promise and swear the same faithfully and truly to observe and performe to the King and to his Heirs for ever But the King desiring him to affix his seal to an Instrument wherein those Laws being sixteen were contained he refused saying He did promise it onely to do the King some honour verbo tenus in word onely Nor could the example of his fellow Bishops nor the perswasions of Rotrod the Popes messenger move him at all to compose these differences It may be thought a fable yet is related by divers superstitious Authors that one time during this contention certain fellows cut off the Archbishops horses tail after which fact all their children were born with Tails like Horses and that this continued long in their Posterity For may own part though I confess God is able to do this and much more yet I reckon this amongst other ridiculous miracles mentioned of him by those writers as that of Ailwardus who for stealing a great whetstone which the Author that writes it best deserved being deprived of his eyes and virilities by sentence of Law upon prayer to Saint Thomas he had all restored again Yea even a Bird having been taught to speak flying out of her cage and ready to be seized on by a Sparrow Hawk said onely St. Thomas help me and her enemy fell presently dead and she escaped But slighting these follies to return to our History the King summoning a Parliament at Northhampton Becket was cited to appear before his Majesty which he refusing upon his contempt the Peers and Prelates judged his goods confiscated to the Kings mercy He making his appearance the Parliament demanded of him an account of 30000 pounds which he received when he was Lord Chancellour to which he answered that when he was chosen to be Archbishop he was by the Kings authority freed and acquitted of all Debts and Obligations of Court and Exchequer and so delivered over to the Church of England and that therefore at that time he would not answer as a Lay-man having before had a sufficient discharge This answer of the Archbishop was like Oyl cast on fire which instead of quenching increast the Kings anger and the Prelates perceiving the Kings displeasure to tend yet to some further severity premonished him to submit himself for that otherwise the Kings Court
intended to adjudge him a perjured person and also a traytor for not yielding temporal Allegiance to his temporal Sovereign as himself had sworn to do and accordingly the Prelates themselves by joynt consent adjudged him of perjury and by the mouth of the Bishop of Chichester disclaimed thence forward all obedience unto him as their Archbishop But Becket herewith nothing daunted caused to be sung before him the next day at the Altar that Psalm Principes fedent The Princes sit and speak against me and the ungodly persecute me c. and forthwith taking his Silver Crosier in his own hands enters armed therewith into the Kings Prefence who more and more enraged at Beckets insolency commandeth his Peers to sit in judgement on him as on a traytor and the Courtiers like Ecchoes answering the King the whole Court sounded nothing but Treason so that Becket afraid of being slain hasteth home and changing his costly Robes into course Rags passeth over into Flanders calling himself by the name of Dereman The Archbishop gone the King banishes all his Kindred out of his Dominions and he on the other side excommunicates all such as had to do against him at length the King of France with intreaty and the Pope with the terrour of the Churches censures made a full atonement and reconciliation between them the Archbishop in great triumph returned to England having been absent from his native Countrey for the space of seven years All controversies seemed now fully to be ended though the sequel thereof proved far otherwise for some excommunicated Bishops and other men of great account desiring to be absolved he refused to do it unless with this caution that they should stand to the judgement of the Church in those things for which they were excommunicated but they disdaining the pride of the Archbishop poste over into Normandy where the King was then informing him that Thomas was now grown more haughty then before that he went up and down with great Troops of men both Horse and Foot that attended on him as upon the Kings own Royal Person that to be a King indeed he wanted but the name and setting the Crown upon his head The King herewith highly incensed in a great rage said And is it possible that I cannot peaceably enjoy neither Kingdom Dignity nor Life and all this for one onely priest Cursed be all such as eat my bread since none will revenge me of this fellow These words being over-heard by four Knights Sir Morvil Sir William Tracy Sir Hugh Brito Sir Richard Fitz-urse they thinking to do the King a pleasure though as the sequel of his reign proved they could not have done him a greater injury hasted into England and in his own Church of Canterbury most barbarously murthered him being then about 48. years of age not long after he was Canonized by Pope Alexander and the day of his death being the 29. of December kept annually holy Many miracles are reported to have been done by him and his Shrine so inriched by Pilgrims which from all places came thither in devotion that at the defacing thereof in the time of King Henry the Eighth the spoil thereof in Gold and Precious Stones filled two great Chests such as six or eight strong men could do no more then convey one of them at once out of the Church Thus the Images of many men were richly clothed when many poor Christians Gods Image went almost naked so full of charity were those empty times of knowledge a shame to us who know more but practice less Draiton in his Polyolbion hath these verses on him Concerning whom the world since then hath spent much breath And many questions made both of his life and death If he were truly just he hath his right if no Those times were much to blame that have him reckoned so Stapleton a Jesuite put forth a book entituled Tres Thomas Saint Thomas the Apostle Thomas of Becket and of Sir Thomas Moor he Canonizes the two last of either of which he writes six times as much as of St. Thomas the Apostle The Life of RICHARD the First THis reign as it in part epitomizes the History of the holy War without being guilty of an omission of the most admired part of Chronical History I could not but insert Richard the first who for his inexpugnable and Lion-like heart obtained the sirname of Coeur de Lion he was a most valiant and magnanimous Prince accustomed to Wars he died in the fields of Mars of whom as a Prince we shall say nothing having so much to relate of him after he came to be King This martial Prince born in a martial age was third son to King Henry the Second and succeeded him in the Crown after his Decease his elder Brothers dying before their Father At his Coronation he commanded no Jews should be present but they desirous to see the solemnities hasted thither in great numbers but the price of their lives paid for the pleasure of their eyes the common people falling upon them and slaying a great number so ominous to the enemies of Christ was the first day of this Kings reign presaging saith one his following successes in the Jewish Countreys For intending a journey to Jerusalem not as a Pilgrim to see the City but as a Souldier to conquer the Countrey he raises an Army of thirty thousand Foot and five thousand Horse his next care was for money the sinews of War and notwithstanding his Father had left him eleven hundred thousand pound a vast sum for that age yet was it no thought sufficient for so great a journey Therefore to the end he might be able to go thorow with his work he sells the Castles of Berwick and Roxborough to the Scottish King for ten thousand pounds the Priory of Coventry to Hugh Bishop of Chester for 300. marks and the County of Northumberland to Hugh Bishop of Duresme for his Life jeasting he had made a new Earl of an old Bishop then feigning he had lost his old Seal he made a new one proclaiming that whosoever would safely enjoy those things which before time they had enrolled should come to the new Seal by which princely skill not to say cheat he squeezed much money out of his Subjects purses Having proceeded thus far towards his journey his next care was for securing the Kingdom of England in his absence On his Brother John whom he knew to be of an ambitious spirit and apt to take fire on the least occasion on him he heaped both riches and honour that by his liberality he might win him to loyalty but the chief Government of the Land he committed to William Longchamp Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellour of England chusing him for his Viceroy rather then any lay-Earl because a Coronet perchance may swell into a Crown but never a Mitre with him was joyned in Commission Hugh Bishop of Durham for the parts of England beyond Humber Yet as Suetonius reports of the
of King Richards too great honour could not down with his too great minde Hoveden reports he was bribed by Saladine which if true let him for ever forfeit the sirname of Augustus and the stile of the most Christian Prince King Richard goes on notwithstanding the French Kings departure and fortifies the Town of Joppa where going one day a hawking to recreate himself being weary laid himself down upon the ground to fleep when suddenly certain Turks came upon him to take him but he awakened with their noise riseth up gets a horseback and drawing out his sword assaults the Turks who feigning to fly drew the King into an ambush where many Turks lay who had certainly taken him if they had known his person but one of the Kings Servants called William de Patrellis crying out in the Saracen Tongue that he was the King they presently lay hold upon him and let the King escape At this time Guy of Lusignan was possest of the City of Tyre and with it of the right of the Kingdom of Jerusalem King Richard more greedy of honour then profit exchangeth his Island of Cyprus with this hungry Prince for his Kingdome of Jerusalem and upon this title the Kings of England were stiled Kings of Jerusalem a long time after And now did King Richard long to be possest of his merchandise whereupon it was determined then should presently march towards the holy City Richard led the vantguard of his English Duke Odo commanded in the main battel over his French James of Avergne brought on the Flemings and Brabanters in the rear Saladine Serpent-like biting the heal assaulted the rear not far from Bethlehem when the French and English wheeling about charged the Turks most furiously emulation formerly poyson was here a cordial each Christian nation striving not onely to conqer their enemies but to overcome their friends in the honour of the Conquest King Richard seeking to put his courage out of doubt brought his judgement into question being more prodigal of his person then beseemed a General A great Victory they obtained of the Turks with little loss to themselves save onely of James of Avergne who here died in the Bed of Honour And now they marched up within sight of Jerusalem where King Richard intercepted the Caravan of the Saladine laden with many rich Eastern wares containing much in a little and guarded with ten thousand men whom King Richard valiantly encountring with 5000. selected Souldiers put most of them to the Sword and took three thousand Camels and four thousand Horses and Mules besides all their rich treasure and yet of all this and all that he gained in Cicily and Cyprus he brought home nothing but one Gold Ring all the rest of his wealth melting away in this hot service And now King Richard being advertised of the King of France his invading Normandy contrary to his oath at his departure inforced him though much to his grief to conclude a peace with Saladine and that upon conditions not very honourable for the Christians which was to demolish all places they had walled since the taking of Ptolemais which was in effect to undo what with much charge they had done but such was the tyranny of King Richards occasions forcing him to return that he was glad to embrace those conditions he hated at his heart and so sending his Wife Berengaria and his Sister Joan with a great part of his Army into Cicily and from thence into England he passeth himself with some few of his company by the way of Thrace and on the Coasts of Istria suffered shipwrack wherefore he intended to pierce thorow Germany by land the next way home The better to pass undiscovered he disguises himself to be one Hugo a Merchant whose onely merchandise was himself but in his journey near to Vienna was unhappily discovered by the profuseness of his expences so that the very policy of an Hoastess finding his Purse so far above his Cloaths did detect him Leopoldus Duke of Austria hearing hereof as being Lord of the Soyl seized on this royal Hero meaning now to ge his pennyworths out of him for the affront done unto him in Palestine But this booty being too great for a Duke the Emperour got him into his Custody meaning to coyn much Gold and Silver out of his most unjust affliction by sharp imprisonment Yet all the weight of their cruelty did not bow him beneath a Princely carriage Fifteen moneths imprisonment did he endure at last he was ransomed for an hundred and forty thousand marks Collen weight and delivered to his Mother Queen Elianor by the Archbishops of Mentz and Collen which last named Archbishop for joy of his deliverance did celebrate divine service after this manner Deus missit angelum Now I know that God hath sent his Angel and hath delivered thee out of the hand of Herod and from the expectation of the people c. We must not here forget how Gods judgements overtook this Duke punishing his Dominions with Fire Water Barrenness Worms and Pestilence The Fire causually burning his Towns the River of Danubius drowning then thousand of his Subjects in an overflow the Earth waxing dry and sear the Worms destroying such Fruit and Grain as grew and the stroak of Pestilence killing the principal Nobles and Gentlemen of his Dominions The Duke himself in a tilting for solemnity of his Birth-day fell off his horse and broke his leg which turning to a Gangreen he cut off with his own hands and died thereof King Richard after his return into England at the Abby of Saint Edmunds offered up the rich Imperial Standard of Cursac Emperour of Cyprus which he took among the spoils of the Griffons Camp and then marched to reduce such Castles as the servants of his Brother John held against him who ambitiously and ungratefully during his Brothers absence sought to wrest the helme of Government into his own hands fortifying the Castles of Marleborough Lancaster St. Michaels Mount Nottingham and Tichil Henry de Pumeray Captain of St. Michaels Mount hearing for certain that King Richard was come died for very fear and the rest of the Castles were reduced with some small resistance And now to show that he was an absolute King again he caused himself to be again Crowned at Winchester the King of Scotland honouring the solemnity with his presence who bare a Sword before King Richard between which two Princes there followed great amity and tenderness of love all their dayes Not long after this the King being at dinner at Westminster received advertisement that the French had laid Siege to Vernoul a strong Town of his in Normandy with which he was so moved that he swore a great oath he would never turn his head till he had confronted the French For the performance of which oath he caused the wall-right before him to be presently beaten down that so he might pass forward without turning his face never resting till with an hundred great
the rumours of the people concerning his Fathers death a War is proclaimed against Scotland to revenge those overthrows the English had received from their valiant Chieftain King Robert le Bruce but by the treason of the Lord Mortimer who is said to have received bribes from the Scots the journey proved unsuccessful the young King hardly escaping with life for one Sir James Dowglass a valiant Scot with 200 light horses assailed the Kings own Pavilion where the King was so near death that a Chaplain of his who stoutly behaved himself was slain in his masters defence and Sir James retired from thence with safety These treasons of the Lord Mortimer together with his excessive pride and over much familiarity with the Queen-Mother made him so distasteful unto the Lords that notwithstanding his strong guard consisting of no less then ninescore Knights he was by the young King and the confederate Lords surprized on a sudden at Nottingham Castle from thence removed to the City of London condemned of treason and executed at the common Gallows And here may the King be said to begin his Reign living before at the Queen and the Lord Mortimers allowance which was onely the third part of the Revenews of the Crown which now he assumeth all to himself putting the Queen to a pension of a thousand pounds a year and confining her to a Castle all the dayes of her life such was the miserable condition of this wretched Woman the Daughter Sister Wife and Mother of a King as one of our Moderns hath it So true is that the wise man once did say That none are happy till their dying day King Edward having thus raised himself would next out of Charity help his Neighbour Edward Baliol Son to John Baliol sometimes King of Scotland having remained in France two and thirty years comes over into England whom King Edward aids against his Brother in Law King David who at that time was with the King of France at Hallidown-Hill where he utterly defeats the whole power of Scotland slew of them 7. Earls 90. Knights and Banerets 400. Esquires and 32000. common Souldiers causing Baliol to be Crowned King doing homage to King Edward as his superior Lord for which though he had the Knees he had not the Hearts of his people who would be subject to none that were subject to another But these were but petty actions scarce worth the rehearsal considering what he performed afterwards his endeavours for the French Crown which that I may in order describe I will begin with the original cause of this invasion King Phillip of France dying without issue the right of succession unto that Crown belonged to King Edward as nearest in blood being his Sisters Son but Philip of Valois the Heir to Charles a former King usurps the Crown pretending a Law which they call Salique wherein Females are debarred from inheritance or as they term it the distaff from meddling with the Crown according to that in the 6. of Matthew Consider the Lillies the arms of France how they grow they toil not neither do they spin Philip hereupon summons Edward to do homage for the Lands he held in France which though prejudicial to his after claim yet in regard his Kingdome of England was scarce well settled and himself but young he was contented to do but this his Homage was exacted with such pride on the French Kings part that it left a rancour in his heart for ever after so that returning into England he studies revenge nor long wants he an instrument to spur him on for one Robert of Arthois being banished out of France comes over into England and becomes an incendiary betwixt the two Kings this fugitive King Edward entertains makes him Earl of Richmond and one of his Council then passing over into Flanders by perswasion of the Flemings he takes upon him the Stile Title and Arms of the King of France who hereupon establish a League with him accounting themselves disobliged of the Bond of tweny hundred thousand Crowns which they had entred into never to bear Arms against the King of France confederating himself with them and many other Princes with a well selected army he enters France King Philip on the other side was not idle but draws to his part the King of Bohemia the Bishop of Leige Earl of Luxembourge Henry Count Palatine Aubut Bishop of Metz Otho Duke of Austria Ame Earl of Geneva with many other and with a mighty Army confronting King Edward near to Vermandeis who notwithstanding part without doing any thing worth the relating unless we should relate what to some way seem ridiculous A Hare starting out before the head of the French Army caused a great shout to be made whereupon they who saw not the Hare but onely heard the shout supposing it to be the onset to the Battel disposed themselves to fight and fourteen Gentlemen for encouragements sake as the custom is were Knighted called afterward in merriment Knights of the Hare King Edward returning into England left the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk in Flanders to oppose the French who having performed many great exploits in an encounter near Lisle were both taken prisoners King Edward to repair this loss prepares again for France to impeach whose landing King Philip had provided a Navy of 200. sail whereof when Edward was advertised he prepares the like number of ships to encounter with them and sets out to Sea upon Midsummer-eve the next day Sir Robert Morley brings an addition to his Fleet which joyned together set upon the French in the Haven of Sluce defeated their whole Navy took and sunk all their Ships and slew thirty thousand of their men as a Poet versifies on those times Thus Salsburies and Suffolks loss which they Receiv'd on Land at Sea was washt away Many of the French to escape killing drowned themselves trusting to the mercy of the Waves rather then to the pitty of the English which made the French Kings Jeaster set on to give him notice of this overthrow to repeat often in the Kings hearing Cowardly English men Dastardly English men Faint-hearted English men and being by the King asked the reason why Because said he they durst not leap out of their Ships into the Sea as our brave French men did by which speech the King came to have knowledge of their overthrow The French lay the blame of this defeat on one Buchet who having a chief command in the Navy armed his ships with men of base condition content with small pay and refused Gentlemen and sufficient Souldiers in regard they required greater wages according to the old Law When covetous Chiefs are sparing of their Crowns Few Souldiers will be prodigal of wounds Edwards Wings thus plumed with Victory he flies amain to the Siege of Tournay with an Army of five and fifty thousand where he is encountred by the Duke of Burgandy and Earl of Armigniack who slew four thousand of his men upon the place
Edward notwithstanding continues his Siege to the relief whereof King Philip sends all the Forces he could make But by the mediation of the Lady Jane of Valois who was Sister to King Philip and Mother of King Edwards Wife a truce was concluded from Michaelmas till Midsummer and both their Armies again dissolved Edward hereupon puts out of pay his forreign aids and returning into England had notice that the Scots besieged the Castle of Striveling for relief whereof he makes all the haste he can but being disappointed of his provision that was to come by Sea he makes a Truce with the Scots for four moneths and returns home during this truce the Scots send to King David who upon their message leaves France and returns into Scotland and as soon as the truce was ended with a strong Army enters Northumberland besiegeth New Castle upon Tyne but is valiantly resisted by John Nevile the Governour who took the Earl of Murray prisoner and slew divers of his men from thence he passeth into the Bishoprick of Durham where he useth all kinde of cruelty killing men women and children burning and destroying Houses and Churches untill he came to the Castle of Salisbury but hearing of King Edwards approach who certified of these things made all the haste he could he returns homewards King Edward pursues for three dayes together at length a truce was concluded for two years and William Earl of Salisbury prisoner with the King of France was set at liberty in exchange for the Earl of Murray Whilst Edward was thus busied about the Scots a new difference arose in France John Earl of Monfort claims the Dutchy of Brittain and in pursuance of his title is taken prisoner by the French King his Wife solicites King Edward for succour who sends her aid under the conduct of Robert of Arthois and not long after follows himself Philip sends aid to Monforts Competitor and both Armies encamp near to the City of Vannes where was like to have been a cruel Battel had not Pope Clement the sixth interposed two Cardinals from him conclude a peace Vannes is delivered up to the French King and the Earl of Montfort is set at liberty The murmuring Drum now silenced and stern Mars for a while confined to prison least rusty idleness should entomb their worth and want of exercise make them forget their Arms King Edward erects a round Table at Windsor in imitation of the Renowned Arthur and to invite great men from forreign parts rich Salaries are the reward of high designs King Philip fearing this association would be to him of ill consequence writes after Edwards coppy and erects a round Table in his own Countrey to allure the men of War of Germany and Italy and so to keep them from coming into England King Edward thus prevented in his design by the French King institutes the most honourable order of the Garter the Original case whereof is dubious some conjecture that it arose for that in a Battel wherein he was victorious he gave the word Garter for the word or sign Cambden saith King Edward the Third founded this order to adorn Martial vertue with honours rewards and splendour The Original Book of the Institution deduces the invention from King Richard the First and that King Edward adorned it and brought it into splendour but the common received opinion is that a Garter of his own Queen or as some say of Joan Countess of Salisbury slipping off in a Dance King Edward stooped and took it up where at some of the Nobles that were present smiling as an amorous action he seriously said It should not be long ere Sovereign Honour were done to that Garter whereupon he afterwards added the French Motto Honi soit qui maly pense therein checking his Lords sinister suspicion Nor need we with Polydor Virgil trouble our selves to make an Apology for the courseness of this Original since according to the Poet They swell with love that are with valour fill'd And Venus Doves may in a Head-piece build The number of Knights in this order is six and twenty whereof the King is alwayes president so much accounted of in other Countries that there have been nigh twenty and six forreign Emperours and Kings of the same the glory whereof by a learned Poet is celebrated for to be such That now Burgundians scorn their fleece of Gold The French the Escalopt Collar set with grace Their Crossed weeds Rhodes Elba Alcala hold As worthless all matcht with thy George are base King Edward whose Eye was fixt upon France as the mark of his Conquest having notice that King Philip had put many of his friends to death in Normandy namely Clisson and Bacon Knights of the best note glad that the truce was broken on King Philips part prepares again for the invasion of France and taking along with him the young Prince of Wales with an Army of 2500. Horse and 30000. Foot arives in Normandy where he took and and sackd many Towns of Importance Clissons hands being nailed on the Gates of Carenton he turns it into Cinders making a Funeral-pile thereof for his slain friend He takes also the populous and rich City of Caen marching with his Army to the very Walls of Paris Philip awakened with Edwards Victories raises one of the greatest Armies that ever were seen in France Edward laden with spoil is not unwilling to retire which Philip interpreteth a kinde of flight the River of Some he passeth with much danger and defeats Gundentor du Foy who was placed there to hinder his passage King Philip set on fire with his disaster resolveth to give King Edward Battel who was incamped nigh to a Vilage called Crescy his Army consisting of 30000. he divided into three Battalions the first whereof was led by Edward the Black Prince of Wales having in his company Beuchamp Earl of Warwick Godfrey of Harecourt the Lords Stafford Laware Bourchier Clifford Cobham Holland c. together with the number of 800. men at Arms 2000. Archers and 1000. Welch In the second Battel were the Earls of Northampton and Arundel the Lords Ross Willoughby Basset Saint Albane Malton c. with 800. men at Arms and 1200. Archers The third and last Battel was commanded by the King himself having in it 700. men at Arms and 3000. Archers The French Army was far greater consisting of sixscore thousand men having in it the two Kings of Bohemia and Majorica and of Princes Dukes Earls Barrons and Gentlemen bearing Arms about 3000. The vantguard was led by the King of Bohemia and the Earl of Allanson The main Battel King Philip commanded himself and the Earl of Savoy the Reer But since in this Battel the Prince of Wales was the chief General I shall refer the further prosecution thereof to the description of his following life and proceed in our History of King Edward who after the good success of this Battel marched directly to Calice resolving not to stir untill he
having ascended their full height began to decline for notwithstanding he sent over great forces under the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Hereford no great matter thereof ensued And now each day brings news of some Towns revolt or Commanders death the Earl of Warwick receives his death by a pestilential Dart Sir John Chandoys an expert Commander is unfortunately slain Sir William Molineux who had long served in the Wars of France deceaseth in England the Earl of Pembroke is taken prisoner by the Spaniards and the Noble Prince Edward dieth at Canterbury with whom saith Walshingham died all the hopes of the English during whose life they feared no invasion of the enemy abroad nor any division at home for he assailed no nation which he overcome not he besieged no City which he took not whose death lay so heavy on his heart that King Edward himself lived not long after A King saith Speed whose name among the surviving splendors of his actions is justly transmitted with honour to all posterity He died at his Mannor of Sheene near Richmond the 21. of July 1377. having lived 65. years and reigned 56. years 4. moneths and odde dayes his body was solemnly interred at Westminster Church where he hath his monument with this Epitaph engraven thereon made by Geffery Chaucer the Poet. Hic decus Anglorum flos regum praeteritorum Forma futurorum Rex clemens pax populorum Tertius Edwardus regni complens Jubilaeum Invictus Pardus pollens bellis Machabaeum Here Englands Grace the flower of Princes past Pattern of future Edward the third is plac't Milde Monarch Subjects peace Wars Machabee Victorious Pard his reign a Jubilee In the eleventh year of this Kings reign my Author writes was so great plenty that a quarter of Wheat was sold at London for two shillings a fat Ox for a noble a fat sheep for six pence and six Pigeons for a penny a fat Goose for two pence and a Pigg for a penny and other things after that the same cheap rate The Life of EDWARD the Black Prince IT may seem superfluous having writ the Reign of the Father in whose time he died to publish the life of this Prince but as an eminent Author writes as heroick persons purchase their own honours so they ought to inherit their own praises to wear their own laurels This may apologize for my enterprize more especially as I have endeavoured to avoid whatsoever hath been already written and to set down onely his more particular Transactions Edward the Black Prince so named of this dreaded acts and not from his complexion was the eldest son of King Edward the Third a Prince of an undaunted spirit so full of vertues that he left no room for any nnworthy vice who had he lived in the heroick times might well have been numbred amongst the nine Worthies At 15. years of age his father takes him over with him into France to initiate him as it were in the School of War as one of our modern Poets hath it In this fair heaven of magnanimity The Prince the star of honour decks the fly Fixt here so soon by 's Fathers band who meant He there should fall or gild that firmament I will for the more brevity treat onely of three special passages in this Princes life his Battel at Crescy his Victory at Poityers and his restoring Don Pedro to his Crown of Castile in the Battel at Crescy the French exceeded the English nigh four for one and by reason of their numbers being confident of Victory would needs hasten the Fates to their own destruciton and enforcd the English to make their passage through as they then determined the red Sea of their own blood nor could the terrible peals of Thunder from heaven nor shoals of Ravens and ravenous birds which came flying over their Hoast foreshewing the harvest of carcasses at hand hinder their proceedings but as if ascertained of victory they did erect their banner called Oliflame as a signe of taking none to mercy no more then fire is extinguisht by Oyl against which the English advance their Banner of the red Dragon to signifie no mercy to them that would shew none Both Armies divided into three Battalions the sign of Battel being given by King Philip the horrour of War began to show its self the grass was soon changed from green to red and their glistering faucheons to a purple colour Drums and Trumpets sounded the knells of death horrour and destruction appeared every where Amongst other Nations that assisted the French in this sad War were twelve thousand Genowayes being all of them Gross-bow men these were to open a way for the French horse with their shot but at the very instant fell such a showr of rain which for the present wet the Archers strings and made them less serviceable The French King hereupon commanded Count Alanson who commanded the Van to beat them from the point and to charge the English this was no sooner commanded then performed and the poor Genowayes trodden down by the horse who now turn their fury against the French seeking to destroy whom they came to help The English enemies unto either having reinforced their Archery liberally bestow their arrows amongst them endeavouring the destruction of them both who ever saw a Matachin dance imitate fighting might here see a fight imitate the Matachin dance The French way thus paved with Genoan bodies half out of breath with headlong haste never stay till they came up to the English Battel with whom encounters the noble Prince of Wales who commanded the English Voward that day the fight grew fierce and cruel each side striving to exceed the other in valour Who had seen the Prince of Wales at that present would have believed Pythagoras doctrine of Transmigration that the soul of great Hector had been infused into him what Poets have feigned of ancient Heroes fell short of the truth of what he performed that day The King of Bohemia whom age might have taught to have expected death in his Chamber and not to have sought him in the Fields of Mars seals his love to the French side with his dearest blood his troop of faithful followers with their slaughtered bodies covering him even in death whose plume of Ostrige feathers won then by valiant Edward hath every since been the Cognisance of the Princes of Wales Another trophey of the English Chevalry was the King of Majorca who in aid of the French was there likewise slain as a renowned Poet in his description of that victory One King 's too much but there two Kings must dye Leave two uncrown'd to Crown one victory It was now high time for King Philip to bring up the main Battel whose numbers threatned the destruction of the English this onset threatning so much danger King Edward is sent for to come up with his power to aid the Prince whose answer was Let them send no more to me for any adventure that may befall whilest my
Brother Earl of Longuevile Charles Earl of Vendosme the Earls of Tankervile Salbruch Nassaw Dampmarlin La Roch with many other Lords besides two thousand Knights and Gentlemen nor did the slain come far short of the prisoners the Chiefest whereof were Peter of Burbon Duke of Athens high Constable of France John Clermont Marshall George of Charney Lord great Chamberlain the Bishop of Chalons the Lords of Landas Pons and Chambly with others to the number of 1700. Knights and Gentlemen The Prince having commended his Souldiers needed not at that time reward them giving them the rich plunder of the Field which did sufficiently recompence them for their victory This indeed whetteth a Souldiers valour when desert is recompensed with reward The English whose valour was most conspicious were the Earls of Warwick Suffolk Salisbury Oxford and Stafford the Lords Cobham Spenser Berkley Basset and Audley which last named Lord for his valour was rewarded by the Prince with the gift of five hundred marks Fee simple in England which he presently gave to four of his Esquires whereupon the Prince demanding whether he accepted not his gift he answered that these men had deserved the same as well as himself and had more need of it with which reply the Prince was so well pleased that he gave him five hundred marks more in the same kinde an example worthy of immortal memory where desert in the Subject and reward in the Prince strive which should be greatest Nor did the Prince use less humanity towards his prisoners whom he entertained in most honourable manner so that King Johns Captivity was onely restraint of his liberty being attended on like a King in the hands of his enemy for noble spirits scorn to insult over misery 't is Plebean rage that is merciless Having refreshed his Army he marcheth with his prisoners to Burdeaux where he tarried a while longer to rest his Souldiers from thence he sets sail for England ariving at Plymouth King Edward as soon as he had knowledge of the Victory caused a general Thanksgiving all over England eight dayes together giving God the thanks and glory knowing him the Author and his Son but the instrument of this unparallel'd victory By reason of these his wonderful Atchievements his name grew famous all the Christian world over to whom for succour comes Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdom by the French with the assistance of the King of Arragon and his Bastard Brother Henry placed in his room Prince Edward considering what a dangerous president this might be against all lawful Kings that any one should be thus dis-throned having obtained leave of his Father resolveth to aid him and taking along with him an Army of thirty thousand men makes his way through the streights of Rouncevallux in Navarr accompanied with the Kings of Castile and Majorca John Duke of Lancaster his Brother with many other Knights and Gentlemen On the other side King Henry for defence of his Diadem had assembled an Army of an hundred thousand consisting of French under Glequin their famous Captain as also of Castilians both Christians and Saracens On the borders of Castile at a place called Nazers it came to a Battel where the Prince obtained a glorious Victory slew many thousands of his enemies and took above two thousand prisoners nor left he off here but proceeded so far untill he had set him in Burgus upon his Throne again The greater the benefit is of him that receives it the more monstruous is his ingratitude that doth not acknowledge it this ungrateful King notwithstanding the benefits he had received of the Prince dismissed his without money to pay his Army which constrained him in his return to Burdeaux to coin his Plate but that not supplying his present necessities he layes upon his Dominions in Gascoigne a new taxation which was the cause of a most dangerous revolt But this was not all the mischief that he accrewed by this journey for the Prince brought back with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after Some report him to have been poysoned by King Peter and probable enough he might be guilty of such wickedness whose whole course of life was so full of vice Duke John of Lancester was not freed from the suspition of hastening his death though the heat of the Countrey and the unfitness of the Season might be the principal cause How ever it was certain it is he survived not long after dying at Canterbury upon Trinity Sunday Anno 1376. aged about six and forty years a Prince excelling all the princes which went before him and surpassing in Martial deeds all the Heroes that have lived after him His body was buried at Christ-Church in Canterbury where his monument standeth leaving behinde him onely one Son who was afterwards King of England by the name of Richard the Second unless we should reckon his natural issue Sir John Sounder and Sir Roger Clarendon Knights which latter is thought to be Ancestour to the house of the Smiths in Essex The Life of Sir JOHN HAWKWOOD AMongst those many Worthies which this Martial age produced that valiant Knight Sir John Hawkwood deserveth remembrance who though of low birth by his Martial prowess purchased his own renown over the Christian world He was born at Sible Heningham in the County of Essex and was in his youth bound apprentice at London with a Taylor from whence he was prest in the musters for service of King Edward the Third and sent into France as a common Souldier where contrary to the Proverb which saith Taylors are no men he behaved himself so valiantly that he was made a Captain over a Company of Foot Souldiers and not long after upon some further good service by him performed advanced unto the order of Knighthood but a peace being concluded between the French and English and his estate not able to maintain his Title he was loath to return home again to follow his old occupation it being something preposterous from a Knight to turn Taylor again wherefore he joyned himself with the Companies called the Late-comers who being about five or six thousand made great spoil upon the East parts of France passing through Champain Burgondy and Damphin even to the very Gates of Avignion in Province From thence he departed into Lumbardy having the leading of that part of the Companies which was called the White Band with whom he served valiantly in the Wars of John Marquess of Montferrat but Lionel Duke of Clarence Son to Edward the Third King of England coming over into Italy to marry with the Lady Violanta Daughter of Galeacio Duke of Millain he forsook that service and attended the Duke to the marriage To omit their sumptuous entertainment which by Paulus Jovius upon the life of Galeacio is written at large Barnaby the Brother of Galeacio having at that time great Wars with the State of Mantua obtained of the Duke of Clarence that Sir John Hawkwood
Homero eruditus ille Italus dixit Hic ille est cujus de gurgite facro Combibit arcanos vatum omnis turba furores The deservingly honoured Sir Philip Sidney in his defence of Poesy thus writeth of him Chaucer undoubtedly did excellently in his Troylus and Crescid of whom truly I know not whether to marvail more either that he in that misty time could see so clearly or that we in this clear age walk so stumblingly after him And Doctor Heylin in his elabourate Description of the World ranketh him in the first place of our chiefest Poets Seeing therefore that both old and new Writers have carried this reverend conceit of him and openly declared the same by writing let us conclude with Horace in the eighth Ode of his fourth Book Dignum Laude causa vet at mori Gower and Chaucer were both of the Inner Temple Mr. Buckley a learned Gentlemen of those times gives an account of a Record he read in the same Inner Temple wherein Geofery Chaucer no friend to the covetous and leacherous Cleargy-men of those times was fined two shillings for beating of a Franciscan Frier in Fleet-street a considerable sum money was so scarce in those dayes I intended to have presented the world with the lives of three more of the most eminent of our modern Poets viz. Mr. Edmond Spenser Michael Drayton Esquire and Mr. Benjamin Johnson not that I could thereby imagine to add unto their fames they having built themselves everlasting Monuments in their never dying Works but out of a desire to imitate forreign writers who have ever done their Worthies that right I have not been wanting of a most diligent inquiry but as yet I cannot meet with any of their friends and honorers that are able to render me so full and happy an account of them as that I might have registred them in this volumne to Posterity The Life of HENRY the Fifth HEnry the fifth was born at Monmouth in Wales 1388. Of whom several Authors write that he was the most dissolute Prince but all agree that he was afterwards the most Martial King that England ever bred For during his Father Henry the Fourths Reign his chief associates were men of evil fame wicked life dissolute carriage Robbers and Thieves by whose instigation he struck the Lord Chief Justice of England for which offence he was imprisoned and dismissed of the Presidentship of the Kings Council With these Fratres in malo he committed many insolent pranks but having attained unto the Crown he summoned these his companions before him and instead of preferring them as they expected he banisht them for ever from his presence yet least they should pretend want of maintenance to be a cause of their taking ill courses he gave to every one of them competent means whereby to subsist Having thus reformed himself his next care was to reform his Kingdom and to this end he assembleth a Parliament as best able to informe him for his more discreet grievances of his Subjects and best able to counsel him for their redress In this Parliament was a Bill preferred by the Commons against the Cleargy whose Temporalities they affirmed would maintain fifteen Earls fifteen hundred Knights six thousand two hundred Esquires an hundred Alms-Houses more then before and unto the Kings Coffers twenty thousand pounds by year The Cleargy nettled with the Commons Bill being loath to have their Estates looked into as men who were fuller of goods then of goodness exceeding in riches more then in righteousness and preaching for Gold more then for God to divert the Kings minde another way by the mouth of Chicholy Archbishop of Canterbury propound the recovering of his Rights in France Henry as he affected nothing more then true glory so in nothing more then in Warlike action condescends to the motion sends Ambassadours to the French King to surrender him his Land threatning Fire and Sword upon his refusal but a Crown though accompanied with a great many troubles is not so easily parted withall yet the French King propounds him fair if he would desist from his intended War though the Dolphin in derision sent him a tun of Paris Balls as fitter for him to exercise then to attempt the recovery of the French Crown which King Henry took in such scorn that he swore it should not be long ere he would send such London Balls amongst them that should beat down their houses upon their heads And to make good his promise he raises an Army of 6000. Spears and 24000. Foot besides Engineers and Labourers but being about to put forth to Sea a treason was discovered against his person plotted by Richard Earl of Cambriage Henry Scroop Lord Treasurer and Thomas Gray Earl of Northamberland These men for a million of Gold were procured by the French Agents to kill the King but were discovered by Edmond Earl of March whom they would have drawn into the same Conspiracy Upon their examination they confessed the Treason as likewise the receipt of the money and were for the same immediately put to death For as Mr. Charles Allen writes Man and Money a mutual falshood show Man makes false money Money makes man so This execution done and the winde blowing fair he puts forth to Sea accompanied with his two Brothers the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester his Uncles the Duke of York and Earl of Dorset the Earls of Kent Cornwall and Huntington with many other Lords Barons and men at Arms and on our Lady-Eve landeth at Caen in Normandy where falling devoutly upon his knees desired Gods assistance to recover his right making Proclamation That no man upon pain of death should rob any Church or offer violence to any that were found unarmed From thence with his Army he marcheth to Harflew which after a few dayes was surrendred unto him where he leaveth Sir John Falstaffe with fifteen hundred men and takes his way towards Callis through the Counties of Caux and Eu. Charles the sixth was then King of France a weak brain-sick King his Nobles divided and the whole Court swarming with Factions yet the common enemy endangering all they unite in Counsell and agree the English should be fought with ere they got to Callis wherefore to impede his process they brake down the Bridges plashed the Woods intrenched the wayes struck stakes in Fords and conveyed all victual out of the Countreys thorow which he should go Then having raised a mighty Army they sent Montjoy the French King at Arms to defie him and to let him know he should be fougt with King Henry notwithstanding his Souldiers were faint and weary having spent their provisions some twelve dayes before being forced in the mean time to feed upon nuts roots and berries and drink onely water yet accepted the Challenge and rewarded the Herald for his message then passing the River of Soam he came to a Village called Agen-Court encamping from the French Hoast not above two hundred and fifty paces Their power saith Paradin
consisted of an hundred and fifty thousand Horse besides them for carriages which were innumerable the Vantguard was led by the Constable of France the Dukes of Orleance and Bourbon the Earls of Ewe Richmond and Vandosme the Lord Dempier the Lord Admiral of France the Marshal Bouciquale and others The main Battle by the Dukes of Barre and Alanson the Earls of Vawinont Salings Blamont Grantpee and Russy And the Reer-guard by the Earls of Marle Dampmarlin Fauconbridge and Monsieur de Lorney Captain of Ardy King Henry desirous to know the numbers of the French sent forth one Captain Gam for discovery who brought word that there were of them enow to kill and enow to take and enow to runaway The French were so confident of victory that they sent to King Henry to know what Ransome he would give but they who reckon without their Hoast we say must reckon twice they might better have sent to know what Ransome he would rake who as full of courage though not so full of bravery was busied in the mean time about marshalling his Army The Vantguard he committed to the conduct of the Duke of York the main Battle he commanded himself and the Reer-guard was led by the Duke of Exeter Then to prevent the fury of the French Horse he commanded two hundred Bowmen to lodge in a low Meddow being provided with sharp stakes studded with Iron at both ends to guard them from danger and to endamage the French Horse The Battels thus ranged the most valiant King gallantly mounted with a chearful countenance and words full of courage thus animated his followers somewhat as I have it from other Historians to this purpose My most faithful Companions and worthy Souldiers we now are marching into the Field of Honour which your great valours so long have expected and prayed for loe the day is now come your enterprise is the noblest in the world pour now therefore forth your undaunted valours that ages to come may know what the Lance the Axe the Sword and the Bow can do in the hands of Englishmen Whosoever therefore desires riches honour and rewards here he shall finde them Nimirum haec medio posuit Deus omnia campo Having this said his Army fell prostrate on the ground and committing themselves to God their devotions ended the Drums and Trumpets summoned them to action the French Vant-guard being exquisitely appointed intended with their Horse to have burst thorow the Archers with a violent course who counterfeiting flight brought the over-hasty French into the jaws of destruction for having left their sharp pointed stakes sticking in the ground they miserably goared the foremost of their Enemies Horses being pressed on forward by the following Troops and then turning head sent such tempests of Arrows on the French that many thousands their knells were rung out that dreadful day The main Battles joyn together the Dukes of Glocester and Alanzon like enraged Lions encounter each other but Glocester is wounded and overthrown whose body his Brother Henry bestriding delivered from further danger and with redoubled stroaks brought the French Gallant himself to the ground with whose fall fell the courages of the French who for all their former bravadoes they turned their backs shamefully and fled with whom the Reer-guard ran for company not having struck one stroak all this while In all this fight which continued three hours were none taken Prisoners but the Sword now made weary and drunk with blood all danger past and humanity retired Prisoners were taken and lives spared which hitherto was neglected lest mercy to others might have proved destruction to themselves Whilest these things were thus acting certain of the French Troops led on by Robert Bondile and the Captain of Agencourt fell to rifeling the Kings carriages being guarded onely by Lackies and Laundresses whose terrible shreeks made King Henry to think some fresh Forces were come certain Troops also of the King of Sicills appearing in the Field made him give present order that every man should kill his Prisoner certain principal men onely excepted then setting his men in order he sends to the assembled Troops either to come to Battle or depart the Field but they fearing to drink of the same cup their fellows had done with shame and dishonor depart away The field thus cleared and the King by his Scouts satisfied that no more enemy was to be seen be caused the whole Army in their array as they were to give thanks unto God the Clergy then present singing the Psalm of David In exitu Israel de Egypto the Footmen kneeling down and the Horse men bowing their bodies at this verse Non nobis Domine non nobis sed nomini tuo da gloriam Then singing Te Deum with other Hymnes and Anthems he divideth the rich spoil of the enemies Camp among his Souldiers There were slain of the French in this Battel above ten thousand whereof a hundred twenty and six were of the Nobility bearing Banners of Knights and Gentlemen of Coat Armour seven thousand eight hundred and seventy four and of common Souldiers about sixteen hundred On the English side the account falls far short some reckon but sixteen slain in all other six and twenty the most not six hundred whereof the Duke of York and the Earl of Suffolk were chief whose slain bodies King Henry brought over with him into England The Duke was buried at Fodringhey in Northamptonshire and the Earl at New-elme in Oxfordshire Great was the joy of the English for the Kings return the City of London receiving him with Triumph as at a Coronation whilst France lamenteth the loss of her Nobles To unite the differences betwixt these two Kingdoms Sigismond the Emperour having been with the French King cometh over into England and with him the Archbishop of Rheimes as Ambassadour from France to treat of peace Henry willingly hearkeneth unto them and sends the Bishop of Norwich and Sir Thomas Erpingham with Commission to Beauvois to treat further of the matter but hearing the French in the mean time had besieged Harflew he recalleth his Amabssadours and would hear no further of peace but sendeth his Brother the Duke of Bedford with the Earls of March Oxford Warwick Huntington Salisbury Arundel Devonshire and divers others with two hundred sail of Ships to the rescue of Harflew who entring the mouth of the River of Seyne encountred with the French Fleet commanded by Viscount Narbon where after a sharp fight the Victory fell to the English who took and sunk most of their Navy chasing the residue into Brittain and relieved Harflew with men and victuals The Emperour hereupon leaves mediating any further for peace with France and concludeth a League offensive and defensive with King Henry the pope onely excepted who was the master Bee that then lead the swarm His affairs finished he returneth homeward whom King Henry accompanieth as far as Callis whither upon hostages given for his safe return repaireth the Duke of
Burgundy who doth homage to the Emperour and taketh a truce with King Henry for his Counties of Flanders and Arthois These business ended Burgundy returneth to Graveling Henry into England and the Emperour to Germany But long did not Henry remain in England for having raised a puissant Army he makes his second expedition into France accompanied with many Earls and Lords and an Army of 25527. Souldiers constituting his Brother John Duke of Bedford Protector of England in his absence and on the first of August arives in Normandy near to the Castle of Tonque which he presently besieged and after eight dayes had it yielded unto him at which time the Earl of Salisbury took the Castle of Albervilliers which the King gave to him and his Heirs being the first Land given by the King in France He afterwards marcht with his Army to Caen who trusting unto the strength of the place refuse to render upon the Kings summons whereupon having taken it by assault he adjudgeth some of the most stubborn refusers to death and distributeth the spoil of the Town amongst his Souâ—diers according to the old Law Those who when that they may refuse to have it Shall afterwards have nay although they crave it He next takes in the Castle of Corfye the Town and Castle of Argenton Allenson Fallais with many other Towns and places of importance his uncle the Duke of Exeter bringing him a supply of fifteen thousand men out England he takes the City of Eureux and then encampeth with his Army before the great City of Roan Within the City were a thousand selected Souldiers sent by the Duke of Burgogne besides fifteen thousand Citizens well trained and furnished and stored with provision for a ten moneths siege the City of Lovies being an impediment to his passage he assaults and takes as also a stone bridge strongly guarded the City is summoned by Windsor the Herald who scorning to yield make a sally forth but are beaten in with loss The King the Dukes of Clarence and Exeter with many other Lords encompass it on the East West and North on the South were encamped the Earls of Warren and Huntington the River of Seine running betwixt them over which was built a bridge for enter course the one unto the other The Kings Cousin-Germane the King of Portingale sent likewise a Navy of Ships to the mouth of the River Seine which stopped all passage of succour up the River The siege thus continuing from June unto December the Citizens were brought unto that extremity that they eat Cats and Dogs Rats and Mice and had nothing to drink but Vinegar and Water so that fifty thousand being miserably famished they desired a parley yet notwithstanding their wants stand upon such high terms that nothing was concluded but a truce for eight dayes which being ended and nothing agreed upon they crave one day longer and that being ended four dayes more at the end of which time by the importunity of the common people the City was surrendred upon these Articles following 1. That the Burgesses should give unto Henry towards his expence in the siege three hundred fifty six thousand Crowns of Gold 2. That Robert Liner Vicar-General to the Archbishop of Roan Jehan Jourdan who commanded the Canoniers and Alen Blanchart Captain of the common people should be left to his mercy without condition 3. That all the people should swear faith and loyalty to Henry and his successours 4. That Henry should protect and defend them against all men and confirme unto them their priviledges franchises and liberties which they had enjoyed ever since the time of St. Lewis King of France 5. That all such as had desire to leave the Town might freely depart with his garments onely upon his back and his goods to be confiscated unto King Henry 6. That the Souldiers should bring all their Arms to a place assigned and should depart out of the Town unarmed with a Cudgel in their hands first taking their Oath not to bear Arms against Henry for a twelve moneth next ensuing Roan the chief City of Normandy thus rendred sundry other places of note yielded themselves as Caudebec Monstraillier Diepe Fesohamp Arques Neufchastel Deincourt Moncheaux Eu Vernon Mante Gorney Harflewr Ponteur-de-mer Mollineaux le Treict Tancarvile Abrechier Mauleurier Valemont Neufuille Bellaucombre Fontaines Le boure Logempree Preaux Nougonder-ville Saint German Sur Cuylly Baudemont Bray Villiterre Charles Maisniel Les boules Guillon-court Fanifontaines Le Becy Crepin Backeville and divers other places wherein King Henry placed Garrisons Those great successes of King Henry caused the Duke of Burgundy who bare all the sway with the French King to mediate a peace for which end he sent his Ambassadours to Henry desiring a personall conference to which he assented and assigned the place which was at Melun whither at the time appointed he goes accompanied with the Dukes of Clarence Glocester and Exeter his uncle Beaufort the Bishop of Winchester with the Earls of March and Salisbury and a thousand men at Arms where he found the French King Queen Isabel the Lady Katherine their Daughter the Duke of Burgundy the Count St. Paul with a great train attending his coming many things were propounded but nothing concluded whereupon King Henry not well pleased said to Burgogne Cousin I cannot well digest this refusal but be you assured that either I will have your Kings daughter and all my demands or I will banish both you and them out of France You speak your pleasure said the Duke but before you shall thrust the King them and me out of the Kingdom you will be weary of the enterprise The treaty thus broken up in discontent King Charles repaired unto Paris whilest King Henry quickneth his thoughts for revenge his first enterprise was on the Town of Ponthois a place of great riches which was surprised by the Earl of Longuevyle and the Duke of Clarence and from thence marching on took in the Castles of Vangon Villeirs Gysors Galyard and Dumal so that now all Normandy except Mount St. Michael was reduced to the possession of the King of England Charles the Dolphin in the mean time being bare of money and by that means having no great store of Souldiers seizeth upon his Mothers money Plate and Jewels she in a womanish spleen studies revenge but he to make good what he had done inveagles the Kings head that her designs were dangerous and bent altogether for the alienation of the Crown Whereupon she is sent prisoner to Eours but soliciting Burgogne for her deliverance she is by an ambush taken from her keepers and by his means made regent of France and her Picture stamped upon the Seal of that State These doings of Burgogne displeased the Daulphin yet still he carried fair weather in his countenance notwithstanding he had stormes of revenge in his heart so warily not to say wickedly could he cover his passions untill he had performed what he did intend The Duke doubting no
danger being sent for by the Dolphin unto the Town of Mountstrew repaired unto him where kneeling upon his knee he was by the Dolphin charged with several misdemeanours and by the company there present most barbarously murthered before he could arise from his knee or get out his Sword This more and more exasperateth Queeen Isabel who now thinks of nothing but disheriting the Dolphin and joyning in confederacy with Philip the new Duke of Burgogne incites him to revenge his Fathers death Philip as forward as she was willing they send Ambassadors to King Henry to intreat a Peace which was concluded from the Epiphany to mid March following during which time both sides meeting at Troys in Champagne a finall conclusion was agreed upon whereof the chief Articles were as followeth 1. That King Henry should take Lady Katherine to wife 2. That Charles and Isabel should retain the name of King and Queen and should hold all their Dignities Rents and Possessions belonging to the Crown of France during their natural lives 3. That the Lady Katherine should have her Dowry in England twenty thousand Nobles and if she out lived Henry twenty thousand Franks yearly out of the Lands Places and Lordships that Blanch sometime wife to Philip Beavisal held and enjoyed 4. That after the death of Charles the Crown and Realm of France should remain unto Henry and to his Heires for ever 5. That during the Life of King Charles the faculties and exercise of the Government and disposition of the Publick utility of the Realm of France shall remain to Henry admitting to his Council and Assistance such of the English Nobility as he shall please 6. That Henry of his own power shall cause the Court of France to be kept and observed in as full Authority and in all manner of places that now or in time coming is or shall be subject to King Charles 7. Also that Henry to his power shall defend and help all and every of the Peers Nobles Cities Towns Commonalties and singular persons now or in time to come Subjects to King Charles in their Rights Customs Priviledges Freedoms Franchises belonging or due unto them in all manner of places now or in time coming subject to King Charles 8. That Henry during the life of King Charles shall not call nor write himself King of France but shall abstain from that name so long as King Charles liveth 9. That King Charles during his life shall name write and call King Henry in French in this manner Nostre treschier Filz Henry Roy d'Engleterre heretere de France and in Latine in this manner Praeclarissimus filius noster Henricus Rex Angliae Haeres Franciae 10. That King Henry shall put no impositions or exactions to charge the Subjects of France without cause reasonable and necessary c. Many other Articles were concluded on Sealed and Sworn to on both sides which for brevity I omit King Henry not long after affianced the Lady Katherine and thereupon was proclaimed Regent and Heire apparent to the Crown of France from thence both Kings with their Peers rode to Paris wherein a Parliament of the three Estates assembled all such as were guilty of the Duke of Burgundy's death were justiced The disherizing of the Dolphin confirmed and Wars against those Towns which held for him prepared and thereupon on the fourth day of June the two Kings of France and England James King of Scots who was newly arived the Duke of Burgoigne the Prince of Orange one and twenty Earls five and forty Barons with many Knights and Gentlemen and an Army consisting of French English Scottish Irish and Dutch to the number of six hundred thousand besiege Seins which after twelve dayes was rendred upon composition of life those onely excepted that were guilty of the Duke of Burgundy's death The Duke of Bedford bringing a fresh supply of men out of England they march to Monstreau which by force was entred where the body of the Duke of Burgundy undecently buried was taken up and in great Pomp interred at Dijon the Town being taken the Castle held out still during which Siege King Henry instituted Garter principal King at Arms whom he sent with offers of mercy to the Castle but was by Guiley Captain thereof reproachfully answered which so incensed Henry that he caused twelve of his principle friends to be executed at length the Castle was enforced to yield upon composition of life Those that were guilty of Burgundy's death were onely excepted From Monstreau the Army marched to Melun the Captain whereof was Signieur Barbason an absolute Souldier who countermined some and stopt other Mines made by the English and fought hand to hand with King Henry in the Barriers at length through famine he was forced to yield but being suspected to have had a hand in the murther of the Duke of Burgandy he was sent Prisoner to Paris where upon King Henry's return he was sentenced to death and had suffered had he not appealed to the Officers at Arms the Law Military forbidding That any man having his Brother in Arms within his danger should afterwards put him to death for any cause or quarrell and proved himself to be the Kings Brother in Arms for that in the Countermine he had coaped with him in Combate whereupon the sentence of death was revoked yet was he still retained in prison but at the winning of Castle Galliard nine years after he was delivered to the great joy of the French Yet notwithstanding by this quirk of Heraldry Barbason escaped so well others as little guilty had not so good luck namely Bertrand de Charmont a Gascoigne and two Monks who were all three put to death Charles the Dolphin was cited to appear at the Marble Table at Paris but not appearing he was judged guilty of Burgognes death and by sentence of Parliament banished the Realm King Henry caused a new Coin to be made called a Salute whereon the Arms of France and England were quarterly stamped then appointing his Brother Clarence the Lieutenant General of France he with his Wife Queen Katherine returned into England being received of his Subjects saith Speed as an Angel from Heaven or another victorious Caesar on earth During King Henry's abode in England a sad accident befell him in France namely the losse of his Brother Clarence who making a road into Anjou upon his return was slain together with many Lords and Gentlemen and the Earls of Suffolk and Somorset taken Prisoners King Henry having notice of this overthrow was much perplexed yet considering that nothing is more certain then that the chance of War is uncertain he leaves off womanish tears and prepares again for manly actions a Subsidy being demanded and denied in Parliament he pawns his Crown to his Uncle Beaufort Bishop of Winchester for twenty thousand pound a strange humour in the King to pawn a Crown in possession to purchase one in hope and being thus furnished with money he soon was furnished
with Souldiers to the number saith Engnerrant of thirty thousand with whom he returneth again into France No sooner was he arrived but he sends the Earl of Dorset and the Lord Clifford with twelve hundred Horse and Foot unto Paris to relieve the Duke of Excester who was straightned of Victualls by the Dolphinois whilest he with the rest of the Army hasteth to relieve Chartiers besieged by the Dolphin with seven thousand Souldiers but hearing of King Henry's coming he packed up his pipes and retired to Tours though before he had given out that he would meet him in the Field Chartiers relieved Henry marcheth to Dreux which agreed to surrender if not relieved by a certain day the time expir'd and no relief come the Town was delivered the Souldiers permitted to depart upon their Oaths not to bear Arms against Henry for one whole year after then takes he in the Towns of Baugency and Rougemont where all that craved he took to mercy and supplying his Army with fresh Forces he layes siege to the Town of Meanx in Brie During the time of this Siege news was brought him that his Wife Queen Katherine was delivered of a Son named Henry at the Castle of Windsor whereat he rejoyced though he liked nor the place of her delivery having before commanded the contrary prophecying That what Henry of Monmouth should get Henry of Windsor would lose Queen Katherine for her disobedience to her Husband herein commanded at her death that her Coffin should be left open to be seen and handled of any that would Should the Coffins of all the women that have disobeyed their Husbands in our dayes be left open I fear we should have but few closed so much is the Apostle Pauls Precept forgotten Ephes 5.24 The Town of Nans holding out long without relief made their conditions the harder upon the surrender the Captain Vaurus having hanged many English and Burgundians upon a tree which he named Vaurus was now on the same hanged himself and his head fixed upon a pole on the top of the same tree Meaux being taken Crespi the Castle of Pierrepont Offemont Merlau and sundry other places submitted themselves so that now Henry had in possession all the Fortresses in the Isle of France Champagne Piccardy Brie and Normandy Yet though Henries part in France was great all was not reduced unto his obedience many places holding out for the Dolphin who with an Army of twenty thousand besieged Cosney a Town of the Duke of Burgundies upon the River Loir Henry hasting to raise the Siege at Senlis fell sick of a burning Feaver and Flux whereupon the command of the Army was committed to the Duke of Bedford who with Queen Katherine was lately come out of England whereof he was Regent to visit King Henry Upon the Dukes approach the Dolphin retired into Berry whereof in mockage he was after called King of Berry King Henries sickness encreasing more and more he was removed to Boys de Vencennois and finding himself not able long to continue he appointed his Brother John Duke of Bedford Regent of France and his Brother Humprey Duke of Glocester Protectour of England till his son came of age Then exhorting them to unity amongst themselves to be true and faithful to the Duke of Burgoigne loyal to their young Prince and serviceable to his Queen in a right mind hope and found memory he rendted his soul to his Creator after he had reigned nine years five moneths and fourteen dayes His Body with Pomp and Solemnity conveyed into England it was interred in the Abbey of Saint Peter at Westminster upon whose Tomb Queen Katherine caused a royal Picture to be laid covered all over with silver Plate gilt the head thereof altogether of massy silver all which at that Abbeys suppression in the time of King Henry the Eighth were sacrilegiously broken off and by purloyning transferred to far prophaner uses where at this day the headless Monument is to be seen with these Verses inscribed upon his Tomb. Dux Normanorum verus Conquestor eorum Haeres Francorum decessit Hector eorum Here Normans Duke so stil'd by Conquest just True Heir of France great Hector lies in dust We will end our Discourse of this renowned King with the commendations given him by Walsingham a learned Historian He was godly in heart sober in speech sparing of words resolute in deeds provident in counsel prudent in judgement modest in countenance magnanimous in action constant in undertaking a great Alms-giver devout to God-ward a renowned Souldier fortunate in Field from whence he never returned without victory Martin writes of this Prince that his Father King Henry the Fourth being seized on by a deadly Appolexy being near his last end he caused his Crown to be placed by him on his Pillow least peradventure in the extremity of his sickness it might be delivered to some other who had better right to it then he had but when his attendants verily supposed that he was dead this Martial Prince seized on the Crown whereat the King started up raised himself upon his armes and demanded who it was that had taken away his Crown the Prince answered that it was he Henry the Fourth fetching a deep sigh said My Son my Son what right I had unto this Crown and how I have enjoyed it God knows and the World hath seen Comfort your self in God sayes the Prince my good Father the Crown you have and if you dye I will have it and keep it with the Sword as you have done which his successfull Reign and hath been declared to his greatest honours afterwards made good The Life of JOHN Duke of Bedford JOhn Duke of Bedford was third Son to King Henry the Fourth a valiant Captain and a great help to his Son Henry in the Conquest of France I shall not therefore like the idle Levites of our times rehearse any of the former Transactions but begin with the pursuit of his life where we ended having chose the rather to write the History of this honourable person as with the exit of his life our English Affairs ceased to have any further footing in France He being Regent there to proceed his care was to preserve the same for his Nephew and knowing that what was won by the Sword must be kept by the Sword he strengthens the confines of his government with Garrisons assembleth his powers and labours to retain the hearts of his own party his chief assistants were the two French Dukes of Burgoignt and Brittain and those two terrours of France Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury and John Lord Talbot to whom after the Death of King Henry the Fifth he being then Regent made averation exhorting them to be true and faithfull to their young King Henry friend to his friends and enemy to his enemies that seeing the hatreds and enmities began now to dye between the French and English names it was too late for the French to be again renowned by their fraudulent
practices With many other words to the like effect which wrought so in the auditors that Henry is proclaimed King of England and France such French Lords as were present taking their oaths to be true unto him And great need had the Regent to bestir himself for Charles the French King surviving King Henry but 53. dayes died at St. Denis whose imbecillities were a great help to the English as the Infancy of King Henry was now an advantage to the Dolphin who upon his Fathers Death proclaims himself King by the name of Charles the Seventh and making all the force he could marcheth to relieve Crepan besieged by the English but his enterprise proved very unfortunate being routed with the loss of two thousand men yet nothing daunted at this disaster he resolveth to encounter adverse fortune with encrease of courage and hearing that many of the English had pillaged the Countries of Nugion and Main upon their return into Normandy he sets upon them recovers their booty and slayes fifteen hundred of them then speedily takes he Meulan upon the River of Sein putting all the English therein to the Sword but the possession was short and the revenge speedy being recovered by Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury who to quit scores with the Dolphin killed all the French were found there About this time the three great pillars of the English Monarchy in France the Dukes of Bedford Burgundy and Brittain met at the City of Amiens in Picardy to consult of the whole course and sum of Affairs adding to the old league this addition that it should be offensive and defensive respectively and to make the friendship the more firme the Duke of Bedford married Anne Sister to Philip Duke of Burgundy a Lady whose beauty surpassed the blush that glorified Luna when she kissed the Shepherd on the Hills of Latmos But whilst the Regent was thus busied in promoting the English cause the Parisians had a design to destroy it which was by delivering their City up to the French King but treason being seldome true to its self it came to the Regents ear which cost the chief conspirators their lives and now fresh forces coming out of England his Army augmented be takes from Charles the Towns and Fortresses of Crotoy Baside Riol Rula Gyrond Basile Mermound Milbam Femil Seintace and many other The French finding themselves too weak to deal with the English by force work by policy and allure from their sides the Duke of Richmond and his Brother Arthur who deliver up to the Dolphin the Castles of Crotoye and Yerney the Duke of Bedford hating their perfidiousness assaults and takes Crotoye and besieges Yerney who agree to surrender if not relieved by a certain time the Duke of Allanson with sixteen thousand French undertakes the rescue but finding the English numbers to surmount his Arithmetick he wheeleth about to Vernoyle in Perch whom the Regent overtaking a cruel Battel ensued which for two hours together was maintained with equall courage on both sides the Regent himself with a Battel-ax fought most fiercely winning immortal honour in that bloody journey At length the Victory fell to the English though with the loss of above two thousand of their men on the French side were slain 5. Earls 2. Viscounts 20. Barrons and above 7000. common Souldiers besides 2700. Scots lately arrived there were taken prisoners the Duke of Allanson himself the Lord of Herneys Sir John Towrnebull 200. Gentlemen and many common Souldiers This Battel was fought the 7. of August 1425. That which followeth till the siege of Orleance I have set down out of Paulus Aemytius as Speed hath done before me The fierce Conquerour besiegeth Mantz in Main and with Ordnance beats down part of the Walls it yields an English Garrison is left there after the taking which not being sufficient to keep the Town in due subjection is compelled to fly to a Tower for their safety the enemies which were admitted into it by the Burgers enjoying the rest The Lord Talbot that most noble Captain of the English with whose name Talbot is coming the French used to fright their children presently arrives to the rescue and puts the Malefactors to death The English Empire then extented it self at which time as bath been observed to the River of Loire Charles was called King of Berry Hitherto the English fortunes in France received no check their serene Sky was without Clouds so long as a good correspondence was held betwixt the Burgundian and the English but this knot of friendship was like to have been broken by occasion of the Duke of Glocester who married Jaqueline Countess of Haynoult Holland and Zealand notwithstanding John Duke of Brabant her husband were yet living The Duke of Burgundy his Cousin was greatly offended hereat insomuch that the controversie grew to be so great that the Duke of Glocester sent him a challenge but the Regent well knowing that the discord of the English might prove the union of the French so wrought betwixt them that the sore seemed indifferently well healed Much about that time likewise be compounded a difference between the Protector and Cardinal Beaufort Bishop of Winchester though to effect the same he was fain to come over into England substituting the Earl of Warwick Lieutenant General in his absence But France wanting his company he quickly returned carrying a great number of fresh men over with him During his abode in England Arthur Earl of Richmond made Constable of France by King Charles raiseth an Army of twenty thousand men and with them suddainly besiegeth St. Jean a Town in Normandy the Garrison were at first dismayed with their sudden arrivall but upon better advice they valliantly sallied out crying aloud a Salisbury a Suffolk whose names struck such a terrour into the besiegers that with loss of their Artillery and 800. of their Company they betook themselves to flight To rehearse each particular would make our discourse prove too prolix to come to the siege of Orleance Undertaken by these matchless Worthies the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot with a puissant Army the Citizens hearing of their intentions prepared to withstand them their Suburbs equall in bigness to a good City they level with the ground chusing rather to destroy a part then hazard the whole the English encompass it on every side and the Citizens begin to feel the misery of want God when mans help fails interposeth his hand the Earl of Salisbury looking out at a Window to take a view for a general assault is unfortunately slain a sad loss for the English for upon the death of this man saith Polydor Virgil the fortune of the War changed The Regent to repair this loss sendeth Sir John Falstaff with fresh supplies who arrived there safe in despite of the Lord De la Brets who with nine thousand men endeavoured to intercept him hereupon the City would yield but to the Burgundian not to the English a cunning plot to divide
their affections the Regent and his Council being sent unto thought it not reasonable that the English having been at all the cost should not reap the profit the Burgundian on the other side resented this repulse ill as thinking the English too nice in resentments of Honour Whilst matters stood thus betwixt the French and English there was presented unto King Charles at Chinon a young Maid about eighten years of age named Joan of Arc who pretended she was sent from God to deliver France from the English yoak whereupon she was called La pucelle de Dieu or the Maiden of God though many judged her but a meer imposter however credit is given to her words and she being armed like a man she rides to Bloyes where Forces and Victuals lay for the relief of Orleance her first attempt was successfull she with the Admirall and Marshall of France enters safe bringing fresh courage to the dying hopes of the Townsmen who upon her encouragements sally forth slew 600. of the English and adventured upon the Bastile where the Lord Talbot commanded who repelled them with great slaughter of their men but yet the next day the Earl of Suffolk gave over his Siege and dispersed his Army into their Garrisons In memory of this admirable deliverance they of that City erected a Monument where Charles the Seventh King of France and Joan the Martiall Maid were represented kneeling in Armour elevating their eyes and hands to heaven in sign of thanks and acknowledgement At this time the success of War began to be various on both sides the Lord Talbot took the Town of Laval with the Castle but this gains was small in respect of the loss they received at that time the Duke of Allanson with Joan and other great Captains take by assault the Town of Jargeux and in it the Earl of Suffolk with one of his Brothers slew another of his Brothers and 200. Souldiers and having his numbers augmented encounters the Lord Talbot at a village called Patay whom he discomfits and slew of the English above a thousand The Lords Talbot the glory of the English Scales Hungerford and Sir Thomas Rampestone were taken prisoners these losses shook the whole fabrick of the English greatness in France and caused the revolt of many Towns to King Charles who encouraged by these successes marcheth into Champaigne where by composition he taketh the Cities of Troys and Auxerre Chalous and Rheimes yield themselves in which last according to the Maids direction he was solemnly Crowned King The Duke of Bedford upon the upleasant tydings of Orleance rescued and Talbot taken opposeth himself and having an Army of ten thousand English besides Normans marcheth out of Paris sending letter of defiance to the French King affirming that deceitfully and by unjust means he had stollen many Cities and places of importance belonging to the Crown of England which he was come to justifie by Battel if he would appoint a time and place who returned answer by the Herald that he would sooner seek the Duke then the Duke should need to pursue him yet notwithstanding his brags upon the Dukes approach he marcheth away the Regent follows and overtakes him at Senlys there both the Armies encamped and embattelled yet onely some light Skirmishes passed between them for the French King either thorow sear or policy or both in the night time fled to Bray the English Souldiers deeming it fear would have pursued him but the Regent judging it to be his policy to draw him further from the City of Paris of whose fidelity he had no great assurance refused to follow him any further The Bishop of Winchester Cardinal Beaufort having at that present raised four thousand men in aid of the Pope to suppress the Bohemians who began to slight his Pontifical pomp at the request of the Duke of Glocester went over with them to the Regent for a present expedition against King Charles who by the subtil working of the Pucelle was received into Campaigne and had many Towns of importance rendred unto him Yet notwithstanding his numbers exceeded twice the Regents yet by no provocations could he be drawn to Battel but secretly fled to Crispis whereupon the Regent also returned to Paris where he staid but a while but passeth into Normandy to provide for a safe retreat there if the English by the inevitable will of God should be driven out of their other Dominions exhorting them as their ancestours had alwayes been to be true and faithful to the Crown of England In the mean while the French King was not idle but gets by practice the Town of St. Denis from whence he sends the Duke of Allanson and Joan the Martial Maid to try their Friends and Fortunes at Paris but Joans good Fortune having ascended the Meridian began now to decline for the English gave them so rough an encounter that Joan her self was wounded and the rest with much slaughter forced to fly the Regent hearing of these attempts returneth to Paris commending the Souldiers for their vigilancy and valour in resisting the French and having fresh supplies out of England marcheth to reduce Champaign to his obedience The French under the conduct of their Martial Virago attempt to raise the siege and enter in despight of the English and Burgundians that besieged it but afterwards sallying forth their troops were beaten and Joan her self taken prisoner by John of Luxemburgh a Burgundian Knight who for the value of ten thousand pounds Turnoyes and three hundred crowns yearly rent delivered her to the Regent and he to the Bishop of Beauvois in whose Diocess she was taken who judicially proceeding against her as a Sorceress and deceiver of the King and his Subjects she was condemned and afterwards burnt to death at Roan Many sundry opinions were conceived of this Woman some judging her miraculously raised up by God for the good of France others that she was but a meer Imposter we will suspend our judgement herein and refer you to the Epitaph which we finde thus written on her Here lies Joan of Arc the which Some count Saint and some count Witch Some count Man and something more Some count Maid and some a Whore Her life 's in question wrong or right Her death 's in doubt by laws or might Oh innocence take heed of it How thou too near to guilt doest sit Mean time France a wonder saw A woman rule ' gainst Salique Law But Reader be content to stay Thy censure till the judgement day Then shalt thou know and not before Whether Saint Witch Man Maid or Whore And now the Regent seeing the great success that had attended King Charles ever since his Coronation would needs have King Henry Crowned in France to see if the like effects would follow the English whereupon he is sent for over and by the Bishop of Winchester solemnly Crowned in the City of Paris such of the French Nobility as were present doing their Homage and now was France a
gave himself over to all licentiousness whilst Warwick had made his faction not onely mighty but monstrous being compacted of several natures for into conspiracy of this great enterprize he had drawn off the Cleargy and the Laity and most of them of affections most opposite The Archbishop of York was the principal mover because he mov'd upon the soul and made treason an act of Religion the easie multitude who build their faith upon the man not the Doctrine thinking it meritorious to rebell in regard his function seem'd to give authority to the action With him a greed the Marquess Mountague and many eminent persons of King Edwards Court whom either desire of War having never lived but in the troubled Sea of discord or want of expected recompence rendered discontented All the partakers in the calamity of the house of Lancaster most passionately at first overture embraced this motion amongst whom was Henry Holland Duke of Exeter who after his ruine with the fall of Henry the Sixth was reduced to such extremity that ragged and bare-footed he begg'd for his meat in the Low-Countries But the wonder of the world then was at the powerful sorcery of those perswasions which bewitcht the Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother to this conspiracy to whom the Earl of Warwick to tye him the faster to his side gave him in marriage the Lady Isabel his daughter and coheire to the rich Earldom of Warwick for consummation whereof they sailed over to Calice of which Town the Earl of Warwick was Captain and in which the young Lady then remained with her Mother Soon was the Ceremony past and soon did the Earl invite his Son-in-law from the softness of the Nuptial Dalliance as who had contrived this marriage for business not for pleasure and design'd the first issue of their embraces to be a monster and the most unnatural one War between Brothers Warwick having thus politickly order'd things that he left little or nothing to fortune with his Son-in-law returns to England where against his return the Archbishop of York with some other of his friends had raised a potent Army to oppose whom on Edwards side assembles a mighty power under the conduct of the Earls of Pembroke and Devonshire but they falling out at Banbury upon a trivial occasion made way for the enemy to conquer them both This overthrow was seconded with a great loss at Grafton in Northamptonshire wherein the Earl Rivers and the Lord Widdevil Father and Brother to the Queen were taken and barbarously beheaded Edward nettled with these losses raises what power he could and marches against Warwick whose pretence being that of all Rebells The good of the Kingdom yet to avoid effusion of blood seemingly is very desirous of peace but when with several overtures he had lulled the King in security in the dead of the night he sets upon his Army kills the watch and surpriseth his person buried in a careless sleep Warwick having thus gotten the prey into his hand he so long desired sends him prisoner to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire there to be kept by his Brother the Archbishop of that Sea but King Edward being of another temper then his predecessour Henry not enduring Captivity soon found a way for his own liberty for having gotten licence to hunt in the adjoyning Park he so contrived with Sir William Stanley and Sir Thomas Burgh that with a selected number they came to his rescue and took him away from his weak guard the Lord Hastings joyning to them with some forces he had raised about Lancaster they march directly to London where they were entertained with great expressions of joy The Earl of Warwick who upon the taking of the King had disbanded his Army hearing of his escape was almost distracted with a thousand several imaginations but soon by letters to the Lords of his faction he reassembles his forces and marches against the King but thorow the solicitation of some persons inclinable to peace an enterveiw was agreed on in Westminster Hall and oaths for safety being past on both sides accordingly they met but such intemperance of Language past at their meeting as rather aggravated then allayed their anger so that now they resolved the Sword alone should decide the controversie The Earl of Warwick leaving his Army under the command of Sir Robert Wells whilst he himself went to raise more men King Edward neglecting not the opportunity whilest they were thus disjoyned gives them battel and overthrows them with the loss of ten thousand of their men Sir Robert Wells was taken prisoner and soon after beheaded This overthrow struck Warwick to the heart so that having not sufficient force to withstand the King he with the Duke of Clarence sail over into France with which King as also with Queen Margret who then remained in the French Court they entred into a combination for the deposing of King Edward and setting up again King Henry And that there might not be left any tract of former discontent or path to future jealousie a marriage was concluded and celebrated between Prince Edward the Queens Son and the Lady Anne younger daughter to the Earl and for want of issue of these two the Crown to come to Clarence and his posterity Matters thus concluded and the French King supplying them with money they return into England to whom flocked almost all the Lords the Commonalty also desirous of innovation adhered unto them so that King Edward seeing himself in a manner wholly abandoned was forced to quit the Land and sail into Holland And now notwithstanding his former hostility with him Warwick restores King Henry to all his former dignity and honour a Parliament is called wherein nothing is denyed which the prevailing party thought fit to be authorized King Edward condemned for a Tyranous Usurper and all his adherents attainted of high treason the Crown is entailed upon King Henry and his Heires Males for default of which to George Duke of Clarence and his Heires for ever The Earls of Oxford and Pembroke and many others restored to their estates and titles the Duke of Clarence put in possession of the Dutchy of York and lastly the Government of the King and Kingdom committed to the Duke of Clarence and Earl of Warwick so that King Henry possest no more then the name of King and seem'd not to be set at liberty but to have changed his keeper King Edward in the mean time having hired four great Holland Ships and fourteen Easterling men of War transports his Army over into England which consisted of two thousand Dutch men and such English as accompanied him in his flight or had escaped over after him at Ravenspur in Yorkshire he landed from thence he marched to York but finding in every place where he came the people generally devoted to the House of Lancaster he fashioned his behaviour to a new art and solemnly took his oath that his intentions was not for the recovering of the Crown but
hath this worthy Princes fame been blasted by malicious traducers who like Shakespear in his Play of him render him dreadfully black in his actions a monster of nature rather then a man of admirable parts whose slanders having been examined by wise and moderate men they have onely found malice and ignorance to have been his greatest accusers persons who can onely lay suspition to his charge and suspition in Law is no more guilt then imagination as the divine Father Chrysostom faith A good man hardly suspecteth another to be evill but an evill man scarcely supposeth any to be good King Richard had three great Favourites as Princes are seldome without some and those according to the constant custom of the World must be envied Catesby Ratcliffe and Lovel King Richards own Arms being the Bore upon which one Collingborne of the West fancied this Libel which in those times was received for excellent Wit The Cat the Rat and Lovel the Dog Rule all England under a Hog But leaving such trifles to return to King Richard Henry Earl of Richmond ambitious of Sovereignty envying his prosperity practises with forreign Princes and confederates with the English Nobles for Assistance and Forces against King Richard The chief abettor in England he had on his side was the Duke of Buckingham one who had formerly constantly adhered to King Richards side but being by him denyed the Earldome of Hereford and Constableship of England grew discontented took up Arms was defeated and afterwards by Marshall Law put to death Yet did not this break the neck of Henries design but having by his fair deportment gained Force from the Duke of Brittain and some other Princes envious of the prosperity of the House of York Richmond puts forth to Sea and lands at Milford-Haven in Wales after some refreshing he marches to a Town called Haverford-West where the people who flocked to him in great number welcomed him as a Prince descended from their ancient Princes of Wales the people generally being very noble and loving to their Brittish Kindred Hither came to him with great Forces the Earl of Salop Sir Rice ap Thomas Sir Walter Herbert Sir John Savage Sir Gilbert Talbot and many others His Army thus strong and united he passes the Severne and marches to Leichfield King Richard hearing of his arrivall prepareth against him but though he thought the Nobility generally cemented to his side yet found he a general defluxion from them to the other side the Earl of Surrey the Earl of Westmerland Viscount Lovel and John Duke of Norfolk being the principall that stuck to him which last was much importuned to have fallen off from him the night before the Battel one writing this Rime upon his Gate Jack of Norfolk be not too bold For Dicken thy master is bought and sold But he regarding more his fidelity then any danger that could befall him doubles his care and diligence on the behalf of his Sovereign The Earl of Northumberland who had received great favours from the King and who had in his Name raised vaste Forces being sent for by him refused to come pretending for his disobedience certain dreams wherein he was forewarned by his Father for to fight on King Richards side But the greatest defection was in the Lord Stanley who notwithstanding he had left his Sonne George Stanley as a Pledge of his faith with the King yet revolted to the other side King Richard notwithstanding all these disadvantages having encouraged his Army gives Richmond a Battle where valiantly fighting after he had with his own hands slain Sir Charls Brandon the Earls Standard-bearer and unhorsed Sir John Cheny and shewed himself a most Heroick Person being over-powered with multitude he was slain on the place With him died the Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Surrey was taken Prisoner and the whole Army quite defeated This Battle was fought at a Village called Bosworth near to Leicester The Victor was crowned in the Field by Sir VVilliam Stanley with King Richards Crown which he as a valiant and confident Master of his right had worn that day King Richards dead body after it was most barbarously mangled and wounded was thrown behinde one upon a lean Jade and so conveyed to Leicester where at last it obtained a bed of earth honourably appointed by the order of King Henry the Seventh in the chief Church of Leicester called Saint Maries belonging to the Order and Society of Grey Friers the King in short time after causing a fair Tomb of mingled colour'd Marble adorned with his Statue to be erected thereupon And notwithstanding the times were such when this great Prince lived that he had scarcely time to sheath his sword yet left he behinde him many Monuments of his Piety He founded a Collegiate Church of Priests in Middleham in Yorkshire another Colledge of Priests in London in Tower-street near to the Church called our Lady Barking he built a Church or Chappel in Towton in Glocestershire he founded a Colledge in York convenient for the entertainment of an hundred Priests he built the high stone Tower at Westminster and when he had repaired and fortified the Castle of Carlile he founded and built the Castle of Perrith in Cumberland He began many other good Works which his sudden fatt prevented as Polidor Virgil witnesseth which Works and Monuments of Piety shew not the Acts of a Tyrant I shall end all with this Eulogy which a learned Writer gives him King Richard was a stout valiant person ever indulgent to his People careful to have their Laws duly observed his making so many good ones if they signified not some goodness in himself were evident arguments of his more then ordinary love to Law and Justice The Life of THOMAS HOWARD Earl of SURREY THomas Howard Earl of Surrey in his time the Ornament of Mars and the Muses was Son to Sir John Howard Knight first made Barron by King Edward the Fourth and afterwards Duke of Norfolk by King Richard the Third in whose quarrel he was slain This noble Earl his Son having been well educated and afterwards trained up in Court his Martial minde hating those silken pleasures admired of Courtiers he with divers other young Gentlemen went over to Charles Duke of Burgundy who then had Wars with Lewis King of France in whose quarrel he behaved himself so gallantly that he won the honour and reputation of a most expert Commander At his return King Edward for his valour bestowed on him the Order of Knighthood to whose side he constantly adhered in that great difference betwixt him and the House of Lancaster That quarrel being ended by the overthrow of VVarwick he afterwards did excellent service in the Wars betwixt him and Lewis the French King King Edward being dead and the Crown by joynt consent both of Peers and People placed on King Richards head and after confirmed by Act of Parliament he with his Father the Duke of Norfolk held firm to his side notwithstanding the many
Castle an honourable Mansion of his own where he continued and kept a bounteful house to the time of his death which happened in the fourscore and sixth year of his age He was buried at Thetford Abbey in Norfolk dying after a most generous life worth a large estate so clear from debt that at his death he owed not one groat to any person whatsoever an unusual happiness to attend so great a Souldier and Courtier as he was From this famous Duke is descended the Right Honorable James Earl of Suffolk whose great Grandfather Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk married Margret sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour of England by whom he had issue Thomas Lord Howard of Walden and Earl of Suffolk who built that magnificent Structure at Audley-end who left the same to his Son and Heir Theophilus a worthy Gentleman the Father of James Earl of Suffolk now living Anno 1659. To whom with his most vertuous Lady I wish all encrease of true honour and felicity To the greater honour of these Progenies this Heroick Earl died so much a Laureat that his Songs and Sonnets by all those that rightly understand Poetry are looked upon as in those dayes to have been the Muses Parnassus so that for his Epitaph there needed no more to be writ but that here lies interred The greatest Courtier the most valiant Souldier and the most accomplisht Poet of those times The Life of CARDINAL VVOLSEY Fortunae variantis opus Wolsaeus ad alta Scandit iter dubium certa minitante ruina CArdinal VVolsey the Tennis-ball of Fortune was born at Ipswich in Suffolk of so poor and despicable Parents that were his story of an ancient date and not delivered by Authentique Historians it might pass for a fiction his Father being no more but a poor Butcher from so low a beginning did he rise to the highest pitch of honour His Education in youth was at Oxford in Maudlin Colledge from thence he was preferred to be School-master to the Marquess of Dorsets Children where he first learned to be imperious over noble blood the Marquess dying Wolsey went into France to seek his Fortune and coming to Callis became servant to Sir John Naphant then Treasurer of the Town where he behaved himself with so great discretion that his Master shortly preferred him to King Henry the Seventh Having thus cast Anchor at Court the Haven of hope and Port of Promotion he was more then double diligent in the Kings eye and very serviceable to Doctour Fox Bishop of Wincheter Secretary and Lord Privy Seal as also to Sir Thomas Lovel Master of the Wards and Constable of the Tower who perswaded King Henry having urgent business with Maximilian the Emperour to send Wolsey in Embassage unto him being at that present in the Countrey of Flanders who returned again before he was thought to be gone and withal concluded some Points forgot in his directions to the hight contentment of King Henry for the which he bestowed upon him the Deanry of Lincolne and not long after made him his Almoner But King Henries day now drawing towards night he adores the rising Sun Prince Henry and having found the length of his foot fitteth him with an easie shoe well knowing there could be no loss to humour him who was so able to give nor was he deceived in his expectation for Henry afterwards coming to be King and having conquered the City of Tourney in France bestowed the Bishoprick of the same upon VVolsey and not long after made him Bishop of Lincolne and Archbishop of York And now being Primas Anglia carried himself accordingly by erecting his Cross in the Kings Court although within the Jurisdiction of Canterbury which high presumption VVilliam Archbishop of Canterbury greatly checked But VVolsey not abiding any Superious obtained to be made Priest Cardinal and Legatus de Latere unto whom the Pope sent a Cardinals Hat with certain Bulls for his Authority in that behalf And now remembring the taunts he had received from Canterbury found means with the King that he was made Lord Chancellour of England and Canterbury which was Chancellour dismissed who had continued in that place long since before the death of King Henry the Seventh VVolsey now sitting at the Helm of Church and State had two Crosses and two Pillars born ever before him the one of his Archbishoprick the other of his Legacy by two of the tallest Priests that were to be found in the Realm To the better maintenance of which chargeable estate the King bestowed on him the Bishoprick of VVinchester and in Commendam the Abbey of St. Albans and with them he held in Farm the Bishopricks of Bathe VVorcester and Hereford enjoyed by strangers incumbents not residing in the Realm so that now being Bishop of Tourney Lincolne York VVinchester Bathe VVorcester and Hereford he seemed a Monster with seven heads and each of them crowned with the Mitre of a Bishop far different from the state of his Lord and Master Christ who had not a hole wherein to hide his head Yet his ambition resteth not here next he aspires to the Triple Crown he onely wants Holiness and must be Pope to the attaining of which Dignity he makes means to the Romish Cardinals as also to the Emperour Charles the Fifth Gold he gave to the Cardinals and they gave him golden promises although they proved but empty performances nor did the Emperour serve him any better promising much but performing nothing VVolsey hereat enraged studies revenge and by his instruments seeks to make a divorce betwixt Queen Katherine Dowager the Emperours Aunt and King Henry the Eighth his Master thereby to advance a Marriage betwixt him and the King of France's sister But though he effected the one he failed in the other for contrary to his expectation King Henry fell in love with Anna Bullen a Gentlewoman nothing favourable to his Pontificial Pomp nor no great follower of the Rites of those times which moved the Cardinal the Pope having assumed the sentence of Queen Katherines cause unto himself to write unto his Holiness to defer the judgement of Divorce till he had wrought the Kings minde in another mould But though this was done secretly it came to the Kings ear and wrought his minde quite off from the Cardinal which finally was the cause of his confusion for upon the Kings dislike the Counsel articled against him and the Law found him in a Premunire for procuring to be Legatus de latere and advancing the Popes Power against the Laws of the Realm for which resentment the Kings displeasure was so incenst that the Broad Seal was taken from him and most of his other Spiritual Preferments his house and furniture seized on to the Kings use and himself removed to Cawood Castle in Yorkshire Yet was he still left Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of York to which last providing for his installing state equivalent to a Kings Coronation he was arrested of
high treason by the Earl of Northumberland for words importing a desire of revenge saith Sleidan from thence he was conveyed towards London by the Lieutenant of the Tower in which journey at Leicester Abbey he ended his life breathing out his soul with speeches to his effect Had I been as carefull to serve the God of Heaven as I have been to comply to the will of my earthly King God would not have left me in my old age as the other hath done Some have imagined he poysoned himself as not willing to survive his great glory and some have thought he was poysoned by others that with his feathers they might build themselves nests Surely the fall of this stately oak caused the growth of much underwood many rising by his ruine raising themselves great estates out of the fragments of his fall He left behinde him these glorious monuments of fame the buildings of Christ-Church White-Hall Hampton-Court Windsor His Master King Henry lived in the two first his Tomb being erected in the last Some Historians write that his body swelled after his death as his minde when he was living with his Ego et Rex meus On which ambition of the Cardinal one wrote these verses Dicere Gramatices ratio permittit Ego Rex Ethica te jubet ars dicere Rex Ego Haec est nimirum vivendi ars illa loquendi Principis haec Aulae serviat illa Scholae The Life of Sir THOMAS MOOR Hic est ille Thomas plebis de pulvere magnus Qui tulit incanum Principis ira caput SIr Thomas Moor one of the greatest Ornaments of his time was a man of those high employments and of so great parts to go thorow them that he is deservedly placed amongst our English Worthies He was the Son of Sir John Moor Knight and one of the Justices of the Kings Bench a man singular for his many rare perfections His Birth place was at Milk-street in London the year of our Lord 1480. Having attained some skill in the Latine Tongue Cardinal Moorton Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord High Chancellour of England took him into his house where his wit and admirable deportment appeared to be such that the Cardinall would often say of him to the Nobles that severall times dined with him This Childe here waiting at the Table whosoever shall live to see it will prove the miracle of men For his better proficiency in learning the Cardinal placed him in Canterbury Colledge in Oxford now called Christ-Church where when he was both in the Greek and Latine Tongue sufficiently instructed he was then for the study of the Law put into one of the Innes of Chancery called New Inne where for his time he highly improved from thence he removed to Lincolns-Inne where he was made an Utter-Barrister where for some time he read a Publick Lecture of St. Austine de Civitate Dei in the Church of St. Laurence in the Old Jury Afterwards he was made Reader of Furnivalls-Inne where he continued for the space of above three years after which time he gave himself up to his devotions in the Charter-House of London living religiously there for the space of four years Soon after he married the Daughter of Mr. John Colt of New Hall in Essex by whom he had one Son and three Daughters whom from their youth he brought up in vertue and learning About this time his rare endowments began to be looked upon with a publick eye which caused him to be called to the Bench and soon after chosen a Burgess of Parliament which happenned in the latter end of King Henry the Sevenths Reign who demanding one Subsidy and three fifteens for the Marriage of his eldest Daughter the Lady Margret unto the King of the Scots Sir Thomas making a grave Speech argued so strongly why these exactions were not to be granted that thereby the Kings demands were frustrated and his request denyed by which occasion he fell so deeply into the Kings displeasure that for his own safeguard he was determined to have gone over Sea had not the King soon after dyed which somewhat mittigated his fear and altered his resolution After this he was made one of the under Sheriffs of London by which office and his practice in Law he gained an estate of four hundred pounds per annum Now his learning wisdom knowledge and experience was grown into such note behaving himself so admirably that he gained a general applause from all men and fell into such an estimation with King Henry the Eighth that he made him master of the Requests soon after Knight and one of his Privy Councel and so from time to time advanced him continuing still in his singular favour and trusty service twenty years and above his pleasant disposition and readiness of wit so gaining him into King Henry's favour that upon the death of Mr. Weston Treasurer of the Exchequer the King bestowed on him the office of Treasurer and not long after made him Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster To render his History the more pleasant take these few tastes of the sharpness of his Wit Cambden reports of him that he used to compare the great number of women to be chosen for Wives unto a bag full of Snakes having amongst them but one Eel now if a man puts his hand into this bag he may chance to light on the Eel but 't is a hundred to one if he be not stung with a Snake Being in company where the master of the house commended his Beer for the well relish of the Hop Sir Thomas replyed but had it hopped a little further it had hopped into the Thames A supposed bribe being put upon Sir Thomas a great gilt Cup presented to him he being called before the Kings Council to answer this accusation Sir Thomas acknowledged that he did receive the Cup for a New-years-gift after some importunities he received it but immediately he caused his Butler to fill it with Wine and therein drank to the Gentlewoman that presented it and when that she had pledged him he as freely gave it her again for a New-years gift for her Husband This great Mountain of his accusation being brought scarcely to a little Mosehill When he was Justice of Peace he used to go to the Sessions at New Gate where one of the Ancientest Justice of Peace of the Bench was used to chide persons when their Purses had been cut for not being more carefull telling them that their negligence was the cause that so many Cut-purses were brought thirther Sir Thomas obs rving him to repeat this caution so often sent for one of the chiefest Cut-purses that was in prison and promised him to save him harmless if he would but cut the said Justices Purse the next day as he sat on the Bench and when he had done to make a sign of it to him The day after when they sat again the Thief was called one of the first who being accused of the fact
proquaestor primum post Cancellarius Lancastriae tandem Angliae miro principis favore factus est Sed interim in publico regni senatulectus est orator populi praeterea legatus regis nonnunquam fuit alias alibi postremo vero Cameraci Comes collega junctus Principi Legationis Cuthberto Tonstallo tum Londinensi mox Dunelmensi Episcopo quo viro vix habet orbis hodie quicquam eruditius prudentius melius Ibiinter summos Christiani orbis Monarchas rursus refecta faedera redditamque mundo diu desideratam pacem laetisimus videt Legatus interfuit Quam superi pacem firment faxintque perennem In hoc officiorum vel honorum cursu quum ita versaretur ut neque Princeps optimus operam ejus improbaret neque nobilibus esset invisus neque injucundus populo furibus autem homicidis haereticisque molestus Pater ejus tandem Joannes Morus Eques in eum Judicum ordinem à Principe cooptatus qui regius consessus vocatur homo civilis innocens mitis misericors equus integer annis quidem gravis sed corpore plus quam pro aetate vivido postquam eo productam sibi vidit vitam ut filium videret Angliae Cancellarium satis in terra jam se moratum ratus lubens migravit in coelum At filius defancto patre cui quamdiu supererat comparatus juvenis vocari consueverat ipse quoque sibi videbatur amissum jam patrem requirens editos ex se libros IV. at Nepotes XI respiciens caepit apud animum persenescere Auxit hunc affectum animi subsequuta statim velut ad petentis senii signum pectoris valetudo deterior Itaque mortalium harum rerum satur quam rem à puero semper optaverat ut ultimos aliquot vitae suae annos obtineret liberos quibus hujus vitae negotiis paulatim se subducens futuram posset immortalitatem meditari eam rem tandem si coeptis annuat Deus indulgentissimi principis incomparà bili beneficio resignatis honoribus impetravit atque hoc sepulchrum sibi quod mortis eum nunquam cessantis adrepere quotidiè commonefaceret translatis huc prioris uxoris ossibus extruendum curavit Quod ne superstes frustra sibi fecerit neve ingruentem trepidus horreat sed desiderio Christi lubens oppetat mortemque ut sibi non omnino mortem sed januam vitae felicioris inveniat precibus eum Lector optimè spirantem precor defunctumque prosequere Pro Vxoribus suis Chara Thomae jacet c. Sub quo haec quoque subjuncta Carmina occurrunt Chara Thomae jacet hic JoannaVxorcula mori Qui tumulum Aliciae hunc destino quique mihi Vna mihi dedit hoc conjuncta virentibus annis Me vocet ut puer trina puella patrem Altera privignis quae gloria rara novercae est Tam pia quam gnatis vix fuit ulla suis Altera si mecum vixit sic altera vivit Charior incertum est haec sit an haec fuerit O simul ô juncti poteramus vivere nos tres Quam bene si factum religioque sinant Et societ tumulus societ nos obsecro Coelum Sic mors non potuit quod dare vita dabit The Life of THOMAS CROMWELL Earl of Essex Fortunae speculum Cromwellus scandit ad alta Vt casu graviore ruat Regisque favore Tollitur hincque cadit livore oppressus inique THomas Cromwell from so low a beginning as from the Forge attained to so high a pitch of honour as to be raised to a Pillar of State His Father as our Chronicles report was a Blacksmith to whom may be applied what Juvenal said of Demosthenes Whom his poor Father blear-eye'd with the soot Of sparks which from the burning Iron did shoot From Coals Tongs Anvil and such Black-smiths tools And dirty Forge sent to the Rhetrick Schools He was born at Putney in Surrey four miles from London being endued with a singular excellency of Wit His first advancement was under Cardinal Wolsey who made him his Solliciter employing him for the suppression of forty Monasteries to the erection of his Colledges at Oxford and Ipswich At the fall of the Cardinal he got him to Court where he was by King Henry first advanced to be Master of his Jewel-house then Barron of Oakham in Rutlandshire then Knight of the Garter ere long he was created Earl of Essex then made Lord great Chamberlain and lastly ordained the Kings Vicar General over the Spirituality by vertue of which Office he sat in the Convocation-house as Head over the Bishops an Honour so great that never any subject enjoyed the like in England Drayton thus epitomizes his Honours First by my Knighthood rising by degree The Office of a Jewel-house my lot After the Robes he frankly gave to me From whence to Privy Councellour I got Then of the Garter and then Earl to be Of Essex yet sufficient these were not But to the great Vicegerency I drew Being a Title as supream as new And now finding by Wolsey's predicting fall that the foundations of Monasteries were not unmoveable he puts it into the King head to have them all suppressed who being not long before declared supream Head of the Church thought his state in danger so long as the Pope had such Pillars to uphold his Power Another main thing was their excessive Riches which was valued at the yearly sum of 1865 12. pounds 8. shillings 1. d. o. q. besides the two Universities and divers Monasteries which were unvalued And no wonder that Bell sounded so sweetly in the Kings ear when so much profit pull'd the rope what ever was the true cause the pretended cause was the gain that was got by ignorant devotion and gadding on Pilgrimage as likewise that they were the receptacles of all traiterous attempts against the peace of the Land and Supremacy of the Crown Besides the Whoredoms Adulteries Incests and filthy Sodomies of the Monks Friers and Priests which put together weighed so heavy that by Act of Parliament they were granted all to the Kings use and Injunctions sent forth for the Bible in English to be read in all Churches and Register-books of Weddings Christenings and Burials in every of them to be kept These Actions of the King exasperated many especially the Pope who feared his Dagon would down if the King should be acknowledged supream Head of the Church whereupon he pronounceth him an Heretick and seduceth amongst others James the Fifth King of Scotland against him Cromwel that his Master might be able to bandy with the Pope counselleth him to allie himself with some Protestant Princess the King then a widdower entertained the motion and a marriage is concluded betwixt him and the Lady Anne Sister to William Duke of Cleve whose other Sister Fredrick Duke of Saxony had espoused a great favourer of the Gospel and maintainer of Martin Luther the promulgator and professour thereof But the Lady
and attended his coming at Noon-tide walking in his Court-yard No sooner was the Lord Thomas Cromwell entred the same attended by several persons of Quality and Officers of the Crown but speedily alighting from his Horse he embraced his Friend Frescobald in the same manner he had done in the morning and perceiving that the Lords which accompanied him were amazed at such a disproportioned familiarity he told them that he was more obliged to Frescobald then to all the men in the world owing unto him the making of his Fortune and so proceeded to relate unto them the whole story which had befallen him at Florence So great a delight do generous mindes take to recount their foregoing Misfortunes when their Grandor hath elevated them to such a pitch as that they triumph over shame and are incapable of Ingratitude Frescobald was treated at Dinner with all the tenderness he could expect from so great a Personage and so great a Friend after which being carried up by the Lord Thomas Cromwell into his Closet he was there presented with four Bags of Gold each containing four hundred Duccats in return of his former Civilities which Frescobald being of a gallant spirit at first refused but after severall contestations was constrained to accept as an acknowledgement from the Lord Cromwell who moreover enquiring of him concerning his coming over and Affairs in England and understanding his Losses and that there were Moneys due to him caused him to write down his Debters names and by his Secretary summoned the severall Merchants which were indebted to Frescobald upon pain of his displeasure to clear their Accounts with him and to pay him within the space of fifteen dayes which was accordingly performed onely Frescobald freely forgave them the use Over and above all which the Lord Thomas Cromwell endeavoured to perswade his Friend Frescobald to have remained in England the rest of his dayes proferring to lend him a Stock of 60000. Duccats to trade withall But Frescobald being over-charged with all those grand Obligations which the Lord Cromwell had conferred on him having by his Lordships Generosity acquired enough to keep him from being necessitated all his life time and deeming that the trading in good Works was incomparably more sure and gainful then in the richest Wares and Merchandizes being resolved to quit Trading and to end the rest of his dayes peaceably and quietly he obtained leave of the Lord Thomas Cromwell to depart to his own Countrey freighted with so great obligations as caused in him a generous shame He afterwards arrived safe in his own Country where with great reputation he dyed in a good old age Having done him this honour to eternize the noble deportments of his life I shall now end with a short account of what he said at his death When he came upon the Scaffold on Tower-Hill he delivered his minde to the people I am come hither to die and not to purge my self as some perhaps may expect that I should and will for if I should so do I were a very wretch I am by the Law condemned to die and I thank my Lord God that hath appointed me this death for mine offence for I have alwayes lived a sinner and offended my Lord God for which I ask him hearty forgiveness It s not unknown to many of you that I was a great Traveller and being but of mean Parentage was called to high honours and now I have offended my Prince for which I heartily ask him forgiveness beseeching you to pray with me to almighty God that he will forgive me c. Then kneeling down on his knees he made a long and pithy prayer which being ended after a godly exhortation to those on the Scaffold he commended his Spirit into the hands of his Maker his head being dissevered from his body July 28 1540. The King not long after his death clapping his hands on his breast repented this haste wishing that he had his Cromwell alive again With him was beheaded the Lord Hungerford of Heitesbury who suffered death a just death for buggery Without question Cromwell was a person of singular qualifications unfortunate in nothing more then that he lived in the dayes of Henry the Eighth of whom if it could be possible one writes that for the time he Reigned he was guilty of more Tyranny then any of the Roman Emperours This great Statesman was condemned to death and yet never came to his answer by an act as it is said which he himself caused to be made of which Mr. Michael Drayton thus writes Those Laws I made alone my self to please To give me power more freely to my will Even to my equals hurtfull severall wayes Forced to things that most do essay were ill Vpon me now as violently seize By which I lastly perisht by my skill On mine own neck returning as my due That heavy yoke wherein by me they drew Thus whilest we strive too suddenly to rise By flattering Princes with a servile Tongue And being soothers to their tyrannies Work our much woes by what doth many wrong And unto others tending injuries Vnto our selves producing our own wrong In our own snares unluckily thus caught Whilst our attempts fall instantly to naught Questionless he was a man of an active and forward ripeness of nature ready and pregnant of wit discreet and well advised in judgement eloquent of tongue faithfull and diligent in service of an incomparable memory of a reaching pollitick head and of a most undaunted spirit The Life of the great King Henry the Eighth with the other Reigns of his Posterity I have omitted because they are so excellently penned by several Historians and so Vulgarly known to the people The Life of Sir PHILIP SIDNEY Carmen Apollo dedit belli Mars contulit artes Sed Juveni vitam Mors rapit ante diem AMongst the rest of our Worthies there is none of more precious memory then that famous and Heroick Knight Sir Philip Sidney in whom the Graces and Muses had their domesticall habitations whose Life as it was admirable so his Lines have not been excelled though the French of late in imitation have endeavoured to address them He was born of honourable parentage his Father Sir Henry Sidney was thrice Lord Deputy of Ireland a place of great honour and trust having power of themselves to call Parliaments and enact Laws nor cometh there any Vice-gerent in Europe more near the Majesty and prerogative of a King His Mother was Daughter to Sir John Dudley Duke of Northumberland and Sister to the Earls of Warwick and Leicester so that his descent was apparently noble of both sides Verstigan sayes the Sidney's are of a French extraction that they came over into England in Henry the Thirds dayes In his very childe-hood there appeared in him such excellent parts and endowments of nature as shewed him born for high enterprises having been educated in the principles of learning at home he was sent to the University of Oxford Cambridge
thus victory sometimes slips thorow their fingers who have caught it in their hands Yet notwithstanding this disaster enough to have daunted a coward from prosecuting his design any further he resolveth not to give over the project but whilest he was determining what to do a golden opportunity courted him with success certain Negroes called Symerons advertised him of many Mules laden with Gold and Silver which was to be brought from Panama over the Mountains Drake who had plowed long Furrows in the Ocean expecting to have a Golden Harvest leaves competent numbers to man his Ships and with the rest of his men goes on Land intercepts the prize being weakly guarded and carries away an infinite mass of Gold hiding the Silver under ground as not portable over so high hills Then burnt he a great place of Traffique called the Cross and in it two hundred thousand pounds worth of Spanish Merchandize which done he returned with great Honour and Riches into England This his so lucky beginning gave him more hopes of prosperous proceeding wherefore in Anno 1577. he again sets forth from Plimouth with a Fleet of five Ships and sixteen hundred and four men in them and within twenty five dayes came to Canline a Cape in Barbery in his passage he took Nuno-da-Silva a Spanish Pilate whose directions he afterwards much used Hence he took their course to the Island of Brava being much troubled with tempestuous winds which in one hour vary all the points of the Compass nor was their rain less strange poured not as in other places as it were out of sieves but as out of spots so that a Butt of water falls down in a place which notwithstanding was but a frendly in jury helping them to fresh water which otherwise in that hot Climate far from Land is not so easily come by Then cutting the Line he let every one in his ships bloud there saw they that face of Heaven which the Earth hideth from our sight but therein onely three stars of the first magnitude the rest few and small compared to our Hemisphere as if God saith Mr. Fuller had on purpurpose set up the best and biggest Candles in that room wherein his civillest Guests are entertained The 16. of April he entred the River Plate in which place John Doughty the next to Drake in Authority was questioned for raising sedition in the Navy who being found guilty was beheaded Some report Leicester had given Drake in charge to make him away for words be had said against him touching the Earl of Essex The twentieth of August he passed the Magellan Straits with three ships having cast off the other two as Impediments and then entring the Pacifique Sea his ships by tempests were dispersed from each one the one whereof was never more seen the other returned home through the Straits Drake himself held on his course to Chily Coquimbo Cinnano Palma Lima upon the West of America passing the Line the first of March till he came to the Latitude 47. intending to have come by those North Seas but unseasonable weather made him alter his determination and bend his Course South-West from thence coming to Anchor 38. degrees from the Line where the King of that Countrey presented unto him his Net-work Crown of many coloured feathers and resigned therewith his Scepter of Government unto his Devotion his people so admiring our men that they sacrificed unto them as to their gods This place for the glory of England he named Nova Albion and at his departure erected a Structure as a Monument to witness what there had been done From thence the fourteenth of November he fell with Ternate one of the Isles of Molucco the King whereof entertained him curteously telling them they and he were all of one Religion in this respect that they believed not in Gods of stocks and stones as did the Portugals Here he took in certain tun of Cloves with some necessaries which they wanted But in relating the honour we must not omit the riches he got in this journey his Prizes being many and of great value which by Sir Richard Baker are thus summarily delivered Loosing from the Isle Moucha he lighted upon a fellow fishing in a little Boat who shewed him where a Spanish ship laden with Treasure lay Drake making towards it the Spaniards thought him to be their own Countrey-man and thereupon invited him to come on but he getting aboard presently shut the Spaniards being not above eight under hatches and took the ship in which was four hundred pound weight of Gold At Taurapasa going again on shore he found a Spaniard sleeping by the sea side who had lying by him twenty bars of massy silver to the value of four thousand Duccats which he bid his followers take amongst them the Spaniard still sleeping After this going into the Port of Africa he found there three Vessels without any Marriners in them wherein besides other wares were seven and fifty silver Bricks each of which weighed twenty pound Tiding it to Lime he found twelve ships in one road and in them great store of silks and a chest full of money coined but not so much as a ship-boy abroad such security there was in that Coast Then putting to sea with those ships he followed the rich ship called Cacofaga and by the way met with a small ship without Ordnance or other Arms out of which he took fourscore pound weight of Gold a golden Crucifix and some Emralds of a fingers length And overtaking the Cacofaga set upon her and took her and in her besides Jewels fourscore pound weight of Gold thirteen Chests of Silver and as one writes as much silver as would ballast a ship And now having fraughted his ship with so much wealth that a Miser would not desire any more he resolveth to return home and having a large winde and a smooth sea ran aground on a dangerous shole where his ship stuck twenty hours having ground too much and yet too little to land on and water too much and yet too little to sail in Expecting now no other then death they betook themselves to prayer the best lever at such a dead lift afterwards they received the Communion dining on Christs in the Sacrament expecting no other then to sup with him in Heaven Driven to this strait they were forced to cast out of their ship six great Peeces of Ordnance threw over-board as much wealth as would break the heart of a Miser to think on with much sugar and packs of spices making a caudle of the sea round about At last it pleased God that the winde formerly their mortal enemy became their friend which changing from the Starboard to the Larboard of the ship and rising by degrees cleared them off to the sea again for which they returned unfeigned thanks unto Almighty God Having escaped this eminent danger they bent their Course South-West to the Cape of Bone Speranco and by the West of Africa returned safe into
is reported of him that like certain Vegetables he did bud and open slowly Nature sometime delighting to play an after-game as well as Fortune which had both their tides and turns in his course His first advancement to Court was by means of the Earl of Leicester yet not so much out of love to him as it was thought as out of envy to Sir Walter Raleigh whose splendour at Court he meant to allay with this young Earl His first appearance in the Fields of Mars was at Tilbury Camp Anno 1588. where he was by the Queen made in the Field Commander of the Cavalry as he was before in Court being much graced by her openly in the view of the Souldiery and people even above my Lord of Leicester himself But scarcely was he thus warmed in the Queens favour when without her consent or knowledge he thrust himself into the Portugal Voyage hazarding thereby his future fortunes besides the danger of incurring the Queens displeasure and laying himself open to the practice of the Court notwithstanding a noble report coming home before him as indeed his actions deserved no less at his return all those clouds were dispersed and this his excursion afterwards accounted but a sally of Youth Nay he grew every day taller in her Majesties grace and favour insomuch that the King of France imploring her assistance against the Prince of Parma who in hostile manner had invaded his Dominions the charge of that enterprize was committed unto him who full of valour though young in years being furnished with four thousand Foot and two hundred Horse besides many Pyoners and other Volanteers whose Heroick Aspects determined the courage of their hearts landed in Normandy and laid siege to the strong City of Roan in assaulting whereof his Brother Walter Devereux a Diamond of the time both of an hardy and delicate mixture was slain with a small shot to the excessive grief of the Earl who after a tedious Winters Siege challenged Mounsieur Villerse the Governour to a single combate who not desirous to purchase his honour with the effusion of his blood refufed it with contempt of his refusal the Earl returned into England The Queen having now experience of his valour soon found an occasion for him to show it the King of Spain threatning to invade her borders she thought it the best policy to invade his first to perfect so great a design a mighty Navy is made ready consisting of an hundred and fifty ships wherein were above 14000. souldiers and sailers Our intended brevity will not permit us to recount the several Officers in this expedition The Earl of Essex and Charles Howard Lord Admiral of England were commanders in chief The first of June they set forth from Plimouth and on the 18. of the same moneth came to Cabo St. Vincent where they lighted upon an Irish Bark who certified them that at Cales from whence they came were store of Gallies Ships of War and Merchant Ships laden with Munition Coyn Oyl Wine Wax Silk Cloth of Gold and Quicksilver news most acceeptable unto the Generalls The twentieth of June they cast Anchor on the West side of the Island where a fair Dove a fortunate presager of their success lighted upon the main yard of the Lord Admiralls ship and sat there quietly the space of three hours every man gazing but no man suffered to remove her The next day a Council being called it was determined the fight should be begun with the lesser ships because the road was too shallow for the greater the Lord Thomas Howard Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Francis Vere Sir George Carew and Sir Robert Southwell with some Londoners and a squadron of Low Countrey ships undertook the same which they valiantly attempted manfully maintained and bravely continued nor were the Spaniards backward in performance of their duties but resolutely fought in defence of their lives each side striving to acquit themselves bravely which made the fight continue fierce and doubtful The valiant Essex though by a Council of War appointed to keep the main Battel upon the sudden from Port Saint Maries side thrust himself foremost in this Sea fight which the other General perceiving desirous to participate of the danger as well as of the honour of victory forsook his great ship too unweldy for those narrow waters took into his Pinnace that he might not be over-acted in point of Honour The scales of War which before were even now turned to the English side the Spanish Admiral a ship of fifteen hundred tun was by their own souldiers set on fire whose ruine was accompanied with two other ships that lay next her the rest of their fleet ran themselves on ground in the Bay of Port Real The Earl of Essex in pursuit of his design landed his men at Puntal a League from Cales to oppose his Forces half a mile from the Town appeared many horse and foot but they finding the English numbers exceed their expectation they presently gave back the English perceiving their stratagem to out-wit them counterfeiting a fear made a retreat by which means having enticed forth their enemies they returned with such violence that they forced them back into the Town but there they having an advantage from the higher ascent played so fore upon the English that their foremost ranks began to give back which valiant Essex perceiving to engage his souldiers resolutions caught his own Colours and cast them over the Wall into the Town the undaunted English ashamed to lose their Ensign forgot all danger ascending the wall with shot and sword make way through the thickest press of the enemy in the interim Sir Francis Vere broak the the Gate and rushed in and the rest with him divers were wounded with stones from the tops of houses and Sir John Wingfield slain in the Market-place with a shot from the Castle The Town thus surprized the Castle was summoned which the next day yielded the Citizens compounding with the Lords Generalls to pay an hundred and twenty thousand Duccats for their ransom were suffered to depart for the assurance of which payment forty of the chiefest Citizens were brought pledges into England Far worse sped the ships that had run themselves on ground who being assaulted by Sir Walter Rawleigh profferred two millions and a half of Duccats for their redemption but he telling them he was sent to destroy ships not to dismiss them upon composition they were by the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonian Admirall of Spain set altogether on fire it was judged by the wiser sort of people that the Spaniard was damnified by this expedition no less then twenty millions of Duccats The fortunacy of this enterprize gave occasion to one of the Wits then living to frame this excellent Annagram on the Earl of Essex name Deureux Vere Dux Which he afterwards englisht in this Distich Vere Dux Deureux verior hercule Gades Nam semel hic vidit vicit at ille simul Alcides yields
to Deureux he did see Thy beauties Cales but Deureux conquer'd thee The whole Navy returning home safe crowned with victory and laden with spoils yet seemed the revenge far less then the injury offered by the Spaniard wherefore the next year a third voyage was undertaken whereof the Earl of Essex was made commander in chief Their design was to intercept the Indian Fleet in their return into Spain many of the Nobility and principal Gentlemen accompanied the Earl in this expedition The ninth of July 1597. they set sail from Plimouth directing their course to Feral and the Groyne but God as a worthy Author interprets was so displeased at these nations enmities that they had not sailed forty leagues but they were encountred with such a terrible tempest that the Marriners themselves were at their wits end and the Fleet had much adoe to recover Plimouth And attempting to set out the second time the winde fell so cross that for a whole moneths time they could not get out of the Haven The 17 of August they again hoise sail but before they came in view of Spain they were disperst by another horrible tempest in which they lost two of their ships The 15 of September they fell into the Isles of Flores Evernes Fyal and Pike all which submitted themselves to the Earls devotion afterwards they sailed to Gratiosa whose inhabitants submit and finde mercy here would the Earl have tarried in expectation of the Indian Fleet had he not been most unluckily disswaded by Graves his Pilot for no sooner was he gone but the American Fleet came by wherein were forty ships and seven of them laden with Treasure these fearful sheep hearing the English wolves were abroad loath to lose their golden fleece sailed with all speed they could to Tezcera where they gained the Haven all but three ships which the English took the rest securing themselves in the Port which being impregnable The English sail from thence to Sain Michaels where they took Villa Franca a fair Town well stored with Merchandize wine wood and corn here they tarried six dayes during which space a Caraque coming out of the East-Indies and perceiving the English were there ran her self ashore unloaded her Merchandize and then fired her self October the ninth they hoist sail for England but in their passage were assailed by such a tempest that quite lost them the sight of the Spanish Fleet who likewise suffered much by the same tempest for one of their ships was cast upon Dartmouth the Souldiers and Marriners half starved in her who upon examination confessed that the Spanish Fleets intention was to seize upon some Haven in Cornwall which being nigh the mouth of the Chancel might be convenient to receive Forces from Spain but man proposeth and God disposeth for the divine providence frustrated the designs both of the Spaniard and the English The Earl of Essex upon his return was created Earl Marshal of England Hitherto have we beheld our Earl ascending the zenith of Honour but favourites of great Princes are seldom without parasites who wanting true worth in themselves make a ladder of mischief to climbe up to promotion these buz into the Earls head strange fancies and chymaera's that his deserts were far greater then his rewards that during his absence Sir Robert Cicill was made Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster and Charles Lord Howard created Earl of Nottingham with relation in his pattent to the Victory in eighty eight and his good service at Cales that he was descended of the blood royal of Scotland and England and had better right to the Crown then any other of the compettitors This puts the Earl upon indirect courses and though he cannot attain to be King of England he seeks to be made a petty King of Ireland the state of which Countrey ordained to be the Sepulchre of his Father and the gulf of his own fortunes was at that present in a dangerous condition by reason Tir Oen a notorious rebell had lately atchieved such a victory with so great loss to the English as they had never felt the like since they first set footing in Ireland Whereupon a serious consultation was held on whom to send to quell the rebels Essex though he seemed not to desire the employment yet still was ready with his exceptions if any other were nominated at length it was concluded that he should be the man and an Army of twenty thousand foot and thirteen hundred horse alotted unto him with these and a great retinue besides of the Nobility he passeth into Ireland His first action after his arrival was against the Petty Rebels in the Province of Mounster contrary to his Commission which was to go immediately against Tir Oen himself but men who prefer their private fancies before publique Instructions seldom attain to their wished desires For notwithstanding he took the Castle of Cahir and drove the Rebels into the Woods and Groves adjoyning his Forces by this means were so impaired that the gain did not countervail the loss wherefore sending for fresh supplies out of England in the mean time he sendeth directions to Sir Coniers Clifford President of Connaught to set upon the Rebels in one place thereby to sever their Forces while he assaulted them in another This counsel though good yet found ill success Clifford with fifteen hundred Souldiers marching towards Belike set upon the Rebels but the Fight continuing long and the English wanting Powder were put to flight Clifford himself and many of the old Soldiers being slain In the mean time Essex receiveth fresh Forces out of England and withall a check for neglecting the Queens Command wherefore at length he setteth forth towards the borders of Vlster with thirteen hundred Foot and five hundred Horse Tir Oen not able to match him in power yet seeketh to over-match him in policy and by his Messenger desireth a parley Essex mistrusting not the poyson in the bate condescended appointing the shallow of Balla Clinch for their meeting place thither came Essex alone with whom Tir Oen had private conference a full hour and not long after by their Delegates concluded a Truce from six weeks to six weeks till May Day This Transaction more incensed the Queen who dispatcheth very sharp Letters unto him blaming his delay and letting slip every fair opportunity with which Letters he likewise receiveth advertisement that Sir Robert Cecil was made Master of the Wards a place which he expected himself This Sir Robert Cecil was a man of lame feet but of a sound head one who bare great sway in the Court and a special stickler against the Earl which exasperated him the more not that he lost the place himself but that his Adversary had attained unto it This State proceeding entred so deep into his thoughts that he studies revenge and held private consultations of returning into England with part of his Forces to surprize his Adversaries But from this dangerous course the Earl of Southamptom
its worthiness Dr. Heylin termeth Primus in Historia When at last being desirous of his liberty he studied his exit acquainting the King with the avaritious Intelligence of a rich Mine which himself and one Captain Kemish had formerly discovered by the Informations of the Indians in the Countrey of Guiana For the obtaining of which if his Majesty would please to give him leave to make a journey thither he made no doubt but to benefit the State without prejudice to the Spaniard Which Proposition was condescended unto by the King as he then imagines he would be far enough from his Complices but he commanded to set down not onely the Countrey but the very River by which he was to enter it as also to name his ships number men and Artillery Which being known to Gundamore Leiger Ambassadour here for the King of Spain he writes to his Master with the purpose of his Voyage Upon which the King of Spain directed his Letters to all parts of the Indies to provide for his comming Nevertheless Sir Walter Raleigh prosecuted his design and having endured infinite dangers besides a tedious journey at last he came to Guyana where he was much cherished of the Indians of his acquaintance But falling desperately sick he gives order to five small ships to sail into Drinoque having Captain Kemish for their Conductour towards the Mines But passing up the River by Saint Thame they were set upon by the Spaniard whereupon they assaulted the Town and took it But in the charge Master Walter Raleigh Sir Walters son more desirous of honour then safety was slain The English finding such stout opposition that there was no way for them to obtain their purpose but onely by desperate designs the Spaniards having so fortified the passage to the Mines they were forced to return to the great grief of Sir Walter Raleigh who told Kemish upon his return that he had undone him and wounded his credit with the King past all recovery which caused Kemish desperately to kill himself And now Sir Walter Raleigh being returned into England Gundamore so exclaimed against him to the King for breach of Peace and so wrought upon his timerous disposition that he was committed to the Tower Where expecting every hour to be sacrificed to the Spanish cruelty some few dayes before he suffered he sent for Master Walter Burre who formerly printed his first Volumn of the History of the World whom taking by the hand after some other discourse he askt him how that Work of his had sold Mr. Burre returned this answer that it had sold so slowly that it had undone him At which words of his Sir Walter Raleigh stepping to his Desk reaches his other part of his History to Mr. Burre which he had brought down to the times he lived in clapping his hand on his breast he took the other unprinted part of his Works into his hand with a sigh saying Ah my Frend hath the first part undone thee the second Volume shall undo no more this ungrateful world is unworthy of it When immediately going to the fire side he threw it in and set his foot on it till it was consumed As great a loss to Learning as Christendome could have or owned for his first Volumn after his death sold thousands And now the time approached wherein he was to act his last part on the Stage of this world he first sent this following Letter to King James Sir Walter Raleigh to King James before his Trial. It is one part of the office of a just and worthy Prince to hear the complaints of his Vassals especially such as are in great misery I know not amongst many other presumptions gathered against me how your Majesty hath been perswaded that I was one of them who were greatly discontented and therefore the more likely to prove disloyal But the great God so relieve me in both worlds as I was the contrary and I took as great comfort to behold your Majesty alwayes learning some good and bettering my knowledge by hearing your Majesties discourse I do most humbly beseech your sovereign Majesty not to believe any of those in my particular who under pretence of offences to Kings do easily work their particular revenge I trust no man under the color of making examples should perswade your Majesty to leave the word merciful out of your stile for it will be no less profit to your Majesty and become your greatness then the word invincible It is true that the Laws of the Realm are as no lesse jealous of the Kings then Caesar was of Pompey's Wife for notwithstanding she was cleared for keeping company with Claudius yet for being suspected he condemned her For my self I protest it before God Almighty and I speak it to my Master and Sovereign that I never invented Treason against him and yet I know I shall fall in manibus corum à quibus non possum evà dere unlesse by your Majesties gracious compassion I be sustained Our Law therefore most merciful Prince knowing her own cruelty and knowing that she is wont to compound Treasons out of her own presumptions and circumstances and doth give this charitable advice to the King her supream Non solum sapiens esse sed misericors c. cum tutius est reddere rationem misericordiae quam judicii I do therefore on the knees of my heart beseech your Majesty from your own sweet and conformable disposition to remember that I have served your Majesty twenty years for which your Majesty hath yet given me no Reward and it is fitter I should be indebted to my Sovereign Lord then the King to his poor Vassal Save me therefore most merciful Prince that I may owe your Majesty my life it self then which there cannot be a greater debt Limit me at least my Sovereign Lord that I may pay it for your service when your Majesty shall please If the Law destroy me your Majesty shall put me out of your power and I shall have none to fear but the King of kings Walter Raleigh Being brought before the Lord Chief Justice at the Kings Bench in Westminster Hall the Attorney General demanded Execution according to the Judgement formerly pronounced against him Whereupon he was asked what he could say why he should not die according to the Law His answer was That this fifteen years he had lived by the meer mercy of the King and did now wonder how his mercy was turned into justice he not knowing any thing wherein he had provoked his Majesties displeasure and did hope that he was clear from that Judgement by the Kings Commission in making him General of the Voyage to Guiana for as he conceived the words To his trusty and well-beloved Subject c. did in themselves imply a pardon But the Court resolving otherwise he was committed into the hands of the Sheriff of Middlesex who presently conveyed him to the Gate-house in Westminster The Imputation of the first bringing in of Tobacco
whom he was very intimate walking with him in his Summer-Parlour thought to please him with a motion of putting out a summe of his money to interest on good security Master Sutton shewing a dislike told him that he had other purposes and for the lawfulness of Usury he was not so fully convinced of it but that he did believe that the most confident Usurer that ever lived would give the best bag he had on his death-bed to be cleared of that case of conscience He being asked by his friend what he would then do with his money he answered that he was onely as treasurer and disposer for poor and wanting persons which words of his agreed with his mind as the end of his Life declared For as he determined with himself so he afterwards built an Hospital having first got a Grant from K. James confirmed by Act of Parliament To this purpose having bargained with Tho. Earl of Suffolk for a House then called the Seat of the Carthusians now the Charter-House which was much out of repair this with many thousands of pounds he bought of the Earl though some asperse him and report that he got it into his hands first by fraud the Deeds being intrusted to him that he kept them by which subtilty he had the advantage to make his own market I cannot believe this but if it were true he had great need if it could stand him in any stead to fly to that Scripture which the Romanists make so much use of Charity covers a maltitude of sins But to passe by this diversion this House questionlesse he bought lawfully of the Earl which he turned into an Hospital When he was very old and considering how soon his crazinesse and weaknesse might set a period to his life and not knowing what injuries the present or future Ages might act against his Charity he took such care to confirm his will by the Royal power and the Laws of the Land that except it hath been abused by the corruption of some particular covetous persons it hath not been otherwise violated The particulars of his Testament are too large to be inserted here I refer the Reader to the printed Copy I shall onely out of it instance a few particulars He bestowed upon his Kindred Friends and Servants vaste summes of money besides six thousand pounds a year to the Hospital For the performance whereof he chose honest wise and experienced Executours His Will being thus perfected he fell deadly sick at his House at Hackney near London in the year of our Lord 1611. he died Not long after his death the House began to be turned into an Hospital though after his decease this good work with several quirks and pretences of Law was oposed as to the very foundation of it the Kings ears being abused At last such was the faithful zeal of those that were intrusted God assisting them in so honourable actions that the Institution came to perfection by a quiet possession to the use appointed with a Library as a gift worthy of such an Hospital In this House fourscore old men are maintained which should be decayed Gentlemen and Souldiers according to the Doners intent who are to have an allowance both for their bodies and souls There is also a School for thirty children of poor parents though I am credibly informed rich persons of late years that make the greatest friends soonest get their children in an abuse of the Will of the deceased and a crying oppression of the poor These Children have their constant diet and clothing There are several other stipends for the Governour Overseers Physicians nad Chyrurgeons of the Hospital together with an annual allowance and an ample stipend assigned to a learned Minister who in the Chappel on the Lords Day is to preach to the Hospitallers with prayers twice every day in the week An honourable gift to the end of the world bestowed on the distressed members of our Saviours body Master Sutton was first buried in Christs-Church in London but afterwards removed and interred in the Chappel of his Hospital the Charter-House where a costly Monument was erected for him by his Executours The Papists that glory so much of their good works cannot shew a nobler foundation for a particular person of his quality To conclude though our actions of Charity are never so great foolishly thought by them meritorious yet if not the effects of a true saving faith they are lost and a man may for all his Charity go to the Devil And though the Catholiques would plead from the form of the last judgement Matthew 25. that God accepts men to Life for their deeds of Charity feeding clothing relieving c. yet the Scripture fully testifies that God neither accepts these nor our selves for them no further then they are the effects of a true faith our persons being first justified by faith in Christ then God will crown our works This according to the holy Writ we acknowledge that Charity for the perpetuity of it excells all other Graces when we have possession of those pleasures that we believed and hoped what longer use is there of faith and hope but our Love shall not end with our lives we shall everlastingly love our Maker Saviour Sanctifier Angels and Saints where no discontent shall breed any jar in our Halelujahs To conclude as the use of Mr. Suttons Love and Charity was a comfort and delight to him on earth what can we think it will be to him in heaven The Life of the most Noble Sir FRANCIS BACON Viscount of Saint ALBANES AFter I had bestowed much pains and strictly enquired the transactions of the life of this incomparable Knight having finisht it with all the ingenuity care and impartiality of a studious minde I at last had the happiness to meet with it in Latine exactly and admirably done by Doctour Raleigh his Chaplain who as he discharged his faithful trust in publishing of some of his Works I thought my self obliged to do him the right of the alone setting forth of his Life more especially as no person better knew him then this Reverend Doctour I have onely translated what he did word for word neither adding nor detracting Sir Francis Bacon the Honour of his age and Countrey the credit and ornament of Learning was born at York-House in the Strand a noted Street adjoyning to the City of London on the 22. day of January in the year of mans salvation MDLX His Father was that famous Councellour to Queen Elizabeth and while he liv'd one of the chief Props and Pillars of her Kingdom Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Keeper of the great Seal of England a Heroe of approved wisdom judgement moderation and integrity His Mother was Anne a Daughter of Sir Edward Cook who had the education of Edward the Sixth King of England a Lady both of singular Piety and Vertue and eminently learned having no mean skill especially considering her Sex in the Greek and Latine Tongues sprung from such
Parents what manner of person he was like to prove is hence easie to conjecture since no advantages either from Nature or Education could be imagin'd to be wanting to him he past the more tender years of his childhood not without rare testimonies of many growing excellencies and great abilities of mind nor did he come on faster in age then in ingenuity and acuteness of wit which promised high assurances of that profound and universal knowledge and comprehension of things which rendred him afterwards so famous and brought him to be taken notice of by many noble persons and others that were eminent both in dignity and place and principally by the Queen her self who as I have heard from some of repute and credit took much delight oftentimes to discourse with him and to try his wit with difficult questions but with so much gravity and deliberate judgement did he behave himself that the Queen was us'd to call him the little Lord Keeper of the Seal Being askt of her how old he was he yet a childe ingeniously answered That he was the yonger by two years for her happy Reign When he had attained the age that was thought ripe for the University or rather more early then others commonly us'd to go he was by his Fathers appointment entered of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge under the tuition of the most Reverend John Whitgift Doctour of Divinity at that time Master of that Colledge afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury a Prelate of the first magnitude and most conspicuous for Sanctity Learning Patience and Humility under whom he was found to have made a wonderful progress in the Liberall Arts and Sciences and above all that were his contemporaries while he gave himself up wholly to his study in the University wanting yet somewhat of sixteen years of age The Philosophy of Aristotle as his Lordship hath been pleased to impart to me in private discourse began to seem unsavoury and distasteful to him not out of any disesteem of that Author for it was ever his custom to load him with high praises but because of the insufficiency of that way of Philosphy since it was so contriv'd and dispos'd as his Lordship was oftentimes pleas'd to inculcate as if it had been fram'd onely for disputations and controversies and was altogether barren as to the production of such operations as tended to the benefit of humane life in which opinion he persisted to his very last gasp After he had run through the whole course of the Liberal Arts his Father thought fit to have him bend and apply himself chiefly to the study of Politicks and for that cause took care to send him into France in the Company of Sir Amie Pawlet at that time appointed Ambassadour in ordinary to the French King He had not been there very long ere he was so far lookt upon as to be thought a fit person to be sent into England upon some special message to the Queen which employment having worthily discharg'd he was sent back by the Queen not without some testimony of her grace and favour Upon his going into France the second time he took this resolution not to see England again till after some certain-years expired During his travels in France his Father the Lord Keeper died leaving behinde him as I have heard from some that were acquainted with his affairs a considerable sum of money purposely set apart for the purchasing of certain Lands and Revenues for the use of this his youngest Son who onely of all the rest was left after his Fathers decease destitute of a hereditary patrimony for though in his Fathers estate yet not in his Fathers affection held he the lowest place But since the buying of those Lands was onely intended and not performed in his Fathers life-time there fell no more to his share then according to the proportion of money that was to be distributed among five brothers which was the cause that he enjoy'd but a slender and somewhat hard fortune during his yonger years for he came not to the possession of that noble and most delightful Mannor of Gorhambury till many years after and that by the death of his most dear Brother Mr. Anthony Bacon a man of great note and one that had been much conversant in the Courts of Forreign Princes for the excellency of his Wit equal but for knowledge in the Liberal Arts inferiour to his Brother Between these two there had ever past a most firm league of friendship as being besides the same paternal extraction united by a more strict tye of having both one Mother As soon as he return'd out of France his care was to pitch upon some certain course of life thereupon he addicted himself to the study and profession of the common Law of England in which undertaking he in a short time made an admirable progress Although to use his own words he made choice of that profession rather as subservient and auxiliary then as his principal intention He set forth from the first to the last divers Tractates concerning this subject in which though perhaps by some of the ancient standers of that profession he might be exceeded as to the bulk of volume and number of cases yet for matter of weight and his insight into the fundamentals and mysteries of the Law he gave place to none He had scarce serv'd out his Apprentiship in the Law before he was by the Queen taken into her learned Council extraordinary a favour as I have heard scarce granted to any one before The habitation he chose as most commodious for his studies and Office of Advocate was amongst the honourable society of Grey's-Inne into the number of which Society he admitted himself there he erected that neat and elegant structure which at this day is known by the name of the Lord Bacons Buildings in which at times he spent the greatest part of his life some few years onely excepted even to the very day of his death In this Society he carried himself with that mildness that affability and generosity of minde that thereby he attracted to himself great love and respect from the Seniors and Students of that Inne But though he was tied by the exigence of his fortune and for his better maintenance to profess the Law yet his minde and affection inclin'd more to the Political Arts and Offices of State of which if it had pleased her Royal Majesty he was as capable as any In the full strength of his age he admitted himself of the number of those that followed that noble though unfortunate Heroe the Earl of Essex whom as a most faithful and bosom Councellour he served to his utmost power ad still laboured to instill into his minde wholesom and honourable precepts till at length that Earl giving ear to the counsels of certain rash and hair-brain'd men ran head-long to his own destruction This he ow'd to the native and ingenuous endowments of his minde that they opened to him an easier and
place was taken up by his Syvla Sylvarum or Natural History a work written in English And these were the fruits which ripened in the shade of the fore-mentioned five years The Books composed before that five years space I here pass by but it was fully determin'd by him at the command of the late most Serene King Charles to have compil'd the History of Henry the Eighth King of England but that Work proceeded not beyond designation onely it pleasing God to put a period to the life of this most famous Authour Yet there is extant a certain taste of that History which a few morning hours of one day brought forth publisht in English amongst his Miscellany Works and from thence you may discern the Lion by his claw The Vertues of this Heroe and the rich endowments of his mind were so many that to commemorate them would take up no less space then the whole course of life those faculties which you shall finde in other men though not of the meanest parts to lie dissever'd and solitary in him appear'd to be united and as it were joyn'd in Wedlock these were a ready and acute wit a faithfull memory a penetrating judgement and a flowing eloquution Of the former three his Books abundantly testifies of which as Hirtius saith of Julius Caesar As well and truly others may judge as we also know with what ease and celerity he writ them But of the fourth namely his Eloquution I judge it not amiss to mention that which I have heard the famous Sir Walter Raleigh a man endow'd with singular vertues and who well deserves to have his judgement rely'd on once discoursing viz. That the Earl of Salisbury was a good Oratour but a bad Writer and contrariwise that the Earl of Northampton was a good Writer but a bad Oratour but that Sir Francis Bacon excell'd in both as well in speaking as in writing Often came this thought into my minde that if ever God in these last times vouchsaft to enlighten any mortal man with a certain ray of humane Science doubtless it was this very man whom he so enlightned for though our Authour had been a diligent peruser of Books yet it cannot be granted that he took his knowledge out of Books onely but out of certain principles and notions kindled within which nevertheless he not rashly but with great caution and deliberation divulged That Work of his called Novum Organum to which he himself attributes the first place among his works was certainly no idle dream or comment of his own brain but as it were a fixt and radicated notition the off-spring of many years and hard labor I found among the Archives of his Lordship about a dozen Copies written with his own hand of this Novum Organum new labour'd and brought back to the Forge from year to year and every year more exactly polisht and corrected until at length it grew up to that Volume in which it was publisht just as some sort of creatures are wont to lick their young ones until such time as they bring them to a certain form and firmness of members In the composing of his Books he chiefly aim'd at the life and vigour of expression and perspicuity of Words rather then Elegancy or the quaint order of Phrase and as he was writing or dictating he would often ask whether his sense was very clear and perspicuously rendred as one who knew it to be equal that words should wait upon things not things upon words and if by chance he had lighted upon a more polite stile then ordinary as among us he was ever counted a grand master of English Eloquence it therefore happened as being a difficult thing for him to shun it for he was not overmuch taken with subtilties and allusions of words but alwayes set himself industriously to avoid them well knowing that such kinde of vanities were nothing else but deviations or wandrings from the intended aim and that they did not a little hurt and detract from the gravity and dignity of stile When he us'd to read he would not dwell so long upon a Book as to glut or weary himself for though he read much yet it was with great judgement and a rejection of all the Refuse that commonly we shall meet withal in most writers yet he still intermingled with his studies a convenient relaxation of minde as gentle walking riding in a Coach or on a Horse and that not swift but leasurely playing at Bowls and other exercises of the like nature nor did he give way to the loss of any time for as soon as he returned home he presently and without the least delay set himself afresh to reading and meditation so that he suffered not any moment or particle of time to perish or pass away in vain His Table you might well call a repast for the ears as well as for the belly not unlike those Attick Nights or the Banquets of the Deipnosophists at which men might feast their mindes and intellects no less then their bodies I have also known some men of excellent wit who profess that they betook themselves to their Common-place books as often as they arose from his Table He never counted it any glory to baffle or put to the blush any of his guests or those that discourst with him as some delight to do but whatsoever their parts or faculties were he was still ready to cherish and help them forward nor was it his custom to arrogate to himself onely the liberty of speech but to permit unto those that sate with him the freedom of speaking when ever it came to their turn adding this also that he would most willingly hear any one discourse in his own Art and was still forward to incite and draw him on to that manner of discourse as for himself he contemn'd no mans observations nor was he asham'd to light his own Lamp at anothers Candle His speeches and common sayings were scarce ever called in doubt as he discourst all heard him willingly no man opposing as if the things he uttered had been rather Oracles then sayings which I judge must be attributed either to the exact weighing of his words before he uttered them in the ballance of truth and reason or else to the esteem that all men had of him Whence that kinde of argumentation in which a controversie was held pro and con his Table was scarce acquainted with or if any such by chance did intervene it was manag'd with great submission and moderation I have aften observ'd and it was taken notice of by many noble persons that if haply any occasion fell out into discourse of repeating another mans speech he was still furnisht with a way to bring it forth in a new and better dress so that the Author of it might perceive his own saying brought to him back again more elegantly apparell'd then when he sent it from him although in sense and substance no whit injur'd as if to use handsome forms
by him for a constant Memorial The Life of GEORGE VILLERS Duke of Buckingham TAll Cedars are shaken with the wind when the humble shrub rests secure Envy strikes not at the lowly person her aim is evermore at the tallest How vain then is that man who enjoying the quiet of a retired life ambitiously hunts after honour How few Favorites go to the grave in peace Histories make mention and this Age can testify this truth will be too sadly instanced in the late Lord Duke of Buckingham who from the mean estate of a private Gentleman being raised to the highest pitch of honour a subject could be capable of came at last to an untimely end His first rise began at the Earl of Somersets fall one upon whom King James had heaped many great favours for from the degree of a Knight he was first made Viscount Rochester next sworn a Privy Councellour then created Earl of Somerset and last of all made Lord Chamberlane But this serene Sky of favour was soon over-shadowed with Clouds by the Earls undeserving for having married the Lady Frances Howard Daughter to Thomas Earl of Suffolk and not long before divorced from the Earl of Essex the unfortunate Knight Sir Thomas Overbury for speaking against the match was by their procurement committed to the Tower and not long after poysoned as I have more at large treated of in his Life for which fact both the Lady and Earl were arraigned and condemned yet through the Kings great clemency had their lives spared but were for ever banisht his presence This great Favorite being thus disgusted King James who would not long be without an alter idem or Bosom-friend took into special regard as I have intimated Master George Villers a Gentleman of a good extraction but a younger Brother and finding him susceptible and of good form moulded him Platonically to his own Idea And that he might be a fit companion for a King raised him in honour next to himself yet not all at once but by degrees making him first a Knight and Gentleman of his Bed-chamber soon after a Viscount and Master of the Horse a while after erected Earl of Buckingham then Marquess of Buckingham and made Lord Admiral King James having thus hardened and pollished him about ten years in the School of observance for so a Court is and in the furnace of tryal about himself for he was a King that could peruse men as well as books he made him the Associate of his Heir Apparent together with the Lord Cottington an adjunct of singular experience and trust in forreign travel and in a business of love and of no equal hazard enough to kindle affection even between the distantest conditions so as by various and inward conversation abroad besides that before and after at home with the most constant and best natured Prince bana si sua nocint that ever any Nation enjoyed this Duke which last title was conferred on him in Spain now becomes seized of reiterated favour as it were by descent though the condition of that state commonly be no more then a tenancy at will or at most for the life of the first Lord and rarely transmitted it being a kinde of wonder to see favour hereditary yet in him it proved far otherwise as one writes The King loves you you him both love the same You love the King he you both Buck-in-game Of sport the King loves game of game the Buck Of all men you why you why see your luck And although it be ever the perpetual lot of those who are of choicest admission into Princes favours to feel as strong stroaks of envy and ill will from beneath as they do beams of grace and favour from above the Princes love procuring the peoples hate this Duke contrarily found their affection so great towards him that in open Parliament the generality honoured him with no lesser acclamation then the preserver of his Countrey But what odde turns are in the passions of men and how little time continue their affections may appear in this those very men in a Parliament holden the first year of King Charles accusing him as the onely cause of all bad events which happened in the Common-Wealth drew up a charge of thirteen Articles against him the Prologue whereof expressing the prodigious greatness of this Duke the influence of whose power this ensuing Letter of Sir Henry Wottons doth sufficiently express My most noble Lord When like that impotent man in the Gospel I had lain long by the Pools side while many were healed and none would throw me in it pleased your Lordship first of all to pitty my infirmities and to put me into some hope of subsisting hereafter therefore I most justly and humbly acknowledge all my ability and reputation from your favour you have given me incouragement you have valued my poor indeavours with the King you have redeemed me from ridiculousness who have served so long without any mark of favour by which arguments being already and ever bound to be yours till either life or honesty shall leave me I am the bolder to beseech your Lordship to perfect your own work and to draw his Majesty to the settling of some things that depend betwixt Sir Julius Caesar and me in that reasonable form which I humbly present to your Lordship by my Nephew likewise your obliged servant being my self by a late indisposition confined to my Chamber but in all estates such as I am Your Lordships Henry Wootton But to return where I left to the preface of his Titles as I finde them copied in the Parliaments Declaration against him For the speedy redress of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those great evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the honour and fafety of our Sovereign Lord the King and of his Crown and Dignities and to the good and welfare of his People the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Sovereign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against George Duke Marquess and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Barron of Whaddon Great Admiral of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and of the Principality of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen General Governour of the Seas and ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant General Admiral Captain General and Governour of his Majesties Royal Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Sovereign Lord the King Lord Warden Chancellour and Admiral of the Cinque-Ports and of the members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Justice in Eyre of all Forrests and Chases on this side Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckinghamshire Steward and Bayliff of Westminster Gentleman of his Majesties
Bed-chamber and one of his Majesties Honourable Privy Councel in his Realms both of England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter The same Parliament likewise was the Duke accused of High Treason by the Earl of Bristol and the Earl of Bristol in like manner accused of High Treason by the Duke the Factions of both sides were passing jocund at this contest observing That whilest between these Grandees mutual malice brake out truth came to her own But that Parliament being broke up abruptly the people were frustrated of their expectations To recover the Dukes reputation which seem'd eclipsed by this charge of High Treason a Navy being made ready for the relief of Rochel the Duke was made Commander both by Sea and Land who endeavouring by his Atchievements to remove all cause of calumny against him by the ill successe of that enterprize more exasperated the hatred of the people The cause of this expedition that we may relate things in order to truth was as followeth The French King during the Treaty of Marriage between England and France pretending a Martial design against Italy and the Valtoline obtained of King James the Loan of the Vant-guard a parcel of the Navy Royal and with the owners consent of six Merchants Ships more but a rumour being spread that those ships were intended against Rochel then revolted from him an express caution was put in to the contrary But before those ships set out King James died and the French King and the Rochellers by the mediation of King Charles came to an accord but no sooner was the French Army advanced for Italy but the Rochellers upon pretence that the King had not kept touch with them in slighting Fort Lewis under the leading of Subize surprize the Isle of Rhee surprize many ships in the Harbour and bad fair for the taking of Fort Lewis had not the Duke of Vendosme posted thither with relief The French King nettled at this insolency began to raise an Army sets forth all the ships he could procure obtained naval aid of the Dutch and demanded of Captain Pennington the delivery of the English ships agreeable to his Masters promise Pennington refuses to deliver any till a further signification of his Majesties pleasure but King Charles rather willing to submit to the hazard of Lewis his breach of faith then to the blame of receding from his own promise returned answer That his will was that he should consign up his own and the six Merchants ships to the service of his Brother With these Forces he quickly undoeth what Subize had done forceth him from his strength reprizeth many of his ships and so impetuously chaseth him as he with much difficulty escaped to the Isle of Oleron King Charles discontented for the misimployment of his ships sent an expostulatory message to his Brother demanding the cause of this violation of his Royal Parole and withal requiring the restitution of his ships Lewis returneth answer That the Rochellers had first temerated and slighted their faith with him and that necessity enforced him to use all means to impede the progress of so great disloyalty which he could not well do without the aid of the English Ships his own Fleet being upon other service And for the restitution of those ships he replyed That his Subjects by whom they were mann'd held them contrary to his minde and therefore wisht him to come by them as he could This answer nothing pleased King Charles other discontents also arising and Rochel being close beleagured by the Duke of Guise a Navy was made ready whereof the Duke was made Admiral as you have heard June the 27. the year of our Lord 1627. he set sail from Portsmouth with about 6000. Horse and Foot their design was intended against Fort Lewis upon the Continent near Rochel but upon a false information that the Duke D' Angoulesm was there with fifteen thousand men whereas indeed he had but three thousand Foot and two hundred Horse they altered their determination and instantly directed their course towards the Isle of Rhee July the 30. early in the morning they shewed themselves upon the Islands of Oleron to the number of about twenty Sail being at first supposed to be Dunkerks waiting the motion of the Hollanders then in the road but upon their nearer approaches toward the Isle of Rhee and that the Hollanders took no Alarm they were then suspected to be English At a certain Fort called De la Pree they landed to the number of 1200. whom to oppose Sieur de Toiras Governour of the Cittadel of Saint Martins with the like number encountred the Fight continued fierce and doubtful On the English side were slain Sir William Heyden and Sieur de Blancard a French-man Agent from the Duke of Rohan and the Protestants Of the French the Governours Brother and the Barron of Chuntal of common Souldiers on both sides about nine hundred whereof the French bare the greater share and now having tryed a taste of each others valour the French retire to their Garrison and the English to their Ships Three dayes together both sides lay quiet as if they had spent their whole stock of valour at once or sworn a truce on both sides at length the Duke went on shore again intrenching himself until he had debarqued all his Horse and receiving a recruit from Rochel of 500. Foot marcheth directly towards St. Martins Fort. Upon his approach the Islanders abandoned the Town and fled into the Castle so that the Duke being now possessed of the one thought it would not be long ere the other was his but those who reckon without their host we say must reckon twice two moneths together the Duke encamped before this Fort during which time Toiras the Governour had hired a French man to have stabbed the Duke who being taken by the English confessed his intentions But what detriment the French could not do the English by treachery they performed otherwise that gallant Gentleman Sir John Burroughs being slain with a Musquet shot from the Castle as he was viewing the English Works whose body was after honourably enterred at Westminster At length the Castle was reduced to a condition of yielding when in the very nick of necessity Mounsier Balin at an high flood in the dead of night conveyed in twelve Pinnaces laden with Provision which so cheared their drooping spirits that they resolved to stand it out resolutely which accordingly they did till at last they were relieved by the Marshal of Schomberg who with four thousand Foot and two hundred Horse landed at Fort de la Pree and undiscovered marched up to the view of the Fort and of the English The Duke alarm'd at this sudden apparition fearing to be charged front and rear resolved to rise and be gone the French upon their retreat came up to the very tail of their rear hallowing to them in a Bravado whereupon the English were drawn up in Battalia but the
that some conclude his death was for necessity and rather for the satisfaction of rancourous apprehensions then for any guiltiness in the cause The lower House perceiving by the Lieutenants insinuating and witty defences a great encrease of his friends in the Lords House they resolved of no more hearing of him in publique but to draw up a Bill of Attainder and present the same to the Lords whereby first the matter of Fact should be declared to have been sufficiently proved and then in the matter of Law that he had incurred the censure of Treason for intending to subvert the Fundamentall Laws of the Kingdom And they were confident the Lords would ratifie and approve of this Bill of theirs and give judgement accordingly But the Lords fearing such Proceedings as a beaten path troden out to the ruine of their own lives and estates told the House of Commons that they themselves as competent Judges would by themselves onely give sentence in the Cause nor was there course suitable to the practise and State of the Kingdom the safety of the Nobility or to Equity or common Justice It was replied by them of the Lower House that they were resolved to go on with their Bill and if the same should be rejected by the Lords they feared a rupture and division might follow to the utter ruine and desolation of the whole Kingdom That no content would be given to the Subject unless the man who had so much intruded upon their right and discontented the people might be punished as a Traytour and dealt withal according to his demerits But the Lords were resolute in their first determinations and resolved to give him a fair hearing in the matter of Law whereupon his Councel were called to the Bar Master Lane the Princes Attorney Master Gardiner Recorder of London Master Loe and Master Lightfoot who spake both much and to the purpose Yet would this nothing satisfie the House of Commons no though the King in person in a set Speech declared unto them That there never was such a project nor had the Lord Strafford ever offered such advice for the transporting of an Irish Army into England neither had advised him to establish an Arbitrary Government that he would never in heart nor hand concur with them to punish him as a Traytour and desir'd therefore that they would think of some other way how the business might be composed Nor should it ever be less dear to him though with the loss of his dearest blood to protect the innocent then to punish the guilty But this made the House of Commons a great deal the more pressing fearing by the Kings peremptory answer that there was some plot underhand But the House of Commons were not so much inflamed by the Kings Speech as the common people who to the number of five or six thousand having Weapons and Battoons in their hands came to VVestminster and at the entering at every Coach cryed out for speedy justice and execution with a wonderful and strange noise After this they drew up the names of those either in the House of Commons or the House of Lords whom they imagined to favour the Lieutenant and gave them the Title of Straffordians with this close That all those and all other enemies to the Common-wealth should perish with him and did post up the names of fifty five at the Corner of Sir William Brunkards house in the old Pallace-yard in Westminster writing underneath This and more shall be done to the Enemies of Justice afore-written The House of Commons in the mean time were not idle but brought forth a Protestation or band of Association as they termed it much like the Covenant taken not long before in Scotland which without further process or delay was subscribed by the whole House except the Lord Digby and an Uncle or Friend of his Not long after the Bill against the Lord Stafford past the Lords there were forty five present of which nineteen voyced for him and twenty six against him the greatest part of his friends absented themselves upon pretence whether true or suppositious that they feared the multitude otherwise his suffrages had more then counterpoised the voters for his death Nothing wanted now but the Kings assent to this Bill which the same afternoon was desired of him the King desired respite for two dayes consulting in the mean time with some Bishops and Judges what to do in this case who as the sequel shows advised him thereunto so that we may herein admire at the wonderful Providence of God to suffer not onely the King and the Country but the Church too to be involved in his blood who had stood so stiffly in the Churches maintenance But nothing gained his Majesties assent thereunto so much as a Letter from the Lieutenant himself wherein he desired his Majesty that for the preventing of such mischiefs as might happen by his refusal to pass the Bill intimating his consent therein as this following Letter of his testifies May it please your sacred Majesty It hath been my greatest grief in all these troubles to be taken as a person which should endeavour to represent and set things amiss between your Majesty and your people and to give Counsels tending to the disquiet of the three Kingdoms Most true it is that this mine own private condition considered it hath been a great madness since through your gracious favour I was so provided as not to expect in any kinde to mend my fortune or please my minde more then by resting where your bounteous hands had placed me Nay it is most mightily mistaken for unto your Majesty it is well known my poor and humble advises concluded still in this That your Majesty and your people could never be happy till there were a right understanding betwixt you and them no other means to effect and settle this happiness but by the Councel and assent of the Parliament or to prevent the growing evils upon this State but by intirely putting your self in the last resort upon the loyalty and good affections of your English Subjects Yet such is my misfortune this truth findeth little credit the contrary seemeth generally to be believed and my self reputed as something of separation between you and your people under a heavier censure then which I am perswaded no Gentleman can suffer Now I understand the mindes of men are more incensed against me notwithstanding your Majesty hath declared that in your Princely opinion I am not guilty of treason nor are you satisfied in your conscience to pass the Bill This bringeth me into a very great strait there is before me the ruine of my Children and Family hitherto untouched in all the branches of it with any foul crimes Here is before me the many ills which may befal your sacred Person and the whole Kingdom should your self and Parliament part less satisfied one with the other then is necessary for the preservation both of King and people Here are before me
curious Map to build upon whose foundations he held it too injurious so I must with all submission acknowledge that a Gentleman of most accomplisht parts hath made a progress at large in this reverend Prelates History for me to have went about to build when he alone had laid such a firme foundation as shall out-live all other Historians I could not but count it too ambitious and am so far from thinking my self worthy to attend his noble purposes that if I had not thought it a crime of necessity though in the Epitome to place him amongst these eternized Heroes with Mr. Speed I should rather have left out a whole Countrey then in these few pages have committed the sin of presumption against his admirable endeavours The Life of ROBERT DEVEREUX Earl of Essex General of the Parliaments Forces THis Earl was borne in London Anno Dom. 1592. beginning his morning in the evening of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth His Father was that Robert Devereux Earl of Essex whose unfortunate life we have already discoursed of his Mother was the widdow of Sir Philip Sidney one whose Pen and Sword have rendered him famous to all posterity His education in his youth was at the University of Cambridge afterwards committed to the tuition of Bishop Whitgift a reverend Divine King James restoring him to his Fathers Titles and Estate forfeited by his fathers treasons to Queen Elizabeth That a perfect reconcilement might be made in all things a Marriage was contracted betwixt him and the Lady Frances Howard Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk a Lady of a transcendent beauty but she full of fire and the Earl of ice upon complaint made they were separated by a most just sentence of nullity executed by Commission under the great Seal of England after they had enjoyed the Society of one bed for three years together Some report that indirect and unjustifiable practices were used in the scrutiny of her Virginity but I averre according to the truth of allegations and proofs as the Jury of Midwives declared she was an untouched Virgin so did the Earl himself confess that though he had often attempted it he never could and believed never should unty her Virgin zone whereupon the Commissioners pronounced a divorce betwixt them Some Authors write that she did not much affect the Earl being of a lustful appetite Some on the other side imputed it to his travels others to her looseness in the time of his absence suffering her body to be abused Others bring Viscount Car on the stage that she placed her affections on him Others write that Mrs. Turner and Doctor Forman were employed to bewitch the Earl and to procure frigidity quo ad hanc so much do our Historians differ in their relations of this unfortunate marriage The Earl perceiving how little he was beholding to Venus is now resolved to address himself to the Court of Mars and to this purpose he bestows himself in the Netherlands which at that time was the School of Honour for the Nobility of England in their exercise of Arms where having continued for certain years and gained renown by his experience and perfection in the feates of Arms he advanced from thence into the Palatinate to which place went also the Earl of Southampton the Lord Willoughby the Earl of Oxford and Sir John Borlans with their Regiments but these not seconded as they expected and being invaded by so potent an Enemy as was then the Emperour and seconded by so puissant a Potentate as the King of Spain having in vain endeavoured with such weak forces to resist so great power they returned into England King James dying in the beginning of his Sons Reign a design went on for a sudden expedition into Cadiz in Spain which was committed to the mangement of Viscount Wimbleton and the Earl of Essex who putting forth to Sea were much dammaged with a furious storm but meeting together in the height of the Southern Cape they sailed to Cadiz where having taken Puntal Castle and in likelihood to fire the Ships in the Harbour the field men in the interim being directed to Land for their recreation and to take in fresh water having discovered the Cellers plentifully stockt with wine they carrowsed thereof so liberally in despite of more sober commands to the contrary as put them to the hazard of a dismal reckoning Whereupon the Admiral finding the Souldiers thus insufferably disordered fearing the Spaniard upon this advantage might make a lamentable butchery amongst them was forced to put to Sea again and having staid some time in expectation of setting upon the Plate Fleet in their returning home the Pestilence so reigned in their Navy that they had scarce men enow to handle their Sails which enforced them to ply home with all the speed they could The Earl of Essex soon after his return made a voyage into Holland not loving to lie idle when any action of Honour was on foot where he behaved himself with such gallant resolution as got him high repute in the mouthes of all men Having given these undeniable testimonies of his valour he was ambitious to give some further proofs of his virility and having been a while in England he solicites the affection of Mrs. Elizabeth Paulet daughter of Sir William Paulet of Wiltshire extracted from the noble line of the Marquess of Winchester with whom he consumated his Nuptials at Netley the Earl of Hartfords house by her he had a Son who was Christned Robert after his Fathers name he dyed in the year 1636. and lies buried at Drayton in the County of Warwick With this Lady he did agree and cohabit but it was but a short time becoming soon unhappy in his second as he was in his first choice for he could as little digest her overmuch familiarity with Mr. Vdal as his former Ladies with the Earl of Somerset upon which distaste this Earl did ever after abandon all uxorious thoughts and for a while lived a retired life Soon after began the long Parliament in which such Differences arose betwixt them and the King that for the deciding thereof each part had their recourse to Arms. The Parliament very wisely chose Essex for their General there being no person in the Kingdom so fit to take the people and credit their designs who having an Army raised marches with them against the King The King on the other side proclaims Essex and his adherents Traytors and confident in the justness of his cause gives him Battel on a place called Edge-hill which was fought with much eagerness and in a manner with equality for though the King kept the field and therein had the honour of the day yet lost he many brave Commanders who there dyed in the bed of Honour Amongst others the Lord Aubigney Sir Edward Vaerney who carried the Kings Standard Collonel Monroe and others Soon after was an overture for Peace but whilest it was in agitation a second Battel was fought at Brainford Essex
To that purpose we have commanded to make continually most humble Prayers to the Father of Lights that he would be pleased to put you as a fair Flower of Christendom and the onely hope of Great Brittain in possession of that most noble Heritage that your Ancestors have purchased for you to defend the authority of the Sovereign High Priest and to fight against the Monsters of Heresie Remember the dayes of old enquire of your Fathers and they will tell you the way that leads to Heaven and that way the Temporal Princes have taken to attain to the everlasting Kingdom Behold the Gates of Heaven opened the most holy Kings of England who came from England to Rome accompanied with Angels did come to honour and do homage to the Lord of lords and to the Prince of the Apostles in the Apostolical Chair their actions and their examples being as so many voices of God speaking and exhorting you to follow the course of the lives of those to whose Empire you shall one day attain Is it possible that you can suffer that the Heretiques should hold them for impious and condemn those that the Faith of the Church testifies to reign in the Heavens with Jesus Christ and have comand and authorisy over all Principalities and Empires of the Earth Behold how they tender you the hand of this truly happy Inheritance to conduct you safe and sound to the Court of the Catholique King and who desire to bring you back again into the lap of the Roman Church beseeching with unspeakable sighs and groans the God of all mercy for your salvation and do stretch out to you the Arms of the Apostolical Charity to imbrace you with all Christian affection you that are her desired Son in shewing you the happy hope of the Kingdom of Heaven And indeed you cannot give a greater consolation to all the people of the Christian Estates than to put the Prince of the Apostles in possession of your most noble Island whose Authority hath been held so long in the Kingdom of Brittain for the defence of Kingdoms and for a Divine Oracle which will easily arrive and that without difficulty if you open your heart to the Lord that knocks upon which depends all the happiness of that Kingdom It is of our great charity that we cherish the praises of the Royal name and that which makes us desire that you and your Royal Father might be stiled with the names of Deliverers and Restorers of the ancient and paternal Religion of Great Brittain which we hope for trusting in the goodness of God in whose hands are the hearts of Kings and who causeth the people of the earth to receive healing to whom we will alwayes labour with all our power to render you gracious and favourable in the interim take notice by these Letters of the care of our Charity which is none other than to procure your happiness and it will never grieve us to have written them if the reading of them stir but the least spark of the Catholique Faith in the heart of so great a Prince whom we wish to be filled with long continuance of joy and flourishing in the glory of all vertues Given at Rome in the Palace of St. Peter the 20th of April 1623. in the third year of our Popedom The Answer of Prince Charles to the Popes Letter Most Holy Father I received the dispatch from your Holiness with great content and with that respect which the piety and care wherewith your Holiness writes doth require It was an unspeakable pleasure to me to read the generous exploits of the Kings my Predecessors in whose memory posterity hath not given those Praises and Elogies of Honour as were due to them I do believe that your Holiness hath set their example before my eyes to the end that I might imitate them in all my Actions for in truth they have often exposed their Estates and Lives for the exaltation of the holy Chair and the courage with which they have assaulted the enemies of the Cross of Jesus Christ hath not been less than the thought and care which I have to the end that the peace and intelligence which hath hitherto been wanting in Christendom might be bound with a true and strong concord For as the common enemy of the peace watcheth alwayes to put hatred and dissention amongst Christian Princes so I believe that the glory of God requires that we should endeavour to unite them and I do not esteem it a greater honour to be descended from so great Princes than to imitate them in the zeal of their piety In which it helps me very much to have known the minde and will of our thrice honoured Lord and Father and the holy intentions of his Catholique Majesty to give a happy concurrence to so laudable a design for it grieves him extreamly to see the great evils that grow from the division of Christian Princes which the wisdom of your Holiness foresaw when it judged the marriage which you pleased to design between the Infanta of Spain and my self to be necessary to procure so great a good for 't is very certain that I shall never be so extreamly affectionate to any thing in the world as to endeavour Alliance with a Prince who hath the same apprehension of the true Religion with my self Therefore I intreat your Holiness to believe that I have been alwayes very far from encouraging or to be a partizan of any Faction against the Catholique Apostolick Roman Religion but on the contrary I have sought all occasions to take away the suspicion that might rest upon me and that I will employ my self for the time to come to have but one Religion and one Faith seeing we all believe in one Jesus Christ having resolved in my self to spare nothing that I have in the world and to suffer all manner of discommodities even to the hazzarding of my estate and life for a thing so pleasing unto God It rests onely that I thank your Holiness for the permission you have been pleased to afford me and I pray God to give you a blessed health and his glory after so much pains which your Holiness takes in his Church Signed Charles Stuart In his Journey to Spain he passed through Paris where by the benefit of false hair he attained to a sight of that incomparable Lady Henretta Maria Daughter to that Martial King of France Henry the Fourth whom afterwards he received into his Bed Which Marriage concluded on by King James was with great solemnity commenced at Westminster June 18. 1625. And in the first year of his Reign he assembled a Parliament where speedy supplyes were desired for the setting forth a Fleet against the Spaniard friendship growing stale betwixt these two Kings by reason of the breach of Marriage and the detention of the Palatinate But the King was not so quick but the Parliament were as slow for notwithstanding the streams of King James his bounty had so drained
the Exchequer that he left his Son onely an empty Purse to encounter with a full bagg'd Monarch yet could not the Parliament be perswaded to come off roundly with their Subsidies some were very prompt to give without delay others would give but in convenient time not then but the most part agreed not to give and to make an humble Remonstrance declaring the causes wherefore Most of the Voters of this Remonstrance flew high against the Duke some would divest him of his Offices the Admirality especially others of his Revenue by resuming what he possest of the Crown Demesnes others demanded an account of what Publique moneys he had been intrusted with This being signified to the King occasioned this Speech of his Majesty His Majesties Speech at the same time concerning the Duke of Buckingham and Cook I must withal put you in minde of times past you may remember my Father moved by your Councel and won by your perswasions brake the Treaties in these perswasions I was your instrument towards him and I was glad to be instrumental in any thing which might please the whole body of the Realm Nor was there any then in greater favour with you then this man whom you now so traduce And now when you finde me so sure intangled in War as I have no honourable and safe retreat you make my necessity your priviledge and set what rate you please upon your Supplies a practice not very obliging towards Kings Mr. Cook told you It was better to dye by a Forreign Enemy then be destroyed at home Indeed I think it is more honourable for a King to be invaded and almost destroyed by a Forreign Enemy then to be despised at home The King expecting no conclusion from those for his assistance who were so divided in their opinions soon dissolved the Parliament Yet notwithstanding the backwardness of the Parliament the King so forwarded the business that in the beginning of October a Navy way was sent to sea under the Command of Vicount Whimbleton as also some ships of the Netherlanders with whom the King had entered an Offensive and Defensive League against the King of Spain and Emperour of Germany these landing at Cades had the Fort of Puntal surrendred unto them and in it fifteen barrels of powder and eight Peeces of Ordnance with store of Wine whereof the Souldiers drank so immoderately notwithstanding more sober commands to the contrary that had the Spaniard known his advantge he might have made a lamentable butchery amongst them The Admiral seeing this disorder of the Souldiers thought it bootless to stay any longer on Land and thereupon put to Sea again intending to stay twenty dayes in expectation of the Plate Fleet then in return from the West Indies but the Plague of Pestilence so raging amongst them that every day hundreds were thrown over-board he was forced to make all the speed he could back into England yet was not his haste such but that the News of his ill success was there before him So true is that of the Poet. Ill News hath wings it very fast doth go Comfort 's a Cripple and comes alwayes slow February the second next ensuing was the King crowned and four dayes after a Parliament assembled the Spring approaching a time fit for Martial employments supplies were desired to which the Commons by way of Remonstrance reply'd That if addition may be made of other things importing his service then in consultation amongst them they were resolved so to supply him as might evidence the truth of their intentions might make him safe at home and formidable abroad And now again fall they on a vigorous proceeding against the Duke of Buckingham accusing him with thirteen Articles of High Treason the Prologue whereof we have declared in his Life to which the Duke returned so modest and humble an answer that it abated the edge of some of their Indignations against him yet were they resolved to give a reply to his answer but whiles they were intentive upon it the King sent them a Letter demanding without further delay the speedy producing of their Bill of Subsidy to be passed which accordingly they did but first drew up a Declaration of the same make and minde with their former impeachment which so incensed his Majesty as on the very next day being June 15. he dissolved the Assembly Presently after the dissolution of the Parliament the King being informed of several misdemeanors committed by the Queens Servants commanded them all to leave the Land and depart into France the French King herewith incensed sent Mounsieur Bossompier extraordinary Embassadour into England to demand their restitution to their former places But returning without a satisfactory answer Lewis resolveth upon open hostility and seizeth upon the English ships at Burdeaux This indignity King Charles stomacht with such vehemency of spirit that he resolveth the sword should end the controversie to which purpose he publisht a Manifest as followeth A Manifest of the Reasons which moved his Majesty to take up Arms against the French published by the Duke of Buckingham in the Isle of Rhe July 21. 1627. What part the Kings of Great Brittain have alwayes taken in the affairs of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and with what care and zeal they have laboured for the good of them is manifest to all and the examples thereof are as ordinary as the occasions have been His now Majesty of Great Brittain comes nothing short of his Predecessours therein if his good and laudable designs for their good had not been perverted to their ruine by those who had most interest for their due accomplishment What advantages hath he refused What parties hath he not sought unto that by his Alliance with France he might work more profitably and powerfully the restitution of those Churches to their ancient liberty and splendour And what could be less hoped for by so strict an Alliance and from so many reiteratad promises by the mouth of a great Prince but effects truly Royal and sorting with his greatness But failings have been such that his Majesty by so many promises and so streight an obligation of friendship hath not onely been disappointed of means to obtain liberty and surety for the said Churches and to restore peace to France by the reconciliation of those whose breath utters nothing else but all manner of obedience to their King under the liberty of their Edicts that contrariwise they have prevailed by the interest which he had in those of the Religion to deceive them and by this means not onely to untye him from them but also to make him if not odious unto them at least suspected in perverting the means which he had ordained for their good to a quite contrary end witness the English Ships designed for the extirpation of them of the Religion but to the contrary express promise which was made that they should not be used against them in the last Sea-fight What then may be expected from so
Commons so satisfied therewith but that some of them stood it out even unto imprisonment Much debate was afterward about it and the King got not so much money as ill will of the Subjects thereby At this time the King received a Letter from Sidan King of Morocco the Contents follow A Letter from Sidan King of Morocco to Charles King of ENGLAND When these our Letters shall be so happy as to come to your Majesties sight I wish the Spirit of the righteous God may so direct your minde that you may joyfully embrace the Message I send presenting to you the means of exalting the Majesty of God and your own reward amongst men The Regal Power allotted to us makes us common servants to our Creatour then of those people whom we govern so that observing the duties which we owe to God we deliver blessings to the world in providing for the publick good of our State we magnifie the Honour of God like the Celestial Bodies which though they have much veneration yet serve onely to the benefit of the world It is the excellency of our Office to be Instruments whereby happiness is delivered to the Nations Pardon me Sir This is not to instruct for I know I speak to one of a more clear and quick sight then my self but I speak this because it hath pleased God to give me a happy victory over some part of those rebellious Pyrates that have so long molested the peaceable trade of Europe and hath presented further occasion to rout out the generation of those who have been so pernicious to the good of our Nations I mean since it hath pleased God to be so auspicious to our beginnings in the Conquest of Salla that we might joyn and proceed in hope of like success in the War against Tunis Algier and other places Dens and Receptacles for the inhumane villanies of those who abhor Rule and Government Herein whilest we interrupt the corruption of malignant spirits of the world we shall glorifie the great God and perform a Duty that will shine as glorious as the Sun and Moon which all the earth may see and reverence a work that shall ascend as sweet as the perfume of the most precious odours in the Nostrils of the Lord a work grateful and happy to men a work whose memory shall be reverenced so long as there shall be any that delight to hear the Actions of Heroick and magnanimous spirits that shall last as long as there be any remaining among men that love and honour the piety and vertue of noble mindes This action I here willingly present to you whose piety and vertues equal the greatness of your power that we who are servants to the great and mighty God may hand in hand triumph in the glory which this action presents unto us Now because the Islands which you govern have been ever famous for the unconquered strength of their shipping I have sent this my trusty Servant and Ambassadour to know whether in your Princely wisdom you shall think fit to assist me with such Forces by Sea as shall be answerable to those I provide by Land which if you please to grant I doubt not but the Lord of Hosts will protect and assist those who fight in so glorious a cause Nor ought you to think this strange that I who much reverence the peace and accord of Nations should exhort to a War Your great Prophet CHRIST JESVS was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah as well as the Lord and Giver of peace which may signifie unto you that he who is a Lover and Maintainer of peace must alwayes appear with the terrour of the Sword and wading through Seas of Blood must arrive to Tranquillity This made James your Father of glorious memory so happily renown'd admongst all Nations It was the noble fame of your Princely vertues which resounds to the utmost corners of the earth that perswaded me to invite you to partake of that blessing wherein I boast my self most happy I wish God may heap the riches of his blessings on you encrease your happiness with your dayes and hereafter perpetuate the greatness of your name to all Ages The occasion of writing this Letter was as followeth a rabble of Pyrats rest themselves in Salla a Port Town of the Realm of Fess and belonging to the King of Morocca creating thence great mischief to him both by Sea and Land and not to them onely but to all the Merchants of other Countries whose business led them towards the Seas Vnable to suppress them for want of shipping he craved aid of King Charles of England by whose assistance he became Master of the Port destroyed the Pyrats and sent three hundred Christian Captives for a present to his sacred Majesty An. 1634. Nor staid he here but aiming at the general good of Trade and mankinde he sent this Letter to his Majesty by one of the chief Eunuchs of his Chamber handsomly attended in the Port and quality of an Ambassadour desiring the like aid against those of Tunis and Algiers who did as much infest the Mediterranean as the Pyrats of Salla did the Ocean In order whereunto his Majesty began immediately to strengthen and increase his Royal Navy and to that end required the wonted naval Aid lately best known by the name of Ship-money from all his Subjects and possible enough might have pursued this design for suppressing the Pyrats of Algiers and Tunis if he had not been unhappily hindered by the insurrection of the Scots and those continued troubles which ensued upon it I have the rather inserted this Letter considering how seriously our learned Doctor Heilin in his Cosmography reflected on it so as to blame Mr. Le-strange for omission of it the truth is the Letter carries some weight with it and savours of more piety then could be expected from a Mahometan His Ambassador was entertained with great honour with a magnificent Masque and a costly Antick Show through the Streets at the vast expences of the Inns of Court Gentlemen To proceed far greater troubles arose in Scotland concerning the Book of Common Prayer The King at his last being there observing that God Almighty was very negligently and as he thought undecently worshipt took the Reformation thereof into his Princely care to which end he gave directions to the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Ely and to divers other Bishops to Revise Correct Alter and Change as they pleased the Liturgy compiled in his Fathers time which accordingly they did and having shewed it to the King he approved thereof in regard that coming nearer to the first Liturgy of King Edward the Sixth in the Administration of the Lords Supper it might be a means to gain the Papists to the Church who liked far better of the first then second Liturgy But the Scotch a scrupulous Nation in their opinion who as one saith of them are more affraid of the name of yielding then resisting and would sooner offend against
to all Forreign Churches concerning his sincerity in the true Protestant Religion Declaratio serenissimi potentissimique Principis Caroli magnae Britanniae Regis ultramarinis Protestantium Ecclesiis transmissa Carolus singulari Omnipotentis Dei providentia Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei Defensor c. universis singulis qui praesens hos Scriptum seu Protestationem inspexerint potissimum reformatae Religionis cultoribus cujuscunque sint gentis gradus aut conditionis salutem Cum ad aures nostras non ita pridem fama pervenerit sixistros quosdam Rumores Literasque politica vel perniciosa potius quorundam industria sparsas esse nonnullis Protestantium Ecclesiis in exteris partibus emissas nobis esse animum consilium ab illa Orthodexi Religione quam ab incunabilis émbibimus ad hoc usque momentum per integrum vitae nostrae curriculum amplexi sumus recedendi Papismum in haec Regnaiterum introducendi quae conjectura seu nefanda potius calumnia nullo prorsus nixa vel imaginabili fundamento horrendos hosce tumultus rabiem plusquam belluinam in Anglia suscitavit sub larva cujusdam Chymericae Reformationis Regimini Legibusque hujus Domini non solum incongruae sed incompatibilis Volumus ut toti Christiano Orbi innotescat ne minimam quidem animum nostrum invasisse cogitatiunculam hoc aggrediendi aut transversum unguem ab illa Religione discedendi quam cum Coronâ Sceptroque hujus Regni solenni sacramentali juramento tenemur profiteri protegere propugnare Nec tantum constantissima nostra praxis quotidiana in exercitiis praefatae Religionis praesentia cum crebris in facie nostrorum Agminum asseverationibus publicisque Procerum hujus Regni testimoniis sedula in Regiam nostram sobolem educando circumspectione omissis plurimis aliis argumentis luculentissime hoc demonstrat sed etiam foelicissimum illud matrimonium quod inter nostram primogenitam et illustrissimum Principem Auriacum sponte contraximus idem fortissime attestatur quo nuptiali foedere insuper constat nobis non esse propositum illam profiteri solummodo sed expandere corroborare quantum in nobis situm est Hanc Sacrosanctam Anglicanae Christi Ecclesiae Religionem tot Theologorum Convocationibus sancitam tot Comitiorum Edictis confirmatam tot Regies Diplomatibus stabilitam unà cum Regimine Ecclesiastico Liturgia ei annexa quam Litergiam Regimenque celebriores Protestantium Authoxes tam Germani quam Galli tam Dani quam Helvetici tam Batavi quam Bohemi multis Elogiis nec sine quadam invidia in suis publicis scriptis comprobant applaudunt ut in transactionibus Dordrechtanae Synodi cui nonnulli nostrorum Praesulum quorum dignitati debita praestita fuerit Reverentia interfuerunt apparet Istam inquimus Religionem quam Regius noster Pater beatissimae memoriae in illa celeberrima fidei suae Confessione omnibus Christianis Principibus ut haec praesens nostra protestatio exhibita publicè asserit Istam istam Religionem solenniter protestamur nos integram sartam tectam invoilabilem conservaturos pro virili nostro Divino adjuvante Numine usque ad extremum vitae nostrae periodum protecturos omnibus nostris Ecclesiasticis pro muneris nostri supradicti sacrosancti Juramenti ratione doceri praedicari curaturos Quapropter injungimus in mandatis damus omnibus Ministris nostris in exteris partibus tam Legatis quam Residentibus Agentibusque Nunciis reliquisque nostris subditis ubicunque Orbis Christiani terrarum aut curiositatis aut commercii gratia degentibus hanc solennem synceram nostram protestationem quandocunque sese obtulerit loci temperis opportunitas communicare asserere asseverare Datum in Academia Civitate nostra Oxon. pridie Idus Maii 1644. The same in English Charles by the Providence of Almighty God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all those who profess the true Reformed Protestant Religion of what Nation Degree and Condition soever they be to whom this present Declaration shall come Greeting Whereas we are given to understand that many false rumours and scandalous Letters are spread up and down amongst the Reformed Churches in Forreign parts by the politick or rather the pernicious industry of some ill-affected persons that we have an inclination to recede from that Orthodox Religion which we were born baptized and bred in and which we have firmly professed and practised through the whole course of our life to this moment and that we intend to give way to the Introduction and publick exercise of Popery again in our Dominions Which conjecture or rather most detestable calumny being grounded upon no imaginable foundation hath raised these horrid Tumults and more then barbarous Wars throughout this flourishing Island under pretext of a kinde of Reformation which would not prove onely incongruous but incompatible with the Fundamental Laws and Government of this Kingdom We desire that the whole Christian World should take notice and rest assured that we never entertained in our imagination the least thought to attempt such a thing or to depart a jot from that holy Religion which when we received the Crown and Scepter of this Kingdom we took a most solemn Sacramental Oath to profess and protect Nor doth our most constant practice and daily visible presence in the exercise of this sole Religion with so many Asseverations in the head of our Armies and the publick Attestation of our Barons with the circumspection used in the education of our Royal Off-spring besides divers other undeniable Arguments onely demonstrate this but also that happy Alliance of Marriage we contracted betwixt our eldest Daughter and the Illustrious Prince of Orange most clearly confirms the reality of our Intentions herein by which Nuptial engagement it appears further that our endeavours are not onely to make a bare profession thereof in our own Dominions but to enlarge and corroborate it abroad as much as lieth in our power This most holy Religion of the Church of England ordained by so many Convocations of Learned Divines confirmed by so many Acts of Parliament and strengthned by so many Royal Proclamations together with the Ecclesiastick Discipline and Liturgy thereunto appertaining which Liturgy and Discipline the most eminent of Protestant Authors as well Germans as French as well Danes as Swedes and Switzers as well Belgians as Bohemians do with many Elogies and not without a kinde of envy approve and applaud in their publick writings particularly in the Transactions of the Synod of Dort wherein besides other or our Divines who afterwards were Prelates one of our Bishops assisted to whose Dignity all due Reverence and Precedency was given This Religion we say which our Royal Father of blessed memory doth publickly assert in that this famous Confession addressed as we also do this our Protestation to all Christian
universal grievance of your people 7. The great grief of your Subjects by long intermission of Parliaments and the late and former dissolution of such as have been called without the happy effects which otherwise they might have produced For remedy whereof and prevention of the dangers that may arise to your Royal Person and to the whole State they do in all humility and faithfulness beseech your most excellent Majesty that you would be pleased to summon a Parliament within some convenient time whereby the causes of these and other great Grievances which your people lye under may be taken away and the Authours and Councellors of them may be brought to such legal trial and condign punishment as the nature of their several offences shall require And that the present War may be composed by your Majesties wisdom without blood in such manner as may conduce to the honour and safety of your Majesties person the comfort of your people and the uniting of both your Realms against the common enemy of the reformed Religion And your Majesties Petitioners shall ever pray c. Concluded the 28. of August 1640. Francis Bedford Robert Essex Mulgrave Say Seal Edward Howard William Hartford Warwick Bullingbrooke Mandevile Brooke Pagett This Petition being seconded by another from the Scots to the same effect the King the twenty fourth day of the same moneth assembled the Lords together at York where it was concluded that a Parliament should be summoned to convene November the third next ensuing in the mean time a cessation of Arms was concluded between both Nations whereupon the King and Lords posted to London Tuesday November the third according to pre-appointment the Parliament assembled no sooner were they set but Petitions came thronging in from all Counties of the Kingdom craving redress of the late general exorbitancies both in Church and State many who were in prison were ordered to be set at liberty as Pryn Bastwick and Burton and the Bishop of Lincolne and many who were at liberty were ordered to be sent to prison as Sir William Beecher the Earl of Strafford and the Archbishop of Canterbury Secretary Windebank and the Lord Keeper Finch who was forced to flye the Land Ship-money was voted down the late Cannons damn'd Peace is concluded with Scotland and three hundred thousand pound allowed them for reparations This was summarily the first actings of the Parliament which gave much content to many people especially the Londoners who to the number of 15000. Petition for the abolishing of Episcopacy it self Indeed some few of the Cleargy at this time as at all others were corrupt in their lives many of them being vicious even to scandal yea many of those who pretended much purity in their conversations were most covetous and deceitful in their dealings besides their pride was intollerable insomuch that a great one amongst them was heard to say He hoped to live to see the day when a Minister should be as good a man as any upstart Jack Gentleman in England Well therefore might it it be said of the Priests of our times what Gildas sirnamed the wise wrote of the Priests of his time Sacerdotes habet Britannia sed insipientes quam plurimos Ministros sed impudentes clericos sed raptores subdeles c. Great Brittain hath Priests indeed but silly ones Ministers of Gods word very many but impudent a Cleargy but given up to greedy rapine c. Yet let none mistake me I write not thus to perswade any to an ill opinion of the Ministry for though our Church had cause to grieve for the blemishes of many yet might she glory in the ornaments of more so that Episcopacy received not at this time the fatal blow but was onely mutilated in her former glory the House of Commons voting that no Bishop shall have any vote in Parliament nor any Judicial power in the Star Chamber nor bear any sway in Temporal Affairs and that no Cleargy-man shall be in Commission of the Peace The Parliament having thus set bounds to the exorbitant power of the Cleargy they next fell upon the Tryal of the Deputy of Ireland who as you heard not long before was committed prisoner to the Tower this man at first was a great stickler against the Prerogative until allured by Court preferment he turned Royalist Westminster Hall was the place assigned for his Tryal the Earl of Arundel being Lord High Steward and the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Constable the Articles charged against him being very many are too long to recite I having more at large in their place inserted them in his Life The sum of them were for ruling Ireland and the North of England in an arbitrary way against the Laws for retaining the Kings revenue without account for encreasing and encouraging Popery for maliciously striving to stir up and continue enmity betwixt England and Scotland and for labouring to subvert Parliaments and incense the King against them yet notwithstanding this high charge the Earl by his answers so cleared himself that the King told the Lords he was not satisfied in Conscience to Condemn him of high Treason but acknowledged his misdemeanours to be very great at last wearied with the clamours of the people the Earl also by a letter desiring the same he granted a Commission to four Lords to Sign the Bill for his Execution which Execution was accordingly performed on Tower-hill May 10. 1641. Thus dyed this unhappy Earl a sacrifice to the Scots revenge cut off as it was thought not so much for what he had done as for fear of what he afterwards might do a man of the rarest parts and deepest judgement of any English man of our late times The same day fatal to the King he Signed the Bill for the Deputy of Irelands death he also Signed the Bill for a trienial or perpetual Parliament which should not be dissolved without consent of both Houses some say Duke Hamilton counselled him to it others say it was the Queen whoever it was it was his ruine for the Parliament now fearless of a dissolution began to act in an higher way then before being fortified with a strong guard of Souldiers whereof the Earl of Essex was Captain they without the Kings leave or knowledge appoint an extraordinary Assembly in the City that should mannage all weighty and great occurrences and to weaken his Majesty the more or rather to satisfie the insolence of the people they cast twelve Bishops into Prison because they went about to maintain their priviledge by the publick Charter The King moved with this accused five of the lower House and one of the upper House of high Treason their names were the Lord Viscount Mandevil Mr. Pym Mr. Hampden Sir Arthur Haslerig Mr. Hollis and Mr. Strowd This action of the Kings was by the Parliament adjudged a great breach of their Priviledges certainly it much encreased the differences between them and left scarce any possibility of reconcilement This small river of
Discord being now grown a Sea of Dissention the King and Queen poste to Hampton Court yet before he went that he might clearly demonstrate his real intentions to compose all differences he consented to the Petition of the Parliament to exclude the Bishops out of the House an act very prejudicial to himself for by this means the scale of Votes in the upper House which oft had turned to his advantage did by this diminution encline most commonly the other way Having staid about a moneth at Hampton Court the Queen went into Holland to accompany her Daughter Mary who was lately married to the young Prince of Orange The King the Prince the Palsgrave the Duke of Richmond and some other of the Nobility went down into the North intending to seize on the Magazine at Hull but the Parliament had before sent down one of their own Members Sir John Hotham who from the Walls denyed his Majesty entrance the King complaineth hereof to the Parliament but they justifie his Act yet what grains of affection towards his Majesty were wanting in Hull were found superabundant in the City of York who with the Counties adjacent declare unanimously for his Majesty Encouraged here with August 22. 1642. he sets up his Standard at Nottingham The Parliament in the mean time raised a considerable Army whereof the Earl of Essex commanded in chief And now were the gates of Janus unlocked and stern Mars released out of prison the seldom heard Drum rattled in every corner and the scarce known Trumpet sounded in every street now Factions banded Nick-names were invented Oaths framed and amongst the rest the Covenant obtruded against which his Majesty publisht this following Proclamation His Majesties Proclamation forbidding the tendring or taking of the late Covenant called A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation c. Whereas there is a printed Paper entituled A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland pretended to be ordered by the Commons in Parliament on the one and twentieth day of September last to be printed and published which Covenant though it seems to make specious expressions of Piety and Religion is in truth nothing else but a trayterous and seditious Combination against us and against the established Religion and Laws of this Kingdom in pursuance of a trayterous design and endeavour to bring in Forreign Forces to invade this Kingdom We do therefore straitly charge and command all our loving Subjects of what degree or quality soever upon their Allegiance that they presume not to take the said seditious and trayterous Covenant And we do likewise hereby forbid and inhibit all our Subjects to impose administer or tender the said Covenant as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their utmost and extreamest perils Given at our Court at Oxon the 9. day of October in the nineteenth year of our Reign Hitherto have we beheld England like a curious Garden flourishing with all the choicest flowers both for scent and colour that ever Flora watred with pearly drops or Titans radiant beams gave birth unto whose flourishing branches adorn'd with Turtles twinn'd in chaste embraces as if they simpathized of each others peaceful and fruitful vertues that Nature her self was enamour'd to walk into the twined Meanders of her curious Mazes here might you see the Princely Rose the King of Flowers so full of fragrancy that for its smell and colour it was the envy of all the world there might you see the Lilly Queen of Flowers there might you see the Olive Plants the Royal Progeny placed round about a table where Kings and Queens had used to feast the Nobility and Gentry emulating each other to excell in sweetness But now alas with our late discords the Scene is so altered that this curious Garden hath been over-run with Weeds I mean the miseries which followed upon these dissentions For as one writes the War went on with horrid rage in many places at one time and the fire once kindled cast forth through every corner of the Land not onely sparks but devouring flames insomuch as the Kindom of England was divided into more Battles then Counties nor had she more Fields then Skirmishes nor Cities then Sieges almost all her Palaces of Lords and great Houses being turned every where into Garrisons they fought at once by Sea and Land and through all England who could but lament the miseries of his Countrey sad spectacles were of plundering and firing Villages and the Fields otherwise waste and desolate rich onely and terribly glorious in Camps and Armies The Kings side at first prospered exceedingly the Earl of New Castle his General in the North overthrowing the Lord Fairfax and driving him into Hull in the West Sir William Waller a Parliament Chieftain was utterly defeated by the Lord Wilmot who came from Oxford with an Army of the Kings and having lost all his Army made haste to London and such as the fortune of the Field was was the condition of Towns and Garrisons for immediately after Wallers defeat the two greatest Cities of all the West were yielded up Bristol to Prince Rupert and Excester to Prince Maurice So that now the King was master of all the West save onely Glocester which he besieged with a Royal Army Essex himself the great General at the same time his Army decreasing suddenly some dying of sickness others for want forsaking their Colours was constrained to leave the Field and return to London quartering the sick and weak remnant of his Army at Kingston and other adjacent places until a recruit could be made for him so that it was judged by wise men if the King leaving Glocester had marched directly with his victorious Army to London which was then not at all fortified and miserably distracted with Factions within it or besides if the Earl of New Castle letting alone the besieging of Hull which likewise proved fruitless had poured out his numerous Forces upon the Eastern associated Counties he had been more successful then he was But Fata viam invenient Destiny will finde wayes that never were thought of makes way where it findes none and that which is decreed in Heaven shall be effected by means of which earth can take no notice of The King to no purpose thus spending his time at Glocester Essex the whiles recruiteth his Army with which marching from London eighty miles he raiseth the Siege and having relieved the Town in his retreat from thence encountered and vanquished the Kings Army near to the Town of Newbery Both sides excepting onely the inexhaustible riches and strength of the City of London by this overthrow seemed of equal strength yet each of them endeavours to make themselves stronger the Parliament calling in to their assistance the Scots the King the Irish The Earl of Leven was General of the Scots to whom joyned the Earl
approaching both sides prepare themselves for action a great party of the Royalists was trouted by Cromwel at Islip-Bridge divers of the Commanders taken prisoners the remainder of the party flying to Bletchtington House were there besieged and taken with the same success at Bampton-bush he took Vaughan and Littleton and defeated their forces The King in the mean time marched Northward with his Army and took the strong and considerable Town of Leicester Soon after was that dismal Battel at Naseby where the fate of England was to be determined the number of both sides were not much unequal nor the ordering of their Battalia's much unlike the Kings Front was filled with brave Troops of Horse the Foot stood in the second body the right Wing was commanded by the Princes Rupert and Maurice the left by Sir Jacob Ashley other Commanders of great quality sustaining their parts The Parliamentarian Foot made a firm body in the midst the wings were guarded by the Horse the right wing was commanded by Cromwel the left wing by Ireton the Foot being divided into two bodies was commanded by Major General Skippon fortune at the first favoured the Royalists The Parliaments left wing being routed by Prince Rupert the commander Ireton wounded and taken Prisoner but betwixt the two other Wings the case was different Cromwel coming on with so great force that he routed and overthrew the Kings left Wing the Battel seemed in an equal ballance the Wings on both sides being scattered but after some sharp dispute the Royalists were routed their Horse disserting the Foot fled to Leicester the cumbersome plunder of which place being reputed the occasion of that defeat The Kings Standard and one hundred other Colours were taken all the Ordnance the Kings Coach Cabbinet Letters a rich booty of Jewels a great quantity of Gold and Silver and almost five thousand prisoners which may seem the more strange since on both sides there were not five hundred slain To proceed the loss of that day lost the King his Crown for presently after this Leicester Bath Sherburn yea and Bristol it self were yielded up the Town of Taunton long besieged by Goring was relieved by General Fairfax who soon after took Tiverton and Dartmouth and then marching into Cornwal at a place called Torrington gave the Lord Hopton a great overthrow Cromwel in the mean time took Basin and Winchester the Devizes and Barcklay were taken by other Commanders Wodstock by Rainsborough and Carlile by the Scots who marching from thence to besiege Newark were called back to the relief of their own Countrey then almost subdued by the Marquess of Montross of whom I shall insert the less having particularized it in his Life This Marquess at first sided with the Covenanters participated of their counsels and was the first man when the Scots invaded England Anno 1639. that set footing on English Ground but afterwards detesting their doings he became the most bitter enemy to them that ever they had About the beginning of the year 1644. when the Scottish Covenanters came into England to assist the Parliament Montross went to Oxford to the King to offer his service against the Covenanters in Scotland The King to fit him for-that purpose created him a Marquess and gave him his Commission to be Lord Governour of Scotland and General of all his Forces Scotland being then wholly under the Covenanters it was agreed that the Earl of Antrim should by the beginning of April send over into Argile where the passage is short into Ireland ten thousand Irish as a stock to begin withal this promise at the appointed time Antrim performed in part but was very deficient in the number of Souldiers for instead of ten thousand he sent scarce twelve hundred under the conduct of Macdonald Montross notwithstanding with these men and the addition of his Atholians patcht up an Army with which he afterwards performed such exploits as would pose Antiquity amongst all the Camps of their famed Heroes to finde a parallel to this Army The first Summer after his arrival in Scotland he gave the Earl of Argile a great overthrow fiteen hundred of his men being slain and taken afterwards at a place called Kilsithe having scarce 4000. Highlanders and Irish he encountered and overthrew the States great Army slew above five thousand of them and dispersed the rest hereupon is their Army sent for all Scotland being almost at his devotion Sir David Lesley returned with the Horse and at Selkirk gave Montross a defeat The King in the mean time was routed at Routen Heath by Pointz a Commander of the Parliaments Army the Lord Digby the next moneth was beaten at Sherburn in Yorkshire and afterwards utterly defeated at Carlisle Chester long defended by Biron was yielded up and Ashley himself the Kings General vanquished by Morgan and taken prisoner with one thousand six hundred of his men The King had now no Garrisons left but Oxford Newark Banbury Wallingford Worcester Ragland and Pendennis Newark was straitly besieged by Leven Pointz and Rossiter Oxford wherein the King was himself began to be blocked up by Ireton and Fleetwood and every day the coming of Fairfax himself and a straiter Siege of that City was expected the King resolved therefore to go out of Oxford before this should happen and communicating his mind to some secret and faithful Councellours above all other places he pitched upon the Scottish Camp to the Scots therefore as they lay before Newark the King sent Montruel the French Ambassadour and himself soon after as Ashburnhams man with a Cloak-bag behinde him escaped unknown out of Oxford and came to Newark to the Scots hoping to be received with great humanity by such good Subjects as they boasted themselves to be But now both Fortune and Fidelity failed the distressed King the Scots they first betray him and then Pontius Pilate like washed their hands to declare their Innocency They delivered the King to the English upon Conditions as they pretended that no violence should be offered to his Person the English now having their King a Prisoner carry him first to Holnbey Castle then to Roiston thence to Hatfield not long after to Causam then to the Earl of Bedfords House near Ouborn soon after to Hampton Court the most stateliest of all his Palaces but with what content to his dejected minde let others judge to see his Palace turned into a Prison and himself to be a Captive must needs be a sorrow fitter for out amazement then expression for certainly as joy is most sweet to them who have tasted the miseries of sorrow so sorrow is most bitter to them who have alwayes lived in bliss as one of our modern Poets sings The very thought renews the memory Of my precedent lives felicity Whereby I know my sorrow is the more Who hapless now liv'd happy heretofore To hurry him out of his right minde he did not long stay at Hampton Court but by a crafty excuse he was juggled into the
be taken pro Confesso and the Court ot proceed to Justice The President repeats in brief the passages of the last day and commands the King to answer to the Articles of the Charge unless he had rather hear the Capital Sentence against him The king persists to interrogate concerning the Cause and sayes That he less regards his life then his Honour his Conscience the Laws the Liberties of the people all which that they should not perish together there were weighty reasons why he should not prosecute his defence before the Judges and acknowledge a new form of Judicature for what power had ever Judges to erect a Judicature against the King or by what Law was it granted sure not by Gods Law which on the contrary commands obedience to Princes nor by Mans Laws the Laws of our Land sith the Laws of England enjoyn all Accusations to be read in the Kings Name nor do they indulge any power of judging the most abject Subject to the Lower or Commons House neither lastly their Power flow from any Authority which might be pretended extraordinary delegated from the people seeing ye have not askt so much as every tenth man in this matter The President interrupting his Speech rebukes the Kings and bids him be mindeful of his doom affirming once more that the Court was abundantly satisfied of their Authority nor was the Court to hear any reasons that should detract from their power But what sayes the King or where in all the world is that Court in which no place is left for reason Yes answered the President you shall finde Sir that this very Court is such a one But the King presses that they would at least permit him to exhibit his reasons in writing which if they could satisfactorily answer he would yield himself to their Jurisdiction Here the President not content to deny grew into anger demanding the Prisoner to be taken away The King replied no more to these things then Remember sayes he this is your King from whom you turn away your ear in vain certainly will my Subjects expect Justice from you who stop your ears to your King who is ready to plead his Cause The Saturday after the 27. of January before they assembled sixty eight of the Tryers answered to their names The President in a Scarlet Robe and as the King Came the Souldiers cryed out for Execution of Justice The King speaks first and desires to be heard a word or two but short and yet wherein he hopes not to give just occasion wherein to be interrupted and goes on A sudden Judgement sayes the King is not so soon recall'd But he is sharply reproved of contumacy The President profusely praises the patience of the Court and commands him now at length to submit otherwise he shall hear the sentence of of death resolved upon by the Court against him The King still refuses to plead his Cause before them but that he had some things conducible to the good of his people and the peace of the Kingdom which he desires liberty to deliver before the Members of both Houses But the President would not vouchsafe him so much as this favour least it should tend he said to the delay and retardation of Justice To which the King replies It were better to sustain a little delay of a day or two then to precipitate a Sentence which will bring perpetual Tragedies upon the Kingdom and miseries to Children unborn If sayes he I sought occasion of delay I would have made a more elabourate contestation of the Cause which might have served to protract the time and evade at least the while a most ugly sentence but I will shew my self a defender of the Laws and of the Right of my Country as to chuse rather to dye for them the Martyr of my People then by prostituting of them to an arbitrary power go about to acquire any manner of liberty for my self but I therefore request this short liberty of speaking before a cruel Sentence be given for that I well know 't is harder to be recall'd then prevented and therefore I desire that I may withdraw and you consider They all withdraw the King into Cottons House and the Tryers into the Court of Wards and in half an hour return The President as he had begun so he proceeds into a premeditated Speech to hasten Sentence which the King offers reason to forbear whilest he might be heard before his Parliament and this he requires as they will answer it at the dreadful day of Judgement and to consider it once again But not prevailing the President goes on wherein he aggravates the Contumacy of the King and the hatefulness of the cimes he asserts Parliamentary Authority producing Examples both Domestick and Forreign c. his Treasons he stiles a breach of Trust to the Kingdom as his Superiour and is therefore called to an account minimus majorum in Judicium vocat his murthers are many all those that have been committed in all the War betwixt him and his people are laid to his charge all the innocent blood which cannot be cleansed but by the blood of him that shed the blood So then for Tyranny Treason Murther and many other crimes he wishes the King to have God before his eyes and that the Court calls God to witness that mearly their Conscience of Duty brings them to that place of this employment and calls for Gods assistance in his Execution The King offered to speak to these great Imputations in the Charge but he was told that his time was past the Sentence was coming on which the President commanded to be read under this form Whereas the Commons of England have appointed them an High Court of Justice for the Trial of Charles Stuart King of England before whom he hath been three times convented and at the first time a Charge of High Treason and other Crimes and Misdemeanours were read in the behalf of the Kingdom of England c. To which Charge he the said Charles Stuart was required to give his answer and so exprest several passages at his Tryal in refusing to answer for all which Treasons and Crimes the Court doth adjudge that the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and Publique Enemy shall be put to death by the severing his Head from his Body This Sentence sayes the President now read and publisht is the Act Sentence Judgement and Resolution of the whole Court to which the Members of the Court stood up and assented to what he said by holding up their hands The King offered to speak but he was instantly commanded to be taken away and the Court brake up After the Sentence the King was hurried away mockt and reviled by the Souldiers they puft their Tobacco in his face no smell being more offensive to his father and him such as saluted him they bastinadoed one that did but sigh God have mercy they cane'd they intrude almost into his Closet hardly permitting him
that any one alive could suspect it of which himself at all times throughont the whole space of his life had given manifest testimonies Whereupon sayes the King that he deposited the testimony of his faith which this holy man meaning the Bishop or else expected defence in this behalf of all men who well knew his life and profession namely that I dye said he in the Christion Faith according to the profession of the Church of England as the same was left me by my Father of blessed memory Then looking about upon the Officers having sayes he a most gracious God and a most just cause that I shall by and by change this corruptible Crown for an immortal one I both trust and rejoyce that I shall depart hence into another Kingdom altogether exempt from all manner of disturbance Then preparing towards the Circumstances the Bishop putting on his Night cap and uncloathed him to his Sky-colour Sattin Wastecoat he said I have a good cause and a gracious God and gave his George Order to the Bishop bidding him to give it to the Prince There is but one stage more sayes the Bishop this is turbulent and troublesome and but a short one but it will soon dismiss into a way further even from Earth to Heaven there you are assured of joy and comfort I go sayes the King from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be but peace and joy for evermore Then lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven mildly praying to himself he stoopt down to the Block as to a prayer-desk and most humbly bowed down his generous Neck to God to be cut off by the vizarded Executioner which was suddenly done at one blow Thus fell Charles and thus all Regal Power with him His Body was buried at Windsor for to render him the more odious in the Vault with Henry the Eighth His Effigies at the Old Exchange being pulled down with this Inscription placed there Sic exit ultimus Tyrannus His own and his Fathers Statue being not long before thrown down from the West end of Pauls A late worthy Historian writes that though there were many excellent ones written on him yet the King himself was his own best Epitaph as his Reign and death makes as full and as perfect a story of goodness and glory as earth could suffer so his Christian vertues deserve as faithful a Register as earth can keep I shall conclude with one of our Modern Poets Crowns have their compass length of dayes their dates But time puts periods both to Crowns and States This Epitaph came to my hands which I have here inserted Within this sacred Vault doth lie The Quintessence of Majesty Which being set more glorious shines The best of Kings best of Divines Britains shame and Britains Glory Mirrour of Princes compleat Story Of Royalty one so exact That th' Elixirs of praise detract These are fair shadows but t' endure He 's drawn to th' life in 's Portraiture If such another Piece you 'ld see Angels must limn it out or he Master Lilly in his Monarchy or no Monarchy sayes that some affirm that severall Prodigies appeared before his death all he observed for a long time before was that there appeared almost every year several Mock-suns sometimes two sometimes three so also Mock-moons or Paracelenes which were the greatest he ever observed or feared The Life of the Lord CAPEL THis honourable Person though he was not like some of our other Worthies crowned with the Successes and Laurels of War yet is he no less to be eternized for his endeavours his animosity constancy and perseverance to the parting first with his vaste Estate sequestred for his Loyalty and aterwards with his Life so that he might rightly be termed The Flower of English Fidelity his name ever to be honourably mentioned according to that of the Psalmist Psal 112.6 The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance He was Son and Heir to Sir Arthur Capel of Hadham-hall in Hertfordshire a Gentleman of a great estate one who followed the old Mode of our Nation kept a bountiful house and shewed forth his faith by his works extending his Charity in such abundant manner to the poor that he was bread to the hungry drink to the thirsty eyes to the blinde and legs to the lame and might justly be stiled Great Almoner to the King of Kings Concerning the Humility of this worthy Knight though it be too sudden a diversion I shall presume to insert a story which I have heard delivered by some well acquainted with his worship That be being set at his gate all alone in a plain but decent habit a Serving-man who had plumed himself with his Masters cast feathers came riding to him and asked him if Sir Arthur Capel were within Sir replied the Knight he was there not long ago and if you please to walk in you may hear further of his servants Old Father said the Serving-man here take my Horse and first money he ever received in that kinde Sir Arthur agreed to the motion and with a smile received from him a single penny took his Horse and walkt him whilest the finical spruce Serving-man strutted with convenient boldness into the house but being informed by the Servants that their Master was at the Gate he replying to the contrary one of them to justifie their words went with him to the Gate to see where they found Sir Arthur very industrious in his employment the Serving-man very much ashamed of his mistake craved pardon and with humble obeisance with his Hat in his hand with many cringes would have received the Horse from the Knight Nay stay sayes Sir Arthur you paid me my hire get up as soon as you will I am resolved to see you on Horseback The old Knight putting his hand into his purse gave him half a peece which he said was for his taking so much care of his Masters Horse being purposely thus liberal to encourage his own Servants to imitate his careful example But to return to his Son he was very well educated attained to some perfection in learning he had a good expression and elegant stile as his own Letters hest delineate His Father dying as he inherited his Estate so did he his vertues his pious bounty appearing so conspicuous that some envious persons who hate good works in others because they will do none themselves have maliciously aspersed him for an inclination to Popery But as such aspersions amongst persons of understanding speak nothing but the speakers malice so wrought it in others a deserved commendation of this of our late Noble inimitable Lord more especially that in these last times when Charity lies bed-rid and faith onely so much talkt on whereas he made his Faith publickly known by his Works From the degree of Knight he was by King Charls advanced to be Baron of Hadham As it may be computed about that time the Earl of Strafford received his Tryal this unfortunate
thy ever active fame Shall build a world unto thy pregnant name And every letter of thy stem shall raise A spacious Kingdom where thy ample praise Shall be recorded every listening ear Shall prove ambitious be intranc't to hear 'T will be a glory when the world shall say 'T was bravely done his Soveraign led the way And he as valiant Souldiers ought to do March't boldly after and was alwayes true To sacred Majesty his Heroe'd breath Disdained the fear of a so courted death Death added life unto his thoughts for he Contemn'd a death he bought with Victory The very Birds shall learn to prate and sing How Capel suffer'd for his Royal King The Life of JAMES Marquess of Montross Earl of Kincardine c. IT may seem strange in such a scarcity of Scotch Worthies there also being already so many of our own that I should go about to borrow one from that Countrey where if Diogenes were alive again the Cinique as I have heard one merrily express with his Lanthorn would make no long inquest after such an impossibility but infallibly conclude that there is not such another to be found in Scotland This renowned Marquess was extracted from the Ancient and famous Family of the Grahams in Scotland whose valiant and loyal Actions have eternized their Names to all posterity His Grandfather and Father were advanced by King James and King Charles unto places of the greatest honour in that Kingdom which they most happily discharged with the love and good affection both of King and People This Honourable Person whose Life we now relate persisting in his Predecessours steps may give us cause to think that Valour and Loyalty were entailed on that Family Yet at first he sided with the Covenanters against the Royal Party they pretending to nothing then less then the preservation of Religion the Honour and Dignity of the King the Laws of the Land and the Freedom of the Nation But having found that those fair tales were onely pretensions and onely coyned of purpose to draw people to their side he like a wise man finding their hearts alienated the King he mediated a disengagement but finding the work difficult he a while dissembled his intent seeming as active as he was before that when time served he might dissert them to better purpose having also many of his friends amongst them whom he hoped to draw off by which means he should be able to gather no small power which would conduce much both to the Kings safety and his own Whilest he was upon these determinations the Covenanters had raised a strong Army and in a solemn convention at Duns they determine to invade England Montross seeing he could not hinder those actions would not seem to disapprove of them and having the command of two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse to seem the more active was the first man that set foot on English ground and had his friends fulfilled their promises he had not onely broken to pieces the Covenanters designs but in all probability had brought the whole Army along with him to the King But the Scots marching over the Tine otherwise then he expected he was much disappointed of that opportunity he so longingly attended yet he kept the same loyal Inclinations towards the King which taking advantage of the Treaty that ensued betwixt them that he found means to acquaint his Majesty by Letters wherein he protested his faith and ready obedience to him but these Letters being stoln out of the Kings pockets by his Bed-chamber men the supposed instruments of Hamilton and by them coppied out were sent to the Covenanters at New Castle which place by the treachery of some English Commanders was yielded unto them who concealing their Information did not withal conceal their malignity against the Earl but laboured all they could to render him odious to the people and thereby unserviceable to his Majesty Nor wanted they fit instruments for this purpose for having obliged to themselves most of the Preachers throughout the Kingdom they made use of their mercenary tongues to rail against the King and his faithful Subjects as the enemies of Christ being themselves the while the very shame and scandal of Christianity Yet still Montross goes on in his Loyal intentions and joyns to his side many of the prime men for Nobility and Power though some of them afterwards for fear betrayed their designs unto the Covenanters so that on a sudden when he suspected nothing he with Napier Lord of Marchiston and Sir Sterling Keer were committed Prisoners to the Castle in Edenburgh But a Pacification being made betwixt both Kingdoms he with his friends were set again at liberty Not long after in England happened those fatal discords betwixt the King and Parliament which growing so high that they came to be determined by the Sword the Covenanters not to be wanting in the aid of their Confederates resolved to raise a puissant Army and to oblige Montross to their side proffered him freely the Office of Lieutenant General of the Army and what ever else he could desire and they bestow But he not more careless of their proffers then careful to inform the King of the danger that hereby hung over his head to which purpose he poasts into England taking onely the Lord Ogleby into his counsel and company At York he informs the Queen of the covenanters intentions and of the danger that would ensue thereof which doubtless had taken good effect at that time had not the coming of Duke Hamilton out of Scotland upon pretence of kissing the Queens hand but with intent to overthrow Montross his councels hindered the same who perswaded the Queen there was no fear of any Army nor that the King should need despair of amity and reconciliation with them protesting he himself would be active for the King with his person and estate But the Covenanters proceeding on in their designs and Montross having better knowledge of their intentions then before he goes to Glocester and delares the same to the King himself but the King was so soothed up with Letters of the contrary from Hamilton and some such other Courtiers also buzzing in his ears Montrosses youth his rashness his ambition the envy and hatred he bare unto the Hamiltons and on the other side the Hamiltons fidelity their honesty their discretion their power so that Montross nothing prevailed In the mean time the Covenanters were not idle but having raised an Army of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse march for England and now the King when it was too late seeing himself thus grossy abused sends for Montross and asks his advice what was best to be done Montross having declared the desperate estate Scotland was in at that present and how abominably his Majesty had been betrayed by them with whom he had entrusted his secrets resolved nevertheless if the King would lay his Commands upon him nothing distrusting Gods assistance in a righteous cause he would
whom you now embrace shall be your ruine and you shall bear this iniquity Now this passage of the Prophet doth by consent of Interpreters signifie the time of forty years to the destruction of Jerusalem and that Nation for their Idolatry and this Sermon being Preached in Anno 1601. just forty years before that horrid Rebellion brake forth in Ireland Anno 1641. made it appear that it had something in it of a prophetick spirit His first Church preferment was to the Chancellourship of St. Patrick in Dublin in which Mr. Cambden found him An. 1607. at what time he was composing his most excellent Brittania of whom he gives this Character in his observations concerning Dublin Most of which I acknowledge to owe to the diligence and labour of James Usher Chancellour of the Church of Saint Patrick who in various learning and judgement far exceeds his years Soon after Mr. Cambdens departure be commenc'd Batchellor of Divinity and immediately upon it was chosen Professor of Divinity in that University of Dublin which he held about thirteen or fourteen years during which time the Provostship of the Colledge falling void he was unanimously elected by the Fellows but by reason of some trouble belonging to it notwithstanding it it had a large annual allowance he refused it a thing to be taken notice of because rare amongst the Cleargy men of this latter age Soon after he proceeded Doctor of Divinity and now his eminency gained him enemies who scandalized him to King James under the notion of a Puritan but what was intended for his downfal proved for his preferment for the King entring into a free discourse with him received from him such abundant satisfaction of the soundness of his Judgement and Piety that notwithstanding the opposition of great ones without his seeking made him Bishop of Meath in Ireland just then falling void whilest he was in England upon his entering into his dignity a Wit of those times made this excellent Annagram upon him James Meath Anagrama I am the same Which he made good ever after in the whole course of his life neither being puffed up with the the windy titles of ambition nor slacking his former constancy of preaching engraving this Motto on his Episcopal Seal Vae mihi si non Evangeliza vero which he continued in the Seal of his Primacy also It is credibly reported of him that he was person of so excellent a memory that when he hath bin distant from his Library many miles without the aid of any Catalogue he hath directed his man by the figures of them imprinted in his minde to go directly to the several places where they stood to bring him such Books as he wanted During the time he was Bishop of Meath he answered that Challenge of the Jesuite Malone and coming over into England to have it Printed during his abode here Primate Hampton dying he was made Primate of Ireland An. 1624. And now though he was promoted to the highest step his profession was capable of in his native Countrey yet having some occasion of stay still in England he continued his laborious preaching in a little Village called Wicken in Essex where upon the request of some Ministers of that County to preach on the Week dayes because they could not come to hear him on the Sundayes preaching too often beyond his strength he fell into a Quartane Ague which held him three quarters of a year Scarcely had he recovered his sickness when it pleased God to make him the instrument of the conversion of an honourable person to the Protestant Religion the occasion thus the Lord Mordant afterwards Earl of Peterborough being a Papist and his Lady a Protestant both of them being desirous to draw each other to their own Religion agreed that there should be a meeting of two prime men of each to dispute what might be in controversie between them hereupon the Lord chose for his Champion one Rookwood a Jesuite Brother to Ambross Rookwood one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Treason who went disguised under the name of Beaumont the Lady made choice of this Archbishop Drayton in Northamptonshire was appointed for their meeting place the Points proposed were concerning Transubstantiation Invocation of Saints Images visibility of the Church Three dayes were spent in disputations wherein the Archbishop was opponent and the Jesuite respondent The fourth day according to agreement the Jesuite was to have been opponent but that morning he excused himself to the Lord Mordant saying That all the Arguments he used he had framed within his own head and thought he had them as perfect as his Pater Noster but he had strangely forgotten and could not recover them again which caused him to say That he believed it was the just judgement of God upon him thus to desert him in the defence of his cause for the undertaking of himself to dispute with a man of that eminency and learning without the licence of his Superiour This excuse gave so little satisfaction to the Lord Mordant that upon some further conference with the Archbishop he became a Protestant and so continued to his dying day After this Victory over the Jesuit with the Canon bullets of his controversial Pen he disperst whole Armie of the Irish Catholicks so that they were never able to rally their Forces again After some time of tarrying in England he returned into Ireland where he was received with great acclamations of joy where he continued faithfully discharging his Office until the year before the Rebellion brake forth there in which he returned into England not long after was the great business of the Earl of Strafford in agitation I have heard it reported by men not over credulous to believe flying news that the day before the King signed the Bill for that Earls death that when the King for the satisfying of his conscience desired the opinion of him as also of the Bishops of London Durham Lincoln and Carlisle that those other four for the satisfying of the people who were then grown extraordinary insolent wished him to sign the Bill But that this Bishop advised the King not to wound his Conscience in seeking to heal State sores the truth of this I will not assert for it is confidently believed by many that Doctor Juxon Bishop of London was not assenting thereto but this is certain that when a person of honour had in the Kings presence spoken words in effect that this Bishop should advise him to the signing of that Bill that he in very great passion laying his hand upon his breast protested his innocency therein It is generally reported how true I know not that when the King heard that an honourable Lady had extended her nobleness to the Bishop that he should say That that charity of hers would cover a multitude of her sins Many endeavours not like the fire-drakes of our late Pulpits did this reverend Bishop use to draw the King and Parliament to a Reconciliation and
eminency of it but as many passages in it from his own lips give further illustrations of his Life The first Tryal of Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne was at the Guild Hall in London the 24. of October 1649. being Wednesday The Commissioners Names of the extraordinary Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the Tryal of Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburn were these Thomas Andrews Lord Mayor Richard Keble Lord Commissioner Philip Jermyn Judge of the upper Bench Thomas Gates Baron John Pulestone Justice of the Common Pleas. Francis Thorp Barron and Member Robert Nicolas Member Richard Aske Justices of the Upper Bench. Peter Warburton Justice of the Common Pleas. Alexander Rigby Baron but absent Sir Thomas Fowler Sir Henry Holcroft Sir William Row Sir Richard Saltonstall Sir Richard Sprignall Sir John Woolistone Sir William Roberts John Green John Clarke John Parker Serjeants at Law William Steel Recorder John Fowke Thomas Foote John Kendrick Thomas Cullum Simon Edmonds Samuel Avery John Dethick Robert Tichburn John Hayes Aldermen Henry Proby Common Sergeant Thomas Brigandine Nathaniel Snape Edward Rich Owen Roe Tobias Lisle Austin Wingfield Richard Downton Daniel Taylor William Wibend Silvanus Taylor The Court was called O yes made All persons that were adjourned to the Court required to make their appearance The Lieutenant of the Tower of London Collonel Francis West was called to bring forth his Prisoner according to the precept Whereupon Collonel West Lieutenant of the Tower brought up the Prisoner out of the Irish Chamber where he had been some time before the sitting of the Court and was guarded by the said Lieutenant and a special Guard of Souldiers besides And being brought to the Bar the Sheriffs of London were directed to take the Prisoner into their custody Silence commanded the Crier said John Lilburne hold up thy hand Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne directed himself to Master Keble one of the Keepers of the great Seal as the President of the Court and said to this purpose Sir will it please you to hear me and if so by your favour thus All the priviledge for my part that I shall crave this day at your hands is no more but that which is properly and singly the Liberty of every Free-born English-man viz. the benefit of the Laws and Liberties thereof which by my Birth-right and Inheritance is due unto me the which I have fought for as well as others have done with a single and upright heart and if I cannot have and enjoy this I shall leave this Testimony behinde me that I died for the Laws and Liberties of this Nation and upon this score I stand and if I perish I perish And if the Fact that I have done cannot be justified by the Law of England let me perish I mention none of this for the gaining of mercy or by way of merit no I scorn it for mercy I crave from none but from the hands of my God alone with whom I hope and am assured one day to rest whom I have set before my eyes and so walked as believing I am alwayes in his presence in whose power my confidence is fixed whom I take and own to be my stay my staff my strength and support and in whom I rest as the life of my life and whom I hope to meet with joy when this fading and uncertain life shall have an end to live with him in glory and blessedness for evermore And because I would not willingly trouble you with many words to cause you to spend your time impertinently therefore Sir in reference to the Court I shall crave but so much liberty from you as was given to Paul when he pleaded for his life before the Heathen Roman Judges which was free liberty of speech to speak for himself the which I now humbly crave as my right not onely by the Law of God and Man but also by the law and light of Nature And I shall do it with that respect reason and judgement that doth become a man that knows what it is to plead for his life I hope Gode hath given me ability to be master of my own passion and endowed me with that reason that will dictate unto me what is for my own good and benefit I have several times been arraigned for my life already I was once arraigned before the House of Peers for sticking close to the Liberties and Priviledges of this Nation and those that stood for them being one of those two or three me that first drew their swords in Westminster Hall against Collonel Lunsford and some scores of his associates At that time it was supposed they intended to cut the throats of the chiefest men then sitting in the House of Commons I say for this and other things of the like nature I was arraigned by the Kings special Command and Order the first of May 1641. I mention it to this end that when I came before the House of Peers where was about three or fourscore Lords then sitting at the beginning of the parliament who then were supposed the most arbitrary of any power in England yet I had from them free liberty of speech to speak for my life at their Bar without check or controll in the best manner that all those abilities God had given me would enable me and when I was at Oxford I was again arraigned as a Traytor before the Lord Chief Justice Heath for levying War at the Command of the then Parliament against the person of the King and when I came before him in the Guild Hall of Oxford he told me there being present with him as his fellow Judge Master Gardiner sometimes Recorder of the City of London now Sir Thomas Gardiner and others that sate by a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer from the King the which Commission I did not so well then understand as I hope I do now And my Lord Chief Justice Heath stood up and in the face of all the Court and in the face of all the Countrey present there told me Captain Lilburne you are brought here before us for High Treason for leavying War in Oxfordshire against your Sovereign Lord and King and though you be now in a Garrison and were taken in Arms in open hostility against the King yea Sir and I must now tell you in such hostility that we were but about seven hundred men at Brandford that withstood the Kings whole Army in the field about five hours together and fought it out to the very swords point and to the butt end of the Musket and thereby hindered the King from his then possessing the Parliaments Train of Artillery and by consequence the City of London in which very act I was taken a Prisoner without Articles or Capitulation and was by the King and his Party then lookt upon as one of the activest men against them in the whole company yet said Judge Heath we will not take advantage of that to try you by the rules of Arbitrary Marshal Law or any other
Prisoner at the Bar presented before the Court here take your Jury of Life and Death if therefore Master Lilburne you will challenge them or any of them you must challege them before that they go to be sworn Cryer Every man that can inform my Lords the Justices and the Atturney General of the Commonwealth against Master John Lilburn Prisoner at the Bar of any Treason or Fellony committed by him let them come forth and they shall be heard for the Prisoner stands upon his deliverance and all others bound to give their attendance are upon pain of forfeiture of their Recognizance to come in Master Lilburne desired to be heard a few words the Judge told him he must talk in his legal time and take legal exceptions and then he should be heard till midnight Master Lilburne desired to be heard he said he did not know the faces of two men that were read to him therefore he desired that he might have time to consider of them Judge Keeble told him that he ought not to have it Master Lilburne desired the Judge that he would at least vouchsafe him to have some friends by him that are Citizens of London that knew them to give him information of their quality and conditions without which he said they might as well hang him without a Tryal Mr. Sprat or Master Robert Lilburn challenged one of the Jury which the Judge excepted against and commanded the Fellow in the white cap should come out there pull him out Master Lilburne replied that they did not deal civilly according to their own Law and now there was a full noise the whole cry was to pull down the Stag of the Petition of Right The Jury being called he excepted against several persons of the Jury six lived about Smithfield one in Gosling-Street two in Cheapside two in Broad-street one in Friday-street After his particular exception Master Broughton proceeds and reads his Indictment Hold up thy hand John Lilburne Thou standest here indicted of High Treason by the name of John Lilburn late of London Gentleman for that thou as a false Traytour not having the fear of God before thine eyes but being stirred and moved up by the instigation of the Devil didst endeavour not onely to disturb the peace and tranquility of this Nation but also the government thereof to subvert now established without King or House of Lords in the way of a Commonwealth and a free State and happily established and the Commons in Parliament assembled being the supream Authority of this Nation of England to disgrace and into a hatred base esteem infamy and scandal with all the good true and honest persons of England to bring into hatred that is to say that thou the said John Lilburne on the first day of October in the year of our Lord 1649. and on divers other dayes and times both before and after in the Parish of Mary the Archess in the Ward of Cheap London aforesaid of thy wicked and devillish minde and imagination falsely malitiously advisedly and trayterously as a false Traytor by writing and imprinting and openly declaring that is to say by a certain scandalous poysonous and trayterous writing in paper entituled A salva libertate and by another scandalous poysonous and trayterous Book entituled An Impeachment of High Treason against Oliver Cromwel and his son-in-law Henry Ireton Esquires late Members of the late forcibly dissolved House of Commons presented to publick view by Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburn close Prisoner in the Tower of London for his real true and zealous affection to the liberties of this Nation and by another scandalous poysonous and trayterous Book imprinted and entituled An Out-cry of the yong men and Apprentices of London or an inquisition after the lost fundamental Laws and Liberties of England directed August 29. 1649. in an Epistle to the private Souldiers of the Army especially all those that signed the solemn Engagement at New-Market Heath the fifth of June 1647. but more especially the private Souldiers of the Generals Regiment of Horse that helped to plunder and destroy the honest and true hearted Englishmen trayterously defeated at Burford the fifteenth of May 1649. And also by another scandalous poysonous and traiterous Book intituled The legal fundamental liberties of the people of England revised asserted and vindicated didst publish that the Government aforesaid is tyranical usurped and unlawful and that the Commmons Assembled in Parliament are not the Supreme Authority of this Nation and further that thou the said John Lilburne as a false Traitor God before thine eyes not having but being moved and led by the instigation of the Devil endeavouring and maliciously intending the Government aforesaid as is aforesaid well and happily established thou the said John Lilburne afterwards that is to say the aforesaid first day of October in the year of our Lord 1649. aforesaid and divers other dayes and times as well before as after at London aforesaid that is to say in the Parish and Ward aforesaid London aforesaid maliciously advisedly and traiterously didst plot contrive and endeavour to stir up and to raise force against the aforesaid Government and for the subverting and alteration of the said Government and to do those wicked malicious and traiterous advisement to put in execution c. and thou the said John Lilburne afterwards that is to say the aforesaid first day of October in the year of our Lord 1649. aforesaid and divers dayes and times as well before as after at London aforesaid that is to say in the Parish and Ward aforesaid of thy depraved minde and most wicked imagination in and by the aforesaid scandalous poysonous and trayterous book Intituled An impeachment of high Treason against Oliver Cromwel and his son-in-law Henry Ireton Esquires late Members of the late forcible dissolved House of Commons presented to publick view by Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne close prisoner in the Tower of London for his real true and zealous affection to the Liberties of his native Countrey falsly maliciously advisedly and traiterously didst publickly declare amongst other things in the said Book those false scandalous malicious and traiterous words following but my true friends meaning the friends of the said John Lilburne I meaning the foresaid John Lilburne shall here take upon me the boldness considering the great distractions of the present times to give a little further advice to our friends aforesaid from whose company or society or from some of them hath been begun and issued out the most transcendent clear rational and just things for the peoples liberties and freedoms That the foresaid John Lilburne hath seen or read in this Nation as your notable and excellent Petition of May the 20th 1647. burnt by the hand of the common-hangman recorded in my book called Rash Oaths Unwarrantable page 29 30 31 32 33 34 35. with divers Petitions of that nature and the Petition of the 19th of January 1648. recorded in the following discourse page 45 46 47 48. and the
Mr. Lilburne enforced this as his main argument to the Jury that there were none that swore as to his hand that there was no Book proved his and if that of the agreement of the people were his it was before the Acts had a being or were in print Master Atturney replyed Mr. Lilburne these are but your own glosses the Iury answers to the matter of Fact they are upon their Oaths sworn to do things that are just and right My Lords said he I leave the evidence to them all that he had more to say was that Mr. Lilburne since he came before the Lords had not so much as owned the Power of the Court but often called them Cyphers and the like Mr. Lilburne desired that the Jury might read the first Chapter of Queen Mary in the Statute Book and the last Clause of the Chapter in the 13. of Queen Elizabeth but Judge Keble when according to the custom he was to speak to the Jury said That Mr. Lilburne had cited two Statutes to prove that there must be two Witnesses whereas if there were but one Witness to each Fact it were enough in Law and therefore he said Gentlemen of the Jury what you have heard must not stick with you you are not bound affirmatively to have two Witnesses but that one Witness where the circumstances concur that is sufficient that which should prevail with you was to consider the strength of the accusation which rested in the Books and did consist of three heads which were laid down in the Books themselves First the so far vilifying the Parliament and State as it was now establisht in England The second lookt on the counsels and incitations of Mr. Lilburne for the stirring up of Tumults Motions and Wars in the Nation The third are the things cited in the Books to that end and purpose to divide the Army These he said were the three main charges and these the Books that came from him did so plainly testifie that the Books were proved to be his they were fit Judges of and it clearly appeared by those his Books that these things were his invention He coucluded that these Books being admitted he said that never man that acted the highest of Treasons as he had done had so much liberty as he nor any man of his condition or any condition in England that was indicted in such case ever had a Tryal in such a Court such an Auditory such a Presence as he had Mr. Lilburne replyed the more was his sorrow he had rather it had been any where else The Judge enlarged himself that his plot was of such a nature that it struck at no lefs then the subversion of the Common-wealth that there was never such another did proceed from a private man as he was and therefore he desired the Masters of the Jury to look into their consciences as he said to them they having plainly before their eyes that there was not in one particular a single testimony but was aggravated with several circumstances Therefore as he said they being proper Judges of matter of Fact being of the same Countrey if they fully apprehended the dangerous things plotted in Mr. Lilburnes Books they would elearly finde that never was the like Treason hatcht in England so in Gods name as the prisoner did lead to their consciences he desired them to go and do Other petty transactions and cross answers passed betwixt Mr. Lilburne and his Judges not worth the taking notice of the Jury went forth at four of the Clock the Court adjourned till six the Court commanded the Lieutenant of the Tower and the Sheriffs to carry the prisoner to the Irish Chamber which they did the prisoner staid about three quarters of an hour and the Jury being come to the Court again the prisoner was sent for and after the Cryer had caused silence the Jurors names were called over again the Clerk askt them if they were agreed the Jury answered yes the Clerk askt who should speak for them the Jury said the fore-man The Cryer said John Lilburne hold up thy hand what say you look upon the prisoner is he guilty of the Treasons charged upon him or not guilty the fore-man answered not guilty of all of them The Clerk replyed not of all the treasons or of any of them that are laid to his charge The fore-man answered No not of all nor of any one of them The Clerk said again did he fly for the same the fore-man replyed No. Which no he pronounced with a loud voice immediately the whole multitude of people in the Hall for joy of the prisoners acquittal gave such a loud and unanimous shout as is believed was never heard in Guild-Hall which lasted for about half an hour without intermission the Bells being rung and Bonefires made in most Streets in London That night divers of Master Lilburnes friends went to the Judges the Parliament and Councel of State by whose importunities and by the help of the Lord Grey of Groby Collonel Ludlow Mr. Robinson and Collonel Martin his discharge was procured I shall close up the large particulars of this so eminent a Tryal with what I heard reported one merrily said That the Jury-men very well deserved the Medalls that Collonel John presented them with and that their own Pictures needed not to be cut for they had engraven them themselves and had questionless made admirable draughts for future Juries to coppy out the Liberties of the Subject Lilburne having thus gotten his liberty with some repute for practice attended the Committees in nature of a grand Informer or Sollicitour pleading in all causes where he might have any advantage thereby yea some report him so corrupt in his practice as his own Party were ashamed of him which if true he was the more inexcusable having vehemently cryed out against the same in the Lawyers and might with shame apply the Poets words to himself Turpe est Doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum Unto a Teacher it 's no small disgrace When his own faults reprove him to his face About the same time were dangerous insurrections and horrible riots committed in the North the occasion thus at the expence of 175046. pounds or thereabouts there was drained or laid dry 160000 Acres of land lying contiguous within the Counties of York Lincoln and Nottingham not worth before three shillings and four pence an Acre one with another the which was made worth some ten other twelve yea some twenty shillings an Acre in the Mannor of Epworth was 7400. Acres which had been peaceably possessed by the Drainers and their assigns the space of ten years but several persons envying them the benefit accrewing thereby in a tumultuous manner came into the level and breaking down the fences destroyed and laid waste above 4000. Acres of drained Land and pulled down several houses standing thereon Others afterward several dayes during the flowing of the spring tide violently forced open a Sewer called Snow-Sewer planted upon
the River of Trent purposely to let in the Waters the which course they continued till they had drowned 8000. Acres of Corn and Rape then growing and the Corn stacks generally half way with the greatest part of mens houses and habitations by the space of ten weeks Now fearing they should be punished for these insolencies and desirous to keep what they had thus gotten they drew to their assistance Mr. Lilburne J. W. and one Noddel a Solicitour who notwithstanding the Court of Exchequer made a decree for establishing the possession again with those from whom they had wrested it and that this decree was published upon the place in presence of divers of the inhabitants they openly declared That they would not give any obedience thereunto nor to any order of the Exchequer or Parliament and said they could make as good a Parliament themselves some said It was a Parliament of Clouts and that if they sent Forces they would raise Forces to resist them moreover from words they proceeded to action so that within ten dayes time they totally demolished the whole Town of Stantoft and other houses thereabouts to the number of eighty two habitations defaced the Church burnt Stables and Out-houses broke in pieces a Wind-mill destroyed all the Corn and Rape on the ground no less then 3400. Acres so as the dammage at that time was estimated to be 80000. pounds or more Moreover Lilburne with his associates agrees with several men of Epworth that in consideration of 2000 Acres of Land for him and J. W. and 200. Acres to Noddel they would defend them in all those riots and insurrections and maintain them in possession of the rest of the Land this bargain being made Lilburne with Noddel and others came to Stantoft Church on the Lords day and forced the Congregation from thence employing the same to the use of a Stable Cow-house Slaughter-house and to lay his Hay and Straw therein For these tumultuous practices as also for joyning with one Mr. Primate in seeking to defraud the Common-wealth of the Collory of Harraton in the County of Durham the sequestered estate of Thomas Wray Esquire which Mr. Primate pretended a right unto though upon examination it proved otherwise this following Act for his Fine and Banishment was publisht against him Whereas upon the fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty one A Judgement was given in Parliament against the said Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne for high Crimes and Misdemeanours by him committed relating to a false malicious and scandalous Petition heretofore presented to the Parliament by one Josiah Primate of London Leather-seller as by the due proceedings had upon the said Petition and the Judgement thereupon given at large appeareth Be it therefore enacted by this present Parliament and by the Authority of the same that the fine of three thousand pounds imposed upon the said John Lilburne to the use of the Common-wealth by the Judgement aforesaid shall be forthwith levied by due process of Law to the use of the Common-wealth accordingly And be it further enacted that the sum of two thousand pounds imposed by the said Judgement upon the said John Lilburne to be paid to Sir Arthur Hesilrige for damages and the sum of two thousand pounds likewise imposed by the said Judgement upon the said John Lilburne to be paid to James Russel Edward Winslow William Molins and Arthus Squib in the said Judgement named that is to say to each of them five hundred pounds for their damages shall be forthwith paid accordingly And that the said Sir Arthur Hesilrige James Russel Edward Winslow William Molins and Arthur Squib their Executors and Administrators shall have the like remedy and proceedings at Law respectively against the said John Lilburne his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns for the recovery of the respective sums so given to them by the said Judgement as if the said respective sums had been due by several Recognizances in the nature of a Statute Staple acknowledged unto them severally by the said John Lilburne upon the said fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty one And be it likewise enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the said John Lilburne shall within twenty dayes to be accompted from the said fifteenth day of January one thousand six hundred fifty one depart out of England Scotland Ireland and the Islands Territories and Dominions thereof And in case the said John Lilburne at any time after the expiration of the said twenty dayes to be accompted as aforesaid shall be found or shall be remaining within England Scotland Ireland or within any of the Islands Territories or Dominions thereof the said John Lilburne shall be and is hereby adjudged a Fellon and shall be executed as a Fellon without benefit of Cleargy And it is lastly enacted by the Authority aforesaid that all and every person and persons who shall after the expiration of the said twenty dayes wittingly relieve harbor or conceal the said John Lilburne he being in England Scotland or Ireland or any the Territories Islands or Dominions thereof shall be hereby adjudged accessary of Fellony after the Fact And all Judges Justices Majors Bayliffs Sheriffs and all other Officers as well Military as Civil in their respective places are hereby required to be aiding and assisting in apprehending the said John Lilburne and in putting this Act in due execution Lilburne hereupon sets Sail for Holland with a resolution as he set forth in print Never to see England so long as Cromwels hateful and beastly tyranny lasted unless it were in a way to pursue him as the grandest Tyrant and Traytor that ever England bred some report that during his abode there he negotiated with the Lord Hopton Collonel Charles Lloyd and others of the Royal Party that for the sum of ten thousand pounds he would destroy the Lord General Cromwel the Parliament and Councel of State that then sat at Westminster and settle Charles Stuart in his Throne in England or else he would have a piece of him nailed upon every post in Bruges But for the truth of this besides his own denyal I cannot conceive he should have any thought that Party would trust him especially with such a sum of money having before declared himself so great an enemy to the late King But what ever were the motives that induced him resolved he was to come into England again to which purpose he sent Cromwel this introducing Letter For his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel These present My Lord At my discourse with you in your Gallery about four or five moneths ago I had thought I had given your Lordwip so full satisfaction in every thing that might remove all jealousies from you of my disserving you in any kinde that of all men in the Parliament I little imagined to have found your honour to be the principal man to banish me into a strange Countrey where
commanding wise deportment that at his pleasure he governed and swayed the House as he had most times the leading voice Those who finde no such wonders in his speeches may finde it in the effect of them most of the people he was concerned in being as they term it enemies to book learning and whosoever should endeavour with an eloquent oration or otherwise go about to reconcile them make them friends should make them enemies such great adorers are they of the Scripture phrase though but little practisers such as our late times have brought forth Indeed he usurpt his holy oyl quotations very frequently which was so advantageous to his designs that Cicero and Demosthenes with all their Tropes and Figures could never have so perswaded and moved the people as he with one Text of Scripture aptly applyed the Dove and the Serpent of Scripture and some small parcel of policy to what he intended slily intermixed But his side standing in more need of action then eloquence he quitted the House and betook him to the Field to manifest his courage as well as his eloquence maintain by his deeds what his words had introduced Having raised a Troop of Horse at his own costs and charges he marched against the Muses to Cambride whereof he was Burgess seizing on a very considerable sum of money and plate which the Colledges had raised and were sending away unto Oxford which as it was very advantageous to his own side money being the very life and sinews of War so d d it much weaken the adverse party who had alwayes great want of it The Parliament having on their side the rich City of London that inexhaustible bank of treasure By this means he strengthened himself with sufficient aids to oppose the Lord Capel who was to have been seconded by Prince Rupert and should have seized on Cambridge thereby to have impeded the association of the adjoyning Counties for the Parliament He being advanced from a Captain to a Collonel having compleated a Regiment of Horse to the full number of a thousand men in the Spring of the year he marches to Lowerstoft in Suffolk where he suddenly surprized Sir Thomas Barker Sir John Pettas his Brother with above twenty other persons of note who were entring into an association for the King several persons of quality and divers Noblemen hourly flocking to that rendezvouz this other service was very seasonably rendered to the Parliament the Kings Party both in Suffolk and Norfolk being much discouraged by this success Having by new raised aids inforced his Army to a very considerable strength he marched into Lilcolnshire with a resolution to assist those Forces which lay about Newark a very strong and stout Garrison of the Kings where by their daily excursions they kept all the Countrey thereabouts in awe which he not onely blocked up but also defeated part of the Earl of Newcastles Army which came to relieve them I shall not need to particularize all his actions his other intervening Atchievements are more at large related in the Life of King Charles To look forwards onely to mention the Battel of Marston Moor where by his valour he turned the scales of Victory which at the first enclined to the Kings side as also at that fatal Fight at Naseby where the Kings Foot were all cut in pieces or taken Prisoners His memorable discomfiture of the Kings Forces at Preston in Lancashire over Duke Hamilton and Sir Marmaduke Langdale the last of them as valiantly faithful to the King as the other was disloyal their united Forces amounting to twenty five thousand his not above ten thousand at most although indeed he found little opposition save onely of those few Forces of Sir Marmaduke Langdales who fought it out courageously to the last man Should I thus continue to signalize his Trophies I might tire out the Reader with his strange Successes let it suffice then that his actions with such fame arrived at the House that in recompence they first bestowed on him the Generalship of the Horse and afterwards the Lieutenant Generalship of all the whole Army Certainly if his ambition had terminated here and his wonderful successes had not raised his thoughts higher if he could not for his Martial merits have been beloved he had power enough to have rendred himself-safe and for his valiant Atchievements fear'd honour'd and admir'd Raised to this degree of Command he was more careful of hazarding his person then before well knowing the loss of a General is the most irreparable of all losses for him to expose his person to trivial hazards in the breath of whose nostrils the victorious Atchievements of the Souldiers remains is too impertinently adventerous as if 't were more glorious to fight then command whereas that is more especially the vertue of a common Soldier this other of a Leader whose principal talent lies more in direction then execution more in the brain then hand thus that ever to be deplored Laureat of our times the Gentleman of the long Robe the Oracle of the Kings Councels the Lord Faukland was as unfortunately lost as unnecessarily engaged in the Field But to proceed he grew so subtilly careful as to maintain a fair correspondency there was no place taken no Battle won but he was the first that brought or sent word to the House by which he insinuated himself into the affections both of the Parliament and People expressing his own actions in such terms as whilest he seemingly attributed much to others he drew the whole commendation thereof to himself One thing that made his Brigade so invincible was his arming them so well as whilest they assured themselves they could not be overcome it assured them to overcome their enemies He himself as they called him Ironside needed not to be ashamed of a Nick-name that so often saved his life These were his acts whilest Lieutenant General by which he got so great a name in War as Essex Waller and those other great names before him excepting onely Sir Thomas Fairfax's Laurels which were interwoven with his the rest were swallowed up in his most inimitable successes even as great Rivers are swallowed up by the Ocean For the rest of his actions whilest he was General Itis conquering Ireland his subduing Scotland the many other Battles he fought till his finishing the War in England To treat also largely of these his Trophies would weary the pen of a serious though industrious Writer that sadly considers the incivility of those late Civil Wars howsoever they were strange successes and so many that as a Modern Poet agrees with what I have expressed It were a work so great Would make Olympus bearing Atlas sweat I shall therefore summarily relate the most notable Occurrences then happening leaving the less Affairs to be related by more voluminous Authors No sooner were the Civil Wars of England terminated by the discomfiture of all the Kings Armies the taking of his own person and putting him to death but the
of his years taken from further opportunities of doing good either to himself his friends the Common-wealth or more especially as to my continued services to my Creatour Truly if my general known course of life were but enquired into I may modestly say there is such a moral honesty upon it as some may be so sawcy as to expostulate why this great judgement is fallen upon me but know I am able to give them and my self an answer and out of this breast am able to give a better accompt of my Judgement and Execution then my Judgers themselves or you are able to give It is Gods wrath upon me for sins long unrepented of many judgements withstood and mercies slighted therefore God hath whipped me by his severe Rod of Correction that he might not lose me I pray joyn with me in prayer that it may not be a fruicless Rod that when by this Rod I have laid down my life by his staff I may be comforted and received into Glory I am very confident by what I have heard since my sentence there is more exceptions made against proceedings against me then I ever made My Triers had a Law and the value of that Law is indisputable and for me to make a question of it I should shame my self and my discretion In the strictness of that Law something is done by me that is applicable to some clause therein by which I stand condemnable The means whereby I was brought under that interpretation of that which was not in my self intended malitiously there being testimony given by persons whom I pitty so false yet so positive that I cannot condemn my Judges for passing sentence against me according to Legal Justice though Equity lieth in the higher breasts As for my Accusers or rather Betrayers I pitty and am sorry for them they have committed Judas crime but I wish and pray for them with Peters tears that by Peters repentance they may escape Judas his punishment and I wish other people so happy they may be taken up betimes before they have drunk more blood of Christian men possibly less deserving then my self It is true there have been several addresses made for mercy and I will put the obstruction of it upon nothing more then upon my own sin and seeing God sees it fit having not glorified him in my life I might do it in my death which I am contented to do I profess in the fear of God particular malice to any one of State or Parliament to do them a bodily injury I had none For the cause in which I had long waded I must needs say my engagement or continuance in it hath laid no scruple upon my Conscience it was on Principles of Law the knowledge whereof I profess and on principles of Religion my Judgement satisfied and Conscience rectified that I have pursued those wayes which I bless God I finde no blackness upon my conscience nor have I put it into the Bead-roll of my sins I will not presume to decide controversies I desire God to honour himself in prospering that side that hath right with it and that you may enjoy peace and plenty beyond all you possess here In my Conversation in the world I do not know where I have an enemy with cause or that there is such a person whom I have to regret but if there be any whom I cannot recollect under the notion of Christian men I pardon them as freely as if I had named them by name I freely forgive them being in free peace with all the world as I desire God for Christs sake to be at peace with me For the business of death it is a sad sentence in it self if men consult with flesh and blood But truly without boosting I say it or if I do boast I boast in the Lord I have not to this minute had one consultation with the flesh about the blow of the Axe or one thought of the Axe more then as my passport to Glory I take it for an honour and I owe thankfulness to those under whose power I am that they sent me hither to a place however of punishment yet of some honor to dye a death somewhat worthy of my blood answerable to my birth and qualification and this courtesie of theirs hath much helped towards the pacification of my minde I shall desire God that those Gentlemen in that sad Bead-roll to be tryed by the High Court of Justice that they may find that really there that is nominal in the Act an High Court of Justice a Court of High Justice high in its Righteousness though not in its severity Father forgive them and forgive me as I forgive them I desire you now that you would pray for me and not give over praying till the hour of my death not till the moment of my death for the hour is come already the instant of time approaches that as I have a great load of sins so I may have the wings of your prayers to help those Angels that are to convey my soul to Heaven and I doubt not but I shall see my Saviour and my gallant Master the King of England and another Master whom I much honoured my Lord Capel hoping this day to see my Christ in the presence of the Father the King in the presence of him my Lord Capel in the presence of them all and my self there to rejoyce with all other Saints and Angels for evermore After the uttering of these and many the like words declaring his faith and confidence in God with as much undaunted yet Christian courage as possibly could be in man he exposed his neck to the fatal Axe commending his soul into the hands of a faithful and merciful Creatour through the meritorious Passion of a gracious Redeemer and having said Lord Jesus receive me the Executioner with one blow severed his head from his body For such a collateral design not long after one Master Benson was executed at Tyburne one that had some relations to Sir John Gell who was tried for the same Conspiracy with his man Sir Johns former services to the Parliament being his best and most assured intercessours for his life and at that time were more then ordinary advantages to him And now being entered into this Tragical Scene of blood I shall in the next place give you an account of the beheading of Sir Henry Hide He was by the Scots King commissionated as Ambassadour to the Grand Signior at Constantinople and stood in competition with Sir Thomas Bendish then Ambassadour for the English for his place whereupon they had a hearing before the Vizier Bassa the result whereof was that Sir Thomas Bendish should dispose of the said Sir Henry Hide as he thought good who was to the same purpose sent to Smyrna thence into England and there condemned and executed before the Royal Exchange in London March 4. 1650. I have inserted his Speech which reflects on his Transactions this unfortunate Gentlemans end
being by the divine disposal from the foregoing part of his life as strange as ever I have read in History His last words were to this effect Christian People I come hither to dye I am brought hither to dye and that I may dye Christian like I humbly beseech the assistance of your Christian prayers that by the benefit of them my passage may be the more easie Yet because men in that condition which it hath pleased God to reduce me to give the more credit to Speech in the discharge of my duty towards God I shall use a few words and so conclude I pray all of you joyn with me to praise this Almighty God to whom I desire to render all hearty thanks as for all his mercies so in particular for this that he hath brought me hither that whereas I owe a debt to sin and to nature that now I can pay the debt to nature I can pay it upon the account of Grace And because it is fit to render the blessed account of that hope that is in me I shall tell you to the praise of Almighty God that I have been born and bred up in the Doctrine of the Church of England I have no negative Religion believing to be saved by the onely merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ and whatsoever else is profest in the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England authorized by Law humbly beseeching Almighty God to restore unto this Church her peace prosperity and patrimony whereof I have been an obedient and a loving however an unworthy Son and now both my hope being confident and my faith perfected there remains onely Christian Charity Charity we carry into heaven Charity on earth that I leave beseeching all whomsoever I have offended to forgive me as I from the bottom of my heart do all whomsoever blessing Almighty God for the happy advantage he takes to bring me the sooner to heaven I bless Almighty God that he hath given me this advantage as he hath been merciful to me before the foundation of the world in my Saviour so that now he hath in mercy honoured me with a suffering for his name in obedience to his Commandment On this day sevennight I was summoned before that Justice which condemned me on Friday last praised be Almighty God that by this way he hath brought me nearer to himself My charge I presume is publick as my punishment is visible if there have been any thing in the management of my part being unskilful having discontinued my own countrey many years I shall beseech the Christian Charity of all you my beloved Countrey-men to impute it rightly to the ignorance of my unskilful wayes of managing of affairs it was objected unto me there that I had a vanity of delighting in strange tongues I do acknowledge that I was best skilled in the Italian but free from that vanity I thank Almighty God and therefore I would in defence of my life if it had been the custom here or the Judges favour have used that language which was almost as natural to me as my mother tongue It was objected that I did not so freely as a thorow-paced Cavalier own my Master I was told since I came into England this skill I have in our Laws that a legal denyal in Law might be tollerable I hope I did not exceed the bounds of that in any thing for God forbid that I should be ashamed of serving so good so pious so just a Master putting off his hat for this I rejoyce and I humbly beseech Almighty God to fill my heart and my tongue and all that hear me this day with thankfulness for it As to the business that another construction had been made and believed here then what was there the righteous God knoweth it if any weakness were in the management that was mine I was sent to serve and protect not to injure any as God acquits me of the intention of matter of fact as having not done any manner of evil that way however here understood blessed be his holy name again putting off his hat so those Gentlemen of the Turky Company if they would might acknowledge for they know it very well the impossibility of my doing them any manner of harm Whereas that of the Embassy objected against me that my Master honoured me with it though I was never worthy of it I was his messenger and Internuntio for the conservation onely of his good Subjects of all the Merchants untill such time as he could confirme that Gentlemen now Resident or to send any other and they themselves know that there was an unpossibility as I bless God there was an innocency in me unto any such intention to do them harm for my Masters commands were point blank the contrary I was onely sent for their good as I never owned the title so the very letters themselves speaking no other I never did so much as think of any manner of address to the Grand Signior but gave him the letter from my Master the rest of the English Nation that were there present may when they please assert so much This I would insert that those Gentlemen as they have been losers by the miscarriages of others may now have a breach of their charity with me but if it be as it seems it is now in this Countrey a sin to be loyal I hope my God hath forgiven that when it is upon harmless employment not invading any according to my just Masters order for indeed I have been alwayes bred up in the Religion of Loyalty my Allegiance hath been incorporated into my Religion and I have thought it a great part of the service due from me to Almighty God to serve the King again putting off his hat He said I need not make any apology for any thing in relation to the present Affairs in England for were I as I spake beformy Judges were I as evil as my sentence here hath made me black it were impossible for me to have prejudiced any body in England or to England belonging in that employment but I bless God for his infinite mercy in Jesus Christ who hath taken me to himself by this manner of way it was the best Physick for the curing of my soul and those that have done it have no more Power then that of my body I leave nothing behinde me but that I am willing to part withal all that I am going to is desirable and that you may all know that Almighty God hath wrought in me a total denyal of my self and that there is that perfect reformation of me within of my own corruptions by the blessed assistance of his holy spirit I desire Almighty God in the abundance of the bowels of his mercy in Jesus Christ not onely to forgive every enemy if any such be in the world here or wheresoever but to bring him into his bosom so much good and particular comfort as he may at any time whether the cause
by a Knight of Malta one of his high spirited followers the tumult being afterwards occasioned from his retinue he having been first very uncivilly treated by Mr. Gerrard in his expatiating of the New Exchange as he termed it in his Declaration for which Mr. Gerrard received a prick with his Dagger and afterwards had the honour to dye the same death The young unfortunate stranger suffered a very high favour to please the New Exchange Chevaliers Mean while the Scotch Highlanders impatient of bearing the English yoke resolved to try the other bout to which purpose they assembled together in great numbers having General Middleton to their leader who was newly come to them out of Holland but all their endeavours vanished into smoak General Monk on the twentieth of July 1654. at a place called Loughberry gave them such a charge as utterly defeated them and made them incapable of ever after thinking of appearing in Arms again Soon after was a Parliament called who no sooner were set but fell upon questioning the power by which they were convocated and doubting of its lawfulness were soon dissolved by the same power which they distrusted The Protector at the dissolution of this short Parliament made a very long speech wherein amongst many other passages he hath this expression This one thing I speak as thus advised and before God as having been to this day of this opinion and this hath been my constant judgement well known to many that hear me speak if this one thing had been inserted that one thing that this Government should have been and placed in my family hereditary I would have rejected it And a little after If this be of humane structure and invention and it be an old plotting and contrivance to bring things to this issue and that they are not the births of providence then they will come to nothing But notwithstanding his speech was candied over with Scripture phrases and great expressions of his zeal for the good government of the Land yet these his actings much discontented the common people whereupon ensued risings in Shropshire Montgomery Nottinghamshire Northumberland and Yorkshire but the most considerable was at Salisbury where Sir Joseph Wagstaff Penruddock and Jones who had formerly been Officers in the late Kings Army having gotten together about 200. armed men entered Salisbury seized on all the Inns and chief Houses and the Assizes being holden there at that time they took away the Judges Commissions and Pattents and all their Horses and so marched away Sir Henry Slingsby and Sir Richard Malleverer assembled some Forces also in Yorkshire but not being seconded according to their expectation they disperst themselves on their own account For these actings were put to death Master Lucas Thorp Kensey Graves and Penruddock Sir Henry Slingsby was taken and imprisoned and afterwards beheaded upon another account as I shall show you in its due place About this time the great head-piece of Europe joyns his Foxes tale to our Lions skin correspondencies are held betwixt the French and us which occasioning some jealousies with some other bitter pills that had before been swallowed but not digested by the Spaniard caused some heart-burnings which soon broke forth into an open War first mannaged by the Generals Pen and Venables who on the 27. of December 1654. with a gallant Fleet set sail from Portsmouth and on the 28. of January following arrived at the Barbadoes where they seized on 18. Holland Merchant men who contrary to the Ordinance of the long Parliament traffiqued in those parts from thence they sailed to Hispaniola arriving near to the port of Sancta Domingo where by the deepness of the sands and heat of the climate being infinitely tired they were by the Spaniards put to flight and enforced to march back again to their Ships from thence they set Sail to the Island of Jamaica which after a little resistance they mastered and have since preserved notwithstanding the Spaniards to regain the same landed there with two or three thousand men but were discomfitted with the loss of all their Cannon and Baggage In the interim General Blake with a considerable Fleet of Ships having cast Anchor before Tunis April 18. 1655. sent unto the Dy of the place demanding satisfaction for some English Ships which the Pyrats of those parts had carryed away and the liberty of the English slaves they had detained but his message and himself was refused with scorn and derision the Turks making this answer Behold our Castles of Galleta and our Castles and Vessels of Porto Ferino do your worst against them and do not think to brave us with the sight of your great Fleet. This answer so exasperated the English Admiral that notwithstanding there were one hundred and twenty Guns planted on the shore and in the Castle against them yet regardless of all danger he set upon their Men of War which lay in Porto Ferino and in less then four ours space burnt all their Ships being in number nine to their very Keels which enforced the King of Tunis to seek to the English for their friendship and restored all the Prisoners for little or nothing These successes were seconded by two other great Victories obtained over the Spaniards at sea the one by General Mountague about nine Leagues from Cadiz where he destroyed six of their ships whereof two were taken two run aground one sunk and another burnt and therein the Marquess of Badex his Wife and Daughter the young Marquess and his Brother with a great deal of wealth being taken and brought into England This Fight being incomparably related by the Laureat of our times I thought fit to insert it not to deprive the Reader of so Elegant a Poem let him wave the Poetical flattery of it as he pleases Upon the present War with Spain and the first Victory obtained at Sea Now for some Ages had the pride of Spain Made the Sun shine on half the World in vain While she bid War to all that durst supply The place of those her Cruelty made dye Of Nature's Bounty men forbear to taste And the best Portion of the Earth lay waste From the New World her Silver and her Gold Came like a Tempest to confound the Old Feeding with these the brib'd Elector's Hopes She made at pleasure Emperors and Popes With these advancing her unjust Designs Europe was shaken with her Indian Mines When our Protector looking with disdain Vpon this gilded Majesty of Spain And knowing well that Empire must decline Whose chief support and sinews are of Coyn Our Nation 's sollid vertue did oppose To the rich Troublers of the World's repose And now some moneths encamping on the main Our Naval Army had besieged Spain They that the whole Worlds Monarchy design'd Are to their Ports by our bold Fleet confin'd From whence our Red Cross they triumphant see Riding without a Rival on the Sea Others may use the Ocean as their road Onely the English make it their abode
the Swede which is still continued the death of the Protectour whose cordial assistance in his late Coppenhagen Affairs he could never have wanted having been a great obstruction to that Kings Affairs About this time the blasphemies of many Sectaries in England were horrible particularly of one James Nailor who under a seeming Sanctity and pretended illuminations vented most horrible blasphemies for which he was cast into Excester Goal yet had this wretched Impostor so bewitched his followers to the committing of strange absurdities that they ascribed to him Divine Honors and gave him in Scripture phrase the same titles which are applicable to none but Christ himself In a Letter of one Richard Fairman to him are these horrid expressions I am fil'd with joy and rejoycing when I behold thee in the eternal unity O my soul is melting within me when I behold thy beauty and innocency dear and precious Son of Zion whose mother is a Virgin and whose Birth is immortal One of his she-Converts writes of him thus All the wise men shall seek for him and when they have found him they shall open their ears and shall give unto him of their Gold Frankincense and Myrrh The same woman in another Letter to him proceeds thus O thou fairest of ten thousand thou only begotten Son of God how my heart panteth after thee O stay me with flaggons and comfort me with wine my well-beloved thou art like a Roe or young Hart upon the Mountains of Spices Then by way of Postscript her Husband Thomas Stranger addes this Thy name is no more to be called James but Jesus Also a Maid named Dorcas Erbury being examined declared James Nailor to be the Holy one of Israel the only Son of God and that she pulled off his stockings put her cloaths under his feet because he is the holy Lord of Israel and that she knew no other Saviour but him affirming moreover that the Spirit of the Lord within her commanded her to call him Lord and Master and to serve him That in Excester Goal he had raised her from the dead after she had been dead two dayes and that he should sit at the right hand of the Father and judge the world Having seduced these silly souls into such damnable opinions and gotten releasement out of Excester Goal he began immediately to play his pranks at divers places in the West particularly at Wells and Glastenbury thorow which Towns he rode on Horseback a man going bare before him some walking afoot on each side of his stirrup and others strewing their garments in the way from thence he took his journey towards Bristol and coming to a Village called Bedminster about a mile from Bristol rid thorow it in the same presumptuous blasphemous manner as he did before at Wells and Glastenbury There accompanied him two men with each a woman behinde on Horseback which alighted when the came to the Suburbs of Bristol and footed it along on each side of Nailors Horse the man still bare-headed leading the Horse and all the way they went they sung Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Israel and then the women led the horse with the reins in their hands up to the high Cross of Bristol and from thence to the Whitehart-Inne in Broad-street by this time the Magistrates hearing of their doings sent for Nailor and his companions who came singing all the way Hosanna and Holy Holy Holy c. The Magistrates of Bristol having examined him sent him up to the Parliament together with the narrative of his actions committed in those parts to receive his sentence which was as followeth That James Nailor be set with his head in the Pillory in the new Palace at Westminster during the space of two hours on Thursday next and shall be whipped by the hangman through the streets from Westminster to the Old Exchange London and there likewise be set in the Pillory for the space of two hours between the hours of eleven and one on Saturday next in each of the said places wearing a paper containing an inscription of his Crimes and that at the Old Exchange his Tongue shall be bored through with a hot iron and that he be there also stigmatized in the forehead with the letter B. and that he be afterwards sent to Bristol and conveyed into and thorow the said City on a horse bare-ridg'd with his face backward and there also publickly whipp'd the next market-day after he comes thither That from thence he be committed to prison in Bridewel London and there restrained from the society of all people and kept to hard labour till he shall be released by Parliament and during that time be debarred the use of pen ink and paper and shall have no relief but what he earns by his daily labour which accordingly was executed upon him December 17. 1656. His flies and familiars were still useful to him for the discovering of more strange designs the revealing of which no question kept many conspiracies from being attempted to which effect there is yet another plot against the Protectors life intended by Miles Sindercomb alias Fish one who had formerly been a Parliament Souldier under the command of Sir John Reynolds together with one Cecil induced thereunto as is said by Don Alonso the late Spanish Ambassador to the effecting their designs they are said to have hired a house at Hammersmith adjoyning by the High-way side to have shot him in his Coach as he passed by but that failing they intended to have shot him in Hide-Park and to that purpose that they filed off the Hinges of the Gates for their better escape and this miscarrying that they intended to have fired White Hall For these offences Sindercomb was arraigned at the Upper Bench Bar in Westminster Hall February 9. 1656. where being found guilty by the Jury he was condemned to be hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburne but before his Execution he was found dead in his bed and several presumptions of a violent death appearing on him it was concluded he poysoned himself Afterwards he was drawn from the Tower unto Tower-hill at a horse tail with his head forward and there under the Scaffold turned into a hole stark naked and a stake spiked and plated with iron driven through him into the earth It is to be observed that whatsoever the vigilancy of the Guard of the Tower was over this Gentleman that he dyed with as fresh a colour as Sir Thomas Overbury is said to have expired with But to return where we left that successful Sea-man General Blake the Protectors indended Drake an honest stout incomparable Sea-man he sailing with his Fleet to Sancta Cruza in the Island of Teneriff in which Port lay sixteen great Spanish Vessels laden with rich Merchandizes from the Indies or stored with provisions and other manufactures to be transported thither He on the 20. of April 1657. set upon them and notwithstanding the Castle and six or seven forts which commanded the
Evidences of the work of Grace by J. Collins of Norwich 18. Jacobs Seed or the excellency of seeking God by prayer by Jer. Burroughs 14. The sum of practical Divinity or the Grounds of Religion in a Catechistical way by Master Christopher Love late Minister of the Gospel a useful Piece 20. Heaven and Earth shaken a Treatise shewing how Kings and Princes and all other Governments are turned and changed by J. Davis Minister in Dover admirably useful and seriously to be considered in these times 21. The Treasure of the Soul wherein we are taught by dying to sin to attain to the perfect love of God 22. A Treatise of Contentation fit for these sad and troublesome times by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 23. Select thoughts or choice helps for a pious spirit beholding the excellency of her Lord Jesus by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 24. The Holy Order or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion to which is added songs in the night or chearfulness under afflictions by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 25. The Celestial Lamp enlightening every distressed soul from the depth of everlasting darkness by T. Fetisplace Admirable and Learned Treatises of Occult Sciences in Philosophy Magick Astrology Geomancy Chymistry Phisiognomy and Chyromancy 26. Magick and Astrology vindicated by H. Warren 27. Lux veritatis Judicial Astrology vindicated and Demonology confuted by W. Ramsey Gent. 28. An Introduction to the Teutonick Philosophy being a determination of the Original of the soul by C. Hotham Fellow of Peter House in Cambridge 29. Cornelius Agrippa his fourth Book of Occult Philosophy or Geomancy Magical Elements of Peter de Abona the nature of spirits made English by R. Turner 30. Paracelsus Occult Philosophy of the Mysteries of Nature and his secret Alchimy 31. An Astrological Discourse with Mathematical Demonstrations proving the influence of the Planets and fixed Stars upon Elementary Bodies by Sir Christ Heyden Knight 32. Merlinus Anglicus Junior the English Merlin revived or a Prediction upon the Affairs of Christendom for the year 1644. by W. Lilly 33. Englands Prophetical Merlin foretelling to all Nations of Europe till 1663. the actions depending upon the Influences of the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter 1642. by W. Lilly 34. The Starry Messenger or an Interpretation of that strange Apparition of three Suns seen in London the 19 of November 1644. being the Birth-day of King Charles by W. Lilly 35. The Worlds Catastrophe or Europes many Mutations until 1666. by W. Lilly 36. An Astrological Prediction of the Occurrences in England part of the Years 1648 1649 1650. by W. Lilly 37. Monarchy or no Monarchy in England the Prophesie of the White King Grebner his Prophesie concerning Charles Son of Charles his Greatness illustrated with several Hieroglyphicks by W. Lilly 38. Annus Tenebrosus or the Dark Year or Astrological Judgements upon two Lunary Eclipses and one admirable Eclipse of the Sun in England 1652. by W. Lilly 39. An easie and familiar way whereby to judge the effects depending on Eclipses by W. Lilly 40. Supernatural Sights and Apparitions seen in London June 30. 1644. by W. Lilly as also all his Works in one Volume 41. Catastrophe Magnatum an Ephemerides for the Year 1652. by N. Culpeper 42. Teratologia or a discovery of Gods Wonders manifested by bloody Rain and Waters by J. S. 43. Chyromancy or the Art of divining by the Lines engraven in the hand of man by dame Nature in 198. Genitures with a learned Discourse of the soul of the World by G. Wharton Esq 44. The admired Piece of Physiognomy and Chyromancy Metoposcopy the Symmetrical Proportions and signal Moles of the Body the Interpretation of Dreams to which is added the Art of Memory illustrated with Figures by R. Sanders folio 45. The no less exquisite then admirable Work Theatrum Chymicum Britannicum containing several Poetical Pieces of our famous English Philosophers who have written the Hermitick Mysteries in their own ancient Language faithfully collected into one Volume with Annotations thereon by the Indefatigable Industry of Elias Ashmole Esq illustrated with Figures Excellent Treatises in the Mathematicks Geometry of Arithmetick Surveying and other Arts or Mechanicks 46. The incomparable Treatise of Tactometria seu Tetagmenometria or the Geometry of Regulars practically proposed after a new and most expeditious manner together with the Naural or Vulgar by way of Mensural comparison and in the Solids not onely in respect of Magnitude or Demension but also of Gravity or Ponderosity according to any Metal assigned together with useful experiments of Measures and Weights observations on gauging useful for those that are practiced in the Art Metricald by T. Wybard 47. Tectonicon shewing the exact measuring of all manner of Land Squares Timber Stones Steeples Pillars Globes as also the making and use of the Carpenters Rule c. fit to be known by all Surveyors Land-meters Joyners Carpenters and Masons by L. Diggs 48. The unparalel'd Work for ease and expedition entituled The Exact Surveyor or the whole Art of Surveying of Land shewing how to plot all manner of Grounds whether small Inclosures Champian Plain Wood-lands or Mountains by the plain Table as also how to finde the Area or Content of any Land to Protect Reduce or Divide the same as also to take the Plot or Chart to make a Map of any Mannor whether according to Rathburne or any other eminent Surveyors Method a Book excellently useful for those that sell purchase or are otherwise employed about Buildings by J. Eyre 49. The Golden Treatise of Arithmetick Natural and Artificial or Decimals the Theory and Practice united in a simpathetical Proportion betwixt Lines and Numbers in their Quantities and Qualities as in respect of Form Figure Magnitude and Affection demonstrated by Geometry illustrated by Calculations and confirmed with variety of Examples in every Species made compendious and easie for Merchants Citizens Seamen Accomptants c. by Th. Wilsford Corrrector of the last Edition of Record 50. Semigraphy or the Art of Short-writing as it hath been proved by many hundreds in the City of London and other places by them practised and acknowledged to be the easiest exactest and swiftest Method the meanest capacity by the help of this Book with a few hours practice may attain to a perfection in this Art by J. Rich Authour and Teacher thereof dwelling in Swithins-Lane in London 51. Milk for Children a plain and easie Method teaching to read and write useful for Schols and Families by J. Thomas D. D. 52. The Painting of the Ancients the History of the beginning progress and consummating of the practice of that noble Art of Painting by F. Junius Excellent and approved Treatises in Physick Chyrurgery and other more familiar Experiments in Cookery Preserving c. 53. Culpeper's Semiatica Vranica his Astrological Judgement of Diseases from the decumbiture of the sick much enlarged the way and manner of finding out the cause change and end of the Disease also whether the sick be likely to