For this is credible to be supposed that the saide wicked Gardiner of VVinchester had long laboured his wits and to this onelie most principall marke bent all his deuises to bring this our happie and deere Soueraigne out of the waie as both by his wordes and dailie dooinges sufficientlie appeared But such was the gratious and fauourable prouidence of the Lord to the preseruation not onelie of her Royall Maiestie but also the miserable and wofull state of this whole Iland and poore Subiects of the same whereby the proude platformes and peeuishe practises of this wretched Achitophell preuailed not but contrarywise both he and all the snares and trappes of his pernitious councell laide against an other were turned to a nette to catch himselfe according to the Prouerbe Malum consilium consultori pessimum After the death of this Gardiner followed the death also and dropping awaie of other her enimies wherby by little and little her ieopardie decreased feare deminished hope of comfort beganne to appeare as out of a darke clowde And albeit her Grace as yet had no full assuraunce of perfect safetie yet more gentle entertainement did dailie growe vnto her tyll at length to the moneth of Nouember seuentéene day of the same thrée yéeres after the death of Stephen Gardiner followed the death of Quéene Marie After whose deceasse succeeded her foresaide Sister Lady Elizabeth into her right of the Crowne of England who after so long restraintment so great daungers escaped such blustering storms ouerblowne so many iniuries digested and wrongs susteined by the mightie protection of our mercifull God to our no small comfort and commoditie hath beene exalted and erected out of thrall to libertie out of daunger to peace and quietnesse from dread to dignitie from miserie to Maiestie from mourning to ruling breefelie of a prisoner made a Princesse and placed in her throne Royall proclaimed now Queene with as many glad heartes of her Subiectes as euer was any King or Queene in this Realme before her or euer shall be I dare saye heereafter the Lord long holde his hand ouer her and send her to rule many and happy yeeres I beseech him Amen In this pittifull and rufull Historie thou hast O England three especiall thinges to consider First the hardnesse of the time then being and the vnmercifulnesse of those mens hearts who prepared all their deuillishe pollicies and inuented a world of wyles and deceites whereby they might gaine oportunitie to destroy this woorthy and famous Lady whose innocencie could not appease their blood thirstinesse nor whose vertues could not asswage their cruell dealing but euen as the wicked Iewes cried death against our Sauiour euen so these vnnaturall men did their vttermost against this Noble Lady Secondlie thou art to note her woonderfull patience her assured trust in God who neuer fayled her and euen when death was most of all threatned to her and that many occasions was giuen for her to doubt the same her patience was not any iote the more mooued but being confident in God to whom she referred the state of her innocencie and extremitie of their rigorous intentes she passed through all those agonies with a cheerefull and vndaunted heart and their practises to feare her was not so horrible but her patience in suffering was as admirable Thirdlie thou must remember the ready working hand of God for her in all her daungers how gratiouslie he preuented their deuises and had such an especiall care ouer his Daughter as no extremitie whatsoeuer could preuaile against her For which exceeding loue towardes thee how highlie thou art bound to his heauenlie Maiestie the manifold happy blessinges thou hast and doost receiue by her can sufficientlie tell thee But as I haue heeretofore giuen thee to vnderstand the punishment of Treason and tretcherous practises in the raignes of the Kinges before passed so likewise I must craue leaue a little to speake of such matters as hath happened since the raigne of our Soueraigne Lady and Quéene and then will we procéede on with the rest of our intent ¶ Since the raigne of our most gratious and Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth THe fourth and fift day of Ianuarie did suffer at Durham to the number of thrée score and six Constables and other who were pertakers in the rebellion in the North with the Lordes of Westmerland and Northumberland amongst whome an Alderman of the Towne and a Priest called Plometree were the most notable Then Sir George Bowes Marshall finding many to be faultors in the foresaide rebellion did sée them executed in euerie markette Towne and other places betwixt Newcastell and Wetherbie about thrée score miles in length and fortie miles in breadth On good Fridaie the seuen and twentie daie of March Simon Digbie of Askew Iohn Fulthorp of Isilbecke in the Countie of Yorke Esquiers Robert Peneman of Stokesley Thomas Bishoppe the younger of Poklinton in the same Countie of Yorke Gentlemen were drawne from the Castell of Yorke to the place of execution called Knaues-myre halfe a mile without the Cittie of Yorke and there hanged headed and quartered their foure heads were set on the foure principall gates of the Cittie with foure of their quarters the other quarters were set in diuers places of the Countrie Oscolph Clesbe was with them drawne to the gallowes and returned againe to the Castell One Hillyard the Earle of Northumberlands man and a vagraunt person named William Godswher were taken among the other rebelles and were brought to Bervvicke where they were executed the foure and twentie day of Maie The seuen and twentie day of Maie Thomas Norton and Christopher Norton of Yorkeshiere being both condemned of high treason for the late rebellion in the North were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there hanged headed and quartered A conspiracie was made by certaine Gentlemen and other in the Countie of Norfolke whose purpose was on Midsommer day at Harlestone Fayre with sound of Trūpet and Drum to haue raysed a number and then to proclaime their deuillishe pretence against Straungers and other This matter was vttered by Thomas Kete one of the conspiracie vnto Iohn Kensey who foorthwith sent the same Kete with a Constable to the next Iustice before whome and other Iustices he opened the whole matter Whereupon Maister Dreugh Drewrie immediatlie apprehended Iohn Throckmorton and after him many Gentlemen of the Cittie of Norwich and the Countie of Norfolke who were all committed to prison And at the next Sessions of Gaole deliuerie at the Castell of Norwich the seuentéene of Iulie before Sir Robert Catlin Knight Lord cheefe Iustice Maister Gilbert Gerrard the Queenes Attourney generall and other Iustices ten of them were endighted of high Treason and some others of contempt diuers of them were condemned and had iudgement the one and twentie of August and afterward thrée of them were hanged bowelled and quartered which were Iohn Throckmorton of
executed 1551. A Millers sonne fayning himselfe to be King Edward executed 1556. Foure Rebelles executed at Saint Edmundsburie 1557. The blessed protection of almighty God in preseruing the Lady Elizabeth in her manifold daungers and troubles The troubles of Lady Elizabeth in Queene Maries tyme. The historie of Lady Elizabeth Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastinges and Sir Thomas Cornwalles sent to fetch vp Lady Elizabeth The vnmannerlinesse of the Knights A straite Commission from the Queen to bring the Lady Elizabeth either quick or dead The gentlenesse of Queene Marie to send her horse Lytter to bring her Sister to trouble Lady Elizabeth taketh her iourney toward the Queene Lady Elizabeth brought vp to London Sir William Sentlowe cōmitted to the Tower Lady Elizabeth charged with Sir Thomas Wiats conspiracie Lady Elizabeth charged with the busines of Sir Peter Carew Lady Elizabeth threatned to goe to the Tower Lady Elizabeth purgeth her selfe to the Lordes Lady Elizabeths seruaunts remooued from her The Queenes men and women attendaunt vppon the Lady Elizabeth The hard dealing of a certaine Lord with the Lady Elizabeth The Earle of Sussex gentle to the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth writeth to the Queene but it would not serue Lady Elizabeth sent to the Tower The wordes of Lady Elizabeth entring the Tower The christian prayer of Lady Elizabeth The Lord of Sussex speaketh for Lady Elizabeth The Bishop of Winchester enimie to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth examined by the Bishop of Winchester The freendlie speech of the Earle of Arundel to Lady Elizabeth Sir Iames Acroft examined touching the Lady Elizabeth These were not the Officers of the Tower but such as went in white greene Lady Elizabeths seruaunts restrained from bringing her diet to the Tower Displeasure betweene the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lady Elizabeths men Lady Elizabeths wayting men in the Tower Variaunce betweene the Lord Chamberlaine Lady Elizabeths seruaunts Lady Elizabeth denied the lybertie of the Tower Lybertie graunted to Lady Elizabeth to walke in a garden Suspicious heads A young childe examined for bringing flowers to Lady Elizabeth The Constable of the Tower discharged of his Office and Sir Henrie Benifield with his cōpany placed about the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth both in great feare and doubt of her lyfe Lady Elizabeth in doubt of Sir Henry Benifield Lady Elizabeths prayer Lady Elizabeth remooueth from the Tower to Woodstocke Lady Elizabeth secluded from her seruaunts Lady Elizabeth in dispayre of her selfe Lady Elizabeths Vsher talketh with the Lord of Tame The gentle heart of the Lord of Tame to Lady Elizabeth Tanquam ouis Like a sheepe to to the slaughter Lady Elizabeth honourablie receiued and beloued of the people The gentle entertainement of Lady Elizabeth at the Lord of Tames house Sir Henrie Benifield grudged at the gentle entertainement of Lady Elizabeth The rude and vngentle behauiour of Sir Henrie Benifield Lady Elizabeth commeth to Woodstocke The strait watch kept at Woodstocke A merie storie concerning the straite keeping of the Lady Elizabeth The straitnesse of Sir Henrie Benifield merily noted Lady Elizabeth with much adoo suffered to write to the Queene The cruell dealing of Sir Henrie Benifield to the Lady Elizabeth reproued The Letters of Lady Elizabeth carried to the Queene Doctor Owen Doctor Wendie Queene Maries Phisitions sent to Lady Elizabeth The popish Prelates repined against the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth requested to submit her selfe to the Queene Councell of the Papists to marie the Lady Elizabeth to a Spaniard Wicked councell giuen against Lady Elizabeth Spaniardes more fauourable to Lady Elizabeth then some English men Lady Elizabeth in daunger of fyre Lady Elizabeth in daunger of kylling An other conspiracie of murder against Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth preserued by the Lordes prouidence from execution in the Tower Winchesters platforme ouerthrowne Verses written by Lady Elizabeth in the glasse windowe Lady Elizabeth not suffered to come to the Lord of Tames house Lady Elizabeth wisheth her selfe to be a Milke maide The Lord William Haward gentle and fauourable to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth requested by Winchester to submit her selfe to the Queenes mercie Lady Elizabeth standeth to be tryed by the lawe Talke againe betweene Winchester and Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth denieth to confesse any fault doone to the Queene Lady Elizabeth sent for to the Queene Lady Elizabeth brought to the Queenes bed Chamber Talke betweene the Queene and Lady Elizabeth Small comfort at the Queens hand toward her Sister King Phillip thought to be a freend to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth by Gods prouidence set at lybertie Sir Henrie Benifield discharged Mistresse Ashley sent to the Fleet. Three gentlewomen of Lady Elizabeths sent to the Tower Note the wonderfull working of the Lordes prouidence in sauing of Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth delyuered by the death of Stephen Gardiner How the Lord heere beganne to worke for Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth proclaymed Queene the same day that Queene Marie died The Lord make England thankefull to him for his great benefites Consideration of the hardnesse of the time then and the cruell dealing against Lady Elizabeth Consideration of the wonderfull patience of Lady Elizabeth Consideration of the present helpe of God at all times to Lady Elizabeth Rebelles executed at Durham 1570. Rebelles executed at Yorke Rebelles executed at Berwicke The Nortons executed Conspiracie in Norfolke Iohn Felton executed in Paules Churchyard in London 1571. Doctour Storie executed at Tyborne 1572. Kenelme Barney Edward Mather and Henry Rolfe executed for treason The Duke of Norfolke condemned for high treason and beheaded on the Tower hyll The Earle of Northumberland beheaded at Yorke for high treason Iohn Hall and Oswald Wilkinson executed 1573. Thomas Woodhouse executed 1574. Cuthbert Mayne executed 1577. Iohn Nelson executed Thomas Sherwood executed 1578. William Lacie Kirkman executed at Yorke Euerard Haunse executed Edmund Campion Ralphe Sherwin and Alexander Briant executed 1581. Thomas Foord Iohn Shert and Robert Iohnson executed Luke Kirbie William Filbie Thomas Cottā and Lauraunce Richardson 1582. Iohn Slade and Iohn Body executed Edward Arden executed in Smithfield 1583. William Carter executed Haddock Fenne Hemerfoord Nutter and Mūden executed Frances Throckmorton executed 1584. God sharply scourgeth al traitours who practise any euyll against their Prince England hath beene greatly endaungered by traiterous practises The cause of an euyll cut off the effect can take no place No greater enimies to the safetie of England then Papists The common speech of Traytours at theyr death It is the duety of euerie good subiect to haue a speciall care of the safety of his Prince The first conclusion of such as hold al the Popes doctrine to be true The second conclusion of such as expect theyr Golden day The third conclusion of such as would ouerthrow theys Countrey for theyr Idolatrous Religion The fourth conclusion of such as can not be wun to loue her Maiestie The fift conclusion of the property of papistry The sixt conclusion of such Papistes as
haue come vnto vs the more boldlie And when we had prouided our selues of a sufficient multitude we would haue suddenlie put to death in euerie Countrie the Lordes and Maisters of the common people in whome might appeare to be eyther councell or resistaunce against vs. And speciallie we would haue kylled the Knightes of Saint Iohns lastlie we would haue kylled the King himselfe and all men that had béene of any possession Bishoppes Monkes Chanons Parsons to be bréefe we would haue dispatched all such onelie begging Friers should haue liued that might haue suffised for ministring the Sacraments through the whole Realme And we would haue made Kings at our pleasure as Wat Tiler in Kent and in euerie Shiere one but because this our purpose was hindred by the Archbishoppe we studied how we might shortlie bring him to his ende Against the same daye that Watte Tyler was kylled we purposed that euening because the poore people of London séemed to fauour vs to sette fire in foure corners of the Cittie so to haue burnt it and to haue deuided the ritches at our pleasure amongst vs. He added that these thinges they purposed to haue doone as God should helpe him at the ende of his life After this his confession he was beheaded and his head set on London Bridge by Watte Tylers and many other When these Rebelles burned the Sauoy one of them tooke a goodlie Siluer péece and hid it in his bosome but an other had spied him and tolde his fellowes who hurled him and the péece of Plate together into the fire Two and thirtie of them entring the Seller of the Sauoy drunke so much of swéete wines that they were not able to come out againe but were shutte in with wood and stones that mured vp the doore they called and cried seuen dayes after and were heard of many but none came to helpe them so they died there After a number had sacked the new Temple what with labour and excéeding drinking of white Wine they laye downe vnder the walles and houses and were slaine lyke Swine hatred and contention so arose amongst them as they cruellie murdered one an other and others also made quicke dispatch of them thus the iust iudgement of GOD brought the Traytors to their deserued end Iohn Ball Priest who encouraged these traytors in their rebellion was brought to Saint Albones and there before the King was hanged and quartered he would not aske the King forgiuenesse as all traytors doo the like but vtterlie despised him The principall leaders of the Commons in rebellion were Wat Tyler Iack Strawe Iohn Kirkbie Allen Threder Thomas Scot and Ralphe Rugge these with other were leaders of the Kentishe and Essex men At Mildenhall and Burie in Suffolke was Robert Westbrome that made himselfe King and was most famous after Iohn Wraw who being Priest would not set crowne vpon crowne but left the name and crowne to the saide Robert At Norvvich Iohn Leicester a Dyer exercised the name and power of a King tyll he was taken and hanged for his paines and so were most of them in many places Iohn Wraw who was leader of them that rose at Mildenhall and Burie was drawne and hanged though many thought he should haue béene redéemed with money In the raigne of King Henry the fourth KIng Henrie the fourth enioying the Crowne of England and kéeping his Christmasse in his Castell at Windsore Iohn Holland late Duke of Excester and Earle of Huntington Thomas late Duke of Surrie and Earle of Kent Edward late Duke of Aumerle and Earle of Rutland sonne to the Duke of Yorke Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisburie Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester Sir Ralphe Lumley Sir Thomas Blunt Sir Benedic Cely Knights with other that ioyned with them conspired against King Henrie and appointed priuilie to murder him vnder the couller of Iusting and other Pastimes pretended But the King vnderstanding of theyr pretence by the Mayor of London left VVindsore and came in his company to London so that they missed of him when they came to VVindsore where they entred the Castell with foure hundred men When they sawe how they were deceyued they came to Sunning where the Quéen that was wife to King Richard deposed lay where they perswaded the houshold that King Richard who before was deposed from his aucthoritie and kept prisoner in Pomfret Castel was as then escaped out of prison and they would goe to him From thence they went to Wallingford afterward to Abington warning the people to take Armes vppon them and to goe méete their olde King Richard Then they came to Circester where they bruted that King Richard was in company with them and to make their words of the better credite they had gotten a Chaplaine of King Richards called Madeleine so like him in all proportion and fauour as the one could hardlie he knowne from the other This Chaplaine they had put in Armour with a Crowne on his Helmette that all men might take him for King Richard but the people of the Towne remembring their duetie to their Prince mislyked of their procéedings wherevpon they fought against them and at length tooke the chéefest of them and led them to the Abbay there where they put them in a fayre chamber vnder safe custodie Then the Lordes séeing the people so vehement in duetie to their King stoode in great feare and imagined by what meanes they might escape foorth of their handes so they caused some of their seruauntes to set fire on certaine houses in the Towne thinking the people would haue such regard to slake the fire as they would be glad to forsake them but it chaunced farre contrarie for the people then increased more and more in rage against them and drew them by violence into the Market place where they beheaded the Duke of Excester and the Earle of Salisburie and six and twentie of their attendants were led to Oxforde where they were beheaded in the Castell also Sir Thomas Blunt Knight was beheaded with them The wéeke next following Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester was beheaded at Bristowe and at the same tyme Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington and brother to King Richard on the Mothers side was beheaded at Plashie in Essex and at London was beheaded Sir Barnard Brocas Iohn Madeleine the Priest that was so like King Richard and an other Priest called VVilliam Feribe and thus the traytors sped for rebelling against their King There was found in the Kinges bedde cloathes an yron with thrée sharpe pikes slender and round standing vpright layde there by some traytour that when the King should haue layde him downe he might haue thrust himselfe vppon them but by Gods assistaunce he escaped that trayterous deuise A Priest of VVarwicke who conspired against King Henrie was drawne hanged and quartered Also VValter VValdocke Priour of Laude in Leicester sheyre for trayterous spéeches against the King was hanged and headed Moreouer one Richard Friseby
found with the Almightie who when all helpe of man and hope of recouerie was past stretched out his mightie protection and preserued her Highnes and placed her in this Princelie seate of rest and quietnesse wherin now she sitteth and long may she sit the Lord of his glorious mercie graunt we beséech him In which storie if I should set foorth at large and at full all the particulers and circumstaunces therevnto belonging and as iust occasion of the historie requireth besides the importunate length of the storie discoursed peraduenture it might mooue offence to some being yet aliue and trueth might gette me hatred Yet notwithstanding I intend by the grace of Christe therein to vse such breuitie and moderation as both may be to the glorie of God the discharge of the storie the profite of the Reader and hurt to none suppressing the names of some whome héere although I could receite yet I thought not to be more cruell in hurting their name then the Quéene hath béene mercifull in pardoning their liues Therefore now to enter into the discourse of this tragicall matter first héere is to be noted that Quéene Marie when she was first Quéen before she was crowned would goe no whether but would haue her by the hand and send for her to dinner and supper but after she was crowned she neuer dined nor supped with her but kept her aloofe from her c. After this it happened immediatly vpon the rising of Sir Thomas Wiat that the Ladie Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were charged with false suspition of Sir Thomas Wiats rising Wherevpon Quéene Marie whether for that surmise or for what other cause I knowe not being offended with the Ladie Elizabeth her Sister at that time lying in her house at Ashridge the next daye after the rising of Wiat sent to her thrée of her Counsaylours to wit Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastings then Maister of the Horse and Sir Thomas Cornewalles with their retinue and troupe of Horsemen to the number of two hundred and fiftie Who at their suddaine and vnprouided comming found her at the same time sore sicke in her bedde and verie weake féeble of body Whether when they came ascending vp to her Graces priuie Chamber they willed one of her Ladies whome they met to declare vnto her Grace that there were certaine come from the Court which had a message from the Quéene Her Grace hauing knowledge thereof was right glad of their comming howbeit being then verie sicke and the night farre spent which was at ten of the clock she requested them by the messenger that they would resort thither in the morning To this they aunswered and by the same messenger sent word againe that they must néedes sée her would so doo in what case so euer she were Wherat the Lady being agast went to shew her Grace their wordes but they hastilie following her came rushing as soone as she into her Graces chamber vnbidden At whose so sudden comming into her chamber her Grace being not a litle amazed saide vnto them Is the haste such that it might not haue pleased you to come to morrowe in the morning They made answer that they were right sorie to sée her in that case And I quoth she am not glad to sée you héere at this time of the night Whervnto they answered that they came from the Quéene to doo their message duety which was to this effect that the Quéenes pleasure was that she should be at London the seuenth day of that present month Wherevnto she saide Certes no creature more glad then I to come to her Maiestie being right sorie that I am not in case at this time to waite on her as you your selues doo sée and can well testifie In déed we sée it true quoth they that you doo say for which we are verie sorie Albeit we let you vnderstand that our Commission is such and so strayneth vs that we must néedes bring you with vs either quicke or dead Whereat she being amazed sorrowfullie saide that their Commission was verie sore but yet notwithstanding she hoped it to be otherwise not so straite Yes verelie said they Whervpon they called for two Phisitions Doctor Owen and Doctor Wendie and demaūded of them whether she might be remooued from thence with life or no. Whose aunswer and iudgement was that there was no impediment to their iudgement to the contrarie but that she might trauaile without daunger of life In conclusion they willed her to prepare against the morning at nine of the clocke to goe with them declaring that they had brought with them the Quéenes Litter for her After much talke the messengers declaring how there was no prolonging of times and daies so departed to their Chamber being entertained and chéered as appertained to their worshippes On the next morrowe at the time prescribed they had her foorth as she was verie faint and féeble and in such case that she was ready to swound thrée or foure times betwéene them What should I speake héere that cannot well be expressed What an heauie house there was to behold the vnreuerent and dolefull dealing of these men but especially the carefull feare and captiuity of their innocent Ladie and Mistresse Now to procéede in her iourney from Ashridge all sicke in a Litter she came to Redborne where she was garded all night From thence to S. Albones to Sir Ralphe Rowlets house where she taried that night both féeble in body and comfortles in minde From that place they passed to Maister Doddes house at Mymmes where also they remained that night and so from thence she came to Highgate where she being verie sicke taried that night and the next day During which time of her abode there came many Pursuiuants Messengers from the Court but for what purpose I cannot tell From that place she was conueied to the Court where by the way came to méete her many Gentlemen to accompany her Highnesse which were verie sorie to sée her in that case but especiallie a great multitude of people there were standing by the way who then flocking about her Litter lamented and bewailed greatlie her estate Now when she came to the Court her Grace was there straite waies shut vp and kept as close prisoner a fortnight which was till Palme Sundaie séeing neither King nor Quéene nor Lord nor fréend all that time but onelie then the Lord Chamberlaine Sir Iohn Gage the Uicechamberlaine who were attendaunt vnto the doores About which time Sir William Sentlowe was called before the Councel to whose charge was laide that he knew of Wiats rebellion Which he stoutlie denied protesting that he was a true man both to God and his Prince defying all Traitours and Rebelles but being straitly examined he was in conclusion committed to the Tower The Friday before Palme Sunday the Bishoppe of Winchester with ninetéene other of the Councel who shall be héere namelesse
Unckle would let me haue my life yet though I loose my kingdome Then he that tolde him the tale vsed him with good wordes and put him in the best comfort he could But foorthwith was the Prince and his Brother both shut vp and all other remooued from them onelie one Blacke Will or Willam Slaughter excepted who was set to serue them and sée them sure After which time the Prince neuer tied his pointes nor did any thing of himself but with the young babe his Brother lingred in thought and heauines till this traiterous death deliuered them out of that wretched estate For Sir Iames Tirrell deuised that they should be murdered in their beds to the execution whereof he appointed Myles Forrest one of the foure that kept them a fellowe fleshed in murder before time and to him he ioyned Iohn Dighton his owne horse-kéeper a big broad square strong knaue Then all the other being remooued from them this Myles Forrest and Iohn Dighton about midnight the sielie Children lying in their beddes came into the Chamber and suddenlie lapped them vp amongst the cloathes and they had so bewrapped them and intangled them kéeping downe by force the fetherbed and pillowes harde vnto their mouthes that within a while smoothered and stifled their breath failing them they gaue vp to God their innocent soules into the ioies of Heauen leauing to the tormentors their bodies dead in the bedde Which after that the cruell wretches perceiued first by strugling with the paines of death and after long lying still to be throughlie dead they laide their bodies naked vpon the bedde and fetched Sir Iames to sée them who vpon the sight of them caused those murderers to burie them at the staire foote méetlie déepe in the ground vnder a great heape of stones Then rode Sir Iames in great haste to King Richard and shewed him all the manner of the murder who gaue him great thankes and as some say there made him Knight but he allowed not their burying in so vile a corner saying that he would haue them buried in a better place because they were a Kinges sonnes Upon this as it is reported a Priest belonging to Sir Robert Brakenburie tooke vp the bodies againe and secretlie enterred them in such a place as by the occasion of his death who onelie knew it could neuer since come to light Uerie troth it is and well knowne that at such time as Sir Iames Tirrell was in the Tower for treason committed against the most famous Prince King Henrie the seuenth both Dighton and he were examined and they confessed the murder in manner aboue written but whether the bodies were remooued they could nothing tell And thus were these two noble Princes these innocent tender children borne of a most royall blood brought vp in great wealth likelie long to liue reigne and rule in the Realme shortlie shut vp in prison and priuilie thus murdered their bodies cast God knowes where by the cruell ambition of their vnnaturall Unckle and his despightfull tormentors Which thinges on euerie part well pondered God neuer gaue this Realme a more notable example neither in what vncertainty standeth this worldlie weale or what mischéefe worketh the proude enterprises of an high heart or finallie what wretched end ensueth such vnnaturall crueltie For first to begin with the bloody actors of this murder Myles Forrest at saint Martins péece-meale rotted away Dighton yet walketh as are mine Authors wordes at that time in good possibilitie to be hanged ere he die Sir Iames Tirrell died at the Tower Hill being beheaded for treason King Richard himselfe was afterward slaine in the féeld hacked and hewed at his enimies handes harried on horsebacke dead his heaire in despight torne and tugged like a curre Dogge In his life time by credible report of such as were secrete with his Chamberlaine after this abhominable déede was doone he neuer was quiet in his minde he neuer thought himselfe sure where he went abroade he still priuilie looked about him his body was secretly fenced his hand euer vpon his Dagger his countenaunce and manners like one alwaies ready to strike againe sore wearied with care and watch he rather slumbred then slept troubled with fearful dreames suddenlie sometime he sterted vp leapt out of his bed and ran about the Chamber so was his restlesse heart continuallie tossed and tumbled with the tedious impression and stormie remembraunce of his abhominable déede A notable example doublesse to all such as take like enterprise in hand that cannot be contented to liue within compasse of duetie but their aspiring thoughts must stretch furder then either their habillitie will serue them or God suffer them The seate of a Prince is a place of great Maiesty and none but such as GOD hath appointed can containe themselues in that Royall roome then if they wilfullie couet that place for which both reason and duetie sayth they are farre vnfit such is the iustice of him by whome Kinges rule and Princes swaie their Soueraigntie as the pleasure they thought to haue in that high Office is a verie dagger to their hearts and such an eating woorme to their consciences as by this example before you maye plainlie perceiue Let Princes therefore be honoured and feared as they ought and let Subiectes liue in true and faithfull obedience to them because it is a chéefe and an especiall article of their duetie In the raigne of King Henrie the seuenth ON the two and twentith day of Februarie were arraigned in the Guild Hall of London foure persons to wit Thomas Bagnall Iohn Scot Iohn Heth and Iohn Kennington who were Sanctuarie men of Saint Martins le Graund in London and latelie before were taken out of the saide Sanctuarie for forging of seditious Billes to the slaunder of the King some of his Councel for which thrée of them were adiudged to die so on the fiue and twentie day of Februarie the saide thrée persons with a Flemming and a Yeoman of the Crowne were all fiue executed at Tiborne Pierce or Perkin Werbecke a Flemming borne by the councell of Margaret Dutches of Burgoigne named himselfe Richard of Yorke King Edwardes second Sonne he and his company arriued at Deale in Kent where when they perceiued they could haue no comfort of the Countrie in their rebellion they withdrewe themselues to their Ships againe But the Mayor of Sandwich encountred with them and tooke aliue of them one hundred thrée score and nine persons among the which were fiue Captaines Mountford Corbette Whitbelt Quintine and Gemine And on the twelfth of Iulie Iohn Peche Esquier and Sherife of Kent brought vnto London Bridge these hundred thrée score and nine personnes where the Sherifes of London receiued them and conueied them in Cartes and long ropes to the Tower of London and to Newgate Not long after a hundred and fiftie of them were hanged in Kent Essox Sussex and Norfolke the residue were executed
her Graces waiting seruaunts and so warded them both in and out At the saide sute of her Officers were sent by the commaundement of the Councell to waite vppon her Grace two Yeomen of her Chamber one of her Robes two of her Pantrie and Ewrie one of her Buttry an other of her Seller two of her Kitchin and one of her Larder all which continued with her the time of her trouble Heere the Constable being at the first not verie well pleased with the comming in of such a company against his will would haue had his men to haue serued still with her Graces men which her seruaunts at no hand would suffer desiring his Lordship to be contented for that order was taken that no stranger should come within their Offices At which aunswer being sore displeased he brake out into these threatning words Well saide he I wil handle ye well enough Then went he into the Kitchin and there would néedes haue his meat rosted with her Graces meat and saide that his Cooke should come thither and dresse it To that her Graces Cooke aunswered My Lord I will neuer suffer any straunger to come about her diet but her owne sworne men so long as I liue He saide they should But the Cooke saide his Lordshippe should pardon him for that matter Thus did he trouble her poore seruaunts very stoutlie though afterwardes he were otherwise aduised they more courteouslie vsed at his hands And good cause why for he had good chéere fared of the best her Grace paid wel for it wherfore he vsed himselfe afterward more reuerentlie toward her Grace After this sort hauing béen a whole moneth there in close prison and being verie euill at ease therewithall she sent for the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lord Shandoyes to come speake with her Who comming she requested of them that she might haue libertie to walke in some place for that she felt her selfe not well To the which they aunswered that they were right sory that they could not satisfie her Graces request for that they had commaundement to the contrarie which they durst not in any wise breake Furthermore she desired of them if that could not be graunted that she might walke but into the Quéenes lodging No nor yet that they aunswered could by any meanes be obtained without a furder sute to the Quéene and her Councell Well saide she my Lordes if the matter be so hard that they must be sued vnto for so small a thing and that fréendshippe be so straite God comfort me and so they departed she remaining in her olde dungeon still without any kinde of comfort but onelie God The next day after the Lord Shandoyes came againe vnto her Grace declaring vnto her that he had sued vnto the Councell for furder libertie Some of them consented thervnto diuers other dissented for that there were so many prisoners in the Tower But in conclusion they did all agrée that her Grace might walke into those lodginges so that he the Lord Chamberlaine and thrée of the Quéenes gentlewomen did accompany her the windowes being shutte and she not suffred to looke out at any of them wherewith she contented her selfe and gaue him thankes for his good will in that behalfe Afterwardes there was libertie graunted to her Grace to walke in a little garden the doores and gates being shutte vp which notwithstanding was as much discomfort vnto her as the walke in the garden was pleasant and acceptable At which times of her walking there the prisoners on that side were straightlie commaunded not to speake or looke out at the windowes into the garden till her Grace were gone out againe hauing in consideration therof their kéepers waiting vppon them for that time Thus her Grace with this small libertie contented her selfe in God to whome be praise therefore During this time there vsed a little boie a mans childe in the Tower to resort to their chambers and many times to bring her Grace flowers which likewise he did to the other prisoners that were there Wherevpon naughtie and suspicious heads thinking to make wring out some matter thereof called on a time the childe vnto them promising him Figges and Apples and asking of him when he had béene with the Earle of Deuonshiere not ignorant of the childes wunted frequenting vnto him The boye aunswered that he would goe by and by thether Further they demaunded of him when he was with the Lady Elizabethes Grace He aunswered euerie day Furthermore they demaunded of him What the Lord of Deuonshiere sent by him to her Grace The childe said I will goe know what he will giue me to carrie to her Such was the discretion of the child being yet but foure yéeres of age This same is a craftie boie quoth the Lord Chamberlaine How say you my Lord Shandoyes I praie you my Lord quoth the boie giue me the Figges you promised me No marie quoth he thou shalt be wipped if thou come any more to the Lady Elizabeth or to the Lord Courtney The boie aunswered I will bring my Lady my Mistresse more flowers Whervpon the childes father was commaunded to permitte the boie no more to come vp into their chambers The next day as her Grace was walking in the garden the childe péeping in at a little hole in the doore cried vnto her saying Mistresse I can bring you no more flowers Whereat she smiled but saide nothing vnderstanding thereby what they had doone Wherefore afterwards the L. Chamberlaine rebuked highlie his Father cōmaunding him to put him out of the house Alas poore Infaunt quoth the Father It is a craftie knaue quoth the Lord Chamberlaine but let me sée him héere no more The fift day of Maie the Constable was discharged of his Office of the Tower and one Sir Henrie Benifield placed in his roome a man vnknowne to her Grace and therefore the more feared which so sudden mutation was vnto her no little amaze He brought with him an hundred Soldiours in blew coates wherewith she was meruailouslie discomforted and demaunded of such as were about her whether the Ladie Ianes Scaffold were taken away or no fearing by reason of their comming least she should haue plaied her part To whome aunswere was made that the Scaffold was taken away and that her Grace néeded not to doubt of any such tirannie for God would not suffer any such treason against her person Wherewith being contented but not altogether satisfied she asked what Sir Henrie Benifield was And whether he were of the conscience or no that if her murdering were secretlie committed to his charge he would sée the execution thereof She was aunswered that they were ignorant what manner of man he was howbeit they perswaded her that God would not suffer such wickednesse to procéede Well quoth she God graunt it be so for thou O God canst mollifie all such tirannous hearts and disappoint all such cruell purposes And I
her to the number of thrée score much to all their comfortes who had not séene her Grace of long season before notwithstanding they were commaunded in the Quéenes name immediatlie to depart the Towne to both their and her Graces no little heauines who could not be suffered once to speake with them So that night all her men were taken from her sauing her gentleman Usher three gentlewomen two Groomes and one of her Wardroppe the Soldiours watching and warding round about the house and she close shut vp within her prison The next day following her Grace entred Hampton Court on the backe side into the Princes lodging the doores being shut to her and she garded with Soldiours as before lay there a fortnight at the least or euer any had recourse vnto her At length came the Lord William Haward who meruailous honourablie vsed her Grace whereat she tooke much comfort and requested him to be a meane that she might speake with some of the Councell To whome not long after came the Bishop of vvinchester the Lord of Arundell the Lord of Shrewesburie and Secretarie Peter who with great humilitie humbled themselues to her Grace She againe likewise saluting them said My Lords quoth she I am glad to sée you for me thinkes I haue béen kept a great while from you desolately alone Wherefore I would desire you to be a meane to the King and Quéenes Maiesties that I may be deliuered from prison wherein I haue béene kept a long space as to you my Lordes it is not vnknowne When she had spoken Stephen Gardiner the Bishoppe of vvinchester knéeled downe and requested that she would submit herselfe to the Quéens Grace and in so dooing he had no doubt but her Maiestie would be good vnto her She making aunswer That rather then she would so doo she would lie in prison all the dayes of her life adding That she craued no mercie at her Maiesties hand but rather desired the lawe if euer she had offended her Maiestie in woord thought or déede And besides this in yéelding quoth she I should speake against my selfe and confesse my selfe to be an offendour which neuer was towards her Maiestie by occasion whereof the King and Quéene might euer héereafter conceiue of me an euill opinion And therefore I say my Lords it were better for me to lie in prison for the trueth then to be abroad and suspected of my Prince And so they departed promising to declare her message to the Quéene On the next day the Bishop of VVinchester came againe vnto her Grace and knéeling downe declared that the Quéene meruailed that she would so stoutlie vse her selfe not confessing to haue offended so that it should séeme the Quéenes Maiestie wrongfullie to haue imprisoned her Grace Nay quoth the Lady Elizabeth it pleaseth her to punish me as she thinketh good Well quoth Gardiner her Maiesty willeth me to tell you that you must tell an other tale ere that you be set at libertie Her Grace aunswered that she had as liefe be in prison with honestie and trueth as to be abroade suspected of her Maiestie and this that I haue saide I will saide she stand vnto for I will neuer belye my selfe VVinchester againe knéeled downe and said Then your Grace hath the vauntage of me and other of the Lordes for your so long and wrong imprisonment What vauntage I haue quoth she you know taking God to record I séeke no aduauntage at your hands for your so dealing with me but God forgiue you and me also With that the rest knéeled downe desiring her Grace that all might be forgotten and so departed she being fast locked vp againe A seuen-night after the Quéene sent for her Grace at ten a clocke in the night to speake with her for she had not séene her in two yéeres before Yet for all that she was amazed at the so sudden sending for thinking it had béene wurse for her then afterwardes it prooued and desired her gentlemen and gentlewomen to praye for her for that she could not tell whether euer she should sée them againe or no. At which time Sir Henrie Benifield with Mistresse Clarencius comming her Grace was brought into the garden vnto a stayres foote that went into the Quéenes lodging her Graces gentlewomen waiting on her her gentleman Usher and her Groomes going before with Torches where her gentlemen and gentlewomen being commaunded to staie all sauing one Woman Mistresse Clarencius conducted her to the Quéenes bed Chamber where her Maiestie was At the sight of whome her Grace knéeled downe desired God to preserue her Maiestie not mistrusting but that she should trie her selfe as true a subiect towardes her Maiestie as euer did any and desired her Maiestie euen so to iudge of her and saide that she should not finde her to the contrarie whatsoeuer report otherwise had gone of her To whome the Quéene aunswered You will not confesse your offence but stande stoutlie to your trueth I praie God it may so fall out If it dooth not quoth the Lady Elizabeth I request neither fauour nor pardon at your Maiesties handes Well saide the Quéene you still stiflie perseuer in your trueth belike you will not confesse but that you haue béene wrongfullie punished I must not saye so it it please your Maiestie quoth she to you Why then saide the Quéene belike you will to other No if it please your Maiestie quoth she I haue borne the burden and must beare it I humbly beséech your Maiestie to haue a good opinion of me and to thinke me to be your true Subiect not onelie from the beginning hitherto but for euer as long as lyfe lasteth And so they departed with verie fewe comfortable wordes of the Quéene in Englishe but what she saide in Spanishe God knoweth It is thought that King Phillip was there behinde a cloath and not séene and that he shewed himselfe a verie fréend in that matter c. Thus her Grace departing went to her lodging againe and the seuenight after was deliuered of Sir Henrie Benifield her Goaler as she tearmed him and his Soldiours and so her Grace being set at libertie from imprisonment went into the Country and had appointed to goe with her Sir Thomas Pope one of Quéene Maries Counsaylors and one of her gentlemen Ushers Maister Gage And thus straitlie was she looked too all Quéene Maries time and this is the discourse of her Highnesse imprisonment Then there came to Lamheyre Maister Ierningham and Maister Norris gentleman Usher Quéene Maries men who tooke away from her Grace Mistresse Ashley to the Fleete and three other of her gentlewomen to the Tower which was no little trouble to her Grace saying that she thought they would fetch away all at the end But God he praised shortlie after was fetched away Gardiner by occasion of whose oportune decease the life of this excellent Princesse the wealth of all England was preserued