to King Edward the sixth or any other person And againe the said two Ladies Mary and Elizabeth being but of the halfe bloud to King Edward albeit they had beene borne in lawfull matrimony yet by the ancient Lawes of the Realme they were not inheritable to him by descent and had no capacitie in any degree to receiue any inheritance from him The reasons or pretexts of necessitie to the State were these In case the Ladie Mary and the Lady Elizabeth should enioy the Crowne they would assuredly ioyne in marriage with some stranger who would reduce this noble and free Realme into the seruitude of the Bishop of Rome and thereby bring in forren customes and Lawes abolishing those whereupon the rights of all natiue subiects depend and haply the whole body of the Realme should hereby be annexed as a member to some other greater Kingdome to the vtter subuersion of the ancient dignitie and Estate thereof the people were not vnlike to elect a King of some priuate Stocke a popular and seditious man peraduenture one who to countenance his own vnworthinesse and obscurity would little regard what contumely he cast vpon the falling Family of the Kings before him wherefore he held it the most prouident aduice that the King by his authoritie should designe not only his next Successour but others also in reuersion that the Crowne might not be subiect to risling but remaine to those whom hee loued and who humoured him best These reasons did more easily sinke into the Kings iudgement partly by meanes of the great affection which he bare to the Religion that he had established of the change wherof he was assuredly perswaded in case the Lady Mary his sister should succeed and partly by reason of the entire loue hee bare to his Cosin the Ladie Iane a woman of most rare â—…nd incomparable perfections For besides her excellent beautie adorned with all varietie of vertues as a cleere skie with starres as a princely Diadem with Iewels shee was most deare to the King in regard both of her religion and of her education in the knowledge of the liberall Sciences and skill in Languages for in Theologie in Philosophie in all liberall Arts in the Latine and Greeke tongues and in the Vulgar Languages of diuers neere Nations shee farre exceeded all of her sex and any of her yeares vnlesse haply the King himselfe Hereupon the King consented that Letters Patents should be drawne importing that in case the King should die without issue of his bodie lawfully begotten then the Imperiall Crowne of England and Ireland with his title to the Crown of France and all things to them belonging should remaine and come to the eldest sonne of the Ladie Frances daughter to the Ladie Mary youngest sister to Henry the eighth in case such issue should be borne into the world during the life of King Edward and after to the heires male of the said issue and in like sort from sonne to sonne of the said Ladie Frances lawfully begotten as they should be in prioritie of birth and borne during the Kings life and in default of such sonnes and of heires male of euery such sonne lawfully begotten that then the said Crowne and all the proâ—… should remaine and come to the Lady Iane eldest daughter to the said Ladie Frances and the heires males of her lawfully begotten and for default of such issue the said Crowne to remaine to the Lady Katherine second daughter to the said Lady Frances with diuers other remainders ouer which as they were vainly appointed so are they needlesse to be repeated These Letters were dated the one and twentieth of Iune in the seuenth yeare of King â—…dwards raign and by him signed when he was in great debilitie of body and afterwards passed vnder the gâ—…eat Seale of England And albeit the course contriuance was almost visible first for that such prouision was made for the Issue male of the said Lady Frances who neither at that time had any and was commonly repâ—…ted to be past yeares of child-bearing secondly for that in case that beyond the ordinary course of nature she should conceiue the hope was desperate that the King should liue vntill the birth Lastly for that her children borne and to be borne were so carefully and orderly remembred and no mention made of herselfe from whom their title must be deriued yet these Letters were subscribed by all the Priuic Counsellours the greatest part both of number and power of the Nobilitie of the Realme the Bishops the Kings learned Councell and all the Iudges at the Common Law except only Sir Iames Holles one of the Iustices of the Common Pleas a man well obserued to be both religious and vpright who worthily refused to subscribe and was vnworthily requited by Queene Mary afterwards It is very like that some of these were guided with respect of their particular interest for that they were possessed of diuers lands which once pertained to Monasteries Chantries and other religions houses not long before dissolued of these they held themselues in some danger to lose in case religion should change to the ancient forme which by succession of Queene Mary they did euidently fore-see Others were drawne partly by feare and partly by obligation to the Duke of Northumberland who then was exceeding potenâ—… and almost absolute in gouernment of the State and supposed able to make any title good either by his authoritie or by his sword Now whether a King may lawfully dispose by his will or otherwise of a Kingdome that hath beene long carried in one forme of succession contrary to that ancient forme I haue largely discoursed in my History of the three Norman Kings about the beginning of the raigne of King William the second but certaine it is that when kingdomes haue customably beene â—…ried by right of succession according to 〈◊〉 of bloud the violation of which course hath alwayes beene either very vaine or with dangerous consequence it hath alwayes beene like the breaking of a banâ—… which holdeth a sheafe of arrowes together like a rupture in bankes which bindeth a riuer within its proper channell or like a casting downe of a pale wherewith deere oâ—… other beasts are inclosed It was neuer done but either no effect ensued or bloudle disorders or haply both and the Duke by piercing his ambitious purposes with his vniust policie did no otherwise than often doth a foolish greedie gamesteâ—… who by stealing a card to win a stake forfeits the whole rest But hauing thus in his owne opinion assured his owne deuices nothing remained but that the King should not longer suruiue leâ—…t haply his sickly iudgement might be ouerruled by sounder aduice his disease was violent but his Physitians conceiued some hope of recouery in case he might be remoued to change of healthfull aire which in infirmities of the vitall parts the seat of his sicknesse is of greatest moment for the cure But hereto the Councell would not consent so he continued
mixture of honest delight Vnder these teachers the Prince thrived so well that in short time he spake the French tongue perfectly In the 〈◊〉 tongue he could declaime vpon the suddaine no lesse both readily and purely then many who were reputed amongst the most learned of these times He attained not only commendable knowledge but speech in the Greeke Spanish and Italian languages having alwaies great iudgment in measuring his words by his matter his speech being alike both fluent and weightie such as best beseemed a Prince as for naturall Philosophie for Logicke Musicke Astronomie and other liberall sciences his perfections were such that the great Italian Philosopher Cardane having tasted him by many conferences and finding him most strongly to encounter his new devised paradoxes in Philosophie seemed to be astonished betweene admiration and delight and divulged his abilities to be miraculous These his acquirements by industrie were exceedingly both enriched and enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature For in disposition he was milde gracious and pleasant of an heavenly wit in body beautifull but especially in his eies which seemed to haue a starrie liuelynes and lustre in them generally hee seemed to be as Cardane reported of him A MIRACL'E OF NATVRE When he was a few moneths aboue nine yeeres of his age great preparation was made either for creating or for declaring him to be Prince of Wales Duke of Cornewall and Count Palatine of Chester In the middest whereof K. Henry his Father ended his life of a dropsie accompanyed with a spreading scaâ—…e of his thigh Herevpon Edward Earle of Hartford and S r Anthony Browne knight of the order and Master of the horse were forthwith dispatched by the residue of the counsâ—…ile to the young King then lying at Hartford These came vnto him and the next day brought him to Enfield neither with preparation nor traine any more then ordinarie Here they first declared vnto him and to the Lady Elizabeth his sister the death of K. Henry their father Vpon which tidings they both brake forth into such vnforced and vnfained passions as it plainely appeared that good nature did worke in them beyond all other respects Never was sorrow more sweetly set forth their faces seeming rather to beautifie their sorrow then their sorrow to clowde the beautie of their faces Their young yeares their excellent beauties their louely and liuely enterchange of complaints in such sort graced their griefe as the most yron eies at that time present were drawne thereby into societie of their Teares The next day following being the last of Ianuarie the young king advanced towards London The Earle of Hartford riding next before him and S r Anthony Browne behinde The same day he was proclaimed King and his lodging was prepared within the Tower He there was received by the Constable and Lieuetenant on horse backe without the gates and vpon the bridge next the Ward-gate by all the chiefe Lords â—…o his counsailo These attended him to his chamber of presence and there sware allegiance vnto him Here he remained about three weekes and in the meane time the counsaile appointed vnto him by his Fathers will dayly sate for ordering the affaires of the Kingdome Among these the Earle of Hartford was elected and forthwith proclaimed protector of the Realme and governour of the kings person vntill he should accomplish the age of eighteene yeares To this office he was deemed most fit for that he was the kings vnkle by the Mothers side very neere vnto him in bloud but yet of no capacitie to succeede by reason whereof his naturall affection and dutie was lesse easie to be over-carryed by Ambition A few daies after the Lord Protector knighted the king within the Tower and immediatly the king stood vp vnder his cloath of estate tooke the sword from the Lord Protector and dubbed the Lord Maior of London knight Herehence ensued diverse other advancements in honour For S r Edward Seymer Lord Protector and Earle of Hartford was created Duke of Somerset The Lord William Parre Earle of Essex was proclaimed Marquis of Northampton Sâ—… Thomas Seymer the kings vnckle was made Lord of Sudley and high Admirall of England S t Richard Rich was made Lord Rich Sâ—… William Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parreham and Sir Edmund Sheffield Lord Sheffield of Buterwike And because high titles of honour were in that time of the Kings minority sparingly granted because dignity then waited vpon desert which caused it againe to be waited on by respect every of these testified for others that it was the pleasure of the Kings Father before his death that these titles should thus bee conferred During this time the body of King Henrie was with honorable solemnities conveyed from London to Sheene and thence to Windsore and there buryed within the Colledge All his officers brake their staues and threw them into the graue but at their returne to the tower new staues were delivered vnto them this solemnitie being finished the King vpon the nineteenth of Febr. 1547. rode in great state from the Tower to the Palace of Westminster and the day following was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury assisted with other Bishops and all the chiefe nobilitie of the Realme About the twenty-ninth yeere of the Empire of Charles the fifth and the 33 of the Raigne of Francis the first of France and in the fifth yeere both of the raigne and age of Marie Queene of Scotland The same day a generall pardon was granted to all persons as it hath beene vsuall at coronations But by some envious oppositions or for some other causes vnknowne fixe onlie were excepted The Duke of Northfolke Cardinall Poole Edward â—…e Courtney eldest sonne to the Marquesse of Exceter Doctor Pates Master Fortescue and Master Throgmorton But they overlived that envie and had their pardons afterwards in the first yeere of the Raigne of Queene Marie A few daies after the Earle of Southampton Lord Chancellor of England for being opinatiue as it was reported and obstinately opposite to the rest of the Lords in matters of counsaile was removed both from his office of being Chancellor and from his place and authority in counsaile and the great seale was delivered to Sir William Pawlet Lord S â— Iohn who was Lord great Master of the Kings houshold But this wound of disgrace never left bleeding vntill it was stopped by the Protectors fall It is certaine that from the first entrance of this King to his raigne never was King either more loving to others or better beloved generally of all The one whereof proceeded from the goodnes of his disposition the other from many graces and vertues illustrious in him for besides his excellent beauty and modestie beseeming a Prince besides his sweet humanity the very life of mortall condition besides a naturall disposition to all literature whereto he seemed rather borne then instructed many noble and high virtues sparckled in him especially Clemencie Courage Care and knowledge in affaires of
state To Clemencie he was much enclined especially in matters of blood and most especially if it were for Religion a vertue so much the more esteemed by how much it had beene lesse vsed before insomuch that albeit hee was most earnestly affected to that religion wherein hee had beene brought vp yet none were executed in his time for other religion but only two blasphemous Heretickes Ioane Butcher and George a Dutchman And when Ioane Butcher was to be burned all the counsaile could not procure him to set his hand to the warrant Wherefore they employed Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury to deale privatly with him for his subscription But the King remained firme both in reason and resolution affirming that he would not driue her headlong to the Divell but because Heretickes for the most part haue a straine of madnesse he thought it best to apply her with some corporall chastisemâ—…nts which with respit of time might happely reduce her to good order The Archbishop was violent both by perswasions and entreaties and when with meere importunity he had prevailed The King in subscribing his name said that he would lay all the charge thereof vpon the Archbishop before God Not many yeares passed but this Archbishop also felt the smart of the fire and it may be that by his importunity for bloud hee did offend for a good thing is not good if it be immoderatelie desired or done His courage did appeare in the great delight he tooke in representations of Battailes Skirmishes Assaults and of all kinde of military exercises his iudgment was great either for errors or fine contriuances in the field And no actions of Armes were executed in his time but he would perfectly vnderstand by what aduantages on the one side or ouersights on the other the euent succeeded He tooke great pleasure in exercises of actiuity whereto he much trained his servants And to that end he often appointed challenges among them for wrestling leaping running riding shooting at roues and at rounds and such like games and at riding and shooting would sometimes be of one of the sides He had 100 archers of his ordinary guard who once mustering before him shot two arrowes euery man together against an inch board of well seasoned timber All stroke through the board and their arrowes stucke in another board behinde and divers pierced both the boards generally none might be of his guard but besides of tall and comely stature such as were either good archers or wrastlers or easters of the barre or leapers or runners or of some other man-like qualitie He was exceeding skilfull in fortifications and bestowed great cost in strengthening Calleis Berwicke and other parts thereabout He knew all the principall ports in England Scotland Ireland France and other countries not farre distant how they â—…ay when the tyde served what vessels of burthen they could receiue and what windes served for entrance Touching his care and knowledge in affaires of state nothing was more conspicuous in him He was much conversant amongst his counsaile and would well vnderstand what matters passed their iudgments and vpon what grounds In matters discoursed by them he would often encounter their reasons and adde most liuely reasons of his owne In so much that at last they made an order that no matters of weight should be debated vnlesse he were present Admirable he was to collect the speeches and opinions of many and to draw their differences to a true head alwaies bending himselfe rather iudiciously to resolue then by doubts and distinctions to perplex a businesse he had a chest whereof he alwaies carryed the key about him for keeping record of such matters as were concluded by his counsaile And embracing businesse for part of his solace hee appointed set times with Doctor Coxe Master of his Requests for speeding poore mens causes without tedious attendance or delay Of all the Magistrates Iustices and Gentlemen of sort within his realme he 〈◊〉 their names their housekeeping their religion and manner of life Hee was skilfull in the exchange beyond the seas and in all the circumstances and practises thereof And so was he both skilfull and provident in matters of the Mint at home To Embassadors hee would giue answere vpon the suddaine and touch both orderly and fully vpon every part of their orations to the delight and admiration of all the hearers He much frequented sermons and penned notes with his owne hand his notes hee â—…yphered with greeke characters to the end that they who waited on him should not read them His disports were ingenuous and man-like whereby he alwaies learned somewhat And yet as well from these as from his businesses of state he dayly reserved some houres for his private studies and exercises with his Teachers These endeavours fell vpon so excellent a capacitie that in every short distance of time he made incredible increase both in learning and experience of affaires and consequentlie in loue of all men Presently after that he was setled in his governement D â— Wotton the kings Embassador resident with the Queene Dowager of Hungarie regent of the Low Countries vnder the Emperor was discharged of that attendance and addressed to the Emperors court there to reside Embassador for the king insteed of Doctor Bonner Bishop of London and of Sir Francis Bryan who were called home He was furnished with instructions that being first informed from the former Embassadors as wel of the general state of the Emperours court as of such particuler intelligeÌ„ces as might serue to advaÌ„ce the kings intentioÌ„s he should deale with the Emperor to declare al Scots for his enemies except such as should be friends to the King which should appeare by his safe conduct That because it had bin agreed betweene the Emperor and the late K. of England that the yeare next ensuing they should withioyne forces inuade the Territories of the French King he should moue the Emperor to aduise of some order and forme for those proceedings That whereas the Duke of Lorraine had bin late before at the Emperors court and made 〈◊〉 ouerture for peace or truce betweene the Emperour and the French King he should be informed by Sr Francis Bryan of the whole estate of that businesse and awaite opportunity to put the Emperor in remembrance that it had beene couenanted betweene him and the King of England that neither of them should treat of peace or truce with the French King or any other common enimy without consent of the other and that the King of England had well obserued that article in refusing to giue eare to the French embassador making overture for such a treatise That whereas it had beene agreed betweene him and the King of England that either of them should send certaine ships to sea well manned and apparelled for fight which all that yeere had beene performed by the king whereas the Emperour shifted the default vpon his officers in case he should not cause the said Navy to be forthwith
great in multitude in bodies able assured in minde not only for the safetie but the glory of their common state That hereby would follow assurance of desence strength to enterprize ease in sustaining publike burthens and charge That herein the English desired no preheminence but offered equalitie both in liberty and priviledge and in capacitie of offices and imployments and to that end the name of Brittaines should be assumed indifferent to both nations That this would be the accomplishment of their common felieitie in ease by their evill either destinie or advice they suffered not the occasion to be lost The authority and reasons of this letter weighed much with persons of most weighty iudgements but others more powerful in that state partly vpon vaine hope in regard of the young yeares of the king partly vpon feare of alteration in religion and partly in favour of their ancient amitie with the French and doubting to be brought vnder by the English were altogether carryed another way yet they dispatched an Embassador into England but neither was any thing done neither do I finde what was propounded to haue bin done Herevpon diverse hostilities began to be practised And first a small ship of the kings called the Pensie hovering at sea was assailed by the Lyon a principall shippe of Scotland The sight began farre off and slow but when they approached it grew very furious wherein the ' Pensie so applyed her shot that therewith the Lyons or◅ loope was broken her sailes and tacklings torne and lastly shee was boarded and taken But as shee was brought for England shee was cast away by tempest and negligence neere Harewich haven and most of her men perished with her I would not haue staide vpon this small adventure but that it seemed a presage to the succeeding warre wherein the English acquired a glorious victorie but lost the fruit thereof by reason of their stormie disorders at home Many such small actions were enterprised dayly which were but scattering drops in regard of the great tempest which did ensue For in the meane season an armie was prepared for invasion of Scotland vnder the fortune and commande of the Lord Protector The souldiers first assembled at Newcastle and were there mustred by the Earle of Warwicke Heere they so◅ourned three daies in which time the kings fleete arrived consisting of 65. Bottomes whereof one galley and 34. tall ships were well appointed for fight the residue served for carriage of munition and victuals Of this sleete Edward Lord Clinton was Admirall and Sir William UUoodhouse his Uiceadmirall in this time also a generall muster was taken and order appointed for the March. In the whole armie were betweene 12. and 1300 thousand foot 1300 men at Armes 2800 light horse being such men for their goodly personages their ready horses their braue apparell their armour and weapons as never before was an armie set forth into those parts in all points better appointed The Lord Protector being Generall represented the person and Maiestie of the king The Earle of Warwicke was Lieutenant generall The Lord Gray of UUilton was Marshall of the field and captaine generall of the horsemen Sir Ralph Uane Lieutenant of all the men at Armes and Dimilances Sir Ralph Sadler was generall Treasurer other gentlemen had their particuler charges But vpon the Generall and the Earle of Warwicke both the hopes and hazards of the maine adventure did wholy turne And because much shal be said of these two hereafter because during the raigne of king Edward they were the principall actors in every sceane I will briefly declare both what persons and of what demerits at that time they were Edward Seymer Duke of Somerset Lord Generall was a man little esteemed either for wisedome or personage or courage in armes But being in favour with king Henry and by him much imploied was alwaies observed to be both faithfull and fortunate as well in giving advise as in managing a charge About fiue yeares before hee being Warden of the Marches against Scotland the invasion of Iames the 5. was by his direction encountred and broken at Solome Mosse whereof diverse of the Scottish nobility were taken prisoners The yeare next after hee and the Earle of Warwicke with a handfull of men to speake of fired Lieth and Edenburgh and returned by a leasurely march 44 miles through the body of Scotland The yeare next ensuing he invaded the Scottish borders was◅ed T◅uedale the marches and deformed the country with ruine and spoile The yeare then next following being appointed to view the fortifications vpon the marches of Cale◅s he not only did that but with the hardy approach of 7000 English men raised an armie of 21000 French encamped over the River before Bulloine wanne their ordinance carriage treasure and tents with the losse only of one man and returned from thence by land to Guisnes wan in his way within shot and rescue of Arde the castle of Outing cōmonly called the redpile The yeare next ensuing this he invaded spoiled Picardy began the forces of Newhaven Blacknesse and Bullingberge and so well applyed his endeavours that in a few weekes and before his departure they were made tenible vpon these and other like successes his succeeding fortunes were esteemed alwaies rather new then strange and his onlie presence was reputed a susticient surety for an army and yet did he never rise hereby either into haughtines in himselfe or contempt of others but remained courteous affable choosing a course least subiect to envie betweene stiffe slubbornes and filthy slattery never aspiring higher then to be the second person in state Iohn ' Dudley Earle of Warwicke was a man of ancient nobilitie comely in stature and countenance but of little gravitie or abstinence in pleasures yea sometimes almost dissolute which was not much regarded if in a time when vices began to grow into fashion a great man was not over severe He was of a great spirit and highly aspiring not forbearing to make any mischiefe the meanes for attaining his ambitious endes Hereto his good wit and pleasant speeches were altogether serviceable having the art also by emptie promises and threats to draw others to his purpose in matters of armes he was both skilfull and industrious and as well in fore-sight as resolution present and great Being made L. Lieutenant of Bulloine when it was first taken by the English the walls sore beaten shaken and in very truth searce mainetaineable he defended the place against the Dolphine whose armie was accounted to consist of 52000 men And when the Dolphine had entred the base towne not without slaughter of divers of the English by a braue sally he cast out the French againe with the losse of aboue 800 of their men esteemed the best souldiours in France The yeare next ensuing when the French had a great ◅leete at sea for invasion of England he was appointed Admirall and presented battaile to the French Navy which they refused and returned home
effusion of Christian blood and for that the English had not done any vnmanlike outrage or spoile he was content they might returne and should haue his safe conduct for their peaceable passage Then the Trumpeter that the Lord Huntly his master sent message by him that aswell for breefe expedition as to spare expence of christian blood he would fight vpon the whole quarrell either with 20 against 20 or with 10 against 10 or more particularly by single combate betweene the Lord Generall and himselfe which in regard the Scots had advantage both for number and freshnesse of men in regard also that for supply both for provision and succors they were at home he esteemed an honourable and charitable offer To the Herald the Lord Generall answered that as his comming was not with purpose or desire to endammage their Realme as he was there he would neither intreat nor accept of him leaue to depart but would measure his marches in advancing or retiring as his owne iudgment guided by advice of his counsaile should deeme expedient To the Trumpeter he returned answere that the L. Huntley his master was a young gentleman full of free courage but more desirous of glory then iudicious as it seemed how to win it That for number of Combatants it was not in his power to conclude a bargaine but was to employ all the forces put vnder his charge to the best advantage that he could that in case this were a particular quarrell betweene the Governour and him he would not refuse a particular combat but being a difference betweene the 2 kingdomes it was neither fit nor in his power either to vndertake the adventure vpon his owne fortune or bearing a publike charge to hazard himselfe against a man of private condition Then the Earle of Warwicke said I marvaile Trumpeter that thy master would make his challenge so fond as he might well knowe it could not be accepted For tell mee Trumpeter can he thinke it fit that he to whose charge is committed the command of all this Army abroad and at home the Kings person and protection of all his Realmes should vndertake a combate with a particular man But he might haue found others his equals amongst vs by whom he might haue beene assured that he should be answered And therewith turning his speech to the L. Generall vnder your Graces favour I accept the challenge And bring me word Trumpeter that thy master will performe with mee as thou hast said and thou shalt haue 100 crownes for thy travaile Nay answered the L. Generall you haue a great charge in the Army which vpon a private mans challenge you must not abandon But Herault tell the L. Governor and the L. Huntley That we haue entred your country with a sober company for so the Scots terme a thing that is meane your army is both great and fresh but let them appeare vpon indifferent ground and assuredly they shall haue fighting enough And bring me word Herault that they will so doe and I will reward thee with 1000 crownes This Earle of Huntley was a man young bold adventerous of very good resolution and skill in Armes But this challenge was so farre beyond the point both of discretion and honor that the English that knew his noble spirit did beleeue that his name was therein abused which hee manifested to be true by disavowing it openly afterwards For it is not fit that a man should abandon his publike charge to vndertake both the office and danger of a private Souldier And therefore the like challenge of Tullus was refused by the commander of the Albanes For that the contention was not betweene their persons but between the Citties of Alba and Rome So Sertorius was refused by Metellus Antonius by Augustus and Iohn Emperor of Constantinople by a king of Scythia So Antonius Caracalla by reason of his often challenges was esteemed not to be so valiant as vaine And herevpon the histories of our times forbeare not to blame Charles the fift Emperour Henry the eight king of England and Francis the first king of France for that they often adventured rather as Souldiers then as Commanders But doubtlesse the L. Governour made a most honourable offer and the rather for that it was conceiued by the English that he held himselfe no lesse assured of victory then he was of his owne resolution to fight whereto it seemed that he wanted not good reason cheifly vpon confidence of his owne forces and partly vpon expectation of 12 Gallies and 50 ships well appointed out of France to assayle the English at their backs All the chiefe Captaines yeelded to the same advice of giving battaile as out of their owne iudgements because they saw it agreeable to that which the L Governour had determined To these the residue attributed so much that albeit diverse were of a different opinion yet they chose rather to condemne their owne vnderstanding then to question theirs During this enterparlance the Scots discharged 4 great shots against the English campe without harme as it happened but not without breach of the Laws of the field whereby not only publike messengers are priviledged to passe without either danger or scorne but vntill they haue discharged their message all hostility should surcease Howsoeuer this happened the Generall of the English army vnwilling to bee behind in any equall or honourable offer sent letters to the L. Governour of Scotland Wherein he desired him and theresidue of the Scottish nobility to consider That both armies consisted of Christians to whom nothing should be more deere then peace nothing more detestable then effusion of humane blood That the cause of this warre did not proceed from ambition avarice or hate but from desire of perpetuall peace betweene their people and nations which could no way so firmely be knit as by knitting their Princes together in marriage That many other respects set aside their King for his birth his yeares his royall estate his princely personage education and qualities was such a marriage for their Queene that a more convenient could not be found that in case all the Nobility of Scotland were not of one minde The English would bee content that their Queene should bee brought vp amongst them vntill she should be of age to make her owne choice Provided that in the meane time she should not bee transported to any forraigne country or any agreement made for any other marriage That vpon this condition there should be an abstinence of hostility for all that time and they would in quiet manner withdraw their army and repaire all dammages which indifferent Commissioners should adiudge No answere was hereto returned but rumors ran freshly among the Scottish souldiers that the intention of the English was to take away their Queene by force and vnder pretence of marriage to reduce the kingdome vnder their dominion and verily it may seeme almost incredible that all these faire ouertures made by men well esteemed for honest dealing
it could not be done by his ordinary power without a parliament yet he would so farre extend his authority roiall and absolute as to giue charge to his commissioners to trauaile with all persons within their counties to reduce lands to their former rents where at they were farmed 40 yeares before and that rents should be paid at Michelmas then next ensuing according to that rate that such as would not presently yeeld to his commissioners for that redresse should at the parliament which he would forthwith summon be overruled Concerning their complaint for price of wolles hee would forthwith giue order that his commissioners should cause clothiers take wolles paying only two partes of the price wherat they were commonly sold the yeare next before and for the other third part the owner and the buyer should stand to such order as the parliament should appoint At which time also he would giue order that landed men to a certaine proportion should be neither clothiers nor farmers and farther that one man should not vse divers occupations nor haue plurality of benefices nor of farmes generally that he would thē giue order for all the residue of their requests in such sort as they should haue good cause not only to remaine quiet but to pray for him and to adventure their liues in his service This parliament he promised should beginne in the beginning of October then next ensuing against which time they should appoint 4 or 6 of their countey to present bills of their desires and in the meane season apply themselues to their harvest and other peaceable businesse at home and not to driue him to necessity whereof he would be sorry by sharper meanes to maintaine both his owne dignity and the common quiet These letters carrying the Kings name in the front and the protectors with the kings signature at the foote were sent by a heralde to Monsholde a place guarded with great but confused and disordered strength of the seditious herewith also the King sent his generall pardon in case they would quietly desist and dissolue But the seditious were so farre from accepting these of any other offers of accord that herevpon they discharged the first shot against the citty and because their Artillery being planted on a hill could little or nothing endammage the walls they remoued their batterie to a lower ground but because their citty was weake and the cittizens but weakely disposed against them with no danger and little travaile they made themselues masters thereof Here they imprisoned the Maior and many other of the chiefe cittizens and ordered all things at their pleasure but maintained the chiefe seat at Mansholde where it was before The Maior of Norwitch and some other gentlemen of credite they constrained to be present at all their counsells with intention to countenance their actions with some authority but in no sort to be guided by them All this time the Kings forces advanced but slowly being imploied in appeasing the like disorders more neere the heart of the kingdome So that it is most certaine that had these seditious beene so mischievously bent as in number they were great they might haue proued more dangerous then they were but they aimed not at ambitious ends their rude earthly spirits were neuer seasoned with any manly adventurous thought and therefore they were content with a licentious idle life wherein they might fill their bellies by spoile rather then by labour to this side their companies ranged in all parts thereabouts and tooke away for their vse much houshold-stuffe and goods but especially they brought to their stations many droues of cattle for besides deere out of parkes besides beeues besides fowles of all kinds within a few daies were brought out of the country 2000 muttons such numbers of sheepe were daily brought in that a fat weather was sold for 4 d. This was interpreted for a present plentie but it made such scarcitie afterwards as could not in many yeares be repaired S r Edmond Kneuet Knight with such company as he could assemble charged vpon one of their watches by night but he was so farre inferior vnto them that it was esteemed a great fortune that he departed from them with his life But soone after the Lord William Parre Marquis of Northampton was sent against them with 1500 horsemen and a small band of Italians vnder a Captaine named Malatesta he was accompanied with the Lord sheffield the L. Wentworth with divers knights and gentlemen of principall estimation when he approached within a mile of the citty the magistrates and chiefe cittizens vpon summons resorted to his standard yeelded vnto him the citty sword and professed their owne loialty and excused others of inferior force who neither by ignorance fauoured the seditious or through feare durst not declare against them with these the Lord Marquis entred the citty at Saint Stephens gate the citty sword being borne before him and therewith caused the chiefe cittizens to assemble in the market place both to giue aduice and to take direction how the citty might best be defended In the meane time the strangers who came with him whether by appointment or by adventure issued forth of the citty to view both the numbers and orders of the seditious They againe first put forth their Archers then their horsemen lastly a company ran furiously forth without either direction of others or iudgement in themselues intending to haue enclosed the Italians but here might haue beene a great difference betweene men practised to fight and men accustomed only to spoile For the Italians in so well advised order receiued the seditious coming rashly vpon them without either feare or skill that divers of the tumultuous numbers were slaine at the last the Italians perceiuing themselues almost invironed cast themselues into a ring and retired backe into the citty But they left one gentleman of their company behinde who being overthrowne from his horse fell into the hands of the seditious who like sauages spoiled him of his armour and of his apparell and hanged him ouer the walls of Mount Surrey This caused the seditious to remaine the first part of the night within their station which by reason of the nastines of the beastly multitude might more fitly be termed a kennell then a campe Within the citty diligent watch was kept which was often visited and relieued The souldiers remained in their armor all night and kept so great a fire in the market place that all parts of the citty were lighted therewith The seditious about midnight began to shoote off their great artillerie very liuely and thicke hereupon the Lord Marquis directed part of his forces to rampart the gates and ruinous places of the walls which the seditious espying with a hideous roaring and rage they powred themselues vpon the citty some endeavoured to fire the gates some to mount ouer the walls and some to passe the riuer the fight continued three houres and it is almost incredible with what rude
heare matters of greatest moment debated because in these high passages nothing was thought to be done truly with maiesty nothing agreeable to the dignity of the state but in the presence of the King Generally all the counsaile agreed that none of them should make suit to the King for land or forfeitures aboue xx l or for reuersion of leases or any other extraordinary matter vntill the state of his Reuenewes should be further knowen Besides these commissions another went forth to ouersee and order the Kinges reuenewes and to cut off superfluous charges to ouersee all courts especially those of new erection as the court of augmentation and of first fruits and tenths and to prouide that the reuenewes were answered euery halfe yeare another went forth for debts owing to the King and to take accompt of paiments since the 35 of K. Henry the 8 th and in what manner the King had beene deceiued either by not accompting or accompting falsely Another also for taking away needlesse Bâ—…ulwarkes by vertue whereof diuerse were dimolished vpon the sea coasts in peace chargeable and little seruiceable in warre And further for more orderly and speedy dispatch of causes the King deliuered to his counsaile these Articles following 1 That all suits ' petitions and common warrants deliuered to the priuy counsell be considered by them on mundaies in the afternoone and answered oâ—… saturdaies in the afternoone and that those daies and no other be assigned to that purpose 2 That such suits and petitions as pertaine to any courts of law be referred to those courts where properly they are triable others to be determined with expedition 3 That in making warrants for money it be forseene that they be not for such matters as may be dispatched by warrants dormant least by such meanes accompts should be vncertaine 4 That vpon Sundaies they intend publique affaires of the Realme dispatch answeres to letters for good order of the state and make full dispatches of all things concluded the wâ—…cke before Prouided that they be present at common praier 5 That on Sunday night the Secretaries or one of them deliuer to the King a memoriall of such things as are to be debated by the priuy counsaile and he to appoint certaine of them to be debated vpon seuerall daies viz. Munday afternoone Tuesday wensday Thursday and Friday beforenoone 6 That on friday afternoone they shall make a collection of such things as haue beene done the fower daies before what they haue concluded and what the time suffered not to peruse Also the principall reasons which moued them to conclude of such matters as seemed doubtfull 7 That on Saturday before noone they present this collection of the King and enquire his pleasure vpon all things which they haue concluded and also vpon all priuate suits 8 That none of the priuy counsell depart the court for longer time then two daies vnlesse eight of the counsell remaine behind and vnlesse the King haue notice thereof 9 That they make no assembly in counsell vnlesse they be to the number of foure at the least 10 That if they assemble to the number of fower and vnder the number of sixe then they may reason or examine the commodities or inconueniences of matters proposed and make things plaine which seeme diffused at the first opening and if they agree then at the next full assembly of sixe a perfect conclusion thereof shall be made 11 That if there be vnder fower and a matter arriseth requiring expedition they shall declare it to the King but not giue answere vnlesse it requires extraordinary hast 12 That if such matters shall arise as it shall please the King to heare the same debated warning shall be giuen that the more may be present 13 That if such matter arise as cannot be ended without long debating the counsaile shall not intermeddle with other causes vntill they haue concluded the same 14 That no priuate suit be entermedled with great affaires but shall be heard on Mundaies only 15 That when matters for scantnesse of time be only discussed and not brought to an end then it shall be noted to what point the businesse is brought and what haue beene the principall reasons that when it shall be treated againe it may the sooner come to conclusion 16 That in tedious or difficult matters two or three or more may be appointed to prepare and report the same that being lesse cumbrous and defuse they may the more easily be dispatched 17 That no warrant for reward aboue 40 l or businesse or affaires aboue 100 l passe but vnder the Kings signet 18 That if vpon aduertisements or other occasions matters of great importance appeare which require hast such matters shall be considered and determined notwithstanding those Articles which appoint businesse for seuerall daies so as this order be not generally or commonly broken Assuredly albeit the King declared both his iudgment and his diligence and care of affaires of the realme Yet is there one rule more and not by him neglected for all great officers which if it be not sufficient in itselfe to hold matters in order yet are no rules sufficient without it And this is to choose persons both for ability and integrity well reputed albeit happily they be not alwaies vsed For besides that these will be a rule to themselues it is a great satisfaction to the people and keepeth them both from murmuring and curious enquiring into counsailes of State which is neuer good and often dangerous when they know or at least suppose matters to passe vnder such mens iudgements In theese times it was conceiued by many that by erecting of a Mart in England the realme would be much enriched and made more famous and lesse obnoxious to other countries The time was then esteemed fit by reason of the warres betweene the Emperor and the French King The places deemed most meete were Hull for the east countries and Southampton for the South London was thought no ill place but Southampton was iudged most conuenient for the first beginning This matter detained the Lords of the counsell in a deliberation both serious and long with great strength and variety of reasons on both sides which because they may giue some light to the like question which in times ensuing may happily againe be set on foot I will here declare them in the same manner as they were collected by the King Against the Mart these octiections were made 1 That strangers could haue no accesse into England by land which they had at Antwerp where the Mart then was 2 That the ill working of English cloaths made them lesse esteemed abroad 3 That the great quantity of English cloathes in Flanders would make them lesse desired from hence 4 That the Merchants had then established their dwelling places at Antwerp 5 That other Nations would forbeare their resort into England for a while vpon commandement of the Emperor 6 That the deniall of the requests of the Merchants of the Stilliard
with greater magnificence then euer before For whether it were to maintaine his maiesty or to manifest the feare which had beene formerly impressed he caried with him a band of 320 men which made vp his whole traine aboue the number of 4000 horse But because this multitude was burthensome to the Country through which he passed which did afford little meadow or pasture because also it seemed to bewray distrust as if the King should thinke that he rather marched among dangerous rebells then tooke his pleasure among faithfull and quiet disposed subiects about the middest of his progresse the greatest part was discharged For furnishing the charge of this progresse 500 pound weight of gold was coined with 1500 pounds sterling Soone after the King did complaine of a continuall infirmity of body yet rather as an indisposition in health then any set sicknesse And about that time certaine prodigies were seene either as messengers or signes of some imminent and eminent euiâ—…l At Middleton eleuen miles from Oxford a woman brought forth a female child which had two bodies from the nauill vpward so vnited at the nauill as when they were laid in length the one stretched directly opposite to the other from the nauill downward it was but one it liued weakly 18 daies and then both bodies died together Vpon birth of such monsters the Grecians and after them the Romans did vse diuerse sorts of expiations and to goe about their principall citties with many solemne ceremonies and sacrafices supposing hereby that wrath from heauen was menaced against them At Quinborough three great Dolphins were taken and a few daies following at Blackwall sixe which were brought to London the least in bignesse exceeding any horse After this three great fishes were taken at Grauesend called Whirlepooles and drawen vpon the Kings bridge at Westminster These accidents the more rarely they happen the more ominous are they commonly esteemed either because they are so indeed or because they are neuer obserued but when sad euents doe ensue In Ianuary about the beginning of the 7 th yeare of the Kings raigne his sicknesse did more apparantly shew it selfe especially by the symptome of a tough strong streining cough All the medicines and diet which could be prescribed together with the helpes both of his yong age and of the rising time of the yeare were so farre either from curing or abating his griefe that it daily encreased by dangerous degrees it was not only a violence of the cough thad did insect him but therewith a weaknesse and faintnes of spirit which shewed plainly that his vitall parts were most strongly and strangely assaulted and the talke hereof among the people was so much the more because through an opinion obscurely raised but running as most absurd that his sicknesse grew by a slow working poison Vpon this cause it happened that a Parliament beginning vpon the first day of March was vpon the last of the same moneth dâ—…ssolued And now the danger of the Kings sicknesse was much laâ—…ented not only by his owne people but by strangers abroad because his curtesy and wisdome had begot to him such loue that he was no lesse honoured by those who heard of him then of those who conversed with him For he was famous in all places by reason of his foresight and iudgment in affaires and did so well temper the greatnes of his estate both with modestie and with grauitie that he auoided enuie by the one and contempt by the other Some compared him with the greatest persons that had beene both for warre and peace because in the like pitch of yeares none of them attained to the like perfections Haply hee did not appeare in souldiery so great but that was because he was not so rash being also drawne backe from his pursuâ—…es abroad by domesticall disorders and diuisions both amongst the people and Nobilitie of his Realme by reason whereof he scarce seemed well seâ—…led in his Chaire of Estate and yet his fortunes were alwayes Victorious It hapned during his sicknesse that Doctor Ridley Bishop of London preached before him and in his Sermon much commended workes of charitie which as they were a dutie for all men to performe so most especially for men in mâ—…st especiall dignitie and place as well in regard of their large abiâ—…ities as for that they were much obliged to giue examples of goodnesse to others the same day after dinner the King sent for him priuatly into the Gallery at White-Hall caused him to sit in a chaire by him would not permit him to remaine vncouered and then after courteous thankes he reported all the principall points of his Sermon and further added I tooke my selfe to be especially touched by your speech as well in regard of the abilities which God hath giuen me as in regard of the example which from mee hee will require for as in the Kingdome I am next vnder God so must I most neerely approach to him in goodnesse and in mercie for as our miseries stand most in need from him so are we the greatest debtors debtors to all that are miserable and shall be the greatest accomptants of our dispensation therein And therefore my Lord as you haue giuen me I thanke you this generall exhortation so direct me I intreat you by what particular actions I may this way best discharge my dutie The Bishop partly astonished and partly ouerioyed with these speeches was strucke into a sad silence for a time at last â—…eares and words breaking forth together he declared to the King so as he little expected such a question so was he not furnished with a present answer for this matter had a great mixture of a ciuill gouernment wherein he concelued that the Citizens of London had best experience as ouerburthened with multitudes of poore not only of their owne but from all parts of the Realme besides and therefore as they best know both the qualitie of such people and the inconueniences which they occasion so could they best aduise what remedies were fittest wherefore if the King were pleased to afford his Letters to that effect he would confer with them and in very short time returne with answer The King forth with caused his Letters to be written and would not suffer the Bishop to depart vntill hee had firmed them with his hand and Signet and enioyned the Bishop to be the messenger imposing great charge for expedition The Bishop hasted with his Letters to the Lord Maior who presently assembled certaine Aldermen and foure and twentiâ—… Commissioners by whose aduice the poore were cast into three companies and â—…orts some were poore by impotenciâ—… of nature as young fatheâ—…lesse children old decrepit persons Ideots Criples and such like others arâ—… poore by facultie as wounded souldiers diseased and sicke persons and the like the third sort arâ—… the poorâ—… by 〈◊〉 or vnthriâ—…itinesse as riotiâ—…us spenders vagabonds 〈◊〉 lewâ—… strumpeâ—…s and their companions that the first of these were to be educated
russianlike falling into yeares apt to take offence either only caused or much furthered his condemnation For besides his naturall fiercenesse enslamed by his present disgrace he was the more free by reason of his great seruices in the field The time hath beene said he when I was of some esteeme but now we are in peace which reputeth the coward and couragious alike and so with an obstinate resolution he made choice rather not to regard death then by any submission to entreat for life indeed it was wellknowne that he had beene famous for seruice but therewith it was well knowen by whose fauour he had beene famous S Thomas Arundell was with some difficulty condemned for his cause was brought to triall about seauen of the clocke in the morning about noone the Iurors went together and because they could not agree they were shut in a house all the residue of that day and all the night following the next morning they found him guilty vnhappy man who found the doing of any thing or of nothing dangerous alike S r Miles Partridge and S r Michaell Stanhope were condemned as consociates in the conspiracy of Somerset Both reputed indifferently disposed to bad or good yet neither of them of that temper as to dare any dangerous fact either because they were so indeed or because their fauour or alliance with the dutchesse of Somerset made them to be of lesse esteeme Garter K. at armes was sent to the Lord Paget prisoner in the tower to take from him the garter and the George and to discharge him of that order The pretence of this dishonour was because he was said to be no gentleman of blood neither by Father nor by Mother The Garter and the George were Forthwith bestowed vpon the Earle of Warwicke eldest sonne to the Duke of Northumberland about this time the order was almost wholly altered as by the statutes thereof then made it appeares After these times few matters of high nature or obseruable note happened in England during King Edwards life Of these I will select such as I esteeme most fit for history both as being publique and as contained matter of some regard not alwaies obseruing the iust order of time but sometime coherence or propinquity of matter S r Philip Hobby was sent to pay 62000 pounds at Antwerp for paiment of which summe the King stood to diuers persons engaged This done he went to the Regent then lying at Brussels to declare vnto her certaine grieuances of the English merchants aduentures but he receiued nothing but faire promises which proued deceiuable Afterwards Mounsier de Couriers came from the Regent to the King to vnderstand more particularly the complaints of the Merchants and therewith to desire that her subiects ships might safely take harbour in any of the Kings hauens For the first a note of the merchants complaints was deliuered in writing but answere was deferred for want of instructions an vsuall pretence in like affaires Touching the second answere was made that the King had giuen order that Flemmish shipps should not be molested in any of his hauens which appeared in that they were there alwaies rescued from the pursuit and chase of the French But hee thought it not fit that more should enter his hauens at once then he had power to gouerne Assuredly the Merchant aduenturers haue beene often wronged and wringed to the quicke but were neuer quicke and liuely in thankes to those by whose endeauours they were freed The same merchants exhibited a bill at the counsaile table against the Merchants of the Stilliard After answere by those of the Stilliard and reply by the aduenturers it was conceiued vpon view of diuers Charters that the Merchants of the Stilliard were no sufficient corporation and that their number names and nation could not be knowen Also that when they had forfeited their liberties King Edward the fourth restored them vpon condition that they should couer no strangers goods which they had not obserued And againe whereas at the beginning they shipped not aboue 80 cloathes after that 100 afterwards 1000 after that 6000 at that time 44000 cloathes were shipped euery yeare in their names and not aboue 1100 by all strangers besides wherefore albeit certaine Embassadors from Hamborough Lubeck spake much in their behalfe yet a decree was made that they had forfeited their liberties were in the same condition with other strangers And albeit they made great moanes afterwards yet could they not procure this sentence to be reuersed A commission was granted to viii Bishops viii other Diuines viii Ciuilians and viii common Lawyers and in all xxxii to set forth ecclesiasticall lawes agreeable to the nature both of the people and of the religion then established in the Church of England but it tooke no effect For neither the number of the commissioners being many nor the quality of them being persons both in great offices and diuers farre remote could afford meetings for so great a businesse Also the difference both of porsessions of ends did of necessity raise much difference in iudgment The King had sixe Chaplaines in Ordinary touching whose attendance in court an order was made that two should remaine with the King by turnes and fower should trauaile in preaching abroad The first yeare two in Wales and two in Lincolneshire the next yeare two in the Marshes of Scotland and two in Yorkeshire The third yeare two in Deuonshire two in Hampshire The fourth yeare two in Northfolke and Essex and two in Kent Sussex so throw all the shires in England which happily did not only serue for a spirituall end namely instruction in religion but did also aduance a temporall purpose of peaceable obedience For as rude vntrained mindes are not only easily drawen but inclineable of themselues to sedition and tumult so by learning and religion men are especially both reduced and retained in ciuill quiet For better dispatch of businesse of diuers natures the body of the counsaile was diuided into seuerall commissions Some were appointed for hearing those suits which were vsually brought before the whole table to send matters of iustice to their proper courts to giue full deniall to such as they should not esteeme reasonable to certify what they thought meet to be granted and vpon allowance thereof to dispatch the parties Others were appointed to consider of penall lawes and proclamations in force and to quicken the execution of the most principall These were directed first to consider what principall lawes 〈◊〉 proclamations were most needfull to be executed Theâ—… to enquire into the countries how they were disobeyed and first to punish greatest offendors and afterwards to proceede to the rest Lastly that they should enquire what other disorders were either dangerous or offensiue in euery shire and either to punish the offendors or else to report their iudgement therein Others were appointed to attend occurrences of state at large with whom the King did sit once euery weeke to