death And he entreated the standers by to accompany him in a little short prayer which with a feruent eiaculation and hearty deuotion he made to God Then he forgaue his executioner and repeated his Creed and fitting his necke to the blocke hauing repeated the fiue first verses of the 51. Psalme hee said Lord I cast my selfe downe humbly and obediently to my deserued punishment Thou O Lord haue mercy vpon thy seruant that is cast downe Into thy hands O Lord I commit my spirit His head after that was stricken off at the third blow but the first tooke away both sence and motion Thus although Byron and the French scoffed at him and this his deuotion which they said was fitter for a Parson then a Souldier as if the feare of Hell were not the valour of a Christian dyed Robert D'Euereux Earle of Essex at the age of foure and thirty yeares very godlily and truely Christianly in as much that his Fathers admonition proued not altogether vaine who bid him haue a care of his six and thirtieth yeare when hee lay a dying Hee was a man certainly very vertuous for all parts that became any Noble man His stocke was very ancient and Noble His sirname was deriued to him from Euereux as the vulgar call it a Citie in Normandy His title of a Lord came by marriage with Cisely the Daughter of William Bourchier whose Grandmother was Sister to Edward 4. K. of England whose great Grandmother was Daughter to Th. of Woodstocke the Son of Edward 3 borne of one of the Daughters of Humphrey Bohune E. of Hartford and Essex whereupon the Title of Viscount of Hartford was bestowed vpon his great Grandfather Walter by Edward 6 and the Title of Earle of Essex bestowed vpon his Father by Queene Elizabeth He being a young man was brought vp at Cambridge in the studies of learning and Religion and afterwards commended by the Earle of Leicester his Father in Law to the Queene and made Master of the Horse although with much adoe he obtained it of the Queene she being somwhat grown strange to his mother But afterwards when by his obseruancy and duty he had purchased her full fauour she forgaue him the debt which his Father owed she made him one of the Order of S. George and of her Priuie Councell when he was scarce 23. yeares olde He was often Commander of Armies although fortune failed him in good successe which I will not say was by reason of the Planet Mars who in the 11. house of Heauen shined most afflictiuely ouer him at his Natiuity And when as now he had not alone the shew of the Queenes fauour but the excesse thereof in very deed he made all haste as the Courtiers most did complaine to outgoe all his Equalls and Superiours too to speake euilly of the praise of any man that was not wholly addicted to him to take heinously if any man had gotten either power or fauour with the Queene to hunt after the popular commendations that alwaies is very short in durance and military praises which are as dangerous by his meeknesse and liberality Also he began to be somewhat selfe-willed and stubborne towards the Queene and rather out of his great minde then pride especially after that she out of her courtesie had renewed her fauour to him which he once lost and had opened a way for new benefits to him But this his contumacy vntowardnes as it were in wrestling out benefits from her and his lothsome neglect of obedience towards her with the crafty vndermining of his enuious aduersaries by little and little toled him out of the Queenes fauour and at length quite estranged him from it Neither indeed was this noble Earle made for a Courtier who was slow to any wickednesse very warie in taking of offence and very loth to forget it and one that could not couer his minde But as Cuffe often vsed to complaine to the Authour of the originall of this Story hee was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that could neither conceale his loue nor his hatred but alwaies shewed them in his countenance Hee married Frances the Daughter of Francis Walsingham the Widow of Sir Philip Sidney the Queenes aduice not being taken who was offended at it as if by that affinity he had debased Essexes family of whom he got Robert his Sonne Frances and Dorothy his Daughters and Walter by the Lady Southwell On the fift day of March S. Christopher Blunt S. Charles Danuers S. Iohn Dauis S. Gill. Mericke Knights and Cuffe were all arraigned at Westminster before the Lord Admirall of England Hunsdon Chamberlaine Cecill Secretary Sir Iohn Fortescue Chancellour of the Exchequer the Lord chiefe Iustice and others where they were accused of the same faults as the Earles before were to wit that they intended mischiefe to the Queenes Maiesty by consulting of inuading the Court and by rebelling in the Citie The three first of them were demanded whether or no they could not deny one part of their accusation and confesse the other which they did for they denied that euer they intended any thing against the Queene Mericke and Cuffe being taken aside the Iudges as before declared THat he that intendeth to prescribe Lawes to his King or Prince whereby he restraineth his power doth intend mischiefe and destruction to his Prince and doth intend both to take the Crowne Life from him This they proued from the examples of silly Countrimen that were condemned for treason euen in the memory of our forefathers for that they tooke armes and met in Oxford-shire and Kent one to encrease their daily pay for their worke the other to take away the Inclosures of pasture fields For confirmation of this they brought many things besides shewing also that it could not be but that they must needs bring in the Queene vnder subiection also offer violence to her because that Conquerours are alwaies insolent and the fury of a multitude cannot be restrained who to prouide for their owne security and safety feare not the performance of any villany Blunt he is vrged with his owne confessions and the confession of the Earle himselfe who but lately accused him as the onely entiser of him to all wickednesse when he heard it read and signed with the Earles owne hand as he saw it he grew altogether amazed with admiration and greatly required that in some other place he might talke with the Admirall and Cecill concerning that matter but lifting vp his eyes he cryed out openly THou O God knowest well from what purposes and plots I disswaded the Earle of Essex Then was read the confession of Thomas Lee who acknowledged that by the leaue of Blunt who was then Marshall in Ireland he had sent to Tir-Oen and againe from him vnderstood that Tir-Oen had said THat if the Earle of Essex would but hearken vnto him that he would make him the greatest man in England
of Ostend 340. his successe there 342 Vendosme taken by the English 24 Verdune heretofore belonging to the Empire of Germany 36 Veruins the Treaty there 208 Saint Victors in Paris 23 Vigo a Towne fired by the English 16 Villa-Franca taken by tâ—e English 185 Villars Gouernour of Roan challenged to a single combate by the Earle of Essex 69 Vitruvius his obseruation about diseases in Armies 17 Vmpton the Queenes Leaguer in France 127. he dyeth there 171 Vniuersity founded by the Queene at Dublin 62 W WAlton bringeth in euidence against Sir Iohn Perot 68 Wallop Treasurer of the Army in Ireland 142 Walsingham a hinderer of Caermardine in the businesse of the Custome-House 31. he dyeth 37 Warwicke dieth 37 Weston a Priest alias Burgesse 4 Wentworth Lord Wentworth dyeth 40. another Lord Wentworth dyeth 92 Willoughby sent ouer into France with Forces to aide the King 23. sometimes Gouernour of Normandy 24 Wilford one of the Colonels of the English in France 23 Wingfield Gouernour of Geertrudenbergh 11. hee assaults the base Towne at Groine 12. dyeth 108 Wilkes sent Embassadour into France 86. he dieth in France 203 Westmerland a factious Earle 42 Wiginton a Minister one of Hackets confederates 49 Whitaker of Cambridge dyeth 140 Williams passeth ouer to Deepe with 600. English 45. his braue behauiour in France ibid. his challenge ibid. his commendations to the Queene 70 Wilmot made President of Corke 352 Williams sometimes Secretary to Sir Iohn Perot one of his chiefe accusers and informers 68 Williams a Traitour apprehended 105. executed 122 Wolley dâ—legated in the cause of Sir Iohn Perot 67 Worthington a fugitue Diuine 106 Whitfield Chancellour of Denmarke his Embasie into England 193. Delegated by the King to Embden 284 Wray Lord chiefe Iustice dyeth 76 Warham St. Leiger slayeth Mac-Guire 255 Walpole maketh Squire vndertake to poison the Queene 227. he is accused for it by Squire at his execution 228. he writeth a booke wherein he for sweares the matter ibid. Y YAxley A famous Commander in the battaile of New-port 281 Yorke sent ouer to the King of France 43 Yurie in France the Leaguers discomfited there 34 Yuecot in France the Leaguers there discomfited 76 Yorke a Traitour apprehended 105. he is executed 122 Z ZAnziber the place where Lancaster wintered 59 Zeile thither came Lancaster also ibid. Zelanders the Queene offended with them and wherefore 32 Zouch sâ—nt Embassadour into Scotland 96 Zutphen Fort recouered by Sir Francis Vere 168 FINIS AN APPENDIX CONTAINING ANIMADVERSIONS VPON SEVERALL PASSAGES CORRECTIONS OF sundry errours and Additions of some remarkable matters of the History neuer yet imprinted RObert Bruce a Priest Whether or no hee were a Priest is somewhat vncertain but which giues some probability to the matter certaine it is hee had his education vnder the Iesuites beyond Sea and the occasion of his comming to Scotland was in this wise Philip King of Spaine presently after the death of Mary Queene of Scots in England willed the Duke of Parma the Gouernour of his Forces in the Low Countries in his name to promise to the King of Scots both money and munition good store if so be he would attempt the Queene of England and her Dominions to reuenge the death of his Mother the Queene of Scots The Duke of Parma to effectâ— this businesse sends ouer this Robert Bruce or Brusse a Scottish man by birth and of a Noble Family with great summes of monies the better to quicken his purposes It chanced that at the very same time by the appointment of Sixtus Quintus Bishop of Rome the Bishop of Dublin also was dispatched ouer thither to promise to the King of Scots the Infanta of Spaine in marriage if so be he would but change his Religion and turne Catholique But the Bishop by reason of the faithfull loyalty and industry of the Chancellour Metellan to whom the King owed the preseruation of himselfe and Kingdome from destruction being frustrated of his hopes returned home againe with little thankes for his labour Amongst those whom he retained at the time of his comming ouer was one William Creicton a Iesuite and a Scottish man too who had heretofore beene Rector of the College of the Iesuites at Leiden who seeing his Bishop come short of his expectation determined to stay behinde himselfe to see what hee could doe with some of his friends there The first whom euer he broke withall concerning his minde was this Robert Brusse whom he would faine haue perswaded to haue murthered the Chancellour of Scotland who as he said alone nullified and dispersed all their plots and machinations Brusse being startled with the horrour of so â—oule a deed absolutely denied to consent thereunto as a cruell and vnconscionable demand Afterwards the King and the Chancellour both being inuited to a Banquet by a Nobleman of Scotland but much addicted to the Romish Religion this same Creicton assailes Robert Brusse againe that if so be he himselfe would not doe the businesse he would giue him some of the Duke of Parma's money to giue to the Nobleman where the Banquet was to tempt him to the fact But Brusse also denied that alleaging that he had other businesse to doe there with the monies and also that if it should be done it would be a great scandall and disgrace to them and occasion of their greater feare After many other passages the Iesuite Creicton at last was very instant with the said Brusse if so be hee would haue no hand in the businesse to deliuer to him the fifteene hundred Crownes which hee receiued of the Duke of Parma to distribute amongst three of the Scottish Nobility that should vndertake and effect the businesse by which meanes all scandall and feare should be remooued from them as hauing nothing to doe in so foule a murther But Brusse was very loath also to condiscend euen to that esteeming it an equall â—inne to commit one or hire another to a murther Insomuch that at last after the death of the Duke of Parma He accused this Brusse for a Traitour because indeed hee would not commit treason whereupon poore Brusse was imprisoned for fourteene moneths and had much adoâ— aâ— last to regaine his liberty They that desire information in more particular circumstances may aduice with Lodouicus Lucius where they may haue the story at large in these words dilated on Rex Hispaniarum Philippus haud diiâ— post mortem Mariae Regiâ—â— Scotorum Duci Parmensi Gubernatori suo in Belgio mandâ—rat vt suo nomine Regi Iacobo Scotiae pecunias exercitum adversus Reginâ—m Angliae promittereâ— quo facilius Matris mortem ulciâ—ei possâ—â— â—â de causâ Parmensis Nobilem Scotum Robertum de Brusse qui â— iuventute apud Iesuit as educatus fuerat in Scotiam multa cum pecunia ablegauit Eodem tempore advenit etiam in Scotiam jussu Sixâ—i Quinâ—i Ponâ—â—â—ieis is Romani Dublini Episcopus qui Infantem Hispanicam Scotiae Regi in matrimonium offerret
hauing professed her loue to all her people first protested that all her care onely watched to this entent that the glory of God and the Common-wealth might be enlarged and that she would spend onely to that end all whatsoeuer they should bestow vpon her After that with her flowing â—loquence quickly and liuely she runnes through how farre she alwaies hath beene from a sâ—â—ggish want of courage how that trusting still to God and the buckler of her good conscience she neuer knew how to feare nay not her greatest and her most potent enemies Lastly to put courage into their hearts she discoursed very accurately of the valour of the English and among other things that euen our enemies themselues could not but acknowledge that the English out of a naturall inbred valour were alwayes prompt to vndergoe any dangers and that they found so much indeed by experience too although they dissembled it that they should yet try it more fully if so be that the English slept not too much in security or be not fallen vpon being vnprouided then concluding with hearty thankes for Subsidie monies she promised to dedicate all her thoughts to God and the good of the Common-wealth And indeed how she performed this promise towards God let the Ecclesiasticall Writers tell what punishment she inflicted vpon Henry Barowe and his Sectaries who by the seed-plot of dangerous opinions condemning the Church of England derogating from the Queenes authority in spirituall matters had not a little distempered the peace of the Church But as concerning her promise towards the good of the Common-wealth certainly she amply also fulfilled that in employing all her greatest care to weaken the strength of the Spaniard to hinder all his proceedings and possibly to remoue his forces out of Britaine And as she did this so likewise bestowed she little lesse care and paines to keepe them from Scotland instly fearing lest that a troublesome confusion of affaires which we haue said was in Scotland might open a doore for the Spaniard to both Kingdomes destruction For she had most certainly vnderstood that the Popish Nobility of Scotland bad by the tricks and plots of the Priests conspired to bring in the Spaniard into Scotland to alter the Religion there and to set vpon England on that side and that one Creicton a Iesuit whom she had lately set at liberty hauing passed his faith that he would neuer combine against the good of England had vnder this pretence passed ouer often into the Low Countries and into Spaine She wisely foresaw that the Comminalty of Scotland especially those in the west parts would be easily corrupted with Spanish gold also she weighed how full of Hauens the Scottish shores were how warlike the Nation it selfe was and how well furnished in Horsemen how easily then they might enter England as at a backe-doore Besides all this considering of what an vnstable loyalty the English themselues were that are neighbours ot Scotland most of them being Papists and euery one desirous of innouations who had their meanes and their hopes in their own hands And lastly that there is alwaies more courage in them that doe oppugne then in them that defend who as it were onely cast dice for their owne lot Wherefore she gaue the King of Scotland to vnderstand these things admonishing him to keepe vnder his Nobility betimes and willing him to exercise his Regall power ouer such seditious persons that hee might not seeme to reigne at their pleasure And truely he did that of his owne accord by instituting seuere Lawes against the Papists and the Abettors of them as in that he punished Dauid Graham Fentrey for being secret to the conspirators as also in that he persecuted the Earles of Anguise Huâ—tlâ—y and Aroll whom he easily scattered a sunder Bothwell in the meane time hauing laine lurking in England collogued with the Queene by his flattering letters promising that if the King of Scotland would but enter him into his fauour againe he would faithfully serue and obey him and much weaken the Spanish faction withall entreating her to intercede with the King for his pardon But the Queene assoone as she vnderstood that the King of Scotland tooke it but very iâ—l that Bothwell had beene entertained here in England she detesting his impious rashnesse that he durst offer violence to his Prince the expresse â—igne and Type of God himselfe and put him into so great feares sent the Lord Borough on an Embassie into Scotland that he might truely informe the King that Bothwell was not harboured here but that he secretly crept in and that she would seuerely punish those that had entertained him withall she incensed the King against the Spanish faction wishing him to procure a new Association of Protestants to keepe himselfe in safety and to defend Religion against all outward seditions with hearts and hands knit together and this was shortly after effected The Lord Borough hauing expected the Kings returne out of the Northerne quarters of Scotland demanded these things in writing from him That he would certifie the Queene of all the Spanish enterprises against England that he heard of That by his iustice he would defend his Regall authority and if that he could not execute iustice vpon the bodies of such Traitours that hee would haue their goods confiscated That he would chause into his Councell men of pure and well-tried trust That all these things he would certifie the Queene of by his owne hand that both she and also all other Princes of the same religion might easily vnderstand with what a prouident care he resisted the enemies thereof Lastly that he would take order for a peace in the Borders of both Kingdomes Adding withall That if these things were done she would not be wanting in any thing as she lately was not in seuerely mulcting those Englishmen that had entertained Bothwell To these things distinctly the King answered that he had certified her of all the machinations of the Spaniard as soone as he found them out that as speedily as hee could hee had persecuted all the Rebels punishing some with losse of goods and others with life That he had appointed Lieutenants in their Dominions and that he would haue all of them banished by act of Parliament and after their banishment their goods should be confiscated That he would admit to Councell onely men of sound iudgment of purity in Religion and loue to their Countrey and that he would witnesse all this to the Queene with his owne hand-writing that he would also take order about the Borderers But then that it was meet that the Queene should furnish him with monyes to bring this to passe both to resist the Spaniard and his owne Rebels that were of great wealth and strength Last of all hee required that She would punish those that fauoured Bothwell and since hee was a fellow of vnexpiable villany detestable before all Princes euen to example that shee would
no tempest more raging then the indignation of an impotent Prince That the heart of the Queene is hardened Cannot Princes erre Can they not iniure their Subiects I doe know my dutie as a Subiect and I know my dutie as Lord Marshall of England Out of these sentences they argued as if he had thought the Queene very weake or voide of reason that hee had compared her to Pharao's heart that was hardened that she now cared neither for truth or iustice and as though hee besides his allegiance owed neither loyalty or thankfulâ—es vnto the Queene also they obiected some petty matters vnto him by reason of a Booke concerning the deposing of Richard the second which was dedicated to him The Earle kneeling vpon one knee at the boords end gaue great thankes to God for all his mercies bestowed vpon him and to his most mercifull Queene that cited him not to the Star-Chamber but would haue that cup passe by him as he himselfe said within these priuate wals Therefore professing that he would in no case contest with hâ—r or altogether excuse the errors of his weaknesse or his vnconsiderate youth protesting withal that he was alwaies a Subiect very loyal that he not so much as thought that that might enfringe his loyalty also that in all things he meant well although perchance it fell out otherwise and that now he had taken leaâ—e of the world Then shedding many teares he forced most of the standers by to accompany him in that dolefull collachrymation yet he could not containe himselfe but hee must needs excuse his errour in making Southampton Master of the Horse which he did he said being erroneously perswaded that the Queene would admit of those reasons he could giue her for it but that when he saw she would not admit of them he casheared him from that authority The reason he said that he knighted so many was to retaine with him more Voluntaries of the Nobler sort That the war in Mounster was vndertaken by the vndiscreet opinion of the Irish Councell but that the chiefe of them now Oâ—mond was strucken with blindnesse and Warham of S. Leager with a cruell death As he was going forwards the Keeper interrupted him admonishing him that as he had begun hee should betake himselfe to the Queenes mercy who indeed desired not to finde him guilty of treason but onely of Disobedience and contempt and that he should not carry a shew of obedience before him but shew his obedience indeed That by extenuating and lessening his offence he would seeme the more to extenuate the Queenes mercy That it sounded very harshly for him to shadow his disobedience vnder a desire and will of obedience It were needlesse to repeat what euery man said when as they said little or nothing but what had beene before said in the Starre-Chamber Wherefore at length the Lord Keeper pronounceth this sentence That he must be degraded of his office of one of the Councellours and suspended from his office of Earle Marshall and Master of the Ordnance and remaine in custody during the Queenes pleasure These things euery one approued with his consent and many notwithstanding conceiued great hope of his recouery and restoring to the Queenes fauour in that the Queene expresly commanded that be should not be suspended from being Master of the Horse as if she had intended to haue vsed him againe and withall in that she would not haue this censure past vpon him registred These hopes many that obserued the consequent euents and dispositions both of the Queene the Earle and his enemies probably encreased the same by this meanes That the Queene was borne to clemency and quietnesse That in her wisedome she knew that mercy was the pillar of her Kingdome That she both would and could shew mercy yet with discretion That she would not driue so great a man into despaire That she would not that any one should perish that was any commodity to the Common-wealth That she had squared all her actions hitherto to the rule of iustice That she intended not the ouerthrow but the amendment of the Earle That such a word of a Prince was an Oracle and as in God nothing is that admitteth a contradiction so neither in Princes Besides that she like Mithridates hated the malicious that raged against vertue forsaken by good fortune That whom she loued once she loued to the end That many hauing more heinously offended haue recouered or yet not quite fell from her fauour as Sussex concerning the Irish treason Norfolke not obseruing his Commission in the siege of Lethe Bacon hauing written a Booke of the succession of the Kingdome Henry Arundel Henry the Father of Southampton and Lumley for secret conspiracies with the Q. of Scotland And Croft for priuate conference witâ— the Prince of Parma Walsingham for surprizing the K. of Scotland by Gowry vnknowne to her or her Councell And Leicester concerning the affaires in the Low Countries These all were accused and yet recouered again her fauor But indeed for the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland that they were iustly executed for conspiring the destruction of this Kingdome with forreine Nations As also Norfolke who sinned against his oath of allegiance afterwards againe by going about a marriage with the Queene of Scots and by concealing those things which he knew she dealt about with other Nations and by ayding the Scots that were proclaimed publique enemies to England Also that the Queene of Scots indeed died for all she seemed safe by the priuiledge and prerogatiue of her iniunction in that she tooke such sinister courses for the working of her liberty that she endangered the safety of the Kingdome and when no better physicke could be giuen the common-wealth to maintaine its life then her death But then they considered that no such matter was obiected to the Earle who onely hauing sinned out of ignorance was free from treason both by the sentence of the Queene her selfe and her Councell The Queene all this while to call him backe from despaire not preferring any of his noted enemies in the time of his oppression although they much affected higher dignities Then they argued from the noblenes of the Earle for a far off he was of the bloud Royall his vertues and the choice of the Queene of him from amongst many into her fauour that he suffered euen a box on the eare at her bands that he deserued exceedingly well of his Country at home and abroad that there was not any one better instructed in the arts of a Commander or to mannage a warre or frustrate the violence of an approaching enemy that there was not one more beloued of the people that could appease any tumult if it were once raised and that could discreetly gouerne the affaires of the Realme and that he was one that was most worthy of the Queenes loue and fauour that the seuerity of the Queene if she should exercise it against one so well deseruing
whither or no the Queene were ready to goe to Supper or whether any of the Priuy Councell were there There being taken and then examined the next day being condemned by Crosses witnesse and his owne confession he was hanged at Tyburne and there indeed he confessed that he had beene a very wicked lewd fellow but in this cause very innocent protesting that he neuer thought any thing in his life against the Queene This execution indeed might another time haue beene longer deliberated on but in these times necessity required such wholesome seuerity And well was it to shew how they would punish treason though perchance they hanged no traitor And now presently after all their assemblies and consultations at Drewry house were reuealed by one of the conspiratours enticed it is likely with hope of his life but who it was certainly I cannot tell And this when the rest being examined perceiued to be found out thinking also that all was knowne and counting it a foolish secrecy to conceale that which was already knowne hoping for no benefit of concealing reuealed all Hereupon Essex and Southampton who thought that all was safe enough were arraigned the 19. of February at Westminster before the Lord Buckhurst Treasurer of England Lord Steward for that day Their Peeres were the Earles of Oxford Nottingham Shrewsbury Darby Worcester Cumberland Sussex Hertford and Lincolne Viscount Howard of Bindon the Lords Hunsdon De-la-ware Morley Cobham Stafford Grey Lumley Windsor Rich Darcie of Chech Chandoys Sir Iohn of Bletnesh Burghley Compton and Howard of Walden which was then Constable of the Tower of London Besides Popham Lord chiefe Iustice of England Periam Lord chiefe Baron of the Exchequer Gawdy Feâ—ner Wamsâ—ey Clarke and Kingsmill These all being called by name Essex demanded if it were not lawfull for him as it is for a priuate man in the like case to take exception against any of them But the Iudges made answere that the credit and truth of the Peeres of the Kingdome of England is such that in any Law-case or iudiciall causes they can neither be put to their oath nor yet excepted against Then are they ioyntly demanded wherefore they intended to dispossesse the Queene of her Throne and take away her life from her which they intended in their resolutions of assaulting the Court of breaking into an open rebellion and of imprisoning the Priuy Councellours of stirring the Londoners to a rebellion and of setting vpon her Maiesties trusty Subiects in the City and by defending their houses against the Queenes forces They being demanded whither or no they were guilty of these crimes denied and submitted themselues to God and their Peeres Eluerton at large vnfolds the matter shewing that it is to be reckoned as treason euen to thinke any thing against the Maieste of a Prince Then he compares Essex with Catiline by reason that he heaped together in his rebellion men of alâ— sorts Atheists Papists and the wickedest that were Then he casts in his teeth the liberality and goodnesse of the Queene towards him that had bestowed vpon him an vndeseruing young man such vntimely honours accusing him for abusing them by hunting after popularity and the loue of Souldiers in an vnsatiable ambition of glory which neuer stinted but still like the Crocodile growes as long as it liues Then he shewes that he much wonders that the Earles would pleade not guilty when all the world could giue euidence of their offences Sir Edward Coke Solliciter shewes them out of Fitzherbert an English Authour among the Lawyers that the very inward thought of any villany against the Prince was indeed treason although not to be iudged so till it brake out into Word or Act. Then he shews that they intend the destruction of the Prince who run into rebellion who draw together an armed Band who being commanded to dismisse them refuse or who thinke of bringing the City the Tower or the Court or the Prince vnder their owne power Then hee runnes thorow all the graces and fauours of the Queene bestowed vpon him That she had made him Master of the Horse and warlike Engines That she had chosen him into her Priuy Councell That she had made him Earle Marshall of England and Lord Deputy of Ireland and that in a small time she had most munificently giuen him thirty thousand pounds of English money Then hee reckons vp the imprisonment of the Priuy Councellours the threatnings against them the feares they were put in and then he obiects his acquaintance to him with Danuers Dauis and Blunt all addicted to Popery Then shewed he how that they chose rather to goe into the City then come to Court because the glorious light of Maiesty glittering in the Queene would haue so blinded the eies of their treachery and treason that they would neuer haue dared to haue come neere Then he commends their confessions which came out voluntary and not being wracked out and also for the coherence of one with another and hauing wouen into his discourse an historicall Narration of all the matter about surprizing the Queene and calling a Parliament hee concluded his speech with this bitter Epiphonema THat it were to be wished that this Robert should be the last of this name Earle of Essex who affected to be Robert the first of that name King of England The Earle cheerefull in voyce and countenance answered to this that indeed it was the propriety of Lawyers to speake well and be good Orators who doe thinke it a great glory in accumulated speeches to aggrauate the offence of people in a manner innocent But for his Peeres he intreated them to consider of his case not according to the vehemency of his words but the truth of the thing protesting that for his owne part he was most sincere in his Religion and that he knew no otherwise by Dauis for he went daily to Church Concerning the threatnings to the Priuy Councellours he answered that he heard not any by reason of the tumultuous concourse and noise of the people that hee vsed them there as his best and chiefest friends but that he was compelled there to keepe them in custody by reason of the people and that he was necessarily droue thereunto in his owne defence after that once he had heard not by coniecturall thoughts but by sure reason of faithfull messingers that he was ready to be set vpon sodainly by his enemies And concerning the Queene hee said that he then did and still doth keepe his loyalty to so well-deseruing a Prince and that he nothing intended else then to prostrate himselfe at the Queenes feet and to lay open the dangers he was in and the danger that hangs ouer all the Kingdome Popham Lord chiefe Iustice of England being asked vpon his oath declared how vnworthily and ill they had bin vsed at his hands The Earle made answer that he intended no harme to those Honourable persons but respected them with great honour
gotten as farre as Saint Victors they esteemed the entrance of the mayne Citie as the last so the least part of the assault The French King whether out of feare of the disabilitie of his forces or of hope that shortly it would yeeld or perswasion that the Duke of Maine would not bid him battaile sounds presently a retreate from Paris and remoues to Estampes leauing the Lord Willoughbie and the English on the way to blocke vp the Leaguers passage till such time that both the Towne and Castle yeelded After this they took Vendosme the same place which with the whole country Henry the Fift of England had formerly giuen to Robert Willoughby Gouernour of Normandy as a sure argument of his loue and the others valour They reduced likewise to their due obedience Caën Alanzon Falais Loux and Honfleure After which time and trauell of aboue fiue hundred miles besides the wearinesse of their Irish service they that suruiu'd returned home to England The chiefe of note that died either by disease or battaile were one Captayne Hunning and Stubs who hauing formerly lost his right hand for writing against the mariage of the Queene with the Duke of Aniou heere lost his life and Sir William Drury one without doubt who had enioyed a longer life if reason could haue preuayled with his passion to haue preserued it For contending with Burroughs a Lords yonger sonne for the vpper â—and against the order of ranking Nobility in England he was slaine by him in a single combat The Queene intended not so speedy a returne of the English and the French King greeued at it hauing had intelligence that the Spaniard lay in wayt for the Kingdome of France for he already through the meanes of Morea Taxie and Bernardine Mendoza got it propounded in the Councell of the Leaguers that to recompence his charges which he had beene at for their assistance they should nominate him the Protectour of the Catholiques in France and confer vpon him the same Prerogatiues that he enioyes in the Kingdome of Naples and Sicily of bestowing by his Delegates all Offices whether Ecclesiasticall or Ciuill The loftinesse of this vndermining request intermingled with the eager promoting of it by Cardinall Caietan the Popes Nuntio came yet so short of their expectation of successe that it occasioned great discontentment in the French themselues whose riper iudgements prompted them to this caution by promoting their Religion not to lose their Reason And as the Queene imploied no small care in establishing Nauarre in the Kingdome of France so had she a long time sought opportunity to contriue a match betweene his sister Katharine and the King of Scotland wisely considering that both of them would stand her in great stead to refell the force of Catholiques and their plots against Protestants but the euent prooued not answerable by reason that her age was of the most and her meanes of the least her brother himselfe likewise being much impouerished by these neuer discontinuing warres The King of Scotland notwithstanding being still vnmarried ceased not very often to sollicite the Queen for her aduice in the choice of a wife who being more slow in answering him then the desire of the Scots although not then reason required gaue occasion to the Scots not only to suspect but euen to vent this suspitioÌ„ in open clamors that the English by their cunning trickes sought to depriue the King both of Honour and Issue thereby conceyting an impunity for the death of his mother and to exclude the Scottish race from succession in England This when the Queene vnderstood shee exhorted the King to choose himselfe a wife and such a one that might well please him not displease the people nor occasion the long amity betweene them to fall into suspition The King of Scots therefore hauing somewhat about a yeere before setled his affection on Anne the daughter of Fredericke the Second King of Denmarke who was also honoured with the Queenes ample commendations this yeere about Iuly contracted himselfe to her by his Proxie the Earle Marshall But shee being shipped for Scotland in the middest of her voyage was driuen backe by a tempest into Norway which so bruised her ships that shee could not in long time put to sea againe The King to the prayse of his Religion as well as his loue about October next passeth to Norway for the Sates of the Kingdome appointed and he himselfe sealed their resolution with a vowe to marry within the compasse of a yeare and there celebrated the marriage where both of them were compelled to stay till next May before their ships necessity and a seasonable opportunitie would licence their departure It was first the opinion of many but afterwards their faith that these tempests at sea were raysed by the execrable power of sorcerers and witches by reason of the violence of the waues and windes that were more turbulent and the stormes shorter and yet oftner than ordinarie whereupon they concluded some operatiâ—e power besides nature partly by reason that euill spirits Princes of the Ayre may with better safety trade with the poore ignorant people in the Northerne clymate from whom partly their pouerty and want of other mens industry hath concealed the light of the Gospel but especially by reason of the open confessions of some Witches that were vpon some occasion apprehended who confessed that they raysed those stormes on purpose to keepâ— the Queene from Scotland and that likewise Bothwel had beene with them to know the Kings fortune This being denounced Treason amongst the Scots by a Law of Queene Marry coâ—t Bothwel a strict imprisonment yet it seemes not so strict but that shortly he brake out from that into worse troubles wherewith all Scotland was annoyed There died this yeere Frances the Countesse of Sussex widow of the Thomas Earle of Sussex and sister to Henry Sidney who hauing giuen many precepts of vertue in her life at her death taught it by example in erecting Sidney Sussex Colledge in Cambridge And Sir Walter Mildmay a man as full of variety of vertues as euer he was of offices yet was hee chosen by Henry the Eigth to bee ouerseeâ— of the Court of Augmentation Knighted by King Edward the Sixt made a Priuy Counsellour by Queene Elizabeth Chancellour of the Exchequer and Subtreasurer He founded Emanuel Colledge at Cambridge in the yeere 1584. endowing it with meanes and reuenewes to mayntayne threescore and two Students and a President Him succeeded Sir Iohn Fortescue an excellent man and a good Grecian who was long time Tutor to the Queene and Master of her Wardrobe Likewise there died William Somerset Earle of Worcester the Sonne of Henry and Nephew of Charles whom his onely Sonne Edward succeeded a man so prosperous in his issue that he might reckon more sonnes and daughters then most Noble men in England There died also Iohn Lord Sturton the sonne of Charles whom Queene Mary
made an example of her iustice for murther begotten of the body of Anne Stanley the daughter of Edward Earle of Darby whom Edward his Brother succeeded Also Henry Lord Compton leauing his heyre his sonne William begot of Francis Hastings the daughter of Francis Earle of Huntingdon and at Bruxeils there died Thomas Lord Paget who fearing some suspition should arise out of his inward well wishing to Mary Queene of Scots couertly dispatched himselfe out of the Land leauing his onely â—sonne begotten of Nazareth Newton and named William his Heyre And euen now Learning it selfe had occasion of griefe for the death of Lawrence Humfrey Doctour of Diuinitie in Oxford who being banished in the dayes of persecution vnder Queene Mary translated out of the Greeke a Tract of Origens concerning a Right Fayth and Philo concerning Nobility hauing also himselfe written three Bookes of Nobility which hee stiled by the name of Optimates After his returne home he was made President of Magdaleâ—e Colledge in Oxford where he was first brought vp Hee was likewise the Regâ—ous Professor of Diuinity where by his publike Lectures and vsuall Sermons for many yeeres together he got great credit to the Church although but small profit to himselfe For he was neuer preferred to any higher place amongst the Clergie then to the Deanery of Winchester the chiefest reason that was to be guessed at being that in matters of Ceremony or Indifferency he altogether consented not with the Church of England THE THREE and thirtieth Yeere OF HER REIGNE Anno Domini 1590. THE Queene who neuer layd aside the thought of warre because her desire was still peace at the beginning of the Spring fearing some asâ—ault from the Spaniard mustereth vp her souldiers heere in England and likewise in the South parts of Ireland In Ireland she fortifies Duncannon lying at the mouth of the Riuer Suire and in Wales repayres the ruines of Milford Hauen with new workes For the mayntenance of her Nauy safe and sound shee alotteth yeerely eight thousand fiue hundred and seuenty pounds sterling of English money And although about three yeeres agoe shee had lent the King of Nauarre an hundred and one thousand fiue hundred and sixty French crownes to leauy an Army in Germany vnder the Baron d'Onaw by Horatio Pallauicine and but the last yeere seuenty one thousand one hundred sixty fiue more vpon Beauoire Buhie and Buzenuales bonds and had spent twenty thousand more in sending ouer her forces to him vnder the Lord Willoughby yet notwithstanding first this yeere she lendeth vpon the Vicount Turenes bond thirty three thousand three hundred thirty and three more to muster an army in Germany vnder the conduct of the Prince of Anhault and after that as much more vpon Beauoires bond and Incaruilles Besides all these charges euery two moneths did she pay to the Garrisons in Flushing and Brill an hundred and fiue and twenty thousand Florins and two hundred and threescore more to three thousand horse and foot that seru'd in the Low Countries Shee set out many braue ships shee was at infinite charges to preuent all clandestine machinations of the Pope or Spaniard in Scotland and yet for all this at this time shee repayed to her subiects monies which shee lately had borrowed in so much that many men iustly wondred whence this abilitie should spring she being not in any mans debt a vertue which few Princes can boast of and yet of a sufficient competency to maintaine her kingdome against the enemie without admitting any auxiliary forces which none of the greatest of her neighbour Kings could at that time doe Certaine it is she was a most prouident Princesse seldome entertaining any charge which was not either for the maintenance of her Honour at home or the Succour of her friends abroad Besides the Lord Treasurer Burghley bore a prouident eye ouer those that had charge of Subsidies or imposts for many times by the couetousnesse of such subordinate ministers monies receiued for the Queenes vse were imployed to their priuate pâ—ofits and others that should haue beene receiued were omitted by a wilfull ouersight and hir'd negligence About this time the commodity of the Custome house amounted to an vnexpected value For the Queene being made acquainted by the meanes of a subtile fellow named Caermardine with the mistery of their gaines so enhansed the rate that Sir Thomas Smith Master of the Custome house who heretofore farmed it of the Queene for fourteene thousand pounds yeerely was now mounted to two and forty thousand pounds and afterwards to fifty thousand pounds yeerely which notwithstanding was valued but as an ordinary summe for such oppressing gaine The Lord Treasurer indeed the Earle of Leicester Walâ—ingham much opposed themselues against this Caermardine denying him entrance into the Priuy Chamber in so much that expostulating with the Queene they traduced her hearkening to such a fellowes information to the disparagement of the iudgement of her Councell and the discredite of their care But the Queene answered them that all Princes ought to bee if not as fauourable yet as iust to the lowest as to the highest desiring that they who falsely accuse her Priuy Councell of sloath or indiscretion should be seuerely punished but that they who iustly accused them should be heard That she was Queene as well to the poorest as to the proudest and that therefore she would neuer be deafe to their iust complaints Likewise that shee would not suffer that these Toole-takers like horse-leeâ—hes should glut themselues with the riches of the Realme and starue her Exchequer which as shee will not endure so to bee dieted so hateth shee to enrich it with the pouerty of the people Without doubt shee was a great enemy to all extortions and vnreasonable taxes hating to oppresse her poore subiects as many of her Predecessors had done sweetning their owne extortions with the name of the Peoples contribution the Commons liberalitie or their free beneuolence or the like She would not suffer Tolling by the head of liuing creatures once to be proposed as lawfull although it had beene formerly proposed in the daies of Edward the sixt And hence was it that the people paid their subsidies with such alacritie and though that now her necessity had occasioned a greater tax than ordinary yet it seemed onely a voluntary payment Wherefore the Queene by a mercifull Statute to reward her people for their forwardnesse would haue exempted those of the meaner sort and multiplied their payments vpon the richer as was once done in the time of King Richard the second but the euent of this courtesie would haue beene more iniurious to her selfe than beneficiall to the people it being plainly demonstrated by casting vp the accounts that the subsidies would fall far short of their expected value if those of indifferent estates which we call Pound-men should be fauoured with any exception About this time certaine Inhabitants of the towne of Groyning one
of fiue hundred horse He was one of the appointed Guard for the Queene of Scots Afterwards at the decease of the Duke of Norfolke he was substituted Earle Marshall of England For the space of fifteene yeeres he continued in such trusty loyalty that neyther the calumny of the Court the plots of his enemies nor the troubles hee sustayned by his second wife could vndermine or shake it to the glory of his wisedome as well as valour Hee had by Gertrude the daughter of Thomas Earle of Rutland his first wife Francis that died vntimely Gilbert that was his heire married to Mary Cauendish the daughter of his mother in Law Edward married to the daughter and ioint heyre of the Lord Ogle with Henry and Thomas Hee had daughters Catharine married to Henry the sonne of the Earle of Pembroke that died issuelesse Mary married to Sir George Sauil and Grace to Sir Henry Cauendish By his later wife Elizabeth the widow of William Cauendâ—sh hee had no issue And to make vp the Catalogue of this yeeres mortality Thomas Lord Wentworth also departed this life being the last English Gouernour of Callice whose second sonne Henry for the eldest died when the Father liued succeeded In Ireland the last yeere Hugh Gaueloc so nicke-named by reason of his long continuance in fetters the naturall son of Shane-Oneale had accused Hugh Earle of Tyre-Oën for hauing had priuy conferences with some Sp aniards that in 88 were cast vpon the Irish shoares which accusation the Earle coueting to frustrate by some speedy preuention gaue order that he should be surprized by some tricke or other and strangled and when the reuerence of him and his familie had strucke such a conscience into the exeâ—utioner that was prescribed for this villany that hee refused to doe his office the Earle himselfe was reported to haue fitted the cord and strangled him hâ—mselfe Heereupon being cited into England he craued the Queenes pardon for his fault and obtayned it at her Maiesties Manour of Greenwich where he protested a peace with all his neighbours but especially with Turlogh Lenigh and gaue hostages for the assurance of the performance also of not assuming vpon himselfe the title of O-Neale or the exercise of any Iurisdiction ouer the Nobility that were hâ—s neighbours of reducing all Tyr-Oen into the compleat forme of a County of imposing no taxations which they call Bonaghti vpon his poore Countrey men that were vnder him Of not blocking vp the passage for prouision for the English Garrison at Blacke water or the riuer More of not admitting Monkes Friers or Nunnes or other rebels to reside within his territories or dominions and of performing many more such like Articles yet on this condition also that Turlogh Leâ—igh and the rest of the Nobility neere him might bee bound to a peace also with him lest that his necessity of quietnesse should excite their after iniuries After his returne into Ireland he made a confirmation of his former protestation before Sir William Fitz-Williams Deputy of Ireland and other Councellours of Estate and indeed for some time there was such an vnexpected reformation in his outward cariage that might promise an vnquestioned loyalty of an obedient subiect which he so coloured with the smooth pretence of vertue that his now exemplary duty seemed vnto many from conscience more then the feare of disobedience Not long before the Lord Deputy hauing apprehended at home Hugh Roe-Mac-Mahon a great Noble man in the County of Monaghan whom his owne iudgement before had preferred before some others of the Nobility that contended with him for principality caused a company of common souldiers to passe Iudgement vpon him as the Irish complayne condemned and hanged him for hauing displaied his banners after the rude custome of the Irish and demanded his tributes from them His lands were diuided amongst the English and some of the Mac-Mahons certaine reuenewes onely being alotted them which they were to hold of the English The policy of this iustice was to weaken as much as might bee a House greater then the rest and â—tronger in the multitude of dependants and also vtterly to extinguish both the tyranny and the name of Mac Mahon A title that whosoeuer could purchase eyther by might or right seemed to priuiledge them to any iniurious tyranny The terrour of this seuere Iustice so amazed the guilty conscience of Brian Ororcke a noble man in Brennie that lies next to Monaghan that striuing to preuent such torture in himselfe he prouoked it and for feare of being apprehended turned traytor and tooke vp armes against the Queene But being vanquished by Sir Richard Bingham President of Conaugh he fled ouer into Scotland and was deliuered at her demand to the hands of the Queene The King of Scotland willingly sending her both him and this answer That hee esteemed euery one of her enemies his owne which indeed appeared for hee not onely sleighted his Popish Peeres in Scotland and the Earle of Westmorland with some other factious English who would haue incensed him against the Queene but also caused Iames and Donald Mac-Conell to giue in caution not to nourish any sedition in Ireland either out of the Hebrides or Scotland THE FOVRE and thirtieth Yeere OF HER REIGNE Anno Domini 1591. IN all this variety of troubles there was not any more busied the whole thoughts of the Queene then the affayres in Bretaigne and the desire of succouring the distressed King of France Wherefore in the beginning of this yeere sending ouer to him Sir Edmund Yorke who louingly reproued him for his last three months silence she admonished him to enter into consideration how much it stood him vpon to secure the Dutchie of Bretaigne and to contriue some possible meanes to preuent the second comming of the Duke of Parma promising him sufficient assistance to driue out that enemy that had alreadie possessed his Countrey vpon condition that the King would but paralell her forces The French King hauing much extolled the care and loue of the Queene gaue her ampâ—e thankes and larger promises requesting her for some three thousand men for his war in Britaine and some Regiments to be forthwith transported ouer into Picardy nominating Cherburge Glanuile or Brest and â— laweâ— too I know not whether to make a ieast rather than an answer for Ports for retyring for them Hereupon hee gaue full authority to Beavâ—ire No-cle his ordinarie Embassadour in England to couenant for him with the Lord Burghley Treasurer Charles Howard Lord Admirall and the Lord Husdon Chamberlaine Delegates for the Queene whom he brought to these Articles First that three thousand should be sent ouer into Picardy and Britaine reâ—dy furnished Secondly that the King â—hould repay the charges of their transportation their payes and the prices of their furniture and all necessaries at London within a whole yeare or sooner if so bee the enemy should bee remoued sooner out of the Kingdome The Queene
little with Tir-Oen O dâ—nell and the rest of the Rebels and perswade them to peace Now these other Rebels rendred vp their grieuances and occasions of trouble likewise their seuerall petitions man by man Tir-Oen complained that H. â—agnall Marâ—hall of the Irish forces had 〈◊〉 the right intent of all his labours that with 〈…〉 defamâ—tions he had thrust him out of fauour with the Queene and almost from his ranke and degreâ— toâ— that to his great preiudice also he had intercepted his Letters sent to Captaine Norris and concealed them that hee detained his wiues dowry that wâ—s allotted 〈◊〉 Witâ—â—ll protesting that before hee was â—roclaiâ—â—â— Tâ—aitour â—e neuer 〈◊〉 with any forreine Prince He humbly beg'd pardon for him and his that they might be restored to their former estates That he might freely exercise his Religion For indeed as yet there was scarce any inquisition made about religion Neither did the Rebels harbour any thought of that when they first ioyned into a faction Intreating also that Marshall Bagnall might pay him a â—housand pounds of English â—â—ony in dowrie for his Wife decealed That there mightlye no men in Garrison in the County of Tir-Oen nor Sheriffe nor any such like Officers That he might be restord to his wing of fiftie Horse at the Queenes pay as before he was Leader of That those that shall prey vpon any of his may be subiect to punishment Which things if they were granted he promâ—â—sed not to omit any duty of a good Subiect also to 〈◊〉 to the Archbishop of Armagh and the 〈◊〉 that they may vse and enioy their owne rightâ— and posseâ—â—ions O donell hauing first reâ—urned to their memories the loyalty of his Father and his Ancestours to the Kings and Queenes of England sorely complained that Bome an Englishman and a Commander of Souldiers vnder pretencâ— of informing the people in hâ—mility and ciuility was sent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deputy into their Prouince where he was courteouâ—ly 〈◊〉 by his Father and certaine Townes alloâ—â—d him but yet for all this that hee behaued himselfe most Deputy they would not yeeld vnto them But the misery of a few daies â—iege soone quelled their hot courages the Castle being taken and euery one of them slaine Norris and â—enton being gone into Conaugh could hardly perswade the Rebels to a peace who being hainously incensed against Bingham did for a time nothing but dally and delay the time and at last concluded but an vnfaithfull peace in all probability being counselled to it by Tir-Oen For he began now to cast about doubtfull speeches that he could not but suspect that he was dealt deceâ—â—fully with in that the L. Deputy and Norris agreed no better togethâ—â— in that they that went to the Deputy in his name concâ—â—ning a peace were but in a manner sleighted by him in that the Deputy was all for warre encreasing his forâ—â—s daily with supplies from England in that hee detained the Spaniards Letter which he sent vnto him so dutifully and in that the Marshall his greatest enemy had newly returned with a new Commission from England So that vpon this he began to spoile his neighbouring Lands and diâ—ide them into preyes but shortly afterwards being troubled with the conscience of his villany and being giuen to vnderstand that there was likely to be a peace with England and Spaine he made great shew that he earnestly desired peace with all his heart It were too tedious to examine all the particular couerings of this his dissimulation but to speake in a word whensoeuer there was any danger hâ—ng ouer him from the English he would so craftily countenance his dissimulation both with gesture of face and humble words that the counterfeit repentance which he seemed to haue of his wickednesse coâ—sened all with the beliefe of a serious one till such time as that opportunity of persuing was lost and his forces necessarily to be seuered and dismissed But there was no greater reason of his so much belieued submission and of his continuall pardon then the sluggish gaine of the Irish Commanders the neere parsimony of the Counsellours in England and the inbred mercy of the Queene which alwaies desired to end these rebellions which she neuer thought worthy the name of a warre without warre and rather to lose the prosecution on her due iustice then any subiect should in the passion thereof lose his life But how full the heart and hands of Tir-Oen were of perfidious treachery doth easily hence appeare in that the very same moneth in which he receiued his pardon He O-donell 〈◊〉 Mac-Williams and the Family of Clan-shees sent secretly their Letters to all the Nobility in Munster that sauoured of the Romish Religion wherein they most sacredly promised the assistance of their vtmost helpe for the defence of the Roman Catholike religion withall solemnly vowing and protesting that they would neuer enter into any peace with the English wherein besides all of the confederacy were not also comprehended Also a little after Tir-Oen when Feagh Mac-Hugh came suppliant for the like pardon as Tir-Oen had incensed him to awaken that drowsie rebellion in Leinster which he did presently for forthwith he seised vpon the Fort ouer against Ballencure demolished it and still with a continuall preying runnes ouer all Leinster although the Lord Deputy followed close at the heeles Besides this hee stirred vp also Peter and Iames Butler Nephewes to the Earle of Ormond to continue in their rebellion And these things he dealt vnder hand in and secretly but the Winter comming on apace displayed his villany which so long had gone apparalled in innocency for then he publikely forbad that prouision should be carried to the Garrison at Armagh against the expresse conditions of their agreements he murthered some priuily that were carrying and others that purueyed for wood Nay and he himselfe so violently assaulted the Garrison that thirty of them were slaine He sent forth Henry Oge-Man-Shan his sonne in Law to set fire on the Villages thereabouts and to follow the prey about the Riuer Boyne and he himselfe most treacherously attempted the surprizall of Carlingford Câ—stle When the Deputy and the rest of the Counsellours expostulated with him about this admonishing him that if he â—â—â—eemed of the safety of his hostages or willed not againe to be proclaimed Traytor that he should not any way molest the Garrisons or hinder prouision to be brought vnto them To them he replied that he stood to his agreements but that the Deputy if not against his couenants yet against his promise had sorelâ—â—y molested Feagh Mac-Hugh and that the Garrison at Kelly had slaine vnworthily Owen Mac-Collâ— that thereupon he doubted what also might become of him and his Wherefore he entreated that there might be a new Coâ—â—oquâ—e or Parley appointed for him either with the Deputy or with Norris for a better composition of affaires which were troublesoâ—e on both sides And whilest there is a consultation thereof he suffereth
as they did The Rebels hearing of the Deputies death assault the Fort with great clamours and as great violence and were droue backe with as great slaughter They that scaled vp by Ladders were cast downe headlong and at length they distrusting their owne abilities betake themselues to a consultation relying vpon a perswasion that they were furnished of prouision but for few dayes But for all that the Fort was strongly maintained by the valour of Thomas Williams the Gouernour and the rest that lay in Garrison who hauing suffered hunger the sword and all extremities hauing eate vp their horses â—ed vpon the hearbes that grew vpon the trenches and endured no small misery to enioy their liberty And now by this time by the Queenes authority from England was the Army in Ireland committed to the Earle of Ormond with the title also of Lieutenant Generall of the Army The disposing and gouerning of all ciuill matters was committed to Adam Lâ—fthose Archbishop of Dublin Chancellour and Robert Gardiner with the titles of Iustices of Ireland which office Thomas Norrris had exercised a moneth before Tir-Oen presently sends his long tedious Letters to the new Lieutenant wherein he exaggerates and aggrauates all his grieuances both old and new not omitting the least that might be strercht to the name of an iniurie Hee poorely excuseth his couenant breaking with Norris But especially much complaineth that Feogh Mac-Hugh was euen hunted to death that his Letters to the Queene were intercepted and suppressed that Impositions and Compositions vntolerable were layd vpon the Nobilitie and the Commons Hee added besides that he foresaw well enough that the territories of all the Peeres of Ireland should bed diuided amongst the English Councellours the Lawyers the Scribes and the Souldiers And at the very same time wherein hee assisted with helpe the Sonnes of Feogh Mac-Hugh to a new rebellion in Leinster hee exhibited to the Lieutenant a most submissiue writing humbly craues to be taken into fauour not sticking to promise any thing whatsoeuer although it was easily perceiued and knowne to all men that these rebellions were for no other end whatsoeuer else was pretended then to dislodge the English out of Ireland THE ONE AND Fortieth Yeere OF HER REIGNE Anno Domini 1598. IN the middest of all these Irish troubles there came as great almost out of France too For the French King although hee had lately recouered Ambiane yet being wearied with warre and the daily requests of his Subiects and the intercession of the Bishop of Rome the last yeare almost spent sent ouer Masie to the Queene signifying vnto her that hee had had some conference with the Spanish Factors concerning a peace but yet that he had determined not to prosecute the matter further till such time that he had both her consent and the States of the Low Countries since that he had made a League with them both for offence and defence Wherefore he requested that some might be sent ouer out of England and the Low Countries that might consult about this matter and heare what reasonable conditions were proposed The Queene to satisfie the French Kings desire sent ouer into France Robert Cecill Secretary to the Queene Iohn Herbert Master of Requests and Thomas Wilkes who died presently after his arriuall at France The States sent out to them Iustine Nassaw and Iohn Olden-Barneuelt and also to the Queene some others to dehort her from this Peace The English were informed by instructions before hand to know vpon what ground the mentioned peace relied and how farre it had gone on and whither or no it was propounded bona fide and not deceitfully and cunningly as in the Treaty at Borburgh also to know what good security shall be giuen to the States if they should condiscend to the Treaty and also to propose the restoring of Calis to the English for the monies due to the Queene were of greater value by much then so smal a Town could counteruaile Which the Queene the willinglier mentioned because the French King had intimated that this Treaty should be for some order taking about the Treaty of Cambray Castle in restoring euery man his owne but with this prouiso or clause added to them also that they should consent to nothing without the Hollanders confent also The King of France now was in iourny towards Britain to recouer his Prouince there for the Duke of Mercâ—eur and the Spaniards agreed not well by reason he denied to surrender into their hands Nannetu After long trauaile Cecill at last ouertooke them at Andes to whom the King hauing with a thankefull minde acknowledged the Queenes loue and good-will spake to him to this effect THat although the Queene had vndertaken and waged warre against the Spaniard and had had fortunate successe in the same yet for his owne part although he was borne a Souldier yet being a King and hauing people vnder him hee held it no point of Religion to expose his faithfull Subiects to the rage of warre but rather a great sinne and offence out of an irreligious ambition to refuss Peace c. Cecill made answer that the Queene was not so much against peace as he might imagine who now hauing sufficiently reuenged her selfe vpon her enemy desires nothing but quietly to maintaine the safety of her people and her own honour And then after that he required to be informed what condition of peace the Spaniard had proposed and what order should be taken with the state of the Low Countries if they should not accept of it The King in answering acknowledged that indeed the Queene had endammaged the Spaniard much but the Spaniard had as much him that yet now the Spaniard earnestly desired a peace and that thereupon he would also restore all places in France that he had taken euen Call is againe Also assuring him that shortly he would bring the Spaniard to agreement both with the Queene and the States solemnly and publikely protesting that it could not be if he should refuse this peace but France should wrap it self againe in the fire of ciuill warre by reason that he found the hearts of his people so prone to a rebellion Whilest these things are in hand he being carefull of the maine chance secretly agreed vpon some things concerning the peace with the Spaniard dealing with Albert the Arch-Duke till such time that some authority were delegated from Spaine to the finishing and perfecting of the peace This when the Queene certainly vnderstood she began somewhat to expostulate with the French King about it but he excused himselfe by reason of the delay the Queene vsed in sending ouer and by reason of the vrgency of his necessity and the offered opportunity which he could not neglect and so as it were hauing somewhat else to doe hee referred the matter wholly to his Counsell And first of all Barneuelt layes open before them in an Oration the affaires and estates of the Low
this yeare neither the Carackes set forth for the East Indie nor the American Nauy returned home to Spaine About this time also Edward Squire was called into question a base fellow and one that had beene a common base Scriuener afterwards hauing gotten some office in the Queenes Stables and after that serued vnder Drake in his last voyage taken in the little ship that was then surprised by the Spaniard hee was carried into Spaine and there at last came vnto the knowledge of Walpole an English Iesuite he quickly caused him to be brought into the Inquisition as one that was an Hereticke and at length by continuance of punishments drew the fellow to the faith of the Romish religion Afterwards he dealt with him to try if that hee would dare to doe any thing for his Religions sake that he might be sure hee truely professed it and afterwards after many courses of words as Squire himselfe confessed hee taught him indeed that to take the Earle of Essex away was a meritorious act but that it was farre more necessary to take away the Queenes life Then he shewed what an easie matter it was and as well done as conceiued as free from sin in doing so from danger after it is done if it were but by besmearing the pummell of the Queenes Saddle with poyson where she should lay her hand when she takes horse At length Squire hauing condiscended to this villany the Iesuite bound him by diuers solemne vowes vnder paine of damnation to keepe it secretly and to doe it So that Squire being now instructed to this villany and laden with the promises of euerlasting life tooke his blessing from him and the poyson and withall tooke order that he and another should be sent ouer into Englaâ—d concerning the ransoming of the Spanish Captiues in England that thereby no suspition might be had of him by reason of his returne from Spaine This Squire after his returne a little into England bedawb'd the Queenes pummell of her Saddle with poyson seeming to do somewhat else and praying with a lowd voice for good successe but by Gods mercy the poyson lost his nature as well as Squire his loyalty and had no power to hurt the Queene After all this he went for a Souldier with the Earle of Essex to the Island of Azores and went with him in the same ship to auoide all suspition besmearing also the Earles chaire with poyson which tooke no effect against the Earles life Afterwards returning into England he began to liue securely not suspecting that his Confessor Walpole would euer reueale him But it seemes Walpole either taking it very ill that this matter tooke no effect or else suspecting that Squire triâ—â—ed out all his vowes and mockt him he wholly bends himselfe for a reuenge Certainly there was one sent ouer into England that generally accused Squire of such an intended mischiefe which being of such a great moment Squire being hereupon examined at the first denied it and afterwards being more narrowly demanded in some circumstances and suspecting that now his Confessour had not dealt honestly with him he confessed all concerning Walpoles proposals and his consent and about the poyson laid to the Queenes Saddle But at the iudgment seat afterwards at the gallowes he professed that although he was suborned to this villany by Walpole others that yet he neuer resolued with all his heart to doe it After his death Walpole or one vnder his name set forth a booke wherein hee forswore and bitterly detested all these things which Squire confessed But howsoeuer some of our English runâ— awayes haue beene too much learned to the destruction of many men and their own great disgrace for they haue nourished this dangerous opinion that to murther excommunicated Princes is nothing else but to root out Tares out of the Lords Garden Much about this time were some idle busie-bodies whose onely businesse was to stirre where there was a calme much imployed to breed debate between the Queene and the King of Scotland who scattered rumours that he too much fauoured the Papists and was too much estranged of late from the Queene And to giue some credit to this report there was shewed her Letters sent to the Pope of Rome indited by the viâ—lany of the Kings Secretary and counterfeitly subscribed by the Kings hand and Seale But the Queene not giuing credit to all this report and their confirmation of it reiected these things as all nothing but deuices of wicked men to estrange the affections of all Protestants from him and to reconcile the Papists to him Nay when as this Valentine Thomas a notorious villaine and now condemned for theft required that he might be heard speake a little of a matter of great moment and being set by to speake accused the King of Scotland as ill affected towards the Queene the Queene was so farre from giuing heed to these whisperings that she the more loathed this villanous wretch onely accounting him a wicked calumniator or hired by some to say so to trouble the King of Scotland and her selfe or at the best as one that deuised such a lie thereby thinking to saue his life Yet notwithstanding she commanded the matter to be kept secretly and the villaines life to be repriued a while lest thereby any blemish might be cast vpon the king of Scotlands honour Besides the Queene in the height of these rumours of the King of Scotland sent to the King admonishing him seriously to consider these things VVHether there were any besides her that could doe him more good or more hurt then she could Whether hee knew any that had beene more well-willing to him Whether any one expected lesse from him then she did who indeed desired nothing else then that hee would promote the glory God and not be wanting to himselfe Neither indeed was the king any way defectiue For to disperse the rumour that was raised of him hee caused many men ouer England and Ireland to preach his constancy in Religion his wisedome his iustice his mercy and the rest of his Princely vertues thereby to draw the mindes of the Commonalty to a better perswasion of him There were also bookes written and dispersed that maintained his right of succession to the Realme of England also to informe them that the admittance of him would be beneficiall to both Kingdomes and farre more good then any others intrusion and that for these reasons First that he relies vpon excellent right thereto that he is a King that by ioyning both Kingdomes which hath beene so long desired he will much encrease the glory of both he will â—ull asleepe the warre in Ireland and in Spaine he will cause a liberty of Traffique againe he hath children the props of a Kingdome he hath power and strength enough to defend both him and his and is dearely beloued of all the Christian Princes in the world and then were proposed the lamentable ends not onely of â—surpers