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
obiected against the Lord Protector before he assembled forces in the field which in those tempestuous times as it could not be done without great danger so without great cause it should not To the Lords they answered that they were ready to ioyne with them in any dutifull petition to the King but to ioyne with them in armes they could not vpon the sodaine resolue The next day the Lordes at London dispatched a letter to the Lords at Windesore wherein they charged the protector with many disorders both in his priuate actions and in his manner of gouernment requiring that hee would disperse the sorces which he had raised and withdraw himselfe from the King and be content to be ordered by iustice and reason That this done they would gladly commune with the rest of the counsaile for the surety of the Kings person and for ordering of his estate otherwise they would make no other accompt of them then they might trust to finde cause and would assuredly charge them according to their demerits The King all this time was so farre from gouerning his Lords that he was scarce at his owne liberty and considering that the late rebellions had but newly weared themselues into quiet and fearing new rages among the vnstabie people daily threatned and vpon such occasion not vnlike to take slame conceiuing also that the confederacy trenched no deeper or that the only remedy was to seeme so to conceiue dissolued his companies except only his guarde but charged them vpon warning to be ready so it is most certaine that the troublesome times were a great aduantage to the Lords Had the people beene well setled in subiection or the Protector a man of spirit or witt they hâ—…d beene in danger to haue beene vndone but the protector instead of vsing his authority sent secretary Peter who vnder pretence of gravity couered much vntrustinesse of heart to the Lords at London with some secret instructions sent especially to perswade them that for a publique benefit all either priuate guardes or vnkindnesses might be laid aside But neither did hee returne to Windesore neither was any answere returned from the Lordes After this he wrote two letters one in his owne name to the Earle of Warwicke the other in the name of the Lords at Windesore to the Lords at London in both which he so weakly complained expostulated intreated yeelded vnder their hande as it was sufficient to haue breathed courage into any enimy once declared against him And indeed herevpon the Lords forthwith published a proclamation vnder the hands of 17 persons either for nobility or authority of office well regarded werein the causes of such calamities and losses as had lately before happened not only by inward diuisions which had cost the liues of many thousands of the Kings subiects and threatned more but also by the losse of diuers pieces beyond the seas which had beene wonn by great adventure of the late Kings person and consumption of his treasure they perceiued that the only roote from whence those mischiefes sâ—…rung was the evill gouernment of the Lord Protâ—…ctor whose pride couetousnes and ambition couered only his priuate ends and therefore he was deepely busied in his spatious and specious buildings in the hottest times of warre against France and Scotland whilest the poore souldiers and seruitors of the King were vnpaide and laboured to make himselfe strong in all countries whilest within the realme lawes iustice and good order preuerted prouisions for the forts beyond the seas neglected and the Kings subiects by most dangerous diuisions by his means either raised or occasioned much disquiet That hereupon the Lords of the counsaile for preuenting aswell present dangers to the Kings person as the vtter subuersion of the state of the realme concluded to haue talked to him quietly without disturbance to the King or to the people for reducing him to liue within reasonable limits and for putting order for safety of the kings person and preseruation of the commonwealth of the realme and so to haue passed ouer his most vnnaturall and traitâ—…rous deseruings without further extremities But he knowing that he was vnable to answere for any part of his demeanour began forthwith to spread false rumors that certaine Lords had conspired against the Kings person vnder pretence whereof hee leuied forces in a disordered vproare albeit the treason rested in him and some other his complices wherefore seeing he troubled the whole realme for accomplishing his traiterous ends and vsed the King in his tender age for an instrument against himselfe causing him to put his hand to many of his owne deuises and to speake things tending to the destruction of himselfe they desired and in the Kings name charged all subiects not to obey any precepts licenses or proclamations whereunto the Protectors hand should be set albeit he should abuse the Kings hand and seale vnto them but to quit themselues vpon such proclamation as should proceede from the body of the counsaile protesting therewith their faithfull hearts to the King and their loialty towards the people Instantly after the publishing of this proclamation the Lords directed their letters to Windesore ond addressed to the King another to the Protector the third to the houshold which was openly read The letter to the Protector was guilded ouer with many smooth words intimating faire promises and full of hope but the other two did fully and fowly set forth his obstinacie his auarice his ambition his rash engagements into warres in the Kings vnsetled both age and estate his negligences his deceits and all other insufficiences mentioned before Herewith S r Robert Wingfield captaine of the guarde was sent from the Lords to Windesore who so well persuaded the King both of the loyall affection of the Lordes towards him and of their moderate desires against the protector who then was in presence that partly thereby but chiefly in regard of the turbulent times the Protector was remoued from the Kings person a guard set vpon him vntill the next day when the Lords at London were appointed to be there So the next day diuers of the counsell rode from London to Windsore but the Earle of Warwick rode not with them for he was a perfect Master of his craft he had well learned to put others before him in dangerous actions and in matters of mischiefe to be seene to doe least when in very deed all moued from him He had well learned of the ape to take nuts out of the fire with the pawe of the cat These Lords comming before the King did againe runne ouer their complaints against the Protector and also vnder colour of loue and duty aduiseth the King to beware of such as were both powerfull ambitious mischieuous and rich Affirming that it would be better surety vnto him if this great authority should be committed to many who cannot so readily knit in will or in action as when the whole mannage resideth in one In the end the Duke of
Somerset for hereafter he must be no otherwise called was committed into their power and committed to custody in Beâ—…uchampe tower within the castle The next day he was brought to London as if he had bin a captaine caried in triumph He rode through Holborne betweene the Earles of Southhampton and of Huntington and was followed with Lords and Gentlemen to the number of 300 mounted on horsebacke At Holborne bridge certaine Aldermen attended on horsebacke and the cittisâ—…ns housholders stood with halberds on all sides of the streets through which he passed At Sopherlane he was receiued by the Maior Shâ—…riffes Recorder and diuers Knights of especiall note who with a great traine of officers and attendants bearing halbeards carryed him forthwith to the Tower all this was to beare in shew both that the Duke was a dangerous man and that the common both aide and applause concurred in his restraint Forthwith the King was brought to Hampton courte where all things being borne as done well because nothing was ill taken seauen of the Lords of the counsaile and 4 Knights were appointed by turnes to attend the Kings person The Lords were the Marquis of Northhampton the Earles of Warwicke and Arundell the Lordes Russell S t Iohn and Wentworth the knights were these S r Andrew Dudley S r Edward Rogers S r Thomas Darcy and S r Thomas Worth As for affaires of state the gouernment of them was referred to the whole body of the counsaile Soone after the King rode to his house in Southwarke then called Suffolke place there dined all-After dinner he rode in great estate through the citty to Westminster as if the people should be giuen to vnderstand that nothing was dâ—…minished either from the safety or glory of the King by imprisonment of the Duke And now when the Duke had breathed a small time in the tower certaine Lords of the counsaile were sent vnto him who after a shorte preface in such termes as hate and dissimulation could temper together remembring how great the amity had beene betweene them and of what continuance Then acknowledging what offices seruices he had done for the commonwealth yet enterlacing some errors defects wherewith they seemed to reproach him Lastly they presented him certaine articles as from the residue of the priuy counsaile desiring his present answere whether hee would acknowledge them to be true or else stand vpon his iustification The articles obiected against him were these 1 That he tooke vpon him the office of Protector vpon expresse condition that he should doe nothing in the Kings affaires but by assent of the late Kings executors or the greatest part of them 2 That contrary to this condition he did hinder iustice subuert Lawes of his owne Authority aswell by letters as by other commande 3 That he caused diuers persons arrested and imprisoned for treason murther manslaughter and felloâ—…y to be discharged against the lawes and statutes of the realme 4 That he appointed Lâ—…euetenants for Armies and other officers for the weighty affaires of the king vnder his own writing and seale 5 That he communed with Embassadors of other realmes alone of the weighty matters of the realme 6 That he would taunt and reproue diuers of the kings most honourable counsailors for declaring their aduice in the Kings weighty affaires against his opinion sometimes telling them that they were not worthy to sit in counsaile and sometimes that he needed not to open weighty matters to them and that if they were not agreeable to his opinion he would discharge them 7 That against law he held a court of request in his house and did enforce diuers to answere there for their freeholde goods and did determine of the same 8 That being no officer without the aduice of the counsaile or most part of them he did dispose offices of the Kings guift for money grant leases and wards and presentations of Benefices pertaining to the King gaue Bishoprickes and made sales of the Kings lands 9 That he commanded Alchimie and multiplication to be practised thereby to abase the Kings coine 10 That diuers times he openly said that the nobility and gentry were the only cause of dearth Whereupon the people rose to reforme matters of themselues 11 That against the minde of the whole counsaile he caused proclamation to be made concerning enclosures wherevpon the people made diuers insurrections and destroied many of the Kings subiects 12 That he sent forth a commission with Articles annexed concerning enclosures commons highwaâ—…es cottages and such like matters giuing the commishioners authority to heare 〈◊〉 determine those causes whereby the lawes and statutes of the realme were subuerted and much rebellion raised 13 That he suffered rebells to assemble and lie armed in campe against the nobility and gentry of the realme without speedie repressing of them 14 That he did comfort and encourage diuers rebells by giuing them money and by promising them fees rewards and seruices 15 That he caused a proclamation to be made against law and in fauour of the rebells that none of them should be vexed or sued by any for their offences in their rebellion 16 That in time of rebellion he said that he liked well the actions of the rebells and that the auarice of gentlemen gaue occasion for the people to rise and that it was better for them to dye then to porish for want 17 That he said the Lords of the Parliament were loath to reforme enclosures and other things therefore the people had a good cause to reforme them themselues 18 That after declaration of the defaults of Bouline and the pieces there by such as did surview them he would neuer amend the same 19 That he would not suffer the Kings pieces of Newhauen and Blacknesse to be furnished with men and prouision albeit he was 〈◊〉 of the defaults and aduised thereto by the Kings 〈◊〉 whereby the French King was emboldned to attempt vpon them 20 That he would neither giue authority nor suffer noble men and gentlemen to suppresse rebells in time conuenient but wrote to them to speake the rebells â—…aire and vse them gently 21 That vpon the fifth of October the present vâ—…ere 〈◊〉 Hampton courte for defence of his owne priuate causes hee procured seditious bills to be written in counterfeit hands and secretly to be dispersed into diuerse parts of the realme beginning thus Good people intending thereby to raise the Kings subiects to rebellion and open warre 22 That the Kings priuy counsaile did consult at London to come to him and moue him to reforme his gouernment but he hearing of their assembly declared by his letters in diuers places that they were high traitors to the King 23 That he declared vntruly aswell to the King as to other yong Lords attending his person that the Lords at London intended to destroy the King desired the King neuer to forget but to reuenge it and required the yong Lords to put the King in remembrance thereof
on foote 4000 l accounting the gulden at 3 s 4 d but accounting it more as without a higher valuation little seruice happily some mischiefe might be expected the monethly pay to strangers amounted higher Hereby a great error was discouered in that the strangers for defence of Boulaine were of greater strength then were the English Now the English commissioners hauing first procured some releife both for victualls pay prepared a tent without the towne for meeting with the French But they erected a house on the further side of the water within their owne territory in a manner halfe way betweene their forte and the towne The English perswaded the French to surcease their building pretending but for their fantasies it was not necessarie because neither their treaty was like to continue long neither was it by solemne meeting that the businesse in hand must be effected But in truth they feared least if peace should not follow the French might in short time either with filling or massing the house or else by fortifying make such a piece as might annoy the hauen or the towne Notwithstanding the French not only proceeded but refused any other place of enteruiew At their first meeting much time was spent in ceremony of salutation Then the commissions were read then M r de Mortier in a sharpe speech declared that the French King their M t had vpon iust grounds entred the warre for recouery of his right and defence of his allies yet was he well minded for an honourable peace so as the things for which the warre began might be brought to some reasonable appointment and hearing of the like disposition of the King of England he had sent them to treat of those affaires nothing doubting but that the English would accord to the restitution of Bouline and other pieces of their late conquest which so long as they should keepe so long they may be assured the warre would continue He further added that Bouline was but a bare ruinous Towne without territory or any other commodity to ballance the charge of defending it against the power of France Lastly he said there should want no good will in them to bring matters to good appointment hopeing to finde the like affection in the English After that the English commissioners had conferred a while the Lord Paget answered that the causes of the warre both with them and their Allies whom he tooke to be the Scots being iust and honourable The towne of Bouline other pieces subdued aswell by their late great master against them as by the K. their then M r against their Allies were acquired by iust title of victory and therefore in keeping of them no iniury was offered either to the French King or to the Scots But the further declaration hee left off vntill their next meeting because both the time was spent and the tide summoned them to departe Touching the good inclination of the King their M r hee had declared it well by sending them thither in whom they should finâ—…e such good conformity that if good successe ensued not the fault should be which they expected not in the French Nothing else was done sauing a surcease of hostility concluded for 15 daies which was proclaimed in both the frontires At the next meeting the Lord Paget spent much speech in setting forth the King of Englands title to Bulloine and to his debts and pension from the French king with all arrerages together with the iustice of his warre against the Scots The French were as earnest in maintaining the contrary wanting no words whatsoeuer their reasons were For betweene great Princes the greatest strength carrieth the greatest reason At the last M r de Mortier roundly said that to cut off all contentions of words he would propose two means for peace All that for old matters of pensions debts and arrerages the English should make white books and neuer mention them more but for Bulloine to set the higher value or else said he let old quarrells remaine so as your right may be reserued to clime and ours to defende And let vs speake frankly of some recompence for Boulloine As for the Scottish Queene For this had beene also mentioned before our King is resolued to keepe her for his sonne and therefore we desire you to speake thereof no more but of what other points you please so as we may draw shortly to an end The Lord Paget answered for the other commissioners that they had greatest reason to desire a speedy end but the matters whereupon they stood were of greater importance then to be determined vpon the sodaine For said he you may make doubts as you please But if the debt to our King be not iust being confessed iudged sworne and by many treaties confirmed wee know not what may be deemed iust neither is it a summe to be slenderly regarded being 2000000 crownes cleere debt besides 12000 crowns resting in dispute The iustice of the warres against Scotland he maintained aswell in regarde of breach of treatise with themselues as for that contrarie to their comprehension in the last treaty of France they had inuaded England in these entercourses the whole afternoone being spent it was agreed that both parties should advise vpon such matters as had beene propounded vntill the next meeting But the French either hauing or supposing that they had aduantage ouer the English partly by reason of their firme intelligence in the English court and partly because they found the English commissioners much yeelding to their desires as first in cumming into France then to Bouline lastly to a house of their owne erecting began to be stiffe and almost intractable sharpely pressing both for speedie resolution and short times for meetings But Guidolti continually trauailed to draw both parties to conformity the French being willing to be entreated by their friend to their most dissembled desires Guidolty in steed of the Queene of Scots propounded that the French kings daughter should bee ioyned in marriage to the King of England affirming that if it were a drie peace it would hardly be durable but hereto the English gaue no inclinable care Then he deliuered 17 reasons in writing for which he said it was necessarie for the English to conclude a peace The English demanded how many reasons he had for the French he answered that he had also his reasons for them which he intended likewise to deliuer in writing At the next meeting the French shewed themselues as before peremptory and precise standing stifly vpon their owne ouertures which they had they said no commission to exceede and therefore they refused to treat either of the pension or debt demanded by the English and declared themselues rather desirous then willing to breake off the treaty The English answered that before their comming Guidolti had declared from the French King that so as Bulloine might be rendred all that was owing from him to the King of England should be paid which Guidolti
being present affirmed to be true well said they what our King told Guidolti we know not but to vs hee hath giuen no other commission then you haue heard which in no case wee must exceede As for the pension whereof you speake thinke you that a King of France will be tributary to any No No assure you he will not and touching the debt because the K. of England gaue occasion to the warres wasted the French Kings countrey thereby caused him to expend such summes of mony as exceeded the debt he tooke himselfe to be acquitted thereof Hereto the English answered that the French King might take matters as he pleased but in honour iustice and conscience no debt was more due and the warres being made for deniall thereof he could not be for that cause acquitted That the pension was also granted vpon diuers causes both weighty and iust and amongst other by reason of the King of Englands vncontrouleable title to Normandie Gascoine and other parts of France Here they were interrupted by M r Rotchpot who brake forth into warme words and was againe as warmely answered but the French would nothing moue from their owne ouertures which they stood vpon by way of conclusions At the last the English said that they might doe well to report these differences to their Masters on both sides that their pleasures might therein be knowne Hereto the French answered that they knew their Kings pleasures so well that if they should send to him againe he would and might thinke them of small discretion and herewith they offered to breake The English told them that if they would breake they might but they intended to conclude nothing vntill they had further instructions from England which they would procure as soone as they could To this the French did easily incline These matters aduertised into England much troubled the counsaile and the rather for that the Earle of Warwicke was at that time retired pretending much infirmity in his health Hereupon many sinister surmises began to spring vp among some of the counsaile partly probable parte happely deuised for as they knew not whether hee were more dangerous present or away so as the nature of all feare is they suspected that which happened to be the worst From hence diuerse of the counsaile began in this manner to murmure against him What said they is he neuer sicke but when affaires of greatest weight are in debating Or wherefore else doth hee withdraw himselfe from the company of those who are not well assured of his loue Wherefore doth he not now come forth and openly ouerrule as in other matters hee is accustomed Would he haue vs imagine by his absence that he acteth nothing Or knowing that all moueth from him shall wee not thinke that he seeketh to enioy his owne ends which bearing blame for any euent Goe to then let him come forth and declare himselfe for it is better that should finde fault with all things whilest they are doing then condemne all things when they are done with those and the like speeches he came to counsaile more ordinary then before and at last partly by his reasons and partly by his authority peace with France was esteemed so necessarie that new instructions were sent to the English Embassadors according whereto peace was concluded vpon these articles 1 That all titles and climes on the one side and defences on the other should remaine to either party as they were before 2 That the fautle of one man except he were vnpunished should not breake the peace 3 That prisoners should be deliuered on both sides 4 That Bouline and other pieces of the new conquest with all the ordinance except such as had beene brought in the English should be deliuered to the French within 6 moneths after the peace proclaimed 5 That ships of merchandise might safely passe and ships of warre be called in 6 That the French should pay for the same 200000 crownes of the summe euery crowne valued at six shillings 8d within three daies after the deliuery of the towne 200000 like crownes more vpon the fifth day of August then next ensuing 7 That the English should make no new warres vpon Scotland vnlesse new occasions should be giuen 8 That if the Scots rased Lords and Dunglasse the English should rase Roxborough and Aymouth and no fortification to be afterwards made in any of those places To these articles the French King was sworne at Amiens the King of England at London Commissioners being especially appointed to take their oaths and for further assurance 6 Hostages were deliuered for the French at Ards and 6 for the English at Guisnes and it was agreed that at the deliuery of Bulloine the English hostages should be discharged that vpon the paiment of the first 200000 crownes 3 of the French hostages should be discharged and other 3 vpon paiment of the last 200000 crownes In the peace the Emperor was comprised in case he would consent and further to cut off future contentions commissioners were appointed both by the English and French to make certaine the limits betweene both territories Other commissioners were appointed summarily to expedite and determine all matters of piracie and depredations betweene the subiects of both kingdoms whereby many had not only liued but thriued many years before So the Lord Clinton gouernor of Bulloine hauing receiued his warrant discharged all his men except 1800 and with them issued out of the towne and deliuered it to M r Chastilion hauing first receiued of him the 6 English hostages and an acquittance for deliuery of the towne and safe conduct for his passage to Calais These 18000 men were afterwards placed vpon the frontires betweene the Emperor and the English Soone after the first paiment of money was made by the French to certaine English commissioners wherevpon 3 of their hostages were discharged the other three namely Count de Anguien next heire to the crowne of France after the Kings children the Marquis de Meaux brother to the Scottish Queene and Montmorencie the constables sonne who at that time chiefly guided the affaires of France came into England They were honourably accompanied and with great estate brought to London where euery of them kept house by himselfe Of the monies of the first paiment 10000 l was appointed for Calais 8000 l for Ireland 10000 l for the North and 2000 l for the Nauie the residue was earefully laid vp in the Tower Likewise of the second paiment wherevpon the hostages aforenamed returned into France 8000 l was appointed for Calais 5000 l for the North 10000 l was emploied for enerease towards outward paiments certaine persons vndertaking that the mony should bee doubled euery moneth the residue was safely lodged in the tower And now it remained that the chiefe actors in this peaee whatsoeuer their aimes were must be both honoured enriched with great rewards first Guidolti the first mouer of the treaty was recompenced
and discretion did equally appeare For albeit the gentlemen of those families did often skirmish with the Earles men and slew many of them yet were they neuer therein aided by the English neither would they assaile him vpon any aduantage But when any of these gentlemen were distressed by the Earle the English did then encounter him by armes Generally the English would not offer to offend the Scots but only in defending their friends About this time the French king sent Mounsier Lansat to request of the King of England that the fishing of Tweâ—…de Edrington the debatable ground and the Scottish Hostages which had beene sent into England in the time of King Henry the 8 th might be restored to the Scots and that the English prisoners who were bound to pay their ransomes before the peace should not be comprised in the conditions thereof The King sent S r William Pickering to declare to the French King that to the last demand he agreed without exception and albeit he had to the places required yet he was content as well for them as for other demands to performe whatsoeuer should be agreed on by commissioners on both sides so commissioners were appointed and the matters setled in quiet agreement In the meane time the King sent new supply of forces and other prouisions into the North parts of the Realme wherevpon the French King sent a nauie of 160 saile into Scotland laden with graine powder and ordinance of these 16 of the greatest perished vpon the coast of Ireland two charged with Artillery and 14 with graine the residue so shaken and torne that it gaue a maine checke to their further designes but because many saued themselues in the harbors of Ireland The King sent thither 4 ships 4 barkes 4 pinnaces and 12 victualers These possessed themselues of three hauens two on the south side towards France and one towards Scotland The Lord Cobham was appointed Generall lieuetenant who fortified those hauens and drew downe the chiefest forces of the country towards the south parts thereof and thus euen in peace either of the Kings so vigilantly obserued euery motion of the other as if they had liued vpon the Alarme The will of friends is best assured when they haue no power to doe hurt In France a difference did rise about a place called Fines wood whether it pertained to the English or to the French On the French part 800 men assembled at armes vpon this quarrell on the English 1000. But the readines of the English to fight moued the French to abstaine from blowes and to permit the English to enioy their ground Herevpon the King fortified Calais and his other pieces in France in such sort as they had neuer beene in like condition of defence And whereas one Styward a Scot was apprehended in England and imprisoned in the Tower for intending to poison the young Queene of Scots the King as well to manifest his iustice as his loue and respect towards the young Queene deliuered him to the French King vpon the frontires of Calais to be iusticed by him at his pleasure And yet this aduice was not approued by many for albeit it be both honourable and iust that they who offend against their proper prince should be deliuered to him to be punished yet is it growne out of common vse And for this cause the condition is often expressed in leagues that the subiects of one Prince should be deliuered by the other in case they be required the contrary custome may happely holde reasonable in ordinary offences in which case the Scripture forbiddeth to deliuer a slaue to his angrie Lord but in grieuous and inhumane crimes in such as ouerthrow the foundation of state in such as shake the surety of humane society I conceiue it more fit that offenders should be remitted to their Prince to be punished in the place where they haue offended But of all other the Kings amity with the Emperor was least assured being as fullest both of practise and distrust so in danger euery houre to dissolue Certaine ships were appointed in the Lowe Countreys with men and furniture sutable to the attempts to transport the Lady Mary either by violence or by stealth out of England to Antwerpe Diuerse of her gentlemen departed thither before and certaine shipheres as they are termed were discouered to view the English coast Hereupon S r Iohn Gates was sent with forces into Essex where the Lady then lay and besides the Duke of Somerset was sent with 200 men the Lord Priuy seale with other 200 and M t Sentlegier with 400 men more to seuerall coasts vpon the sea diuerse of the Kings ships were addressed to be in readines for the sea M r Chamberlaine Embassador for the Queene of Hungarie in the Lowe Countries aduertised by his letters that it was intended by this means to raise an outward warre to ioine with some sedition within dores that the Queene of Hungarie had openly saide that the Shipheres were towards who for feare of one gentleman durst not proceede in their attempt Vpon these either dangers or feares the Lord Chancellor Secretary Peeter were sent to the Lady Mary who after some conference brought her to the Lord Chancellors house at Lyes in Essex and from thence to Hunsdon and from thence to the King at Westminster Here the counsell declared vnto her how long he had permitted her the vse of the Masse and perceiuing by her letters how vnmoueable she was he was resolued no longer to endure it vnlesse she would put in hope of some conformity within short time To this she answered that her soule was Gods and touching her faith as shee could not change so she would not dissemble it Reply was made that the King intended not to constraine her faith but to restraine the outward profession thereof in regard of the danger the example might draw After some other like enterchange of speeches the Ladie was appointed to remaine with the King but D r Mallet her chaplaine was committed prisoner to the fleete and almost herewith arriued an Embassador from the Emperor with a menacing messuage of warre in case his cozen the Lady Mary should not be admitted the free exercise of the masse The King presently aduised with the Archbishop of Canterburie and with the Bishops of London and Rochester who gaue their opinion that to giue license to sinne was sinne but to conniue at sinne might be allowed in ease it were neither to long nor without hope of reformation Then was answere giuen to the Embassador that the King would send to the Emperor within a moneth or two to giue him what satisfaction should be fit In the meane time the counsaile considering how preiudiciall it would be to the realme if the subiects should loose their trade in Flanders that the Flemmings had cloath for a yeere in their hands that the King had 500 quintals of powder and much armor in Flanders and the merchants much goods at
haue lost their heads and that the Earle of Arundell was made acquainted with the practise by S r Michaell Stanhope and that it had bin done but that the greatnesse of the enterprise caused delaies and sometimes diuersity of aduice and further said that the Duke of Somerset once faining himselfe to be sicke went to London to assay what friends he could procure This Crane was a man who hauing consumed his owne estate had armed himselfe to any mischiefe Hamonde confessed that the Duke of Somersets chamber had beene strongly watched at Greenwich by night All these were sworne before the counsaile and the greatest part of the nobility of the realme that their confessions were true and as fauourably set downe in behalfe of the Duke as with a safe conscience they could and forthwith vpon the information of Crane the Earle of Arundell and the Lord Paget were sent to the Tower so were Stradley and S t Albones seruants to the Earle of Arundell the Lord Strange voluntarily enformed how the Duke desired him to moue the King to take to wise his third daughter the Ladie ◅ane and that he would be his especiall about the King to aduertise him when any of the counsaile spake priuatly with him and to acquaint him what they said Herevpon to giue some publique satisfaction to the people the Lord Chancellor who had words at will wit enough to apply them declared openly in the starre chamber all these accusations against the Duke of Somerset letters were allso published to all Emperors Kings Embassadors chiefe men in any state wherein these matters were comprised By other letters the muster of the Gendarmorie was deferred for certaine moneths other letters were directed to Sir Arthur Darcy to take charge of the tower and to discharge Sir Arthur Markham For that without acquainting any of the Lords of the counsaile he suffered the Duke of Somerset to walke abroad and permit entercourses of letters betweene Dauid Seymor and M rs Poynes Whilest these matters were in trauerse messengers arriued from Duke Mauris◅ of Saxony the Duke of Mickleburge and Iohn Marques of Brandenburge Princes of the religion in Germanie to vnderstand the Kings minde whether he would agree to aide them with 400000 dollars in case any necessity should assaile them they consenting to doe the like to him in case he should be ouercharged with warre the King gaue them an vncertaine answere but gentle and full of faire hopes that because their message was only to know the Kings inclination and not to conclude he could giue them no other answere then this that he was well enclined to ioyne in amity with them whom he knew to agree with him in religion but first he was desirous to know whether they could procure such aide from other Princes as might enable them to maintaine their warres and to assist him if need should require and therefore he willed them to breake this matter to the Duke of Prussia and other Princes about them and to procure the good will of Hamborough Lubecke and Breme then he desired that the matter of religion should be plainly set downe least vnder pretence thereof warres should be made for other quarrells lastly he willed that they should furnish themselues with more ample instructions from their Lords to commune and conclude of all circumstances pertaining to that businesse The Kings answere was framed with these vncertainties and delaies least if the King had assured his consent at the first it might haue beene taken as breach of league with the Emperor afterwards they and other Princes of Germany made a league offensiue and defensiue with the French King against the Emperor into the which the French King desired the King of England to come but because the French K. was the chiefe of the league the King did plainly perceiue that the warre was not for the cause of religion wherefore he answered that he could not doe it with breach of his league with the Emperor against whom hauing no pretence of hostility he was not so desirous of warres as without iust cause of his owne to pull them vpon him About the same time the Lord admirall was sent into France as the Kings deputie to be Godfather at the baptisme of the French Kings sonne also a French man who had committed a murther at Diepe and fled into England was remitted into France and deliuered vpon the borders to receiue iustice by the same lawes against which he had offended And now the Duke of Northumberland being impatient of long working wickednesse the 4 th act of the Duke of Somersets tragedie must not be delaied least thereby feare abating as being false it could not be durable either the Kings gentle disposition or the loue which he had formerly borne to his vnkle might happily returne to their naturall working So the Duke of Somerset after a short aboad in the tower was brought to his triall at Westminster The Lord William Paulet Marques of Winchester and Lord treasurer sate as high Steward of England vnder a cloath of estate on a bench moūted three degrees the Peeres to the number of 27 sate on a bench one step lower These were the Duke of Suffolke and of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton the Earles of Darby Bedforde Huntington Rutland Bath Sussex Worcester Pembrooke and Here◅orde The Barons Abergauenny Aud◅ly Wharton Euers Latimer Borough Louch Stafford Wentworth Darcie Sturton Windesore Cromwell Cobham and Bray First the inditements were read in number 5 containing a charge of raising men in the north parts of the realme at his house of assembling men to kill the Duke of Northumberland of resisting his attachment of killing the Gendarmorie of raising London of assaulting the Lords and deuising their deaths when the prisoner had pleaded not guilty and put himselfe vpon triall of his Peeres the examinations before mentioned were read and by the Kings learned counsaile pressed against him Hereto albeit he was both vnskilfull and much appalled causes sufficient to driue him out of matters yet after a short entreaty that words either idly or angerly spoken might not be enforced to any high crew to the points obiected he answered That he neuer intended to raise the north parts of the realme but vpon some brutes he apprehended a scare which moued him to send to S r William Herbert to remaine his friend That he determined not to kill the Duke of Northumberland or any other Lord but spake of it only and determined the contrary That it had beene a mad enterprise with his 100 men to assaile the Gendarmory consisting of 900 when in case he had preuailed it would nothing haue auailed the pretended purpose and therefore this being senselesse and absurd must needs dis◅redid other matters which otherwise might haue beene belieued That at London he neuer proiected any stirre but euer held it a good place for his surety That for hauing men in his chamber at Greenwich it was manifest he meant no harme
the French King had drawen the Turke into Christendome and therefore was to be resisted as a common enimy And further in case the Emperor vpon extâ—…emity should compose agreement with the French the danger to England would be double First vpon offence taken by the Emperor then vpon the French Kings old disposition edged by euery new displeasure wherein the deuotion of the Bishop of Rome would not be wanting And againe the English Merchants were so ill intreated in the Empire the Realme was so much engâ—…ged in honour and in wealth as some remedy was to be sought none better then by giuing aide Lastly the French Kings proceedings were no lesâ—…e doubtfull then fearfull not only in regard of Stukelies report not altogâ—…ther to be neglected but by reason of his breaking and firing diuers English ships the auncient strength and fortresses of the realme Others were of aduice that the Emperors demands of aide should be denied First for that it would be too chargeable and almost â—…mpossible for the English to performe Thâ—…n for that when the Emperor should die the whole weight of the warre would râ—…ule vpon the English And further the Germaine Protestants would be offended herewith conceiue some doubts of their owne estates Lastly there was hope that the amity with â—…rance would not long continue but aâ—…end that the â—…mbassadors then lately sent would repaire all harmes done by the French upon English shipps Betweene both these the King stroke a midâ—…ing iudgment so to aiâ—…e the Emperor against the French King as other Christian Princes should also adioine and that for no other cause but as a common enimy for drawing the Turkes forces vpon them That herâ—…by as the cause was common so would there be more parties to it And this also would moderate the charge of aiding the Emperor according to the treaty and whensoeuer the Emperor should die or breake off it was likely that some of those Princes and parties should remaine so as the King should not stand alone Moreouer this friendship would much advance the Kinges other affaires in Germany and finally it would be honourable to breake with the French King vpon this common quarrell Against this advise of the King two obiections were made one that the treaty must be entertained with so many that it could not be speedily or secretly concluded The other that in case the purpose should be discouered and not concluded the French might be prouoked thereby to practise the like confederation against the English All these the King did knit vp in this conclusion first that the treaty should be made only with the Emperor and by the Emperors means with other Princes Secondly that the Emperors acceptance should be well vnderstood before any treaty were either entered or entertained against the French Herevpon letters were dispatched to M r Morison the Kinges Embassador with the Emperor whereby he was directed to declare to the Emperor how the King touched with pitty at the invasion of Christian countries by the Turkes would willingly ioinâ—… with him and other States of the Empire in case the Emperor could bring it to passe in some league against the Turkes and against their confederats But caution was giuen that he should not once mention the French King nor answere any mention made of him only to say that his commission extended no further But if the Emperor would send a messenger into England he should happily know more Herewith and because time beateth out truth letters were sent to M r Pickering the Kinges Embassador in â—…rance to know whether Sâ—…ukely hâ—…d acquâ—…inted hiâ—… with any of those matters which he had disclosed in England And with what familiarity the French King vsed him or by what other circuâ—…stances he could conceiue his report to be true Herewith also the Lord Gray was chosen deputy of Calais the Lord Wentworth remoued as one whose youth want of experience was held vnfit to gouerne that châ—…rge in turbulent times On the other side S r Nicholas Wentworth was remoued from being Porter of the towne by reason of his old age but had an hundred pounds yeaâ—…ly pension assigned him for his life Also by abating needlesse expences to be the better enabled against charge the seuerall tables for young Lorâ—…s for the masters of Requests and for Sergeants at armes 〈◊〉 laid downe and diuerse extraordinary allowances weâ—…e taken away And further because the King was to make paiment of 48000 l beyond the seas and had but 14000 l towards the summe 300 of the chiefe Merchants aduenturers granted to him a lone of 40000 l for three moneths to be leuied from the cloaths which they were then to transport after the rate of 20 shillings for euery cloath But these Aduenturers went not vpon any aduenture because at that shipping 40000 broad cloaths were by them transported Whilest these matters were in action two Lawyers arriued in England with direction from the French King to declare what matters had beene determined against the English by the French Kings counsell and vpon what reasons and also what matters were then depending and what care and diligence was vsed in those dispatches They were much commended by all for their modest behauiour and their sweet eloquence much delighted the King who againe in a short speech first thanked the French King for his desire to giuâ—… him satisfaction then commended them for well performing their charge but for the substance of their businesse he referred them to London where some of his counsell should commune thereof fully with them Here M r Secretary Peeter and M r Watton and S r Thomas Smith laid before them the grieuances of the English merchants whose losses by the French exceeded the summe of 50000 l To this the Embassadors gaue little answere but said they would make report thereof at their returne into France affirming that they had no commission but only to declare the manner and causes of iudiciall proceedings Presently aâ—…ter their returne Mounsier Villandry was sent againe in post to the King to declare vnto him that albeit M r Sydneies and M r Winters matters went iustly against them yet because thâ—…y were the Kings seruants and one of them in place neere his person the French King was content freely to giue to M r Sydney his ship and all his goods in her and to M r Winter his ship and all his owne goods But this offer the King refused assuming that he required nothing freely but expected iustice and expedition Villandry shewed further that the King his master was desirous that the ordinances and customes of England and France touching Marine affaires might be reduced into one forme without any difference betweene them Wherto answere was made that the English ordinances for marine affaires were no other then the ciuill lawes and certaine auntâ—…ent additions of the Realme wherein they could conceiue no reason or conueniâ—…ncy of change hauing long continued without râ—…proofe After this Uillandry brought
forth two proclamations not long before published in France and very aduantageable for the English for the which he had a letter of thankes to the King his master Lastly which was indited the maine of his message and whereto all other were but insinuations he desired that certaine Frenchmen taken vpon the coâ—…st of England might be released Hereto he receiued answere that they were Pirats and that some of them should by iustice be punished and some might happily by 〈◊〉 be spared so with this dispatch he returned for France But before it was conceiuâ—…d he could be fully at home he came againe to the English court and there declared to the King how the King his master would deliuer 4 shipps against which iudgment had beene giuen And that hâ—…e would appoint men of good sort and sufficiency to heare the English Merchants at Paris and that he would alter his ordinances for marine affaires of which emendations he then sent a copy to the King The King appointed his Secretaries to consider therof And after some passages of time Uillandry had his answere That the King intended not by receiuing fower ships freely to preiudice his right in the rest That the appointing of an inferior counsell to heare Merchants at Paris after former tedious suits in a higher court he thought would be but dilâ—…tory and so to little purpose because the inferior counsell would neuer vndoe that albeit good cause should appeare which had bin iudged by a higher counsell That the new ordinances he liked no better then he did the olde and therfore desired no other then the customes which oflate times had beene vsed in France and then continued in force betweene England and the low countries Lastly he desired no more words but deeds And now were letters returned from M r Pickering out of France wherby he aduertised the King how Stukely neuer discouered any of those speeches to him which since he had charged vpon the French King And further that he neuer was either in credite or conuersant with the French King or with the Constable nor euer resorted vnto them except once when he was interpreter betweene the Constable certaine English pioners wherfore as it was very like so did he verily belieue that as the French King was alwaies close reserued amongst his best knowne friends so would he not be open and vncircumspect to impart a matter of such import to a meere stranger and in a most vnseasonable time Hereupon Stukely was examined againe and then sir ding it dangerous alike to confesse a truth or stand to a ly he became more vnconstant and variable then he was before wherfore he was committed to the Tower and notice was giuen to the French Kings Embassador of all those proceedings to the intent that he might acquaint his master with them Letters were also sent to the Kings Embassador in Frace directing him to aduertise the French King of all these matters and that for two speciall ends One to manifest the Kings considence in his amity with France the other to bring the French King into suspition against all English fugitiues who resorted daily to his court And so because no better person was the author incredible fables were not belieued But herevpon some began to discourse that the accusations against the Duke of Somerset were no lesse improbable and vpon the credict of no better persons and therefore might happily be no lesse vntrue But the difference is great betweene both the persons and the facts of a soueraigne Prince and of a subiect And now when the French K. vnderstood aswell the imputation which Stukely had raised as his imprisonment First he deepely protested his innocence in his particular and his generall sincere meaning for preseruing amity with England Then he much blamed Stukelies villany and nolesse thanked the King aswell for that he had not afforded a credulous care to such mischeiuous devises wherein the tender touch of his estate might happily haue excused his error as for his Princely manner in acquainting him therwith On the other side whâ—…n M r Morrison the Kings Embassador with the Emperor had opened the mattâ—…rs giuen him in charge touching a league against the Turke and against his confederats The Emperor much thanked the King for his gentle offer and promised to procure the Regent to send ouer some persons of credâ—…te to understand the Kings further meaning Soone after M r Thomas Grosham câ—…me from Antwerp into England and declared to the counsell how Mounsier Loâ—…gie the Emperors Treasurer in Flanders was sent to him from the Regent with a packet of letters which the Burgundians had intercepted in Bullonois sent as it was said from the Dowager of Scotland wherein she set forth how she had imprisoned George Paris an Irishman because she vnderstood that vpon grant of his pardon he had a meaning to come into England and how she had sent Oconners sonne into Ireland to giue encouragement to the Irish Lords Also he shewed instructions giuen about 4 years before vpon the fall of the Admirall of France to a gentleman then coming from England that if any were in England of the Admiralls faction he should doe his best to excite a trouble The deputy of Ireland was at that time ready to transport into England But vpon this aduertisement S r Henry Knowles was sent in post to stay him there yet with caution that he should pretend to stay vpon his owne occasions and therevpon deferred his departure from weeke to weeke least the true reason should be discerned Letters of thankes were also sent to the Regent for this gentle ouerture And the messenger was directed to vse pleasing words in the deliuery of the letter and to wish a further amity betweene the two states And further to acquaint her with the French Kings practise in waging 5000 Scottish footmen and 500 horsemen how he tooke vp 100000 l by exchange at Lubecke whereby the coniecture was evident that he had some meaning against the Emperor in the spring then next following Doubtlesse the aduertisement of neighbour Princes are alwaies much to be regarded for that they receiue intelligence from bâ—…tter Authors surer grounds then persons of inferior note and sort About this time one of the Earle of Tyrones men was committed to the tower for making an vntrue complaint against the deputy and counsell of Ireland And for bruting abroad how the Duke of Northumberland and the Earle of Pembrooke were fallen into quarrell and one of them against the other in the field In Aprill in the 6 th yeare of the raigne of the King he fell sicke of the Measles wherof in short time he well recouered afterwards he sickned of the small poxe which breaking kindly from him was thought would proue a means to clense his body from such vnhealthfull humors as commonly occasion long sicknesse or death And herof he also so perfectly recouered that in the soâ—…mer next following he rode his progresse
and maintained the sâ—…cond to be cured and relecued and the third to be chastised and reduced to good order When this was 〈◊〉 to the King he gauâ—… to the Citie for education and maintenance of the first sort of poore the Gray-Friers Church neere Newgate-market with all the reuenues there to belonging for cure and releefe of the second â—…ort he gaue Saint Bartholomewes neere 〈◊〉 for correction of the third hee appoinâ—…ed his house at Brideâ—…ell the ancient Mansion of many English Kingâ—… and which not long before had beene repaired and beautified by Henry the â—…ighth for the entertainment of the great Emperour Charles the fifth for increase of 〈◊〉 of their places together with the new re-edified Hospitall of Saint Thomas in Southwork the King gaue seuen hundred and fifty markes yearely out of the rents of the Hospitall of Saint Iohn Baptist or the Sauoy with all the bedding and furniture at that time belonging to that place and when the charter of this gift was prâ—…sented vnto him with a blanke space for lands to be afterwards receiued in Mortmâ—…ine to a yearly valew without further licence the King presently with his owne hand filled vp the void space with these words foure thousand markes by yeare this done with reuerenâ—… gesture and speech he thanked God for prolonging his life to finish that businesse and so hee was the first Founder of those three pious workes which by many additions are now growne to be the most absolute and famous of that kinde in Europe The Kings sicknesse daily increased and so did the Duke of Northumberlands diligence about him for he was little absent from the King and had alwayes some well assured to espie how the state of his health changed euery houre and the more ioyfull hee was at the heart the more sorrowfull appearance did he outwardly make whether any tokens of poyson did appeare reports are various certainly his Physitians discerned an inuincible malignitie in his disease and the suspition did the more increase for that the complaint being chiefly from the lights a part as of no quicke sense so no seat for any sharpe disease yet his sicknesse towards the end grew highly extreme but the Duke regarded not much the muttering multitude knowing right well that rumours grow stale and vanish with time and yet somewhat either to abate or delay them for the present hee caused speeches to be spread abroad that the King was well recouered in health which was readily beleeued as most desired to be true Hereupon all persons expressed ioy in their countenance and speech which they inlarged by telling the newes to others whom they incountred who haply had heard it often before and as the report increased so there with increased also the ioy Thus whilest euery men beleeued and no man knew it was made more credible by religious persons who openly in Churches gaue publike thankes for the Kings recouery But when the speech of his danger was againe reuiued and as in newe it happeneth the more stopped the more increased to the worse then as if the second time he had beene lost the people did immoderatly breake forth into passions complaining that for this cause his two Vncles had beene taken away for this cause the most faithfull of his Nobilitie and of his Councell were disgraced and remoued from Court this was the reason that such were placed next his person who were most assuredly disposed either to commit or permit any mischiefe that then it did appeare that it was not vainly coniectured some yeares before by men of iudgement and fore-sight that after Somersets death the King should not long enioy his life To qualifie these and some broader speeches it was thought conuenient that the King sometimes should shew himselfe abroad albeit little either with his pleasure or for his health yet a thing which in long consuming sicknesses euen to the last period of life men are often able to doe Whilest the King remained thus grieuously sicke diuers notable mariages were solemnized at once in Durham place The Lord Guldford fourth sonne to the Duke of Northumberland married Lady Iane the Duke of Suffolkes eldest daughter by Frances daughter to Mary second sister to King Henry the eighth also the Earle of Pembrokes eldest sonne married the Lady Katherine the Duke of Suffolkes eldest daughter by the said Lady Frances who then was liuing and Martin Kayes Gentleman Porter married Marie the third daughter of the Duke of Suffolke by the said Lady Frances lastly the Lord Hastings sonne to the Earle of Huntington tooke to wife Katherine youngest daughter to the Duke of Northumberland hereupon the common people vpon a disposition to interpret all Northumberlands actions to the worst left nothing vnspoken which might serue to stâ—…rre their hatred against the Duke or pitie towards the King but the Duke was nothing moued herear for being equally obstinate both in purpose and desire and mounting his hopes aboue the pitch of reason he resolued then to dissemble no longer but began openly to play his game For albeit the Lady Iane married to his fourth sonne had not right to the succession of the Crowne for that shee was excluded first by the two Ladies Mary and Elizabeth daughters of King Henry the eighth next by the issue of Lady Margret married into Scotland eldest sister to King Henry the eighth lastly by her owne mother the Ladie Frances who then was liuing yet Northumberland sottishly mad with ouer great fortune procured the King by his Letters Patents vnder the great Seale of England to appoint the Lady Iane to succeed him in the inheritance of the Crowne in this contriuance he vsed the aduice of two especially Lord chiefe Iustice Montague who drew the Letters Patents and Secretary Cecil these furnished the Patent with diuers reasons whereof some were of Law and some of policie in State The pretensions of Law were these that albeit the Crowne of the Realme by an Act of the fiue and thirtieth of King Henry the eighth was in default of his issue of his body and of the body of Edward his sonne lawfully begotten limited to remaine to the Lady Mary his eldest daughter and to the heires of her body lawfully begotten and in default of such issue the remainder thereof to the Lady Elizabeth his second daughter and to the heires of her body lawfully begotten vnder such conditions as should be limited by the said King vnder his Letters Patents vnder the great Seale or by his last Will in writing signed with his hand yet because the said limitations were made to persons illegitimate both the marriages betweene King Henry the eighth and their seuerall mothers being vndone by sentences of diuorce and the seuerall diuorcements ratified by authoritie of Parliament in the eight and thirtieth yeare of King Henry the eighth which Act remained then in force both the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth were thereby disabled to claime the Crowne or any honours or hereditaments as heires
also because the citty of Norwich was a friend vnto them or at least wished them no great harme and being faithfull to neither side was alwaies ready to entertaine the stronger their first attempt was made at Attleborough where they threw downe the fences of one Greene of Wilbie who was supposed to haue enclosed a parte of Attleborough common adioining to the common pasture of Harsham Afterward they assembled at a play accustomed yeerely to be kept at Wimondham and from thence went to Morley a mile distant and there cast downe the ditches of one Hubbarde next by incitement of Iohn Flowerdew of Netheset a gentleman of good estate but neuer expressing desire of quiet they did the like to certaine enclosures of Robert Ket a tanner in Wimondham and receiued of him 38 s 4 d for their labour this Ket who hath made his obscure beginning well knowen by his mischievous attempts to require Flowerdew carried them to Netheset where they cast down all the enclosed pasture of Flowerdew and not staying there he led them indifferently to divers other places laying all enclosures where hee came rather wast then open And the rather to traine them to his allure he told them both often and with vehement voice how they were over topped and trodden downe by gentlemen and other their good masters and put out of possibility ever to recover foote how whilest rivers of riches ran into their landlords coffers they were pared to the quicke and sed vpon pease and oats like beasts how being sleeced by these for privat benefit they were slayed by publique burthens of state wherein whilest the richer sort favoured themselues they were gnawen to the very bones how the more to terrify and torture them to their mindes and winde their necks more surely vnder their arme their tyrannous masters did often implead arrest cast them into prison and thereby consume them to worse then nothing how they did palliat these pillaries with the faire pretence of authority and of law fine workemen I warrant you who can so closely carry their dealings that then men only discouer them how harmelesse counsailes were fit for tame fooles but for them who had already stirred there was no hope but in adventuring boldly The likenes of affection and the masking of vices vnder pleasant tearmes procured not only assent but applause to all that he said and so by often and earnest repeating of these and the like speeches and by bearing a confident countenance in all his actions the vulgars tooke him to be both valiant and wise and a fit man to be their commander being glad they had found any captaine to follow Their numbers encreased daily and therewith their boldnesse and power to doe harme they were largely supplied at the first both with victualls and armes albeit not with open consent of the places adioining yet with much private goodwill for many did not only secretly favour but openly approue their designes Generally every good man was much grieued many vpon some dislikes before reioiced in their greater harmes and not regarding in what liberty they stood were ready to runne into any bondage The Sheriffe of Northfolke resorted vnto them and made proclamation in the Kings name that forthwith they should peaceably depart and had he not beene ready his horse swift to depart in time hee should hardly haue departed from them aliue After this they drew towards Norwich and seated themselues at Monshold neere Mount Surrey and vpon S. Leonhards which hangeth ouer Norwich another company seated at Rising neere Lynne but they were dislodged by the gentlemen of the countrey and forced to draw to their fellowes at Monsholde Here the maine body encamped and sent divers light companies forth to terrifie and roue To this place many resorted out of Suffolke and from all places of Norfolke many for want but most vpon a turbulent minde and in all places thereabout beacons were fired and bells rung as a roaring furtherance to his vproare so as in short time the multitude encreased to 16000 and yet rather to be esteemed a number then an army Their actions were couered and disguised with mantles very vsuall in time of disorder of religiō iustice for they had one Coniers for their chaplaine a man brought vp in idle and dead studies who both morning and evening read solemne prayers many sermons they also had either by entreatie or enforcement But D r Parker afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury in his sermon before them touched them for their liuing so neere that they went neere to touch him for his life as for Iustice they had a bench vnder a tree where Ket vsually sate and with him two of euery hundred whence their companies had beene raised here complaints were exhibited and examined aswell against those of their owne company who receiued iudgement for their offences as against any gentleman or other in the country by commandment from hence many were very violently pulled from their houses of whō some were enforced to follow them others were cast into prison happily fettered with irons and not a few rudely and dangerously entreated from hence also warrants were sent forth in the kings name whereby ordinance powder and shot were commanded out of ships and any other furniture of warre out of houses where it could be found This tree was ever since termed the oake of reformation And now the seditious being advanced vnto the height both of their power and of their pride presented certaine complaints to the King and desired that a herald or some other messenger of credite may be sent vnto them to receiue articles of all those matters wherewith they concerned themselues to de grieued The King tooke it for a great indignity that base traitors theeues should offer to capitulate with him as enimies law fully holding the field and yet knowing right well that as good counsailes gather strength by time so vpon a little respite evill advices either vanish or grow weaker to winne some advantage of time returned an answere That seeing he was ready alwaies to receiue and relieue the quiet complaints of any of his subiects he marvailed much either vpon what opinion of necessity in themselues or of iniustice in him they should first put themselues into armes as a partie against him and then present him with their bold petitions especially at such a time when hauing fully reformed many other matters he had lately set forth a proclamation against excessiue prices of victualls and had also appointed commissioners with ample authority for divers other things whereof many doubtlesse had beene by that time redressed had not these disordes giuen impediment to his designes generally when they might well discerne both his care and endeavours to set all matters in a right frame of reformation as might best stand both with his honour and their sureties and with iustice and providence towards all Touching their particular complaint for reducing lands farmes to their ancient r◅nts although
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