that her Mother Lady Elenor was their sister daughter to K. Henry the 2. and K. Iohn made this mariage therby to make peace with the French was content to give for her dowry for that he could not tell how to recover them again all those Townes Countries which the said K. Phil. had taken upon the English by this Kings evill Government in Normandy Gascoyn and moreover promise was made that if P. Henry of Spain that was the only brother to the said Lady Blanch should dye without issue as after he did then this Lady should succeed in the Crown of Spain also but yet afterward the State of Spain would not perform this but rather admitted her younger sister Dona Berenguela maryed to the Prince of Leon and excluded both Blanch her son the King S Luis of France against the evident right of succession propinquity of bloud the only reason they yeelded hereof was not to admit strangers to the Crown as Garabay testifieth This hapned then I do note by the way that this Dona Berenguela second daughter of Q. Elenor the English woman was maried as hath bin said to the Prince of Leon had by him Don Fernando the 3. of that name K of Castilia surnamed also the Saint so as the two daughters of an English Queen had two Kings Saints for their Sons at one time the elder of France the yonger of Spain After this again about 60 yeers the Prince of Spain named Don Alonso surnamed de la cerda for that he was borne with a great gristle haire on his breast called cerda in Spanish which Don Alonso was Nephew â—o the King Fernando the Saint marryed with the daughter of S. Lewis K. of France named also Blancha as her grand mother was had by her two sons called Alonso Hernando de la cerda as the Prince their Father was named which Father of theirs dying before the King the Grand father left them commended to the Realm as lawful heire apparent to the crowne yet for that a certain Uncle of theirs named Don Saâ—cho younger brother to their father which Don Sancho was surnamed afterward el bravâ— for his valour and was a great Warrier and more like to manage wel the matters of war then they he was made heir apparent of Spain add hey putbâ—ck in their Grandfaâ—hers time and by his and the Realms consent their Father as I have said being dead and this was done at a generall Parliament holden at Segovia in the yeer 1276. and after this Don Sancho was made King in the yeer 1284 the two Princes put into prison but afterward at the suit of their Uncle King Philip the 3 of France they were let out again endued with certain lands so they remain unto this day and of these do come the Dukes of Medina Celi all the rest of the houâ—e of Cerda which are of much Nobility in Spain at this time K. Philip that reigneth cometh of Don Sancho the yonger Brother Not long after this again when Don Pedro surnamed the cruel King of Castile was driven cut his bastard brother H 2. set up in his place the Duke of Lancaster John of Gant Gar. l. 15. c. 1. an 1363. having maried Dona Constantia the said King Padroes daughter and heir pretended by succession the saidâ— Crowne of Castile as indeed it appertâ—ined unto him but yet the State of Spain denyed it flatly and defended it by arms they prevailed against John of Gant as did also the race of H the Bâ—stard against his lawfull brother the race of Don Sancho the uncle against his lawfull nephews that of Dona Berenguela against her elder sister all which races do reign unto this day these three changes of the true line hapned within two ages and in the third and principall discent of the Spanish Kings when this matter of suceession was most assuredly perfectly established yet who will deny but that the Kings of Spain who hold by the latter titles at this day be true lawfull Kings Well one example will I give you more out of the kingdom of Portugal so will I make an end with there countries This king Henry the bastard last named 〈◊〉 Spain had a son that succeeded him in the crown of Spain named Iohn the 1 who marryed the daughter heâ—r named Dona Beatrix of k Fernando the 1. of Portugal but yet after the death of the said k. Fernando the States of Portugall would never agree to admit him for their King for not subjecting themselvs by that means to the Castilians for that cause they rather took for their king a bastard brother of the said late k. Don Fernando whose name was Dondulan a youth of 20 yeers old who had bin Master of a military order in Portugal named de Avis so they excluded Dona Beâ—trâ—x Q. of Cast l. that was their lawfull heire chose this young man marryed him afterwards to the Lady Philip daâ—ghter of Iohn of Gaunt D. of Lancaster by hâ—s first wife Blanch Duches heir of Lancaster in whose right the kings of Portugall their discendents do pretend unto this day a certain interest to the house of Lancaster Hereby we see what an ordinary matter in hath been in Spain Portugall to alter the line of next succession upon any reasonable consideration which they imagned to be for their weal publike and the like we shall find in France and England The eighth Speech AS concerning the state of France although since the entrance of their first king Pharaniond with his Franks out of Germany which was about â—he yeere of Christ 419. they have never had any stranger come to wear their crown which they attribute to their law Salike that forbiddeth women to reign ye among themselves have they changed twise their whole race linage of kings once in the entrance of k. Pepin that put out the line of Pharamond about the yeer 751. again in the promotion of k. Hugo Capetus that put out the line of Pepin in the yeer 983. so as they have had 3 discents races of Kings as well as the Spaniards the first of Pharamond the 2. of Pepin and the 3. of Capetus which endureth to this present if it be not altered now by the exclusion that divers pretend to make of the King of Navar and other Princes of the bloud Royall of the house of Burbon I will here set pâ—sse the first rank of all of the French Kings for that some men say perhaps that the common wealth and law of succession was not so well setled in those days as it hath been afterward in time of k. Pepin Charles the great and their discendantaâ— as also for that it were in very deed over edious to examine and peruse all three ranks or kings in France as you will say when you shall see what store I have
whom they alleadged this reason for their doing in that behalfe as Girard putteth it downe in both his French Chronicles I mean the large and the abbreviation to wit that their oath to Childerie was to honour serve and obey maintaine and defend him against all men as long as he was just religious valiant clement and would resist the enemies of the Crowne punish the wicked and conserve the good and defend the Christian faith And for as much as these promises said they were conditionall they ought not to hold or binde longer then that they were reciprocally observed on both parts which seeing they were not on the part of Childerie they would not be any longer his subject and so desired Zacharias to absolve them from their oaths which he did and by this meanes Childerie was deposed and 〈◊〉 into a Monastery where he dyed and in his place Pepin was chosen and crowned King whose posterity reigned for many years after him and were such noble Kings as all the world can testifie And so continued the race of Pepin in the royall throne for almost two hundred years together untill Hugo Capetus Hug. Cap. per an 988. who was put into the same throne by the same authority of the Commonwealth and Charles of Loraine last of the race of Pepin for the evill satisfaction which the French Nation had of him was put by it and kept prisoner during his life in the Castle of Orleance And thus much doe affirme all the French Histories and doe attribute to these changes the prosperity and greatnesse of their present Kingdome and Monarchy and thus much for France where many other examples might be alleaged as of King Lewis the third sirnamed Faineant For that he was unprofitable and of Charles sirnamed Legros that succeeded him both of them deposed by the States of France and other the like of whom I shall have occasion to speak afterwards to another purpose But now if you please let us step over the Pireny mountains and look into Spayne where there will not faile us also divers examples both before the oppression of that Realme by the Moores as also after Concil Tolet. 4. cap. 4. Ambros morac l. 11. cap. 17. For that before to wit about the yeare of Christ 630. we read of a lawfull King named Flaveo Suintila put downe and deprived both he and his posterity in the fourth Councell Nationall of Toledo and one Sissinando confirmed in his place notwithstanding that Suintila were at the beginning of his reigne a very good King and much commended by Isidorus Archbishop of Sivill Isidor in Hist hispan who yet in the said Councell was the first man that subscribed to his deprivation After the entrance of the Moores also when Spaine was reduced againe to the order and government of Spanish Kings we read Estevan de Garibay l. 13. de la hist de Espa c. 15. that about the yeare of Christ 1282. one Don Alonso the eleventh of that name King of Castile and Leon succeeded his father Fernando sirnamed the Saint and himselfe obtained the sirname of Sabio and Astrologo that is to say of wise and of an Astrologer for his excellent learning and peculiar skill in that Art as may well appeare by the Astronomy tables that at this day goe under his name which are the most perfect and exact that ever were set forth by judgement of the learned This man for his evill government and especially for tyranny used towards two nephews of his as the Spanish Chronicler Garavay writeth was deposed of his Kingdome by a publicke act of Parliament in the Towne of Valiodolid after he had reigned 30. yeares and his owne sonne Don Sancho the fourth was crowned in his place who for his valiant acts was sirnamed â—l bravo and it turned to great commodity of the Commonwealth The same Commonwealth of Spaine some yeares after to wit about the yeare of Christ 1368. having to their King one Don Pedro sirnamed the cruell for his injurious proceeding with his Subjects though otherwise he were lawfully seased also of the Crowne as son and heire to King Don Alonso the twelfth and had reigned among them 18. yeares yet for his evill government they resolved to depose him and so sent for a bastard brother of his named Henry that lived in France requesting him that he would come with some Frenchmen to assist them in that act and take the Crowne upon himselfe Garibay l. 14. c. 40. 41 which he did and by the helpe of the Spaniards and French Souldiers he drave the said Peter out of Spaine and himselfe was crowned And albeit Edward sirnamed the black Prince of England by order of his father King Edward the third restored once againe the said Peter yet was it not durable for that Henry having the favour of the Spaniards returned againe and deprived Peter the second time and slew him in fight hand to hand which made shew of more particular favour of God in this behalfe to Henry and so he remayned King of Spaine as doth also his prâ—geny injoy the same unto this day though by nature he was a bastard that King Peter left two daughters which were led away into England and there married to great Princes And this King Henry so put up in his place was called King Henry the second of this name and proved a most excellent King and for his great nobility in conversation and prowesse in Chivalry was called by Excellency El cavallero the Kingly King and for his exceeding benignity and liberality was sirnamed also El del merceedes which is to say the King that gave many gifts or the liberall franck and bountifull King which was a great change from the other sirnamed cruel that King Peter had before and so you see that alwayes I give you a good King in place of the bad deposed In Portugal also before I goe out of Spaine I will alleage you one example more which is of Don Sancho the second surnamed Capelo fourth King of Portugal lawfull sonne and heir unto Don Alanso surnamed el Gardo who was third King of Portugal This Don Sancho after he had reigned 34. yeares was deprived for his defects in government by the universall consent of all Portugal Garibay lib. 4. de hist Portug c. 19. and this his first deprivation from all kingly rule and authority leaving him only the bare name of King was approved by a generall Councell in Lyons Pope â—nnocentius the fourth being there present who at the Petition and instance of the whole Realme of Portugal by their Embassadors the Archbishop of Braga Bishop of Camibra and divers of the Nobility sent to Lyons for that purpose did authorize the said State of Portugal to put in supream government one Don Alonso brother to the said King Don Sarcho who was at that time Earle of Bullen in Picardy by right of his wife and so the Portugales did and further also a little after they deprived their said King
surnamed the Catholick and this was the 4 race of Spanish Kings after the Romans which endureth until this day And though in all these foure raceâ— and â—anks of Royall discents divers examples might be alleadged for manifest proof of my purpose yeâ— will not deale with their race for that it is evident by the Councell of Tolido which were holden in that very time that in those daies expresse election was joyned with succession as by the deposition of K. Suintila and putting back of all his children as also by the election and approbation of K. Sifinando that was further of by succession hath been insinuated before and in the 5 Councell of that age of Toledo it is decreed expresly in these words Si quis talia meditatus fuorit talking of pretending to be King quem nec electio omnium perficet nec Gothicae gentis nobilitas ad hunc honoris apicom trahit si consortio Catholicorum privatus divino anathemat condemuatus Concil Tol. 5. c. 3. If any man shall imagine said these Fathers or go about to aspire to the Kingdom whom the election and choice of all the Realm doth not make perfect nor the Nobility of the Gotish Nation doth draw to the height of this dignity let him be deprived of all Catholique society and damned by the câ—rse of Almighty God by which words is insinuated that not only the Nobility but of Gotish bloud or nearnes by succession was required for the making of their King but much more the choice or admission of all the Realm wherein thiâ— Councell putteth the perfection of his title Don Pelayo died in the year of our Lord 737. and left a Son named Don Fauila who was King after his Father and reigned 2. yeares only After whose death none of his Children were admitted for King though he left divers as all writers do testifie But as Don Lucas the Bishop of Tuy a very ancient Authour writeth Aldefonsus Catholicus ab universo populo Gothorum eligitur that is as the Chronicler Moralis doth translate in Spanish Don Alonso surnamed the Catholick was chosen to be King by all voyces of the Gotish Nation This Don Alonso was Son in law to the former K. Fauila as Morales saith for that he had his Daughter Ermâ—nesenda in Marriage and he was preferred before the Kings own sonnes only for that they were young and unable to govern as the said Historiographer testifieth And how well this fell out for the Common-Welth and how excellent a King this Don Alonso proved Morales sheweth at large from the 10. Chapter of his 13. Booke untill the 17. and Sesastianus Bishop of Salamanca that lived in the same time writeth of his valiant acts he was surnamed the great Sâ—â—ast Episc Saelam in hist Hisp To this famous Don Alonso succeded his son Don Frucla the first of that name vvho vvas noble King for 10 years space and had divers excellent victories against the Moores but aftervvard declining to tiranny he became hatefull to the subjects and for that he put to death vvrongfully his ovvn brother Don Vimerano Prince of excellent parts and rarely beloved of the Spaniards he vvas himselfe put dovvn and put to death by them in the year of Christ 768. And albeit this King left 2. godly Children behind him vvhich vvere lavvfully begotten upon his Queen Dona Munia the one of them a son called Don Alonso and the other a daughter called Dona Ximea yet for the hatred conceived against their Father neither of them vvas admitted by the Realm to succeed him but rather his châ—sen german named Don Aurelio brothers son to Don Alonso the Catholique vvas preferred and reigned peacably 6 years and then dying vvithout issue for this the hatred â—f the Spaniards vvaâ— not yet ended against the memory of K. Eruela they vvould not yet admit any of his Generation but raâ—her excluded thâ—m again the 2 time and admitted a brother in lavv of his named Don Silo that vvas married to her sister Dona Adosinda daughter to the foresaid noble K. Catholique Alonso So that here vve seervvice the right heyres of K. Don Fruela for his evil government vvere put back But Don Silo being dead vvithout issue as also Don Aurelio vvas before him and the Spaniards anger against K. â—ruca being novv vvel aslvvaged they admitted to the Kingdom his foresaid son Don Alonso the yonger surnamâ—d aftervvard the chast vvhom novv tvvice before put back as you have seen but novv they admitted him though his reign at the first endured very little for that a bastard uncle of his named Don Mauregate by help of the Moores put him out reigned by force 6. years in the ending vvithout issue the matter came in deliberation again vvhether the K. Don Alonso the chast that yet lived had been hidden in monastary of Galitia during the time of he yrant should returne again to govern or rather that his coseâ—n German Don vermudo son to his uncle the Prince should be elected in his place And the Realm of Spayâ—ed etermined the 2. that Don Vermulo though he vvere much further of by propinquity of blood vvithin 〈…〉 also should be admitted True it is that after three yeareâ— reign this 〈…〉 King Vâ—rmudo being weary of kingly life feeling some scruple of conscience that being Deacon he had forsaken the life Ecclesiasticall maryed though by dispensation of the Pope as Morales saith entangled himself with the affairs of a kingdom Moric 28 29. an 791. he resigned willingly the gouernment unto his said cozen Don Alonso the chast himself lived after a privat life for divers yeers but this Don Alonso who now the 4. time had been deprived of his succession as you have seen deceived the expectation of the Spaniards that accounted him a Monk for he proved the most valiant excellent King that ever that Nation had both for his vertue valour victories against the Moors building of Towns castles churches Monasteries other such works of christianity as Morales recounteth he reigned after this his last admission 51 yeers had great friendship with K. Charles the great of France who lived in the same time with him And this man among other most noble exploits so tamed the Moores of his country as during his days he never paid that cruelâ— horrible tribute which before and after was paid by the christians to the Moors Mor. l. 13 c. 45. an 842. which was 100 young Maidens 50 Sons of Gentlemâ—n every yeer to be brought up in the Religion of Mahomet among those infidell tyrants And finally this man after so much affliction came to be one of the most renowned Princes of the World After this Don Alonso who left no children for that he would never marry who lived all his life in chastity there succeeded to him by election his nephew named Don â—anurs son to the former said K. Don Vermudo the Deacon that gave this man the
crown of whose election Morales writeth these words Muerto el Rey Don Alonso el casto fue eligido por los perlados grandes del reyno l Rey Don Ramiro primero deste nombre hyo del Rey Don vermudo el diacono Mor. c. 11. That is the K. Don Alonso the chaste being dead there was chosen K. by the Prelats Nobility of the Realm Don Ramiro the first of this name Son of K Vermudo the Deacon who resigned his crown to Don Alonso and it is to be noted thâ—t albeit this Don Ramâ—ro was next in bloud to the succession after the death of his uncle Don Alonso without children yet was hee chosen by the States as here it is said in expresse words Moreover it is to be noted that albeit this Author Ambrosio Morales other Spanish Writers do say that in the time of this K Ramiro the law of succession by propinquity in blond was so revived strongly confirmed that as the kingdom of Spain was made as Majorasgo as he termeth it which is an inheritance so intailed and tyed only to the next bloud as there is no possibility â—o alter the same and that from this time forward the King always caused his eldest Son to be named King or Prince so ever to be sworn by the Realm and Nobility yet shall we find this Ordinance and succession oftentimes to have been broken upon severall considerations as this Author himself in that very chapter confesseth As for example after four discents from this man which were Don Ordonio the 1. this mans Son and Don Alonso the 3. Don Garzia and Don Ordonio the second all four Kings by orderly succession it hapned that in the yeer of Christ 924. Don Ordonio the second dying left four Sons and one daughter lawfully begotten and yet the State of Spain displaced them all and gave the kingdom to their Uncle Don Fruela second brother to their Father Don Ordonio and Morales saith Mor. l. 16. cap. 1. an 924. â—hat there appeareth no other reason hereof but only for that these Sons of the King deceased were young and not so apt to govern well the Realm as their uncle was But after a yeers Reign this King Fruela dyed also left divers children at mans estate then did the Spaniards as much against them as they had done for him before against the children of his elder brother For they put them all by the crown and chose for their King Don Alonso the 4 which was eldest Son to Don Ordonio the 2. beâ—ore named that had been last King saving one and this man also I mean Don Alonso the 4 leaving afterward his Kingdom betaking himself to a religious habit offered to the Commonâ—welth of Spain his eldest Son lawfully begotten named Don Ordonio to be their King but they refused him and tooke his Brother I meane this Kings Brother Uncle to the young Prince named Don Ramiro Moral lib. 19. cap. 20. An. 930. who reigned 19 yeers was a most excellent King gained Madrid from the Moors though noted of cruelty for imprisoning and pulling out the eyes afterward of this King Don Alonso the 4. and all his children nephewes for that hee would have left his habit returned to be King again But this fact my auâ—hor Morales excuseth saying that it was requisit for pcace safety of the Realm so as here you see two manifest alterations of lineal succession together by order of the Common-welth Furthermore after this noble King Don Ramiro the 2. succeeded as heire apparent to the Crown his elder Son Don Ordonio the 3. of his name in the yeer of our Savior 950. but this succession endured no longer then unto his own death which was after 7 yeers for then albeit he left a Son named el enfante Don Vermudo yet he was not admitted but rather his brother Don Sancho the first of his name surnamed el Gordo who was Uncle to the young Prince and the reason of this alteration Morales giveth in these words el succeder en el regno al hermano fue por la racon ordinaria de ser el enfante Don Vermudo nino y no bastante para â—l goviernoy difenca de la terra Mor. l. 16. c. 29. An. 950. which is the cause why the Kings brother not his Son succeeded in the Crown was for the ordinary reason so often before alledged for that the Infant or young Prince Vermudo was a litle child not sufficient for Government and defence of the Country Truth it is that after this Don Sancho had reigned his son heir named Don Ramiro the 3. after him for the space of 30. yeers in all Mor. l. 17. c. 1 2 3 4. Then was this youth Don Vermudo that is now put back called by the relm to the succession of the Crown made King by the name of King Vermudo the 2. who left after him Don Alonso the 5. he again his Son Don Vermudo the 3. who marying his sister Dona Sancha that was his heir unto Don Fernando first Earle then King of Castile who was second Son to Don Sancho Mayor K ing of Navarras before hath been said he jâ—yned by these means the Kingdoms of Leon Castile together which were separate before so ended the line of Don Pelayo first Christâ—n King of Spain after the entrance of the Moors which had endured now 300. yeers the bloud of Navar entred as you see so continued therein untill the entrance of â—â—ose of Auâ—tria as before hath been said which was almost 500. yeers together And thus much I thought good to note out of the stories of Spain for this first discent of the Spanish Kings after the entrance of the Moors neither mean I to passe much further both for that it would be over long as also for that mine Author Morales who is the most diligent that hath written the Chronicles of that Nation endeth here his story with King Vermudo the 3. last of the Gotish bloud Notwithstanding if I would go on further there would not want divers evident examples also to the same purpose which Stephen Garabay another Chronicler of Spain doth touch in the continuation of this story weereof for examples sake only I will name 2 or 3 among the rest And first about the yeer of Christ 1021. there was a marriage made by K Iohn of England for Dona Blancha his Neece that is to say the daughter of his sister Dame Elâ—nor of Don Alonso the 9. of that name King Queen of Spain which Blancha was to marry the Prince of France named Luis son heir to K. Philip surnamed Augustus which Luis was afterward K. of France by the name of Luis the 8. was Father to Luis the 9. surnamed the Saint Car. lib. 11. c. 12. This Lady Blancha was Neece as I have said unto K. Iohn to K. Richard the â— of England for
of King Etheldred untill the possession thereof gotten by William Duke of Normandy to wit for the space of 50 yeers shall easily see what Authority the Common-wealth hath in such Affaires to alâ—er Titles of Snccession according as publique necessity or utility shall require for thus briefly the matter passed King Eâ—â—ldred seeing himself to weak for Sweno the King of Danes that was entred the Land fled with his wife Emma and her two children Edward and Alerud unto her brother Duke Richard of Normandy and there remained untill the death of Sweno And he being dead Etheldred returned into England made a certain agreement and division of the Realme between him and Canutus the Son of Sweno and so dyed leaving his eldest sonne Edmond Iron-side to succeed him who soone after dying also left the whole Realm to the said Canutus and that by plain covenant as Canutus pretended that the longest liver should have all Whereupon the said Canutus took the two children of King Edmond Iron-side named Edmond and Edward and sent them over into Swethland which at that time was also subject unto him And caused them to be brought up honourably of which two the elder named Edmond dyed without issue but Edward was marryed and had divers children Ethâ—ldred and his Son Edmond being dead Canutus the Dane was admitted for King of England by the whole Parlâ—ament and consent of the Realm anno 1018. and crowned by Alerud Archbishop of Canterbury as Polidor saith and he proved an excellent King and went to Rome and was allowed by that See also He did many works of charity shewed himself a good Christian and very loving and kind to Englishmen marryed Queene Emma an English woman and mother to King Edward the Confessour and had by her a Son named Hardicanutus and so dyed and was much mourned by the English after he had reigned twenty yeers though his entrance and title was partly by force and partly by election as you have heard After this Canutus the first surnamed the Great for that he was King joyntly both of England Norway and Denmark was dead Polidor saith that all the States of the Realm met together at Oxford â—o consult whom they should make King and at last by the more part of voyces was chose Harald the first Sonne of Canutus by a Concubine King Harald the Bastatd 1038. Polid. l. 8. Hist Ang. By which election we see injury was done to the line all succession of three parties First to the Sons of king Edmond Iron-side that were in Swethland Then to the Princes Edward and Ajerud sons to king Etheldred and brothers to Iron-side that were in Normondy And thirdly to Hardie mutus son to Canutus by his lawfull wife Emma to whom it was also assured at her marriage that her issue should succeed if she had any by Canutus After the death of this Harald who dyed in Oxford where he was elected within 3 yeers after his election there came from Denmark Hardicanutus to claim the crown that his Father Brother had possessed before him of whose coming Polidor saith libentissimis animis accipitur communiqve omnium consensu rex dicitur an 1041. He was received with great good will of all and by common content made King this was done by the States without any respect had of the succession of those Princes in Normondy Swethland who by birth were before him as hath been shewed this is the second breach after lineal discent after Elthred But this Hardicanutus being dead also upon the sudden 〈◊〉 a certaine banket in Lambeth by London without issue within two yeers after his Coronation the states of the Relm had deâ—ermined to chuse Aludred for their king who was yonger bâ—other to Edw. for that cause sent for him out of Normondy as polid recounteth had made him K. without all doubt for that he was esteemed more stirring valiant then his elder brother Edw. had not E. Goodwin of Kent fearing the youngmans stomack raised a strong faction against him thereupon also caused him to be trayâ—eronsly murthered as he passed through Kent towards London nor had the State here in any respect to Antiquity of bloud for that before Alured were both 〈◊〉 own elder brother P. Ed. who after him was chosen King and before them both were Edm Edw. the children of their elder brother Edmond Iron 〈◊〉 and this the third breach of lineall discent But this notwithstanding Alerud being slain P. Edw. was made King tanta publica lat tia saith Polidor vt certatim pro ejus faelici principatu cuncti vota facerent that is he was made King with such universall joy contentment of all men as every man contended who should pray and make most vows to God for his happy reign and according to this was the successe for he was a most excellent Prince and almost miraculously he reigned with great peace void of all war at home abroad for the space of almost 20 yeers after so infinit broyls as had beene before him ensued after him yet his title by succession cannot be justified as you see for that his eldest brothers Son was then alive to wit Prince Edw. surnamed the outlaw who in this Kings reign came into England brought his wife three lawfull children with him to wit Edgar Margaret and Christian but yet was not this good K. Edw. so scrupulous as to give over his kingdome to any of them or to doubt of the right of his own title which he had by election of the Common-wealth against the order of succession This K. Edward being dead without issue Polidor saith that the States made a great consultation whom they should make King first of all it seemeth they excluded him that was only next by propinquity in bloud which was Edgar Aledin son to the said Prince Edw. the outlaw now departed and Nephew to K. Edmond I tonside the reason of this exclusion is alleadged by Pol. l. 8. in these words is puer id aetatis nondum regno gubernando maturus erat that is he beinâ— a child of so small yeers was not ripe enough to govern the kingdom and then he saith that Harald son of Earl Goodwin by a daughter of Canutus the first proclaymed himself King an 10â—â— morover he addeth Nond spt cuit omninoid factum populo qui plurimum spei in Haraldi virtue habehat itaque more majorum sacratus est which is this fact of Harald displeased not at all the people of England for that they had great hope in the vertue of this Harald so was he annoinâ—ed crowned according to the fashion of the ancient Kings of England by which words we may see that Harald had also the approbation of the Realm to be King notwithstanding that little Edgar was present as hath been said so as this was the 4. breach of succession at this time But in the mean space William Duke of Normandy
pretended that he was chosen before byâ— K. Edw. the Confessour that the Realm had given their consent thereunto that K. E. left the same testified in his last will testament an 1066. and albeit none of our English Authors do avow the same cleerly yet do many other forrain Writers hold it it seemeth very probable that some such thing had past both for that D. William had many in England that did favour his pretence at his entrance as also as Girard in his French story saith that at his first comming to London he punished divers by name for thâ—t they had broken their oaths and promises in that behalf Gir l. 6. â—n 1065. And moreover it appeareth that by alledging this title of election he moved divers Princes abroad to favour him in that action as in a just quarrel which is not like they would have done if he had pretended only a conquest or his title of sanguinity which could bee of no importance in the world for that effect seeing it was no other but that his Grandfather and King Edwards mother were brother and sister which could give him no pretence at all to the succession of the crowne by blood and yet we see that divers Princes did assist him and among others the French chronicles Girard so often named before writeth Chron. Cassin l. â— cap. â—4 that Alexander the second pope of Rome whose holinesse was so much esteemed in those daies as one constanâ—inus After wrote a booke of his miracles being informed by Duke William of the justnesse of his pretence did send him his benediction and a prâ—cious ring of â—od with a hollowed banner by which hee gett the victory thus writeth Girard in his French Chronicles and Antonius Archbishop of Florence surnamed Antoninus â—art 2 Chron. â—it 16. cap. 5. s 1. Sainct writing of this matter in his chronicles speaketh great good of vvilliam conqueror commendeth his enterprise But howsoever this was the victory we see he get and God prospered his pretence and hath confirmed his of-spring in the Crown of England more then 500 yeares together so as now accâ—unting from the death of King Edmond I consider unto this man we shall find as before I have said in lesse then 5â— yeares that 5. or 6 Kings were made in Engâ—and one after another by only authority and approbatiâ—n of the â—ommon wealth contrary to the ordinary course of ineall succession by propinquity of bloâ—d And al this is before the conquest but it we should passe any further down we should find more eâ—amples then before For first the two sonnes of the Conquerour himselfe that succeeded after him to wit William Rufus and Henry the first were they not both younger brothers to Robert Duâ—e of Normandie to whâ—m the most part of the realme was inclined as Polydor saith Polyd. in vita Gul. Conq. to have given the kingdome presently after the Conquerors death as due to him by succession notwithstanding that Wâ—illiam for perticular displeasure against his elder sonne and had ordeinâ—d the contrary in his testament But that Robert being absent in the War of Hierusalem the holy and learned man Lanfranke as he was accompted then Archbishop of Canterbury being deceived with vain hope of William Rufus An. 107 good nature perswaded thâ—m the contrâ—ry who was at that day of high estimation and authority in England and so might induâ—e the realme to do what he liked By like meanes gat Henry his younger brother the same crown afterwards to wit by fair prâ—mises to the peopâ—e and by help principally of Henry Newborow â—arle of Warwick that dealth with the nobility for him and Maurice Bishop of London with the cleargie for that Ansâ—lme Arch bishop of Canâ—erbury was in baâ—nishment Besides this also it did greatly helpe his cause that his elder brother Robert to whom the Crowne by reign appetteined was absent again this second time in the vvarre of Ierusalem and so lost thereby his Kingdome as before Henry having no ther title in the world unto it but by election and admission of the people which yet he so desended afterwards against his said brother Robert that came to claim it by the sword and God did so prosper him theâ— rein as he took his said elder brother prisoner and so kept him for many yeares untill he died in prison most pitifully But this King Henry dying left daughter behind him named Mawde or Mathilde which being married first to the Emperour Henry the fist he dyed witâ—out issue and then was shee married againe the second time to Geffry Pantageâ—t 〈◊〉 of Earle of Anjow in France to whom she bare a sonne named Henry which this King Henry his grand father caused to be declared for heire apparent to the Crowne in his daies buâ— yet after his disceasse for that Stephen Earl of Bollogne born of Adela daughter to William the Conquerour was thought by the state of England to be more 〈◊〉 to governe and to defend the land for that he was at mans age then was Prince Henry a child or Maâ—de â—is mother he was admitted and Henry put backe and this chiefly at the perswasion of Henry Bishâ—p of Wincheâ—â—er brother to the said Stephen as also by the sollicitation of the Abbot of Glastâ—nbury and â—thers who thought be like they might do the same with good conscience for the good of the realm though the evenâ— proved not so well for that it drew all England into factions and divisions for avoyding and ending whereof the states â—â—me years after in a Parliament at vval ingford made a agreement that Stephen should be lawfull King during his life only and that Henry and his of-spring should succeed him and that prince vvilliam King Stephens sonne should be deprived of his succession to the crowne and made onely Earle of Norfolke thus did the statâ— dispose of the crown at that time which was in the yeare of Christ 1153. To â—his Henry succeded by order his oldest sonne then living named Richard and surnamed Cordelton for his Valour but after him againe his succession was broken For that Iohn King Henries youngest sonne 〈◊〉 youuger brother to Richard whom his father the King had left so unprovided as in jest he was calâ—ed by the French Iean sens terre as if you wouâ—d say Sir Iohn lacke-land this man I say was after the death of his brother admitted and crowned by the states of England and Arthur Duke of Brittaine sonne and heir to Geffry that was elder brother to Iohn was against the order of succession excluded â—nd albeit this Arthur did seeke to remedy the matter by warr yet it seemed that God did more defend this election of the Common wealth then the right title of Arthur by succession for that Arthur was over-come and taâ—en by King Iohn though he had the King of Francâ— on his side anb he died pitifully in prison or rather as most authors do hoâ—d he was put to death by King Iohn
Authority they have great limitation neither can they do any thing of great moment without the consent of certain principal men called Palatines or Castellians neither may their children or next of Bloud succeed except they be chosen as in the Empire Herbert l. 9. Hist Pol. Cromerus l. 3. Hist Polon In Spain France and England the priviledges of Kings are farre more eminent in both these points for that both their Authority is much more absolute and their next in Bloud do ordinarily succeed but yet in different manner for as touching authority it seemeth that the Kings of Spain and France have greater than the King of England for that every ordination of these two Kings is Law in it selfe without further approbation of the Common-wealth which holdeth not in England where no general Law can be made without consent of Parliament but in the other point of Succession it appeareth that the restraint is farre greater in those other two Countries than in England for that in Spain the next in Bloud cannot succeed be he never so lawfully descended but by a new approbation of the Nobility and States of the Realme as it is expresly set down in the two ancient Councels of Tolledo the fourth and fifth Concil blet 4. c. 74. coneil s c. 3. In confirmation whereof we see at this day that the King of Spain's own son cannot succeed nor be called Prince except he be first sworne by the said Nobility and States in token of their new consent and so we have seen it practised in our dayes towards three or four of king Philips children which have succeeded the one after the other in the Title of Princes of Spain and at every change a new Oath required at the Subjects hands for their admission to the said Dignity which is not used in the Kings children of France or England In France the World knoweth how Women are not admitted to succeed in the Crown be they never so near in Bloud neither any of their Issue though it be Male for which cause I doubt not but you remember how King Edward the third of England though he were son and heir unto a daughter of France whose three brethren were kings and left her sole heir to her father king Philip the fourth sirnamed the Fair yet was he put by the Crown Anne 1340. Anil hist Franc. l. 2. Gerard. du Haylan l. 14. hist Franc. as also was the king of Navar at the same time who was son and heir unto this womans eldest brothers daughter named Lewis Huttin king of France which king of Navâ—r thereby seemed also to be before king Edward of England but yet were they both put by it and Philip de Vallois a brothers son of Philip the fair was preferred to it by general decree of the States of France and by verdict of the whole Parliament of Paris gathered about the same affaires Franc. Belfor l. 5. c. 1. Anno 1327. Neither did it avail that the two kings aforesaid alleadged that it was against reason and conscience and custome of all Nations to exclude women from the Succession of the Crown which appertained unto them by propinquity of Bloud seeing both Nature and God hath made them capable of such Succession every where as it appeareth by example of all other Nations and in the old Testament among the people of God it selfe where we see Women have been admitted unto kingdomes by succession but all this I say prevailed not with the French as it did not also since for the admission of Dona Isabella Eugenia Clara Infanta of Spain unto the said Crown of France though by dissent of Bloud there be no question of her next propinquity for that she was the eldest childe of the king's eldest sister The like exclusion was then made against the prince of Lorain though he was a man and nephew to the king for that his Title was by a Woman to wit his mother that was younger sister unto king Henry of France And albeit the Law called Salica by the French-men by vertue whereof they pretend to exclude the Succession of Women be no very ancient Law as the French themselves do confesse and much lesse made by Pharamond their first king or in those ancient times as others without ground do affirme Gerard. du Hail l. 13. hist Fraâ—c Anno 1317. l. 14. Anno 1328 l. 3. de l'Estat defrunce Yet do we see that it is sufficient to binde all Princes and Subjects of that Realme to observe the same and to alter the course of natural Discent and nearnesse of Bloud as we have seen and that the king of Navar and some others of his race by vertue of this onely Law did pretend to be next in Succession to this goodly Crown though in nearnesse of Bloud they were farther off by many degrees from king Henry the third than either the foresaid Infanta of Spain or the prince of Lorain who were children of his own sisters which point yet in England were great disorder and would not be suffered for that our Lawes are otherwise and who made these Lawes but the Common-wealth it selfe By all which we see that divers Kingdomes have divers lawes and customes in the matter of succession and that it is not enough for a man to alleage bare propinquity of blood thereby to prevaile for that he may be excluded or put back by divers other circumstances for sundry other reasons which afterward we shall discusse Yea not onely in this point hath the common-wealth authority to put back the next inheritors upon lawfull considerations but also to dispossesse them that have bin lawfully put in possession if they fulfill not the lawes and conditions by which and for which their dignitie was given them Which point as it cannot serve for wicked men to be troublesome unto their Governours for their own interests or appetites so yet when it is done upon just and urgent causes and by publique authority of the whole body the justice thereof is playne not onely by the grounds and reasons before alleaged but also by those examples of the Romans and Grecians already mentioned who lawfully deposed their Kings upon just considerations and changed also their Monarchie and Kingly Government into other forme of regiment And it might be proved also by examples of all other nations and this perhaps with a circumstance which every man considereth not to wit That God hath wonderfully concurred for the most part with such juditiall acts of the common-Wealth against their evill Princes not onely in prospering the same but by giving them also commonly some notable successor in place of the deposed thereby hath to justify the fact and to remedy the fault of him that went before I am far from the opinion of those people of our dayes or of old who make so little account of their duty towards Princes as be their title what it will yet for every mislike of their owne they are ready to band
and did drive him out of his Realme into Castilla where he lived all the rest of his life in banishment and dyed in Toledo without ever returning and this Decree of the Councell and Pope at Lyons for authorizing of this fact is yet extant in our Common Law in the sixt Book of Decretalâ— now in print Lib. 6. de cret tit 6. de supplenda cap. Grand 1. And this King Don Alonso the third which in this sort was put up against his brother was peaceably and prosperously King of Portugal all the dayes of his life Garibay in hist de Portug lib. 34. cap. 20. 21. and he was a notable King and among other great exployts he was the first that set Portugal free from all subjection dependence and homage to the Kingdome of Castile which unto his time â—t haâ— acknowledged and he left for his successor his soâ—â— and heire Don Dionysiâ—el Fabricador to wit the great builder for that he builded and founded above forty and foure great towns in Portugal and was a most rare Prince and his off-spring ruleth in Portugal unto this day Infinite other examples could I alleage if I would examine the lives and discents of these and other Kingdoms with their Princes and namely if I would speak of the Greek Emperours deprived for their evill government not so much by popular mutiny which often hapned among them as by consent and grave deliâ—eâ—ation of the whole State and Weal-publick Glicas in Annal. part 4. Zon. Annal. co 3. in vita Michael Calapha as Michael Calaphates for that he had troden the Crosse of Christ under his feet and was otherwise also a wicked man as also the Emperor Nicephorus Botoniates for his dissolute life and preferring wicked men to authority and the like whereof I might name many but it would be too long What should I name here the deposition made of Princes in our dayes by other Common-wealths as in Polonia of Henry the third that was King of France and before that had been sworne King of Polonia of which Crowne of Polonia he was deprived by publick act of Parliament for his departing thence without license and not returning at his day by the said State appointed and denounced by publick Letters of peremptory commandement which are yet extant In literis reip Polon ad Henr. Valesium pag. 182. 184. Vide Gagneum part 1. de rebus Polon In Suetia What should I name the deprivations of Henry King of Suetia who being lawfull successor and lawfully in possession after his Father Gustavus was yet put downe by that Common-wealth and deprived and his brother made King in his place who was in England in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reigne whose sonne reigned King of Polonia Polin 1. 32. Histor de Franc. An. 1568. and this fact was not only allowed of at home by all the States of that countrey but also abroad as namely of Maximilian the Emperor and appointed also by the King of Denmarke and by all the Princes of Germany neer about that Realme who saw the reasonable causes which that Common-wealth had to proceed as it did And a little before that the like was practised also in Denmarke against Cisternus their lawfull King if we respect his discent in blood for he was sonne to King Iohn that reigned afore him and crowned in his fathers life but yet afterwards for his intolerable cruelty he was deprived and driven into banishment together with his wife and three children all which were disinherited and his Vncle Frederick Prince of Holsatia was chosen King whoâ—e Progeny yet remaineth in the Crowne and the other though he were married to the sister of Charles the fifth last Emperour of that name and were of kin also to King Henry the eight in England yet could he never get to be restored â—â—â—pessed his time miserably partly in banishment and partly in prison untill he died Sleydon l. 4. hist An. 1532. Muâ—st lib. 3. Cosmogra in dâ—script Dâ—â—i'e Paulus Iovius in viris illust But it shall be best perhaps to end this narration with example out of England it selfe for that no where 〈◊〉 have I read more markeable accidets touching this point then in England and for brevity sake I shall touch only a few since the Conquest for that I will goe no higher though I might as appereth by the example of King Edâ—in and others neither will I begin to stand much upon the example of King Iohn though well also I might so that by his cruell government he made himselfe both odious at home and contemptâ—ble abroad After him King Henry the third was admitted and he proved a very worthy King after so cruell a one as had gone before him and had been deposed which is a circumstance that you must alwayes note in this narration and hee reigned more yeares then ever King in England did before or after him for he reigned full 53 years and left his son and heire Edward the first not inferiour to himselfe in manhood and vertue who reigned 34. yeares and left a son named Edward the second who falling into the same defects of government or worse then King John his great Grandfather had done was after 1. yeares reigne deposed also by act of Parliament holden at London the yeare 1326. Polyd. l. 18. hist Anglicanae Anno 1326. and his body adjudged to perpetuall prison in which he was at that present in the Castle of Wallingford whither divers both Lords and Knights of the Parliament were sent unto him to denounce the sentence of the Realme against him to wit how they had deprived him and chosen Edward his son in his place Stow in the life of King Edward the 2. for which act of choosing his son he thanked them heartily and with many teares acknowledged his owne unworthinesse whereupon hee was degraded his name of King first taken from him and he appointed to be called Edward of Carnarvan from that houre forward And then his Crowne and ring were taken away and the Steward of his house brake the staffe of his office in his presence and discharged his servants of their service and all other people of their obedience or allegiance toward him and towards his maintenance he had only a 100 marks a year allowed for his expences and then was hee delivered also into the hands of certain particular keepers who led him prisoner from thence by divers other places using him with extreme indignity in the way untill at last they took his life from him in the Castle of Barkley and his son Edward the third reigned in his place who if we respect either valour prowesse length of reigne acts of chevalry or the multitude of famous Princes his children left behind him was one of the noblest Kings that ever England had chosen in the place of a very evill one But what â—hall we say Is this worthinesse which God giveth commonly to the successours at these changes perpetuall or certaine by discent no
gratefully but discourteous rather and injuriously towards him that gave him first this authority To which also they doe alleage the speech of the Prophet Samuel in the first Booke of the Kings where the people of Israel demanded to have a King to governe over them as other nations round about them had and to leave the the government of thhe high Priest under whom at that day they were At which demand both God himself and Samuel were grievously offended and Samuel by Gods expresse order protested unto them in this manner 1. Reg. 8. Well quoth he you will have a King hearken then to this that I will say Hoc erit ius regis qui imperaturus est vobis this shall be the right and power of the King that shall rule over you to wit he shall take from you your children both Sons and Daughâ—ers your Fields and Vinyards your Harvest also and Renâ—s your Servants Handmaids and Heards of Cattie and shall give them to his Servants and you shall cry unto God in that day from the face of this your King whom you have chosen and God shall not hear you for that you have demanded a King to govern you Out of all which discourâ—e and speech of the Prophet these men doe gather that a King is nothing so restrained in his power or limited to law as you have affirmed but rather that his law is his own will as by these words of the Prophet may appear much lesse may the Common-wealth chastise or deprive him for exceeding the limits of law or doing his will seeing that here in this place God doth fore-tell that Princes oftentimes shall commit excesses and injuries and yet doth he not therefore will them to chasten or depose them for the same but rather insinuateâ—h that they must take it patitiently for their sinnes and cry to God for remedy and persevere therein though he do not at the first hearken to them or grant their redresse The fifth Speech I Confesse that Flatterers of Princes in these our days have not onely affirmed that Princes were lawlesse and subject to no accompt reason or correction whatsoever they did but also which is yet more absurd pernicious to all Common-wealths Belloy apolog part 2. p. 7. apol pro Rege c. 6. 24. 26. That all goods chattels possessions and whatsoever else commodities temporall of the Common-wealth are properly the Kings and that their subjests have onely the use thereof without any propriety at all so as when the King will he may take it from them by right without injustice or injury which assertions do overthrow wholly the very nature and substance of a Common wealth it self For first to say that a King is subject to no law or limitation at all but may do what he will is against all that I have alleadged before of the very institution of a Common-wealth which was to live together in justice order and as I shewed out of Cicero speaking of the first Kings Iustitiae fruendae causa bene morati Reges olim sunt constituti For enjoying of iusticâ— were Kings appointed in old time that were of good life but if they be bound to no justice at all but must be born and obeyed be they never sowicked then is this end and butt of the common wealth and of all Royal authority utterly frustrate then may we set up publike Murderers Ravishers Theeves and Spoylers to devour us in stead of Kings and Governours to defend us for such indeed are Kings that follow no law but passion sensuality do commit injustice by their publike authority then finally were all those Kings beforementioned both of the Jewes Gentiles and Christians vnlawfully deprived their Successors unlawfully put up in their places consequently all Princes living in Christianity at this day who are deseended of them are intruders no lawful Princes By the second saying also that all temporallties are properly the Princes that Subjects have only the use therof without any interest of their own no lesse absurdities do follow then of the former assertion for that first it is against the very principle foundation of our civill law which at the first entrance begining maketh this division of goods That some are common by nature to all men as the Ayr the Sea and the like other are publike to all of one City or Country but yet not common to all ingenerall as Rivers Ports and other such some are of the community of a City or Common-wealth but yet not common to every particular person of that City as common Rents Theators the publike house c some are of none nor properly of any mans goods as Churches and sacred things and some are proper to particular men as those which every man possesseth of his own which diviâ—â—on of Iustiman the Emperour his most learned Lawyers is not good if the Prince bee Lord proprietary of all nay he that made this division being Emperour did great injury also to himself â—n assigning that to others which by the opinion of Belloy his fellows was properly truly his own in that he was Emperour Lord of the world Besides all this so absurd a saying is this as it overâ—hroweth the whole nature of a Common wealtâ— it self waketh all subjects to be but very slaves For that slaves bondmen as Aristotle saith in this do diffeâ— from Free-men that slaves have only the use of things without property or interest cannot acquire or get to themselvs any dominion or true right in any thing for that whatsoever they do get it accreweth to their Master not to themselvs for that the condition of an Oxe or an Asse is the very same in respect of a poor man that hath no slave for that the Oxe or Asse gâ—tâ—eth nothing to himself but only to his Master can be Lord of nothing of that for which he laboureth for this cause wittily also said Aristâ—tle that bos aut asinus pauperi agricolae proservo est An Oxe or an Asse is to a poor husbandman in stead of a boudman so seeing that Malignants will needs have the state condition of all Subjects to be like unto this in respect of their Prince and that they have nothing in propriety but only the use and that all dominion is properly the Princes what doth the other then make all Subjects not only slaves but also Oxen and Asses and pecora campi Last of all for I will not overload you with reasons in a matter so evident if all Subjects goods be properly the Kings why then was Achab and Iezabell King Queen of Israel so repreâ—ended by Elias and so punished by God for taking away Nabothes Vinyard seeing they took but that which was their own Nay why waâ— not Naboth accused of iniquity rebellion treason for that he did hot yeeld up preâ—ently his Vinyard when his Princes demanded the same seeing
of all that priority and propinquitie of blood in succession is greatly to be honored regarded and preferred in all affairs of digniâ—ie and principallity which is the second point are we not so absolutly and peremptorily bound thereunto alwaies but that upon iust and urgent occasions that Course may be altered and broken Which licence or liberty is indeed the only or at least wise the most principall remedy for such inconveniences as before I shewed to be farr lesse and fewer then are wont to follow of bare election alone yet did I confesse also that some did or might fall out as namely that the person who by sucession of blood is next may be unable or unâ—it or pernicious to governe in which cases the remedy is as before hath been declared hitherto helpe and assist him by lawe directions and wise councells if he be capable thereunto or else to remove him and take in another of the same blood royal though further of in degre or propinquity in his place And this is and hath ben the Custom practice of all Kingdoms and Commonwealths from the begining since succession hath ben established among them and by this means we come to remedy the difficulties and inconveniences of both kinds of making our Kings Princes which are election and succession for by succession we do remedy the inconveniences and dangers before mentioned of bare electioÌ„ to wit of strife banding ambition the like and by this other mean of adding also election consent and approbation of the Realme to succession we remedy the inconveniences of bare succession alone which inconveniences are principally that some unâ—pt impotent or evill Prince may be offered some times to enter by periority of blood whereof the Realme may deliver it selfe by this other meanes of not admitting him so as election by succession and succession again by election is salved and the one made a preservative and treacle to the other and this is the wisdom and high policy left by God and nature to every Common-Wealth for their own conservation and maintenance and every man that is of reason and iudgment and void of passion will not onely allow but also highly commend the same Now then to answer in particular to the two questions 1 what is to be attributed to succession alone and secondly what interest a Prince hath thereby to any Crowne before he be Crowned or admitted by the common wealth To the first I say that to succession alone or priority of blood only great honour reverence and â—espect ought to be borne â—s before hath been declared for that it is the principall circumstance and condition which leadeth us to the next succession of the Crown infalibly and without a strife if his propinquity be cleare and evident and that other necâ—ssary circumstances and conditions do concur also in the same person which conditions were appointed and set down at the same time and by the same authority that this law of succession was established for that both the one and the other of these 2. poinâ—s were ordained by the Common-Wealth to wit that the elder and first in blood should succâ—ed and that he should be such a person as can and will govern to the publike weale of al. To the second question I answer that an heyre apparent to a Crown before his Corâ—nation and admission by the Realm if he have the conditions before required hath the same interest to the Kingdom which the King of Romans or Cesar hath to the Germain empyre after his election and before he be crowned or to use a more familiar example to Englishmen as the Mayor of London hath to the majoralty after he is chosen and before he be admitted or have taken his Oath For as this man in rigour is not truly Mayor nor hath not his jurisdiction before his Oath and admission nor the other is properly Emperour before he be crowned so is not an heyre apparent truly King though his Predecessour be dead and he next in succession untill he be crowned or admitted to the Common-Wealth Another example is there in Mariage also whereby our matter is made more playn for in this contract go both the betrothing and actuall joyning together of the parties in wedlock the first is done by words de futuro or for the time to come and is not properly Mariage but espousal only the other is by words depresenti that is by mutual present consent given of both parties and this second is only and properly true Marriage which two points are expresly represented in the state of an Heyre apparent and of a Crowned King for that the Heyre apparent by propinquity of blood is only espoused or beâ—rothed to the Common-Wealth for the time to come and is married afterwards by present mutuall consent of both parties in the contract and knitting up of the matter as his Coronation by the Oathes which either part maketh the one to take the other and by putting on the ring and other wedding garments before mentioned in their Coronations by all which the heyre apparent which before was but espouse is made now the true King and husband of the Common-Wealth which before he was not by only succession but only a betrothed spouse or designed King Wherefore it followeth also that the Common-Wealth oweth no allegeance or subjection unto the heyre apparent in rigour of Justice untill he be crowned or admitted though his Predecessour be dead for that in very deed untill that time he is not their true King and Soveraign though for better keeping of order and avoyding of Tumulâ—â— all Common-Wealths lightly that have their Princes by succession have ordayned in these latter ages that from the death of the former Princes all maâ—ters of government shall passe in the name of his next successor if his succession be cleare and this as I say for avoyding of garboyles and under supposall of confirmation and approbation afterward of the Common-Wealth at his Coronation for which cause also and for better accompt of yeares it was ordained that the begining of the successors reigne should be reckoned from the day of the death of his Predecessor and not from the day of his Coronation as otherwise in rigour it ought to be and as in old time it was accustomed to be as Girard Secretary and Chronicler of France doth wisely note in his third book of the estate and affaires of France Girard die Haillan l. 3. del estate pag. 241. to wit that Kings in old time were wont to accompt the yeares of their reignes from the day only of their anointing and Coronation This point also that heyres apparent are not true Kings untill their Coronation how just soever their title of succession otherwise be and though their Predecessours be dead it might be confirmed by many other Arguments but especially and above all others for that the Realm is asked again three times at their Coronation whether they will have such a man to be King or
to alledge out of the 2. rank only which began with the exclusion and deposition of their lawfull king Childerike the 3. and election of k. Pepin then surnamed le brefe or the little for his small stature though he were a Gyant in deeds being made king of France by meer election in the yeer of Christ 751. after 22 Kings that had reigned of the first line of Pharamond for the space of more then 300 yeers being so famous worthy a King as all the world knoweth reigned 18 yeers and then left his States Kingdoms by succession unto his eldest Son Charles surnamed afterward the Great for his famous heroicall acts And albeit the whole kingdom of France appertained unto him alone by the law of succession his Father being King and hee his eldest Son yet would the Realm of France shew their authority in his admission which Girard setteth down in these words Estant Pepâ—n decede les Francois esleurent Rois Charls Carlomon ses fils ala charge quils partageroient entre eux egalement le royaume Gir. du Haillan l. 3. an 768. which is king Pepin being dead the brench-men chose for their kings his two Sons Charles Carlomon with condition that they should part equally between them the Realm Wherein is to be noted not only the elect on of the Common wealth besiâ—es succession but also the heavy condition laid upon the heyre to part half of his kingdom with his younger brother and the very same words hath Eginard an ancient French Writer in the life of this Charles the Great to wit That the French State in a publike Assembly did chuse two Princes to be their Kings with expresse condition to divide the Realm equally as Francis Belforest citeth his words Eginard Belfor l 2. c. 5. After 3 yeers that these two Brethren had reigned together K. Carlomon the yonger dyed and left many Sons the elder whereof was named Adalgise but Belforest saith That the Lords Ecclesiasticall Temporall of France swore fidelity and obedience to Charles without any respect or regard at all of the childâ—en of Carlomon who yet by right of succession should have been preferred and Paulus Emilius a Latine Writer saith proceres regni ad Carolum ultroven entes regem tum totius Galliae sulutarunt Paâ—l Mil. hist Frâ—nc that is The Nobility of the Realme coming of their own accord unâ—o Charles saluted him k. of all France whereby is shewed that this exclusion of the children of Carlomon was not by force or tyranny but by free deliberaâ—ion of the Realm After Charles the great reigned by succession his only Son Lewis the first surnamed deâ—onnaire of hâ—s courtesie who entring to reigâ— in the yeer 817. with great applause of all men for the exceeding gratefull memory of his father was yet afterward at the purâ—uit principally of his own three sonnes by his first wise which were Lothair Pepin and Lups deposed Girard l. 1 An. 834. first in a chancell at Lions and then again at Compeigne and put into a monastery though afterward he came to reigne againe An 840. and his fourth sonne by hâ—s second wife which sonne was named Charles le châ—une for that he was bald â—ucceeded him in the states of France though after many battells against his brother Lothair to whom by succession the same apperteyned After Charles the bald succeeded Lewis the second surnamed le begue for his stuttering who was not eldest but third Son unto his Father an 878. for the second dyed before his Father the eldest was put by his succesâ—ion for his cruell demeanure this Lewis also was like to have bin deprived by the States at his first entrance for the hatred conceived against hâ—s Father Charles the baâ—d but that he calling a solemn Pâ—rl at Compeigne as Girard saith Gie l. 1. an 879 he made the People Clergy Nobility many fair promises to have their good wils This Lewis the stuttering left two bastard sons by a Concubine who were called Lewis Carlomon as also he left a litle Infant newly born of his lawfull fe Adeltrude daughter to k. Alfred of England which Infant was K. of France afterward by name of Charles the simple albeit not immediatly after the death of his Father for that the Nobles of France said that they that they had need of a man to be King not a child as Girard reporteth therefore the whole State of France chose for their Kings the two foresaid bastards Lewis the 3. Carlomon the first of that name joyntly they were crowned most solemnly divided the whole Relm between them in the yeer of Christ 881. Q. Adeltruds with her child true heir of France fled into England to her Father there brought him up for dâ—vers yeers in which time she saw 4 or 5 Kings Reigne in his place in France one after the other for briefly thus it passed Of these two bastard Kings the elder named Lewis reigned but 4 yeers and dyed without issue the 2d that is Carlomon lived but one yeer after him left a Son called also Lewis the 5. surnamed Faineant for his idle slothfull life an 886. For which as also for his vicious behaviour in perticular for taking out marying a Nun of the Abby of Baudour at Chels by Paris he was deprived made a Monk in the Abbey of S. Denis where he dyed in his place was chosen K. of France and crowned with great solemnity Charles the 4. Emperour of Rome srrnamed le gios for that he was fat corpâ—lent he was Nephew to Charles the bald before mentioned therfore the French stories say that he came to the Crown of France partly by succession partly by election Girard l. 5. an 888. but for succession we see that it was nothing worth for so much as Charles the simple the right heire was alive in England whom it seemeth that the French men had quite forgotten seeing that now they had not only excluded him three times already but afterwards also againe when this grosse Charls was for his cruel government by them deposed deprived not onely of the kingdom of France but also of his Empire which he had before he was King was brought into such miserable penury as divers write that he perished or want this time I say the States of France would not yet admit Charles the simple though hitherto his simplicity did not appear but he seemed a goodly Prince but rather they chose for King one Odo Earl of Paris Duke of Angiers caused him to be crowned But yet after a few yeers being weary of this mans government and moved also somewhat with compassion towards the youth that was in England they resolved to depose Odo and so they did while he was absent in Gascony and called Charls the simple out of England to Paris and restored him to the kingdom of France leaving only to
named Ethelwâ—lfe or Adâ—â—ulte or Edolph an 829. for all is one who succeeded him in the kingdom and was as worthy a man as his Father and this Adeluulfe again had four lawfull Sons who all in their turns succeeded by just and lawfull order in the crown to wit Ethelbald Ethelbert Ethelred and Alfred for that none of the former three had any children and all the latter three were most excellent Princes especially Alfred or Alured the last of all four whose acts are wonderfull an 8â—2 and who among other his renowned Guests drove Rollo that famous Captain of the Danes from the Boâ—ders of England with all his company into France where he got the country or Province named then Neustria and now Normandy and was the first Duke of that Province and Nation and from whom our William Conquerour came afterwards in the 6. discent This man also erected the University of Oxford being very learned himselfe builded divers good Monasteries and Churches dying left as famous a Son behind himself which was Edward the first surnamed the senior or elder Anno 900. This King Edward dying left two Sons lawfully begotten of his wife Edgina the one named Prince Edmund the other Eâ—â—â—ed and a third illegitimate whose name was Adelstan whom he had by a Concubine But yet for that this man was esteemed to be of more valour then the other he was preferred to the crown before the other two Princes legitimate an 924 for so testifieth Poâ—dor in these words Adâ—â—anus ex concubina Edwardi filius rax a populo consalutatur atque ad Kingstonum opidum more majorum ab Athâ—â—lmo cautuariensi Arel lepiscopo corâ—natur Pol. l. 5. hist ang which is Adelstan the Son of K. Edward by a Concubine was made King by the People and was crowned according to the old custome by Athelme Archbishop of Canterbury at the town of Kingston Thus far Polidor and Stow addeth further these words His coronation was celebrated in the Market place upon a stage erected on high that the King might better be seen of the multitude he was a Prince of worthy memory valiant and wise in all his acts and brought this land into one perfect Monarchy for the expelled utterly the Danes and quieted the Welch men Stow p. 136. an 924. Thus much Stow of the snccesse of chusing this King bastard to reign To whose acts might be added that he conquered Scotland and brought Constantine their King to doe him homage and restored Lewis d'Outremer his sisters Son to the Kingdom of France an 940. This man dying without issue his lawfull brother Edmond put back before was admitted to the crown who being of excellent expectation dyed after 6 yeers and left two lawfull sons but yet for that they were young they were both put back by the Realm their uncle Eâ—dred was preferred before them an 946. so saith Palidor Genuâ—t Edmondus ex Egilda uxore Edvinuus Edganum qui cum etate pueri esseâ—â— post Eldredum deinder regnarunt Pol l. 6. King Edmond begat of his wife Egilda two Sons named Edwin and Edgar who for that they were but children in yeers were put back and reigned afterward after their uncle Eldred The like saith Stow and yeeldeth the same reason in these words Eldred succeeded Edmond his bâ—other for that his Sons Edwin and Edgar were thought to young to take so great a charge upon them This Eldred though he entred as you see against the right of the Nephews yet saith Polidor and Stow that he had all mens good will and was crowned as his brother had been at Kingston by Odo Archbishop of Canterbury and reigned 9 yeers with great good will and praise of all men He dyed at last without issue aud so his elder Nephew Edwin was admitted to the crown but yet after 4 yeers he was deposed again for his lewd vicious life and his younger brother Edgar admitted in his place in the yeer of Christ 959. This King Edgar that entred by deposition of his brother was one of the rarest Princes that the world had in his time both for peace and war justice piety and valour Stow saith he kept a Navy of 3000. and 600 ships distributed in divers parts for defence of the Realm Also that he built and restored 47 Monasteries at his own charges and did other many such acts He was Father to King Edward the Martyr and Grandfather to K. Edward the confessor though by two different wives for by his first wife named Egilfred â—hee had Edward after martyrized and by his second wife Alfred he had Etheldred Father to Edw. the confessour and to the end that Etholdred might reign his mother Alfred caused K. Ed. the son of Egilfred to be slain after King Edgar her husband was dead After this so shamefull murther of K. Edw many good men of the Realm were of opinion not to admit the succession of Etheldred his half brother both in respect of the murther of K. Ed. his elder brother committed for his sake as also for that he seemed a man not fit to govern and of his opinion among others was the holy man Dunston Archbishop of Canterbury as Polidor saith Pol. l. 7. hist Ang. who at length in flat words denyed to consecrate him but seeing the most part of the Realm bent on Etheldreds side he foretold them that it would repent them after and that in this mans life the Realm should be destroyed as indeed it was and he ran away to Normondy and left Sweno and his Danes in possession of the Realm though afterward being dead hee returned againe and dyed in London This Etheldred had two wives the first Ethelgina an English woman by whom he had Prince Edward surnamed Iron-side for his great strength and valour who succeeded his Father in the Crown of England for a yeer and at his death left two Sons which after shall be named And besides this Etheldred had by his first wife other two Sons Edwin and Adelston and one Daughter named Edgina all which were either slain by the Danes or dyed without issue The second Wife of Etheldred was called Emma sister to Richard Duke of Noâ—mondy who was Grandfather to William the Conquerour to wit Father to Duke Robert that was Father to William So as Emma was great Aunt to this William and shee bare unto King Atheldred two Sons the first Edward who was afterward named King Edward the Confessor and Alerud who was slain trayterously by the Earl of Kent After the death also of King Etheldred Queen Emma was marryed to the Dane King Canutus the first of that name surnamed the Great that was King of England after Etheldred and Edmond Ironside his Son and to him she bare a Sonne named Hardicanutus who reigned also in England before King Edward the Confessour Now then to come to our purpose hee that will consider the passing of the Crown of England from the death of Edmond Iron-side elder Sonne
had some hope to have her sonne Reigne after David upon a certaine promise that David in his youth had made unto her thereof as also she had in the speciall favour and friendship which Nathan the Prophet and Sadock the Priest who could do much with the ould King David did beare unto her sonne Solomon aboue all the rest of his Bretheren Hereupon I say these two that is to say Queene Bersabee and Nathan the Prophet comming together to the old man as he lay one his bed and putting him in mind of his promise and oath made to Bersabee for the preferment of her Son and shewing besides how that Adonias without his order and consent had gathered an Assembly to make himselfe King even that very day which did put the old King in very great feare and anger and further also telling him which pleased him wel quod oculi totius Israel in eum â—espicerent ut indicaret eis quis sederet in solio suo post ipsum 3. Reg. 1. that is that the eyes of all Israel were upon him to see whom he would commend unto them to sit in his seat after him which was as much to say as that the whole common-wealth referred it to his choise which of his Sonnes should reigne after him Vpon these reasons and perswasions I say the good ould King was content that they should take Solomon out of hand and put him upon the Kings owne mule and carry him about the streets of Ierusalem accompanied with his guard and court and crying with sound of Trumpets Vivat Rex Salomon 3. Reg 1. and that Sadock the Priest should anoint him and after that he should be brought back and placed in the royall Throne in the palace and so indeed he was at what time King David himselfe being not able through impotencie to rise out of his bed did him honour and reverence from the place where he lay for so saith the Scriptures Adoravit Rex in lectulo suo king David adored his Sonne Salomon thus Crowned even from his bed all which no doubt though it may seeme to have been wrought by humane meanes and policy yet must we confesse that it was principally by the speciall instinct of God himselfe as by the sequell and succes we see so that hereby also we are taught that these and like determinations of the people Majestrates and common wealths about admitting or refusing of Princes to Reigne or not to Reigne ever them when their designements are to good ands and for just respects and causes are allowed also by God and oftentimes are his owne speciall drifts and dispositions though they seeme to come from man Whereof no one thing can give a more evident proofe then that which ensued afterward to Prince Roboam the Lawfull Sonne and heire of this King Salamon who after his Fathers death comming to Sichem where all the People of Israel were gathered together for his Coronation and Admission according to his right by succession 3. Reg. 12. For untill that time we see he was not accounted true King though his Father was dead and this is to be noted the people began to purpose unto him certain conditions for taking away of some hard and heavy impositions laid upon them by Salomon his Father an evident president of the oath and conditions that Princes do swear unto in these dayes at their Coronation whereunto when Roboam refused to yeald ten Tribes of the twelve refused to admit him for their King 3. Reg 11. but chose rather one Ieroboam Robohams servant that was a meere stranger and but of poore parentage and made him there lawfull King and God allowed thereof as the Scripture in expresse words doth testifie and when Roboam that tooke himselfe to be openly Injured heereby would by armes have pursued his Title and had gathered together an Army of a hundred and foure-score thousand chosen souldiers as the scripture sayth 5 Rig. 12. and 21. to punish these rebells as he calle them and to reduce these 10. tribes to their due obedience of their naturall Prince God appeared unto one Semejah a holy man and bad him goe to the camp of Roboam and tell them plainly that he would not have them to fight against their Brethren that had chosen another King but that every man should goe home to his house and live quietly vnder the King which each party had and so they did and this was the end of that tumult which God for the sins of Salomon had permitted and allowed of And thus much by the way I thought good to touch on t of holy Scripture concerning the Iewish Common-Wealth even at the begining for that it may give light to all the rest which after I am to treate of for if God permitted and allowed this in his own Common wealth that was to he the example and patern of all others that should ensue no doubt but that he approveth also the same in other Realms when just occasions are offered either for his service the good of the people and Realm or else for punishment of the sinnes and wickednesse of some Princes that the ordinary line of succession be altered Now then to passe on further and to begin with the Kingdoms of Spayne supposing ever this ground of Gods Ordinance first I say that Spayne hath had 3. or 4. races or discents of Kings as France also and England have had and the first race was from the Gotheâ— which began their raigne in Spayne after the expulsion of the Romans about the year of Christ 416. Ambros Moral lib. 11. c. 12 to whom the Spaniard referreth all his old Nobility as the Frenchman doth to the German Franckes and the English to the Saxons which entred France and England in the very same age that the other did Spayne and the race of Gothish Kings indured by the space of 300. yeares untill Spayne was lost unto the Moores The second race is from Don Pelayo that was chosen first King of Asturias and of the Mountain Countrey of Spayne after the distruction thereof by the Moores about the year of Christ 717. Ambros Moral lib. 13. c. 2. which race continued and increased and added â—â—â—gdom unto Kingdom for the space of other 300 years until the year of Christ 1034. Moral lib. 13 c. 42 43 44. when Don Sancho Mayor King of Navarra got unto his power the Earldom also of Aragon and Castiliae and made them Kingdoms and divided them among his Children and to his second sonne named Don Fernando surnamed afterward the great he gave not only the said Earldom of Castilia with title of Kingdom but by marriage also of the sister of Don Dermudo King of Leon and Austâ—rias he joyned all those Kingdoms together that day forward the 3 race of the Kings of Navair to reign in Castel and so indured for 500 years until the year of Christ 1540. when the house of Austira entred to reign there by mariage of the daughter heire Don Ferdinando