mixture of honest delight Vnder these teachers the Prince thrived so well that in short time he spake the French tongue perfectly In the 〈◊〉 tongue he could declaime vpon the suddaine no lesse both readily and purely then many who were reputed amongst the most learned of these times He attained not only commendable knowledge but speech in the Greeke Spanish and Italian languages having alwaies great iudgment in measuring his words by his matter his speech being alike both fluent and weightie such as best beseemed a Prince as for naturall Philosophie for Logicke Musicke Astronomie and other liberall sciences his perfections were such that the great Italian Philosopher Cardane having tasted him by many conferences and finding him most strongly to encounter his new devised paradoxes in Philosophie seemed to be astonished betweene admiration and delight and divulged his abilities to be miraculous These his acquirements by industrie were exceedingly both enriched and enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature For in disposition he was milde gracious and pleasant of an heavenly wit in body beautifull but especially in his eies which seemed to haue a starrie liuelynes and lustre in them generally hee seemed to be as Cardane reported of him A MIRACL'E OF NATVRE When he was a few moneths aboue nine yeeres of his age great preparation was made either for creating or for declaring him to be Prince of Wales Duke of Cornewall and Count Palatine of Chester In the middest whereof K. Henry his Father ended his life of a dropsie accompanyed with a spreading scaâ—…e of his thigh Herevpon Edward Earle of Hartford and S r Anthony Browne knight of the order and Master of the horse were forthwith dispatched by the residue of the counsâ—…ile to the young King then lying at Hartford These came vnto him and the next day brought him to Enfield neither with preparation nor traine any more then ordinarie Here they first declared vnto him and to the Lady Elizabeth his sister the death of K. Henry their father Vpon which tidings they both brake forth into such vnforced and vnfained passions as it plainely appeared that good nature did worke in them beyond all other respects Never was sorrow more sweetly set forth their faces seeming rather to beautifie their sorrow then their sorrow to clowde the beautie of their faces Their young yeares their excellent beauties their louely and liuely enterchange of complaints in such sort graced their griefe as the most yron eies at that time present were drawne thereby into societie of their Teares The next day following being the last of Ianuarie the young king advanced towards London The Earle of Hartford riding next before him and S r Anthony Browne behinde The same day he was proclaimed King and his lodging was prepared within the Tower He there was received by the Constable and Lieuetenant on horse backe without the gates and vpon the bridge next the Ward-gate by all the chiefe Lords â—…o his counsailo These attended him to his chamber of presence and there sware allegiance vnto him Here he remained about three weekes and in the meane time the counsaile appointed vnto him by his Fathers will dayly sate for ordering the affaires of the Kingdome Among these the Earle of Hartford was elected and forthwith proclaimed protector of the Realme and governour of the kings person vntill he should accomplish the age of eighteene yeares To this office he was deemed most fit for that he was the kings vnkle by the Mothers side very neere vnto him in bloud but yet of no capacitie to succeede by reason whereof his naturall affection and dutie was lesse easie to be over-carryed by Ambition A few daies after the Lord Protector knighted the king within the Tower and immediatly the king stood vp vnder his cloath of estate tooke the sword from the Lord Protector and dubbed the Lord Maior of London knight Herehence ensued diverse other advancements in honour For S r Edward Seymer Lord Protector and Earle of Hartford was created Duke of Somerset The Lord William Parre Earle of Essex was proclaimed Marquis of Northampton Sâ—… Thomas Seymer the kings vnckle was made Lord of Sudley and high Admirall of England S t Richard Rich was made Lord Rich Sâ—… William Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parreham and Sir Edmund Sheffield Lord Sheffield of Buterwike And because high titles of honour were in that time of the Kings minority sparingly granted because dignity then waited vpon desert which caused it againe to be waited on by respect every of these testified for others that it was the pleasure of the Kings Father before his death that these titles should thus bee conferred During this time the body of King Henrie was with honorable solemnities conveyed from London to Sheene and thence to Windsore and there buryed within the Colledge All his officers brake their staues and threw them into the graue but at their returne to the tower new staues were delivered vnto them this solemnitie being finished the King vpon the nineteenth of Febr. 1547. rode in great state from the Tower to the Palace of Westminster and the day following was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury assisted with other Bishops and all the chiefe nobilitie of the Realme About the twenty-ninth yeere of the Empire of Charles the fifth and the 33 of the Raigne of Francis the first of France and in the fifth yeere both of the raigne and age of Marie Queene of Scotland The same day a generall pardon was granted to all persons as it hath beene vsuall at coronations But by some envious oppositions or for some other causes vnknowne fixe onlie were excepted The Duke of Northfolke Cardinall Poole Edward â—…e Courtney eldest sonne to the Marquesse of Exceter Doctor Pates Master Fortescue and Master Throgmorton But they overlived that envie and had their pardons afterwards in the first yeere of the Raigne of Queene Marie A few daies after the Earle of Southampton Lord Chancellor of England for being opinatiue as it was reported and obstinately opposite to the rest of the Lords in matters of counsaile was removed both from his office of being Chancellor and from his place and authority in counsaile and the great seale was delivered to Sir William Pawlet Lord S â— Iohn who was Lord great Master of the Kings houshold But this wound of disgrace never left bleeding vntill it was stopped by the Protectors fall It is certaine that from the first entrance of this King to his raigne never was King either more loving to others or better beloved generally of all The one whereof proceeded from the goodnes of his disposition the other from many graces and vertues illustrious in him for besides his excellent beauty and modestie beseeming a Prince besides his sweet humanity the very life of mortall condition besides a naturall disposition to all literature whereto he seemed rather borne then instructed many noble and high virtues sparckled in him especially Clemencie Courage Care and knowledge in affaires of
furnished he should awaite occasion to sollicite the same Lastly that he should carry a nimble eare as well touching any variation in all these â—…atters as for other occurrences in France Spaine Italie Almaine and thereof advertise the king But notwithstanding all these cautions and preventions of peace or truce betweene the Emperour and the French the king of England finding the Emperour slow in his performances and much suspecting his secret ends entertained a treatie of peace with France but secretly and a farre off and to bee governed as occasions should vâ—…ry and in regâ—…rd hâ—…reof agreement was made that all ships and goods which had bin surprised at sea by the English vpon the French or by the French vpon the English since the beginning of that treatie should be freely discharged And albeit the English had great aduâ—…ntage in value of reprisalls as being alwaies both more strong and actiue at sea yet the king by his proclamation commanded that forthwith restitution should be made Hostility being thus suspended with France preparation was made for warres against Scotland the occasion whereof did thus arise MARY STYWARD sole daughter heire to Iames the 5. King of Scots began her raigne ouer the Realme of Scotland vpon the 18 of December 1542 being then not aboue 7 daies olde so as the Sunne no sooner almost saw her an infant then a Queene and no sooner was shâ—…e a Queene but she was desired of Henry then King of England to be assured in marriage to Prince Edward his only sonne being then not much aboue 6 yeares of age Vpon this ouerture the gouernor of Scotland assembled the nobility of the Realme at Edenburgh where after much debatement of the coÌ„modities or discommodities like to ensue they concluded in the end that in March then next ensuing a Parliament should be held to giue perfection and forme to that businesse In the meane time S. Ralph Sadler knight was sent embassador from England to the Gouernor and other Lords of Scotland who followed his charge with so good diligence and advice that in the same parliamenâ—… authority was giuen to William Earle of Glancorne S. George ' Douglasse S. William Hamilton S. Iames Leirmouth knights and to one of the secretaries of state to conclude this marryage These commissioners came into England with whom before the end of Iulie the same yeere all covenants were concluded instruments of the contract of marriage interchangeably sealed and sworne and a peace established for ten yeares which time expyred both the Prince and the Queene should be of age to consent The French King all this tiâ—…e was so enteartined with warres against the Emperor that he had no sence of these proceedings but when he vnderstood that these agreements were passed as well for marriage as for peace he bâ—…nt his best endeuour to dissolue them both First with intention to impeach both the greatnesse and strength of the English nation after with desire to winne this marriage for Francis who afterwardes was King of France To this purpose the French K. sent for Mathew Earle of Levenoxe who then serued vnder his pay in Italie and furnished him with mony forces and friends and aboue all with many encouragements to take vpon him brauely the honour of his house and Ancestors to remoue the Earle of Arraine from the Regency of Scotland and to reverse such pactions as he had made The Earle at his first arrivall in Scotland was ioyfully received as a man most engaged in domesticall factions He alwaies vsed curtesie and modestie disliked of none sometimes sociablenes and fellowship well liked by many generally he was honoured by his nation and well reputed by strangers in favour of him the Pope sâ—…nt the Patriarch of Apulia his Legat into Scotland who in the Popes nâ—…me did faithfully assure that both forces mony should be sent into Scotland to resist the English Heâ—… drew the greatest of the Cleargie on his side who were most powerfull to draw on others On the other side the king was not negligent to support his party with supplies wher by great troubles ensued in Scotland which fell not within the times that I hauâ—… in hand In the end the Earle of Arraine abandoned the king of England and applyed himselfe only to the French by reason whereof the Regencie was confirmed to him which otherwise he had bin vpon adventure to loose And as the Earle of 〈◊〉 did forsake the English and adioine to the French so the Earle of Levenoxe being forsaken by the French applyed his service wholy to the English which did not only continue but much encrease the calamities of Scotland during the time of king Henries raigne King Henrie at the time of his death gâ—…ue a spâ—…ciall charge to the Lords of his counsaile that they should omit no â—…ndevours whereby the said marriâ—…ge might be procured to take effect Herevpon they pursued this quarrell in the same stâ—…te the king left it But before they attempted any thing by Armes the Lord Protector assailed the Scottish nobility with a friendly letter Herein he remâ—…mbred them of the promises seaâ—…es and oathes which by publike authority had passed for concluding this marriage that these being religious bonds betwixt God and their soules could not by any politike act of state be dissolved vntill their Queene should attaine vnto yeares of dissent Hee farther added that the providence of God did then manifestly declare it selfe in that the male princes of Scotland failing the kingdome was left to a daughter and in that King Henry left only one sonne to succeed That these two princes were agreeable both for yeares and princely qualities to bee ioyned in marriâ—…ge and thâ—…reby to knit both Realmes into one That this vnion as it was like to bee both easily done of firme continuance so would it be both profitable and honourable to both the Realmes That both the easinesse and firmnâ—…s might be coniectured for that both people are of the same language of like habit and fashion of like qualitie and condition of life of one climate not only annexed entirely together but sevâ—…red froÌ„ all the world 〈◊〉 For as these are sure arguments that both desâ—…ended from one originall and had bin vnder one governement so by reason that likenes is a great cause of liking and of loue they would be most forceable meanes both to ioine and to hold them in one body again that the profit would rise by extinguishing warres betweâ—…ne the two nations by reason whereof in former times victori sabroad haue bin impeachâ—…d invasions and seditions occasioned thâ—… confines of both Realmes laid wâ—…st or else made a nurserie of rapines robberies and murthers the inner parts often deepely pierced and made a wretched spectacl to all eies of humanity and pittie That the honour of both Realmes would enerease as well in regard of the countries sufficient to furnish not only the necessities but the moderate pleasures of this life as also of the people
great in multitude in bodies able assured in minde not only for the safetie but the glory of their common state That hereby would follow assurance of desence strength to enterprize ease in sustaining publike burthens and charge That herein the English desired no preheminence but offered equalitie both in liberty and priviledge and in capacitie of offices and imployments and to that end the name of Brittaines should be assumed indifferent to both nations That this would be the accomplishment of their common felieitie in ease by their evill either destinie or advice they suffered not the occasion to be lost The authority and reasons of this letter weighed much with persons of most weighty iudgements but others more powerful in that state partly vpon vaine hope in regard of the young yeares of the king partly vpon feare of alteration in religion and partly in favour of their ancient amitie with the French and doubting to be brought vnder by the English were altogether carryed another way yet they dispatched an Embassador into England but neither was any thing done neither do I finde what was propounded to haue bin done Herevpon diverse hostilities began to be practised And first a small ship of the kings called the Pensie hovering at sea was assailed by the Lyon a principall shippe of Scotland The sight began farre off and slow but when they approached it grew very furious wherein the ' Pensie so applyed her shot that therewith the Lyons or◅ loope was broken her sailes and tacklings torne and lastly shee was boarded and taken But as shee was brought for England shee was cast away by tempest and negligence neere Harewich haven and most of her men perished with her I would not haue staide vpon this small adventure but that it seemed a presage to the succeeding warre wherein the English acquired a glorious victorie but lost the fruit thereof by reason of their stormie disorders at home Many such small actions were enterprised dayly which were but scattering drops in regard of the great tempest which did ensue For in the meane season an armie was prepared for invasion of Scotland vnder the fortune and commande of the Lord Protector The souldiers first assembled at Newcastle and were there mustred by the Earle of Warwicke Heere they so◅ourned three daies in which time the kings fleete arrived consisting of 65. Bottomes whereof one galley and 34. tall ships were well appointed for fight the residue served for carriage of munition and victuals Of this sleete Edward Lord Clinton was Admirall and Sir William UUoodhouse his Uiceadmirall in this time also a generall muster was taken and order appointed for the March. In the whole armie were betweene 12. and 1300 thousand foot 1300 men at Armes 2800 light horse being such men for their goodly personages their ready horses their braue apparell their armour and weapons as never before was an armie set forth into those parts in all points better appointed The Lord Protector being Generall represented the person and Maiestie of the king The Earle of Warwicke was Lieutenant generall The Lord Gray of UUilton was Marshall of the field and captaine generall of the horsemen Sir Ralph Uane Lieutenant of all the men at Armes and Dimilances Sir Ralph Sadler was generall Treasurer other gentlemen had their particuler charges But vpon the Generall and the Earle of Warwicke both the hopes and hazards of the maine adventure did wholy turne And because much shal be said of these two hereafter because during the raigne of king Edward they were the principall actors in every sceane I will briefly declare both what persons and of what demerits at that time they were Edward Seymer Duke of Somerset Lord Generall was a man little esteemed either for wisedome or personage or courage in armes But being in favour with king Henry and by him much imploied was alwaies observed to be both faithfull and fortunate as well in giving advise as in managing a charge About fiue yeares before hee being Warden of the Marches against Scotland the invasion of Iames the 5. was by his direction encountred and broken at Solome Mosse whereof diverse of the Scottish nobility were taken prisoners The yeare next after hee and the Earle of Warwicke with a handfull of men to speake of fired Lieth and Edenburgh and returned by a leasurely march 44 miles through the body of Scotland The yeare next ensuing he invaded the Scottish borders was◅ed T◅uedale the marches and deformed the country with ruine and spoile The yeare then next following being appointed to view the fortifications vpon the marches of Cale◅s he not only did that but with the hardy approach of 7000 English men raised an armie of 21000 French encamped over the River before Bulloine wanne their ordinance carriage treasure and tents with the losse only of one man and returned from thence by land to Guisnes wan in his way within shot and rescue of Arde the castle of Outing cōmonly called the redpile The yeare next ensuing this he invaded spoiled Picardy began the forces of Newhaven Blacknesse and Bullingberge and so well applyed his endeavours that in a few weekes and before his departure they were made tenible vpon these and other like successes his succeeding fortunes were esteemed alwaies rather new then strange and his onlie presence was reputed a susticient surety for an army and yet did he never rise hereby either into haughtines in himselfe or contempt of others but remained courteous affable choosing a course least subiect to envie betweene stiffe slubbornes and filthy slattery never aspiring higher then to be the second person in state Iohn ' Dudley Earle of Warwicke was a man of ancient nobilitie comely in stature and countenance but of little gravitie or abstinence in pleasures yea sometimes almost dissolute which was not much regarded if in a time when vices began to grow into fashion a great man was not over severe He was of a great spirit and highly aspiring not forbearing to make any mischiefe the meanes for attaining his ambitious endes Hereto his good wit and pleasant speeches were altogether serviceable having the art also by emptie promises and threats to draw others to his purpose in matters of armes he was both skilfull and industrious and as well in fore-sight as resolution present and great Being made L. Lieutenant of Bulloine when it was first taken by the English the walls sore beaten shaken and in very truth searce mainetaineable he defended the place against the Dolphine whose armie was accounted to consist of 52000 men And when the Dolphine had entred the base towne not without slaughter of divers of the English by a braue sally he cast out the French againe with the losse of aboue 800 of their men esteemed the best souldiours in France The yeare next ensuing when the French had a great ◅leete at sea for invasion of England he was appointed Admirall and presented battaile to the French Navy which they refused and returned home
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
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
state To Clemencie he was much enclined especially in matters of blood and most especially if it were for Religion a vertue so much the more esteemed by how much it had beene lesse vsed before insomuch that albeit hee was most earnestly affected to that religion wherein hee had beene brought vp yet none were executed in his time for other religion but only two blasphemous Heretickes Ioane Butcher and George a Dutchman And when Ioane Butcher was to be burned all the counsaile could not procure him to set his hand to the warrant Wherefore they employed Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury to deale privatly with him for his subscription But the King remained firme both in reason and resolution affirming that he would not driue her headlong to the Divell but because Heretickes for the most part haue a straine of madnesse he thought it best to apply her with some corporall chastisemâ—…nts which with respit of time might happely reduce her to good order The Archbishop was violent both by perswasions and entreaties and when with meere importunity he had prevailed The King in subscribing his name said that he would lay all the charge thereof vpon the Archbishop before God Not many yeares passed but this Archbishop also felt the smart of the fire and it may be that by his importunity for bloud hee did offend for a good thing is not good if it be immoderatelie desired or done His courage did appeare in the great delight he tooke in representations of Battailes Skirmishes Assaults and of all kinde of military exercises his iudgment was great either for errors or fine contriuances in the field And no actions of Armes were executed in his time but he would perfectly vnderstand by what aduantages on the one side or ouersights on the other the euent succeeded He tooke great pleasure in exercises of actiuity whereto he much trained his servants And to that end he often appointed challenges among them for wrestling leaping running riding shooting at roues and at rounds and such like games and at riding and shooting would sometimes be of one of the sides He had 100 archers of his ordinary guard who once mustering before him shot two arrowes euery man together against an inch board of well seasoned timber All stroke through the board and their arrowes stucke in another board behinde and divers pierced both the boards generally none might be of his guard but besides of tall and comely stature such as were either good archers or wrastlers or easters of the barre or leapers or runners or of some other man-like qualitie He was exceeding skilfull in fortifications and bestowed great cost in strengthening Calleis Berwicke and other parts thereabout He knew all the principall ports in England Scotland Ireland France and other countries not farre distant how they â—…ay when the tyde served what vessels of burthen they could receiue and what windes served for entrance Touching his care and knowledge in affaires of state nothing was more conspicuous in him He was much conversant amongst his counsaile and would well vnderstand what matters passed their iudgments and vpon what grounds In matters discoursed by them he would often encounter their reasons and adde most liuely reasons of his owne In so much that at last they made an order that no matters of weight should be debated vnlesse he were present Admirable he was to collect the speeches and opinions of many and to draw their differences to a true head alwaies bending himselfe rather iudiciously to resolue then by doubts and distinctions to perplex a businesse he had a chest whereof he alwaies carryed the key about him for keeping record of such matters as were concluded by his counsaile And embracing businesse for part of his solace hee appointed set times with Doctor Coxe Master of his Requests for speeding poore mens causes without tedious attendance or delay Of all the Magistrates Iustices and Gentlemen of sort within his realme he 〈◊〉 their names their housekeeping their religion and manner of life Hee was skilfull in the exchange beyond the seas and in all the circumstances and practises thereof And so was he both skilfull and provident in matters of the Mint at home To Embassadors hee would giue answere vpon the suddaine and touch both orderly and fully vpon every part of their orations to the delight and admiration of all the hearers He much frequented sermons and penned notes with his owne hand his notes hee â—…yphered with greeke characters to the end that they who waited on him should not read them His disports were ingenuous and man-like whereby he alwaies learned somewhat And yet as well from these as from his businesses of state he dayly reserved some houres for his private studies and exercises with his Teachers These endeavours fell vpon so excellent a capacitie that in every short distance of time he made incredible increase both in learning and experience of affaires and consequentlie in loue of all men Presently after that he was setled in his governement D â— Wotton the kings Embassador resident with the Queene Dowager of Hungarie regent of the Low Countries vnder the Emperor was discharged of that attendance and addressed to the Emperors court there to reside Embassador for the king insteed of Doctor Bonner Bishop of London and of Sir Francis Bryan who were called home He was furnished with instructions that being first informed from the former Embassadors as wel of the general state of the Emperours court as of such particuler intelligeÌ„ces as might serue to advaÌ„ce the kings intentioÌ„s he should deale with the Emperor to declare al Scots for his enemies except such as should be friends to the King which should appeare by his safe conduct That because it had bin agreed betweene the Emperor and the late K. of England that the yeare next ensuing they should withioyne forces inuade the Territories of the French King he should moue the Emperor to aduise of some order and forme for those proceedings That whereas the Duke of Lorraine had bin late before at the Emperors court and made 〈◊〉 ouerture for peace or truce betweene the Emperour and the French King he should be informed by Sr Francis Bryan of the whole estate of that businesse and awaite opportunity to put the Emperor in remembrance that it had beene couenanted betweene him and the King of England that neither of them should treat of peace or truce with the French King or any other common enimy without consent of the other and that the King of England had well obserued that article in refusing to giue eare to the French embassador making overture for such a treatise That whereas it had beene agreed betweene him and the King of England that either of them should send certaine ships to sea well manned and apparelled for fight which all that yeere had beene performed by the king whereas the Emperour shifted the default vpon his officers in case he should not cause the said Navy to be forthwith
could take no place that nothing could moue the Scots to forsake their distant and heavy helps and to embrace friends both ready and at hand But besides that the long continued warres betweene the English and the Scots had then raised invincible iealousies and hate which long continued peace hath since abolished I doe herein admire the vnsearchable working and will of God by whose inflexible decree the vnion betweene the two Realmes did not then take effect when by the death of K. Edward it should haue beene of short continuance as by the death of Francis the second the vnion betweene France and Scotland did suddenly dissolue but was reserued vnto a more peaceable and friendly time so for a person in whose progeny it hath taken deepe and durable root And so for that time no conditions of peace being regarded both sides addressed themselues to their adventure The places where the two Armies lay encamped were divided by the river Eske the banks whereof were almost so deepe as the bankes of the Peathes mentioned before The Scots lay somewhat neere the one side the English about two miles from the other The English first raised their Campe and began to march towards the river Eske intending to possesse a hill called Vnder-Eske which commanded the place where their enimies lay The Scots coniecturing so much cast their Tents flat vpon the ground passed the River and mounted the Hill before the English could come neere Herevpon the English turned aside to another hill called Pinkenclench which afterwards fell much to their Advantage aswell for that they were then in place to bee ayded by their ships which rode neere in Edenburgh Frith as also for that they gained thereby the advantage both of winde and Sunne a great part of the strength of an Army and lastly for that their enimies were thereby cast into a cruell errour For no sooner did they espy the Eenglish turning from them but forthwith they were of opinion that they fled towards their shipping This surmise was first occasioned for that the English ships remoued the day before from Lieth to Muscleborough Frith which was conceiued to be for taking in their foote and carriages that the horsemen might with lesse encumbrance and more hast returne backe vpon the spurre Hereupon they had appointed the same night whose darknesse would haue encreased the feare to haue giuen a camisado vpon the English But vnderstanding that they were well entrenched hauing good esâ—…out abroad and sure watch within they brake that purpose but vpon this declining of the English from them the conceit did againe reuiue not only as a thing desired but because the English were inferior vnto them in number and had travailed farre and were well knowne to grow short in their provisions Yea wheâ—… they were discerned to make stand vpon the first ascent of Pinkenclench hill the coniecture ran that their flight was only deferred vntill they might couer their disorders by the dead darknesse of the night Maruailous security and alwaies dangerous when men will not beleeue any bees to be in a hiue vntill they haue a sharpe sense of their stings And thus the Scots heaued vp into high hope of victory tooke the English fallen for foolish birds fallen into their nette and seeming to feâ—…re nothing more then that they should escape forlooke their hill and marched into the plaine directly towards the English Here the Lord Governor put them in remembrance how they could neuer yet be brought vnder by the English but were alwaies able either to beate them backe or to weary them away He bad them looke vpon themselues and vpon their enimies themselues dreadfull their enimies gorgeous and braue on their side men on the other spoil in case either through slownesse or cowardise they did not permit them to escape who lo now already haue began their sight The whole army consisted of 35 or 36000 men of whom they made three battaillons In the Auantgard commanded by the Earle of Angus about 15000 were placed about 10000 in the battaile over whom was the Lord Governor and so many in the Arriere led by the valiant Gordone Earle of Huntley Hackbutters they had none no men at armes but about 2000 horsemen prickers as they are termed fitter to make excursions and to chase then to sustaine any strong charge The residue were on foote well furnished With Iacke and skull pike dagger bucklers made of boorde and sliceing swords broad thinne and of an excellent temper Every man had a large kerchiefe folded twice or thrice about the necke and many of them had chaines of latten drawne three or foure times along their hoses and doublet sleeues they had also to affright the enimies horses big rattles couered with parchment or paper and small stones within put vpó staues about three els long But doubtles the ratling of shot might haue done better service The Earle of Angus led the Avantguard with a well measured march whereupon the Lord Governor commanded him by a messenger to double his pace thereby to strike some terror vnto the enimy Himselfe followed with the battaile a good distance behinde and after came the Arrier well nigh euen with the battaile on the left side the avauntguard was slanked on the right side with 4 or 5 pieces of Artellery drawne by men and with 400 horsemen prickers on the left The battaile and Arriere were likewise guarded with Artillery in like sort drawne and about 4000 Irish Archers brought by the Earle of Argile serued as a wing to them both rightly so termed as being the first who began the flight The Generall of the English and the Earle of Warwicke were together when the Scots thus abandoned the hill which they espying gaue thankes to God holding themselues in good hope of the euent forthwith they ordered the artillery and taking a louing leaue departed to their seuerall charge the Generall to the battaile where the Kings standard was borne the Earle to the Avantguard both on foote protesting that they would liue or dy with the souldiers whom also with bold countenance and speech which serue souldiers for the best eloquence they put in minde of the honour their ancestors had acquired of their own extreme disgrace and danger if they fought not well that the iustice of their quarrell should not so much encourage as enrage them being to revenge the dishonor done to their King and to chastise the deceitfull dealings of their enimies that the multitude of their enimies should nothing dismay them because they Who come to maintaine their owne breach of faith besides that the checke of their consciences much breaketh their spirit haue the omnipotent arme of God most furious against them Herewith arose a buzzing noise among them as if it had bin the rustling sound of the sea a farre of euery man addressing himselfe to his office and encouraging those who were neerest vnto them The Earle ranged his Avauntguard in Array vpon the side of the hill
and intentions of the Scots wholly vpon them The Lord Wharton and the Earle of Leuenoxe entred Scotland on the west marches with 5000 men and hauing marched two miles they wonne the church of Anan a strong place and alwaies much annoying the English there they tooke 62 prisoners fired most part of the spoyle and ouerthrew the fort with powder passing 16 miles further they tooke the castle of Milke which they fortified strongly and planted a garrison therein and after much spoile and wast of the country returned safely into England These successes did strike such a terror into many of the Scots that the Earle Bothwell and diuerse cheife gentlemen of 〈◊〉 and Meers supposing to finde more easy conditions by yeelding then by striuing submitted themselues to the King of England and were receiued by the Lord Generall into protection But it is most cerraine that the English made not their best improuements of these fortunate euents and that especially by two miserable errors â—…unctation in prosecuting and haste in departure But doubtlesse the vnion of these two realmes was a worke most proper to Gods omnipotent arme which afterwards effected the same as by milder meanes so in a more durable manner then they could haue bin vnited by Armes This high appointment of God we must reuerence and admire but not omit to obserue the errors committed First therefore after the retreit the English lodged the same night in the place where the battaile had bin fought Where and in the villages not farre distant they soiourned fiue daies without doing any thing in the meane time the English searched the riuers and hauens whether the Scottish ships were retyred in such sort as they left few ships of war vnspoiled or vntaken the army also gathered the spoile of the field whereof 30000 iacks and swords 30 peices of great artillery were shipped for England The English hauing thus long breathed and thereby giuen breathing to their enimies fired Lieth tooke S t Colmes Broughticragge Rockesborough Humes castle Aymouth Fial castle Dunglasse Kilnecombe and diuers other small pieces whereof parte they ruined parte they enlarged and fortified and furnished them with able souldiers accustomed with often and prosperous successe Herewith as if they had beene weary of their faire fortunes they suddainly brake off the enterprise and returned another way into England hauing staid not aboue 25 daies in Scotland and lost vnder 60 men The pretence of their departure was worse then the departure it selfe namely for that the yeare and their prouisions were far spent and the country afforded little forrage Assuredly as nature taketh least care for those things which she formeth in hast so violent and storm-like fortunes how terrible so euer are seldome durable Now the Lord Gouernor of Scotland being of great courage and sober iudgement as a man might well read in his face as he had amply performed his duty both before the battaile and in the field so especially after the fight he declared himselfe to be of a stout and vnbroken spirir For first he assembled the dispersed forces of the Scottish army albeit not in sufficient manner to giue a fresh battaile by reason that much of their armor was lost yet able to keepe the English from ranging at largâ—… Then hee presented the English with diuers offers of â—…reaty touching matters in difference vntill the country was dischargâ—…d of them lastâ—…y knowing right well that counsels are commonly censured by euents and that in matters of armes albeit the praise of prosperous successe is shared amongst many yet the blame of misadventures is charged vpon one And fearing hereby mutinies amongst his owne people and contempt of others hauing first assured the young Queene in place of good defence he assembled the Scottis nobility and vsed words to this effect I assure my selfe that many of you my Lords and more of the vulger are much displeased with me for that I haue advised this warre whereof so sad euents haue followed for this cause I haue assembled you together to reduce you to a better opinion or to blame you deepely either if you remaine offended or if you cast downe your courage throw feare the betrayer of all succors which reason can afforde for tell me if you are discontented with me for aduising this warre doe you not condemne your selues for following the aduice It is certaine that at the first you were all of my opinion and that I did nothing without your approuement If now vpon one misadventure you change your iudgements and charge the fault only vpon me you doe me wrong and discouer your owne weaknesse in being vnable to endure those things which you knew were casuall and which you were resolued to endure But I make no doubt but the same reasons which induced you to entertaine this warre will induce you also to prosecute the same howsoeuer sodaine and vnexpected euents dismay your iudgments for the present Touching my selfe I was alwaies of opinion and shall never change that it is better the kingdome should be in good estate with particular losse to many of the people then that all the people should be well and the state of the kingdome altogether lost or dishonourably impaired euen as it is better that a ship should be preserued with some discommodity to the sailers then that the sailers being in health the ship should perish or as it is lesse dangerous when diuerse parts of a tower are decaied and the foundation firme then when the foundation is ruinous albeit the parts remaine entire For the common estate is but weakned by calamities of particular persons but the ruine of the state inâ—…olueth all in a generall destruction And therefore they are to be blamed alike both who moue and who decline warre vpon particular respects the comeither honour or necessity must bee the true measure of both But the cause of this warre is no other then that wee will not incontinently submit our selues to doe what our neighbours require That is because at the first word wee are not forward to thrust our necks vnder the girdles of our enimies yea our old enimies yea our only enimies of any accompt for many years who in their gluttenous hope haue devoured our kingdome who by the bloody execution of their late victories haue shewen what curtesie wee may expect at their hands In doeing whereof wee shall abandon our ancient and approved friends who as they neuer failed vs in our extremities so are they now prepared with large aides to relieue vs who will not feare or pause at the least before he leap vpon this sodaine changeâ—… who will forsake long tryed friends to rely vpon those who alwaies haue beene ready by Armes to infest vs. Not at all times vpon desire either of revenge or spoile but to bring vs vnder their ambitious dominion which of vs had not rather dye this day then see our enimies in our strongest castles and yoakes of garrisons cast vpon our necks Who
enimies or of their owne it was left vncertaine the words of the prophecy were these The country Knuffes Hob Dicke and Hick with clubbes and clouâ—…ed shoone Shall fill vp Dussendale with slaughtered bodies soone The Earle being newly supplied with 1400 horse was glad that the seditious had forsaked their hill for that his horsemen in whom consisted his greatest strength could there performe but little service so the next morning he sent forth all his horsemen of whom 1000 were Almaines as accustomed so aduentrous in armes his foote hee retained within the towne The seditious ranged themselues for the sight placing all the gentlemen whom they had taken in front every two couple together to make them sure from starting away The Earle before he would charge sent to them an offer of a generall pardon one or two of the principall excepted But this more chafed the rage of those who were resolued either to liue or dye together what cared they for pardon who haue nothing but a vile and servile life to loose For no more could be gotten from their estates then from the shauing of an egge wherefore in a proud scorne they answered this offer with a great shot that stroke the kings standard bearer on the thigh and his horse on the shoulder Herevpon the Earle commanded his artillery to be applied the Almaines also and captaine Drury with his troopes gaue a resolute charge yet with such discretion that most of the captiue gentlemen who were placed in the front escaped without harme these were so well seconded by the light horse that in short time they brake the seditious chased them aboue three miles and silled themselues with blood vntill night there dyed of them 2000 as K. Edward tooke the number but our histories report more then 3500. In the meane time they who guarded the artillerie and baggage encloased themselues with carriage and a trench and pitched stakes to beare of the approach of horses determining to stand stifly vpon their desence The Earle returning from the execution did certifie them by message that because the King his master was desirous to establish peace rather by benignity then by blood hee did assure them their pardon if they would submit otherwise they might expect nothing but death Answere was made that they expected nothing but death and that they respected nothing at all but it was by the sword if they stood vpon defence and by the halter if they should yeelde wherefore they made choice to dye rather as souldiers then as dogges The Earle sent againe to know if they would entertaine their pardon in case he should come in person and assure it they answered they did conceiue him to be so honourable that from himselfe they would most thankfully embrace it So hee roade and caused their pardon to be read to them and engaged his honour that it should be performed Then seeming to respect life more then any other thing threw away their weapons and disloialty together and with voices so lowd as before they were lewd wished all ioy and prosperity to the King The commander Ket hauing a good horse sled away with the first and the next day was taken with his brother William in a barne and brought with a guard of 20 horsemen to Norwich both of them hauing made good proofe that they were no lesse peaceable to guide an army in war then they were to governe themselues in peace Nine of the principall were hanged vpon the tree of Refomation of whom two were sedueing prophets a third was a most excellent cannonier whose good skill euelly imploied did much endammage the forces of the King Robert Ket and his brother were sent to London and from thence returned to be executed in Northfolke Robert Ket was hanged in chaines vpon Norwich castle his brother William was in like sort executed vpon Wimondham steeple but not without some murmuring For that church dedicated to the seruice of God and which is polluted by violent death should be made a place of publique execution The day of this defate of the seditious was a long time after yearely obserued for a festivall day by the inhabitants of Norwitch as well by cessation from labour as by resorting to Church to giue publique thankes for their deliuerance About the same time another sedition was raised at Semor in the Northriding of Yorkeshire where of the chiefe mouers were William Ombler a gentleman Thomas Dale a patish clarke Steuenson a post They tooke encouragement from a clarke and deceivable prophecy a. common law both of obedience and peace which did foretell that the time should arriue when there should be nâ—… King when the nobility and gentry should be destroied when the Realme should be ruled by foure gouernors elected by the commons holding a parliament in commotion which should beginne at the South and North seas of England and that present they vnderstood to be the time and that the rebellions in Devonshire Norfolke and Yorkeshire should draw together to accomplish this prophecy The pretences were to restore the church to her ancient Rights for that was alwaies one note in their musique to relieue the poore to abate the rich and generally to disburthen the Realme of all grieuances a seemely taske for such vndertakers And now for execution hereof first by firing of beacons and ringing of bells as if the coast had beene assailed by enimies they assembled about 3000 in armes whom they drew to be appliable to their purpose Then to beginne their great worke of refomation they slew one White a Gentleman Sauage a Merchant and two others of mea ner quality and left their bodies naked vpon the wild neere Semor After this they passed to the Eastriding in Yorkeshire their company daily increasing like a snowball in rowling and many they tooke with them much against their mindes But no sooner was the kings pardon presented but most of them sell off and dispersed leauing Ombler and Dale almost alone These as they were riding like mad men from towne to towne charging people in the Kings name to assemble at Hummanby were apprehended and with foure others of the most tumultuous soone after executed at Yorke whose speedie punishment staid others who were thought to wauer betweene obedience and revolt Now the French king supposing to make his hand by these rude rauages in England brake of his treaty of peace proclaimed hostilitie denounced the same by his Embassador to the King Hereupon all French men in England not Denizens were taken prisoners all their goods seized for the Kinge The French Kinge vnderstandinge that certaine English ships lay at Iersey set forth a sleete of gallies ships intending to surprise them as they lay at Anchore But the English being both vigilant well appointed in such sort did entertaine them that their ships departed terribly torn with losse of 1000 men at the least The French King fearing least that the bad successe of this first enterprise
and hate Herevpon the Lord Sudley was arrested and sent to the tower and in very short time after condemned by act of parliament And within few daies after his condemnation a warrant was sent vnder the hande of his brother the Duke whereby his head was deliuered to the Axe His owne fierce courage hastened his death because equally ballanced betweene doubt and disdaine he was desirous rather to dye at once then to linger long vpon curtesie and in feare The accusations against him contained much friuolous matter or terme them pittifull if you please The act of parliament expresseth these causes of his attaindor For attempting to get into his custody the person of the King and gouernment of the realme For making much prouision of mony and of victualls for endeauouring to marry the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister for persuadinge the Kinge in his tender age to take vpō him the Rule order of himselfe The proofes might easily be made because he was neuer called to his answeare But aswell the protestations at the point of his death as the open course carriage of his life cleered him in opinion of many So doubtfull are all weighty matters whilest some take all they heare for certaine others making question of any truths posterity enlarging both D r Latymer pretending all the grauity and sincerity of a professed diuine yet content to be seruiceable to great mens ends declared in a sermon before the King that whilest the Lord Sudley was a prisoner in the Tower he wrote to the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sisters that they should reuenge his death which indeed the Lady Mary afterwards more truely did by ◅ting the Earle of Warwicke then either shee was or at that time could in particular be required Many other imputations he cast forth besides most doubted many knowne to be vntrue and so whereas Papinian a ciuill lawyer but a heathen chose rather to dye then to defend the murth◅r which the Emperor Caracalla had done vpon his brother Geta some theologians haue beene imploi◅d to defile places erected only for religion and truth by defending oppressions and factions deste◅ning their professions and the good artes which they had learned by publishing odious vntruths vpon report and credite of others O wiues The most sweete poison the most desired evill in the world Certainly as it is true as Syracides saith that there is no malice to the malice of a woman so no mischiefe wanteth where a malitious woman beareth sway a woman was first giuen to man for a comforter but not for a counsailor much lesse a controler and directer and therefore in the first sentence against man this cause is expressed because thou obeyedst the voice of thy wife And doubtlesse the protector by being thus ruled to the death of his brother seemed with his left hand to haue cut off his right For herevpon many of the nobility cryed out vpon him that hee was a bloodsucker a murtherer a parricide a villaine and that it was not sit the K. should be vnder the protection of such a rauenons wolfe Soone after it was giuen forth and belieued by many that the King was dead wherevpon he passed in great estate through the cittie of London to manifest that he was both aliue and in good health whether this speech were spread either by aduenture or by arte it is vncertaine certain it is it did something shake the strength of the Kings affection towards the Protector B◅sides many well d◅sposed mindes conceiued a hard opinion of him for that a church by strand-bridge and two Bishops houses were pulled downe to make a seat for his new building in digging the foundation whereof the ◅ones of many who had beene there buried were cast vp and carried into the fields and because the stones of those houses the church did nothing suffice for his work the sle◅ple and most part of the church of Saint Iohn of Ierusal◅m neere Smithfield most beautifully erected and adorned not long before by Docray Priour of that church was mined and ouerthrowne with powder and the stones applied to this spatious building And because the worke could not be ther with finished the cloister of Paules on the north side of the church in a place called Pardonne churchyearde and the dance of death very curiously wrought about the cloister and a chappell that stood in the midst of the church-yeard also the charnell house that stood vpon the south side of Paules now a carpenters yeard with the chappell tombes and monuments therein were beaten downe the bones of the dead carried into Finsbury fields and the stones conuerted to his building It is constantly affirmed that for the same purpose hee intended to pull downe the church of S Margaret in Westminster and that the standing thereof was preserued only by his fall assuredly as these actions were in an high degree impious so did they draw with them both open dislike from men and much secret reuenge from God And now hath the Lord Protector played the first act of the tragedie of his life namely his high and prosperous estate he is now stopping into the second act wherein he beginneth mainly to decline For the Earle of Warwicke espying opportunity shewing him selfe and knowing that in troublesome times the obedience of great persons is most easily shaken drew about 18 of the priuy counsaile to knit with him against the Lord Protector These he did so winde vp to his purpose that they withdrew from the courte fell to secret consultations and walked in the citty with many seruants weaponed and in new liueries the causes thereof many coniectured but few knew They were all desirous that the Protectors greatnesse should be taken lower but none conceiued that the Earles malice did extend vnto death But the Lord Protector as humble then as he had beene haughty before sent secretary Peeter to them in the Kings name to vnderstand the causes of their assembly and to declare vnto them that he would thanke them for hating him in case they did it in loue to the King intreating them for the Kings sake if not for his safetie yet for his quiet that they would forbeare open shew of hostility and resort vnto him peaceably that they might commune together as friends In the meane time he armed 500 men parte of the kings parte his owne the court gates were rampard and people raised both by letters and proclamation to aide the King and the more to encrease the present terror he remoued the king by mightfrō Hampton courte to Windosor with a company more resembling an army then a traine On the other side the Lords at London first taking possession of the tower sent for the Maior and Aldermen of the citty to the Earle of Warwicks lodging at Ely house in Holborne here they presented themselues secretly armed and the Lord Rich then Lord Chancellor of England a man of quicke and liuely deliuery of speech but
with intent to make sedition and discorde betweene the King and his Nobles 24 That at diuers times and places he said the Lords of the counsell at London intend to kill mee but if I dye the King shall dye and if they famish mee they shall famish him 25 That of his owne head he remoued the King so sodainly from Hampton courte to Windsore without any prouision there made that he was thereby not only in great feare but cast into a dangerous disease 26 That by his letters he caused the Kings people to assemble in great numbers in Armor after the manner of warre to his aide and defence 27 That he caused his seruants and friends at Hampton court Windesore to be apparelled in the Kings armor when the Kings seruants and guarde went vnarmed 28 That he intended to fly to Iernsey and Wales and laid posthorses and men and a boat to that purpose Now albeit there is little doubt but that some of these articles were meerely deuised others enlarged or wrâ—…sted or otherwise inforced by odious interpretation yet the Duke being of base golde and fearing the touch subscribed with his owne hand that he did acknowledge his offences contained in them and humbly vpon his knees submitted himselfe to the Kings mercy That in like manner he entreated the Lords to be a meanes to the King that he would conceiue that his offences did proceede rather from negligence rashnes or other indiscretion then from any malitious thought tending to treason and also that he would take some gratious way with him his wife and children not according to extremity of lawes but after his great elemency and mercy Written with my owne hand 23 December Anno 3 o Edw. Regis To this I make no other defence but intreat the reader not to condemne him for perishing so weakly and for that he who should haue lost his life to preserue his honour cast away both his life and honour together Assuredly he was a man of a feeble stomacke vnable to concoct any great fortune prosperous or aduerse But as the iudgement of God and malice of a man concurre often in one act although it be easie to discerne betweene them so is it little to be maruailed that he who thirsted after his brothers blood should finde others to thirst after his Notwithstanding for that present his blood was respited but hee was stripped of his great offices of being Proteâ—…tor Treasurer and Marshall lost all his goods and neere 2000 lande in which estate if he had continued the longer he had liued the more punishment he should endure herewith it was sâ—…ossingly said that he had eaten the kings goose and did then regorge the feathers After this he sent letters to the Lords of the counsaile wherein he acknowledged himselfe much fâ—…oured by them in that they had brought his cause to be fineable which although it was to him impoâ—…able yet as hee did neuer intend to contend with them nor any action to iustifie himselfe as well for that he was none of the wisest and might easily erre as for that it is scarce possible for any man in great place so to beare himselfe that all his actions in the eye of iustice shall be blamelesse so hee did then submit himselfe wholly to the Kings mercy and their discretions for some moderation desiring them to conceiue that what he did amisse was rather through rudenes and for want of iudgement then from any malitious meaning and that he was therefore ready both to doe and suffer what they would appoint Finally hee did againe most humbly vpon his knees entreat pardon and fauour and they should euer finde him so lowly to their honours and obedient to their orders as hee would thereby make amends for his former follies These subiections obiections deiections of the Duke made a heauenly harmony in his enimies eares But they wrought such compassion with the King that forthwith he was released out of the Tower his fines discharged his goods and lands restored except such as had beene giuen away either the malice of the Lords being somewhat appeased or their credit not of sufficient strength to resist within a short time after he was entertained and feasted by the King with great shew of fauour and sworne againe of the priuy counsaile at which time betweene him and the Lords perfect amity was made or else a dissembling hate And that all might appeare to be knit vp in a comicall conclusion the Dukes daughter was afterwards ioined in marriage to the Lord Lâ—…sle sonne and heire to the Earle of Warwick and the Earle also was made Lord Admirall of England yet many doubted whether the Earle retained not some secret offence against the Duke which if hee did it was most cunningly suppressed doubtlesse of all his vertues he made best vice of dissimulation And as this friendship was drawen together by feare on both sides so it was not like to be more durable then was the feare And thus the second act ended of the tragedie of the Duke the third shall follow in the proper place In the meane time the Earle of Warwicke for what mischeiuous contriuance it was not certainly knowne but conceiued to be against the Duke ioined to him the Earle of Arundâ—…ll late Lord Chamberlaine and the Earle of Southhampton sometimes Lord Chancellor men of their owne nature circumspect and slow but at the time discountenanced and discontent whom therefore the Earle of Warwicke singled as fittest for his purpose Many secret conferences they had at their seuerall houses which often held the greatest part of the night But they accustomed to afford at other times either silence or shorte assent to what he did propose did then fall off and forsake him procuring thereby danger to themselues without doing good to any other For when the Earle of Warwicke could by no meanes draw them to his desires hee found means that both of them were discharged from the counsell and commanded to their houses Against the Earle of Arundell obiections were framed that he tooke away bolts and locks at Westminster and gaue away the Kings stuffe Hee was fined at 12000 l to be paid 1000 l yeerely But doubtlesse the Earle of Warwicke had good reason to suspect that they who had the honesty not to approue his purpose would not want the heart to oppose against it During these combats among the nobility many popular insurrections were assayled One Bell was put to death at Tyborne for mouing a new rebellion in Suffolke and in Essex hee was a man nittily needy and therefore aduentrous esteemed but an idle fellow vntill he found opportunity to shew his rashnesse Diuers like attempts were made in other places but the authors were not so readily followed by the people as others had done before Partly because multitudes doe not easily moue but chifly because misaduentures of others in like attempts had taught them to be more warily aduised About this time a Parliament was held at
Westminster wherein one Act was made against spreading of Prophecies the first motiue of rebellions and another against vnlawfull assemblies the first apparant acting of them But for feare of new tumults the Parliament was vntimely dissolued and gent. charged to retyre to their country habitations being furnished with such forces and commissions as were held sufficient to hold in bridle either the malice or rage of reasonlesse people yea so great grew the doubt of new insurrections that Trinity terme did not holde least gentlemen should by that occasion be drawen out of the country where they were esteemed to doe good seruice by keeping the Commons from commotions All these mouements seemed to be pretended by mouing of the earth in diuerse places of Sussex The affaires of England beyond the seas all this time were caried with variable successe S r Thomas Cheynie was sent to the Emperour to treat with him that his forces might ioine with the forces of England against the common enimies of them both according to the Articles for merly cōcluded These articles had bin well obserued for a time esp◅eially against the French But afterwards the emperour being diuerted about other preparations and therewith much solicited by the Scots not to be a helpe to ruine their kingdome fell by degrees from the K. of England filling his Embassadors with emptie hopes at the first wherein also he daily fainted and failed in the end In France the King placed the Rhenegra◅e with diuers Regiments of Almaine Lancequenots and certaine ensignes of F◅ench to the number of 4 or 5000 at the towne of Morguison midway betweene Bouline and Calais to empeach all entercourse betweene those two places wherevpon the King of England caused all the strangers that had serued the yeere against the rebells to the number of 2000 to be transported to Calais to them were adioined 3000 English vnder the command of Francis Earle of Hunting don S r Edward Hastings his brother to dislodge the French or otherwise to annoy them But the French perceiuing that the troubles in England were perfectly appeased and that the King thereby was much strengthened in his estate for that the vicious humors against him were either corrected or spent finding also that he daily grew rather into admiration then loue aswell for that it was apparant that hee had so well improued that little stocke which his father left as he was like to proue a thriuer in the end also weary in maintaining warres with Scotland as well in regard of the charge as for that his people were nothing desirous of seruice in that distant country Lastly hauing tried aswell the strength as curtesy of the English nation and doubtfull of the estates of the empire and of Spaine by whom not only the wings of his Kingdome had beene clipped on euery side but the whole body thereof dangerously attempted he resolued to fasten peace with England if he could Herevpon he dispatched to the English court Guidolti an Italion borne in Florence who made many ouertures to the Lords of the counsaile but all as from the Cunstable of France and espying with a nimble eye that matters of consaile were chiesly swayed by the Earle of Warwicke by great gifts and gretter hopes he wrought him to be appliable to his desires In the end it was concluded that foure Embassadors should be sent from the King of England into France and foure from the French King to treat with them that the English commissioners should come to Guisnes and the French to Arde and that their meeting should be chiefly at Guisnes The English yeelding to all with sincerity of minde the French accepting all but with intentions reserued to themselues The Lords appointed by the English were Iohn Earle of Bedforde William Lord Paget St William Peeter and Sr Iohn Mason Secretaries of State on the French side were appointed Mounsier Rochpott Mounsier Chastilion Guillant de Mortier and Rochetele de Dassi◅ in short time after the Earle of Warwicke was made Lord great M ◠another feather to his mounting minde The day wherein the English Embassadors arriued at Caluis Guidolti resorted vnto them with a letter from Mounsier Rochpot whereby he signified that the French intended not to come to Arde but desired that the English would goe to Bouline and that the meeting might be besides the Towne For this he alleadged that he was so weakly disposed in health that he could not trauaile farre and that he being Gouernor of Picardie and Chastilion of Newhauen they might not depart such distance from their charge and further that there must be much wast of time if the English should lye at Guisnes and the French at Ardes and that the equality would be more and the dishonour to one of the sides lesse if the enterview should be vpon the Frontires then if one part should be drawen into the territory of the other Vpon this rubbe the English Embassadors thought fit to demurre and so sent into England to receiue directions from the Lords of the counsaile They againe referred the matter wholly to the iudgement of the Embassadors affirming that it was a circumstance not much to bee stood vpon in case it were not vpon some sinenesse but for ease and commodity of them and their traine which indeed they might better finde neere Bouline then at Ardes in case also they could discerne no deepe inconuenience which might hinder the good issue of the good busines in hande which they esteemed sufficient if in substance it might be effected albeit in all points they had not so much of their mindes as they then desired and as at another time they would expect and so the English Commissioners went to Bouline and the French came to one of their forts neerest to Bouline Not long before the Emperour had beene assailed by the King of England to aide him in defence of Bouline against the French which he expresly refused alleaging that he was not bound so to doe by conditions of the league For that Bouline was a piece of new conquest acquired by the English since the league was made then the King offered to yeelde the Towne absolutely into his hands in case he would maintaine it against the French which offer also he refused to accept At the arriuall of the English embassadors the souldiers were sharply assailed with wants There was not one drop of beere in the Towne The bread and breadcorne sufficed not for six daies Herevpon the souldiers entred into proportion and to giue them example the Lord Clinton being Lord Deputie limited himselfe to a loafe a day The King was indebted in those parts aboue 14000 l besides for the Earle of Hunting dons numbers which were about 1300 foote besides also the increases daily rising for the monethly pay of English and strangers amounted to 6000 l besides allowance for officers Hereof the band of horsemen out of Germany tooke little lesse then 800 l the moneth and the Almains
with knighthood 1000 crownes rewards 1000 crownes pension 250 c pensiō to his sonne The Earle of Warwicke was made generall warden of the North had 1000 markes land granted to him and 100 horsemen of the Kings charge M r Herbert his chiefe instrument was made president of Wales and had a grant of 500 l land and thus whether immoderate fauours breed first vnthankfulnesse and afterwards hate and therewith ambitious desires or whether God so punisheth immoderate affections it often happeneth that men are prone to raise those most who worke their ruine in the end Also the Lord Clinton who had beene deputie of Bulloine was made Lord Admirall of England The captains and officers were rewarded with lands leases offices and annuities the ordinary souldiers hauing all their pay and a moneths pay ouer were sent into their countries and great charge giuen that they should be well obserued vntill they were quietly setled at home The light horsemen men at armes were put vnder the Marquis of Northhampton captaine of the Pensioners All the guarde of Bulloine were committed to the Lord Admirall The chiefe captaines with 600 ordinaries were sent to strengthen the Frontires of Scotland Lastly strangers were dispatched out of the realme who after some idle expence of their monies time were likest to be forward either in beginning or in maintaining disorders Presently after this agreement of peace The Duke of Brunswicke sent to the King of England to offer his seruice in the Kings warres with 10000 men of his bande and to entreat a marriage with the Lady Mary the Kings eldest sister Answere was made touching his offer of aide that the Kings warres were ended And touching marriage with the Lady Mary that the King was in speech for her marriage with the Infanta of Portugall which being determined without effect he should fauourably be heard Vpon this also the Emperors Embassadors did expostulate with the King that he had brokē his league with the Emperor To this the King answered that because the Emperor failed in his performances the King was enforced to prouide for himselfe The Embassador desirous as it seemed to make a breach demanded boldly that the Lady Mary should haue the free exercise of the masse This did the King not only constantly deny but herevpon sermons were encreased at court and order taken that no man should haue any benefice from the King but first he should preach before him and in short time after vnder pretence of preparing for sea matters 5000 l were sent to relieue Protestants beyond the seas and further because the Emperor made diuers streight lawes against those of the religion Merchants were charged to forbeare their trade into Flanders so much as they could So as it appeares had some of the English nobility beene either lesse powerfull or more faithfull then they were the King had eares enough and hands enough aswell at home as among good friends abroad either to haue maintained warres against the French or to haue reduced them to a more honourable peace Warres being thus at good appointment peaceable busines was more seriously regarded and whereas an Embassador arriued from Gostaue King of Sweden to knit amity with the King for entercourse of merchants At last these articles were concluded 1 That if the King of Sweden sent Bullion into England he might carry away English commodities without custome 2 That he should carry Bullion to no other Prince 3 That if he sent Ozimus steele copper c. he should pay custome for English commodities as an English man 4 That if he sent other merchandise he should haue free entercourse paying custome as a stranger The mint was set to worke so as it gained 24000 l yearly to the King which should beare his charges in Ireland and bring 10000 l to the treasure 400 men were sent into Ireland and charge giuen that the lawes of England should there be administred the mutinous be seuerely suppressed Verily it may seene strange that among all the horrible hurries in England Ireland was then almost quiet But besides that the King drew much people from thence for seruice in his warres who happely would not haue remained quiet at home the gouernors at that time were men of such choice that neither the nobility disdained to endure their commande nor the inferior sort were suppressed to supply their wants Further 20000 l weight was appointed to be made so much baser as the King might gaine thereby 160000 l. Agreement was also made with Yorke M r of one of the mints that he should receiue the profit of all the Bullion which himselfe should bring and pay the Kings debts to the value of 120000 l and remaine accountable for the rest paying six shillings 8d the ounce vntill the exchange were equall in Flanders and afterwards six shillings 8d and further that he should declare his bargaine to any that should be appointed to ouersee him and leaue off when the King should please that for this the King should giue him 15000 l in prest and license to transport 8000 l beyond the seas to abase the exchange Herewith the base monies formerly coined were cried downe Now it is certaine that by reason of the long hostility which England held against Scotland and France peace was not so hardly concluded as kept But albeit occasions of breach were often offered yet the iudgement moderation of both parts sufficed either to auoide or apease them The Bishop of Glasco comming into England without safe conduct was taken prisoner The French Embassador made means to the King for his discharge but answere was made that the Scots had no such peace with the English that they might passe without safe conduct This was not denied by the M r of Erskine whereupon the Archbishop was retained prisoner but after a short time remitted to his liberty After this the Queene Dowag◅r of Scotland going from France to her countrey passed through England but the French Embassador first obtained her safe conduct she arriued at Portsmouth and was there encountered by diuers of the English nobility of highest quality and estimation as well for doing her honour as for that hauing such pledges she neede not feare at London she soiourned 4 daies being lodged in the Bishops pallace and defraied at the charge of the Citty in which time she was roially feasted by the King at Whitehall At her departure she was attended out of the Citty with all ceremonies pretending to state the Sheriffes of euery shire through which she passed receiued her accompanied with the chiefe gentlemen of the countrey as also they conveied her from one shire to another making alwaies prouision for her entertainment vntill shee came into the borders of Scotland The Earle of Maxwell came with a strong hand to the borders of England against certaine families of Scots who had yeelded to the King of England and the Lord Dacre brought his forces to their aide in which seruice his valour
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
the woll fleete they aduised the King to send an Embassador legier for the Emperor as well to satisfie him for other matters by him required as to winne time thereby both to prepare a mart in England and to withdraw their goods out of Flanders So M r Wotton was dispatched with particuler instructions to desire the Emperor to be lesse violent in his requests And to aduertise him that the Lady Mary as she was his cozen so was she the Kings sister and which is more his subiect that seeing the K. was a soueraigne Prince without dependancy vpon any but God it was not reason that the Emperor should entermeddle either with ordering his subiects or with directing the affaires of his realme Thus much hee offered that what fauour the Kings subiects had in the Emperors dominions for their religion the same should the Emperors subiects receiue in England The Emperor pereeiuing that his threats were little regarded regarded little to threaten any more About the time that the Lady Mary should haue beene transported vnto Antwerp a rebellion was attempted in Essex where she then lay For furtherance whereof speeches were cast forth that strangers were arriued in England either to rule or to spoile the naturall inhabitants vpon this surmise many appointed to assemble at Chelinsforde and from thence to make pillage as their wants or wanton appetites should leade but the Principall being put to death and the residue pardoned all remained quiet Many Londoners also hunting after riot and ease contriued to tumult vpon May day pretending grieuances and fears from strangers but because where many are of counsaile counsell is hardly kept the enterprise was discouered and defeated before it was ripe herewith Lyon Gorran Ireland persons of meane condition but desperate and discontent endeauoured to raise a rebellion in Kent They often met and had conferences both priuate and long They seemed highly busied in minde and their heads trauailing with troubled thoughts which they often dissembled with impertinent speeches this was first discouered by one of their seruants doubtfull whether before knowing the mischiefe and vntill then secret or ignorant before and then first apprehending suspitions So they were apprehended and after conuiction the danger determined by their deaths Herewith rumors were raised of great discord and practises among the nobility for this cause the Lords assembled at London and feasted diuers daies together giuing order to apprehend the reporters of these surmises albeit happely not altogether vntrue For this cause gentlemen were newly commanded to remaine in the countrey to gouerne the people easy to be dealt with whilest they stand in feare The King being thus vncertaine of the faith both of his subiects and of his confederats intended by aliance to strengthen himselfe To this purpose one Bortwicke was sent to the King of Denmarke with priuate instructions to treat of a marriage betweene the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister and the King of Denmarks eldest sonne But this Lady albeit she was furnished with many excellent endowments both of nature and education yet could shee neuer be induced to entertaine Marriage with any After this the Lord Marquis of Northampton was directed with a solemne embassage to the French King aswell to present him with the order of the garter as to treat with him of other secret affaires with him were ioyned in commission the Bishop of Elie S r Phillip Hobbie S t William Pickering S r Iohn Mason knights and M r Smith secretary of state The Earles of Worcester Rutland and Ormond were appointed to accompany them and likewise the Lordes Lisle Fitswater Bray Abergauennie and Yuers with other knights and gentlemen of note to the number of 26 and for auoiding immoderate and burthensome traine order was giuen that euery Earle should haue foure attendants euery Lord three euery Knight and Gentleman two The commissioners were not limitted to any number They arriued at Nants and were there receiued by Mounsier Chastilion and by him conducted to Chasteau Bryan where the French King then lodged they were twice banquetted by the way and the neerer they approached to the castle the more encreased the resort of the French nobility to doe them honour being come to the court they were forthwith brought to the King abiding then in his bedchamber Here the Marquis presented vnto him the order of the garter wherewith he was presently inuested and thereupon gaue for the garter a chaine worth 200 l and his gowne addressed with aglets esteemed worth 25 l. Then the Bishop of Ely in a short speech declared how desirous the King of England was not only to continue but to encrease amity with the French King That to this purpose he had sent the order of the garter to be both a testimony and tye of loue betweene them to which purpose chiefly those societies of honour were first deuised He further declared that they had commission to make ouerture of some other matters which was like to make the concord betweene the Kinges their realmes not only more durable but in all expectation perpetuall desiring the King to appoint some persons enabled with authority to treat with them To this speech the Cardinall of Lorraine answered that the French King was ready to apprehend and embrace all offers tending to encrease of amity and the rather for that long hostility had made their new friendship both more weake in it selfe more obnoxious to ielosies distrusts and therefore he promised on the Kings behalfe that commissioners should be appointed to treat with them about any matters which they had in charge praying to God that it might be a means not only to assure but to enlarge their late setled loue so a commission went forth to the Cardinall of Lorraine and Chastilion the Constable the Duke of Guise and certaine others at the first the English demanded that the young Queene of Scots might be sent into England for perfection of marriage betweene K. Edward and her but hereto the French answered that they had taken too much aduenture and spent too many liues vpon any conditions to let her goe and that conclusion had beene made long before for her marriage with the Dolphine of France Then the English proposed a marriage between their King and the Lady Elizabeth the French Kings eldest daughter to which the French did cheerefully encline So after agreement that neither partie should be bound either in conscience or in honour vntill the Ladie should accomplish 12 yeares of age they fell to treat of the portion which should be giuen with her in marriage The English first demanded 150000 crownes and offered that her dowrie should be so great as K. Henry the 8 th had giuen with any of his wiues The offer of dower was not disliked but for the portion some of the French wondred others smiled that so great a summe should be demanded The English descended to 1400000 crownes after by degrees fell so low as 800000 but the French
as they held the first summe to be vnreasonable so all the other they esteemed excessiue Then the English demanded what the French would giue first they offered 100000 crownes afterwards 200000 which they said was the most more theÌ„ euer had bin giuen with a daughter of France they followed a stiffe contention both by reasons precedents but the French in no case would rise any higher only they agreed that the French K. at his proper charge should send her to the K. of England 3 moneths before she should accomplish her age for marriage sufficiently appointed with Iewells apparell furniture for house that bands for the performances should then be deliuered at London by the K. of England and at Paris by the French King and that in case the Lady should not consent after she should be of the said age for marriage the penalty should be 150000 crownes the French set downe these offers in writing and sent them to the King of England Soone after Mounsier lâ—… Marshall and other commissioners were sent by the French King into England where they arriued at such time as the sweating sicknesse was most furious a new strange violent disease for if a man were attached therewith he dyed or escaped within 9 houres or 10 at the most if he tooke cold he dyed within 3 houres if he slept within 6 hours as he should be desirous to doe he dyed rauing albeit in other burning diseases that distemper is commonly appeased with sleepe It raged cheifly among men of strongest constitution and yeares of whom 120 perished in some one day within the liberties of London few aged men or children or women died thereof Two of Charles Brandons sonnes both Dukes of Suffolke one of the Kings Gentlemen and one of his groomes died of this disease For which cause the King remoued to Hampton court with very few followers The same day the Marshall and other French commissioners were brought by the Lord Clinton Lord Admirall of England from Grauesend to London They were saluted by the way with all the shot of more then 50 of the Kings great ships and with a faire peale of Artillery from the Tower and lastly were lodged in Suffolke pallace in Southwarke and albeit they had more then 400 gentlemen in their traine yet was not one of them nor any other stranger in England touched with the sweating disease and yet the English were chased therewith not only in England but in other countries abroad which made them like tirants both feared and auoided wheresoeuer they came The next day the French were remoued to Richmond whence euery day they resorted to Hampton court where the King remained the first day after they had performed the Ceremonies of court and deliuered to the King their letters of credence they were led to a chamber richly furnished for their repose the same day they dined with the King and after dinner being brought into an inner chamber the Marshall declared that they were come not only to deliuer vnto him the order of S t Michaell but therewith to manifest the entire loue which the King his Master beare him which he desired him to conceiue to be no lesse then a father can beare to his naturall sonne That albeit diuers persons either witlesse or malitious raise diuers vaine rumors to draw the King as it is thought from his 〈◊〉 friendship yet he trusted that the King would not listen vnto them That it much concerned the common quiet that good officers be placed vpon the Frontires for as good may doe good in moderating things amisse so euill will doe euill albeit no bad occasion be offered Lastly he desired in case any new controuersie should arrise it might be determined by commissioners on both sides and not by conflicts the parent of warre To this the King both suddenly and shortly answered that he much thanked the French King for his order as for the large expression of his loue which he would be ready in all points to requite Touching rumours they are not alwayes to be credited nor alwayes to be contemned it being no lesse vaine to feare all things than dangerous to doubt of nothing and in case at any time hee listned to them it was only to prouide against the worst and neuer to breake into hostilitie concerning officers he appointed such as hee esteemed good and yet preferred the ouerdoubtfull before the ouer-credulous and secure new controuersies he would alwaies be readie to determine by reason rather than by force so farre as his honour should not thereby be diminished The French after this returne to their lodging at Richmond and the next day resorted againe to the King inuested him with garments of the order and accompanied him to the Chappell the King going betweene the Marshall de Guise both which after the Communion kissing his cheek The residue of that day and a few dayes following were passed ouer with pastimes and feasts At the last the Lord Marquis of Northampton and the residue who had beene formerly sent with commission from the King into France were appointed to treat with the French Commissioners touching the great matters of their Embassage And because the French could be serued no higher than their offer of 200000. crownes it was accepted The one moitie to be paid vpon the day of marriage and the other six moneths after the Dote was agreed to be 10000. markes of English money and not to be paid in case the King should die before marriage This agreement was reduced into writing and deliuered vnder Scale on both sides at the same time an Embassador arriued out of Scotland to demand an exemplification of the articles of peace betweene England and France vnder the great Seale of England which without any difficultie they obtained The Marshall at his taking leaue declared to the 〈◊〉 how kindly his Master did conceiue of the Kings 〈◊〉 nesse to conclude this treaty and also commended his 〈◊〉 sters great inclination to the agreements thereof Then presented Mounsier Boâ—…s to be Embassador Legier for 〈◊〉 French and the Marquis presented M r. Pickering to Embassador for the King of England in France The 〈◊〉 of the Marshall was three thousand pound in gold 〈◊〉 a Diamond taken from the Kings finger esteemed 〈◊〉 an hundred and fifty pound Mounsier de Guy had 100â—… Mounsier Chenault 1000 l. M r. Mortuillier 500 l. the 〈◊〉 cretâ—…ry 500. l and the Bishop of Pâ—…riguer 500 l. The 〈◊〉 were exceeding sumptuous and at their returne they 〈◊〉 wafted ouer the seas by certaine of the Kings ships reason of the wars betweene the Emporour and the 〈◊〉 King The Lord Marquis reward was afterwards 〈◊〉 red at Paris worth 500 l. the Bishop of Ely 200 l. Sir 〈◊〉 Hobbies 150 l. and so were the rewards of the rest Now the King supposing his estate to be most safe 〈◊〉 indeed it was most vnsure In testimony both of his 〈◊〉 and of his loue aduanced many
to new titles of 〈◊〉 The Lord Marquis Dorsâ—…t a man for his harmelesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither misliked nor much regarded was 〈◊〉 Duke of Suffolke the Earle of Warwick was created 〈◊〉 of Northumberland the Earle of Wiltshire was 〈◊〉 Marquis of Winchester Sir William Herbert 〈◊〉 Cardiffe was created Earle of Pembroke Sir 〈◊〉 Darcie Vice-chamberlaine and Captaine of the 〈◊〉 was created Lord Darcie William Ceâ—…il was made of the chiefe Secretaries Master Iohn Cheeke the 〈◊〉 Schoole-master and one of the guides of his 〈◊〉 hope and with him M r. Henry Dudley and M r. 〈◊〉 Neuill of the Priuie Chamber were made Knights which was the accomplishment of mischiefe Sir 〈◊〉 Dudley one of the Duke of Northumberlands sonnes 〈◊〉 heire both of his hate against persons of Nobility 〈◊〉 cunning to dissemble the same was sworne one of the six ordinary Gentlemen he was afterwards for lust and cruelty a monster of the court as apt to hate so a most sure executioner of his hate yet rather by practise then by open dealing as wanting rather courage then wit After his entertainment into a place of so neere seruice the King enioyed his health not long The Duke of Northumberland being now inferior vnto none of the nobility in title of honour and superior to all in authority and power could not restraine his haughty hopes from aspiring to an absolute command But before he would directly leuill at his marke the Duke of Somerset was thought fit to be taken away whose â—…re did was so great with the common people that although it sufficed not to beare out any bad attempt of his owne yet was it of force to crosse the euill purposes of others And now to begin the third act of his tragedie speeches were cast that he caused himselfe to be proclaimed King in diuers countries which albeit they were knowne to be false insomuch as the millers seruant at Battlebridge in Southwarke lost both his yeares vpon a pillory for so reporting yet the very naming of him to be King either as desired by himselfe or by others esteemed worthy brought with it a distastfull rellish apt to apprehend suspition to be true After this he was charged to haue persuaded diuers of the nobility to choose him Protector at the next parliament The Duke being questioned neither held silence as he might nor constantly denie it but entangled himselfe in his doubtfull tale One Whaly a busy headed man and desirous to be set on worke gaue first light to this appeachment but the Earle of Rutland did stoutly auouch it Herewith S r Thomas Palmer a man neither louing the Duke of Somerset nor beloued of him was brought by the Duke of Northumberland to the King being in his garden Heere he declared that vpon S t George day last before the Duke of Somerset being vpon a iourney towards the North in case S r William Herbert M r of the horse had not assured him that he should receiue no harme would haue raised the people and that he had sent the Lord Gray before to know who would be his friends also that the Duke of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton the Earle of Pembrooke and other Lords should be inuited to a banquet and if they came with a bare company to be set vpon by the way if strongly their heads should haue beene cut off at the place of their feasting he declared further that S r Ralph Uane had 2000 men in a readinesse that S r Thomas Arundell had assured the tower that Seymor and Hamond would waite vpon him and that all the horse of the Gendarmorie should be slaine To this M r Secretary Cecill added that the Duke had sent for him and said that he suspected some ill meaning against him whereto M r Secretary answered that if he were not in fault hee might trust to his innocencie if he were he had nothing to say but to lament him The Duke being aduertised of these informations against him by some who had some regard of honestie did forthwith defie the Secretary by his letters Then he sent for Sir Thomas Palmer to vnderstand what he had reported of him who denied all that he had said but by this hot humorous striuing he did but draw the knots more fast A few daies being passed the Duke either ignorant of what was intended or fearing if he seemed to perceiue it came to the court but somewhat later then he accustomed and as too mindes possessed with feare all things vnvsuall seeme to menace danger so this late coming of the Duke was enforced as a suspition against him and so after dinner he was apprehended Sir Thomas Palmer Sir Thomas Arundell Hamonde Nudigates Iohn Seymor and Dauid Seymor were also made prisoners the Lord Gray being newly come out of the country was attached S r Ralph Uane being twice sent for fled vpon the first message it was reported that he said that his Lord was not stout and that if he could get home he cared not for any but vpon pursuit he was found in his seruants stable at Lambeth couered with straw he was a man of a fierce spirit both sodaine bold of no euill disposition sauing that he thought scantnesse of estate too great an euill All these were the same night sent to the tower except Palmer Arundell and Vant who were kept in the court well guarded in chambers apart The day following the Dutches of Somerset was sent to the Tower no man grieuing thereat because her pride and basenesse of life ouerballanced all pitty and doubtlesse if any mischiefe were then contriued whereof many were doubtfull euery one giuing forth as he belieued it was first hammered in the forge of her wicked working braine for shee had alwaies wicked instruments about her whom the more she found appliable to her purposes the more fauors she bestowed vpon them who being engaged by her into dangers held it dangerous to fall from her also with her were committed one Crane and his wife and her own chamberwoman After these followed S r Thomas Holdcroft S r Miles Partridge Sir Michaell Stanhope Wingfield Banister Vaughan and some others In diuers of these was then neither any cause knowne or afterwardes discouered but the number raised the greater terror and doubled the conceit of the danger Sir Thomas Palmer being againe examined added to his former detection that the Gendarmorie vpon the muster day should be assaulted by 2000 foote vnder Sir Ralph Vane and by 100 horses of the Duke of Somersets besides his friends which should stand by and besides the idle people which were thought inclineable to take his part that this done he would runne throw the cittie and proclaime liberty and in case his attempt did not succeed hee would goe to the I le of Wight or to Poole Crane confessed for the most part as Palmer had done and futher added that the Lord Pagets house was the place where the nobility being inuited to a banquet should
because when he might haue done it he did not and further against the persons of them whose examinations had beene read against him he obiected many things desiring they might be brought to his face which in regard he was a person of dignity and estate he claimed to be reasonable especially against S r Thomas Palmer he spake much euill and yet in opinion of many farre short of the truth Hereto no answere was made but that the worse they were the fitter they were to be his instruments fit instruments indeed said he but rather for others then for me The fast being made the Kings learned counsaile auouched the law to be to assemble men with intent to kill the Duke of Northumberland was treason by a statute of the 3 4 th or K. Edward then raigning made against vnlawfull assemblies that to raise London or the North parts of the realme was treason that to minde resisting his attachment was felony that to assault the Lords and to devise their deaths was felony But vnder fauour of their iudgement the statute alleaged bears no such sense either for treason or for felony indeed by a statute of K. Henry 7 it is felony for inferior persons to contriue the death of a Lord of the counsaile but Lordes are therein expresly excepted The Lordes went together and first the Duke of Suffolke nobly said that he held it not reasonable that this being but a contention betweene priuate subiect vnder pretention thereof any meane action should to draw to intention of treason The Duke of Northumberland in countenance bearing shew of sadnesse but in truth stifly obstinate denyed that he would euer consent that any practise against him should be either imputed or reputed to be treason yet this was not taken to proceede from modesty as he expected but for that he could not with his honour or with reason so enforce it The Marques of Northampton was crossed and contentious with many but neuer replied to any answere a manifest marke of no strong spirit Some of the rest plainly brake forth that they held it vnfit that the Duke of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton and the Earle of Pembrooke should be of the triall because the prisoner was chiefly charged with practises intended against them But hereto answere was made that a Peere of the Realme might not be challenged After much variation of opinions the prisoner at the barre was acquit of treason but by most voices most fauouring the Duke of Northumberland he was sound guilty of felony Hereupon iudgement followed that he should be hanged but this would neuer haue gone so hard had they not prosecuted all vnder pretence of treason The Duke of Somerset might haue craued his clerge but he suffered iudgement to passe thanked the Lords for his gentle triall craued pardon of the Duke of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton and the Earle of Pembrooke for his ill meaning against them and made suit for his life in pitty to his wife children and seruants and in regard of paiment of his debts As he departed because he was acquit of treason the axe of the tower was not openly carried whereupon the people supposing that he was altogether acquit shooted halfe a dozed times so loud that they were heard beyond Charing Crosse. It is certaine the people fauoured him the more because they saw that there was much secret hate borne against him But as this immoderate fauour of the multitude did him no good so will it vndoe so many as shall trust vnto it It was told the King that after the Dukes returne to the tower he acknowledged to certaine Lords that he had hired Bartuile to make them away that Bartuile confessed so much and that Hamond was not ignorant thereof which whether it were true or whether deuised to make the King more estranged from him of iudgement could not hold themselues assured About this time Cuthbert Tonstall Bishop of Durham a man famous in those times for learning and integrity of life was sent to the tower for concealement of I know not what treason written to him I know not by whom and not discouered vntill what shall I call the party did reueale it But the Lord Chancellor Rich hauing built a faire estate and perceiuing what nimble ears were borne to listen after treason also for that a parliament was towards wherein he was doubtfull what questions might arise made suit to the King that in regard of the infirmities of his body he might be discharged of his office giuing good example to men sometimes by their owne moderation to auoid disgrace So he deliuered the seale at his house in great S t Bartholomewes to the Duke of Northumberland the Earle of Pembrooke sent by the King with commission to receiue it The same seale was forthwith deliuered to D r Godricke Bishop of Ely a man if happily able to discharg the place assuredly no more It was first deliuered vnto him only during the sicknesse of the Lord Rich but in short time after he was sworne Lord Chancellor because as keeper of the seale he could not then execute such matters as were to be dispatched in parliament And now after iudgement against Somerset the Lords were not negligent to entertaine the King with all delights they could deuise partly to winne his fauour but especially to conuert his thoughts from his condemned Vnkle to this end they often presented him with stately masques braue challenges at title and at barriers and whatsoeuer exercises or disports they could coniecture to be best pleasing to him then also he first began to keepe hall and the Christmas time was passed ouer with banquetings masques plaies and much other variety of mirth Often they would call him to serious affaires wherein he tooke especiall pleasure Sometimes they would remember him how dangerous the Duke of Somerset was who hauing made away his only brother contriued the death of the chiefe of the nobility And where say they would his mischiefe haue rested Would it haue raged against all and left the King only vntouched Verily hauing beene alwaies both cruell and false there would haue beene no end of his mischiefe and all his submissions must now be taken for counterfeit and dissembled But his auarice and ambition once remoued the way will be laid open to vertue and merit So about two moneths after his iudgement the 5 th and last act of his tragedie was brought vpon the stage When being so often exposed to fortunes mercy before he was placed by a strong guard vpon a seaffold at tower hill about eight of the clocke in the morning to suffer death albeit straight charge had beene giuen the day before to euery housholder in the citty not to permit any to depart out of their houses before ten of the clocke that day yet the people the more vnruly by this restraint by such thick throngs swarmed to the place that before seauen of the clocke the hill was couered and
russianlike falling into yeares apt to take offence either only caused or much furthered his condemnation For besides his naturall fiercenesse enslamed by his present disgrace he was the more free by reason of his great seruices in the field The time hath beene said he when I was of some esteeme but now we are in peace which reputeth the coward and couragious alike and so with an obstinate resolution he made choice rather not to regard death then by any submission to entreat for life indeed it was wellknowne that he had beene famous for seruice but therewith it was well knowen by whose fauour he had beene famous S Thomas Arundell was with some difficulty condemned for his cause was brought to triall about seauen of the clocke in the morning about noone the Iurors went together and because they could not agree they were shut in a house all the residue of that day and all the night following the next morning they found him guilty vnhappy man who found the doing of any thing or of nothing dangerous alike S r Miles Partridge and S r Michaell Stanhope were condemned as consociates in the conspiracy of Somerset Both reputed indifferently disposed to bad or good yet neither of them of that temper as to dare any dangerous fact either because they were so indeed or because their fauour or alliance with the dutchesse of Somerset made them to be of lesse esteeme Garter K. at armes was sent to the Lord Paget prisoner in the tower to take from him the garter and the George and to discharge him of that order The pretence of this dishonour was because he was said to be no gentleman of blood neither by Father nor by Mother The Garter and the George were Forthwith bestowed vpon the Earle of Warwicke eldest sonne to the Duke of Northumberland about this time the order was almost wholly altered as by the statutes thereof then made it appeares After these times few matters of high nature or obseruable note happened in England during King Edwards life Of these I will select such as I esteeme most fit for history both as being publique and as contained matter of some regard not alwaies obseruing the iust order of time but sometime coherence or propinquity of matter S r Philip Hobby was sent to pay 62000 pounds at Antwerp for paiment of which summe the King stood to diuers persons engaged This done he went to the Regent then lying at Brussels to declare vnto her certaine grieuances of the English merchants aduentures but he receiued nothing but faire promises which proued deceiuable Afterwards Mounsier de Couriers came from the Regent to the King to vnderstand more particularly the complaints of the Merchants and therewith to desire that her subiects ships might safely take harbour in any of the Kings hauens For the first a note of the merchants complaints was deliuered in writing but answere was deferred for want of instructions an vsuall pretence in like affaires Touching the second answere was made that the King had giuen order that Flemmish shipps should not be molested in any of his hauens which appeared in that they were there alwaies rescued from the pursuit and chase of the French But hee thought it not fit that more should enter his hauens at once then he had power to gouerne Assuredly the Merchant aduenturers haue beene often wronged and wringed to the quicke but were neuer quicke and liuely in thankes to those by whose endeauours they were freed The same merchants exhibited a bill at the counsaile table against the Merchants of the Stilliard After answere by those of the Stilliard and reply by the aduenturers it was conceiued vpon view of diuers Charters that the Merchants of the Stilliard were no sufficient corporation and that their number names and nation could not be knowen Also that when they had forfeited their liberties King Edward the fourth restored them vpon condition that they should couer no strangers goods which they had not obserued And againe whereas at the beginning they shipped not aboue 80 cloathes after that 100 afterwards 1000 after that 6000 at that time 44000 cloathes were shipped euery yeare in their names and not aboue 1100 by all strangers besides wherefore albeit certaine Embassadors from Hamborough Lubeck spake much in their behalfe yet a decree was made that they had forfeited their liberties were in the same condition with other strangers And albeit they made great moanes afterwards yet could they not procure this sentence to be reuersed A commission was granted to viii Bishops viii other Diuines viii Ciuilians and viii common Lawyers and in all xxxii to set forth ecclesiasticall lawes agreeable to the nature both of the people and of the religion then established in the Church of England but it tooke no effect For neither the number of the commissioners being many nor the quality of them being persons both in great offices and diuers farre remote could afford meetings for so great a businesse Also the difference both of porsessions of ends did of necessity raise much difference in iudgment The King had sixe Chaplaines in Ordinary touching whose attendance in court an order was made that two should remaine with the King by turnes and fower should trauaile in preaching abroad The first yeare two in Wales and two in Lincolneshire the next yeare two in the Marshes of Scotland and two in Yorkeshire The third yeare two in Deuonshire two in Hampshire The fourth yeare two in Northfolke and Essex and two in Kent Sussex so throw all the shires in England which happily did not only serue for a spirituall end namely instruction in religion but did also aduance a temporall purpose of peaceable obedience For as rude vntrained mindes are not only easily drawen but inclineable of themselues to sedition and tumult so by learning and religion men are especially both reduced and retained in ciuill quiet For better dispatch of businesse of diuers natures the body of the counsaile was diuided into seuerall commissions Some were appointed for hearing those suits which were vsually brought before the whole table to send matters of iustice to their proper courts to giue full deniall to such as they should not esteeme reasonable to certify what they thought meet to be granted and vpon allowance thereof to dispatch the parties Others were appointed to consider of penall lawes and proclamations in force and to quicken the execution of the most principall These were directed first to consider what principall lawes 〈◊〉 proclamations were most needfull to be executed Theâ—… to enquire into the countries how they were disobeyed and first to punish greatest offendors and afterwards to proceede to the rest Lastly that they should enquire what other disorders were either dangerous or offensiue in euery shire and either to punish the offendors or else to report their iudgement therein Others were appointed to attend occurrences of state at large with whom the King did sit once euery weeke to
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
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