The Portraiture of Edward the Second KING of ENGLAND Lord of Ireland Having Raig 19. Yeares and 7. Months was Murdered at BARKLEY-CASTLE at 43. Yeares of Age. THE HISTORY OF The LIFE REIGN and DEATH OF EDWARD II. King of England AND LORD of IRELAND WITH The Rise and Fall of 〈◊〉 great Favourites GAVESTON and the SPENCERS Written by E. F. in the year 1627. And Printed verbatim from the Original Qui nescit Dissimulare nequit vivere perire melius LONDON Printed by J. C. for Charles Harper at the Flower-de-luce in Fleet-street Samuel Crouch at the Princes Arms in Popes-head-Alley in Cornhil and Thomas Fox at the Angel in Westminster-hall 1680. THE PUBLISHER To the READER READER THou hast here presented to thy View the Life and Death of Edward the Second one of the most Unfortunate Princes that ever swayed the English Scepter What it was that made him so is left to thee to judge when thou hast read his Story But certainly the Falsness of his Queen and the Flattery of those Court-Parasites Gaveston and the Spencers did contribute not a little thereto As for the Gentleman that wrote this History his own following Preface to the Reader will give some short Account as also of the Work it self together with the Designe and Time of its writing which was above Fifty years since And this we think we may say and perswade our selves that upon the perusal thou wilt be of the same opinion that he was every every way qualified for an Historian And ' bating a few obsolete words which shew the Antiquity of the Work we are apt to believe those days produced very few who were able to express their Conceptions in so Masculine a Stile We might easily enlarge in our Commendations of this Excellent History but it needs not and therefore we leave it to thee to read and judge The AUTHOR's PREFACE To the READER TO out-run those weary hours of a deep and sad Passion my melancholy Pen fell accidentally on this Historical Relation which speaks a King our own though one of the most Vnfortunate and shews the Pride and Fall of his Inglorious Minions I have not herein followed the dull Character of our Historians nor amplified more than they infer by Circumstance I strive to please the Truth not Time nor fear I Censure since at the worst 't was but one Month mis-spended which cannot promise ought in right Perfection If so you hap to view it tax not my Errours I my self confess them 20. Feb. 1627. E. F. THE RAIGN and DEATH OF Edward the Second EDWARD the Second eldest Son of Edward the First and Elenor the vertuous Sister of the Castilian King was born at Carnarvan and in the most resplendant pride of his age immediately after the decease of his noble Father crowned King of England The principal Leaders of the Rebellious Welshmen Fluellen and Meredith being taken and executed the Combustions of the Cambro-Britains were quieted and settled in an uniform Obedience The Scots by the resignation of Baliol the execution of Wallis and the expulsion of Bruce their pretended King were reduced to their first Monarchy and brought to an absolute subjection at such time as he took upon him the Regiment of this then glorious Kingdom If we may credit the most antient Historians that speak of the Princes and Passages of those times this Royal Branch was of an Aspect fair and lovely carrying in his outward appearance many promising Predictions of a singular expectation But the judgment not the eye must have the preheminence in point of Calculation and Censure The smoothest waters are for the most part most deep and dangerous and the goodliest Blossoms nipt by an unkindly Frost wither or produce their fruit sowre or unwholsome which may properly imply That the visible Calendar is not the true Character of inward Perfection evidently proved in the Life Raign and Death of this unfortunate Monarch His Story speaks the Morning fair the Noon-tide eclipsed and the sad Evening of his Life more memorable by his untimely Death and Ruine He could not have been so unworthy a Son of so noble a Father nor so inglorious a Father of so excellent a Son if either Vertue or Vice had been hereditary Our Chronicles as they parallel not him in his licentious Errours so do they rarely equal the Wisdom and Valour of the one that went before and the other that immediately succeeded him Neither was this degenerate Corruption in him transcendent from the womb that bare him since all Writers agree his Mother to be one of the most pious and illustrious pieces of Female-goodness that is registred in those memorable Stories of all our Royal Wedlocks But the divine Ordinances are inscrutable and not to be questioned it may else seem justly worthy admiration how so crooked a Plant should spring from a Tree so great and glorious His younger years discovered a softly sweet and milde temper pliable enough to the impressions of Vertue when he came to write Man he was believ'd over-liberally wanton but not extreamly vicious The Royal honour of his Birth-right was scarcely invested in his person when Time the Touchstone of Truth shews him to the world a meer Imposture in Conversation light in Condition wayward in Will violent and in Passion furious and irreconciliable Edward his valiant and prudent Father had by the glory of his victorious Arms and the excellency of his Wisdom and Providence laid him the sure foundation of a happy Monarchy making it his last and greatest care to continue it so in his succession This caus'd him to employ his best understanding and labour for the enabling of his Son that he might be powerful fit and worthy to perfect this great Work and preserve it And from this Consideration he leads him to the Scotch Wars to teach him the right use of Arms which are to be managed as well by discretion as valour and the advantage of time and opportunity which lead humane Actions by the hand to their perfection Here he likewise instructs him with those more excellent Rules of Knowledge and Discipline that he might exactly know what it was and how to obey before he came to command Lastly he unlocks the Closet of his heart and lays before him those same Arcana Imperii and secret mysteries of State which are onely proper to the Royal Operations and lie not in the road of Vulgar knowledge yet letting him withal know that all these were too weak to support the burthen of a Crown if there be not a correspondent worth in him that wears it With these grave Principles the prudent Father opening the way soon perceives he had a remaining task of a much harder temper with an unwilling eye he beholds in his Son many sad remonstrances which intimate rather a natural vicious inclination than the corruption of time or want of ability to command it Unless these might be taken off and cleansed he imagines all his other
plot a private mischief The King they knew was crafty close and cunning and thought not fit to trust too far to Rumour This makes them stand upon their guard and keep Assemblies pleading for warrant the self-same ground of rising But when their Spies in Court had given them knowledge that all was sure they need not fear their danger and that they dayly heard the Northern clamour that ecchoed loudly with the Scotish motions they draw their Forces to the King 's who thus united in person leads them to this hopeful Conquest But forehand-reckonings ever most miscarry he had those hands but not those hearts which fought his Fathers fortune Scarce had he past and left the English Borders but he beholds an Army ready to affront him not of dejected Souls or Bodies fainting but Men resolv'd to win or dye with Honour Their valiant Leader heartens on their Courage and bids them fight for Life Estate and Freedome all which were here at stake which this day gains or makes hereafter hopeless Edward that expected rather submission or some honest Terms of agreement finding a Check given by a Pawn unlook'd for plays the best of his game and hopes to win it He contemns their condition and number slighting their Power and in the memory of his Father's Conquests thinks his own certain But the success of Battles runs not in a Bloud neither is gained by Confidence but Discretion and Valour No one thing hurts more in a matter of Arms than Presumption a Coward that expects no mercy is desperate by compulsion and the most contemptible Enemy proves most dangerous when he is too much undervalu'd You may see it here instanc'd where a rabble multitude of despised Blue-caps encounter rout and break the Flower of England Eastriveline doth yet witness the fatal memory of this so great Disaster There fell brave Clare the Earl of Gloucester the valiant Clifford and stout Mawle with above Fifty Knights and Barons This bloudy day which had spilt so great a shower of Noble bloud and cropt the bravest Blossoms of the Kingdom sends the King back to Barwick with a few straggling Horse whose well-breath'd speed out-run the pursuing danger So near a Neighbourhood to so victorious an Enemy is deemed indiscretion where the Prize was believ'd so richly worth the Venture This sends away the melancholy King jaded in his hopes and dull with his misfortune If we may judge by the Event the Condition of this man was truely miserable all things at home under his Government were out of rule and order and nothing successful that he undertook by forraign Employment but where the Ground is false the Building cannot stand He planted the foundation of his Monarchy on Sycophants and Favorites whose disorderly Proceedings dryed up all that sap that should have fostered up the springing Goodness of the Kingdome and made him a meer stranger to those Abilities that are proper to Rule and Government Kings ought to be their own Surveyors and not to pass over the whole care of their Affairs by Letter of Atturney to another mans Protection such inconsiderate actions beget a world of mischief when there are more Kings than one in one and the self-same Kingdom it eclipseth his Glory and derogates from his Greatness making the Subject groan under the unjust Tyranny of an insolent oppression No man with such propriety can manage the griefs and differences of the Subject as the King who by the Laws of God Men and Nature hath an interest in their Heart and a share in their Affections When they are guided by a second hand or heard by a Relator Money or Favour corrupts the Integrity and over-rules the course of Justice followed at the heels with Complaint and Murmur the Mother of Discontent and Mischief The unexpected return of the General of this ill-succeeding Enterprize filled the Kingdom with a well-deserved Sorrow and is welcom'd with a News as strange though not so full of danger Poydras a famous Impostor a Tanners Son and born at Exeter pretends himself with a new strain of Lip-cousenage to be the Heir of Edward the First by a false Nurse chang'd in his Cradle for the King now reigning All Novelties take in the itching ears of the Vulgar and win either belief or admiration This Tale as weak in truth as probability was fortunate in neither only it exalts this imaginary King to his Instalment on Northampton-Gallows where he ends the hour of his melancholy Government with as strange a Relation which suggests That for two years space a Spirit in the likeness of a Cat had attended him as the chief Groom of his Chamber from whom in many secret Conferences he had received the truth and information of this Mystery with assurance it would bring him to the Crown of England It was as great a fault in the Master to believe as for the Servant to abuse yet the desire of the one to change his Tanfat for a Kingdom was not much out of square nor the Lying of the other since he continued but his trade which he had practis'd from the beginning It is a foul offence and oversight in them that have not Devils of their own to hunt abroad and seek where they may gain them by purchase If it be a mystery of State to know things by Prediction of such vertuous Ministers methinks they were much better kept as this Tanner kept his rather as an houshold-Servant than a Retainer which may in time bring them to a like Preferment Such Agents may seem Lambs but in the end they will be found as savage as Tygers and as false as the Camelions Till now our wanton King had never felt the true touch of a just grief but mens misfortunes alter their impressions he inwardly and heartily laments his own dishonour yet strives to hide and conceal his Sorrow lest those about him might be quite dejected It was a bitter Corrosive to think how oft his Royal Father had displaid his victorious Colours which knew not how to fight unless to conquer How often had he over-run this Neighbour-Nation and made them take such Laws as he imposed How many times had he overthrown their greatest Armies and made them sue they might become his Subjects The memory of this doth vex his Spirits and makes him vow Revenge and utter Ruine He calls to Council all his Lords and Leaders and lays before them antient Glory of the Kingdom the late Misfortune and his proper Errours and lastly his desire to right his Honour They glad to hear the King in the sense of so general a disgrace touch'd with so noble a strain do spur it on before it cool'd or the Scots should grow too proud of their new Glory The former Loss had toucht so near the quick that there is now a more wary Resolution Dispatches are sent out for a more exact and full provision a mature Consideration is thought necessary before it come to action York
so far there is no Errour But when a flux of Torment follows Judgment which may be done in Speech as well as Action it gives too many Deaths to one Offender and stains the Actors with a foul dishonour To see such a Monster so monstrously used no question pleased the giddy Multitude who scarcely know the civil grounds of Reason the recollected Judgment that beheld it censur'd it was at best too great and deep a blemish to suit a Queen a Woman and a Victor Whether her Imposition or his patient Suffering were greater or became first weary he now is brought to give them both an ending upon a Gallows highly built of purpose he now receives the end of all his Torments the Cruelty was such unfit to be recorded Whether it were the greatness of his heart or it were broken he leaves the world with such a constant parting as seem'd as free from fear as fruitless plaining Four days are scarcely ended ere Arundel doth taste the self-same fortune Until the last Combustion I finde no mention in the Story of this Noble Gentleman neither could I ever read any just cause why his Life was thus taken from him unless it were a Capital Offence not to forsake his Master It was then a very hard case if it must be adjudged Treason to labour to defend his King and Soveraign to whom he had sworn Faith and Obedience suffering for preserving that Truth and Oath which they had all treacherously broken that were his Judges If it were deemed a fault deep enough to be taken in company with those that were corrupt and wicked I see yet no reason why he alone should suffer and those their other Creatures were permitted many of them unquestion'd some preferr'd and none executed But we may not properly expect Reason in Womens actions It was enough the incensed Queen would have it so against which was no disputing Her business thus dispatcht she comes to London where she hath all the Royal Entertainment due to her Greatness The Citizens do run and crowd to see her that if the Wheel should turn would be as forward to make the self-same speed to see her ruine Assoon as here she had settled her affairs and made things ready she calls a Parliament and sends forth Summons for the appearance which as soon ensued herein she makes her Husband seal the Warrant who God knows scarcely knew what she was doing but lived a Recluse well and surely guarded When this grave Assembly was come together the Errours and the Abuses of the Kingdom are laid full open which touch'd the King with a more insolent liberty than might well become the tongues of those which must yet be his Subjects Many ways of Reformation for forms sake are discussed but the intended course was fully before resolved yet it was fit there should be a handsome Introduction The issue at length falls upon the point of Necessity shewing that Edward by the imbecillity of his judgment and the corruption of his nature was unfit longer to continue the Government which was so diseased and sick that it required a King more careful and active as if the conferring it upon a green Youth little more than an Infant had been Warranty enough for these Allegations but they serv'd turn well enough where all were agreed and there was not so much as a just fear of opposition It ne're was toucht or exprest by what Law Divine or Humane the Subject might Depose not an Elective King but one that Lineally and Justly had inherited and so long enjoy'd it this was too deep a Mystery and altogether improper for their resolution A short time at length brings them all to one Minde which in a true construction was no more than a mere Politick Treason not more dangerous in the Act than in the Example The three Estates unà voce conclude the Father must be Deposed and his unripe Son must be Invested in the Royal Dignity Not a Lord Bishop Knight Judge or Burgess but that day left his Memory behinde him they could not else so generally have forgot the Oaths of their Allegiance so solemnly sworn to their old Master whom they had just cause to restrain from his Errours but no ground or colour to deprive him of his Kingdom who that day found neither Kinsman Friend Servant or Subject to defend his Interest It is probable he could not be so generally forsaken and not unlikely but that he had some in this Assembly well-affected which seeing the violence and strength of the Current knew their contestation might endanger themselves and not advantage him in his possession But this justifies them not neither in their Oaths Love or Duty which should have been sincere and eminent He that had here really express'd himself had left to Posterity an honourable Memorial of his Faith Worth and Valour Never will the remembrance of that stout and reverend Bishop dye who in the Case of Richard the Second exprest himself so honestly and bravely Civil respects though they deeply touch in particular warrant not the breach of publick engagements neither is it properly Wisdome but Craft infringeth the Laws of Duty or Honesty If that may be admitted what Perjury may not finde an excuse what Rebellion not a justifiable answer But it is clear there may not be a wilful violation of Oaths though it tend deeply to our own loss and prejudice The Resolution being now fully concluded that must uncrown this unhappy King divers of both Houses are sent unto him to make the Declaration who being come into his presence Trussel the Speaker of the lower House in the Name of the whole Kingdom makes a Resignation of all Homage and Fealty and then doth read the Sentence Edward that had been aforehand informed the better to prepare him had arm'd himself with as much Patience as his Necessity could give him with an attentive ear hears all full out which done he turns away without answering a word He knew it was in vain to spend time in Discourse or Contestation which must be the ready way to endanger his Life and in his consenting with a dangerous example to his Successours he had both their Power and his own Guilt made evident to Posterity which might have made the practice more frequent and familiar He had still a kinde of Hope that his Adversaries would run themselves out of breath when there would be both room and time to alter his condition Thus this unfortunate King after he had with a perpetual agitation governed this Kingdome eighteen years odde months and days lost it partly by his own Disorder and Improvidence but principally by the treacherous Infidelity of his Wife Servants and Subjects And it is most memorable an Army of three hundred Strangers entred his Dominion and took from him the Rule and Governance without so much as blow given or the loss of any one man more than such as perished by the hand of
1 Swears not to re-call Gaveston 7 Is troubled at his Oath 8 Falls into Melancholy 9 Sends for Gaveston 12 Acquaints his Councel therewith 13 Their Answer Ibid. His angry Reply Ibid. His Marriage 19 His Son Edward of Windsor born 28 He vows revenge for the Death of Gaveston 32 His Speech to Lancaster 34 Calls a Parliament 36 Goes against the Scots 38 Is defeated 39 Goes against them again 42 Is angry they refuse a Peace 44 Requires two Cardinals and sends them home Ibid. Besieges Barwick 45 Leaves it again 47 Seeks a new Favorite 48 Takes Spencer 49 Barons take Arms against him 55 His Proclamation against Mortimer Ibid. Answers their Message 57 His Speech to the Parliament 58 His Answer to the Merchants Petition against Spencer 65 Opposes the Barons 69 Seizes the two Mortimers Ibid. Beats the Barons 70 Kills Hereford Clifford and Mowbray 71 Takes Lancaster and others Ibid. Is moved for revenge Ibid. His Reply upon it 72 Beheads Lancaster and twenty two more 73 Calls a Parliament 81 Repulses the Scots and invades Scotland 83 Looseth his Treasure 84 Advises with Spencer 86 Will not consent to the Queens going 90 Sad at her departure 92 Complains to the Pope 102 He suspects the City of London 120 Removes to Bristol 121 Gets into the Castle 127 Betakes to a Bark and is seized Ibid. Sent to Berkley Castle 128 Is removed in Disguise 147 His Complaint 148 Is upbraided 149 His Keepers changed 154 He is removed to Corf Castle Ibid. He is Murdered 155 The young King Crowned 142 Kingdomes resentment of the Bishop of Chesters Imprisonment 21 L. Lincolns Speech to the King 22 Death 34 Lancaster surprized 71 Beheaded with twenty two more 73 M. Sir Gilbert de Middleton Executed 43 Mortimer spoils Spencer 55 Is committed to the Tower 89 Is favoured by the Queen 142 Moves the Kings Death 151 His Answer to the Queen 152 He flings away 153 Merchants Petition 65 Mowbray killed 71 Black Monks incite the people 144 Their Captain is clapt by the heels and dies Ibid. N. Navy set out 94 P. Parliament call'd 36 Called again 81 Give the sixth Penny 82 Called by the Queen 130 They resolve to Depose the King 131 The Speaker reads the Sentence 132 Poydras of Exeter pretends himself King 40 Is Hanged at Northampton Ibid. His strange Confession Ibid. Pope sends two Cardinals to Mediate a Peace 42 They go for Scotland and are Robb'd 43 Return 44 Requited and sent home Ibid. He Excommunicates the Scots King and Kingdom Ibid. Admonishes the French King to quit the Queen 103 Prodigious sights Ibid. Ports stopt 94 Q. Queen offers to go for France 88 Favours Mortimer 89 Pretends a journey of Devotion 91 Embarks for France Ibid. Is Tainted 94 Entertain'd in France 95 Her Address 96 Enticed to return 103 Tells the French King of it Ibid. Advises on the same 104 Joyful at Artois Council 106 Her farewell to France 108 Her welcome to Heynault 109 Jealous of Treachery 113 Embarks at Dort 115 Frighted at Sea 116 Lands at Harwich Ibid. Joyns Lancaster 118 Writes to the Mayor of London 121 Is received into the City Ibid. She goes for Bristol 123 Refuses a Treaty and gives Summons 124 Takes that City 125 Batters the Castle 127 Takes the King Ibid. Sends him to Berkley-Castle 128 Her Cruelty 129 Comes to London 130 Calls a Parliament Ibid. Her Speech to Mortimer 151 Her Expostulation 153 She unwillingly consents to the Kings death 154 S. Scots adhere to Bruce 36 Refuse a Peace 44 Excommunicated Ibid. Over-run the borders 45 Opposed Ibid. Beat A. B. York 46 Invade England and Ireland 82 Are repulst and Bruce slain 83 Seize the Kings Treasure 84 Scotland Invaded by the King 83 Bishop Stapleton Beheaded 121 Sir Walter de Selby Executed 43 Sir Peter Spalden made Governour of Barwick 42 Betrays it to the Scots Ibid. Spencer taken into favour 49 His Policy 51 Commons Charge against him 61 Banished 62 His Son a Pyrate 64 They return 67 Move for Revenge 71 His Advice to the King 86 Bribes the French 99 He is taken at Bristol 125 Executed by the Multitude 126 His Son taken 127 Hanged 130 T. Tresilian Hanged 143 Y. A. B. York opposes the Scots 45 Is beaten by them 46 FINIS Cottoni Posthuma Divers Choice Pieces wherein are discussed several Important Questions concerning the Right and Power of the Lords and Commons in Parliament By the Renowned Antiquary Sir Robert Cotton Baronet London Printed by M. C. for C. Harper and are to be Sold in Fleet-street the Exchange and Westminster * April 25. 1284. †July 1307. Edw. 1's care in educating his Son Banishes Gaveston Gaveston's Original and Character Edw. 1's Dying-Speech to the Prince Barons They swear not to recal Gaveston The young King troubled at his Oath Falls into the height of melancholy The Character and danger of Court-Parasites A Courtiers Speech to the King to recal Gaveston The King sends for Gaveston Acquaints his Council therewith who labour to divert him His angry Reply The Council consent to recal Gaveston Gaveston returns The King flights his Barons They perswade him to marry The King marries and marries Gaveston to Margaret Daughter of Gilb. de Clare Earl of Gloucester by his Wife Joan of Acres Daughter to Edw. I. Creates him Earl of Cornwall And makes him chief Minister of State Gaveston imprisons the Bishop of Chester The Kingdom resent it Lincoln's Speech to the King Gaveston banished the second time and sent into Ireland Again recalled Abuses the King and Kingdom Gaveston banished the third time goes into Flanders Edward of Windsor afterwards Edw. the 3. Born 13 Oct. 1312. Gaveston again returns The Barons take up Arms. Seize Gaveston at Scarborough-Castle and behead him The King's Exclamation on the news vowing revenge Henry Laey Earl of Lincoln dies 1310. His dying-Speech to Tho. Earl of Lancaster his Son-in-Law A Parliament called The Scots adhere to Bruce 1313. The King goes in person against the Scots 1314. The King defeated at Banocksbourn near Striveling Poydras of Exeter pretends himself King and the King a Changling His strange Confession The King goes a second time against the Scots Sir Peter Spalden made Governour of Barwick Who betrays it to the Scots 1318. The Pope sends over two Cardinals to mediate a Peace Who are robbed at Derlington Sir Gilbert de Middleton and Sir Walter de Selby executed for the same Sir Josline Denvile with certain Ruffians infest the North. The Cardinals return The Pope Excommunicates the Scotch King and Kingdom King Edw. besieges Barwick A great Dearth which lasted three years The Scotch over-run the Borders The Arch-Bishop of York opposeth them and is beaten at Milton upon Swale The King leaves Barwick King seeks a new Favorite Spencer taken into favour Spencers policy The Barons incensed Clifford's Speech The Barons take Arms. Mortimer spoils Spencer's Possession The Kings Proclamatition thereon The Barons Message to the King The
Kings Answer The Barons appear with a strong Guard The King's Speech to the Parliament The Commons Charge against Spencer The Spencers banished The Son turns Pirate The Merchants petition the King against him The Kings Answer The King writes to the Lords The Barons Answer The Londoners Petition for Spencers return The Spencers return Sir Barthol Baldsmere's Castle seised The King takes Arms. Seizes the two Mortimers The Barons rise The Barons beaten fly to Pontfrect Valens ' Speech in favour of the Lords The Kings Reply Lancaster beheaded and 22 more Good Policy to maintain a divided Faction in Court and Councel Spencer's Policy A Parliament called They give the King the sixth Peny Prodigious Sights The Scotch invade the English Borders and Ireland Are repulst Their General slain The King invades Scotland The Scotch seize the K. Treasure Earl of Carlile Executed The French King breaks his Peace with England The King adviseth with Spencer Spencer's Answer He adviseth the Queen be sent to France She offers to go She casts a wandering eye on Mortimer Mortimer in the Tower The King will not consent to her going Pretending a Journey of Devotion She embarques for France with Mortimer The King sad at the News Spencer encourageth him The Queen is tainted The Ports are stopt the Navie sent out and Watch and Ward every where The Queen entertain'd in France with seeming gladness The Queens Address The King and his Peers moved at her discourse Spencer eyes the French but fears them not He bribes them King Edward complains to the Pope The Pope admonishes the French King to quit the Queen She is enticed to return into England She tells the French King He shews her the Popes Sentence Perswades her to Peace She relates it to the Bishop Cane and Mortimer Who advise her not to return Mortimer storms The Queen moderates Robert of Artois His Speech Which infinitely joys the Queen Her Farewel to France The Bishop of Exeter forsakes the Queen Is bravely welcomed by the Earl His Brother pities the Queen and promises his Service He makes preparation The Earl condemns his haste His Answer The Queen jealous of Treachery Spencer's Agents frustrated The Queens doubts increasing she importunes the hastning her journey But without need The Queen embarques at Dort She is frighted at Sea She lands at Harwich Marching forward She is refresh'd at St. Hamonds Abbey Lancaster first joyns her The King is despairingly sorrowful his Council startled The King suspects the City of London Betakes himself to Bristow The Queen sends a mandatory Letter to the Mayor of London to keep the City for her and the Prince Bishop Stapleton beheaded by the Multitude The Queen sets out for Bristol Whence a hot Salley upon her A Treaty desired by that City Which being rejected the Queen gives them a peremptory Summons It is yielded Old Spencer Executed The King and young Spencer amaz'd The Queen batters the Castle The King and Spencer betake to a Bark but are beaten back by Weather The Bark seized The King sent to Berkly Castle Spencer insulted over The Queens Cruelty Spencer hanged Arundel the like The Queen comes to London She calls a Parliament They conclude to depose the King The Speaker makes a resignation of Homage reads the Sentence The King answers not a word The young King crowned The Queen and Mortimer bear sway They commit Baldock to Newgate Tresilian Lord Chief-Justice hanged The black Monks impatient of the King's restraint They not only incite the people but make Donhead their Captain Who is clapt by the heels and dies Sir John of Heynault and the rest rewarded They depart the Kingdom The King taken from the Earl of Lancaster delivered to Sir Morrice Berkley and Sir John Matravas They remove him in disguise The King grieved with Indignities His Complaint The King is uncivilly upbraided His Answer The Queen and Mortimer unquiet still Mortimer's ears tingle He tells the Queen the King must die She seems discontented She returns her Answer Mortimer nettled His Reply Mortimer flings away The Queens expostulation She unwillingly consents to the Kings Death The Kings Keepers changed He is removed to Corf Castle He is murdered
Cautions would be useless and to little purpose The pruning of the Branches would improve the Fruit little where the Tree was tainted in the root with so foul a Canker Too well he knew how difficult a thing it was to invert the course of Nature especially being confirm'd by continuance of practice and made habituary by custom yet he leaves no means unattempted being confident that Wedlock or the sad weight of a Crown would in the sense of Honour call him in time off to thoughts more innocent and noble Tenderness of Fatherly affection abus'd somewhat his belief and made him give his disorderly actions the best construction which suggests their progression to flow from heat of Youth want of Experience and the wickedness of those that fed him with so base impressions which with all those sweet and milde intreaties that spring from the heart of an essential love he strives to reclaim intermixing withal as great a paternal severity as might properly sute the condition of a judicious Father and the dignity of the Heir apparent of so great and glorious a Kingdom And to make him more apt and fit to receive and follow his instructions he takes from him those tainted humours of his Leprosie that seduced the easiness of his nature and mis-led his unripe knowledge too green to master such sweet and bewitching temptations Gaveston his Ganymede a man as base in Birth as in Condition he commandeth to perpetual Exile This Syren as some write came out of Gascoign but the Author whom I most credit and follow speaks him an Italian not guilty of any drop of Noble blood neither could he from the height of his Hereditary hope challenge more than a bare ability to live yet his thoughts were above measure ambitious and aspiring and his confidence far greater than became his Birthright Nature in his outward parts had curiously exprest her workmanship giving him in shape and Beauty so perfect an excellence that the most curious eye could not discover any manifest errour unless it were in his Sex alone since he had too much for a man and Perfection enough to have equal'd the fairest Female splendour that breath'd within the Confines of this Kingdom Though in the abilities of the Brain he were short of a deep and solid Knowledge yet he had Understanding enough to manage his ways to their best advantage having a smooth Tongue an humble Look and a winning Behaviour which he could at all times fashion and vary according to the condition of time and circumstance for the most advantage The youthful Prince having fixed his wandring eye upon this pleasing Object and finding his amorous Glances entertained with so gentle and well-becoming a modesty begins dearly to cherish the growing Affections of this new Forraign Acquaintance who applies himself wholly to win him to a deeper Engagement A short passage of time had so cemented their hearts that they seem'd to beat with one and the self-same motion so that the one seem'd without the other like a Body without a Soul or a Shadow without a Substance Gaveston the more to assure so gracious a Master strives to fit his humour leaving his Honour to his own protection seconding his wanton disposition with all those bewitching Vanities of licentious and unbridled Youth which in short time by the frequencie of practice begets such a confidence that they fall from that reserved secrecy which should shadow actions so unworthy professing freely a debaucht and dissolute kind of behaviour to the shame and sorrow of the grieved King and Kingdom This hastened on the Sentence of his Banishment that thought himself then most secure in the assurance of the Princes favour The melancholy apparitions of their parting gave the world a firm belief that this inchanting Mountebank had in the Cabinet of his Masters heart too dear a room and being The King knowing such impressions are easily won but hardly lost strives to take him off by degrees and labours to make him wave the memory of that dotage which with a divining Spirit he foresaw in time would be his ruine But death overtakes him before he could bring this so good a Work to full perfection The time was come that exacts the Tribute of Nature commanding him to resigne both his Estate and Kingdom When he felt those cold fore-running Harbingers of his nearly-approaching End he thus intreats his Son and Lords whose watry eyes ingirt his glorious Death-bed Edward the time draws near that callsâ— me to my Grave you to enjoy this Kingdom If you prove good with happiness 't is yours and you will so preserve it if otherwise my Pains and Glory will be your Dishonour To be a King it is the gift of Nature and Fortune makes him so that is by Conquest but Royal Goodness is the gift of Heaven that blesseth Crowns with an Immortal Glory Believe not vainly that so great a Calling is given to man to warrant his disorder It is a Blessing yet a weighty Burthen which if abused breaks his back that bears it Your former Errours now continued are no more yours they are the Kings which will betray the Kingdom The Soveraigns Vice begets the Subjects Errour who practise good or ill by his Example Can you in Justice punish them for that whereof your self are guilty But you perhaps may think your self exempt that are above the Law Alas mistake not there are Injunctions higher far than are your own will crave a Reckoning To be belov'd secures a sweet Obedience but fear betrays the heart of true Subjection and makes your People yours but by Compulsion Majestick thoughts like Elemental fire should tend still upwards when they sink lower than their Sphere they win Contempt and Hatred Advance and cherish those of ancient Bloud and Greatness Vpstarts are rais'd with Envy kept with Danger You must preserve a well-respected distance as far from Pride as from too loose a Baseness Master your Passions with a noble temper such Triumphs makes the Victor conquer others See here the Ruines of a dying Scepter that once was as you are a youthful Blossom I had not liv'd to see this snowy Winter but that I weau'd my heart from vain Temptations my Judgment not my Eye did steer my Compass which gave my Youth this Age that ends in Glory I will not say you too too long have wander'd though my sad heart hath droopt to see your Errour The time now fitly calls you home embrace it for this advantage lost is after hopeless Your First-fruit must make good your Worth if that miscarry you wound your Subjects Hopes and your own Glory Those wanton Pleasures of wild Youth unmaster'd may no more touch the verge of your affections The Royal Actions must be grave and steady since lesser Lights are fed by their Example so great a Glory must be pure transparent that hand to hand encounters Time and Envy Cast off your former Consorts if they sway you such an unnoble
President will shake your Peace and wound your Honour Your wanton Minion I so lately banisht call you not back I charge you on my Blessing for his return will hasten your destruction Such Cankers may not taste your ear or favour but in a modest and chast proportion Let true-born Greatness manage great Employments they are most fit that have a native goodness Mushroms in State that are preferr'd by dotage open the Gap to Hate and Civil Tumult You cannot justly blame the Great ones Murmur if they command that are scarce fit to serve them such sudden leaps must break his neck that ventures and shake that Crown which gives his Wings their motion And you my Lords that witness this last Summons you in whose Loyal hearts your Soveraign flourisht continue still a sweet and vertuous Concord temper the heat of my youthful Successor that he may prove as good as great in Title Maintain the Sentence was by me pronounced keep still that Viper hence that harbours mischief if he return I fear 't will be your Ruine It is my last Request I dying make it which I do firmly hope you will not blemish I would say more but ah my Spirits fail me With this he fainting swoons at length recovers and sadly silent longs to hear their Answer His weeping Son and heavy drooping Barons do mutually protest a strict Observance and vow to keep with truth this grave Injunction His jealous Spirit is not yet contented until they binde it with an Oath and swear performance Scarce was it ended when he mildly leaves the world more confident than he had cause as a short passage of time made plain and evident Dead mens Prescriptions seldom tie the living where Conscience awes not those that are intrusted Mortui non mordent which gives to humane frailty a seeming uncontrouled power of such Injustice To trust to Vows or Oaths is equal hazard he that will wound his Soul with one can wave the other If Vertue Goodness and Religion tye not a Death-bed Charge and solemn Oaths are fruitless Here you may see it instanc'd This great King as wise as fortunate living had the Obedience of a Father and a Soveraign who scarcely cold in his Mother Earth was soon lost in the memory both of Son and Subject His Funeral-tears the fruits of form rather than truth newly dryed up and his Ceremonial Rites ended his Heir assumes the Crown and Scepter while all mens eyes were fixed to behold the first Virgin-works of his Greatness so many glorious and brave victorious Conquests having given this Warlike Nation life and spirit fit for present Action The youthful King being in the bravery of his years won a belief in the active Souldier that so apt a Scholar as he had shew'd himself in the Art Military during the Scotish Wars would handsel the Maiden-head of his Crown with some Out-ringing Larum that might waken the Neighbour-Provinces and make them know his Power But his inglorious Aims were bent another way neither to settle his own or conquer others He had within his breast an unnatural Civil War which gains the first preheminence in his Resolution His care is to quiet these in a Course wholly unjust and most unworthy his proper goodness Seeing himself now free and absolute he thinks it not enough unless his Will as well as his Power were equally obey'd Being a Son and a Subject his Conformity had witness'd his Obedience being now a Soveraign and a King he expects a Correspondence of the self-same nature The sad Restrictions of his dying Father so contrarious to his aims trouble his unquiet thoughts where the Idea of his absent love did hold so firm a footing With ease he can dispence with his own engagement but fears the Lords whom he conceits too firmly fixt to waver He dares not Communicate the depth of his Resolution being a secret of too great weight to be divulged he thinks intreaty an act too much beneath him and to attempt at random full of hazard In these his restless passions he out-runs the Honey-month of his Empire looking asquint upon the necessary Actions of State that requir'd his more vigilant care and foresight This kind of reclus'd behaviour makes him unpleasant to his Lords and nothing plausible to the inferiour sort of Subjects who expect the beginning Acts of a Crown to be affable and gracious which wins ground by degrees on vulgar Affections making the way sure to a willing Obedience But he esteems this as a work of Supererogation believing the bare Tye of Duty was enough without confirmation all his thoughts are entirely fixt upon his Gaveston without him he cannot be yet how to get him handsomly without a Scar is quite without his knowledge He concludes it in his secret Revolutions too great an Injustice that confines the King from the free use and possession of his nearest and dearest Affection and cannot imagine it to be reason that his private Appetite should subscribe to publick necessity In these kind of imaginary Disputations he brings himself to the height of such an inward agitation that he falls into a sad retired Melancholy while all men as they justly might wonder'd but few did know the reason Amongst these a Page of his Chamber one that had an oyly tongue a fit instrument for such a Physician adventures the care of this diseased Passion This green States-man with a fore-right look strives rather to please than to advise caring not what succeeds so he may make it the Stair of his Preferment The Court-corruption ingenders a world of these Caterpillers that to work their own ends value not at one blow to hazard both the King and Kingdom The Errour is not so properly theirs as their Masters who do countenance and advance such Sycophants leaving the integrity of hearts more honest that would sacrifice themselves in his Service in the true way of Honour wholly contemn'd and neglected which hath begotten so many desperate Convulsions that have as we may finde in our own Stories deposed divers glorious Kings from their proper Dignity and lawful Inheritance There are too many frequent Examples what mischief such Parasitical Minions have wrought to those several States they liv'd in and certainly such Revolutions succeed by a necessary and inevitable Justice for where the Royal Ear is so guided there ensues a general Subversion of all Law and Goodness as you may behold here evidently in this unfortunate King who willingly entertains this fawning Orator that thus presents his Counsel Are you a King Great Sir and yet a Subject can you Command and yet must yield Obedience Then leave your Scepter The Law of Nature gives the poorest their Affections are you restrained It is your own Injustice that makes your Will admit this separation if you command who dares controul your Actions which ought to be obeyed and not disputed Say that your wayward Lords do frown or murmur will you for this forbear your
own Contentment One rough Majestick glaunce will charm their anger Admit great Edward did command Obedience he then was King your Sovereign and your Father he now is dead and you enjoy his Power will you yet still obey and serve his shadow His Vigour dull'd with Age could not give Laws to suit your Youth and Spirit nor is it proper that the Regal Power be made a stranger to his own Contentment or be debarr'd from inward Peace and Quiet Did you but truely know what 't is to be a Monarch you 'ld be so to your self as well as others What do you fear or what is it restrains you A seeming Danger more in shew than substance Wise men that finde their aims confin'd to hazard secure the worst before they give them action You have a Kingdoms Power to back a Will to guide it Can private fear suggest to shake it Alas they cannot if your self were constant Who dares oppose if you command Obedience I deny not if you be faint or stagger you may be crost and curb'd by that advantage that gives their moving-heart shew of Justice You understand your self and feel your Passions if they be such as will not brook denial why do you dally or delay to right them The more you paise your doubts the more they double and make things worse than they or are or can be appearing like your self these clouds will vanish and then you 'll see and know your proper errour Will you vouchsafe my trust I 'll fetch him hither whose absence gives you such a sad distraction You may the while secure his entertainment with such a strength may warrant your proceedings 'T were madness to ask leave to act Transgressions where Pardon may be had when they are acted If you do seek consent from your great Barons they 'll dare deny which is nor fault nor Treason and in that act you foil your hopes and action which gives their opposition shew of Justice But 't is in vain to plead the grounds of Reason since 't is your Will must give the resolution If that be fixt there needs no more disputing but such as best may bring it to perfection When this smooth Physician had prescribed so fit a Balsamum for so foul a Wound the King seems infinitely pleased in his relation he had hit his desires in the Master-vein and struck his former Jealousie between wind and water so that it sunk in the instant his love-sick Heart became more free and frolick which sudden mutation begat as great a wonder The Operations of the Fancy transport sometimes our Imagination to believe an actual possession of those things we most desire and hope for which gives such a life to the dejected Spirits of the Body that in the instant they seem cloathed in a new Habit. Such was the condition of this wanton King that in this bare overture conceits the fruition of his beloved Damon and apprehends this Golden Dream to be an essential part of his fantastique Happiness He heaps a world of promises and thanks on the Relator letting him know he waits but a fitting opportunity to give this project life and action It is a politique part of Court-wisdome to insinuate and lay hold of all the befitting opportunities that may claw the Prince's humour that is naturally vain-glorious or vicious there is not a more ready and certain way of advancement if it do shake hands with Modesty and appear with an undaunted impudent boldness He that will be a Courtier and contains himself within the modest temperance of pure Honesty and not intrude himself before he be called may like a Sea-mark serve to teach other men to steer their Course while he himself sticks fast unmoved unpitied All the Abilities of Nature Art Education are useless if they be tyed to the links of Honesty which hath little or no society in the Rules of State or Pleasure which as they are unlimited walk in the by-way from all that is good or vertuous If this Butterfly had truly laid before his unhappy Master what it had been to break the Injunctions of a dying Father to falsifie such Vows and Oaths so solemnly sworn and to irritate the greatest Peers of the Kingdom with so unworthy an action which had been the Duty of a Servant of his Masters Honour truely careful he had felt the Reward of such plain dealing either with Scorn Contempt or Passion whose flattering falsehood wins him special Grace and Favour and gains the title of an able Agent Some few days pass which seem'd o're long before the King exacts a second tryal In the interim to take away all jealousie he enters into the business of the Kingdom and with a seeming serious care surveys each passage and not so much as sighs or names his Gavaston doubting if in his way he were discovered there might be some cross-work might blast his project He knew how easie 't was if once suspected to take away the Cause might breed a difference What could so poor a stranger do that might protect him against or publick Force or private Mischief either of which he knew would be attempted before the Lords would suffer his reprisal When all was whisht and quiet and all mens eyes were fixed upon the present he calls his trusty Roger to his private presence and after some Instructions throws him his Purse and bids him haste he knew his Errand The wily Servant knows his Masters meaning and leaves the Court pretending just occasion proud of imployment posting on his Journey The King having thus far gone must now go onward he knew that long it could not be concealed such actions cannot rest in sleepy silence which made him think it fit to be the first Reporter This makes him send and call his Council who soon are ready and attend his Summons where he makes known the fury of his Passions and tells the way that he had taken to ease them So strange an act begets as great a wonder they unà voce labour to divert him and humbly plead his Fathers last Injunction to which their Faiths were tyed by deep Engagement They urge the Law that could not be dispens'd with without a publick breach of his prescription They speak the Vows and Oaths they all had taken which in consenting would make them false and perjur'd This working nothing they entreat him he would a while adjourn his resolution time might happily finde out a way might give him content and yet might save their Honours His jealous fear suspects this modest answer a temporizing must increase his sorrow while they so warned might work a sure prevention Being thus at plunge he strives to make it sure and win his Will or loose his Jurisdiction Though he were naturally of a suspicious and timerous Nature yet seeing now the interest of his Power at stake on the success of this Overture he lays aside his effeminate disposition and with angry Brow and stern Majesty doth thus discourse
for private Passion He is your Sovereign you must so obey him unless the Cause be just enforc'd your moving If he himself do swerve or raise combustion the Kingdoms good must give your Arms their warrant short time will let you know your own condition however do not trust the sleepy Lion I knew his ways and could as well forestal them but now I must resigne it to your wisdom Of this be sure remember my Prediction if he relapse and make a new Vice-gerent which shall leap o're your heads and you endure it The King You or the Kingdom must perish My wearied Soul would fain embrace his freedom and now my Spirits yield to Death and Nature Commend me to my noble Friends and Fellows and say Old Lincoln liv'd and died their Servant Lancaster whose noble heart was before-hand season'd receives willingly these grave Instructions and like a good Steward locks them up in the closet of his heart till time call'd upon him to give them life and action and yet he suffers not this goodly Tree to fall before assured He vows observance and as truely keeps it but erring in the time it wrought his Downfal Beginning Evils are easily supprest which grown to strength if cleans'd are cur'd with danger Twigs may be broken younger Plants removed but if once they grow Trees their Fall is fatal Things standing thus and all mens minds in suspence what would be the issue between the enraged King and jealous Lords the indifferent friends of either Party that fear'd this unkinde Division would shake the Peace and Tranquillity of the Kingdom propounded divers Overtures of reconcilement which are neither readily accepted nor absolutely refused The Kings Meditations were more fixed on Revenge than Conference yet seeing into the Quality of the time and into the suspected Affections of the Kingdom is won at length to admit of a Treaty The Barons truely rellishing the Tickle-terms they stood on which were pinn'd to the mutability of popular Faction were not estranged from the thoughts of Peace though they would not seek it Intercession and importunacy of the Mediators brings it at length to the upshot where there was such an inveterate spleen and so great an antipathy in Wills it is not thought fit to hazard this great Work on a private discussion where Recapitulations of old Wrongs or the apprehension of new Indignities might shake the Foundation The High Court of Parliament the gravest Senate of the Kingdom that had an over-ruling Power to limit the King and command the Subject is deemed the most Honourable place of this Enterview where a business of so great weight would be gravely discours'd which might assure the end and make it more authentical Whereupon it is immediately call'd and in short space assembled at London where after many interchangeable Expostulations diversly handled by the pregnant Wits and nimble Tongues of either Party a settled Agreement is concluded and many excellent Laws are enacted which both the King and Peers are sworn to maintain and keep inviolate By these discreet means the violence of this great Fire is rak'd up in the Embers which in after-times breaks out with greater rage and fury whatsoever the hidden Resolutions were the Kingdom now seem'd in a fair way to settle Peace and Quiet But a new and unexpected Accident varies this Conceit before it was cold and calls them from private Actions to maintain the Honour and Revenue of the Kingdom Edward the First that brave and valiant Monarch had thrice with his victorious Arms run through the Bowels of Scotland and brought that stubborn Nation that deny'd him Fealty and Homage into an absolute Subjection Their last precedent King Robert le Bruce had tryed the height of his fortune and with a fruitless opposition won no more than the loss of his Kingdom and his own Expulsion The Conqueror finding himself quitted of this Obstacle takes upon him the Regiment of this Kingdom with a double string to his Bow the one of antient Title the other of Conquest The Nobility of Scotland and all the inferiour Ministers of State seeing the great Effusion of Bloud spent in this Quarrel which continued seemed to threaten a general devastation of their Country submit themselves to the English Government and are all solemnly sworn to obey it Edward thus in possession confirms it by seizing the property of all the Royal Jurisdiction into his own hand removing such Officers as were not agreeable to his will and liking and giving many goodly Estates and Dignities to divers of his faithful Servants that had valiantly behaved themselves in this Service The Form of Government by him established was peaceably obey'd and continued during his Life neither was it questioned in the beginning Government of his unhappy Successor But the wary Scots more naturally addicted to a Phoenix of their own Nation seeing into the present dissentions and disorders of the Kingdom thought it now a fit time to revolt to their old Master who like a crafty Fox harbours himself under the French Kings protection the antient receptacle and Patron for that Nation No sooner is he advertised that the gate was open and unguarded and that his well-affected Subjects wished his return but back he comes and is received with a full applause and welcome All Oaths Obligements and Courtesies of the English are quite cancell'd and forgotten and this long-lost Lion is again re-invested in the Royal Dignity As-soon as he had moor'd himself in a domestique assurance he then like a provident Watchman begins to raise a strength that might oppose all forreign Invasion which he foresaw would thunder from the Borders This Martial Preparation flyes swiftly to the King and Council of England where it appears like a great Body upon a pair of Stilts more in bulk than the proportion of the strength that bare it The Pillars of the State which wisely foresaw how great an inconvenience it would be to suffer such a Member to be dissever'd that in the contestation with France would make the War a Mattachine or Song of three parts perswade their Sovereign it was not proper for his Greatness to suffer such an unworthy subversion of his Fathers Constitutions and to loose the advantage of so fair a part of his Revenue Edward that had outslept his native glory had yet a just compunction of this dishonour which seem'd to rob him of a portion of his Inheritance purchased at too dear a value He lays by his private rancour and settles himself to suppress this sudden and unlookt-for Commotion waking from that sensual Dream which had given him so large a cause of Sorrow Scarcely would he give his intentions such an intermission as might attend the levy of his Army which he had summoned to be ready with all speed and expedition The jealous Lords startled with this Alarum conceiting it but some trick of State to catch them napping they suspect these Forces under pretence of publick action might be prepared to
had trod upon his foot that well he knew the danger The King's intentions known brings him together all the remaining bravery of the Kingdom they knew that there was Money store to pay the Souldier which gives him life to fight and seek occasion The cream of all this strength must guard his Person the other fill the Rere and make the Vantguard with these he marcheth forward and invadeth Scotland making that Nation justly fear the sequel But whether it were the Infidelity of those about him the Will of him that is the Guide of Battles or the proper destiny of this unfortunate King this great Preparation produced no effect answerable to the general expectation he is enforc'd to retire without doing any one act worthy his Memory or the greatness of such an Expedition The wary Scots that had kept themselves in their Strengths and places of Advantage seeing the Storm almost past follow aloof off and in a watch'd opportunity set upon the tail of his Army surprizing all his Stuff and Treasure This loss sends him home to entertain a defensive War which came from the Coast he least expected whether justly or to transfer the guilt of his own unhappiness upon the treachery or falshood of another The new-made Earl of Carlile is accused condemned and put to a shameful execution The grounds against him were probable not certain howsoever he was believed to have attempted like Judas the sale of his Master which must be taken a sole motive of the inglorious retreat of this so brave an Army The principal reason that may lead us to the opinion that he was guilty may be taken from the solemnity of his Tryal and the severity of the Sentence which upon so grave and full a hearing depriv'd him both of Life and Honour in a ceremonious way whereof till this there appears no former president His old friend Spencer whose ends he had faithfully served left him at plunge being as it seems well content now he had as he thought rooted his own greatness to be free of his Ambition which he fear'd might rather supplant than support it A common course of such as rise by their own or other mens corruption they love a while their props but after fear them when with some Dog-trick they pick some fain'd occasion private or publick for to send them packing If you survey it well it stands with reason for such as to serve their ends would act in baseness in the least change may do so for another that in appearance must succeed his fortune besides where the reward seems shorter than the merit fills one with grief the other with suspition which two can never long hold correspondence and Kings themselves that do abet the Treason do seldome love but always fear the Traytour But now old quarrels sleep here comes a new one that usher'd on the way to Edwards ruine The French King Lewis being dead John next succeeds him a Prince youthful and hot full ripe for action He privately informed of the ill usage of his Sister and that the King was wholly led by his proud Minion whose actions witness'd he was ill-affected to hold firm Peace but with his own conditions thinks it fit time to break the League which had so weak assurance On this he makes an attempt upon the Frontiers of Guien and sends a solemn Message he would no more continue Peace with England Edward that had not yet digested his Scotish Pills was much displeased to hear so curst a Declaration from a Brother Spencer the spring that gave this difference motion did little dream it would be his destruction he wisht these Princes might fall out and quarrel but yet not so that it should come to action He deem'd it not amiss his Soveraign Master should hear of War from France but not to feel it The French were of another minde they saw us beaten and discontent within our selves full of confusion which gave them hope the time would fitly serve them to reunite this Piece to her first Honour Thus Kings play fast and loose with their advantage affinity and Oaths are weak restrictions where Profit holds the Plough Ambition drives it Edward piercing narrowly into the danger taxeth bitterly the infidelity of his Brother and begins to examine his own condition whereby he might accordingly order his affairs either to entertain the War or embrace Peace the hopes whereof were not yet desperate He findes himself in the affections of his own fear'd and hated his Coffers emptied by the Scotish surprizal and the sinews of his late Parliamentary supplying shrunk in his Provision and prodigality a second supply unless conditional was doubtful the Kingdom was grown too wise to be again anticipated in election and lastly he calls to minde the severity of that misfortune that waited so his Military actions that the subjects were diffident of success where he was either General or a party In this distraction while he remains irresolute he seeks the advice of his Cabinet Councel the Closet of his secrets he thinks him alone worthy to communicate the depth of his misery and to give the resolution Spencer that had his underhand aims out of a virtuous modesty appears not till he is call'd which succeeding as he knew out of course and necessity it must pleads his own disability in an affair so great and weighty desiring his Majesty that his Father and the Chancellour might be admitted into this deliberation whose maturity of years and ripeness in knowledg might be rely'd on with more assurance The reason of this reply in shew full of wisdom and care had a Plot with two faces like the old description of Janus the one lookt upon his father and faithful Friend whom by this means he thought to advance in credit the other was more to countenance his own particular which had a part to play that must be as he thought his Master-piece No word of his sounds harshly nor sound contradiction in his Soveraigns ear who made his tongue a guide to lead his actions they are freely admited and fall to consultation where the condition of the present affairs is fully open'd and sundry propositions made to reconcile them but these all prove defective in some material point or other that according to the pack Spencer might hit the nail on the head and by their applause make his project more solid and authentical Ever since the breach that hapned between him and the Queen concerning Mortimer there had been a strong heart-burning and many distastful expressions of the ill inclination she bare him He knew her to be a Woman of a strong Brain and stout Stomack apt on all occasions to trip up his heels if once she found him reeling and was not without some discreet suspicion that she was as well contriving inward practice as she had been closely forward in the instigation of her Brother To make her sure and to pare her nails before she
you will be fixt on God's Name venture I 'll help you what I can I 'll be no Party True Valour dwells not with an overdaring but lives with those that fight by just discretion where there is Hope at least if not Advantage Could you but credit the beginning that in reason the world might think it had a touch of Judgment I must confess I should approve your Valour but you can only countenance your first motion with confidence beyond the Moon or Planets Then leave betimes before you be engaged which after must much more impair your Honour We 'll both assist her with our Purse and Forces yet do it so the quarrel seem not ours Sir John with a quiet and attentive patience hears out his Brother knowing his admonitions sprung from an honest Heart and grave Experience yet thinks rob'd by Age of youthful Vigour from which belief he draws this sudden Answer Sir If all the world forsake this Noble Lady my single arm alone shall fight her quarrel I have engag'd my Faith and will preserve it or leave my Bones within the Bed of Honour No After-age shall taint me with such baseness I gave a Queen my Vows and after broke them Such presidents as these we seldom meet with nor should they be so slenderly regarded The Mother and her Son the Heir apparent of such a Kingdom plead in Justice Pity Nor shall She basely be by me forsaken Reasons of State I know not your own Nature do take you off from such a glorious Action which your own Vertue tells you is full of Goodness Then sit you still cry ayme I 'll do the business Inglorious France may shame in his refusal nor will I follow such a strain of baseness Although no Sister 't is a Queen that seeks it a Queen that justly merits Love and Pity I have some Followers Means and some Friends and State to stick too I 'll pawn them all ere she shall be forsaken I know I can in safety bring her thither and she hath there her Friends will bid her welcome That King hath lost his Subjects hearts grown sore with grievance his Minions hatred will be our advantage Admit the worst her expectations fail her we then can make retreat without dishonour But Edward then may chance revenge the quarrel we have those pawns will make our own Conditions the King in the remainder being ours they 'll buy our Peace and not incense our Anger I 'll not deny 't is good to weigh the hazard but he that fears each danger shall do nothing since every humane Action hath Suspicion I am resolv'd your Love shall still command me yet give me leave to be mine own elector I canot blaunch this act which I am tyed to without the taint of shame and foul dishonour which I will rather dye than once consent to although your self and all the world perswade me These words spoken so full home with such a brave resolution stopt all reply and farther contradiction The Queen who had already a French and an Italian trick was jealous lest she here should taste a Flemish one The Earl's Speech had given her a doubtful belief that he had been tamper'd withal seeing his first temper so much cooled She knew well enough if Money could prevail it would be tender'd freely and she must then be bought and sold to mischief Many of her Domestick Spies were here attending as she well knew and saw to work her ruine Spencer 't is true had sent his Agents hither with like Instructions and their Bills of lading but here they finde their pains and labour fruitless The Earl was himself not led by Counsel and had a heart of steel against corruption though he was loath to back alone this quarrel which did proceed from Want not Will to help her yet he abhorr'd the very thought of selling his Fame and Honour by so foul Injustice Yet those that had the charge were not so hopeless but that a little time might hap to work it As all Courts have his had a kinde of people and these were great ones too that boldly warrant and undertake to undermine their Master which dayly fed them more and more with Money while they give only words instead of payment The Briber trades but on poor advantage that buys but Hope and that at best uncertain which often fails although 't is dearly purchas'd And reason good since this may be a Maxime Corrupted mindes that to do the actions of Injustice will prejudice the Soul and Conscience by the contracting of a wicked enterprise for gain or lucre will never refuse in hope of a greater advantage to sell themselves to a second mischief But now the Queens doubts increasing and her longing grown to the height of her expectation she is enforced with more importunity to hasten on the advancement of her Journey she makes her winning looks the handmaids of her Hopes express their best ability more to enflame the heart of her Protector But alas these motives need not ambition of Glory the natural operations of Pitie and the honest care of his engagement had made him so truely hers and careful of this designe that he leaves no means or opportunity unattempted that might set it forward Already had he gotten together Three hundred well-resolved Gallants that vow to live and dye in this fair Quarrel Here was the body of this preparation the pillar that this Enterprize must stick to Confidence is certainly in the actions of this nature a singular Vertue and can work Wonders else we cannot but believe this little Army scarce strong enough to conquer such a Kingdom The Queens hopes must in reason have been very desperate if her Domestick expectation had not been greater than her forreign Levy But more could not be had without some doubt more hazard and a longer protraction and these are believed sufficient to try their fortune if not to master it They stay not therefore to attend the gaining of a multitude which might at their arrival rather beget suspicion than win assistance If the intelligence kept touch they were sure of Men enough and they had Leaders Spencer 's purloyning Brokers seeing the flood coming which yet would as they thought at best prove but a Neap-tide since they fail'd in the deepest Mystery of their employment for here was room for no corruption resolve yet not to make their labour altogether fruitless but to give their great Master a true touch of their willingness and ability the remainder of that Money which fell short in the Master-piece they employ to gain a true and full understanding of the height and quality of this Army and principally to what part it was directed Gold that makes all things easie fails not in this his forcible Operation which brings unto them the informatiâ—n of the Men Arms and number with the quality oâ— the Navy that was to waft them and the very Haven intended for their place
that Grievance which had abus'd the King and robb'd the Kingdom condemn'd by his own Actors as a motive in Justice fit to be reform'd and punish'd Lastly the purchase gain'd by such corruption as sold Promotions Places Justice Honour yields no assistance but doth prove a burden which bruis'd the hearts and thoughts of them that bare it Affliction fittest Physick sole Commandress for all diseased Minds polluted Bodies when she doth sharply touch the sense of our transgressions begets a Sorrow and a sad Repentance making us know our selves and our own weakness which were meer strangers to our own Conditions This she effects in all though full Repentance be a work proper to a true Contrition which by amendment makes her Power more perfect A Minde that 's prepossest by Custome hardned with a resolved Will that acts Injustice observes the first part of her Precepts sadly sorry yet 't is not for his actions but those errours laid him open to so curst a tryal The point of Satisfaction or Amendment it thinks too deep a ransome hard a sentence which easeth not but addes to his misfortune If here might end the end of mans Creation this had some colour for such crafty Wisdome but where Eternity of Bliss or Torment doth wait upon the Soul that leaves the Body a prey to Death and to a base Corruption it is an act of madness to betray it with humane Policy without Religion Actions of goodness must be truely acted not sacrificing part but all the Offering observing every point that is requir'd to make up a Repentance full and perfect This Lesson is too hard for those great Babies that suck the milk of Greatness not Religion The Fundamental part being fixt to get unjustly believes a restitution more improper which makes their cares and former labours fruitless and in an instant blights an age of gleanings These be the Meditations of a Statesman grown plump and fat from other mens Oppressions they live in doubtful pleasures dye in terrour what follows after they do feel for ever Our Councellors though they were deeply toucht with cause had yet no leasure but to deliberate their proper safety which findes a poor protection dull and hopeless Their Enemies rejoyce their Friends turn craven and all forsake the pit before the battle Necessity that treads upon their heels admits no respite they must resolve to fight or flye or suffer This makes them chuse that course which seem'd most hopeful to temporize which might beget advantage the fury of this storm in time would lessen the giddy motions of the Vulgar seldome lasted which throng to all that tends to Innovation A Kings distress once truely known would win him succour since those which break his peace not seek his ruine With these vain hopes he seeks to guard the City and make the Tower strong of all Provision knowing that he which hath but London sure though all the rest be lost may yet recover But Edward will not hear to keep the City their multitude he fear'd would first betray him He knew they were a crew of weaker Spirits for fear would sell their fathers or for profit they never sift the Justice or the quarrel but still adhere and stick to him that 's strongest had he still kept this Hold and took the Tower but with the strength he had and might have levied he then had bridled up the wavering City and kept his Adversaries at a bay too long and doubtful for their affairs which were but yet uncertain The guard of this place he commends to Stapleton Bishop of Exeter This Charge did not properly suit with his profession unless 't were thought his tongue could charm Obedience but he already had been false betray'd his Mistriss and with more reason might be now suspected It seems they had no choice and strong presumptions the City would not long remain obedient if so the fact was worse and more unworthy to leave so good a friend in such a hazard The King with Arundel and both the Spencers with small attendance get them hence to Bristow His Army was much less in his own Kingdom than those the Queen had rais'd by forreign pity This Town was strong and able well provided and had a Haven whence in occasion they might venture further But yet the King might have the same suspicion which made him leave and quit the strength of London Arundel and Winchester do undertake the City Edward and Bristow would make good the Castle here was the refuge they resolve to stick to which in the Citizens assurance seem'd defensive The Queen understanding the Royal Chamber was forsaken and left to the custody of the Bishop her old Servant that had given her the slip in her Travels quickly apprehends the advantage addressing a fair but mandatory Letter from her self and her Son to Chickwell then Lord Mayor to charge him so to reserve and keep the City to their use as he expected favour or would answer the contrary at his peril Upon the receipt of this Letter he assembles the Common-Council and by a cunning-couch'd Oration the Recorder makes known the Contents which is no sooner understood but the general Cry that observ'd the Tide turning proclaim it reason to embrace the Queens Party who was so strongly provided to reform the Disorders of the Kingdom Stapleton having gotten the knowledge of this passage sends to the Mayor for the keys of the Gates for the Kings assurance and his proper safety who being incens'd with the affront of this inconsiderate Bishop apprehends him and delivers him to the fury of the enraged multitude who neither respecting the Gravity of his Years or the Dignity of his Profession strike off his Head without either Arraignment Tryal or Condemnation This brain-sick and heady act had too far engag'd them to reconcile them they must now either adhere solely to the Queen or to taste a bitter Penance The King had an ill Memory in point of desert but the actions of so unjust a Disorder he kept registred in brass until he gain'd the opportunity of Revenge then he never fail'd it It was a mad part on so poor an occasion to act so bloody a Tragedy which took away all hope of Reconciliation if the Wheel had turned However the squares had went they were upon terms good enough so long as they contain'd themselves in any temperate condition But this was a way which incens'd the one part and not assur'd the other But the actions of this same heady monster Multitude never examine the Justice or the dependance but are led by Passion and Opinion which in fury leaves no Disorder unacted and no Villany unattempted But certainly this was a meer cunning practice of the Mayor who being underhand made sure to the adverse Party resolv'd to make it of a double use the one to help on the opinion of his devotion to the Queen in the punishment of him that betraid her the other by this action to
seems was his Crafts-master that this place was to him both fatal and ominous 'T was ill in him to seek by such ill and unlawful means the knowledge of that which being known did but augment his sorrow Whatsoever the cause was his arrival here makes him deeply heavy sad and melancholy his Keepers to repel this humour and to take him off from all fear and suspicion feed him with new hopes and pleasant discourse improving his former entertainment both in his Diet and Attendance while his misgiving spirit suspects the issue Though he would fain have fashion'd his belief to give them credit yet he had such a dull cloud about his heart it could receive no comfort The fatal Night in which he suffer'd shipwrack he eats a hearty Supper but stays not to disgest it immediately he goes to Bed with sorrow heavy assoon he takes his Rest and sleeps securely not dreaming of his end so near approaching Midnight the Patron of this horrid Murder being newly come this Crew of perjur'd Traitors steal softly to his Chamber finding him in a sweet and quiet Sleep taking away his Life in that advantage The Historians of these Times differ both in the time place and manner of his Death yet all agree that he was foully and inhumanly murther'd yet so that there was no visible or apparent signe which way 't was acted A small tract of time discovers the Actors and shews evidently that it was done by an extremity of Violence they long escape not though Mortimer's greatness for the present time keep them both from question and puishment yet by the Divine Justice they all meet with a miserable and unpitied Death and the Master-work-man himself in a few years after suffered an ignominious Execution The Queen who was guilty but in circumstance and but an accessory to the Intention not the Fact tasted with a bitter time of Repentance what it was but to be quoted in the Margent of such a Story the several relations so variously exprest of their Confessions that were the Actors and Consenters to this deed differ so mainly that it may be better past over in silence than so much as touch'd especially since if it were in that cruel manner as is by the major part agreed on it was one of the most inhumane and barbarous acts that ever fell within the expression of all our English Stories fitter rather to be pass'd over in silence than to be discours'd since it both dishonoureth our Nation and is in the Example so dangerous It seems Mortimer was yet a Novice to Spencer's Art of that same Italian trick of Poysoning which questionless had wrought this work as surely with a less noise and fewer agents It had been happy if such a Villany had never gain'd knowledge or imitation in the World since it came to be entertain'd as a necessary servant of State no man that runs in opposition or stands in the way of Greatness is almost secure in his own house or among his Friends or Servants I would to God we had not fresh in our Memory so many bleeding Examples or that this Diabolical Practice might stop his career with the Mischief it hath already done But so long as the close conveyance is deemed a Politick Vertue and the Instruments by Power and Favour are protected what can be expected but that in short time it must fall under the compass of a Trade or Mystery as fit for private Murtherers as Statesmen But leaving the professors of this execrable practice to their deserts and that guilt which still torments them Thus fell that unfortunate King Edward the Second who by the course of Age and Nature might have out-run many years had not his own Disorder the Infidelity of his Subjects and the Treachery of those that had deprived him of his Kingdome sent him to an untimely Death and Ruine Many Reasons are given probable enough to instance the necessity of his Fall which questionless may be the secondary means but his Doom was register'd by the inscrutable Providence of Heaven which with the self-same Sentence punish'd both him and Richard the Second his great Grandchild who was coequally guilty of the same Errours that both betrayed them and the Peace of their Kingdome Henry the Sixth though he tasted of the same Cup of Deposition yet there was more reason to induce it Henry the Fourth his Grandfather was an Usurper and had unjustly got the Crown by pulling down the House of York and exalting that of Lancaster which in Justice brings it back again to the right Inheritour yet were not those times innocent of those enormities which occasion'd their confusion It is most true that Henry himself was a sweet harmless condition'd Man religious and full of Moral Goodness but he was fitter for a Cloister than a Crown being transported with a Divine Rapture of Contemplation that took him off from the care of all Worldly Affairs while Margaret his Wife Daughter of Reynard that stil'd himself King of Naples and Jerusalem acted her part with a like imitation though she had not a Gaveston a Spencer or a Duke of Ireland yet she had a Suffolk and a Somerset that could teach the same way to the Destruction and Deposition of her Husband These three sympathized in their Royal Inheritance in their Depositions Deaths and Fortunes and these alone since the Conquest of the Normans unless we rank into the number Edward the Fifth which must be with an impropriety since he was by Richard his Tyrannical Uncle murdered before he was Crowned If we example him with them we may it is true conclude his case most miserable that lost the Crown before he enjoy'd it or had the perfection of years to make known his Inclination The event that followed the others especially the two precedent may be fitly a Caution and Admonition to Posterity and teach them what it is to hazard a Kingdome and their own Lives by the continuing of a wilful Errour Certainly we have had other Kings fully as vicious that have out-liv'd their Vices not dying by a violent hand but by the ordinary and easie course of Nature they were more cautelous and flexible and were content in the more moderate use of their own Vices The Condition of this our Edward the subject of this Story was not in it self more hurtful than dangerous to the Peace and Tranquillity of the whole Kingdome If by Heat of Youth Height of Fortune or the Corruptions of Nature the Royal Affections flie loosely and at random yet if it extend no farther than the satisfaction of the private Appetite it may obscure the glory but not supplant the strength and safety of a Scepter But when it is not only vicious in it self but doth patronize it in others not blushing or shrinking in the justification it is a fore-running and presaging Evidence that threatens danger if not destruction It is much in a King that hath so great a Charge deliver'd over to his care
and custody to be himself dissolute licentious and ill-affected but when he falls into a second errour making more delinquents Kings where one is too much he brings all into disorder and makes his Kingdome rather a Stage of Oppression than the Theater of Justice which opens the ready way to an ensuing Misery The heart of the Subject as it is obliged so it is continued by the Majesty and Goodness of the King if either prove prostitute it unties the links of Affection those lost the breach of Duty succeeds which hunts after nothing but Change and Innovation The bridle of the Laws is too weak a restriction especially when it is infring'd by him that is most bound to protect it Neither can the King in Justice blame or punish the breach when he himself goes the way of subversion of those Precepts which should preserve his Peace and Obedience It is so singular and so weighty a Consideration that a Burthen should never be imposed upon the Subject by extent of the Prerogative that may beget a just Grievance besides the grief in payment the novelty of the act incites to a tumultuous opposition Where there is neither Law to warrant nor fit president to induce the Injustice of the demand such actions begin in Complaint which unredressed fall into an extremity which draws with it a desperate hazard If the tye of Duty and Allegeance preserve the Obedience to the Crown inviolate let him beware that is the Prime Instrument or Seducer for he must be persecuted with implacable hatred which ends not until he be made a Sacrifice to expiate and quench the fury or the endangering of his Master by his unjust Protection It is no less proper for the Majesty and Goodness of a King in case of a general Complaint to leave those great Cedars to the trial of the Law and their own purgation this makes known the integrity and equality of his Justice which should not be extended to the grubbing up of Brambles and Shrubs while monstrous Enormities of a greater height and danger scape unlopped The accumulation of his Favour though it be a property of his own Power yet ought it in some measure to be satisfactory as well in the present worth of him elected as in his future progression else in the continuance he windes himself into the danger of participating his hatred as well as protection of his Errour The eye of the Subject waits curiously upon their Sovereigns actions which if they seem to degenerate from his Wisdome and Greatness and preferring a private Inconvenience before the redress of a publick Grievance it by degrees varies the integrity of the heart and begets a liberty of Speech which fall often on the actions of Revolt and Tumult Neither is it proper if there must be a Dotage in the Royal Affections that the object of their weakness should sway and manage the Affairs of State such an Intermixture begets Confusion and Disorder accompanied with Envy Hatred and a world of Errours If the King be never so innocent yet in this course he cannot avoid the actions of Injustice Experience tells the right use of a Favourite A good Cause in the integrity of time warrants it self and needs no supporter But Imperfection Fraud Dishonesty and Weakness in true Worth fly to his protection that by his strength they may prevail which in Equity and Justice are meerly corrupt and counterfeit Money Friends or Favour engageth him and he his Master hence proceed all manner of Oppression and Disorder Let the Spring-head be never so pure and unpolluted yet such a Diver makes it foul and muddy A smooth Tongue finding a favourable hearing sets a fair gloss upon the blackest Overture Love and a seeming Goodness leads where all seems currant which hatches daily broods of grief and mischief Thus doth the Kingdom suffer so misguided Had this unhappy subject of this Story not been thus abused had he been worser far he had subsisted but when for his inglorious Minions Gaveston and Spencer who successively enjoy'd him he made the Kingdome a prey to their Insolence he found both Heaven and Earth conspir'd his ruine So great a Fall these latter times produce not a King in a potent Kingdome of his own deposed by a handful of Strangers who principally occasioned it without so much as any Kinsman Friend or Subject that either with his Tongue or Sword declar'd himself in his Quarrel But you may object He fell by Infidelity and Treason as have many other that went before and followed him 'T is true but yet withal observe here was no second Pretendents but those of his own a Wife and a Son which were the greatest Traytors had he not indeed been a Traytor to himself they could not all have wronged him But my weary Pen doth now desire a respite wherefore leaving the perfection of this to those better Abilities that are worthy to give it a more full expression I rest until some more fortunate Subject invite a new Relation AN Alphabetical TABLE A. RObert of Artois his Character Page 105 His speech 106 Arundel Hanged 130 B. Barons the Kings Speech to them 5 They swear not to recall Gaveston 7 Are slighted by the King 18 Perswade him to Marry Ibid. Take up Arms 29 Seize Gaveston and Behead him 30 They are incensed 53 Take Arms again 55 Their Message to the King 56 Appear with a Guard 58 King writes to them 66 Their Answer Ibid. They rise 69 Are beaten and fly to Pontfract 70 Are pursued and repair to Councel 71 Speech in favour of them Ibid. Bristol City desires a Treaty with the Queen 124 Is yielded to her 125 Barwick betrayed to the Scots 42 Besieged by the King 45 Deserted by him 47 Sir Barth Baldesmere's Castle seized 68 Baldock's Speech 93 Is committed to Newgate 143 C. Carlisle Earl Executed 84 Cliffords Speech 54 Killed 71 Councel labour to divert the King from re-calling Gaveston 13 They consent to re-call him 15 Cautious Speech for Gaveston 10 Chester Bishop Imprisoned 21 D. Sir Josline Denvil infests the North 43 A great Dearth 45 E. Exeter forsakes the Queen 108 F. French King breaks Peace with England 85 Receives the Queen of England 97 Threatens the King 98 Shews the Queen the Popes Sentence 103 Perswades her to Peace 104 G. Gaveston Banished 4 His Character Ibid. Re called home again 12 He returns 17 And is Married 19 Created Earl of Cornwal Ibid. Chief Minister of State 20 Imprisons the Bishop of Chester 21 Is Banisht a second time 23 Re called again 25 Is Banisht a third time 27 Returns again 29 Is seized by the Barons and Beheaded 30 H. Sir Andrew Harcklay repulses the Barons 71 Hereford killed Ibid. Earl of Heynault welcomes the Queen 110 Reproves his Brother 111 His Brothers Answer 112 Rewarded and departs the Kingdom 145 K. King Edward I. his care in educating his Son 2 He Banishes Gaveston 4 He dies 5 King Edward II. his Birth and Character