Graston Leland 1. in setling Archflamines in London Yorke and Carleon Built Billings gate and the Tower of London 7. and so died honourably and was buried with great pompe leaving his sonne 3. A.M. 2588 GURGUINTUS to succeed him Vpon denyall of the Tribute granted to his Father Beline by Guiltdake King of Denmarke he passed thither with an Army and by Force recovered the continuance of the Payment of it 2. In his returne he mett with Captaine Partholine with a company of vagrant Spaniards that sought a place to dwell in whom he fixed in Ireland 3. This Partholines brother Cataber is said in earnest by some to have Founded the Vniversity of Cambridge Gaius 4. A.M. 3607 GUINTHOLINUS his sonne followes him the more famous for his learned and prudent Wife Martia from whom the Saxons had their Lawes Marthehelog translated unto them by King Alfred 2. He is said to have built Warwick about the time that Alexander the Great was borne leaves to succeed his sonne 5. A.M. 3640 SICILIUS guided by his mother in his nonage In his time the Picts got footing in the Marches of England and Scotland whom his sonne 6. A.M. 3642 KIMARUS a dissolute and carelesse young Prince never endeavoured to remove he was treacherously slaine in Hunting and 7. A.M. 3644 ELANIUS his sonne or brother that took his place in only named whose Bastard 8. A.M. 3652 MORINDUS had more mettell in him and was much magnified for his comely personage and courage but rashly encountring alone a Sea-monster that devoured all before him after a furious conflict he was also devoured by it leaving five sonnes of which 9. A.M. 3660 GORBOMAN proved a good Prince He repaired Temples Grafton â—ellinsh promoted Sacrifices according to the blind devotion of those dayes Built Cambridge and Grantham which others deny and say it was Canta another Towne inclosed with walls wherein some Philosophers were placed destroyed afterwards by the Saxons He dying without Issue 10. ARCHIGALLUS his brother takes the place A.M. 3671 but Deposed by the Nobles for his oppression untill the third brother 11. ELIDURUS finding him discontented in a Wood A.M. 3676 as he rode on Hunting lovingly restored him to his Royalties and then upon his death Raigned after him which was not long before 12. A.M. 3693 VIGENIUS and Peridurus the two youngest brethren bandied against him and shared his meanes betwixt them Vigenius dies and Peridurus for his cruelty was slaine by his Nobles so that Elidurus was freed out of Prison to Raigne the third time between whom and Helie there passing about 180 yeares Monometensis and others have made bold to name 33 Kings to take up that time But herein there is no agreement in names number or whether they were before Dunwallo or succeeded Elidurus Graston Hollinsh Polltdor Virgil. whereof Hollinshed hath a digression in the History of England lib. 3. c. 8. The names therefore of these Fayrie Kings may be well omitted of whom nothing is noted but the name to pitch upon 13. HELIE From him some think A.M. 3800 the I le of Elie took his name others say noe but from a multitude of Eales into which the Married Preists with their Wives and Children were transformed that refused to obey St Dunstanes Ordidinance that Preists should live single but that derivation is more probable that is deduced from Helig LLoyd which signifies in Brittish a Willow by reason of the plenty of Willowes which there grew 2. This Holye had three sonnes Lud Cassibilane and Nennius Nennius came not to raigne but 14. LUD succeeded his Father and reformed Lawes A.M. 3801 augmented Troynovant and thereupon called it Ludstowne now London His brother Nennius was offended with it conceiving thereby that the name of Troy should be forgotten Ludgate more plainly beares his name without offence 2. Some say Baynards Castle others that the Bishop of Londons Pallace was built by him for his Court 3. He left two sonnes behind him Androgeus and Theomantius who in their Nonnage fell under the protection of their Vncle Cassibellane the foreman in the next Distance 2. VVIth those times concurre 1. The latter Kings of the Persian Monarchy and former of the Greeks 2. The beginning of the Scotish Monarchy by Ferâ—usius crowned upon the fatallstone brought by Gathelus out of Spaine that hath this Inscription Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient Lapidem regnare tenentur Ibidem Except old sawes do faine and Wissards witts be blind The Scotts in place shall raigne where they this stone shall find 3. Aspiring of the Romanes to overtop all those that had gone before them INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Any of Mulmutius Dunwallo's or Marcian's lawes may be now distinctly shewen 2. Brennus that sacked Rome were a Britan or a Gaule 3. Irelands first Inhabitants were Spanish exiles under the conduct of Captaine Partheline 4. The Vniversity of Cambridge were Founded by Cantaber Captaine Parthelin's Brother 5. Morindus encountring alone the Seamonster express'd not more vanity then vaâ—lour 6. The Transforming of Marryed Preists into Eales be not as hansome a Metamorphosis as any in Ovid 7. It were not surly vnadvisednesse in a Senator of Rome to hassard his owne head and of many others for some incivility offered to the gravity of his Beard Romane Tributaries DISTANCE V. THE fifth Distance is extended to King Lucius the first Christian that Raigned among the Britaines and begins with 1. A.M. 3095 CASSIBILLANE in whose time the Britaines were first Conquered and made Tributaries to the Romanes 2. He was brother to Lud and had the Kingdome cast upon him by reason of the nonâ—age of Luds sonnes Androgeus and Theomantius 3. Iulius Caesar at that time imployed in the subduing Gallia being informed they had underhand supplies from Britaine takes vantage thereupon to invade the Ile where partly by Stormes at Sea that wracked his Navy partly by Valour of the Inhabitants under this Kings conduct Territa quaesitis ostendit terga Britannis He Britanes sought but Force to quell did lack And like a Coward shew'd his fearefull back As Pompey in the Poet object 's to his disgrace 4. Lucan Our writers say farther that Nennius the Kings brother meeting with Caesar hand to hand got his sword from him but with it a knock on the pate Monomelens that cost him his life within fifteene dayes after 5. At length upon a quarrell between the King and his Nephew Aadrogeus concerning one Evelin who had slaine the Kings kinsman and was countenanced therein by the young Prince matters came to that height that Androgeus revolts and calls back Caesar from France and assisteth him to the overthrow of his Country This rendred him so hatefull that Cassibellane dying without Issue the younger sonne of Lud 2. A.M. 3921 THEOMANTIUS was preferr'd to the place He quietly paid the Tribute to the Romanes which his vnkle had promised to Caesar administred Iustice at home and protected his Subjects from Forreigners
Cincius Fregepanius who set upon the Conclave bang'd the Cardinalls unhors'd the new Pope untill the people rescued him and made Fregepane submitt 2. Then the Emperour Henry came upon him and set up one Maurice Burdine by the name of Gregory the eight against him so that he was constrayned to fly into France where he shortly dyed of a Pluresie haveing first Excommunicated the Emperour freed the Templers from the subjection to the Patriarch of Ierusalem Burdine the Emperours man could not hold the place But 23. A.D. 1119 CALIXTUS the second a Burgundian gott it 2. He continues the Excommunication against the Emperour in a Councell of Germany makes the Emperour yeeld unto him and so absolves him but abuses his Pope Gregory whom he had made by setting of him upon a Camell with his face towards the tayle and then thrusting him shauen into a Monastâ—y 3. He appointed the foure Fasts decreed it Adultery for a Bishop to forsake his Sea was much against Preists Marryages whereupon our Simon of Durham made the verses O bone calixte nunc omnis clerus odit te Quondam Presbyteri potâ—rant uxoribus uti Hoc destruxisti postquam tu Papa fuisti Ergo tuum merito nomen habent odio The Clergy the now good Calixtus hate The heretofore each one might have his Mate But since thou gotten hast the Papall throne They must keep Puncks or learn to Lig alone 24. HONORUS the second an Italian comes next A.D. 1124 but with great opposition of two others that were set up against him 2. From this man John Cremensis was sent hither into England to dash Preists Marriages But in his greatest heat of urging his Commission he was found a Bed with a Whore 3. Platina tels us that one Arnulphus Bale adds an Englishman was Martyred in Rome for Preaching against the Clergies pompe and luxury His Countryman 25. INNOCENT the second enters upon the place A.D. 1130 he was opposed by an Antipope ealled Anacletus backt by Roger King of Sicily who forced this Pope to fly into Germany and France to be righted 2. The Emperour Lotharius with an Army setled him in his seat 3. But Roger King of Sicily hath another bout with him Imprisoneth him and his Cardinalls till he had gotten of him to be pronounced King of both Scicilies which was done and then Scicily was reckoned St Peters Patrimony So easie it was then for Popes to bestow Kingdoms in which neither by Divine nor humane Law could they clayme any interest His successor a Tuscan 26. A.D. 1143 CaeLESTINUS the second put in by Conradus the Emperour sate so short a time that nothing is noted of him not much longer remained 17. LUCIUS the second a Bononian A.D. 1144 for when he went about to abrogate the Office of Patricians and with Souldiers beset the Capitoll he was so pelted with stones by the Citizens that he soone resigned his life and place to 28. EUGENIUS the third a Pisan St Barnards Scholer A.D. 1145 to whom he wrote his Books of Confideration 2. But Eugenius more considered the enlarging of his place and power and therefore would not permitt the Romanes to chuse their owne Senatours nor their Patricians to beare any sway 3. This grew to such a quarrell that the Pope was faine to leave Rome and fly into France whence after some time and matters accommodated he returned and dyed at Tyber 29. A. 1153 ANASTASIUS the fourth took his place a Romane but did nothing in it worth the noting only he gave a great Chalice to the Church of Laterane whilst William our Arch-bishop of Yorke was poysoned in the Chalice 30. A. 1154 ADRIAN the fourth an Englishman succeeds before called Nicholas Brack-speare 2. This man would not suffer the Consuls in Rome to have any power and condemned Arnold of Brixia for an Heretique in holding with them 3. He quarrelled with Frederick the Emperour for not holding Hostler like his stirrop and afterwards Excommunicates him for clayming his rights and writing his name before the Popes for which the Emperour defends himselfe by a Letter 4. Great stirres there were also between him and William of Scicily concerning Apulia wherein William had the better and at length gott to be stiled King of both Sciciles 5. When with his Cardinals he had conspired to ruine the Emperour and had sent a Counterfeit to stabb him and an Arabian to poyson him he was choackt with a fly that gott into his Throat which verified that he was wont to repeat often There is no kind of life upon earth more wretched then to be a Pope Yet this lessened not 31. A. 1159 ALEXANDER the third an Hetrurian but that he opposed his Soveraigne in a more treacherous manner 2. He was chosen indeed in a strong Factionâ— of Victor Paschalis Calixtim Innocentius all clayming the place 3. The Emperour comes to Papia for to appease the stirrs sends for Alexander who insteed of obeying Excommunicates the Emperour and his Oposites and by the French Kings favour and his owne Purse settles himselfe in Rome 4. The Emperour comes with an Army to correct his insolency but Hartman Bishop of Brixia by effectuall perswasions turnes him from the Pope against the Saracens 5. There being Victorious and returning he was surprised by the Popes Treason who had sent his exact Counterfeit to the Souldan that he might not misse in laying wait for the man 6. Being apprehended therefore with his Chaplaine as they went to Bath themselves in a River of Armenia brought before the Souldan the Picture discovered him The Souldan uses him nobly appoints his Ransom then guards him home as farre as Brixia 7. The Princes of the Empire unite to revenge the prodigious Treason the Pope betakes himselfe to Venice where Duke Sebastian protects him Otho the Emperours Sonne is sent with an Army to hemme him in and not to fight untill his Fathers comming This charge he neglecting is overthrowne and taken Prisoner 8. The good Father to preserve his Soune is forced to submit in St Marks Church in Venice He prostrates himselfe before the Pope who setting his foot on his Neck with that of the Psalmist in his mouth Super Aspidem Basiliscum Thou shalt walk upon the Serpent and Adder and the Emperour replying non tibi sed Petro the Beast goes on mihi Petro to me as well as to Poter 9. This end after much trouble had that remar kable businesse The Pope gratified the Venetians as he had reason made his conditions with the Emperour at his pleasure and so returnes to Rome 10. Henry the second our King was much vexed by this Pope for the death of Thomas Becket of Canterbury whom the Pope made St Thomas for withstanding his King Soveraigne And upon the Kings submission to the lash granted to Him and his Heyres the Title of the Kings of England Hinc autem observatum est saith Flatina ut omnes Anglici à Romano Pontifice Regni jura recognoscant
his successour A.M. 3355 This man brought the first Monarchy to its highest pitch 1. Rawleigh Hist l. 3. Ezech. 26.2 By his victories over the Iewes and all the bordering Nations 2. Tyre rejoyced at the tuine of jerusalem but her turne came speedily after her situation in the Sea and the strength of her Navie could not save her This was the great secvice sooken of by the Prophet Ezechiel 29.18 Herodâ—tus Dioder Siculus wherein every head was made bald and every shoulder made bare in filling up that straight of the Sea which separated it from the Continent before it could be taken 3. For this the Conquest of Aegypt was allotted him by God for wages which he victoriously atchieved Isay 19. Ezech. 29. cap. 3. as it was fore-prophesyed 4. Then Nineveh for Rebellion was ruinated by him as Nahum foretold it should 5. Puffed up with this successe He sets up a monstrous Statua of his own fancying to be under paine of burning adored 6. Was not Schooled sufficiently by the miraculous deliverance of Sydrach Mesach and Abednego and the divine Informations of Daniel to acknowledge the true God's supremacy untill at length in the midst of his vaunting humors he was strooken stark mad and doomed for seaven years to converse with Wild-beasts but then was 7. restored acknowledged Gods Infinitenesse and mans Impotency Theodoret. Lyra. Carthusian repented and according to S. Augustines charitable censure whom some others follow was saved leaving his large Dominions to 16. A.M. 3387 EVILMERODACH his sonne who had managed the Kingdome as some think in the time of his Fathers Madnesse Rawleigh 2. Afterward having it in his own right he dealt kindly with Jehojachin his Captive 2. Kings 25.27 whom he advanced from Prison to feed at his own table perchance the rather because his father Nabuchodonoser had not kept the conditions agreed upon when he surrendred himselfe unto him and Ierusalem 3. Nitocris some say his sister some his wife was a notable stirring virago in those dases that passed Semiramis 4. But all this could not hold up Babylon which was destinated to fall Rawleigh 5. The Medes and Persians prove victorious against him thereupon Aegypt takes occasion to Rebell where he lost all that his father had gotten 6. Hee was slain in a Battle wherein his multitude of deboshe Souldiers were defeated by the well armed sturdy Medes and leaves his vast dishartered Empire to his degenerate Sonne 17. A.M. 3393 BALTASAR a slave to his Lust and a fit object for a Conquerour to work upon which was well known to his enemies and drew them the sooner upon him 2. Diverse presages there were of thiâ— mans mischievous disposition tending to ruine For in his fathers time he slew a young Noble man that should have married his sister only for that he saw him gore two wild beasts with his Iaveling that he himselfe had missed to doe And an other Lord he gelded because a Lady said in his commendation that that woman should be happy who should have him for her Husband Cap. 27.7 3. In this man was fulfilled the Prophesy of Ieremy All Nations shall serve Nebuchadnezzar and his Sonne and his Sonnes sonne untill the very time of his land come and then many Nations and great Kings shaell serve themselves of him 4. The unparalleld upshot of which C. 5 is described by Daniell in the midst of his surquedry and prostituting of the consecrated vessells to his Wives and Concubines which had been taken out of the Temple of Ierusalem by his Grandfather and till that time laid up untouched with addition of the magnifying of his Idoll Gods and sleighting the God of Israel A hand writing for his execution from Heaven Dan. 5.30 was signed on a wall over against him which as soone as it was denounced was dispatched For in that night saith the Text was Belshazzar King of the Chaldeans slaine the neglected Besiegers dividing Euphrates and surprizing the Citty and Court and Darius the Median took the Kingdome Xenophon Cyroped l. 7. together with Cyrus the Perfian as it is gathered by conferring of Dan. 5.31 with 2. Chron. 36.20 2. COncurrents in this Period to be taken notice of may be 1. The Originalls of Monarchicall Government amongst all the dispersed Nations 2. The building of Citties and Fortresses for their Honour Safety and civilizing their subjects 3. The Seminaries for learning and spreaders of it whence we meet with Cockmah Misraim Sixtus Senensis the wisdome of the Priests of Aegypt derived from Abraham Joseph and the Trismegisti wherein Moses was perfectly instructed The Magick of Balaam Acts 7. Mat. 2. Numb 24 17. Sixtus Senems which took with the Easterne nations and directed the Magi to Christ by the starre foretold by him Cockmah Chasdim the wisdome of the Chaldeans which Daniel was versed in and surmounted Besides Kiriah Sepher of the Cananites Najoth and Ramah and Jericho Schooles and as it were Vniversities of Students and Prophets amongst the Iewes 4. The calamities and deliverances of the Church Pezelius in Mellificio Alsted in Historiâ—is in hir oppressions captivites and wonderfull preservations 5. The clashing of Nations for supremacy in the Assyrian Aegyptian Theban Trojane warres 6. The depopulations ruines or translations of States and People too vast to be piled up in a Compendium 7. Yet the concurrence of the line of Arbaces sharer with Beloch in the mentioned division of Sardanapalus Empire must not be omitted Apud PhotiuÌ„ in Biblioth Iustin Herodot Ctesias Gnidius here gives us the names of nine successors some of which others touch upon but Iustine passing them as nominall insisteth only on Astiages whose daughter Mandana married to a meane Persian Gentleman Cambyses brought forth Cyrus whom Astiages plotted in vaine to make away but drew him on rather to out him of his Kingdome and with Darius Medus his Vokle to extinguish the first and set up the second Monarchy INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Any certainty may be had of story besides that of Scripture concerning the Assyrian Monarchy 2. Ier. 29.22 Bel destroyed by Daniel were Belus statua the first Idoll and Zedekiah and Ahas the two Elders that assaulted Susanna 3. Semiramis were slaine in the Indian Warre or at home by her sonne Ninias 4. Hos 5.13 10.6 Isajah 20. Iareb and Sargon mentioned in Scripture were distinct Kings of Assyria 5. Nebuchadnezzar were really transformed into a Beast 6. Vpon his recovery he acknowledged the true God repented and was saved 7. The Handwriting against Baltasar were in strang Characters or a known Alphahet SECOND MONARCHY of the Persians PERIOD II. 1. THE second Period includeth the Persian Monarchy continued for about 200. years and hath in it these Kings 1. CYRUS A.M. 2423 named about 200 years before he was borne as Josias was 300. to destroy the Idolatry of Bethel before it was performed He was Grand-child to Astiages the great King of
Bullingbrook for his freedome to have things reformed In his absence seâ—zeth upon his whole estate Bullingbrook returnes when the King was in Ireland The People flock to him The King resignes his Crowne to him is committed to Pomfred Castle there assaulted by eight Assassines valiantly kills foure of them and so is slaine himselfe 2. WIthin compasse of this Section are remarkable 1. The strange Vsurpation of Popes to make good or disanull the Titles of Kings and Demising of Kingdomes to Farme 2. The bringing in of Auricular Confession and Transubstantiation not for informing but infatuating Gods People 3. The persecutions of the poore Waldenses not for detestation of their Tenents which they laboured not to examine but out of a Iealousie lest these mens plaine dealing should discover their drifts and marre their Maâ—kets 4. The protestations of Wicliff and his followers against the grosse Superstition brought in by Monkes and Friers in Doctrine Discipline notably scourged by Ieffery Chaucer the Learned and Famous Poet of those times 5. Lastly upon remissnesse in Government and neglect of execution of Iustice the breaking out of such Out-Lawes as were Robin Hood and Little John with their Comrades or starting up of such Impostors and Villaines as were 1. William Longbeard under Richard the first a sharp reprover of Vice and Disorders in the Common Wealth Himselfe at last being found to be a Murderer that had fleaed a man and a Whoremaster that had used his Concubine in a Church and a Witch that worshiped at home a familiar in forme of a Catt 2. John Poydras a Tanners sonne of Exeter that stood upon it that Edward the second was a Changling substituted in his Cradle for him who was the right Heire to the Crowne 3. Iohn Wall a Preist 4. Wat Tyler 5. Jack Straw 6. Jach Shepherd with 7. William Lister their Captaine would make all Leveli without distinction of King or Subject Master or Servant INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Henry the second consented to the Murther of Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury 2. The cause he suffered for were pertinent to saint him 3. Expiatory Pennance enjoyned for that murder were fit for a Preist to propose or a King to undergoe 4. King Iohn could forfeit his Kingdome to the Pope or the Pope let it to Farme 5. He were poysoned by a Monke or dyed otherwise 6. Queene Isabell were not more to blame for prosecuting her Husband Edward the second then the King was for sticking so close to Gaveston 7. King Richard the second were starved to death or barbarously Butchered by St Piers of Exton Lancastrians DYNAST V. SECT II. THus farre the Plantagenets have continued in an unquestionable right line Now followes the division of the Houses of Lancester and Yorke three of each succeeding in their order Of Lancaster we have 1. A.C. 1399 HENRY the fourth surnamed Bullinbrooke 1. This man backt his usurpation of the Crowne by Parliament Wherein John the Religious Learned and resolute Bishop of Carlile openly contradicted but could not be heard whereupon the Duke of Anmerle his Cosen Then the Percyes joyning with the Scots and French together with Owen Glendore and his Welch make a strong head against him 3. But in the Battell of Shrewsbury Henry Hotspurre is slaine outright Douglas the valiant Scot taken but released without ransome The Earle of Worcester beheaded Owen Glendore pursued by the Prince into Wales and famished there in the Woods 4. The like successe he had in discovering and suppressing the Earle of Northumberlands Rebellion with some Nobles and the Scots his Complices 5. Intending a voyage into the Holy Land he is arrested by an Apoplexie acknowledged to his sonne who had seized upon his Crowne upon supposall he was dead the little right he had to its and so by his Death leaves it to his eldest sonne 2. A.C. 1412 HENRY the fifth of Monmoth 1. At his first entrance he cashiered all his dissolute companions that followed him when he was Prince Reformes abuses in the Commonwealth growes upon the Clergy but was Politiquely diverted by Henry Chichesly Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to imploy his forces for the recovering of his Title to France 2. Vpon which he enters having cut off Richard Earle of Cambridge brother to the Duke of Yorke who by Treason would have prevented it takes Harflew gave the French with the oddes of about sixe to one an admirable overthrow at Agencourt where more Prisoners were taken then their surprisers whose throats were cut upon an after Alarum by Robinet of Bonvill 3. In a Sea-fight before Harflew the French had another extraordinary overthrow 4. He subdues all Normandy and takes Cane and Roane 5. The Dolphin of France being in disgrace by rifling his Mothers treasure and murthering John the young Duke of Burgoyne an agreement is made that Henry should marry Katharine the Kings Daughter of France and so succeed him in the Kingdome 6. This was Proclaimed and Performed accordingly He keeps his Court at Paris as Regent with incomparable Magnificence Returnes with his Queene into England who is delivered of a Sonne at Windsor upon which he is said to have spoken Prophetically I Henry of Monmoth shall remaine but a short time and gaine much but Henry of Windsor shall Raigne long and loose all 7. In his returne into France to rescue his friend Philip Duke of Burgoyne he sickneth and dyes at Bloys leaving his Sonne to succeed him but of nine Months old 3. HENRY the sixth of Winsor 1. A.C. 1422 His Protector was Humphrey Duke of Glocester Regent in France Iohn Duke of Bedford Manager of many weighty businesses at home Thomas Duke of Exeter his three Vnkles 2. All went well in Erance of which he was Crowned King in Paris untill the Seige of Orleance where Ioane the Sheapherdesse of Lorraine put in with her devices which wrought much mischiefe but at length she was taken and executed 3. Mountecute the valiant Earle of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot failing all things in France went to wrack till all was lost 4. Humphrey Duke of Glocesters murther the Kings Marriage with Margaret poore King Rayners daughter of Scicily with the Rebellion of Blewbeard and Iack Cade weaken the affaires at home 4. Richard Duke of Yorke sets on foot his Title to the Crowne got it by Parliament so farre forth as to be Heire apparent to Henry who was taken Prisoner in the Battle at St Albone but in prosecution of that businesse he lost his life with his Sonnes young Rutland 5. Notwithstanding at length Edward Richards Sonne the right Heire overthrew the King in Towton field and so recovered his Due 2. FAlling in with these times may be observed 1. That as Popes had deposed Kings now the Councells of Constance and Basill deposed Popes and set other in their places without the suffrages of Cardinalis 2. The perfidious dealing with Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prague which the Bohemians then complained of and yet sticks to Rome as an
intercepts those Kings who had Israel intire under their government In this manner 1. SAUL the Sonne of Kish of an eminent house in Benjamin 2. He sent to seek his fathers Asses stumbled upon a Kingdome 3. He was a goodly man 1. Sam. 10.23 higher then any of the People from the shoulders upward Annoynted by Samuel and applauded by all the States in a Solemne Parliament at Mispah Ib. 4. At his first entry he quitted himselfe nobly in raising the siege at Jabesh Gilead with the overthrow of the Ammonites Ib. But his incroaching upon the Priests Office to Sacrifice Ib. 13. and sparing of Agag with the Amalakites Ib. 15. contrary to Gods expresse command outed him of Gods favour and gave way for an evill Spirit to vex him 5. 1. Sam. 36.14 The valour of brave Prince Jonathan and his faithfull friendship to his Brother-law David cover in a manner the Fathers exorbitances 6. Being left to himselfe in his latter time nothing thrives with him He grew jealous of his own Sonne Jonathan persecutes his most loyall and deserving Sonne in Law and Subject David most barbarously murdered Abimelech the High-priest with 85. Ib. 22.18 persons that did weare a Linnen Ephod and destroyed Nob the Priests Citty with all that belonged to it Consults with a Witch at Endor Ib. 28. Ib. 31.4 and last of all Kills himselfe in Mount Gilboa leaving his carcasse to the Philistims and his Kingdome to 2. DAVID the Sonne of Iesse of the tribe of Iudah a man after Gods own heart designed before and Annoynted to that purpose 2. He first grew famous by the overthrow of Goliahs Ib. 17. in single combate and thereupon after the bringing in for a vantage three hundred fore-skins of the Philistims he marrieth Michall Ib. 18.19 Sauls daughter who convayed him with her brother Ionathan from her Fathers fury 3. His entrance into the Kingdome was strongly withstood by Ishbosheths hereditary title and valiant Abner but those cut off all willingly fell to him without farther questioning 4. After his once setling his first care was for Religion to bring the Arke of God from Kiriath-jearim â— Sam. 6. Obed Edoms house to place it in Sion a more publike and consecrated place And not therewith satisfied he plots to build a Temple for it But forbidden by Nathan notwithstanding makes plentifull provision for his successor to performe it Ib. 7. with the lesse trouble and charge He held the second Councell for ordering Divine Service 5. His thankfull kindnesse to Mephibosheth Ionathans lame sonne Ib. 9. Ib. 16. is an excellent patterne for men advanced to imitate but cheating Zibahs that bearay their trust should be nearer sifted and more severely punished 6. God gave him noted victories against the Philistims Moabites Sobeans Damascens Edomites Ammonites and all other that opposed him 7. But his taking of Vriahs wife and hard usage of the Husband Ib. 11. Ib. 24. with his numbring the People are evident tokens of humane infirmity 8. Vpon these fell the disasters of the deflowring his daughter Tamar the murder of his sonne Ammon the Rebellion of Absolon and of Sheba the sonne of Bichri Ib. 13.15.20 and in his drooping old age the combination of Ioab with his much tendred sonne Adoniah to bury him as it were alive 9. We have the Booke of Psalmes for the most part his 1. King 1. though perchance not written yet made by him the greatest help to devotion left of the Iewish Church 10. His end was most pious and glorious leaving the wisest Statesmen the worthiest Warriors and inestimable treasure of wealth with his heavenly Councell and Blessing to his sonne 3. SOLOMON 1. His piety wisdome and execution of his Fathers directions at the first were admired of all and set him in a pitch beyond any of his ancestors 2. That Temple which his Father intended he began in the fourth of his Raigne and most gloriously finished it and setled the Arke in it in the Holyest of Holies which had formerly been tossed about from the Desart to Gilgal from Gilgal to Shilo from Shilo to the Philistims from thence to Bethshemesh from Bethshemesh to Kiriathjearim from thence to the house of O bed Edom from thence to the City of David So that his wisdom brought him in admiration both at home and abroad with strangers who repaired unto him as to an Oracle witnesse the Queene of Sheba 1. King 4.29 Ib. 10. that came in person from her own Countrey to conferre with him And Hiram of Tyre that joyned with him to fetch gold from Ophir His daily provision for his houshold stables 2. King 4.22 and other expences would be thought incredible in any other History but Canonicall 3. But in the midst of prosperity wealth and ease the multitude of strange women wrought him to favour and further Idolatry which he freed himselfe from as it is thought afterward and left his Proverbs Ecclesiastes and Canticum By De la Cerda a Iesuit a testimony thereof and directions for all posterity 4. Those other writings which are attributed to him whether pious as the booke of Wisdome and Ecclesiasticus or of late his 18 Psalme set forth in Greeke and Latine or Impious and frivolous as 1. Incantationes Solomonis 2. Vid. Pinedam de Rebus gestis Solomonis Clavicula 3. Amulus 4. Contradictio 5. Hydromantia to his sonne Rehoboam 6. de Geniis 7. Liber verborum Solomonis 8. De umbris Idearum 9. his Calender 10. Chimicks 11. Epistles between him and Hyram of Tyre and Vaphres King of Egypt 12. the Ars memoriae that goes under his name are rejected all as forged pieces 5. His latter daies after so much magnificence and pleasure were pestered with insurrectious of Hadad Rezin and Jeroboam whom he lived not fully to quell but left them to vexe his Sonue that succeeded 2. COncurrent with these times are made the obscure posterity of Aeneas in Italy and our Brute here amongst us Plutarch Euseb Iustin 2. Codrus the last King of Athens who purchased by his own death the victory for his Countrey 3. The birth of Homer 4. The famous combate between Abners men and Ioabs wherein twelve of a side 2. Sam. 2.16 slew each man his opposite upon the place 5. The Giants of the Philistims cut off at times by David and his 37 Worthies 2. Sam. 23. 6. The hight of Poetry Musicke and all kind of Philosophy eminent in Davids Psalmes â— Kings 4.32 and Solomons 3000 Proverbs and 1005 songs with his books of Naturall Philosophy mentioned in Scripture 7. His perfection in the Art of Navigation in trading with the Tyrians to Ophir for Gold Whether 1. Musick have any virtue to drive away Divells 2. The Dead may be raised by a Witch 3. Joab might justifie Absoloms killing having a command from his Soveraigne to the contrary 4. A Warrior may not build God
and the right Heire 8. Ioash tooke place when he was but seaven years old Ib. 1. He did excellent well under the tutorage and advice of his grave and Religious Vnkle Ichoiadah took order for the repairing of the Temple and reforming of all things amisse both in Church and State 2. But the good old man once gone Ib. c. 24. Sychophants insinuated themselves to debosh the young King that all kind of goodnesse was left off and Idolatry againe imbraced 4. Against which when Zachariah Ichoiadahs sonne shewed himselfe as it became him free and resolute he was Tyrannically stoned to death V. 12. by the Kings Commandement in the Court of the house of the Lord Ib. v. 2â— without respect of Place Cause or Person 5. This proved not well for the King was thereupon overthrown shamefully by a small company of the Syrians plagued with diseases and at last treacherously made away by his own Servants leaving his Kingdome to his sonne 9. AMAZIAH who did worthily in executing those Traytors that slew his Father Ib. c. 25. yet sparing their harmelesse children 2. He Mustered 300000 of his own and hired 100000 of Israel to goe against Edom but was forbidden by a Prophet to take the Israelites with him Thus he obeyed with the losse of his pay of a 100 talents 3. These disbanded and disordered Israelites rifled Iudah in their returne The King proceeds with his owne and is victorious over Edom. Ib. 4. He takes the Idoles of the vanquished Edomites and foolishly serves them for which he is freely checked by a Prophet which he took not well nor obeyed 5. Vpon presumption on this successe and strength he chalengeth Ioash King of Israel Ib. v. 18. who minds him of his vanity in a pretty Apology of the Cedar and Thistle This diverts him not but joyning Battle with him hath the worst and is taken Prisoner Ierusalem is ransackt 6. These disasters worke no amendment or repentance in him for in his Idolatry he is slaine by a conspiracy that overtooke him flying at Lachish 7. Is brought back to Ierusalem and buried with his Fathers his sonne 10. Ib. c. 26. 2. Kings 14. VZZIAH or Azariah is setled in his throne by all the People 2. He proved a very valiant man and victorious against the Philistims V. 3. and Arabians 3. Had by the least 300700 Souldiers in a readinesse well appoynted at all assayes V. 14. fortified Jerusalem with Mathematicall Engines and other places with all munition requisite 4 Was a great sheep-master Ib. a planter of Vines and a lover of Husbandry 5. But prosperity and pride at last spoyled all In a prophane humor he invades the Priests Office to burne Incense against Gods Commandement then was strucken with a Leprosie and hasted out of the Temple being afraid of a greater judgement 2. Chron. 26. whereupon he was shut up in a severall house being not fit to converse with others any longer for managing the State And so 11. IOTHAM his sonne took the government upon him 1. 2. Chron. 27. 2. Kings 15. He was a great builder and victorious against the Ammonites 2. Abstained from incroaching upon the Priest-hood as his Father had done is commended for his good endeavours in reformation 3. Howbeit the high places were not taken downe whereby the people continued in their Idolatry His Sonne 12. AHAZ that succeeded him much degenerated from him 1. He brought in Ib. 28. 2. Kings 16. the Idolatry of the Kings of Israell and after the abominations of the Heathen Sacrificed his children by fire in the vally of Hinnon All high places and hills and greene trees were witnesses of his Abominations so that the text saies This is that King Ahaz Ib. v. 22. that carried the brand of infamy with him to his grave 2. But before he came thither the Syrians smote him Ib. and carried away a great multitude of his Subjects to Damascus where he went to meet Tiglath Peleser of Assyria and sent home a modell of an Heathenish Altar 2. Kings â—â— which Vriah the High-Priest set up in the Temple and sacrificed upon at such time as Gods Altar and the Lavar were moved from their places and the Brazen Sea took off the stately Oxen of Brasse and set on a pavement of stone Besides the Kings entry was turned from the the house of the Lord to gratify the King of Assyria 3. Afterward Pekah of Israel broke him whose Champion Zichri of Ephraim 2. Chron. 2â— slew Prince Maassiah his Sonne with other chiefe men about him At which time Israell carried away 200000 Captives that by Oded the Prophets means were in pity returned againe without hurt Ib. or ransome 4. All this wrought not the King to goodnesse but he sends for the Assyrian to help him against the Edomites and Philistims and fees him with the confecrated treasures of Gods house But this did him no good 5. For after so unworthy a race expired Ib. he sleeps with his Fathers but is not thought fit to be brought into the Kings Sepulchers 13. HEZECHIAH his sonne succeeds him who proved the better man out of doubt through the good instructions of his mother Abiah the daughter of Zachariah 2. Chron. 28 v. 5. who had understanding in the visions of God and was so faithfull an adviser to his great Grandsire Vzziah 2. His first care was to rectify Religion which had so much suffered by his Father wherefore he breaks downe the brazen Serpent and calls it Nehushtan when it was burnt 2. Kings 18.4 Then invites all Israel to the celebrating of the Passeover but they laught him to scorne for it not without a perpetuall captivity shortly falling upon them 2. Chr. 30.10 who proved ungratefull in the acknowledgement of their deliverance from Aegypts bondage 3. 2. Kings 17. Senacharib the great Assyrian whose father Salmannazzer had not long before captivated the ten Tribes beleagred Jerusalem but with the miraculous losie of an 185000 of his bravest Leaders and Souldiers Ib. c. 20. 4. He falls sicke and through Prayer purchased fifteen years prorogation of his life which was confirmed to him by a signe of the shadowes retrogradation in Ahaz dyall 5. Whereupon Merodach Baladan of Babylon Ib. congratulates him with an Ambassage and Presents Whom he acquaints with the great treasures of the Kingdome for which Isaiah the Prophet reprooves him and foretells they shall be transfer'd to Babel As he lived so he dies honourably is inter'd accordingly leaves his Kingdome to his sonne 14. MANASSES who cancells his Fathers goodnesse and erected againe the Idolatry of his Grand father Ahaz Expiates his Children in the fire of Benhinnon 2. Chron. 33. 2. Kings 21. useth all kinds of Witchcraft and working by familiar spirits sets up a carved Image in Gods Temple causing Judah to doe worse then the heathen Ib. 2. For this he is carried away captive
to Babylon then expresseth his syncere repentance by hearty prayer not in the words perhaps but in the sence of that Apocryphall prayer which goes under his name 3. Returnes again to his Kingdome Reformes effectually dyes religiously and leaves 15. Ib. AMON his sonne to succeed 1. This man being of sufficient age could not be warned by his Fathers example but restores Idolatry at the highest and humbled not himselfe but persists in his folly 2. Till his servants conspir'd and slew him in his own house which the people took so indignly that the Traitors had quickly what they deserved And 16. 2. Kings 22. 2. Chron. 34. IOSIAH his sonne was made King in his steed of whom too much good cannot be spoken He began betimes to reforme Religion and repaire the Temple brings the book of the Law againe to light which was formerly lost celebrates a solemn Passeover beyond all the Kings that were before him 2. In an unadvised expedition against Necho of Aegypt he got his deaths wound by an arrow in the valley of Megiddo returnes and dyes at Ierusalem and 3. Ib. 35. 2. Chr. 35.25 was buryed with the great Lamentation of the Prophet Ieremiah and all his Subjects who setled his sonne 17. JEHOAHAZ in his place but long he could not hold it Ib. 36. For after three monthes Pharao Necho comes upon him broken by his Fathers Disasters and carries him Captive into Aegypt Sets Eliachim his brother in his place whom he calleth 18. IEHOIAKIM This man farre degenerating from his Fathers vertues is within a dozen yeares carryed prisoner to Babylon by Nebuchad-nezzar 2. Chr. 3â— with all the Riches of the Temple His sonne Jechoniah or Choniah or 19. IEHOIACHIN is left in his place which he received young managed ill and kept not long For within a yeare Nebuchad-nezzar was also upon him Ib. and carryed him away to Babylon prisoner with his Mother and all his Princes and Officers even to the very Smiths and Artizans where 't is thought he dyed upon the way and had no better buriall then an Asse as Jeremiah had foretold Jer. 22.19 His Vncle Mataniah is put King in his place and called 20. ZEDEKIAH He Rebels against his advancer Nebuchadnezzar contrary to the advice of Jeremiah the prophet and his Oath of Allegiance he had taken Jerusalem after two yeares seige ransackt the King laid hold on 2. Chr. 36.13 the Temple City and all Defaced 2. He was brought to Nebuchad-nezzar at Riblah had his sonnes slaine before him that he might not only feele but see his Woe Afterward his Eyes were put out and he carryed Captive to Babylon where he ended his Woefull daies 3. Ib. One Gedaliah was left behinde to governe the scattered people who were too many and worthlesse to be carryed so farre but he was trayterously slaine by the Treason of Ismael the sonne of Nethaniah and his Confederates They hurryed the people with Jeremiah the Prophet into Egypt 4. Evilmerodach Nebuchad-nezzars sonne and successour dealt kindly with Jehojachim in Babylon but releaseth not the Captivity 2. COntemporary with these were as it appeareth out of the second of Kings and Chronicles 1. The Kings of Israel 1. Politique Ieroboam who got little by Treason and Idolatry for 2. Debosht Nadab his sonne was rooted out with all his House by 3. Boysterous Baasha His son 4. Drunken Elah with all that Familie were on the suddain made away by 5. Rash Zimri He raigned but seven daies before 6. Stout Omri forced him to burne himselfe with the Palace in Tirzah Omri stood longer bought Samaria setled himselfe there in his Idolatrous courses and left 7. Vxorious Ahab his sonne to succeed him He with his Zidonian virago Iezabell â— Kings 21. proves worse then his Ancestors Extorts Naboths Vineyard from him where afterward dogges lickt his blood Yet left his sonne 8. Mopish Ahaziah his successour 2. King 1. who dyes by a fall of which Beelzebub of Ekron could not cure him And leaves the Kingdom to his stirring brother 9. Iehoram This man was taken off by 10. Furious Jehu who makes also an end of the Masculine Iezabell with all the breed of that Line He did well in executing the Baalites but the touch of Ieroboams politique Idolatry tainted all his other good parts His sonne 11. vexed Jehoahaz followes who notwithstanding Gods favour in easing him could not be staved of from Ieroboams Policy 12. Ioash his sonne follows in the same rode Rifled Ierusalem when he had overthrowne Amaziah Leaves the 13. Valiant Ieroboam his successour who somewhat refreshed the State and so leaves it to the 14. Vnfortunate Zachariah he was traiterously slaine by 15. Shallum who made an end of Iehu's race but held the Throne but a month before 16. Menahem tooke him off He left the Kingdome to 17. Pekaiah his sonne But 18. Pekah the sonne of Remaliah soone outed him and held it He was traiterously slaine by 19. Hoshea the sonne of Elah he with the ten Tribes carried captives by Shalmaneser of Assyria 2. Kings 17. 2. Also Prophets 1. That Man of God who came from Iudah 1. Kings 13. and startled Ierobeam in his Calvish sacrificing at Bethel by the renting of the Altar and withering of the hand stretched out to apprehend him 2. Elijah and Elisha eminent for Miracles 3. Besides those Greater and lesser Prophets whose Writings we have 3. With whom fell in 1. the Division of the Assyrian Monarchy through Sardanapalus effeminate Luxury between Phul-Bellock and Arbaces 2. The Founding of Rome by Romulus with the successe of the six Kings following 3. Lycurgus and his Lawes for the Lacedemonians 4. Midas of Phrigia with Asses cares 5. The seven Wise-men of Greece 6. Pharao-Necho's vaine attempt to joyne Nilus with the Red-Sea 7. The building of Carthage by Dido above 200 years after Aeneas death Which discredits Virgils Poem of the hot Affection between them Jnquiries 3. WHETHER 1. Zachariah Jehojadahs sonne were the same our Saviour speaks of in the Gospell Mat. 23.35 2. Vzziahs Mathemeticall Instruments were of the same kinde with those of Archimedes in Plutarch 3. The shadow went back only in Ahaz dyall not the Sunne in the Heavens 4. The captivity of the Tenne Tribes peopled Tartary and the West-Indies 5. Iehojachim had any markes of Inchantment upon him 6. Elisha Prophesied the better by hearing of a Musicall instrument 7. He gave a Toleration to Naaman to be present at Idolatrous Worship SECT II. The time of the Captivity of Babylon 1. THe Captivity of the tenne Tribes by Salmanasar and of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar hath put a period to the first Dynasty in the succession of Kings The second Dynasty here runs along in the continuance of the Captivity for the space of 70 years wherein it is sufficient to note these eminent men 1. DANIEL of the Bloud Royall who was carried away but young with King Ioakim 2. His sober Dyet
Hence it is observed that all Kings of England must acknowledge the Pope for their Land-Lord In this proud Popes time the poore Waldenses stood up for the truth and increased amongst all persecutions To this Pope Nicholas Maniacutius wrote mad verses extant in Onuphrius where he concludes Scimus Alexandrum per soecula commemorandum As long 's there is a Goose or Gander We must remember Alexander He kept the place 21 yeares and more 32. LUCIUS the third his Countryman sooner quirted it An. 1181 1. At his Election by the Cardinals the Romanes were so much exasperated that they abused all his Partizans setting them upon Asses with their faces backwards and disgraceing them with the like Contumelies for offering to abolish their Consuls 2. The Pope gets to Verona and condemnes their doings exhorts the Christians to resist Sultan Saladine in the East but to no purpose somewhat he did for Luca where he was borne gives over to 33. VRBANE the third a Millenois A.D. 1185 He animates the Christians against Victorious Saladine and would have Excommunicated the Emperour Crantzius because he honoured not his Holinesse in all his projects whence some termed him Turbanus but he was prevented by death As also was 34. A.D. 1187 GREGORY the eight an Apulian his Successour who was very earnest the same way to set the Christians upon the Saracens that the Popes might rule all in their absence 2. Endeavouring to agree the Pisans and Genuans he was poysoned as t is thought amongst them 35. A.D. 1188 CLEMENT the third a Romane that Succeeded him prevailed more in setting forth the expedition against the Saracens 2. For upon his instigation Frederick the Emperour Philip of France and our Richard Cordelion with other Worthies undertook the businesse but performed little 3. Vpon the death of William of Scicily this Pope puts in to make that Country Tributary to Rome but the Scicilians found an Heyre Tancred Williams base Sonne to hold it 4. He Excommunicated the Danes for maintaining the Marriage of their Clergy but composed the dissention about superiority between the Citizens of Rome and the Clergy by granting the Senators and Patricians their right Which controversie had continued from Innocent the second to this Clement the third fifty yeares together 36. A.D. 1191 CELESTINE the third a Romane that succeeds being an old man yet is for this holy Warre as his Predecessors had bin for having a sting at Tancred of Sicily he gets Constance King Rogers lawfull Daughter out of a Nunnery and Marries her to the Emperour Henry the sixth with condition that he should out Tancred and admitt the Pope a sharer in the conquered Kingdome 2. When Henry came with his Empresse Constance to be Crowned by him in Rome he did it not with his hands but feet setting it on and spurning it off againe with this saying per me Reges regnant I have power to make and unmake Emperours 3. He sets all Princes almost together by the Eares that Rome might gain by making them friends Whereupon Vspergensis cries out rejoyce ô Mother Rome because all rivers of Treasures flow into thy Ocean c. Hellish was this Celestine but 37. INNOCENT the third a Campanian that follows A.D. 1198 more contraried his name 2. He held the great Councell of Laterane under pretence of recovering Jerusalem but it was for deposing the Emperour for witholding as it was pretended some Church-rights At which time Anricular Confession was established and the Cup taken from the Layty in the Communion 3. It was this Popet resolution against Philip the Emperour only because he was chosen without his liking Either I will Vn-crowne him or he shall Vn-throne me Whereupon he raysed the Otho 's against him who at length slew him And yet this Champian could not so please the Pope but upon clayme of the Imperiall rights he must needs be Excommunicated 4. He bore a heavy hand over our King Iohn deposed him interdicts the Kingdome for six years together upon his restoring by his Legate Pandulph tynes it at the yearely rent of 1000 Marks to be held of the Pope in Fee-farme 5. He was terrible against Preists Marriages whereupon we have these Verses by an Oxford man Prisciani regula penitus cassatur Sacerdos per Hic Haec olim declinatur Nune per Hic solum articulatur Cùm per nostrum Praesulem Haec amoveatur Old Priscians rule hence forth must hold no more 'T was Hic Haec Sacerdos heretofore But now poore Hic must lye alone perforce For his deare Haec our Prelate doth diverce And an 100 were burnt in one day in Alsatia for holding the free use of meates and Matrimony Almericus Bones were burnt after his death because living he had spoken against Images in Churches This man must have all differences between Princes devolved to his Decision After him 38. A. 1216 HONORIUS the third a Romane continues to be a Stickler for the holy Land 2. He Crownes Frederick the Nunne Constanc's Sonne against Otho the 4th and notwithstanding for clayming his rights afterwards Excommunicates him 3. Confirmes the Orders of Dominick and Francis and sets them against the Waldenses grounded upon certaine Dreames which Innocent his Predecessor had fore-boading these mens service in that behalfe 4. He caused 400 Scotts to be hanged and their Children Gelded for burning their Bishop who had Excommunicated them in his owne Kitching and exacted by Otho his Legate of every Cathedral amongst us Two Prebends to help to pay scores of Mother Laterane which gave occasion to this Rime O Pater Honori multorum nate dolori Est tibi decors vivere vade mori O Father Honori borne for a sad story To live is it glory Death is to good for ye So he died and left a worse in his place 39. A. 1227 GREGORY the ninth a Campanian This man thrice Excommunicated Frederick the Emperour whom he had sent to recover the Holy Land that he at the more case might get Apulia and Lombardy from him in his absence 2. With much adoe and at a deare rate the Emperour gets his absolution but his Holinesse raiseth new stirres against him that so exasperate him that Satynicall verses as it were of defyance past between them Many of the Clergy suffered in the broyles amongst which the Popes brother was hanged for his Treasons 3. Dominick Francis and Anthony of Padua are Canonized a deadly feud fell between the Papaline Guelphes and Imperiall Gibelines which in a manner to this day continues 4. To affront the opinion that the Pope was Antichrist strongly urged by the Waldenses and the Emperours Preachers out of the Revelation of S. Iohn Cyrill a Grecian the third president of the White Fryars or Carmelites obtrudes certain tables of silver written as he said by Gods own finger and delivered him to publish which shew an other gats progresse of the Church then the Apocalips foretell and are illustrated by the Comments of Abbat Ioachim Gulielmus Cisterciencis
City Crown'd by the Pope became his flave alasse the more 's the pitty 3. He reformed the Civill Law by Vernerius directions and commanded it to be read in Schooles and executed in places of Judicature which the French took from him 4. He drove Roger King of Scicily out of Apulia and Campania which he had long forraged is equalized with Charles the great 5. His Embleme was most usuall AVDI ALTERAM PARTEM A good Judge must have an eare as well for the Defendant as the Plaintife He also as his predecessor left no Issue but by consent of the Electors 21 A.C. 1138 CONRADE the third of Suevia had his place At first he was opposed by Henry the proud of Bavaria and his Brother Guelpho but that storme was quickly blowne over 2. From this Guelpho some derive the Guelphes of the Popes factions who Mortally hated the Gibellines that stood for the Emperours 3. This hatred is said to have growne first at the Seige of Winsperg in Germany by Henry of Gibelline the Emperours sonne They of Guelpho's held the place but their crying a Guelpho a Guelpho could not free them from the Gibellines Forces 4. Wherein the condition of the surrender being that the men should expect the sword but the women upon their Petition should passe away with as much as they could carry upon their backs They abandoning all other necessaries came forth Loaden only with their Husbands which the royall Gibbelline applauding dismissed them all with pardon 5. He made three Voyages into the Holy Land without successe was treacherously dealt with by Emmanuel Emperour of Constantinople who promising to supply him with Victualls which he depended upon basely sent him Meale mingled with Lyme whereby his Army was poysoned and he disabled to performe that which he intended His saying is registred to be PAVCA CVM ALIIS TECVM MVLTA Say little to others but more to thy selfe Death surprised him before he was formally Crowned his successor was 22. A.C. 1152 FREDERICKE first named of his Red Beard Barbarossa a Nephew of Conrades He subdued the Rebellious Italians sowed Millayne with Salt made the Rebellious Count Palatine carry a Dogg for Pennance exalted Bohemia to be a Kingdome and Austria from a Marquisate to be a Dukedome 2. With this man Pope Adrian he that was afterward Choakt with a flye was displeased because he held not his stirrop Hostler-like on the right side But his successour Alexander quitted that injury when he trode on his Emperours neck with his super Aspidem Basiliscum in Venice as hath bin fore-mentioned 3. He was of such a ready memory that whomsoever he had once knowne though never so long absent he could readily discerne and call by his name as though he had bin alwayes conversant with him 4. Many meanes were used to make him away especially by the Popes whom he withstood and stopt Appeales from them 5. In his time the Fathers of the Schoolemen Canonists and Legendarians were hatched by Lombard Gracian and Comestor His saying was QVI NESCIT DISSIMVLARE NESCIT IMPERARE He that cannot dissemble knowes noe how to rule Amongst his many Heroick Acts he was forced to swallow many indignities by reason of the iniquity of the times Being drowned in a River of Palestina his sonne 23. HENRY the 6th was declared Emperour A.C. 1191 sirnamed Asper for his rigidnesse No Wife could be found fit for him but Constantia the Daughter of Rogerius King of Scicily must by the Popes dispensation be taken out of a Nunnery where she was a votresse and Marryed unto him on condition that he must out Tancred King of Scicily that the Pope might have the greatest benefit of that Kingdome which was done accordingly 2. Francis and Dominick the ring-leaders of the Dominicans Minorites peepe up in his dayes to be supporters of the Popes Armes Some tumults in Italy were suppressed by him and some Forces but to no purpose sent into the Holy Land 3. His saying was QVI NESCIT TACERE NESCIT LOQVI He that knoweth not how to be silent is ignorant how to speake His sonne Frederick being a Child when he dyed 24. A.C. 1120 PHILIP his brother by the Electors was put into his place This was done to the dislike of Innocent the Pope who thereupon Excommunicated him but he quickly made his peace and then Otho the Duke of Saxony was by an other faction set up against him at first favoured by the Pope but afterward also Excommunicated 2. An agreement at length was made Otho Marries Philips Daughter and is assured to succeed and Richard the Popes Nephew takes to Wife the other Sister and so his Holinesse resteth contented 3. This agreed with his Motto SATIVS EST RECVRRERE QVAM MALE CVRRERE The nayle must driven that will goe Better it is to retyre then to runne upon the Pikes But humane plotts often faile Philip is treacherously slaine by the Count Palatine and Otho had little ioy of his succession for he was Excommunicated by the Pope quickly overthrown and never acknowledged to be Emperour 25. A.C. 1212 FREDERICK 2d the sonne of Henry the 6th and Constantia the forementioned discloystered Nunne is chosen by the Peeres 1. He was Crown'd at Rome bestowed on the Church the Dukedome of Fundanus confirmed what Priviledges they desired makes a voyage into Palestina frights the Enemies into an advantagious composition for the Christians returnes with honour 2. Yet all this could not content Honorius Gregoriy the 9th Innocent the 3d and Celestine in those dayes the Romane Chayre-men but needs he must be about five times Excommunicated then proscribed or sequestred from all his Royalties and meanes which must be ratified by a Bull Apoc. 13. commanded in steed of a Sermon to be read in every Church and begins thus Ascenditè Mari Bellica Bestias so well his Holinesse can poynt out the accomplishment of Prophecyes 3. But this not daunting his Heroick magnanimity Henry Lantgrave of Thuring William Earle of Holland nay his owne sonnes Henry Caesar and Frederick of Austria are wrought to their owne ruine to Rebell against him so operative were the Enchantments of the Whore of Babylon Lastly to make sure worke in a Councell of France at Lyons by Innocent the 4th he is Deposed 4. Notwithstanding the Germane Bishops forsake him not but devoted the Popes Legate Behavus to the Devill for urging such treacherous Proscriptions the ground of which were the Emperours doing Justice upon some of the Popes Cronyes that had Rebelled against him and for writing his Name in publique Instruments before the Popes 5. The deadly fewd between the Gibellines and Guelphes at that time was in the height In which also fell the Scicilian Vespers wherein the French for their Insolencies had their Throats cut in Scicily and the Inquifition and Cardinals Hatts had their first Blockings 6. His usuall word was in the greatest threatning of his adversaries MINARVM STREPITVS ASINORVM CREPITVS He that dyes with threats deserves the
funerall of an Asse Of this Emperour runnes the distichon Principe in hoc patuit Romanae injuria Papae Et quantum sceleris Curia tota tegat 7. His last wife was Matilda our King Iohns daughter he had married before Iolam the Kings daughter of Ierusalem by whom he was entitled to that Kingdome some say he dyed a naturall death others that he was strangled by his Bastard Manfred His sonne Conrade and our Richard Duke of Cornewall with others were named to succeed him but none enjoyed the place for the space of 22 years untill Radulphus the beginner of the next and last Period 2. WIth this Period concurre 1. The Emperours of the East 1. Nicephorus who expelled Irene and agreed with Charles the Great that he should have the Empire of the West to him and his successors 2. Michael Curopolites his Sonne in Law who ratified the same composition 3. Leo Armenius an intruder who banished his predecessor and was slaine himselfe by 4. Michael Thraulus an unworthy Amorite 5. Theophilus his sonne was better but the Saracens brake his heart 6. Michael his sonne comes in with his mother Theodora protectrix but he mued her quickly in a Monastery and was slaine himselfe by 7. Basilius Macedo a man of a better temper he left his sonne to succeed 8. Lee more addicted to Astrology then carefull in his calling 9. His brother Alexander followes that kill'd himselfe with gurmundizing 10. Then Constantine Leo's sonne who is said to have converted some Turkes to Christianity 11. Romanus his sonne on the contrary caused his Mother and Sisters to turne strumpets and himselfe was poysoned 12. Nicephorus Phocas that usurped the place pretended to doe somewhat against the Saracens but oppressâ—d only the Subjects with taxes 13. John Zimisces out off all his race did somewhat against the Bulgarians and was poysoned 14. Basilius and 15. Constantine being brethren passe on without performing any thing worth the notice 16. Romanus Argyropilus did somewhat in the beginning but was quickly choakt in a bath by the means of Zoe his adulterous Wife and 17. Michael Paphlago a driveling slave after him by the same Zoe is thrust in 18. Michael Galaphates a base dissembler who soon outed his patronesse but proved so intollerable himselfe that she was recalled from banishment and made Empresse shee marries 19. Constantine Monomachus a slugge they drop away togither And 20. Theodora Porphyrogenita Zoes sister takes the reines in her hand This holds not but 21. Michael Strato an old man is thrust in by the Courteours and soon outed by 22. Isaacus Comnenus who proved somewhat better yet could not give content but 23. Constantine Ducas must have his place This he soon left to his wife Eudochia and her Children who married that she might the better hold it 24. Romanus Diogenes victorious against the Turkes but ungratefully deprived of his sight and banished by those whom he had preserved 25. Nicephorus Botoniatos succeeds by thrusting the right heire into a Monastery 26. Alexius Comnenus does as much for him and treacherously used the Lattaines in their passage by him to recover the Holy Land 27. Much better was his sonne Calo Johannes who prevailed against the Turkes and dyed by the prick of a Dart himselfe had envenomed 28. Emanuel his sonne was he that mixed chalke with the flower he sent the French for provision for the Army and put out the eyes of Dandalus the Venice Embassadour contrary to the Law of Nations 29 Alexius his young sonne was villanously made away by his Tutor 30. Andronicus who had soon his deserved punishment by 31. Jaacius Angelus who royally entertained Frederick Barbarossa passing to Palestina but was most barbarously deprived of his sight and imprisoned by his own brother whom he had redeemed from Turkish slavery 32. Alexius Comnenus the fratricide he was soon outed by his Nephew 33. Alexius the third who restored his blind father Isaacius he soon dying left the place to him which Myrtillus or Murziphlus a base fellow treacherously extorted from him He was cut off by the French and Venetians that setled the first Lattaine in the Greeking Empire 34. Baldwin Earle of Flanders He left for his successour 35. Henry his Brother 36. Peter Altisidorensis followes him betrayed and slaine by Lascaris 37. Robert his sonne succeeds and leaves the place to his sonne Balwin the second In him ended in Constantinople the Government of the Lattines who had held it about 60. years under five Emperours although Theodorus Lascarus Iohn Ducas John Theodore stiled themselves Emperours of Greece the same time in Adrinople untill 38. Michael Paleologus recovered Constantinople againe about the yeare 1270. which falls in with the time of Rodulphus Haspurgensis 2ly In the compasse of this Period sprang up the seaven bloudy controversies that set all Christendome in combustians Concerning 1. The Popes Supremacy over Bishops Councells Princes 2. Their Elections without and against the Emperours consent 3. The Investiture of Bishops by Staffe and Ring 4. Priests Marriages 5. Images 6. Transubstantiation 7. And Indulgences 3ly In the same compasse Postillators Schoolemen and Canonists In Warenfride Lombard and Gratian had their first beginnings and countenancing 4ly The diverse expeditions for recovering the Holy Land 5ly The persecutions of the poore Waldenses 6ly The multiplying of Monasteries and Orders of Fryars And 7ly decay of Polite Learning may be within this circle evidently taken notice of as matters of no small concernment INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The agreement of Charles M. with the Greeke Emperours imply not that he held Pope Leo's pronouncing him Emperour of the West and Crowning him to be no sure title 2. That Crowning de facto were a sufficient ground for the succeeding Popes to claim the same priviledge de Jure as essentiall to the being of an Emperour 3. In vite Careli Those stories and wonders of Oliver and Roland and the foure sonnes of Ammon related by Arch-Bishop Turpin and others are for the most part fabulous 4. The Westerne Emperours had more trouble to keep correspondence with the incroaching Popes then to quit themselves from the invasions of other Enemies 5. Christianity were more abused and corrupted by the Schoolemens affected nicities then by the grosse figments of the Legendaries 6. The recovering of the Holy Land were of more importance then the maintenance of unity amongst Christian Princes to stop the Infidells from coming any farther 7. Pious and prudent Preachers might not have prevailed more for the Enemies conversion then the Sword-men performed for their subversion SEAVENTH PERIOD of Austrians PERIOD VII THE Seaventh and Iast Period yet current hath continued for the space of 360. years and more From Radolph of Ausperg to Ferdinand the second and numbers in it 18. Emperours 1. A.C. 1273 RADULPHUS AUSPURGENSIS chosen with much adoe by the seaven Electors after 22 years vacancy of the Empire 2. He overthrew Ottacar King of Bohemia and pacified the tumults in Germany was free to
mischeife He was Deposed for his untowardlinesse and 8. A.C. 1400 RUPERT Dake of Bavaria is Elected into his place He was also Count Palatine and from him came the foure Palatine Families Heidleberg Neuberg Simmeren and Swibrooke 2. He endeavoured to reforme much but could performe litle In his time two Popes were Deposed by the Councell of Pisa 3. His mercifull Motto was MISERIA RES DIGNA MISERICORDIA Misery is to be pittied from what fountaine soever it floweth To him succeeds 9. SIGISMUND the brother of Wenceslaus A.C. 1411 sonne of Charles the fourth He tooke great paines and travels to settle Peace amongst Christian Princes yet new troubles still grew on him 2. The Councell of Constance then held Deposed three Ropes and chose Martin the first which without the leave of the Electing Cardinals stood for good So the Councell of Basill afterwards deposed Eugenius the fourth and put into his place Amadeus Duke of Savoy but he soon resigned it againe hence notwithstanding it may be concluded That the Papists in those daies held not the Pope to be above a Councell 3. Vpon the perfidious and shamefull Martyring of Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prague the Bohemians united themselves under John Ziâ—ca to vindicate their rights and liberty of conscience 4. This Zizea though at the beginning having but one and afterwards never an eye was Victorious in 11 Battles At his Death he defired his Skinne might make a Drumme the sound of which would put a panick feare upon the persecuters of Gods Truth and in truth a panick feare Rowted once the Emperours Army Pezel when the Hussites or Taborites were in a poore case to resist them 5. This Emperours Motto was CEDVNT MVNERA FATIS Rewards alwayes attend not deserts but fortune He is reported nine times to have assayled the Turke but never with successe he dyes Childlesse and 10. A.C. 1438 ALBERT of Anstria the second his sonne in Law succeeds him who held not the place so long as to doe any matter of consequence 2. He carryed a heavy hand over the Jewes withstood the Hussites subdued Silesia but could not preserve the Christians from that ruinous blow given by the Turkes to the Hungarians in the fields of Varna 3. His Motto was AMICVS OPTIMA VITAE POSSESSIO Aright friend is this lifes best inheritance T is thought he dyed of a surfet upon Pumpions His successor was 11. A.C. 1440 FREDERICK the third Arch Duke of Austria his kinsman a man accomplished with all parts fit for so high a calling 2. Some place in his time the overthrow of the Hungarians in Varna but a greater blow then that was the taking of Constantinople by Mahomet A.C. 1553. to the shame and confusion of all Christendome 3. Printing was theÌ„ invented by Iohn Guttenberg at Mentz thence increased at Strausberge and so communicated to Rome 4. Vpon the Turkes possessing Constantinople the Greekes flying for shelter into the West brought the riches of their tongue with them which before was not so much respected 5. His Motto was RERVM IRRECVPERABILIVM FAELIX OBLIVIO It is happinesse to forget that which may not be recovered After his long Raigne his sonne 12. A.C. 1493 MAXIMILIAN the first ascends the Throne So great a Scholler that he elegantly spake Latine and other tongues and in imitation of Iulius Caesar wrote his own Acts. 2. Great stirres he had with the Venetians whom he brought at length to submit Having an interest in the Low Countries by his marriage with Mary of Burgundy he was coursly used amongst them by a company of rude Mechaniques detained in Prison which he endured with patience and freed himselfe from after nine months with admirable prudence 3. His Motto was TENE MENSVRAM ET RESPICE FINEM keep thy selfe within compasse and have an eye alwaies to the end of thy life and actions Scaligers testimony of him was If I should say that this Prince excelled all his predecessors I should say lesse then the truth His Grand-child sonne of Philip Arck-Duke of Austria 13. A.C. 1520 CHARLES the fifth followes This man was the glory of the house of Austria At his Baptizing the Abbots offered a Bible with this inscription Scrutamini Scripturas Joh. 5. which was Luthers rule whereby he set on foot the Reformation and the Protestants in Spira whereby they withstood the Tyranny Idolatry and Hereticall Doctrine of the Pope and his Clergy Adding a hundred grievances which they petitioned might be reformed according to this rule But the deafe Adders stopped their Eares 2. He liked to read three bookes especially Polybius History Machiavelâ— Prince and Castalions Courteour 3. In fifteen warres which he waged for the most part he was successefull The lust of which was by Cortez and Pizarre in the newly discovered parts of America where in 28 Battailes he became Master of so many Kingdomes 4. Neere home he took Rome by the Duke of Burbon Captivated the French King Francis in the Battle of Pavia Frighted Solyman the Turke from Vienna Setled Mully Hassen in his Kingdome in Africk Defeats Barbarossa the Sea Bugbeare and takes Tunys 5. By the Popes continuall instigations he carryed a hard hand against the Protestants whose patience and perseverance with other intervenient crosses at length abated his edge 6. So wearied with the worlds incessant troubles he divests himselfe of all Emperiall authority and betakes him to the repose of a Monastery 7. His Motto was PLVS VLTRA opposite to that of Hercules For in the world a pious contemplation must not be bounded but seek farther for a safer Haven Spaine and the Low Countreys he left to his sonne Philip but the Empire by the consent of the Electors to 14. FERDINAND the first his brother A.C. 1558 a compleat and a judicious Prince Vnder him in the Treaty of Passaw was granted liberty of Conscience to the professors of the Augustane confession which much startled the Fathers of the Trent Councell As the grant also did to the Bohemians for receiving the supper in both kinds 2. He subdued Iohn Sepusius of Transilvania entrenching upon the Crowne of Hungary and strongly kept back the Turke from farther encroaching upon his dominions 3. His Motto was FIAT IVST ITIA ET PEREAT MVNDVS Let right be done and come what may of it His sonne 15. MAXIMILIAN the second A.C. 1564 without any opposition became his successour Who was constant to the Tenent that mens consciences are not to be forced in matters of Religion 2. In his time began the Warres in the Low Countries chiefly through the Spanish Tyranny executedby the Duke of Alva on the grieved people and otherwise on the Earles of Horne and Egmond which yet endureth The five Civill Warres in France the barbarous Massacre of the Protestants began at Paris The famous defeat of the Turkes in the Sea-fight at Lepanto His pious Motto was DOMINVS PROVIDEBIT The Lord will provide for such as depend upon him under whose protection he breathing out his last
his sonne 16. A.C. 1576 RODOLPHUS the second succeeds him a Prince much addicted to Chimistry 2. He granted liberty of Religion to the Protestants obtained diverse victories against the Turke with whom afterward he made a Peace but according to the Turkish manner it was kept no otherwise then it might advantage them 3. But a closer advantage was taken upon him by his own brother Mathias who extorted from him Hungary and Austria with some other of his Dominions to bury him as it were alive and take his place before he had fairely left it 4. Arch-Duke Leopold shewed himselfe somewhat in the Emperours behalfe but to no purpose 5. His Symbole was OMNIA EX VOLVNTATE DEI All must be as God will have it And God would have his brother 17. A.C. 1612 MATHIAS to succeed with whom Gabriell Battery playing false and tyrannizing over the Pregeny of the Saxons in Transilvania was slaine of his own Souldiers before Verradine 2. The Protestants standing for their priviledges in Bohemia were withstood by some of the Emperours Councell of whom they threw Slabataâ— and Fabritius Smesantius with a Secretary out of a window at Prague 3. Bethlem Gabor is chosen Prince of Transilvania by the States The Iesuits expelled Bohemia Cleselius the Cardinall is violently taken from the Court Bucquoy and Tampier are sent to pacify the Bohemians Over whom the Emperour assignes his Cosen to be King 4. The Moravians banish the Iesuits consine the Cardinall Dithrighstâ—in and Zerotine The Earle of Thurne ènters Moravia and Bethlem Gaber Hungary to force those places from the Emperour 5. Whose Motto was CONCORDIA LVMINE MAIOR ConÌ„cord is more then light To set things right Which prevented by death he could not doe but leaves to be performed by his kinsman 18. FERDINAND the second A.C. 1619 made not long before King of Bohemia The Bohemians except against his election and chuse Frederick Count Palatine of Rhene King of Bohemia He accepts of it enters with the Lady Elizabeth his wife and is Crowned in Prague 2. Bucquoy the Emperours Generall enters Bohemia Bethlem Gabor stirres on the other side in Hungary to make a diversion The Protestants assemble at Nurinburg and the Papists at Wortzburg to make their parties good The Emperour sets out an Edict against the King of Bohemia and sends him monitory letters to desist to which he replies and stands to justify his right 3. Spinola is brought to invade the Palatinate and takes diverse Townes in it Sir Horatio Vere with the English would have encountred him but the Marquesse of Anspacke Generall of the Protestant Army stopps it 4. A.C. 1620 The King of Bohemia with his Queene for saken of the States of that Kingdome are forced to save themselves by flight He is proscribed and put out of his Electorship which is conferred upon the Duke of Bavaria Tampier and Bucquoy the Emperours eaders are both slaine 5. Duke Christian of Brunswick and Count Mansfield stirre for the King of Bohemia Heidelberg is taken by Tilly the Emperours Generall and Frankendale delivered to the Spaniard The King of Bohemia settles himselfe with his Queene and Children at the Hague Tilly drives Maurice Lantgrave of Hassia out of his Countrey The King of Denmarke makes head against him but to his great losse Mansfield having left his forces with the Duke of Saxonweymer dyes neere Venice who with the Husbandmen men of Austria A.C. 1626 otherwise makes head against the Imperialists but with no successe 6 Gustavus Adolphus King of Swedia like a Tempest falls on Germany Frees the oppressed Princes of Pomerania and Brandeburg restores the Dukes of Meckelburg Takes Wrutzburg Mentz and all that lies in his way Overthrowes Tilly in two great Battailes at Leippseike and Leick Overruns a great part of Bavaria In a third Battle at Lutzen puts Walsteene Duke of Freedland to the worst slew the valiant Pappenheim with diverse other of note of the Imperialists But was there slaine himselfe whether by the Enemy or Treason of his own it is controverted by many with whom we also end 7. This Emperours Motto is said to be LEGITIME CERT ANTIBVS It is the better for them that doe so and undertake no Warre but upon just grounds 2. MAtter 's of Consequence may be noted with this Period 1. The Contemporary Emperours of the East 1. Andronicus Paleologus sonne of Michael Paleologus mentioned in the former Period that recovered Constantinople this man would not stoop to the Lattaines Neither his Nephew 2. Andronicus Paleologus junior Him followes John Paleologus under the protectorship of John Catachucenus with whom Calo Johannes Catachnzenus sonne in Law for some tenne years pertakes in the government 4. Then two Calo Johannes 5th 6th 7ly Andronicus with a 8th Iunior Manuell follow in a confus'd and shufling manner A.C. 1454 untill 9. Constantine the 11. In whose time Constantinople the famous seat of the Easterne Emperours was made the Imperiall Citty of the Turkes by Mahomet the Great who thereupon was stiled their first Emperour so that as the Westerne Empire began in Augustus and ended in Augustulus so the Easterne had Constantine the Great that erected it and Constantine the unhappy that lost his life together with it and was buried in the Empites ruines 2ly Within this Period may be also observed seven Expeditions for the recovery of the Holy Land with infinite charge and losse and no answerable successe 3. The discoveries of the West Indies by Columbus and Americus Vespucius and the conquest in them by Corteâ—z and Pizarro 4. The sayling about the whole world by Sir Francis Drake Sir Thomas Candish and Oliver Van-North to whom Ferdinando Magellane had shewed the way but died before he came to his journeys end 5. Within this compasse besides fell the famous inventions of Gunpowder and Printing They of China boast they had Printing long before but their untowardly characters shew the vanity of that vaunt and what may be expected from them that never attained to the perfection of an Alphabet 6. Hereupon followes the Reformation of Religion by Luther Zuinglius and other pious and Learned Doctors beyond the Sea which was perfected here with us by our domestique Bishops Martyrs and Professorâ— to the admiration and envy of friends and opposers So that our Constantine hath been reckoned the first Christian Emperour our Lucius the first King Christened and our Henry the eight the first that broke the neck of the Popes usurped authority which are blessings never to be recounted without continuall thankes to God that hath so graced this Isle above so many famous Kingdomes round about us Tamberlane Zisâ—a Huniades Scanderbeg and Gustavus King of Sweden of this Period may be justly paralel'd with the most famous Leaders that we read of amongst the Ancients INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Iewish Iubilies may be turned into Christian Marts to make sale of Pardons and to get mony 2. To be Crown'd or approved by the Pope conferre any Title or Power to
man to dethrone him 3. He repaires to the misunderstood Cordeilla who had married Aganippus a Prince of France she dutifully receives him and her Husband with the help of confederates restores him to his former dignity in which he dying leaves the place to his thankfull daughter 11. CORDEILLA A.M. 3158 But shee being invaded by her two Nephews Morgan and Cunedag sonnes to her mentioned sisters and by them subdued and imprisoned pittifully made her selfe away and leaves to them the Kingdome 12. Morgan and Cunedag A.M. 3162 who peaceably ruled for a while in their severall divisions But Morgan of the elder sister contending that the whole belonged unto him ventured upon his Cosens part and so lost all with his life leaving his name to the place in which he was vanquished of Glan-Morgan continued ever since and the whole Kingdome to Cunedag who had it not long before his death transferr'd it to his sonne 13. RIVALLO In whose time it raigned blood A.M. 3197 for three daies together that bred flies which a contagion follewed that consumed multitudes This Perdix the Wisard of those daies might foretell but not withstand This calamity wrought not his sonne that succeeded 14. GURGUSTUS to forsake his beastly surquedry A.M. 3242 but left it to his brother 15. SYSILLIUS his successour to augment it A.M. 3279 rather then reforme it and his kinsman 16. A.M. 3327 IAGO for ought is said of him runnes onward in the same straine and dyes without Issue 17. A.M. 3352 KINNIMACUS or Kinmartu some say his brother is named only to bring in 18. A.M. 3404 GORBODUG his sonne and he to fill up a roome and then transferre it to his sonnes 19. A.M. 3467 FERREX and Porrex They quarrelling with one the other as the manner is in such cases met in Battle wherein whether Ferrex slew Porrex or he his brother it is uncertaine all agree that the Mother with her own hands flew the snrviver in his bed when he least thought of it and so put a Brutish Period to the line of Brute after it had continued about 700 years Then upon much bickering for about 50 years space the Monarchy degenerated into a Pentarchy wherein first Staterus became King of Albania 2. Yevan of Northumberland 3. Pinnor of Loegria 4. Rudac of Wales and Cloten of Cornwall whose sonne Mulmucius Dunwallo brought it back to a Monarchy as before the leader in the next Distance or Ranke 2. VVIth these fall in the times of David and his successors untill the returne from the Captivity of Babylon Grafton 2. The building of Rome and diverse other Citties here amongst us 3. The originalls of the names of some Places and Rivers which carry small credit with them INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The story of Brute and his Line be as uncertaine as that of Samothes and Albion 2. Britaine had its name from Brit painted and Tania a Region and Cornewall from Kern a horne which it resembleth and Wallia to which it relateth and not from Brutus and Coroneus 3. Greeke Oracles ever used to give answers in Lattaine Hexameter and Fentameter 4. Coroneus worsting Gogmagog in wrestling left a patterne to the Cornish to prove such skilfull Wrestlers 5. Stamford were made an Vniversity by King Bladud 6. The hot Baths in the Citty of Bath were ever so naturally before King Bladud built there a Temple and committed them to Minerva's trust 7. Aquila's and Perdix ' Prophecies be meere forged delusions Brittish Monarchs DISTANCE IV. 1. THe fourth Distance of Brittish free Monarchs ends at Cassibellane and takes his rise from Mulmuciâ—â— 1. A.M. 3522 DUNWALLO Duke Clotons sonne of Cornewall he subdued the other Rulers in the Pentarchy and was the first Crowned King of Britany whereas others before were but termed Rulers Dukes or Governours 2. He constituted good Lawes translated out of British into Latine by Gildas Priscus and afterward by King Alfred into English and mingled amongst his Statutes Notable was the priviledge he granted to Heathen Temples that those that fled unto them should be there protected and thence passe untouched to shift for themselves 3. Blackwell Hall Malmsbury and the Vies are said to be built by him and the foure crosse waies began which were finished by his sonne Beline 3. Most affirme that he brought in Weights and Measures and ordained strict Lawes for the punishment of theft being a great favourer of Learning and Chivalry dyes honourably and leaves his two sonnes to Raigne after him joyntly 2. A.M. 3562 BELINUS and Brennus Brennus by north Humber and Beline in the Southerne parts remaining with Cornewall 2. Brennus not contented with his dividend for strengthning of himselfe to get more sayles into Norway there marries King Elsings daughter but lost her in the carriage homeward to Guiltdake her former sweetheart King of Denmarke This King by storme is driven with her upon the coast of Northumberland and entertained by Beline Brennus followes and requires of his Brother his Wife and Patrimony both are denied him they joyne Battle Brennus with his Norwaies is routed flyes into Gallia marries Seginus daughter Duke of Allabrog returnes with his Father in Lawe's forces upon his brother Beline Being upon an unnaturall encounter the Mother steps between and fully accords them 3. Brennus returnes some say accompanied with his brother Beline 't is well he had his best furtherance and conquereth a great part of Gallia whence furnished with forces he passes into Italy and after a great overthrow given surprizeth Rome Livius The chiefe leaders in which finding their weaknesse fortify themselves in the Capitoll to which the Galls having found a secret passage and thinking to have taken them napping were discovered by some geese and so disappoynted whence afterward the Romanes had a Goose feast in the honour of Iuno 4. In the mean whiles the ancient Senaters sitting with great gravity in Chaires at their Doores and thereby at first awing the pillaging Souldiers into reverence upon a boxe given by Marcus Papirius to one that plaid with his beard he inraged thereby cut his throat and emboldned his fellowes to doe the like to the rest 4. A composition is made for surrendring the Capitoll the mony to be paid from the Romans is weighing the Galls throw in their swords to the ballance to augment the summe agreed upon A quarrell thence ariseth in the heat of which Furius Camillus recalled from Banishment and made Dictator by the Senate comes with forces expells the Galls out of Rome and Italy 5. Thence falling upon Greece they are said to have subdued Sosteme Duke of Macedon where plundering all Temples they met with and attempting to doe the like at Delphos Apollo as it should seem in anger so pelted them with haile-stones and with an Earth-quake and a fall of a peece of Pernassus that he slew most of them and so wounded our Brennus that in despaire he fell upon his own Sword 6. All this while Beline at home spent his time
which made a faire way for his sonne 3. A.M. 3944 KIMBELLINE to succeed him In the 23. yeare of whose Raigne our Saviour Christ was borne 2. Some say that upon deniall of the Romane Tribute Augustus Caesar was thrice upon the way to invade Britaine but was by other businesses diverted The contrary relation is more likely that Kimbelline being bred in Rome and graced much by Augustus never gave afterward occasion of distast whose good example his sonne and successor 4. An. Ch. 17 GUIDERIUS had not the wisdome to follow He therefore being valorous and of a haughty spirit held it a disparagement for a King to be Tributary unto any No Tribute therefore may be had from him 2. Caligula the Romane Emperour stormes at it goes in Person against him brings his company as farre as the Belgique shore causes his Army thence to gather Coccle shels and so ridiculously returnes triumphantly to Rome with the spoyles as he accounted it of the Ocean 3. Claudius as 't was thought a simpler man took a better grounded course for by his Leaders Plautius and Vespasian he brought the Britaine 's to more submissive termes Grafton Hollinsh and conquered Guiderius our stories relate it in this manner One Hamo siding with the Romanes put on British formalities by that means came neare to the King and slew him to repaire which losse 5. An. Ch. 45 ARVIRAGUS the Kings brother shifteth himselfe into the Kings Ornaments to prevent discouragement of the Souldiers who knew not what was done and so continues the fight in which they were and had the better pursues Hamo to the Sea side where he slew himselfe whence the place took the name of Hamo's Haven now with a little change is called South-Hampton 2. Arviragus holds up stoutly after diverse conflicts keepeth his owne and is at length reconciled to the Emperour by marrying his daughter Genissa 3. Hence swelling and esteeming it an indignity to be perpetually jaded with taxes withstands the payment is invaded by Vespasian who lands at Totnesse the King encounters him in a doubtfull Battle nere Exceter The Queene interposes and makes them friends for quietnesse sake the Tribute is continued 4. How redoubted this King seemed to be to the Romanes may be gathered from that peece of the Satyrist Regem aliquem capies aut de Temone Britanno Invenal â—at 4. Excidet Arviragus It boads great honour to thy selfe some King thou shalt restraine Or shake the fierce Arviragus out of his British wayne Saies the Parasite to the Emperour making it no small triumph to unhorse Arviragus who by some is stiled the Hector of Britaine 5. After such brave atchievements he dies peaceably and leaves his virtues and Kingdome to his sonne 6. MARIUS The Picts invading this Countrey An. Ch. 73 had a notable overthrow by him with their leader Roderick at Stanes More in the North so called from a stone crected in that place as a memoriall of that Victory 2. Some call this man Westmer to deduce from thence with more probability the name of Westmerland others make him the same with Arviragus whose heroick wife Voadicia for an unsufferable abuse offered unto her and her two daughters gave notable overthrowes to the Romanes untill at length she was defeated by Paâ—linus Suetonius which she took so indignely that she made her selfe away In these heavy and desperate times 7. An. C. 126 COILUS the sonne of Marius undertakes the government which he might mannage with lesse danger in regard he was brought up amongst the Romanes and could humour them best for his own quiet 2. He constantly payed the tribute unto them which prevented the greatest quarrell 3. Colchester is thought to beare his name and commend him to posterity but that was more really done by his sonne Lucius the chiefe in the neâ— Distance 2. WIthin compasse of this Distance especially notice may be taken of 1. The eminent Invaders and oppreâ—â—ors of this Iland which are storied to be 1. Iulius Caesar Holinsh 2. Vespasian under Claudius who gave thirty overthrowes to the Inhabitants 3. Aulus Plautius a Romane Senator called out of France and preferred before Narcissus the Emperours minion by the Souldiers crying out O Saturnalia 4. Osterius Scapula 5. Paulinus Suâ—tonius 6. Julius Frontinus 7. Julius Agricola Father in Law to Cornelius Tacitus who with advantage sets forth his History 2ly Those that worthily resisted them deservedly should be remembred who were 1. Cassibellane that confronted Caesar 2. Nennius his brother who got his sword from him 3. Guiderius who manfully stood up for the liberty of his Countrey untill he was treacherously slaine by Hamo 4. Arviragus the Hector of Britaine who stroke a terror to the Romanes 5. Voadicia that resolute Queene that made them smart for the abusing her and her two daughters 6. Caratack that incomparable Welch man that was so basely betrayed by that strumpet Catismandua of North Wales who had turn'd off her Husband to marry with her ignoble Paramour but Caratacks refolution and behaviour so took the Emperour Claudius and the Romanes that her betraying and carrying to Rome with his Wife and Children heightned him to a greater esteeme 7. Lastly the two Noble Scots Corbrid and Galgalus supporters in these extremities leave them in fames Register never to be forgotten INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. In relating these former passages the Romanes or our own Records are rather to be credited 2. Caesar conquered Britaine by valour rather then domestique dissentions and Treason 3. It be likely that Kimbaline were Knighteâ— by Augustus 4. Arviragus marriage with Genissa the Emperour Claudius daughter were not worthy mentioning in Roman Histories if it were true Bale Ponticus Viramnus 5. There were ever such a virago as Brunduca that terrified Rome more then Hanniball and dyed in going to subdue it 6. She were not the same with Voadicia 7. South-Hampton had its name from Hamâ— slaine thereby Arviragus British Christians DISTANCE VI. 1. THe sixt Classiâ— or Distance amongst the Britaines is bounded with Vortiger and begins with 1. An. C. 180 LUCIUS the sonne of Coilus forementioned This is the first King we read of that imbraced Christianity 2. He sent to Elutherius then Bishop of Rome Elvanus and Medvinus learned men of his owne to receive farther instructions from him an answere is returned him from thence by Faganus and Danianus in these words You have received in the Kingdome of Britaine by Godâ— mercy both the Law and faith of Christ Ye have both the New and Old Testament out of the same through Gods grace by the advice of your Realme take a Law and by the same through Gods sufferance rule you your Kingdome of Britaine for in that Kingdome you are Gods Vicar What could be more solid and punctuall but how the stile was altered afterward in that Sea the World felt and lamented 3. Vpon this the King altered the three Pagan Arch-Flamins and twenty eight Flamins into so many
Arch-Bishopricks and Bishopricks The Arch-Bishops were of London Yorke and Gloster the Bishops of other places Idoll Temples were destroyed Westminster built in the Isle of Thorny the place where it now stands being then so called 4. Priviledges and meanes were granted for the honouring such sacred places 5. The King dies without Issue wherefore to continue the line of Government wee are forced to take in the Emperour 2. An. C. 208 SEVERUS for he comes hither in Person to appease the tumults amongst the headlesse and heedlesse multitude orders that the Country should have no more Kings of her own 2. Built a Wall between England and Scotland of 112 miles in length to stop the suddaine incursions of the Scots and Picts at least repaired that wall which Adrian had erected before 3. He dyes here in Yorke and left his sonne the Monster 3. BASSIANUS to succeed him An. C. 213 of whose killing his brother Geta and other villanies mention is made before in his life Of him 4. An. C. 219 CARAUSIUS an obscure Britaine purchaseth the Government of the shattered State Eutropius wherein when he presumed to King it 5. An. C. 226 ALECTUS is sent from Rome by the Senate to out him which he quickly did And was as soon dealt with in the like kind by 6. ASCLEPIODOTUS Duke of Cornewall An. C. 232 This man resolutely bestirres himselfe for the freedome of his Country disgarrisons the Romane holds besieges London carries it kills the Romane Governour thereof Livius and throwes him into a Rivellet thence called Wall-brook But differences falling out between him and Coill Earle of Colchester it grew to a set Battle wherein Asclepiodotus was slaine and 7. COILL takes his place An. C. 2623 Constantius Clhorus is sent by the Romane Senate to subdue the tumultuous but matters were so politiquely contrived between them that in steed of outing Coill Clhorus takes his faire and peerclesse Daughter Helena to wife and with her the Kingdome after her Father He is highly commended for his morall virtues valour moderation and in those sad times for favouring the Christians After an excellent exhortation on his death-bed to those that were about him he quietly breathed his last and lyes buried at Yorke leaving 8. An. C. 310 CONSTANTINE the Heire and Augmenter of his worth whom he had by the British Helen As Lucius had the honour before to be Registred for the first Christian King so this Great Constantine is famous to all ages for the first Christian Emperour of whom more is said in his life amongst the Emperours After him expired the Romane vassalage which had endured 483 years by the intrusion of 9. An. C. 329 OCTAVIUS Duke of Cornewall Against him Constantine sends Traherne his Vnkle by the Mothers side but he was quickly encounterd by Octavius that had great means and friends and overthrowne neere Winchester but Traherne recruting his forces at an other Battle in the North had the better of Octavius who thereupon fled into Norway 2. Thence understanding that Traherne was slaine by an Earle that was his friend he returnes againe to his Estate and governs peaceably 3. And for the strengthning of his Title to make it good to posterity he sends for from Rome 10. An. C. 383 MAXIMIANUS or Maximus a kinsman of the Great Constantines For this mans harsh dealing with the Ghristians he is set forth by most writers as a Tyrant 2. Quarrells fell out between him and Conan Meridoc Duke of Cornewall and some conflicts with various successe but they agreed at last Maximianus bestowing Armorica which he had conquered upon Conan who called it Little Britaine and having made away the ancient Inhabitants sent into Cornewall for Wives to people it with Brittish blood 11000 Virgins were shipped thither by Diothen then Duke whereof Vrsnla his faire daughter was one but they were barbarously slaine in the passage by Guanus Captain of the Hunnes and Melga King of Ficts who afterward were forced into Ireland by Gracian a Leader sent from our Maximinian 3. Who puffed up with wealth and successe Rebelled against his Master Gratian the Emperour whom he slew in France and proclaimed himselfe Emperour but quickly lost that dignity with his life by Theodosius the great In Orat. funeb de exitu Theodofii neere Aquilea concerning whom St Ambrose hath this passage Maximus occisus est nunc in inferno docenâ— exemplo miserabili quam durum sit Arma suis Principibus irrogare Maximus is slaine and now in Hell by his miserable example teacheth what a hard matter it is for Subjects to take up Armes against their Princes 11. A.Ch. 391 GRACIAN then his Generall makes bold to supply the vacant place he was a Britaine by birth and education yet so Tyrannized over his Countrymen that in a short space he was slaine amongst them 2. Whereupon Guanus and Melga finding them destitute of a Leader come upon them out of Ireland The Scots and Picts breake in upon them from the North and Civill dissentions plague them as much in the middest so that nothing but Famine Bloud and desolation was before their eyes 3. In this extremity they repayre to Aetius the Romane Leiftenant in Gallia with this pittyfull complaint The Barbarous people drive us to the Sea and the Sea driveth us back unto them againe Hereof arise two kinds of death for either we are slaine or drowned and against such evils have we no remedy or help at all Therefore in respect of your Clemency succour your owne we most instantly desire you 4. But finding cold comfort either for that the Romane regarded them not or had his hands full otherwise they dispatch Embassadours to Aldroenus then King of little Britaine who consented to ayd them if they would accept his brother to be their King 5. Necessity enforceth them to imbrace the Condition and so 12. CONSTANTINE is made their King A.Ch. 443 He Lands with Forces at Totnesse slayes Guanus the Hunnish King in the Feild and defeateth the rest of the oppressours but soone after was treacherously slaine himselfe by a perfidious Pict 2. He left three sonnes surviving Constantius Aurclius Ambrose and Vter Pendragon Constantius that for his blockishnesse was Cloystered in a Monastery was thence taken to Raigne after him but was wholy guided as a Ward by Vortiger Duke of Cornewall who caused him to be made away that he might enjoy the Place and appeares the foreman of the next and last Classis or Distance in the Brittish Dynasty 3. WIth this Distance falleth in 1. The great Question concerning the first Planter of Christianity in Britany Whether it were 1. St James the sonne of Zebedee or 2 Simon Zelotes or 3 St Peter or 4 St Paul or 5 Joseph of Aramathea or 6 Aristobulus or 7 Timothy or all these or any other at diverse times and on diverse occasions may be said to have put their hand to the worke 2 The damnable Heresie of Pelagius first hence taking his rise with
its progresse and cheife abettours and opposers of it 3. The wofull estate of the Brittish Christians under the Romane servitude and persecutions wherein St Albon had the honour to be the first Martyr and the shamefull desertion of them and leaving them to the mercylesse Irruptions of the Hunnet and Picts All which and much more you have most accurately and judiciously discussed by the most Reverend Father in God Arch-Bishop Vsher Lord Primate of Ireland in sifting as one saies of B. Bradwarden to the Branne the Brittish Churches Antiquitice INQVIRES 3. Whether 1. It can positively be set down who brought Christianity first into this Iland 2. Lucius was the first King read of that ever imbraced it 3. The passages betwixt him and Pope Elutherius especially the answer of Elutherius terming him Gods Vicar in his owne Kingdome be forged 4. He disposed Arch-Bishopricks or Bishopricks as 't is related 5. Helena the mother of Constantine the great were King Coills daughter or as others say a Wench of an Inne 6. The story of Vrsula and the 11000 Virgins Massacred in their passage to little Brittaine be of any credit 7. A Monkish Cell could render Constantius fit for a Kingly Throne Brittish strugling with Saxons c. DISTANCE VII 1. THe Seaventh and last Classis or Distance proposeth the Britaines intangled and strugling with the Saxons to hold their owne notwithstanding they had entertained them for their assistance This reacheth as farre as the dynasty of the Saxons and begins with 1. VORTIGER or Vortigerne An. C. 448 who had treacherously made away his predecessor Constantius though to set a colour of his innocency he caused the Actors to be executed whom himselfe had set on worke Anrelius Ambrose and Vter Pendragon the younger brethren of Constantius are conveyed away from his tyranny by their friends into little Britaine 2. Whereupon being streigthned extreamely by the Picts and Scots and fearing the returne of these brethren to require their right to the Crowne he invites the Saxons to come and strengthen his party some say they casually landed here and were only entertained by him Their Leaders were Hengistus and Horsus two brethren descended as they vaunted from Wooden and Fria the Saxon dieties By the help of these and their followers he repelleth his forraigne and appeaseth his domestique enimies 3. Heugist thus growing in high esteeme obtaines a favour of the King but to grant him so much land as an Oxe hide might compasse This petty suit was soon had but the hide cut into small thongs incircled so much ground that a Fort thereon was builded by the name of Thong Castle where Hengist setled himselfe 4. Then Ocea and Ebusa more of Hengists breed are sent for out of Germany who bring his faire daughter Rowan with them the King is invited to Thong Castle Rowan set forth to the utmost presents him with a Wassayle or Dutch health he falls in love with her puts away his lawfull Christian Wife to take this Pagan stranger 5. The Nobility except against it and to prevent the overgrowing of the Saxons to their destruction they forsake him and put his eldest sonne 2. An. C. 464 VORTIMER into his place He was victorious against the Saxons in foure maine Battles in the second of which his brother Catigerne and Horsus the Saxon hand to hand slew each other 1. They in these and diverse other conflicts being thus defeated and broken shelter themselves in the Iles of Wight and Thenet thence Petition for leave to returne into their Country which they did leaving their Families and Possessions behind But Queen Rowan finds the means to have Vortimer poysoned by reason whereof Vortiger recovers the Kingdome Hengist returnes from Germany with fresh supplies Vortiger with his British Nobles makes head against him 2. A Treaty is agreed upon the place appoynted for it is now known by the name of Stonehenge where the Brittish coming unarmed according to agreement At the word given by Hengist Nempt your sexes had their throats cut most treacherously with the knives the Saxons brought covertly thither for that purpose 3. Only Earle Edole of Glocester some say Chester got a stake by good hap wherewith he defended himselfe and dispatched 17 some say 70 of the miscreants and so escaped with his life to Salisbury Hengist seizeth upon Vortiger as his Prisoner mue's him up with his Wife in a Castle in Wales Where we leave him to speake of the right heire and successour 3. An. C. 481 AURELIUS Ambrose who made acquainted with the mentioned stirres comes with his brother Vter out of Little Britaine and first falls upon Vortigers Castle where he was immured and burnes it with the King and all in it 2. Others report it was fired from Heaven by reason of the Incest that Vortiger committed with his own daughter Rowans brat by whom he had a sonne named Faustus who wept himselfe blind for the Abominations of his Parents 3. Aurelius warreth successively against the Saxon takes Hengist by Earle Edolls meanes that escaped from the Treason at Stone-henge and beheads him Erects a monument of huge stones transported some say by Merlins enchantment from Ireland in memory of the slaine Nobility by the Saxons and named the adjacent Towne Ambrose Bury now Amesbury Overthrowes Pascentius the youngest sonne of Vortiger that came with Guillamore King of Ireland to claime the Kingdome of his Father was poysoned at last by a counterfeit Physitian that pretended to cure him being sick and so leaves the Government to his brother 4. VTER-PENDRAGON An. C. 500 so called it should seeme from his fierce countenance and sparkling eyes others say from a Dragons head carried in his Banner He made short worke in cutting off Ebusa and Occa Hengists sonnes 2. Fell inamoured with Igerne Gorolois wife Duke of Cornewall whom he flew in prosecution of his dishonourable affection and afterward by Merlins jugling had his will of her in Tintagill Castle in Cornewall who bore unto him the renowned 5. ARTHUR to succeed him An. C. 517 For he is said to be poysoned and buried at Stone-heng as his brother Ambrose was and had none to take his place but this stripling of fifteen years old who expressed beyond his age a manly courage 2. Such incredible things are put upon him by Monkish Legendaries that make his true Atchievements questionable Grafton out of Nennius twelve Battles are recorded wherein he defeated the Saxons In the last at Baden hill some say he slew 140 Saxons with his own hands others bring the number to 800 it is sufficient to think he wanted not ability of body or correspondent courage 3. Cerdicus Ella Porth who gave the name to Portsmouth and other adversaries put him hard to it he is said also to have quarrelled with the Romanes and Marching thitherward to have flaine a Gyant in Spaine which might have had some shew of truth if good Authors had related it 4. Reliques are shewn of his Round Table at
458 amongst which Ethelbert was most eminent for first receiving the Christian Faith brought from Rome by Austine and for converting Sebert King of the East-Angles to Christianity and assisting him in building Paules in London and St Peters in Westminster as he himselfe built the Cathedrall of St Andrewes in Rochester 6. An. C. 488 SOUTH-SAX from Ella to Adhumus had about tenne Kings Authors agree not in the reckoning of which Adlewolf was the first Christened It quickly fell into the hands of Ina of West-Sax 7. An. C. 527 EAST-SAX from Erchwin to Swithred had thirteene Kings whereof Sigebert the third was the first Baptized by Mellitus Bishop of London 8. Amongst the fourteene Kings of the EAST-ANGLES An. C. 575 from Vffa to Edmund Kadwallus appeared the first Christian but held not so long Etheldreda King Inah's Daughter twice Marryed kept her Virginity and thence gained the Title of St Audrie Edmund the last King for his profession was shott to death by the Danes honoured from Rome with a Sainâ—-ship and at home insteed of a Tombe with the Title of the Towne of St Edmunds Bury 9. An. C. 527 Of the twenty Kings of MERCIA from Crida to Elfird Christianity was first received by Penda that Founded Peterborough as Ethelbald did the Monastery of Crowland and Offa of St Albans 10. An. C. 617 NORTHUMBERLAND had in it two Provinces Diera and Bertitia which in their severall Governments had about 24 Kings from Ida to Ethelbert five Danes thrust in amongst them Raigned successwely for a while till the Government returned to the West-Saxons in the time of Ethelstane and his brother Edmund Here Edwin was the first King Christened Speed whose deliverance from the furious Ethelfride by faithfull Redwall of the East-Angles and the glorious Victory he had over him afterwards his Marriage with Ethelburg the Kentish Princesse a great meanes of his conversion his preservation from a desperate Villaine by the interposition of his servant Lilla who undertook a fatall thrust of a poysoned weapon to save his Masters life and lastly his overthrow and death by Penda are matters of especiall note as also the Acts of Oswall that was Sainted and left the name to Oswalstere in Shropshire The humility of Oswin Beds Speed and the piety of Oswie that miraculously overthrew the Tyrant Penda of Mercia are worth the reading 11. Amongst the 19 Kings of WEST-SAXONS from Cerdicus Kingills is registred to be the first Christian Ive or Ina to have made good Lawes set forth in the Saxon and Latine Tongue by Mr William Lambard and to have granted to Rome Peter-pence Ethelburg King Bithrick's Wife that sled for attempting to poyson her Husband into France where by reason of her exceeding beauty she was put to the choyce to Marry either Charles or his Sonne she pitching on the Sonne missed both and was thrust into a Monastery From the Tyranny of this Bithrick fled 1. An. C. 800 EGBERT first to Offa of Mercia and then into France where he served in the Warres under Charles the great There he became so accomplished a Souldier that returning he vanquished the petty Kings left behind him and turned the Heptarchy into a Monarchy 2. He was Crowned at Winchester King of the whole Kingdome which then of his Angles brought with him and followers in all his Conquests He caused to be called England 3. The Danes then beginning to Invade are repelled His Daughter Editha the Nunne is Sainted his Eldest sonne 2. An. C. 837 ETHELWOLFE succeeds him He took for his first wife Osburga his Butlers daughter Hath good successe in diverse Battles against the intruding Danes 2. For placing the Lady Judith the King of France's Daughter whom he had taken for his second Wife in a Chaire by him at his right hand he was threatned to be Deposed by Adelstane Bishop of Sherburne his owne sonne by his former Wife who in those dayes was a Prelate of great power as was also Swithene Bishop of Winchester by whom the King was much advised to his advantage But this presumption was intolerable and by Royall Prudence soone hushed 3. He ordained that Tithes and Church Lands should be free from all Taxes and Regall services Of the diverse Children that he had by his first Wife his Eldest sonne 3. An. C. 857 ETHELBALD succeeds He blasted all his eminent parts of Valour and Policy by taking Iudith his Stepmother to be his Wife so that she must lye in Bed by his side who might not fit in a Chaire by his Father 2. This prodigious Incest was soone punished from heaven by his untimely death His Wife without Issue returning to the Emperour her Father was intercepted by the way and forced by Baldwin Forrester of Ardenna who at length appeasing her Father was made by him Earle of Flanders from whom this Iudith descended Maud the Wife of our William the Conquerour 3. In this Vacaency the next brother to Ethelbald 4. ETHELBERT takes his place An. C. 860 Much adoe he had to resist the Danes who swarmed continually about him he withstood them manfully for the time and Forces which he had but by his death a greater storme fell upon his Brother 5. ETHELRED that Raigned next In his time Hungar A.Ch. 866 and Hubba men of excessive strength and feirenesse entered this Land with great Forces and harrowed wheresoever they set footing especially being Pagans Levelled all Sucred places with the ground 2. To avoyd their fury and preserve their owne Chastity the Nunnes of Codingham by a rare example cut off their owne Lipps and Noses St Edmund by these Barbarians gained the Crowne of Martyrdome and to make them the more irresistable Streg and Halden two Danish Kings furnish them with fresh supplies whom the Earle of Berkshire ropelled neere Englefield and cut off one of the new-come Leaders 3. This while Ethelred is not Idle but every where so bestirres himselfe that he proves Victorious against them in nine sett Battles fought in one yeare wherein with one of their Kings nine Earles of the Danes were slaine In the end at Merton he received his deaths wound and left his torne Kingdome to the brave 6. ALFRED or Alured his Brother A.Ch. 871 Vpon him three more Danish Kings as though Hell had bin brake loose Guerthren Eskittle and Ammond are poured like haile-shott with their innumerable followers 2. To whom by Wilson Exeter and Abingdon he gave great overthrowes and no lesse then seven times in one yeare Routed and Scattered them 3. Notwithstanding by their obstinate reinforcing he was once brought to that extremity that he was forced to leave his Companies and lurke in Somersetshire Marishes where righting his bow and arrowes by the fire in a poore Cottage he was sharply blamed by the housewife for letting a Cake on the hearth burne for want of turning 4. From thence under the habit of a Fidler he ventures among the Enimies and having noted their loosenesse and many secret intentions returnes to
his sad Companies surpriseth the Enimy unprovided takes Rufan their Danish Banner which had a Raven of needle-worke in it that had good fortune ever attendant and so scatters their Forces that they could not soone be reunited to indanger him About which time the Devonshire men slew Halden the Danish King with new supplies brought by his Brother of whom the place neere Exceter beares the Name 5. As his Valour and Prudence so his Studies and Piety were beyond compare Of the naturall dayes 24 houres eight he allotted for Devotion and Contemplation eight for refection and recreation and the eight remaining for matters of the Common-wealth 6. He Translated Gregories Pastorall Bedes History and Boethius de consolatione Philosophiae into the Saxon Tongue and began to do the like with Davids Psalmes 7. He restored the decayed Vniversity of Oxford by fixing therein a Colledg now bearing the name of Vniversity Colledg and annexed ample maintenance unto it Honoured Scholasticall Exercises with his Kingly attention and incouragement And so passing to his Fathers with the greatest applause left the Heire of his renowne and virtue his sonne 7. An. C. 901 EDWARD the Elder to follow him no way inferiour in Valour to his Father and not much in Learning 2. His many and dangerous conflicts which he had with the Danes of Northumberland proved farre the more hazardous in regard of his Nephew Ethelwald's Rebellions who joyned with them but to their owne overthrows 3. By his singular humanity he gained Leolyn the insolent and surly Prince of Wales to meet him in the Severne breast-hie and to imbrace his Boate and afterward to doe him Homage 4. His Sister Elfreda was a great help unto him not only by her wise directions but more then manly Valour which the Danes in diverse bickerings felt to their Cost 5. After all these troublesome passages he peaceably at length with honour dyed at Faringdon leaving behind him by three Wives fix Sonnes and nine Daughters whereof Editha was Married to the Emperour Otho the great Edburga having the Bible and royall Apparell set before her at her choyce she waving Royalty laid hold on the Bible and became a Votaresse Of his sonnes 8. ADELSTANE that succeeds him An. C. 925 is said to be the first Annoynted King of this I le He Married his Sister to Sithick the Danish King that held Northumberland on condition he should be Baptized which was done but to little purpose for the ends intended of furthering Peace or Religion 2. with Constantine of Scotland he had great Conflicts whom Anlafe of Ireland assisted and taking upon him the habitt of an Irish Harper had plotted to have surprized Adelstane which was prevented by the discovery of an honest Souldier and revenged by the losse of five petty Kings and five Dukes of his Enimies in prosecuting the project 3. Passing into Scotland he offers his knife for good luck's sake to St John of Beverly subdues the whole Kingdome makes a miraculous dynt in a stone at Dunbar with one stroake of his Sword of an Ell deepâ— to testifie his right to that Kingdome 4. Welch Princes Howell Wolferth are suffered there to Raigne under him professing that he held it more honourable to make then to be a King 5. Neare Winchester he was challenged by the insulting Danes to provide a Champion to encounter one Colbrond a Danish Gyant which they held invincible and none of his venturing to undertake it he gat a Pilgrim from among the Beggers as he was directed in his sleepe that entred the Lists and slew him Lidgate Rous. Papulwick Graston This proved to be Guy of Warwick of whose Valour and of his Wives Felices faithfulnesse tradition hath bin very prodigall 6. In what esteeme this King was with Neighbour Princes may be gathered by Presents sent unto him from Otho the Emperour a Lanscip of Precious Stones set to admiration From the King of Norway a Ship with a guilt Sterne and purple Sayles From the King of France Constantines Sword and Charles the great 's Speare the same that had wounded our Saviour with a Nayle of the same Implements 7. Which Riches and Reliques according to the Devotion of those times he bestowed on Consecrated Places dyes peaceably and leaves his Brother 9. An. C. 940 EDMUND to succeed him he had a great hand against the Danes whom he beat in the North and bestowed Cumberland upon Malcolme of Scotland for his faithful assistance 2. The good Lawes he made are extant in Saxon and Latine by the Industry of Mr William Lambard Where the Curse that he layes upon non-payment of Tithes should be more regarded 3. In parting of a fray between two of his Servants he is said to be wounded to death others report that it was done by a Villaine that he lay hold on too vnadvisedly which Dunstane foresaw by the Devils dauncing before him and made Duke Elstane doe the like only by Crossing his eyes In the Non-age of his sonne Edwy and Edwin his Brother 10. An. C. 946 EDRED or Eldred assumes the Government 1. The Danes in Northumberland oppose him being animated under hand by Wolstane Archbishop of Yorke and calling in Anlafe the Dane from Ireland whom they made their King and upon dislike of him put one Hericus into his place but matters at length were composed by the Kings Lenitie and an Act of Oblivion obtained 2. Dunstane Abbot of Glassenbury got such a hand over him that he committed most of his Treasure into his hand whereof there appeareth no account 3. He made St Germanes in Cornewall a Bishops Sea translated afterward to Kyrton by Canutus the Dane and setled at last by Edward the Confessour in Exceter His two sonnes left behind him came not to the Crowne but his Nephew 11. An. C. 955 EDWY his brother Edmunds Eldest sonne had it by right 1. This man favoured not the Monkes which made them to write so scandalously of him he thrust them out of Malmsbury and Glassenbury placing married Priests in their roome and banished Dunstane into Flanders their great Champion 2. This made the Divell to laugh as the Monkes fable it whose calumniations so set the people against him 3. That some say he was Deposed which brake his heart Graft he left behind him no Issue and therefore the right descended to his brother 12. EDGAR a man of a higher spirit An. C. 959 and warier carriage 1. He recalled Dunstane from banishment and was altogether ruled by him and his complices this restrained not his Incontinency for by Wolfchild a Nunne he begat St Edith At Andevor plotting to lye with a Westerne Dukes daughter he was fitted by the Mother with a substituted waiting Creature whom he retained afterwards for his Concubine 2. More Tragicall was that of the Duke of Devonshires daughter whose Husband he slew for beguiling him of her whom he had trusted to Pander for him For these pranket and other he was enjoyned by B. Dunstane not to weare
England Denmarke Norway some adde also part of Sweden together with Scotland were wholy subject unto him 3. His Iealousies of Ironsides Children moved him to send his sonnes Edward and Edmund to Swanus King of Denmarke to be dispatched but he abhorring such Villâ—ny transfer'd them to the King of Hungary where Edmund dying Edward Married Agatha the Emperour Henry the fourths Daughter by whom he had Edgar Etheling the surviving Heire of the Crowne of England which he could never recover 4. To strengthen his Title what he might he takes Emma to wife King Etheldreds Widdow M. Lambard makes good Lawes extant in the Saxon tongue and Latine gave one hundred Talents of Silver and one of Gold for St Augustince Arme which he bestowed on Coventry as a memoriall of his Zeale though not according to knowledge 5. He had Issue by Emma his second Wife the faire Gunhilda and Hardy-Canutus Gunhilda was Married to the Emperour Henry the third where falling into suspition of Incontinency she was vindicated by her English Page overthrowing in her quarrell a great Gyant Hardicanutus was designed to succeed by his Father here in England but was put by in his absence by his Brother 2. A.C. 1038 HAROLD called Harefoot by reason of his swiftnesse Earle Goodwin withstands his entrance but by secret prevailing meanes was soone made his friend 2. A Letter is forged in Queene Emma's name to bring over her sonnes Edward and Alfred which she had by Ethelred to claim their Right to the Crowne Alfred comes and by Earle Goodwin is made away with all those that came with him at Gilford 3. Emma is banished but courteously entertained by Baldwin Earle of Flanders Harold thus secured as he thought from Competitors lives loosly dyes speedily and without Issue leaves the Kingdom to 3. A.C. 1041 HARDICANUTUS who made it his first worke to disintombe his Predecessors Corps and threw it into Thamisis but some Fishermen more courteous recovered it and buryed it againe in St Clements neare Temple-Barre 2. His recalling his Mother Emma and half Brother Edward and entertaining them respectively deserves commendations As also the prosecuting Earle Goodwin and the Bishop of Worcester for Prince Alfreds death but the Earle quitted himselfe by his Oath and a rich Present and the Bishops questioning is said to be for the Murther of the Kings Taxe-Collectors in Worcester by the inraged Citizens for which their City was afterwards consumed with fire 3. His Epicurismo left an ill Custome to all posterity Foure times a day his Table must be covered to invite men to Intemperancy Through which at a Marriage he is thought to have Choaked himselfe at Lambeth most rejoycing to be rid of him in memory whereof Hock-tide a Feast of scorning was a long time continued after In this third Heire expired the Danish Line and the Saxon revived againe in 4. EDWARD the sonne of Ethelred Emma A.C. 1043 commonly called the Confessour 1. To gaine the more love of his Subjects at his first entrance he remitted the Taxe of Danegilts so greivous to the Commonds collected the Lawes of his predecessors into a body for the administrationof Iustice which some say are the ground of our Common-Law though the Pleading be altered since the Norman Conquest 2. He was threatned by the Dane See M. Lambards Archnom and vexed by Griffith the Welch Prince who was quelled by Harold especially who was imployed against them Betweene him and the potent Earle Goodwin were such debates that twice came to the hazard of dangerous Battles if wise mediation of the Nobles had not prevented them the death of which Earle is reported to be his Choaking with a bitt of Bread upon an imprecation laid on himselfe that that might be his last if he had a hand in the death of the Kings Brother Prince Alfred though some say he died of the deadpalsie 3. Grafton In this man's time Coventry purchased its Freedome from Earle Leofrie by the Riding of his Countesse Godina naked through it but such order was taken by the Townesmen that shutting up all Doores and Windowes none beheld it 4. His unnaturall dealing with his good Mother Emma and vertuous faire Wife Editha Earle Goodwins Daughter cannot be excused For upon a poore surmise of Incontinency with Alwin Bishop of Winchester his Mother in his presence was put to the Ordalium to passe Blindfolded between nine glowing Coulters which she did untouched and his spotlesse Queene Editha denied Marriageright perchance for hatred to her Father and with one Waiting-maid to live disrespected in a Nunnery 5. Such actions so opposite to Gods word should Saint no man The first curing the Kings Evill is referred to him and thence to have continued to his Successors More Laudable was his respect to Edgar Etheling Grandchild to to Ironside by his sonne Edward the Out-law that died in banishment whom he intended for his successour and he had the best right to it but he being young and wanting meanes and friends to support him 5. A.C. 1066 HAROLD sonne of Earle Goodwin makes bold to take the place a man of excellent parts and approved valour as the Welch and others which he subdued in his Predecessors time found to their cost 2. He droven by Tempest into Normandy was affianced to young Adeliza Duke William's Daughter with whom he Covenanted upon Oath to make him successour to Edward in the Kingdome of England 2. But this contract he held as a nicity or complement and constrained Oathes no way to bind wherein he soothed himselfe but God is not mocked and usurpations thrive not long 3. Three Enemies at one time assault him Tosto his owne Brother Harold Harefager or Fairelocks of Norway and William Duke of Normandy The two former he manfully quelled but fell under the hand of William in that famous Battle of Hastings in Sussex the setter up of the next Dynasty 2. IN those times whiles Princes sought the ruines one of another Popes grew up to dispose of them and their Kingdoms and those that protested against such deformities and enormities could not be heard INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Canutus had the largest Dominious of any that ever Ruled in this Kindome 2. St Augustines Arme were worth so much as he gave for it 3. Edward the sonne of Etheldred deserved the Title of Confessour 4. Our Common-Law have its grounds from his Collections 5. Ordalium by hott Coulters be fit to purge suspition of Incontinency 6. Stopping the rights of Marriages without consent for a time of both Parties be not directly against Gods word 7. Harold were bound to keep his Oath to William of Normandy for the Crowne of England in prejudice to Edgar Etheling the apparent right Heire Of the Normans DYNASTY IV. THe Fourth Dynasty is of the Normans to the Plantagenets and hath in it 1. A.C. 1067 WILLIAM the Conquerour the seaventh Duke of Normandy the sonne of Robert begotten on Arlot a poore Skinners daughter whom he affected for her
handsomenesse and comely dauncing which by chance he beheld among her country companions 2. After the overthrow of Harold with little lesse then the losse of 68000 men on both sides in Battle field he quickly brought under the rest of the Kingdome The Kentish men circumvent him by a stratageme and thereby retained their ancient Customes and Liberties 2. Edgar Etheling the right heire formerly wronged by Harold with the discontented Earles Edwin and Morcar make some resistance but to no purpose Edgar flyes with his Mother and Sisters into Scotland where King Malcolme entertaining them nobly takes Margaret his Sister to Wife and by his constant and effectuall standing for him Edgar was reconciled unto the Conquerour and had Royall allowance from him 3. To those insurrections that here vexed him his eldest sonne Robert added a more unnaturall in Normandy which he hastening to appease was in Battle Vnhorsed by his own sonne whom upon submission he was content to pardon for the time 4. The Church found no friend of him whose Revenues he alienated and burthened with unusuall taxes not sparing the poore meanes of Vniversity Colledge in Oxford which must be diverted from the Students 5. Besides the imposing of the Norman Lawes he left the Doomesday Booke in the Exchequer containing a Survay in generall of all England For a groat to short in payment of some dues required he forced the Monkes of Ely to lay downe a 1000 markes notwithstanding for all this the Pope bucks him and allowes his doings and Title 6. He depopulated about thirty miles in compasse Cambden iâ— Hantshire and outed the Inhabitants to make a forrest for Wild-beasts which pleasured not himselfe so much as it proved unluckie to his Posterity The plainnesse of these times of Letting Lands is worth the comparing with the intricate prolixity of our times Then it passed for good From me and mine to thee and thine As good and as faire as ever they mine were To witnesse that this is sooth I bite the white waxe with my tooth But now we find it otherwise 7. After all these transactions abroad he is summoned by Death as he was in Normandy but had the place of his buriall compounded for before he was interred and then the Grave proved too little for him that had proved so great a Conqueror in the World His second sonne 2. A.C. 1087 WILLIAM Rufus by Arch-Bishop Lanfrankes working for him gets the place 1. He is strongly opposed by his elder brother Robert whom he calmeth with promising faire words without performance and Robert joynes in the famous expedition to the Holy Laud with Godfrey of Bullaine 2. As his Father began so he persisted to withstand Papall intrusions He sleighted the Popes Binding Loosing and held it bootlesse to invocate Saints Curbed Anselme Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and taxed the then swelling Clergy for their Pride Luxury Idlenesse and Avarice Heard a Disputation of the Iewes who bribed him to favour them against the Christians but they lost the day and their mony togither 3. A Groome of his chamber on a time bringing him a paire of Breeches of three shillings price was blamed of him and commanded to furnish him with a paire fit for a King that should cost a marke He goes and presenting him with a meaner paire which he said cost so much yea Bellamy or by St Lucies face saith the King they are well bought such was the frugality of those times and difference from ours 4. His liberality to Religious persons and places shewes that he was not voyd of Religion though he could not endure Appeales to Rome and his building the Towre in London and Westminster Hall of 270 foot in length and 74 in breadth are sufficient testimonies of his Magnificence 5. His death was casuall by the glance of an arrow from a tree Cambden in Hantshire ex G. Mapes shot by Sir Walter Tirrell at a Stagge in the New Forrest wherein foure Abbies and thirty fixe Parish Churches had been demolished with the removing of all the Inhabitants to make roome for Beasts or Doggs game as one calls it Rex cervum insequitur Regem vindicta Tyrellus Non bene provisum transfixit acumine ferri The King the Stagge vengeance the King doth chase Tyrells hard hap concludes this Tragick case Also Richard his brother and Robert his Nephew came to their untimely ends in the same place so dangerous it is to prove Abaddons especially in consecrated things A Colliars Cart that removes him thence brake in the way and left him in the dirt whence he was after taken and buried as a King in Winchester dying without issue his Scepter descended to his brother 3. A.C. 1100 HENRY the first surnamed Beauclark for his Learning He was wont to say that an unlearned King was a Crowned Asse 1. Great stirres he had with his brother Robert who returning from Ierusalem where he was made King to possesse England but missed of it and at length lost Normandy togither with his eyes by his unnaturall brother 2. He Married Maud King Malcolmes daughter of Scotland by her Mother Margaret lineally descended from Edmund Ironside to strengthen his title to the Kingdome 3. As his predecessors did so he stoutly denyes the Popes incroachings Curbs Anselme that continued Romes agent establisheth the Lawes of Edward the Confessor Holinshed and addes other convenient of his owne 4. A.C. 1114 He is said to have held the first Parliament which he ordained should consist of Three Estates of which himself was the Head Martin A great Bickering began in his time between Canterbury and Yorke for priority which continued a long time after till Canterbury carried it And Cardinall Cremensis the Popes Legate sent hither to interdict Priests Marriages was taken in the Act with a common strumpet which he excused in saying he was no Priest himselfe but a corrector of them 5. The drowning of his sonne William with diverse other Nobles was repaired in some sort by the Marriage of Maud his Daughter first with Henry the fifth Emperour of Germany and he dying without Issue next with Jeffery Plantagenet Earle of Anjoy by whom she had Henry Fitz Empresse Heire apparant to the Crowne But his Grand-father dying unexpectedly by eating of Lampresse and he not upon the place 4. STEPHEN of Blois steps in A.C. 1135 sonne to Adeliza daughter to the Conquerour and holds it which was the cause of no small stirres and blood-shed especially it being against his Oath which he had taken with the Nobles for the Empresse Mauds succession and first brake it The Bishops excused it that it was for the good of the Church but Perjury promotes not Piety 2. Lesse he could not expect then continuall oppositions from the Empresse and her sonne Henry to recover their right wherein after various successe and windings on either side At the Battle of Liucolne notwithstanding his Herculian laying about him with his slaughtering Axe the King himselfe was taken Prisoner
Math. Paris which in likelyhood might have ended the businesse 3. But the Empresse upon this victory carries her selfe so high and disrespective that she lost the hearts of her party so that Stephen was freed and she forced to shift for her selfe from Oxford Castle in a great Snow and other places 4. Vntill her sonne Henry comes with better provision The Armies confronting one the other an agreement is made especially by the earnest mediation of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Stephen is to hold the Kingdome for his life and Henry is proclaimed his Heire apparant which took the surer effect in regard of the drowning of Prince Eustace Stephens sonne who might have been a block in the way and a shrewd suspition there was intimated some say by the Empresse her selfe that Stephen had more interest in Henry Holinsh then Jeffry Plantagenet 5. What became afterward of the Empresse may well saith one be made a Quere But the King soon takes his leave of the World wanting nothing to ranke him with the Eminents of his predecessors bvt only a good Title which the Pope was feed to justify but it could not stave off Henry from bringing in the next Dynasty 2. VVIth this Dynasty may be ranked 1. The intollerable Insultations of the Popes now in the Zenith of their Exaltations upon the superstitious and missed devotions of Christian Princes which our Normans stooped not so much to as others 2. The needlesse wranglings of Archbishop Anselme with Rufus and Henry the first his Soveraigues unbeseeming his Learning which receives at this day scandall by it 3. These quarrells between Canterbury and Yorke for priority more befitting Women and Duelists then men of their Places and Profession Notwithstanding St Bernard may be well noted for an eminent Preacher though Abailardus Schollers say it was all the Learning he had Lombard and Gratian must be acknowledged for Witty and painefull men and Avicenna Averroes and other Arabians and Schoolemen for great Philosophers INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The Lawes of Edward the Confessor were any way bettered by those of the Conquerour 2. The Kentish Gavelkind be not prejudiciall to elder brothers 3. Harlot be a name of reproach derived from the Conquerors Mother 4. William Rufus in some sort might not be tearmed a Protestant 5. See Holiaesis in his life Parliaments had their first beginning from Henry the first 6. His Dealing with his brother Robert were not unnaturally Tyrannicall 7. King Stephen might not as Lawfully put by his Daughter and Grand-child from the Crowne as he did his Elder brother Robert Plantagenets Vndevided DINASTY V. THE Normans thus expiring give way to the fifth Dynasty of the Plantaginets This represents it selfe 1. Before the division of the Houses of YORKE and LANCASTER 2. After that division 3. Before the division there runne on evenly in an unquestionable Line eight Kings in this manner 1. A.C. 1155 HENRY the second called Fitz-Empresse otherwise Shortmantle who curb'd the Clergy at his first entrance by seting on foot again his Grandfather Henry the first 's Lawes 2. He had great bickering with the Pope and Thomas Becket that Traytor Saint made by him Archbishop of Canterbury but made away by Pickthank Courtiers who flew him some relate as he was at Masse for which the penitent King Footed three miles afterward upon his bloody bare feet to visit this Idoll shrine submitted himself futher to be breeched by the Orbilian Monkes who bestowed eighty Lashes upon him 3. His love to faire Rosamund whom he Mewed up in Woodstock Labyrinth wrought him much forrow through the Jealousie of his Queene who at length there Poysoned her leaving her to be buried at Godstow neere Oxford with this Epitaph Hic jacet in Tumbo Rosa mundi non Rosa munda Non redolet sed olet quae redolere solet Rose Of not To the world here Rosamund lyes Sweet once she was but now 't is otherwise Her Well a faire spring by the Mannour of Woodstock continues there her name at this day The King had two Sonnes by her William Longsword and Ieffery Archbishop of Yorke 4. He subdued Ireland by occasion of Dermott Ningals falling off from his Countrymen appoints Judges of the Circuits in England 5. Crownes his Sonne Henry Copartner with him in the Kingdom who not using his Father well and untimely dying left Brethren too many to break the Old mans heart by their opposition of which 2. RICHARD the first A.C. 1188 called Cuer de Lion succeeds him 1. Borne in Oxford howsoever odious at last to his Father yet dutifull to his Mother whom he freed from 12. yeares Imprisonment when he came to the Crowne 2. Afterward goes to the Holy Land Conquers Cyprus and becomes King of Ierusalem which Title his Father requested by the Patriarch Heraclius had refused In his absence the emulation between William Longshampe Bishop of Elye left Viceroy And Iohn the Kings Brother who deservedly with others stormed at it brought all things into a Combustion so that in these stormes brake out the famous Out-lawes Robin Hood and Little John of whom read Grafton As also on William with the Longbeard a notable Imposter then deluded the credulous people This mans Valour an old Pees of theirs expresses This King Richard I understand Yet he went out of England Let make an Axe for the Nones Therewith to cleave the Sarasens bones The head in footh was wrought full wee le Thereon ware twenty pound of steele And when he came in Cyprus lond This ilkon Axe he took in hond 3. His returne cost him deare by falling in to the hands of Leopold of Austria and Henry the sixth Emperour his exasperated Enemies 4. His Wife Berengaria the King of Navarres Daughter was neglected by him at first yet afterward received never had Issue by him 5. A French Preist one Fulco told him that he had three Daughters Pride Covetuousnesse and Lechery to be bestowed abroad of him to prevent Gods punishments To whom he suddainly replyed that the Templers and Hospitallers should have his Pride the Cistertian Monkes his Covetuousnesse and the rest of the Clergy his Lechery 6. The Motto of DIEV ET MON DROIT is attributed to him ascribing the Victory he had at Gisors against the French not to himselfe but to God and his might He was death-wounded by a poysoned Arrow at the Seige of Chalons by one Bertrand Guerdon in revenge of his Father and Brethren whom the King had slaine which Bertrand resolutely avowing before the King the King pardoned him 7. At his Mothers intercession he was reconciled before to his Younger brother 3. A.C. 1199 IOHN who succeeds him He was termed by his Father Lackland 1. The Faction of the Clergy cast the Crowne upon him by Election whereas Arthur Plantagenet the sonne of his Elder brother Ieffery was the right Heire and stickled for it by the French Kings abetting till he lost his life in the Quarrell 2. The Clergy forsooke him for
King Henry the eight Vnhorsed him King Edward the sixth Banished him Queen Mary indeed recalled him and with some hot Waters revived him so the Heroick Queene Elizabeth set him packing againe And her Learned successor King James hath so stab'd and branded him with his Penne that his Sonne our Sacred King CHARLES is too well Catechized and throughly grounded for permitting him to have any setling here or countenance hereafter To these times are referred the famous Sea-fight of Lepanto and 88. wherein Turke and Pope felt Gods hand against them INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Henry the seavenths surest claime to the Crowne were from his Queen Elizabeth the eldest daughter of Edward the fourth 2. The executing of Edward Plantagenet the young harmelesse Earle of Warwicke ill became a Statist that professed Christiaenity 3. Henry the eight proved a better Defender of the Faith by rejecting the Popes Supremacy then retaining it 4. Edward the sixt's Reformation be free from the most and greatest exceptions that Novelists have made against it 5. The Martyring of Protestants in Queene Maries daies were not rather through the blondinesse of some Praelates then out of her own disposition 6. There were ground to suspect that Queen Elizabeth ever conspired against her Sister 7. Her passing the Statute of improvement hath not conduced more to the benefite of the Church and Vniversities then the Benificence of many of the chiefest Founders put together The Stuarts DYNAST VII THE Tudors breathing out their last Excellent in Elizabeth STUARTS take their turne by an Vnquestionable Title as Lineally descended from Margaret the eldest Daughter of Henry the seventh of these we have enjoyed 1. IAMES the first of England but sixt of Scotland Rex Pacificus 1. He attained the Crowne without the least Contradiction but greatest applause of all 2. For his Constancy and admirable Ability in maintaing the Truth of the Gospell against Popery Two Treasons were Plotted against Him that of the Preists Watson and Clarke with others misled by them and that Prodigious Project of the GVN-POWDER VILLANY Pope Clement the eight had formerly charged his Cronies here in England by a Bull not to admit Him King without a Toleration first obtained But God be praised it lay not in his Holinesse disposing 3. His exquisite Learning and exact Iudgment in Divinity was eminently apparent in the Conference at Hampton Court in his Publique Disputations in the Vniversities and interposiing his Censure in the weightiest Matters And last of all in his excellent Works set forth to the view of the World in one Volume 4. Now as these admirable Parts of his were a Curbe to the Schismaticall humours at Home so his Advice and Aide availed especially in composing differences abroad amongst the Reformed Churches To this end He sent certain Select and Worthy Divines to the Synod of Dort and his Letters to others whereby the world might witnesse how truly he stuck to his Motto REX PACIFICVS He caused the Bible to be Translated into English by Select Devines and set forth more exactly then formerly it had been done 5. And so this blessed Peacemaker when He had Peaceably Raigned Twenty two Yeares and upward in Peace departed in his Bed leaving his Peaceable Raigne and Virtues to his SONNE 2. CHARLES the first whom God of his Infinite mercy preserve to Raigne long over us c. 2. MEmorable things in King Jame's time serioussy to be commendad to Posterity are 1. The Translation of the Holy Scripture into English more accurately then it had beene formerly performed 2. The Conference at Hampton Court for the examining and setling Church Discipline against nibbling Sectaries 3. His sending Divines to the Councell of Dort and interposing for upholding Truth and Virtue against Innovators abroad 4. His quelling the Popes utmost forces drawne up by the Iesuits in point of Supremacy so that since that defeat we have little heard of it 5. The setting forth of his Works concerning matters of Divinity and State and sending them to be Libraried in both his Vniversities the like cannot be shewed of any Prince whatsoever 5. His enlarging the Priviledges of the Vniversities by granting them Burges in Parliament and Augmenting the Professors places in Divinity Law and Physick with ample and magnificent Additions 6. His miraculous discovery of the Popish Powderploet And thereupon the contriving of the Oath of Allegiance to discover true-hearted Romanists from Traytors and setting a day apart for solemnizing the remembrance of so admirable a Deliverance 7. Lastly in his time brake out that desolating Germane Warre which he endeavoured to prevent but God hath reserved to himselfe wholy to extinguish for which and the like pacifications all true Christians are bound to PRAY INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Parsons Doleman against King Jame's Title to the Crowne of England were not as ridiculous as perfidious 2. Learning ever more flourished in these Kingdomes then in King Jame's and Queene Elizabeth's dayes 3. The like Library can be shewen to that Erected by the Famous Sr Thomas Bodley in the Vniversity of OXFORD throughout the World 4 The Beneficence of Sr Henry Savill for Mathematique Professors or Mr William Cambden Clarentius for History or Sr Iohn Sedley and Dr White for Philosophy and of other for other Faculties have not exceeded the Liberality of most former times 5. The Building in these times for private or publique Vses have not equalized or outvied the Magnificence of former Ages 6. Discoveries Plantations and Trades abroad were ever more frequent or better Thrived 7. Any Nation have proved more ungratfull for such Multiplied Blessings then this of Ours for which especially we now justly Suffer Concerning History of Professions As also Naturall Various and Vaine Narrations 1. FRom the Histories of Successions in States or Families there will be an easy descent to the Histories of Professions Designing the Famous men in all kind of Faculties 2. Wherein a briefe may be taken of the Lives and Workes of 1. PHILOLOGISTS 2. HISTORIANS 3. MATHEMATICIANS 4. PHILOSOPHERS 5. PHYSICIANS 6. LAWYERS 7. DIVINES 3. These make up the Seven courses of the Encyclopaedia so much aimed at by roaving Witts which catch at all and take nothing in regard they fixe not upon one certain Study and make not the rest subservient unto it 4. PHILOLOGY takes up in its walke 1. Grammer 2. Rhetorique 3. Pâ—etry 4. Logicke 5. Anagnosticke or the method of reading Authors profitably 6. Critiques See Polanus de legendiâ— Authoribus cum fructu Alsted Encyclop Vossius de Historicis corrective and directive 7. Didactiques or the Art of teaching others with facility which we have learned by great industry 5. In HISTORY the Lives of the Ancient and Moderne Writers may be looked after in that particular especially we desire to be informed of which is observed by diverse of our Chroniclers more fully by Mr Isaacson and Sir Richard Baker 6. For MATHEMATIQUES the Lives of 1. Arithmeticians 2. Geometricians 3. Perspectivists 4.
delivered his Countrey from the thraldome of the Moabites who oppressed them by reason of their Idolatry After him was 4. SHAMGAR the sonne of Anath who slew of the Philistims 600 men with an Oxe goade and he also delivered Israel but they relapsing againe quickly fell into the hands of Iabin King of Canaan notwithstanding upon their repentance were delivered by the Counsell and Valour of 5. BARAK and Deborah This Iabin was a redoubted Prince the rather by the successefull exploits of his Generall Sisera Ib. 4. and the terriblenesse of his 900. Iron Chariots 2. But all this availes not when God ariseth to defend his own cause The host is discomfited Sisera slaine by Iael a weake woman to whose tent he fled for shelter Israel sinnes againe and thereby draw the Midianites upon them 6. GIDEON then is raised Ib. 6. who miraculously discomfites them with the slaughter of foure of their Princes and punishing of these faithlesse Israelites that refused to aide him 2. He refused the government offered him for himselfe and his posterity stayned his former acts by the Idolatry of the Ephod made by him Ib. 8. which became the destruction of his house notwithstanding he had seventy Sonnes lawfully begotten For 7. ABIMELECH his Bastard slew them all save one upon one stone Ib. 9. then took the government upon himselfe was the destruction of the sichemites that were his advancers but at the Siege of Thebez had his skull crackt by the hand of a woman who threw a piece of milstone upon him but to prevent the disgrace of being slaine by a Woman his Squire thrust him through by his own command 8. TOLA of Isachar takes the government his residence was in Shamir in mount Ephraim nothing is Chronicled of him but that after 23. years managing the State he left it to 9. IAIR the Gileadite Ib. 10. he supported it the better by reason of his thirty sonnes who were Lords of so many severall Citties bearing the names of Havoth-Iair in Gilead 2. But when Idolatry crept in again amongst them their enimies got quickly a hand over them of these the Ammonites most pinched the Gileadites who after acknowledgement of their faults sent for 10. Ib. 11. IEPHTHAH their banished countryman to be their Leader 2. He after some expostulations of unkindnesse undertakes the charge sends two noble Embassages to the Ammonites to justify the right of his cause declare the wrong they did him 3. Vpon the refusall of his demands he joynes Battle with them 4. Makes a rash vow that if he proved victorious for sacrificing the first thing that at his safe returne to his own house should meet him this proved to be his only child and daughter 5. He overcome performs his vow and afterward being quarelled with by the Ephramites cut off of them 42000. Ib. 12. which were discerned by pronouncing Sibboleth for Shibboleth His successor was 11. Ibzan of Bethleem much strengthned by his thirty sonnes and thirty daughters Ib. who linked him in a large Affinity Then 12. ELON of Zabulon took the government who after ten years left it to 13. AEDON noted for his forty Sonnes and thirty Nephews that rod on threescore and tenne Asse colts which argued him to be a man of great Estate and Honour yet in strength much inferior to 14. SAMPSON Manoah's Son of Dan by a wife that had been formerly barren 2. In setting forth his strange birth foretold his parents by an Angell his incredible strength his love with the successe thereof his wonderfull plaguing the Philistims his betraying death drawne upon himselfe Ib. from chap. 23. to 17. to be revenged of his enemies that had put out his eyes and used him with all extremity and disgrace the text of Scripture is copious After him we read of no Iudge untill 15. ELI's time but in the Interim have three notable stories the first of the Danites surprizing the loose inhabitants of Laish and the taking away Michae's Image and Levite which was the Originall of the Idolatry that long after plagued Israell 2. Of the odious abuse of the Levites Cancubine and his horrible rovenge which was like to be the utter ruine of the Benjamites that maintained the villanie The 3. of the travells of Naomi and Ruth with the happy issue at length after so great distresses 2. This Ely was the High-priest a good man but had debosht Sonnes to whom being too much indulgent â— Sam. 2. they were their own ruine and their Fathers Breakneck To him succeeded his servant 16. SAMUEL obtained of God by his Mother Hannah after many years barrennesse 2. He setled the Church and Common-wealth much shattered by the loosenesse of Ely's time Kept his yearly Assises in Bethel Gilgall and Mispah beside his more particular deciding causes at home in Ramah 3. His Sonnes Joel and Abiah degenerate from their Fathers Piety and Integrity Thereupon the people require a King Saul of Benjamin is annoynted and so the State is altered 4. The Priests that concurred with these were 1. Aaron 2. Eleazar 3. Phineas 4. Abisua 5. Bocchi 6. Ozis 7. Ely Samuel was only a Prophet of the Tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have written the bookes of Judges Ruth and a great part of the first of Samuel 2. WIth this distance concur 1. The civill Wars with the Benjamites in which there fell on both sides 65100 in the field with the utter destruction of Men Women and Children in all the Cities of the Benjamites And of Jabesh-gilead except 400 Virgins 2. The beginning of the Jubiles of the Jewes and Olympiads of the Greeks 3. Iub 2500. The six servitudes of the Israelites by reason of their Jdolatry and their deliverance upon their repentance 4. Olymp. 3174 The Charta Magna of Amphiction for preserving the Graecian Liberties 5. V.C. 3198. The drunken braule between the Lapithes and Centaurs with the Expedition of the Argonautes to Cholcos for the golden fleece under Jason 6. The warres of Thebes and Troy set forth so largely by Poets 7. Together with the acts of Hercules Thesem Cadmus Bellerophon Perseus Troy sacked 2767. Cadmus increaseth greek letters 2520. The rapes of Proserpina Enropa Helena Dedalus flight from Creet with his sonne Icarus that by mounting too high was drowned Where note that most of the Antiquities of the Heathen come not so high as Sampson 3. Whether 1. Divers of the Cananites fled from Iosua and seated themselves in Africk 2. Oathes binde which are procured by circumvention as that to the Gibeonites 3. The whole frame of Heaven staid at the Standing of the Sunne in Iosuahs time 4. Iephtha sacrificed his Daughter by putting her to death 5. Sampsons killing himselfe be imitable or excusable 6. Ely or his Sonnes were more to be blamed they for their dissolutenesse or he for suffering it 7. The Practice or Prerogatives of Kings are set downe 1. Sam. 8. The second Dynasty