grieuously afflicted the Kings Armie with mortalitie and death that not hauing performed anie thing worthie a Kings care and trauaile he began to retyre which when the Scots perceiued they pursued and hunted him with much crueltie and violence So that finding his forces to be broken The King is pursued and flyeth and his Armie scattered the Scots gaue a bold onset vpon the King himselfe and enforced him to saue his life by an ignominious flight and to leaue behinde him his Treasure The King loseth his Treasure and prouisions Ordinance and all his best prouisions whereat they made great jolitie and mirth This last disaster and this last danger which King Edward by a shamefull flight escaped was principally occasioned by Sir Andrew Harkley Sir Andrew Harkley Earle of Carlile beheaded whome the King had created Earle of Carlyle for his great seruice in his behalfe against his Barons in their late ouerthrow for hee hauing secretly receiued from the Scots a great summe of money for a bribe practised to betray the King for which offence he lost his head The Queene flyeth into France and carrieth the prince with her The Queene knowing that the two Spencers enuied her deepely at the heart and that by their persuasions the King refused to keepe her companie and solaced himselfe too too wantonly with lewd and lasciuious strumpets and pitying the late slaughter and bloudie executions of verie manie of the Nobilitie and perceiuing that the affaires and businesse of the Commonweale were made slauish and seruile to all misfortunes taking with her the young Prince Edward her sonne fled into France to her brother King Charles She is kindly entertained by her brother the King by whome shee was receiued louingly and was recomforted by earnest promises and oaths That by his assistance and at his costs her wrongs and this whole Kingdomes ruines should be repaired And not long after the Barons by their letters offered their best seruice to her and to the Prince her sonne The Barons doe offer her their seruice and did protest That if shee could returne strengthened onely with the helpe of one thousand valiant men at armes they would thereto adde so great a strength as should suffice to make the two Spencers feele the smart of their vnsufferable follies This proffer exceedingly rejoyced the Queene The Spencers do bribe the French King with the Kings Money and Iewels The French King checketh the Queene his sister The Pope and his Cardinals are bribed Sir Robert Earle of Arthois a friend to the Queen The Queene and Prince flye into the Empire They are kindly entertained by the Earle of Henault The Queene and Prince doe land in England ANNO 19. 1325. The Nobles Commons doe repaire to the Queene and Prince The Bishop of Exeter beheaded by the Londoners The King goeth toward Wales The Londoners take the Tower and daily fedde her conceits with fresh hopes of fortunate successe at the last But the two Spencers greatly fearing the euent of her returne if the French King should take her part and making the Kings Coyne and his Treasure their best Aduocates to plead their case so corrupted King Charles and his Councell of Estate with vnvaluable presents of Gold of Siluer and of rich Iewels that not onely all aide and succour was denyed to her by her owne brother but in verie sharpe and in quicke manner shee was by him reproued and blamed as being foolishly afraid of her owne shadow and as hauing vnwisely and vndutifully forsaken the companie of her Lord and kinde husband The Pope likewise and manie of his chiefest Cardinals being by like rewards engaged by the two Spencers required the French King vpon the penaltie of Cursing to send the Queene and the young Prince her sonne to King Edward And doubtlesse shee had vnnaturally beene betrayed by her owne brother if secretly and speedily her selfe and her young sonne had not been conueyed into the Empire by Sir Robert of Arthois her neere and kinde cousin and friend where they were with vnexpected and extraordinarie joy receiued and welcommed by the Earle of Henault and by Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont his brother who being accompanied with three hundred Knights and selected men of Armes went with her and with her sonne into England Vpon the first intelligence giuen of their landing the Lords and Barons with gladded hearts and lustie troupes of resolued Gallants who were soundly and at all points armed repaired euerie day to the Queene and Prince and hourely their forces were encreased So that the King hauing notice of these new troubles left the Gouernment of the Citie of London to his chiefest Treasurer Walter Stapleton then Bishop of Exeter who was an inward friend to the two Spencers and a professed enemie to the Queene and hated generally by the inhabitants of that Citie and the King hasted vnto the Marches of Wales for the present leuying of an Armie But hee was no sooner on his journey but the Londoners skorning the Gouernment of their prowd and insolent Commander apprehended him and without anie lawfull proceedings or judiciall Sentence caused his head to be smitten off at the Standard in Cheape and then they suddenly and with great violence rushed into the Tower of London where they slew all such as they found there and kept both it and that Citie to the vse of the Queene and of the young Prince her sonne The King changeth his purpose The King fortifieth Bristoll The Queene winneth Bristoll The King is besieged in the Castle Est ineuitabile Fatum A strange matter The King and Sir Hugh Spencer the younger are taken The Castle of Bristoll yeeldeth Sir Hugh Spencer the father and the Earle of Arundell are beheaded The Queene and Prince doe march toward London The younger Spencer is publikely derided He is cruelly executed As soone as King Edward was resolued and informed of this Reuolt hee desisted from his intended purpose and posted vnto Bristow and fortified it in the strongest manner that hee was able and committed the defence thereof to the Earle of Arundell and to Sir Hugh Spencer the father and himselfe with Sir Hugh the sonne entred into the Castle there and were determined to defend it with all their strength But within few dayes after the said Citie was besieged assaulted and wonne by the Queene and by the Barons who committing the two Earles and diuers others of the chiefest note vnto safe keeping besieged the Castle in such sort that the King and his Minion distrusting the euent stole away secretly in the night and put themselues into a little Fisher-boat Yet such was the will and pleasure of GOD to make them to know him by their future miseries that euerie day for a weeke and more the same Boat by reason of a contrarie winde was driuen backe neare to the said Castle Which being at length perceiued and obserued by the Lord Beaumont hee chased the Fisher-boat with a small vessell
and boarded her and found in her the King and Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne whome they so much desired and brought them to the Queene who presented them before the Castles view and vpon the sight of them the besieged yeelded the possession of their Fort into the Queenes hands Then were the heads of Sir Hugh Spencer the father Earle of Winchester and of Iohn Earle of Arundell whose daughter was married to the younger Spencer smitten off And the King being committed vnto honorable and safe keeping the Queene with the young Prince her sonne beeing accompanied with the Barons and a strong Armie marched towards London carrying with them Sir Hugh Spencer the sonne as a slaue before whom certaine vnworthie and base Fidlers vpon Pypes which they had made of Reedes skornfully played skipped and sung in euerie Towne which they passed through And being come to the Citie of London hee was fast bound vpon the top of an high Ladder and his priuie members and his heart being seuered from his bodie and burned his head was forthwith cut off and set vpon London Bridge A iust reward for their wickednesse Thus GODS judgements pursued those two vngodly and ambitious caitiues by whose lewd aduice and euill counsell the King forsooke the bed and companie of the Queene his wife liued wickedly made hauocke of his Nobilitie neglected his common People permitted his Enemies to his disgrace to triumph and to insult ouer him and gouerned more like a Tyrant than a King And thus those times of Trouble being now againe blessed with a happie Peace Sir Iohn of Henault and his companie are feasted and rewarded the Queene bountifully feasted and rewarded Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont and all his associates who taking leaue departed and were receiued into their Countrey with much joy and great honour And then the Queene and the young Prince to reforme such things as were amisse A Parliament and to settle a better course of Gouernment within this Land assembled an High Court of Parliament at Westminster In which the King by a generall consent was deposed The King is deposed Prince Edward crowned King and being verie honourably respected and attended he was committed to the Castle of Killingworth and Prince Edward was crowned King And not long after the King being remoued to the Castle of Corff was wickedly assayled by his Keepers who through a Horne which they did put into his fundament pierced his guts with a burning Spit and murdered him The old King is murdered when hee had raigned almost nineteene yeres THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE THIRD EDVVARD the third being of the age of fifteene yeares and crowned King whilest his deposed father liued was chiefely directed in his younger yeares by the aduice and counsell of Queene Isabell his mother and of his vncle Edmund of Woodstock Earle of Kent and of Sir Roger Mortymer Sir Roger Mortymer wickedly procured the murder of the old King which knight to interesse himselfe more especially in the Queenes loue traiterously conspired and procured the murder of the last king by the monstrous villanie and barbarous crueltie before mentioned In the second yeare of this kings Raigne Robert le Bruse the busie vsurping king of the Scots denounced Warres against him and his kingdome which occasioned the leuying of a strong Armie King Edward inuadeth Scotland which consisted of foure and fiftie thousand men with which the king himselfe being accompanied with Sir Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont and fiue hundred Lords Knights and Gentlemen strangers his associates marched into Scotland The Scots flye into the Woods and Mountaines Where he hunted and chased his enemies from Marish to Marish from Wood to Wood from Hill to Hill and from Mountaine to Mountaine for the space of one moneth and more yet by reason of the Scots cowardise which made them to skulke and runne from place to place tyring out the English Armie The King returneth The King marrieth Philip daughter to the Earle of Henault A Parliament Persons attainted A dishonorable peace with Scotland Their tenure is released The Charter called Ragman deliuered vp A marriage with Scotland Sir Roger Mortimer created Earl of March He is too familiar with Queen Isabel He procureth the Kings vncle to be beheaded Articles against Sir Roger Mortimer The King with his whole companie not hauing performed any memorable seruice returned home and shortly after took to wife the Ladie Philip yongest daughter to William Earle of Henault his cousen german in the third degree and assembled his high Court of Parliament at Northampton in which among other passages the two deceased Spencers and Walter Stapleton the late Bishop of Exeter were attainted of high treason And then the King by the directions of his mother and of Sir Roger Mortimer concluded a dishonorable peace with the Scots and released to them their homage fealtie and seruices to him due for that Kingdome and deliuered vp to them the Grand Instrument or Charter called Ragman which vnder the hands and seales of their late King and of the Nobilitie of Scotland testified their tenure and subiection to the Kings of this Realme and then hee married his sister Iane vnto Dauid the sonne and heire apparant of Robert le Bruse the vsurping Scottish King and created Sir Roger Mortimer Earle of March whereat his Nobles were exceedingly discontent And such was this new Earles inward malice and hatred vnto the Kings vncle the Earle of Kent and so powerfull was he with the King by reason of his too much familiarity with his mother Queen Isabel that he neuer desisted from his wicked and vngodly plottings vntill he had bereaued him of his head But God permitted not this wretched man to sway long in his vngodly courses For within few moneths after he was accused by the State for these horrible and hainous crimes 1. Imprimis For that hee had wickedly plotted and procured the murther of the Kings father 2. Item For that by his false accusations and sinister counsaile he had caused the King to cut off the head of his said vncle who was truly Noble Religious valiant honest and a strong pillar to the Common-weale 3. Item For that too too familiarly he conuersed with Queene Isabel the Kings mother to her iust reproach and the dishonor of the King 4. Item for that hee receiued of the Scots a bribe of twentie thousand pounds for which he procured the Kings retreat out of Scotland and the releasement of his Signiorie and homage due for that Kingdom 5. And lastly because hee had deceitfully cousened and beguiled the King of his Wards and Treasure conuerting all to his owne vse For these his wicked Treasons and horrible transgressions Sir Roger Mortymer attainted and Executed Queene Isabel sequestred The Kings Homage for Guyan required The King would not doe Homage in such sort as it was required The French King is angrie The Kings Homage againe required It is sent
and of Holdernes William de Fortibus maried Hawse or Avice the daughter and heire of the aforenamed Stephen and was in her right created Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernes by King Stephen William de Fortibus their sonne succeeded and was Earle of Albemarle and of Holdernesse William de Fortibus his sonne was Earle of Albemarle and Holdernes and dyed without issue Male. R. 2. Thomas Plantagenet otherwise called Thomas of Woodstock a yonger sonne of King Edward the Third was by his Nephew King Richard the Second created Earle of Albemarle Holdernes Darby Lancaster and Leicester Henrie Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Albemarle Holdernes Darby Lancaster and of Leicester R. 2. Edmund Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund of Langley another of the yonger sonnes of King Edward the Third and Duke of Yorke was by king Richard the Second his Cosen created Earle of Rutland and Duke of Albemarle Thomas Plantagenet Duke of Clarence and sonne to King Henrie the Fourth was by him created Earle of Warwick and of Albemarle Arundell Conq. ROger Mountgomery was by William the Conquerour created Earle of Arundell and of Shrewsbury Hugh Mountgomery his sonne succeeded him and died without issue Robert Mountgomery his brother being Earle of Belesme succeeded and dyed without issue Wiliam de Albeney was by Mawld the Empresse created Earle of Arundell Mauld and Sussex because he tooke her part against King Stephen he maried Adeliza the widdow of King Henrie the First and was confirmed in his honors H. 2. by king Henrie the Second William de Albeney his sonne succeeded in those honors R. 1. William de Albeney his sonne was by King Richard the First restored to the said Earledomes which for displeasure had been kept from him by Henrie the Second William de Albeney his sonne succeeded in those Earledomes Hugh de Albeney was Earle after his brother and dyed without issue H. 3. William de Albenetto was created Earle of Arundell by king Henrie the Third and dyed without issue E. 1. Richard Fitz-Alen maried Isabel who was one of the daughters of the last Earle William and was by king Edward the First created Earle of Arundell hee was before that time Lord of Clun and Oswaldstry Edmund Fitz-Alen their sonne was Lord of Clun and Oswaldstry and succeeded in the Earledome of Arundell but was beheaded on displeasure and by the commandement of Queene Isabel the wife of king Edward the second Richard Fitz-Alen his sonne succeeded in all those honors hee was also Earle of Warren and of Surrey Richard Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun and Oswaldstry and Earle of Arundell Warren and of Surrey hee was also Lord of Bromfield and Yale and was beheaded at Bristow whilst king Richard the second liued Thomas Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun Oswaldstry Bromflet and Yale and Earle of Arundell Warren and of Surrey and died without issue Male. Iohn Fitz-Alen and Lord Maltrauers H. 6. being the next heire Male to the said Thomas was by King Henrie the sixt created Earle of Arundell and Duke of Torayne Humfrey Fitz-Alen his sonne was Earle of Arundell and dyed without issue William Fitz-Alen his Vncle and brother to the last Earle Iohn was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell Thomas Fitz-Alen his sonne succeeded and was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell William Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell Henrie Fitz-Alen his sonne was Lord of Clun and Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell and dyed without issue Male. Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey and the fourth and last Duke of Northfolke maried Marie one of the daughters and coheires of the said Henrie Fitz-Alen and was in her right Lord Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell The other moytie descended to the Lord Barkley Philip Howard his sonne was Lord Maltrauers and Earle of Arundell and of Surrey Thomas Arundell his sonne is Lord Maltrauers K. Ia. and Earle of Arundell to which honours hee was restored by the mightie Prince King Iames. Bathe PHilbert de Chandew a Britton borne H. 1. was by King Henrie the first created Earle of Bath he dyed without issue Male. Iohn Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock in Deuon being the sonne of Foulke Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren who was the sonne of William Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren who was the yonger sonne of William Bourchier H. 8. Earle of Ewe in Normandie who was the yonger brother of Henry the first Earle of Ewe was by king Henry the eight created Earle of Bath Iohn Bourchier his sonne was Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock and Earle of Bath William Bourchier the sonne of Iohn Bourchier who was the sonne of the said Iohn last Earle of Bath is now Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock and hath issue one sonne only who is named Edward Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstock Bedford E. 3. INgram Lord Concy a Frenchman borne maried Isabel the daughter of king Edward the third and being by him created Earle of Bedford he dyed without issue Male. Iohn Plantagenet the third sonne of king Henrie the fourth was by his father created Duke of Bedford H. 4. and whilst king Henrie the sixt liued to whom he was Vncle he was Regent of France Ruled it with great wisedome and valour and dyed without issue George Neuil was by king Edward the fourth created Duke of Bedford E. 4. and dyed without issue Iaspar Tuthar surnamed Iaspar of Hatfield sonne to Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine the widdow of king Henrie the fifth was by his halfe brother king Henrie the sixt created Earle of Pembroke H. 7. and was after by his Nephew king Henrie the seuenth created Duke of Bedford and dyed without issue Iohn Russel was by king Henrie the eight made Lord Russel and by king Edward the sixt E. 6. he was created Earle of Bedford Francis Lord Russel his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Bedford Edward Lord Russel his sonnes sonne viz. the sonne of Francis third sonne to the said Earle Francis is now Earle of Bedford Bridgewater GIles Dawbeney was by king Henrie the Seuenth made Lord Dawbeney H. 8. and his sonne Henrie was after his fathers death created Earle of Bridgewater by king Henrie the Eighth and died without issue But Alice his sister and heire was maried to Iohn Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstocke in Deuon from whom William Lord Fitz-Warren of Towstocke and Earle of Bath is descended Buckingham WAlter Gifford Earle of Longuile in Normandie Conq. and cosen to the Conquerour was by him created Earle of Buckingham and Pembroke Walter Gifford his sonne succeeded and died without issue Thomas Plantagenet surnamed Thomas of Woodstocke the sixth sonne of King Edward the Third was by his nephew King Richard the Second created Earle of Buckingham Northampton and Essex R. 2. and afterwards he made him Duke of Glocester And for his good counsell to the same King he was sent prisoner to
the Second created Lord of Wallingford Earle of Cornwall and Glocester and died without issue being executed by the Barons Hugh Spencer the younger was by King Edward the Second created Earle of Glocester and was executed at London E. 3. Hugh Awdley Lord Awdley of Helie Castle was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Glocester and died without issue R. 2. Thomas Plantagenet surnamed Thomas of Woodstocke the sixth sonne of King Edward the Third was by his father created Earle of Essex Buckingham and Northampton and by King Richard the Second his nephew hee was created Duke of Glocester but was murdered at Calice in prison for reprouing the King friendly of his faults R. 2. Thomas Lord Spencer the grand-childe of the aforenamed Hugh Spencer was by King Richard the Second created Earle of Glocester and died without issue male H. 4. Humfrey Plantagenet the fourth sonne of king Henrie the Fourth being Earle of Pembroke was by his father created Duke of Glocester and died without issue E. 4. Richard Plantagenet the sonne of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke and brother to King Edward the Fourth was by the same King created Duke of Glocester Hee was also King Richard the Third and died without issue Hartford H. 2. ROger de Clare Earle of Clarence was by King Henrie the Second created Earle of Hartford Richard de Clare his sonne enioied both those Earledomes Gilbert de Clare his sonne was Earle of Clare Hartford and of Glocester Richard de Clare his sonne enioied those three Earledomes Gilbert de Clare his sonne succeeded in those honours Gilbert de Clare his sonne succeeded and died without issue male Ralphe de Mounthermer who maried Ione of Acres one of the daughters of king Edward the First E. 1. was by him created Earle of Glocester and of Hartford he dyed without issue Edward Saint-Maure alias Seymour H. 8. was by king Henrie the Eight made Viscount Beauchamp and Earle of Hartford hee was Vncle and Protector to king Edward the Sixt by whom hee was created Duke of Somerset and lost his head Edward Saint-Maure alias Seymour his sonne Q. Eliz. was by Queene Elizabeth created Viscount Beauchamp and Earle of Hartford and he now liueth Hereford WIlliam Fitz Osborne Conq. who first perswaded the Conqueror to vndertake that weightie businesse was by him created Earle of Hereford and Lord of the Isle of Waight because he made the first Conquest thereof Roger Fitz-Osborne his sonne who succeeded was attainted of Treason and dyed a prisoner without issue Miles Fitz-Water was by King Henrie the First H. 1. created Earle of Hereford Roger Fitz-Water his sonne succeeded and dyed without issue Walter Fitz-Water his brother was Earle and dyed without issue Henrie Fitz-Water his brother succeeded and dyed without issue Humfrey Bohun was by king Henrie the Third H. 3. created Earle of Hereford and of Essex Humfrey Bohun succeeded his father in those Earledomes Humfrey Bohun his sonne was Earle after him Humfrey Bohun his sonne was his successour in those Dignities Iohn Bohun his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue Hurmfrey Bohun his Nephew viz. the sonne of William brother to the said Iohn was Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton and dyed without issue Male. Thomas of Woodstock the sixt sonne of king Edward the Third E. 3. married Eleanor the eldest sister of the said Humfrey and was by his Father created Earle of Hereford Essex Buckingham and Northampton he was afterwards by his Nephew king Richard the Second created Duke of Glocester and was murdred in prison at Calice because he informed the king friendly of his faults Humfrey Plantagenet his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue Male. Henrie Plantagenet surnamed Bullingbroke the sonne and heire apparant of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster being Earle of Darby was by his Cosen R. 2. king Richard the Second created Duke of Hereford and was afterwards king Henry the Fourth Humfrey Stafford was Earle of Stafford Northampton and Hereford and was by king Henrie the Sixt created Duke of Buckingham but he lost his head Huntington Conq. WAldolf a Saxon married Iudith the Conquerors Neece and was by him created Earle of Huntington hee dyed without issue Male. Simon de S. Lize otherwise Saint-Leger married Mawld one of the daughters of Waldolf Rufus and was by William Rufus created Earle of Huntington and Northompton and hauing issue Simon hee dyed Dauid Prince of Scotland and sonne to Malcolme the Third being Earle of Northumberland Steph. and Cumberland was by king Stephen made Earle of Huntington for Simon was but a child and vniustly kept from his Inheritance Henrie Prince of Wales assoone as Dauid his father was king of Scotland enioyed the Earledomes of Northumberland Cumberland and Huntington After the death of King Stephen the said Simon being sonne to the said Simon entred into his Earledomes of Huntington and Northampton and enioyed the same in peace during his life Malcolme Prince of Scotland and sonne to the before named Henrie because the rightfull Earle of Huntington was in his minoritie was by king Henrie the Second H. 2. made Earle of Huntington as he was Earle of Northumberland and of Camberland William his brother being Prince of Scotland and Earle of Northumberland Cumberland and of Huntington made warres vpon King Henrie the Second after he was king of the Scots and was taken prisoner in the field ransomed and lost those honors Simon de S. Lize otherwise Saint-Leger the third of that name was by king Henrie the Second restored to his Earledome of Huntington and was also Earle of Northampton and died without issue Dauid the brother of the aforenamed William was by the fauour of king Richard the Second restored to the Earledome of Huntington R. 1. Iohn his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Huntington and died without issue male He was surnamed Scot. William Clinton was by king Edward the Third created Earle of Huntington and died without issue E. 3. Guischard a Gascoigne borne in Angolesme R. 2. was by king Richard the Second created Earle of Huntington and died without issue Iohn Holland halfe-brother to King Richard the Second R. 2. was by him created Earle of Huntington and Duke of Exeter and lost his head for conspiring against king Henrie the Fourth Iohn Holland his sonne was restored to his Earledome by King Henrie the Fifth H. 5. and by king Henrie the Sixth to his Duchie of Exeter Henry Holland his sonne was attainted when king Edward the Fourth raigned and was drowned on the coast of Calice Thomas Grey sonne in Law to king Edward the Fourth was by him created Marquesse Dorset and Earle of Huntington Thomas Grey his sonne succeeded in those honours William Herbert the eldest sonne of William Herbert whom king Edward the Fourth had made Earle of Pembroke E. 4. was by the same King made Earle of Huntington George Hastings Lord
fight which vnfortunately he did for in lesser time then the space of one houre himselfe with almost three thousand of his companie were slaine and his younger sonne Edmund Earle of Rutland being but twelue yeares old kneeling vpon his knees and desiring mercie was cruelly and wickedly stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford who horribly did sweare that by that act he would be reuenged for his fathers death And the rest of that small Armie being discomforted confusedly ranne away and saued themselues by flight The Queene who had taken the Earle of Salisburie prisoner caused his head to be stricken off and executed many others The Earle of Salisburie beheaded all whose heads to despight the Yorkish Faction she caused to be set vpon the walles of the Citie of Yorke Which reuengefull deede not long after was requited by the ruine and destruction of the King the Queene the young Prince and of the greater number of such as fauoured and assisted the house of Lancaster and opposed themselues against the rightfull and iust claime of the Duke of Yorke as hereafter we shall heare The new and braue Duke of Yorke being informed of this ouerthrow The new Duke of Yorkes victorie and of his fathers death augmented his Armie which was but small and consisted only of three thousand men with which hee fought with the Kings halfe-brother Iaspar Earle of Pembroke Owen Tuthar his father Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and of Wiltshire and their companies And almost at their first encounter those two Earles fled foure thousand of their friends were slaine many others were taken prisoners Owen Tuthar beheaded The Queenes Armie preuailed The King is enlarged and among them Owen Tuthar father in law to King Henry was one who with some others were incontinently put to death But the Queenes Armie neere about that time hauing fought with the Duke of Norfolke and all his forces compelled them to flie to leaue King Henry behinde them whereat she conceiued much ioy This victorie at the first made her insolent and proud but when she vnderstood how well the young Duke of Yorke had preuailed and that his Armie was now winged with the Earle of Warwickes Regiments and Companies shee with her adherents retired backe into the Northerne parts of this Realme and raised a huge Armie of threescore thousand men The Queenes Armie of 60000. men The Duke of Yorkes Army of 49000. men Towton field 36000. Englishmen slaine The Dukes victorie and neere vnto a Towne called Towton Edward Duke of Yorke the noble and victorious Richard Earle of Warwicke and almost nine and fortie thousand men met with the Queenes Armie where they fought a cruell and a fierce battaile in which more then six and thirtie thousand Englishmen were slaine among which were the Earles of Northumberland and of Westmerland the Lords Dacres Welles and Clifford Sir Iohn Neuil Andrew Trollop and many others The two Dukes of Somerset and of Exeter saued themselues by flight but the Earle of Deuonshire with sundrie moe were taken prisoners The King and the Queene with Prince Edward their onely sonne fled to the Castle of Barwicke and from thence into Scotland where they were courteously receiued and friendly entertained by the young King In recompence of which fauours and in hope of future assistance Barwicke deliuered to the King of Scots King Henry deliuered vnto him the Castle and Towne of Barwicke which the Scots not only much desired but with exceeding great losse and detriment had oftentimes but still in vaine attempted to make their owne This victorie being thus happily obtained the Duke of Yorke rod triumphantly to the Citie of Yorke from whose walles hee tooke the heads of his deceased father and of his friends and causing the Earle of Deuonshire and some others to be executed Execution hee set vp their heads in the same places King Henry being hopelesse of all other helpe and assistance The Duke of Yorke commeth triumphantly into London sent the Queene his wife and the young Prince their sonne to her father Reyner the Titularie King of Sicilia Naples and of Ierusalem praying to vse his best endeuours and diligence to procure him aide and succour from the French King And in the meane time he himselfe remained in Scotland patiently expecting the euent of his future Fortunes THE HISTORIE OF KING EDVVARD THE FOVRTH EDVVARD Duke of Yorke hauing ouerthrowen the King Queen and hauing slaine and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton Field Edward the Fourth proclaimed and crowned King returned triumphantly to the Citie of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the fourth day of March and was crowned the nineteenth day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Raigne he remoued from all Offices all such as were voiced to be the oppressors of his people and carefully prouided that all things might be ordered well for their commoditie and profit And in his high Court of Parliament many things were established and enacted for the peace and welfare of the Common-weale A Parliament And all former Statutes which had beene made by the last King Acts for treasons repealed and conuicted him and his adherents of High Treason were defaced cancelled and made void The Earle of Oxford and Sir Awbrey Vere his son and some other Counsellors to King Henry the Sixth Execution being attainted of sundrie treasonable practises lost their heads And to strengthen his part with powerfull and with faithfull friends he created his two brothers George Duke of Clarence Lords created and Richard Duke of Glocester and Sir Iohn Neuil brother to the Earle of Warwicke he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had maried the Ladie Elizabeth Aunt vnto the King and was brother vnto Thomas Bourchier Archbishop of Canterburie was created Earle of Essex and William Lord Fawconbridge was made Earle of Kent The Duke of Somerset Sir Ralphe Percie and diuers others being the Kings inueterated enemies perceiuing this settlement of the State Some of the Kings enemies submit themselues but afterwards doe reuolt and finding no hope for reliefe but onely in the Kings grace and mercie voluntarily and humbly submitted themselues to his Highnesse whereupon they receiued his pardon and were entertained with his loue Queene Margaret who with the Prince her sonne was abiding in France by her fathers meanes procured from the French King certaine ships and an aide of fiue hundred men The Queene landeth and flieth into Scotland with which she arriued safely in England at Tyne in the North Country But her successe was vnfortunate for by the Kings friends foure hundred of them were taken prisoners and ransomed and the rest were slaine and the Queene her selfe fled and with much difficultie went into Scotland where shee found such fauour and such friendship that many a lustie Scot accompanied her the King and the Prince their sonne to the Castle of Barwicke where she
vp in the imitation of all princely entertainment complements and behauiour so that all such as beheld him and his Heroicall Qualities pronounced their sentence that bee was descended of a Noble Familie and that some extraordinarie Fortune was at hand and attended to make him more happie then a thousand others Thus when this Ladie had procured her counterfeited Idoll to bee adored and wondered at by reason of his maiesticall carriage and behauiour she informed him that vnder the name of Richard Duke of Yorke second sonne to King Edward the Fourth her brother shee intended to aduance him to the Crowne of England and to make him King which that she might with the more ease and facilitie effect shee secretly and so substantially taught him in the whole Pedigrees of the Houses of Lancaster and Yorke that within few daies no Englishman was more expert and cunning therein then he Perkin is aided by the Irishmen When shee had thus furnished him according to her will shee caused him to be transported into Ireland where he made himselfe knowen among those Nobles to bee by his birth a great Prince and therin he so artificially demeaned himselfe that by the whole Nation of the Irish he was receiued reuerenced and maintained as their soueraigne and rightfull Lord. The French King sendeth for Perkin Warbecke About the same time the French King who daily expected the landing of an English Armie within his Duchie of Britaine or in some other place subiect to his dominion as formerly wee haue heard intended to disturbe the intention and purpose of King Henry by setting vp of another King in this Realme for which purpose hee sent for Perkin Warbecke into France and promised with all kinde of friendly entertainment to receiue helpe releeue and succour him vntill hee had inuested him into his right and Kingdome No sooner was this mocke-prince come to the French Court but such was the generall applause of the Frenchmen and so extraordinarie was their madnesse and braine-sicke ioy that the poore Swad could in no wise chuse but imagine strongly that hee was borne to be a King But in the middest of his flattering vaine and foolish hopes the aforesaid peace betwixt the two Kings of England and of France was concluded and this young Nouice fearing lest he should be deliuered to King Henry ran secretly away Perkin flieth out of France The Duchesse honoureth and maintaineth him and came to his Titularie Aunt the Duchesse of Burgoine who receiued him with great ioy and much honour giuing vnto him princely entertainment filling his purse with gold clothing his bodie with costly and with rich apparell and appointing thirtie gentlemen of worth and qualitie as his Guard to giue their daily attendance vpon his fantasticall person Her practise for assistance in England Then shee caused it newly to be published in England that her Nephew Richard Duke of Yorke was yet aliue and liued in her Court and that he according to his right and title to the Crowne of England as being the heire male of the House of Yorke expected the assistance of all his true and louing subiects towards his attaining thereof Perkin is fauoured in England No sooner did this newes wax common among the Vulgar but it was generally beleeued by them and also by diuers others of better ranke and fashion insomuch that many for malice onely and for grudge which they conceiued against the House of Lancaster others because they deemed themselues not to be sufficiently rewarded for their aduentures in King Henries warres against King Richard others because they were ambitious and saw none other meanes to raise their fortunes others because their fancies were easily deluded by nouelties and deuised newes and others because they delighted to fish in troubled waters determined to take his part And vpon that resolution the Conspirators by secret combination sent Sir Robert Clifford a man of much valour wisdome Sir Robert Clifford and great discretion into Flanders to enquire and to search out the truth of the conception birth and parentage of this new-found Duke This Knight after his arriuall and when hee had conferred againe and againe with the busie-headed Duchesse of Burgoine touching this businesse and with an obseruing eie had beheld the young counterfet and had communed oftentimes with him perswaded himselfe that he was the very true naturall and yongest sonne of King Edward the Fourth and so he certified his friends in England by his letters and by meanes thereof euery day fresh reports gat greater strength and credit among such as were willing to be partakers in his fortunes King Henries preparations against Perkins inuasion Wherefore as a sharpe Feuer suffreth not the Patient to take any rest so this fantasticall dreame and vaine imagination troubled King Henry aboue measure and wisedome made him prouident to prepare for future stormes so that he strongly guarded and fortified all places which bordered vpon the Sea and by his letters hee informed the Burgundians and Flemings of the vanitie and falsitie of this deuised foolerie and of this fained King vsing his best meanes both to preuent all ciuill wars and also to withstand all inuasions which might bee attempted against his Crowne and Kingdome And to make himselfe more strong 1493. 9 hee selected and appointed diuers men of wisdome and of worth secretly to flie out of England into Flanders to the Duchesse and to this fained Duke A wittie policie that by their meanes and endeuours bee might haue true intelligence of such as being of name and qualitie conspired to ioine with this ignoble counterfet vpon whose information and after legall trials the chiefest actors in that businesse as Traitors were put to death King Henry also recounting how that by the late breach of promise Maximilian the King of the Romans failed to assist him in his warres against Charles the French King and finding that his sonne Philip Arch duke of Austria and Duke of Burgoine secretly fauouuoured the attempts of the Ladie Margaret concerning Perkin Warbeckes conspiracie The English Mart is remoued from Flanders to Calice A restraint of wares and merchandizes remoued his Mart of English merchandizing from Flanders to his owne Towne of Calice and also he prohibited all men whatsoeuer to bring any Flemish commodities or wares into this Kingdome This restraint notwithstanding the bribing Easterlings were vnder hand permitted to bring into England what they would And likewise King Maximilian and his sonne by strong Edicts forbade and published the confiscation of all English commodities as leather tallow woolles lead tinne and such like if they were brought into those Countries An assault on the Flemings in London This restraining of the Kings owne subiects and that libertie which was allowed to those strangers vexed and greeued the English Merchants at the heart and so it did many others for by meanes thereof a great part of their trade which in former times supported their
good respects hee cheerefully consented to his request First because by all likelihood and probable coniecture this mariage would establish a perpetuall peace betwixt those two Kingdomes And secondly because if issues males and females failed of the bodies of his two sonnes then the Kingdome and the Crowne of this Realme descending to the said Ladie Margaret and to her issue would draw the Scottish King into England as vnto an estate of greater power magnificence honour and riches whereas if she were ioined to a Prince equall or exceeding her father in those respects this Kingdome would then wait vpon the greater and more worthie and so might be guided gouerned directed and commanded by a Deputie or a Substitute which would bee derogatorie from the maiestie of such a Monarchie and Common-weale These Halcyon daies Prince Arthur dieth which made King Henry fortunate and happie were suddenly exchanged into daies of heauinesse and of sorrow for Prince Arthur within fiue moneths after he was maried departed out of this troublesome and transitorie vale of miserie and was buried with great pompe and incredible lamentation both of the Nobles Gentlemen and common people in the Cathedrall Church within the Citie of Winchester by whose decease without issue his brother Henry Duke of Yorke without Creation was Prince of Wales 1502. as vnto him of right that dignitie did belong and appertaine and the next yeare after he was created Earle of Chester by his Father The King not long after by an honorable attendance of Lords Knights Ladies and men and women of especiall note and qualitie sent his eldest daughter the Ladie Margaret into Scotland to her espoused husband Iames the Fourth who receiued her vpon the limits of his owne Kingdome from the Earles of Surrey and Northumberland and was the next day maried to her in his Citie of Edenburgh 1503. to the great reioicing of the people of both those Nations Now when King Henry had thus ouercome his enemies and the Rebels and had settled himselfe in peace 1504. hee determined to plucke downe the high stomackes and stout courage of his people The King taketh aduantage of forfeitures vpon Penall Lawes supposing that their wealth and riches occasioned their rebellions and was the cause that many enormous insolencies were done and committed in the Common-weale And by that meane hee also intended to enrich himselfe And the plot whereby he intended to effect it was by taking of the aduantage of the breach of Penall Lawes Empson and Dudley And the principall charge of that polling businesse hee committed to Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley men learned in the Law but ready enough to execute the Kings commands in a worser matter if occasion did so require These two being attended by troupes of base Informers Promoters Catch-poles Cheaters Knaues and cousening Rascals Many are vndone prosecuted and persecuted many of the Kings good Subiects to their vtter ruine and ouerthrow insomuch that many people in euery Shire of this Kingdome by their oppressions waxed poore and were vtterly decaied in their estates But the Kings Coffers were filled his Bagges were stuffed and those two gracelesse and cruell Cormorants got to themselues the Deuill and all But no remedie there was to cure this maladie for the King authorized them and they so rigorously and so vnconscionably executed their tyrannie that no man could assure himselfe that hee was free and without the danger of their lash 1605. In the 21. yeare of K. Henries raigne Elizabeth Q. of Castile wife to Ferdinando K. of Aragon and Spain died without issue male of her bodie so that her Kingdom not being deuidable among sisters according to the custome of that Countrie discended to her eldest daughter the Ladie Iane The King and Queene of Castile doe come into England by a storme wife to Philip Arch-Duke of Austria and Duke of Burgoine so that hee being King of Castile in her right prepared a Nauie of strong and well appointed ships and entred into the Sea purposing to take the possession of his new Kingdome But by the violence of an outragious storme himselfe with his Queene was driuen into Waymouth in Dorset shire where at his landing hee was receiued by Sir Thomas Trenchard a worthie Sir Thomas Trenchard entertaineth them at his house and a compleate Knight who instantly importuned the King to accept of the entertainment of his house vntill King Henrie were certified of his being there which courteously he did Whereof when he had louingly accepted hee was conducted thither and feasted like as hee was a King The Knight forthwith sent diuers Posters to King Henrie who being much gladded by this newes because the said King and he were vnfained and faithfull friends They are entertained by the King forthwith sent for his better direction and attendance the Earle of Arundell and some others who inuited him and his Queene and their Companie to the Kings Court which was then at his Castle of Windsor of which great courtesie he accepted with a kind hart and as he came within fiue miles of the Castle he was met by the Noble Henrie Prince of Wales who was accompanied by diuers Earles Lords Knights and Gentlemen of choice reckoning aad account and within halfe a mile of his iournies end the King himselfe with the greatest part of his Nobilitie Ladies and Personages of great worth and honour being richly apparrelled and brauely mounted met him likewise where kind salutations and friendly greetings proceeded from the heart and were performed with most exquisite complements of loue that by any could be imagined From the Kings Castle of Windsor the King conducted him and his Queene to the Citie of London where nothing was omitted that anie deuise or cost could make sumptuous thereby to expresse the heartie welcome of such beloued guests And thus when with great contentment mirth and pastime the King and he had spent some dayes they renewed the League which was betwixt them and taking kind farewels each of other the said King and Queene imbarked themselues againe lanched into the Sea and safety arriued according to their owne wils But not long after King Philip and his wife died and that Kingdome discended to Charles his eldest sonne From this time forwards King Henrie waxed sickly weake 1506. and infirme and by meanes thereof the two scourgers of the Common-weale Empson and Dudley tooke larger libertie to extend their villanies then was giuen to them and did oppresse torment and vex the People of this land But when the King perceiued that his time was short 1507. hee depriued them of their authoritie remitted and pardoned all offences committed against his penall Lawes and enlarged all prisoners The King waxeth sickly His deeds of charitie which were in durance for any offence treason and murder excepted only he also paid the debts of all such as for trifling and smal summes were prisoners in any Ward and gaue certaine