Florus Anglicus OR AN EXACT HISTORY OF England FROM THE RAIGN OF William the Conquerour to the Death of the Late KING By Lambert Wood Gent. LONDON Printed for Simon Miller at the Starre in St Pauls Church-yard 1657.6 The History of England TO THE READER FRIENDLY READER THou hast here a short Compendium of the Affaires of England yet written with so much Care and Diligence that there is nothing almost that is wanting in it but circumstances or things not usefull By this means I suppose I have spared the Reader both labour and time For what will it profit a man to spend his Age in searching out of that which he may have represented to him at an instant You may with one glance of your Eye runne over all the Writings and Pains taken by many Authours And that nothing might be wanting I have drawn forth the History from the very Infancy of it even unto the Death of CHARLES the First not following my own Advice but directed by the Testimony of them who setting aside all Envy were Reall and Eye-Witnesses of this Tragedy I have offered no Violence to the Truth by siding with any part If I loved the one I did not hate the other And if perhaps any Man which in Novelties is much desired by his future Experience shall bring forth the hidden Causes of things to the clearer Light I will not refuse to give Credit to it so farre is it from me from believing my own Report before the Relation of other Men. That which pleased me I think shall not be distastefull unto thee And I hope to reap the fruit of my Labours in it your kinde Acceptance which if I may obtain I aim at nothing else Judge moderately of the Style and censure it courteously It will not cause your Admiration shining forth in a Scholastick Brightnesse it will not retard curious Eyes with the Elegancie of words and glorying in the wittie choise of Sentences What can I say more It must be excused The desire of Praise could not carry me aloft who want Wings for it Moderate things please me when I can reach no higher Only I abhorre the envy of Detractors and the quarrelling of carping Momus Having premised thus much I shall remain A true Friend to my Countrey Lambert Wood. Courteous Reader These Books following are printed and sold by Simon Miller at the Starre in St Pauls Church-yard near the West end Folio The Civil Warres of Spain in the Raign of Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany and King of that Nation wherein our late unhappy Differences are parallel'd in many particulars The History of this Iron-Age with the Original and Causes of all Warres and Commotions that have happened throughout Europe from the Year 1500 to this present Quarto Abrahams Faith or the good old Religion proving the Doctrine of the Church of England to be the only true Faith of Gods Elect by J. Nicholson Minister of the Gospel Mr Boltons Directions The Anatomy of Mortality by George Strode Mr Ainsworth on the Canticles Mr Paul Baynes Diocesans Trial. The Supream Power of Christian States Vindicated from the Insolent Pretences of Gulielmus Apollonii by E. Gralle Politique and Military Observations of Civil and Military Governments The Birth Increase Decay of Monarchies the Carriage of Princes Magistrates Commanders and Favourites by D.P. Esq Mr Pinchin his meritorious Price of Christs Redemption Astrology Theologized shewing what Nature and Influence the Starres and Planets have over men and how the same may be diverted and avoided Octavo The Reconciler of the Bible A View of the Jewish Religion with their Rites Customs and Ceremonies Edward Waterhouse Esquire his Discourse of Piety and Charity A short View and Defence of the Reformation of the Church of England by King Edward and Queen Elizabeth wherein her Doctrine Liturgy and Discipline are considered and preferred before all others Mr Peter du Moulin His Antidote against Popery published on purpose to prevent the delusions of the Priests and Jesuites being seasonable for these times Herberts Devotions or a Companion for a Christian containing Meditations and Prayers usefull upon all occasions Mr Knowls His Rudiments of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Schemes or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four Minutes of time The Poor mans Physician and Chyrurgeon Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the beginning to the death of the Late King Duodecimo Dr Smiths Practice of Physick Grammar Warre Posselius Apothegms Fuciculus Florum Crashaws Visions Robinsons Essayes The Christian Souldier his Combate with the three Arch-enemies of Man-kind the World the Flesh and the Devil together with his Conquest and Crown Vicessimo quarto The New-Testament The third Part of the Bible Playes The Ball. The Conspiracy The Tragedy of Chamlet Example Gamester Dukes Mistresse THE CONTENTS COncerning the first Kings of the Britans 1 Of the first Norman King 9 William the Second 16 Henry the First 20 Stephen King of England 25 Henry the Second 33 Richard the First 38 John the First 45 Henry the Third 53 Edward the First 64 Edward the Second 71 Edward the Third 85 Richard the Second 100 Henry the Fourth 115 Henry the Fifth 122 Henry the Sixth 131 Edward the Fourth 149 Edward the Fifth and Richard the Third 161 Henry the Seventh 172 Henry the Eighth 182 Edward the Sixth 200 Queen Mary 206 Queen Elizabeth 214 King James 223 King Charles the First 230 AN Exact History OF ENGLAND Concerning the first Kings of the Britans BRitany of old was subject not to one but to divers Kings The Names of four of them are called by Caesar Cingelarix Carvilius Taximagalus and Segonax whereupon the Conquest of the Romans over them was more sure though it were longer in doing for whilst they fought all severally they are generally overcome Yet the Britans did ever now and then make some resistance hardly submitting their necks to anothers Government Amongst whom for her Noble enterprise Vaodicia the Queen was most remarkable who with her two daughters Virgins having formerly been forced by the Roman Souldiery in revenge for her chastity abused raised a mighty Army and over-threw the Enemy with a great slaughter yet the fortune of the Warre changing afterwards she escaped bondage provided for her by drinking poyson This Island was subject to the Roman Government five hundred years but discord creeping in at home they left this place of their own accord which they had won with so much labour yet they took such Britans along with them which they thought most fit for Warre part whereof were slain in the Warre part were consumed with hunger and want and part of them transported themselves into that place in France for their safety which from them is called Britany The Picts and Scots they strive to enter upon the Countrey thus forsaken whom to resist they chose Vortigernus Earl of Cornwall for their King and implored the help of the Saxons or Anglo Saxons a Warlick Nation in
in the first place and next to him Mary Katharines Daughter and last of all Elizabeth which he begat of Anne of Boloyn Young Edward was Crowned at nine years of age in the year 1547. Because he was young he had sixteen Overseers appointed for him the chief was the Duke of Sommerset Brother to Jane Seymere a man of great integrity The death of Henry being heard of by Francis King of France did exceedingly grieve the old man who being about the same age did presage his own death to be near He kept a Funerall solemnity for him as the manner is for Kings and not long after that he followed him that was gone before him Henry at his death had commanded his Councill before all things that they should press a Marriage for his Sonne Edward with the Queen of Scotland Messengers are therefore sent to treat of conditions and to obtain their consent but when the faction of the Papists prevailed for the Dolphin a great Army was presently raised and sent into Scotland under the conduct of the Viceroy Sommerset The Scots also came to meet him with a powerfull hand they joyned Battell at Muskelburg but they were beaten down and put to flight the chief of their Nobility being slain or taken prisoners After this Victory many Cities yielded and the Nobles fell off from them in greater numbers But that there might be an end made of this Warre and difference they send the Maiden Queen by advice of the Peers to be Educated and Espoused in France In the mean time there was a great change of the old customs in the Churches of England Images were cast out of the Churches by the Authority of Sommerset who was addicted to the Reformed Religion The Sacrament was exhibited under both kindes and the other old Ceremonies were abolished all that made opposition were either cast into prison or lost their places Upon this ground a wonderfull sedition arose in divers Countries of England though the Rebels had several intentions some came to pillage others under pretence of Religion set forward other designes the smallest number made it any matter of conscience There was a Proclamation made whereby all were pardoned if they would lay down their Arms but the more mildly they were dealt withall the more did this mad rabble increase They besieged Exceter but the Citizens did resist them with wonderfull Valour enduring great famine and scarcity At length Gray coming with an Army after some small Bickerings raised the siege The Rebels recollecting their Forces began a new fight but they were put to flight or taken presently and hanged When this sedition was quelled another as great rose in Norfolk for Robert Ket a base fellow had drawn twenty thousand men to his party who guarded him that he might deliver up some complaints to the King The King though he disdained to treat with Rebels answered them that their Petitions should be granted at the next Parliament They were not content with this but they laid siege to the City of Norwich and wan it The Earl of Northampton went against them with a small Army and was worsted by the factious rabble and the Lord Sheffeld and others were killed But being strengthned with new forces he went once more against them and holding forth to them the Kings pardon they threw away their Arms and left their Colours returning every man to his place Ket and the rest of the Ring-leaders suffered for it Another tumult rose about the same time which fell of it self only the Ring-leaders were executed The French in the mean while breaking their League proclaimed Warre with England and providing a Fleet when they had assaulted Garnsey Jersey and Bononia in vain with an Army they left off of their own accord In the mean time the Viceroy of England being deceived beheaded the Admirall his Brother being circumvented by the femine fraud of his Wife and condemned him for nothing that was laid to his charge upon which occasion both he and his Authority committed an egregious fault For they that favoured the Admirall were offended with the Viceroy and they that did honour him would trust him but a little so they all fell from him at once though upon divers ends Also the Viceroy was taken up with building a stately Palace which is to this day called Sommerset House And he had demolished divers Temples Towers and sacred places by which injury he had alienated from him not a little the mindes of all men Warwick who was of his own inclination the Viceroy his greatest enemy made use of this occasion and procured some Lords to stand with him and they conspired together against the Viceroy and sending messengers to the King who sojourned at Windsor to certifie him of the good intention of the Lords they desired his consent to cast the Viceroy into Prison But the Viceroy when he would not or could not answer the crimes objected against him he submitted himself to the Kings will and pleasure by which humility he obtained pardon and was received into grace Also the Dukes Daughter to make the friendship lasting by Marriage was betrothed to Warwicks Sonne and Warwick was made Admirall of the Sea Then Peace being ratified between the English and the French Bononia was delivered up to the French King 400000 Crowns being paid to the English The Emperour in the mean time because the profession of the Romish Religion was not allowed to his sister denounced Warre against England but he was pacified by such an Answer as was seasonable to that time Also there was a Treaty for a Marriage between Elizabeth the Kings sister and the King of Denmarks Sonne but Elizabeth could not be perswaded to be married to any man A speech there was further concerning a Marriage between Edward and the French Kings Daughter which was ratified and the Dowry agreed upon In the mean time the Earl of Northumberland that he might bring to pass what he intended endeavours by all means to root out the Duke of Sommerset But he to prevent his snares came one day into his Chamber armed and found him naked in his Bed and whether he were pacified by his false or friendly shew of Love and Humanity he spared him and departed doing nothing to him But afterwards Sommerset was accused by him for high Treason and lost his Head for it being a forerunner of the Accusers destiny Northumberland when as thus farre all things had succeeded as he desired was resolved to follow the success and perswaded the King at length that if he would have the Reformed Religion that was then generally received in England to be confirmed he should pass over his sister Mary who was so strongly addicted to the Church of Râ—me and should nominate Joan Gray for his successour Wife to his Sonne Gilford Dudley who was next of blood after his Sisters The King who was resolved by all means to preserve the Reformed Religion easily yielded to this some others in vain opposing it
The King died shortly after of a Consumption by whose death the Duke of Northumberland being now made partaker of his desire took to himself the Rule of the Kingdom and commanded his Daughter Joan to be publickly proclaimed Queen by King Edwards Testament MARY Queen of England France and Ireland Anno 1553. MARY so soon as the fame was spread of her Brothers death came with Post-horse from Hovesdon where she than resided into Suffolk to whom presently came divers Lords who had first compacted to preserve the Reformed Religion Then she sent by her Letters to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her for Queen But the Lords in the Name of all the people made Answer that by the Testament of King Edward Joan was to succeed and they asserted that Maries Mother was Divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army went against Mary but as he proceeded but slowly Maries Forces increased mightily Also Edward Hastings who was set with four thousand souldiers and six Ships to prevent that Mary might no waies escape revolted to her by which loss the Londoners and Lords were not a little dismaid and grew at odds one with another The London Counsell when they did not hold fast together was commanded openly to proclaim Mary Queen and the same was done in all other places Northumberland when he was certain that his companions had fallen from him that he might not runne the hazard alone called a Counsell at Cambridge and he for want of a Herauld proclaimed Mary Queen of England casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his cause for the Earl of Arundel who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Joan coming to Cambridge in Maries Name takes the Duke who in vain intreated for his life and casts him into prison Joan at the command of her Father Duke of Suffolk when the case was altered laid down the Ensignes of the Kingdom with more cheerfulness than she had taken them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with a thousand Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winchester and Sommersets Wife which she received into grace giving them her hand to kiss Then entring upon the Church affairs she abolished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their room the people were not a little enraged at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim the Duke of Northumberland the Earls of Northampton and Warwick are Endited of high Treason she spared Northampton but Northumberland was beheaded abjuring the Religion he professed before in hope of pardon His Body was buried by the Duke of Sommerset his Capitall enemy between Anne of Boloyne and Katharine who all suffered the same death The rest persisted and did not renounce the Faith they had professed Joan afterwards with her Husband Dudley Ambrose and Henry Sonnes to Northumberland was condemned to lose her Head but she was reprieved for a time Then a Marriage was Contracted between the Queen and Philip Sonne to Charles the fifth who was afterwards King of Spain which matter was very ill liked by some who did foresee from hence a dangerous consequence to the Kingdom of England Amongst whom was Thomas Wiat who took up Arms to Rebell by the advice of Suffolk Father to Joan Gray drawing some of the Nobility to side with him Also Bres who was sent against him with five thousand men revolted to him by which success he grew more bold and marched toward London and put the Citizens into great fear so that the Lawyers pleaded in their Armour In the mean while the Earl of Suffolk had an Army raised in the County of Warwick but the Earl of Huntington was sent out against him who terrified the feeble Duke that he was forced to flâ—e in haste and to shelter himself in Woods and by-places At last he was discovered by his Host and sent with a strong guard to London and cast into prison Wiat in the mean time coming to London was shut out of the City but he passed over the Thames at Kingston and provided to offer violence to the Citizens After some light skirmishing with the Queens Forces he was overborn by the power of his Enemy and when he had yielded he was sent to prison his Souldiers being scattered or taken The Queen being enraged with that boldnesse of the Subjects began seriously to consider how to punish the guilty Gilford Husband to Joan was first beheaded then Joan her self within the Walls of the Tower of London with a wonderfull Courage Piety and Constancy had her Head chopâ— off She was a Princesse for her Learning and Wisdome worthy of immortal praise It is reported also that Morgan who had given sentence of Death against Joan fell into madnesse shortly after her Death and died mad alwayes crying out That they should take Joan Gray away from him Then Suffolk was beheaded and the same day Wiat the cause of all these mischiefs for Joan had been pardoned had not he with a furious Tumult enraged the Queen Those that followed him some were punished in other places and at severall times amongst whom was Thomas Grey and some were pardoned Also Elizabeth was cast into Prison by the malice of Gardner Bishop of Winchester Without doubt her Life was at stake had she not wisely answered Questions propounded to her concerning her Faith They did severely at that time punish all those that were Enemies to the Religion of the Church of Rome amongst whom was Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester these refusing to abjure their Faith were burnt to ashes The Queens Marriage with Philip was now solemnized and Cardinal Pool being sent from the Pope all the Errours of the English are purged as it were and all confessing their sinnes are received under the Popes Tuition The fame was at this time that the Queen was with Childe she was so glad of it that she commanded to let loose many who were prisoners in the Towr Amongst which were the sons of the Duke of Northumberland who were before condemned to lose their Heads But all this hope vanished when the Queens Conception proved to be but a Tympany That there might not lack Examples of Piety the Queen restored to the Church all the Goods she possessed belonging to the Church and when she was told That by so great bounty the Crown-Lands would be much wasted She answered piously and prudently That she preferred her souls health before all the worlds good Philip in the interim went to Brussels to his Father Charles and obtain'd from him the Kingdom of Spain and his other Dominions before his Death then he returned for England Then again he went to Callis to wage Warre with the Frenchman and he staid upon that business above
yet given no answer to his Charge whereupon they denied to supply the King with Subsidies wherefore he was forced to finde out some other waies to raise monies wherewith he provided a mighty Fleet once more wherewith assisted by the Flemish Ships he spoiled all the Spanish Ships they met either coming from Spain or sailing thither and did wonderfully annoy the very Spanish Coasts but when the French were not spared a stop was made in France of some English Vessels and the Merchants Goods were Confiscate The Ministers of the Church of Rome had heightned the indignation those that came into England with the Queen and these did what they could privately to trouble the English affairs They were commanded to leave the Land but they were sent away with good gifts and rewards The French offended at this as an injury sent Monsier Bassempeir Extraordinary Embassadour into England who prevailed so farre that some were recall'd The French was not satisfied with this but forbad all Commerce with the English subjects and Charles did the like Envy increasing Lewis oppressed the Rochellers Charles sent relief to the besieged though he prevailed but little some mens hearts flagging who returned for England and for their sluggishness they were cast into prison But chiefly sharp complaints were charged by the Parlament against Buckingham who was the Commander of this Expedition That he had delivered some Sea Towns to the Custody of some Souldiers that received no pay from the English and had made strangers Commanders of them in Chief That to the great detriment and hazard of the Kingdom he had brought German Souldiers into England That by his perswasion one Parliament was called after another and nothing done That he had put many worthy Noble man from their places undeservedly and put men less deserving into their places That Warlick Expeditions undertaken imprudently had alwaies an ill end as was fresh in memory by the Rochell business That Merchandise failed by this means That he had turned another way such preparations as were made for Warre and had destroyed a multitude of Shipping by his ill managing of business c. Charles to stop all farther proceedings against Buckingham presently dissolved the Parliament and being overcome with the continuall prayers of the besieged he raised new Forces to send to assist the Rochellers under the command of the Duke of Buckingham but when he was ready to Embarque himself he was stabbed with a Knife by Felton an English man who by this act did sacrifice himself for his Country but he was taken when he had done it and was hanged for his pains Then a new Parliament was summoned the King complained that Tunnage was denied him the answer was made that such supplies were never granted to the Kings but upon urgent necessity and therefore it were better that he should look to prevent the wrongs that were every where crept in whereupon the Parliament was once more Dissolved Then there was a supersedeas to all business for if any man did not pay that Custom he Incurred the Kings displeasure and if any did pay then he incurred the displeasure of the Parliament and hereupon grew cause enough for following mischiefs The King offended at the mallepartness of the Parliament cast Sr John Eliot and some other Members of Parliament into prison and appointed Judges to take cognizance of their Fact they supposing themselves chosen besides the custom deferred to meddle with the business being doubtfull what to do the King pressed them on one hand and the people on the other The Kings Officers sent messengers to the Merchants whom they call usually Adventurers exhorting them that they would set their Merchandise to sale as they were wont saying the King would take care of all only let them pay their Custom which thing they refused to do without consent of Parliament The other Merchants did the same for it was fresh in their memories that about an hundred years before the Merchants had a penalty set upon them who paid their Custom the Parliament being against it in memoriall whereof that posterity might not plead ignorance a Chappel was built which at this day is called Alderman-Bury and a stranger Merchant who paying the Custom had set his Merchandize to sale was excluded from all Commerce And for this reason there was cause given for both sides to be displeased In the interim Peace was ratified with France and the Queen was brought a Bed of her first-born Charles The Spaniard also was hampred with divers Warres and want of moneys and therefore he thought it better to make Peace with Charles than to be brought to a finall desparation yet the King and his subjects were never the better agreed New and greater causes of dissention arose The King had taken care that the Book of Common-prayer should bâ— re-printed that such as had not the same gift of minde might have something for their imitation and by a set form should be stirred up to more attentiveness This form was read in Churches and Houses at that time through all England But the Scotch a scrupulous people in their opinion who are more afraid of the name of yielding than resisting and would sooner offend against Religion than the Ceremonies of it did publickly refuse it but they especially who held forth affected purity were called Puritans Charles to regulate the obstinate presently musters an Army to invade Scotland James Hamilton was the cause of it who was sent into Scotland to allay the peoples mindes before it should come to a Warre but he dealt deceitfully for having a desire to the Crown of Scotland he endeavoured to raise dissentions and hoped to fish best in troubled waters The Scotch on the other part that they might not idly wait for their own destruction meet the King with their Forces but their Banners and Ensignes were not displaied and in token of humility they laid their Arms down before him on the ground But when both Armies stood now ready the English that they might not strive with their Brethren refused to fight wherefore he was forced to make peace with the Scots upon no good conditions which being ratified he came back to London He was scarce returned but some factious fellows and such as by troubles and Warre hoped to make their own advantage speak against the Kings sluggishness and stirred him up who was already prone enough to make a new Warre against the Scots whereupon he goes once more with an Army into Scotland and by the same contumacy of his souldiers as before he was frustrate of his intentions The Scotch also made a nearer agreement amongst themselves against the King which they called their Covenant The King therefore when he was distressed for want cals a Parliament and asks Subsidies of them but it was in vain wherefore he was forced to fly to other Artifices The Queen that was pressed with the same care the King was dealt with the Earl Charles Rosset and with other
Ministers of the Barbarians Pansanius and Cunaus to procure a supply out of the Popes Treasury yet it is supposed that the King knew nothing of it promising if she prevailed that the Catholicks in Ireland should have greater liberty in their Religion But Rosset denied that any such assistance could be granted to any unless to a Catholick Prince as they term it but if the King would abjure the Reformed Religion and cleave to the Church of Rome he promised all assistance but he hating such a sacriledge nothing was done Rosset for this business was in great danger for the English who after they had renounced the Roman Religion hated his name more than the Plague or death it self when they saw that his followers had more freedom and were not ignorant of Rosset who was the Author of it they make a tumultuous head against him that they might tear in pieces this hurtfull instrument of so hatefull superstition but he hardly escaping in disguised apparell hid himself amongst the friends of the Queen Mother Mary de Medicis who at that time was in England and afterwards he escaped all danger by the assistance of John Justinian the Venetian Embassadour and Embarking himself he sailed into Flanders but when he came to Rome Pope Vrban the eighth rewarded his good service with a Cardinals Cap. The Irish in the interim were broke forth into a new Rebellion and the Parliament used all means to finde a remedy for such a mischief And the King being not at quiet caused the Liturgy to be new printed which he imposed upon all the Churches in England and forbad all Ceremonies to be used otherwise than they were in Queen Elizabeths daies In the mean while that no new cause of divisions might be wanting seven Romish Priests are cast into prison and are condemned by the Parliament to suffer death but the French Embassadour pitied their miserable condition and sued to the King for their pardon the King answered he could grant nothing in that business without consent from his Parliament Then it was motioned to the Parliament who presently yielded to it The King when he knew this thought by an importunate anticipation to gain the thanks of that business to himself and of his own accord commands the Priests to be freed from the prison The Parliament was angry at the Kings over-forwardness and changed their former Decree of freedom into a Sentence of condemnation The King he began to urge their discharge and to stand upon it resolving never to leave the business untill the Parliament were met in a full number and should give their finall determination They of their own accord cause one or two of these Monks to be put to death It is wonderfull how great good will of the people they procured to themselves by this deed especially when by their publick Writings they began to infringe the Kings Authority using such sweet words to the people that might win their good liking of it The King in the House of Peers complains of the insolence of the Lower House and by a sharp Speech inveighed against their stubborness saying that he neither could nor would wink at so great affronts Others again complain against the Kings too great Power and desire remedies The King in the mean time strove to put out some from their places of publick employment and to put in others amongst the rest he put out Montjoy from his Lieutenants place of the Tower and put in another that stood fast to his part The Lower House interprets this business as if the King strove to draw all the power of Government to himself and accused this new Lieutenant before the Upper House for a factious person and who was before condemned by the Judges to dye and therefore a man unfit for so weighty an imployment They added farther that this matter could not be without danger for he having the command of the Tower might destroy all the City of London The Upper House answered That unless they would put their sickle into another mans Corn it were wickedness in them to hinder the King in that matter for it was an ancient and received prerogative of the Kings openly refusing their consent Nor was it long ere a multitude of Servants which they call Apprentices and a rabble of other people came to the Hall door crying out and thundring that unless they would remove out of that place the Lieutenant of the Tower who was a Papist a factious a wicked and unworthy man they would turn all upside down and they prevailed by this means so far that both the King and the Lords were forced to consent Nor was this furious multitude of the people content with this but they made a fresh onset to abolish the Government of Bishops and would have them all to be forwarnd the Parliament House for that they were addicted as they pretended to the Church of Rome and to force them to it they runne like furies into Westminster Abbey that was venerable for it's Antiquity and they fall in their rage upon the sacred Garments Organs Sepulchres and spoil all that was either comely for its Ancientness pretious for cost or to be valued for curious Workmanship they hardly spared the Bones and Ashes of the dead their impure purity had hurried them so farre Then they runne to the Kings Court crying urging and thundring out the same things The King had them all go about their business threatning them with severe punishment that refused and least the next day they should terrifie him with greater multitudes he fortified himself with a stronger Guard The Parliament either fearing themselves or because they would not be inferiour to the King require a strong Guard of Souldiers to defend them the Earl of Essex might be the Captain of it The King neither granted nor denied it Then they attempted a new business and that was not usual appointing an extraordinary Assembly in the City that should manage all weighty and great occurrences and this they did without the Kings leave or knowledge And to weaken his Majesty the more or rather to satisfie the insolence of the people they cast twelve Bishops into prison because they went about to maintain their priviledge by the publick Charter That business much troubled the King and all those that loved the publick quiet above all things but they that hoped to finde some good for themselves out of these tossings and tumults did laugh in their sleeves fomenting the troubles and turning every stone untill such time as the Earl of Bristol and his sonne were involved in the same danger Strafford the year before lost his Head to satisfie the people who was a man of a commendable and most approved understanding William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of England followed him But now they touched his bowels for they began to accuse the Queens Majesty as if she had privately caused the troubles in Ireland and had secretly moved that people that are