seditious practises some distracted with factions some transported with dissentions some carried headlong with furie others to saue themselues from some punishment they haue formerly deserued or else hauing intangled or rather prodigally consumed then inheritance Novandis quam gerendis rebus aptiores rather desiring factions and disorders then to haue affaires of State settled as knowing they can receiue no benefit by the well settling and composure thereof as the sicke disrelisheth all meates whatsoeuer so distempered dispositions doe all passages of State be they neuer so good and are indeed a kinde of wilde beasts that sometimes brings themselues into the toyle occasioning the vertues and loyalties of some good men to be suspected his Maiestie highly discontented and the subiect thereby infinitely preiudiced Both of the Protestants and Papists in England to many of them doe perticipate of those imperfections such indeed as are drawne from the Lees of each Religion First for the Papists some of them are growne so impetuous vnbounden and vnlimmited both in their carriage and discourses proposing and maintaining dangerous and fearefull positions insolently intimating what a golden time they now shall haue these things doe much grieue and produce great feares to many that are truly religious and zealosly affected let vs not doubt but that by Gods grace the Kings wisedome and integrity they shall freely enioy that happinesse to haue quietnesse and contentment in their courses of life and consciences vntill their liues end when many of those Papists who in respect of their former exploits and practises haue beene found very dangerous shall haue a straighter hand carried ouer them then otherwise Then there are of those which only in seeming are somewhat more then Protestants their farther discription would aske a long discourse which I will omit More then this they thinke they haue much knowledge when indeed it is meere ignorance and that engenders vehemency and vehemency produceth passion then with true sincere and regular discipline there is no co-operation His Maiesty hath beene pleased to denote them long since in a speech he made in his higher house of Parliament as saying they were a people that were euer discontented with the present gouernment and impatient to suffer any superioritie which maketh their sectvnable to be suffered in any well gouerned Common-wealth many of them thinke they cannot misse the way to heauen if they be opposite to the Pope and yet in another way will meet the Papist in superstition they haue so much talked expostulated of our Princes Royall match and in their dispositions and discourses mutening so much against it occasioning many to doe the like forecasting and seeming to foreknow future euents preiudicating dangers both for religion and state polliticke of the kingdome so that they thereby and that sort of Papists before mentioned with their insolencie and boldnesse haue much preiudiced the Common-wealth amuzeth the countrie people making them stand as it were at a gaze so spending their time buying selling all dealings in the countrie more then for victuals and clothes are much out of vse great scarcitie of money euery where complained of they finde by wofull experience that royall Trading and commerce are much decayed and our money which was wont to be imployed therein is now conuerted into the basterd and barren imployment of Vsury Lands and Rents fallen and cloathing failed so that the poore in that course neither scarce in any haue beene set a worke whereby they haue endured the extremity of hunger of all extremities the extreamest The affaires and passages amongst men doe not runne so smooth as they were wont to doe all cry out want of money some that haue it sits as it were abrood thereon they will not vent nor aduenture it as saying they will first see what will become of the world which is now a common phrase some now and then speaking as they would haue it as saying the world will mend the reply that follows is Nay it will be worse Yet it hath pleased God out of his infinite goodnesse and mercy so to deale with vs God giue vs grace to be thankfull that for our enioying the fruits of the earth the times haue beene very seasonable and we haue and are like to enioy them in great plenty Yet the state and condition we doe and are like to liue in onely preiudicated and chiefly by our selues occasioned will rather be miserable then happy We are falling into the latter dayes ignorance and heresie striues to get the vpper hand It is said that God aboue all men doth inspire Kings and then it is like he doth and will inspire great Councellours of State aboue ordinary men therefore let vs pray vnto God they may consult and debate of the reasons worke and effect the remedies I am now come neere the end of my stage though some man of better ability which had beene farre more fitter to haue vndertaken this work I am consident against all those good Wiues formerly mentioned to haue come from Spaine and all the reasons that either hath or can be alleaged that in all likelyhood and probability the match may be happy and successefull for England the obiection will be Exempla illustrant sed non probant in those former times there was a vniformity of Religion so that now the difference therein is the onely stone of offence and the maine occasion conceaued of the feares and doubts of dangers may ensue as well to the Church reformed as to the polliticke and state affaires of the kingdome I must ingenuously confesse my home-bred imaginations did fly with the flocke I am no Courtier of whom there be too many that vpon the shift of euery King or Princes mariage doe please themselues with some probable proiect of preferment before all other respects or considerations whatsoeuer I doe not yet much ioy at the match nor should sorrow if it should not be onely in point of religion I will pray vnto God and hope we may haue cause to ioy thereat hereafter in the meane time I will not further trouble my selfe as being not the dutie of subiects to intermeddle or busie themselues with the actions of their King neither in their dispositions and discourses to mutiny against the match if his Maiestie and our hopefull Prince shall be pleased to proceed therein all that we haue to do is only to obey and pray to God to direct all things for the best relying on his prouidence the Kings wisdome and integrity and without our further expostulations to let his Maiestie and his Councell alone in the businesse Certainly God will be glorified and whatsoeuer man doth or shall determine he will dispose It is said by him Kings raigne and Princes decree Iustice Pro. 8.15 I haue to my selfe both grounded and collected some particular considerations which giues me confidence and reall satisfaction that there is no such cause of doubts and dangers for the Protestant religion or state polliticke of the
in one of his workes he thus declareth that it is one of the principall parts of the duty which appertaines to a Christian King to protect his true Church within his owne Dominions to extirpate heresies is a maxime without all controuersies In which respect those honourable titles of Custos Vindex vtriusque tabulae keeper and reuenger of both tables of the law and Nutricius Ecclesiae nursing Father of the Church doe rightly belong to euery Emperour King and Christian Monarch so that there is no question or imagination that he will suffer the Religion now professed to come vnder the Egiptian seruitude of the Pope But rather will be like a goodly Caedar tree of full growth irremoueable not to be otherwise or other where set or planted vnder whom his Subiects shall sit safe and protected Our hopefull Prince a branch thereof will be of the like kinde affording the same fruit who doubtlesse will now be the more precious in that kinde in respect of his late trauell and triall longed for the sweet comfort and preaching of the Gospell according to the saying of the Psalmist euen as the thirsty Hart did for the watry Brook Though he hath bin amongst the Sirens his eares would admit no audience a sound was alwayes in them as if hee heard his religeous Father King Iames speaking vnto him 1. Chro. 28.9 as sometimes holy Dauid spake vnto his sonne Salomon And thou Charles my sonne know thou the God of thy Father serue him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all the hearts and vnderstandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if thou seeke him he will be found of thee if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for euer all which serued onely but as addition Our Prince his integrity is such so firmely settled in the true Religion now professed that there was no possibility of his alteration For which we are infinitely bound vnto God and an incomprehensible happinesse it is to the Kingdome that his disposition all his courses and carriages affording all Royall and Princely vertues as indeede meerely composed thereof his patience farre exceeding his passion which bringeth peace to himselfe and victory ouer others free from all imperfections that Princes many times are subiect vnto the more hauing no strict nor disciplinated education but rather soothed and flattered in all they say or doe What an exceeding great comfort and ioy may we take to see his willing heart and ready hand to receiue the Petitions and complaints of the poore distressed Subiects and his gracious disposition to see them relieued which doubtlesse will occasion the whole progression of his life to bee much the more happy and prosperous gaine him blessed fame and euerlasting memory and a Crowne of glory in a better Kingdome Positiuely our King and Prince the one for paternall affection the other for filial obedience for after ages may be worthy patternes That by the Spanish Lady her comming ouer the Protestant Religion should be any wayes endangered or subiect to alteration there is not so much likelihood as probability she may come to be a Protestant for these reasons following the effects of true loue are great and the rather she being a young tender Princesse and farre from her owne Country and friends amongst whom she hath bin bred and now come to haue others new and liuing in their companies she may of her owne accord by degrees haue her affections incorporated amongst them borne and bred amidst the pleasures and delights of the Court accustomed to Royall Courtship may much farther it Townes before they yeeld doe vsually parle That the Lady neither can nor will auoyde and then hauing so pleasing an obiect to the eye and so Royall an affailant in such a person as our hopefull Prince is These things may goe neere the point to doe it Then her Ladies and Maydes of Honour which of like at the first will be the Cabinets of her Councell and other her followers though Sermons they will not heare yet when in daily discourses they shall haue such siege and battery laide to their Romish Religion by an Army of reuerend Bishops Doctors and many famous learned Preachers in that kinde the whole forces of our Kingdomes assuredly it will rather loose ground then gaine any the proper nature of Religion is farre sooner to be perswaded by reason then forced by constraint Those are the two things that Religion stands on the world cannot create a new creature be it neuer so little So no law of man nor compulsion can make a good Christian in heart without inward grace wherein the Minister is to perswade and leaue the successe to God More famous learned and worthier men no age euer afforded who will be a glory to the age The King and they as the Sunne and Moone and some others of the Clergie as lesser Starres will make perfection of light though they contribute somewhat lesse will make the light of the Gospell in the course and manner as it is now professed shine so bright that it shall dimme all Romish superstition and Idolatry as the blessed Sunne doth a burning Taper and there shall be no such Curtaine drawne to keepe out the light but that it shall shine ouer the whole face of the earth that wee shall see their good workes and bee taught by them to glorifie our heauenly Father The two famous Vniuersities the Spheares from whence learning and so consequently the true knowledge of Religion hath his motion they will not be ecclipsed Let vs be confident that our Iosuah and his Clergie being of his house will professe whatsoeuer other Nations doe hee and they will serue the Lord. If any of the Clergie when they shall come to the touch proue not right as peraduenture some of them may not it will be said of them Yee children of Ierusalem weepe and lament that for want of courage you betray your Master So in conclusion wishing the countrie people from henceforth in their resolutions would be satisfied and not to trouble themselues as now they doe in their expostulations of our Princes royall match nor take vpon them to foreknow and preiudicate that dangers may ensue either for matters of religion or gouernment but abandon all doubts and dispaire of those things and rather take it to their comforts hopes or rather indeed assurances that all those things formerly related will rather so come to passe then otherwise and that there will be no more such rubbes in the passages of State affaires as late haue beene but will runne smoothe as formerly they haue done and all dealings and passages betweene man and man will come againe into their course and current and the Iron age we haue lately liued in will haue an end which may be the beginning of a golden world so soone as it shall please God our Princes royall match be once setled For his safe returne and the assurance wee haue of his integritie with vnanimous hearts let vs giue God hearty thankes and pray that his mariage may bring with it glory to him on high peace and good will to those on earth and all happinesse and ioy to his Highnesse to the compleat comfort contentment and good of the King and kingdome and to Reigne many yeares honouring the age wee now liue in with the merits of their wisedomes and integrities and finally that their selicities in this world may ouertake that in the next and make them weare perpetuall Crownes of Gods glory and their owne and that successiuely their Royall Progenies may sit vpon the thrones of their kingdomes euen to the worlds end FJNJS
THE COVNTRIE GENTLEMAN MODERATOR Collections Of such intermarriages as haue beene betweene the two Royall Lines of ENGLAND and SPAINE since the Conquest with a short view of the Stories of the liues of those Princes And also some obseruations of the passages with diuers reasons to moderate the Country peoples passions feares and expostulations concerning the Prince his Royall Match and State affaires Composed and collected by Edm. Garrard AT LONDON Printed by Edward All-de 1624. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HENRY Lord DANVERS Baron of Dauntesey RIGHT HONORABLE IF I poore and infortunate should say that I can no more forget your Noble house I so long followed and many Noble fauours from thence receiued then the children of Captiuity could forget their owne Ierusalem if I should tell your Lorship how much I honour you ioy at your sight memory and happines liberally protesting all this and much more it may be thought but superficiall and the common phrase of indigent men But God that knoweth the secrets of all mens hearts can witnes frō mine it sincerely proceedeth If I could doe any thing worthy acceptance I humbly acknowledge it is due to your Lordship yet howsoeuer I here make bolde to put out vnder your Honourable Patronage these my poore endeuours First the Title is some way sutable to the condition your Lordship now liueth in as being indeede more a Country Lord then a Court If the Fate and State shall please to haue it otherwise Tam marti quam Mercurio for the seruice of the King and Countrey amongst the rest of the Starres placed in that Spheare your Lordship would at least contribute light but your daily relieuing of many poore in the Country where and for which your renowne is done more to Gods glory then your owne your Lordships preferment will be in a better Kingdome Secondly the Subiect Treatise are likewise agreeable to your Lordships loyall disposition which is only desiring God may be truly honoured all things sute and succeede to the compleat comfort contentment good of the King Prince and Kingdome if they amongst their serious affaires shall vouchsafe to looke into this worke I humbly desire the motiue thereof might bee as from your Lordship receiuing your fauourable acceptance pardon for this my boldnes and to liue esteemed Your Lordships euer deuoted seruant Edm. Garrard To the Reader I Intend by Gods helpe and your patience gentle Reader to present vnto your view an Abstract of such intermariages as haue bin betweene the two royall Lines of England and Spaine and some other passages betwixt the two Nations from the time of the Conquest vntill this present the subiect appropriating to that which is now most autentick on Englands faire stage of the greatest consequence that hath been there these many years therefore the greater is both my aduenture and presumption for that the same and such great affaires of State are not to be meddled withall or talked of but with great caution and reuerence or rather indeed not at all vpon the former and accustomed courses of restriction of the vulgar in that particular hauing bin a long time in councel consulted of now someway publike These my endeauours being but meerely collectiōs out of our English Chronicles as history which is said to be the witnes of time the light of truth the memoriall of life report of antiquitie with some other obseruations concerning those affaires and in the countrie too much expostulated of I hope I shall giue no cause of offence taxe nor exception hauing no affectation to talke or busie my selfe in State affaires nor minister more but rather lesse occasion for others so to doe But that I should presume to write in a businesse of so great a consequence and of this nature and the rather comming now so late and not in so good a season as formerly it would haue done I may be subiect both to reproofe and taxe Onely I shall desire the Iudiciall and best affected prima facie not to iudge me what followes comes from a Protestant pen from one that wisheth all may bee well liueth in the countrie farre out of sight and almost out of hearing from the helme where the affaires of State are steared therefore more then by obseruation and what the countrie affoords is beyond my knowledge neither sent nor set on to write or speake hauing neither thought aime nor expectation of preferment not assuming to my selfe thereof any waies worthy should thinke my selfe happy if I might as a Moderator some way quallifie passion that the Countrie people might not so much expostulate of our Princes Royall Match and the affaires of State as now they doe For that purpose it is only to them sent meant and intended hauing only treated of the passages of former times concerning that affaire or others of State for the present or future I neither haue nor will meddle withall as indeed not fitting for the common people so to doe As they are farre from their knowledges and apprehensions so should they bee likewise from their discourses and expostulations not to looke where Lyons wake or sleepe The actions of Princes not to be pryed into but by such as are in authoritie Peraduenture some will say that in this my Discourse I haue beene squint-eyde as not looking or bending my course any waies direct those who haue beene auerse and vnwilling for our Princes Royall Match will taxe me for a temporizer J conceaue J haue not magnified the Spaniards aboue measure more or otherwise then our owne authors and other Writers affirme so could J wish they should not out of passion and inuention be detracted beyond merrit and with those that haue so much desired our Princes Match my selfe with them I shall not any waies ingratiate I hope my honest plaine meaning and intentions shall indicially iustifie me against either Will as a good subiect ought wishing all the Countrie people would doe the like only desire God may be truly honoured praying to him to direct all things for the best his Maiestie obeyed in all his Commands on earth haue compleat content and comfort and liue long to see his holy intentions take effect for the good of Christendome and not with any farther expostulations to trouble our selues but rely on Gods prouidence the King and Princes wisdomes and integrities letting them and those that are in authoritie alone in the businesse neither feare nor doubt that any thing will be done which shall any waies impaire the honour of Religion or generall good of the kingdome The farther particulars this my Epistle Dedicatory by way of anticipation shall not relate but the work it selfe shal make particuler demonstration therof What I haue here begun some of better abilitie if it please them may supplie that wherein I haue beene defectiue these my poore endeauours I humbly leaue to your considerations my selfe to your fauourable censures resting Yours E. G. ENGLAND AND SPAINES INTERMARRIAGES with a briefe tract of
victorious but Apostolicall in the gaining of new Prouinces to the Christian Faith and the rather for that this victory and conquest is obtained without much effusion of bloud whereby it is to bohoped that there shall be gained not onely new territories but infinite soules to the Church of Christ whom the Almighty as it seemes would haue to be conuerted Herewithall he did relate some of the most memorable particulers of the warre and victorie and after his speech ended the whole assembly went solemnly in procession and Te Deum was sung Then for the other particuler obseruation I collected and cited was in the raigne of Philip the second King of Spaine here formerly treated of And about the 14. yeare of the late Queene Elizabeth the Turke hauing conquered many Ilands and Cities bordering vpon the Seas and in the yeare 1571. knowing deuision among diuers Christian Princes as well for matters of Religion as affaires of State vpon hope of which aduantage he assembled a great Army of Gallies presuming thereby to make himselfe Master of the Sea and Lord of the Land they were encountred by the Christians The battell of Lepanto For the which Don Iohn de Austria a braue Commaunder was sent by the King of Spaine with a great Fleete of Ships Gallies and Galliasses so that at one instant there were sunke and taken 230. of the Turkish Gallies and 30000. Mahamotists slaine besides many taken prisoners There were 12000. Christians redeemed from Turkish slauery and 8000. slaine with the losse of leauen or eight Gallies Our Writers affirme Stowe that the Spanish Fleete was a mayne occasion of that memorable victory and that the Galliasses did admirable seruice in that expedition Loe here you see the King of Spaine his commendation by the Papists extended to the height with some taxe of the late Queene Elizabeth wherein I haue beene sparing in my relation to that they will speake in some bitternesse they doe therein but as men that throwe dust against the winde Her Royall worth is left behinde recorded farre more durable then in Letters of Br4asse a Princesse of blessed fame and euerlasting memory to write of her commendation any thing neere in proportion to her deseruing it is a worke for excellent Writers They may in that faculty excell but vpon that subiect neuer exceede therefore for my particuler I will begin and conclude both together she had euery way as many vertues as could liue and more then could dye I doe not here reuine nor make repetition of these things to giue farther occasion of faction but rather for the present moderate and in the end some way reconcile and reclaime the disaffections of the common people presuming they will produce no other effects as when the Country people especially those affected to Papistry shall vnderstand and take into their considerations former passages and then being not so peremptory and confident as now they are to crosse greeue and agrauate against those that in respect of religion in their affections haue beene somewhat vnwilling for our Princes Royall match I presume it cannot but rather farther moderation and community then otherwise The Papists did not obserue or at least doe not desire it should that though the King of Spame did often denie to afford succours to the Irish Rebels yet at the last as by their owne collections appeare did winke and say nothing when Doctor Saunders and Sega the one going ouer into Ireland in person the other sending forces thither so that Queene Elizabeth her succouring those in Flaunders which the King of Spaine held Rebels she did no more then he did but onely the difference was she wont roundly and resolutely on and the King of Spaine somewhat reserued and priuately And the monies taken from Duke Alua and other rich prizes brought in by Hawkins Frobisher Drake and Cauendish they were onely to pay the Souldiers Queene Elizabeth was of such a gracious Royall disposition she could not endure but to haue her Souldiers payde the money should haue payde Duke Alua his Souldiers but it payde them that fought against him so that it was but misimployed The king of Spaine doubtlesse was desirous to haue continued his league with England whereof he made many good demonstrations therefore I could wish hee should not loose his due commendation in that particular But it seemed hee presumed on Queene Elizabeths patience that for suffering as it were but a handfull of Souldiers of his Subiects to goe for Ireland to assist the Rebels there thought so small an occasion would not haue broken the league But it seemes peace long before was laide vp that it became a dry commodity so that it soone tooke fire Then for the Proclamation vrged against Queene Elizabeth published in Nouember 1591. with the seuere lawes then made and executed against the Papists they were alwayes plotting conspiring and attempting the taking away her life those lawes were but like a good and skilfull Phisician that drew some bloud to preserue much more the life of our Soueraigne and indeede the life and light of the Gospell Tyrants shed bloud for pleasure Princes for necessity Let the proceedings of her predecessor be put into the other balance there will bee found great difference Wherefore it is best for all parties either wayes affected to let these things alone vnreuiued neither weighed nor farther discoursed of I will here vnder sauour presume to adde some obseruations which may some way moderate the disaffections of the common people towards the Spaniards concerning those particular passages before mentioned The Pope you see was Author though hee made the King of Spaine Actor for the breach of the peace as being too much led by the Pope which was no extraordinary thing Let vs but reade our English Chronicles wee shall there finde that many of our most puissant and victorious Kings here in England their powers and prerogatiues haue beene captiuated by the Pope and some by them brought to vntimely ends alwayes working vpon them and the indisposition of the times where they saw either a weake Prince a factious Nobility or a mutinous Commons by their directions their Legates and Clergie would be alwayes working to make the Pope and themselues maisters both of the King and Kingdome If they would teach Kings truly the wayes of righteousnesse let God alone with his prouidence Princes with their inheritances not to deuise and direct stratagems nor be so violent wheresoeuer they get dominion to suppresse the Protestant Religion and aduance the Romane Catholique it would bhee a most blessed happinesse to all Christendome Then lastly the King of Spaine his attempt in 88. was by the Popes instigation had no doubt his benediction for assurance of good successe therein but it had a contrary effect brought a malediction and an infausting vpon him and his King dome as an ill Prognostick which in the euent proued true The Spaniards haue no cause to ioy at the remembrance thereof
to hold amity with the French least otherwise the warres of those puisant Nations might oppresse all Christendome Charles the Emperour as he hath beene discribed by those that haue written his life hee was an excellent wise Prince which is shewed both in that his sage and graue obseruation as also for his like Councell giuen to his sonne Philip. The consideration of both are fitting Nota. and sutable for these our now times as first the infinite miserable calamities that those Countries of Germany haue endured and may be brought vnto by the late Warres there and may giue much aduantage for the Turke against Christendome The other in likelihood it may be a great happinesse for a State to be in league and amity with a neighbour Nation that is opulent and powerfull and to haue it confirmed and fastened by marriage Nota. which commonly is then inuiolable There might be much written vpon this Subiect but I will leaue it to those of better ability to doe it onely as I passed by I haue called King Philip was much enclined to peace and Queene Mary his wife at that time much more both to hold him with her at home and to support the Religion which shee had againe raised by restoring the Clergie to their wonted possessions The Nobility would not part with the lands they had belonging to the Clergie The Queene by Parliament all such like lands she had whereof much was then held in the Noble mens hands from whose hard hold hardly could any thing be wrested But those in her owne shee freely resigned by Parliament with this most Christian resolution Princely saying that shee set more by the saluation of her owne soule then she did by the reuenewes of all the Kingdomes of the world and so committed the restoration and dispose thereof vnto the Pope and Cardinall poole his Legate to the great enritching of the Church and impouerishing of the Crowne King Philip following his Fathers aduice made peace with Fraunce which was to continue for fiue yeares The Pope besieged confined within the walls of Rome John Slcidon which no sooner was made then againe was broken one principall occasion was ministred by Pope Paul the fourth then an Enemy to the Spaniard whom Duke Alua had besieged and confined him within the walls of Rome hee sent to Henry the French king for ayde and withall sent him a tryumphant Hat with a stately Sword and thereupon had succour by the Guise who remoued the siege and set the Pope at liberty But the French decreasing for want of pay and the Spaniard still raising their Trophees of victory the Pope thought it the surest to hold with the strongest The Pope tooke the surest side reconciled himselfe to the Spaniard fell off from the amity of the French King and was reconciled to the Spaniard so that by this occasion there grew a strong party against the King of Fraunce For by King Philip and Queene Mary his wife he had both England and Spain against him and the Pope no lesse powerfull there then he was within the walls of Rome The occasion that Queene Mary tooke for the breach of the peace was more vpon pretences Iohn Stowes Annalls surmises and pickt quarrels then any iust cause ministred by the French King Queene Mary sent him a defiance and instantly proclaymed warres against Fraunce And King Philip her husband went in person for the prosecuting thereof The Queene immediatly sent after the King her husband the Earle of Pembroke Generall Viscount Mountacute with diuers Earles and Barons with a great Army who came to King Philip and ioyned with him whilst the Duke of Sauâ—y Brunswike the Earles of Egmonde Horne and Mansfield inuaded the French confines and planted a strong siege against Saint Quintens which shortly after by the English St. Quintens wonne by the English was nobly and victoriously wonne to the great losse and discomfort of the French Monsieur Mountomorancie Constable of Frunce and Generall was taken prisoner Queene Mary contrary to her promise and agreement made vpon her marriage with King Philip entangled her Subiects with the quarrels of the Spaniards The greatioy conceiued for the victory was shortly after dashed with as much sorrow for the losse of Galice The English after they had so gotten Saint Quintens they afforded to themselues either little list or leasure more or otherwise but betooke themselues to their delights disorders and pleasures and onely to keepe and make good what they had newly gotten grew negligent and carelesse of the Towne of Calice that the Forts thereabouts for defence being vnrespectiuely regarded wonne by that victorious Prince Edward the third and that by no lesse then eleuen moneths siege were in the compasse of eight dayes besieged surprized and wonne in the depth of Winter to the worldes wonder and not without great suspition of treachery which happened the the 12. day of lanuary and in the second moneth were surrendred the strong Fort of Guies and Hames whereby all the English sooting was lost in the continent of Fraunce So here you may see that our owne Writers affirme that the breach of the peace with the French King was not any wayes by the occasion of King Philip nor the losse of Calice by his default After his great victory at Saint Quintens he would admit no peace at all with the French but with restoring Calice vntill the English themselues without him made their peace and renownced Calice to the French for euer These Iosses were greeuous to the English Nobility and most of all to Queene Mary her selfe After she had abolished the Gospell restored the Popes Supremacie whatsoeuer she tooke in hand was no wayes prosperous but in all things infortunate her conceptions failing extreame dearthes rayning hurt done by thunders from heauen and Fire in the Royall Nauy Forraigne losses Calice surrendred which could neuer be recouered vpon any composition and King Philip alwayes in troubles and turmoyling warres occasioned his keeping from court so that Queene Mary her life during her raignet was little pleasurable or that she scance â—â—ioyed any delights or at lease little contentment as all which so much augmented hor melancholly which grew to a burning Feauer when she had raigned fiue yeares Queene Mary with griefe died she ended her life at her Mannour of St. Iames and lyeth interred amongst her Auncestors in the Abby of Westminster Now next in course doth follow the relation of the passages betweene England and Spaine after King Philip his returne thither which was immediatly after Queene Maries death and during the time of the raigne of the late Queene Elizabeth where then I come to the Spring head from whence the auersenesse and vnwillingnesse of the Commons doe rise for our Princes Royall match with Spaine the remembrance of the late Hostile warrs with other the passages which plebian like they haue by tradition as the Brittaines had the story of their times
kingdome as is generally feared Which collections I will here in my conclusion relate onely inuiting vnto them my countrie neighbours and friends and doe therein according to the fashion of Feasters wish their cheere better for their satisfaction Though the eyes of humane prouidence cannot see beyond that Horizon as directly to discerne future contingents yet can they onely iudge what seemes fit to be done by probabilitie grounded vpon mature consideration and profound iudgement therefore let vs not feare nor doubt but that by Gods infinite goodnesse and mercy the Kings great prouidence iudgement and integrity for religion there will be a gracious royall prouision and preseruation made Amongst the countrie people there is much feare and doubt conceiued the Pope in his power and prerogatiue being so predominant bth in Spaine and with other forraine Princes by them as Stales we may be drawne into that net The King that doth so much insist vpon his prerogatiue here in his owne kingdome that will not admit any dyminution therein that he should now giue way to haue it subiected to such a dangerous sorraine power there is no manner of likelyhood There haue beene many of our Kings of England Roman Catholik Princes that haue beene at difference with the Pope that were Roman Catholiques and other Forraine Princes yea and Spaine it selfe which I will here make bold to tell them wearied and tyred out with the insupportable pressures of the Pope haue beene at great difference with him at mortall enmity and open warre as namely Henry the fift the Emperour haning by the Popes instigation banded against his father Henry the fourth who associated him in the Empire and held him prisoner in that distresse that he died touched after with remorse of this act Note and reproach of the State for abandoning the rightes of the Empire leuies sixtie thousand foote and thirty thousand horse for Italy constrained the Pope and his Colledge to acknowledge the rights of the Empire in that forme as Leo the fourth had done to Otho the second and before that Adrian to Charlamaine according to the decree of the Councell of Rome and made him take his oath of fidelity betweene his hands as to the true and lawfull Emperour The Pope so soone as Henry was departed home assembles a Councell nullifies his acknowledgement as done by force and shortly after died The Emperour to make himselfe the stronger against his successors Note enters into aliance with the King of England takes to wise Maude the daughter to Henry the first being but fiue yeares of age Calixti the next succeeding Pope at a Councell held at Remes by ecclesiasticall sentence caused Henry the Emperour to be declared an enemy to the Church and degraded him of his Imperiall dignity The King of England seeing this Councell was held in France composed chiefly of the Gallicane Church desirous to ouer-master Louis the King of France incenses his sonne in Law the Emperour to set vpon him as the Popes chiefe piller on one side and he would assaile him on the other The Emperour easily wrought to such a businesse prepares all his best forces the King of England doth the like The King of France seeing this storme comming so impetuously vpon him wrought so with the princes of Germante as they taking into their consideration the future mischiefe of a warre rashly and vnaduisedly taken with the importance of a kinde neighbourhood aduised the Emperour not to enter thereinto till he had signified to the King of France the causes of his discontent Whereupon Embassadours were dispatched to the King of France who answers that he grieued much to see the two greatest pillers of the Church thus shaken with those dissentions which might hazzard the ruine of the whole Frame that he was a friend to them both and would labour and endeauour all he could to mediate an attonement rather then adde fewell to a fire too fierce already which he desired to extinguish for the good and quiet of Christendome This Ambassage and answer so tooke that the Emperour was diuerted from his former resolution and was glad to haue Louis a mediator of the accord betweene the Pope and him which shortly after was concluded at Wormes for the Popes aduantage to whom the Emperour yeelds vp the right of the inuestitures of Bishops and other benefices The King of England expecting great matters to haue risen by this businesse was highly displeased being so disappointed of the Emperours assistance proceedes notwithstanding in his intentions against Louis Betweene them there were many great conflicts with the expence of much bloud and charges which is the onely fruit warre affordeth but in the end both wearied and tyred out a peace was concluded Then of late yeares as it hath beene here formerly related in the raigne of King Philip the second there was enmity and open warres betweene Pope Paul and the Spaniard The Pope besieged and confined within the walls of Rome by Duke Alua relieued by the French King yet fell from him and reconciled himselfe to the Spaniard as to the stronger side That the Pope cannot erre in matter of faith his power to depose Kings and dispose of Kingdomes are two mayne positions the Papists holde both which I humbly leaue to our Diuines to deale with them therein But for those two particulars here now mentioned and many other former passages of the Pope the vulgar may iudge In the time of Queene Elizabeth did familiarly and freely giue Bishopricks in Ireland but those that had them so giuen could neuer gaine possession Then farther there can be no such feares doubts for the alteration of Religion as is apprehended if we take into consideration these particulars following First we hauing a well ordered and well gouerned Kingdome where Religion is established Rites and Ceremonies ordained and by a long vse and custome receiued and confirmed the many apparent probabilities of the Kings integrity the many rare and worthy learned men that are in the Kingdome considered The King though Prince-like for his recreations and that his affections haue beene caried with some delights and pleasures yet hath he been so studious that he is learned beyond expectation and custome of great Princes and for his integrity it is of fifty seauen yeares growth hath made thereof many religious worthy expressions both by his learned works and words and indeede hath shot such arrowes which will hang in the sides of the Romish Religion in after ages as he is Defender of the Faith by title he will so continue in truth The first that had the Title was Henry the eight giuen him by Pope Leo the tenth for writing against Luther After his conuersion and suppression of Popery yet retayned he that stile and afterwards during the raignes of Edward the sixth the late famous Queene Elizabeth and our now Soueraigne it hath beene continued and doubtlesse by him will be maintained Amongst many his worthy expressions of himselfe therein
the English onely to thanke God for their deliuerance If the Spaniards will forget and passe it ouer as being farre the greater loosers it is both charity and religion for the English to doe the like And the rather for that and such like hostile actions passing betweene the two Nations in the time of warre and now in peace in all Christian and religious considerations enuie and hatred should haue an end and not be continued States are subiect to the wheele times haue their turnings and great Princes themselues not free from calumny and detraction and many times with much agrauation therein For these particulars I will conclude with that graue and sage obseruation of Cornelius Tacitus that free tongued Romane that wrote they made it a custome to make Kings the instruments of oppression they may many times seeme so and yet they themseues of a most gracious and Royall disposition Queene Elizabeth therein not second to any and yet according to the fate and fashion of great princes by some great and graue Councellours neere about her and by some that could thriue onely by warre she was much swayed and ruled which she thought was no diminution to her commendation though it made not so much for her absolutenes yet it seemed she held it the more for her safety Let vs not be transported with passion and doubts beyond reason good ground or probability the Kings and Monarchies of England in their whole choise of wiues made from all parts of Europe were neuer more fortunate and happy in any then in those Royall Queenes which they had from Spaine The first in this Scene of honour shall be the Royall Queene Elenor wife to Edward the first formerly mentioned what was shee but the wonder and myracle of her Sex The next Queene Katherine wife first to Prince Arthur afterwards to Henry the eight shee was the cleare mirrour and example of wisedome integrity sanctity and all Royall and Princely vertues in all which she was farre more precious and excellent being so tryed as she was with the touchstone of fortune Constancia Izabella Beringaria and Ioanna Spanish Princes all these were proper and peculiar to our English Monarchy our owne Chronicles telleth vs no otherwise of them but that they were as so many glorious and conspicuous lights of matrimoniall faith loue piety and chastity And lastly King Philip the second that married Queene Mary our own Writers leaues him to posterity highly commended So that for those Princes that we haue formerly had from Spaine England hath had ioy and comfort of them we haue loued them and they vs. Wherefore should we now so much doubt and feare for the future the like successe vnlesse we will conclude our dispositions are growne worse and that the then times deserued a great part of their commendations So that here you may see that no Nations in former times did euer more faithfully and entirely loue each another or were in more straighter leagues and bonds of friendship vnited together then the English and Spaniards vntill by the late warre they were â—â—â—oynted Seuere iudgement threatens high places Sa. ca. 6.4.8 The greatest happinesse of great Kings and Princes is to make happy their Subiects and that happinesse on eath is esteemed greatest which commeth neerest to that in heanen consisting onely in the eternity of blessed peace then consequently those Princes must be deemed most blessed who doe chiefly direct their Royall cares and endeuours to bring glory to God on high peace and good will to those on earth Our now gracious King hath so gouerned vs this 21. yeares that we haue enioyed that happinesse as God hath beene truly honoured he obayed and we haue liued in quiet vnder our own Figge trees and Vines eating the fruites of our owne labour4s free from those calamities and miseries of warre some of our neighbour Nations are subiect vnto and by Gods grace he will so continue vs whereby he will be worthily held in the esteeme and deemed one of the most blessed Princes according to the position before mentioned How willing desirous and obseruant the Spaniards haue beene to bee in peace and amity with vs let the Reader but duly consider that which hath beene formerly related and for farther satisfaction to an ocular experience we late had thereof The Xing of Spaine his desire to be in league and amity with England No sooner then our now gracious Soueraigne came to the Crowne but the King of Spaine Philip the third instantly sent ouer his Ambassadours sought peace at his hands and had it which euer since hath beene religiously nobly muioable kept and so continued his sonne now King of Spaine Philip the fourth An ouerture of marriage long time in treaty for our now Royall Prince Charles with the Lady Maria daughter of the said Philip the third by him much desired and now as much as her brother Philip the fourth as it is generally conceiued that those two Royall Scepters should be now conioyned in the sacred knot and bond of marriage thereby to strengthen their auncient Alliances and make a perpetuall league and indissoluble confederation of blessed peace and friendship betwixt them Seeing many excellent learned men meerely out of zeale and some others wise and polliticke in the affaires of State that are true louers of their countrie haue written and spoken freely proposing doubts feares and dangers that may come and ensue to England with the mariage with Spaine and also others of both those sorts of like ranke and quality only in religion contrarily affected haue written and will speake as much for the approbation and commendation thereof proposing the infinite vnspeakable good the match may be to the Kingdome of England Without farther intermedling I will leaue those things to their learnings and iudiciall experiences that which I relate may be as materials for them to worke on and is intended but as home made stuffe for the Country people who in State affaires sees no farther then the Rhine and many of them wade not so deepe as into the point of Religion yet in their affections haue beene very auerse and expressed vnwillingnesse for our Princes Royall match I would herewithall cloathe or at least someway couer their bare opinions that there is no such great cause of feares doubts and dangers as they seeme to apprehend though the Spaniards were lately our enemies yet aunciently they were our friends and seeme to desire to be so againe to liue in league and amity with vs I would gladly so moderate and reclaime the disaffections of the common people that they might forget and remit all former occasions conceaued of distaste and not in their affections and discourses so disobe diently mutinie and dispute against our Soueraignes high commands and Royall intentions It is incident for men so to doe of some one of the dispositions following A kingdome composed of men of diuers humours and dispositions whereof some doe burne in hatred some busied in