The chronicle of Ihon Hardyng in metre, fro[m] the first begynnyng of Engla[n]de, vnto ye reigne of Edwarde ye fourth where he made an end of his chronicle. And from yt time is added with a co[n]tinuacion of the storie in prose to this our tyme, now first emprinted, gathered out of diuerse and sondrie autours of moste certain knowelage [et] substanciall credit, yt either in latin orels in our mother toungue haue writen of ye affaires of Englande.

¶ Henry the seuenth. (Book Henry VII)

HENRY THE SEVENTH OF that name kyng of England.

First after y^t he had obtei∣ned his kyngdome and heri∣tage by force of armes, enten∣ded to stablishe all thynges & extynguish sediciō, and before he departed from Leycester, caused ser Robert Willoughby knight to bryng y^e yoūg erle of Warwike y^e duke of Clarēces soōne before his presence (whom kyng Richard to that tyme had kept at Sheryhuttō in Yorke shire) fea∣ryng muche, least that by this young erle some oc∣casiō might bee taken of renuyng battaill, whiche entended nothyng more then to liue in peace and quietnes. And so this erle was brought to hym, & at his commaundement conueighed to London, and there cast in holde,

In the self same place also of Yorke shire, was Ladie Elizabeth eldest doughter to the fornamed kyng Edwarde, whom kyng Rychard her vncle would haue maried sore against the mynde and consent of y^e same ladie. In so muche also that the people were sore against it, and accompted it not onely as a reproche & infamie to the kyng hymself, but also to his counsaill y^e did agre to his naugh∣tie purpose. Albeit, God of his infinite mercy pre∣serued the ladie, whiche shorte tyme after was brought to London to her mother.

In this time the kyng drawing nighe to London, was there accepted of his citezens streyghte after his cōming moste roially, & of all parties saluted after the moste louing fassion y^e they could deuyse geuing thankes to God with solempne procession for y^t he had sent theim a king to gouerne y^e realme which before was ruled by a cruel & hateful Tirāt

After this gratulacion and thank esgeuing, y^e kyng at a daye appointed assembled his counsail, to the ende he mighte marie the Ladie Elizabeth, thorowe the which mariage aswell y^e nobilitee as cōmunes of y^e realme wer brought in good hope y^t all thinges should bee redressed, & an end made of all sedicion and strife for euer. And at this Parlia¦ment holden & kept at Westmīster he was created kyng the day of October, in the yere of oure Lorde a. M. foure C .lxxxvi. Whiche kyngdome he enioyed as of god enointed, for as menne doo•• reporte aboute seuen hundreth foure score and se∣uentene yeres paste Cadwallader laste Kynge of Englande prophecied that his progenye shoulde beare rule and dominion again. So that by this meanes, men did fully perswade theim selfes that he was p̄••estinate to it. And y^e rather also they did beleue it because that kyng Henry y^e sixte did fore∣saye the same, and in like maner prophecy of hym. Therfore he being thus proclaimed as true enhe∣retour of the crowne, and at the same Parliament created kyng, did first cause to bee published, that all suche should bee pardoned that would submit theim selfes to his grace, & as faithful people doo to hym due allegiaunce, other that absented theim selfes, to bee takē as rebelles & traitours. After the

whiche proclamacion hard, many y^e were in holde and sanctuaries, came for pardō and safetie of life to him, which persones so submitting theim selfes ••er pardoned & enhaunced to honoure, euery man after his owne deserte as the kyng & his counsaile thought best. And first considering his chiefe fren¦des and nyghe kinsemen, made Gaspar his vncle Duke of Bedforde, sir Thomas Stanley knight Earle of Derby, Giles Dabeney, sir Robert Wil∣loughby, and Robert Brooke Lordes, & Edward his eldest sonne duke of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wholy to all that king Richard had depriued hym of at what tyme he with other wer banished. Also ac∣tes, & statutes stablished & confirmed by Richard as thought expedient and veray necessary at that time for the publike weale, wer by hym aboundo∣ned & infringed euery one. After these thinges do∣en he prouided w^t all scelerite and expedicion to re¦deme the Lorde Marques Dorcet, & Iohn Bur∣scher, whome he had lefte at Paris as a pledge & suertie for certaine money y^t he had borowed there and Iohn, bishop of Ely for like det out of Flaun¦ders. Furthermore, to the ende y^e his realme might bee in a better staye, he cōmaunded that if any mā had iniury shewed at any tyme, the same persone shoulde putte vp his matter to hym, of whome he should both haue and finde redresse. And for these matters and causes to bee hearde, he made of his councell the Erle of Oxford, the duke of Bedford therle of Derby, the Lorde Strange w^e his sonne and william the lorde his brother chief of the pri∣uie chaumber, the lorde Broke chief steward, and lord graund maister of his house Renould Braye

Iohn Morton Byshoppe of Ely, Richarde Foxe Iohn Dinham, whome after he made treasourer of Englande, Giles Dabeney, Richarde Gilde∣forde, Lorde Cheiny, Richarde Tunstall, Richard Edgecombe, Thomas Louell, Edwarde Ponin∣ges, with other wise men, as Richard ap Thomas a Welsheman, aswell circumspecte as wise, Mor∣gane Kidnel, Lord Gray Marques Dorcet, Lord Talbot, Erle of Shrewesbury, Iohn Risley, lord Thomas Earle of Ormonde, an Irisheman, Hen¦ry Warney, William Say, William Ody, Gil∣bert Talbot, Willyam Vdall, Thomas Troys, Richarde Naufaute Capitaine of Calis, Roberte Point, Iames Hubert, Charles Somerset, Tho∣mas Hawarde Earle of Surrey, a manne of wis∣dome, grauitee, and constantnesse most cōmenda∣ble, The earle of Essex descending of an high and noble parentage, Lorde William Blounte, Iohn Burscher, Iohn Fineux, Peter Edgecombe, Hew Conuey, Thomas Terell, Sir Henry Wiat, Ro∣bert Throgmorton, Thomas Brandon, sir Iohn Winkefelde, sir Edmond Dudley, Edward Bel∣knape, Richarde Hemson. Also bishoppes, Henry Deney bishoppe of Cauntourbury, Oliuer kyng byshoppe of Bathe and Welles, William Barōs bishop of London that dyed shortely after he was bishoppe. Also William that succeded nexte after, Henry Archebyshop of Cauntourbury, Richarde of London, and Richarde Bishop of Norwiche.

When the kyng had taken these menne to bee of his councell for y^e wealth of his realme, he ma∣ried Ladye Elizabeth doughter to kyng Edward as he had promised for the which, he had the hear∣tes

of many menne. So that afterwarde he had no nede to feare the assaultes of any persones or y^e coniuracions of rebelles. Neuerthelesse, conside∣ring the chaunce he had before, and the falshode y^e is in many menne from their youth, made yomen of the garde for his bodye, the whiche he firste of all Englyshe Kynges caused to bee, and as it is thought he did take it of the Frenche kyng. Also * 1.1 after this he caused a parliament to bee had, wher in was made and decreed certayne lawes, actes & statutes for the wealthe of his realme.

In this yere a newe sickenesse did reigne, and is so sore and painfull, as neuer was suffered be∣fore, the whiche was called the burning sweate. * 1.2 And this was so intollerable, that men coulde not kepe their beddes, but as lunatike persons & oute of their wittes ranne about naked, so that none al∣moste escaped y^e wer infected therwith. At y^e length after the great death of many a thousande menne they learned a presente remedye for the same dys∣ease, that is, yf he were sycke of that sweate in the daye, that he should streyghtelye downe with his clothes and vestures, yf in the nighte, y^t he should not rise for the space of .xxiiii. houres, and eate no meate at all, yf he coulde forbeare, and drinke as litle as he mighte.

This disease reigned throughout all England wherof also ensued a plague, as a token, and as y^e people iudged, a plaine argument that kyng Hen¦rye shoulde neuer bee oute of feare and dreade of some mischaunce, seing that he was in suche great vexacyon at the sedicyous tumulte that was ry∣sen al the claimynge of the crowne.

Whē all thynges wer apeaced in London, and ordered after his owne mynd, he rode Northward in progresse to pacifie all his realme, and especial∣ly those partes where the firste commocion was, and where also wer priuie and cloked frendes of his aduersaries. But because it was nigh Easter, he tooke his waye to Lincolne, and there tariyng was certified that the Lorde Louell and Humfre Stafforde were gone from the sanctuary in Col∣chester, but to what place or whether, no mā could tell, whiche message the kyng litle regardyng, wēt foorth as he apointed to Yorke, and when he came * 1.3 there, it was shewed hym that the lorde Louell was at hand with a strong power of menne, and woulde inuade the cytie, also that the said lorde Stafforde and his brother wer in Glocestre, and there had made an insurreccion, and set menne on euery parte to defende the gates and walles of the citie.

At the first hearyng of this, the kyng was but litle moued, but after that he was certified by the letters of his frendes that it was true, he was in greate feare, for that he had neyther an armye pre∣pared, nor harnyes for theim, but because the mat∣tier required haste, least that by long taryeng, his aduersaries power might bee encreased and mul∣tiplyed, he commaunded the Duke of Bedforde to mete theim with three thousande mēne, whiche were harnysed but barely, for theyr breste plates were for the moste parte lether. And he hym selfe in y^t meane tyme would gather vp an hoste, where he might in euery place. The duke hauyng his mē nigh to y^e tētes of his enemyes, cōsulted w^t certain

of his cōpaignie, by what waye he mighte traine theim to peace, withoute bloodde shedyng. After the whiche deliberation & aduisement had, it was decreed that certaine shoulde proclaime openly, y^t all thei should haue their pardonne, that woulde leaue battaile. The whiche proclamation auay∣led muche,, for the Lorde Louell, eyther for some feare, or mystrust that he had in his people,, or fe∣ryng hym selfe of his owne behalfe, fledde pryue∣ly in a night from his compaignie, to Lankeshire & ther remained a space with syr Thomas Brogh¦ton knight. And when hys army had knowledge therof, thei also submittyng theim selfes all to the Duke, asked pardonne for their heinous offence. The Lorde Stafforde also hearyng this, was in a great agony, and for feare dyd take sanctuarye at Colname .ii. miles from Abindon. But because that sanetuary was not a defence for traytours, he was taken from that place and behedded, and his brother was {per}doned because he was thought not to haue done it of his owne will, but thorowe the counsaill and perswasion of his brother.

After this businesse was asswaged and Yorke shyre set in peace and quietnes, the Kyng went to London, and shortelye after that to Wynchester, where the Quene his wyfe, was deliuered of a Prynce called Arthure, and from Wynchester he retourned agayne to London.

Sone after it chaunsed that one syr Richard Symond preest, borne by nature to be a traytour and sedicious personne, and yet well learned, had a chyld called Lambert Symenel to bee hys scho¦lar, by whome he inuented this crafte and disceat

that he woulde make the chyld kyng of England and hym selfe archebyshoppe, or some hygh potes∣tate in the realme, for he knewe verely, that many menne supposed kyng Edwardes chyldren to bee fled into some straunge place, and that Edwarde the Erle of Warwyke, sonne to the Duke of Cla∣rence ether was or should bee put to death shortly And to the ende he myght y^e better bryng hys pur¦pose about, he taught the chyld bothe learnyng & good maners, and also to order hym selfe, as one linially descendyng from a hygh progenie. Sone after the rumoure was, that the younge Earle of Warwyke was dead in prysonne. And when the preest heard of this, he intendyng therby to bring his matters aboute, chaunged the chyldes name and called hym Edwarde, after the younge Earle of Warwyke, the whiche were boothe of one age, and then sayled into Irelande, there opening his mynde to certain of the nobilitee, whome he knew to beare but lytle fauoure to Kyng Henry, where he was promysed ayde of the Lorde Gerardine chauncellour of all that countree, and all that he coulde dooe. Whyche Lorde, fyrst callyng all hys frendes and louers together, desyred their helpe in restoryng the yong Earle to his herytage. And dyd sende certain into Englande to desire theym that were kynge Rychardes frendes to continue in their loue and faythfulnes towardes hym, and helpe hys nephiewes chylde to his ryghte.

And that hys power myghte bee the stronger to ouercome hys enemyes, he desyred Lady Mar¦garete syster to kynge Edwarde, and wyfe to the Duke of Burgondy, to further hys purpose with

her helpe, whyche lady beyng then in Flaunders, promised him by the messaungers, that she would not onely maintaine his entente with large mony and substaunce, but with all the laboure and pey∣nes that she myght occasion other, to be of y^e same conspiracie.

When kynge Henrye was certified of thys, he was sore greued, that by the meanes of suche a myscreaunte personne, so great sedicion should bee, neuerthelesse, the kynge consideringe that it shoulde bee to the destruccion of manye menne, yf that he shoulde fyghte with his enemies in o∣pen feelde, called hys counsayle together at the Charter house besyde Rychemounde, and there consulted to pacifie thys matter wythoute anye more dysturbaunce. Where fyrste it was decreed, that all thei shoulde bee pardoned for their offen∣ces and treasons latelye commytted, whiche hath frome that tyme, borne theim selfes vpryght tow∣ardes their kinge, leaste that syr Thomas Brogh¦ton whyche kepte the Lord Louell from the king a great tyme, wyth other despeyring of theyr par∣don shoulde haue made some sodaine insurrecti∣on agaynst hym. Further more, that men shoulde not thyncke, but that the Duke of Clarence was in Englande, it was appoynted that he shoulde showe hym selfe abrode, wherby the opynion that he was in Ireland myghte bee frustrate, and ac∣compted as a lye. Also it was further determyned that the Ladye Elysabeth wyfe to kyng Edward the .iiii. shoulde lose al her landes, because she had submitted her selfe and her doughters wholye to the handes of kynge Rychard, contrary to the pro¦myse

made to the Lordes and nobles, whyche at her desyre lefte al that they had in Englande and fledde to kynge Henrye in Brytayne, and there dyd sweare hym to marye her eldeste daughter, as she wylled theim to dooe.

But her purpose did not frame as (God would) Thys quene buylded a Collage in Cambrydge, and gaue landes to the maynteyning of the same whiche at thys houre is called y^e quenes Collage.

When thys order and determynacion of the kynge was ended, he wente to London, and the nexte Sondaye folowynge he caused the young Earle to bee broughte out of the Tower through the streetes to Poules. And there to shewe hym selfe to euerye bodye, and taske with the chiefe and noble menne that were thoughte to haue con¦spyred agaynste kynge Henrye, for thys cause that they myghte perceaue the Iryshe menne to moue battayle vnaduysedly, and cause stryfe vp∣pon no iuste occasion, howebeit, all thys nothyng auayled, for the Earle of Lyncolne, the Duke of Suffolkes soonne, and nephewe to kynge Ed∣warde, coulde not suffer kynge Henrye thus to reygne, but as a traytoure sayled into Flaūders to the Ladye Margarete, takynge wyth hym Syr Thomas Broghton, with certayne other, Where also, the Lorde Louell landed twoo or three dayes before.

And there they beynge all together, determy∣ned that the Earle of Lyncolne and the Lorde Louell shoulde goo to Irelande, and there attend vpon the counterfeyte Earle, and brynge hym to Englande with all the power they myghte aga∣ynste

kynge Henrye.

So that yf their dooynges had good successe that then the foresayde Lambarte (misnamed the Earle) shoulde by the consente of the counsayle be deposed, and the true Earle to bee delyuered oute of pryson and enherite his right, and iuste tytle of his dominion. But the kyng, not mistrusting any man to bee so foolysh hardy as to fyght in such a cause, or anye so vndyscrete (especiallye of hys realme) as to beleue it, dyd onelye mynde the sup∣pressynge of the Iryshe menne, and theyr enter∣pryse to subdue. Yet hearynge that the Earle of Lyncolne with other were fledde, and gooen to hys aduersaries, he caused the borders to bee dilygentlye kepte that none other myghte escape or geue theym socoure, and commynge to the ab∣baye of Sayncte Edmundes Burye, it was cer∣tified that the Lorde Thomas Marques was come to excuse and pourge hym selfe before hym, for certayne thynges that he was suspected, to whome the kynge dyd sende the Earle of Oxford to take him commynge, and conueyghe hym to the Towre of London, for thys cause, that yf he were his frende, as he was in dede, that he should not bee myscontented to suffer a lytle impryson∣mente for the safetie of hys kynge, yf he were not hys frende, there to tarye that he myghte haue no damage or hurte by hym.

And so the kynge wente forthe to Norwyche and tariynge there Christemas daye, went after to Walsingham, and from thence to Cambridge and so streyght to London. In this tyme the erle of Lincolne, & the lord Louell had got about two

thousande Germaynes, wyth Martyn Swarte to be theyr captayne, and so saylynge to Ireland came and made the fornamed Lambarte kyng of Englande at Deuelynge. And so wyth the greate multitude of Iryshe menne aswell naked and vn∣armed personnes, as other that the Lorde Gerar∣dyne had vnder hym, they sayled into Englande, and landed for a purpose wythin a lytle of Lan∣castre, trustynge there to bee ayded of Syr Tho∣mas Broghton the chiefe authoure of thys con∣spiracie.

The kynge not slepynge hys mattiers, but mystrustynge that such thynges shoulde chaunce sente certayne Knyghtes, throughe all the Easte parties to attende the commynge of hys enemy∣es, and gatherynge all hys hooste together, went hym selfe to Couentree, where he beynge, it was certified hym that the Earle of Lyncolne was landed at Lancastre wyth the newe kynge. Whome the kynge appoynted to meete after the consente and agremente of hys counsayle, and to goo vppon theym wythoute anye farther delaye least that theyr power by long sufferaunce should bee augmented and multiplyed.

And so after suche aduisemente taken, he went to Notingham, and there by a lytle woodde cal∣led Boures he pytched hys tentes. To whome shortelye after came the Lorde Talbote Earle of Shrowesburye, the Lorde Straunge, the Lorde Cheiney wyth a greate armye of menne, and ma∣nye other noble menne, whose names here after ensue.

• Rauff Longforde
• Ihon Montigomery
• Henry Vernone of Pek
• Rauff Shurley
• Godfrey Folgehan
• Thomas Gryfley
• Edwarde Sutton
• Humfrey Stanley & an other Humfrey Stāley,
• Wyllyam Hugton
• Wyllyam Meryng,
• Edward Stanope
• Geruase Clifton
• Brian Stapulton
• Henry Wylloughby
• Wyllyam Perpoyntes
• Ihon Babyngton
• Wyllyam Bedyll
• Robert Brundell
• Ihon Markham̄
• Wyllyam Merbury
• Edwarde Aborogh
• Wyllyam Tyrwite
• Ihon Hussey
• Robert Shefilde
• Wyllyam Newporte
• Roger Ormeston
• Thomas Tempest
• Wyllyam Knyuett
• Henry Wyllaybet
• Lord Edward Hastyng∣ges. Ihon Dygby
• Simō Digby Haringtō
• Richarde Sachenerell
• Ihon Vyllers
• Edwarde Fyldyng
• Thomas Polteney
• Nicholas Vaux
• Thomas Gryne
• Nicolas Griffin
• Edmund Lucy
• Edwarde Belknap
• Robert Throgmarton
• George Graie of Ruthin
• Guide Wolstone
• Thomas Fynderye
• Dauid Phillips
• Thomas Cheiney
• Robert Cotton
• Ihon Saint Ihon
• Ihon Mordant
• Thomas Terell
• Ihon Raynsford
• Robert Paynton
• Robert Danyell
• Henry Marney
• Edmunde Aroundell

Also there came frō y^e fer∣dest partes of his realme other noble men, as these.

• George Oglye
• Rauff Neuill
• Richard Latemere
• Wyllyam Bulmere
• Ihon Langforde
• Wyllyam Norrys
• ...

• Ihon Neuill of Thortinbridge and
• Ihon Wyl∣lyams.

The erle of Lyncolne in the meane season went forth softely with his compaignie into Yorkeshire without hurte or discommoditie of any māne that dwelt therabout, trustyng partely therby, & {per}tely also bycause he was well knowen and acquainted emong theim, that he should get greate ayde and socour there. But when he perceiued very few or none to folowe hym, and that he could not (seyng his enemies were so nigh hand and he also so far entred) in safegard with his hoste returne bacward yet he thought it best to abyde & taste the chaunce of battaill, and so muche y^t rather, because he sawe Henry within twoo yeres before accompaign••ed but with a fewe and small sorte of souldiers ouer∣come kyng Richard whiche brought with hym a greate hoste of well armed menne. Wherfore he, beeyng now in a greate hope of victory, toke his iorney thens towarde Newarke, there to sette his souldyours in araye and mete the kyng, whom he knew well though not to bee paste .ii. dayes iorney from hym. But before he could come thither, kyng Hēry whiche was surely certified of all thynges y^t he did or wēt about, came to Newarke alitle before the euen that thei should fight on y^t morowe other wyse then the erle loked for, and there tariyng not long, went forth three myles ferther and sette his tentes and taryed all night. Of whose commyng although therle knewe, yet he went foorth lustely of his tourney and came that night to a village nigh to his enemies, which is called Stooke, and there pitched his tentes.

The next daie, the kyng so sone as he had sette his souldyours in due ordre and araye, went for∣warde w^t all spede to the place where the erle with all his laye. To the whiche place, when he was come, & had appointed the felde, which was moste mete for the battaill to bee fought in, by & by gaue place for his enemies to come foorth and prouo∣ked theim to battaill. But as ready as he was to prouoke, so readie wer thei of their owne courage to come foorth: so that of bothe parties thei ranne to battaill and fought moste egerly, in whiche tō∣flicte it did euidently appere that the Germaines whiche were sette in the forewarde, whose capitain was Martine Swarte, were nothyng woorse in manlynesse and cheualry (which thei gotte chiefly by daily and long exercise) then the Englishemen. And the Ireshmen although thei fought verie lu∣stely, yet by the reason that thei ware not harnes (accordyng to their fasshiō and custome) were dis∣comfcited and beate downe bothe more in nōbre, and soner then all the other. Yet was this battaill so earnestlie, & boldly fought for a whyle of bothe parties, that it could not bee wel discerned to whi∣che syde the victorie would incline. But at the last, the kynges forewarde which there abode all ieo∣perdie, so lustely & couragiously ranne vpon their enemies, y^t they were none hable to resist or abyde their power: so y^t all aswell Germaines as Irish men were there slain orels made to flie, of y^e whiche none at all could escape awaie. Whiche battaill, whē it was thus dooen, all mēne might se of what boldnes & audacitie these rebelliōs were. For their capitaines Ihon erle of Lincolne, Frācis Louell

Thomas Broghtō, Martine Swart, & Thomas Gerardine neuer gaue backe one foote but were slaine all in the same place where thei began first to fight. There were kylled at that vattaill with their fiue capitaines spoken of euen now of that partie about foure thousand. Of the kynges part there were not halfe of theim whiche fought in y^e forewarde slain.

Thē was Lambert, the child whiche was falsly reported to bee the Dukes soonne of Clarēce, and his maister sir Richard Simond preest, both ta∣ken, but neither of theim putte to death, because Lambert was yet but a child and did seme to dooe that, more by compulsion of his maister thē of his owne will, and the other was a preest whiche for his defaulte was cast into perpetuall prisone. But this Lambert was taken into the Kynges kechin and after was made one of the kynges faukeners and is yet a lyue. And thus was all y^t Margarete went about at this tyme, turned to naught and to none effecte, whiche thyng whē she heard tell of in Flaūders, she was verie lory at the hearte & made greate mone. And yet could she not bee contēt, but immediately after, inuēted an other thyng to vexe and trouble kyng Henry, as it shalbe shewed here after.

Kyng Henry when he had all thynges brought thus to passe, and vtterly vanquisshed these his enemies, thought hymself at one tyme deliuered from twoo eiuils together, that is to saie, from bothe feare that was present, and also that was to come. For it was not to bee thought y^t thei whiche were so fewe in nombre durste bee so bold to entre

into the realme and make battaile against y^e kyng whom they knewe wel ynough would bryng with hym a great and well armed hooste, but that they had other felowes of the same coniuracion whiche would mete and ayde theim all that they could in tyme and place conuenient. Therefore when the kyng sawe the hoste of his enemies manifestly be∣fore his eyes, he commaunded that no mā shoulde kyll the earle of Lincolne, but that he should bee brought to hym alyue, to the entent that he might shewe and bewraye all the other whiche were of y^e conspiracie. But that the sowdyers would not do, least the sauyng of hym, should bee the destrucciō (as it should haue been in dede) of many other. This battayle was fought in the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande foure hundreth, foure score, & the secōde yere of this Hēryes reigne. In y^e whiche yere also Thomas Burscher archebyshop of Cā∣terburye died, into whose roume succeded Iohn Morton late bishop of Ely, whome Alexander of that name the sixte bishop of Rome made Cardi∣nall. Now to retourne to my purpose.

After this, the kyng, when he had gathered al the prayes and spoyles together, and had buryed theim that there wer slain, went forth to Lincolne and there taryed three dayes, and had euerye daie one procession to thanke God almightie that he had the ouerhande of his enemies. And inconty∣nently sent his banner to Walsyngham to be con¦secrate to our Lady, there to bee kepte for a perpe∣tuall mo••ument of victorie. Then did he execuciō of suche rebellions as were there taken, & shortely after tooke his iorneye foorth to Yorke, and there

likewyse suche as were founde gyltye dyd he pu∣nyshe strayghtlye. When all this was dooen, he wente vnto Newcastle, and frome thence sente into Scotlande Richarde Foxe whiche not longe before was made bishop of Exeter, and Richarde Edgecombe knight as Ambassadoures to kynge Iames for a league of peace. For this Henrye thought it a great pleasure and cōmoditee, to bee in peace and concorde with kinges & gouernours whiche laye aboute this his realme, and specially and before all other with kyng Iames, because y^t there no rebellions might trust (whiche otherwise perchaunce woulde haue trusted) to haue ayde or succoure at his hande: so that thereby there durste none againe take weapon against hym. The am∣bassadoures, when they wer come into Scotland to the kyng, were of hym both gently and after the moste louing fashion receiued and heard, and then dyd he plainlye declare and open to theim y^t he hym selfe loued kyng Henrye and his, no man 〈◊〉〈◊〉: but that y^t moste parte of his Scottes and subiectes could in no case agree with the English menne. Wherfore, excepte that he should offend or 〈…〉〈…〉se theim, he desired y^e legates to bee contēt with truce for .vii. yeres in promesse, but in dede, he sayed, that peace betwene theim on his parte shoulde neuer bee broken, and or euer those seuen yeres should bee passed, that he would geue truce for seuen yeres lenger: so that kyng Henry and he would euer bee in peace and moste assured amytie And this did kyng Iames, because he knewe that no facte of his people, shoulde bee alowed. When the Ambassadoures hearde this, they tooke the

yeres that were offered theim, as concernynge peace, and by and by retourned home to kyng Hē∣ry againe, and shewed hym all the mattier in or∣dre. With the whiche tydynges he was veraye well contented.

Shortely after, the kyng departed thence to∣warde London, and in the waye at Leicetre mette hym Abassadoures from the Frenche kyng which shewed hym, that their kyng Charles had recoue∣red many tounes and cyties, whiche before were possessed of kyng Maximilian, and that he kepte battayle nowe with Fraunces the duke of Bry∣tayne, because he kepte and socoured in his domi∣nion certaine that were traytours and rebellions against hym, of the whiche the chief was Lewes duke of Orlyance, and therfore he desyred hym of his frendship & familiaritie, that either he would helpe hym orelles medle of neyther partie. But kynge Henrye, althoughe he had founde muche frendship at the Frenche kynges hande, yet for as muche as he spyed whereof this stryfe beganne, with this message was not well contente. For the cause that the Frenchemenne tooke battayle, was because they sawe that the Duke was an olde manne and had neuer a chylde, and thereby that they myghte brynge that Dukedome into their subieccion.

When kyng Henrye perceiued this, and also howe louyng the Brytaynes had been euer to Englande, and finally remembred the tendre loue which was betwene the duke and hym, thought it best, if nede wer, to helpe the Britaynes, Yet for as

muche as he had founde the Frenche kyng veray kynde in tymes past, and had partely by his helpe recouered his kyngdome, he was veraye lothe to medle: in so muche that he coulde not well tell what was best in this mattier to bee dooen. But at the laste he fully purposed, if necessitie shoulde require, to helpe the duke in all that he might. Yet, least he should make of his highe frende hys extreme enemie, his aunswere was to the ambas∣sadoures, that he did intende to make their kyng and the duke frendes again. Wherfore assone as the Frenche kynges ambassadoures were dimis∣sed, he sent on message Christopher Vrswycke to Charles the kynge of Fraunce. Firste to certifye hym, that he was veraye glad of the victorye that he had vpon Maximilian, secondarely what tu∣multe and insurreccion was made here in Englād thyrdly and especially to desyre hym to bee at one againe with the Duke of Brytayne. And then he commaunded this Vrswycke, that if the kyng of Fraunce shoulde bee so contente, to go foorthe im∣mediatlye to the Duke, and desyre hym lykewyse of the same.

But when the kyng was come againe to Lon∣don, there was ioye and myrthe for the victorye y^e he had on euery syde. For not onely the kyng, but also euerye one of his cytezyns reioysed veraye muche. Wherfore the kyng shewed hym selfe both beraye humane and courteous toward all menne, and also rewarded all theim that tooke paynes in that battaile moste bountefully. And not long af∣ter delyuered Lord Thomas Marques out of the ••oure, and loued hym veraye well.

In the meane season Christofer Vrswicke was come to the frenche kyng, & of hym, after the most louing fassion y^t coulde bee, receiued. And as sone as he had shewed his message, y^e kyng shewed him selfe to bee there w^t veray well pleased. Then went y^e ambassadour streight thence, as it was cōmaun¦ded hym, into Britain, and shewed the duke what kyng Henry would haue dooen. But the duke (be∣cause hym self had been sicke a great while, & ther¦by his memory & wit was d••••aied) called to hym to heare the message bothe Lewes the duke of Orle∣aunce and other of his councell, whiche Lewes in no wyse woulde haue any peace to bee made, but saied that it was more mete that kyng Henrye (se∣ing he had founde suche kyndnesse at the Dukes hande, and Britaine was suche a good defence to England) to helpe to kepe battayle all y^t he might against the frenchmen. Then retourned this Chri¦stofer againe into Fraunce, & declared to the king Charles what aunswer was made of y^e Britains, and shortely after came into Englande againe. But still in the meane time, y^e Frenche kyng went aboute busely to ouercome the Brytains, and the more he was nigh of his purpose, so much y^e more did he exhorte & desire kyng Henry to make peace betwene theim, wherfore he sēt Bernarde Daube∣ney knighte in all the haste to kyng Henrye to de∣sire hym in any wise to make some ende of this cō∣trauersy. And therupon the kyng being desirous of the same, chose thre oratours, y^e Abbot of Abin∣don, Iohn Lilie the bishop of Romes collectoure and Richard Tonshal a knight and a veray wise man, to gooe firste to the Frenche kyng, and then

to the duke to make amitee and frendshyp againe betwene theim. But or euer these ambassadoures proceded on their iourney, Iohn Lilye fell sicke of the goute: therfore for hym was chosen Christofer Vrswycke, and they together wente (as they were cōmaunded) Firste into Fraunce to the kyng, and thence withoute delaye into Britain. But Fraun∣ces the duke in no case would take suche condicy∣ons as wer there offered, wherfore they came back againe into Fraunce without their purpose, and there tarieng, signified to kyng Henry by their let¦ters all that was dooen. But or their letters came to the kynges handes, Edward Woodilile, a bold Champion came to hym & desired veraye earnest∣ly that he myght haue an host of men to helpe the Britains, and leasire it should cause any dissencion betwene the Frenche kyng and hym, he saied that he would gooe priuely and without a pasporte, to thentent it might bee thought that he stole out of the land. But the kyng, for as much as he trusted that peace shoulde bee made, woulde in no wyse graunt his peticion. Wherfore this Edward wēt streight into the ysle Veches, which was in his do¦minacion, & there so sone as he had gathered his menne together about foure. C, sayled ouer to the Britaines, & ioyned hym selfe with theim against the Frenchmē, whiche thing when it was knowen in Fraunce, made y^e ambassadours greatly afraid of their liues. But whiles they were in this feare, and the Frēchemen thought it dooen maliciously of Kyng Henry, there came other Ambassadours frome hym to the Frenche kyng, certifieng hym & declaring (by most euident tokēs) that it was no∣thing

in dede as it was thought to haue been. To the which message, albeit y^e kyng had lytle credēce yet he made as thoughe he had not bene angry at all. So y^e Ambassadours renewed peace betwene their king & hym for .xii. monethes and retourned home again, & shewed the kyng all such thinges y^t they had either hearde or sene there, wherof he ga∣thered that y^e Frenchmen did nothing lesse entend then to haue peace made. Wherfore without de∣lay he called a parliament & there consulted of the aidyng of the Brytains: then of the exspence that should bee therin made, & after of other mattiers.

And assone as the parliament was broken vp, he caused musters to bee taken in euery toune tho¦rowoute his realme. Yet leaste peraduenture he might seme willingly to breake the amitee whiche was betwene the Frenche kyng and hym, he sent Ambassadours into Fraunce to certifye the kyng that of late he had kepte a parliament, and there y^t it pleased all the nobles that he should sende helpe to y^e Britains, because they at all times had dooen more benefites to Englande then all other naciōs and therfore that he should either leaue of battail orelles that he shoulde not bee greued if he dyd o∣bey y^e mindes of his Lordes and prelates, and yet that he woulde promise hym this one thing, y^t his should medle w^t hym no lēger then he was in Bri¦tain & kepte battaile vpon theim. With these com∣maundementes y^e ambassadours went foorth and declared to y^e French kyng all the minde and wyll of their kyng which thyng he litle cared for, and thought as it came to passe in dede, that the En∣glishemen there coulde lytle auayle.

In the meane season the Britains fought one felde at a place called sainte Albanes & there sped beray euel. For of theim Lewes duke of Orleaūce with many mo were taken, and Edwarde Wood∣uile, Iames Galeot an Italian and a veray good warryer, with diuers other noble menne slaine. Whiche thing when kyng Henry heard tell of, he thinking it tyme to make haste, sente spedely Ro∣berte Brooke Lorde, Iohn Cheinye, Iohn Mi∣delton, Raufe of Helton, Richarde Corbet, Tho∣mas Leightō, Richard Lacon, & Edmond Corne∣well, all lustye capitaines with .viii. thousand wel armed men to y^e Brytains to helpe theim in theyr nede, whiche by reason y^e wind serued theim, came thither so sone as they could desire. But when the Frenche menne knewe of their comming (whome they knewe so longe as they were freshe and lusty to bee in a maner inuincible) at y^e firste wer blanke all, and durste scarsely looke oute of their tentes, but afterwarde trusting y^t they might wery theim they went many of theim together into diuers pla¦ces, and kepte many bikeringes with the English menne, but they theim selfes euer bare the worste away, howsoeuer the Englishmen sped, they sped naught. Whiles they this kynde of warre did ex∣ercise, the Duke Fraunces died, and then was all dasshed. For the chyefe rulers of the Brytains be∣ing some of theim corrupted with money, & some sturred vp with ambicyon, fell into deuisyon a∣monge theim selues, and semed nomore to ende∣uoure to defende their commune weale, but rather to destroy and vtterly extinguishe it Which thing the englishe menne perceiuing, and also suffering

muche colde, were compelled of necessitee within fyue moonethes that their wente thyther, to come backe agayne into Englande.

Then Charles the French kyng maried Anne the Dukes doughter, and gat al Britayn by that meanes into hys hādes. But of this it shalbe spo¦ken more here after.

It was decreed here in Englande before there were any souldyours sent into Brytayne, that for the expence of that warre, euery man should paye as thei were hable, a tribute, whyche the mooste parte of theim that dwelte in the byshopryke of Durhā and Yorke shyre, dyd vtterly refuse to pay, and complayned of the matter to their Lorde the Earle of Northumberland. And he immediately signified to the kyng by his letters that the peo∣ple dyd greatly lament and was sory saiyng, that thei were neuer put to so muche coast, as thei had been of late dayes, & nowe that ther was so much requyred of theim, that neither thei were hable to pay so great a summe, nor would pay it. Yet for al that the kyng cōmaunded the Erle to get it on thē and make theim pay it whether thei would or not least peraduenture it myght be a cause, that yf at any time a tribute agayne should bee required of thē, to make an insurreccion. Which thyng when the people hearde of, by and by they ranne vnto the earle and as the authoure of the tribute pai∣yng * 1.4 kylled hym out of hande. And when thei had so done, thei chase Ihon Egremonknight a verey dicious personne to bee their captayne, and so ar∣raied them selfes, and went agaynst the kyng, ma¦kyng cries in euery towne, that thei came to fight

for no nother cause but to defēde y^t cōmon libertie.

But when the mattier shoulde come to blowes thei waxed colde all the sorte of theim, and euerye one wished that this tumulte wer retracted which was nowe alredy begonne, so that at the cōclusiō not one scacely scaped without his great discom∣modite. For the kynge assone as he hearde of this insurreccion, went downe with an hoost to Yorke wherof these slaues and traitours beyng greatly afraied, fledde some hether and some thether and durst not abide and sustaine the power of y^e kyn∣ges army. Wherfore thei wer sone taken and pu∣nished greuousely, accordyng to their deseruyng euery one of theim. But Ihon Egremont whiche was their captain fledde into Flanders to Mar∣garete of whome we spake before.

And the kyng so sone as this busines was quē∣ched, tooke his iourny back again vnto London and committed the tribute whiche was in Yorke and about Yorke to bee taken vp, holy to Richard Toustal. And this was y^e yere of our lord a thou∣sand foure hundred .xc. and the fourth yere of the reigne of this kyng Henry.

And in thys yere also the kynge of Scottes * 1.5 was sore vexed. For his subiectes roase agaynst hym and made his sonne Iames whiche was as yet but a chylde, their capitain. Wherfore, he sent to the kynge of Englande, to the Frenche kyng, and to the byshoppe of Roome Innocentius to desire theim to make some end of thys ciuile bat∣tayle and contencion whiche was betwene hys people and hym. Whiche afterwarde sente theyr ambassadours as they were desired, but all in

vayne. For y^e rude sort would nedes fight onlesse * 1.6 he would resygne his crowne, wherfore shortely after, thei fought, and in that battayle kylled the kyng and gaue his sonne Iames whiche was the fourth of that name the crowne.

But the byshoppe of Romes legate Hadrian came to late. For whyles he was in Englande w^t kyng Henry, worde came that the kyng of Scot∣tes was slayne in battayle and hys soonne made kyng. And therfore, he taried here in England for a space, and was veray muche made of, and hygh¦ly commended to the kyng by Ihon Mortō arch¦byshop of Canterburie. Whereby he came into so high fauour with kyng Henry, that he made him bishoppe of Herforde, and shortly after, that least gaue hym the bishopprike boothe of Welles and Bathe. And not longe after he retourned w^t these honours to Roome, and there of Alexander was made Cardinall.

There beganne also of freshe, certayne busi∣nesse as concernynge Brytaine before this geare was appeased: whiche was, that Maximilian be∣yng at that tyme without a wyfe, would haue ma¦ried the duke of Briteines doughter, and had one that wowed for hym, which lady promisyng hym fayth & trueth, to the entent that she might not go from her word, he vsed this way w^t her, when she went to her bed the night after, as to the bedde of wedlocke, the wower that was hired, putte one of his fete into y^e bed to the knee in y^e sight & cōpany of many noble matrōs & ladies, for a token & testi¦mony y^t the mariage was consūmate, & thei .ii. as mā & wife. But this did nothing auaile, for Char

the Frenche kyng was desireous to marye her & hearyng that Maximiliā was sure to her, dyd the more busely set vpon the Britaynes, to thentent he might both haue the ladye and the countree also at his wyll, for he estemed that mariage to bee of no strength or force. Neuerthelesse, he feared kyng Henry muche, least that he would stoppe his pur∣pose, whiche kyng had made a league, and Ferdi∣nande also the kyng of Spayne, had made y^e same with the Britaynes, to assist theim in all their ieo∣perdies and perilles that should chaunce to theim by foren countrees, wherfore he sent in al post hast Francese Lucemburgense, Charles Marignane and Roberte Gaguine, to kyng Henry for a peace to bee confirmed and hadde, desyrynge hym, that their kyng might ordre the mariage of the Ladye Anne as wer thought best without any let or hyn∣deraunce of it by hym, but kyng Henry would not agree to theim, that the lady should bee maried to hym, consyderyng she was made sure to the kyng Maximilian, for that it was against all right and lawe bothe of God and manne. Albeit the kynge would gladly make a peace betwene theim bothe, and so demissyng y^e kynges Ambassadoures with a large and ample rewarde, sent Thomas Golde∣stone abbot of Cantorbury and the lord Thomas of Ormondye ambassadours streight after theim.

In this meane space, Alexander B. of Rome the sixt of that name after Innocētius sent the bishop of Cōcordiense legate to the Frenche kyng for cer∣tayne mattiers, and emong other for a peace and vnitee to bee confederate betwyxt hym and kyng Henry, the whiche when he had easely obteyned,

he came to Englande and there beyng entretained moste roially of the kyng, had his purpose and de∣sire of hym. The Englishe ambassadours then be∣yng with the Frenche kyng, purposed to haue a peace concluded, whiche first demaunded certain thynges of the kyng ere that it should bee made, albeit the kyng would graūt theim nothyng, and was sore moued with their request & askyng. So y^e shortly after, the Frenche kyng sent to the noble menne of Britain greate giftes and rewardes to the entent thei might moue the ladie Anne to giue her troweth to hym, and also sent to herself many princely giftes & tokens, y^e she would beare loue to hym. And y^t she might not feare but that she might lawfully marie to hym, certified her y^e the promise was of none effecte y^t she had gyuē to Maximiliā for y^t it was geuē & made w^tout his cōsent whiche had y^e gouernaunce & dominion ouer all y^e countre And this was the cause that no concorde or peace could bee kept betwixt theim. And where as that the kyng had taken Maximilians doughter ladie Margaret to bee his wife, he saied that it might bee lawfully dissolued because y^e ladie was vnder age, and not ripe to bee maried. This ladie Anne of Britain through the persuasion of many noble menne of that countree, was contented to bee his wife and ladie. And when the kyng was certified of this, he hastened the mariage with all the expe∣dicion and celeritee that he could. So that the Englishe ambassadours returned again to their countree, and nothyng dooen or agreed vpon in their matter. When the kyng was certified of this by his ambassadours, he purposed to make bat∣taill

against hym, and to reuenge the naughtie en∣tent of his, with the swerde, and assemblyng his counsaill together, showed theim the matter, and the iuste cause he had to fight, desteryng theim for the maintenaunce of thesame warres to helpe hym with money, neuerthelesse that menne should not thynke it to bee extorte of theim, he willed euery māne to gyue as muche and as litle as he would, and theim to bee estemed and taken as his moste beste and assured frendes that gaue y^e most money When this somme was gatheryng and prepa∣raunce made for battaill, Maximilian the kyng warred sore with the Frenchemen, whiche kyng was taken a litle before at a certain brunt and skir¦mishe made, and cast in prisone, after the whiche tyme kyng Henry sent to hym Giles Dabeney capitain of Calais to aide hym with three thousād harnissed mēne. At y^e length Maximilian hauyng the better hand of the Frenchemen, entēded to re∣uenge hymself of the Frēche kyng, for that he had repudiate his doughter ladie Margarete, and ta∣ken to hym as wife quene Anne, but because he was not fully hable of hymself to sustein that bat∣taill, he sent Iames Conti••alde ambassadour to kyng Henry for helpe, whiche Iames when he had dooen his message, the kyng promised that he would dooe for hym all that he could in main∣teinyng his warres.

In this tyme, Charles the Frenche kyng ma∣ried ladye Anne, chalengyng by this mariage the dominion and gouernaunce of y^e Brytaines. Ma∣ximilian the kyng beyng certified of this, was greately moued, for that he did not onely forsake

and repudiate his doughter ladye Magarete, but also receiued in mariage y^e ladye and quene Anne to his wife, and in this furie he sent to kyng Hēry desieryng hym to prepare an armie, for he would goo vpon the Frenche menne, and kepe open bat∣taill with theim, whiche kyng Henry gathered an hoste of menne, and proclaimed battaill in all his realme, after the whiche proclamacion there came to London an houge armie of menne, with their capitaines, whiche herafter ensewe and folowe.

• Rycharde Thomas with a greate compaig∣nie of Welshe menne.
• The erle Thomas of Derbie.
• George erle of Shrowes¦burie.
• Thomas erle of Harun∣dell.
• Edmunde duke of Suffolke.
• Edwarde erle of Deuen¦shire w^t his noble young soone.
• Thomas erle of Ormō∣dye.
• George erle of Kent.
• Lorde Thomas Dorcet Marques.
• Ihon Cheyney.
• Gyles Dabeney
• Richard Gylforde
• Ihon Raynsforth
• Iames Terell
• Ihon Sauage
• Thomas Baro of Heltō
• Wyllyam Bulmerey
• Edwarde Stanley, with other.

After that all this armie was araied, the kyng sent sir Christopher Vrswycke, and sir Ihon Ry∣seley knyghtes to the kyng Maximilian, to cer∣tifye hym that thei were all in a redynesse to kepe battaile when he would haue theim. When they had dooen their message thei returned backe a∣gain

to their kyng, certifiyng hym, that Maximi∣liā was so poore and nedye of monye and menne, that he could not be hable to susteyne any battaile neuerthelesse his mynde and will was good, if his power and habilitee had been correspondent to it. The kyng after the receipte of these letters, was displeased muche with hym, albeit consyderyng he had gooen so farre in it, and had suche furnyture of all thynges prepared, least that menne shoulde impute it to hym as cowardnesse to faynt frō bat∣taile, he proceded forth towarde Fraunce, and a∣bout y^e .vi. daye of Septēbre he landed at Calise, & there rested his armye. Wher worde was brought to all the hoste (for thei did not knowe of it before) that Maximilian could make no preparaunce for lacke of mony. At y^e whiche thei maruailed great∣ly, consideryng that he had suche vilanye shewed hym not longe before at the kynge of Fraunce hand. Yet thei wer neuer discoumfeyted at it, but like stoute and valiaunt warryars had great con∣fidence in their owne power and strengthe, wyth whō the kyng of Fraunce (after y^t he perceaued it best for his profite & ease) would gladly haue been reconciled, although he had a ready hoste to fight against theim & withstāde their power. And espe∣cially he desyred peace for this cause, y^t he might haue the loue of his neighboures, to the entent his realme might bee in better sauegarde and quiet∣nes, whē he should warre against Ferdinād kyng of Napels, at y^e desyre of Ludouike Sfortia duke of Millayn, whiche at that present tyme did inuite hym to it, wherfore he did sende Philip Desquerd chief of Annonye to desyre kyng Henrye of peace,

whiche Philip did send y^e letters to hym, before he came into the countre hymself, wherin he signified that he would take suche paines in bryngyng his purpose about, that he would if it should so please his grace, reconcile bothe hym and their kyng to loue eche other as thei haue dooen heretofore, and saied that it should bee for his honour to take thesame condicion, whiche condicion if he would send certain of his capitains to mete with hym in any parte of Fraunce, and there to determine of it he should haue it there promised & hereafter duely to bee performed. The kyng after he had red these letters, did send the bishop of Exceter, and Giles Dabeney to the forenamed Philip for peace to be agreed vpon & concluded, the whiche after a space determyned vpon certain condicions whiche here after shalbee shewed, that peace should bee had on bothe parties. When thei were thus consultyng, y^e kyng hauyng his hoste at Caleis, remoued from that place to Bononye, & there pitchyng his tētes beseeged the toune with all the power he might, whiche toune because it was strongely defended & furnished with all thynges necessarye for warre, it could not bee ouercome without greate labour, & before y^t he either could or did ouercome any parte of it, woord was brought, that a peace was cōclu∣ded and made, whiche heard, as it was pleasure to the Frenchemen, so it was sorowe to the Englishe men, for thei cried out of the kyng and saied it was not for his honour so to dooe, but the kyng as a wise manne & moste prudent prince, saied it should be the death of many noble & puisaunt capitaines if he should continue thesame battaill, & therefore

it might be to his sore reproche, if it wer in his po∣wer, not to tendre as well the health of his cōmons as his owne, whiche saiyng did somewhat coule & pacifye their grief. And after this dooen, the kyng returned backe to Calise, for because it was enfor∣med hym y^t one Richard y^e named hym self y^e sonne of kyng Edwarde had made an insurreccion in Flaūders, through y^e counsaill of lady Margarete y^e quene, to fight against hym, which thyng, kyng Henry consyderyng did the more spedely hasten to conclude a peace. And the condicion of this peace to bee made was this, y^t the Frenche kyng should paye to kyng Henry, a certain summe of meny, the whiche was leauyed by the ambassadours, for the cost and charges that the kyng was put to in that battayll, and also should yerely for a certain space paye or cause to bee payde to the kyng of Englād for a full recompence. x••v. thousand crounes. The whiche Frenche kyng after that beyng in warre with the Italians, payd the said tribute to y^e most noble prince and our souereigne lorde kyng Hērye the. v••••. sonne to Henry the seuenth, for a full recō∣〈…〉〈…〉cion and frendship to bee had for euer. This was the yere of our Lorde a thousand foure hun∣dreth foure score and thirtene, and the seuēth yere of his reigne. Also in this inuadyng & besiegyng * 1.7 of Bonony (whiche we spake of before) there was none killed, sauyng onely syr Ihon Sauage, whi∣che goyng out of his tent w^t syr Ihō Riseley, was taken priuely rydyng about the walles of y^e toune and there because he would not yelde was slain of the Frenche men, albeit the other syr Ihon Rysely fled and escaped their daunger.

After this the kyng went frō Calis to England again, & yet that he might not be w^tout some trou∣ble or busynes, quene Margaret of Spaine (whi∣che euer watched to do hym a displeasure) percea∣uyng y^t the erle with his cōpaignie could not haue suche successe in their businesse as she would haue wished theim, she inuēted a new way to worke trea¦son against him. There was a certain yoūg mā of Tornace, very beautiful & faire in coūtenaunce, & of a pregnaunt witte, whiche yoūg mā was called Peter & surnamed Warbecke, & for his coward∣nes nycknamed of the Englishe men & called Per∣kyn, * 1.8 which yoūg mā trauaylyng many countrees could speake many lāguages & for his basenes of stocke & birth was knowen of none almost. Ther∣fore y^e quene thynkyng this yoūg man to bee mete whō she might feigne to be the duke of Yorke, and sōne to her brother kyng Edward, kept hym a cer∣tain tyme w^t her priuely, and tellyng hym what he should be, y^t he might the rather persuade mē to be the kynges sonne did send hym into Irelāde, after what time she knewe that kyng Henry had apoin∣ted to fight against the Frenche kyng, where he was honorably receaued & taken of euery manne as a prynce, for whose right, they promysed all to fight, and helpe hym in all y^t they could. After this it came to y^e Frēche kynges eare y^t such an one was in Ireland, for whō the kyng did send to see & cau∣sed hym to be brought before him, & when he came into his p̄sence, y^e kyng accepted hym gladly, & af∣ter a princely fashiō intreteined hym. But after y^e he came in loue w^t the kyng of England, the sayd Charles did dimisse y^e yoūg mā, & would no lōger

kepe hym, least that some inconueniencie or cause of strife should chaunce thorough it. Wherfore y^e young manne went to Flaunders agayne to the quene Magarete, whiche quene did receaue hym with suche gladnesse, that she coulde not well rule her selfe, & for this cause onely she dyd shewe her selfe so ioyfull and merye, that menne mighte per∣swade theim selfe that this was Richard the kyn∣ges soonne, and vpon that cause truely, men did y^e more reuerence to the younge manne, and y^t more firmely beleue hym to bee the righte heire & sonne to kyng Edwarde. Also after this rumour blased abrode, aswel in England, Fraunce, as Flaundres there beganne great sedicion to spryng, and firste they that were long in sanctuary for the greate of∣fences that they had commytted, and other that wer cast in pouertie, gathered a compaignie of mē and sayled ouer into Flaunders to the counter∣faicte Edwarde, otherwise named Peter, also ma∣ny of the noble men conspired together, and to the entent they might bryng their purpose wel about, they did send certain to the Quene Margarete, to knowe when thesame Edwarde might come con∣ueniently into Englande, y^e thei beyng certified of thesame might y^e more easely receaue & bryng hym into y^e realme. So y^t by the consent and agrement of theim all, syr Robert Clyfforde knight & Wyl∣lyam Barley wer sent to shewe all their myndes & aduyce as concernyng the newe founde duke, to the Quene Margarete. Whome the Quene did accepte gladlye, and persuaded theim, that it was true that was publyshed of Rycharde the duke, and streight vpon shewed theim thesame

Peter, whiche was muche lyke Richarde, pray∣syng his vertues and qualitees that he had, won∣derfullye.

The said Robert, whē he had seen thesame yoūg manne, beleued surely that he was of the kynges bloode, and wrote to Englande to his coumpaig∣nye and felowes of his conspiracie, that he knewe hym to bee the kynges soonne by his face & euery proporcion of his body. And when these letters came vnto Englande, the chief capitaynes of this businesse did openly diuulgate and publyshe, that it was trewe that was spoken and saied abroad of the Duke, but it was dooen by suche a crafte, that no manne coulde tell who was the authoure of that rumoure.

When the kyng perceiued that many men did geue credence to his vaine fable, he thought beste for his owne safegard to prouide a remedy for it, & also mystrusting that some conspiracye had bene made bicause that sir Robert Clifford had fled pri¦uely into Flaundres, commaunded certain knigh∣tes that were chosen and piked menne of warre w^t a bonde of menne to kepe the borders surely y^e no manne might escape or sayle ouer the sea without a pasporte or licence geuen by hym. Also that men myghte not contynue in the false perswasion and belefe that they had conceyued of the duke, he cau¦sed certain spies to search in all the citees of Bel∣gike, to knowe of what progenie this mysnamed Richarde was, and to geue theim highe rewardes that would shewe the verite and truth of the same matter. So that they sailynge into Fraunce, euerye manne dyd gooe into a contraye quarter,

and enquired diligently for hym, and at y^e length, certain of theim came to a towne called Tornace and there were certifyed by the testymonye of ma∣ny honest menne that he came but of a lowe and course parentage, and he was named Peter War becke, whiche thing also the kynges frendes cer∣tified hym by their letters and writynges to hym more plaine and euidentelye. Therfore when the kyng had knowen the matter wholy, aswel by his frendes as by his spies sent foorth purposelye for the same, he caused it to bee proclaimed openly as∣well in other regions & countrees as in England that the disceate and deuelish crafte might appere euident to euery manne. And firste he sent ambas∣sadours to Philyp the chiefe capitaine in Flaun∣dres, and to his councell, because he was but of a younge age, whiche were sir Edward Poninges knight, and sir William Varame preest and law∣yer, that they might shewe euidently howe falsely the younge manne hath vsurped the name of Ri∣charde duke of Yorke whiche was kylled with his brother Edward in the Towre of London, at the cōmaundement and will of kyng Richard his vn¦cle, as euery man coulde testifye and affirme most surely.

Also that he was borne of a poore stocke, and an obscure famulie in Tornace, and there named Perkin Warbecke, and therfore that it woulde please hym & his councel not to suffer theim selfes to bee blynded or seduced with suche mere impo∣stures and craftie illusions, nor yet to aide hym at any hande to cause sedicion or strife, consideryng that he had no iuste title to the enheritynge of the

same. And that they would the rather bee his fren¦des nowe, because y^t he helped Maximilian theyr kyng the yere before againste the power and vio∣lencye of the Frenche menne, where as he of hym selfe was not hable to refyste theyr myghte and stronge power. When the Ambassadours had dooen their message, they were gentely entretay∣ned of hym, and had their request, that he woulde not (for the loue that he oughte vnto the kynge) no nor any of his counsaile helpe thesame Perkin any thinge at all.

Neuerthelesse, yf the quene Margaret would persiste and continewe in her malice towardes the kyng (whome the Ambassadour sir William Va∣rame had reproued and checked sore, for bringing vp of suche monsters and commune plagues, to the publike weale in his oration that he made vn¦to Philippe and his counsayle) it was not in their power to withstande it, for because that she might doo in her owne herytage all thinges at her owne wyll and pleasure. Whiche quene entended fully to arme this Perkin with a stronge compaignye of menne against kyng Henry.

After that kynge Henrye dyd heare of this, he purposed to pacyfye all this busynesse that was like to chaunce, by wytte and policye, and streight dyd sende foorthe certaine spies, whiche shoulde fayne theim selfes to haue fledde vnto the Duke, and by that meanes searche foorthe and knowe the whole entente of theyr coniuracion, and after what waye they framed theyr matters.

Other also shoulde promyse a pardon and remys∣syon vnto syr Roberte Clyfforde, and Willyam

Barley for their offence cōmitted to the kyng. And when they had so dooen, many of theim retur¦ned to Englande, and broughte the names of cer∣tayne that were chief of the same conspiracye, O∣ther taried vntyll suche tyme that sir Robert Clif∣forde came to Englande agayne. And when the kyng had knowen the chief capitaines of this tu∣multe by his spyes that were there with theim, he caused all them to bee attached & brought to Lon¦don before his presēce, whose names wer sir Iohn Ratclyffe, syr Simon Monforde, syr Thomas Thwarte knightes, William Dabeney, Roberte Ratcliffe, Richard Lesey, w^t many other. Also cer∣taine preestes and religious menne, as sir Willi∣am Richeford, and Thomas Poynes bothe mon∣kes of sainct Dominikes order, sir William Sut¦ton, sir William Vrseley Deane of Poules, & Ro¦bert Layborne. Other that were giltie of the same crime, hearing that many of their compaignie wer taken, fledde and did take sanctuarye. And the o∣ther that were taken wer condempned all of trea∣son, of y^e whiche there was heded sir Simon Mon¦ford, sir Robert Ratcliffe, and William Dabeney as authours & chiefe capitaines of this busines. The other were pardoned, and the Preestes also for their order that they had taken. Also sir Iohn Ratcliffe was pardoned of his lyfe, but after that he came to Calisse, & there caste in prisone, he was behedded, because he corrupted the kepers w^t ma∣ny promises to haue escaped out of the same. Shortly after, sir Robert Clifford trusting to find fauour & grace at the kynges hande, came to En∣gland, of whose cōming when y^e kyng was certifi∣ed

he went streight to y^e towre of London, & there taryed tyll suche tyme y^e syr Robert Clyfford came whiche thyng he vsed vnder this pretence, that yf sir Robert Clifford had accused any man to hym of y^e treason, that then euerie suche person mighte bee called thether withoute anye suspectiō of anie euel, and there streight to bee cast in holde, but be¦fore I goo furder, I wyll shewe the opinion that many men conceaued of the knightes goynge to Flaunders. Some men helde this opinion, that kyng Henrye dyd sende hym as a spye to Flaun∣ders, and therfore he came the soner into his fa∣uoure. Neuerthelesse, this is not lyke to bee true by diuerse reasōs. Fyrst that it tourned to y^e great infamye and hurt, both of hym selfe and his fren∣des. Secondarly that he was not in so greate fa∣uoure with the kyng, as he had ben in tymes past for because that he was giltie in that part. Ther∣fore the saied sir Robert now comming to the king after his retourne into England, kneled mekelye downe at his feet, and desired pardō of his grace and after that beyng enquired of the coniuration and examined who wer the authours of this mis∣chiefe, he pronounced & saied that William Stā∣ly whome the kynge made Earle, was one of the chief, when he had so saied, the kyng was greatly dismayed & greued, that he should offend, whō he had made chief of his priuie chamber, considering also that he had founde great kindenes hertofore at his hande, and that he dyd ouercome kyng Ry¦chard chiefly by his helpe and meanes. So that the kyng coulde not bee perswaded, that he was any suche offender, had not it bene shewed him af¦ter

by manifest tokens and apparēt argumentes y^e it was true as he saied. Whom the king thē cau¦sed to be taken and examined of the matter, after the which examinacion he was proued to be an of¦fender. Then the kynge doubtynge what to dooe with him, dyd consult and breath a lytle with him selfe, for he feared, that his brother lord Thomas by whom he had shewed great kyndnesse woulde take it greuously, also & yf he shoulde remitte that faulte, other would abuse his lemtee, and trespace more highly. Albe it, at the laste he wylled that he shoulde suffer for his offence, and so caused hym to bee behedded. The cause that their loue (as mē reporte) dyd chaunge into hatred was this. The lorde Wylliā consideryng that he saued the kyng and brought hym to this realme to be gouernour thought he could neuer bee recompensed for hys so doyng, and wher as the kyng also remembring this benefyte, dyd make hym his chiefe chamber∣layn, and gaue hym the hyghest promocions that he had, he lytle regarded them and loked for some greater rewarde, wherfore, the king perceauynge that, was sore greued with hym, and so thei bothe dyd fall at debate and hatred eche wyth other.

Also at this time the king thought best to vse some asperite in correcting the offēces of his sub∣iectes, because y^e some had taken suche heart and audacitee to them, y^e thei feared not to speake euel of his maiestie with most spiteful and contumele∣ous wordes, trusting euer that y^e fayned Rychard duke of York, now lately rysen from death to lyfe on gods name, should claime the crowne, & enhe∣ret his counterfeted fathers possessions, & when

such persōs had suffered due ponishment for their offences, other learning by their neighbours mis∣chaunce to beware, dyd frome y^e tyme beare theim selfes as true & faithfull subiectes, & assysted him with al their power, at what time he required help of thē. After the death of this William Stanley, Giles Dabeney was chosen and made chiefe chā¦berlain. And now y^e kyng was in a good staye for his realme, sauyng y^t Ireland was not wel weded of the pernicious sede y^e was sowed by the young mā Perkin Warbeck and his secte. Wherfore, he sent sir Henry Deny late abbot of Lanktō abbey thither, & made him chauncellour ouer al that Ile and Edward Ponyng to serch all places that the forenamed Perken was in, to punish thē extreme¦ly in the example of other, y^e were giltie of y^t crime but when thei heard of this, thei fled for the most part into woddes & marysh places for the defence & safgard of them selfes, there consultyng to kepe open warre agaynst hym, whiche Edwarde after that he persued theim many times, and coulde ne¦uer try it wyth them because thei wer so disparsed as foren and wilde people, he returned backe, and suspectinge that the earle of Kyldare was the oc∣casion of this, attached him at the counsayl of the erle his euel willers, and brought him as prisoner to England. Wher when he was arained, and cer¦tain matters of treason laied to his charge, he ad¦uoided thē all, & clerly quite him selfe: whome the kynge dimissed, and sente hym to Irelande there to bee gouernour and captayne ouer theim as he was before. So that now the kyng beeyng oute of all feare of battayle, dyd take hys progresse to

shyre, there to recreate his spirites and solace him selfe with his mother lady Margarete, wyfe and countesse to the Earle of Darby. Yet when y^e king was thus delityng hym selfe, Perken Warbecke could not moderate or rule hym selfe, although so manye suffered and were put to execucion for his mischife but to proue again the chaunce of battel gathered a great armye of men aswell prisoners, slaues, sānctuary men as other & came into Kent, because the wind so serued, & ther caused certayne to land, & to enquire yf y^e Kentish men would bear with him, with whō the Kentish mē working gui∣les promised y^e thei would assist him, yf he & his cō¦panie would land ther. Albeit, the same Perkē fea¦ring y^e thei meaned falshode and craft, would not descende him selfe, but caused certain of his soul∣diours to lande, whiche persones beynge a pretye way from their shippes, wer sore beatē and put to flight, and many of theim taken prisoners & after wer condempned to dye. Wherfore Perkē failing of his purpose fled backe to Flaunders, and there consulted with his frendes vntyll suche time he had been better prepared bothe of men and coun∣sayle. The kynge herynge that hys enemyes had made ētraūce into his realme, left of his progresse & purposed to go to London, but beynge certified the next day after, how wel thei had sped, continu∣ed & went forth of his progresse, sendyng to theim Richard Gilford, to geue thankes and promise of a good turne herafter, for y^e good seruice that thei had done him in those tumultes and assaultes of his enemies. Also that thei might not haue any ac¦cesse herafter into those parties the king commaū¦ded

y^e lordes to bee defēded strōgely w^t bulwarkes & other sure munimētes & fortresses, of the whiche this same Perken beyng certified, hastened y^e more to renue battaill against the kyng, y^t he might not haue longer space, through his delaye, to dooe all these thynges for the defence of his realme and so came to Irelande with all his armie, and there tariyng a space, sailed to Scotlande for ayde and succour of kyng Iames, trustyng to finde grace at his hand, to whom he spake after this maner. I thinke it is not vnknowē to you moste noble kyng in what ruine the stocke of Edwarde the fourth of that name is now of late, whiche if you dooe not know, and it please your grace so to take me I am his soonne, & by the power of God, preserued a liue at this houre from the mightie hand of a tiranne. For my father when he died, apointed his brother Richard duke of Gloucestre to bee our gouernour & {pro}tectour. Albeit he was rather a destroyer of our progenie then a mainteiner of it, for he wyllyng to be kyng hymself, and depriue vs of our right and title, commaunded that we should bothe bee slain, and dispatched out of this worlde. Therfore he ha¦uyng then full power to ordre vs at his will, did cause my brother to bee destroyed, and because y^t he might bee without some parte of that offense, and not shewe hymself all a tirāne, he caused me to bee conueighed to some straunge and foren coun∣tree, and there to bee desolate of all comforte and helpe. And so kyng Richard did hold his croūe by dispatchyng away of vs two, so that I could not tell by the reason of my tendre age, what I was, vntill now of late that myne aunte ladie Marga∣rete

beyng in Flaūders did shewe me what I was after she had seen me, and to the entent I might recouer again my fathers possessions, she hath geuen me for her power a bonde of mēne, wyllyng me y^e I should desire the helpe of externe nacions and countrees. And so I am come to you for suc∣coure, whō as it is reported will helpe at all tymes euery manne in his right, and in case bee I shall finde you fauorable to me, you shall binde me and all myne, neuer to thynke ourselfes hable to make you amendes. When he had thus saied, the kyng promised hym that it should neuer repente hym of his commyng to hym, and bad him to take a good hearte, & after this the kyng assemblyng his coun∣saill together, asked what thei thought best in that matter, and whether any deliberacion should bee takē of it, or no. To whom some of theim that were w••sest, aunswered that it were folishenes to go fur∣〈…〉〈…〉 in suche a matter, consideryng that he was but a painted and feigned duke and had no right to England. Other also saied that it was for diuerse causes moste profitable to the cōmen wealth, par∣tely that this Parkyn, if his matters goo well for∣warde, would rewarde theim, as thei would desire and enriche their realme moste plentefully by his liberalite, partely also that Henry the kyng percei∣uyng their kyng to assist hym, would gladly paie tribute to hym for a peace and concord to bee had. When this counsaill was gyuen, the kyng did gladly folowe it, and that his loue might bee more apparent to the people, he caused ladie Katherine doughter to therle of Hūtley, his nigh kinsemā, to be maried to hym. After this was dooen, the kyng

willyng y^t this Perkyn should reigne in Englāde, hastened his iourney towarde the borders, & there cōmyng, proclamed openly y^e all should bee pardo∣ned y^e would beare with the duke of Yorke, & fight in his quarell: and that mēne might for feare sub∣mitte theim selfes, thei burned, spoyled, & killed w^t out all mercie as ferre as thei did go, but the kyng perceiuyng y^t no Englishemen came to aide this young duke, & that his souldiours wer so loden w^t praies & spoiles y^t thei would not gladly go further he returned backe to Scotlād cariyng w^t hym in∣finite goodes & riches. And when this duke came to Scotlande again, consideryng the greate di∣struccion and losse of the Englishmen, & that none came to aide hym, to the entēt that his iuglyng of his countrefeict dignite might not be perceiued, he saied verie craftely with a loude voice. Oh wretch and stonie hearte, that I am not moued with the losse and death of so many Englishemen of myne, and at that woorde he desired the kyng y^t he would not molestate his realme herafter with suche cruel tormentyng, and fieryng. To whom the kyng shaped hym this aunswere right shortely. Truely sir me thynke you take charge and thought of an other mannes realme and not of your owne, because that I coulde se no manne that woulde take your parte, and helpe you with his power, whē you were now last emong theim. And for this cause y^e kyng did litle esteme hym after that tyme, countyng hym incōstant, vnstable, and speakyng woordes not agreyng to his promise. When y^e En∣glish lordes and captaines hearde of this busines thei wer in greate feare, & fled for safegade of their

lifes euery manne to his castell and holde, and ga∣theryng an axmie to withstand their enemies cer∣tified the kyng in all post haste of the Scottes en∣terprise, whiche hearyng, prepared an armie in all the hast to fight against theim. But the Scottes beyng lodē with their praies and spoiles that thei had, were gone backe to their countre, ere the En∣glishe menne could bee readie. And this was the first commocion & busines of the Scottes against the Englishemen. When the Scottes were thus gone, and the kyng certified of it, he thought not to suffer theim lenger, leste that by long tariyng & deferryng of y^e matter, thei should take heart, and so with more fearsenes inuade the realme again.

And assemblyng his counsaill together, shewed theim that it was for the proffite of the publique weale to warre against his enemies, to whom thei all agreed right gladly, and for the mainteinyng of this battaill, there was leuyed a certain summe or tribute to be paid on euery mannes hed, whiche paiment although it was but easie and small, yet many of the commen people grudged to paie it. At this parliament also and conuocacion there was certain lawes, actes and statutes confirmed and made, as thought moste expediēt for the pub∣lique weale. And after this was dooen, the kyng prepared to fight in all the haste, and gatheryng an armie, made Giles Dabeney graund capitain ouer theim, and in his goyng to Scotlande, there beganne sodenly ciuile battaill in the realme, whi∣che was for the paiment of this money, for that y^e Cornishemen, (whiche made this insurreccion) beeyng but poore, could not well paie this tribute.

And so they gatheryng all together, one Michael Ioseph Smyth and Thomas Flāmoke, did take * 1.9 vpon theim the gouernaunce of all this compai∣nie. And seyng theim greued sore that they should paye so muche, did more and more incense theyr myndes againste their prynce. Albeit they layde this faulte, and cause of exaction, to Ihon Mor∣tō bishoppe of Cātorbury, and Ruigenald Braye because they were chief of the kynges house.

Thus they preparyng theim selues to warre, whē they had aswell sufficiente viandrye as all other thynges ready, they tooke theyr iourney to Wel∣les, and from thence entended to go to London, When the kyng was shewed of this by his audi∣tours, that they wer vp, and that the lorde Twy∣chet, and the lorde Audely with other of the noby∣litee had taken their partes, he thought fyrste to scoure his realme of suche rebelles and traytours ere he would fight against the Scottes. And ther∣fore he caused Giles Dabeney to returne backe agayn then goyng vpon the Scottes, whose ar∣mye he encreased and multiplyed with many pyc∣ked and freshe warryers, that he might the better with lesse laboure ouercome these rebelles. Also least that the Scottes might nowe (hauyng good oportunite) inuade the realme again (in this time of ciuile battyle) he caused lorde Thomas erle of Surrey, a puissaunt and most redoubted warryer whome he had taken prysoner, at the ouerthrowe of kyng Richard, and a litle before that, had set at libertie, and made treasourer of Englāde, after the death of Iohn Dynham, to gather a bond of men at Durham, & there to kepe of y^e Scottes, yf they

should chaunce to come, vntyll suche tyme that y^t Cornyshe menne beyng pacified and subdued, he might send to theim the forenamed Giles agayne with all his power and armye. When as the no∣bles hearde of this busynes, they came to Lon∣don euery mā, with as many as they could make, to ayde the kyng, yf nede shoulde be. In the which compaignie there was the erle of Essex, the lorde Mongey, the erle of Suffolke, Richard Thomas, William Say, lorde Haward the erle of Surrey his sonne a noble young man & of stoute courage

• Robert Lytton
• Thomas Bande
• Robert Clyfforde,
• Wyllyam Dauers,
• George Verye,
• Thomas Terell,
• Richard Fizlewes,
• Ihon Baynsforth
• Thomas Mōtigomery,
• Ihon Wyngfilde
• Roberte Brougthon,
• Iames Terell,
• Iames Huberte,
• Ihon Wyndham,
• Robert Fenys
• Wylliam Carye
• Robert Drurye,
• Ihon Audely,
• Robert Wyngfild with his brother Richarde,
• Robert Brandon,
• Thomas west de lauare
• Thomas Fenis Dacres
• Dauid Owen,
• Henry Rosse,
• Ihon Deuenysse,
• Henry Selenger,
• Ihon Paulet
• Ihon Burshere
• Thomas Woode
• Mathewe Broune,
• Thomas Troys,
• Wylliam Sandes.
• Edmūde Graye of Wil∣tone,
• Ihon Verney
• Thomas Brian
• Richard Poole,
• Thomas Harecourte,
• Ihon Hampden
• Edward Barkeley
• Willyā Bolongue with his sonne Thomas.
• Henry Haydon,
• ...

• Robert Clarence,
• Philip Calthorpe,
• Robert Louell,
• Ihon Shaye
• Thomas Frouwike with many other of lower de∣gree that wer moste noble & cunnyng warryers.

In this meane space, Charles y^e Frenche kyng commyng from the warres that he had at Naples with Ferdinande, sente Ambassadours to the kyng for a peace and league of amitee to bee con∣firmed. When the kyng was enformed of their cō∣myng, and that they were at Caleis, he sente cer∣tayn of his nobilitie to mete theim commyng, and to kepe theim purposely at Douer, vntyll suche tyme that this busynesse were ended, that they might not knowe of it in any wise.

And nowe the Cornyshemenne gooynge from Welles (where they had theyr graunde capitayne lorde Audeley) went to Saulisbury and frō thence to Wynchester, and so to Kent, where they looked for helpe, but they were deceaued, for the earle of Kent, and the lorde of Burgone Poole, the lorde Cobham, Thomas Burcher, Edwarde Ponyng, Richard Gilforde, Wyllyam Scotte, Iames Cromer, Ihon Peche, Iohn Darel, Henry Wyat Rychard Haulte, Ihon Fogge, and other were ready to withstande theyr power, and to cause the people to beare trewe heartes to theyr kynge. For the whiche, many of the Cornyshe men fayn∣ted and had lesse mynde to fight, and for feare fled priuely in the nyght from their compaignie. But the captaynes perceauyng they coulde haue no helpe at theyr handes, trusted to theyr owne po∣wer, and brought theim to Blackeheath feld nigh London, and there pytched theyr tentes in the

playn to byd battail to the kyng, if he would mete theim, or els to inuade the cytie, whome the kynge perceauyng to be there readye to fight, he caused Henry Burschere erle of Essex, Edmunde Polam erle of Suffolke and Richard Thomas, three no∣ble warryers to besiege theim on both sydes wyth two wynges, and so came hym self in the myddest sendyng before, Giles Dabeney with a greate power. And after his commyng thus to the felde, bothe the erles and Richard Thomas sette vpon theim violently, and at the first brunt put theim to flight and killed aboute two thousande that res••∣sied, and tooke prisoners more then could bee told and emonges theim y^e Captaynes which shortely after wer put to death. But this Michael Ioseph was a mā of suche stoute courage & valiaūtnesse, y^t he neuer fainted or once gaue backe vntyll such tyme he was stryken downe, and kylled openly.

When this battaile was ended the kynge loste but thre hundreth in all his compaignye that wer kylled at that presente. Also the prysoners that were taken he pardoned, sauyng the captaynes and first autours of that mischief, whose quarters he would haue to bee put on stakes and set in dy∣uerse places of Cornewell, that theyr naughtie dooynges and foolishe entrepryses might bee a document for other hereafter to beware: but be∣cause there were many of that coūtree that would gladly haue renewed battaile, yf they might haue had some Capitayn, and y^t they wer nothyng aba∣shed for y^e ouerthrowe of theyr late insurreccion, he turned his mynd, so y^t thei wer not had thither nor their quarters set vpō any stakes there. Whē this

busines was in hād, y^e kyng of Scottes being cer¦tified of it by certain spies, thought best to inuade Englande againe, and burned all the waye as he did before, lest that the kyng should prouoke hym to it of force, because he had dooen so muche hurte to it before, and thus came to Durham and there burned all aboute, entending also to wynne Nor∣ham Castle, whiche the Bishoppe had furnished a litle before with menne and vitaile sufficiently, so that he coulde haue none accesse into that castell. And this was the bishop Foxe, that was bishop of Exeter, and for his godlines and verteouse liuing after that, made bishoppe of Welles and Bathe. Whiche bishop nowe being in this businesse, cer∣tified the kyng of it in all the haste, and also therle of Surrey, that was then in Yorke shyre with a greate army of menne. To whome the Erle came shortly after, with his compaignye, and after hym folowed other noble menne of all quarters, euery one bringīg for his habilitee as many as he could to aide the bishop, and fight in the defence & qua∣rell of theyr kyng. And in this compaygnie was there many Lordes therle of Westmerland, Tho∣mas Dacres, George Graunge, Rafe Neuel, Ri∣chard Latimer, George Lumley, Iohn Scroppe, George Oglie, Thomas Baron of Hilton, Hen∣ry Clifford, William Coyners, Thomas Dercy.

Also knightes.

• Sir william Percy, and thre other of y^t name as
• ...
  Percy.
  • Bulmery,
  • Gascogne,
  • Penington,
• Sir Rauffe Bigot,
• Sir Rauffe Bowes
• Sir Rauffe Elaker,
• Sir Thomas Appar,
• Sir thomas Thwarton
• ...

• Sir Thomas Stran∣guishe,
• Sir Ihon Constable
• Sir Ihon Ratcliffe
• Sir Ihon Sauell
• Sir Ihon Gouer
• Sir Musgraue
• Sir Iohn Waller
• Sir Iohn Aloder
• Sir Iohn Euerinham
• Sir Brian Stapelton
• Sir Thomas Vortell
• Sir Marduke Constable
• Sir Christopher Pi∣keringe,
• Sir Christopher ward
• Sir Walter String∣lande,
• Sir Roger Bellinghā
• Sir William Heron
• Sir Rauffe Graye
• Sir Nicholas Ridley
• Sir Walter Griffit
• Sir Ihon Heron
• Sir Rauffe feneuike
• Sir Thomas Graye
• Sir Christo Curwen
• Sir Robert Varcoppe
• Sir Rouland Tempest
• Sir Iames Medcalfe

With many other Capitaynes, althoughe not so noble in degree, yet as valiaunte in martiall fea∣ctes and prowesses of warre. The Scottes hea∣ring of the Earle of Surrey that he was cōming and at hande with a greate power, then beseging this forenamed Castell, whiche they coulde by no meanes ouercome, they fledde streighte backe to Scotlande, whome the Earle folowed as longe as his vyttailles serued, and after that returned backe to Durham, theyr abiding vntyll such time he knewe furder of the kynges pleasure.

And in this meane space, one Henrye Hailes was sente Ambassadoure frome Ferdinand vnto the kyng of Scottes for a generall peace to bee had with hym and the Kyng of Englande, for he loued hym well, and kyng Henrye also to whose soonne the younge Prynce Arthure, he woulde haue geuen his doughter Ladye Katheryne in

mariage that by affinytee and kyndered of blood their loue might continue for euer.

So this Henrye entreated hartelye the King of Scottes for a peace, and when he had some hope in it, he wrote vnto the kyng of Englande, that it would please hym to sende one of his no∣bles to helpe to conclude this matter with hym and the Scottes. The kyng because he had been in greate trouble and then veraye desierous of peace, he sent the byshoppe of Durham to hym in all the haste. So that this Henrye and the bishop reasoned with the Scottyshe ambassadours as concernyng this peace to be had, albeit thei could not agree, because that kyng Henrye desiered to haue Perkyn Warbecke that was the cause of all this busynes, and had so greatly disquieted his realme, whome the kyng woulde not delyuer, al∣though he might of ryghte, consideryng his false∣hode and deceyte that he had vsed with hym.

Therfore, after that they had reasoned much of this matter, & could bring it to no ende, yet a truce was taken for certain yeres of this condicion, that the same Perkin Warbecke should bee conueyg∣hed oute of Scotland, & not to tary there longer. Whyle this was dooinge, kyng Henry caused the Ambassadours of y^e Frenche kyng to bee brought to hym, which as it is shewed before, wer stopped at Douer of their iourney, vntill suche tyme y^t the insurreccion of the Eornish men was ceassed, and hearing y^t they came for a peace and league to bee made, graūted theim it right gladly. So y^t nowe beīg reconciled w^t .ii. kynges, & thesame his neigh¦bours, he thanked Fernand & his wife Elizabeth

for y^e they caused this peace to bee made betwixte hym and the Scottes, and rewarded the Ambas∣sadoure moste worthely after a princely maner.

And the tyme that this vnitee and concorde was made, it was the yere of oure Lorde a thousande foure hundreth foure score and eighten, and y^e .xii. yere of kyng Henry his reigne.

And the kynge of Scottes kepte his promesse * 1.10 well ynoughe. For when he perceiued manifestly that he was deluded, he called vnto hym Perkin Warbeck, and first declared his benefites & plea∣sures that he had dooen vnto hym, and then coun¦sailed hym to gette hym vnto some place where he mighte byde in safegarde, and come againe ano∣ther time when he shoulde haue more oportunitee But neuer after to looke for any helpe at his hād, partely because he had made peace with the kyng of Englande, and partely because he sawe that no Englishemen came to take his parte, wherfore he desired hym not to bee misgreued that he did thus leaue hym, & also counsailed hym to goo into some other place or regyon, wherfore this Perkin was veraye sorye & (as the kyng had counsailed hym) departed thence with his wife, and went into Ire¦land, determining with hym selfe if he might haue no helpe of the menne of Cornewale, to retourne thence as faste as myghte bee home to his greate mailres & aunte Margaret into Flaundres. But he was no soner come thither, then he heard by di∣uers messengers y^t they of Cornewale were as rea¦dy to fyght against kyng Henry as euer they wer before, of hoope of the whiche he went streyght in to Cornewall & there dyd sturre vp their heartes

with gyftes and promyses, that all immediatelye called him their capitain & saied that thei woulde folow hym and in all thinges obey promptly hys commaundementes. Thē was Perkē in as good hoope as euer he was, and (because he would do nothynge rashelye and withoute aduisemente) he purposed fyrste to ouercome citees and all wel de∣fēded places that lay in his way, and so to get as many as he coulde to folowe hym and to take his part, and incontinently, to buckle with y^e kynges host. Whē he had thus deliberate, he wēt streight to Exeter which was the next citee that he coulde come vnto and besieged it, and because he had no gunnes to breake downe the walles, he laboured all that myght bee to breake the gates, but when he saw that thei could not easely be betten downe with any thyng, streight with he set fyre on theim.

Whereof, the citezins were veray, sore afraied and priuely in the night let downe diuerse ouer y^e walles with ropes to go certifie the kyng of their trouble, and in the meane tyme whē thei saw that their enemies had almost brēt vp the gates of the one side, tooke great blockes and set them on fyre on the other side, for none other cause but that as∣well their enemyes therby might be excluded, as thei them selfes included. And thei not trusting to this only, made also w^tin great ditches & other thī∣ges to defend thē from the inuasiō of the rebelles When Perkē saw this, he got ladders, and would by that meanes haue come into the citee, but they came not so sone vp, but thei were beate downe a∣gain, and by this meanes many were there slayne þet would he not thence depart, but trusted surely

at the laste that thei should be glad to yelde theim selfes al that wer within for lack of viandrie. But as sone as the kyng hearde of this, he hasted with his hoost toward Exeter as faste as was possible and sente dyuerse souldiours beefore to certifie all menne of his commyng and preparaunce, for at that tyme there was set forth to helpe theym of Exeter, Thomas Trencherd, William Corteney Walter Cortney, Edmond Carre, Ihon Halemel Peter Eggecomb Thomas Fulford, Ihō Crook William Saintmaur, with a great host whose ca¦pitain was Edward Corteny erle of Denshire, & his sonne William, whiche was a young man of mooste noble courage, whiche thyng when Peter heard tell of, he left besiegyng of Exeter and went to y^e nexte towne whiche is called Taūtun & there vieued his hoost and set it in aray redye to fyght, howbeit,, he had but lytle affiaunce in the same, because many of his souldiours were so slenderly harneissed, and no better skylled in warre. When the kyng sawe he was gone to Taūtun he hasted thither after him with all spede. Thether came al∣so Edward y^e duke of Buckingham a young mā veray valiaunt and of lustie courage, and hym fo¦lowed a greate compaignye of noble men as Giles Brigge, Alexander Brayhā, Moryshe Bar¦keley, Robert Tame, Ihon Sapcot, Ihon Wad¦hā, Hugh Lutrel, and Nycholas hys sonne, Wil∣liam S••orton, Thomas Lynde, Ihon Semar, Wylliam Norris, Thomas Blunt, Ihon Guyse Roberte poynte, Harry Vernon, Ihon Mortimer Ihon Speke, Rychard Beaucāp, Fraunces Che¦nie, Roger Tokete, Roger Wenburg Henry Ro∣ger,

Edwarde Darell, Ihon Langforde, Richard Lacon, Thomas Tremaile, Edwarde Sutton, Amis Paulet, Ihon Byknell, Wyllyam Sayn∣temaur, Thomas Longe, Nycholas Latimer, Ihon Turbaruyll, Wylliam Martyne Walter Hungorforde, Moryshe Barons, Rycharde Cor∣bet Thomas Cornuall, and many other besydes these.

But the king when he came nygh to the towne sente before to begynne battayle, Roberte Broke, Lorde Rycharde Thomas, and Giles Dabeney with a great and stronge hoost, to the entent that he hym selfe with his souldiours myght set vpon them behynd. But this deuise and purpose of the kyng was al superfluous. For Perkin, so sone as he espyed that the kyng was redie to fight, fledde priuely in the nyght into a sanctuary at Bellylo abbey, and there lurked. But whether this Perkē so dyd for feare least his men should forsake hym or for the timeditie of hym selfe, it is as much vn∣certayne, as it is probable and sure that the kyng tooke by hys flyght greate commoditee.

For the Corneshe menne were surelye purpo∣sed eyther to wynne and ouercome theyr enemies or elles not one of theim to haue lyued anye daye lenger. When kynge Henrye knewe that Perkin was gone, he sente after hym many horse menne that yf it myghte bee, they shoulde ouertake hym in hys iourney and brynge hym backe.

But Perkyn Warbecke made suche spede, that he was not seene before he came into the Sanctuarie, but his petie capitaines coulde not scape so clene. For of theim, the moost part were ta

ken and brought backe againe to the kyng. The residue of the souldiours when thei vnderstode y^e Perkyn their chief capitain was fled and y^e other taken, gaue vp theim selfes by and by to the king without any more busines, and of hym most gent¦ly wer forgeuen. When all was dooen, the kynge went again to Ereter and there both gaue great thankes to such as wer worthy, and punished the authoures and sturrers vp of this insurrection moost straitlye. And in y^e meane tyme many of the souldiours road to s. Mighels mounte & there (as chaunce was) found Katherin Perking wife, and brought her streight like a bond woman and cap∣tiue to the kyng. And the kyng sent her by and by accompanied with a goodly sort of matrons (be∣cause she was so goodly a young woman) to Lon¦don to the quene as a true and sure token of vyc∣torie. And whiles he taried there at Exeter suppo¦syng with him selfe, that he could haue no perfect victory vntyl he had gottē Perkin him self, which was the beginner of all this sedicion and strife, sent forth two companies of menne to besiege the sanctuarye wher Perkin was, that by no meanes he myght scape away, and sent him worde also by certain trustie messengers that yf he would hum∣blie submit him selfe, he should be forgeuen of all that was committed. Wherfore, Perkin now se∣ynge and ponderynge the state of miserie, that he was in, wēt voluntarily out of the sanctuary and commytted hym selfe to the kynges pleasure.

Then was the kyng weray glad and toke his iourney immediatly after towarde London, not without the great metyng of people whych came

out of euery quarter to se this feloe as he were a monstre, because he beyng but an aliente durst bee so bold to come in to this so noble a realme to ma∣ke battaill, and delude noble menne after suche a fassion. But whē the kyng was come to London he appointed certain menne to kepe hym bothe night & daie verie vigilantly, to thentent that he might neither conueigh hymself out of the lande, ner goo any whether within this realme to make any like perturbacion and disquietnes.

After this the kyng perceiuyng y^e there were ma¦ny as well in Somerset as in Deuēshire, whiche were helpers of the rebelles greatly, bothe goyng foorth & commyng homeward, thought it good to punishe theim also, least peraduenture thei might be y^e more bold to dooe a like thyng after. And ther¦fore he committed this busines to Amis Paulet knight, and Robert Sherburne deane of Poules to be dooen. Which in serchyng out all suche tho∣roweout bothe the shires, wer verie exacte and dili¦gent, but thei wer fauorable to al such as did it for feare or compulsion. Yet were thei to none so fa∣uorable but thei were thought for their defaultes indifferently to be punished. So that equitie ther∣in was verie well executed.

In the same yere of a small matter befell greate strife betwene kyng Henry and Iames kyng of Scotlande, whiche strife beganne of this fassion. Certain younge menne of y^e Scottes came armed vnto Duresme castell, & beheld it wonderous cir∣cumspectly as though thei had been desierous to know what was there dooen. But whē the kepers of the castle could not perceaue y^t thei went aboute

any hurte or displeasure, & seing theim go awaie of their owne accorde, thei made no woordes but let theim alone. But when thei came again the nexte daie & vieued it likewise, the kepers of y^e said castel demaunded of theim what was their intent. Thei aūswered theim (like rude and vnmanerlie ientle∣menne) as frowardly as could bee thought, in so muche y^t at the laste through muche altercacion of bothe parties, thei fell together by the eares, and there were some of the Scottes slain & the residue put to flight. Which whē thei came home certified their kyng of thesame. Wherwith he beyng sore moued to angre, sēt woorde to kyng Henry that he would w^tout doubt reuenge his querell, wherfore kyng Hēry being verie sorie, not so much forfeare, as for to liue in quietnes & peace in his age, made him aūswere y^t it was not doē through his default or coūsaill, but rather by the rashenesse of his sub∣iectes whiche if thei could bee {pro}ued guiltie should be accordyng to the faulte punished. Wherfore he desired him moste louingly to be cōtēted. But this was not hable to mitigate or swage the Scottes angre & outrageousnesse. For the whiche cause Ri¦chard bishop of Duresme whiche was more heuie then all other, because his seruūates were y^e begin∣ners of this discord, wrote many letters to kyng Iames to desire hym to kepe peace & bee at quiet. With the whiche letters the kynges rage was so quenched, y^t he bothe sent verie kynd letters again to hym, and desired hym hartely to come ouer and talke with hym. Of y^e whiche tydynges the bishop was verie glad, and went streight to kyng Henry to shewe hym the matter and had leaue of hym in∣continenly

to go ouer to hym.

When he came into Scotlāde, he was receiued as louyngly as coulde bee thought of the kyng hymself, at an abbey called Melrose, and there af∣ter that he had complained muche of the crueltie that was vsed toward his menne here in Englāde he beganne to commen secretly of other matters, and especially of the amitie betwene kyng Henry and hym, the whiche to bee for euer stablished and confirmed, he desired y^t kinges doughter Marga∣ret in mariage. Of the whiche thyng albeit the bi∣shop was glad in his heart, yet he would make no perfect aunswere or sheweforth any sure hope of y^e same, but saied that when he came home, he would dooe the best in the matter that laie in hym. Wher¦fore the kyng shortly after dimissed hym, and desi∣red hym ernestly to breake y^e same matter to kyng Hēry. And whē he was come home, so he did, and y^e proffer pleased y^e kyng verie well, because he was a manne whiche was alwaies more delited w^t peace & quietnes then w^t the troublesomnesse, of battaill.

And now did approch y^e death of Perkin War∣beck, and of Edwarde erle of Warwicke whiche had so long lyen all readie in the tower. But Per∣kē thought that he would saue hymself, and ther∣fore on a tyme he tooke his leggues and ranne a∣waie, but so sone as the kyng harde tell therof, he made menne after hym with all the spede y^e might bee, w^t whose clamours and shoutes Perkyn was so feared, y^t of necessitie he was compelled to go to an abbaie which was called Bethelē, & ther intre∣acted y^e abbot of the place to desire the kyng of his pardon that he might not dye. Whiche thyng the

abbot did for hym and obteined it. Wherfore Per∣ken was brought bounde & feitered, to Westmin∣ster and there stoode an whole daie in the sight of all menne to the great shame and reproche of hym self. And after (partely because the kyng had pro∣mised hym his life, and partely because he should no more renne awaie) he was cōmitted to y^e towre. Where his wickednes boylong so hote within his breit, would not suffre hym to escape the vēgeaūce & punishemēt of God, but shortly after was moste iustly & worthely put to deathe as herafter shalbe shewed. Then it chaunsed y^e a monke whose name was Patricke had a scholer, whome he promised if he would folowe his counsaill, should easely come to the kyngdome of Englande. Whiche scholer when he had ones heard his maisters mynd, was verie instaunte in the matter and desired his mai∣ster, not to forget his purpose, but rather begynne it as sone as was possible. Wherfore, when thei be twene theim selfes had taken deliberacion and counsailled of the thyng how it should be brought to passe, thei went bothe together into Kent. And there beganne this young feloe to tell priuely to many that he was the erle of Warwicke, and had gotte out of the tower by the helpe of this monke. To the whiche, when he perceiued credence geuen he declared it openly, and desyred al men of helpe.

But or euer this sedicion beganne to goo fore∣ward, the heddes and principalles of thesame wer taken and casle into prysone. Of whiche the one was condempned to death, and the other condēp∣ned to perpetuall pryson and darkenesse. For at that tyme here in Englande was so muche attry∣buted

to prestes, and al religious mē, that though they had committed felonie, murder, yea or trea∣son, they should not haue bene therfore condemp∣ned to death. Moreouer, whosoeuer could reade, though it wer neuer so lytle, what crime soeuer he had committed (saue treason) should by his booke bee saued, and therfore it was inuented, that if the default wer so great, that another manne shoulde suffer death for thesame, he should onely be burnt in the hande, wherfore he y^e had committed thefte, should bee marked in the hand with this letter T. if he had committed murdre, with M. and after that, yf he were deprehended in lyke cryme, then there should no fauour at all, more then to other menne, bee shewed. Whiche acte was made and confyrmed, by this kyng Henry in the second yere of his reigne, and takē of the Frenchemen, whiche are wonte if thei take any suche, to cutte of one of his cares and let hym go. Whiche priuiledges of bookes made thefes both bolde, & plentie thorowe out all the coastes and parties of this his realme of Englande.

But nowe to my matier again. Perkyn, of whom we spake muche before, whyles he was in y^e towre corrupted many of the kepers, partly with giftes and partely with fayre promyses, so that they were all agreed (saue the leuetenaunt, whome he ful∣ly determined to kyll) that he and the erle of War∣wike should gooe theyr waye out of the toure and afterwarde to make the best shyfte that they could for theim selfes. But this his purpose came not to full effecte. For it was knowne within shorte tyme after, for the whiche he and his felowes all of the

same counsayle were hanged by the neckes. And the earle of Warwike, because he was founde¦gyltie in thesame defaulte, was behedded, whiche was dooen in the yeare of oure Lorde a thousand foure hundreth and .xcix. and in the .xiii. yeare of this kyng Henry his reigne.

The nexte yere after, was here in Englande a * 1.11 a greate plague wherof menne died in many pla∣ces vereye sore, but especiallye and mooste of all in London. For there died in that yere aboue thyrtye thousande. Wherfore the kynge sayled ouer to Caleis and there taryed a greate while. In his beyng there came ouer to hym Philippe Erle of Flaunders, and was receaued of hym as louyngly as could bee thought, and also or euer they departed, the league whiche was made be∣twene theim two not longe before was renewed.

Sone after, when the plague was slaked, the kyng returned agayne into Englande, and was no soner come thyther, but there met him one Gas∣per Pons sente from Alexander the byshoppe of of Roome, which brought with hym indulgences and perdo••es whereby he made the kyng beleue that he and his should flye streight to heauen, but those could not bee graunted withoute a greate somme of money, the whiche the rather that he might obteyne, he promysed parte of it to the kyng hymselfe, so deceauyng both y^e kyng and y^e people. In this same yere was burnt a place of y^e kynges, whiche he after buylded vp againe and named it Richemount.

Aboute this tyme died three bishoppes here in England, Ihon Morton bishop of Cantourbury

Thomas Langton bishop of Wynchester, and Thomas Rotherham bishoppe of Yorke.

Also in this yere, there were greate maryages made, for kyng Henry had geuen his doughter la¦dye Margarete to the kyng of Scottes, and his sonne prince Arthur to Ladie Katherine dough∣ter to Ferdinande kyng of Spayne, whiche ma∣riages were made specially for this cause that he might liue in peace with those kynges in his olde age.

After this, prynce Arthure that came to Londō purposely to bee maryed, went to Wales agayne with his lady and wife to ouersee all thynges well there, and to the entente he might not miscarye or go out of the waie in rulyng his domimon, he had with hym many noble mē, as first Richard Poole his nighe kynsman which was made chief of his priuie chaumbre, and Dauid Philippe husher of his halle. Also he had of his counsaill certayne knyghtes as Wyllyam Vdall, Richarde Croft, Peter Neuton, Henrye Varnam, Thomas En∣glefelde. And other besides theim, as Ihon Wa∣lestone, Henry Marine, Wyllyam Smyth preest chief of his coūsayle late bishop of Lincolne, & syr Charles Booth a lawer, then byshop of Herforde.

A litle before this mariage, Edmūd Poole erle of Suffolke sonne to ladye Elizabeth the sysler of kyng Edward, was accused for killyng of a mā, & although the kyng pardoned hym, whō he might iustely haue condē••ed for that offence, yet because he was rayned at the barre, whiche he thought a great main and blemishe to his honoure, tooke it heuely, and shortely after fled to Flaunders w^tout

any passeporte or licēce of the kyng, to quene Mar¦garete his aunte, but he returned again, & so excu∣sed hymselfe before the kynge, that he was founde fautles in any thyng y^t was obiected vnto hym. Al¦so when this mariage was kepte at London, with great pompe & solēnitee, this Edmunde fled again to Flaunders w^t his brother Richard, either for y^t he had been at great charges at thesame mariage and so farre cast in debte that he was not hable to paye, either because y^e quene Margarete his aunte had allured hym, orels for eiuill will & enuie that the kyng should prosper so well. Whē it was kno∣wen y^t he was gooen, & the kyng certified there of, he feared y^t some busynes should ryse by his mea∣nes & was sory y^t he had pardoned hym for his of∣fēce lately cōmitted. But sone after, y^t the erle came from Flaunders, syr Robert Cursone knight & ca∣pitaine of Hāmes castel, feignyng hym selfe to bee one of that conspiracye, wente purposely to espye what the quene entended against kyng Henrye, whyche afterwarde for his so doynge was in greate fauoure wyth hym. For the kynge was so vigylaunte and circumspecte in all his mat∣ters, that he dyd knowe theim namelye that ei∣ther bare hym eiuill will, or woorked any in theyr mynde, whom he caused to bee attached and caste in holde. And emong theim Wyllyam the erle of Deuonshyres sonne, whiche maried ladie Cathe∣ryne daughter to kyng Edward was taken, and another Wyllyam brother to Edmonde earle of Souffolke, Iames Tyrell, Ihon Wyndham. But these two wylliams were taken rather of su∣spection then for any offence of gyltines. Where∣fore

Wylliam this Earles sonne of Deuonshyre after the death of kynge Henrye, was deliuered & had in great fauour wyth the kinges sonne Hen∣rye the eyght, but shortly after whan he beganne to exercyse hym selfe agayne in marciall feates of warre, he sickened of a dysease called (Plureses) and died therewith, whyche because it was straunge and vnknowen to the phisiciās, it was incurable. He lefte one sonne behynde hym alyue to vphold the name of that auncetree. The other Wyllyam brother to Edmunde the earle of Suffolke had also greater fauoure showed hym in pryson, then he had before. And as for Iames Terel, and Ihō Wyndham, because they were traytours, and ma¦nifestly accused of the same, wer put to death, and behedded. But when the earle of Suffolke heard of thys, he was in great despayre wyth hym selfe that he should neuer frame hys matters wel, and so wente all aboute Germanye and Fraunce for ayde and socour, prouyng yf he coulde fynde any helpe at their handes, whom when he perceaued to showe no token of loue towardes him in that behalfe, he made hym subiect to y^t prynce of Flaū∣ders, but hys brother Rychard beyng an experte man, dyd so wysely order and behaue hym selfe in that businesse, that he was not greatlye founde gyltie in any poynt of that matter. The kyng not yet beyng out of all feare of his enemyes, percea∣uyng that many sanctuary men loked for a fayre daye, desired of Alexander byshop of Roome that all traytours and banished men should not be sa∣ued by any sanctuary, and that such as were ther in holde, should take theim herafter as no refuge

and socoure to them, yf thei once gooe out, whych thyng, after the byshoppe had graunted it, was to the ease and quietnes of al the realme.

When the kynge had all hys busines so well ended, and broughte in a good staye. Prynce Ar∣thure dyed halfe a yeare or lesse, after that he had maried ladie Katheryn, for whose death ther was great lamentynge. It is reported also that ladye Katherine feared suche lyke chaunce euermore, for because y^t after she had taken her leaue of her parentes, and sayled towardes England, she was tossed lōg in y^e sea, wyth the violence of the water & the wynd, ere the shyppe coulde haue any lādyng

Not longe after, the quene was broughte ni bedde with a doughter, and died vppon the same, which daughter also taried but for a season after her mother. Ther departed also within short space after, Reynalde Bray, a man for iustice so commē¦dable, that yf any thyng had bene done agaynste good lawe or ryght, he would streyghte reproue y^e kyng for it. Of the same vertue was Ihon Mortō bishoppe, & would do in al thinges as he did in re¦prouing the kinge for the reformation of thinges amisse, which bishop died .ii. yeres before. About y^e tyme also dyed Henry bishop of Cāterbury whose roome Williā Warrā bishop of Lōdon supplied, and in the byshop of Londons place was elected William Barons, after whose deathe succeded Rychrde Fiziames byshop of Chichester

In this yere, which was the .xvi. of hys reygne and of our lorde. M .ccccc. and .ii. yeres, the kynge dyd * 1.12 kept his parliament, wherin manye thynges were dereed, and made for the publike commody∣tee,

and emong other thynges it was determyned that theues and murderers duly conuicted by the lawe to dye, should be burned in y^t hand and quit yf thei could read on the booke any one worde

Furdermore, it was decreed y^t the people should paye certain mony to the kyng, and that the goo∣des of theim that were banished and fled, should be disparsed and set to sale. Also the preestes were commaunded to pay mony for the maintenaunce and sustentacion of the common weale.

And now the kyng drawyng nigh to age, and consideryng the great battayles that he had in ty¦mes past, which (as it was thought) came of ouer muche welthines, prouided a remedy ryght short¦ly for it. And to the entent that menne shoulde not thynck y^t he would oppresse them or do thē wrong for of all people he hated oppressours, therfore he deuised with hym selfe, by what honeste meane he might do it, & thus deuising called to minde y^t En¦glish mē dyd litle passe vpō the obseruaciō of any lawes y^t were made, in so much, y^e yf such a thynge should be called to accompte, he thoughte manye men as well lordes, as other of the lay fee, would bee founde fautie. And so searchyng ouer the sta∣tutes that he had made, punished them a lytle by the pursse that had transgressed theim. After that he appoynted two commyssioners to receaue the forfeictes, the one Richarde Hempson, and the o∣ther Edmunde Dudley booth lawers of the tem∣poraltee, whiche personnes for the desire to please their king had no respect how thei got the monye so thei myght haue it ether by ryght or wrong. Al¦beit, y^e kyng hauyng pitee of his people, after that

he perceaued they were sore punyshed and polled vnknowyng to hym restored to them their mony, of whom it was exacted vniustlye, and depryued thē of their offyce that had so vniustly executed it.

In this yere, dyed quene Elisabeth of Castell wyfe to Ferdinand kyng of Aragone without a∣ny yssue of mā chyld, so that the heritage dyd fall to lady Iohan her eldest daughter, by Ferdinand whiche after was maried to the Earle of Flaun∣ders, thē made by this mariage also chiefe gouer∣noure ouer all that countree.

Shortly after about the .xiii. day of Ianuary which was the yere of our lord. M .ccccc. and fyue thys Earle hauyng a nauye prepared sayled out of Flaunders with his wyfe to Spayne, but he had not set forth longe, ere the wether beganne to chaunge, and tempestes to ryse so, that at the last fearsenes of the wynde, dyd dryue them to the coa¦stes and borders of Englande, wher he landed at an hauē or porte called Wynmouth, sore againste the mynd and consent of all his companie, which knewe well that the same landyng should bee the occasion of long tariyng there. When it was kno¦••n that he was thus landed, there came agreate nomber of harnissed men to proue yf he were the kynges frende or no, whiche when thei perseaued hym to bee his frende, and entended nothing but loue and frendeshippe, Thomas Trencharde the chiefe of that compaignie went to the kyng, desy∣ring hym (yf it would witesalfe) hym to take a lod¦ging at his house, whiche was euen nigh at hand trusting therby to haue thāke of. y^e kynges master whom he certifyed in al the haste of his commyng

Also Iohn Caroe desired hym that he woulde not gooe vntyll suche tyme that he had spoken w^t the kyng his louing and feithfull frende, conside∣ringe that he was within two or thre dayes iour∣ney of hym. So that at length although he layde many excuses to haue been gooen and departed, at their instance taried there with theim. And when y^e kyng was enfourmed of his cōminge, he reioyced highly and sente certaine of his nobilitee to bring hym where he was. Wherfore this Erle seing no remedy but y^t he must nedes tary, he went streight to Windesore where the kyng dyd lye. And short∣lye after folowed his wife quene Iohan. After they two had cōmoned of many thinges together at the laste they beganne to treate of a league and perpetuall amitee to bee had.

And firste Kynge Henrye desired to haue Ed∣monde Poole banished man vnder his captiuitee and bondage. To whome the Earle aunswered & saied that it was not in his power to restore hym, yet after muche entreating and praiyng, the kyng graunted at the laste that he shoulde hee sente to hym righte shortly. After thus for prolonginge of time y^t he might haue his desyre, he brought Phi∣lyp the Earle to London, and there shewing hym his citie, retourned frome thence with hym.

Then Edmonde Poole, seyng that there was no more hope to bee had in foren Princes, and tru¦sting that kyng Henry would put hym at libertee came to Englande willingly to proue his gentle∣nes, that yf vpon this expectacyon and hope, he were deceiued, yet he might at the laste dye and be buryed in his natiue countree.

weare, when he had receyued this garment, he did send Balthesar Castillio a Mantuan borne vnto kyng Henry, whiche receiued of y^e knightes a gar¦ter, in token y^t he should be a knight of the same or∣dre. When this busines was dooen, Lewes the Frenche kyng mistrustyng that he shoulde neuer haue manchild, maryed his eldest doughter Lady Anne to Frances Valese Dolphine Duke of En∣gosye, which was sure a litle before to Charles the kyng of Castell. And when kyng Henry knewe of this, he thought beste to mary his doughter Lady Mary to this Charles kyng of Castell which ma∣riage was confirmed and made at Calise by y^e by∣shop of Winchester & the ambassadours of Flaun¦ders, the Ladye beyng but .x. yeres of age.

And now were the thre yeres expired, at whiche tyme kyng Henry thought his fatal daye to draw nyghe. Therfore to the entente that the people myghte wyshe and praye for hym after his deathe for his kindnesse that he shewed to theim, he cau∣sed a generall pardon to bee geuen vnto all offen∣dours, * 1.13 sauinge onely theues and murderers, be∣cause that they dyd not offende hym, but another manne. For this goodnesse shewed to the people, processyon was in euerye place of the Realme for the safegarde of the kyng.

Neuerthelesse his time was come, y^e God would haue hym, so that he died the .xxi. daye of Apryll, in his palaice of Richemoūde, the whiche was the yere of oure Lorde a thousand fyue hundreth and eyght. His corps was buryed at Westminster in a chappell the whiche he caused to bee buylded. He reigned thre and twentye yeres, and more then

seuē monethes, & liued .lii. Also he had by his wife the quene .viii. children .iiii. menchildren, & .iiii. wo∣men children, of y^e whiche .iii. remained aliue, Hēry prince of Wales, ladie Margaret, & ladie Marie. He was a manne of bodie but leane & spare, albeit mightie & strong therwith, of personage & stature some what higher then y^e meane sorte of menne be, of a wondrefull beautie and faire complexion, through al his bodie, of a merie & laughyng coun¦tenaunce, especially in his cōmunicaciō, thinne te∣thed, & thinne heared, of witte in all thynges like Salomon, of a princely & redoubted stomake, and in greate affaires and matters of weightie impor¦taunce verie wittie For suche thynges as he went aboute, he did theim warely & not without greate deliberacion & breathyng. Besides this, he was so∣bre, moderate, buxome, & bounteouse, & without all pride & highnes of stomake, in so muche, y^t he was hard & rough with theim y^e were noted of y^t crime for no man had so great autorite with him, y^t either durst or could dooe any thyng as his owne fātasie did serue hym, without y^e consent & agrement of o∣ther. Yea he kept this point so wel, y^t he would not suffre his owne mother to haue her will. For this was his saiyng * y^t a kyng was a ruler that should rule & not be ruled. He was also verie iust, & defen¦ded * 1.14 y^e matters & causes of many poore people frō the power of greate menne. And so liuyng all his tyme in vertue, renowne, glorie, and valiauntnes of merciall prowesses, gaue vp his ghoste at the laste, whiche vndoubtedly is in that place, where euerlastyng ioye and gladnes remaineth for euer and euer.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The garde fyrste ordei¦ned by kīge Henry the vii.
• * 1.2

  The swea∣ting sicke∣nesse.
• * 1.3

  The cōmo∣cion made by the lord Louell and the lorde Stafforde.
• * 1.4

  Themurde ryng of the erle of Nor¦thūberland
• * 1.5

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.6

  The kyng of Scottes slain of his subiectes.
• * 1.7

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.8

  Perkyn warbeck.
• * 1.9

  * The blacke Smyth.
• * 1.10

  The .xii. pere of Hē¦ry the .vii.
• * 1.11

  〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.12

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.13

  〈…〉〈…〉all 〈…〉〈…〉done.
• * 1.14

  The no∣ble & wise saiyng of Hēry the seuenth.