The firste [laste] volume of the chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande conteyning the description and chronicles of England, from the first inhabiting vnto the conquest : the description and chronicles of Scotland, from the first original of the Scottes nation till the yeare of our Lorde 1571 : the description and chronicles of Yrelande, likewise from the first originall of that nation untill the yeare 1571 / faithfully gathered and set forth by Raphaell Holinshed.

King Henry the seuenth.

[illustration]

[ 10]

* 1.1KIng Hēry hauing thus got the victorie at Bos∣worth, & slayn his mor∣tal enemie there in field, he sente before his depar∣ture from Leycester, sir Rob. Willoughby kni∣ghte, to the manour of [ 20] Sheriffehuton in the coūtie of York, for Edward Plantagenet Earle of Warwik, son and heire to George duke of Clarence then being of the age of xv. yeares, whom king Richard had kept there as prisoner during the tyme of his vsurped reigne.

Sir Robert Willoughby receyuing the yong Earle of the Constable of that Castel, conueyed him to London, wher he was shut vp in the To∣wer,* 1.2 for doubt least some vnquiet and euill dispo∣sed [ 30] persons might inuent some occasion of newe trouble by this yong Gentleman, and therefore king Henry thought good to haue him sure.

There was beside him in the castell of She∣riffehut in the Ladye Elizabeth eldest daugh∣ter to Kyng Edward the fourth, whome Kyng Rycharde, as yee haue hearde, meant to haue marryed, but God otherwyse ordeyned for hir, and preserued hir from that vnlawfull copula∣tion and incestuous bedde.

Shortly after, she being accompanyed with [ 40] a greate number as wel of noble men, as hono∣rable matrones, was wyth good speed conueyed to London, and brought to hir mother. In the meane season kyng Henry remoued forwarde by soft iourneys toward London, the people com∣myng in from all sides to behold him, and ex∣ceedingly reioycing at his presence,* 1.3 as by their voyces and gestures it well appeared.

At his approching nere to the citie, the Mayre and his brethren, with other worshipfull Citi∣zens, [ 50] being cloathed in violet, met him at Shor∣diche, and reuerently saluted hym, and so wyth greate pompe and triumph, he rode through the citie to the cathedrall Churche of Saint Paule, where he offred three standards: In the one was the image of Saint George, in an other was a red fyerie dragon beaten vpon white and greene sarcenet, and in the third was paynted a Dunne cowe, vpon yealow tarterne. After his prayers sayd, and Te deum song, he departed to the Bi∣shops palaice, and there soiorned a season. Anon after, he assembled togither y^e sage counsellors of the realme, in which counsel lyke a Prince of iust fayth and true of promise, to anoyde all ciuile discorde, he apointed a day to ioyne in mariage with the Lady Elizabeth, heire of the house of York, with his noble personage, heire to the liue of Lancaster, whiche thing not onely reioyced the heartes of the nobles and Gentlemen of the realme, but also gayned the fauours and good willes of all the commons.

After this, with great pompe he rowed vnto Westminster, and there the thirtith day of Oc∣tober, was with all ceremonies accustomed, a∣noynted, and crowned king, by the whole assent as well of the commons as of the nobilitie,* 1.4 and cleped Henry the seuenth of that name, whiche was in the yeare of the worlde .5452. and after the birth of our Lorde .1485. in the .xlvj. yeare of Frederike the thirde then Emperour of Almayne Maximilian his sonne being newly elected K. of Romaines,* 1.5 in the seconde yeare of Charles the eyght then king of Fraunce, and in the .xxv. of king Iames, then ruling the realm of Scotland. For the establishing of all things, as well tou∣ching the preseruation of his owne estate, as the commendable administration of iustice and pre∣ferrement of the common wealth of his realme, he called his hygh court of Parliament at West∣minster the seuenth day of Nouember,* 1.6 wherein was attainted Richarde late Duke of Glouce∣ster, calling and namyng himselfe by vsurpati∣on, King Richard the thirde: likewise there was attainted as chiefe ayders and assistants to him in the battayle at Bosworth, auaunced againste the present Kyng, Iohn late Duke of Norf∣folke, Thomas Earle of Surrey, Francis Lo∣uell knyght Vicont Louell. Water Deuereux knight late lorde Ferrers, Iohn lorde Souche, Robert Harrington, Richarde Charleton, Ri∣chard Ratcliffe, William Barkley of Weley, Robert Midleton, Iames Harrington, Roberte Brakēbury, Thomas Pilkinton, Walter Hop∣ton, William Catesby, Roger Wake, Williā Sapcote of the countie of Huntington, Hum∣frey Stafforde, William Clerke of Wenlocke, Geoffrey Sainte Germaine, Richarde Wat∣kyns Herraulde of Armes, Rycharde Reuell of Darbyshire, Thomas Pulter of the countie of Kente, Iohn Walche, otherwyse called Ha∣stynges, Iohn Kendall late Secretarie of the sayde Richarde late Duke of Gloucester, Iohn Bucke, Andrewe Rat, and Willyam Bramp∣ton of Burforde, in whiche atteynder neuerthe∣lesse there were dyuers clauses and Prouisos for the benefyte of their wiues and other persons

that hadde or myghte clayme any ryghte, title, or interest lawfully vnto any castels, manours, lordships, townes, townships, honors, lands, te∣nementes, rentes, seruices, fee fermes, annuities, knightes fees, aduousons, reuersions, remainders, and other hereditaments, wherof the said persons atteynted were possessed or seysed, to the vses of suche other persons, with a speciall prouiso also, that the sayd atteynder should not be preiudiciall to Iohn Catesby knight, Tho. Reuell, and Wil∣liam [ 10] Ashby esquiers, in, of, and vpon the manor of Kirkeby vpon Wretheke in the Countie of Leycester, nor in of and vppon any other landes and tenementes in Kirkby aforesayde, Melton, Somerby, Throp•…•…eghfield, and Godeby, whiche they had of the gift & feoffement of Tho. Dau∣uers, and Iohn Lye. And further notwith∣standing this attainder, dyuers of the sayde per∣sons afterwardes were not only by the Kig par∣doned, but also restored to their lands & liuings: [ 20] and moreouer in this presente Parliamente, hee caused poclamation to be made, that al mē, were pardoned and acquited of their offences, whiche woulde submit themselues to his mercy, and re∣ceiue an othe to be true and faithfull vnto hym: whervpon many that came out of Sainctuaries and other places were receiued to grace, and ad∣mitted for his subiectes. After this, hee began to remember his especiall frends, of whom some he aduaunced to honor and dignitie, and some hee [ 30] enriched with goodes and possessions, euery man according to his deserts and merites. And to be∣gin, his vncle Iasper erle of Pembroke, he crea∣ted duke of Bedford: Tho. lorde Stanley was created erle of Darby, & the L. Chandew of Bri∣tain his especial frend, he made erle of Bath: Sir Giles Daubency was made lord Daubeney: sir Robert Willoughby was made L. Brooke: And Edward Stafforde eldest sonne to Henrye late [ 40] Duke of Buckingham, he restored to his name, dignitie and possessions, which by king Richard were confiscate and attainted.

Beside this, in this parliament was this nota∣ble acte assented to and concluded as followeth.

To the pleasure of Almightye God, wealth, prosperitie and suretie of this Realme of Eng∣land, and to the singular comfort of all the kin∣ges subiectes of the same, in auoyding all ambi∣guitie and questions:* 1.7 Be it ordeined, established, and enacted by this present parliament, that the [ 50] inheritance of the crowne of this realme of En∣gland, and also of Fraunce, with all the preemi∣nēce, and dignitie royal to the same apertaining and all other seigniories to the king belongyng, beyond the sea, w^t the appurtenāces therto in any wise due or apertaining, shal rest remain & abide in the most royal person of our nowe soueraigne lord K. Henry the seuēth, and in the heires of his body laufully coming, perpetually, with y^e grace of god so to endure, & in none other.

And beside this act, al atteynders of this K. enacted by king Edward and Kyng Richard were adnichilate, and the recorde of the same adiudged to be defa∣ced, and all persones attented for his cause and occasion were restored to their goods landes and possessions.

Diuers acts also made in this time of king Ed∣ward and king Richard were reuoked, and other adiudged more expedient for the cōmon wealthe were put in their places and concluded. After the dissolution of this parliament, the king remem∣bring his frends left in hostage beyonde the seas, that is to wit, the Marques Dorset, and sir Io. Bourchier, he with all conueniēt spede redemed them, & sente also into Flanders for Iohn Mor∣ton Bishop of Ely. These actes performed, he chose to bee of his counsayle, a conuenient num∣ber of right graue and wyse counsellours.

Although by this meanes al things seemed to be brought in good and perfect order, yet ther lac∣ked a wrest to the harpe, to set all the strings in a monacorde and perfecte tune, which was the matrimonie to be finished betwene the king and the Lady Elizabeth, daughter to king Edward, which like a good Prince, according to his othe, & promise,* 1.8 did both solemnise & cosummate shorte∣ly after, that is to saye, on the .xviij. day of Ia∣nuarie, by reason of whych mariage, peace was thought to descende out of heauen into Englād, considering that the lynes of Lancaster & Yorke were now brought into one knot, and connexed togither, of whose two bodies, one heire myghte succeede to rule and enioye the whole monarchie and realme of Englande. Shortly after, for the better preseruation of his royall person, he con∣stituted and ordeyned a certaine number, as well of good Archers, as of dyuers other persons, har∣die, strong, and actiue, to giue dayly attendance on his persone, whome he named yeomen of his garde,* 1.9 which president men thought that he ler∣ned of the French king, when he was in France.

For it is not remembred, that any Kyng of Englande before that daye vsed any such furni∣ture of dayly souldiours.

In the same yeare a newe kynde of sicknesse inuaded sodeynly the people of this lande,* 1.10 pas∣sing thorough the same from the one ende to the other. It began about the .xxj. of September, and continued till the latter end of October, be∣yng so sharpe and deadly, that the lyke was ne∣uer hearde of to any mannes remembrance be∣fore that tyme. For sodeynely a deadely bur∣nyng sweate so assayled theyr bodies,* 1.11 and di∣stempered their bloud wyth a moste ardent heat, that scarse one amongst an hundred that sickned did escape with life: for all in maner as soone as

the sweat tooke them, or within a short tyme af∣ter yelded vp the ghost: besyde the great number which deceassed within the citie of London two Mayres successiuely died within viij. days & .vj. Aldermē. At length by the diligent obseruatiō of those that escaped (whiche marking what things had done thē good, & holpen to their deliuerance, vsed the lyke agayne: when they fell into the same disease,* 1.12 the second or thirde tyme, as to dy∣uers it chaunced, a remedie was founde for that [ 10] mortall maladie, which was this: If a man on the daye tyme were taken with the sweate, then should he streight lye downe withal his clothes and garments, and continue in hys sweat .xxiiij. houres, after so moderate a sort as might bee. If in the nyghte hee chaunced to be taken, then shoulde he not ryse out of his bedde for the space of .xxiiij. houres, so castyng the cloathes that he myght in no wyse prouoke the sweate, but so lye temperately, that the water mighte distyll out [ 20] softly of the owne accord, and to abstein from all meat if he might so long suffer hunger, & to take no more drinke neyther hot nor colde, thā wold moderatly quench & assuage his thirstie appetite. And thus with lukewarme drinke, temperate heate, and measurable clothes manye escaped: fewe whiche vsed this order after it was founde out dyed of that sweat. Mary one point diligēt∣ly aboue all other in this cure is to be obserued, that he neuer put out his hande or feete out of the [ 30] bed, to refreshe or coole himself, which to do is no lesse ieopardie than short and present death.

Thus this disease comming in the first yeare of king Henries reigne, was iudged (of some) to be a token and signe of a troublous reigne of the same king, as the profe partly afterwardes she∣wed it selfe.

The king standing in neede of money to dis∣charge suche debtes, and to maynteyn such port as was behouefull, sente the Lorde Treasourer [ 40] with Maister Reignold Bray, and others, vnto the Lord Mayre of London, requiryng of the Citie a prest of sixe thousand markes. Whervp∣on the sayd Lord Mayre and his brethren, with the Commons of the Citie, graunted a preast of two thousande poundes, whiche was leuyed of the companies, and not of the wardes: and in the yeare next ensuyng, it was well and tru∣ly agayne repayde euery penny, to the good con∣tentation and satisfying of them that disbur∣sed [ 50] it.

The king considering that the suretie of his royall estate and defence of the realme consisted chiefly in good lawes and ordinaunces to bee hadde and obserued among his people, summo∣ned eftsoones his highe courte of Parliamente, therein to deuise and establishe some profitable actes and statutes, for the wealth and commo∣ditie of his people, and then after hauyng sette thinges in quiet about London, hee tooke his iorney into the North partes, there to purge all the dregges of malicious treason that myghte rest in the heartes of vnquiet persons, and name∣ly in Yorkeshire, where the people bare more fa∣uour vnto king Richarde in his lyfe tyme, than those of any other part of the realm had cōmon∣ly doon. He kept the feast of Easter at Lincolne, where hee was certified that the Lorde Louell and Humfrey Stafforde, and Thomas Staf∣forde, his brother were departed out of the San∣ctuarie at Colchester, to what place or whether no man as yet could tell.

The King little regarding the matter, kept on his iourney, and came to Yorke, where as soone as he was once setled, it was openly shewed and declared for a truthe to the King hymselfe,* 1.13 that Frauncis Lorde Louell was at hande wyth a strong and mightye power of men, and woulde with all diligence inuade the citie, also that the forenamed Staffords were in Worcestershire,* 1.14 & had reysed a greate bande of the countrey people and commons there, and hadde caste lottes what parte should assault the gates, what men should scale the walles of the Citie of Worcester, and who should let the passages for lettyng of rescues and aiders.

The Kyng coulde not beleeue thys reporte to bee true at the firste, but after that by Letters of credence sente from hys friendes, hee was fully perswaded that it was too true, hee was put in no small feare, and not without greate cause, for hee wisely considered, that hee neyther hadde any competent army ready, nor conuenient fur∣niture to arme them that were present. And also hee was in suche place, where hee coulde not as∣semble anye power, but of those whome hee sore mistrusted, as friendes to them that were moste his enemies, the memorie of King Richarde as yet being not amongst thē forgotten nor worne out of minde.

But bycause the matter required quicke ex∣pedition, hee appoynted the Duke of Bedforde wyth three thousande men not altogyther the beste armed (for theyr breast plates for the most parte were of tanned leather,) to marche foorth agaynst the Lorde Louell, and to sette vppon him without any lingring of tyme.

The Duke hastyng forwarde, approchyng to the Campe of hys enimyes, and before hee woulde assayle them, hee caused the Herraldes to make proclamation, that all those that wold departe from theyr armure, and submitte them∣selues as subiectes vnto theyr naturall Prince and soueraigne Lorde, should be pardoned of all former offences.

The Lord Louel vppon this Proclamation,

eyther putting mystrust in hys Souldiours, or fearyng himselfe in his owne behalfe, fled priui∣ly in a nyght from his companie, and lefte them as a flocke of sheepe without a shepeherd: which departure when his armie vnderstoode, it put the souldiours in suche dispayre of atchieuing anye further enterprise, that they immediatly put off their armour, and came directly vnto the Duke, euery man humbly submitting himselfe, and de∣siring pardon of his offences. [ 10]

So in this wyse was that dangerous storme and cruell rage of those furious rebelles appea∣sed, whiche was doubted to haue growne to the destruction of many a man. The Lord Louell the procurer of this businesse, escapyng awaye, got him into Lancashyre, and there for a certain space laye lurkyng in secrete with Sir Thomas Broughton knight, which in those parties was a man of no small authoritie & power. Sir Hum∣frey Stafforde also hearyng what hadde happe∣ned [ 20] to the Lorde Louell,* 1.15 in great displeasure and sorrowe, and for feare lefte his enterpryse, and in lyke manner fledde, and tooke Sainctuarie at C•…•…ham, a village not paste two myles from Abyndon. But bycause that Sainctuarie was not a sufficient defence (as was proued before the Iustices of the Kings benche) for traytours, hee was taken from that place, and broughte to the Tower, and after put to execution at Tyborne: but his brother Thomas that was with hym, [ 30] was pardoned, bycause hee was thought not to haue attempted anye thyng of hym selfe other∣wyse than by the euill counsell and perswasion of his elder brother.

* 1.16After that the Kyng hadde quieted all these commotions and tumultes, and reformed the rude & brabblyng people of the North partes, he retourned to London, and shortly after he went to Winchester,* 1.17 where his wyfe Queene Eli∣zabeth was brought to bedde of a fayre Prince, [ 40] named at his baptisme Arthur.

In thys meane tyme, of a small matter and the same altogether false and fayned, there was an open path made and beaten foorth, for a grea∣ter inconuenience to ensue: the whyche matter myghte seeme verye straunge howe suche trou∣ble and myschiefe shoulde growe thereof, if the tyme were not consydered, in whyche it happe∣ned: for in those dayes manye persons, ey∣ther borne in the wombe of continuall dissen∣tion, [ 50] or nouryshed wyth the mylke of Ciuile sedition, coulde not forbeare theyr vsuall Cu∣stome of mouyng stryfe, and sowyng debate, euer gladde to haue any occasion, thoughe ne∣uer so small, to styrre vprores of warre, and slaughter of people.

Amongest other suche monsters and lym∣mes of the Diuell, there was one Sir Richard Symond Priest, a man of base byrthe,* 1.18 and yet well learned, but not so learned as wyly, nor so wylye as vngracious, delightyng in fraude and deceyte, euen from hys youthe vppe, had a scho∣ler called Lamberte Symenell,* 1.19 one of a gentle nature and pregnaunt witte, to bee the organe and chiefe Instrument, by the whych he might conueye and bryng to passe hys myschie•…•…s attempte.

The diuell chiefe maister of suche practises, put in the venemous brayne of this disloyal and trayterous Prieste, to deuyse howe hee myghte make his Scholler the foresayde Lamberte to bee reputed as ryght inheritour to the Crowne of thys realme: namely for that the fame went that Kyng Edwardes chyldren were not dead, but fledde secretely into some straunge place, and there to be lyuyng: and that Edward earle of Warwyke, sonne and heyre to the Duke of Clarence, either was, or shortly shuld be put vn∣to death.

These rumors though they semed not to be grounded of any lykelyhoode to the wyser sor•…•…e of men, yet encouraged this pienishe Prieste to thinke the tyme come, that his Scholer Lam∣bert might take vpon him the person and name of one of king Edwardes children, and herevp∣pon at Oxforde, where their abyding was, the said Priest instructed his pupil both with prince∣ly behauiour, ciuill maners, and good literature, declaryng to hym of what lynage he should af∣firme himselfe to be descended, and omitted no∣thing that might serue for his purpose.

Soone after, the rumour was blowne abrode, that the Earle of Warwike was broken out of prison. And when the Priest sir Richarde Sy∣monde hearde of this, he streight intended now by that occasion to bryng his inuented purpose to passe, and chaungyng the chyldes name of baptisme, called him Edward, after the name of the yong Earle of Warwike, the whiche were both of lyke yeres, & of like stature, and then he with his scholer sayled into Irelande, where hee so sette foorth the mater vnto the nobilitie of that countreye,* 1.20 that not onely the Lorde Thomas Gerardine Chauncellour of that lande deceiued through his craftie tale, receyued the counterfaite Earle into his Castell, with all honour and re∣uerence, but also many other noble men, deter∣mined to ayde hym (with all their powers) as one descended of the bloud royall, and lyneally come of the house of Yorke, whiche the Irishe people euermore hyghly fauored, honoured and loued aboue all other.

By this meanes euery manne throughout all Irelande, was willyng and ready to take his parte, and to submit themselues to him, already reputing and calling him of all hands king. So

that nowe they of this secte by the aduice of the Prieste sente into England certayn priuie mes∣sangers to get friendes here, & also they sent into Flanders to y^e Ladie Margarete,* 1.21 sister to King Edward, & late wyfe to Charles Duke of Bur∣gogne, to purchase ayde and helpe at hir handes.

Thys Ladie Margarete bare no smal rule in the low countreys, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verie deede sore geud∣ged in hir heart, that Kyng Henrye being de∣scended of the house of Lancaster, should reigne [ 10] and gouerne the realme of Englande: and ther∣fore though she well vnderstoode, that thys was but a coloured matter, •…•…t to woorke hir mali∣cious intention against K. Henry, she was glad to haue so fitte an occasion: and therefore pro∣mised the messengers all the ayde that she should bee able to make in furtheraunce of the quarrell, and also to procure al the frendes she could in o∣ther places to be aiders and partakers of the same conspiracie.

Kyng Henrye aduertized of al these doings, was greately vexed therwith, and therefore to haue good aduise in the matter, hee called togy∣ther his counsell at the Charterhouse besyde his manour of Richmond, and there consulted with thē, by which meanes best this begon conspiracie might be appesed and disappointed without more disturbaunce. It was therfore determined, that a generall pardon should be published to all offen∣ders [ 30] that were content to receyue the same.

This pardon was so freely graunted, that no offence was excepted, no not so muche as high treason committed agaynste the Kinges royall person.

It was further agreed in the same Counsell for the tyme then present, that the Erle of War∣wike should personally be shewed abroade in the citie, and other publike places, whereby the vn∣true reporte falsly spred abroade, that he shoulde be in Irelande, myght be amongest the commi∣naltie [ 40] proued and knowen for a vayne imagi∣ned lye.

In this solemne counsel diuers & many things for the wealth of the realme were debated & con∣cluded, and amongest other it was determyned,* 1.22 that the Lady Elizabeth wyfe to King Edward the fourth, should leese and forfayte all hir lands and possessions, bycause she had voluntarily sub∣mitted hir selfe, and hir daughters wholly to the handes of king Richarde, contrarye to hir pro∣mise [ 50] made to the Lordes and nobles of thys realme in the beginnyng of the conspiracie made against king Richard, wherby she did inough to haue quayled all the purpose of them that ioyned with hir in that mater: But thoughe hir faulte was greeuous, yet was it iudged by some men that shee deserued not by equitie of Iustice so greate a losse and punishement.

But suche was hir chaunce by that hir light∣nesse and incoustancie, she wanne the displea∣sure o•…•… many manner, and for that causely p•…•… after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the abbey of Be•…•…ndsey besyde So•…•…h∣warke, a wretched and a miserable lyfe, where not manye yeeres after she deceassed, and is bu∣ryed with hir husband at Windsore.

Though Fortune thus ruleth many thynges at his pleasure, yet one woorke that this Queene accomplished, can not bee forgotten: For in the lyfe tyme of hir husbande Kyng Edwarde the fourth,* 1.23 shee founded and erected a notable Col∣ledge in the vniuersitie of Cambridge for the fynding of Scholers and studentes of the same vniuersitie, and endowed it with sufficient pos∣sessions for the long mayntenaunce of the same, whyche at thys daye is called the Queenes Colledge.

When all thyngs in thys counsell were sa∣gely concluded and agreed to the kings mynde, he retourned to London, giuing in commaunde∣ment that the next Sunday ensuyng, Edward the young Earle of Warwike shuld be brought from the Tower thorough the moste publyque streetes in all London, to the Cathedrall Chur∣che of Saint Paule, where hee wente openlye in Procession, that euery man myght see him, hauing communication with many noblemen, and with them especially, that were suspected to bee partakers of the late begonne conspiracye, that they myght perceyue howe the Irishmenne vppon a vayne shadowe moued warre againste the Kyng and his realme.

But this medicine little auayled to euill dis∣posed persons. For the Earle of Lincolne sonne to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolk, and Eli∣zabeth sister to king Edwarde the fourth, thyn∣king it not meete to neglect and omitte so ready an occasion of newe trouble, determyned to vpholde the enterprise of the Irishmenne, and other complices of this conspiracie: Whervp∣pon consultyng wyth Syr Thomas Brough∣ton, and certayne other of hys moste trustye friendes, purposed to sayle into Flaunders so his Aunte the Lady Margaret duchesse of Bur∣gogne, trusting by hir helpe to make a puissant armie, and to ioyne with the companions of the newe raised sedition.

Therefore after the dissolution of the Parlia∣mente, whiche then was holden, he fledde secret∣ly into Flaunders vnto the sayd Ladie Marga∣rete, where Francis Lorde Louell landed cer∣taine dayes before. Here after long consulta∣tion had howe to proceede in their businesse, it was agreed, that the Earle of Lyncolne, and the Lorde Louell shoulde goe into Irelande, and there to attend vpon the duchesse hir coun∣terfaite nephue, & to honor him as a K. and with

the power of the Irishemen to bryng hym into Englande, and if their dooyngs hadde good suc∣cesse, then the foresayde Lamberte, (my••••amed the Erle of Warwike) shoulde by the consente of the counsell bee deposed, and Edwarde the true Earle of Warwike to bee delyuered out of pri∣son and anoynted king.

King Henry supposyng that no man woulde haue bin so madde as to haue attempted anye further enterprise in the name of that new found [ 10] counterfayted Earle, hee onely studyed howe to subdue the seditions conspiracie of the Irishmen: But hearyng that the Earle of Lincolne was fledde into Flaunders, he was somwhat moued therwith, and caused. Souldiors to bee put in a readynesse out of euery part of his Realme, and to bring them into one place assigned, that when his aduersaries shoulde appeare, hee mighte so∣deynely sette vppon them, vanquishe and ouer∣come them. [ 20]

* 1.24Thus disposing things for his suretie, he went towardes Saint Edmundes Burye, and beeing certifyed, that the Marques Dorset was com∣ming towardes his Maiestie, to excuse himselfe of thinges that hee was suspected to haue doone when he was in Fraunce, hee sente the Earle of Oxford to arrest the sayde Marques by the way and to conueye hym to the Tower of London, there to remayne till his truthe might be tryed.

From thence the King wente foorth to Nor∣wiche,* 1.25 [ 30] and tarying there Christmasse daye, de∣parted after to Walsingham, where he offereed to the Image of our Ladye, and then by Cam∣bridge, he shortly retourned to London.

* 1.26In this meane tyme, the Earle of Lincolne had gotten togyther by the ayd of the lady Mar∣garet about .ij.M. Almayns with one Martine Swarde, a noble capitaine to leade them With this power the Erle of Lincolne sayled into Ire∣land, and at the citie of Diuelyn, caused young [ 40] Lambert to be proclaymed and named kyng of Englande, after the moste solemne fashion, as though he were the verie heire of the bloud royal lineally borne and descended.

And so with a greate multitude of beggerly Irishmenne, almoste all naked and vnarmed, sauyng skaynes and mantelles,* 1.27 of whome the Lorde Thomas Gerardine was Capitayn and conductour, they sayled into Englande wyth thys newe founde kyng, and landed for a pur∣pose [ 50] at the pyle of Fowdreye, wythin a little of Lancaster, trustyng there to fynde ayde by the meanes of sir Thomas Broughton, one of the chiefe companyons of the conspiracie.

The Kyng hadde knowledge of the enimies intente before theyr arriuall, and therefore ha∣uyng assembled a greate Armye, (ouer the whyche the Duke of Bedforde, and the Earle of Oxforde were chiefe Capitayne,) hee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Couentrye, where hee was aduertised, the•…•… the Earle of Lincolne was landed at Lanca∣ster with his newe kyng.

Here he tooke aduice of his counsellors what was best to be doone, whether to for team the •…•…∣myes wythoute further delaye, or to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tyme a whyle, but at length it was thoughte beste to delaye no tyme, but to gyue them bat∣tayle before they shoulde encrease the•…•… power, and therevppon hee remoued to Nodynghame, and there by a little woodde called B•…•…wres, he•…•… pitched hys fielde, vnto whome shortely came the Lorde George Talbot Earle of Shre•…•…es∣burye, the Lorde Straunge, Sir Iohn Chey∣nye, ryght valyaunt Capitaynes, with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other noble and experte menne of warre, namely of the countreyes neere adioyning, so that the Kynges armie was wonderfully increase.

In this space the Earle of Lincolne beeyng entred into Yorkeshyre, passed safelly on hys iourney withoute spoyling or hurting of anye manne, trustyng thereby to haue some com∣panye of people resorte vnto hym, but after hee perceyued fewe or none to followe hym, and that it was too late nowe to retourne backe, he determyned to try the matter by dynt of sword, and heere vppon directed hys waye from Yorke to Newarke vppon. Trente, but before he came there, Kyng Henrye knowing all hys enemies purposes, came the nighte before the day of the battayle to Newark, and tarrying there a little, went three myles further, and pitching hir field, lodged there that night.

The Earle of Lincolne certified of his com∣ming, was nothing abashed, but kepte still on his iourney, and at a little village called Stole, night to the Kyng and his armye, sette downe his rampe.

The nexte daye the King deuided his whole power into three battayls,* 1.28 and after in good ar∣ray, approched nygh to the towne of Stoke.

The Earle likewyse set foorth his army, & en∣countring with the kings people in a faire playn there, meete for the tryall of suche a conflict, set vppon them with a manly courage, desiring his souldiors to remember his honor and their owne liues. And so both the armies ioyned and fought verye earnestly, in so muche that the Almaynes,* 1.29 beeyng tryed and experte menne of warre, were in all thynges, as well in strengthe as polli∣cie, egall and matches to the Englishemenne. But as for Martine Swarde theyr Coronell, fewe of the Englishemen, eyther in valyaunt courage or strength, and nymblenesse of bodye was to hym comparable. On the other syde, the Irishmen, although they fought manfully, and stucke to it valiantly, yet bicause they were

after the maner of their countrey, almost naked, without anye conuenable furniture of armour they were striken downe and slayn lyke dull and brute beastes, which was a great discouragemēt

[illustration]

to the residue of the companie.

Thus they foughte for a space so sore and so egrely on both partes, that no manne coulde well iudge, to whome the victorie was lyke to enclyne.

But at lengthe the Kings fore warde beyng full of people, and well fortifyed wyth winges, whiche only both began and continued the fight, set vpon the aduersaries with such force and vio∣lence, [ 30] that first they oppressed and killed such ca∣pitaynes one by one as resisted their mighte and puissaunce. And after that, put all the other to flyghte, the whiche were eyther apprehended as Prisoners in their running away, or els slayne and broughte vnto confusyon in a small mo∣mente.

But when thys battayle was ended, and fought out to the extremitie, then it wel appered, [ 40] what hyghe prowes, what manfull stomackes, what hardie and couragious heartes rested in the kings aduersaries.* 1.30 For there the chiefe captaines the Earle of Lincolne, and the Lorde Louell, Sir Thomas Broughton, Martine Swarde, and the Lorde Gerardine capitain of the Irish∣men were slaine and found dead in the verie pla∣ces whiche they hadde chosen alyue to fighte in, not giuing one foote of grounde to theyr aduer∣saries. Howbeit some affirme, that the lord Lo∣uell tooke his horsse, and would haue fledde ouer [ 50] Trente, but was not able to recouer the further side for the highnesse of the banke, and so was drowned in the ryuer.

There were killed at that battaile with theyr fiue captains before rehersed, of that parfie about foure thousand. Of the kings part there wer not half of them which fought in the fore warde, and gaue the onset, slayne or hurt. Then was Lam∣bert the youngling,* 1.31 whiche was falsly reported to be the sonne of the duke of Cla•…•…nce, and his maister sir Richard Symond Priest both taken, but neyther of them put to death, bycause that Lambert was but an innocent, and of yeares in∣sufficient of hymselfe to doe any such enterprise, and the other was pardoned of lyfe, bycause hee was a priest, and annoynted man, but yet was committed to perpetuall pryson.

Lamberte was at lengthe made one of the kings Faulconers, after that he had bin a turne∣broache for a space in the kings kitchen.

This battayle was soughte on a Saterdaye beyng the sixteenth day of Iune, in thys second yeare of this kings reygne.

In whiche yeare also dyed Thomas Bour∣chier Archebishoppe of Canterburye: and Iohn Moorton Bishoppe of Elye,* 1.32 a manne of excel∣lente learnyng, vertue and policie, succeeded in his place, whome Alexander Pope of Rome, the sixte of that name, created a Cardinall, and the Kyng created hym hygh Chauncel∣lour of England.

After that the King had got the vpper hand of his enimies, hee remoued to Lincolne, and there carryed three dayes, causyng euery of the same dayes solemne processions to bee made in rendryng thankes to GOD for his fortunate victorye.

Then caused he execution to be done of suche rebels and traytors,* 1.33 as were taken in the field ei∣ther at the battaile, or in the chase. And shortely after he went into Yorkshire, and there coasted the countrey ouerthware, searching out suche as had ayded his enimies, and were thought to bee seditions persons, whome be punished, some by imprisonmēt, some by fines, and some by death,

according to the qua litie of their offences, and as was thought most expedient.

* 1.34About the middest of August entring into the the thirde yeare of his reigne, he came to New∣castell vpon Tyne,* 1.35 and from thence sent in am∣bassade into Scotland, Richard Foxe, lately be∣fore made Bishoppe of Excester, and with hym Richarde Edgecombe knight Controller of hys howse, to conclude some peace or truce wyth king Iames of Scotlande. The Englishe am∣bassadors [ 10] were honourably receiued and louing∣ly entertayned of the sayde King, who gladlye woulde haue concluded a perpetuall peace wyth the king of England if he might haue bin licen∣ced so to haue done, but his people being stedfast in their olde accustomed vsage, would not agree to any peace, but yet were contented to gratifie their kyng,* 1.36 that he should take truce wyth En∣glande for the terme of seauen yeares, whyche was concluded, and secrete promyse made by [ 20] King Iames, that he woulde not only obserue peace, and continue in perfecte amitie with the king of England during his life, but also would renew againe this truce now taken for other se∣uen yeares before the first seuen yeares wer fully expired.

The King of Scottes in deed was as desy∣rous of the Kyng of Englandes friendshippe as the Kyng of Englande was of his, bicause that his subiects bare him much euill will, mislyking [ 30] wyth all things that eyther he coulde do or say.

King Henry after the returne of his Ambas∣sadors out of Scotland, came back again from Newcastell to Yorke, and so towarde London, and in the way being at Leycester, there came to him Ambassadoures from Charles the Frenche king, which declared both the recouerie of certain townes out of the handes of Maximilian kyng of Romains which he had wrongfully deteined from the crowne of Fraunce before that tyme, [ 40] and also that their Maister kyng Charles, had nowe warres in hande agaynst Fraunces duke of Britayn, bicause that he succored and main∣teyned diuers noble men, as the Duke of Or∣leans and others that were rebelles and traytors against him and the realm of France. Wherfore his request was, that for the olde familiaritie whiche hath bin betwixt them, he woulde nowe eyther assist and helpe him, or else stand as neu∣ter betwixte them, neyther helping nor yet hur∣ting [ 50] the one nor the other.

Vpon good and deliberate aduice takē in this matter, bicause it was iudged weightie, the king for answere told the French Ambassadors, that he woulde neyther spare payne nor coste, to sette some reasonable staye betwixte their soueraigne Lord king Charles, and the duke of Britayne, so that a finall ende and some perfect conclusion of frendshippe myght be hadde betwixt them. And so as soone as the Frenche Ambassadoures were retourned home, the Kyng sente his cha∣playne Christofer Vrswyke ouer into France to king Charles, as wel to shew that he was gladde of the victorye whiche he had agaynst Maximi∣lian, as to declare what a tempestuous storme of ciuile rebellion hymselfe hadde escaped, and ouercome heere in Englande,

But the chiefest poynt of Vrswikes errande consisted in this, that he shoulde intimate to the Frenche Kyng howe his maister Kyng Henrye offred himselfe as a mediatour betwixt him and the Duke of Britayne, to make them friend•…•…, and if he perceyued that the French king gaue care hereunto, then should he goe into Brit•…•…, to moue the Duke there to be contented, that some reasonable order myghte hee taken fo•…•…a quietnesse to be hadde betwixte the French king and hym.

Whylest Vrswike was trauaylyng in thys matter according to his Commission,* 1.37 the King came backe againe to London, where hee was receyued of the Citizens wyth greate ioye and triumphe, they beeing hartyly gladde and great∣ly reioycing that hee wyth suche good successe subdued his enimies.

Shortly after, he delyuered the Lorde Tho∣mas Marques Dorset out of the Tower, recey∣uing him agayn to his former fauor & old fami∣liaritie, bicause his truth and loyaltie by diuers assays and sundry arguments had bin through∣ly tryed and sufficiently proued.

In whyche meane tyme the Kyng for the greate loue that hee bare to hys wyfe Queene Elizabeth, caused hir to be crowned and anoin∣ted Queene on Sainct Catherins daye in No∣uember, wyth all solemnitie, as in suche cases appertayneth.

In the meane season Christofer Vrswyke accordyng to hys Commission, trauayleth be∣tweene the Frenche Kyng and the Duke of Britayne in the Kyng of Englandes name to make them friendes: But although the French Kyng seemed wyllyng ynough to haue peace, yet meante hee nothyng lesse, in so muche that whylest hee goeth aboute with fayre wordes, courteous Letters, and sweet promises to keepe the King of Englande in hande to laboure a peace betwixte hym and the Brytaynes, he en∣forceth his whole puissance to subdue them, and besiegeth the citie of Nauntes. And on the other part, the Duke of Orleans being withdrawn to the duke of Britain, and one that ruled moste a∣bout him, had no liking to heare of peace, but did what he coulde to hinder it.

The English ambassador Christoffer Vrse∣wike hauyng thus passed from the Frenche king

to the Duke of Britaine, and backe againe to the French King, retourned shortely after in∣to Englande, and shewed vnto King Henrye what hee hadde done betwixt them.

Immediatlye after came from the Frenche King the Lorde Bernarde Daubeney a Scot borne, whyche on the Frenche Kings behalfe required King Henry to make some maner of ende of those Brittishe warres, whatsoeuer it were. King Henry being desirous of the same, [ 10] sent ouer againe into Fraunce, Iohn the Abbot of Abingdon, sir Richard Edgecombe knight, and the forenamed Christofer Vrswicke wyth full and perfect commission and long instructi∣ons howe to proceede in d•…•…yng of some agre∣ment beetwixt the Frenchmenne and the Bri∣tons.

These orators accordyng as they hadde in [ 20] commaundement, first went vnto the Frenche king, and after they had communed wyth him, Sir Richarde Edgecombe, & Christofer Vrs∣wicke departed straight to the duke of Britain in full hope to conclude a peace vpon suche of∣fers and articles as they had to propone vnto hym. But al their hope was vaine, for the duke refused to agree vppon any suche articles and conditions as they offered, and so without cō∣cluding any thyng with the Duke, they retur∣ned backe into Fraunce, and from thence sig∣nified [ 30] to the King of Englande by letters, all that they knewe or had done.* 1.38 * 1.39 But in the mean time Edwarde Lorde Wooduille vncle to the Queene, sued to King Henrye that hee myght haue a power of men apointed to him, with the whiche hee woulde steale priuily ouer without licence or passeport, so that euery man shoulde thinke that he was fledde the Realme, without knowlege of the king, for that no warre should arise by his meanes beetwixt the Realmes of Fraunce and England, and yet shuld the duke [ 40] of Britaine bee aided agaynste the power of the Frenchemen, whiche sought to vanquishe hym that they myght ioyne hys countrey vnto the dominion of Fraunce, which in no wise ought to be suffred, consideryng what annoyaunce & hurte the same myght bryng to the Realme of Englande in time to come.

Althoughe this requeste was vtterly deny∣ed, and that the Lord Wooduile was straight∣ly commaunded by the kyng to make no suche [ 50] attempt, yet coulde not all that staye hym, but that withdrawing him into the Ile of Wight, whereof he was made ruler and capitaine, hee there gathered togyther a crewe of talle and hardy personages, to the number of .iiij.C. and with prosperous winde and weather arriued in Britaine, and ioined himself with the Britons againste the Frenchemen.

The Frenche King adu•…•…ed hereof, was not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pleased in his minde towards the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Englande, till king Henry by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 massen¦gers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…d •…•…m 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ilties he was in the ma•…•… and that by plaine 〈…〉〈…〉 With the whiche excuse the Frenche King see∣med th•…•… •…•…ter pacifyed, and was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to dissimu•…•…e the matter.* 1.40 And so the English•…•… •…•…¦bassadors renewing the league and a•…•… be∣twixt King Henry, and the Frenche kyng, for the space of twelue M•…•…thes they •…•…ued into England, and shewed the king all things that they had eyther b•…•…de or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so that he perceyued that the Frenche king d•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 in this •…•…er of Britayne, f•…•…yll mor•…•…nyng peace when hee ment nothyng else but wa•…•… He therefore called his •…•…g•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the of Parlia∣ment, in the which it was not only determined that the Duke of Britaine shuld be•…•… to with a power of men, againste the wrongfull •…•…¦ons of the Frenchemen, but also there were di∣uers s•…•…mmes of mony g•…•…a•…•…ed to the •…•…nish∣ing forth and maintaynaunce of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

And immediatly here vpon, the kyng sente his Ambassadors into Fraunce to certifye the Frenche Kyng what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 estates assembled in Parliament here in Englande had •…•…ecr•…•…d, and therefore hee required hym eyther to s•…•…asse the warres whiche he had in hande against the Britons, or else not to be greeued, thought hee condiscended to the iudgement & determinati∣on of the Lordes, bo•…•…e spirituall and tempo∣rall, and commons of hys Realme, in takyng vpon him the defence of the Duke of Britaine, promysing neuerthelesse that the Englishe armye shoulde onely take lande wythin the Dutchie of Britayne, and seeke to defende the same agaynste all those that didde inuade it, and not to make anye warre wythin anye of the Frenche dominions.

This message was nothyng regarded of the Frenche King, in so muche that the French army proceeded in oppressing the Britons, de∣stroying the country, and besieging Townes.

At lengthe on the seuen and twen•…•…, or as the Chronicles of Amowe haue the eighte and twentith daye of Iuly, the Duke of Br•…•…ns armye gaue battaile to the Frenche hoste •…•…e•…•…ee to a towne called Saint Aulbin,* 1.41 hauing appa∣relled a thousande and seuen hundreth of the Britons in coates wyth redde crosses, after the Englishe fashion, to make the Frenchemen be∣leeue that they had a great number of En∣glishemen, althoughe they hadde but foure hundrethe onely wyth the Lorde Wooduille.

The victory in this battell fell to the french∣men, so that almoste all the englishemen were slain with the Lord Wooduile, beside .vi.M.

Britons. The Duke of Orleans, and the Prince of Orainge were taken prisoners, whi∣che were theron the Britons part. The french∣menne loste twelue hundred men, and amongst other, that valiant Italian Capitaine Iames Galeot.

These newes being brought into England, caused King Henrye to make haste in sendyng forthe his army, and therefore was the Lorde Brooke, wyth Syr Iohn Cheynyd. Syr Iohn [ 10] Middleton, Sir Raufe Hilton, Sir Richard Corbet, Sir Thomas Leighton, Sir Richard Laton, and Sir Edmunde Cornewall sent o∣uer into Britaine wyth all conuenient speede, hauyng wyth them an eyghte thousande men, well armed and furnished in warre like wise, to ayde the Duke of Britayne agaynste the Frenchemen.

These lustye Capitaines beyng, arriued in Britaine, after they had a little refreshed them, [ 20] marched forward, and commyng neare to their enemies, pitched downe their fielde, not farre from the Frenchmens campe.

The Frenchemen by experience knowyng the Englishemenne (so long as they bee freshe and lustie) in maner to be inuincybl•…•… thought not good to matche wyth them in open batteil, till they were somewhat wearyed wyth lying and lingeryng abroade in the fielde, and there∣fore at the first they sought to weary them with [ 30] light skirmishes, appointyng their horsemenne to giue them alarmes, and some skirmishes, in the whiche the Frenchemen by reason of the Englishe archers (which galled bothe men and horses) were euer put to the worse.

But beholde the mutabilitie of worldelye chaunces, whiles this warre was thus set for∣warde, Frauncis Duke of Britaine departed this li•…•…e, and then the chiefe rulers of Britayne falling at dissention amongst themselues, ten∣dred [ 40] not the defence of their countrey, but ra∣ther minded the destruction thereof, so that the Englishemenne perceyuyng in what daunger they were, and considering that it was in the middest of Winter, a time not meete for men of warre to lye in the colde and frostie fieldes, they retourned into England, within fiue Mo∣nethes after their first settyng forth. So that fi∣nally the French king got the vpper hand of the Britons, and didde incorporate that Dutchie [ 50] to hys Realme and Crowne of Fraunce, as in the historye of Fraunce it maye appeare at large.

In Iuly this yeare was a Prest leuyed for the Kyng in the Citie of London,* 1.42 of foure thousande pounde whiche was repaide the yere nexte followyng.

In September, the Queene was deliuered of hir firste sonne, named Prince Arthur, and the fiue & twentith of Nouember nexte ensu∣ing shee was crowned at Westminster with al due solemnitie.

Yee haue hearde,* 1.43 howe there was in the laste Parliament mony graunted for the furnishyng forthe of the armye into Britayne. That is to wit, it was agreed, that euery man shoulde: be taxed after the rate of his substaunce to paye the tenth penye of his goodes, which money the most part of them that dwelled in the Bishop∣pricke of Durham, and in the parties of Yorke∣shire refused vtterly to paye, eyther for that they thought thēselues ouercharged with the fame, or were procured to shewe themselues disobedi∣ent, throughe the euill counsaile of some sedi∣tious persones, whyche conspired agaynste the King, to put him to newe trouble. Therefore suche as were appoynted Colectours, after that they could not get the mony, according to their extreites delyuered to them by the Commissio∣ners, they made their complaint priuily to Hē∣rye the fourthe Earle of Northumberlande, chiefe ruler of the Northe partes.

The Earle forthwith signifyed to the king all that matter,* 1.44 and the Kyng not willing to pardon them of any one peny (least the example might do hurt by encouragyng others to shewe the like stubburnes in other parts of the realme) commaunded the Erle eyther by distresse, or o∣therwise, to leuy the mony, as he should thinke moste meetest. The rude beastly people hearing of this aunswer from the king,* 1.45 by and by wyth greate violence set vppon the Earle by the ex∣cityng of a simple fellow named Iohn a Chā∣ber, whom the Earle with faire wordes sought to appease, but they like vnreasonable vilains, aledging all the fault to be in him, as chiefe au∣thor of the taxe, furiouslye and cruelly murthe∣red bothe hym and dyuers of hys housholde seruaunts.

Diuers affirme that the Northerne menne bare againste this earle continuall grudge euer since the deathe of King Richard, whome they entirely fauoured.

Although this offence was greate and hai∣nous, yet there succeeded a more mischiefe: for incontinently to cloke thys presumptuous murther, the Northerne men gotte them to ar∣moure, and assembling togyther,* 1.46 chose them a Capitaine, no lesse seditious then desirous of trouble, called Sir Iohn Egremonde Knight, and passing by the countreys, they published & declared that they woulde bidde the kyng bat∣taile only in defence of their liberties, and com∣mon freedome, of the whiche hee went aboute to bereeue them. But when the matter shoulde come to bee tried wyth blowes, theyr hartes so

fainted that they scattered awaye, euery man seekyng to saue hymselfe by flight, but that little auailed them: for the king hearing of this busines, sent forthe Thomas Earle of Surrey (whome not long before he had deliuered out of the Tower, and receiued to his speciall fauour) wyth a crewe of men, to chastice those rebelles of the Northe partes, who skirmished wyth a certain company of them, & them discomfited, [ 10] and tooke aliue Iohn a Chamber, the firste be∣ginner of this rebellion.

The King himselfe roade after into Yorke∣shire, of whose commyng the sturdye rebelles were so abashed and afrayde, that they fledde more and lesse: whyche afterwarde were ap∣prehended, and punished accordyng to their do∣merites. Yet the King of his clemency pardo∣ned the innocente people, & executed the chiefe procurers. For Iohn a Chamber was hanged at Yorke vpon a gibbet set vpon a square paire [ 20] of gallowes like an archtraytor, and his com∣plices and lende disciples, were hanged on the lower gallowes rounde aboute their Maister, to the terrible example of other. But sir Iohn Egremonde fledde into Flaunders to the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Burgougne, that euer enuied the prosperitie of King Henry.

After this, the king retourned to London, leauing the Earle of Surry to rule the North partes, and appointed Sir Richard Tunstall, [ 30] a man of greate witte and pollicy to gather the Subsidye to hym due of the people.

This yeare the king borrowed of euery Al∣derman of London two hundred pounde, and of the Chamber nine thousāde eightie two poūd seuenteene shilings foure pence; whiche he re∣paied againe, to the vttermoste, wyth greate equitie and thankfulnesse.

In this season, the Emperour Fredericke made warre againste the Flemings, namely a∣gainst [ 40] Bruges and certaine townes of Flaun∣ders,* 1.47 which had rebelled against his son Maxi∣milian, Kyng of Romaynes, theyr liege and soueraigne Lord,* 1.48 in so muche that they of Bru∣ges had not only slayne hys officers but impri∣soned him within their Towne, till they hadde caused him to pardon all their offences, and al∣so to sweare neuer to remember, nor reuenge the same in time to come. But his father Fre∣dericke the Emperor coulde not suffer suche a [ 50] reproche and dishonor done to his son, to passe vnreuenged, and therefore scourged the coun∣try of Flanders with sharpe and cruell warre. The lorde of Rauenstein being driuen to take the same othe, that his Master Maximiliā tooke at Bruges, to shewe that the warre was not begon with his assent, forsooke Maximilian his Lord, and tooke the Towns of Ipre & Sclusse with bothe the Castels of the same hauen, and further dyd not onlye stirre the Gaunt•…•… is, and Brugeans, and other Townes of Flaunders, to rebell agaynst their soueraine lord, but also sent to the French kings lieutenāt in Pieard•…•… the Lorde Cordes, to aide him to con•…•… such Townes of Flaunders, as were not of hys o∣pinion.

The Lorde Cordes, otherwise called Mon∣sieur de Querdes, was glad to haue so good oc∣casion to set foote in Flaunders, as he that had sufficient instructions of his Maister, the french King, vpon any suche offerd occasion so to •…•…∣sent foorthwith to the aide of the Flemings viij.M. Frenchmen, commaunding them to con∣quere suche Townes, as were in the way bee∣twixt Fraunce and Bruges.

The capitaines according to his deuise bee∣sieged a little walled towne, called Dixen•…•…w, to whome came .iiij.M. Flemings with •…•…ic∣tuall and artilerie, sent from the Lord of Ra∣uenstein. They laide siege on the North side of the towne, in a marishe grounde than beeyng drye, and so deepely ditched, and •…•…ampired their campe about (on which rampire they laide their ordinaunce) that it was in manner impossible to enter their campe, or do them any displeasure or domage.

The king of Englande was daily aduerti∣sed of these dooings, whiche nothyng lesse desi∣red than to haue the Englishe Pale enuironed wyth Frenche fortresses, wherefore to preuent that mischiefe in time, with all expedition he sēt ouer to the Lorde Daubeney, and his deputye of Calais, the Lord Morley, with a crue of va∣liant archers and souldiours, to the number of a thousande men, with priuy instructions what they should do.

At their commyng ouer, it was bruited a∣broade, that they were sent only to defende the English Pale, against al attempts that might vpon the suddaine in any wife he made by the Frenchemen, or Flemings: but their enterprise was all otherwise. For on a Tuisdaye at the shutting of the gates at night, the lord Daub∣ney chieftaine of the army, the Lorde Morley, Sir Iames Tirrell capitaine of Guisnes, Sir Henry Willoughby, Sir Gilbert Talbot, and sir Humfrey Talbot Marshall of Calais, wyth diuers other Knightes, and Esquiers, and o∣ther of the garisons of Hammes, Guysnes, and Callais, to the number of twoo thousand men, or thereaboutes, issued priuily out of Callais, & passed the water of Grauelyng, in the mor∣ning betimes, and lefte there for a stale, and to keepe the passage, Sir Humfrey Talbot, with sixe score archers, and came to Newport, where they founde the soueraigne of Flaunders with

sixe hundred Almaines, and there they stayed that night.

On the nexte day they went toward Dixe∣mewe, and by the guidyng of a prisoner, that should haue bin hanged on the nexte morning, they issued out of the Southe gate of the town of Dixemew, & were conueyed by their sayde guide by an high banke set wyth willowes, so that the Gantois coulde not well espye them, & so secretly to the en of their enemies campe, [ 10] and there paused.

The Lorde Daubeney commaunded all men to send their horses, and wagons backe, but the Lorde Morley saide hee would ride till hee came to hande strokes.

Thus they marched forthe till they came to a lowe banke, and no deepe ditche, where the ordinaunce laye, and there the archers shot al∣togyther, euery man an arrowe, and so fell pro∣strate to the grounde. The enemies herewyth [ 20] dischardged their ordynaunce and ouershotte them. The Almaines kept ouer the ditche with their moris pikes. The Englishemenne in the forefront, waded the ditche, and were holpen vp by the Almaines, and set on their enemies, & tooke many prisoners. The other Englishmen hasted by the causey to enter in at the Northe gate of the campe,* 1.49 where the Lord Morley be∣ing on horsebacke in a riche coate, was slayne wyth a gunne. [ 30]

When his deathe was knowen, euery man killed his prisoner, and slewe all suche as didde wythstande them, to the number of eight thou∣sande men, in so muche that of twoo thousande that came ot of Bruges (as the Flēmish chro∣nicle reporteth) there came not home one hun∣dreth. On the Englishe parte was slayne the Lorde Morley, and not an hundreth mo. The Englishemen tooke their ordinaunce, and sent it to Newporte, wyth all the spoile and greate [ 40] horses. And by the way hearing certaine frēch∣men to be at Ostend, they made thither warde: but the Frenchemen fled, & so they burned parte of the towne, and came againe to Newporte, where the Lord Daubney left al y^e Englishmen that were hurte, and returned to Calais, where he buried the body of the Lord Morley.

The Englishemen got greate riches at this fielde, for they that went forthe in clothe, came home in silke, and those that went out on foote, [ 50] came home on great horses. The Lord Cordes being at Ipre with twenty thousand men was sore displeased wyth this ouerthrow, & therfore thinking to be reuenged,* 1.50 besieged the towne of Newport right strongly, and shot daily at the walles, breaking them in many places. But the Englishmen that were hurte at Dixemew field before, and might eyther stande or drawe bowe neuer came frō the walles One day the french∣menne gaue a greate assault to a Towes, and perforce entred it, and set vp the banner of the Lorde Cordes: but see the chaunce, during the time of the assaulte, there arriued a backe wyth foure score freshe English archers, which came straight to the Tower, and did so muche, that what wyth the helpe of suche as beefore were wounded, and hurtemen, and of the couragi∣ous hartes of the newe come archers encoura∣ged greatly by the women of the town crying,* 1.51 shoote Englishmen, shoote, the Tower was re∣gaigned out of the Frenchemens handes, and the banner of the Lorde Cordes rent in peeces, and implace therof, the penon of Saint George set vp. Then the Frenchmen supposing a great aide of Englishemen to haue bene come to the towne by sea, lefte the assault.

And the night folowing, the enuious Lord Cordes (whiche so sore longed for Calais, that hee woulde commonly saye, that hee coulde be content to lye seuen yeares in Hell, so that Ca∣lais were in possession of the Frenchmen) brake vp his siege, and retourned to Heldyng wyth shame. And the Englishmen glad of this victo∣rie returned to Calais.* 1.52 This yeare Iames the thirde of that name, King of Scots, was slaine by his owne Subiectes, after they had vanqui∣shed hym in a pight fielde.

Aboute the same time one Adrian an Ita∣lian was sente in Ambassade from Pope In∣nocent the eight, into Scotland,* 1.53 to haue taken vp the variaunce betwixte the King there, and his people. But being arriued here in Englād, he was enformed that king Iames was slaine, and the refore taryed here certaine Monethes, & for that hee was a man of excellent learnyng, vertue, and humanitie, i the Archebishoppe of Canterbury Iohn Morton, so commended him to the King, that he made him firste Bishoppe of Hereforde, and shortely after, that resigned and giuen ouer, hee promoted him to the Bi∣shopricke of Welles, and Bathe.* 1.54 And after that wyth these honours he was retourned to Rome, hee was aduaunced by all the degrees of Spirituall dignities into the Colledge of the Cardinalles, and worthie sure he was of great preferrement, for by hys meanes learned men were moued to seeke out the vse of eloquent writyng, and speaking in the latine tongue, he being the firste in the tyme of our fathers that taught the trade to choose and vse apte wordes and fitte termes.

In the sixte yeare of King Henries raigne there came Ambassadors to him frō the frenche king the lord Fraūcis of Lutzenburg,* 1.55 Charles Mariguane, and Robert Gaguine Minister of the Bonnehommes of the Trinitie. The effect

of their comming, was to haue concluded a peace with King Henrye, and that with good will the French King might dispose of the ma∣riage of the yong Dutchesse of Britaine, as he shoulde thinke good, and to make void the con∣tract, and former mariage, which by proxie the deputie of Maximilian, king of Romains had before time contracted, and made with hir. But thereto woulde not King Henry giue his con∣sent, euer harping on this string, that the maidē [ 10] being once lawfully combined in matrimonye with Maximilian, ought not to be compelled a∣gainste hir will and promisse, yea and contrary to all lawe, right and equitie, to take any other person than him to hir spouse and husbande.

In deede Kyng Henry was lothe that the Frenche King shoulde marry the Dutchesse of Britaine hymselfe (as he perceued his meaning was) and so ioyne the Dutchie of Britayne to the Crowne of Fraunce, and therefore hee did [ 20] what he coulde to hinder that bargaine.

At lengthe yet it was agreede that a forme of a league should be drawen with conditions, clauses, and couenauntes, and for the full con∣cludyng of the same, it was thought expedient that the King of Englande shoulde send Am∣bassadours to the Frenche Kyng to finyshe all matters beetwyxte them. Wherevppon the Frenche Ambassadours beyng dismissed wyth great rewardes, straight waies Thomas earle [ 30] of Ormonde, and Thomas Goldenston Prior of Christes Churche in Canterbury were ap∣pointed by the king to folow them into France instructed fully in all things that he wold haue on his behalfe, either moued or determyned.

* 1.56In this meane space, Lionell the Bishop of Concordia was sente as Oratour from Pope Alexander the sixte, to the Frenche Kyng for certaine matters: and amongst other things he hadde in chardge to conclude a peace and vni∣tye [ 40] betwixte the Frenche Kyng and the King of Englande. Hee mouyng thys matter to the Frenche King, founde hym nothyng strange to encline to his motion. Whervpon the Bishop of Concordia conceyuyng good hope, and ther∣with desyrous (as became hym beste bearyng that title) to set an attonement beetwixte those two Kings, tooke his iourney towardes Eng∣lande, to the intent he might moue King Hen∣ry to bee agreable therevnto, and so comming [ 50] to Calais, found the Englishe Ambassadours there, beeing so farre on their way towards the Frenche King, and being honourably receiued of them into that Towne, after they had com∣muned togither, the Bishoppe took the sea, and was trāsported ouer into England, & the Am∣bassadors departed toward the Frenche King.

After the Bishoppe of Concordia had tal∣ked with King Henry, and perceyued that vp∣on reasonable conditions he coulde be content to conclude a peace wyth all Christen Princes, and to lyue in reste after so many troubles a∣foretime sustained, the saide Bishop retourned backe into Fraunce to sollicite thys purpose to some perfect conclusion. But the Frenchmen so handled the matter, that whilest they outward∣ly shewed how they desired nothyng but frend∣ship & amitie, they asured the yong Dutchesse of Britayne, to submit hirselfe wholy to their discretion, so that shortly after shee was mar∣ried to King Charles. And the Englishe Am∣bassadours, after they perceyued whiche waye the winde would vire, returned again to their countrey, and nothing done or agreed vpon in their matter. King Henry sore troubled in hys mynde therewyth, determined no more wyth peaceable messages, but with open warre to de∣termine all controuersies betwixt hym and the Frenche King,* 1.57 called his highe courte of Par∣liament, & there declared the cause why he was iustely prouoked to make warre agaynste the frenchemen, and therfore desired thē of their be∣neuolent aide of men and money towarde the maintenaunce thereof. The cause was so iuste that euery man allowed it, and to the settyng forthe of the warre taken in hande for so neces∣sarie an occasion, euery man promised his hel∣ping hand. The king commēded them for their true and faithfull hartes, and to the intent that he might spare the poorer sorte of the commons (whome he euer desired to keepe in fauour) hee thought good firste to exact mony of the richest sorte by way of a beneuolence, whiche kinde of leuying money was first deuised by King Ed∣warde the fourthe, as it apeareth beefore in hys historie. King Henry folowing the like exam∣ple, published abroade, that by their open giftes he would measure, and searche their beneuolent heartes and good mindes towardes him, so that he that gaue moste, shoulde be iudged to be his moste louing friende, and he that gaue litle, to be esteemed accordyng to hys gifte. By thys it appeareth that whatsoeuer is practised for the princes profit, & brought to a president by mat∣ter of record, may be turned to the great preiu∣dice of the people, if rulers in auctoritie will so adiudge and determine it.

But by this meanes King Henrye got in∣numerable great summes of money, with some grudge of the people, for the extremitie shewed by the commissioners in diuers places. Ye haue hearde before howe the Lorde of Rauenstein by the ayde of Bruges, and Gaunt, hadde ta∣ken the Towne, and two Castels of Scluise,* 1.58 whiche hee kepte against his soueraigne lorde Maximilian, and gettyng into the hauen cer∣taine

ships and barkes, robbed spoiled and tooke prisoners, the shippes and vesselles of all nati∣ons, that passed alongest by that coast towards the Marte at Andwarpe, or into any parte of Brabant, Zeland, or Friseland, and was euer sufficiently vittailed out of Fraunce, and Pi∣cardye.

There was a little Towne also twoo miles from Bruges towarde the Sea, called Dam, whyche was a Bulwarke to Bruges, and an [ 10] headspring to Sluise. The King of Romains hadde attempted the winnyng of this Towne diuers times, but missed his purpose, til at lēgth Albert Duke of Saxony, a great friende to the King of Romaines, by policye found meanes to gette it. This Duke fainyng hymselfe as a Newtre betwixte the King of Romaines, and the rebelles of Flaunders, required of the lords of Bruges that hee myght enter peaceably into their Towne accordyng to hys estate, wyth a [ 20] certaine number of men of armes to commu∣nicate with thē diuers maters of great weight, and sent before his carriages and herbengers to make prouision. They of Bruges were in no doubt of hym, so that his men of warre entred into the Cytie in good order, and he followed. They that wente beefore, enquired for Innes, and lodgings, as though they would haue re∣sted there all the night, and so went forthe still in order askyng after lodgings, till they came [ 30] to the gate that leadeth directly toward Dam, distant from Bruges a Flemishe mile, whyche is called the Bulwarke of Bruges. The Cap∣taines and inhabitantes of Dam suspecting no harme to come out of Bruges, thought theyr friendes (knowyng some daunger towardes) had sent them aide, and so nothyng mistrusting those that approched their towne, suffred them to enter, and so was the Towne of Dam ta∣ken by sleight, whiche coulde not be wonne by [ 40] open force.* 1.59 This chaunce sore displeased them of Bruges, for nowe coulde they haue no re∣course to the Sea, so that they muste needes fall into ruine and decay. The Duke of Saxonye thus hauing won the towne of Dam, sente to the King of Englande, that if it would please hym to minister any aide by sea, he would be∣siege Sluise by lande. The king well remem∣bring that Sluise was a rouesnest, and a very denne of theues to them that trauersed the seas [ 50] towardes the Easte partes, incontinentlye dis∣patched sir Edward Poinings a right valiant Knight, and hardye Capitayne wyth twelue shippes well furnished with holde souldiours, and sufficient artillerie. Whiche Sir Edward sailed into the Hauen, and kepte the Lorde of Rauenstein from starting by sea.

The Duke of Saxony besieged one of the castels lying in a Churche ouer against it, and the Englishemen assaulted the lesse Castell, and issued out of theyr shippes at the ebbe, neuer suffering theyr enemies to reste in quiet one daye togither, for the space of twenty dayes, and euery daye slewe some of their aduersaries, and on the English parte were slaine one Vere brother to the Earle of Oxforde, and fiftye mo.

The Lorde of Rauenslein hadde made a brydge of Boates betweene both Castelles, to passe from the one to the other, whyche brydge the Englishemen one night set on fyre. Then hee perceiuyng that he muste lose his Castelles by force, and that the Flēmings coulde not aide hym, yeelded the Castelles to Syr Edwarde Poinings, and the towne to the duke of Sax∣ony vpon certaine conditions,* 1.60 Sir Edwarde Poinings kepte the castelles a while, of whom the Almaines demaunded their wages, bycause the duke hadde nothyng to paye. Then these twoo Capitaynes so handled them of Bruges, that they not only submitted thēselues to their Lord Maximilian, but also were contented to paye, and dispatche the Almaines.

And so Syr Edwarde Poynyngs tarryed there a long space, and at lengthe retourned to the King before Bolongne.

The sixte daye of Aprill this present yeare, the nobles of the Realme assembled in the Ca∣thedrall Churche of Saynct Paule in London, where Te Deum, was solempnely song, and thankes rendred to God for the victorie that the King of Spaine hadde gotte of the Sarasins, in conqueryng on them the whole Realme of Granado.

Maximilian King of Romaines enten∣dyng to bee reuenged on the Frenchemenne for the many iniuries done to hym of late (and especiallye for that Kyng Charles hadde for∣saken hys daughter the Ladye Margaret, and purposed to take to wyfe the Ladye Anne of Britayne:) bycause he was not ryche inought to maintayne the warre of hymself, he sent his Ambassadour one Iames Contibald, a man of great wisedome, to require the King of Eng∣lande to take hys parte agaynste the Frenche King, making diuers great offers on his owne behalfe, if it should please hym so to do.

King Henry no lesse desirous than Maxi∣milian to put the Frenche Kyng to trouble, and chieflye to ayde the Britons in the extre∣mitye of theyr businesse, gladdelye consented to the request of Maximilian, and promised to prepare an armye wyth all speede, and in time conuenient to passe the seas with the same and inuade the Frenche territories.

In this very season Charles the french king* 1.61

receyued the Ladye Anne of Britayne, as hys pupill into his hands, and wyth great solemp∣nitie hir espoused, hauyng wyth hir in dower, the whole Dutchye of Britayne. Thus was Maximilian in a greate chafe towardes the Frenche King, not only for that he had refused his daughter, but also had bereeued hym of hys assured wife the sayd Lady Anne, contrarie to all right and conscience. Wherefore hee sente vnto king Henry, desiryng hym with al speede [ 10] to passe the seas with his army, that they might puriue the warre against their aduersarie wyth fyre, sworde, and bloude. King Henry hearing this, and hauing no mistrust in the promisse of Maximilian, with all speed leuied an army, and rigged his nauye of ships, and when all things were readye, he sente his Aulmoner Christofer Vrswicke, and sir Iohn Riseley Knyght vnto Maximilian to certifye hym, that the king was in a readinesse, and would arriue at Calais, as [ 20] soone as hee shoulde bee aduertised that Maxi∣milian and his men were readye to ioyne wyth hym.

These Ambassadors comming into Flaun∣ders, perceyued that Maximilian was neyther purueyed of men, money, nor armoure, nor of any other thyng necessarie for the setting foorth of warre, saue only that his will was good, all∣thoughe his power was smalle.

King Henry being aduertised hereof by let∣ters [ 30] sente to hym from hys said Ambassadors, was sore disquieted in his minde, and was al∣moste broughte to his wittes ende, to consider howe his companion in armes shuld thus faile hym at neede, but takyng aduise of his counsel, at lengthe hee determined not to staye his pre∣pensed iourney, and therefore hee so encreased his numbers before he tooke shippe, that he with his owne power might bee able to matche with his aduersaries. [ 40]

When hee hadde thus gathered and assem∣bled his army, he sailed to Calais the sixte day of October, and there encamped hymselfe for a space to see all hys men and prouision in suche redinesse, as nothing shoulde bee wanting.

In this place all the army hadde knowledge by the Ambassadours (whiche were newly re∣tourned out of Flaunders) that Maximilian coulde not sette foorthe any army,* 1.62 for lacke of money, and therefore there was no succour to [ 50] bee looked for at his hand, but the Englishemen were nothyng dismayd therewith, as they that iudged themselues able inough to matche with the Frenchmen without the helpe of any other nation.

In the meane season, althoughe the Frenche King hadde an army togither, bothe for num∣ber and furniture able to trye in battaile wyth the Englishemen, yet hee made semblaunce as though he desired nothing more thā peace, as y^e thing muche more profitable to him than warre, considering the minds of the Britons were not yet wholy settled: and again, he was called in∣to Italy to make warre agaynste the Kyng of Naples, whose Kingdom he pretended to ap∣perteine to hym by lawfull succession from his father King Lewes, to whome Reigne Duke of Aniowe laste King of Sicill, of the house of Aniowe, hadde transferred hys ryghte to that kingdome (as partely beefore yee haue hearde) wrongfully and wythout cause disinherityng his cousin, godsoune and heyre, Reigne Duke of Lorraine, and Bar: The Lord Chordes ha∣uing commission from his Maister the Frenche king to make some entry into a treatie for peace with the King of Englande, wrote letters to him before he passed ouer to Calais, signifying to hym, that if it might stand with his pleasure to sende some of his counsellours to the bor∣ders of the English Pale adioining to France, there shoulde bee so reasonable conditions of peace profered, that he doubted not but his grace might with greate honor breake vp his campe, and retire hys army home againe.

The King of Englande consideryng that Britaine was clearely loste, and paste recoue∣rye, and that Maximilian for lacke of money, and mistruste which he had in his owne Sub∣iects, lay still like a Dormouse dooing nothing, and herewith waying that it shoulde be hono∣rable to hym, and profitable to his people to de∣termine this great warre without bloudeshed, appointed the Bishoppe of Exceter, and Giles Lorde Daubney to passe the Seas to Calais, and so to commen with the Lord Chordes of articles of peace, whiche tooke effect as after ye shal perceiue.

In the meane time, whylest the commissio∣ners were commenyng of peace on the Mar∣ches of Fraunce, the Kyng of Englande, as yee haue heard, was arryued at Calais: from whence after all things were prepared for such a iourney, hee remoued in foure battailes fore∣warde,* 1.63 till he came neare to the towne of Bo∣longne, & there pitched his tentes before it in a conuenient place for hys purpose, meaning to assaile the towne with his whole force and pu∣issaunce. But there was suche a strong garison of warlyke Souldyours wythin that fortresse, and suche plentye of artillerye, and necessarye munityons of warre, that the losse of English∣mē assaulting the town (as was doubted) shuld bee greater domage to the Realme of Eng∣lande, than the gayning thereof should be pro∣fite. Yet the daily shotte of the kings battering peeces brake the walles, and sore defaced them:

But when euerye man was readye to giue the assaulte, a sodaine rumor rose in the army that peace was concluded: whyche bruite as it was pleasaunt to the Frenchmen, so was it displea∣saunt to the Englishmenne, bycause they were prest and ready at all times to sette on theyr e∣nemies, and brought into greate hope to haue bene enryched by the spoyle and gayne, to haue fallen to their lottes of their enemies goods, be∣side the glorious same of renowmed victorye. [ 10] And therefore to be defrauded hereof by an vn∣profitable peace, they were in a great fume, and very angrye: And namelye for that diuers of the captaines to set themselues and their bands the more gorgeously forward, hadde borrowed large summes of money, and for the repaiment had morgaged their landes and possessions, and some happely had made through sales thereof, trustyng to recouer all againe by the gaines of [ 20] this iourney. Wherefore offended wyth thys soddayne conclusion of peace, they spake euill bothe of the Kyng and his counsell. But the King like a wise prince asswaged their displea∣sure in parte with excusing the matter, alled∣gyng what losse, and bloud shedde was like to ensue bothe of Captaines and souldiours if the assault should haue bin giuen to the vtterance, especially sith that the towne was so well fur∣nished with men and munitions. When he had somewhat appeased their minds with these and [ 30] many other reasons, hee retourned backe again to Calais.

There were not many of the Englishe ar∣mye loste at this siege of Bolongne, and fewe or no men of name,* 1.64 sauyng that valiant Capi∣taine sir Iohn Sauage Knight, the whyche as hee and sir Iohn Risely rode aboute the walles of the towne, to viewe in what place it might bee eastiest assaulted, was compassed aboute by certaine Frenchmen that were issued out of the [ 40] towne, and there slain standing at defence, and vtterly refusing to yelde hymselfe as prisoner. But sir Iohn Risley escaped by fleeing away.

When the King was thus returned to Ca∣lais, he began to smell a certayne secrete smoke, whiche was lyke to tourne to a greate flame, wythout wise foresight, and good lookyng to. For by the craftye inuention, and diuellishe i∣magination of the Lady Margaret Duchesse of Burgongne, a newe Idoll was se•…•…te vp in [ 50] Flaunders, and by a forged name called Ry∣charde Plantagenet second sonne to king Ed∣warde the fourthe, as though he had bin reysed from deathe to life. The newes hereof some∣what troubled hym, so that hee was with bet∣ter will content to receiue the honourable con∣ditions of peace offered of his enemie bycause hee shoulde not be constrained at one time to make warre bothe at home, and also in a for∣rein Region.

The conclusion of this agreement made with the Frenchmen, was this.* 1.65 That the peace shoulde continue bothe their liues, and that the Frenche Kyng shoulde paye to the Kyng of Englande a certaine summe of money in hand, according as the commissioners shuld appoynt for his chardges susteined in this iourney.

Whiche as the King certifyed the Maior of London by his letters the ninth of Nouem∣ber, amounted to the summe of seuen hundred fortie fiue thousande duckets, whiche is of ster∣ling money one hundred foure •…•…ore and sixe thousande twoo hundred and fiftie pounds, and also shoulde yearely for a certayne space, paye or cause to be paide, for the mony that the king hadde spent and expended in the defence of the Britons fiue and twenty thousande crownes, whiche yearely tribute the French King after∣wardes continually occupied wyth the warres of Italy yearely, satisfied and payde so long as King Henry liued, who after he hadde tar∣ried a conuenient space at Calais, tooke the sea, and ariued at Douer, and so came to his Man∣nor of Greenewiche.

Immediatlye after hys retourne thus into England, he elected into the felowship of faynt George commonly called the order of the Gar∣ter, Alfonse Duke of Calabre sonne and heire to Ferdinando K. of Naples, Christofer Vrs∣wicke the Kyngs Aulmoner was sente to him vnto Naples with the garter, coller, Mantel,* 1.66 and other habellementes appertainyng to the companiōs of that noble order, the which was reuerently receiued of the sayd Duke who in a solemne presence reuested hymselfe wyth that habite, supposing by the countenaunce of that apparell to bee able to resiste his aduersarye the French King, sith he was nowe made a friend and companiō in order wyth the king of Eng∣lande: but that little auailed hym, as after it was ryght apparant.

This yeare the twoo and twentye of Iune, was borne at Greenewiche the Lorde Henry,* 1.67 seconde sonne of thys Kyng Henrye the se∣uenth, whiche was created Duke of Yorke, and after Prynce of Wales, and in conclusion succeeded hys father in gouernaunce of this Realm, by the name of Henry the eight, father to our gracious souerayn Queene Elizabeth.

But now to returne to the new found sonne to King Edwarde, coniured by mens policies from death to life:* 1.68 Ye shall vnderstand that the Duchesse of Burgongne euer desiryng to cast a Scorpion in the bosome of Kyng Henrye, not for anye displeasure by hym towar∣des hir wroughte or doone, but onely bycause

he was discended of y^e house of Lancaster, being an enimie to hir line, began to spin a new webbe like a spider, that daily weaueth when his call is torne: for after that the Erle of Lincolne, whiche was by hir set forth, had missed y^e quisshen, & lost both horse and spurres, she could not be quiet, till she had practised a new deuise to put K. Henrye to trouble. And as the Deuill prouideth vene∣mous sause to corrupt stomackes, so for hir pur∣pose, she espyed a certayne yong man of visage [ 10] beautifull, of countenance demure, of wit craftie & subtile, called Peter Warbecke, & for his faint∣nesse of stomacke,* 1.69 of the Englishmen in derision called Perkin Warbecke, according to y^e Dutch phrase, which change the name of Peter to Per∣kin, of yonglings and little boyes, which for wāt of age, lacke of strength and manlyke courage, are not thoughte worthy of the name of a man. This yong man trauelling many Countreys, could speake English and diuers other langua∣ges, [ 20] & for his basenesse of birthe and stocke, was almost vnknowen of all men, and driuen to seke liuing frō his childhood, was constreined to seeke and trauaile through many coūtreys. The Du∣ches glad to haue got so meete an organe for the conueying of hir inuented purpose, as one not vnlike to bee taken and reputed for the Duke of Yorke, sonne to hir brother K. Edward, whych was called Richarde, kepte him a certaine space with hir priuily, and him with suche diligence [ 30] instructed, both of the secretes and common af∣faires of the Realme of England, and of the lig∣nage, dissent and order of the house of Yorke, that like a good scoller, not forgetting his lesson, hee could tel al that was taught him promptly with∣out any stackering or stay in his words, and be∣sides that, he kept such a princely countenaunce, and so counterfaite a maiestie roiall, that all mē in manner did firmely beleeue, that hee was ex∣tracted of y^e noble house, and family of y^e Dukes [ 40] of Yorke: for surely, it was a gifte giuen to that noble progenie, as of nature planted in the roote, that all the sequeale of that line and stocke, dyd studie and deuise how to be equiualēt in honour and fame with their forefathers, and noble pre∣decessors. Whē y^e Duches had framed hir cloth meete for the market, she was enformed that K. Henry prepared to make warre against Charles the Frenche King, wherefore, shee thinking that the time serued well for the setting forthe of hyr [ 50] malicious inuentions, sent this Perkyn hir new inuented mawmet, first into Portingale, and so craftily into the Countrey of Ireland, to the in∣tent,* 1.70 that he being both wittie and wilie, mighte inuegle the rude Irishmen (being at those dayes more enclined to Rebellion, than to reasonable order) to a new seditious commotion. Shortely after his arriuall in Irelande, whether by hys shrewde witte, or the malicious exhortation of the sauage Irishe gouernours, he entred so farre in credite with the people of that Ile, that hys wordes were taken to be as true as hee vntruely with false demonstrations sette forth and publi∣shed them. The French King aduertised hereof, then being in displeasure with King Henry, sent for Perkin into Irelande, to the intent to sende him againste King Henry, which was then in∣uading Fraunce (as ye before haue heard.) Per∣kin thought himselfe aloft now, that he was cal∣led to the familiaritie of Kings,* 1.71 and therefore with all diligence, sailed into Fraunce, and com∣ming

[illustration]

to the Kings presence, was of him royal∣lie receiued, and after a princely fashion entertei∣ned, and had a gard to him assigned, wherof was gouernour the Lorde Congreshall, and to hym being at Paris, resorted Sir George Neuill ba∣sterd, Sir Iohn Tailer, Rowland Robinson, and an hundred English Rebels. But after that a peace as before is said was concluded betwixte the French King, and the king of Englande, the Frenche king dismissed Perkin, and woulde no longer keepe him. But some haue said whyche were there attending on him, that Perkin, fea∣ring least the french king should deliuer hym to the king of Englande, beguiled the Lord Con∣greshall, and fled frō Paris by night. But whe∣ther the French King knewe of his departure or not, the troth is, that hee being in manner in de∣spaire, returned to his firste founder the Ladye Margaret, of whome he was so welcomed to all outward appearance, that it seemed she could not haue reioyced at any earthly thing, more than she did at his presence (and as she could well dis∣simule) she made semblaunce as though she had neuer seene him before that time. And as she had sore longed to knowe not once, but diuers times in open audience, and in solemne presence, shee willed him to declare and shew by what meanes he was preserued from death and destruction, & in what countreys he had wandred and soughte

friendship. And finally, by what chance of for∣tune he came to hir court, to the intente, that by y^e open declaration of these fained phantasies, the people might be perswaded to giue credite, & be∣leeue, that he was the true begottē son of hir bro∣ther K. Edward. And after this, shee assigned to him a guard of thirtie persōs in Murrey, & blew, & highly honored him,* 1.72 as a great estate, and cal∣led him the white rose of Englande. The nobili∣tie of Flanders did to him all reuerence. In En∣gland, [ 10] y^e brute of him being blowen throughout the Realm, sore disquieted the people, in somuch, that not only the meaner sort, but also many of the nobles & worshipful personages belieued and published it abroade,* 1.73 y^t all was true whiche was reported of him. And not only they that were in Sainctuaries, but also many other that wer fallē in debt, assembled in a cōpany, & passed ouer the Seas into Flanders, to their counterfaite Duke of York, otherwise rightly named Perkin Wer∣beck. [ 20] Truely, the realm of England was in ma∣ner deuided (with y^e rumor, & vaine fable spred a∣broade of this twice borne duke) into partakings & contrarie factions.* 1.74 And some of the noble men conspired togither, purposing to aid y^e foresayde Perkin, as the man whome they reputed to bee the very sonne of Kyng Edward, and that the matter was not feigned, but altogither true, iust, & not imagined of any malitious pretēce or pur∣pose: and bicause the thing was weightie, and re∣quired [ 30] greate aide & assistance, therefore they de∣termined to send messengers vnto y^e Lady Mar∣garet, to know whē Richard D. of York might conueniently come into England, to the intent, that they being thereof certified, might be in a re∣dinesse to helpe and succoure him at his arriuall.

* 1.75So by y^e cōmon consent of the conspirators, sir Rob. Clifford knight, & Wil. Barley, wer sēt into Flanders, which discouered to y^e Duches, all the secret intents & priuie meanings of the friēds [ 40] & fautors of y^e new foūd D. The Duches gladly receiued this message, & after she had heard their errand, she brought the messenger to the sight of Perkin, who so well counterfeited the gesture, countenāce, and maner of Richard D. of Yorke, that sir Robert Clifford beleeued verily, that hee was the secōd son of K. Edward, & therof wrote a letter of credit into England to his complices, & to put thē out of doubt, he affirmed y^t he knew him to be K. Edwards son by his face, & other li∣niaments [ 50] of his body. Vpon this letter, the chiefe doers in this businesse spred the significatiō ther∣of abroade through the Realme, to the intent to stirre the people to some newe tumulte and com∣motion, but it was done by suche a secret craft, y^t no man coulde tell who was the author of that rumor. The K. perceyuing that this vayne fable was not vanished out of the mad braines of the common people, to prouide therefore againste all perils y^t might therby ensue, sent certain knights that were skilfull mē of war, with cōpetēt bands of soldiers, to keepe the sea coastes, and hauens, to vnderstand who came in, and went out of the Realme, doubting least some greate conspiracie were in brewing against him. He also sent into y^e low countreys certain persons to learne y^e troth of this forged dukes progenie,* 1.76 where some of thē that were so sente, comming to Tourney, gote knowlege that he was borne in that citie of base lignage, & named Perkin Warbecke. The king then aduertised not only by his espials vpō theyr returne, but also from other his trusty friendes, determined with al speede to haue the fraud pub∣lished, both in Englande and forraine parties, and for the same cause, sente sir Edwarde Poi∣nings Knight, and sir Wil. Warram, Doctor of the lawes, vnto Phillip Archduke of Bur∣goigne, & to his counsailers (bycause he was not yet of age able to gouerne of himselfe) to signifie to him and them, that the yong man being with the Lady Margaret, had falsely and vntruely v∣surped y^e name of Rich. D. of Yorke, which long before was murthred w^t his brother Edw. in the Tower of London, by y^e cōmandement of theyr vncle King Richard as many men then liuing, could testifie.

The Ambassadors cōming to y^e court of the Archduke, Philip, were honorably enterteyned of him, & of his counsaile, & willed to declare the ef∣fect of their message. Wil. Warrā made before thē an eloquēt Oratiō, & in the later ende some∣what inueighed against the Lady Margaret, not sparing to declare, how she now in hir later age, had brought forth (within y^e space of a few yeres togither) two detestable monsters, that is to say, Lābert (of whom ye heard before) and this Per∣kin Warbecke, and being conceiued of these two great babes, was not deliuered of them in eyght or nine monethes, as nature requireth, but in the C. and .80. monethes, for bothe these at the least, wer .15. yeres of age, ere she would be brought in bed of them, & shew thē openly, & whē they were newly crept out of hir womb, they wer no infāts but lusty yōglings, & of age sufficiēt to bid bat∣tel to kings. Althogh these taūts angred y^e Lady Margaret euen at y^e hart, yet Perkin was more vexed with the things declared in this Oration, and especially bycause his cloked iuggling was brought to light. The Duches intēding to cast ho•…•…e sulphure, to y^e new kindled fire, determined w^t might & main to arme and set forward pretie Perkin against the K. of Englād. Whē y^e Am∣bassadors had done their message, & that y^e Arch∣dukes counsel had long debated the matter, they made answere, that to haue the K. of Englāds loue, y^e Archduke & they would neither aide nor

assist Perkin nor his complices in anye cause or quarrell. Yet notwithstāding, if the Lady Mar∣garet, persisting in hir rooted malice towards the K. of Englande, would bee to him aiding & hel∣ping, it was not in their power to withstande it, for bycause in the landes assigned to hir for hyr dower, shee mighte frankely and freely order all things at hir will and pleasure, without contra∣diction of any other gouernour.

* 1.77After that y^e Ambassadors wer returned with [ 10] this aunswere, the K. straight sent forth certaine espials into Flanders, which should faigne thē∣selues to haue fled to the D. of Yorke, and there∣by search out the whole intent of the conspiracie, and after what sort they meant to proceede in y^e same. Other were sent also to entice sir Roberte Clifford, and Wil. Barly to returne into Eng∣lande, promising to them pardon of all their of∣fences, and high rewards, for obeying the kings request. They that were sent, did so earnestly and [ 20] prudently apply their busines, that they brought al things to passe at their owne desires. For first they learned, who were the chiefe conspirators, and after perswaded sir Robert Clifford to giue ouer that enterprise, which had no grounded stay to rest vppon. Albeit. Wil. Barley at the fyrste woulde not leaue off, but continued his begunne attempt, til after two yeares, he repenting him of his folly, and hauing pardon graunted him of y^e K. returned home into his natiue coūtrey. Whē [ 30] the K. had knowledge of the chiefe captaines of this cōspiracie (by y^e ouerture of his espials whi∣che were returned) he caused them to bee appre∣hended, and brought to London before hys pre∣sence Of the which, the chiefe were Iohn Rat∣cliffe, L. Fitzwater, sir Simon Mounforde, Sir Tho. Twhaitz knightes, Wil. Daubeney, Ro∣bert Ratcliffe, Tho. Cressenor, & Tho. Astwood. Also certaine priests & religious mē, as sir Wil. Richford, doctor of diuinitie, & sir Tho. Poynes, [ 40] both friers of S. Dominikes order, doctor Wil. Sutton, sir Wil. Worseley, Deane of Paules, Robert Layborne, & sir Richard Lessey. Other which were giltie, hearing y^t their fellowes were apprehended, fled and tooke Sainctuarie. The o∣ther that were taken, were condemned, of the which, sir Simon Montford, Robert Ratcliffe, & Wil. Daubeney, wer beheaded. The other had their pardons, and the priests also for their order sake, but yet fewe of them liued long after. The [ 50] L. Fitz Water pardoned of life, was conueyed to Calais, & ther laid in hold, & after lost his head bycause he went about to corrupt his keepers w^t rewards, that he might escape, intending as was thought, to haue gone to Perkyn. King Henrye taking displeasure with the K. of Romaines, for that he kept not touch in aiding him agaynst the frēch K. & partly displeased with y^e Flemmings, but specially w^t the Lady Margaret, for keeping & setting forward Perkin Warbecke,* 1.78 not onely banished al Flemmish wares, & merchādises out of his dominiōs, but also restreined all Englishe merchants frō their repaire & traffike, into any of the lands & territories of the K. of Romaines, or of y^e Archduke Philip, son to the same K. of Ro∣maines, causing y^e mart to be kept at Calais,* 1.79 of al English merchādices & commodities. Wher∣fore, the said K. and his son banished out of their lāds & seigniories al english clothes, yarne,* 1.80 tinne leade, & other cōmodities of this Realm. The re∣straint made by the K. sore hindred y^e merchants aduenturers, for they had no occupying to beare their charges, & to supporte their credite withall. And y^e most greeued thē, the Easterlings beeing at libertie, brought into y^e Realm such wares as they were wont, and so serued their customers through out y^e realme, wherevpon, there ensued a riot by the seruāts of y^e mercers, haberdashers,* 1.81 & clothworkers within the Citie of London, the Tewsday before S. Edwards day: for they per∣ceiuing what hinderance grew to their maisters in that they were not able so wel to keepe thē, as before they had done, assembled togither in pur∣pose to reuenge their malice on y^e Easterlings, & so came to y^e Stiliard, & began to rifle and spoile such chambers & ware houses as they coulde get into. So y^t the Easterlings had much ado to w^t∣stand them, & keepe thē backe out of their gates, which with help of Carpēters, Smithes, & other y^t came to thē by water out of Southwark, they shored, & so fortified, y^t the multitude of the ser∣uants and prentises, being assembled, coulde not preuaile: & at length, came the Maior w^t a nū∣number of men, defensibly weaponed, to remoue y^e force, at whose approche, those riotous persons fled away like a flocke of sheepe, but diuers of thē were apprehended, & vppon inquirie made before y^e kings commissioners, aboue .80. seruants and apprentises were found to be conspired togither, & sworne not to reueale it, of whome some of the chiefe beginners were cōmitted to the Tower,* 1.82 & there long continued, but in conclusion, bycause none of their masters, nor anye one housholder was found culpable, the K. of his clemencie par∣doned their offence, and restored them to libertie.

Shortly after sir Rob. Clifford partly trusting on y^e kings promis,* 1.83 & partly nustrusting y^e despe∣rat begon enterprise, returned sodenly again into Englād. The K. being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before of his cō∣ming, wēt streight to y^e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 y^e morow after the day of the Epiphanie, & there taried till suche tyme that sir Roberte Clifforde was there presented to his person. This was done for ā po∣licie, that if sir Robert accused any of the nobili∣tie, they might be called thither without suspiti∣on of any will, and there attached and layd fast.

Some thought also, that for a policie, Kyng Henry did send sir Roberte Clifford ouer, as an espie, or else he would not so soone haue receyued him into fauour againe. Neuerthelesse, ther were greate presumptions that it was nothing so, for both was he in great daunger after his begunne attempt, and neuer was so much esteemed with the K. afterward, as he was before. But thys is true, vpon his cōming to the kings presence, hee besought him of pardon, and obteyned it, & there∣with [ 10] opened all the maner of the conspiracie, so far as he knewe, and who were aiders, fantors, and chief beginners of it,* 1.84 amongst whome, hee accused sir Wil. Stanley, whom y^e K. had made his chiefe Chamberlaine, and one of hys priuie counsell. The K. was sorie to heare this, & could not be enduced to belieue that there was so much vntroth in him, til by euident prooues it was tri∣ed against him. Then the K. caused him to be re∣streined from his libertie in his owne chamber [ 20] within the quadrate tower, and there appoynted him by his priuie counsaile, to bee examined, in which examinatiō, he nothing denyed, but wise∣ly and sagely agreed to all things layde to hys charge, if hee were therein faultie and culpable. The report is, that this was his offence. When communication was had betwixt him, and the aboue mentioned sir Robert Clifford, as concer∣ning Perkyn, which falsely vsurped the name of K. Edwardes son, Sir Wil. Stanley said, that [ 30] if he knew certainely that the yōg man was the indubitate heire of K. Edwarde the fourthe, hee would neuer fight nor beare armor against him. This point argued, that hee bare no hartie good wil toward K. Henry as then, but what was the cause that he had cōceyued some inward grudge towards y^e king, or how it chanced that the K. had withdrawen his speciall fauour from hym, many haue doubted. Some indeede haue gessed, that sir Wil. Stanley, for the seruice whiche hee [ 40] shewed at Bosworth field, thought that al y^e be∣nefites which he receyued of the K. to be far vn∣der that which he had deserued in preseruing not only the kings life, but also in obteyning for him the victorie of his enimies, so that his aduersarie was slaine in the fielde, and therefore desiring to be created Earle of Chester, and thereof denyed, he began to disdeine the K. and one thing encou∣raged him much, which was the riches & treasure of K. Richard, which he only possessed at y^e bat∣taile [ 50] of Bosworth, by reason of which riches and greate power of men, he set naught by the king his soueraigne Lord and maister. The king ha∣uing thus an hole in his coate, doubted first what hee should doe with him, for loth hee was to lose the fauour of his brother the Erle of Derby, and againe to pardon him, he feared least it should be an euil example to other that should goe about to attempt the like offence, and so at lēgth, seueritie gote the vpper hand, and mercy was put backe, in so much, that he was arraigned at Westmin∣ster, and adiudged to die,* 1.85 and according to that iudgement, was brought to the Tower hill the sixteenth day of February, and there had his head striken off.

[illustration]

Aboute the same time, diuers were punished also, that had vpon a presumptuous boldnes spo∣ken many slaunderous words against the kings maiestie, hoping still for the arriuall of the feyg∣ned Richard Duke of Yorke.

After the deathe of sir Wil. Stanley,* 1.86 Gyles L. Daubeney, was elected and made the kings chiefe Chamberlaine. Also, the K. sent into Ire∣land (to purge out the euill and wicked seedes of Rebellion, amongst the wild and sauage Irishe people, sowed there by the craftie conueyance of Perkin Warbecke) sir Henry Deane, late Abbot of Langtonie (whom he made chancellor of that Isle) and sir Edward Poinings knight, with an army of men. The fauourers of Perkin, hearing that sir Edwarde Poynings was come with a power to persecute them, withdrewe straighte∣wayes, and fled into the woods & marishes, for the safegard of themselues.* 1.87 Sir Edwarde Poy∣nings according to his commission, intending to punishe suche as had aided and aduanced the enterprise of Perkin, with his whole army mar∣ched forward against the wild Irishmē, bycause that all other being culpable of that offence, fled and resorted to them for succour. But when hee saw that his purpose succeeded not as he would haue wished it, both bycause the Irishe Lordes sent him no succour according to their promises, and also for that his owne number was not suf∣ficient to furnish his enterprise, bycause his eni∣mies were dispersed amongst woddes, Moun∣taines, and marishes,* 1.88 hee was constreined to re∣cule backe, sore displeased in his minde agaynste Geralde Earle of Kildare, being then the Kings deputie, whome he suspected to bee the cause that

he had no succours sent him, & was so enformed indede by such as bare to y^e erle no good wil. And therfore suddainely he caused y^e erle to be appre∣hended, & as a prisoner brought him in his com∣pany into Englande. Whiche earle being exa∣mined, & sundry points of treason laid to him, he so auoided thē all, and laid the burthen in other mens neckes, that he was dismissed, and sente into Ireland againe, there to be deputie & lieute∣nant as he was before. The King being now in [ 10] some better suretie of his estate, did take his pro∣gresse into Lancashire the .25. day of Iune, there to make merrie with his mother the Coūtesse of Derby, whiche then laye at Lathome in that Countrey.

In this meane while, Perkin Warbeck, be∣ing in Flanders, sore troubled that his iuggling was discouered, yet he determined not to leaue of his enterprise, in hope at lengthe to attayne the crowne of England, and so gathering a power [ 20] of al nations, some banquerouts, some false En∣glish sainctuarie men, some theeues, robbers, and vacabunds, whyche desiring to liue by rapine, wer glad to serue him. And thus furnished, tooke such ships as his frendes had prouided for him, & departing frō Flanders towards England, ari∣ued vpon y^e Kētish coast,* 1.89 & there cast anker, pur∣posing to proue how y^e people there were affected towards him, & therfore he sent certayne of his men to lande, to signify to the Countrey his a∣riual [ 30] with suche a power, that the victorie muste needs encline to his part. The Kentishmen vn∣derstanding y^e Perkyn was but Perkin, and had none with him (to make accompt of) but stran∣gers borne, like faithful subiects, determine to fal vpon those that were thus newe come to lande, & eke to trie if they myght allure y^e whole num∣ber out of their shippes, so to giue them battaile. But Perkyn wisely considering y^t the maner of a multitude, is not to consult & sagely to aduyse [ 40] with themselues in any deliberate sorte, but sod∣deynly & rashly to run headlong into Rebellion, would not set one foote out of his ship till he saw al things sure. Yet he permitted some of his soul∣diors to goe on land, which being trayned foorth a pretie way frō their ships, were sodainly com∣passed about & beset of y^e Kentishmen,* 1.90 and at one stroke vanquished & driuen backe to their ships: of whom ther wer taken prisoners an C.lx. per∣sons,* 1.91 whereof fiue, Montfort, Corbet, White, [ 50] Belt, Quintine, or otherwise Genin, being cap∣taines, were brought to Londō by sir Iohn Pe∣chy, sheriffe of Kent, railed in ropes like Horses, drawing in a cart, and after vpon their arrain∣ment, cōfessed their offēce, & were executed, some at London, & other in the townes adioining to y^e sea coast.* 1.92 And thus Perkyn, missing of his pur∣pose, fled backe into Flāders. In this very seson departed to God Cicilie Duches of Yorke mo∣ther to K. Edward y^e .iiij. at hir castel of Berk∣hāstere, a womā of smal stature,* 1.93 but of much ho∣nor & high parentage, & was buried by hir husbād in y^e colledge of Fodringey. The K. being aduer∣tised y^e his enimies were landed, leauing off hys progresse, purposed to haue returned to London, but being certified the next day of y^e lucky speede of his faithfull subiects, cōtinued his progresse, & sent sir Rich. Guylford both to cōmend the fide∣litie & manhod of the Kentishmen, & also to rēder to thē most harty thāks for y^e same. He also cau∣sed order to be takē for y^e erecting of beacons, and watching of them. Perkin then perceiuing that hee shoulde not bee receiued in Englande, sailed into Ireland, trusting there to augment his nū∣bers, and then to returne towards y^e coast of En∣gland again, and to take land in the West coū∣trey, if occasion serued, but if not,* 1.94 thē he determi∣ned to saile straight into Scotl. to seeke friēdship ther. After he had therfore stayed a while in Ire∣lād, and perceiued y^t the hope of victory consisted not in y^e Irish nation, being naked people, w^tout furniture of armour or weapon, he tooke y^e sea a∣gaine at Corffe, & sailed into Scotlande, where cōming to the presence of K. Iames, he forged suche a painted processe, to moue him to beleeue that he was the very sonne of K. Edward, that the Scottishe King, whether blinded by error, or vsing dissimulatiō, y^t he mighte vnder a coulou∣rable pretext, make war against England, begā to haue Perkin in great honour, and caused him openly to bee called Duke of Yorke. And to per∣swade y^e world y^t so he was indeede,* 1.95 he caused the Lady Katherine, daughter to Alexander Erle of Huntley, his nigh kinsmā, to be espoused to him. And shortly after, hauing this Perkin with him in cōpany, he entred into England with a puis∣sant army, & caused proclamation to be made,* 1.96 to spare al those y^t would submit thēselfs vnto Ri∣charde D. of Yorke, & heerewith, they began the war in most cruel maner, w^t slaughter of men, brenning of Townes, spoiling of houses, and committing of all other detestable enormities, so that all the Countrey of Northumberlande, was by them in manner wasted, and de∣stroyed.

At length, when the souldiers were ladē with spoile, and saciate with bloud. perceiuing that no succoures came out of Englād vnto the new inuented Duke, contrary to that whiche he had made them to beleeue would come to passe, they determined to returne, rather with assured gaine, than to tarrie y^e vncertaine victorie of that coun∣terfaite Duke, and so therevpon, they withdrew backe into Scotland, enriched with prayes and booties.

It is saide, that Perkin Warbecke, beeyng

retourned into Scotlande with the Kyng of Scottes, vnder a cloked pretence, should sore la∣mente the greate slaughter, spoyle, and domage, which had bin done at this last roade made into Englande, and therefore as one that bare a na∣turall loue towarde his natiue Countrey, be∣soughte the King of Scottes, that from thence∣forth, hee woulde no more so deface his naturall Realme, and destroy his subiects with suche ter∣rible fire, flame, and hauocke, as who should say, [ 10] he beeing ouercome now with compassion, dyd bewayle the cruell destruction of his naturall Countrey of England. But the Scottish King told him, that he seemed to take thought for that which appeared to be none of his, sith that not so much as one Gentleman or yeoman for ought that he coulde see, would once shewe themselues ready to ayde hym in the warre begunne for his cause, and in his name, within that realme whi∣che he pretended so cleerely to apperteine to him. [ 20]

The Kyng of Englande beeing certyfied of this inuasion, prepared an armye with all dili∣gence to haue resisted the Scots, but they were returned ere the Englishe power could assemble togither.

* 1.97When the King was truely certified that the Scottishe King was returned home, hee stayed all the preparations made at that time to goe a∣gainst him, but yet meaning to bee reuenged of the wrongs done to hym by King Iames and [ 30] his people, he first called a Parliament, and in that assemblie of the three estates of his Realm, he declared the cause of the instant warre, & how necessarie it should be for the suretie and welth of the realme of England to haue that war pursued against those enimies that had begon it. To this motion all the nobilitie wholly agreed. And to the maintenance of that warre, a subsidie was by whole assent of the parliament freely giuen and graunted. Which payment though it was not [ 40] great, yet manie of the cōmon people sore grud∣ged to pay y^e same, as they that euer abhorre such taxes & exactions. At the same parliament were diuers acts & statutes made, necessarie and expe∣dient (as was thought) for the publike weale of the realm.* 1.98 In the meane season the K. of Scots perceyuing that the Englishmen would shortly goe about to reuēge the iniuries done to them by him and his people, assembled eftsoons a puissant armie, that he might either defende his realme a∣gainst [ 50] the English power, attempting to inuade his countrey, or else a fresh to enter into the En∣glish borders. And thus these two mightie prin∣ces mynded nothing more than the one to endo∣mage the other, But the king of England wold not deferre one houre by his good will til he were reuenged, and therfore prepared a mightie army to inuade Scotland, and ordeyned for chieftayn therof y^e lord Daubeney. But as this army was assembled, and that the lord Daubeney was for∣ward on his iourney towards Scotland, he was sodainly stayed and called backe again by reason of a new commotion begon by the Cornishmen for the paimēt of the Subsidie which was gran∣ted at the last parliament.* 1.99 These vnruly people the Cornishmen inhabiting in a bareyn country and vnfruitful, at the firste sore repined that they should be so greuously taxed, and burdened the kings counsell as the only cause of such polling & pilling. And so being in their rage, menaced the chiefe authors with death and present destructiō. And thus being in a roare, two persōs of y^e same affinitie, the one called Thomas Flammocke, a gentleman, lerned in the lawes of the realme, and the other Mighel Ioseph a Smith, men of stout stomacks and high courages, toke vpon them to be captains of this seditious cōpanie. They laide the fault & cause of this exaction vnto Io. Mor∣ton Archbishop of Canterbury, & to sir Reinold Bray, bicause they wer chief of the kings coūsel. Such rewards haue they cōmonly y^t be in great authority w^t kings & princes. The captains Flā∣mock and Ioseph exhorted the cōmon people to put on harneis, & not to be afeard to follow them in that quarell, promising not to hurte any crea∣ture, but only to see them punished that procured such exactions to be layd on the people without any resonable cause, as vnder the color of a little trouble with the Scottes, whiche (sith they were withdrawne home) they toke to be well quieted and appeased. So these Captaines bent on mis∣chiefe (were their outward pretēce neuer so fine∣ly couloured) perswaded a great number of peo∣ple to assemble togither, & condiscended to do as their Captaines would agree and appoint. Then these captaines praising much the hardinesse of the people, whē al things were ready for their in∣fortunate iourney, set forwarde with their ar∣my, and came to Taunton, where they slew the prouost of Peryn, which was one of y^e cōmissio∣ners of y^e subsedie, & from thēce came to Welles, so intēding to goe to London, where the K. then soiourned. Whē the K. was aduertised of these doings, he was somewhat astonyed, & not with∣out cause being thus troubled w^t the war against y^e Scottes, and this ciuil cōmotiō of his subiects at one instant, but firste meaning to subdue hys rebellions subiects, & after to proceede against the Scots as occasiō should serue, he reuoked the L. Dawbeney (which as you haue hearde) was go∣ing against the Scottes, & encreased his army w^t many chosen & piked warriors. Also mistrusting that the Scots might now (hauing such oportu∣nitie) inuade y^e realme again, he appointed the L. Tho. Howard Erle of Surrey (which after the death of the L. Iohn Dinham, was made hygh

treasorer of Englād) to gather a band of mē in y^e countie Palatine of Durham, y^t they with y^e aid of y^e inhabitāts adioining, & the borderers might keepe back y^e Scots if they chanced to make any inuasiō. The nobles of y^e realme hearing of y^e re∣belliō of y^e Cornishmē, came to Lōdon euery mā w^t as many mē of war as they could put in a re∣dines to aid y^e K. if neede should be. In y^e which number were y^e erle of Essex, & the L. Montloy, w^t diuers other.* 1.100 In y^e mean time, Iames Twi∣cher [ 10] L. Audeley, being confederate with the Re∣bels of Cornewall, ioined with thē, being come to Welles, & toke vpon him as their chief Cap∣tain, to leade them against their natural L. and K. Frō Welles, they went to Salisbury, & from thēce to Winchester, & so into Kent, where they hoped to haue had great aid, but they were decei∣ued in that their expectation. For the Earle of Kente, George L. of Burgeiny, Iohn Brooke, L. Cobham, sir Edw. Poinings, sir Rich. Guil∣ford, [ 20] sir Tho. Bourchier, Io. Peche, Wil. Scot, & a great nūber of people, wer not only prest and ready to defend y^e countrey, to keepe the people in due obedience, but bent to fighte with suche as would lift vp sword, or other weapon agaynst their soueraigne Lord, in so much, that the Ken∣tish mē would not once come neere the Cornish men to aid or assist them in any maner of wise. Which thing maruellously dismaid the heartes of y^e Cornishmē, whē they saw themselues thus [ 30] deceiued of the succours which they most trusted vpō, so y^e many of thē (fearing y^e euil chance that might happen) fled in the night frō their cōpany, & left thē, in hope so to saue thēselues. The Cap∣taines of the Rebels perceiuing they coulde haue no help of the Kentishmen, putting their onely hope in their owne puissance, brought their peo∣ple to Blacke heath, a foure miles distante from London, and there in a playne on the toppe of an hill, they ordered their battailes, either readye to [ 40] fight with the K. if he would assayle them, or else to assault the Citie of London, for they thought the K. durst not haue encountred with them in battaile: but they were deceyued: for the K. al∣thogh he had power ynogh about to haue fought with them before their comming so neere to the Citie, yet hee thoughte it best to suffer them to come forward, till he had them farre off frō their natiue countrey, and then to set vpon them being destitute of aid in some place of aduantage. The [ 50] Citie was in a great feare at the first knowledge giuen, how the Rebels were so neere encamped to the Citie, euery man getting himselfe to har∣neys, and placing thēselues, some at the gates, some on the walles, so that no parte was vnde∣fended: but the K. deliuered y^e Citie of that feare: for after that he perceyued how the Cornishmen were all day ready to fight, and that on the hill, he sent straight Iohn Earle of Oxford, Henrye Bourchier, Erle of Essex, Edmond de la Poole, Earle of Suffolke, sir Ryse ap Thomas, and sir Humfrey Stanley, noble warriors, with a great companye of archers and horsemen, to enuiron the hill on the righte side, and on the lefte, to the intent that all bywayes being stopped and fore∣closed, al hope of flight should be taken from thē, and incontinently, he himselfe being as well en∣couraged with māly stomacke as furnished with a populous army and plenty of artillerie, set for∣ward out of the Citie, and encamped himselfe in S. Georges field, where he the Friday at nighte then lodged. On the Saterday in the morning, he sent the L. Daubeney with a great company to set on thē earely in the morning, which first gote the bridge at Dertford Strand, which was manfully defended by certaine archers of the re∣bels, whose arrowes as is reported were in lēgth a full clothyard.* 1.101 While the Earles set on them on euery side, the Lord Daubeney came into the field with his companie, and without long figh∣ting, the Cornishmen were ouercome, but firste they tooke the Lorde Daubeney prisoner, and whether it were for feare, or for hope of fauour, they let him goe at libertie, without hurt or de∣triment. There were slaine of the rebels whyche fought & resisted, aboue two thousand menne, as Hall noteth,* 1.102 and taken prisoners an infinite nū∣ber, and amongst them the blacke Smith, and other the chiefe Captaines, which were shortely after put to death. When this battel was ended, the K. wanted of al his numbers but three hun∣dred, which were slayne at that conflict. Some affirme, that the King appointed to haue fought with them, not till the Monday, and preuenting the time, set on thē on the Saterday before, ta∣king the vnprouided, and in no aray of battel, and so by that policie obteyned the field and vic∣tory. The prisoners as well captaines as other, were pardoned, sauing the chiefe captaynes and first beginners, to whome hee shewed no mercye at all.* 1.103 The L. Audeley was drawen frō New∣gate to the Tower hill in a coate of hys owne armes, paynted vppon paper reuersed and all to torne, and there was beheaded the four and twē∣tith of Iune. Tho. Flammock & Mighel Ioseph were hanged drawen and quartered after y^e ma∣ner of Traitors, and their heads and quarters were pitched vpon stakes, and set vp in Londō, and in other places. Although at the first, the K. meant to haue sent thē into Cornewal, to haue bin set vp there for a terror to all others, but hea∣ring that the Cornishmen at home were readie to begin a new cōspiracy, least he should y^e more irritate and prouoke them by that displeasaunte sight, he changed his purpose for doubte to wrap himselfe in more trouble than needed.

* 1.104While these things were adoing in England, the K. of Scots beeing aduertised of the whole matter & rebellion of the Cornishmē, thought not to let passe that occasion,* 1.105 & the refore hee eftsones inuaded the frontiers of Englande, wasting the countrey, burning townes, and murthering the people, sparing neither place nor person: & whyle his light horsemen were riding to forray and de∣stroy the Byshopricke of Durham, and there burned all about, he with an other part of his ar∣my,

[illustration]

besieged the Castell of Norham. [ 20]

* 1.106The Bishop of Durham Richard Foxe, be∣ing owner of that Castell, had well furnished it, both with men and munitions aforehand, doub∣ting least that would follow which came nowe to passe.

The Byshoppe after that the Scottes made this inuasion, aduertised the King (as then being at London) of all things that chanced in the North parts, and sent in all post hast to y^e Erle [ 30] of Surrey, to come to the rescue.

The Earle being then in Yorkeshire, and ha∣uing gathered an army vpon knowledge giuen to hym from the Byshop, with al diligence mar∣ched forward, and after him folowed other noble men out of all the quarters of the North, euerye of them bringing as many men as they coulde gather, for defence of their countrey. Amongst whom, the chiefe leaders were these, Raufe Erle of Westmerlād, Thomas Lord Dacres, Raufe [ 40] Lord Neuill, George Lord Straunge, Richard Lorde Latimer, George Lorde Lumley, Iohn Lorde Scrope, Henrye Lorde Clifford, George Lord Ogle, William Lord Conyers, Thomas Lord Darcy. Of Knightes, Thomas, Baron of Hilton. Sir William Percy, Sir William Bulmer, Sir William Gascoigne, Sir Raufe Bigod, Sir Raufe Bowes, Sir Tho. a Parre, Sir Raufe Ellecker, Sir Iohn Connestable, Sir Iohn Ratclif, Sir Iohn Sauill, Sir Tho. [ 50] Strangweys, & a great nūber of other knightes and Esquiers besydes. The whole armye was little lesse than twentie thousand men, beside the nauie, whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall. When the Scottes had diuers wayes assaulted and beaten the Castell of Norham, but coulde make no batrie to enter the same, they determi∣ned of their owne accorde to reyse the siege, and returne, and that so much the sooner in very dede, bycause they heard that the Erle of Surrey was within two dayes iourney of them, with a great puissance. Wherefore, King Iames reysed hys siege, and returned home into his owne Realme.

When the Earle knew of the Kings returne, he followed him with all hast possible, trustyng surely to ouertake him, and to giue him battayle. When the Earle was entred Scotlande, he o∣uerthrewe and defaced the Castell of Cawde∣streymes, the tower of Hetenhall, the tower of Edingtō, the tower of Fulden, and he sent Nor∣rey King at armes, to the Captayne of Hayton Castel, whiche was one of the strongest places betwixt Berwike and Edēburgh, to deliuer him the Castel, which he denied to do, affirming, that he was sure of speedie succours. The Erle heere∣vpon layde his ordinance to the Castel, and con∣tinually beate it, from two of the clock, till fiue at night, in such wise, that they within rendered vp the place, their liues only saued. The Earle caused his miners to rase and ouerthrow y^e for∣tresse to the playn groūd. The Scottish K. was w^tin a mile of the siege, & both knew it, & sawe y^e smoke, but would not set one foote forward to y^e rescue. While the Earle lay at Hayton, the K. of Scottes sent to him Machemont, and an o∣ther Herrauld, desiring him at his election, eyther to fight with whole puissance against puissance, or else they two to fight person to person, requi∣ring, that if the victorie fell to the Scottish K. that then the Earle should deliuer for his raun∣some, the town of Berwike, with the fishgarthes of the same. The Earle made aunswere heere∣to, that the Towne of Berwike was the Kyng his maisters, and not his, the whiche hee neyther oughte nor woulde lay to pledge, without the King of Englands assent, but he woulde guage

his bodie which was more precious to him than all the townes of the worlde, promising on hys honour, that if he tooke the king prisoner in that singular combate, he would release to him all his part of his fine and raunsome, and if it chaunced the king to vanquish him, hee woulde gladly pay such raunsome as was conuenient for the degree of an Earle, and thanked him greatly for the offer: for surely he thought himselfe much hono∣red, that so noble a Prince woulde vouchsafe to [ 10] admit so poore an Erle to fight with him body to body. When he had rewarded and dismissed the Heraulds, he set his armie in a readinesse to abide the comming of the king of Scots, and so stoode all day.

But K. Iames not regarding his offers, wold neyther performe the one nor the other, fearing to cope with the English nation in anie cōdition and so therevpon fled in the night season with all his puissance. [ 20]

Whē the Erle knew that the king was reculed and had beene in Scotlande sixe or seuen dayes, being dayly and nightly vexed with continuall wind and raine, vpon good and deliberate aduise returned backe to the town of Berwik, and there dissolued his armie, tarying there himself, till hee might vnderstande further of the Kings plea∣sure.

In the meane time there came an Ambassa∣dour to the King of Scottes, from the king of [ 30]

[illustration]

[ 40] Spaine,* 1.107 one Peter Hyalas, a man of no lesse learning than witte and policie, to moue and in∣treate a peace betweene the two kings of Eng∣lande and Scotland. [ 50]

This Spanish Ambassador so earnestly tra∣uailed in his message to the king of Scottes, that at length he found him conformable to his pur∣pose, and therfore wrote to the king of England, that it would please him to sende one of his No∣bilitie or counsayle, to be associate with him in concluding of peace with the Scottish king. The king of England was neuer daūgerous to agree to any reasonable peace, so it mighte stand with his honour, and therfore appoynted the Bishop of Durham doctor Fox, to go into Scotland about that treatie which Peter Hyalas had begon.

The Bishoppe according to his commission, went honorably into Scotland, where he, & Peter Hyalas at the town of Iedworth, after iōg argu∣ing and debating of matters with the Scottishe Commissioners, in steade of peace concluded a truce for certaine yeares, vppon condition that Iames king of Scottes shoulde county Perkyn Werbecke out of his Realme, seigniories, and do∣minions.

About the same time, king Henrie receyued the Ambassadours that were sente to him from the French king, and had bene stayed at Douer, tyll the Cornish Rebelles were vanquished and sub∣dued.

Also the lord of Camphire, and other Orators of Philippe Archduke of Austriche, and Duke of Burgongne came to him for the conclusion of a∣mitie, and to to haue the English marchantes to resort againe into their Countrey, whche request being verie agreable to the quietnesse and wealth of his Realme, and especially at that tyme,* 1.108 he did fauourably graunt and agree vnto. And so did the Englishmen resort again into the Archdukes dominions, and were receyued into Andwerpe with generall Procession: so glad was that town of their returne.

Shortly after the concluding of the truce be∣twene Englande and Scotland, Perkin War∣becke, being willed of the king of Scottes to de∣part out of the Scottish dominions, sayled with his wife and and familie into Irelande, there de∣termining with himselfe eyther to repayre into Flaunders to his firste setter vp the Duches of Burgongne, or else to ioyne and take part wyth the Cornishmen.

But howsoeuer it came to passe, whilest hee lay in Ireland, he had knowledge from the Cor∣nish men, that they were readie to renue the warre againe. Wherevpon he minding not to let passe so fayre an occasion, hauing with him foure smal shippes, and not aboue sixescore men,* 1.109 sayled into Cornwall, and there landed in the Moneth of September, and came to a Towne called Bod∣man, and there did so prouoke the wauering peo∣ple, what with fayre wordes and large promises, that bee gathered to him aboue three thousande persons, which immediately called him their cap∣taine, promising to take his part, and follow him to the death.

Then Perkin well encouraged,* 1.110 made Pro∣clamations in the name of king Richarde the fourth, as sonne to king Edward the fourth. And by the aduice of his three coūsailers, Iohn Her•…•… Mercer, a bankrupt, Richard Scelton a Taylor,

and Iohn Astely a Scriuener determined firste of al to assay the winning of Exceter, and so ha∣sting thither he layd siege to it, and wanting or∣dinaunce to make batterie, studyed all wayes possible how to breake the Gates, and what with casting of stones,* 1.111 heauing with yron barres, and kindling of fire vnder the gates, hee omitted no∣thing that could be deuised for the furtherance of his purpose.

The Citizens perceyuing in what daunger [ 10] they stoode, first let certaine Messengers downe by coardes ouer the wall, that might certifie the king of theyr necessitie and trouble.

And herewith taking vnto them boldnesse of courage, determined to repulse fire with fire, and caused fagottes to be brought and layd to the in∣warde part of the gates, and set them all on fire, to the intent that the fire being enflamed on both sides the gates, might as well keepe out their eni∣mies from entring, as shut in the Citizens from [ 20] fleeing oute, and that they in the meane season might make Trenches and Rampires to defende theyr enimies in steade of gates and Bulwarks.* 1.112 Thus by fire was the Citie preserued from fire.

Then Perkyn being of verie necessitie com∣pelled to forsake the gates, assaulted the towne in dyuerse weake and vnfortified places, and set vp Ladders to take the citie. But the Citizens with helpe of such as were come forth of the Countrey adioining to theyr ayde so valiantly defended the [ 30] walles, that they slue aboue two hūdred of Per∣kyns souldiers at that assault.

The king hauing aduertisement of this siege of Excetter, hasted forth with his host, in as much speede as was possible, and sent the Lorde Dawbeney with certaine bandes of lyght horse∣men before, to aduertise all men of his comming at hande.

But in the meane season, the Lord Edward Courtney Erle of Deuonshire, and the valiaunt [ 40] Lorde William his sonne, accompanyed wyth sir Edmond Carew, sir Thomas Trencharde, sir William Courtney, sir Thomas Fulford, sir Iohn Halewel, sir Iohn Croker, Water Court∣ney, Peter Egecombe, William Saint Maure, with all speede came into the Citie of Exceter, and holp the Citizens, and at the last assault was the Earle hurt in the arme with an arrowe, and so were many of his companie, but verie fewe slaine. [ 50]

When Perkyn saw that he could not winne the Citie of Exceter, sith the same was so well fortified both with men and munitions, he depar∣ted from thence, and went vnto Taunton, and there the .xx. day of Septēber he mustred his mē, as though hee were readie to giue battaile: But perceyuing his number to be minished, by the se∣crete withdrawing of sundrie companies from him, he began to put mistrust in all the remnant. In deede when the people that followed him in hope that no small number of the Nobilitie wold ioyne with him, sawe no suche matter come to passe, they stale away from him by secrete com∣panies.

When the king heard that hee was gone to Taunton, he followed after him with all speede. And by the way ther came to him Edward duke of Buckingham, a yong Prince of greate to∣wardnesse, and him folowed a great companie of noble men, knightes and esquiers, as sir Alex∣ander Baynam, sir Maurice Barckley, sir Ro∣bert Tame, sir Iohn Guise, sir Roberte Poyntz, sir Henrie Vernon, sir Iohn Mortimer, sir Tho∣mas Tremaile, sir Edward Sutton, sir Amyse Pawlet, sir Iohn Bickneil, sir Iohn Sapcotes, sir Hugh Lutterell, sir Frauncis Cheyney, and diuerse other.

At the kings approching to the Towne of Taunton, hee sent before him Robert Lorde Brooke Lorde Stewarde of his house, Giles lord Dawbney his chiefe Chamberlaine, and sir Rice ap Thomas. But as soone as Perkyn was in∣formed that his enimies were readie to giue him battaile, hee that nothing lesse mynded than to fight in open field with the kings puyssance, dis∣sembled all the day tyme with his companie, as though nothing could make him afrayde, and a∣bout mydnight being accompanied with three∣score horsemen, departed from Taunton in post to a Sanctuarie town beside Southampton,* 1.113 cal∣led Beaudley, and there he and Iohn Heron with other, registred themselues as persons priuiled∣ged.

When king Henrie knewe that Perkyng was thus fled, he sent after him the Lorde Dawbney, with fiue hundred horsemen, toward the sea side, to apprehende him before he should get away.

Although Perkyn escaped (as I haue sayde) vnto Sanctuarie, yet many of his chiefe Cap∣taynes were taken and presented to the king.

Also the horsemen that were sent, without a∣stoppe or stay came to Saint Michaels Mount, and there (as chaunce was) found the Lady Ka∣therin Gorden, wife to Perkyn, and brought hir streight to the king. At whose beautie and ami∣able countenance the king much marueyled, and thought hir a pray more meete for a Prince, than for the meane souldiours, and sent hir inconti∣nently vnto London to the Queene, accōpanied with a sort of sage matrones and gentlewomen, bycause she was but yong.

The common people that had followed Per∣kyn, after that their chieftaine was fled, threwe away theyr armour as people amazed, and sub∣mitted thēselues to the king, humbly beseeching him of mercie, which hee most gently graunted,

and receyued them to his fauour.

After this the king road to Exceter, and there not onely commended the Citizens, but also har∣tily thanked them for doing so well their duties in defending theyr citie from his enimies.

He also put there to execution diuerse Cornish men which were the authours and principall be∣ginners of this new conspiracy and insurrection.

[illustration]

And whilest he remayned at Exceter, he con∣sidered with himselfe, that hee had done nothing if he could not get into his handes the chiefe head of this trouble and seditious businesse. Wherefore he caused the Sainctuarie wherein Perkyn was enclosed, to bee enuironed with two bandes of [ 30] lyght horsemen, to watch diligently that Perkyn shoulde not escape by any meanes forth of that place vntaken. And withall attempted by fayre promises of pardon and forgiuenesse, if Perkyn woulde submit himselfe to him and become hys man.

Perkyn perceyuing himself so shutte vp, that hee coulde no way escape,* 1.114 of his owne free will came out of the Sanctuarie, and cōmitted him∣selfe to the kings pleasure.

When the king had thus atchieued his pur∣pose, [ 40] he returned to London, and appoynted cer∣taine keepers to attend on Perkyn, which should not (the breadth of a nayle) go from his person, least he shoulde conueigh himselfe by any meanes out of the land.

After this the king caused enquities to bee made of all such as had ayded with men or mony the Cornish rebels, so that diuerse persons aswell in Somersetshire, as Deuonshire, were detected of that offence, whiche hee mynded for example [ 50] sake, shoulde taste some part of due punishments for theyr crymes, according to the quantitie ther∣of.* 1.115 And therefore he appoynted Thomas Lorde Darcie, Amys Pawlet knight, & Robert Sher∣borne Deane of Poules (that was after Bishop of Chichester) to be Commissioners for assessing of their fines that were founde culpable.

These Commissioners so besturred themsel∣ues, in tossing the Coffers and substaunce of all the Inhabitants of both those shyres, that there was not one person enbrewed or spotted with the filth of that abhominable crime, that escaped the paine which he had deserued: but to such yet as offended rather by constraynt than of malice, they were gentle and fauourable, so that equi∣tye therein was verie well and iustly executed.

In this yeare the warre had like to haue bene renued betwixte the Realmes of Englande and Scotland, by a small occasion, as thus.* 1.116

Certaine yong men of the Scottes came ar∣med before Norham Castell, and beheld it won∣derous circumspectly, as though they would fain haue beene of counsaile to know what was done therein. The keepers not perceyuing any do∣mage attempted agaynst them for the first time, determined not to moue any question to them, or once to styre out.

But when they came againe the nexte daye, and vewed it likewise, the keepers of the Castell suspecting some euill meaning, demaunded of them what their intēt was, and why they vewed and aduised so the Castell. The S•…•…ftes an∣swered them roughly with disdainfull wordes, so farre forth that the Englishmen fell to and re∣plyed with strokes, and after many blowes gy∣uen and receyued, diuerse Scots were wounded, and some slaine, and the residue ouermatched with multitude of the Englishmen, fled as fast as their horses could cary them.

The Scottish king hereof aduertised, was high∣ly displeased, and in all hast signified to king Hē∣rie by his Heraulde Marchemount, in what sort his people to the breache of the truce were vsed

and bandled.

King Henrie being not in wil to breake with any of his neighbours, excused the matter, affyr∣ming that he was not of knowledge to the mis∣demenor of those that had the castel in keping, re∣quyring the king of Scots not to thinke the truce broken for any thing done without his consent, promising in the worde of a King to enquyre of the truth, and if the offence were founde to bee begon on the partie of the keepers of the Castel, he [ 10] assured him that they shuld for no meed nor fauor escape due correction and punishment.

This answere though it was more than rea∣sonable, could not pacifie the king of Scots, till the Bishop of Durham that was owner of the Castell of Norham, and sore lamented that by such as hee appoynted keepers there, the warre should be renued, with sundrie letters written to the Scottish king, at lēgth asswaged his displea∣sure, that he wrote courteously to the Bishoppe [ 20] agayne, signifying that bycause hee had many secrete things in hys mynde, whiche he woulde communicate onelye with hym touching thys matter nowe in variaunce, hee therefore requy∣red him to take the payne to come into his coun∣trey, trusting that hee shoulde thinke hys labour well bestowed.

The Bishop was glad, and sent word here∣of to the king his maister, who willed him to ac∣complish the desire of the Scotish king whiche hee [ 30] tooke to be reasonable.

At his comming into Scotland, he was cur∣teously receyued of the king himselfe at the Abbey of Melrose. And there after the king had for a countenance complayned muche of the vniuste slaughter of his mē lately committed at Norhā, vpon the Bishops gentle answeres therevnto, hee forgaue the same, and after began to talke secret∣ly without witnesses alone with the bishop. And first declared what iust causes mooued him in ty∣mes [ 40] past to seeke amitie with the king of Eng∣land, which now he desired muche more to haue confirmed, for the further maintenance & increase thereof,* 1.117 which he doubted not but shoulde sort to a fortunate conclusion, if the king of Englande would vouchsafe to giue to him in matrimonie his first begotten daughter the Lady Margaret, vppon whiche poynt hee purposed lately to haue sent his Ambassadors into Englād, which thing he would the sooner do if he knew the Bishoppes [ 50] mynde therin to be readie to further his sute. The Bishop answered but fewe wordes, sauing that when he were returned to the king his maister, he would do the best in the matter that he could.

When the Bishop was returned into Eng∣land, and come to the king, he declared to him al the communication had betweene king Iames and him, from poynt to poynt in order.

The king liked well thereof, as he to whome peace was euer a soueraigne solace and comfort.

In this meane time Perkin Warbecke disap∣poynted of all hope to escape out of the Englishe mens hands (which was the onely thing that he most desired)* 1.118 found meanes yet at length to de∣ceyue his keepers, and tooke him to his heeles: * 1.119 but when he came to the Sea coastes, and could not passe, he was in a marueylous perplexitie, for e∣uery byway, lane, and corner was layd for hym, and such search made, that being brought to hys wittes ende, and cut short of hys pretenced iour∣ney, he came to the house of Bethlem, called the Priory of Shene beside Richmond in Southery, and betooke himselfe to the Prior of that Mona∣sterie, requiring him for the honour of God to beg his pardon for life, of the kings Maiestie. The Prior which for the opinion that men had con∣ceyued of his vertue, was had in great estimatiō, pitying the wretched state of that caitife, came to the king, and shewed him of this Perkyn, whose pardon he humbly craued, & had it as freely gran∣ted. Incontinently after, was Perkyn brought to the Court againe to Westminster, and was one day set fettred in a paire of stocks, before the doore of Westmynster hal, and there stood a whole day, not without innumerable reproches, mocks, and scornings. And the next day he was caryed tho∣row London, & set vpon a like skaffold in Cheape by the standard, with like ginnes and stocks as he occupied the day before, & there stood al day, & read openly his own confession, written with his own hand, the very copie wherof here ensueth.

FIrst it is to be knowne, that I was borne in the towne of Turny in Flanders,* 1.120 & my fa∣thers name is Iohn Osbeck, which said I Osork was Cōptroller of y^e sayd town of Turney, & my mothers name is Katherin de Faro. And one of my Grandsires vpō my fathers side was named Dirick Osbeck, which died, after whose death my grandmother was maried vnto Peter Flamin, y^t was receiuer of the forenamed town of Turney, & dean of the botemen y^e row vpō the water or riuer called le Scheld. And my grandsire vpō my mo∣thers side was Pet. de Faro, which had in his ke∣ping the keyes of the gate of S. Iohns within the same towne of Turney. Also I had an vncle cal∣led M. Iohn Stalin, dwelling in the parish of S. Pias within y^e same town, which had maried my fathers sister, whose name was Ioan or Iane, w^t whō I dwelt a certaine season. And after I was led by my mother to Andwarpe for to learn Fle∣mish, in a house of a cousin of mine, an officer of the sayde towne, called Iohn Stienbecke, with whom I was the space of halfe a yere. And after that I returned againe to Turney, by reason of warres that were in Flanders. And within a yere folowing I was sēt w^t a marchāt of y^e said town

of Turney named Berlo, to the Marte of And∣warpe, where I fell sicke, which sicknesse conti∣nued vpon mee fiue Monethes. And the sayde Berlo set me to boorde in a skinners house, that dwelled beside the house of the English Nation. And by him I was from thence caried to Ba∣row Mart, and I lodged at the signe of the Olde man, where I abode for the space of two Mo∣nethes. And after this the sayd Berlo set me with a marchant of Middleborow to seruice, for to [ 10] learne the language, whose name was Iohn Strew, with whom I dwelt from Christmas to Easter, & then I went into Portingal in cōpany of sir Edward Bramptons wife, in a ship which was called the Queenes ship. And when I was come thither, thē I was put in seruice to a knight that dwelled in Lushborne, whiche was called Peter Vacz de Cogna, with whome I dwelled an whole yeare, which sayde knight had but one eye. And bycause I desired to see other Coun∣treys, [ 20] I tooke license of him, and then I put my self in seruice with a Briton, called Pregēt Me∣no, which brought me with him into Irelande: and when we were there arriued in the towne of Corke, they of the town, (bicause I was arrayed with some clothes of silke of my sayde maisters) came vnto me, and threatned vpon me, that I should be the duke of Clarence son, that was be∣fore time at Dublin. And forasmuch as I denied there was brought vnto me the holy Euāgelists, [ 30] and the crosse, by the Maior of the towne, which was called Iohn Lewellin, & there in the presence of him & other. I toke mine oth as the truth was, that I was not the foresayd dukes son, nor none of his bloud. And after this came vnto mee an Englishman, whose name was Steuē Poitron, and one Iohn Water, and layd to me in swea∣ring great othes, that they knew wel that I was king Richards bastard son: to whom I answered with like othes, that I was not. And then they [ 40] aduised me not to be afearde, but that I shoulde take it vpon me boldly, and if I would so do, they would ayd and assyst me with all theyr power a∣gainst the king of England, & not only they, but they were assured well, that the Earles of Des∣mond and Kildare should do the same. For they forced not what parte they tooke, so that they might be reuenged vpō the king of England, and so agaynst my will made me to learne English, and taught me what I should do and say. And [ 50] after this they called me duke of Yorke, seconde sonne to king Edward the fourth, bycause king Richardes Bastarde sonne was in the handes of the king of Englande. And vpon this the sayde Water, Stephen Poytron, Iohn Tyler, Hugh∣bert Burgh, with many other, as the foresayde Erles, entred into this false quarell, and within short time other. The frēch king sent an Ambas∣sadour into Irelande, whose name was Loyte Lucas, and maister Stephen Friham, to aduer∣tise me to come into France. And thence I went into France, and from thence into Flanders, and from Flanders into Irelande, and from Irelande into Scotland, and so into England.

When the night of the same day (being the .xv. of Iune) was come, after hee had stand all that day in the face of the Citie, he was committed to the Tower, there to remaine vnder safe keeping, least happily he might eftsoones runne away, and escape out of the lande, to put the king and realme to some new trouble.

In this yeare there was an Augustine Frier called Patricke in the Parties of Suffolke,* 1.121 which hauing a scholer named Raufe Wilford (a Shoo∣makers sonne in London, as Stow noteth) had so framed him to his purpose, that in hope to worke some greate enterprise, as to disappoynt the king of his crowne and seate royal,* 1.122 tooke vpon him to be the Earle of Warwike, insomuch that both the maister and scholer hauing counsayled betwene themselues of their enterprise, they went into Kent, and there began the yōg Mawmet to tel priuily to many, that he was the very Erle of Warwicke, and lately gotten out of the Tower, by the helpe of this Frier Patrike. To which say∣ings when the Frier perceyued some lyght cre∣dence to be giuen, he declared it openly in the pul∣pet, and desired all men of helpe. But the daun∣ger of this seditious attempt was shortly remoo∣ued and taken away, the maister and scholer be∣ing both apprehēded and cast into prison and at∣tainted. The scholer was hanged on Shroue∣tuesday at S. Thomas Waterings, & the Frier condemned to perpetuall prison. For at that time so much reuerence was attributed to the holy or∣ders, that to a priest although he had committed high treason agaynst his soueraigne lorde, his life was spared, in like case as to any other offender in murder, rape, or theft, that had receiued any of the three higher, holy orders.

Perkin Warbecke (as before ye haue heard) being now in holde,* 1.123 by false perswasions & great promises corrupted his keepers. Strangueys, Blewet, Astwood, and long Roger, seruants to sir Iohn Dighy lieutenant of the Tower. Inso∣much that they (as it was at their arraignment openly proued) intended to haue slaine their ma∣ster, and to haue set Perkin and the erle of War∣wike at large. Which Erle of Warwik had bene kept in prison within the tower almost from his tender yeares, that is to wit, from the first yere of the king, to this .xv. yeare, out of all company of men, & sight of beasts, insomuch that he could not discerne a goose from a capon, and therefore by cō∣mon reason and opē apparance could not of him∣self, seeke his owne death and destruction, but yet

by the drift & offence of another he was brought to his death and confusion, for beeing made pri∣uie of this enterprise deuised by Perkyn and hys complyces, therevnto (as all naturall creatures loue libertie) he assented and agreed. But thys craftie deuise, and subtill ymagination beeing re∣uealed, sorted to none effect, so that Perkyn and Iohn Awater sometyme Maior of Corke in Irelande, one of his chiefe founders, and his •…•…on, were the .xvj. daye of Nouember arreigned and [ 10] condemned at Westminster. And on the .xxiij. day of the same moneth,* 1.124 Perkyn and Iohn A∣water were drawne to Tyburne, and there Per∣kyn standing on a little skaffolde, read his confes∣sion as before he had done in Cheape side, taking it on his death to bee true. And so hee and Iohn Awater asked the king forgiuenesse, and dyed pa∣ciently.

This was the rewarde of the feyned glose and counterfeyte coment of Perkyn Warbecke, the [ 20] whiche as by his false surmises in his life tyme, had brought many honorable personages to their deathes, & vndone many an honest man: so nowe at his death hee brought other of the same sort to theyr not altogyther vndeserued punishment. And amongest other Edwarde Plantagenet the forenamed Earle of Warwicke, which (as the fame went) consented to breake prison, and to depart out of the Realme with Perkyn (which in prisoners is high treason) was the .xxj. day of the [ 30] fayde Moneth arraigned at Westmynster be∣fore the Earle of Oxforde then high Stewarde of Englande of the sayde treason, which whether it were by inticement and perswasion of other, or of his owne free will many doubted, bycause of his innocencie) confessed the fact, & submitted him∣self to the kings mercie. And vpō his cōfession had his iudgement,* 1.125 and according therevnto the xxviij. day of Nouember in the yeare .1499. was brought to the Skaffolde on the tower hill, and [ 40] there beheaded.

The fame after his death sprang abrode that Ferdinando king of Spaine would make ful cō∣clusion of the matrimonie to bee had betweene Prince Arthure and the Ladie Katherin daugh∣ter to the sayde Ferdinando, nor sende hir into England as long as this erle liued. For he yma∣gined that so long as any Earle of Warwike ly∣ued, Englande shoulde neuer be purged of ciuill warre and priuie sedition, so much was the name [ 50] of Warwike in other regions had in feare & iea∣lousie.* 1.126 The next yeare after there was a greate plague whereof men died in manye places verie sore, but specially and most of all in the Citie of London where died in that yeare .xxx. thousande.

The .xxiiij. of Februarie in this .xv. yeare of this kings raigne his thirde sonne was christened and named Edwarde.

Also in this yeare was burned a place of the kings called the Manour of Sheene situate nigh

[illustration]

the Thames side,* 1.127 which he after buylded againe sumptuously, and chaunged the name of Shene and called it Richmond, because his father and he were Earles of Richmond.

The king whether to auoyde the daunger of so great and perillous sicknesse, then raigning, or to take occasion to common with the Duke of Burgongne, he personally tooke his ship at Do∣uer in the beginning of May, and sayled to Ca∣lais, whether the Duke of Burgongne, sent to him honourable personages in Ambassade to welcome him into those partyes,* 1.128 and to declare that the sayde Duke woulde gladly repayre per∣sonally to his presence with suche a number as the King shoulde appoynt, so that it were with∣in no walled towne nor fortresse. For hauing de∣nyed the Frenche king to enter into anye of hys fortresses to talke with him, hee woulde be loth nowe to giue a president to him to desire the lyke meeting. The kng enterteyning the Ambassa∣dours, and thanking the Duke of hys courte∣ous offer, appoynted the place at Saint Peters Church without Calais.

Vpon Tuesday in Witson weeke the Arch∣duke Philippe came thither with a conuenient companie.* 1.129 The King and the Queene with ma∣ny a lustie Lorde and Ladie road thither to wel∣come him, and after moste louing enterteyn∣ments, banquettings, myrth and pastime shewed amongest them there was communication of maryages, treating of further strengthning of leagues, requestes of tolles in Flaunders to be minished, with many other things touching the commoditie and traffike of both their countreys. And when all things were set in order, the two Princes tooke theyr leaue and departed, the King to Calays, and the Archduke to Saint Omers.

After hys departyng, there came Ambassa∣dours from the French King the Lorde Gron∣thouse

gouernour of Pycardie, and the Lorde Merueiliers bailife of Amyens, which declared to the king the getting of Millane and taking of the Duke, the Kyng highly feasted them, and re∣warded them princely at their departing.

* 1.130Soone after when the death was slaked, the king returned againe into Englande aboute the ende of Iune. Shortly after there came to him one Gasper Pons a Spaniard, a man of excellent learning and most ciuill behauiour, sent from A∣lexander [ 10] the Bishop of Rome to distribute the heauenly grace (as he termed it) to all suche as letted by any forcible impedimēt,* 1.131 could not come to Rome that yeare to the Iubile, whiche was there celebrate, being the yeare after the byrth of our Sauiour .1500.

This beneuolent liberalitie was not altogy∣ther freely gyuen. For Alexander looking to the health of mennes soules, thought to do somewhat for his owne priuate commoditie, and therfore he [ 20] set a certaine price of that his grace and pardon, and to the ende that the king shoulde not hynder his purpose, he offred part of his gaine to the king. And to colour the matter with some fauourable pretext, and to make men the better willing and more readie to gyue frankly, hee promysed wyth that money to make warre agaynste the Turke.

By this meanes the Pope got a great masse of money, and yet nothing done agaynste the [ 30] Turke, which in the meane season did much hurt to the Christians: but God amende all that is a∣misse.

About this time died three Bishops in Eng∣land Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterburye Thomas Langton Bisshop of Wynchester, and Thomas Rotheram Archbishop of Yorke. After him succeeded Thomas Sauage Bishop of Lō∣don, a man of great honour and worthinesse: in whose place succeeded William Warham, of [ 40] whō before is made mention. And Henry Deane Bishop of Salisburie, was made Archbishop of Canterburie, and Richarde Foxe was remoued from Durham to the sea of Winchester.

Also this yeare two notable mariages were concluded, but not consummate till afterwards, as you shall heare in place conuenient. For king Henrie graunted his daughter Ladie Margaret to Iames the fourth king of Scottes.* 1.132 And Fer∣dinando king of Spaine, gaue his daughter La∣die [ 50] Katherine to Arthure Prince of Wales, son and heyre apparaunt to the king of England.

Among other articles of the maryage con∣cluded with the Scottish king this was one, that no English men shoulde be receyued into Scot∣lād without letters cōmendatorie of their soue∣raigne Lord or safeconduct of his Wardaine of the Marches, and the same prohibition was in like maner giuen to the Scottes.

This yeare the Ladie Katherine of Spaine was sent by hir father King Ferdinando with a puissant nauie of shippes into Englande,* 1.133 * 1.134 where she arriued in the Hauē of Plimmouth the second day of October then being Saterday.

Vpon the .xij. of Nouember she was conueyed from Lambeth through London with all try∣umph and honour that myght be deuised to the Bishops Palaice, the streetes beeing hanged and Pageants erected after the maner as is vsed at a coronation.

Whilest this Ladie soiourned for hir recrea∣tion in the Bishops Palaice of London, being in the meane time visited of the king, the Queene, and the kings mother, there was erected in the bodie of S. Pauls Church a long bridge made of Tymber, extending from the West doore of the Churche to the steppe at the entring into the Queere, which was sixe foote from the grounde. On the sayd bridge or stage, euen directly before the cōsistorie of the church was a place raised like a Mount for eight persons to stand vpon, cōpas∣sed round about with steps to ascend and descend, which was couered with fine red worsted, and in like wise were all the rayles of the sayd stage. On the north side of this mount was a place decked & trymmed for the King and Queene, and such o∣ther as they appoynted to haue. On the South∣side the same Mounte stoode the Maior and the Magistrates of the Citie.

When all things were prepared and set in or∣der vpon the .xiiij. of Nouember then being Sun∣day, the foresayde Ladie was ledde to the sayde Mounte,* 1.135 and there Prince Arthur openly espou∣sed hir, both being clad in White, both lustie and amorous, he of the age of fiftene and more, and she of the age of .xviij. or thereaboutes, the King and Queene standing priuilye on theyr stage.

After the matrimonie celebrate, the prince and his wife went vp into the Quere, and there heard a solemne Masse sung by the Archbishop of Can∣terbury, associate with .xix. Prelates mytred. And after the Masse finished, the Bryde was ledde homewardes to the Bishoppes Palayce by the Duke of Yorke, being then a goodly yong prince, and the Legate of Spaine. Next after fol∣lowed the Ladie Cicile, sister to the Queene, supporting the trayne of the spouse. But to speake of all the solemne pompe, noble compa∣nie of Lordes and Ladies, and what a sump∣tuous feast and plentifull, was kept with daun∣cing and disguisings, woordes myght sooner fayle than matter worthye of rehearsall. But euery day endeth, and nyght ensueth, and so when nyght was come, the Prince and his beau∣tifull Bride were brought and ioyned togyther

in one bedde, where they lay as man and wife all that night.

Shortly after the king and the Queene, with the newe wedded spouses went from Baynards Castell by water to Westminster, on whom the Maior and communaltie of London, in barges gorgeously trymmed gaue their attendance. And there in the Palace were such martiall feates, va∣liant

[illustration]

iustes, vygorous turneys & such fierce fight at the barriers as before that time was of no man had in remembraunce. Of this royall triumph Lord Edward Duke of Buckingham was chief chalenger, and Lorde Thomas Gray Marques Dorcet cheife defender, which with their aydes & companions bare themselues so valiantly, that [ 30] they got great praise and honor, both of the Spa∣niards, and of their owne countrymen.

During the time of these iustes and triumphs, were receyued into London, an erle, a bishop, and diuerse noble personages sente from the king of Scots into England for conclusion of the mari∣age betwene the Lady Margaret and him, which Erle by proxie, in the name of king Iames hys maister,* 1.136 affyed and contracted the sayde Ladie. Which affiance was published at Paules crosse, [ 40] the day of the conuersion of Saint Paule, in re∣ioycing whereof Te Deum was soong, and great fiers made through the Citie of London.

These things being accomplished, the Am∣bassadours as well as Spaine as Scotland, tooke their leaue of the King, and not without great rewardes returned into their countreys.

When the Ambassadours were departed, he sent his son Prince Arthur again into Wales, to keepe that Country in good order, appoynting to [ 50] him wise and expert Counsaylers, as sir Ry∣charde Poole his kinsman, which was his chiefe Chamberlayne, also sir Henrie Vernon, sir Ry∣charde Croftes, sir Dauid Philip, sir William Vdall, sir Thomas Englefield, sir Peter New∣ton, knightes, Iohn Walleston, Henry Marion, and Doctor William Smith, president of his counsaile, and doctor Charles, of the which two doctors, the one was after Bishop of Lincolne, and the other Bishop of Hereford.

A few monethes before the maryage of prince Arthur, Edmonde de la Poole Earle of Suffolke sonne to Iohn Duke of Suffolke, and Ladie E∣lizabeth sister to king Edward the fourth, beeing balde and cashe withall, was indyted of mur∣ther, for sleaing of a meane person in his rage and furie, and although the king pardoned him whom hee might iustly haue put to death for that of∣fence, yet bycause he was brought to the barre a∣fore the kings Bench,* 1.137 and arraigned (which fact he tooke as a greate maime and blemishe to hys honour) shortly after vpon that displeasure hee fledde into Flaunders vnto his Aunte the Ladie Margaret, the king not being priuie to his go∣ing ouer. Neuerthelesse, whether he was per∣swaded by his friends therevnto, whom the king hadde wylled to deale with hym therein, or whether vpon trust of his innocencie, true it is that he returned againe, and excused himselfe to the king, so that he thought hym to be guiltlesse of anye cryme that myght bee obiected agaynst him.

But when the maryage betwixt the prince and the Ladie Katherin of Spaine was kept at London, this Erle eyther for that he had passed hys compasse in excessiue charges and sumptu∣ousnesse at that great tryumph and solemnitie, and by reason thereof was farre run into debt, ey∣ther else through the procurement of his aunt the foresayd Lady Margaret, or pricked with some priuie enuie, which could not paciently with open eyes behold king Henry, being of the aduerse fac∣tion to his lignage so long to reigne in wealth

and felicitie, in conclusion with his brother Ry∣charde fled again into Flaunders.

This departure of the Earle sore vexed the king, doubting of some newe trouble to ensue thereof. But yet to vnderstande the full meaning of the sayd Erle, the King vsed his olde serche for immediately after the Erle was fled, he ap∣pointed sir Robert Curson whom he had aduan∣ced to the order of knighthoode, and made Cap∣taine of Hammes Castell, a valiant man, and a [ 10] circumspect, to dissemble himselfe to bee one of that conspiracie, went into Flaunders, to espie what was done there by the Ladie Mar∣garet, and his Nephewe the Earle of Suf∣folke.

After that the sayde sir Robert Curson was thus gone into Flaunders, the king to put hym out of al suspition with the said ladie Margaret & the Earle, caused the sayde Earle, and sir Robert Curson, and fiue persons more to be accursed at [ 20] Paules Crosse, the first Sunday of Nouember, as enimies to him and his realme.

To be briefe, the king by this meanes, and o∣ther such diligent inquisition as hee made, tryed out such as he suspected partly to be deuisers of mischiefe agaynst him, and partly to beare no sincere affection towardes his person, so that hee coulde readilye name them, whereof a greate parte were within fewe dayes apprehended and taken. [ 30]

And amongest them William Lorde Court∣ney, sonne to the Earle of Deuonshire, whiche had maryed the Ladie Katherine, daughter to king Edwarde the fourth, Lorde William de in Pole, brother to the foresayde Erle of Suffolk, sir Iames Tyrrell, sir Iohn Wyndam. Both the Williams were rather taken of suspition, bicause they were so neare of kinne to the Conspyrates, than for any proued matter. But Sir Iames Tyrrell, and Iohn Windam, bycause they were [ 40] traytours,* 1.138 and so attaynted, the sixt day of May after theyr apprehension, they were on the tower hill beheaded.

When the Earle of Suffolke hearde what fortune thus happened to his friendes, as one in vtter dispayre to haue anye good successe in hys pretensed enterprice, wandred about all Germa∣nie, and France, to purchase some ayde and suc∣cour, if by any meanes hee myght. But when hee perceyued no stedfaste grounde to eatche an∣chor [ 50] holde vpon, he submitted himselfe vnder the Protection of Philip Archduke of Austriche. But his brother Richarde being a politique man, so wisely ordred himself in this stormy tempest, that he was not entrapped either with net or snare.

The king not yet out of all doubt of ciuill se∣dition, bycause a great number of euill disposed persons partakers of this conspiracie, w•…•…ll fledde into •…•…rie Sanctuaries, dem•…•… to haue al the Gates of Sainctuaries and places priuiledged 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and lo•…•…ked vp, so that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shoulde issue one from thence to p•…•…turb•…•… and vnquye•…•… him. And for •…•…he •…•…ntent he wrote vnto Pope Alexan∣der, ofstring him by his authoritie to adiudge all English menne being fledde to Sainctuarie for the offence v•…•…as•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enimyes to the Christi∣an sayth, •…•…ng and prouyding the re∣fuge and priuiledge of Sainctuarie, to all s•…•… as once ha•…•… enioyed the libertie and protection of the •…•…ame, and after had sle•…•…de but, and eftsoones returned againe. Whiche thing after that the Pope had graunted,* 1.139 turned to the great qu•…•…t∣nesse of the King and his Realme. For •…•…ye that had offended, for some to fall into daunger, returned to the due •…•…stion of theyr Princes, and order 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were yet from peryll, •…•…e not hazarde themselues so •…•…ly as they durst haue done before, vpon hope of suche st•…•…tyng holes.

When the king had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…led •…•…ings to his owne contentation and p•…•…e, there sodainly happened to him a lamentable chaunce. For that noble Prince Arthure, the •…•…ings first begotten sonne, after he had been maryed to the lady •…•…a∣theryn his wife, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 space of that monethes,* 1.140 •…•…e par∣ted out of this it •…•…r if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his •…•…affel of Lud∣low, and with great 〈…〉〈…〉, was ban∣ed in the Cathedrall Church at Worcester.

His brother the Duke of Yorke was stayed from the tylle of Prince by the •…•…e of a mo•…•…, till to women it might appeare whether the La∣die Katheryn wyfe to the sayde Prince Arthure was conceyued with childe or not.

In 〈◊〉〈◊〉 xviij. yeare, the .xxiiij. day of Ianua∣rie,* 1.141 a quarter of an houre afore three of the clocke at after •…•…e of the same day,* 1.142 the still stone of our ladie Chapel within y^e Monasterie of West∣mynster, was layde by the handes of Iohn Is•…•…ip Abbot of the same Monasterie, Sir Reigna•…•…e Bray •…•…ight of the •…•…a•…•…, •…•…or Barnes ma∣ster of the •…•…lles, Doctor Wall, Chaplayen to the kings Maiestie, Maister Hugh O•…•…ham, Chaplayne to the Count•…•… of Derbie & Rich∣mond the kings mother, the Edwarde Stanhope knight, and diuerse other.

Vpon the same stone was this scripture engra∣uen. P•…•…sti iss•…•… Henrieus septimus rex Ang•…•…ra & Franciae, & Dominus Hibernaie, posur hanc petram in hon•…•…e beatae vng•…•… Maria. 24. •…•…e •…•…∣nuarij, anno domini 1502. •…•…no dic•…•… Reg•…•…s Hen∣rier sepriums, decimo octauo.

Queene Elizabeth lying within the Tower of London, was brought a bed of a fayre •…•…∣der on Candlemasse day, which was there chri∣stened and named Katherin, and the .xj. of the same month the sayd Queene there deceased, and

was buryed at Westminster, whose daughter al∣so lyued but a small season after hir mother.

The .xviij. of Februarie the king at his Pa∣lace of Westminster created his onely sonne Henrie Prince of Wales, Earle of Chester, &c. who afterwardes succeeded his father in posses∣sion of the regall Crowne of this realme.

Moreouer, this yeare also, after the deceasse of that noble Queene, for hir vertue commonlye called good Queene Elizabeth, departed oute [ 10] of thys worlde also sir Reignalde Bray knight of the Garter,* 1.143 a very father of hys Countrey, for his high wisedome and singular loue to iu∣stice well worthie to beare that tytle. If any thing had beene done amysse, contrarie to lawe and equitie,* 1.144 hee woulde after an humble sorte plainely blame the King, and giue hym good ad∣uertisement, that he should not onely refourme the same, but also hee more circumspect in any o∣ther the lyke case. [ 20]

Of the same vertue and faythfull plainnesse was Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterburie, whiche dyed (as is shewed aboue) two yeares before.

So these two persōs were refrainers of y^t kings vnbrydeled libertie, where as the common people ignorant altogyther of the truth in suche mat∣ters, iudged and reported, that the counsayle of those two worthie personages, corrupted y^e kings cleane and immaculate conscience, contrarie to [ 30] his princelye disposition and naturall inclyna∣tion. Suche is euer the errour of the common people.

About this tyme dyed Henrie the Archbishop of Canterburie, whose rowmth Doctor Willi∣am Warham Bishop of London supplyed. And to the Sea of London William Barnes was appoynted, and after his death succeded one Ri∣chard Fitz Iames.

This yeare also the Lorde Cazimire Mar∣ques [ 40] of Brandenburg, accompanyed with an Erle, a Bishop, and a great number of gentlemē well apparailed, came in ambassade frō the Em∣peror Maximilian, & were triumphantly receiued into Lōdon, & lodged at Crosbies place.

Theyr Message was for three causes, one to comfort the King in hys tyme of heauinesse for the losse of hys wyfe. The seconde for the renu∣ing of amitie, and the olde league. The thirde (which was not apparant) was to moue the king [ 50] to marrye the Emperours daughter, the Ladie Margaret, Duches dowager of Sauoy. The two first tooke effect. For the King vpon Passi∣on Sunday road to Paules in great triumph, the sayd Marques ryding on his left hand. And there the Bi. made to the K. an excellent consolatorie oration concerning the death of the Queene. And there also the king openly sware to keepe the new renouate league & amitie during their two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 But the third request (whether theire was on the mans side, or the womās) neuer s•…•…ted to any cō∣clusion. The Ladie Margaret the kings daugh∣ter, a••••ied (as ye haue heard) to the king of Scots, was appointed to be conueyed into Scotland, by the Erle of Surrey: and the Erle of Northūber∣land, as wardē of the Marches, was cōmaunded to deliuer hir at the confines of both the realmes. And so herevpon after hir comming to Berwike, she was cōue•…•…ed to Lamberton kirke in Scotlād, where the king of Scots, with the flower of al the nobles and gentlemen of Scotland was readie to receyue hir, to whom the Erle of Northumber∣land (according to his commission) deliuered hir.

The sayd Erle of Northumberland that day, what for the ryches of his coat being goldsmithes work, garnished with pearle and stone, and what for the galiant apparell of his Hen•…•…men, & braue trappers of his horse, beside foure. C. talmen well horsed and apparalled in his colours, was a•…•…ed both of the Scots and English men, more like a Prince than a subiect. From Lamberton, the foresayd Ladie was conueyed to Edenbourgh,* 1.145 & there the day after, king Iames the fourth, in the presence of all his nobilitie, espoused hir, & feasted the English Lordes, and shewed iustes and other pastimes very honorably, after the fashion of that coūtrey. And after all things were finished accor∣ding to their cōmission, the erle of Surrey withal y^e english lords & ladies, returned into their •…•…ey.

In this yere the king kept his high Court of Parliament, in the which,* 1.146 diuers acts estemed ne∣cessarye for the preseruation of the cōmon wealth were established, & amongst other, it was e•…•… that theeues & murderers duely conuicted by the law to die, and yet saued by theyr bookes, shoulde be committed to the Bishops custodie.

After this, a subsedie was granted, both of the temporaltie, and spiritualty, & so that Parliamēt ended. But the king now drawing into age, and willing to fill his chests with abundance of trea∣sure, was not satisfied with this only subsedie, but deuised an other meane how to enrich himselfe,* 1.147 as thus. He considered that the English man little regarded the keeping of penal lawes, and pre•…•…ial statutes, deuised for the good preseruation of the common welth, wherfore he caused inquisition to be made of those that had transgressed any of the same lawes, so that there were but few noble mē, marchants, farmers, husbandmen, gros•…•…ts, or oc∣cupiers, that coulde clearely proue themselues faultlesse, but had offended in some one or other of the same lawes.

At the first they that were found guiltie were easily fined. But after there were appointed two masters & surueyers of his forfeyts, the one sir Ri. Empson, & the other Edmōd Dudley, both lerned

in the lawes of the realme; who, meanyng to satisfie their princes pleasure and to •…•…e their com∣mission executed to the vttermoste se•…•…ed, litle to respect the perill that might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…s•…•…. Wherevpon they hering furnished with a sort of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 commonly called Pro•…•…ters,* 1.148 or as they them∣selues will be named 〈…〉〈…〉, troubled ma∣ny▪ a man, whereby they wa•…•… them great ha∣tred, and the King by suche rig•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 kings last the loue and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 peo∣ple [ 10] before time had bene towardes him, so that he for setting th•…•… worke, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they for •…•…ng of it in suche extreeme wise, •…•…an into obloqu•…•… the subiectes of this realme.

* 1.149A •…•…we coyne of syluer was ordeyned of Grotes and halfe Grotes, and some •…•…e•…•… of the value of twelue pens were then stamped,

[illustration]

[ 20] [ 30] althoughe verye fewe of that sort•…•… came a∣broade.

The king after he had gotten a greate •…•…sse of money,* 1.150 togyther, hauing pitie of the people which oppressed with the sharp proceedings of his greedie officers, cried dayly to God for vēgeance, ment to haue depriued them of theyr offices (as [ 40] some write) and that suche money as had beene violently •…•…acted, shoulde haue beene restored and deliuered againe if hee had not beene preuen∣by death. And yet by his last will, he commaun∣ded that it should be duly and truly perfourmed; but in the meane season manye mens Coffers were e•…•…tied.

* 1.151In this verie season, and the yeare of our lord 1506. Elizabeth Queene of Castile dyed without issue male,* 1.152 by reason whereof, the inheritaunce of [ 50] Castile (bycause that kingdome is not partible) descended to Ladie Iane his eldest daughter by king Ferdinando, the which was maryed to Phi∣lippe Archeduke of Austriche. Wherefore the yeare following, about the sixth day of Ianuarie, hauing a great nauie prepared, he intituled nowe king of Castile, sayled out of Flaunders with his wife towardes Spaine, but by a mightie tempest of winde and soule 〈…〉〈…〉 the whole nauy was dispersed and sp•…•…nkled 〈…〉〈…〉 in diuerse places on the coast of Englande, the kings shippe with two other Vesselles, were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by tempe •…•…on the we•…•… part of the Realme, to the Port of W•…•…∣mont in Dor•…•…yr•…•…

The king 〈…〉〈…〉 with the to•…•… of the 〈…〉〈…〉 that 〈…〉〈…〉 •…•…o the minde of his Co•…•… •…•…ame a bunde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 refresh himselfe.

Who•…•… it was know at that straunge shippes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arriued in that place,* 1.153 〈◊〉〈◊〉 co•…•… thither a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…ll of 〈…〉〈…〉 of the count•…•… 〈…〉〈…〉 to be enimies. But 〈…〉〈…〉 that the king of Spa•…•… was then 〈…〉〈…〉 of weather, sir Thomas •…•…ard •…•…igh•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the company 〈…〉〈…〉 with great •…•…bleness•…•… vn∣to him, and did what he could to haue him to his house•…•… being not •…•…re off, and so to cause him to stay, •…•…ll such •…•…m•…•… king Henrye •…•…ight be •…•…ry∣tified of his arriuall, to whom with 〈…〉〈…〉 he sent diuerse posts to aduertise him of K. Philip•…•… landing.

In this meane while came people 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all •…•…des, vppon and 〈…〉〈…〉 of the •…•…singe Princes comming. And •…•…g other th•…•… ca•…•… sir Iohn Ca•…•…, with a goodly and of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Which sir Iohn, and sir Thomas Trenth •…•…¦treated the king of Cast•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to depart vntil such time as he had spo•…•… with the king.

The king of Castile excused him by necessitie of his weightie enterpri•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when he perceyued that if he would proffer to go •…•…bourde to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sh•…•… againe, he might bee lett•…•… and was likeso to be, 〈…〉〈…〉 thought good rather to assent to their humble request, and so seeme to gratifie them, tha•…•… by dr•…•…ying it, to procure their euill willes, and returned the nearer of his purpose.

When king Henrie and enfourmed of hys landing, hee was ryght glad thereof, and wente vnto Sir Iohn Gar•…•…, land to Sir Thomas Trencharde 〈…〉〈…〉 they shoulde entertayne hym in the most 〈…〉〈…〉 they coulde deuise, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he might come himself in person to welcom him.

Beside this, he sent the Earle of Arun•…•… with many Lordes and knights to attende vpon him. Which Erle according to the kings letters •…•…ecei∣ued him with three hundred horses, all by thre•…•… light, to the great admiration of the strangers.

King Philip seeing no remedie but that hee must needes tary, woulde no longer gase after King Henryes comming. out tooke hys iourney towardes Wyndsore Castell, where the King lay, and fiue myle from Windsore the Prince of Wales accompanied with fiue Erles, & diuerse Lordes and knights, and other to the number of fiue hundred persons gorgeoustye apparayled,

receyued him after the most honourable fashion. And within halfe a myle of Wyndsore, the king accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham, and a great parte of the nobilitie of thys Realme welcomed him, and so conueyed to him to the Ca∣stell of Wyndsore, where hee was made compa∣nion of the noble order of the Garter.

After him came to Wyndsore his wife Queene Iane, sister to the Princes Dowager, •…•…e wife to Prince Arthure. [ 10]

After the two kings had renued and confir∣med the league and amitie betwixt them, King Henrie desired to haue Edmond de la Poole Erle of Suffolke to be deliuered into hys handes. To whome the King of Castile aunswered, that he •…•…e•…•…ly was not wythin hys Dominion, and therefore it lay not in him to delyuer hym. In deede he was loth to be the authour of his death, that came to him for succour, and was receyued vnder his protection, yet vppon the earnest re∣quest [ 20] and assured promise of king Henrie (that he would pardon him of all executions and paynes of death) he graunted to king Henryes desire. And so incontinently caused the sayde Earle secretly to be sent for.

After this to protract ty•…•…, till he were pos∣sessed of his pray, king Henrie conueyed the king of Castile vnto the Citie of London, that hee might see the heade Citie of his Realme, & there ledde hym from Baynards Castell by Cheape [ 30] to Barking, and so returned by Walling streete againe, during whiche tyme there was shot out of the Tower a wonderfull peale of Ordinance. But he woulde not enter into the Tower, by∣cause (as ye haue hearde before) hee had •…•…owed not to enter the Fortesse of of any foraine Prince, in the which a garnison was mainteyned.

From London the King brought him to Richmonde, where many notable feares of ar∣mes were prooued both of tylte, iourney, and [ 40] barriers.

In the meane season the Earle of Suffolke perceyuing what hope was to be had in forraine Princes, and trusting that after hys lyfe to him once graunted, king Henrie would briefly set him at his full libertie, was in maner contented to re∣turne agayne into his natiue countrey.

When all partes and couenaunts betweene the kings of Englande and Castile were ap∣poynted, concluded, and agreed, king Philippe [ 50] tooke hys leaue of king Henrie, yeelding to hym most heartye thankes for hys highe cheare and Princely entertaynment. And being accompa∣nyed with dyuerse Lordes of Englande, came to the Citie of Exceter, and so to Falmouth in Cornwale, and there taking shippe sayled into Spaine, where shortly after hee dyed being .xxx. yeares of age.

He was of stature conuenient,* 1.154 of counte•…•… amiable, of bodie somewhat grosse, quick witted, bolde and hardie stomacked.

The tempest that he suffered on the Sea, was huge and wonderfull also vpon the lande, inso∣much that the violence of the wynde blew downe an Eagle of Brasse, being set to shewe on which part the wynde blewe, from a pynacle or Spi•…•…e of Paules Churche, and in the falling the same Eagle brake and battered an other Eagle that was set vppe for a signe at a Tauerne d•…•…re in Cheape side. And herevpon men that were gi∣uen to gesse things that shoulde happen by •…•…∣king of straunge tokens, deemed that the Empe∣rour Maximilian which gaue the Eagle should suffer some greate mysfortune, as hee old •…•…∣ly after by the losse of hys sonne, the sayde king Philip.

Also shortlye after the departing of Kyng Philippe, the King of Englande beganne to suspect Sir George Neuill Lorde of Burgey∣nye, and Sir Thomas Greene of Greenes Nor∣ton, as partakers in the begynning of the con∣spiracie, wyth the Earle of Suffolke, and so vp∣on that suspition, they were commaunded to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tower. But shortly after, when they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tryed and pourged of that suspition, hee commaunded them both to be set at libertie. But sir Thomas Greene fell sicke before, and remay∣ned in the Tower, in hope to be restored to hys health as well as to his libertie, but by death he was preuented.

This yeare the King beganne to be diseased of a certayne infyrmitte,* 1.155 whiche •…•…hri•…•… euerye yeare, but especially in the Spring tyme sore •…•…e•…•…d him, and bycause for the moste parte the harme that chaunceth to the Prince, is parted wyth his Subiectes, the •…•…ting sickenesse, whiche (as yee haue hearde) in the fyrst yeare of this king, fyrst afflicted the people of this realme, nowe assayled them agayne,* 1.156 howbe•…•… by the remedie founde at the begynning of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nothyng the lyke number dyed thereof, nowe thys second time as did the first time, til the said remedie was inuented.

But nowe the thirde plague •…•…gall to the Pe∣stilence ensued, by the working of the Maisters of the forfeytures, and suche infourmers as were appoynted thereto. By whose meanes many a riche and wealthie person by the extremitie of the lawes of the realme, were cōdemned and brought to great losse and hinderance. A greate part of which theyr vndoyngs proceeded by the incon∣uenience of suche vnconscionable officers, as by the abuse of exigentes outlawed those that ne∣uer hearde, nor had knowledge of the saytes commenced agaynst them, of whiche harde and sharpe dealyng (the harme that thereof insueth

considered) if the occasion might be taken away by some other more reasonable fourme and order of lawe deuysed, whereby the partie myght haue personall warning, it woulde both preserue ma∣ny an Innocent manne from vndeserued vexa∣tion and daunger of vnmercifull losse of goodes, and also cedounde highly to the commendation of the Prince, and such other as chaunced to bee refourmers of that colourable law, where they be called only in the counties without other know∣ledge [ 10] giuē to thē or theirs at their dwelling hou∣ses. But now to returne: such maner of outlaw∣ries, olde recognisaunces of the peace, and good a∣bearings, escapes, riottes, and innumerable sta∣tutes penall, were put in execution and called vp∣pon, that euerie man both of the Spiritualtie and Temporaltie, hauing eyther lande or substance, were inuited to that plucking banket. Sir Gil∣bart Talbot Knight,* 1.157 and Richard Bere abbot of Glastenburie, and Doctor Robert Sherborne [ 20] Deane of Pouls, were sent as ambassadors from the king vnto Rome, to declare vnto Pius the third of that name newly elected Pope, what ioy and gladnesse had entred the Kings heart for his preferment, but hee taryed not the comming of those Ambassadours, for within a Moneth after that he was installed, hee rendred his de•…•… to na∣ture, and so had short pleasure of his promotion.

* 1.158At the same time dyed Gyles Lord Dawbe∣ney the kings chiefe Chamberleyne, whose office [ 30] Charles, bastarde sonne to Henrie last, Duke of Somerset occupied and enioyed, a man of good wit, and great experience.

* 1.159Soone after the king caused Guidebalde duke of Vrbyne to be elected knight of the order of the Garter, in like maner as his father Duke Frede∣rike had beene before him, which was chosen and admitted into y^e order by K. Edward the fourth.

Sir Gilbert Talbot, and the other two Am∣bassadors being appointed to keepe on there iour∣ney [ 40] vnto Pope Iuly the seconde, elected after the death of the sayde Pius the thirde, bare the habite and coller also vnto the sayde Duke Guidehalde, which after he had receyued y^e same, sent sir Bal∣thaser Castalio, knight, a Mantuan borne, as his Orator vnto king Henrie, whiche was for hym enstalled, according to the ordināces of the order.

This yere that worthie prelate Thomas Sa∣uage Archbishop of York departed this life at his Castel of Cawood, a man beside the worthinesse [ 50] of his birth highly esteemed with his Prince for his fast fidelitie and great wisdome. He bestowed greate cost in repayring the Castell of Caw•…•…d and the Manor of Scroby. His body was buried at Yorke, but he appoynted by his testament, that his hart should be buried at Macclesfield in C•…•…∣shire, where hee was borne, in a Chapell there of his foundation, ioyning to the Southside of the Churche, meaning to haue founded a Colledge there also, if his purpose had not beene preuented by death. After him succeeded doctor Be•…•…bridge in the Archbishops sea of Yorke the .56. Archbi∣shop that had sit in that sea.

About this same time Lewes the French king maried his eldest daughter named Clare, vnto Frances de Valois Dolphin of Vienne, and duke of Angolesme, which Ladie was promised vnto Charles the king of Castile: wherevpon by Am∣bassadors sent to and fro betwixt K. Henrye and the said king of Castile, a mariage was cōcluded betwixt the said K. of Castile, & the ladie Marie, daughter to K. Henry, being about the age of ten yeres. For conclusion of which mariage,* 1.160 the lord of Barow, and other Ambassadors wer sent in∣to England from the Emperor Maxilian which with great rewardes returned.

The sicknesse which held the king dayly more and more encreasing,* 1.161 he well perceyued that hys end drew nere, and therfore meaning to do some high pleasure to his people, graunted of his free motion a general pardon to all men,* 1.162 for al offen∣ces done and cōmitted against any his lawes or statutes, theeues, murtherers, and certaine other were excepted. He payed also the fees of all priso∣ners in the Gales in and about London, abiding there only for that dutie. He payed also the debts of all such persons as lay in the Coūters or Lud∣gate, for .xl. ss. & vnder, & some he relieued that wer condenmed in .x. lb. Herevpon were processions generally vsed euery day in euery citie & parish, to pray to almightie God for his restoring to health & long cōtinuāce of y^e same. Neuerthelesse he was so wasted w^t his long malady,* 1.163 y^e nature could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lōger sustein his life, & so he departed out of thys world the .xxij. of April, in his palace of Richmōd in the yere of our lord .1509. His corps was con∣ueied w^t al funeral pompe to Westm. & there bu∣ried by the good Q. his wife in a sumptuous cha∣pel which he not lōg before had caused to be bui•…•…∣ded. He reigned .xxiij. yeres, & more thā .vij. Mo∣neths, & liued .lij. yeres. He had by his Q. Eliza∣beth foure sonnes, & foure daughters, of y^e which three remained aliue behind him. Hēry his second son prince of Wales, which after him was king, Margaret Q. of Scots, & the lady Mary promi∣sed to Charles k. of Castile.* 1.164 He was a mā of body but leane and spare, albeit mighty & strong there∣with, of personage & stature somwhat higher thā the mean sort of mē, of a wōderful beauty & faire complexion, of countenance mery & smyling es∣pecially in his communication, his eies gray, his teeth single, & heare thin, of wit in al things quick & prompt, of a princely stomack chante courage. In gret •…•…rils; doubtful affaires, & matters of im∣portance •…•…pernatural & in maner diuine, for hee ordred all his doings aduisedly and with greate

deliberation.

Besides this, he was sober, moderate, honest, courteous, bounteous, and so muche abhorring pride and arrogancie, that he was euer sharpe and quicke to them that were noted with that fault. Hee was also an indifferent and vpryght Iu∣sticier,* 1.165 by the which one thing, he allured to him the heartes of many people, and yet to thys se∣ueritie of hys, hee ioyned a certayne mercyfull pitie, whiche he did extende to those that had of∣fended [ 10] the penall lawes, and were put to theyr fynes by hys Iustices. Hee dyd vse hys ry∣gour onelye (as hee sayde hymselfe) to daunte, bryng lowe, and abate the highe myndes and stoute stomacks of the wealthie and wylde peo∣ple nourished vp in seditious factions and ciuill rebellions, rather than for the greedie desyre of money, although such as were scourged wyth a∣merciamentes, cryed oute and sayde, it was ra∣ther for the respect of game, than for any politike [ 20] prouision.

In deede he left his Coffers well stuffed, for hee was no wastfull consumer of his ryches by any inordinate meanes.

* 1.166To conclude, he had asmuch in him of giftes both of bodie, minde and fortune, as was possi∣ble for any king to haue, his politique wisedome in gouernaunce was singuler, his wytte alwaye quicke and ready, his reason pithie and substan∣ciall, his memorie fresh and holding, his experi∣ence [ 30] notable, his counsailes fortunate and ta∣ken by wise deliberation, his speche gratious in diuerse languages, his person, (as before ye haue hard) right comlie, his natural complexion of the purest mixture, leagues and cōfederations he had with all Christian Princes. His mightie power was dread euery where, not onely wythin hys Realme but without.

Also his people were to him in as humble subiection as euer they were to King, his lande [ 40] many a daye in peace and tranquilitie, hys pro∣speritie in battayle agaynste his enimyes was maruellous, hys dealing in tyme of perilles and daungers was colde and sober, with great hardynesse. If anye treason were conspired a∣gaynste h•…•…m, it came oute woonderfully. Hys buyldings most goodly, and after the newest east, all of pleasure.

And so thys King lyuing all his tyme in for∣tunes fauour, in high honour, wealth and glo∣rie, [ 50] for hys noble actes and prudent policies, is woorthy to bee regystred in the Booke of fame, least tyme (the consumer of all worthie things) shoulde blotte out the memorie of his name here in Earth, whose foule wee truste lyueth in Heauen, enioying the fruition of the Godhead, and those pleasures prepared for the fayth∣full.

Of learned menne that lyued in hys dayes, (as Maister Bale noteth them) these are recor∣ded. Firste George Rippeley a Carmelite Frier at Boston, seene in the Mathematikes, and wrote dyuerse Treatises, and after hys de∣cease was accounted a Nigromancien: Iohn Erghom borne in Yorke, a blacke Frier, a doc∣tour of Diuinitie professed in Oxforde, studi∣ous of Prophesies, as by the tytle of the wor∣kes whiche hee wrote, it maye appeare: Iohn Parceuall a Chartreux Monke: Thomas Maillorie a Welchman borne, wrote I wote not what of King Arthure, and of the rounde Table: Iohn Rousse, borne in Warwikeshyre, a diligent searcher of antiquities, wherevpon few Libraries were any where to bee seene in Eng∣lande and Wales, where he made not searche for the same, and wrote sundrye Treatises of Hystoricall Argumentes. He deceassed at War∣wicke the fourtenth of Ianuarye in the yeare 1491. and was buryed in our Ladye Churche there: Thomas Scrope, otherwise surnamed Bradley, descended of the noble familye of the Scropes, professed sundrie kyndes of Religi∣on, as that of the order of Saint Benette, and Saint Dominicke, and likewyse hee became a Carmelite, and last of all hee fell to and prea∣ched the Gospell in heare and sackecloth, tyll hee vnderstoode hymselfe to bee in the displeasure of Walden and other (that coulde not away with such singularitie in hym or other, sounding, as they tooke it to the daunger of bringing the do∣ctrine of the Romishe Church in mislyking with the people) for then hee withdrewe hymselfe to his house agayne, and there remayned twentie yeares, leading an Ankers lyfe, but yet after that tyme hee came abroade, and was aduaun∣ced to bee a Bishoppe in Irelande,* 1.167 and wente to the Roades in Ambassade, from whence being returned, hee went barefooted vp and downe in Norffolke, teaching in townes and in the coun∣trey abroade the tenne commaundements. Hee lyued tyll hee came to bee at the poynte of an hundred yeares olde, and departed thys lyfe the fiftenth daye of Ianuarie in the yeare of oure Lorde. 1491. and was buryed at Lessolfe in Suffolke: Iohn Tonneys a Diuine, and an Augustine Frier in Norwiche, wrote certaine Rules of Grammer, and other things printed by Richarde Pynson: Geffrey surnamed the Grammarian: Iohn Alcock Bishoppe of Elie, chaunged a Nun•…•…ie at Cambridge into a Col∣ledge named Iesus Colledge, aboute the yeare of Chryst. 1496. The chiefe cause of suppressing the Nunrie is noted to bee, for that the Abbesse and other of the Conuent lyued dissolute lines: Stephen Hawes a learned Gentleman, and of suche reputation, as hee was admitted to bee one

of the priuie Chamber to King Henrie the sea∣uenth: William Byntre so called of a towne in Norffolke where he was borne, by profession a Carmelite Frier in Burnham, a great diuine: William Gas•…•…on an Augustine Frier in Li•…•…ne and at length beca•…•…e prouinciall of his order: Ro•…•…e Fa•…•…n a Citizen and Marchaunt of London an Hystoriographer, hee was in his time in good estimation for his wysedome and wealthe in the Citie, so that hee bare office and [ 10] was •…•…cesse in the yere. 1494: William Cel∣ling, borne beside Feuer hau•…•… in Kente, a Monke of Canterburie: Thomas Bouerchier discended 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the noble •…•…ge of the Earles of Essex, was first Byshoppe of Ely, and after remooued from •…•…nte to Canterburye succeeding Iohn Kempe in that Arbishoppes Sea, at length created by Pope Paule the seconde a Cardinal: Phi∣lippe Bron•…•…de a Dominicke Frier, a deuine & Iohn Myles a Doctor of both the lawes, Ciuill [ 20] and Canon he •…•…yed in Oxforde in the Col∣ledge of Br•…•…semose newly founded in the day•…•… of this King Henrye the seuenth by William Smyth Bishoppe of Lyncolne: Richarde Shi•…•… Bishop of Chichester, and imployed in Ambassad•…•… to diuerse Princes, as a manne, moste meete thereto for his singular knowledge in learning and eloquence: Robert Viduns Vi∣car of Thakesteede in Essex, and a Prebendarie Canon of W•…•…lles, an excellent Poete: Peter Kenighale a Carmelites Frier, but borne of Worshipfull lygnage in Fraunce, hauing an Englisheman to his father, was student in Ox∣forde, and became a notable Preacher: Iohn Mortan, fyrst Bishoppe of Elie, and after Arch∣bishoppe of Canterbury the .lxiij. in number that ruled that Sea, he was aduaunced to the digni∣tie of a Cardinall, and by King H•…•…e the se∣uenth made Lorde Chauncellour, a worthye Counsaylour and a modest, hee was borne of worshipfull Parentes in Dorse•…•…shire, and depar∣ted this life in the yeare of oure Lorde. 1500. Henrye Medwall Chaplaine to the sayde Mor∣ton: Edmunde Dudley borne of noble Paren∣tage, studyed the lawes of this lande, and profi∣ted highly in knowledge of the same, hee wrote a booke intituled Arbor Reipublicae, the •…•…ret of the common wealth, of this man yet haue heard be∣fore in the life of this king, and more God wyl∣ling shall be saide in the beginning of the nexte king, as the occasion of the Historie leadeth: Iohn B•…•…kingham an excellent Schootman: William Blackney a Carmelite Frier, a doctor of diuinity and a Nigthmanc•…•….

V•…•…n .iiij.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Henry the .vij. Anno. re. 1.
• * 1.2

  The Earle of Warvvicke set and heare to George duke at Clarence conuerted to •…•…e Tovver.
• * 1.3

  King Henrye •…•…reth to London.
• * 1.4

  Henry the se∣uenth crovv∣ned King.
• * 1.5

  1485
• * 1.6

  A Parliament at VVestmiv∣ster, and a ge∣nerall Pardo•…•…
• * 1.7

  An acte for the establishing of the Crovvne.
• * 1.8

  King Henrye the seuenthe ta∣keth to vvife Elizabeth el∣deste daughter of Edvvard the fourthe.

  1486
• * 1.9

  Yeomen of the garde firste brought in.
• * 1.10

  Another parlia∣ment the same yeare.
• * 1.11

  The svveating sickenesse.
• * 1.12

  A remedye for •…•…e svveating •…•…sse.
• * 1.13

  A rebellion made by the Lord Louell and others.
• * 1.14

  Humfrey Staf∣forde. Thomas Staf∣forde.
• * 1.15

  Sir Humfrey Stafforde taken out of Colnehā Sanctuary, and executed.
• * 1.16

  An. reg. 2.
• * 1.17

  The birth of Prince Arthur.
• * 1.18

  Sir Richarde Simond a Prieste.
• * 1.19

  Lambert •…•…¦nell the co•…•…∣terf•…•…t Earle of VVarvvicke
• * 1.20

  Thomas Ge∣rardine Cha•…•…∣celor of I•…•….
• * 1.21

  Margaret Du•…•…∣ch•…•… of B•…•…∣•…•…gne sister to •…•…g Edvvard the fourthe.
• * 1.22

  Lady Eliza∣beth late vvife to King Ed∣vvarde the fourthe, adiud∣ged to forfeit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hir landes.
• * 1.23

  Queenes col∣ledge in Cam∣bridge founded by the Lady E∣lizabeth Kyng Edvvarde the fourthe hys vvidovve.
• * 1.24

  The Marques Dorset com∣mitted to the Tovver.
• * 1.25

  1487
• * 1.26

  Martin Svvard a valiant capi∣taine of the Almaines.
• * 1.27

  The counterset arle of VVar∣vvicke vvith all his adherēts •…•…andeth in Eng∣lande.
• * 1.28

  The armyes ioyne.
• * 1.29

  The battaile of Stoke.
• * 1.30

  All the capi∣•…•…s fayne.
• * 1.31

  Lambert and his maister Sy∣monde taken.
• * 1.32

  Morton By∣shop of Elye made Archebi∣shop of Canter¦bury, & chaun∣cellour of Eng∣lande.
• * 1.33

  Thankesgiuing to God after victorie.
• * 1.34

  An. reg. 3.
• * 1.35

  Fox Bishoppe of Excester sent Ambassador in∣to Scotlande.
• * 1.36

  A truce vvith Scotlande for seuen yeares.
• * 1.37

  Christofer Vrsvvicke.
• * 1.38

  1488
• * 1.39

  Edvvard lorde VVooduille ai∣•…•… the duke of Britaine, vvithout the kings consent.
• * 1.40

  The league renued be∣tvvixt Eng∣lande, and Fraunce.
• * 1.41

  The battaile of Saint Aulbin in Britaine.
• * 1.42

  Stow.
• * 1.43

  An. reg. 4.
• * 1.44

  1489
• * 1.45

  The Earle of No•…•…humber∣land 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Nor∣thern rebelles.
• * 1.46

  A rebellion in the Northe for a taxe granted by parliament.
• * 1.47

  A rebellion in Flaunders.
• * 1.48

  Maximilian King of Ro∣•…•… impriso∣ned at B•…•…uges by the tovvns∣•…•…ne.
• * 1.49

  The Lorde Morley slaine.
• * 1.50

  Nevvport be∣sieged by the Frenchemen.
• * 1.51

  Englishe archers.
• * 1.52

  Iames king of Scottes, slaine by his ovvne Subiectes.
• * 1.53

  Adrian an Itali∣an, made Bi∣shoppe of Her∣forde, & after of Bathe, and VVell•…•….
• * 1.54

  1490
• * 1.55

  An. reg. 6.
• * 1.56

  Lionel Bishop of Concordia.
• * 1.57

  A Parliame•…•…
• * 1.58

  1491
• * 1.59

  Dam taken by •…•…olicy.
• * 1.60

  Sir Edvvarde Poinynges a valiant Capi∣taine sent into Flaunders vvith an army
• * 1.61

  Anno. re. 7.
• * 1.62

  •…•…ilian 〈◊〉〈◊〉 en•…•…nes •…•…eth pro∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Henry in •…•…ng vvyth •…•…ade 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.63

  Bolongne be∣sieged by the Englyshemen.
• * 1.64

  Poli•…•…ore. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 S•…•…∣•…•…g 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.65

  The concl•…•… of the p•…•….
• * 1.66

  Alphons•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Calabre made Knight 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Garter.
• * 1.67

  The birth•…•… of Henry duke of Yorke, after King.
• * 1.68

  149•…•…
• * 1.69

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 War∣•…•….
• * 1.70

  •…•…ekin War∣•…•…cke arriueth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Irelande.
• * 1.71

  Perkin saileth into Fraunce.
• * 1.72

  Perkin named by the Duches of Burgoigne, the white rose of Englande.

  1493
• * 1.73

  Such long and looked for al∣teration of states.
• * 1.74

  False rumors, occasions of great disqui∣etnes.
• * 1.75

  An. reg. 8.
• * 1.76

  Perkin•…•… •…•…e lignage.
• * 1.77

  An. reg. 9. Espials sente into Flanders.
• * 1.78

  Flemmishe wares forbid∣den.
• * 1.79

  The mare kept at Ca∣lais.
• * 1.80

  English com∣modities ba∣nished out of Flanders.
• * 1.81

  A riot made vpon the Ea∣sterlings.
• * 1.82

  1494
• * 1.83

  An. reg. 10.
• * 1.84

  Sir William Stanley a fa∣uourer of Perkin.
• * 1.85

  1495

  Sir William Stanley be∣headed.
• * 1.86

  An. reg. 11.
• * 1.87

  Sir Edwarde Poinings sente into Irelande with an army.
• * 1.88

  Gerald Earle of Kildare, deputy of Ire∣land appre∣hended.
• * 1.89

  Perk•…•… •…•…tēp∣•…•…th to land to Kent.
• * 1.90

  Perkin men •…•…fated.
• * 1.91

  Perkins Cap∣•…•…nes taken and executed.
• * 1.92

  Perkin retu∣•…•…eth into Flā∣ders.
• * 1.93

  The death of Cicely Du∣ches of Yorke.
• * 1.94

  Perkin saileth into Irelande.
• * 1.95

  Katherine daughter to the Earle of Huntlay ma∣ried to Perkin

  1496
• * 1.96

  The Scottishe K. inuideth England with a great army in Perkin his behalfe.
• * 1.97

  An. reg. 12.
• * 1.98

  1497
• * 1.99

  A Rebellion in Cornewall for the pay∣ment of a subsedie.
• * 1.100

  Iames Twi∣cher Lorde Audeley chief certayne of the Cornish rebels.
• * 1.101

  Blackheath field.
• * 1.102

  Three hun∣dred slayne, and a thou∣sand fiue hun∣dred taken prisoners, as Iohn Stowe hath.
• * 1.103

  Iames Lorde Audeley be∣headed.
• * 1.104

  An. reg. 13.
• * 1.105

  The Scots in∣uade the En∣glish borders.
• * 1.106

  Foxe bishop of Durham.
• * 1.107

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ambassa∣•…•… from the king of Spaine •…•…eat a peace betwixt Eng∣land and Scot∣land.
• * 1.108

  The English marchaunts receyued into Anwerpe with generall Pro∣cession.
• * 1.109

  Perkyn War∣beck arriueth Cornwell.
• * 1.110

  Another rebel¦lion by the Cornishmen.
• * 1.111

  Exceter assaul∣ted by Perkyn and the Cor∣nishmen.
• * 1.112

  Fire repulsed by fire.
• * 1.113

  Perkin flee•…•… and taketh Beaudley San¦ctuarye.
• * 1.114

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 sub∣•…•… him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 othe 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.115

  •…•…ts for 〈…〉〈…〉

  1498
• * 1.116

  An. reg. 4.
• * 1.117

  Margaret el∣dest daughter to king Henry the seuenth.
• * 1.118

  1499
• * 1.119

  Perkin War∣becke escaped from his kee∣pers.
• * 1.120

  The confessi¦on of Perkin as it was wri•…•…¦ten with his owne hande
• * 1.121

  An. reg. 15. Patrik an Au∣gustine Frier.
• * 1.122

  Rauf Wilford the counterfeit erle of War∣wike.
• * 1.123

  Perkin cor∣rupted his keepers.
• * 1.124

  Perkin and Iohn Awater executed at •…•…iborne.
• * 1.125

  Edward Erle of Warwick beheaded.
• * 1.126

  1500

  A great plague
• * 1.127

  The menour of Shene brent and Richmond built in place thereof.
• * 1.128

  King Henrie the seuenth sayleth to Caleys.
• * 1.129

  The king of Englād & the Duke of Bur∣gongne •…•…e at saint Peters church with∣out Cale•…•….
• * 1.130

  An. reg. 16.
• * 1.131

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Iu∣•…•….
• * 1.132

  1301

  〈…〉〈…〉 to •…•…d Spaine And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Ar∣•…•… Prince •…•…es.
• * 1.133

  An. reg. 17.
• * 1.134

  The fourth of October as Stow hath noted.
• * 1.135

  The solemni∣zation of the mariage be∣twene Arthur prince of Wa∣les & Katherin daughter to the king of Spaine.
• * 1.136

  Margaret el∣dest daughter to king Henry affied to Iames king of Scots.

  1502
• * 1.137

  Edmonde Erle of S•…•… flieth into flaunders
• * 1.138

  Tyrrell and Windam beheaded.
• * 1.139

  Sanctuation restrayned.
• * 1.140

  The death of Arthur Prince of Wales.
• * 1.141

  An. reg. 18.
• * 1.142

  1503
• * 1.143

  Sir Reignold Bray his death
• * 1.144

  Iust commen∣dacions of Morton Arch∣bishop of Canterbury and Sir Rey∣nold Bray.
• * 1.145

  The mariag•…•… betwene the king of Sco•…•… and Lady margaret king Henry eldest daugh∣ter.
• * 1.146

  An. reg. •…•…
• * 1.147

  1504
• * 1.148

  •…•…ters.
• * 1.149

  A•…•… re. •…•…
• * 1.150

  1505
• * 1.151

  An. reg. 21.
• * 1.152

  1506
• * 1.153

  Philip Arch∣duke of Aus∣trich landeth in the west partes of Englande.
• * 1.154

  The death 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deseri p•…•… Philip king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spaine.
• * 1.155

  An. reg. ••••
• * 1.156

  The swe•…•… fie•…•…esse eft∣s•…•… retur•…•…¦neth.
• * 1.157

  1307
• * 1.158

  The Lord •…•…y dieth.
• * 1.159

  An reg. 23. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ba•…•…d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of V•…•…bin •…•…ye made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.160

  1508
• * 1.161

  An. reg. 24.
• * 1.162

  1509
• * 1.163

  The death of King Henrie the seuenth
• * 1.164

  The descripti∣on of King Henry the se∣uenth.
• * 1.165

  Iustice min∣gled with mercye.
• * 1.166

  Out of the Bishoppe of Rochesters fu∣nerall sermon preached in Poules church at London.
• * 1.167

  Dromorensi•…•… Episcopus.