The history of Great Britaine under the conquests of ye Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans Their originals, manners, warres, coines & seales: with ye successions, lives, acts & issues of the English monarchs from Iulius Cæsar, to our most gracious soueraigne King Iames. by Iohn Speed.

EDVVARD THE FIFTH, KING * 1.1 OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE, AND LORD OF IRELAND, THE FIFTIE FIFTH MO∣NARCH * 1.2 OF THIS LAND, HIS RAIGNE, AND DEATH. For the most part written by Sir Thomas Moore. CHAPTER XVIII.

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THe father thus dying in the strength of his yeeres, and the sonne left to rule before he was ripe, the Synders of dissensions which the sicke King had lately raked vp, presently brake forth into a more raging flame; for the king and Queenes blood that should haue supported young Edwards estate, the one side being suspicious, and •…•…e other prouoked by the execrable desire of soueraignty, left the ten∣der king (a Prince of such towardnes as his age could * 1.3 conteine) destitute and vnarmed, which if either kind or kindred had holden place, must needes haue beene the surest pillars of his defence. The raigne of this King (if we may so cal the shorttime of his So∣ueraignty) began the same day that his father died, * 1.4 though he was neuer Crowned, nor yet comman∣ded the affaires of the Kingdome as an absolute Monarch, his young brothers fortunes being ballan∣ced * 1.5 with his.

(2) For Richard Duke of Gloucester, by nature their vncle, by office their Protector, to their Father * 1.6 beholden, to themselues by Oath and Alleagiance bounden, all bands broken that holdeth man and man together, without any respect of God or the World, vnnaturally contriued to bereaue them, not onlie of their dignity, but also theirlines. But forso∣much as the Dukes demeanour •…•…reth in effect all the whole matter whereof the raigne of this yong and fift Edward must intreat, it•…•… therefore conueni∣ent, somewhat to shew you ere we goe further, what

man this was, and from whom he descended that could find in his heart so much mischief to conceiue.

(3) Know first then that Richard Duke of Yorke, a noble man and a mighty, beganne not * 1.7 by warre, but by law to challenge the Crowne; putting his claime into the Parliament; where his cause was (either for right or fauour) so farre foorth aduanced that King Henries blood (albeit he had a goodly Prince) was vtterly reiected, the Crowne by the authoritie of that high Court intai∣led to the Duke of Yorke, and his issue male in re∣mainder, immediately after the death of King Hen∣rie. But the Duke not induring so long to tarrie, intending vnder pretext of dissention and debate a∣rising in the Realme, to preuent his time, and to take vpon him the rule in King Henries life, was with many other Nobles slaine at Wakefield, leauing three sonnes, Edward, George, and Richard; all of them as they were great states of birth, so were they great and stately of stomacke, greedy and ambitious of autho∣rity, and impatient of partners.

(4) For Edward reuenging his fathers death de∣priued king Henry, and attained the Crowne; The second, George Duke of Clarence, was a goodly Noble Prince, and in all things fortunate, if either his owne ambition had not set him against his brother, or the enuie of his enemies, his brother against him. For were it by the Queen and Lords of her blood which highly maligned the Kings kindred (as women commonly, not of malice but of nature hate them whom their husbands loue) or were it a proud appe∣tite * 1.8 of the Duke himselfe, intending to be King: at least-wise hainous treason was laid to his charge, and finally were he faulty, were he faultlesse, attainted he was by Parliament, and iudged to death, as we haue saide.

(5) Richard the third sonne, of whom we now * 1.9 entreat was in wit and courage equall with either of them, in body and prowesse farre vnder them both, little of stature, ill-limmed, and crook-backed, his left shoulder much higher then his right, very hard fa∣uoured of visage, and such as in States is called war∣ly, in other men otherwise: he was malicious, wrathfull, and enuious, yea and from afore his birth euer froward. For it is for truth reported, that the Dutchesse his mother had so much adoe in her tra∣uaile, that shee could not be deliuered of him vncut, and that he came into the world with his feete for∣ward, as men be borne outward, and (as the fame run∣neth) also not vn•…•…oothed; Whether men of hatred report aboue the truth, or else that nature changed her Course in his beginning, which in the course of his life many things vnnaturally committed.

(6) No euill Captaine was he in the warre, as to which his disposition was more inclined then for * 1.10 peace; sundry victories he had, and sometimes ouer-throwes, but neuer in default as for his owne person, either of hardines, or politike order; free was he of his dispence, and somewhat aboue his power libe∣rall: with large gifts he gate him vnstedfast friend∣ship, for which he was forced to pill and pole in other places, which gate him stedfast hatred. He was close and secret, a deepe dissembler, lowly o•…•…countenance, arrogant of heart, outwardly familiar, where euen now he hated, and not letting to kisse whom he thought to kill: despi•…•…efull and cruell he was, not for euill-will alwaies, but oftner for ambition, and ei∣ther for the surety, or increase of his estate. Friend and foe was much what indifferent; where his ad∣uantage grew, he spared no mans death, whose life withstood his purpose. He slew with his own hands, King Henrie the sixth, being Prisoner in the Tower, as men constantlie said, and that without comman∣dement or knowledge of the King, who vndoubted∣ly if he had intended his death, would haue appoin∣ted that butcherly office to some other then his owne brother.

(7) Some wise •…•…en also iudge, that his drift co∣uertly * 1.11 conueied, lacked not in helping forth his bro∣ther Clarence to his death; which he resisted openly, howbeit somewhat (as men deemed) more faintly, then he that was hartily minded to his wealth. And they that thus iudge, thinke that long time in K. Ed∣wards life, he forcast to be king, in case that his brother (whose life he looked that euill diet should shorten) should happen to decease (as indeed he did) while his * 1.12 children were young. And they deeme that for this intent he was glad of the Duke of Clarence death, whose life must needes haue hindered him so intending, (being his elder brother) whether the same Duke had kept him true to his Nephew the young king, or enterprized to be king himselfe. But of all this point, there is no certainty, and who so di∣uineth vpon coniectures, may aswell shoote too farre, as too short. Howbeit this haue I by credible infor∣mation learned, that the same night, in which king Edward died, one Mistlebroke long ere morning, came in great haste to the house of one Pottier dwel∣ling in Red Crosse street without Creeple-gate in Lon∣don: and when he with hasty rapping, quickly was let in, he shewed vnto Pottier that K. Edward was de∣parted. By my troth man quoth Pottier, then will my Master the Duke of Gloucester be king: what cause * 1.13 he had so to thinke, hard it is to say, whether being toward him knew any such thing intended, or other∣wise had any inkling thereof, for it was not likely that he spake it of no ground.

(8) But now to return to the course of this Histo∣ry; were it that the Duke of Glocester had of old fore∣minded this conclusion, & was now thereunto mo∣ued, & put in hope by the occasion of the tender age of the yong Princes his Nephewes (as oportunity & likelihood of speed, putteth a man in courage of that he neuer intended) certaine it is, that he contriued * 1.14 their destruction, with the vsurpation of the regall dignitie vpon himselfe, and forasmuch as he well wist, and holp to maintaine a long continued grudge and hartburning betweene the Queenes kindred, and the Kings blood, either part enuying others au∣thority; he now thought their diuisions should be (as it was indeed) a forward beginning to the pur∣suite of his intent, and a sure ground for the founda∣tion of all his building, if he might first, vnder the pretext of reuenging old displeasure, abuse the anger and ignorance of the one party, to the destruction of the other and then winne to his purpose as many * 1.15 as he could, and those that could not be wonne, might be lost before they were aware; for of one thing was he certaine, that if his intent were percei∣ued he should soone haue made peace between both the parties with his owne blood.

(9) King Edward in his life, albeit that this dissen∣tion betweene his friends somewhat greeued him, yet in his good health he somewhat lesse regarded it, because he thought whatsoeuer busines should fall betweene them, himselfe should alwaies be able to rule both the parties. But in his last sicknes, when he perceiued his naturall strength so sore infeebled, * 1.16 that he dispaired all recouerie; then considering the youth of his Children, albeit he nothing lesse mistru∣sted then that that happened, yet well fore-seeing how many harmes might grow by their debate, while the youth of his children should lacke discre∣tion of themselues, and good Counsell of their friends, of which either party should counsell for their owne commodity, and the rather by pleasant aduise to winne themselues fauour, then by profita∣ble aduertisements to doe his children good, hee called some of them before him that were at vari∣ance, and in speciall the Lord Marquesse Dorset, the Queenes sonne by her first husband, and William Lord Hastings a noble-man, then Lord Chamberlaine, against whom th•…•… Queene especially grudged, for * 1.17 the great fauor the King bare him: and also for that shee thought him secretly familiar with the King in wanton company. Her kindred also bare him sore, aswell for that the King had made him Captaine of Callis, which office the Lord Riuers, brother to the

Queene claimed of the Kings former promise, as for diuers other great gifts which he receiued, that they looked for. These were the grudges which the king on his death bed sought to remoue, and they in shew seemed to cancell, as we haue said, though the sparks of these displeasures burst afterward into a dange∣rous flame, which consumed most of them, as after∣ward shall appeare.

(10) For assoone as the King was departed this life, his sonne Prince Edward drew towards Lon∣don from Ludlow in Wales, which Countrey being * 1.18 farre off from the law, and recourse to iustice, was be∣come to be farre out of Order, and growne wilde Robbers, Rouers walking at liberty vncorrected: for which cause this Prince in the life time of his father was sent thither, to the end that the authori∣ty of his presence should refraine euill disposed per∣sons, from the boldenes of their former outrages. To the gouernance and ordering of this young Prince at his sending thither, was there appointed Sir Anthonie Wooduill Lord Riuers, and brother vnto the Queene, a right honorable man, as valiant of hand as politick * 1.19 in Counsell; adioined were there vnto him others of the same partie, and in effect euery one as he was nee∣rest of kin vnto the Queene, so was he planted next about the Prince.

(11) That drift of the Queene not vnwisely de∣uised, whereby her blood might of youth be rooted in the Princes fauour, the Duke of Gloucester turned vnto their destruction, and vpon that ground set the foundation of all his vnhappy building. For whomsoeuer he perceiued either at variance with them, or bearing himselfe their fauour, he brake vnto them; some by mouth, some by writing and secret messengers, that it was neither reason, nor in any wise to be suffered, that the young King their Master and kinseman, should be in the hands and Custody of his mothers kindred, sequestred in manner from their Company and attendance, of which euery one ought him as faithfull seruice as they, and many of them farre more honorable part of kin then his mo∣thers side: whose blood (quoth he) sauing the Kings * 1.20 pleasure was farre vnmeet to bee matched with his, which now to be as who say remoued from the king, and the lesse noble to be left about him, is (quoth hee) neither honorable to his Maiestie nor vnto vs, and also to his Grace no suretie, to haue the mightiest of his friends from him, and vnto vs no little ieopar∣dy, to suffer our well proued euill-willers to grow in ouer great authority with the Prince in youth, who is light of beliefe and soone perswaded. Ye remem∣ber I trow K. Edward himselfe, albeit he was a man of age and discretion, yet was he in many things ru∣led by the bend, more then stood either with his honor, or our profit, or with the commodity of any man else, except only the immoderate aduancement of themselues. Which whether they sorer thirsted after their owne weale, or our woe, it were hard I weene to gesse, and if some folkes friendship had not held better place with the King, then any respect of kindred, they might perhaps easily haue intrapped and brought some of vs to confusion ere this; why not as easily as they haue done some other alreadie, as neere of his roiall blood as we? But our Lord hath * 1.21 wrought his will, and thankes be to his grace, that pe∣rill is past: howbeit as great is growing, if we suffer this young King in our enemies hand; which with∣out his knowledge might abuse the name of his commandement, to any of our vndoing, which thing God and good prouision forbid.

(12) Of which good prouision none of vs hath any thing the lesse neede, for the late made attone∣ment, in which the Kings pleasure had more place then the parties wils: nor none of vs, I beleeue, is so vnwise ouer soone to trust a new friend made of an old foe, or to thinke that an howerly kindnes, sodein∣ly contracted in one houre continued yet scarce a fortnight, should be deeper setled in their stomackes, then a long accustomed malice many yeeres rooted. With these wordes and writings and such other, the Duke of Gloucester soone set afire them that were of themselues apt enough to kindle, especially two, Ed∣ward Duke of Buckingham, and William Lord Ha∣stings * 1.22 Chamberlaine, both men of honor and of great power. The one by long succession from his Aun∣cestry: the other by his office, and the Kings fauour. These two not bearing each to other so much loue, as both of them hatred vnto the Queenes part, in this point accorded together, with the Duke of Glou∣cester, that they would vtterly remoue from the * 1.23 Kings Company all his mothers friends vnder the name of their enemies.

(13) Vpon this conclusion the Duke of Glouce∣ster vnderstanding, that the Lords which at that time were about the King, intended to bring him to Lon∣don to his Coronation, accompanied with such pow∣er of their friends, that it should be hard for him to bring his purpose to passe, without the gathering a great assembly of people, and in manner of open warre, whereof the end hee wiste well was doubt∣full, and in which the King being on their side, his part should haue the face and name of a Rebellion; he secretly therefore by diuers meanes, caused the Queene to be perswaded and brought in minde, * 1.24 that it neither were need, and also should be ieopar∣dous, the King to come vp strong.

(14) For whereas now euery Lord loued other, and no other thing studied vpon, but about the Co∣ronation and honor of the King: if the Lords of her kindred should assemble in the Kings name much people, they should giue the Lords of the contrary faction cause to feare and suspect, least they should gather this people not for the Kings safegard, whom no man impugned, but for their destruction, hauing more regard to their old variance, then their new attonement: for which cause they should assemble on the other party much people againe for their defence, whose power shee wist well stretched farre: and thus should all the Realme fall on an vproare: and of all the hurt that thereof should insue, which was likely not to be a little, & the most harme like to fall where shee least would, all the world would put her and her kindred in the blame, and say that they had vnwisely and vntrulie also broken the amity and peace, which the King her husband so prudently made betwixt his kin and hers on his death bed, and which the other party faithfully obserued.

(15) The Queene in this wise perswaded, sent such word vnto her sonne; and vnto her brother be∣ing * 1.25 about the King: besides, the Duke of Glocester, him selfe and other Lords the chiefe of his bend, wrote vnto the King so reuerently, and to the Queenes friends there so louingly, that they nothing earthly mistrusting, brought vp the King in great hast, but not in good speed, with a sober company. Now was the King in his way to London, gone from Northampton, when the Dukes of Glocester and Buc∣kingham * 1.26 came thither, where remained behind the Lord Riuers the Kings vncle, intending on the mor∣row to follow the King, and bee with him at Stony-Stratford, twelue miles thence, earely ere he depar∣ted. So was there made that night much friendlie cheare betwixt these two Dukes and the Lord Ri∣uers a great while: but incontinent after that, they were openly with great curtesie departed, and the Lord Riuers lodged, the Dukes secretly with a few of their most priuy friends, set them down in Coun∣cell, wherein they spent a great part of the night: & at their rising in the dawning of the day, they sent out priuily to their seruants in their Innes and lod∣gings about, giuing command to make themselues shortly ready, for their Lords were to horse-ward: vpon which messages, many of their folke were at∣tendant, when many of the L. Riuers seruants were vnready. * 1.27

(16) Now had these Dukes taken into their cu∣stodies the keyes of the Inne, that none should passe forth without their licence: and besides this, in the

high-way towards Stony-Stratford, where the King lay, they had bestowed certaine of their men, that should send backe againe, and compell to returne any man that were gotten out of Northampton to∣wards Stony-Stratford, till they had further order: forasmuch as the Dukes themselues intended for the shew of their diligence, to bee the first that should that day attend vpon the Kings Highnesse out of that Towne. Thus bare they folke in hand: but when the Lord Riuers vnderstood the gates closed, * 1.28 the wayes beset, neither his seruants, or himself suf∣fered to goe out, considering well so great a thing without his knowledge, could not bee done. for nought; and comparing this present manner, with his last nights cheare, in so few howres to haue so great a change, marueilously misliked it. How beit sith hee could not get away, nor keepe himselfe close hee would not, lest hee should seeme to hide himselfe for some secret feare of his own fault, wher∣of he saw no such cause in himselfe: hee determi∣ned vpon the surety of his owne conscience, to goe boldly vnto them, and to enquire what this matter might meane; whom as soone as they saw, they be∣ganne to quarrell with, saying, that hee entended to set distance betweene the King and them, and to bring them to confusion, but it should not lie in his power. And when he beganne (as hee was a very * 1.29 well spoken man) in seemely wise to excuse him∣selfe, they carried not the end of his answere, but shortly took him, & put him in ward: and that done, forthwith went to horsebacke, and tooke the way to Stony-Stratford, where they found the King with his Company, ready to leape on horsebacke, and depart forward to leaue that lodging for them, be∣cause it was too strait for both companies.

(17) And as soone as they came in his presence, they alighted downe with all their company about them; to whom the Duke of Buckingham said, Go * 1.30 afore Gentlemen, and Yeomen keepe your rooms. In which goodly array they came to the King, and on their knees in very humble manner saluted his Grace, who receiued them in very ioyous and amia∣ble manner, nothing knowing, nor mistrusting as yet what was done. But euen by and by in his presence, they picked a quarrell to the Lord Gray, the Kings * 1.31 other brother by his mother, saying, that he with the Lord Marquesse his brother, and the Lord Riuers his vncle, had compassed to rule the King and the realm, and to set variance among the States, and to subdue and destroy the noble bloud of the Realme: towards the accomplishing whereof, they said that the Lord Marquesse had entred into the Tower of London, & * 1.32 thence taken out the Kings treasure, and had sent men to the sea. All which things these Dukes well knew were done for necessary and good purposes, by the whole Councell at London, sauing that som∣what they must say.

(18) Vnto which words the King answered, what * 1.33 my brother Marquesse had done I cannot say: but in good sooth I dare well answere for mine vncle Ri∣uers, & my brother here, that they are inocent of any such matter: yea my liege, quoth the Duke of Buc∣kingham, they haue kept their dealings in these matters farre from the knowledge of your good Grace. And forth with they arrested the Lord Ri∣chard, Sir Thomas Vaughan, and Sir Richard Hawt Knights in the Kings presence, and brought the king and all his company backe vnto Northampton, where * 1.34 they tooke againe further counsell. And there they sent away from the King whome it pleased them, and set new seruants about him, such as bet∣ter liked them then him: At which dealing the king wept, and was nothing content; but it booted not: and at dinner, the Duke of Glocester sent a dish from his owne Table to the Lord Riuers, bidding him be of good cheere for all should bee well. But the Lord * 1.35 Riuers thanking the Duke, prayed the Messenger to beare it to the Lord Richard, with the same message for his comfort, as one to whom such aduersity was strange, but himselfe had beene all his dayes inured therewith, and therefore could beare it the better: but for all this comfortable courtesie of the Duke of Glocester, he sent the Lord Riuers, and the Lord Richard, with Sir Thomas Vaughan into the North Country, into diuers places to prison, and afterward all to Pomfret, where they were in conclusion be∣headed. * 1.36

(19) In this wise the Duke of Glocester tooke vp∣on himselfe the Order and Gouernance of the yong King, whom with much honour and humble reue∣rence he conuaied towards London. But anone the tidings of this matter came hastily to the Queene, a little before the midnight following, and that in the sorest wise, that the King her sonne was taken, her brother, her sonne, and other friends arrested, & sent no man wist whither, to bee done with God wot what. With which tidings, the Queen in great fright & heauinesse, bewailed her childes raigne, her friendes mischance, and her owne misfortune, damning the time that euer shee disswaded the ga∣thering of power about the King, got her selfe in all hast possible with her young sonne, and her daugh∣ters, out of the Palace of Westminster, in which shee then lay, into the Sanctuary, lodging her selfe, and * 1.37 company there in the Abbots place.

(20) Now came there one likewise, not long af∣ter night from the Lord Chamberlaine, vnto the Archbishoppe of Yorke then Chancellor of England, to his place no •…•…re from Westminster; and for that * 1.38 hee shewed his seruants, that he had tidings of great importance, that his M. gaue him in charge, not to forbeare his rest, they letted not to awake him; nor hee to admit the Messenger vnto his bed side. Of whom hee heard that these Dukes were gone backe with the Kings Grace from Stony-Stratford vnto Northampton: notwithstanding Sir (quoth he) my Lord sendeth your Lordshippe word, that there is no feare: for hee assureth you that all shall bee well. I assure him (quoth the Archbishoppe) bee it as well as it will, it will neuer bee so well as we haue seene it. And thereupon by and by after the mes∣sengers departure, hee caused in all hast all his ser∣uants to bee called vp, and so with his owne hou∣shold about him, euery man weaponed, hee tooke the Great Seale with him, and came yet before day vnto the Queene. About whom he found much * 1.39 heauinesse, rumble, hast and businesse, carriage and conueiance of her stuffe into Sanctuary, chests, cof∣fers, packes and fardels, trussed all on mens backs, no man vnoccupied, some lading, some going, some discharging, some comming for more, some breaking down the wals, to bring in the next way, and some drew to them to helpe to carry a wrong way. The Queene her selfe sate alone alow on the rushes, all desolate and dismayed, whom the Archbishop com∣forted * 1.40 in the best manner hee could, shewing her that hee trusted the matter was nothing so sore as shee tooke it for, and that hee was put in good hope and out of feare, by a message sent him from the L. Chamberlaine: Ah woe worth him (quoth the Queene) hee is one of them that laboureth to de∣stroy mee and my bloud.

(21) Madam (quoth hee) bee of good cheare; for I assure you, if they crowne any other King then your sonne, whom they haue now with them, we shal on the morrow crown his brother, whom you haue * 1.41 here with you: and here is the great Seale, which in like sort as that noble Prince your husband deli∣uered it vnto me, so here I deliuer it vnto you, to the vse and behoofe of your sonne, and therewith hee betooke her the Great Seale, and departed home againe, euen in the dawning of the day: by which time hee might in his Chamber window see all the Thames full of boates of the Duke of Glocesters ser∣uants, watching that no man should goe to Sanctu∣ary, nor none should passe vnsearched. Then was there great commotion and murmur, aswell in other places about, as especially in the City, the people di∣uersly

diuining vpon this dealing. And some Lords, Knights and Gentlemen, eyther for fauour of the Queene, or for feare of themselues, assembled in sun∣dry Companies, and went flocke-meale in harnesse: * 1.42 and many also, for that they accounted this demea∣nour attempted, not so specially against the other Lords, as against the King himself in the disturbance of his Coronation.

(22) But then, by and by the Lords assembled together, towards which meeting, the Archbi∣shoppe of Yorke fearing that it would bee ascribed (as it was indeed) to his ouermuch lightnesse, that hee so sodainely had yeelded vp the great Seale to the Queene (to whom the custody therof nothing appertained) without speciall commandement of the King, secretly sent for the Seale again, & brought * 1.43 it with him after the accustomed manner. And at this meeting, the Lord Hastings, whose truth toward the King no man doubted, nor needed to doubt, perswaded the Lords to beleeue, that the Duke of Glocester, was sure and fastly faithfull to his Prince, and that the Lord Riuers and Lord Richard, with the other knight, were for matters attempted by them against the Dukes of Glocester and Buckingham put vnder arrest for their surety, not for the Kings * 1.44 ieopardy; and that they were also in safeguard, & there no longer should remaine, then till the mat∣ter were, not by the Dukes onely, but also by all the other Lords of the kings Councell indifferently examined, and by other discretions ordered, either iudged or appeased. But one thing he aduised them beware, that they iudged not the matter too farre forth ere they knew the truth, nor turning their pri∣uate grudges into the common hurt, irking and prouoking men vnto anger; and disturbing the kings Coronation; towards which the Dukes were com∣ming vp, that they might peraduenture bring the matter so farre out of ioynt, that it should neuer bee brought in frame againe. Which strife if it should happen (as it were likely) to come to a field, though both parties were in all things equall, yet should the authority be on that side where the King is him∣selfe.

(23) With these perswasions of the Lord Ha∣stings, whereof part himselfe beleeued, of part he wist * 1.45 the contrary, these commotions were somewhat ap∣peased, but especially by that, that the Dukes of Glo∣cester and Buckingham were so neere, and came so shortly on with the King, in none other manner, with none other voice, or any other semblance then to his Coronation; causing the fame to be blowne a∣bout, that these Lords and Knights which were ta∣ken, had contriued the destruction of the Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham, and of other the Noble * 1.46 blood of the Realme, to the end that themselues would alone demeane and gouerne the King at their pleasure. And for the Colourable proofe thereof, such of the Dukes seruants as rode with the Carts of their stuffe that were taken (amongst which stuffe no maruell though some were harnesse, which at the breaking vp of the houshold, must needs either be brought away, or cast away) they shewed vnto the people all the way as they went; saying, loe here be the barrels of harnesse, that these Traitors haue pri∣uily conueied in their Carriages to destroy the No∣ble Lords withall. This deuise, albeit it made the matter to wisemen more vnlikely, well perceiuing that the intenders of such a purpose, would rather haue had their harnesse on their backes, then to be bound vp in barrels: yet much part of the common people were therewith verie well satisfied, and said it * 1.47 were almes to hang them.

(24) When the King approched neere to the City, Edmund Shan Goldsmith then Maior, with Willi∣am White and Iohn Matthew Sheriffes, and all the o∣ther * 1.48 Aldermen in scarlet, with fiue hundred horse of the Cittizens in violet, receiued him reuerently at Haruesey, and ryding from thence, accompanied him into the City, which he entred the fourth day of May, the first and last yeere of his Raigne. The King was lodged in the Bishops Pallace, where was kept a great Councell, and there was sworne to the king, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Buckingham, and all the Lords. But the Duke of Gloucester, bare him in open sight so reuerentlie to the Prince, with all semblance of fowlines, that from the great obloquie * 1.49 in which he was so late before, he was sodeinely falne in so great trust, that at the Councell next as∣sembled, he was made the only man, chose & thought most meet to be Protector of the king and his realm, so that (were it destiny, or were it folly) the lambe was betaken to the wolfe to keepe. At which Coun∣cell also, the Archbishop of Yorke Chancellour of England, which had deliuered vp the great Seale to the Queene, was thereof greatly reproued, and the Seale taken from him, and deliuered to Doctor Rus∣sell Bishop of Lincolne, a wise man, and of much expe∣rience, * 1.50 and vndoubtedly one of the best learned men that England had in his time: diuers Lords & Knights were appointed vnto diuers Roomes, the Lord Chamberlaine, and some others, keeping still their offices they had before.

(25) Now although that the Protector, so sore thirsted for the finishing of those designes which he had begun, and thought euery day a yeere till they were atchieued, yet durst he no further attempt, so long as he had but halfe his pray in his hand: well witting, that if he deposed the one brother, all the Realme would fall to the other, if he either remained in Sanctuary, or should be conueied to his further liberty: wherfore, incontinent at the next meeting of * 1.51 the Lords in Councell, he proposed vnto them, that it was a heinous deed of the Queene, and proceeded of great malice towards the Kings Counsellers, that shee should keepe in Sanctuary the Kings brother from him, whose speciall pleasure and comfort were to haue his brother with him: and that by her done, was to none other intent, but to bring all the Lords in obloquie, and murmur of the people, as though they were not to be trusted with the Kings brother, who by assent of the Nobles of the land, were appointed as the Kings neerest friends, to the tuition of his owne royall person. The prosperity whereof standeth (quoth hee) not all in kee∣ping from enemies or ill viand, but partly also in recreation, and moderate pleasure, which hee in his tender youth cannot take in the company of anci∣ent persons, but in the familiar conuersation of those that be neither farre vnder, nor farre aboue his age, and neuerthelesse of estate conuenient to ac∣company his noble Maiesty; wherefore with whom rather, then with his owne brother? And if any man thinke this consideration (which I thinke no * 1.52 man thinketh that loueth the King) let him consider that sometimes without small things, greater cannot stand. And verily, it redoundeth greatly to the dishonour both of the Kings Highnesse, and of vs all that are about his Grace, to haue it runne in e∣uery mans mouth, not in this Realme onely, but also in other lands, (as euill words walke farre) that the Kings brother shall bee faine to keepe Sanctua∣ry; for euery man I deeme, will suppose, that there is occasion giuen, why it should so be: and such e∣uill opinions once fastened in mens hearts, hardly can bee screwed out againe, and may grow to more griefe then any man here can diuine. Wherefore * 1.53 I thinke it were not the worst to send vnto the Queene for the redresse of this matter, some honou∣rable trusty man, such as both tendreth the kings weale, and the honour of this Councell, and is also in fauour and credence with her. For all which considerations, none seemeth to mee more meere, then is our reuerend Father here present, my Lord Cardinall, who may in this matter doe most good of any man, if it please him to take the pains, which I doubt not of his goodnesse hee will not refuse, for the Kings sake and ours, and weale of the young Duke himselfe, the Kings most honourable bro∣ther,

and after my Soueraigne himselfe, my most deere Nephew, Considering that thereby shall be ceased the slanderous rumor and obloquie now go∣ing, and the hurts auoided that thereof might insue, and much rest and quiet grow to all the Realme. And if she be percase so obstinate, and so precisely set vpon her owne will, that neither his wise and faithfull ad∣uertisement * 1.54 cannot moue her; nor any mans reason content her: then shall we by mine aduise, and by the Kings authority, fetch him out of that Prison; & bring him to his noble presence, in whose continuall company he shall be so well cherished, and so hono∣rably intreated, that all the world shall to our honor, and her reproach perceiue, that it was only malice, frowardnes, or folly, that caused her to keepe him there: this is my minde in this matter for this time, except any of your Lordships any thing perceiue to the contrary, for neuer shall I by Gods Grace, so wed my selfe to my owne will, but that I shall be ready to change it vpon your better aduises.

(26) When the Protector had said, all the Coun∣cell affirmed that the motion was good and reasona∣ble, * 1.55 and to the King and the Duke his brother ho∣norable, and the thing that should cease great mur∣mur in the Realme, if the mother might be by good meanes induced to deliuer him. Which thing the Archbishop of Yorke, whom they all agreed also to be thereto most conuenient, tooke vpon him to moue her, and therein to doe his vttermost endea∣uour: how beit if shee could by no meanes be entrea∣ted with her good will to deliuer him, then thought he, and such other of the Clergy then present, that it were not in any wise to be attempted, to take him out against her will. For it would bee a thing that should turne to the great grudge of all men, and high displeasure of God, if the priuiledge of that holy place should now be broken, which had so manie yeeres beene kept, which both Kings and Popes so * 1.56 good had granted, so many had confirmed, and which holy ground was more then fiue hundred yeeres agoe, by S. Peter in his owne person, in spirite accompanied with great multitude of Angels, by night so specially hallowed and dedicated to God, (for the proofe whereof, they haue yet in the Abbey, S. Peters Cope to shew) that from that time hi∣therward, * 1.57 was there neuer so vndeuout a King, that durst violate that sacred place, or so holy a Bishop, that durst presume to consecrate it; and therefore (quoth the Archbishop of Yorke) God forbid that a∣ny man should for any thing earthlie, enterprize to breake the immunity and liberty of that sacred San∣ctuary, that hath beene the safegard of many a good mans life: and I trust (quoth he) with Gods grace we shall not need it. But for what need soeuer, I would not we should doe it; I trust that shee shall be with reason contented, and all things in good manner ob∣tained, but if it happen, that I bring it not so to passe, yet shall I toward it with my best, and you shall all well perceiue, that there shall be of my indeauour no lacke, if the mothers dread, and womanish feare be not the let.

(27) Womanish feare, nay womanish frowardnes (quoth the Duke of Buckingham) for I dare take * 1.58 it vpon my soule, shee wel knoweth, there is no need of any feare, either for her sonne or for her selfe. For as for her, here is no man that will be at warre with a woman. Would God some of the men of her kin were women too, and then should al be soone in rest: Howbeit, there is none of her kin the lesse loued, for that they be of her kin, but for their owne euill de∣seruing. And nay the lesse, if we loued neither her, nor her kin, yet were there no cause to thinke, that we should hate the Kings noble brother, to whose Grace we our selues be of kin: whose honor, if shee as much desired, as our dishonor, and as much re∣gard tooke to his wealth, as to her owne will, shee would be as loth to suffer him from the King, as any of vs bee. For, if shee haue wit, (as would God shee * 1.59 had as good will as shee hath shrewd wit) shee reck∣neth her selfe no wiser, then shee thinketh some that be here, of whose faithfull minde shee nothing doub∣teth, but verily beleeueth and knoweth, that they would be as sorry of his harme, as her selfe, and yet would haue him from her, if shee bide there: and we all (I thinke) content, that both be with her, if shee come thence, and bide in such place; where they may be with their honour. Now then, if shee refuse in * 1.60 the deliuerance of him, to follow the Counsell of them, whose wisdome shee knoweth, whose truth shee well trusteth: it is easie to perceiue, that fro∣wardnes letteth her, and not feare. But goe to, sup∣pose that shee feare, (as who may let her to feare her owne shadow) the more shee feareth to deliuer him, the more ought wee to feare to leaue him in her hands. For, if shee cast such fond doubts, that she feare his hurt; then will shee feare, that hee shall bee fetcht thence. For shee will soone thinke, that if men were set (which God forbid) vpon so great a mischiefe, the Sanctuary would little let them: which good men might (as I thinke) without sin, somewhat lesse regard then they doe. Then, if shee * 1.61 doubt, lest hee might bee fetched from her, is it not likely that shee shall send him somewhere out of the Realm? Verily, I looke for none other. And I doubt not, but shee now as sore mindeth it, as we the let thereof. And if she might happen to bring that to passe (as it were no great masterie, we letting her alone) all the world would say, that wee were a wise sort of Counsellors about a King, that suffer his brother to be cast away vnder our noses. And therefore I assure you faithfully for my mind, I will rather maugre her mind, fetch him away, then leaue him there, till her frowardnes and fond feare con∣uay him away. And yet will I breake no Sanctua∣ry therefore: for verily, sith the priuiledges of that place, and other like haue beene of long continued, I am not he that wil goe about to breake them. And in good faith, if they were now to begin, I would not be he that should be about to make them. Yet will I not say nay, but that it is a deed of pitty, that * 1.62 such men, as the sea, or their euill debters haue brought in pouerty, should haue some place of li∣berty, to keepe their bodies out of the danger of their cruell Creditors. And also, if the Crowne happen (as it hath done) to come in question, while either part taketh other as Traitors, I like well there be some places of refuge for both. But as for * 1.63 theeues, of which these places bee full, and which ne∣uer fall from the craft after they once fall thereunto; it is pitty the Sanctuary should serue them, & much more manquellers, whom God bad to take from the Altar and kill them, if their murther were wilfull. And where it is otherwise, there need wee not the Sanctuaries, that God appointed in the old Law: for if either necessity, his own defence, or misfortune draweth him to that deed, a pardon serueth, which either the law granteth of course, or the King of pit∣ty may. Then look we now how few sanctuary men there be, whom any fauourable necessity compelled to goe thither; and then see on the other side, what a sort there be commonly therein of them, whom wilfull vnthriftinesse hath brought to naught: what rabble of theeues, murderers, and malitious hainous Traitors, and that in two places especially? the one * 1.64 at the elbow of the City, the other in the very bow∣els. I dare well auow it, weigh the good that they doe, with the hurt that commeth of them, and yee shall finde it much better to lacke both, then to haue both. And this I say, although they were not abused as they now be, and so long haue been, that I feare mee euer they will bee, while men bee afraide to set the hands to amend the, as though God & S. Peter were the patrons of vngracious liuing. Now vn∣thrifts riot, and runne in debt, vpon the boldnes of these places; yea, and rich men runne thether with poore mens goods, there they build, there they spend, and bid their Creditors goe whistle. Mens wiues runne thither with their husbands plate, and

say, they dare not abide with their husbands for beating. Theeues bring thither their stoln goods, and liue thereon rio tously: there they deuise new robberies, nightly they steale out, they rob and riue, kill and come in againe, as though those pla∣ces gaue them not onely a safeguard for the harme they haue done, but a licence also to do more; how∣beit much of this mischiefe, if Wisemen would set their hands to it, might bee amended, with great thankes of God, and no breach of the Priuiledge. The residue, sith so long agoe, I wot neere what Pope, and what Prince more pitteous then poli∣ticke hath granted it, and other men since, of a cer∣taine religious feare, haue not broken it; let vs therefore take paine therewith, and let it a Gods name stand in force, as farre forth as reason will, which is not fully so farre forth, as may serue to let vs of the fetching forth of this Nobleman, to his honour and wealth, out of that place, in which he neither is, nor can bee a Sanctuary man. A Sanctu∣ary * 1.65 serueth alwayes to defend the body of that man that standeth in danger abroad, not of great hurt onelie, but also of lawfull hurt; for against vn∣lawfull harmes, neuer Pope nor King intended to priuiledge any one place, for that priuiledge hath euery place: knoweth any man any place, wherein it is lawful for one man to do another wrong? that no man vnlawfully take hurt, that liberty, the King, the Law, and very nature forbiddeth in euery place, and maketh to that regard, for euery man; e∣uery place a Sanctuary: but where a man is by lawfull meanes in perill, there needeth hee the tuiti∣on of some speciall priuiledge, which is the onely ground and cause of all Sanctuaries: from which ne∣cessity this noble Prince is farre, whose loue to the King, nature and kindred proueth, whose innocen∣cy * 1.66 to all the world, his tender youth proueth, and so Sanctuary, as for him, neither none he needeth, nor none can hee haue. Men come not to Sanctua∣ry, as they come to Baptisme, to require it by their Godfathers; hee must aske it himselfe, that must haue it; and reason, sith no man hath cause to haue it, but whose conscience of his owne fault maketh him faine need to require it: what will then hath yonder babe? which and if he had discretion to re∣quire it, if neede were, I dare say would now bee right angry with them that keepe him there: and I would thinke without any scruple of conscience, without any breach of Priuiledge, to bee somewhat more homelie with them, that be there Sanctuarie * 1.67 men indeed: for if one goe to Sanctuary with ano∣ther mans goods, why should not the King, leauing his body at liberty, satisfie the party of his goods, euen within the Sanctuarie? for neither King nor Pope can giue any place such a priuiledge, that it shall discharge a man of his debtes, being able to pay. And with that diuers of the Clergy that were present, whether they said it for his pleasure, or as they thought, agreede plainely, that by the law of God, and of the Church, th•…•… •…•…oods of a Sanctuarie man, should bee deliuere•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 payment of his debts, and stolne goods to the owner, and onely liberty reserued him, to get his liuing with the labour of his hands. Verily (quoth the Duke) I thinke you say very truth; and what if a mans wife would take Sanctuary, because she lift to runne from her husband? I would weene if she could alledge none other cause, hee may lawfully without any displeasure to Saint Peter, take her out of Saint Pe∣ters Church by the arme. And if no body may be * 1.68 taken out of •…•…nctuary, that saith he will bi•…•…e there, then if a child will take Sanctuary, because hee fea∣reth to goe to schoole, his Master must let him a∣lone. And as simple as the sample is, yet i•…•… there lesse reason in our case then in that; for therein, though it be a childish feare; yet is there at the least wise some feare, and herein is there •…•…one at all. And verily, I haue often heard of Sanctuary 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but I neuer he•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Sanctuary Children. A•…•… therefore, as for the Conclusion of my mind, who so may haue deserued to need it, if they thinke it * 1.69 for their suretie, let them keepe it; but he can be no Sanctuary man that had neither wisdome to de∣sire it, nor malice to deserue it, whose life or liber∣tie, can by no lawfull processe stand in ieopardie: and hee that taketh one out of the Sanctuarie to do him good, I say plainely that he breaketh no San∣ctuary.

(28) When the Duke had done, the temporall men wholy, & most part of the spirituall also, think∣ing no hurt earthly meant towardes the young babe, condiscended in effect, that if hee were not deliuered, hee should bee fetched; how beit they * 1.70 all thought it best, in the auoiding of all maner of rumor, that the Lord Cardinall should first assay to get him with her good will. And thereupon, all the Councell came vnto the Starre-Chamber at Westminster, and the Lord Cardinall leauing the Protector with the Councell in the Starre-Cham∣ber, departed into the Sanctuary to the Queen with diuers other Lords with him, were it for the respect of his honour, or that shee should by presence of so many, perceiue that this errand was not one mans mind: or were it, for that the Protector intended not in this matter, to trust any one man alone, or else, that if shee finally were determined to keepe him, some of that Company had happily secret in∣structions incontinent, maugre her mind to take him, and to leaue her no respite to conuey him, which shee was likely to mind, after this matter broken to her, if the time would in any wise serue her.

(29) When the Queene and those Lords were come together in presence, the Lord Cardinall shewed her, that it was thought vnto the Prote∣ctor, * 1.71 and vnto the whole Councell, that her kee∣ping of the Kings brother in that place, was the thing which highly sounded, not onely to the great rumor of the people, and their obloquie, but also to the importable griefe and displeasure of the kings royall Maiesty, to whose Grace it were a singular comfort, to haue his naturall brother in Compa∣ny, as it was both his dishonour, all theirs, and hers also, to suffer him in Sanctuary, as though the one brother stood in danger and perill of the other. And hee shewed her, that the Counsell therefore had sent him to require her the deliuery of the yong Duke, that hee might bee brought vnto the Kings presence at his liberty, out of that place, which they reckoned as a prison, and there hee should bee demeaned, according to his estate: and shee in this doing should both doe great good to the Realme, pleasure to the Councell, and profite to her selfe, succour to her friends that were in distresse, and be∣sides that (which he w•…•… well shee specially tendred) not onely great comfort and honour to the King, but also to the young Duke himselfe, whose great wealth it were to be together; aswell for many grea∣ter causes, as also for both their disports and recre∣ations; which thing the Lords esteemed not slight, though it seemed light; well pondering, that their youth without recreation and play, cannot endure, nor any stranger, for the con•…•…e of both their a∣ges and estates, so meete in that point for any of them, as eyther of them for other.

(30) My Lord (quoth the Queene) I say not 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but that it were very conuenient, that this Gentle∣man whom yee require, were in company of the * 1.72 King his Brother; and in good faith; I thinke it were as great commodity to them both, for yet it while to bee in the custody of their mother, the tender age considered of the elder of them both, but speci•…•… the younger, which besides his infancy, that also needeth good looking to, hath a while been •…•…o fore diseased, •…•…ed with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and i•…•… so newly ra∣ther a little amended, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 recouered, that I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put no 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 his •…•…ng b•…•…my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ly, •…•…ing that there is (〈◊〉〈◊〉 Phy∣sitians

say) and as wee also find, double the perill in the recidiuation, that was in the first sicknesse, with which disease, nature being sore laboured, fore∣wearied and weakned, waxeth the lesse able to beare out and sustaine a new surfeit. And albeit there might be found other that would happily do their best vnto him, yet is there none that either know∣eth better how to order him, then I that so long haue kept him, or is more like tenderly to cherish him then his owne mother that bare him.

(31) No man denieth good Madam (quoth the Cardinall) but that your Grace were of all others most necessary about your children, and so would all the Councell not onely bee content, but glad that you were, if it might stand with your pleasure, to bee in such place as might stand with their honor: but if you doe appoint your selfe to tarry here, then they thinke it were more conuenient that the Duke of Yorke were with the King, honourably at his liberty, to the comfort of them both, rather then here as a Sanctuary man, to both their disho∣nour and obloquie, sith there is not alwayes so great a necessity to haue the child with his mother, but that occasion may sometimes bee such, that it should bee more expedient to keepe him elsewhere, which well appeareth in this, that at such time as your dearest sonne then Prince, and now King, should for his honor, and good order of the Coun∣try, keepe his residence in Wales, farre out of your Company, your Grace was well contented therwith your selfe.

(32) Not very well contented (quoth the Queen) and yet the case is not like, for the one was then in health, and the other is now sicke: in which case I maruaile greatly, that my Lord Protector is so desirous to haue him in his keeping, where if the Child in his sicknesse miscarrie by nature, yet might hee runne into slander and suspition of fraud. And where they call it a thing so sore against my Childes honour, and theirs also, that hee abideth in this place: it is all their honours there to suffer him a∣bide, where no man doubteth hee shall be best kept, and that is here, while I am here, which as yet in∣tend not to come forth, and ieopard my selfe after other of my friends, which would God were rather here in surety with mee, then I there in ieopardy with them.

(33) Why Madame (quoth another Lord) know you any thing why they should bee in ieopardy? Nay verily (quoth shee) nor why they should bee in pri∣son, as now they bee. But it is I trow no great mar∣uaile though I feare, left those that haue not letted to put them in durance without colour, will let as little to procure their destruction without cause: The Cardinall made a countenance to the other Lord, that hee should harpe no more vpon that string, and then said hee to the Queen, that he no∣thing doubted, but that those Lords of her honou∣rable kinne, which as yet remained vnder arrest, should vpon the matter examined doe well inough, and as towards her noble person, neither was, nei∣ther could be any ieopardy.

(34) Whereby should I trust that (quoth the Queene?) in that I am guiltlesse? as though they were guilty: in that I am with their ene∣mies better loued then they? when they hate them for my sake; in that I am so neere a kin to the King? and how farre they be off, if that would helpe, as God grant it hurt not, and therefore as for me, I purpose not as yet, to depart hence. And as for this gentleman my sonne, I minde that he shall be where I am, till I see further: for I assure you, for that I see some men so greedy, without any substantiall cause to haue him, makes me much more fearefull to deliuer him. Truly Madame (quoth he) the more vnwilling that you be to deliuer him, the more vnwilling other men be to suffer you to keepe him, least your causelesse feare might cause you farther to conuey him: and many there be that thinke he can haue no priuiledge in this place, which neither can haue will to aske it, nor malice to deserue it, and therefore, they reckon no priuiledge broken, though they fetch him out, which if you finally refuse to de∣liuer him, I verily think they will: so much dreadhath my Lord his vncle, for the tender loue he beareth him, lest your grace should hope to send him away.

(35) Ah sir (quoth the Queene) hath the Prote∣ctor so tender zeale that he feareth nothing, but least he should escape him? thinketh he that I would send him hence, which is not in plight to send out, and in what place could I account him sure, if he be not sure in the Sanctuary? which there was neuer Ty∣rant yet so diuelish, that durst presume to breake. And I trust God is as strong now to withstand his aduersaries, as euer he was. But my sonne can de∣serue no Sanctuary, and therefore he cannot haue it. Forsooth he hath found out a goodly glosse, by which that place that may defend a thiefe, may not saue an innocēt: but he is in no ieopardy, nor hath no need thereof: would God he had not. Thinketh the Protector, (I pray God hee may proue a Pro∣tector) thinketh hee, that I perceiue not whereun∣to his painted Processe draweth? It is not honora∣ble that the Duke abide here: It were comfortable for them both, that he were with his brother, be∣cause the King lacketh a play fellow forsooth. I pray God send them both better playfellows then him, that maketh so high a matter, vpō so trifling pretext, as though there could none be found to play with the King, but his brother, (that hath no list to play for sicknes) come out of Sanctuary, out of his safe∣gard to play with him. As though Princes, as yong as they be, could not play but with their Peeres, or Children could not play but with their kindred, with whom for the most part they agree much worse then with strangers. But the Childe cannot require the priuiledge, who tolde him so? he shall heare him aske it, if he will. Howbeit, this is a gay matter, suppose hee coulde not aske it, suppose hee woulde not aske it, suppose hee woulde aske to goe out, if I say hee shall not: if I aske the priuiledge but for my selfe, I say he that taketh him out against my will, breaketh the Sanctuarie. Ser∣ueth this liberty for my person onely, or for my goods also? you may not take hence my horse from me: and may you take my child from me? He also is my ward: for as my learned Councell sheweth me, sith he hath nothing by discent holden by Knights seruice, the law maketh his mother his Gardian. Then may no man I suppose, take my ward from me out of Sanctuary, without the breach of Sanctuary. And if my priuiledge could not serue him, nor he aske it for himselfe, yet sith the law committeth to me the custodie of him, I may require it for him, except the law giue a child a Gardian only for his goods and lands, discharging him of the cure and safe-keeping of his body, for which only both lands and goods serue. And if examples be sufficient, to obtaine pri∣uiledge for my child, I need not farre to seeke them, for in this place in which now we be (and which is now in question, whether my child may take bene∣fit of it) mine other sonne now King, was borne, kept in his Cradle, and preserued to a more prosperous fortune, which I pray God long to continue. And as you all know, this is not the first time that I haue ta∣ken Sanctuary. For when my Lord my husband was banished, and thrust out of his Kingdome, I fled hither, being great with Child: and here I bare the Prince: and when my Lord my husband returned safe againe, and had the victory, then went I hence, to welcome him home, and from hence I brought my babe the Prince vnto his father, when hee first tooke him in his armes. And I pray God that my sonnes Pallace may be as great a safegard vnto him now raigning, as this place was sometime to the Kings e∣nemie. In which place I intend to keepe his brother, since mans law serueth the Gardian to keepe the In∣fant. The law of nature wils the mother to keepe

her child, Gods law priuiledgeth the Sanctuary, and the Sanctuary my sonne, sith I feare to put him in the Protectors hands, who hath his brother already, and were (if both failed) inheritour to the Crowne: and the cause of my feare, hath no man to doe to exa∣mine. But yet I feare no further then the law feareth, which as learned men tell me, forbiddeth euerie man, the custody of them by whose death hee may inherit lesse land then a Kingdome. I can no more: but whosoeuer he be that breaketh this holy Sanctu∣ary, I pray God shortly send him need of a Sanctuary when hee may not come to it, for taken out of San∣ctuary I would not that my mortall enemy were.

(36) The Lord Cardinall perceiuing that the Queene waxed euer the longer the further off, & also that shee beganne to kindle and chafe, and speake more biting words against the Protector, and such as he neuer beleeued, and was also loath to heare, hee said to her for a finall conclusion, that he no lon∣ger would dspute the matter, but if shee were con∣tent to deliuer the Duke to him, and to the other Lords present, he durst lay his body and soule both in pledge, not onely for his surety, but also for his estate; And if she wou'd giue a resolute answere to the contrary, he would forthwith depart therewith∣all, and shift who so would with this businesse af∣terward, for he neuer intended more to moue her in that matter, in which shee thought that hee and all others also saue herselfe, lacked either witte or truth; wit, if they were so dull that they could per∣ceiue nothing what the Protector intended: truth, if they should procure her sonne to be deliuered in∣to his hands, in whom they should perceiue to∣wards the Child any euill intended.

(37) The Queene with these wordes stood a good while in a deepe study. And for as much as her seemed the Cardinal ready to depart, and the Prote∣ctor himselfe readie at hand, so as shee verily thought she could not keepe him there, but that he should in∣continent be taken thence, and to conuey him else∣where, neither had shee time to serue her, nor place determined, nor persons appointed, all things vnrea∣dy, this message came on her so suddainly, nothing lesse looked for, then to haue him fetcht out of San∣tuarie, which she thought to be now beset in such places about, that he could not be conueyed out vn∣taken, and partly (as shee thought) it might fortune her feare to be false, so well shee wift it was either needlesse or bootlesse: Wherefore, if shee must needs go frō him, she deemed it best to deliuer him, & besides the Cardinals faith, she nothing doubted, neither some other Lords, whom she saw there pre∣sent, which as she feared lest they might be deceiued, so was she wel assured they would not be corrupted: and thought it would make thē the more warily to looke to him, and the more circumspectly to see to his surety, if with her owne hands shee betooke him to them of trust. And lastly taking the young Duke by the hand said vnto the Lords.

(38) My Lords, and all my Lords; I neither am * 1.73 so vnwise to mistrust your wits, nor so suspitious to mistrust your truths: of which thing I purpose to make you such a proofe, as if either of both lacked in you, might both turne mee to great sorrow, the Realme to much harme, & you all to great reproch. For loe, here is (quoth she) this Gentleman, whom I doubt not, but I could heere keepe safe if I would, whatsoeuer any man say: and I doubt not also, but there bee some abroad so deadly enemies vnto my blood, that if they wist where any of it lay in their owne bodies, they would let it out. We haue also experience, that the desire of a kingdome knoweth no kindred: the brother hath beene the brothers bane: and may the Nephewes be sure of their Vn∣cle? Each of these children is the others defence, * 1.74 whilest they are asunder, and each of their liues lieth in the others body: keepe one safe and both be sure, and nothing for them both more perillous then to be in one place. For what wise Merchant aduentu∣reth all his goods in one ship? All this notwithstan∣ding, I deliuer him, and his brother in him, to keep, into your hands, of whom I shall aske both, before God and the world. Faithfull ye be, that wot I well, and I know well you be wise, power and strength to * 1.75 keepe him, if yee list, neither lack yee of your selfe, nor lack helpe in this case. And if you cannot else∣where, then may you leaue him heere: but onely one thing, I beseech you, for the trust that his father euer put in you, and for the trust I now put you in, that as farre as you thinke I feare too much, bee you well wary that you feare not too little: and therewithall shee sayd vnto the child, Farewell mine owne sweet son, God send you good keeping: let me kisse you yet once, ere you go; for God knoweth when wee shall kisse together againe. And therwithal she kissed him, and blessed him, turned her back and wept, and went her way, leauing the child weeping as faste. When the Lord Cardinal, and those other Lords with him, had receiued the yong Duke, they brought him in∣to the Star-chamber, where the protector tooke him in his armes, and kissed him with these words: Now welcome my Lord, euen with all my heart: In which say∣ing, * 1.76 it is like hee spake as he thought. Thereupon foorth with they brought him vnto the King his bro∣ther, into the Bishops Pallace at Paules; and from thence both of them through the Citie of London honourably attended into the Tower, out of which after that day they neuer came againe.

(39) The protector hauing both the children now in his hands, opened himself more boldly, both to certaine other men, & also chiefly to the Duke of Buckingham. Although I know that many thought that this Duke was priuy to all the protectors counsell, euen from the beginning, and some of the protectors friends sayd, that the Duke was the first * 1.77 mouer of the protector to this matter, sending a pri∣uie messenger vnto him streight after King Edwards death. But others againe, which knew better the subtill wit of the protector, deny that he euer ope∣ned his enterprise to the Duke, vntil he had brought to passe the things before rehearsed. But when hee had imprisoned the Queenes kindred, and gotten both her sonnes into his owne hands; then he ope∣ned the rest of his purpose with lesse feare to them whom he thought meet for the matter, and especi∣ally to the Duke, who being wonne to his designes, he held his strength more then halfe increased. The matter was broken vnto the Duke by subtil persons, and such as were their crafts masters in the handling of such wicked deuises▪ who declared vnto him that the young King was offended with him, for his kinsfolkes sakes, and if he were euer able he would reuenge them: who would prick him forward thereunto if they escaped (for they would remem∣ber * 1.78 their imprisonment) or else if they were put to death, without doubt the yong King would be care∣ful for their deaths, whose imprisonments was grie∣uous vnto him. And that with repenting the Duke should nothing auaile, for there was no way left to redeeme his offence by benefits, but he should soo∣ner destroy himselfe then saue the King, who with his brother, and his kinsfolkes he sawe in such places imprisoned, as the protect or might with a beck de∣stroy them all: and without all doubt would doe it indeed, if there were any new enterprise attempted. And that it was likely as the Protector had prouided priuie gard for himself, so had he spials for the Duke and traines to haue caught him, if he should bee a∣gainst him, & that peraduenture from them, whom he least suspected. For the state of things, & the dispo∣sitions of men were then such, that a man could not well tell whom hee might trust, or whom hee might feare. These things and such like, being beaten into the Dukes minde, brought him to that point, that where he had repented the way that hee had entred, yet would he goe forward in the same, and since hee had once begunne, hee would stoutly goe through. And therefore to this wicked enterprise which hee

beleeued could not be auoyded, hee bent himselfe, determining, sith the common mischiefe could not be amended, he would turne it as much as he might to his owne commoditie.

(40) Then was it agreed, that the Protector should haue the Dukes aide to make him King, and * 1.79 that the Protectors only lawfull sonne should marry the Dukes daughter; and that the Protector should grant him the quiet possession of the Earldome of Hertford, which he claimed at his inheritance, and could neuer obtaine it in King Edwards time. Besides these requests of the Duke, the Protector of his owne accord, promised him a great quantitie of the Kings treasurie, and of his houshold stuffe. And when they were thus at a point betwixt themselues, they went about to prepare for the Coronation of the yong king as they would haue it seeme. And that they might turne both the eyes & minds of men frō perceiuing of their drifts otherwhere, the Lords were sent for from all parts of the Realme, and came flocking vnto the solemnitie. But the Protector and Duke after they had sent the Lord Cardinall Arch-bishop of Yorke, then L. Chancellor, the Bishop of * 1.80 Ely, the Lords Stanley & Hastings, then Lord Cham∣berlaine, with many other Noblemen, to conferre and deuise about the Coronation in one place, as fast they were in another place contriuing the contrary, to make the Protector king: to which counsel, albeit there were adhibited very few, and they very secret; yet began here and there, some muttering among the people, as though all should not long be wel, though they neither knew what they feared, nor wherefore: were it that before such great things, mens hearts of a secret instinct of nature misgiue them, as the Sea without winde swelleth of himselfe sometime before a tempest; or were it that some one man happily * 1.81 somewhat perceiuing, filled many men with suspiti∣on, though hee shewed fewe men what hee knew. Howbeit somewhat the dealing it selfe made men to muse on the matter, though the counsell were close. For by little and little, all men withdrewe from the Tower, and repaired to Crosbies in Bishops∣gate streete, where the Protector kept his house in great state. So that the Protector had the resort, and the King left in a manner desolate. And whilest some for their businesse made suite to such as were in * 1.82 office for the King, some were secretly by their friends warned, that it might happely doe them no good, to be too much attendant about the king with∣out the Protectors appointment, who then began to remoue many of the Princes old seruants, and in their stead to place about him new.

(41) Thus many things meeting together, partly by purpose, & partly by chance, caused at length not onely the common people that moue with the winde, but wisemen also, and some Lords likewise, to marke and muse at the matter; insomuch, that the Lord Stanley, who was after Earle of Darby, said to * 1.83 the Lord Hastings, that he much misliked these two seuerall counsels. For while we (quoth he) talke of one matter in the one place, little wot we, whereof they talke in the other place. My Lord (quoth the Lord Hastings) of my life neuer doubt you: for while * 1.84 one man is there, which is neuer thence, ne∣uer can things be moued that should sound amisse a∣gainst me, but it shall be in mine eares ere it be well out of their mouths: this ment he by Catesby, which was of his neere counsell, and whom hee very fami∣liarly vsed, and in his most waighty matters put no man in so speciall trust, nor no man so much behol∣den vnto him as Catesby was. A man indeed well learned in the Lawes of this Land, and by speciall fa∣uour of the Lord Chamberlaine, in good authoritie, and bare much rule in Leicestershire, where the Lord Hastings power chiefly lay. But surely great pittie it was, that he had not had either more truth, or lesse wit. For his dissimulation onely kept all that mis∣chiefe * 1.85 vp: in whom if the Lord Hastings had not put so special trust, the Lord Stanley and hee had depar∣ted with diuers other Lords, and had broken all the dance, for many ill signes that he saw, which he now construes all to the best. So surely thought he that there could bee no harme towards him intended, in that counsell where Catesby was. And of truth, the Protector and Duke of Buckingham, made very good semblance vnto the Lord Hastings, whom vndoub∣tedly the Protector loued well, and loth was tohaue lost him, but for feare, least his life should haue quai∣led their purpose; for which cause hee moued Ca∣tesby to proue with some words, cast out a farre off, whether hee could thinke it possible to winne the L. Chamberlaine to their part. But Catesby whether hee assayed him, or assayed him not, reported vnto * 1.86 them, as hee found him so fast, and heard him speake so terrible words, that hee durst no further breake. True it is, that the Lord Chamberlaine, of very trust shewed vnto Catesby, the distrust that others began to haue in the matter: & therfore Catesby fearing as * 1.87 he affirmed, least their motion might with the Lord Hastings diminish his credence, whereunto only all the matter leaned; hee counselled and procured the Protector hastily to rid him. And much the rather, * 1.88 for that he trusted by his death, to obtaine much of the rule that the Lord Hastings bare in his Countrey: the onely desire whereof, was the allectiue that indu∣ced him to be partner, and one speciall contriuer of all this horrible treason.

(42) Soone after this, vpon Friday the thir∣teenth * 1.89 day of Iune, many Lords assembled in the Tower, and there sate in counsel, deuising the hono∣rable solemnitie of the Kings Coronation; of the which the time appointed was so neere, that the Pa∣geants and subtilties were in making day and night at Westminster, and much victuall killed, that after∣ward was cast away. These Lords sitting together communing of this matter, the Protector came in amongst them about nine of the clocke, saluting them courteously, and excusing himselfe, that he had beene from them so long, saying merrily, I haue bin * 1.90 a sleeper this day. And after a little talke with them, he said to the Bishop of Ely, My Lord, you haue ve∣rie good Strawburies at your Garden in Holborne, I pray you let vs haue a messe of them: Gladly my Lord, said the Bishop, would God I had some better thing as ready to pleasure you as that: and there∣with in all haste hee sent his seruaunt for a messe of Strawburies. Whereupon the Protector setting the Lords fast in conference, prayed them to spare him for a little while, and departed thence. But soone after, betwixt ten and eleuen, hee returned into the counsell Chamber amongst them, with a wonderfull sowre and angry countenance, knitting the browes, frowning and fretting, and g•…•…awing on his lippes, sate him downe in his place, all the Lords much dismayed, sore maruelling of this his suddaine * 1.91 change, and what thing should him aile: He sitting thus a while, began thus to speake, What are they worthy to haue, that compasse and imagine the destruction of mee, being so neere of blood vnto the King, and Prote∣ctor of his royall person and his Realme? At which que∣stion, all the Lords sate sore astonied, musing much by whom this question should be meant, of which e∣uery man knew himselfe cleare.

(43) Then the Lord Chamberlaine, as hee that * 1.92 for the loue betwixt them, thought he might bee bouldest with him, answered & said, That they were worthy to be punished as haynous traitors whatsoe∣uer they were: and the same all the other Lords af∣firmed. That is (quoth the Protector) yonder sorce∣resse my brothers wife, meaning the Queene, and o∣thers with her: at these words many of the Lords that fauoured her, were greatly abashed: but the L. Hastings was in his minde better content, that it was moued by her, then by any other whom hee loued better: howbeit, his heart somewhat grudged, that he was not afore made of counsell in this matter, as

hee was of the taking of her kindred, & of their put∣ting to death, which were by his assent before deui∣sed to bee beheaded at Pomfret the selfe same day, in which hee was not aware, how it was by other deui∣sed, that himselfe should bee beheaded the same day at London. Then said the Protector, yee shall all see in what wise that Sorceresse, and that other witch * 1.93 of her counsel, Shores wife, with their affinity, haue by their sorcerie and witchcraft wasted my body. And therewith he plucked vppe his doublet sleeue to the elbow vpon his left arme, where he shewed a wearish withered arme, and small, as it was neuer other.

(44) And thereupon euery mans mind sore mis∣gaue them, well perceiuing that this matter was but a quarrell. For they well knew, that the Queen was too wise to go about any such folly; & if she would, yet would shee of all others, not make Shores wife of counsell, whom of all women shee most hated, as that Concubine whom the King her husband had most loued. And also no man there present, but knew well enough, that his arme was ouer such since * 1.94 his birth. Neuerthelesse the Lord Chamberlaine, (which from the death of King Edward kept Shores wife, on whom hee somewhat doated in the Kings life, sauing a•…•… it is said, that hee forbare her for re∣uerence towards the King, or else of a certain kind of fidelity to his friend) answered and said: Cer∣tainely my Lord, if they haue so heinously done, they bee worthy of hainous punishment. What (quoth the Protector) thou seruest mee I ween with ifs and with ands, I tell thee they haue so done, and that I will make good on thy bodie Traitor. And therewith as in a great anger, hee clapped his fist vpon the board a great rap: at which token giuen, one without the Chamber cryed, treason, where∣with a dore clapped, and in came rushing men in harnesse, as many as the Chamber might hold, and anone the Protector said to the Lord Hastings, I ar∣rest thee Traitor: What mee my Lord quoth hee? yea thee Traitor quoth the Protector; and another * 1.95 let flie at the Lord Stanley, who shrunke at the stroke vnder the Table, or else his head had beene cleft to the teeth: for as swiftly as hee shrunke, yet came the bloud about his eares. Then were they all quickly bestowed in diuers Chambers, excepting * 1.96 onely the Lord Chamberlaine, whom the Protector bad speede and shriue him apace, for by S. Paul said hee, I will not to dinner till I see thy head off. It booted him not to aske why, but heauily tooke a Priest at aduenture, and made a short shrift, for a longer would not be suffered: The Protector made so much haste to dinner, which hee might not goe to, till this was done for sauing of his oath. So was hee brought forth vnto the greene, before the Chap∣pell within the Tower, and his head laid down vp∣on a long logge of timber, and there strucke off, and afterward his body with the head, was enterred at Windsor, beside the body of K. Edward. * 1.97

(45) A maruailous case it is to heare, either of the warnings that hee should haue voided, or the to∣kens of that hee could not auoid: for the self night before his death, the Lord Stanley sent a trusty secret Messenger vnto him at Midnight in all the hast, re∣quiring him to rise, and ride away with him, for he was vtterly disposed no longer to abide, hee had so * 1.98 fearefull a dreame: in which he thought, that a Bore with his tuskes, so razed them both by the heades, that the bloud ranne about both their shoulders. And forasmuch as the Protector gaue the Bore for his cognizance, this dreame made so fearefull an im∣pression in his heart, that hee was throughly deter∣mined no longer to tarry, but had his horse ready, if the Lord Hastings would goe with him, to ride yet so farre the same night, that they would be out of danger before it was day. Ah good Lord (quoth the Lord Hastings to the Messenger) leaneth my Lord thy Master so much to such trifles, and hath faith in dreames, which either his owne feare fan∣tasieth, or doe rise in the nights rest, by reason of the dayes thoughts? Tell him it is plaine Witch∣craft, to beleeue in such dreames, which if they * 1.99 were tokens of things to come, why thinketh hee not, that wee might be as likely to make them true, by our going, if we were caught and brought back (as friends faile flyers) for then had the Bore a cause likely to rase vs with his tuskes, as men that fled for some falshood: wherefore, either there is no peril, nor none there is indeed, or if any be, it is rather in going then abiding. And if wee must needs fall in perill; one way or other, yet had I rather, that men should see, it were by other mens falshood, then thinke it our fault or faint-heart. And therefore goe to thy Master man, and commend me to him; and pray him to bee merry and haue no feare; for I assure him, I am as sure of the man that he wotteth of, as I am of mine owne hand. God send Grace Sir (said the Messenger) and went his way.

(46) Certaine it is also, that in riding towards * 1.100 the Tower the same morning in which hee was be∣headed, his horse twice or thrice stumbled with him, almost to the falling; which thing, albeit each man knoweth daily hapneth, to them to whom no such mischance is toward, yet hath it beene of an olde fite and custome obserued, as a token often∣times, notably foregoing some great misfortune: Now this that followeth was no warning, but an enuious scorne. The same morning before he was vp, came a Knight vnto him, as it were of curte∣sie, to accompany him to the Counsell; but of truth sent by the Protector, to haste him thither∣wards, with whom he was of secret confederacy in that purpose, a meane man at that time, but now of great authority. This Knight, when it hapned the Lord Chamberlain by the way to stay his horse, and commune a while with a Priest whom hee met in Towerstreet, brake his tale, and said merily to him; what my Lord, I pray you come on, wherto talke you so long with a Priest, you haue no need of a Priest yet, and therewith laughed vpon him, as though hee would say, yee shall haue soone. But so little wist the other what hee meant, and so little mistrusted his present perill, as hee neuer was mer∣rier, nor neuer so full of good hope in his life, which selfe thing is often seene a signe of change; but I shall rather let any thing passe me, then the vaine surety of mans mind so neere his death. Vpon the very Tower-wharfe, so neere the place where his head was strooke off soone after, there met he with one Hastings, a Purseuant of his owne name. And * 1.101 of their meeting in that place, hee was put in re∣membrance of another time, in which it had happe∣ned them before, to meet in the like manner toge∣ther in the same place. At which other time the L. Chamberlaine had been accused vnto King Edward by the Lord Riuers the Queenes brother, in such wise as hee was for the while, (but it lasted not long) farre fallen into the Kings indignation, and stood in great feare of himselfe. And forasmuch as hee now mette this Purseuant in the same place, that ieopardy so well passed, it gaue him great plea∣sure to talke with him thereof; with whom hee had before talked therof in the same place, while he was therein. And therefore he said, ah Hastings, art thou remembred that I met thee once here with a heauy heart? yea my Lord (quoth hee) that remember I well, and thanked bee God, they got no good, nor you no great harme. Thou wouldest say so (quoth he) if thou knew so much as I know, which few know else as yet, and more shall shortly. That ment hee by the Lords of the Queenes kindred, which were taken before, and should that same day bee beheaded at Pomfret: which hee well wist, but was nothing aware, that the axe hung ouer his owne head; In faith man (quoth he) I was neuer so sor∣ry, nor neuer stood in so great dread of my life, as I did when thou and I met here. And loe, how the world is changed, now stand my enemies in the dan∣ger

(as thou maist hap to heare more hereafter) and I neuer in mylife so merry, nor neuer in so great sure∣ty. * 1.102 Oh good God, the blindnes of our mortall na∣ture, when he most feared he was in good suretie, when he reckened himselfe surest, he lost his life, and that within two, houres after. Thus ended this honorable man, a good Knight and a gentle, of great authority with his Prince, of liuing somewhat disso∣lute, plaine and open to his enemies, and secret to * 1.103 his friends, easie to be beguiled, as he that of good heart & courage forestudied no perils; a louing man, a passing well beloued: very faithful, and trusty e∣nough, trusting indeed too much. Now flew the fame of this Lords death swiftly through the Citie, and from thence further, like a winde in euery mans eare.

(47) But the Protector immediately after din∣ner, intending to set some colour vpon the matter, * 1.104 sent in all hast for many substantiall men, out of the City into the Tower, at whose comming thither, himselfe with the Duke of Buckingham, stood harnes∣sed in olde rusty briganders, such as no more, man should weene, that they would vouchsafe to haue put on their backes, except that some suddain neces sity, had constrained them thereto. And then the Protector shewed them, that the Lord Chamber∣laine, and others of his conspiracy, had contriued to haue suddainly destroied him and the Duke there the same day in Counsell. And what they inten∣ded further, was not yet well knowne. Of which their treason he neuer had knowledge, before ten of the clocke, the same forenoone, which suddain feare droue them to put on for their defence, such har∣nesse as came next to hand: and so had God holpen * 1.105 them, that the mischiefe returned vpon them that would haue done it: and this he required them to report.

(48) Euerie man answered him faire, as though no man mistrusted the matter, which oftruth no man beleeued; yet for the further appeasing of the peo∣ples minde, he sent immediately after dinner, in all haste, an Herauld of Armes, with a Proclamation to be made through the City in the Kings name, con∣teining that the Lord Hastings with diuers others of his traiterous purpose, had before conspired the * 1.106 same day, to haue slaine the Lord Protector, and Duke of Buckingham, sitting in the Councell, and af∣ter to haue taken vpon them, to rule the King and the Realme, at their owne pleasures; thereby to pill and spoile, whom they listed vncontrolled. And much matter there was in that Proclamation, deui∣sed to the slander of the Lord Chamberlaine, as that he was an euill Counseller to the Kings father, en∣tising him to many things, highly redounding to his great dishonour, and to the vniuersall hurt of his Realme, by his euill company, sinister procuring, & vngratious example aswell in many other things, as in the vicious liuing, and inordinate abusion of his body, both with many others, and especially with Shores wife, who was one also of his most secret Counsell, in this hainous treason, with whom hee lay nightly, and namely, the night last past, before his death, so that it was the lesse maruell, if vngraci∣ous liuing brought him to an vnhappy ending, which he was now put vnto, by the most dread com∣mandement of the Kings highnesse, and of his ho∣norable and faithfull Counsell, both for his deme∣rits, being so openly taken in his falsely conceiued treason, as also least the delaying of his execution, might haue encouraged other mischieuous persons partners of his conspiracy, to gather and assemble themselues together in making some great commo∣tion for his deliuerance, whose hope being now by his wel-deserued death politickely repressed, all the Realme should by Gods grace, rest in good quiet and peace.

(49) Now was this Proclamation made within * 1.107 two houres, after that he was beheaded, and was so curiously indited, and so faire written in parchment, in so well a set hand, and therewith of it selfe so long a processe, as euery child might perceiue, that it was prepared before. For all the time between his death, and the proclaiming, could scant haue suffised vnto the bare writing alone; had it beene but in paper, and scribled forth in hast at aduenture. So that vpon the proclaiming thereof, one that was Schoole-ma∣ster of Paules; of chance standing by, and comparing the shortnes of the time, with the length of the mat∣ter, said vnto them that stood about him; Here is a gay goodly cast, foule cast away for hast: and a Merchant * 1.108 answered him, that it was written by Prophecie. Now then by and by, as it were for anger, not for couetousnesse, the Protector sent the Sheriffes of London, into the house of Shores wife (for her hus∣band dwelled not with her) and spoiled her of all * 1.109 that shee had, aboue the value of three thousand markes, carrying her through London vnto the Tow∣er, and there left her Prisoner, where (for fashion sake) he laid to her charge, that shee went about to be∣witch him, and that shee was of Counsell with the Lord Chamberlaine to destroy him: in conclusion, when no colour could fasten vpon these matters, then laid hee hainously vnto her charge, the thing that her selfe could not deny, that all the world wist was true, and that neithlesse euery 〈◊〉〈◊〉 laughed at, to heare it then so suddainly, so highly taken, that shee was nought of her body. And for that cause (as a good continent Prince; cleare and faultlesse himselfe, sent out of heauen into this vitious world for the amendment of mens manners) after shee had laine Prisoner in Ludgate, he caused the Bishop of London to put her to open penance, going before the Crosse in procession vpon a sunday, with a taper * 1.110 in her hand. In which shee went in countenance and pace demure so womanly, and albeit shee were out of all array saue her kirtle only, yet went shee so faire and louely, namely while the wondering of the people cast a comly rud in her cheekes (of which be∣fore shee had most mist) that her great shame, wan her * 1.111 much praise, among those that were more amorous of her body, then curious of her soule. And many good folke also that hated her liuing, and glad to see sinne so corrected, yet pitied the more her penance, then reioiced therein, when they considered that the Protector procured it more of a corrupt intent, then any vertuous affection.

(50) This woman was borne in London, wor∣shipfully * 1.112 friended, honestly brought vp, and very well married, sauing somewhat too soone; her hus∣band an honest Citizen, young, and goodly, and of good substance. But for asmuch as they were cou∣pled ere shee were well ripe, shee not very feruently loued, for whom shee neuer longed; which was hap∣ly the thing that the more made her incline vnto the Kings appetite, when he required her. How∣beit the respect of his roialty, the hope of gay appa∣rell, ease, pleasure, and other wanton wealth, was able soone to pierce a soft tender heart. But when the King had abused her, anone her husband (as he was an honest man, and one that could his good, not pre∣suming to touch a Kings concubine) left her vp to him altogether. When the King died, the Lord Chamberlaine tooke her, which in the Kings daies, albeit he was sore enamoured vpon her, yet he for∣bare her, either for reuerence, or for a certaine friend∣ly faithfulnes: proper shee was, and faire; nothing in her body that you could haue changed, vnlesse you would haue wished her somewhat higher. Thus they say that knew her in her youth. Albeit some that now see her (for as yet shee liueth) deeme her neuer to * 1.113 haue beene well visaged, whose iudgement seemeth to me somewhat like, as though we could gesse the beauty of one long before departed, by her scalpe taken out of the Charnell house: for now shee is olde, leane, withered, and dried vp, nothing left but riueled skinne, and hard bone; and yet being euen such, who so well aduise her visage, might gesse and deuise, which parts how filled, would make it a faire

face. Yet delighted not men, so much in her beau∣ty, as in her pleasant behauiour, for a proper wit shee had, and could both reade well and write, merry in company, ready and quicke of answere, neither mute nor full of babble, sometime taunting without dis∣pleasure, and not without disport: in whom King Edward tooke speciall pleasure, whose fauour to say the truth (for sinne it were to belie the Diuel) * 1.114 she neuer abused to any mans hurt, but to many a mans comfort and reliefe, when the King took dis∣pleasure, shee would mitigate and appease his mind; where men were out of fauour, shee would bring them in his grace, for many that highly offended shee obtained pardon. Of great forfeytures shee gate them remission. And finally, in many weigh∣ty suites shee stood many men in great stead, either for none, or very small rewards, and those rather gay then rich, either for that she was content with the deed it selfe well done, or for that she delighted to bee sued vnto, and to shew what shee was able to do with the King, or for that wanton women and wealthy, bee not alwaies couetous. I doubt not some shall thinke this woman too slight a thing to be written of, and set among the remembrances of * 1.115 great matters: which they shall specially thinke, that happily shall esteeme her onely by that they now see her. But to my seeming, the chance is so much the more worthy to be remembred, in how much she is now in the more beggerly condition, vnfrien∣ded, and worne out of acquaintance, after good substance, after so great fauour with a Prince, after so great suit, and seeking to, of all those, that in those dayes had businesse to speede, as many other men were in their times, which bee now famous onely by the infamy of their ill deedes: her doings were not much lesse, albeit they bee much lesse remem∣bred, because they were not so euill: for men vse, if they receiue an euill turne, to write it in marble: and who so doth vs a good turne, we write it in the dust; which is not worst proued by her: for at this * 1.116 day shee beggeth of many, at this day liuing, that at this day had begged if shee had not been.

(51) Now it was so deuised by the Protector and his Councell, that the selfe same day in which the L. Chamberlaine was beheaded in the Tower of Lon∣don, and about the selfe same howre was then (not without his assent) beheaded at Pomfrait, the fore∣remembred * 1.117 Lords and Knights, that were taken from the King at Northampton and Stony-Stratford; which thing was done in the presence, and by the or∣der of Sir Richard Ratcliffe Knight, whose seruice the Protector specially vsed in that counsell, and in the execution of such lawlesse enterprises, as a man that had beene long secret with him, hauing experience of the world, and a shrewd witte, short and rude in speech, rough and boisterous of behauiour, bolde in mischiefe, as farre from pitty, as from all feare of God. This Knight bringing them out of prison to the Scaffold, and shewing to the people present, that they were Traitors, not suffering them to speake, or declare their innocency, lest their wordes might haue inclined men to pitty them, and to hate the Protector and his part; caused them hastily without Iudgement, processe or manner of order to bee be∣headed, and without all guilt, but onely that they were good men, too true to the King, and too nigh to the Queene.

(52) Now when the Lord Chamberlaine, and those other Lords and Knights were thus beheaded * 1.118 and ridde out of the way: then thought the Prote∣ctor, that while men mused what the matter meant, while the Lords of the Realme were about him out of their owne strengthes, while no man wist what to thinke, nor whom to trust, before they should haue space to dispute, and digest the matter, and make parties, it were best hastily to pursue his pur∣pose, and put himselfe in possession of the Crown, ere men could haue time to deuise how to resist. But now was all the study, by what meanes the matter being of it selfe so hainous, might be first broken to the people in such wife as it might bee well taken. To this counsell they tooke diuers, such as they thought meet to bee trusted, likely to bee induced to that part, and able to stand them in stead, eyther by power or policy: Among whom they made of counsell Edmond Shaa Knight, then Maior of Lon∣don, * 1.119 who vpon trust of his owne aduancement, wher∣of he was of a proud heart, highly desirous, should frame the City to their appetite. Of Spiritual men they tooke such as had wit, and were in authoritie among the people, for opinion of their learning, and had no scrupulous conscience. Among these had they Iohn Shaa Clerke brother to the Maior, and Fryer Pinker Prouinciall of the Augustine Fri∣ers, both of them Doctors in Diuinity, both great Preachers, both of more learning then vertue, and of * 1.120 more fame then learning: for they were before great∣ly esteemed of the common people; but after that neuer. Of these two, the one made a Sermon in prayse of the Protector before the Coronation; the other after, both so full of tedious flattery, as no mans eare could abide them.

(53) Pinker in his Sermon so lost his voice, that he was forced to leaue off, and came downe in the * 1.121 middest. Doctor Shaa by his sermon lost his hone∣sty, and soone after his life, for very shame of the world, into which he durst neuer after come abroad. But the Fryer forced for no shame, and so it harmed him the lesse. Howbeit some doubt, and many thinke, that Pinker was not of counsell in the mat∣ter before the Coronation, but after the common manner, fell to flattery after: namely, sith his ser∣mon was not incontinent vpon it, but at S. Ma∣ries Hospitall in the Easter weeke following. But cer∣taine it is, that Doctor Shaa was of counsell in the beginning, so farre forth as they determined that he should first breake the matter in a Sermon at Paules Crosse, in which hee should by the authority of his preaching, incline the people to the Protectors ghostly purpose. But now was all the labour and study, in the deuise of some conuenient pretext; for which the people should bee content to depose * 1.122 the Prince, and accept the Protector for King. In which diuers things they deuised: but the chiefe thing and the weightiest of all, the inuention rested in this, that they should alleadge bastardy, either in K. Edward himself, or in his children, or both. So that hee should seeme disabled to inherite the Crowne, by the Duke of Yorke, and the Prince by him. To lay bastardie in King Edward, sounded openly to the rebuke of the Protectors owne mother, who was mother to them both: for in that point could bee none other colour, but to pretend that his own mo∣ther was an adultresse, which notwithstanding to further the purpose hee letted not: but yet, hee * 1.123 would that point should bee lesse, and more fauou∣rably handled, not fully plaine and directly, but that the matter should be touched aslope, and craf∣tily, as though men spared in that point to speake all the truth for feare of his displeasure. But the o∣ther point, concerning the bastardie that they de∣uised * 1.124 to surmise in K. Edwards children, that would hee should bee openly declared, and enforced to the vttermost. The colour and pretext whereof, was a contract pretended to bee made by King Ed∣ward vnto the Lady Lucy, whereof we haue spoken in the raigne of the said King: which inuention how simple soeuer, yet it liked them, to whom it suffi∣ced to haue somewhat to say, while they were sure to be compelled to no larger proof then themselues list to make.

(54) Now then it was by the Protector and his Councell concluded, that Doctor Shaa should sig∣nifie in his sermon aforesaid, that neither King Ed∣ward himselfe, nor the Duke of Clarence were law∣fully begot, nor were the very Children of the Duke of Yorke, but begot vnlawfully by other persons, by adulterie of the Dutches their mother. And also

that dame Elizabeth Lucy was verily the wife of K. Edward, and so the Prince and all his other children begot by the Queene, were all of them bastards. And according to this deuise Doctor Shaa vpon Sunday the nineteenth of Iune at Pauls Crosse in a frequent assembly, took for the theme of his sermō this saying, Spuria vitulamina non agent radices altas: Bastard slips shall neuer take deepe root. Whereupon, when he had * 1.125 shewed the great grace that God giueth, and se∣cretly infundeth in right generation after the lawes of Matrimonie, then declared he, that commonly those children lacked that grace, and for the punish∣ment of their parents, were for the more part vnhap∣py, which were begot in base, but specially in adulte∣ry. Of which though some by the ignorance of the world, and the truth hid from knowledge inherite for the time other mens lands, yet God alwaies so prouideth, that it continueth not in their blood long, but the truth comming to light, the rightfull inheritors be restored, and the bastards slip pulled vp ere it can take any deepe roote. And when he had laid for the proofe and confirmation of this sentence cer∣taine examples taken out of the old testament, and o∣ther ancient histories, then he began to descend into the praise of the Lord Richard, late Duke of Yorke, calling him the father to the Lord Protector, and de∣clared the title of his heires vnto the Crowne, to whom it was after the death of King Henry the sixt, entailed by authority of Parliament. Then shewed he, that the verie right heire of his body lawfully be∣gotten, was only the Lord Protector. For he decla∣red then that King Edward was neuer lawfully mar∣ried vnto the Queene, but was before God, husband vnto Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and so his children ba∣stards. And besides that, neither King Edward him∣selfe, nor the Duke of Clarence, among those that * 1.126 were secret in the houshould, were reckoned very certainly for the children of the Noble Duke, as those that by their features, resembled other knowne men, more then him from whose vertuous conditions, he said also, that King Edward was farre off. But the Lord Protector he said, the very Noble Prince, the speciall patterne of Knightly prowesse, aswell in all Princely behauiour, as in the lineaments and fauour of his visage, representing the very face of the noble Duke his father: This is he (quoth he) the fathers owne figure, this is his owne countenance, the verie print of his visage, the very vndoubted Image, and plaine expresse likenesse of that noble Duke.

(55) Now it was before deuised, that in the spea∣king of these words, the Protector sould haue come in among the people to the sermon ward, to the end that those words meeting with his presence, might haue beene taken among the hearers, as though the holy Ghost had put them in the Preachers mouth, * 1.127 and should haue moued the people euen then to crie, King Richard, King Richard, that it might haue beene after said, that he was specially chosen by God, and in manner by miracle. But this deuise quai∣led, either by the Protectors negligence, or by the Preachers ouer much diligence, for while the Prote∣ctor found by the way tarrying, lest he should pre∣uent those wordes, and the Doctor fearing least he should come ere his sermon could come to these wordes, hasted his matter thereto, who was come to them and past them, and had entred into other matter ere the Protector came. Whom when hee beheld comming, he suddainly left the matter with which he was in hand, and without anie deduction thereunto, out of all order, and out of all frame, be∣gan to repeate those wordes againe: This is the verie Noble Prince, the speciall paterne of Knightly prow∣esse, which aswell in all Princely behauiour, as in the lineaments and fauour of his visage, representeth the very face of the Noble Duke of Yorke his father: this is the fathers owne figure, this is his owne counte∣nance, the very print of his visage, the sure vndoub∣ted Image, the plaine expresse likenesse of the noble Duke, whose remembrance can neuer die while he liueth. While these wordes were in speaking, the Protector accompanied with the Duke of Buckin∣gham, went through the people, into the place where the Doctors commonly stand in an vpper story, where he stood to heare the sermon. But the people were so farre from crying King Richard, that they stood as if they had beene turned into stones, for wonder of this shamefull sermon. After which once ended, the Preacher got him home, and neuer after durst looke out for shame, but kept himselfe out of * 1.128 sight like an Owle. And when he once asked one, that had beene his old friend, what the people tal∣ked of him, albeit that his own conscience well shew∣ed him that they talked no good, yet when the o∣ther answered him, that there was in euery mans mouth spoken of him much shame, it so strucke him to the heart, that within few daies after, he withered and consumed away.

(56) On the tuesday following this sermon, there came into the Guild-hall in London the Duke of Buc∣kingham, * 1.129 accompanied with diuers Lords & Knights, more perchance then knew the message which they brought. And there in the East end of the Hall, where the Maior keepeth the hustings, the Maior, and Aldermen being assembled about him, and all the commons of the City gathered before him: af∣ter silence commanded in the Protectors name vp∣on great paine, the Duke stood vp, and (as he was nei∣ther vnlearned, and of nature maruellously well spo∣ken) hee said vnto the people with a cleare and loud

voice in this manner. Friends, for the zeale and harty fauour that we beare you, we be come to * 1.130 breake vnto you, a matter of great weight, and no lesse weighty, then pleasing to God, and profita∣ble to all the Realme: nor to no part of the Realme more profitable then to you the Citizens of this noble City. For why, the thing that we wot well you haue long time lacked, and so longed for, that you would haue giuen great good for, that you would haue gone farre to fetch, that thing we be come hither to bring you, without your labour, * 1.131 paine, cost, aduenture or ieopardie. What thing is that? Certes, the surety of your owne bodies, the quiet of your wiues, and your daughters, the safe∣guard of your goods: of all which things in times past you stood euermore in doubt. For who was there of you all, that could account himselfe Lord of his owne goods, among so many snares and traps as were set therefore, among so much pil∣ling and polling; among so many taxes and talla∣ges, of which there was neuer end, and often times no need: or if any were, it rather grew of riot, and vnreasonable wast, then any necessary or honora∣ble charge: So that there was daily pilling from good men and honest, great substance of goods to be lashed out among vnthrifts, so farre forth that fifteens sufficed not, nor any vsual maner of known taxes: but vnder an easie name of beneuolence and good will, the Commissioners so much of euerie man tooke, as no man could with his good will haue giuen. As though that name of beneuo∣lence, had signified that euery man should pay not * 1.132 what himselfe of his owne good will list to grant, but what the King of his good will list to take. Who neuer asked little, but euery thing was haun∣sed aboue the measure, amercements turned in∣to fines, fines into ransomes; small trespas∣ses into misprision; misprision into treason. Whereof I thinke no man looketh that we should remember you of examples by name, as though Burdet were forgotten, who was for a worde in haste spoken, cruely beheaded, by the misconstru∣ing of the Lawes of this Realme for the Princes pleasure: with no lesse honour to Markham then chiefe Iustice, that left his office rather then hee * 1.133 would assent to that iudgement, then to the disho∣nesty of those, that eyther for feare or flattery gaue that iudgement. What Cooke your owne worship∣full neighbour, Alderman and Maior of this noble

Citie; who is of you either so negligent that hee knoweth not, or so forgetful that hee remembreth not, or so hard hearted that hee pittieth not that worshipfull mans losse? What speake we of losse? His vtter spoile and vndeserued destruction, only for that it happened those to fauour him whom the Prince fauoured not. Wee need not (I sup∣pose) to rehearse of these any mo by name, sith there be (I doubt not) many heere present, that ei∣ther in themselues, or in their nigh friends, haue knowen aswell their goods, as their persons greatly indangered, either by fained quarrels, or small mat∣ters agrieued with heinous names. And also there was no crime so great, of which there could lacke a pretext. For sith the King preuenting the time of his inheritance, attained the Crowne by battel; it sufficed in a rich man for a pretext of treason, to haue beene of kindred or aliance, neer familiaritie, or longer acquaintance, with any of those that were at any time the Kings enemies, which was at one time or other more then halfe the Realme. Thus were your goods neuer in suretie, and yet * 1.134 they brought your bodies in ieopardie, beside the common aduenture of open warre, which albeit, that it is euer the will and occasion of much mis∣chiefe, yet it is neuer so mischieuous, as where any people fall at distance among themselues, not in no earthly nation so deadly & so pestilent, as when it happeneth among vs: and among vs neuer so long continued distention, nor so many battels in that season, not so cruell and so deadly fought as was in that Kings dayes that dead is, God forgiue it his soule. In whose time, and by whose occasion, what about the getting of the Garland, keeping it, loosing it, and winning againe, it hath cost more English blood, then hath twice the winning of * 1.135 France: In which inward warre among our selues, hath beene so great effusion of the ancient noble blood of this Realme, that scarcely the halfe re∣maineth, to the great infeebling of this noble Land, beside many a good Towne ransacked, and spoiled by them that haue beene going to the held, or comming from thence. And peace long after not much surer then warre. So that no time there was, in which rich men for their money, and great men for their Lands, or som or other for som feare or some displeasure, were not out of perill; for whom trusted he that mistrusted his owne bro∣ther? whom spared he, that killed his own brother? * 1.136 or who could perfectly loue him, if his owne bro∣ther could not? what maner of folke hee most fa∣uoured, we shall for his honour spare to speake of; howbeit, this wot you well all, that who so was best, bare alway least rule; and more suite was in those dayes vnto Shores wife, a vile and abhomi∣nable strumpet, then to all the Lords in England; except vnto those that made her their Protector: which simple woman was well named, and ho∣nest, till the King for his wanton lust, and sinnefull affection, bereft her from her hus∣band, a right honest substantiall yong man among you. And in that point, which in good faith I am sorry to speake of, sauing that it is in vaine to keepe in counsell that thing which euery man knoweth; the Kings greedy appetite was insatiable, and eue∣ry where ouer all the Realme intollerable, for no woman there was any where, yong or olde, rich or * 1.137 poore, whom hee set his eie vpon, in whom hee li∣ked any thing, either person, or fauour, speech, pace, or countenance; but without all feare of God or any respect of his owne honour, murmur, or grudge of the world, he would importunately pur∣sue his appetite, and haue her, to the great destru∣ction of many a good woman, and great dolour to their husbands and other their friends, which be∣ing honest people of themselues, so much regard the cleannesse of their ho•…•…e, the chastitie of their wiues, and their daughters, that they had rather loose all they had besides, then to haue such a vil∣lany done against them. And albeit, that with this and his other importable dealings, the Realme was in euery part annoyed: yet specially, you heere the Citizens of this noble Citie, aswell for that a∣mongst you is most plenty of all such things, as minister matters to such iniuries, as for that you were neerest at hand, seeing that neere heereabout was commonly his most abieing. And yet you bee the people whom he had a singular cause well and kindly to entreat, as any part of the Realme, not onely, for that the Prince by this noble Cittie, as his speciall Chamber, and the speciall well re∣nowned Citie of his Realme, much honourable * 1.138 fame receiueth amongst all other nations: but also for that yee, not without your great cost, and sun∣dry perils and ieopardies in all his warres, bare e∣uen your speciall fauour to his part; which your kind mindes borne vnto the house of Yorke, sith he hath nothing worthily acquitted, there is one of that house, that now by Gods grace, better shall: which thing to shew you is the whole summe and effect of this our present errand. It shall not, I * 1.139 not well, need that I rehearse you againe, that yee haue already heard of him that can better tell it, and of whom I am sure you will better beleeue it, and reason is it so to bee. I am not so proud to looke therefore, that you should recken my words * 1.140 of as great authoritie, as the Preachers of the word of God; namely, a man so learned and so wi•…•…e, that no man better wotteth what he should say, and thereto so good and vertuous, as he would not say the thing which hee wist hee should not say in the Pulpit; namely, into the which no honest man commeth to lye: which honourable Preacher, you * 1.141 well remember, substantially declared at Paules Crosse, on Sunday last past, the right and title that the most excellent Prince, Richard Duke of Glouce∣ster, now Protector of this Realme, hath vnto the Crowne and Kingdome of the same. For as the Worshipfull Doctor substantially made knowne vnto you, the children of King Edward the fourth were neuer lawfully begotten, forasmuch as the King (leauing his very wife Dame Elizabeth Lucy) was neuer lawfully married vnto the Queen their mother, whose blood, sauing that he set his volup∣tuous pleasure before his honour, was full vnmeet to be matched with his; and the mingling of those bloods together hath bin the effusion of great part of the noble blood of this Realme. Whereby it * 1.142 may well seeme, the marriage was not well made, of which there is so much mischiefe growne. For lack of which lawful coupling, as also other things, which the said worshipfull D. rather signified, then fully explaned; and which things shall not be spo∣ken for mee, as the thing wherein euery man for∣beareth to say what hee knoweth, in auoyding dis∣pleasure of my noble Lord Protector; bearing, as nature requireth, a filiall reuerence to the Dut∣chesse his mother: For these causes I say, before remembred, that is, for lacke of other Issue law∣fully comming of that late noble Prince Richard Duke of Yorke, to whose royall blood, the crowne of England and France, is by the high authoritie of * 1.143 Parliament entailed; the right and title of the same, is by the iust course of inheritance, according to the common law of this Land, deuolued and come vnto the most excellent Prince the Lord Prote∣ctor, as to the very lawfully begotten sonne, of the fore-remembred noble Duke of Yorke. Which thing well considered, and the great knightly prowesse pondered, with manifodle vertues, which in his noble person singularly abound, the nobles and commons also of this Realme, and spe∣cially of the North part, not willing any bastard blood to haue the rule of the Land, nor the abusi∣ons before the same vsed, any longer to continue, haue condiscended, and fully determined, to make humble petition to the most puissant Prince the Lord Protector, that it may like his Grace at our

humble request, to take vpon him the guiding and gouernance of this Realme, to the wealth and en∣crease of the same, according to his very right and iust title. Which thing I know well hee will be loth to take vpon him, as he whose wisedome well perceiueth, the labour and study both of minde and body, that shall come therewith, to whomsoe∣uer so will occupie the roome, as I dare say he will, if hee take it. Which roome, I warne you well, is no childs office: and that the great wiseman well perceiued, when hee sayd, Vaeregno cuius Rex * 1.144 puer est: Woe is that Realme that hath a childe to their King. Wherefore so much the more cause wee haue to thanke God, that this noble Personage, which so righteously is intituled thereunto, is of so sad age, and so great wisedome, ioyned with so great experience: which albeit hee will be loth (as I haue sayd) to take it vpon him, yet shall hee to our petition in that behalfe, the more gratiously incline, if you the Worshipful Citizens of this the chiefe Citie of this Realme, ioyne with vs the Nobles in this our sayd request. Which for your owne weale we doubt not but you will, and naythe∣lesse, I heartily pray you so to doe, whereby yee shall doe great profit to all the Realme beside, in * 1.145 choosing them so good a King, and vnto your selues speciall commoditie, to whom his Maiestie shall euer after beare so much the more tender fa∣uour, in how much he shal perceiue you the more prone and beneuolently minded towards his ele∣ction. Wherein deere friends, what minde you haue, wee require you plainely to shew vs.

(57) When the Duke had sayd, & looked that the * 1.146 people whō he hoped the Maior had framed before, should after this proposition made, haue cryed, King Richard, King Richard; all was husht and mute, and not a word answered thereunto: wherewith the Duke was maruailously abashed, & taking the Maior neerer to him, with other that were about him priuie to that matter, said vnto him softly, What meaneth this, that the people bee so silent? Sir (quoth the Maior) perchance they perceiue you not well; that shall we mend (quoth hee) if that will helpe. And * 1.147 by and by somewhat lowder, hee rehearsed them the same matter againe, in other order and other words, so well and ornately, so euidently and plaine, with voice, gesture, & countenance so comely, that euery man much maruailed that heard him, and thought they neuer had in their hearing, so euill a tale so well * 1.148 told. But were it for wonder or feare, or that each man lookt that other speake first; not a word was there answered of all the people that stood before, but was as still as the midnight, not so much as row∣ning among themselues, by which they might seeme to commune what was best to doe. When the Lord Maior saw this, hee with the other partners of that counsell drew about the Duke, and sayd, That the people had not beene accustomed there to bee spo∣ken vnto, but by the Recorder; who is the mouth of * 1.149 the Citie, and happely to him they will answere. With that the Recorder called Fitz-William, a sad man and an honest, who was so newly come into that office, that hee neuer had spoken to the people be∣fore, and loth was with that matter to beginne; not∣withstanding, thereunto commanded by the Maior, he made rehearsal to the cōmons, of that the Duke had twice rehearsed to them himselfe. But the Re∣corder so tempered his tale, that hee shewed euery * 1.150 thing as the Dukes words, and no part of his owne. But all this noting, no change made in the people, which stood gazing at the bench as men altogether amased. Whereupon the Duke rowned vnto the Maior, and said, This is maruailous obstinate silence, and therewith hee turned vnto the people againe with these wordes: Deare friends, wee come to moue you to that thing which peraduenture we not * 1.151 so greatly needed, but that the Lords of this Realme and the Commons of other parts might haue suf∣ficed, sauing that wee beare you such loue, and so much set by your friendship, that wee would not willingly do without you the thing which is for our honour and your wealth, which as it seemeth, either you see not, or wey not; wherefore we require you, giue vs answere, whether ye be minded as all the no∣bles of the Realme bee, to haue this noble Prince now Protector, to be your King or not.

(58) At which words the people beganne to whisper among themselues secretly, that the voyce was neithe loud nor distinct, but as it were the sound of a swarme of Bees, till at the last, in the ne∣ther end of the hall, a bushment of the Dukes ser∣uants, and Nashfields, and of others belonging to the Protector, with some prentises and laddes that thrust into the hall among the presse, beganne so∣dainely * 1.152 at mens backes to cry out as loud as their throats would giue, King Richard, King Richard, & threw vp their caps in token of ioy. But they that stood before, cast backe their heades, maruelling thereat, yet nothing they said. And when the Duke and Mayor saw this manner, they wisely turned it to their purpose, and said it was a goodly cry, and a ioyfull, to heare euery man with one voice, no man saying nay: wherefore friends (quoth the Duke) since that wee well perceiue that it is all your whole minds to haue this noble man for your King, where∣of we shall make to his Grace so effectuall report, that we doubt not, but it shall redound vnto your great wealth, and commodity: we require that to morrow you goe with vs, and wee with you vnto his Noble Grace, to make our humble request vnto him in manner before, remembred. And therwith the Lords came downe, and the assembly dissolued for the most part sad, some with glad semblances, and yet not very merry, yea and some that came with the Duke, not able to dissemble their sorrow, * 1.153 were faine at his backe to turne their face to the wal, while the dolour of their heart burst out of their eyes.

(59) On the next morrow, the Mayor with all the Aldermen, and chiefe Commoners of the City * 1.154 in their best array, assembling themselues together, resorted vnto Baynards Castle in Thames street, where the Protector lay. To which place repayred also according to their appointment, the Duke of Buc∣kingham, with diuers noble men with him, beside many Knights and other Gentlemen. And there∣upon the Duke sent word vnto the Lord Protector, of the being there of a great and honourable com∣pany, to moue a great matter vnto his Grace: wher∣upon * 1.155 the Protector made difficultie to come out vn∣to them, but if hee first knew some part of their er∣rand, as though he doubted, and partly distrusted the comming of such a number vnto him so sodain∣ly, without any warning, or knowledge whether they came for good or harme; then the Duke when hee had shewed this vnto the Maior and other, that they might thereby see, how little the Protector looked for this matter; they then sent vnto him by the Messenger such louing message againe, and ther∣with so humbly besought him to vouchsafe, that they might resort to his presence, to propose their intent, which they would not impart to any other person; that at the last hee came out of his cham∣ber, and yet not down vnto them, but stood aboue in a gallery ouer them, where they might see him & speake to him, as though hee would not yet come too neere them, till he vnderstood what they meant. And thereupon the Duke of Buckingham first made humble petition vnto him on the behalfe of them all, that his Grace would pardon them, and licence them to propose vnto his Grace, the intent of their comming without his displeasure, without which * 1.156 pardon obtained, they durst not be so bold to moue him in their suite. In which albeit they meant as much honour to his Grace, as wealth to all the Realm beside; yet were they not sure how his Grace would take it, whom they would in no wise offend. Then the Protector (as he was very gentle of him∣selfe,

and also longed sore to know what they meant) gaue him leaue to propose what him liked, verily trusting for the good mind that he bare them all, none of them would intend any thing to him∣ward, wherewith hee ought to be grieued.

(60) When the Duke had this leaue and pardon to speake, then waxed hee bold to shew him their entent and purpose, with all the causes mouing them thereunto, as you haue heard before: and fi∣nally, to beseech his Grace, that it would like him of his accustomed goodnes and zeale vnto the realm now with his, eye of pitty, to behold the long con∣tinued distresse, and decay of the same, and to set his gratious hands to redresse an amendment there∣of, by taking vpon him the Crowne and gouern∣ment * 1.157 of the land; according to his right and title law∣fully descended vnto him, and to the law of God, profit of the Realme, and vnto his grace so much the more honour, and lesse paine, in that, that neuer Prince raigned ouer any people that were so glad to liue vnder his obeisance, as the people of this land vn∣der his.

(61) When the Protector had heard the proposi∣tion, he looked very strangely thereat, and answered: That albeit it were, he partly knew the things by them alleaged to be true, yet such intire loue he bare vnto King Edward and his children, that so much more he regarded his honour in other Realmes a∣bout, then the Crowne of any one, of which he was neuer desirous, that he could not finde in his heart in this point to incline to their desire. For in all other Nations where the truth was not well knowne, it would peraduenture be thought, that it was his own ambitious minde and deuise, to depose the Prince, * 1.158 and to take himselfe the Crowne, with which infa∣mie he would not haue his honour stained for anie Crowne, in which he had euer perceiued much more labour and paine, then pleasure to him that would so vse it, as he that would not, were not wor∣thy to haue it. Notwithstanding he not only par∣doned them the motion that they made him, but al∣so thanked them for the loue and harty fauour they bare him, praying them for his sake to giue and beare the same to the Prince, vnder whom hee was, and would be content to liue, and with his labour and counsell, as farre as should like the King to vse him, he would doe his vttermost endeuour to set the Realme in good state, which was already in this little time of his Protectorship (the praise be giuen to God) well begun, in that the malice of such as were before, occasion of the contrary, and of new inten∣ded to be, were now partly by good pollicy, partly more by Gods speciall prouidence, then mans proui∣sion repressed.

(62) Vpon this answere giuen, the Duke by the Protectors licence, a little rowned, aswell with other noble men about him, as with the Maior and Recor∣der of London. And after that, vpon like pardon de∣sired * 1.159 and obtained, he shewed aloude vnto the Pro∣tector for a finall conclusion, that the Realme was at a point, King Edwards line should not any longer raigne ouer them, both for that they had so farre gone, as it was now no surety to retreat, as for that they thought it was for the weale vniuersall to take that way, although they had not yet begun it. Wherefore if it would like his grace to take the Crowne vpon him, they would humbly beseech him thereunto; if he would giue them a resolute an∣swere to the contrary, which they would be loth to heare, then must they needes seeke, and would not faile to finde some other noble man that would. These words much moued the Protector, which else as euery man may know, would neuer of likeli∣hood haue inclined thereunto But when he saw there was none other way, but that either he must take it, or else he, and his both goe from it, he said vnto the Lords and commons.

(63) Sith wee well perceiue that all the Realme is so set, whereof we be very sorry, that they will not * 1.160 suffer in any wise King Edwards line to gouerne them, whom no earthly man can gouerne against their wils, and well we also perceiue, that no man there is to whom the Crowne can by iust title apper∣taine, as to our selfe, as very right heire lawfully be∣gotten of the body of our most deare father Richard late Duke of Yorke, to which title is now ioined your election, the Nobles and Commons of this Realme, which we of all title possible take for the most effe∣ctuall: we be content, and agree fauourably to in∣cline to your petition and request, and according to the same, we here take vpon vs the roiall estate, pre∣heminence, and kingdome of the two noble realmes, England and France, the one from this day forward, by vs and our heires, to rule, gouerne, and defend; the other by Gods grace, and your good helpe, to get againe and subdue, and establish for euer in due obedience vnto this Realm of England, the aduance∣ment whereof we neuer aske of God longer to liue, then we intend to procure. With this there was a great shout, crying King Richard, King Richard. And then the Lords went vp to the King (for so was he from that time called) and the people departed, talking diuersely of the matter, euery man as his fan∣tasie gaue him.

(64) Much was talked, and maruelled at the manner of this dealing, that the matter was made so strange vnto both parties, as though they neuer had communed either with others before, when * 1.161 as themselues wist there was no man so dull that heard them, but perceiued well inough, that all the matter was so made betweene them. How be∣it, some excused that againe, and said all must be done in good order: And men must sometimes for man∣ners sake, not be acknown what they know: for at the consecration of a Bishop, euery man wotteth well, by the paying for his bulles, that he purposeth to be one, and though he pay for nothing else, and yet must he twice be asked, whether he will be a Bishop or no, and hee must twice say nay, and at the third time take it, as compelled thereunto by his owne will. And in a Stage-play the people know right well, that he who plaieth the Sowdaine, is percase a sowter, yet if one should know so little good, to shew out of season what acquaintance he hath with him, and call him by his owne name, while he stan∣deth in his maiesty, one of his tormentors might hap to breake his head worthily for marring of the plaie.

(65) The raigne of this yong King may well be accounted an interregnum without King, aswell for his minoritie being vnder the rule of a Protector * 1.162 himselfe, as for the short time wherein he continued the name of a King; which onlie was two monthes and sixteene daies, and in them also he sate vncrow∣ned without Scepter or ball, all which Richard aimed at, and perfidiously got, before they could come to his head; or into his hands. His age at the death of his father and entrance into his throne was eleuen yeeres fiue monthes and fiue daies, and within three monthes after, was with his brother sin othered to death in the Tower of London, as shall be shewed in his Raigne, of whom we are now by order of succes sion to write.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Edward 5.
• * 1.2

  Monarch 55
• * 1.3

  King Edwards raigne vnfortu∣nate and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Aprill 19. A. D. 1483.
• * 1.5

  Richard Duke of Yorke.
• * 1.6

  Richard Duke of Gloucester an vn∣naturall vncle vnto the young King and his bro∣ther.
• * 1.7

  Richard Duke of Yorke was the fa∣ther of Rich∣ard Duke of Glo∣cester.
• * 1.8

  Women com∣monly maligne their husbands 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.9

  The description of Richard Duke of Glocester.
• * 1.10

  Richard Crooke∣backe a good souldier.
• * 1.11

  He vvas the cause of Clorence his death.
• * 1.12

  Richard of Glou∣cester intended to be King e•…•…en whiles K. Edward liued.
• * 1.13

  The speech of Pottier at King Edwards death.
• * 1.14

  The vncle con∣triueth the de∣struction of his Nephewes.
• * 1.15

  Richards deepe pollicy.
• * 1.16

  King Edwards care to set peace betwixt the Queenes kind∣red and his.
• * 1.17

  The Queenes iealousie against the Lord C•…•…∣berlaine.
• * 1.18

  King Edward re∣paireth towards London.
• * 1.19

  The Queenes kindred only a∣bout the Prince.
• * 1.20

  The Duke see∣keth to displace the Prince.
• * 1.21

  The crafty com∣plaints of Ri∣chard Duke of Gloucester.
• * 1.22

  The effect that his pollicy took.
• * 1.23

  The conclusion of his designes.
• * 1.24

  Another crafty pollicy of Duke Richard.
• * 1.25

  The Queene yeldeth to the Dukes perswa∣sion.
• * 1.26

  The Lords meet at Northampton.
• * 1.27

  The Keyes of the Inne kept by Richard Duke of Glaucester.
• * 1.28

  The L. Riuers much troubled at the sodaine action.
• * 1.29

  The L. Riuers imprisoned in Northampton.
• * 1.30

  The Dukes come to the King.
• * 1.31

  A quarrell pic∣ked in the kings presence.
• * 1.32

  Accusations a∣gainst the Queens kindred
• * 1.33

  The King excu∣seth his vncle.
• * 1.34

  The King is brought backe to Northampton.
• * 1.35

  The Duke of Glocester sends a dish of meat vnto the Lord Riuers.
• * 1.36

  The L. Riuers & others beheaded
• * 1.37

  Queene Eliza∣beth taketh Sanctuary.
• * 1.38

  The L. Cham∣berlaine sendeth the newes to the L. Chancel∣lor.
• * 1.39

  The great hea∣uinesse and confusion of the Queene and her seruants.
• * 1.40

  The Archbi∣shops comforts to the Queene.
• * 1.41

  The L. Chancel∣lour giues the great Seale to the Queene.
• * 1.42

  Great feare con∣ceiued of the ouermuch mur∣muring made.
• * 1.43

  The L. Chancel∣lour sendeth for the great Seale to the Queene.
• * 1.44

  Perswasions of the L. Hastings that nothing was extreamly meant
• * 1.45

  L. Hastings somewhat dissembleth.
• * 1.46

  False imputation cast vpon the Lords of the Queenes bloud.
• * 1.47

  How soone the Commons are brought into fooles Paradise.
• * 1.48

  King Edward met by the Citi∣zens, and accom∣panied by them into London.
• * 1.49

  Richard Duke of Glocester made Protector of the King and Realm.
• * 1.50

  The great Seale is taken from the Archbishop of Yorke.
• * 1.51

  The Protectors perswasion to take out of Sanctuary the yong Duke of Yorke.
• * 1.52

  A •…•…e •…•…ch to fetch out the Duke.
• * 1.53

  The Protector would haue the Queene sent vnto.
• * 1.54

  If the Queene refuse to deliuer the Duke what is to be done.
• * 1.55

  All the Counsell allow of the Pro∣tectors speech.
• * 1.56

  A great offence to breake the Sanctuary.
• * 1.57

  S. Peters owne Cope was to be seen in Westmin∣ster.
• * 1.58

  The Duke of Buckinghams speech.
• * 1.59

  Queene Eliza∣beth held to haue a shrewd wit.
• * 1.60

  Not feare but frowardnes kept the yong Duke in Sanctuary.
• * 1.61

  A great feare without any great cause.
• * 1.62

  Buckinghams opinion of the Sanctuaries.
• * 1.63

  Much abuses suffered in Sanctuaries.
• * 1.64

  Westminster. S. Martins.
• * 1.65

  The true vse of the Sanctuary.
• * 1.66

  The Duke of Yorke vncapable of Sanctuary.
• * 1.67

  Neither Pope nor King can al∣low Sanctuary men to consume other mens substance.
• * 1.68

  A man may take his wife out of Sanctuary with∣out any offence to S. Peter.
• * 1.69

  Buckinghams conclusion.
• * 1.70

  The generall consent of them all.
• * 1.71

  The Cardinall doth his errand to the Queene.
• * 1.72

  The Queenes answere to the Cardinall.
• * 1.73

  Queene Eliza∣beth yeeldeth to deliuer the yong Duke.
• * 1.74

  The ambitious desire for a crowne.
• * 1.75

  Richard Duke of Yorke deliuered to the Cardinall.
• * 1.76

  A Iud•…•… kisse.
• * 1.77

  Buckingham pri∣uie to the Prote∣ctors plo•…•….
• * 1.78

  Suspicion with∣out cause.
• * 1.79

  The couenants betwixt the Pro∣tector and the Duke of Buckin∣gham.
• * 1.80

  Two counsels to diuers ends.
• * 1.81

  The mistrust of the times.
• * 1.82

  All flocke to the Protector.
• * 1.83

  Lord Stanleyes speach to the Lord Chamber∣lain.
• * 1.84

  Catesby.
• * 1.85

  Catesby the cause of much mis∣chiefe.
• * 1.86

  Catesby set to sound the Lord Hastings.
• * 1.87

  Lord Haestinge speeches concer∣ning the plot.
• * 1.88

  Catesby false to his founder.
• * 1.89

  The counsel sate in the Tower for the ordering of the yong Kings Coronation.
• * 1.90

  The Protectors dissimulation.
• * 1.91

  The Protector now another man.
• * 1.92

  Lord Hastings speech to the Protectors que∣stion.
• * 1.93

  The Queene ac∣cused of Sorcery▪
• * 1.94

  The withered a•…•…ne of the Pro∣tector by nature, and not by 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.95

  The L. Cham∣berlain arrested.
• * 1.96

  The L. Staley wounded at Councell Table.
• * 1.97

  The L. Cham∣berlaine behea∣ded.
• * 1.98

  The L. Stanleys dreame.
• * 1.99

  The L. Hastings answere to the L. Stanleye. me•…•…age.
• * 1.100

  Predictions to∣wards the Lord Hastings.
• * 1.101

  The Lord Ha∣stings speech to a Purseuant.
• * 1.102

  The vaine and suddain state of man.
• * 1.103

  The description of the Lord Ha∣stings.
• * 1.104

  Citizens sent for into the Tower to the Protector.
• * 1.105

  The fained feare of the Lord Pro∣tector.
• * 1.106

  A Proclamation made to publish the Lord Ha∣stings treasons.
• * 1.107

  The Protectors subtilty further knowne by his Proclamation.
• * 1.108

  The Schoole-masters opinion.
• * 1.109

  The Sheriffes of London carrie Shores wife to prison.
• * 1.110

  Shores wife did pennance.
• * 1.111

  All commend and pitie Shores vvife.
• * 1.112

  The description of Iane Shore.
• * 1.113

  Shee died the eighteene yeere of King Henry the eight saith Iohn Harding.
• * 1.114

  Shores wife did much good, but no man hurt.
• * 1.115

  The Subiect not vnworthy to bee written.
• * 1.116

  The state of the world.
• * 1.117

  The Lords of the Queenes bloud beheaded at Pomfrait.
• * 1.118

  The Protector sought to strike whiles the yron was hote.
• * 1.119

  The Maior of London made of the Protectors counsell.
• * 1.120

  Shaa and Pinker two flattring Preachers.
• * 1.121

  Pinker preached at S Marie Hospitall, and Dotor Shaa at Pauls Crosse.
• * 1.122

  The plot and deuice how to entitle the Pro∣tector to the Crowne.
• * 1.123

  The sonne ma∣keth the mother an adultresse.
• * 1.124

  K Edward and his children made bastards.
• * 1.125

  The text and contents of Do∣ctor Shaas ser∣mon.
• * 1.126

  Shaas shamlesse assertions.
• * 1.127

  Thē Preachers intention pre∣uented.
• * 1.128

  Gods heauy punishment vp∣on the false flat∣tering Preacher.
• * 1.129

  The Duke of Buckingham com∣meth to the Guildhall.
• * 1.130

  Buckinghams ora∣tion to the com∣mons of London.
• * 1.131

  The fine glosings of the Duke of Buckingham.
• * 1.132

  King Edwards exactions made more then they were.
• * 1.133

  His tyranny to∣wards his sub∣iects exemplifi∣ed by Burdet and Others.
• * 1.134

  No safety of goods or life as he falsely alled∣ged.
• * 1.135

  The rage of ciuil wars cost Englād more blood then twice the win∣ning of France had done.
• * 1.136

  Great dangers alledged and slenderly pro∣ued.
• * 1.137

  King Edwards wantonnesse set out to the full.
• * 1.138

  London the kings especiall Cham∣ber.
• * 1.139

  The end of the Dukes errand.
• * 1.140

  The great mode∣sty that the Duke pretendeth.
• * 1.141

  An author like the subiect.
• * 1.142

  The marriage o•…•… King Edward imputed a great mischiefe.
• * 1.143

  The Protector must be the only true heire to his father, and so to the Crowne.
• * 1.144

  Scriptures a∣bused.
• * 1.145

  The Dukes pithy perswasions vnto the Citizens.
• * 1.146

  The Londoners are mute and a∣stonished at Buckinghams Oration.
• * 1.147

  Buckingham goeth ouer his lesson againe.
• * 1.148

  The reward of flattery.
• * 1.149

  The Recorder commanded to speake to the people•…•…
• * 1.150

  The great silence of the people.
• * 1.151

  The Duke spea∣keth once more.
• * 1.152

  Prentices and Seruingmen the first proclamets of K. Richard.
• * 1.153

  The affection of the election seene by the faces of the Assembly.
• * 1.154

  The Nobles and Citizens assem∣ble at Baynards Castle.
• * 1.155

  The Protector made it strange to speake with such a multitude
• * 1.156

  Palpable dissem∣bling betwixt the Protector and Buckingham
• * 1.157

  The Protector intreated to ac∣cept of the Crowne.
• * 1.158

  The Protector saith nay and would haue it:
• * 1.159

  Buckingham vr∣geth and threat∣neth the refusall.
• * 1.160

  Th Protor fauourably ac∣cepteth the Crowne.
• * 1.161

  Diuers opinions of the people.
• * 1.162

  The Raigne and age of King Ed∣ward.