Ancient funerall monuments within the vnited monarchie of Great Britaine, Ireland, and the islands adiacent with the dissolued monasteries therein contained: their founders, and what eminent persons haue beene in the same interred. As also the death and buriall of certaine of the bloud royall; the nobilitie and gentrie of these kingdomes entombed in forraine nations. A worke reuiuing the dead memory of the royall progenie, the nobilitie, gentrie, and communaltie, of these his Maiesties dominions. Intermixed and illustrated with variety of historicall obseruations, annotations, and briefe notes, extracted out of approued authors ... Whereunto is prefixed a discourse of funerall monuments ... Composed by the studie and trauels of Iohn Weeuer.

Saint Cuthberts.

...... Iohannes Bernard et Elis..... M.ccccc.xi.

Here in this towne was a Religious house of Friers Preachers,* 1.1 dedicated to the holy Trinitie, and Saint Mary, which Arfast, Bishop of the East-Angles, made his Episcopall chaire. Afterwards, Henry, Duke of Lanca∣ster, made it a societie of Friers Preachers; it was valued at thirty nine pounds,* 1.2 sixe shillings, nine pence. Arfast, who died circa annum, 1092. was herein buried, with this Epitaph vpon his monument.

Hic Arfaste pie pater optime et Arca Sophie* 1.3 Viuis per merita virtutum laude perita: Vos qui transitis hic omnes atque reditis Dicite quod Christi pietas sit promptior isti.

* 1.4〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••ers Augustines in this I owne was founded by Iohn of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Blanch his wife: others say, by Henry Earle of Lancaster and Leicester. It was valued at three hundred twelue pounds, foureteene shillings foure pence. Here lye buried Dame Margery Toden∣ham, Dame Elisabeth, wife of Sir Thomas H••ngraue, daughter of Sir Iohn Harling, with many other, you may imagine, whose names I haue not.

* 1.5The blacke Friers here was founded by Sir Edmond Gonvile, Lord of ••ir••ingford in this County, Parson of Terington, and Steward with Iohn E••••e Warren, and with Henry Duke of Lancaster. It was dedicated to S. Sepulchre, The value I haue not learned. Buried in the Church of this mo∣n••ster•• were, Sir Iohn Bret•• knight, Dame Agnes Honell, Dame Maud Tal∣••••e, wife of Peter Lord of Rickinghill, Dame Anastisia, wife of Sir Ri∣chard Walsingham.

* 1.6A Priory of blacke Canons dedicated to Saint Mary, and Saint Iohn was here founded by one of the Bigods, or Bigots, Earle of Norfolke. Valu∣ed at fourty nine pounds eighteene shillings and a penny. Surrendred the 16. of February, 31. Hen. 8.

* 1.7Here was a religious structure for blacke Nunnes, consecrated to the honour of God and Saint Gregory, but by whom sounded I do not know; It was valued in the Exchequer at fifty pound nine shillings eight pence.

* 1.8Here sometimes stood a Colledge or gild dedicated to the blessed Vir∣gine Mary: valued at the suppression to be yearely worth one hundred nine pounds seuen shillings.

* 1.9Hugh Bigod or Bigot, Steward of the House to King Henry the first, built, and endowed a religious House here, for blacke Monkes Benedi∣ctines or Cluniacks. These words following are in the Instrument of his Foundation.

* 1.10I Hugh Bigod Steward to King Henry, by his grant, and by the aduice of He••bert Bishop of Norwich, haue ordained Monkes of the Order of Cluny, in the Church of S. Mary, which was the Episcopall seate of Thet∣ford, which I gaue vnto them, and afterwards founded another more meet for their vse, without the Towne. This Monastery was found at the sup∣pression to be in the Kings bookes, foure hundred eighteene pounds sixe shillings, three pence halfe penny, of yearely reuenues.

This Hugh the Founder was created Earle of Norfolke by King Stephen in the first yeare of his raigne. He died very aged in the 24. yeare of King Henry the second, and was buried in this Priory of his owne foundation, to whose memory this Inscription was engrauen vpon his Funerall Mo∣nument.

Orate pro anima religiosissimi viri Hugonis Bigod Fundatoris huius Mo∣nasterij,* 1.11 Seneschalli Hospitij prepotentissimo Principi Henrico Conquestoris filio Anglie Regi, et Comitis Norfolcie, qui quidem Hugo obiit pridie Kalend. Martii anno milesimo centesimo septuagesimo octauo. Propter miserecordiam Iesu requiescat in pace.

Anno 1107. Optimates Angliae Richardus de Radvarijs,* 1.12 & Rogerius cognomento Bigotus, mortui sunt, & in Monasteriis Monachorum sepulti sunt, quae in propriis possessionibus ipsi condiderunt. Rogerius autem apud Thetfordum in Anglia, Richardus vero tumulatus apud Montisburgum in Normannia. Super Rogerium Cluniacenses Alonax di tale scripserunt Epi∣taphium.

Clauderis exiguo Rogere Bigote sepulchro Et rerum cedit portio parva tibi. Diuitiae, sanguis, facundia, gratia Regum Intereunt, mortem fallere nemo potest. Diuitiae mentes subuertunt, erigat ergo Te pietas, virtus, consiliumque Dei. Soli moerebat virgo ter noctibus octo, Cùm soluis morti debita morte tua.

It should seeme by the premisses that this Roger Bigot, who was Sewer to King Henry the first, and Father of the foresaid Hugh: was the first foun∣der of this religious Edifice, or at least wise of some other in this Towne, for Monkes of the order of Cluny. And Stow in his Annalls agrees with my Author Ordericus.

This yeare,* 1.13 saith he, Maurice Bishop of London, Robert Fitzhamon, Roger Bigot, founder of the Monastery of Monkes at Thetford, Richard Redvers Councellours to the King, Milo Crispen, and many other Noble∣men of England deceased.

Roger Bigot,* 1.14 the second of that surname, Earle of the East Angles, or Norfolke. He died about the yeare 1218. and was here interred.

Hugh Bigot,* 1.15 sonne of the foresaid Roger, Earle of Norfolke, lay here bu∣ried, who died the ninth of Henry the third, 1225:

Roger Bigot sonne and heire of Hugh aforesaid,* 1.16 Earle of Norfolke, and first Marshall of England of that Family was here entombed, if his last will and Testament was performed. Of which so much as tends to that purpose.

In Nomine Patris,* 1.17 et Filij, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. Ego Rogerus Bigot Comes Norfolcie et Mareschallus Anglie in bona prosperitate constitutus condo Testamentum meum sub hac forma. Inprimis, commendo animam meam Christo, &c. et corpus meum in Ecclesia beate Marie Thetfordie sepeliendum. Postea lego, &c. Huius Testamenti Executores constituo, Dominum Symo∣nem de Monteforti Com. Lecestren. Dominum Richardum de Clara Com. Glouern. & Hertford. Dominum Willelmum Malberbe Dominum Thomam Denebanke. Dominum Hugonem de Tudeham, &c. Dat. apud Cestreford die Mercurij proximo ante festum Sancti Barnabe Apostoli, anno Domini, M.cclviii. He died about eleuen yeares after the making of his will, without issue, of a bruise running at Tilt, anno 1269.

Roger Bigot the last of that Familie, Earle of Norfolke, and Marshall of England,* 1.18 was here buried, together with his first wife Alina, Alyva, or Adeliza, daughter of Philip Lord Basset, and widow of Hugh de Spenser, Iustice of England: she died in Aprill, in the ninth yeare of Edward the first, and he in the 35. of the said Kings raigne.

* 1.19Iohn Lord Mowbray, Duke of Norfolke, Earle Marshall of England, Earle of Nottingham, Lord and Baron of Segraue, and of Gower, sonne and successour of Iohn, the first Duke of Norfolke in the dignities afore∣said, was here entombed with his wife Elianor, daughter of William Lord Bourchier, and sister of Henry Bourchier, Earle of Essex. He died in the first yeare of King Edward the fourth.

* 1.20Iohn Mowbray sonne of Iohn aforesaid, who in his Fathers dayes was created Earle Warren and Surrey: and hauing enioyed these and his fa∣thers Honours for the space, dyed without issue at his Castle of Framing∣ham in Suffolke, in the fifteenth yeare of King Edward the fourth, and was here entombed.

* 1.21Sir Iohn Howard knight, (sonne of Sir Robert Howard knight, and of Margaret his wife, daughter and coheire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke) first made Baron by king Edward the fourth, 1461. Quia postea constituit eum Capitaneum Armate potentie super mare,* 1.22 Test. Rege apud West. Pat. anno 10. Ed. 4. M. 13. was here interred, as I finde in the Col∣lections of Francis Thinne Lancaster Herald. In the yeare 1483. he was created Duke of Norfolke by King Richard the third, in whose aide he was slaine at Bosworth field on Monday the two and twentieth of Aug. 1485. He was warned by diuers to refraine from the field, insomuch that the night before he should set forward toward the King, one wrote this rime vpon his gate:

* 1.23Iack of Norffolk be not too bold For Dikon thy Master is boght and sold.

Yet all this, notwithstanding, he regarding more his oath, his honour, and promise made to King Richard, like a gentleman, and as a faithfull subiect to his Prince, absented not himselfe from his master, but as he faithfully li∣ued vnder him, so he manfully died with him, to his great fame and laud. And therefore though his seruice was ill employed in aide of a Tyrant (whom it had beene more honourable to haue suppressed then supported) yet because he had vpon his fealtie vndertaken to fight in his quarrell, he thought it lesse losse of life and liuing, then of glory and honour; so that he might haue said in respect of his loyaltie, and promised truth testified with constancie to the death;

Est mihi supplicium causa fuisse pium.

This passage is wondrously well deliuered to vs in verse, by an honou∣rable late writer, thus.

* 1.24Long since the King had thought it time to send For trustie Norfolke, his vndaunted friend, Who hasting from the place of his abode,

Found at the doore a world of papers strow'd; Some would affright him from the Tyrants aide, Affirming that his Master was betraide; Some laid before him all those bloudy deeds, From which a line of sharpe reuenge proceeds With much compassion, that so braue a Knight Should serue a Lord, against whom Angels fight; And others put suspitions in his minde, That Richard most obseru'd, was most vnkinde. The Duke a while these cautious words reuolues With serious thoughts, and thus at last resolues. If all the Campe proue traytors to my Lord, Shall spotlesse Norfolke falsifie his word; Mine oath is past, I swore t'vphold his Crowne, And that shall swimme, or I with it will drowne. It is too late now to dispute the right, Dare any tongue since Yorke spread forth his light, Nort••umberland, or Buckingham defame, Two valiant Cliffords, Roos, or Beaumonts name, Because they in the weaker quarrell die? They had the King with them, and so haue I. But euery eye the face of Richard shunnes For that foule murder of his brothers sonnes: Yet lawes of Knighthood gaue me not a sword To strike at him; whom all with ioynt accord Haue made my Prince, to whom I tribute bring▪ I hate his vices, but adore the King. Victorious Edward, if thy soule can heare Thy seruant Howard, I deuoutly sweare, That to haue sau'd thy children from that day, My hopes on earth should willingly decay; Would Glouster then my perfect faith had tried, And made two graues, when Noble Hastings died. This said, his troopes he into order brings.

A little after he giues vs a touch of the Dukes valour, and deciphers the manner of his death, in these matchlesse numbers which follow:

Here valiant Oxford and fierce Norfolke meete, And with their speares each other rudely greete; About the aire the shiuer'd peeces play, Then on their swords their Noble hands they lay, And Norfolke first a blow directly guides To Oxfords head, which from his helmet slides Vpon his arme, and biting through the steele, Inflicts a wound, which Vere disdaines to feele, He lifts his Fauchion with a threatning grace, And hewes the Beuer off from Howards face▪

This being done, he with compassion charm'd Retires, asham'd to strike a man disarm'd: But straight a deadly shaft, sent from a bow, (Whose master, though far off, the Duke could know) Vntimely brought this combat to an end, And pierc'd the braine of Richards constant friend. When Oxford saw him sinke, his noble soule Was full of griefe, which made him thus condole. Farewell true Knight, to whom no costly graue Can giue due honour: would my teares might saue Those streames of blood, deseruing to be spilt In better seruice: had not Richards guilt Such heauie weight vpon his fortune laid Thy glorious vertues had his sinnes outwaighd.

* 1.25Sir Thomas Howard, Knight of the Garter, Earle of Surrey, and Duke of Norfolke, sonne and heire of the foresaid Iohn, thus slaine, was here likewise entombed: who died in the sixteenth yeare of the raigne of King Henry the eight, 1524.

This Thomas was with his father in the forefront of the foresaid Battell, where he had the leading of the Archers, which King Richard so placed, as a bulwarke to defend the rest. The martiall prowesse of this Earle in the pight field, and his resolute braue carriage being taken prisoner, are deline∣ated to the life by my said Author Sir Iohn Beaumont, the particulars wher∣of, if they may seeme as pleasing to you in the reading, as they were to me in the writing, cannot be any way tedious here to set downe: for they are sinnewy strong liues, and will draw you, no doubt, with them along.

Couragious Talbot, had with Surrey met, And after many blowes begins to fret, That one so yong in Armes, should thus vnmoou'd, Resist his strength, so oft in warre approou'd. And now the Earle beholds his fathers fall, Whose death like horrid darkenesse frighted all: Some giue themselues as captiues, others flie; But this yong Lion casts his gen'rous eye On Mowbrayes Lion, painted in his shield, And with that King of beasts, repines to yeeld The field (saith he) in which the Lyon stands, Is blood, and blood I offer to the hands Of daring foes; but neuer shall my flight Dye blacke my Lyon, which as yet is white. His enemies (like cunning Huntsmen) striue, In binding snares to take their prey aliue, While he desires t'expose his naked brest, And thinkes the sword that deepest strikes, is best. Yong Howard single with an Army fights, When mou'd with pitie, two renowned knights,

Strong Clarindon, and valiant Coniers trye, To rescue him, in which attempt they dye. Now Surrey fainting, scarse his sword can hold, Which made a common souldier grow so bold, To lay rude hands vpon that noble flower, Which he disdaining (anger giues him power) Erects his weapon with a nimble round, And sends the Peasants arme to kisse the ground: This done, to Talbot he presents his blade, And saith, It is not hope of life hath made This my submission, but my strength is spent, And some perhaps of villaine blood will vent My wearie soule: this fauour I demand, That I may dye by your victorious hand. Nay God forbid, that any of my name (Quoth Talbot) should put out so bright a flame, As burnes in thee (braue youth) where thou hast err'd, It was thy fathers ••ault, since he preferr'd A Tyrants Crowne, before the iuster side. The Earle still mindfull of his birth, replide. I Wonder Talbot, that thy noble heart Insults on ruines of the vanquisht part: Wee had the right, if now to you it flow, The fortune of your swords hath made it so: I neuer will my lucklesse choyce repent, Nor can it staine mine honour or descent, Set Englands Royall wreath vpon a stake, There will I fight, and not the place forsake. And if the will of God hath so dispos'd, That Richmonds brow be with the Crowne inclos'd, I shall to him or his, giue doubtlesse signes, That duty in my thoughts, not faction, shines:

Which he proued to be true in the whole course of his life, which was depensild vpon a Table, and fixed here to his funerall monument; a copie whereof it was my hap to haue out of the originall, of which, so much as concernes the subiect I here speake of: in the same Character:

FOr as moche as it is wryttyn in the Epitaphe aboute the Tombe here present, of the high and myghty Prynce, Tho∣mas, late Duke of Norffolk after his discent from his noble antecessours, declared in the same in wrytyng, whyche is also set out in armes about the same Tombe. That who will se farther of the manner of his lyuyng and seruyce doon by hym to hys Pryncis; And of hys honorable depertyng out of this world, schall resorte and loke in thys Table.

Fyrst you schall know the seid Duke was in hys yong age, after he had been a sufficient season at the gramer schole, Hencheman to Kyng Edward the iiii. and was than callyd Thomas Howard, Son and heire to Sir Iohn Howard Knight, after, Lord Howard, and after that, Duke of Norffolke of right enheritance; and the seid Thomas Howard whan he was at mannes age, was wyth dyuers other Gentlemen of Englond, sent to Charles, Duke of Burg••n in the begynnyng of the warres betwixt Kynge Lewes of Fraunce, and the seid Duke Charles, and ther contynued vnto thende of the seid warres, to hys greate prayse and thankys. As well of Kyng Edward hys own souerayn Lord, as of the seid Duke Charles. And after the warres doon betwyxt the seid Kynge Lewes, and the seid Duke Charles, Than the seid Tho∣mas Howard returned in to Englond, vn to Kynge Edward hys souerayn Lord: And he made hym immedyatly Esquyer for his body. And he was aboute hym at hys makynge redy bothe eue∣nyng and mornyng. And afterward he made hym Knyghte at the maryage of the Duke of Yorke, Kynge Edward hys seconde son. And so he was with the seid Kynge Edward in all hys busynes, as∣well at Lyncolne Shire feld, & at the tyme of Banberyfeld, as at all other hys busynes And also at suche tyme as the same Kynge was takyn by the Erle of Warwyke at Warwyke befor hys escape and departynge in to Flaunders.

And after the Kyngys depertynge in to Flaunders, for that the Coostis of Englond were so sett ffor depertynge of any other his seruauntis and frendis, the seid Thomas Howard was dryuyn of fforce to take Sayntwary of Seynt Ioannes in Colchester for the true seruyce he bare vn to Kynge Edward; and at the seid Kyngys retourne out of Flaunders, the seid Sir Thomas How∣ard resortyd vn to hym and went wyth hym to Barnet Feld, and ther was sore hurte.

And after whan Kyng Edward went into Fraunce wyth hys Army Ryall, he sent thether before, dyuers gentylmen, And for that the seid Sir Thomas Howard had good experyence aswell in hys beynge wyth Charles Duke of Burgon, as in dyuers Feldys and busynesses witthe seid Kynge Edward, he had ther∣for Commaundement to go ouer wyth them, For his aduyse and counsell tyll the seyd Kynge came ouer, And whan Kyng Edward and Kyng Lewes mette at the Barriars vpon the Ryuer of Som, the seid Sir Thomas Howard was wyth kynge Edward at the

Barriars by the kyngis commaundement and no mo Men saue only the Chaunceller of Englond, the Chaunceller of Fraunce, and Sir Iohn Cheney.

And after the kyngis comyng home into Englond, the seid Sir Thomas Howard obteyned lycence of the kynge to lye in Norffolk at an howsse which he had in the righte of my Lady hys wyffe, cal∣led Asshewelthorpe, and ther he laye and kepte an honorable howsse, in the fauor of the hoole Shire, duryng the lyffe of the seid kynge Edward, and at that tyme and long after my Lord hys father was alyue.

And after kynge Edward was ded, and kynge Edward the fyfte his Son; than kyng Rychard was kyng, And than the forseid Sir Thomas Howard was hys Subgette, And for that the yonge Duches of Norffolk whiche was very heire therunto, was ded withoute yssue; And the Lord Howard, Father to the seid Sir Thomas Howard, was rightefull heire to the same off former dis∣cent, was creatt Duke of Norffolk, and he creatt Erle of Surrey: And so they both serued the seid kynge Rychard truly as his Sub∣gettis durynge his lyff, lyeng at home in their owne Countries and kepyng honorable howsses. And they went with hym to Bos∣worthe felde, where the seid kynge Rychard was slayne, and also the seid Duke of Norffolk, And thafforseid Erle hurte, and takyn vpon the Feld, and put in the Tower of London, by kynge Henry the vii, and ther contynued thre yeerys and an halfe. In whiche tyme of his beyng in the Tower, the same kynge Henry had a felde wyth the Erle of Lyncolne in Notyngham Shire besydys Newarke, and the leeffetenant of the Tower came to the seid Erle, and proferred to hym the keyes to goo out at his ple∣sure; and he answered hym ageyne, that he wolde not deperte thens, vn to suche tyme as he that commaunded hym thether, shuld commaunde hym out ageyn, whiche was kynge Henry the vii. but charged the leffetenant vpon hys alligeaunce yf the kynge war on lyue to bryng hym ther, as the kynge was, to the••tente he myght do his Grace seruyce, and after that for the true and feithfull seruyce that the seid kynge Henry herd of him doon to his other Prynce; and also that he sawe hymselfe, he dide on Bos∣worth feld, and for the grete preyse and truth that he herd of hym whills he was prisoner, and that he wold nat, thoughe he had li∣berty, come out of the Tower at the Erle of Lyncolnes feld, he toke hym out to his presence, and to be aboute his own person.

And wythin x. wekes after hys comyng out of the Towre, ther was an Insurrection in the Northe by whom the Erle of Nor∣thombrelond was sleyne in the feld, and also the Citee of Yorke won••e with a saw••e by force; And for the subduyng of those Re∣bells, the kynge assembled a grete hoste of hys subgettis, and toke his iourney towards them from the Castell of Hertford; and the seid Erle of Surrey made chief captayn of his voward, and a∣poynted vnder him in the seid voward, the Erle of Shrewesbury,

the Lord Hastyngs, Sir William Stanley, than beyng the kyngs Chambrelayn, Sir Rice ap Thomas, Sir Thomas Bowser, Sir Iohn Sauage, Sir Iohn Ryseley, and dyvers other, And whan this Iorney was doon the Capiteynes of these Rebelles, and many other of them were put to execucion, And for the syngu∣l••r truste that the kynge had to the seid Erle, and the activyte that he saw in hym, he lefte hym in the North, and made hym hys Lyve••enaunt generall from Trent Northward, and Warden of the Est and myddle Marches of Englond, ageynst Scotlond, and Iustice of the Forests from Trent Northward, and there he contynued x yeres; and kepte the countrey in peace with policy▪ and many paynes takyng withoute which yt wold nat have been, for that the countrey had ben so lately ponyss••ed, and nat withoute desert, And thus he dide the hoole tyme of x yere, savyng in the se∣cond yere of his beyng, ther was an Insurrexion in the West part of the countrey with whome the seid Erle with the helpe of the kyngs true subgetts fought in the feld, and subdued them at Ak∣worth besides Pomfrett; And besides dyvers of them that were s••ayne in the feld he toke the Capytaynes and put them to execu∣cion▪ and the residue he sued to the kyngs highnes for ther Par∣dones whiche he obteyned, and wanne therby the fauor of the countrey. And in the same yere the kyng went ouer the see, and laid seege to Bolayn, the seid Erle than remaynyng ther, not with∣stondyng that he was apoynted to have gone with the kyng, and h••d gone▪ but for the lightnes of the pepule ther, wherfor he was left behynd both for the sauegard of the countrey, and for defen∣dyng of the Realme for the synguler truste that he had vnto hym.

And sone after ther was warre with the Scottis, and for that the seid Erle wold be in a redynes to defende them, he went to Ann∣wyke, and ther laye to the defence of the borders: And in his own persone made a wynter Rood into Tyvydale, and ther brent ther howsses, and ther corne to the greatest losse and empouerysshement of the countrey, that was doon ther in an hundreth yere before; And after that, the kyng of Scott's in his owne person, and one Par••yn with hym invaded this Realme of Englond, with a greatre power▪ and laid seege to Northam Castell. And assone as he ••erde that the seid Erle was comyng towardis hym he depert∣ed and fled into Scotlond with all the spede he myght. And in the same Somer after, the seid Erle made another Rood in to Scot∣lond, and laid seege to the Castell of Heyton, and dide race and pull downe the seid Castell, the kyng of Scottis with the puys∣saunce of his Realme lokyng vpon it; and the Erle had nat than past viii or ix thowsand men with hym. And than the kyng of Scottis sent vnto the seid Erle, Lyon his Herrold for to requyre batayle▪ which was graunted by the seid Erle, saying vnto the seid Herrold that forasmoche as he was an Officer of Armes sent from the kyng his Master to requyre bataile, and he Lyvetenaunt to the kyng his Master, graunted thervnto. And said it was a con∣tracte

and a full bargayn whiche cowde not be brokyn, but in the defawte of oon of them. And promysed by the faith that he bare to God, and to Seynt George, and to the kyng his Master, he wold fulfill his promesse. And yf the kyng hys Master brake, yt shuld be asmoche to his dishonor and reproche as euer had Prynce. And whan the Harrold had herd this answere, and sawe weall the said Erle was clerely determined to fight; he said vnto hym, Sir the kyng my master sendeth you word, that for eschewyng of effusion of Gristen blode, he wilbe contented to fight with you hande to hande for the Towne of Berwike, and the Fisshegarthis on the West marches: yf he wynne you in bataile, and yf ye wynne hym in bataile you to have a kyngis Raunsom. Whervnto the said Erle made answere, that he thanked his Grace that he wolde put hym to so moche honour, that he beyng a kyng anoynted wold fight hande to hande with so poore a man as he, how be yt he seid he wold nat dysceyve his Grace, for he said though he wanne hym in in bataile, he was neuer the nerer Berwike, ner of Fisshegarthys, for, he had no suche comyssyon so to do: his Comyssyon was to do the kyng of Scottis his Master all the harme he coude, and so he had don, and wold do, &c. And bad hym shewe vnto the kyng hys Master that whan the Iorney was don, he wolde fyght wyth hym on Horsback or on fote at hys plesur, at any place he wold indif∣ferently appoynt, yf the kyng hys Master wold gyff hym leue, &c.

And whan the warre was doon and ••ended witthe Scottis, and the North part of Englond in good reste and peace, than the kyngs Highnes sent for the seid Erle to be agayn about his parson, and made hym Tresourar of Englond, and of his priuye Counsayll.

And after that the kyng sent hym into Scotland as chief Com••myssyoner withe Lady Margarett hys doughter, to be maryed to the foresaid kyng of Scottis, whiche kyng att the tyme of the seid Erlys beyng ther, entreteyned hym as thankfully and fauourably as coude be thought. Notwithstondyng anye dyspleasures doon to hym by the seid Erle in the warres before. And also the seid kyng said than vn to hym, that he loued hym the better for suche servyce as he had doon before to the kyng his father kyng of Eng∣lond, thoughe the hurte war doon to hym, and to his Realme, and he gave to hym then at his depertyng greatt gyfts. And at the co∣myng home agayn of the seid Erle for the truste that the kyng our souerayn Lord had to hym, hys Grace made hym one of hys Exe∣cutours.

And after the dethe of kyng Henry the vii, kyng Henry theyght made hym lyke wyse of hys prevay counsayll, and styll contynued Tresourer of Englond, and made hym highe Marshall of the same: And for the syngler truste that the kyng had aswell to his truthe, as to hys wysdome and actyvytte, at his goyng in to Fraunce with his puyssaunce, havyng with hys hyghnes the moste parte of his Nobles of this Realme, lefte the said Erle with a certeyn power in the Northe partys, and made hym Lyvete∣naunte

generall from Trent Northward, to defend the Realme agaynste the kyng of Scottys, whom his hyghnes had no truste vnto for cause of the leeg betwyxt Fraunce and them: in case the s••••d kyng wold invade thys hys Realme, whiche he dide in deede, contrary to hys oth and promyse, with the hoole power of the Realme of Scotlond: Whiche when the seid Erle hard of, he made as greatt haste towardis hym as he coude with the kyngs power of the North partys. And toke hys lodgyng in the Campe or playn ca••••yd Wollar haugh in the Countie of Northumbrelond which was in the ••ight of the kyng of Scottis, and of all hys army then ••ying on Floddon hyll, a ground more lyke a campe or forteres, than any meete ground to gyve batayle on, contrary to hys pro∣mes made to Roge••ras Purseuaunte at armys, before sent vnto hym from the seid Erle with message, that the said Erle with the Lord Howard then Admerall of Englond hys Son, And the no∣〈◊〉〈◊〉 men of the North partis, with other the kyngs Subgettis of the same North partis, was come thedir to represse and re∣siste hys Invasyons of hys souerayn Lordis Realme; desyryng the said kyng of Scottis to gyve hym bataile, which his message the same kyng of Scottis toke very thankfully and ioyusly, promysyng hym to abide ther on the same grounde, wher he than was; whiche hys promys he brake as is aforesaid, and tooke Floddon hil••ys, a ground unprengnable, and shot at hym hys great Ordenaunce, where as he lay like one mynded to kepe it like a forteres, And whan the said Erle dide perceyve that he had brokyn hys promys, and takyn so stronge •• grounde as Floddon hillys, he than the said Erle remoued all his Batail vnto a playn besydis Barmer wood to thentente to get betwene hym and hys owne Realme of Scot∣lond, and ther leygeed but one nyght, and on the next mornyng to••e hys passage ouer the water of at Twyfull forthe, and than he marched the said kyng and hys oste in suche maner, as he gat betwene hym and hys aune reame of Scotlond be force wherof the said kyng was fayn to leue his Campe, and to prepare hymself to bataile witthe seid Erle, on a hyll besydis Bramston in Northumbrelond very neer vnto Sandyford. Wher the said Erle witthe good assistauns of the Nobull men, and the power of the said North partys fought witthe said kyng and hym ••anqu••sshed, and slewe in playn bataile derectely before his owne Standard. In which bataile ware slayne on the Scot∣tysshe parte ii Bysshoppes, xi E••lys, xvii Barons, CCCC knyghtis besydys other Gentilmen, with xvii M in nombre, which ware nombred asweel by Scottysshe men as by them that dyd bury the moste parte of them. And of trouth dyvers Gentylmen and others aswell of the said Erlys servantys, as of the North partyes, and of Chesshir and Lankasshir war ther slayne, for hard it ys and half impossible in suche a conflicte and bataile to be wonne without losse of men, whoys deth may be ioyed among ther frendis to dye in so hygh a servys doon to ther Prynce. And this noble acte was don

by the helpe of almyghty God to the highe honour of the kyngis hyghnes. Honor and prays to the said Erle and to all other Noble men, and otheres the kyngs Subgettis that war ther with hym at the bataile the ix daye of Septembir in the v yeer of our soue∣rayn Lord kyng Henry the viii.

And this doon the said Erle went to Barwyke, to establysshe all thyngys well and in good order: And sent for the dede body of the kyng of Scottis to Barwyke, And whan the Ordenaunce of the kyng of Scottis was brouth of the feld, and put in good suer∣tie and all other thyngys in good order. Than the seid Erle toke hys Iorney toward Yorke, and ther abode duryng the kyngis plea∣sur, and caryed with hym the dede body of thafforesaid kyng of Scottis. And ther laye vnto suche tyme as the kyngis hygh••es cam from beyond the See, after his wynnyng of Tyrwyn and Tomey. And than hys highnes sent for the seid Erle to mete hym at Rychemond▪ and so he dide, and ther delyvered vnto his high∣nes the dede body of the kyng of Scottis, whiche de•••• bodye was delyuered in to the Charter hous ther, and ther to abide duryng the kyngs plesur.

And for the servyce that the seid Erle dide, he was honorably restored vnto his right name of Duke of Norffolk, and also had ge∣uen vnto hym greatt possessyons by the kyngis highnes.

And whan the warre betwixt the kyng our souerayn Lord and the Frenche Kyng was eended: than the said Duke was sent into Fraunce as chieff Commyssyoner with Lady Marye the Kyngis Suster, to be maryed vnto the Frenche Kyng Lewes.

And after when the kyng and the Quene were both out of the Reame to mete witthe Frenche kyng Frauncys at Guynes, and the Prynces remaynyng in the Reame beyng a childe, the said Duke was left behynde as protector and defender to mynyster Iu∣stice, and to see good Rule and Gouernaunce in the Reame, in the absence of the kyngis highnes, and so contynued aboute the kyng, and of his preuye Counsayle tyll he w••s of age of fourescore yeeris, and then the kyngis highnes was content that the said Duke shulde go home, in to hys owne countrey vnto the Castell of Fram∣lyngham, wher he contynued and kepte an honorable howse vnto the houre of his deth. And ther he dyed lyke a good Cristen Prynce I now to wytnes. Whose sowle Iesu pardon.

And at his depertyng out of Framlyngham Castell toward hys buryall he coude nat be asked one grote for his dette, nor for resti∣tucion to any person, and so was had to this present Abbay of Thetford with moche honor; Accompanyed with many greatt Lordis, and the Noble men of both Schires of Norffolk and Suffolk.

Leuyng then lyuyng these his children herafter named; that is to seye, his son and heyre the Lord Thomas Duke of Norffolk, the Lord Edmond Howard, the Lord Willyam Howard, and the Lord Thomas Howard, witthe Ladye Elysabeth wiffe to the Ui∣count

Rocheford: the Lady Agnes Countes of Oxenford, the La∣dy Kateryne espoused to the heyre of Sir Rice app Thomas of Wa∣lys: the Lady Elysabeth espoused vnto the Uicount Fitzwaters son and heyr. And the Lady Dorathie then beyng not maryed, but lefte for hir Right, good substance to marry hyrwyth.

* 2.1Henry Fitz-Roy the naturall sonne of King Henry the eight (begotten of the Lady Talboys, daughter of Sir Iohn Blount knight) Duke of Rich∣mond was here interred, as Graston, Stow, Hollinshed, and other writers affirme: howsoeuer some will haue him to bee buried at Framingham in Suffolke. Hee married Mary daughter of the foreremembred Thomas Ho∣ward Duke of Norfolke, Earle Marshall, and Lord high Treasurer of Eng∣land, with whom he liued not long, but dyed at Saint Iames by Westmin∣ster the 22. of Iuly, in the yeare of Christ Iesus, 1536.

He was a Prince very forward in Martiall actiuities, of good literature and knowledge in the tongues; vnto whom the learned Antiquarie Leland dedicated a booke; as appeareth by this Hexastichon following, which is to be found amongst the said Lelands written Epigrams.

Ad illustrissimum Henricum Ducem Richmontanum.

Quo Romana modo maiuscula littera pingi, Pingi quo possit littera parua modo, Hic liber ecce tibi signis monstrabit apertis Princeps, Aonij sp••s et alumne gregis: Qui tibi si placeat (quod certe spero futurum) Maxima proparuo munere dona dabis.

Now for that I haue here found such ample relation of the worthy at∣chieuements of the Howards, I will goe forwards with that illustrious fami∣ly as I finde them in this tract, either intombed or otherwise remembred in Churches.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The foundati∣on of the Fri¦ers Preachers
• * 1.2

  Arfastus, Bi∣shop of Thet∣ford.
• * 1.3

  Ex Mss An••n. in bib. Cot.
• * 1.4

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.5

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.6

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.7

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.8

  I•••• Colledge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thetford.
• * 1.9

  The foundatiō of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Monastery at Thetford.
• * 1.10

  Ca••••d. in Norf.
• * 1.11

  Hugh Bigot Earle of Norf.
• * 1.12

  Orderie. Vital. Vtic. Ecclesiast. Hist. lib. 11. Roger Bigot Sewer to king Hen. the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.13

  Stow 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.14

  Roger Bigot Earle of Norf.
• * 1.15

  Hugh Bigot Earle of Norf.
• * 1.16

  Roger Bigot Earle of Norf. Marshall of England.
• * 1.17

  His Will out of Camdens colle∣ctions, in bib. Ce••••.
• * 1.18

  Roger Bigot Earle of Norf. and Marshall of England the last, and Alina his wife.
• * 1.19

  Io Mowbray Duke of Nor¦folke, and Elea¦nor his wife.
• * 1.20

  Iohn Lord Mowbray Duke of Norfolke.
• * 1.21

  Iohn Lord Ho∣ward Duke of Norfolke.
• * 1.22

  Ex Arch▪ Turr. Lond.
• * 1.23

  Hollins. pa. 759.
• * 1.24

  Sir Iohn Beau∣mont Baronet deceased, in his Poeme of Bos∣worth field.
• * 1.25

  Thomas Ho∣ward, Duke of Norfolke.
• * 2.1

  Henry Fitz Roy Duke of Rich∣mond.