The cry of royal innocent blood heard and answered being a true and impartial account of Gods extraordinary and signal judgments upon regicides : with an historical relation of the deposing, murthering, and assasinating of several kings of England, Scotland, France, &c. ...

AMongst the many Crimes that hasten Heavens vengeance on wretched mis∣creants, there is none so vile in the sight of the Worlds Creator (who is a God of purer Eyes than to behold iniquity) than the

loud Tongu'd Scarlet Crime of shedding inno∣cent Blood; a sin so heinous, that it seldom e∣scapes Exemplary punishment in this World, the better to deterr barbarous wretches from viola∣ting the Persons, and bereeving of Life those on whom God has been pleased to impress his Sa∣cred Stamp, by Inspiring them with immortal Souls, and setting before them a large prospect of Heaven and Eternal happiness; but more im∣mediately when Hell-born Villains dare Murther those on whom his Sacred Image is doubly stam∣ped, as Kings and Men, against whom they should not imagine evil, no not in their hearts. But since History abounds with the relation of such execra∣ble Treasons, and villainous Assassinations, I shall make it the subsequent discourse of this Treatise to lay open the nature and manner of those a∣mazing Tragedies, by what means and treason∣able divices, the Regicides of almost all Ages have accomplished their most pernicious Enter∣prizes; and how Heavens vengeance with a le∣vel aim, at first or last has hit them sure, and brought them to destruction.

Passing over the Murthers of Agamemnon, Da∣rius, Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Pompey, Caesar and divers other Emperours, Kings and Princes, who fell by treachery, and whose Blood was thorowly revenged on the Murtherers, even when they supposed themselves the most secure, I shall proceed to more modern times, and not

exceeding 670. years past: And First, I shall begin with the Murther of good King Edmund, Sirnamed the Ironside, being the thirty third Mo∣narch of the English-men.

This King of the Saxon Line, succeeding his Father King Ethelred, was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames, by Livingus Arch-Bishop of Can∣terbury, on the 16 of April, Anno 1016. At what time the Pagan Danes, with bloody cruelties in∣sested this Island, destroying and burning all be∣fore them, without regard to either Sex or Age. But such was the success of this valiant King, that he not only put a stop to their proceedings, but gave them many fatal overthrows, and had past all dispute forced them to have left the prey, the which so long with bloody hands so eagerly they grasped, had it not been for the prodigious Treasons of the Monster E∣drick, a Person who by this Kings means, du∣ring the Reign of his Father, though ill deserving such a Title, had been created a Duke, and was now General of King Edmund's Army, and by the power of such a trust, sought by all means the downfal of his Lord, which to his E∣ternal Infamy he at last effected, as shall here∣after be related.

Long time had this treacherous Duke sought opportunity to bring the good King to destru∣ction, but success so waited on his Arms, that for a long time no advantage could be proposed;

for had he done it whilst the Danes were weak, his hopes had been frustrated: Yet growing im∣patient of delay, he resolved to make some at∣tempt to bring about his wicked purpose. And therefore a fierce Battel being begun between the English and Danes at Sherostan in Worcester-shire, which continued bloody and doubtful for two days; but in end the Danes beginning to shrink, Edrick presently cut off the Head of one of his own Soldiers, named Osmearus; like the King in Hair, shape of his Beard and Counte∣nance, held it upon his bloody Sword, still gasp∣ing, and cried to the English Host, fly wretches, fly, get you away for your King is slain, behold his Head, therefore seek now to save your own Lives.

The fight so daunted the courage of the Eng∣lish, who entirely loved their King, that the Battel began to swerve, and wanted but little of plain flight, which had certainly been, had not King Edmund understood the cause, and instant∣ly from a high place shewed himself to his Sol∣diers, with many words of incouragement stay∣ed them in their Ranks, and by entering amongst the rest of the Squadrons, given them new vi∣gour, so that plainly perceiving the treachery, they bent their Bows against the Traitour, and had dispatched him, had he not sunk into the Rear: Yet they turned their fury upon the Danes and made great slaughter, even till the Field

was coloured with Blood, continuing the Fight till Night parted them. At what time the trea∣cherous Duke came to the Kings Tent, and af∣ter much seeming submission, excused his Trea∣son, by alleadging he was mistaken in the Coun∣tenance of the Man, and thirsting to save English Blood, advised them to shift for themselves: As for the former part of the excuse, 'tis not doubt∣ed but he spoke true; for that day the King was disguised in the Battel, and this wretch who sought his destruction, might in the hurry take Osmearus for him, and for that cause slew him. But such was the goodness of the King, that his dissimulation gained belief, and he was again re∣ceived into favour, though contrary to the mind of the Kings Council, who would have had him banished, and well had it been for King Edmund, had their advice been taken; for a treacherous friend is more dangerous than an open Ene∣my.

This stratagem failing, the Danes raised their Camp in the dead of Night, and Marched with all speed towards London, which City continued Loy∣al to King Edmund during his Life.

The King the next Morning having notice of the Danes departure followed with all his Host to prevent the spoil, and by his swift Marches, so terrified the Danes, that they altered the pur∣pose they had to besiege the City, and the King entered it in Triumph. And two days after ha¦ving

refreshed his Army, resolved to follow his advantage, and thereupon Marching to Branford, where the Danes were Encamped, he gave them a great overthrow; which Edrick perceiving, and fearing the Danes would be forced to leave the Land, he advised King Edmund to make a truce with them, using so many Arguments that he prevailed with the King, even when he had them all at his Mercy, and therefore leaving London, he retired into the West.

The Danes no sooner perceived themselves free from danger, but they fell to plundering and burning as fearfully as ever, which caused the King again to advance, and entering Kent with his Army, near unto Oateford, he gave them Bat∣tel, which continued doubtful and bloody for the space of four hours. When the Danes Vaunt∣gard giving back, their Horse upon the Right advanced, yet fell soon into disorder, and reti∣ring amongst the Foot put them to the rout, so that they were slain on all hands, leaving above four thousand dead on the place; when of the English there died not above six hundred, and here had not the Traitour Edrick stopped the English in pursuit of their Enemy, by laying be∣fore them the danger of an Ambush, the Danes had never more been able to have made Head. But by this means they had leisure to pass into Essex, and send for recruits from beyond the Seas, and then began to tyrannize as much as

ever, which caused King Edmund to enter Essex with his Army flushed with many Victories, and at Ashdon three Miles from Saffron-Walden, gave them Battel, which was fiercely maintained on either side for many hours, till in the end the Danes began to recoil, which Edrick perceiving, drew off his Party, and fell to the Enemy, by which means they became Victorious: So that there died of the English Nobility, Dukes, Alfred, Godwin, Athelword, Athelwin, and Earl Urchin, together with Cadnoth Bishop of London, and Wool∣sey Abbot of Ramsey, with many other of the Clergy that were come thither to pray for the success of the Army against the Pagan Danes, the remembrance of which overthrow is retained unto this day.

King Edmund thus betrayed was forced to retire from the Field on foot, and with the re∣mainder of his Army marched to Glocester, whereupon London submitted to the Conquerors, as likewise did all the places of strength adja∣cent. Yet such was the love of the English to their King, that they from all parts resorted to him, and earnest to regain the late dishonour, though at the utmost hazard, soon recruited his Army, and came on to meet the Danes, who swell'd with success were advancing Northward and at Dearburs near unto the River Severn met, where both Armies were set in Battel Array; when just as the bloody blast was about to be

sounded, A Captain stepped between the Hosts, and desired to be heard, which being granted, he thus began.

Many Battles (said he) have been fought, and many streams of Blood already shed for the Sovereignty of this Land between these two valiant Nations, and the courage of the Generals, Captains and Soldiers sufficiently tried, wherein Fortune her self seemeth to have been Con∣quered; for if at any time a Battel was won, it was not long kept, neither the Conquered so weakned, but that he retained both Courage and power to turn the Scale. What is the mark then you aim at? Is it honour and fame? Titles indeed that attend on War; but seldom long enjoyed, or rarely fall to the lot of the common Soldiers, at the price of whose Blood they are for the most part purchased. Let him there∣fore that would wear the Crown hazard him∣self to avoid the slaughter of many men, and by single Combate try who is most worthy to Command, and who to Obey, or divide betwixt them the Kingdom, which is large enough to maintain two, having heretofore maintained se∣ven Reigning Kings.

This Proposal was imbraced by King Edmund as the best expedient to put an end to a hazar∣dous and doubtful War; as likewise by Canute King of the Danes, who by mutual consent went into an Island called Alney, standing in the Se∣vern,

adjoyning unto the City of Glocester, where both being strong of body they fought like Lions, one to secure his Kingdom, the other to gain it. But in the end, the Dane being wounded, he in∣treated a parly, which Edmund granted, and then with a loud voice thus proceeded;

What necessity should thus move us, most Heroick King, that for the obtaining of a Title, we should thus indanger our Lives? Is it not better to lay malice aside, and condescend to an amicable agreement? Let us now therefore become sworn friends, and divide the Kingdom between us, and in such a League of friendship, that each may use the others part as his own, so shall this Land be peaceably Governed, and we mutually assist each others necessity.

This Speech ended, both the Kings cast down their Swords, and imbraced each other, upon which great shouts arose in either Army, who before stood doubtful of the success, and this ac∣cord being ratified, the Kingdom was divided by Lot; and that part bordering on the Coast of France fell to King Edmund, who howsoever en∣joyed it not long, for in this Treaty the offence of Duke Edrick was included, and upon his submis∣sion he taken into favour by the good King, and so continued as it were glutted with the fa∣vour and princely bounty of two Kings, till at last resolving to perfect his many Treasons be∣gun, he watched his opportunity as King Ed∣mund

was alone in the Draught-house evacua∣ting, and having placed himself beneath, with a sharp Spear he run it up into the Kings Belly, that he there died; then coming up, he traite∣rously and inhumanely cut off his Head, and escaping with it undiscovered to Canute the Da∣nish King, and presenting it to him with these fawning Salutations: All Hail thou now sole Mo∣narch of England; for here behold the Head of thy Co-partner, which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off.

Canute though ambitious enough of the Sove∣raignty, yet of Princely disposition, abashed, and sore grieved at so unworthy and disloyal an at∣tempt, replied with an Oath, that in reward of that Service the bringers Head should be advan∣ced above all the Peers of his Kingdom; which high honour whilst the traiterous wretch greedily expected (and indeed for a time found some fa∣vour) his Head by the Kings command was smitten off, and fixed upon a Pole on the highest Gate of the City of London, as he most justly de∣served: His Wife and Children were banished; and great was the rejoycing throughout England at the Death of this prodigious Regicide, and betrayer of his Country.

King Edmunds Body was buried at Glasten-bury near to his Father King Edgar; he was of per∣son tall, for Courage hardy, strong of Limbs, and well could indure the inconveniencies of

War; for which some think he had his additional name of Ironside; with him at that time fell the Glory of the English, he leaving but one Son, viz. Edward, who was Sir-named the Out-law, by rea∣son all the Reign of Canute he lived in Hungary, and there Married the Queens Sister, not re∣turning into England till the Reign of his Uncle King Edward the Confessor.

Thus fell this good King, and thus Heavens vengeance overtook the Traitour, whose mise∣rable end in some sort made an atonement for the innocent Blood shed by wicked hands; as likewise for the Death of Sigefreth and Morcar, King Edmunds Queens former Husband and Bro∣ther, who were murthered at Oxford by the con∣trivance of Edrick.