The history of the reigns of Henry the Seventh, Henry the Eighth, Edward the Sixth, and Queen Mary the first written by the Right Honourable Francis Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban ; the other three by the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God, Francis Godwyn, Lord Bishop of Hereford.

ANNO DOM. 1521. REG. 13.

EDward Stafford Duke of Buckingham was about this time ar∣raigned [ 1521] of high Treason. He was descended of a Family, which whether it was more antient or noble, is questionable.* 1.1 He derived himself by a direct line from Robert de Stafford, to whom William the Conquerour gave large revenues, which his posterity greatly enlarged, by matching with the Heirs female of many noble Families. By the Lady Ann, Daughter to Thomas of Wood∣stock Duke of Glocester, who was Brother to Edward the Third, he participated of the Blood Royal. The first honourable Title of the Family was of Lord Stafford, the next of Earl of Stafford, as was Edmund, that married the Daughter to Thomas of Woodstock. Hum∣phrey Son to Edmund was created Duke of Buckingham by Henry the Sixth, who left that Honor to his Son Humphrey, who was Grand∣father to this Edward by his Son Henry the third Duke. How Henry assisted the Usurper Richard the Third, in oppressing Edward the Fifth, how he after conspired with the Earl of Richmond (after∣wards Henry the Seventh) against the Usurper, but was cut off by the Tyrant before he could bring any thing to pass; the Histo∣ries of those times declare. Edward his Son restored to Blood and Dignities by Henry the Seventh, for his Descent, Wealth, and Honors, inferiour to none but the King, not content with this, was by N. Hopkins a Charterhouse-Monk induced to believe that Heaven had decreed to cut off King Henry, after whose death he should reign, and the Crown be for ever established on his poste∣rity. This the Monk affirmed, God the Governour of all things, had revealed unto him. He further advised him by liberality and courtesie to win the minds of the people, for the time was at hand wherein this should certainly come to pass, if it were not through his own default. The Duke (no sot, but blinded by ambition) gave such credit to the Monk, who was either mad, or else flattered him in hope of reward, that although the time prefixed for these Miracles were past, yet was he still in hope, fed the Impostor with gifts, who fed him with air, secretly vili∣fied the King, and gave profusely to all. Nay he could not for∣bear, but at length he must brag of the Jugler's promises, as he did to a Gentleman named Charles Knevet, to whom he boldly unmasked himself, and gave a reason of his actions. Upon Kne∣vet's accusation he was arraigned, and condemned the thirteenth of May, and on the seventeenth publickly beheaded. His death was lamented by many, and the rather for that he was no way faulty, but in his vanity and pride, which overthrew him. Being a child, I have heard antient men say, that by his bravery of Ap∣parel, and sumptuous Feasts he exasperated the King, with whom in these things he seemed to contend. But he could by no means

bear with the intolerable pride of the Cardinal, whose hatred not [ 1521] improbably proved fatal unto him, rather than did the King's dis∣pleasure: for many times Princes are with less danger offended, than their Mignons. There goes a tale, That the Duke once holding the basin to the King, the Cardinal when the King had done, presently dipped his hands in the same water, the Duke disdaining to debase himself to the service of a Priest, shed the water in his shooes. The Cardinal therewith incensed, threatned him, that He would sit upon his skirts. The Duke to shew that he slighted his threats, and withal, that the King might take notice of the Cardinal's malice, came the next day to Court, richly (as he usually was) apparelled, but without skirts to his Doublet. The King and many others demanding what he meant by that strange fashion, he answered readily, That it was done by way of prevention, for the Cardinal should not now sit upon his skirts. He thought he had put a jest upon the Cardinal, to whose infor∣mations, as proceeding from envy and spleen, he hoped the King would hereafter give the less credit. But he missed his mark: for most men were of opinion, that the Cardinal's malice crushed him rather, than did the weight of his own offences. It was the saying of Charles the Emperour, upon the report of his death, That the Butcher's Dog had killed the fairest Hart of England. How∣soever it came to pass, the King who had hitherto ruled without bloodshed, induced by the former reasons (so the Records run) permitted his hands to be stained with the blood of this poor Prince; many lamenting, that the indiscreet credulity of one man, having not attempted ought against the Estate, should be the over∣throw of so noble a Family. If I might lawfully pry so far into God's judgments, which are indeed inscrutable, I would be bold to impute the punishment of the Son to the Father's treachery, who conspired with the Usurper against his lawful Prince, Edward the Fifth, who by his assistance was deprived of his Life and Kingdom. But forasmuch as that being touched in conscience, he manifestly repented this fact (for seeking to oppress the Tyrant, whom he himself had raised, he perished miserably) the Divine Justice (I think) so far regarded his repentance, that his poste∣rity are nevertheless Peers of the Realm, by the title of Lord Staf∣ford. The first point of Wisdom is, not to run into Errour; the next, quickly to amend it.

The King having written a Book against Martin Luther, sent* 1.2 it as a Present to Pope Leo the Tenth. This Leo, not yet thirty eight years old, was by the combination of the Junior Cardinals elected Pope. In which dignity he behaved himself according to his years, profusely spending the Treasures of the Church in hawking and hunting, and other pleasures not deemed over-honest. Need began at length to pinch him, and money must be had. Whereupon he resolves to make use of his Keys, against the most

subtil locks; and strongest bars, ever yet held prevalent. Indul∣gences [ 1521] of all sorts, without distinction of time or place, must now publickly be set to sale. St. Peter's Church (this was the pretence) was out of repair, towards which a certain summ of money given, would purchase Pardon of Sins, not only for the Living, but for the Dead also, whose Souls should thereby be redeemed from the pains of Purgatory. But whatsoever was pretended, every one palpably saw, that these Pardons were granted to get money for his own relief. And forasmuch as the Commissioners de∣manded it after an impudent and shameless manner, they in most places incurred the dislike and indignation of the people, espe∣cially in Germany, where they saw this faculty of redeeming Sould from Purgatory, was either sold for little or nothing, or played away in their Taverns. But what speak I of the Commissio∣ners? That which made the Germans most impatient, was that the heedless Pope had given to his Sister Magdalen the profit of the exactions of Indulgences in many parts of Germany, and that so openly, that every one must needs know it. For all Ger∣many spake it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this money was not gathered for the Pope or the Treasury of the Church. (whereby peradventure some part of it might be employed to good uses) but was exacted to satisfie the greediness of a Woman. At that time lived Martin Luther,* 1.3 a Doctor of Divinity, and an Augustine Monk, one who under a religious Habit, did not consecrate himself to idleness, but to God. It is reported, how truly I know not, that recreating him∣self in the fields, his companion with whom he then discoursed, was suddenly stricken dead with Thunder. He thereupon falling into due consideration of the uncertainty of death, and of judge∣ment, left the study of the Civil Law, to which he then ap∣plied himself, and renouncing the world, betook himself to a Cloister, where for his deportment he was beyond exception, for Learning (especially divine) he was scarce matchable. Upon this horrible abuse of the authority of the Keys, being inflamed with a pious zeal, he could not contain himself, but boldly and bitterly inveighed against this gross impiety. Neither stayd he there, but (storm the Pope never so much) proceeds to other enormities in the Church of Rome, some whereof that Church hath since reformed, the rest religious Princes, by Luther awakened out of their dead sleep of Superstition, notwithstanding the pra∣ctices of Rome, have (God be thanked) exploded. New opinions (especially in matters of Religion) are of themselves always odious. Henry being offended with Luther's new (as the world then deemed them) Tenets, thought it would prove to his honour, by writing against Luther; to manifest his Learning and Piety to the world. Hereupon under his name a Book was set forth, better beseeming some antient and deep Divine, than a youthful Prince (whom although he earnestly endeavoured it, yet his affairs would not

permit to bury himself among his Books) which many thought [ 1521] to have been compiled by Sir Thomas Moor, some by the Bishop of Rochester, and others (not without cause) suspected to be the work of some other great Scholar. Whosoever wrote it, Luther replied in such sort, that although his holy zeal were approved by many, yet those many could have wished him more temperate, and re∣spective of the Majesty of Kings. This Book was so acceptable to the Pope, that according to the example of Alexander the Sixth, who entituled the King of Spain, Catholick; and of that Pope, whosoever he were, that gave the French King the title of Most Christian; he decreed to grace King Henry and his Successors with* 1.4 that honorable one of Defender of the Faith. Which several Titles are by these Princes retained to this day. But Leo long survived not his gift, about the end of the year dying (as is suspected) by poison. In the mean time the exulcerated minds of the Emperour and the French King (according to the nature of ambitious hatred, that for its own ends makes all causes just) burst out into open Wars; for the composing whereof each of them had formerly agreed to refer themselves (if any differences should arise) to the arbitrement of Henry. He therefore sends to each of them Am∣bassadors,* 1.5 the Cardinal of York, the Earl of Worcester, and others, who should, if it were possible, reconcile these enraged Princes. All they could do, proved but an endeavour: for when they thought they had compassed their desires, sudden news came, that the Admiral Bonivet had by force taken Fuentaraby, a Town of the Emperour's in Biscay. The Emperour would not then ratifie the Agreement, unless this Town were redelivered; which the French denying to do, all fell to pieces again, and the War was renewed. After their devoir in this cause, our Ambassadors went directly to Bruges to the Emperour, of whom for a fortnight, which was the time of their stay there, they had Royal entertainment. But he held the Cardinal in so great esteem, that it was apparent he was not ignorant, how powerful the Cardinal was with his Prince. And here perhaps it would not be amiss (in regard of these times) to let the Reader know the pomp and state of this Cardinal, how many Gentlemen attended him apparelled with Velvet, and adorned with Gold-chains, and then how many were cloathed in Scarlet-coats, the skirts whereof were guarded with Velvet the full bredth of a hand. But let him guess Hercules sta∣ture by the length of his foot. Such was the bravery of his attendants, that in Christiern King of Denmark, and other Princes then residing at Bruges, it bred amazement. It was also reported, that he was by Gentlemen of the best rank served on the knee, a kind of state which Germany had yet never known. He spent a huge mass of money in that Ambassage, and that (as it is thought) not against his will. For he by all means sought the Emperour's favour, hoping that Leo, although much younger, either cut off

by treachery, or his own intemperance, might leave the world [ 1521] before him: And then were it no hard matter for him, being under-propped by the Emperour and our King, to be advanced to the Papacy. Wherefore at the first bruit of his death he posted away Pacey the Dean of Pauls into Italy, with Mandates to certain Cardinals whom he thought respected him, that they should do their best in his behalf. But before he could reach Rome, he was certainly informed, that Adrian (sometimes Tutor to the Empe∣rour, and then Viceroy of Spain) was already elected, by the name of Adrian the Sixth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Duke of Buckingham accused of Treason.
• * 1.2

  King Henry writeth against Luther.
• * 1.3

  Luther's de∣parture from the Church of Rome.
• * 1.4

  The Kings of England by the Pope stiled, Defender of the Faith. The death of Leo the Tenth.
• * 1.5

  Cardinal Wol∣sey and others sins Ambassa∣dors to the Em∣perour and French King.