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HEnry the Seventh, Father to this our Eighth, some few [ 1510] years before his death had caused an inquisition to be made throughout the Kingdom, of the breach of the Penal Statutes,* 1.1 saying, That Laws were to no purpose, unless the fear of Punishment did force men to observe them. But the Inquisition proceeding so
rigorously, that even the least faults were punished according to [ 1510] the Law, which inflicted a pecuniary Mulct; they that were touch'd (saith Polydor Virgil) cryed out, that this proceeded out of Covetousness, rather than Severity. But the wiser sort con∣ceived the King's intent to be, partly to curb the fierce mind of the People, bred up in faction; partly, that by these Fines he might not only weaken the rich, but also increase his own strength, and fortifie himself against civil Attempts (whereof he had lately seen some sparkles flie abroad) if so be any smothered coal should happen to break out into a flame. What-ever the matter was, many there were, who by accusing others sought the King's favour, and enlarged their own Estates, amongst whom two were chief; the one was called Richard Empson, the other Edmund Dudley, both Lawyers, and both for having served the King's turn, lately made Barons of the Exchequer. It is said that Empson was born at Torcester in Northampton-shire, his Father was a Sievier. Dudley, though he were well descended, yet being not befriended by Fortune, long strugled with Adversity. But after they had some Months taken pains in these matters, both of them arise to that greatness, that there were few of the Nobility, that would not crouch to them, and be ambitious of their favour. There∣fore it is not so much to be wondred at, if they grew exceeding wealthy: But this Wealth drew with it an Envy greater than it self, which nevertheless did them little hurt during the life of Henry the Seventh, but afterwards cast them both down as low as Envy could have wisht. The King upon his death-bed com∣manded in his Will and Testament, that restitution should be made to all, who had been wronged by the Exchequer. Where∣upon infinite numbers flocking to the Court, and demanding restitution, there could not a fitter means be thought of to stop their mouthes, than by committing of Empson and Dudley the occasioners thereof, to the People, as Sacrifices to appease their fury. They were therefore arraigned and condemned of high Treason. And these things were done presently upon Henry the Eighth his coming to the Crown. So their goods being seized upon, they for a whole year endured the miseries, that usually accompany a Prison, and yet were the Commons as eager against them as ever. Whence it should first arise I know not, but such a report there was, that the Queen had begged the poor mens Pardons. The Nobility disdaining, that such mean fellows had been heretofore so prevalent with their Prince, and the Commons being easily incited against them by some as eager enemies to them as themselves, cried out, that they were cheated of their just revenge, and wearying the King with continual petitions for their death, he was in a manner forced to satisfie them, Whereupon on the seventeenth day of August, they were both publickly beheaded. Such was the end of Empson and Dudley,
who abounding with Wealth, and flourishing under their Prince's [ 1510] favour, while they set light by all things else, became a Sacrifice to the giddy multitude. And it may serve to teach us to use our power moderately, and to take heed how we give offence to that Beast with many heads (I mean the People) which being angred, and having once got the reins, rageth like a tumultuous Sea. Dudley, left behind him a Son named John, who, as if he had been heir to his Father's fortune, being created Duke of Northumberland, concluded his powerful life with the like unhappy end; leaving much Issue behind him, even to our time, but yet whereof the heirs male have long since failed.
Empson and Dudley.