ANNO DOM. 1512. REG. 4.

AS yet Henry had no War with any forein Prince, neither [ 1512] did the wiser sort wish that he should have any. But he, a young King, in the heat of one and twenty years, was trans∣ported with a vehement desire of War, which (saith the Proverb) is sweet to them that never tasted of it. Although he had about a year or two before made a League with Lewis the Twelfth of France, yet he was easily intreated by Pope Julius to renounce* this Confederacy. This Pope, more like to that Caesar, whose Name he bare, than Peter, from whom he would fain derive his Succession, that like another Nero, sitting still he might from on high be a Spectator, while the whole World was on fire, had written Letters to our King, wherein he intreated his as∣sistance towards the suppression of the French; Who, without fear of God or man (these were the pretended Causes) had not only sacri∣legiously laid hold on the Revenues of the Church, had caused Cardinal William to usurp the Papacy, had upheld Alphonso of Ferara, and the Bentivogli in Rebellion against him; but had also farther decreed, to make Italy the Theatre of his Tyranny. Wherefore he conjured him by the Love of our Saviour, by the Piety of his Ancestors, whose aids were never wanting when the Church stood in need, and by the fast tye of Filial Obedience, that he would enter into the Holy League of the Estates of Italy, who had made choice of him for their General. Jealousie, and Reverence to the See of Rome so prevailed with him, that he easily condescended to the Pope's request. Yet that he might some way colour his action, he would needs inter∣pose himself as Umpire between the Pope and the French, whom by his Ambassadors he intreats to lay aside Arms; withal not obscurely threatning, that if he did not so, he intended to under∣take the defence of the Pope against him, the common disturber of the peace of Christendom. The French set light by this. Where∣fore War is proclaimed by a Herald, the French King commanded to part with the Kingdom of France, and the Duchies of Normandy and Aquitain, which he without right unjustly usurped. Then entring into League with Maximilian the Emperor, the Arragonois, and the Pope, they consult of assaulting the French with joynt Page  7 forces. The Arragonois invites us into Spain, that thence we might [ 1512] invade France, promising besides certain Troops of Horse, store of Artillery, Wagons for carriage, Munition, and many other things necessary for such an Expedition. Our King relying on his Father-in-Law his promises, levies a great Army, whereof he ships one part for Spain, and employs the other by Sea. Ed∣ward Howard, Lord Admiral, had charge of the Sea forces, who fought with the French Fleet in the Bay of Bretaigne. In which Fight there was no memorable thing done, besides the combat of the two great Ships, (the one having seven hundred English in it, under the command of Sir Thomas Knevet; the other nine hundred French, under Primauget, a Briton.) These Ships be∣ing both fast grapled, after a long fight fell both on fire, and were utterly consumed; not a man being saved, of whom it might be learned, whether this fire happened by chance, or were* purposely kindled by a forced despair. Our other Army, under the command of the Lord Thomas Gray, Marquis of Dorset, amongst ten thousand tall English Souldiers, had five hundred Germans, under one Guint, a Fleming. This Army landed in Biscay, where they spent some Months in expectation of due performances from the Arragonois, who feeding them with promises only, tempered the heat of our Men, who were very eager upon the march for France. It happened that Gaston of Foix, Competitor for the Kingdom with John King of Navarr, dyed about the same time. The Navarrois had promised Ferdinand some aids toward this War. But now fearing no Competitor, he (whether out of inconstancy, or that he thought his affairs so required) secretly by his Agents makes a League with the French. Upon this Ferdinand turns his Arms* upon the Navarrois, and strains all his strings to draw our men to the same attempt; but the Marquis of Dorset pleaded his Com∣mission, beyond which he could not with safety proceed. The Navarrois was utterly unprovided, and the Nobility so divided into the factions of the Egremonts and the Beaumonts, that he could do nothing. It was bruited that two mighty Kings came against him with no less forces, what should he do? To hope from France were vain; the French were too far off, and deeply engaged in other Wars. At the approach of the Spaniard he quits his Kingdom, and with his Wife and Children flying over the Pyrenaean Moun∣tains, makes Bern his receptacle. Ferdinand having thus gotten a new Kingdom, casts off all farther thought of France, only intending the confirmation of his Conquest; to which end he in∣treats of Henry the help of our Forces raised for France, and prevails; but to no purpose. For the English having their Bodies inflamed with the intolerable heat of a strange Climate, and the drinking of strong Wines, dropt down every where; insomuch that we lost about a thousand (some say eighteen hundred) men in an instant. Wherefore impatient of farther delay, they force their Page  8 Commanders to set sail homeward. The King was mightily enraged [ 1512] at their return, insomuch that he once thought to have punished them for their obstinacy: But the multitude of Delinquents proyed a pardon to all. They did forth in May, and returned a little before Christmass.