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. 1557. REG. MARIAE 4 & 5, PHILIPPI 3 & 4.

NOw after four or five years we found the effect of our [ 1557] Northern Navigation set on foot by Cabota. About the begin∣ning of this year arrived in England Osep Napea Ambassador from* 1.1 Basiliwitz Emperour of Russia, for the Treaty of a perpetual League between our Kings and his Prince. On the Scottish Coast he had suffered wrack, and beside Merchandize of infinite value, he lost∣those Presents, which were from the Emperour destinated to their

Majesties. But the loss of Richard Chanceller was beyond all these [ 1557] inestimable, who being a most expert Pilot, first discovered the passage into those Northern Regions, and now more solicitous of the Ambassador's safeguard than of his own, this man most worthy of immortal Memory, was swallowed up in the Seas in∣satiate gulf. I think the Entertainment of any Ambassador with us was never more Royal. On the five and twentieth of May, Philip having about seven days before returned out of Flanders, he was admitted into the presence of the Kings, declared the pur∣port of his Embassy, and continued in London, until the third of May; and having then got a convenient season, laden with Gifts he set sail for his Countrey.

On the sixth of March, Charles Lord Stourton for having in his* 1.2 house cruelly murthered one Hargill and his Son, with whom he had long been at variance, was by a wholesom example to poste∣rity Hanged at Sarisbury with four other of his Servants, who were not only conscious, but actors in the cruelty. After he had beaten them down with Clubs, and cut their Throats, he buried their Carcases fifteen foot deep in the ground, hoping by such sure work to stop the voice of Blood crying for revenge; or if peradventure it were discovered, the regard of his zealous per∣sistance in the Religion of Rome would (he hoped) procure the Queens pardon. But Murther is a sin that God hath by many memorable Examples manifested, that it shall not remain unde∣tected: And the Queen although blindly misled in matter of Religion, was so exact a fautrix of Justice, that she was utterly averse from all mention of pardon. So this Nobleman had the punishment due to his offence, only in this preferred before other Murtherers and Parricides, that he was not strangled with an Halter of Hemp, but of Silk.

The seven and twentieth of April, Thomas Stafford landing in* 1.3 the Northern parts of the Realm, having raked together a small company of Exiles and some Foreiners, surprized Scarborough Castle then, as in time of Peace, utterly destitute of provision for resistance: Having thus seized on a place of defence, he makes Proclamation, that Queen Mary having her self no right to the Crown had betraied it to the Spaniard, exhorting the people with him to take Arms for the recovery of their lost Liberty. But by the diligence of Nicholas Wotton Dean of Canterbury then Ambassa∣dor for their Majesties with the French, all his designs were re∣vealed to the Council before his arrival in England. So by the industry of the Earl of Westmerland he was within six days taken, brought to London, and on the eight and twentieth of May Be∣headed, Strechley, Proctor, and Bradford the next day following him, but in a more due punishment (being drawn, hanged and quartered) whom they had followed in their treacherous attempts.

The Emperour Charles having bequeathed the inheritance of

his hate to France with his Crown, Mary could not long distin∣guish [ 1557] her Cause from her Husbands. Wherefore on the seventh of June, the Queen set forth a Proclamation to this effect, that* 1.4 Whereas the King of France had many ways injured her by supporting the Duke of Northumberland and Wyat in their Rebellions against her; and that his Realm had been a receptacle for Dudley and Ashton, who with the privity of his Ambassador had in his house contrived their treacherous designs, and after their escape into France had been relieved by Pensions from the King; as also for having lately aided Stafford with Shipping, Men, Money, and Munition, thereby if it were possible to dispossess her of the Crown: She gave her Subjects to understand, that they should not entertain Traffick with that Nation, whose Prince she accounted her Enemy, and against whom upon farther grievances she determined to denounce War.

Although these things were true, yet had she abstained from denunciation of War, had not the five years Truce between Philip and Henry by the Pope's instigation been lately broken by the French, and so War arising between them, she would not make her self and her Husband two. For the Pope having long since ma∣ligned the Emperour (knowing that he after the resignation of his Estates to his Son Philip had withdrawn himself into Spain) by the Cardinal of Lorain still solicited the French King to arms against the Spaniard, promising to invest him in the Kingdom of Naples. Henry upon these fair hopes undertakes it, and Mary resolves to assist her Husband.

That Mary took arms in the behalf of her Husband, Pope Paul* 1.5 was much displeased. And being he could not be revenged on her (who indeed was the sole cause of our breach with France) he determined to pour out his wrath on Pool, whom he ever hated; but now he thought he had more cause to manifest it, because Pool knowing that this War was set on foot by the Pope, had by Letters and Ambassadors sought to appease him, and that (though with most humble reverence) yet roundly and according to his Conscience. Having abrogated Pool's Legation, he repeals him to Rome, and for supply of his place he creates one Francis Petow (a Franciscan Frier) Cardinal and Legate, and a little after de∣signed him Bishop of Sarisbury. The Queen having intelligence of these proceedings, took especial care, that Pool might have no notice of them, prohibiting not only this new Cardinal to enter the Realm, but all others whom she suspected to bring any Man∣dates to that purpose, and with exact diligence causing his Letters to be intercepted, by her Orators at Rome certified his Holiness what a hazard the Catholick Religion not yet fully established would incur, if he should endeavour the disgrace of so great a man, whose authority had been much availeable for the conver∣sion of the Nation. But while there is this intercourse between the Pope and the Queen concerning this matter, Pool having some

way or other had an inkling of it, abstained from having the [ 1557] silver Cross the Ensign of his Legation born before him, neither would he afterward exercise his authority Legantine, until by the intercession of Ormaneto the Pope's Datary in England, he was restored to his dignity.* 1.6

By this time the War was very hot on both sides, Philip be∣sieging St. Quintin in Picardie with thirty five thousand Foot, and twelve thousand Horse, which number was after increased by a thousand Horse, four thousand Foot, and two thousand Pioners out of England; under the Command of the Earl of Pembroke. For the managing of this War Philip set sail out of England on the* 1.7 seventh of July. On the tenth of August, the French endeavouring to put Succours into the Town are overthrown. The Spaniard chargeth the Constable Montmorency in his retreat, routs the French, and kills two thousand five hundred: A Victory not so great in the execution, as in the death and captivity of many brave men. The Constable was wounded and taken Prisoner with his Son, as also the Dukes of Montpensier and Longueville, Ludovico Gonzaga Brother to the Duke of Mantua, the Marshal of St. Andrew, the Rhinegrave, Roche-du-Maine, the Count Rochfou∣cault, the Baron of Curton, with many other men of mark. The chief of them that were slain were John of Bourbon Duke of Anguien, the Viscount of Turen, N. Tiorcellin Son to Roche-du-Maine, the Lords of Chandenier, Pontdormy and many others, and in a manner all the Foot-Captains. Philip lost only fifty men.

The eighth day after this Victory an assault is given, and the* 1.8 Town carried by force, wherein were taken the Admiral Coligny with his Brother d'Andelot, (who shortly after made an escape) Jarnac, St. Remy, Humes, and many other persons of quality; the Son of the Lord of Fayette, Salevert, Ogier, Vicques, La Barre, Estang and Gourdes were slain. Of the English in this assault few of note were lost, beside Lord Henry Dudley youngest Son to the Duke of Northumberland, and Sir Edward Windsore, who were the first that advanced Ensign on the Walls.

This year is alike memorable for the extreme dearth and con∣temptible cheapness of Corn. A little before Harvest Wheat was sold at four Marks the Quarter; within the current of a month it fell to the low rate of five Shillings. Wherein I rather ad∣mire the ensuing cheapness than the dearth, having my self in the year 1597 paid double the former dear price.

But that which I shall now relate, I should deem far more me∣morable,* 1.9 had I not in later times my self seen the like. On the night which ensued the seventh day of September, almost two hours after Sun-set, the Moon having risen an hour before, a Rainbow was seen in the West. That I may relate the like accident though of differing time, the like apparition was seen by me on the four and twentieth of November 1604, when (the Sun having two

hours before declined to its lowest) travelling towards Colebrook, [ 1557] the form of a white Cloud shaped into a fragment of a Circle, and just opposite to the Moon then newly risen appeared, which did every way resemble a true Rainbow, but that it was not diversified with colours, and instead of the Sun had the Moon its opposite.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Embassage to Muscovia.
• * 1.2

  The Lord Stourton hanged.
• * 1.3

  Thomas Staf∣ford endea∣vouring an Insurrection, is taken and Beheaded.
• * 1.4

  War against France pro∣claimed.
• * 1.5

  Pool's autho∣rity 〈◊〉〈◊〉 abrogated,
• * 1.6

  and restored.
• * 1.7

  The French overthrown at St. Quintin.
• * 1.8

  St. Quintin taken.
• * 1.9

  A nocturual Rainbow.