The life of Merlin, sirnamed Ambrosius his prophesies and predictions interpreted, and their truth made good by our English Annalls : being a chronographicall history of all the kings, and memorable passages of this kingdome, from Brute to the reigne of our royall soveraigne King Charles ...

A true Historie of the strange Birth of Ambrosius Merlin, and his wonderfull Prophesies.

CHAP. 1.

Of the Birth of Merlin, sirnamed Ambrosius, whether he were a Christian or no? and by what spirit hee prophe∣sied, &c.

TO Prophets there be severall attributes given, some are called prophetae, some vates, others videntes: that is, Prophets, Predicters, and * 1.1 Seers: and these have been from all antiquity. The name of prophets was, and ought to bee peculiar, to those only that dealt onely in divine Myste∣ries, and spake to the people the words which

the Almighty did dictate unto them concerning those things which should futurely happen, and such also are called in the holy Text Seers. But vates was a title promiscuously conferd on prophets and poets, as belonging to them both: of the first were Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Ieremiah, Daniel, and the rest, whose divine Oracles are extant in the old Testament: others there were in the time of the Gospell, as Iohn Baptist, of whom our Saviour himselfe witnes∣seth, that he was not onely a prophet, but more than a prophet: and we reade in the Acts of the Apostles, Cap. 11. 27. And in those days also came Prophets from Hierusalem to Antiochia. And there stood up one of them called Agabus, and sig∣nified * 1.2 by the spirit, that there should be great fa∣mine in all the world, which came to passe under Claudius Caesar: of the Vaticall or propheticall poets amongst the Greeks were Orpheus, Linus, Homer, Hesiod, &c. and amongst the Latins, Publius Virgilius Maro, with others.

But before I come to enquire, in which of these lists, This our Countryman Merlin, whose sirname was Ambrosius, ought to be filed; It is needfull that I speak something of his birth, and * 1.3 parents; His mother being certain, but his father doubtfull, (for so our most ancient Chrono∣logers have left them) that is, whether hee were according to nature begot by a man and a wo∣man, or according to his mothers confession, that hee was conceived by the compression of a fantasticall spirituall creature, without a bodie,

which may bee easily believed to bee a meere fi∣ction, * 1.4 or excuse to mitigate her fault, (being a Royall Virgin the daughter of King Deme∣tius) or to conceale the person of her sweet∣heart by disclosing of whose name shee had un∣doubtedly exposed him to imminent danger, and this is most probable. And yet we reade that the other fantasticall congression is not impos∣sible. For Speusippus the sonne of Platoes sister, and Elearchus the Sophist, and Amaxilides in the second book of his philosophie, affirme in the honour of Plato, that his mother Perictione ha∣ving congression with the imaginary shadow * 1.5 of Apollo, conceived, and brought into the World him who proved to bee the Prince of Philosophers.

Apuleius also in his book intitled, De Socratis Daemonio, of Socrates his Daemon, or genius, writes at large, that betwixt the Moone and the Earth Spirits inhabit, called Incubi, of which * 1.6 opinion Plato was also, who saith, That their harbour was between the Moone and the Earth, in the moyst part of the ayre. A kinde of Dae∣mons which hee thus defines: a living creature, moyst, rationall, immortall and passible, whose property is to envy men: because to that place from whence they were precipitated by their pride, man by his humilitie is preferd; and of these, some are so libidinous and luxurious, that sometimes taking humane shape upon them, they will commixe themselves with wo∣men, and generate children, from whence they

have the name of Incubi, whom the Romans called Fauni, and Sicarii: and of such Saint Au∣gustine * 1.7 in his booke De civitate Dei, makes mention.

It further may bee questioned, whether hee were a Christian or a Gentile? as also by what * 1.8 spirit he prophesied, a Pythonick; or Divine? that is, by the Devill who spake delusively in the Oracle of Apollo; or by holy and celestiall revelation? For the first, it is not to be doubted but hee was a Christian as being of the British Nation: This Kingdome having for the space of two hundred and odde yeeres before his birth, received the Gospell under King Lucius, the first King of this Land, by the Substitutes of Pope Eleutherius, by whose preaching, the King and a great part of his people, quite re∣nounced all Pagan Idolatry, and were baptized into the Christian Faith: but by what spirit he so truly predicted, is only knowne to the God * 1.9 of all spirits, who in every Nation and Lan∣guage, pickt out some choice persons, by whose mouthes hee would have uttered things which should futurely happen to posterity, according to his divine will and pleasure, and amongst these was this our Merlin: to prove the for∣mer.

Holy Iob was but a Gentile, a man of the land of Chus, yet none of the holy Prophets of the * 1.10 Lord did more plainly, more faithfully, and more pathetically acknowledge Christ, and the Resurrection than himselfe, when hee saith in a

most raptured Emphasis, Iob 19. v. 23. O that my words were written even in a book, and graven with an iron pen in lead or in stone for ever. For I am sure my Redeemer liveth, and hee shall stand the last on the earth, and though after my skinne, wormes destroy this body, yet I shall see God in my flesh, whom I my selfe shall see, and mine eyes shall behold, and none other for mee, though my reines be consumed within me.

Neither was this any wonder in blessed Iob, * 1.11 whose like for holinesse and uprightnesse of life was not to bee found upon the face of the whole earth, when even all the Sibils (who were Prophetesses and Virgins, and Gentiles of severall Nations (for so Varro affirmes) predi∣cted not onely of the Incarnation, passion, and death of our blessed Saviour, but of his second comming to judgement, of the consummation and dissolution of the World, the Resurrection of all flesh, the glory of the Saints, and the con∣demnation of the Reprobates, especially Sibylla Cumana, whom the renowmed Doctors of the Church, and more especially Saint Augustine, * 1.12 quoted in her prophesies, and not thought them altogether unworthy to be remembred in their works, of which also Virgil makes men••i∣on in his fourth Eglogue: in which Saint Au∣gustine * 1.13 himselfe witnesseth that hee (though an Heathen) predicted the Incarnation of our bles∣sed Saviour, for he insinuates that he is to speak of a great mystery in his first words, which are these:

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Sicelides Musae, paulo major a canamus.

As speaking to the Muses, or invocating their assistance, that he is now to sing of more stupen∣dious and high things: and a little after it fol∣loweth,

Vltima jam venit Cumaei carminis aetas:

That is: now is fulsilled the prophesie of Si∣bylla Cumana (so called from Cuma, once a fa∣mous Citie in Greece, where she was borne) hee * 1.14 further proceedeth,

Magnus ab integro seclorum volvitur ordo, Iam redit & virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna. Iam nova progenies coelo demittitur alto.

Intimating in those words, that by revolution, the great order and course of the World should feele a change which was not from the begin∣ning, and that now the Celestiall Maid (which figured Iustice) or the mother of the most righ∣teous * 1.15 should returne, and that wee should see againe those innocent and blessed dayes which were in the reigne of Saturne (which was called the golden World) and that a new birth should be sent down to the earth from the highest hea∣ven, meaning our blessed Saviour, God, and man, born of the immaculate Virgin Mary: nay, further in the two subsequent Verses, hee im∣plyes,

that he came to take away the sins of the world, which are these:

Quo duce, si qua manent sceleris vestigia nostri, Irrita perpetua solvent formidine terras.

So much for Virgil: there are divers other prophets of the Gentiles both men and women, as Cassandra, Chrysis, Phiomaene, &c. and what shall we think of Balaam? whose Oracles Mo∣ses * 1.16 inserted in the sacred Text, and whose pro∣phesies the great Clerkes and Doctours of the Church have expounded in large voluminous Works: yet for his person, some have held him for no better than a Southsayer, or a Wisard, and hired for a reward to curse the children of Israel Gods selected people, and they by his counsell after inticed to fornication and idolatry, of whom the blessed Apostle Saint Peter in the se∣cond Chapter of his second Epistle and four∣teenth Verse gives him this character (speaking of such whose hearts were exercised in cove∣tousnesse, and children of the curse) who for∣saking the right way have gone astray, following the way of Balaam the sonne of Bosor, who lo∣ved the wages of unrighteousnesse, but hee was rebuked for his iniquitie, for the dumbe beast speaking with mans voice, forbade the foolish∣nesse of the prophet. These former examples may beget an hesitation or doubt, by which of the two spirits the good or bad, our Country∣man Merlin uttered his predictions.

But whosoever shall make question of the true events of his prophesies, I shall referre him * 1.17 to the reading of that most excellent Oratour •…•…olyhistor, and Theologist of his time, Alanus de Insulis a German Doctour, for his admirable and multifarious Learning sirnamed Vniversa∣lis: and Rector of the Parisian Academy in his Explanation or Comment upon Merlins Pro∣phesies, the originall being extracted out of Ief∣fery of Monmouth, part of his words are these: In all his prophesies I find nothing dissonant, in∣congruous, or absurd: nor any thing forreigne, or averse from truth: And those who shall live in ages to come, shall finde those his predi∣ctions as constantly to happen in their dayes (ac∣cording to the limit of time) as wee have hi∣therto found them certaine and infallible even to the age in which we now live. And for these signes and tokens which before the consumma∣tion of the World shall appeare, he divineth and foretelleth of them in the Sun and Mo•…•…ns, and the other five Planets; Iuno, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Satnrne, and other stars, how they shall confound and alter their courses which they had * 1.18 in the Creation, according to that in the holy Evangelist Saint Luke, cap. 21. v. 25. Then there shall be signes in the Sun, and the Moon, and in the stars: and upon the earth trouble amongst the Nations with perplexity, the Sea and the waters shall roare, and mens hearts shall faile them for feare, and for looking after those things which shall come in the World, for the

powers of Heaven shall be shaken, &c. But of the new heaven, and the new earth, and the re∣surrection of the dead to new life, how truly he spake according to the Propheticall, Evangeli∣call, and Apostolicall Traditions; it is mani∣fest, that hee no way deviated or erred from the orthodoxall Christian Faith, and so much Doctor Alanus concerning the truth of his prophesies, with whom I conclude this first Chapter.

CHAP. 2.

In whose Reigne Merlin was borne. How the state of Brittaine stood in those days, with divers necessary occurrences pertinent to the story.

THe better to illustrate this our Hi∣story of Merlin, (the subject now in agitation) it is necessary that I shew you in what Kings Reigne he was borne, in what state the Kingdome stood at that time, and how our prophet came to bee first knowne in Court. He was born in the reigne of King Vortiger, who by usurpation aspired to the Crown: who being a potent Duke of the * 1.19 Brittaine: after the death of Constantius, took his sonne Constantins out of a Monastery (being a simple man and uncapable of so great a charge,

and made him King) so that Duke Vortiger be∣ing a popular man, had the whole government of the Land, and Constantine only the name of King, who taking advantage of his Sovereigns easie nature and milde disposition, cast in his thoughts how by the death of his Lord and Master, to compasse the Crown to himselfe, and * 1.20 to accomplish his ambitious designe he placed, as a guard about him, an hundred Picts and Scots, whom hee so bribed with continuall gifts and rewards, that they feared not openly to say that Vortiger better deserved the Imperiall dig∣nity then Constantine: in which interim he got into his possession, all the treasure, howsoever divers thereat grudged: and the strangers in hope to purchase his greater favour, took their opportunity to lay violent hands upon the King, and presented his head to Vortiger, being * 1.21 then at London.

Who in his Crocodile comming, and to blinde the eyes of the Britaines, to make them think he had no hand in his death, wept excee∣dingly, and made great shew of sorrow, and to expresse his great justice, caused all those honou∣red Knights to bee beheaded according to the * 1.22 Lawes of the Kingdome, by which he was held both by the peeres and people innocent of the Treason: but those that had the Guardianship of the Kings two younger brothers Aurelius and Vter, the one sirnamed Ambrosius, the other * 1.23 Pendragon, fearing the power and potencie of Vortiger fled with them into little Britaine,

where they continued, yet it pleased God other∣wise to dispose of them.

Then was Vortiger by a generall and unani∣mous consent crowned King in the yeere of the * 1.24 Incarnation of our blessed Saviour foure hnn∣dred fortie eight: but it was not long ere the Picts and Scots, having knowledge of the death of their countrymen, invaded the Land with great hostilitie: in so much that hee was no way able to withstand their malice and fury, in this great distresse, retyring himselfe to Canterbury, newes was brought him of theer great ships full of Ammunition and armed men, landed in the Isle of Tenet: at first hee feared that they were the late Kings brothers, Ambrose and Vter, who came to lay claime to the Kingdome, but finding them to be strangers: hee sent to know of what Nation they were: and the purpose of their landing? Who returned him answer that they were Saxons, so called of a Province in * 1.25 Germany, who came to seek adventures abroad, and since fortune had brought them into this Land, they besought him to receive them into service, as being both ready and able to be his faithfull souldiers, and to fight for him in the defence of his Country against all forreigne invaders? and their Captaines were two bro∣thers, Hengist and Horsus.

The King in regard of his present necessitie, which much moved him to correspondencie, was exceeding glad of their liberall proffer, and accepted of them, yet sorry that they were

Miscreants, and of the Pagan beliefe, for as Re∣verend Bede hath left recorded, with Gulielmus de Regibus, They at that time worshipped an Idoll or false god, called Woden, and a Goddesse named Fria, in the honour of which god, they called one day of the week Wodens-day, which * 1.26 we terme Wednesday, and another in the honour of the Goddesse Fria, Frisday, by us still conti∣nuing the name Friday. But it followeth in the story; Vortimer by the ayde of these Saxons, ha∣ving freed his Land from all forreigne enemies, Hengist in reward of his former service, de∣manded of the King so much ground as the hide of a Bull would compasse, which request appea∣red to the King so reasonable, that hee easily granted it, which skin hee caused to be cut into small and slender thongs, with which hee mea∣sured a large circuit of earth, upon which hee builded a great and strong Fort, which he called * 1.27 Thonge Castle, which standeth in the County of Lyndsee.

When news arrived in Germany of the plenty and goodnesse of this Land, with all the com∣modities thereto belonging, they came hither in multitudes covenanting with the Britains, that they should only intend their Tillage and Husbandry, and themselves would as their soul∣diers, defend the Land from all incursi•…•…ns and invasions, demanding for that service only com∣petent means and wages, in which interim Hen∣gist * 1.28 sent for sixteen saile more well furnisht with men, and all necessary provision. In which fleet

came also his daughter Rowen, a beautiful Lady, concerning whom, to cutoff all circumstances, Hengist invited the King to his new Castle, where his faire daughter gave him entertain∣ment, with whose beauty hee became so surpri∣sed, and perditely enamoured, that for her sake he repudiated his lawfull wife, by whom he had three noble sonnes, Vortimerus, Catagrinus, and Pascentius, to marry with this young Saxon La∣dy, and that hee might enjoy her, gave to her * 1.29 Father the Dukedome or Province of Kent, though Garagonus, then Lord thereof, with divers other of the British Peeres, thereat much grudged.

For which, and many other honours and re∣venues conferred upon the Saxons, as also that hee left his owne Christian Consort, to marry with an Infidel, and that Hengist had sent for his sonne Octa to come over with a fresh supply of his Countrymen: The Lords of Britaine con∣sidering * 1.30 what dangers were like to fall upon the Land, assembled themselves, and comming to the King, laid open to him the inconvenience and perill which was likely to fall both upon himselfe and the Kingdome, by the multitude and strength of these strangers, humbly be∣seeching him for their generall securitie, to ba∣nish them all or the greatest part of them the Land. But the King was deaf of that eare, for the Saxons were in such favour with him, by reason of his beautifull young Queene, that hee pre∣ferred them before the love of his owne wife,

sonnes, subjects, kinsmen, and friends, where∣f••re the Britains with one will and assent, crow∣ned his eldest sonne Vortimer King, depriving him of all Regall dignity, when hee had ful∣ly * 1.31 reigned (after the consent of the best Histo∣ries) sixteen yeeres.

A word or two by the way, of our new King Vortimer, who assisted by the resolute Britaines, * 1.32 in all haste pursued the Saxons, and gave them a great battaile upon the River of Darwent, in which the Saxons Hoast was quite discomfited: He fought with them a second upon the Foord called Epiford, or Aglisthorpe, in which fight Catrignus the brother of Vortimer, and Horsus the brother to Hengist, meeting in the battaile fought together a brave combat, and slue each other, in which the Britaines also were Victors: He gave them a third, neere unto the Sea-side, in which the Saxons were chaced, and forced to take the Isle of Wight for their refuge: and likewise a fourth mayne battaile upon Cole∣more, which was long and couragiously main∣tained by the Saxons, by reason that they now closed a great part of their Hoast so defensive∣ly, that the Britaines could but with much diffi∣culty approach them, for the danger of their * 1.33 shot, yet in the end they were rowted, and many of them drowned and swallowed in the Moore. And besides these foure principall and mayne battailes, hee had divers other conflicts with them, one in Kent, another at Thetford in Nor∣folke, a third in Essex, neer unto Colchester, from

all which fields hee departed a glorious Victor, neither did he leave their pursuite, till he had de∣prived them of all their possessions in the Land, saving the Isle of Tenet, which he continual∣ly assaulted with his Navy by Sea: which when his step mother Rowen saw, and how much her Father Hengist with his Saxons, by his Martiall * 1.34 prowesse were distressed, shee used such meanes that he was poysoned, after hee had victoriously governed the Kingdome for the space of seven yeeres.

All which time Vortiger, the Father of the late dead Vortimer, lived privately in Chester, where hee so well demeaned him towards the King his sonne, by aiding him with his counsell and otherwise, that by the Britains generall as∣sent, he was againe restored to the Kingdome: Hengist againe pierced the Land with a mighty * 1.35 Hoast of his Countrymen, which Vortiger hea∣ring made towards him with his Army of Bri∣tains. But Hengist, who had before tasted of their hardnesse and courage, made means of a treaty for peace, whence lastly, it was concluded, that a certain number of Britaines, and as many Saxons should meet upon a Mayday weaponlesse, upon the Plaine of Salisbury, on which prefixed day, Hengist bethought him of a strange and persidious Treason, charging all his Saxons, that every one should put a long Knife in his hose, and when hee gave this watch-word Nempnith, your Sepis, they should suddenly fall upon the * 1.36 unarmed Britaines, and kill them to one man:

Briefly, they met at the time and place appoin∣ted, where Hengist and his Saxons received him and his power, with a countenance of peace and love, but they had not long spoken together when Hengist giving the watchword, the Britans were basely and barbarously butchered, unlesse any by his manhood and strength wrest the Knife from his enemy, and defend himselfe:, amongst the British Lords was one Edolf Earle of Chester, who (as Gunfride affirmes) seeing his friends and fellows thus murdered, he found the stake of an hedge by chance their scattered, with which he not only saved his owne life, but * 1.37 slue seventeene of the opposite side, and got safely into the City of Salisbury, after which treason executed, the King remained with Hen∣gist as prisoner.

Hengist by his Treason having thus gotten the upper hand, and reteining the King in his * 1.38 power and custodie, hee compelled him to give him three Provinces in the East part of Britain, Kent, Suffex, Norfolke, and Suffolke, to which some adde Essex, &c. of which being safely possessed, hee suffered the King to goe at large, sending for some other of his Kinsmen to take possession of other Provinces in the Kingdome, crowning himselfe King of Kent, and from his * 1.39 owne name, caused this Realme to bee called Hengists Land, or (as wee now pronounce it) England: and the Saxons now spreading and quartering themselves in the best and most fer∣tile soyles of the Land, as having the Sove∣reignty

over London, Yorke, Lincolne, Winche∣ster, with most of the principall Cities in the Realme. The Saxons still increasing in multi∣tude and power, and the Britains daily decrea∣sing, both in number and strength. Vortiger was forced to flie or retire himself into Wales, where * 1.40 (after some writers) thinking to fortifie himself, he began to lay the foundation of a Castle called Generon, or Gwayneren, in the West side of the River Grana, upon an Hill called Cloaricus: But what successe he had in the building thereof, and how Merlin came first to be knowne to the King with part of his Prophesies, I will referre to the subsequent Chapter, giving withall the intelligent peruser of this story, to better his knowledge, this Item; that without the lay∣ing open of the true passage ofthose tim•…•…, which I have (as briefly as possibly I could in the pre∣mises) these our prophets predictions which now seeme plaine and easie, would have beene much more intricate, and hard to bee under∣stood.

CHAP. 3.

By what miraculous accident young Merlin came to be knowne to King Vortiger: of the com∣bat betwixt the red and the white Dragon, and his prophesie thereof, &c.

WHen Vortigers Architectors had cau∣sed the Hill to be digged, and the foundation to bee laid on which to erect this new structure, after the weake men had digged the circuit of the place, where the great stones were to be set in order: they were no sooner laid in the hollow of the earth, but they instantly sunke down, and were swallowed up and no more seen: at which the Workmen wondred, and the King himselfe was much astonished, and the more proofs they made, the greater cause of admiration they had, especially the scituation being upon an Hill, and no moorish or uncertaine ground: therefore the King commanded a cessation from the worke for the present, and sent to the Bards and Wisards (of which that age afforded plen∣ty) * 1.41 to know a reason of that prodigie? or at least what it might portend? who being gathe∣red

together, and having long consulted a∣mongst themselves, and not finding by any na∣turall or supernaturall reason, what the cause thereof might be, they concluded in the end, to save their credits, and to excuse their ignorance, to put the King off with an impossiblitie: and when hee came to demand of them what they had done in the matter? they returned him this answer, that those stones could never be laid together, or the place built upon, till they were cemented with the bloud of a man-childe, who was borne of a mother, but had no man to * 1.42 his father.

With this answere the King satisfied, the soothsayers departed from him (not meanly glad that they had put him off, according to our English word, with a flam or delirement) without any disparagement to their art and cunning, who no sooner left his presence, but the King cald his servants about him, comman∣ding them to ride and search into, and through all Provinces and Countries till they could find such an one as the Wisards had spoken of, and by faire or foule meanes to bring the party unto him, but not acquainting him with the Cause, but that the King seeing such an one would send him back richly and bountifully rewarded: ha∣ving received this commission (or rather Impo∣sition, from the King their master, wee leave them to their severall adventures, every of them being sufficiently accommodated for so uncertaine a journey.

One of them amongst the rest hapned to come to a Towne or Citty called Kaier Merlin * 1.43 which implyes Merlins Towne or Merlins borrough, which is no doubt the same which wee call at this day Marlborrow, but my author termes it a City at whose gates the messenger of the king arriving, it hapned that a great many young Lads were sporting themselves without the walls, and of the company, two of them in gaming fall out, the one yong Merlin, the other called Dinabutius, who amongst other brea∣thing words cast into Merlins teeth, that hee was but some Moon-calfe, as born of a mothsr, who knew not his father: The servant taking notice of this Language, presently demanded what he was? and who were his parents? who returned him answer, that for any father hee * 1.44 had, they knew none, but his mother was daughter to the King Demetius, and lived a Vo∣taresse in that Citie, in a Nunnery belonging to the Church of Saint Peter: which having heard her, presently went to the chiefe Magistrates, and shewed them his Commission from the King, which they obeying, sent both the mo∣ther and sonne under his conduct, to attend the pleasure of his Majesty,

Of whose comming the King was exceeding joyfull, and when they appeared before him * 1.45 (both ignorant of the occasion why they were sent for) the King first asked him, if that were his naturall sonne? Who reply'd that hee was, and borne of her own body, hee then desired to

know by what father hee was begot? to which she likewise answered, that shee never had the societie of any one mortall or humane, only a spirit assuming the shape of a beautifull young man, had many times appeared unto her, see∣ming to court her with no common affection, but when any of her fellow Virgins came in, he would suddenly disappear and vanish, by whose many and urgent importunities, being at last overcome, I yielded, saith shee, to his pleasure, and was comprest by him, and when my full time of Teeming came, I was delivered of this son (now in your presence) whom I caused to be called Merlin: which words were uttered with such modestie and constancie, considering with∣all the royaltie of her birth, and the strictnesse of the order (in which she now lived) that the King might the more easily be induced to be∣lieve that whatsoever she spake was truth.

When casting his eye upon Merlin hee began to apprenend strange promising things in his aspect, as having a quick and piercing eye, an ingenious and gracious countenance, and in h•…•… youthfull face a kinde of austeritie and super∣cilious gravity, which took in him such a deep impression, hat he thought his bloud too noble * 1.46 to bee mingled with the dust and rubbish of the earth, & therefore instead of sentencing him to death, and commanding him to be slaine, hee opened unto him, the purpose hee had to build this Castle, and the strange and prodigious im∣pediments, which hindred the work, then his as∣sembly

of the Bards and Wisards, and what an∣swer they returned him of his demand, but bad him withall be of comfort, for hee prized his life being a Christian above ten such Citadels, though erected and perfected with all the cost and magnificence that humane art or fancie could devise.

To which words Merlin (who had all this * 1.47 while stood silent and spake not a word) thus reply'd Royall Sir, Blinde were your Bards, witlesse your Wisards, and silly and simple your Southsayers; who shewed themselves averse to Art, and altogether unacquainted with the se∣crets of Nature, as altogether ignorant, that in the brest of this Hill, lyes a vast Moat, or deep Poole which hath ingurgitated and swallowed all these materials throwne into the Trenches. Therefore command them to be digged deeper, and you shall discover the water in which your squared stones have beene washed, and in the bottome of the Lake you shall finde two hol∣low Rocks of stone, and in them two horrible Dragons fast sleeping: which having uttered, hee with a low obeysance made to the King left speaking.

Who instantly commanded pioners with * 1.48 pickaxes, mattocks, and shovels to be sent for, who were presently employed to dig the earth deepe, where the pond was found, and all the water drained, so that the bottome thereof was left dry, then were discovered the two hollow Rocks, which being opened, out of them issued

two fierce and cruell Dragons, the one red, the other white, and made betwixt them, a violent and terrible conflict. But in the end the white Dragon prevailed over the red, at which sight the King being greatly stupified and amazed, demanded of Merlin, what this their combat might portend? Who fetching a great sigh, and teares in abundance issuing from his eyes, with a propheticall spirit, made him this following * 1.49 answer.

Woe's me for the red Dragon, for alach, The time is come, hee hasteth to his mach: The bloudy Serpent, (yet whose souls are white) Implys that Nation, on which thy delight Was late sole-fixt, (the Saxons) who as friends Came to thee first, but ayming at shrewd ends They shall have power over the drooping red, In which the British Nation's figured: Drive shall he them into caves, holes, and dens, To barren mountains, and to moorish fens, Hills shall remove, to where the valleyes stood, And all the baths and brooks shall flow with blood. The worship of the holy God shall cease. For in thilk dayes the Kirke shall have no peace: The Panims (woe the while) shall get the day, And with their Idols mawmetry beare sway, And yet in fine shee that was so opprest, Shal mount, & in the high rocks build her nest. For out of Cornwall shall proceed a Bore, Who shall the Kerk to pristine state restore,

Bow shall all Britaine to his kingly beck, And tread he shall on the white Dragons neck.

Then casting a sad looke upon the King, as reading his fate in his forehead, hee muttered to himselfe and said,

But well-away for thee, to Britaine deere, For I fore-see thy sad disaster's neere.

Which accordingly hapned, and that within few yeeres after, for Vortiger having builded this Castle, and fortified it making it defensible against any forreigne opposition, the two sons * 1.50 of Constantine whom Vortiger had before cau∣sed to be slaine, assisted by their neere Kinsman Pudentius, King of Armorica, or little Britain, (where they had beene liberally fostered and cherished) passed the Sea with a compleat Ar∣my, and landed at Totnesse, whereof when the Britains who were dispersed in many Provinces understood, they crept out of their holes and corners, and drew unto their Host, which was no small incouragement to the two brothers, Ambrosius Aurelius and Vter-Pendragon, who now finding their forces to bee sufficiently able both in strength and number, made their speedy expedition towards Wales, with purpose to di∣stresse Vortiger the Usurper.

Who having notice of their comming, and not able in regard of the paucity of his follow∣ers to give them battaile, he made what provisi∣on

he could for the strengthening of his Castle, to endure a long siege, and to oppose the rage of any violent battery, till hee might send for supply elsewhere. But such was the fury of the assaylants, that after many fierce and dangerous attempts finding the Walles and Gates to bee impregnable; casting into the Castle balls of wilde fire, with other incendiaries, they burnt him and his people alive, amongst whom not one escaped. Of him it is reported, that hee should have carnal society with his own daugh∣ter, * 1.51 in hope that Kings should issue from them: Thus died hee most miserably when hee had reigned since his last Inauguration nine yeeres and some odde moneths: The explana∣tion of the rest of his prophesie, I will leave to the Chap∣ter following.

CHAP. 4.

Merlins former prophesie explained with sundry prestigious Acts done by him to delight the King: his prophesie of the Kings death. And bringing Stone∣henge from Ireland.

YOu have heard what the red and white Dragons figured, namely, the British and Saxon people, wee will now pun∣ctually examine the truth of his prediction in the rest. The caverns, corners, mountains, and moorish places, expresse into what sundry di∣stresses the Natives were driven unto by the mercilesse crueltie of the strangers, by the Hils and Valleys, shifting places, that there was no difference amongst the poore Britains, betwixt the Courtier and Cottager, the peere and the pesant, by the Rivers flowing with bloud. The many Battails fought betwixt the two Nations, and that in those dayes Religion and the true Worship of God was supprest, hapned under Hengist and Horsus, and their posterity: Octa the s•…•…nne of Hengist, who succeded his Father in the Kingdome of Kent, Tosa, Pascentius, and

Colgrinus, all Pagans and Princes of the Saxons: for when the Britains, from the time of Eleu∣therius, whom the Romists write was the four∣teenth Pope after the blessed Saint Peter had re∣ceived the Christian Faith, under King Lucius, of glorious memory, and had continued it for many yeeres unto that time.

The Saxons after their comming into the * 1.52 Land, being then Miscreants, laboured by all means to suppresse the same, and in the stead thereof, to plant their Pagan Idolatry, which they accomplished even to the comming of St. Augustine, sent hither by Pope Gregory, in * 1.53 whose time it began againe to flourish and get the upperhand, in the Reigne of Aurelius Ambrose, and his brother Vter-Pendragon, (which is by interpretation the Head of the Dragon) who succeeded him: By the Bore which should come out of Cornwall, and tread upon the necke of the white Dragon, is meant the invincible King Arthur, who vanquished the * 1.54 Saxons, and subdued them in many Battails, and was a great maintainer, and exalter of the true Christian Religion, of whose begetting and birth, in this our History of Merlin, wee shall have occasion to speak hereafter.

As Merlin was plentifully indued with the * 1.55 spirit of divination, so by some authours it is affirmed of him that hee was skilfull in darke and hidden arts, as Magick, Necromancy, and the like, and relate of him, that when King Vortiger lived solitary in his late erected Castle

forsaken of the greatest part of his followers and frinds, and quite sequestred from all Kingly honours, hee grew into a deepe and dumpish melancholy, delighting onely (if any delight can be taken therein) in solitude and want of company: to expell which sad fits from him, which might bee dangerous to impaire his health, he would devise for his recreation and disport many pleasant fancies to beget mirth and somtimes laughter, by solacing his eare with severall straines of Musique, both courtly and rurall; the sound heard, but the per∣sons not seen; as with the Harpe, Bag-pipes, Cimball, and Tabret: and sometimes again * 1.56 with the Lute, Orphorian, Viall, Sackbut, Cor∣net, and Organs: then to recreate his eye, hee would present him with stately Masques and Anti-Masques, and againe, for variety sake with Rustick dances presented by Swains and Shepherdesses: and where these grew any thing stale or tedious to his eye or eare, he would take him up into the top of one of his turrets where∣on hee should see Eagles and Hawkes fly after sundry Games, and what fowle the King liked, they would strike it into his lap, to adde unto his slender provision for dinner and supper, which gave the King no small contentment.

Sometimes hee would have an Hare, or Hart hunted and chased by a pack of Dogges in the * 1.57 ayre, the Game flying, the Hounds with open and audible mouthes, pursuing, with Huntsmen winding their Hornes, and following the Chace

with all the indents and turnings, losses and re∣coveries, the Champaigne Plaines, the Woods, and Coverts appearing as visible and naturall as if the sport had beene upon the firme and solid earth.

Upon a time being in the Kings Summer Parlour, who was desirous to bee partaker of * 1.58 some novelty which hee had never seene, there instantly appeared upon the Table a paire of Butts and Whites in the middle to shoote at, where suddenly came in sixe dapper and pert fel∣lows like Archers, in stature not above a foote high, and all other members accordingly pro∣portioned, their bowes were of the side bones of an overgrowne pike, their strings of a small slevy silke, no bigger then the thred of a Cob∣web, their arrowes lesse then pick-tooths, fea∣thered with the wings of small Flyes, and hea∣ded with the points of Spanish Needles, who made a shew as if they were to shoote a match three to three, and roundly they went about it: in the middle of their Game, there was a shot which rested doubtfull, which as it appeared, the Gamesters could not well decide: then Mer∣lin called to one of the servants (who had some∣thing a big nose) that stood by, and bade him measure to the marke, and give it to the best: To which whilst he stooped, and inclined his face, the better to umpire the matter, one of the Pigmey Archers who had an arrow to shoote, delivered it from his bow, and shot him quite through the nose, at which he started, and the

King heartily laughed: (for there was no room to be seene) and the Butts with the Archers to∣gether disappeared.

But when Merlin knew the Kings fate, to * 1.59 draw nigh, and not willing to partake in his disaster, he fained occasions abroad, and though with much difficulty, had at length leave to de∣part, leaving behind him a paper which hee put into the Kings Closet where upon occasion hee might easily finde and reade this ensuing prophesie.

Fly from these fatall severall sires ô King, * 1.60 Which from lesse Britain the two exiles bring: Now are their ships arigging, now forsake, Th' Armoricke shoares, and towards Albion make, To avenge their murdered brothers bloud on thee, In Totnesse road to morrow they will bee, The Saxon Princes shall contend in vain. For young Aurelius having Hengist slaine, Shall peaceably possesse the British throne, Striving the opposite Nations to attone. He the true Faithshall seek to advance on high, But in the quest thereof, by poyson die, The Dragons head, his brother shall succeed, * 1.61 And after many a brave heroick deed, By him perform'd, the Fates shall strive to wast, His soule ore Styx, by a like poysonous draught, But those who sent them to th' Elizian bower, His sonue the Bore of Cornwall shall devoure.

This History needs no comment, being so plaine in it selfe by the successe thereof: only thus much let me intreat the Reader to beare in memory, that that Arthur figured under the name of Aper Cornubiae, that is, the Boare of Cornwall, was sonne to Vter-Pendragon, here called, the head of the Dragon.

Amongst many brave Heroicall Acts done by this Aurelius Ambrose, after the death of Vortiger, hee maintained the middle part of * 1.62 the Kingdome of Britain, with all Cambria and Wales, endevoring to repaire all the ruined places in the Land, as Forts, Castles, and Cit∣tadels, but especially the Temples which were much defaced by the Pagan Idolaters, and cau∣sed Divine Service to bee every where said in them, and after that encountred the Saxons in the hill of Baden or Badove, where he slew ma∣ny of them and utterly rowted their whole Ar∣my; after which defeate, another Saxon Prince named Porthe with his two sonnes landed at an Haven in Sussex, after whom as some Authors affirmes, the place is called Portsmouth vnto this day, others landed also in severall parts of the Kingdome: so that Aurelius had with them many conflicts and Battailes, in which he sped diversly, being, for the most part Conquerour, and yet at some times repulst and over-set. * 1.63

Our English Chr•…•…nicles and others say, that he by the helpe of Merlin caused the great stones which stand till this day on the plaine of Salis∣bury to be brought in a whirl-winde one night

out of Ireland, and caused them to be placed: where they now stand, in remembrance of the Brittish Lords there slaine, and after buried in the time of the pretended treaty and commu∣nication, had betwixt Vortiger and Hengist, as is formerly touched, but Polychronicon and others ascribe the honour of their transportage to his Brother Vter-Pendragon, at whose request to Merlin, that miraculous conveighance was per∣formed: which if by art he were able to doe; No question to bee made of the truth of those former prestigious feats, in this Chapter before remembred.

CHAP. 5.

Uter-pendragon succeedeth his brother Aurelius, he is enamoured of Igerna, wife to the Duke of Cornwall, whom by the art of Merlin hee enjoys: of whom he begot K. Arthur the worthy. Merlins prophesie of him before his birth.

AVrelius Ambrose in the prime of his age, and honor being taken away by poyson, his brother Vter-Pendragon * 1.64 by the generall suffrage both of the Clergie, Peeres, and people, was made King,

who pursuing his brothers former victories, gave the Saxons many battails, in which hee came off with great honour and victory, as aw∣ing them so farre that they durst not once ap∣proach his Confines and Territories: After hee began to repaire the decayed and ruinated Chur∣ches, and to provide that God should be care∣fully worshipped, rest ring to his people all those goods and possessions, which by the Ene∣my had beene extorted from them: and after having slaine Pascentius the sonne of Hengist in * 1.65 battaile, with Guillamore King of Ireland, who came in his assistance, who had with great tyran∣ny afflicted his subjects of the North, with fire, sword, and sundry direptions and spoile, and ha∣ving taken Octa (who was also the sonne of Hengist) and Cosa his Nephew, and put them in prison: he made a great solemnitie at the Feast of Easter, to which he invited all his Nobilitie and Gentry with their Wives and Daughters, to gratulate with him his former victories. A∣mongst the rest of his Peeres was then present Gothlois Duke of Cornwall, with his most beau∣tifull Igerna, who was held to be the prime Pa∣ramont of the whole English Nation.

With whose beauty and demeanure, the King was so infinitely taken, that all other his most necessary affaires neglected, he could not restrain or bridle his extraordinary affection, but hee * 1.66 must needs court and kisse her openly in the pre∣sence of her husband, at which he incensed with the rage of jealousie presently without any leave

taken of the King, or the rest of his fellow peeres: rose from the Table, and taking his wife with him along, by no perswasion could be mo∣ved to stay, but instantly posted with her into his Country, which the King (being perditely enamoured of his Lady) took in such ill part, that hee sent for them backe, pretending, they must use his counsel in matters of state, to make his speedy return. But he more prizing his Lady then all his other fortunes (whether favorable or disastrous) which way soever they should happen, disobeyed the Kings command, with a peremp∣tory answer, that he would not come. At which the King more inraged, sent him word, that if he persisted in his obstinacie, he would invade his Dukedome, and beate his Towres and Tur∣rets (to which hee trusted) about his eares, but vain were his menaces: for loath to lose so sweet a bedfellow, he set the King at publike defiance.

To chastise whose pride (as hee pretended) * 1.67 Vter-Pendragon gathered a strong Army, and invaded his Countrey with fire and sword, but Gothlois perceiving himselfe unable, to oppose so potent a Prince, attended with such multi∣tudes of experienced and tryed souldiers: he be∣tooke himselfe to a strong Castle, then called Dimelioch: and there fortified himselfe, daily expecting forces from Ireland, but because hee would not hazard all his estate in one Bottome, he like a wise Merchant sent his wife to another impregnable Fort called Tindagol, being round environed with the Sea, and one way leading

unto it, which three men, elbowing one ano∣ther, could not passe at once. A few days being past, in the besieging of that form•…•… Castle, which the Duke maintained against him, hee grew stil the more besotted with the love of the Lady, in so much that hee could neither enter nor scape: At length he uttered the impatience of his affection to one whom hee had amongst many other, chosen for his familiar friend, whose name was Vrsin of Ricaradoch: who * 1.68 when hee had truly pondered all that the King had delivered unto him, hee returned him an∣swer, that hee could perceive small hope for the King to attaine to his amorous ends, in regard that the Fort in which she resided, by reason of the scituation of the place (munified both by Art and Nature) was altogether inaccessible. For three armed men (so straight was the pas∣sage) might keepe out his whole Army: one refuge onely remained, that if the Prophet Merlin, who was then in the Army, would un∣dertake the businesse, it might be accomplished, but otherwise not.

The King being attentive to his language, * 1.69 presently caused Merlin to be sent for, and told him, how ardently he was affected to the Coun∣tesse, without enjoying whose person hee was not able to subsist alive: aggravating the trou∣ble and perplexity of his minde, with much palenesse in his face, many deep suspires, and ex∣traordinary passion, which Merlin commisera∣ting, hee told his Majesty, that to compasse a

thing so difficult as that was, being but a little degree from impossibility, he must make proofe of Art mysticall and unknowne, by which hee would undertake by such unctions and medica∣ments as hee would apply, to metamorphose his Highnesse into the true figure and semblance of Duke Gothlois, his friend Vrsin into Iordan of Tintegell, his familiar companion and Counsel∣lour. * 1.70 And himselfe would make the third in the Adventure, changing himselfe into Bricot, a servant that wayted of him in his Chamber, and they three thus disguised, would in the twi∣light of the evening, whilst the Duke in one place was busied in the defence of his Castle a∣gainst the assaylants, command their entrance into the other Fort in the name and person of the Duke, where they should be undoubtedly received.

This prestigious plot much pleased the King, who impatient of delay, gave order to his chiefe Captaines and Commanders concerning the siege, excusing to them his absence for some cer∣tain houres: he in the mean time, the same night committed himselfe to the charge and art of Merlin: who disguised as aforesaid, knockt at the gates of Tindagoll, to whom the Porter (thinking he had heard his Lords voice deman∣ding entrance.) Instantly opened the gate, and * 1.71 meeting him with Vrsin and Merlin, taking them for Iordan and Bricot, so that the King was presently conducted to the Chamber of Igerna: who gladly and lovingly received him

as her Lord and Husband, where he was bounti∣fully feasted, and bedding with her, hee freely enjoyed her most loving embraces to the full, sa•…•…iating of his amorous desires, where betwixt them that night was begot the Noble Prince Arthur, who for his brave facinorous, and high and Heroicall Atchievements, made his name glorious and venerable through the face of the whole earth: of whom Merlin long before his begetting, or birth thus prophesied.

The Cornish Bore shall fill with his devotion, The Christian World: the Islands of the Ocean, He shall subdue: the Flowre de Lyces plant, In his own Garden, and prove Paramant, The two-neckt Roman Eagle hee shall make To flag her plumes, and her faint feathers quake. Pagans shal strive in vain to bend or break him, Who shall be meat to all the mouthes that speake him, Yet shall his end be doubtfull: Him six Kings Shall orderly succeed, but when their wings Are clipt by death, a German Worme shall rise Who shall the British State anatomise. Him, shall a Sea-wolfe waited on by Woods From Africke brought to passe Saint Georges floods Advance on high: then shall Religion faile, And then shall Londons Clergie honour vaile To Dorobernia: he that seventy shall sit In th' Eboracensick Sea; be forc'd to flit Into Armorica: Menevia sad

Shall with the Legion Cities Pall be clad, And they that in thilk days shall live, may see That all these changes in the Kirke shall bee.

But before I come to the opening of this Prophesie, which to the ignorant may appeare rather a ryming Riddle, then to be grounded on truth or reason, it is necessary that I looke back to where I late left, and proceed with the History which thus followeth: the King more extasied in the embraces of his sweet and desired Bedfellow, his souldiers without any commissi∣on by him granted, make a strange and terrible assault upon the other Fort, in which Gothlois was besieged, who being of an high and haugh∣ty spirit, scorning to be long immured, and coapt up without making some expression of his magnanimity and valour, issued out of the Ca∣stle, and with great rage and resolution sate up∣on the Campe, in hope with his handful of men, to have dislodged and rowted a multitude, but it fell out farre contrarie to his expectation, for in the hottest brunt of the first encounter, hee * 1.72 himselfe was slaine, and all his souldiers without mercy offered, or quarter given, most cruelly put to the sword: the Castle entred and sei∣sed, and the spoyle divided amongst the soul∣diers.

Early in the morning before the King or the Countesse were ready in their wearing Habits and ornaments, some of the besieged who had escapt the Maslacre, bounced at the gates of

Tindagoll, and being known to be of the Dukes party, were received; who told the Porter and the rest, that they brought heavy news along, which they must first deliver to their Lady, of which shee having notice, and knowing they came from that Castle, caused them to bee ad∣mitted into her presence, and demanding of * 1.73 them what news? They made answer, The ty∣dings they brought was sad and disastrous, that the Fort was the precedent night, robustuously assaulted by the Enemy, whom the Duke her Husband valiantly encountred without the gates, that all their fellow souldiers were put to the sword, the Castle taken and rifled, and that the Generall her Lord and Husband, by his over hardinesse was the first man slain in the conflict: at the relation of the first part of their news, she seem'd wondrously disconsolate and dejected, but casting her eyes upon the King, shee was a∣gain somewhat solaced in the safety of her Hus∣band.

They also when they saw the King taking * 1.74 him for the Duke their Generall, began to blush at their report of his death, being wondrously astonisht that him whom to their thinking they had left wounded and breathlesse in the field, they now see living and in health, musing with∣all that they posting thither with so much speed should arrive thither before them being altoge∣ther ignorant of the admirable transformation that Merlins art had wrought upon them: In this anxiety and diversity of thoughts, the King,

more glad of the Dukes fate then the rifling of his fort: thus bespoke the Duchesse: most beauti∣full, and my best belov'd Igernan; I am not as * 1.75 these report dead, but as thou seest, yet alive; but much greived both for the surprisall of my castle and the slaughter of my souldiers, upon which victory it may be feared that the King animated by his late successe, may raise his Army thence and indanger us heere in our Fort of Tindagol: therfore my best and safest course is to leave this place, for the present, and to submit my selfe to the King in his Campe, of whose accep∣tance and grace I make no question, as knowing him to be of a disposition flexible and merciful: then bee you of comfort, for not after many howers expect to heare from mee, with all things answerable to your desires and wishes: with which words Igerna was much pleased and fully satisfied.

So with a loving kisse they parted, shee to her Chamber, and hee with his two followers, towards the Campe, who no sooner from the sight of the Citadell, but Merlin began to un∣charme, and dissolve his former incantations and spels, so that the King was no more Goth∣lois, but Vter-Pendragon, and his friend ceased to be Iordan of Tindagol, but Vrsin of Ricara∣doch, and the Mage, who had made this Trans∣formation, * 1.76 left the shape of Bricot, and turned againe to be Merlin: and the King being now arrived at his Army, first caused the body of Gothlois to bee searcht for amongst the slaine

souldiers, after to be embalmed and honoura∣bly interred, and first acquainting Igerna by let∣ters with al the former passages, how they stood, and how much hee had hazarded his person for the fruition of her love, hee invited her to her Lords Funerall, at which the King and she both mourned, but after the celebration thereof en∣ded, he the second time courted her, and in few * 1.77 dayes made her his Queene of a Duchesse: by whom hee had Arthur and Anna, by which match the fame of Merlin spread farre abroad, the explanation of whose former prophesie, I leave to the following Chapter.

CHAP. 6.

Merlins former prophesie made plaine, concer∣ning King Arthur, with sundry other occurrences pertinent to the English History.

ARthur the sonne of Vter-Pendragon, and Igerna, succeeded his Father * 1.78 in the Principality, therefore cal∣led, the Bore of Cornwall, because begot and borne in that Country, and of a Cor∣nish Duchesse. Hee was a great planter and sup∣porter of Religion, and the Christian Faith: for so all our British Chronologers report of

him: His Conquests were many, and some of them miraculous. By the Islands of the Ocean are meant, Ireland, Island, Scotland, and the Or∣cades, Gotland, Norway, and Dacia: all which are called Provinciall Islands, which he brought un∣der the obedience of his Scepter. By the plant∣ing of the Flowre de Lyces, in his owne Garden, is likewise intended his conquest of France, with sundry other appendant Provinces: as Flanders, Poland, Burgundy, Aquitaine, Ande∣gavia, and Normandie: all which with divers others paid him an Annuall Tribute, and of which Countries for their long and faithfull ser∣vices, hee gave the Earldome of Andegavia to Gaius his Taster, and the Dukedome of Nor∣mandy to Bedverus his Cupbearer; in memory of whose Regall bounty, it grew to a custome, * 1.79 for the Kings of France to make their Tasters and Cupbearers, Earles and Dukes of Andega∣via, and Normandy.

By his pluming and shaking off the Eagles feathers, was his great victory over the Romans foretold, who when their Prince Lucius with ten other Kings, invaded this his Land of Bri∣taine with a numberlesse Army of Souldiers, the most of them hee slue, acquitting the Tribute payed to Rome since the time of Iulius Caesar, and those who survived hee made his Feodors and Vassals, by which he got the sove∣reignty over many Provinces before subjugate to the Roman Empire, sending the dead body * 1.80 of their Emperour back to Rome there to bee

interred: next where it is said his name shall be as meat to all those mouthes that shall speake of his notable and noble atchievements by which no other thing is meant, but that the very relati∣on of his brave Gests shall be a refreshing and delight to all such as shall either reade them or heare them with much pleasure by others re∣ported, whose very begetting, conception and birth, carry with them the novelty of a Miracle: And where it is further said that his end shall be doubtfull, hee that shall make question of the truth of Merlins prophesie in that point (let him to this day) but travell into Armorica or Little Britain, and in any of their Citties proclame in their streets that Arthur expired after the com∣mon * 1.81 and ordinary manner of men; most sure he shalbe to have bitter and railing language asperst upon him: If he escape a tempestuous shower of stones and brick-bats.

The sixe Kings that succeeded him in order * 1.82 were Constantinus the eldest sonne of Cador Duke of Cornwall, (and Arthurs Cousin Ger∣man) the second was Constantinus brother, the third Conanus Aurelius, their Nephew, the fourth Vortiporius, the fift Malgo, the sixt Ca∣retius, for when Arthur in that great battaile which he fought against his Cousin the Arch∣traytor Mordred whom he slue, himselfe being mortally wounded, and therefore had retired * 1.83 himselfe into the vale of Avalan, in hope to be cured of his hurts, before his death (and the manner of which is uncertaine) hee sent for his

Cousin Constantine, before named (a man of approved vertue, and expert in all Martiall Discipline) and made him King, against whom the Saxons assisted by the two sonnes of Mor∣dred, assembled themselves, who having defea∣ted * 1.84 them in sundry battails, The elder sonne of Mordred, who had for his refuge fortified Win∣chester, he took, in the Church of Saint Amphi∣balus (whither hee had fled for Sanctuary) and slue him before the Altar: the younger he found hid in a Monastery in London, whom he caused likewise to be slaine, and this happened in the yeere after the Incarnation of our blessed Savi∣our, 543. but in the third yeere after he was per∣fidiously betraid to death, by the practice of his Nephew Conanus Aurelius, and his body royal∣ly interred, in the Mount Ambria, neere unto Vter-Pendragon.

Then reigned his brother, whom Conanus suf∣fered not to rest one houre in peace, till hee had incarcerated him, and in the same yeere usurped the Diademe, a young man of excellent parts * 1.85 and noble carriage, had hee not beene tainted with ambition, the love of Civill Warres, and Parricidiall Impiety, having slaine one of his Uncles, imprisoned the other, and kild his two sonnes to attaine to the Regall Sovereignty, which not long he enjoyed, for the next yeere after he expired, whom succeeded Vortiporius, against whom the Saxons made a new Insurre∣ction, * 1.86 and by whom they were utterly subver∣ted, by which hee became absolute Monarch of

this Island, but after foure yeeres yielded his bo∣dy to the earth, and left his Crowne to Malgo, who was invested in the yeere of Grace, after some Authours 581.

This Prince was strong in body, fortunate in * 1.87 Arms, and of larger size and stature then any of his Antecessours, who was a great suppressor of Usurpers and Tyrants, for hee not only enjoy'd this Kingdome entire, but conquered by his sword, all the six provinciall Islands, of whom it is reported that hee was the fairest of all the British Nation, but those excellent gifts of Na∣ture he shamefully abused, as being much addi∣cted to Sodomitry, and as hee was a proditor of others Chastities, hee was also prodigall of his owne, after whose death in the yeere 586, * 1.88 Caretius was instituted in the Throne, a Prince hatefull to good men, an incendiary of Ci∣vill and Domesticke combustions, an exiler of his Nobles, a slayer of his Citizens, a robber of the rich, a suppresser of the poore, and indeed subject to all the vices can be named.

By the German Worme, and the Sea Wolfe, * 1.89 waited on by woods, brought from Africa, through Saint Georges Chanell, which shall support him, our Prophet would have us to know that the Saxons are comprehended; in the Worme and in the Wolfe, Gormondus King of Africa, who in the time of this Caretius, came with a migh∣ty Navy upon the British Seas, first with three hundred and sixty thousand souldiers, who first invaded Ireland, and made great spoyle of the

Country, and from thence hee was invited by the Saxons, to assist them against the British Nation, to which hee assenting, invaded the Kingdome with fire and sword, committing many direptions, and outrages, chasing the King from place to place, and from Citie to Citie, till hee was in the end forced to flie into Wales, where they shut him up: and by this means the German Worme, by the means of this Sea-wolfe had the upper hand of the Red Dragon: whilst these things were thus in agitation, there came to this great Generall of the Africans, from the transmarine parts of Gallia, one Isimbardus * 1.90 Nephew to Lewis the French King, who com∣plained unto him that his Uncle, against all Iu∣stice, kept his right from him, imploring his aid for the recovery therof, promising him great rewards: in pledge whereof, like a wretched Apostata, hee renounced his Faith and Chri∣stianitie: of which proffer Gormundus accepted, and made his speedy Expedition for France.

But the Miscreant Isimbardus failed of his purpose, and was justly punisht by the hand of God for his Apostasie: for at their landing in the Port of Saint Waleric, a young Gentleman called Hugo, sonne to Robert Earle of the Mount, having received an affront from this Isimbard, challenged him to a single Duell, who entertaining the Challenge, was by the foresaid King left dead in the field, and the French set∣ting * 1.91 upon the Hoast of the Pagans, gave them a great discomfiture, in so much that of all that

infinite number, scarce any were left to beare the tydings of their disaster into their Country, but either perisht by the sword, or were drow∣ned in the Ocean: in which time saith the pro∣phet, Religion shall faile, which hapned when * 1.92 this Gormundus with the Saxons rioted and made havock in this Island, suppressing Religi∣ous Houses, and ruinating Churches, so that scarce a Christian Native, durst shew his head, but he was subject to persecution and torture.

But it follows in the prophesie, that the ho∣nour of Londons Clergie shall give place to Do∣robernia or Canterbury, that the Seventh who sate in the Eboracensian See, which is the Arch∣bishopricke of Yorke, shall be compeld to flie into Armorica, or Little Britaine, and that Me∣nevia shall be adorned with the Pall that belonged to the Citie of Legions, give me leave to use a little circumstance in the explaining of these: that finding the truth of his predictions, by the successe, the Reader may be more easily induced to give credit unto the rest, in which I shall strive (though plain) to be much briefer.

The three prime Seats or Sees, were the three * 1.93 Archbishopricks, which were London, Yorke, and the City of Legions: now note how punctu∣ally he comes to the purpose: the dignity of Lon∣dons Metropolitanship was transferd to Can∣terbury by Saint Augustine, whom Pope Grego∣ry sent hither with others to preach the Gospel, who also gave the primacie of the City of Legi∣ons unto Menevia a Citty of Wales scituate neer

to the Demeticall Sea, but the Citty of Legions stands vpon the River Osca not far from the Se∣verne Sea, which was first erected by King Beli∣nus, whose valiant brother Brennus, being Ge∣nerall of the Senon Galls, after many Honoura∣ble exployts and glorious Victories by him at∣cheived, assaulted the famous Citty of Rome, tooke, sacked and spoyled it in the dayes of Ahashuerosh and Hester, Gabinus, and Porsenna being Consuls the first of whom hee slue in Battail, and the other tooke Prisoner, &c.

By the Arch-Bishop of York the seventh, inaugu∣rated * 1.94 into that See, who should bee compeld to seek shelter in Little Britaine, is intimated, Samson then Resident, who in that great persecution, made by the Africans, and the Saxons, with six of his brothers all Clergiemen, and of great sanctitie of life, fled into the lesse Britaine, and there establisht his Metropolitan Cathedrall: The rest of his six brothers, whose names were Melanius, Matutus, Maclovius, Pabutaus, Pater∣nus, * 1.95 and Waslovius, being all Divines, were made the Rectors of other Churches, and be∣came in short time to be capable of Episcopall Dignities, which seven Brothers not only the Natives of the Country, but all the bordering Provinces, call the seven Saints of Britain (mea∣ning the lesse Britaine) even to this day, now let it be held any deviation or digression from the subject now in hand, if I borrow so much pa∣tience of the Reader to acquaint him with a strange and almost miraculous story, or legend,

by what accident, or rather Divine providence, these seven holy and devout brothers, were by the mutuall congresse of two Noble parents (the Father and Mother) begot, and conceived in one wombe, and after mature time of Tee∣ming, delivered into the World at one day: but because I am loth to swell the pages of this Chapter beyond the limits of the former, I will referre the relation thereof unto that next en∣suing.

CHAP. 7.

Of the conception and birth of these seven pious and religious Brothers: and being sent to death, how preserved, educated, and doctrinated: with a continuance of Merlins Prophesies and their ex∣planation.

THe Legend reports that their mo∣ther * 1.96 being a Noble and chast Ma∣tron, but in her feminine ignorance not acquainted with the accidents belonging to other women, conceived a strange opinion, from which she could not be removed, that it was not possible for any of that sex, to

conceive more then one at once, unlesse she had had the consociety of so many severall men as shee brought forth children, in so much that she vilisied and disreputed, holding all those no better then adulteresses and prostitutes, who were delivered of Twins, or a more numerous issue: But the God of all flesh, and the Creatour * 1.97 of Nature, being also the searcher of hearts, and a justifier of innocence (to convert this Lady from her erroneous beliefe, and to cleere these unjust aspersions, with which shee had branded other chast and fruitfull wombs) so by his pro∣vidence ordained, that by her sole Lord and Husband, she at one congression, was conceived of seven sonnes, and delivered of them at one time, being within the compasse of one day.

Which shee seeing, and much amazed at the prodigious novelty of such an unexpected issue and now favouring by a reciprocall retribution these accusations and suspicions which shee had so often cast upon other good women might be throwne upon herin a desperate way; thereby thinking to salve her reputation (which shee thought hazarded at last, if not quite lost) shee consulted with the midwife, and one of her most trusty maids, (having hyred them to * 1.98 that purpose,) to take the young spralling in∣fants and either to kill them or to cast them into the next River to which purpose, as they were hasting, and carrying them in little baskets, it pleased the higher powers that a grave and reve∣rent Bishop met them upon the way, and as hee

passed by the women hee heard the infants to cry and make mone which hee imagined was * 1.99 to implore his helpe and aide: therefore hee made stay of them and would needs see what they carried in their laps concealed, which they (as loth to betray their ladies secrets unwilling to shew, hee grew the more suspicious and com∣pelled them having some servants then about him to discover what was hid in their baskets, which being opened, the babes all living seemd to rejoyce at his sight and smile in his face, with which he was much delighted.

Then more strictly examining them to what purpose they carried them in that manner? and threatning them with the severity of the Law, if they told him not the truth, they knowing the power and authority of the Church, and danger of Ecclesiasticall censure, and that their attempt deserved (if not execution) yet excom∣munication at the least, concealed no part of the truth, but earnestly solicited him, whatsoever became of them, to have a care of their Ladies honour: the pious and charitable Prelate having been before himselfe of her perverse opinion, and now seeing how justly the Creatour of all things, had dealt with her, and to what despe∣ration shee was brought, by thinking to save a * 1.100 poore credit in this life by the murther of so hopefull an issue, to forfet all the hopes she had in the World to come; hee dismist the bearers without any further trouble: adjuring them to tell their Lady, that they had wounded the

young Infants according to her commande∣ment (of which he himselfe would take charge, and adopt them for his owne) and causing them to be born to his palace, and after to the Church, he himselfe baptized them, and gave them their names as aforesaid, then sent for Nurses, and commanded that they should bee carefully edu∣cated, and when they came to any understand∣ing, he set them to schoole, and caused them to be instructed in all the seven Liberall Arts (for hee found them to be of pregnant and capable apprehensions) who after by his means came to be preferd to Church promotions, and after to * 1.101 Episcopall Dignities: I now proceed to Merlins next prophesie, which thus followeth.

The Heavens in stead of water, bloud shall showre, And famine shall both young and old devoure: Droop and be sad shall the red Dragon then, But after mickle time be blithe agen, And now the Serpent that was white before, Shall have his silver scales, all drencht in gore. Seven scepter-bearing Kings in field shall die, One of whose Sainted soules shall pierce the Skie, Kept shall the babes bee from their Mothers wombes: And soone as climbe on earth, grope for their Tombes. All by a brazen man shall come to passe, Who likewise mounted on his Steed of brasse,

Both night and day will Londons prime Gate keep, Whether the carelesse people wake or sleepe.

Whosoever shall read Matthew of West∣minster, our ancient English Chronologer, pag. 29. shall finde that in the days of Cadwallo, King * 1.102 of this Island the thirteenth after Brute, that for three dayes together bloud dropt from the clouds, after which came great swarms of infe∣ctious Flyes: by whose bytings or stingings there was great mortality in this Land, and by the shower of bloud is further intimated, the great effusion of British bloud, sometime by publicke hostility, sometimes by Civill and Domesticke enmity, profusely wasted: in so much that the earth appeared, as if bloud had been powred downe from the Heavens, after which by the barrennesse of the earth followed so great a Famine, that nothing was found for * 1.103 the people to feed on, but the roots of withered Herbs and Grasse, and such flesh as they could catch by hunting.

No wonder then if this made the British Na∣tion (figured under the Red Dragon) greatly to * 1.104 droop, which after much sufferance and labour, was restored to his pristine state and dignity: For Cadwallo, who was King Anno salutis 633, after many horrid crosses and disasters, ••xile, ex∣pulsion from his Kingdome, and the losse of his whole Inheritance was forced with a few of his followers that remayned of his many Le∣gions,

to retire into the lesse Britaine, to his Cousin King Salomon, who courteously recei∣ved him, where hee wintred, and in the spring when Kings goe customably out to warre, hee * 1.105 furnisht him with an Army of ten thousand a∣ble men, when having shipt her safely, and pro∣sperously arrived in this his owne native and hereditary provinces, And hearing that Paean∣da King of Mercia (or middle England) had be∣sieged in Exeter, his Cousin Briant, with those poore remainder of Britons, which he had left behind: dividing his souldiers into severall Squadrons, not only removed the siege, but took the King prisoner, who having given him sufficient hostages for his truth and fidelity, * 1.106 gave him also his only daughter to wife, so that hee became the Father in Law, who made him Generall of his Army.

After which Cadwallo calling all his exiled subjects (dispersed abroad in severall provinces) into the Kingdome, hee raised a competent Ar∣my, and invaded Northumberland with fire and sword, of which Edwinus was then King, who assembling to his aide all the Reguli, (or lesse Kings) gave him a strong encounter, in which his whole Army was discomfited, and himselfe slain in the field, whom succeeded his sonne As∣sricus, assisted by Chaldodus, Duke of the Orca∣des * 1.107 whom Matthew of Westminster cals Offridus and Gothaldus) now Cadwallo not contented with his former victories, gathered his whole forces together, against Offricus; whom hee

also slue in battaile, with his two Nephewes, and Cadamus the Scots King, who came to take part with the Northumbers: which done he past through all the Kingdome, being so malicious∣ly and cruelly bent against the Saxons, that hee * 1.108 neither spared age, nor sex, killing the old and young Infants new borne, and those that never saw the sun in their mothers wombs, purposing utterly to extirpate and root out all the Saxon Nation: thus you see the red Dragon, namely the British Nation after much dejection exalted, and the s•…•…ales of the white Serpent (the Saxons) stai∣ned in sanguine tincture, by so generall a massacre.

It followeth, seven Scepter-bearing Kings shall be slaine in the field, of which one of them shall bee * 1.109 Sainted: now these seven Kings slaine by Cad∣wallo, and his father in law Paeanda, were Edwi∣nus, his sonne Offricus, and Oswaldus (the Saint spoken of) which were three Kings of Nor∣thumberland, Segebartus, Egricus, and Anna, who raigned over the Orientall Britons, and Cadamus the Scotch King, concerning which Oswaldus his sanctity and other pious vertues, the ancient Chronicles write largely, (as also the * 1.110 Lords of those •…•…imes) many panegyricks in his prayse, which would be too tedious here to in∣sert, yet some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of him, howsoever credible or n•…•…, I •…•…hought fitting to remember, it was said of him, that when Aldanus Bishop of Scotland (whose language neither he nor any of his Saxons understood) did at any time p•…•…h before him and his people, hee would put upon

him a royall garment, worn only on solemne Festivall days, and whether by vertue of that, or by divine rapture, he would deliver all that Ser∣mon word for word to his Countrymen in their proper and moderne language: hee was also so * 1.111 temperate in his owne diet, and withall so libe∣rall to the poore, that when he had guests at his Table, hee would not only spare from his owne stomach, but if hee saw any of them to gor∣mondize, or feed more then became them, hee would bid them to eat more sparingly, and tore∣member those hungry bellies at the gate, which attended the reversion and fragments from his boord and bounty.

This reverent Bishop Aldanus being feasted by him on an Easter day, the King commanded a great silver Charger fild with the best meats at his Table, to bee carried to the beggars at his gate, who when they had eaten the meat, hee sold the dish, and equally divided it amongst them, which the Bishop seeing, said aloud, Live may that liberall hand, ô may it always live and never taste of corruption, which (if we will be∣lieve the Roman Legend) proved according to his propheticall acclamation, for many yeeres after his death, when his Tombe was searched, and all the rest of his body according to the * 1.112 common course of Nature was putrified and turned to dust, that hand and arme alone were preserved, from corruption and rottennesse, and remained as entire, flesh, bloud, veines, and arte∣ries, as when he was interred.

It followeth in the History six of these before named Kings, being slaine in severall conflicts, Cadwallo whose high spirit was irreconciliable towards the Saxons: pursued this Oswald from province to province, chasing him even to the wall which Severus the Roman Emperour built, to part and divide the two Kingdomes of Bri∣taine and Scotland, and then sent his Generall and Father in law Paeana, to give him battaile at a place called Hed-field, or holy Camps, in which by the prayers of this Oswaldus. The Bri∣tons * 1.113 Hoast was quite discomsited, of which de∣feat when King Cadwallo understood, he gathe∣red a fresh Army, and gave him a second bat∣taile at a place called Bourne: in which Oswaldus and his Army were wholly routed, and himselfe * 1.114 died lamented in his owne pious bloud, for whose charity and sanctitie hee was after cano∣nized, and remayneth to this day one of the Saints blessed in our Kalender, whose death hap∣ned in the yeere of our Saviour, 644: which im∣proved that part of Merlins prophesie, Seven Kings shall bee slaine, of which one shall bee Sainted.

By the brazen man, mounted upon a steed of brasse, who is said to do all these, is antonomasti•…•…e meant King Cadwallo, to honour whom, after his death, for his many brave victories, and ex∣pelling * 1.115 the Saxons out of the land, the peeres and people caused his statue, at his full size and proportion to be cast in brasse, sitting also upon an Horse of brasse, in whose buckler they in∣tombed

his embalmed body, and after set it upon the prime gate of the Citie London, (it being a piece of admirable art and pulchritude) and neere unto the same, in further memory of him built a Church, dedicated to Saint Martin, therefore saith the Prophet, The brazen Horse and Man shall watch the Gate whether the people wake or sleepe, which continued for many yeeres after.

CHAP. 8.

Hee prophesieth of the civill Warres that shall bee in Britaine, in the time of Cadwallo, and of the great dearth and desolation in the reigne of Cadwalloder: of the Saxons, exalting themselves, and of the first com∣ming in of the Danes, into this land, &c.

AS Merlin in all his prophesies aimeth at a continued History of the maine * 1.116 passages in this Ile of Britain: so I also desire to observe a concordance of times, left the neglect of either might breed a confusion in both, as shall be made good in the sequell: his prophesie followeth.

The crimson Dragon with his owne fierce pawes Shall teare his proper bowels gainst the Lawes: Of wholsome Nature, plague, and famine then Shal fill the barren earth with shrowds of men. After, the Dragon whose smooth scales are white, Hither the Almans daughter shall invite, And crown themselves: Against whom shall rise An Eagle from the Rock, and both surprise, Two Lions shall a dreadfull combate make, Having their Lists incompast by a Lake. At length be atton'd, and after shall divide, The glorious prey: a speckledscale, whose pryde, Shall ayme at high things; will his Lord betray Poysoning the Royall nest in which he lay Of the white Dragon, so the Fates agree, At length a Decemvirum there shall bee: What time the Red shall to his joy behold The roofs of all his Temples deckt with gold, &c.

By the Crimson Dragon is still meant Eng∣land, which after the death of Cadwallo, being * 1.117 impatient of peace, for want of forreigne Ene∣mies shall be at Civill dissention in it selfe, of which shall ensue much strage and mortality, such Dearth, also Famine and Desolation which shall happen by the plague, that destroyeth the men, and the Murrian that killeth the cattle, that the Natives shall bee forced to leave the Kingdome as a Wildernesse unpeopled, the re∣maynder of the living being scarce sufficient in

number to bury the dead, which strange depo∣pulation sell in the third and last yeere of Cad∣wallader the sonne of Cadwallo, which was in the yeere of Grace sixe hundred fourescore and sixe, which maketh up the yeere of the World, * 1.118 by the account of Polycronicon, and other of our English Chronologers, five thousand eight hun∣dred, fourescore and five, so that it appeareth the native Britains had the title and soveraignty of this Kingdome from Brute: first landing by the space of one thousand eight hundred, and two and twenty yeeres, Cadwalloder being the last King of the Britons, after whom the Saxons or Angles, had the full dominion thereof, which maketh good that in the prophesie, The white Dragon shall invite the Almans daughter, which implyeth a greater supply of the German nation, and crowne themselves. For from that time they bare the Scepter, and had the absolute jurisdi∣ction over the whole Land, which they conti∣nued for a long season.

To passe over all the Saxon Kings to the time * 1.119 of Ethelredus, in whose dayes An Eagle from the Rock (which was Swanus King of Denmarke) shall rise &c. The better to explain our prophet, and to carry the History along, this Etheldred the sonne of the most Royall King Edward, by his second Wife Alfrida, by some cald Estrild, when he came to bee crowned, by Dunstane Archbishop of Canterbury, hee could not con∣taine himselfe, but with a propheticall spirit uttered those words: because by the bloudy

slaughter of thy brother thou hast aspired to the Kingdome, The sinne of thy most wicked and mischievous mother shall never bee expiated, nor any who were of her Diabolicall counsell, but by the greatest effusion of the Saxon bloud, that ever was shed since their first comming into Britaine, and further the beginning of thy Reigne shall be cruell, the middle thereof mise∣rable, and the end shamefull, all which accord∣ingly hapned.

His Father King Edgar, of ever surviving me∣mory, * 1.120 had by his first wife called Egelsleda, a no∣ble sonne named Edward, and by his second Alfrida, this Etheldred, Edgar being dead, the Barons assembled, and made Edward King in the yeere of grace eight hundred threescore and fifteene, at which his stepmother greatly repi∣ned, using all the means both of power, proofe, and friends to have inaugurated her sonne E∣theldred, being then a lad but of seven yeeres old, which in the end most traiterously shee ac∣complished, for the King hunting in the Forrest, neere unto the Castle of Corffe, in the West Country, who having lost all his company, be∣thought himselfe that his stepmother with her * 1.121 sonne liv'd in that Castle, to whom hee would give a friendly visit, who spying from her win∣dow afarre of, cald to a Villaine that attended her, and whispered in his eare what hee should doe: by this the King was come to the gate, and shee descended to meet him, saluting him with a Iudas kisse, and intreated him to alight

and sojourne with her for that night, which hee modestly refusing, said hee would only drinke a horsback and so be gone, which being brought, as the cup was at his mouth, her trayterous ser∣vant with a long Dagger strooke him quite through the body, at which hee put spurs to his horse thinking to have recovered his servants, but through his great losse of bloud hee fainted, and falling from his horse, one of his feet was fastned in the stirrop, and so hurried to a place called Corisgate, where his miserably mangled body was found, and not being knowne at that * 1.122 present to be the King, without ceremony bu∣ried, whom as you have heard, his brother by the Fathers side succeeded.

In whose reigne hapned divers prodigies pretending great disaster, among which was the sterility of the earth, the burning of London by an accidentall fire, but the most ominous and terrible was the invasion of the Danes and their many massacres & inhuman butcheries commit∣ted through all the shires and provinces of the Kingdome, as more amply hereafter, but by the way is to be noted that in the eighth yeere of his reigne hee was espoused to Ithelgina, whom * 1.123 some call Elgina, daughter to Earle Edgebertus by whom in processe of time he received a sonne called Edmund (after for his notable valour, sirnamed Ironside) and two others, Edwin and Ethelstane, with a daughter named Egina.

About the eleventh yeere of his reigne the * 1.124 Danes pierced the land in sundry places, against

whom the King being wholy addicted to effe∣minacie and cowardise, durst make no hostile opposure, but for the present appeased them with great summes of mony, which being spent they fell to new robberies. Then the King bri∣bed them with more, notwithstanding which, they spoyled Northumberland, and at last laid siege to London, and to increase his sorrow and trouble, Earle Elphricus who was Admirall of * 1.125 the Navy, fled like a Traitour to the Danes, and took part with them against his naturall Liege, for which the King commanded that his sonne Algarus should have his eyes torne out of his head: during which time, burning Fevers, and the bloudy Flix destroyeth many of the Na∣tives, to which was added scarcity and penury amongst the commons, in so much that they were forced to rob and steale from one another, so that what by their owne pilfering and pillage * 1.126 of the Danes, the land was brought to extreame misery, by whose continuall invasions, and the Kings pusillanimity, the Tribute paid unto them was raised from ten thousand pounds to forty thousand (named for the continuance thereof Dane-gelt) they yet not satisfied: to adde to the former, the British Peeres were so hollow bre∣sted * 1.127 amongst themselves, that when they were at any time assembled, and had determined any thing to the impeachment of the Danes, they were warned thereof by some of the falshearted Counsell, of whom were most suspected Elphri∣cus, * 1.128 and Edricus, the Snake formerly mentioned in the prophesie.

The Land besides other distresses continuing under this grievous Tribute, the King by the * 1.129 advice of those familiars who were about him, married Emma the daughter of Richard the third Duke of Normandy, and first of that name, who was for his boldnesse and valour sir∣named, Richard the Hardy, or without feare: and she (by the French Chronicles) Emma the flowre of Normandy, by which Match hee was greatly animated and incouraged, so that pre∣suming on the power of his Father in Law, hee sent into all the Townes, Cities, and Villages of this Land, secret and straight Commissions, charging the Rulers and Magistrates upon the night succeeding the day of Saint Brice, that all * 1.130 the Danes should be murdered in their beds, the execution whereof they committed to their Wives and Women, which was also, according∣ly performed (a strange wonder that so great a secret should passe generally through that sex, without uttering or discovery.)

This generall Massacre of the Danes (as same reports) began at a little Towne in Hertfordshire twenty foure miles from London, called Weal∣win, from which act it tooke first name, as if there the weal of their Country was first warm, and the day of Saint Brice: hapned that yeare upon the Monday, which to this day is called Hoc, or Hop-monday, but wherefore I know not, unlesse by Hoc: this day as a remarkablenote * 1.131 to posterity, or by Hop, as that day the Danes (according to a proverbe wee retaine from

Antiquity) as that day hopt without their heads.

Now concerning the pride of the Danes and their incredible tyranny exercised through∣out * 1.132 the whole Kingdome, which was the occa∣sion of this their universall slaughter, our Eng∣lish Historians have thus recorded of them, they caused the Farmers and Husbandmen to plow, sow, and eare the ground, and to doe all the servile labour that belonged to agricul∣ture and husband•…•…y, whilst they kept their wives and commanded their daughters and servants at their pleasure, and when the Master of the house came home, hee was forced to salute his superintendent Dane as his Lord, and whilst the Usurper eate and fed of the best, the poore oppressed owner could scarcely have his fill of the worst: besides, for feare and dread they cal∣led them in every house where they had rule Lord Dane, which after when the English had attained to their former honour grew to a title of great opprobry and contempt, for when * 1.133 any one would rebuke or revile an other hee would in scorne call him Lurdan, a word in the Countrey in use euen to this day.

But now comes in the Eagle by which is inten∣ded Swanus K. of Denmark, who surpriseth both, that is subdueth the Saxons & the other Almans or Germans, whom they had admitted into the land, and after infinite devastations, depopulati∣ons and spoils with his broad wings soared over the whole Kingdome and made prey in every

province thereof (the particulars would aske much time and paper) who in conclusion tooke from the White Dragon the Saxons after they had held the sovereignty by many successive Kings both Crown and Scepter: but before this happened the unfortunate King: whose onely fight was with money to impoverish his owne people, and inrich the enemy (for hee often bought his peace which prov'd to no purpose) * 1.134 hee made Edricus whom Merlin calleth the Snake, Duke of Mercia, who was of low and base birth and parentage, yet had attained to great wealth and rich possessions, false of tongue, subtle of brain, and eloquent in speech, and persidious in purpose and promise, which will more at large appeare hereafter.

In this interim, Swanus so farre prevailed, * 1.135 that the King fearing the continuall persecution of the Danes, first sent Emma his Queene, with his two younger sonnes which were Alfred and Edward, to Richard the second of that name, and fourth Duke of Normandy, who was her naturall brother, and after was compeld to flie thither in person, with a slender traine of followers, of which when Swanus had notice, he grew inflamed with greater pride and inso∣lence: and amongst other of his Tyrannies, hee fired the City of Canterbury, and slue nine hun∣dred religious persons tithing them, as killing nine and saving the tenth, with 8000 women & children, and because the reverend Bishop would not, or could not pay him downe three thou∣sand

pounds, hee kept him prisoner seven mo∣neths, * 1.136 and caused him after at Greenwich, foure miles from London, to be stoned to death: and wheresoever hee came, hee reserved all the wo∣men to be vitiated and defloured, aswell the re∣ligious as others: robbing the Shrine of Saint Edmond, not leaving any cruelty which could finde a name, unperformed. At length upon the day of the Purification of the blessed Virgin in the yeere one thousand and fourteen, he died miserably howling and crying, three dayes and nights together before his death: whom succee∣ded * 1.137 his sonne Canutus. And two yeeres after, at one thousand sixteen expired at London, King Edelfred, and was buried in the Church of Saint * 1.138 Paul: whom succeeded his sonne Edmund, sir∣named Ironside, and these two Princes were the two Lions spoken of in the former prophesie, of whom you shall heare more in the en∣suing Chapter.

CHAP. 9.

Of divers bloudy battails fought betwixt Canu∣tus and Edmund: their great opposition ended in a single Duel. They make peace and equally divide the Kingdome betwixt them: the trayterous death of Edmund: Canu∣tus revengeth it upon the mur∣derer, with other occurences pertinent to the sto∣ry, &c.

EDmund sirnamed Ironside, the sonne of Egelredus, and Canutus the sonne of Swanus King of Denmarke, be∣gan to rule the English Nation, An∣no 1016, and in the twenty ninth yeere of Ro∣bert King of France, the Londoners with some of the English Nobles favouring Edmund, but the greater part of the Nobility, and Clergie ad∣hering to Canutus, betwixt which yong and va∣liant Princes were fought sundry cruell and bloudy battails (too long here to reherse.) In which infinite both of the Natives and Stran∣gers fell by the sword: one of which was fought in Dorsetshire, besides a Towne called Gilling∣ham:

another in Worcestershire, which conti∣nued from morning till night, when they surcea∣sed * 1.139 fight either for great wearinesse, or for want of light, when both Hoasts joyned the next morrow early, and eagerly; in which battaile the Traytour Edricus perceiving the fortune of the day to encline towards Edmund, pitcht a * 1.140 dead mans head upon a speare, and calling to his Countrymen, cryed out with this acclamation, Fly you Englishmen, and preserve your lives, for behold this is the head of Edmund your King: of which the Prince being warned, hasted to that part of the field, and plucking off his Hel∣met to shew that he was living, so comfortably and couragiously demeaned himself among his souldiers, that in the end hee had the better of the day.

In the preparation of another field, when both the Hoasts were ready to joyne battaile, upstar∣ted * 1.141 one of the Commanders, and appearing betweene the two Armies, in the Front of ei∣ther, spake aloud as followeth: You Princes both, to you I declare my selfe: you see how we daily perish, for neither of you gaine an ab∣solute victorie: Edmund cannot bee overcome because of his great strength and courage, and Canutus cannot be subdued, being also much fa∣voured by Fortune: what then shall be the finall successe of this inveterate malice and contenti∣on? when all your Knights & souldiers are slain; shall you not bee then inforced either to com∣pound your enmity, or to fight hand to hand,

betwixt your selves? If this must bee the end; why do you not one of these two? For the first, Is not this Kingdome now sufficient for two, which before contented seven? or if your spleen be so great that it cannot be reconciled, by an equall division of the Land; why doe not you two fight alone, that strive to be Lords alone? For if we all perish, who shall be left either to serve you, or to keepe forreigne invaders out of the Land?

Which words were so emphatically delive∣red, and tooke such impression both in the Prin∣ces themselves and both their Armies, that a Truce being made, they agreed to end the warre betwixt them in a single Duell, for which was assigned an Isle called Olkney neere Gloster, in∣compast with the water of Severne, which makes good the prophesie.

Two Lions shall a dreadfull combat make, And have their Lists incompast by a Lake.

In which place at the day prefixed, the two wor∣thy and warlike Champions compleatly armed, singly met, the two Hoastsstanding without the Isle, where first they encountred with sharpe * 1.142 Lances on Horsback, breaking them even to the very Truncheons: then they alighted and fought long on foote with their keene swords, till their armours were broken in divers places, and they both were dangerously wounded, when retyring for breath, by the first motion of Ca∣nutus,

they made an accord betwixt themselves, * 1.143 embracing one another as brothers, to the great rejoycing of both Armies.

After which, they made an equall partition of the Land, and Canutus married Emma the mo∣ther of Edmund: but the Snake Edricus, whom his Lord had not only pardoned for his former Treason, but promoted unto further dignity, by creating him Earle of Kent, notwithstanding which, he corrupted his sonne then attending the King, who awaited his opportunity, and as he was doing the necessiites of nature, strooke him with a Speare into the fundament, of which mortall wound hee dyed soone after at Oxford: * 1.144 Then Edricus posted in haste to Canutus, and saluted him by the Title of sole Sovereigne of the Kingdome, insinuating, that for his love and honour hee had removed his Competitour, and told him the manner how; which Canutus having truly understood, and that the Treason was uttered from his owne mouth, and in his personall hearing, like a just and wise Prince, he replyed unto him: Forasmuch, ô Edricus, as for my love, thou hast slaine thy naturall Lord whom I entirely affected, I shall exalt thy head above all the Lords of England, and presently commanded his head to be struck off, and pitcht * 1.145 upon a pole, and set upon the highest gate of London, and his body to bee throwne into the River of Thames; yet Marianus and others write otherwise concerning the manner of his death, which makes good what is formerly spoken, that a speckled Snake,

Ayming at high things shall his Lord betray, Poysoning the Royall Nest in which he lay.

Meaning the Kings Treason in which the Trai∣tor was closeted, as one whom hee most favou∣red and honoured.

Canutus being now sole Monarch, the white * 1.146 Dragon was forced to stoop to the Eagle, that is, the Saxons were compeld to bee under the sub∣jection of the Danes, by whom they were so mi∣serably opprest, that scarce the tenth part of them were left in the Land, and these that re∣mayned were forced to tithe their goods, and pay it as a tribute to the Danes: therefore saith the Prophet,

Of the white Dragon (so the Fates agree) A Decimation in the end shall bee.

It followeth in the History, in a great assem∣bly made of the King and his Barons: a que∣stion was propounded whether in the composi∣tion made betwixt Edmund and Canutus, there was any mention made of Edmunds children to have the inheritance of their Father after his death, that was, in halfe part of the Kingdome? to which a great part of them, thinking there∣by to insinuate unto the Kings favour answered, Nay: but it hapned unto them contrary to their expectation, for knowing them to be naturall Englishmen, and before sworn to King Edmund

and his heires, hee hated them for their perjury, never trusting them after, but some hee exiled, * 1.147 and some were slaine, and others being strooke with the hand of God died suddenly: It was likewise ordered by the foresaid Counsell, that the two sonnes of Ironside, Edmund and Ed∣ward should be sent to Swanus (the elder bro∣ther of Canutus) King of Denmarke: the pur∣pose is diversly reported, some say to be slaine, * 1.148 and that Swanus abhorring the Act, sent them to Salomon then King of Hungary, where, Edmund died of a naturall death, but his brother Edward in the processe of time, married Agatha, the daughter of Henry the fourth of that name Em∣perour, and by her (besides daughters) had a sonne sirnamed Ethelinge: This Edward of our English Chronologers, is named the Out-law, because he never returned into England his na∣tive Country. In this interim died Swanus King of Denmarke, and the Crowne fell to Canutus, so that he was sole Sovereigne of both Nations, the English and the Danes.

Canutus landed in Denmarke, with a strong Army to possesse himselfe of his lawfull Inheri∣tance, and to oppose the Vandals who had pier∣ced that Land, and when the King was other∣wise negotiated, Earle Goodwin with a band of Englishmen set upon the Invaders by night, and rowted their whole Army, for which noble act the King had him in great favour, and the Eng∣lish Nation ever after: This King was greatly beloved of his subjects, for many of his vertues,

as being very charitable and devout, a great re∣payrer and decorer of Churches, especially of divers Cathedrals which hee caused to be richly beautified with gilding, their Altars and Roofs more gloriously then in former ages: thereby confirming that part of the prophesie.

What time the red shall to his joy behold The rooffs of all the Temple shine with gold. * 1.149

Some attribute the cause of his devotion to a noble care he had, to repaire what his tyranni∣call Father had before ruined, that the memory of his Atheisticall cruelty might bee quite for∣got; others that it was at the Altar of Emma his Queen, the Widow Dowager of Egelredus, and mother of Ironside, who was a Lady of great religious sanctity: Hee made also a Voyage to Rome, where hee was pontifically received by Bennet the eight of that name, and demeaned himselfe with great magnificence and honour. It is further reported of him, that after his great entertainment there, and return from rhence, he was so tumoured with pride, that standing by the Thames side, at a flowing tyde, hee charged the water that it should presume no further, nor dare to touch his feet, which was so farre from obeying his command, that he stil keeping his ground, from his ankles it came up to his knees, at which suddenly stepping backe out of * 1.150 the River, he blushing said: By this all earthly Kings may know, that their powers are vaine,

and transitory, and that none is worthy of that name but he who created the Elements, and to whom they only obey.

This Canutus married his eldest daughter, by his Wife Elgina, the daughter to the Earle of Hampton, to Henry sonne of the Emperour Con∣radus * 1.151 the second of that name, and soone after died at Shaftbury, and was buried at Winchester, when he had reigned nineteen yeeres, leaving two sonnes, Harold, sirnamed for his swiftnesse in running, Harefoot, and Hardy Canutus, whom * 1.152 in his life time hee caused to bee crowned King of Denmarke: Harold succeeded his Father in the Crowne of England, in the beginning of whose Reigne: there was great doubt made of the Legitimacie of his birth, or whether hee were the Kings sonne or no: but more espe∣cially by Earle Goodwin, who was a man of a turbulent spirit, who to the utmost of his power, would have disinherited him, and con∣ferred the Kingdome to his brother. But Leo∣fricus whom the King much loved and trusted by the assistance of the Danes, opposed mightily Goodwin, and his sonne, so that they were ut∣terly disappointed of their purpose.

Harold was no sooner setled in the King∣dome, but hee robbed his stepmother Emma, (that good and devout Lady) of her Iewels and * 1.153 Treasure, and then banished her the Land, wherefore she sailed to Baldwin Earle of Flan∣ders, where she was nobly entertained and con∣tinued, all the Reigne of this Harold, in which

hee did nothing worth register, or deserving memory, who after three yeeres and some few moneths died at London, (or as some say at Ox∣ford) and having no issue, left his brother Hardy Canutus, heire to the Crowne, with the death of whose elder brother I conclude this Chapter.

CHAP. 10.

Merlins Prophesie of Hardy Canutus, and Earle Goodwin, which accordingly hapned: his many Tyrannies, amongst other his Tithing of the Norman Gentlemen: the death of Prince Al∣ured sonne to Canutus and Emma: the strange death of Earle Goodwin. After the death of Edward the Confes∣sor, Harold Earle Good∣wins sonne usur∣peth.

YOu see how hitherto Merlin hath pre∣dicted nothing which the successe and event have not made good: wee will yet examine him further, and prove if hee have beene as faithfull in the future as the for∣mer: who thus proceedeth.

And Helluo then with open jaws shall yawne, Devouring even till midnight from the dawn: And he an Hydra with seven heads shall grace, Glad to behold the ruine of his race, And then upon the Neustrian bloud shall prey, And tithe them by the pole (now well away) Burst shall he after gordg'd with humane blood, And leave his name in part of the salt flood. Iron men, in woodden Tents shall here arrive, And hence the Saxons with her Eglets drive, &c.

It followeth in the History, Hardy Canutus the * 1.154 sonne of Canutus and Emma, began his Reigne over England, in the yeere of Grace, one thou∣sand forty one, who was o•…•… such cruelty, as that he was no sooner setled in the State, but he pre∣sently sent Alphricus Archbishop of Yorke, and Earle Goodwin to Westminster, to take up the * 1.155 body of his deere brother, and having parted the head from the shoulders, to cast them into the River Thames, which was by them accord∣ingly performed, the cause thereunto moving was for rifling, and after exiling his mother Em∣ma, whom hee caused with great honour to be brought againe into the Land.

Hee revived also the (almost forgotten) Tri∣bute * 1.156 called Dane gelt, which hee spent in drink∣ing Deep, and Feeding high, for these were his delights: For besides his immoderate quaffing, he had the Tables through his Court spred four

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times a day, with all the riot and excesse that might be devised: who himselfe minding only gormondizing and voracitie, committed the whole rule of the Land to Emma and Goodwin, (who had married the Daughter of Canutus, by his first wife Elgina) by whom many things were much misordered to the great discontent of the Commons. This Earle had many sonnes (as witnesseth Polychronicon, lib. 6. cap. 15.) by his * 1.157 first wife who was sister to Canutus, hee had but one, who by the striking of an Horse, was throwne into the Thames and there drowned, whose mother after died by Lightning, and was of such incontinent life, that shee prostituted Virgins and young women, to make base and mercenary use of their bodies: she dead, he mar∣ried a second, of whom hee begot sixe sonnes, Swanus, Harold, Tostius, Wilnotus Syrthe, or Surthe, and Leofricus, with a daughter named Goditha who after was married to Edward the Confessor.

Hardy Canutus wholly devoted to all volup∣tuousnesse, being at a Feast at Lambeth, in the midst of his mirth and jollity, drinking a ca∣rowse out of a bowle, elbow-deep, fell downe * 1.158 suddenly and rested speechlesse for the space of eight dayes, at the end whereof he expired, in the eight day of Iune, when hee had raigned two compleat yeeres, leaving no issue lawful of his body, and was buried by his Father at Win∣chester, in whom ended the Line and Progeny of Swanus, so that after this King the bloud of

the Danes was quite extinct, and made uncapa∣ble of any Regall Dignity within this Land. * 1.159 Their bloudy persecution ceasing, which had continued (counting from their first landing in the time of Brightricus King of the West Sax∣ons) by the space of two hundred fifty five yeeres, or thereabout: by this Hardy Canutus, Merlin intended his Helluo, as being a glutto∣nou, Prince, whose bibacity and voracity would continue from morning till midnight, in the first yeere of whose Reigne,

The two sonnes of Egelredus and Emma, namely Alphred, and Edward, who before were sent into Normandy, came into England to see their Mother, and were Princely attended by a great number of brave Norman Knights and Gentlemen, of which Earle Goodwin (that * 1.160 subtle seven-headed Hydra before spoken of) having notice', hee began to plot and devise how to match his only daughter Goditha to one of the two Princes, but finding Alured the el∣dest to be of an high and haughty spirit, and would disdaine so mean a marriage, he thought by supplanting him to conferre her upon the younger, who was of a more flexible dispositi∣on, * 1.161 to compasse which, hee pretended to the King and Councell, that it might prove dange∣rous to the state to suffer so many strangers to enter the Land without license.

By which he got authority and power to ma∣nage that businesse according to his owne dis∣cretion, as being most potent with the King,

and a great incourager of his profusenesse and riot: therefore being strongly accompanied he met with the two Princes and their traine, and set upon them as Enemies, killing the greater part of them at the first encounter, and having surpris'd the rest upon a place called Guil-downe hee slue nine and saved the tenths, and then thinking the number of the survivors too * 1.162 great, he tithed againe that tenth putting them to cruel deaths, as winding their guts out of their bellies, with other torturing deaths) then he caused the elder brothers eys to be pluckt out and sent to a religious house in Ely, where hee dyed shortly after, but the younger he preserv'd as an husband for his daughter, and sent him to his mother Emma: all which fulfils the former prophesie which saith.

And he an Hidra with seaven heads shall grace, Glad to behold the ruine of his race. And then upon the Neustrian blood shall pray, * 1.163 And tithe them by the pole &c.

Emma not trusting the tyranny of Goodwin by whom she had left one son, the better to secure the other, shee sent him into Normandy, but * 1.164 Hardy Canutus beeing dead, he was sent for o∣ver to receive his iust and lawfull inheritance: so that this Edward the sonne of Egelredus and his last wife Emma, began his Raigne over England in the yeare of Grace 1043. and was soon after maried to Goditha (whom Guido calleth Editha)

the sole daughter of Earle Goodwin, who as all Authors affirme, lived with her without any car∣nall society, whether it were in hatred of her kinred, as by the greatnesse of her father com∣pel'd to that match, or for that he altogether de∣voted himselfe to chastity, it is left uncertaine.

In the beginning of his Raigne his mother * 1.165 Emma, was accused to have too much familiarity with the B. of Winchester, therefore the King by the counsell of Earl Goodwin seised vpon many of her iewels, and confined her to a strict kee∣ping in the Abby of Worwell, the Bishop Alwin was also under the Custody of the Clergy; but shee more sorrowing for his defame then her owne, wrote unto divers Bishops to doe their Iustice, affirming she was ready to undergoe any triall whatsoever, to give the World satis∣faction of her innocence, who laboured to the King that their cause might have a just and le∣gall hearing: but Robert Archbishop of Canter∣bury * 1.166 not pleased with the motion, said unto them, My Brethren Bishops, how dare ye plead for her, who is a beast and no woman? as by defaming the King and her sonne, and yielding her selfe a prostitute to the incontinent Alwin: (proceeding further) but if it be so that the wo∣man would purge the Priest, who shall then purge the woman? who is accused to have been consenting to the death of her sonne Alfred, and hath prepared infectious Drugs for the poyso∣ning of her sonne Edward: but be she guilty or no; if shee will agree to goe bare foot upon

nine plough-shares burning and fiery hot, for her selfe foure shares, and for the Bishop five, he may be then cleered, and she also.

To which shee granted, and the day of her * 1.167 purgation assigned, at which day the King in person with many of his Lords were present, she was hoodwinkt and led to the place where the Irons lay glowing hot, and having passed over the nine shares unhurt, shee said, Good God, when shall I come to the place of my purgati∣on? When they opened her eyes, and shee saw that she had past the torment without any sence of paine, she kneeled downe, and gave thanks to the protectour of chastity and innocence. Then the King repented him of his credulitie, restoring unto her what hee had before taken from her, asking of her forgivenes and blessing. But the Archbishop Robert, who was once a Monke in Normandy, and was sent for over by the King, and first made Bishop of London, and * 1.168 after raised to be Metropolitan, fled into his Countrey, and was no more seene in England after.

After many insolencies committed against the King, by Earle Goodwin and his sonnes (too long to reherse) they were forced to abandon * 1.169 the Land, and flie into Flanders to Earle Bald∣win, (whose daughter Iudith, Swanus his eldest sonne had married) and then by a Parlament they were made Out-lawes and Rebels, and their goods and Lands seized: where they con∣tinued as exiles for the space of two yeeres: du∣ring

which time William the bastard Duke of Normandy came with a Noble Traine to visit the King his Cousin, and were royally entertai∣ned, returning with great gifts and presents into his Country, after which Goodwin by intercessi∣on of his friends here in England, was called home with his sonnes, who were received into grace, and restored to their former dignities and possessions: giving for pledges of his fideli∣ty, his sonne Wilnotus and Hacun the sonne of * 1.170 Swanus, whom the King sent to William Duke of Normandy, to be kept in safe custodie.

Not long after, in the twelfth yeere of the Reigne of this Edward the Confessor; upon an Easter Monday, Goodwin sitting with other Lords at the Kings Table, in the Castle of Win∣sor, it hapned that the Kings Cupbearer stum∣bled, but recovered himselfe of a fall, at which the Earle laughed heartily, and said; there one brother helped the other, meaning one leg had supported the other, which the King observing, said, yea, and so my brother Alphred might have lived to have helped and sustained me, had it not bin for Earl Goodwin, by which words the Earl apprehending, that he upbraided him with his brothers death, thinking to excuse himself of the Act, said, so may I safely swallow this mor∣sell of bread that is in my hand, as I am innocent of that deed, in swallowing of which hee was choaked: which the King seeing commanded him to be dragged from the board, his bodie be∣ing * 1.171 conveighed to Winchester, and there inter∣red:

Macrinus saith, that he was suddenly struck with a palsie of which hee died •…•…hree days after: howsoever hee underwent a most remarkable judgement: His eldest sonne living who was Harold (for Swanus died in his pilgrimage to Ierusalem) had all his Fathers Dignities and Honours conferd upon him: But in processe of time all those his Lands in Kent (of which hee was Earle, were eaten up and devoured by the Sea, upon wh•…•…se dangerous shelves and quick∣sands, many thousands have beene wrackt and drowned, and they are called Goodwins Sands, unto this day, which verifieth that part of the prophesie of the Hydra, where he saith,

Burst shall he after gordg'd with humane blood, And leave his name in part of the salt flood.

Harold having done many noble services for the King and the countrey, in all which hee came off with great honour and victorie: about the 20. yeere of King Edward, hee sayled towards Normandy to visite his brother Wilno∣tus and his Nephew Hucun, who lay there as pledges for the peace betwixt the King and * 1.172 Earle Goodwin; buteither by the mistake of the unskilfull Pilot or by the extremity of tempests, hee was driven upon the province of Pountithe, and there surprised, and sent as prisoner to Wil∣liam Duke of Normandy, who some say, forced him to take an oath to marry his daughter and keep the Kingdome of England to his behoofe:

but that which carrieth more shew of trueth, is that Harold to insinuate into the Dukes fa∣vour, in whose power hee now was, told him that his King in the presence of his Baronry had selected him his Heire, and covenanted with him that if hee survived his sovereigne, hee would keepe the Crowne to his use; for which * 1.173 the Duke gave him his daughter in contract, with promise of a large dowry; but she was yet in her minority not ripe for marriage; in confir∣mation of which, Duke William gave him also his brothers sonne Hucon one of the Hostages and kept the other, and after sent him over, with rich gifts: all which at his returne to England he acquainted the King with, who expi∣red the fourth day of Ianuary, when hee had reigned twenty three yeeres seven months and * 1.174 odde dayes, and lyes buried in the Monasterie of Westminster which he before had much beau∣tified and repaired.

After whom succeeded in the Throne Harold, the second son of Earle Goodwin, and last King * 1.175 of the Saxons, who began his Reigne over England in the yeere one thousand forty six: the ambition to gain a Crowne, making him for∣get his oath and promise made to Duke Willi∣am: In the beginning of his Reigne his Land was invaded by his brother Tostius, who was beat out of the Kingdome by Edwin, and Mal∣charus Earles of Mercia and Northumberland: then Harold Hafagar King of Denmarke and Norway, (whom Guido the Historiographer cal∣leth

the sonne of Canutus) hearing of the death of Edward, with an Army of three hundred * 1.176 ships, entred the mouth of the River Tyne, pre∣tending to conquer England, as his right and lawfull inheritance, which Harold hearing sent the two aforesaid Earles of Mercia and Nor∣thumberland, till he himselfe had gathered suf∣ficient forces: who gave the Danes a strong battaile, but being overset with multitudes, they were forced to give backe, so that the e∣nemy entred further into the Land, which the King hearing, Harold made haste with his pow∣ers. And met them at a place called Stratford bridge. In which Interim Tostius came out of Scotland, and tooke part against his brother: Betwixt these two Hoasts was fought a bloudy * 1.177 and cruell battaile. In which many brave Knights breathed their last, and amongst them Tostius: the two Harolds of England and of Denmarke, met and fought hand to hand, in which combat Harold of Denmarke, fell under the hand of Harold of England, who was like∣wise Master of the field, in which Olanus bro∣ther to Harfagar, and Paulus Duke of the Orcades were taken prisoners: of whom Harold took sure pledges for their fidelity and ho∣mage.

CHAP. 11.

The Landing of Duke William with the Nor∣mans: the battaile betwixt him and Harold, in which Harold is slaine, being the last King of the Saxon bloud. William remayneth Con∣qu•…•…rour, and is crowned King of England, His death, and the successe of the Prophesie.

HArold ambitiously puft up with this great victory, divided not the spoyle * 1.178 from the enemy taken, equally, but ava∣ritiously kept the greatest part to his owne use, and the remainder hee distributed not to those who had best fought, but to those whom hee most favoured, by reason whereof hee lost the * 1.179 hearts of many of his Knights: in this Interim, died the Daughter of Duke William (before contracted to Harold) by which hee thought himselfe fully discharged of his former duty and promise: But Duke William was of a contrary minde, and by divers messengers mixing faire termes with menaces, put him in remembrance of the breach of both, to which Harold gave a slight answer, that rash and unadvised covenants might bee as well violated as kept, that it was not in his power to dispose of the Crowne and Kingdome, without the assent of the Peeres and

Barons of the Realme, besides oaths and promi∣ses made either by feare or force, were of no vali∣dity, and therefore left him to take what course hee pleased according to his best direction: for that was his peremptory answer.

At which Duke William being much incen∣sed, gathered a selected Army, which hee caused to be shipt with all things necessary for so great * 1.180 an Enterprize, and launching from the port of Saint Valery, In shorttime landed neer Hastings in Sussex, at a place called Penusy, making three * 1.181 pretences for his invasion: The first and chiefe was to challenge his right to the Crowne, as next Heire, and moreover bequeathed unto him by his Nephew Edward the Confessor upon his death-bed. The second was to vindicate the bloudy murder of his Cousin Alfred, and bro∣ther of the late King, committed by E. Goodwin, upon Guildowne, which was done (as hee pre∣tended) by the especiall instigation of Harold: The third was to revenge the banishment of Archbishop Robert (before remembred in the accusation of Queene Emma) with which also hee chargeth Harold, as the sole animatour of his exile; and hitherto Merlins Prophesies admit no contradiction, when he faith,

Iron men, in wooden Tents shall here arrive, And hence the Saxons with the Eglets drive.

By the Iron-men, meaning the Normans, in * 1.182 Iron Casks and Corslets; by wooden Tents, their

Navigable Vessels, who in Harold extinguisht the bloud of the white Dragon the Saxons, and expelled the Eglets, who were the Danes, the brood of Swanus in that Princely bird so em∣blematized: the story followeth, Duke William landing one of his feet slipt, and the other stuck fast in the sand, which one of his Knights ob∣serving, * 1.183 cried aloud, A good Omen, now Willi∣am, England is thine owne, and thou shalt change the title of Duke into King, at which he smiled, and piercing further into the Land, hee made proclamation, that no man should take any prey, or make any spoyle, or doe any vio∣lence to the Natives; saying, it were no reason that hee should offer outrage to that which should be his owne.

Harrold was at that time in the North, who hearing the Normans were landed, gathered his forces by the way as he came, to supply his ar∣my, which was much weakned by reason of the last battaile fought against the Danes and Nor∣ways, and sending spies into the Dukes host to * 1.184 discover their strength, word was brought him that his souldiers were all preists and lawyers, as having their upper lips chins and cheeks shaven, (which was their custom then, and the English used to weare their Mouchatos thick and long) to which Harold answerd: but wee shall finde them neither Barmen, nor Bookemen, but vali∣ant Knights expert in all manner of warlike dis∣cipline. Then Gurth or Surthe one of the yong∣est brothers of Harold advised him in person to

stand apart, and that himselfe with the Lords and Barons would inc•…•…unter the Normans, be∣cause he was sworne to the Duke, and they not; and if they were put back, he then might rally their dispersed troups and maintaine his owne claime and his Countrys quarrel, to which hee would by no meanes assent.

Then Duke William by a clergie man sent him * 1.185 three proffers of which to take his choyce; the first, that according to his oath he should deli∣ver up the Crowne, and all the rights thereto belonging, which done, to receive it againe and hold it of him as in fee during the terme of his life, and after his death to returne it againe to the said William, or to such an one of his sons as he would assigne it unto: the second, to depart and leave the Kingdome without more contention: The third, that to spare the shed∣ding of Christian bloud, they two might singly end the quarrell by the sword: All which offers Harold refused, returning answer by the Prelat, that hee would try his cause by the dint of swords, and not of one sword, and that he and his Knights were ready, to defend their Coun∣try against all Forreigne Invaders whatsoever: The Duke hearing this his answer delivered un∣to him, he gave strict charge, that all his people that night should watch and spend the houres * 1.186 in prayer with the Priests, when on the contrary the English Hoast past away the time in dancing and drinking.

The next morning (being Saturday) the four∣teenth

day of October, the two Hoasts met at a place where now standeth Battaile Abbey in * 1.187 Sussex, (which was after built, and so called by Duke William, in memory of this battaile there fought, and his great victory then atchie∣ved) in the beginning of which conflict a Nor∣man Banneret called Thilfer, slue three English Gentlemen one after another, but in attempting the fourth was himselfe slaine. Then began a * 1.188 terrible noyse of the clattering of Harnesse, the rushing of shields, the trampling of Horses, with loud cryes and acclamations on both sides, in which the Normans opposed mightily, and the English defended themselves manfully, and the better, because they fought close keeping their battaile whole without scattering, or ranging abroad; which when Duke William ob∣served, he gave a signe to his Commanders that they should give backe, as if they were almost compeld to flie and forsake the field, yet sub∣tlely embattailing the foot, and placing the Horse for Wings on either side: the English ho∣ping instantly to have routed them, dissevered their Squadrons as for present pursuite: but the Normans returning tooke them at that disad∣vantage, and strooke them down on every side: yet was this battaile so stoutly fought by the Englishmen, that Duke William was there that day beaten from his Steed, and three Horses slaine under him: but in the end Harold was slaine, being shot into the eye with an arrow, * 1.189 and fell downe dead in the field: which his army

seeing, they dispersed themselves, and every man fled to his best safety.

Thus died this valiant King Harold, having worne the Crowne from the fift of Ianuary to the fourteenth of October, making up nine mo∣neths, and some odde dayes, and was buried in the Monastery of Waltham which hee himselfe * 1.190 had founded; in whom ended the bloud of the Saxons which had continued from the begin∣ning of King Hengists reigne, for the space of five hundred fourscore and one yeere, all which time they had reigned as Kings in this Land, (saving those foure and twenty yeeres in which Edward the Confessor had the Sovereignty) who was of the Norman bloud by his Mother Emma, daughter to Richard the Hardy, the third Duke of Normandy, and first of that name.

Then Duke William buried his slain men, and suffered the English to doe the like. Now when * 1.191 the news of Harolds death came to the two Earles of Mercia and Northumberland, who were not then in that battaile (some thinke, that by reason of the distance and difficulty of the way they could not arrive with their forces soon enough, but others have conjectured, that they purposely absented themselves, because in the division of the Danish spoyles, they were neglected, but howsoever, they came to Duke William, and submitted themselves, giving pled∣ges * 1.192 for their truth and fealty: thus William Duke of Normandy, sirnamed the Conquerour, base

sonne to Robert, the sixt Duke of that Province, and Nephew unto Edward the Confessor, began his Dominion over this Realme of England, in the yeere of Grace, one thousand threescore and nine, the fifteenth day of October, and was crow∣ned upon Christmasse day (by Aldredus Arch∣bishop of Yorke) next following: I now pro∣ceed to Merlins next prophesie.

He that Iron Nation who leads forth for prey Shall finde full spoile, and where hee feeds, will stay: Suppressing the red Dragon for a space. Then shall arise two Dragons from his race: One, aymes at, but attains not his desire. By Envies Dart the other shall expire. The Lion next of Iustice must appeare, Who 'gainst the Celticke Towers will ladders reare. And cause the Lily like the Aspen shake, Whose rore shall all the Island Serpents quake. (A cunning Alcumist) who hath the skill Gold, both from flowers, and Nettles to distill.

The first part is plaine and easie, the appea∣rance * 1.193 whereof is gathered from the former cir∣cumstances: under the man, who leadeth the Iron Nation forth to prey, is figured the Conquerour, who brought into this Kingdome the strongly armed Normans, where finding fat spoile, that is, a rich and fertile Iland, where he feeds will stay: that is, where he fareth well, and hath all things

in his owne power, to his will and pleasure; there he will make his abode and plant himself, (suppressing the red Dragon for a space, that is, the first Britains, after mingled with the Saxons, and from Hengists-men called Englishmen, then with the Danes, and now againe opprest by the Normans, yet was the bloud of the first Natives (howsoever mingled) never extinguished, and the Nation howsoever extreamly suffering, yet never altogether eradicated and extirpt: but to passe over the Reigne of the Conquerour (be∣cause no further aymed at by my Author) I pro∣ceed to the rest:

Then shall two Dragons issue from his race.

Meaning from Duke William now living, (by which two Dragons are intimated his two eldest Sons: Robert sirnamed Corthose or Short∣hose, and William Ruffus, so stiled because of his ruffe haire and beard.)

This Robert the eldest, because hee might * 1.194 not be possest of the Duchy of Normandy, which his father had before promist him, hee by the aide of the French King Philip, and Lewis his sonne, invaded that Dutchy and tooke divers prizes thence; which put his Father to much grievance and trouble; in so much, that at length the father and the sonne with two great Hosts met in the plaine field, where betwixt them was fought a cruell and bloudy battell, in which King William, was wounded and beaten from

his horse, and in great danger to be tooke or slaine; which his sonne Robert hearing, in true filliall piety hee restored his Father, set him upon a fresh Horse, and delivered him from all danger: howsoever in that conflict many of the Kings men fell by the sword, and his sonne William received many wounds, so that they were compeld to forsake the field and yeeld the honour thereof to his Sonne Robert, for which * 1.195 rebellion as some have related, he laid an heavy curse upon him, which proved fatall unto him in the end.

Some write that by the leaping off an horse hee got such a straine (meaning King William) that it was the cause of his death, and when hee found that hee was pasthope of life, hee cal∣led his three sonnes unto him exhorting them to fraternall love and unity, and by his will appointed to Robert the eldest, the Duchie of Normandy, to William the second, the Kingdom of England, and to his third sonne Henry, (be∣cause * 1.196 hee was a piece of a Scholer, sirnamed Beauclerke) hee bequeathed his moveables and treasure: then he informed his two eldest sonnes of the disposition of the people, whom they were to governe, advising William to be affable, courteous, and liberall to the English: and Ro∣bert to behave himselfe roughly and sternly to∣wards the Normans: which having uttered, hee * 1.197 died within few houres after in Normandy, and was buried in the City of Cane, in the third yeere of his Duchie, but of his Reigne over

England, one and twenty yeeres and ten mo∣neths, in the moneth of Iuly: in which time of his Sovereignty, hee kept the English so streight and low, that none of the Nation bore any of∣fice of profit or honour, but hee somewhat fa∣voured the City of London, by granting them their first Charter, which is written in the Saxon * 1.198 tongue, and sealed with green Wax, and is com∣prehended in eight or nine lines at the most: with whose death I also conclude this Chap∣ter.

CHAP. 12.

The prediction of the two Dragons, made good by the subsequent History, in Robert, and Wil∣liam the two sons of the Conquerour: who the Lion of Iustice was: and what was meant by his Alchymy, &c.

WIlliam the second of that name, sir∣named * 1.199 Rufus, or the Red, beganne his Reigne in the moneth of Iuly, in the yeere of Grace, one thousand sourescore and nine, but Rainolf Monke of Che∣ster, in his Polychronicon, affirmes that Robert was absent at the death of his Father, and hea∣ring that hee had preferd his younger brother to the Crowne of England, hee was greatly in∣raged,

and laid his Dukedome to pawne to his brother Henry, for certaine summes of money, with which hee hired an Army, and landed at Hampton: of which his brother having intelli∣gence, sent unto him with this submission fol∣lowing, * 1.200 Thy brother William entreateth thee to be no way incensed at what I have done. For he calleth himselfe not absolute King, but Viceroy and thy Substitute, and to reigne under thee, be∣ing greater, and therein better, because before him borne, who hath taken upon him this charge, only because of thine absence; yet since he is now in place and authority by thy suffe∣rance, he humbly prayes thee that he may under thee still so continue, paying unto thee annually three thousand marke, with condition, that the survivour of the two may peaceably enjoy the Kingdome.

Duke Robert who was not unacquainted with the politick proceedings of his brother, shaked his head, and began to pawse, about an answer, and being of a loving and gentle disposition, * 1.201 bountifull withall, and still preferring his ho∣nour before his profit (as in all his after procee∣dings hee made manifest) condescended to his brothers request, and returned into Normandy: but William was of a more subtle and crafty condition, and yet withall ambitious after vain∣glory, to maintaine which, hee extorted both from the Spiritualty and Temporalty. He buil∣ded * 1.202 Westminster Hall, and by reason that his brother Robert, was then in the holy Warres, to

redeeme Ierusalem from the Pagans, hee spent some time in Normandy, about his brothers af∣faires: but at his returne, the building of the Hall being finished, he seemed much disconten∣ted with the littlenesse thereof, saying it was more fit for a Dining Chamber then a Kings Hall, purposing, if hee had liv'd, to have made a farre greater.

In the beginning of the thirteenth yeere of his Reigne, the third day of August, being hun∣ting in the New Forrest, by the glancing of an Arrow shot by the hand of one Sir Walter Tyr∣rell, * 1.203 the King was wounded to death in the forty fourth yeere of his age; who escaped and saved himselfe, for none pursued him, and few (in regard of his former tyranny) sorrowfull for his death: some thinke that this arrow was purposely aymed at him, to fulfill the prophesie of the two brothers.

One aimes at, but attains not his desire, By envies dart the other shall expire.

Now Robert, though hee still aymed at the Kingdome, yet never attained unto it, and the other died, according to Merlins words, spiculo Invidiae, by the dart of Envy: the King thus wounded was laid in a Horse-litter, and con∣veyed to Winchester, where hee died and was buried: In his life time he took upon him great * 1.204 things: the day before hee died, one asked him where he purposed to keep his Christmasse? to

which he answered, at Poyctiers, for the Earle in∣tendeth a Voyage for Ierusalem, meaning to seize upon his Earldome.

Henry of Huntington reporteth of him, that though he was generally reported avaritious and gripple-handed, yet he was in his owne con∣dition, bountifull, and liberall, as may appeare by the narration following. The Abbot of a great Monastery being dead, too wel-monied Monks of the same place made friends to the King offe∣ring * 1.205 large summes, to be promoted to that dig∣nity: there was also a third Monk, who out of his meeknesse and humility had accompanyed them to the Court, and to give attendance on him whom the King should admit to be Abbot: who called to the Monkes severally, and either of them outbid the other: the King casting his eye upon the third (who came as their servant) thin∣king, his businesse had been to the same purpose, demanded of him, if hee would give more then his brethren had proffered: who answered him againe, that he would neither offer nor give to the value of one penny, neither would he take any such charge upon him which came unlaw∣fully by symony: whose words when the King had duly considered, he said that he of the three was best worthy to take so holy a charge upon him, and gave it him freely.

Duke Robert being at this time in the holy * 1.206 Wars, the yongest brother Henry, third son to the Conquerour, and first of that name, began his Reigne the fift day of August, in the yeere

of our Lord eleven hundred and one, and this was he whom Merlin cals Leo Iustitiae, the Lion •…•…f Iustice: who banisht from his Court all flattering and effeminate Sycophants: he was al∣so abstinent, and abhorring gormondizing, and the excesse of Feasts: hee was further well stu∣died in the seven Liberall Arts, and used to fight more with counsaile then the sword, and yet upon just occasion, hee would shew himselfe as valiant as he proved fortunate.

In the second yeere of whose Reigne, Robert his brother, being there imployed in the Wars of Palaestine, against the Miscreants and Infi∣dels, receiving newes that his brother William was dead, and that his brother Henry had usur∣ped * 1.207 the Crown of England, notwithstanding that the Christian Princes offered to make him King of Ierusalem, yet he refused that honour, but with great speed returned into Normandie, and there raised forces, to claime his right unto the Crown of England, and landed at Ports∣mouth, but a mediation of peace was made be∣twixt them, and that hee should have the same yeerly revenue of three thousand Marks, which he had in the days of King William: with which he returned fully satisfied, at which his Lords and Peeres were much discontented, as also for other things which in his easie nature hee had yielded to, both against his honour and profit, * 1.208 for which he was by them lesse regarded, and in the end quite neglected.

This Robert in his Fathers days was in all his

enterprizes victorious, and after did many brave exployts at the siege of Acan against the Turks: and (as is before said) was by the great suffrage of the Christian Hoast chosen King of Ierusa∣lem, but whether hee thought it to be an ho∣nour with too much trouble, or for the co∣vetousnesse of the Crowne of England, hee made refusall thereof, for which it hath beene thought, that hee sped the worse in all his endevours after. For a dissention fell betwixt him and his Nobles, so that they sent to King Henry his brother, that if hee would come over into Normandy, they would deliver up the whole Country into his hands, and acknow∣ledge him their sole Lord and Governour, of which profer it is said, Henry accepted: but be∣fore any hostility was threatned, Robert came into England to visit his brother and new sister (for the King was lately married to Mawd the * 1.209 daughter of Malcolme, King of Scotland) at whose request he released to his brother the tri∣bute of three thousand Marks by the yeere, and so departed.

Notwithstanding which, by the instigation of bad and wicked Counsellours, this seeming brotherly love was quite abrogated and dissol∣ved, so that the King with a strong Army inva∣ded Normandy, and by reason that Roberts Peeres and Nobles fell from him, hee chased him from place to place, and won from him his Cities, Cane, Roan, and Faloys, with all other pla∣ces defensible; so that Robert was forced to de∣fire

aide of Philip the French King, and after of the Earle of Flanders, but they both failed him, so that with those few forces which hee could make, hee gave battaile to his bro∣ther, in the which hee was surprized and taken prisoner, and sent over into England, and put * 1.210 into the Castle of Cardiffe in Wales, where hee remayned his whole life time, and being dead was buried at Glocester, and thus hee who might have been King of Ierusalem, and twice King of England (had he taken the opportunity offered * 1.211 him) died with no greater title, then the bare Duke of Normandy.

Warres then grew betwixt the King of Eng∣land, and the French King, in which they sped diversly, but in the end Henry beat him in his own Country, and had of him a glorious victo∣ry, to the great terrour and astonishment of all the French Nation, and those lesser Princes of his Confederacie, making good that of the Prophet:

The Lion next of Iustice, shall appeare, Who 'gainst the Celticke Towers shall ladders reare, And cause the Lily like the Aspen shake, Whose rore shall all the Island Serpents quake.

By the Lily is meant the Flowre de Lyce, which * 1.212 the French King beares in his Scutcheon, which was said to quake like an Aspen, (whose leafe of all others is soonest moved with the winde) by

reason of the great affright and terrour hee put the French into at the noyse of his Drummes, the thundring of his Horses hoofs, and the lowdnesse of his warlike instruments.

About the twentieth yeere of this Kings Reigne, when he had been three yeeres together in Normandy, the King took shipping at Harflute (a part of that Duchie) the foure and twentieth day of November, and arrived safe in England, not many houres after: And soon upon that his two sonnes, William who was Duke of Nor∣mandy, with Richard his brother, with Notha the Countesse of Parsie, Richard Earle of Che∣ster, with his wife the Kings Niece, The Arch∣deacon of Hereford, with Knights, Gentlemen, and others, to the number of an hundred and forty persons: These took shipping at the same Port to follow the King, but in their passage, the ship sunke under them, and they were all drowned to one man, saving a Butcher, who reported that this disastrous misfortune fell * 1.213 by the negligence of the Master and Saylers, who in the night being at dissention amongst themselves, ran the Vessell upon a Rocke, and split her; from which danger the young Duke William was escaped by getting into a boat neer the sh•…•…are: but when hee heard the lamentable out-cry of the Countesse Notha, hee comman∣ded the Rowers to row back, and if it were pos∣sible to save her life, who having recovered her into the boat, they were by a tempestuous gust so over-charged, that it was violently overtur∣ned,

and they all swallowed in the Sea, of which strange accident Merlin also prophesied in these words:

The Lions whelps their nature shall forsake, * 1.214 And upon them the shape of sishes take.

The King to maintaine his former Warres which proved so terrible to the French and o∣thers, was forced to exact money from all man∣ner of people, not sparing the Clergie nor the Laitie, and therefore Merlin cals him

A cunning Alcumist, who hath the skill Gold, both from flowers, and Nettles to distill.

By the Flowers, meaning the Spiritualty, by the Nettles the Temporalty: in the twenty seventh yeere of this Kings Reign died Henry the fourth Emperour of that name, who had before mar∣ried Mawd, the daughter to Henry King of Eng∣land, after whose death she came to her Father in Normandy, who because hee had no heires male left of his body, hee caused all the Bishops and Barons to sweare in his presence, that they * 1.215 should keep the Crowne of England to the use of this Mawde the Empresse, if hee died with∣out issue male, and she surviving.

In the eight and twentieth yeere of his Sove∣reignty, Ieffery Plantaginet Earle of Anjoy, was espoused unto Mawde the Empresse, from whom * 1.216 descended Henry the second, sirnamed Short-Mantle,

who after Stephen was King of Eng∣land; King William being in Normandy, (as some write) fell either with his Horse or from his Horse, which after was the cause of his death. But Rainolph saith, that he tooke a surfet by ea∣ting of a Lamprey, and died of that, when he had reigned thirty five yeers and odde moneths, * 1.217 whose body when it was embowelled, before it could be embalmed, cast such a stench that none could abide the place, where hee was dissected, and though it was wrapped in a Buls skin, yet it little abated the smell, in so much that divers were infected therewith, and the Chyrurgion who clensed the head, died of the unwholsome scent which proceeded from the braine, which some conjectured to bee a just judgement laid upon him for his mercilesse cruelty shewed upon his brother Robert, whose eyes (as some have reported) hee caused to bee torne out of his head during his imprisonment: his body was brought into England, and was afterwards buried in the Abbey of Reading which he before had founded; after whose death, Fame spoke of him, as of all other Princes, both in the better and worse part. Divers said, that he sur∣passed many of his Predecessour Kings in three * 1.218 things, in wit, in eloquence, and good successe in battaile; and others spared not to say that he was pestilently infected with three notorious vices: Covetousnesse, Cruelty, and Lechery.

CHAP. 13.

A briefe relation of the troublesome Reigne of King Stephen, and his opposition against Mawde the Empresse, of Henry Short-Mantle, and his proceedings, with a continuance of our English History. In every circumstance making good Merlins Prophesie.

STephen Earle of Bolloigne, and sonne * 1.219 to the Earle of Bloys, and Mawd si∣ster to the wife of Henry late de∣ceased, began his Reigne over the Realme of England, in the yeere of grace, one thousand one hundred thirty six, who was va∣liant and hardy, but as some affirme, contrary to the oathe made to King Henry concerning Mawd the Empresse, he usurped the Crown, and was inaugurated by the Archbishop of Canter∣bury, at West minster, upon the day of Saint Ste∣phen, in Christmasse weeke, which Archbishop (who had taken the same Oath) died shortly * 1.220 after, with diverse other Lords guilty of the same perjury: which as some write, was animated and incouraged by one Hugh Bigot; who was Steward to King Henry, and presently after his death came over into England; and be∣fore the said Archbishop came, other Lords

tooke an Oath, and sware that he was present a little before the Kings death, when hee heard him to disinherit his Daughter Mawd, for some distaste that hee had taken against her, and had adopted, as his lawfull Heire Stephen his Nephew: to which the Archbishop with the rest gave too hasty battaile: neither did this Hugh for his wilfull perjury escape unpunished, who soone after with great trouble of consci∣ence most miserably expired: but before I pro∣ceed * 1.221 further in the story, I will deliver unto you Merlins Prophesie of those times: which fol∣loweth.

Drop must a Sagittary from the Skies, * 1.222 But against him an Eglet will arise, (That in the Morian Mountains built her nest) And against that Celestiall signe contest. Shee fayling, will a Lions whelpe appeare, Whose rore shall make the Centaure quake with feare. But when the two shap't Monster shall be tam'd, By gentle means, the whelpe will be reclaim'd: And when the Iron brood in the Land shal fail, The bloud of the white Dragon must prevail.

By the Sagittary, which is one of the twelve Celestiall Signes, and is the same which hee cal∣leth * 1.223 the two shap't Centaure, is figured King Ste∣phen, who gave not the Lions, as his former pre∣decessours had done, but emblazed the before∣named Sagittary in his Scutcheon: and there∣fore

he is by the Prophet so stiled: by the Eglet is also intended Maud the Empresse, and by the Morian Mountaines a place in Italy so called, si∣guratively including all Italy by a part thereof: now let vs see how this with the rest is m•…•…de good by the event.

In the beginning of his reigne, King Stephen * 1.224 used great rigour against the Clergy, as fining some Bishops, and imprisoning others. Be∣sides he seised on all the strong holds and Castles within the Realm, as still fearing the comming in of Maud the Empresse: in which time Robert Earle of Glocester, the base sonne of King Henry took displeasure against the King, for seising the strong holds of Glocester, Hereford, Webly, Bristol, Dudly and others, part of which belonged to his Inheritance; and therefore he sent letters to his sister Maud, promising to assist her in the iust claime of her Inheritance.

In the moneth of Iuly and sixth yeare of King * 1.225 Stephen, •…•…aud the Empresse landed at Portsmouth and made towards Bristol, at what time Stephen layd siege to the Castle of Walling-ford, who hearing of her arivall gathered all the forces hee could make, and drew towards the Enemie; in which time Robert Earle of Glocester & Ranulph Earle of Chester were ioyned to the Empresse; and when both their hoasts were in the field, ready to give the alarme, Ranulph Earle of Chester thus spoke to his souldiers and sayd.

I require you friends and Countrimen, that I * 1.226 who am the cause to bring you here, to hazard

lives, may be the first man to put mine owne in danger: whom Earle Robert interrupted, and said, It is not unworthy to thee, who deman∣dest the first stroake and hazard of this battaile, who both for thy noblenesse of bloud, and thy knowne magnanimity and courage farre surpas∣sest other men; but the Kings false oath hath levied men to this unjust warre, in which wee must either strive bravely to winne the mastery, or else be basely overcome; and we now are run into that hazard, that none of us is safe, which shall not acquit himselfe by his resolution and Knightly boldnesse: therefore shew your valour, and be assured of victorie.

Then Earle Baldwin standing in the front of * 1.227 the Kings battaile, began to incourage his soul∣diers in this manner: To men that shall fight three things are by them to be observed: The first, the Iustice of the cause, lest they indanger their soules, which is cleere on our part, who sight for our King & Country: the second is the number of men, and the accommodation of Armes, for few are not to oppose a multitude, nor naked men against armed; and we parallel, if not exceed them both in amunition and number: the third is, boldnesse and courage, not for de∣fence only, but offence: which me thinks I espy in your faces: and therefore of all these three our Army is sufficiently furnished. Now what bee our enemies? A weake and distressed woman, assisted by two weak supporters; Robert Earle of Glocester, a man daring without deed, and ac∣customed

to word, with words, not weapons: and Ranulph Earle of Chester, haughty, but with∣all fool-hardy, constant in nothing, and con∣scious only of Conspiracies, who proposeth great enterprizes, but never brings any to good effect: and for many Legions, conducted by such Leaders; the more they be in company, the soo∣ner they be overcome.

At which word, he was cut off by the violent * 1.228 comming on of the enemy: and now beganne a cruell battaile, resolutely and bravely fought on both sides, the violence whereof lasted long un∣certain who should be victors; but in the end, the Kings Hoast was utterly routed: but hee of a more heroicke spirit (as scorning to flie) mayn∣tained the fight with some few of his Knights, * 1.229 and was taken prisoner; and being brought be∣fore the Empresse, shee commanded him to bee conveyed under safe custody to the Castle of Bristoll, where he remayned indurance, from Candlemasse to holy Rood day next ensuing: after which victory, she was so exalted in thought, and puft up with pride, that shee thought now shee had the whole Kingdome in her owne possessi∣on, and came triumphantly to Winchester: after to Wilton, to Oxford, to Reading, to Saint Al∣bans, and lastly, to London: in all which places she was royally received: and during her abode there, the Queene made assiduate labour, for the delivery of the King her husband, promising he * 1.230 should surrender the whole Land into her pos∣session, and either be take himselfe to some Re∣ligious

Order, or to become a banisht Pilgrime to the end of his life: but all was in vaine, shee could receive no comfort from the Empresse upon any conditions.

The Citizens of London likewise petitioned unto her, that they might use the Laws of Ed∣ward the Confessor, as they were confirmed by the Conquerour, and that she would be pleased to disanull the strict innovations imposed on the land by her Father Henry: to which she nor her Counsell would in the least wise condiscend: but the tyde soone turned, for Kent tooke part * 1.231 with the King, and the Londoners being discon∣tented at the deniall of their suite, and being assured that the Kentish men would in all their Enterprizes assist them, they purposed to have surprized her person; of which she having secret intelligence, left a great part of her Iewels and houshold-stuffe, and fled to Oxford: in which slight many of her adherents were disheartned, and a great part of her forces dispersed and scattered.

Then the Queene before so much despised, * 1.232 by the ayde of her friends, the Kentish men, Lon∣doners and others gathered a strong host, under the conduct of one William De-Pre, to pursue the Empresse; who understanding the Queens forces daily to increase, and hers assiduatly to di∣minish, shee left Oxford, and secretly escaped to Glocester, whither the Queenes host followed her: in defence of which City Robert brother * 1.233 of the Empresse making an excursion from the

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towne was surprised and taken: Briefly, a Com∣munication was held between the two opposite parties, in which after much debating the busi∣nesse on both sides, it was concluded that there should be one exchange made of the two priso∣ners, so that the King vpon Holy rood day in har∣vest * 1.234 was released and delivered up to the Queen and her Army, and Robert of Glocester was sur∣rendred to his sister Maud the Empresse.

The Land in this time was much distressed by these two Armies who were in continuall agi∣tation, sometimes the King having the better, and sometimes the Empresse, to relate which at large would aske too long circumstance: but in the end the King had the better, in the seven∣teenth Yeare of whose Raigne, dyed Ranulph Earle of Chester, and Ieffry Plantaginet husband to Maud the Empresse, after whose death their * 1.235 sonne Henry sirnamed short mantle (because hee used to goe in a short Cloak) was created Duke of Anjou, and Normandy; whose sonne few yeares after maried Elenor daughter to the Earl of Poyctow, who had before bin maried to Lew∣is * 1.236 the French King: but for the too neernesse of blood divorced, after hee had received two daughters from her, Mary, and Alice: so that this Henry was the Earle of Anjou by his father, Duke of Normandy by his mother, and Earle of Poyctow by his wife.

This King Stephen had a sonne named Eu∣stace, * 1.237 who by ayde of the French King, warred upon the forenamed Henry, in which the Duke

so Knightly demeaned himselfe, that it proved to their great disadvantage: some say that King Stephen would have crowned his sonne in his life time, but the Clergie would not agree thereto, having a command from the Bishop of Rome, to the contrary, and therefore his pur∣pose tooke no effect. Then the King said siege to the Castles of Newbery, Wallingford, War∣bycke, and Warwell, which had beene kept by the friends of the Empresse to her use, in hope of the comming over of her sonne Duke of * 1.238 Normandy, &c. who the same yeere, with a great Hoast entered England, and first wanne the Castle of Malmsbury, and after came to London, and possessed himselfe both of the City and the Tower, which more by his policie and promise, then his potencie and power performed.

Then King Stephen with his Hoast, drew neer to Duke Henry, but by the mediation of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, and others of the Clergie and Nobility (who met at a place called the water of Vrme) they were kept from * 1.239 present hostility, some endevouring peace, o∣thers labouring warre, as their humours and af∣fections guided them. After which the King took his way towards Ipswich in Suffolke, & the Duke towards Shrewsbury: in which interim died, and was drowned Eustace the sonne of King Stephen, and was buried at Feversham in Kent, in the Abbey which his Father before * 1.240 had founded.

After which, Theobald with others, ceased

not to bring these two Princes to an attone∣ment, which was so earnestly laboured; that a peace was concluded, upon the conditions fol∣lowing, namely, that the King (having now no heire) should continue in the sole Sovereignty during his life: and immediately after the con∣clusion and establishing of that Edict, Henrie should be proclaimed Heire apparant, in all the chiefe Cities and Bor•…•…ughs of England; and that the King should take him for his sonne by adoption, as immediate Heire to the Crowne and Kingdome, wherein that part of the pro∣phesie is fulfilled, which saith,

She failing, will a Lions whelpe appeare, Whose rore should make the Centaure quake with feare: But when the two shap't Monster shall be tam'd By gentle means the whelpe shall be reclaim'd.

By the Centaure, and two shap't Monster, or the Sagittary, which are all one, meaning the King, and by the Lions whelpe, Henry Duke of Nor∣mandy, * 1.241 &c. and after King of England. In the end of this yeere died King Stephen, when hee had reign•…•…d eighteen yeeres and odde moneths, and was buried by his sonne Eustace at Fever∣sham.

This King spent his whole Reigne in great vexation and trouble, which (as some conje∣cture) hapned because hee usurped the Crowne contrary to his Oath made to Henry the first:

that hee should maintaine the inheritance of his daughter Mawd the Empresse: this Stephen * 1.242 was the sonne of Eustace Earle of Bulloigne, and of Mary sister to Mawd who was married to his predecessor Henry: these two are the daugh∣ters of Margaret the wife of Malcolm King of Scots, which Margaret was the sister to Edgar Etheling, and daughter of Edward the outlaw, who was sonne to Edmund Ironside.

Mawd the Empresse daughter to Henry Beau∣clarke, had by her second husband Ieffery Plan∣taginet, this Henry the second of that name, by whom the bloud of the Saxons againe retur∣ned to the Crowne, partly by King Stephen, but more fully by him, so that consequently the bloud of the Normans continued but threescore * 1.243 and ten yeeres, accounting from the first yeere of William the Conquerour, to the last of the reigne of Henry first, compleating those words the prophesie.

And when the iron brood in the land shall fail, The bloud of the red Dragon must prevail.

CHAP. 14.

Divers remarkable passages during the Reigne of Henry the second, his numerous issue, and how they were affected towards him: his vices and vertues, his good and bad fortune: all which were by this our Prophet predicted.

HEnry the second, sonne of Ieffery Plan∣taginet, * 1.244 and Mawd the Empresse, began his Reigne over England, in the moneth of October, and the yeere of our Lord God, one thousand one hundred fifty five, of whom be∣fore it was thus prophesied.

The Eglet of the Flawde league shall behold, * 1.245 The Fathers of her prime bird shine in gold, And in her third nest shall rejoyce: but hee Who from the height of the great Rocke may see The Countries round (both neer and far away) Shall search amongst them, where hee best can pray: Some of whose numerous ayrie shall retaine The nature of the Desert Pelican, The all commanding keys shall strive to wrest, And force the locke, that opens to his nest, But break their own wards: of all flowers that grow

The Rose shall most delight his smell, and so That least it any strangers eyes should daze, Hee'l plant it close in a Dedalian Maze. Fortune at first will on his glories smile, But fail him in the end; alack the while.

The first words of this Prophesie seeme to re∣flect * 1.246 upon the Empresse his Mother: by rejoy∣cing her third nest, may be intended, that having three sonnes, Henry, Ieffery, and William, the two later failing, (as dying in their youth) shee might rejoyce in him whose Father (being King) she saw to shine in gold: or else, being first espoused to Henry the Emperour, and next to Ieffery Plantaginet, shee might in her death re∣joyce in her third espousall with her Saviour: but againe, where hee stiles her the Eglet of the Flawde, or Borbon League; It may bee conferd upon the Queen, who being first married to the King of France, and through neernesse of bloud divorced from him, and sent to her Father, and after married to this King, being then Duke of Normandy, she may be said first to have built her nest in France, secondly, in Normandy, and third∣ly, and last in England.

This Prince (as the Chronicle describes him * 1.247 to us) was somewhat high-coloured, but of a good aspect, and pleasant countenance, fat, full chested, and low of stature: and because hee grew somewhat corpulent, hee used a sparing and abstinent diet, and much exercised Hunting. He was well spoken, and indifferently learned,

Noble in Knighthood, and wise in counsaile, bountifull to strangers, but to his familiars and servants gripple-handed, and where hee loved once or hated, constant, and hardly to be remo∣ved: he had by his wife Eleanor six sonnes and three daughters: The names of five of them * 1.248 were William, Henry, Richard, Godfery, and Iohn; of which two came to succeed him in the Throne, Richard and Iohn, of the sixt there is small or no mention: the eldest of his daugh∣ters hight Mawd, and was married to the Duke of Saxony; the second Eleanor, to the King of Spaine; the third named Iane, to William King of Sicily.

This King was prosperous in the beginning of his Raigne, but unfortunate in the end, as the sequell will make apparant: he was of such magnanimity and courage, that hee was often heard to say, that to a valiant heart, not a whole World sufficeth, and according to his words hee greatly augmented his Heritage, and much ad∣ded * 1.249 to his Dominions. For hee wonne Ireland by strength, and in the seventh yeere of his Reigne, (for divers affronts offered him by William King of Scotland) he made such cruell warre upon him, that in the end hee tooke him * 1.250 prisoner, and compeld him to surrender into his hands, the City of Carlile, the Castle of Bamburch, the new Castle upon Tyne, with divers other holds, and a great part of Northumber∣land, which William before had wonne from the Borderers. He likewise added the whole King∣dome

to his owne, and from the South Ocean to the North Islands of the Orcades, hee closed all those Lands, as under one principall; which done, and receiving fealty and homage of the said King, having a certaine summe of money promist to bee payd unto him within nine moneths following, hee suffered him to goe at liberty.

He spred his Empire so far, that none of all his * 1.251 predecessours had so many Countries and Pro∣vinces under their Dominion and rule: for be∣sides the Realme of England, he had at once in his possession, Normandy, Gascoine, and Guien, Anjou, and Chinou, with Alverne and others, and by his wife as her rightfull Inheritance, the Pyrene Mountaines, which part France and Spaine: which proves

—that hee Who from the height of the great rock may see The Countries round (both neere and far away) Shall search amongst them, where hee best can prey.

In the seventh year of his Raigne, died Theobald * 1.252 Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and Thomas Becket, who was then Chancellour of England, was translated unto that See: and in the ninth yeare the King cal'd a Parliament, at Northampton. where hee intended to abolish some privileges which the Clergie had usurped, amongst which one was, that no Priest, or Clergie man, though he had committed felony, murther or treason

against the Kings owne person, yet had hee not power to put him to death, which he pur∣posed to have reformed; in which Thomas Becket then Arch-Bishop violently opposed him, and gave him very peremptory and unseemly lan∣guage, vilifying the Kings prerogatiue and au∣thority, * 1.253 to his face; but when he saw he had not power to prevaile against the King, hee in great heate and hast, sped him to Alexander then Bi∣shop of Rome, grievously complayning on the King, and suggesting, what iniuries and inno∣vations he would put upon the holy Church continuing there partly in Italy, and partly in France, for the space of six yeares together.

After which time Lewis King of France, recon∣ciled * 1.254 the King and the Archbishop (the King being then in Normandy) and Becket returned to his See at Canterbury, whither hee summond all such persons as in his absence had spoyled, and rifled his moveables and goods, advising them first by faire meanes to restore them; but when he saw that course prevailed not, he tooke * 1.255 a more severe and compulsory way, excommu∣nicating and denouncing all such accursed in his Anathema (not sparing the Kings royall person,) at which the parties here in England, whom it particularly concerned, sailed over unto the King in Normandy; and made a grie∣vous complaint against the Archbishop, at which his being extraordinarily incensed, sayd in the open audience of those then about him, had I any friend that tendered mine honour and safe∣ty,

I had ere this time beene revenged of that traiterous Archbishop.

At that time were present, and heard these words, Sir William Breton, Sir Hugh Morvill, Sir Richard Fitzvile, and Sir William Tracy, which foure Knights, having communed and considered amongst themselves, with an unani∣mous resolution took shipping, and landed at Dover, and road thence to Canterbury, where the fift day in Christmasse weeke, they slue the said Bishop in the Church as hee was going to the Altar, who had before in the open pulpit * 1.256 denounced the King, and divers others of his subjects accursed: which answers to the former,

The All-commanding keys shall strive to wrest, And force the lock that opens to his nest: But breake their own wards, &c.

By the All-commanding Keys, is meant the power of the Keyes of Rome, who striving to force the lock opening to his nest, that is, his prin∣cipality and prerogative, broke their owne wards, which proved true in this Th. Becket, Pri∣mate and Metropolitan, who was slaine in the yeer 1170, over whose Tombe this Distich was inscribed:

Anno milleno, centeno septuageno, Anglorum primus corruit ense thronus.

which with small alteration may bee thus para∣phrased,

Anno, one thousand one hundred seventy dy'd, Thomas the Primate, in his height of pride. * 1.257

Henry in the fourteenth yeere of his Reigne, caused his eldest sonne Henry to bee crowned King of England, at Westminster, giving him full power over the Realme, whilst hee himselfe was negotiated in Normandy, and his many o∣ther provinces, which after proved to his great * 1.258 disadvantage and trouble. In which interim he had cast his eye upon a most beautifull Lady cal∣led Rosamond, on whom hee was so greatly en∣amoured, that it grew even to dotage, inso∣much that hee neglected the Queenes company, * 1.259 insomuch that she incensed all his sonnes, who tooke up armes against their Father in the quar∣rell of their mother, by which the peace of the Land was turned to hostility and uprore; yet the King so farre prevailed, that hee surprised the Queen, and kept her in close prison, and withall * 1.260 was so indulgent over his new Mistresse, that he built for her a rare and wondrous fabricke, so curiously devised, and intricate with so many turning Meanders, and winding indents, that none upon any occasion might have accesse unto her, unlesse directed by the King, or such as in that businesse hee most trusted: and this edifice •…•…e erected at Woodstocke, not farre from Ox∣ford, and made a Labyrinth which was wrought like a knot in a Garden called a Maze, in which any one might lose himselfe, unlesse guided by a line or threed, which as it guided him in, so it

directed him the way out: But in processe it so hapned, that the sonnes having the better of * 1.261 their Father, set at liberty their Mother, who when the King was absent, came secretly to Woodstocke with her traine, at such a time when the Knight her Guardian being out of the way, not dreaming of any such accident, had left the Clue carelesly and visible in the entrance of the Labyrinth.

Which the Queene espying, slipt not that ad∣vantage, but wound her selfe by that silken threed, even to the very place where shee found her sitting, and presenting her with a bowle of poyson, shee compeld her to drinke it off in her presence, after which draught shee within few minutes expired, and the Queene departed thence in her revenge fully satisfied, for which cruell act the King could never be drawne to re∣concile * 1.262 himselfe unto her after, and this makes good that of Merlin.

—of all the flowers that grow, The Rose shall most delight his scent: and so That lest it any strangers eyes should daze, He plants it close in a Dedalian Maze.

Rosamund being dead, was buried in the Mo∣nastery of Goodstow, neere unto Oxford, upon whose Tombe was inscribed,

Hic jacet in tumba, Rosamundi non Rosamunda: * 1.263 Non redolet, sedolet, quae redolere solet.

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Which by an ancient Writer was thus paraphra∣sed into English.

The Rose of the World, but not the clean flower Is graven heere, to whom beauty was lent In this grave full darke, now is her bower That in her life was sweet and redolent: But now that she is from this life blent, Though she were sweet, now fouly doth she stink, A mirrour good for all that on her think.

Such was their English poetry in those dayes. Long after the death of Rosamond was shewed in that Abbey, a rare Coffer or Casket of hers about two foot in length, in which was a strange artificiall motion, where were to be seen Giants fighting, Beasts in motion, Fowls flying, and Fishes swimming: This Henry was troubled by the Queenes animating of his sonnes against him: betwixt whom were divers conflicts, which would appeare tedious to bee rehearsed. It is written of this King, that in his Chamber at Windsore, hee had painted an Eagle with foure * 1.264 young ones, whereof three of them, pulled and pecked the body of the old Eagle, and the fourth picked at his eyes: and being asked what that picture should signifie, hee made answer, This old Eagle figureth my selfe, and the foure birds, my foure sonnes, who cease not to pursue my life: but most of all my sonne Iohn, whom I most have loved, and therefore

Some of his numerous ayrie will retain The nature of the Desert Pelican.

The nature of the Pelican in the Desert be∣ing to pierce her brest with her bill, and feed her young ones with her owne bloud. In the * 1.265 twenty eight yeere of this Henry, died his el∣dest sonne Henry; whom hee had before crow∣ned, much repenting on his death-bed, for his unnaturall rebellion against his Father.

Rainold Monke of Chester relates, that soon after the death of the Lady Rosamond, Lewis the French King, and the eighth of that name, sent to King Henry one of his daughters to bee kept for his second sonne Richard, whom the King vitiated, and laboured to Haguntia a Car∣dinall then in the Land, for a Divorce betwixt * 1.266 him and his wife, intending to have maried that French Lady; but he failed of his purpose (for he meant by that match to have disinherited his unnaturall sonnes.) It is further recorded, that when William King of Scots was taken by the King of England, Hee did him Homage at the City of Yorke, and in witnesse of subjection, he offered his Hat and Saddle upon Saint Peters Altar, which were kept there many yeeres after.

This King had many strange admonitions for * 1.267 the amendment of his life: one was that in his returne from Ireland, as he was taking his horse, there appeared unto him a man of a pale and meager aspect, bare-foot, and in a white Mantle,

who spake unto him and said, I am sent to thee from the Lord of the Sabbaoth, who comman∣deth thee to take order that no Markets bee kept, nor any servile worke bee done on the Lords day (dressing of meate excepted only) which if thou feest performed, whatsoever thou purposest, thou shalt bring to a good and happy end: whose speech the King seemed to distaste, and said to him, that held his bridle, aske of this Churle, if he have dreamed that which hee speaketh? to which the apparition answered againe: whether I have dreamed or not; take thou heed to my words, and amend thy life, or what thou now mockest, shall returne to thy great misery, which having said, he vanisht sud∣denly: the strangenesse whereof though he se∣riously apprehended, yet of the former there was nothing amended.

He had a second admonition by an Irishman, * 1.268 who told him all things which the King had done in secret, which hee had thought none had knowne but himselfe, and withall advised him to repentance and amendment of life, but hee regarded it as the former: about which time being the foure and twentieth yeere of his * 1.269 Reigne, were taken up the bones of King Ar∣thur, and his Queene Guenever, in the Vale of Avalon, the haire of her head seeming white, and of a fresh colour, but as soone as touched, they turned to powder: their bones were after translated to the Church in Glastenbury, and there the second time buried: they were found

by a Bard or Singer of Rythmes under the root of an Oke fifteen foot within the ground: his third admonition I leave to the next Chapter.

CHAP. 15.

The inauguration of Richard the first, sirnamed Cordelion, a prediction of his Reigne. His warres in the Holy Land, his imprisonment by the Duke of Austria: his brother Iohns usur∣pation, his second Coronation, with his unfor∣tunate death, &c.

A Knight called Sir William Chesterly, alias Lindsey, told him boldly, that * 1.270 there were seven severall things by him specially and suddenly to be re∣formed First, to see better to the defence of the Church, and provide for the maintenance thereof: Secondly, to see his Lawes better exe∣cuted, and Iustice more exercised: Thirdly, not to rob the rich, nor extort from them their goods by violence: Fourthly, to make restitu∣tion of all those lands and goods as hee had so wrested: Fiftly, to make no demurre or delay in just sentence, but suffer the right to have law∣full processe: Sixtly; to see his subjects satisfied for such things as had beene taken up to his use, and to pay his servants and souldiers which fell

to robbery, for that default. Seventhly, that he should speedily cause the Iewes to avoid the Land. But this advise prevailed with him as the former.

In his thirtieth yeere, Heraclius Patriarch of Ierusalem, came into England, to solicite his aid against the Saracens (who had invaded the Christian Territories:) and to defend the holy City, which by Saladine King of Surry, was wonne soon after. For by the relation of Peter Desroy, a French Chronicler, Ierusalem was wonne by Godfrey of Bulloigne, in the yeere of Grace, one thousand fourescore and nineteene, and continued under nine Christian Kings, of which Guy of Resingham was the last: this He∣raclius * 1.271 further profered the King the keyes of the holy City, and of our Lords grave, presen∣ting him Letters from Pope Lucius, the third of that name, which charged him to take upon him the journey, according to an Oath by him formerly made: to which the King answered, * 1.272 he could not leave his Land in trouble as a prey to the French, and his owne aspiring sonne; but he would give largely out of his owne coffers, to such as would take that voyage in hand.

To which the Patriarch replyed, we seek a man, not mony, every Christian Prince sendeth us money, but none sendeth us a Prince, and therefore we demand a Prince that needeth mo∣ney, and not money that needeth a Prince; who finding no other comfort from the King, de∣parted his presence much discontented: but the

King thinking to sooth him up with faire words followed him to the Sea-side; but the more the King laboured to humour him, the more harsh, and hardned he grew against the King, and said unto him, hitherto thou hast, reigned gloriously, * 1.273 but hereafter thou shalt be abandoned of him whom thou forsakest: think what he hath given to thee, and what thou in gratitude hast retur∣ned to him againe: who at the first wast false to the French King, and after slewest Thomas Beck∣et, and now lastly forsakest the protection of Christs faith: at which words the King was much moved, and sayd to the Patiarch, though all the people of the Land were one body and spoke with one mouth, they durst not say to me as thou hast done: true, saith the Patriarch, for they love thine, and not thee; the safety of thy goods temporall, but not the safety of thy soule: then he offered his head to the King, say∣ing; now doe me that right which thou did'st to thine Arch-Bishop: for I had rather be slayne by thee, then by the Sarazens.

The King kept his patience, and replied; should I depart out of the Land, mine owne sons would seise upon my Crowne and Scepter in mine absence: no wonder (answered the Patri∣arch) * 1.274 for of the devil they come, and to the de∣vill they shall: and so departed from the King in great anger: after which all things went a∣verse & against him: Giraldus Cambrisius writes of him, that he cherisht strife amongst his owne children, thinking thereby to live himselfe in the

more rest and further saith, that hee was peere∣lesse for three things; wit, war, wantonnesse. He Raigned twenty sixe yeares victoriously and gloriously, foure yeares distractedly and doubt∣fully, and his five last yeares infortunately and miserably: in the end by meere vexation and an∣ger he fell into a fever, and dyed thereof in the Castle of Chinon in Normandy in the moneth of * 1.275 Iuly, when he had raigned thirty foure yeares eight moneths and odd dayes, and was buried at Founte-blew: fulfilling that of the former pre∣diction.

Fortune at first, shall on his glories smile, But faile him in the end, &c.

Richard the first of that name, and second sonn * 1.276 of Henry sirnamed Short Mantle, succeeded his father, and began his Raigne over England in the moneth of Iuly 1189, who upon the day of his Coronation, commanded that all the pri∣soners about London, which lay in for the Kings debt or otherwise (murder and treason excep∣ted) should be set at large, of whose future Reign it was thus predicted.

The Lions heart weel gainst the sarazen rise, And purchase from him many a glorious prise. The Rose and Lilly shall at first vnite, But parting of the prey prove opposite. Iebus and Salem will be much opprest As by the lame and blind againe possest. The Lion-hearted amongst Wolves shall range, And by his art, Iron into silver change.

But whilst abroad, these great acts shall be done, All things at home shall to disorder run, Coopt up and cag'd, then shall the Lion bee, But after sufferance ransom'd and set free. Then doubly crowned: two mighty ones whose prides Transcend; twixt whom aseas arme only glides, (Ambitious both shall many conflicts try; Last, by a poysonous shaft the Lion dye.

This King soone after his Coronation, conferd upon his brother three great dignities and ho∣nours, as the Earldome of Nottingham, Corn∣wale, Chester, and Lancaster, and maried him to the daughter of the Earle of Gloster who was his only childe, by which he was heire to that Earldome also, all which he after but cru∣elly requited: then the king sought to be absol∣ved for his rebellion against his father, which he easily purchast upon promise to pursue the wars * 1.277 in Palestina which his father refused, and to ex∣pedite that voyage, he gave over the two Castles of Barwick and Rocheborough to the Scotch king for ten thousand pound towards the charges of his journey: moreover he sould to the old Bishop of Durham that Province for a great sum of mony, and (as he had covenanted) made him Earle thereof: which done the king laught and said to the standers by, observe what art and cunning is in me, who can make a young Earle of an old Bishop: by such meanes hee emptyed many of the Clergies bagges and fil'd his own

coffers, granting large fees and annuities out of the Crowne; for which some (as far as they durst) blaming him, he replyed unto them, that it was good for a man to ayde himselfe with his owne: adding; that if the citty London were his, at that time of his neede he would sel that also, if he could meete with a merchant able to buy it.

In the second yeare of his Raigne hee made * 1.278 William Longshamp Bishop of Ely, Chancellour of England, leaving the whole Land to his gui∣ding, then sayled he into Normandy, and thence into France to Philip the second, and after co∣venants drawne betwixt them, for the continu∣ance of so great and hazardous a iourney, in the spring of the yeare they set forward, Richard by sea, and Philip by land, appointing their ran∣devouz in Sicily: where meeting (as it was a∣greed) a difference grew betwixt the 2. Kings, * 1.279 in so much that King Phillip left Richard in Si∣cily, and departed towards Acon or Acris: in which time the King of Cyprus tooke two of king Richards ships, and peremptorily denyed their delivery.

For which he invaded the kingdome of Cy∣prus, making sharpe war therein, chacing the King from Citty to Citty; in so much that * 1.280 he was compeld to yield unto him upon condi∣tion, that he should not bee layed in bonds of iron, whereof the king accepted, and kept his promise, causing him to be fettered in chaines of silver, verifying that of the prophesie,

The Lion-hearted amongst Wolves shall range, And by his art iron into silver change.

When he had remained there for the space of 2. months taking his pleasure of the countrey, & victualled his navy, he steered his course to∣wards Acon, and by the way he encountered a great ship of the Soldans furnisht with store of amunition and treasure, which he surpri∣sed & seized, after which he safely arived at the foresaid citty, and met with the king of France, of whom he was ioyfully received: for not long before, 2000 of his army were cut off by the Sa∣razens: then King Richard caused the Citty to be violently assaulted on every side, so that they were forced to yield it upon these covenants * 1.281 following; to depart the place, leaving behind them horse, armour, victuals, and all things be∣longing to war, and further, restore, and set at liberty all such Christian prisoners, as were then under their yoke and bondage, with di∣vers other conditions, but these the chiefest: and this was done in the moneth of August, and in the year of our Lord one thousand one hun∣dred fourescore and twelve.

But in dividing the spoyle of the citty, which was great and rich, there fell out also a division * 1.282 betwixt the 2 Kings, w^ch kindled a fire which was never quench'd, the motives inducing there to were (as Polychronicon reports) because Ri∣chard denied to Philip half of the spoile & booty taken in Cyprus, alledging that their covenants stretched no further then to those purchased in

the holy Land; another was, that king Richard being in Sicily maried the daughter of the king of Navar, where before he had promised to es∣pouse the sister of the King for which and other causes the French King with a small number of ships, departed from Acan, thence to Puis, after * 1.283 to Rome, and so into his owne country, leaving the Duke of Burgundy Generall of the French in his stead, which fulfils that part of the pro∣phesie.

The Rose and Lilly shall at first vnite, But parting of the prey prove opposite.

During King Richards stay there, he sould the kingdome of Cyprus to the knight Templers, for 30000 marks, and (as the French Chronicle re∣ports) forc'd it from them againe by strength * 1.284 and gave it to Guy of Lesingham the last K. of Ie∣rusalem, & further for an affront offered him, he took the Duke of Austria's Banner, and stampt it and trampled it under his foote, for which the Duke sought all advantages to be revenged on him, (as shall be related hereafter) he then, be∣cause the Turks had not delivered to him the * 1.285 holy crosse according to their agreement at the taking of Acon, slew all that were in the City with their pledges and hostages, the whole number as some write, amounting to 5000 persons: then he provided for the present seige of Ierusalem, which as he was given to under∣stand, * 1.286 was at that time much distressed: for it followeth.

Iebus, and Salem shall be much opprest, As by the lame and blinde againe possest.

Of Iebus and Salem, the holy City had the de∣nomination of Ierusalem: and by the lame and blinde is intended the idols of the infidels, who have feete and walke not, eyes and see not, &c. King Richard marching within five mile of the place, purposed to inviron it round, that no supply or succour might bee brought unto it; daily expecting when the Duke of Burgundy with the French would follow him, who perfidious∣ly against his oath and promise, made an orati∣on to his souldiers as followeth: It is knowne unto you all noble friends and countrymen, that * 1.287 though our Soveraigne Lord the King be ab∣sent, yet all the flower and chivalry of France are here present, and whatsoever is done to the dignity of the Christians, and disgrace of the infidels, is most likely by us to be atchieved, the English being cowards and meacockes, and we couragious and manly; yet whatsoever noble act shall be attempted by us, the honour thereof shall bee attributed to them, their King being resident here, & ours so far remote from hence: my counsaile is therefore, that we march back to Acon, and leave them to the hazard that ayme at the honour: which speech so prevailed with his people, that Richard was prevented in his * 1.288 former purpose, and the Duke of Burgundy soone after dyed.

Yet this Lyon-hearted leader was no way

dauted with the French delirements: but ray∣sing his siege, hee pursu'd the Soldans, who then begirt the towne and Castle of Iaphath, and won it, taking there many Christians prisoners, and then man'd it with his owne men, sending them whom he surprised to bee else where imprisoned, whom K. Richard com∣ming too late to the siege, most fortunately met and rescued: which done hee set upon the * 1.289 towne and Castle and tooke them, setting there a strong garrison of Christians. After which victory he wonne Dacon and Garles, two great Cities, and repaired the Castle of Askelon with sundry others, which the Pagans had much de∣faced and ruined: after which, he commanded all his prisoners to be slayne, which others sold to their profit (and advantage) by which hee grew to be the greater terror to the Turks: but victuals daily diminishing & sicknes increasing in his army, and the French fayling him, having set things there in the best order that necessity * 1.290 would permit him, he took shiping at Acon (cal∣led also Tholomida, & from thence he sailed into Cyprus: then he sent his wife and her sister with the greatest part of his people, into Sicilia, and because he could not well brooke the Sea, hee thought to make a short cut into Histria, but by force of weather was driven a shore betwixt Venice and Aquilea, where landing with that small traine which followed him, He was espy∣ed, by some of the Duke of Austria's Knights (whose standard he had trod under foote, who

after laid waite for him, and tooke him; the manner whereof I leave to the ensuing Chap∣ter.

CHAP. 16.

The rest of the Prophesie made good in the subse∣quence; the troublesome raigne of King Iohn, his losse of Normandy: his Land interdicted by the Pope, to whom he is compeld to resigne his Crowne, and after hold it as from him: his death.

IN the absence of the King, whilst * 1.291 he was busie in his warres abroad, the Bishop of Ely Chauncellour, and Pro-rex at home; opposed the Lords, abused the Commons, and oppressed the Clergy: hee rid not abroad, attended with lesse then a thousand horses; to maintaine which pompe, and Luciferian pride, hee ex∣torted from the poore, from the Peeres, but especially from the Prelates; holding in his hands at once, besides Ely, the two Arch∣bishopricks of Canterbury, and Yorke: impri∣soning whom he pleased, and releasing where he liked: nor was the King more earnest in vex∣ing the Pagans and Infidels in the Land of Pa∣lestine,

then he was eager and extreame against his Christian brethren, whose patronage and protection were committed to his charge, so that it verifies;

Whilst that abroad such great acts shal be done, All things at home will to disorder run.

In which interim, the King being on all sides * 1.292 ambusht by the Austrians, for betwixt Venice and Aquilea, in a Province belonging to the Duke, he was beset by one Mainart de Goresen, but with losse of some of his traine, he by his manhood escaped. After at a towne named Frisach, one Frederick de Saint Soon made a se∣cond attempt upon him, and tooke six of his Knights, but he by his noble valour made his way through the ambush of the enemy, with∣out surprizall, and strooke up towards Germa∣ny: but spies being set to know what course he * 1.293 took, he was at length betrayed into the hands of the Duke of Lemple cousin to the Emperor, who sent him to the Duke of Austria: he pre∣sently rifled him of all the treasure and iewels hee had about him, and committed him for a moneth to strait and close prison.

During which time (as some write) the Duke * 1.294 put him to cope singly with a great and migh∣ty Lion, weaponlesse and unarmed, who having conquered the beast, ript up his heart and flang it in the Dukes face, and after that with a blow under the eare he slew the Dukes sonne; and

further, that his daughter being enamoured both of his person and great valour, he left her vitiated and deflowred: but howsoever in this all witnesses agree, that when the moneth was expired, he sent him to the Emperour who was Henry the first of that name, and sonne to Frederick the first, who put him into a darke and obscure dungeon, covenanting with the Duke, that he should have the third part of his ransome: there he remained for the space of a yeere and three moneths, at length up∣on a palm-sunday, he caused him to be brought before his Princes and Lords, to answer what could be obiected against him, where hee ap∣peared with such a manly and maiestick aspect, and withal answered so directly and discreetly to whatsoever was laid to his charge, that they generally comiserated his iniust durance: then * 1.295 his ransome was set at an hundred thousand pound sterling, and hostages given for the pay∣ment by such a time: which done, he was set at liberty: which verefies,

Coopt up, and cag'd then shall the Lion be, But after sufferance ransomd and set free.

The King in the eight yeere of his Reigne, * 1.296 about the latter end of March landed at Sand∣wich, and came straight to London, where he was ioyfully received, and then calling a Counsaile of his Lords, he first took order to pay his ransome: and because his brother

Iohn in his absence had usurped the Diadem & was at that time in France, he deprived him of all Honour and title, and tooke from him, all those Earledomes and revenewes that hee before had conferd upon him, and caused him selfe at Winchester to be the second time crow∣ned, and then began the ancient grudge to re∣vive betweene the two Kings of England and France, which was the more aggravated, be∣cause the French King supported Iohn, against the King his Brother: But Prince Iohn seeing how much his fame was magnified in the mouths of all men, and that all the parts both of Christendome, and Paganisme, resoun∣ded with his praise, he made means to his mo∣ther Queene Eleanor, by whose mediation a * 1.297 peace was made betwixt her two sonnes, whilest the wars in Normandy and France, went stil forwards.

Many wery the battailes fought betwixt the two Kings, and much effusion of bloud on both sides, where sometimes the one, some∣times the other had the better, but for the most part Richard the best, during which com∣bustion before the last 20000 pound for his ransome was payd, his two hostages the Bish∣ops of Bath in England, and Roan in Norman∣dy, came unto him and told him that they were set at liberty by the Emperour, and fur∣ther shewed, that his great enemy the Duke of Austria, was accused of Innocent the third then Pope, for the iniuries before offered him,

and that upon Saint Stephens day hee prickt his foot with a thorne, which gangrend, and should have beene cut off, and being told hee must die, he sent to his Bishops to be absolved, which they had denied to doe, till hee had showne himselfe repentant, for the foresaid wrongs, and released his hostages, which being * 1.298 accordingly done, the Duke died, and they were delivered.

In the processe of the wars before spoken of, King Richard, in the tenth yeere of his Reigne, after Christmasse, besieged a Castle in France neere Lymoges, called Gaylyard, the cause was, that a rich treasure being found within the Seig∣niory of the King of England, by one Widomer Vicount of Lemruke, hee had denyed to render it up, and fled thither for his refuge, and de∣fended it manfully till the fift day of April, upon which day the King walking unadvisedly, to * 1.299 take view of the Fort, and where it might be best entred, one named Bertrand Genedow (whom some Writers call Pater Basale,) marked the King and wounded him in the head, (but some say in the arme) with a poysoned arrow, after which hurt received, hee caused a violent and desperate assault to be made, in which hee wonne the Castle, then hee made inquiry, who hee was that had wounded him? who being found and brought before him, the King de∣manded of him, why he should rather ayme at his person, than any of those who were then about him? who boldly made answer, because

thou slewest my Father and my brethren, for which I vowed thy death whatsoever became of me: the King after some pawsing leisure, for that answer gave him his pardon and liberty, but the rest of the souldiers he put to the sword, and caused the Castle to bee razed to the earth, * 1.300 and dyed the third day after, whose body was buried at Fount E-a-Bleu, at the feet of his Fa∣ther, which no way erres from the prophesie.

—For potent Kings, whose prides Transcend: 'twixt whom, a sea-arm onely glides, (Ambitious truth) shall many conflicts, try Last, by a poysonous shaft the King shall die.

Iohn the youngest sonne to Henry the second, * 1.301 and brother to the late deceased Richard, was proclaimed King, the tenth day of April, in the yeere of Grace, one thousand one hundred fourescore and nineteene, and was crowned at Westminster, upon holy Thursday next ensuing: of whom it was thus predicted:

The subtle Fox into the Throne shall creep, Thinking the Lion dead who did but sleepe, But frighted with his walking rore, finds cause To flie the terrour of his teeth and paws, After this Leopard, stain'd with many a spot Shall lose all Rollo by his Gilla got, Then shall those keyes whose power would awe the fates For a long time, lock up his Temple gates,

Vnburthen him of all the charge he beares, And wrest from him the Lawrell that he wears. Woes me, that from one Leopard should be torne What many Lions in their pride have worne. Hither the French flower would it self transpose Where must spring after, many a glorious rose. Hee that did (all he might) the Kirk despise, Against his life shall a base Kirk-man rise.

The former part of this prediction is apparant * 1.302 in the premisses, where Iohn sought like a Fox subtlely and craftily to insinuate into the peo∣ples hearts, and rob him of his Kingdom, think∣ing his brother all that time as dead, when hee was utterly despairing of his liberty, but finding him waking, as being enfranchised and set at large, he then was frighted by the least frown of his brows, being glad to mediate his peace by his Mother: the rest shall follow in order: hee was * 1.303 of a disposition, course, and retrograde, self∣will'd, and proud, in all or most of his underta∣kings very infortunate. In the first yeere of his reigne, he divorced himselfe from his first wife daughter to the Earle of Glocester, pretending too neere propinquitie in bloud, and soone after married Isabel daughter to the Earle Angolesme, * 1.304 in France, by whom hee had issue two sonnes Henry and Richard, and three daughters, Isabel, Eleanor, and Iane: He was before his coronation girt with the sword of the Dukedome of Brita∣ny, and suffered it to be taken from him by his yong Nephew Arthur, son to Ieffery Plantaginet,

to his great derogation and dishonour, he after left all Normandy, which the French King wonne * 1.305 from him, even to one Towne and Village, ap∣proving that of the Prophet.

After this Leopard, stain'd with many a spot, * 1.306 Shall lose all Rollo, by his Gilla got.

The Prophet, for his stained and contaminated life and government, would not vouchsafe him the name of a Lion, but a Leopard alluding, as well to his spotted fame as his skin, by whose cowardly and unkingly proceedings Philip the French King, seized all Normandy, and tooke it into his absolute possession, annexing it to his Crowne, which no French Monarch ever had, since the time of Charles the Simple, who gave that Duchie to Rollo as a dowry, with Guilla his daughter, which had successively continued un∣der the Sovereignty of the Dukes of Norman∣die, and the Kings of England, three hundred yeers and upwards.

In the first yeere of his Reigne, Stephen Lang∣ton being chosen Archbishop of Canterbury, by the Monks, the election was opposed by the * 1.307 King, for which hee complained him to the Pope, who sent unto him loving and kinde Let∣ters, to admit of the said Stephen, to which his Lords advised him; but the more he was impor∣tuned, the more implacable hee grew, returning the Popes messengers backe with peremptory deniall. The next yeere came a strict comman∣dement

from Rome, that unlesse the King would peaceably suffer the Archbishop to enjoy his See, that the whole Land should be interdicted, charging these four Bishops, William of London, * 1.308 Eustace of Elie, Walter of Winchester, and Giles of Hereford, to denounce the King and his Land accursed, unlesse his command were pun∣ctually obey'd: but though these Prelates, with the rest of his Peeres were urgent with him, to eschew the rigorous Censure of the Church, all was to no purpose, for which, upon the six and twentieth day of March, they began in Lon∣don, and first shut up the doores of all Temples, Churches and Chappels, with all the other pla∣ces where Divine Service was used, and as in London, so they did through the whole Land, * 1.309 for which the King was so inraged, that he sei∣zed all their temporalties into his hands, putting them into such feare, that they were forced to flie to the banisht Archbishop, some write, that this interdiction was of such power and validity, that during the time therof, which was six yeers, three moneths and odde dayes, no Service was said, no Sacraments administred, no Childe Christned, none Married, and not any suffered * 1.310 to come to Confesse.

In this interim, the King from anger grew to * 1.311 rage, proclayming that all persons Spirituall or Temporall, that held any Lands or other live∣lihood here, shall by the next Michaelmasse re∣turne into the Land, or failing therein, forfeit their whole estates, besides that diligent search

should be made, what Letters should be brought from Rome, which should bee delivered to the * 1.312 King: then hee extorted from all the Monaste∣ries, not sparing any Religious House that had dependance on the Clergie: For which a new Commission was sent from Rome, by vertue whereof the Curse of interdiction was againe denounced, to which by the authority of the Pope was added, that this his Bull acquitted and absolved all the Lords of England, as well spi∣rituall as Temporall, from all duty and allegi∣ance before sworne to the King, and that they might lawfully rise in armes against him, to de∣pose and deprive him of all Regall honour and dignity; but all these tooke no more impressi∣on * 1.313 in him, then if they had beene clamoured in the eares of a deafe man, or proclaymed to a Statue of Marble.

But by the way (which I cannot let passe) this King Iohn, in the tenth yeere of his Reigne, and of grace, one thousand two hundred and ten, * 1.314 granted to the City of London by his Letters Patents, that in stead of two Bayliffs, by which their Magistracy was held, they should yeerly choose themselves a Major, and two Sheriffs; which Major was Henry Fitz-allwin, and Peter Duke, and Thomas Neale, Sheriffs. The same yeere London bridge which before was of tim∣ber, * 1.315 was begun to be builded of stone, and Saint Mary Overies Church to be erected in South∣wark.

CHAP. 17.

A continuance of some passages in King Iohns Reign. Henry the Third succedeth his Father, a prediction of his Reigne: his brother Richard made King of the Romans. Henries long Reign: the mad Parlament. The Barons Wars, &c.

I Proceed where I left: in the same yeere the Pope sent over his Legate * 1.316 Pandolphus, with another a Latere, to accompany him, to solicit the same businesse, who were sent back with a like frivolous answer: yet hee sent againe the yeere following, the same Pandolphus threatning wonders if hee did not receive Stephen Langton into his Archbishoprick, and make restitution of all such moneys and other moveables of which he had robbed the Monasteries, &c. Then at last, the King considering, into what dangers hee had intricated himselfe hy his peremptory denials, how he had lost Normandy abroad, and then in what desperate case his Kingdom stood * 1.317 at home: that his Lords were acquitted of their allegiance, and in what danger his souls and his peoples were, hee and his whole Nation stand∣ing accursed, he at length condiscended, to sub∣mit himselfe to whatsoever the Court of Rome

should determine. The Articles proposed by the Pope, and by him to be performed were these following.

Peaceably to suffer Stephen Langton to enter * 1.318 into the Land, and to enjoy the primacy and profits of his Archbishoprick, that these whom hee had banisht should be repeald, and their goods whom hee had rifled, should be to them restored: and that he should yield up his absolute right and title to the Crowne of England, and he & his heirs, thence-forward, to hold it of the Pope and his successors: to which having gran∣ted, and he and his Lords being sworne to ob∣serve * 1.319 the same, Hee kneeling tooke the Leg•…•…te to him, the Crowne from his head, and delive∣red it to the Popes use, saying these words, I here resigne up the Crowne of the Realmes of England and Ireland, into the hands of pope Innocent the third, and put my selfe wholly into his power and mercy; then Pandolph as Depu∣ty for the Pope tooke the Crowne, and kept it five dayes in his possession, and then the King received it from him againe: First, having sea∣led and delivered up an Instrument or writing, the effect was, that he could challenge no power but by permission of the Pope; and further to pay unto the Apostolicke See yeerly a thousand Marks of silver, seven hundred for the Crowne of England, and three hundred for the King∣dome of Ireland: for the payment of which * 1.320 tribute but the Peter-pence were after gathered, and this confirmes the premisses exprest in the prophesie.

Then shall those keyes whose power would awe the fates, For along time lock up his Temple gates, Vnburthen him of all the charge he beares, And wrest from him the Lawrell that he wears. Woes me, that from one Leopard should be torne What many Lions in their pride have worne.

It is made so plaine, that it needs no further In∣terpretor: In those days, lived one called Peter * 1.321 of Pomfret, a Bard, (and such then were held as Southsayers and prophets) who predicted di∣vers of the Kings disasters, which fell out accor∣dingly: amongst which one was, that hee should reigne but fourteene yeeres: but when the King had entred the fifteenth, hee called him into question for a false prophet, to which hee an∣swered, that whatsoever hee had foretold was justifiable and true. For in the fourteenth yeer hee gave up his Crowne unto the pope, and hee paying unto him an annuall tribute, the pope raigned, and not hee: notwithstanding which apology he caused him as a Traytour to be han∣ged and quartered.

After which he bore himselfe so aversly, to∣wards his Barons, that the greatest part of them * 1.322 fell from his Allegiance, and called in Lewis (son to the French king) into the Land, covenant∣ing to make him king, who was received with his whole Army, and possessed of London, the Tower, and many other strong holds in the

kingdome; betwixt whom and the king were sundry conflicts and skirmishes, in which they diversly sped, during which dissention in the seventeenth yeere of his Reigne he expired (as the Authour of Polychron. saith) at Newarke, of * 1.323 a bloudy flix. But by the relation of our Eng∣lish Chronicle, to which we give more credit, as also by the authority of Master Fox in his Mar∣tyrologie, he was poysoned by a Monke (having been a great Rifler of their Monasteries) and dyed at Swinsted Abbey in Lincolnshire (this Monke being of the same House) and his body was after buried in the Cathedrall Church at Winchester, which fatall accident hapned unto him the day after Saint Luke, being the eigh∣teenth of October, after hee had reigned sixteen yeeres, six moneths and odde days, leaving be∣hind him two sonnes, Henry and Richard. In his death verifying,

He that did (all he might) the Kirke despise, Against his life, shall a base Kirkman rise.

Not forgetting the former, which was predi∣cted of Lewis comming into the Land,

Hither the French flower would it self transpose Where must spring after many a glorious Rose.

Henry the third of that name, and eldest son * 1.324 to King Iohn, at the age of nine yeeres beganne his Reigne over the Realme of England, the

twentieth of October, in the yeere of Grace one thousand two hundred and sixteene, Philip the second being then king of France: this king reigned the longest, and did the least (of remark∣able memory) of any of his predecessours: Of whom it was thus predicted,

Dreame shall the Leopards issue in the throne, * 1.325 (Crudled in rest) carefull to keep his owne: Nor forcing ought from others: changing then His Leopards spots, a Lion turn agen, Abroad the second whelpe for prey will rore Beyond the Alps, & to Ioves bird restore: (rage Her decayde plumes: the King of beasts whose His youth conceal'd, shall rowse him in his age, Against the Boare, the Talbot, and the Beare, The Mountain Cat, & Goat: with whom cohere Of fowls, the Falcon, Hearn, the Peacock, Swan, With Fishes too, prest from the Ocean, With whose mixt blouds the Forest shalbe dyde, Till love unite, what discord did divide.

Presently upon the young Kings Coronation, the greatest part of the English peeres, revolted * 1.326 from the French party, and acknowledged him their sole King and Soveraigne, so that within a short season, they quit both him and all the Aliens, and Strangers out of the Land: in the eight yeare of his Raigne was held a Parlament * 1.327 in which was granted to the King and his succes∣sor Kings, the Wardship and Mariage of all the Heires: which act was called by wise men of that age, Initium Malorum.

In the thirtieth yeare of his Raigne dyed Frederick the Emperour who had before ma∣ried Isabell the Kings sister. who for his con∣tempt of the church of Rome was accursed, of * 1.328 whom was made this Epitaph,

Fre: sremit in Mundo, De: deprimitalta profundo. Ri: res rimatur, cus: cuspide cuncta minatur.

Which though it cannot sound so well in our English tongue, yet is thus paraphrased.

Free: frets the world: De: Height, which depth confounds. Ri: searcheth all things, Cus with the wea∣pen wounds.

After whose death the Electors could not agree in the choise of a successor: some nomi∣nated the Duke of Thoring, others the Earle of Holland, and some againe stood for Rich∣ard Earle of Cornwale the Kings brother, but in the end Rodulphus Duke of Habspurg, was inaugurated by Pope Gregory the ninth: so that great variance and strife continued for the space of 27 yeares, to the great Im∣poverishment of Italy and the lands of the em∣pire, in the fortieth yeare of the King landed in England upon Innocents day in Christmas * 1.329 weeke, divers Princes of the Empyre, and did their homage to Richard Earle of Cornwale,

as King of the Romans and Emperour, who upon Ascention day after was crowned in A∣quisgrane, verifying:

Abroad the second whelp, for prey will rore Beyond the, Alps and to * 1.330 Ioves bird restore Her decai'd plumes.

In the 41 yeare, about Saint Barabas day in the moneth of Iune, the king called his high * 1.331 Court of Parliament at Oxford, which was cal∣led the mad parliament, because in it divers Acts were concluded against the Kings plea∣sure, for the reformation of the state: for which, after great dissention grew betwixt the King and his Nobles, called the Barons Wars, which proved the perishing of many of the Peeres, and almost the ruine of the whole Realme: for in that Session were chosen twelve Peeres, whom they called the Douz Peeres, who had full Commission to correct and reforme whatsoever was done amisse in the Kings Court, the Courts of Iustice, and Exchequer through∣out * 1.332 the Land, to whose power the King and Prince Edward his sonne signed and assented un∣to, though somewhat against their wills: of all which passages, such as would be fully satisfied, I referre them to our English Chronicles, or to Michael Draytons Poem of the Bar•…•…ns Warres, wherein they are amply discoursed: and my nar∣row limits will not give mee leave to relate them at large: yet I borrow permission to

insist a little further on one particular.

All things being in combustion betwixt the * 1.333 King and his Peeres, and their Armies assem∣bled on both sides, the Barons framed a Let∣ter to the King to this purpose. To the most ex∣cellent Lord King Henry, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Guian, &c. The Barons, and other your faith∣full servants; their fidelity and oath to God and you coveting to keep, sending due saluting, with all reverence and honour under due obeysance, &c. Liketh it your Highnesse to understand, that many being about you have before time shewed unto your Lordship of us many evill and untrue reports, and have found suggestions not onely of us, but also of your selfe, to bring your Realme to subversion: Know your excel∣lency, that we intend nothing but health, and security to your person, to the uttermost of our powers. And not onely to our enemies, but al∣so yours, and all this your Realme, wee intend utter grievance and correction, beseeching your grace hereafter to give to them little credence; for you shall find us your true and faithfull sub∣jects to the uttermost of our powers. And wee Simon Mountfort, Earle of Leceister, and High Steward of England, and Gilbert Clare, Earle of Glocester, at the request of others, and for our selves, have put to our Seals the 10. of May.

To which Letter the King framed this An∣swer. * 1.334 Henry by the grace of God, King of Eng∣land, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Guian: to

Simon de Mountfort, and Gilbert de Clare, and their Complices: Whereas by Warre and generall disturbance in this our Realme, by you begunne and continued, with also burnings and other enormities, it evidently appeares that your fidelity to us due, you have not kept, nor the security of our person litle regarded: for so much as our Lords, and other our trusty friends, which daily abide with us, yee vexe and grieve, and them pursue to the utmost of your powers, and yet daily intend; as you by the report of your Letters have us ascertained: we, the griefe of them admit, and take for our owne, especially when they for their fidelity, which they to us daily impend, stand, and abide by us, to suppresse your infidelity and untroth: Wherefore of your favour and assurance we set little store, but you, as our enemies, we utterly defie. Witnesse our selfe at our Towne of Lewis, the twelfth of May.

Moreover, Richard his Brother King of the Romans (who was come over into England with his wife and son) with Prince Edward and other Lords about the King, sent them another Let∣ter, * 1.335 the tenour whereof was this: Richard by the grace of G•…•…d King of the Romans, semper Augustus, and Edward the Noble first begotten sonne of the King of England, and all other Ba∣rons firmly standing and abiding with our So∣veraigne Lord the King: To Simonde Mount∣fort, and Gilbert de Clare, and all other their false fellowes, &c. By the Letters which yee sent to

our Soveraigne Lord, wee understand that wee are defied of you; neverthelesse, this word of de∣fiance appeared to us sufficiently before, by the deprivation, and burning of our Mannors, and carrying away of our goods; wherefore we will that yee understand, that we defie you as our mortall and publicke enemies, and whensoever we may come to the revengement of the inju∣ries that you to us have done, wee shall requite it, to the utmost of our power; and where yee put upon us, that neither true nor good counsell to our Soveraigne Lord we give, you therein say falsely and untruely: and if that saying, yee Sir Simon de Mountfort, and Sir Gilbert de Clare, will testifie in the Court of our Soveraign Lord, we are ready to purchase to your surety and safe comming, that there wee may prove our true and faithfull innocency, and your false and trayterous lying. Witnessed with the Seales of Richard King of the Romans, and Sir Edward Prince, before named. Given at Lewes the twelfth of May. The successe of the Battaile fol∣loweth in the next Chapter.

CHAP. 18.

The deaths of Henry the third and Richard Earle of Cornwale King of the Romans: Prince Ed∣wards victories in the Holy Land: his Corona∣tion: the prophesie of his Raigne: his first redu∣cing of Wales under his dominion, for ever: the beginning of his warres in Scotland, &c.

WHen the Barons had received these letters, they were resolved to try it out by the sword, & on wednesday being the 24 day of May, early in the morning, both hoasts met, where the Londoners who took part with the Barons, gave the first assault, but were beaten back, some-what to the * 1.336 dismay of the Barons Army: but they cheared their fresh and lusty Souldiers in such wise, that they valiantly came on: by whose brave resoluti∣on, those before discomfited resumed their for∣mer strength and vertue, fighting without fear: in so much that the Kings vaward gave back & left their places: in this battaile the father spa∣red not the sonne, nor the sonne the father, (such was the misery of those home bred wars) in so much that the field was every where strow∣ed with dead b•…•…dyes, for the fight continued the greatest part of the day: at last the victory

fell to the Barons: so that were taken the King, the King of the Romans, and prince Edward * 1.337 with five and twenty Barons and Bannerets, and the people slaine on both sides, amounted to above twentythousand.

These royall prisoners being put in safe keep∣ing, a peace was after debated, and at length concluded, and they released, but it proved to small purpose, for many battailes were after fought betwixt them, in which sometimes the King, sometimes the Barons had the better (the circumstances are too long to relate) in which Prince Edward bore himselfe bravely: in pro∣cesse the five & fiftieth yeer of this Kings Reign, the King of the Romans made attonement be∣twixt the King his brother, and Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester, who had continued the wars of the Barons, upon condition that hee should take a Voyage into the Holy Land for the King, for which hee should have towards his charge eight thousand Marks in hand, and when hee was on shipboard foure thousand more, and to bee ready the first day of May next following: but this failing in him; Prince Edward under∣tooke it in his stead, and the yeere after ab•…•…ut the end of March, dyed Richard Emperour of * 1.338 Almaine, King of the Romans, and Earle of Corn∣wall, being the Kings brother, after hee had go∣verned the Empire betwixt fifteen and sixteene yeeres, and was buried at Hales an Abbey of white Monks which hee had before time foun∣ded: and the yeere following, upon the sixteenth

day of November, died Henry the Third King of England, after he had governed the Realme fifty * 1.339 six yeeres, and twenty seven days, leaving for his Heire Prince Edward, who was then in the Holy Land, and another sonne called Edmund Crowch∣backe: His body was buried in the Abbey of Westminster, and over him inscribed:

Tertius Henricus jacet hic, pietatis amicus: * 1.340 Ecclesiam stravit istam, quam post renovavit. Reddat ei munus, qui regnat trinus & unus.

Thus Englished,

Third Henry here doth rest, Of Piety possest, Down first this Church he threw, And after did renew. O grant him thy immunity, Thou Trinity in Vnitie.

The premisses confirme the prophesie of his Reigne towards the latter end of his time: which was turbulent and troublesome, to the exhausting of the Kings treasure, the deaths of many of his Noble Barons, and almost to the destruction and desolation of the whole Realm: therefore it was truly said of him:

—The King of beasts whose rage His youth conceal'd, shall rouze him in his age, Against the Boare, the Talbot, and the Beare, The Mountaine Cat and Goat, with whom co∣here, &c.

By the Lion the King is personated, and by the rest of the beasts and birds named, the se∣verall Crests and Emblazons in the Barons Armes and Scutchions, by which they were distinguisht. Prince Edward his sonne was at the time of his death in the Land of Palaestine. Of whom also it was thus predicted.

An Occident all Dragon bright as noone, * 1.341 Shal (breathing flames) dark the Oriental Moon. The Cambrian Wolves he through their Woods shall chace, Nor cease till hee have quite extirpt their race. Then from the North shall fiery Meteors threat, Ambitious after bloud) to quench their heat (The Dragons bloud) at which his Crest wil rise, And his scales flame: and where he treads as flyes Fright all shal him oppose: the Northern Dyke Passe shall hee then, and set his foot in Wyke. After which, showers of bloud will fall upon And barren the faire fields of Caledon. Then having ended what he took in hand, Die in the Marches of another Land.

Hee in the yeere one thousand two hundred * 1.342 threescore and eleven, and in the yeere of his fa∣thers Reigne fifty five, upon the twentieth of August, tooke shipping at Dover, and sailed thence to Burdeaux, but because the French Ar∣my (b•…•…und upon the same adventure, was re∣moved thence, he sped after, and met with them at Tunis, and from the•…•…ce he took shipping for

the Holy Land, and arrived with some French forces joyned with his owne. At Acris or Acon, what time the Christians possessed that City on∣ly, and the City of Tyre, holding some few Castles to preserve them from the rage of the Soldan, There he was honorably received, and with great joy: after whose being there; the Soldan or Saladine, who had wonne all the Countrey there about, came thither with an Hoast of an hundred threescore thousand Sa∣razens; and besieged the City, and made many bold and bloudy assaults. But the Prince, so * 1.343 valiantly demeaned himselfe, that hee defended the City, the Castles belonging to it, and all the Territories about, that notwithstanding the multitude of the Soldans Army, hee was com∣peld to forsake the siege to his great shame and dishonour.

Even the French Chronicles, whose custome * 1.344 is to write boastingly of themselves, and spa∣ringly of others; bestow on him a character of invincible courage, and that in all his stratagems and martiall exploits, hee so honourably beha∣ved himselfe, that his very name was a terrour to the Turks, for many yeers after: who seeing his great boldnesse, and that they were not able to stand him in battaile, they plotted how to take away his life by Treason, and to that pur∣pose, when he was resident in Acon, they sent to * 1.345 him a Sarazen, in the name of a Secretary, who in delivering unto him a counterfeit message, wounded him in the arme with an empoyso∣ned

Knife, which he wresting from the Infidels hand, slue with the same weapon, so that he died incontinently: Then hee cald for a Surgeon, and with incomparable sufferance, commanded him to cut out all the putrified and corrupted flesh, even to the scaling of the bone, without the least shrinking or alteration of countenance: of which base treachery hee was after revenged upon them to their great detriment and da∣mage: and thus,

The Occidentall Dragon, bright as noon, Did (breathing flames) dazle the orienial moon.

Hee is called Occidentall, as being bred in this our Westerne Island, and the Soldan is figured in the Orientall Moone, being a Prince in the Easterne part of the World, and bearing the se∣micircled Moone in his Banner: Prince Edward during his aboad there, had by the Princesse his wife, a daughter called Ioane, who tooke a * 1.346 name from the place, and was called Ioane of Acris, because there born, and was after married to the Earle of Glocester: After his being there some two yeeres and upward, his father dying, hee was called home to take possession of the Crowne of England.

Edward the first of that name, and sonne of Henry the Third (by reason of his tall stature, sir∣named Long-shanks, began his Reign, Novem. 17. the yeere of Grace, one thousand two hundred threescore and twelve who came to London,

the second day of August, and was crowned at Westminster, the fourteenth of December fol∣lowing * 1.347 being the second yeere of his Reigne, at whose Coronation was present Alexander King of Scots, who the morrow following did ho∣mage to him for the Kingdome of Scotland: but Lewellin prince of Wales, refused to come to that solemnitie, for which King Edward ga∣thered a strong power, and subdued him in his * 1.348 owne borders: and in the yeere after hee called his high Court of Parlament, to which also Lewellin presumptuously denied to come, there∣fore after Easter, he assembled new forces, and entring Wales, hee constrained him to submit himselfe to his mercy, which with great difficul∣ty * 1.349 hee obtained: then the King built the Castle of Flint, and strengthened the Castle of Rut∣land, to keepe the Welsh in due obedience.

He gave also uuto David brother of Lewellin, * 1.350 the Castle of Froddesham, who remayned in his Court, and with his seeming service much de∣lighted the King: but David did it only as a spie, to give his brother secret intelligence, of what∣soever the King or his Counsell said of him or against him, who tooke his opportunity, and privatly left the Court, stirring up his bro•…•…her to a new Rebellion, of which the King being informed, hee could hardly thinke that hee could prove so ingratefull, but being better as∣certained of the truth, he made fierce warre up∣on them: at length Lewellin was strictly besieged in Swandon Castle, from which when hee

thought early in a morning to escape with ten Knights only, hee was met by Sir Roger Morti∣mer, (upon whose Lands hee had before done great out-rage) who surprized him and cut off his head, and sent it to the King being then at * 1.351 Rutland, who commanded it to bee pitcht on a pole and set upon the Tower of London, and further, that all his heires should be disherited, and their claime to the Soveraignty of Wales to be deprived the right thereof, solely remayning in the Kings of England, and their Successours. So one after was his brother David taken, and after doomed to be drawn, hanged and quarte∣red, * 1.352 and his head sent to the Tower and placed by his brother Lewellins: in which the prophesie is verified:

The Cambrian Wolves, he through their woods shall chace, Nor cease till he have quite extirpt their Race.

Of this Lewellin a Welsh Metrician writ this E∣pitaph,

Hic jacet Anglorum tortor, tutor Venedorum, Princeps Wallorum, Lewelinus regula morum, * 1.353 Gemma Coaevorum, flos regum praeteritorum: Forma futurorum, Dux, Laus, Lex, Lux popu∣lorum.

Thus anciently Englisht:

Of Englishmen the scourge, of Welsh the protector,

Lewellin the Prince, rule of all vertue, Gemme of Livers, and of all others the flower: Who unto death hath paid his debt due, Of Kings a mirrour that after him ensue, Duke, and Priest, and of the Law the right, Here in this grave, of people lyeth the light.

To which an English Poet of those times made this answer,

Hic jacet errorum princeps ac praedo virorum, * 1.354 Proditor Anglorum, fax livida, sectareorum, Numen Wallorum, Trux, Dux, Homicida pio∣rum: Fex Trojanorum, stirps mendax, causa ma∣lorum.

Here lyeth of Errour, the Prince if yee will ken: Thiefe and Robber, and traytor to Englishmen, A dimme brood, a Sect of doers evill, God of Welshmen, cruell without skill, In slaying the good, and Leader of the bad: Lastly rewarded, as he deserved had: Of Trojans bloud the dregs, and not the seed; A root of falshood, and cause of many evill deed.

In the twentieth yeere of the King, upon Saint Andrews Eve, being the twentie ninth of November, died Queene Eleanor, sister to the * 1.355 King of Spaine: by whom the King had foure sonnes, Iohn, Henry, Alphons, and Edward; the three first died, and Edward the youngest suc∣ceeded

his Father, and five Daughters, Eleanor who was married to William of Bar, Ioan of * 1.356 Acris, to the Earle of Glocester, Gilbert de Clare: Margaret to the Dukes sonne of Brabant, Mary who was made a Nun at Ambrisbury, and Elisabeth espoused to the Earle of Holland, and after his death to Humphrey Bokun Earle of Hereford.

This yeere also died old Queene Eleanor wife * 1.357 to Henry the third, and mother to King Edward. I come now to the twenty fourth yeare of his Reigne, in which Alexander King of Scotland being dead, hee left three Daughters: the first was married to Sir Iohn Baliol, the second to Sir Robert le Bruise, the third to one Hastings. Amongst which there fell dissention about the Title to the Crown, as shall appeare in the next Chapter.

CHAP. 19.

The right that the Kings of England have anci∣ently had to the Crowne of Scotland, for which they did them homage. King Edwards victo∣rious wars in Scotland. The Prophesie fulfilled. His death. And Coronation of his sonne, &c. The death of Gaveston, with a Prophesie of King Edward the Second.

THese three before-named, Baliol, Bruse and Hastings, came to King Edward as chiefe Lord and Sove∣reigne * 1.358 of that Land, to dispose of the right of their Titles to his pleasure, and they to abide his censure, who to the intent that they might know hee was the sole competent Iudge in that case, caused old Evidences and Chroni∣cles to be searcht, amongst which was Maria∣nus the Scot, William of Malmsbury, Roger of Hungtington, and others, in which were found and read before them, that in the yeere of Grace nine hundred and twenty, King Edward the el∣der made subject unto him the two Kings of Cambria and Scotland: In the yeere nine hun∣dred twenty one, the said Kings of Wales and Scotland, chose the same Edward to bee their Lord and Patron. In the yeere nine hundred

twenty six Ethelstane King of England, subdued Constantine King of Scots, who did him fealty and homage. And Edredus brother and succes∣sor to Ethelstane, subdued the Scots againe, with the Northumbers, who reigned under him.

It was also found in the said Chronicles, that King Edgar overcame Alpinus, the sonne of Kinudus, King of Scots, and received of him homage, as hee had done of his father before time. And that Canutus in the sixteenth yeere of his Reign, overcame Malcolm K. of Scots, and received of him oath and homage: that Wil∣liam the Conquerour in the sixt yeere of his Reigne, was victorious over Malcolme, who be∣fore received the Kingdome of the gift of Ed∣ward the Confessor, who did him fealty; the like did Malcolme and his two sonnes to VVilli∣am sirnamed the Red, sonne to the Conquerour: David King of Scots did homage also to Ste∣phen King of England. VVilliam King of Scots did the like to Henry the third at the time of his Coronation, and when this Henry was dead, * 1.359 hee came after to his father Henry the second, into Normandy; and did the like to him also. Alexander King of Scots in the thirty first yeer of Henry the second, (sonne of King Iohn) married at Yorke the Daughter of the said Henry, and did him homage for the Realme of Scotland, &c.

Further, was shewed unto them the Popes Bulls, sent into Scotland; by vertue whereof, those of their Kings were accursed that would

not bee obedient to their Lords, the Kings of England: Briefely, they acknowledging all these * 1.360 to be true, Bonds were made on both sides, in which thing Edward was tyed in an hundred thousand pounds to nominate their King, and the Scots againe bound to obey him, nomina∣ted as their Soveraigne: After which writings sealed, they delivered the possession of the King∣dome of Scotland into King Edwards hands, to preserve it to his use, of whom hee would make election, who made choise of Sir Iohn Bali∣oll, as true and immediate heire, by marrying * 1.361 the eldest sister, for which he did him homage and sware him fealty: which done, the Scots with their new King, departed joyfully into Scotland.

But soone after, Baliol repented him of his Oath, and as some say, by the Counsell of the Abbot of Menrosse, others by the instigation of the King of France; but whether by one or both, certaine it is, that hee perfidiously revol∣ted, and made warre upon England, which Ed∣ward hearing, sped him with a great hoast into * 1.362 Scotland, and laid siege to Barwicke, but they bravely defended the Towne, and burnt some of our English, with which they were so infla∣med with pride, that they made this scornfull Rime upon the English:

What ween is King Edward with his long shanks, To have won Barwicke, all our unthankes, Gaas pikes him,

And when he had it, Gaas dikes him.

At which King Edward being mightily mo∣ved, so incouraged his souldiers, that they first wonne the Ditches, and after with great diffi∣culty the Bulwarkes, and then came to the gates, which they inforced, and entring the Towne, slew twenty five thousand, and seven hundred Scots, and lost no man of note, save Richard * 1.363 Earle of Cornwall, and of meaner people twenty seven and no more; which hitherto upholds the former prediction.

Then from the North shall fiery Meteors threat, Ambitious after blood to quench their heate. (The Dragons blood) at which his Crest wil rise, And his skales flame: & where he treads or flies Fright all shall him oppose, the Northerne Dyke Passe shall he then, and set his foot in wyke.

By the Northerne Dyke is implyed the Ri∣ver Tweede, and by Wyke the Towne of Bar∣wicke: but I pursue the History: The King ha∣ving possest the Towne and Castle, hee sent Sir Hugh Spencer, with Sir Hugh Parcy, and other Noble men to besiege Dunbar, whither came a mighty Host to remove them thence, with whom the English had a fierce and cruel battail, * 1.364 in which were slaine of the Scots twenty two thousand, and of the English a very small num∣ber, wherefore the English to reproach the

Scots in regard of their former Rime made this,

These scattered Scots Hold we for sots. Of wrenches unware, Earely in a morning, in an evill timing, Came yee to Dunbar.

After the taking of the Towne and Castle of Dunbarre, the King besieged the City of E∣denborough, and wonne both it and the Castle, * 1.365 in which were found the Regalities of state, which King Edward tooke thence, (and offe∣red them at the shrine of Saint Edward, upon the eighteenth day of Iune the year following.) Then Sir Iohn Baliol, with diverse of his Clergy and Nobility, submitted themselves to the kings grace, and having setled the affaires of Scotland, hee brought them up to London, and then asked them what amends they would make him for all the trouble and damage they had put him to? who answered, they wholly submitted themselves to his mercy. Hee then replyed, your Lands nor your goods doe I de∣sire, but I will that you take the Sacrament, to be my true Feodaries, and never more to beare Armes against me: to which they willingly as∣sented, of w^ch were sir Iohn Commin, the Earle of Stratherne, & the Earle of Carick, and foure * 1.366 Bishops took Oath in the behalfe of themselves and the whole Clergy: which done, the king gave them safe conduct into their Country.

But not long after, they hearing the king was

busied in his warres of Gascoyne, against the French king, they made a new insurrection, ha∣ving * 1.367 one VVill. Wallis a desperate Ruffin and of low condition to be their chiefe Leader: which the King hearing, having ordred his affaires in •…•…rance, hee sped towards Scotland, and entring the Kingdome, he burnt and wasted wheresoere he came, sparing only all Churches, Religious Houses, and the poore people who besought him of mercy. At length hee met with the Scottish Army upon Saint Mary Mawdlins day, at a place called Fonkirke, where hee gave them * 1.368 battaile, and slue of them thirty three thousand, with the losse only of twenty eight men and no more, and finding no other enemies able to resist him, hee returned into England; and after mar∣ried Margaret the French Kings sister, by which * 1.369 a peace betwixt England and France was con∣cluded.

Then went king Edward a third time into Scotland, and almost famished the Land, and tooke the strong Castle of Estrevelin, and soon after was taken William VVallis at the Town of * 1.370 Saint Dominick, who was sent to London, where he received his judgement, and upon Saint Bar∣tholomews Eve, was drawne and quartred, his head stooke off and set on London bridge, and his foure quarters sent to bee hanged up in the foure chiefe Cities of Scotland: after this Ro∣bert le Bruce claymed the Crowne of Scotland, without acquainting king Edward therewith, and drove all the Englishmen out of the Land;

of which he vowed revenge, and to hang up all the Traytors in that kingdome: who before hee set forward on that expedition made foure hun∣dred and foure knights at VVestminster, upon a Whitson Sunday, with whom and the rest of * 1.371 his Army he once more pierced Scotland, and upon Friday before the Assumption of our La∣dy, hee met with Robert le Bruce and his Hoast, beside Saint Iohns Towne, and slue of them se∣ven thousand at the first encounter, and the rest fled. In this battaile was taken Sir Simon Fri∣zell, and sent to London, where hee was drawne, hanged and quartered: there suffered also Iohn Earle of Athelus, and Iohn brother to VVilliam * 1.372 VVallis, but Robert le Bruce fled from Scotland into Norway, to the King, who had married his sister.

When King Edward had thus abated the pride of his enemies, he returned again South∣ward, and a great sicknesse took him at Bozroes upon Sands, in the Marches of Scotland, be∣yond Carlile, and when he knew hee should die, hee called unto him Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembroke, Sir Henry Piercy Earle of Northum∣berland, Sir Henry Lacie Earle of Lincolne, and Sir Robert Clifford Baron; and swore them to crowne his sonne Edward of Carnarvan after his death: then hee called his sonne, charging him with many things upon his blessing, but * 1.373 especially that hee shall never receive Pierce Ga∣vestone his old companion (before banisht) into the Kingdome: and so dyed upon the seventh

of Iuly, when hee had reigned foure and thirty yeeres, seven moneths and odde dayes, and * 1.374 thence his body was conveighed to Westminster, and there buried: approving the prophesie.

After which, showres of bloud will fall upon, And barren the faire fields of Caledon: Then having ended what he took in hand, Die in the Marches of another Land.

Upon whose Tombe this Distich was inscri∣bed:

Dum vixit Rex, & valuit sua magna potestas, * 1.375 Fraus latuit, pax magna fuit, regnavit honestas.

Thus in those dayes Englisht:

VVhile lived this King, by his power all things, VVas in good plight, For guile was hid, great peace was kid, And honesty had might.

Of his sonne Prince Edward, the Prophesie runs thus: * 1.376

A Goat shall then appeare out of a Carr, VVith silver hornes (not Iron) unfit for warre, And above other shall delight to feed Vpon the flower, that life and death doth breed. A Cornish Eagle clad in plumes of gold (Borrowed from others) shall on high behold

What best can please him to maintain his pride. Whose painted feathers shall the Goat misguide, Who at length ayming to surprise the Beare, Him shall the rowzed beast in pieces teare. Two Owles shall from the Eagles ashes rise, And in their pride the Forest beasts despise. They forc't at first to take their wings and flie Shall (back returning) beare themselves so hie, T' out-brave both birds and beasts, and great spoyls winne, By the Goats casing in a Lions skin. But after, be themselves depriv'd of breath By her they scorn'd (the flower of life and death) And the crown'd Goat, thinking himself secure Shall (after all) a wretched end endure.

To confirme which, Edward the second of that name (and sonne of Edward the first) borne at Carnarvan a Town of VVales, began his Reigne over England, the eighth of Iuly, in the yeere of Grace one thousand three hundred and seven, and was crowned at Westminster the fourteenth day of December, whose Fathers Obsequies were scarcely ended, but forgetting the great * 1.377 charge and command layed upon him in his death, hee sent in haste for his old friend and fa∣miliar Pierce Gauestone out of France, whom hee received with great joy, then sayling into * 1.378 France the fifteenth of Ianuary following, at Bolloigne in Picardy, espoused Isabell the * 1.379 daughter of Philip the Faire, and returned with her into England, where soone after hee made

Gaveston Earle of Cornwall, and gave him the * 1.380 Lordship of VVallingford, to the great displea∣sure of the Barons, who were sworne to his fa∣ther not to suffer him to come into the Realm.

In the second of his Raign, remembring the complaint that Steph. Langton Bishop of Chester had made of him and Gaveston for sundry ry∣ots committed in his fathers dayes, for which he was banished, he sent him prisoner to the Tow∣er, where he was strictly kept, and ill attended, * 1.381 for which end seeing how by this Pierce the kings treasury was howrely exhausted, the Ba∣rons assembled themselves, and contrary to the Kings pleasure, banished him into Ireland for a * 1.382 yeere, where the King gave him the Domini∣on over the whole Land, but so mourned and lamented his absence, that by the consent of Lords he was shortly call'd back again: where he demeaned himselfe with greater pride and insolence then at first, despising the Lords and chiefe peeres of the Land, calling Sir Robert of Clare Earle of Gloster whoreson, the Earle of * 1.383 Lincolne sir Henry Lacy Burstenbelly, sir Guy Earle of Warwick, black dog of Arderne, and the no∣ble Earle Thomas of Lancaster churle: and moreover having the keeping and command of all the kings treasure, he tooke out of the Iewell-house a table of Gold and tressels of the same, which once belonged to King Arthur, with many other invaluable Iewels, and delive∣red * 1.384 them to a merchant called Amery of Frisk∣band, to beare them over into Gascoigne, which

was a great losse to the kingdome: and further by his loose and effeminate conditions, he drew the King to many horrible vices, as adultery (& as some think) sodomitry, with others: there∣fore the Lords againe assembled, and maugre the king, banisht him into Flanders.

In the first yeere upon the day of saint Brice * 1.385 being the 13 day of November, was born at Win∣sor the first and eldest sonne of King Edward that after his father was king of England, & na∣med * 1.386 Edward the third: and the same yeere Ga∣veston was called out of Flanders by the king, and restored to all his former honours; and then he demeaned himselfe more contemptuously toward the Barons then before, who besieged him in the Castle of Scarborough, and won it, and tooke him and brought him to Gaversed * 1.387 besides Warwick, and there smote off his head, which was done at the instigation of Thomas Earle of Lancaster (whom Merlin calls the bear) and this approveth the premisses:

A Cornish Eagle cladin plumes of gold, (Borrowed from others) shall on high behold, what best can please him to maintain his pride. whose painted feathers shall the Goat misguid: who at length aiming to surprise the Beare, Him shall the rowzed beast in pieces teare.

CHAP. 20.

The Kings unfortunate wars in Scotland: The battle of Bannocsbourn, &c. Barwick betrayed to the Scots: The pride and insolency of the Spencers: Their misleading the King. Their hate to the Queen, she is sent over into France: Her victorious return with the Prince: The King and his Minions taken: the death of the two Spencers, &c.

BY the Cornish Eagle in the former Chapter is meant Pierce Gavestone Earle of Cornwall; by his plumes of gold, his pride and riches bor∣rowed and extorted from others: by the Goat, the King who was given to all intemperate effe∣minacie: by the Beare, Thomas Earle of Lanca∣ster, &c. This King was of a beautifull aspect, * 1.388 and excellent feature: of a strong constitution of body, but unstedfast in promise, and ignoble in condition, as refusing the company of men of honour, to associate himselfe with lewd and vile persons, he was much addicted to bibacity, and apt to discover matters of great counsell and of stupration, and adultery, perswaded thereto by his familiars the French men, for whose death the King vowed an irreconciliable

revenge against the Barons, which he after per∣formed: indeed so unking-like was his mis∣government, that a base Villaine called Iohn Tanner, named himself the son of Edward the * 1.389 first, and that by the means of a false nurse, hee was stoln out of his cradle, and this Edward be∣ing a Carters son was laid in his place, which the people for the former reasons were easily in∣duced to believe: but the Impostor was disco∣vered, and by his own confession, judged to be hanged and quartered.

In the seventh yeere of his Reigne, Robert le * 1.390 Bruce, King of Scots, whom his Father made flye into Norway, hearing of the misguiding of the Kingdome, and the dissention betwixt him and his Barons, warre strongly against him and his friends in Scotland, and wonne from them Castles and Holds howsoever well munified, to the great damage of the English, who were in∣teressed * 1.391 in the Land. For which affront, the King assembled a great power, and invaded Scotland by Sea, burning and destroying all such Townes and Villages as were in his way, which Robert le Bruce hearing, he hasted with a strong Army, and upon S. Iohn Baptists day both Hoasts met at a place called Estrivelin, neere unto a fresh River called Bannoksburne, where betwixt them was fought a cruell battaile, in which the English were compeld to forsake the field. For which, in derision of the English, the Scots made this Ryme Doggerill,

Maidens of England, sore may you mourn, * 1.392 For the Lemans you have lost at Bannocksborn With a heave and hoe: What weened the King of England, so soone to have wonne Scotland? With a Rumby low.

In his ninth yeere, Barwick was betrayed to the Scots, by one Peter Spalding whom the King had * 1.393 made Governour of the Town and Castle: and in the eleventh ye•…•…re, the Scots entred the bor∣ders of Northumberland, most cruelly robbing and burning the Country, even the houses of women who lay in Childbed, not sparing age, * 1.394 nor sex, religious nor other: therefore the King raised a new Army, and laid siege to Barwick, in which interim the Scots past the River of Swale, and leaving the Coast where the Kings people lay, came into the Borders of Yorkeshire, to whom the Archbishop with Priests and ploughmen (unexercised in armes) gave battail, but were discomfited, in which so many Priors, Clerks, Canons, and other Clergymen were slaine, that they called it the white battaile: when * 1.395 the King heard of this overthrow, hee broke up his siege, and retyred to Yorke, and soone after to London.

After this, nothing was done without the advice of the two Hugh Spencers, the father and the sonne: and in a Counsell held at Yorke, Hugh Spencer the sonne, maugre the Lords, was

made high Chamberlain of England, who bore him as haughtily as ever did Gavestone: but let * 1.396 me take the prophesie along.

A Goat shall then appeare out of a Carr, VVith silver hornes (not Iron) unfit for warre, And above other shall delight to feed Vpon the flower, that life and death doth breed.

By the Goat is figured lascivious Edward, there∣fore said to appeare out of a Car, as born in Car∣narvan, his hornes of silver and not of Iron, de∣notes his effeminacie, being unserviceable for warre, as may appeare, in his successe against the Scots: by the Flower of life and death is in∣tended his Queene Isabel the Flower of France, at first deare to him as life, but in the end (as most Writers have suspected) with Mortimer, accessary to his death: but to proceed with the History.

The Barons (to a great number) seeing how * 1.397 the Spencers misled the King and misgoverned the affaires in the Land, assembled themselves and tooke a solemne and unanimous vow to re∣move them out of the Kingdome: and as their first attempt, certain of them appointed to that purpose, entred upon the Mannors and Castles of the Spencers, in the Marches of Wales, spoy∣ling and ruining them to the earth, of which riot they complained to the King, who summo∣ned them to appeare before his Counsell, which * 1.398 they refused to doe, but gathered unto them a

stronger Hoast, and sent to his Majesty, humbly beseeching him to remove from his person the two Spencers, which daily did to him great dis∣honour, and to the Common-weale: which da∣mage, with humble request the King hearing, and doubting his owne safety, called a Parlia∣ment to be held at London, to which the Barons came with a great Hoast all suited in demy-par∣ted Iackets of yellow and greene, with a list of white, cast overthwart, for which the common * 1.399 people called it the Parliament of white-bands, in which the two Spencers were banished the Kingdome for ever.

But the yeere following, the King revoked the Acts made in the former Parliament, and called them into England, contrary to the will of the Barons, and set them in greater authority then before, to the great disturbance and almost utter subversion of the Realme: for now the whole Land was in combustion, and the King animated by the Spencers, tooke on him the shape of a Lion, and ceased not till hee had cut off the chiefe and prime Nobility of the Land: For besides those that were slaine, none was brought to the Barre, but was thence led to the blocke: who having got the better of his Barons, he called a Parliament at Yorke, in which Hugh Spencer the Father was made Earle of * 1.400 Winchester, and soone after was one Robert Bal∣dock a follow of debaucht life and condition, made Chancellour of England: Then forfeits * 1.401 and sines were gathered, without sparing of

priviledged places or other, till a mighty summe of money was gathered towards another expe∣dition into Scotland, and then his Army con∣sisted (according to Caxton and others) of an hundred thousand men, but hee sped in that as in the former, for on Saint Lukes day, at a place called Bellalaund, or Brighland, hee had like to have beene taken as he sat at dinner, which could not have beene, had he not had some trai∣tours about him: and now confer the premisses * 1.402 with the Prophesie:

Two Owles shall from the Eagles ashes rise, And in their pride the Forest beasts despise. They fore't at first to take their wings and flie Shall (back returning) beare themselves so hie, T' out-brave both birds and beasts, and great spoyls winne, By the Goats casing in a Lions skin.

The two Owls are the two Spencers, who from the ashes of the Cornish Eagle Gaveston, grew into the especiall favour of the King, who were sayd to case the Goat in the skinne of the Lyon, by animating the effeminate King to the warres against the Barons, by whose deaths they got many rich spoyls, and then for∣ced to take their wings to fly where they were banisht the Realme at the parliament of white Bands, &c.

The state of the kingdome thus standing, and the two Spencers commanding all the Land

had Warres with France about the Dutchy of Guian: to attone which difference betwixt the two Kings, the two Spencers being in all things * 1.403 opposite to the Queen, whom they had brought to the bare allowance and pension of twenty shillings a day, they further plotted how to rid her out of the Land, and perswaded the King to send her into France, to make peace betwixt the two Kingdomes, having before seized on all her lands, and those belonging to the Prince. * 1.404 Briefely, the Queene arrived in France, and was royally received by her brother, who hearing of her base usage, and by whom, he was much incensed against the K. and his wicked Counsel∣lors, and sent to him under his seale to come in person into France to doe him homage, or he * 1.405 should forfeit the Dutchy of Guian: Of which K. Edward took little regard, in hope his Queen would salve all things that were amisse betwixt the brother and husband.

After the Queenes three months abode in France, the Prince desired of his Father, that he might have leave to visite his mother and unckle, which his Father granted, and said to him at parting, Goe my faire sonne in Gods blessing, and mine, and returne to mee againe as speedily as you may: who passing the Sea and comming to the Kings Court, hee joyfully re∣ceived him, and said; Faire sonne, you bee wel∣come, and since your Father came not to doe homage for the Dutchy of Guian, as his ante∣cessors have done, I give you the Lordship to

hold of me in heritage, and so the Prince was created, and thence forward called the Duke * 1.406 of Guien.

Which being knowne to King Edward hee was highly incensed, especially because the Prince was instated into that honour without his consent and pleasure, and finding that (not∣withstanding his often sending) they made no haste to returne, hee made Proclamation, that if within such a day prefixed they made not their repaire into the Land, they should be held as enemies to the Crowne and state: but the Queene much fearing the malice of the Spencers, whom she knew to bee her mortall enemies, she removed not thence: then the King made forfeiture of all their goods and Lands, before seized, and took the profits of them to his owne use, and sent sharpe and threatning Letters to the French King, if he suffered them * 1.407 to sojourne longer in his Realme, upon which he commanded them thence, without any fur∣ther comfort or succour.

At that time Sir Iohn Henaud, brother to the Earle of Henaud (a man of great courage and valour) being in the French Court, much com∣miserating the Queene and the Prince, desired her to goe with him to his brother the Earle, of which she was glad, and taking his noble offer, was there honourably received. Then was a marriage concluded betwixt Prince Edward * 1.408 and Phillip the Earles Daughter, upon certaine conditions, one of which was, that the Earle

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should send over into England the Queene and her sonne with 400 men at Armes, under the conduct of his Brother. In which interim, the two Spencers sent three Barrells of Coyne, with Letters, to some of the French Peeres, that if it were possible they should make away the Queene or her sonne, or at least send them a∣way disgraced out of the Realme, which mony and Letters were taken by a ship of the Henau∣ders, and brought to the Queene during her a∣bode * 1.409 there, which the Earles brother seeing, said unto her, bee of comfort Madam, this is a good Omen, the Spencers your enemies have sent you money to pay your souldiers.

Of which the King of England having intelli∣gence, he sent to all the Ports and Havens to in∣terdict their landing: notwithstanding which, the Queene and Prince, with these foure hun∣dred Hollanders, and a small company of En∣glish gentlemen, who had fled to her in the time of her exile landed at a port called Orwel, besides * 1.410 Harwich in Suffolke, the fifteenth of September (Sir Iohn Henaud the Earles brother being their Captain and Leader) without any opposition or resistance, to whom after their landing, the peo∣ple resorted in great companies, and sped to∣wards London, where the King and the Spencers were then resident, who hearing of the multi∣tudes that then drew unto her: left Walter Sta∣pleton Bishop of Exeter, Custos of the Citie, * 1.411 and with a small company fled towards Wales: she came then to London, where the people were

willing to receive her, which the Bishop with many sharpe and bitter words opposing, the Commons of the City tooke him violently, and beheaded him with two of his Esquires, at the Standard in West-cheap, whose bodies were borne to the Thames side (where the Bishop had begun a new edifice contrary to their liking) and there unreverently buried.

The Queene with an easie march followed * 1.412 the king, who came to Bristoll with the Earle of Arundell, the two Spencers, and his infamous Chancellour Baldock, where after counsell ta∣ken it was agreed, that Hugh Spencer the father should stay there and take charge of the towne and castle, whilest the King and the rest tooke shipping thence for Wales, to raise the Welsh∣men in his aid, of which the Queene having no∣tice, sent thither the Earle of Kent, Sir Iohn He∣naud, with others, who with small difficultie * 1.413 tooke the towne and castle, with Hugh Spencer the father alive, and delivered them to the Queene, who remained there till the greatest part of her army pursued the King and his other Minions into Wales, who took the King, the Earle of Arundell, Hugh Spencer the son, and the Chancellour, and brought them all priso∣ners to Hereford, in which interim the Citizens * 1.414 of London won the tower of London, and kept it to the Queenes use.

Upon the morrow after the feast of Simon and Iude, the same day that the L. Major takes * 1.415 his oath, was Hugh Spencer the father put to

death, and after buried at Winchester, and upon Saint Hughs day following, being the eigh∣teenth * 1.416 day of November, was Sir Hugh the son drawne, hanged and quartered at Hereford, and his head sent to London, and set upon the Bridge, making good:

They after be themselves depriv'd of breath, By her they scorn'd, the flower of life and death.

The common fame went, that after this Hugh was taken, hee would take no manner of suste∣nance, and that was the cause he was the sooner put to death, of whom was made this Distich following.

Funis cum lignis, àte, miser ensis & ignis: Hugo, securus equus, abstulit omne decus. Rope, gallows, sword, and fire, with a just knife Took from thee Hugh, thy honour with thy life.

Foure dayes after was the Earle of Arondell put to death and Robert Baldock the Chancellour being committed to Newgate, dyed miserably * 1.417 in prison: then the Queene with the Prince her son with the rest of the Lords, were with great joy the fourteenth day of December, received at London, and thence conveighed to Westmin∣ster, where a Parliament was called, the effect whereof expect in the following Chapter.

CHAP. 21.

The deposing of Edward the second: his repen∣tance, his death: His sonne Edward made King. A Prophesie of his Reigne. His great victory over the Scots, with the taking of Barwicke. His famous victory at Sea over the French: Hee layes claime to the Crowne of France: instituteth the Order of the Garter. His victo∣ry at Cressie. His taking of Calice, &c.

FRom this Parliament were Messen∣gers sent to the King, then prisoner in Kenelworth Castle, three Bishops, three Earles, two Abbots, two Ba∣rons, two Iudges, with Sir William Trussell, Procurator of the Parliament, to depose him of all Kingly dignity, who the five and twen∣tieth of Ianuary, in the presence of the afore∣said Lords, from the body of the whole House delivered unto him these words following.

I William Trussell, in the name of all men of * 1.418 this Land of England, (procurator of this Parliament) resigne to thee Edward, the homage that was sometimes made to thee, and from this time forth, deprive thee of all Kingly power, and I shall never be attendant on thee as King

after this time. And thus was Edward the second deposed (and his sonne Edward made King) when hee had raigned full eighteene yeeres sixe moneths and odde dayes, who during his im∣prisonment, first, at Kenelworth, and after at Barckley Castle grew greatly repentant of his former course of life, finding at length what it * 1.419 was to be misled by upstarts and people of mean condition: many of whose penitentiall fancies are still extant. And amongst the rest this fol∣lowing.

Most blessed Iesu, Root of all vertue, Grant I may thee sue, In all humilitie;

Sen thou for our good List to shed thy blood And stretch thee on the Rood For our iniquitie:

I thee beseech, Most wholsome leech, That thou wilt seech For mee such grace,

That when my body vile My soule shall exile, Thou bring in short while, It in rest and peace.

Edward the third of that name, sonne of Edward the second, and Philip sole daughter of Philip * 1.420 the Faire, at fifteene yeeres of age began his Reigne (his father yet living) the six and twen∣tieth of Ianuary, in the end of the yeer of Grace one thousand three hundred and twenty six, and was crowned at Westminster, upon the day of the Purification of our Lady next ensuing, at what time the earth yielded plenty, the Ayre temper, the Sea quietnesse, and the Church peace: hee confirmed the Liberties and Franchi∣ses of London, and gave Southwarke to bee un∣der the Lord Majors rule and government. Of whose Reigne it was thus predicted.

The spirits of many Lions shall conspire, To make one (by infusion) so intire: He by his mighty courage shall restore What his sire lost, and Grandsire wonne before: Neptune his Navall triumphs shall advance. His Coat he quarters with th' Flower of France, And after mauger the Canicular Tyke, Tweed shal he passe and win again the Wyke. A numerous issue shall his Lionesse bring, Black shall the first be, and though never King, Yet shall he Kings captive, but ere mature, Dye must this brave Whelp of a Calenture, And then behind him shall he leave a Kid To undo all, both sire and grandsire did.

The effect of all these will succeed in their order: in the first yeere of this Kings Reigne, the late

King Edward was miserably slaine, and put to a most cruell death by the meanes of Sir Roger * 1.421 Mortimer, who notwithstanding in the Parlia∣ment after was made Earle of March: the same yeere the foure and twentieth of Ianuary, the young King married the Lady Philip, daughter to the Earle of Henault, in the City of Yorke, * 1.422 and soone after cald a Parliament at Northamp∣ton, to which by the meanes of Sir Roger Mor∣timer and the old Queene, an unprofitable and dishonorable peace was made with the Scots, who caused the King to release them of all fealty and homage, and delivered up to them all the old Writings sealed by their Kings and chiefe Lords of their Land, with all Charters and Patents, and many rich Iewels, which had be∣fore beene wonne from them by the Kings of England, amongst which the blacke Crosse of Scotland, is especially named, and the yeere fol∣lowing, David the son of Robert le Bruce, King of Scots, married Iane sister to the King of England, whom they after to the derision of the English called, Iane make peace, and amongst o∣ther * 1.423 taunting Songs made of our Nation, this was one.

Long beards heartlesse, Painted bodies witlesse: Gay coats gracelesse, Maketh England thriftlesse.

But these merry and jigging tunes were turned

to their most lamentable Aymee's, within few moneths after.

During the Kings minority all the affaires of the Realme were managed by Sir Roger Morti∣mer * 1.424 and the Mother Queene, And the great per∣sons appointed to that purpose were vilified, and not set by: which Sir Roger in imitation of K. Arthur, was said to keep a round Table, to which many noble Knights belonged, to his in∣finite cost and expence. But howsoever in the * 1.425 third yeere of the King, the said Sir Roger was surprized in Nottingham Castle, though the keyes were day and night in his owne keeping, and sent to the Tower, who was accused of the Lords of the Parliament, of these particulars following, first of the bloudy murder of Ed∣ward of Carnarvan in Berkley Castle, secondly, that he had confederated with the Scots against the honour of the King; thirdly, that hee had received great summes of money from Sir Iames Douglas Captaine of the Scots, delivering unto him the Charter called Ragman, to the Scots great advantage, and impoverishing of England: Fourthly, that hee had ingrost into his hands much of the Kings treasure, which he had riotously wasted to his owne use, by which meanes the King was forc't to borrow of his friends: fiftly, that he was more private and familiar with Queene Isabel the Kings Mother, then was to Gods pleasure and the Kings ho∣nour: of which Articles being convicted, hee was by authority of the said Parliament

judged to death, and upon Saint Andrews Eve following at London, drawne and hanged.

In his fourth yeere about the beginning of August, Sir Edward Baliol, the sonne of Sir Iohn * 1.426 Baliol, sometime King of Scots, obtained such favour of King Edward, that with the aide of Sir Henry Beaumont, Sir David Stocley, Sir Ief∣ferey Mowbray, and two thousand Englishmen, they entred Scotland by Sea, where drew to them such multitude, that in short time, Sir Ed∣ward was Lord of a great Hoast: and kept his way till he came to a place called Gladismore, (or as some write) Crakismore, where hee was en∣countred with the power of Scotland, where betwixt them was fought a sharpe and cruell * 1.427 battaile, in which a great multitude of the Na∣tives was slaine, by reason whereof hee was crowned King at the Towne of Stone shortly after, and met with the King at New-castle, where Edward received of him fealty and ho∣mage for the Crowne of Scotland: but soone after the Scots laid plots against his life, which he narrowly escaped, being forc't to flie from place to place, and hide himselfe, which King Edward hearing, with a strong army pierced * 1.428 the Realme of Scotland, and laid siege to the Towne of Barwick.

Upon the nineteenth of Iuly, the Scots with a mighty power made thither, with purpose to remove the siege, whom King Edward met, and encountred on Halidon Hill, giving them bat∣taile, over whom he had a triumphant victory,

insomuch that hee slue of them seven Earles, nine hundred Knights and Bannerets, four hun∣dred * 1.429 Esquires, and of the common people, two and thirty thousand, in which battail were slain of the English, but 15 persons, after which glo∣rious victory the Captaine of Barwick the mor∣row following, being Saint Margarets day, yielded to the King both the Town and Castle, which verifies that

—mauger the Canicular Tyke, Tweed shall he passe, and set his foot in Wyke.

Tyke is that which the Northerne men call a Dogge, and by the Canicular Tyke is meant the Dog-starre: Tweed is the water which parteth the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland, and by Wyke (as is before remembred) meant the Towne of Barwicke, I onely capitulate this one battaile, (of many) against the Scots, pur∣posing the like compendiousnesse in his famous victories over the French.

During the dissention betwixt the two Kings of England and France, which by no mediation could be atton'd, though there were many mee∣tings * 1.430 to that purpose, the French King sent a strong Navy to Sea to take our English Mer∣chants, and encountred with two good ships of England, called the Edward and the Christo∣pher, and after nine houres fight, in which were slaine of both parties about sixe hundred men, the two ships were taken, and all the wounded

Englishmen alive cast overboard into the Sea: after King Edward in his fifteenth yeere in the moneth of Iune, tooke shipping, and sayled towards Flanders, where met him Sir Robert Morley, with the North Navy of England, so that his Fleet consisted of three hundred sayle, and at Midsomer upon Saint Iohns Eve, hee met and fought with the French Navy, which were foure hundred saile, which lay in waite for him •…•…eere to the Towne cald Sluce; their chiefe Ad∣mirals were Sir Hugh Querret, Sir Nicholas Bu∣chet, and Barbe Nore, in English black beard: * 1.431 Betwixt these two Royall Fleets was a strong and bloudy fight which continued for the space of eight houres before it could be distinguisht which way the victory was likely to incline; yet in the end, by Gods mercy, and the manhood of the King, the French were chaced, and many of their ships burned and taken, amongst which were the ships of the two Admirals, Querret and Buchet, who maugre the French were han∣ged up in their owne Vessels, and amongst the rest were recovered the Edward and the Christo∣pher, manned with the French: in this battaile the King himselfe was sore wounded in the thigh, and of the French were slain thirty thou∣sand * 1.432 in that one Navall conflict: soon after, (or as some write) a little time before, by the advice of his confederate Princes, hee layed claime to the Crowne of France, as his rightfull inheri∣tance, * 1.433 and for the more authority to counte∣nauce it•…•… hee quartered the English Lions with

the French Flower de Lyces, as they remaine to this day, so that we see

Neptune his Navall Triumphs did advance, (and) He his Coat quarters with the Arms of France.

I am forc't to intermit many and divers con∣flicts and skirmishes, with winning of Forts and Castles, Challenges, that past betwixt the two Kings, with the particular valours and noble Gests of sundry of our Nation, to relate which would aske a voluminous Tractate, where my confinement is to a meer epitomy of Chronicle, passing over all accidents saving what are most remarkable, which brings me to the eighteenth yeere of his Reigne. In which at a Parliament * 1.434 held at West minster, his eldest sonne Edward was created Prince of Wales, and he in the yeer following, first instituted the famous & renow∣med Order of the Garter, which was solemni∣zed at Windsor, as it is continued to this day. In his one and twentieth yeere, hee landed in Nor∣mandy, * 1.435 and burnt and spoyled all the Country before him, wasting the Province of Constan∣tine. Then he laid siege to Caan the chief City, and wonne it, and amongst other he took there prisoners the Constable of France, and the Kings Chamberlaine, and all the spoyle of the City which was held to be inestimable, and sent to his ships, which was conveighed into Eng∣land.

He then entred France, and coasted towards Paris, to Vernon, to Poysie, to Saint German, still wasting as hee went. Then hee tooke and made use of all the Kings Royall Mannors and Palaces, and drunke his Wine, and occupied all such stuffe and necessaries as he there found, and after his departing set them on fire, as Saint German, Mount-joy, Pezzy, &c. In so much that the French King thinking it a great dishonour, both to him and the whole Nation, that the English should pierce the heart of his Kingdom unfought with, hee therefore assembled all his prime Chevalry, and met with the English (farre inferiour to them in number) neere to a town called Cressie, and upon the twentie sixt of Au∣gust, was fought betwixt them a sharpe and * 1.436 bloudy battaile, in which at the end King Ed∣ward was the triumphant Victor, where were at that time slaine of the French party, The King of Bohemia, sonne to Henry the Emperour the seventh of that name, with the Duke of Lo∣raine, the Earle of Alonson, brother to the King, Charles Earle of Bloys, the Earles of Flanders, Sancer, Harcourt, and of Fiennes: with divers other, to the number of eight Bishops and Earls, with seventeene Lords of name: and of Banne∣rets, Knights and Esquires, more then sixteene hundred, so that their owne Chroniclers report that the flower of France perisht in that battail: besides of the commons, above eight thousand, and the French King with a small company sore wounded, fled to a Towne called Bray, and * 1.437

there lay the night following.

Whom King Edward pursued not, being ad∣vertised of another great host comming to∣wards him, and therefore he kept the field, and * 1.438 set watches, and made great fires thorow the host, and so continued till the munday fol∣lowing, upon which day early in the morning, appeared to them a new army of French men, of which they slew more in number than the Saturday before, and then having given thanks unto God for his great victorie, he marches to∣wards Bulloine, and thence to Calais, to which * 1.439 he laid siege for the space of a whole yeare: then came the French King with a numerous Army to remove him, but before his comming it was * 1.440 yeelded to King Edward, so that hee departed thence sad and ashamed. But King Edward staied in the towne a month, and removed all the old Inhabitants which were French, and stored it with English, but especially Kentish men, and having set all things in order, hee sailed with great t•…•…iumph into England, and arrived at Lon∣don the twentie third day of October, where he was magnificently received of the Citizens, and so conveyed unto Westminster.

We have hither to spoke only of the father: it followes that some thing should be said of the son, the unparallel'd Edward Prince of Wales, * 1.441 not for his complexion, but for his terrour in battell, surnamed the Black Prince, who whilst his father rested him in Calais, with a puissant host entred Gascoyne, and made spoyle at his

pleasure through the whole Country, and with great riches and many noble prisoners, hee rety∣red himselfe to Burdeaux, and though the Earls of Armineck and of Foyz, of Poytiers and Clere∣mont, with Iames de Burbon, and many other Knights who had double the number to the Prince, were in his way, yet passed he from Tho∣lous to Nerbon, and from Nerbon to Burdeaux without battaile, where having reposed himself awhile, and rested his army, he sent many of his prisoners into England, and there entred the pro∣vince of Berray, and therein made sharpe warre; which King Iohn of France hearing, he gathe∣red a mighty number of people, and made to∣wards the Prince, who in the mean season was passed the River of Loyer, and encountred by divers of the Nobility of France, betwixt whom was a sharp conflict, but the fortune of the day fell to the Prince, who slue many of his enemies, * 1.442 and took divers prisoners; as the Lord of Craou and others of note to the number of fifty foure, whom he had sent to safe custody in Bur∣deaux, and himselfe sped to Towres, whither also K. Iohn came against the prince, who took his way to Poytiers: where we for a while leave him upon his march, &c.

CHAP. 22.

The famous Battaile of Poytiers, fought by Edward, sirnamed the Black Prince, in which he tooke Iohn the French King prisoner: His other victories in France: His conquest in Spaine: The death of the victorious Prince Ed∣ward: King Edward the Thirds death, and Epitaph: Richard the second made King, a pre∣diction of his Reigne: The insurrection of the Commons: The memorable Act of William Walworth, Lord Major, &c.

WE left Prince Edward upon his march toward Poytiers: in keeping which way a French Army encountred * 1.443 him, but he chaced their multitude, and besides many slaine took of them forty pri∣soners: amongst which were the Earle of San∣cer, the Earle of Iurigny, the Lord Chasterlin Master of the Kings palace, and a Knight called Sir Guilliam de Daneham, whom hee also sent to his rendevouz at Burdeaux, and soone after hee lodged him and his Hoast neer Poytiers: so that the Fronts of both Hoasts lay within a quarter of a mile each of other, betwixt whom the Car∣dinall of Pernigvort sent from pope Innocent

the sixt laboured to make a peace; but finding his endevour frustrate, hee retyred himselfe to Poityers, to attend the successe of the battaile, which was fought upon Monday the nineteenth of September, in the yeere of Grace, one thou∣sand * 1.444 three hundred fifty six, and the sixt yeer of Ring Iohn: the manner followeth.

The Duke of Athenes, with such of the No∣bility as were in the Kings Vaward, about two aclocke in the afternoone set upon the English Hoast, which was strongly munified with wood and trees in the manner of a Barricadoe, so that the French Cavalry, could not approch them; but the shot of the English Archers was so vio∣lent, that it overturned horse and man: and whilest the Duke of Athenes, with Sir Iohn Cleremont Marshall of France and others, as∣saulted the prince and his people on one side, The Duke of Normandy King Iohns eldest son, and the Duke of Orleance the Kings brother, set upon him on another part, which two Dukes were Leaders of two strong Armies. But these * 1.445 three battails did little harme to the English, for by reason of their arrows the French were so gauled and wounded, that they fled, to the great dismay and discomfort of the King, and the rest of his people.

Who then in person came on with his mayn Hoast: but the English kept themselves whole without scartering, and received them on the points of their weapons with such dexterity and courage, that the French were forc't to give

back, of which the English taking the advan∣tage, rowted their whole Army: in which bat∣taile * 1.446 were slaine of men of note, the Duke of Athenes, the Duke of Burbon, Sir Iohn Clere∣mont Marshall of France, Sir Henry Camian Ban∣neret, who bore that day, the Oriflambe (a special relick that the French Kings used in all battailes to have borne before them) the Bishop of Cha∣bous, with divers others, to the number of fifty foure Bannerets, Knights, and others.

And of prisoners taken in that battaile, were Iohn King of France, Philip his fourth sonne, * 1.447 Sir Iaques of Burbon, Earle of Poitou, and bro∣ther to the Duke of Burbon, Sir Iohn of Artoys, Earle of Ewe, Sir Charles his brother, Earle of * 1.448 Longevile, Sir Giffard Cousin German to the French King, Sir Iohn his sonne and heire, Wil∣liam Archbishop of Sence, Sir Simon Melen bro∣ther to the Earle Canlarvive, and Earle of Van∣dature. The Earles of Dampmartin, of Vendos∣me, of Salisbruch, of Moyson, the Martiall Den∣ham with others, as Bannerets, Knights, and men of name, (according to their owne Wri∣ters) fifteene hundred and above: from which battaile escaped Charles eldest son of King Iohn, and Duke of Normandy, with the Duke of An∣joy, and few others of name. And King Edward after due thanks given to Almighty God for his * 1.449 triumphant victory, retyred himselfe to Bur∣deaux with his Royall prisoners, where the King and the rest were kept till Easter following.

In the one and thirtieth yeere of the King, the

sixteenth of April, Prince Edward being eight and twenty yeeres of age, tooke shipping with his prisoners at Burdeaux, and the foure and twentieth of May, was received with great joy by the Citizens of London, and thence con∣veyed to the Kings palace at Westminster, where the King sitting in his estate Royall, in West∣minster Hall, after hee had indulgently enter∣tained the Prince, he was conveyed to his lodg∣ing, and the French King royally conducted to the Savoy, where he lay long after, and in the Winter following were royall Iusts held in Smithfield, at which were present, the King of * 1.450 England, the French King, the Scotch King (then prisoners) with many noble persons of all the three Kingdoms, the most part of the strangers being then prisoners.

Whilst K. Iohn remayned in England, which was for the space of 4 yeers and odde days, The king of England and the blacke Prince his son, with their Armies over-run the greatest part of France, during the time of Charles his Regency over the kingdome who was king Iohns eldest son, against whom they had many memorable victories, spoyling where they list, and sparing what they pleased: in so much that king Ed∣ward * 1.451 made his owne conditions ere any peace could be granted: at length the king was delive∣red, and royally conveyed into his country, who so well approved of and liked his entertainment here, that in the thirty seventh yeere of king Edward, he returned into England, and at El∣tham

besides Greenwich, dined with the king, and in the same afternoon, was royally received by the Citizens, and conveyed through Lon∣don to the Savoy, which was upon the twenty fourth of Ianuary: but about the beginning of March following, a grievous sicknesse tooke him, of which he dyed the eight of Aprill fol∣lowing, * 1.452 whose body was after solemnly convey∣edto St. Denis in France, and there royally in∣terred.

In the fortieth yeere of the king, one Bar∣thran de Cluicon a Norman, with an Army of Frenchmen, entred the land of Castile, and war∣red upon Peter king of that Country, and with∣in foure moneths chaced him out of his king∣dome, and crowned Henry his bastard brother in his stead, wherefore hee was constrained to flie to Burdeaux, and to demand aide of Prince Ed∣ward, who commiserating his case, as being lawfull king, (howsoever of a tyrannous and bloudy disposition) he granted his request, so that hee assisted Peter with his English Archers against the bastard Henry, with his French Spear∣men, whose two Armies m•…•…t neere unto a town called Doming, where betwixt them was a l•…•…ng * 1.453 and cruell fight, but in the end the victory fell to the Prince and Henry with his whole army were rowted: In which battail were taken Barthran de Claicon, and Arnold Dodenham Marshall of France, with divers others as well French as Britons, and Spaniards, and slain to the number of five thousand of the enemies, and of the

princes Army sixteen hundred, after which hee enstated Peter in his kingdome, who after perfi∣diously denyed to pay the princes army.

For which he was after divinely punished, as also for killing his owne wife, the daughter to the Duke of Burbon; for his Bastard brother Henry, knowing how hee was justly abandoned by the English, having gathered new forces, gave him battaile, in which being taken, his brother commanded his head to be strooke off, which was immediately done: after which, Iohn of * 1.454 Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, the Kings sonne, and Edward his brother Earle of Cambridge, married the two daughters of this Peter late King of Ca∣stile: Iohn espoused Constance the elder, and * 1.455 Edward Isabel the younger, by which marri∣ages the two brethren claimed to be inheritours to the Kingdome of Castile or Spaine.

In the one and fiftieth yeare of the King, up∣on the eighth of Iune, being Trinity Sonday, dyed that renowned souldier, Edward the black Prince in the palace of Westminster, whose body * 1.456 was after carried to Canterbury, and there so∣lemnly interred, who in his life time was much beloved, both of the Commons and the whole kingdome, especially for removing from the kings person all such as had misled him in his age, by which the Common Weale was much oppressed: amongst others was the Lord Lati∣mer noted for principall, and Alice Pierce the Kings Concubine, with Sir Richard Skory, * 1.457 all which were according to the Commons just

complaint, by the Prince removed: but hee was no sooner dead, but the king contrary to his promise before made, called them again, admit∣ting them to their former Offices, and Honours, and Alice his prostitute to his wonted grace and favour.

In the two and fiftieth yeer, the two and twen∣tieth day of Iune dyed at his Mannor of Sheen, * 1.458 now called Richmond, the royall and most vi∣ctorious Prince king Edward, the third of that name, of whom it was truly predicted:

The spirits of many Lions shall conspire To make one (by infusion) so entire: He, by his mighty courage shall restore, What his sire lost and grandsire wonne before.

As also that of the unparalleld blacke Prince his sonne, who died before his Father.

A numerous issue shall his Lionesse bring, Black shall the first be, and though never King, Yet shall he Kings captive, but ere mature, Die shall this brave Whelp of a Calenture, And then behind him shall he leave a Kid To undoe all both sire and grandsire did.

By the Kid is intended the Prince Richard his sonne, who succeeded his grandfather in the Throne, and therefore so cald because of his condition, so suiting with the nature of his predecessour Edward the second, whom the pro∣phet

for his dissolutenesse of life, and inabi∣lity to manage a State, called a Goat, not a Lion: but to come to the story, King Edward left behind him foure sonnes, Lionel Duke of * 1.459 Clarence, Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, Edward of Langley Duke of Yorke, and Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Cambridge, taking their sirnames from the places where they had their birth, by whom, and the rest of the Nobility, his body was conveyed from Richmond to West∣minster, and there solemnly and sumptuously interred, over whose Tombe hung this inscrip∣tion.

Hic decus Anglorum, flos Regum praeterito∣rum, Forma futurorum: Rex clemens, pax populo∣rum: * 1.460 Tertius Edwardus, regni complens Inbilaeum, Invictus pardus, pollens bellis Machabaeum.

Which for the better understanding of the vul∣gar, I give you thus paraphrased in English.

Here lyes our honour, flower of Kings forepast: Pattern to future making peace to last, Edward the third, who raign'd a jubilee, In strength a pard: valour a Machabee.

Richard the second of that name, and sonne of Edward, sirnamed the blacke prince, eldest * 1.461 sonne to Edward the third, a childe of the age of eleven yeers, began his Reign over the Realme

of England, the two and twentieth of Iune, in the yeere of Grace, one thousand twenty seven, and upon the fifteenth of Iuly, being the day of Saint Swithen ensuing, he was crowned at West∣minster: in the first yeer of whose Reigne about Aprill, landed in Kent, Anne the Daughter of Charles the fourth, Emperour of that name, late dead, and sister to Wenceslaus then Emperour, who by the Major and Citizens of London was honourably met upon Black-heath, and with great triumph conveyed vnto Westminster, and * 1.462 the eight day of May, solemnely espoused to King Richard, of whom it is thus predicted.

Sport shall the young Kid in his youth, and play * 1.463 'Gainst whom shall rise the Hedg-hog and the Gray: And then the hobnayle and the clowted shoone, Shall the Kids glory, strive to eclipse at noone: But by a Daulphin (of the City lov'd) That black disastrous cloud shall be remov'd, And Phoebus in his wonted or be shine cleare, Who when he shall in his full strength appeare, Foure princely Lions were to him allyde, Gall shall he with his horns in his great pride. At length a Fox clad in a skin of gold, Shall snatch the Kid, from midst of all his fold.

The yeere before (which was the fourth of * 1.464 his Reign) was a great insurrection of the Com∣mons throughout the Land, especially in Kent and Essex: the reason was, because in the third

yeere at a parliament held at Westminster, there was granted to the king a Groat of every per∣son male or female, above the age of fourteene yeeres. The chiefe Captains and Leaders of the * 1.465 Rebels Army were Iack Straw, William Wawe, Wat Tyler, Iack Shepherd, Tom Miller, and Hob Carter, these gathered great multitudes of the Commons, and assembled themselves upon Blackheath, three miles from London, and upon the eleventh of Iune entred the Tower of Lon∣don where the King was then lodged, and took * 1.466 thence perforce Doctor Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Hales prior of Saint Iohns, and a white Frier Confessor to the King, whom with a mighty acclamation and voice they drew to the Tower-hill, and there cut off their heads.

Then by boats and barges they returned into Southwarke, and robbed all strangers of what * 1.467 Nation soever, thence they went to Westminster, and took thence all the Sanctuary men, and came unto the Savoy, which was the Duke of * 1.468 Lancasters house, and first pilladge it, and after set it on fire, and then to the palace of Sr. Iohn neere Clerkenwell, and spoyled it. After they searched the Temples and Innes of Court, ma∣king havock of all, burning their Law books, * 1.469 and killing as many Lawyers and Questmon∣gers as they might find: that done, they went to St. Martins le Grand, releasing there all that had * 1.470 there took Sanctuary, with the prisoners of New∣gate, Ludgate, & the two Counters, tearing their

Registers and Books. The like they did to the Kings Bench and Marshalses in Southwarke, and moreover they did thorow the whole City of London, according to their own wils and plea∣sures.

When Iack Straw who was prime Com∣mander above the rest, had executed all these * 1.471 insolencies, and saw no resistance against him, he was suddenly so tumoured with pride, that he thought no man worthy to be his peere, in so much that hee rode againe to the Tower, where he found the King but weakly attended, and in a manner, compeld him to ride through divers parts and streets of the City, and so con∣veyed him into Smithfield, where in the Kings presence, (to whom hee did small or no reve∣rence at all) hee caused a proclamation to bee made, though using his Majesties name, yet to his owne wicked end and purpose, which Wil∣liam Walworth Fishmonger, and then Lord Major seeing, and not able to endure, his so great presumption and insolency, he stept to∣wards, and first with a blow on the head stoun∣ded him with his Mace, and after with a short Dagger which he wore by his side, he wounded him to death, then with a Sword strook off his * 1.472 head, and lifted it upon the point of a Speare, and shewing it to the Rebels, Cryed out alowd, King Richard, God save King Richard, who when they saw their chiefe Captaine slaine, they fled in great disorder, of which many were ta∣ken and some slaine, and the remnant were

chaced, so that both City and Suburbs were voided of them that night, being the fifteenth * 1.473 of Iune, making good what was predicted.

Sport shall the young Kid in his youth and play, 'Gainst whom shal rise the Hedghog & the gray, And then the hobnail and the clowted shcon Shall the suns glory strive to eclipse at noon, But by a Daulphin (of the City lov'd) This black disastrous cloudshall be removd, &c

By the young Kid is intended the wanton King, by the Hedghog, and the gray beasts frequent in the Country, Iack Straw, VVat Tyler, and the rest of the Captaines and Commons: by the Daulphin, VVilliam VValworth, who was free of the Fishmongers, and they give the Daulphin in their Escutchion, &c.

CHAP. 23.

The Duke of Glocester by a Parliament reformeth the Common wealth. Iohn of Gaunt claymes his title in Spain, King Richard marrieth the French Kings Daughter: Difference betwixt the King and Glocester. His murder in Calice: The murmur of the Commons against the pre∣sent government: The pride of the Dukes Court: The Dukes of Hereford and Norfolke banished: King Richard deposed, and Henry Duke of Hereford and Lancaster made King.

WHen the King saw the great man∣hood and courage of the Lord Ma∣jor * 1.474 and his Brethren, the Aldermen his assistants, hee in his own person Knighted the said William Walworth, with Ni∣cholas Bremble, Iohn Philpot, Nicholas Twiford, Robert Laundor, and Robert Gayton Alderman: and moreover, in the memory of that Noble Act, added to the Armes of the City the bloudy Dagger, as it remayneth to this day: In the ele∣venth yeere of this King, Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester, and Uncle to the King; the Earle of Arundell, with the Earles of Warwicke,

Darby and Nottingham, taking into their consi∣deration, how much the land was misgoverned, and his Majesty mislead by some Sycophants neere about him, they met in counsell at a place * 1.475 called Radecockbridg, and having assembled a strong power came to London, and there caused the King to call a Parliament, whereof hearing Alexander Nevell Archbishop of Yorke, Lionel Vere Marquesse of Divelin, Michael de la Poole Earle of Suffolke, and Chancellour of England, fearing the censure of that high Court •…•…ed the Land, and dyed in forreigne Countries: Then the King by counsell of the fore-said Lords cau∣sed to be apprehended Sir Robert Tresilian chief Iustice of England, Sir Nicholas Brembre, late Major of the City, Sir Iohn Salisbury, of the * 1.476 Kings Houshold, Sir Iohn Beauchampe Steward of the House, Sir Simon Burleigh, Sir Thomas Bernes, Sir Robert Belknap, with one Iohn Vske, Serjeant at Arms, all which by the foresaid Par∣liament, were convict of Treason and put to death, some at Tyburne, some at Towerhill, and all such as fled with those that forsook the land, by the authority of that high Court, banished for ever.

In the thirteenth yeare, Iohn a Gaunt Duke * 1.477 of Lancaster, with a strong army, sailed into Spaine, to claime the Kingdome in right of La∣dy Constance his wife, the daughter of Don Peter, with whom joyned the King of Portugall with his forces, so that of necessity the King of Spain was forced to treat with the Duke of peace and

amity, the conditions were, that the King of Spaine should marry the Dukes eldest daughter, named Constance, and moreover should give unto the said Duke, to recompence the charges of his warre, so many wedges of gold as should load eight Chariots; and moreover during the lives of the said Duke and his wife, hee should at his proper cost and charges deliver unto the * 1.478 Dukes Assignes yearely ten thousand Markes of gold, within the towne of Bayon, which con∣ditions being ratified, and assurance given for the performance thereof, the Duke departed with the King of Portugall, to whom shortly af∣ter hee married his second daughter the Lady Anne, so that the elder and the younger were made the two Queenes of Spaine and Portugall.

King Richards first wife being dead, after hee * 1.479 maried Isabel the daughter of Charles the sixt K. of France, who was but 8. years of age, at whose espousalls in the French kings Court, many rich interchangable gifts passed betwixt them, as first the king of England gave the French king a Bason of gold and Ewer, who returned him three standing Cups of gold with covers, and a * 1.480 ship of Gold garnished with pearle and stones: at a second meeting, Richard gave him a curi∣ous O•…•…ch set with rich stones, valued at five hundred Markes: then the French King gave him two Flagons of gold, and a Tablet of gold set with Diamonds, and in it the picture of St. Michael, a Tablet of gold with a Crucifixe, ano∣ther with the image of the Trinity, and a fourth

with the image of Saint George, all of them set with stones of great splendor, Richard then pre∣sented him with a Belt or Bauldricke, set with great Diamonds, Rubies, and Emeraulds, which for the riches thereof, the King wore upon him so often as they met together: many other pre∣sents past betwixt them, and a full peace was concluded betweene them for thirty yeares, * 1.481 and amongst other things King Richard de∣livered up Brest, which had beene long held by the English.

The yeare after in the Moneth of February, the King held a magnificent Feast at Westmin∣ster Hall, whither pressed divers Souldiers lately discharged from Brest, whose mindes when the Duke of Gloster rhe Kings Vncle understood, he went to his Majesty and said, Sir doe you take notice of you Souldiers? who asked him again what they were? The Duke replyed, these be your subjects & souldiers cashiered from Brest, who have done you good service, and have now no meanes to live upon, who have been ill paid, and now are worse rewarded: To whom the King answered, it was my will they should have been well paid, but if ought have failed therein, let them petition to our Treasurer: at length the Duke said, but it savoureth of small discre∣tion to deliver up a strong Fort with ease, which was got with great difficulty by your Progeni∣tors: * 1.482 at which the King changed countenance, and said, Vncle how spake you these words? which the Duke with great vehemency uttered

againe: whereat the King being more moved, replyed: Thinke you I bee a Merchant or foole to sell my Land? by St. Iohn Baptist nay, &c. For these words thus uttered on both sides great ran•…•…or was kindled betwixt the King and Duke, which was never extinguished, till by the consent of the K. his uncle was basely murdered.

For the Duke purposing to remove some who were potent about the king, called to him * 1.483 the Earles of VVarwicke, of Arundel, and of Nottingham, who was Marshall of England, and of the Clergy the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, with the two Abbots of St. Albans and VVest∣minster, and these were solemnly sworne to sup∣plant from their authority the Duke of Lanca∣ster, the Duke of Yorke, with others prejudiciall to the good of the kingdome. But Nottingham contrary to his oath, revealed all to the king; * 1.484 who presently, whilst the other thought them∣selves secure, called another Councell, in which it was decreed, that the Earles of Arundell and Warwicke sh•…•…uld bee censured and brought to the King, who in person arrested his Vncle Sir Thomas of VVoodstock, (some say at Plashy in Es∣sex, others at Greenwitch) in the night time, and taking him in his bed, first sent him to the Tow∣er, and thence had him secretly conveyghed to Callis, where he was pireously murthered. After, * 1.485 the 2 Earles of Arundel & Warwick were judged and executed: After was called a parliament, in which divers of the Nobility had more honou∣rable titles conferred upon them: And other

upstarts neither of birth nor quality, were ad∣vanced to office and honour, in which parlia∣ment also, many true heires were dis-inheri∣ted, &c.

For which the people greatly murmured a∣gainst the King and his Councell, pretending that the revenues of the Crowne were wasted * 1.486 upon unworthy persons: for which divers ex∣actions were put upon the Commons: that the chiefe rulers about the King were of low birth, and little reputation; and men of honour kept out of office and favour; that the Duke of Glo∣ster was secretly murdered without processe of Law; and the Earles of Arnndel and Warwicke put to death contrary to the Kings owne pro∣clamation, with divers others, to the number of eight and thirty severall Articles, all which at his deposing were publickly protested against him.

Harding the Chronologer reports, that King Richard was prodigall, ambitious, and luxuri∣ous, * 1.487 to whose Court resorted at their pleasures ten thousand persons, pretending businesse there; that in his kitchin were three hundred Serviters, and in every office to the like num∣ber: of Ladies, Chamberers, and Landresses, three hundred, who exceeded in costly and sum∣p•…•…uous apparell, and farre above their degrees: The very groomes and yeomen were cloathed in silke, sattin, and damaske, scarlet, imbroyde∣ry, * 1.488 gold chaines and Gold smiths worke were then common: such was the pride then in the

Court: It was also commonly voyc'd that hee had let to farme the revenues of the Crowne to Bushy, Baggot and Green, which caused the No∣bility also with the Commons to grudge a∣gainst the King and his government. And this yeare being the one and twentieth of his reign, died Iohn a Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, at * 1.489 the Bishop of Elyes Palace in Holborne, and was buried on the North side of the Quire in Paules, where his Tombe remaineth to this day.

This yeare also fell a great difference betwixt * 1.490 the two Dukes of Hereford (who was sonne to Iohn a Gaunt) and the Duke of Norfolke, the cause was (after some Writers) that the two Dukes riding from the Parliament, the Duke Norfolke, said unto the other: Sir, you see how unstedfast the King is in his word, and how shamefully hee putteth his Kinsmen to death, exiling some and imprisoning others, and no doubt, what hath hapned to them, may in time fall upon us, &c. of which words the Duke of Hereford, accused him unto the King, which the one affirming, the other denying, a day of bat∣taile was appointed them at Coventry, upon the eleventh of September, where the King and the greatest part of the Nobility were present: where both appearing in the Lists, and ready for the Combat, the King threw down his war∣der, and staid the fight, and forthwith banished * 1.491 the Duke of Hereford for ten yeeres, and the Duke of Norfolke for ever: upon which sentence, Hereford sayled into Britaine: and Norfolke, after

passing divers Countries, lastly, came to Venice, and there ended his life.

In his two and twentieth yeere, the common fame ran, that he had farmed the Realm of Eng∣land to Sir VVilliam Scroop Earle of VViltshire, and Treasurer, and to Sir Iohn Bushy, Sir Iohn Bagot, and Sir Henry Green, and in the moneth of Aprill, the King with a potent Host sayled into Ireland, leaving for his Pro-rex in England, * 1.492 his Uncle Edmund Langley, Duke of Yorke. In which Voyage he prospered well, and quieted the realme to his pleasure, and whether it were for some noble act done, or out of his grace and bounty (I cannot say) hee there Knighted Henry sonne to the Duke of Hereford (then in exile) which Henry after his Fathers death was crow∣ned King of England by the name of Henry the first.

Whilst King Richard was thus busied in Ire∣land, the Duke of Hereford, late banisht with the Archbishop of Canterbury who had before left the Realme, and Thomas sonne to the Earle of Arondell late beheaded, these with others being a small company in number landed at Ra∣venspurre, in the North, and under pretence of * 1.493 laying claime to the Dukedome of Lancaster, due to him by Iohn of Gaunt his Father decea∣sed, he raised the people as hee went, to whom multitudes assembled, being weary with the mis∣government of King Richard: who hearing how the estate in England then stood, made speedy returne from Ireland, and in the begin∣ning

of September, landed in Milford Haven, and sped him thence to Flint-castle in VVales, in∣tending thither to gather more strength to op∣pose * 1.494 the Dukes proceedings.

Who in the interim proclayming himselfe Duke of Lancaster, in the right of his Father Iohn a Gaunt, came to Bristow, where without resistance, hee seised upon Sir William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire and Treasurer of England, Sir Iohn Bushy and Sir Henry Green, with Sir * 1.495 Iohn Bagot, who escaped and fled into Ireland, but the other he there judged and put to execu∣tion, which the King (being then in Flint Ca∣stle) hearing, he much doubted his safety, and so did all these who were then about him, there∣fore Sir Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester, and Steward of the Kings Houshold contrary to his Allegiance, broke his white Staffe openly in the Ha•…•…l, willing every on•…•… to shift for himselfe, by reason of which the King was forsaken of all his people, and soone after surprized and presented * 1.496 to the Duke, who put him under safe keeping, and himselfe hasted towards London.

Who comming neere to the City, sent the * 1.497 King secretly to the Tower, of which some ill disposed persons ambusht him in the way, and would have slain him because of his former mis∣government; but the Citizens enformed of their malicious purpose, rescued him from their fury: then the Duke comming to London, (by consent of the King) a Parliament was begun the thirteenth of September. In which many ac∣cusations

and Articles concerning his misruling the Realme, to the number of eight and thirty the King was charged with: and for which the King subscribing (willing as it was then given out to his owne deposement, hee was deprived from all Kingly Majesty: the manner of the pro∣ceedings therein were too long to relate) which sentence being publisht and openly read in Par∣liament, Henry Duke of Hereford, and now of * 1.498 Lancaster, rising from the place where hee before sate, and standing where all might behold him: first, making the signe of the Crosse upon his forehead, and after on his brest (silence being commanded) he spake as fol∣loweth: In the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, I Henry of Lancaster, Clayme the Realme of England, with the Crowne, and all the appurtenances thereto belonging, as I am rightly discended from the right Line of the bloud comming from that good Lord K. Henry the third, and through the right that God of his grace hath sent me, with the help of my kinred and friends to recover the same, which was in point to be undone, for default of good gover∣nance and justice, &c.

Which having spoken, hee sate downe in his * 1.499 place: then every one hearing his clayme, spake what hee thought; and after some distance of time, the Archbishop of Canterbury, knowing the minds of Lords, stood up, and asked the Commons if they would assent with the Nobi∣lity in their election, which they thought to be

needfull, and for the good of the Kingdome: to which, with an unanimous voice they said, yea, yea: after which the Archbishop approch∣ing the Duke, uttered some words to him in pri∣vate: which done hee arose, and taking him by the hand, led him unto the Kings Seat, and pla∣ced him therein; after made a long Oration to that noble Assembly, the effect whereof was to prove the Dukes Title to the Crowne, and to justifie the deposing of the King, verifying what was before predicted of him.

Foure Princely Lions were to him allide, Gall shall be with his horns in his great pride. At length a Fox clad in skin of gold, Shall snatch the Kid, from midst of all his fold.

By the foure Lions are figured his foure Prince∣ly Uncles sonnes to Edward the third, whom he severally injured, preferring men raised from nothing, to be eminent above them both in ho∣nour and office: and by the Fox Henry of Bal∣warke, who clothed himselfe with all the golden ornament of Regall Majesty, and snatcht him from the midst of all the fold, that was from amongst his own subjects and people, and after caused him to bee put to a violent and cruell death.

CHAP. 24.

The Coronation of Edward the fourth, with his great Feast held in Westminster Hall. A great Conspiracy intended against him, but preven∣ted, the lamentable murder of King Richard the second in Pomfret Castle, by Sir Pierce of Exton, his valour at his death. His Epitaph. The great riches found in his treasury: A pro∣secution of sundry passages in the Reigne of King Henry. He prepares a journey for the Ho∣ly land, but is prevented by death.

HEnry the fourth of that name and sonne to Iohn a Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, tooke possession of the whole Domi∣nion of England, upon the last day of September, in the yeere of Grace one thousand three hun∣dred fourescore and nineteene: after which he made new Officers cleane through the King∣dome, * 1.500 and then gave order for his Coronati∣on, and the Eve before hee in the Tower made 41 knights of the Bath, of which three were his owne sonnes, and three Earles, and five Lords, &c. Then the morrow after being Monday the thirteenth of October, he was crowned at West∣minster, * 1.501 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, after

which solemnity ended, a great and sumptuous feast was held in the great Hall, where the king being sate in the middest of the table, the Arch-bishop * 1.502 of Canterbury, with three other Prelates, were placed at the right hand of the same table, and on the left hand the Arch-bishop of York, with foure other of the Clergy: Henry the kings eldest sonne stood by his Father on his right hand with a sword poyntlesse; and the Earle of Northumberland new made Lord Con∣stable with a poynted sword on his left hand, both swords being held upright: Before the king stood all dinner time, the dukes of Aumerl, of Surry, and of Exceter, with two other Earles, and the Earle of Westmerland, late made Marshall, rov'd about the Hall, with many Tip Staves to make roome, that the Officers with more ease might serve the Tables.

Of which, the chiefe upon the right side of the hall was begun by the Barons of the Cinque ports: and at the Table next the Cupboord upon the left hand, sate the Lord Major, and the Aldermen of London, which Major being Drewe Barendine Goldsmith, was presented (according to the custome) with a cup of gold: after the second course came in, Sir Thomas Di∣mocke, armed at all poynts, and sitting upon a * 1.503 good Steed road to the higher part of the Hall, and before the King caused a Herald to make Proclamation, that whosoever would affirme King Henry was not lawfull inheritour to the Crown and Kingdome of England, he was there

ready to wage battaile against him, which Pro∣clamation hee caused to bee made after in three other parts of the Hall, in French and English, with many more observances at such solemni∣ties exercised and done, which feast being en∣ded, the morrow after being tuesday, the par∣liament was againe begunne: of this King and his reigne it was thus predicted.

The Foxe being earth'd according to his mind, In the Kids den, a Magazine shall finde, * 1.504 Yet all that treasure can his life not save, But rather bring him to a timelesse grave: Meane time shall study many a forrest beast, By a new way to kill the King in jest: But crafty Rainold shall the plot prevent, And turne it all to their owne detriment Wales and the north against him both shall rise, But he, who still was politicke and wise, Shal quell their rage: much trouble he'll indure, And after, when he thinks himselfe secure, Hoping to wash the Kids bloud from his hand, Purpose a voyage to the Holy Land, But faile: Yet in Hierusalem shall dye, Deluded by a doubtfull augury.

In the former parlament were many Chal∣lenges of the peers one against the other, which came to none effect; but onething was there con∣firmed, * 1.505 that whosoever had hand in the good Duke of Glosters death should dye as traitors: For which divers found guilty after suffered,

moreover, sundry acts made in the time of Ri∣chards reigne, were disannulled and made voyd, and others held more profitable for the king∣domes good and Common-weales, enacted in their stead.

Then was King Richard removed from the Tower, and thence conveighed to Leedes, and * 1.506 after to the Castle of Pomphret: there was pro∣vision made for the King to keep his Christmas at Windsor, in which interim the Dukes of A∣merle, of Surrey, and of Exeter, with the Earles of Salisbury and of Gloster, with others of their affinity, Lords, Knights, and Esquires, made great provision for a Maske to be presented be∣fore the King upon Twelfth night, which grew neere, and all things were in readinesse for the performance thereof: But that day in the Mor∣ning, * 1.507 came secretly unto the King the Duke of Aumerle, and discovered unto him, that he with the foresaid Lords & gentlemen had made a so∣lemne conjuration to kill him in the said Mask, therefore advised him to provide for his safety: upon which notice given, the King departed privately from Windsor, and came that night to London: upon which the Lords finding their plot to be discovered, they fled westward: but the King caused speedy pursuit after them: so that the Duke of Surry, and the Earle of Salis∣bury, were taken at Ciceter, Sir Thomas Blunt, Sir Benet Saly, and Thomas Wintercell at Ox∣ford, Sir Iohn Holland Duke of Exeter at Pit∣well in Essex, and divers others in severall places;

the Noble men were beheaded, the rest drawne and quartered; but all of their Heads set up∣on the Bridge gate at London, approving the premises.

Meane time shall study many a forrest beast, By a new way to kill the Foxe in jest: But crafty Rainold shall the plot prevent, And turne it all to their owne detriment.

The King having well considered of this great conspiracy, and that they intended by his death to restore the imprisoned King to his dia∣dem, * 1.508 he bethought himselfe that he could live in no safety whilst the other was breathing, and therefore he determined of his death, and to that purpose called unto him one Sir Pierce of Exton to see his will executed, who presently poasted to Pomphret, and with eight more well armed entred the Castle, and violently assaulted him with their Polaxes and Halberds in his Chamber, who apprehending their purpose, and seeing his owne present danger, most valiantly wrested one of their weapons from him, with which he manfully acquitted himselfe, and slew foure of the eight before he himselfe fell; but at the last he was basely wounded to death by the hand of Sir Pierce of Exton, whose body was af∣ter laid in the Minster at Pomphret to the pub∣licke view, that all men might be satisfied of his * 1.509 death, and was after brought up to London, and exposed to all eyes in Pauls, least any man

should after pretend to lay any plots for his liberty.

And now King Henry being in peaceable and quiet possession of the Kingdomes, thought it time to rifle his predecessors Coffers, in whose Treasury he found in ready Coyne three hun∣dred thousand pound sterling, besides Plate, * 1.510 Iewels, and rich Vessels, as much (if not more) in value: Besides in his Treasurers hands hee found so many gold Noble, and other summes, that all of them put together amounted to se∣ven hundred thousand pounds sterling: yet could not all this summe afford him a better fu∣nerall than in the poore Friery of Langley, which after by Henry the Kings sonne in the first yeare of his reigne was removed thence, and with great solemnity interred amongst the Kings in the Chappell of Westminster: All this processe verifying the former prediction.

The Foxe being earth't according to his mind, In the Kids den, a Magazin shall find: Yet all that treasure can his life not save, But rather bring him to a timelesse grave.

Over his Tombe in the Chappell the King caused these Verses following to be inscribed.

Prudens & mundus, Ricardus jure secundus, * 1.511 Perfatum victus jacet hic sub marmore pictus, Verus sermone suit & plenus ratione, Corpore procerus, animo prudens ut Homerus.

Ecclesiam favit, elatos suppeditavit, Quemvis prostravit, regalia qui violavit.

Thus Englished:

Wise and cleane Richard, second of that name, Conquered by fate, lyes in this Marble frame. True in his speech: whose reason did surpasse: Of feature tall, and wise as Homer was: The Church he favoured, he the proudsubdude, Quelling all such as Majesty pursude.

Concerning which Epitaph one of our English Chronologers, seeing how it savoured more of flattery then truth, thus exprest himself.

But yet, alas, though this meeter or rime, Thus death embelisht this Noble Princes fame, And that some Clerk which favoured him some∣time List, by his comming, thus to enhance his name, Yet by his story appeareth in him much blame. Wherefore to Princes is surest memory, Their lives to expresse in vertuous constan∣cie.

In the second yeere of King Henries Reigne, * 1.512 Owen Glendour rebelled in Wales, against whom the King entred the Countrey with a strong ar∣my, but at the Kings comming hee fled up to the Mountaines whom the King for the en∣dangering his Hoast, durst not follow, but re∣turned

without deeming any thing worthy note. In the yeere following Sir Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester, and Sir Henry Piercy, sonne and heire to the Earle of Northumberland, ga∣thered * 1.513 a great power, and upon the one and twentieth day of Iuly, met with the King and his army, neere unto Shrewsbury, betwixt whom was fought a cruell and bloudy battail, but at length the King was victor: in which fight Tho∣mas Percy Earle of Worcester was taken, and his Nephew, Sir Henry with many a brave Nor∣therne man was slaine. And upon the Kings part, the Prince was wounded in the head, and the Earle of Stafford with many others slaine. It was observed that in this battail father fought against sonne, sonne the father, brother the brother, and uncle the nephew: the twenty fift of Iuly following, was Sir Thomas Percy behea∣ded at Shrewsbury, and in August after, the Duchesse of Britain landeth at Flamoth in Corn∣wall, * 1.514 and from thence conveyed to Winchester, where shee was solemnely espoused to King Henry.

Soone after Richard Scroop Archbishop of Yorke, with the Lord Mowbray Marshall of England, with others to them allyed, made a new insurrection against the King, with purpose * 1.515 to supplant them, to whom the King gave bat∣taile on this side Yorke, where after some losse on both sides, the King had the better of the day, the Archbishop and the Martiall being both ta∣ken in the field, and soone after beheaded: in

that Kings Reigne was the Conduit builded in Cornwall, as it now standeth. The Market of the Stocks at the lower end of Cheapside, and the Guild hall of London new edified, and of a * 1.516 small cottage and ruinous and decayed house made such a goodly structure, as it appeares to this day. Moreover, the famous and stately Bridge of Rochester, with the Chappell at the foot of the said Bridge was fully perfited and finished, at the sole charge and cost of Sir Robert Knolls who in the time of Edward the third * 1.517 had atchieved many brave and memorable vi∣ctories in France and Britain, who also re-edi∣fied the body of the White Friers Church in Fleetstreet, to which place hee left many good Legacies, and there lyes buried: the foundation of which place was first laid by the Lord Gray Cotner: but to carry our prediction along with the premisses, to prove that they differ n•…•…t in the least circumstance;

Wales and the North, against him both shal rise, But he who still was politick and wise, Shall quell their rage, &c.

Wee read also of divers justs and marti•…•…ll exer∣cises * 1.518 performed in Smithfield, in the presence of the King, the Nobility and Ladies, in his sixt yeere: the Lord Morif a Baron of Scotland, challenged Edmund Earle of Kent, in which the Earle bore himselfe so valiantly, that to him was given the honour of the Turnament, and

in the tenth yeere came the Seneschall of Henalt, with a brave company of his owne Countri∣men and strangers to performe the like martiall exercises in the same place before the King. A∣gainst the Seneschall himself ran the Earle of So∣merset, to whom was given the honour of the first day: upon the second day came in a Knight Henalder as Challenger, against whom rose as defendant Sir Richard Arondell, who after cer∣tain courses run on horsback with their Lances, they combated on foot with Axes, where the Henalder had the better, for he brought him on his knee: the third day came a third challenger whom Sir Iohn Cornwayle encountred, and put to the worst: upon the fourth day appeared an Esquire Henalder, and was met by Iohn Cheyney, who at the second course overthrew his adver∣sary * 1.519 horse and man, for which the King instant∣ly made him Knight: on the fift day came a fift challenger, him one Iohn Steward an Esquire op∣posed, and came off with honour. Against the sixt challenger, came in a Gentleman called Wil∣liam Porter, who so couragiously demeaned himselfe, that there hee wonne his Knighthood. Against the seventh Champion appeared Iohn Standish Esquire, whom for his valour there shewne, the King also Knighted: a Gascoigne also demeaned himselfe so well against another stranger, that he was also made knight: upon the eight and last day, came in two Henalders chal∣lengers, against whom came two English Bro∣thers who were of the Garrison at Calice, be∣twixt

whom was so long and so violent a bicke∣ring, that they were commanded by the King to cease combat, lest any of them who so well had fought, might in the end have come off with disgrace. Thus this challenge was finished to the great honour of the King, who bounti∣fully feasted the Strangers, and with rich gifts sent them backe into their Countries.

In the eleventh yeere in a Parliament held at * 1.520 Westminster, the Commons put up a Bill unto the King, to take all the temporall lands out of the Clergy mens possessions, the effect whereof was, that the Temporalities disorderly wasted by the Churchmen, which might suffice to find to the King, fifteene Earles, fifteene hundred * 1.521 Knights, six thousand two hundred Esquires, and an 100 Almes houses to the reliefe of poore people, more then were at that time in the land, and besides all those that the King might put yearely into his coffers twenty thousand pound, and of this by particulars they made manifest proofe, to which bill no answer was made, but that the King would take thereof further deli∣beration.

In his fourteenth yeer, the King cald a Coun∣sell at White Friers, in which it was concluded that speedy provision should bee made for the * 1.522 Kings Voyage to visit the holy Sepulchre, but after the Feast of Christmasse, whilst hee was praying at Saint Edwards shrine, to take there his leave, and speed him upon his journey, so grievous a sicknesse tooke him that they feared

he would there have expired, wherefore they bare him to the Abbots Palace, and brought him into a chamber, and laid him upon a pallat by the fire, who when he came to himselfe, asked what place he was in? those that attended him, told him that it belonged to the Abbot of West∣minster, and finding himselfe so extreamly sick, he demanded if that chamber had any particular name? they answered that it was called the Hie∣rusalem: who presently replyde, then thanks be * 1.523 to the father of Heaven, who hath thus greatly admonisht mee of mine end: For now I know that I shall die in this chamber according to a prophesie long since spoke of mee, which said I should die in Hierusalem, which spoken, and ha∣ving made his peace with Heaven, hee in the same place departed this life, the twentieth * 1.524 of March, after hee had reigned fourteene yeers five moneths, and one and twenty days, still up∣holding the former prediction.

—much trouble hee'l indure, And after when he thinks himselfe secure, Hoping to wash the kids bloud from his hand, Purpose a voyage to the Holy Land: But faile: yet in Hierusalem shall die, Deluded by a doubtfull Augury.

This King left behind him foure sonnes, Henry who was King after him: Thomas Duke of Clarence, Iohn Duke of Bedford and Humphrey Duke of Glocester, and two Daughters, the one

Queen of Denmarke, the other Duchesse of Bavaria, or Barr, His body was after conveyed by water from Westminster to Feversham in Kent, and thence to Canterbury, where he was royally interred.

CHAP. 25.

The Coronation of Henry the fift: A prophesie of his Reigne: His victorious Battaile over the French at Agencourt: His second Voyage into France: His victories by Sea and Land: He is made heire (by the mariage of his wife) to the Crowne of France: His third Voyage into France: The birth of Prince Henry: The death of Henry the fift.

HEnry the fift of that name, and sonne to Henry the Fourth, began his Reigne, the one and twentieth of March in the yeere of Grace, one thousand foure hundred and * 1.525 twelve, and in the ninth of Aprill following, was crowned at Westminster: this Prince be∣fore the death of his Father applyed himselfe, to all irregularity, associating himselfe onely with riotous and evilly disposed persons, as Gamesters, Drunkards, Robbers by the high∣way,

and the like, but hee was no sooner admit∣ted to the government of the Land, but he sud∣denly became a new man, changing his dissolute life into a discreet carriage, his wildnesse to wis∣dome, and his sensualitie into a wondrous so∣briety: who lest he should be reduced to his for∣mer riots, he sent to all those vain fellows with whom he had been before familiar, such compe∣tent gifts as might maintaine them in a fair and even course of life, but with this proviso, that not any of them should dare to come with in ten miles of his Court, after a day by him assigned; of whom and whose Reigne, it was thus pre∣dicted:

Note a strange mixture in the planets seed, * 1.526 For now a Mercury, a Mars shall breed, Who in his armes, accommodate and fit Shall compasse more by warre, then he by wit The Caduceus to a sword shall change, And grim Orion shal (though it seeme strange) Sit in Astraea's orbe, and from her teare: The three leav'd flower she in her hand did bear, And turn it to a lawrell to adorn The Lions brows, whom late the Toad did scorn. And after many a furious victory, At length invested shall the Lion bce In a new Throne, to which his clayme is faire, As being matcht unto the Kingdomes heire: Living, this royall beast shall lose no time, But be at last from earth snatcht in his prime.

Presently after his Coronation, hee caused the corps of King Richard to be removed from the Fryers at Langley, and solemnly interred upon the South side of Saint Edwards Shrine in West∣minster, by the body of Queene Anne his wife. In the second yeere of his Reigne, hee held his Parliament at Leicester, where amongst other * 1.527 things, the Commons put up their former Bill, against the Clergy, who kept so much of the Temporalties in their hands. In feare where∣of, lest the King should give unto it any com∣fortable audience, certaine Bishops and others of the Clergie put the King in minde to clayme his right in France, for which they offered him great and notable summes, by reason whereof, that Bill was againe put by, and the Prince list∣ning to the motion of the Prelats, aymed onely to set forward his expedition against France, * 1.528 and sent his Letters to the French King to that purpose, who returned him answer full of de∣rision and scorne, wherefore hee made speedy provision for war.

And in his third yeare road (honorably ac∣companied) through London, and thence to Southampton, where he had appoynted his army to meete him. There Richard Earle of Cam∣bridge, * 1.529 Sir Richard Scroope, then Treasurer of England, and Sir Thomas Gray were arrested of Treason, arraigned, and the nine and twentieth day of Iuly following beheaded: The morrow after the King tooke the sea, and the sixteenth of August landed in Normandy, and laid siege to

Hareflew, and won it: then leaving Sir Thomas Bewford his Noble Captaine there, he sped him * 1.530 from Calice: with the Dolphin who had then the ruling government of France, (by reason of the Kings great sicknesse) having broke the bridges to hinder the Kings passage over the ri∣ver Sanne: therefore hee was constrained to take the way toward Picardy, and passe the Ri∣ver Pericon: whereof the French being aware, as∣sembled their forces, and lodged neere to Agen∣court, Roland court, and Blangie.

When King Henry saw that hee was thus in∣vironed * 1.531 with his enemies, he pitcht his battaile betwixt Agincourt and Blangie, having no more then seven thousand able men: But in those dayes the yeomen had their limbes at liberty, Their breeches fastned with one point, and their jacks or coats of male long and easie to shoote in, drawing bowes of great strength, and shoot∣ing arrows of a yard long besides the head: King Henry then considering the number of the ene∣my, and that the French stood much upon their horse, charged every Archer to take a sharpe stake, and pitch it aslope before him, that when the Cavalry with their speares assaulted them, they should give back, and so the horse should * 1.532 foyle themselves upon the stakes, and then to powre their shot upon them: and when the king had thus providently ordered for the bat∣taile over night, the morrow after, being the twenty fift of October, and the day of Crispin and Crispianus, hee attended the approch of the

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enemy, who were in number forty thousand a∣ble fighting men. * 1.533

Who about nine a clock in the morning with great pride and scorne set upon the English, thinking to have overrid them with their horse, and trod them underfoot, but the Archers as they were before appointed, retyred themselves within their stakes, upon which the French hor∣ses were galled, which the English Archers per∣ceiving, and that their horses being gored with * 1.534 the stakes tumbled one upon another, so that they which were foremost were the confusion of them which followed; the Archers after their arrows were spent fell upon them with swords and axes, so that the day fell with little losse to the English, of whom were slaine that day the * 1.535 Duke of Yorke, who had the leading of the Van, and the Duke of Suffolke, and not above six and twenty persons more.

But of the French were kild that day morethen * 1.536 10000 common souldiers, & of the'nobility the three Dukes of Bar, of Alonson, and of Braban, eight Earles, and of Barons above fourescore, with gentlemen in Coat Armours to the num∣ber of three thousand: besides in that fight were taken prisoners, the Duke of Orleance, the Duke of Burbon, the Earles of Vendosme, of Ewe, * 1.537 of Richmont and Bursigant, then Marshall of France with knights and Esquires (besides com∣mon men) surmounting the number of two thousand and foure hundred: when king Henry had (by Gods helpe) obtained this glorious vi∣ctory,

and recalled his people from pursuit of the enemy: newes was brought of a new Hoast comming towards him, wherefore hee commanded his souldiers to bee imbattailed, and then made proclamation through his Ar∣my, * 1.538 that every man should kill his prisoner, which made the Duke of Orleance, and the rest of the French Nobility in such feare, that they (by authority of the King) sent to the Hoast to withdraw, so that the King with his prisoners the morrow following took their way towards Calais, where for a time he rested himselfe and his Army: Thus it was truely prophesied of him.

Note a strange mixture in the planets seed, For now a Mercury a Mars shall breed, Who in his armes accommodate and fit, Shall compasse more by warre than he by wit.

The Exposition is plaine; by Mercury is meant the father, who was politicke and inge∣nious: and by Mars the sonne, who by his Mi∣litary Prowesse attchieved more then the other apprehended; But it followeth, the three and twentieth of November he was met upon Black Heath by the Lord Major, and his brethren, who conducted him through the City (where were presented many pageants and Showes to * 1.539 gratulate his famous victory) to Westminster; whither the same houre came Sigismond the Emperour, who lodged him in his owne palace,

and after was Saint Georges feast kept at Wind∣sor; in the time of which solemnity, during the time of divine Service the King kept the estate, but in the sitting at the Feast, he gave it to the Emperour, where he, the Duke of Holland, and * 1.540 a great Almane prince, called the Duke of Briga, were made Knights of the Garter, and after se∣ven weekes aboad here left the land, whom the King in person conducted to Callis: in which time of his there being, the Duke of Bedford, with the Earle of March, and other Lords had a great Sea-fight, with divers Caricks of Geno∣way, and other ships, where after long and cru∣ell fight, the honour fell to the English, to the * 1.541 great losse of the strangers, both of their men and shippes, in which three of their Caricks were taken.

In his first yeare in a parliament called at West∣minster, wherein order was taken for provision for his second hostile expedition in to France: Richard, sonne and heire to the Earle of Cam∣bridge (put to death at Southampton) was crea∣ted Duke of Yorke, who after was married to Cecile, daughter to the Earle of Westmerland, * 1.542 by whom he had issue Henry, who dyed young, Edward who was after King; Edmund Earle of Rutland, Anne Dutchesse of Exeter, Elizabeth, Dutchesse of Suffolke, George Duke of Clarence, Richard Crook-backe Duke of Gloster, and af∣ter King: and Margaret Dutchesse of Burgoin: and when all things were accommodated for the Kings voyage, he made Iohn Duke of Bed∣ford

his brother protector of the Land, and a∣bout Whitsunday tooke shipping at Southam∣pton, and sailed towards Normandy, where hee * 1.543 laid siege to a place called Toke or Towke.

During which, notice was given to the King, that the Vicount Narbon, General of the French Navy, intended to invade England: to prevent whom, he sent the Earle of March, the Earle of Huntington, with others, to scoure the Seas, who meeting with their Fleete, after a long and bloody conflict conquered and overcame them * 1.544 upon the ninth of August; in which they tooke plenty of Treasure, being the money which should have payed the French Kings Souldiers: Then was Tooke with the Castle deliuered up to King Henry, which he gave to his brother the Duke of Clarence, with all the Signiory thereto belonging, hee after tooke the strong City of * 1.545 Caan in Normandy with foureteene other strong holds and Castles; and whilst he was thus busi∣ed, the Earle of March, the Earle of Warwicke, with others, wonne Laveers, Falois, Newlin, Cherburg, Argentine, and Bayons, &c. where the king kept St. Georges Feast, and made fifteene knights of the Bath.

Then king Henry divided his people into three parts, whereof one hee reserved to him∣selfe, the second he committed to the Duke of Clarence, the third to the Earle of Warwicke, which Duke and Earle so well imployed their forces, that in short time they wonne many strong Townes and Castles, whilst the King

laid siege to Roan, of which one Sir Guy de Bow∣cier was Captaine, which was also delivered up * 1.546 into his hands, so that having subdued all Nor∣mandy, he then entered France, and conquered the Cities and Townes as he marcht, and upon the twentieth of May came to Troies in Cham∣paigne where he was honourably received: for the Duke of Burgoine being slaine in the pre∣sence of the Dolphin, Philip his sonne who suc∣ceeded * 1.547 in the Dukedome, refused the Dolphins part, and leaguing himselfe with King Henry, delivered unto him the possession both of the French King, and Dame Katherine his sole Daughter.

Then was such an unity laboured by the Lords on both sides to be had betwixt the two Nati∣ons, that by the urgence of the said Philip Duke * 1.548 of Burgoin King Henry at Troyes in Champaigne was solemnly marryed to Katherine heire to the kingdome of France, upon the third day of Iune, being Trinity sunday: Before the solemni∣zation of which marriage, certaine Articles were agreed upon by the two Kings, the effect * 1.549 whereof followeth, that Charles should remain King, during the tearme of his life, and king Henry should be made regent and governour of the kingdome in the right of his Queene and wife; and that after the death of Charles, the Crowne of France, with all the rights thereto belonging, to remaine unto king Henry, and his * 1.550 Heires kings, &c. And because Charles was then visited with sicknesse, King Henry as Regent

should have the whole and entire government of the Realme; and that the Lords of France, as well spirituall as temporall, should make oath to King Henry, to bee obedient unto him in all things, and after the Death of Charles, to become his true liege-men and sub∣jects, &c.

Further, the Dutchy of Normandy and all o∣ther * 1.551 Lordships thereto belonging to bee as one Monarchy under the Crowne of France, and that during the life of Charles, Henry sbould not name or write himselfe King of France, but Charles in all his Writings should name King Henry his dearest Son, and immediate Heire to the crown: and that by the advice of both coun∣sailes of the Realmes of England and France, such ordinances should be established, that when the Crowne of France fell to King Henry or his Heires, that it might with such unitie joyne to the Realme of England, that our King might * 1.552 rule both the Realms as one Monarchy, &c. that King Charles nor Philip Duke of Burgoyn should make any peace with the Dolphin of Vien, with∣out the consent of King Henry, nor he make a∣ny accord with him without the agreement of Charles and Philip, &c. thus you see.

His Caducaeus to a Sword did change, And grim Orion, though it might seem strange, Sit in Astraeas Orbe, and from her teare The three leav'd Flower shee in her hand did beare.

And turne it to a Lawrell to adorne The Lions brows, whom late the Toad did scorn.

By the Caducaeus turning into a sword, is meant that Mercury was now turn'd Mars, and * 1.553 Peace into warre: The same is allegorically in∣tended by Orion, who is called Lucifer for the terriblenesse of his aspect, sayd by the Astrono∣micall Poets to beare a sword; hee remo∣veth Astraea, that is, Iustice, out of her Orbe: For in the time of warre force and might sway all, who rends from her bosome the peaceable three leav'd Flower, which is the Flower Delyce, with which he Crownes the Lion King Henry, whom the Toad did scorne: (thus demonstrated) Some write that the Armes of France were at First the three Toads, which after they changed to the three Lillies, as they are now quartered, with the English Armes, &c. But to continue the History, these former Articles being by the consent of both the Princes and their peeres ratified, king Henry with his new Queene, were honourably received into Paris, where * 1.554 when they had rested a season, Hee with the Duke of Burgoine laid siege to divers Townes which held with the Dolphin of Vien, as the strong City of Meldane, or Melian, to Melden, and others, and tooke them, and having done all his pleasure in France, he and the Queen took leave of Charles the French king, and sayled into England, and at Westminster with great solemni∣ty * 1.555 she was Crowned.

In the beginning of his tenth yeare, was born at Windsor the sixt day of December, Henry the sixt of that name: at Easter after the Queene * 1.556 tooke shipping at Southampton, and sayled into France, where she was royally received of her fa∣ther and mother; and King Henry being still busied in his warres of France, and still gaining from them Cities and Townes, in the ninth of August he fell grievously sick at Boys in Vincent, and dyed the last day of the Month, when hee had reigned nine yeares, five months and ten dayes, leaving issue behind him onely Henry, a∣ged * 1.557 eight moneths and odde dayes: then the Kings body was imbalmed, and after brought to Westminster, and there buried, verifying,

Thus after many a famous victory, At length invested shall the Lion be In a new Throne; to which his claime is faire, As being matcht unto the kingdomes heire. Living this royall beast shall lose no time, But bee at length from earth snatcht in his (prime.

CHAP. 27.

The Duke of Gloster made Protector: The Duke of Bedford Regent of France, of Ioan de pasill a Sorceresse: Henry the sixt crow∣ned in Paris: A prophesie of his raigne: the death of the Duke of Gloster: The death of the Marquesse of Suffolke: The insurrecti∣on of the Commons under Iack Cade, His pro∣ceedings and death: the Duke of Somerset gives up Normandy: The Duke of Yorke ta∣keth Armes, his person seised, against the Kings promise, and for feare set at liberty.

HEnry the sixt of that name, and the sole * 1.558 sonne of Henry the fift, and Queene Ka∣therine, beganne his Reigne over the Realme of England the first day of September in the yeare of grace, one thousand foure hun∣dred twenty two, who during his Minority was committed to the guardianship of his two Vncles the Dukes of Gloster and Bedford, the * 1.559 Duke of Gloster beeing protector of England, and the Duke of Bedford regent of France: In the first yeare of this Kings reigne dyed Charles the seventh King of France, by whose death

the Crowne, and the Realme, with the rights of them, fell to the young king Henry, the posses∣sion of which was by the Lords of France in ge∣nerall, (excepting some few who took part with the Dolphin) delivered to the duke of Bed∣ford as Regent, during the nonage of the King, who in the second yeare of his reigne, wonne from the Dolphin more than foure and twenty strong holds and Castles, to the great Honour * 1.560 of the English Nation, and with whom all at∣tempts succeeded prosperously and victorious∣ly till the fift yeare that the Earle of Salisbury, (who was called the good Earle) with the Earle of Suffolke, the Lord Talbot, and others, laying * 1.561 strong siege to the City of Orleance, the Earle was slaine by a shot from the Towne, af∣ter whose death, the English still lost, rather than wonne, so that by little and little they were compelled from all their possession in France, for where they prevailed in any battaile, in three they were discomfited.

In the eighth yeare of his reigne, and upon the ninth of his age, King Henry was Crow∣ned * 1.562 in St. Peters Church at Westminster, where were made sixe and thirty knights of the Bath: His Coronation with all honour and joy being finished, provision was made for his journey in∣to France, and upon Saint Georges day follow∣ing, being the twenty third of April, hee tooke shipping, and landed at Callis, with a great train of the English Nobility, during whose abode there, many battails were fought in divers parts

of the kingdom betwixt the English and French, in which the French for the most part prevailed, * 1.563 some said by the help of a woman called Ioan de Pucil, whom they stiled, The Maiden of God, who was victorious in many conflicts, and at length came to a Town called Compeine, with intent to remove the siege layd unto it by the Duke of Burgoine and the English, but by the valour of a Burgonian knight, called sir Iohn Luxemburgh, her company was distressed, and she took alive, and after carried to Roan, and there kept a sea∣son, because she seigned her selfe with child, but the contrary being found, she was adjudged to * 1.564 death, and her body burnt to ashes.

In his tenth yeere, and upon the seventh of December, King Henry the sixt was crowned * 1.565 King of France in Paris, by the Cardinal of Win∣chester, at whose Coronation were present the Regent, The Duke of Burgoine with others of the French Nobility; after the solemnity of which royall Feast ended, The King left Paris, and kept his Christmasse in Roan, and thence returned into England, where hee was joyfully received, and of whom it was thus predicted.

How comes the Sun to rise where he should set? Or how Lambs, Lions, Lions Lambs beget? * 1.566 Yet so't must be. The Lambe though doubly crown'd, And thinking his large Empire hath no bound, Yet shall a Daulphin at a low ebbe land, And snatch one powerful scepter from his hand.

Thus it falls out twixt father and the sonne. Windsore shall lose, what ever Monmouth A Tigresse then, in title onely proud, (wonne. In the Lambs bosome seeks her self to shroud, A seeming Saint: at first meek and devout, But in small time her fiercenesse will break out, Nor can her ravenous fury be withstood Vntill, through sated, with best English blood, But a young Lion he at length shall tame, And send her empty back from whe•…•…ce she came. Much trouble shall be made about •…•…he crown, And Kings soon raised, and as soone put down, &c.

After sundry conflicts betwixt the English and the French, in which they diversly sped, at length Charles the Dolphin, who tooke upon him to be King of France, by the proffer of many Towns, Castles, Cities, Provinces, and Lordships so * 1.567 wrought upon the Duke of Burgoine, that notwithstanding he had before slain his Father, adhered to his party, and proclaimed himself ut∣ter enemy to the English, which was in the thir∣teenth of Henry, in which yeere dyed the noble and valorous Iohn Duke of Bedford, and Regent of France, and was buried with great solemni∣ty at Roan, in the Church of our Lady, after whose death notwithstanding the incomparable valour of the Lord Talbot, whose name was so * 1.568 terrible in France, that (with it women frighted their children to still and quiet them) the Earle of Arundell and others, yet fortune for the most

part was averse to the English &c. and though there were many Treaties of peace to bee made betwixt the two Kingdoms, yet they came to no effect, and thus for divers yeeres it conti∣nued.

During which passages divers murmurs and grudgings beganne to breake out betwixt the Duke of Glocester Lord Portectour and Uncle to the King, and divers persons neere about the Court, amongst which was chiefe the Earle of Suffolke, which in the end was the confusion * 1.569 of them both. For in the one and twentieth yeere, the said Earle of Suffolke who had broke off a Mariage concluded by the English Embas∣sadors, betwixt King Henry and the daughter to Earle Arminacke went over into France, and made a match betwixt him and the Kings daughter of Hierusalem and Cicily, who had the bare titles thereof, and was indeed a king * 1.570 without a Country: to compasse which mariage, he delivered to the said king, the Duchie of Anjou, and Earldome of Maine, which were cal∣led the keyes of Normandy, to the great preju∣dice and dishonour of the English Nation: For which service done he was created Marquesse of Suffolke, and soone after with his wife and o∣thers pompously accommodated brought her into England, where shee was espoused to the King, at a place called Southwick in Hampshire: * 1.571 whence after she was convayed to London, and thence to Westminster, and thereupon the 30 of May, being Trinity Sunday, solemnly crowned.

With which match it seemes God was not well pleased: for after that day fortune began to forsake the King, who lost his Friends in Eng∣land, and his revenues in France, for soone after, * 1.572 the whole State was swayed by the Queene and her Counsell, to the dishonour of the king, the Realmes detriment, and her owne disgrace, for thereby fell the losse of Normandy, the division of the Lords, the rebellion of the Commons. The king deposed, her sonne slaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and she ba∣nisht the Land for ever, all which •…•…iseries fell (as some have conjectured) for the breach of that lawfull contract, first made betwixt the king and the daughter to the Earle of Armi∣nacke.

In his five and twentieth yeere was a Parlia∣ment called at Saint Edmondsbury in Suffolke, which was no sooner begun, and the Lords as∣sembled, but Humphrey Duke of Glocester was * 1.573 arrested by Viscount Beaumond, then high Con∣stable of England, the Duke of Buckingham, and others, and the sixt day after found dead (some say murdered) in his bed of whose death the Marquesse of Suffolke was most suspected, whose body after it was publikely showne, was con∣veighed to Saint Albons, and therehonourably interred, and soon after five of the principall of his Houshold hang'd and drawne, but by the kings mercy not quartered.

In his eight and twentieth yeere, was called * 1.574 another Parliament, in which the Marquesse of Suffolke was arrested and sent to the Tower,

where hee lived a moneth at his pleasure, and was after set at large, to the discontent of some Lords, but all the Commons. For he was char∣ged with the delivery of Amiens and Maine, and the murder of Duke Humphrey, called the good Duke of Glocester, upon which ensued a rebellion of the commons, of which one Blew-beard * 1.575 cald himselfe Captain, but they were soon supprest, and the chief of them put to death, the Parliament was then adjourn'd to Leicester, whither ca•…•…e the King, and with him the Queens great Favourite, the Duke of Suffolke. Then the Commons made petition to the king, that all such as had hand in the delivery of Anjou and Maine, and the death of the Protector might be severely punished, of which they accused as guilty, the Marquesse of Suffolke, the Lord Say, * 1.576 the Bishop of Salisbury, one Damiall a Gentle∣man, and one Trivillian with others, to appease whom, Suffolke was exiled for five yeeres, and the Lord Say Treasurer of England, with the rest were put a part for a while, and promist that they should bee imprisoned: and Suffolke taking shipping in Norfolke, to have sailed into France, was met by a ship of Warre, called the Nicholas of the Tower, and being knowne by the Captain, he tooke him into his owne Vessell and brought him backe to the port of Dover, where on the side of the Boat he caused his head to be struck off, and cast it with the body on the * 1.577 sands, and so went again to sea.

In this yeere also being the Iubilee, the com∣mons

of Kent assembled themselves in great multitudes, under a Captaine called Iacke Cade, * 1.578 who named himselfe Mortimer, and Cousin to the Duke of Yorke: against him the King raised a strong Hoast, and sent Sir Humphrey Stafford and William his brother, with certain forces to subdue them, but the Rebels prevailed against them, and left the two Noble brothers dead in the field: after which victory the Captaine put on him Knights apparell, with Briganders set with gilt nayls, and Helmet, with gilt Spurs. To * 1.579 whom was sent the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Duke of Buckingham, who had confe∣rence with him, and found him very discreet in his answers, but not to bee wonne to lay by his armes; and to blinde the eyes of the people the more, hee used great justice in his Campe, at length he came to Southwarke, (at which time the commons of Essex lay with an army at Mile-end) and when hee approched the draw-bridge, he hewed the ropes and chains asunder with his * 1.580 sword, and so entred London, where hee made proclam•…•…tions in the Kings name, that no man on pain of death, should rob, spoyle, or take from any man, but to pay for whatsoever hee cald for, which drew unto him the hearts of many of the Citizens: and when he came to Lon∣don stone, * 1.581 he strook upon it with his sword, and said, Now is Mortimer Lord of this City: after hee caused the Lord Say to bee fetcht from the Tower, and without any just processe, at the Standard in Cheape, commanded his head to be * 1.582

cut off, and another called Cromer, who had bin high Sheriffe of Kent, he also commanded to be beheaded, then pitcht their heads upon two poles, and as they passed the streets in divers places caused the poles to joyn, so that the dead mouthes kissed each other.

Thus hee had free recourse into the Citie by day, and at night returned to lodge with his Hoast in Southwarke, but at length his malicious purpose broke out. For dining one day with Philip Malpas Draper and Alderman, hee robbed * 1.583 and spoyled his house, and tooke thence a great quantity of plate or money, which had hee not done, it was supposed he might have attained to his owne ends (for so hee served another in the same kind) therefore the Major his brethren and commons, consulted amongst themselves (ha∣ving * 1.584 the assistance of the Tower) the next day to shut their gates against him, and keepe him out of the City, which they did: then the Captaine assaulted the Bridge, which was valiantly defen∣ded, and many slaine on both sides. But at the length they were enforced to keep still in South∣warke, whither the Archbishop of Canterbury sent a generall pardon from the King, so they would disband themselves, of which the multi∣tude tooke the advantage, and every one sped himself home into his Country: Then procla∣mation was made, that hee who could take the Captaine alive or dead should have a thousand Marks: at length a Gentleman of Kent, called Alexander Iden, found him in a Garden in Sus∣sex,

and in taking slue him, whose body was brought through the high streets of the City to Newgate, there headed and quartered, his head set upon the bridge, & quarters sent to 4 sundry * 1.585 Towns in Kent, to the terrour of like offenders.

In the 29 yeere, by reason of the Duke of So∣mersets giving up the Dukedome of Normandy, displeasure grew from some of the Lords against * 1.586 the Queen, and her counsail, so that the Duke of York father to K. Edward the fourth, with many Lords to him allide, opposed themselves against her, & in the 30 yeer the king with the D. of So∣merset, with other Nobles, journied towards the Marches of Wales, because they were informed the Duke of Yorke with divers of the Barons both of note and name, had gathered a great strength: who hearing the King made towards them, swarved from the Kings Hoast, and took their way towards London: but when they knew they could not be received there, they past over Kingstone bridge, so into Kent, and pitcht their field on Brentheath: of which the king inform'd, followed them, & pitcht his field on Blackheath.

Both their Hoasts being thus embattailed, * 1.587 mediation of peace was made betwixt the two Hoasts, and to the Duke were sent the Bishops of Winchester and of Ely, with the Earles of Sa∣lisbury and Warwicke, who answered them that neither hee nor any of his company intended any hurt to the Kings person, or any of his own counsail: but his purpose was to remove some evill disposed persons about the Queen, by

whom the Land was oppressed, and the Com∣mons impoverished, of whom it was finally a∣greed that hee should be committed to prison, and to answer what the Duke of Yorke should object against him: upon which promise made by the King, the Duke, the first of March, being Tuesday, disbanded his army, and came to the Kings Tent, where contrary to the promise made, he found the Duke of Somerset, waiting next the King, and the Duke of Yorke was sent (like a prisoner) to London, and now streightly * 1.588 had beene kept, but that news was brought that Sir Edward his sonne Earle of March was com∣ming thither with a strong power of Welshmen, and Marchmen, which so affrighted the Queene and her counsaile, that the Duke was set at li∣berty to go whither it pleased him, and so peace for a while, with feigned love was dissembled. Thus hitherto the prediction hath not failed in * 1.589 any particular, which saith,

—The Lambe though doubly crown'd, And thinking his large Empire hath no bound, Yet shall a Daulphin at a low ebbe land, And snatch one powerful scepter from his hand. Thus it falls out twixt father and the sonne. Windsore shall lose, what ever Monmouth wonne.

Henry for his meeknesse was compared to a Lambe, being doubly crowned in London and * 1.590 Paris: The Dolphin of Vien being at the lowest

ebbe of State, yet in time by the perfidious∣nesse of the Duke of Burgoine, after recovered the whole Realme of France, with the Duke∣dome of Normandy, so that hee snatcht one Scepter from his hand, so that Henry the sixt borne in Windsore, no may participating the Noble and Heroick spirit of his father, lost all by his pusillanimity, that Henry the fift borne in Monmouth had atchieved, by his unmatchable prowesse.

CHAP. 28.

The ambition of Queene Margaret: The battaile at Saint Albons, Yorke made Protector: The Queens practice against the Lords: The battail at Northampton: Yorke proclaimed heire to the Crowne. Yorke slaine in the battaile at Wakefield: Henry deposed and Edward Earle of March made King: A prophesie of his Reigne. The battaile at Exham: King Henry taken and sent to the Tower: The Mariage of Edward: Hee flies the Land: Henry againe made King.

IProceed with the History: in his one and thirtieth yeere the King held a solemne Feast at Westminster upon the twelfth day in Christmasse,

where he created two Earles, who were his bro∣thers by the mothers side: Queene Katherine * 1.591 who after the death of Henry the fift, was mar∣ried to a Knight of Wales called Owen, who had by her two sonnes, the eldest named Edmond, who was made Earle of Richmond, the yonger Iasper Earle of Pembroke, who was after by Henry the seventh made Duke of Bedford, and so dyed, and in the yeere thirty two, the thir∣teenth of October, Queene Margaret was deli∣vered at Westminster, of a Princely sonne named Edward, who after grew to bee of faire perso∣nage and great hope, but was after slaine by Edward the Fourth, when hee had wonne the battaile fought at Tewxbury, whom the people for the great hate they bore to his mother, would not acknowledge to bee the naturall son * 1.592 of King Henry, but rather a bastard or change∣ling, to her great sorrow and dishonour.

During these passages great dissention grew betwixt the King and divers of his Lords, but especially betwixt the Queens Counsell and the Duke of York: and his bloudy, and mayne cause was because the Duke of Somerset, (now her * 1.593 prime favourite) lived at large, was made Cap∣taine of Calice, and was in greater power about the Queen then before (for the Queene gover∣ned all, and the King was onely so in name, but no more then a Cypher to fill up the number, for which both the Nobles and commons much grudged: at length the Duke of Yorke being in the Marches of Wales, called to him the Earles

of Warwicke and Salisbury, with other Knights and Gentlemen; and in the month of Aprill gathered a strong Hoast and marched towards London, where the King, Queen, and sundry of the Nobility then made their residence, who hearing thereof, assembled also a sufficient Army and sped towards Saint Albons, of which the Duke of Yorke being advertised, hee also made thither, and was at one end of the Town whilst the King and his people were at the other, and this was on the three and twentieth day of May, the Thursday before Whitsonday. Now whilst a Treaty of peace was communed upon the one part, the Earle of Warwicke with the Marchmen * 1.594 entred the Towne, upon the other end, and fought eagerly against the Kings people, so that both the battails joyn'd and continued the fight for many houres, but in the end the victory fell to the Duke of Yorke, and of the Kings side were slaine, the Duke of Somerset, the Earle of * 1.595 Northumberland, and the Lord Clifford with many honourable Knights and Gentlemen.

The morrow after, the Duke with great honour and reverence conveighed the King backe to London, and lodged him in the Bishops Palace, then called a parliament at Westminster, by authority whereof, the Duke of Yorke was * 1.596 made protector of the Realme, the Earle of Salisbury Chancelour, and the Earle of Warwick Captaine of Callis, and all such as were in autho∣rity about the king removed, and the Queeene and her Counsaile who before swayed all, vili∣fied

and set at nought: But shee out of her great policy insinuated with divers Lords, who were of her faction, and disdaining the rule the Duke bore in the Realme, by the name of pro∣tector, as if the King were insufficient to go∣verne * 1.597 the state, which as shee thought was great dishonour to him, and disparagement to her, she made such friends of the Lords both spirituall and temporall, that the Duke was shortly discharged of his protectorship, and the Earle of Salisbury of his Chancellour∣ship: which was the cause of much combustion after. So that it appeares.

A Tigresse then, in title onely proud, In the Lambes bosome seeks her selfe to shroud; A seeming Saint, at first meeke and devout, But in small time her fiercenesse will break out: Nor can her rav'nous fury be withstood, Vntill through sated with best English blood.

Which will manifestly appeare in the se∣quell, for she causing the king to remove from * 1.598 London to Coventry, the Duke of Yorke was sent for thither by a privy Seale, with the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury, whose lives were ambusht in the way, of which they having no∣tice escaped the danger: After a day of meeting was appoynted at London, whither the Lords came with great traines at their heeles, and the Earle of Warwicke with a strong band of men from Callis, in red Iackets, and white ragged

sleeves upon them; but by reason of the strength the Lords had, nothing was attempted against them, but a dissembled peace was made be∣twixt the two factions, which being tyed with * 1.599 a small and slender thred, it happened that in a private quarrell a servant of the Earle of War∣wicks hurt one of the kings servants, upon which the Earle comming from the Counsaile to take his barge, the kings family rudely set upon him, and the blacke guard assaulted him with their spits, where divers of his followers were sore hurt, and hee himselfe dangerously wounded, with great difficulty escaped, but hee got into London, and from thence sailed to Callis: He thus secured, the Queen then aymed at the life of his Father, the Earle of Salisbury, who set upon him the Lord Audley with a * 1.600 strong Company to way-lay him in his com∣ming towards the City, who mending his traine, kept on his journey, and upon Blore∣heath they met both, and after a bloody conflict the Lord Audley with many of his followers were slaine, and two of the Earles sonnes woun∣ded, who in their way home were surprized by some of the Queenes faction, and sent prisoners to Chester.

Vpon which the Duke with the Lords as∣sembled themselves for their owne security, and the Earle of Warwick came with a band of men * 1.601 from Callis, of which he made one Andrew Trollop Captaine, against whom the King ga∣thered a strong hoast, and came to Ludlow,

where the Lords were incampt; but the night before the battaile, this Andrew with his Cal∣lis souldiers, left the Lords, and joyned with the Kings Army: At which the Lords were much discouraged, because hee was privy to all their purposes, wherefore they left their Tents standing and fled: The Duke of Yorke tooke * 1.602 shipping for Ireland, the rest escaped into Gern∣say, by the meanes of one Iohn Dinham, an E∣squire, who brought them a ship; which Din∣ham was after made Treasurer of England, so that the King was made Master of the field, the Dutchesse of York with her Children taken pri∣soners in Ludlow, and sent to her sister the Dut∣chesse of Buckingham, where she remained long after, and the Lords proclaimed Traytors, and their goods and Lands forfeited, and sei∣sed into the Kings hands, but at length the tide turned.

For the Lords (being favoured by the Com∣mons, who much murmured at the proceeding of the Q. & her counsaile) again entred the land, & upon the ninth of Iuly encountred the Kings hoast at Northampton, where after long fight, the victory fell to the Earle of Salisbury, and the Lords of his party, where the Kings Hoast was discomfitted, and hee taken in the field, after * 1.603 many of his Nobility were slaine, amongst whom were the Duke of Buckingham, the Earle of Shrewsbury, the Vicount Beaumont, the Lord Tiremond, &c. After which victory they re∣turned to London, and brought with them the

King, keeping his estate, then sent for the Duke of York out of Ireland: In the mean time they called a parliament: during which, the Duke of Yorke came to Westminster, and lodged in the Kings palace, upon which grew a rumour, that Henry should be deposed, and the Duke of York made King: one day the Duke came into the parliament Chamber, and in the presence of all the Lords sate him downe in the kings seat, and claimed the Crowne as his rightfull inheri∣tance: * 1.604 at which there was great murmuring a∣mongst the Lords: but after divers Counsailes held, it was concluded, that Henry should con∣tinue king, during his naturall life, and after his death his sonne Prince Edward to bee set apart, and the Duke of Yorke and his Heires to bee kings: and he to bee admitted protector of the king, and Regent of the Realme: and upon sa∣turday following being the ninth of November, and thirty ninth of king Henry, the Duke was * 1.605 proclaymed through the City Heire apparant to the Crowne, and his Progeny after him.

And because Queen Margaret with her Son Prince Edward, with the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter were in the North, and would not come up at the kings sending: it was agreed by the Lords, that the Duke of Yorke and Earle of Salisbury, should raise an Army and fetch them up by force, and to that purpose sped them Northward: of which the Queene with her peo∣ple having notice, with a great power of Nor∣thern men met with them upon the thirtieth

of December at a Towne called Wake-field, be∣twixt whom was fought a bloody Battaile, in * 1.606 which was slaine the Duke of York with his son the earle of Rutland, Thomas Nevill sonne to * 1.607 the earle of Salisbury, and the earle himself took prisoner, whom shee caused to be with others, soone after beheaded at Pomphret; then shee made haste towards London, and the earle of Warwicke with the Duke of Norfolke, who were appoynted by Yorke to attend the king, gathe∣red an Army, and upon a Shrove-tuesday in the * 1.608 morning, gave her battaile at Saint Albons, in which Warwicke and Norfolke were chaced, and the king againe taken, and presented to the Queen: then He the same afternoone made his sonne Edward knight, (who was eight yeares of age) with thirty persons more.

The Queene having thus gotten the upper hand of her Enemies, thought all things safe, expressing more pride than she before had done; in the height of which, newes was brought her, that Edward earle of March, eldest sonne to the Duke of Yorke, with the earle of War∣wicke, and others, with a great strength of March men were met at Cottiswald in their way to London; wherefore the King and Queen returned with their Hoast Northward, but be∣fore her departing from Saint Albons, shee cau∣sed the Lord Bonsfield and others to bee behea∣ded, who had beene taken in the former field: Then came the Earles of March and Warwicke to London, to whom resorted all the Gentlemen

of the East and South parts of England: Then was a Counsaile called of the Lords spirituall and temporall, by whom after much debating of the matter it was concluded, that forasmuch as King Henry contrary to his honour and oath at the last parliament had done, and also that he was reputed unable and insufficient to go∣verne the Realme, hee was by their assents dis∣charged of all kingly honour and Royalty, and * 1.609 by the authority of the said Counsell, and agree∣ment of the Commons, Edward eldest sonne to the Duke of Yorke, was elected King, who presently with his Army followed Henry, and met with his Hoast at a place called Towton, or Shyrbourne, and upon Palm-sunday gave them * 1.610 battaile, which was so cruelly fought, that there were slaine thirty thousand, besides those of note and quality, as the Earle of Northumber∣land, the Earle of Westmerland, the Lord Clif∣ford, Sir Andrew Trollop, and others: In the * 1.611 same Field was taken the Earle of Devonshiere, and sent to Yorke and there beheaded: But Hen∣ry, the Queene, prince Edward, the Duke of Somerset, the Lord Rosse, and others fled into Scotland, and King Edward entered Yorke, and there kept his Easter.

Thus Henry lost the Crowne after hee had reigned full thirty eight yeares, sixe Moneths, and odde dayes, and the factious and ambitious Queen forfeited all her right in the kingdome; verifying what was predicted,

But a young Lion hee at length shall tame, And send her empty back from whence she came. Much trouble shall be made about the Crowne, And Kings soone raised, and as soon put downe.

This Edward the fourth of that name, and sonne to Richard Duke of Yorke, beganne His * 1.612 Reigne over the Realme of England, the fourth of March, in the yeare of grace, (to reckon after the English computation) one thousand foure hundred and forty, and upon Sunday, being the feast day of Saint Peters day was solemnly crowned at Westminster: before which time, He made sixe and thirty Knights of the Bathe, and soone after hee created his brother George Duke of Clarence, and his brother Richard Duke of Gloster: Of this Kings reigne thus runs the Prophesie.

The fiercest Beare, who by his power alone * 1.613 Had planted the young Lion in his throne, Is sent abroad a Lionesse to finde, To be his phear: who having chang'd his mind, Doats on a Badger, whom some terme a Gray, And that shall cause much blood on Easter day. The Beare, who th'exil'd Tygresse meetes in France, Vowes the suppressed Lambe againe t'advance. And from the Coop where he hath long bin pent, To raise him to his former government. The Lion the Land flying, with a small And slender traine, the ragged staffe swayes all.

But the Beares fiercenesse shall be soone allaid, As one that is halfe conquered, halfe betraid: Then shall the Lambe, whom he did late restore, (Againe coopt up) be slaughtered by the Boare.

After the King had visited the greatest part of the best Townes and Cities in the Kingdom, * 1.614 in the second yeare of his reigne, Margaret late Queene of England, with an army of French and Scotch invaded the North part of England, which King Edward hearing, sped him thither: at whose approach the Queene with the rest af∣frighted she disbanded her troopes, and in a Carick would have sailed into France; but such a Tempest fell that she was forced to take a Fi∣sher-boat, and landed at Barwicke, and roade thence to the Scotch King, where newes was brought her, that the Carveil in which the grea∣test of her treasure was, was swallowed up in the Sea. And in his third yeare the Lord Iohn of Montacute, brother to the Earle of War∣wicke, having chiefe command in the North, was warned of King Henries comming with a great power out of Scotland, against whom hee assembled the Northern men, and met with him about Exham, who routed the Scotch Army, * 1.615 and chaced Henry so neare, that hee tooke cer∣taine of his Traine apparrelled in blue velvet, garnished with two Crownes, and fret with pearle and rich stones: He took also the Duke of Somerset, the Lord Hungerford, the Lord Rosse, and others: which Duke with the rest were soon

after beheaded, some at Exham, others at New Castle: And the same yeare was King * 1.616 Henry taken in a Wood, in the North Coun∣trey, by one Cantlow, and presented unto King Edward, who forthwith sent him to the Tower, where hee remained for a long time after.

Now Richard of Warwicke, who for his many Victoryes and potency in the Realme was called VVarwicke the great, was imploy∣ed by the king into France, to treat a mar∣riage * 1.617 betwixt him and the Lady Bona; which whilst hee was earnestly soliciting, the first of May the king espoused Elizabeth, late wife to Sir Iohn Gray, who was slaine at Towton, in the great Battaile fought against Henry: which espousalls were solemnized early in the morning at Grasten, neare Stony Stratford, where were present none but the Spouse, the Spousesse, the Dutchesse of Bedford Her * 1.618 Mother, the Priest, two Gentlewomen, and a young man who helped the Priest at Masse. which marriage was for a time kept secret, but after shee was with great solemnity Crowned Queene at VVestminster; which the earle of VVarwicke taking as a great affront, as being fooled in his Embassie; and Queene Marga∣ret being then with her sonne Edward in the * 1.619 Court of France, hee with the earle of Ox∣ford, who had stood alwayes against the Yor∣kists, secretly made promise to the Queene to waite their time to remove king Edward, and

place the Diadem upon the Head of King Hen∣ry: which makes good:

The Forest Beare, who by his power alone, Had planted the young Lion in his Throne, Is sent abroad a Lionesse to finde, To be his phere, who having chang'd his mind, Doats on a Badger, whom some doe terme a Gray, &c.

By the Beare is figured Warwick, who gave the Beare and the ragged staffe, who suppor∣ted the cause of Edward Earle of March, till hee had Crowned him King, who being sent into France to negotiate a Match betwixt him and the Lady Bona, whom hee calls the Lio∣nesse: In the interim hee married with a Bad∣ger, or Gray, by which is intimated Eliza∣beth, the Lady Gray, &c.

And now about the eighth yeare broke out the long dissembled hate betwixt the King, and the Earle of VVarwicke, who confedered unto him the Duke of Clarence, who had be∣fore married his Daughter: In which season, by their instigations were divers Rebellions, in Lincolnshire; likewise in the North, by a Captaine, who called himselfe, Robin of Ri∣disdale; in Lincolnshire by the Lord VVels, &c. * 1.620 Meane time the Duke of Clarence, with the Earle of VVarwick and other, solicited Lewis the eleventh king of France, to assist them, in the restoring of king Henry to his rightfull

inheritance; who gladly granted their request: which Lords after their departure from Eng∣land, were proclaimed Rebells and Traytors, who in September the tenth yeare of the king, landed at Dertmouth, making their proclama∣tions in the name of Henry the sixt, to whom multitudes from all parts resorted, so that the * 1.621 king being in the North, with great danger passed the Washes in Lincolneshire, and fled in∣to Flanders: and Warwicke brought the king * 1.622 from the Tower, and conducted him in all state through London to Westminster, and once more set the Crowne upon his head.

CHAP. 29.

King Edward proclaimed usurper of the Crowne, and Gloster Traytor: his landing at Ravens∣port: the Battaile at Barnet: the battaile at Teuxbury: King Henry murdered in the Tow∣er, and after him the Duke of Clarence: the death of Edward the fourth: Gloster takes up∣on him to bee Protector of the young King: his tyranny being Protector: hee is proclaimed King: the murder of the two Princes in the Tower: A prophesie of them before their deaths.

KIng Henry being thus re-instated, there was dayly waiting on the Sea∣coast for the landing of Queen Mar∣garet, and her sonne Prince Edward,

and provision made against the re-entring of the kingdome by King Edward and his company: then was called a Parliament, in which King Edward was proclaymed usurper of * 1.623 the Crowne, and his brother Duke of Gloster Traytor, and both attainted by vertue of the said parliament: then the Earle of Warwicke road into Kent, thinking to have met the Queene at Dover; but the winds were so averse to her, that she lay from November to Aprill, and all that while could not put to sea, by rea∣son of which, the Earle of Warwicks journey was disappoynted.

In the beginning of Aprill, Edward landed * 1.624 at Ravenspurne, with a small company of Flem∣mings, who in all could not make up the num∣ber of a thousand: and so drew towards Yorke, making proclamation in the name of King Henry, that his comming was to no other in∣tent, than to claime the inheritance of the Dukedome of Yorke, where the Citizens kept him out till he had taken a solemne oath, that * 1.625 he purposed no more then he spake, where ha∣ving refresht him and his followers, he departed thence, and held his way toward London; and having paked by favour and fairwords, the lord Marquesse Montacute who lay with an army to stop his way, and finding his strength hourely to * 1.626 increase, hee then made proclamation in his owne name as king of England: and so held on his journey till he came to London: where hee was gladly received into the City, and so made

to Pauls, and offered at the Altar, and thence to the Bishops palace where hee found the King al∣most alone, for all his servants and others had left him: and having put him under safe custody, * 1.627 he there rested him till Easter Eve.

When hearing of his brother Clarence, with the other Lords comming with a strong host to Saint Albons, he hasted thitherward, and lay that night in Barnet, in which season the Duke of Clarence, contrary to his oath made to the French * 1.628 King, renounced the title of King Henry, and came that night with his whole strength to his brother, at whose revolt the Lords were some∣what abashed, but by the Earle of Oxford they were againe comforted: by whose perswasion, they marched forward to Barnet, whither hee came leading the Vaward, and on a plaine neere unto the Town pitched his field: upon the mor∣row being Easter day both Hoasts met: upon the one party were two Kings present, Edward and Henry; upon the other the Duke of Exeter, * 1.629 the Lord Marquesse Montacute, the Earles of Warwicke and of Oxford, with other men of name.

In their first encounter the Earle of Oxford so manfully demeaned himself, that hee bore * 1.630 over that part of the field, which he set upon, in so much that news came to London, that Ed∣wards Hoast was discomfited, and it might have hapned, if his men had kept their army, and not presently disordered themselves by falling to rifle and pillage, but after long and cruel fight

King Edward obtained the victory, in which battaile of the Lords party were slain Marquesse * 1.631 Mountacute, & his brother the Earl of Warwick: on the Kings party the Lord Barons, and of the Commons on both sides one thousand five hun∣dred: * 1.632 the same day in the afternoon came King Edward to London, and first offered at Pauls, and road thence to his lodging at Westminster, and soon after was King Henry brought riding in a long gown of Blue Velvet, and conveyed through Cheape unto Westminster, and thence to * 1.633 the Tower, where he remayned all his life time after: thus we find by the premisses,

The Beare, who th'exil'd Tigresse meets in France, Vowes the suppressed Lambe againe to advance: And from the Coop where he hath long bin pent To raise him to his former government.

All which hapned according to the former prediction, as also the sequell.

The Lion the land flying with a small And slender train, the ragged Staffe sways all: But the Bears fiereenesse shall be soon all aid, As one that is halfe conquered, halfe betraid.

That is, half conquered, by the prowesse of King Edward, and betraid by his perfidious brother the D. of Clarence: Edward thus having repos∣sest the Kingdome, provided against the land∣ing

of Queen Margaret and her sonne, who not∣withstanding with an army of Frenchmen en∣tred the Land as farre as Teuxbury; where the King met her, and chaced her house, and slue * 1.634 many of them, in which battaile was taken her sonne Edward, and brought to the King, who demanding some questions, and he not answe∣ring him to his minde, the King strook him o∣ver the face with his Gauntlet, upon which hee was drag'd into a withdrawing room, and there slaine by the Duke of Glocester. In the same * 1.635 yeere upon Ascension eve was the corps of Henry the sixt late King, brought unreverently from the Tower through the high streets of the City unto Pauls, and there left for that night: and on the morrow, conveyed with bils and staves, and * 1.636 the like weapons unto Chelsey, and there with∣out any solemne ceremony enterred, who was stabd with a Dagger in the Tower, by the hands of the foresaid Richard Duke of Glocester.

So that, the Lambe, the Beare did late restore, (Again coopt up) was murdred by a Bore.

For the Bore was the Cognizance belonging to the said Duke: when King Edward had thus subdued his enemies, He sent over the miserable and distressed Queene Margaret into her owne Countrey whence shee never returned into this Kingdome after. In the seventeenth yeere of the King, the Duke of Clarence his second bro∣ther, * 1.637 was for some displeasure taken against him,

committed to the Tower where hee not remay∣ned long, but hee was secretly drowned in a But of Malmsey, as it was commonly voic'd by the instigation of the Duke of Glocester: I let passe the rest of this Kings Reigne, in which hapned no great matter of remarke or consequence, so that after his many victories (for hee was never * 1.638 conquered in any battaile) hee governed the Realme in great tranquillity and quietnesse; and expired the eleventh of Aprill in the yeere of the Incarnation of our Lord, one thousand foure hundred fourscore and three, after he had raign∣ed full two and twenty yeeres, and as much as from the fourth of March to the eleventh of A∣prill, whose corps was conveyed to VVindsor, and there with all due and solemne Ceremony interred, leaving two sonnes, Prince Edward the eldest, and Richard Duke of Yorke the younger, with three Daughters, Elizabeth after Queene, Sicily and Katharine:

Edward the fift of that name, and sonne to Edward the Fourth at eleven yeeres of age be∣gan his Reigne, the eleventh of Aprill, in the be∣ginning of the yeer of our Lord God, one thou∣sand foure hundred fourescore, and then of whom and his Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester, the prediction followeth. * 1.639

From the Herculean Lion lately sphear'd, And in his Orbe, to Iove himself indear'd, Shall shine two stars, without eclipse or cloud, But they, as to some sacred offering vow'd

Shall perish on the Altar, ere they grow, To that full splendor, which the world they owe A bunch-back'd monster, who with teeth is born, The mockery of art, and natures scorn: Who from the wombe, preposterously is hurld, And with feet forward, thrust into the world, Shall from the lower earth on which he stood, Wade every step he mounts here deep in blood, He shall to th'height of all his hopes aspire, And cloth'd in state his ugly shape admire: But when he thinks himself most safe to stand, From forreigne parts, a native Whelpshal land, Who shall the long divided blood unite, By joyning of the Red Rose with the white.

Edward the Fourth yielding his due to na∣ture, * 1.640 the long concealed grudge betwixt the King and the Queenes Allies began to vent it self, for the Marquesse Dorset brother to the wi∣dowed Queene, with others of her proximity had then the Guardianship of the young King, who being in the Marches of VVales, conveyed him towards London, to make provision for his Coronation, but the Duke of Glocester who intended otherwise, attended with a com∣pany of Northern Gentlemen all in mourning, met with the King at Stony-stratford, and after a dissembled greeting betwixt him and the Marquesse, dischardged him of his Office, and * 1.641 tooke upon himselfe the government of the king, and thence accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham who was in great favour with

the people, brought him with all honour to∣ward London; whereof hearing Queene Eliza∣beth mother to the King, and fearing the sequel, she with her younger sonne the Duke of Yorke, and her daughter Elisabeth tooke Sanctuary at VVestminster: meane time the king was royally met by the Citizens of London, and through * 1.642 the City brought to the Bishop of Londons pa∣lace and there lodged.

Then the Duke of Glocester so wrought with Bouchier Archbishop of Canterbury, that hee went with him to the Queene, who upon the Archbishops faith, and promise of his safety de∣livered * 1.643 to them the D. of Yorke: then the Duke caused the king and his brother to be removed to the Tower, and the Duke lodged himselfe in Crosby House in Bishopsgate street, and great preparation was made for the yong kings Co∣ronation: in which time the Duke of Glocester, being made Protector, caused Sir Anthony VVoodvile, Lord Scales the Queenes brother, the Lord Richard the Queenes son, Sir Richard Hawt, and Sir Thomas to be beheaded at Pom∣fret, more out of his owne tyranny, then any * 1.644 trespasse by them committed: next to further his aspiring purpose, Hee covertly sounded the hearts of the Nobility how they stood affected, and to that end cold many counsailes, and a∣mongst others he found the Lord Hastings then Lord Chamberlaine constant to the supporture of king Edward the Fourths Issue.

Upon the thirteenth of Iune, being in the

Counsel Chamber at the Tower with the Duke of Buckingham, the Earle of Derby, the Lord * 1.645 Hastings and others. Hee caused an out-cry of Treason to be made in the next roome, at which the Lords were amerc'd: and he himselfe went to the doore, and received such persons in, as he had before appointed, who laid hand upon the Lord Hastings, in which stirring the Earle of * 1.646 Derby was hurt in the face, and for a while com∣mitted to safe custody, but the Lord Chamber∣laine in all haste was led to the Hill within the Tower, and without judgement or long con∣fession his head laid upon a log, and cut off by the Executioner: after which cruelty thus done, all such as he suspected would oppose him in his claime to the Crowne hee put in hold, whereof the Archbishop of Yorke, and the Bishop of Ely were two, but the Earle of Derby for feare his sonne Lord Strange should have raised the Cheshire and Lancashire men, hee set at liberty to goe where he pleased.

Upon the sunday following himselfe and the Duke of Buckingham being present with others of the Nobility, Doctor Ralph Shaa, in the time of his Sermon, laboured to prove the children * 1.647 of Edward the Fourth illegitimate, and not right beires to the Crowne, preferring the title of the Protector, at whom was flung a dagger which stucke in the post close by his face, but none knew or at the least would acknowledge from whence it came, which Doctor who before had a great opinion of learning, having by this

Sermon lost all his reputation dyed, (as some say distracted) not many days after.

Upon the Tuesday following, the Commons of the City were assembled at Guild-hall, whi∣ther * 1.648 was sent by the Protectour, the Duke of Buckingham, with other Lords, by whom was rehearsed to the Major & the rest, what title the Lord Protectour had to the Crowne before his Nephews, which in an excellent Oration was delivered by the Duke of Buckingham, whom they applauded for the manner, but no way ap∣proved the matter of his speech, for it took no effect amongst them, all departing silent and keeping their thoughts to themselves: then the Tuesday succeeding, being the twentieth day of Iune, the Protector of himselfe took upon him as King and Governour of the Realme, and rode * 1.649 in great state to Westminster, and in the great Hall placing himselfe in the seat Royall, with the Duke of Norfolke, who was before Lord Howard, on the right hand, and the Duke of Suffolke on the left, after the royall Oath taken, hee called before him the Iudges, and giving them a long exhortation for the executing of his Lawes, administring justice, with other Cere∣monies being done, hee was conveyed to the kings palace and there lodged, and upon friday * 1.650 being the two and twentieth of Iune, through∣out the City of London, hee was proclaimed king of England, by the name of Richard the Third.

Yet thought he himselfe in no security, whilst

his two Nephewes in the Tower were living, concerning whose death (as some have repor∣ted) hee tasted the Duke of Buckingham, but finding him averse to his purpose (as in his no∣ble * 1.651 spirit abhorring an act so unnaturall and execrable) he after sought all advantages how to insidiate his life, though hee had been the onely means to raise him to that height of Sovereign∣ty, and knowing that it was in vaine to worke any noble or generous mindes to such a bloudy and inhumane purpose, hee at length had obser∣ved a melancholy and discontented Gentleman called Iames Tirrell, to whom some have given the title of a knight, and him hee moulded to his owne ends, who having the keyes of the Princes lodgings delivered unto him, hee hired two bloudy Ruffians, who when they were fast asleepe, fell upon them and smothered them in their beds. But in what place their bodies were buried it is uncertain, and thus * 1.652

From the Herculean Lion lately sphear'd, And in his Orbe, to Iove himself indear'd, Two luminous stars without eclipse or cloud, As had they been unto some offering vow'd Are perisht on the Altar, ere they grow, To that full splendor, which the world they owe.

By the Herculean or Cleomaean Lion is figured the victorious and invincible King Edward the Fourth lately spheared, that is, by death lately translated above the Spheares, to the Celestiall

Orbe Heaven, and by two shining stars, Edward the sift and Richard Duke of Yorke, &c. the rest needeth no comment.

CHAP. 30.

Dissention betwixt the King and the Duke of Buckingham: Richard insidiateth the life of Richmond: Buckingham takes armes against the King, and is beheaded. Banister perfidious to his Lord: Queen Annes policy and tyranny: His Laws: Richmond landeth at Milford Ha∣ven: The battaile at Bosworth: The death of Richard: Richmond made King: A prophesie of his Reigne, &c.

RIchard the Third of that name, son to Richard Duke of Yorke, and youngest brother to Edward the Fourth late King, began his Domi∣nion over the Realme of England, the twen∣tieth day of Iune, in the yeere of the Incarna∣tion of our Lord, one thousand foure hundred fourescore and three, with whose Reigne I proceed: Some say the Noble Duke of Bucking∣ham * 1.653 came to demand of him the Earle of Here∣fords Land promised him before he was King, which hee not onely denied him, but gave him rough and harsh language which the Duke in

regard of his former courtesies done unto him: and not only knowing his ingratitude, but with all his malicious spleene against any that should in the least oppose him in his bloudy and most cruell designes, he therefore retyred himselfe from Court, and after some discourse held with Bishop Morton who was the Kings prisoner, and in his custody, he was brought to have in∣telligence from the Queen and the Countesse of Derby, by whose instigation hee after laboured to bring in Henry Richmond then a banisht man in the Court of the Duke of Britaine, but from * 1.654 the house of Lancaster, the next heire to the Crown.

Whilst these things were in secret agitation, the King laboured by all meanes possible, of friends, gifts, promises, and the like, to take a∣way the life of the Earle, whose projects and * 1.655 pursuits (too long here to rehearse) he miracu∣lously escaped, only comforted by some Noble Englishmen, some compulsively banisht, others voluntarily exiling themselves, all partners in one and the same calamity: in which interim the Duke of Buckinghams intent of innovation (some think by his perfidious servant Banister) was discovered to the King, therefore for his * 1.656 owne security he was forced to take armes: but many of his friends failing, and the indisposi∣tion of the weather warring against him (for by reason of the Land slouds hee could not joyne his forces together) hee therefore was compeld to dissolve his Army, and suffer every man to

shift for his best safety: himselfe retyring to the house of his Secretary and servant Banister, who in hope of a thousand pounds reward to him that could bring forth the Duke (promist only, but never paid) betrayde him to the King, who caused him to bee had to Salisbury, and on a scaffold in the Market place to have his head * 1.657 cut off, and such was the tragicall end of that ho∣nourable person.

Of this Banister, and how his falsnesse to his * 1.658 Lord was punisht in him and his posterity, much hath been spoken, as that his wife died distract∣ed, his sonne was found strangled with a cord, his daughter found drowned in a shallow pud∣dle of water, and hee suffered on the gallows for a robbery, and that since that day even to this age, none of that House and Family, but have some orother of the name beene troubled with the falling sicknesse: a good caveat for all corrupt and perfidious servants.

King Richard though hee had removed all or most of his potent enemies, Buckingham, the Queenes Kindred and others: yet knowing hee was hated for his many murders, especially for the two Princes in the Tower, and that hee was moreover suspected for causing Queen Anne his wife to bee poysoned (who dyed suddenly) in hope to have married the Lady Elizabeth, daughter to the Queen Dowager, who after the death of her two brothers was immediate heire * 1.659 to the Crowne; hee to stop the mouthes of the multitude, and as farre as might be to insinuate

himselfe into the hearts of the Commons: made many good and profitable Lawes to the benefit * 1.660 of the Common-wealth, which are yet called the wholsome Laws of the Kingdome: but this he did, not that hee so much loved their good, but that he so well affected his owne safety, and because he was loth to leave the World without some worthy character behind him: hee strived to bee reputed the best of Kings, though hee knew himselfe to be the worst of men.

Amongst other pieces of his justice, it was laid to the charge of one William Colling∣borne a Gentleman, that hee was authour of a li∣bell, the effect whereof was this.

The Cat, the Rat, and Lovell the Dog, * 1.661 Rule all England under an Hog.

By the Cat, meaning Catesby; by the Rat, Rat∣cliffe; and by Lovell the Dog, the Lord Lovell, all which were Court Favourites, and ruled the Land under the King, who bore the white Bore for his Cognisance: for which Rime and other matters pretended against him, he was arraign∣ed, convicted and condemned, and after suffered on a new paire of Gallows on the Tower-hill, where he was no sooner cast off the ladder, but cut down, and his bowels ript out of his belly, * 1.662 and thrown into the fire, and lived till the blou∣dy Hangman thrust his hand into the bulk of his body to grope for his heart, and even then hee was heard to say aloud, O Lord Iesus, yet more

trouble, and so died, to the great compassion of much people.

During which passages, Henry Earle of Rich∣mond, the Lord Marquesse Dorset brother to * 1.663 the Queene, and Sir Iames Blont then Keeper of the Castle of Guines, who brought with him Iohn the brave and valiant Earle of Oxford, who had been kept prisoner in that Castle ever since the field fought at Barnet: These with other of their noble friends, with a small company of English, French, and Britains, landed in Mil∣ford * 1.664 Haven, in the month of August: which Earle no sooner sat his feet on shore, but he in∣continently kneeling upon the earth, with a so∣ber and devout countenance, began the Psalme, Indica me Domine, & discerne causam meam, &c which when hee had finished and kissed the ground, he rose up and commanded such as were about him, boldly and in the name of God to set forward: of whose landing the King hea∣ring, he set it light, making no haste to oppose them, as despising them in regard of their small number.

But when the arrivall and returne of this Prince was rumoured abroad through the land, many drew unto him, aswell Sanctuary men as others, so that his Army greatly increased, which the King hearing, hee then gathered a strong Hoast, and so sped him, that upon the two and twentieth day of the same moneth August, and * 1.665 the beginning of the third yeere of his Reigne, He met with Prince Henry neere unto a Village

called Bosworth, besides Leicester, where betwixt them was fought a sharpe and cruell battaile for * 1.666 the time, which more bloudy had beene, if the Kings party had beene fast and constant to him: for some left him, and fled to his enemy; and o∣thers stood hovering as Neuters, to see unto whom the victory would fal, of which the Lord Stanley Father in law to the Earle of Richmond, with a strong band of Cheshire and Lancashire∣men was chief.

Some were of opinion, that the King lost the battaile by his owne foole-hardinesse, and * 1.667 head-strong spleene: for when the fight was be∣gunne, and he mounted on a white Steed, was in the center of his Army to give directions for the field upon any occasion; upon the suddaine hee cal'd to know what part of the adverse ground Richmond then maintained? who being poynted to the place, suddenly without any di∣rections left, or any substitute to command in his place, sprung out of his hoast, and made thi∣ther, and calling aloud for Richmond, was knowne by his Guard: who seeking to presse through them, wounding some, and killing o∣thers, was himselfe, with his horse, broached upon their Halberds. The newes of the Kings death being blowne abroad, his army stood * 1.668 at a stand, onely defending themselves, but not offending any: insomuch, that the glory of the day fell to the Earle of Richmond, and his parti∣sans: upon the Kings party were slaine Iohn Duke of Norfolke (before his late creation Lord

Howard) with Brakenbury, Lievtenant of the Tower, but no other of name or quality; where was taken the Earle of Surrey, sonne to the Duke of Norfolke who was sent to the Tower, * 1.669 and there remained prisoner a long time after.

Then was the body of King Richard despoy∣led of his Armes, and stript naked, and then disgracefully cast behind a man riding upon a leane Iade (the body being almost wholly covered with mire and dirt) and so unreverent∣ly carryed to the Friers at Leicester, where after a season he had laine openly that all men might behold him, with little reverence, and lesse mourning, he was cast aside in an obscure grave, * 1.670 and there buried; when he had reigned, or ra∣ther usurped the Kingdome by the space of two yeares, two months, and two daies.

It is said of this Prince that he came into the world with his feet forward, which being taun∣ted with (being a youth) by a yong Noble man, and one of his Peeres, hee made answer, 'tis true, and was it not time for mee to make haste into the world, there being such a bustling and trouble in the Land? which hee seemed to al∣lude unto those times, when his Father laid claime to the Crowne: Hee was borne also with teeth in his Head, which was somewhat prodigious too, and crooke backt he was, but whether so borne, or that it came to him by a∣ny sinister accident I am altogether ignorant: * 1.671 onely of this I am sure, that all these with the processe of his bloudy practises, punctually

comply with the prophesie, which saith:

A bunch-back'd monster, who with teeth is born, The mockery of art, and natures scorn: Who from the wombe, preposterously is hurld, And with feet forward, thrust into the world, Shall from the lower earth on which he stood, Wade every step he mounts knee deep in blood, He shall to th'height of all his hopes aspire, And cloth'd in state his ugly shape admire: But when he thinks himself most safe to stand, From forreigne parts, a native Whelp shal land, &c.

After the Battaile thus wonne, prince Henry was received as King, and there instantly so pro∣claimed, * 1.672 who thence hasted to London, so that upon the twenty eighth day of August; he was by the Major and Citizens met in good array, at Harnsie park, and thence conveighed through the City, and lodged in the Bishop of Lon∣dons palace for a time, and then he removed to Westminster.

This Henry the seventh of that name, sonne to the Earle of Richmond, began his dominion * 1.673 over the Realme of England the two and twen∣tieth of August; in the yeare of grace one thou∣sand foure hundred fourescore and five; and the thirtieth day of October following at West∣minster was crowned; and in the second yeare of his reigne he espoused Elizabeth, the eldest daughter to King Edward the fourth, who the yeare after upon St. Katherines day was crowned * 1.674

at Westminster: And this Henry is that native Lions whelpe before spoken of:

Who shall the long divided blood unite, By joyning of the Red Rose with the white.

For by this marriage the long divided hou∣ses of Yorke who gave the white, and Lancaster who gave the red Rose were happily combin'd, and from that, even to this present day never disparted, or sundred: of him it was also thus predicted.

The spirit that was meerely Saturnine, * 1.675 Being supprest upon the landshall shine. Planets of a more glad aspect, and make Peace from their Orbs, sixt in the Zodiacke: Yet from the cold Septentrion Mars shall threat And war me their frigid pulses with his heat. And Mercury shall (though it may seem rare) Consult with Cassiopeia in her Chaire, To fashion strange impostures: but warres god By sword, nor Hermes with his charming rod Shall ought prevaile: where power with Prin∣ces meete, And when Religion shall Devotion greet. Where all these foure at once predominant are, Vaine are the attempts of stratagem or warre; But he who of the former is possest, Shall be abroad renown'd, and at home blest. Fame afarre off his glorious name shall tell, And Plutus (neare hand) make his Coffers swell.

By the Saturnine Spirit is intended the bloo∣dy and malitious condition of Richard the third, which was now supprest by death: for as Saturne was said to devoure his owne Chil∣dren, so he hungred and thirsted after the bloud of his owne brother and Nephewes, and there∣fore not altogether unproperly alluded, the rest you shall find made apparent in the sequell.

This religious and wise King being thus * 1.676 peaceably instated in the Throne: his old inve∣terate enemy the Dutchesse of Burgundy raised a new Impostor, whom she called Richard Duke of Yorke, the younger brother to Edward the fift: but hearing the King intended to make a∣way young Warwicke, who was sonne to the Duke of Clarence, and then prisoner in the Tower, they changed his name from Yorke to Warwicke (who was no other than the sonne of a Baker: this youth shee put to the tutoring of * 1.677 a Priest, who so well improved him, that hee could now to the life personate a Prince; and for no lesse he was received first into Ireland, to whom the Earle of Lincoln came, who also made a pretended right to the Crowne: To whose aide the Dutchesse sent two thousand Almaines, under the command of one Martin Swart, an old Souldier, and of approved Disci∣pline; these, with the Lord Lovel and Kildare, landed in Lancashire, and made towards York, with whom the King met at a place called Stoak: in which fight the army of the Rebels * 1.678 was routed, Swart and Lincoln slaine, and the

Lord Lovell thinking to swim the Trent, was drowned, and Simnel the mocke King taken, whom the King would not put to death, but made him a Turn-broach in his Kitchen, where hee continued long after.

CAP. 31.

The Earle of Northumberland slaine by the Com∣mons: The Matchevilian plots of the Dutchesse of Burgundy, to disturbe the peace of King Henry: Perkin Warbeck her Creature: He is nobly married in Scotland, and taken for the Duke of Yorke: the death of the Lord Stand∣ley, and others: Divers insurrections about Perkin: his death, with the young Earle of Warwicke: The death of the King: A prophe∣sie of the reigne of Henry the eighth.

IN the fourth yeare of this Kings Reigne, the Earle of Northumber∣land sent to gather some Taxes, which were to bee levied in the North, was slain by the commons, * 1.679 who still favoured the party of the Yorkists: And further, to countenance the act, they made an insurrection, and chused for the Captaines one Chambers, and another Egremond; to sup∣presse

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whom, was sent the Noble and valiant Earle of Surrey, who having discomfited their Army, and tooke Chambers, with divers others of the chiefe Rebells, who were led to Yorke * 1.680 and there executed as Traytors: But Egremond fled the field, and escaped to the Dutchesse of Burgundy, whose Court was a Sanctuary for all Male-contents and Fugitives.

(threat, Thus from the cold Septentrion Mars did And warme their frigid pulses with his heat.

This subtile Mercurialist knowing how wisely and politickly the King had borne him betwixt the Emperour and the King of France (who had beene at mortall enmity about the marriage of the young Dutchesse of Britaine, she being first contracted by a Proxie to the old Emperor, but from him divorced before enjoy'd, and marri∣ed to the youthfull French King) shee I say, ob∣serving his provident and cautelous procee∣ding in all things, for the security of his State, and Kingdome, with a false stampe coyned a new Duke of Yorke, a stripling called Perkin Warbeck, who being Christned by Edward the * 1.681 4^th, it might be suspected that (being as hee was warlike, so also much addicted to the love of women) by too much familiarity with the mo∣ther, the child might have some of the Yorkists blood in him, Edward being both Father and Godfather: But so or no, most sure it was, * 1.682 that the Dutchesse exposed him to the world

for the young Duke of Yorke, who was spared from death, which his brother suffered in the Tower, (for so it was given out.)

But after shee had fully tutor'd and instructed him to take upon him the Majesty and deport∣ment of a Prince, least he should be found to be her creature, shee cunningly sent him from her * 1.683 Court over into Ireland, where hee was recei∣ved for no lesse then he nam'd himselfe. Thence King Charles sent for him into France, where he had Princely entertainment, and service, suiting with his stile; but a peace being concluded be∣twixt England and France, finding no safety there, hee came as a distressed stranger to shelter himselfe under the wings of the Dutchesse of Burgundy, whom she (cunningly) at first lookt upon as strangely, till she had questioned him a∣bout all things, in which shee had before instru∣cted him: and then, as a Prince whose injuries were much to bee pittied, shee received him to her protection.

The newes of a surviving Duke of Yorke was greedily swallowed by the discontented Commons of England: The chiefe of note * 1.684 who were drawne to this beliefe, were the Lord Fitzwater, Mountfort, and Thwaytes, with the Lord Standley, who was Father in law to the King, and then Lord Chamberlaine, Ratcliffe, and others: But Henry then understanding the danger likely to ensue, first made it manifest to the world, how both the Princes were together murdered, with the manner of their deaths, by

which he did infallibly evince that hee could not be Yorke: then the politicke King thought there was no surer way to disable the Impostors claime, then by taking away his abettours; and whilst these things were thus in agitation, Sir Robert Clifford, who had undermined all the Dutchesse proceedings, came over to the King * 1.685 and disclosed them unto him; who challenged the Lord Standley of Treason, as to bee a prime incourager of Perkins Faction: for which the King notwithstanding the neere affinity, as the name of Father and Sonne interchanged be∣twixt them; and forgetting also that hee was the prime man who set the Crowne upon his head, hee caused him the fifteenth of February following to bee beheaded on a Scaffold upon the Tower-hill, not without a great aspersion * 1.686 of ingratitude; which severity of Iustice, was also executed upon Mountford and Stafford.

Then Perkin who had wintered with the Dutchesse, in the spring made an attempt for England, his forces subsisting meerely of male∣contents, banquerupts, and fugitives, and hea∣ring the King was in the North, landed to the number of sixescore and odde in Kent, thinking * 1.687 they would have adhered to his Faction, but he himself kept a ship boord: But the Kentish apprehending the danger of a Rebellion, see∣ing no more would come a shore, set upon them whom they found, slew some, and took the rest prisoners; all which were put to death, and not one amongst them spared: Thence he sailed to

Flanders to fetch more ayd, and from thence to Ireland, where he found small comfort, after to Scotland, (whose arrivall there being by com∣mendatory Letters, prepared by Charles the * 1.688 French King) he was royally entertained: and to the Scotch King and his Nobility hee delive∣red so smooth and passionate a Tale (before dictated by the Dutchesse) that they tooke not onely great commiseration of his former dis∣asters, but promised withall not onely to raise him, but to establish him in the height at which hee aimed: causing him to bee espoused to a beautifull Virgin the Lady Gordon, and after with a potent Army entred Northumberland, * 1.689 making Proclamation in the name of Richard Duke of Yorke, with sugered promises of se∣verall enfranchisements, and immunities to the Commons, if they would acknowledge him their King and Soveraigne; all which nothing prevailed with the people; so that King Iames hearing of Henries marching towards him with a puissant Hoast, he retreated his Army into his owne Countrey.

After which, there was a marriag•…•… concluded * 1.690 betwixt King Iames and the Lady Margaret, the eldest daughter to King Henry, from whom our King Iames of blessed memory descended, as immediate and undoubted Heire to the Crown of England: which match, was consum∣mate in the seventh yeare of King Henry, and in the same year landed at Plimmouth, Katherine daughter to the King of Spaine, who upon St.

Erkenwalds day was espoused to Prince Arthur, eldest sonne to the King, who in Aprill fol∣lowing * 1.691 expired in the Towne of Ludlow: The yeare after began the famous and most glorious worke of the Kings Chappell' at Westminster: and upon the eleventh of February dyed Queen Elizabeth, wife to King Henry, in the Tower, * 1.692 lying then in Child bed, &c.

There was also a commotion in Devonshire, and Cornwall, about the collection of sixescore * 1.693 thousand pound, which the King had deman∣ded in parliament: the first raisers thereof were a Lawyer and a Blacke-smith, who comming as farre as Wells, the Lord Audley tooke upon him to be their Generall; who passing through Kent, came as farre as Black-Heath, in the sight of London, but were then encountred by the Kings forces; the Lord Audley was taken and * 1.694 beheaded, the Lawyer & Smith drawn, hanged, and quartered, the rest by the King' pardoned.

But after that fortunate match betwixt the Scotch King and the Lady Margaret, there was no longer residence there for Perkin, who expo∣sed him to his further fortune; yet would not his faire Bride Katherine Gordon leave him, though he were forced to forsake the Land, but associated him into Ireland; from whence hee was presently sent for by a new company of Cornish and Devonshire Rebells, who began first to assemble themselves at a Towne called Bod∣win in Cornwall: To whom Perkin was no soo∣ner come, but they made him their Captain and

Prince, who called him selfe no more Richard Duke of Yorke, but Richard King of England, * 1.695 under which title they marched as farre as Exe∣ter, and laid siege to the City, making against it many violent assaults: to rescue which, and to remove the siege, the King came with a strong Army, at whose approach the multitude submitted themselves, for their Captaine Per∣kin had forsooke them and tooke Sanctuary at Bewdley, and of the Kings free grace were par∣doned. King Henry loath to violate the privi∣ledge of Sanctuary, would not take him thence perforce, but upon promise of life he yeelded * 1.696 himselfe to the king, who after he had confes∣sed unto him all the manner of his jugling; and from whence it came, he brought him up with him towards London, where by the way hee was made a scorne and mockery of the people: upon the eight and twentieth of November he was committed to the Tower, and after set at large, and was at free liberty in the Court: From * 1.697 whence he made a second escape, and being a∣gaine taken, his life was againe pardoned, and he sent to the Tower.

But for that delicate Lady Katherine Gordon, the wife of this counterfeit, his Majesty much * 1.698 commiserating that the noblenesse of her blood should be so much abused, heega•…•…e unto her the meanes of a Marchionesse, a yearely reve∣nue answerable to so noble a birth and rare a beauty.

Whilest the Dutchesse of Burgundies creature

was thus in the Tower, hee plotted with the young Earle of Warwicke, who had beene there a prisoner from his infancy, who had so farre prevailed with the Lievtenants servants, that upon promise of reward, they had plotted by killing of their Master, to make themselves keepers of the keyes, and set the two prisoners at liberty: which plot being discovered before it came to proofe, upon the sixteenth of No∣vember, in White-hall at West minster for the for∣mer predictory practice were arraigned Perkin Warbeck, and three others; and being convicted of capitall Treason, Perkin and one Iohn Awa∣ter were soone after hanged at Tyburne; and * 1.699 soone after the young Earle of Warwick, sonne to the Duke of Clarence was beheaded at Tow∣er Hill; and the same day one Blewet, and ano∣ther * 1.700 Astwood executed at Tyburne.

Thus you see how the Dutchesse of Burgun∣dies plots were confounded in the death of this Perkin: Concerning whom it was thus long before predicted,

That Mercury should (though it might seeme rare) Consult with Cassiopeia in her Chaire, To fashion new impostures, &c.

And (then the former discoursed of) never were any that carryed such countenance to the deluding of so many forraigne Princes: the Pro∣phet in Cassiopeia (with whom Mercury consul∣ted) meaning the factious Dutchesse, who by all

her endevours, studied to disturbe the peace of that prudent prince King Henry, who was able to over-match her in policy, and therefore Mer∣lin fore seeing her future jugling by impostures and adulteration (yet seeming) Heires to the Crowne, as also his sundry Troubles in the North raised by Scots, and qualified againe by the valour of the noble Earle of Surrey, the Kings Lievtenant and others: the sequell is ve∣rified.

—But warres god, By sword: nor Hermes by his charming rod Shall ought prevail, where power and prudence And when Religion shall devotion greet. (meet, Where all these foure at once predominant are Vain are th'attempts of stratagem or warre, But he who of the former is possest, Shall be abroad renowm'd, and at home blest.

This Cassiopeia was the daughter of Aeolus, the * 1.701 wife of Cepheus, and mother of Andromeda, who in her pride of beauty, comparing with the Nereides, was after translated amongst the Stars, in whom the prophet allegorically com∣preheuds the Burgundian Dutchesse, I am loth to enter into a further discourse of the passages in this Kings Reigne, being excellently and judi∣cially exprest by Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Chan∣cellor in prose, and in an accurate and ingenious poeme, by Master Charles Allein. Briefly this worthy and wise Prince expired the Saturday

before Saint Georges day, being the one and twentieth of Aprill, at his Mannour of Rich∣mond, * 1.702 when hee had raigned three and twenty yeeres, and eight moneths wanting but one day, in whose prayse no pen can bee too prodigall, who studied rather to end his warres by policy, then the profuse effusion of Christian bloud. In so much that all his Neighbour Princes labou∣red to have with him peace and alliance, and be∣cause in all Temporall policies, he farre exceed∣ed all the Christian Princes in his time, reigning: Three sundry Popes, Alexander the sixt, Pius the Third, and Iulius the second, every of them during the time, they held their Ecclesiasticall Soveraignty, by the unanimous consent of their spirituall Counsels, admitted him for a chiefe * 1.703 Defender of the Church above all others: and for a confirmation of the same, sent unto him by three severall famous Embassadours, three rich Swords, and three Caps of Maintenance, who notwithstanding his many costly buildings, and infinite expences as well in forreigne parts, as to pacifie the domestick Tumults and Seditions in his owne Kingdome, left behind him a mighty * 1.704 magazin of Treasure, with riches innum•…•…rable, complying with the prophesie:

Fame afar off his glorious acts shall tell, And Plutus (neere hand) make his coffers swell.

Him succeeded his sole son (after the decease of Prince Arthur) Henry the Eighth of that name, the true and rightfull inheritour to the two Crownes of England and France. Who began

his Soveraignty of this Realme, the two and twentieth day of Aprill, in the yeere of the In∣carnation of our blessed Lord and Saviour, one thousand five hundred and nine: and was crow∣ned at Westminster, on the day of the Feast of Saint Iohn Baptist, or Decollations: This Royall Prince, was joyfully received as the successour * 1.705 to so worthy a Prince as his Father; who was both famous and fortunate, from the beginning to the end of his Reigne, of whom it was thus predicted:

Rouze him shall this fierce Lion in his den, * 1.706 Be favoured of the gods, and fear'd of men. Gallia shall quake, Albania stand in aw, And Caesars stoop, when he but shews his paw. To league with him, Hesperia shall take pride, Those, whom the Africke Moores halfe blacke had dyde, He, by his art, shall fashion Musicall grounds From th'untun'd Harp, that discords only soūds And further, from the sceptarchy of Hils, That Europe aws, and triple-crown, that fils The Christian world with terror: take the power And bring it home unto his British bower: Blunting the horns of all the Bashan Buls, And rooting from the Land the razord skuls: O're Glastenbury, for the eye thats dim, May at that day behold a Whiting swim. But none without their faults, since Adams fal: He shall have many vertues, but not all. Who never spares, (for who can fraeilty trust?) Man in his rage, or woman in his lust.

CHAP. 32.

Prince Henry married to his brothers wife: Hee winneth Turwin and Turney in France: Flo∣den-Field, with the famous victory against the Scots. Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke, marrieth the French Queene the Kings sister. The Emperour Charles the fift made Knight of the Garter: Peace with France: Both Kings defie the Emperour: The death of Cardinall Wolsey: Henry divorced from his first wife, Marrieth the Lady Anne Bulloigne: Her death: He marrieth the Lady Iane Seimour: He revol∣teth from Rome. The Earle of Hartfords vi∣ctories in Scotland: Bulloigne besieged and wonne.

HEnry the Seventh who was loth to part with the Dower of the Spanish prin∣cesse, wrought so by a Dispensation from the pope, that his sonne prince Henry was married to the late Widdow of his own brother prince Arthur deceased, who comming to the Crown (some say by the counsell of his Father on his death-bed) put to death Empson and Dudley, who had gathered a great masse of mo∣ney into the Kings treasury, by exacting, and

extorting from the Commons, of whom they were extreamly hated, for which piece of justice he wonne the hearts of the people, and soone after was borne at Richmond, upon New yeares * 1.707 day prince Henry the Kings sonne, who died upon S. Matthews day the yeere following: and soon after was the Lord Dacres sent into Spaine to aide the King against the Moores, and Sir Edward Poynings into Gelderland, to aide the prince of Castile: And in his fourth yeere the King in person invaded France, and tooke Tur∣win and Turney, having discomfited the French * 1.708 Hoast at a place called Blewmy, during which time the Scotch King raised against England, an hundred thousand men, whom the Earle of Sur∣ry, the Kings Lievtenant encountred at a place called Flodden, in which battaile the King him∣selfe was slaine with eight Bishops, and eleven Earles, besides of the common souldiers innu∣merable: for which service by him done, King Henry created him Duke of Norfolke, and his sonne Earle of Surrey.

In his sixt yeere, a peace was concluded be∣twixt England and France, and in the seventh * 1.709 yeere, the French King espoused the Lady Mary, the Kings sister in the moneth of Iune, and died upon New yeares day next ensuing, wherefore * 1.710 the King sent for her againe by Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke: In February was borne the Lady Mary the Kings Daughter at Greenwich, and in Aprill the French Queene came over into England, and was married to the foresaid Duke

of Suffolke, in which yeere also Margaret Queene of Scots the Kings sister fled into Eng∣land, and lay at a place called Hare-bottle, where she was delivered of a daughter called Margaret, and came to London in May, and tarried here a whole yeer, and upon the eighth of May follow∣ing, returned again into her Country.

In October, the tenth yeer of the King, the Ad∣mirall * 1.711 of France came into England, and Tournay was delivered againe to the French King, whom after Henry met between Arde and Guiens, where were great Triumphs: after there was a solemne meeting betwixt the Emperour and Charles the fift and the King of England, who went with him to Graveling, and after hee went to Calice with the King, where hee was royally entertai∣ned and feasted, who in the thirteenth of the King, the sixt of Iune was honourably received * 1.712 into the City of London, by the Lord Major, the Aldermen, and the Communalty, who from London went to meet the King at Windsore, where he was made Knight of the Garter, which was done with great solemnity, and then from Southampton hee sailed into Spain: soone after Christian King of Denmarke, came into Eng∣land, and had Royall entertainment from the King.

During these passages, the Earle of Surrey Lord Admirall, who before had appeased the tumults and manifold combustions stirred up in * 1.713 Ireland, burnt divers Townes in Britaine and Picardy, and the Duke of Suffolke invaded

France with 10000 men. and passing the River of Some, spoyled many Towns and Villages, and returned without opposition, and the Duke of Albany in Scotland, who before had made a vain e attempr against England, besieged the Castle of Wark, but hearing of the Earle of Surreys marching towards him, he fled into his Countrey.

In the eighteenth yeere of the King, Cardi∣nall * 1.714 Wolsey went over into France pompously attended, where he concluded a league betwixt the King of England and the French King, who both defied the Emperour, and sent an Army into Italy to make war against him, and upon the nineteenth of October, the great Master of * 1.715 France came over to England, to ratifie the League made betwixt the two Kings, all which verifie that part of the prediction.

Rouze him shall this fierce Lion in his den, Be favoured of the gods, and fear'd of men. Gallia shall quake, Albania stand in awe, And Caesars stoop, when he but shews his paw. To league with him, Hesperia shall take pride, Those, whom the Africke Moores halfe blacke have dyde.

By Albania is meant Seotland, so called from Albanactus, the second sonne of Brute, the first King thereof, and by Hesperia Spaine, who after the African Moores had long possessed the grea∣test part of the Land by enterchangable merce∣age

betwixt them and the Natives, the Spani∣ards are black and tawny even to this day.

In the one and twentieth yeare, the King ha∣ving cast his eye upon a new Mistris, pretending * 1.716 a matter of conscience, hee began to consider with himselfe, that hee had long incestu∣cusly lived with his brothers wife, for which cause the Legats of Rome met with the King at Black Fryers, about the lawfulnesse or unlaw∣fulnesse of that marriage. Amongst the rest Cardinall Wolsey standing stiffe against a Di∣vorce, in October following was discharged of his Chancellourship, and presently after was a peace concluded betwixt the Emperour and the King, and in the yeere after the great Cardinall, who had been arrested of high Treason, and by that meanes forfeited his infinite estate to the * 1.717 King, died on Saint Andrews in a poore Fryery, not without suspition of poyson.

After by a legall course, and due processe of Law, the king was divorced from the Lady Ka∣therine his brothers wife, and soone after mar∣ried to the Lady Anne Bulloigne, who upon * 1.718 Whitsunday, was crowned Queene, and on Mid∣sommer day following dyed the French Queene Mary the kings sister and wife to Charles Bran∣don Duke of Suffolke. And on the Eve of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin, following, was born the Lady Elizabeth at Greenwich, in which * 1.719 yeere, (as an happy presage of her future love unto the Gospell) it was enacted that no man should sue any appeale to Rome.

In Ianuary, the seven and twentieth of the King, died the Lady Katherine princesse Dow∣ager, * 1.720 late wife to the King, and in the 28 of his Reigne, Queene Anne Bolloigne, with her bro∣ther the Lord Rochford, Noris, Weston, Breerton, and Marks were attainted of high Treason, and * 1.721 beheaded, and soone after the King married the Lady Iane Seymour, in the yeere one thousand five hundred thirty seven: on Saint Edwards eve in Iune, Prince Edward was borne at Hampton * 1.722 Court, and the three and twentieth of October following died Queene Iane, and lyeth buried at Windsore: then was the Bishop of Rome with all his usurped power quite abolished out of the Realme, and the King assumed to himselfe the supremacy over the Church in England and Ire∣land, to whom were granted the first-fruits, (be∣fore * 1.723 paid to the pope) with the Tenths of all spirituall possessions.

For denying of whose Supremacy, that fa∣mous and learned Gentleman Sir Thomas Moore Lord Chancellour of England, with the Bishop of Rochester, were beheaded, and presently after, three Monks of the Charterhouse for the some offence. Then followed the dissolution of all the Abbeys, Fryeries and Nunneries through the whole Realme, when the Masse and all Ro∣mish Superstitions were forbidden, and divers Images that had Engines to make their eyes o∣pen and shut, and their other limbes to move and stirre, were broken to pieces and defaced, and all Fryers, Monks, Canons, and Nuns were

forced to change their Habits, and forsake their Cloysters. A proclamation also was made, which hath beene since establisht as a Law, that the English Bible should bee read in every Church * 1.724 throughout the Realme, and that no Holydayes should be solemnized and observed, except our Ladydayes, the Apostles, the Evangelists, Saint George, and Saint Mary Magdalen, and that Saint Marks Eve, and Saint Lawrence Eve should not be kept as fasting days. And that children should not goe decked and garnished (as they doe on Feasting dayes) upon Saint Nicholas, Saint Katherine, Saint Clements, and the holy Innocents, and the like, all which comply with the prophesie.

—He from the sceptarchy of Hils, That Europe aws, and triple-crown, that fils The Christiā world with terror, takes the power And brings it home unto his British bower: Blunting the horns of all the Bashan Buls, And rooting from the Land the razord skuls:

By the Sceptarchy of Hils, meaning the seven Hils on which the City Rome standeth, and fur∣ther * 1.725 taking on himselfe to be the supreme Head of the Church within his own Dominions, he takes away that power from the Popes Triple∣crowne, to which all the Christian Kingdomes else were in vassallage: By blunting the hornes of the Bashan Buls meaning the Popes Writs of Excommunications, Interdictions, Anathe∣maes, or Cursings, which are called his Buls, the terrour whereof hee now vilifies and sets at

nought: by rooting the rozard sculs from the Land, is meant the suppression of Fryers * 1.726 and Monks, who had the upper part of their heads alwayes shaven, &c. Many were those who suffered for denying the Supremacie, as Fryer Forrest, who was hanged and burnt in Smith-field, with the Image of Darvell Ga∣thren in Wales: and for the same offence suffe∣red the Abbots of Reading, of Colchester, and the great rich Abbot of Glastenbury, whose name was Whiting, whom the King comman∣ded to be hanged upon the top of the Tower, an eminent place, and visibly afarre, for which way soever a man travels towards that Towne, it may be seene twenty miles distant, now it seem'd a thing impossible, that the Sea with his greatest inundation should swell so high, that any Fish should float over or upon it, yet so saith the prophesie, and all such are mystically delivered, parabolically, or in al∣legoricall figures.

O're Glastenbury, for the eye thats dim, May at that day behold a Whiting swim.

The place being so conspicuous and apparant, that one with halfe an eye, might see his body waving betwixt the two Elements of Earth and Aire.

After diverse rebellions in Ireland, for which * 1.727 the Earle of Kildare was committed, and died a naturall death during his imprisonment in the

Tower, and that his sonne made a new insurre∣ction, and slew the Bishop of Develin, and that for another Rebellion, Thomas Fitzgarret with five of his Vncles were drawne, hanged, and quartered, and that the Lord Leonard Gray was beheaded on the Tower-hill, for divers Treasons done in Ireland, during the time hee was there Deputy for the King: yet the King so wisely and discreetly demeaned himselfe to∣wards that Nation, that in the thirtieth third yeare of his reigne the Earle of Desmond, and the great Oneile submitted themselves to his mercy and grace: after which the great Oneile * 1.728 was created Earle of Tyron, and his son Baron of Doncannon. Thus you see

He by his Art could fashion Musicall grounds From th'untun'd harp, that discords only sounds

By the Harpe, which is the Armes of the kingdome, meaning Ireland it selfe, &c. For Treason also were beheaded at the Tower-Hill Thomas Cromwell Earle of Essex, and Vicar ge∣nerall * 1.729 of England, (who had beene once a faith∣full servant to Cardinall Woolsey, and after en∣tertained, and raised by the King: who (as it is commonly voyc't) put it first into the kings head to pull downe the Abbyes, and make a dissolution of the Monasteries:) and with him dyed the Lord Hungerford.

In the thirty fift yeare of the king, the Earle of Hartford being made Livetenant Generall

for his warres in Scotland, in regard of divers affronts given him: the fourth of May he landed at Leith, burning and destroying the Coun∣trey, sparing neither Castle, Towne, Pile, nor * 1.730 village, for hee ransacked and laid waste the Borrough and towne of Edenborrow, with the Abbey called Holy rood house, and the Kings Palace neare adjoyning, the Towne of Leith al∣so with the Haven and Pire: the Castle and Village of Cragmiller, the Abbey of New Bot∣tell, with part of Muskelborrough Towne, the Chappell of the Lady of Lauret, Preston Town, & the Castle of Harinton Towne, with the Friers and Nunnery: a Castle of Oliver Sanckers, the Towne of Dundbarre, Laureston, with the Grange, Vrilaw, Westcrag, Enderlaw, the Pile and the Towne Broughton, Chester Fell's, Craw∣ned, Dudistone, Stanhouse, the Fiker, Beverton, Franent, Shenstone, Marcle, Farpren, Kirkland∣hill, Katherwyke, Belton, Eastbarnes, Howland, Butterden, Quickwoe, Blackbourne, Raunton, Bil∣di, and the Tower, with many other Townes and Villages by the Fleet on the Sea-side, as Kincorne, Saint Miuers, the Queens Ferry, part of Petinwaines, &c. Which done, for their brave and notable service there done, hee made * 1.731 at Leith forty five knights. And thus was the king victorious over Scotland.

In this interim Warres were proclaimed a∣gainst France, so that the king gave free liber∣ty and licence to all his subjects, to use the French king, and all that depend upon him to

their best advantage and commodity: and the same yeare hee prepared an Army to invade * 1.732 France, and himselfe in person the fourteenth of Iuly departed from Dover towards Callais, and the next day removed to Morgisen: upon the twenty sixt of the same month the Campe removed to high Bulloine, and there camped on * 1.733 the north-east part of the Towne: two dayes after the Watch Tower, call'd the old man, was taken, and the day after base Bulloine was won: and upon the thirteenth of Septemb. the Town * 1.734 was victoriously conquered by Henry the eight king of England, France, and Ireland, defendor of the faith, who upon humble petition made by the French, suffered them to depart the Towne with bagge and baggage: and this year were taken by the English fleet 300 and odde ships of the French, to the great enriching of this nation, and the great impoverishing of theirs.

CAP. 33.

The death of Henry the eighth: Edward the sixt crowned: a calculation of his reigne: Mussel∣borow field wonne by the Lord Protector: The death of the two brothers, the Lord High Ad∣mirall, and Lord protector: a Character of the Duke of Somerset: the death of King Edward, not without suspition of poyson: His Cha∣racter, &c.

THe yeare following being the thirty seventh of the kings reigne, upon the thirteenth of Iune, being Whit∣sunday, * 1.735 in London was proclaimed a generall peace betwixt the two kingdomes of England and France, with a solemne proces∣sion at the time of the proclamation, and that night were great Bone-fires made in the City and Suburbs for the celebration of the said union: and upon the one and twentieth of Au∣gust came over from the French king Monsieur Denebalt, high Admirall of France, and brought * 1.736 with him the Sacre of Deepe, with twelve Gal∣lyes bravely accommodated, who landed at the Tower, where all the great Ordinance were shot off, and he received by many peeres of the

Realme, conveighed to the Bishop of Londons palace, where hee rested two nights; and on Monday, the twenty third of the same month, he rode towards Hampton Court, where the king then lay: whom the young prince Edward met with a royall traine, to the number of five hundred and fourty in velvet Coats, and the * 1.737 princes Livery were with sleeves of cloath of gold, and halfe the Coats embroydered, where were eight hundred Horses richly caparison'd, and riders suiting to the state, who brought him to the Mannor of Hampton Court: The next morning the KING and hee received the Sacrament together in confirmation of the late concluded peace. After that were many Masques and Showes, in which the very Torch * 1.738 bearers were apparrelled in gold, with costly feasts and banquets, during the space of sixe dayes: after, with many great gifts given to him, and his chiefe followers, hee returned to his countrey.

The next yeare, being the thirty eighth of the King, upon the ninth of Ianuary; by the * 1.739 Kings expresse command was beheaded on the Tower-hill that noble and valorous gentleman the Earle of Surrey, who had ingaged his per∣son in Picardy, Normandy, Ireland, Scotland, &c. from whence he never came, but crowned with victory: and the twenty eighth of the same Month, the King himselfe departed the world, in the yeare one thousand five hundred forty * 1.740 seven, whose body was most Royally in∣tombed

at Windsor the sixteenth of February following.

King Edward the sixt began his dominion * 1.741 over the Realme of England, the one and thir∣tieth of Ianuary, in the yeare of grace one thou∣sand five hundreth forty seven; and upon the nineteenth of February ensuing hee rode with his Vncle Sir Edward Seymour, Lord governour and Protector, and Duke of Somerset, with the Nobility of the Land, from the Tower through the City of London, and so to Westminster, and was annoynted and Crowned by Doctour Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, who after ministred unto him the Sacraments, with other divine Ceremonies, according to the Protestant reformed Church. Of this Kings Birth and Reigne it was thus calculated.

By birth a Caesar, and in hopes as great, Shall next ascend unto th' Imperiall seat. Who, 'ere mature, (cropt in his tender bloome) Shal more against, then Caesar could for Rome. He, th' Aristocracy Monarchall makes: This from the triple Crowne the Scepter takes. Vpright he shall betweene two Bases stand, One in the sea fixt, the other on the land. These shall his pupillage strongly maintaine, Secure the continent and scoure the maine. But these supporters will be tane away By a Northumbers Wolfe, and Suffolks Gray. Then fall must this faire structure built on high, And th' English, like the Roman Caesar dye.

In his first yeare, Sir Thomas Seimour, the Kings unkle, brother to the Duke of Somerset, being Lord high Admirall, by the Viz-Admi∣rall, called Sir Andrew Dudley, having no o∣ther Vessells but the Paunce and the Hart; and these singly manned, there was a great conflict at Sea with three tall Scottish ships (in the nar∣row * 1.742 Seas) doubly manned and trimmed with great Ordinance: notwithstanding which, hee tooke them, and brought them into Orwell Haven, where he had good booty, and store of prisoners.

And the same yeare in August, the Lord Protector, the Duke of Somerset, with the Earle of Warwicke, and others, marcht with a noble Army into Scotland, and not farre from Edenborrough, at a place called Mosselborrough, * 1.743 the English and Scotch Hoasts met, where be∣tweene them was fought a sharpe and cruell battaile: in which in the end the English were victors, and in which were slaine of the Scots foureteene thousand, and prisoners taken of Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, to the number of fifteene hundred: This yeare also was ordai∣ned that the Communion should be received in both kinds; and at that time Stephen Gardner, Bishop of Winchester, for opposing the same, was commanded to the Tower: Commande∣ment * 1.744 also was given, to all the Curats of every parish Church throughout England, that no Coarse should be buryed before sixe a Clocke in the morning, nor after sixe at night: and that

when any dyed the Bell should ring three quar∣ter of an houre at least.

In this Interim, the two great Dukes of Nor∣thumberland and Suffolke, Dudly and Gray, pri∣vately murmuring, and openly maligning, that * 1.745 the Kings two Uncles should beare such great authority in the Kingdome: by which, their glories seemed not onely eclipsed, but quite darkned, the elder brother commanding the Land, the younger the Sea; the one Lord Pro∣tector, the other Lord High Admirall; so that the whole Dominion and Soveraignty of the kingdome (the kings name excepted) was di∣vided betwixt them: And further considering, that it was in vaine for them to attaine to their owne ambitious ends, but by sundring this fra∣ternall tye, and unloosing this Gordian knot * 1.746 of Consanguinity, which had beene so long in∣separably continued betwixt them: they there∣fore projected betwixt themselves, how this (almost impossible thing) might be brought to passe, and doubting the event, if they should attempt to worke by their servants, as to cor∣rupt them with Bribes, or the like: they there∣fore tooke a nearer and more safe course to pra∣ctise it by their Wives, and to draw their balas from out of their owne bosomes: and * 1.747 most successively to their purpose, thus it happened.

Sir Thomas Seimer Lord High Admirall, having married the Queene Dowager, (whose good Fortune it was of all the rest of the kings

wives to survive her Husband) contested with her sister in law for precedence and priority of place: to which the Protectors wife standing upon her prerogative, could by no meanes bee wonne to give way: This emulation betwixt the two sisters, fitly sorting to the Dukes pur∣poses, (for the one challenged the right hand, as once being Queene, and the other claimed it, as wise to the present Protector:) To this new kindled fire, the two Dukes bring fuell, Dudly incourageth the one secretly, Gray the o∣ther privately, so that the Wives set the Hus∣bands at oddes by taking their parts; so that by the instigation of those emulous and incen∣sed Ladies, a mortall hatred grew betwixt the two brothers: insomuch, that in the third year of the King, the Admirall was questioned for the ill managing his Office, and sundry Ar∣ticles preferred in Court against him: so that he was condemn'd in Parliament, and his head * 1.748 strooke off, the Protector his brother signing the Warrant for his death.

The one being thus removed, there was the lesse difficulty to supplant the other; for in the same Month of February, in which the Ad∣mirall lost his head, was the Protector com∣mitted to the Tower, by the Lords of the Counsaile, of which the two Dukes were chief, and many Articles of Treason and ill govern∣ment of the state commenced against him: but about a yeare after his confinement, by his sub∣mission to the Lords, and intercession made for

him by the K. upon the sixt of February hee was released, & injoy'd his former offices & honors: but all this was but a lightning before death, for his two great & potent adversaries stil prosecute their malice against him: insomuch that not long after, calling him to a second account, when he had nobly acquit himself at the Barre of all treason objected against him, he was in the Guild Hall of London (not by a Iury of his peeres) by * 1.749 twelve men convicted and condemned of Felo∣ny: for which, on a Scaffold on Tower-Hill, hee suffered death: verifying what was before spoken of the young King.

Vpright he shall betweene two Bases stand, One in the sea fixt, th' other on the land. These shall his pupillage strongly maintaine, Secure the continent, and scoure the maine. But these supporters will be tane away By a Northumbers Wolfe, and Suffolks Gray.

It is so manifest it needs no Comment.

This Edward Seimour was (the sonne of Sir * 1.750 Edward Seimour) knighted by Henry the eight, who had married the Lady Iane, his naturall si∣ster: He after created him Viscount Beauchamp, in the yeare one thousand five hundred thirty sixe, and the yeare following Earle of Hereford: after that he was installed Knight of the Gar∣ter, * 1.751 made Lord great Chamberlain of England, & one of the honourable privy Counsail, much favoured of the eighth Henry, who in his last

Testament, instituted him one of the chiefe of his sixteene Executors: after this King Edward created him Baron de sancto Mauro, then Duke of Somerset: He was next by a generall voyce of parliament, made Protector over the Kings person, and of all his Kingdomes and Dominions Governour, and Lord Generall of all the Kings forces by Land and Sea: He was moreover Lord high Treasurer, and Earle Martiall of England, Captaine of the two Islands of Gernsie and Iersie, and Chancel∣lour of the University of Cambridge: In all which Offices and Dignities he demeaned him∣selfe * 1.752 with such Honourable bounty, and singu∣lar piety, that some have not doubted to Cata∣logue him amongst our English Martyrs.

But to returne to the History; by this prote∣ctors meanes who was a constant Protestant, Images were puld downe through all Churches of England: Marriage of priests made lawfull * 1.753 by parliament, and Doctor Bonner with other Romish Prelates, deposed from their Bishopricks, and other of the Reformed Church supplyed their places; making good what was before calculated of the young King.

By birth a Caesar, and in hopes as great, Shall next ascend unto th' Imperiall seat. Who, 'ere mature, (cropt in his tender bloome) Shal more against, then Caesar could for Rome. He, th' Aristocracy Monarchall makes: This from the triple Crowne the Scepter takes.

This needs some explication: Hee is called young Caesar, as being produced into the world, * 1.754 by the cutting or ripping up of his mothers wombe, from which the great Roman Iulius, (borne after the same manner) had added to him, the name of Caesar, which Title hee left as Hereditary to all the succeeding Emperours af∣ter him: who as hee reduced the Aristocracie, which was the government of the Senate and Optimates into one entire monarchall Diadem placing the Empire in Rome, so of the contrary this young King, from the great Pontifex of Rome, who in time wearing a Triple Diademe, and thereby challenging power in Heaven po∣tently upon earth, regency and predominance over Hell, and moreover, making earthly Kings and Emperours to acknowledge unto him a preheminence and supremacie, making them to kisse his feet, with other servil office•…•…; •…•…e by opposing this Soveraignty, and shrinking his head out of so extreame a servitude, may bee truly said to have done more against Rome in his pious devotion, then Roman Iulius did for Rome in his great magnanimity and prowesse.

Now to prove that King Edward was a Cae∣sar: * 1.755 the young Lady Iane Seymour, being at Hampton Court, when the time of her teeming came, and there was small hope of her delivery, news was brought to the King that her throes were violent upon her, and that the Infant could not be brought into the world, but by the death of the mother: For by preserving the

one, the other must needs perish. When that his pleasure was demanded what was to be done in so strict an exigent, Hee commanded that the child should be cut from the wombe, saying, Sure I am that I can have more wives, but uncer∣taine I am whether I can have more children, &c.

Upon the sixt day of Iuly, in the yeere one thousand five hundred fifty three, Iohn Barnes * 1.756 Mercer, being Lord Major, and William Garret, and Iohn Mainard Sheriffs, at Greenwich depar∣ted out of this world King Edward of that name the sixth, in the sixteenth of his age, and the seventh of his Reigne, whom some say, that hee died of a pleurisie, others that hee was poysoned by a Nosegay: For it was generally murmured by the people, that the Uncles being removed, the Nephew could not long remaine after, which best complyes with the former cal∣culation, which saith,

Then fall must this faire structure built on hie, And th' English like the Roman Caesar die.

The first made away in the Court, the other murdered in the Capitoll: of which hopefull and toward Prince, this character is left to fu∣ture memory.

Hee was carefull for the establishing of the Protestant Religion, to have it flourish through * 1.757 all his Dominions. The Masse hee abolished, and Images demolished, the learned men of his time he greatly incouraged, moving them to

interpret the Scriptures to the capacities of the vulgar, and commanded the Liturgie and Com∣mon Prayers to bee read in the English tongue.

In his minority, hee had maturity of judge∣ment, and was literated in all the Arts liberall: of a retentive memory: He knew all the Ports and Havens in England, France, Scotland, and Ireland: being as well acquainted with their scites as their names. In the Greeke, Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish Tongues extraordi∣narily verst, in Logicke, Morall Philosophy and the Mathematicks conversant; in Cicero, Livy, Taci∣tus, and Salust, frequent, Hesiod and Sophocles, * 1.758 he understood, and was able to interpret Isocra∣tes from the originall. He was wisely witty, even to wonder, his body featured, and his minde modelled almost to miracles: religiously he li∣ved, devoutly he dyde: that he breath'd his last, it is certaine, but where his body lyes buried, to us most uncertain.

CHAP. 34.

The Lady Iane proclaimed Queene. Northum∣berlands Commission to suppresse the Lady Mary: Hee is arrested of high Treason: The Coronation of Queen Mary: A prediction of her Reigne: The Romish Religion restored: The death of Northumberland: Of Suffolke: Of Guilford Dudley: Of the Lady Iane Gray: Her character: The death of Cranmer, Rid∣ley, and Latimer: The life of Cardinall Poole, twice elected Pope: His comming into England, and made Archbishop of Canterbury: His death.

THe two ambitious Dukes of Nor∣thumberland and Suffolke, thinking to disable, the two sisters Mary and * 1.759 Elizabeth, the daughters of King Henry the Eighth, from any lawfull claime to the Crowne, as reputing them no better then bastards, had made a matcht betwixt Guilford Dudley, the fourth sonne to Northumberland, and the Lady Iane Gray sole daughter to the Duke of Suffolke, and pretending that King Edward in his last will nominated her Heire ap∣parant to the Crowne after his death, they cau∣sed the said Lady Iane presently upon the Kings

death, Iune the tenth, to be proclaimed Queene, and true and immediate Heire to the King∣dome, * 1.760 in sundry places of the City of London, which proved to her utter ruine.

The Lady Mary being at that time at Fra∣mingham * 1.761 in Suffolke, was much troubled at the report of such disastrous news, which the more perplexed her, because she had intelligence, that it was done by the Nobility, and the whole bo∣dy of the Councell, to whom the Suffolke men assembling (as not liking such shuffling in state) proffered her their voluntary assistance, to pos∣sesse her in her lawfull and indubitate inheri∣tance: Before which time, The great Duke of Northumberland, having a large Commission granted him by the Lords of the Councell, and * 1.762 signed with the great Seale of England, had raised an army with intent both to suppresse and surprize the Lady Mary, which was no sooner advanced, and the rising of the Suffolke men bruited at Court, but the Lords in generall, ei∣ther for feare of the Commons, or repenting them of the injury done unto the rightfull In∣heritrix, they sent a countermand after the Duke to lay by his Armes, who when he thought him∣selfe in his greatest power, being abandoned by the Nobility, he was also forsaken of the Com∣mons, so that at Cambridge, hee with his sonnes and some few servants were left alone: who thinking thereby to make his peace in the open market place, proclaimed the Lady Mary Queen of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of

the Faith, &c. notwithstanding which, in Kings Colledge hee was arrested of high Treason, and * 1.763 from thence brought up to London, and com∣mitted to the Tower.

Then was the Lady Mary generally received as Queen, & so proclaimed through the Kingdom, the twentieth of Iuly, and the third of August * 1.764 following, shee tooke possession of the Tower, and during her abode there, released all the Ro∣mish Bishops there imprisoned. From thence she road in great state through London towards her palace of Westminster, where shee was so∣lemnely crowned by Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, her sister the Lady Elizabeth be∣ing present at her Coronation: Of this Queene and her Reign, it is thus predicted.

Then shall the masculine Scepter cease to sway, * 1.765 And to a Spinster, the whole Land obey, Who to the Papall Monarchy shall restore All that the Phoenix had fetcht thence before, Then shall come in the faggot and the stake, And they, of Convert bodies bonefires make: Match shall this Lionesse with Caesars sonne From the Pontifick sea a pool shall runne That wide shal spread it's waters, and to a flood In time shal grow: made red with martyrs blood. Men shall her short unprosperous Reigne deplore By losse at sea, and damage on the shore: Whose heart being dissected, you in it May in large characters find Calice writ.

Now ceased the Heire Male to Reign, and the Scepter was disposed to the Female, which was not seen nor known, since long before the Con∣quest: when Bouduca, or as some call her Boadi∣cia soveraignized. In the time of Nero Caesar: and Spinster was an ancient British Title given to the Feminine sex before King Edgars Reign, by which name, even princesses being convented, or summoned into any Court are called unto this day: but to proceed with the History, in the tenth day of the moneth after her Coronation, * 1.766 began a Parlament, in which besides the supplan∣ting of the protestant Religion, which began to be establisht in the dayes of King Edward; were convicted and attainted of high Treason, Iohn Duke of Northumberland, Thomas Cran∣mer late Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Ambrose Dudley Knight, Guilford Dudley Esquire, and Husband to the Lady Gray, Sir Andrew Dudley Knight with others: as William Marquesse of Northampton, Iohn Earle of Warwicke, &c. and the twelfth of August, was beheaded on the * 1.767 Tower Hill Iohn Dudley, Duke of Northum∣berland, Sir Iohn Gates, and Sir Thomas Palmer.

Thus you see the end of Northumberland: if any bee desirous to know also what became of Suffolke, I can parallell him to none more ge∣nuinely than to the Duke of Buckingham: Hee * 1.768 had a Banister, this an Vnderwood, a servant rai∣sed by him, to a faire revenue, and to whose safeguard he had committed his person, who in

a spacious hollow Tree, for some few moneths concealed him, whether hee brought him meat and drinke with millions of oaths ingag'd, for his truth and fidelity, but being easily corrupted with some small quantity of gold, and many large and liberall promises, hee Iudas-like be∣trayde his Master, and delivered him up to the Noble Earle of Huntington, who with a strong guard brought him through London, to the Tower: He was after arraigned in the great Hall * 1.769 at Westminster, and soone after on the Tower Hill lost his head.

Yet probable it was, that the Queene had par∣doned that offence, had he not seconded it with another, by confedering with Sir Thomas Wiat of Kent, to interpose her marriage with Philip of Spain, sonne to the Emperour, and to that purpose departed secretly into Warwicke and Leicestershire, where hee knew himselfe best af∣fected, and made their open Proclamation to keep all strangers from the Land, for which hee fell into the Queens irreconciliable displeasure, which not only hasted his owne end, but the deaths of Guilford and the Lady Iane, for the Statists at that time, especially those that were devoted to the Romish faction, held it no poli∣cie to suffer any of the contrary Religion to live, especially if they could intrap them in any quiddits of Law which might be stretcht to be made Capitall, therefore upon the twelfth of February, in the yeere one thousand five hun∣dred fifty foure, it being the first day of the

week Guildford Dudley was brought to the Scaffold upon the Tower hill, where when hee * 1.770 had with all Christian devotion made his peace with Heaven: hee with a setled and unmoved constancy submitted himselfe to the stroake of death, which was given in the sight of his excel∣lent Spouse, who to that purpose was placed in a window within the Tower, the object strike∣ing more cold to her heart, then the sight of that fatall axe, by which shee was presently to * 1.771 suffer, which she most patiently endured.

Never was sweet Ladies death more passio∣nately bewayled, being remarkable in Iudge Morgan, who pronounced the sentence against her, who presently after fell mad, and in all his distracted ravings, Cryed, Take away the Lady * 1.772 Iane, take her from mee; and in that extream distemperature with these words in his mouth ended his life: some report that shee was young with childe at the time of her suffering, but though her Romish opposites were many, and the times bloudy, Christian charity may per∣swade they would not use such inhumanity, especially against a person of her Royall bloud and Linage: she was an excellent Lady, endued with more vertues and extraordinary endow∣ments then is frequently found in that sex: be∣ing a patterne to others for true Religion and Piety, of which her godly Oration to the peo∣ple, and holy prayer at her death, extant in Mr. * 1.773 Fox his Martyrologie abundantly witnesse: shee exceeded not sixteen yeeres of age, of an excel∣lent

feature, and amiable aspect, of Learning incredible, in wit incomparable, of inforced Honours so unambitious, that she never attyred her selfe in any Regall ornaments, but constrai∣nedly and with teares. Divers of her Latin Verses have beene spread to posterity, and of her Works in the English Tongue, an Epistle to a learned man falne off from the Truth, and turnd Apostate, another Epistle to her sister, with a Colloquy or reasoning with one Freck∣man a Romist about Faith and the Sacraments, &c.

Soon after followed the deaths of Doctour Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, (acquit of * 1.774 Treason, and condemed of Heresie) Nicholas Ridley late Bishop of London, and Hugh Lati∣mer: with infinite others, insomuch that scarce any City or Market Towne thorow the whole Kingdome in which some pious professor or o∣ther, had not felt the scorching of the fire and faggot, I should fill whole pages to reckon up particulars: only thus in briefe, it is observed, that Queene Maries Reigne was the shortest of any Prince since the Conquest, that wore the Crown (Richard the Thirds only excepted) and that more Christian bloud was spilt in her few yeeres (concerning Religion and matter of * 1.775 conscience) then had been shed in any one Kings Reigne, since the time of King Lucius, the first establisher of Christianity in this his Realme of England, which recollects the memory of the former prophesie, where he speaks of the Spin∣ster.

Who to the Papall Monarch shall restore All that the Phaenix had fetcht thence before. Then shall come in the Faggot and the Stake, And they of convert bodies bonefires make, &c.

By the Phaenix meaning King Edward, so tearmed by Hieronymus Cardanus, because hee was unparalleld in his time: and by the Convert bodies, those who where converted to the re∣formed and protestant Religion: for which cause thousands in sundry places of the King∣dome suffered. Now why Queene Mary was so zealous to propagate the popish faith, it followeth next to enquire, she was brought up * 1.776 under her Mothers wing; a Spaniard, who be∣ing of the Spanish blood, persisted in the Spa∣nish beliefe: but when her mother, after three yeares divorce from the King expired, she was committed to the guardianship of Margaret, Countesse of Salisbury, and daughter to George Duke of Clarence, brother to Edward the fourth, who dyed in the Tower. This Coun∣tesse * 1.777 had one onely sonne, called Reignold Pool, who was of great familiarity with the Lady Mary in their minority, and devoting himself wholly to the study of the Arts, was initiated in Maudline Colledge in Oxford: but being a very young man left the University, and having a great desire to travaile crost the seas, and went into Italy: seven years he spent in the Academy of Padua, where entring into great familiarity

with Peter Bent, (chiefe Secretary to the pope, then raigning) hee brought him into such repu∣tation with his holinesse, that in the yeare one thousand five hundred thirty eight, he was made * 1.778 Cardinall, and imployed in Embassie both to the Emperor and French King: in which nego∣tiations hee is said to have dealt perfidiously with his owne. Liege Lord and Soveraigne King Henry the eighth: (For dangerous is an English man being once Italionated.)

The incensed King not able to reach the Son, who was the Actor, yet used his power against the mother as an accessary; who being questio∣ned for sending her sonne dayly supplies of mo∣ney from England into Italy, was for that con∣victed * 1.779 of Treason, and being fourescore yeares ofage, was beheaded: This Cardinall Poole was of the Royall blood, as lineally descended from George Duke of Clarence, of singular lear∣ning, and approved modesty: insomuch, that in the twice vacancy of the See of Rome, he was in either selected and nominated as pope: but refusing it as too great a charge (for such was * 1.780 his apology) hee rather chused a solitaty and se∣questred life, and so retired himselfe into a Monastery neere Verona, of which (accor∣ding to rumour) hee was first Founder and Pa∣tron: in which, hee spent a great part of his age; as a man extermin'd from his native Coun∣try, so continuing the later part of Henry the eight, and the entire Soveraignty of Edward the sixt: But Queene Mary, his first acquain∣tance,

being invested into the English Throne, having the soveraigne power in her owne dis∣pose, she sent to call him home, with purpose (as it was then rumourd, having the p•…•…pes au∣thority * 1.781 to dispence with all his Ecclesiasticall dignities) to have made him her husband.

Of which Charles the Emperour having no∣tice, partly by his power, and partly by his policy, wrought so by his Engineeres, that * 1.782 hee was detained in Italy, till a match was fully concluded betwixt his sonne Prince Philip, and the Queene: which being perfected, and then past prevention; the Cardinall was at liberty to dispose of himselfe; and for his greater Ho∣nour was sent over by the pope with the title of Legatus alatere: at which time, as Doctor Thomas Cranmer was not onely suspended, but * 1.783 dispossessed of the Archbishoprick of Canterbu∣ry, in stead of whom Cardinal Poole was instal∣led into that See: where having beene three yeares Archbishop, when newes was brought him of the death of his Cousen Queene, hee the same houre expired, the fifty eight of his age, * 1.784 and lyeth buryed within Saint Thomas Chap∣pell in Canterbury Church: with this short In∣scription onely,

Depositum Cardinalis Poli.

The prophesie ayming at him, where it saith,

From the Pontificke Sea a Poole shall runne, That wide shall spread its waters; and to a stood In time shal grow, made red with Martyrs blood

The next Chapter leads mee to the entrance of prince Philip, sonne to the Emperour Charles, into the Land, and his marriage with Queene Mary, &c.

CAP. 36.

King Philips entertainment into the Land, pre∣sented with the Garter: Hee is made King of Naples, and Hierusalem: the great solemnity of the King and Queenes marriage at Winche∣ster: Their Titles, their riding through Lon∣don: The Queene rumourd to bee with Child, King Philips cautelous proceedings: he favou∣reth the Lady Elizabeth: He leaveth the Land: Queene Maries discontent at his departure: The losse of Callis: The death of Queene Mary: The Inauguration of the Lady Elizabeth: A prophesie of her birth and reigne.

TO omit all the Insurrections (in Her time) of the discontented Com∣mons, as that of Sir Thomas Wiat in Kent, to keepe King Philip out of the Land; in which the Duke of Suffolke was * 1.785 a partisan; with another commotion in Devon∣shire, by Gowen, and Peter Carow, Giles Cham∣pernham, and others: with a third about Wood∣hurst

in Sussex, w^ch was soon appeased: a fourth by Vdall, Throgmorton, Daniel, Pecham, Stanton, &c. A fift, by Henry Stafford, who tooke Scar∣borough Castle in the North. I come now to Prince Philip, who after all those that interpo∣sed his landing were cut off: in the yeare of grace one thousand five hundred fifty foure, the twentieth of Iuly made his safe arrivall at South∣hampton, where he was honourably received by * 1.786 the greatest part of the Nobility, and was pre∣sented with the Order of Saint George, and the Garter set with rich stones, fastned about his Legge: who before he would enter any house, * 1.787 went first into Holy Rood Church, which stan∣deth just opposite to the Towne-Hall, where he gave thanks to God for his safe and prosperous arriuall: and having spent some halfe an houre in his devotion, hee mounted upon a goodly I•…•…nnet, richly caparisoned (which was that morning sent him by the Queene) and so rode back towards his lodging, which was neare un∣to the Water-gate.

The monday following he left Southampton, and attended by the Lords and Gentlemen of England, rode towards Winchester; but by the reason of great store of Raine that fell the same day, the journey seemed something un∣pleasant, but there about seven of Clocke towards night hee was magnificently received, and rode to the Church before he would see his lodging; loud Musicke entertained him at his alighting, and the bishop of that Sea, with * 1.788

foure other met him at the Church doore, at∣tended with Priests, Singing men and Quiri∣sters, all in rich Coaps, who had three faire Crosses or Crucifixe s born before them: In the first entrance of the Church, the Priest kneeled downe to pray: which done, he arose, and went under an Imbroydered Canopy, from the west doore up to the Quire, who when he saw the Hoast, put off his Hat to doe it reverence, and then entred into a goodly Traverse, hung with costly Arras, and there kneeled againe, till Win∣chester the Chancellor began Te Deum, whom all the whole Quire seconded: that done, hee was brought thence by Torch-light, and went on foot through the Cloisters to his lodging, whither the Queenes Guard attended him, to a faire House belonging to the Dean.

Hee was at that time apparrelled in a Coat, or Mantle curiously imbroydered with gold, his * 1.789 Hat sutable, and a white Feather in it, with a rich Orient Iewell: all the way as he passed, he turned himselfe to the people on both sides, with a pleasant Countenance; and after supper, which was about ten of Clocke, certaine of the Counsaile by a private way brought him to the Queene, who entertained him graciously * 1.790 and lovingly: they had conference together a∣bouthalfean houre in the Spanish tongue, w^ch ended, he tooke his leave, and was conducted backe to his lodging: Upon the Tuesday fol∣lowing, about three of clocke in the afternoon he came from his lodging on foote, attended

by the Lord Steward, the Earle of Darby, the Earle of Pembrook, and other Lords and Gentle∣men, as well strangers as English: and that day he was attired in a cloake of blacke Spanish cloth, imbroydered about with Silver, a paire of white silke stockings, and the Garter of the Order about his legge, where he shewed him∣selfe * 1.791 freely and openly to all men: at his en∣trance into the Court loud Musicke was heard, and in the great Hall the Queen met and kissed him before all the people: then (she taking the right hand) they went together in the presence Chamber, and talked under the cloth of state about a quarter of an houre: He then took leave of her Majesty, and comming into the open Court, the Pensioners, and Yeomen of the Guard stood on both sides as farre as the Gate: from whence the Lords conducted him to the Cathedrall, where hee heard Evensong, which ended, they brought Him backe to His lodging with Torch-light, and so left him.

The same night the Emperor sent a Message to the Queene, to give her to understand, that * 1.792 his sonne was not a Prince onely, but a King, of Hierusalem and Naples, with other dominions, after mentioned in his style. Upon Saint Iames his day, being the five and twentieth of Iuly, a∣bout eleven of clocke in the morning, the King and Queene came from their lodgings, towards the Church on foot, both richly atty∣red in Gownes of cloath of Gold, set with pearle, stones and jemmes: he with his Guard,

and the with hers, either having a Sword born before them: before her by the Earle of * 1.793 Darby, before him by the Earle of Pembrooke: being c•…•…me unto the Church, he went to one Altar, and she to another, hanged with Cur∣taines of Cloth of gold, which being after drawne, it was imagined, that they were there shriven; after they came from their pla∣ces, and meeting, they very lovingly saluted each other, hee also being at that time bare∣headed.

Then sixe Bishops went to the place prepared for the Nuptiall Ceremony, the King standing on the left hand, and she on the right. Then the Lord Chancellour asked the Banes betwixt them, first in Latin, and then in English. The Ring was a plaine hoope of gold, without any * 1.794 stone: For she desired to be marryed as Maids used to bee of old: the Nuptialls being ended, the King and Queene went hand in hand under a sumptuous Canopy, by sixe Knights borne o∣ver them, and two swords carryed before them: comming before the Altar, they kneeled down, with either of them a lighted Tapor in their hands, then they arose and withdrew, she into a Traverse on the right side, He into another on the left: After the Gospell read, they again ap∣peared, and kneeled before the Altar, all the time of Masse; which being ended, the King of Heraulds openly proclaimed their Maje∣sties King and Queene, with these Titles fol∣lowing.

Philip and Mary, by the Grace of God, King * 1.795 and Queene of England, France, Naples, Hie∣rusalem, and Ireland, defenders of the Faith, King and Queene of Spaine, Sicilia, Leon, and Arra∣gon, Arch-Dukes of Austria, Dukes of Millaine, Burgundy, and Brabant, Counties of Husburgh, Flanders, and Tyroll, Lords of the Islands of Sardinia, Majorcha, Minorcha, of the Firme land, and the great Ocean Sea, Palatines of Henault, and the holy Empire. Lords of Freezeland, and of the Isles, and governours of all Asia and Affrica.

The Trumpets ceasing, the King and Queen came forth hand in hand, royally attended, and so went on foote to the Court, and dyned together openly in the Hall at one Table. Thus you see,

The Lionesse hath matcht with Caesars sonne.

I have beene the longer in this Relation, to shew the magnificent solemnities of Princely Nuptialls in those times used. The eighteenth of August, the King and Queene went to Suf∣folke place in Southwarke, and there dyned: after Dinner they rode together over London Bridge, and so past through the City, the streets * 1.796 being hanged sumptuously, and divers pageants and Showes presented unto them, having rela∣tion to their persons, and the great joy of the people conceived at their Royall Marriage, and unity of the Nations, being after received by the Bishop of London into the Cathedrall Church

of St. Paul, with Procession; where having done their devotion, they rode on in great state to∣wards their palace at Westminster. Then came divers Embassadours from severall Countries, from Russia, Poland, Denmarke, Hungary, Naples, &c. to gratulate the Nuptialls of these two po∣tent princes.

After it was bruited that the Queene was with Child, for which there was great thanks∣giving, * 1.797 and prayers through all the Churches of London for her safe delivery to come, and King Philip chosen to bee protector of the In∣fant, Male or female, (by a decree in parliament) in case the Queene should miscarry in Childe∣birth: But some having whispered in his head, that hee should be deluded by a supposititious infant, prepared for that purpose, and loath that a conterfeit should bee heire to all his Realmes and dominions, hee would not depart the Chamber at the time of her delivery; by which the plot tooke no effect, and bred some distaste betwixt the King and the Queene: Againe, to * 1.798 second this, the King greatly favoured the La∣dy Elizabeth; and observing what Tyranny was used against the dejected princesse, hee be∣gan to be somewhat jealous of the English Na∣tion, and their proceeding in state, apprehen∣ding, that if they insidiated the life of a Native, being their Queene and Soveraignes sister, with what small scruple of Conscience, might they ayme to supplant him, or any of his followers, who were aliens and strangers? which made

him so suddainly to forsake the Queene and the Land; his excuse being, to visit his Father the * 1.799 Emperour, and to take possession of the Low Countries, to the great sorrow of her Majesty, of whom hee tooke his leave the fourth day of September.

In her dayes Calais was lost by the English, * 1.800 and taken by the French, by the ill manage∣ment of the State, especially the Clergy, who in her dayes swayd all, and were so busied in the butchery, and burning of Martyrs at home, that the honour and state of the Kingdome was much neglected abroad, which Town had two hundred and odde yeares belonged to the Crowne of England. It was first won by Edward the third, the eleventh King from William the Conquerour, after the siege of eight Months, and was lost by Mary, the eleventh from the said Ed∣ward, in eight dayes. Who when shee heard the Towne was taken, in a great passion uttered these words: The losse of Callais is written in * 1.801 my heart, and may bee there read when my body is dissected. Besides Martyrdome, in her time was great Mortality of people, much harme done by lightning and Thunder, a great part of her Fleet suddenly fired, King Philips second retur∣ning into the Land, and his short sojourne here ere hee left it againe. These with other discontents so wrought upon her princely Nature: that verifying the former prediction, which saith,

Men shall her short unprosperous raign deplore, By losse at Sea, and damage on the shore: Her heart when 'tis dissected, you in it May in large Characters read Callis writ.

These cogitable remembrances brought her into a Consumption, or (as some say) into a * 1.802 burning Fever, so that in the forty second yeare and sixt day of her age, she departed the world at the Mannor of St. Iames, neere Westminster, the seventeenth of November, in the yeare of our blessed Saviours Incarnation, one thousand * 1.803 five hundred fifty eight, after shee had reigned five yeares, foure months, and eleven dayes: whose body lyeth buried in a Chappell in the Cathedrall of Saint Peters Church in Westmin∣ster, in a bare grave without either Tombe or any Inscription: either of which might have * 1.804 beene some memorable decorement to adorne her Hearse.

The same day of her death was proclamed * 1.805 Queene the Lady Elizabeth, sister to Queene Mary, and daughter to Henry the eight, and the Lady Anne Bulloine, who was appoynted by parliament to succeed her sister, dying without Issue, who shortly came to London, where she was joyfully received by all ages, sexes, and degrees, (the Romists onely excepted) and passing through the City to the Tower, shee shewed to all her people and subjects the de∣portment of so sweet and a gracious Lady, and

they so mutual and alternate a joy for her happy and prosperous Inauguration, that it almost wanted president, and of whom it was thus pre∣dicted.

From th'others ashes shall a Phenix rise, Whose birth is thus predicted by the wise, * 1.806 Her chief predominant star is Mercury, Iove shall with Venus in conjunction be. And Sol with them, shine in his best aspect: With Ariadnes Crown, Astraea deckt, Shall then descend upon this terrene stage: (Not seen before, since the first golden age) Against whom all the Latian Buls shall rore, But at Ioves awfull summons shall give ore. Through many forges shall this met all glide Like gold, by fire repur'd, and seven times tryde Her bright and glorious Sun-beams shall expell The vain clouds of the Candle, Booke, and Bell. Domestick plots, and stratagems abroad, French machins, and the Italianated god, The Spanish Engine, Porteguized Iew: The Iesuitick mine, and politick crew Of home-bred Vipers, let their menaces come By private pistoll, or by hostile Drum, Though all these Dogs chace her with open cry, Live shall she lov'd, and fear'd, then Sainted die.

Concerning the Astrologicall calculation of her * 1.807 birth, in her it prov'd most infallibly true, for where Mercuries Star is predominant, it por∣tends a rare acutenesse and sharpnesse of wit, a

volubility in speech, and retentivenes of memo∣ry, with a naturall inclination to acquire Learn∣ing and knowledg. Iupiters star infuseth honor, state, power, and Majesty: and Venus, feature, beauty, affability, and clemency: both which being at that time in conjunction, conserd their general gifts upon her in particular, and Sol shi∣ning at the same houre with a favourable as∣pect ratified the former, of which part of the prophesie there needs no further explanation.

To write largely of her troubles being, a princesse, or of her rare and remarkable Reigne * 1.808 after she was Queen, I should but feast you with dyet twice drest: Having my selfe published a discourse of the first: from her cradle to her crowne: and in another bearing Title of the nine worthy Women: she being the last of the rest in time and place, though equall to any of the former both in religious vertue, and all mas∣culine magnanimity: and yet because the pre∣sent occasion enforceth it, I will give you only a capitulation in briefe, of those passages which were at large related in the former, which I refer to the following Chapter.

CHAP. 37.

A briefe nomination of her troubles, wrought by the Popish Clergie: Her passage through Lon∣don, to her Coronation with the Speeches spoke in the pageants: A short remembrance of the prime passages in her Reigne: The former pre∣diction fulfild, her death: other predictions fa∣thered upon Merlin explained, &c.

SHee was borne the seventh of Sep∣tember, * 1.809 and baptized the third day following, in the Fryers Church in Greenwich, her Godfather was Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, her Godmothers, the Duchesse of Norfolke, and Marchionesse of Pembroke, both widows. At her birth, Mary the elder Daughter to the King, by Queen Katherine, was disabled of any claime to the Crown, and his Heires by Queene Anne of Bulloigne admitted, during her childhood, she came not neere her sister, but was brought up in the Protestant Faith, and to her brother Edward much endeared. Her Uncle the Prote∣ctour brought her Suitors of Honourable qua∣lity in her minority, whom shee refused with

great modesty. At Queene Maries Coronati∣on, she graced her with her company, but soone after confin'd her at the instigation of the Cler∣gie, no insurrection in her sisters time, to which they would not have made her accessary, * 1.810 as that of Wiats in Kent, the Carowes in De∣vonshire, Throgmortons, &c. for which she was by them maliciously questioned, but by the power of Heaven miraculously acquitted: from Ashredge sent for to London, from thence com∣mitted to the Tower, her barge grating on the arches by the way, her landing at the Traitours staires, her close imprisonment there: her dan∣gers in being conveyed thence: Her train untuto∣red Souldiers, Her bondage under Benningfield, His fury at Woodstocke, and the firing of her Lodgings, a private Warrant for her death ac∣cidentally discovered, and by King Philip pre∣vented. By these with infinite others appeares,

That against her the Latian Buls did rore, But by Ioves awfull power at length give o're.

This hath not only reference to her pupillage, * 1.811 but the time of her principality, in which the Latian Buls, meaning the Buls of Pope Pius Quintus, so raged in the Land, that they depo∣sed her from the Crowne as an Heretick, and re∣leased her Subjects from their allegeance: all which by the power of God, her chiefe and only supporter, prov'd no other then flashing false fires, and words vainly uttered against the wind.

But now Astrea deckt in Ariadnes crowne,

Discends again upon this terrene stage, Not seen before since the first golden age.

Astraea in whom is figured Iustice (and here Queen Elizabeth personated) borrowing Ari∣adnes * 1.812 Crowne, which is one of the Celestiall Constellations, who left the world in Saturnus Reigne, called the Golden Age, when the seven deadly sins began first to peep into the world, and clayme chiefe predominance on earth: who now at this restauration of true Religion, is said to discend from her place in the Zodiack, where she sate constell'd by the name of Virgo, and be tarrassed over this blessed Queens Tribunall, in which all justice (with mercy mixed) was conti∣nually exercised.

I come now to her passing through the City, * 1.813 at her first comming forth from her lodgings in the Tower, before shee would suffer her selfe to be mounted in her chariot, shee devoutly lifted up her eys and hands towards Heaven, speaking these words: My God I thanke thee, who hast been so mercifull, as to spare me to see this joy∣full and blessed day; and I confesse, that thou hast dealt as mercifully and miraculously with me, as thou didst with thy faithfull servant Da∣niel, whom thou savedst from the Lions den. For so was I distressed, and by thee so deli∣vered to thee therefore, and thee only be thanks, honour and prayse for evermore, Amen.

The first pageant to entertain her was at Fan∣church, neere unto which was placed a stately * 1.814 scaffold, with a curious consort of sweet sound∣ing Instruments, upon which stood a yong man of good aspect, and gorgeously apparelled, rea∣dy with a speech in Latin, in the Cities behalfe, to give her welcome, who seeing him preparing for that purpose, commanded her Chariot to stay, and beckning with her hand to the people for silence, he spake to her in Latin as followeth.

Vrbs tua, quae ingressu dederit tibi munera O Regina, &c. (prima.

Which for the more generall understanding, I deliver you thus interpreted into our vulgar * 1.815 Tongue.

Behold, ô Queen, what to thy great renowme, Thy City doth present thee, two things are In stead of gifts, to guide thee to thy Crown: Lowd tongues, and loyall hearts without com∣pare. Their tongues thy welcome in lowd Tones proclaime, Their hearts rejoyce when they but heare thy name.

Then welcome gracious Sovereigne: happy wee, And above hope blest to behold this day, (gree, As our tongues speake, our hearts with them a- And what save welcom, can we think or say?

Rich, poore, young, old, who all these places fill, Have both in tongue and heart, your welcom still.

At the conclusion of this Speech the people made a lowd acclamation, Every one crying, God save Queene Elizabeth, with other zealous wishes as their fancies led them. Heere was ob∣served * 1.816 her constant attention to what was deli∣vered, with a change of countenance, when any phrase reflected upon her private person, and thereby her great courtesie and clemencie, in gi∣ving the people publike thanks for their so hear∣ty votes and wishes.

Thence shee moved forward to Gracious * 1.817 street, where was erected a very sumptuous structure, extended from the on side of the street to the other, curiously vaulted below, and de∣cored with battlements above, it had 3 ports, over the middlemost were advanced 3 severall stages, one degree above another: on the lowest was a Seat Royall, in which were placed two per∣sons in rich Robes of State. The one represent∣ing * 1.818 Henry the Seventh, the other the Lady Eli∣zabeth his wife: He (being of the House of Lan∣caster) invironed with a branch of red Roses, & she of the house of York, inclosed with a branch of white Roses: out of these two being of divers colours, sprung two branches of Damaske or White intermingled with Red, which were di∣rected upward to the second stage, where sate environed one with a Diadem upon his head,

presenting King Henry the Eighth (her Father) and a second personating Queene Anne of Bol∣loigne (her mother) in a third degree surmoun∣ting their heads, to which the former branch reached, sate one resembling Her Majesties per∣son. The Motto inscribed was: The uniting of the two Houses of Lancaster and Yorke. The Speech directed to her, being to this purpose,

Hii quos jungit idem solium, quos annulus idem Haec albente nitens, ille rubente rosa, &c.

Those Princes that upon this State are seene One with the red Rose, th'other with the white, Are the seventh Henry and his royall Queene, One mariage Ring, one throne doth them unite.

Heire to the House of Lancaster, the King: The Queene to Yorke: both in one bloud com∣bind. From these King Henry (stil'd the Eighth) did spring, The Seate aloft is to your place assign'd,

(O royall Queene) and as all civill wars Long reigning, did in their uniting cease, So may you live free from domestick jars, Amongst us stil'd the Queen of prosperous peace.

There were moreover divers Latin sentences inscribed upon severall labels, perswading to unity and concord, which for brevities sake I here omit.

Thence shee past to Cornhill, where stood an∣other pageant composed with three open gates, * 1.819 over the middle part thereof sate one magnifi∣cently inthroned, figuring her Royall person. In the frontispice was written in a large character, The seat of worthy Government: which seat was * 1.820 so artificially framed, that it seemed to have no prop or stay on which to subsist: In foure seve∣rall comportments, stood four reverent persons, one, figuring true Religion, treading upon ig∣norance and superstition, the second stood for the love of subjects to their Prince, spurning at insolence and rebellion: the third wisdome, ty∣rannizing over folly and vain-glory: the fourth Iustice, having dominion over flattery and bri∣bery: Divers other ingenious fancies there were, of vertues and vices, with morall sentences inserted and interlaced to adorne the Fabricke. Her Royall Arms being richly garnished, and set in the Apex or top thereof, supported by a Lion and a Dragon: the speech being to this effect,

Quae subnixa alti solio regina superba est, Effigiem sanctae principis Alma refert.

Behold, O Queen, thy picture in this frame, Richly inthron'd to celebrate thy Name. Whilst true Religion in thy Reigne, shall tread On ignorance and superstition's head, Whilst subjects love, rebellion shall distresse, And overtumourd insolence make lesse,

Whilst Iustice keeps an incorrupted place. To have all flattery and bribes in chace. Whilst wisdome, arm'd with vowes devout and Shall have a power above ostent and folly, (holy Whilst these continue (which we much desire) So long thy people shall thy Reigne admire.

To this she answered, that she had took no∣tice of their good meaning towards her, and * 1.821 most graciously promised her best endevour, for the continuance and incouragement of those vertues, and suppressing of the said vices. Passing from thence to Soper lane end, where stood another sumptuous and goodly pageant, spreading from one side of the streete to the o∣ther, being raised three degrees or stories high, in the upper sate one Child, in the second three, in the third and lowest foure, representing the eight Beatitudes. The Speech followeth, deli∣vered * 1.822 to her in Latin.

We that thy great afflictions late have seen, Acknowledge thou art blest 8 times (ô Queen) Blest hast thou beene, because so poore in spirit, And therefore thou a kingdome dost inherit. Blest, for thou mourned hast, and therefore see Great comforts are prepared now for thee. Blest, for thy meeknesse next, with thoughts divine. (thine. Therefore this earth from henceforth shall bee Hunger and thirst, for godlinesse, thou hast Suffered, now all good things shal please thy tast.

Blest, since to all th'art mercifull and kind, Therefore thou mercy shalt hereafter find. Blest, because pure in heart, therefore thy grace Shall be to looke thy Maker in the face. Blest, as contentions having reconcil'd. All peace-makers, Gods children shall be stil'd. Blest art thou, since for righteousnesses sake Thou persecution suffered hast: to make Thy patience greater, thy reward more strong, For to all such salvation doth belong.

At the conclusion of this speech, the people * 1.823 wished all together with one generall vote these blessings aboundantly to fall upon her, whom shee much thanked, and past on to the Standard in Cheape, which was garnished with * 1.824 divers Banners, penons and Streamers, and upon it placed a noyse of Trumpets, the Crosse being very beautifully trimmed, upon the porch of Saint Peters Church doore, stood the Wayts of the City, with Cornets and Hoboyes, and play'd lowd Musique, moving onward shee espide another pageant erected at the little Con∣duit, * 1.825 in the upper end of Cheap, and demanded what it might signifie? One told her Majesty that there was placed Time: Time replyed she? and Time I thanke my God hath brought mee hither, and being further informed that the English Bible was there to bee delivered unto her by Truth the daughter of Time, she answe∣red, shee was beholding to the City, for that * 1.826 present above all other, which she would mayn∣taine

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with the best blood that ran in her Royall veins, and commanded Sir Iohn Parrot, one of the Knights that held the Canopy to fetcht it from the child. But understanding that it was to be let down by a silken string, she caused him to stay: and proceed no further, then met her the Lord Major, and the Aldermen.

There the Recorder made a learned speech, * 1.827 and delivered unto her withall a purse of Crim∣son Sattin richly embroydered, and in it a thou∣sand Marks in gold: which shee received with her own hand, and to his speech she made pre∣sent answer as followeth.

I thanke my Lord Major, his brethren, and you all: where your request is that I should con∣tinue your good Lady and Queene, be assured I will be as good and gracious unto you as ever Princesse was to her people, no will in mee can want, and I perswade my self, no power shall be deficient to provide for the safety and security of you all, for which I shall not spare my best bloud: God thanke you all. The Bible being presented unto her, and all the pertinences of that Show being past, comming over against Pauls Schoole, one of the Scholers delivered her a Latin Oration, with divers Latin Ver∣ses: The Oration began, Philosophus ille divinus * 1.828 Plato, &c. and the Verses,

Anglia nunc tandem plaudas, laetare, resulta, &c.

It would ask too long time to interpret them:

shee past thence through Ludgate, which was gorgeously beautified and adorned, where were Trumpets, Cornets, Shalmes and Hoboyes, and thence into Fleetstreet, where at the Conduit she was received by the fift and last pageant, in * 1.829 which was expressed Debora the Iudgesse, and Restorer of the House of Israel. At Saint Dun∣stans Church stood the Children of the Hospitall, and by one of them a speech delivered unto her, to which shee attentively listned, and promised to be their future Benefactour: upon Temple Barre were placed, the two Giantlike figures of * 1.830 Corinaeus and Gogmagog, holding a Table wherein the effects of all the former pageants were in Latin inscribed. Thence shee departed toward Westminster, where shee was the next day being the fifteenth of Ianuary, with all Royall solemnity crowned. * 1.831

Thus Sol shines on her with his best aspect, With Ariadnes Crown, Astraea deckt, Doth now discend upon this terrene stage, Not seen before, since the first golden age. Through many forges did this metall glide, Like gold by fire repur'd, and seven times tryde.

In regard that her inimitable Reigne and Go∣vernment hath so oft, and amply, so largely and learnedly both in the Latin and English tongue, been voluminously discoursed, I will onely pre∣sent you with a Table of their Tractates and Treatises, as a briefe Register, to prompt the

Readers remembrance: As first by refusing a Mariage with her brother in law Philip King of * 1.832 Spaine, shee made him her publike and profest enemy: that the French animated by the Gui∣sians, in the right of Mary Queene of France and Scotland would have invaded her King∣dome, that Spain, France, and Scotland, all, and at once combined against her: the thundring Bull of Pius Quintus, which quitted all her sub∣jects from their allegiance: Rebellions in the North, Duke Dalva's attempts in the Low coun∣tries, Pools and Dacres Conspiracies: Iohn of Austria from Spaine, Stukeley in Ireland, Saun∣ders and Sam. Iosephus: Desmond, and Fitz∣morris: Paget, Throgmorton, and Arondel, Ber∣nardine, Mendoza, and Cardinall Allan, the Spa∣nish Armado stiled Invincible. The fourteene Traytors, Englefield and Rosse Hispanified, Parry with his pistoll Italianated, Aubespinaeus and Trappius his Secretary Frenchified, Walpoole the Iesuite, Lopez the Iew, and Squire, who would have poysoned her Saddles pummell, &c. these prove what was before by the Prophet predicted.

Her bright aad glorious Sunbeams shall expell * 1.833 The vain clouds of the candle, booke and bell, Domestick plots and stratagems abroad, French machins and the Italianated god, The Spanish Engins, Porteguized Iew. The Iesuitick mines, and politick crew

Of home-bred Traytors, let their menaces come By private pistoll, or by hostile Drum, &c.

Yet notwithstanding over these and many o∣thers (strengthened and protected by the hand of the Almighty) shee was miraculously victo∣rious, whose fame can never faile, or Her me∣mory perish, and therefore I draw my present conclusion from the premisses.

Though all these Dogs chace her with open cry; Live shall she fear'd and lov'd, then Sainted die.

Many other prophesies have beene disperst a∣broad under the name of Merlin: of which I will give you the tast of one onely, and that's this:

When Hemp is ripe and ready to pull, * 1.834 Then Englishman beware thy scull.

In this word Hemp be five Letters H. E. M. P. E. now by reckoning the successive Princes from Henry the Eighth, this Prophesie is easilie expla∣ned, H. signifieth Henry before named, E. Ed∣ward his sonne, the sixth of that name, M. Ma∣ry who succeeded him, P Philip of Spain who by marrying Queene Mary during the time of her life participated with her in the English Diadem: lastly by E. Qu. Elizabeth, after whose death there was great feare that some troubles might have rose about the Crowne, or that

King Iames her successour of like blessed memo∣ry might have come in after an hostile manner, and so to have made that good.

Then Englishman beware thy scull.

Yet proved this augury true, though not ac∣cording to the former expectation or imagina∣tion: for after his happy and peaceable procla∣mation and Inauguration, there was great mor∣tality, not in London only, but through the whole Kingdome, from which the Nation was not quite clean in seven yeeres after.

CHAP. 38.

The title of K. Iames to the Crown. His comming into England: A prophesie of his Reigne: The first treason attempted against him: The gun-powder treason, and what the conspirators were: The K. of Denmark twice commeth into England: An Epitaph upon Prince Henry: One of the Duke of Richmond and Lenox: Another of Q. Anne: An Epitaph upon K. Iames: K. Charles proclamed King: his Fa∣thers Funeralls, &c.

UPon Thursday, being the twenty fourth of March, about two of the clock in the morning, deceased Queen Elizabeth of blessed memo∣ry, at her palace of Richmond, be∣ing aged three score and ten yeares, and having reigned forty foure yeares, five moneths and * 1.835 odde dayes, and the same day about eleven of clock in the forenoone was proclaimed Iames the sixth King of Scotland, King of England, Scotland. France, and Ireland, at the high Crosse in Cheapside, with the Title of Defonder of the Faith, being lineally descended from Margaret eldest daughter to King Henry the seventh, by

Elizabeth his wife, who was the eldest daugh∣ter to King Henry the fourth: the same Marga∣ret was married to King Iames, the fourth of that name King of Scotland, in the yeare of Grace, one thousand five hundred and three, who had issue Iames the fifth, who was Father to Mary Queene of Scotland, Mother to Iames the sixth, Monarch of great Britain, and King of France and Ireland: of whom ere I fur∣ther proceed to speake any more, let me ac∣quaint you with one thing most remarkable, * 1.836 namely how ominous the Thursday hath beene to King Henry the Eighth, and to all his poste∣rity, for hee himselfe died upon Thursday the eight and twentieth of Ianuary, his sonne King Edward the sixth, on Thursday the sixth of Iuly, Queen Mary, on Thursday the seventeenth of November, and Queene Elizabeth on Thursday, the twenty fourth of March: but I returne to King Iames, and the prediction made of him and his prosperous Reigne.

On Boreas wings then hither shall be borne, Through Week, o're Tweed a Princely Vnicorn * 1.837 Who brought into the world, his own fair. crest, A rampant Lion figured on his brest, And to his Armes six Lions more shall quarter With six French Flowers inviron'd with the Ioyning (by fates unchangable dispose) (Garter, The Northern Thistle to the Southerne Rose, He shall the true Apostolike Faith mayntain, With pious zeale: During the blessed Reigne

Of this faire sprig deriv'd from Richmonds stock, No Noble head shall stoop unto the block. Yet shall from th' old Lupanar Wolves be sent To undermine both Crown and Government, Striving in Hell to register their names, By blowing up the State in powder flames, Ah (wo the while, Rebellion, and prestigion, Should masque themselves in visors of religion. All which the holy book meerly gain-says, But man's corrupt, God, Iust in all his wayes. Witnesse their wretched ends, but happy they Who keep for that, an annuall holiday That King shall be a second Salomon, Whom all Kings else with wonder gaze upon: Who, as to an Oracle to him shall come, And when he speaks, be silent all and dumbe, Peace shall he keep within him and without him, Whilst all lands else combustions are about him. Him shall a second issue male succeed, Gracious in word, victorious in his deed.

Though divers adulterate copies something alluding to this purpose, have been frequent in the mouths of many, yet this best agreeing with the Authors meaning, ought to be first recei∣ved, which though it need no explanation at all, yet thus much briefly, for the satisfaction of the vulgar. By Boreas is meant the North-wind, upon whose wings the Vnicorne is borne, is im∣plide King Iames, who gives the Unicorne in * 1.838 Heraldry. Through Week over Tweed, that is, he

came through Barwick, over the River Tweed, which parteth England and Scotland: Hee * 1.839 was also borne with the exact portraiture of a Lion upon his brest, presaging, that the white Lion of Scotland should have a proxi∣mity and alliance, with the three red Lions of England quartered, with the three Flower de∣lyces of France, (the noble remembrance of Edward, sirnamed the Black Prince, sonne to Edward the Third, who by taking the King prisoner in battaile, added them to the Arms of England,) which are incompast by the Garter, an Order first made, by the aforesaid Edward the Third. The•…•…e came into the peaceable pos∣session of King Iames, who also brought the Thistle (part of the Arms of Scotland,) to joyne * 1.840 with the two united Roses, (the White and Red, figuring of the two divided Houses York and Lancaster, to make one perfect Damaske.

I omit the manner of his Majesties comming out of Scotland, and his Royall entertainment into this Kingdome with joyfull acclamations of the people, and the unanimous suffrage of the whole Nation, with his Inauguration, Coro∣nation, and solemne and pompous passing from the Tower through the City of London to Westminster, with the severall pageants and showes, his Creating of Barons Viscounts and Earles, and making of Knights and Knight Ba∣ronets in great number, &c. The severall Em∣bassadours that came from all parts of Chri∣stendome, to congratulate his comming to the

Crown, His peace established with all Christian Princes, especially with Spain, consisting of se∣ven and thirty Articles: The calling of his first Parlament, and his excellent delivery of his minde therein, &c. which would ask long Cir∣cumstance, I come to the first Treason attemp∣ted against him, for which were arraigned at * 1.841 Winchester, the fifteenth of November, George Brooke, brother to the Lord Cobham, Sir Griffin Markham, and Sir Edward Parham, Knights; Watson and Clarke, Romish priests, Bartholmew Brooksby Esquire, and one Anthony Copley Gen∣tleman indicted.

To conspire to kill the King, To raise Rebellion, To alter Religion, To subvert the State, To procure invasion by strangers.

And this was in the first yeare of his Maje∣sties Reign, for which were after also arraigned and convicted Henry Brooke, Lord Cobham, late Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Thomas Lord Grey of Wilton, and Sir Walter Raleigh, late Lord Warden of the Stanneries: For which the two priests Watson and Clerke were executed at Winchester, the twenty ninth of November, and George Brooke was beheaded the fift of Decem∣ber, but all the rest by the Kings gracious cle∣mency had their lives pardon'd, though some of •…•…hem brought to the block, expecting no other

mercy but what the sharpe axe of Iustice could afford them.

The second treason (of the like to which was never president) was the attempt to blow * 1.842 up the Parliament house, in which because it was so long predicted, I could desire to bee the larger, but that it is of such late memory, and new in the mouthes of all men, and so shall (no doubt) continue to all posterity: the fatall day appointed for that horrid and most execrable fact was the fift of November, in the third yeare of his Majesties Reigne. The names of the Con∣spirators were Henry Garnet, a principall Iesuite resident in England, Robert Catesby Gentleman, Francis Tresham Esquire, Thomas Winter Gen∣tleman, * 1.843 Thomas Percy, Iohn Wright, Guido Vaux, who went by the name of Iohn Iohnson, Master Percy's man, Iohn Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everard Digby, &c. The discovery thereof was as followeth. About ten dayes before the Parlament should begin, the Lord Mounteagle sonne and Heire to the Lord Morley, lying in the Strand, a stranger met his man in the street, and delivered him a Letter to give to his Lord, the contents were as followeth.

MY Lord, Out of the love I have to some of * 1.844 your Friends, I have care of your preserva∣tion: therefore I would advise you, as you tender your life, to devise some excuse to shift off your at∣tendance on the Parliament, for God and man have conspired to punish the wickednesse of this

time, and think not slight of this advertisement, but retyre your selfe into your Country, where you may expect the event in safety, for though there be no appearance of any stir: yet I say, they shall re∣ceive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurt them: this counsell is not to be contemned, and can doe you no harme. For the danger is past, so soon as you have burnt the Letter, and I hope God will give you grace to make good use of it, to whose holy protection I commend you.

And this came unto him without date or name, in a counterfeit and unperfect hand, which Let∣ter comming to the Kings hand, when none of the Counsell could sound the depth thereof, (though they were men of great wisdome and experience) His Majesty was the first that tooke notice of these words in this Letter, They shall * 1.845 receive a terrible blow, which hee conjectured to be by a blast of powder, and therefore comman∣ded all the places under the Parliament House to be searcht the night before their first sitting: which charge was given to Sir Thomas Knivet, Gentleman of the Kings privy Chamber, who attended with a small number came to the place at midnight, where at the entry he found Fawks (Percies pretended servant) booted and spurr'd, and apprehended him, and having removed certain billets and coals laid their under a co∣lour, hee first discovered one small barrell of powder, and after all the rest, being in number, thirty six with other Engins fit for that bloudy

purpose, there was also found in Fauxes poc∣kets, a piece of touchwood, and a Tinderbox * 1.846 to light it, and a Match which Percie and he had bought the day before, to try conclusions for the long or short burning of the tuchwood, pre∣pared to give fire to the traine of powder: then they carried him bound to be examined before * 1.847 the Councell: who would acknowledge no o∣ther name but Iohn Iohnson Percy's man, stiffly denying that he knew any complotters in that horrible Treason, justifying the act good and warrantable by Religion, denying the King to be his Liege Lord, or Gods Anointed, because hee held him for an Heretike, only repenting him that the deed was not done, saying, that good would have concealed it, but the Devill himselfe only discovered it.

This Treason after broke into a practice of Rebellion, of which the circumstances are too large to stand upon: Diverse of them being be∣sieged in an House together, as they were dry∣ing of wet powder, a blunt Miller let a coale fall amongst it, by which most of them were cruelly scorched, tasting themselves in some measure of that fire-plot prepared for others: Catesby and Percy issuing out of the House were shot to death, and their heads set after upon the parlia∣ment House, and their quarters upon the gates of Warwick: after them issued both the Wrights who were slain also, Thomas Winter hoping the * 1.848 like fate was taken alive, these following were by an honourable Tryall arraigned at Westmin∣ster,

Thomas Winter, late of Hardington in War∣wickeshire Gentleman, Guido Faux late of Lon∣don Gentleman, Robert Keyes late of London Gentleman, Thomas Bates late of London Yeo∣man, these were first called to the bar: and al∣ledged against them for plotting to blow up the Parliament House with Gunpowder, for taking oath and sacrament for secrecie, for hyring an House neere unto it, for digging a myne, and finding the myne faulty, hyring a Celler for lod∣ging of powder, match, and touchwood into the Celler to effect their Treason.

Robert Winter late of Hardington Esquire, elder brother to the aforesaid Thomas: Iohn Grant late of Yarthbrooke in Warwickeshire Es∣quire, Robert Rookwood late of Sunningfield in Suffolke Esquire, these were indited for being acquainted with the Treason after, for giving their full consents thereto, for taking the Sacra∣ment for secrecy: Sir Everard Digby, late of Galhurst in Buckinghamshire Knight, for being acquainted with the Treason, for giving assent, for taking an oath: all which were convicted, condemned, drawne, hanged and quartered: also upon Friday the twentie eight of March in the fourth yeare of the King, Henry Garnet the * 1.849 provinciall or principall of the English Iesuites, was arraigned at Guild Hall in London, upon the same Treason, and condemned, and after drawn from the Tower to the West end of Pauls, was executed like the former Traitors: Thus wee see:

That from the old Lupanar Wolves were sent, To undermine both crown and government: Striving in Hell to register their names, By blowing up the State in powder flames, &c.

The word Lupanar comes from Lupa, a shee Wolfe or Prostitute, so was the wife of Fan∣stulus the Nurse to the two Infants Romulus and * 1.850 Remus (the first erectors of Rome) called, from Lupa comes also Lupanar, that is, a brothelhouse, and Idolatry is called fornication almost through the whole Scripture, and from Rome, had these Arch-traytors, their Incendiary, &c.

Amongst other Royall Visitants Christianus, the fourth of that name King of Denmarke, came into England, royally attended to see his * 1.851 brother in law King Iames, and his naturall sister Queene Anne, whom the King in person met a shipboord with Prince Henry, The Duke of Lenox, and divers of the Nobility, and dined with him in his Cabin, the two Kings afterward rode triumphantly through the City of London, the Embassadors of France, Spaine, and Venice, being spectatours of the solemnity: Here Hee was royally and magnificently entertained and feasted till his returne, &c. who liked his wel∣come so well, that hee came hither the second time. And in all the passages of His Majesties Reigne, where was nothing seen but peace, tran∣quillity and quietnesse, there is no subject to write on, but of sundry Plantations during his Reigne, as in Virginia, Bermudas, or the Sum∣mer

Islands, &c. Of men raised to Office and Honour, of his severall Embassies into Forreign Countries, to make peace and attonement be∣twixt divided Kingdomes, and his enterchange∣able entertayning of their Embassadours: of the mariage of the Lady Elizabeth, to the prince Palatine: of the death of that most hopefull plant of Honour and Royalty Prince Henry, of whom I have read this Epitaph.

In Natures law, 'tis a plain case to die; No cunning Lawyer can demurre on that, * 1.852 For cruell death and fat all destinie, Serve all men with a finall Latitat: (tryde, So brave Prince Henry, when his cause was Confest the action, paid the debt and dyde.

I may also put you in remembrance of the new erecting of the Artillery Garden, of the New River brought to London, of the buil∣ding of the New Exchange in the Strand, and Hicks Hall, of Censures in the Star-chamber, in the High Commission Court, the burning of the Banquetinghouse, &c. of Sir W. Raleigh's execu∣tion at Westminster, &c. the creating of George Villiers Gentleman Duke, & his Mother Coun∣tesse of Buckingham; with infinite other peace∣able passages, but these are now out of my road. In the year one thousand six hundred and eigh∣teene, upon Wednesday the eighteenth of No∣vember, ablazing Starre appeared, and upon Tuesday the second of March following, at

Hampton Court dyed Queene Anne, of whom was made this Epitaph. * 1.853

Her to invite, the great God sent his star, Whose friends and kindred mighty Princes are, Who though they run the race of men and die, Death seems but to refine their majesty: So did this Queen, frō hence her Court remove, And left the earth to be inthron'd above: Then she is chang'd, not dead, no good Prince dyes, But like the day-star, only set to rise.

Upon Monday, the sixteenth of February, one thousand six hundred twenty three, the King with the Nobility prepared to goe to the Parlament House, but that morning dyed Lodowick Duke of Richmond and Lenox, at * 1.854 his lodging at the Court in White Hall, who is worthily remembred in this Epitaph fol∣lowing.

Are all diseases dead? or will death say, She could not kill this prince another way? Yes, it was so: for time and death conspired, To make his death (as was his life) admired, The Commons were not summond (now I see) Meerly to move laws, but to mourne for thee. No lesse then all the Bishops could suffice To wait upon so great a sacrifice. The Court, the Altar was; the Waiters, peeres. The mirrh and frankineense, great Cosins tears.

A braver offering with more pompe and state, Nor time, nor death, could ever celebrate.

Of King Iames his wisdome, integrity, bounty, his study of peace, which hee made good in his Motto, Beati Pacifici, and for all his other sin∣gular vertues; He with a superarrogative over∣plus made good, what was before, for many yeares predicted of him: all which may be in∣cluded in this one Epitaph made upon him.

Can Christendomes great Champion sink away Thus silently, into a bed of clay? Can such a Monarch die? and not to have An Earthquake (at the least) to ope his grave? Did there no Meteors fright the Vniverse, Nor Comet hold a torch to light his Herse? Was there no clap of thunder heard to tell All Christendom their losse? and ring his knell? Impartiall Fates: I see all princes then (men: Though they liv'd Gods, yet they must die like And the same passing bell, may toll for them Which rung but now the beggers requiem. When such a soule is from the earth bereaven, Me thinks, there should be triumph made in Heaven; The stars should run at tilt, at his decease, To welcome him into the place of peace: Who whilst hee liv'd, in peace liv'd, and did Being in peace, to keepe peace still alive: (strive, No widows curses, and no Orphants cryes, Shall interrupt his hallowed obsequies:

For their slain husbands, or their fathers lost In bloudy war: to wake thy peacefull ghost. Let thy great predecessors boast the pryse Of glorious (and yet bloudy) victories. Let them upon their sepulchers expose, Triumphs of war; and spoyle of forreigne foes, And glory to have turn'd the harvest field: To a pitcht Campe: and ploughshare to a shield, So that on bloudy furrows there were born As many blades of steele, as now of corne Yet shall thy prayse be greater, since thy joy Was to plant nations rather then destroy, And though no mortall trophy speak thy prayse, Because no drop of bloud hath staind thy dayes: Yet this sure truth, their greatest fame controls They subdu'd bodies, thou hast conquered souls. Truth was thy banner, the thrice sacred word, Thy target and thy pen a two edg'd sword. But lo, when Spanish coast, Romes canon shot, False Gowries treason, Cateshy's powder-plot, Could not destroy (all these thy fate did brave.) A Fever would needs bring thee to thy grave. For (being mortall) fate could not invent His passage by a nobler instrument Then his own bloud: which made him compre- VVithin himselfe the glory of his end. (hena Like to a circle, this rich Diamond must Be cut by no means else then it's owne dust. Thus is our Sun set, never to return. Pay therefore tri•…•…ute to his funerall urn, All peacefull souls; and with true sorrows sence: Give unto him your hearts benevolence.

Of pious teares, then turn you from the VVest, To see the new Sun rising in the East.

King Charles the first of that name King of * 1.855 England, began his Reigne on Sunday the twen∣ty seventh of March, one thousand six hundred twenty five, and the next day after commanded by proclamation, that all Officers and Magi∣strates of what degree or quality soever through out his whole Dominions should sti•…•…l use and exercise all such power and authoritie as they held from his Father (of blessed memory) untill his pleasure were further knowne: and on Sa∣turday the seventh of May next ensuing, were performed the Funerall rites of his Father King * 1.856 Iames, and his corps with all magnificence and state carried from Denmark house in the Strand, to VVestminster Abbey Church, King Charles being the chiefe and principall Mourner, arten∣ded with all the Nobility, Clergy, and Iudges, with sundry Embassadors, and all his officers and domesticke servants in mourning habits. His Herse being more royally adorned and attended then any of his predecessour Kings, in which magnificent solemnity his corps was interred in the Chappell Royall, &c.

I should now pr•…•…ceed to the Reigne of the high, mighty and invincible Prince Charles, con∣cerning whose sacred person (my rude pen dare not be so bold, nor with any of his just and * 1.857 royall proceedings, but am rather content to leave them to those of more knowing and bet

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ter approved judgements, and more frequently verst in state businesse, and the laws and limits that belong to History and Chronologie then my selfe: yet thus farre according to my weake Talent and crassa Minerva, let me borrow leave to confer on him (though far short of his great meed and merit) a briefe character: Hee is a Prince wise and just, crowned with all the espe∣ciall gifts of nature and fortune, but (which farre transcends the rest) plenteously endowed with all heavenly graces: Blest in a Royall, chast and beautifull Consort, blest with a most hope∣full and numerous Issue, conspicuous in the four Cardinall vertues, Iustice, Prudence, Tempe∣rance, and Fortitude, grounded in the three Theologicall Graces, Faith, Hope, and Charity, illustrious in all other Vertues which generally adorne men, but make a Prince greatly admi∣red and gloriously eminent: whom with his in∣comparable Queen, the unparalleld Prince his sonne, with the rest of his Royall Issue, God Almighty in his great providence, and infinite mercy, continue in long life, health, prosperity and happinesse, &c.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prophets, pre∣dicters, and seers.
• * 1.2

  Propheticall Poets.
• * 1.3

  The birth of Merlin.
• * 1.4

  Me•…•…lin the sonne of a Kings daugh∣ter.
• * 1.5

  Plato and Merlin had fathers alike.
• * 1.6

  Spirits betwixt the Moone and the Earth.
• * 1.7

  Spirits called Incubi.
• * 1.8

  Whether Mer∣lin were a Christian or an Heathen.
• * 1.9

  Prophets and Prophetesses, in all Nations.
• * 1.10

  The former proved.
• * 1.11

  Of the Sibyls.
• * 1.12

  S. Austine a••d other of the Fathers ap∣prove of the Sibyls prophe∣sies.
• * 1.13

  Virgil prophe∣sied of Christ.
• * 1.14

  Sibylla Cuma∣na.
• * 1.15

  •…•…hat Prophet could come neerer to the truth•…•…
• * 1.16

  Other Prophe∣tesses. Balaam the sonne of Bosor
• * 1.17

  A just si•…•…tion of the truth of Merlins pro∣phesi•…•…s. D•…•…ctor Alanus de Insulis
• * 1.18

  His predict on from the Pla∣nets.
• * 1.19

  Merlin born in the reigne of King Vortiger.
• * 1.20

  Vortigers am∣bition to the Crown.
• * 1.21

  King Con∣stantine sl•…•…ine by his guard.
• * 1.22

  Treason rewar∣ded.
• * 1.23

  Ambrosius and Vt•…•…r the Kings younger brothers.
• * 1.24

  Vortiger crowned King.
• * 1.25

  The first land∣ing of the Saxons.
• * 1.26

  When Wednes∣day and Fri∣day had their app•…•…llation.
• * 1.27

  The building of Thonge Castle.
• * 1.28

  The policy of the Saxons.
• * 1.29

  Vortimer for∣saketh his Queen to mary with Rowen, the daughter of Hengist.
• * 1.30

  An assembly of the British Lords.
• * 1.31

  King Vortiger deposed.
• * 1.32

  Vortimers many brave victories over the Saxons.
• * 1.33

  Vortimer con∣quered the Sa∣xons in seven severall bat∣tails.
• * 1.34

  Vortimer poy∣soned by his stopdame Rowen.
• * 1.35

  Vortiger re∣stored to the Kingdome.
• * 1.36

  A most un∣k•…•…ngly treason.
• * 1.37

  A valiant Britain.
• * 1.38

  Vortiger sup∣pressed by Hengist.
• * 1.39

  Britain first called England
• * 1.40

  Vortiger for∣ced to fly into Wales.
• * 1.41

  Vortiger in∣quires of the Wizards.
• * 1.42

  A cunning e∣vasion.
• * 1.43

  Merlins City, since from him so called.
• * 1.44

  Merlin first discovered.
• * 1.45

  Merlin and his mother appeare before the King
• * 1.46

  Cruelty chan∣ged into pity.
• * 1.47

  Merlins speech to the King.
• * 1.48

  Merlins words found true.
• * 1.49

  Merlins first prophesie.
• * 1.50

  Ambrose and Vter invade the Land at Totnesse.
• * 1.51

  The lamentable death of King Vortiger.
• * 1.52

  The Saxons suppressed the faith of Christ.
• * 1.53

  Aur••lius and Vter maintai∣ners of the true religion.
• * 1.54

  By the Boar of Cornwall is ment King Ar∣thur.
• * 1.55

  Some held Mer∣lin to be a Ma∣gitian.
• * 1.56

  Severall sports devised by Merlin to make the melancholy King merry.
• * 1.57

  Strange sports in the aire de∣vised by Mer∣lin.
• * 1.58

  Other Magick sports to con∣tent the King.
• * 1.59

  Merlin leaveth the King.
• * 1.60

  His prophesies of the Kings death, &c.
• * 1.61

  Vter-Pendra∣gon.
• * 1.62

  Aurelius Am∣brose against the Saxons.
• * 1.63

  Now called Stonehenge. Merlin •…•…∣eth Stone henge from Ireland.
• * 1.64

  Vter-Pendra∣gon crowned King.
• * 1.65

  Vter-Pendra∣gons victories over the Sax∣ons and o∣thers.
• * 1.66

  The King ena∣moured of I∣gerna, wife to the Duke of Cornwall.
• * 1.67

  Vter-Pendra∣gon invadeth Cornwall.
• * 1.68

  Vrsin of Rica∣radoch.
• * 1.69

  Merlin sent for by the King.
• * 1.70

  Merlins strange Meta∣morphosis.
• * 1.71

  The King, Merlin and Vrsin enter the Fort of Tind•…•…gol.
• * 1.72

  The death of Gothlois Duke of Corn∣wall.
• * 1.73

  News of the Dukes death brought to the Dutchesse.
• * 1.74

  A just cause of their doubt.
• * 1.75

  The Kings speech to the Duchesse.
• * 1.76

  Their retrans∣formation.
• * 1.77

  The King e∣spouseth the Duchesse.
• * 1.78

  A summary of King Arthurs noble conquests
• * 1.79

  A custome de∣rived from K. Arthur.
• * 1.80

  Lucius the Roman Empe∣rour slain by Arthur.
• * 1.81

  Of Arthurs death.
• * 1.82

  The s•…•… Kings that ord•…•…rly succeeded King Arthur.
• * 1.83

  Mordred slain by Arthur.
• * 1.84

  Constantinus noble victories.
• * 1.85

  Conanus and his conditions.
• * 1.86

  Vortiporus & his victories.
• * 1.87

  Malgo's de∣scription and character.
• * 1.88

  Caretius a most wicked King.
• * 1.89

  What was ment by the German worm and the Sea∣woolfe.
• * 1.90

  Isimbardus the Nephew to Lewis the French King.
• * 1.91

  A just reward of •…•…postasie.
• * 1.92

  The failing of Religion made good in Gor∣mundus and the Saxons.
• * 1.93

  The former Prophesie ex∣plained
• * 1.94

  Of Samson Archbishop of York, and his six brothers.
• * 1.95

  The names of the Archbishop Samson's six brothers.
• * 1.96

  The like is re∣ported by the Countesse Al∣torfence the Mother of the Guelfi in Italy.
• * 1.97

  God the justi∣fier of inno∣cence.
• * 1.98

  A cruell pur∣pose of a mo∣ther.
• * 1.99

  Gods provi∣dence in the preservation of the children.
• * 1.100

  A good and charitable Prelate.
• * 1.101

  The seven children pro∣ved seven Bishops.
• * 1.102

  King Cad∣wallo and his fortune.
• * 1.103

  A great F••∣mine.
• * 1.104

  Britain much distressed.
• * 1.105

  Cadwallo re∣turns to Bri∣tain.
• * 1.106

  Cadwallo re∣ceiveth Paean∣da into league.
• * 1.107

  Cadwallo vi∣ctorious over the Northum∣bers.
• * 1.108

  His cruelty a∣gainst the Saxons.
• * 1.109

  The names of the seven Kings slaine by Cadwallo.
• * 1.110

  The story of Sa•…•…t Oswal∣dus.
• * 1.111

  H•…•… temperance and charity to the poore.
• * 1.112

  A pr•…•…tended Miracle.
• * 1.113

  The battail of Headfield.
• * 1.114

  The death of Oswaldus.
• * 1.115

  Cadwallo the brazen man, and why so called.
• * 1.116

  A continuation of the History.
• * 1.117

  The conque∣ring Britains fall at ods with themselves.
• * 1.118

  Cadw•…•…llader the last King of the Britains.
• * 1.119

  K. Etheldred the sonne of Alfride.
• * 1.120

  Edward the eldest sonne of King Edgar made King.
• * 1.121

  A wicked step∣mother.
• * 1.122

  The base mur∣ther upon King Edward.
• * 1.123

  Ethelredus marriage and Issue.
• * 1.124

  The Invasion of the Danes.
• * 1.125

  The son pu∣nisht for the
• * 1.126

  Fathers trea∣son.
• * 1.127

  Dane-gelt.
• * 1.128

  Edricus inten∣ded by the Snake.
• * 1.129

  The Kings se∣cond mariage.
• * 1.130

  A generall Massacre of the Danes throughout all the Land.
• * 1.131

  Hoc, or H•…•…p Monday.
• * 1.132

  The pride and insolency of the Danes over the Britains.
• * 1.133

  Lord Dane turned into Lurdain.
• * 1.134

  Edricus crea ted Duke of Mercia.
• * 1.135

  The King with his Queene forc't to flye the Land.
• * 1.136

  The Bishops name was El∣phigus.
• * 1.137

  The death of the Tyrant Swanus.
• * 1.138

  The death of Edelfredus.
• * 1.139

  In which bat∣tail Canutus was overcome by Edmund.
• * 1.140

  The treason of Eldricus.
• * 1.141

  This Comman∣der was of K. Edmunds party.
• * 1.142

  The combat be∣twixt Ed∣mund and Ca∣nut•…•…s.
• * 1.143

  Canutus made the first motion of peace.
• * 1.144

  Edmund slaine by the traytour Edricus.
• * 1.145

  A traytours just reward.
• * 1.146

  Canutus sole Monarch of England.
• * 1.147

  The Kings conscionable justice.
• * 1.148

  What became of the sons of Edmund Iron∣side.
• * 1.149

  Meaning the red Dragon.
• * 1.150

  Vaine pride soone repented of.
• * 1.151

  The death of Canutus.
• * 1.152

  Harold sonne of Canutus King of Eng∣land.
• * 1.153

  Emma wife to Canutus ba∣nished.
• * 1.154

  Hardy Canu∣tus the Dane crowned King of England.
• * 1.155

  A barbarous cruelty in a brother.
• * 1.156

  His riot and e•…•…cesse.
• * 1.157

  Earle Good∣wins sons and daughter.
• * 1.158

  Hardy Canu∣tus dieth drin∣king.
• * 1.159

  The end of the Danish perse∣cution and how long it conti∣nued.
• * 1.160

  By the seven heads are meant he and his six sonnes who a•…•…sisted him in all his bloudy projects
• * 1.161

  Earle Good∣wins p•…•…te.
• * 1.162

  Earle Good∣wins great cruelty.
• * 1.163

  By Neustria is understood Normandy.
• * 1.164

  Edward after sirnamed the Co•…•…fessor made King.
• * 1.165

  The Kings mo∣ther accused of adultery, with Alwin Bishop of Winchester.
• * 1.166

  Robert Arch∣bishop of Can∣terbury a∣gainst the mo∣ther Queen.
• * 1.167

  This 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Chronicles of same for truth.
• * 1.168

  Emma acquit from the suspi∣tion of Incon∣tinency.
• * 1.169

  Earle Good∣win and his sons flie the Land.
• * 1.170

  Goodwin and his sons resto∣red.
• * 1.171

  Goodwins remarkable death.
• * 1.172

  Harold sayleth into Norman∣die.
• * 1.173

  Meaning the Duke.
• * 1.174

  The death of Edward the Confessor.
• * 1.175

  Harold crow∣ned King of England.
• * 1.176

  England inva∣ded by the Danes.
• * 1.177

  A bloudy bat∣tail in which Harold was victor.
• * 1.178

  Some think it was a great cause of his losse of the bat∣tail against William.
• * 1.179

  Harolds an∣swer to Duke William.
• * 1.180

  Duke William •…•…ndeth in England.
• * 1.181

  Three preten∣ses for his In∣vasion.
• * 1.182

  The prophesie explained.
• * 1.183

  A good Omen.
• * 1.184

  Harold sends spyes into the Dukes Hoast.
• * 1.185

  Three profers made by the Duke to the King before the battaile.
• * 1.186

  Two different dispositions in the boasts.
• * 1.187

  Battaile Abby in Sussex.
• * 1.188

  The battail be∣twixt King Harold with Duke William
• * 1.189

  King Harold slain in the eye with an arrow.
• * 1.190

  The end of the Race of the Saxons.
• * 1.191

  Mercia and Northumber∣land, not in this battail.
• * 1.192

  Duke VVil∣liam crowned King of Eng∣land.
• * 1.193

  Part of the Prophesie ex∣plained.
• * 1.194

  Robert rebel∣leth against his Father.
• * 1.195

  Robert gai∣neth the day of his Father.
• * 1.196

  K. Williams admonition to his sons.
• * 1.197

  The death of William, sir∣named the Conquerour.
• * 1.198

  Londons first Charter gran∣ted by King William.
• * 1.199

  William the second crowned King of Eng∣land.
• * 1.200

  A strange sub∣mission of a King.
• * 1.201

  The two bro∣thers attowd.
• * 1.202

  He buildeth Westminster Hall.
• * 1.203

  The King mur∣thered to death by Sir Walter Tyrrell.
• * 1.204

  The Kings Character.
• * 1.205

  Iustice and li∣berality in the King.
• * 1.206

  Henry usur∣peth the crown.
• * 1.207

  Duke Robe•…•…t offered to bee made King of Ierusalem.
• * 1.208

  Duke Robert neglected by his Peeres.
• * 1.209

  Duke Roberts easie and libe∣rall disposition.
• * 1.210

  Duke Robert taken pr•…•…soner by his b•…•…other.
• * 1.211

  The Duchy of Duke Robert.
• * 1.212

  The Prophes•…•…e explained.
• * 1.213

  The Kings two sonnes with many others drowned.
• * 1.214

  Catuli Leonis in aequoreo; pisces trans∣formabuntur.
• * 1.215

  The Lords sworne to the succession of Mawd the Empresse.
• * 1.216

  Her second mariage.
• * 1.217

  The death of Henry the first of that name.
• * 1.218

  How the King was spoken of after his death.
• * 1.219

  Stephen Earle of Bulloigne crowned King.
• * 1.220

  Perjury puni∣shed by the hand of God.
• * 1.221

  Hugh Bigot dyeth miserably
• * 1.222

  The prophesie.
• * 1.223

  Part of it ex∣•…•…laned
• * 1.224

  King Stephen extorteth both from the Cler∣gie and the Laity.
• * 1.225

  Mawd the Em∣presse landeth in England.
• * 1.226

  The Barons Oration to their souldiers.
• * 1.227

  Earle Bald∣wins incou∣ragement to to the Kings Army.
• * 1.228

  The battell be∣twixt the King and the Em∣presse.
• * 1.229

  The King tak•…•…n prisoner.
• * 1.230

  The Queenes p•…•…tition to the Empresse.
• * 1.231

  The Londoners and Kentish∣men take part with the King.
• * 1.232

  The Queene pu•…•…sueth the Empresse.
• * 1.233

  Earle Bobert of Glocester taken prisoner
• * 1.234

  King Stephen released in ex∣change of Earle Robert.
• * 1.235

  The death of I•…•…ffery Plan∣taginet.
• * 1.236

  The marriage of Henry Duke of Nor∣mandy.
• * 1.237

  Eustace the sonne of King Stephen.
• * 1.238

  Duke Henry landeth in England.
• * 1.239

  A peace media∣ted betwixt the King and the Duke.
• * 1.240

  The death of Prince Eust•…•…ce
• * 1.241

  The death of King Stephen.
• * 1.242

  Vpon what grounds Ste∣phen preten∣ded his title to the Crown.
• * 1.243

  The Norman bloud in sixty yeeres extin∣guished.
• * 1.244

  The Coronati∣on of King Henry the second.
• * 1.245

  The prophesie of his Re•…•…gne.
• * 1.246

  Part of the prophesie ex∣plained.
• * 1.247

  The Kings Character.
• * 1.248

  His Issue.
• * 1.249

  The Kings Dominions.
• * 1.250

  He taketh the Scots King pri∣soner.
• * 1.251

  No King before him of such large Empire.
• * 1.252

  Tho Becket created Arch-bishop of Can∣terbury.
• * 1.253

  The Archbi∣shop opposeth the King.
• * 1.254

  The King and the Archbishop atton'd.
• * 1.255

  The King cur∣sed by the Archbishop.
• * 1.256

  The Archbi∣shop slain go∣ing to the Al∣tar.
• * 1.257

  The inscription over his Tombe
• * 1.258

  Henry crow∣neth his sonne Henry King.
• * 1.259

  The faire Lady Rosamond.
• * 1.260

  The King im∣prisons the Queene.
• * 1.261

  The Sonnes release their mother.
• * 1.262

  Lady Rosa∣mond poisond by the Queene.
• * 1.263

  Her inscription on her tombe.
• * 1.264

  Henries cha∣racter of his foure sonnes.
• * 1.265

  The death of King Henry sonne of King Henry.
• * 1.266

  Henry labou∣reth a divorce betwixt him and his wife.
• * 1.267

  Sundry admo∣nitions to the King to amend his life.
• * 1.268

  His second ad∣monition.
• * 1.269

  The bones of King Arthur and his Queen found.
• * 1.270

  His third ad∣monition.
• * 1.271

  Nine Christian Kings raigne successively over Hierusa∣lem.
• * 1.272

  The King re∣fuseth to be Generall fo•…•… the Holy Land.
• * 1.273

  The Patriarchs answer to the King.
• * 1.274

  A proud and peremptory Patriarch.
• * 1.275

  The death of King Henry the second.
• * 1.276

  Richard the first succedeth his father.
• * 1.277

  Richard un∣dertaketh the holy voyage.
• * 1.278

  The Bishop of Ely made Vice Gerent in the Kings absence.
• * 1.279

  Difference be∣twixt the En∣glish and French Kings.
• * 1.280

  K. Richard conquered the Kingdome of Cyprus.
• * 1.281

  The City of A∣con taken by the Christans.
• * 1.282

  Causes of the second breach between the two Kings.
• * 1.283

  The French King departs to his country.
• * 1.284

  Richard sels the Kingdome of Cyprus.
• * 1.285

  He vilisieth the Duke of Austria.
• * 1.286

  He intends to besi•…•…ge Ieru∣s•…•…lem
• * 1.287

  The Duke of Burgundies Oration to his Souldiers.
• * 1.288

  The death of the Duke of Bu∣gundy.
• * 1.289

  King Richards victory over the Souldiars.
• * 1.290

  King Richard leaveth h the Holy Land.
• * 1.291

  The tyranny of the Bishop of Ely, made pro∣tector of the Land.
• * 1.292

  King Richard ambusht in his returne.
• * 1.293

  King Richard taken.
• * 1.294

  Hence he had the appe•…•…ation of Cur de Ly∣on.
• * 1.295

  King Richard ransomed at an hundred thou∣sand pound, and set at li∣berty.
• * 1.296

  The Kings ar∣rivall into England.
• * 1.297

  Iohn reconci∣led to the K. his brother.
• * 1.298

  The death of the Duke of Austria.
• * 1.299

  The King too unadvised.
• * 1.300

  The death of King Richard the fir•…•….
• * 1.301

  Iohn made King of Eng∣land.
• * 1.302

  Iohn cold here the Fox, and after the Leo pard.
• * 1.303

  King Iohns ch•…•…acter.
• * 1.304

  King Iohns second mariage and issue.
• * 1.305

  Iohn looseth Normandy.
• * 1.306

  Rollo and Gilla.
• * 1.307

  The ground of a great quarrel betwixt the King and the Archbishop.
• * 1.308

  King Iohns obstinacy.
• * 1.309

  The whole land by the Pop•• accursed.
• * 1.310

  An uncharita∣ble Bull.
• * 1.311

  The Kings Proclamation.
• * 1.312

  He extorteth from the Cler∣gie.
• * 1.313

  The Lords and others acquit of their alle∣giance by the Pope.
• * 1.314

  The first Ma∣jor and She∣•…•…iffs of Lon∣don made by K. Iohn.
• * 1.315

  London bridge Saint Mary Overies.
• * 1.316

  More thunde∣rings from the Pope.
• * 1.317

  King Iohns submission.
• * 1.318

  The Articles that hee should yield to.
• * 1.319

  Iohn delivers up his Crowne to the Popes use.
• * 1.320

  Tribute yee•…•…ly paid by King Iohn to Rome
• * 1.321

  Peter of Pom∣fret.
• * 1.322

  Lewis sonne to the French King called in to England by th•…•… Barons.
• * 1.323

  The death of King Iohn.
• * 1.324

  Henry the third crowned King.
• * 1.325

  The Prophesie.
• * 1.326

  The English Lords revolt from Lewis to Henry.
• * 1.327

  The first gran∣ting of Wards.
• * 1.328

  The death of the Emperour Frederick.
• * 1.329

  Richard Earle of Cornwall crowned Empe∣rour.
• * 1.330

  Meaning the Eagle.
• * 1.331

  The mad Par∣liament.
• * 1.332

  Twelve of the Nobilitie cho∣sen, and called the Douz Peeres.
• * 1.333

  The Baro•…•…s Letter to the King.
• * 1.334

  The Kings an∣swer to the Barons Let∣ter.
• * 1.335

  Richard the Emperour and Prince Ed∣wards Letter to the Barons.
• * 1.336

  The battaile betwixt the King and the Barons.
• * 1.337

  The King ta∣ken prisoner with the King of the Ro∣mans and P. Edward.
• * 1.338

  The death of Richard K. of the Romans.
• * 1.339

  The death of Henry the third.
• * 1.340

  His Epitaph.
• * 1.341

  The Prophesie.
• * 1.342

  Prince Ed∣wards expedi∣tio•…•… to the Holy Land.
• * 1.343

  Prince Ed∣wards valour in defending Acris.
• * 1.344

  The French Chronicles te∣stifie of P. Ed∣wards valour.
• * 1.345

  P. Edward traitcrously wounded.
• * 1.346

  His wife was Isabell of Spain. Ioan of Acris.
• * 1.347

  The Cororati of P. Edward, sirnamed Lo•…•…g∣shanks.
• * 1.348

  Lewellin P. of Wales rebei∣leth.
• * 1.349

  Lewellin took to mercy.
• * 1.350

  David brother to Lewellin.
• * 1.351

  The death of Lewellin P. of Wales.
• * 1.352

  The death of David his bro∣ther.
• * 1.353

  A Welsh poet upon the death of Lewellin.
• * 1.354

  An English poets answer to the former.
• * 1.355

  The death of Q. Eleanor
• * 1.356

  The Kings R•…•…yall Issue.
• * 1.357

  The death of K. Edwards mo∣ther.
• * 1.358

  Authority by which Eng∣land claimed homage from the Scotch Kings.
• * 1.359

  This Henry cald the third, was sonne to Henry the se cond, and was crowned, but dyed befo•…•…e his Father.
• * 1.360

  Authoriy from Rome.
• * 1.361

  Sir Iohn Bali∣oll made king of Scots.
• * 1.362

  The Scots re∣volt.
• * 1.363

  King Edward winneth Bar∣wicke.
• * 1.364

  A glorious vi∣ctory at the ta∣king of Dun∣bar.
• * 1.365

  Edenborough taken, with the Castle, Crown, &c.
• * 1.366

  The Scotch sworne on the Sacrament.
• * 1.367

  They breake their oath.
• * 1.368

  The b•…•…ve bat∣taile at Fon∣k•…•…ke.
• * 1.369

  King Edward marrieth the French Kings sister.
• * 1.370

  The end of William Wal∣lis.
• * 1.371

  King Edward maketh 400, and foure Knights.
• * 1.372

  King Edwards last victory o∣ver the Scots.
• * 1.373

  The Barons sworne to the successour.
• * 1.374

  The death of K. Edward the first.
• * 1.375

  His Epitaph.
• * 1.376

  A prophesie of the Reigne of Edward the second.
• * 1.377

  His Coronation
• * 1.378

  Pierce Gave∣stone revoked from banish∣ment.
• * 1.379

  His marriage.
• * 1.380

  Gaveston made E•…•…le of Cornwall.
• * 1.381

  The Bishop of Chester sent to the Tower.
• * 1.382

  Gaveston bani shed into Ire∣land.
• * 1.383

  Gavest. abu∣seth the peeres
• * 1.384

  He robs the Kings treasury
• * 1.385

  He is banisht into Flanders
• * 1.386

  The birth of Edward the third.
• * 1.387

  The death of Pierce Gavest.
• * 1.388

  King Edwards Character.
• * 1.389

  Iohn Tanner an Impostor.
• * 1.390

  Robert le Bruce wars against Eng∣land.
• * 1.391

  The Kings power against Scotland.
• * 1.392

  The Scots de∣rision of the English.
• * 1.393

  Barwick be∣trayed to the Scots.
• * 1.394

  The cruelty of the Scots.
• * 1.395

  The white bat∣taile.
• * 1.396

  The pride of Hugh Spencer the sonne.
• * 1.397

  The assembly of the Barons.
• * 1.398

  The petition of the Barons to the King.
• * 1.399

  The Parlament of white-bands
• * 1.400

  Hugh Spencer the father made Earle of Win∣chester.
• * 1.401

  Robert Bal∣dock made Chancellour.
• * 1.402

  The King al∣most surprized at dinner.
• * 1.403

  The hate of the Spencers towards the Queene, which was after the cause of their ruine.
• * 1.404

  The Queen sent into France.
• * 1.405

  She is royally received by the King her bro∣ther.
• * 1.406

  P. Edward made Duke of Guien.
• * 1.407

  The French King refuseth to aid his sister.
• * 1.408

  The Prince contracted to Philip daugh∣ter to the Earl of Henaud.
• * 1.409

  The Spencers beat at their own weapons.
• * 1.410

  The Queene landeth in Suffolk.
• * 1.411

  The King and Spencers flie to Wales.
• * 1.412

  The Queene pursueth the King.
• * 1.413

  The Town and Castle of Bri∣stoll taken.
• * 1.414

  The tower of London taken by the Citizens
• * 1.415

  Hugh Spen•…•…: the father put to death.
• * 1.416

  Hugh the son drawn, hanged and qu•…•…rtered.
• * 1.417

  Baldock the Chancellour dyes in New∣gate.
• * 1.418

  King Edward deposed from all Kingly power.
• * 1.419

  Edward great∣ly repentant.
• * 1.420

  Edward the third made King.
• * 1.421

  The death of K. Edward.
• * 1.422

  A Parliament held at Nor∣thampton.
• * 1.423

  The Scots taunt the English.
• * 1.424

  The pride of Sir Roger Mortimer.
• * 1.425

  Articles obje∣cted by the Parliament against Mor∣timer.
• * 1.426

  The death of Mortimer.
• * 1.427

  Sr. Edward Balioll crow∣ned K. of Scots
• * 1.428

  K. Edward of England besie∣geth Barwick.
• * 1.429

  The famous battaile at Hallidowne Hill.
• * 1.430

  English ships taken by the French.
• * 1.431

  The French Admirals.
• * 1.432

  A glorious Sea∣victory.
• * 1.433

  King Edward lays claime to the Crowne of France.
• * 1.434

  King Edwards eldest son crea∣ted Prince of Wales.
• * 1.435

  The Order of the Garter first instituted.
• * 1.436

  The famous field of Cressy wonne by the English.
• * 1.437

  The French King wounded.
• * 1.438

  A second bat∣tell.
• * 1.439

  K. Edward be∣siegeth Calais.
• * 1.440

  Calais won by the English.
• * 1.441

  Why Prince Edward was called the Black Prince.
• * 1.442

  P. Edward victorious a∣gainst the French.
• * 1.443

  A second bat∣tail against the French.
• * 1.444

  The famous battail of Poytiers.
• * 1.445

  The manner of the battaile.
• * 1.446

  Noble men of France slaine in the battaile.
• * 1.447

  Iohn King of France tooke prisoner.
• * 1.448

  Noble men took prisoners.
• * 1.449

  Charles Duke of Normandy escapeth from the battaile.
• * 1.450

  Three Kings present at the Iusts in Smith∣field.
• * 1.451

  The Father and sonne victorious in •…•…rance.
• * 1.452

  King Iohn dy∣eth at the Sa∣voy.
• * 1.453

  P. Edwards victoryia Spaine.
• * 1.454

  The death of Don Peter.
• * 1.455

  Iohn a Gaunts title to Spain.
• * 1.456

  The death of the blacke Prince.
• * 1.457

  Alice Pierce the Kings Con∣•…•…ine.
• * 1.458

  The death of K. Edward the third.
• * 1.459

  K. Edwards Royall Issue.
• * 1.460

  His Epitaph.
• * 1.461

  Richard the second of that •…•…ame made King.
• * 1.462

  His Royall ma∣riage.
• * 1.463

  A prediction of his Reigne.
• * 1.464

  The insurrecti∣on of the Com∣mons.
• * 1.465

  The Captains of the Rebels.
• * 1.466

  Th•…•…y take the Tower.
• * 1.467

  Their robberies in Southwarke. In Westmin∣ster.
• * 1.468

  In the Strand.
• * 1.469

  The Innes of Court.
• * 1.470

  Their mighty insolencies.
• * 1.471

  The pride of the Captain.
• * 1.472

  The death of Iack Straw.
• * 1.473

  The Rebels di∣sperst.
• * 1.474

  The Lord Ma∣jor and divers Aldermen Knighted by the King.
• * 1.475

  A Parliament to rectifie the Commonweale.
• * 1.476

  Persons judged to death.
• * 1.477

  Iohn a Gaunt clayms his title in Spain.
• * 1.478

  Honourable conditions of peace.
• * 1.479

  K. Richards second marri∣age.
• * 1.480

  Enterchange∣able gifts be∣twixt the two Kings.
• * 1.481

  Peace conclu∣ded betwixt England and France.
• * 1.482

  The Duke of Glosters bold replye to the King.
• * 1.483

  A second pur∣pose for refor∣mation.
• * 1.484

  A persidious act in the Earle of Notingham
• * 1.485

  The murder of the Duke of Gloster.
• * 1.486

  The rumour of the Commons, and the causes thereof.
• * 1.487

  The estate of the Kings Court.
• * 1.488

  The great pride of the court.
• * 1.489

  The death of Iohn a Gaunt Duke of Lan∣caster.
• * 1.490

  Differences betwixt the two Dukes of Hereford and Norffolke.
• * 1.491

  The two Dukes banished the Realme.
• * 1.492

  The Kings iourney into Ireland.
• * 1.493

  The Duke of Hereford lan•…•…s at Ra∣venspurre.
• * 1.494

  The King lands in Wales.
• * 1.495

  The Earle of Wiltshire with others executed.
• * 1.496

  The King taken and presented to the Duke.
• * 1.497

  The hate of the Commons to the King.
• * 1.498

  King Richard deposed.
• * 1.499

  The Duke of Here•…•…ord claymes the Crowne.
• * 1.500

  One and forty Knights of the Bath made.
• * 1.501

  King Henries Coronation.
• * 1.502

  The manner of his great feast in Westmin∣ster Hall.
• * 1.503

  The Kings Champion.
• * 1.504

  The prophesie of his reigne.
• * 1.505

  What was done in the Parliament.
• * 1.506

  King Richard removed to Pomphret.
• * 1.507

  A conspiracy of the Lords against King Henry.
• * 1.508

  The Foxes po∣licy.
• * 1.509

  The Death of K. R•…•…chard.
• * 1.510

  What King Richards trea∣sure amounted to at his death.
• * 1.511

  K. Richards Epitaph.
• * 1.512

  The rebellion of Owen Glendour.
• * 1.513

  The battaile at Shrewsbury.
• * 1.514

  K. Henries se∣cond mariage with the Du∣chesse of Bri∣tain.
• * 1.515

  A n•…•… insur∣rection.
• * 1.516

  Sumptuous buildings du∣ring this kings Reigne.
• * 1.517

  Sir Robert Knolls.
• * 1.518

  Divers turna∣ments & justs performed in Smithfield be∣twixt English∣men and strangers.
• * 1.519

  The honour fals to the English.
• * 1.520

  A bill put up into the Parlia∣ment house by the commons.
• * 1.521

  The effect of the bill.
• * 1.522

  The King pre∣pares a voyage for the Holy Land.
• * 1.523

  The King falls sick.
• * 1.524

  The King died the twentieth of March.
• * 1.525

  The coronation of Henrie the fift.
• * 1.526

  A prophesi•…•… of his Reigne.
• * 1.527

  A parliament held at Leice∣ster.
• * 1.528

  The King pre∣pareth for France.
• * 1.529

  Lords arrested of treason.
• * 1.530

  The King lands in Nor∣mandy.
• * 1.531

  K. Henry envi∣roned with the French.
• * 1.532

  A rare policy of K. Henry.
• * 1.533

  The number of the French army.
• * 1.534

  K. Henries victorious bat∣taile at Agen∣court.
• * 1.535

  Slain of the English.
• * 1.536

  Slain of the French.
• * 1.537

  Prisoners takē of the French.
• * 1.538

  A suddain po∣licy of King Henry.
• * 1.539

  The Kings comming into England.
• * 1.540

  The Emperour Sigismund made Knight of the Garter.
• * 1.541

  Victory by sea.
• * 1.542

  The issue of Richard Duke of Yorke.
• * 1.543

  King Henry lands in Nor∣mandy.
• * 1.544

  Another Sea∣victory.
• * 1.545

  His many con∣quests in Normandy.
• * 1.546

  Roan taken by K. Henry.
• * 1.547

  King Charles with his daugh ter and heire in the possession of K. Henry.
• * 1.548

  King Henry marrieth the Lady Kathe∣rine.
• * 1.549

  Articles con∣cluded betwixt the two nations of England and •…•…rance.
• * 1.550

  King Henry made heire ap∣parant to the Crowne of France.
• * 1.551

  Normandy and France made one Mo∣narchy.
• * 1.552

  Vnity betwixt the two King∣domes.
• * 1.553

  The prophesie explained.
• * 1.554

  King Henry and his Queen feasted in Paris.
• * 1.555

  Q. Margaret Crowned at Westminster.
• * 1.556

  The birth of Henry the sixt.
• * 1.557

  The death of Henry the fift.
• * 1.558

  Henry the sixt made King.
• * 1.559

  The Duke of Gloster prote∣ctor, the Duke of Bedford re∣gent.
• * 1.560

  The Regents victories in France.
• * 1.561

  The death of the good Earle of Salisbury.
• * 1.562

  King Henries Coronation.
• * 1.563

  Ione de Pucil a sorceresse.
• * 1.564

  Shee is burnt for a witch.
• * 1.565

  Henry the sixt crowned at Paris.
• * 1.566

  The prophesie of King Hen∣ries reigne.
• * 1.567

  Charles the Dolphin and Philip Duke of Burgoin re∣conciled.
• * 1.568

  The death of the D. of Bed∣ford, regent.
• * 1.569

  Suffolk seeketh to suppla•…•…t the Duke of Glo∣cester.
• * 1.570

  Suffolks pro∣ceedings.
• * 1.571

  The King mar∣rieth the Lady Margaret.
• * 1.572

  Q. Margaret causeth many miseries.
• * 1.573

  The Protectour arreste•…•… a•…•…d after murdered in his bed.
• * 1.574

  The Marquesse of Suffolke ar∣rested.
• * 1.575

  Blew-beard
• * 1.576

  The Marquesse of Suffolk banisht for five yeeres.
• * 1.577

  The death of Suffolk.
• * 1.578

  The insu•…•…re∣ction of •…•…ck Cade.
• * 1.579

  The Captains pride.
• * 1.580

  Iack Cade enters Lon∣don.
• * 1.581

  His cunning to delude the people.
• * 1.582

  His Iustice.
• * 1.583

  His robbery.
• * 1.584

  The Rebels shut out of the Citie.
• * 1.585

  The death of lack Cade.
• * 1.586

  The Duke of Yorke oppo∣seth the Queene and her counsell.
• * 1.587

  A mediation of peace.
• * 1.588

  The Duke of Yorke, seised as prisoner.
• * 1.589

  And set at liberty.
• * 1.590

  The prophesie explained.
• * 1.591

  Two Earles created by the King.
• * 1.592

  The birth of Prince Ed∣ward.
• * 1.593

  The Queene and her coun∣sellsway all.
• * 1.594

  The battail at S. Albons.
• * 1.595

  The King ta∣ken.
• * 1.596

  Yorke made Protector.
• * 1.597

  A sodaine change.
• * 1.598

  The Queens practise against the Lords.
• * 1.599

  Against the Earle of War∣wicke.
• * 1.600

  Against the Earle of Salis∣bury.
• * 1.601

  Andrew Trol∣lop persidious to the Lords.
• * 1.602

  The Lords flie and leave the King Master of the field.
• * 1.603

  The battaile at Northamp∣ton.
• * 1.604

  The pride of the Duke of Yorke.
• * 1.605

  The Duke pro∣claimed heire apparant to the Crowne.
• * 1.606

  The battaile of Wakefield.
• * 1.607

  The Duke of Yorke slaine.
• * 1.608

  The Queen a∣gaine victori∣ous.
• * 1.609

  Henry deposed and Edward Earle of March made King.
• * 1.610

  The battaile at Shyrbourne.
• * 1.611

  Henry and Qu. Margaret flie into Scot∣land.
• * 1.612

  The Coronati∣on of Edward the fourth.
• * 1.613

  A prophesie of his reigne.
• * 1.614

  Queen Mar∣garet invadeth England.
• * 1.615

  The battaile at Exham.
• * 1.616

  King Henry taken and sent to the Tower.
• * 1.617

  The King mar∣ried to the La∣dy Elizabeth Gray.
• * 1.618

  Elizabeth Crowned Queene.
• * 1.619

  Warwicke voweth to re∣move King Edward.
• * 1.620

  Robin of Ri∣disdale.
• * 1.621

  Edward flies the land.
• * 1.622

  Henry again made King.
• * 1.623

  King Edward proclaimed V∣surper, and his brother Glost. traitor.
• * 1.624

  King Edward landeth at Ra∣vensport.
• * 1.625

  King Henries oath to York.
• * 1.626

  The cōnivence of the Mar∣quesse after his ruine.
• * 1.627

  King Henry againe made prisoner.
• * 1.628

  Clarence re∣volteth from the Lords.
• * 1.629

  Edward brought Henry to the field.
• * 1.630

  The valour of the Earle of Oxford.
• * 1.631

  King Edward obtains the victory.
• * 1.632

  The death of the Earle of Warwicke and Marquesse Montacute.
• * 1.633

  King Henry again commit∣ted to the tower.
• * 1.634

  The battaile at Teuxbury.
• * 1.635

  The murder of P. Edward.
• * 1.636

  King Henry stabd to death in the tower.
• * 1.637

  The murder of the Duke of Clarence.
• * 1.638

  The death of K. Edward the Fourth.
• * 1.639

  The Prophesie.
• * 1.640

  Hatred be∣twixt the King and Queenes kin∣dred.
• * 1.641

  Marquesse Dorset dis∣charged of his Guardianship.
• * 1.642

  The Queene taketh San∣ctuary.
• * 1.643

  The young Duke of York delivered to the Archbishop and Duke of Glocester.
• * 1.644

  The protectors tyranny.
• * 1.645

  A counsell held at the Tower.
• * 1.646

  The death of the Lord Hast∣ings.
• * 1.647

  The effect of D. Shaa•…•… Ser∣mon at Pauls •…•…osse.
• * 1.648

  The Duke of Buckinghams oration in the Guild hall.
• * 1.649

  The Protectour takes upon him to be King.
• * 1.650

  The protector proclaimed King by the name of Ri∣chard the third.
• * 1.651

  Buckingham not accessary to the Princes deaths.
• * 1.652

  The murder of the two princes in the tower.
• * 1.653

  Difference betwixt the King and the Duke of Buck∣ingham.
• * 1.654

  Buckinghams plots against the King.
• * 1.655

  Richard labors to supplant Richmon.
• * 1.656

  Buckingham taketh arms.
• * 1.657

  The death of the Duke of Buckingham.
• * 1.658

  Banisters persi∣diousnesse pu∣nished.
• * 1.659

  Q. Anne poy∣soned.
• * 1.660

  •…•…ing Richards policy.
• * 1.661

  Collingborns Libell.
• * 1.662

  The tyrannous death of M. Collingborne.
• * 1.663

  Henry Earle of Richmond.
• * 1.664

  His landing in Milford Ha∣ven.
• * 1.665

  The Kings Hoast.
• * 1.666

  The battaile at Bosworth.
• * 1.667

  The Kings rashnesse in the field.
• * 1.668

  The death of King Richard.
• * 1.669

  The Earle of Surrey taken.
• * 1.670

  The manner of King Ri∣chards buriall.
• * 1.671

  King Richards character.
• * 1.672

  Prince Henry victor.
• * 1.673

  Prince Henries Coronation.
• * 1.674

  The Coronation of the Queene.
• * 1.675

  The prophesie of his reigne.
• * 1.676

  The Dutchesse of Burgundy an enemy to the King.
• * 1.677

  A new Conspi∣racy.
• * 1.678

  Stoak field.
• * 1.679

  The Earle of Northumber∣land slaine by the Commons.
• * 1.680

  The Rebells slaine and ta∣ken.
• * 1.681

  Perkin War∣beck a new impostor.
• * 1.682

  Edward the fourth Godfa∣ther to Perkin.
• * 1.683

  The subtilty of the Dutchesse of Burgundy.
• * 1.684

  A new conspi∣racy against the King.
• * 1.685

  Sir Robert Clifford cha∣lengeth the L. Standly of trea∣son
• * 1.686

  The L. Standly beheaded.
• * 1.687

  Perkin lan∣deth in Kent.
• * 1.688

  The French K. an abetter of Perkin.
• * 1.689

  Perkin marri∣ed to the Lady Gordon.
• * 1.690

  A match con∣cluded betwixt Iames of Scot∣land, and the Lady Margaret
• * 1.691

  Prince Arthur married to Ka∣therine of Spaine. The death of Prince Arthur.
• * 1.692

  The death of Queen Elizab.
• * 1.693

  A commotion in Devonshire and Cornwall
• * 1.694

  The chiefe of the Rebells executed.
• * 1.695

  Perkin pro∣claims himselfe K. of England.
• * 1.696

  Perkin taken by the K.
• * 1.697

  Again sent to the Tower.
• * 1.698

  The Kings bounty to the Lady.
• * 1.699

  Perkin hanged at Tyburne.
• * 1.700

  The young Earle of War∣wick beheaded on Tower-hil.
• * 1.701

  Cassiopeia, and where the allusion grew.
• * 1.702

  The death of Henry the se∣venth.
• * 1.703

  K. Henry much favoured by the Bishops of Rome.
• * 1.704

  His great riches at his death.
• * 1.705

  The Coronation of K. Henry the eighth.
• * 1.706

  The prophesic of Henry the Eighth.
• * 1.707

  The birth and death of prince Henry.
• * 1.708

  King Henry aydeth Spaine, invadeth France. Floden Field in which the K. of Scots was slain.
• * 1.709

  Peace betwixt England and France.
• * 1.710

  The birth of the Lady Mary. Charles Bran∣don married to the French Queen Mary the kings sister
• * 1.711

  An ente•…•… view betwixt the Kings of Eng∣land and France.
• * 1.712

  Charles the fift Emperor made Knight of the Garter.
• * 1.713

  Britain, Picar∣dy & France invaded by the English.
• * 1.714

  Cardinall Wolsey Em∣bassadour into France.
• * 1.715

  England and France defied the Emperour.
• * 1.716

  A divorce sought by the King betwixt him and Queen Katherine.
• * 1.717

  The death of Card. Wolsey.
• * 1.718

  The King mar∣ried to the Lady Anne Bolloigne.
• * 1.719

  The birth of the Lady Elizabe•…•…h.
• * 1.720

  The death of Q. Katherine.
• * 1.721

  The King mar∣ried to the La∣dy Iane Seymour.
• * 1.722

  The birth of Pr. Edward.
• * 1.723

  The death of Sir Thomas Moore, &c.
• * 1.724

  The English Bible comman∣ded to bee read in Churches.
• * 1.725

  The prophefie explained.
• * 1.726

  Divers who suffered for denying the Kings Supre∣macie.
• * 1.727

  Rebellions in Ireland.
• * 1.728

  The great O∣neile made Earle of Tyr∣on.
• * 1.729

  The death of Cromwel Earle of Essex
• * 1.730

  The Earle of Hartfords voy age into Scot∣land.
• * 1.731

  Forty five Knights made at Leith.
• * 1.732

  King Henry in person inva∣deth France.
• * 1.733

  The siege of Bulloine.
• * 1.734

  Bulloine ta∣ken by the K.
• * 1.735

  Peace conclu∣ded betwixt England and France.
• * 1.736

  Monsieur De∣nebalt Embas∣sador fom the French King.
• * 1.737

  His entertain∣ment by Prince Edward.
• * 1.738

  Magnificent Showes.
• * 1.739

  The death of the noble Earle of Surrey.
• * 1.740

  The death of Henry the eighth.
• * 1.741

  The inaugura∣tion of Edward the sixt.
• * 1.742

  Victory by sea.
• * 1.743

  Musselbo∣rough field.
• * 1.744

  Gardner com∣mitted to the Tower.
• * 1.745

  The two Dukes of Northum∣berland and Suffolk.
• * 1.746

  Their plots gainst the Protector, and Admirall.
• * 1.747

  The Wives made themcans to betray the Husbands.
• * 1.748

  The death of the Lord high Admirall.
• * 1.749

  The Lord Pro∣tector put to death for fe∣lony.
• * 1.750

  A Character of the L. Protector
• * 1.751

  His honours and offices.
• * 1.752

  The Duke of Somerset ca∣talogu'd a∣mongst the English Mar∣tyrs.
• * 1.753

  The suppressing of the Romish Religion.
• * 1.754

  The prophesie explained.
• * 1.755

  To prove King Edward a Caesar.
• * 1.756

  The death of Edward the sixt.
• * 1.757

  His Character. His zeale to the propagati∣on of true Re∣ligion.
• * 1.758

  His knowledge in all kindes of literature.
• * 1.759

  The ambition of the two Dukes.
• * 1.760

  The Lady Iane Gray proclai∣med Queen.
• * 1.761

  The Suffolke men adhere to the Lady Mary.
• * 1.762

  Northumber∣lands Commis∣sion to fetch in the Lady Mary
• * 1.763

  Northumber∣land arrested of high treason
• * 1.764

  The Lady Mary received for Queen.
• * 1.765

  A prediction of her and her Reigne.
• * 1.766

  A Parlament in which Ro∣mish Religion is restored.
• * 1.767

  The death of the Duke of Northumber∣land.
• * 1.768

  Underwood a second Bani∣ster.
• * 1.769

  The death of the Duke of Suffolke.
• * 1.770

  The death of Guilford Dudley.
• * 1.771

  The death of the Lady Iane Gray.
• * 1.772

  The death of Iudge Morgan.
• * 1.773

  The Lady Ianes character Her age at her death.
• * 1.774

  The deat•…•…s of Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley.
• * 1.775

  The great ty∣ranny used in her time.
• * 1.776

  Why Queen Mary was so forward to preferre the Romish Religi∣on.
• * 1.777

  Of Cardinal Pool from his minority.
• * 1.778

  His imploiment to the Emperor and French K.
• * 1.779

  The Countesse of Salisbury his Mother beheaded.
• * 1.780

  Cardinal Pool twice elected Pope.
• * 1.781

  Queen Mary is purposed to marry with Car dinal Poole.
• * 1.782

  Spanish policy.
• * 1.783

  Cardinal Pool made Archbi∣shop of Can∣terbury.
• * 1.784

  His death.
• * 1.785

  Insurrections in the time of Queen Mary.
• * 1.786

  Prince Philip landeth at Southampton.
• * 1.787

  Prince Philip presented with the George and Garter.
• * 1.788

  Stephen Gar∣diner.
• * 1.789

  Prince Phi∣lips demeanour to the people.
• * 1.790

  His first mee∣ting with the Queene.
• * 1.791

  His apparrell.
• * 1.792

  P. Philip made K. of Naples and Hierusa∣lem.
• * 1.793

  The Ceremo∣nies before the marriage.
• * 1.794

  The solemniza∣tion of the marriage be∣twixt king Philip, and Queen Mary.
• * 1.795

  Their Royall titles.
• * 1.796

  Their enter∣tainment into the City of London.
• * 1.797

  The Queen ru∣moured to be with child.
• * 1.798

  King Philip fa∣voured the Lady Elizab.
• * 1.799

  King Philip leaveth the Land.
• * 1.800

  Callis lost by the English.
• * 1.801

  Queen Maries sorrow for the lesse of Callis.
• * 1.802

  Some say of a Dropsie or im∣postume.
• * 1.803

  The death of Queen Mary.
• * 1.804

  She lyeth buri∣ed without a Monument.
• * 1.805

  The Lady Eli∣zabeth proclamed Queene.
• * 1.806

  The prophesie of her birth & reigne.
• * 1.807

  A calculation at her birth.
• * 1.808

  An apologie of the Author.
• * 1.809

  A briefe cata∣logue of her troubles.
• * 1.810

  Who were her greatest ad∣versaries.
• * 1.811

  By Latium is meant Italy, &c.
• * 1.812

  Astraea other∣wise called Virgo, Iustice, &c.
• * 1.813

  Her passage through the City to her Coronation.
• * 1.814

  The first pa∣geant at Fan∣church.
• * 1.815

  All these speeches made in Latine, I have given the English.
• * 1.816

  Her deportmēt at the speech.
• * 1.817

  The pageant in Gracious street.
• * 1.818

  The uniting of the white Rose and the Red.
• * 1.819

  The pageant in Cornhill.
• * 1.820

  The seat of worthy go∣vernment.
• * 1.821

  The Queens gracious con∣struction.
• * 1.822

  The pageant at Soperlane end.
• * 1.823

  The votes of the people.
• * 1.824

  The Standard in Cheap.
• * 1.825

  The pageant at the little Con∣duit.
• * 1.826

  Her love to the English Bible.
• * 1.827

  Shee is met by the L. Major and Aldermen.
• * 1.828

  Her comming to Ludgate.
• * 1.829

  The pageant in Fleetstreet.
• * 1.830

  The show at Temple barre.
• * 1.831

  Her coronation
• * 1.832

  Forreigne and domestick at∣tempts against •…•…er Majesty after she was Queen.
• * 1.833

  These are so plain they need no exposition.
• * 1.834

  A prophesie conferd on Merlin.
• * 1.835

  King Iames his lineall title to the Crown of England, &c.
• * 1.836

  A thing worthy to be observed.
• * 1.837

  The prophesie of K. Iames.
• * 1.838

  The Vnicorne part of the Scottish Arms.
• * 1.839

  King Iames born with a Lion on his brest.
• * 1.840

  The Thistl•…•… joyned with the Rose.
• * 1.841

  The first trea∣son attempted against King Iames.
• * 1.842

  The powder Treason.
• * 1.843

  The names of the Conspira∣tors.
• * 1.844

  A Letter sent to the Lord Mounteagle.
• * 1.845

  The Kings wis∣dome first dis∣covered this treason.
• * 1.846

  Guido Faux apprehended.
• * 1.847

  An obstinate Traytour.
• * 1.848

  Those that were arraigned at Westmin∣ster.
• * 1.849

  Henry Garnet provinciall of the Iesuits ex∣ecuted.
• * 1.850

  Lupanar, shee was also called Acca Lanera∣tia.
• * 1.851

  The King of Denmarke commeth into England.
• * 1.852

  An Epitaph upon Prince Henry.
• * 1.853

  The death of Queen Anne.
• * 1.854

  Vpon the death of the Duke of Richmond and Lenox.
• * 1.855

  Prince Charles pro∣claymed King.
• * 1.856

  The Funerall of King Iames
• * 1.857

  Of Prince Charles.