Idem iterum, or, The history of Q. Mary's big-belly from Mr. Fox's Acts and monuments and Dr. Heylin's Hist. res.

Concerning the Child-bed of Queen Mary, as it was rumoured among the People.

LOng persuasion had been in England, with great expectation, for the space of half a year or more, that the Queen was conceived with Child. This Report was made by the Queen's Physitians, and others nigh about the Court; so that di∣vers were punished for saying the contrary: and commandment was given, That in all Churches Supplication and Prayer should be made for the Queen's good Deli∣very; the Certificate whereof ye may read before in the Letter of the Council sent to Boner; and also the same moreover may appear by Provision made before in Act of Parliament for the Child.

And now forasmuch as in the beginning of this month of June, about Whitsontide, the time was thought to be nigh that this young Master should come into the World, and that Midwives, Rockers, Nurses, with the Cradle and all, were prepared and in a readiness; suddenly, upon what cause or occasion it is uncertain, a certain vain Ru∣mour was blown in London of the prosperous Deliverance of the Queen, and the Birth of the Child; insomuch that the Bells were rung, Bonfires and Processions made, not only in the City of London, and in most other parts of the Realm, but also in the Town of Antwerp Guns were shot off upon the River by the English Ships, and the Mariners thereof rewarded with an hundred Pistolets or Italian Crowns, by the Lady Regent, who was the Queen of Hungary. Such great rejoycing and triumph was for the Queens Delivery, and that there was a Prince born: yea, divers Preachers, name∣ly, one the Parson of St. Anne within Aldersgate, after Procession and Te Deum sung, took upon him to describe the proportion of the Child, how fair, how beautiful, and great a Prince it was, as the like had not been seen.

In the midst of this great ado, there was a simple man (this I speak but upon information) dwelling within four Miles of Berwick, that never had been before

half 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 Child, Here is a joyful Triumph, but at length all will not prove worth a Mess of Pot∣tage, as indeed it came to pass; For in the end all proved clean contrary, and the joy and expectations of men were much deceived. For the People were certified, that the Queen neither was as then delivered, nor after was in hope to have any Child.

At this time many talked diversly. Some said this Rumor of the Queens Con∣ception was spread for a policy; some other affirmed, that she was deceived by a Tympany or some other like Disease, to think her self with Child, and was not; some thought she was with Child, and that it did by some chance miscarry, or else that she was bewitched; but what was the truth thereof the Lord knoweth, to whom nothing is secret. One thing of mine own hearing and seeing I cannot pass over unwitnessed.

There came to me whom I did both hear and see, one Isabel Matl, a Woman dwelling in Aldersgate-stree in Horn-Ally, not far from the House where this present Book was printed, who before witness made this Declaration unto us, That she being delivered of a Man-Child upon Whitsunday in the morning, which was the 11th. day of June, 1555. there came to her the Lord North, and another Lord to her unknown, dwel∣ling then about Old-Fishstreet, demanding of her if she would part with her Child, and would swear that she ne'er knew nor had any such Child. Which, if she would, her Son (they said) should be well provided for, she should take no care for it, with many fair Offers if she would part with the Child.

After that came other Women also, of whom, one they said should have been the Rocker; but she in no wise would let go her Son, who at the writing hereof being alive, and called Timothy Malt, was of the age of Thirteen years and upward.

Thus much, I say, I heard of the Woman herself. What credit is to be given to her relation, I deal not withal, but leave it to the liberty of the Reader, to believe it they that list; to them that list not, I have no further warrant to assure them.

Among many other great preparations made for the Queens deliverance of Child, there was a Cradle very sumptuously and gorgeously trimmed, upon the which Cradle for the Child appointed, these Verses were written both in Latin and English.

Quam Maria sobolem, Deus optime, summe dedisti, Anglis incolumem redde, tuere, Rege.

Notes

• The Child which thou to Mary, O Lord of Might hast send, To England's Joy, in health preserve, keep and defend.