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

IDEM ITERƲM: OR, The History of Q. Mary's Big-belly. FROM Mr. Fox's Acts and Monuments and Dr. Heylin's Hist. Ref.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the Sun.

Eccles. 1. 9.

UPon Wednesday, being the 28. of Novemb. there was a general Procession in Pauls for joy that the Queen was conceived and quick with Child, as it was declared in a Letter sent from the Council to the Bishop of London.

The same day were present at this Procession ten Bishops, with all the Prebenda∣••••es of Pauls, and also the Lord Major with the Aldermen, and a great number of Commons of the City in their best Array. The Copy of the Council's Letter here followeth, ad perpetuam rei memoriam.

A Copy of a Letter sent from the Council unto Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London, con∣cerning Queen Mary's conceiving with Child.

AFter our hearty Commendations unto your good Lordship; Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God amongst other his infinite benefits of late most graci∣ously poured upon us and this whole Realm, to extend his Benediction upon the Queens Majesty in such sort, as she is conceived and quick of Child, whereby her Majesty (being our natural Liege Lady, Queen, and undoubted Inheritor of this Im∣perial Crown) good hope of certain Succession in the Crown is given unto us, and consequently the great Calamities (which for want of such Succession might other∣wise have fallen upon us and our Posterity) shall by God's Grace be well avoided, if we thankfully acknowledge this benefit of Almighty God, endeavouring our selves with earnest Repentance to thank, honour, and serve him, as we be most bounden: ••hese be not only to advertise you of these good news, to be by you published in all places within your Diocess, but also to pray and require you, that both your self do give God Thanks with us for this his special Grace, and also give order that Thanks may be openly given by singing of Te Deum in all the Churches within your said Dio∣••••ss; and that likewise all Priests and other Ecclesiastical Ministers, in their Masses, and other Divine Services, may continually pray to Almighty God so to extend his holy hand over her Majesty, the King's Highness, and this whole Realm, as that ••••is thing, being by his Omnipotent Power graciously thus begun, may by the same well continued and brought to good effect, to the Glory of his Name. Whereunto, ••••it we doubt not, ye would of your self have had special regard without these our

Letters 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 diligently continued, we have also written these our Letters, to put you in remem∣brance; and so bid your Lordship most heartily well to fare.

From Westminst. Nov. 27. 1554

Your assured loving Friends,

• S. Winton, Cancel.
• Arundel.
• F. Shrewsbury.
• Edward Darby.
• Henry Sussex.
• John Barton.
• R. Rich.
• Thomas Watthom.
• John Huddilstone.
• R. Southwell.

Ye heard a little before the Councils Letter sent to Bishop Boner, signifying the good News of Q. Mary to be not only conceived, but also quick with Child, which was in the Month of Novemb. the 28 day. Of this Child great talk began at this time to rise in every mans mouth, with busie preparation and much ado, especially amongst such as seemed in England to carry Spanish Hearts in English Bodies. In number of whom here is not to be forgotten nor defrauded of his condign Commendation for his wor∣thy Affection toward his Prince and her Issue, one Sir Richard Southwell, who being the same time in the Parliament-House, whereas the Lords were occupied in other Affairs and matters of Importance, suddenly starting up, for fulness of joy burst out into these words following: Tush my Masters, quoth he, what talk ye of these matters? I would have you take some order for our Master that is now coming into the World apace, lest he find us unprovided, &c. By the which words both of him, and also by the aforesaid Letters of the Council, and the common talk abroad, it may appear what an assured Opinion was then conceived in mens Heads of Q. Mary to be con∣ceived and quick with Child: insomuch that at the same time, and in the same Par∣liament, there was eftsoons a Bill exhibited, and an Act made upon the same, the words whereof, for the more evidence, I thought good here to exemplifie, as fol∣loweth:

The Words of the Act.

ALbeit we the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this present Par∣liament assembled, have firm hope and confidence in the goodness of Almighty God, that like as he hath hitherto miraculously preserved the Queens Majesty from many great immi∣nent Perils and Dangers, even so he will of his infinite Goodness give her Highness strength, the rather by our continual Prayers, to pass well the danger of deliverance of Child, where∣with it hath pleased him (to all our great comforts) to bless her: yet forasmuch as all things of this World be uncertain, and having before our eyes the dolorous experience of this inconstant Government, during the time of the Reign of the late King Edward VI. do plainly see the manifold Inconveniencies, great Dangers and Perils that may ensue this whole Realm if foresight be not used to prevent all evil chances, if they should happen: for the eschewing hereof, we the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, for and in consideration of a most special trust and confidence that we have and repose in the King's Majesty, for and concerning the Politick Government, Order and Admi∣nistration of this Realm in the time of the young years of the Issue or Issues of her Majesties Body to be born, if it should please God to call the Queens Highness out of this present life during the tender years of such Issue or Issues (which God forbid) according to such order and manner as hereafter in this present Act his Highness's most gracious Pleasure is, should be

declared 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 it hath pleased his Highness not only to declare, That like as for the most part his Majesty ••erily trusteth that Almighty God (who hath hitherto preserved the Queens Majesty, to give this Realm so good an hope of certain Succession in the Blood Royal of the same Realm) will assist her Highness with his Graces and Benedictions, to see the Fruit of her Body well brought forth, live and able to govern (whereof neither all this Realm, nay all the World besides, should or could receive more comfort than his Majesty should and would,) yet if such chance should happen, his Majesty, at our humble desires, is pleased and contented not only to accept and take upon him the care and charge of the Education, Rule, Order and Govern∣ment of such Issues as of this most happy Marriage shall be born between the Queens Highness and him; but also, during the time of such Government, would by all ways and means stu∣dy, travel, and employ himself to advance the Weal, both Publick and Private, of this Realm and Dominion thereunto belonging, according to the said Trust in his Majesty reposed, with no less good will and affection than if his Highness had been naturally born amongst us. In consideration whereof, be it enacted by the King and the Queens most excellent Majesties, by the Assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this present Parlia∣ment assembled, and by the Authority of the same, &c. As it is to be seen in the Act more at large ratified and confirmed at the same Parliament, to the same intent and purpose.

¶ Thus much out of the Act and Statute I thought fit to rehearse, to the intent the Reader may understand not so much how Parliaments may sometimes be deceived (as by this Child of Q. Mary may appear) as rather what cause we Englishmen have to render most earnest thanks unto Almighty God, who so mercifully, against the Opi∣nion, Expectation, and working of our Adversaries, hath helped and delivered us in this case, which otherwise might have opened such a window to the Spaniards, to have entred and replenished this Land, that peradventure by this time Englishmen should have enjoyed no great quiet in their own Country: The Lord therefore make us perpetually mindful of his benefits. Amen.

Thus we see then how man doth purpose, but God disposeth as pleaseth him. For all this great Labour, Provision and Order taken in the Parliament-House for their young Master long looked for, coming so surely into the World, in the end appeared neither young Master nor young Mistris that any man yet to this day can hear of. Further∣more, as the labour of the Lay-sort was herein deluded, so no less ridiculous it was to behold what little effect the Prayers of the Pope's Church men had with Almighty God, who travelled no less with their Processions, Masses and Collects, for the hap∣py deliverance of this young Master to come, as here followeth to be seen.

A PRAYER made by Dr. Weston Dean of Westminster, daily to be said for the Queen's Deliverance.

O Most righteous Lord God, which for the offence of the first Woman, hast threatned unto all Women a common, sharp, and inevitable Malediction, and hast enjoined them that they should conceive in sin, and being conceived, should be subject to many and grievous tor∣ments, and finally, be delivered with the danger and jeopardy of their Lives; We beseech thee for thine exceeding great goodness and bottomless mercy, to mitigate the strictness of that Law: asswage thine Anger for a while, and cherish in the bosom of thy favour and mercy our

〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 •…•…∣ting the trouble, may with joy, laud and praise the bountifulness of thy Mercy, and together with us, praise and bless both thee and thy holy Name world without end. This, O Lord, we desire thee, we beseech thee, and most heartily crave of thee. Hear us, O Lord, and grant us our Petition: Let not the Enemies of thy Faith, and of thy Church, say, Where is their God?

A solemn PRAYER made for K. Philip and Q. Mary's Child, that it may be a Male-child, Well-favoured and Witty, &c.

O Most mighty Lord God, which regardest the Prayer of the humble, and despisest not their request; bow down from thine high habitation of the Heavens the eyes of thy mer∣cy unto us wretched Sinners, bowing the knees of our Hearts, and with many and deep sighs bewailing our sins and offences, humbly, with eyes intent and hands displayed, pray∣ing and beseeching thee, with the shield of thy Protection, to defend Mary thy Servant and our Queen, who hath none other helper but thee, and whom, through thy Grace, thou hast willed to be conceived with Child; and at the time of her Travel graciously with the help of thy right hand deliver her, and from all danger, with the Child in her conceived, mer∣cifully preserve.

It hath seemed good in thy sight, merciful Father, by thy Servant Mary, to work these Wonders; that is to say, in her hands to vanquish and overthrow the stout Enemy, and to deliver us, thy People, out of the hands of Hereticks, Infidels, Enemies to thee, and to the Cross of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, that of thy Servant thou mightest speak in far Coun∣tries. Therefore for these wonderful Works which thou dost to thy Servants, thou art magni∣fied Lord God for ever, and we thy People bless thee the God of Heaven, which hath wrought upon us this great Mercy, and hast excluded from us the Heretick, the Enemy of Truth, the Persecutor of thy Church. We know, we know, that we have grievously (Lord) sinned, that we have been deceived by Vanity, and that we have forsaken thee our God. Our Ini∣quities be multiplied on our head, and our sins be encreased up to Heaven, and we our selves having offended, and our Princes and our Priests, for these our sins, have deserved an Hypocrite to our Prince, our sins have deserved a Tyrant to our Governor, that should bring our life to bitterness. We be not worthy to have so gentle and merciful a Queen, so godly a Ruler, and finally, so vertuous a Prince; at the very beginning of whose Reign, a new Light as it were of Gods Religion seemed to us for to spring and rise. The Jews did bless the Widow Judith with one voice, saying, Thou art the Glory of Jerusalem, thou art the Joy of Israel, thou art the Honour of our People, for that thou hast loved Cha∣stity, and thou shalt be blessed for ever.

And we the English People with one agreeable consent do cry, Thou Mary art the Glory of England, our Joy, the Honour of thy People, for that thou hast embraced Chastity, thine heart is strengthened, for the hand of our Lord hath comforted thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever. But bow down, O most merciful Fa∣ther, thine ear, and open thine eyes, and behold our Affliction, and our humble Confession. Thou knowest, Lord, that against Philip, not by humane, but by thy Ordinance our King, and against thy Servant Mary, by thy Providence our Queen, the Restorers and Maintainers of thy Testament of the Faith, and most constant De∣fenders of thy Church; thou knowest, I say, that against these our two Governors,

〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 By the Power of their hands they would change thy Promises, and destroy thine Inheritance, and stop and shut up the mouths of them that praise thee, and extin∣guish the glory of thy Catholick Church and Altar.

It is manifest and plain how many Contentions, how many Conspiracies and Se∣ditions, how great Wars, what Tumults, how many and how great troublesome Vexations, how many Heresies and Schisms (for these be the most ready Devices and evident tokens of Hereticks) for our sins do hang over us, if thy Servant be taken from this life; for we acknowledge that our Lord is omnipotent, who hath pitched his dwelling-place in the midst of his People, to the intent to deliver us out of the hands of our Enemies. Turn therefore thy countenance unto us, shew unto us, O Lord, thy face; punish us for our sins according to thy Will and Pleasure, only now deliver us. We bowing the knees of our Heart, beseech thee, that thou wilt not re∣serve unto us Punishment for ever, and we shall praise thee all the days of our life. Hear our cry, and the Prayer of thy People, and open to them the treasure of thy mercy, thy gracious favour, the spring of lively Water. Thou that hast begun, make in the hand of thy Servant a perfect work: suffer not, we pray thee, the faithless Rebels to say of thy Servant and her Counsellors, that they have devised matters which they cannot perform: and grant unto thy Servant an happy and an easie Travel; for it is not impossible to thy Power, nor indecent to thy Justice, nor un∣wonted to thy Mercy.

It is well known unto us how marvellously thou didst work in Sarah of the Age of 90 Years, and in Elizabeth the barren, and also far stricken in Age; for thy Coun∣sel is not in the power of Men. Thou Lord that art the searcher of Hearts and Thoughts, thou knowest that thy Servant never lusted after Man, never gave her self to wanton Company, nor made her self partaker with them that walk in light∣ness; but she consented to take an Husband with thy Fear, and not with her Lust. Thou knowest that thy Servant took an Husband, not for carnal Pleasure, but on∣ly for the desire and love of Posterity, wherein thy name might be blessed for ever and ever. Give therefore unto thy Servants, Philip our King, and Mary our Queen, a Male Issue, which may sit in the Seat of thy Kingdom. Give unto our Queen, thy Servant, a little Infant, in fashion and body comely and beautiful, in pregnant Wit notable and excellent.

Grant the same to be in Obedience like Abraham, in Hospitality like Lot, in Cha∣stity and Brotherly-love like Joseph, in Meekness and Mildness like Moses, in Strength and Valour like Sampson; let him be found faithful as David after thy heart; let him be wise among Kings as the most wise Solomon: let him be like Job, a simple and an upright man, fearing God and eschewing evil: let him finally be garnished with the comeliness of all vertuous Conditions, and in the same let him wax old and live, that he may see his Childrens Children to the third and fourth Generation: and give unto our Soveraign Lord and Lady, King Philip and Queen Mary, thy Blessings, and long life upon Earth; and grant that of them may come Kings and Queens which may stedfastly continue in Faith, Love and Holiness: and blessed be their Seed of our God, that all Nations may know thou art only God in all the Earth, which art blessed for ever and ever. Amen.

Another 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉

O Almighty Father, which didst sanctifie the Blessed Virgin and Mother Mary in her Conception, and in the Birth of Christ our Saviour thine only Son; also by thine om∣nipotent Power didst safely deliver the Prophet Jonas out of the Whale's Belly; defend, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy Servant Mary our Queen, with Child conceived, and so visit her in and with thy godly gift of Health, that not only the Child thy Creature, within her con∣tained, may joyfully come from her into this World, and receive the blessed Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, enjoying therewith daily increase of all Princely and gracious gifts both of Body and Soul; but that also she the Mother, through thy special Grace and Mercy, may in time of her Travel avoid all excessive dolor and pain, and abide perfect and sure from all peril and danger of Death, with long and prosperous Life, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

It followeth now further in process of this Story, That upon the Tuesday, being the 10th of January, nineteen of the Lower House of the Parliament, with the Speak∣er, came to Whitehall to the King, and offered him the Government of the Realm and of the Issue, if the Queen should fail, which was confirmed by Act of Parlia∣ment within ten days after.

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. * 2.1

Out of Dr. Heylyn's History of the Reformation. Pag. 216.

THE Queen about three months after her Marriage began to find strong hopes, that not only she had conceived, but also that she was far gone with Child. Notice whereof was sent by Letters to Bonner from the Lords of the Council, by which he was required to cause Te Deum to be sung in all the Churches of his Dioscess, with continual Prayers to be made for the Queens safe delivery. And for example to the rest, these Commands were executed first on the 28th. of November, Dr. Chads••y one of the Prebends of Pauls preaching at the Cross in the presence of the Bishop of London, and nine other Bishops, the Lord Mayor and Aldermen attending in their

Scarlet 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 Opinion gathering greater strength with the Queen, and 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 it was Enacted by the Lords and Commons then sitting in Parliament,

That as it should happen to the Queen otherwise than well in the time of her travel that then the King should have the politick Government, Order and Ad∣ministration of this Realm, during the tender years of her Majesties Issue, to∣gether with the Rule, Order, Education and Government of the said Issue. Which charge as he was pleased to undergo at their humble suit, so they were altogether as forward to confer it on him; not doubting but that during the time of such Government he would by all ways and means study, travel, and imploy himself to advance the weal (both publick and private) of this Realm, and Dominions thereunto belonging, according to the trust reposed in him, with no less good will and affection than if his Highness had been naturally born amongst us.

Set Forms of Prayer were also made for her safe delivery, and on particularly by Weston, the Prolocutor of the first Convocation; in which it was pray∣ed, That she might in due season bring forth a Child in body beautiful and comely, in mind noble and valiant: So that she forgetting the trouble, might with joy, land and praise, &c. Great preparations were also made of all things necessary against the time of her Delivery, which was supposed would fall about Whitsontide in the month of June, even to the providing of Midwives, Nurses, Rockers, and the Cradle too. And so far the hopes thereof were entertained, that on a sudden a rumor of her being delivered the Bells were rung, and Bonfires made in most parts of London. The like Solemnities were used at Antwerp, by discharging all the Ordnance in the English Ships; for which the Mariners were gratified by the Queen Regent with 100 Pisto∣lets. In which, as all them seemed to have a spice of madness in them, so none was altogether so wild as the Curate of S. Anns near Aidersgate, who took upon him after the end of the Procession to describe the proportion of the Child, how fair, how beautiful, and great a Prince it was, the like whereof had never been seen.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 2.1

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