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SIr Thomas Howard was this Kings prime Coun∣sellour; a brave and an understanding man: who was obliged to be faithful to his Master, be∣cause an Enemy to Winchester: (emulation among Favourites is the security of Princes.)
Four motives he offered for a Marriage with the Princess Katharine:
His Estate was much wasted in the service of Henry the seventh, and as much improved by the treasures of Henry the eighth, which amounted in the beginning of his Reign to 1800000 l. i. e. at the rate of money now adays, six millions and an half; which he dispensed so thriftily, that old Winchester could not trapan him; and yet so no∣bly, that young Henry was pleased with him. Sir William Compton set up the King's * 1.1 Rich Life∣guards, (under Bourchier Earl of Essex as Captain, and the valiant Sir Io. Peachy who kept Calais in so good order with 300 men, as Lieutenant) but this wary Earl put them down again. When News was brought that Empson and Dudley were slain, it was the Earls opinion that his Majesty had done more like a good King than a good Master. When the narrow Seas (whereof the Kings of England have been very tender) were infested, this old Treasurer and Earl-Marshal cleared it by his two sons Edward and Thomas, saying, The King of Eng∣land should not be imprisoned in his Kingdome, while either he had an Estate to set up a Ship, or a son to
command it. In three weeks did he settle th•• North against the Invasions of Iames the fourth, now inclining in to the Feench; and in a fortnight did he raise 40000 l. to pay the Army, now ready to mutiny: insomuch, that when King Iames de∣nounced War against King Henry, he said, He had an Earl in the North that would secure his King∣dome; as he did with much resolution, prudence, and success at Flodden-Field, where he saw a King at his feet, and a whole Kingdome at his mercy; where he was forced to fight, so barren the Coun∣try, (una salus victis nullam sperare salutem!) where yet he pitched upon the most advantageous place and time; so great his Command of himself, and so noble his Conduct!
He sends Rouge Croix to the Scotch King, to tell him, That though he saw no Enemy at Sea, he hoped to find some upon the Land: That he came to justifie Bretons death, which it was as much below a King to revenge, as it was below a Privy Counsellour to have de∣served: That he expected as little mercy as he in∣tended; his sword being commissioned to spare none but the King, whom no hand must touch. To this Defiance, he added a Caution to the Herauld, That he should bring no messenger from the Enemy nearer than two miles of the Camp. So well were the Scots encamped, that when neither Arguments nor Stra∣tagems would draw them out, the Earl cuts off their provision there; and under the covert of a smoak got the Earl under the hill, and under ano∣ther of mist got they atop: The Scots played the men, until Stanley and Darcy did more than men: and the old mans Reserve concluded the doubtful day in so c••mpleat a Conquest, as brought 12000
Arms, 16 Cannons, 4000 Prisoners, and a Peace to the English Borders. Upon which, the Gene∣ral retires to those more necessary exercise•• of Justice and Government, until his Masters return: When all his Services advanced him (at that time, when it was •• Maxime of State, That Honours are the Lustre and Security of Crowns) to his Fath••rs Dukedom of Norfolk, as his Sons Merits promot∣ed him to his of the Earldom of Surrey.
The Kings Coffers decay, and his Occasions grow: The old man retires to his Country-house, having enjoyed his Honour Thirty years, to enjoy Himself Three: One of his last Undertakings be∣ing the appeasing of the London Tumults, May 1. 1517. when he left this behind him, A potent and wanton City, is a shrewd Enemy.
They were 50. with an Archer, a Demi∣lance and a Constil∣lier a∣piece: They and their horses be∣ing vest∣ed in Cloath of Gold.