The prudentiall ballance of religion wherin the Catholike and protestant religion are weighed together with the weights of prudence, and right reason. The first part, in which the foresaide religions are weighed together with the weights of prudence and right reason accordinge to their first founders in our Englishe nation, S. Austin and Mar. Luther. And the Catholike religion euidently deduced through all our kings and archbishopps of Canterburie from S. Austin to our time, and the valour and vertue of our kings, and the great learninge and sanctitie of our archbishopps, together with diuers saints and miracles which in their times proued the Catholike faith; so sett downe as it may seeme also an abridgement of our ecclesiasticall histories. With a table of the bookes and chapters conteyned in this volume.

CHAP. XXIIII. That all the Kings of England from the Monarchy to the Conquest vvere Roman Ca∣tholicks, proued in parti∣culer.

King Egbert XIII.

1. THe thirtenth Christian King of the west-Saxons and first that re∣duced England to a Monarchy, was King Egbert, who began his reign An. 800. & reigned 37. yeares, died An. 837. He was (saith Malmsb. lib. 1. Reg. cap. 2.) worthely to be preferred before all Kings,* 1.1 And lib. 2. cap. 1. Regis Inae abnepos. King Ina his great grandchild by his brother Inegilse, suldued the mindes of his subiects by clemencie and meeknes, and left his sonne great occasions of commendations. Houed. hist. pag. 407. saith he was Vir strenuissimus ac Potens: most stout and puissant. And (as all our English Cronicles testifie) in his time subdued all the rest of our English Kings. Hunting. l. 4. VVallos vicit: sabdued the VVelch∣men. Florent An. 836. Danos fugat: Put to

flight the Danes. The Roman Catholick religiō of this victorious Prince is euidēt.* 1.2 First because he suffered his sonne and heir Ethelwolph to be a Monke and sub∣deacon, [unspec 1] as both Catholicks and Prote∣stāts affirme, & Godwin in the Bishops of Winchester saith it is certain. Wherby (saith Bale Cent. 2. cap 20.) He became the Popes Creature by both professions. Secondly, because he committed his said sonne Ethelwolf [unspec 2] to S. Swithin to be taught, as testifieth Florent. An. 827. Gotzelin, and Godwin in vit. Swithini,* 1.3 And as addeth Gotzelin inter precipuos amicos numerauit. reconed him in number of his especiall freinds. Now this Swithin was a Roman Catholick. For, as Bale l. cit. granteth he was a Monke, and as Malmsb. lib. 2. Pont: Gotzelin. l. cit. Westmon. An. 862. and others report wrought miracles by the signe of the Crosse, is canonised by the Papists for a Saint. Thirdly because K. Kenulf (who in [unspec 3] his time was King of midlengland, & as Malmsb. saith lib. 1. Reg. Nulli ante se Regi. Nothing inferior, in power and religion to any King before him, and whose praises shalbe aduan∣ced on high so long as there is found any indifferent iudg in England, writing with all his Bish. and nobilitie to Pope Leo beginneth his letter thus. Domino beatissimo: To my most holy Lord and wel beloued, Lord Leo the Roman Bishop

of the holy, & Apostolick See, Kenulf by the grace of God King of Merchland with the Bishops, Dukes, & all Degrees of honor within our Dominiōs with health of most sincere affection in Christ. Infra. The sublmity of the See of Rome is our helth,* 1.4 & the prosperitie therof our cōtinuall ioy. Because whence yow haue your Apostolicall dignitie, thence had we the knowledge of the true faith. VVherfor I thinck it fit that the eare of our obedience be humbly in∣clined vnto your holy commādements, & with our whole forces to fulfill what shalbe thought cōueniēt by your holines to performe. But now I Kenulf by the grace of God K. humbly beseech your Excellēcie to receaue me in quiet peace into your holines lap, & whome no meanes of merits do support, let the large aboūdāce of your blessing enrich for the gouer∣mēt of his people, that almightie God by your inter∣cessiō may together with me encorage the Nation against the inuasion of forren foes which your Apo∣stolical authoritie hath imbued with the rudemēts of the Christian faith.* 1.5 This blessing haue all the Kings who swayed the Mercian scepter deserued to obtaine at your Predecessors hands, this same do I in humble māner request & desire to obtain of yow most holy Father, first by way of adoptiō to receaue me as your child, as I loue yow in the persō of a Fa¦ther, & shall embrace yow with the whole force of obedience. Againe he saith: Excellentiae vestrae: VVe in most humble manner beseech your Excel∣lencie, to whome the key of wisdome is giuen by God. Again: VVith great humility & also affectiō

we haue writtē these to yow most holy Pope,* 1.6 besee∣ching in most earnest wise your Clemēcie kindly & iustly to answer these things vvhich vve haue bene vrged to propound. VVe send yovv here as a smale token of my louing minde, that is 120. Mancuzes vvith letters requesting yovv to accept therof in good part & vouchsafe to bestovv your blessing vpon vs. And the Pope answering him saith ••hat this K. professed to be willing to lose his life for him, & acknowledged (saith the Pope) that Nostris Apostolicis, &c. That no Chri¦stian presumeth to goe against our Apostolicall Decrees. Yea Fox p. 132. speaking of this K. & the others before him saith, They wanted the knowledg & doctrin in Christ, especially in the Article of free iustification in faith. Which, p. 840. he termeth the foundation of the Church and all Christianitie, and therfor (saith he) they ran the vvrong vvay. And so concludeth that Protestants truth was hidden to our for∣ancestors, In which I verily beleeue him.

King Ethelwolph XIIII.

2. THe 14. Christian King was Ethel∣wolph, sonne to the forsaid King Egbert, who began his reign An. 837. and reigned 20. yeares and od monethes. He was (saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 2.) by nature gentil, and more desirous of peace than of war.* 1.7 And yet (saith Malmsb. l. cit.) Danos non semel per se & suos Duces contudit: The Danes

he ouercame more than once by him selfe and his Generalls. And besides other victories at Okley in Surey slew so many Danes (saith Floren: and westmon. An. 851. Houed pag. 413. and others) as neuer was heard in one Realme, and at one time nether before nor after. His Roman religion is most notorious.* 1.8 First by that which hath bene said in the [unspec 1] life of his Father. Secondly because he [unspec 2] procured a dispensation of the Pope be∣caus•• he had byn a Monke and subdea∣con that he might marry. which Pope Malmsb. 1. Pont. saith was Leo 3. Bale Centur. 2 cap, 20. saith was Gregor. 4. o∣thers say Leo 4. Thirdly he first sent his [unspec 3] sonne Alfred to Rome to be instructed (saith Westmon. An. 854.) of the Pope in manners and religion.* 1.9 And after went him∣selfe, and staied at Rome a yeare, and ther (as all Catholicke and Protestant Cronicles confesse) bound all England to pay the Peter pence.* 1.10 And as Bale pag. 116. speaketh Prouinciam suam &c. He made his Countrey tributarie to the Roman Synagog, & so (sayth he) was all England made subiect to the Roman Beast. Besides this he appointed euery yeare 300. Mancuzes, which were (as Caius saith lib. 2. de antiq. cantab. pag. 287.) thirty pence a peece to be sent to Rome wherof one hundred should buy oile for light in S. Peters Church, and one

hundred for the same vse in S. Pauls, and one hundred should be giuen saith Flo∣rent Anno. 855. Vniuersali Papae Apostolico To the Vniuersall Apostolicke Pope. The same hath Fox lib. 3. p. 136. Fourthly he gaue (saith [unspec 4] Fox) to holy Church and religious men the tenth of his goods and Lands in VVest-Saxons with li∣berty and fredom from all seruice and ciuil charge. And Fox setteth downe his Charter in these wordes. Ego Ethelwolphus &c.* 1.11 I Ethel∣wolph King of the VVest Saxons with the cōsent of my Prelats & Nobles will grant an hereditarie portion of my land to be foreuer possessed by God & the blessed S. Marie and all the Saints of God. Behould how the King by the aduise of his Bishops and Nobles giueth Land to God and his Saints, and to what purpose himselfe declareth in these words follo∣wing, For the redemption of our soules,* 1.12 for the remission of our sinnes. Which intention, as yow heard before out of Abbots & Fox, is contrary to the Protestants Gospell. And therfore Fox vpō these words saith, Note the blind ignorance and erroneous teaching in these dayes, and addeth that they were led with pernicious doctrine to set remission of sinnes and remedie of soules in this donation, and such other deedes of their deuotion. And further the King saith,* 1.13 as Malmsb. testifieth lib. 2. cap. 2. Placuit Episcopis cum &c. It hath pleased the Bishops with the Abbots and the seruants of God

to apoint that all our brethren and sisters in euery Church shall sing on wensday in euery weeke fifty psalmes,* 1.14 and euery Priest two Masses, one for King Ethelwolph, & another for his Dukes cōsenting to this gift, for their reward & remissiō of their tres∣passes. And for the K. liuing let them say Oremus Deus qui iustificas &c. For the Duke also liuing also Praetēde Domine &c But after their death for the K. alone, & for the Dukes deceassed iointly together, & this be so firmly ordained throughout al the daies of Christianitie euen as their libertie is established, so lōg as faith increaseth in the English Nation. This Charter of Donation was written in the yeare of our Lords Incarn 844. Indict. 4. the fift day of Nouemb. in the Citie of VVinchester, in the Church of S. Peter before the head Altar. And this they did for the honor of S. Michael the Archan∣gell & also for the blessed Marie Q. the glorious mother of God & of S. Peter the Prince of the Apostles, and in like māner of our most holy Father Pope Greg. and of all Saints. In this Chapter I note how,* 1.15 not the King but Bish. apoint Priests to pray & say Masses for him, and that S. Peter is called Prince of the Apost∣les; the other points of Papistry therin are more euidēt than that I neede to point to them.* 1.16 And yet (as Ingulph saith p. 862.) to this chapter subscribed all the Archb. & Bishops of England, K. Bardred, & King Edmund after martyr, and Princes of a part of Englād vnder King Ethelwolph,

Abbots, Abbesses, Dukes, Countes, and nobles of the whole Lād, & innumerable multitude of other people. By which we may see the vniuersall faith of our Con∣try of that time. And in a Charter of King Berthulphus in Ingulph p. 861. The King praieth God Quatenus pro intercessione Guth∣laci &c That through the intercessiō of S. Guthlack and all the Saints he would forgiue me & all my people our sinnes.* 1.17 In this Kings time An. 850. S. Wolstā nephew to two KK. was vniu∣stly murdered, and afterward honored by God with miracles, Florēt. Chronic.* 1.18 Also S. Ieron. an English Priest martyred in Holand, An. 849. Bale Cent. 13. cap 75. In this K. time also liued one Offa K. of Eastengland, who leauing his Kingdome, and trauailing to the holy land, in ould Saxonie (from whence our Nation came into England) elected S. Edmund for his heire, and sent him into Englād: Capgra∣ue in vit. Edmundi. Florent. An. 855. Ho∣ued. pag. 415. Stow pag. 76.

King Ethelbald. XV.

3. THe 15. K. was Ethelbald eld••st sonne to K. Ethelwolph who began his reign An. 857. and reigned fiue yeares. He was at first dissolut and naught, as yow may see in Malmsb. lib. 2 cap. 3. But peracta poenitentia (saith Westmon. Anno. 859.) Ha¦uing done pennance all the time he liued after,

he gouerned the Kingdom with peace and iustice. Wherfore Hunting. lib. 5. pag. 348. calleth him optimae indolis aeuenem: a youth of very great towardnes, saith that all England bewailed his death.

King Ethelbert XVI.

4. THe 16. king was Ethelbert bro∣ther to the former, begā his raigne An. 862. as Malmsb. hath in Fastis, and held the gouerment fiue yeares. He was saith Ingulph pag. 863.* 1.19 Validissimus adolescens, A most valiant yong man and an inuincible trium∣pher ouer the Danes, he stoutly for fiue yeares space gouerned the Kingdome. Malmsb. 2. Reg. cap. 3. saith he ruled strenuè dulciterque: Manfully and sweetly. Houed pag. 405. saith pacifice & amabiliter, peaceably and gently. In this Kings time died S. Swithin Anno 862. Florent. & Westmon. in Chron.* 1.20 As for the Roman religion of these two Princes,* 1.21 that appeareth both by what hath bene said of their Father, and what shalbe said of their two brothers.

King Ethelred XVII.

5. THe 17. king was Ethelred 3. sonne to king Ethelwolfe, Who began his reign saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 3. Anno 867. and reigned 5. yeares, as his brothers did.* 1.22 Of him and his brethren Malmsb. saith, They bouldly and stoutly entred battel for their Country, and addeth that this king be∣sides ordinary skirmishes, fought 9. picht Battels in one yeare against the Danes,* 1.23 & was oftener Conqueror: And that he slewe one king of them, 9. Earlers, and innumerable people▪ which also testify Ethelwerd lib. 4. cap. 12. Hunting lib. 5. Cambd. in Brit. saith, He was Princeps longe optimus. Couper Anno 863. satih he was among his subiects mild gentle, & pleasant, against his aduersaries seuere, fierce, and hardie. Of this Fox lib. 3. pag. 141. telleth that being to ioine batell with the Danes,* 1.24 his bro∣ther Alfred gaue the onset while the King saith Fox, was at seruice and meditations, and albeit word were brought him that his brother had the worst, yet would he not saith Fox stir one foote before the seruice was fully cōplet; And addeth that through the grace of God, and their godly manhood the King cōming from his seruice recouered the victory, & slew as Ethelwerd (who as himself saith descēded

of that K. lib. 4. c. 2.) saith one King,* 1.25 fiue Earles. And that I may say so (saith Ethel∣werd) almost all the chiefest youth of the Bar∣barians, that nether befor nor after was there such a slaughter heard of since the English entred Britanie.* 1.26 See yow heere this meruailous and miraculous victorie cōfessed by Fox to be obtained by the grace of God and the deuotion of the King to his seruice! But what seruice this was which God would thus approue by so miraculous a victorie, and by which England was then defended from destruction of Danes, Fox was ashamed to tell. But our ancient Histo∣riographers Florent. & VVestmon. An. 871. & Houed. part. 1. pag. 416. saith plainly it vvas Masse said by a Priest.* 1.27 Which alone sufficeth both to shew that this King was a Ro∣man Catholicke, and that Masse is diuine seruice.* 1.28 Besides that, Malmsb. writeth, that this King entred battel, cruce Dei con∣signatus: Signed vvith the crosse of God. And (as Fox saith, and Godwin in the Bishops of Exeter) he builded the Abbey of Exeter. In this Kings time An. 870. ex Malmsb. vvas holy King Edmund (Cooper saith Anno. 869. slaine of the Danes because he vvould not forsake the faith of Christ.* 1.29 The same hath Fox pag. 140. Florent. Anno 870. Of his great miracles wrought after his death yow may see in his life, in Surius Tom. 6.

His brother and heire Edwald (saith Fox l. cit. and Capgraue in vit. Edwald.) became an heremit.* 1.30 Fremūd also saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 22.) sonne of Algarus Duke of the VVest-Saxons, a beutifull yong man, and only sonne, relinquished the gouernment of the common welth, which his parents left him, that he might follow Burchard the Monke, and was after as Capgr. saith in his life, slaine of the same Danes which slew S. Edmund.* 1.31 In this time also S. Ebbe (saith Stow Chron. p. 101.) Abbesse of Couldingham, cut of her nose and vpper lippe, and perswaded all the sisters to do the like, to keepe her vir∣ginitie from the Danes,* 1.32 who therupon burnt the Abbey and Nonnes therin.

King Alfred the great. XVIII.

6. THe next K. was Alfred the fourth sonne of K. Ethelwolfe, who (as Malm. hath l. 2. c. 4.) begā his reign An. 872. & ruled 28. years & a half.* 1.33 He alone of all our Kings. (saith Fox l. 3. p. 141.) took his crown & vnctiō of the Pope. And that we may see how God blessed him whome his vicar crou∣ned and anointed, he alone for his admi∣rable deedes both in war & peace, is sir∣named the Great. And the praise which not onely Catholicks but also Prote∣stants giue vnto him in all kinde of vertues surpasse in my iudgement the

praises of all Christian kings that euer haue bene. But for breuitie sake, I will content my self with the praises giuen to him by Protestants, who (yow may be assured) knowing him to be so manifest a Roman Catholick, as shall appeare anon, would giue him no more than he deser∣ueth.* 1.34 Cambd. in Brit. pag. 243. and 331. calleth him Clarissimum & pientissimum Regem.* 1.35 A most renouned and godly King. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 26. saith he was Egregiae indobis & formae adolescens: A yong man of a notable towardnes and bewtie, born vnto learning and vertue He called for the best learned men to be his Counsellers and instructers: Eight howers euery day he spent in reading, writing, and dis∣puting. He gouerned all things with an excceeding good wit, and with singular prouidencie. He was esteemed an Architecter, and most perfect Geo∣metrian, a Gramarian, a Philosopher, a Rhetho∣rician. an Historian, Musitian, and no vulgar Poet. Three Colledges he founded at Oxford, one for Gramarians, an other for Philosophers, the third for Diuines. Of studyes and the common welth he best deserued. Cooper An. 872. Of faire stature, and comely personage, and no lesse renowned in martiall pollicie than ciuil gouern∣ment. Stow Chron. pag. 105. Victorious Prince, studious prouident for widowes, Orphans and poore people, endued with wisdome, iustice, fortitude, and temperance, a most discreete sercher

of truth a most vigilant and deuout Prince in the seruice of God, and deuided the day and the night into three equal portions wherof the one he spent in studie prayer and such things as belonged to his minde and soule, the other in eating sleeping and other excercise of the body, the third in the affaires of the common VVelth.* 1.36 Fox lib. 3. pag. 141. saith Amongst all the Saxon Kings hitherto is found none to be preferred or all most to be cōpared with this Alfred, for the great and singuler qualities in this King worthie of high renown, whither we be∣hould his valiant acts and manifould trauells for his Contrie, or his godly and excellent vertues ioyned with a publick and tender care of the weale publick or whither we respect his notable know∣ledg of good letters with a feruent desire to set forth the same throughout all his Realme. And p. 143. 145. giueth him high praises for continence, valour, and learning, conclu∣ding thus. This valiant vertuous and learned Prince Christianly gouerned his realme, And much more with great admiration of this King, which yow may read in him, and in Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 4. Hunting. lib. 5. Ethelwerd lib. 4. Ingulfe, Florent. pag. 309. VVestmon. Chron. Houed. p. 417. and others.* 1.37

7. Onely I will out of them note some of his vertuos.* 1.38 Of his great learning is spoken before. For his valour Bale Cent. 3. cap. 43. saith, he fougt 57. tymes with the Danes.

Cambd. in Brit. pag. 213. Nobili praelio contudit, and pag. 444.* 1.39 Danos contudit ad libitum: He repressed the Danes at his pleasur. And as Malmsb. and others testifie made them become Christians, or forswere the Realme.* 1.40 For his gouernment saith Caius de Antiq. Cantab. pag. 328. Christianissimas leges scripsit & promulgauit. He writ and promulgated most Christian lawes, and caused such peace as he made braslets of gould be hung vp in the high way vvhich none durst touch.* 1.41 For his chastitie it was such, that as Cooper An. 872. after many Catholick writters testifieth, he desired of God sicknes that he might not offend against chastitie. As for his pietie and deuotion it was such as Florent. Westmon. An. 871. and others write Missam audire quotidie:* 1.42 * 1.43 That he daylie heard masse, and sayd his houres and Matins, and in the night season vnknovvn to all his seruāts he frequēted Churches to [unspec 1] heare seruice. Which alone sufficeth to shew [unspec 2] his Catholick Roman religiō. But besids this (Bale & Fox l. cit. & Stow p. 99. Caius l. cit. p. 325. confesse) he was crowned & an∣oinred of Pope Leo, & as Bale saith ter∣med his adoptiue child. & as is before said in∣structed [unspec 3] of him in maners & religiō. Mo∣reouer as Caius saith. In reparandis, ornandis &c. In repairing beutifying & enriching Monaste∣ries he labored earnestly, amongst which he builded two of great renoun. But Fox reckoneth three,

one at Shasburie, one at Ethling,* 1.44 the third at Winchester. The cause of the building his Monasterie at Ethling, was because he being almost quite vāquisht of the Danes, and lying there hid for a time, S. Cutbert appeared to him badd him be of good corage assuring him both of the present vision and future victorie ouer the Danes by a present miracle.* 1.45 This vision was (as is said) confirmed then by a present miracle, and by the perfect conquest of the Danes after following, beleeued of this notable prudent King, and testifyed (as Fox p. 142. cōfesseth) by Malmsb. Polichron. Houed. Iornalasensis & others, and yet is termed of him without any reason or testimony, a dreaming fable, onely (as we may imagin) because it is sayd to come from S. Cutbert For soone after p. 149. he crediteth a Vision of Egwin a Herlot, albeit it haue nothing so good testimonie, because therin is no [unspec 4] mentiō of any Saint. Finally this excellēt King in his preface before the Pastorall of Saint Gregory calleth him Christs Vicar, & sent almes to Rome Westmon. An. 889. & also to India, to performe (saith Fox p. 142.) His vovv to S. Thomas vvhich he made during the tyme of his distresse against the Danes. In this Kings time Burdred King of Merceland forsaking his Kingdom went to Rome,* 1.46 and Anno. 889. his Queene Ethelswitha

followed him.* 1.47 In this kings time also li∣ued S. Grimbald, whome king Alfred called out of France to teach in Oxford, and S. Neotus, Scientia (saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 1. In knowledg and manners excelling, in counsel good, in speeche wise, by whose counsel Alfred founded a schoole at Oxford.

King Edward the elder. XIX.

8. IN the yeare 901. succeeded King Edward the Elder sonne to king Alfred,* 1.48 and reigned (saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 3) 23. yeares, others say 24. He gouer∣ned the land (saith Fox lib. 3. pag. 146. right valiantly, in Princely gouernment, and such like martial prowes he was nothing inferior to his Father, but rather, exceeded him, subdued VVales & Scotlād, & recouered all out of the Danes hāds. The same saith Cooper An. 901. Stow p. 107.* 1.49 Malmsb. l. cit. Florent and West∣mon. An. 924, Houed. p. 122. And Ingulph. and Hunting. lib. 5. say that in one battel he slew two kinges, and 10. Earles of the Danes. And Ethelwerd lib. 4. cap. 4. writeth that in all he slew 4. kings of them.* 1.50 The Roman religion of this valiant and victorious Prince is euident. First be∣cause as king Edgar his grandchild in an oration (which Fox hath lib. 3. pag. 170.)

testifieth he accounted S. Dustan his Fa∣ther, helper and fellow worker in all things, chose him as Bishop and Shepherd of his soule, and keeper of his maners, obeyed him in all things, and preferred his counsel before all treasure. Secondly because he obeyed the commandement of the Pope, who threatned him excommu∣nication if he procured diuers Bishopricks to be erected, ex. Malmsb. l. cit. Cambden in Brit. p. 198. Thirdly because two of his daughters Edfled and Edburga became [unspec 3] nōnes & the third Ethelhild vowed virgi∣nitie, ex Malm. l. cit. Houed. p. 421.* 1.51 And as Bale saith Cent. 13. c. 77. Gregorie a sonne of his, became an hermit in Swiseland. Fourthly because he toke awaye his bro∣thers or his brothers sonnes wife from him, because she had bene a Nonne, Hunt. lib. 5. Westmon. An. 801. In his time liued [unspec 4] the said S. Edburg his daughter,* 1.52 and S. Fristan Bishop of Winchester a man (saith Godwin in his life) highly esteemed of, for his learning, but much more for his great vertue and holines.

King Athelstan. XX.

* 1.539. IN the yeare 924. succeeded king Athelstan, sonne to king Edward, and held the Crowne. 16. yeares, ex Malm. lib. 2. cap. 6. He was (saith Fox p. 147. Cooper. An. 925. and Stow p. 107.) a Prince of worthie memorie, valiant, and wise in all his acts, and brought this Lād to one Monarchy: For he expelled the Danes, subdued the Scotts quieted the VVelch∣men. The like saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 22. and also Catholick writers, as yow may see in Malmsb. l. cit. Hunt. lib. 5. Houed. pag. 422.* 1.54 His Roman religion is most eui∣dēt. For going to the Battel of Brumford against many kings, and innumerable enemies,* 1.55 he visited (saith Ingulph) S. Iohn of Beuerley by the waye, with great deuotion, and God so blessed his deuotiō as in the battel he slew (saith Malmsb) the king of Scotts, & fiue kings more,* 1.56 12. Earles, innumerable multitude of his enemies, and got one of the greatest victories that euer Englishe wonne. And in his return gaue great gifts and priuiledges to S. Iohn of Beutrley, and made it a sanctuary for all Debters and Malifactors, Ex Ingulph, and Cambd. in Brit. pag. 636. Besides he was, saith Ingulph and Malmsb, greatly delited with

a peece of the holy Crosse,* 1.57 and Crowne of thorns which Hugh king of France sent vnto him: Made S. Aldhelm his Patron, Cambd. p. 210. Builded (saith Fox pag. 149) the two Monasteries of Midleton and Mithelney for his brothers soule.* 1.58 VVherby (saith Fox) it may appeare that the espetiall cause of building Monasteries in those dayes was for the releasing sinnes bothe of them departed and of them aliue, which cause, saith he, how it stādeth with Christs (Luthers) Gospel, let the Christian Reader try with him self. Thus Fox, which confession of his may suffice to shew how all that kings tyme all the Realme was Roman Catholick.* 1.59 And how all Christendome abroad agreed with him in religiō appea∣reth by the marriage of his sisters to the Emperor, king of Frāce, & other Christiā Princes. In this kings time befel a miracle in Duke Elfred whome the king sent to Rome to purge him selfe of treason by his oath before S. Peters sepulcher.* 1.60 But (saith the K. in his charter, which Fox pag. 148. Malmsb and others haue,) hauing taken his oath, he fel before the Altar, and was caried by the hands of his seruants to the English schole, and the next night after he ended his life. Then also li∣ued Saint Birnstan Bishop of VVin∣chester Qui &c. saith Florēt. An. 932. Malm. Polichron:* 1.61 Houed. Iornelacensis & others more as Fox confesseth p. 148. who dayly

song masse for the quiet rest of the soules de∣parted.

King Ewmund XXI.

10. THe 21. Christian King was Ed∣mund sonne to the forsaid Ed∣ward, who began (saith Malmesb.) An. 940.* 1.62 and reigned six yeares and a halfe. He was (sai••h Cooper An. 940. and Stow p. 108.) a man by nature di••posed to noblenes and iustice. Huntin. lib. 5. calleth him inuictum, vnconquered, & saith omnia illi faeliciter succes∣sisse: all things fel out happily to him: And Fox lib. 3. pag. 130. writeth that he achiued noble victories against his enemies, and set his studie in maintaining & redressing the state of the Church, which stoode all then in building of Monasteries & Churches,* 1.63 and furnishing them with new posses∣sions. and restoring the ould▪ Infra. In the time of this king Edward or shortlie after,* 1.64 hardnes, re∣straint of life with superstition were had in vene∣ration, & men for merit sake with God gaue thē∣selues to leade a streight life. which alone would suffice to shew of what religion this King was. Besides, that (as Stow saith p. 108. Florent. An. 942. Westmon. An. 940. Houed p. 423.) he was altogether coūselled & lead by S. Dunstan, at whose request he reedifyed Glossenburie, and

made S. Dunst••n Abbot therof with a Chapter extant in Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 7. He granteth many priuil••dges to Glos∣senburie for hope of aeternall reward and for∣giuenes of his sinnes, In thi•• Kings time li∣ued his wife S. Elfegia who (saith Ethel∣werd lib. 4. cap. 6.) was canonized after her death,* 1.65 and miracles wrought at her tombe.

King Edred. XII.

11. The 22. Christian King was Ed∣red, third sonne of King Edward. He entred An. 946. and held the crowne nine yeares and a halfe, as Malmsb. hath lib. 2. cap. 7.* 1.66 His magnanimitie (saith he) did not degenerat from his Father and brethren. He subdued the Northumbers and Scotts. He hum¦bled himselfe to the feete of holie men deuoted his life to God and S. Dunstan by whose counsell he made his court a schoole of vertue. Thus Malm. Cooper An. 946. Stow Chron. pag. 108. saith he was a great maintainer of honestie & most abhorred naughty & vnruly persons, in feats of armes much commended, wherby he kept in o∣beissance the Northumbers and Scotts and exi∣led the Danes.* 1.67 As for his Roman religion ther can be no doubt. For as Fox writeth pag. 152. He was much ruled by the Counsell of S.

Dunstan, in so much as in histories he is reported to haue subiected himself to much pennance inflicted on him by S. Dunstan: Such zelous deuotion (saith he) was then in Princes. And as Florent. An. 955. Malmsb. l. cit. Houed. pag. 423. West∣mon. An. 955. write, when he fel sick Ac∣cersiuit &c. he sent for blessed Dunstan his confes∣sor. Ingulph saith Aboue all the Kings his Pre∣decessors he had the purest conscience, and a spe∣tiall deuotion to S. Paul. And p. 876. he citeth his Chapter in the which he erected a new the Abbey of Crowland as he saith In the regard of the redemption of my soule and is sory that by the destruction of that monasterie, prayers for the soules of the kings his prodecessors haue bene intermitted. To which Chapter sub∣scribe two Arcbishops, 4. Bishops, many Abbots, and Earles. And Stow pag. 198. saith the King sealed this Charter with seales of gould.

King Edwin. XXIII.

12. IN the yeare 955. (saith Malmsb. l. 2. c. 7.) succeded Edwin, sonne to king Edmund, & reigned 4. yeares. He was so bewtifull as Ethelwerd lib. 4. c. 8. saith he was commonly called Pancalus, but as Malmsb. he abused his bewty to

lewdnes, for which and for banishing of S. Dunstan (writeth Cooper An. 955.) he was odible to his subiects. Fox pag. 152. addeth that he was deposed of the Nor∣thumbers and mercians, & Edgar chosen in his place, yet as it seemeth he amended. For Hunting. l. 5. writteth that he ruled his kingdeme not without commenda∣tion, & Osbern in vit. Dunstani writeth, that by the praiers of S. Dunstan he was at his death deliuered from the Diuels. His Roman religiō appeareth by the pos¦session which, as Malmsb. saith,* 1.68 he gaue S. Aldelm, whose body, saith he, was then found, and in scrinio locatum, placed in a shrine. In the Register of the Abbey of Bury she is said, to haue giuen to that Mo∣nastery the towne of Becklis, and diuers other things.

King Edgar. XXIIII.

13. THe 24. K. was Edgar, secōd sonne to king Edmund, who began his reigne, (saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 8.) Anno 959. and reigned 16. yeares.* 1.69 The praises which both Catholicks and Protestants giue to this king are exceeding. Malmsb. calleth him honor & delitiae Ang: The honor and delight of English men, and

saith that inter Anglos &c. amongst English men the report is, that no King nether of his or any former age in England, is to be compared with Edgar. Ingulph an ancient & graue author p. 889. saith he was flos & decus &c. The floure and ornament of all his Ancestors, and the mirror of the VVestern climat of the world, the bewtie glorie and rose of Kings. Florent An. 975. and Houed. p. 426. add, that he was as worthie to be remembred of Englishmen, as Romulus of Ro∣mās, Syrus of Persians, Alexander of Macedonians, Arsaces of Parthians, Charles the great of the French. Huntington lib. 5. p. 356. saith Edgar the peaceable, a King magnificent, a second Salo∣mon, in his dayes the Land was much bettered, he was most deuout to God, he built many Monasteries. And Malmsb. saith that in the yeare 1052. (which was about a hundred yeares after his death) his body was found Nullius labis conscium voyde of co••ruption, and that it wrought miracles. The like praises do the Protestants afford him. Cooper An. 959. A Prince of worthie memorie, for his manifould vertues gratly renouned, so excellent in iustice and sharp correction of vices as wel in his Magistrats as other subiects, that neuer before his day was vsed lesse felonie and extortion. Of mind valiant and hardy, & very expert in martiall policie. The like saith Stow Chron. pag. 109. Fox Acts. lib. 3. pag. 154. saith he was much giuen to all vertuous, and princely acts, worthy of much com∣mendation

and famous memory, excellent in iustice, maintained the godly, loued the modest,* 1.70 was deuout to God, and beloued of his subiects whome he gouerned in much peace and quietnes, so God did bl••sse him with aboundance of peace. No yeare passed in the time of his Reigne in which he did not some singular and necessarie commoditie for the common welth. A great mantainer of religion and learning. He had in redines 2600. ships (The same say Florent. and Westmon. Anno 975. Houed. pag. 426.) of war, and made 8.* 1.71 Kings to row him in a boate, he setting at the sterne & gui∣ding it. The Romā religiō of this renow∣ned K. is manifest. For Fox l. cit,* 1.72 saith He was a great Patron of Monkish religion, builded, (as some say) as many Monasteries as there be sondays in the yeare, or as Edner reporteth 48. pag. 156. Edgar was seduced by Dunstan, who was drowned in all superstition and did seuen yeares penance at Dunstans apointment. And pag. 161. and 169. reciteth an oration in King Ed∣gar which also is in Stow pag. 111. wherin the King speaketh thus to the Clergy. It belongeth to me to rule the lay peo∣ple, It belongeth to me to prouide necessarie things to the Ministers of the Church to the flock of Monkes. Behould how he distinguisheth betwene gouerning lay people, and pro∣uiding for clergie. Item he complaineth there that Priests crownes are not broade nor

lay people, and prouiding for clergie. Item he complaineth there That Priests crownes are not broade nor their rownding con∣uenient, and that they came not deuoutly to Masse,* 1.73 and saith to the Bishops, I haue Constantins sworde, and yee haue Peters sword in your hands, let vs ioine right hands, let vs cuple svvord to svvord that the Leapers may be cast out of the Temple. Touching which oration, Fox noteth the religious zeale and deuotion of Kings, and the blind (saith he) ignorance and superstition of that time in both estates Ecclesiasticall and ciuil in esteeming Christs religion cheefly to consist in giuing to Churches and maintaining of Monkery, wherin it appeareth (saith he) how ignorant that time was of the true doctrin of Christs faith.* 1.74 And putteth this note in the margent. The doctrin of iusti∣fication vnknowne. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 34. saith Edgarus &c. Edgar earnestly seruing the desires of Monkes, And by the inchantments of Dunstan, Ethelwald, and Oswald, being made an Image of the Beast, did speake onely as they gaue him breath, & all things then were ruled at their beck. Ingul. pag. 883. setteth downe his Charter of Peterborowh, wherin he calleth S. Peter Superum Ianitorem. The porter of heauen, and saith he apointeth there a market for diuers good purposes both of temporall and spiri∣tual profits, that Gods ministers may be holpen more neare at hand, and that the Christian people

meeting there amidst worldly affaires may de∣mand Gods help,* 1.75 whiles by demanding S. Peters protection and by hearing the misterie of Masse according to the faith of eche one the faultes of diuers sinnes may therin be redeemed. And again: Hanc regiferam libertatem &c, we haue procured this royal libertie according to the primitiue institution therof, to be strenghned from the See of the Apostolicke Roman Church, by the author him selfe of this writing most re∣uerend Ethelwald. And to this Charter subscribe two Archbishops, three Bishops, many Abbots, Dukes, and no∣bles. And Malmsb. l. cit. citeth an other Charter of that king granted to Glassen∣burie, which he requested to be confir∣med by Pope Iohn 12. which Pope con∣firmed it saying that he tooke the Mona∣sterie in protectione Romanae Ecclesiae & beato∣rum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli: In protection of the Roman Church and the blessed Apostles Saint Peter and Paule. In this kings tyme liued Saint Merwin saith Florent.* 1.76 An. 967. whome he made Abbesse of Rum∣sey, and confirmed that Monasterie (saith Stow pag. 113.) in the presence of all the Nobilitie. Also Saint Editha his own daughter, who from her infancy was brought vp in a Monasterie, and would not refuse that lyfe to enioy the crowne after her brother King

Edwards death. Also S. Elsted a nonne whose life and miracles yow may read in Capgraue.

S. Edward Martyr XXV.

14. I In the yeare 975. began S. Ed∣ward the Martyr saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 9••. sonne to King Edgar,* 1.77 and reigned three yeares, who did (saith he) follow the steps of his Eathers religion and yeelde both eare & minde to good Councell. Ingu••ph pag. 889. saith he was a simple and most holy yong man, following much his Father in maners. Cooper An. 975, and S••ow pag, 113. say he was in all kinde of honest vertues comparable to his Father Edgar, began his souerainty with much modestie and mildnes, & worthely fauored of all. Fox Acts. pag. 159 Authors describe him to be a vertuous and noble Prince, much pittifull & bountifull to the poore. And Caius de Antiq. Cantab:* 1.78 pag. 294. saith he is worthilie tearmed a martyr. Cooper An 977. saith after his death God shewed for him many miracles, which also testify Malmsb. l. cit. West∣mon. Anno. 979. and others. wherby the Reader make perceaue what account he may make of Fox, who l. cit. calleth them tales.* 1.79 His Roman religion is manifest partly by what hath bene said of his Fa∣ther,

partly because Fox saith l. cit. He [unspec 1] was by Dunstans meanes elected and consecrated. Which also testify Malmsb. [unspec 2] l. cit. Florent. Anno 975. And because as Fox & the same Authors testity he stoode [unspec 3] with Saint Dun••••an against Priests Wiues.* 1.80 In this Kings time liued three great Saints S. Dunstan S. Ethelwald & S. Oswald, of whome we will speake in the time of the next King when they died.

King Egelred. XXVI.

15. IN the yeare 979. saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 10. succeeded King Egelred, sonne to King Edgar, and reigned 37. yeares. Who (as say Florent An. 978.* 1.81 Houed. p. 427. and Cooper An. 978. was Moribus elegans pulcher vultu & decorus aspectu. excellently manered of fayer fa••e and gratious countenance. His Roman religion is mani∣fest, by what hath bene sayd of hi•• Father.* 1.82 Secondly because his mother built two [unspec 1] Monasteries one at Amsbury, an other at Whorwel and became a Nonne Cambd. [unspec 2] in Brit. pag. 177. 221. 228. and as Malmsb. l. cit. saith Corpus silicio, &c. She wrapt her-bodie in haire cloth. In the night layd on

the grownd without pillow she toke her sleepe &c.

[unspec 3] Thirdly because in his time liued these notorious Papists S. Dunstan, S. Ethel∣wald, [unspec 4] and S. Oswald. Fourthly because he confirmed the Charter of Euisham Monasterie, & libertatis priuilegium, &c. And the priuiledg of the liberty confirming, signed it [unspec 5] with the signe of the Crosse, Cambd. in Brit. pag. 327. Fiftly because he receaued the Legat of Pope Iohn 15. and by him made peace with the Duke of Normādie,* 1.83 Malmsb. l. cit. In this time was S. Edward, King and martyrs body found incorrupt An. 979. Houed. pag. 407. Then also liued S. Dunstan of whome some thing hath bene sayd in the Archbishops,* 1.84 & S. Ethel∣wald Bishop of Winchester, who (saith Godwin in his life) was a great Patron of Monks and no lesse enemy to married Priestes. And S. Oswald Archb. of York whome God∣win confesseth to haue bene very learned and for his integritie and conuersation much reueren∣ced. The greatest faulte (saith he) I finde in him was, in that he was very earnest in setting forth that doctrin of Diuels that debarreth men (who haue promised to God the contrary) from marrying. In this time also was martyred S. Elpheg Archb. of Canterburie, And S. Edmund King and martyr miraculously flew Swain King of Denwark (as in the

Ecclesiastical histories it is reported of Saint Mercurie Martyr that he slew Iu∣lian the Apostata) This miracle Fox him selfe dare not discredit, but lib. 3. pag. 161. writeth thus of Swain.* 1.85 He entred the Ter∣ritorie of Saint Edmund, wasted and spoiled the contrie, despised the holie Martyr mena∣cing the place of his sepulcher. VVherfore the men of the Countrie fel to praier and fa∣sting, so that shorlie after Swain died soden∣lie crying and yelling. Some saye (saith he) that he was stroken with the sword of S. Edmund. In fear wherof Canutus his sonne granted them the fredome of all their liberties and great freedoms, quitted them of all tax and tribut. And after that time it was vsed that Kings of England when they were crowned sent their Crownes for an offering to S. Edmunds shrine, and redeemed the same againe with condigne price. And these times were so euidently Papistical, as Fox in his Pro∣testation before his Acts saith thus: About the year of our Lord 980. sprong forth here in England, (as did in other places more,) a Romish kind of Monkery much drovvned in supestition. Of this svvarme vvas Egbert, Agelbert, Egvvin, Boniface, VVilfrid, Agathon, Iames, Roman, Cedda, Dunstan, Osvvald, Athelm, Lanfrancke, Anselm and such other. But well it is that this Iames was (as S. Beda saith lib. 2. c. 20.) a good & godlie man, & Deacon to

S. Paulin, who was S. Austines compa∣nion, by whome we may see the religion of S. Austin and his fellowes. Agilbert, Agatho, Wilfrid, Roman, Cedda, were holy men much commended by Beda lib. 3. cap, 25. and liued in S. Austins time, or very sone after, long before this time. The others Egbert, Boniface, Danstan, O∣swald, Anselm, were the famousest Saints which England hath.

King Edmund Ironside XXVII.

16. THe 27. Christian King was Edmund Ironside, sonne vnto King Egelred, who succeded An. 1016. and reigned one yeare.* 1.86 He was (saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 10. a yong man of notable towardlines of great strength both of minde and body, and therfore sirnamed Ironside of the English men. The like say Hunting lib. 6. Westmon. Anno 1016. Cooper Anno 1016. and Fox Acts Pag. 162. wri••e that he was of lusty and valiant courage in martiall affairs both hardie and wise, and could indure all paine.* 1.87 His Roman religion is manifest by that as the Register of Bury saith he reedifyed Glassenburie destroied (as it seemeth) by the Danes, and by what hath bene said of his Father.

King Canut. XXVIII.

17. THe 28. king was king Canut, a Dane who by force of armes and dint of sword got the kingdome, begin∣ning his reigne Anno. 1017. and reigned 20. yeares, Composed (saith Malmsb. lib. 2. c. 11.) his life magna ciuilitate & fortitudine.* 1.88 Of whome Hunting: lib. 6. Polidor. L. and others recount this story,* 1.89 That as he sat by the sea side his flatterers magnifying him, called him Lord of the land and sea, whose flattery to discouer he comman∣ded the waues not to come neere him, but they rising according to their course be∣wet the king, wherat he smiling said to his coutriers, loe he whom yee call Lord of Sea and land cannot cōmand a smale waue. Cooper An. 1018. saith he was a sage gentle and moderat Prince. And An. 1027. for his vertuous life worthie to liue perpetuallie. He was of great magnificence, & vsed such iustice & temperance that in his daies was no Prince of such renowne, towards God humble and lowlie. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 45. saith, he was Iuuenis &c. a yong▪ man of excellent vvit and high minde and notable in Christian modestie. That great king who was withall king of Denmark and Norway was euidentlie a Roman* 1.90

[unspec 1] Catholick. First because after the said speech of his, touching the Sea, he went to Winchester as Fox pag. 163. Bale l. cit. Stow pag. 120.* 1.91 Hunting. l. cit. and others write, and taking his crown from his head set it vpon the head of the crucifix. Quo &c. (saith Bale) By which he signified that the Kings of those times were no Kings, but onely the likenes [unspec 2] of Kings and Images of the Beast. Secondly Fox pag. 163. writeth that following much the super∣stition of Agelnoth Archb. of Canterburie he went on Pilgrimage to Rome, and ther founded an hospitall for Pilgrims, gaue to the Pope pretious gifts, and burdened the Land with a tribut called, Romescot. In his letters to the Nobles and Bishops of Eng∣land in Malmsb. and Ingulph him self saith that he went oratum &c. to pray for the redemption of my sinnes, and saith that he had longe vowed it, and thancketh God that he had there honored S. Peter and Saint Paule, and all the holy places of Rome. Et ideo hoc maxime, &c. And therfor I haue done this principally because I haue learned of wise men, that Saint Peter the Apostle hath receaued great power of our Lord of binding and loosing, and that he is the Porter of heauen, and therfore I thought it very profitable to require especially his protection with God. [unspec 3] Thirdly in his Charter in Malmsburie he

saith, he graunteth priuiledges to that Monasterie by the counsel of the Arch∣bishop Agelnoth and also of all the Priests of God, and with the consent of all my Peeres for the loue of the Kingdom of heauen, and pardon of my offences, and the relaxations of the transgressions of my brother King Edmund. Wherby wee see that both him selfe and his Bishops and nobles were Roman Catholicks. Fourthly he built (saith Fox l. cit. Cambd. [unspec 4] Brit. pag. 415.) Saint Bennets in Norfolk, and turned Saint Edmunds Bury into an Abbey of Monks, And Bale libro cit. addeth, It is found that next after God he endeuored to appease Saint Edmund by prayers and offerings.

King Herold. XXIX.

18. IN the yeare 1036. succeded King Herold sonne to King Canut by Elfgina an English woman, as witnesseth Ingulph, and reigned 4. yeares and 4. monethes, ex Malmsburie lib. 2. cap. 12. His Roman religion is manifest both by his Father,* 1.92 & by that which Ingulph wri∣teth of him pag. 895. He gaue to the Monasterie of Crowland a Cloake of silk set with goulden

buttons which he wore at his coronation, and he had done to vs many moe good things if ouer hasty death had not taken him away.

King Hardy Canut. XXX.

19. THe 30. King was king Hardi-Canut, sonne to king Canut & Emma, who had bene wife to king Egel∣reld. Began his reign An. 1040. & ruled two years. He shewed (faith Malm. l. 2. c. 12.) exceeding great pitty of minde towardes his bro∣ther S. Edmund the Confessor.* 1.93 His Roman religion appeareth both by his Father, & because as testifyeth Registrum Burinēse Dedit S. Edmundo libertatem.

King S. Edward Confessor. XXXI.

* 1.9420. IN the yeare 1042. Edward Con∣fessor & sonne to the forsaid king Egelred began his reign, and reigned 24. yeares. He was (saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 13.) deuout vnto God and therfore directed by him, whilst he reigned, all thing at home and a∣broad were quiet and calme. He slew by his Captaines Machetat king of Scotts, and put another in his place, & brought wales into the forme of a Prouince vnder

England. Illud celeberime fertur &c. That is most famously reported that he neuer toucht any womans chastitie. And Florent. An. 1066. cal∣leth him Decus Anglorum, The honor of English∣men. But who will see more of his ver∣tues may read his life written by a most ancient and graue Author in Surio Tom. 1. This only I will not omit, that to him did God first giue the vertue of curing the kings euil and the crampe, from whome all our Princes since haue receaued it. Fox lib. 3. pag. 164. and Cooper An. 1043. say that he was a man of gentle and soft spirit,* 1.95 neuer delt with his wife fleshlie, guided the Kingdom with much wisdome and iustice, from vvhome issued as out of a fountain, much godlinesse pitty & liberalitie tovvards the poore, gentlenes and iustice tovvards all men, and in all honest life he gaue a a vertuous example to his people.* 1.96 And pag. 16. calleth him vertuous and bless••d King. Cooper pag. 1065. addeth That he purged the ould lavves and piked out of them certain vvhich vvere most profitable for the Commons. To these high praises Stow Chron. 122. adioyneth that God greatly glorifyed him in his life by wonderfull signes,* 1.97 and cured the kings euil. Now let vs see what the religion of this great and holy king was. First he vo∣wed [unspec 1] to God, that if he got the crowne he would go, to Rome on Pilgrimage, West∣mon. An. 1049. Ealred in vita Edwardi.

[unspec 2] Secondly, when his people would not suffer him to leaue the Land for fear of the Danes inuasion, he deman∣ded dispensation, and obtained it of [unspec 3] Pope Nicholas. 2. Nichol. in ep. ad Ed∣wardum. Ealred in vita: Thirdly, sent two Abbots to a Concell held at Rhemes by Pope Leo, Florent. and Houed. Anno. 1050. [unspec 4] Fourthly he built the Monastery of Westminster: principally for the loue (saith Camb. in Brit. pag. 376. of the cheefe Apo∣stle, [unspec 5] whome he honored with a speciall & peculier affection. Fiftly, whiles he was at Masse, God reuealed vnto him the drowning of the K. of Denmarke which [unspec 6] intended to inuade England. Houed. An. 1066. Ealred in vit. Sixtly, Pope Nicol. writing to him, thanketh God that King Edward had loue to S. Peter and with vs he consented in all the Apostolicall Decrees, and therin absolued him from his vow, & Westminster from all Episcopall iurisdi∣ction, and saith that to him and his suc∣cessors we commit the aduousion, and tuition of all the Churches of England that in any place yow may determine by the Counsell of the Bishops and Abbots what things be iust and right. Wher∣vpon Bale l. cit. saith: That sub Nicolao 2. facti sunt Anglorum Reges &c. vnder Pope Nico∣las 2. the Kings of Englād were made the Popes Vi∣cars. [unspec 7] Seuētly, writing to the Pope. He pro∣fesseth

the Popes supremacie, In which (as Protestāts say) the essence of a Papist cōsi∣steth, in these plain words, To the cheefe Fa∣ther of the vniuersall Church Nicolas, Edward by the grace of God K. of England due obediēce. Eal∣red in vit. And in his lawes in Fox pag. 166. appointed that a King shall sweare vpon the Euangelists and blessed reli∣ques of Saints that he will maintain the holy Church with all integrity. And so manifest it is, that this K. & our Country in his time were Roman Catholicks, as Syr Edward Cook the Kings Attorney in F. Garnets Arainment (which since is printed) openlie called, the time of Ed∣ward Confessor. Henrie 1. Edward 1. Richard 2. Henrie 4, and ••. the verie mid∣night of Poperie,* 1.98 which were in truth the most florishing times, that euer England saw. For what King haue we in vertue comparable to King Edward Confessor? in wisdome, to King Henrie the first? in valour and victories to King Edward the first, the Conqueror of Scotland? and Henrie 4. of England, and Henrie the fift Conqueror of France?

King Herold. XXXII.

21. THe 32. and last King of the Sa∣xons was King Herold who tooke the crown An. 1066. and held it not one yeare.* 1.99 He was saith Cooper An. 1066. valiant and hardie. Florent. An. 1066. saith he was left successor by Saint Edward and chosen of all the nobles of England and crowned of Aldred Archb. of yorke & be∣gan to put down vniust lawes & to set vp iust to become a Patron of Monasteries, to honor and reuerence Bishops Abbots Monks and Clerkes, to shew him selfe pious humble and affable, to hate malefa∣ctors and to labour by sea and Land for defence of his Countrie he ouerthrew the king of Norway in a great battel, but was sone after himselfe slayne and Eng∣land cōquered in a ruefull battel in Sussex by William Duke of Normandy and after king of England.* 1.100 His Roman religion is manifest both by what hath bene said of king Edward, and because as Cambd. hath in Brit pag. 384. VValtham Monasterie he founded in the honor of the holie Crosse where he made his vowes for victorie against the Normans. Westmon An. 1066. saith, orauit ante crucem He prayed before the Crosse. Thus yow see

the Roman Catholicke religion deduced not only fom all our Christian kings for the 200. yeares vnto the Monarchie but also from the monarchie all the Saxons time vnto the conquest therof by the Normans for the space of 266. yeares: in which time two of the said Kings haue bene Saints to wit Saint Edward mar∣tyr and Saint Edward Confessor. Three haue gon on Pilgrimage to Rome, na∣mely king Ethelwolph king Alfred the great and king Canut: To whome we may ad king Burdred and king Ed∣ward Confessor who would haue gon. Two kings daughters Saints namely S. Edburga daughter to king Edward and S. Editha daughter to king Edgar. And if we will know why God permitted our Contry to be subdued of strangers. It was saith Malmsb. lib. 3. in Guilielmo. 1. because the studies of learning and religion had decayed, Not a fewe yeares before the Normans coming the Clergie could scarce stamer out the words of the Sacraments, he which knew his grāmer was a wonder and a miracle to the rest, Monks vvere fine in apparell and had euery kinde of meat indif∣ferent making a mockerie of their rule, The nobles giuin to glutonie and Venerie did not go to Church in the morning after the maner of Christians but in their chambers dalying vvith their wiues heard onlie the solemnization of

their wiues heard onely the solemnization of Mattins and Masse by a Priest, making much hast therin. Euery one commonly was giuen to tippling continewing in this exercise nights as wel as dayes, wheron vices ensued companions of dronkenes. But I would not haue these sayinges to be vnderstood of all. I knew many of the clergie at that time walked the path of sanctitie in true simplicitie. I knew many Laymen of all sorts and conditions within this same Contrie pleased God. Hunting. also lib. 6. writeth that before the Conquest, a man of God tould them that for their sinnes in murder and treason, and because they were giuen to drunkenes and care∣lesnes of the seruice of God, ther should come from France a Lord that should depresse them for euer, and not onely they but the Scotts also should rule ouer them to their deserued confusion. S. Edmund also prophesied of this cōquest of England which though Fox pag. 165. call but a dreame yet the euent following sheweth it was too true a vision.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The vvor∣thines of K. Egbert. 1 Monarch of Englād.
• * 1.2

  His Rom. Religion.
• * 1.3

  Surius tom. 4.
• * 1.4

  The pros∣peritie of Rome, the ioy of England.
• * 1.5

  Rome taught England the faith: All K. Kenulphs Predeces∣sors had the popes blessing.
• * 1.6

  Our K. and Peers vvrite vvith great hu∣militie to the Pope.
• * 1.7

  Vertues and va∣lour of K. Ethel¦vvolph.
• * 1.8

  His Rom. Religion.
• * 1.9

  Kings sonne sent to be instructed of the Pope.
• * 1.10

  Ethelvv. lib. 3. cap. 3 Stovv pag. 89 Coper. An. 852. Houeden. pag. 415. Huntingt. lib. 5 In∣gulp. pag. 862. VVestmon An ••57. VVhat mā∣••u••a is.
• * 1.11

  The faith of King Ethel∣vvolph and his Noble••.
• * 1.12

  Good deeds for remission of sinnes.
• * 1.13

  VVestmon An ••54.
• * 1.14

  K. Ethel∣vvolph re∣quireth Masses for him aliue and dead.
• * 1.15

  K. Ethel∣vvolph cō∣manded not in spiritual matters.
• * 1.16

  All En∣gland Pa∣pist in K Ethel∣vvolhps time.
• * 1.17

  Pardon of sinnes asked by interces∣sion of Saints.
• * 1.18

  Saints.
• * 1.19

  Valour of K. Ethel∣bert.
• * 1.20

  Saints.
• * 1.21

  His Rom. Religion.
• * 1.22

  Fortitude and pietie of K Ethelred.
• * 1.23

  nine battells in one yeare.
• * 1.24

  Miracle in confir∣mation of Masse.
• * 1.25

  Maruei∣lous victorie.
• * 1.26

  England defended by deuo∣tion to Masse.
• * 1.27

  K. Ethel∣reds Rom Religion.
• * 1.28

  Saints.
• * 1.29

  VVestmon. 870. K. Edmūd. His bro∣ther Ed∣vvald.
• * 1.30

  Duke Fremūd.
• * 1.31

  Chastitie of S. Ebbe and her Nonnes.
• * 1.32

  VVestmon. An. 870.
• * 1.33

  The vvor∣thines of K Alfred crovvned of the Pope.
• * 1.34

  Cambden
• * 1.35

  Bale.
• * 1.36

  Fox.
• * 1.37

  His lear∣ning.
• * 1.38

  Forti∣tude.
• * 1.39

  VVisdom.
• * 1.40

  Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 4. VVestmon. An. 892.
• * 1.41

  Chastitie.
• * 1.42

  Deuotion
• * 1.43

  The reli∣gion of K. Alfred.
• * 1.44

  S. Cutbert encoura∣geth the K. to reco∣uer En∣gland.
• * 1.45

  Profes of the truth of S. Cut∣berts vi∣sion to K. Alfred.
• * 1.46

  A King goeth to Rome.
• * 1.47

  Hollemen in time of K. Al∣fred.
• * 1.48

  The vvor∣thines of K. Ed∣vvard son:
• * 1.49

  A great victorie.
• * 1.50

  His Rom. Religion.
• * 1.51

  Tvvo daughters of King Edvvard Nonnes and the third vovved virginitie.
• * 1.52

  Saints.
• * 1.53

  The VVor∣thines of K. Ethel∣stan.
• * 1.54

  His reli∣gion.
• * 1.55

  Ingulpg. Florent. An. 938. Hunt. lib. 5. pag. 422.
• * 1.56

  A vvonder¦full victo∣rie.
• * 1.57

  Hovv K. Ethelstad estemed reliques.
• * 1.58

  VVhy Kings builded monaste∣ries.
• * 1.59

  All Chri∣stendom of the same faith vvith K. Ethel∣ston.
• * 1.60

  Miracle by S Peter.
• * 1.61

  Saints▪
• * 1.62

  VVorthi∣nes of K Edmund.
• * 1.63

  His Reli∣gion.
• * 1.64

  Strait life vsed for merit sake
• * 1.65

  Saints.
• * 1.66

  The vvor∣thines of K. Edred and his vertue.
• * 1.67

  His reli∣gion.
• * 1.68

  Religion of K. Edvvin.
• * 1.69

  The prai∣ses of K. Edgar.
• * 1.70

  Fox cal∣leth this King a Poehnix.
• * 1.71

  The reli∣gion of K. Edgar.
• * 1.72

  Ingulph pag. 885.
• * 1.73

  Cōstātins svvord in the Kings hand S. Peters in the Bis∣hops hands.
• * 1.74

  K. Edgars time knevv not the Protestāts Doctrin.
• * 1.75

  Note.
• * 1.76

  Saints in this King his tyme.
• * 1.77

  The ver∣tues of K. Edvvard martyr.
• * 1.78

  Miracles.
• * 1.79

  His reli∣gion.
• * 1.80

  Saints.
• * 1.81

  Qualities of K. Egelred.
• * 1.82

  His reli∣gion.
• * 1.83

  Miracles.
• * 1.84

  Saints.
• * 1.85

  Miracle.
• * 1.86

  The va∣lour of K. Edmund Ironside.
• * 1.87

  His reli∣gion.
• * 1.88

  Vertues of K. Canut.
• * 1.89

  Fox p. 164.
• * 1.90

  His reli∣gion.
• * 1.91

  Florent. Houed. An. 131.
• * 1.92

  Rom. re∣gion of K. Herold.
• * 1.93

  Rom. re∣ligion of K. Hardi Canute.
• * 1.94

  Vertues of K. Edvvard Cōfessor.
• * 1.95

  The like Cambd. in Brit. p. 330. Bal. Cent. 2. cap. 12. Stovv. pag. 121.
• * 1.96

  Bal. supra.
• * 1.97

  The reli∣gion of K. Edvvard Confes.
• * 1.98

  That ti∣mes of England most florishing vvhich Protest: confesse to haue bene Papi∣stical.
• * 1.99

  Valour of K. Herold.
• * 1.100

  His Rom. Religion.