Medulla historiæ Anglicanæ being a comprehensive history of the lives and reigns of the monarchs of England from the time of the invasion thereof by Jvlivs Cæsar to this present year 1679 : with an abstract of the lives of the Roman emperors commanding in Britain, and the habits of the ancient Britains : to which is added a list of the names of the Honourable the House of Commons now sitting, and His Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council, &c.

HENRY VIII.

* 1.1HENRY the Eighth was born at Green∣wich, June 22. 1491. His youth was so trained up in literature that he was accounted the most learned Prince of Christendom. In A. D. 1509, and June 25, he was Crowned at Westminster, together with his Queen Katharine, the Relict of his brother Arthur, by William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury. His Coun∣sellors he chose of the gravest Divines and wisest Nobility, with whom he not only often sate to the great increase of his politick expe∣rience, but would also yield his authority to their wisedomes.

Empson and Dudley he caused to be impri∣soned, then to be brought to their Tryal, and at last to lose their heads. To regain the ancient Rights of England he first sent his He∣rald Clarencieux into France, roughly demand∣ing the Dutchies of Normandy, Guyen, Main, and Anjou, and with them the Crown of France: Then sent certain Nobles before him thither, and afterward followed himself pitching down his Tents before Terwin; Where he raised his Royal Standard of the Red-Dragon, and begirt the City with a strait Siege. To which place Maxmili••n the Emperour repaired, and to the great Honour of Henry entred into his pay, wearing the Cross of Saint George, with a

Rose (the Kings-Badge) as his faithful Souldier. The French attempting to relieve the Town with Victuals and men, were so encountred by King Henry, that many of their chiefest Captains were taken prisoners, and six of their stand∣ards won, and the rest of the Monsieurs for safe∣guard of life so posted away, that this conflict was called the battel of Spurs, shortly after which the Town yielded unto the King. Then was the siege removed to Tournay, which in short time was also surrendred to the King, with ten thousand pounds sterling for the Citi∣zens redemption, Who to the number of 80000, then took their Oaths to become his true Subjects, 1513. The safe keeping of this City the King committed to Sir Edward Poy∣nings Knight of the Garter, and Ordained Thomas Wolsey Bishop of Tournay.

Whilst King Henry was busy in France, his Lieutenant. Thomas Earl of Surrey marched a∣gainst the Scots who were entred into Northum∣berland, and at Flodden the Armies engaged in fight, and the English won the day. In this battel King James of Scotland was slain▪ one Archbishop, two Bishops, two Abbots, twelve Earls, seventeen Lords, Knights and Gentle∣men a great number, in all about eight thou∣sand were slain, and almost as many taken Prisoners in A. D. 1513. Sep. 9.

A. D. 1514, by the procurement of Pope Leo a peace was concluded betwixt the Kings of France and England, immediatly after which, Mary the sister of King Henry was Honourably conducted into France, where a•••• Albeville,

October the ninth, she was married unto old King Lewis, who died eighty two days after the Marriage.

A. D. 1517, by reason of the great con∣course of strangers at London, to the hindrance of trade, and their insolency towards the English, the youth and vulgar sort of Citizens, upon May-day assaulted these strangers, doing much harm to their houses, substance, and some of their persons, for which riotous of∣fence John Lincolne the instigator thereof was hanged, and four hundred men and youths, with eleven women were led in ropes along the City in their Shirts, with halters about their necks to Westminster, where the King par∣doned their offence to the great rejoycing of the Londoners.

A. D. 1519, was the City of Tourney deli∣vered back to the French on these conditions, That they should pay to King Henry six hundred thousand Crowns in twelve years; That the Daulphin should marry the Lady Mary, King Henries young daughter, which marriage if it hapned not to take effect at the years of con∣sent, then Tourney should be re-delivered to the English; That Cardinal Wolsey should have a thousand Marks paid him yearly for the re∣venues of the said Bishoprick.

A. D. 1521, Edward Bohun or Stafford Duke of Buckingham was beheaded on Tower-hill, for imagining to destroy the King, and to enjoy the Crown himself. Wolsey was the Dukes grand adversary, because that the Duke had sometime spoken certain words to his dis∣grace.

About this time the Pope sent his Legats about to incite the Christian Princes to attempt the recovery of the holy-Land, sending Car∣dinal Campeius on this errand into England. Which Cardinal and his company being come to London, as they passed through Cheap-side, the sumpture-Mules cast their Carriages and Coffers on the ground, out of which, the lids flying open, fell old breeches, boots and broken shoes, torn stockings, tattered rags, old iron and horse shoes, broken meat, mar∣row bones, roasted eggs, and crusts of bread, with such-like treasure.

About A. D. 1521, the Emperour Charles passing toward Spain landed at Dover, where the King met him, and conducted him in great state to London, lodging him in his new Palace in the Black-Friars, then feasted him at Windsor; and in such bands of amity the Emperor and King Henry seemed to be link'd, that in London this sentence was set up in the Guild-hall, over the dore of the Councel-Chamber, Carolus, Henricus vivant, Defensor uterque, Henricus fidei, Carolus Ecclesiae. The reason of which Titles Defender of the Faith and Church was, For that Charles the Emperour had directed forth a solemn Writ of Out-lawry against Dr. Martin Luther, who had then given a great blow to the Triple Crown; and King Henry had wrote a Book against the said Luther, for the which the Pope gave the Title of Defender of the Church to the Emperour, and Defender of the Faith to the King, and for the same cause he sent King Henry a consecrated Rose.

A new variance hapning again betwixt the Kingdoms of France and England, the King as∣sembled a Parliament at the Black-Friers in London, which granted him half of the yearly revenues of all Spiritual livings to be paid for five years continuance, and the tenth part of all temporal substance to carry on the Wars against France and Scotland. When the King being furnished with mony sent a great Army into France under the conduct of Charles Bran∣don Duke of Suffolk, who had married Mary, the Kings Sister, Queen Dowager of France. This valiant Commander first besieged and won Bell-Castle, then took the Castle of Bonguard, Braie, Roie, Lihome, Mondedier, and Boghan; which done he returned. King Henry was so inraged against the Scots, that he took from all those inhabiting England, all their goods, sending them into their Country on foot, with white Crosses sowed upon their uppermost gar∣ments. But Margaret Queen of Scots solli∣citing her brother Henry for a peace, the dif∣ference betwixt the two Nations was for a while reconciled.

About A. D. 1525, arose great troubles in Ireland, the wild Irish casting off all obedience and killing many of the Kings English Subjects. Girald Fitz-Girald Earl of Kildare was sent prisoner into England, for that the Earl of Ossery had accused him of many misdemeanors; as, That he connived at the Earl of Desmonds escape, whom he should have attached by or∣der from the King; That he grew over-familiar with the Irish, and that he put to death the

Kings best subjects. When the Earl was brought to London he was committed to the Tower by the Cardinals means, who did not love him. In the Tower he expected death daily, but with such couragious resolution, that being at slide-groat with the Lieutenant when the Mandate was brought for his Execution on the morrow morning, and seeing the Lieutenant struck into a sudden sadness, he said unto him; By St Bride Lieutenant, there is some mad game in that Scroll, but fall how it will, this throw is for a huddle. And when the worst was told him, he said, I pray thee Lieutenant do no more but assuredly learn from the Kings own mouth, whether his Highness be witting of this or not. Whereupon the Lieutenant loving the Earl well, went to the King, and shewed him the Warrant, which the King seeing, controlled the sawciness of the Priest (for so he then called the Cardinal) and gave the Lieutenant his Signet for a nullity of the Warrant, so the Earl was delivered from the death threatned, and not long after from his imprisonment.

About or in A. D. 1528, King Henry began to call into Question the lawfulness of his mar∣riage with his Queen Katharine, who was daughter to Ferdinand King of Spain, and had been married to Prince Arthur (eldest son of Henry the seventh) when he was about fifteen years of age, but he dying ere he had been married twelve months, King Henry his brother by the advice of his Councel took this Princess Katharine to Wife in few days after his Fathers death, and enjoyed her nuptial society near

twenty years, in which time she had born him two sons, both dying in their infancy, and one daughter named Mary, afterward Queen. But now, he said, his Conscience was much dissatisfied, doubting it might not be lawful for him to have his brothers Wife, notwithstand∣ing he had had a dispensation from the Pope for it; therefore first he refused his Queens bed, and having moved the doubt to his own Di∣vines, he next sent for the opinion of most of the Universities of Europe, which concluded against it, and signified so much under most of their common Seals. He also sent Agents unto Rome, with an humble request to the Pope, that an indifferent Judge might be sent to determine this weighty affair.

Whereupon Cardinal Campeius was sent over into England, with whom Cardinal Wolsey was joyned in Commission. These Cardinals had a place ordained them in the Black-Friers in London, for the keeping of their Court of Judicature. To which Court the King and Queen were summoned to appear personally, which accordingly they did, having several seats prepared for them. When the Court was sate, the Cryer called King Henry to appear, who forthwith answered, Here; Then was the Queen called, who made no answer at all, but presently rose up, and going to the King fell on her knees at his feet, and in the audience of the people, said unto him,

Sir, I desire you to take some pity upon me, and do me Justice, and right; I am a poor woman, a stranger born out of your Dominions, ha∣ving

here no indifferent Councel, and less assurance of friendship. Alas! Wherein have I offended, or what cause of displeasure have I given you, that you thus intend to put me away? I take God to my Judge I have been to you a true and humble Wife, ever con∣formable to your will and pleasure, never gain-saying any thing wherein you took de∣light. Without all grudge or discontented countenance I have loved all them that loved you, howsoever their affections have been towards me. I have born you Children, and been your Wife now this twenty years. Of my Virginity and Marriage-bed I make God and your own Conscience the Judge, and if it otherwise be proved, I am content to be put from you with shame. The King your Father in his time for wisdom was known to be a second Solomon, and Ferdinand of Spain my Father accounted the wisest amongst their Kings, could they in this Match be so far over-seen, or are there now wiser and more learned men than at that time were? Surely it seems wonderful to me that my marriage after twenty years should be thus called in Question with new invention against me, who never intended but honesty. Alas, Sir I see that I am wronged, having no Counsel to speak for me but such as are your Sub∣jects, and cannot be indifferent upon my part; therefore I most humbly beseech you, even in charity to stay this course, until I may have advice and Councel from Spain; if not, your Graces pleasure be done.

Then rising

and making low obeisance to the King, she de∣parted the Court; and though the Crier called her to come into the Court as she was going away, yet she went on, bidding her Attendant to go forward, and saying to him, This is no indifferent Court for me. When the King per∣ceived that she was departed, he presently spake thus unto the Assembly: I will, quoth he, in her absence declare before you all, that she hath been to me a most true, obedient and comfortable Wife, endued with all vertuous qualities and conditions according to her birth, and in lowliness equals any of baser sort. Which said, Cardinal Wolsey humbly requested the King, that he would be pleased to declare before that honourable Assembly, whether he had been the cause of this his in∣tended Divorce, wherewith he was charged in the opinions of the people? Whereupon the King said, My Lord Cardinal I can well excuse you in this, and rather affirm, that you have been against me in attempting it thus far. Then by and by the Court was adjourned till May 28 following, which time being come the Kings learned Council alledged many reasons and likelihoods to prove that Prince Arthur had nuptial knowledg of Lady Catherines body, as their being both of years capable to ex∣pleat the Act, he above fifteen, she above se∣venteen, and both laid in one bed almost five months together, &c.

From day to day the Pleas proceeded, but nothing was concluded touching the Divorce, therefore the King sent the two Cardinals to

perswade with the Queen to put the whole matter to himself, which he said would be far better and more honourable for her, than to stand to the trial of the Law These Legats ac∣cordingly repairing to her, she from among her maids at work came presently forth of an inner room to them, having a skein of white thread about her neck to whom she said, Alack my Lords, I am very sorry to make you attend upon me. What is your will? Madam, quoth Wolsey, We are come in good will to know your Graces mind in this great matter of your Marriage, and to give you our advice with the best service we can. The Queen thanking them said, That by order of holy Church, she was espoused to the King as his true Wife, and in that point she would abide till the Court of Rome (which was privy to the beginning) had made thereof a final determination and end. The King then hopeless of his Queens consent, hasted his Lawyers to forward the Divorce, which daily they did; but when the day ap∣pointed was come for the final determination of the matter in question, then Cardinal Campei∣us reserved it for the Pope himself to conclude. Which so enraged the Duke of Suffolk that with a stern countenance he said, It was never merry in England since we have had any Cardi∣nals amongst us. And Cardinal Wolsey, though he sought to excuse himself herein as not ha∣ving sufficient authority, yet did he fall under the Kings high displeasure. The first step of this great Prelates fall was his dislike of the Kings affection unto Anne Bullen, a Gentlewoman

nothing favourable to his Pontifical pomp, nor no great follower of the Ceremonies of those times of Popery, which moved the Cardinal to write unto the Pope to defer the judgment of Divorce till he had wrought the Kings mind in another mould. Which was not done so se∣cretly but it came to the Kings ear, and proved to his ruin. For first the Broad-seal was taken from him, and some of his Bishopricks, his house and furniture seized upon, and shortly after he was suddenly arrested by the Earl of Northumberland at Cawood-castle, (for arrogant words against the King, importing a desire of revenge) from whence he was conveyed to∣wards London, in which journey at Leicester-Abbey he ended his life, by taking an over-great quantity of a Confection to break wind from off his stomack. So ended this haughty Cardinal, who was born at Ipswich, his father a good honest Butcher, himself a good Philoso∣pher and Orator. His education in his youth was at Magdalen Colledg in Oxford; his first Preferment was from the Lord Marquess of Dorset, who bestowed a Benefice upon him. Then Sir John Naphant preferred him to King Henry the Seventh, which King, having urgent business with Maximilian the Emperour, he sent this his Chaplain to him post, who posted a∣gain back before he was thought to be there, and withal concluded some points forgot in his directions, to the high content of his Sove∣raign, for the which he bestowed on him the Deanry of Lincoln, after which he was prefer∣red to be the Kings Almoner, then one of his

Council, then Bishop of Tourney, then Bishop of Lincoln, then A.B. of York, whereby he be∣came as it were three Bishops at once; then was made Priest, Cardinal, and Legat de La∣tere, then Lord Chancellor, and Bishop of Winchester, and in commendam the Abbey of St. Albans was bestowed upon him. And with them the Cardinal held in farm the Episcopal Sees of Bath and Wells, Worcester and Hereford enjoyed by strangers incumbents not residing in the Realm. This Prelate raised to this greatness was attended with so many officers and ser∣vants as is incredible. And being Ambassador to the Emperour at Brussels, he was there waited upon by many English Nobles, and served at the Table by his Servitors on their knees. Insatiable he was to get, but Princely in be∣stowing, lofty to his enemies, and not easily reconciled, which hastned his fall when he began. The grudges against this Cardinal were not only for the especial favour he stood in with the King, and great stroke he bare at the Council-table, but for his intolerable pillings, who to patch up his pride in the rai∣sing of his new Colledges at Oxford and Ipswich, suppressed forty Monasteries of good fame, converting all their goods and moveables to his own use. As also that he emptied the land of twelve-score thousand pounds, inforced by him from the King, which he employed to re∣lieve and ransome the Pope then in Prison, to the great impoverishing of his Majesties Cof∣fers. And lastly his so intolerable pride, as no less than 1200 Horse for his retinue, eighty

Wagons for his Carriage,* 1.2 and sixty Mules for Sumpture-horses attended him into France, when he went thither Ambassador; but, Sic transit gloria mundi. A prodigal and merry conceited Nobleman having lately sold a Man∣nor of an hundred Tenements, came ruffling into the Court in a new suit: saying, Am not I a mighty man that bear an hundred Houses on my back? Which Cardinal Wolsey hearing, said, You might have better imployed it in pay∣ing your debts. Truth my Lord, said the Noble∣man, you say well, for my Father owed my Master your Father three half-pence for a Calves-head, hold, here is two-pence for it. But now whilst the matter of the Kings Marri∣age hung in suspence the space of two years, it hapned that Dr. Cranmer said, That the Kings cause would easily be determined by the Law of God, which the King hearing of put the Doctor upon the work, who thereupon penned a Treatise, therein proving by Scriptures, General Councils, ancient and modern Wri∣ters, that the Bishop of Rome had no authority to dispense with the Word of God, so as con∣trary thereunto to grant liberty for a man to marry his brothers Wife. This he presented to the King, which when the King had well read, he demanded of the Doctor if he would abide by what he had writ? That I will, said he, by Gods Grace, even before the Pope himself, if your Majesty shall so appoint. Marry, quoth the King, to him you shall go. And according∣ly the King sent Thomas Bullen Earl of Wiltshire, Dr. Cranmer, and other Divines to the Pope,

who was then at Bonony. But when the day of audience was come, and Cranmer prepared to defend what he had writ, on the sudden all was interrupted by an unmannerly Spaniel of the Earls, which seeing the Servus Servorum put forth his foot to be kiss'd, caught his great Toe in his mouth, 'tis said. But be it so or not, yet this is sure, that there was no conclusion of the matter made by the Pope; therefore K. Henry resolved to cut the Gordian-knot him∣self without more ado; and withal began to call in question what authority the Pope had in his Dominions, which being afterward deba∣ted in Parliament, an Act passed against his usurped authority or supremacy, and all per∣sons were prohibited from appealing or ma∣king any payments to Rome, and the Kings Marriage with Queen Catharine dissolved, and that from thenceforth she should be called only Princess Dowager. The Parliament made it appear that in forty years last past then, the Court of Rome had received from this King∣dom 160000 pounds for Investitures of Bishops.

Whilst the Divorce was under debate one Elizabeth Barton (commonly called the holy Maid of Kent) made a Votaress in Canterbury, was taught by Bocking a Monk to counterfeit many Trances, and in the same to utter many pious expressions to the rebuke of sin, under which she was heard the more freely against the Doctrine of Luther, and the Scriptures translation then desired by many. Also gi∣ving forth from God and his Saints, by sun∣dry

pretended revelations, That if the King proceeded in his Divorce and second marriage, he should not reign in his Realm one month after, nor rest in his favour one hour. But the imposturisme being detected, she and seven of her complices were executed at Tyburn, for Treason, and others of them fined and im∣prisoned.

A. D. 1533, and November the fourteenth was King Henry married with Anne Bullen daughter of Sir Thomas Bullen Earl of Wilt∣shire, and June the first she was Crowned at Westminster, and on September the seventh fol∣lowing she bare into the World that most ex∣cellent Princess Elizabeth, A. D. 1534.

And A. D. 1535, January 29, She was again delivered of a Child but that was dead: Nor had the Queen her self long to live, for she was accused of Incest, and adultery with her own brother George Lord Rochford, who was beheaded for this fact on Tower-hill. And May the 19, 1536, this Queen was brought upon a Scaffold erected on the Green within the Tower, where in the presence of many Noblemen, the Lord Mayor and others, she said,

Good Christian people, I am come hither to die, for according to the Law and by the Law I am judged to death, and therefore I will speak nothing against it: I come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak any thing of that I am ac∣cused of, and condemned for. As for mine own offences God knoweth them, and unto God I remit them, beseeching him to have mercy upon my Soul, and if any person will

meddle in my cause, I desire them to judge the best. And so I take my leave of the World, and of you all, and do heartily beseech you to pray for me, and I beseech Jesus save my Soveraign and Master the King long to live and raign over you, the most Godliest, Nob∣lest and Gentlest Prince that is.

These words she uttered with a smiling countenance, which done she kneeled down, and with a fervent spirit said, To Jesus Christ I commend my Soul, Lord Jesus receive my Soul. And repeating those words very oft, suddenly with the sword the Executioner severed her head and body, which were buried in the Quire of the Chappel of the Tower. Tis said, that the Lord Rochford the Queens brother coming to her beds-side to sollicite a suit, leaned thereupon to whisper her in the ear, which the spials gave forth that he did so to kiss the Queen. Most probable it is that the crimes which this Queen was charged withal were matters contrived by Po∣pish instruments, because she gave great incou∣ragements unto many, more publickly and with boldness to profess the reformed religion, and procured a toleration for the Protestant Di∣vines. Moreover that this Queens death was rather sought for than merited by her, seems also very probable, because that the next day after her dea••h, the King was married unto the Lady Jane Seymour, daughter of John Seymour Knight.

About this time began to flourish Thomas Cromwell a Black-Smiths son of Putney, whom King Henry first raised to be Master of his Jewel-house,

then Baron of Okeham, then Earl of Essex, then Lord great Chamberlain, and last∣ly ordained him Vicar-General over the Spiri∣tuality. This great Cromwell procured it to be enacted in Parliament, That the Lords Prayer, Creed and ten Commandments should be read in the English Tongue. Other matters also tending to reform the English Church from the Roman corruptions, were attempted by Crom∣well, which did not at all please the Monks and their party. The Lincoln-shire men began a commotion under the leading of one Mackarell a Monk, who named himself Captain Cobler. A Copy of their grievances they sent to the King, some of which were, The suppression of many religious houses, whereby the service of God, they said, was minished. The Kings taking into his Councel men of Low-birth, who sought their own lucre. That there were divers Bishops lately preferred that had sub∣verted the faith of Christ. That by reason of their loss of Sheep and Cattle, they were not able to pay the Quindecim, or Tax granted to the King, &c. But these Rioters the King soon pacified with good words.

In whose steads others rose up immediately, for forty thousand rusticks assembled in York∣shire, furnished with horse, armour and ar∣tillery. Their pretence was Religion, and defence of holy Church. Their Banners were painted with the five wounds of Christ, the Chalice, Cake and other Romish inventions. This their Rebellion they termed the holy Pil∣grimage. Their General of foot was one

James Diamond, a poor Fisher-man, stiled the Earl of Poverty, their chief Leader was Mr. Robert Aske, a man it seems of terror: For when Lancaster Herald at Arms was sent to him to declare the Kings message, this Aske, did so terribly bluster forth his answers, that the Herald fell before him on his knees, excusing himself to be but a Messenger. Many persons of great note were parties in this insurrection. And to draw the more in to side with them, Aske and his complices set forth in writing these scandalous untruths against the King.

First, That no infant should be permitted to receive the blessed Sacrament of Baptisme, bot onles an trybet to be payd to the King.

Secondly, That no man under twenty pound lands shall eyte no brede made of Wheat, ner Capon, Chekyn, Gois, ner Pig, bot onles to pay a trybet to the King.

Thirdly, That for every Ploghe-land the King will have en trybet, with other extreme urgent causes, and heartily, Fare ye well. Their oath wherein they bound themselves in this league, was the preservation of the Kings person, and Issue; the purifying of Nobility and expulsing all villain blood, and evil Coun∣sellors; not for envy to any to enter into their pilgrimage, or any private commodity, but for the Common-weal, the restitution of the Church, and suppression of Heresy and Hereticks. But a great force being drawn against them, they dispersed themselves, upon promise of pardon and redress in their just complaints. Yet notwithstanding this the Kings clemency,

some of the chief of these actors ingaged them∣selves again in a new insurrection in short time after this, for which offence they suffered death. Of Ecclesiastical persons were put to death, four Abbots, two Priors, three Monks, seven Priests, also Captain Mackarel; and of tem∣poral persons were executed Robert Aske, the Lord Dacres, Sir Robert Constable, Sir Francis Bigod, Palmer, Percie, Hamilton, Tempest and Lumley.

These stirs being stinted a Commission came forth to purge the Churches of Idols, and to suppress the Monastries to the Kings use, grant∣ed him by Parliament. When down went the Rood of Boxely in Kent, commonly called the Rood of Grace, which was made with divers vices to bow down and lift up it self, to shake and stir both head, hands and feet, to rowl the eyes, move the lips and to bend the brows, thereby to cheat silly Souls. So likewise the Images of our Lady of Walsingham and Ipswich, set with Jewels and Gems, also divers other both of England and Wales were brought to London, and many of them burnt before the Lord Cromwel at Clelsey, A. D. 1538.

Then down went the Monasteries to the num∣ber of about 645, besides 90 Colledges, and of Chantries and free Chappels 2374. Al∣most all these were born down in those boistrous times to the worlds amazement. Amongst the Shrines that of Thomas a Becket was defaced, whose meanest part was pure Gold, garnished with many precious Stones; the chiefest of which, was a rich Gem of France offered by

King Lewis, who asked and obtained of this prime Saint, (believe it who list) That no passenger betwixt Dover and White-sand should perish by Ship-wrack. But instead of these impertinencies, the holy Bible was commanded to be read in English in the Churches, and Register-Books of Weddings, Christnings and Burials to be kept in every of them. If we will credit tradition, shameful villanies were too frequently prepetrated by the Monasticks, as Whoredoms, Incests, Sodomy, and Murders. Many infants bones, the products of their wan∣tonness, were found in many of their religious houses. The Monasteries thus dissolved and the revenues thereof converted to secular uses, King Henry hereby ran in great obloquy of many forreign Princes and Potentates, but especially of the Pope. Yea, and homeborn subjects disliking hereof by secret working sought to deprive King Henry, and to elevate Reg••nald Pole to the regal dignity, for the which treason Henry Courtney Marquess of Ex∣cester, the Lord Montacute and Sir Edward Neville, were beheaded on Tower-hill.

A. D. 1540, and January the sixth was King Henry married unto the Lady Anne, Sister to the Duke of Cleve, but he refrained her bed, for the dislike he had to her person; and she good Lady, no other cause alledged, was divorced by Parliament the June following, when it was also enacted, That she should no longer be cal∣led Queen.

In this Parliament was Cromwell Attainted for setting at liberty certain persons committed

for misprision of Treason, and Heresy; for fa∣vouring and maintaining the Translation of heretical Books (so called) into English; for countenancing and supporting heretical Teach∣ers; for being an heretick himself, and for having spoken great words for the upholding his said religion, to wit, That the King him∣self should not change it if he would. The cause why the King fell into dislike of him, and consequently of his ruin, was, because he stood in the defence of the Lady Anne of Cleve, and spake not all well of the Lady Katharine Ho∣ward, whom the King was minded and did take to Wife. Which distast of the Kings against him, his enemy Stephen Gardner Bishop of Win∣chester did improve to Cromwells destruction, who was beheaded on Tower-hill, and with him the Lord Hungerford of Heitesbury for bug∣gery.

Margaret Countess of Salisbury daughter of George Duke of Clarence, and Mother of Car∣dinal Reginald Pole, being neither Arraigned nor Tryed, but condemned by Parliament as Cromwell had been, was beheaded. And the Lord Leonard Grey about the same time lost his head for Treason. And the next day after his death, Thomas Fines Lord Dacres of the South died at Tyburn for killing a man in a fray. Nor was the Sword sheathed until the heads of Queen Katharine Howard, and the Lady Jane Rochford were struck off; the former for Adul∣tery, the other for concealment, as was al∣ledged. The parties offending with Katharine Howard, were Francis Dereham and Thomas Cul∣pepper,

Dereham before she was Queen and Culpepper after, who both were executed at Tyburn, Decemb. the tenth; and on Febru. the twelfth following Mrs Katharine Howard (for so in the Act of her Attainder she is called) who had been Queen for the space of a year and half, with the Lady Jane widow of the Lord Rochford, were brought unto the Tower-hill, where in lamentable passions they suffered death. This Queen protested after her condem∣nation to Dr. White her last Confessor, that she was guiltless, having never so abused her So∣veraigns bed.

But as these in case of Treason, so others in matter of Conscience were put to death, by force of the Statutes made under this King. Whereof one was the renouncing the Popes supremacy, and owning the King for supream head of the Church in his own Dominions; this concerned the Papists. The other was the six Articles, this concerned the Protestants. Which six bloody Articles were,

First, That after the words of Consecration there is no other substance consisting in the bread and wine, besides the substance of Christ, God and man.

Secondly, That the Communion in both kinds was not necessary to Salvation, the flesh only in form of bread being sufficient to the Laity.

Thirdly, That Priests might not marry by the Law of God.

Fourthly, That the vows of chastity ought by Gods law to be observed.

Fifthly, That private Masses were necessary for the people, and agreeable to the Law of God.

Sixthly, That auricular Confession was ex∣pedient to be retained in the Church of God. For offending against the former Law of ab∣juring the Popes Supremacy, &c. was John Fisher Bishop of Rochester put to death, and Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor, so merry conceited a person that he could not forbear his jests though bloody death stared him in the face: For when on the Scaffold the Executioner desired his forgiveness, he replied, I forgive thee, but I promise thee thou wilt get no hon∣our by ••utting off my head, my neck is so short. And when he was to lay his neck on the block he stro••kt out his white beard, and said to the Heads-man, I pray let me lay it over the block, lest you should cut it off; For though you have a Warrant to cut off my head, you have none to cut off my Beard. Besides these two there were put to death for the same cause many Abbots, Priors and Friars. For oppugning the six Articles and asserting Gospel-truths did many Christians of the reformed Religion suffer death in the flames. Amongst the rest Dr. Robert Barns was one, and Mrs. Anne Askue a person of rare wit and elegant beauty, who when she had been twice tormented upon the Rack to the disjoynting of her bones, then gave her body to the flames for Christs sake. And the life of Queen Katharine Parre was hard laid for by Stephen Gardner, but through her wisdom and prudent carriage towards the King, it was preserved;

About A. D. 1545, was a match concluded to be made betwixt Prince Edward King Henrie's son, and the young Princess of Scotland, the Scotch Nobility approving thereof, and in a Parliament of the three estates the match was confirmed in England, the like also in Scotland: but Cardinal Beton Archbishop of St. Andrews, fearing lest hereby Scotland should also change the Church-Orders, and the French likewise not liking the union, means was therefore wrought to break the said intended marriage of the two young Heirs, whence wars insued, and the English invaded Scotland, spoiled Leith, burnt Edenbrough, and wasted the Country for seven miles about, set fire upon Haddington and Dunbar, then returned. And because the French refused the performance of certain Covenants, King Henry made war also upon that Nation, and in short time won the strong Town of Bul∣loigne. Then the French King with intent to balance the loss of Bolloign invaded the Isle of Wight, and Sea-coasts of Sussex, though it proved to the loss of many of his Captains, and thousands of his Souldiers.

A. D. 1546, the Reingrave came with a great force to victual a Fort built near to Bul∣loigne, which the Earl of Surrey sought to prevent him from, but was discomfited, with the loss of many brave mens lives. Shortly after which, by the mediation of the Emp••ror, and other Christian Potentates peace was con∣cluded betwixt France and England.

A. D. 1547, and January the twenty eighth King Henry yielded to deaths impartial stroke,

whose body with great solemnity was buried at Windsor. In his Will he ordained (howso∣ever Titles had been made invalid in Parlia∣ments) That his three Children should succeed each other, for want of other Issue. One thousand Marks he commanded should be given to the poor; and to twelve poor Knights at Windsor each of them twelve-pence a day for ever, every year a long Gown of white cloth, the Garter to be embroidred upon the breast, and therein the Cross of St. George, and a Mantle of red cloth to be worn thereupon. His Wives were Katharine his brothers Relict, Anne Bullen, Jane Seymore, Anne of Cleve, Katharine Howard Neece to the Duke of Nor∣folk, and Katharine Parre the daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendal. His Issue Henry which lived not full two months, another son not named, and Mary, these by Katharine of Spain, Elizabeth, and a son still-born by Anne Bullen; Edward by Jane Seymour. His natural Issue Henry Fitz-Roy.

After the dissolution of the religious Houses, he erected the Bishopricks of Westminster, Chester, Oxford, Peterborough, Bristol and Glo∣cester, and also erected the Cathedral Churches of Canterbury, Winchester, Worcester, Chester, Peterborough, Ely, Glocester, Bristol, Carlile, Durham, Rochester and Norwich. In all which he founded a Dean, with a certain number of Prebendaries. The Colledge of Christ-Church in Oxford begun by Cardinal Wolsey, he or∣dained to be the Cathedral of this Bishops See.

Many died of the sweating sickness in Eng∣land, especially about London. In the twenty third year of his raign Richard Rice a Cook was boiled to death in Smith-field for poysoning divers persons. In the thirty seventh of his raign the Stews on the Bank-side in Southwark were put down by the Kings appointment.

A. D. 1546, William Foxly continued sleeping fourteen days and fifteen nights, and could not by any means be awakened during that time; yet when he did awake he was in very good temper, as though he had slept but one night, and lived forty years after.

King Henry by Act of Parliament assumed the Stile and Title of King of Ireland, former Kings of England bearing only the stile of Lords thereof. 'Tis said that now, Turkey, Carp, Hops, Pickarel and Beer, came into Eng∣land all in a Year.

Mayors and Sheriffs of Londen in this Kings Time.

In his first Year,

• Thomas Bradbury was Mayor for the part of the year, Sir VVilliam Capel for the rest.
• George Monox, John Doget, Sheriffs.

In his second Year,

• Sir Henry Kebble was Mayor.
• John Milborne, John Rest, Sheriffs.

In his third Year,

• Sir Roger Acheley was Mayor.
• Nicholas Shelton, Thomas Mersine, Sheriffs.

In his fourth Year,

• Sir William Copinger was Mayor for part of the year, Sir Richard Haddon for the rest.
• Robert Holdernes or Alderns, Robert Fenrother, Sheriffs.

In his fifth Year,

• Sir William Brown was Mayor.
• John Dawes, John Bruges, Roger Bosford, Sheriffs.

In his sixth Year,

• Sir George Monox vvas Mayor.
• James Yarford, John Munday, Sheriffs.

In his seventh Year,

• Sir William Butler vvas Mayor.
• Henry Warley, Richard Gray, William Baily, Sheriffs.

In his eighth Year,

• Sir John Rest was Mayor.
• Thomas Seymour, John or Richard Thurston, Sheriffs.

In his ninth Year,

• Sir Thomas Exmewe was Mayor.
• Thomas Baldrie, Ralph, or Richard Simons, Sheriffs.

In his tenth Year,

• Sir Thomas Mersine was Mayor.
• John Allen, James Spencer, Sheriffs.

In his eleventh Year,

• Sir James Yarford was Mayor.
• John Wilkinson, Nicholas Patrick, Sheriffs.

In his twelfth Year,

• Sir John Burg vvas Mayor.
• John Skevington, John Kyme, alias Keble, Sheriffs.

In his thirteenth Year,

• Sir John Milborn was Mayor.
• John Breton, or Britain, Thomas Pargitor, Sheriffs.

In his fourteenth Year,

• Sir John Mundy vvas Mayor,
• John Rudston, John Champneis, Sheriffs.

In his fifteenth Year,

• Sir Thomas Baldrie was Mayor.
• Michael English, Nicholas Jennings, Sheriffs.

In his sixteenth Year,

• Sir William Bailey vvas Mayor.
• Ralph Dodmere, VVilliam Roche, Sheriffs.

In his seventeenth Year,

• Sir John Allen was Mayor.
• John Caunton, or Calton, Christopher Askaw, Sheriffs.

In his eighteenth Year,

• Sir Thomas Seymour vvas Mayor.
• Stephen Peacock, Nicholas Lambert, Sheriffs.

In his nineteenth Year,

• Sir James Spencer was Mayor.
• John Hardy, William Hollis, Sheriffs.

In his twentieth Year,

• Sir John Rudston vvas Mayor.
• Ralph Warren, John Long, Sheriffs.

In his twenty first Year,

• Sir Ralph Dodmer was Mayor.
• Michael Dormer, Walter Champion, Sheriffs.

In his twenty second Year,

• Sir Thomas Pargiter was Mayor.
• William Dantesey, or Dancy, Richard Champion, Sheriffs.

In his twenty third Year,

• Sir Nicholas Lambert was Mayor.
• Richard Gresham, Edward Altham, Sheriffs.

In his Twenty fourth Year,

• Sir Stephen Peacock was Mayor.
• Richard Reynolds, John Martin, Nicholas Pinchon, John Priest, Sheriffs.

In his twenty fifth Year,

• Sir Christopher Askew vvas Mayor.
• William Forman, Thomas Kitson, Sheriffs.

In his twenty sixth Year,

• Sir John Champneis was Mayor.
• Nicholas Leveson, William Denham, Sheriffs.

In his twenty seventh Year,

• Sir John Allen was Mayor.
• Humfrey Monmouth, John Cotes, Sheriffs.

In his Twenty eighth Year,

• Sir Ralph Warren was Mayor.
• Robert or Richard Paget, William Bowyer, Sheriffs.

In his twenty ninth Year,

• Sir Richard Gresham was Mayor.
• John Gresham, Thomas Lewin, Sheriffs.

In his thirtieth Year,

• Sir VVilliam Forman was Mayor.
• William Wilkinson, Nicholas Gibson, Sheriffs.

In his thirty first Year,

• Sir VVilliam Hollys was Mayor.
• Thomas Ferrer, Thomas Huntlow, Sheriffs.

In his thirty second Year,

• Sir William Roche was Mayor.
• VVilliam Laxstone, Martin Bows, Sheriffs.

In his thirty third Year,

• Sir Michael Dormer was Mayor.
• Rowland Hill, Henry Suckley, Sheriffs.

In his thirty fourth Year,

• Sir John Cotes was Mayor.
• Henry Hobberthorn, Henry Amcoats, Sheriffs.

In his thirty fifth Year,

• Sir William Bowyer was Mayor.
• John Tholouse, Richard Dobbes, Sheriffs.

In his thirty sixth Year,

• Sir William Laxton was Mayor.
• John Wilford, Andrew Jud, Sheriffs.

In his thirty seventh Year,

• Sir Martin Bows was Mayor.
• George Barne, Ralph Allen, or Alley, Sheriffs.

In his thirty eighth Year,

• Sir Henry Hobberthorn was Mayor.
• Richard Jarveis, Thomas Curteis, Sheriffs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. D. 1509.
• * 1.2

  Tho. Cran∣mer. A. B. Cant.