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.

JAMES.

* 1.1KING James his Title to the Crown of England sprung from Henry the seventh, whose Issue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Male, failing in the late de∣ceased Queen Elizabeth, the off-spring of Mar∣garet his eldest daughter was the next Heir, which Lady Margaret being married unto James the fourth King of Scotland by him had Issue James the fifth, whose only daughter and Child Queen Mary was the Mother of King James the sixth of that name that had swayed the Scepter in Scotland. Which learned Prince when he heard of the death of Queen Elizabeth, set for∣ward out of Scotland, and was with great joy received of all his English Subjects in his way to London; and at his approach unto that ho∣nourable City, the Lord Mayor, and Alder∣men, with five hundred choice Citizens, all in Chains of Gold and well-mounted, met his Majesty, and with all solemn observance at∣tended him unto the Charter-house. Then pre∣parations were made for his Coronation, but before the day appointed thereunto, a Pro∣clamation came forth, that no Citizen should presume to approch the Court, the City having buried in one week above one thousand of the plague. And yet a greater plague than this was intended against England about the Kings coming in, had not God in his mercy pre∣vented

it, For Pope Clement the eighth having sent unto Henry Garnet Superior of the Jesuites in England two Bulls, therein prohibiting any to be admitted to the Crown, unless he would first tolerate the Romish Religion, and by all his best endeavours advance that Catholique cause; Hereupon the Popes creatures, to do their un∣holy Father the best service they could, com∣bined with some (whom private discontents had discomposed) to surprise the Kings person and Prince Henry, intending to retain them prisoners in the Tower, or if they could not gain the Tower then to carry them to Dover-Castle, and there to keep them till they had brought the King to their own terms, and compleated their designs. The persons accused for this Conspiracy were Henry Brook, Lord Cobham, Thomas Lord Grey of Wilton, Sir Walter Rawleigh, Sir Griffin Markham, Sir Edward Par∣ham, George Brook, and Bartholomew Brooksby Esquires, Anthony Copley Gentleman, Watson and Clark Priests.

A. D. 1603, and July 21, King James and Queen Anne were Crowned at Westminster by John Whitguift Archbishop of Canterbury, and when the Coronation was over the Conspira∣tors were conveyed to Winchester, (where the Term was then kept, because of the plague at London) and there had their Tryal, and were all condemned by their Jury, save Sir Edward Parham: Howbeit only three of them were ex∣ecuted, namely, Watson, Clark, and George Brook. This business thus Transacted for the safety of King and Kingdom, his Majesty to

gratify the Puritan or Presbyterian party, (that had petitioned for a reformation in the English Church) commanded an Assembly of selected Divines to appear in his Royal presence at Hampton-Court, whither the summoned ac∣cordingly repaired. Persons summoned to maintain the cause of the Church of England were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishops of London, Durham, Winchester, &c.

Persons for the reformation of the Church were Dr. Reynolds, and Dr. Sparks of Oxford, Mr. Knewstubs and Mr. Chaderton of Cambridge. At this conference his Majesty notably vindi∣cated the Church of England: see the con∣ference at Hampton-Court Printed, 1604. After an indeavour of setling Church-peace, the King commanded a new Translation of the holy Scriptures, which was accordingly done.

A. D. 1604, and August the nineteenth was peace proclaimed betwixt the two Nations of Spain and England. And the King to joyn the Na∣tions of England and Scotland into an happy unity, caused himself by Proclamation to be stiled King of Great Britain. A Proclamation also came forth commanding all Jesuites and Semi∣nary Priests out of the Land; but these under-miners of Church and State, mean not to leave England so, but design to stay and triumph in its ruins, purposing by one fatal-blow to de∣stroy the King, the Prince, the Peers both temporal and Spiritual, the Knights, and Bur∣gesses of Parliament.

And the Traytors intent, when that damnable villany should be effected was, to surprize the

Queen, and remainder of the Kings Issue,* 1.2 to bring in forreign powers and to alter Religion. Sir Edward Baynham an Attainted person was sent to the Pope to acquaint him with the de∣signed Gun-powder-Treason, and Thomas Winter brought with him out of Flanders, Guy Fawks as a fit Executioner of their hellish project. The Conspirators resolved among themselves, that it was lawful for case of Conscience to destroy the innocent with the nocent, and this by the Authority and judgment of Garnet him∣self.

Then they took Oath of secresy, swearing by the blessed Trinity, and the Sacrament they then were about to receive, never to disclose directly or indirectly, by word or circumstance, this their Plot in hand, nor any of them to desist from the Execution thereof, until the rest of the Conspirators should give leave. This done, Mr. Thomas Piercy hired an house next adjoyning to the Parliament-House, pre∣tending it to be for his Lodgings, and Guy Fawks, who changed his name into Johnson, was to be his man, and to have the keeping of the Keys of the House. Decemb. 11th, 1604, the Traytors entred into their work of darkness, beginning their Mine, and by Christmas-Eve they had brought their work under an entry unto the wall of the Parliament-House, under-propping all still as they under-mined. The wall which was very hard and nine-foot thick with great labour they wrought half-way tho∣row; but then it hapning that a Cellar was to be let, which was under the Parliament-House,

they ceased their under-mining, and Thomas Piercy hired the Cellar for the laying in of his Winter-fuel wood and coal. But instead of these, they stored it with thirty six Barrels of Gun-Powder, upon which they laid bars of Iron, logs of Timber, massie stones, Iron-crows, pick-Axes, with the rest of their under-mining Tools, and, to cover all, store of Billets and Fa∣gots: So that now all was in readiness against the next meeting of the Parliament. The secular Traytors had hitherto done their parts, nor were the Jesuitical Priests wanting on their parts in doing their utmost. Their Masses and Sacrifices they usually concluded with prayers for their brethrens good success, supplicating their God to prosper their pains who laboured in his cause day and night, and that Heresy might vanish away like smoke, and their me∣mory perish with a crack, like the ruin and fall of a broken House: But through the goodness of the God of Heaven these Romish-Saints were taken, in the snare that they had laid for the just. They wrought their own destruction; For upon Thursday in the evening ten days be∣fore the Parliament were to convene, a Letter directed to the Lord Mont-Eagle, was delivered to a Foot-man of his in the street, by an un∣known person, with a charge to deliver it into his Lords own hand. This Letter, without date or subscription of name, somewhat un∣legible and of strange contents, perplexed the Lord; he hastes therefore to White-hall there to impart it to the Lord Cecil Earl of Salisbury principal Secretary, who shewed it to the Lord

Chamberlain and other Lords, and then con∣veyed it to the King. The Letter was as fol∣loweth.

My Lord, Out of the love I bear to some of your Friends, I have a care of your preservation. There∣fore I would advise you, as you tender your life to devise some excuse to shift your attendance at this Parliament. For God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time, and think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire your self into the Country, where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say, you shall perceive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no harm, for the danger is past, so soon as you have burnt the Letter. And I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it, to whose holy protection I commend you.

His Majesty after he had read this Letter, first paused a while; then reading it again, de∣livered his judgment upon it; That he appre∣hended by these words of receiving a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet should not see who hurt them; That a sudden danger by blast of Gun-powder should be intended by some base Villain in a corner, no Insurrection, Re∣bellion, or desperate attempt appearing. And therefore he wished that the Rooms under the Parliament-House might be throughly search∣ed, which accordingly was done Novemb. 4th. about midnight, at which time Sir Thomas Kne∣vet went to search those under Rooms; Where

at the entrance into the Cellar he found Guy Fawks at so unseasonable a time, cloaked and booted, whom he apprehended, then entring the Cellar he found therein under the Billets thirty six Barrels of Powder; and when he came to search the Traytor Fawks, he found about him a dark Lanthorne, three matches and other instruments for blowing up of the Powder. And the Villain no whit daunted, instantly con∣fessed himself guilty; but so far from repen∣tance, That he vowed, if he had been found within the Room, he would have blown up himself and them all.

And when he was brought before the Lords of the Council, he lamented nothing so much, as that the deed had not been done, saying, That the Devil and not God, was the disco∣verer of the Plot. But the news of the Plots discovery coming to the ears of Catesby, Piercy, Rookwood, the Wrights, and Thomas Winter, they posted into Warwick-shire to other of their as∣sociates, who now began an open Rebellion, pretending that all the Catholiques throats were appointed to be cut. And after that they had hovered about a while, they fled to Holbeth in Hereford-shire, whither they were pursued, and where John Wright and Christopher Wright Gen∣tlemen making opposition were slain, and Thomas Piercy and Ro••ert Catesby Esquires fighting back to back were both of them slain with one bul∣let, others were there taken.

A.D. 1605, and January 27th, Sir Everard Digby Knight, Tho. Winter, Rob. Winter, Ambrose Rookwood, John Grant, Gentlemen, Robert Keys, Thomas

Bates, and Guydo Fawks were tryed, found guilty and condemned, and on Thursday following Digby, Grant, Bates and Robert Winter were hang'd and quartred at the West-end of Saint Pauls, and on Friday the rest were executed in the Parliament-yard at Westminster. In memory of this great deliverance, the fifth of November (being the day appointed for the execution of this Hellish Plot) was by Authority of Par∣liament Enacted to be observed a day of Thanks∣giving.

A. D. 1606, March 28th, was Henry Garnet Provincial of the English Jesuites arraigned for concealing the foresaid Treason, and on May the third was executed at the West-end of Pauls. At his death confessing his fault, asking forgiveness, and exhorting all Catholiques never to attempt any Treason against the King or State, as a thing which God would never prosper.

A. D. 1607, was an Insurrection in Northamp∣ton, Warwick, and Leicester-shires, about the throwing down of Inclosures. At first the rout was without any particular head, but at length one John Reynolds undertook to be their Captain, affirming to the company, that in his great Pouch hanging by his side, he had sufficient to defend them against all opposers; though after∣wards being apprehended, and his Pouch searched, there was nothing found in it but a piece of green Cheese.

June 12th, King James was entred a brother of the Cloth-workers, when also many Lords and Gentleman were made free of the same Company.

A. D. 1608, George Jervis a Seminary Priest, and Thomas Garnet a Jesuit were executed at Tyburn, the last of which had pardon offered him, if he would take the Oath of Supremacy; but the Traytor would hang rather.

About this time were many famous English Pirates, some of whom denied their faith and turned Turks, living in great state at Tunis, as Captain Ward, Bishop, Sir Francis Verney and Glanvil. Nineteen of the Pirates were taken, and hanged at Wapping.

A. D. 1609, was the New-Exchange built, the King naming it Britains-Burse. In the same year the King by Proclamation prohibited all foreign Nations from fishing on any of the coasts of England, Scotland, Ireland, or the Isles adjacent, without special License from his Commissioners. In this year also the King ac∣cording to an ancient custom had aid of his Subjects through England, for making his eldest son Prince Henry Knight.

A. D. 1610, June 4th, all Roman Priests, Jesuits and Seminaries, as being the Incendiaries of disturbances, were commanded to depart the Realm. Then the Oath of Allegiance was ministred to all sorts of people.

His Majesty caused to be built the goodliest Ship of War that had ever been built in England, being of the burthen of 1400 Tun, and carrying 64 pieces of Ordinance, Prince Henry named it the Prince.

A. D. 1612, The Corps of Mary late Queen of Scotland, the Kings Mother, was translated from Peterborough to the Chappel-Royal at

Westminster. On November the sixth following Prince Henry died of a malignant Fever, which reigned that year in most parts of the Land. Some said that he died by poisoned grapes which he eat; others, by Gloves of a poisoned perfume given him for a present: but be his death by what means it would, certain it is, that he was infinitely beloved of the people, as one that had given great hopes of proving a wise and Martial Prince.

February 14th, the marriage of the Prince Palatine of the Rhyne with the Princess Eli∣zabeth was solemnized in the Chappel at White-Hall. She was attired all in white, having a rich Crown of Gold upon her head; her hair hanging down at length, curiously beset with Pearls, and precious Stones; her train sup∣ported by 12 young Ladies all in white. In this same year, the City of London, having be∣fore had the Province of Ʋlster granted them by the King for a plantation, sent thither about three hundred persons of all sorts of Handy-crafts-men, chiefly to inhabit the Cities of London-derry and Coleraign. And for the ad∣vancing of this or the like plantation in Ire∣land, the King about this time began a new Order of Knights called Baronets, which Or∣der he stinted within the number only of two hundred; and as the Issue should fail, the Order to cease. About this time also an exemplar punishment was imposed upon Sir Peckshall Brockas, which was to stand at Pauls-Cross in a white sheet, holding a wand in his hand, he having been formerly convicted before the

High-Commissioners, for many notorious adul∣teries with divers Women.

About A. D. 1614, Mr. Hugh Middleton Ci∣tizen and Goldsmith of London, with infinite cost and labour brought the New-river to the City of London, from the two great springs of Chadwel and Amwel in Hartfordshire. And a∣bout the same time was the Moor-Fields by London converted from deep stinking ditches, and noisom Common-shores, to pleasant sweet Walks.

A. D. 1615, Smithfield which was before a rude dirty place, was paved all over, and the middle part thereof railed in.

September 27th, the Lady Arbella the Kings Cousin-German died. She had sometime be∣fore, without the Kings privity, secretly mar∣ried the Earl of Hartfords younger Son, for which they were both committed to the Tower.

Sir Edward Cook the famous Lawyer, upon some displeasure was discharged from being Lord Chief Justice.

In this year was a divorce made betwixt Robert Devereux Earl of Essex, and his Countess, for his Insufficiency, and she left free to marry any other. After which divorce Robert Carre Earl of Sommerset took her to Wife. But Sir Thomas Overbury the Earls special friend having disswaded the match, and perhaps laid some imputation on the Ladies fame, according to desert, did by this means so incense these Lovers against him, that they first made means to have the said ingenious Gentleman commit∣ted

to the Tower, and then by their instruments to have him poisoned; some say, by a Tansey sent him to eat; some, by a Clister ministred to him. For which fact Sir Gervas Elwes then Lieutenant of the Tower, and Mrs. Turner, with others, were put to death. The Earl and his Countess were also arraigned and condemned, but had a lease of their lives granted them for ninety-nine years, yet so as after never to see the Kings face more. This made way for the advancement of Mr. George Villers; for this great favourite the Lord Carre being upon this occasion laid aside, the said Mr. Villers was ac∣cepted in his stead. Whom the King first of all Knighted and made Gentleman of his Bedcham∣ber, soon after Viscount and Master of his Horse, a while after Earl of Buckingham, then Marquess of Buckingham and Lord High Admi∣ral, and lastly Duke of Buckingham. A person, 'tis said, he was of delicate composure of body, and of excellent natural parts, and one that was very mindful of his Relations and Kin∣dred, most of whom he procured to be ad∣vanced.

A. D. 1618, Sir Walter Rawleigh, who had lived a condemned man many years in the Tower of London, now to procure some liberty, propounded to the King a project for the fetch∣ing of Gold from a Mine in Guyana, and that without any wrong to the King of Spain. This the King condescended unto, and Sir Walter set forward in his Voyage; but when after a real, or only a shew of search no treasure could be found▪ he fell upon St. Thome belonging to

the King of Spain,* 1.3 which he plundred and burnt, then returned, though to his ruin. For though Sir Walter sought to excuse his spoiling of St. Thome, by alledging that the Spaniards had first assaulted him; and moreover, that he could not come at the Mine without first win∣ning of that Town; yet did the Spanish Lieger Gundamo••e so aggravate this his fact, and pre∣vailed so with the King, who preferred the publick peace, before the life of a man already condemned, that he gave way to have the sen∣tence of his former condemnation executed upon him. And accordingly this man famous for Letters and Arms was beheaded in the Par∣liament-yard at Westminster.

In this Year 1618, and March the second, Queen Anne died at Hampton-Court, and was buried at Westminster. The November prece∣ding her death a famous Comet or Blazing-Star appeared.

A. D. 1620, July the seventeenth, Bernard Calvert of Andover, rode from St. Georges Church in Southwark to Dover, from thence passed by Barge to Callis in France, and from thenee returned back to St. Georges Church the same day. This his journey he performed be∣twixt the hours of three in the morning and eight in the afternoon.

A.D. 1621, Sir Francis Michel a Justice of the Peace of Middlesex, was sentenced by Parlia∣ment to Ride with his face to the Horse-tail through the City of London, for practising sundry abuses in setting up new Ale-houses, and exacting monies contrary to the Law. This

sentence was executed upon him. Sir Francis Bacon Viscount St. Albans, Lord Chancellor of England, was for bribery (but it was his ser∣vants that were bribed) put out of his place, and committed to the Tower for some days.

A. D. 1621, the Count Palatine of the Rhine was elected King of Bohemia by the States of that Kingdom; but immediately after, the Emperor with great forces assaulted him in Prague, drove him, with his Wife and Children from thence, and deprived him of his Patrimony the Pala∣tinate. Prince Charles about this time by great Gundamores perswasion, was sent into Spain in order to the gaining of the Infanta to Wife, it being suggested that by that match with Spain, a re-settlement of the Prince Palatine in his Patrimony might have been procured. But when the Prince was arrived in Spain, though he found Royal entertainment in the Court, yet was he suffered to have little acquaintance with the Infanta, insomuch that in all his eight months stay in Spain, he never spake with her but twice, and that before company, with certain limitations also what he should speak to her. Some thought that a difference betwixt the Duke of Buckingham (then with the Prince) and Count Olivares the King of Spains great Favourite, was no small obstruction to the match. Others thought that the King of Spain never intended any such thing, but meant only by this Treaty to spin out time till he had compassed some designs in the Low-Countries and Palatinate. But howsoever it was, Gunda∣more made some good improvement of the

Treaty to himself; for he perswaded some Eng∣lish Ladies of the certainty of the match, and they gave him good Sums of money to be put in such or such an Office when the Spanish Princess should come to the English Court. King James at last wearied with delaies, if not angred with the delusion, sent for the Prince to return, which accordingly he did; and not long after, this Treaty of marriage with Spain was utterly ended, and the King made prepara∣tions both of men and money to recover the Palatinate, and sent to Treat of a marriage with France.

A. D. 1525, and March 27th, this Politick and Peaceable Monarch King James died of an Ague at Theobalds, and was buried at Westmin∣ster with great solemnity, and greater lamen∣tations of his Subjects. His Issue were Henry, Charles, Elizabeth; And Mary and Sophia who both died young.

Two obstinate Arian-Hereticks Bartholomew Legat, and Edward Wightman were burnt, the first in Smithfield, the other at Lichfield. George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury being on hun∣ting, as he shot at a Deer, his Arrow by mis∣chance glanced and killed a man, but he was cleared; yet out of a Religious tenderness, he kept the day of the year on which the mis∣chance hapned, with a solemn fast all his life after.

The murder of one VVaters murdered by his Wife, was discovered by a dream. One of the said VVaters neighbours dreamed that VVa∣ters was strangled and buried in such a certain

dunghill, which upon search was found true, and the Wife was burned for the fact.

A. D. 1606, Virginia was planted with an English Colony. It was first discovered A. D. 1584, by Sir VValter Rawleigh, who is said to have first brought that charming weed Tobacco into England. The Bermudas and New-England were also made English Plantations. King James for a sum of money quit the Cautionary Towns, Brill, &c.

A. D. 1612, A blazing Star was seen stream∣ing toward the West; infinite slaughters and devastations following both in Germany and other places.

Mayors and Sheriffs of London in his Reign.

In his first Year,

• Sir Thomas Bennet was Mayor.
• Sir William Rumney, Sir Thomas Middleton, Sheriffs.

In his second Year,

• Sir Thomas Low was Mayor.
• Sir Thomas Hayes, Sir Roger Jones, Sheriffs.

In his third Year,

• Sir Leonard Hollyday was Mayor.
• Sir Clement Scudamor, Sir John Jolles, Sheriffs.

In his fourth Year,

• Sir John VVats was Mayor.
• William VValthall, John Leman, Sheriffs.

In his fifth Year,

• Sir Henry Row was Mayor.
• Geoffrey Elwes, Nicholas Style, Sheriffs.

In his sixth Year,

• Sir Humphrey VVeld vvas Mayor.
• George Bolles, Richard Farrington, Sheriffs.

In his seventh Year,

• Sir Thomas Cambell vvas Mayor.
• Sebastian Harvey, William Cockaine, Sheriffs.

In his eighth Year,

• Sir William Craven vvas Mayor.
• Richard Pyat, Francis Jones, Sheriffs.

In his ninth Year,

• Sir James Pemberton was Mayor.
• Edward Barkham, John Smiths, Sheriffs.

In his tenth Year,

• Sir John Swinnerton vvas Mayor,
• Edward Rotheram, Alexander Prescot, Sheriffs.

In his eleventh Year,

• Sir Thomas Middleton vvas Mayor.
• Thomas Bennet, Henry Jaye, Sheriffs.

In his twelfth Year,

• Sir Thomas Hayes was Mayor.
• Peter Proby, Martin Lumley, Sheriffs.

In his thirteenth Year,

• Sir John Jolles was Mayor.
• VVilliam Goare, John Goare, Sheriffs.

In his fourteenth Year,

• Sir John Leman was Mayor.
• Allen Cotten, Cuthbert Hacket, Sheriffs.

In his fifteenth Year,

• Sir George Bolles vvas Mayor.
• William Holyday, Robert Johnson, Sheriffs.

In his sixteenth Year,

• Sir Sebastian Harvey was Mayor.
• Richard Hearne, Hugh Hamersley, Sheriffs.

In his seventeenth Year,

• Sir William Cockaine vvas Mayor.
• Richard Deane, James Cambell, Sheriffs.

In his eighteenth Year,

• Sir Francis Jones was Mayor.
• Edward Allen, Robert Ducie, Sheriffs.

In his nineteenth Year,

• Sir Edward Barkham was Mayor.
• George Whitemore, Nicholas Rainton, Sheriffs.

In his twentieth Year,

• Sir Peter Proby was Mayor.
• John Hodges, Sir Humphrey Hantford, Sheriffs.

In his one and twentieth Year,

• Sir Martin Lumley was Mayor.
• Ralph Freeman, Thomas Mounson, Sheriffs.

In his two and twentieth Year,

• Sir John Goare was Mayor.
• Rowland Heilin, Robert Parkhurst, Sheriffs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. D. 1602
• * 1.2

  Richard Bancroft. A. B. Cant.
• * 1.3

  George Abbot. A B. Cant