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KING Edward was no sooner Dead, but the Lords of the Duke of Northumberland's party hasted to Proclaim the Lady Jane Queen; and in order to do it, sent for the Lord Mayor of London, six Aldermen, and six of the Common Council, to Greenwich, where the King lay dead; and declared to them his death, which before was kept as secret as possible. Moreover shew∣ing them his Will, and the Letters Pattents with the Great Seal made fourteen Days before, causing them to
Swear Allegiance to the Lady Jane as their Soveraign Lady; and now the Policy was to surprise the Lady Mary, whom they thought knew nothing of the King's Death, or their Proceedings; for it had been carry'd on very closely. But she having secret Intelligence from her Friends at Court, left St. Edmunds Bury on pretence she feared the Infection, one of her Servants being dead of the Plague, and Riding forty Miles, came to Fremingh••m Castle in Suffolk, about Eighty Miles from London; considering that being near the Sea, if ••ortune turned against her, she might Escape into France. And here taking upon her the stile of Queen, (for King Henry at his Death repenting his Illegiti∣mating his two Daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, had by his last Will appointed they should Successively Reign in default of Issue) she dispatched Letters to her Friends and Allies, that they should hasten to come to her.
This was no sooner known by the Lords at London, but the Lady Jane was immediately Proclaimed Queen: Yet she received the Regalia unwillingly, not without some Sighs and Tears, which Presaged the Misfortune she was violently thrust upon; so that it plainly ap∣peared to all present, it was much against her will she ascended this height of Honour; and indeed as she passed through the City, tho' there were crouds of Gazers, yet very few Shouts or Acclamations of Joy, as in such cases are usual, were heard: Which gave courage to the contrary Party, who heitherto had kept silence; but now began to grow bold in their discour∣ses; and the Council sitting, a Letter was presented from the Lady Mary, wherein she commanded the Lords to repair to her, acknowledg her the Right Heir to the Crown, and their Lawful Princess, and do their Duties and Services, as became Loyal Subjects. Many
that envyed Northumberland's Greatness, hereupon be∣gan to encline to her Party; but then they found it could not be well contrived to bring her to London, as Queen, whilst Northumberland's Presence hindered; whereupon hearing that the Suffolk-Men, and a great part of Norfolk, had promised her their Aid, upon con∣dition of enjoying the freedom of Religion, they con∣cluded it was convenient to send Forces against her, that she might be suppressed before she became Strong; and tho' the Duke of Northumberland would have shif∣ted it, Forces were raised, and he appointed General; and so on the 13th of June he set out from London; but was much daunted when he heard none of the Multi∣tude that crowded to see him pass along, bid him good speed: Which he noted to the Lord Grey as an Omen of bad success. However he Marched slowly towards Cambridge, and in the mean while the Lady Mary's Party greatly encreased by the coming over of the Earls of Bath and Sussex, Sir Thomas Cornwallis, Sir Henry Jernington, Sir Robert Drury, Sir John Williams, Sir Robert Waldgrave, and others; and soon after Sir Ed∣ward Hastings, Brother to the Earl of Huntington, Re∣volted from the Duke of Northumberland, with 4000 Foot he had Raised by his order; for which he was af∣ter created Earl of Lowborough.
Soon after this, six Ships with Stores, Ammunition and Provision, which the Duke had caused to Watch the Coast, and Intercept Mary, if she should fly, fell in∣to her hands, as driven by stress of Weather into Yar∣mouth, when a great part of her Forces were there, by whom they were seized. And Sir Henry Jerningham consigned them to her use. Having by this means got a Traine of Artillery, she Marched towards Northum∣berland, Snow-Ball like, gathering as she proceeded; which made the Duke send to the Lords at London to
supply him with more Forces, for on the Muster he found many were Deserted, and till their coming he resolved to stay at Cambridge; but they hearing how things went, and finding the People unwilling to en∣gage, began more to consult their own safety, than any other matter; and leaving the Tower, they met at Bai∣nard's Castle; and there contrary to their sollemn pro∣mises, they consulted to Depose the Lady Jane, whom they had so lately advanced to the Throne; and the Earl of Arrundel being Spokesman, boldly declared the necessity of it, enveighing bitterly against the Duke of Northumberland, recounting many things that have been already mentioned of him, urging the unlawfulness of what they had done; and that there was no better Cure of Error, than mature and timely Repentance; and therefore he besought them all present, with one Heart and Mind to endeavour to the utmost that Mary (the undoubted Lawful Heir of the Crown) might presently be Proclaimed Queen. See in this the won∣derful Conversion Fear can work in Mens minds, for untill he perceived the Lady Mary Powerful, and like∣ly to come in by Force, except Northumberland, he was the most violent against her.
Upon this Advice, and some other Debates, it was agreed the Lady Mary should be Proclaimed Queen; for the Earl of Pembrook saying he heartily agreed with Arrundel, and laying his Hand on his Sword, Swore He would try it with any one that should presume to maintain the contrary, most became willing, and the rest were carried away in the stream of Power; and so sending for the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, they went to Cheap Cross, and there, to the great wonderment of the Peo∣ple, Proclaimed Mary Queen; and passing to St. Paul's, Te Deum was Sung, sending some to take possession of the Tower, and others to Summon the Duke of Suffolk,
laying all Excuses aside, to appear at the Council-Board.
The Duke perceiving Ruin threatned him and his Family, by laying too great a stress on Treacherous Friends, and drawn into a Snare by Northumberland's subtilty, he yet concluded to use such means as he hoped might avert the coming Storm; wherefore upon this notice he went to his Daughters Chamber of State, causing her to lay aside her Princely Ornaments, Ad∣vising her not to take it grievously that she was to re∣turn home, and live a Private Life: To which, with a composed Countenance, she Reply'd, Most loving Fa∣ther, I with more Joy and Gladness entertain the Message you now bring me, than that, when sore against my will, you placed me in the Throne. I then displeased my self that I might shew my Obedience to you and my Mother. I believe I have greatly Offended in what I have done, but now I willingly Obey you, and am well contented to renounce the Crown and to confess my fault; if at last so great an offence may be wiped away by an acknowledgment of my Error. After this, she retired to her Closet, and the Ladies that waited on her, were discharged from that Office, and desired to retire to their respective Habitations; which they did, tho' not without Tears, to see Innocence precipitated into so great a misfortune as was likely to follow.
The Duke of Suffolk after this, went to the Council of Lords, and subscribed the last Proclamation; and thereupon the Earl of Arrundel and divers others, posted to Queen Mary (for so now I must stile her) with a great Train, and procured their Pardons. The Duke of Northumberland somwhat late, hearing of these Proceedings, in much perturbation of mind, shewed his meanness of Spirit, in running into the Street at Cam∣bridge, and Proclaiming Queen Mary, throwing up his Cap, and capering amongst the croud, as if he had done
it with all the sincerity and alacrity imaginable; when every body knew Fear, and hope of Pardon, compelled him to it. Yet a few days after, he and divers others, whilst they were preparing for Flight, as doubting the worst, were Arrested by the Lord Arrundel, and con∣vey'd to the Tower of London, and the Army he com∣manded Disbanded, and ordered on pain of being re∣puted Rebells to repair immediatly to their several Houses; and the Virtuous Lady Jane (after ten Days Acting the Queen as on a Stage) by special order con∣fin'd to the Tower, The Marquess of Northampton was Imprisoned, and divers others of Note, who they sug∣gested were any way concerned in this business; and the Lady Elizabeth, upon her Sisters coming towards London, went to meet her Sister, and Congratulated her Success, highly commending her for so undaunted∣ly pursuing her Right to the Crown; and upon her enterance into London she caused the Duke of Norfolk, and Edward Courtney, Son to the Marquess of Exceter Beheaded in Henry the Eighth's time, to be set at Li∣berty, as also Stephen Gardener, and all the Romish Clergy were released from their confinement, with many o∣thers; Constituting Gardener Lord Chancellour of England, restoring the deprived Popish Bishops to their Offices and Dignities, outing those of the Reformed Religion that had by King Edward been preferred to those Bishopricks, as London, Winches••••••, Durham, Wor∣cester, Chichester, &c. But for all this Dr. Bourn Preach∣ing at St. Paul's Cross, and bitterly inveighing against the Reformed Religion, had a Dagger flung at him, whose mortal Point narrowly missed his Breast, tho' the party that did it (upon the narrowest search and scrutinie) could not be discovered.
Things being a little settled, the Queen by Advice of her Council chosen for the purpose, proceeded to
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Revenge herself on her opposers, and procured the Duke of Northumberland, the Earl of Warwick, his Eldest Son, and the Marquess of Northampton to be Try'd and Condemn'd for High Treason, and soon after the Duke was brought to the Scaffold on Tower-Hill, where he declared himself (in hopes of Life) a Roman Catholick; Advising all present to return to the Mother Church, and not to embrace a new uncertain Religion that had work'd so many Mischiefs and Disorders in the Kingdom: And that for his own part he always embraced and loved the Religion he received from his Ancestors, with much more to the same purpose. But by the way pray hear what he said to King Edward when he perswaded him to exclude his Sisters from the Crown, which I should not have men∣tion'd had he by his Ambition brought none but him∣self to this kind of Misfortune.
He told him, The Lady Mary his Eldest Sister was a professed Roman Catholick, and if she came to the Crown, would destroy the Reformed Religion, and therefore it was the Duty of a good and Religious Prince to set light by all natural tyes and respects of Blood, in regard of the Glory of God and the benefit of his Subjects Salvation: That ven∣geance awaited those that should do otherwise; for when this Life was ended, they must appear before Gods high Tribunal, there to give an Account of all their Actions, either to re∣ceive the Reward of Eternal Life, or the Doom of Eternal Death. But this was then to serve his ends. And I pray God too many in our days do not make Religion a pretence to advantage themselves. One thing more is remarkable in this great Mans fall, of which it is said he took exceeding notice, viz. As he passed to the Tower when first committed, a Woman out of a Bal∣cony shook a bloody Handkerchief, saying, Look you here's the Blood of a right Noble Man and the Kings Ʋnkle, which was shed through your wicked Treachery; and now
cryeth for Revenge against you. But his profession of the Popish Religion saved not his Life; tho' it is sup∣posed Dr. Heath his Confessor, had on this account put him in great hopes of Pardon, which was conje∣ctured from the unwillingness that appeared in him to submit to the stroak: Near the same time Sir John Gates, and Sir Thomas Palmer, two of the Dukes Fa∣vourites, were Beheaded for accompanying him to Cam∣bridge, which by the Judges was construed Rebellion, and consequently Treason against the Queen: And divers Protestant Bishops, as Dr. Hooper of Gloucester, Dr. Coverdale of Exceter, Dr. Farrar of St. David's, &c. and all Ecclesiastical Persons, were deprived of their Livings, who would not comply with the Romish Religion.
Soon after these Proceedings, the Lords Ambrose and Guilford Dudley, two Sons to the Duke of Northumber∣land, with the Virtuous Lady Jane, Wife to the latter, were Try'd and found Guilty of High Treason, and Condemned: Arch Bishop Cranmer was Imprisoned; but nothing of Treason appearing against him, he was at that time Released, but afterwards Condemned to the Flames for Heresy, as in the Martyrology annexed to this Reign, will appear; wherefore by the way, take notice that to avoid breaking the thred of History, by so many occasions as must in his, and other cases of that nature, occur; for the better understanding of the Reader, I shall omit them here, to place them by themselves. However they agreed to send Peter Mar∣tyr under safe conduct to Antwerp, supposing he would there fall into rougher hands, but he escaped into Germany.
The Queens Coronation had been hitherto deferr'd, but now was performed with much Pomp and Solem∣nity. And a Parliament was called, in which almost
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all the Laws Enacted in the Reigns of Henry the 8th and Edward the 6th against Popery, were Repealed; and in a Synod at London, Disputations were held concerning the Real Presence in the Sacrament, in which the Popish Doctors were nonpluss'd; yet as their saying was, They had the Sword, tho' we had the Word; so that by out∣clamouring some, and over-awing others, they gave sentence That it was necessary the Roman Catholick Reli∣gion should be Restored. And the Queen exhibited a General Pardon, so called, but with so many Exceptions and Exclusions, That those of the Clergy and Laity that stood in most need of it, could reap no benefit by it; and soon after this, the Queen enclining to Marry, Phillip King of Spain, among many others proposed, was thought the most agreeable Match; for as much as it was laid before her, That an unsettled Kingdom ought to have a potent Prince to defend it, if Troubles should arise, as well Abroad as at Home; which up∣on Gardener Bishop of Wincbester's moving Oration to the Lords, was approved, and the Spanish Ambassadars coming over with full Power to Treat about it, the Marriage was concluded on, and Articles signed, very advantageous to the English, as to Trade, and disen∣cumberance from Wars Abroad; she being to Rule Absolute, and he not to intermeddle with the Affaires of the Kingdom, unless by way of Advice; and that such Children as should proceed from this Marriage, should be here brought up, and not carry'd out of the King∣dome. Yet many disliked it, as fearing when the Queen was Married, her Husband would do as he pleased, by easily prevailing on her to have the dispo∣sal of Offices, Treasure, and Armies; and under this pretence Sir Thomas Wiat raised a Rebellion in Kent, and attempted to enter the City of London; but being forcibly resisted at London-Bridge, fetching a compass
to pass the Thames at Kingston, in the mean while such Forces were prepared, as routed his Followers, and obliged him to surrender himself Prisoner; and being Committed to the Tower, he soon after lost his Head.
This Rebellion (in which her Father had under-hand sided) hastned the Death of the Lady Jane and her Husband; for Dr. Fecknam being sent to her to per∣swade her to the Romish Religion; but she being con∣stant and unmovable, the Warrant was signed for her Execution; and the Lord Guilford being first Beheaded, she unconcern'd beheld his Body brought all Bloody into the Tower, exposed to her view, the more to ter∣rify her, and with a settled Constancy of Mind (tho' she did not much exceed Sixteen Years) mounted the Scaffold, and Embracing the Divine that had attended her, Desired God to reward him for his Pious endeavours, in Counselling and Advising her about the weighty Concern of an Immortal State; and then turning to the by-stan∣ders with a composed Countenance, Lovely in Sorrow, she thus spoke her Mind.
If I am Guilty (said she) it is not because I affected the Kingdom, but that I refused it not, being cast upon me; and must leave a memorable Example and Monition to all Posterity, That Innocency cannot excuse those grievous Actions which tend to the Publick Damage; for it seemes they commit wickedness enough, that serve the Ambitious Designs of others, tho' it be much against their own will.
Having Spoken these words, she Pray'd fervently; then desiring her Gentlewoman to help her off with her Gown, she vailed her Eyes, and submitting to the Block, denied the Executioner to do what the Law had appointed as her bitter Portion; whereupon her Head being stricken off, caused many Tears even in those that favoured not her Religion. And thus a worthy Author speaks of her:
She was, says he, Religious, Wise, and Learned, above her Age or Sex; who for taking the fatal Title of a Queen, unsought-for, and forced upon her by others, was snatched from a Throne to a Prison, and from thence to the place of Execution; where she suffered Patiently for the Offences of others, and yet overcame the many blows of Adversity with Constancy and Innocency.
A while after, the Duke of Suffolk being Imprisoned, was Condemned for having a hand in Wiat's Rebellion, and attempting to raise others, as it was Charged a∣gainst him on his Tryal; tho' on very slender proof. Being brought to the Scaffold he thrust from him the Popish Priests, who were busy and troublesome in en∣deavouring to perswade him to change his Religion, and Praying fervently, he among other Expressions Desired the Queen to forgive him as he forgave all that had offended him: At which Dr. Weston, who had been ear∣nest with him to change his Religion, said aloud to the people, The Queen had forgiven him: Whereupon some Reply'd, such forgiveness God send you. And then pre∣paring for the Stroke, he underwent it with much con∣stancy and courage, not varying from what the series of his Life had expressed him.
Divers taken in Wiat's Rebellion being about this time Executed, and some Pardoned, Wiat (in hopes of Life) was wrought on to Accuse the Marquess of Ex∣ceter, and the Lady Elizabeth, the Queens Sister; but being nevertheless brought to Execution, he heartily begged both their pardons with Tears, excusing them from having any hand in his Rebellion; for which, tho' he dyed by the Ax, his Body was Quartered, and set upon several Gates in the City; and within a while, Thomas Lord Grey, Brother to the Duke of Suffolk, was Beheaded: For this Queen seemed to have learned her Fathers way, viz. To spare none that stood in her
way, or from whom she apprehended any danger.
The Queen calling a Parliament, propounded to the Houses her Intended Marriage, and the desire she had of restoring the Popes Supremacy; but to the latter at this time she could not get their Consents, the No∣bles imagining they must restore the Church-Lands, if the Pope once came to assume a power over the Eccle∣siastical State. But the former, upon several advanta∣gous additional Articles, they allowed; and King Philip with a great Train of the Nobility of Spain, and other Nations, came to Winchester where the Queen stay'd to receive him; and on St. James's Day they were Mar∣ried there, with great pomp and solemnity, and their Stiles pronounced in Latin, French, and English: Whereupon John Figuora, the Emperours Ambassador, resigned to them (in his Masters name) the Kingdom of Naples; and the rejoycing being a little over, they came to London; where they were received in much splendor; and going to Windsor, the King was Installed Knight of the Garter, and Cardinal Pool sent for over to settle the affairs of the Church, being appointed the Popes Legate; and in Parliament his Attainder was taken off, and he restored to all his Honours and Dig∣nities; and making a moving Oration to both Houses, won upon them to be Absolved by him, as in Form he did after the whole Kingdom; and in the end procured Popery to be restored; but not the Lands of the Church: For tho' they set light by Religion, those were too sweet morsels to be parted with.
The Queen after this laboured to have King Philip Crowned; but the Parliament refused their consent; and soon after that, she fancied herself to be with Child; and by her Error led many to believe it, so that the Infant was Pray'd for. Some in the Pulpets under∣took to describe its featurs when it should be born,
others to direct how it should be brought up; abun∣dance of Cradles, Rockers, Nurses, and such like, were provided, and at last it was spread abroad with uncer∣tain Rumour, she was Delivered of a Prince; then he was described again in the Pulpits, the English Mer∣chants at Antwerp fired their Guns, and made great Rejoycing; but at length it was discover'd the Queen had never been with Child. But if any thing was in it, she had been deceived by a Mole, which tho' without Life, some times stirrs as if it were Quickened. How∣ever it occasioned various Conjectures of the Queen, but time blew over the Censures.
Many Persons now were advanced to Dignities, to ballance in the House of Peers; and the Earl of Savoy and Piedmont coming to see England, was highly wel∣comed, and Lodged at White-Hall; but after a short stay he departed to his own Country; and the Prisons being in a manner fill'd many were Pardoned, others without it set at Liberty; and Sir Nicholas Throckmor∣ton's Head being aimed at, the Jury for Acquitting him upon Tryal, were severely Fined, and Punished, to the Ruin of the greatest part of them.
The Lady Elizabeth, Sister to the Queen, (after a long Imprisonment in the Tower and other places, be∣ing often put in danger of her Life, by Firing the Boards under her Lodgings, Ruffians enterprising to Murther her, and many hardships undergon, so that she wished her self a Milk-Maid, when she heard the merry contented Life of one singing in a Park near her Pri∣son) was set at Liberty, as also the Lord Courtney Mar∣quess of Exceter, who had been a Prisoner from the time of his Fathers being Beheaded in Henry the Eighth's Reign.
The Lord Stourton, a great stickler for Popery, having Murthered one Hargil and his Son, relying on his Par∣don,
found he was deceived; for himself was Hanged in a Silken Cord, and four of his Servants (who assisted him) in Hemp. It seemes there had been Law-Suits and other Variances between him and the Murthered Person, and the sooner to end them he and his Servants knocked them down with Clubbs, cut their Throats, and Buried them Fifteen Foot deep; but such was the will of God, the Murther should be discovered by such as went to digg Gravel, and the Murtherers punished.
Thomas Stafford, second Son to the Lord Stafford, getting a few Ships Landed in the North, and surprized Scarborough Castle, Proclaiming Queen Mary held the Crown without Right, and had betray'd the Kingdom to the Spaniards; but six Days after his Landing he was Taken by the Earl of Westmoreland, and at London lost his Head, Three of his Followers being Executed at Tyburn. And King Philip being in War with France, upon the account of his Father Charles the Emperour, notwithstanding by Articles of Marriage it was agreed upon that the English should not Intermeddle, the Queen laboured to Quarrel that she might come in with a colourable pretext to Assist her Husband; and there∣fore made divers Complaints of Injuries done, espe∣cially, That the French King had fitted out Stafford with Men and Money, and encouraged divers others to molest her Kingdom; and was about to Proclaim War: But Pope Paul the Fourth Envying the Empe∣rour, and taking part with the French, hereupon (to cross Queen Mary's purposes) took Cardinal Pool's Au∣thority Legantine from him, and appointed one Peter Petou, a Monk of the Order of St. Francis, to Succeed him, naming him Bishop of Salisbury; but the Queen forbad his Landing; and by submitting to the Pope got Pool restored.
Whilst these things passed King Philip raised an Ar∣my in Flanders, and other Countries, of 25000 Foot and 12000 Horse; and the Queen under-hand, sent to his Aid 1000 Horse and 4000 Foot under the Earl of Pembrook, and other experienced Generals, which o∣verthrew the French Army, and took the Town of St. Quintins; and because the English had thus assisted, con∣trary to the Truce between the two Nations, the Duke of Guise set down before Callice and battered it furi∣ously, of which the Queen having notice, ordered Sup∣plies to be immediatly sent of Men, Ammunition, and Provision; but so outragious was the sea, that no Ships could put out; so that the Lord Wentworth Governour of the Town, found himself constrained to surrender it on Articles when it had been held by the English 211 Years, for the Taking of which such joy was made in France as if England was falln into their hands. After that they Invaided Flanders, pillaging the Country, but were Fought with and Overthrown; and soon after a great Fleet being set-forth, the English Landed near Brest in Britany, and Sacked Conquet a considerable Port-Town in that Tract, which they afterwards Burnt: When the French, to strengthen their Interest, Married Mary the Young Queen of Scots, to Francis the then Dauphin, she having been (in King Edward the Sixth's Reign) conveyed into France to that end. But whilst Queen Mary was making great preparation, she fell Sick, some say of Melancholly for the Absence of King Philip, who now seemed little to regard her; but her∣self affirmed, when that was alledged to her in her Sick∣ness, It was not his Ʋnkindness troubled her, but if she Dyed they might open her, and find the loss of Callis written upon her Heart; and of that Sickness she Dyed, on the 17th of November, Anno 1558, when she had Reigned 5 Years, 4 Months, and 11 Days, and in the 40th Year
of her Age; and was Interred among her Royal An∣cestors, in Westminster.
In this Queens Reign a Tempest happened, accom∣panied with prodigious Thunder and Lightening, and in Notinghamshire it threw down many Churches and Houses, tore up huge Trees, threw the Bells out of Steeples, and took off Sheets of Lead, writhed them together like a Glove, and threw them 400 Foot from their place: A Child was taken by the force of the Tempest, out of a Mans Arms a great height, and Dyed by the fall. Five or Six People were Kill'd, and many Cattle, by Hail-Stones Fifteen Inches in Circum∣ference.
A great Mortality happened at the time of the Queens Death, which fell mostly on the Clergy; and of that burning Feaver 13 Bishops dyed, besides a great Number of Priests, and others; also Cardinal Poole.