The First and second part of the history of the famous Euordanus Prince of Denmark With the strange aduentures of Iago Prince of Saxonie: and of both theyr seuerall fortunes in loue.

CHAP. XIX. How the Archbishop of Maiance, the County Hermes, & the Lord Harding, disliking the gouernment, went about to make a King amongst them.

THe Kingdome of Denmarke, hauing béene without their King, by the space of 17 yeares, and vnder the gouernment of a certaine company of States, elected as is before declared: many beganne to dis∣like with y^e gouernment therof, amongst whom the chiefe and principall, were the Archbishop of Maiance, a man very well learned, but giuen altogether vnto nouelties and change, the County Hermes, and the Lord Harding, all thrée great men, and such as were in a manner, the only Authors of that go∣uernment: and the first yeare were themselues chiefe go∣uernours in that established estate, as appeareth in the fourth Chapter of this present Booke.

Yet notwithstanding, (al this and their solemne vowes, ratified vnder their hands and seales, for the continuance, and performance of that kind of state, and gouernment) they were in a manner, the first that repined against it, séeking by all the meanes they could, to ouerthrow and ex∣tinguish the same, either for the enuy they bare towardes those who were Gouernors, or for that themselues had ne∣uer since the first yeare hapned to be of the twelue, or else (and that which I thinke to be most likeliest) beeing stir∣red vp by the deuill, they desired greater superiority, then either became them, or by any waies they were worthy of, yet doubting to agrée within themselues, being but thrée, hauing the gouernance in their owne hands, determined therefore to elect and chuse a King: who beeing by them so raised, could not chuse likewise but to be rulde by them, and that vnder the cullour of the King, they might reuenge themselues of their enemies: and likewise preferre their

friends to honor and dignitie. And hauing thus resolued betwéene themselues, they solicited the Scottish King to ac∣cept of the Diadem, promising him by their letters, that if he would but send ouer tenne thousand Souldiers, vnder the conduct of some expert Leader or Captaine, that then they would so ayde him, that in lesse then a yeare, he should haue all Denmarke in his subiection: conditionally, that they thrée might continually haue and inioy to themselues, the chiefe offices belonging to that Kingdome.

The Scottish King (harkning vnto this iolly proffer) at the first made small account thereof: but afterwards way∣ing with himselfe the great benefits and proffits, which thereby might rise, not onely to him: but to all his King∣dome and Subiects, if he might so easily obtaine the same, as in their letters they made showe of: and beeing againe by them solicited anew, writing vnto him in their letters, that vnlesse he accepted thereof, they would giue it vnto the King of England, or some other Prince, whom they knew would more thankefully accept of their kind offer. The County Hermes in a priuate letter besides, wrote how that if his Maiestie would (hauing conquered the Kingdome) make him Viceroy or Deputy thereof, he would send ouer his eldest sonne to remaine as pledge, vntill such time as he had performed, whatsoeuer hee made promise of: and that then he would render him such tribute, as by his Ma∣iestie should be thought fit. Now when he had himselfe per∣used these letters, (and cast all doubts he could) he made them knowne to his priuy Counsell, who after long delibe∣ration, at length gaue him this answere, that they were al∣so of the minde, his Maiestie should accept their proffer of the Kingdome a gift well worth the acceptance, and far∣ther, to graunt them their owne desires, in that which they should demaunde, till such time as beeing Maister of the Country, hee might at his pleasure, then alter any thing that he would. In the meane time, to receaue pledges of their meaning, least otherwise he might repent too late. Thus hauing determined, the King sent ouer secretly vn∣to

them, to certifie them of his intent, assuring each of them the greatest dignities and honor, that the Kingdome would yéeld: intreating thē likewise, to send ouer their Hostages, vpon whose arriuall his forces should be ready to be ship∣ped, vnder the conduct of his Cosen, the Lord Douglasse, a man for his experience and vallor excellent.

These letters being thus secretly conuaied, were most welcome newes vnto those arch Traytors to their Coun∣try, who foorthwith sent for Hostages the County Hermes his eldest sonne, a gallant young youth, and one whom in time might haue prooued an honorable man. The Lord Harding had but one only daughter, and her he sent vnder cullour to be brought vp with the Scottish Princesse, & for the Arch Traytor (Archbishop I would say) was sent an Nephew of his, an excellent good Scholler, & a notable Pol∣litician. These being sent into Scotland, they appointed the Kings forces to be ready by the tenth of May then next in∣suing: and they in the meane time made all the prouision that might be, where we will likewise leaue them.