Florus Anglicus: or An exact history of England, from the raign of William the Conqueror to the death of the late King. / By Lambert Wood gent.

HENRY the eighth, King of England France and Ireland.

Anno 1508.

HENRY the Eighth having got the King∣dom, at the beginning he behaved him∣self with great Obedience, Prudence and Justice. Marrying Katharine his Brothers Wife, which his Father had betrothed; He chose the wisest Counsellours, and he executed the cursed Mini∣sters of his Fathers exaction. He spent then the first year of his Raign in Tilting and other Re∣creations. But at the request of the King of Spain the Queens Father, an expedition was undertaken into Spain against the Moors, but before the English came, there was a Peace made with the Moors, and so it was but lost labour, and nothing being done, only the Ca∣ptain receiving honours from the King, returned again for England.

Edward Poining a Knight was sent with 1500 Bowmen to Charls Prince of Spain to assist him against the Duke of Gelderland, he succeeded prosperously, and loaded with rewards he came back again.

In the mean time a Scotch pirate one Barton, who was wonderfull bold and valiant, did great mischief about the Coasts of England, the Admiral of the Sea was sent out after him, after a doubtfull and a notable fight, he was conquered and slain, but his followers were pardoned; A great Example of the Kings Mercy.

In the mean time Warre grew between the French King and the Pope; Henry admonished the French man to desist, and when he could not prevail with him, he proclaimed Warre against him, and made a Confederacy with Maximilian the Emperour, and with Ferdinand King of Spain. The Spaniard had intreated Henry to send an Army into Biscay, and joyn∣ing his Forces with his, that he should make the French work from that part; Whereupon pre∣sently Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset is sent thither with other Nobility, and 10000 Soul∣diers, he, when he came thither, did not long wait for the Spaniards assistance; For the Duke of Alba took in the mean time by Force the Kingdom of Navarre from the French, endea∣vouring the profit of his own King. But the English that they might not seem to do nothing in Guyan, subduing some Towns that were not considerable, fell into that necessity of provi∣sion (the Spaniard affording them none) that

many of them died miserably for hunger, con∣tracting also diseases by such unusual diet, and the rest break forth into open Rebellion. The Lord Howard, who had the disposing of all affairs, whilst the Marquess was sick, hardly escaped from being slain; Wherefore he was forced to provide Ships, and to bring these sa∣ctious people home again.

Edward Howard Admiral at Sea, did won∣derfully depopulate Britanny by fire and sword, and vanquished the Forces of the Britans in Battel, though they farre exceeded those he had, and so with his Ships laden with the spoil, he sailed towards the Isle of Wight, whilst Hen∣ry at London recreated himself with Tiltings and other courtly delights.

In the mean time in France in the Brittish Sea, there was almost an equal fight for loss between the English and the French Ships, and the Vi∣ctory was doubtfull. After this the English set upon the French Ships very indiscreetly in the very Haven, with a great losse to themselves and their Admiral, whereby they were forced to sound a retreat and be gone. Whereupon the French began to wax more insolent, to do mis∣chief on the Coasts of England, and to burn some Cities, untill by the vigilancy of Howard, who was put into the others place, they were kept in.

Henry was resolved to make a Warre indeed with France, and sent George Talbot before with the principal Nobility, and 8000 Souldiers only to Callis, then he sent Charles Sommerset, and other Lords with 6000 Souldiers, he himself being to come after them. When the Admirals met they fell upon Tarvenne with joynt Forces. Henry shortly after came to them with 9000 Souldiers, and with a great number of Pioneers. Also Maximilian the Emperour, which was a rare example, took Pay under King Henry. Yet though he served under the English, he was received as an Emperour should be, and for the honour of his Majesty. Then the French Horse purposing to relieve the City with provision, were repulsed by the English, the Duke of Lon∣govil being taken, and 240 more, whereupon a wonderfull fear and despair fell upon the Townsmen; so the English pressing them sore, they were forced to surrender. The Souldiers had leave to depart with their Arms, the Wals were laid level with the ground, the City, ex∣cepting the chief Church, and the Palace, were consumed with fire. Then he marched to Tourney, and beleaguer'd the City, they refu∣sing to yeeld, he quickly became Master of it, causing the Citizens to take an Oath of fidelity. And when he provoked the French to fight, and could not make them accept of it, because the

Winter was now hard by, he made Poyning Governour of it, and returned himself for England.

In the mean while the Scotch at the instigation of the French fell upon the English Frontiers. Their General was the Lord Humes, who with seven or eight thousand men wasted the Bor∣ders. But Edward Bulmer suddenly came upon him, and took all the booty from him, he him∣self hardly escaped, six hundred of his men be∣ing slain, and four hundred taken. But James with an Army of sixty thousand men, entred the skirts of England, who was met by the Earl of Surrey, Henry his Deputy in those parts, at Bramston with six and twenty thousand men, and joyning Battle, the English wan the day by their great valour, and the Scots lost it by their great confidence, James himself with two Earls, three Bishops, and eight thou∣sand Souldiers was slain, no fewer was ta∣ken; nor was this Victory wan by the Eng∣lish without losse of bloud, it was fought in the year 1513.

Henry coming out of France, made the Earl of Surrey, because he had so well managed his business Duke of Norfolk, and other Lords who had done good service, received Honours as they deserved. He gave also to Thomas Wol∣sey the Bishoprick of Lincoln. This man to be

often named by us, came from a poor parent∣age to great Honour, and at last was made a Cardinal, and governed the Commonwealth of England very wisely.

Pope Julius the second at this time gave to H••••ry great Honour, sending unto him a Cap of Maintenance, a Sword, and the Title Of the most Christian King, which Grace Henry received with Tiltings, and other pompous Shews, wherein he himself did alwayes bear the principal part.

In the interim Mary the Kings Sister was espoused to the Prince of Spain, but because the Embassadours of Spain made delayes, she was betrothed to the French, desiring it, and having had their fill of Warre. But before the matter was published, John the Admiral of the French first ruined one Village in England, and John Wallop in revenge of this injury burnt one and twenty in France; But at last a League was made, and they ceased from Warre. The French man lived not above three moneths after his Marriage, and the lascivious old man being dead, Mary (by Henries consent) was married to the Duke of Suffolk. Wolsey about this time was honoured with a Cardinals-Cap, and is created by the King Chancellour of England. And Cardinal Campeius was sent to Henry to desire assistance to make Warre against the Turk, but

he lost his labour, for that cheat of raising mo∣ney was grown stale. But Matthias the Car∣dinal being sent by the Emperour Maximilian for the same purpose, prevailed at the request of Wolsey.

At that time Henry was in great danger of his life. For as he went a Hawking, the Pole broke that he leaped over the Ditches withall, and he was almost smoothered in mire and dirt, but his L••ckey drew him out in time, and saved his life. In the mean while a Sedition grew at London between the Citizens and strangers, not with∣out blood-shed, which was qualified by the death of the Ring-leaders, and pardon to the rest.

Tourney at this time, upon Conditions, and under colour of Matrimony between the Dol∣phin and Mary King Henries Daughter, is delivered up to the French, and Hostages be∣ing given, a League is confirmed between them. Maximilian being dead, the Empire descended to Charles King of Castile the fifth of that Name.

Henry in the mean while was idle for lack of Warre, spending his time in Tiltings, Dancings, Pleasures, and other Courtly Delights. Then that Peace might not be without its Glory, a solemn Meeting was appointed between the two Kings of England and France. For that pur∣pose

a magnificent Palace of Wood was built in France. At last they met in wonderfull start, they applied themselves to Turn••ments, running at the Ring, and other such Recreations, and an Agreement was renewed between the Emperour, and the Kings of England and France.

Wolsey in the interim did what he pleased, he found no hinderance in his attempts whatso∣ever. He charged the Duke of Buckingham of high Treason, whether it were to, or out of envy is uncertain, but the Duke lost his Head for it.

A new cause is given for a Warre between the Emperour and the King of France, where∣fore Wolsey is sent Umpire between both, who did not behave himself so prudently as loftily, whereby he incurred the French Kings displea∣sure. Hugh of Moncada besieged Tourney, and though the French did his best to relieve it, yet he became Master of it.

Henry in the mean while, because he had written a Book against Luther, had the Title given him, to be Defender of the Faith, which hath passed to all his Successours.

At that time cause was given of a Warre be∣tween the French and the Scotch King, by occa∣sion of the Duke of Albany, and by reason the French had not paid the Money which he promi∣sed

to Mary Henries Sister, so the Covenant being broken, they fell to Warre. William the sonne of William a Knight, the Admiral-Lieu∣tenant, with eight and twenty Ships, spoiled the Coasts of Scotland, burnt their shipping, and so returned home.

Charles the Emperour in the mean time came to London, where he was received in great State and Honour, and with a solemn Ceremony was graced with the Order of the Garter. Then under pretence of conducting the Emperour into Spain by shipping, the Earl of Surrey the Kings Admiral sets upon Brittany, and conquers Morleys, who also was again sent into France with a great Army, and he ruined many Towns and Castles, and consumed them by fire, but he attempted the Fort Heding in vain, having left his great Gu••s at home, and so could make no Battery; but having behaved himself honoura∣bly, he retreated to Callis. Also the Marquess of Dorset destroyed by fire and Sword an innu∣merable company of Villages and Forts in Scot∣land, but could not come to joyn Battle with them. Sands sallied out of Callis, and skir∣mishing with the Enemy, after he had rui∣ned many of their Castles, he came back to the City.

When therefore King Henry understood, that the Duke of Albany, who commanded all in

Scotland, had a choice Army in France, he sent William Sonne to William with a Navy, that he should set upon him in his coming back again, but when he had scouted up and down at Sea in vain, he at last set his men on Land, and with a handfull of his, he overthrew a great Army of the French, and obtained thereby both the Victory and the Prey, and burning the Suburbs of Triport, he returned for England.

Henry now thinks seriously again of a Warre with France, and sends Suffolk, and many principal Nobility with a great Army into France, who at first assault overcame Bell-Castle, and made William Scevington the Go∣vernour of the Garison. In the mean time the Duke of Burbon, Constable of France, revolted to the English King with ten thousand French, who being strengthned by these new Forces, enter upon Picardy, and conquers many Towns and Castles; but Winter coming on, and scar∣city of provision, and the Souldiers murmuring, not waiting for the supply that Henry sent, he was necessitated to retreat to Callis, yet he had done a great mischief to the Enemy.

The Scotch in the mean while supposing the English to be over-busied with the French Warres, lift up their Heads again, and as∣saulting the Borders of England, they win divers Towns.

But the Earl of Surrey entring into Scotland with six thousand Souldiers, wan divers Forts, and joyning a light Battel with the Scotch, he re∣turned Conquerour, not without great loss to the Enemy, besides the Castle of Judworth, and the Town that he burnt up.

So with uncertain Fortune the business being acted in those parts, there was a conclusion for a Cessation of Arms, that so they might have time to treat of Peace.

Francis the first, King of France, at that time was conquered by the Emperour Charles the fifth at Papion, and was taken Prisoner, which was no small happiness for the English affairs, but a sad loss for the French. Then Peace was ratified between the Emperour and the French, and the English agreed with them also. But the Emperour and the French shortly fell to a new Warre.

Peace being confirmed abroad, England be∣gan to be in an uproar with greater Troubles in Civil Dissentions; For Henry who had lived twenty years peaceably with his Wife Katharine had a scruple of Conscience put upon him, whe∣ther he could without Incest live with his Bro∣thers Wife? (for as we said, she was first mar∣ried to his Brother Arthur) Judges were cho∣sen to end this Question. But Cardinal Wolsey, who had not prudently dealt for Henry, had all

his Authority taken from him, and his Estate was Confiscate. But at last other new Digni∣ties being granted to him, his great loss was somewhat repaired. Then a Parliament was called, and he was charged with many faults, and amongst the rest, that he was wont to write in his Letters, I and my King, and had caused the Cardinals Hat to be stamped on the Kings Coyn. He was convicted of all these things, and deprived of all his Estate; which shews a wonderfull example of the inconstancy of all humane affairs, for he that but lately ruled all and the King too, as he pleased, made Laws, and swaied Courts of Justice, rooted out the Nobles at his pleasure, burdned the subjects with great Taxes, deprived both Cler∣gy and Laity of their goods, he is now cast down from his high Pinnacle of Honour, ha∣ted by all, and made no way like himself. Af∣terwards when he was sent for to the Court to answer his charge, he died of grief by the way. In the mean time the business for a Di∣vorce was transmitted to Clement the Pope of Rome, at the suit of Queen Katharine. But the Pope fearing to displease King Henry, who had lately the Title of Defender of the Faith given him by Leo the tenth, nor did he think it safe to provoke the Emperour who ruled in Italy, spun out the business with delays by his Legate

Campeius; who at length with a great disgust to the English, after many hastings and pro∣crastinations, departed from England, leaving the business uneffected. The King in the inte∣rim burning with new flames of love, and so admitting no delay, Warham being dead, crea∣ted Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canter∣bury, who stood for a Divorce of Queen Ka∣tharine. The Pope in the mean time gave his Judgement for Katharine. But Henry, who had now Divorced Katharine (by the Autho∣rity of many Divines, and of those at Paris, who were as it is supposed corrupted by money) married Anne of Boloyne privately, and being thereupon angry with the Pope, he abolished all his Power over the English Church, making it high Treason for any man, to preferre the Popes Authority before the Kings, or should pay Tribute to him, which he had no right unto, and caused them to be denied unto him for the future, and made it a penalty for their life, if any man should maintain the Pope to be the supream Head. Then he made all the Churches of England and Ireland take an Oath to him, that they should acknowledge him to be Head of the Church next under Christ. The Discipline was thus changed, but nothing in the Doctrine, which he confirmed by a Synod called at London. For he put to death many of

those that followed Luther and Swinglius. So Henry behaved himself in the rest of his life, that had the Popes not been unjust against him, he would willingly have submitted himself un∣der their power. The Pope being offended that he had lost his Authority, sending out his Wri∣tings or Bull as they called it, he Excommuni∣cated Henry King of England, but when it was known that it was procured by Queen Katharine, it was the less regarded, and she shortly after being deprived of friends, lost her life for her contumacy. In the mean time Sir Thomas More, once Chancellour of England, and John Fisher Bishop of Rochester, who both refused to take the Oath of the Kings Supre∣macy, lost their Heads. Henry now using his own Authority, invaded the goods of the Church, and expelled the Monks out of their Monasteries: Nor was he content with that, but he cut off the Heads of his second Wife Anne of Boloyne, Daughter to Thomas Bolen Earl of Wilshire, accusing her for Incest and Adultery, together with the Lord Rochsfort her Brother, and others that were of the Kings Bed-Chamber.

Then he married Jane Semare, who died afterwards in Childe-birth of Edward the sixth of that name, who succeeded King. Then he Divorced from him Anne of Cleve, newly mar∣ried,

and for her sake he beheaded Thomas Cromwell, who made the match, who was ri∣sen from a mean estate to a vast power by the success of Fortune. Also Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk had his Head chopt off, being char∣ged of Treason, because he had privily mar∣ried Margaret Daughter to the King of Scots, and Henries Neece. Margaret was first de∣tained, then she was set free, after that she was married to Matthew Earl of Leven, King James his Grandfather. In the mean time se∣ditions arose in the North parts of England, here and there by reason of the change made of Church Ceremonies; some were punished for it, some were sent home, and some were subdued by force of Arms; the troubles were happily asswaged, yet not without some danger: for it was a matter of great concernment to keep all quiet under new cu∣stoms.

Henry now married his fifth Wife Katha∣rine Howard, but her he beheaded shortly after, with the Lord of Rochsfort, condemning her for Lasciviousness.

At that time Henry had the Title of King of Ireland, when as before he was called only Lord of it. In the interim Arthur Plantage∣net, bastard to Edward the fourth, is accused of Treason, but when he was proved not guilty,

he was received into the Kings favour, but Ar∣thur took so much joy at it, that he died the next night of meer rejoycing.

The Scotch now entring the Frontiers of England, and spoiling them, compell Henry to take Arms, who sent the Duke of Norfolk with an Army into Scotland, who ruined many Villages and Houses, and not seeing any ene∣my, he returned to Barwick. The Scot would not suffer this violence to be unrevenged, but musters an Army suddenly and fals into Eng∣land, but his men being scattered and killed, the Scot fell into such grief of minde, and then into a Feaver, that he quickly died of it, leav∣ing Mary Stewart his Daughter but eight daies old, Heir of the Kingdom. Henry to put an end to so great dissentions, by the union of these two Nations, dealt with the captive Lords to Espouse this Inheritrix of Scotland to his Son Edward, who were set at liberty to press the business.

But by the mediation of the Cardinal of S^t Andrews, this Treaty was made void, the Daughter being married to the Dolphin. Hen∣ry was enraged at this, and sent a valiant Army into Scotland, and burnt Leeth, which pacified his wrath. Then he made peace with Charles the fifth, the Emperour, and he married his sixth Wife Katharine, Latimers Widow, who

was brought in danger of her life upon suspi∣tion of the change of her Religion, but by her prudence and humility she escaped. Now Henry by his Covenant with the Emperour proclaims Warre against the French King, and sent an Army unto Callis, under the command of John Wallop, which joyning with the Forces of Charles, besieged the City Landreice. But the French making shew of a Battell, called the Emperour off from the siege, and when he had brought provision into the City, he retreated, having deluded Charles. Then Hen∣ry mustering a mighty force sails himself in∣to France, and besieging Bononia won the place.

In the mean time the English Ships which they had taken from the French, are filled with provision at London: but the English had bad success in their fight in Scotland, and Henries men were vanquished, by which Victory, and new forces they had recruited themselves with from France, the Scots grew insolent and in∣vade England: But the English by the good success of the Earl of Hereford, destroyed an innumerable company of Villages in Scotland, and returned home Conquerours, though o∣therwise they sustained a mighty loss by the Scots.

The Admirall of England with a Fleet did

mischief on the coasts of Normandy, and de∣stroyed a multitude of the enemy; but shortly after there was a Treaty made between the French and the English, and the conditions of agreement were, that the French should re∣deem Bononia with eight hundred thousand Crowns.

In the mean time Thomas Duke of Norfolk, and Henry Earl of Surrey, his Son, are accu∣sed of Treason, because they had engraven something in their Coats of Arms that seemed to be peculiar to the King, and though they did defend their Titles very abundantly, yet the Earl lost his Head. But the Duke was kept in prison till the Reign of Queen Mary. Henry died about this time, in the year 1547, when he had reigned 38 years, and was 56 years old. He was a Prince adorned with all gifts of Na∣ture, and in whom, had he not too much loved his pleasure, there was no defect. He was a great favourer of Learning.