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THough the Story of Brute be count∣ed by the best Authors fabulous, as first hatcht by Geofry of Mon∣mouth; yet since it has much ob∣tained credit in the vulgar Creed, we shall give you the Traditional Account of it, which is,
That Brute, descended from Aeneas, with a Troop of Trojans landed here about the
year of the World 2855, and near eleven hundred years before the Incarnation of our Saviour, being in the time of Samuel the Prophet. The Kinsman of this Brute, Cori∣naeus by name, conquering Gogmagog a Giant, and flinging him off from Dover Cliff into the Sea, they soon subdued the whole Island, and built London, which in memory of their former Country, they called New-Troy. When Brute died he gave to his eldest Son Locrine, England; to Cambrius, Wales; and to Albanact, Scotland; to whom succeeded many Kings, but of their Acts there is little of Truth recorded.
The most considerable Adventure of which we have certainty, was that of the Roman General Julius Caesar, who having (much about 50 years before Christ) conquered France, attempted Britain; and was at first manfully repulsed, but afterwards made it submit in a great measure to that resistless Fortune which had triumphed over the rest of the World, though the whole were not subdued till the time of Domitian, almost 200 years after. The Country was so well liked by the Romans, that several of their Emperours came hither in person, as Adrian in the year of Christ 124, and Severus al∣most an hundred years after. And what is
more considerable, the Great Constantine first Christian Emperour in the World, was both born here, and first saluted Emperour at York: But after the Land had remained un∣der the Romans near 500 years, they being imbroyl'd at home slighted it, and Vortiger King of the Britains oppressed by the Picts and Scots about the year of Christ 448. cal∣led in the Saxons, a people of Germany, un∣der the Conduct of two Brothers Hengist and Horsa.
But first we must Note, That 'tis said this Island received the Christian Faith long be∣fore, even in the year 63, by the preaching of Joseph of Arimathaea, who lies buried, they report, at Glassenbury. 'Tis certain England was honoured with the first Christian King that we read of in the World, viz. Lucius, in the year 180. But these Saxons were Pa∣gans, and having beat off the Picts and Scots, according to the custom of foreign Auxiliaries, usurped the Dominion of the Land to themselves; but in the Reign of King Ethelbert, Anno 596. were converted to Christianity, and in some time afterwards erected seven Kingdoms in this Island, com∣monly called the Heptarchy, that is to say, That of Kent of the South-Saxons containing Sussex and Surrey; of the West-Saxons from
Bark-shire to Cornwal; of the East-Saxons being Essex and Middlesex; of Northumber∣land, including York-shire, &c. of Mercia, be∣ing all the In-land Counties; and of the East-Angles, viz. Suffolk and Norfolk, so that in the Reign of Cadwallader in the year 689. the Britains had lost almost all, and were forced to retreat into the Mountains of Wales, where their Posterity remains to this day. And about the year 818. Egbert King of the West-Saxons reducing the other petty Kings to his obedience, caused all the South parts to be called ENGLAND from the Angles, a species of the Saxons from whom he was descended.
But, how short-liv'd is worldly power! The Saxons had no sooner thus compleated their Conquest, but the Danes began to infest them, and though often beaten back, got in time possession, exercising all kind of rude∣ness and cruelties, for resisting of which, rare is the Example of the Nuns of Coldingham, who to avoid being ravisht by these Pagans, voluntarily cut off their own Lips and Noses, chusing rather Deformity than Pollution.
About the year 900. reigned King Alfred a Prince of extraordinary vertues, who of∣ten triumphed over the Danes, and first of all for more Civil Government, divided the
Land into Shires, Hundreds, and Tythings, and so suppressed Robbers, that 'tis said, A Child might have travell'd with a Bag of Gold or Silver from one end of England to another without molestation; but still and long after the Danes retain'd their foot-hold, and at last prevailed so far, as to insult over the English as their Slaves, sitting idle and abusing their Wives and Daughters at plea∣sure, whilest the others only labour'd in Tillage, &c. so that they were generally termed Lord-Danes (whence to this day we call an Idle-pack, a Lurdan) whereupon King Ethelred to shake off their yoak, granted a secret Commission to all parts of his Realm, that at such a prefixt time they should Mas∣sacre all the Danes, which was performed (and, as 'tis said, altogether by the women) on the thirteenth of November, 1002. But this (like to violent Physick) did more harm than good; for herewith the Danes more ex∣asperated, came over in greater numbers, and at last Canutus (by aid of the treacherous Edrick against King Edmund, surnamed Ironside, whom he perfidiously slew) obtain∣ed the whole Kingdom, and as the first Da∣nish Monarch, was crowned at London in the year 1017. He made many good Laws, as that the Sabbath should be strictly observed
(for now the Danes were converted:) That the Communion should be received thrice a year; and that a Woman convicted of A∣dultery, should have her Nose and Ears cut off; whence, perhaps, our jealous Wives custom of marking such as they suppose to be their Husbands Harlots, may take origi∣nal. This Princes Flatterers would tell him his power was more than Humane (indeed he was a mighty Monarch.) To re∣prove their vanity, being at Southampton, he caused his Chair of State to be set on the Sand at young Flood, and said in a Maje∣stick tone to the approaching Element, I charge thee that thou presume not to flow any higher, nor wet my Royal Robes; but the stub∣born Ocean continuing its course, wet first his Skirt, and next himself up to the middle, whereupon arising (as it was but time) in haste, he said in presence of them all, You see how vain is the Power of mortal Kings, and that none is worthy of your Applause, but he who made and keeps both Heaven, Earth, and Sea in Awe.
This Canutus dying, left his Kingdom of Norway to his eldest Son Sweyne, and to Hardiknute England, but he being absent, one Harold, an elder Brother by a former wife succeeds for four years, and then dying
without Issue, Hardiknute is invited over, and accepts the Crown in the year 1040. being surnamed for his Gluttony Swynes∣mouth. Nor was his End unlike his Life, for soon after he fell down dead in a solemn Banquet at Lambeth.
After him succeeded Edward, surnamed the Confessor, but not of the Danish Line, but Son to King Ethelred by his wife Queen Emma, crowned on Easter Day, 1042, he was after his Fathers Death bred up in Nor∣mandy, where grew the acquaintance be∣tween him and Duke William, and thence at forty years of Age was sent for, to take the English Crown; a Prince very diligent in compiling a Body of Laws, and adjusting the forms of Process and Pleadings; he was the first that exercised the Gift (ever since inherent in our English Kings) of Healing the Disease called the Evil, by Touching; and, 'tis said, suspecting his Mother of In∣continency, put her to the tryal by Ordeal, which was to pass blindfold and barefooted over nine Plow-Shares red-hot laid in un∣equal distance, which she in testimony of her Innocency perform'd unhurt.
After he had reign'd 23 years and six months, he ended his life in the Painted Chamber at Westminster, leaving behind him
no Issue; though he had designed Edgar Grandson of Edmund Ironside to succeed, but he being young, Harold the Son of Earl Goodwin justled him beside the Throne, and filled the place in his stead, it being said, That King Edward before his Death had appointed the Crown variously, sometimes to William Duke of Normandy, sometimes to the said Edgar, and sometimes to this Ha∣rold, who being upon the place, and a very Martial Man, counting his Right equal to either of theirs, was easily induced by kind∣ness to himself to prefer it before them both, and so took upon him the Crown, which yet he enjoyed but nine months, and that with great trouble, and then was slain by William of Normandy. It seems the Family was unfortunate, or rather justly punished for their sins, for his Father Earl Goodwin having caused King Edwards Brother to be murdered, it happened many years after, as he sate at Dinner with the King in Windsor-Castle, the Kings Cup-bearer stumbled, & not without much difficulty, recovered himself from falling, whereupon the Earl laught hear∣tily, and said, There one Brother helped the other, meaning one Leg supported the other, which the King observing, said, Yea, and so my Bro∣ther Alfred might have lived to have assisted me,
had it not been for Earl Goodwin. Whereupon the Earl to excuse himself, wisht if he were not innocent of that Princes death, a piece of Bread he was going to swallow might choak him, with which he was choaked indeed, and fell down dead at the Table; and shortly after all his Lands in Kent were eaten up and swallowed by the Sea, being that dangerous Coast, which from his Name to this day is called Goodwin's Sands.
WIlliam the Natural Son of Robert Duke Normandy, by Arlotte a Skinners Daughter (from whom, 'tis thought, such kind Souls are called Harlots) on pretence of a gift of the Crown from Edward the Confessor his Kinsman, invades England with a great Navy, and threescore thousand men, landing at Pemsey in Sussex; and on the fourteenth of October in the year, 1066. after a fierce and bloody fight, (wherein he himself had three Horses killed under him) vanquishes and kills Harold the then usur∣ping King of England, and is crowned King,
taking an Oath to observe King Edward's Laws, &c.
In the first year of his Reign he laid a grievous Tax on his Subjects, seized on the Money and Plate of the Religious Houses, and that he might know what every man was worth, caused a particular Account of all Estates to be taken and recorded, called Doomsday-Book. He caused all Pleas to be in French, and instituted the Four Terms, whereas Controversies before were decided monthly in the Hundred Courts.
In the third year of his Reign was so great a Famine, that men were forced to eat Hor∣fes, Dogs, Cats, Rats, and all sorts of Ver∣mine and Carrion.
In his thirteenth year he subdued Wales, having before made Malcome King of Scots do him Homage. In his time Pope Gregory the Seventh first ordained that Priests should have no more Wives, and such as had them already, should either be divorced or lose their Benefices.
His eldest Son Robert, whom he had left behind in Normandy, by the counsel and aid of Philip King of France, invades and endea∣vours to usurp that Dukedom against his Father in his life, who had promised him the same after his death. At which King
William being grievously enraged, went over and gave him Battel, in which it for∣tun'd, that Robert unawares encountred singly with his Father, and beat him down to the ground; but then knowing him by his voice, flung himself from his Horse at his feet, begging his Pardon, which the King readily granted; so they were recon∣ciled: yet 'tis observed, that Robert did ne∣ver thrive after this unnatural Rebellion, but died, as we shall see afterwards, most mise∣rably.
This King being much delighted in Hunt∣ing, made New Forrest in Hampshire, (cast∣ing down and depopulating six and twen∣ty fair Towns, many Churches, and four∣score Religious Houses for the space of thir∣ty miles for that purpose; which he stockt with wild Beasts, making sharp. Laws for the maintainance and encrease of the same; but we may take notice, he had two Sons came to untimely ends in that very For∣rest, viz. Richard in his own life time, and William Rufus afterwards.
Being engaged in a War with France, by heat and leaping a Ditch on Horse-back he fell into a sickness, and died at Roan the ninth of September, 1687. having reign'd twenty years and near eleven months, leav∣ing
three Sons, Robert to whom he gave Normandy, William whom he appointed King of England, Henry to whom he gave five thousand pound in money, though af∣terwards he got to be King, and one daugh∣ter named Adela, married to Stephen Earl of Blois, and Mother to Stephen afterwards King.
He was buried at Caen in Normandy, but when his Corps was just ready to be interr'd, one Anselm Fitz-Arthur interrupted it, al∣leading the Ground was the Floor of his Fathers House, unjustly wrested from him by this King William, so that they were forced to give him an hundred pound for Composition before they could bury him. Thus Conquerours who think the world too little for themselves living, can scarce get room for a Grave when Dead. 'Tis recorded for cer∣tain, That the very same day he died at Roan, his death was known at Rome, being a thousand Miles off. A little before his death there happened a terrible Fire in Lon∣don, consuming all along from Algate to Ludgate; and likewise in his time a great Lord sitting at a Feast, was set upon by Mice, and though he were removed from Land to Sea, and from Sea to Land, yet the Mice still followed him, and at last devoured him.
WIlliam the second of that name, sir∣named Rufus (that is to say the Red) was crowned the fifth of October 1087. He was a younger Son, but had the Crown bequeathed him by his Fathers Will: yet his elder Brother Robert endeavours by Arms to recover it from him, till William complied and consented to pay him three thousand Marks a year during his life, and leave him the Kingdom after his own de∣cease; which agreement put a period at present to their difference: and the said Duke Robert making an Expedition vvith Godfry of Bullen to Jerusalem to recover the Holy Land from Infidels, pawned his Dutchy of Normandy to his Brother King William for 6666 pounds, or as some vvrite, for twelve thousand and six hundred pound, which was so vast a sum in those dayes, that 'tis said, he laid a grievous Imposition, so that Bishops melted their Plate, and the Temporal Lords spoiled their Tenants to raise it.
This King had Wars with Malcome
King of Scotland, and slew him and his El∣dest Son, which was so grievous to Marga∣ret Queen of Scots, his Wife, that she dyed for grief. This Margaret was a most Ver∣tuous and Pious Lady, and the first that caused a barbarous custome of Scotland to be abrogated, viz. That when a man married, his Lord should lye the first night with his Bride; which Custom, by her endeavours, was altered to a Payment in money.
He also made an absolute Conquest of Wales, and slew Rees the last Welch King. He built Westminster Hall, and when 'twas finish'd found great fault because it was too little, and intended to have built one much larger. He was a Prince of great Courage, insomuch that being to cross the Sea into Normandy, to relieve his City of Nants, then besieged; the Sea-men being afraid to venture because of the tempestuous weather, he forc'd them to put out, saying, He ne∣ver heard of any King that was drowned.
His Chamberlain having once bought him a pair of new Hose, he ask'd what they cost, and being told three shillings, began to storm, asking if he thought those of three shillings fit for a King to wear? Get thee gone (saith he) and let me have a pair of a Mark: His Chamberlain went, and bring∣ing
him another pair scarce so good as the former, and telling him they cost a Mark; I marry (saith the King) They are some∣thing like: and was better satisfied with hearing what they cost, than with seeing what they were worth. More prudent was his Reply, when there being a rich Abbey vacant, two Monks came to him suing for the Place, offering great Sums, and each of them out-bidding another; Whereupon the King looking about, and spying another Monk standing not far off, ask'd him what he would give to be made Abbot of such a Place? who answering, he neither had any thing to give, nor would he give any thing if he had it. Well (said the King) thou hast spoken honestly, and deserv'st it better than either of these, and so gave it him for no∣thing.
It was his common saying, That even God himself was obliged by his Word, and yet he himself was often observed not to keep his word. He is noted to have been very Covetous, and too much Irreligious, and some say very lascivious; which last may perhaps be the more excusable, because he was never married.
He Reigned twelve years, and some odd months, and then being hunting in New
Forrest, Sir Walter Tyrel his Bow-bearer shooting at a Deer, the Arrow glanced against a Tree, or as some say on the Back of the Deer, and flying forward hit the King on the Breast, whereof he instantly fell down dead, his body being drawn in a Colliers Cart with one Horse to Winche∣ster and there buried.
In the fourth Year of his Reign, above sixty Houses in London were suddenly blown down by the Violence of the Wind, which was so great that it tore off the Roof of Bow-Church, and carried it a vast height in the Air; then letting them fall so furious∣ly that six of the Beams almost Thirty Foot long a peice, were thereby driven twenty three Foot deep in the Ground, London Streets being then not paved. In his ele∣venth Year a Well at Finchampstead in Bark∣shire cast out Blood for many Days, as be∣fore it had done Water.
AFter this sudden Death of Rufus, Hen∣ry the younger Brother taking the ad∣vantage of Robert's absence in the Wars at Jerusalem, took upon him to succeed, of which 'tis said his Father the Conquerour prophesy'd when he gave him only a Pen∣sion, saying, Content thy self Harry, for the time will come, that thy turn shall be serv'd as well as theirs. However some time after Robert returns, and with a great Army lands at Portsmouth claiming the Crown, but Friends agreed the Business that Henry should pay three thousand Marks a Year as William had done before, and that Robert should enjoy the Kingdom if he survived.
Two Years after, Robert coming over again for a Visit and being highly treated, Releases his three thousand Marks a Year, but after he was come home repents, and declares his Brother had cheated him, here∣upon Wars arise between them, and in Conclusion Robert is taken Prisoner, and shut up in Cardiff-Castle in Wales, having both his Eyes put out to prevent his Es∣cape,
where he lamentably remained near thirty Years, and then died. The eldest Son of a Monarch, and who saw his two younger Brothers Kings, yet himself could never obtain a Crown. And 'tis obser∣vable, that the English in this Battel with Duke Robert, did win Normandy the very same day fortieth Year that the Normans had Conquered England, which Dukedom of Normandy remain'd long after annext to the English Crown.
This Henry was as great as ever his Fa∣ther the Conquerour was, and married his Daughter Mawd to the Emperour. He made several wholesome Laws, and amongst others order'd, that Counterfeiters of Mo∣ny should have their Eyes pull'd out, and their privy Members cut off. A Punish∣ment (as one judiciously observes) both less than Death and greater. In his time the Marriage of Priests being forbidden by a Canon, Cardinal John Cremensis was sent from the Pope about it, who in a Synod at London affirm'd their Marriage was no bet∣ter than Adultery, highly applauding Chastity and single Life, &c. But was himself the very Night following taken in Bed with a Common Whore. More continent was Thomas Arch∣bishop of York, who about the same time
falling Sick, his Physitians told him nothing would do him good but to accompany with a Woman, who answer'd, the Remedy was worse than the Discase, and so resolutely perish a Virgin and perhaps one of Follies Martyrs. This King married Mawd, some Authors call her Matild, Sister to the King of Scots, famous for her Charity; for a Brother of hers coming to visit her one Morning, found her amidst a Company of Lame People, dressing their Ulcers and Sores, and then Kissing them when she had done, where∣upon he askt her how she could think the King would like to Kiss that Mouth which had Kissed such filthy People, to which she Answer'd, She had a greater King to Kiss, who She knew would like her never the worse for it. By this Saint King Henry had two Children, William drown'd at eighteen Years old (with many others coming out of France) and Mawd first married to the Emperour, and after his Death to Jeffery Plantaginet; to this Daughter he caused all the Bishops and Barones to swear Allegi∣ance, but failed in his Design of her suc∣ceeding him in the Throne.
He was Counted very Learned in that Ignorant Age, and thence called Beau∣clarke; noted for a very temperate Prince,
and yet he died by Intemperance, for, Sur∣feiting with eating a Lamprey he fell into a Fever, and died the first of December, 1135. Having rained thirty five Years and in the sixty seventh of his Age. His Bowels, Brains and Eyes were buried at Roan, the rest of his Body Stuffed with Salt and wrap∣ed up in Oxe-hides was brought over and Interr'd at Reading, being notwithstand∣ing all their Art most offensive all the Way, and his Brain so putrified as soon as he was dead, that the Chirurgion that opened the Head died with the noisome Stench thereof.
NO sooner was King Henry dead, but Stephen Son to the Earl of Blois by A∣dela Daughter to William the Conquerour snatches up the Crown, many of the Great men (notwithstanding both He and They had given their Oath to Mawd the Empress, King Henries Daughter and Heir,) joyning with him, which brought mighty Trou∣bles upon the Land, his whole Reign being but one continued Vexation; for at last,
when he grew towards his last, we cannot say he was at quiet, being forc'd to make his Adversary his Heir, and leave his Crown to him that sought his Life, that is to say, Henry the Second, Son of this Mawd.
His first Troubles were caused by David King of Scots, who being Uncle to Mawd, espoused her Quarrel, and entred Northum∣berland with a potent Army, committing unheard of Cruelties, in ravishing Maids, murthering Infants and slaughtering Priests, even at the Altar; but at last were beaten back by several English Lords, eleven thou∣sand Scots being slain in one day; After this, several of the Nobility rebell'd against him, but were soon appeased; then Mawd came over in person to Arundel-Castle, and the City of Lincoln declaring for her, King Stephen besieges it, whither comes the Earl of Gloucester, base Brother to Mawd, to Re∣lieve it; between whom was fought a bloody Battel, in which King Stephen (af∣ter he had perform'd wonders for his own Valour) was at last taken Prisoner, and sent to Mawd the Empress, who kept him very rigorously in Fetters, and taking her pro∣gress to London, was generally received as Queen: Whereupon Matild Stephen's Wife petitions for her Husbands Liberty, desiring
only that he might lead a private Life; which being rashly denied, she engages her Friends to raise new Forces, wherewith she gives the Empress Battel, and routing her Army, sets the King her Husband at li∣berty, who besieges Mawd in Oxford so strictly, that she had no way to escape but by a stratagem; for it being a deep Snow, she arrayed her self and four Servants all in white, and so pass'd the Watches undisco∣vered, but in such a fright, that she never ventured her Person again in Action, leav∣ing the War to her Son Henry, between whom and Stephen several Rencounters happen'd, till at last King Stephen's Son Eustace dying suddenly, he being thereby left Childless, was the more inclinable to a Peace, which was concluded upon terms, to hold the Kingdom during his Life, and then the said Prince Henry to succeed. From which time they lived as lovingly as a Fa∣ther and Son; but it was not long e're Ste∣phen was taken with an Iliack Passion and the Hemorrhoids, and died at Dover the twenty fifth of October, 1154. when he had Reigned almost nineteen years, and lived nine and forty; being buried at Fever∣sham.
He was a Prince of great Strength and extraordinary Valour: and whereas Ralp the great Bishop of Salisbury had rais'd himself from a poor Priest in Normandy, to be Chan∣cellor of England; this King on jealousie of his Loyalty, stript him of all his Preferments, and took from him forty thousand Marks which he had in money; in those dayes a vast and prodigious Sum. In this Kings time lived Johannes de Temporibus one of the Guard to Charlemain the Emperour, who lived three Hundred sixty and one Years. Also in his Dayes, there appeared two Children a Boy and a Girl, cloathed in Green, but of a Stuff unknown, of a strange Language and of a strange Diet, the Boy di∣ed almost as soon as he was Baptised, but the Girl lived to be very old, and being askt from whence they came she answer∣ed they were of the Land of St. Martin, where there are Christian Churches erected, but that no Sun did ever rise unto them, but where that Land is, and how she came hi∣ther she her self knew not.
WAs Crowned at Westminster the se∣venteenth of December 1155. Being a greater Prince than any of his Auncestours, and not inferior to any in Christendome in his time. For he had England, Normandy and Anjou in his own Right; and in the Right of his Wife, the Dutchy of Guyen and Earldom of Poictou: At his first coming to the Crown, he made Choice of Wise and Discreet Councellors, banisht Strangers, reformed Abuses of the Laws, and made many excellent Regulations to heal the Bo∣dy Politick of those Distempers and Fra∣ctures which the late Wars had occasi∣oned.
He had married Eleanor late Wife to Lew∣is the seventh of France, but by reason of their nearness of Blood from him divorced; with this Lewis he had some Differences ta∣ken up at last by a Peace, to render which more firm he matcht his eldest Son Henry not seven Years old to Margaret the French Kings Daughter scarce three.
In the sixteenth Year of his Reign he Caused this Henry his Son to be Crowned King and reign with himself in his own time, who going back with his Queen to his Father-in-Law in France, he is there evilly perswaded to oppose his Father, and what was worse, his two Brothers Richard and Geoffry joyn in the Confederacy; nor was the King of Scots wanting to assist them, whence several bloody Battels in di∣vers Parts were fought between them, in which their Fathers Arms were generally blest with Success. At last a Reconciliation is made, and the French Kings other Daugh∣ter betrothed to Richard the Second Son of the King of England, but afterwards his elder Brother Henry being dead, because that Marriage was not Solemniz'd and some fits of Jealousy, as if his Father were too kind to his intended Spouse, Richard falls again into discontent, and by the Aid of the French King took the City Mentz, forcing his Father to retreat. However, a Peace was clapt up between them shortly after.
Besides these troubles with his Children, he had others almost as bad with Thomas Beck∣et Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, who would by no means consent that Clergy-men who
were Malefactors should be tried before the secular Magistrate as Lay men were; the Contention growing hot the King seizes on his Temporalities, and the Bishop excom∣municated the King, and fled beyond Sea, at length he was admitted to return to his Office, but still persisting in his Insolence he was soon after by some Persons mur∣dered at Church, who was Canoniz'd for a Saint, and the King himself visited his Tomb, and suffered Penance there with a strange Humility, of which Saint some Au∣thors report abundance of Miracles, but the greatest I observe is, that he was a Mi∣racle of Pride.
This King was the first that Conquered Ireland, and 'tis thought left in his Coffers at his Death nine hundred thousand Pounds, beside Plate and Jewels.
In the twenty third Year of his Reign it rained Blood in the Isle of Wight two Hours together.
He had five Sons, of which three lived to be Kings, viz. John crowned, and dying without Issue in his Life time, Richard who succeeded him, Geofry Plantaginet who dying in his Fathers Life time left a Son named Arthur; the fourth John, who after∣wards was King, and William who died
young. And of his three Daughters were Queens, Elenor married to Alphonse King of Castile, and Jane to William King of Sicily.
He died, as 'tis suppos'd, of Grief, in the Year 1189. when he had lived sixty one Years, and Reigned near thirty five, being buried in France. This was that Prince that kept fair Rosamond in her Bower at Wood∣stock, which enraging his Queen with Jealou∣sy, she stirred up her Sons to Revenge her Injuries, and occasion'd most of his Trou∣bles.
THis Prince (for his valour Surnamed Coeur de Lion (or Lions-Heart) being Crowned the third of September 1189. Af∣ter he had settled his Realm, and provid∣ed a mighty Treasure besides what was left by his Father, resolves on an Expedition to the Holy Land, according to the Supersti∣tion of that Age, and sets forth with an Army of thirty thousand Foot, and five thousand Horse, having appointed to meet
the French King in Sicily. In his passage being affronted by the People of Cyprus, as∣saults them, and subdues the Island, bind∣ing their King in Silver Fetters, thence he proceeds to Ptolomais which was soon fur∣rendred, and places a Garrison in the Town of Joppa, becoming very famous for his A∣ctions in those Parts. Which being envi∣ed by the French King, he pretends the Air did not agree with him, and obtains King Richard's Consent to return home, swearing first, not to molest his Territories in his absence, which Oath he not obser∣ving, King Richard was forc'd to quit his Glorious Design of winning Jerusalem, to defend his own Countries, but in his re∣turn privately for the greater Hast through Germany, by the Indiscretion of extraordi∣nary Expences is discovered, and upon an old Grudg taken Prisoner by the Duke of Austria, where he was detained fifteen Months, till an Agreement was made for his Ransome at one hundred thousand Pounds, whereof fourscore thousand was paid down, the rest afterwards released.
During his absence some disorders hap∣pen'd at home, and some Mischief done by the French abroad; the first his Presence rectifyed, to redress the other he resolves
on Arms against that Kingdom, and being told as he was at Dinner, that King Phillip had besieged Vernoil, he swore he would not turn his Face till he was Revenged, and for Oath sake caused the Wall before him to be beaten down, that he might pass right forward, and speeds to Vernoil, but the French made as much hast to be gone, not without very great loss and more dis∣grace.
In the Process of his Warrs besieging a Castle and unwarily approaching too near, he was wounded with a poison'd Arrow in the Arm, which enraged him so that he presently storm'd the Castle, and enquiring who it was shot him, one Bertrand own'd it, saying he did it in Revenge, because King Richard with his own hands had for∣merly slain his Father and his Brethren; the King after some Pause gave him his Pardon and Liberty. An Art that shewed (saith a good Historian) that he had been at the Holy Land, or rather was going thither. For he died of that Wound, the sixth of April 1199, having Reigned nine Years and nine Months. In his Reign were found the Bones of Arthur the famous King of Britain, in the old Sepulchre at Glassen∣bury. And also there happened an extraor∣dinary
Famine, followed by so great and general a Mortality that the living were scarce able to bury the dead.
JOhn Brother of Richard, on Ascension-day 1199. took upon him the Crown; but Arthur the Son of his elder Brother Geofry Plantaginet, though absent in the Pro∣vince of Anjou, yet seeming to have a fairer Title, by the Aid of the King of France gave him much Trouble, till after several Tra∣verses of War he took the said Prince Ar∣thur Prisoner, who soon after died, whe∣ther drowned in the River Sein, attempt∣ing to make his Escape, as some relate, or made away as others suggest, is uncer∣tain.
After this, Discord arises between the King and several great Lords of the Land, on Pretence of Grievances, and to have the two famous Charters commonly called Magna Charta & Charta de Foresta confirmed and observed, about which the Feuds grew to that height, that the Barons sent to Phil∣lip
King of France, requiring him to send over his Son Lewis to their Aid, promising they would submit themselves to be go∣verned by him as their Sovereign; hereup∣on Lewis lands at Sandwich, and is receiv∣ed there and at London, and Allegiance sworn to him by many of the Peers and Prelates. So that though there were no great Battel fought between King John and him, yet the Nation was miserably wasted by them, two Armies being a foot at once, each of them seeking to prey upon the other, and both upon the Country.
But before things came to this Extremi∣ty, a quarrel happens between the Pope, who had nominated Stephen Langton for Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and King John who opposed him. The Pope hereupon threatned to excommunicate the King and Interdict the Kingdom, which at last he did, and the Realm remained under that Curse above six Years, during which time there was no publick Exercise of Religion, no Church open, no Sacraments admini∣stred, Children went unbaptized, all that died were buried like Dogs in Ditches and Corners, but only such as had purchased or procured Licence from the Pope.
But at last finding the Pope too hard for him, and the French King ready to invade him, King John is forced to submit, and taking off the Crown from his head laid it at the Feet of Pandulphus the Popes Legate, who took it up and kept it three or four days before he restor'd it, all which time it might be truly said the Kingdom was without a King, as one Peter an Hermit had given out, that before such a day there should be no King in England; which though in some sort true during all that time, yet it being in some sort not true, and the King having a Prerogative of making his own Interpretation it cost both the poor Hermit and his Son their Lives for his Prophecy.
Some time after, the King coming to Walpool in Norfolke (during the War be∣tween him and Prince Lewis) and there losing all his Carriages, and a multitude of his men drowned in attempting to pass over, Anguish of mind cast him into a Fe∣ver, whereof 'tis said he died, though o∣thers confidently relate, that he was poi∣son'd by a Monk of Swinesheads Abbey, who put the Poison of a Toad into a Cup of Wine, and to avoid Suspition drank first thereof himself, whereof they both imme∣diately dyed the nineteenth of October 12 16,
King John being aged fifty one Years, and having Reigned seventeen Years and six Months.
He is noted to be somewhat Irreligiously disposed, for soon after he had made his Peace with the Pope, his Forces receiving a great overthrow in France, he said in a Rage, that nothing had prospered with him since the time he was reconcil'd to God and the Pope. Another time at the opening a fat Buck, see sayes he, how this Deer hath pro∣spered, and how fat he is, and yet I dare swear he never heard Mass. He squeez'd all sorts of his Subjects with severe Taxations, and invented strange Ways to get Money. A∣bout his time a Quarter of Wheat was usu∣ally sold for twelve Pence, and a Quarter of Beans or Oats for a Groat, nor is the Price of Silver less altered, for then an Ounce was valued but twenty Pence, whereas now 'tis five Shillings, which seems a Riddle, for seeing Scarcity makes things dear, why should not Plenty make them cheaper, it being certain we have much more Silver now than then?
In his dayes the Government of London by a Mayor and two Sherifs was first grant∣ed, or at least not till then fully settled. A fist was taken in Suffolk exactly in shape
of a man, and kept six months on Land with raw Flesh and Fish, but then because they could not make it speak, they flung it into the Sea again. In Yorkshire there were seen five Moons at once, one in the East, ano∣ther in the West, a third in the North, a fourth in the South, and a fifth in the midst of the Element; and Hailstones are recorded to have fallen as big as Goose-Eggs.
NOtwithstanding the Promises made to the French Prince Lewis after King John's death, his Son Henry was Crowned King, chiefly by the means of William Mar∣shal Earl of Pembroke who had married his Aunt, and (the young King being but nine Years old) was appointed Protector of the Realm during his Minority, who drew off divers of the Factious Lords; and hav∣ing utterly defeated Lewises Forces at Lin∣coln, and destroyed the Supplies sent him out of France in a Fight at Sea, obliged him to a Composition, for fifteen thousand Marks, renouncing not only all his Pretences
to England, but also swearing to restore when he came to be King all such Provin∣ces in France as belong'd to this Crown; which he not performing, King Henry af∣terwards made War upon him, but with∣out any notable success, Troubles encreas∣ing at home, because the King abandon'd his English Lords and trusted Strangers in his Councels and grand Offices: By which means he was grown into such extream Necessity for Money, that he coming to take up Money at Loan of a certain Abbot, told him, It was more Alms to give Mony to him, than to a Beggar that went from door to door. And yet, the Story says, the hard hearted Abbot would not lend him a Penny.
He several times promised the Observa∣tion of the two great Charters of the Peo∣ples Liberties, but yet still they were little regarded, one time especially they were confirm'd in the most solemn Manner that State or Religion could devise, a terrible Curse being pronounced against all that should break them.
The Bishop of Bononia comes into England from the Pope, who pretending the King∣dom of Sicily was at his Dispose, would needs bestow it upon Edmond the Kings
Son, sending a Ring to invest him there∣with, and King Henry takes it in so good Earnest, that he ever after calls his Son King of Sicily, but all this was done by the Pope only to bubble away the Kings Money, hav∣ing drawn him into an engagement of an hundred and 50000 Marks for this kind∣ness, whereas he was so far from having Conquered that Kingdom, that Manfred Son of the Emperour Frederick had wholly routed his Holiness's Forces, and was re∣established there.
Contentions between the King and Ba∣rons encreasing, a Parliament is held at Ox∣ford, called the Mad-Parliament, because ma∣ny things were Enacted against the Kings Prerogative, which proved after to the Confusion of the Realm and Death of many Noble-men; for their Acts not being obser∣ved, at last both Parties betake them to Arms, and near Lewis in Sussex was fought a bloody Battel, wherein the Lords prevail∣ed, the King, with Richard his Brother King of the Romans and twenty five other Noble-men being taken, and of the Com∣mons above twenty thousand slain. But Difference arising between the two great Heads of the Barons, Leicester and Glocester, the Latter joyns with the Prince escaped out
of Prison, and killing Leicester and routing his Forces set the King at Liberty.
Both the Kings Sons Edward and Ed∣mund undertake the Holy-War, where the first carrying his wife Eleanor Daughter of Ferdinand King of Spain along with him, he happened to be treacherously wounded in three Places by a Saracen with a poisoned knife, which by the Surgeons were judg∣ed and had proved Mortal, if she in Ex∣cess of Love had not with her Mouth suckt the Poison out of his Wounds, thereby ef∣fecting a Cure, which otherwise had been Incurable.
During their absence, their Father in Peace after all his Troubles dyed, on the six∣teenth of November, 1272. having reign∣ed fifty six Years, leaving Sons, the said Edward who succeeded him, and Edmund created Earl of Lancaster, from whose Per∣son the great Contention between York and Lancaster took beginning; and three Daugh∣ters one married to the King of Scotland, the other to the Duke of Britain, the third died young.
In the seventeenth year of his Reign was so great a Dearth, that People were constrain∣ed to eat Horse-Flesh and Barks of Trees, and in London twenty thousand were starv∣ed
to Death for want of Food: and in his time was sent over from the French King the first Elephant that ever was seen in Eng∣land, likewise Anno 1264. Five hundred Jews were slain in London, because one of them would have forced a Christian to have paid above two Pence Usury for the Loan of two Shillings for one Week.
THis Heroick Prince began his Reign in November 1272. But being absent in the Holy Land came not to England till above twelve Months afterwards, and then was joyfully Crowned. His first Attempt was to restrain the Exorbitance of the Cler∣gy, by the Statute of Mortmain, forbidding the Encrease of their temporal Revenues &c. His next Enterprize was against Leolyn Prince of Wales who rebelled against him, but was soon after slain, and his head Crowned with Ivy set upon the Tower of London. This was the last of the Welch Princes, in whose stead the Country being
wholly subdued, and King Edward having a Son born in those Territories viz. at Caer∣narvan, having caus'd ('tis said) his Queen to lye in there, on Purpose that they might have a Governour that was their Country∣man, created him, viz. Edward that suc∣ceeded him in the Crown, Prince of Wales, whence the Title to this day belongs to the eldest Son of our Kings.
And now grievous Wars arise with the Scots, whose King Alexander breaking his Neck by a Fall, and leaving no Issue, several Competitors, but especially John de Baliol and Robert Bruce pretended Title to the Crown, the Decision whereof was referred to King Edward as alledging a Right of Superiority over that Kingdom, who pla∣ced the Crown on the Head of Baliol, he doing Homage for the same to himself. But afterwards confederating with France against King Edward, a mortal Dissention grew be∣tween them; whereupon K. Edward marches towards Scotland, and wins Berwick not with∣out the loss of the Lives of 20000 Scots, and takes Baliol Prisoner, leaving Officers there to manage that Realm, against whom Peter Walleys makes head, till Edward in a se∣cond Expedition at the Battel of Fonkirk kills above forty Scots, and seemed Master of the whole Land, the Scots swearing Feal∣ty
to him the third time, but to little pur∣pose, for then Bruce sets up for King, which so incensed King Edward, that he provides a mighty Army, and swears his Son and Nobles that if he died in that Expedition they should not bury his Corps, but carry it with them about Scotland, till they had vanquisht the Usurper, and absolutely brought the Country to Subjection, but be∣fore his coming the Earl of Pembroke had put to flight the new King, with great slaughter at St. John's Town, and our King had little to do but to cause Executi∣on to be done on great Persons taken Pri∣soners, no Enemy daring to appear before, except that Invincible Enemy Death, who here seiz'd him with a Bloody Flux, and put an end to his Triumphs the seventh of July 1307. and thirty fifth Year of his Reign, having first (amongst other things) charged his Son on his Blessing never to re∣call his old Companion in Extravagance Peirce Gaveston from Banishment, that he should carry his Bones about Scotland till he had subdued it, and send his Heart to the Holy Land, with thirty two thousand Pounds which he laid by for that Pur∣pose.
In this Kings time were all Jews banisht out of England, being above fifteen thou∣sand, who had all their Goods confiscate, he likewise by Proclamation forbad the burning of Sea-coal in London and the Suburbs, for avoiding the noisome smoak. In his time Roger Bacon and Thomas Bungey, two learned Fryars, flourisht; who being great Mathematicians, were in that Igno∣rant Age counted Conjurers, whence were raised the Fables of a Brasen Head, and walling England round with Brass &c. In the sixteenth Year of this King, as he and his Queen sate in their Chamber in Gascoin upon a Bed talking together, a thunder-Bolt came in at the Window, past between them, and shew two of their Gentlemen that stood behind them.
THe first Act this Degenerous Successor of a glorious Prince did, was to break his Fathers Will, by calling home his Cro∣ny Gareston, on whom he bestowed most of the thirty thousand Pounds that was ap∣pointed
for the Holy War, and so little minded carrying the brave old Kings Bones about Scotland that it had been well he had suffer'd them quietly to be laid to rest in England, for after the Corps had been kept sixteen Weeks above Ground, and Langton the Treasurer and Executor of his Will was busie in preparing for the Fune∣ral, he caused him to be clapt up in Prison, and all his Goods given to Gareston, and then very indecently, before he perform'd his Fathers Funerals, enters into a Treaty of his own Nuptials with the Daughter of France, which were honour'd with the Presence of four Kings, viz. France, Na∣varr, the Romans, and Sicily, and three Queens, viz. of France, the old Queen of England, and Queen of Navarr, and yet Gareston exceeded them all in Bravery, who wholly possessing the Kings Affections the Lords caus'd him several times to be ba∣nisht, and the King as oft call'd him Home again: Insomuch that the Lords at last took Arms, and suprizing the said Gareston in Scarborough-Castle, cut off his Head, whose Body the King caused to be nobly buried, and built a Monastery on Purpose to pray for his Soul. He was the Son of an ordinary French Gentleman, of an
excellent Personage, and very witty, but exceeding debaucht.
And now Bruce King of Scotland under∣standing this King Edward's easie Temper, takes Heart, and not only reduced all Scot∣land but entred England, burning Towns &c. At last King Edward raises an Army, but like himself, fitter for a Court than a Camp; many men and great Bravery, but no Souldiers; and accordingly they speed, for though his Army consisted of one hun∣dred thousand men, thirty thousand Scots routed them at the fatal Battel of Bannocks-Borough, and as Hector Boetius will have it kill'd fifty thousand of them; and after∣wards were Masters of the Land as farr as York: so that after several Disasters the King was forced to make Truce with them for fifteen Years.
After this he becomes to dote on two o∣ther Favourites, one Spencer and his Father, as much as ever he did on Gareston. And much more mischief came of it; for the Lords striving to remove them by force, and being defeated, the Earl of Lancaster and above twenty of the greatest men in the Realm are put to Death. Then the Queen affronted by the said Spencer goes over into France with a Gallant, One Mortimer, and
refusing to come back is banisht, but then like a true Woman she will come back, and to their Costs; for she comes with an Ar∣my, frights the King from London into Wales, where he is taken with his Spencers, Father and Son, which last are hang'd drawn and quarter'd, and himself that Winter kept Prisoner till Christmass, and then deposed, and made to resign his Crown, when he had Reign'd almost nine∣teen Years. He lived but half a Year after his Deposing, being by Means of the Queens pestilent Councellors hurried from Place to Place, in particular carrying him to Barkley-Castle: To the End he should not be known, they shaved his Head and Beard in a most insolent Manner, for taking him from his Horse, they set him on a Hillock, and ta∣king puddle-water out of the next Ditch went to wash him, telling him, cold Water must serve for this time, whereat the mise∣rable King looking sternly upon them, said he would have warm Water to wash him whether they would or no; and to make good his Word presently shed a shower of Tears. In the said Castle after several hardships he was by his inhumane Kee∣pers murdered, being first stifled in his Bed, and afterwards a red hot Iron thrust
thorow a Pipe up into his fundament, that it might not be discovered.
In the eighth Year of his Reign was so terrible a Famine that Dogs and Horses were eaten, and Thieves in Prison pluckt such as were new brought in to pieces, and devour'd them half alive, which occasion'd such a Pestilence that the living were scarce able to bury the dead. And in his time digging the Foundation of a Work about Pauls, an hundred Heads of Oxen and Kine were found, which confirm'd the Opinion, that in the old time the same had been a Temple of Jupiter or Diana, where was Sa∣crifice of Beasts. And then lived Sir John Mandevile the great Traveller, a Doctor in Physick.
AFter the deposing of the Father, Ed∣ward the Son is proclaimed King, the seventeenth of January 1327. But being not above fifteen Years of Age, during his Mino∣rity Affairs were managed by the old Queen and her Friend Mortimer, who con∣clude
a dishonourable Peace with the Scots, and a Match between David Bruce the Scots King's Son, but seven Years old, and our Kings Sister, not so much. But in the third Year of his Reign the Queen by the Parlia∣ment is confined to a Castle, where she re∣main'd thirty Years, till her Death, with whom just ready to go to bed, was taken Mortimer by the King in Person, and several Lords, who being charged amongst other Crimes with being too familiar with the Queen, and betraying the Realm, was drawn to Tyburn and there hang'd up, his Body remaining an opprobrious Spectacle for all Beholders.
About this time a Title to the Crown and Kingdom of France fell to this King Edward. For Charles the French King dy∣ing without Issue, it came to him as being the Son of Isabel Sister to the said Charles, but they alleadging the Salick Law exclu∣ded all Females, and such as claim under them from the Crown, set up Phillip Va∣lois King, as being though more remote, yet descended of a Masculine Line, and King Edward had yet no Leisure to dis∣pute it, being engaged in Scotland on the be∣half of young Baliol, with whom he joined to recover that Kingdom from the Usurper
David Bruce, though his Brother in Law; and in a Battel at Hallidown-Hill slow thir∣ty thousand Scots, establishing Baliol in the Throne upon Homage perform'd, all which time Bruce and his Wife remained in France.
Having secured that troublesome and dangerous back Door, he takes upon him∣self the Title and Arms of King of France; and having destroy'd a Navy of two hun∣dred Ships that lay to hinder his Passage, and slain therein thirty thousand men, he entred France with an Army of fifty five thousand, and besieged Turnay, but a Truce was concluded for the present. However, about two Years after, King Edward goes again over with the black Prince his Son then but fifteen Years of Age, and takes Harfleur, the City of Caen, and divers other Cities, marching through the several Pro∣vinces at his Pleasure, till having much weakned & lessen'd the number of his men, being then above thirty thousand, the French King with an Army of above sixty thousand gives him Battel at Cressy, but is totally routed, having thirty thousand men slain, and King Phillip himself forc'd to fly in the Night to Bray, where the Guards asking, who goes there? He answered mourn∣fully,
the Fortune of France; and be∣ing known by his Voice was received into the Town with the Tears and Lamentations of his People, this memorable Victory was obtained on Bartholomew day 1346. And soon after, Calice is taken.
In the mean time David King of Scots invaded England with an Army of sixty thousand, but by several Lords and the Queen in Person is routed at Nevils-Cross in the Bishoprick, fifteen thousand of his men slain, and he himself taken Prisoner and brought to London.
Phillip the French King dying, his Son John succeeds; and Edward the black Prince then grown up, having made great Hayock in France, at last happens the famous Battel of Poyctiers, the nineteenth of September 1357. The English were not above ten, some say but six thousand, and those weak and weary; but the French above three∣score thousand, so that the Prince was content to have surrendred what Places he had got; but nothing would serve the French King, but he must, as vanquished, ren∣der himself and his Army to his Discretion; whereupon he rather chuses to fight him, which she did so successfully, that he ut∣terly defeated that vast Army, kill'd above
two thousand persons of Quality, and took King John himself and divers Lords Priso∣ners, who was brought over into England, to keep company with his Friend David King of Scotland, who both with King Ed∣ward and the Prince, dined altogether at the Lord Mayors; and for this Victory, a Thanksgiving was appointed throughout all England for eight dayes together.
The French King was afterwards Ran∣somed for three Millions of Crowns of Gold, and the Black Prince goes into Spain, and with one Battel with thirty thousand against an hundred thousand men, puts Peter King of Castile into possession of his Kingdom, from whence he had been lately driven by the French and Arragonians; but returning from thence dies, to the great grief of King Edward his Father, who not long after, viz. the 21 of June 1377. died himself, in the sixty fourth year of his Age, and two and fiftieth of his Reign. In his time happen∣ed a grievous Pestilence, which continued eight or nine years, and for some time so great, that in London between January and July died 57374 persons, and in Yarmouth in one year 7052. In the eleventh year of his Reign was so great a Plenty, that a Quarter of Wheat was sold for two shillings,
a fat Ox for a Noble, a fat Sheep for six Pence, and a Pig for a Penny. He was bu∣ried in Westminster Church, where the Sword he used in Battel is yet to be seen, being eight pound in weight, and seven foot long. In his time lived Sir Jeffery Chaucer, our English Homer, who happily turn'd the Groves of Woodstock into the Banks of Heli∣con. This King left several Children, but especially John of Gaunt, who married the sole Heir of the House of Lancaster, whose Issue Henry came to be King; and Edmund of Langley, afterwards created Duke of York.
AFter the Death of King Edward the third, Richard the Son of the Black Prince, being by his Grandfather in his Life∣time declared his Heir and rightful Succes∣sor, was Crowned July 16. 1377, being but eleven years old; Authority was com∣mitted to John Duke of Lancaster and Ed∣mund Duke of York his Uncles, with seve∣ral
other Lords and Bishops to Manage the State.
Now the French hoping for an advan∣tage by the Kings Minority, burn the Town of Rye, and land in the Isle of Wight, and and offer Mischief at several other places, but are every where immediately repell'd with loss; as likewise the Scots were, who came on the same Errand. In his first Par∣liament, Alice Price, the late Kings Mi∣stress, was banish'd, and all her Goods (which were very considerable) confiscated. In the sixth year of his Reign, happened several great Insurrections, especially in Kent, where a Collector of Poll-money coming to the House of one Wat Tyler a Thatcher, and demanding a Groat for his Daughters head, her Mother alledged she was not of Age to pay; the rude fellow swore he would presently see that, and thereupon forcibly turn'd up her Coats; whereat the Mother making an out-cry, her husband, at work hard by, comes running, and with his Lathing-staff beat out the Col∣lectors brains; and presently gathers a Rab∣ble, and ripps up the ground of their mis∣government, and by degrees encreased, and appeared at Black-heath near an hundred thousand strong; whence they march'd to
London, cut off the heads of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Lord Chancellor, and Sir Ro∣bert Hales Lord Treasurer, burn'd the Law∣yers Books and Writings in the Temple, and other mischiefs. At last William Wal∣worth, Mayor of London, coming to Wat Ty∣ler at the head of his Rabble in Smithfield, kill'd him with his Dagger, and immedi∣ately the King comes riding up, crying out to the Commons, he would be their Cap∣tain, and see all their Grievances redress'd, which, together with a power of armed men coming upon them, made them forthwith fling down their Weapons and beg for par∣don, granted to all except Jack Straw, and some other Ring-leaders, who were execu∣ted. For this Gallant Exploit Walworth was Knighted, and the Dagger added to the City Arms. The Design of these Rebels, as Straw declared at his death, was, to seize the King, destroy all the Nobles, Law∣yers and Clergy, except begging Fryars, whom they would keep to administer the Sacraments: to burn the City, take away the Custom of Bondmen, devise new Laws, and set up a King in each County &c.
John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, in the right of his Wife Constance Daughter of the King of Castile, pretends to the Crown of Spain, and goes thither with an 〈◊〉〈◊〉
where, after several Adventures a Peace is concluded, on agreement that Henry the King of Spains eldest Son should marry Ka∣tharine the Dukes Daughter, and the Duke receive ten thousand Marks a year.
Differences arise between King Richard and his Parliament, he demanding Money, and they wary in Granting any, complain∣ing of Favourites, and ill Ministers about him; insomuch that thirteen Lords were chosen by the Parliament to have the over∣sight of Affairs under the King, but this the King soon after revokes; whereupon the Lords take Arms, and after some Treaties, come to London with an Army of forty thou∣sand men, and banish several Great men from the Court.
After this a Parliament began (cal∣led the Parliament that wrought won∣ders,) the first day whereof all the Judges (but one) as they sat in their places, were Arrested; and sent to the Tower, and Sir Robert Tresilian Lord Chief Justice, not then appearing, was soon after found in an Apo∣thecaries shop, and hanged at Tyburn.
About his fifteenth year, on occasion of a Riot and some undutiful carriage, the Li∣berties of the City of London were seized, and they at last forc'd to pay ten thousand
pounds to have them restored. In his twen∣tieth year, the King goes over into France, and had an Interview with the French King, with extraordinary Magnificence, where a Peace was concluded, and King Richard married the Lady Isabel (not above eight years of Age) Daughter of the French King. 'Tis said this Journey cost him thir∣ty thousand Marks.
Henry of Bullingbrook, Son of John Duke of Lancaster, and now Duke of Hereford, being banish'd, has tidings brought him in∣to France, that his Father was dead, and that the King had seiz'd on all his Lands; Whereupon, aiming at the Crown, and be∣ing invited by a Faction, he comes back in∣to England, pretending only to take posses∣sion of his Dukedom of Lancaster and In∣heritances descended to him from his Fa∣ther, which drew in many to assist him. King Richard was at that time absent in Ireland, who at length coming over too late, was taken at Flint-Castle, and finding the Faction resolved to depose him, did on the twenty ninth of September 1399. make a seeming voluntary Resignation of his Crown, desiring that his Cozen German the Duke of Lancaster might succeed. After which, he was conveyed to Leeds-Castle in
Kent, and thence to Pomfret, where he is said to have been murder'd by one Sir Piers of Exton, having Reigned twenty two years and three months.
In his time John Wickliff opposed Tran∣substantiation, and other Errors of the Church of Rome. In his fourteenth year, on Christmas day, a Dolphin was taken at London Bridge. In the last year of his Reign all the Bay-trees in England withered, and afterwards grew Green again; and a River near Bedford suddenly ceased its Course, so as the Channel remained dry for three miles space; which was adjudged to signifie the Revolt of his Subjects. In the beginning of his Reign, viz. about the year 1380. Guns were invented by a German Monk, who beating Brimstone in a Mortar, co∣ver'd with a Stone, a Spark happening to fall therein, blew up the stone; Where∣upon taking the hint from that observation, mixing the Ingredients, and putting them into a Pipe of Iron, he at last finisht the deadly Engine.
AFter the Resignation of King Richard, Henry of Lancaster assumes the Crown, as descended in a right Line from Henry the third his great Grandfather, yet, but from a second Son of that Henry, whereas there was living Roger Earl of March Son and Heir of Philippa, eldest Daughter and Heir to Lionel Duke of Clarence one of the Sons of King Edward the third, which Ro∣ger in a Parliament of the fourth Year of King Richard the second had been declared and proclaimed Heir Apparent to the Crown, but at present must submit, though his Fa∣mily afterwards obtained the Royal Digni∣ty in Edward the fourth. And here began the Feuds betwixt the House of Lancaster or red Rose, whereof this King was the first, and the House of Clarence afterwards called the House of York or white Rose, (for by those Badges they were distinguished) which caused mighty Slaughters and Trou∣bles in the Land, not quite appeased for near fourscore Years, viz. till they both became united by Henry the seventh, true
Heir of the Lancastrians, marrying Elizabeth eldest Daughter of Edward the fourth true. Heir of the House of York.
In the second Year of this King Henry's Reign one Owen Glendour a Welch Gentle∣man, but educated in one of the Inns of Court at London, raised a Rebellion in Wales, and did much spoil, taking Priso∣ner the Lord Edmund Mortimer who resist∣ed them. And some time after, the Pier∣cies, Earls of Northumberland and Worcester, for releasing the said Mortimer their Kins∣man, enter into a Confederacy with the said Owen Glendour, (who was induced thereunto by a foolish Prophecy) to divide the Realm between them &c. But King Henry fell upon them near Shrewsbury, and kill'd six thousand of them, whereof 'tis said thirty six the King slew with his own hands, after which, Glendour fled into the Mountains, and being abandon'd of all, was famished in the Woods; a just End for such as upon the conceit of ridiculous pretended Prophecies, will venture into Rebellion. Anno 1404. The French made several attempts upon the Isle of Wight, and other parts South and West, but were con∣tinually beaten off with Loss. About this time was a Parliament assembled at Coven∣try,
call'd Parliamentum Indoctum, or the Lay-mens Parliament, because the Sheriffs were commanded not to return any Law∣yers for either Knights or Burgesses.
The Kings Son, Prince Henry being natu∣rally valiant, and not yet full season'd, but drawn away with the wildness of Youth and ill Company, committed several Ex∣travagances; and in particular, one of his Companions being arraigned for Felony, he would by force have taken him away from the Kings Bench Bar, but being with∣stood by the Lord Chief Justice, he stepped to him, and struck him over the face; whereat the Judge nothing daunted, rose up, and told him, that he did not this af∣front to him, but to the King his Father, in whose place he sate; and therefore to make him know his fault, he commands him forthwith to be committed; The Prince, upon recollection, being smitten with his Grave and Majestick words, obey'd the Judges Sentence, and suffered himself to be led to Prison; which being presently told the King, he wonderfully re∣joyced thereat, as well that he had a Judge of that Courage, as a Son of such Submission.
King Henry, having freed himself from all his Troubles, makes great preparation for a
Voyage to the Holy Land, though he were told by a South-sayer that he should dye in Jerusalem, which proved nearer home than he imagined; for being at Prayers at St. Edwards Shrine, he was suddenly taken with an Apoplexy, and being carried into the Abbot of Westminster's house, when he recovered his Senses, finding himself in a strange place, he ask'd how they call'd it? and being told, in the Abbots house, in a Chamber call'd Jerusalem; Well then, says he, Lord have mercy on me, This is the Jeru∣salem where I was told I should dye: which happen'd accordingly, March the twentieth 1413. when he had reigned thirteen years and an half. He was buried at Canterbury.
In the third year of his Reign, in March, appeared a Blazing Star, first betwixt the East and North, and then casting fiery beams towards the North. The same year, at Danbury in Essex, the Devil in the shape of a Gray Friar came into the Church, and put the People into great affrightment, the rather, for that at the same time there was a most violent tempest of Whirlwind and Thunder, that carried away the Steeple, and broke down half the Chancel, &c. In the fourth year of this King died the famous William Wickham, who from a poor, and
but small Scholar, came to be Bishop of Win∣chester, Lord Keeper, and abundance of other Preferments. He built New Colledge in Oxford, and the Colledge at Winchester, dis∣charged all the Prisoners throughout his Di∣ocese, that lay in Execution for debt under twenty pound; amended all the High ways from Winchester to London, on each side of the River, and divers other Noble Acts of Charity. The same year died Chaucer, and and five years after John Gower (who lies buried in St. Mary Overies Southwark) the two Fathers of English Poetry.
HEnry the fifth of that name, Son of Hen∣ry the fourth, was Crowned on the ninth of April 1412. and with his Condi∣tion, his Nature seem'd wholly chang'd. Scarce shall we read of a more extravagant Prince, no where of a more brave, regular, and noble King; which he presently testi∣fied
by sending for all his old wilde Compa∣nions, and giving them such competent Gifts as might maintain them in an honest and temperate course of Life; but withal strictly charged, that none of them should come within twenty miles of the Court, till they had given sufficient proof of the amend∣ment of their Manners.
He finding himself firmly settled on his Throne, began to revive the Title of his An∣cestors to the Crown of France, which he solemnly demanded by his Ambassadours, but was scornfully answer'd; and 'tis said, the Dauphin (who in the French Kings sickness managed the State) sent him a Tun of Tennis-balls, in derision of his Youth, as fitter to play with them than to manage Arms; which so incensed King Henry, that he vow'd it should not be long e're he would toss such Iron Balls amongst them, that the best Arms in France should not be able to hold a Racket to return them. Accordingly he crossed the Sea with an Army, and landed in Normandy, where he took the strong Town of Harflew, and marching through Picardy, not having a∣bove seven thousand men, was encountred by the French, being near threescore thou∣sand,
at a place call'd Agincourt; where, considering the number of his Enemies, and to avoid the fury of their Cavalry, he char∣ged every Archer to take a sharp stake stud∣ded with Iron, about six foot long, and pitch them aslope before them, removeable by Pioneers, as there should be occasion; which being provided, and publick Prayers humbly made, he expected the Enemy, who about nine of clock in the morning with much pride and scorn attacqu'd him, but their horses being gall'd on the said stakes, were put into confusion, and thereby dis∣order'd the rest of their Army behind them, so that the Victory fell (with little loss) to the English, of whom were only slain the Duke of York, who had the leading of the Van, and the Duke of Suffolk, of persons of Note, and not above twenty six com∣mon People, as most Writers testifie; which may be counted (as Sir R. Baker observes) rather a Miracle than a Victory: for of the French there were slain above ten thousand. This Battel was fought the 25th of October, 1416. King Henry causing his whole Army in Array as they were to give God thanks, by singing that Psalm of David, When Is∣rael went forth of Egypt, &c. Proclamation being made that every one at the Words
Not unto us, O Lord, but to thy Name give the glory, should kneel down, and the Horse∣men bow their Bodies, &c. And at his re∣turn to London, shortly after, where he was Magnificently received, gave strict order that no Ballad or Song should be made or sung, more than of Thanksgiving to God for his Success, but without words of either dis∣gracing the French or extolling the Eng∣lish.
At this time the Emperour Sigismund came over to give King Henry a Visit, who was nobly treated at Windsor, and admit∣ted to the order of the Garter. The French attempting to retake Harflew, and having blockt up the Mouth of the River Syne, with a great Navy, the Duke of Bedford went against them with a powerful Fleet, and destroyed in all five hundred Ships, and relieved the Town.
On the twenty third of July, in the third Year of his Reign, King Henry went over again into France from Portsmouth, with an Army of 25528 fighting men, and a thousand Pioners, and took the Cit∣ties of Caen, and Roan, and indeed went on victoriously at his Pleasure, till at last the French King sued for Peace, which up∣on an Interview was concluded. King
Henry marrying the Lady Katharine, the French King's Daughter, and being ap∣pointed Regent of France for the present, and Heir apparent to that Crown, which was confirmed by the three Estates of France in most Authentick manner. The Lords spiritual and temporal swearing to be obedient in all things to King Henry as Re∣gent, and after the Death of Charles should become his true Liege men and Subjects. After he and his new Queen had for some time been honourably treated at Paris, they came over, and she was Crowned at West∣minster, at which the King of Scots was present.
Upon St. Nicholas day 1422. the Queen was delivered of a Son at Windsor (that af∣terwards succeeded to the Crown) of whom 'tis said, his Father, in a prophe∣tick Rapture, thus exprest himself, Good Lord! I Henry of Monmouth shall small time Reign and much get, and Henry of Windsor shall long time Reign and lose all, but Gods Will be done. Which proved true, for the Dauphin, who had never consented to the Peace with King Henry, besieging a Town called Cosney, King Henry went over to relieve it, but falling sick, some say of a Fever, others a Pleurisy, and some think
poison'd, he died at Bois de Vincennes; whence his Body was conveyed in State to Paris, thence to Westminster, and there In∣terred, dying in the prime of his Age not above five or six and thirty, after he had Reigned nine Years and five Months, lea∣ving his Brother, the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France, and his Brother the Duke of Glocester (commonly called the good Duke) Protector of England, and of his Sons Persons, exhorting them to Unity between themselves, to be Loyal to their young King, assistant to his dear Queen, preserve what he had got, and never make Peace with the Dauphin untill he should absolutely submit.
His Queen Katharine afterwards married Owen Teudor an Esquire of Wales of a most lovely Personage, by whom she had Edmund afterward Earl of Richmond, who marrying the sole Heir of John Beaufort Earl of Sommerset, was by her Father, unto King Henry the seventh the only Heir of the house of Lancaster.
In this King's Reign Sir John Old-Ca∣stle Lord Cobbam, favouring the Doctrine of Wicklife, was much troubled, and at last hang'd in a Chain by the middle in St. Giles's Fields, and so consumed by Fire,
Gallowes and all; said to be for raising Sedition, though he were also convicted of Heresie, and thence 'tis like had a share in both Punishments.
The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in a Sy∣nod at Rochester made a Decree, that the Holy Scriptures ought not to be translated into the English Tongue, but 'tis recorded, that shortly after, his own Tongue swell'd so big towards the Root, that he could neither speak nor swallow, but in Horrour lay languishing till with Famine he dyed. In the fourth Year of this King's Reign was began the Council of Constance, where 'twas decreed that England should have the Title of the English Nation, and one of the five principal Nations of Christendome in Rank before Spain. At the same time John Huss and Jerom of Prague were both burn'd there, notwithstanding the Emperour's Let∣ters of Safe-conduct, and three Popes set up all at once, were all three put down, and a new legitimate Pope chosen, which had not been in the space of twenty nine Years before, so great is the Unity and fair the Succession which the Romanists boast of.
HEnry the only Child of Henry the fifth, being scarce nine months old succeed∣ed his Father, whose Infancy being assisted with good Protectors, his Affairs succeeded ed well, but afterwards began continually to decline, till at last he lost not only most of his Father's Conquests abroad, but even his Crown at home.
His Regent in France was the Duke of Bedford, assisted by the two Terrors of the French, Thomas Montaeute Earl of Salisbury, and John Lord Talbot, who caused their young King to be proclaimed in Paris, and overthrew the Dauphin (who upon his Fa∣thers Death had likewise caused himself to be proclaimed King of France) in several Battels.
In the Year 1431. King Henry not yet above nine Years old, being sent for over by the Duke of Bedford, was with great Solemnity Crowned King of France in Pa∣ris, and received the Oaths of Homage and Fealty of all the French Nobility that were present and of all the Inhabitants of Paris,
and places adjacent. A little before this, a woman called commonly La Pucelle de Dieu, the Maid of God, pretended to be sent by Heaven to help the French, and expell the English, and marching along with the Ar∣mies, by her Counsel and Encouragement did the English much mischief, till at last she was taken by them, and being Judicial∣ly condemned for a Sorceress, was publick∣ly burnt at Roan.
But on the fourteenth of September 1435, the wise and valiant Duke of Bedford died at Paris, with whom we may say in a man∣ner expired the good Fortune of the English in France. He was buried in a stately Mo∣nument at Roan, which some would after∣wards have had demolisht, as dishonourable to the French Nation; but King Lewis an∣swered, "God forbid I should give way to so dishonourable an Act, as to disquiet his dead Bones who living would have disquieted us all: it savours of baseness to insult upon a dead Lion.
Soon after this, Paris after having been seventeen Years in Possession of the English, revolts, and expells them, whose Example was followed by abundance of other Pla∣ces.
1441. One Margery Jordan called the Witch of Eye in Suffolk, was burnt in Smithfield; for endeavouring to destroy the King by Sorcery, making his Picture in Wax, which as it consumed so should his Body wast away.
Then King Henry contrary to the advise of many of his Lords, marries the Lady Margaret, Neece to the French Queen, and Daughter to the Duke of Anjou; who sty∣led himself King of Sicily and Naples, but had only the Title, which Marriage causes many sad Inconveniences. For she and the Marquess of Suffolk (who made that Match) manage all things at their Pleasure, and procure the Kings Uncle the good Duke of Glocester, to be privately condemned for imaginary Crimes, and some say murder∣ed, being found dead in his Bed; which indiscreet Act open'd a way to the Duke of York to pretend to the Crown, which he could not do during his Life, being de∣scended but from Edmund of Langly the fifth Son of Edward the third, whereas this Duke Humphery was descended from John a Gaunt the fourth Son; amongst other good Qualities, 'tis said he was well learn∣ed in Astrology, whereof he wrote a speci∣al Treatise intituled, Tabula Directionum.
Anno 1450, the Duke of York begins se∣cretly to cause disturbances. One Jack Cade, otherwise called Mortimer, and pre∣tended to be his Cousin, styling himself Captain Mend-all, to redress Grievances, raised great Multitudes in Kent, with whom he marched into London, and passing London-Stone, struck his Sword therein, saying, Now is Mortimer Lord of this City; but taking too much liberty at last of plundering, after some dayes misrule, he was driven out, his Company dispersed, and himself taken in a Garden in Sussex, though not yielding till he was slain; whose Body being sent to London, his Head was set on the Bridge, and his Quarters at four several Towns in Kent.
In 1455, the Duke of York, in hatred to the Duke of Somerset, joyns with Richard Earl of Salisbury, and his brave Son the Earl of Warwick and others, who levy an Army, and fight the King at St. Albans, where Somerset is slain, and with him five thousand men; the King himself hurt in the Neck with an Arrow, flies to a poor thatcht house, where the Victorious Lords come to him on their knees, desiring pardon for what was past, since now the Common Enemy was slain; To which the good
King, being affrighted, answered, Let there be no more killing then, and I will do what you will have me. Whereupon a Parliament is called, and the Duke of York made Protector of the Kings Person, and the Realm; but the Queen soon caused this Agreement to be countermanded, and after some time Sa∣lisbury is kill'd; the Duke of York retreats to Ireland, and Warwick to Calice, of which he was Captain, and are all in Parliament attainted of Treason, and their Lands and Goods seized; But Warwick lands in Kent, gets the love of London, fights and routs the Kings Army near Northampton, and took his Majesty Prisoner; but the Queen and Prince fled into the North.
And now in a Parliament 'tis agreed that Henry should be King for his Life, but Richard declared Heir apparent should suc∣ceed. And if any of Henry's Friends should attempt the disannulling this Act, then the Duke should have present possessi∣on of the Crown; But the Queen procures an Army in the North, whom the Duke of York meets at Wakefield, and there is slain with three thousand of his men; Then his Son Edward is left to finish the difficult work which he had cut out; first, he van∣quishes part of the Kings Forces in the West,
then marches, (carrying King Henry with them) to fight the Queens Army at St. Al∣bans; but there they are worsted, and the King released by his Queen; but her Army being disorderly, London would not receive them, so that they were forced to retire. In the mean time the new Duke of York strengthens himself, and coming to London on the fourth of March 1460, is with great solemnity made King. And here all Wri∣ters agree to end the Reign of this King, though he lived twelve years after, and once more had the Sovereign Power, but it did not continue. He had now ruled thirty eight years, left one Son, who was after killed by Crook-back'd Richard, and so likewise was the Father himself, as we shall shortly acquaint you. In the thirty sixth year of his Reign it rained blood in Bedford∣shire. About this time the Turk took Con∣stantinople from the Christians, which has ever since been the chief Seat of his Empire. And the Art of Printing found out at Mo∣gunce in Germany, was practised in West∣minster-Abbey by William Caxton of Lon∣don, Mercer; Anno 1471.
DUke Edward being acknowledg'd King, was not at leisure to attend the Ce∣remony of Coronation, but must once more fight for a Crown before he wears it. For King Henry had got together an Army in the North of threescore thousand, against whom King Edward marcht, having not forty thousand, and therefore being inferi∣or in number, ordered no Quarter to be given; which occasion'd a mighty slaughter, there being slain that day six and thirty thousand seaven hundred threescore and sixteen Persons, whereby King Henry's Ar∣my being totally routed, he with his Queen and Prince fled to the King of Scots for Aid, and soon after the Queen went on the same Errand into France; in the mean time Edward is triumphantly Crown∣ed the twenty eighth of June 1461.
Some time after King Henry (on what occasion is not known, unless led by the Ill hand of Destiny) venturing in disguise in∣to England, is taken in Lincoln-shire, and brought Prisoner to the Tower of London;
but is once more to be made the sport of treacherous Fortune. For King Edward sending his great Champion the Earl of Warwick into France to treat about a Mar∣riage for him with the Lady Bona Sister to that Queen, who having proceeded far therein, the King in the mean time falls in Love with and marries the Lady Elizabeth Gray, Widdow of Sir John Gray of Groby. This odd Action so far disobliged the Earl of Warwick at his return, finding his Em∣bassy frustrated, the Lady Bona deluded, the French King deluded, and himself made the Instrument of all this; that he resolves to set up King Henry once again, whom he had before pull'd down; to which Purpose he confederates with the Duke of Clarence, King Edward's Brother, but at that time affronted; these raise Forces, and surprize King Edward in his Bed, near Berwick; but he soon makes shift to escape from them, and forces Warwick to fly the Land, but, being invited by the People, returns, and gathers so great a Strength, that King Edward, unable to resist it, is himself for∣ced to fly beyond Sea to the Duke of Bur∣goine.
Now the victorious Earl of Warwick re∣leases King Henry from his Imprisonment
in the Tower, where he had lain almost nine Years; and Edward is every where proclaim'd a Traitor, yet by and by assisted by the Duke of Burgoine, lands in Yorkshire, declaring on Oath, that he came only to recover his own Inheritance; whereby the People thought he meant only his Duke∣dome, and therefore would not oppose him, whereas the sequel shew'd he intend∣ed the Crown. For the Duke of Clarence being reconciled to him, he marches for London (Warwick at Coventry being unable to fight him.) Here King Henry, who seem'd rather wholly passive than active in all these turmoils, is delivered into his hands; and the Earl of Warwick coming to Barnet is engaged by King Edward, and kill'd, but not without ten thousand Lives to accompany him. All this time Queen Margaret was detained by tempests in France, but when 'twas too late, landed at Wey∣mouth, but is defeated in Glocestershire, and taken, with her Son, who being bold in his Answers to King Edward was kill'd by crookback'd Richard, the King's Brother. Queen Margaret was afterwards ransom'd by her Father for great Sums of Money, and the pious but unfortunate King Henry, soon after this Overthrow of his Friends,
struck to the Heart with a Dagger by the said Crookback'd Duke of Gloce∣ster.
King Edward being thus at Peace at home Anno 1474, goes over with an Ar∣my into France, demanding that Crown; but the Duke of Burgoine failing in his Pro∣mises, a Peace was concluded, on Condi∣tion that the French King should pay fifty thousand Crowns a Year during the Life of King Edward; who on the nineteenth of April 1483, preparing for a second War with France for Non-payment of that Tri∣bute, dyed at Westminster, leaving two Sons under age and several Daughters. He was one of the Goodliest Personages in the World, exceeding tall and majestical, ne∣ver any man that married purely for Love, did so little love marriage says Sir Richard Baker; for he took as much Pleasure in other mens Wives as his own; being wont to say, that he had three Concubines that in their se∣veral Properties were excellent, one the merry∣est, another the subtilest, and the third the Holi∣est Harlot in his Realm, as one whom no man could lightly get out of the Church to any place unless it were to his Bed. The merriest here intended was Jane Shore, a Cittizen's Wife, who afterwards died miserably.
This King Reigned twenty two Years and one Moneth, in which time though there were wonderful Slaughters by Wars, yet two Pestilences happen'd that swept away more than the Sword.
THis Prince was eleven Years old at his Fathers Death, but was never Crown∣ed; for being left to the Care of his Uncle the Crookback'd Duke of Glocester, and coming up towards London from Ludlow, where he then resided, the crafty Duke first made use of means to have the Guard at∣tending his Nephew to be dismist, and then seizes on the Earl Rivers, his Uncle by the Mothers side, and other Kindred, whom soon after he beheaded.
Having thus got the sole Custody of the King, the Queen-Mother fearing the worst, takes Sanctuary with her young Son the Duke of York, and Daughters; but to get him from her, he pretends it necessary he should accompany the King to make him merry, and after much resistance prevails
with the Queen to deliver him; where∣upon they are both lodged in the Tower, and soon after by some vile Instrument al∣leadged Bastardy against the Princes, and by the Duke of Buckingham the said Duke of Glocester is proposed at Guild-Hall as rightful Heir to the Crown, which he is solemnly intreated to accept, and after some hypocritical refusals, does take upon him, on the eighteenth of June 1483. two months and a few days after the Death of King Edward the fourth; the right Heir being kept with his Brother as Prisoners in the Tower, where shortly after they were cruelly murdered by one Miles Forrest, and James Dighton, Horse-keeper to Sir James Tyrrel. who stifled them with their Bed∣ding, nor was it known where they were burled, though 'tis thought part of their Bones were not long since found in a Wall in the Tower. This Sir James Tyrrel was afterwards beheaded for Treason, Forrest routed away peicemeal at St. Martins le Grand, and Dighton detested of all men dy∣ed miserably at Calice.
THis cruel man having thus usurp'd the Crown, never enjoy'd it with any quiet of mind, but seem'd alwayes haunted with the Furies of Hell, and to bring him to destruction, some misunderstanding soon happens between him and his old friend the Duke of Buckingham, who being retired to his Castle of Brecknock, where, at that time, the Bishop of Ely (a discreet States∣man) was Prisoner, they laid a plot to put down King Richard, and bring in the Earl of Richmond, who was fled for safety to the Earl of Britain. This Earl, only Heir of Lancaster, they design to marry to the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter of King Edward the Fourth, and so Ʋnite the two Houses of Lancaster and York: But this contrivance was not carried so privately, but King Richard had an inkling of it, and the Duke of Buck∣ingham, betrayed by one of his Servants, is beheaded; However, the Design still goes on. To frustrate which, King Richard, that scrupled nothing that might serve or secure his Ambition, uses means to marry the said
Lady Elizabeth, and (strange to say) the Queen Dowager, her mother, is prevailed with to give her consent. Nay more, to smooth the way, King Richard's present Wife is suddenly sent out of the World, and now he resolves by a Rape on the young Lady, if fair means cannot effect it, to bring her to his Bed. But whilst these things are hatching, the Earl hastened by this news, arrived at Milford Haven, with not above 2000 men, but soon encreased by the coming in of the Country. To meet them King Richard, with what Forces he could, marches forwards, and at Bosworth in Leicestershire, on the twenty second of Au∣gust, 1485. the Armies Engaged, where King Richard desperately fighting was slain, his Body stript stark naked, thrown upon an Horse behind a Pursivant all besprinkled with Dirt and Mire, was brought to Leice∣ster, and there buried, and his Crown found amongst the spoil of the Field, set upon the Earls head, who succeeded, as by right of Inheritance was his due.
THe first considerable Act done by this King, was (according to his promise) to marry the Lady Elizabeth, thereby strengthening his Title to the Crown. Soon after happened the Sweating-sickness, whereby many thousands suddenly perish∣ed; the only Remedy was, assoon as a man was taken to lie down for the space of twenty four hours, not provoking Sweat, but letting the Disease have its course, eat∣ing or drinking not at all, or very mode∣rately.
One Simmond a Priest having a Scholar call'd Lambert Symnel, of a pregnant Wit and comely Personage, he gives him out to be Edward Earl of Warwick, Son of the Duke of Clarence, Brother to King Edward the fourth, lately escaped out of Prison; whereas, in truth, the said Earl was kept close in the Tower, getting with this Up∣start into Ireland, he is there saluted King, assisted by the Dutchess of Burgoigne, who being of the House of York, bore a grudge to King Henry, as being of the House of Lancaster, and countenanced by the Earl of
Lincoln, who brought him over into Eng∣land, but near Newark upon Trent were routed, the Earl kill'd, and Symnel taken, who was preferred, instead of a Crown, to be a Turn-spit in the Kings Kitchin.
Yet the Dutchess of Burgundy not dis∣couraged, sets up another counterfeit, one Perkin Warbeck, whom she breeds well, and instructs to take upon him the name of Ri∣chard, the younger Son of Edward the Fourth, whom they pretended to have been spared in compassion to his youth, when his Brother was murdered. This Cheat not only deceived the Irish, but the French King believ'd it, or at least, seem'd to do so; as likewise the King of Scots, who in his quarrel entred England with a puissant Ar∣my, but was repulsed; and upon making a Peace with King Henry, consents to banish Perkin, who afterwards making a distur∣bance in Cornwal, is taken, and put in the Tower; whence making an escape, being retaken, he was hang'd at Tyburn, there con∣fessing his true Name and Parentage.
In the 17 year of his Reign, his Son Prince Arthur married the Lady Katharine of Spain, he being of the age of fifteen, and she of eighteen years: At night they were put to bed, and lay together as man and
wife all night; when morning appeared, the Prince (as his servants reported) cal∣led for drink, which before he had not used to do; and being ask'd the cause, he an∣swer'd merrily, I have been too night in the midst of Spain, which is a hot Country, and that makes me so dry. But five months after he dyed, and Prince Henry (afterwards Henry the Eighth) his Brother, by virtue of a Dispensation, married his Widow, as not having been carnally known by his Brother, though married to him. The La∣dy Margaret, the Kings eldest Daughter, married the King of Scotland, in whose Royal Posterity both Kingdoms at last came to be united in the Person of King James.
King Henry towards the end of his Reign, grew intent upon getting of Wealth; for which purpose, two fit Instruments, both Barons of the Exchequer, offered themselves; Dudley, of a good Family, and Empson, the Son of a Sieve-maker, who turning Justice into Rapine and Extortion, by unusual summary proceedings, did much harass the People; for which, in the first year of King Henry the Eighth, they were both behead∣ed, and seven of their inferiour Agents, cal∣led Promoters, set on the Pillory in Corn∣hill,
with Papers on their heads, and then forc'd to ride through the City with their Faces to the Horse-tail, with the shame whereof, in seven dayes after, they all died in Newgate.
King Henry, in the twenty second year of his Reign, began to grow sickly, and afterwards died of a Ptisick at Richmond, April 22. 1508. and was magnificently bu∣ried at Westminster, when he had reigned twenty three years and eight months, and lived fifty two years.
This King, in his eighteenth year, erect∣ed that sumptuous Building, call'd by the name of his Chapel to this day at West∣minster: and 'tis reported, had in his Coffers at Richmond, under his own Key and keeping, eighteen hundred thousand pounds.
SUcceeded his Father, and was with much joy and solemnity Crowned. In the third Year of his Reign a War was conclu∣ded in Parliament with France, for with∣holding
our King's Inheritance, and the King of Spain promises Aid, but fails there∣in; so that little was done in the first Ex∣pedition. But afterwards the King going in Person, besieges the City of Terwin, where the Emperour Maximilian fought under his Banner, and received Wages, a hundred Crowns a day, an honour never done to any English King before. To re∣lieve the Town with Victuals, came eight thousand brave French Horse, but were beat off by the English, and glad to fly so fast, that it was call'd the Battel of Spurs, as making more use of them in running away, than of their weapons in fighting: so that King Henry took the Place, and also the Ci∣ty of Tourney. In the mean time the Scots invade England with an hundred thousand men, but by the Earl of Surrey at Flodden field are routed, and their King valiantly fighting, slain with above ten thousand of his People.
In May 1514. the Pope being offended with the French King, transferred by Au∣thority of the Lateran Council the Title of most Christian from him to King Henry, which with great solemnity was published at St. Pauls, but continued not long in use.
1515, A Peace is concluded with France, the Lady Mary King Henry's Sister being married to the French King, who eighty two days after, dyes; whereupon the Lady is sent for back, and married to the Duke of Suffolk.
Thomas Woolsey, the Son of a Butcher of Ipswich, having by Learning and Diligence got to be King Henry the seventh's Chaplain, grew the grand Favourite of Henry the Eighth, being made Arch-Bishop of York, Chancellor of England by the King, and Cardinal by the Pope; who to honour his Brother Cardinal Campejus, coming hither from the Pope, sent store of red Cloth over to Callice, to make his Retinue fine, and re∣ceived him on Black-heath, in a Tent of Cloth of Gold; eight Mules he had laden with Necessaries, but Woolsey not thinking them enough, sent him twelve more; but see the shame of Pride! in Cheapside they overthrew their Coffers, whose Lids flying open, instead of rich Treasures discovered nothing but old ragged Cloths, broken Meat, marrow Bones, and Crusts of Bread, &c. to the great Laughter of the People. This was that Woolsey whose Pride used to write I and my King, and falling into dis∣favour had all his vast Estate seized, and
was arrested for Treason, and thereupon died for Grief; or, as some will suppose, poi∣soned himself.
Anno 1522. King Henry for writing against Luther, by a Bull from Pope Adrian the sixth, had the Title of Defender of the Faith given him; the same Year a quarrel happens with France, but no extraordinary matters done.
Anno 1528. Upon an overture of a Match between King Henry's Daughter, the Lady Mary, and the Duke of Orleance, se∣cond Son to the French King, a question was started, whether the King's Marriage to the Lady Katharine, her mother, having been his Brother's Wife, were lawful or not? upon this (though some alleadg other Reasons) the King begins to declare his scruple, after twenty Years living together, the Opinions of the Universities abroad are desired, the King appoints Commissioners and the Pope sends a Legate to hear the Cause, from whom the Queen modestly ap∣peals to the Pope; At whose delays the K. be∣ing offended, and at Woolsey, as some occa∣sion thereof, first strips him of his Dignities, who thereupon dyes as you have heard, then casts off the Popes Jurisdiction, passes an Act that none should appeal to the See of
Rome, and takes upon himself the Title of Supream Head of the Church. Then in a Parliament his Marriage is dissolved, and decreed that she should no longer be called Queen, but Princess Dowager, after which time the King never saw her more, though she lived four Years.
Soon after the King married Anne Bul∣len, and by her had Elizabeth, afterwards Queen, born Septemb. 7. 1534. between three and four a clock i'th' afternoon; but after she had been his Wife three years and three months, she was on a sudden seized with her Brother the Lord Rochford, and four of the Privy Chamber, were all behead∣ed: who on her Tryal, being charged with pretence of Adultery and Incest, she made such discreet modest Answers, as seemed to clear all she was charged with, and so did all the rest when they came to dye. How∣ever she was condemned, and took her Death most patiently, desiring to be Com∣mended to the King, and that they would tell him, His Majesty had been constant in his course of Advancing her, having from a private Gentlewoman made her a Marchio∣ness, and from that a Queen; and now having left no higher degree of Worldly Honour, he would make her a Martyr. For
indeed she was a very pious, vertuous Lady, and a Favourer of the Reformed Religion, which, together with the Kings affection to Jane Seymour, whom he married the very next day, were thought to be the only occa∣sions of her misfortune. For though the King had cast off the Popes Authority, yet he retained his Doctrine; so that great numbers on each side were put to death, Papists (as witty Sir Thomas More and o∣thers) for denying the Kings Supremacy, and Protestants for denying the real Pre∣sence, or holding that the Sacrament ought to be in both kinds, that Priests might mar∣ry, that Monks Vows need not be kept, that private Masses were not useful, or Au∣ricular Confession necessary; which points were called the six Articles. By Queen Jane the King had Prince Edward, but she died in Child-bed of him. The Lord Crom∣well being grown a great Favourite, pro∣motes the Reformation in some things, and all the Religious houses as they call'd them, that is, Abbeys, Fryeries and Nunneries, those Hives of Drones, were dissolved, whereby the King got vast Estates, yet in short time was never the Richer; though the Revenues of those Houses then seized amounted in the whole to 183707 l. 13. s. per Annum.
Having continued a Widdow two Years, the King married Ann the Daughter of the Duke of Cleve, a Protestant Prince; but (as 'tis said) not liking her Person, and con∣sequently displeased with Cromwel that made the Match, was divorced from her, and caused him to be apprehended, and at∣tainted by Parliament; and without ever being call'd to answer (by a Law he him∣self had caused to be made) he was behead∣ed, but for what is scarce known, only, the Record in general mentions, Heresy and Treason. He was a Smith's Son at Putney, and raised by Woolsey.
About two Months after Ann of Cleves Divorce, the Lady Katharine Howard was openly shewed as Queen, and about a Year after was beheaded for scandalous living with one Deerham, whom she had formerly been contracted to, and with one Thomas Culpeper of the privy Chamber, who 'tis said both confest their Indictments, the lat∣ter being beheaded and the other hang∣ed.
In his Thirty fourth Year he had Warrs with Scotland, where the Earl of Hart∣ford took Leith, and did other considerable Services.
Next year, the King took for his sixth Wife, Katharine Parr the Widdow of the Lord Latimer, how she would have sped had he lived long, is not known; for, being a Protestant, she was accused of having Heretical Books, and a Warrant granted once for her Commitment; but pacifying the King with modest Excuses, she for the pre∣sent escaped, he dying shortly after, and then she was married to Thomas Seymour Lord Admiral.
Anno 1545, the Earl of Lenox coming in∣to England, the King received him kindly, and gave him in marriage the Lady Marga∣ret his, Sisters Daughter, by whom he had Henry, Father to King James. The same year King Henry in Person went into France, and took Bulloigne, and several other exploits were done by his Forces, but by the media∣tion of the Emperour a Peace is Conclu∣ded.
And now King Henry, grown extream fat, fell into a languishing Fever, and ha∣ving by Will appointed his Successor and Council, died on the twenty eighth of Ja∣nuary 1547. in the fifty sixth Year of his Age, and thirty eighth of his Reign; leav∣ing Issue by Queen Jane, Prince Edward; by his first Wife Katharine of Spain, the
Lady Mary, and by Ann of Bullen the La∣dy Elizabeth, who all successively came to the Crown.
In the fifteenth Year of his Reign divers things were newly brought into England, whereof was made this Rhyme.
Turkeys, Carps, Hopps, Piccarel and Beer, Came first into England all in one Year.
In his thirty seaventh Year one William Foxley, a Potmaker for the Mint in the Tower, fell asleep, and could not with pinching or burning be awaked for full fourteen days, and then was in all respects as if he had slept but one Night, and lived fourty Years after. Nor could the Cause be found out, though he were examined strictly by the Kings Physicians, and the King himself. Now flourished the Learn∣ed men beyond Sea, as Vives, Erasmus, Cornelius Agrippa, &c. and in England, John Collet Dean of Pauls, who founded that School, William Lilly first School-master there; whence our Grammar takes its name, though supposed to be composed by Eras∣mus and many others.
This Prince at nine Years old came to the Crown, the Earl of Hartford his Uncle being chosen Protector of the King and Kingdom during his Minority; his first Exploit is to invade Scotland, who refused to make good the Marriage between their young Queen and King Edward. This forces the Scots to carry the Fire-Cross throughout the Land, which was two Fire∣brands set in fashion of a Cross upon the point of a Spear, making Proclamation, that all between sixteen and sixty years of age should forthwith take Arms, and bring Victuals with them, on pain of death. By this means having rais'd a great Army, he Engag'd the English at Musselborough-field, but ten or twelve thousand of them being slain, and the rest routed, the Earl Huntley taken Prisoner, being ask'd how he was now inclined to the Marriage, very hand∣somly repartee'd, He lik'd the Marriage well enough, but did not so well like that kind of wooing: And indeed all would not do, for the young Queen was privately convey'd
into France, and being but six years old, married to the Dauphin.
The two Popish Bishops, Bonner and Gar∣diner, are sent to the Tower, Images pull'd down, the use of Beads, Mass, &c. restrain∣ed; which occasion many stirrs and Insurre∣ctions, especially in the West, but soon ap∣peased, and many punished, by Sir William Kingston, the Provost-Marshal, who coming in shew as a Guest to the Mayor of Bodwin in Cornwal, desired him to erect a pair of Gallows for an Execution that was to be done there after dinner, which he causes to be done. Having dined with the Mayor at his house, they walk to see the Gallows, and the Marshal askt him, if he thought them strong enough? who answer'd, Doubt∣less they are. Then get you up speedily, says the other; for you have been a busie Rebel, and so forthwith hang'd him up. Near the same place, a Miller that had been concerned in the Tumults, fearing the Mar∣shal, goes from home, bidding a man he had to say he was the Miller, if any body ask'd for him; which the fellow ignorantly does to the said Marshal, that came present∣ly after his Master was gone, but hearing order given for his hanging up on the next Tree, cryed out, he was not the Miller, but
the Millers man; Nay, says the Marshal, I'le take you at your first word, If you are the Miller, you deserve it, or if you are his man you can never do him better service; and so truss'd him up.
A fatal quarrel arises between the Lord Protector and his Brother the Lord Admi∣ral, occasion'd by their Wives, the latter ha∣ving married the Queen Dowager, the o∣ther's Wife being a haughty woman, would not give her precedency, because her hus∣band was the elder Brother, and in higher Place. On this feud, she perswades the Pro∣tector that the Admiral sought his Life, who thereupon was beheaded; and then the Pro∣tector, being left without support, was soon supplanted by his Enemies, and charged with Treason, but on his submission releas∣ed; yet not long afterwards, being call'd to a second account, when he had nobly acquitted himself of all Treason objected, he was found guilty of Felony on a Statute of his own procurement; That if any should attempt to kill a Privy Counsellor, though the Fact were never committed, it should be Felony; for which he was be∣headed on Tower-Hill.
On the sixth of July 1553. died King Edward at Greenwich, in the seventh year of
his Reign, and sixteenth of his Age. He was a most vertuous, hopeful Prince, of great Learning, for his time, and strict De∣votion. Some say that he died of a Pleu∣risie, though some conceit he was poyson∣ed with a Nosegay, it being generally mur∣mured, after the two Uncles were taken out of the way, the Nephew would not long remain. Before he died, the Duke of Northumberland representing the obstinacy of his Sister Mary in Popery, and how fit it was Religion should be preserved in pu∣rity, which could not be, unless she were put by the Crown, nor that handsomly ef∣fected, unless the other Sister were put by also; on such reasons (nothing being so apt to take with the King as provision for Religion) he was perswaded by his Will (excluding both his Sisters) to appoint for his Successor the Lady Jane Gray, Daughter of Mary King Henry the Eighths younger Sister, which she had by the Duke of Suf∣folk, after the death of the French King, to whom she was first married; which Lady Jane, you must note, was lately married to the Lord Guilford, one of this Duke of Northumberlands Sons.
This King Edward gave Christs Hospital for poor Children; for Lame and Diseased,
St. Thomas's Hospital in Southwark, and St. Bartholomews by Smithfield, and for riotous idle Persons, his Palace of Bridewell, there to be kept at work by Correction. And in the fourth year of his Reign, Sir Andrew Jud, Mayor of London, founded a notable Free-School at Tunbridge in Kent, giving sixty pound per Annum Land to the Skinners Company, to pay twenty pound to the Master, and eight pound to the Usher there, and the rest to other Charitable uses.
After his death the Lady Jane was pro∣claimed Queen; but the Lady Mary being in Suffolk, takes upon her likewise the Ti∣tle, and gathers Forces; against whom goes the Duke of Northumberland; but his men revolting, and thereupon the Londoners de∣claring for Queen Mary, he himself goes to Cambridge, and proclaims her Queen, but for all that is taken Prisoner, and soon after beheaded; the Lady Jane being told by her Father, that now she must put off her Royal Robes, and be contented with a private Life, answered, She would more willingly put them off, than she put them on, which (she affirm'd) she had done meerly in O∣bedience to him and her mother. And indeed, it proved fatal to them all, for both she, her Husband, and Father were condemned,
yet possibly had escaped with life being re∣prieved. If the later had not afterwards joyned with Wiat in his Rebellion for op∣posing the Match with Spain, which enra∣ged the Queen so, that not onely he lost his Head, but his Son the Lord Guilford too, who with much devotion and constancy submitted to the stroke of Death, which was given in the sight of his most excellent Spouse the Lady Jane, placed at a Window for that purpose; the object striking more terror to her heart, than the sight of that fa∣tal Ax by which she was presently to suf∣fer: For as soon as he was dead she was brought on the same Scaffold, and after a most pious Prayer had her head severed from her body. She was but 16 years of age, but a Miracle for Learning, excellently skill'd in the Tongues, and some of her E∣pistles are yet extant. These qualificati∣ons made her much lamented, and the Judge that pronounced sentence against her, pre∣sently after fell raving mad, crying always Take away the Lady Jane, take her away from me; and so miserably ended his Life.
WAs crowned the first of October, 1553. and having settled her self against the Pretensions of the Lady Jane, as you have heard, and restored the Mass and Po∣pish Religion in all Churches, of which she was ever zealous, as being of Spanish Bloud, and bred up with the Mother of Cardinal Pool, and other Zealots of that Party, she thought it time to marry being 37 years old; and at last Philip Prince of Spain, eld∣est Son to the Emperour Charles, is pitch'd upon and concluded; but some rash Spirits oppose it, of whom the chief was Sir Thomas Wiat of Kent, pretending that this Match tended to bring England under the Yoke of Spain, and make the Land a slave to stran∣gers. Against him Forces were sent, but 500 revolted to him, who then boldly mar∣ched towards London, with so great terror to all people, that the Lawyers pleaded in Westminster Hall in Armour. The Queen by a loving Speech makes the City her Friend, who denied Wiat entrance; and his Army mouldring away, and being en∣compassed
by the Queens Forces, who offer∣ed like a true Daughter of King Harry to have gone against him her self in person, he yielded up himself, and was beheaded and quartered.
In the mean time the Princess Elizabeth being accounted a Protestant is kept as a Prisoner, sometimes in the Tower and some∣times at Woodstock, and many Trains laid to ensnare her; to which purpose being questioned one day what she thought of the Real Presence, after some pause she thus dis∣creetly answered;
Christ was the Word that spake it, He took the Bread and brake it, And what that Word did make it, That I believe and take it.Thereby avoiding their Net better than by a direct Answer she could have done.
Three Bishops Cranmer, Ridley, and Lati∣mer are adjudged Hereticks, and burnt at Oxford; but before them Rogers, Hooper, and Bradford, suffered Martyrdom at London: and henceforward the Persecution continu∣ed very fierce during all her Reign.
On the 20 July 1554. King Philip arri∣ved at Southampton, and three days after
they were married at Winchester; and short∣ly after Cardinal Pool coming over, this Kingdom was absolv'd from what they then called Heresie and Schism, and restored to the Unity of the Roman Church. And the Queen in a fit of Devotion would needs de∣liver up all the Lands belonging to Mona∣steries that were in her own hands, to be disposed of as the Pope thought fit. And being told this would much lessen her Re∣venue, answered, She more valued her Salva∣tion than any Revenue. A Saying howe∣ver grounded perhaps on a mistake as to particulars, yet certainly most pious and Christian in general.
Anno 1557. there was a piece of notable Justice: The Lord Sturton (though much in the Queens favour) being hanged at Sa∣lisbury with four of his Servants, for a Mur∣der by them committed, all the favour he had being that the Halter was of Silk.
The Queen engages in her Husbands quarrel against France, and took St. Quin∣tine; but for that there was little cause of joy, for many of the Garrison of Calis be∣ing drawn out on that Service, the French took the opportunity to surprise it, and took the two best Sconces on a sudden, coming to the Walls the English had laid a Train
of powder to blow them up; but their Cloths being wet by passing the Trenches dropping on it quench'd it, so that it would not take fire, so that the Town was taken for want of strength to defend it, there be∣ing not above 700 Souldiers in it, after it had been in English hands 200 years. The loss of which, together with her Husbands absence, and the disappointment of proving not with Child, as she was generally report∣ed, brought her into a sickness, whereof she died 17 Nov. 1558. having reigned 5 years and 4 moneths. Cardinal Pool dying the day before, some time before she declared to this effect, That if when she were dead they would look into her heart, they would find Cal∣lis her greatest distemper.
Her Reign is written in Histories with bloudy Characters, for the burning of poor Protestants, of whom in her time there suf∣fered 5 Bishops, 21 Divines, and in all 277 persons.
In her second year appeared in the Sky a Rainbow reversed, and two Suns at a time. Near Alborough in Suffolk on a Rock by the Sea, where there never was grass nor earth, in a dear year there grew naturally of them∣selves such abundance of Pease, that the Poor gathered above 100 quarters.
She died childless, and King Philip, as by Articles he was bound that he should not, so he was out of the Land, and could not at∣tempt any thing on the State; yet he af∣terwards sollicited Queen Elizabeth in the way of Marriage, (to whom before he had been very respective) but was put off by making an alteration in Religion, after which he never would prosecute his suit further.
THis Virgin Princess, the Honour of our Nation, and Glory of her Sex, came to the Crown in the year 1558. and established the publick profession of the Protestant Re∣ligion, which as it made the Pope her mor∣tal enemy, so the same with the refusal of his suit instigated the King of Spain against her. The Queen of Scots being married to the French King, and he soon after dying, Queen Elizabeth could not but look upon her with a jealous Eye, and the Presbyterian Faction beginning to play Rex in Scotland, driving out their said Queen, she came into
England in the Year 1568, for aid, where she was deteined eighteen Years and at last beheaded, an Action that Reason of State can never excuse, from being a Blot in the fair Reign of our otherwise matchless Queen.
Anno 1569. A Rebellion broke out in the North, on pretence to have the Romish Religion reestablish'd, but was soon quash'd, some of the Inferiors hang'd, and ma∣ny of the great ones fled the Realm.
Pope Pius Quintus absolves all the Queens Subjects from their Allegiance, and curses all that obey her, by his Declaratory Bull, which in the Night was fastned upon the Bishop of London's Palace Gates, by one John Felton, who never fled, but in an af∣fected humour of Martyrdome, confess'd and justifyed the Fact, and was hang'd near the Place. If we consider the Duke of Buckingham's murder long after, and the manner of that Felton's Carriage, one shall find some agreement in their extravagan∣cies as well as Names.
Anno 1571, Sir Thomas Gresham having finisht his Building in Corn-hil, for the use of Merchants, the Queen going to see it, caused an Herauld with sound of Trumpet to name it the Royal Exchange.
In the nineteenth Year of her Reign at the Assizes at Oxford, as the Court was sitting, and one Jenks a Bookseller questi∣on'd for opprobrious Words against the Queen, they were suddenly surprized with a noisome Vapour, of which the Judg, Sheriff, divers Persons of Quality, and in all three hundred Persons died in fourty Hours.
The poor distressed States of Holland, offer to the Queen the Sovereignty and Possession of those Countries, but she re∣fused, only promised to mediate for them to the King of Spain for a safe Peace, but afterwards finding Don John of Austria, plotting to deprive her of her Life and Crown, she did assist them with Men and Money, without which they had never been able to subsist.
In Ireland there happen'd several Rebel∣lions fomented by the Pope and Spaniard, to quiet which cost the Queen great ex∣pence of Blood and Treasure, but they al∣ways ended with the overthrow of the Au∣thors.
On the 13 of November 1577. Captain Drake having before made several good Voiages to America, sets forth again with five Ships and a hundred sixty three Sea∣men,
for the Southern Sea, pafs'd the Stiaeghts of Magellan and at the Isle Moncha took out of a Spanish Ship four hundred pounds weight of Gold; in several places he found Ships with great quantities of Silver, and not a Porson in them, so inap∣prehensive were the Spaniards then in that Coast, not fearing of any Enemy; after this he met with and took the Cacofago, a great Spanish Ship, and took out of her, be∣sides Jewels, fourscore pounds weight of Gold, thirteen Chests of Silver coyned, and a vast quantity of other Silver, and continued on his Voiage, till in three Years time he had sailed round about the World, his Ship being laid up for a Monument at Deptford, and he Knighted.
About this time great means were used for a Marriage between the Queen and the Duke of Alanson, afterwards Anjou, brother to the French King, who came over into England, and was favourably received, but on a sudden the Match was broken off, and after many Years treaty came to no∣thing.
And now passing over lesser matters comes on the Year 1688, wherein the Spanish Armado styled invincible, consisting of one hundred and thirty Sail, 19290
Souldiers, 8350 Mariners, 2080 Gally∣slaves, and 2630 great Ordnance, invaded England, having first received the Pope's Blessing, who would needs have twelve of their best Ships called by the respective names of the twelve Apostles. This Navy was to bring over the Prince of Parma's Army, being fifty thousand old Souldiers, out of Flanders; but whilst they were wait∣ing for him, the Queen having by a Camp at Tilbury, twenty thousand men, laid on the Sea Coast, and a brave Army for de∣fence of her Person; secured the Land, set forth her Navy under the Lord Howard Admiral, and Drake Vice-Admiral, and af∣ter several Engagements and the Stratagem of Fire-ships, (then first used) utterly disper∣sed that vast Navy, above half their Ships being taken, destroyed, or lost, and the rest forced to fly round the North of Scot∣land to get home. A Victory never to be forgot by either England or Spain, for it's contrary Influence on their Affairs.
Anno 1594, Lopez a Jew, Physitian to the Queen, was executed for attempting to poison her. In 1600. the Earl of Essez having incurr'd the Queens Displeasure in Ireland, and more by scandalous Speeches, and a kind of open Rebellion at his House
in London, being condemned by his Peers is beheaded. On the 24th. of March, or last day of the year 1602. died Queen Eliza∣beth, having reigned above 44 years in as troublesom times as any, yet full of Honour, and most happy in the Love of her People.
JAmes the Sixth King of Scotland of that Name, being descended from Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henry the Se∣venth, had after Queen Elizabeths death an undoubted Right to the Crown of England, and was accordingly proclaimed the very last day of the year 1602. and in May fol∣lowing arrived in London, but was not crowned till a pretty while afterwards.
In the third year of his Reign was the horrid Gunpowder Treason, a Plot laid by Henry Garnet a Jesuit, Robert Catesby, Thomas Piercy, Thomas Winter, Guido Fawks, and other desperate Papists, to blow up both Houses of Parliament, King, Prince, Lords, and Commons, all together; to this pur∣pose having taken an oath of Secrecy, and
hired an House adjoyning, they began to un∣dermine, but at last heard of a Cellar right under the Parliament House, to be let; which they hire and stow their Powder in, covered over to prevent suspicion with Billets and Faggots, the day appointed for the Parlia∣ments meeting, and consequently this Exe∣cution was the Fifth of November; but 10 days before, a stranger delivers a Letter to the Lord Mounteagles Man to give to his Lord, the words whereof were these.
My Lord,
OƲt of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preservation; therefore I would wish you as you tender your life to forbear your attendance at this Parlia∣ment; for God and Man have concurred to pu∣nish the wickedness of this time. And think not slight of this Advertisement, but retire your self into your Country, where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no ap∣pearance of any stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet shall not see who hurts them. This counsel is not to be contemned, and can do you no harm, for the dan∣ger is past so soon as you have burnt this Letter; and I hope God will give you grace to make good use of it, to whose holy protection I commend you.
Indeed God did give my Lord grace to make the best use of it, which was to shew it to the King and Council; but being in a counterfeit imperfect hand, without Name or Date, they knew not what to make of it, till His Majesty by that word terrible blow, &c. and the danger will be over as soon as you have burnt this Letter, did most sagaciously conjecture it might be mischief by blowing up with Gunpowder, and ordered privy search to be made, where the very night be∣fore the Parliament was to meet, coming in∣to the said Cellar, and removing the Billets, they found first one, and then the rest, in all 36 Barrels of Powder, and took Fawks standing suspiciously in the Entry, and in his pocket a piece of Touch-wood, a Tinder∣box, a Match, &c. The rest were gone down into the Country, on pretence of a Hunting Match to raise Rebellion, and seize the Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth, which last then lying in Warwick-shire, they intended to proclaim Queen, and rule all things at their pleasure.
But now after some resistance, wherein Catesby and Piercy fighting back to back, were both killed with one Musquet-shot, and some others slain. The rest were ta∣ken,
hang'd, drawn, and quartered; and the day ordered to be celebrated to all Genera∣tions.
Next year Christianus King of Denmark Queen Anns Brother came into England, and after a moneths magnificent Entertain∣ment returned.
In the year 1610. Prince Henry aged 17 years was created Prince of Wales with great solemnity, but 2 years after falling sick of a malignant Fever he died on the sixth of November 1612. who being a Prince of extraordinary hopes, and infinitely beloved of the people, his death caused a general sad∣ness, and eclipsed the joys of the Marriage between the Lady Elizabeth and Prince Fre∣derick Count Palatine of the Rhine, which just at that time was solemnized.
About this time Hugh Middleton, Citizen and Goldsmith of London, with vast cost and labour brought the New River water to that City: and to add to the beauty of the Town near the same time Meorfields, which was nothing but dirty heaps and noi∣som common shores, was made sweet and clean, and distinguished into Walks, and set with Trees, and Smithfield first of all pa∣ved.
1617. Sir Walter Rawleigh condemned for Treason upon King James first coming in, after 15 years imprisonment in the Tower, where he wrote the History of the World, got leave to go to Guyana, affirm∣ing he knew of a Gold Mine there, but pro∣ving not succesful therein, Gondomor the Spa∣nish Ambassador made such Complaints, that upon his former judgment he was beheaded in the Palace-Yard at Westminster; a man both for a Souldier, a Seaman, and a Scho∣lar, scarce to be match'd in this later age.
1619. Queen Ann died, and about a year after, the Count Palatine having thus mar∣ried the Daughter of the King of Great Britain, was thought fit to be King of Bohe∣mia, and elected by the States, but was no sooner crowned, but the Emperour with great Forces fell upon him, which occasion∣ed much trouble afterwards to that. Illustri∣ous Family.
A Match is proposed for Prince Charles with the Infanta of Spain, who to speed it on undertakes a journey thither in person, travelling privately through France, where by chance he had a sight of that incompara∣ble Lady that was afterwards his Queen; for no good being to be done in Spain, wea∣ried with delays, he returns and enters in∣to
a Treaty with France, during which King James died of an Ague at Theobalds, March 27. 1625, having reigned 22 years, and in the 59th. of his age. A Prince justly styled the Peace-maker, and for his Learning, Wis∣dom, and the Plenty of his Reign celebra∣ted as our English Solomon.
In the first year of his Reign happened a great Plague, of which in one year 30244 persons died in London.
In his second year one Ann Waters enti∣ced by a Lover of hers, consented to have her Husband strangled, and buried under the Dunghil in the Cow-house. The man be∣ing missing and she pretending to wonder what was become of him, a Neighbour hap∣pened to dream that the said Waters was strangled and buried in such a place, who declaring his dream, a search is made, the body found, the Wife examined, and con∣fessing was burnt.
Anno 1609. A Fire began in a Mault∣house in Saint Edmondsbury, and consumed 160 Houses, towards rebuilding whereof the King gave 500 loads of Timber.
Anno 1618. In November was the great Comet seen, after which followed the Wars in Germany.
On Friday October 24. 1623. At the Po∣pish Conventicle in Black Friars by the fall of the Floor, the Priest, and almost 100 of his Auditors were killed.
Anno 1606. The King first granted a Pa∣tent to London for a Plantation in Virginia, and another to Bristoll, Exeter, and Plimouth, for a Plantation in New England, which then began to be peopled with English.
BEgan his Reign 27 March 1625, and in June following was married to Henrietta Maria, Daughter of Henry the Great.
In the year 1627. was the unfortunate Expedition to the Isle of Rhe, designed for the assistance of the French Protestants in Ro∣chel, and the next year a second attempt in∣tended; but the Duke of Buckingham pre∣paring for it at Portsmouth, was assassinated by the barbarous hands of John Felton, who for that horrid Murther was first hanged at Tyburn, and his body exposed in Chains at Portsmouth. Upon the noble Duke was made this Epitaph by one of the Celebrated Wits of that Age.
Nor did Felton want an Epitaph, but had the following Lines bestowed on him, by a Pen whose exquisite Fancy deserved a more happy subject.
The 29th of May 1630, was born Charles the 2d, our present Sovereign, a Star appear∣ing at the same time at Noon-day, as an Il∣lustrious presage of the peculiar care Heaven would take of that Royal Native.
In the year 1639. the Scots, stirred up and influenced by certain Presbyterian Factious Spirits, begin a Rebellion, and march to∣wards England, whom the King meets with a strong Army. A Pacification is made be∣tween them; yet the next year they come on again, encouraged by a treacherous Party here, and a Treaty being had, a Truce is made with them.
The 3d. of November 1640. began that fatal Parliament, terribly known by the Name of the Long; and now the ill Weeds of Rebellion grow so fast, that we must one∣ly hint at the time of principal Actions, without running out into Circumstances.
On Wednesday the 12th of May 1641, that prudent and loyal Statesman Thomas Earl of Strafford was taken off by a popular fury, and noise of an Accumulative Treason, though
nothing Criminal was proved against him: But his Loyalty was to them Crime enough, and even themselves seemed to acknow∣ledge his Innocence, since they thought fit to fling away the Helve of that Hatchet wherewith they cut off his head, by Enact∣ing his Case should never be drawn into President.
In August following the King goes into Scotland, and is received with extraordinary joy at his Return. During his absence, viz. on the 23. of October breaks out the horrid Rebellion in Ireland, and here at home Tu∣mults increase with such insolence, that the King finds himself obliged to retire for his safety from Whitehall, and having used all means that a most loving and pious Prince could condescend to, to bring the Faction to moderation and a sense of their duty, be∣ing denied entrance into his Town of Hull, and seeing his Right of the Militia was be∣gun to be invaded, &c. resolves to defend himself, and the Liberties of his People, by gathering what strength he could, setting up his Standard at Nottingham, 24 August, 1642. as on the contrary the Parliament form an Army under Command of the Earl of Essex.
The first considerable Battel was at Edge-hill, 23 October 1642. wherein His Majesty had so much the better, that he kept possession of the Field.
Brainford Fight, 12 November 1642.
The Battel at Hopton Heath, March 19. 1642.
Newbury first Fight 20 Sept. 1643.
The terrible Battel at Maston Moor near York, wherein the Kings Forces were at last worsted, and several persons of note slain, July 2, 1644.
The Parliament Forces in Cornwall for∣ced to submit, and their General Essex to fly away by Sea, Sept. 1644.
Newbury second Fight 27 Oct. 1644.
Treaty at Ʋxbridge began 30 January, 1644.
The Battel at Naseby fatal to the Royal Interest, 14 June 1645.
27 April 1646. the Kings Majesty is for∣ced privately to depart from Oxford, and went to the Scotish Army, who afterwards consent to surrender his person to the pow∣er of Rebels; whereupon after several Tra∣verses of Fortune he is brought to Hampton Court, 28 Aug. 1648.
The King being now in restraint, many of his Subjects that had before been misled
to take Arms against him, begin to look upon his Estate with Commiseration. A great part of the Navy revolt to the Prince of Wales, several Towns and Castles, and particularly that of Pomfret was surprized for his Majesties Service, the Duke of Ha∣milton with Sir Marmaduke Langdale and others raise a strong Army for the King in the North, and the Kentishmen in great numbers are up in Arms under the Com∣mand of George Lord Goring Earl of Nor∣wich, so that a general Tempest seem'd to threaten the Parliaments Affairs, but was all soon blown over. For Cromwel then Lieutenant, quickly reduces the Welch, where Langhorn, Poyer, and Powel their Captains are executed: then marching against those of the North, he meets them in Lancashire, and utterly defeats them, ta∣king all their Foot, with their Cannon and Ammunition; and Duke Hamilton himself is brought up Prisoner, as is likewise the Earl of Holland, taken at St. Neots in Hunt∣ington-shire. The Kentishmen scatter'd by Sir Thomas Fairfax's Forces at Maidstone, cross the Thames, and are besieged in Col∣chester, which after a generous defence, and great Extremities endured for want of Provision, was surrendred the twenty eighth
of August 1648. And the brave Sir Charles Lucas, and Sir George Lisle shot to death, the Noble Lord Capel being reserved for the Scaffold, on which sometime after he triumphantly suffered. There being put to death with him, Duke Hamilton and the Earl of Holland.
Notwithstanding these successes, the Houses finding the Nation in general breath∣ing for a settlement, and in order to that not to be satisfied without a Personal Trea∣ty, recall their Votes of non-Addresses, and thereupon, on the eighteenth of September 1648. A Treaty did begin with his Maje∣stie at Newport in the Isle of Wight, whither his Majesty had privately retreated. But before any thing concluded on, some Ar∣my Officers publish a Remonstrance dated at St. Albans the sixteenth of November, signifying their Resolutions to bring the King to Justice (as they pretended) and thereupon some Officers were appointed to seize his Person, and bring him over to Hurst-Castle in Hampshire, and thence by degrees to Windsor, and at last to West∣minster.
In the mean time, they purge the House of all those to whom his Majesties Graci∣ous Concessions had given satisfaction.
Then they erected an unprecedented Court, called the High Court of Justice, so named surely either because Justice was there Tryed and Cast, or else, because they were resolved never to shew Mercy. Before these new Judges his Majesty was first brought on the twentieth of January 1648. from his Pa∣lace of St. James's, into Westminster-Hall. Being under Restraint his appearance could not be avoided, but no Constraint could force him to own their Authority; against which he offered divers unanswera∣ble Reasons, but was not permitted to speak them out. However, he plainly told them, that he would not so far betray his Subjects Liberties to submit to their arbi∣trary and lawless Power, but rather chuse to dye a Martyr for the Protestant Religion, and the Laws and Liberties of the Land: so that on Saturday the twenty seventh of the same Moneth the President of the Court (one Bradshaw a Serjeant at Law, who was never after free from Terror, and Horrors of Conscience to his dying day) proceeded to the horrid Sentence against their Liege Sovereign, that he should be Beheaded, which was Executed before the Banquetting-House at White-Hall, on the thirtieth of that Moneth. On which fatal
Morning the Bishop of London reading Pray∣ers with him, and for the first Lesson the twenty seventh Chapter of Matthew, being the History of our Saviour's sufferings. The King at first thought the Bishop had chosen the same as suitable to that Juncture, but when he understood that it was the Chap∣ter appointed for that day, he was much comforted with so apt a Remembrance of his Saviours great Example in Sufferings.
After his Devotions he was led through the Park to White-hall, and after some time to the Scaffold, where having declared that he dyed a Martyr for the Laws and Liber∣ties of his People, he made a Confession of his Faith, asserting that he dyed a true Son of the Church of England; then betook himself to his Private Devotions, and so patiently submitted his Royal Head to Mar∣tyrdom, from the Hand of a disguised Ex∣ecutioner. His body put into a black Vel∣vet Coffin, and afterwards wrapt in Lead, was on the seventh of February following, Interr'd at St. George's Chappel at Windsor in the same Vault with King Henry the eighth, in presence of the Duke of Rich∣mond, Dr. Juxon and others, but the man∣ner appointed in the Liturgy could not be obtained to be used. Nor had he any Epi∣taph
affix'd, but only on the sheet of Lead, on a thin Plate fastned on the Breast, this plain Inscription — King Charles, 1648.
This Pious Prince at the time of his murder had Reigned twenty three Years and ten Moneths, and was then in the nine and fourtieth Year of his Age, having had by his most dear and beloved Queen, in all nine Children, viz. first, Charles-James born at Groenwich the thirteenth of May 1629, but died almost as soon as born. Secondly, Charles the second our present most graci∣ous Sovereign born at St. James's May the twenty ninth 1630. Thirdly, his Royal Highness James Duke of York, born at the same place the thirteenth of October 1633. Fourthly, Henry Duke of Gloucester born the eighth of July 1639. Fifthly, the La∣dy Mary born the fourth of November 1631. married to William Prince of Orange the second of May 1641. Sixthly, the Lady Elizabeth born the twenty eighth of Janua∣ry 1635. who died with Grief soon after her Father. Seventhly, Ann born 17 March 1637. died before her father. Eighthly, Ka∣tharine who died almost as soon as born. And lastly Henrietta born at Exeter, June the sixteenth 1644. since Dutchess of Orleance.
OUr Gracious Sovereign King Charles the Second, rightfully began his Reign the thirtieth of January 1648. though hindred by the prevailing Rebels from full Exercise of his Authority. He did at that time reside with his Sister the Princess of Orange at the Hague in Holland, and the Rebels at home put out a thing they call'd an Act, to exclude his Successi∣on, taking upon themselves the Title of the Keepers of the Liberties of England, &c. yet the Kings faithful Subjects did in print proclaim him King in England, as did the Lord Inchequin in Ireland, and so did the Scots too; for whence after much stirr amongst them, some Propositions were sent to the King in Jersey, desiring him to sign the solemn League and Covenant, and divers Acts, &c. Upon which follow∣ed a Treaty between the King and them, at Breda; during which the Covenanters in Scotland seiz'd the Gallant and Loyal Marquess of Montross, and barbarously
hang'd him. Which horrid Insolence was like to have broke off the Treaty, but the Necessity of the King's Affairs forced him at last to agree with their unreasonable Pro∣positions; and thereupon is invited into Scotland, and was afterwards on the first of January 1650, Crowned at Scoon, being the fourty eighth Monarch of that Kingdom there Crowned.
In the mean time, Cromwell is dispatch'd with an Army by the Parliament into Scot∣land, and on the third of September routs the Scots at Dunbar, the King himself being at that time at St. Johnstons, but afterwards resolv'd to be Generalissimo of the Scotch Army himself.
Whilst these Things were transacting there, the Presbyterians hoping to establish their Covenant and Discipline, began to hold some Correspondence with the Kings Friends; and several of their most eminent Ministers engaged in the Design, of whom, two, that is to say, Mr. Love, and Mr. Gibbons were put to Death, Mr. Love, presented four Petitions to the Parliament for his Life, the last of which was as follows.