The first yeere of her Raigne, Anno 1558.

AFter that for certaine houres, Queene Maries death is knowne. the decease of Queene MARY had beene concealed, the Peeres, Pre­lates and Commons of England, being at that time assembled to­gether in Parliament: First, notice was giuen to them of the vpper house, which were in a manner strucke silent with griefe and asto­nishment for a while. But they presently after rowzed vp their [Page 2] spirits and amazed senses, moderating their mournings with ioy, either not to seeme altogether sad, or sorrowfull, that Queene ELIZABETH succeeded the Crowne; or else ioyfull, that by the death of Queene MARY, the succession thereof fell to her Maiesty: so they bent their cares to pub­like affaires, and with a common accord and firme resolution, concluded and agreed, that by the law of succession in the 35. yeere of King HENRY the eighth, ELIZABETH was, & ought to be declared true and legitimate Heire of the Kingdome. Therefore at that instant Nicholas Heath, Lord Archbishop of Yorke, and Lord Chancellour of England, carried the first newes to those of the Lower-house, giuing them to vnderstand, with much sorrow and sighs, that death preuenting the course of nature, had depriued them of a Queene, no lesse fauourable to the Roman Religion, then kinde and louing to the Common wealth, and that each member of the Vpper-house had receiued such extreme griefe thereby, that they seemed to be comfortlesse, without hope of consolation, if God (through his speciall grace & fa­uour towards the English Nation) had not reserued for them ELIZABETH, another Daughter to King HENRY the [...]. to succeed her Sister, and that her right to the Crowne was so euident and true, that no man could, nor ought to make any doubt or question thereof, and that the Peeres and Prelates of this Realme had all, with one accord and voice determi­ned, that she should be forthwith publisht Queene, and pro­claimed Soueraigne, if they were so pleased to condescend thereunto. Which words being scarce vttered, the whole Assembly immediatly, with a common acclamation cryed aloud, Queene Eli­zabeth is proclaimed Queene by the Kings & Heraulds of Armes. GOD SAVE QVEENE ELIZABETH, that her Raigne may be long and happy. And immediatly, the whole Parliament rising, she was openly proclaimed Queen by sound of Trumpets (first in Westminster-Hall; and then soone after, thorow the whole City of London) by the title of Queene of England, France and Ireland, and Defendresse [Page 3] of the faith, with the happy applause and ioyfull shouting of all the people (vndoubted presages, truly most happy) for in­deed no Prince was euer cherisht of his people and Subiects with more ardent and constant loue, and zealous affection, then this Queene was, nor none receiued and welcommed with more respect and ioy, then she hath beene, nor blessed and prayed for with more vowes and prayers, so often ite­rated, as this happy Princesse hath beene all her life time: chiefly, when shee shewed her selfe in publike, or openly a­broad.

Queene ELIZABETH was about fiue and twenty yeeres of age when her Sister died. But she was so rarely qua­lified by aduersity, and so well accomplisht and accommo­dated by experience (which are most effectuall Tutors) that she had purchased Prudence and Iudgement, farre aboue the capacity of her age, and of her pregnant wit and admirable wisdome: she gaue sufficient proofe and worthy testimony in the election and choice that shee made of her Priuie Coun­cellors; for she tooke into her Priuie Councell, Her Maie­stie makes choice and e­lection of a priuie Coun­cell. the aforesaid Nicholas Heath, Archbishop of Yorke, a Prelate no lesse pru­dent, then modest and discreet, William Poulet, Marquesse of Winchester, Lord high Treasurer of England, Henry Fitz-Allen, Earle of Arundel, Francis Talbot, Earle of Shrewsbury, Edward Stanley, Earle of Darby, William Herbert, Earle of Pembrooke, Edward, Baron of Clynton, Lord high Admirall, The Lord Howard, Baron of Effingham, Lord Chamber­laine, Sir Thomas Cheney, Sir William Peter, Sir Iohn Mason, Sir Richard Sackuile, Knights, and Nicholas Wotton, Deane of Canterbury. All which had beene Priuie Councellors to Queene MARY, and professing her owne Religion. Shee adioyned to them by temporizing (according to the time) these vndernamed (who were all Protestants, and had had no office at all) nor charge of gouernment in Queene MARIES Raigne) William Parr, Marquesse of Northampton, Francis, Lord Russell, Earle of Bedford, Thomas Parr, Edward Rogers, [Page 4] Ambrose Caue, Francis Knollys, and William Cicill, who be­fore had beene Secretary to King EDVVARD the sixth, a noble Gentleman, most wise, vnderstanding and iudicious, whose learning and worth exceeded many others: and a little after she brought in Sir Nicholas Bacon, whom she made Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England. She so ordered and tempered them in place with all those which succeeded since in such sort, that they were true, faithfull, and affectionate to her Maiesty, and she alwaies free, and not subiect to any.

Her Maie­stie hath a speciall care aboue all things to re-establish the true Reli­gion.At these happy beginnings, her first and chiefest care was, to re-establish the Protestant Religion: the which, as much by the instruction and knowledge that shee had receiued thereof from her infancy, as also by her owne particular iudgement, she firmely held and maintained to be very true, and most conformable to the holy Scripture, and to the since­rity of the primitiue Church, & so effectually resoluing in her heart to settle and re-establish the same, that she imployed to that purpose some of her Councellors, being the most inti­mate: & with the rest of the other Lords of her most honora­ble Priuy-Councel, she tooke order that the Ports & Hauen-Townes should be fast shut, secured, and fortified. The Tower of London, she committed to the care of one, whose fidelity and loyalty had been fully approued; a new Commission she sent to Thomas Earle of Sussex, She ordaines and settles states and domesticall affaires. Lord Deputie of Ireland who with a Garrison of three hundred and twenty Horse, and one thousand, three hundred and sixty foot, yeelded in submission the whole Countrey, which otherwise had not bin quiet nor peaceable. Also, the like Commission shee sent, with a clause or restraint, not to conferre any office to Iudges and Magi­strates, for to hinder the Conuocation of the Assembly of the iurisdiction by the authority there appointed. New Iustices and Sheriffes shee likewise established in each County, and tooke order, that no money nor coine should be transported by exchange out of the Realme to forraine Nations be­yond Sea; and that the Preachers should desist and abstaine [Page 5] from treating of questions, or disputing about Controuersies in Religion, and withall, concerning State-affaires out of the Kingdom, she gaue order that Ambassadors should be sent to all Christian Princes, Her Maie­stie takes a great care for forraine affaires. to let them vnderstand Queen MARY's decease. She therefore appointed and sent with all speed to the Emperour Ferdinando, Sir Thomas Chaloner, with letters of her owne hand-writing, by which shee gaue him notice of her Sisters death; and that first, by Gods speciall grace, next, by her hereditary right, and through the generall loue and consent of all her Subiects, she succeeded these her Crownes and dignities. And that now she desired nothing more than to maintaine the loue, and to encrease the ancient amitie, which of long time had beene betweene the Houses of Eng­land and Austria. To the King of Spaine, who at that time was in the Low-Countries, she also sent Ambassador the Lord Brook, Baron of Cobham, with the like Embassage and Commission, by which shee of new imployed and delegated the Earle of Arundell; Turlbey, Bishop of Ely, and L. Wotton, who before had beene delegated, and appointed by Queene MARY for the treatie of peace in the Citie of Cambray: and adioyned to them W. Howard, Baron of Effingham. She also secretly sent Sir Henry Killigrew Ambassadour to the Princes of Germany, to inflame them in the zeale of Gods pure Re­ligion. To the King of Denmarke, D. B. was sent Ambassa­dor: and to the Duke of Holsatia, also Armigild Waade.

Philip King of Spaine, hearing of the death of Queen MARY, Queene Eli­zabeth is earnestly so­licited to marriage with Phi­lip King of Spaine her Sisters Widdower. fearing one way to lose the title of King of England, and the force of that Realme, which were vnto him most vsefull and profitable, and likewise that the kingdomes of England, Ire­land, and Scotland, should be vnited to the Crowne of France, by the meanes of the high and mighty Princesse, the Queene of Scotland, hee therefore treats seriously of a match with Queene ELIZABETH, with promise to obtaine a speciall dispensation from the Pope. And to that effect imployed the Earle of Ferie, who had visited her MAIESTIE, by the [Page 6] like meanes as he had done Queene MARY in her sicknesse. This Sutor puts Queene ELIZABETH into great anxiety and perplexity, considering how inconsiderate and ingrate­full her Maiestie might seeme to be in refusing a Christian Prince, who had already obliged her in other things much, but yet more in this, as to seeke her to his wife, through his owne free desire and motion.

The French King likewise was in an extasie, considering how important and dangerous it was to France, if Spaine her enemy should vnite & adioyne to his kingdoms, the Realmes of England and Ireland: therefore hee vseth his best ende­uours at Rome, by the intermission of the Bishop of Angou­lesme, to hinder the grant of such dispensation, shewing to that end, that Queene ELIZABETH was held for Suppor­tresse of the Protestant Religion, and (rather than faile) went about to declare her illegitimate: But all this most secretly and closely, for feare to irritate England, before that his af­faires were throughly well settled. The Earle of Ferie con­trariwise, on the other side, labours as hard to bring this mar­riage to passe, and to that end giues the English Papists to vn­derstand, (who were dispersed throughout all parts of the Realme) that it was the sole and onely way left for them to preserue their Religion, and defend their ancient dignities and honours: and that if they should contemne it, hee could not but deplore the misery and calamity of England, as being out of money, vnprouided of men trained vp, and vnskild in the military discipline, void of fortification, and lacking mu­nition and garrisons for Warre, and her Councellors of State depriued likewise of good aduice. And indeed to speake truely, Englands affaires were at that time in a most miserable case, and lamentable state: for England had warre on the one side with Scotland, and on the other side with France; and was in a manner vndone by those debts that King HENRY the Eighth, and King EDWARD the Sixt had run into, and her treasury was exhaust and empty, and the Town of Callais [Page 7] had beene but newly lost, and the whole Countrey of Oyes, with all the munition and furniture of warre. The people here were diuided into contrarieties, through differency of re­ligion, and the Queene left without any powerfull friend to assist her; hauing no alliance at all abroad with forrain Prin­ces.

But when as her Maiestie had more seriously agitated her spirit, Her Ma­iestie refu­sed to marry with the King of Spaine. and carefully considered in her minde the proposition of this match, shee findes the holy Scripture expressely in­ioyning, that no woman ought to ioyne with him who had beene her sisters Husband, no more than it is lawfull for a man to marry his brothers widdow; and therefore that such marriages were directly illegitimate, and wholly forbidden by Gods Law; although the Pope should neuer so much grant a Dispensation. And moreouer, that if she should contract it by vertue thereof, shee should acknowledge and proue her selfe illegitimate, sith shee was issued from the match that King HENRY her father had contracted, after his diuorcing and putting away Katherine of Spaine, The reason why. for hauing beene his brothers wife, which neuerthelesse had beene approued iust and lawfull, according to the Diuine Law by all the A­cademies of Christendome, and likewise the Synod of Lon­don, as well as that of Katherine, vniust and vnlawfull. Her Maiestie therefore endeuours to stop, preuent, and hinder by little and little the course of King Philips suite, by an honest answer, truely modest, and well-beseeming the chaste inte­grity of her constant virginity, and chiefly grounded vpon scruple of her conscience. But he, notwithstanding all this, surceased not his suite, but persisted therein, vrging her with feruent and frequent Letters: By which shee obserued the manners and behauiours of so great a King, compounded with grace and graue modesty, and truely worthy his Maie­stie, the said Letters being much by her admired, in the of­ten publishing of them; yea, her Maiestie taking pleasure to imitate them, vntill some Nobles of her Court began to [Page 8] defame and speake against the matchlesse pride and practices of the Spaniards. Also, some of the intimate Lords and fauo­rites of her Maiesties Priuy-Councell, fearing lest the tender and young spirit of a Maide, often moued, might easily con­descend to their desires, told to her MAIESTIE secretly, that both her Maiestie, and friends, with the whole Realme of England, were vndone, if in such Dispensations, or in any thing else whatsoeuer, she should giue any credit, or make the least estimation of the Popes authoritie and power, since that two of them had declared and published her Mother illegiti­mate, and vnlawfully ioyned in wedlocke with King HENRY the Eighth. Also, that by vertue of such Declaration, the most high and most mighty Princesse the Queene of Scotland should pretend right to the Crownes of England, &c. and that the Pope would neuer retract nor goe from that iudge­ment, and that her Maiestie should not expect nor looke for any thing good or iust from the Popes hand, who had beene enemies, and shewed themselues vniust both towards her Maiestie, and her Mother: And that the French King labou­red hard, vsing his vtmost power and best endeuours at the Popes Court in Rome for to cause the high and mighty Prin­cesse Mary Queene of Scotland, to be acknowledged and de­clared Queene of England; yet Queene ELIZABETH ne­uer intended nor meant in her heart to match with the King of Spaine, being quite contrary to her vertuous disposition; hauing a feruent desire and settled resolution to ground and aduance the true Protestant Religion, to which shee was most zealous. Therefore deeming that shee could not vndertake or vphold a worthier thing, more agreeable to God, nor more efficacious for to quench the flames of the pretended loue of so importunate a Sutor, then to labour to procure an altera­tion of Religion with all possible meanes and speede which could be, not doubting in so doing to alter likewise the will and intent of King Philip: Whereupon and forthwith her Maiesty consulted and tooke aduice with her most intimate [Page 9] and sincere Priuy Councellors, Booke 1. 1559. how in abolishing the Ro­man Religion, she could conueniently settle, in stead of it, the true Catholike and Christian Faith, and examining what dangers might succeed and happen thereby, Her Maie­sty delibe­rates and la­bours for the re-establish­ment of the Protestants Religion. and how they could be preuented and auoyded: who fore-see and iudge what dangers could be procured either out of the Kingdome, or within the Realme: without, either by the Pope, who surely would not misse (raging with his ex­communications) to expose the Realme as a prey to who­soeuer could inuade it: Or by the French King, who ta­king such opportunity at the occasion, by that would slake and delay the Treatise of Peace, which was already begun in the City of Cambray: or else, and rather in the behalfe of the Royall Queene of Scotland, would declare open war with England, vnder colour of Enemies, and Heretiques, She considers what dan­gers might happen ther­by. and would possesse thereunto Scotland to condiscend to it, which at that time was at his command and disposing: Or by the Irish, who were most addicted to Papistry, and much apt and giuen to rebellion; or by the King of Spaine, who was then most mighty and powerfull in the Netherlands, Englands neighbouring Countries.

Vpon this, throughly and well considered, Without the Realme. they first re­solue: that for the Popes excommunication, her Maiestie should not feare, accounting it but as a brutish rage and fu­ry, and that if a Peace was offered by the French King, it was behoofefull and requisit to entertaine it; if not, to seek it by all meanes, because in it, it would cōprehend the loue of Scotland, yet neuerthelesse not to forsake or disparage a­ny kinde of waies, the Protestants of France and Scotland. Also, that it was requisite to fortifie and strengthen the Towne and Garrison of Berwicke, with the rest of the Fron­tires of Scotland, and Ireland, and by all meanes possible to increase and maintaine such formal Ioue, and the ancient al­liance with those of Burgundie.

Within the Realme: first, Within the Kingdome. by such Nobles who had bin [Page 10] deiected from the Queenes Priuy Councell; Booke 1. 1558. next, by such Bishops and Church-men, who should be degraded and put out of their benefices and places; and after, by those Iustices of the peace, that were for each County: as also, by the common people, who vnder Queen MARIES raigne were most affectionate to the Roman Church. Therefore they deemed and thought good, first, to depriue such of their offices, and reprehend them by the seuerity of Laws, as Queene MARY had formerly vsed the Protestants: and therefore, to admit and institute, in each place and office of command, the Protestants onely, and to settle them in eue­ry Colledge of both Vniuersities, and by the like meanes to discharge and turne out all Papists-Professors, and Re­ctors there, and also such Schoole-masters and Tutors of Winchester, Aeton, and other free Schooles: and for those, who being possest onely of a desire of Change, (though Protestants) had begun to inuent a new Ecclesiasticall Po­licie, that it was likewise requisit to reprehend them in time: and to suffer and tolerate but one and the selfe-same Religion through the whole Realme, for feare that diuersi­ties of Religion should kindle seditions betwixt & among the people of England, being a warlike Nation, both cou­ragious and generous. Therefore speciall charge and care was giuen to Sir Thomas Smith, a worthy Knight, truely iudicious and wise, also to the noble Gentlemen, M. Par­ker, Master Bill, Master Coxe, Master Grindall, Master White­head, and Master Pilkinton, (who all were most learned and temperate) for the correcting of the Liturgie, which had been before penned and published in English in King ED­WARD the Sixt's raigne, without making any more priuy thereunto, but the Lord Marquis of Northampton, the Earle of Bedford, I. Gray of Pyrg, and Cecil.

The Queene rebukes, and reprehendsBut certaine Ministers, impatient of delay, by the length of time which ranne and past away in these things, desiring rather to runne before good Lawes, than to expect [Page 11] them, in their feruent zeale began to preach the Gospell of Christs true Doctrine, first, priuately in houses, and then, o­penly in Churches at which, the Commons, the impati­ence of cer­taine zealous Ministers of the Word of God. curious of nouelties, ranne thither, and whole flockes of people re­sorted to their hearing, from all parts and places, in great multitudes, contesting so earnestly one with another (the Protestants against the Papists) vpon questions of contro­uersies in Religion, that, for to preuent tumults and sediti­ons, and also the occasions of further quarrels and strifes, the Queenes most excellent Maiestie was, as it were, com­pelled of necessity to defend expressely by strict Proclama­tion to all in generall, not to dispute any more, nor enter into any such questions: yet notwithstanding, giuing full leaue and authoritie to reade to her people the holy Gos­pell, and the Epistles and Commandements, Queene Eli­zabeth al­lowes diuine Seruice to be read in the English Tongue. (but not as yet to make any explication thereof) and to haue the Lords Prayer, the Apostolicall Creede, and the Letanie in the vulgar tongue. And for the rest, shee ordained the Romane stile to be obserued, vntill that, by the authoritie of a Par­liament, the whole forme of Gods Diuine Seruice should be settled, and of new instituted: and in the meane while, Her Ma­iestie cele­brates her Sisters Fu­nerall, and that of the Emperour Charles the Fifth. her Maiestie solemnized Qu. MARIES Funerall; which glorious preparation made then a most magnificent shew, in Westminster: and shortly after, shee payed to Charles the Fifth his honours, who two yeares afore (rare example of all Caesars, and more glorious than all his victories) in con­quering himselfe, had renounced his Empire, withdraw­ing himselfe from this mortall life, to liue for euer wholly with God.

Booke 1. 1559.THE SECOND YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Anno Domini, 1559.

Queene Eli­beth re-esta­blisheth and creates di­uers Noble­men. AT the beginning of this yeere, Queene E­LIZABETH re-established, and resto­red of new, W. Parr to the dignity of Mar­quis of Northampton, who vnder Queene MARIES raigne had beene degraded of that honour.

Her Maiesty also reconferred the Barony of Beauchamp, and Earledome of Hartford, vnto Edward Seymor, a noble Gentleman, who by the force of a priuat Law, the malice and enuy of his aduersaries, had beene depriued of the greatest part of his Patrimony, and Ancestors honours. Her Maiestie likewise honoured with the Title of Vis­count Bindon, the Lord Thomas Howard, second sonne to Thomas Duke of Norfolke, (who was father to the graci­ous Princesse Frances Dutchesse of Richmond and Lenox, [Page 13] now liuing.) Moreouer, her Maiestie created Sir Henry Ca­rie, Baron of Hunsdon, who was allyed to her Maiesty by the Lady M. Bullen; and that Noble Gentleman, Oliuer Saint Iohn, shee made Baron of Bletso, who all were free from the Popish Religion. After this, her Maiesty is con­uayed in pompe and Royall Magnificency, On Wednesday, the 23. day of Nouemb. Queene Elizabeth remo­ued from Hat­field vnto the Charterhouse, to the Noble Lord NORTHS House, where her Maiesty lay fiue dayes, and rode in open Cha­ret, from the Lord NORTHS House, along Barbican, en­tring into the City at Criple-Gate. and so came to the Tower, from thence to West­minster, where she was inaugu­rated. from the To­wer of London to Westminster, thorow the Citie of Lon­don, with incredible applause, and generall acclamations, (which, as her Maiestie was equally venerable, in sight and hearing, increased meruailously) and the next morning, her Maiestie was there inaugurated with the right of her Ancestors, and anoynted by Owen Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlile, when as the Arch-Bishop of Yorke, and diuers other Prelates, had refused the performance of that duty, through a suspicious feare of the Roman Religion; conceiued part­ly, because her Maiesty had beene brought vp from the Cradle, in the Protestant Religion: and partly also, that she had a little before, forbidden a Bishop (at the Diuine Seruice) from lifting vp and adoring the Hoste▪ and like­wise permitted to haue the Letany, Epistles & the Gospell in English, which they held as execrable: Yet Queen ELI­ZABETH was truely godly, pious, and zealously deuoted: for her Maiestie was not so soone out of her bed, but fell vpon her knees in her priuate Closet, praying to God de­uoutly: Certaine houres were by her Maiestie reserued and vowed to the Lord. Moreouer, her Maiestie neuer fai­led any Lords day and holy day to frequent the Chappell; neither was euer any Prince conuersant in Diuine Seruice, with more deuotion, then her sacred Maiestie was. Shee zealously heard all the Sermons in Lent, beeing attyred in blacke, and very diligently gaue attention thereunto, ac­cording to the ancient vse and custome, although shee said & repeated oftentimes, that which she had read of HENRY the third, her Predecessor, that her Maiestie had rather in her Prayers speake to God deuoutly, then heare others [Page 14] speake of Him eloquently. And concerning the Crosse, our blessed Lady, and the Saints, she neuer conceiued irre­uerently of them, Q. Elizabeths o­piniō concerning sacred things. She cals a Parlia­ment, which is held the second yeere of her raigne. neither spake her selfe, nor suffered any o­thers to speake of them, without a certaine kinde of Re­uerence.

Within few dayes after, there was a Parliament held, in which was enacted by a generall consent: First, that Queen ELIZABETH was and ought to bee, both by the Diuine and Ciuill Law, and the Statutes of this Realme, (and as I may vse their proper termes and forme) the lawfull, vn­doubted, and direct Queene of England, rightly and lawful­ly descending from the Royall Blood, according to the order of succession; which was likewise formerly enacted by Parliament, in the fiue and thirtieth yeere of King HEN­RIE the Eighth; yet neuerthelesse, that Law was not abo­lished, by which her Father excluded both her and her Si­ster MARY, from succeeding him in the Crowne: And therefore it was thought by some, that the Lord Bacon, vp­on whom her Maiesty relyed, as an Oracle of the Law, had forgotten himselfe, and was destitute in that particular of his wonted Prudencie, in not foreseeing the euent: and e­specially, because the Duke of Northumberland had obie­cted the same both against her Sister MARY, and her selfe; and to that end Queen MARY had abolished it, in as much as concerned her selfe. At which time, there were some that drew against her Maiestie most dangerous inuectiues and conclusions, in such manner as if she had not bin law­full Queene, although the Lawes of England many yeeres agoe determined, Que la Couronne vnefois prinse ofte toute sorte de defaults. That the Crowne once possessed, cleareth and purifies all manner of defaults or imperfections. But many, on the other side, commended the wisdome of the Lord Bacon therein, as vnwilling, in regard of such confu­sion of the Lawes and Acts, to open a wound already clo­zed vp with the Time: For, that which made for Queene [Page 15] ELIZABETH, seemed to tend to the shame and disgrace of Queene MARY. And therefore shee held her selfe to the Law made in the fiue and thirtieth yeere of King HENRY the Eighth, who restored and vpheld, in a certaine manner, each of their Honours.

Afterwards, Propositions to reforme Religion. there was in the Parliament likewise pro­pounded, that forasmuch as concerned the Crown of Eng­land, and the ancient iurisdiction in Ecclesiasticall matters, should be re-established, with the Lawes of King HENRY the Eighth, against the Sea of Rome; and of EDVVARD the Sixth, in the behalfe of the Protestants, which Queene MARY had vtterly abolished; ordaining, That all Iurisdi­ctions, Priuiledges, and Spirituall Preheminences, which heretofore were in vse, and appointed by Authority, for to correct Errours, Heresies, Schismes, Abuses, and other En­ormities in Ecclesiasticall Affaires, should for euer remaine as vnited to the Crowne of England; and that the Queenes Maiestie with her successors, should likewise haue full po­wer to appoint Officers by their Letters Patents, to exe­cute this Authority: neuerthelesse, vpon this charge, that they should not define any thing to be haereticall, but that which had beene declared such long agoe, by the holy and Canonicall Scriptures, or by the foure first Oecuminike Councels, or others, according to the true and naturall sense of the holy Scripture; or which should afterward in some Synod, by the authority of the Parliament, and approbation of the Clergie of England, be declared, That euery Ecclesiasticall Magistrate, and such as receiue pension out of the publike Treasure, to aduance and promote them­selues in the Vniuersities, to emancipate Pupils, to inuest Domaines, or receiue seruants of the Royall House, were oblig'd by Oath, to acknowledge her Royall Maiestie, the sole and soueraigne Gouernour of the Realme (for as much as concerneth the Title of Soueraigne Head of the Church of England, it pleased her not) in all things, or causes as [Page 16] well spirituall as temporall, all forraigne Princes and Po­tentates excepted, entirely excluded, to informe of any causes within the Lands of her obeysance.

The 18. of March.But there were nine Bishops that sare the same day in the vpper House of Parliament, and opposed themselues, and were wilfully refractary against these Lawes (beeing then but foureteene aliue) namely, the Arch-Bishop of Yorke, the Bishops of London, of Winchester, of Worcester, of Lan­daff, of Couentrie, of Exceter, of Chester, and of Carlil, with the Abbot of Westminster. And amongst the Nobility, there were none that gaue aduice that England should bee reduced againe to the vnity of the Romane Church, and o­bedience of the Apostolike Sea, except the Earle of Shrop­shire, and Anthony Browne, Vicount Montaigue; who, as I said here before, was in Queene MARIES Raigne, sent in Ambassage to Rome, by the States of the Kingdome, with Thurbey, Bishop of Ely; who by a feruent zeale of Religi­on, insisted sharpely, that it were a great shame for England, if she should retire so suddenly from the Apostolike Sea, vnto which it was but lately reconciled; and more danger, if by reason of such reuolt, it should be exposed (by the thunder of an Excommunication) to the rage of her ene­mies: That by order and authority of the States, hee had, in the name of the whole Kingdome of England, offered obedience vnto the Pope, and hee could not but acquite himselfe of this promise. And therefore he tryed and en­deuoured to preuaile so much by Prayers, that they would not retyre or draw backe from the Sea of Rome, of which they held the Christian Faith, which they had alwaies kept. But when these things were brought to the Lower House, there were many more than in the vpper House, that con­sented ioyntly to these Lawes. Wherevpon the Papist, murmuring much, said, that of a deliberate purpose, they had elected the most part of the Deputies amongst the Pro­testants, aswell of the Shires, as of the Cities & Corpora­tions, [Page 17] and that the Duke of Norfolke, and the Earle of A­rundell, the most powerfull and mightyest amongst the Peeres, had industriously bribed the suffrages for the profit which they drew, or hoped to draw thereby.

Spirits then disagreeing for matters of Religion, by one and the same Edict, all persons were forbidden to speake irreuerently of the Sacrament of the Altar; and permitted to communicate vnder both species: And a Conference appointed against the last of March, They esta­blish a Dis­pute betwixt Protestant and Papist. betwixt the Protestants and the Papists, in which the States of the Land should bee present; and for the same, to keepe and hold elect, for the Protestants, Richard Coxe, Whitehead, Edmund Grindall, Robert Horne, Edward Sandes, Edward Guests, Iohn Elmar, and Iohn Iewell: For the Papists, Iohn White, Bishop of Winchester, Rad. Bain, of Couentrie and Lichfield, and Tho­mas Watson of Lincolne; Doctor Cole, Deane of Saint Paul; Doctor Landgal, Arch-Deacon of Lewis, Doctor Harpes­field of Canterbury, and Doctor Chatsie of Middlesexe. The Questions propounded, were these following: Of the cele­bration of the Diuine Seruice in the Vulgar Tongue: of the authority of the Church, for to establish or abolish Ce­remonies, according as it is expedient, and of the Sacrifice of the Masse. But all this Disputation came to nothing; The successe thereof. for after some conference, and writings deliuered from the one to the other side, and not agreeing vpon the forme of the disputing, the Protestants began to triumph, as ob­tayning the Victory, and the Papists to complaine of their hard vsage, for not beeing aduertised but a day or two be­fore: and that Sir Nicholas Bacon, the Lord Keeper (being a man little read in Theologie) and their great Enemie, sate as Iudge, although he was but meerely appointed for Mo­derator. But the truth is, that hauing thought more seri­ously vpon this matter; they durst not, without ex­presse order frō the Pope, call in question such high points which are not argued in the Church of Rome. And they [Page 18] cryed of all sides, When is it, that one shall knowe, what hee ought truely to beleeue, if it be alwaies permitted to dispute of Faith? Disputers of Religion alwaies returne to the Scepters, and such like things. And the Bishops of Lincolne and Win­chester were so offended with it, that they were of opinion, that the Queen, and those that had caused her to forsake the Church of Rome, should be excommunicated, and puni­shed with imprisonment for it: But the wiser sort, that it must be left to the Iudgement of the Pope, for feare that those which were her Subiects, should not seeme, in doing this, to shake off their obedience due to their Princesse, and to display the Ensigne of Sedition. And that was not hid­den to the Pope, Sir Edward Carne is de­tayned at Rome. who beeing also presently moued with Choller, commands Sir Edward Carne of Wales, a Ciuill-Lawier, who had beene Ambassadour at Rome for HENRY the Eighth, and MARY, and was then for Queene ELI­ZABETH, to quite this charge, and (to vse the same termes) by the vigor or force of the commandement that was made vnto him, by the Oracle of the liuely voice of our most ho­ly Lord the Pope, in vertue of the most holy obedience, and vpon paine of the greatest Excommunication, and losse of all his goods, not to goe out of the Citie, but to take vpon him the ad­ministration of the Hospitall of the English: And did it, to hinder, that hee should not giue notice of the secret traines of the French, against Queene ELIZABETH, as he had done before, with a great care, for the loue he bore to his Countrey. Neuerthelesse, some thought that this old man, voluntarily chose this exile, for the zeale he bore to the Roman Religion.

Disputes and strifes for the Towne of Calais.In the meane time, (I omit for a while the affaires of the Church and Parliament, to obserue the order of time) the Embassadours of England & Spaine, which treated of Peace in the Citie of Cambray, were in debate with the French a­bout the restitution of Calais, but they could not in any manner obtaine it, although they should haue propounded [Page 19] to quit thē of three Millions of Gold, which France ought by lawfull obligation. The Spaniard, who otherwise alto­gether different from Peace, held the English side, and sure­ly with as much trueth as honour, because the Queene had lost this Town by his occasion; & fore saw that it was expe­dient for Flanders, that it should be in their obedience. The French interrupted him▪ saying, that shee alone could not recompence the damages which the English had done them, their Townes beeing taken by the Spaniards by rea­son of their ayde; and many Borroughs in base Brittaine were sackt and burned; many Ships taken, and their Com­merce or Traffique, which is the sinewes of War, broken: That they had disbursed infinite summes of money, to hin­der their firings; that Calais was the ancient patrimony of France, and that if it had beene lost by Warre long agoe, it had also then beene recouered by Armes; therefore, that it ought not to be restored, and that the States of France had so resolued. That surrendring it, were, to put wea­pons into their Enemies hands, and withdraw for euer the Kings Subiects from his obedience: and therefore that it was an vniust thing for the English to demand it. The Eng­lish, on the contrary, maintained, that they demanded it with reason and Iustice; because, say they, during one, yea, two ages, he had tooke Englands part, and that they had not onely conquer'd it by Warre, but that it was also falne vnto them by hereditary succession, and by cession made by vertue of the pactions and agreements, in exchanges of other places, which the Kings of England had likewise granted to them of France. That these damages ought not to be imputed to them, but to the Spaniards, who, against their will, had drawne and associated them in this Warre; in which, through the losse of well-fortified places, & the taking of many of their Captaines, they had receiued much more damage than the French, and had had no profit ther­by. That all that the States of France order or decree, is [Page 20] not reasonable, because it is only profitable; and that Ca­lais could not be lawfully or iustly detayned, seeing that by the Conditions already agreed vpon, all the places that were taken in the late Warres, were restored vnto other Princes.

To which, the French replyed, that it was done in con­sideration of the marriages which ought to be contracted with the other Princes, and hereupon propounded to mar­ry the first Daughter who should issue by the mighty Prin­cesse Mary Queene of Scotland, and the Dolphin of France; with the first Sonne that might be procreated by Queene ELIZABETH, to whom she should bring in dowry the Towne of Calais; and that for this cause, the Queene of Scotland should quit her right which shee had vnto the Kingdome of England; or otherwise, to marry the first Daughter which should be borne of Queene ELIZA­BETH, with the eldest Sonne that should descend from the Queene of Scotland: and hereupon the English should renounce the right which they pretend vnto the Realme of France, and the French should be discharged of all the debts they ought to England, and that Calais should in the meane time remaine in their hands. But these propositi­ons being vncertaine for another time, they sought to win time, and increase the delayes, but were contemned by the English, who made as if they seemed not to haue heard them. As they stood vpon these termes, the Spaniard ha­uing aduice that Queene ELIZABETH did not onely breake the marriage which hee had offered her, but like­wise changed many things in Religion, began to giue ouer the desire which he seemed to haue before the restitution of Calais; and his Ambassadours almost losing their patience, were somewhat of accord with the French: for the rest made account to continue the warres no longer for Calais, vnlesse the English would contribute more men and money as before, and would aduance it for sixe yeere. [Page 21] This raised the heart of the Cardinall of Lorraine, who assured the Spaniards that the Queen of Scotland his Niece was truely and vndoubtedly Queen of England, and there­fore that the King of Spaine ought to imploy all his for­ces, if he made any account of iustice, to cause Calais to be deliuered into the hands of his Niece, the direct Queene of England. But the Spaniards, which suspected the power of France, not hearing that willingly, tryed secretly to draw out of England the Lady Katherine Gray, the yonger Niece of King HENRY the Eighth, for his Sisters sake, to oppose her to the Queene of Scotland, and the French, if Queene ELIZABETH should happen to decease, and to hinder thereby that France might not be augmented by the surcrease of England and Ireland; And strongly insisted, that there should be a Truce betwixt England, and France, vntill such time they should agree together, and that in the meane time Calais should be sequestred in the hands of the King of Spaine, as an Arbitrator of honour. But that was refused as much by the French as the English.

Queene ELIZABETH had well presaged that: for shee could not hope for any good from the Spaniards side, seeing that she had contemned and despised to marry with their King, and changed Religion. She also had know­ledge, that the treatie of Cambray was not made for any o­ther purpose, but to exterminate & roote out the Religion of the Protestants. And truely the consideration of her Sex, and the scarsitie of treasure, made her Maiesty finde, that peace was more to be wisht for than warre, though most iust. Also, it was her ordinary saying, that there was more glory in settling a peace by wisdome, than in ta­king vp armes to make warre; neither did shee thinke that it was beseeming either to her dignity, or to the dignity of the name of the English, to relye vpon the defence of the Spaniard. And she thought therefore, that it was better for her to make a peace aside and separably, and to go thorow [Page 22] and conclude for Calais with the King of France, being sol­licited thereunto by continuall Letters from the Duke of Mont-morancy, Constable of France, and the Duke of Vandosme, A treaty of peace with the French King. as also by message of the Duke of Guise, who sent the Lord Gray (who had beene taken prisoner at Gui­enne, and released to that end. And for to conclude this agreement, B. Caualcance, a Lord of Florence, was em­ployed, who from his infancy had been brought vp in Eng­land, with whom the French King hauing conferred in se­cret, did hold that it should be safer to treat thereof by new Commissioners in such priuat Country-houses of the Kingdomes of England or France, that were of no great note. But Queene ELIZABETH being mooued, shew­ed her selfe to be of a manly courage, in declaring that shee was a Princesse absolutely free, for to vndergoe her af­faires either by her owne selfe, or by her Ministers: and although that during the reigne of her Sister, nothing was concluded, but according to the Spaniards aduice, and that shee would neuerthelesse, without giuing him the least no­tice, or taking his counsell, dispatch these affaires betweene the Deputies of both sides, not in an obscure and priuate place, The Castell in Cambre­sis. but openly in the Castle of Cambresis, neere Cambrai. This offended no lesse the Spaniard, than the refusall and contempt of his marriage with her Maiestie, with the alte­ration of Religion, had done heretofore. Neuerthelesse, the French, who was crafty and cunning enough, to disco­uer how she was affected to match with Spaine, prayed her Maiestie first of all to take away two scruples from them, before the yeelding of Calais; to wit, that they forsaking that Towne, before they were assured whom shee should marry, it might easily fall into the hands of the Spaniard, because that he would haue her Maiestie, if possible, vpon any condition, and that there is nothing so deare, but wo­men will part with it to their beloued husbands: the o­ther, whether, as the Spaniards boast, that the English haue [Page 23] such neere alliance with them, that they ought to ioyne in armes with them against all Nations whatsoeuer, to these it was answered, that her Maiestie bore such motherly af­fection toward the Kingdome of England, that she would neuer part with Calais, for to fauour a husband, and that although her Ma ^tie shold grant it, yet England would neuer suffer it. Moreouer, that betwixt her Maiesty, and Spaine, there was not any such alliance, but a meere forced amitie, and that her Maiesty was most free for any contract with a­ny Prince which might be commodious and beneficiall to England. Vpon this, it was thought good and expedient, that the Commissioners of each part should equally vse their vtmost endeuours in the Castle of Cambray, to agree all differences, and to conclude a peace. Therefore Queene ELIZABETH sent for England, as Commissioners, Thurlbie Bishop of Elie, the Lord Howard, Baron of Effing­ham, Lord high Chamberlaine to her Maiesty, and Doctor Wotton Deane of the two Metropolitan Sees of Canterbu­rie and Yorke. For the French King, Charles Cardinall of Lorraine, Archbishop and Duke of Rheims, the chiefest Peere of France, Anne Duke of Mont-morancy, Peere, Constable, and great master of France, Lord Iames Aulbon, Lord of Saint Andrewes, Marquis of Fronsac, and Lord Marshall of France, Iohn of Moruillier, Bishop of Orliens, and Claude Aubespine, Secretary of the Priuy-Councell of France. These ioyntly agreed and concluded such Arti­cles as are heere set downe almost in the same words.

That none of these Soueraignes shall goe about to inuade each others Countries, Articles of Peace, made and agreed vpon 'twixt the Queenes Maiestie and the French King, Henry the second. nor giue assistance to any that should intend any such designe: if any of their Subiects should at­tempt any thing tending to that effect, they should be punished, and the peace thereby not infringed nor violated. The com­merce should be free; and that the Subiects of each Prince, who haue ships of Warre, before they goe to Sea, shall giue suf­ficient caution not to robbe each others subiects. The fortifica­tions [Page 24] of Aymouth in Scotland shall be raysed; that the French King shall enioy peaceably for the space of eight yeeres, Calais, and the appurtenances thereunto; as also, sixteene of the grea­test peeces of Ordnance; and that time being expired, hee shall deliuer it vp into the hands of Queene ELIZABETH; and that eight sufficient Merchants, such as are not subiects to the French King, should enter into bond for the payment of fiue hundred thousand crownes to be payed, if Calais were not resto­red, notwithstanding the right of Queene ELIZABETH still to remaine firme and whole; and that fiue Hostages should bee giuen to her Maiesty, vntill such time as these Cautions should be put in, if, during that time, something might be attemp­ted or altered by Queene ELIZABETH, or her Maiesties Sub­iects, of her owne authority, command and approbation, by Armes directly or indirectly, against the most Christian French King, or the most mightie Queene of Scotland, they shall be quitted, and discharged of all promise and faith plighted to that purpose; the Hostages and the Marchants should be free­ed: if either by the said Christian King, the Queene of Scots, or the Dolphin, any thing should be attempted against the Queen of England, they shall bee bound to yeeld her the Possession of Calais, without any further delay.

A Peace is concluded & agreed vpon betweene the Queenes Maiesty and the Queene of Scotland.At the very same time and place, and by the same Depu­ties, there was also a peace concluded betweene the Queen of England, and Francis and Mary, King and Queene of the Scots: whereupon they brought vnto the English & Scots, certaine Articles, concerning the grant of safe conduct for those who had spoiled and rob'd the Frontiers, and for the Fugitiues of the Countrey: About which, there being a meeting at Vpsaltington, betweene the Earle of Northum­berland, Cuthbert Tunstall, Bishop of Dunelme, Gu. Lord Dacre of Grillesland, and Iac. Croft, Captaine of the Town and Castle of Barwicke, all English-men, on the one part: the Earle of Morton, the Lord of Home, and S. Cler. Deane of Glasco, all Scottish-men, on the other part: They proclai­med [Page 25] thorowout all England, the Peace concluded between the Queene of England, the King of France, the Dolphin, and the Queene of Scots, which seemed very harsh vnto the people, and conceiued to be much dishonourable, in regard that Calais which they had lost, was not restored, the Pro­testants laying the fault vpon the Papists, The Lord Baron Wentworth, and others, are called in question, and brought in compasse of the Law, concerning the losse of Calais. and they vpon the Baron Wentworth, a Protestant, who hauing beene vn­der the gouernement of Queene MARY, accused in that behalfe, and not brought to publique hearing, was againe taxed, and brought to iudgement, but vpon hearing, was freed by the sentence of the Peeres. But Rad. Chamber­laine, who had beene sometime Gouernour of the Castle of Calais, and Iohn Hurleston of the Fort of Risbanc, were adiudged to dye, as guilty de laesa Maiestate, for abando­ning their places; howsoeuer their censure was remitted. The Parliament being ready to breake vp, those which were there, thought good to aduise the Queene, forthwith to marry, the great ones being vnwilling to yeeld to that, The whole Parliament doe exhort Queene E­lizabeth to marry. for feare lest some of them might be thought to make this proposition out of some hope which they might haue for themselues. Hauing then appoynted Th. Gargraue, Depu­tie of the Lower-house, to deliuer this message, he addres­ses himselfe to the Queene, with a few choyce men: Ha­uing first by way of preamble intreated admittance, and excusing himselfe with the graciousnesse of her Maiesty, and the importance of the affaires he had to deliuer, by this meanes procured audience, and in this manner spake vnto her

This is the whole summe of what he spake vnto her, with a great deale of eloquence, and more words.

To whom, in few words, shee answered thus; ‘ IN a thing which is not much pleasing vnto mee, Her Maie­sties answer to them all. the infallible testimonie of your good will, and all the rest of my people, is most acceptable. As con­cerning your instant perswasion of mee to marriage, I must tell you, I haue beene euer perswaded, that I was borne by God to consi­der, and, aboue all things, doe those which appertaine vnto his glory. And therefore it is, that I haue made choyce of this kinde of life, which is most free, and agree­able for such humane affaires as may tend to his seruice onely; from which, if eyther the marriages which haue beene offered mee by diuers puissant Princes, or the dan­ger of attempts made against my life, could no whit di­uert mee, it is long since I had any ioy in the honour [Page 28] of a Husband; and this is that I thought, then that I was a priuate person. But when the publique charge of gouerning the Kingdome came vpon mee, it seemed vnto mee an inconsiderate folly, to draw vpon my selfe the cares which might proceede of marriage. To con­clude, I am already bound vnto an Husband, which is the Kingdome of England, and that may suffice you: and this (quoth shee) makes mee wonder, that you for­get your selues, the pledge of this alliance which I haue made with my Kingdome. (And therwithall, stretch­ing out her hand, shee shewed them the Ring with which shee was giuen in marriage, and inaugurated to her Kingdome, in expresse and solemne termes.) And reproch mee so no more, ( quoth shee) that I haue no children: for euery one of you, and as many as are English, are my Children, and Kinsfolkes, of whom, so long as I am not depriued, (and God shall preserue mee) you cannot charge mee, without offence, to be destitute. But in this I must commend you, that you haue not appoynted mee an Husband: for that were vnworthy the Maiestie of an absolute Princesse, and the discretion of you that are borne my Subiects. Neuerthelesse, if GOD haue ordayned mee to ano­ther course of life, I will promise you to doe nothing to the preiudice of the Common-wealth, but, as farre as possible I may, will marry such an Husband as shall bee no lesse carefull for the common good, than my selfe. And if I persist in this which I haue pro­posed vnto my selfe, I assure my selfe, that GOD will so direct my counsels and yours, that you shall haue no cause to doubt of a Successour: which may be more profitable for the Common-wealth, than him which may proceede from mee, sithence the posterity of good Princes doth oftentimes degenerate. Lastly, this may be sufficient, both for my memorie, and honour [Page 29] of my Name, if when I haue expired my last breath, this may be inscribed vpon my Tombe:’

And moreouer then this, they instituted in this Assem­bly of State, certaine Orders, Other Laws and ordinan­ces establish­ed by that Parliament. to preuent any forcible at­tempt vpon the person of the Queene; to restore tenths, and first fruites to the Crowne, and to establish in euery Church an vniformity of publike Prayer, termed the Leta­ny, and the forme of administring the Sacraments vsed vn­der EDVVARD the Sixth, with very little alteration; with a penaltie vpon such as should depraue them, or vsurpe any other then that forme: to attend Diuine Seruice, Sun­dayes and other holy dayes, vpon twelue-pence damage, to be imployed for the poore, for euery such default cōmit­ted. As also cōcerning seditious broyles against the Queen, the sale of Deaneries, all maritime Causes, the traffique for Cloth and Iron, mutinous and vnlawfull Assemblies: And (to omit the rest, sithence there is no order imprinted) things concerning the possessions of the Arch-Bishops, and Bishops; intending, that they could neither giue, or farme out the Church-Liuings, but onely for the space of one and twentie yeeres, or for tearme of three liues, as they say, to any other person but the Queen and her successors, the reuenews of former Arrerages still reserued. So as this reseruation of the Queene, which onely tended to the be­nefit of her Court, who abused her bounty; and the Bi­shops, who were carefull enough for their own profit, con­tinued still in force, vntill King Iames came to the Crown, who vtterly cut it off for the good of the Church. The Nobles of the Land reestablished. But there was no Act for it; howbeit in the former Parliaments of Kings there was often. Those who were restored to their [Page 30] goods and honour, were, Greg. Finch, Baron Dacre, and Tho. his Brother, whose Father was put to death vnder HENRY the Eighth; H. Howard, who was afterward Earle of Northampton, and his three Sisters, the children of H. Howard, Earle of Surrey, who, about the death of King HENRIE the Eighth, had his head cut off for very small of­fences: Ioh. Gray of Pirg. brother to the Marquesse of Dor­set: Iames Croft, and H. Gates, who were conuicted of Trea­son, de laesa Maiestate, vnder Queene MAREIS Raigne, and diuers others.

The Lytur­gie appointed in English.The Parliament being dismist, the Lyturgie conceiued in the Vulgar tongue, was forthwith sent vnto all Churches; the Images, without any adoe, taken from the Temples, the Oath of Supremacy proposed vnto the Bishops, to the Papists, and other Ecclesiasticall professors, who for the most part had formerly lent vnder King HENRY the 8. and all that refused to lend, depriued of their Benefices, Dignities, Papist Bi­shops deposed and dischar­ged from their Beni­fices. and Bishopricks. But, certes, as themselues haue certified, in the whole Kingdome, wherein are numbred 9400. Ecclesiasticall Dignities, they could find but 80. Pa­stors of the Church, 50. Prebends, 15. Rectors of the Col­ledge, 12. Arch-Deacons, and so many Deanes, 6. Abbots, and Abbesses, and all the Bishops that were then in Seance, and were 14. in number, besides Anthony, Bishop of Lan­daff (who was the calamity of his Sea.) Also N. Heath, Arch­bishop of Yorke, who, for nothing, had voluntarily left the Chancellorship, & liued many yeeres after in a little house of his owne at Cobham in Surrey, seruing God, and studying good workes, and so acceptable to the Queene, that she re­fused not to visite him in that obscure place, with admira­ble courtesie. Edward Bonner, Bishop of London, who was sent Ambassador to the Emperour, the Pope, and the King of France; but such a one, as mixt his Authority with such a sharpnes of nature, that he was noted of diuers for cruelty, and kept prisoner the most part of his life. Cuthbert Tunstal [Page 31] of Durham, a man most expert in Learning, possest of ma­ny honours within the Kingdome, besides, employ'd as Ambassadour abroad, in diuers waighty Affaires; conte­sted rudely (being yet very young) against the primacy of the Pope, by a Letter written to Cardinall Pole: and be­ing a little elder, dyed at Lambeth; where dyed also, Th. Thurlbey, Bishop of Ely, who had the honour to bee ac­counted most discreet in an Ambassage, sent to Rome to of­fer obedience to the Pope, and about the Treaty at Cam­bray. Gilbert Bourn of Bath and Wels, who had worthily de­serued in his place. Iohn Christopherson of Chester, so vnder­standing in the Greeke Tongue, that hee translated diuers workes of Eusebius and Philon, to the great benefit of the Christian Common-wealth. Ioh. White, de Winton, gene­rally learned, and reasonably qualified in Poetry, accor­ding to the fashion of the time. Tho. Watson of Lincolne, very pregnant in the acutest Diuinity, but somewhat in an austere graue manner. Rad. Bain of Couentrie and Lichfeild, who was one of the restorers of the Hebrew tongue, and chiefe professour of the same in Paris, vnder the Gouern­ment of Francis the first, vnder whom Learning beganne to flourish. Owen Oglethorp of Carlile: Ia. Turberuile of Ex­ceter: and D. Pole of Peterborough: Fequenham the Abbot of Benedictins, a sage and good man, who liued long, and by his publique almes, wonne the heart of his Aduersaries, but was put by his place. All these were first imprisoned; but forthwith, for the most part, left to the guard, either of their friends, or the Bishops: except these two, more tur­bulent then the rest; the Bishop of Lincolne, and the Bi­shop of Winchester, who threatned to excommunicate the Queene. But these three, Cuthbert, a Scottish-man, Bishop of Chester: Richard Pat of Wigorne: and Tho. Goldwell of Asaph, voluntarily forsooke the Countrey: in like maner, some religious, and afterward some Nobles, amongst whō, the most remarkable, were, H. Baron of Morle, Inglefeild, [Page 32] and Pecckam, both whom were of the Priuie-Councell to Queene MARY, Tho. Shelle, and Ioh. Gagd.

Other Pro­testants lear­ned and zea­lous Diuines, are instituted Bishops in their places.The learned'st Protestants that could bee found, were prefer'd to the places of Bishops deceased, and of Fugitiues; and Mat. Parker, a godly, wise, and right modest man, who was one of the Priuie-Councell to King HENRY the 8. and Deane of the Colledge Church of Stocclair, beeing so­lemnly chosen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, after preaching of the Word, calling of the holy Ghost, and celebration of the Eucharist, was consecrated by the imposition of hands of three ancient Bishops; Gu. Barlo, Bishop of Bath, Ioh. Scor. of Chester, Miles Couerdall of Exceter; Ioh. Suffra­gant de Bedford, de Lambeth: and afterward the same Bi­shops consecrated Ed. Grindall, a rare Diuine, Bishop of London: Richard Coxe, who was Tutor to EDVVARD the Sixth when he was a Child, of Ely: Edward Sands, an e­loquent Preacher, of Winchester: Rob. Merick, of Bangor: Tho. Yong, a deepe professor in the Ciuill and Canonicall Law, of Saint Dauids: N. Bolingham, Councellour of the Law, of Lincolne: Iohn Iewell, absolutely iudicious in all li­berall Science, of Salisburie: Richard Dauis, of Asaph: Ed­ward Guests, of Rochester: Gilbert Barde, of Bath: Tho­mas Bentham, of Couentrie and Lichfield: Gu. Alle, a pithy expounder of the holy Scripture, of Exceter: Iohn Park­hurst, a famous humanist, of Norwich: Robert Horne, of a hardie and copious spirit, of Winchester: Richard Chesne, of Glocester: and Edw. Scamber, of Peterborough: but they placed Gu. Barlo, Bishop of Chester, who, during the reigne of HENRY the Eighth, was Bishop of Saint Dauids, and afterward of Wells: & for B. of Hereford was appointed Ioh. Scori, a skilfull and iudiciall man, who was formerly Bishop of Chichester: in like maner in the Prouince of Yorke, Yong being transferred from his place of Saint Dauids to Yorke, consecrated Ia. Pilkinton, a most godly and learned man, Bishop of Dunelme: Io. Best, of Carlile, and Gu. Downham, [Page 33] of Chester. I leaue Ecclesiasticall Historians to relate what these men were, and what miseries they suffered vnder the Gouernment of Queene MARY, being either fugitiues in the Low-Countries, or hidden close in England.

And forasmuch as Learned men were rare to be found, diuers Mechanicke Shop-keepers, as simple as the Papists Priests, attained vnto Ecclesiasticall Dignities, Prebends, and Benefices of good reuenue; which diuers Priests per­ceiuing, and hoping aboue all things, to expulse the Pro­testants out of their Churches, and by this meanes, to get something to relieue the necessities of such amongst them as were deposed, thought it most expedient, both for the aduancement of themselues and their Religion, to sweare obedience to their Princesse, in renouncing the Authority of the Pope, deeming this wisedome meritorious, and were in some hope, to procure from his Holinesse, accor­ding to his Iurisdiction, a Dispensation for his Oath.

Thus was Religion chang'd in England, By what de­grees Religi­gion was al­tered here. all Christen­dome beeing amazed, that it could so easily bee effected without Sedition: But the truth is, that this change was not so suddenly made: neither can it (since it is so) be easily tolerated, but by little and little by degrees: For, summa­rily to repeat what I haue herevpon spoken: The Romane Religion continued in the same state it was first, a full Mo­neth and more, after the death of Queene MARY: The 27. of September, it was tolerated to haue the Epistles and Gospels, the ten Commandements, the Symbole, the Let­tany, and the Lords Prayer, in the Vulgar Tongue: The 22. of March, the Parliament being assembled, the Order of EDVVARD the Sixth was re-established, and by Act of the same, the whole vse of the Lords Supper granted vnder both kinds: The 24. of Iune, by the autho­ritie of that which concern'd the vniformity of publike Prayers, and administration of the Sacraments, the Sacri­fice of the Masse was abolished, and the Lyturgie in the [Page 34] English Tongue, more & more established. In the Moneth of Iuly, the Oath of Allegiance was proposed to the Bi­shops, and other persons; and in August, Images were thrown out of the Temples and Churches, and broken and burned. And because some malignant spirits, detracting from the Queene, as if shee had assumed vnto her selfe the Title of Chiefe Soueraigne of the Church of England, and authority to celebrate sacred Rites in the Church, she de­clared by Proclamation, ‘That she attributed no more vnto her selfe, then what did of long time belong to the Crowne of England; which was, that next vnder God, she had supreme So­ueraignetie and power ouer all States of England, whether Ecclesiasticall or Laye, and that no other For­raigne Power, had, or could haue any Iurisdiction or authority ouer them.’

The profit which pro­ceeds from change of Religion.By this alteration of Religion, (as Politicians haue ob­serued) England became the freest Kingdome in all Chri­stendome; because by this meanes, it had freed the Scepter from forraigne slauery of the Pope of Rome: and most rich, because it preuented the great summes of mony, which were dayly transported to Rome, for First-fruites, Indul­gences, Appellations, Dispensations, and such other like things; and thereby the Common-wealth was voide and depriued, beyond all imagination.

Her Maie­sties diligent care to de­fend both the the true Re­ligion and Common-Wealth.The Protestants Religion being thus establisht by th'au­thority of of the Parliament, the first and principall care of Queene ELIZABETH was, to defend and maintaine it still sound and impregnable against all sort of machynation whatsoeuer, in the very middest of her Enemies, which, through this occasion, she had incurred against her; And shee would neuer endure to heare the least Newes at all. Her second care was, to maintaine equity all her life time, [Page 35] and in all her Actions: in token whereof, shee tooke this deuice vnto her selfe:

For her other designes, she concluded them to prouide for the safety of her Subiests: For, as she often said, that to the end the Common-wealth should bee in safety, her selfe neuer could bee: And that, to make her Subiects loue her, her Enemies feare her, and all to praise her; knowing, that what was begunne with wisedome, and kept by care, was firme and lasting. Now, how by her Masculine care and counsell, she surmounted her Sexe, and what shee did most wisely, in preuenting, diuerting, and powerfully re­sisting the attempts of her Enemies, those that now liue, and shall hereafter, will bee able to iudge of what I shall drawe out and set forth of things, if I may call them so, in the Kingdomes owne memory.

At that time, the Emperour, Her answer to forraigne Princes, in­terceding for the Papists. and the Christian Princes interceding by continuall Letters, that she would vse the Bishops which were retyred out of her Realme, gently, and suffer the Papists to haue Churches in Townes by the Pro­testants: She answered, that although the Bishops had, in the sight of all the world, against the Lawes and Peace of the Kingdome, and obstinately reiected the same Do­ctrine which the most of them had, vnder the Raigne of HENRY the Eighth, and EDVVARD the Sixth, propoun­ded to others, voluntarily and by publike writings, that she would vse them meekely, for those great Princes sakes; notwithstanding, shee could not doe it without offending her Subiects: But to let them haue Churches by the o­thers, shee could not, with the safety of the Common-wealth, and without wounding of her Honour & Consci­ence: neither had shee reason to doe it, seeing that England imbraced no new Religion, nor any other, then that which [Page 36] Iesus Christ hath commanded, that the Primitiue and Ca­tholike Church hath exercised, and the ancient Fathers haue alwayes, with one voice and one mind, approued. And, to allow them to haue diuers Churches, and diuers manners of seruice, besides that it is directly oppugnant to the Lawes established by the authority of the Parliament, it were to breede one Religion out of another; and drawe the spirits of honest people into varieties; to nourish the designes of the factious; to trouble Religion and Com­mon-wealth, and to confound humane things with Diuine, which would be ill in effect, and worse in example; perni­cious to her Subiects, and not assured at all to those to whō it should be allowed; and aboue all, at their request, she was resolued to cure the particular insolency of some, by winking at something; neuerthelesse, without fauouring in any sort, The Empe­rour seekes the Queene for his Son. the obstinacie of their spirits.

The Spaniard hauing lost all hope to marry her, and bee­ing ready to marry the Daughter of France, notwithstan­ding, thinkes seriously of England, nothing desirous that it should be ioyned to the Scepter of France, and to retaine the dignity of so great a Kingdome in his House; obtained of the Emperour Ferdinand, his Vncle, that he would seeke her to wife for his second Sonne: which he as soone did by very louing Letters, and followed it very carefully by Iasper Preimour, a resolute Baron of the Countrey of Sti­bing. The Spaniard himselfe, to bring her to that, promised her speciall affection; and she of her side, made him offer, by Thomas Chaloner, of her Ships, and commodity of her Hauens, for his Voyage for Spaine, which he was about, with all remarkable duties of Friendship.

The King of France chal­lengeth the Kingdome of England, for the Queene of Scotland.The French, on the other side, casting an eye vpon Eng­land, left the French Garrison in Scotland, in fauour of the King, Dolphin his sonne, and Mary Queene of Scotland, which hee had promised to take from thence, vpon the a­greement before mentioned, and sent thither vnder-hand [Page 37] supplies, sollicites the Pope of Rome more vehemently than euer, to declare Queene ELIZABETH an Heretique, and illegitimate, and Queene Mary of Scotland legitimate of England; and although the Spaniard, and the Emperour, hindered by their contrary and most strong practices, (though secretly by the Agents which they had at Rome) neuerthelesse, the Guizes carried their credulous ambition with such a flattering hope, to ioyne Englands Scepter to France, by the meanes of the Queene of Scots their neece, that hee came so farre, as to challenge it for his Sonne, and for his Daughter in Law, and commanded them in all their Royall Letters, to take this Title, Francis and Mary, by the grace of God, King and Queene of Scotland, England, and Ireland; and to let the Armes of England be seene in all places, causing them to be painted and grauen together with the French Armes, in their moueables and vtensils, in the walls of their houses, in their Heralds coates of Armes, notwithstanding any complaint that the English Ambassadour could make, that it was a notorious wrong to Queene ELIZABETH, with whom hee had newly contracted a friendship, being manifest that hee had not done it during the reigne of Queene MARIE, though she denounced warre against him. Hee also leuied horse and foote in France and Germanie, to goe to the Territories of Scotland, neerest adioyning to England, insomuch that Queene ELIZABETH had good cause to apprehend it, see­ing that he breathed nothing, but after the bloud & slaugh­ter of the Protestants. But these enterprizes were broken by his vnlooked-for death, hapning at the Tilting, Is killed as hee prepared for the war. which was for the recreation and solemnizing of the marrriages of his Daughter with the King of Spaine, and of his Sister with the Duke of Sauoy: And much to the purpose it fell out for Queene ELIZABETHS businesse, whom hee resolued to set vpon with all his forces, as well for being an heretique, as also illegitimate; on the one side by Scotland, [Page 38] and on the other side, by France. Neuerthelesse, to giue him royall honours after his death, shee caused his funerall solemnities to be performed, as to a King a friend, with the greatest pompe, in Saint Pauls Church in London; and forthwith sent Ch. Howard, Effinghams sonne, now great Admirall of England and Ireland, to condole with him for the death of his Father, and to congratulate his succession to Francis his Sonne and Successour, exhorting him to en­tertaine inuiolably the friendship which had lately beene begun.

Francis the Second, and the Queene of Scotland, tooke the title of the Kings of England.But Francis, and the Queene of Scotland his wife, by the counsell of the Guizes, who then had some power in France, behaued himselfe publiquely, as King of Eng­land, and Ireland, kept alwaies the English Armes, which hee had vsurped, and made shew of them more than euer; and N. Throgmorton, ordinary Ambassadour, a wise, but a hote man, complained to them of this. They first an­swere him, that the Queene of Scotland had right to carry those Armes with a barre, to shew the proximity of bloud which shee had with the royall Race of England. After, when he had maintained, that by the Law, which they call the Law of Armes, it is not permitted to any to take the Armes, and Markes of any House, vnlesse hee be descen­ded of some of the Heires of it, obseruing to tell him, that shee carried them not, but to cause the Queene of England to leaue those of France. But, hauing vpon that put them in minde how D. Wotton had afore-time treated at Cam­bray, how twelue Kings of England had carried the Armes of France; and, by a right so seldome called in question, that by any of the treaties which were made betweene the English and the French, nothing had beene resolued to the contrary; hee gained in the end, that they should forbeare absolutely to beare these Armes, by the intercession of M. Memorency, the Guizes Emulator, who thought it not to be any honour for the King of France, to take any other [Page 39] Title, or to graue in his Seales any other armes, than the Armes of the Kings of France; and shewed, that this Title alone was of more importance than many others; and that the precedent Kings had no other, when they sought their right in Naples and Milan. And truely, from these Titles, and these Armes, which the King of France, at the instiga­tion of the Guizes, hath taken from the Queene of Scot­land, then vnder age, The original of the hidden hatred which hath beene betweene the Queenes of England and Scotland. all the disasters which afterwards happened vnto her, haue flowed from that: for from thence came the enmities openly declared by Queene ELIZA­BETH against the Guizes, and those which shee practised against her priuatly, which by the subtil malice of men, who made vse of the growing enuy, and of the occasions which sprung from day to day, haue beene so fomented on both sides, that nothing could extinguish them but death; for, ‘Soueraigntie admits no Companion, and Enmitie a­gainst Maiestie is grieuous.’

A few daies after, The French deale vniust­ly with the English. in stead of giuing foure Hostages for the Towne of Calais, as they were bound by the treaty of Cambray, they gaue onely three: the English Merchants are iniuriously dealt with, in France: one of the Ambassador Throgmortons seruants was sent to the gallies, which F. great Prior of France, had taken & carried away by force from a publique place: Some Pistols were shot at the Ambassa­dour himselfe, and in his owne lodging; and to make him the more contemptible, hee was serued at the Table, with no other Vessell, but such as the Armes of England and France were ioyntly grauen on. Finally, la Brosse was sent into Scotland with a troupe of choyce men; Gallies were sent for from Marseilles, and from the Mediterranean Sea.

Those in Scotland, Send men of warre into Scotland. which professed the Protestants Re­ligion, and qualified themselues with the title of the As­sembly, perswaded by certaine heady Ministers, and espe­cially [Page 40] by Knox, a most hot controller of the Royall autho­rity, that it behooued the Peeres of the Realme, to take a­way Idolatry from their authority, & by force to settle the Princes within the limits prescribed by the Lawes, had al­ready refused to obey the Queene-Mother, The Scots refuse to obey the Queene Regent. and Regent, though shee was a modest and a prudent woman, changed Religion, tumultuously ransacking and burning the sacred places, & drawne to their partie Hamilton Duke of Chastel­raut, the most powerfull of all the Kingdome, much pro­uoked by the wrongs done by the French, and many No­bles were bayted with hope to haue the Ecclesiasticall Re­uenues: insomuch, as they seemed not to thinke of Religi­on, but to plot in good earnest a reuolt against the Queene Regent, and against the French, which made warre in Scotland: and accused Iames, Prior of Saint Andrewes, Ba­stard brother to the Queene, their Coriphea, who since was Count of Mura, to haue coueted the Kingdome from his Sister. But, by the holy protestations which hee made vnto them, hee tooke away all suspition of hauing any o­ther ayme but the glory of God, and the Countries liberty; and that, seeing it opprest by the Queene Regent, and the French, he could not chuse but lament most bitterly for it. They sent William Maitland of Lidington Secretary, They seeke helpe of Qu. Elizabeth. to Queene ELIZABETH; and hee, in a pittifull discourse complained to her, that since the marriage of the Queene of Scotland with the Daulphin, the administration of the Kingdome had beene changed, strange Souldiers spoyl'd and ruin'd all, the French were placed in the chiefest offi­ces of the Kingdome, the Castles and strong places put into their hands, the pure money corrupted for their parti­cular profit, and that by these deuices and the like, they fortifie themselues, fraudulently to take away the King­dome, as soone as the Queene should be dead. Cecill, who was the principall minister that Queene ELIZABETH vsed in this businesse, and in all other, for his singular wisedome, [Page 41] employeth H. Percy, who afterwards was Earle of Nor­thumberland, to know what end the Lords of that Assem­bly propounded to themselues, what meanes they had to obtaine that which they desired; and, if one should send them succour, vpon what conditions might Amitie bee maintained betweene the two Kingdomes. They answe­red, that they propounded not to themselues any other end, but the aduancement of the glory of Iesus Christ, and the sincere preaching of Gods Word, to extirpate supersti­tion and idolatry, and to keepe the liberty of their Ance­stors: which they knew not by what meanes it might be done, but they hoped that God would giue successe to their designes, according to their desire, to the confusion of their aduersaries. And, as for the intertaining of amitie betweene the two Kingdomes; that that, was the abridge­ment of their wishes; and thereunto vowed their goods, their faith, and their constancy.

They deliberate slowly of these things in England, They delibe­rate of these things. be­cause the Scots were not well furnished with money and armes, nor very faithfull among themselues. But they con­sidered that the Marquis D' Elbeuf, Vnkle to the Queene of Scotland, had leuied men in Germanie, by the meanes of the Ringraue for the Scottish warre; that they had brought downe into the Hauens, peeces for battery; that the prepa­rations which were made, were greater than was necessary for the restraining, as was pretended, of a small number of vnarmed Scots; that the French, to draw to their league the King of Denmarke, promised him, that the Duke of Lor­raine should quit the right which hee pretended to haue to his Kingdome, and that likewise the censure of the Pope a­gainst the Queene, was more importunately sollicited, than euer, and a sentence declaratory for the right of the Queene of Scots to England: there was sent vpon the frontiers of Scotland, one Sadler, a prudent man, and the Counsellor of the Duke of Northumberland, who guarded the South [Page 42] frontier, and Iames Croft, Gouernour of Barwicke. For the Councell of England could not see what these things tended vnto, except to inuade England, and to pursue by armes, that which they attributed to themselues by their Coates and Titles.

They resolue to driue the French out of Scotland.Now doe they in England seriously consult vpon the businesse, and it seemed to them to be a very bad example, that one Prince should lend ayde and succour to the sub­iects of another Prince, who rayse vp broyles and tu­mults: but it seemed also, that it were an impietie to a­bandon those who professe the same Religion, a slow wis­dome to permit the French (who were sworne enemies to the name of English, challenged the Realme of England, and enioyed at that time, in all places, an assured peace) to remaine armed in Scotland so neere England, and so op­portunely for the inuading of that side, where Nobles and Commons of England are most affectionate to the Romish Religion. That it were to deliuer cowardly in­to the Enemies hand, the safetie of particulars, and the peace of the generall. For that cause, it behooued not to stand vpon dreaming and slow Counsels, but to dispatch and take armes. That the prudence of England had al­waies beene accustomed to goe meete their enemies, and not to waite for them; and that it had euer beene aswell suf­fered to preuent dangers, as to expell them; to defend themselues with the same weapons that they are assayled with. That England was neuer assured, but when it was powerfull and armed; that it was more powerfull when it had nothing to feare but the Scottish coast; and that to take away this feare, it were meete to assist those which professed the same Religion, and chace the French out of Scotland, against whom Armes are very auaileable, but not Counsels. That for hauing contemned them too much heretofore, they had lost Calais with shame and hurt, and a little before, by surprize, Ableville, and [Page 43] the forts neere Bullen, whiles they fained to seeke a peace, which was the cause that Bullen afterwards was constray­ned to render, and that they should looke for no lesse of Barwicke, and the frontier Townes, if they tooke not armes the sooner, without staying to see what the French will doe, who looke as if they meant to make peace in Scotland; Their designe being hidden, their ambition infinite, their reuennew exceeding great, insomuch that it is growne a Prouerbe long agoe in England, that France cannot be three yeeres both without warre, and without meanes. Queene ELIZABETH also often alledged this saying of the Emperour Valentinian, Haue French for a friend, but not for a neighbour. It was resolued then, that it was iust necessary, and profitable, to driue the French out of Scot­land, as soone as could be possible.

In the end, a Nauy was sent into Borrough, The English are sent into Scotland, both by Land and Sea. which is now called Enden-borrough Frith, cōducted by W. Winter, master of the Nauall Artillery, who, to the great terrour of the French, set vpon their ships, which were there in the Road, and vpon the Garrison that they kept in the Ile of Inch-Keith. Likewise, presently, the Duke of Norfolke was esta­blished▪ Lieutenant generall in the Northerne parts to­wards Scotland; the frontiers of the East, and of the South, were cōmitted to the Lord Baron Gray, who, not long ago, had couragiously, but vnluckily, defended Guien against the French; and Thomas Earle of Sussex, who, in the reigne of Queene MARY, had beene Deputy of Ireland, is sent back thither, with title of Lieutenant, together with speciall command, to ouer-looke this Irish Nation, being so much the more superstitious, by how much lesse it was husban­ded and tilled, should not be stirred to rebellion, by the practices of the French, vnder pretext of Religion: to fur­nish Ophalie, with some small Forts, to giue to the old Sol­diers some lands, to be to them and their heires males be­gotten of their bodies; to receiue Sulij-Boy Scotsh-Irish, to [Page 44] hold the possessions which hee had claimed by hereditary right in the Countrey of Vlster, to hold in fee, and to doe homage and seruice for the same: to increase moderately the reuenues of the Prince, and reduce the treasury to the forme of that of England.

The death of Francis L. Talbot, Earle of Shrewsbu­rie.While these things passed thus, F. Talbot, the fifth Earle of the House of Shrewsburie dyed, who was one of the chiefe Councellors of the Kingdome, leauing for Heire, George his onely Sonne, by Marie, Daughter to T. Dacre of Gilsland.

THE THIRD YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Booke 1. 1560. Anno Domini, 1560.

AS soone as the Duke of Norfolke was come to Barwicke, the Prior of Saint Andrews, the Baron of Rethuen, and others, came to meete him, and in the name of the Duke of Chastelraut and his Confederates, treated allyance with him for the Queene of England, in these termes: ‘Whereas, the French haue striuen, by right or wrong, A Treaty of peace in Barwicke. to subdue Scotland, and to vnite it to the Scepter of France: the Queene of England will take into her Protection, the Duke of Chastelraut, the Heire appa­rent [Page 46] to the Kingdome of Scotland, as long as the mar­riage of the King of France, and Mary, Queene of Scots shall last, and one yeere more: He shall set forth Armies by Land and Sea, with all sort of warlike Mu­nition, to chase and driue the French out of Scotland: He shall not make peace with them, but with condition that Scotland shal enioy its former libertie: The Forts which shall be taken from them by the ayde of the Eng­lish, shall be also presently demolished, or put into the hands of the Duke of Norfolke, according as hee shall thinke good. The English shall not fortifie any place in Scotland, but by the counsel of the Duke of Chastel­raut, and the Peeres of the Kingdome: The Scots shall assist the English to their vttermost endeuours, they shall hold their Enemies theirs, and shall not suffer that the Kingdome of Scotland shall bee ioyned to France, otherwise then by marriage, as now it is. If England be set vpon by the French, on this side Tine, the Scots shall send, at the Queenes charge, two thou­sand Horse, and a thousand Foot-men: If on the other side, they shall ioyne themselues to succour the English, with all the strength they are able to make, and at their owne charge for thirtie dayes, as they haue beene accu­stomed to doe for the defence of Scotland. The Earle of Argaehel, Iudge of Scotland, shall labour to reduce vnto due obedience the Northerne parts of Ireland, vn­der certaine Conditions which shall bee agreed vpon be­tweene the Vice-roy of Ireland and himselfe. Finally, it is determined, what the one and the other shall doe, if Iames Maconel, or others, raise any commotion in the Countrey of Hebride, in Scotland, or in Ireland. For establishing these things, Hostages shall bee sent into England, before the English Armie enter into Scot­land; which shall be changed at the discretion of the Scots, from sixe moneths to sixe moneths; or from foure [Page 47] to foure Moneths, so long as the Marriage betweene the King of France and the Queene of Scotland shall last, and a yeere ouer and aboue. That the Duke of Chastel­raut, the Earles and Barons Conferrates, shall ratifie these Co [...]entions vnder their Signes and Seales within twenty dayes and shall declare, that in all things, which shal not tend to the oppressing of their ancient Liberty, they shal yeeld obedience to the Queene of Scotland, and to the King of France her Husband, forasmuch as the Queene of England vndertakes not these things, but by way of friendship and neighbourhood, and to free the Scots from Bondage.’

It was already discouered by Messages from stranger Princes, and intercepted Letters, that the French were re­solued to set vpon England: Seb. Martigues, Martigues comes and brings French-men into Scot­land. a young Gen­tleman of the House of Luxembourg, with a thousand old Souldiers, and two wings of Horse, was come into Scot­land; and Doisel a Frenchman, assuring himselfe too much to be of the Councell of the Queene Regent of Scotland, had propounded to the chiefe of the Kingdome, at Ay­mouth, neere Barwicke, that ioyning their forces, they, at the very instant, would put the King and Queene of Scot­land in possession of England: but hauing considered the difficultie of the thing, and not willing to violate the Peace newly agreed vpon, they refused it: Neuerthelesse, Mar­tigues, being yong and liuely, did so burne in desire to at­tempt England, that with much adoe was he hindred by the wholsome councell of the Queene Regent: but this heat was quickly quenched, D'Elbeuf driuen by a Tempest. when it was knowne that a storme had so beaten the Marquis D'elbeuf vpon the coasts of Holland, who sayled towards Scotland with greater For­ces, that he was constrain'd to returne to Diepe, frō whence he departed, with losse of some Ships & of many Souldiers.

At that time, Ph. Stauel of Gl [...]ion, Knight of the Golden [Page 48] Fleece, and Master of the Artillerie, was sent into England, employed from Spaine, to expose the complaints that the French made against the Queene, touching the Affaires of Scotland; The Spani­ard counsels to Peace. and to counsell, in the name of the King, to Peace and concord: yet neuerthelesse, hee secretly counselled the Queene to pursue with courage, what she he had begun in Scotland, though contrariwise the Spaniard had openly forbidden to transport into England, those munitions of War, The Spani­ards detaine from the English their muni­tion. which she had couenanted for at Antwerp, insomuch as she was constrained to make a new prouision thereof in Germany. And the Proposition that Stauel made, was not without suspition, that some Companies of Spaniards should be sent into Scotland, together with the French, to suppresse the Scottish Rebels, and by the same meanes, the French themselues, if they should attempt any thing vpon England. At the same time, M. Seuerin, ordinary Embassa­dour of the King of France, instantly sollicited the Queene, to call backe her Armies both by Sea and Land from Scot­land; which she willingly accorded vnto, prouided, that the French should be recalled: but by delayes sought out of the one side and the other, the businesse is drawne in­to length, till the comming of I. de Mouluc, Bishop of Va­lence, who differed not much from the Protestants Religi­on; who, vpon his arriuall from France, being carried vn­to the place, said, that he was not furnished with any pow­er for this busines: and notwithstanding he was very elo­quent, The French doe endeuour to call the English backe from Scotland. strained himselfe to his vttermost, that those Armies should be recall'd from Scotland; and maintain'd, that it was not to defraud the Queene of England, that the King and Queene of Scots carried the Armes of England; but by that, rather to honour the Royall House. But not beeing able to perswade the one, as being absurd; nor the other, as dangerous; Seuerin desired Stauel, and the Bishop of A­quilé, Embassadour ordinary of Spaine in England, to bee present and witnesses, when he should protest against the [Page 49] Queene of England, that shee had violated the Treatie of Peace; to which they refused him, because they had it not in Commission: Neuerthelesse he made, The French protest a­gaing the English, that they are meerely cause that the peace is bro­ken. by a discource prolixe enough, his protestation; to which the Queene made an Answere, which was published, and set foorth, by which shee testified to all the world, That the vio­lating of the Treaties proceeded only from the French, and that nothing could happen to her more vexing and odious, then this Warre, and such like things, which might easily be drawne from what had beene spoken heretofore, and by a declaration in writing, which she had formerly caused to be published.

And surely, it is not to be doubted, that the Guizes, for the loue which they bore to the Queene of Scotland, The Guizes are sworne and professed enemies to Queene Eli­zabeth. the hatred to Queene ELIZABETH, in regard of Religion; and the ambition to oblige France, by adding new King­domes vnto it, being assured of an English party, of contra­rie Religion to the Protestants, linckt themselues together obstinately, to ruine Queene ELIZABETH. But they were diuerted by meanes of discontentments, and hidden hatreds, which grew vpon the Subiect of the administrati­on of the affaires which were put into their hands, after they had taken them from the Princes of the Bloud. And the QVEENE went so prudently to worke, and [Page 50] vpon the nicke to meete the designes of her Enemies; that she hath beene alwayes had in admiration of her friends, and in terrour to her Enemies.

The same day that Gray entered into Scotland with an Armie, The French offer to ren­der vp Calis. Seuerin and Mouluc earnestly sollicited Queene E­LIZABETH to call it backe, giuing her hope that Calais should bee rendred, if shee did it. But shee answered very plainely, Her Ma­iesties An­swer to them. That she made no account of Calais, a small Fisher-Towne, in comparison of the safety of all Great Brittaine. And the same day, sent into Spaine, Anthony Browne, Vi­count of Montaigue, a man very remarkable for his wise­dome, She sends the Lord Ʋi­count Mon­taigue into Spaine. but very zealous in the Romish Religion, thinking, that for that consideration, he would bee more pleasing to the King of Spaine; together with Tho. Chamberlaine, Em­bassadour Ordinary; to iustifie, vpon how many iust causes she had sent an Armie into Scotland, to wit, those that I haue heretofore declared; and to shew, the Queen of Scot­land had beene married very young to a sickly King, vvho was without hope to leaue Issue; that Hamilton, Duke of Chastelraut, hauing beene by the authority of the Parlia­ment, designed of the Kingdome of Scotland, the Guizes had prepared Ambuscadoes for his Sonne, as he should passe through France: their designes were bent, to ioyne the Crowne of Scotland to the Crowne of France, and to con­serue it for the Queene. This matter the King of Spaine examined seriously, how dangerous it was to the Prouinces of the Low-Countreys, and of Spaine: that it behoued not blast with Rebellion, the assembly of the great ones in Scotland, which was made for no other end, but to keepe (as by duty they are bound) the Kingdome for the Queen and her lawfull successors; Who makes known to the Spaniard the cause of the Wars of Scotland. not induring to permit, that by the wiles of the Guizes, it should be ruined, or transferred to the French, without wronging them or theirs.

Vpon the beginning of Aprill, the English Armie, com­posed of an hundred Horse, and sixe thousand Foote, mar­cheth [Page 51] toward Lieth, which is a place situated neere Bodir ▪ where all the Seas of Great Brittaine doe beate, and the Ri­uer of Lieth spreading broader, dischargeth it selfe, and makes a commodious Rode for Ships, scarce two miles di­stant from Edenborrough, the Capitall Towne of Scotland. The French knowing this commodity, had fortified it, to retire thither, and there receiue the succour which might be sent vnto them: & the English shewing themselues there, Martigues goes as speedily out vpon them with some com­panies of Foote, to hinder their approach to a Hill, vpon which he supposed they intended to Campe: but, after a Skirmish of foure houres, where some were slaine, they driue them backe into the Towne: next after, he also excu­sed the Scots Confederates they make Trenches, and raise Mounts, from which they battered no lesse the Towne then the Ships. The French make many Sallies out, with more courage than strength, and shewe many proofes of Magnanimity. Amongst others, vpon the fifteenth day of Aprill, they tooke the Trenches, nayled three of the greatest Cannons, tooke and led away priso­ner, M. Berclé: But I. Croft, and C. Vaghan driue them backe as fast into the Towne; and it was not done without losse of men. Arthur Gray, sonne to the Lord Baron Gray, Arthur Gray, son & heire to the Lord Gray, is wounded. who had the principall command in the Campe, was shot into the shoulder.

After that, they bring the Campe neerer to the Towne, because the Battery was so farre off, that the Bullets, for the most part, fell without effect; and a short time after, Lieth is be­sieged. part of the Towne, and a great quantity of Corne, was burned by casuall fire, which was much encreased by the English, who placed on that side their biggest Cānons, and being in the meane time entred into the Ditch, tooke the height of the Wall; and the sixth of May (while the Eng­lish and the Scots were together of accord) hauing placed the Ladders on all sides, gaue three powerful alssaults to gaine the Wall, but because they were too short, and the [Page 52] waters higher then ordinary, the Sluces beeing shut, they were repulsed with a showre of Bullets, that ouerwhelmed them from aboue, and there were many slaine, yet more wounded. The English repulsed. Croft is ac­cused. This check was imputed to Croft's fault, be­cause he had stayed in his Quarter with his Armes foulded, as if he had reproued this expedition, seeing others doe, without putting himselfe in action to assist those who had neede thereof: and I cannot tell whether hee did it out of iudgement, or for affection which he bore to the French, or for hatred to Gray. But so it is, that Norfolke and Gray, accused by Letters which they writ to the Queene, to haue had secret consultations with the Queene of the Scots, and to haue oppos'd this designe; and in hauing sequitiuely bin brought in iustice, the gouernment of Barwicke was taken from him, and giuen to the Lord Baron Gray. But the Queene shewing him fauour, conseru'd it for him; and for his merit, established him afterward Controwler of her Maiesties House.

This first Mis-hap hauing abated the courage of the English and Scots, the Duke of Norfolke rais'd them as quick­ly vp againe, by new Troops which hee brought to strengthen; and since that time, there were some light com­bates, vntill that the King of France hauing aduice that his men were so blockt vp at Lieth, that all the Passages by Sea and Land were shut, also considering, that they could not send him succour in time requisite, for the great distance of places, and the seditions, which augmented from day to day in his Kingdome, gaue power to the Bishop of Valence, and De la Roche Faucaud, to accord the Affaires with Qu. ELIZABETHS Commissioners: esteeming, and the Queene of Scotland with them, that it were a thing vnwor­thy their Maiesty, to enter into equall dispute with their Subiects. And Queen ELIZABETH deputed as speedily into Scotland, W. Cecill, and N. Wotton, Deane of Canterbu­rie and Yorke. At the same time, the C. of Murray made [Page 53] some propositions. But Cecill thought that they ought not to be made by Subiects, nor agreed on by Princes.

During these debatings, the decease of Queene Marie of Lorraine, mother to the Queen, The Queene Regent of Scotland dyes. and Regent of the King­dome of Scotland, hapned: a pious & most prudēt Princesse, who was neuerthelesse ignominiously and vnworthily handled by hot-headed Preachers (as it may appeare euen by the Ecclesiasticall History of Scotland, which Queene ELIZABETH caused to be suppressed vnder the Presse) and by the Lords of the Assembly, who, as being borne Councellors of State, had, vnder the name of Queene of Scotland, and her Husband, suspended her from all admini­stration, as contrary to the glory of God, and the libertie of Scotland.

The Articles of which, the Commissioners, after the siege begun, agreed vpon, are these:

A peace is published.This Peace is published as well in the Campe as in the City, with a common reioycing of all: The English grow­ing weary of the warre, seeing their neighbouring Coun­trey vtterly spoyled: The French, because they were de­priued of all traffique & commerce: and the Scots, for not hauing beene payed their wages. And indeed it was hol­den for the weale, good, and well-fare of Great Brittaine, since Scotland retained his ancient liberty, and England kept the dignity and surety which it had gotten. And since that time, she hath beene really exempt and freed from all subiects of feare from Scotland side. The English haue mer­rily acknowledged, that Queene ELIZABETH was the founder of the surety; and the Protestants of Scotland, Restoresse of the liberty.

Queene Eli­zabeth is sought in marriage, by Charles, Arch-Duke of Austria.During all that time, Queene ELIZABETH, for the singular loue which shee bore to the parties, was so atten­tiue to the publique good, that shee razed from her heart the loue of powerfull Princes who sought her in marriage; to wit, CHARLES, Arch-duke of Austria, second Sonne of Ferdinando the Emperour, who made this suit by the Count of Elpheston: Of Iames Earle of Arran, who was recommended by the Protestants, the which propounded to themselues to vnite, by Iames Earle of Arran: by his meanes, the Kingdomes of England and Scotland, which were diuided; which was al­so quickly reiected, and, by Erric, King of Sueden: and neuerthelesse to her Maiesty, praise: Of Erric King of Sueden, who, to the same purpose, imploy­ed Iohn his Brother, Duke of Finland, to this end sent in­to England by Gustaue his Father, a little before his death, and grounding his hopes vpon this, that hee was of the same Religion as Queene ELIZABETH was, made himselfe so credulously importunate, that hee thought of nothing but England; notwithstanding that the King of [Page 55] Denmarke his sworne enemy, had resolued to take him in the way, thinking that it concerned him greatly, if England and Sueden, betweene which Denmarke lyes, should be ioyned by the meanes of a marriage. Queene ELIZABETH acknowledged and praised his singular and Soueraigne loue, and made him answer, that his comming should be very agreeable and pleasing to her: but she could not yet finde in her heart to marry, in changing her present condi­tion, which was vnto her much more delightfull, & pray'd him to proue her good wil in any other thing, assuring him, that although hee could not enioy his desires, neuerthelesse hee should perceiue that his loue had not beene ill placed; and admonished him not to deferre the time any longer, to make choyce of a Wife which might be worthy of him. With this answer, I. C. of Finland returnes into his Coun­trey. After, hauing imployed all kinde of meanes to make this marriage, in courting her Maiestie importunately, by bold demands, vsing of great liberality towards her Cour­tiers, captiuating the good will of the inferior sort, amongst which he often strowed pieces of Siluer; telling them, that when his Brother should come, he would distribute large­ly pieces of Gold to the common people in generall. Ne­uerthelesse, his Brother, suspecting that he had made this suit for himselfe, receiued and intertained him ill at his re­turne, and obstinating himselfe in his designe, ceased not to continue this suit two yeeres after, and made the condition of it to be propounded by Nicholas Guildenstain: but as hee was imprudent and light at the same time, hee demanded the daughter of Philip, Landgraue of Hessen, hauing beene refused, at last married with a Lady of meane condi­tion.

But as for Charles Duke of Austria, he conceiued such hope, that his House already allied by marriages with great Princes, would be much more augmented by the addition of the alliance with England, and that the ancient Religion [Page 56] should be tolerated, if not altogether established: which he so expected, as a thing which he could not faile of, and Qu. ELIZABETH tooke not at an instant this hope from him. For, her Ma ^tie shewed openly to euery one, protested in the presence of C. Elphinstain, and writ to the Emperour, that of all the illustrious marriages which were propounded to her, there was not any more or greater, than that of the Arch-Duke: that neuerthelesse, neither the storme of dan­gers had not power heretofore, nor the fauourable winde of honour could yet, for the present, diuert her from that manner of life, in which shee had settled her selfe. Not­withstanding, without being come so farre, as to renounce altogether the state of marriage, and that shee hoped that God, vpon whose goodnesse shee wholly supported her selfe, would addresse his ends in that, and in euery other thing, to the safety both of her and her Subiects.

Adolphe, Duke of Holsatia. Adolphe likewise, Duke of Holsatia, was stirred vp by Frederic the Second, King of Denmarke, his Nephew, to hinder her from marrying with the King of Sueden, and carried with hopes to be able to effect it, by the desire which her selfe had by her Letters witnessed vnto him, that he was possest with the same affection towards the Eng­lish, as he had beene long agoe towards the Spaniards, and by the promise that shee had most louingly made him, hee came into England, where she intertained him royally, ho­noured him with the Order of the Garter, gratified him with an annuall pension, and (through her extraordinary courtesie) profest vnto him, her Maiestie obliged for euer, a most illustrious Prince, who had purchased the renowne to be a most famous warriour, in a conquest lately by him wonne against those of DITHMARS.

There were also in her Kingdome certaine Lords, who, according to the custome of Louers, vainly prated con­cerning the marriage, Sir W. Pic­kering. ( viz.) Sir William Pickering, Knight of the Order, who had an indifferent good estate, but ho­nourably [Page 57] descended, hee, through his rare study and affa­bility, had gotten much honor, and no lesse applause, by his Ambassage in France and Germanie.

The Earle of Arundel, a man of a most ancient House, The Earle of Arundel. no lesse great in meanes than illustrious by birth, but grow­ing into yeeres: and Robert Dudley, Robert Dudley. the yongest Sonne of the Duke of Northumberland, whom Queene MARY resto­red to his right and honours, a noble young Lord, of most comely lineaments of body; who was as farre in fauour with the Queene, as his Father and Grand-father were ge­nerally hated of the people, out of a rare and royall clemen­cy which she professed towards him, in conferring & hea­ping honours vpon him, whose Father would haue at­tempted her death. Whether this might proceed from some secret instinct of those vertues apparant in him, or out of common respect, they both being prisoners vnder Queene MARIE, or from their first procreation, by a se­cret coniunction of the Planets at the houre of their birth, combining their hearts in one, no man can easily conceiue. Howsoeuer it were, it is most certaine, that onely Destinie causeth Princes to affect some, and reiect others. In to­ken of honour, and for the testimony of her well-wishing towards him, the first yeere of her reigne, Whom shee fauoured. (after she had made him her Champion) shee made him Knight of the Garter, which amongst the English, is the most honourable dignitie of all, with the Duke of Norfolke, the Marquis of Northampton, and the Earle of Rutland, at which euery one wondered. In the meane time, Vicount Montaigu, Ʋicount Montaigu, Ambassador to the King of Spaine. Am­bassadour for Spaine, moued him of the necessitie of the warres of Scotland, and laboured (what in him lay) to pre­uent the imputation of the Scots to be Rebels, shewed him, by the instructions wherein he was commanded, but cold­ly, in regard hee was a zealous professour of the Roman Religion, that that which was established in England, was conformable and grounded vpon the holy Scripture, and [Page 58] the Aecunomicke Councels, and intreated him to renew the alliance of the Burgundians, formerly contracted be­tweene the Kings of England and their predecessours. The Spaniard, howsoeuer it was agreeable and vsuall amongst Princes, to confirme such a renouation, in respect it giueth as it were life to their Alliances, and testifieth to the world their mutuall good will; and howsoeuer himselfe and Charles his Father, in the treaty of marriage with MARY Queene of England, in the yeere 1533. were bound to con­firme this alliance, answered (notwithstanding) that it was needlesse, lamented the alteration of Religion happened in England, seemed to distaste the raising of an army, and roo­ting out the Rebels in Scotland, and fained to be too late aduertized thereof. He fauoured notwithstan­ding Eliza­beth against the French. But for all this, hee still opposed the designes of the French, who laboured to excommunicate ELIZABETH, and brought it so to passe, that she could be no way subiect to excommunication without his con­sent, and to aduertise her, though it were too late, that they ought for her aduantage, to insert in the Articles conclu­ded with the King of France, that if the French should re­turne into Scotland, it might be lawfull for the English to expulse them, and, in expresse termes, to condition for the certaine assurance of the restitution of Calais. The Earle (notwithstanding) perceiued well, and so did the Queene, that he was displeased, as well by the circumstances I haue related, He re-deli­uered the order of the Garter. as principally for that hee re-deliuered into the said Vicounts hands, the tokens and ensignes of the order of Saint George. For, hee seemed hereby vtterly to breake off all amity and friendship with England: but shewed it much more by the refusall which was made him after­wards, how he practised by his Ambassadour, (as hee did intercede by Count of Feria, who had married the Daugh­ter of W. Dormer, which hee had by the Lady Marie Sidney) for that the Queene permitted certaine men, wo­men, and Children, to stay in Flanders, who for Religion [Page 59] were retired without leaue, ( viz.) to the Lady Iane Dor­mer, Daughter of Thomas Newdigate, and Widdow to Sir Robert Dormer, Knight, and to the Lady Clarence, Grand-mother to the Count of Feria, being very olde, who had beene Fauourite to Queene MARIE, and Al­moner for the particular reliefe of poore women; to Ri­chard Shelley, Prior of the order of Saint Iohn in England, of which wee will speake hereafter, and to Thomas Har­uie: all which were zealous professors of the Romish Re­ligion, and well beloued of the Spaniard.

This refusall was grounded vpon a restraint (by the anci­ent custome & Lawes of England) prohibiting any person (the Nobles and Peeres of the Kingdome excepted) vp­on paine of confiscation of their goods, He disdai­ned to be re­fused in things of small im­portance. to depart out of their Countrey, without speciall licence from the King, and to reside in forraine parts beyond a certaine time pre­fixed, and that, either for the recouery of their health, vn­der a more warme climate, or for the aduancement of their studies in the Academies, or for their practice in militarie Discipline.

The Earle, stomaking this as a particular iniury, The Count Ferie whets his indigna­tion. to re­uenge himselfe, caused to be apprehended (as an Here­tique) one of the seruants of Chamberlaine, being there [Page 60] then Ambassadour ordinary for England, and cast him in­to the Inquisition, and rather (as it were) enuying the Queene, and the English, than the King himselfe, added more fuell to his fire, He incenses the Pope against the Queene. notwithstanding all the meanes his Wife vsed to disswade him. It was also knowne, that he was imployed to Pope Pius the Fourth, in the beginning of his Papacy, to presse the Excommunication of the Queene: yet neuerthelesse, the Pope, (vpon what good hope I know not) sent vnto her Vincent Parpalia, Abbot of Saint Sauiours, with diuers secret aduertisements, with a kinde Letter, The Pope writes to Elizabeth. all which I will here at large insert, how­soeuer I may seeme to sinne against the Law of Hi­storie.

Booke 1. 1561.THE FOVRTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Anno Domini, 1561.

AT the beginning of the yeere, Fr. Earle of Bedford (hauing beene sent into France, to end the mourning for the death of Francis the second) to congra­tulate with King Charles for succeeding him; summoned often the Queene of Scotland, sometimes himselfe alone, and sometimes accompanyed with Throgmorton, The Queene of Scotland puts off the confirmation of the Trea­tie. to confirme the Treaty of Edenborrough, but all in vaine: For he could drawe no other Answer of it, but, That it behoued and was requisite, not to resolue vpon so great a thing, without mature deliberations; and that shee neither would, nor [Page 69] could confirme it without the Peeres of Scotland. Throg­morton neuerthelesse ceased not to presse her instantly, by all the meanes hee could deuise. In like manner, the Car­dinall of Lorraine, and all the other Guizes, her Vnkles, and Iames her bastard-brother, who was newly arriued in France. But whiles they thus did nothing, but deferd it from day to day, by forged reasons, Queen ELIZABETH, doubting lest they intended the ruine of England, resolued to suppresse them. Shee sent thereupon T. Randolph into Scotland, to perswade the Peeres to a mutuall amitie, groun­ded vpon the vnity of Religion, aduertising them, that the Princes of Germanie were vnited together against the Pope, and that shee desired nothing more, than that the English and Scottish were combined in this accord; shewed them, that the Queene of Scotland, being a Widdow, now was the onely opportunitie for the appeasing of all discords betwixt England and Scotland, who had so many Ages the one fought against the other, with so much bloud-shed on either part, whether in contracting a perpetuall League with the English, or in razing out of the ancient league with the French, those Couenants which were wont to breed discord betweene England and Scotland. Lastly, shee ex­horted them to beware, that the Queene (who was now a Widdow) should not dispose her selfe in marriage to a stranger Prince, by whose power shee might reuenge her selfe vpon those, who had lately resisted the French, and so expose their freedome to the hazard of seruitude.

In the meane time, the Queen of Scotland, who thought to retyre her selfe into her Kingdome, hauing sent before Doysell, a French-man, intreating ELIZABETH, by him, to giue her Highnesse leaue to passe by Sea, and to Doysell through England, vnder the common faith: The Queene of England denieth pas­sage to the Queene of Scotland. ELI­ZABETH vtterly denyed her, in presence of a whole mul­titude of her Assistants, alledging for excuse, that shee had not yet ratified the Treaty of Edenborrough, as shee had [Page 70] promised to doe, and assured her, that in case shee should performe all that shee might expect from a Queene, being her Cousin and Neighbour, shee might freely passe either by Sea or Land into Scotland. The Queene of Scots ex­tremely stomaking this refusall, She com­plained to Throgmor­ton Am­bassadour from Eng­land. called for Throgmorton, and intertained a great deale of discourse with him about this occasion, which I will briefly here insert, according to the Contents of Throgmortons Letters collected by mee, howsoeuer I must repeat diuers things, of which I haue for­merly spoken, to the end that the originall, and degrees of the secret grudges and hatred betweene two of the pruden­test, and most puissant Princesses of our Age, might more euidently and clearely appeare. Shee being then with­drawne a little aside, and there being no more but her selfe, and Throgmorton, she spake in this manner vnto him: ‘ ALthough I were so weake, that I did not sufficiently know it, nor whither the heat of my spirit might carry mee, yet am I not so weake, that I should desire so many witnesses of mine infirmitie, as your Mi­stresse not long sithence held discourses with my Ambas­sadour Doysell. Nothing vexeth mee so much, as to haue intreated her for that I could well haue beene without, and as I am come hither against her will, and notwithstanding the hinderance by her Brother EDWARD, I shall also be as well able, God willing, to returne into my Countrey, without asking her leaue. And I want not friends, nor friends that are willing and powerfull to bring mee backe thither, as they were to bring mee hither. But I chose rather to try her friendship than any others. I haue often heard you say, that it was chiefly necessary to our two King­domes to intertaine amity, the one with the other: and [Page 71] neuerthelesse it seemes that shee hath another meaning, otherwise shee would not haue refused mee so small a courtesie. But peraduenture she loues those Scots bet­ter which are Rebels to me, who am Queene of Scot­land, of equall Maiestie to her, her neere Kinswoman, and the most certaine Heire. Doe you thinke, that with so great a faith and loue which is betweene her and me, she should keepe correspondency with the Scots which rebell against me? Does shee thinke that I shall be forsaken of my friends? Truely, shee hath brought mee to that passe, that I haue reclaymed the ayde of those which otherwise I would not haue imployed, and I cannot maruell enough by what counsell she hath here­tofore assisted my Subiects against mee, and now that I am a Widdow, am hindered from returning into my Countrey. I stirre not vp any businesse, nor meddle with those of England, although I be assured that ma­ny English are not content with such as passe there at this present. She reproches mee for my small experi­ence. I confesse, age brings that: yet neuerthelesse I haue so much as to know how to carry my selfe louing­ly and iustly with my friends, I doe not cast at randome any word against her, which may be vnworthy of a Queene, and a Kinswoman; and, by her permission, I dare say, that I am a Queene as well as shee, and want no friends more than shee doth, and can carry my cou­rage as high as shee knowes how to doe: insomuch as it is fitting for vs to measure our selues with some equa­lity. But I leaue comparisons, which cannot be, but with debate and hatred. As for the Treaty of Eden­borrough, it was made in the life-time of the King my Husband, to whom I was bound by duety to obey in all things; and since hee deferred the confirmation of it, the fault ought to be his, and not mine. Since his death, the Councell of France hath left me to be guided [Page 72] by mine owne friends, and my Vnkles would not med­dle with the affaires of Scotland, for offending in any thing either Queene ELIZABETH, or the Scots. The Scots that I haue neere about me, are priuate per­sons, and are not such as I would aske their counsell in things of so great importance. As soone as I haue consulted with the States of my Kingdome, I will giue you a reasonable answer, and to giue it so much the soo­ner, I goe forward to returne to my House. But shee makes account to stop my passage, insomuch that shee her selfe is the cause that I cannot satisfie her; and per­aduenture she does it to the end, that there may not be any end of our discords. Shee often obiects vnto me, as to my shame, that I am young: and truely shee might rightly say it, both very young, and very ill-aduised, if I would treate of a businesse of that importance, with­out the consent of my States. A woman, as I haue learned, is not bound either by honour or conscience to her Husbands fact. But I will haue no dispute vpon that, and neuerthelesse I will truely say, that I haue done nothing to my most deare Sister, that I would should not haue beene done vnto my selfe. I haue ren­dred her all duties of friendship, but shee either beleeues them not, or despiseth them. I would to God that I were as deare to her, as I am neere to her, for that would be a precious kinde of proximitie. God par­don those which sow discords betweene vs, if there be a­ny. But you, who are her Ambassadour, say, if you dare, wherefore shee is so much offended against mee, who vntill this present neuer offended her, neither in word, nor in effect.’

Throgmor­ton's answer to the Qu. Mary of Scotland.To which, Throgmorton told her:

Indeed Courtney, Marquis of Exceter, and the Dutches of Suffolke, Neece to HENRY the Eighth, by his yon­ger Sister, by a speciall fauour carryed the Armes of Eng­land, in adding to them the Limbes for a marke of diffe­rence.

The Queene of Scotland, Contestation betweene the Queene of Scotland, and Throg­morton, Queene Eli­zabeths Ambassador into France. not being able by these words to giue Qu. ELIZABETH content, who stedfastly beleeued that shee sought but delayes, to husband some new hope, seeing that at the holding of the States of Scotland, who had assembled twice since the death of Queene MARIE, shee had not made any proposition which concerned the confirmation of this Treaty: as shee was already vpon the way to come for Scotland, shee caused Throgmorton a se­cond [Page 74] time to come to her to Ableville, and asked him curteously, How shee might either by word or deed, giue satisfaction to Queene ELIZABETH. The Queene endeuours to content Qu. Elizabeth.

Whereupon, she said vnto him: ‘HEarken then, to iudge, if this which shee thinkes to be delayes, and vaine excuses, are not most iust reasons. The first Article of this Treaty, which con­cernes the ratification of that which passed in the Ca­stle of Cambray, betweene England and France, toucheth mee nothing at all. The second, which con­cernes that of the Treatie passed in the same place be­tweene England and Scotland, hath beene ratified by my Husband and mee, and I cannot ratifie it more am­ply, if it be not concluded in my name alone, seeing my Husband is there expresly named. The third, fourth, and fifth Articles are already effected: for the prepara­tiues of Warre haue ceased, the French Garrisons are called backe out of Scotland, the Fort which was neere Aymouth, is razed. Since the death of my Husband, I haue refrained to carry the Armes and the Title of England, and it is not in my power to raze them out of the Vtensils, Edifices, and the Letters Royall which are dispersed through France, no more than I can send backe the Bishop of Valence, and of Raadan, since they are not my Subiects, to contest vpon the sixth Ar­ticle. As to the last, I hope that my seditious Sub­iects will not complaine of my inclemencie. But, as I see, shee which thinkes to hinder my returne, will goe a­bout to hinder that they shall not try my clemencie. What remaines now in this Treatie, which is preiudi­ciall [Page 75] to your Queene? Neuerthelesse, to heape her vp with satisfactions, I will write to her of it more amply, with mine owne hand, though shee vouchsafes not to write to mee, but by a Secretarie. As for you, Am­bassadour, I pray you to doe the duetie of an Ambassa­dour, rather to sweeten businesses, than make them sowrer.’

But these Letters did not giue Queen ELIZABETH any contentment, But in vaine. who had euer in her heart the iniury which shee had done her, in taking the title and armes of England, and at that time feared much that shee tooke them yet, if by the confirmation of this Treatie, and the Religi­on of the othe, shee was not bound to forbeare them.

In the meane time, She returnes into Scot­land. the Queene of Scotland finding the time fit, goes to Calais, and gets into Scotland, hauing the fauour of Heauen which was cloudy and darke, got the winde of the English Ships, that some thought had beene sent to Sea in honour to conuoy her, others to take Pi­rates, and others to take her: they grounding it vpon this, that Iames, her bastard-brother, a little before returning from France, and passing through England, had counsel­led Queene ELIZABETH to doe it, if shee would pro­uide for Religion, and her owne safetie: The which, Li­dington, being ioyfull that Doysell was retayned in Eng­land, perswaded, as his Letters make mention.

[Page 76]Howbeit, her Maiestie being returned into Scotland, shewed all gentlenesse to her Subiects, shee changed no­thing in Religion, although tumultuously brought in; and begun to temper the Common-wealth by excellent Lawes and good Ordinances. Her Maiestie sent Liding­ton to Queene ELIZABETH, with Letters from her selfe, and from the Peeres of Scotland, by which shee refer­red to her all the care to make and intertaine the peace be­tweene England and Scotland, prayed her to seeke some good dispatch thereof, and gaue for her aduice, that shee did not thinke of a better and more certaine remedie, than that Queene ELIZABETH, dying without issue, should declare her Heire, to succeed her in the Kingdome of Eng­land, &c. by authority of Parliament.

This seemed strange to Queene ELIZABETH, who expected to receiue the Confirmation of the Treaty of E­denborrough, promised both by word and writing. Not­withstanding, she answers him: ‘ Elizabeth answers him.THat for concerning the matter of Succession, shee hoped that the Queene of Scotland would not violently take the Scepter from her, nor from her Children, if shee should haue any. Promiseth not to derogate in any manner from the right which she had to the Kingdome of England, howsoeuer by the precipitate and ouer-hasted ambition of others, shee had attributed to her selfe the Title and the Armes of the same, for which it were iust and requisit shee should make some satisfaction: And said, shee feared that the Designation of a Successour, would disioyne their friend­ship, rather than re-vnite it, by reason that those which rule, haue alwayes those in suspition which ought to suc­ceed them: That the inconstant people, vexing them­selues at the present state of things, turne away the eyes from the Sunne-setting, and looke toward the Sunne-ri­sing; [Page 77] and that those which are once designed Successors, cannot containe themselues within the limits of equitie, nor can keepe vnder the ill desires of their owne, and of others: insomuch that if she did confirme and assure the succession, she should depriue her selfe of all security, she should in her life-time set her winding-sheete before her eyes, yea, she should likewise make her own funerall, liuing, and seeing it.’

Hauing made this answere, Qu. Eliza­beth presseth the confirma­tion of the Treatie. she sweetly admonisheth her againe by Letters, which were deliuered her by Peter Meu­tis, to confirme the Treatie; which she refused not directly; but gaue him to vnderstand, that she could not commodi­ously doe it, vntill the Affaires of Scotland were well esta­blished. In the meane time, Queen ELIZABETH, with all maner of courtesie, entertaines Monsieur le Duc D' Aumale, the Grand Prior, and Monsieur le Duc D'elbeuf, Receiues the Guizes cour­teously. her Vn­kles, and other French Noble-men, which had conducted her into Scotland.

And yet notwithstanding, The Guizes vse the En­glish ill. Monsieur de Guize behaued himselfe in that sort, that the English Ships are taken vpon the Coasts of Brittanie, and the Marchants vnworthily handled, and labours againe closely at Rome, to procure Queene ELIZABETH to bee excommunicated. How­beit the Pope, Pius the fourth, aduised, that it behoued to deale more gently with her Maiesty; and as he had already sought by courteous Letters, as I haue said vpon the last yeere, hauing then also, to appease the discords which were for matter of Religion, assigned a day to the Councell of Trent, long sinnce begunne, and broken off by continu­all Warres, and drawing gently thither, all the Princes which had forsaken the Romish religion, hee deputed into England the Abbot of Martinegues, with Letters full of as­surance of loue.

But because that by an ancient Law, it is most expresse­ly [Page 78] forbidden the Popes Nuncio's to goe thither, before he had obtained leaue from thence, and taken Oath, not to worke any thing by subtilty there, tending to the preiudice of the King and Kingdome; The Abbot being vpon the way, stayed in Flanders, and demanded leaue to come hi­ther: But Englands Councell of State iudg'd, that it was not safe to admit him hither, in regard that so many people from all parts, nourished in the Romish religion, labou­red carefully, both within and without the Realme, to trouble the affaires thereof.

The Abbot not being permitted to come into England, the Bishop of Wittenberg, the Popes Nuncio, with the King of France, labours that Queene ELIZABETH should send Ambassadours to the Councell, and many Princes of Christendome, (viz.) the Kings of France, of Spaine, and of Portingall, Henry Cardinall of Portingall, and aboue all, the Duke of Albe, who yet bore good will to her Maiestie, counselled her, that in matters of Religion, which is the onely Anker of Christians, and stay of Kingdomes, she would rather asscent to the Oecumenique Councell of Trent, than to the particular opinions of a few men, al­though they be learned.

She answers them, ‘ That the right to as­semble a Councell belongs not to the Pope.That shee desired with all her heart, an Oecumenique Councell, but that shee would not send to that of the Popes, with whom she had nothing to doe, his authori­ty being vtterly beaten downe and reiected in England, with the consent of the States of the Kingdome. That it is not for him, but for the Emperour, to assigne a Councell, and that he hath no greater authority then a­ny other Bishop.’

At the same time (that this Abbot was denyed accesse into England, beeing the last Nuncio that the Popes of [Page 79] Rome haue sent hither) Sir Edward Carne, aforementioned, being a most iudicious and wise man, very well vnderstood in the right of Emperours, & by the Emperour Charles the fifth, honoured with the dignitie of Knight-hood, Carne dyes. he dyed at Rome, and was the last Ambassadour sent from the Kings of England to the Pope.

Chamberlaine, Ambassadour for England in Spaine, per­ceiuing that this answere did more and more alienate the affection of Spaine, who iudged it to bee iniurious to the Pope, and fearing no more, that England, Scotland, and Ire­land should fall into the hands of the Kings of France, since that King Francis was dead, began to make no more ac­count of the English, tooke leaue of him, and returned into England. Thomas Chaloner is sent in his place, who, as he was impatient of iniuries, and had beene many times Am­bassadour in Germany, where he had receiued all manner of courtesies, as soone as he was arriued in Spaine, instantly be­sought by Letters to be reuoked, complaining, that accor­ding to the custome of the Countrey, they had searched his Trunkes. But Queene ELIZABETH admonished him, How far an Ambassadour ought to beare an offence. that an Ambassadour must support all that which is of equity, prouided that the honour of his Prince were not wronged.

Queen ELIZABETH being then capable of good coun­sell, and very prudent and prouident, and Religion some­what wel established, to strengthen her selfe with remedies against forces, prouides for the safety of her selfe and of her Subiects; and to enioy Peace more sweetly, although she found the Coffers empty at her comming, began to esta­blish a Magazin of all sorts of Instruments of War, Qu. Eliza­beth pre­pares things necessary for Warre. and to that end, employed great summes of money in Germany, (The Spaniard retained those Furnitures which shee had a­greed for at a price, at Antwerpe) causeth many Cannons of Brasse and Iron to be cast, discouers in the Country of Cumberland, neere Keswicke, by a speciall fauour from God [...] [Page 82] on what occasion, how farre, and at what time shee should vse her liberality, and indeed, was prouidently bountifull to those that deserued it. For, notwithstanding that King HENRY her Father, howsoeuer charged with three Chil­dren, and EDVVARD and MARIE, who had none, had beene bountifull of the Crowne Land, shee neuerthelesse, hauing none neither, Qu. Eliza­beths hus­bandrie. gaue very little of it, and yet what she gaue, was vpon condition, that for default of issue it should returne to the Crowne; for which, both the Realme and their successors ought to remember her, and thanke her, as a carefull fore-seer.

Whilest this good correspondencie was betweene the Queene and her people (the Common-wealth seeming to take life and strength, to the common ioy of all) fell out a sad accident. S. Pauls Steeple burnt. A most rare Piramide of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul, in London, which was frō the ground to the top of the square Tower, 525. foote, & from thence 260. and was couered with wood, & ouer-laid with Lead) was strucken at the top with fire from heauē, which was so deuouring, and burnt downeward with such violence, (to the great terrour of all the Inhabitants) that in the space of fiue houres, it reduced it to ashes, with the whole couering of the Church, which was most ample and spacious, but the vaults, which were of solid stone, remained entire. Not­withstanding, all this couering was new made by the Queenes liberality, and to the effecting of the same, gaue great quantity of money and materials, beside the collecti­on of Ecclesiasticicall persons, and others: So all was re­paired, saue the Piramide.

The death of Earle Ba­thon.This yeere dyed Iohn Bourchier, a man of ancient No­bility, Earle of Bath, second of that name, and Baron of Fitzwarin, who, by Elenor, daughter of George, Baron of Rosse, had a great Progenie, and left his Sonne William (yet liuing) his Successor.

THE FIFTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Booke 1. 1562. Anno Domini, 1562.

THe troubles of France begunne then to waxe hot, in the minority of Charles the Ninth, the Princes which enuied one another, pretending on both sides, the specious name, the defence of Re­ligion, and those of the reformed Re­ligion beeing grieuously oppressed. And herevpon, the Papists of England, by I knowe not what hope which they had conceiued thereby, to oppresse the Protestants; many discourses of importance were whis­pered very secretly in priuate assemblies, and all full of suspicion. Margaret, Countesse of Lenox, who had a se­cret intelligence with the Queen of Scotland, and the Earle of Lenox, her husband, were for a time put and detayned [Page 84] vnder the custodie of the Master of the Rolles. Arthur Pole and his Brother, Nephews sonnes to George, Duke of Clarence, Pole had vn­der exami­nation. King Edwards Brother, Anthony Fortescue, who had married their Sister, and others, were brought into ex­amination, for hauing conspired to withdraw themselues into France to the Guizes, and from thence to returne with an Armie into Wales, and declare the Queene of Scotland Queene of England, and Arthur Pole Duke of Clarence, as they at their Tryall ingenuously confessed, neuerthelesse protesting that they intended not to doe it while Queene ELIZABETH liued, and that they had been seduced by diuiners, to beleeue that shee should dye that yeere: for which they were condemned to dye; notwithstanding, for the respect which was had vnto their bloud, they were suffered to liue. But (as many haue thought) they vsed Ka­therine Gray very seuerely, though she was much neerer of kinne to the Queene, Katherine Gray impri­soned. being Daughter to the Duke of Suf­folke: For, hauing beene married to Henry, eldest Sonne to the Earle of Pembrooke, by him lawfully repudia­ted, and left long time in great contempt, finding her selfe with child, & neere her lying down, was put in the Tower of London, although shee protested that she was married to Edward Seimor, Earle of Hertford, and great by him. Hee himselfe being returned from France, whither he went for his pleasure, by the Queenes permission, hauing made the like acknowledgement, was also imprisoned in the same Towre; the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and others, were appointed to examine and decide the Cause, without ap­peale: and when hee could not produce witnesse of his marriage within the time prescribed him, the Arch-bishop, by a definitiue Sentence, pronounced, That the Carnall company which he had had with her, was illegitimate and vnlawfull, and that for this offence, they ought both to be punished. This Sentence was impugned as wicked and vn­iust, by Iohn Hales, a man very opinatiue, but otherwise [Page 85] very learned, who maintained, that their sole consent did legitimate their coniunction; for which reason, he himselfe was committed. She was deliuered in prison of her first-borne, and afterwards, her Keepers being corrupted by the Earle of Hertfords deuice, Edward Warner, Lieutenant of the Towre, was punished, as conscious of the fact, He is fined. and displaced. Hertford is accused in the Starre-Cham­ber of three crimes, that he had deflowred a Virgine of the Bloud-Royall, broken the Prison, and had accompanied with her since. Whereupon, after hauing protested that hee was lawfully married to her, he confessed, that hauing found the doores of the Prison open, hee had visited her in the affliction which was caused by the sentence pronoun­ced against them, and had payed her the duty of wedlocke. For which cause, He is fined. hee was fined fiue thousand pound for e­uery offence, and kept Prisoner nine yeeres. Yet neuerthe­lesse, by perswasion of Lawyers, hee insisted against the Arch-bishops sentence, by interiecting an appeale, and continued to visit her priuily. But in this time, hee volun­tarily, and publiquely left it off: and she, after some yeeres, (to the end I may in the time of their separation speake ioyntly of them) fell into a grieuous sicknesse; after hauing in the presence of Hopton Lieutenant of the Towre, de­manded pardon of the Queene, in regard shee had married without her aduice, and with Prayers re-commended her Children to her trust, and Hertford his libertie; She dyed in Christ piously and peaceably.

Warre renewing then in France betweene the Princes of the Bloud, and the Guizes, vnder a feigned pretence of Religion, as I haue said, one sought for to strengthen both parties; Queene ELIZABETH began to feare lest neigh­bour-warres should intangle England therein: The Guizes practice a­gainst Eliza­beth. For she had learned, that the Guizes, to draw Anthonie of Burbone to their partie, had boasted to put him in possession of Na­uarre, to marry him to the Queene of Scotland, and to [Page 86] giue him in dowry the Kingdome of England, at the ex­pence of the Spaniard, and by the authority of the Pope, who would breake the marriage, because his Wife was an Heretique, and by the same meanes, depose Qu. ELIZA­BETH of her Kingdome, H. Sidney is sent into France. as being so. Vpon that, she sent H. Sidney, a man of great renowne, that he might informe himself more surely of these things, & to exhort vnto peace, the Conductors of these seuerall parties. But, the busi­nesse was come to such a passe, that the eares of both par­ties were shut against peace. Sidney being returned from France, After into Scotland. is forthwith sent to the Queene of Scotland, that the Colloque which shee desired to be holden in England with Queene ELIZABETH, might be prorogued vntill the yeere following, or vntill the Warres in France were abated.

They delibe­rate the in­ter-view of the Queene of Scotland.Now it is consulted on, whether it were expedient or not, that these two Princesses should speake together: in that the Queene of Scotland desired it the first, it was not without suspition she did it to serue her owne ends, and sought out stratagems in their season, or to affirme the right which shee pretended to haue in England, or to giue hope and increase of courage to the Papists of England, and to the Guizes in France. Some thought the contra­ry, that this would be a meanes to vnite them with a firme friendship, to decay by little and little the alliance with France, and to draw the Queene of Scotland to the Prote­stants Religion. Others obserued, that such communica­tions might rather sow seedes of emulation than of loue, and that the shew of riches and power of the one, would euer excite the enuy of the other, and that the presence not answering to the opinion and reputation of the body, of the grace in speaking, and of the gifts of the spirit, would leaue both to the one and the other, some thing of reprehension. Which puts her in doubt. The Queene of Scotland did likewise iudge, that it were not safe for her to expose her selfe into the [Page 87] power of Queene ELIZABETH, with whom shee had contended for the right of the Kingdome, and as shee had learned, that shee had openly declared her selfe for the Pro­testants of France: shee was likewise in doubt on what side to ranke her selfe, considering how shee her selfe had written, that of the Father side she had drawne her extra­ction from England, and of her Mother side from France: that shee had beene crowned Queene of France, and was Dowager of it: that shee was the most certaine Heire of England, and looked for the succession: that if shee were obliged to her Vnkles of France, who brought her vp, she would be no lesse to the loue of her Sister Queene ELI­ZABETH.

Notwithstanding, as shee was subtill of spirit, shee was afraid, if shee should tye her selfe with a stricter friendship to Queene ELIZABETH, to incurre the disgrace of the King of France, and to be abandoned of the Guizes her Vnkles, and lose the money which shee drew from France for her dowry, while shee should preferre this friendship which was vncertaine; and, as shee said her selfe, there is none but transgresseth, and of the friendship of the French she was assured. And that that was the cause, why the in­teruiew which had beene in deliberation many moneths, came to nothing, chiefly after she had declared by Letters, that shee altogether refused it, vnlesse, that, for to ground a certaine peace, Ʋnlesse it were vpon certaine con­ditions. and the vnion of the two Kingdomes so much desired, she were by authority of the Parliament de­signed Heire of the Kingdome of England, or adopted Queene ELIZABETHS Daughter: and that if these things were granted her, she promised to be wholly at the deuotion of Queene ELIZABETH, though she quitted all consideration and respect to the Guizes her Vnkles. Fur­thermore, she assured, that she did not presse these things, but vpon aduice which she had giuen her of the secret pra­ctices of some, vnder pretence of religion, intended to sub­orne [Page 88] some other Successour than her selfe, howbeit she to­lerates the Protestants Religion in Scotland.

The Cardi­nall of Lor­raine pro­poundeth a marriage to the Queen of Scotland. Queene Elizabeth ende­uoureth to diuert her from it.But, as the Cardinall of Lorraine treated at the same time with the Emperour Ferdinand, to marry her with Charles his Sonne, Arch-Duke, who then sought to haue Queene ELIZABETH, ELIZABETH declareth vn­to her, by Thomas Randolph, that if shee lent any eare to this marriage to the Cardinall, capitall enemy to the Eng­glish, she might dissolue the amity betweene England and Scotland, and peraduenture therewith to include the losse of the Kingdome of England: admonisheth her amiably, not to fall off, but to chuse her a Husband in England; first, to please her selfe, and afterwards for the contentment of her owne Subiects, and of the English, and to intertaine the friendship which was betweene them, and to prepare her selfe a way to a certaine assurance of the succession of England, of which, declaration could not be made, if it did not first appeare with whom she meant to marry.

All these cares held Queene ELIZABETH in great suspence, neuerthelesse she was altogether attentiue to the warres of France, to hinder that the flames of it in Nor­mandie should not be blowne into England, and, after ma­ture deliberation, receiued into her protection the King of France his Subiects, which were in Normandie, and implo­red her succour, by a Couenant which shee passed with the Princes of Condé, Rohan, Coligni, and others, to this effect, That shee would send them a hundred thousand crownes, and passe ouer sixe thousand Souldiers, of which, three thousand should be employed for the defence of Deepe and Roüan: That they would put into her hands for assurance, Ville-Franche, which is situated at the mouth of Sene, and was built by King Francis the First, (the French calling it Haure de grace, and the English, New-Hauen) to be kept by a Garrison of three thousand Eng­glish Souldiers, vnder the name of the King of France, vn­till [Page 89] Calais be rendred. The same day that this agreement past, to giue a reason of her designe, shee published a mani­festation to this effect.

And as Paul de Foix, Ambassadour of France in Eng­land, summoned her by vertue of the Treaty of Cambray, to deliuer into the Kings hands, the Vidame of Chartres, of Hai, and others, who had signed the accord, as Traitors to their Countrey: Shee excuses the French fugitiues. shee excused her selfe of that by her Let­ter to the King, discharging them of the crime, and charged the turbulent spirits of the Guizes for it, who had wrapped in the tempest of warre the Kings Father and Brother, and the King himselfe.

In the moneth of September, one part of the English Ar­my landed at New-Hauen, vnder the conduct of Adrian Poining, who was appointed Marshall, where they were with ioy receiued by the inhabitants: the other part lan­ded at Deepe. The Earle of Warwicke, Generall of the [Page 90] Army, arriued there later, hauing been by contrary windes twice driuen backe into England. Afterwards, they made diuers incursions into the Countrey neere thereabout, but to hinder the same, the Ringraue came and camped neerer. The English, and the French had notwithstanding often light skirmishes, and those which were men of warre, vpon the Sea, brought in rich spoyles, taking and bringing in e­uery day French ships, from the neighbouring harbors.

The death of the Earle of Oxford.This yeere, Iohn Vere, the Earle of Oxford, died, the six­teenth of that illustrious House, who, by his first Wife, Daughter to Ralph Neuill Earle of Westmerland, had Ka­therine, who was wife to Edward, Baron of Windsor: by his second Wife Margaret Goulding, Edw. Earle of Ox­ford, who ouer-threw and wasted his Patrimony, and Ma­ry, who was married to Peregrine Bartie, Baron of Wil­loughbie.

At the same time, Shan O-Neale came out of Ireland, to performe that which he had promised the yeere before, ha­uing for his Guard, a troupe of Galloglassorum, who had their heads naked, and curled haire hanging on their shoul­ders, yellow shirts, as if they had beene died with Saffron, or steeped in Vrine, wide sleeues, short Cassockes, and rough hairy Clokes. The English admired them no lesse, than they should doe at this day to see those of China, or America. Hauing beene receiued with all courtesie, hee cast himselfe at the Queenes feete, and with teares acknow­ledged his crime, asked pardon, and obtained it. After, being graciously questioned, Wherefore he had excluded Matthew his Brother from the succession of his great Grand-father, answered fiercely, as hee was vsed to doe in Ireland, that it was his right, and being the certaine and lawfull sonne and Heire of Cone, Defends his cause. borne of a legitimate wo­man, he had taken his succession. That Matthew was the issue of a Lock-Smith of Dundalke, married with a woman named Alison, after this marriage: and notwithstanding, [Page 91] had beene deceitfully supposed by his Mother Cone, to be her sonne, to the end falsly to take away the dignity of O-Neale. And although he should suffer it, some of the House of O-Neales would not. The grant which his father had made to King HENRY the Eighth, and the restitution that HENRY the Eighth had made vnto him, were no­thing considerable, seeing that Cone had nothing in the things granted, but during her life, & could not haue made this grant, without the consent of the Peeres, and of the people, who had elected him to the honor of O-Neale. That such Letters also could not be of any valew, vnlesse witnes­sed by the othes of twelue men, that hee was the certaine Heire of the House, which had not been done in this mat­ter. That by diuine and humane right, he was vndoubted Heire: moreouer, the eldest Sonne of his Father, begot in lawfull marriage, & designed O-Neale with a generall con­sent of the Peeres & people, by vertue of the Law of Tem­ster, which was his Countrey; by which, a man of ripe yeeres ought to be preferred before a Child, and an Vnkle before a Nephew whose great Grand-father out-liued the Father. To conclude, hee had not vsurped any authority ouer the Lords of Vlster, though in times past his Ance­stors, by a particular right, had vsed it. But of this I haue spoken else-where. Which when the Queene found true, he was sent home with honour, where he behaued himselfe both faithfully and industriously against the Irish Rebels.

Booke 1. 1563.THE SIXTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Anno Domini, 1563.

IN the moneth of Ianuary, the States of the Kingdome assembled at Westminster, and established Lawes for the reliefe of the poore, for the increase of traffique by Sea, and for husbandry, to represse South-say­ers, Negromancers, Sodomites, Coyners, and Periury, and translated the Holy Bible and Liturgy in­to the Welsh Tongue: And, to maintaine the Maiesty of the Queene and Realme, tooke order, that the like inconue­niences might not happen to them, which shamefully fell out by the Popes vsurped authority; and, to curbe the vio­lence of those which vpheld it, declared them criminals lae­sae Maiestatis, whosoeuer, after three admonitions, should maintaine in print, in words, or in deedes, that any Prince, [Page 93] Prelate, or stranger, should haue any authority in Spirituall things, in England, or any other Countries of the Queenes Dominions; or whosoeuer should refuse twice to take the Oath which should be offered to him, for acknowledging of the Queenes soueraigne authority in Spiritual things, and ouer Ecclesiasticall persons; yet with this charge, without spilling of blood, neither that it should bee required of any Baron of this Kingdome, or of those of more eminent dig­nity, the Queene not doubting their fidelity, nor any o­thers: ‘Saue those which were, which had been, or hereafter should be of some Ecclesiasticall Order; or those, who after ha­uing bin aduertised of the forme of seruice of the Eng­lish Church, will not obserue it; or shall publikely in words or actions depraue it; which shall celebrate or heare Masse, with like things, which is seene in the Ordi­nance established for it.’

Now, to witnes the ioy which they had to see the pro­sperity of the times, the Clergie granted the Queene a Sub­sidie, and the Lay people another, together with two Tenths, and two fifteenths, in acknowledgment of her re­formation of Religion, establishment of Peace, deliuering England and Scotland from stranger Enemies, to put downe base money, repaire the Fleet, make preparation for Warre and Nauigation beyond expectation, and of the laudable designe which she had for France, to assure England and the yong King of France, and to recouer Calais. Fifteenths. Tenths. Now this Tenth and Fifteenth (that I may make it remarkable in the behalfe of strangers) is a Taxe, which long agoe hath bin imposed vpon euery City, Borrough, and village, not by the pole, but by generalities, according to the fifteenth part of the reuenew of the places. Subsidies. A Subsidie is that which is imposed vpon euery particular, for goods and lands [Page 94] which he possesseth. But neither of these two Taxes are euer imposed, but by the Parliament.

The Prence of Condé ta­ken in the Battell of Dreux.In the meane time, the Prince of Conde, who made haste to get into Normandy, to the English succour, is taken in the famous Battell of Dreux and with him Nicholas Throg­morton, who suffered himselfe voluntarily to bee taken by the Protestants, to communicate some secret designes vnto them. And beeing presently after set at liberty, he presen­ted the money which was promised to Coligni, who was marched forward with the Troupes of auxiliary English to the Castle of Cane which he then besieged, and easily com­pelled Cane, Bayeux, Falexe, and the Temple of Saint Lo, to render.

While things were thus carried in France, Queen ELI­ZABETH made knowne to the King of Spaine, by Chalo­ner her Ambassadour, that, to preuent the Guizes in time, who insultingly, and with deadly intent rais'd vp against her, pernitious things and dangerous Treaties, that shee had sent an Armie into France, and kept still in her hands Haure de grace, which was deliuered vp to her, till shee re­ceiued full satisfaction for Calais. The Kings answer. He answered her, That if she demanded onely the restitution of Calais, it was all shee desired from the beginning, but if she vndertooke this warre for Religions sake, he could not likewise abandon that of his Grandfathers and Predecessors. As for the Guizes, who are they, said he, for a most puissant Queene of England to feare, they beeing of no alliance to the King of France, as hereto fore they haue beene? Whereunto she made no other reply, but conformable to that English Pro­uerbe; which sayes, Euery one must looke to their own, when their neighbours House is on fire. And the King of Spaine vnderstood well inough, how shee politikely treated with the Protestant Princes of Germany, by the sollicitation of then Henry, but now, Lord Knowles, and Christopher Hill, for the Prince of Condé's reliefe, and to defend the com­mon [Page 95] cause of Religion, whereat being more highly offen­ded, he likewise secretly sought meanes against her, vnder the colour and pretext of Religion.

Withall, those French Hostages, Hostages gi­uen for the restitution of Calais, at­tempt to fly away. who were sent into England, for the security of the payment of [...]ne hundred thousand Crownes, promised, in case Calais were not resto­red, perceiuing all things enclining to a warre, laboured all they could to flye away: but beeing ready to take Barke, they were taken and brought backe againe, together with that famous Pylot, Iohn Ribant, who came secretly into England, to conuay them ouer. In the meane while, Peace made in France. peace was accorded in France, between the King, and the Prince of Condé, allured thereunto, out of hope that hee should haue the generall managing of all affaires, and marry the Queene of Scots; the Protestants, and the Queenes Maie­stie of England being no waies therein comprehended; all men, with one generall voice, protested, that if the English withdrew not themselues forthwith out of Haure de grace, the promise of surrendting Calais, intimated by the Trea­ty of Cambray, should be frustrate, and take no effect: and by publique sound of Trumpet, the French were permitted in this case, to assaile the English, to take, and pillage them, while they yeelded it vp. War proclai­med between the French and the En­glish. The Queenes Maiesty of Eng­land also, for her part, permitted the English to repute of the French-men as enemies, those onely excepted, that did inhabite in London, while they detayned Calais: and the English put to sea, with such a powerfull Nauie, as was in­credible, clozing it vp from all French nauigation, as also from the Spaniards, making so many, and such insolent sur­prizals of them both, as her Maiestie was vrg'd to excuse the same to the King of Spaine, and to divulge prohibitions, by publike Proclamation, to the English.

The Earle of Warwicke, Gouernour of Haure de grace, obseruing, how the fidelity and loyaltie of the French In­habitants began to wauer, and that vpon so weake a rumor [Page 96] of Peace, they held secret Councels amongst themselues, and that the Ryngraue was in the adiacent parts, with his forces, to surprize the Towne, and expell the English: he in like manner draue out all the French indifferently, both Pa­pists and Protestants, out of the Towne, and seazed on their shipping, which they tooke in grieuous ill part; com­plaining, that the English were not so carefull to protect the afflicted French-men, as to make themselues absolute Ma­sters of the place; and how they felt their oppression more heauy, then that of the Enemie himselfe. And cer­tainely, to speake but truth, nothing euer so alienated the hearts of the Normanes, those of Guyenne, the Poytouines, and all other Prouinces liuing vnder the subiection of the Kings of England, as because the English euer reputed, and entreated them like meere strangers.

The French-men had now studiously prepared all things to assaile the Towne: The Qu. Maiestie offers to surrender Haure de grace, for Calais. The King, and the Prince of Condé at the same time laboured hard, and very earnestly in Eng­land, by Brickmore and D. for the surrender of the Towne, and her Maiestie consented thereunto, vpon these condi­tions: ‘ First, That the King of Spaine should ioyne in Caution, for the restitution of Calais, within the time prefixed: Then, the Treatie of Cambray was to be confirmed by the Kings Oath, the Queene Mothers, and that of the Princes of the Bloud, & ratified by all the Parliaments of France, and Gentlemen of greatest note and quality, giuen for Pledges.’

The English Soldiers mo­lested with the Pestilēce.In the meane while, the Plague raigned very hot in Haure de grace, amongst the Soldiers of the Garrison; and two-hundred, sent for their reliefe and succour, were lost by ship-wracke, with Sir Thomas Finch, their Conductor, and two Brothers of the Lord Wentworth ▪ Wherefore, there being no great likely hood of maintayning and hol­ding [Page 97] the Towne, Sir Thomas Smith, ordinary Leager in France, receiued expresse Commandement, to propound the restoring of it, for Calais, and so in like maner, that the King of Spaine should arbitrate this affaire, who had marri­ed the King of France his Sister. But the French would in no wise giue any eare vnto it, alleadging, that the King of France acknowledged none for his Superiour, neither would hee commit his affaires to the arbitrement of any Prince. They detayned Master Nicholas Throgmorton, sent to moue these Conditions, suspecting he was returned into France, for the disturbance of proceedings (as hee could play his part well) grounding their Action vpon this, that he had no publique Commission, though he had about him Letters of Credit, besides others he had from the French Ambassadour Leager in England: and they would in no wise heare him, verily beleeuing, that Haure de grace would presently be recouered by maine force, by reason the Pe­stilence caused there such a fearefull mortality. Monsieur Memorancie was already come thither, with all the most remarkeable Nobility in his company. Not long after, arriued the Prince of Condé, with the whole Flowre of the Protestant Cheualrie: and the English wondring at this sudden alteration, answer was made them, that Peace was now generally established, and the forces of both par­ties ioyn'd in one, and now no motiues were made of fighting for Religion, but for defence of their Countrie.

A Trumpet was sent from Monsieur Memorancy, to the Earle of Warwicke, to summon him to surrender, and another returned from the said Earle, to the Constable Me­morancie, with a Gentleman, one Master Paulet, to certifie him, how the English were resolued to suffer all extremities, Haure de grace belea­gred and as­sailed by the French. rather than to yeeld vp the Place, without the Queenes ex­presse Commandement. Wherfore the Frenchmen ha­uing rais'd Mounts to make their Batterie, ruin'd and bat­tered the Towne for the space of many daies, broke vp all [Page 98] the Conduit-heads, and diuerted the water out of its pro­per Chanell, which was seated aboue the Sea: they applied all their endeuours to take the Towne by force: the Eng­lish, on the other side, with most loyall and couragious fi­delity, opposed theirs, daylie losing more men by the Plague, than by the Armes of their Enemies.

When Queen ELIZABETH heard of the lamentable and vnhappy estate of her people, no longer to expose such valiant spirits to slaughter, and pestilentiall Infection; after an approofe of her Captaines and Soldiers valours, in a publike Proclamation, she sent to the Earle of Warwicke, commanding him to compound with the French, vpon reasonable and equall Conditions. There were also incon­tinently delegated from the Earle of Warwicke, to Monsieur Memorancy, Master Paulet, & Master Pelham, with whom in a short time they came to an Accord, vpon these Capi­tulations ensuing: ‘ Articles for the restituti­on of Haure de grace.That the Towne, with all the war-like munition, should be surrendred to the King of France, and his Subiects. That presently Monsieur Memorancie should take pos­session of the greatest Towre within the Towne. That the prisoners both of the one and other side, should in­stantly be redeliuered. And that the English might de part with all freedome and liberty, carrying whatsoeuer belonged to their Queene or themselues, within the com­passe of sixe dayes, if the Winds would permit.’

For performance whereof, they deliuered for Hostages, Mr. Oliuer Mannors, Brother to the Earle of Rutland, Mr. Leighton, Mr. Pelham, and Mr. Horsie. The last remaining, was, Mr. Edm. Randolph, Marshall of the Campe, who, with a pitty and commiseration, neuer ouer-highly to be extol­led, ceased not to carry vpon his owne shoulders, poore, miserable, and weake Soldiers into the Ships.

[Page 99]And thus, Haure de grace, being more violently assailed by the Plague, then any enemie, was left to the French, ha­uing beene formerly in the Englishmens hands, about ele­uen Moneths; during which time, besides priuate Soldi­ers, there dyed of the Pestilence, these famous Captaines, Somerset, Zouch, Alb. Darcy, Drurey, Entwessel, Ormesby, Vaughan, Crookes, Cocson, Proud, Saul, and Kemish: and with the Sword, two Brothers of the Tremayns, Sanders, Bromfield, Master of the Ordnance, Robinson, Baylife of the Towne; Strangewaies, very expert in Sea-seruice; & Good-all, maruelous vnderstanding in casting of Mines.

For the so happy recouery of this little Towne, France re­ioyceth for recouery of Haure de grace. the King of France gaue publike thanksgiuing vnto God; the Pa­pists all ouer France, made Bonefires of ioy, exulting and boasting, in that the English-men were driuen out by the ayde and helpe of the Protestants, who first called them in, and that by this meanes, some seeds of discord were sowne betweene them and the Protestants of France; and the Chancellour of the Hospitall, in an ample Discourse, expressing to them the present felicity they thereby enioy­ed, and the generall contentment they ought to receiue, and testifie the same withall, for the amplification of this subiect; and, out of a false surmize, he reported to them, that the day before the Townes surrender, there was seene within the view thereof, an English Fleet, which came for ayde and succour: and he openly auerred, that by reason of this warre, the English were wholly frustrate of their right and demand, touching the restoring of Calais. The English Soldiers bring the Plague into London, and other parts of England. The infected Soldiers were transported into England, who so spred the face of this sicknesse, through a contagious and infectiue poyson, as all the Kingdome was therewith grie­uously afflicted, & onely in the Citie of London, consisting of an hundred twenty and one Parishes, within the com­passe of one yeere, an hundred and thirty thousand men, rather more then lesse, dyed.

[Page 100] Monsieur de Guize, Vncle to the Queene of Scots, dying while this Ciuill Warre lasted, the Queenes Maiesty of Scotland not beeing paid her Dowrie, Marquis Hamilton depriued of the Duchy of Chastelraut, and the Scottish Guard being excluded from the King of France, the Queen of Scots tooke it very much to heart. But the Cardinall of Lorraine, Marriage againe pro­pounded to the Queene of Scots. her other Vncle, fearing that this would bee a subiect which might cause her to reiect the French, and be­come friend to the English, sends her word againe by Croc, to marry with Charles of Austria, and to offer for her Dowrie, the County of Tyrol. Shee aduertiseth Queene ELIZABETH thereof, who counselled her, by Randoll (who I haue spoken on before) to make choice of a Husband, as heretofore I haue said: and withall (more plainely then yet shee had done) recommended Robert Dudley (whose wife (beeing heire to Robsert) had lately broke her necke) and promised her, The Queene of England recommends Dudley for her husband. in case that she would marry him, to declare her, Her Sister, or Daughter, and Englands Heretrix, by Act of Parliament. Foix, the French Ambassadour, made the Queene Mother, and her Vncles acquainted with this, who presently disdained the Party so much, as altogether vnworthy of that Race and Royall Maiestie, that they promised not onely to pay her Dowrie, but also, that the Scots should haue their ancient immunities, yea, and more, if shee would stand firme in amity with France, and reiect the marri­age which was offered her: telling her, that Queen ELI­ZABETH did not propound this marriage to her serious­ly, but with dissimulation, as hauing destin'd Dudley for her owne Husband: and that shee should not ground her hope vpon the authority of the Parliament, because that in England, The French diuert her. one Parliament abolisheth what another hath established. Furthermore, that the designes of the Councell of England were no other, but to hinder her from marrying at all.

[Page 101]She neuerthelesse referres it to the Colloque, being mo­lested with troubles in her Kingdome, to see that the Arch-bishop of Saint Andrewes had beene imprisoned by the command of the Earle of Murray, for not desist­ing to celebrate the Masse, who would scarce grant him pardon, though he asked it with flowing teares: and that the feruent Ministers, supporting themselues by Mur­rayes authoritie, did violence to the Priest who had ce­lebrated Masse in her Court (being allowed by the Law,) and were not punished. They insult ouer their Queene. And it was not possible for her to suppresse those which troubled the affaires, though all her care was wholy for the Common-wealth, granting a perpetuall forgetfulnesse of all that was past, increasing the stipend of Iudges, establishing wholesome Lawes, in­flicting capitall punishment vpon Adulterers, and often her selfe hearing causes pleaded in the Seat of Iustice, so that by an equall Law, shee gouerned both the great and the small.

In this vnlucky yeere dyed William Gray, The Baron of Gray dyes, Baron of Wil­ton, Gouernour of Berwicke, who had in warre purchased great glory, & much diminished his patrimony for the ran­some that he payed when he was taken prisoner in France. The Protestants lamented much for him, and Francis Earle of Bedford was substituted in his place.

Aluarus of Quadra, Bishop of Aquila, And the Bishop of Aquila, Ambassadour of Spaine in England, likewise dyes, who was no lesse la­mented by the Papists, whom he had fed with hope, that the Romish Religion should haue beene re-established. The Poles, of whom I haue spoken, were his intimates, whereby he made himselfe suspected to haue nothing else in his minde, but to trouble and disorder the affaires of England, and to breake the amitie which was betweene the Queene and the King of Spaine: whereupon, the Queene intreated the King to reuoke him. But hee excused it by his piety, and writ backe, that it would be a great incom­moditie [Page 102] to Princes, if at the first discontentment that is ta­ken at their Ambassadours, they should be constrayned to reuoke them. And to say truth, hee was displeased, that without giuing him notice, they had shut him vp in his House, subiect to be questioned and publiquely reprehen­ded, for no other cause, but that one Italian hauing shot a­nother with a Pistoll, he admitted him into his House, and conueyed him priuately away: whereupon, he was more prouoked against the English than euer tofore; The Spani­ard against the English. taking oc­casion thereby to say, that the English Pyrates molested the entries of Spaine, and prepared to goe for the West-Indies; and made it appeare manifestly, sending Richard Shelley, an English Fugitiue for Religion, (who was greatly bent against his Prince) vpon an Embassie of honour to Maximilian the designed King of the Romanes, to con­gratulate with him, and seyzed vpon some English Mer­chants Ships, in the Ports of Beotia, because the English pursuing the French, had intercepted some Spanish Ships.

Lord Paget dyeth. William, Lord Paget, who for his vertue was exalted to three eminent dignities, died. Hee was so learned, that HENRY the Eighth made him his Secretary, sent him in an Embassie to the Emperour Charles the Fifth, and to Francis the First, King of France, and he nominated him to be one of the Gouernours of the Kingdome, during the minority of his Sonne: Then Edward made him Chan­cellor of the Duchie of Lancaster, Controller of the Kings House, honoured him with the dignity of a Baron, grati­fied him with the Order of the Garter, which was reproch­fully taken from him, by Dudley Earle of Northumberland, but restored againe with honour by Queene MARIE, be­cause, by his prudence and sound aduice, he had done good seruice to the Common-wealth: and hee conferred vpon him the keeping of the Priuy Seale, which is one of the foure highest dignities of ciuill honour. For, HENRY the Eighth, by Act of Parliament, constituted the first in [Page 103] the Chancellor, the second in the Treasurer, the third in the Lord President of the Priuy Councell, and the fourth in the Keeper of the Priuy Seale, aboue all Dukes; The supreme dignities of honour in England. and in­feriour onely, to the Children, Brethren, Vnkles, or Ne­phewes to the King. Queene ELIZABETH, percei­uing that his old yeeres exempted him from being conuer­sant in matters of State, as formerly he had beene, remitted him of whatsoeuer belonged to publique administrations, and loued him affectionately, though hee stood zealously affected to the Romane Religion. Hee left behinde him, Henry and Thomas, his Children, who succeeded him one after another, in his dignity of a Baron: Charles, who pur­chased renowne to his name, and some Daughters, who were married into honourable Families.

Henry Mannors, or Manners, Earle of Rutland, died, Death of the Earle of Rutland. who was Sonne to Thomas the first Earle of that Family, Nephew to Iames, Baron of Rosse, who came of the Daugh­ter of Thomas S. Leger, and Anne his wife, who, by reason she was Sister to EDVVARD the Fourth, gaue wonderfull lustre and splendor to that name; Cousin-germaine to Ro­bert, who hauing married the Daughter and Heire to the Baron of Rosse, an honourable and ancient Family, aug­mented his owne with mightie reuenewes, and the title of Baron of Rosse: and he had by the Lady Neuill, Daughter to Ralph Earle of Westmerland, two Sonnes, Edward and Iohn, who were each of them, in their due times, Earles of Rutland: and a Daughter, who was married to William Courtney of Powderham.

Frances, Duches of Suffolke, Duchesse of Suffolke. Daughter to Charles Bran­don Duke of Suffolke, and Mary second Sister to HENRY the Eighth, and Queene Dowager of France, died, who was afflicted with many miseries during her life. She saw her eldest Daughter Ianes head cut off, after shee had beene proclaymed Queene, and presently after, her Husbands: her second Daughter, married to the Earle of Pembroke, to [Page 104] be diuorc'd and imprison'd: and her third Daughter, mean­ly married to Key, who in his time was Master of the Re­uels at Court: And then her selfe, forgetting from what degree she descended, to her great disho­nour, yet notwithstanding for her best se­curity, married with Andrew Stoakes, a meere priuate Gentleman.

THE SEVENTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Booke 1. 1564. Anno Domini, 1564.

FRance then reioyced for the peace shee en­ioyed, which in some manner was main­tayned with the Queene of England, as being established, to shut vp all entry to the English, who began to flye out, in calling to mind the cruell slaughters made by them in former ages, when the Duke of Burgundie cal­led them in, for reuenge of his peculiar rancours and ha­treds. But this peace hauing rather slaked the feruent heat of warre, than fastned any true concord or amity betweene the English and the French; and the Queenes Maiesty per­ceiuing how the Protestants neglected and contemned her, ingratefully returning those pleasures and fauours shee had done them, resolued to trouble her selfe no more in others [Page 106] behalfe, to the preiudice and hinderance of her owne pro­ceedings. Wherefore, she bent all her care and thoughts to her owne occasions, deliberated to make peace, com­mended the ouerture thereof to Sir Thomas Smith, a wise and learned man; and the French, lending a ready eare to the same, gaue him Throgmorton for his Assistant, who was then in France a prisoner at large, to the end they might both together negotiate and procure the same. The French King for his part, assigned a Commission to Mor­uillier, Bishop of Orleance, and to Iohn Bourdin, one of his Secretaries. You may hereunder see the Articles where­upon they came to an accord, in the moneth of Aprill, within the Towne of Troyes in Champaigne.

These Articles concluded vpon, the day following they annexed these Couenants separately, and apart: That a certaine summe of money should be payd to the Queene of Eng­land, at daies constituted and appointed: The Hostages in Eng­land were to be deliuered after the satisfaction of fiue hundred crownes. And so this Treaty being ratified and confir­med, Throgmorton might freely returne into his Country. The King of France made Bone-fires of ioy, according to the custome, and after the Queene of England had ratified [Page 107] the same by oath in the presence of Gunor, and Foix, him­selfe likewise within a very small time confirmed it, in the presence of the Lord of Hunsdon, who, hauing at the same instant admitted his Maiesty to the Order of S. George, The King of France en­stalled in the Order of the Garter. he solemnely invested him with the Garter, the Robe of honour, a Collar of Esses, whereat hung the picture of Saint George, and other ornaments belonging to that Order.

In those dayes, there arriued in England, clad in the ha­bit and grauity of a Priest, to appeare more venerable, Diego or Drilaco, Guzman de la Forresta, a Canon of To­ledo, sent in stead of the Bishop of Aquilar, deceased some moneths before, during which internall, Roderic Gomez de la Forresta, out of an hatred to Religion, had bin the procu­rer of some rude entreaties of the English in Spaine, who notwithstanding was much qualified by the Duke of Alua, The English ill entreated in Spaine, no man being able truely to say, whether hee did it out of any loue he bare to the English, or hatred to Gomez. The like ill entreaty they also found in the Prouinces of the Low-Countries, that liued vnder the Spanish gouernement, And in the Low-countries. at the instigation of the Cardinal of Granuella, who, to sow dissention betweene them and the Flemmings, who held friendly and neighbourly commerce together, in hatred to the said Religion, he so brought it to passe, that the yeere before the Flemmings complayned by Assonuil, that the customes of England were enhaunst, (though this was per­formed during the reigne of Philip and MARY) and that by Act of Parliament, many of their handy-workes were there interdicted. The English on the other side, The mutuall complaints of the Eng­lish and Flemmish. they ex­hibited also Bills of complaint, how for small and trifling occasions, their goods were confiscated in Flanders, by vertue of new Edicts, which also prohibited the bringing in of certaine merchandizes, or to goe into Italie, and Germanie, by way of Flanders, with horse, Salt-Peter, and Powder. That they iniuriously exacted of them greater [Page 108] Imposts than euer were so much as mentioned in former times, and all this against that Treaty of Commerce here­tofore concluded on, which was called the Grand Inter­course.

English Merchants prohibited in the Low-Countries.In the meane while, the Princesse of Parma, Regent of the Low Countries, caused publique prohibitions to be diuulged: first, that no forbidden merchandize should be transported into England, and then presently after, for the importing of any English clothes into Flanders, co­louring it with the pretext of the plague, which not long before had spred it selfe all England ouer. But the naked truth is, all these things were managed, by the cautelous counsels and stratagems of Cardinall Granuelle, to cause the Clothiers, and other workemen depending on them, to rise, when they saw no clothes to be transported: and yet the traffique of Clothes was established in Flanders, The English constitute a Faire or Mart at Embden. to the preiudice of the English, who prouoked hereat, con­stituted a Faire of English cloth and merchandizes at Emb­den in East Frizeland, as if they feared the Spanish Inqui­sition, which now was entred into the Low-Countries, and fore-saw that troubles would presently ensue.

Against all this, the Regent published an Edict, impor­ting an expresse prohibition of all men, vpon paine of con­fiscation, to entertaine any traffique with the English at Embden, or any where else, or to transport into the Low-Countries, any Merchandizes bought of them.

Guzman la­bors to atone this diffe­rence. Guzman blam'd these proceedings, as beeing too strict and rigorous, dammageable both to the one and other part: For this wise man conceiued truely, what wealth dayly came into Flanders, by meanes of the English Taffique, euer since Lewis Malan, Earle of Flanders, about the yeere 1338. by a Grant of great immunities, had drawne the English, to settle a Mart, or Staple of English Wools at Bru­ges: for euer since that time, in a manner all Nations floc­king into Flanders, to buy Clothes, and other English Mer­chandizes, [Page 109] as also to sell their owne there, it is incredible, what Traffiques, Commerces, Nauigations, and Fishings, haue euer since flourisht among the Flemmings. So as this wooll was vnto them a true Golden Fleece: and that No­ble Order of the Golden Fleece, forcheth from hence its o­riginall, and the Dukes of Burgundy, their great wealth and Treasure. And questionlesse, in these very dayes wherein wee liue, (I speake according to the papers of Account) the Commerce that is betweene the English and the Flem­mings, hath amounted to aboue twelue Millions of gold each yeere: And the Clothes transported euery yeere to Antwerpe, (omitting to speake of Lead, Tinne, and other things) is estimated at fiue Millions of gold. Wherefore, vpon these considerations, Guzman employing all meanes possible, to atone this difference, at last hee obtained, that the Commerce lately broken off betweene the two Nati­ons, might be resettled in its former state, and that what­soeuer had beene ordained and decreed, from the first day of the first yeeres raigne of Queene ELIZABETH, both of the one side and on the other, should surcease, till,: by Deputies both for the one and the other partie, more am­ple prouision could be made. But the yeere following, when my Lord Mountaigue, Nicholas Watton, and William Haddon, Master of the Requests, Delegates for the English, Montigny, Assonuil, and Io. Egidius, for the Flemmings, had begunne twice to treate of these matters in the Towne of Bruges, the Flemmings falling into their precedent tumules, interrupted this Treatie, after an Agreement made, that this Commerce and Traffique should be free, while one of the Princes made an opposite denountiation to the other, the Marchants of both parties being aduertised forty dayes be­fore, to prouide and take some order for their liuing com­modities.

These things beeing thus ordain'd out of the King­dome, the Queenes Maiesty betooke her selfe to the plea­sure [Page 110] and recreations of the Countrey; and to this end shee visited the Vniuersity of Cambridge, which is one of the two resplendent Lampes of England, where beeing enter­tained of the Schollers, Queenè Eli­zabeth visits the Vniuersi­ty of Cam­bridge. with all manner of honours, and taken contentment in beholding their Comedies, Trage­dies, and exercises of Armes, she personally visited all the Colledges, and in a Latine Oration, gaue them great thanks for their singular loue and affection, highly commen­ded their profound and diuers E [...]uditions, exhorting them to apply their hearts to the studies of piety and learning, and for their vertuous stimulation, promising alwaies to fauour and cherish them.

Robert Dudley rai­sed to honors.When shee returned, the more to honour Robert Dudley, Sarlatan, a speciall Fauourite of hers, whō, with a secret de­signe, she made choice of for an husband to the Q. of Scots, she created him Baron of Denbigh, giuing him the Castle of Denbigh in property, with all the appurtenances of soyle, and Demeanes; and the day after, Earle of Leicester, to himselfe, and the heires males of his body lawfully begot­ten: hauing likewise before, for his sake, confer'd vpon Ambrose, his elder Brother, the dignities of Baron of Lisle, and Earle of Warwicke, to him, and his lawfull heires males, for euer. The Lord Dudley, exalted by all these su­pereminent honours, and to currey fauour with the Queen of Scots, whom he affected, and studied by all manner of Offices to deserue well of; presently, before Queene ELI­ZABETH, Dudley ac­cuseth Ba­con. he accused Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the great Seale, of discussing the point of Succession, a­gainst the Queene of Scots, and that he was priuy to a Li­bell, wherein that same Hales, of whom before I spake, la­boured to intimate, that if the Queenes Maiesty of England, then liuing, dyed without Issue, the right of the Crowne came to the House of Suffolke. For which cause, he was committed prisoner; and as for Sir Nicholas Bacon, though he absolutely denyed it, my Lord Cecill resoluing to con­ceale [Page 111] what hee thought, vntill the Queene (whose Maiestie hee was assured, would neuer in this case impose on him a­ny demand) should command him to speake his minde: had much adoe to recouer him her fauour, and long time he was a compassing it; Diuers opi­nions about the point of Succession. for nothing could be more distast­full to her, then to heare any debatements about this Title of Succession. But so the wiser and wealthier sort were more carefull and studious of nothing then of this, they ob­seruing how by reason of the contrariety of Religion, the Protestants, transported with an ardent zeale, held opinion, that the Queene of Scots, being of an opposite Religion, (though otherwise her right was neuer so much as called in question) ought neuerthelesse, by the subtill construction of the Lawes, to bee reiected from succession: Some Pa­pists againe, and those who had reference to that which was iust and equall, maintain'd how she was to be receiued as the true, right, and vndoubted Inheritrix. Others there were, who prefer'd before her, MARGARET, her Aunt by the Mothers side, and Wife to Mathew Stuart Earle of Lenox, and her Children, of whom they conceiued good hopes, because they were borne in England. All this lay not hid from the Queene of Scots; who, to preuent it so farre as was possible, by the Countesse of Lenox, her Aunt, sent for Mathew, Earle of Lenox, to come into Scotland, The Queene of Scots cal [...] home the Earle of Le­nox into Scotland. vnder pretext to re-establish and settle him in the Inheri­tance of his Predecessors. But this was to consult further with him, who, by his Wiues meanes, obtained leaue, and Letters from Q. ELIZABETH, after he had bin banisht out of his natiue Countrey, for the space of 20. yeeres.

This Earle of Lenox (to the end that relating the same from the essentiall extraction of his eminent Nobility, The discent of the Earle of Lenox. I may giue the better light & lustre to things) was descended from the very same race of the Stuarts, as the Royall Pro­geny of the Scots came from; and moreouer lately by the Hamiltons, of the bloud-Royall: For Marie, daughter to [Page 112] Iames 2. King of Scotland, had by Iames Hamilton, Iames, who was the first Earle of Arraine, & Mary, who was wife to Matt. Stuart, first Earle of Lenox of that name. Iames, Earle of Arraine, being diuorced from his first Wife, tooke in her place the Lady Ienet Beton, Aunt by the Mothers side, to the Cardinall Beton, by whom hee had Issue, Iames Hamilton Duke of Chastel-Heraut. Marie, Sister to the Earle of Arraine, bore to Mathew, Iohn, Earle of Lenox, who being slaine by the Hamiltons, when hee attemp­ted to set King IAMES the fourth at liberty, left this Mathew, Earle of Lenox, whom King Iames the Fifth loued most dearly in respect of his Father.

When the King was dead, and the Hamiltons in full authority, Mathew went secretly into France; from whence, being sent backe, by the French King Henry the second, into Scotland, to preuent all detriment to the Scot­tish Common-wealth, through the practices of the Re­gent Hamilton, hee valiantly carried himselfe in this em­ployment. But being of an honest milde nature, and very open-hearted, permitting himselfe to bee out­reached by Hamilton, and the Cardinall Beton, in a small time hee lost the amity of the French, and when hee could neither tarry in Scotland, nor returne into France, he went into England, and committed himselfe in trust to King Henry the Eighth, who very graciously entertained him, as one that was powerfull & well beloued in the We­sterne parts of Scotland: Whervpon, he acknowledged him for next Heire to the Crowne of Scotland, after Queene MARY, who was then exceeding yong, (though neuerthe­lesse the Hamiltons condemned him, and confiscated all his Lands) gaue him to Wife the Lady Margaret Douglasse, his Neece by the elder Sisters side, with demeanes in England, which amounted in an annuall reuennew, to the summe of 1700. Marks, after hee had made promise to surrender into his hands, the Castle of Dunbritton, and the Ile of Buthe, [Page 113] with the Castle of Rothsay, which is in England. The which hee vndertooke with courage, but fayled in the successe.

The Queene of Scots, beeing a wise and prudent Lady, Causes of the Repeale of the Earle of Lenox. all whose drifts aymed at England, shee gaue him her safe conduct, and restored vnto him his Fathers goods, both that hee might oppose the designes of Iames, his bastard brother, whom shee had honoured with the Earledome of Murray, as also to cut off the hopes of others, by the meanes of Darley her Sonne, which they might any wayes foster and nourish, of succession to the Diadem of England. For shee feared, that be­ing of the Blood Royall, borne in England, and very well beloued of the English ▪ if hee were ioyned with a­ny puissant Family in England, relying on the English power and forces, hee might happely one day disturbe her right of succession to the Kingdome of England; ma­ny men reputing him for the second Heire apparant af­ter her: and shee affected nothing more feruently, then by his meanes, to bring the Kingdomes of England and Scotland, to fall into some Scottish Race, and Name, and so by him to propagate them to posteritie, in the name of the Stewards, his Ancestors.

Queene ELIZABETH well discerned all this, The Queene of England endeuours to preuent the Qu. of Scots proiect. and to preuent it, gaue the Queene of Scots to vnderstand by Ran­dolph, that this Marriage was so distastfull to all the English, as against the consent of her Councell, she was enforst to prorogue the conuentions of Parliament, to some o­ther fitter time, for feare, lest the States of the Kingdome therewith prouoked, should enact somewhat, to the pre­iudice of her right to the succession. And therefore, to cut off all occasions of this Issue hereafter, and to satisfie the English, she aduised her to thinke of some other mar­riage; and so by this meanes, shee once againe, and with great affection, commended vnto her the Earle of Leicester, [Page 114] for an Husband, who, for this speciall reason, she had exal­ted to the Dignity of an Earle.

Another commendati­on of the Earle of Leicester. A Treaty of Marriage betweene the Queene of Scots and the Earle of Leicester.For prosecution of this, the Earles of Bedford, of Ran­dolph, and of Lidington, were deputed to treat of this mar­riage at Barwicke, in the Moneth of Nouember. The English promised vnto her, a firme and constant Amity, a perpetuall Peace, and that vndoubtedly shee should succeed to the Crowne of England, if she married with the Earle of Leicester. The Scots on the other side con­tested; alleadging, That their Queenes Dignitie, who had beene sued vnto, by Charles, Sonne to the Empe­rour Ferdinand, the King of France, the Prince of Con­dé, and the Duke of Ferrara, could not permit her, so farre to embase and vnder-valew her selfe, as to match with a new-made Earle, a Subiect of England, and who propounded nothing but bare hopes, without any certaine Dowrie: neither stood it with the honour of the Queene of England, to commend such a man for an Husband to so great a Princesse, her neere Kinswo­man; but rather, shee should giue an infallible testimo­nie of her great loue and affection towards her, to giue her absolute libertie to make choice of such an husband, as might entertaine perpetuall peace with England, to as­signe her a yeerely Pension, and with the authority of the Parliament, confirme the right which shee had to suc­ceede. In all this busines, the extreme desire of Queene ELIZABETH was (although she made discreete haste) to assure, by such a marriage, the succession of the King­dome in an English Race. The Queene of Scotland seeing that this businesse had beene prolonged full two yeeres, and making account to marry Darley, doubted whether she was proceeded withall in good earnest, or no; and that Queene ELIZABETH did not propound this marriage, but to make a pre-election of the most worthy for herselfe, or to marry the more excusable with Leicester, She beeing [Page 115] absolute Queene, after she should haue really consented to marry him. But the Commissioners of Scotland, weighing these reasons, to maintaine their power with the Queene, had resolued to hinder, by all meanes, all kinde of marri­ages. Queene ELIZABETH admonisheth them to hin­der that with Darley; Leicester himselfe full of hope to en­ioy Queene ELIZABETH, by secret Letters, priuily warnes the Earle of Bedford, not to presse the thing, and with this hope, it is credibly thought, that hee secretly fauoured Darley.

Booke 1. 1565.THE EIGHTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Anno Domini, 1565.

Darley goes into Scot­land. DARLEY in the meane time, by the in­tercession of his Mother, with Prayers and diligence to Queene ELIZABETH, obtained (though with much difficul­tie) leaue to goe into Scotland, and to stay there three Moneths, vnder pre­text, to be partaker of his Fathers esta­blishment; and came to Edenborrough in the Moneth of February, in the great winter, when the Thames was so frozen, that people passed dry ouer on foot. He is belo­ued of the Queene of Scotland. Hee was a Youth of a most worthy Carriage, fit to beare rule, of an excellent composition of members, of a milde spirit, and of a most sweet behauiour. As soone as the Queene of Scotland had seene him, she fell in loue with [Page 117] him; and to the end to keepe her loue secret, in dis­coursing with Randolph the English Ambassadour in Scot­land, she often-times intermixt her discourse with the mar­riage of Leicester, and at the same time, seekes a dispensati­on from Rome for Darley, shee being so neere in bloud, that according to the Popes Ordinance, they stood in neede of one. This being come to euery bodies knowledge, Asketh Qu. Elizabeths consent. shee sends Lidington to Queene ELIZABETH, to haue her consent to contract with Darley, and not to be any longer detained with a vaine hope of marriage.

Queene ELIZABETH propounds the matter to her most intimate Councellors; who, Deliberati­on vpon it. by the secret suggesti­ons of the Earle of Murray, easily beleeued that the Queene of Scotland had no other designe, but to strengthen her selfe by such a marriage, to carry the right which shee pre­tended for the Kingdome of England, and at length, to e­stablish it, and likewise the Romish Religion: that some did adhere vnto her, seeing that, by reason of her children, the succession was ascertained to her House; and others, for the affection which they bare to the Romish Religion, there being found more Eirenarch's in England deuoted to the Romish Religion, than to the Protestants. That to preuent these accidents, it was chiefly requisite, first, to pray the Queene to marry speedily, to the end that the affaires and hopes of England should not depend else-where, but of the certainty of Succession, which should come of her, and of her Linage: (for they feared that if the Queene of Scotland did marry, and should haue issue first, many would incline towards her for the certainty and assurednesse of succession.) Secondly, to ruine (as much as may be) the Romish Religion in England, and to aduance and careful­ly establish the reformed: the one, by vsing more mode­rately in things indifferent, such Protestants that are car­ried with a feruent zeale: the other, in setting Guards a­gaine vpon the deposed papisticall Bishops, who were then [Page 118] dispersed through the Countrey by reason of the plague, conferring vpon the other Bishops greater authority to execute the Ecclesiasticall Ordinances then they had, con­trary to the terrifying Praemunire which the Lawyers doe obiect, suppressing those Bookes which Harding, and the fugitiue Diuines had sent out of the Low-Countries into England, driuing out some Scottish Priests, who hid them­selues in England, depriuing the English fugitiues of the Ecclesiasticall Benefices which they enioyed vntill then, and compelling the Iudges of the Land, who were for the most part Papists, to acknowledge the Queenes Soueraigne authority, and to sweare vnto it: And that to hinder the marriage of Darley, it was fit to leuy Souldiers vpon the Frontiers of Scotland, to the end to raise a terrour: to for­tifie the Garrison of Berwicke: to set a guard vpon the Countesse of Lenox, Darley's Mother, and on Charles her Sonne: and to re-call out of Scotland into England, the Earle of Lenox and Darley his Sonne, vpon paine of losse of their goods, before they made any alliance with the French, or with Spaine: and to assist those which were bent against this match, and to receiue the Earle of Hert­ford and Katherine Gray somewhat into fauour: which thing onely was thought that the Queene of Scotland very much apprehended; in regard that shee likewise pretended a right to the Kingdome, and it seemed none other could bring a greater impediment to this marriage than she.

Throgmor­ton is sent to hinder.From hence, Throgmorton is sent to the Queene of Scot­land, to aduise her, that it behooued to deliberate long of a thing that can be but once determined on, and that a preci­pitate marriage was followed with repentance: to re-com­mend Leicester to her againe, and againe, and that it was altogether contrary to Canon Law, to contract with the Sonne of her Aunt by the Father-side: For Queene ELI­ZABETH desired aboue all, that some of the English Race should by her meanes succeed to both the Kingdomes, [Page 119] albeit there fayled not, who for matter of Religion, and for the two Kingdomes, made account to succeed, if shee dyed without issue.

She answers, That it was now past reuoking, He is answe­red. and that Queene ELIZABETH had no cause to be angry, seeing that by her Councell she had made choyce of a Husband which was no stranger, but an English man borne of the Royall bloud of both the Kingdomes, and the most noble of all Great Brittaine. Amongst these things, Lidington treateth of affaires in England, and dissembling with Lei­cester, often spoke vnto him touching marriage with the Queene of Scotland, as also to the Duke of Norfolke, (much more worthy to marry a Queene) who then refused it with a modest excuse.

The Qu. of England, Lenox and Darley are re-called out of Scotland. to interpose some hindrance to this so hastened marriage, calls backe Lenox, and his Son Dar­ley, as being her Subiects, according to the forme of the leaue which she had granted them. They excuse themselues. The Father excuses himselfe modestly by Letters; the Sonne prayes her not to hinder his aduancement, representing vnto her, that hee might be vsefull to England his dearest Countrey, and o­penly declared vnto her, that aboue all things hee loued and honoured the Queene of Scotland: To answere which loue, she had adorned him forthwith, with the dignity E­quitis Aurati, with the titles of Baron of Ardmanock, Earle of Rosse, and Duke of Rothesie; The Queene of Scotland marries the Lord Dar­ley. and fiue moneths af­ter his comming into Scotland, marries him with the con­sent of many Peeres, and declares him King. The Earle of Murray, who imbraced nothing so affectionately as ambition, and vnder pretence of Religion, had drawne to his faction the Duke of Chastelraut, a man without leauen, The Earle of Murray and others murmure. Murray murmuring exceedingly, and others storming and stirring vp such like questions: ‘Whether a Papist might be admitted King or no? If [Page 120] the Queene of Scotland might chuse her selfe a Hus­band? If the States might not impose their authori­tie?’

The Queene of England indures it with mode­ration.The Queene of England bare this peaceably, knowing the sweete and tractable nature of Darley, and the open heart of his Father, and taking pitty to see a kinsman and a Queene very young, to haue to doe with turbulent men, who hauing beene already more than twenty yeeres loo­sed from Royall command, could not indure Kings; and feared them not, seeing that the power of this Queene, who enuied her, was not increased by so meane a condition; hauing Darleyes Mother in her power: and fore-seeing that troubles in Scotland would spring out of this marriage, as it happened quickly after: for some great ones of the Kingdome, Some Scots take distaste about the marriage. and the chiefe of them, Hamilton and Mur­ray, disdaining this match; the one, because it had beene contracted without the consent of the Queene of England; the other, for the enuy which he bare to the House of Le­nox: but both the one and the other, pretending the con­seruation of Religion, to disturbe the marriage, brought their Ensignes into the field: insomuch as she was constrai­ned to raise forces to celebrate it in safety; and, with the helpe of the King her Husband, pursued the Rebels so swiftly, They are put to flight. that she constrained them to flie into England, be­fore the English troupes, which were promised them for ayde, were arriued: and the Queene of England, conni­uing with Murray, who was much addicted to the Eng­glish, assigned him a conuenient place to lye heere in safe­tie, and sent him money vnder-hand by the Earle of Bed­ford, vntill his returne into Scotland, which was the mor­row after the murder of Dauid Riz, as wee shall speake of it in its owne place. They are maintained in England. Now the reasons why shee receiued the Scottish Rebels into England, were these: Because the the Queene of Scotland had receiued into her protection, [Page 121] Yaxley, Standon, and Walsh, English Fugitiues, and the Irish Oneale, and that she had held Councels with the Pope a­gainst the English, and had not done iustice vpon Theeues and Pirates.

This marriage being accomplished, They coun­sell the Qu. of England to marry. those which labou­red most for Religion and Englands safetie, thought that Queene ELIZABETH could not doe better for that purpose, than to take away all hope of the Succession to England from the Queene of Scotland. And it fell very commodiously; for, at the same time, Maximilian the Second, Emperour, The Empe­rour recom­mendeth his Brother. sent word by Adam Smicorit his Ambassadour, of very honourable conditions for her to marry with his Brother Charles. But there arose instant­ly a most vehement hatred in the Court, betweene Sussex and Leicester, I know not whereupon, vnlesse about this marriage, It causeth hatred to grow in the Court. which Sussex sought very eagerly to bring to passe, and Leicester vnder-hand hindered, hoping to haue her for himselfe (verily great and vnsatiable hopes doe those conceiue, who haue obtained things beyond their hope.) Indeede Sussex iniuriously despised him as an vp­start, and, to detract him, would say, that hee could cite onely two of his pedigree, that is to wit, his Father and Grand-father, both being enemies to their Countrey, and attempters against the State, that put the Court in diuisi­on: Insomuch, as when the Earles went abroade, they drew great troupes after them, armed with Swords and piked Targets, which were then in vse, as if it were come to the extremitie. But, within few dayes, The Queene reconcileth them. the Queene re­conciled them, and rather smothered than tooke away their malice, but endeuoured what shee could to extinguish it quite. For, shee condemned dissention among Peeres, and that old prouerbe vsed by many, Diuide & Impera, and some, who were of opinion, that the force of command, is by the obeyers consent. And she delighted her selfe, at the emulation and grudging of inferiour women, yet not [Page 122] without making speciall good vse thereof.

Among these things, shee is not vnmindfull of the af­faires of Scotland. A moneth after the solemnization of the marriage there, she sent one Tamworth, a Gentleman of her Priuy-Chamber, to the Qu. of Scotland, to exhort her not to breake the peace, to expostulate about the marriage which shee had so rashly contracted without her consent, and withall, to send backe Lenox, and Darley his Sonne, according to the trans-action, and to receiue Murray into grace. Tamworth not admit­ted. She, perceiuing whereunto this tended, admitted not Tamworth, but by Articles in writing, ‘ They an­swere by writing.Promiseth, by the word of a Princesse, that neither shee nor her Husband would enterprise any thing to the preiudice of the Queene of England, or to her Chil­dren lawfully begotten of her bodie, or to the tran­quillity of the Kingdome, by admitting of Fugitiues, or making alliance with strangers, or by any other means; but, to the contrary, they would most freely contract such an alliance with the Queene and Kingdome of England, as should be commodious and honourable for both the Kingdomes, and innouate nothing in Religi­on, contrary to the Lawes and liberties of England, if they should happen to enioy the same. Notwithstan­ding, vpon condition that Queene ELIZABETH, on her part, should fully performe the same to her and her Husband, and, by authoritie of the Parliament, should confirme the Crowne of England vpon her and her issue lawfully begotten; and, for fault of such issue, vpon Margaret Countesse of Lenox, her Husbands Mother, and of her Children lawfully begotten. Moreouer, as soone as shee had resolued to marry, shee had assured the Queene that it should be with Darley, and had no answere from the Queene vpon it. That shee had satisfied her demands, seeing shee had married [Page 123] an English man, and no stranger, whom shee knew to be more nobly descended, and more worthy of her, than any in Great-Brittaine. But it seemed strange that shee might not retaine Darley by her, to whom she was bound in the sacred bond of marriage, or Lenox, who was naturally Earle of Scotland. As for Murray, whom shee had proued to be her sworne enemy, shee gra­ciously intreated her to giue her freedome ouer her Sub­iects, seeing she meddled not with the affaires of Eng­land.’

Tamworth returned with this answere, not hauing been intertained according to his worth. And indeed being an impudent man, hee had wronged the reputation of the Queene of Scotland, and disdained to giue her Husband title of King.

At the same time, Queene ELIZABETH had this augmentation of honour, that at the report of her vertue, which was equally spred in all places, Cecillia, Cecillia, Queene of Sueden, comes into England. Henry the Second King of Suedens Sister, and Wife to Christopher, Marquis of Baden, being then great with Childe, came from the furthest part of the North, and a great iourney, through Germanie, to visit her. She intertained her and her Husband very magnificently, gaue him a yeerely pen­sion, christened his Sonne, and named him Edward the Fortunate. And Donald Mac Cartymore, one of the grea­test Peeres of Ireland, humbly submitted himselfe and his large Territories to the Queene, to hold them from her hereafter in fee for him and his heires males lawfully be­gotten, and for default of such issue, to the Crowne of England. This Princesse, who was borne to draw the af­fections of men, according to her humanity, most graci­ously receiued him, installed him solemnely, and like him­selfe, Earle of Glencar; and Tegue his Sonne, Creation of the Earle of Glencar. Baron of Valance; gaue them gifts, payed the charge of their voyage, [Page 124] and all this, to get a party against the Earle of Desmond, who was suspected to renouate new things.

Vice-Royes and Iustices of Ireland.The same yeere, Nicholas Arnold, of the Country of Glocester, Knight, was sent to gouerne Ireland with the title of Iusticiary, and had for his Garrison, onely one thou­sand fiue hundred ninety sixe Souldiers. But, within a while after, being called backe, hee gaue vp his place to Henry Sidney, who in the reigne of Queene MARY was Iudge and Treasurer of Ireland, and presently after, Pre­sident of Wales. Now, to note this by the way, the chiefe Gouernours of Ireland, which now in Latine are termed Proreges, Affaires of Ireland. since the first entrance of the English, vntill the time of Edward the Third, were called Iustices of Ireland, and their Lieutenants, Deputies. Since, according to the pleasure of the Prince, they are called one while Iustices, and another while Lieutenants, which is a most honoura­ble title, but for the most part of like authority. And with­out doubt, these chiefe Iustices of Ireland, as the Iustices of England, which were called at that time, simply, Iustices, were ordained to keepe the peace, and to doe Iustice to all and to euery particular, as, in times past, the Romanes had their Pro-Pretors and Pro-Consuls, which were sent into Prouinces with Soueraigne authority.

Sidney, being Gouernour of this Prouince, found the Countrey of Mounster, which lyes toward the South, in great confusion, Discord be­tweene the Earles of Desmond and Or­mond. in regard of great and sharpe troubles which were betweene Girauld, Earle of Desmond (who had faithfully promised to performe all the dueties of a loyall Subiect) and others, who were broken out into ci­uill warres. To extinguish these Controuersies, Queene ELIZABETH calls Desmond into England, and makes him Gouernour and Iustice of that Prouince, Chiefe Pre­sident of Mounster. with an Asses­sor, two Lawyers and a Clerke, and nominated Warham S. Leger chiefe President, a man that had beene long con­uersant in Irish affaires.

[Page 125]About the middle of October, the same yeere, dyed Tho­mas Chaloner, lately returned Ambassadour from Spaine, a famous man, borne in London, brought vp at Cambridge, The death of Sir Thomas Chaloner. who had addicted himselfe as well to Mars as to the Muses, and being but young, got honour vnder Charles the fifth, in the expedition of Alger, who hauing suffered ship-wrack, and had swomme so long, that his strength and armes fay­led him, saued himselfe, by taking hold of a Cable with his teeth, whereof he lost some: Vnder EDVVARD the Sixth, at Mussleborrough, where hee behaued himselfe so valiantly, that the Duke of Sommerset honoured him with the Dignitie of Knight-hood: And vnder Queene ELI­ZABETH, in an extraordinary Ambassie to the Empe­rour Ferdinand; and foure yeeres ordinary Ambassadour in Spaine, where he composed fiue Bookes in pure and lear­ned Verse, of the restauration of the English Common­wealth, which he called [ Hieme in fumo, aestate in horreo.] Hee was honourably buried at Saint Pauls in London, Cecill being chiefe mourner, when Thomas, his Sonne (who liued neere HENRY, Prince of Wales) was very yong.

Booke 1. 1566.THE NINTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Anno Domini, 1566.

IN the beginning of the yeere, Charles the 9. King of France, sent into England to the Queene, Rambouillet, with the Robes of the order of S. Mi­chael, to bee giuen to two of the Peeres of England, whom shee pleased. The Duke of Norfolke, and the Earle of Leicester, Knights of the Order of France. She made choice of the Duke of Norfolke, as be­ing much more noble then a­ny other, and to the Earle of Leicester, louing him very well. Rambouillet hauing beene, for and in the Name of his King, placed honourably at Windsor, amongst the Knights of the Order of Saint George, inuested them solemnly [Page 127] in the Royall House at Westminster. This shee tooke for a great honour, remembring her selfe, that no English was e­uer honoured with this Order, saue HENRY the Eighth, EDVVARD the Sixth, and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke. But when she exactly obserued all things that be­longed to the honour of it, she was at length much displea­sed, to see it so vilified, that it was prostituted indifferently to euery man. And shee busied her selfe, not onely in things concerning honour, but chiefely what was for the good of her Subiects: For, the Ayre beeing so intempe­rate that yeere, that experienced men feared a want of Corne and other victuals, Prouision of Corne. she did not onely prohibit any Corne to be carried out of the Kingdome, but tooke care that great quantity was brought in.

While these things past, Henry, Earle of Arundell, be­ing great and powerfull among the Lords of the Realme, The Earle of Arundel goes out of the King­dome. after hauing consumed much wealth vpon a vaine hope to marry the Queene, and the Earle of Leicester, who then was in great credit with her, and his friends, which had failed in the trust which hee reposed in them, taking a­way this hope quite from him, tooke leaue of her, and voluntarily went out of the Kingdome, vnder colour to recouer his health, but in effect, to strengthen himselfe a­gainst sorrow. But the other English, The English carry their Armes and their coura­ges to the Hungarian Warre. who for their natu­rall valour, thought themselues borne to liue in Armes, and not in idlenes, seeing the Nobility of all parts, did rise at the report of the warre against the Turke, and carried their Armes and Courages into Hungarie. Amongst whom, the most remarkeable were, Iohn Smith, cousin german to EDVVARD the Sixth, by the Sister of I. Seimor, the Kings Mother; H. Champernon, P. Butshid, R. Greuill, G. George, T. Cotton, &c.

In Iune following, the Queene of Scotland had a most au­spicious and happy Deliuery, The birth of King Iames the sixth of Scotland. for the eternall prosperity of Great Brittaine, IAMES her Sonne, who is now Monarch [Page 128] thereof: whereof she gaue present notice to Queene ELI­ZABETH, by Iohn Meluin. Queene ELIZABETH, howsoeuer angry to see her out-strip her in honour, who enuied her, as speedily sent H. Killigrewe, to congratulate her lying in, The Queene of England reioyceth. and the birth of her Sonne: and to admonish her, not to fauour any longer Shan O-Neale, who rebelled in Ireland, nor to assist Roquerbay, an English Fugitiue, and to punish some theeues that rob'd vpon the Borders.

After, hauing vn-wearied her minde by a Progresse, to shew herselfe as fauourable to the Muses of Oxford, as well as of Cambridge, Visits the V­niuersity of Oxford. betweene which there was then a sincere emulation, goes toward the Vniuersitie of Oxford, where she was magnificently entertained, and staid there full se­uen dayes, taking pleasure in the pleasant aspect of the place, at the beauty of the Colledges, in the spirits and learning of most exquisit Schollers, which passed the nights in Co­medies, and the dayes in learned Disputations; for which she gaue them ample thankes, by a most sweet discourse in Latine, and a most louing farewell.

Holds a Parliament.As soone as shee was returned to London, the States of the Kingdome assembled there the first day of Nouember, beeing the day assigned, and after hauing established a Sta­tute or two, they begun to dispute among themselues, of the Succession of the Kingdome; seeing that the Queene hauing vowed Virginity, had already reigned eight yeeres, without thinking seriously of an Husband: that on the one side, the Papists made account of the Queene of Scots, who had lately had a Sonne: that on the other side, the Protestants being deuided, some of them made account of one, and some of another, and euery particular prouiding for their safety and Religion, presaged the stormes of a most fearefull time, if shee should dye, without assuring a Successor. And the keener sort of spirits proceeded so far, as to blame her, as if she abandoned both her Country and Posteritie: and to teare, by reprochfull & defaming Libels, [Page 129] wicked Councellor therein: and to curse Huic, her Phi­sicion, because he disswaded her to marry, for I know not what womanish infirmity. The Earles of Pembroke and Leicester were openly, and the Duke of Norfolke, couertly, of opinion, that a necessity of marriage should be imposed vpon her, or else publikely to appoint a Successor by au­thority of the Parliament, whether she would or no: which caused them to bee forbidden to enter into the Priuie Chamber, or come neere the Queene, who neuerthelesse granted them pardon, as soone as they demanded it.

They neuerthelesse being much troubled, The States sollicite her to marry, and to de­clare her Successor. and all the rest of the vpper House of Parliament, touching the Succes­sion; all with one mind, by the mouth of Bacon, Keeper of the great Scale, according to the dutie which they ought vnto God, the fidelity to their Prince, and the charity to their Countrie, so to doe; that as by her meanes they then sweetly enioyed all the benefits of Peace, Iustice, and Cle­mency, they and their posterity might by her meanes like­wise enioy the same assuredly and continually. But with­all they shewed her, that it could not bee done, except she married, or designed a certaine Successor. For which cause, they desired, and, aboue all things, besought her to be ioy­ned by the sacred bond of Marriage, with whom she would, in what place she liked, & as soone as she pleased, to the end to haue Children, for helps to the Kingdome: withall, to ordaine with the States of the Realme, a Successor certaine, in case that shee, or the Children which she might haue, should dye without Children, which God forbid. The mode­stie of the great Ones. And for the obtaining of these things so much the more easily, being so necessary, they represented vnto her many reasons for the same: the feare, which of fresh memory had sei­zed vpon them with such a sicknesse, of which they had beene but newly recouered; the opportunity of the time, the States of the Kingdome beeing then assembled, which might maturely deliberate of so great matters; the terrour [Page 130] which she should giue to her enemies by this meanes, and the incredible ioy which she should fill the hearts of her Subiects withall. They praise the examples of her Ances­tors, who in like cases prouided for the suretie of their Po­sterity, condemning this saying of Pyrrhus, who would leaue his Kingdome to him that had the sharpest sword. And moreouer shewing her, with what a storme England were threatned, if she should dye without designing a cer­taine Successor: there would follow impetuously vpon it, seditions, and intestine Warres, of which the Victory it selfe is most miserable: and that Religion should bee dri­uen out, Iustice ouerwhelmed, the Lawes trodden vnder­foot, there beeing no Prince (who is the soule of the Law) and the Kingdome a prey to strangers. They numbered and exaggerated many other like calamities, which would inuolue all sorts of Families, if she should dye without Is­sue. And modestly they added counsels, Precepts, and ex­amples, drawne from the holy Scriptures.

The popular sort eagerly.But those of the Lower House debated of these things more tumultuously; Bell, and Monson, Lawiers of great renowne, Dutton, P. Wentworth, and others, refuted Roy­all Maiestie too much; and among other things maintai­ned, that Kings were bound to designe a Successor; that the loue of Subiects was the most strong and inexpugnable Rampart of Princes, their onely stay and Support. That Princes could not obtaine this loue, if they did not pro­uide for the good of their Subiects, not onely while they liued, but after their death. That that could not be done, if a Successor did not plainely appeare. That the Queene, for lacke of designing one, prouoked Gods wrath, and a­lienated the hearts of her Subiects. That then, to gaine the fauour of God, and haue Subiects most affectionate and obliged, and to raise her vp Statues in the hearts of men, which would neuer perish, shee should declare a Successor. Others, that shee should knowe, that they did [Page 131] hold her, not for a Mother and a Nurse, but for a Step­dame and a murderesse of her Countrie, seeing shee loued her selfe better than England (which then breathed by her spirit) would expire with her, rather then subsist aliue. That there were neuer, but cowardly Princes, haters of their Subiects, and fearefull weake women, who concei­ued feare because of their Successors; and that such as be enuironed with the loue of their Subiects, ought not to apprehend the danger which might bee stirred vp against them, by a declared Successor.

These things she heard with a great deale of displeasure, The Queene is angry. but shee contemned them for a time, and for a time kept them hidden. For, as vse had instructed her, she well knew what danger there is to designe a Successor; insomuch that Queene MARIE reigning, many of the Nobility, and of the people, had cast their eyes and hearts vpon her, as beeing to succeed her: that euen as any thing had bin said or done in her most holy Cabinet, or secret Councell, they reported it to her; and that Wyat and others, misliking their state, and desiring to innouate things, had conspired against her, to set her vpon the Royall Throne in her place. Shee knew that the hopes of Competitors were better restrai­ned, and they kept in their duety, while she suspended the wayting of euery one, and made no declaration of any. That by a precipitate desire to reigne, euen Children haue tooke Armes against their Fathers, and that shee could not looke for lesse from her kindred. She had obserued in rea­ding, and when she disputed of that, remembred inconti­nently, that it was rarely found, that the Successors had bin declared in the collaterall line. That Lewis, Duke of Orle­ans, had neuer been declared Successor in the Kingdome of France, to Charles the Eighth; nor Francis, Duke of Angoulesme, to Lewis, yet neuerthelesse they succeeded without any noise. That such designation had alwaies in England beene the ruine of the designed, and that Roger [Page 132] Mortimer, Earle of March, designed Heire by King Rich­ard, had not beene so soone extinct, and his sonne Edmond constituted and kept prisoner twentie yeeres together, but for this cause: That I. Polhem, Earle of Lincolne, declared Successor by Richard the 3. & after the death of his sonne, by Henry the Seuenty, was alwaies suspected, and finally killed in warre, as he was weauing of innouations, and his brother Edward beheaded vnder HENRIE the Eighth. But these things make vs goe from the purpose.

But as some ceased not with prouoked spirits, and sharpe contention, daily more and more to cry aloud, these things which I come to tell, and other things which had a grea­ter sting, the Queene hauing commanded that choyce should be made of thirty of the Vpper-House of Parlia­ment, and as many of the Lower, and that they should ap­peare before her; She swee­tens the mo­ued spirits. Shee, with a light reproose, made them milder, and by force of her most worthy Maiesty, diuer­ted them from their designe, promising them with many words, not onely the care of a Princesse, but also the affe­ction of a Mother. And the States hauing offered her for Subsidies, more than they were accustomed to doe, vpon condition, that she would designe a Successour: Shee vt­terly refused it, as being too much, receiued the ordinary, commending their affection, Giues backe part of the Subsidie. & remitted the whole fourth payment of the granted Subsidie, saying, That her Subiects money was as well in their owne coffers, as in hers.

The last day of these Sessions, she spoke thus in few words, which I will shut vp in fewer.

[Page 134]Thus, the wisdome of a Woman quieted these stirres, the time which became clearer, caused such a calme, that, beside the seditious and timorous, few were since found, to storme for a Successour. And certainely all men, what face soeuer they set vpon it, doe not penetrate more deepe­ly into publique affaires, than they finde it necessary for their owne particular. Yet that the Successour should more plainely appeare, Maketh it plainely to appeare, that the Queene of Scotland had the right of Succession. which shee thought could not be doub­ted of, she imprisoned Thornton, Reader of the Law at Lincolnes Inne in London, because the Queene of Scotland had complained, that he called her right in question.

In these Assemblies of the States, besides other things, which were for the good of the Common-wealth, it was declared with the generall consent of all, ‘ The ordina­tion of Bi­shops is con­firmed.THat the election, consecration, and instalment of Arch-bishops and Bishops of England, (which many, by calumniating them, had cal­led in question) was lawfull, and well and duely con­secrated, according to the Acts and Statutes of the Realme: And ordained, that all these, and those which for the time to come, should be consecrated as they had beene, were and should be holden well and duely conse­crated, notwithstanding any Law or Canon.’

For the Papists had detracted them as false Bishops, peraduenture because the Vnction, the Ring, and the Cro­zier were not vsed with the Benedictions: and, as if they had not beene solemnely instituted to this Order, by three Bishops, which could bring their ordination, rising from the Apostolique authority receiued from Christ, although they most truely could, as appeares by the Registers, ha­uing beene consecrated with godly prayers, deuout inuo­cation of the holy Ghost, the imposition of hands of such Bishops, the preaching of the Word, and celebration of the Lords Supper.

[Page 135]About that time (after they had restrained the insolen­cy of some Ruffians, who violated these delators, which the vulgar call Promoters, pursued them through the streetes with cryes and clamours, Promoters supprest. and killed them) came the day appointed for the baptizing of the Prince of Scotland. The Queene hauing beene intreated to receiue him at the sa­cred Font, sent the Earle of Bedford with the Lauor made of massie Gold, for a Present of State, The Earle of Bedford sent Ambas­srdour to the Queene of Scotland, for the bapti­zing of her Sonne. and commanded him expresly, & all the English which accompany him, to take heed that they honour Darley with the Title of KING.

The ceremony being ended, the Earle, according as he had beene commanded, treated with the Queene of Scot­land, to haue the Treaty of Edenborrough ratified, and to accord the domesticke discords which were betweene her and her Husband. For some ill-willers, both to the one and the other, had by craft ruined this agreeable societie of life and loue which was betweene them. Shee refu­sed to make this ratification, alledging this reason, That there was in that Treaty, some Articles that did derogate the right which shee and her Children had to England: neuerthelesse, promised to send Commissioners into Eng­land, which should treat about it, for the altering of some things; to wit, that she should leaue off the Title and armes of England, as long as Queene ELIZABETH, or any of hers should liue, (as if the Treaty had imported, that she should giue it ouer altogether,) and they they should let her see what iniuries shee had receiued by the wicked pra­ctices of those which too much abused the ingenious cre­dulitie of her Husband. And, finding her selfe vnhealth­full, shee recommended her Sonne to the trust and Gar­dianship of Queene ELIZABETH, by Letters bea­ring, ‘That although shee knew well, (I vse her owne termes) [Page 136] shee was by right the vndoubted Heire of England, af­ter the Queene, and that many at their pleasure forged many things against this right;’

She promised neuerthelesse, she would not presse her a­ny more to a declaration of it, but that shee would assist and adhere to her alwaies, and against all, with all her af­fection.

The death of I. Mason, and Sir R. Sackuile.In the yeere 1566. there dyed two of the Lords of her Maiesties most honourable Priuy Councell, (both in one day) I. Mason, Treasurer of Queene ELIZABETHS houshold, a most learned, iudicious, and graue personage, most diligent and carefull to the preseruation of benefits. In his place and office, was preferred Sir Francis Knolles, who had married the Lady Katherine, Cousin-Germane to her Maiesty, by the Lady Mary of Bulleine, & Richard Sackuile also, Cousin to her Maiesty, by the Lady Anne Bulleine her Mother. Sir Walter Mildmay, an vncorrupt and considerate man, succeeded in his place.

THE TENTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Booke 1. 1567. Anno Domini 1567.

A Little before the Commissio­ners from the Queene of Scot­land were arriued, The murder of the Lord Darley, who was married to the Qu. of Scots. a moneth or two after the christening of the Prince of Scotland, the King, at the age of one and twenty yeers, was strangled in his bed, in the dead time of the night: a dread­full and horrible wickednesse, which was detested of all honest men: afterwards throwne into his Garden, the House be­ing blowne vp with Gun-powder. The report of it being spread through both the Kingdomes, the crime was cast vpon Morton, Murray, and their Confederates, who in­sulting [Page 138] ouer the weaker Sex, laide it vpon the Queene. Which by bookes, as also a Libell, written by Buchanan, which was imprinted, none can be ignorant of: But be­ing of the party, and carryed away by Murray's bountie, the bookes were condemned to be false by the Councell and State of Scotland, Buchanan condemned for falshood by the States of Scotland. to which more credit is to be giuen: and, as I haue heard, he himself to the King, whose Schoole­master he was, reprehended himselfe for it, that hee had vsed so poysonous a penne against the Queene, and being ready to dye, he wished but to liue so long, that hee might take away the staine which he had spread vpon the Queene, or to cleanse it with his bloud, vnlesse (as he said himselfe) his slanders might be accounted vaine, by reason of his do­ting age. Giue me leaue that the other side may be heard, by diuers that writ thereof, and at that time publisht it in print: but such writings were soone call'd in, both in fauor of the Earle of Murray, and in hatred of the Queene, and likewise by Ambassadours Letters worthy to bee belee­ued.

A digressi­on from Scottish af­faires.In the yeere 1558. at the marriage of Francis the Dol­phin of France, and Mary Queene of Scotland, Iames, the Queenes Bastard-Brother, commonly called the Prior of Saint Andrewes, (Metropolitan of the Order of Saint An­drewes) despising that title, Iames, Pri­or of Saint Andrews. was ambitious after a more splendid one: but when the Queene, by the aduice of the Guizes, refused it him, hee returned into Scotland discon­tented, wherein, vnder a faire pretext of reforming Reli­gion, and to establish the liberty of Scotland, hee begun to trouble the State, and effected it; and so brought it to passe (without the knowledge of the Queene, in a Conuenticle of Confederates) Religion was changed, and, by the cal­ling in of ayde from England, the French were driuen out of Scotland. Francis, King of France, being dead, he pre­sently went to his Sister into France, and hauing put away all suspition tending to her preiudice or dis-reputation for [Page 139] the affaires of Scotland, swore vnto her, (calling GOD to witnesse) to performe all dueties that a Sister could expect from a Brother, and vpon the hope which he had, that shee being brought vp from her tender age in the delicacies of France, would not returne into Scotland, Hee seekes to be Regent of Scotland. workes with the Guizes to appoint some Noble-man of Scotland to be Re­gent there, and almost poynted at himselfe to be the fit­test man of all. But, hee being sent backe into Scotland, without any authority, but Letters of Commission, by which the Queene gaue power to the States to assemble, and consult for the good of the Kingdome, and seeing himselfe deiected from his hope, returned much vexed; and passing thorow England, made it there knowne, that if they wished well to Religion in Scotland, to the peace of England, and the security of Queene ELIZABETH, Being fru­strated of it, vnder-hand opposes him­selfe against the Queene. they ought by all meanes to hinder the Queene of Scot­land to passe into Scotland. Shee neuerthelesse being safe­ly arriued in Scotland, the English Ships being disappoin­ted by obscure weather, and being there, embraced her Brother with all signes of fauour and good-will, and in a kinde of manner, committed vnto him the generall admi­nistration of affaires. Notwithstanding all this, the bran­ches of his ambition are not cut off, which grew daily, and appeared both in words and deedes. For, hee could not containe himselfe, but often, among his friends, deplored that the warlike Scottish Nation was no lesse subiect to the command of a Woman, than the English was, and by the instruction of Knox, whom he esteemed as a Patriarke, of­ten debates, that Kingdomes were due to merit, and not to linage, and that Women should be excluded from suc­ceeding, and that their gouernement were monstrous. He treated likewise with the Queen, by his friends, Makes his ambition to be openly and euidently knowne. that she should substitute foure of the Royall House of the Stew­ards, who, if she dyed without issue, should succeed to the Crowne one after another, without regarding who were [Page 140] legitimate or no, thinking he should be one, seeing he was the Kings Sonne, though vnlawfully begotten.

But the Queene, wisely considering that such a substitu­tion was contrary to the Lawes of the Kingdome, to de­fraud the right Heires, a most pernicious example, dange­rous for her Subiects, and would be an hinderance to her selfe for her second marriage, she mildely answered, That she would more aduisedly deliberate with the States of the Kingdome, about a matter of such weight & consequence; and to testifie her fauour and bounty towards her Brother, shee honoured him with the title of Earle of Mar, after­wards, He is crea­ted Earle of Murray. with the Earledome of Murray, (for the dignity of Mar was then in controuersie,) being ignorant all this while, that he aymed at the Kingdome, and affirmed him­selfe to be the lawfull Sonne of Iames the Fifth. To make the easier way hereunto, by meanes of the extraordinary fauour the Queene shewed to him, He perse­cutes the great men of Scotland. he supprest the most no­ble Family of the Gordons, powerfull in vassalage and com­mand, whom he both feared in respect of themselues, as al­so by reason of the reformed Religion, which adhered vn­to him: he expelled Hamilton, Duke of Chastelraut, out of the Court, who was reputed next Heire to the Crowne, imprisoned the Earle of Arraine his Sonne, banished Count Bothwell, into England; dismissed all opposites of their honourable offices, and places, and retained the Queene vnder his power and suruey, as a Gardian might doe his Ward: aboue all other things being carefull, that Shee might not negotiate, nor intend any marri­age.

And when he saw, that of the one side, the Emperour sollicited her, Hee dis­swades the Queen from marrying. for his Brother, and the Spaniard on the o­ther part for his Sonne, he absolutely disswaded her both from the one and the other, alledging vnto her, how the ancient immunities of Scotland would not permit nor in­dure a strange Prince, and whensoeuer the Scepter fell into [Page 141] the hands of Women, they neuer made choyce of an Hus­band, but within their owne Countrey of Scotland. But in conclusion, he perceiuing that all the Scots generally affe­cted her marrying, and discerning that by the perswasion and inducement of the Countesse of Lenox, she desired to marry with the Lord Darley, hee himselfe likewise then commended him vnto her for an Husband; hoping, in respect of his youth, and for that he was of a tractable na­ture and disposition, he would be euer at his direction and dispose. Neuerthelesse, when hee saw how dearely the Queene loued him, & himselfe to fall by little and little out of her fauour and grace, hee repented of the counsell and aduice he had giuen, and admonished Queene ELIZA­BETH to crosse this marriage by all the meanes possible that she could.

Presently after the Nuptials were accomplished, and the Lord Darley proclaimed KING, the King then presently reuoked such gifts, as during his minority, the Queene had conferred both vpon him, and others: whereupon, being nigh associated with them, He takes armes a­gainst her, after shee was mar­ried. he tooke vp armes against the King and the Queene, pretending that this new King was dis-affected to the Protestant Religion, and how she con­tracted this marriage without the consent of the Queene of England. But, hauing scarcely made any triall of the fortunes of warre, he fled, as I said, into England, where, despayring of all succour, He flies into England. He seekes to sow discord betweene the Husband and the Wife. he laboured by Letters to Mor­ton, a man of great subtilty, and another like himselfe, to effect, that seeing the marriage could not be broken off, yet that the affection and loue of the married couple might be abated, by some secret practices: and a fit occasion offe­red it selfe: for after some domesticall and priuate grudg­ings, to quaile the courage of this young King, which boyled a little too hot, and to preserue entyre her owne Royall prerogatiues; in all publique acts, shee began to set her Husbands Name after her owne, and altogether to [Page 142] leaue out and omit it, in Moneyes and Stampes.

Earle Morton, who was a notable Make-bate, by his flat­teries easily perswaded this young King, to set the Crowne of Scotland vpon his owne head: yea, though the Queene wold not giue her consent therunto, & to shake off the do­mination and controll of a Woman, because women were borne to obey, and men to command: he hoping, that by meanes of this counsell, he should make the King, not one­ly to lose the Queenes affection, but further, the loue of all the great Men of the Kingdome, and the people. To make him lose the Queenes heart, first he instigated him by diuers calumniations, to kill Dauid Rice, a Pie-moun­taine, and by doing this, to preuent the crossing of their designes, by his reaching and subtile spirit. By profession he was a Musician, and came the yeere before into Scot­land, with the Ambassadour Moret, and then grew to be admitted into the Queenes House, and fauour, in that hee was industrious, and obseruant, and in the Secretaries ab­sence, he assisted, and dispatched Letters into France, and managed secret consultations. Then, the more to exaspe­rate this businesse, he brought him to be present in person, at this Murder, in company with Rauen, and the other mur­derers, who entring with himselfe into the Queenes Cham­bers, their swords naked drawne, as she was sitting at the Table, with the Countesse of Arguile, and this man, stan­ding by a Buffet-stoole, was eating somwhat taken off from the Table, as ordinarily Wayters of the Dining-chamber will doe, bending also a Pistoll against the Queenes brest, who was then with Childe, so as vpon the sudden affright­ment shee thought to haue miscarried in the place, The murder of Dauid Rice in the Queene of Scots sight. they layde hold of him in her presence, and drawing him in­to an outward Chamber, most cruelly they murthered him, and shut vp likewise the Queene within the same Chamber.

Murray is repealed.This Murder was cōmitted, the day before that the Earle [Page 143] of Murray was assigned to make his appearance before the Assembly, and in hearing of the States, there, to an­swere an Accusation of Rebellion, which was informed and put in against him. Hee appeared the day following, and no body sate, neither came any witnesses against him, by reason of these great garboyles and troubles in the State: that, (as it might seeme) this murder was purpose­ly vndertaken for Murrayes security and safety. Not­withstanding, the Queene, at the Kings intreaty, receiued him into fauour, and was confident in his brotherly loue. But when the King had more deliberately waighed the quality of his offence, and the Queene began to take it deepely to heart, he repented himselfe much of this rage and fury, and with many teares and sighes, humbly on his knee craued her pardon, confessing freely, that he was ex­cited to so bloudy a crime by Murray and Morton: from which time, euer after hee conceiued so mortall an ha­tred against Murray, that he thought on nothing else, but how to be rid of him: Earle Morton, and the other Homi­cides, by reason of this Murder, being fled into England, Earle Mor­ton flies into England. with Letters of recommendation, which Murray had writ­ten in their behalfe, to the Earle of Bedford. But the pas­sionate affection of his youth not being able to reserue his most secret thoughts, and his high respect to the Queene, curbing all boldnesse, for the executing of him, at last hee was satisfied, to let her vnderstand thus much, that for pub­lique good, and the security of her owne house, shee must remoue him. The Queene in all sort detesting this course, disswaded him there-from, yea euen with threates, for hauing moued this vnto her, and putting him in hope to make a perfect reconciliation betweene them. And yet notwithstanding, in that shee could not but with great spleene digest the authority this Bastard vsurped ouer her, transported with wonderfull impatience, shee opened this designe to others: which, comming to Murrayes vnder­standing, [Page 142] [...] [Page 143] [...] [Page 144] to preuent her, hee laid many secret ambushes in waite for her, vnder colour of shewing himselfe to be very officious and diligent, vsing herein Earle Mortons coun­sell and aduice, though he were then absent.

Dissention set betweene the King and the Queene.Their Resolution ioyntly was, that the Queene must be cleane alienated from the loue and affection she bare to the King, while this affection was not yet well knit, and re­ioynted. Then to draw into their society Earle Bothwell, who, not long before had beene reconciled to Murray, vpon promises, that he should be diuorc'd from his owne Wife, and be married to the Queene, when she were a Wi­dow. For effectuall performance whereof, and to warrant and defend him against all others, they bound themselues in writing, subscribed and sealed, perswading themselues, that at one blow, they could cut off the King, depraue the reputation and good opinion which the Nobility and peo­ple held of her, suppresse afterwards Bothwell, and so be possest themselues of the whole and absolute Administrati­on of all affaires.

Lord Dar­ley the Queenes Husband, murdered.Earle Bothwell, who was of himselfe a wicked man, and blinded with Ambition, which made him bold and daring, readily intertained these hopes propounded to him, and most trecherously performed this bloudy Assassinate, ha­uing hardly fifteene houres warning, to prouide a sufficient number of Complices if need had beene, (for Earle Mur­ray was gone farre off, to prosecute his owne businesse) and to lay the whole suspition and imputation vpon the Queen. When hee was returned to the Court, both hee, and all those of the Conspiracy, commended Earle Bothwell to the Queene; Earle Both­well com­mended to the Queene, to marry him. and, to perswade her to make choyce of him for her Husband, they intimated by all meanes vnto her, how hee was most worthy and deseruing of her loue, both in respect of the eminency of his Family, his valiant At­tempts against the English, and the many infallible proofes and trials of his fidelity. Moreouer, they layd open vnto [Page 145] her, that being alone, and without any helpe, or assistance, she was not able to pacifie those troubles and tumults that were then raised, to discouer the plots that might be pro­iected against her, and to discharge the administration and gouernement of the Kingdome. And therefore she should doe very well, to admit to the societie of her bed, & coun­sell, such an one, as had both will, power, and courage, to oppose them: So as, they wrought thus farre with her, that she yeelded her consent, trembling for feare, and dan­ted with horror, for hauing beheld such direful occisions, & calling to minde what fidelitie Bothwell had euer shewed both to her and her Mother, and not knowing whither to haue recourse, but to her Brothers faith and loyaltie. But neuerthelesse, with speciall prouiso, carefully to intend the safety of her young and tender Sonne, that Bothwell should first cleare himselfe of the murder of the King, and be di­uorc'd from his former Wife.

I am desirous here to set downe, what the Earle of Hunt­ley and Arguile, who are the principall of all the great No­bility of Scotland, testified hereof, as I coppied it out of a Writing seal'd, and subscribed with their owne hands, which they sent to the Queene of England: ‘BEcause Earle Murray, and others, Testimony of the mur­der of the Lord Dar­ley. to couer their owne Rebellion against the Queene, whose authori­tie they vsurped, openly imputed her, as culpable and guiltie of her Husbands death: wee publikely protest, and testifie this which ensues. In the Moneth of De­cember, 1556. the Queene being at Cragmill, the Earles of Murray and Lidington acknowledged in our presence, that Morton, Lyndsay, and Rauen, murdered Dauy Rice, to no other end, but to preserue the Earle of Murray, who the same day was to be pro­scrib'd. Wherefore, that they might shun the note of ingratitude, their desire was, that Morton and others [Page 146] banished by reason of this murder, might be repealed. But withall they implyed, that this could not be done, except the Queene by a Diuorce were separated from her Husband, and they promised to doe it, if wee would yeeld our consents. After that, Earle Murray pro­mised to me, of Huntley, that I should re-enter the in­heritances of my Ancestors, and haue the perpetuall loue and affection of the banished, if I did but further and procure this Diuorce. Then they went likewise to Earle Bothwell, to draw also from him his consent and liking: and lastly, they went to the Queene, whom Lidington in the name of all the rest, instantly reque­sted, to release Morton, Lindsay, and Rauen, of their banishment: in very outragious termes, he exaggerated the Kings faults, and the offences hee had committed against the Queene, and the Realme, prouing how the Queene, and the State, were deepely interessed, in procuring speedily this Diuorce: because the King and Queene could not liue securely together in Scot­land. Her Maiestie made answer: That she had rather for a time returne into France, while her Hus­band did more truely discend into the errours and vn­staidnesse of his youth, not willing any thing should be done to her Sonnes preiudice, or her owne dishonour. Whereunto Lidington replyed: Wee of your Councell will looke to this well-enough. But in any wise, (said Shee) I prohibite you to performe, any thing that may in the least manner blemish my honour, or burthen my conscience. Let things stand as they doe, till God from aboue vouchsafe some fitter remedie. I much feare, lest, that you iudge requisite for my good, may re­dound to my hurt. A few dayes after, when the King was murdered, after a most execrable manner, wee are assured, out of the inward touch and testimony of our Consciences, that the E. Murray and Lidington were [Page 147] the Authors, Proiectors, and Plotters of this abomina­ble Parricide, whosoeuer the other were, that put it in execution. This is that which they affirmed in writing.’

The Confederates aymed then at nothing else, Bothwell is freed of the murder of the King. but how to free Bothwell of this Parricide: Wherefore, a Session of Parliament was ordained for this onely cause, and appre­hension of their bodies enioyned, of whom the least su­spition was conceiued, and the Earle of Lenox accusing Bothwell, and feruently vrging, that he might come to a triall before the States were assembled, it was granted, and so command imposed vpon the Earle, to appeare within twenty dayes. But within the compasse of this time, ha­uing receiued no instructions nor aduertisements from the Queenes Maiestie of England, and in that hee could not liue without danger of his life, in a place replenished with his enemies, Earle Bothwell made his appearance, and ha­uing Morton for his Aduocate, preuayled in the cause, and so was sent away absolu'd, by the Sentence of all the Iudges.

This businesse being thus contriued; He marries the Queene. the other Com­plices so wrought, that diuers of the Nobility consented to the marriage, whereof they made a Draft in Writing, subscribed and sealed, for feare, that if it should euer be broken, Bothwell might haue accused them to be the Au­thors of all that villany. This marriage thus solemnized with Earle Bothwell, who was created Duke of the Orca­des, caused euery one to surmize that the Queene was guil­tie of this murder, and the Conspirators strengthened the same opinion, by Letters sent into all parts, as likewise they held assemblies at Dundagh, They con­spire both a­gainst him, and the Queene. where they conspired to depose the Queene, and destroy Earle Bothwell. Although Murray, because he would not appeare to be one of this Combination, obtained leaue of the Queene to goe into [Page 148] France, and for the remouing of all distrust, hee re-com­mended to her Royall care, and Bothwell's fidelitie, all his proceedings and occasions whatsoeuer in Scotland.

Earle Mur­ray retyres into France.He was scarcely arriued in France, but they, who ab­solued Bothwell of that crime, and gaue consent to this marriage, tooke vp armes, as if they would haue seyzed on his person. Earle Both­well is ex­pelled. But in effect, vnder-hand, they priuily admo­nished him speedily to with-draw himselfe, for feare lest being taken, he might haue reuealed the whole Complot, and that from his flight, they might draw argument and subiect whereof to accuse the Queene, for the murder of the King, The Queene emprisoned. they seyzed on her person, and entreated her so ignominiously and disgracefully, that although shee had nothing on, but a very homely night-Gowne, yet they so clapt her vp in prison at Lake-Leuin, vnder the custody of Earle Murray's Mother, who was Iames the 5. his Con­cubine, who further persecuted her with most shamelesse malice, during her restraint, boasting how shee was lawfull Wife to Iames the 5. and her Sonne lawfully descended from him.

Queene Eli­zabeth complaines.So soone as Queene ELIZABETH had certaine no­tice of all these proceedings, detesting in her heart this vn­brideled insolency of Subiects towards a Princesse, who was her Sister, and Neighbour, terming them perfidious, rebellious, ingratefull, and cruell: Shee sent into Scot­land, Nicho. Throgmorton, to complaine hereof vnto the Confederates, and to consult of some meanes how to re­store the Queene to her former liberty and authority, for the punishments of the Kings murderers, and that the yong Prince, might bee sent into England, rather than into France for his more secure preseruation, and safety. For that which passed successiuely while Throgmorton lay in Scotland, I will deliuer it faithfully, euen as I collected it out of his owne Letters, which questionlesse are very sin­cere, and well approued of.

[Page 149]Many in Scotland were very much incens'd against the Queene, insomuch, as they absolutely refus'd to behold her, as likewise Villeroy, and De Croc, Ambassadours for France. Yet the Conspirators could not agree among themselues, how to dispose of her. The Lord of Liding­ton, and some others, were of opinion, to haue her re-esta­blished in her authority vpon these conditions: That the Murderers of the KING should be punished according to the Lawes; and the young Prince his safety procured. They con­sult what is to be done with the Queene pri­soner. That Bothwell should be separated from her by a firme Di­uorce; and Religion established. Others perswaded a perpetuall banishment of her, eyther into France or Eng­land, so the Queene of England, or King of France, would be content to be Cautions and Pledges, that shee should transferre all the Regall authority to her Sonne, and some other great and eminent persons of the Kingdome. A­gaine, some would haue cited her to a peremptory triall, haue had her condemned, committed to perpetuall prison, and her Sonne crowned KING. Finally, there wanted not others, who for her summary chastisement, and punish­ment, would haue had her depriued both of her Royall Authority and life. And this was vsually preach'd and di­uulged by Knox, and some other Ministers, in the open Pulpit.

Throgmorton produced against this, Throgmor­ton defends the Queenes cause. many reasons and Arguments taken out of the holy Scriptures, touching due obedience and submission to superiour power, who retaine the Sword of Authority in their hands: arguing very strongly and constantly, How the Queene was vnder no other Tribunall, but that of the heauenly IVDGE, nei­ther could shee iuridically be constrayned to appeare and an­swer in the Court of any earthly Iudge. That in Scotland the same authoritie which the Queene had not delegated, nor made ouer to any other, was nothing, and by her reuocable.

But the Scottish-men replying, alledged the peculiar rites [Page 150] and priuiledges of Scotland, and that in extraordinary oc­currents, they might extraordinarily determine, euen as they had collected out of Buchanans reasons, who, by the Earle of Murrayes perswasion, The Scots maintaine the contrary out of Bu­chanans reasons. then writ that Dialogue of the Right of Reigning or gouerning among the Scots, who was condemned: wherein he maintained, against the Te­stimony of the Scottish Histories, that the people were pri­uiledged, to create or depose their Kings. Notwithstan­ding, Throgmorton ceased not importunately to sollicite them, for the Queenes re-establishment, and that himselfe might visit her, though he no sooner opened his mouth in this poynt, but they all replyed, how this by no meanes could be granted him, because herein they had denyed the French, and that by this meanes they would not di­staste the King of France, to please and satisfie the Queene of England, who (as often experience heretofore had taught them) laboured for nothing, but her owne peculiar interests, when shee was a meanes to driue the French a­way out of Scotland, and lately shewed her selfe but nig­gardly, and sparing of her fauours towards the Scottish Ex­iles. Whereupon, he thought it fit to take heed, lest this importunity might vrge them, to embrace the amity of the French, and shake off that of the English; when, according to the French Prouerbe, Qui quicte la partie la perd, He that leaues his partie, loseth it: aduised and counselled the English to be carefull and iealous, how they forsooke and lost the Scots.