HENRY the Third of that Name, (a man more pious then prudent; a better man then King) swayed the Scep­ter of this Kingdome 56. yeares. The former part of his Reigne was very calme, the latter as tempestuous.

The main tempest was thus raised. The King for many years, during that high calme, had sequestred himselfe wholly to his harm­lesse sports and recreations, and intrusted the whole managery of the State to his officers and ministers. These taking advantage of his Majesties carelessenesse (the maine fault of this King) insensibly suck't and drayned the revenues of Crowne and Kingdome; till the King awakened by extreame necessitie, began to enquire, not how he came in (for his necessities would not permit that) but how he might get out.

The best way that his evill Counsellors could find to releeve their Master, and save themselves, was (the ordinary way of supply in Parliament declined) to have recourse to Monopolies, Patents, and other extraordinary and illegall Taxations. But (praeter-natu­rall courses are never long-lived) the free-borne English would not long endure such slavery.

When the King saw there was no other remedy, hee throwes himselfe into the bosome of his people for reliefe, and advise in [Page 2] Anciently called the wood o [...] mad Parlia­ment, or [...] in [...] styled, [...] Parli [...]mentum, Fabian. Parliament, Chron. Nor­wic. where they undutifully taking advantage of his Majesties extremities, instead of reliefe, outbrave him publiquely, with a Like the Re­monst. of De­cemb, 15. 1641. Matth. Westm. & Math. Paris. Catalogue of all the mistakes, and all the mis-fortunes of his former government; which comming to the peoples eares soon stole away their hearts, and alienated their affections from their Soveraigne, and left him wholly to the mercy and will of his Parliament. They sensible hereof, and that the reines of Govern­ment were now cast upon their necks, (like Apollo's Horses, when Phaeton had the driving of them) ran violent by-courses, till they set the whole kingdome on fire.

So far they went as to make an Ordinance, That whereas there was present want of a through-reformation in the State, the go­vernment thereof should be put into the hands of foure and twenty, Qui Regiâ potestate suffulti, who being armed with Soveraigne power, should take upon them the whole care and government of the Kingdome, should nominate and appoint the Chancellor, Treasu­rer, Chiefe Justices, Governours of Forts, Castles, and Navie, and all other great Officers, and Ministers of State for all times to come.

Matth. Westm.To this traiterous Ordinance, the King, Metu incarcerationis perpetuae compulsus est consentire, for feare of perpetuall imprison­ment, was inforced to give his Royall assent: And for further se­curity, to be content to give it under the great Seale, and upon Oath, that whensoever he attempted to assume unto him his Regal power, Chron. orig. sub sigillo. Lice at omnibus de Regno nostro contra nos insurgere, & ad gravamen nostrum opem & operam dare, ac si nobis in nullo tene­rentur. It should be lawfull for all his Subjects to rise against him and oppose him, as if they owed no alleigeance to him.

Nil nisi pro um­bra nominis ha­bebatur. Matth. Westm.Strange it is that he should be content to be a meere Cipher, that so lat [...]ly was the onely Figure of the whole Kingdome, that hee should be content to part at once with every tittle of Soveraign­ty, but the bare title! But prodigious, that so many choise Sena­tors, so many Fathers and Judges of Law and Conscience, should so forget God and themselves, as to give their assent for the totall subverting of the Regall authority, when as they had all taken their corporall Oathes, De terreno honore dicto Regi & haeredibus ejus servando. Matth. Westm. Which Oath was well kept (saith mine Author) Ordi­nando ne unquam regerent, sed semper ab aliis regerentur: by making an Ordinance that they should never rule againe, but [Page 3] alwaies bee ruled by others.

These foure and twentie thus setled, continue the Parliament during their pleasure, put the Kingdome in a posture of defense, Regist. Rossen. place governors of their own choosing, such as they could confide in, in the cheife Forts, nominate and appoint Judges of Assise, She­riffes of Counties, Coroners, Bailifes, (discharging those that were made by the King) took an oath of them all respectively.

And here they would make the people believe they should ne­ver be troubled with licencious Soveraignty againe; (but never more as it proved:) for now every one of them began to value his owne worth, and to hammer his head on every designe that might enlarge his owne power and command. In briefe, of so many subjects, they became totidem Tyranni, (as the book of St. Albanes speakes) so many Tyrants, and for one bad King be­fore, they have foure and twenty worse.

But England (like old Rome) cannot long endure more Kings then one: great faction and deadly feud arose between the chief­est of them; which the rest taking into consideration, and per­ceiving that by so many heads, not onely Monarchy was dissolved, but faction and debate every day increased upon them, so wrought that all, but five, agreed that the foresaid Ordinance should be re­pealed, and the King restored to his pristine power. Matth. Westm. Preaching that Religion could never bee throughly re­formed, or the differe [...]es fully compeled, sine gladio [...], and that all that [...] lose their lives in this cause were Martyrs. [...].

But those five Members stifly oppose this agreement, and for the maintenance of their cause, trahunt multos pseudoprophetas, lupos, in ovium vestimentis, qui contra Christi Ʋicarios, & Chri­stum Domini Regem ipsum murmurant, non ut Spiritus San­ctus eloqui; sed ut superioris potestatis contemptores obloqui dabant: they drew to their side many lying Ministers, (Wolves in sheeps cloathing) who murmure and speake evill against the Lords Anointed, not as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance, bu [...] as the despisers of dignities gave them their lessons.

These Incendiaries by their sheeps clothing (a faire conversati­on) drew the people every where to side with them against the King, and those that wishe the King his former power. Which the King perceiving, and how the multitude grew every day more and more tumultuous, Chron. Dunst. (for all things were now ca [...]ed by tu­mults) was advised by his Privie Councell, to withdraw himselfe (least His person might be endangered) from the Parliament (then held at Westminster) to His Castle at Windesor.

[Page 4]After some contestation at this distance, it was agreed upon by the King and his adherents, and the five Members and their ad­herents, that the difference should be referred to the French Kings arbitrement. Rishanger.The King of France upon the day of hearing, gave sentence that the said Ordinance, whereby the King was depri­ved of his regall power, should be made null.

The five Members and their complices seeing this, (notwith­standing they had bound themselves by oath to stand to his award) flew off, and resolving to have their owne wills, drew into arms, made choice of the Earl of Leicester for their Generall, and (for their own private interest, pretending the publick good) drew the greatest part of the Kingdome after them, ( Cotton. so easie it is to draw the fickle multitude to the wrong side) crying every where at first, Liberty and Religion, though towards the end of the war not a word of either.

Hollinsh.By their faire pretences, they gained so far upon the Londoners, that they generally enter into a Covenant to assist the Earle: For which purpose (besides a new Major or Bailiffe) they chose two Commanders, Thomas Pywelsden and Stephen Buckerell, at whose command, by the tolling of St. Pauls great bell, they were to be in Armes upon any occasion. Their first exploit was a march to Isleworth in a tumultuous manner, where they plunde­red and fired the Kings brothers Mannour-house.

The Earls Army by this time on their march, plundered all that were dis-affected to their cause and proceedings, and imprisoned them: Rishanger. Especially those that stood any way affected to the Queen: for they all (but most of all the Londoners) were most malicious­ly bent against her; insomuch that as she was passing the Thames neer the Bridge, For disswa­ding the King to stand to the foresaid Ordi­nance of Par­liament. a rude rabble of the City got together on the Bridge, and with confused yellings cryed, Drown the witch, &c. and by throwing dirt and stones at her, drave her back: which impious affront was punctually remembred in the first fight; as you shall hear anon:

Rishanger.Besides this main army under the Earle of Leicester, they had a­nother army under the command of the Lord Ferrers (of whom descended the late Lord of Essex) who behaved himselfe inso­lently towards the King, in destroying his Parks as he marcht, &c. which in the conclusion cost him dear; yet to delude the people, the main Army bore before them the Kings Arms: And to shew [Page 5] they were for the King, when they had displaced the old Gover­nours of the Kings Castles and Forts, and placed in such as they could confide in, they gave them an Oath to be true to the King, and to keep those holds to the use and benefit of the King and State: yet when the King demanded entrance at one of his Forts, Dover. Chron. Dunstan. wherein they had placed a Governour, he was kept out.

At Sea, the Barons of the Cinque-ports seized the Kings Ships, took great Prizes, but they that sate at Stern upon Land shared in those Prizes, as the fame then went.

By this time the King began to rouze himself, and finding no­thing now left him, but a good Cause and the hearts of his wiser Subjects, yet by that, and these, and the assistance of his Brother Richard, King of the Romans, in a short space he had raised a consi­derable Army. (A King can never be so down, but he will rise a­gaine) with these he march't (and like a snow-ball encreased by motion) plundering the Rebels lands as he went to Northampton, which was fortified against him by some of the cheifest of the Re­bels; yet by a furious assault he soon gained it.

Thence continuing his march into Sussex, neer Lewes, he recei­ved a Message from the Earle, the tenour whereof was, That as for his Majesty they intended no harm against him, but only desired that he would remove his evill Counsellors that did advise his Ma­jesty against them, against the honour of the King, and welfare of the Kingdom. The King in his Answer charges them with Rebel­lion and disloyalty, and commands them to lay down their armes and to return to their obedience, that they might be received to mercie: but the Earle rejecting the offer ( Cambdens ob­servation in the case of Ro­bert Earle of Essex. when Subjects have once broken their fealty and trust to their Soveraign, they never dare trust their Soveraign againe) resolves to give the King battell.

Neer Lewes both armies meet: One wing of the Earls Army was made up of London Troops, which the Prince being then Ge­nerall of the Kings horse, observing, Equites haec haec seditionum seclerum (que) om­nium capita sunt, nunc nunc fortiter adjicite tela. and remembring (not with­out indignation) the abuse offered by the Londoners to the Queen his Mother, he clapt spurs to his horse, and all his Cavalrie after him, crying, [ Here, here, (my brave Cavaliers) are the main con­trivers of all rebellions and mischief; Now, now, if ever charge home,] and so fell on with that fury, that they presently flie: the Prince in an eager and hot pursuit does great execution upon them for four miles. But this prosperous beginning of the fight on the [Page 6] Kings side was the utter overthrow of the Kings forces: for when the Earle perceived that the Prince (a young fiery spirit) with all the Kings horse was gone so far in pursuit of the Londoners, he fell violently on the Kings foot, and soon routed them; took the King, (his horse being slain under him) prisoner. The Prince at length re­treating (when he saw all lost) surrendered himselfe. There were taken in this fight (besides those royall prisoners, the King, the Prince, the Kings brother and his eldest Sonne) above twenty No­blemen that were for the King; and slaine about Southwell. 3400.

Rishanger.The Earle having thus gotten a compleat victory, forthwith en­deavours to seize all the Militia, and power of the Kingdom, for which end he carries the King about with him to countenance his actions; but the rest of the royall Prisoners he disposes in severall garrisons.

And now the Earle beleeves all his own, and the people dream of nothing but Peace, but alas the warre was not begun till now: For when the torne remainder of the Loyal army that escaped at L [...]wes, now keeping garrison in Bristow, and other noble spirits saw how insolently the Earle dealt with his and their Soveraign in barring him of his liberty, &c. They soon raised a considerable power under the command of Roger Mortimer Earle of March: unto whom many flockt out of Shropshire, Cheshire, Hereford­shire, and Worcester, that were well affected to the King.

Moreover the Queen (who was a French woman) got over be­yond sea, to trie her friends for their assistance to restore her Hus­band to his former libertie and authoritie, Quod ad laudem & magnificentiam Aelionora Anglorum Reginae libet intexere (saith one of that Age) quod Domino suo, & Edvardo filio tam strenuè & tam virilitèr tanquam virago potentissima succurrendis forti­tèr insudaverit.

But before these forces were well united, the Rebels forces were as well divided: for debate arising (as is usuall in all confederations, where all parties must be pleased, or else the knot will dissolve) be­tween his Excellency the Earle of Leicester, and the Earle of Glo­cester, because his Excellency, minding his own private, more then the publique good of his fellow Rebels, (without any respect had to his adjutants) ingrosses all to himself, disposes of the Royall prisoners at his own pleasure, seized on the revenues of the Crown, and composition of Delinquents for his own use, (whereas they [Page 7] had privately agreed before, Ea omnia aquâ sorte inter eos divi­denda fore). In briefe he shared all places of power and profit betweene himselfe, his sonnes, and his allies. Whereat Glocester (as good a man as he) stomackt and fell off with his followers to the Prince, who by this time ( disponente domino clavigero carce­rum, every thing working for the King) had made his escape out of prison at Hereford: (for being allowed by his keepers to aire him­self sometimes on horse back in the town meadow, after he had ty­red two or three, at length he mounts a speciall fleet Nag, and put­ting spurs custodibus valedixit) and came safe to Wigmore Castle, where the Lord Mortimer lay with his forces raised for the King, so marcht on with a great power, taking in (as they went) some strong garrisons of the rebels, plunder'd their houses, drave their cattel, &c.

Here the warre grew hot, each side fortifying towns and hou­ses, plundering and driving all round about to store the garrisons: Mens houses (which were wont to be their own castles) were now made castles, but the owners were least Masters; all left to the mercy of the rude souldier, the poor Countrymans dwelling house pillaged every where and searcht, Rishanger. usque ad lectorum stra­mentum, to the very bedstraw: nor onely mens houses, but e­ven Gods houses, the very Churches were not free from the pro­phane hands of plunderers; the high wayes lay unoccupied, no passing from town to town without danger of robbing.

When the Prince, the Earle of Glocester, the Earle of March, with the reliques of the royal army were united and well ordered, they resolved to give his Excellency (the Earle of Leicester) bat­ [...]ell: At Evesham in Worcestershire by a speedy and unexpected march, they came upon him. The Earle seeing himselfe engaged to fight, gave order that his own coat-armour should be put upon the King, who was then a prisoner in the Army, and that the King (for the safety of his person forsooth) should be placed in the front of the battell, that so if the battell went against him, the King might be aimed at as Generall, and his Excellency thereby make his e­scape. But the King at first charge called out to the loyall army, that he was their King, and so was preserved; yet not without the losse of some of his own, (being wounded by a javelin) as well as his subjects blood: the battell was very violent, and went sore a­gainst the Rebels; at length the Earle himselfe (the head of this Rebellion) was cut off; at the instant of whose death, there hap­pened [Page 8] such extraordinary lightening, thunder, and thicke darke­nesse, that it struck a generall horrour and amazement into the hearts of the Rebels, as if the King of Kings would now at last visibly revenge the Kings quarrell, or as if they had seen Gods immediate hand against them, as once against Corah, and the 250. Assembly men, Numb. 16. v. 35. for the like rebellious practises.

In this signall Battell were slaine, besides the Earle and his sonne) sixteen Lords and Knights, and about ten thousand more of the Rebells part.

The Earles Corps was strangely (though not undeservedly) handled by the people, who were so inraged against him, the chief actour and authour of their so much mischiefe and misery, that (in despight of him) they lopt off his head, hands, feet, and pri­vie members, and sent them (in scorn) for tokens to severall places; his body was buried in Evesham Church. Notwithstan­ding this, there were many ignorant people (who had been by spe­cious pretences abused, and seduced to that side) that were of opinion for a long time after, that he died a Martyr, because it was in defence of their holy (as they thought, but indeed impious) Co­venant and Oath.

Two of the Earles sonnes were at the same fight taken Priso­ners: not long after they made an escape out of Prison, but could not escape Gods vengeance on Rebells; for in France, In miseriis dies suos finiverunt.

The Countesse, being banished, died a Nunne in France ▪ All the Earls Honours and Possessions were conferred upon Edmond Earle of Lancaster the Kings second son. And thus ended this great fiery Meteor in a stench. Thus fell ou [...] English Catalin [...], (as M. Cambden stiles him) a man in show faire and honest, but in­deed, Vir pravo ingenio & profundâ perfidiâ: of a perverse dis­position, and treacherous beyond any mans suspition; after his Soveraigne had heaped upon him many high favours, as the Earle­dom of Leicester, and that high and honourable office of Lord high Steward, and (to endear him the more) had given him his own Sister in marriage: In token of thankfulness, he doth his utmost en­deavour to diminish the Kings known authority, to subject him to the wills of his Subjects, to pull down Monarchicall government, and set up a factious Oligarchy, and all under that faire common pretence of restoring Religion to its purity, and the People to their Liberty.

[Page 9]The King thus happily preserved, and almost miraculously (all things considered) set at liberty; about a Month after calls a Parliament at Winchester, (no more at London, untill it was more loyall, Fabian. and lesse tumultuous) where by a full Convention it was e­nacted. That all Statutes and Ordinances made by the former Parliament (called the wood or mad Parliament) should be repea­led, and all writings and bonds then sealed by the King for obser­ving the sam [...], should be cancelled and made void. That the City of London, ob suam Rebellionem, Rishanger. for this her Rebellion should be de­prived of all her ancient Priviledges and Liberties, and the Ring-leaders of them, juxta voluntatem ipsius Regis plecti, to suffer such punishment as his Majesty was pleased to inflict: Et ditiores Civi­tatis in carcerem truderentur ( saith Matth. Westm.) Pro eo quod Simoni, in Regis contemptum, & etiam damnum Regni, fortiter adhaeserint: that the wealthier Citizens should be cast in prison, because they had in contempt of his Majesty, and great dammage and mischief of the Realm assisted the Earle. Furthermore it was there enacted that all such as had favoured the Rebels (were they now in prison, or at large) should forfeit all their estates.

Afterward the King marcht with a great power to Windesore. resolving (as the fame then went) to destroy the whole City of London: Many of the Rabble and wild Commoners (saith Fabi­an) were as resolved to defend the City against him: but the wiser sort thought better to become humble petitioners for their pardon of what was past, then to incense his Majestie any farther; and to that end, drew up an humble Petition, and presented it to the King: but their late rebellious carriage had so farre provoked his Majesties patience, that he would not so much as admit of their Petition, or hearken to any that endeavoured to mediate for them.

Hereupon they were advised to draw up an Instrument or wri­ting, whereby they should yeeld themselves wholy, both bodies and goods to the Kings mercie, which was done accordingly, and sealed with the Common Seale of the Citie.

His Majestie upon earnest suit unto him, accepted hereof, gi­ving present expresse command, that all the Chaines and Posts which they had placed at every street and lanes end, should be forthwith carried to the Tower, and that the Mayor and fourty of the chiefe Citizens should repaire unto him the next day, and confirme their said writing: this was done, and they all came ac­cordingly; [Page 10] but (contrary to their expectation, though not de­serts) were all delivered into the custody of the Constable of Windesore Castle, and shut up there in a large Tower, where they had small cheere, and worse lodging. The next day toward night, all (but five, whereof the Mayor was one) had their enlargement▪ Those five, their bodies and goods, were as a boone bestowed on the Prince, the rest were commanded to attend at Windesore for a long time after.

Sixty or seventy wealthy Citizens with all their Lands, goods; and Chattels, did the King dispose to his household servants.

For the Government of this unruly City, the King appointed one Othon a forreiner, or stranger, first Constable of the Tower, and then Custos, or Warden of the Citie, to pull downe their haughty rebellious spirits, and that his Peace for the future might be surely kept, he required the best mens sonnes in the City for Hostages. These he clapt up in the Tower, and caused them to be there kept at the cost and charges of their Parents.

Daily suit was made unto his Majestie for his Pardon and fa­vour, but in vaine: then they petition the King to know his gra­cious pleasure, what Fine he would demand of the whole City, for their offences against him. The King at length signified unto them that the summe of fifty thousand Marks should be their Fine. Whereto the Londoners returne this humble answer. They had been of late, by this unhappie War, so exceedingly impove­rished, that a summe so great (as it was in those times) could not possibly be raised amongst them; wherefore they humbly be­seeched his Princely compassion might be so farre extended to­wards them, as to require, and accept according to their abilities. At length, after much suit and submission, and a fine of twenty thousand Marks, the King received them to mercy, and sent them under his great Seale a generall Pardon (those onely excepted, whose estates were already bestowed) granting and allowing that their former Charter, and ancient Priviledges should be restored unto them, notwithstanding all the transgressions (they are the words of the Pardon) and trespasses done to Vs, to our Queene, to our noble brother, Richard King of Almaine and the Prince, our first begotten sonne.

And here was the first pacification betwixt the King and the Londoners, for whom wee may say thus much, That [Page 11] their foule Rebellion against their Soveraigne was not more de­testable, then their humble submission to their Soveraigne was commendable. And therefore in the Ordinance, called Dictum de Kenelworth, made for the setling of the Kingdome, we find them (notwithstanding, all their disloyalty) commended, as shall be seen in the ensuing Story.

After the proud stomach of this City was brought down, and all tumultuous spirits quelled, the King calls his Parliament ( in festo Sancti Edvardi Regis) to Westminster, wherein those that aided and assisted the Earle were all (excepting the Londoners) attainted, and that all their Lands and goods were forfeited.

But this Sentence (though it was lesse then they deserved) yet was more then they would endure, and therefore the fire (that was not yet quencht, but smothered) breakes forth againe. Some flie into the Isle of Ely, and fortifie that. Some into the Isle of Axholme in Lincolnshire. Another party possesse themselves of Killingworth Castle. Another, under the command of the Lord Ferrers, in the Northerne parts. And amongst others, one Adam Gurdon lived as an Outlaw in Hampshire; Rishanger. tum rarus aut nullus locus in Anglia fuit tutus, eò quod terra erat vespilionibus ple­na: Now scarce any place in England was free from plunderers.

To reduce these to obedience, the King undertakes Killing­worth Castle. The Prince was sent against Adam Gurdon. Lord Edmond the Prince's brother against those in Axholme; And Lord Henry the King of Almaines son, against the Lord This Lord Henry, the Kings Ne­phew, was a valiant Soul­dier, and ha­ving found out the Lord Ferrers at Che­sterfield, gave him battel, and overthrew him, and be­cause he had been pardoned once before, it was decreed that he should be degraded, and deprived of his Earle­dome for ever, and fined fifty thousand pounds. Ferrers.

To the Rebels in Killingworth Castle the King sent first a gra­cious message, willing them to desist, and to returne to their obe­dience. But they, contrary to all Law of Armes, contrary to natural civilitie, cut off the Messengers hand, and sent him back with an uncivil answer. Then the King marcht to Killingworth, and sate downe before it upon Midsummer Eve. During the siege (which lasted six Months) Clerus & populus convocantur, & duod [...]im eliguntur de potentioribus Procerum, & prudentiori­bus Pralatorum, quibus datur potestas ordinandi super Statu­tum exharedatorum, &c. The Clergie and Laitie are assembled, and out of the chiefest of the Peerage, and wisest of the Prelates, were chosen twelve, to whom power was given to pronounce sentence against the Rebels, and to settle the peace of the King­dome; they, first taking an oath, de utilibus ordinandis, to de­cree [Page 12] nothing, but what should be for the good of the Common­weale.

Then the people take a solemne oath, Quod dictum ipsorum in­violabiliter observarent; that they would stand to their Decree, which to this day, by our Lawyers is called, Dictum de Kenel­worth; a severe, yet a good and wholesome course (without ef­fusion of blood) to punish Rebellious Subjects.

The Decree was as followeth.

In English thus.

Thus endeth that Famous Ordinance called to this day About the end of October the King assem­bled all the Lords Spiri­tuall & Tem­porall, and Knights of Shires, to Northampton, where this de­cree was con­firmed by Act of Parliament. Dictum de Kenelworth; wherein are comprised the wisest rules, that the wisest men of those times could possibly devise, to uphold, com­pose, [Page 18] and recover a tottering, distracted, dying Kingdome.

The Barons of Cinque Ports seeing the King prosper, made their peace with the King.About two Months after the publication of this Ordinance, viz. upon Saint Thomas Eve, the Castle was delivered up, upon con­ditions (too good for those that had so barbarously used the Kings Messenger, contemned the King, and impoverished the countrey) to march away with their goods, and to undergoe no fine for taking up Armes.

This Castle had the King bestowed upon the Earle of Leicester, in franke marriage with his sister Elionor; but when the Earle by his Rebellon had forfeited, and the King had now won it, he gave it to his own Sonne, Edmund Earle of Lancaster, who by this time had reduced the Isle of Axholme, and all those rude igno­rant people, that flockt thither, pillaging and plundering the Kings friends round about.

The Prince also met with Adam Gurdon, a famous sturdy Re­bell, that lay lurking in Aulton Wood in Hampshire, robbing and spoyling the adjacent parts, Pracipuè terras corum qui parti Re­giae adhaerebant; Rishanger. the Prince upon his approach, hearing of his va­lour, sent him a Challenge for a single Combate. Gurdon accepts it, and performed it so gallantly, that the Prince assured him of his life and estate, if he would submit: which he did, and was re­ceived into great favour with the Prince; but divers of his men were there executed.

But now the Isle of Ely was strongly fortified by a great mul­titude got together, that refused to submit to the Ordinance of Kenelworth. Upon the naturall strength of this Isle, and the plen­ty of all provision therein, seditious Rebels have often presumed, and from hence have molested more Kings then one, as they did now the neighbouring Counties, robbing, and pillaging Nor­folk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, plundering the City of Nor­wich, and carrying away the richest Citizens, made them redeem themselves: at length a message was sent unto them, requiring them to submit to the Ordinance of Killingworth, to leave off robbing their fellow subjects, and to return to their alleigeance: Hereto they return this insolent answer, that they had taken up arms to defend the good of Church and State, and therefore ought to be restored to their lands without paying any fine. In briefe they require hostages into the Island, and that they might hold it five yeers peaceably, till they saw how the King would performe [Page 19] his promises, (perfidious subjects ever suspect their Princes fide­lity) which high insolency of theirs (unheard of till our times) so exasperates the King, that he resolves to try the utmost to reduce them to their obedience; for that purpose marches with a mighty Armie against them, the Prince also joyns with a considerable power; after many assaults, at length (after they had held it above two yeers) by the helpe of new made bridges and boates, they stormed it on every side that they were forced to yeeld.

And now men thought that the fire was quite out. But there were yet some live embers (which the Earle of Glocester upon some distaste blowing) suddainly flamed out again in London, where the Commons of the City forgetting their late punishment, and as men (saith mine author) without dread of God or the King: drew up in Arms again, flock't to the Earle of Glocester, Fabian. plundered the well-affected to the King, sequestred their estates, brake the Prisons, chose a new Mayor and Sheriffes, made Bul­warks and Barbicans, and forfeited the City wonderously, and were so confident of their strength and cause, that they durst bid the King battell, appointing Hou [...]sloe-heath for the field.

The King by a speedy march came to the place at the time ap­pointed; but they instead of meeting his Majesty, ran about the Ci­tie in a tumultuous manner. Some to Westminster, and there plun­dered the Kings Pallace, fenestras & ostia fregerunt, (saith Mat. Westm.) vix manus à combustion [...] totius Palatii cohibentes; brake the doores and windows, hardly forbearing to set it all on fire.

Then the King removed his campe to the other side of the City, and had his head-quarters at Straisord, three miles off the Citie, the rest of his Army lay at Ham, a village hard by. The wiser Citizens foreseeing the danger that hung over them, desired a treaty with the King, wherunto (though they were most unworthy of so much clemency) His Majesty was graciously pleased to condescend, and upon these easie termes they were vain received to mercy.

Imprimis, Salvo in omnibus aicto Killingworthi, that the ordi­nance of Killingworth should be observed in all points; then that the fortifications should be razed, and the trenches filled up; last­ly, that 1000. Marks dammages should be paid down to the Kings brother, for his Mannour of Isleworth, fi [...]d by them long before.

Also his Majesty for some yeares following cho [...] the Mayor and Sheriffes himselfe: but toward the latter end of his Reign, being [Page 20] fully reconciled, he restored them their (often forfeited) Then did the King, com­mand, that Peace should be proclaimed all the King­dome over, which was re­ceived with joyfull accla­mations. Privi­ledges.

Thus after the Almighty (whose judgements are unsearchable) had suffered crafty seditious spirits to seduce a whole Nation, to trample upon his Anointed, and to tread his Honour in the very dust for a time, yet at length, all his enemies are clothed with shame, and upon himselfe his Crown flourisheth again.

And now after this furious dreadfull Tempest, after so many storms and showers of blood, began a joyful long-expected Calm, which that they might enjoy without any intervening of more stormes, and for the better setling and quieting the Kingdome, the King gives expresse command for the razing of divers in-land Castles; as Farnham, &c. That so if another Rebellion should be begotten, it might no where find a Nurse, and then it could not be long lived.

Also, for the more quiet and secure travelling of his Subjects, he appoints a Captain in every County, who with a Troop of Horse should alwaies assist the Sheriffe, for the taking and punishing all stragling reliques of the late Armies, and high-way robbers, wher­with the Kingdome did abound at that time, no place free from them. In some places also, Ruricolae (saith Rishanger) the Coun­trey people would generally rise against them (as against Wolves or Beares;) and at one time, they took and kill'd fifty of them, that were got together neer St. Albans in Hartfordshire.

Besides, the King Proclamari fecit contra pacem regni distur­bantes, set forth a Proclamation against all such as should any way disturbe the quiet of the Realm, by plundering or stealing, &c. And that if any man should presume to steal but a Cow or a Sheep, vel aliquid aliud (saith mine Author) he should surely be put to death.

These were the petty devises of that Age, to pump and draine the huge sinke of the Kingdom, but the Staple Policie was, by a Forraign expedition (like a wide [...]uce) to let out all the filth at once: for which purpose therefore (among others) it was resol­ved upon, that a great Army should be raised under the Command of the Prince, for a voyage to Palestine. And by this course espe­cially did his Majesty soon spend the insolencies of his owne, and the Rebels Souldiers, So at a late Dyet, or Par­liament in Germany (af­ter they had undutifully strived with the Emperour, and wasted the Empire) it was conclu­ded, That all should be re­duced to the same state as it was in the yeer 1618. made Lawlesse by the late unavoidable Li­berty of Civill Armes.

And here was an end of this wasting, groundlesse, unnaturall [Page 21] War, wherin the Subject having struggled and wrestled with So­veraigntie, till they had wasted the Kingdom, and wearied them­selves, at last are content to sit downe by the losse, to let the King have his own Rights again, and some of theirs, according to the usuall event and issue of such imbroylements.