CHOICE OBSERVATIONS OF ALL THE KINGS OF ENGLAND FROM THE SAXONS To the Death of KING CHARLES the First. COLLECTED Out of the best Latine and Eng­lish VVriters, who have Treated of that Argument.

By EDVVARD LEIGH Esquire, and Master of Arts of Magdalen Hall in Oxford.

LONDON, Printed for Ioseph Cranford, at the Sign of the Gun in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1661.

TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES the Second, King of Great-B [...]ittain, France and Ireland.

Most Gracious Soveraigne;

I Hope this Dedication of these my Collections con­cerning all the Kings of England to your Sacred Majesty, from the first of them (of whom there is any thing credible in story) to the decease of your Royall Father, will not be interpreted either a fruit of ambition or over-bold presumption. I have had the honour for­merly to dedicate Books to very eminent Societies and Persons, but never to any so signally eminent and publike a Person as your Majesty. And should not have taken the confidence to have begun now, but that (in regard of the Argument I treat of) I thought there was an obligation upon me; and that of right such a Work was to be presented onely to Him, who is the just [Page] and unquestionable Successour to all those Kings I here mention. Beda to King Ceolwolph. Speed his Hi­story of Great­brittain to King Iames. I finde it usuall with those who either wrote Chronicles in ge­nerall, or the reigns of some particular Prin­ces, to inscribe the Name of the King or Prince then living to their Works. Howe his An­nals, or Conti­nuation of Stow and Ba­cons Henry the 7 th to your Father when Prince. I wish my Observations were as choice, as the subject is sutable. Since Cadwallader, the last King of the Britains, there was none born Prince of Great-Britain but your Majesty. Hactenus Anglorum nulli was there­fore the Motto on the Medals made in me­mory of your Birth-day the 29 th of May 1630, with three Laurels upon them be­tokening three Kingdoms. May your raign be as prosperous and happy, as your birth was glorious and It was illu­strious both in respect of the bright Star which then appeared at high-noon in the presence and sight of all, (See Stella meridiana) & also in respect of your near alliance to the greatest [...]rin­ces of Chri­stendom. illustrious; your deli­verance by Sea at your entrance into Scot­land, and your escape by Land at Worcester-fight, and after in England; and your hap­py restitution to your Kingdom, was won­derfull and conspicuous. Kings have their regal Titles and Ornaments. To the Kings of Spain from the time of Alphonsus King of Castile, about 800 years agoe, for expelling the Arians, was given the Title of Catholike, as Michael Ritius a Neapoli­tan writeth. To the French King the Title [Page] of most Christian from the time of Philip the Emperour, about 400 years since, Doway Notes on Iosh. 3. 8. as recordeth Nicol, Gillius. To our King Henry the 8 th of England for his Book of the Sacraments against Luther, Pope Leo the 10 th gave the Title, Defender of the Faith See D r Basire of Sacriledge., which his Successors have since enjoyed, though in another sense than it was first intended. Henry the 5 th reigning amongst us, his Subjects gave him the Ti­tle of Montacu [...]ii Antidiatribae ad Diat. 1. Bulengeri. Grace. Under Henry the Saint, the 6 th, Excellent was added to Grace: Under Henry the 8 th the acclamation of Majesty began; a little after excellent Majesty, most excellent, and at last Sacred Majesty, which now is generally used.

Hookers Ec­clesiasticall Policy. l. 8. It is by di­vers Charters granted to the Church of Westminster, to be locus Coro­nationis Regis, & repositorium Regalium. Li­ber Regalis. The Sword presents the Princes pow­er, the Crown their glory. B. Bilson in his Sermon be­fore K. Iames at his Coro­nation. Kings are crowned, enthronized, and anointed; the Crown was a sign of a Mili­tary dominion; the Throne of sedentary or judiciall; the Oyl of Religious and sa­cred power.

A King by vertue of his Kingly Office hath two things to perform;

  • 1. To govern,
  • 2. To defend.

His Governing also divideth it self into two branches;

  • First, To direct,
  • [Page] Secondly, To recompence.

He directeth, by appointing what shall be done and forborn of all his subjects in his Jurisdiction.

He recompenceth or requiteth, by pu­nishing those which disobey the Laws, with such punishments as himself thinketh good to appoint, and to signifie to them in his penalties by which he ratifieth his Laws; and by rewarding those which keep the Laws, with such rewards as he seeth fit to specifie in his Statutes, and in generall, by making them partakers of the wealth, peace, quietness and happiness of his go­vernment.

He defendeth his subjects against the hostility of open enemies, and the injuries of their fellow-subjects.

It was an excellent speech of Henry the Great, King of France, your Grand-father by the Mothers side; When I was born there were a thousand other souls more born, what have I done for God more than they? Learn­ed King Iames your Grand-father by the Father, in his Book dedicated to Prince Henry, would have him to remember, that he differed not in stuff, but in use, from the rest of the people; and that by Gods Or­dinance. [Page] Kings as well as others are bound to read the Scriptures, See the [...] of Worcester [...] Sermon at the Coronation. Deut. 17. 18, 19, 20. and some think that Book of the Kings and Chronicles especially worthy their di­ligent perusall: others would have them study well the 101 Psalm. Next the Scri­ptures, Ecclesiasticall History is to be pre­ferred; King Iames comm [...]ndeth Caesar above all pro [...]e Writers, both for the sweet slowing of th [...] style, and the worthiness of the maner it self. some highly commend Polybius as usefull for Kings to read; and Causabon dedicating it to Henry the 4 th King of France, much magnifieth that Book, and likewise the reading of History in gene­rall. The Chronicles and Annals of their own Predecessors, surely must needs be both delightfull and profitable for them. Your Majesty may observe many things in them well worthy imitation: in Learn­ed and valiant Alfred, how thriftily he spent his time, how he encouraged Learn­ing and Learned men; in little Edgar, great Canutus; William the Conquerour; the many worthy Henries and Henry the first, the fifth, the seventh, the eighth. Edward the first, the third, the sixth, e­specially, who first began our happy Reformation in Religion. Edwards; your own wise Grand-father and Father of happy memory. Yet in the whole se­ries of the Kings and Queens of England (as others have made severall parallels of some of our English Kings) I have not found a fitter parallel in every respect for [Page] your Majesty than Queen Elizabeth. I will not speak of her skill in the modern Lan­guages, and how she often answered Em­bassadors her self, nor how gracious and gentle a Princess she was to her very ene­mies; wherein your Majesty is not un­like to Her. What troubles and hazards did she undergo, before she came to the Crown? with what joyfull and generall acclamations was she received into this Me­tropolis? I need not apply this to your Majesty, its sufficiently obvious to every vulgar capacity how you agree herein. Af­ter her Coronation, At the Coro­nation of King Ioash, the High-Priest delivered him the Testimo­ny, not only that he might know and do it himself, but take care (as much as lie in him) that it might be known and observed by the people. D r Hardy his Apostolicall Ly­turgy revived, on 2 King. 11. 12. Read the Scriptures di­ligently, and with an hum­ble spirit, and in it observe what is plain, and believe & live according­ly. D r Ier. Tay­lors Letter to a person newly converted to the Church. being presented with a Bible, as she passed by the little Con­duit in Cheapside, she received the same with both her hands, and kissing it said; That it had ever been her chief delight, and should be the rule by which she meant to frame her Government. Your Majesty in your entring into the City, at the presentment of the Bible to you by the Reverend London Ministers, used this speech, worthy to be written in Gold; I thank you for this Book above all other gifts, and assure you, I shall make it my first care to set up Gods Worship and service; this is the Book must guide us all; and I will make [Page] it the rule of my Life and reign. Queen Eli­zabeth was a couragious and stout spirited Princess. In 88, when the Spaniard was coming, she went to the Army at Tilbury-Camp, riding with a Truncheon or baston in her hand to the severall Companies, and by her presence and speech encouraged both Commanders and souldiers, saying to them as I have heard; If her brother Philip came, she would give fire to the first Piece against him: I might alledge the testi­mony of your greatest enemy, in confirma­tion of your Majesties valour at Worcester-battle.

Kings bear a double image of God, as they are men and as they are Magistrates. The Scripture saith; 2 Sam. 23. 3. Those which rule over men should be just, ruling in the fear of God. One Molinier in his Essay [...]. saith; They should labour to be more religious and pious toward God than ordinary persons, because of the great need they have of his illumination in their counsels, of his conduct in their en­terprises, of his force in their executions, and of his provident care in their va­rious occurrents, dangers & difficulties. The Kings seat was so set in the Temple, that all might see him there, Ezek. 46. 10. [Page] 2 Chron. 6. 12, 13. All that we beg at the hands of our Superiors, is a liberty to wor­ship God ac­cording to his word, that we may have no thing imposed upon us, but what we may be directed in our compli­ance with, by the rule of Scripture; we desire that men may not command where God is silent. The Ex­aminat. of D r Heylins History of the Refor­mar. of the Church of Eng­land. Those of the Presbyterian judgement, that out of a reall tenderness cannot comply in all particulars, will beyond doubt receive from his Majesty such savour and indulgence, as may abundantly suffice to their relief. M r L'estrange his Holy Cheat. p. 78. of the 2 d Edition. 2 King. 11. 14. & 23. 3. that by his example the devotion of his people might be stirred up. God ha­ving done such great things both abroad and at home for your Majesty, ex­pecteth great things from you. I shall humbly implore the Almighty, that he would so guide you in all your wayes, that you may make his Interest your great interest, by reforming what is a­miss in Court and Kingdom, by pro­moting his pure worship, encouraging the power of godliness, and all such as walk according to Scripture-rule, are peace­able, and hold the Fundamentals; by discountenancing Atheisme, errour, and profaneness, the fruits of abused peace and prosperity, altering the old speech for the better,

— Exeat aula
Qui vult esse pius; into impius.

So shall White-Hall answer its name, and [Page] your Majesty approve your self to be, what your Father desired, Charles the Good, which is the earnest prayer of

Your Majesties most humbly devoted and Loyall subject Edward Leigh

TO THE CURTEOUS AND CANDID READER.

Reader:

I Here present thee with Choice Ob­servations of all the Kings of Eng­land. I suppose the Subject will not be unpleasing to an Englishman, if the work be answerable to the Title. I have excerped my Materials out of the best La­tine Writers; the Monks (to whom we are especi­ally beholding for the History of our Kings of England) and chiefest English Chroniclers and Annalists, and such as have written of a few, or any one of our English Princes. Bedes Historia Gentis Anglorum, set out by Wheelock, of whom Petavius in his History of the world, lib. 8. cap. 4. saith thus, Bede made his Brittain famous with no lesse Godlinesse and Learning than History, who even unto the year 735 hath concluded the Christian beginnings of that Nation. Rerum Anglicarum Scriptores post Bedam praecipui, See M r Wheare De Method [...] le­gendi Historias, pag. 52. in Latine in folio, set out by S r Henry Savill, con­taining the History of Gulielmus Malmesburien­sis, Henry Huntington, Roger Hoveden and others. Anglica, Normannica, Hibernica, Cam­brica, [Page] a veteribus Scripta, in Latine also in Folio, put out by Camden. Matthew Paris his Works, set out by D r Watts, who is a faithfull Historian, and hath written the Reigns of the first seven Kings after the Conquest. Daniel doth very well so far as he goes, He is conti­nued by Trus­sell. Of the English Chroniclers, Speed, Martin, and Baker seem to be the best. Voluminous Hollingshead, Stow and How are not much esteemed by the Learned. S r John Hayward hath written well of the three Norman Kings, and Edward the sixth, he hath written briefly also of Henry the eourth. Godwin of Henry the eighth, Edward the sixth, and Queen Mary, and also of the Bishops of Eng­land, in Latine and English. S r Robert Cot­ton of Henry the third, Habington of Edward the fourth, S r Thomas More of Richard the third, both in Latine and English, and Buck, my Lord Bacon excellently of Henry the seventh, my Lord Herbert of Henry the eighth, Camden Annals of Queen Elizabeth, and D r Heylin (as is said) of King Charles the first. Historia est te­stis temporum, lux veritatis, vita memoriae, magistra vitae, nuncia ve­tustatis, Cicero l. 2. De Oratore History is both pleasing and profitable, especially the memorable things of all our own Kings and Governours, who have for so many years Raigned amongst us. Examples of Superiours especially are very prevalent, which of the Rulers believed in him Regis ad ex­emplum totus componitur or­bis. One Aschams Schoolema­ster, l. 1. p. 20. saith, if King Edward the sixth had lived a little longer, his on­ly example had bred such a Race of worthy learn­ed Gentlemen, as this Realm never yet did afford. Here are examples of all sorts, good and bad, to be followed and eschewed. Some loose, vain, and licentious; others learned, wise, valiant, minding [Page] the publick welfare of the Nation. The Pope could but little prevaile here in England, during the Raign of King Edward the third, and Richard the second. Henry the eighth cast him out then, when he had too great power and command over other Princes. As he cast out the Pope, so did his children Edward It was a ve­ry pious care, and of singu­lar example in so young a Prince, to in­tend & endea­vour the refor­mation of Reli­gion, and the Church within his Realms. For which even at this day we have cause to acknowledge the good pro­vidence of Al­mighty God in [...]aising him up to become so blessed an in­strument of his glory and our good. BP San­dersons Episco­pacy not pre­judicial to Re­gall Power. In the time of King Edward there was more I suppose, than what one calls it, a wambling toward the Ge­nevah Discipline; but neither very earnest, nor very popular. the sixth, and Queen Eliza­beth cast out Popery out of England, and so freed us from his spirituall bondage, as the other did from his Temporall May their memory be there­fore still precious amongst us, as the Reformation we enjoy chiefly by their means, is a singular bles­sing. Let Him be accounted our English Josias, and Her our English Deborah, on whom those Verses were made, Spains Rod, Romes Ruine, Netherlands Relief: Earths Joy, Englands Gem, Worlds Wonder, Natures chief.

Prince Henry likewise, eldest Son to King James, was a virtuous and hopefull Prince, had he not been taken away in the flower of his youth, he would (its thought) have much opposed the Pope and Spaniard. I have read somewhere of him, that he would not swear, no, not at his Sports and Recreation; and being demanded the reason t [...]ereof, he said, they were not of that weight, as to draw an oath from him. I hope therefore this Nation, having had such worthy Princes, and not being ignorant of the slavery they formerly in­dured, when the Pope called England his Ass, will [Page] never be so foolish, as to turn back again into E­gypt. As long as M r Foxe his Martyrology is so common to be read, eighty eight, and the fifth of November are so fresh in our remembrance, let us valew the losse of Rome here amongst us, no more than that Emperour Honorius did, of whom Zonaras Annal Tom [...] [...]. p. 33. writes, that he had a Hen called Ro­ma, and it being told him Rome was last, he was troubled, and said, She was here even now, yea said the other, the Hen is here, but the City is lost, he was then well pleased. Our Countriman Beda hath prophetically expounded that Roman S. P. Q. R. of our Englishmen travelling to Rome, Stul [...]us Populus Quaerit Roman. Though perhaps in some Whereas the Papists unjust­ly charge the Protestant Churches with Schism for de­parting from their Commu­nion: it could not but be a great scandall to them, to confirm them in that their uncharitable opinion of us, if we should ut­terly condemn any thing as unlawfull, be­cause it had been used in the times of Po­pery, or abused by the Papists. B. Sanders. Epise. not pre­judiciall to Re­gall Power.cases, one may go too far from Rome; yet since some of our Bishops formerly have written well against Antichrist, and others have made the Pope to be Antichrist; and since also the Iesuites are still busie amongst us, I wish there may be no unwar­rantable compliance either with the Romish Do­ctrine or Rites.

Thomas Lever (who Preached before King Edward the sixth, and escaped the fury of Queen Maries dayes) is commended by Bullinger, in his Epistle to Hooper. He was the first setled constant Preacher at the Temple, As Father Gilpin, and Fa­ther Latimer. Father Lever, for so by my Father and others, I alwayes heard him stiled. M r Gatakers Discourse Apologeticall against Li­lie. I have two Sermons of his, Preached in the same year at Pauls 1550, one in Pauls Church, the other at the Cross, S t Thomas Chaloner was ordi­nary Embassadour from Queen Elizabeth into [Page] Spain almost four years, Annal. Rerum Anglicarum parte prima. p. 101, 102. Ubi (saith Camden) de Republica Ang [...]icana instauranda terso & eru­dito Carmine quinque libros composuit, dum ut ille dixit, hieme in furno aestate in horreo de­geret; which is thus Englished by one Darcie, who first (after a fashion) Translated Camden into English, though it be better rendred since. S t Tho. Chaloner wrote a Book whilst he was in Spain, which he Entitled, Hieme in furno aestate in hor­reo, not so jolly an Inscription, as that Libell Intituled, The Arraignment of Persecution, &c. Printed for Bartholmew Bang-Priest, M r Lyfords Conscience Informed touching our late Thanks­givings. and are to be sold at his Shop in Tolleration-street, at the Sign of the Subjects Liberty, right opposite to Per­secution Court, 1645. I remember I have heard a story of a valiant man, that thus answered one inquiring after his name and lodging: My name is Dangerfiel'd, I lye at the Sign of the Sword and Buckler, over against the Bleeding-Heart, in Gunpowder Allie: But too much of this. I hope this Book with the other already out, will give some light to the knowledge both of the Kings and Kingdome of England, in confidence where­of, I rest

Thy hearty well-wisher Edward Leigh.

Choice Observations OF ALL THE KINGS of ENGLAND, FROM THE SAXONS, To the Death of King CHARLES I.
CHAP. I.

ENgland was five times pla­gued by other Nations: First, Fox his Acts and Monumen [...] vol. 1. By the Romans: Then by the Scots and Picts: Thirdly, By the Saxons: Fourthly, By the Danes: Fifthly, By the Normans.

[Page 2] The Nation of the Saxons was generally most warlike and martiall. Cambd Brit. Engl [...]sh Sax­ons. Saxons e [...]oient tous extreme­ [...]ent belli queux & comme es [...]rit Zosine, l [...] plus vaillants & re­nommez de tous les Germanis, en grandeur de Courage, en for­ces de [...]ps, & en patience au [...]ravail Histoi­re D [...] Angle­terre Par An­dre Da Ches­ne. l. 6. p. 1 [...]6. They gave unto those Saxons their first original, who now inhabite the Dukedome of Saxony.

They left very few Cities, Towns, Vil­lages, Rivers, Woods, Fields, Hils or Dales in Brittain, which they gave not new names unto.

As the name of Oxford, or Oxenford, on the River of Thames, after the Town of like name in Germany, situated on the River of Oder.

Our Hereford near unto Wales, after Her [...]ord in Westphalia.

And so in like manner may be said of Stafford, Swinford, Bradford, Norden, New­arke, Bentham, Oxenbridge, Buchurst, Sconethorp, Holt, Mansfield, Swinefield, Hamsteed, Rad­cliffe, Rosendale, and many more. After that these Nations had now gotten sure sooting in the possession of Brit­tain, Verstigans An­tiq they divided it into seven Kingdoms, [...] tamen in [...] dominium, & Hexa [...]ch [...] ab [...] Anglorum [...] primordi­is [...] dictum) co [...]rcebantur. Sold. Analect. Anglo [...]bris. l. 2. [...] ▪ 4. and established an Heptarchy; in which notwithstanding the Prince which had the greatest power, was called King of the En­glish Nation: So that in this very Heptar­chy there was alwayes Monarchy.

The Saxon Government is usually divi­ded into the Heptarchy, Monarchy.

[Page 3] In the Heptarchy are these seven petty Kingdomes:

  • 1. Kent.
  • 2. Sussex.
  • 3. East Sax.
  • 4. East Angles.
  • 5. Mercia.
  • 6. Northumberland.
  • 7. West Sax.

In Kent with Hengist the first Invader, seventeen or eighteen are said to raign.

South Sax from Ello to Adhamus had a­bout ten Kings, of which Adlewolf was first Christened.

East Sax from Er [...]hwin to Swithred had thirteen Kings, whereof Sigby the third was first baptized.

The East Angles had fourteen Kings.

Mercia twenty Kings.

Christianity was first received by Penda, that founded Peterborough, as Ethebald did the Monastery of Crowland, and Ossa of St. Albans.

Northumberland about twenty foure Kings.

West Saxon nineteen Kings.

CHAP. II.
Hengist.

VVHen he first arrived in England, The first King of Kent became the first Mo­narch of the English men. he was a goodly young Gentleman, under the age of thirty yeares, and of an excellent wit: He was brought up in the service of the Emperour Valentinian the third, and last of that name. Verstegan.

He deserveth to be reputed the first Mo­narch of the English Nation.

Non minus acer ingenio, quam alacer in praelio. Malmesburiensis de Gestis Regum An­glorum.

He sailed out of Holland into Brittain; he built the Castle of Leiden in Holland.

The Saxons had only the Isle of Thanet first given them, Cam [...]. B [...]it English Saxons. where they first landed.

Hengist after obtained of King Vortiger, the property of so much ground, as he could enclose with a Buls Hide: which cutting into thongs, he there built the Castle called Thong-Castle, Histoire [...] An­g [...]t re lar [...] [...]Ches­ [...]e. l 6. p. 1 [...]. [...] Brit English Sax­ons. by Sittingbou­rine in Kent.

Why our first Progenitors Hengist and Horsa took their names of an Horse (for both their names in the Saxon tongue do signifie an Horse) surely I know not, un­less [Page 5] it were for a fore-token of their warlick prowess, Hengist signifieth [...] stoned Horse. according to that Verse of Virgil.

Bello armantur equi, Equus bellicoso­rum Saxoniae principum anti­quissimum insig­ne, pugna [...]it [...]is, celeretatis, & immoderati im­petus symbolum. Spelmanni A­spilogia. bella haec armenta minantur. l. 3. Aineid.

Hengist and Horsus, Brittains harmes,
Their Ens [...]gnes signing both their names,
The Saxon Horse their Armes,
Brave Warriours hither came.
Slatyers Palae-Albion Ode 7. p. 157.

Krantzius in hist. Saxon. l. 2. telleth us, that the Saxon-Princes in Germany before they became Christians, gave a black Horse for their Escutcheon; but being baptized, a white Horse; with reference haply to Rev. 6. 2.

The Saxons to the number of nine thou­sand, came in certain long Vessels they called Keeles, with their leaders, two Bro­thers, Hengist and Horsa, nobly descended; whose Ensign, as it was an usuall and ho­nourable device of antiquity, alluding to their names, their Banner being a white or silver Horse, in a Field Gules; Arms which the noblest Families of Saxons, and others thence descended, have born.

They were not all one people, but con­sisted of three severall Nations, viz. the Angles, the Iutes, and the Saxons; but they were all the inhabitants of some part, [Page 6] or other of Denmarke. Ays [...]u.

He raigned thirty four yeares.

CHAP. III.

ELLA.

THe first King of the South-Saxons, and second Monarch of the English men.

He raigned six yeares.

Cherdik.

The first King of the West-Saxons, and third Monarch of the English men.

He raigned twenty one yeares.

Kenrik.

The second King of the West-Saxons, and fourth of the English men.

He raigned twenty six yeares

Cheuline.

The third King of the West-Saxons, and fifth Monarch of the English men. C [...]aulini specta­tissimum in prae­li [...]s robar anna­les ad invidiam esserunt, quippe qui fuis Anglis stupori, Brittonibus odio, [...]trisque exitio. Mal [...]esburiensis de Gest is Anglorum. l. 1. c. 2.

He raigned thirty one yeares.

Ethelbert.

The fifth and first Christian King of Kent, and the sixth Monarch of the English men.

He was eminent for first receiving the Christian faith, brought from Rome by Austin, and for converting [...]ebert King of the East-Angles to Christianity, and as­sisting him in building St. Pauls in London, and St. Peters in Westminster.

That the Christian Religion was here in Brittain before the coming of Austin the Monk, may be proved out of Beda, who maketh mention of Brittish Bishops, but nameth none of them. Hist. Ang. l. 2. c. 2

Eusibius in vità Constantini l. 3. c. 18. saith that this Country was Christian three hundred yeares before.

M r Saller in his Rights of the Kingdome, saith, The first times of Christian Religion here, were much higher then Austin the Father, who might have been great Grand­father to Austin the Monk.

He brought the Lawes of his Country into their own mother-tongue, and left nothing unattempted, which might ad­vance the glorious Gospel of Christ.

He built St. Augustines, a goodly Church in Canterbury. He built also St. Pauls Church in London: and St. Andrews in Rochester.

[Page 8] He died in the three and twentieth year of his Monarchy, and the fifty sixth of his Kingdome of Kent.

Redwald.

The third King of the East-Angles, and seventh Monarch of the English men.

Of this Redwald Cambden reporteth out of Bede, that he was baptized; and that (to make sure, as he thought, of the right way of worship) he had in the same Tem­ple one Altar for Christian Religion, and another for sacrifice to Devils.

He raigned eight yeares, and was King of the East-Angles thirty one.

Edwine.

The Great King of Northumberland, and the eighth sole Monarch of the English men.

He was slain in Battell by Penda and Cadwallo the seventh year of his Monarchy, Polydor Virgil. Ang. hist. l. 4 p. 80. relates the manner of the Battell. the seventeenth of his Kingdome.

He lived fourty eight yeares.

Oswald.

King of Northumberland, and the ninth Monarch of the English men.

He was a religiou [...] King, Oswaldus fi­de quam ferro instruct [...]or. and took such care for the co [...]version and salvation of his Subject [...], that he sent into Scotland for aid, and a Christian Bishop to instruct his Nor­thumbrians [Page 9] in the Gospel of truth.

Mira fuit in homine sanctitas, H [...]jus regis laudes historia Bedae panegyri­co prosequitur stylo. Malmes­buriensis de Gestin Regum Anglorum. l 1. c. 3. vide plura ibid. mirum pie­tatis studium, nulli unquam malum pro malo reddidit, sed Christi regis summi exemplum imitatus, ijs etiam bene precabatur, beneque voleba [...], à quib [...]s accepisset injurias. Polyd. Virg. Ang. Hist. l. 4. p. 82.

He left the name to Oswalster in Shrop­shire.

Of this Oswald (as also of Stephan King of Hungary) it is storied, Inclytus ille & plurimis animi virtutibus (aa pietate pr [...]eser­tim in Deum) Princeps meri­to celeberrimus, Osuualdus, cum Northum­brorum regno anno salutis 634 fuisset potitus. God w. de Pra [...] ­sul. Angl. that their right hands though dead, never putrified, be­cause they had been much exercised in almes-deeds. Bed. hist. Angl. l. 3. c. 6. Bonsinius.

Quis suit Alcides? quis Caesar Julius, aut quit
Magnus Alexander? Alcides se superasse
Fertur, Alexander mundum, sed Julius hostem.
Se simul Osuualdus, & mundum vicit, & hostem.

He died in the 23. year of his Monar­chy, and the 56. of his Kingdome of Kent.

Oswy.

King of Northumberland, and the tenth Monarch of the English men.

He was Brother to Edwin and Oswald.

He founded the Cathedrall Church [Page 10] in Litchfield, for a Bishops See.

Upon an occasion Oswin humble [...] himself before the holyman Adrian, Beda. who upon sight thereof wept, and gave this reason of his weeping, I know this King will not live long; and this reason of his reason, for I never before this saw an humble King.

He lived fifty seven yeares, and raign­ed the space of twenty ei [...]ht yeares.

Wulphere.

The sixth King of the Mercians, and the eleventh Monarch of the Engl [...] men. wulpherus, ne spem civium falleret, edulò satagere, magnis & animi & corporis viribus utilem se princi­pem ostentare; denique Christi­anitatenst vix in regno suo palpi­tantem, & per fratrem initiatam favore suo enixissime suvit. Maimesburiensis de Gestis Regum Anglorum l [...]. c. 4.

He becoming a [...]hristian destroyed all those Tem [...]les, wherein his Heathen Gods had been worshipped, converting them all into Christian Churches, and religious Monasteries.

He raigned King over the Mercians se­venteen yeares, and Monarch of the En­glish fuily four.

Ethelred.

The seventh King of Mercia, Ethelredus ani­mi religione, quam pugnandi exercitatione ce­lebrtor▪ Malm. de Gestis Re­gum Angl. l. 1. c. 4. and twelfth Monarch of the English.

A modest Prince, which loved better to preserve then to encrease his power by Arms.

He raigned above thirty yeares.

Kenred.

The eighth King of Mercia, Quipietate in Deum, probitat [...] in patriam per­insignis, magna morum sincerita­te vitam cucur­rit, quintoque anno regni Romam ire per­geus, reliquum temporis illic rel [...]giosè com­plevit. Malmes. de Gestis Re­gum Angl. l. 1. c. 4. and the thirteenth Monarch of the English men.

He raigned in peace four yeares; then weary of Government, and desirous of contemplation, be sought a more private and religious life; and thereupon appoint­ing [...]helred his Cosen-germane to rule in his place, in the fifth year of his Raign, aban­doned his Kingdome and Country, and departed to Rome, and in a Monastery in that City was made Monk.

Chelred.

The ninth King of the Mercians, Celredus im­matura morte miscrabilis; si­quidem non ultra octo annos regno satisfaci­ens Liceselda conditus est. Malmes. de gestis Regum Ang. l. 1. c. 4. and the fourteenth Monarch of the English.

He had got as great reputation of milita­ry valour, as any Prince of his time, if he had not died so soon.

He raigned only seven yeares.

Ethelbald.

The tenth King of the Mercians, and the fifteentth Monarch of the English.

A peaceable Prince, but was over amo­rous.

Boniface the Archbishop of Mentz, an Englishman by Nation, sent an Epistle to him.

This is one passage in it.

Quapropter, [...]li charissime, paeniteat te & [Page 12] memora quam turpe sit, ut tu, qui multis gen­tihus dono D [...] dominaris, al injuriam ejus sis libidinis servus.

The Epistle is full of good counsell to be seen in Malmesbury. Lib. 1. c. 4.

He ruled forty two yeares.

Offa.

The eleventh King of the Mercians, and the sixteenth Monarch of the English men.

He was a warlike Prince, and for the most part fortunate.

He built a Church in Warwickeshire, where the adjoyning Town from it and him, beareth the name Off-Church, and caused a great Ditch to be made, large and deep from Sea to Sea, betwixt his King­dome and Wales, whereby he might the better defend his Country from the incursi­ons of the Welsh men. And this Ditch is to be seen in many places as yet, and is called Offas Ditch at this day. Lords History of Wales.

The Ditch began at the River Dee by Bassing-werke, between Che [...]ter and Ruthlan, and ran along the hils sides to the South-Sea a little from Bristow, reaching above a hundreth miles in length. Id. the descripti­on of Wales.

He first gave the Peter-pence to Rome, and was himself at the length shorne a Monk.

[Page 13] He raigned thirty nine yeares. Or Elfrid.

Egfrid.

The twelfth King of the Mercians, and the seventeenth Monarch of the English.

He re-establisht the priviledges and li­berties of all the Churches which his Father had supprest.

He raigned only four moneths; he was taken away by sudden death in the hun­dreth fourty first day after his Fathers de­cease.

Kenwolfe.

The thirteenth King of the Mercians, Kenul [...]hus magnus vir & virtutibus fa­mam supergre­dicus, nihil quod livor digne car­peret unquam admisit, domi Religiosus, in bello victoriosus vir, cujus meritò laudes [...]itentur in altum, quam­diu aeq nus arbi­ter in Angliâ invenietur; lau­dandue tum reg­ni sublimitas, tum mentis humilitate, qua cuisuit amplissime, Malmesb. de gest is Reg. Angl. l. 1. c. 4. and the eighteenth Monarch of the English men.

At home he was an example of piety, peace, justice, and Religion: abroad tem­perate, humble, and courteous, without vain ostentation, or ambitious conceits. In Warres he was stout and victorious; in peace studious to enrich his Subjects: he carried himself so at all times, that envy could not touch him with her tongue.

Bede dedicateth his Ecclesiasticall History to him.

He raigned twenty two yeares.

CHAP. IV.

OF the Saxons that reigned sole Kings of this Island. Anglorum Reges, postquam in Monarchiam septem regna coaluerunt, Egbertus. Aethelwal­phus.

  • 1. Egbert raigned thirty seven years.
  • 2. Ethelwulf (the son of Egbert) twenty years.
  • 3. Ethelbald (the eldest son of Ethelwulf) five years.
  • 4.
    Aethelbaldus. Aethelb [...]us. Aetheltedus. Alfredus, Edvardus sen, Aethelstanus, Edmundus. Edredus. Edwinus. Edgarus. Edwardus martyr. Ethelredus. Edmundus. ferrcum l [...]tus. Canutus. Haroldus. Harde-Canu­tus. Edwardus Con­fessor. Haroldus, Boxhornij Me­tamorphosis Anglorum.
    Ethelbert (the second son of Ethel­wulf five years.
  • 5. Ethelred (the third son of Ethelwulf) five years.
  • 6. Alfred (the youngest son of Ethel­wulf) five years.
  • 7. Edward (sirnamed the elder) twenty three years.
  • 8. Aethelstane (the eldest son of Ed­ward) sixteen years.
  • 9. Edmund (the second son of Edward) six years.
  • 10. Edred (the youngest son of Edward) nine years.
  • 11. Edwin (the elder son of Edmund) four years.
  • 12. Edgar (the younger son of Edmund) sixteen years.
  • 13. Edward: (the elder son of Edgar) forty years.
  • [Page 15] 14. Ethelred (the younger son of Edgar) thirty seven years.
  • 15. Edmund (the son of Ethelred) in whose time the Danes possessed the greatest part of England.

Egbert.

The eighteenth King of the West-Saxons, Regnavit inde Egbertus, cò autem faeliciue quod Alcuinum viderit, omni (quae aetas illa tulerit) litera­tum genere do­ctissimum cu [...]us quidem operain Parisicus [...] Aca­demia instituen­da Carolus Magnus usus est. Seldeni A­nalect. Anglo­brit l. 2. c. 2. the nineteenth, but first sole and absolute Monarch of the English men.

Upon report of the death of Britic, he with great speed returned out of France, where (during the time of his abode) he had served with good commendation in the Warres, under Charles the Great; by meanes whereof (his reputation encreasing among his own Country-men) he was thought worthy of the Government, before he obtained it.

He first gave this Kingdom the name of England. Egbertus con­scendit Thronum avitum omnibus ante se regibus meritò praese­rendus. Mulm. de rebus gestis Angl. [...] l. 1. c. 2.

He ordained by publick Edict, that the Heptarchy possessed by the Saxons, should be called thence forward the Land of the English, whence the Latines took also their name Anglia, and the French that d' Angle­terre.

There were three hundred years from King Egbert unto William the Conquerour.

He raigned over the West-Saxons thirty six years and seven moneths, Thirty seven saith Mr. Foxe. and Monarch of the whole Island seventeen.

Ethelwulfe.

The nineteenth King of the West-Saxons, Anno Dom. 837 Ethelwulphus (quem quidam Athulphumvo­cant) filius Eg­berthi regnum sortitus regnavit viginti annis, & quinque mensibus, natura le­uis, & quisub quiete degere, quam multis provincijs imperitare mallet. Mal­mesb, de gestis Regum Anglorum l. 2. c. 2. Omnis Anglia hoc tempore istuc vectigal pietatis & Religionis causa, Romano pontifici pendit domestica­tim collatum, & nominum illi argentei vocantur vulgo denarij divi Petri, quos pontifici quaestor exigit qui publicò bonas artes prositerentur, quô multi do­ctrina clari constuxerunt, docend [...] gratia. Nos hanc olim quaesturam aliquot per annos gessimus, ejus (que) muner [...] obeundi causa, primum iu Angliam veni­mus. Polyd. Virg. Aug. hist. l. 4. and the twentieth Monarch of the English men.

He being once himself nuzled in that or­der, Quis facile cre­diderit Aethel­wulfum Regem decimam par­tem non solùm bonorum & fa­cultatum, sed & mansionum prae­diorumque toti­us Eccle­siae contulisset Spelm. Epist. Dedicat. ad lib. de Concil. was alwayes good and devout to reli­gious orders.

He was so well learned and so devout, that the Clerks of the Church of Winchester did choose him in his youth to be their Bi­shop, which function he took upon him, and was Bishop of Winchester for seven years before he was King. The History of Cambria by Lhoyd, augmented by Doctor Powell p. 32.

A Monk, a Deacon, and a Bishop, yet elected King, because they could not finde a fitter person for the Crown. Necessitate cogente factus est Rex, Roger Hoveden.

He ordained that Tythes and Church-Lands should be free from all taxes and Regall services.

[Page 17] Ethelwolphus Rex omnium historicorum consensu & fide praestantissimus, nec pietatis magis quàm rerumoptimé gestarum laude cele­bri [...] & illustris. Anti Sanderus Dialogo se­cundo.

Polyd. Virgil in the fifth Book of his En­glish History saith of King Alfred:

Atqui Neotum inprimis monas [...]icae profes­sionis virum sanctissimum, ob eximiam erudi­tionem, miro amore complexus est, quo hortan­te, Oxonij gymnasium instituit, proposita mer­cede omnibus.

His second son by his Queen Iudith, daughter of Charles the bald Emperour, King of France, Neote, was much addicted to learning, and was one of the first Divi­nity readers in the University of Oxford.

He was interred in the County of Hun­tington, St. Needes in Huntington­shire why so called. at a place then called Arnulphsbury, and afterwards in regard of his interment St. Neots, and now St. Needes.

This King was famous for having four sons, Ethelbald Ethelbert and Ethelred successively raigned, and dying left the Kingdome distracted by continu­all conflicts with the Danes; and Alfred having faithfully served his Brothers, as Viceroy in each of their severall Raigns, survived, and in the twenty second year of his age succeeded in his Kingdome. Powells life of Alfred. who all of them were Kings of this Land successively.

He raigned twenty years, one moneth, and nine dayes.

Ethelbald.

The twentieth King of the West-Saxons, Anno Dom. 857 duo silij Ethelwulphi regnum pater­num partientes, Ethelbaldus in West-Saxo­nia, Ethelber­tus in Cant [...]a regnaverunt. Ethelbaldus ignavus & perfidus patris ejus thorum polluit, in conjugium Judith n [...]ver [...]ae post [...]ar [...]ntis obi [...]m devolutus; sed post quinquennium eo de­functo, & Schireburniae co [...]dito, totum regnum ad alterum derivatum est Malmesb. de gestis Regum Angl. l. 2. c. 3. and the twenty first Monarch of the English men.

He took Iudith his stepmother to be his wife; this prodigious incest was soone punished by his untimely death.

He raigned five years.

Ethelbert.

The one and twentieth King of the West-Saxons, and the two and twentieth Mo­narch of the English men.

The first Christned Prince of all the Sax­on Nation. Primus ille, no­dum Cantii, praeter Nor­thumbriam totius Angliae Rex, sacro font [...] ab Augustino Monacho An­glorum, ut a [...]unt Apostolo, tin­ctus. Selden­janus Anglo­rum.

Omnium Anglo-Saxonum regum Christi nominis primus hospes. Twini Comment. de rebus Brittanicis.

His name signifieth nobly-conceited or advised, or of noble conceit or advisement. Verstegan.

He raigned over the Kentish-South, and East-Saxons ten years, and was Monarch of the whole only five.

Ethelred.

The two and twentieth King of the West-Saxons, [Page 19] and the twenty third Monarch of the English men.

Great was the valour of this King; Regnum pater­num obtinuit [...]odem numero, annorum quo fratres misera­bili prorsus & dolenda sorte, ut immatura omnes occumberent morte, nisi quod tantis matis obstrepentibus regij pueri magis optarem honestum exitum quam acerbum imperium, Malm. de gestis Regum Angl l. 2. c. 3. for in his short time of Raign, as Malmesbury and other Writers record, he fought no less than nine set Battels against the Danes in one year, in most of them victorious.

At Wintburne in Darset-shire there is this Epitaph written on his Tomb.

In hoc loro quiescit corpus S. Ethelredi Re­gis West-Saxonum Martyris, qui anno Do­mini DCCCLXXII. XXIII. Aprilis per manus Danorum Pag [...]norum occu [...]uit.

He raigned in great trouble five years, Six saith A [...] ­dre Du Chesne. saith Malmesbury.

CHAP. V.
Alfred, Aelfred, or Alvred.

THe twenty third King of the West-Sax­ons, Alfridus, qui & Ae [...]fredus, & Alvredus de bellavit Danos, & unicus sui sae [...]ust Maecenas fuit. Lelandi [...]omment in Cygn [...]am Cantionem. Insignem hunc Regem Saxo-nes passim, & ipsus semet, Aelfredum nominant, nonnulli Alfre [...]um & [...]lfridum: recentiores (lite­ra [f] [...]u [v] consonantem versa) Alvredum. Filius erat Regis Ethel­wulplhi pihntissimi, [...]atu certè minimus, è virtute autem & rebus gestis, mag­nus ab [...]horibus appellatus Pu [...]rum adhuc à patre Romam delegatum, Leo Pap [...] [...]0. Prophetico velut ductus [...]piritu in Anglorum futurum aliq tando Regem [...]xit, dum [...]tres sui fratres omnes, qui paterno priùs fruebantur diade­mate, superstites [...], [...] & insolumes Reg [...]are capit anno Christi 872. des [...]it anno 901. cum annos 28 v [...]l 29 reg [...]minis tenuisset gubernaculum, multas in­terea utriusque fortunae expertus vi [...]ssitudines. Spelm. de Concil. p. 378. Hic octarum Saxo [...]corum [...], in Dei servitto vigilantissimus, & in exequendis jud [...]ii [...] erat discretissimus. Hoved. Annal pars prior. and twenty fourth Monarch of the English men.

He was the first annointed King of Eng­land, Erat Rex ille in exequendis judiciis, sicut in caeteris al [...]is om­nibus rebus discretissimus in­dagator▪ Asse­rius Men [...]ven­sis. as glorious for his most excellent Laws, transcendent Justice and Civil Go­vernment, as for his martiall exploits, vi­ctories, and for his incomparable piety and extraordinary bounty to the Clergy and learned men.

Of his great memory when he was young, Vide Asserium de Alfredi re­bus g [...]tis. vide Asserium de Aelfredi rebus gestis.

He was accounted a good Grammarian, [Page 21] Rhetorician, Philosopher, Musician, and Poet.

His Raign began with troubles and Warres, Nec verò des [...] ­erunt dulcissimi Jovis [...] Mer­curii bene po­sitorum influx­us; nec Musae (Rex enim. fae­lix seculum ve­rè philosophaba­tur) ne [...]leg [...] in­ter arma [...]. Sel [...]en [...] Analect. An­glo brit. l. 2. c. 5. in defence of the Land which the Pagan- Danes intended to destroy; and though his powers were small, yet was he forced into the field within one moneth af­ter his Coronation.

He fought no less than forty six bloudy Battels (saith Spelman) with the Danes by Land and Sea, for his Countries liberties.

Vir in bell [...] per omnia strenuissimus. Asserius.

He was once brought to that extremity, that he was forced to leave his Companies, and lurk in Somerset-shire Marshes.

The solitary place of his most residency, was an Island inclosed with two Rivers Thane and Parret, at their meetings in the County of Somerset, commonly called Ede­ling se [...], where he in very poor attire dis­guised, was entertained into a Cow-heards service, where on a time as he sate by the fire in trimming of his Bow and sha [...]ts, a Cake of dough baking on the hearth before him, chanced to burn; the Cowheardess coming in, and seeing him minde his Bow more than his bread, in a great [...]ury cast a­way both his Bow and arrowes, and check­ing him said, Thou fellow dost thou see the bread burn before thy face, and wilt not turn it, and yet art thou glad to eat it before it be half baked?

[Page 22] Of the naturall dayes twenty four hours, eight he allotted for devotion and contemplation, eight for refection and re­creation, and the eight remaining for mat­ters of the Commonwealth.

Iulius Caesar having spent the whole day in the field about his military affairs, Vide Asserium Menevensem de Aelfredi rebus gestis. p. 9. divi­ded the night also for three severall uses, one part for his sleep, a second for the Commonwealth and publike business, the third for his studies. Peacham.

He translated Gregories Pastorals, And also Pau­lu [...] Orosius his History. B [...]les History, and Boethius de Consolatione Phi­losophiae into the Saxon tongue, and began to do the like with Davids Psalmes.

In divinis libris & sacra lectione tam assidu­us erat, quod Davidicum Psalterium, vel a­liquem alium librum aedisic [...]torium in sinu suo semper ferret; Vide Malm. de gestis Reg. Angl. l. 2. c. 4. To furnish i [...] with able Scholars, he drew thither out of France Grimbald and Scotus, and out of Wales Asser, (who [...] his life) whose Lectures he honoured often with his own presence. & viros literatissim [...]s de terris exteris ad se accersens, aliquandiu in Palatio suo secum pro sacris literis addiscendis retentos, demum diversis praelatiis & dignitatibus pre­moveret. Ingulphi Historia p. 870. vide plura ibid. & p. 871.

He restored the decayed University of Oxford, by fixing therein a Colledge, (now bearing the name of Vniversity-Colledge) and annexed ample maintenance unto it.

He divided his Kingdome into Shires, Hundreds and Tithings, for the better or­dering and administring of justice, and for the abandoning of theeves, which had [Page 23] formerly encreased by the meanes of long Warres; whereby notwithstanding the multitude of Souldiers continually imploy­ed, it is reported that a Virgin * might tra­vell alone in his dayes through all his Do­minions, without any violence offered; and that Bracelets of gold were hanged in the high wayes, Quin & pro­vincialibus graudem amo­rem studtiorunt in [...]u [...]it, hos prae­miis, illos injuri­is hortando; ne­minem illitera­tum ad quamli­bet Curiae dig­nitatem aspirare perinittens. Malmesh de gestis Regum Auglorum, l. 2. c. 4. and no man so hardy as to take them away.

William the first so well provided for exe­cution of Justice upon offenders, that a young maiden well charged with gold, might travell in any part of the Realm, without any offer of injury unto her. Hayw.

He permitted none in office in Court, or elsewhere, unless he were learned, which incited his Nobles to the earnest pursuit of learned Arts, and to train up their children in good letters.

He caused all former Lawes to be sur­veyed, Aluredu [...] à Decalogo suas leges piè auspi­catur Vide La­nibardum de priscis [...]nglo­rum legibus. and made choice of the best, which he translated into the English tongue.

He begins his Lawes with a religious Majesty, Loquutus est Dominus ad Mosem hos sermones, &c. and cites all the Deca­logue.

Abbot Ethelred gives this encomium of his Lawes, Leges Christianissimas & scripsit, & promulgavit, in quibus fides ejus & devotio in Deum, sollicitudo in subditos, misericordia in pauperes, justitia circa omnes cunctis legenti­ [...]us patet.

[Page 24] He had so great a love to learning, that he made a Law, that all Freemen of the Kingdome, possessing two Hides of Land, should bring up their sons in learning, till they were fifteen years of age at least, that so they might be trained to know God, to be men of understanding, and to live happily.

He bestowed the sixth part of his riches and Rents, Dum gesta ejus commemoro mi­litaria, miror unquam cum cogitasse civilia. Dum civilium ejus intueor mo­lestiarum cumu­los; miror utique quod in aciem prodiit. Dum ve­rò religio [...]em, pietatem, & ar­dorem rerum c [...]lestium con­templatus sum, vixisse Mona­chus visus est & regularis; hoc solo infaelix, quòd inter gentes barbares sub fae­dissimo litera­rum deliquio. f [...]loruit & inte­riit circiter an. Dom. 900 Spel­manni Glossa­rium Vid [...] ejus Epist. Dedicat. ad Lib. de Consil. upon the poor strangers of the Countrey, and sent every year little less to forraign Churches without the Realm. Dalechamps Christian hospitality. c. 3.

He was very learned, a quality rare in his time; and as Solomon, Alexander the Great, Iulius Caesar, Augustus, and our Charlemagne, (saith Andre Du Chesne) he joyned learning and valour, and was cle­ment, liberall, pious and devout, and adorned with all royall vertues and en­dowments. I may in some respects com­pare him with Almansor, the learned and vi­ctorious King that conquered Spain.

He was at fifteen years so skilfull in the seven liberall Sciences, that they who were the most learned in them, spake of them in his presence with much fear and bashfulness; for at every other word he corrected the imperfections which proceeded out of their ignorance. At the five and twentieth year of his age, he spake eleven languages, read­ing and writing them as perfectly as the ve­ry Naturals themselves. He divided the [Page 25] dayes of the week after this manner. The Friday for matters of his Religion, in which he was very devout. The Saturday for matters of Justice. The Sunday for mat­ters of Warre. The Munday for the go­vernment of his Kingdomes. The Tues­day and Wednesday for his recreations and private affairs. And the Thursday for mat­ters of learning.

He chastised theeves so severely, that none durst take any thing from other, nei­ther in City, nor in Countrey; as well in deserts, as in peopled place [...]. And in so great awe they were of him, that if any one had lost ought in the street, or Market-place, none durst meddle therewith, other­wise than to leave it at the next Shop, and cause it to be cryed, till the owner were found, to whom it was to be restored.

None ever [...]ought for alms or succour at his hands, whether he were Moor, Christi­an, or Jew, that went away unrelieved.

He was worthily called the Conquerour, being never overcome. He won eighty six Battels by Sea and by Land; and took five Kings, subdued three parts of the world, Asia, Africke, and Europe. His life and death by Ashley.

Alfred's Arms are to be seen in the pub­like Hall of University-Colledge in Oxford.

The Archdeacon of Huntington speaking of the continuall travail he had during his [Page 26] Raign, relates these Verses of him.

Nobilitas innata tibi probitatis honorem,
His Epitaph.
Armipotens Aelfrede dedit, probitasque laborem;
Perpetuumque labor nomen, cui mixta dolori
Gaudia semper erant, spes semper mixta timori.
Si modo victor eras, ad crastina bella pavebas,
Si modo victus eras, ad crastin [...] bella parabas:
Cui ve [...]tes sudore jugi, cui [...]eca cruore
Tincla jugi, qu [...]ntum s [...]t onus regnare, probarunt.
Non fuit immensi quisquam per climata mundi,
Cui tot in adversis vel respirare liceret,
Nec tamen aut ferro contritus, poncre ferrum,
Aut gladio potuit vitae finisse labores.
Iam post transactos vitae, regnique dolores
Christus ei sit vera quies, sceptrumque perenne.

He raigned twenty seven years say some; Anno dominicae incarnationis 872, Elfredus filius Ethel [...] wulphi junior regnum accepit, & 28. & semis annos laboriosissime, & fortissime [...]enuit. Malmesb. l. 2. c. 4 Some say above 29. years. So Rog. de Hoveden annal part 1. twenty eight saith Powell, the writer of his life. Ingulphus saith he died in the twenty ninth year of his Raign.

CHAP. VI.

EDWARD the elder.

THe twenty fourth King of the West-Sax­ons, Dictus senior, eo quod post il­lum plures ejus­dem nominis regnaverunt, quorum omnium ipse primus erat. Literarum sci­entia multum inferior patre, sed regni po­testate incompa­rabiliter glorio­sior. Malmesb. de gestis Reg. Ang. l. 2 c. 5. and twenty fifth Monarch of the English men.

Fuit Edwardus forma eximia, ac per omnes aetatis gradus decentissima. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 6.

Before the conquest of the Normans, there were in England three Edwards, 1. This Edward the elder; 2. Edward the Martyr; 3. Edward the Confessor.

We have had more Kings of England of this name, than of any other; nine in all, Idem ferè ha­bet Ingulphus. Edwardus, Cognomento senior, litera­rum cultu patre inferior, sed dig­nitate, potentia pariter & glo­ria superior. three before the conquest, and six after it. Verstegans Etymology of our Saxon proper names.

Henry, the name of seven Emperours of Germany; eight Kings of England, four Kings of France, four Kings of Castile. Phil­lips his new world of English words.

He was heir apparent to his Father Al­freds valour and vertues, Nam multo la­tius, quam pater fines regni, sui dilatavi [...]. Rog. de Hove­den. Annal. part. 1. p. 421- [...] as well as to his Crown.

Some say he was the great Iustinian of our Nation.

Our Laws being suppressed by the Da­nish [Page 28] Kings, were revived and reinforced in the time of Edward the Confessor; whence they had the name of Edward the Confessors Laws.

He raigned in great Warres and honour the space of twenty four years. 23. saith Malmesb. So Henri­cus Huntingdoniensis saith, 24. Polyd Virg. Paternum regnum tenuit 24. annis. 34. saith Roger de Hoveden.

Ethelstan or Adelstan.

The twenty fifth King of the West Saxons, and the twenty sixth Monarch of the En­glish men.

He was crowned at that Kingly Town Kingston. In Regia villa, in Regem levatur. Rog. de Hoveden.

He began his Kingdome with War, and ended in peace and tranquillity.

He was the worthiest Prince (saith Lhoyd) of Saxon bloud, that ever raigned.

Being seduced by the bad Counsell, and false suggestions of one of his favourites, he banished his Brother Edwin unjustly, Malmesb. de gestis Regum Ang. l. 1. c. 6. A young En­glish Gentle­man in a sally forth at Ostend had one of his arms shot off with a Canon, which taking up he brought back with him into the Town unto the Chyrurgion, and coming into his lodging, shewed it, saying, Behold the arm which but at dinner did help its fellow. This he did, and endured without the least fainting, or so much as re­posing upon [...] bed. Dr. Dillingham Veres Commentaries in the con­tin [...]ation of the siege of Ostend. com­manding him to be sent to Sea, with only one servant, and in a Boat without Oar or Sail, wherein he perished.

His Cup-bearer after in his service upon festivall, stumbled with the one foot, and [Page 29] recovering himself with the other, pleasant­ly said, You see how one Brother helpeth ano­ther; upon which speech, the King with grief and touch of heart, called to mind the death of his innocent Brother, occasioned by his wicked Counsell, and forthwith commanded execution to be done on him the procurer; and himself was ever after more tender and carefull toward his other Brethren.

Leyland in his new years gift to King Henry the eighth, reckons him amongst o­ther learned men of the Kings Progeni­tors.

The chiefest of his works for the service of God, and good of his Subjects, was the translation of the Bible into the Saxon tongue, (which was then the mother­tongue of the Land) out of the He­brew.

Of this work Leyland also speaks in the work before-mentioned.

His Laws are mentioned by Lambard in his Saxon Laws.

He raigned in great honour the space of fifteen years, 16. years saith Malmesbury. and odd moneths.

Edmund.

The twenty sixth King of the West Sax­ons, and twenty seventh Monarch of the English men.

[Page 30] The good Laws he made are extant in Saxon and Latine, by the industry of M r Willi­am Lambard.

He had by his Queen Elgina two sons, Edwin and Edgarus, sirnamed Pacificus, which both raigned after him.

By him were expelled the Danes, Scots, Normans, and all forraign enemies out of the Land.

He raigned six years and a half.

At his Mannor of Puclekerkes in the County of Glocester, Tenuit regnum anuis 6. & se­mis. Malmesb. l. 2. c 6. whilest he interposed himself between his Sewer and one Leof, to part a fray, See Milles his Catalogue of honour, and Mr. Prynne his seasonable, legall, and hy­storicall vin­dication of the fundamentall Liberties, Rights, and Laws of Eng­land. p. 106. he was with a thrust through the body wounded to death, when he had prosperously raigned the space of five years and seven moneths. Rogerus de Hoveden annal part 1. Malmesbury l. 2. c. 7. and others, say this Leof was a thief, which the King espying at a festivall, he pulled him by the hair, and cast him to the ground; but he drawing out his weapon, stabbed the King. Vide Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 6.

Edred.

The twenty seventh King of the West Sax­ons, and twenty eighth Monarch of the English men.

He suffered his body to be chastised at the will and direction of Dunstan Abbot of Glassenbury; unto whose custody he also committed the greatest part of his treasure [Page 31] and richest Jewels, to be lockt in his chests, and under the keys of this Monastery, where it remained, till the King fell sick of his last sickness; at which time it was demanded, but never restored; for Dunstan being on his journey with the same to the King, a voice from heaven spake unto him, and said, Be­hold King Edred is now departed in peace; at the hearing of which words, Anno Dominicae incar [...]ationis 946. Edredus tertius ex filiis Edwardi regnum suscipi­ens, rexit annis 9, & dimidio. Malmesb. l. 2. c. 7. his horse im­mediately fell down and died▪ Where­upon he returned again to his Monastery; and though he lost his horse, yet was he recompenced thereby with the gain of the Kings treasure and Jewels.

He raigned in great honour nine years and odd moneths.

Edwin or Edwy.

The twenty eighth King of the West Sax­ons, Anno Domini­c [...]e incar [...]ationis 955. Ed [...]inus regno potitus tenuit annis quatuor, petulans adoles [...]ens, & qui speciositate corporis i [...] libi­dinibus abutere­tur. Malmesb. de gestis Reg. Ang. l 2. c. 7. Ea tempestate facies Mona­chorum saeda & miserabi [...]is [...]rat. Caeterum longè horret nostra memoria, quam immanis fu [...]rit in reliqua caenobia. & propter aetatis lubricum, & propter pellicis consilium, qua [...] tenerum jugiter obside [...]at animum Malmesb. de gestis Reg. Ang. l. 2. Vide plura ibid. & Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 6. and twenty ninth Monarch of the En­glish men.

He was but thirteen years old when he began to raign.

He was Nephew to Edred.

He favoured not the Monkes, which made them write so scandalously of him. He thrust them out of Malmesbury and Glassenbury, placing married Priests in their [Page 32] room; and banished Dunstan their great Champion into Flanders.

The true causes of his banishing him, ejecting the Monkes, and seizing their lands and treasures, was, that Dunstan had so bewitched Edmund, Edward, Aethelstan, and Aedred his predecessours, with the love of Monkery, as they not only took violently from married Priests their livings, to erect Monasteries, but also lavishly wasted much of their own royall treasures, lands, and revenues upon them, which they should rather have imployed in resist­ing the common enemies of God and their Countrey, the Danes.

Ioscelin the Author of Antiq. Brit. Bi­shop Godwin, Speed, and others conceive, that the true cause why the Mercians and Northumbrians, (and those only, not the rest of his Subjects and Kingdome) rejected him, and set up his Brother Edgar, (whose vices were more exorbitant in some de­grees than Edwins) was the malice of Dun­stan and Odo (the pillars and Oracles of the Monkish Clergy) who stirred up the Merci­ans, and seditious rebellious Northumbri­ans against him, to set up Edgar in his stead, who was totally devoted to them and Dun­stan, by whose counsels he was afterwards wholly guided, and built no less than forty seven new Monasteries for the Monks; be­sides all those he repaired, intending to [Page 33] build three more had he lived, to make them fifty compleat.

He raigned but four years.

CHAP. VII.
EDGAR.

THe thirtieth Monarch of the English men.

The Raign of this King is said to have been altogether in a calm tranquillity, He was sirna­med Etheling, after the signi­fication of the Saxon speech, Outlaw, because he was a ba­nished man in the former time of his life, through the cruelty of the Danes. Laci [...]s Nobi­lity. and therefore he was sirnamed Pacificus, the Peaceable. His vertues were many, and vices not a few; the one gloriously aug­mented, and the other fairly excused, by those Monkish writers, unto whose profes­sions he was most favourable.

Tunc ordo Monasticus jamjudum lapsus p [...]a­cipuè caput erexit. Although in his younger dayes he was subject to ma­ny vices, and committed some in urious tyrannicall acts, recorded by Malmesbury, Fox, Speed, and others; yet repenting of these his youthfull, lustfull vices, he proved such a just and prudent King, that our Histori­ans of elder and later ages, give large encomiums of his justice, prudence, vertues, and politick Government, worthy perpetuall memory and imita­tion. Mr. [...]ryn's seasonable, legall, and historicall vindication of the fundamentall Liberties, Rights. Laws of England, p. 126, 127 Vir & ani­mi virtute, & corporis ro [...]ore longè princeps. Polyd. Virg. Ang▪ hist. l. 6. Malmesb. l. 2. c. 8.

He unravelling the web his Brother had weaved, recalled Dunstan out of banish­ment, and made him Archbishop of Can­terbury.

[Page 34] His Summer progresses, and yearly chief pastimes, were the sayling round abou [...] this whole Isle of Albion, guarded with his grand Navy of four thousand sail at the least, parted into four equall parts, of pet­ty Navies, each being of a thousand Ships. Dee's Brittish Monarchy, p. 56, 57. he calls him there that Saxonicall Alexander. See more there; and p. 55, 58, 59, 60.

He appointed the Prince of North- Wales to bring him yearly three hundred skins of Wolves, Malmesb. l. 2. c. 8. for a tribute, which continued for three years space, but in the fourth was not a Wolf to be found; and so the tribute ceased.

Upon the River Dee he had seven petty Kings to row his Barge, to shew his great­ness.

He was very lascivious. Id. ibid.

Leges apprimè utiles tulit, quas vetustas in oblivionem fermè adduxit.

Of his Laws, Polyd Virg. Ang hist. l. [...]. vide Lambardum de pris­ [...]is Anglorum legibus.

It is sure enough there have not been more famous men, Dr. Barwick's life of B. Mor­ton. than some of no great stature, as the instance of King Pipin in the French History, and this King in our own, will make manifest.

In the time that the Saxons had this Realm in subjection, he had subdued all the other Kings Saxons, and made them his Tributaries. On a time he had t [...]all [Page 35] all with him at dinner; Licet, ut fer­tur, staturae fue­rit. & corpulen­tiae perexilis; tantas vires in illo corpusculo dignatio naturae incluserat, ut ultro ad congre­diendum laces­ceret quemcun­que audacem nosset; hoc max­ime timeus ne [...] tali colludio ti­meretur. Mal­mesb. de gest is Regum Anglo­rum. l. 2. c. 8. and after it was shewed him, that Rynaud King of Scots had said, that he wondered how it should hap­pen, that he and other Kings, that were tall and great personages, would suffer themselves to be subdued by so little a bo­dy, as Edgar was; Edgar dissembled, and answered nothing, but faining to go on hunting, took with him the Scottish King in his company, and purposely withdrew him from them that were with him, cau­sing by a secret servant, two swords to be conveyed into a place in the forrest, by him appointed. As soon as he came thither, he took the one sword, and delivered the other to Rynaud, Vide plura ibid. Malcome [...] King of Sco [...]s hearing of a conspiracy plotted to mur­ther him, whereof one was author, he dissembled the knowing of it, till being a­broad one day a hunting, he took the fellow apart from the company, and being alone, said unto him, Here is now a fit time and place to do that manfully, which you have intended to do treacherously. Draw your weapon▪ and if you kill me, none being present, you can incur no danger. With which speech of the King, the fellow was so daunted, that presently he [...] down at his feet, confessed his fault, humbly asked forgiveness, and be­ing granted him, was ever after serviceable and faithfull to him. Sir Richard Baker's Chronicle of the Kings of England in William the 2 d Sir Thomas E­lyo [...]'s Gover­n [...]ur, out of Malmesb. In h [...]norem Christi ejusque divini nominis cultum, quadra­gin [...]a caen [...]bia ve á fundamen­ [...]is [...]x [...]ruxit, vel pa [...]um sarta t [...]cta [...] de reb. Brit. [...] paci­ficus, [...]a [...]ria & Monosticae dis­ci [...]li [...] propug­nator ard [...]n [...]ssi­m [...]s qui sem [...]t [...] [...]achorum caet [...], Reg [...]nem [...] [...]alium pras [...]t guber­ [...]res S [...]elm. d [...] Concil p 489. [...] au­norum 16. bidding him to prove his strength, and to essay whether his deeds would ratifie his words. Turpe est enim Regi in convivio esse dicaculum, nec esse in prae­lio promptulum. Whereat the Scottish King being abashed, beholding the noble con­rage of Edg [...]r, with an horrible fear con­fessed his errour, desiring pardon, which he (with most humble submission) at the last obtained.

[Page 36] For his excellent vertues and prosperou [...] Raign, he was called Honor & deliciae An­glorum. Malmesbury. Or as Ingulphus ter meth him, Honor & Rosa Regum.

In his time all Ecclesiasticall Orders flourished; learned and vertuous men were highly esteemed; all Civil and forrign Warres ceased; and he was called the King of Albion, being no less power­full by Sea, than by Land. Mexia's Trea­sury of time. vol. 2. l. 7. c. 1.

He was Angliciorbis flos & decus, n [...]n mi­nus mem [...]rabilis [...]nglis, quam Cyrus Persis; Romulus Romanis: Alexander Macedoni­bus; Arsaces Parthis▪ Carolus Magnus Fran­cis; as Malmesbury, Abbot Ethelred, Florentius Wigorniensis, Simeon Dunelmensis, Henry Huntingdon, Matthew Westminster, R [...]ger de Hoveden, and others record of him.

Immediately after his death, Res & spes Anglorum retro sublapsae sunt, totius Regni status est per [...]urbatus; & post tempus laetitiae quod illius tempore vigebat pacified, caepit tri­bulatio undique advenire; as Malmesbury, Wigorniensis, Hoveden, Simeon Dunelmensis, Regnim adipis [...]ns c [...]dem nu­m [...]ro [...] de gestis Reg. Aug. l. 2. c. 8. and Bromton observe. Such an incompa­rable loss was the death of so just, pious, and prudent a King to the whole Nation, Qui [...] viti [...], pos [...]e [...] [...] virtutibus de­levi [...], when most others do quite contrary.

He raigned sixteen yeares and two moneths, in great tranquillity and honour, [Page 37] and died in the 37 th year of his age.

After Edgar's death, The three con­quests of Eng­land by the Saxons, Danes, and Normans, proceeded from the sins of the Princes, or of the peo­ple, or both. Mexia's Trea­sury of time. vol. 2. l 7. c. 1 [...]. the Danes so plagued this Realm, that there was nothing setled in it, either in Church or State, till finally they obtained the Kingdome.

The Danes raigned in England 25. years.

But Speed saith they molested England for two hundred eighteen years. See Ayscu his Declaration of the first Inhabitants of this Island.

The Danes by strength caused Husband­men to ear and sow the land, Dani populati­onibus, [...]caelibus & incen [...]iis mi­seram Anglianm multos per annos adeo affl [...]x [...]runt, ut Clades [...] Romanis, Scotis, [...]ictis, & Sax [...]nibus jam an [...]ca, postea [...]; deinde à Normannis huic Insulae illatae, si aerumnis & calamita ibus quibus isti p [...]triam hanc no­stram affecerunt conferantur, quasi ludus quidam & tragadia scenica poss [...]t aestimari. Nam bellum nobiscum gesserunt temporis long inquitate diuturnum, omni crudelitatis genere immanissimum, & belli ge [...]endi ratione difficilimum. Godw. de Praesul Ang. Comment. p. 67. vide plura ibid. & p [...]9. and to do all other vile labour that belonged unto Hus­bandry; and the Dane held his wise at pleasure, with daughter and servant. When the Husbandman came home, he should scantly have of his own, as his ser­vants had; so that the Dane had all at his commandement, and did eat and drink his fill of the best, when the owner had scant his fill of the worst.

Besides this the common people were so oppressed by them, Vide Reg de Hoved. part 1. p [...]t 2. See Ver­st [...]g [...] of our names of con­tempt. p. 33 [...] that for fear and dread they called them in every such house as they had rule of, L [...]rd Dane. But in process of time, after the Danes were voided the Land, this word Lord Dane was in derision [Page 38] and despight of the Danes, The Danes used when the English drank, to stab them, or cut their throats; to a­void which vil­lany, the party then drinking requested▪ some of the next fitters to be his surety or pledge, whilest he paid nature her due, and hence have we our s [...]all custome of pledging one another. turned by En­glish men into a name of reproach, called Lurdane, which yet is not forgotten; for if one English man will rebuke another, he will say, Thou art but a Lurdane. Grafton.

Edward, sirnamed the Martyr.

The thirty first Monarch of the English men.

He began his Raign at twelve years of age.

Adolescens summae sanctitatis & frugi, Infestabant illi­us maxime im­perium Clericos inter & Monachos de sacerdo [...]um celibatu schismata, Seldeni Analect. Anglobrit. l. 2. c. 6. ea modestia regnare caepit, ut omnibus charissimus esse [...], quippe qui paternas virtutes gnaviter imi­tabatur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 6.

The end of this young King was lamen­table, being stabbed (by his Stepmothers treachery) when he was drinking a cup of wine on Horseback, when he in kindness came to visit her; Died in the 16 [...] year of his age. Tribus annis & dimidio potesta­ [...]e [...]otitus est. Malmesb de gest [...]s Reg Ang l 2. c. [...]. through which wound fainting and falling from his Horse, he was dragged to death by his foot intangled in the stirrop.

He raigned three years, and six (some say eight) moneths.

CHAP. VIII.

ETHELRED.

FOx calls him Egelred or Elred.

The two and thirtieth Monarch of the English men.

He was a man neither for ward in action nor fortunate in proceedings, and therefore, commonly called the unready.

He defiled the Font at his Baptism with his ordure; Cùm infans pri­mum s [...]cro ad­motus esset fonti, alimon [...]ae excre­mento Baptiste­rium (unde Constantinum etiam pessimum Imperatorem [...]opronymum dictum fuisse scribunt) faede [...] inquinavit; ex­clamavit exinde subito Danstans, Per sanctam Mariam pu [...]r [...]iste ignavu [...] homo [...]rit. Seldeni Analect. Anglob [...]it. l. 2. c. 6. Vide Malmesb. de gest [...] Reg. Aug. l. 2. c. 10. & Hunting. hist. l. 5. whereupon Dunstan being troubled in his mind, by the Lord (said he) and his blessed mother, this childe shall prove a sloathfull person.

He was half Brother to King Edward, who was treacherously murdered, and so much lamented his Brothers murder, (saith Malmesbury l. 2. c. 10.) being then but a childe of ten years old, and so detest­ed it, that his Mother Elfrida falling there­with in a rage, took wax Candles (ha­ving nothing else at hand) wherewith she scourged him so sore (well near till he swouned) that after the same he could ne­ver [Page 40] abide any wax Candles to but [...] befor him. Ejus vitae cursus saev [...]s, in princi­pio, miser in me­dio, turpis in ex­itu asseritur. Malm. l. 2. c. 10.

Of his Laws vide Lambardum de priscis Anglorum legibus.

The Danes grew upon him so fiercely, Ea nox par [...]ulo temporis mo­mento vetustam Danorum do­minationem, diu (que) majorum virtute elabora­tum finivit im­perium. Sed ne­que id postera nostris fortuna restituit. Ita Anglia dominandi ju [...]ignavia perd [...]tum scelere recuperavit. Saxo-Grammat. hist. Dan l. 10. Krantzi [...] hist. D n. l. 4. that he was forced to purchase his peace from them, with great summes of money, to the undoing of his poor Kingdome.

To put a period to this insufferable vass [...] ­lage, a bloudy massacre was executed up­on them, by the Kings secret Commission on S t Brices day; but such bruitish courses never find a wished close.

He most unfortunately raigned thirty seven years and nine dayes.

Edmund, sirnamed Ironside.

The thirty third Monarch of the English men, and the third son to Ethelred.

He was of personage tall; Magni roboris & animo & corpore, & pr [...]p­ter hoc ferreum [...]atus nuncupa­tus Malmesb. de gestis Reg Aug. l. 2 c. 10. Pal [...]d Vi [...]g. Ang hist. l 7. for courage, hardy; strong of limmes, and well could endure the travels of Warre; whence some conceive that sirname was given him; not for that he used to go alwayes in armour, as some would have it.

He fought with Cnute a royall single du­ [...]ll, first on horseback, then on [...]oot, in the Isle of Olerenge, or Olney (near Glocester) [Page 41] in the midst of Severn, in the view of both their Armies, with extraordinary courage, and equall success, Vide Malmesb. de gestis Reg. Ang. l. 2. c. 10. & Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 7. p. 132. till they were both quite tired, but neither of them vanquished. At last upon Cnu [...]es motion they began to par­ly in a friendly manner, and divided the Realm between them; Edmund enjoy­ing that part which lay coasted upon France, and Canutus entred upon the rest.

But Ironside enjoyed not long his part; for Duke Edrick a very compound of trea­sons, contrived the end of renowned Ed­mund, who being retired to a place for na­tures necessity, he thrust from under the draught a sharp spear into his body; and having thus murthered him, he cut off his head, presenting it to Canutus, with this [...]awning salutation, All hail▪ thou now sole Monarch of England, for her [...] behold the head of thy Co-partner, which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off.

Canutus though ambitious enough of So­veraignty, yet abhorring in his heart so detestable a murther, and knowing that he who was faithless to his naturall Sove­raign, would never be faithfull to him a stranger; commanded his head to be di­vided from his shoulders, and placed upon the highest gate in London.

Mors hujus Principis sanè miserabilis fuit, Polyd. Virg. Ang hist. l. 7. tum quod florem ejus aetatis rapuerit, tum quod totum regnum in praeceps dederit.

[Page 42] His Raign continued only seven moneths, Some say one year, and a few moneths. in which time he fought seven or eight Bat­tels, in defence of his Countrey, People, and their Liberties. By his untimely death, the English Saxon [...]Monarchy was devolved to the Danes.

CHAP. IX.
The Danes Monarchs.

CANUTUS.

THe first Danish King raigning in Eng­land, and the thirty fourth Monarch of the English men.

He is more truly called Cnute, Cui ex magnitudine rerum gestarum magni nomen ac­cessit. Krantzii hist. Daniae l. 4.

A valiant and prudent Prince.

This Invader of Edmund Ironside's King­dome (the better to secure his Empire a­gainst Prince Alfred and Edward, Edmunds Brothers) married Emma his Queen.

After this marriage, to establish his Mo­narchy over England, he endeavoured by all means to reconcile the English to him.

1. By advancing some of the English Nobility to places of honour and trust.

[Page 43] 2. By granting to the English equall rights and priviledges with his Danes, in con­sessu, in consilio, in praelio, and advancing them both alike.

3. By favouring and inriching the En­glish Clergy, and Church-men, and ma­nifesting extraordinary piety, devotion, bounty, in repairing, building, endowing Monasteries and Churches throughout the Realm.

4. By easing them of his Danish Forces.

5. By ratifying all their former good old fundamentall Laws, rights, liberties, privi­ledges, which they used, enjoyed under their Saxon Kings, by enacting other good wholsome Laws, repealing all unjust Laws, and redressing all exactions and grie­vances.

A company of flatterers which extolled his greatness and power to be unmatchable, Vide Polyd. Virg. hist. Ang. l. 8. p. 135. Scians omnes habitantes or­ [...]em, vanam & frivola [...] regum esse potentiam. Hunting. hist. l. 6. he caused to place him in a chair, where the Sea ebbs and flowes at South-hampton, that by the disobedience of the Tide, that would not stop at his command, but pre­sumed to dash his royall garments, they might learn how low man is at the highest, and not to applaud his fortune, but fear his fall.

He acknowledged God alone to be King of this great Element, because the Sea is his, and he made it.

The flatterers of Alexander the great, [Page 44] made him believe that he was the son of Iupiter; Erat Dominus totius Daciae, totius Angliae, totius Norwa­giae, simul & Scotiae. Hun­ting. hist. l 6. Ea fuit optimi Regis diligentia, ut optimis legi­bus patriam, ci­ves, milites, intra honestatis prae­scriptum conti­neret. Tulit le­gem de singulis rebus, omni [...]q [...]e praevi [...]it quae ab optimo legum latore sunt pro­videnda. Et quum inter alia homicidio quoque paenam decreviss [...]t, accidit ut ip­sae [...], is praevaricator, occiso milite inve [...]iretur. Qu [...]mqu factum majesta­ [...]is reverentia [...]u [...]ripot [...]isset, militari se animadversiou [...] substravit. Kran [...]zii hist▪ Dani [...] l. 4. Vide plura ibid. Leges Canuti poste [...]ati tam gratae fuerunt sibiqu [...]am satutares Angl [...] semper dux [...]runt, ut ad eas sirmite [...] observandas sub nomine Edward [...] Regis (non quod ill [...] st [...]tu [...]rit, sed quod observaverit) Principes reg [...]o inaugur [...]dos solio sepius, obstrinxerint juramento. Seldeni Anal [...]ct. Anglobrit l. 2 c. 6. Ex Malmes [...]. l 2. c. 11. Nou refero confessoris has leges ad certum regni cjus anuum aliquem, quod non ab eo institutas c [...]ns [...]o [...]sed ex Antecossorum suoru [...] legth [...]s (praesertim Regis Canuti▪ ut animadvertit Malm [...]sburius) ducta plerunqu [...] essent & promulga [...]a. Innuit hoc idem ipsa­rum titulus in quo decitur, Iucipiunt lege [...] S. Edward [...] Regis, quas in Anglia [...]. Id est observavit Non quas tulit, hoc est instituit. Spelman. de Concil. p 625 l. [...]ide Lambardum de priscis Anglorum legibus. but being one day sore hurt, and seeing the blood gush out of his wounds, What think you of this? (said he unto them) Is not this blood of a lively red hew, and meerly humane?

He was the greatest Prince of power that ever before him raigned over the English people.

England, Denmarke, Norway, (some adde also part of Sweden) together with Scotland, were wholly subject unto him.

Filiam suam Imperatori Romano cum ineffa­bilibus divitiis maritavit. Hunting. hist. l. 6.

In a Parliament at Oxford he made good Laws, whereof these were some that con­cern Religion.

First, For the celebration of divine ser­vice, it was ordained, that all Ceremo­nies tending to the increase of reverence [Page 45] and devotion, should be used as need re­quired.

Secondly, That upon the Sabbath day, all publick Fairs, Markets, Synods, Hunt­ings, and all secular actions, should be for­born, unless some urgent necessity should require it.

Thirdly, That every Christian should thrice in the year receive the blessed Sacra­ment of the Lords Supper.

Fourthly, That a married woman con­vict of adultery, should have her nose and ears cut off.

Krantzius much extols him as the most famous of the Kings of Denmarke. Quo nemo Da­mcorum Re­gum (tam e [...]si piura alii victor tis illustrave­rint) splendidi [...]r fuit. Equidem sanctitate ac fortitudine in­st [...]ctiss [...]mus, non minus reli­gionem quam r [...]gnum proferre curae h [...]huit. Cra [...]zii hist. Daniae. l 4.

He was a just Prince in all, saving his tyranny against the two young Princes, the sons of Edmond.

The lustre of this new erected Monarchy, had no sooner displayed its beams in Canu­tus, but like an unthrifty Taper it began to glimmer in Harold, and absolutely expired in Hard knute, who dying issueless, the current of royalty ran back again into the channell of the Saxon bloud, which flow­ed in the veins [...] of Edward, sirnamed the Con [...]essor. Philpot's Preface to his Villare Cantianum.

After he had in great glory reigned about nineteen years, Some say twenty. he deceased at Shafiesbury in the County of Dorset, S t [...]. and was buried in the Church of the old Monastery at Win­chester, [Page 46] where Queen Emma made her a­bode ever after.

Harold.

The second Danish King raigning in Eng­land, and the thirty fifth Monarch of the Land.

He was called Hare-foot, by reason of his swiftness. Canutus had him by a Concu­bine, a Shoomakers daughter.

This base son of Cnute, dispossessed his legitimate son Harde-Cnute of the Crown of England, contrary to Cnutes will and con­tract; banished and spoiled Queen Emma of her treasure and Jewels; oppressed the people with taxes; and was soon cut off by death, without any issue.

He was an oppresser of his people, and vitious.

He raigned four years and four moneths.

He was neither in Warres so hardy, Malme [...]b. nor in Government so prosperous, as his Fa­ther Canutus before him had been.

Harde-Canute.

The third Danish King that raigned in England, and the thirty sixth Monarch of the English men.

For his noble courage he was called Har­de-Canutus.

(The first great Prince of the house of Bur­gundy, was Philip, sirnamed the Hardy.)

[Page 47] His recalling his Mother Emma, and half Brother Edward, and entertaining them respectively, deserves commendation.

His Epicurism left an ill custome to all posterity. Dani (ut patria pace loquar) s [...]e­candis certatim calicibus assue­ti Saxo-Gram. Hic tributum in­ex [...]rabile & im­portabile An­gliae imposuit, ut classiariis su [...] pers ingulas na­ves viginti mar­cas ex pollicit [...] pensitaret. Malm. l. 2 c, 12. Four times a day his Table must be covered, to invite men to intempe­rancy; through which at a marriage, he is thought to have choaked himself at Lam­beth, most rejoycing to be rid of him; in memory whereof Hock-tide, a Feast of scorning or triumphing, was a long time continued after.

The English men learned of him their excessive gormandizing, and unmeasura­ble filling of themselves with meates and drinkes.

At the death of this King, died all rule of the Danes in this Land, after they had miserably afflicted the Kingdome for the space of two hundred and forty yeares, though in Regall government, but only six and twenty, under these three last Kings.

He raigned two yeares, lacking ten dayes.

The Danes ruled in this Land almost thirty yeares, and raged (without all rule) about three hundred and fifty. Lam­berts Perambulation of Kent.

CHAP. X.
Edward the Confessor.

THe son of King Ethelred, Edwardus Cognomento, ob p [...]etatem Confessor. Selden. Ianus Ang. the thirty se­venth Monarch of the English men.

He was born at Islip near unto Oxford, and tenderly educated by Queen Emma his Mother, and after his Fathers death, for safety sent into France.

He was the last King of the Saxon race.

Such was the opinion conceived of his holiness of life, as that shortly after his de­cease, he was canonized amongst the Saints, and named Edward the Confes­sour.

To gain the more love of his Subjects at his first entrance, It was imposed by his Father, and payed for forty years continuance, cut of the lands of all, except only the Clergy. Danegeldum s [...]u Danagel­dum▪ [...]d est, Tri­butum Dani­cum dicebatur. Selden. Mar [...] clausum. [...] [...] c. 11. vid plura. [...] Ibid. he remitted the taxe of forty thousand pounds, yearly gathered by the name of Dane-gilt, so grevous to the Commons.

Fertur Edwardus Confessor (teste Ingul­pho) cùm se daemonem vidisse, super dcervo Daingeldi exultantem protestatus esset, aspectuni­que exhorruisset; collecium illico restitui jus­s [...]sse, & retento ne iota uno, feram exactionem perpetuum relaxasse. Spelmanni Glossarium Danegaldi redditio propter pyratas primitus sta­tuta est. Hoved. dnnal. pars posrerior▪ p. 603. vide plura ibid.

[Page 49] He collected the Laws of his predecessors into a body, for the administration of justice, which some say are the ground of our Common-Law, though the pleading be altered, since the Norman conquest.

He found the Realm governed by three different Laws; the West-Saxon Law; the Mereian Law; and the Dane Law. Out of these three Lawes, partly moderated, and partly supplied, he composed one body of Law, commonly called S t Ed­wards Laws, which were of so great equi­ty, that when they were abrogated by the Conquerour, A Treatise of union of the two Realms of England and Scotland▪ c. [...]. and the Crown fell into con­troversie between Maud the Empress, and King Stephen, the people alwayes inclined to favour that part, who put them in fairest hope of restitution of those Laws. And afterwards in many Civil dissensions, the greatest demand of the people appeareth to have been the restitution of King Edwards Laws.

These Laws are partly Ecclesiasticall; partly Civill.

Lambard de priseis Anglorum legibus, mentions Leges boni Regis Edwardi, quas Gulielmus Bastardus postea confirmavit.

In these Laws it is observable;

1. That all capitall, corporall, pecuniaty punishments; fines for criminall offence [...] ▪ [...] all reliefs, services, and duties to the King, are reduced to a certainty, not le [...]t [Page 50] arbitrary to the King, his Justices, or o­ther Officers, for the Subjects greater liber­ty, ease and security.

2. That they protect, preserve the pos­sessions, priviledges, persons of the Church and Clergy, from all invasion, injury, vio­lence, and disturbance.

The Raign of this King was very peace­able.

He first used the broad Seal.

His Wife was named Editha, the ver­tuous Daughter of an infamous Father, Earl Godwin.

Sicut spina Rosam, genuit Godwinus Editham.

His unnaturall dealing with his good Mother Emma, and vertuous Wife Editha, in whose breast there was a School of all li­berall Sciences, saith William Malmesbury, cannot be excused. For upon a poor sur­mise of Incontinency, with Alwin Bishop of Winchester, his Mother in his presence was put to the E [...]ymon ipsius habe primum nominis Op [...] priva­tiva est particula d [...]el pars sonat, totum, expers quasi criminis. Purgationis autem sive Ordalii g [...]us duplex, i [...]ncum & aqu [...]um. Dupl [...]i etiam forma ign [...], [...]simul [...]tus cum quis criminis aut nuda man [...] s [...]rrum gestabat, aut pedibua m [...] ­dus ig [...]i [...]o [...] ve [...]res premebit. Distinguebant porro juxta ferr [...] magnitudinem, quod si uni [...]s esset pondo, simplex; si trium, triplex Ordalium nominabant. Seld. Analect Auglebrit. l 2. c. 8. Vide ejus Janum Anglorum. l 2. p 253, 254, 255, 256. Vedesis Glossarium annexum legibus Henrici primi apud Lam­ba [...] lu [...] de pr [...]s [...] Anglorum legibus. See Dr. Hackwels Apology of Gods p [...]vidence in the government of the world. l. 4. c. 2. Sect. 5 against the Ordeal Laws. Ordalium, to pass blind­folded [Page 51] between nine glowing Coulters, which she did without hurt.

His refusing carnall copulation with his Queen, Sr Iohn Hay­ward alleadg­eth two other causes, impo­tency of na­ture, and suspi­cion against her. either out of a vowed virginity, as most Historians conclude; or out of a de­testation of Earl Godwins trayterous race, quod Rex religiosus de genere proditoris, haere­des, qui sibi succederent, corrupto semine regio, noluerit p [...]r [...]ari, as Ingulphus, Matthew Westminster, and others record; whereby he exposed the Kingdome for a prey, to the ambitious pretenders aspiring after it.

The King after this craved mercy and pardon from his Mother, for the infamy and injury done unto her, for which he was disciplined and whipped by his Mo­ther, and all the Bishops there present.

The first curing the Kings Evil, is refer­red to him, and thence to have continued to his successors.

Solebat Rex Edwardus divinitus solo tactu sanare strumosos, hoc est, strumam patientes. Est enim srruma morbus, quem Itali scrophula [...] vulgo vocant, à scrophis, quae ea mala scabie afflictantur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 8.

Struma gutturis vitium, quod nonnulli scro­phulam dicunt, solo tactu in quam plurimis sa­nasse dicitur. Lil. Ang. Reg. Chronicon.

He raigned twenty three years, and six moneths, and died in the Painted Chamber at Westminster.

[Page 52] He built S t Peters Church in Westminster, Ediderat à [...]un­damentis Ba [...]di­cam seu Ecclesi­a [...] S. Petri Westmonasterii, supra modum saeculi augustissim [...]m; qua nostra­tibus etiam exemplum dedit condendi Ecclesias in formam Crucis Christi pas­sioualis, id est, productiore radio inferiori. Spelm. de Concil p. [...]36. and was there buried.

In hoc Rege linea Regum Angliae defecit, Matth. Paris. hist. Ang. p. 2. quae à Cerdicio primo Westsaxonum Rege, ex Anglis, quingentis & septuaginta uno annis, non legitur interrupta, praeter paucos Danos, qui peccatis exigentibus gentis Anglorum, ali­quandiu regnaverunt.

Harold.

The second of that name, Earl Godwin Father to King Harold, having procu­red the un­timely death of Alfred Bro­ther to King Edward the Confessor, deni­ed is continu­ally with so­lemn oathes; and especially once when he dined with the King. At what time occasion being offered to speak of that matter, he took a piec [...] of broad, and prayed to God that the same might be his last, if he were any way consenting or privy thereto; and so eating the bread, was choaked therewith, and died there in the Kings presence. Henry Hunting hist. l. 6. Ingulphus hist. Ang. 153. Polyd. Virg Ang. hist the thirty eighth Monarch of the English men.

Son of Earl Goodwin, a man of excel­lent parts, and approved valour.

He driven by tempest into Normandy, was affianced to Adelizi, the Dukes fifth Daughter. He covenanted with the Duke to make him successor to Edward, in the Kingdome of England.

Mr. Fox's Acts and Monuments vol. 1. Mr. Cambden in his Brittannia; Holinshed; Sir Iohn Hayward; Sir Richard Baker incline to this opinion, that Harold by his might, power, craft, policy, usurped and invaded [Page 53] the Crown without any right, against his Oath.

After Edwards death, the Duke sent to him to put him in mind of his Covenant and Oath; but Harold replied, that this Oath being constrained, did no way binde. The Duke William landing in Sussex, to cut off all occasion of return, he fired his own Fleet, and upon the shore erected a fortress, to be if need were a retiring place for his Souldiers.

Harold and he fighting seven miles from Hastings in Sussex, The Archers of the Nor­mans send forth their ar­rows on every side as thick as hail; which kind of fight, as it was unto the Engl [...]sh m [...]n strange, so it was unto them no less terrible. Milles. Harold was slain, and his Army vanquished. His overthrow was a just punishment of God upon him, for his perjury.

He raigned but nine moneths, and nine dayes.

In him was compleated the period of the Saxons Empire in Brittain, after they had continued from their first erected Kingdome by Hengis [...] in Kent, the space of six hun­dred and ten years, without any interrup­tion, saving the small inter-Raigns of three Danish Kings.

The Normans were a mi [...] people of Nor­vegians, Walsingham History is cal­led Hypodigma Neustriae. Suevians, and Danes. That Pro­vince in France was then called Neustria, and now Normandy, of the name Norman, given unto them, Ayscis. because they came out of the North parts.

The Normans laboured by all means to [Page 54] supplant the English, Haec gen [...] á Da­cia oriunda, fe­rox statim tanto reg [...]o potita mo­res optimos, leges sanctissimas di­vina humanaque vertere, ac deni­que genus ipsum A [...]g [...]icum per­dere conata est. Polyd. Virg. Aug. hist. Proaem. in l. 9. and to plant their own language amongst us; and for that purpose, they both gave us the Lawes, and all manner of pastimes, in the French tongue; as he that will peruse the Laws of the Conquerour, and consider the terms of Hawking, Hunting, Tenice, Dice-play, and other disports, shall easily perceive. Lamb's Perambulation of Kent.

CHAP. XI.
WILLIAM the first, sirnamed the Conqueror.

RObert Duke of Normandy, the sixth in descent from Rollo, riding through Falais a Town in Normandy, espied certain young persons dancing near the way. And as he stayed to view a while the manner of their disport, he fixed his eye especially up­on a certain Damsell named Arlotte; of mean birth, a Skinners Daughter, who there danced among the rest. The frame and comely carriage of her body; the na­turall beauty and graces of her counte­nance; the simplicity of her rurall both [Page 55] behaviour and attire, pleased him so well, that the same night he procured her to be brought to his lodging, where he begat of her a Son, who afterward was named Wil­liam. The English afterwards adding an aspiration to her name, (according to the naturall manner of their pronouncing) termed every unchast Woman, Harlot.

He seized the Crown of England, Erat sapiens, sed astutus; lo­cuples, sed cupi­dus; gloriosas, sed famae dedi­tus; eras humilis, Deo servienti­bus; durus, sibi resist [...]ntibus. Huntington. hist. l 6. Alu [...] non habebat Gallia, qui talis praelicaretur e­ques & arma tus. Spectaculum erat delectabile simul ac terribile, eum cernere fr [...]ua mode­rantem, ense decorum, clypeo sulgentem, & galea teloque minitantem. Gesta Gulielmi Ducis Normannorum à Gulielmo [...]ctaviensi Lexoviorum Archidiacono. not as conquered, but by pretence of gift or adop­tion, aided and confirmed by nearness of bloud; and so the Saxon Laws formerly in force, could not but continue; and such of them as are now abrogated, were not at all abrogated by his conquest; but either by the Parliaments, or Ordinances of his time, and of his successours; or else by non-usage, or contrary custome. Mr. Sel­dens review of his History of Tythes, c. 8. see more there.

He never made the least pretence, Mr. Pryns sea­sonable, legall, and historicall vindication of the fundamen­tall Liberties, Rights, Laws of England, p. 382, 383. See more there. claim, or title to the Crown and Realm of England, only as an absolute Conquerour of the Na­tion; but meerly by title, as their true and lawfull King, by designation, adoption, and cognation, seconded with the Nobles, [Page 56] Prelates, See Sir Iohn Hayward in the life of King William the first, p. [...]9, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36▪ and Master Bacons first part of his hi­storicall dis­course of the uniformity of the Govern­ment of Eng­land, c. 44, 45, 46▪ 55, 56, and Carpenters Geog. l. 2. c. 14. p. 238. Verste­g [...]ns Antiquities, c. 6. p. 171, 172. Clergy, and peoples unanimous election. And although it be true, that this Duke ejected Harold, and got actuall possession of the Throne and Kingdome from him by the sword; as did Au [...]elius Ambrosius; and others before; and King Henry the fourth; Edward the fourth; and Henry the seventh; yet that neither did, nor could make him a King by conquest only, no more than these other Princes; seeing the end of this Warre was not against the whole English Nation, the greatest part whereof abetted his interest; but only a­gainst the unjust usurper and intruder, King Harold, and his adherents.

Although the Laws of this Kingdome, It was a gene­rall custome at that time in France, that Bastards did succeed, even in dignities of highest condi [...]ion, no otherwise than children lawfully begotten. Sir Iohn Hayward in the life of William the first, p. 4 5. He hath seven examples there of Bastards lawfull succession It is probable (saith the same Hayward) that this u [...]e was grounded upon often experience, that Bastards (as begotten in the highest heat and strength of affection, have many times been men of ex­cellent proof, both in courage, and in understanding. [...]his was verified in Hercules, Alexander the great, Romulus, [...], King Arthur; in Ho­mer, Demosthenes, Bartholus, Gratian, [...] Peter Comestor. See Peacham▪ compleat Gentleman c. 1. p 9. [...] al [...]cubi le [...]sse, pris [...]os septentrionales populos etiam spurios [...] in succession [...]m; nec ill [...]us igitur tituli, gloriosum Angliae subactorem [...] Normann [...]m pu [...]sse videtur, qui Epistolam (ut alias plur [...]s) ad Alanum Brittaniae min [...]ris comitem, sic orditur Ego Wilielmus Cog [...]n [...]m [...]nto Bastardus. Henrici Spelmanni Glossarium. and of all other Civill States at this day, ex­clude [Page 57] Bastards (without a subsequent legi­timation) from inheritance; yet by the Laws of Norway, a Princes Son gotten on a Concubine bond or free, was equally inhe­ritable, as any other born in wedlock; which was I believe no small reason, why he stood at first so much for the Laws of Norway to have been generally received in this Kingdome. And some stories also say, that Arlet, or Arlee, (as she is sometimes written) was to him a good while vice ux­or is. If she were so his Concubine (be­tween whom and a wife, the old Imperia­lists make no other difference but honour and dignity; and by them also some kind of inheritance is allowed to such Bastards, as are naturales liberi, that is gotten on Con­cubines) it was much more reasonable that her son should be reputed as legitimate, than that the son of every single woman, bond or free, whether Concubine or no, should be so, as those of Norway allow. Mr. Seldens review of his History of Tythes. Vide Polyd. Virg. Aug. hist. l. 8.

First landing at Pems [...]y in Sussex, he fell down, stumbling as he came out of his Ship. Sir Iohn Hay­ward in the life of William the first, re­ports this jest somewhat o­therwise, though he a­gree in the substance. O Dux Angliam tenes (said one of his Knights) Rex futurus, (so Matthew Paris) and espying that he had brought up sand and earth in his hand, added, Yea and you have taken Livery and Seisin of the Conu­trey. Seldens Titles of honour in 4. to p. 34.

When he had landed his Forces, he for­tified [Page 58] a piece of ground with strong trench­es, and caused all his Ships to be set on fire, leaving to his Souldiers no hope to save themselves, but only by victory.

After this he published the causes of his coming in Arms; to challenge the King­dome of England, given to him by his Cou­sin King Edward, the last lawfull possessor at that time thereof. And to revenge the death of his Cousin Alfred, Brother to the same King Edward, cruelly and deceitfully slain by Earl Goodwin, and his adherents.

In the Battell between King Harold and him, The arrow was first brought into this Land by the Normans. Hollinshed and Sir Iohn Hay­ward in Willi­am the first. at the last Hareld was struck with an arrow through the left eye into his brains, of which wound he presently died.

He was buried by his Mother at Walsham Cross, within the Monastery which he had founded.

Ibi Gulielmus perblandé ac perbenigné locu­tus, As long Bows were the wea­pons with which this King conque­red Eng­land; so they were the wea­pons with which England under after-Kings con­quered France; as if it were not enough for us to beat them, unless we did beat them with their own weapons. Sir Richard Baker. Subjectis humilis apparebat & facilis, inexorabilis erat rebellibus. Matth. Paris hist. Ang. simulque magnifica pollicitus, ab omnibus, quanquam non pari alacritate, diem festum celebrantibus, rex declaratur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 9.

Where this Battell was fought, the Con­querour after founded Battail-Abbey.

He was crowned at Westminster, by Al­dred Archbishop of Yorke, anno Dom. 1066.

[Page 59] His strength was such, Daniels Histo­ry. that few men could draw his Bow; and being about fifty of his age, when he subdued this King­dome, it seems by his continuall actions, he felt not the weight of years upon him, till his last year.

He enclosed new-Forrest in Hamshire, Vide Henrici Spelmanni Glossarium. p▪ 287. for which he dispeopled Villages and Towns, about the space of thirty miles, to make a desert for Beasts of chase; in which place afterward two of his sons, Richard and William, ended their lives; Richard by a fall from his Horse; and William by the stroke of an arrow. The Kings great de­light in hunting was made the pretence of this Forrest; but the true end was rather to make a free place of footing for his Nor­mans, and other friends out of France, in case any great revolt should be made.

One Herlowin a Nobleman in Normandy, married his Mother Arlotte, and had by her a son named Hugh Lupus, to whom he gave the Earldome of Chester, to hold of him as freely by his sword, as himself held England by his Crown; by vertue of which Cran [...], the said Hugh ordained under him four Barons; such an honour, as no Sub­ject before or since, ever enjoyed the like.

Because conspiracies are commonly con­trived in the night, he commanded that in all Towns and Villages, a Bell should be rung in the evening, at eight of the Clock, [Page 60] called Curfu-Bell; Curfu, aliter Corerfu, à Gal. Couvrir, tege re; feu ignis La­tine, Ignitagi­um. Spelmanni Glossartum. Vt ferociam po­puli ad otiumper-ducere [...], omnibus [...] ademit, statuit que ut quisque pater familias vesperi▪ circiter horam octavam, post meri­diem, tecto ciueribus igne, dormitum tret; & ad ad signum vicat [...]m dari voluit, per campanas, it quot etiam nunc servatur, & Normannice vulgo dicitur, Coverfu. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist l. 9. and that in every house they should then put forth their fire and lights, and go to bed; which custome of ringing a Bell at that hour, in many places is still observed.

William the first, whom pride, craft, profit swayd, Did England, but his conscience first invade. Dr. Holiday his Survey of the world. Book 9.

By the counsell of Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury; and of Eglesme Abbot of St. Au­gustines, (who at that time were chief go­verners of Kent) as the King was riding towards Dover, at Swanescombe, two miles from Graveseud, the Kentish men came to­wards him armed; and bearing boughs in ther hands, as if it had been a moving wood, they enclosed him upon the sudden, and with a firm countenance, but words well tempered with modesty and res [...]ect, they demanded of him the use of their ancient Liberties and Laws; that in other matters they would yeeld obedience to him; that without this they desired not to live. The King yeelded to them for the present; know­ing right well, that the generall Customes and Laws of the residue of the Realm, would in short time overflow these particular pla­ces. [Page 61] So pledges being given on both sides, they conducted him to Rochester, and yeelded the County of Kent, and the Castle of Dover into his power.

He took the review and account of all the Towns and land in England. Lamberts Ar­cheion. p. 24. Monumentum totius Britran­niae, non dico antiquissimum, sed absque con­troversia augu­stissimum, duo­bus magnis vo­luminibus, An­gliae descriptio­nem continens. This Book was called the Roll of Winton, be­cause it was kept in the City of Winchester. By the English it was called Doomes-day Book; either by reason of the generality thereof; or else corruptly instead of Domus Dei Book, because it was layed in the Church of Winchester, in a place called Do­mus Dei.

According to this Roll taxations were imposed; Aliàs Liber ju­diciarius; aliàs censuali [...] An­gliae; aliàs An­gliae noticia, & lustratio; inter­dum Rotulus Regis & (à si­militudine anti­quioris) Rotu­lus Wintoniae, & Liber Win­toniae nuncupa­tum Spelmanni Glossarium. Vi­de plura ibid. & [...] praefat. ad Eadmeri hi­storiam. sometimes two shillings, and sometimes six shillings upon every Hide of land, (a Hide containing twenty Acres) besides ordinary provision for his house. Vide Seldeni Analecta Anglobrit, l. 2. c. 4. & Spelmanni Glossarium, p. 352.

He was too covetous.

Sola est do qua merito culpetur pecuniae cupi­ditas, quam undecunque captatis occasionibus, nihil unquam pensi habuit, quin corroderet, faceret, diceret nonnulla, & pene omnia, tan­ta majestate indigniora, ubi spes nummi efful­sisset. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo. l. 3.

He would often swear by Gods resur­rection, Sir Iohn Hay­ward in his life. p. 23. & [...]14. and his brightness.

Talia per resurrectionem, & splendor [...] Dei pronuncians, quod solere [...] ex industria [Page 62] talia sacramenta facere, quae ipso habitu oris terrificum quiddam auditorum memibus inso­narent. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo.

He bare such reverence to Lanfrancke, Archbishop of Canterbury, that he seemed to stand at his directions.

Malmesbury l. 4. de Wilielmo secundo, saith, Diu dubitavit mundus, quo tandem vergeret, quo se inclinaret indoles ejus. Inter initia vivente Lanfranco Archiepiscopo ab om­ni crimine abhorrebat, ut unicum fore Regum speculum speraretur. Quo defuncto aliquan­diu varium se praestitit aequali lance vitiorum atque virtutum.

He respected Aldred Archbishop of York, by whom he had been crowned King of England, as his Father. At a time upon the repulse of a certain suit, the Archbi­shop brake forth into discontentment, ex­postulated sharply against the King, and in a humorous heat offered to depart. Sir Iohn Hay­ward. But the King stayed him, fell down at his feet, desired pardon, and promised satisfaction in the best manner▪ that he could. The Nobility which were present, put the Archbishop in minde, that he should cause the King to arise; nay (answered the Archbishop) let him alone; let him still abide at St. Peters feet. So with much ado he was appeased, and entreated to accept his suit.

By reason of sickness he kept his chamber [Page 63] a long time; whereat the French King scof­fing, said, The King of England lyeth long in Childbed. Cardinal Per­ron the learned French man, was a fat cor­pulent man, and had a great belly. A French Lady to quip him, said thus to him, Mouasieur qua [...]d vous vous accoucherez? To whom he replyed, Quand vou [...] s [...]ras sage femme. Which when it was reported unto King William, he answered, When I am Churched, there shall be a thousand lights in France, (alluding to the lights that Wo­men used to bear, when they were Church­ed) and that he performed within few dayes after, wasting the French Frontiers with fire and sword. Malmesb. de Wili­elmo primo. l. 4.

Some of the Earls conspiring against him; he perceiving his estate to be now brought into no small danger, and loath to put all upon the hazard and fortune of a Battell, against men so well provided, and with desperation armed, as a man perplexed, entred into consultation with L [...]nfrancke, then Archbishop of Canterbury, what course were now best for him to take, for the ap­peasing of these so great and dangerous troubles. By whose advice he came to a parl with the English Nobility, where after much reasoning and debating of the matter, a peace was at length concluded and agreed upon; so that the English men laying down their Arms, the Conquerour in the presence of the Archbishop Lanfrancke, and others, took a solemn Oath upon the holy Evangelists, and all the reliques of the Churches of St. Albans, from thence forth to observe and keep the good and ancient [Page 64] Laws of the Realm, which the noble Kings of England his Predecessors had before made and ordained; but especially those of St. Edwar [...], of all others supposed to be most equall and indifferent, for the gene [...]all good of the people.

He courteously received, and honoura­bly maintained Edgar Etheling in his Court, allowing him a pound weight of silver eve­ry day to spend; a rare example of a vi­ctorious Conqueror, shewed upon a man so unconstant, Speed. (who twice had broken his Oath of fidelity) and dangerous to be so near unto his person, being as he was, a competitor of his Crown.

During all his Raign, Silent l [...]gos in­ter arma. either the sword was not put up into the scabbard; Lambards Ar­ [...]tion▪ or if it were, the hand was alwayes upon the hilt, ready to draw it. So unwilling on the one part were the English men to bear the yoke; and so haughty on the other part were the Norman Conquerors, that to be called an English man, was in their eyes a great con­cumely; insomuch as it made some of the more light-conceited of the English, to seek to better their esteem, by imitating the Normans both in apparrell and language; which among the graver sort bred the Pro­verb, Verstegans Antiq. c. 6. p. 182. that Jack would be a Gentleman, if he could speak French.

He favoured learned men, and drew out of Italy, Lanfrancke, Anselme, Durand, [Page 65] Trahern, Pueritiam a [...] spem regui lite­ris municbat, subinde patre quoque audiento jactare Prover­bium solitus; Rex illitera­tus, Asinus co­ronatus. Mal­mesb. de Hen­rico primo. l 5. and divers others famous at that time, for learning and piety.

'Tis better with William Hunter, than with William the Conqueror. 'Tis better to have a name in the Book of Martyrs, than in the Book of Chronicles. Mr. Nor­tons life of Mr. Iohn Cotton.

Perceiving his own defects in some points for want of learning, he did exhort his children oftentimes to learning with this saying, An unlearned Prince is a crown­ed Ass; which speech took great impression in his son Henry.

This is one speciall honour attributed unto him, that from him we begin the Computation of our Kings of England.

From the Normans, bearing of Armes began amongst us.

Ab eo posteriores series Regum inchoavere, perinde acsi de integro ille regnum ipsum institu [...] ­isset, Regesque qui se [...]uti sunt, usi similiter sunt, ut nunc utuntur, insignibus Regiis, quae dedisset. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 9.

Nostrates, priusquam in Angliam penetras­set Wilielmus primus, hunc armorum cul­tum à Normannis videntur accepisse. Spel­manni Aspilegia. p. 40. Vide etiam p. 44.

He ended his life upon the ninth day of September, One and twenty years and one moneth saith Fox. Seventy four saith Po­lyd. Virgil. full both of honour and of age, when he had raigned twenty years, eight moneths, and sixteen dayes, in the three­score and fourth year of his age.

[Page 66] His dead body was not only abandoned, Qua enim con­ditio sortis hu­manae non mone­at ad pictatem, cùm auditum su [...]rit Regem istum qui tantae potentiae in vitâ suâ extitit, ut in tota Anglia, in tota Normannia, in tota Cinomanensi patria, ne [...]o contra imperium ejus ma­num movere auderet. Mox ut in terram spiritum exhalaturus, positus est, ab om­ni homine, sicut accepimus, uno solo duntaxat serviente excepto, derelictum cada­ver ejus sine omni pompa per Sequanam na [...]cella delatum, & cum scpeliri debe­ret, ipsam terram sepulturae illius à quodam rustico calumniatam, qui eam he­reditario jure reclamans, conquestus est illam sibi jam olim ab codem injuria fuisse ablatam. E [...]dmeri historia novorum. Vi [...] Ma [...]mesb. & Polyd. Virg. de Wilielmo primo. but left almost naked upon the ground.

Being conveyed from Roan (where he died) to Cane, one Fitz Arthur denied the King buriall in the Abbey-Church, (as ground which was wrongfully taken by the King from his Father) till he had a hundred pounds paid him for it.

Mr. Ienkyn in his Exposition of the E­pistle of Iude, vers. 4. p. 351. saith, Of our twenty five Monarchs since the Conquest, thirteen (taking in three who are thought to be poysoned) are said to have had vio­lent and untimely deaths.

CHAP. XII.
K. William the second, sir­named Rufus; or the Red.

KIng William the first took to wife Ma­tilde, daughter to Baldwin, Earl of [Page 67] Flanders, a man for his wisdome and pow­er, both reverenced and feared even of Kings; but because she was his Cousin-germane, he was for his marriage excom­municate by his own Uncle Mauger, Arch­bishop of Roan. Hereupon he sued to Pope Victor, and obtained of him a dispensation; and afterwards so wrought, that by a pro­vinciall Counsell his Uncle Mauger▪ was de­prived of his dignity.

This King had by his Wife four sons, Robert, Richard, William and Henry.

Robert his eldest son, sirnamed Court­cuise Or Courthos [...], of his short Hose, or Br [...]eches. Or Courtois, of his courteous be­haviour. Sir Iobn Hay­wards Lives of the three Nor­man Kings of England, p. 125. & 222., by reason of the shortness of his thighs, succeeded him in the Duchy of Nor­mandy. He was a man of exceeding ho­nourable courage and spirit, for which cause he was so esteemed by the Christian Princes, in the great Warre against the Sa­racens, that when they had subdued the Ci­ty and Territory of Hierusalem, they offer­ed the Kingdome thereof first unto him.

The King of England to whom the Schola Salernitana was dedicated, See Renasus Morean in his Prol [...]gomena to his learned A­nimadversions, by which he hath illustrated that work. was this Robert, eldest son of the Duke of Normandy, which begins thus, Anglorum Regi scribit▪ Schola tota Salerni; and it seems to be written, when this Robert returned out of Palestina into Apulia; and by reason of a Fistula from his poysoned wound, he had consulted with the School of Salerne concerning it, and preserving his health. Neither doth [Page 68] that hinder that this Book is written to the King of England; Vossius de Philosophia. c. 12. (but Robert never raigned here) for the Kingdome of right belonged to him, Joannes de Me [...]iolano me­dicus nomine [...]oll [...]gii Scholae Salernitanae conscrip [...]i li­brum cui titulus Schola Salerni­tana. Id ibid. which his younger Brother William Rufus possessed in his absence, and for re­covering of that he warred with his Bro­ther, but was overcome by him.

Richard had raised the good expectation of many, as well by his comely counte­nance and behaviour, as by his lively and generous spirit. But he died young by mis­adventure, By a fall from his Horse. as he was hunting within the New-Forrest, before he had made experi­ment of his worth. He was buried at Win­chester, with this inscription, Hic jacet Ri­chardus, filius Wilielmi senioris, Berniae Dux.

To Henry the King gave at the time of his death, five thousand pounds out of his treasure; but gave him neither dignity nor Lands, foretelling that he should enjoy the honour of both his Brothers in time, and far excell them both in dominion and pow­er. He succeeded his Brother William in the Kingdome of England, and wrested Nor­mandy out of the possession of Robert.

When William the first drew near his end, De [...]raudaverat Gulielmus pa­ter Robertum regno Angliae, partim non oblitus ejus in se impietatis & contumaciae, partim veritus, si ille id obtineret, ne ejus facilitas qua praeditus erat, ad defectionem paratiores non redderet Anglos, quos ipse laeserat; quapropter rem tutiore loco fore putàvit, si Rufo, cujus jampridem morum pariter acerbitatem atque imma­nitatem naturae cognitam habucrat, committeretur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 10. he commended the Kingdome of Eng­land [Page 69] to his second son William, with many blessings, admonitions, and prayers for his prosperous success. He dispatched him un­to England, with Letters under his own Seal, to Lan [...]rancke then Archbishop of Can­terbury, whose authority was great with the Clergy, and people of the Realm. Sir Iohn Hay­ward. It was conjectured by some, that the King was guided in this choice, no less by his judgment, then by his affection, because he esteemed the fierce disposition of his son William, more fit to govern a people not well setled in subjection, then the flexible and mild nature of his eldest son Robert.

Cambden Brittarnia in Glocester-shire. See more there of him. saith he was berest of the Kingdome of England, because he was born before his Father was King.

Milles gives two reasons, He seems to have followed the example of Iacob, who gave to his younger son Ioseph the land which he had taken with his Sword and his Bow. Besides in the rebellion of his son Ro­bert, this son stood firmly for him, and in his quarrell hazarded his life. Sir Richard Baker. why the Con­querour preferred his younger son unto the Kingdome, before his eldest.

Partly for his disloyalty and disobedi­ence; and partly doubting lest through the facility of his nature, he should give oc­casion unto the English men, to take heart unto them, and to rebell against him; whereas William his younger Brother was a man of more rough and harsh nature, and therefore fitter (as his Father thought) to bear rule and command over a warlike and new conquered people.

[Page 70] Sir Iohn Hayward in the life of William the second, discusseth that controversie, whe­ther Kings may prefer younger sons, and quite disinherit elder sons of the Kingdome, and resolves it negatively.

The Glossographer upon the Decrees no­teth, that the son of a King may be called King during the life of his Father, Robert was then absent in Germany. as wanting nothing but administration.

A little before his Fathers death William journeyed toward England, Incomparabilis proculdubio nostro tempore princeps; si non [...]um magnitudo patris obru [...]re [...], nec ejus juventu­tem fata praeci­pitassent, ne per [...] maturio­rem aboleret [...]r­rores [...]centia po­testatis, & im­petus juvenili contractos Mal­mesb. de Wili­elmo secundo. l. 4. and quickly arrived at the Port called Whitesand, where he received the first report of his Fathers death. Hereupon with all speed he posted to Lanfrancke, delivered his Fathers Let­ters, and forthwith was declared King; and not long after was crowned at West­minster.

His hair was deeply yellow; by reason whereof he was called Rufus, say Polyd. Vir­gil, and others.

He doubted of some points of Religion then professed, namely, of praying to Saints, worshipping of reliques, and such like.

He endeavoured to abate the tumorous greatness of the Clergy at that time, He is therefore ill spoken of by Clergy men. He claimed the investitute of Prelates to be his right. He forbad appeals to Rome. and attributed not so much to the See of Rome, as divers Kings before him had done.

He restrained his Subjects from going to Rome, and withheld the annuall payment of Peter-pence, and was often heard to say, [Page 71] that they follow not the trace of St. Peter; they greedily gape after gifts and rewards, they re­tain not his power, whose piety▪ they do not imi­tate.

Albeit he promised to the English, whilest his first fears and jealousies continu­ed, that they should enjoy free liberty of hunting; yet did he afterwards so severely restrain it, that the penalty for killing a Deer was death.

During Lanfranckes life, he so lived, that he might have been a mirrour of Princes; though afterwards he gave himself to sen­suall lust and covetousness. Matthew Paris condemns him much.

It is reported, that when his Chamber­lain upon a certain morning, brought him a new pair of Hose, the King demanded what they cost; and the Chamberlain an­swered, three shillings; hereat the King grew impatient, and said, What heavy beast? dost thou take these to be convenient Hose for a King? Away beggar, Malmesb. and bring me other of a better price. Then the Chamberlain de­parted, and brought a far worse pair of Hose, (for a better could not at that time be found) and told the King that they cost a mark. The King not only allowed them for fine enough, but commended them al­so as exceeding fit.

He walled the City of London, and built the great Hall at Westminster, which is two [Page 72] hundred seventy foot in length, Vnum adificium & ipsum per maximum do­mum in Londoniâ i [...]c [...]pit, & perfecit, non parcens expensis dummodo libera­litatis suae magnificentiam exhiberet. Malmesb. and seven­ty four foot in breadth.

He set forth a Proclamation, that none should go out of the Realm without his li­cense, by which he drew much money from many. From thence the custome or Law of Ne exeas Regno, seems to have ta­ken its beginning.

His usuall Oath was by St. Lukes face. Malmesb.

Coming to imbarque at Dartmouth, the Mariners told him the weather was rough, and there was no passing without imminent danger. Tush, Daniels Histo­ry. said he, set forward, I ne­ver yet heard of King that was drowned.

Answerable to that of Iulius Caesar, Malmesb. which enforced a poor Pilot in the like case to launch forth, and in the rage of the storm comforted him with saying, Caesarem & Caesaris fortunam ve [...]is.

Charles the fifth, in the Battell of Tunis, when he was advised by the Marquess of Guasto to retire his person, when the great Ordnance began to play, said, Marquess, thou never heardst that an Emperour was slain with a great shot.

Sir Walter Tyrell aiming at the Deer (where the King was hunting, within the New-Forrest) with an Arrow; and loose­ing [Page 73] his Bow, either too carelesly at the Deer, Veterum pleri­que traditur transsossum fuis­se Regem sagit­ta, quam in fera­rum vivario, quod novam Forestam dici­mus, jactu infoe­lici collimara [...] Gualterus Ty­rellus, Gallus, idque est receptissimum. Scd accuratius multo quam caeteri, singularia omnia, quae miseram Regis caedem & Tyrelli jactum fatalem attinent, narrat Ordericus Vitalis in hist. Eccles l. 10. p. 783. Seldeni notae ad Eadmerum. Vide Malmesb, de Wilielmo secundo. l 4. or too steadily at the king, saith Polydore Virgil, struck him therewith full upon the brest. The King having so re­ceived the wound, gave forth a heavy groan, and presently fell down dead. So much of the Arrow as was without his bo­dy, was found broken, whether with his hand, or by his fall, it is not certainly known.

He raigned in great variety of opinion with his Subjects, (some applauding his vertues, others aggravating his vices) twelve yeares, eleven moneths, wanting eight dayes, and was at his death forty and three years old. Sir Iohn Hayward in his life. p. 219.

CHAP. XIII.
King Henry the first, sirna­med Beauclerke.

HE apprehending the opportunity of Duke Roberts absence, did forthwith [Page 74] seize upon the treasure of the King, Henricus ob singularem, quae pro regio fuit no­mine, eruditio­nem Bellocleri­cus dictus. Sel­deni Ianu [...] An­glorum. Vide e­jus dissert. ad c. [...]. Henricus Rex urbanitate, comitate, affabi­litate, lenitate, justitia, & for­titudine, omnes sui temporis Principes anteire putabatur. and thereby also upon his State, and so was crowned at Westminster, by Maurice Bishop of London, because Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury was then in exile.

For his learning he was called Beauclerke, fair Clerk, or fine Scholar, brought up in the study of the liberall Arts at Cam­bridge.

He was sirnamed Leo justitiae in all Sto­ries; one of the most noble Princes that e­ver raigned in this Realm. Sir Thomas E­liots Governour.

Cambden urgeth this against him, Huc etiam acces sit, quod o [...] ni li­terarum genere Cantabridgiae, Lutetiaeque instructus à pu­eritia ita profe­cit, [...]ut Wiliel­mus ejus pater eum Episcopali mu [...]ri aptum censuerit. Qui doct [...]nae praesidio & saluberrim [...]s multas le­ges ipse condidit, & Papales technas saepe offecit, & ca [...]è vitavit, ut si [...]cam op­portunitatem, quam Henricus octavus nactus fuisset, & Papalem jurisdictionem exterminasset, & praefractum, ac à Papa concitatum in se clerum, in officio tenuis­set. Josc [...]lini Antiq. Brit. p. 124. Infans cum omnium votis conspirantibus edu­catus egregie, qui solus omnium filiorum Wilielmi natus esset regi [...], & [...]i regnum videretur competere. Itaque tyrocinium rudimentorum in scholis egi [...] li­beralibus, & literarum mella adeo avidus medullis indidit, ut nihil postea bello­rum tumultus, nulli curarum mot [...]s eas excutere illustri animo possent. Mal­mesb. de Henrico primo. l. 5. as if his▪ justice was by the common people deemed cruelty. Cambd. Rem.

He was excellent in wit, eloquent in speech, and fortunate in Battell, and for these three, he had three notable vices; covetousness, cruelty and lechery. Stowes Chron.

[Page 75] By his example, the young Nobility of the Realm, began to affect a praise for learning: insomuch as at a certain inter­view, between the King and Pope Innocent the second, the sons of Robert Earl of Mel­lent, maintained open disputations against divers Cardinals and Chaplains of the Pope. Sir Iohn Hayward.

To purchase the favour of the Clergy, he called Anselme out of exile, and restored him both to the dignity and revenues of the See of Canterbury.

He committed Radulph (alias Ranulph) Bishop of Durham to prison, who had been both author and agent to King William, in most of his distrustfull actions against the Clergy.

To make the Clergy the more assured, the King renounced the right which his An­cestours used in giving Investitures, and acknowledged the same to appertain to the Pope.

The Clergy did much favour him, by reason of his liberall leave, either to erect, or to enlarge, or else to enrich religious buildings. For to these works the King was so ready to give, not only way, but encouragement and help, that in no Prin­ces time, they did more within this Realm either flourish or encrease.

[Page 76] Sir Iohn Hayward numbers twenty five religious buildings, either done, or helped forward, or permitted and allowed by the King.

This King being born in England, and the Queen of English bloud-royall, raised the depressed English Nation again unto ho­nour and credit.

He restored them to the use of fire and candle, Nocturnas fa­ces, quas primus Gulielmus ve­tuerat, restituit, quippe cui jam firmato regno minus formida [...] ­das. Seldeni Ia­nus Anglorum. l 2. after eight of the Clock at night, which his Father had most straitly forbid­den.

He being a wise Prince, and well know­ing that an Empire gotten by force, could no longer remain, then that force continu­ed, sent into Scotland, and took to Wife Maud, the daughter of Queen Margaret, sister to Edgar Etheling, None of our Kings married with Scotland but he. (who was now dead, and left no issue) whereby this Maud was the heir of the Saxon line; and in her brought back again to us the ancient English blood-royall, before it had descend­ed beyond one generation from the Con­querour, Flemings Stem­ma sacrum. in whose line it continueth unto this day.

She was adorned with all royall vertues, principally with piety and humility. These Verses were made in her commendation.

Prospera non laetam fecere, nec aspera tristem, Aspera risus ei, prospera terror erant.

Non decor effecit fragilem, non sceptra superbam, Sola potens humilis, sola pudica decens.

[Page 77] She being married against her will, see­ing she must violate the vow of her virgini­ty, she cursed her of-spring, if any came of her; which was not altogether vain saith Polyd. Virgil, in regard they were all after­ward drowned.

He reduced Normandy to England.

He built therein many Castles, and plant­ed Garrisons, Habitus est cru­delis praes [...]r [...]im propter Robe [...] ­tum germanum fratrem, quem in carcero sinem vi­tae facere coegit. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 11. and with no less wisdome as­sured that State, then with valour he had won it.

He brought with him his Brother Robert into England, and committed him to safe custody in the Castle of Cardiffe.

He striving to escape, was taken again, committed to close prison, his eyes put out, and a sure guard set upon him. Thus he remained in desolate darkness, neither re­verenced by any for his former greatness, nor pitied for his present distress. Thus he continued about twenty seven years, in a life far more grievous then death, even un­till the year before the death of King Henry. So long was he a suitor in wooing of death. So long did the one Brother overlive his good fortune, the other his good nature and disposition; esteeming it a fair favour, that the uttermost extremity was not in­flicted.

He gave his daughter Maud the Empress, in second marriage to the Earl of Anjou, and his Sister Elix (as some Chronicles [Page 78] call her) to Steven, Stubb [...] his dis­covery of a gaping gulf whereinto England is like to be swallow­ed, by another French marri­age. He shews there also in Henry the se­cond, Richard the first, King Iohn, Henry the third, Edward the second, Richard the second, the inconveniences to this Nation, by their marriages with the French. Hinc cognoscere licet, pri [...]s Aethiopem posse mutare pellem, uti dicitur, quàm qui terram incolunt Galliam, valde multum diligere Anglos. Polyd. Virg. Ang hist. l. 23. p. 483. Earl of Bloys. Thence sprang the loss of this Kingdome to Maud, during her life, by being so far out of the land in another Countrey, when she should have accepted it here. Therof sprang the per­juries of Steven King of England, enticed to a Kingdome through the commodity of his near place. And thence came the Civill miseries to the people, who through the in­certainty of a Governour, were in field and Arms one against another.

His daughter Maud, It was said of Charles Earl of Valois, that he was the son of a King, brother to a King, un­cle to a King, father to a King, and yet no King. as well as that La­cedemonian Lady Lampedo, whom Pliny maketh mention of, was a Kings daugh­ter Cambdens Brittannia in Barkshire., a Kings wife, and a Kings mother. Daughter of this Henry the first, King of England; wife of Henry the fourth, Empe­rour of Germany; and mother to Henry the second, King of England. Concerning which matter, there is this Distick engraven on her Tomb.

Magna ortu, majórque viro, sed maxima partu, Hîc jacet Henrici filia, sponsa, parens.

The daughter, wife, the mother eke, of Hen­ry lieth here;

Much blest by birth, by marriage more, but most by issue dear.

[Page 79] He was a great administrer of justice, Mi [...]ses. Henrico ad­scribunt nonnulli legem, quam curtoise d' Angleterre dicunt I. C. ti. Hac vir suscepta prole co [...]jugis demortuae baered [...]s sruitur, in humanis dum [...]g [...]rit. Seldeni Ianus Anglorum. l. 2. and the first that ordained that theeves should be hanged.

He ordained that counterfeiters of mo­ney, should lose both their eyes, Hayward. and be deprived of their privy parts,

He took away the deceit which had been occasioned by variety of measures, and made measure by the length of his own arm, The antiquity of a yard. which hath been commonly used e­ver since, by the name of a yard.

He is yet alive in his Laws.

See his Laws in Lambard de priscis Anglo­rum legibus.

His expences were chiefly in his Warres, and his many and great fortifications in Normandy. His buildings were the Abbey of Reading, the Castle of Warwicke, of Bri­stoll, the Mannour of Woodstocke, [...]anicls Hist [...] ­ry, and Hay­ward. and the great inclosure of that Park, with a stone Wall seven miles about.

There was a singular and most remarka­ble example of Gods justice upon his chil­dren. For when the King both by force, crast, and cruelty, Sir Walter Rawleigh his Preface to his History of the world. had dispossest, over­reacht, and lastly made blind, and destroy­ed his elder Brother, Duke of Normandy, to make his own sons Lords of his Land; God cast them all, male and female, Nephews [Page 80] and Neeces ( Maud excepted) into the bottome of the Sea, See Sir Iohn Hayward in the life of King Henry the first p. 267, 2 [...]8, 269, 270. with above a hundred and fifty others that attended them, where­of a great many were noble, and of the King dearly beloved.

Evasit unus & ille agrestis, qui tota nocte ma­lo supernatans, mane totius tragediae actum ex­pressit. Malmesb. de Henrico primo. l. 5. Vide Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 11. p. 191.

Nulla unquam navis fuit Angl [...]ae tantae mi­seriae, nulla toto orbi tam patulae famae.

His usuall Oath was By our Lords death; and so was Queen Elizabeths.

He first instituted the form of the High-Court of Parliament, Prudentum con­gressus in An­glia vocatur & magna comitia. Mutuato denium à Gallis Parli­amentorum no­mine quae ante Henricum perraro scribit Polydorus l. 11. habita. Seldeni Ianus Anglo­rum. l. 2. as now it is in use. The first Parliament was held at Salisbury, upon the nineteenth day of April, in the sixteenth year of his Raign. See Lamberts Archeion. p. 240, 241, 242, 243.

When Matilde his daughter was given in marriage, A Hide of land contains 20. Acres, saith Hayward in the life of William the first. p. 99. A 100. Acres saith Lambert. to Henry the fifth Emperour, he took three shillings of every Hide of land throughout the Realm: which being followed by succeeding Kings, did grow to a custome of receiving aid, whensoever they gave their daughters in marriage.

About this time the marriage of Priests was forbidden in England; but the King for money permitted them to retain their [Page 81] wives, and in the end set an imposition in that respect upon every Church through­out the Realm. It availed not any man to say, that he had no purpose to keep a wife; he must pay for a faculty to keep a wife, if he would.

Quymund his Chaplain (observing that unworthy men for the most part were ad­vanced to the best dignities of the Church) as he celebrated divine service before him, and was to read these words out of S t Iames 5. 17. ( It rained not upon the earth three years and six moneths) he did read it thus, ( It rained not upon the earth one, one years, and five, one, moneths.) The King observed this reading, and afterwards rebuked his Chap­lain for it. But Quymund answered, that he did it of purpose, because such readers were soonest preferred by the King. The King smiled, and in short time after pre­ferred him to the government of St. Frides­wides in Oxford.

He died in the sixty seventh year of his age, when he had raigned thirty five years, and four moneths, wanting one day. He was buried at Reading, which he had found­ed.

In him ended the line of the Norman Kings, as concerning their heirs males, af­ter whom came in the French men, by the title of the heirs generall.

CHAP. XIV.

King STEPHEN.

VIr solertis ingenii, & militaris artis peri­tissimus. Polyd. Virg.

He was of a comely stature; of a good complexion; and of body strong; very skilfull in martiall affairs, gentle, courte­ous, and exceeding bountifull; not noted for any speciall vice, but that upon an am­bitious desire to raign, he brake his Oath which he had made with Maud the Em­press.

He was a most worthy Souldier, and wanted nothing to have made him an excellent King, but a just title. And therefore hee was driven (per­force) to defend his usurped Authority by the sword, which must needs procure him the hatred of many.

He was crowned at Westminster upon Saint▪ Stephens day, in presence of but three Bi­shops, few of the Nobility, and not one Abbot, by William Archbishop of Canterbu­ry, with great solemnity.

Having his sword continually out, Daniels Histo­ry. and so many defections and rebellions against him, he never put any great man to death.

[Page 83] Of Roger Bishop of Salisbury in this Kings Raign, it is reported, that he was so pres­sed with the miseries of a long imprison­ment, Vt vivere nol [...]erit, mori nesci [...]rit, That live he would not, die he could not.

In his dayes flourished divers famous learned men, but especially Historiogra­phers, viz. William of Malmesbury, Henry Huntington, Simon of Durham, Gessrey of Munmouth, and others.

Though his Raign were rough and tem­pestuous, by reason of his perpetuall de­bates and contests with Maud the Empress, and her Son, concerning the title; yet were there more religious Convents erect­ed in his time, then either before or after.

Although he had continuall Warres, yet he required few or no tributes from the people.

He raigned almost nineteen years, lived forty nine, and was buried in the Abbey of Feversham in Kent, which he had founded.

The Normans thus expiring, The famous Family of Plantagenets, which stored the Crown of England well nigh the space of four hun­dred years; from whence have issued one Emperour, fifteen Kings, and ten Queens, twelve Princes, twenty four Dukes, and sixty Earls, took its name of a [...]lant. Fern. Glor. Generos. give way to the Dynasty of the Plantagenets.

Before the division of the Houses of Yorke and Lancaster, there run on evenly in an un­questionable line, eight Kings in this manner.

  • [Page 84]1. Henry the second.
  • 2. Richard the first.
  • 3. Iohn.
  • 4. Henry the third.
  • 5. Edward the first.
  • 6. Edward the second.
  • 7. Edward the third.
  • 8. Richard the second.

Henry the second.

The first King of this Island, Galfredus Plantaginett [...], cujus absque du­bio à Planta­gine herba, quemadmodum elim ap [...]d Ro­manos multa­rum nobilssimo­rum [...] ab herbis & frugibus dedu­ctum [...]omen est, Matildam Henrici primi Anglorum regis; filiam, viduam duxit in uxo­rem. Henricus secundus in regiam familiam nobilissimum illud Plantaginet­tarum cognomen insinuavit. Hoc mirum in modum postea prolis numerositate incrcvit; a leo ut exea gente quatuordecim reges▪ quanquam desultoria quadam successionis lege aliquando, con [...]inuata tamen seric, regnum administrarunt. T wini Comment, de rebus Britanuicis. sirnamed Plantagenet, from Plantagenista, so called (as some say) for wearing a slip or stalk of Broom in his Cap or Hat, toward his lat­ter dayes, in penance and contrition for his past sins. He undertook to go to the holy Sepulchre, in the poor and despised habit of a Broom-man, and to signifie himself so, bore a Broom-stalk in his Cap. Others say it was because he scourged himself with the stalks of Broom, which grew upon the Plains, where once the holy City stood. Bucks Preface to his great Plantagenet.

Henry Duke of Anjou by his Father Geffe­ry Plantagenet, Prince douè de plusicurs vertus vrayement dig­ne, d' un Roy [...]mais aussi suict à quelques vices encores plus indignes d' un Prin­ce [...] hrestein. Histoire d' Angleterre par Andre Du Chesne. l. 12. succeeded Stephen in the [Page 85] Kingdome of England by agreement, whom he preceded by right, as being son and heir of Maud, sole daughter and heir of King Henry the first, and was crowned at Westminster, by Theobald Archbishop of Can­terbury, and was a greater Prince then any of his Ancestors.

He was sirnamed Court-mantle, because he was the first that brought short Cloaks out of Anjou into England.

He was wise and learned. He never ware Glove, except he bare a Hawk on his fist; and never sate but at his meat; and delighted in hawking, hunting, riding, and in all honest exercises.

Our English Chronicles do blame him, Fox. p 228. Col. 2. for refusing to take the protection and de­fence of the distressed Christians in Ierusa­lem, offered unto him by Heraclins the Pa­triark; the troubles that befell him at home, are ascribed to that cause.

In his time there were eleven hundred and fifteen Castles in England. Hollinsh. in K. Stephen. Cambd. Britan­nia in Nor­thumberland.

He caused them to be demolished.

He first kept Lions, and made of the Arms of Normandy, viz. the two Leopards; and of the single Lion Aquitain, one Coat so Arms for England, as it is yet worn.

He associated his son Henry in the Go­vernment; an act without example in this Kingdome.

The young King shewed shortly after, [Page 86] That a Crown was no State to be made over in trust.

At the Feast of his solemnity, the King to honour his son, would needs carry up the first dish to his Table. Roger Archbi­shop of Yorke standing by, and saying mer­rily▪ to the new King, Gaude, optime filio non est enim alter in toto orbe Princeps, qui talem habeat in mensa administrum. What an honour is this to you, to have such a waiter at your Table! At pater Hen­ricus haec audi­ens, ingenti af­fectus dolore, an­tistiti submissa voce ait, Paenitets inquam, paenitet extulisse homi­nem. Polyd. Virg. Mon­taigne in his second Book of Essayes▪ c▪ 8. commends the Emperour Charles the fifth, for resigning his means, his greatness, and Kingdome to his son, at what time he found his former undaunted resolution to de­cay, and force to conduct his affairs to droop in himself, together with the glory he had thereby acquired. Robert, son to Hugh Capet, was crown­ed King in his fathers life time, of whom it is sajd, He was a son without frowardness, a companion without jealousie, a King without ambition. Du Serres History of France. Why (saith he) what great matter is it for him that was but the son of a Duke, to do service to me, that am the son of a King and Queen? Which the old King hearing, began to repent him, now it was too late, of that he had done.

He loved women too much, especially one Rosamond, the fair daughter of Walter Lord Clifford. This his Concubine was a very beautifull young Lady, of unparalleld wit. He usually termed her the Rose of the world; his Rose.

The true Etymology of her name is Rose­mouth, Verstegans Ety­mology of our Saxon proper names. and seemeth to have been given, in regard of her sweetness or colour of the lips; [Page 87] or it may have been in recommendation of sweetness, and eloquence of speech.

King Henry had made for her a Labyrinth at Woodstoc [...], so that no man or woman might come to her, but he that was in­structed by the King, or such as were right secret with him. It was com­monly said, that at last Queen Elenor came to her by a Clew of Thread, Poysoned her, as was thought. or Silk, and so dealt with her, that she lived not long after. But when she was dead, she was bu­ried at Godstow, in an house of Nunnes be­side Oxford.

In whose Epitaph, Verstegan ubisupra. a Latin Poet not un­derstanding the true Etymology of the name, makes Mund▪ which here is mouth, to be Mundus, and so calls her the Rose of the world.

Hic jacet in tumba, Rosa mundi, non Rosa munda; Non redolet, sedolet, quae redolere solet.

Being much incensed against Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, he once cried out, Me miserum, non possum in meo regno pacem cum uno sacerdote habere? nec quis­quam meorum omnium est, qui me hac molestia liberare velit. Which words were so inter­preted by some, that it occasioned his death.

Stapleton a Jesuit put forth a Book, enti­tuled Tres Thomae; St. Thomas the Apostle, Thomas of Becket, and Sir Thomas More. [Page 88] He canonizeth the two last, and writes far more of them, then of the first.

For the death of Thomas Becket Archbi­shop of Canterbury, he was scourged with rods by the Monks of Canterbury, and had eighty lashes.

Geffery Archbishop of Yorke, and base son to King Henry the second, used proudly to protest by his faith, Gualterus Mappaeus de nugis Curialium. and the Royalty of the King his father. To whom one said, You may sometimes, Sir, as well remember what was the honesty of your mother.

Petrus Blesensis was Archdeacon of Bath under him.

There was a very strange presage of his death, Polyd. Virg. Ang hist. Hollinsh by a Meer or Pool in Normandy; for all the Fishes therein leapt forth on land in the night time, and fought together with such a dreadfull noise, that men came in great numbers to behold the wonder, and not one Fish could be found alive in the Pool.

Other strange accidents are also report­ed.

When he died, Polyd. Virg. there were found in his Coffers, nine hundred thousand pounds, besides Plate and Jewels.

His youngest son was called Iohn Lack­land, because he had no land assigned him in his fathers time.

Titles he lacked none; for his father had made him Earl of Cornwall, Dan hist. Dorset, Sommer­set, [Page 89] Nottingham, Derby, and Lancaster.

He raigned thirty four yeares, seven moneths, and five dayes.

CHAP. XV.
RICHARD the first.

HE was for his valour sirnamed Coeur de Lion, Statura corporis fuit justa, lata & bonesta facie, in qua multum gratiae, gravitatuque incrat; sed quò pulchrior corpore, hoc animi altitudine praestantior, undo non immeritò cognomen invenit, qui cor Leonis vo­catus est. Polyd. Virg. Ang hist l. 14. Illud innuere videtur Richardum in­ter Angliae Reges primum usum fuisse Leonino gestamine, quod ei prae caeteris cognomen inderetur. Cor Leonis à pictura [...] clypei (ni vana conjectura) deriva­tum. Nam é clypeis & armaturis nomina saepe acceperunt tum antiqui, tum re­centiores. Spelman [...]i Aspilogia. p 46, 47. or the Lions heart.

Hugh Nevill a Gentleman of noble li­nage, one of King Richards speciall famili­ars, is recorded to have slain a Lion in the holy land, Weevers anci­ent Funerall-Monuments. driving first an Arrow into his brest, and then running him through with his Sword. Whereupon this Hexameter was made.

Viribus Hugonis vires periere Leonis. The strength of Hugh a Lion slew.

Which atchievment belike was trans­ferred from the man to the Master, and the Story applied to the King, by name of King [Page 90] Richard, Coeur de Lion. But this is only Weevers opinion.

He was crowned at Westminster, by Bald­win Archbishop of Canterbury.

He being at dinner in his Hall of Westmin­ster, hearing the French King besieged Ver­noy [...]e, he swore that he would never turn his face, till he had fought with him, if he did abide, and caused the wall to be broken before him, and so passed to Normandy; and receiving his brother Iohn to mercy, raised the siege; for the French King fled as soon as he heard of Kings Richards com­ing.

A Prince of a most haughty mind, and full of resolution, born for the Weal of Christendome, Cambdens Brittannia in Oxfordshire. the honour of England, and the terrour of Infidels.

With the beams of his victories atchiev­ed in Cypres and Syria, Id. ib. in Bark­shire. he made our Coun­trey of England most famous, and renown­ed through the world.

He had trained up in his Court a Rymer or Minstrell, called Blondell de Neste, who being so long without the sight of his Lord, his life seemed wearisome to him. It was known that he came back from the holy land, but none could tell in what Coun­trey he arrived. Whereupon this Blondell resolving to make search for him in many Countries, Histoire d' An­gleterre Par Andre Du Chesne. l. 1 [...]. but he would hear some news of him; after expence of divers dayes in [Page 91] travell, he came to a Town (by good hap) near to the Castle where his Master King Richard was kept. Theater of honour. Book 5. c. 1 [...] Of his Host he demand­ed to whom the Castle appertained, and the Host told him it belonged to the Duke of Austria. Then he enquired whether any prisoner was there detained or no, for alwayes he made such secret questionings, wheresoever he came; and the Host an­swered, that there was one only prisoner, but he knew not what he was, and yet he had been detained there more then the space of a year. When Blondell heard this, he used such meanes, that he became ac­quainted with them of the Castle, as Min­strels do easily win acquaintance any where; but see the King he could not, neither un­derstand that it was he. One day he sate directly before a window of the Castle, where King Richard was kept prisoner, and began to sing a song in French, which King Richard and Blondell had sometime compo­sed together. When King Richard heard the song, he knew it was Blondell that sung it; and when Blondell paused at half of the song, the King entreated him to sing the rest. Thus Blondell won knowledge of the King his Master, and returning home into England, made the Barons of the Countrey acquainted where the King was.

Whereas before his time, Sheriffs and Maiors of Lon­don first or­dained. the City of London was governed by Portgraves, he [Page 92] granted them to be governed by two She­riffs and a Maior, as now it is.

Iohn the Kings brother making an incur­sion up to Beauvois, where the Bishop being also an Earl of the royall bloud, and the eleventh Peer of France, valiantly fighting, was taken in the skirmish, armed at all points, and bravely mounted; on whose behalf the Pope (upon the Bishops hum­ble suit, pleading the Clergies immunity) wrote somewhat earnestly to King Richard, to set his very dear son, for so he called the Bishop, at liberty. The King in a kind of pleasant earnestness, Alluding to that Gen. 37. 33. caused the Habergeon and Curaces of the Bishop, to be presented to the Pope, with this question, Vide an tu­nica filii tui sit an non. Whereupon the Pope replied, Hollinsh. and Speeds Chron. That he was neither his son, nor the son of the Church; and therefore should be ransomed at the Kings will, because he was ra­ther judged to be a servitor of Mars, then a souldier of Christ.

In his time were those famous Out-laws, called Robin-hood and Little Iohn.

He was wounded in the arm, by an Ar­row shot at him out of a Cross-bow, by Pe­ter Bisile, of which wound he died within four dayes after.

CHAP. XVI.

King Iohn.

WHose Raign had it not fallen in the time of so turbulent a Pope, so ambitious neighbour-Princes, so disloyall Subjects, Speed. nor his Story into the hands of ex­asperated Writers, he had appeared a King of as great renown, as misfortunes.

His overhasty undertakings brought in those broyls of the Barons Wars.

Before this Kings time we seek in vain for any great Councel. He first as may be gathered (though darkly by the Record) used their Councels and Assents in the sixth year of his Raign. C [...]ttoni Post­huma.

He had by his Wife▪ Isabel a son Henry, who succeeded him in the Kingdome.

In his voyage towards Ireland, Powell on Lhoyds Histo­ry of Wales. p. 261. out of Matthew Paris. as he was in his journey in the borders of Wales, there was one taken and brought before him, who had killed a Priest. The Offi­cer desired to understand the Kings plea­sure, what he would have done to him. Let him go (saith the King) for he hath slain mine enemy.

Seeing one cut up a very fat Stag in his presence, (said he) How easily and happily [Page 94] hath this creature lived, yet he never heard Mass. Hist. d'Angle­terre Par An­dre Du Ches­ne l. 12.

Mr. Acts and Mo. vol. 1. Fox seems to approve of this speech, as deriding the Mass; though others say it was an Atheisticall speech.

In his Raign the Citizens of London first obtained of the King, to choose yearly a Maior. Fox. In whose time also the Bridge of London was first builded of stone, which be­fore was of wood.

Most Writers testifie, that he was poy­soned by a Monk of Swinsted-Abbey in Lin­colnshire, Foxes Acts and Mon vol. 1. There are va­rious reports of his death. See Hollinsh. Chron. who to poyson him, wittingly and willingly poysoned himself.

Eighteen years, five moneths, and four dayes, saith Matthew Paris. He died in the year of his age fifty and one, and after he had raigned seventeen years, One writes that he was poysoned at Swinsted with a dish of Pears. Others there in a cup of Wine. Some, that he died at Newarke of the Flux. A fourth, by the distemperature of Peaches eaten in his fit of an Ague. Browns Britannias Pastorals. six moneths, and twenty seven dayes.

He lieth buried at Worcester-Colledge, in the Quire there.

King HENRY the third.

He was happy in his Uncle, the Earl of Pembroke, the guide of his infancy; and no less for thirty years, whilest De Burgo the last servant of his Fathers against the French, both in Normandy and England, with Bigot Earl of Norfolke, and others of like gravity [Page 95] and experience did manage the affairs. The Author of the troublesome life and Raign of King Henry the third.

He was of a middle stature.

Robustus viribus, sed praeceps in factis. Mat­thew Paris.

He was crowned at Glocester, by Peter Bishop of Winchester, and Iosceline Bishop of Bath, in the presence of Walo the Popes Le­gate, Octob. 28. 1216. And after peace con­cluded with the Barons, by Stephen Lang­ton Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster, on Whitsunday an. 1219.

In his Raign the Popes authority in Eng­land was at the highest.

He heard three Masses a day.

In a solemn conference between him and St. Lewis, Contigit ali­quando S. Lu­dovicum Fran­corum Regem cum eo super hoc conferentem dicere quod non semper missis, sed frequentius sermonibus au­diendis esse va­candum. Cui fa­ceta urbanitate respondens, ait, se malle amicum suum saepius videre, quam de [...] oquentem, licet bona dicentem aud [...]re. Matth. Paris, & Walsingh. King of France, the only devout Kings of that age▪ when the French King said he had rather hear Sermons then Mas­ses; our King replied, that he had rather see his loving friend, (meaning Christs re­all presence in the Sacraments) then to hear never so much good of him, by others in Sermons.

He had a son by Elenor his wife, whom he named Edward, for the memory of Ed­ward the Confessor, who raigned a little before that the Normans vanquished Eng­land. [Page 96] At whose birth appeared a Star of great magnitude, for some dayes before the Sun rising, which moved swiftly, one while making a shew of fire, another while leaving smoak behind it; by which prodi­gy (saith Polydore Virgil) the future ampli­tude of Edward the father, and the smalness and vanity of his son which he begat after­wards, was declared as it were by an O­racle.

He had another son Edmund Crouchbacke, so called, not because he was crooked or deformed, but because he wore the Cross upon his back, or on his Buckler, which he wore constantly at his back, to shew that he had vowed to go to Ierusalem, to recover the holy Sepulchre.

In the year 41 of his Raign, the King held a Parliament at Oxford, which was called Insanum Parliamentum, that is to say, the mad Parliament. For in this Parliament were made many Acts against the Kings prerogative and pleasure, for the reformation of the state of the Land, which after turned to the confusion and hurt of the Land, Gration. Hollinsh. and the death and destruction of many noble men; so that by occasion thereof, began that hatefull strife, called at this day the Barons War, whereof ensued much trouble and mischief.

He was pressed by his Nobles, Bishops▪ and others, Magna Charta. to pass the great Charter, in [Page 97] the ninth year of his Raign. His son Ed­ward the first in the twenty fifth of his Raign, confirmed the great Charter.

The great Charter of England passed from this King, for which the English men had no less striven, than the Trojans for their Helena. Lambards Ar­cheion. Lambard saith, he may call that great Charter of the Liberties of Eng­land, the first Letters of manumission of the people of this Realm, Id. ib. out of the Norman servitude.

Matthew Paris the learned Monk of Saint: Albans lived in his time, and was highly esteemed by him. Matth. Paris. hist. Ang. Hen. 3. p. 945. p. 783. Et cum esset cum ipso continue in mensa, in palatio, & in thalamo, qui haec scripsit, direxit scribentis calamum satis diligenter & amicahiliter.

In another place he speaks of his bold re­proving the King.

Verstegan sayes the Sidneys are of a French extraction; that they came over in­to England in Henry the thirds dayes.

Arms as honourary dignities and gene­rous distinctions between family and fami­ly, There will be little reason to be over­confident in matters of Pedigree and Arms, much beyond 400 years. and person and person, have been un­doubtedly born from his time; since which there is sufficient proof of them; and though long before that many Families might be rich, potent and noble, yet some of them either had no Arms, as many yet in Ireland have not, or else kept no con­stant Coat, [...]d. ibid. but gave sometimes their pa­ternall, [Page 98] otherwhiles their maternall or a­adopted Coats. Mr. Waterhouse his dis­course of Arms and Armory.

He raigned fifty six yeares and twenty dayes, Matth. Paris. the longest number of years that e­ver any King of England raigned. Cooke 2 d part of Instit. c. 11.

CHAP. XVII.

King EDWARD the first.

HE was absent in the holy Land when his father died. The names of the first Rich­ard, the first Edward were as terrible to Infidels, as William to the Saxons, and as much renown­ed among all Christian Princes. Sir Francis W [...]rtly his Characters. Rodericus To­letanus l. 1. breaks forth into this ex­clamation; Quid igitur hujus mulieris fide rarius audiri! quid mirabilius esse potest, ut ux­oris lingua fide & dilectione maritali peruncta, vencua à dilecto marito expule­rit quae electo medico trahi non valuerunt: & quod plurima exquistiáque non ef­fecerunt medicamenta, una uxoris pietas explevit.

At his first coming to the holy Land, he rescued the great City of Acon, from be­ing surrendred to the Sultan, after which, out of envy to his valour, one Anzazim a desperate Saracen, who had often been employed to him from their Generall, be­ing one time, upon pretence of some se­cret message, admitted alone into his chamber, with a poysoned knife gave him three wounds in the body, two in the arm, and one in the armpit, which had been mortall, if out of unspeakable love, the Lady Elenor his wife had not suckt out the [Page 99] poison of his wounds with her mouth, and licked them with her tongue, and thereby effected a cure, which otherwise had been incurable. So soveraign a medicine (saith Speed) is a womans tongue annointed with the vertue of loving affection.

Leaving Garrisons in fit places for de­fence of the Countrey, he with his wife E­lenor takes his journey homewards, and first passing by Sicilie, was there most kindly received by Charles King of that Island, where he first heard of his fathers death; which he took more heavily far, then he had taken the death of his young son Henry, whereof he had heard a little before; at which when King Charles mar­velled, Iactura filio­rum facilis est, cùm quotidie multiplicentur; pareutum verò mors irremedia­bilis est, quia nequeunt restau­rari. Chronica [...] Thomae. Walsingham. he answered that other sons might be had, but another father could never be had.

He was protected by the divine hand from his Childhood being young, and playing one time at Chess with a friend, in the midst of his game, without any appa­rent occasion, he removed himself from the place where he sate, when suddenly there fell from the roof of the house a great stone, which if he had stayed in the place but never so little, had beaten out his brains.

The like is recorded of Luther, that as he was sitting in a certain place upon his stool, a great stone there was in the Vault [Page 100] over his head where he sate; which being stayed miraculously so long as he was sit­ting, as soon as he was up, immediately fell upon the place where he sate, able to have crushed him in pieces. Fox Marty­rolog.

Having prepared a great Fleet of Ships for a journey into Flanders, and being at Winchelsey where the Ships were to meet, it happened that riding about the Harbour, his Horse frighted with the noise of a Wind­mill, which the wind drove violently a­bout, scrambled up and leapt over the mud-wall of the Town, so as neither the King nor Horse was to be seen, but every one judged the King could not choose but be thrown and killed; yet such was the di­vine providence over him, that the Horse lighted upon his feet, and the King keep­ing the Saddle returned safe.

He was crowned at Westminster, toge­ther with his wife Queen Elenor, by Robert Kilwarthy, Archbishop of Canterbury.

He ingeniously surprized the Welch into subjection, Mr. Fullers good thoughts in worst times. Occasi­on. Meditat. 9. See Dr. Pow [...]is Preface to the History of Wales, and his Notes on [...]hoyds History of Wales, p. 376, 377, and Judge Dederidges Principality of Wales, p. 4, 5, 6. proffering them such a Prince as should be

  • 1. The son of a King.
  • 2. Born in their own Countrey.
  • 3. Whom none could taxe for any fault.

[Page 101] The Welch accepted the conditions, and the King tendered them his son Edward, an Infant, newly born in the Castle of Car­narva [...].

Wales was united to the Crown of Eng­land in the eleventh year of his Raign; who thereupon established the Government thereof according to the Lawes of Eng­land.

A wise, Cambdens Britannia in Yorkeshire. [...]aletudine usus est satis presp [...]ra, animo magno; cui cunque enim rei operam dabat, eam facil [...] imbi [...]bat, pruden­tia summa, religionis studiosissimus, insolentiae sacerdotum inimicus acerrimus, quam ex opibus cum primis prosicisci putabat [...] quam ob [...]rem legem ad manu­mortuam perpetuasse fertur, at ita corum luxurie [...] coerc [...]retur. Polyd. V [...]rg. Ang hist l. 18. a just, and fortunate Prince, who in regard of his Princely vertues deserveth to be ranged among the principall and best Kings that ever were.

A right noble and worthy Prince, Cambdens Britannia in Cumberland. Fuit prudens in gerendis negoti­is, ab adolescen­tia armorum de­d [...]us exercitio, quo in diversts regionibus eam famam militiae acquifierat, quà totius orbis Christiani sui temporis principes singulariter transcendebat. Elegantis erat formae, staturae pro­cer [...]e, qua humero & supra communi populo prae [...]minebat. Chronica Thom [...] Walsingham. He was called Edward Long-shank [...]. to whom God proportioned a most princely presence and personage, a right worthy seat to entertain so heroicall a mind. For he not only in regard of fortitude and wis­dome, but also for a beautifull and perso­nall presence was in all points answerable to the height of royall Majesty, whom fortune also in the very prime and flower of his age, inured to many a Warre, and exercised in most dangerous troubles of the [Page 102] State, whilest she framed and fitted him for the Empire of Brittain: which he being once crowned King, managed and govern­ed in such wise, that having subdued the Welch and vanquished the Scots, he may justly be counted the second ornament of Great Brittain.

No Realm but did resound first Edwards praise,
No praise was ever won with more deserts.
And no deserts (though great) could coun­terpoise
Much less out-balance his heroick parts.
Mars taught him Arms, the Muses taught him Arts,
Whereby so great he grew, that might there be
A love on earth, that earthly love was he.
Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.

In the long Warres he had with Robert King of Scotland, having by triall found how greatly his presence advantaged the success of his affairs, and how he was ever victorious in any enterprise he undertook in his own person, when he died, he bound his son by solemn oath, that being dead he should cause his body to be boiled, un­till the flesh fell from the bones, which he should cause to be interred, and carefully keeping the bones, ever carry them about [Page 103] him, whensoever he should happen to have Warres with the Scots, as if destiny had fatally annexed the victory unto his limmes. Mountaigne his Essayes. l. 1. c. 3.

Baliol King of Scotland came to Newcastle upon Tine, where King Edward then lay; and there with many of his Nobles, swears fealty, and doth homage to him, as his So­veraign Lord.

Afterward there grew a great dissention between him and the King, and the two Nations, which consumed much Christian bloud, and continued almost three hun­dred years. King Edward entered Scotland with a great Army, King Baliol was taken prisoner.

The marble Chair in which the Kings of Scotland used to be crowned, Ne vestigium majestatis regia [...] desid [...]rii ullum apud populum remaneret, sedem lap [...]deam in qua insidentes Re­ges coronari sa­lebant, ex Sco­tia deferendam Londinum cu­ravit, quae eti [...]am nunc ad Westmonast [...]rium servatur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 1 [...] was also brought thence to Westminster, and placed there amongst the Monuments, where it still continues.

Ni fallat fatum, Scoti quocunque locatum
Invenient lapidem, regnare tenentur ibidem.
Except old sawes do fain,
And Wizards wits be blind,
The Scots in place shall raign,
Where they this stone shall find.

Of his Warres with the Scotch, and his victories over them, see Aysc [...] his Histo­ry of the Warres, Treaties, Marriages, and [Page 104] other occurrents between England and Scot­land, from King William the Conquerour, untill the union of them both in King Iames.

In his twelfth year the Justices Itinerants began.

In his time Iohn Baliol King of Scots, builded Baliol-Colledge in Oxford. Walter Merton Lord Chancellour of England, and after Bishop of Rochester, founded Merton-Colledge in Oxford.

One made this Epitaph of him.

Dum viguit, Rex, & valuit tua magna potestas
Frau [...] latuit, pax magna fuit, regnavit honestas.

He raigned thirty four yeares, seven moneths, one and twenty dayes, and li­ved sixty eight years, and twenty dayes.

EDWARD the second.

He degenerated wholly from his fathers vertues, and esteemed not the good ad­vertisements and precepts which he gave him before his death.

He granted the Charter to London, to elect yearly one of the City at their own pleasure to be their Maior.

He was the first of the King of Englands children which bore the title and quality of the Prince of Wales. Since whose time, the eldest sons of the Kings of England were called Princes of Wales, as the eldest sons [Page 105] of the Kings of Fran [...]e are called Dolphins, Initio sui prin­cipatus, cisi ad lenitatem suaptò natura pr [...]pensus [...]rat, quorundam tamen suorum consiltariorum co [...]rcitus moni­tis, ut bonam in­dolem ostentaret, gravitatem, pro­bitatem, [...]no­destiam praes [...] [...]crre caepit: ve­ri [...]n baud omni­no potuit ita co­erceri, quin bre­vi tempore petu­lantiam ac vani­tatem sensim quidem primò & occultè velut juvenili errore complexus sue­rit, &c. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 18. and of Spain, Infants.

He was called Edward of Carnarvan; for the Welch men after Leolines death, were earnest with the King for a Prince of their own Countrymen; the King told them they should have a Prince there born that could speak no English, which they being contented with, he named his Infant son; (who was born there) the Queen being brought to Carnarvan.

He divided Wales incorporated into England, into Shires and Hundreds.

His great affection to Pierce Gaveston, and Spenser his Favourites, was a means of stir­ring up the Barons against him.

It is thy sad disaster which I sing Carnarvan▪ Edward; second of that name, Thy Minions pride, thy States ill managing, Thy Peers revolt, the sequell of the same; Thy life, thy death I sing, thy sin, thy shame; And how thou wert deprived of thy Crown, In highest fortunes, cast by fortune down. Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.

Nine Kings had raigned since the conquest here,
Whom I succeeded in a rightfull line,
My father (all domestick tumults clear)
Did warre, and win in fruitfull Palestine.
This Northern Sun even to the East did shine.
[Page 106] The French were fearfull hearing but his name,
French, Scots, and Turks aeternized his fame.

He married Isabel, daughter to King Philip, sirnamed le Bean the fair, and heir to France, all her brothers being dead with­out issue.

Gourney most barbarously caused the mi­serable King to sit on a Mole-hill, whilest the Barber shaved him, and to take cold water out of a ditch to wash him withall, which the patient King seeing, Sir. Thomas More. told them, That in despight of them he would have warm water at his Barbing, and there withall shed abundance of tears.

Being deposed from his Kingdome through the crafty complotting and practi­sing of his wife, Cu [...] Isabella R [...]gina Oxo­ni [...] esset, una cum [...], mag­no exercitu sti­pa [...] Episcopas concionem habu­it, in qua thema­te assumpto Do­let mihi caput, o [...]endere cona­tus est, caput in­sanum, nec adhi­bitis opportunis remediis conva­lesce [...]s corpori dominari non debere. Godw. de praesul. A [...]g. Vide plura ibid. Speed. he was made away in B [...]rk­ley-Castle in Glocestershire, by the wicked sub­tilty of the Bishop of Hereford, who wrote unto his Keepers these few words without points between them, Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est; that by reason of the divers sense and construction, both they might commit the murder, and he also cleanly excuse himself. Cambdens Britannia in Glocestershire. Vide Gatakeri Adversaria. miscel, c. 16.

Never was the fallacy of pointings, or ambiguity of phrase more mischievously used to the destruction of a King, or the defence of the contrivers, then in this hai­nous parricide.

[Page 107]
To shed King Edwards bloud
Refuse to fear I count it good.

Where the Comma or pause being put af­ter nolite, bid them not to make him away, but after timere insinuates a plain encou­ragement to the fact.

The Sphinx who is said to be the Au­thor of this ambiguous riddle, Queen Isabel, being to re­pass from Zeland into England with an Army, in favour of her son against her husband, had utterly been cast a­way, had she come unto the Port intended, being there expected by her enemies: but fortune, against her will, brought her to another place, where she safely landed. Mon­taigne his Es­sayes. l. 1. c. 33. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 19. p. 382. com­mends her. sent by the Lord Mortimer, was Adam de Tarleton, who utterly denied any such intention, when the murderers for their own justification, produced the writing it self under Queen Isabels Seal, and the Seals of the other con­spirators.

To which effect came Letters from the Court written by Tarleton, at the Queens command,

In such a cloudy, and ambiguous sort,
That divers wayes, one might them under­stand
By pointing them; that if they should be scann'd,
He and his Letters might be free from blame,
And they Delinquents, that abus'd the same.
The words were these: ( Kill Edward do not feare
'Tis good) which being comma'd diversly
As pleas'd the Reader, double sense may bear.
[Page 108] O Art! Thou art the earths chief treasury
But being imploy'd to practise villany,
What monstrous births from thy fair womb do spring,
So Grammar here is made to kill a King.
Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.

There was such a terrible famine in his reign, that horse, dogs, yea men and chil­dren were stolen for food, and (which is horrible to think) the theeves newly brought into the Gaol, were torn in pieces, and eaten presently half alive by such as had been longer there.

There was in the Castle of Nottingham, (and at this day is) a certain secret way or mine cut through a rock, upon which the said Castle is built, an issue whereof o­peneth toward the River of Trent, which runs under it, and the other venteth it self far within upon the surface, and is (at this present) called Mortimers hole; through this the young King Edward the third well armed and strongly seconded, was con­ducted with drawn swords, by some of his trusty and sworn servants up to the Queens chamber, whose door (so fear­less is blinde affection) was unshut, and with her was Mortimer (the Kings master as the rumour spread him) ready to go to bed, whom with the slaughter of a Knight [Page 109] and one or two that resisted, Speed. they laid hold upon. This was not reputed a slender en­terprise, in regard that in Mortimers re­tinue were not fewer (they say) then one hundred and fourscore Knights, besides Esquires and Gentlemen. He was after hanged at Tyburn.

K. Edward the second favoured learning, Hollinsh. as by the erection of Orial-Colledge in Ox­ford, and St. Maries Hall, which were of his foundation, it may well be gathered.

He was stifled in his bed, and a red hot iron thrust up into his Fundament. Quo genere moriis Edwar­dus interierit, non facile con­stat: fama exit in vulgus, illum dum ventrem purgaret, fuisse veru transfixum per clu [...]es. Polyd Virg. Ang hist l. 18.

He lived forty three years, and raigned nineteen.

EDWARD the third.

He was upon his fathers resignation proclaimed King of England. Fuerat nempè Rex iste inter [...]mnes Reges orbis & Principes gloriosus, benignus, clemens, & magnificus, Belliger suit insignis & fortunatus, qui de cunctis congressibus in terr [...] & in mari, semper triumphali gloria victoriam reportavit. Walsingh Hist. Ang. Ed­wardus tertius regnum saelicissimum & rebus maximis à se gestis gloriofissimum ad annum secundum supra quinquagesimum produ [...]it. Godw. de praesul. Ang. comment p. 119. Huic regi absque caeteris naturae ornamentis, cum primis for­mae dignitas suffragabatur, ingenium providum, perspicax ac mite, nihilporr [...] non sapienter, non con [...]ideratè agebat, & homo permodestus & frugi, illos sum­mè diligebat, honoribusque ornabat ac amplificabat, qui probitate, modestia, at­que vitae innocentia allos antecederent. Militaris disciplinae apprimè sc [...]ens fuit, ut res ab co gestae testimonio sunt. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 19.

[Page 110] He was not fifteen years old when he be­gan to raign. Il gaigna deux memorables batailles en France, prist la ville de Calais, & deux grands Roys prisonni­ers, & rendit son nom re­doutable à tous ses Voi­sins, Histoire d'Angleterre Par du Chesne. Floruere faeli­cia arma Edo­vardi tertii Regis, qui de Iohanne Gallo­rum Rege capto, speciocissi­mè triumpha­vit. Ab hoc Edo­vardo Garcite­nii equestris or­dinis ceremo­niam institu­tam ferunt. Pauli Iovii Britanniae de­scriptio. Hic est ille Edovar­dus qui Cale­tum urbem in continenti Galliae, plures men­ses obsessum at (que) expugna­tum, Philipp [...] Galliae Regi abhinc ducentis ser nè annis ademit. Id. ib.

He was of an exceeding comely perso­nage, of a pregnant wit, courteous, gentle, of great temperance.

If we respect either valour, prowess, length of Raign, acts of Chivalry, or the multitude of famous Princes his children left behind him, he was one of the noblest Kings that ever England had. Dolemans Conference touching Succession to the Crown. part. 1. c. 3.

Cambden in his Britannia in Northumber­land calls him our Hector.

He was the greatest scourge to the Nati­on of Scotland of any King of England either before or after him. Ayscu.

He saith there also, that if this King had a while longer pursued the conquest of Scot­land, he had easily brought the same under his soveraignty; and that he esteemed (in regard of the difficulty of holding long his possessions within the French dominions) the Realm of Scotland a more convenient and fit member of the Crown of England, then the one half of France, how farre soe­ver exceeding the other in wealth and magnificence.

He brought Cloathing first into this Island, transporting some families of Ar­tificers from Gaunt hither.

[Page 111] Upon the grievances of his people peste­red with the doublings of Lawyers, he commanded that Pleas should from thence­forth be made in English, Speed. not in French.

He placed Richard his Grandchild, and next heir apparent, in his solemn feast at Christmas, at his Table next unto himself, above all his Uncles, being the sons of that King, and men much renowned for their prowess and vertue. Judge D [...]dridges Epist. Dedicat. to the Principality of Wales. Id. ib.

The Law of Magna Charta was about a dozen severall times confirmed by this King, during the years of his Raign. It was con­firmed by thir­ty Parliaments in the successi­on of eight Kings.

In the fiftieth year of Edward the third, all the Lords appeared in Parliament in person, This was the first Parlia­ment we read of. and not one by Proxy. At which Parliament, as appears in the Parliament-Roll, so many excellent things were done, as it was called bonum Parliamentum, Sir Edward Cooks 4 th part of Institutes. the good Parliament.

He disposed of Ecclesiasticall dignities, received homage and fealty from his Pre­lates, who writ that so much admired Let­ter to the Pope, for the Liberties of the En­glish Church, Cui pro tunc Papa aut Cardina­les rationabiliter respondere nescicbant. Wal­sing. an. 1343.

The house of Valois triumphantly raign­ed in France ever since the Raign of Edward the third, at which time it was then but an Earldome, and descended from a second [Page 112] brother, was of meer purpose by the French advanced to the throne, under pretences of the [...]alique Law, made by Pharamond, on­ly to suppress the immediate right and title of King Edward the third, Stow. who was descend­ed of the French Kings eldest daughter and heir; He quartered the Arms of France with England. whereby he justly claimed the Crown of France, Speed. though that very Law made King Edwards title the stronger (as himself truly pleaded) he being the male, Gersey and Gernsey parcels of Normandy, belong to the King of Eng­land. albeit his right descended by the female.

Rex sum regnorum bina rati [...]ne duorum,
Anglorum regno sum Rex ego jure paterno,
Matris jure quidem Francorum nuncupor idem,
Hinc est armorum variatio facta meorum.

The date of this title of France was in the year 1337, the which Enlgand holds to this day, and our Kings the Realm in effect, saith Iohn de Serres.

At the great battell of Cressy in France, the Commanders about the Prince sent to King Edward to come up with his power to aid them, the King asked the messenger, whether his son were slain or hurt, the mes­senger answered no, but he was like to be overlaid: Well then said the King, return, and tell them who sent you, That so long at my son is alive, Pro [...]ssards Chron. c. 130. Da [...]. hist. they send no more to me what­ever happen, for I will that the honour of the day be his. Speed. And so at last the English obtained the greatest victory they ever yet had a­gainst the French. Iohn de Serres.

[Page 113] There were there found the dead bodies of eleven great Princes, The King of Bohemia was there slain, whose plume of Ostridge feathers won then by the black Prince, hath ever since been the cog­nizance of the [...]rinces of Wales. His eldest son sirnamed the Black Prince the mirrour of Chivalry, not for his colour, but dreaded in Battels. He at the Battell of C [...]essy which bare two thirds of 8500 men, fought with little less then 90000, and not many years after, be­ing fewer by three fourths. The Welch his enemies, in the Battell of Poi­cticrs he took King Iohn of France prisoner, invironed by all the Princes & Nobility of that Kingdome. A young Prince twice a Conquerour, having vanquished his enemy, both by valour and courtesie. [...] Serres French Hist o [...] Iohn King of France. and of Barons, Knights and men of Arms, above one thou­sand and five hundred, of the Commons above thirty thousand.

Not one man of honour or note slain upon the English side.

King Edward after the Battell aftectio­nately embracing and kissing his victorious son, said; Fair son, God send you good perseve­rance to so prosperous beg innings, you have nobly acquit your self, and are well worthy to have the governance of a Kingdome entrusted to you for your valour.

Sir Eustace Rihamant in the encounter at Calis-Gate, (between Sir Walter Manny and the Lord Charney) met with King Ed­ward, (who disguising himself in com­mon armour, served under the banner of Sir Walter Manny) and fought so stoutly with him, that he stroke the King twice down on his knees, but in the end the King took him prisoner, and then he yeelded his Sword to the King, but knowing what he was, said thus, Sir Knight, I yeeld me as your prisoner: upon which cause, the King came after supper to him, and with a merry countenance, said thus to the Knight: (Sir Eustace) you are the Knight in the [Page 114] world that I have seen most valiant, either in assault of enemies, or defence of himself. I never [...]ound Knight that gave so much ado, body to body, as ye have done this day, whe [...]efore I give you the prize above all the Knights of my Court, by right sen­tence, and herewithall the King being bare­headed (having a Chaplet of fine pearls that he ware on his head) took the same Chaplet from off his head, being fair, good­ly and rich, and said to the Knight: I give you this Chaplet for the best doer in Arms in this journey past, of either party, and I desire you to bear it this year for the love of me. I know well, you be fresh and amo­rous, and oftentimes are among doubty Knights and fair Ladies, yet say wheresoe­ver ye come, that the King of England did give it you: and I quite your prison and ransome, depart to morrow if it please you: whereupon the Knight did not only wear the same Chaplet, in remembrance of so gracious a benevolence of so worthy a Prince, but also did bear after in his Arms three Chaplets garnished of pearls. Fern his Glory of Generosity. p. 210, 211.

Mr. Wren in his Monarchy asserted p. 125. saith, The successes of the English in France alwayes followed the person of the Prince: with us Edward the third, and Hen­ry the fifth wise and valiant Princes gain­ing, Richard the second and Henry the sixth [Page 115] weak Princes losing; with them Iohn and Charles the sixth men of no ability losing, Charles the fifth and Charles the seventh brave Princes recovering.

Edward the black Prince of Wales (who so long governed our Countrey of Guienne, a man whose conditions and fortune were accompanied with many notable parts of worth and magnanimity) having been grievously offended by the Limosins, Lho [...]d in his History of [...]ales calls him the [...] of Chivalry of all Europe, a Prince (saith he) of such ex­cellent demea­nour, so vali­ant, wise and politick in his doings, that a perfect repre­sentation of Knighthood appeared most live [...] in his person. Se [...] more there. p. 384, 385. though he by main force took and entered their Ci­ty, could by no means be appeased, nor by the wailfull out-cries of all sorts of people, (as of men, women, and children) be mo­ved to any pitty, they prostrating them­selves to the common slaughter, crying for mercy, and humbly submitting them­selves at his feet, untill such time as in tri­umphant manner passing through their Ci­ty, he perceived three French Gentlemen, who alone with an incredible and undaunt­ed boldness gainstood the enraged vio­lence, and made head against the fury of his victorious▪ Army. The consideration and respect of so notable a vertue, did first abate the dint of his wrath, and from these three began he to relent, and shew mercy to all the other inhabitants of the Town. Mi­chael Lord of Montaigne his Essayes. l. 1. c. 1.

Having had great victories against the French, and other neighbouring Nations, he instituted the Order of the Garter, and con­secrated [Page 116] it to St. George. He appointed a Garter to be the Ensign of this Order, wrought richly with gold and precious stones which should circle the leg beneath the knee, In the year 1 [...]49. [...] instituit Garterium ordi­nem, cui [...]auius deinde accessit honor, [...] maxi­mos quosque Reges non pen [...]tuc [...]rit in id ventre Collegium. [...]o­lyd. Vng. hist. l. 19. Vide plura ibi [...] & [...] hist. Belg. [...] 24. p. 285, 286. and on it to have these words ap­parently discerned, Honi Soit Qui Mal Y [...]ense. Shame to him which evil thinks.

The number of these Knights, are twen­ty six, whereof the King himself is the chief.

These Knights wear the Ensign of Saint George (fighting with a Dragon) fastened to a rich Chain or Collar which weighed and was worth eighty pounds of English mo­ney. See Montaigne his Essayes. l. 2. c. 7. of the words of honour.

About this time the famous Dr. Iohn Wicklef, a man of sharp wit, profound learning, and of great judgement, did in the University of Oxford publickly main­tain sundry Propositions and dogmaticall points against the Church of Rome.

His followers were in the phrase of those dark dayes, called Lollards, whereas in truth they endeavoured to extirpate all per­nicious weeds which through time, sloath, and fraud, had crept into the field of Gods Church.

Such was this Kings courtesie & friendly behaviour toward the two captive Kings of France and Scotland, while they remained together in England, as that hereby he won [Page 117] their love and favour for ever after, as ap­peared by their repair hither to visit the King and Queen, and to recreate and so­lace themselves in their company. Thus it came to pass, that their captivity here, turned more to their own advantage, and the peaceable enjoying of their estates after the same, then if it had never hapned unto them.

Mr. Thomas May wrote his victorious Raign in Verse in seven Books.

He raigned almost one and fifty yeares, and lived about sixty five, who of all the Kings of the Realm (saith Mr. F [...]x) un­to Henry the eight, was the greatest bridler of the Popes usurped power, whereby Iohn Wicklef was maintained with aid suffici­ent.

CHAP. XVIII.

RICHARD the second.

HE descended from four Edwards, of which the first three were succeeding Kings; the fourth Prince of Wales sirnamed the black Prince, who dying before his fa­ther Edward the third, did not attain the Crown. The Civil Warres of England by Sir▪ Francis B [...]ondi an Italian.

[Page 118] He was crowned in the eleventh year of his age, In Richardo fuit forme gra­tia, animus non vilis, quem con­sociorum perver­sitas improbitas, insulsitas, ex­tiuxit [...] fuit item summa infelici­tas, qui in talent cal [...]itatem in [...] cidit ut in maxi­mi beneficii perten [...] accepe­ [...]it, abdicare se imperio, pro quo, [...]ortaies soleant [...] omnia pro [...]icere. Po­lyd Virg. Ang. hist. l 21. and sufficiently shewed the misera­ble condition of such States as are governed by an Infant King.

He was the goodliest personage of all the Kings that had been since the conquest.

The beautifull picture of a King sighing, crowned in a Chair of Estate, at the upper end of the Quire in St. Peters at Westminster, is said to be of him, which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was il [...] outward linea­ments. Speed.

He had nothing worthy his great for­tunes but his great birth.

When he had with full hand bestowed upon Sim [...] Montford Earl of Leicester, all the benefits he could, yea and given his own sister i [...] marriage, He may be compared to Lewis the tenth of France, cal­led Hu [...], which signifies mutiny, because of his [...]arbulent dis­position. he raised a most dangerous War, and spoiled shamefully a great part of England, under pretence of restoring the Commonwealth and main­taining liberty: neither left he any thing undone, to bring, the King under, to change the State & of a M [...]rchy to bring in an Oli­garchy. But in the [...], after that fortune had for a good while favourably smiled upon him, this Montford gave the King [...] Dan. hist. f [...]l. 172. Cambd. Brit [...] Worcester­shire. he was slain at Evesh [...]m in Worcestershire, with many other of the Barons his Com­plices, by the prowess of Prince Edward.

[...]

[...]

[Page 119] Although the Kingdome endured great Crosses in the affairs of State under this King, yet some have thought, that it found as great a blessing in matters of Religion, which in those dayes took so deep root in this our Land by the preaching of Iohn Wickliffe, that the branches thereof did spread themselves even over the Seas. Speeds Chronicle.

He was the onely Son of that famous Cheiftain, the black Prince of Wales: (a renowned son of a renowned father) but (as a plant transplanted into a savage soyl) in degree and disposition wholly dege­nerate, retained a tincture of the light in­constancy of his Mother, Mr. Bacons Uniform Go­vernment of England, part 2. c. 1. and the luxuri­ousness of his great Grandfather, Edward the second, and running his course, came to his end.

He had in his Court a thousand per­sons in ordinary allowance of diet, three hundred servitors in his Kitchin, Sir Iohn Arun­del had two and fifty new suits of Apparel of cloath [...] gold or tissue Hollinsh. above three hundred Ladies Chamberers, and Landerers. His Apparel was sumptu­ous, and so was it generally in his time: he had one Coat of gold and stone va­lued at thirty thousand Marks. One in­terview with the French King at Ards, Chron. in Rich. the second. Daniels third Book of Civil Wars. when his Wife Isabel was delivered un­to him, cost three hundred thousand Mark [...].

[Page 120] Queen Anne his Wife, Daughter to the Emperour Charles the fourth, first taught English women the manner of sitting on horseback, [...]ambd. Bri­ [...]annia in Sur­ [...]ey. which now is used: whereas before-time, they rode very unseemly astride, like as men do.

The Civil Wars in England, had their beginning from his bad Government, Bellum Baroni­ [...]um. Henry the fourth did first commence them, and Henry the fifth suspended them, but they again brake forth under Henry the sixth.

Wat Tyler the Master of the Kentish Re­bels, was slain with a Dagger by William Walworth Mayor of London, close by the Kings side, in the Kings defence, who was therefore Knighted, and the City since giveth for Arms the Dagger.

He was first deposed, then slain. Men are easily emboldened (saith Guicciardine c. 3. of his History of Italy) against a Prince that is fallen into contempt.

The most current report at that time went, that he was Princely served every day at the Table with abundance of costly meats, according to the order prescribed by Parliament, but was not suffered to taste or touch any one of them, and so perished of famine.

Mr. Fox saith he was at Pamfret Castle famished to death.

[Page 121] Sir Pierce of Extone at last killed him, Haywards life and Raign of Henry the fourth. though he with an Axe wrested out of one of their hands, first killed four of those which came with him to murther him.

At the point of his death he groaned forth these words. My great Grandfather King Edward the second was in this manner de­posed, imprisoned and murthered: by which means my Grandfather King Edward the third obtained possession of the Crown; and now is the punishment of that injury powred upon his next successor. Well this is right for me to suffer, but not for you to do; your King for a time may joy at my death, and enjoy his desire; but let him qualifie his pleasures with the expectation of the like justice: for God who measureth all our actions by the malice of our minds, will not suffer this violence unrevenged.

He lived three and thirty years, raign­ed two and twenty and three moneths.

Thus far the Plantagenets, have continued in an unquestionable right line; now follows the division of the houses of Lancaster & York, three of each succeeding in their order.

  • Of Lancaster,
  • Henry the fourth sirnamed Bulling brook.
  • Henry the fifth of Monmouth.
  • Henry the sixth of Windsor.

Of Yorke three others succeeded upon a better title.

  • 1. Edward the fourth.
  • 2. Edward the fifth.
  • 3. Richard the third.

HENRY the fourth.

He was son to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lan­caster, from the loyn [...] of whom the greatest number of the Kings of England, Spain & Por­tugall, since his time, as also several other per­sons of eminent dignity are descended. Mr. Dugdal [...]s History of St. Pauls Cathedrall.

He was annointed with an oyl which a certain religious man gave unto Henry the first Duke of Lancaster (Grandfather to the King by the mothers side) when he served in the Wars of King Edward the third, Haywards life and Raign of K. Henry the fourth. be­yond the seas; together with this Prophe­sie, that the Kings which should be an­nointed therewith, should be the Champi­ons of the Church.

There was a great contest then between the white and red Rose, Inter flores re­gia dignitas pe­nes Rosam est. Apud Anglos regia Rosa ru­bra stirpis Ebo­racensis, alba Lancast [...]ensis. Spelm. Aspilo­gia. the houses of Yorke and Lancaster. Speed. The red Rose prevailed now, he being the first renowned King of the house of Lancaster.

He first studied a popular party as need­ing all to support his titles.

There was in his Raign a Parliament held at Coventry, called Parliamentum in­doctorum, the lack-learning Parliament, ei­ther for the unlearnedness of the persons, or for their malice to learned men

During the time of this Kings Raign exe­cution by fire was first put in practice with­in this Realm, Trussels life and Raign of Richard the second. for controversies in points of Religion.

[Page 123] He shed the bloud of Gods Saints, and raigned neither long nor h [...]p [...]ily.

Mr. Fox [...]aith his time was full of trou­ble, bloud and misery. He was the first of the Kings of England (saith he) that put out his hand to the shedding of the bloud of the Saints, since the conquest.

Humphrey his son was by his brother King Henry the fifth created Duke of Glo­cester, Humfridus fi­lius Henrici quarit, s [...]ater Henrici quinti, patruus Henri­ci sexti Regum Angliae, excolu­it tum juvenis, tum etiam senex virtutem ut qui maximo. Hinc clarus domi militiae (que) & bonis omnibus gratiss [...]mus. Amavit praeter caetera politas literas, quibus etiam impendio invigi­lavit. Vidi ego libellum de rebus astronomicis ab eo non infaeliciter scriptum Mecaenas ille quidem doctorum omnium, quos illis temporibus, vel Anglia, vel Gail [...]a, vel Italia protulii. Testes exemplaria antiquissima quidem illa numero 1296, quae Academiae ad Isidis vi [...]um▪ fitae inchoata ibidem longè pulcherrim [...] operis Bibliotheca liberaliter contulit. Lel. comment in Cygn. Cant. Vide ejus l. 3. de vtris illustribus. he was Protector of the Kingdome of England for twenty five years in the time of King Henry the sixth. He was a man, who nobly deserved of the Commonwealth and of learning, as being himself very learn­ed, and a magnificent Patron and bene­factor of the University of Oxford, where he had been educated, and was generally called the good Duke. Speed.

This Duke Humphrey purchased a won­derfull number of Books, in all Sciences, whereof he freely gave to a Library in Ox­ford, a hundred and twenty nine fair Vo­lumes. Bales Conclusion to Leylands New years gift to King Henry the eight.

One saith, all the Henries of the house of [Page 124] Lancaster (even to Henry the seventh) were most eminent for great vertues. Henry the fourth for his behaviour and courtesie. Hen­ry the fifth for his valour and magnanimi­ty. Henry the sixth for his justice and piety.

The renowned Prince King Henry the fifth during the life of his father, He took de­light to lie lurking in high wayes, to steal from himself: for ob­serving the times that his Tenants were to bring home his rents, he would set up­on them, yea sometimes to the danger of his life; making them make good in their accounts as much as had been stolen from them: neither could they defraud him; for he himself knew best how much they had lost. And if they chanced to hurt or evil treat him, he liked them the better. Sir Francis Biondi of the Civil Warres of England. was noted to be fierce and of wanton courage. One of his servants whom he favoured, was for felony by him committed, arraigned at the Kings Bench, whereof the Prince being advertised, and incensed by light persons about him, in furious rage came hastily to the Barre where his servant stood as priso­ner, and commanded him to be ungived and set at liberty. William Gascoigne the chief Justice of the Kings Bench, exhorted the Prince to be ordered according to the ancient Laws of the Realm, or if he would have him saved from the rigour of the Laws, that he should obtain if he might of the King his father his gracious pardon, whereby no Law or justice should be im­peached. With which answer the Prince being more inflamed, endeavoured him­self to take away his servant. The Judge considering the perillous example and in­convenience [Page 125] that might thereby ensue, The Prince impatient of contradiction, and who was naturally gi­ven to blows, insomuch as he would disguise himself to seek occasi­on for them, gave the Judge such a Cuffe on the ear, as would have stunned any one who had been less resolute then he: but the Judge neither frighted with the blow, nor losing his for­mer gravity, said unto him, that the injury done unto him sitting on that seat, was an of­fence done un­to the King, to whom, and to whose Laws, he the Prince was doubly obliged; as a Subject, and as a son, Sir Francis Biondi of the Civil Warres of England. with a valiant courage and spirit commanded the Prince upon his allegiance to leave the prisoner, and to depart his way: with which commandement the Prince being set all in a fury, in a terrible manner came up to the place of judgement, some thinking that he would have slain the Judge, or have done him some hurt, but the Judge sitting still without moving, declaring the majesty of the Kings place of judgement, and with an assured bold countenance, spake thus to the Prince: Sir remember your self, I keep here the place of the King your soveraign Lord and Father, to whom you owe double obeysance, wherefore in his name I charge you desist from your wilful­ness and unlawfull enterprise, and from henceforth give good example to those which after shall be your proper Subjects [...] and now for your contempt and disobedience, go you to the prison of the Kings Bench, whereto I commit you, and remaine you there prisoner, untill the pleasure of the King your Father be further known. With which wordes being abashed, and also wondering at the marvellous gravi­ty of that worshipfull Justice, the Prince laying his weapon apart, doing re­verence, [Page 126] departed, and went to the Kings Bench as he was commanded, whereat his servants disdaining, came and shewed to the King all the whole affair. He a while studying, after, as a man all ravished with gladness, holding his hands and eyes to­wards heaven cried out with a loud voice: O mercifull God how much am I bound to thy infinite goodness, [...]ff [...]ecially, for that thou hast given me a Iudge who feareth not to minister justice, and also a sin, who can suffer semblably; and obey justice.

Sir Thomas Eliot in his Governour, p. 102, 103. saith, here a man may behold three persons wor­thy memory:

First a Judge, who being a Subject, fear­ed not to execute justice on the eldest son of his soveraign Lord, and by order of nature his successor.

Also a Prince, son and heir of the King in the midst of his folly, more considered his evil example, and the Judges consci­ence in justice, then his own estate, and wilfull appetito.

Thirdly a noble King, and wise father, who contrary to the custome of parents, re­joyced to see his son and the heir of his Crown, to be for his disobedience by his Subject corrected.

The Oath ex officio (it should rather be called in officiosum) was brought into the Church under him. The Prelates requi­ring [Page 127] it to discover those which that age e­steemed Hereticks, and especially, those which they called Lollards, which Master Fox in his Acts and Monuments calls a bloudy Law.

In his admonition to his son at his death, he said, Of English men, so long as they have wealth and riches, so long shalt thou have obey­sance, but when they be poor, they are alwayes ready to make insurrection at every motion.

All the time of his sickness, his will was to have his Crown set upon his Bolster by him, and one of his fits being so strong up­on him, that all men thought him direct­ly dead; the Prince coming in, took away the Crown: Sir Francis Bi­ondi of the Ci­vil Wars of England. when suddenly the King reco­vering his senses, missed his Crown; and asking for it, was told, the Prince had ta­ken it: whereupon the Prince being called, came back with the Crown, Sir Richard Bakers Chro­nicle. and kneeling down, said: Sir to all our judgements, and to all our griefs, you seemed directly dead, and therefore I took the Crown as being my right: but seeing to all our comforts you live, I here deliver it much more joyfully then I took it, and pray God you may long live to wear it your self.

In his time were the two famous Poets Chaucer and Gower.

None of the sons of Henry the fourth did degenerate: a thing not usuall in so large a family. Henry the fifth died gloriously in [Page 128] the pursuit of his conquests, the Duke of Clarence valiantly fighting, and though of a naturall death and Glocester of a violent, yet died they not with less fame then did the others. Biondi his History of the Civil Warres of England, l. 5. in Henry the sixth.

The Duke of Bedfords death is to be num­bred among the chiefest causes of the loss of France. He was a prudent Prince, of long experience in Arms and Government, o­beyed by his own, feared by his enemies. Id. ibid.

Fourth Henry was by some blind Bard fore­told,
That he should never die, till he had seen
Ierusalem: fourth Henry will be old,
Ierusalem for him shall be unseen:
No, he shall see it, when he least doth ween.
He swouns at prayers, and by religious men
Is straight convey'd unto Ierusalem.
Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.

The like Prophesie we read of Pope Syl­vester the second, to whom being inquisi­tive for the time and place where he should die, it was answered that he should die in Ierusalem, who then saying Mass in a Chappell (called likewise Ierusalem.) per­ceived his end there to be near, and died.

In this Kings time Guild-Hall in London was built.

[Page 129] Gower being very gracious with him, carried the name of the only Poet in his time.

He and Chaucer were Knights.

Grasion. Hollinsh.

The King died in Ierusalem-Chamber in minster in the year of his age forty six.

He raigned thirteen years and a half, wanting five dayes. Fourteen years say others.

CHAP. XIX.

HENRY the fifth.

HE was just, wise, magnanimous, vali­ant.

To this noble Prince (by an assent of the Parliament) all the Estates of the Realm after three dayes, Quod benevo­lentiae officium nulli antea pri­usquam Rex re­nunciatus esset, praestitum con­stat: adeo Hen­ricus ab incu [...]ta aetate; spem om­nibus optinae in­dolis fecit. Po­lyd. Virg. Ang. hist. offered to do feal­ty before he was crowned, or had solem­nized his Oath, well and justly to govern the Commonweal, which offer before, was never found to be made to any Prince of England. Stowes Chron.

His young years were spent in literature in the Academy of Oxford, where in Queens-Colledge he was a Student under the tuition of his Uncle Henry Beauford, Speed. Chancellour of that University.

When he came to be King, he made [Page 130] Thomas Rodban a famous Astronomer in those dayes, Bishop of St. Davids, and Iohn Carpenter a learned Divine, Bishop of Worcester, having known them both, whi­lest he lived in the University. The Ci­vil Wars of England by Sir Francis Biondi.

Presently after his Coronation he called before him all his old companions, Hic vir, hic fuit, qui à primo do­cuit honores, ut est in Prover­bio, debere mu­tare mores, &c. Polyd Virg ib. who had been disorderly with him, strictly charging them, not to presume to come within ten miles of his Court, untill such time as they had given good proof of their amendment in manners, and left any of them should pretend want of maintenance to be any cause of their taking ill courses, he gave to every one of them a competent means whereby to subsist, and in stead of them he received the gravest men into his familiarity, in whom he conceived there was the greatest prudence to take counsell, and faith to give it, that he might be help­ed by their counsels, admonitions, and pru­dence.

He kept his Lent in the Castle of Kenel­worth, and whilest he lay there, messen­gers came to him from the Dolphin of France named Charles, with a present of Paris-Balls for him to play withall, but the King wrote to him, that he should shortly send to him London-Balls, with which he would throw down Paris Walls. And to make good his promise he raised a [Page 131] great Army, and hastened to France, and landed at Caen in Normandy. Charles the sixth then King of France raised also a mighty Army, and sent a King of Arms to defie him. King Henry desirous to know the numbers of the French, sent forth Captain Game for discovery; who brought word that there were of them enough to kill, and enough to take, and enough to run away. The French were so confident of victory, that they sent to King Henry to know what ransome he would give; but he obtained a great victory over them.

He was sirnamed commonly the Alex­ander of England, Dolem. Confer, touching Suc­cess. part. 1. c. 3. He was so de­vout and ser­viceable to the Pope and his Chaplains, that he was called of many the Prince of Priests. Fox his Acts and Monum. v. l. 1. because as Alexander the Great conquered the most part of Asia in the space of nine or ten years, so did this Henry conquer France in less then the like time.

The second ornament of the English Nation.

By force of Arms and military prowess maugre the French, he conquered France, and brought Charles the sixth King of France to that extremity, that after a sort he surrendred up his Crown unto him. Cambd. Bri­tannia in Mon­mouthshire.

Fuit statura corporis quae justam excederet, corpore gracili, membris aequalibus ac validis, facie decorâ, collo oblongo, artis militaris pe­ritissimus; ac ejus gloriâ illustrissimus. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. 22.

Within the term of five or six years, he [Page 132] brought the better part of France under his obedience.

Avaunt proud Rome and brag not of thy men,
Nor thy aetheriall Caesars Wars declare:
Cease peerless Plutarch with thy sacred pen,
The worlds arch-Monarchs aptly to com­pare,
Reason doth urge, and this alleadge I dare,
That Englands Homer pourtrayd hath his War,
Which doth excell the worthiest Caesars Star.
William Herberts Prophesie of Cadwallader.

He was of marvellous great strength, and passing swift in running, insomuch that he with two other of his Lords with­out Hound, Bow, or other engine, would take a wild Buck or Doe in a large Park.

He ordained the King of Heralds over the English, which is called Garter.

Never lived English King with more true glory, Speed. nor ever died any in a more unseasonable time, nor more lamented. V. debatur Deo­rum hominiem (que) consensus & conspiratio esse in Anglicam fortnnam: cùm ecce subitò in pejus om­nia labi, cunctà (que) retrò ferri. Henricus, ille Regum, flos; illud belli fulmen, & su­orum delicium, in medio victoriae cursu, fatis ostensus tantùm, moritur; infante regni bellì (que) haerede relicto. Forstneri omissorum libe [...] ad l. 1. Annal Taciti.

It was said of him, that he had some­thing in him of Caesar, which Alexander the Great had not, that he would not be [Page 133] drunk, and something of Alexander the Great, Constantius Chlo­rus father unto the Emperour Constantine the Great, having commanded, that all such Christians, as would not ado [...] his Gods, should depart from his service: did nevertheless is banish all tho [...]e that denied their faith, and retained the others in his service and favour; where [...] he gave this reason, That those who had so little conscience as to be false unto their God, could not be true to him. Treasury of time [...]. l 9 c. 6. which Caesar had not, that he would not be flattered.

The King being certified of his son Hen­ries birth, gave God thanks, for sending him a son, which might succeed in his Crown and Scepter. But when he heard reported the place of his nativity, Hollinsh. he said unto the Lord Fitz Hugh his trusty Cham­berlain these words: My Lord, I Henry born at Monmouth, shall reign a while, As Henry the fifth prophesi­eth here of his son Henry, so Henry the sixth, afterward pro­phesied likewise of his son Henry. Matth. Paris hist. Ang Henr. 1. p 62. mentions also a prophesie of William the Conquerour concerning his son Henry the first. Aequanimis esto sili, & comfortare in Domino pacifi [...]è susti­ [...]e, ut fratres tui majores te praecedant, tu autem tempore tuo honorem totum, quem adquisivi, habebis, & fratribus tuis divitiis & potcstate praec [...]lles. and much get, and Henry born at Windsor, shall long raign, and all lose: but as God will, so be it.

The burthen of those Wars lay upon the English mens shoulders, who were at that time rich and mighty, and had a wise, goodly, and valiant King called Henry, ac­companied with sage, hardy, and expert Captains, viz. the Earl of Salisbury, Talbot, and others. When God meant to with­draw [Page 134] his goodness from the English men, this wise King died at Bois de Vincennes, and his son who proved but a simple man, was crowned King of France and England, and at Paris. Phil. de Commines.

The Duke of Bedford, Dux Bedfor­diae, vir tam pace optimus, quam bello for tissimus Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l 23. Vide plura ibid. third son to King, Henry the fourth, Regent for the English in France fourteen years, having crowned his master Henry the sixth in Paris, died, leaving behind him an honourable witness, even from his enemies, That he was a brave Commander, a true Patriot, and a faithfull servant to his Lord and brother Henry the fifth, Bacons uniform Government of England. part. 2. c. 13. and to his son Henry the sixth.

He was Regent of France, Duke of Bed­ford, Alanson, and An [...]u, Earl of Main, Richmond, and Kendall, and Constable of England.

King Henry died in France in the ninth year of his Raign 1422. He lived thirry six years. He left to succeed him his only child Prince Henry, about as many moneths old as his father had raign­ed years.

HENRY the sixth.

He was proclaimed King when he was about eight moneths old, his mother brought him to the Parliament in London in her bosome.

He was crowned on the ninth year of his age.

His infancy was mightily supported, by [Page 135] the notable valour and policy of his two Uncles, Humphrey Duke of Glocester, and Iohn Duke of Bedford, to the one was com­mitted the protection of his person and Kingdome, to the other the managing of the War continued in France.

He was a very simple man, and almost an innocent. Philde Commines. l. 3. c. 7.

He was of a seemly stature, His innocency gave him ho­liness. Sir Francis Bacon. of a slender body, and of a beautifull face: in whose best of fortune it was never to prossess more then the name of a King.

What Prophet could have picked out of Mars and Saturn, the manifold mishaps which befell that Prince of blessed memo­ry, King Henry the sixth, sometimes sleep­ing in a port of honour, sometime floting in the surges of mishap, sometime posses­sing forraign Crowns, sometimes spoiled and deprived of his own, sometime a Prince, sometime a prisoner, sometime in plight to give succour to the miserable, sometime a fugitive among the desperate? Howards Defensative against the poyson of supposed Prophesies. c. 14.

History shews us not an example of a Prince, Habingtons Hi­story of Edw. the fourth. who in so many vicissitudes, ne­ver met with one fully to his advantage.

He was four times taken prisoner, and in the end despoiled both of his Kingdome and life. Cambd. Brit. in Yorkeshire.

He was crowned King of France in Nostre Biondi. [Page 136] Dame in Paris, Trussells conti­nuat. of Dan-Hist. receiving the homage and fealty of all the Nobility of France present, and all the Citizens and Inhabitants of that City, and the places adjacent.

He was so continent, Erat Henricus vir miti, simpli­cì (que) ingenio, qui pacem bello, qui requietem solicitudini, qui honestum utili, [...] curis anteponebat, & quodemum nihil castius, nibil probius, nihil sanctius: in eo pudor, modestia, integritas, patientia summa, qui humanos casus, aerum [...]as omnia id ge­nus vitae tormenta perinde aequo animo ferebat, ac si ipsius culpa contracta essent; continebat se, ut facilè quibus praecrat contincret, non inhiabat opes, firtebat honores, at animae tantum saluti studebat, qua sola sapienter quidem bona, ejùs (que) amissione mala metiebatur ac desiniebat. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist c. 23 p. 492. that at Christide having a shew of young women presented to him bare breasted, he immediately de­parted with these words;

Fie, fie, fie for shame,
Forsooth you be too blame.

He willingly pardoned many great of­fences. In weighty matters his affirmation was forsooth and forsooth. A Ruffian striking him on the face, he only said, Forsooth you are too blame to strike me your annointed King.

He was never observed dejected upon the report of any sad accident: but enter­tained all afflictions as sent from the Al­mighty, and absolutely resigned his will to that of heaven.

He founded Eaton-School and Kings Fuit Henricus animo liberali, qui bonarum artium studia mirabatur, & e [...]s diligebat, in qui­bus eas esse videret: quare suos ipse quoque juvit, ut doctrina crudirentur: Condi­dit euim Scholam magnificam ad Hetonam pagum proximum Vindesoram, in quo collocavit Collegium sacerdotum pucrorùmque magno numero, qui ibi n [...] ­ [...]rirentur, docerentque Grammaticam gratuito. Idem Cantabridgiae autor fuit Collegiircgii, quod bodie ita disciplinarum eultu floret, ut facile omnium Colle­giorum sit [...] Princeps. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 24. p. 532. [Page 137] Colledge, the Chappell of which last shew­ed the magnificence that the whole should have been of, had their sounder raigned to have finished them himself.

At Towton about four miles from Yorke, the Armies of Edward the fourth and King Henry the sixth met, Daniels eighth Book of Civil Warres. where was fought the greatest Battell our Stories mention in all these Civil Wars, where both the Armies consisted of above a hundred thousand men, and all of our own Nation.

One day when he was washing his hands at a great Feast, His Propheti­call speech. and cast his eye upon his son Henry, then a young youth, he said, This is the Lad, that shall possess quietly that we now strive for. Caeterùm illud infortunium a­pud vulgus pre­digio creditur esse demonstra­tum: quandoqui­dem ferunt, cùm ipse Henricus paulò antè in Se­natu ornatus re­gio habitu con­sideret, subitò coronam è capi­te in terram ce­cidisse. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 23. This shewed a very pro­pheticall spirit to have been in King Henry, that could so long before foretell a thing so unlikely to happen. For this was he that was afterward King Henry the seventh, before whom at that time there were many lives in being, of both the houses of Yorke and Lancaster; so some: but my Lord How­ard in his Defensative against the poyson of supposed Prophesies c. 4. seems not wholly to ascribe it to that.

King Henry the seventh after laboured his Canonization with the Pope; Ob pictatem vir babitus sanctissimus, ob inertiam tamen inter pessi [...]nos Reges numerandus, nam Galliam à patresubactam amisit turpiter, ac postea deinde Angliae etiam regno excidit. Godw. de Praesul. Angl. but that suc­ceeded not: for however the world was as­sured [Page 138] of his Philip the third King of Spain was wholly addict­ed to exercises of piety, al­wayes finger­ing his Beads; he sympathi­zed much in nature with this King, but was not so un­fortunate: for he preserved what his father left him, whereas Henry the sixth lost France where he had been crowned King in his cradle. Howel his Hi­story of Naples. piety, there was much question of his Government.

So Habington a Papist in his History of King Edward the fourth.

Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 24. p. 532. saith thus, Sed morte post statim obita, id officium praestare nequivit.

Cambden in his Britannia in Surrey saith it was Pope Iulius, and that the reason why this took no effect was the Popes covetous­ness, who demanded too great a summe of money for a Kings Canonization, as they term it, so that he might seem ready to grant those kind of honours not for the Princes holiness sake, but for gold.

Sir Francis Bacon in his History of Henry the seventh relates it thus, About this time the King became suitor to Pope Iulius the second, to canonize King Henry the sixth for a Saint; the rather in respect of that his famous prediction of the Kings own as­sumption to the Crown. The Pope refer­red the matter (as the manner is) to cer­tain Cardinals, to take the verification of his holy acts and miracles; but it died un­der the reference. The generall opinion was, that Pope Iulius was too dear, and that the King would not come to his rates. But it is more probable, that the Pope (who was extreamly jealous of the dignity of the See of Rome, and of the Acts thereof) knowing that King Henry the sixth was [Page 139] reputed in the world abroad but for a sim­ple man, was afraid it would but diminish the estimation of that kind of honour, if there were not a distance kept between In­nocents and Saints.

William Alnwicke Bishop of Lincoln was his Confessor. Gulielmus Alnwick Epis­copus Lincol­niensis homo propter doctri­nam & morum sanctitatem tant celebris, ut pris­corum Regum sanctissimus Henricus sex­tus in confessio­nem cum sibi as­civerit. Godw. de Praes. Ang. Stubbs his dis­course against Q Eliz. French match.

Dr. Litchfield in his Raign preached 3083 Sermons.

Never any came to be King so soon after his birth, nor left to be King so long before his death; for he came to be King at eight moneths old, and he left to be King twelve years before his death.

Holy King Henry, as they call him, was crowned in Paris: yet he lost all on that side before he was a man, as I remember, or soon after, and before his unhappy death he lost this land also, which loss of both came by striving for both.

Richard Duke of Glocester killed him, that thereby Edward the fourth his brother might be freed from all hostile fear. So Polyd. Virg. and others.

He successively ruled this Land the space of thirty eight years, six moneths, and four dayes.

EDWARD the fourth.

He came unto the Kingdome, not by power or justice, but by the peoples incli­nation. Biondi.

[Page 140] He raigned thirty eight yeares, six moneths, and odde dayes, and after his redemption of the Crown, Hollinsh. six moneths. He lived two and fifty years, having by his wife one only so [...], called Edward, Prince of Wales.

He was the goodliest Gentleman (saith Commines l. 4. c. 10.) that ever I set mine eye on; Fuit Edwardus corpore proce [...]o, ac eminents, quippe qui inter omnes ex [...]ellcret statura, honesta facie, laetis ocu­lis, patenti pecto­re, ingenio acri, animo magno, memoria tena­cissima. Polyd. Virg. and l. 3. c. 5. the beautifullest Prince that lived in his time; but after he grew gross and corpulent, giving himself wholly to pleasures.

He was a fortunate Prince in the field: for he wan at least nine great Battels, fight­ing himself on foot in every one of them. Phil. de Com. in his Hist. Book l. 3. c. 4. and 6. p. 188. saith, that King Ed­ward himself told me, that in all Battels that he wan, so soon as he had obtained victory, he used to mount on Horseback, and cry to save the people, and kill the Nobles: for of them few or none escaped. Id. l. 3. c. 5.

In his fourth Book c. 10. he speaks of an interview between King Edward and Lewis the eleventh King of France; Lib 2. c. 8. he shews that an interview be­tween two great Princes for treaty of their affairs, hurteth more then profiteth. the French King after some discourse, said pleasantly, That he should come to Paris to solace himself there with the Ladies, and that he would give him the Cardinall of Bourbon for his Confessor, who would easily assoil him of sin, if any were committed. The King of England took great pleasure in this talk, and answered with a [Page 141] merry countenance: for he knew the Car­dinall to be a good fellow.

Never lived Prince whom adversity did more harden to action; and prosperity more soften to voluptuousness. Habingtons Hist. of Edw. the fourth. So im­provident was his memory, that he forgat the greatest injuries, and resumed the Arch­bishop of Yorke into favour, not bearing so much as a watchfull eye over a reconciled enemy.

The so fatall division between the house of Yorke and Lancaster, The title and claim of the house of Lan­caster was but faigned. See Lamberts Per­ambul. of Kent. with him in a man­ner had both their birth and growth.

I sing the Civil Wars, tumultuous broils,
And bloudy factions of a mighty Land:
Whose people haughty, proud with for­raign spoils,
Upon themselves turn back their conquer­ing hand;
Whilest kin their kin, brother the brother foils,
Like Ensigns all against like Ensigns band;
Bowes against Bowes, the Crown against the Crown,
Whilest all pretending right, all right's thrown down.
Our English Luean, Daniel of the Civil Wars.

The first fortnight of his Raign was died, I will not say stained, with the bloud of Walter Walker a Grocer, who keeping Shop [Page 142] at the Sign of the Crown in Cheapside, said, Alexander the Great sayling on a time in Tygris with di­vers Princes, and great Lords, it chan­ced, his Royall Diadem fell from his head into the River, where being in danger to be lost, a Sailer that could swim, cast him­self into the water, and not­withstanding the fierceness of that stream, adventured his life, to save his Soveraigns Diadem: and having recovered it, and not being able to bring it in his hand, being of necessity to use both hands to save His life, he held it in his teeth: but being to work▪ [...]nd strive against the stream, he pu [...] it upon his head; and so, with much perill of life, recovered the Ship, and presented the Emperour with his Diadem. This loyall and brave adven­ture of his, was most bountifully and Princely rewarded; and moreover he had leave, and time given him, to dispose, and bestow his reward to whom he would; but was judged to forfeir that head upon which he had presumed to put the Ensign of Majesty. The justice of the sentence is a­greeable to the grounds of true policy, which in no case can admit a Sub­ject to make himself a soveraign, no not for an hour. Crashams Rates of the Popes Custome-house. c. 13. He would make his son heir to the Crown: a bold jest broke in an evil time: yet do I not side with them, who taxe the King of severity in this execution; unless I could clear this man from being particularly facti­ous for the house of Lancaster; or know that those words were uttered in innocent mirth, without any scorn to King Ed­wards title.

And however perhaps the extraordinary punishment of such saucy language, was not then unnecessary to beget authority, and make men cautious to dispute the de­scent of Princes, when the question was so nice, and arguments not improbable on either side. Habingtons History of Edward the fourth.

Speed saith his words intended no trea­son, Mr. Fox saith he meant by those words, his own house. (the Grocer not once dreaming to touch King Edwards title) yet the time [Page 143] being when the Crown lay at stake, the Law made them his death.

He hearing of a certain prophesie, that G. should dispossess his children of the Crown, was consenting to his death; in­terpreting G. to be George Duke of Clarence, which fell out to be Glocester, to whose tyranny he left them by this ungodly means.

He vanquished in nine Battels, himself being present.

The Scene of his fortune had more chan­ges then any King of England yet, except his Competitor.

Lust was reputed his bosome-sin; God severely punisht him in his sons, who were both dispossest of their Kingdome and their lives, by their unnaturall Uncle: there be­ing so much appearance of right by their fathers incontinency; that even an Act of Parliament was made to bastardize them.

He was the first of our Kings since the Conquest that married his Subject.

His usuall Oath was By Gods blessed Lady.

He sate on the Kings Bench in open Court three dayes together, in Michael­mas Term, anno [...] of his Raign, to under­stand how his Laws were executed.

Have we not seen the late King of Eng­land, Edward the fourth of that name, heir of the house of Yorke, utterly destroy the [Page 144] house of Lancaster, under the which both his father and he had lived many yeares? Farther, the said King Edward having done homage to King Henry the sixth, be­ing of the house of Lancaster, did he not afterward hold him prisoner many years in the Tower of London, the chief City of the Realm, where in the end he was put to death? Phil. de Commines. hist. l. 5. c. 18.

He saith that their King Lewis the ele­venth of France, in wisdome and sense far surmounted King Edward.

Lib. 6. c. 2. and l. 5. c. 13. he saith of Lewis, undoubtedly he was one of the wisest and subtilest Princes that lived in his time.

That very day wherein an honourable peace was concluded between Edward the fourth and King Lewis the eleventh, upon subscribed Articles; it chanced a white Dove, as Commines writes, to repose her self upon King Edwards pavilion, whereup­on though many gathered an argument, yet since she sate not equally between both the Kings, I like much better of a Gascoines observation, who having been present at the sight, reported unto Philipde Commines, as himself records, that the Dove repaired to King Edwards Tent, only to this intent, to refresh and prune her self after a great rain, because the Sun was warmest there. Howards Defensative c. 24.

Richard Nevill Earl of Warwicke was a [Page 145] man of an undaunted courage, but waver­ing and untrusty, the very Tennice-Ball in some sort, of fortune; who although he were no King, That whip-King, as some termed him. was above Kings, as who deposed King Henry the sixth, (a most bountifull Price to him) from his royall dignity, placed Edward the fourth in the royall Throne, and afterwards put him down too; Cambd. Brit. in Warwickeshire. restored Henry the sixth again to the Kingdome, enwrapped England within the most wofull and lamentable flames of Civill War, which himself at the length hardly quenched with his own bloud.

In his spirit, birth, marriage and reve­nue, Habington. he was mighty: which raised his thoughts above proportion. Yet Henry of Bullenbrook son to Iohn of Gaunt was more power­full. See Dr. Heylins Ani­madversions on the Church-Hist. of Brittain. l. 4. p. 78, 79.

The greatest and busiest Subject our la­ter age hath brought forth.

That make-King Warwick having the En­glish Crown
Pinn'd on his sleeve, to place where he thought best,
Who set up Princes, and did pull them down,
How did he toyl the Land with his un­rest?
How did his Sword rip up his mothers brests:
Whose greatness, and his popularity,

Wrought both his own, and others tragedy. Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.

[Page 146] Cecil Dutchess of Yorke, Sir Francis Ba­cons Hist. of K. Henry the 7 th. his mother lived in Henry the sevenths Raign, and died at her Castle of Barkhamsted, being of extream years; who had lived to see three Princes of her body crowned, and four mur­thered.

He being near his death, told his friends, that if he could as well have foreseen things, as now to his pain he proved them, he would never have worn the courtesie of mens knees, with the loss of so many heads.

He raigned two and twenty yeares, one moneth, and five dayes.

EDWARD the fifth.

He was scarce eleven years old when his father died, He is by gene­rall consent numbered a­mongst the Kings, and na­med Edward the fifth, al­though he ne­ver wore the Crown, nor took any Oath, nor exercised any Authority. The Crown is but a Cere­mony, to make the King known to his people. and succeeded him in the Kingdome, but not in the Crown; for he was proclaimed King, but never crowned: and indeed it may not so properly be called the Raign of Edward the fifth, as the tyran­ny of Richard the third.

He hearing that his Uncle had left the name of Protector, and taken upon him the title of King, and was with full con­senting of the Lords to be crowned within a few dayes following, with the same Crown and in the like Estate as had been provided for his solemnity; the dejected Innocent sighed and said, Alass, I would my Vncle would let me enjoy my life yet, though I [Page 147] lose both my Kingdome and Crown.

He and his brother Richard were mur­thered in the Tower.

T [...]win brethren in their deaths; what had they done?
O, Richard sees a fault that they were in;
It is not actuall, but a mortall one,
They Princes were, 'twas their original sin.
Why should so sweet a pair of Princes lack,
Their Innocents-day in th' English Almanack.
Aleyns History of Henry the seventh.

RICHARD the third.

He was king in fact only, but Tyrant both in title and regiment.

He was ill featured of limmes, crook-backed; hard favoured of visage, malici­ous, wrathfull, envious. It is for truth re­ported, that the Dutchess his mother had so much ado in her travail, that she could not be delivered of him uncut: and that he came into the world with the feet forward, Sir Thomas Mores Hist. of K. Richard the third. and (as the same runneth) also not un­toothed, whether men of hatred, report above the truth, or else that nature changed her course in his beginning, which in the course of his life committed many things unnaturally. Buck (that writes his Raign) writes favourably of him, but the Chroni­clers generally condemn him.

He was brother to King Edward the [Page 148] fourth; and having most wickedly mur­thered his Nephews, Cambd. Brit. in Glocestershire. usurped the King­dome by the name of King Richard the third: and after two years lost both it and his life in a pitched field.

He slew with his own hands King Henry the sixth, being prisoner in the Tower, as men constantly said, and that without commandement or knowledge of King Ed­ward the fourth, Speed. who undoubtedly if he had intended his death, would have appointed that Butcherly office to some other then his own brother.

He slew also that Kings son in the presence of Edward the fourth. Was the contriver of the death of the Duke of Cla­rence his brother.

He bare a white Bore for his Cognisance.

The Lord Lovell, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, and Sir William Catesby were chief rulers un­der him: of the which persons was made a seditious Rime, and fastened upon the Cross in Cheapside, and other places of the City. It was this,

The Cat, the Rat, and Lovell the Dog,
Rule all England under a Hog.
For which one Colingborne was executed.

A Prince who deserved to be ranked a­mong the worst men, Cambd. Brit. in Dors [...]tshire. and the best Kings.

Yet Sir Francis Bacon in his History of Henry the seventh saith, that his good Laws [Page 149] were but the brocage of an usurper, thereby to win the hearts of the people, as being conscious to himself that the true obligati­ons of Soveraignty in him failed.

He put to death Hastings.

A greater judgement of God then this upon Hastings, Sir Walter Rau­leighs Preface to his History of the world. Is u [...]us fuit ex percussoribus Edovardi Prin­cipis sexti Hen­rici [...]ilii qui de­mum pari est affectus caede. Ita Hastingius suo ad extremum periculo didicit, illam naturae legem secundum Evangelicum verbum, omnia quae vultis, ut vobis faciant homines, sic & vos facite illis, impunè violari non posse Polyd Virg Ang hist. l. 25. I have never observed in any Story. For the self same day that the Earl Riners, Grey, and others, were (without triall of Law, or ostence given) by Ha­stings advice executed at Ponfret: I say Ha­stings himself in the same day, and (as I take it) in the same hour, in the same Lawless manner, had his head stricken off in the Tower of London.

He had little quiet after the murther of his two Nephews in the Tower of London. Sir Iohn Beaumont hath well described Bos­worth-field in Verse.

The night before he was slain, he dream­ed that he saw divers images of Devils, Verum id credo, non fu [...]t somni­um, sed consci­entia scelerum, conscientia, in­quam, cò gravi­or, quò culpa ma­jor, &c. Polyd. Virg. Aug. hist. lib. 25. pag. 562. which pulled and haled him, not suffering him to take any rest, the which vision stroke him into such a troubled mind, that he began to doubt what after came to pass.

[Page 150] Charles the ninth King of France, after the massacre in Paris, and divers other Ci­ties, (wherein were slaughtered about thirty thousand) never saw good day, but his eyes rolled often, uncertainly in the day with fear and suspition; and his sleep was usually interrupted in the night with dismall dreams and apparitions.

He being near his end, Iohn Du Scrres Hist. of France. vomited out bloud pittifully by all the conduits of his bo­dy, as a just judgement for him that barba­rously shed it, throughout all the Provin­ces of the Realm.

He raigned two yeares, He and Q. Ma­ry raigned the shortest while of any since the Conquest. See Psal. 55. 23. two moneths, and one day.

CHAP. XIX.

HENRY the seventh.

THe fourteen Plantagenets thus expiring with Richard the third, five Tudors take their turns in this manner.

  • Henry the seventh.
  • Henry the eighth.
  • Edward the sixth.
  • Queen Mary.
  • Queen Elizabeth.

They are called Tudors, because Henry the fifth his widow being a French woman, [Page 151] married Owen Tudor, from whom Henry the seventh did lineally descend.

In this Nation, how hath the Crown walked, (even since Christs birth) from Britains to Saxons, Danes, Normans, Plan­tagenets, Tudors, Stuarts. M rs Shawes Tomb-stone.

This King pretended a six-fold title to the Crown: By Conquest, Military electi­on of Souldiers in the fields near Bos­worth, by Parliament, by Birth, by Do­nation, and Marriage. He did never stand upon his marriage with the right heir as the foundation of his right unto the Crown; for he knew well enough, that if that had been his best and only title, though it might make the power good unto his children, yet while she was living, he must hold the Crown in her right, not in his own, and if she died before him, it was lost.

Because he was crowned in the field with King Richards Crown, Primus omnium Angliae Regum stip [...]tore [...] corpo­ris▪ habere caepit, quod à Francis Principibus sumpsisse fertur [...] Polyd. Virg. found in an Haw­thorn-Bush, he bare the Hawthorn-Bush with the Crown in it.

He was crowned the thirtieth day of Octo­ber in the year of our Lord 1485, by Tho­mas Bourehier Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinall. The Kings Guard when first instituted. Sir Franck Ba­cons Hist. of Henry the 7 th. At which day, he did institute for the better security of his person, a Band of fifty Archers under a Captain to attend him, by the name of Yeomen of his Guard; and yet that it might be thought to be ra­ther [Page 152] a matter of dignity, after the imitati­on of that he had known abroad, then any matter of diffidence appropriate to his own case; Speed. he made it to be understood for an Or­dinance not temporary, Hollinsh. Chron. but to hold in suc­cession for ever after.

Through whose care, vigilancy, policy, and forecasting wisdome for times to come, Vide Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 26 p. 616. the State and Commonwealth of England hath to this day stood established and invin­cible. Camdens Britannia in Surrey.

A politick Prince he was, if ever there were any, Sir Walter Rau­leighs Preface to his History of the world. who by the engine of his wis­dome, beat down and overturned as ma­ny strong oppositions both before and after he wore the Crown, as ever King of Eng­land did.

Whose worthy renown like the Sun in the midst of his sphere, shineth, and ever shall shine in mens remembrance! Sir Thomas E­liots Gover­nour. Henricus noster septimus, cùm omnes regni rectè admini­strandi artes cal­leret, sic his or­namentis instructus venit, ut cum pacem exu­lantem exul, ex­torrem (que) extor­ris concomitatus esset, reducem quo (que) redux apportaret. Twin. Com. de reb Brit. What incomparable circumspection was in him alwayes found, that notwithstanding his long absence out of this Realm, the distur­bance of the same by sundry seditions a­mong the Nobility, Civil Warres and Bat­tels, wherein infinite people were slain, yet by his most excellent wit, he in few years, not only brought this Realm in good order and under due obedience, revived the Laws, advanced justice, refurnished his do­minions, [Page 153] and repaired his mannours, He was a wise man and an excellent King. but also with such circumspection treated with other Princes and Realms, Sir Francis Ba­cons Epist. De­dicat. to his hist. He cals him in his hist this Salomon of England, not only for his actions, but wisdome. of leagues, of alliance, and amities, that during the most part of his Raign, he was little or nothing disquieted with War hostile or martiall business. And yet all other Princes either feared him or had him in fatherly reve­rence.

He could never endure any mediation in rewarding his servants, Sir Walter Rauleighs Pre­face to his hist. The story of England from the uniting of the Roses to the uniting of the King­domes is a space of time, which in my judgement contains more variety of rare events, then in like number of successions ever was known in an Heredi­tary Kingdome. Sir Francis Bacons Advancement of learning. l. 2. c. 7. See more there. There have died in England in these Civil Warres, since my remembrance, above fourscore person, of the bloud Royall. Phil. dem Comin. l 1. c. 2. p. 22. Quae exsurrexere factiones magnae Romanam Rempublicam pe [...] ­sum dedere. Duae quadraetae P Rempublicam illam [...]vertere, patritia, & plebeia factio. Duae hic turbarunt grandes R. Rosae duae, quae in unam arctissimè mixtae, per ipsam veram mixtionem commixtae sanguinis, placarunt omnia. Albericus Gentilis de unione Regnorum isput. 2 It happened that there was fallen in communication of the story of Ioseph, how his master Potiphars wife, would have pulled him to her bed, and he [...]led away. Now Master Maior quoth the King, you are a tall strong man on the one side, and a cunning Doctor on the other, what would you have done if you had not been Joseph, but in Jo­sephs stead. By my troth (quoth he) and it like your Grace, I cannot tell what I would have done, but I can tell what I should have done. The King replied, He answered well. Sir Thomas Mores Dialogue. l. 1. and therein exceed­ing wise: for whatsoever himself gave, he himself received back the thanks and the love; on the contrary, in whatsoever he grieved his Subjects, he wisely put it off on those, that he found fit ministers for such actions.

By his happy marriage (being next heir [Page 154] to the house of Lancaster) with Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward the fourth of the house of Yorke, the white and red Ro­ses were conjoyned. Sir Francis Bacon saith of Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canter­bury, Chancellor of England and Cardinal. He deserveth a most happy memory in that he was the principall means of joyning the two Roses.

From the twenty eighth year of Henry the sixth unto the fifteenth of Henry the se­venth, the Civil War between Lancaster and Y [...]ke continued, wherein, as they reckoned, there were thirteen fields fought, three Kings of England, one Prince of Wales, twelve Dukes, one M [...]rquesse, eighteen Earles, with one Vicount and twenty three Barons, besides Knights and Gentlemen lost their lives. Cambd. Brit. in Warwickeshire.

Sir Francis Bacons Hist of Henry the 7 th. Tempore fami geratissimi istius Arthuri, de quo tam incredibilia narrantur à no­stris, ut [...]a [...]sa intermixta, veris fidem derogantia, meritissima laude defraudarint v [...]rum hand dubie insignem & aeterna memoria dignissimum. Godw. de praesul. Ang. Hic est Arthurus de quo Brittonum nugae bodie (que) delirant: dignus pla­ne quem non fallaces som [...]iarent fabulae, sed veraces praedicarent historiae, quippe qui labantem patriam diu sustinuerit, infractas (que) civi [...]m mentes ad bellum acue­rit. Malme [...]b. de gestis Regum Anglorum l. 1. c. 1. Regem illum inclitissimum Arthurum legimus duos [...]racones in suis armis portasse. Pater suus Vter, qui Pen-dragon vocabatur, habuit magnum corpus & longum, cum capite multum parvo ad fimilitudinem Draconis, qua de cause Pen-dragon, i. e. caput Draconi [...] vocabatur. Et sic dictus Rex Arthur portavit arma paterna, propter habitudinem corporis patris sui assumpta. Bissaei notae in Upto [...]um. Vide Twini Comment. de rebus `Britannicis. p. 124, 125, 161. The King (in honour of the Brittish race, of which himself was) named his first son Arthur, according to the name of that an­cient [Page 155] worthy King of the Brittains; in whose acts there is truth enough to make him famous, besides that which is fabu­lous.

King Arthur fought twelve Battels with the Saxons and overthrew them. Hollinsh.

Arthurus belliger illis temporibus dux mili­tum & Regum Brittanniae contra Saxones in­victissimè pugnabat, duodecies dux belli fuit, duodecies victor bellatorum. Hunting. hist. l. 2.

That Arthur was one of the nine Wor­thies. There were three Jewes, Ioshua, David, Iudas Maccabaeus; three Gentiles, Hector of Troy, Alexander the Great, and Iulius Caesar; three Christians, Arthur of Britain, Charlemain of France, and Godfrey of Bullen.

Arthur ursum significat, quasi ursinum diceres. Burhillus in MS.

The Prince Arthur died before his fa­ther, and lieth buried in the Quire of the Cathedrall Church at Worcester.

After was born to the King at Greenwich the Lord Henry his second son, which was created Duke of Yorke, and after Prince of Wales, who succeeded his father in govern­ance of this Realm, by the name of Henry the eighth.

His time did excell for good Common­wealths Laws; Sir Francis Ba­cons hist. of Henry the seventh. so as he may justly be ce­lebrated for the best Law-giver to this Na­tion, [Page 156] after King Edward the first. For his Laws (who so marks them well) are deep, and not vulgar: not made upon the Spur of a particular occasion for the present; but out of providence of the future, to make the estate of his people still more and more happy; after the manner of the Legisla­tors in ancient and heroicall times.

The Tax (called Benevolence) was devised by Edward the fourth, for which he sustained much envy. It was abolished by Richard the third by Act of Parliament, to ingratiate himself with the people; and it was revived by this King, Id. ib. but with con­sent of Parliament, for so it was not in the time of King Edward the fourth.

It is observed as a rule in Politicks, By some An­timonarchicall Writers, whom I will not un­dertake to ju­stifie.that Dominium sequitur terram, those that are the greatest proprietaries, have the chief power, as in Turkie, because none there holds any land but during his life; there­fore the great Turk hath such unlimited power, and so the Barons were able (they say) to ma [...]e War with their Prince, be­cause the land was most in their and their Tenants possession. Henry the seventh therefore being raised by the Nobles, con­ceiving, that those which exalted him might cast him down, did abate their pow­er, and made Statutes against Retainers. But Henry the eighth demolishing the Ab­bies, distributed the lands among the peo­ple, [Page 157] and so they again gained great power by that meanes.

He made a composition with Philip, fa­ther to the Emperour Charles the fifth, be­ing here in England, that he should deliver into his hands, the Duke of Suffolke, his mortall enemy, who was fled out of Eng­land, and saved himself in the Low Countries, alwayes provided that the King should at­tempt nothing against the Dukes life; which promise notwithstanding, being ner his end, he expresly by will and testament commanded his succeeding son, that im­mediately after his decease, he should cause him to be put to death. Montaigne his Es­sayes. l. 1. c. 7.

There scarce passed any Parliament in this time, without a Law against Riot and Re­tainers, the King having an eye to might and multitude.

The King was on a time entertained by the Earl of Oxford (that was his princi­pall servant, both for war and peace) no­bly and sumptuously, at his Castle at Hen­ninghom. At the Kings going away, the Earls servants stood (in a seemly manner) in their Livery Coats, with cognizances, ranged on both sides, and made the King a Lane. The King called the Earl to him, and said; My Lord, I have heard much of your hospitality, but I see it is greater then the speech. These handsome Gentlemen and Yeo­men, [Page 158] which I see on both sides of me, are sure your meniall servants. The Earl smiled, and said; It may please your Grace, that were not for mine ease. They are most of them my Re­tainers, they are come to do me service at such time as this, and chiefly to see your Grace. The King started a little, and said; By my faith (my Lord) I thanke you for my good chear, but I may not endure to have my Lawes broken in my sight. My Atturney must speake with you. The Earl after compounded for a thousand marks.

His disposition to crush treasure out of his Subjects purses, by forfeitures upon pe­nall Lawes, proved the blot of his time.

When among many Articles exhibited by the Irish against the Earl of Kildare, the last was: All Ireland cannot rule this Earl. Then (quoth the King) shall this Earl rule all Ireland; and shortly after he made him Deputy thereof.

Iames the fourth King of Scotland married with the Lady Margaret, Sir Francis Ba­cons hist. of Henry the se­venth. the Kings eldest daughter. During the Treaty, it is re­ported, that the King remitted the matter to his Counsell. And that some of the Ta­ble in the Freedome of Counsellors (the King being present) did put the case; that if God should take the Kings two sons with­out issue, that then the Kingdome of Eng­land would fall to the King of Scotland, [Page 159] which might prejudice the Monarchy of England. Whereunto the King himself re­plied; That if that should be, Scotland would be but an accession to England, and not England to Scotland, for that the great­er would draw the less: and that it was a safer union for England, then that of France.

This was the ninth time, Nulli Regum antca cúm in [...] numerato tum in moventibus rebus major ve­nerat haereditas. Polyd. Vi [...]g. hist. l. 28. de Hen [...]ico 8 [...]. that since the Conquest, the Scottish Kings have married with the English Nation. Ayscu.

He left at his death most of it in secret places, under his own Key and keeping, at Richmond, the summe of near eighteen hundred thousand pounds sterling; a huge mass of money, even for these times.

His son Henry the eight by his pleasures, by unprofitable Wars exhausted all that trea­sure in a few of the first years of his Raign.

He died at his Palace at Richmond which himself had built, Anno Dom. 1509. having lived two and fifty years, and raigned three and twenty years, and eight moneths.

He died, and in memoriall of his name,
Built that fair Chappell, where he now takes rest;
A rich foundation of a curious frame,
The fairest monument lest unsupprest,
Passing all temples of the gorgeous East:
O strew his Hearse with Roses red & white,
For he both stemmes did in one unite.
Stor [...]rs Wolseius aspirans.

HENRY the eighth.

Seven is a number fatall from the heavens. But eight King Henry passing all the sevens. Storers Wolseius aspirans.

Of personage he was tall and mighty, He overthrew Sir William Kingstone both horse and man before three Queens. and in his latter years somewhat gross, in wit and memory excellent, such majesty and humanity as was comely in such a Prince.

Cui natura fortuna (que) supra Regium nomen, incomparabilis formae Herberts hist. of Henry the 8th. & maxime praestantis in­genii accumulata dona contulerunt: nemo enim è tota Anglica juventute, vel staturae dignitate, vel venustate oris, vel nervorum firmitate Re­gem aequavit. Paul. Jov. Britanniae descript.

Huic erat à teneris annis ars bellica cordis
Ut reliquas dotes, condignas principe tanto,
Corporis at (que) animi non sit memor are necesse.
Quod fortis, clemens, humeris quod & alitor ibat
Omnibus, egregia facie vultu (que) decoro.
Oclandi Anglorum praelia.

It hath been observed by Historians, of Tiberius Emperour of Rome; of Mahomet the Great, Emperour of the Turks; and of Henry the eight, King of England; that there was no security in their love, but that such as were highest in their favour, were nearest to ruine.

[Page 161] He brought unto the block two Queens two noble Ladies, one Cardinall declared; of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, and the sons of Earls, no fewer then twelve; Lords and Knights eighteen of Abbots and Priors thirteen; Monks, and religious persons, about seventy seven, and many more of both Religions, to a very great number. Having a de­sire to marry within degrees unlawfull, he set his learned men on work to prove it law­full, and again after a while (being cloy'd and desiring change) set them again on work to prove the former marriage un­lawfull. He ne­ver spared m [...]n in his anger, nor woman in his lust. Sir Ro­bert Naunton's Frag. Regal. in Q. E. Dr. Heylins Ecclesia Restaurata.

That is a tart expression of Sir Walter Rau­leigh in his Preface to his History of the world. If all the pictures and patterns of a merciless Prince were lost in the world, they might all again be painted to life out of the Story of this King. How many wives did he cut off, and cast off, as his fancy and affection changed.

When he was ready to give accompt to God for the abun [...]ance of bloud already spilt, and knew he was no longer able to live, he imprisoned the Duke of Norfolk the father, signed a Warrant for the execution of the Earl of Surrey his son, within nine dayes after he himself expired.

Unto a stately great outlandish Dame,
A messenger from our King Henry came
( Henry of famous memory the eight.)
To treat with her in matter of great weight;
As namely, how the King did seek her marriage,
Because of her great vertue and go [...]d car­riage.
[Page 162] She (that had heard the King lov'd change of pasture)
Repli'd, I humbly thank the King, your master,
And would, (such love his same in me hath bred)
My body venter so, but not my head.
Sir Iohn Harringtons Epigrams.

Maximilian the Emperour was retained by him as his souldier.

He not only wore the Cross of St. George, but received his pay duely, viz. a hundred Crowns per diem. L. Herbert in Hen. the 8 ths life.

Sub Rege Anglorum magnus meret Induperator,
Germani (que) truces, duro gens strenua bello.
Oclandi Anglorum praelia.

The Raign of this King continued with great nobleness and fame the space of thirty eight years. During whose time and Raign was great alteration of things, as well to the Civil State of the Realm, as especially to the State Ecclesiasticall, and matters to the Church appertaining. For by him was exiled and abolished out of the Realm, the usurped power of the Bishop of Rome, idolatry and supersti­tion somewhat repressed, images defaced, Abbeys and Monasteries pulled down, sects of Religion rooted out, Scriptures reduced to the knowledge of the vulgar tongues, [Page 163] and the state of the Church and Religion redressed. Fox his Acts and Monuments, vol. 2. p. 63. See B. Bedells Examinat. of Wadsworths motives c. 10.

He was much addicted to the reading of Thomas Aquinas, Accuratè vacábat literis, vaca­bat animi gra­tia musicae, lege­bat studiosè li­bros divi Tho­mae Aquinatis, & hoc agebat hortatu Volsaei, qui totus erat Thomisticus. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 27. Mr. Seldens Ti­tles of honour. part. 1. c. 4. and was therefore (as some think) called by Luther Thomisticus, acerrimus ingeniorum aestimator. Had. Jun. Epist. D. Dilso.

He wrote a volume against Luther in de­fence of Pardons, the Papacy, and the sup­posed seven Sacraments. Of this Work the original is yet remaining in the Vati­can at Rome, and with his own hand, thus inscrib'd;

Anglorum Rex Henricus Leoni 10. mittit hoc opus & fidei testem & amicitiae Where­upon saith Sleidan, Pontifex honorisicum Re­gi cognomen tribuit, Titulus iste Co­thurnus est, & cuilibet pedi, cuilibet fidei ap­tari potest, non minus Papae qui [...]edit, quàm vestrae. Dido­clav. praefat. ad Altare Damas­cenum. Defensorem appellans Ecclesiae, which is the same with Defender of the faith. This title was given him a­bout the twelfth year of his Raign. Vide Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 27. p. 664.

His fool coming unto the Court, and finding the King transported with an unu­suall joy, boldly asked him the cause thereof, To whom the King answered, It was because the Pope honoured him with a stile more eminent then any of his Ancestors; Good Harry (quoth he) let thou and I de­fend one another, and let the faith alone to de­fend it self.

[Page 164] Fisher was not the Author of King Henry his Book against Luther (as Sanders Lib. 1. de schismate An­glicano. and Bellarmine will have it) nor Sir Thomas More (as others say) though I doubt not but they might both revise it by the Kings favour, My Lord Her­berts life of Henry the 8th and where it was needfull also in­terpose their judgement.

Many thought that was compiled by Sir Thomas More, some by the Bishop of Ro­chester, and others (not without cause) suspected it to be the work of some other great Scholar. Godwins Annals of Eng­land.

The Pope excommunicating him, he fell off from the Pope.

Luther in an Epistle to the King saith thus, Verum etiam quód fide dignis testibue di­dici, libellum sub majestatis tuae nomine in me editum, non esse Regis Angliae, ut videri vole­bant subdoli sophistae, qui majestatis tuae titulo abusi, non senserunt quantum sibi ipsis pericu­lum in Regia ignominia pararent: praesertim illud monstrum, & publicum odium Dei & hominum Cardinalis Eboracensis, pestis illa regni tui. The King in his Answer to this Epistle affirms it to be his. Iam quantumvi [...] te fingas credere, editum à me libellum, non esse meum, sed meo nomine subornatum à so­phistis subdolis, tamen & meum esse multi majori fide digni, quàm sunt tuâ illi fide digni testes cognoscunt: & ego quanto tibi minus pla­cet, tanto magis libenter agnosco.

[Page 165] He caused to be put into the Liturgy, Neque Roma­nam Ecclesiam ab Anglia ex­pulisset Henri­cum, nisi prior clemens Henri­cus à Romana e­jecisset Ecclesia. Barclasi vind. p [...]o Regibus ad­vers R. Bellarm. Sanderus de schism ate An­glicano l. 1. Ab Episcopi Romani tyrannide & detestandis enormitatibius, libera nos Domine, heroica ani­mi magnitudine imbelles pontificum bullas, & instatas execrationibus buccas despicatui habuit. Renigerus de Pii quinti & Gregorii decimi tertii Romanorum pontificum furoribus.

He thrust out the Popes Supremacy, that he might be revenged of the Pope, who would not allow of his divorce from his first wife, but he continued much of the Popish Religion, and made six Arti­cles called a whip with six strings, Dii bo [...]i! quo­modo hic vivunt gentes? which were the death of many godly men, Lever saith he did more then any Prince in Christendome before him e­ver did, the Pope being then so great. Lever in his history of the Defender of the Catholick faith, speaks much of the suppressing of Abbeys. And Iura Cleric. 3. More. being perswaded thereto by Bishop Gardiner.

There is a story of one, who seeing then both Papists hanged for traytors, because they opposed the Kings Supremacy, and Protestants burned for hereticks, in regard they denied the six Articles, cried out, What Religion is there here in England? where­upon one asked him, What Religion he was of; he answered, He was of the Kings Re­ligion.

Nor was that boysterous King so much to blame in dissolving materiall Temples or houses (rather abused then consecrated to superstition) as he was, after this Re­formation (if so it may be called) in de­stroying so many living Temples of God, See the Pre­face to Sir H. Spelmans Book De non teme­rand [...] Ecclesi [...] which sought not the dissolution of his Kingdome, nor any other Reformation [Page 166] of him and his people, save only the clear­ing and purifying of their hearts and brests, (which had been consecrated unto Gods service) from the infection of Romish super­stition and idolatry. Dr. Iacksons Com­mentary on the Creed, l. 11. c. 38.

He was counted the common Umpire of Christendome.

He exceeded all his Progenitors in setting up sumptuous houses.

He confirmed Christ-Church in Oxford, and erected Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge.

The professors of the Hebrew and Greek tongues were first instituted by him in both the Universities. Sit Rich. Bakers Chron.

In running at Tilt and such exercises, he overcame the rest.

Cum lectissimi equites Cataphracti in lud [...] ­cro spectaculo infestis hastis concurrerent, tanta arte id bellici vigoris munus implebat, ut ei pro­posita victoribus pr [...]mia integra populi judicio, saepissimé deferrentur. Paul. Jov. Brit. de­script.

He could not only sing his part, but of himself compose a Service of four five and six parts. Eras. in farrag. in Epist.

An old Priest [...]lwayes read Mumpsimus De­mine for Sump­simus: whereof when he was admonished, he said, That he had now used Mumpsimus thirty years, and would not leave his old Mump­simus for their new Sumpsimus. Pacaeus de fru­ctu qui ex doctri­na percipitur. Finding fault with the disagreement of Preachers, he would often say, Some are too stiffe in their old Mumpsimus, and others too bu­sie and curious in their new Sumpsimus.

King Ine out of his devotion to the See of Rome, enjoyned every one of his Sub­jects, [Page 167] that possessed in his house of any one kind of goods to the value of nineteen penes, Cum ab Iuae tempore ad hanc (inquit Sleida­nus Comment. l. 9.) atatem us (que) Britannia Romanis Episco­pis eam pecuni­am dependisset, Henricus (sci­licet 8.) omnium primus inhibuit eam amplius per­solvi. Selden. Analect. Anglo. brit. l. 2. c. 4. Vide Spelman. de Consil. p. 312, 374. to pay yearly upon Lammas day, one peny to the Pope, which at first was contributed under the name of the Kings alms, but af­terwards was paid by the name of Peter-pence.

The Pope of Rome had out of every Chim­ney of England, Ireland, and Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall, a penny a year, for five hun­dred years together.

Omnis qui habet triginta denariatas vivae pecuniae in domo sua de proprio suo Anglorum lege dabit denarium sancti Petri. Hoved. An­nal. pars posterior. p. 603.

King Henry first forbad this to be paid to the Pope.

There preached one before him whose Sermon the King liked not, as there was reason; the King willed Sir Thomas More then being Lord Chancellor, to give the Preacher thanks worthy such a Sermon. He being a man of a pleasant wit, spake a­loud to the Preacher, that the King might hear, and said, The Kings Majesty thanketh you for your notable Sermon: which when the King heard, he called Sir Thomas to him, and said, What mean you my Lord to give such thanks in our name? If it like you, quoth he, there be some things notable evil.

It is a note worthy to be remembred, that Thursday hath been a fatall day to [Page 168] King Henry the eight, Stowes Chron. in the life and Raign of Q. Eliz. and all his posterity; for himself died on Thursday the twenty eighth of Ianuary; King Edward on Thurs­day the sixth of Iuly; Queen Mary on Thursday the seventeenth of November; and Queen Elizabeth on Thursday the twenty fourth of March.

After Dr. Collets Sermon preached to him, and long communication with him by occasion thereof, he dismissed him with these words, Lot every one have his Doctor as he liketh, this shall be my Doctor.

Being necessitous, he was offered by the House of Commons in a Parliament toward his latter end, all the lands and houses of the two famous Universities, to be confiscated to his Exchequer, by a most mechanick prostitution of the learning, the honour, and the piety of the Nation: but he told them not without a just scorn, that he had too much of a Scholar in him, to destroy two such Universities as the world had not the like.

His purpose was (if he had lived) to have made a perfect Reformation of Religi­on saith Mr. Fox in his second Volume of his Acts and Monuments o [...] the Church. p. 647. and he gives there two reasons of his opini­on. But the secret working (saith he) of Gods holy providence, which disposeth all things after his own wisdome and pur­pose, thought it good rather by taking the [Page 169] King away, He prepared the way to Reformation, as his own power and pro­fit was con­cerned in it. He excluded the Popes Au­thority, and caused him­self to be decla­red supreme head of the Church of Ireland. to reserve the accomplishment of this Reformation of his Church to the peaceable time of his son Edward, and Eli­zabeth his daughter, whose hands were yet undefiled with any bloud, and life unspot­ted with any violence or cruelty.

Cardinal Woolsey, and after him Arch­bishop Cranmer were in great favour with him, Sir Thomas Moor and the Lord Crom­well were also highly esteemed by him.

Francis King of France after the death of King Henry the eight, was much disposed to melancholy, whether for that he being some years the younger, was by his death admonished of the like approaching fate. They were also of so conspiring a simili­tude of disposition and nature, Lever in his history of the defenders of the Catholick Faith, com­pares him with Frederick Barbarossa the Emperour of Germany. that you shall hardly find the like between any two Princes of whatever different times. He cele­brated the Funerals of King Henry in the Cathedrall at Paris, though excommuni­cated by the Pope.

Many learned men lived in his dayes, Iohn Collet Dean of Pauls, and founder of the School there; William Lilly the first Schoolmaster of Pauls School, after it was erected; Thomas Linacer or rather Linaker, a learned Physician, and well seen in the tongues; Richard Pace a good Linguist; Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester; Sir Thomas More an excellent Scholar; Iohn Frith and William Tindall, Robert Barnes Martyrs; [Page 170] Robert Wakefield a good Linguist; Sir Thomas Eliot; Edward Lee Archbishop of Yorke; Iohn Leland a great Antiquary; William Gro­cin very expert in Greek and Latine; Hugh Latimer Bishop and Martyr, who hath put out an elegant Oration in Latine, thus en­tituled, Hugonis Latimeri Anglicani ponti­ficis Oratio, apud totum Ecclesiasticum Conven­tum, antequam consultatio publica iniretur, de Regni statu per Evangelium reformando, Regni invictissimi Regis Henrici 8 •, 6 • anno vi­gessimo octavo habita; where he speaks of ma­ny things fit then to be reformed; and well concludes, Si nihil est emendandum in com­muni, saltem emendemus nos ipsos singuli.

He raigned thirty seven years, and nine moneths, and died in the six and fiftieth year of his life, leaving behind him three children, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth, all which also raigned after him.

EDWARD the sixth.

Next after the death of King Henry, suc­ceeded King Edward his son, being of the age of nine years. A Prince although but tender in years, yet for his sage and mature ripeness in wit and all Princely ornaments, as I see but few to whom he may not be e­quall, so again I see not many to whom he may not justly be preferred. Fox▪ his Acts & Monuments of the Church. vol. 2. p. 65 2. He fitly compares him there to good Iosias. Fa­vour [Page 171] and love (saith he) of Religion was in him from his childhood; such an Organ given of God to the Church of England he was, as England had never better. Id. ib.

All King Henries issue for themselves in their severall kinds, Sir Walter Rauleighs Pre­face to his hist. of the world. were Princes of emi­nent vertue.

As Henry the eighth with Solomon was blame-worthy for women, so he left but one son and two daughters. Solomon had Rehoboam, a fool and unfortunate: his daughters but obscure, and both of them Subjects. But Henry was more happy in Edward his son, another Iosiah; and his sisters both Soveraignes of an Imperiall Crown. Speed.

Lever compares him to Iosiah in severall respects.

He was born at Hampton-Court, on the twelfth day of October anno 1537, being the only surviving son of King Henry the eight, by Iane his third wife, daughter to Sir Iohn Seymer Knight.

It hath been commonly reported, and no less generally believed, that Prince Ed­ward being come unto the birth, and there wanting naturall strength to be delivered, his mothers body was ripped open, to give him a passage into the world, and that she died of the Incision in a short time after.

Whence this Epitaph was made upon her. [Page 172] Phoenix Jana jacet, He spake French perfect­ly, could de­claim in Latin ex tempore and that with­out any stick­ing or stamme­ring; he under­stood Greek, Spanish, and I­talian▪ a flowing kind of elo­quence he had, yet grave and polite, such as became a Prince, alwayes measuring his words by the thing he spake of. Dr. Hack­wels Apology of Gods provi­dence in the government of the world. l. 1. c. 11. Sect. 12. See more there. nato Phoenice: dolendum Saecula Phaenices nulla tulisse duos.

Alluding to the Crest of her father, a Phenix in flames within a Crown.

Yet Dr. Heylin in his Ecclesia restaurata saith, there are many reasons to evince the contrary, that he was not so born.

The other was not more poetically then truely written, he being, considering his years, an admirable President for all ages, of piety, learning, clemency, magnanimity, wisdome and care in governing his people.

As Iulius Caesar in the midst of his great­est actions, wrote an exact and curious Commentary of his notable enterprises by Arms: so King Edward during all the time of his Raign, but most especially towards the end, kept a most judicious Journall of all the most principall passages of the affairs of his estate.

Inclytus Edvardus formatus ab ubere matris
Confestim doctis à praeceptoribus artes
Ingenuas omnes didicit, qui Graeca Latinis
Adjungens studio, paucis profecerat annis,
Ut foret inferior nulli quem terra Britanna
Protulerat, claro magnorum ex stemmate Regum.
Nullus adaequari posset, si flexilis [...]tas
In puero egresso nondum tria lustra duos (que)
Annos, ingenii aut praecox spectetur acumen:
[Page 173] Quantum ad doctrinas virtutes (que) attinet almas
Ille erat Europae Phoenix, quem funere acerbo,
(Ut flos vere novo viridanti carpitur horto)
Sustulit ante diem, mors immatura Britannis,
Invidet haec terris pietatem & jura colentes.
Oclandi Anglorum praelia.

In his childhood, being about to take down something, which seemed to be above his reach, one of his fellowes offered him a bossed plated Bible to stand upon, and heighten him for taking that which he desi­red. But he perceiving it to be a Bible, with holy indignation resused it, and sharply reproved him that made the offer. A strong assurance of that dear esteem and veneration, in which he held that sacred Book in his riper years. Dr. Heylins Histo­ry of Edward the sixth.

He hath this observation in his Diary, A piis atque eruditis praecep­toribus D. Coxo. & Jo­hanne Checo Graecis Lati­nis (que) literis in­stitutus, tum sa [...]a Religione ad praescriptam divini verbi normam imbutus aetatem longe suam doctrinae virtute (que) superavit. Anglicanam Ecclesiam rudem adhuc & informem tam accuratè sincera Reli­gious perpolivit, omnes (que) faces pontificias expurgavit, ut à piis omnib [...] alter Josias merito dictus fit. Josc. Antiq. Brit. Magno miraculo humanarum rerum tanti ingenii & tantae expectationis p [...]r educabatur, &c. Hier Card. de Edv. 6. Rege. Dr. Cox was [...] utor also to Q Eliz. who recalled him from beyond seas, restored him to many Church-dignities, and appointed him to preach, that day she went to her first Parliament. Engl. Eliz. the originall of which is in the hands of Sir Thomas Cotton.

At the sixth year of my age, I was brought up in learning by Dr. Coxe, who was after my Almner, and John Cheek Master of Arts, two well learned men, who sought to bring me [Page 174] up in learning of tongues, of the Scripture, of Philosophy, and all liberall Sciences. Also John Belmain French man, did teach me the French tongue.

He was annointed King at Westminster, by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canter­bury, being of the age of nine years.

A Prince of great devotion, constancy of mind, Had he lived, he would no doubt have made a full Reformation of those foul corruptions that remained, and yet remain to this day, and would have reduced all the Church­es in his Do­minio [...]s, unto the Primitive and Apostoli­call Order and Discipline, as Bucer in his Book De Reg­no Christi writ­ten to him ear­nestly desired. Whetenhall of the abuse, now in questi­on in the Church of Christ. love of the truth, and incredibly studious. Godwins Annals of England.

He knew all the principall Ports in Eng­land, Scotland, Ireland, France, and other Countries not far distant, how they lay, when the tide served, what vessels of bur­den they could receive, and what winds served for entrance.

He reformed Religion.

He caused Images and all monuments of Idolatry to be destroyed, and a great Bible in English to be set up in every Church.

He was in body beautifull, of a sweet aspect, and specially in his eyes, which seemed to have a starry liveliness and lustre in them. He would answer Embassadors sometime upon the suddain, either in French or Latin. He could call all Gentlemen of account through his Kingdome by their names.

When Ioan Butcher (a blasphemous Heretick) was to be burned; all the Coun­sell could not procure him to set his hand to the Warrant. Wherefore they employed [Page 175] Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, to deal privily with him for his subscription. But the King remained firm both in reason and resolution, affirming, that he would not drive her headlong to the Devil: but because Hereticks for the most part have a strain of madness, Haywards life and Raign of Edward the sixth. he thought it best to ap­ply her with some corporall chastisements, which with respite of time might happily reduce her to good order. The Archbishop was violent both by perswasions and en­treaties, and when with meer importunity he had prevailed, the King in subscribing his name, said, that he would lay all the charge thereof upon the Archbishop before God. Of all the Pa­pists in his Raign, there was not one man lost his life. To the godly there was no dan­ger, unless it were by wealth and prosperity. Fox his Act. and Mon. A. D. 11 [...]0. Not many years passed, but this Archbishop also felt the smart of the fire, and it may be, that by his importunity for bloud, he did offend, for a good thing is not good, if it be immoderately desired.

A Miller who had been busie in rebellion against the King, knowing the danger, willed his man to take the name of the master, if any enquired after him. Sir An­thony Kingston Provost Martiall came to the Mill, and calling for the master, the man in his name presented himself, who strait commanded him to the Gallows; the ser­vant then seeing the danger of death, Speed. con­fessed he was not the master, but the man. Well, said the Knight, thou canst never do thy master better service, then to hang for him, [Page 176] and thereupon trusted him up in the next tree

The Lord Protector in his dayes marcht with a powerfull Army into Scotland, to demand their Queen Mary in marriage to our King, according their promises. The Scots refusing to do it, were beaten by the English in Musleborough fight. One de­manding of a Scotch Lord taken prisoner, Now Sir, how do you like our Kings marriage with your Queen? I alwayes (quoth he) did like the marriage, but I do not like the wooing, that you should fetch a Bride with fire and sword.

The Kings Uncles, Edward-Duke of So­merset, Protector of his person, Realms and Dominions, and Thomas Lord Seymour Baron of [...]udley the younger, high Admi­rall of England, were both beheaded. Strife between their wives about place and prece­dency, caused the death of their husbands, and the death of the young King followed speedily after. Vide Humfre­dum de Nobi­litate. l. 2. p. 232, 233. Sir Thomas Seymour Admi­rall, and the younger brother, married the Queen Dowager, whose hap it was of all the rest to survive her husband. She contested with her sister in law for priority of place: both were privately encouraged; neither would give way to the other. The one claimed it as she had been once Queen, the other challenged it as she was the present wife of the Protector. The wives set their [Page 177] husbands at oddes, and their enemies took hold of this advantage. The Admirall was shortly questioned for treason, by con­sent of his brother condemned in Parlia­ment, and lost his head. In the same moneth was the Protector committed to the Tower by the Lords of the Counsell, and after beheaded.

In this Kings dayes, when Bonner was kept in prison, reverend Ridley having his Bishoprick of London, Fox Martyr. vol. 3. p. 431. would [...]ever go to dinner at Fulham, without the company of Bonners mother and sister; the former al­wayes sitting in a Chair at the upper end of the Table. These guests were as constant as Bread and Salt to the Board, no meal could be made without them.

He died in the seventh year of his Princely Government, Ipse Rex [...]orum or efid o nudi­tus, aut Sitiosorum immannati ex positus, imma [...] ­rè (morbo an ve­neno incertum) praeripitur; incredibili ob eximias supra aetatem virtutes deside­rio apud populum relicto. Apparatus ad Cambd [...]i Annales. in the sixth of Iuly, anno 1553. Some write that he was poy­soned.

The death of this Prince was lamented of all the godly within Europe, for the gra­ces given unto him of God, as well of na­ture, as of erudition and godliness, passed the measure that accustomably is used to be given to other Princes in their greatest per­fection, and yet exceeded he not sixteen years of age. Knoxe his Ecclesiasticall Hist. [Page 178] of Scotland. l. 1. p. 97. I wonder that Do­ctor Heylin in his Epistle before his Ecclesia Restaurata should say therefore, Whose death I cannot reckon for an infelicity to the Church of England.

Cardan made this Epitaph of him.

Flete nefas magnum sed toto flebitis orbe
Mortales; vester corruit omnis honos.
Nam Regum decus & juvenum flos; spes (que) bono­rum
Deliciae saecli, & gloria gentis erat.
Dignus Apollineis lachrymis, &c.

It is to this day a question both how this King died, and where he was [...]ried.

Queen IANE.

The Lady Iane Gray, whom King Ed­ward had declared for his next Successour, was eldest daughter of Henry Lord Gray, Duke of Suffolke, Her mother was the La­dy France's daughter; and in fine, one of the co-heirs of Charles Brandon, the late Duke of Suffolke, by Mary his wife, Queen Dowager to Lewis the twelfth of France, and youngest daughter of King Henry the se­venth, Grandfather to King Edward now deceased.

She spake the Latin and Greek tongues, with as sweet a fluency, as if they had been naturall, and native to her; exactly skil­led in the liberall Sciences, and perfectly [Page 179] well studied both kinds of Philosophy.

She was most zealously affected to the true Protestant Religion, then by Law esta­blished.

She was urged by her near friends to ac­cept of the Crown. Queen Mary caused [...]et to be beheaded.

Her Raign was but nine dayes: her life not twice so many years, as she raigned dayes.

Ascham, Ann [...] Maria Schurman, Master Fox, and others, speak of her rare accom­plishments.

Queen MARY.

It is a question much agitated, of the rule of women, [...], An licita? Bo­dius on Ephes. 5. 22. dislikes it. Bodin de Republica l. 6. c. 5. & method. Hist. c. 6. much opposeth it. She was mar­ried to Philip the second King of Spain, who was long, but well pro­portioned. Some of her Coin was cal­led Philip and Mary. He lames us for suffer­ing Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth to raign, and saith, we violated therein not only the Law of God, but the law of na­ture and Nations.

knoxe also writes against it.

Danaeus a French man in his Book de H [...]mine c. 33. saith, It is lawfull. He quotes A [...]. 8. 27. 1 King. 10. and com­mends the Raign of Zen [...]b [...]ia Queen of the Arabians, a [...]d Elizabeth Queen of England, and Ioan Queen of Navarr, as happy and lasting.

There is a choice Manuscript in Arch. [Page 180] in Oxford Library stiled, A dutifull defence of the lawfull regiment of women, written by my Lord Howard.

The Suffolk men first resorted to her, promising her their aid and help, so that she would not attempt the alteration of Religi­on established by her brother, which she a­greed unto, but broke her promise, and that Diocess tasted the sharpest persecution under her Raign.

So well inclined was she of her self, that had not the zeal of her Religion, and the authority of Church men overswayed her own disposition, Speed. the flames of their consu­ming fires had not mounted so high. Non natura sed pontificiorum arte ferox. Id. ib. Lever com­pares her to the Queen mother of France, Ka­therine de Me­dicis.

She was crowned by Steven Gardiner Bi­shop of Winchester, the Archbishops of Can­terbury and Yorke being then prisoners in the Tower.

Within the compasse of less then four years continuance, there died for the testi­moniall of their conscience in this case, two hundred seventy and seven persons, without regard of degree, The suffering in her dayes did more set­tle and enlarge the bounds of the Gospel, then all the preaching did in King Ed­ward the sixth his Raign. Dr. Ames. sex, or age. In the heat of whose flames were consumed five Bishops, one and twenty Divines, eight Gentlemen, eighty four Artificers, one hundred Husbandmen, servants, and labourers, twenty six wives, twenty wid­dowes, nine virgins, two boyes, and two Infants.

There being consultation at the Counsel-board [Page 181] what to do with the Lady Elizabeth, Gardiner said, My Lords, we have but all th [...] while been [...] ripping off the leaves, and now and then lopped a branch; but till such time as we strike at the root of heresie (meaning the Lady Elizabeth) nothing to, purpose can be ef­fected. God forbid (replied the Spaniards) that our King and Master should once conceive a thought to consent unto such a mischief. They thence solicited the King on her behalf, and he favoured her, and set her free at last.

The worst that can be said of her, is this, Mr. Baco [...] Uniform Go­vernment of England. part. 2 c. 34. that she was ill principled, and the best, that she acted according to her principles.

Judge Morgan who in her Raign gave sentence of death against the Lady Iane Gray, Whose Raign was polluted with the bloud of so many Martyrs, un­fortunate by the frequent insurrections, and made inglorious by the loss of Calais. Nullus toto terra­rum orbe angulus est, quo non percrebuit admirabilis tua, praeter invictam animo­sitatem & pictatem cruditio, tam Latinè disertae, ut exterorum Regum legati, docti inprimis homines, velut attoniti obstupescant, & quasi haerente in faucibus voce obinutes [...]nt, re auditâ Had. Jun. Epist. Mariae Angliae Reginae. presently after her death fell mad, and in his ravings continually cried, Take away the Lady Jane from me, and in that horrour shortly ended his life.

She was learned.

Ludovicus Vives A Spaniard was some­times her Teacher. He came to England with Queen Kahterine her mother.

She lost Calais, which had been a long time before in the possession of the Engllish; Two hundred and eleven years. [Page 182] and said if she were opened, It was lost in less then eight dayes. It was [...] won by Edward the third, being the eleventh King from William the Conque [...]our, and lost by her the eleventh from Edward. they would find that next her heart: pray it was that a paltry Town should lye where Christ should should have lain.

At the loss of Calai when a proud French man tauntingly demanded, Capto summa celeritate Cal [...] ­to, (quem por­tum Galliae portam a [...]p [...]llare consueverant Angliae Reges: quo quamdiu po­tirentur, tamdiu g [...]stare se [...] cin­gulo claves Gal­liae dictitahant) quicquid Gallis creptum ducen­tos per annos Angli f [...]li [...]iter obtinuer ant in­continenti paucorum die­rum spatio, Galliae regno restituere, atque ad veteres terminos intra occanum se recipere co­acti sunt. Stradae de bello Belgic. Dec. 1. l. 1. When will ye fetch Calais again? An English Captain gravely answered, Qu [...]ndo peccata vestra e­runt nostris g [...]vior [...], When your sins shall weigh down ours.

The Lord Cor [...]s Governour of Picardy under the French King said, That he would be content to lie in Hell seven years, so he might win Calais from the English. The keeping of it indeed was chargeable to the English, but yet it was very advantagious to them. While they kept it they had a door open in­to France upon all occasions, and therefore it is commonly said, That they carried the keyes of France at their Girdles.

Of all since the Conquest her Raign was the shortest, Though many persecutions have lasted longer, yet none since Di­ [...]esians time [...]age [...] so terri­bly. Dr. Heylius Eccles restaur. See more there. only excepting that of Richard the Tyrant, but much more bloudy then was his.

She raigned five years, and four moneths, wanting two dayes only.

She lieth buried in Westminster without [Page 183] any Monument or remembrance at all.

Queen ELIZABETH.

She was born at Greenwich on the seventh of September 15 [...]3. Her father was Henry the eighth King of England, her mother Anne Bulloin, whose love to the pure Reli­gion cost her her life.

Amabat Regina puram veràm (que) Religionem, & haec illi res odium, nox necem peperit. Adol­phi à Dans vita Elizabethae.

The Archbishop Cranmer her Godfa­ther was every where chary and tender o­ver her, as one that at the Font had took charge upon him to see her educated in all vertue and piety.

What Prince was ever more sage in her Counsell, or more solemn in her Government, or more advised in her favours and f [...]owns? Dr. Gaudens Eccles. Anglie. Suspi­ria l. 4. c. 22.

Before the age of seventeen years she was skilled in Latine, French, Italian, and in the Greek indifferent well. Neither did she neglect musick, both singing and playing on instruments very sweetly and artificially, for so much as became a Prince. With Roger Ascham who governed her studies, she read over Melancthons common places, Ci­cero entire, a great part of Livies History▪ some select Orations of Isocrates (whereof two she translated into Latine) Sophocles [Page 184] Tragedies, Dr Hackwel [...] Apol. of Gods providence in the Govern­ment of the world. l. 4. c 11. Sect. 12. Se [...] more there▪ Vide Cambde ni etiam A [...]a­rat ad Annales. and the New Testament in Greeke, by which means she both furnished her speech with elegant language, and her mind with wholsome precepts, referring her learning rather to practice and conver­sation, then ostentation and pomp, yet was she in a manner for learning a miracle a­mong the Princes of her age.

In one and the same day she answered three Embassadors of great Princes, the one in Latine, the other in French, and the third in Italian.

I have seen a Book (which is in Sion-Colledge) wherein divers sentences were turned out of English into Latine and Italian, and some translated out of French by Queen Elizabeth, and written with her own hand, in the life time of her father, and sent to her brother Prince Edward for a new years gift, she being at that time not above thirteen years of age.

Abraham Hartwell in his Regina literata written in Verse, speaks of Queen Eliza­beths coming and doings at Cambridge.

She was honourably received in Kings Colledge, where she lay during her continuance there.

At the breaking up of the Divinity Act there, The Or [...]tion is in H [...]k [...]nsh. Chron. [...]de Saviii▪ Orat. corom Reg [...]na El [...]z. Oxon. [...]habi [...]a. she made within St. Maries Church a notable Oration in Latine, beginning thus, Etsi faeminilis iste [...] us pudor, &c. See Dr. Heylins Ecclesia restaurata. p. 163, 164. [Page 185] Vide Hadriani Juni [...] Epist. Elizabethae An­gliae Reginae inter Epistolas suas. p. 544.

She was of personage tall, of hair and complexion fair, and therewith well fa­voured, but high nosed, of limbs and fea­ture neat, and which added to the lustre of those exteriour graces, of stately and ma­jestick com [...]ortment.

She was crowned in St. Peters Church in Westminster, by Dr. Oglethorp Bishop of Car­lisle, according to the Order of the Roman Pontificall.

There was great speech of a match be­tween her and a French Mounsieur the Duke of Alencon, of which he had great hopes, being ignorant (as Bernardine Mendoza wrote from London to the Prince of Parma) Reginam singulis annis sponsam esse, Stradae de bello Belgic. Decas 2. l. 1. p. 11. nunquam vero nuptam, That the Queen was every year a Spouse, but never married.

The silencing and ejection of Ministers in her dayes, Reformation being newly be­gun, Vide Parkerum de Politcia Ec­clesiast. Christi. l. 2. c. 38. and the enemies to it many, the friends and those that faithfully engaged few: was looked upon by the godly pru­dent of that age, as very unseasonable, be­cause of the scarcity of preachers at that time. Beams of former Light. c. 7.

She had so great a command over her appetite, that her brother Edward usually called her by no other name, but his sweet sister Temperance*. There was be­tween these two Princes [...] concurrence and sympathy in their natures and affections; together with the celestiall bond (confor­mity in Reli­gion) which made them one, and friends; for the King ever cal­led her his sweetest and dearest sister. Sir Robert Nauntons Frag­menta Reg. Cambdens Britannia in Surrey. C [...]mb. Brit. in Wil [...]shire. She was so far from [Page 186] pressing her Subjects with Impositions, that when the Parliament once offered her a great summe of money, she refused a great part thereof, giving them thanks, and adding withall, that the money was as sure in her Subjects Co [...]ers as her own.

A Prince above her sexe of a manly cou­rage and high conceit, who lively resem­bled as well the royall qualities of her Grandfather, as she did his princely pre­sence and countenance, the worlds love and joy of Brittain. A Virgin for the space of fourty four years so ruled the royall Scep­ter, as that her Subjects loved her, ene­mies feared her, and every one with admi­ration honoured her.

She was about seventy years old when she died.

A most gracious and excellent Prince, worthy of superlative praise for her most wise and politick government of the Com­monwealth, and for her heroick vertues far above that sexe.

In Queen Elizabeth, besides her sexe, there was nothing woman-like or weak. Sclater. Yet S [...]nders calleth her Lupam Anglicanam; Gainsfords Glory of Eng­land. l. [...]. c. 2. [...] Bi [...]dulphs Travels. p. 25, 26. Rhiston Leaenam nostram, om­nes Athalias, Maachas, Jezabeles, Hero­diades superantem.

The very Heathen and Mahumetans, the Persians and Idolaters, the Aethiopians and [Page 187] Muscovites do name her with reverence.

Balsac in his second Book of Letters, Her name fil­ed the Christi­an, Turkish, Persian, Ameri­can, Indian parts. Purchas p [...]grimage. 1. l. 3. c. 1. Sect. 1. See ibid. c. 3. Sect. 3. Let­ter 1. to my Lord Cecil saith, Even he that excommunicated her, spake of herwith honour.

Some think my Lord of Essex his death, and the long concealing of the message he sent to her, when discovered, occasioned a deep melancholy first, and after her death. Osborn in his Miscellanies saith, No act of hers was registred so contrary to the grain of her own people, as the death of the Earl. Others say, If she were a Catholick, she might be ac­counted the mirrour of the world, saith a secular Priest. Meteranus Rer. Belg. hist. l. 23. much com­mends her. the death of the Queen of Scots.

In her time the pure interest of England was the protection of Protestants, and War with Spain.

For her mercifull returning home cer­tain Italians, which were taken prisoners in the eighty eight Invasion, she was term­ed Saint Elizabeth by some at Venice. One told the Lord Carleton being there Embassa­dour, That great E­lizabeth of Eng­land, nurse of God, Church, God hath e­stablished her seat with justice and goodness, hath made her the terrour of all enemies of Christ, and the beauty of Eu­rope. [...]olynes of the Civil Wars of France. that although he were a Papist, yet he would never pray to any other Saint, but the Saint Elizabeth. Mr. Trap on Ezra [...]c. 1.

My Lord Howard in his Manuscript in Oxford Library (a learned piece worthy to be published) stiled, A dutifull defence of the lawfull regiment of women, dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, quotes divers Papists commending her.

In his Defensative against the poyson of supposed Prophesies, c. 16. he saith thus, [Page 188] When divers (upon greater scrupulosity then cause) went about to disswade her Majesty (ly­ing then at Richmond) from looking on the Comet which appeared last; with a courage an­swerable to the greatness of her state, she caused the window to be set open, and cast out this word, Jacta est alea, The Dice are thrown. Affirming that her stedfast hope and confidence was too firmly planted in the providence of God, to be blasted, or affirighted with those beames, which either had a ground in nature whereupon to rise, or at least no warrant out of Scripture to pretend the mi [...]haps of Princes.

She equalled the best of her Predecessors, Bacons Uni­form Govern­ment of Eng­land. part. 2. c. 34. and in learned endowments excelled them all. A wise man that was an eye witness of many of her actions, and of those which succeeded her, many times hath said, That a Courtier might make a better meal of one good looke from her, then of a good gift from some other King.

The Parliament having been a moneth, Queen Elizabeth sent for Mr. Popham, the Speaker of the House, and asked him, What past since they sate? He answered, Iust twen­ty eight dayes.

Much might be said of her prospe­rity.

1. She was advanced to the Regall Throne, from a private and adverse for­tune.

The more happy was her Government, [Page 189] because it ensued upon the stormy times of Queen Mary. She came as a fresh Spring after a sharp Winter, and brought the Ship of England from a troublous and tempestu­ous Sea, to a safe and quiet harbour.

Though the Author of Ierusalem and Babel saith, she profest her self a Catholick during the Raign of her sister, and speaks of the Duke of Feria's Letter to King Philip yet to be seen; wherein is certified that the Queen had given him such assurance of her belief, and in particular concerning the point of reall presence, that for his part he could not believe, she intended any great alteration in Religion; yet I suppose he wrongs her therein, as he doth Dr. Reynolds likewise, in saying, that he framed that combate which he published between him­self and Mr. Hart, at his own pleasure.

Anti-Sanderus in his second Dialogue saith thus, Non solum nobilium potentissimos, sed & Episcopos omnes, à quorum aliquo juxta priscam Angliae consuetudinem ungi & corona­ri debuit, factio Pontificia sic abripuerat, ut cam, quod Lutherano dogmate tingi credere­tur, solennitatibus illis usitatis decorare ad tem­pus procacissimè recusaverint. Vide plura ibid. p. 179. Tot magnatibus in Anglia tempore Reginae Mariae deficientibus, animosè perstitere Elizabetha postea Regina, & Johanna Graia. Voet. Sel. Theol. Disputat. part. 3.

Her time produced a world of refined [Page 190] wits and excellent spirits, who honoured Poesie with their pens and practice, Edua [...]d Earl of Oxford, the Lord [...] H [...]nry Lord Pa [...]et, our Phaenix the No le S [...] Ph [...]ip Sidney, Mr. Edward Dyer, Mr. E [...]m [...]nd Spenser, Mr. Samuel Daniel, with sundry others. Peach [...]ms compleat Gentleman. c. 10.

Those were the ablest, and most accom­plished, that were tutored by both for­tunes. Such was with us, King Henry the seventh; and with the French, Lewis the twelfth, She wrote then Tanquam ovis, as a sheep to the slaughter. He was a bold Preacher who afterwards told her, she was now Tanquam indomita juven­ca. This was Mr. De [...]ring. They present­ing to her the Bible in En­glish at the lit­tle Conduit in Cheap [...]ide, she answered, I thank the City for this gift a­bove all the rest, it is a Book which I will of­ten and often read over. the former of which excelled in prudence, the other in justice During the Raign of her brother, her estate was most prosperous and flourishing; during the Raign of her sister, very tempestuous and full of hazard.

2. She was indeed the Queen of Hearts, beloved by her Subjects at home, and ho­noured by forraign Princes. She came to the Crown with the love of her Subjects, and while she possessed it, they continued their love to her. She was received very lovingly by the City of London the day be­fore her Coronation, as appeared by the Assembly, prayers, wishes, welcomings, cryes, and all other signs, which argue a wonderfull earnest love of most obedient Subjects toward their Soveraign.

In her short progresses what flocking would there be of all sorts of people to see [Page 191] her? She delighted much in the love of her people. What gentle lan­guage would she use to them? What cordiall pray­ers would she make for them? and what hearty acclamations would they utter to her, God save the Queen Eliza­beth.

It is a sign of a happy Raign, (saith Iohn de Serres in Henry the fourth) when the Subject rejoyceth to see his King.

She would usually reply, God bless you my people all. Her speech to the children of Christs Hospitall as she rode through Fleet-street was, We are Orphans all, Let me enjoy your prayers, and you shall be sure of my assist­ance. Engl. Elizab. p. 186.

In her speech to her last Parliament the third of November 1601, she hath this passage.

To be a King, and wear a Crown, is a thing more glorious to them that see it, then it is pleasant to them that bear it. Though you have had and may have many mightier and wiser Princes sitting in this Seat, yet you never had nor shall have any that will love you better. See more there.

She had an extraordinary Majesty of aspect, joyned with a sweetness, a most happy and constant healthfulness of body.

Illud sane non indignum memoratu, quod tota vitae tempore valuit pancraticè. Adolphi à Dans vita Elizabethae.

She was, and was so reputed by stran­gers of all the Princes of her time, Speeds Chron. the most exact observer (both for action and cere­mony) of true Regall deportment and magnificence.

[Page 192] She was pious and constant in Religion. Surely, Surely, a Prince so high in the favour of God, and so mighty with men, so blessed with dayes, and prosperous in her Raign, so beloved at home, and so dread abroad, so absolute for blessings, and so admired for Government, was never seen in England. William Leighs Queen Elizabeth paraleld, second Sermon. He paralels he there in her princely vertues with David, Ioshua, and Hezekiah. 1. With David in her afflictions to build the Church. First Serm [...]. 2. With Io­shua in her puis [...]nce, to p [...]otect the Church. Second Sermon. 3. With He­zekiah in her piety, to reform the Church. Third Sermon.

She was very frequent in the reading of the Scriptures, and writings of the Fathers, especially of St. Augustine. She compo­sed certain prayers her self upon emergent occasions. Whensoever she named God, though it were in common discourse, she would for the most part adde the title of Maker, saying, God my Maker, and com­pose both her eyes and countenance to a sub­misness and reverence.

Although she found the Romish Religion confirmed in her sisters dayes, Her Motto was Semper ea­dem by Act of Parliament, and established by all strong and potent meanes that could be devised, It Plutarch were alive to write lives by paralels, it would trouble him both for vertue and fortune, to find for her a para­lel amongst women. Sir Francis Bacon the Lord Chancellour Elsmere. She was the happy instrment of God to promote the Protestant Religion in all parts. May his History of the Par­liament of England. l. 1. c. 1. See more there. and that all those which had any Authori­ty, or bare Office in the State, had sub­scribed to it; yet because she saw it was not agreeable to the Word of God, nor to the Primitive purity, nor to her own con­science, she did with a great deal of cou­rage, and with the assistance of very few▪ persons, quite expell, and abolish it.

[Page 193] Within the compass of one year, she did so establish and settle all matters belonging to the Church, as she departed not one hairs breadth from them, to the end of her life.

In the years of her life she went beyond all her predecessors since the Conquest, and in the length of her Raign, she exceeded all but only two, Henry the third, and Ed­ward the third.

There was almost no memorable Act in Christendome, for the space of forty years of her time, wherein she had not some part of Princely deserving. Levers Histo­ry of the Defenders of the Catholick faith.

Rare, in all ages, hath been the Raign of a woman: more rare the felicity of a woman, in her Raign: but most rare, a permanency and lasting, joyned with that felicity.

A great French Lady (mother to the Duke of Guise) said, that Elizabeth of Eng­land was the most glorious and happy wo­man, that ever swayed Scepter.

Her days are not to be passed over slight­ly, without one touch upon that string which so many years sounded so sweetly in our ears, without one sigh breathed forth in her sacred memory.

She was wonderfully preserved from twenty conspiracies at home; and forraign invasions.

[Page 194] She was happy in the abilities of her ser­vants, Robert Cecil, Robert Dudley Earl of Lei­cester, the Lord Howard, Ad­m [...]ral [...], Walsing­ham. What fa­mous Captains were Generall [...]Norris, Cap­tain Williams, Morgan, the noble Earl of Essex, and o­thers in land af [...]airs? Who more renown­ed than Captain Drake, Frobisher, Hawkins, Can­dish, with the [...]est in Sea tra­vails? Sir Phi­lip Sidney was her great fa­vourite. many grave Counsellors, and mar­tiall Commanders.

The Coyn was pure in her dayes, and Religion was in great purity.

She was admirable in expressing her mind both by speech and writing: and if collection could be made of her Apoph­thegmes and extemporall Orations, it would certainly excell any thing extant in that kind.

King Henry the fourth of France in a Letter to Mounsieur de Rosny, Duke of Sully, commends her

In imitation of her Father Henry the eight, she did admit none about her for Pensioners, Privy-Chamber-men, Squires of the body, Carvers, Cup-Bearers, Sew­ers, but persons of stature, strength, and birth. Her Guard, Ushers, Porters, and all attending below stairs, were of no less extraordinary size, than activity for shoot­ing, Sir Richard Ba­kers Chron. Bishop Iewel was the glory of her Raign for learning. throwing the Barre, weight, wrestl­ing.

Elizabeth was tempered to inherit her Grandsires wisdome, and her fathers spi­rit. Dr. Holiday his Survey of the world, Book eighth.

Paulet Marquess of Winchester, and Lord Treasurer, having served then four Prin­ces in a various and changeable season, that time nor any age hath yeelded the like [Page 195] president; this man being noted to grow high in her favour (as his place and experi­ence required) was questioned by an inti­mate friend of his, how he stood up for thirty years together amidst the changes and Raigns of so many Chancellours, and great Personages? Why (quoth the Marquess) Ortus sum ex salice, non ex quercu, I was made of the pliable Willow, not of the stubborn Oak. Sir Robert Nauntons Fragm. Reg.

Her clemency also was singular.

Though she was harshly used by Sir Hen­ry Beningfield, when she was prisoner at Woodstocke, yet when she came to the possession of the Crown, Grafton in Q. Mary. she never proceed­ed further, then to discharge him of the Court, which many thought was the thing that pleased him best. Cette vivacité d' esprit, ferme­tè de jugement, generuse resolu­tion aux baute [...] enterprises, es­quelles excelloit vostre Royale & Loyale soeur là brave Eliza­beth d' Angle­terre. Memoi­res de Sully. At whose departure from her presence, she used only these words, God forgive you that is past, and we do, and if we have any prisoner whom we will have hardly handled, and straightly kept, then we will send for you.

Whilest she was in her vigorous years, if at any time she were moved to declare her Successour, she would make answer, That she would never endure to see her winding sheet before her eyes.

She behaved her self so warily, as not to come within the danger of the Laws, for acting any thing in opposition unto that [Page 196] Religion which was then established. Con­cerning which there goes a Story, that when a Popish Priest had urged her very ear­nestly to declare her judgement touching the presence of Christ in the blessed Sacra­ment; she very cautelously resolved the point in these following Verses:

'Twas God the Word that spake it,
He took the bread and brake it,
And what the Word did make it,
That I believe and take it.

But all this Caution notwithstanding, her aversness from the Church of Rome, was known sufficiently not to be altered while she lived. Dr. Heylins History of Queen Elizabeth.

At her entrance to her Raign, she sent to her Agent in the Court of Spain, to repre­sent unto King Philip the second, the dear remembrance which she kept of those many humanities received from him in the time of her troubles.

Yet afterward, some of our own and some forraign W [...]iters taxe her of too much unkindness toward King Philp, to whom she had been so much obliged.

The ground of his Invasion in eighty eight, was the divers indignities he recei­ved from Queen Elizabeth, though ever since the death of Queen Mary, he forbore to do any thing that might displease her. [Page 197] During his abode in England, Multa Regis Phi [...]pi secun­di indignatio­nem s [...]m [...] adversus [...] Reginam, tant [...] quidem [...] sensu, [...]uanto pro bene­fi [...]is proque vi­ [...]a i [...]sa, quam et bis [...]t (que) de­disse rev Rex affir­mab [...]t, dum con­spirationum in­simulatam è [...]ar­cere, capitali (que) judicio liberave­rat pro b [...]s aliis que prom [...]ritis alias super alias accepisse se inde­sinenter inju [...]ias agnoscebat. Vi­derat statim ab initio Principem Orangium. as Belgarum po­pulos, consilio, pecunia, milite, ad defectionem ab illa concita­to [...] ▪ I [...]di [...]rum provincias à Draco à Conditio, ab aliis ejus emissarlis v [...]xatas ac direptas [...] regiam pecuniam interversam▪ ac naves in Anglia r [...]t [...]tas: [...]lencon [...]am sp [...]ruptiarum ia Angliam allectum, at (que) inde in Belgium ad capiendam Brabantiae coronam instructum. Stradae de bello Belgico Decas 2. l. 9. he had done her such signall and high savours, as to pre­serve her head from the Scaffold, to have her allowance enlarged, to divert her Sister from a design she had to send her beyond Sea to be a [...], and at his departure from England, he desired not to carry with him but one Ring of a hundred pound price.

He shewed no small love also in compre­hending the su [...]rend [...]y of Calais to the En­glish, in his Treaty of peace with France.

The Queen assisted Don Antonio the Ba­stard against him, about the title of Portu­gall, fomented his own naturall Subjects against him, in the revolt of the confede­rate Provinces, so far as to send a Gover­nour of her own amongst them. She gave Commissions to rob him in the Indies. She intercepted some of his treasure in her own Seas going to Flanders, and wronged some of the Hans Towns, who were under his protection. These with sundry incite­ments more, caused Philip to prepare this powerfull Fleet, to be quit with her at once for all scores. Howels History of Naples.

But it may be said in her defence, that th [...]e King of Spain did stir up the Irish against [Page 198] her, and did also encourage such Traytors, as conspired against her in England.

Sir Francis Drake (who was Captain of the Iudith with Sir Iohn Hawkins, Vide Cambde­ [...]l Annales. in the voyage of Guiny 1567) received together with him considerable dammage and inju­ries from the Spaniard, in the Port of S t Iohn D' Vll [...]a of the West Indies, contrary to pro­mise and agreement with him, and there­fore what he did against the Spaniards, was to repair himself.

At the beginning of the Netherlanders troubles, she imparted unto the King of Spain sincere advice, not to hold a heavy hand over that people, which he rejected and contemned. Her Majesty nevertheless gave not over her honourable resolution, which was, if it were possible, to reduce and reconcile those Countryes unto the obedience of the King of Spain; if not, yet to preserve them from alienating themselves to a forraign Lord: and so continued to mediate unto the King for some just and honourable capitulations of grace and ac­cord. Which course she held untill the death of the Duke of Anjou, at which time the enemy pressing them, the united Pro­vinces were received into her Majesties pro­tection: which was after the King of Spain had discovered himself an unplacable Lord to them: and also a professed enemy unto her Majesty, having already actually in­vaded [Page 199] Ireland, and designed also the invasi­on and conquest of England. Gabriel Pow­ell his refutation of an Epistle apologetically written by a Puritan Papist, to perswade the permission of the promiscuous use and profession of all sects and heresies. c. 9. p. 98.

Trading was much promoted in her time. See Purchas Pilgrim part 3, 4 c. 9 [...]ct. [...]. Reginam [...]um vixit ut sororem diligentissimè observavit. An­glos (que) pariter caeteros eximi [...] dilexit. Camd. Annal.

By her intercession the Turk gave way to the English trading in Turkie, whence the Company of Turkish Merchants.

The Great Duke of Russia also much re­spected her, and the English for her sake.

England was much adorned with build­ing in her time. Plures & nobilium & pri­vatorum villae, elegantia, laxitate, & cultu conspicuae, jam passim in Anglia surgere caep [...] ­runt, quàm alio quovis seculo, magno sanè regni ornamento, verùm hospitalis gloriae detri­mento. Camd. Annal.

She was very sparing in bestowing Ho­nours, for in twelve years she made but four Barons.

She made Westminster Abbey (famous for the Coronation and sepulture of our Kings of England, and for the keeping of the Insignia Regalia) a Collegiate Church, where there is a Dean, twelve prebends, a Schoolmaster and Usher, forty Scholars called Kings Scholars, (out of which some are chosen yearly to both Universities) Servants, Choristers, and twelve Almes­men; [Page 200] as Camden in his Annals shews.

Being near her end, An uncharita­ble Jesuit in a scandalous Li­bell, spread a­broad and pub­lished some years after Q. Elizabeths death, saith, that she died without sense or feeling of Gods mercies, and that she wished she might after her death hang a while in the air, to see what striving there would be for her King [...]dome. Camd. Eliz. transl. Preface. she declared Iames King of Scotland to be her Successor, so Camden and Du Chesne, and Iohnston in his Historia Britannica.

Sir Francis Walsingham her Secretary died poor; he left only one daughter which marri­ed Sir Philip Sidney, and after the Earl of Essex.

When she was near death, Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury came to her, and spoke much of the redemption of mankind, of the resurrection of the body, and im­mortality of the soul; to whom she an­swered with great tranquility and constan­cy, that she desired to be soon dissolved, and to be with Christ.

She having setled her Dominions in peace, died in the year 1602, the twenty fourth of March, the sixty ninth of her age, and of her Raign the forty fourth.

CHAP. XX.

IAMES the first King of Great Brittain.

THe Tudors breathing out their last in excellent Elizabeth, Stuarts take their turn by an unquestionable title.

[Page 201] 1. Iames the first of England, but sixth of Scotland.

2. Charles the first of England.

It may seem Ita repugnan­te n [...]ine, Sco­tiae Rex An­gliae possessio­nem [...], pri­m [...]s (que) intra omnem annalium memoriam Bri­tanniae totam Insulam uno im­perio complexus est. Groti hist. Belg. wonderfull, that there was no commotion at all upon the Queens de­cease, that he came to the Crown here so peaceably, without any opposition.

He caused himself to be stiled King of Great Brittain, to prevent difference be­tween the two Nations, one of which else would have preferred England in his title, One that writes Ruino­rum conspiratio, saith, Quinqus Reges ex hono­ratissima. S [...]u­artorum fami­lia, etiam eodem omnes praenomi­ne, continu [...]ase­rie invicem suc­cedentes, in ips [...] aetatis ant flore, aut vigore ex­tinctos accepe­rant: relictis semper regni haeredibus pueris aut impuneribus, qui per atatem gerendis rebus non sufficerent. and the other Scotland. The name of Brit­tain continued to be the name generally of the whole Island, but more specially of the parts of England and Wales, ever since before the invasion of the Romans. King Alfred was entituled, Governour of the Christians of all Brittain. King Edgar was stiled Monarch of all Brittain; King Hen­ry the second was entituled King of all Brit­tain. King Iohn had his Coyn stamped with this Inscription, Iohannes Rex Brito­num.

Walter sirnamed Banguho (according as his father was) returning into Scotland, fought valiantly for his King, against the Islands, Rebels, and the Savages of Scot­land. In recompence of his extraordinary vertue, he was made Great Provost and Treasurer of the houshold Royall, which the Scots signifie by the name of Stuart or Steward. He so faithfully discharged the [Page 202] trust reposed in him, Favins Thea­ter of Honour. l. 5. c. [...]. without the least reproach or wasting of the Kings Moneys, that the sirname of Stuart was imposed on him, See Dr. Heylins Geog. of the Brittish Isle. and given also to his posterity. This was the original of the Illustrious Family of Stuart. From this Walter descended that Robert Steward, who was after in right of his wife King of Scotland, See Mr. Went­worths Book before quoted. since which time there have been successively nine Soveraigns of that name in Scotand.

Margaret eldest daughter of King Henry the seventh, This Margaret was Grandmo­ther to King Iames, by his father and mo­ther. and Elizabeth his Queen, was twice married in Scot­land, first to King Iames the fourth, then to Archibald Douglas Earl of Angis; her son by the King was King Iames the fifth, our King Iames his mothers father, her daughter by the Earl was Margaret Coun­tess of Lennox, our King Iames his fathers mother.

David Bruse King of Scotland being dead without issue of his body, Ro­bert Steward his sisters son, by the gene­rall consent of all the Estates, was crown­ed King of Scotland, in the year of our Lord 1370. This family hath ever since born the Crown of Scotland, even unto this day. Grotii [...]ist. Belg.

King Iames united both the Kingdomes of England and Scotland, and testified this con­junction in the Money that was coined, [Page 203] both silver and gold with these words, Quae Deus conjuxit, nemo separet, and also, Tueatur unita Deus. The twenty shillings pieces had this Inscription, Faciam eos in gentem unam; other golden Coines had these words, Henricus rosas, regna Iacobus.

He was born in the Palace of Edinbo­rough on the nineteenth of Iuly, anno 1566, and solemnly crowned King of the Scots on the same day of the Moneth, anno 1567, and joyfully received to the Crown of England on the fourteenth of March 1602.

He had a great dexterity in discovering an imposture, See Osborn [...] Miscellanies of Es [...]ayes, Paradoxes. p. 6, 7, 8, 9. and a marvellous sagacity to discuss natural things.

He detected the forgery of Richard Hay­dock a Physitian, pretending to preach at night in his sleep, who acknowledged his forgery to the King.

It was his custome to discourse during Meals with one or more Divines, con­cerning some point of controversie in Phi­losophy.

There was a Conference or Disputation at Hampton Court before him. Dr. Reynolds at its first com­ing out, being shewed it, read it over, and bought it, say­ing, he was concerned and wronged in it.

Some of our Divines taxe Dr. Barlow Dean of Chester, for a partial Penman of that Conference. See Mr. Ley his Discourse of Disputat. concerning matters of Religi­on, c. 4. p. 46.

[Page 204] Besides the relieving by Pensions all the poorer sort, Sir Walter Rauleigh his Hist. of the World, part. 1. l. 5. c. 6. Sect. 2. See more there. he hath honoured more Mar­tial men, than all the Kings of England have done for this hundred years.

Had his Apothegmes or wise speeches (and also Queen Elizabeths) been col­lected by a skilfull hand, I suppose they would have been very usefull to the pub­lick.

There is one that hath written a Book in Latine of Favourites, where I think my Lord Car the Earle of Somerset, & the Duke of Buckingham are reckoned for the English Favourites, the later of which was in great favour both with the Father, and Son, King Iames, and King Charles. Vossius in his Preface to his Book de Arte Grammatica (if I forget not) much commends King Iames. Isaac Causabone that famous Schol­lar, was much respected and encouraged by him.

He was both a wise and learned Prince of disposition merciful and gracious, a great seeker of peace, according to that Motto which he ever used, Beati paci­fici.

In the stile of the Court he went for Great Britains Solomon; Vide Idaeam Rosae sive de Jacobi (Regis) virtutibus [...]ar­rationem. nor is it any ex­cursion beyond the precincts of verity to say, that neither Britain nor any other Kingdome whatsoever, could ever since [Page 205] Solomons dayes glory in a King (for recon­dite learning and abstruse knowledge) so near a match to Solomon as he, Quis hodie [...] vere amans, non optet ex animo, mag­nae Britanniae magnum illuns Regem, ob exi­mias doctrina [...] dotes quibus tanti neminis Majesta [...]i sempi­ternam famam circumfudit, in universals refor­matarum Ecclesiarum Concilio, ad modum magni illius Constantini, Episcopis & Pastoribus, non modo ad externi ordinio conservationem, ve [...]ùm etiam ad con­troversiarum, quae hodieagiantur definitionem, aliquando pra [...]sidere. Gers. Buc. Dissert▪ de Gubernat. Eccles. p. 115. Mr. Rush­worths Historicall Collections. 23. Iacobi. p. 161.

He was compared to Solomon in severall respects, by Bishop Williams in his Funerall Sermon on 1 King. 11. 41, 42, 43.

Archbishop Spotswood saith, he was the Solomon of this age, admired for his know­ledge of all manner of learning. Hist. of Scotland. l. 7.

His Works shew his great learning, espe­cially his Liber à Rege ad fillum con­scriptus, in quo optimus Princeps omnibus [...]umcris absolutua elegantissimè depin­gitur. [...]acre. ibtle est, quot homi [...]um animos & studis inde sibi conciliarit, & quartum sui expectationem cum admiratione apud omnes concitarit. Camdeni Annal. rerum Anglie part 4. p. 171. Basilicon Doron, or Kingly gift.

It cannot be said, how well it was ac­cepted in England, and what admiration it raised in all mens hearts of him, and of his piety and wisdome. Certain it is, that all the Discourses which came forth that time, for maintaining his right to the Crown of England, prevailed nothing so much as did that Treatise. Spotsw. Hist. of the Church of Scotland. l. 6.

Iustinians Institutes, Caesars Commenta­ries, [Page 206] [...], and [...], are prized for their Authors, as well as matter.

He had such a promptness in expr [...]ssing his mind, that his extemporall s [...]eeches were little inferiour to his premeditated writings.

His invention was as quick as his first thoughts, and his words as ready as his invention.

I' advouois franchement de n' avoir Iamais veu Prince dont la sincerité, la prudence & l' equaunimité meritast plus de gloire & de louan­ges. Que l' ayant tonsiours trouné d' un cou­rage urayement Royal & tout genereux & d' un esprit plus intelligent, plus vif, plus penetrant & plus judicieux que nul de son Conseil, I' avois aussi tonsiours passionnement desiré de terminer & conclurre avec luy les affaires & non avec eux. Memoires de Mounsier de Rosny. Duc de Sully. Tom. 2. p. 141.

He was a good Poet.

A very good Horseman.

He had such a fashion in riding, that it could not so properly be said he rid, as that his Horse carried him, for he made but lit­tle use of his bridle, and would say, a Horse never stumbled, but when he was reined.

He was a great lover of quiet, and much given to hunting, and to his Book, and wholly fixt in Warring by writings with the Church. Bentivoglio his History of [Page 207] Flanders part 3. l. 8. See his Relation of the united Provinces of Flanders c. 3.

In his apparrell and civill garb, he seem­ed naturally to affect a majestick careles­ness, in his pecuniary dispensations to his favourites, he was excessive liberall.

King Iames being invited in a hunting journey, to dine with Sir Thomas I. of Bark­shire, turning short at the corner of a Com­mon, happened near to a Countryman, sitting by the heels in the stocks, who cryed Hosanna unto his Majesty, which invited him to ask the reason of his restraint? Sir Thomas said, It was for stealing a Goose from the Common. The fellow replyed, I beseech your Majesty be judge who is the greater thief, I for stealing Geese from the Common, or his Worship for robbing the Common from the Geese? By my sale Sir (said the King to Sir Thomas) I'le not dine to day on your dishes, till you re­store the Common for the poor to feed their flocks. Which was forthwith granted to them, and the witty fellow set free.

He spake broad in the Scottish tone and dialect.

Sir Kenelme Digby (in his Discourse touching the cure of wounds by the powder of Sympathy) saith, he had a strange an­tipathy to a naked sword, of which he there ascribes the cause.

He alleadged this reason to an English Divine, wherefore the Scottish Church was [Page 208] never troubled with heresie; for if (said he) it sprang up in a Purish, there was an El­dership ito [...] suppress it; if it had escaped them, the Presbytery was ready to crush it; if the Presbytery should be negligent, than the Synod would oppose [...]it; if it had not been by them sup­pressed, the Generall Assembly would take strict order concerning it.

Philip de Mornay Lord of Plessis often complained, S [...]vent je l' oioi plaindre, que S. M. d' Angle­terre trop arreste a quelques peti­tes dissensiones entre les siens, [...]' avoitpas asses de soin de la guerison de plus profondes playes qui sont en l' Eglise. La vie de M. du Plessis l. 2. that the King of England was too much taken up with some petty diffe­rences amongst his own, but was not care­full enough to heal the deep wounds and breaches which were in the Church. Yet his sending certain select and worthy Di­vines to the Synod of Dort, to compose the unhappy differences then in the Law Coun­tries, and his causing the Bible to be tran­slated into English by judicious Divines, and set forth more exactly than formerly it had been done, were noble works.

He had two sons, Prince Henry, and King Charles, and one daughter that lived, the Lady Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia.

The order of Knight Baronets was insti­tuted by him, they must be Gentlemen of three descents, and should be worth a thousand pounds per annum, the number to be installed was not to exceed two hundred.

I may for his learning, and respect to the learned, his eloquence, and his profound questions at meals, compare him to Charles [Page 209] the Great, of whom Eginhardus de vita & gestis Caroli Magni. Inter caenandum aut aliquod acroamia, aut lectorem audiebat. Le­gebantur ei historiae, & antiquorum Regum gesta. Delectabatur & libris S. Augustini, pr [...]cipuè iis quos de civitate Dei inscripsit. Erat eloquentia copiosiu & exuberans, poterát (que), quicquid vellet apertissimè exprimere. Artes liberales studio sissimè coluit, earúm (que) doctores plurimum veneratus, magnis afficiebat honori­bus. Vide plura ibid.

The Moneth of November is memorable, The 29 of May is famous for our present Kings birth and return to London. for the seventeenth 1558, the initiation of Queen Elizabeth, in which the purity of the Gospel brake forth; and fifth in King Iames his Raign, in which the treachery of the Gospels enemies brake out.

Dr. Heylin in his Historia Quinqu-Arti­cularis c. 22. saith, it was an usuall practice with him in the whole course of his Go­vernment, to ballance one extream by the other, countenancing the Papists against the Puritan See Mr. Ga­takers Vindi­cation of the Annotat. of Ier. 10. 20. against Lilly. p. 75., and the Puritan sometimes against the Papist, that betwixt both, the true Religion and professors of it might be kept in safety. But in the Epistle of his Book to his Son, he shews what he means by Pu­ritan.

He died at Theohalds in the year 1625, Of a Feavor. the twenty seventh of March, the fifty ninth year of his age, having raigned over all Great Brittain twenty two years compleat.

CHARLES the First, the second Monarch of Great Brittain.

He was born November the nineteenth, His birth. anno Dom. 16 [...]0, at Dun-fermling in Scot­land.

He was the third son of Iames the sixth King of the Scots, and of Anne his wife, daughter of Frederick the second, and sister of Christian the fourth, Kings of Den­marke.

He was comely of person, very active, temperate, chaste, mercifull.

He was thought to be the best mark­man, and the most comely manager of a great Horse, of any one in all the three Kingdomes.

Of his lawfull descent to his Crown and Kingdomes, from all the Kings of this Nation, See Flemings Royall Progeny.

He was crowned on the second of Febru­ary at Westminster, Being about the age of twenty five years. God so loosed his tongue at his triall. that he spoke with­out the least stammering or hesitation. in the year 1626, by Dr. Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury.

He was rather slow than fluent in his words, as well by grace, as a naturall im­perfection; yet he was pithy, pathetick, and sententiou in his expressions.

What the Brittains lost to the Saxons, they to the Danes, and the Norman got from [Page 211] both, was his birth-right, Sir Franck Wortley his Character besides the King­domes of Scotland and Ireland, and Princi­pality of Wales, additions to the Normans Conquest.

Shortly after his Coronation he was mar­ried to the Lady Henrietta Maria, younger Daughter to Henry the fourth King of France, by whom he had seven Children, four Sons, and three Daughters.

He improved himself much by his tra­vels, and was generally liked in Spain.

When he was there, Archee the fool came boldly to King Iames, as he found him once in a good humour, and told him that he was come to change Caps with him. Why, said the King? Marry, sayes Archee, because thou hast sent the Prince into Spain, from whence he is never like to return. But said the King, What wilt thou say when thou seest him come back again? Marry, sayes Archee, I will then take off the fools Cap which I put up­on thy head, for sending him thither, and put it on the King of Spains, for letting him return. At which words, it is reported, that the King became exceeding pensive, never be­fore so much apprehending the danger of that adventure, Dr. Gaud [...]n in his Eccles. Aug. Suspiria. l. 3. c. 22. saith, he was stedfast and able in his judgement against Popery. as then and afterward he did.

For his being a Papist, though it be charged by some of his enemies, yet I suppose there is little ground for it, as his manifesto at the be­ginning of the English and Scotch Presbytery [Page 212] shews. Therefore Mr. Baxter in his Key for Catholicks c. 45. hath vindicated him from this aspersion.

His own Letters to the Queen taken at Naseby Letter 20. to the Queen, speaking of Religion, he saith, It is no thank to me to trust thee in any thing else but in this, which is the only thing of difference in o­pinion betwixt [...]., and his counsell to the Duke of Glocester, to obey the Queen his mother in all, but what related to Religion, suffici­ently confute this calumny.

In the year 1618, King Iames published a Declaration, tolerating sports on the Lords day. It was so much disliked, as it was soon after called in. It was after revived and ratified by King Charles. L'estrange saith, See M. Gata­kers Apologe­ticall Dis­course aginst Lillie. Harvei excreit. 64. de generat. animal. there was not any one Royall Edict, during all King Charles his Raign, resented with equall regret.

It was his custome in his youth, for re­freshing his mind, and the confirming of his health, almost every week to hunt the Harts and Does. In the three summer moneths he hunted the males, being fat and pleasant to eat; in the like space of time he hunted the females.

There was one Robert Par of Shropshire, aged 152, He as well as the Countess of Desmond (so much spoken of for her great age) is said to have lived in the Raign of Ed­ward the fourth. who lived in the Raign of ten Kings, and being brought up to London by the procurement of the Earl of Arundell, di­ed here, and lyes buried in Westminster Abbey.

Constat▪ quot generationes Carolingorum Johannes de Temporibus trisecli-senex supera­vit: & ille nuper Anglus sub▪ Edoardo 4. natus, [Page 213] sub Carolo denatus qui novem vel decem Regi­bus [...] fuit. Hornii Dissertatio de aeta­te mundi c. 6.

Never was there in this Isle a Scene of Justice more magnificent reared for any Subject, than that for the Earl of Strafford. Scaffolds were erected on either side of Westminster Hall, H. L'estrange. there the Commons sate uncovered, and in the midst of the lower ascent the Peers; behind, but raised above them, there was placed a Chair and Cloth of State for the King, on either side where­of was a close Gallery for the King, Queen, and Prince to be private, sutable to the an­cient mode.

Which triall of his, if we consider all things, the high nature of the Charge a­gainst him, the pompous Circumstances, and stately manner of the triall it self, the time that it lasted, and lastly, of what mo­ment and consequence the success of it must prove, I may safely say, that no Subject in England, and probably in Europe, ever had the like. Mr. May his History of the Parliament of England l. 1. c. 8. See more there.

Sir Thomas Roe was Chancellor of the most noble Order of the Garter, and of King Charles his Privy Councel, and severall years Embassador to the Great Mogor, Great Turk, King of Sweden, and lastly, to the Princes of the Protestant Union in Germany.

[Page 214] Iohn de Montreul a Parisian, was he, that thinking thereby to do some good office to the King of England, The History of the French Academy p. 220. negotiated that he might be put into the hands of the Scots. This unfortunate Prince (of whom he hath since given this testimony, that he never saw a man of greater spirit and more vertue) delighted often to discourse with him, and expressed a great deal of affection to him.

I learned from a friend of mine, to whom he told it himself, that he made use of a secret, which the King of England had taught him in the long conferences which they sometimes had together. Id. ib p. 221. 'Twas a certain powder, very rare, which being cast on the paper, made that which was be­fore-hand written there with a white li­quor, to appear, which without that, was wholly imperceptible.

His Majesty had a fine stroke with his pen, Boxhornius in his Metamor­phosis Anglo­rum, hath col­lected Apoph­thegmata Caro­lina. 1. Theolo­gica. 2. Moralia. 3. Politica. The Author of the Chara­cter of him mentions his severall vertues. which he practised at all times of lea­sure. By which means he became Master of a pure and elegant stile, as both his inter­cepted Letters, and those to Mr. Henderson at Newcastle in the point of Episcopacy, and his Book entituled [...], or the Pourtraiture of his Sacred Majesty in his soli­tudes and sufferings, do most clearly evi­dence. Which Book is put into Latine by D r Earle.

At King Iames his Funerall, he attended the Herse, as the chiefest mourner▪ an [Page 215] action laudable, and deserving better in­terpretation than some make of it.

He shewed great patience in his suffer­ings.

It argued a charitable temper in him, in pardoning his enemies when he died, and praying for them, and charging the Prince his eldest son to pardon them also.

He was the hundred and tenth Monarch of that line, that swayed the Scepter of Scot­land successively. Bishop Bramhall his An­swer to Militiere his Epistle.

His Works are all in two Volumes, King Iames his Works are all in one volume in Folio, both in Latine and English. Reliquiae Carolinae, and Bibliotheca Carolina.

The Arsenals, Store-houses, and Ship-docks erected by him, are so magnificent and universally usefull, that they are be­come a principall pillar of the Nations sup­port, so far as they relate to the Navall de­fence of it, and affords variety of imploy­ment, by the manufacture of Cordage, Mr. Philpots Kent surveyed and illustrated. as also by the car [...]ening and building of Ships.

The latter end of his life (by reason of the Civil broyls) was troublesome and painfull, as the Book stiled Iter Carolinum shews.

Lewis the thirteenth, the last King of France, spoke ofttimes of the troubles of Great Brittain in his sickness, and once he was over heard to say, that it was a just judgement, because his brother of England [Page 216] would have assisted his Subjects once against him. Mr. Howels Corollary to the life of Lewis the thirteenth.

In his March after Essex to the West, it hap­pened that one of his Carriages brake in a long narrow Lane, which they were to pass, and gave his Majesty a stop, at a time of a great showr of rain, which fell upon him. Some of his Courtiers and others which were near about him, offered to hew him out a way through the hedges with their swords, that he might get shelter in some of the Villages adjoyning, but he resol­ved not to forsake his Canon upon any occa­sion: At which when some about him seem­ed to admire & marvel at the patience which he shewed in that extremity, his Majesty lift­ing up his Hat made answer, That as God had given him affliction to exercise his patience, so he had given him patience to [...]ear his afflictions. Mr. Fords Panegyrick on King Charles the first.

Let his Conference with the Marquess of Worcester, See M. S. [...]ords Loyall [...]ub­jects Indigna­tion for his R [...]vall S [...]ve­ra [...]gn [...] D [...]col [...]. the Papers which passed betwixt his Majesty and Master Henderson, and those others with the Ministers in the Isle of Weight, testifie how great a Master he was of reason, how well read in the Fathers, the Councels Ecclesiasticall History, and the customes of the Church in all ages. Id. ib.

He made an admirable Anagram of him­self, the day before his death, Carolus Rex; Cras ero lux. Id. ib.

[Page 217] His death (saith the Author of the Addi­tions to Bakers Chronicle) was strange and unparalleld. Primus Refor­matus à Refor­matis, & à suis subjectis. Sal­maqi ad milito­rum responsio. We may read (saith he) of many Kings who came to violent ends, but never any that was so formally and solemnly first tryed for his life, and then judicial­ly executed in publick by his own Sub­jects.

Mr. Love in his Vindication of the Lon­don-Ministers, D. Cornelius Burgess preach­ed against it on Amos 5. 13. Dr. Gauden protested also against it. I have heard that four French Divines, Bo­chart, Amyraut, Vincent, and de La [...]gly, have written against the Kings death, of which some I have seen. against Price his Clerico-Clas­sicum, pag. 36. gives good reasons against putting the King to death, and saith, He was the first Protestant King in the world, so put to death by his own Subjects. pag. 55. he saith, He could produce multitudes of Protestant Di­vines, against the cutting off the Head of our King in particular, as the Ministers beyond the Seas, the Ministers of Scotland, the Mini­sters of Essex and Lancashire, and of many other places of the Kingdome, besides the Lon­don- Ministers, who unanimously declared their abhorrency of that horrid fact, of taking away the life of the King. pag. 59. he saith, That there is no president in all the Scripture, The Princess of Tureine, Da­illé, Gachens, and Grelin [...]court, have also written against it. that the Sanhedrim of the Jewes, or Rulers of Israel, did ever judicially arraign and put to death any of the Kings of Judah, or Israel, though many of them were most gross Idolaters, and tyrannous Princes, who shed much innocent blood, and o [...] ­pressed the people sundry wayes.

This notwithstanding, another Divine of our own hath presumed to publish a Defence [Page 218] of the Sentence passed upon the late King.

He quotes Gen. 9. 6. Exod. 21. 12. Lev. 24. 17. Numb. 35. 30, 31, 33. Prov. 28. 17. and Mat. 26. 52. to prove the lawfulness of it.

That private person which sheddeth mans bloud wilfully, by man, that is, by the Effundi volo e­jus sanguinem per Magistra­tum scilicet vo­lo in cum ani­madverti, & e­um capito plecti lege talionis. Mercer. Vide Paul. Fag. col. lat. Translat. in loc. Magistrate (whose power is here stablished, saith Ains­worth, for killing all wilfull murtherers) shall his bloud be shed.

And this (saith Ainsworth there) ac­cordeth with the Law, Numb. 35. 29, 30. but private men may not use the sword, Mat. 26. 52. Rom. 13. 4.

I have read that place Matth. 26. 52. strongly urged by some, against Subjects taking up Arms against their Princes, but never this way before. These Scriptures (though he think them of so express a te­nour, of such a pregnant import) I con­ceive make little for the purpose he alleadg­eth them.

When I consider with my self how many of note this Divine hath written against, and what paradoxall (if not heterodoxall) tenets he hath often laboured to maintain, sometimes against the determinations of a Parliament rightly so called, I wonder at that passage of his near the conclusion of his Novice-Presbyter instructed.

The great knower of hearts, and search­er of the reins, in whose presence I write, knoweth, that if himself would be pleased [Page 219] to discharge me of the service of contra­dicting and opposing men, and dispose of me in a way of retirement, were it never so private and obscure, where I might only contest with my own weakness and errors, he should give me one of the first-born de­sires of my soul in the things of this life, in­to my bosome.

He may do well to weigh those places, Exod. 22. 28. 1 Sam. 26. 9. Prov. 24. 21. Eccles. 10. 20.

The Greek word for King, [...] quasi [...]. notes him that is the stay or foundation of the people.

He is called 1 Pet. 2. 13. the Supreme, or Superiour. The Greek word signifies one that hath above others, in matter of Autho­rity and Supremacy.

The Generals Commission, the Cove­nant, the Parliaments Declarations and Engagements both to the King and Scots, were for the preservation of the Kings person.

Even Mr. Goodwin in his Anticavallie­rism [...], and Mr. Burroughs in his Lord of Hosts, though they justified the Warre; yet they shewed their dislike of any injury to the Kings person.

I may justly vindicate the Parliament of England, from having any hand in this a­bominable action. Nunquam in te peccavit Britannia tua, sed nec in Parentem: sola col­luvies illa de formis nefariorum t [...]nebrionum haec [Page 220] cuncta execranda procudit. D. Creyghtoni Dedic [...]t. hist. Concilii Tridentini.

Some object, that every Monarch hath his power from the consent of the whole body▪ Vide Grotium de jure belli & pacis l. 1. c. 3, 4. & Camero­nem ad Rom. c. 13. v. 3. Imperii sinis u­nicus populi uti­litas. Jun. Brut. vind. contra Ty­ranui. therefore the whole body hath a power above the power of the Monarch; and to this purpose they alleadge that Max­ime, Quod asseve­rant cum à quo aliquis constitu­itur esse superio­rem constituto, verum duntaxat est in ea consti­tutione, cujus ef­fectus perpetuò pender à volun­tate constituen­tis, non etiam in e [...] quae ab initio est voluntatis, postea vero ef­fectum habet ne­cessitatis. Gro­tius de jure bel­li & pacis l. 1. c. 3. Vide plura ibid. Quicquid efficit tale est magis tale, (All Government (they say) is for the good of the governed; and Salus populi suprema lex.) That Maxime even in naturall causes is subject to divers restrictions, and it holds not in this particular; The Guardian is for his sake that is under age, yet he hath pow­er over him. Of the right interpretation of the other Maxime, Salus populi suprema lex, See Dr. Sanderson de Obligat. Consc. Prae­lect. 9, & 10. Not that Prince which is most potent over his Subjects, but that Prince which is most potent in his Subjects, is truly potent, witness that incomparable Princess of happy memory, Queen Eliza­beth. It was also our King Charles his own Golden Maxime, The peoples Liberty strengthens the Kings Prerogative, and the Kings Prerogative is to defend the peoples Li­berty.

Let us leave the Doctrine of King-killing to Mariana the Iesuite to defend, and the perpetration of such a horrid act, to Ravil­liac, and such monsters of men. Of Maria­nas Doctrine, and of the Iesuites opinion of [Page 221] the lawfulness of deposing Princes that are hereticall, See in Dr. Taylors collection of Polemicall and Morall Discourses, his Ser­mon preached upon the fifth of November on Luke 9. 54.

I shall close up all with Davids patheti­call speech, 2 Sam. 1. 20. Tell it not in Gath; publish it not in the streets of Askelo [...]: lest the daughters of the Philistims rejoyce, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

As I have severall times in the Parlia­ment, so I thought sit here, to give in my testimony against that unsound opinion, and abominable practice. Had I been sooner freed out of the Kings-head in the Strand, (where I with many other worthy Secluded Members, were confined for not going along with the rest of the House, in their intended evill designe,) I had published a Treatise a­gainst King-killing, (which I had formerly composed) before that Fatall stroake. Finis.

Errata.

PAge a line 15. read Hervord. p. 3. l. 22. Ethelbald. p. 4. margin, Histoire d' Angleterre. p. 9 l. penult. & ult. r. Aidan & p. 10. l. 4. p. 9. l. 9. r. Oswalstre. p. 16. marg. l. 10. r. nami illi argentei. & l. 11. r. pontificius quaestor. l. 11, & 12. dele qui publicé bonas artes profiterentur, quô multi doctrina clari confluérunt, docendi gratta. p. 20. marg. dele Vid Asser, &c. p. 29. l. 9. r. sica. p. 28. l. penult. r. upon a. p. 34. l. e 30. r. this. l 31. r. all. p. 44. marg. l. 20, 21. r. ipse suae. p. 51. l. 4. r. He refused. p. 61. l. 36. r. cotraderet. p. 68. marg. l. 20. dele non. p. 73. marg. l. 1. r. plerisqué. p. 81 l. 15. r. one, one, one, &c. p. 85. l. 29. r. of. p. 90. l. 21. r. Cyrus. p. 95. marg. l. ult. r. loquentem. p. 106. marg. l. 8. r. Episcopus. p. 116. m. l. 11. r. Polyd. p. 111. l. 14. r. Civilis. p. 129. l. 6. r. Westminster.

An Alphabeticall Table, expressing or pointing to the chief things contained in this Treatise.

A
  • ALfred his severall Names page 20
  • The first annointed King of England, ibid.
  • His Vertues, p. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
  • Arthur King and Prince, p. 154, 155
B
  • Bastards many of them fa­mous, p. 56
  • Benevolence by whom that Tax was devised, p. 156
  • Black Prince a valiant per­son why so called, p. 113, 115
  • Bush: Why Henry the 7 th bore the Hawthorn-Bush with the Crown in it, p. 151
C
  • Canutus, p. 42, 43, 44, 45
  • Magna Charta often con­firmed, p. 111
  • City of London gives the Dagger for its Arms, and why, p. 100
D
  • Danes long molested Eng­land, p. 37, 38, 47
E
  • Edgar, p. 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38
  • Edward the elder, p. 27
  • More Kings of England of that name than of any other name, p. 27
  • Edward the Confessor, p. 48, 49, 50, 51.
  • Edward the first, p. 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104
  • Edward the second, p. 104, to 109
  • Edward the third, p. 109, to 117
  • Edward the fourth, p. 136, to 146
  • Edward the fifth, p. 146, 147
  • Edward the sixth, from p. 170, to 178
  • Egbert, p. 15, 16
  • England five times plagued by other Nations, p. 14
  • Called so first by Ethelbald, p. 11, & 18
  • Ethelbert, p. 7, & 18
  • Ethelred, p. 10, 18, 19
  • Ethelwolfe, p. 16, 17
  • Ethelston, p. 28
G
  • [Page]The order of the Garter insti­tuted by King Edward the third, p. 115, 116
  • The King of Heralds called Garter, ordained by Henry the fifth, p. 132
  • Guild-Hall in London in what Kings raign erected, p. 128
H
  • L. Hastings a speciall judg­ment on him, p. 149
  • Harlos, whence, p. 55
  • Hengist, why so called, the first Monarch of the English, p. 4, 5
  • The Heptarchy of the Sax­ons, p. 2, 3
  • Henry the first, p. 73, to 81
  • Henry the second, p. 84, to 86
  • Henry the third, p. 94, to 98
  • Henry the fourth, p. 122, to 129
  • Henry the fifth, p. 129, to 134
  • Henry the sixth, 134, to 139
  • Henry the seventh, p. 150, to 160
  • Henry the eighth, p. 160, to 170
  • Humble King rare, p. 10
  • Humphrey Duke of Gloce­ster, learned himself and was a great Benefactor to the V­niversity of Oxford, p. 123
I
  • Queen Jane, p. 178, 179
  • Jests, witty and merry speech­es, p. 21, 29, 35, 81, 92, 158, 163, 165, 166, 167, 175, 176, 185, 188, 207, 211
  • King John, p. 93, 94
  • Ironside, why so called, p. 40
  • A stout Judge, p. 124, 125, 126
K
  • Kings-Evil when first cured in England, p. 51
  • King of Heralds ordained by whom, p. 132
L
  • Laws, the best made in the time of Richard the second and Henry the seventh, p. 148, 155, 956
M
  • Queen Mary, p. 179, to 183
  • Murder punished remarkably, p. 149, 150
N
  • Neote, me of the first Divini­ty-Readers in Oxford, p. 17
  • Normans what, p. 53. We re­received
  • [Page] our Laws and names of sports from them, ib. p. 54
O
  • Offa first gave the Peter-pence to Rome, p. 12
  • Offas Church, aud Offas Ditch. ib.
  • Oswald, p. 9
  • Oswy, ib. p. 9, 10
P
  • Parliament, the first in the raign of Edward the third, p. 111
  • Parliamentum bonum, ib. Parlia­mentum indoctorum, p. 122. Insa­num Parliamentum, p. 96
  • Plantagenet, whence, p. 84
Q
  • Vertuous Queens, p. 98, 178, 179, 183, to 200
R
  • Richard the first, p. 89. 90, 91, 92
  • Richard the second, p. 117, to 122
  • Richard the third, p. 146, to 150
  • Rosamand what it signifies, p. 86, 87
  • The comely riding of women when it began in England, p. 120
S
  • Saxons a warlike people, p. 12. They gave names to many Cities, Towns, Rivers, Woods, Fields in Engl. ib. Why Saxon Princes had their Name from a Horse, and gave a Horse for their Escucheon, p. 4, 5
  • Schola Salernitana, dedicated to Robert Son to William the Con­queror, p. 67, 68
  • Stephen, p. 82, 83
  • Stuart, whence, p. 200
T
  • Thong Castle, why so called, p. 4
  • Tudors why so called, p. 150, 151
V
  • Great Victory of the English over the French, p 112, 113
  • University Colledge in Oxford, founded by King Alfred, p. 22.
  • There are his Armes in the Hall, p. 25
W
  • Earle of Warwick, a person of great power in Edward the fourths reign. p. 200
  • Women, whether the Rule of Wo­men be lawfull, p 179
  • William the first, p. 54, to 66
  • William the second, p. 66, to 73
  • Wolves how destroyed in England, p. 34.
  • Wicklef in the Reign of Edw. the third, p. 116
Y
  • Yeomen of the Guard instituted by Henry the seventh, p. 151
FINIS.

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