A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government

was created Earl of Kildare and B • ron of Ophelley, and not long after Sir Anthony Brown Master of the Horse, was created Viscount Mountag •• .

It is scarce worth remembering, that in the end of this fir •• year of • he Queens reign • , one Elizabeth Cro • t, a wench of eighteen years old, was by pr • ctice put into a Wall, and thereupon called the Spirit in the Wall, who with a whistle made for the purpose, whistled out many seditious words against the Queen, the Prince of Spain, the Mass, Confession, and such other Points; for which she did Penance, standing upon a skaffold at Paul's Cro •• e all the Sermon time, where she made open confession of her fault.

There had been good store of Laymens blood shed already, and now the times is coming to have Clergy men's shed, and for a preparative to it, on the tenth of April, Cranm • r Archbishop of Canterbury, Nicholas Ridley la • e Bishop of London, and Hugh Latimer late Bishop of Worcester, are conveyed from the Tower to Oxford, there to dispure with Oxford and Cambridge men in points of Religion, but specially of the Eucharist; the Oxford men were Cole, Cha • scy, Pye, Harpsefield, Smith and Doctor Weston Prolocurour: the Cambridge men Young, Seaton, Watson, Atkinson, Fecknham and Sedgewicke: the Disputation ended, which (we may well think, as the matter was carried) went against the prisoners; on the twentieth of April they were brought again on the Stage; and then demanded, whether they would persist in their opinion, or else recant; and affirming they would persist, they were all three adjudged Heretics, and condemned to the fire; but their execution we must not look for till a year or two hence; but in the mean time we have John Rogers, the first Martyr of these time, burnt at London the fourth of February ; after whom the ninth of February, John Hooper late Bishop of Worcester, burnt at Gloucester ; after him, Robert Ferrar Bishop of Man, burnt at Carmarden ; after him John Bradford, with many others; and then the two famous men Ridley and Latimer, no less famous for their constant deaths, then their religious lives, both burnt at Oxford the sixteenth of October.

This rising of Wyat had been a Remora to the Queens marriage, and now to avoid all such obstacles hereafter, the Queen in April called a Parliament; wherein were p • opounded two things; one for confirmation of the Marriage, the other for restoration of the Popes Primacie. This latter was not assented to, but with great difficulty; for the six years reign of King Edward had spread a plantation of the Protest • nt Religion, in the hearts of many; but the Proposition for the marriage was assented to readily, but yet with the adding of some conditions, which had no • been thought of in the former Articles: First, that King Phillip should admit of no Stranger in any Office, but only Natives • secondly, that he should innovate nothing in the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom. Thirdly, that he should not carry the Queen out of the Realm, without her consent, nor any of her children without consent of the Council. Fourthly, that surviving the Quee • , he should challenge no right in the Kingdom, but suff • r it to descend to the next heir. Fifthly, that he should carry none of the Jewels of the Realm out of the Kingdom, nor suffer any Ships or Ordnance to be removed out of the Realm: and lastly, that neither directly nor indirectly, he should cause the Realm of England to be entangled with the war between Spain and France.

All things being thus agreed on, the Earl of Bedford Lord Privy Seal, the Lord Fitzwaters, and divers other Lord • and Gentlemen, are sent into Spain to fetch over Prince Phillippe, who arrived at Southampton the twentieth of July in the year 1554. and the three and twentieth came to Winchester, where the Queen met him, and the five and twentieth, the marriage between them there was openly solemnized: (the desparity of years, as in Princes, not much regarded, though he were then but seven and twenty years of age, she eight and thirty) at which time, the Emperors Ambassador being present, openly declared; that in consideration of that marriage, the Emperor had given to Prince Phillippe his son, the Kingdoms of Naples and Jerusalem ; and thereupon (the solemnity of marriage being ended) Garter King of Heralds openly in the Church, in the presence of the King, the Queen, and the Lord's both of England and Spain, solemnly proclaimed, the title and style of these two Princes, as followeth: Phillip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England, France, Naples, Jerusalem, and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, Princes of Spain and Scicily, Archdukes of Austria, Dukes of Millany, Burgandy, and Brabant, Counts of Habspurge, Flanders and Tyroll. After this the King and Queen by easy journeys came to Winsor Castle, where the King was instal'd Knight of the Garter, and the Earl of Sussex with him: The eleventh of August they removed to Richmond, the seven and twentieth to Suffolk-place in Southwark, and the next day to London (where the stately shows that were made, may well enough be conceived without relaring) from hence after four days they removed again to Richmond, where all the Lord's had leave to depart into their Countries, and indeed so many departed, that there remained not an English Lord at the Court, but the Bishop of Winchester : from Richmond they removed to Hampton-court, where the Hall door within the Court was continually kept shut, so as no man might enter unless his errand were first known, which might perhaps be the fashion of Spain, but to Englishmen seemed very strange.

About this time Cardinal Poole, sent for by the King and Queen, came over into England ; and had come sooner, but that the Emperor fearing he might prove a corrival with his son Phillip, had used means to stop his passage, but now that his Sons marriage was past, he was content to let him pass, who though he came from Rome with the great authority of a Legat • Latere, yet he would not but come privately into London, because his Attaindour was yet upon Record; an Act therefore was presently passed to take it off, and to restore him in blood; for passing of which Act, the King and Queen in person came to the Parliament house; whither a few days after, the Cardinal came himself, which was then kept in the great Chamber of Whitehall, because the Queen by reason of sickness, was not well able to go abroad; and here the King and Queen sitting under the clothe of Estate, and the Cardinal on their right hand, all the Lord's, Knights and Burgesses being present, the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellor, made a short speech unto them; signifying the presence of the Lord Cardinal, and that he was sent from the Pope as his Legate a Latere, to do a work tending to the glory of God, and the benefit of them all; which (saith he) you may better hear from his own mouth. Then the Cardinal rose up, and made a long solemn Oration, wherein he first thanked them for his restoring, by which he was enabled to be a member of their society; then exhorting them to return into the bosom of the Church, for which end he was come; not to condemn, but to reconcile; not to compel, but to call and require; and for their first work of reconcilement, requiring them to repeal and abrogate all such Laws as had formerly been made in derogation of the Catholic Religion. After which Speech, the Parliament going together, drew up a Supplication, which within two days after they presented to • he King and Queen; wherein they shown themselves to be very penitent for their former errors, and humbly desired their Majesty's to intercede for them to the Lord Cardinal and the See Apostolic, that they might be Pardoned of all they had done amiss, and be received into the bosom of the Church; being themselves most ready to abrogate all Laws prejudicial to the See of Rome. This Supplication being delivered to the Cardinal, he then gave them Absolution, in these words; We, by the Apostolic authority given unto us, by the most Holy Lord Pope Julius the third (Christ's Vicegerent on Earth) do Absolve and deliver you and every of you, with the whole Realm and Dominions thereof, from all Heresy and Schism, and from all Judgments, Censures and Paines for that cause incurred, and also We do restore you again, to the unity of our Mother the holy Church, The report hereof coming to Rome, was cause that a solemn Procession was made, for joy of the conversion of England to the Church of Rome. And now the Queen had a great desire to have King Phillip crowned, but to this the Parliament would by no means assent.

In October this second year of her reign, a rumour was spread of the Queens being with child, and so forward that she was quick; and thereupon were Lettes sent from the Lord's of the Council: to Bonner Bishop of London, that Prayers of Thanksgiving should be made in all Churches; and the Parliament it self was so credulous of it, that they entered into consideration of the education of the child, and made an Act; desiring the King (our of 〈◊〉 confidence they had in him) that if the Queen should fail, he would be pleased • o take upon him the Rule and Government of the child; but after • ll this, in June following, it came to be known, that it was but a Tympany, • r at lest the Queen so miscarried, that there came no child, nor the Queen likely ever after to have any. But howsoever, in hope of the joy that was expected; in Ianu • ry of this year, divers of the Council, as the Lord Chancellor, the Bishop of Eli, the Lord Treasurour, the Earl of Shrewsb • ry, the Controlour of the Queens house, Secretary Bourne and Sir Richard So • thwell Master of the Ordinance, were sent to the Tower, to discharge and set at liberty a great part of the Prisoners in the Tower; as • amely, the late Duke of Northumberlands sons, Ambrose, Robert and Henry, also Sir Andrew Dudley, Sir James Cro • ts, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, Sir John Rogers, Sir Nicholas Arnold, Sir George Harper, Sir Edward Warner, Sir William Sentlow, Sir Gowen Carow, William Gybbs Esquire, Cutbert Vaughan, and some others.

About this time, one William Fetherstone, a Millers son, of the age of eighteen years, named and bruted himself to be King Edward the sixth; for which being apprehended and examined, he answered as one lunatic; and thereupon was whipped at a Carts • ail, and banished into the North; but the year after, spreading abroad again, that King Edward was alive, and that he had talked with him, he was arraigned and condemned of treason, and at Tyburn hanged and quartered.

In the month of March, the Queen was taken with a fit of Devotion, and thereupon called unto her four of her Privy Council, namely, William Marquess of Winchester Lord Treasurour, Sir Robert Rochester Comptrolour, Sir William Peter Secretary, and Sir Francis Englefield Master of the Wards, and signified unto them, that it went against her conscience, to hold the Lands and Possessions as well of Monasteries and Abbeys as of other Churches, and therefore did freely relinquish them, and leave them to be disposed, as the Pope and the Lord Cardinal should think fit; and thereupon charged them to acquaint the Cardinal with this her purpose. A • d shortly after in performance hereof, John Fecknam late Dean of Paul's, was made Abbot of Westminster, and had possession delivered him, and with him fourteen Monks received the Habit at the same time: and on the twentieth of November, Sir Thomas was instituted Lord of Saint John's of Jerusalem, and was put in possession of the Lands belonging unto it. And when it was told her • that this would be a great diminution of the Revenues of her Crown; she answered, she more valued the salvation of her soul, then a thousand Crowns: a most religious speech, and enough, if there were but this, to show her to be a most pious Prince.

The fourth of September this year, King Phillip waited on with the Earl of Arundell Lord Steward, the Earl of Pembroke, the Earl of Huntingdon and others, went over to Calais, and from thence to Brussels in Brabant, to visit the Emperor his Father; who delive • ing him possession of the Low Countries, in March following he returned into England ; but then, on the sixth of July following, by reason of wars with France, he passed again over to Callic • and so into Flanders, from whence he returned not till eighteen months after; which made great muttering amongst the common people, as though he took any little occasion to be absent, for the little love he bore to the Queen.

In the third year of the Queen died Stephen Gardener Bishop of Winchester at his house in Southwarke ; of whose death it is memorable, that the same day in which Bishop Ridley and Master Latimer suffered at Oxford, he would not go to dinner till four a clock in the a • ternoone, though • gh the old Duke of Nor • olke was come to dine with him; the reason was, because he would first hear of their being burnt, and as soon as word of that was brought him, he presently said, Now let us go to Dinner; where sitting down and eating merrily, upon a sudden he fell into such extremity, that he was fain to be taken from the Table and carried to his bed, where he continued fifteen days, without voiding anything either by urine or otherwise, which caused his tsongu to swell in his mouth, and so died; after whose death, Nicholas Heath Archbishop of York was made Lord Chancellor.

And now comes the time of Archbishop Cranmer's execution, who the year before had been condemned and degraded by Commission from the Pope; after which, being by the subtlety of some, put in hope of life, out of frailty, he subscribed to a Recantation, which yet did him no good; for whether it were, that Cardinal Poole would no longer be kept from being Archbishop (which he would not be as long as he lived) or that the Queen could • ot be gotten to forget, his being the chief instrument of her Mothers di • orce; his ex • cution was resolved to be the 14. of Febr. in the same place at Oxford where Ridley and Latimer five month before had been: before the execution D • ct. •• le preached, who to make use of Cranmer's Recantation, told the people, they do well to hearken to this learned man's confession, who now at his death, and with his death would testify which was the true religion, never thinking that Cranmer would ha • e denied his former Recantation; but Cranmer being brought to the stake (contrary to expectation) acknowledged, that through frailty he had subscribed it, praying God heartily to forgive it; and now for a punishment, that hand which had done it should first suffer, and therewithal thrusting his right hand into the fire, he there held it, till it first and then his whole body was consumed; only (which was no small miracle) his heart remained whole and not once touched with the fire. The same year also, no fewer then 84. of both sexes were burnt for Religion; and it was a cruelty very far extended, that the bones of Bucer and Ph • gi •• some time before dead and buried, were taken up and publicly burnt in Cambridge. No sooner was Cranmer dead, but the very same day was Cardinal Poole made Archbishop of Canterbury.

In the fourth year of the Queen, exemplar Justice was done upon a great person; for the Lord Sturton, a man much in the Queens fa • our, as being an earnest Papist, was for a murder committed by him, arraigned and condemned, and he with four of his servants, carried to Salisbury, was there in the Market-place hanged, having this favor to be hanged in a silken halter, his servants in places near adjoining to the place where the Murder was committed.

The four and twentieth of April, Thomas Stafford second son to the Lord Stafford, with other, to the number of two & thirty persons (set on by the French King) attempted to raise Sedition against the Queen, for marrying with King Phillip, and coming out of France, arrived at Scarborough in Yorkshire, where they took the Castle, but within two days were driven out by the Ea • le of Westmorland, and then taken and arraigned: the eight and twentieth of May Stafford was beheaded on the Tower-hill, and the next day three of his associates Strelley, Bradford & Proctor were drawn from the Tower to Tyburne and there executed. The first of May Thomas Percy was first made Knight, after, Lord, and the next day was created Earl of Northumberland, to whom the Queen gave all the Lands that had been his Ancestors.

At this time the Queen entangled her self (contrary to her promise) in her husbands quarrel, sent a defiance to the French King, by Clarenti •• king at Arms; and after on the Monday in Whitsonweeke, by sound of trumpet, proclaimed open war against him in Cheapside, and other places of the City; and shortly after, caused an Army of a thousand Horse, and four thousand foo • , to be transported over, to the aid of her husband King Phillip, under the leading of the Earl of Pembroke Captain General, Sir Anthony Bro • ne Viscount Montague Lieutenant General, the Lord Gray of Wilton Lord Marshall, the Earl of Rutland General of the Horse, the Earl of Lincoln Coronel of the Foot, the Lord Ro • ert Dudley Master of the Ordnance, the Lord Thomas Howard, the Lord De la Ware, the Lord Bray, the Lord Chandowes, the • or • Ambrose Dudley, the Lord Henry Dudley, with divers Knights and Gent • ement; who joining with King Phillips Forces, they altogether • et down before S • int Quint • ns, a town of the French Kings of great importance. To the res ••• whereof, the French King sent an Army, under the leading of the Constable 〈◊〉 France, which consisted of nine hundred men at arms, with as many light 〈◊〉 , eight hundred Reystres, two and twenty Ensigns of Lancequene • s, and 〈◊〉 Ensigns of French footmen; their purpose was not to give battle, but to 〈◊〉 more succors into the Town; which the Philippians perceiving, encountered them, and in the • ight slew John of Bourbon Duk of Anghien, the Viscount of T •• rain, the Lo of Ch • denier, with many gentlemen of account; they took prisoners the Duk of Memorancy Constable of France, the Duk of Montpensyer, Duk Longuevile, the Marshall of Saint Andrew's, the Lord Lewis brother to the Duke of Mantova, the Baron of Curton, the Rhinegrave Colonel of the Almaynes, Monsieur d'Obigny, Monsieur de Biron, and many others; and then pursuing the victory, under the government of the Earl of Pembroke, on the seven and twentieth of August they took the town of Saint Qintyns ; in the assault whereof, the Lord Henry Dudley, youngest son to the Duke of Northumberland, was with a piece of great Ordnance slain, and some other of account. The saccage of the Town King Phillip gave to the English, as by whose valor chiefly it was won.

The joy was not so great for this winning of Saint Qintyns, but there will be greater sorrow presently for other losses. Many of the Garrison of Calais had been drawn from thence, for this service of Saint Quintyns, and no new supply sent, which being perceived by the French King, a Plot is laid how to surprise it, which yet was not so secretly carried, but that the Officers of Calais had intelligence thereof; who thereupon signified it to the Council of England, requiring speedy succors, without which, against so great an Army as was raisd against them, they should not be able to hold out. But whether they gave no credit to their relations, or whether they apprehended not the danger so imminent as indeed it was, they neglected to send supplies till it was too late. For the Duke of Guyse, with no less speed then Policy, took such a course that at one and the same time, he set both upon Newnambridge and also Ricebanke, (the two main Skonces for defense of the Town,) and took them both, and then fell presently to batter the Walls of the Castle it self, and that with such violence of great Ordnance, that the noise was heard to Ant • erp • , being a hundred miles of. But having made the walls assaultable, the English used this stratagem, they laid trains of Powder to blow them up, when they should offer to enter, but this stratagem succeeded not; for the French in passing the Ditch, had so wet their clothes, that dropping upon the train, the Powder would take no fire, (so all things seemed to concur against the English ) and thereupon the Castle was taken also, and with it the Town also had been taken, but that Sir Anthony Ager, with the loss of his own life and his eldest sons, valiantly defended it, and for that time repelled the French, but their numbers increased so fast upon the Town, that the Lord Wentworth the Deputy, seeing no other way of safety, demanded Parlee, where a composition was made, that the Town should presently be yielded to the French King, the lives of the Inhabitants only saved, with safe conduct to pass away, saving the Lord Deputy with fifty other, such as the Duke should name. And here to be quit with the English for their hard usage at Saint Quintins, the Duke caused Proclamation to be made, that all and every person of the Town, should bring their money, jewels and plate; to the value of a groat, and lay it down upon the high Altar of the Church; by which means an inestimable sum of treasure was there offered, enough • o enrich an Army, which had before enriched a Town: and now to make it appear how unable the Town was to hold out against so great an Army. It is said, there were in it but only five hundred soldiers of ordinary, and scarce two hundred more of able fighting men; but of other people, men, women and children four thousand and two hundred, all which were suffered to depart, saving the Lord We • tworth the Deputy, Sir Ralph Chamberlain Captain of the Castle, John Hu •• ston Captain of Ricebruke, Nicholas Alex • nder Captain of New • hambridge, Edward Grimston the Controlour, John Rogers the Surveyour, with others to the number of fifty, who were all carried prisoners into France. And thus Calais, which had been in possession of the English above two hundred years, was won from the English in eight days, which King Edward the third had not won from the French in less then a year. The Lord Wentworth was suspected, and in Queen Elizabeth's time arraigned for betraying it, was acquitted by his Peers. Calais thus won, the Duke with his Army marched to Guysnes, five miles distant, whereof was Captain the Lord Gray of Wilton, who held out the siege and batteries five or six days with so great valor and resolution, that he appeared in nothing inferior to the Enemy but in multitude, yet a • last overlaid with their numbers, and importunde by his soldiers, much again •• his own will, he made composition, that the Town and Castle should be wholly rendered, himself and all Officers remain prisoners, all other to depart with their Armor and Baggage. The Lord Gray afterward ransomed for four and twenty thousand crowns. And now the Duke of Guise considering that Guysnes would be too costly a Castle to be kept, and too dangerous a neighbor to Calais, if it should be recovered, raced it with the Bulwarks and Fortifications to the ground. Guysnes thus won, there remained nothing within the English pale, but the little Castle of Hammes, whereof was Captain the Lord Edward Dudley, who considering that though it were naturally strongly scituate, as being environed with Fens and Marshes, yet it had but little help • by Art of Fortifications, and being assured that the Duke of Guyse would speedily come upon him, he secretly in the night with all his garrison, departed into Flanders, so as the Castle was not won, but taken by the Duke of Guyse ; and with the loss of this Castle, the English lost all their footing in Terra firma, and the Kings of England all the reality of their Title in France, having nothing left but nudum nomen.

Presently after this, the French King caused the marriage between his eldest son Francis the Dolphin, and Mary Steward sole heir of James the fifth King of Scotland to be solemnized: whereupon great wars ensued soon after between England and Scotland.

Queen Mary being infinitely troubled in mind for the loss of Calais, sent presently forth her Admiral the Lord Clinton, with a Fleet of more then a hundred sail, to recover, at lest reparation in honor, by doing some exploit upon France, who not finding opportunity to set upon Brest, as he was appointed, fell upon the town of Conquest, which he took and bur • t, and also divers Villages thereabouts, and then returned. In which mean time, many great conflicts having been between King Phillip and the King of France ; at last, by mediation of the Duchess of Lorraigne, a treaty of Peace is agreed on, where all things seemed to be well accorded, but only that King Phillip by all means required restitution of Calais, to which by no means the French would assent; but whilst they stood upon these terms, it happened that first the Emperor Charles King Phillips father died, and shortly after Queen Mary, and the day after her Cardinal Poole, and shortly after Sir John Baker of Sissingherst in Kent, who had been a Privy Counselor to Henry the eight, Edward the sixth a • d Queen Mary. And so our Story hath no further relation to either War or Peace, between the two Kings of France and Spain.

THE RAIGNE OF Queen Elizabeth.

Q Ueen Mary dying on Thursday the seventeenth of November, in the Yeer 1558, her sister, the Lady Elizabeth, of the age of five and twenty years, the only surviving child of King Henry the eighth, by undoubted Right, succeeded Her in the Crown; which happened in a time of Parliament: Nicholas Heath, Arch-bishop of York, and Lord Chancellor, sent to the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower House, to repair immediately to the Lord's of the Upper House; to whom he signified, That Queen Mary was that morning dead, and therefore required their Assents to join with the Lord's in proclaiming Queen Elizabeth ; which accordingly was done, by the sound of Trumpet, first at Westminster, and after in the City of London. The Queen was then at Ha • field • from whence, on Wednesday the three and twentieth of November, she removed to the Lord North's house in the Charter-house, where she stayed till Monday the eight and twentieth of November, and then rode in her Chariot thorough London to the Tower; where she continued till the fifth of December ; and then removed by water to Somerset -House in the Strand; from whence she went to her Palace at Westminster ; and from thence, on the twelfth of January, to the Tower; and on the fourteenth of January, to Westminster, to her Coronation • where it is incredible, what Pageants and Shows were made in the City, as she passed: On Sunday the five and twentieth of January, she was Crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster, by Doctor Oglethorp, Bishop of Carlisle, with all Solemnities and Ceremonies in such case accustomed. At this time, to honor her Coronation, she conferred more Honor, then in all her life after: William Parre, degraded by Queen Mary, she made Marquess of Northampton; Edward Seymor, whose father had been Attaynted, she made Earl of Hertford; Thomas Howard, second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk, she made Viscount Bindon ; Sir Henry Carie, her Cousin German, she made Baron of Hunsdon ; and Sir Oliver St. John, she made Baron of Bletsho.

And now the Queen, though she were herself very wise, yet would not trust (and it was a great point of wisdom that she would not trust) to her own wisdom; and therefore she chose Counselors to assist her: In which number she took Nicholas Heath, Arch-bishop of York; William Pawlet, Marquess of Winchester, L. High Treasurer; Henry Fitz Alan, Earl of Arundell; Francis Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury; Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby; Will. Herbert, E. of Pembroke; Edw. L. Clinton, L. Admiral; and William L. Howard of Effingham ; Sir Thomas Cheyney ; Sir William Peter ; Sir Richard Sackvyle ; and Nicholas Wootton, Dean of Canterbury ; all which had been Counselors to Queen Mary, and were of her Religion: But then to make a counter-poise of Counselors of her own Religion, she joined with them William Parre, Marquess of Northampton; Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford ; Sir Thomas Parry ; Sir Edward Rogers ; Sir Ambrose Cave ; Sir Francis Knolles ; and Sir William Cecil, late Secretary to King Edw. the sixth; and a little after, Sir Nicholas Bacon, whom she made Keeper of the Great Seal. And having thus provided for her State at home, she seeks correspondence with Princes abroad: To the Emperor Ferdinand, she sent in Embassage Sir Tho. Chaloner ; to the King of Spain in the Low-Countries the Lord Cobham ; to the Princes of Germany Sir Henry Killigrew ; Sir Aemygill W • ad, to the Duke of Holst ; and another Ambassador to the King of Denmark. There were also Ambassadors sent to the Pope, to the State of Venice, and to the French King; with whom at this time there was a Treaty of Peace holden at Cambray, between the Kingdoms of France, England and Spain ; where for England was employed, the Earl of Arundell; Thursbey, Bishop of Eli ; and Doctor Wootton, Dean of Canterbury ; with whom, William, Lord Howard of Effingham was joined by a new Commission.

As soon as King Philip heard of the death of his wife Queen Mary, pa •• lie out of considerations of State, and partly out of affection of love, he solicited Q. Elizabeth by his Ambassador, the Earl of Feria, to joyni • Marriage with himself; which was no more for two sisters to have successively one husband, then was done before, for two brothers to have successively one wife; and for this he promised to procure a Dispensation from the Pope. To which motion the Queen, though she well knew, That to allow a Dispensation in this case to be sufficient, were to make her own Birth Illegitimate; yet to so great a Prince, and who in her sisters time had done her many favors, she would not return so blunt an Answer; but putting the Ambassadou • off for the present in modest terms: She conceived there would be no better way to take him off clean from further suit, then by bringing in an Alteration of Religion; which yet she would not do all at once, and upon the sudden (as knowing the great danger of sudden changes) but by little and little, and by degrees: as at first, she permitted only Epistles and Gospels, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Creed to be read to the People in the English Tongue; in all other matters they were to follow the Roman Rite and Custom, until order could be taken for establishing of Religion by Authority of Parliament; and a severe Proclamation was set forth, prohibiting all Points of Controversy to be meddled with: by which means, she both put the Protestants in hope, and put not Papists out of hope. Yet privately she committed the correcting of the Book of Common Prayer, set forth in the English Tongue under King Edward the sixth, to the care and diligence of Doctor Parker, Bill, May, Cox, Grindall, Whitehead, and Pilkington, Divines of great Learning; with whom she joined Sir Thomas Smith, a learned Knight: but the matter carried so closely, that it was not communicated to any, but • o the Marquess of Northampton, the Earl of Bedford, and Sir William Cecile. The two and twentieth of March, the use of the Lord's Supper in both kinds was by Parliament allowed: The four and twentieth of June, the Sacrifice of the Mass was abolished, and the Liturgy in the English Tongue established, though, as some say, but with the difference of six voices. In July the Oath of Supremacy was propounded to the Bishops and others: And in August, Images were removed out of Churches, and broken or burnt. By these degrees the Religion was changed; and yet the change, to the wonder of the world, bred no disturbance: which if it had been done at once, and on the sudden, would hardly; at least not without dangerous opposition, have been admitted.

During this time, a Parliament had been summoned to begin at Westminster, upon the fifteenth of January ; and now the Queen, for satisfaction of the people, appointed a Conference to be held, between the Prelates of the Realm; and Protestant Divines now newly returned, who had fled the Realm, in the time of Queen Mary: for the Prelates were chosen John White, Bishop of Winchester; Ralph Bayne, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield; Thomas Watson, Bishop of Lincoln ; Doctor Cole, Dean of Paul's ; Doctor Langdell, Arch-deacon of Lewis ; Doctor Harpsefield, Arch-deacon f Canterbury ; and Doctor Chadsey, Arch-deacon of Middlesex: For the Protestant side were appointed, Doctor Scory, Doctor Cox, Doctor Sands, Doctor Whitehead, Doctor Grindall, Master Horne, Master Guest, Master Elmer, and Master Jewel. The place was prepared in Westminster Church; where, besides the Disputants, were present the Lord's of the Queens Council, with other of the Nobility; as also many of the Lower House of Parliament. The Articles propounded against the Prelates, and their adherents, were these: First, That it is against the Word of God, and the Custom of the ancient Church, to use a Tongue unknown to the people, in common Prayer, and in the Administration of the Sacraments. Secondly, That every Church hath authority to appoint and change Ceremonies, and Ecclesiastical Rites, so they be to edification: Thirdly, That it cannot be proved by the Word of God, that there is in the Mass a Sacrifice Propitiatory for the living and the dead. For the manner of their Conference, it was agreed it should be performed in writing; and that the Bishops should deliver their Reasons in writing first. The last of March was the first day of their meeting; where, contrary to the Order, the Bishops brought nothing in writing; but said, They would deliver their minds only by Speech: This breaking of Order much displeased the Lord's, yet they had it granted. Then rose up Doctor Cole, and made a large Declaration concerning the first Poynt: when he had ended, the Lord's demanded if any of them had more to say; who answered, No: Then the Protestant Party exhibited a written Book; which was distinctly read by Master Horne. This done, some of the Bishops began to affirm, they had much more to say in the first Article: This again much displeased the Lord's; yet this also was granted them, to do at their next meeting on Monday next: but when Monday came, so many other differences arose between them, that the Conference broke off, and nothing was determined. But in the Parliament there was better Agreement; for there it was enacted, That Queen Elizabeth was the lawful and undoubted Queen of England ; notwithstanding a Law made by her Father King Henry the eighth, that excluded both her and her sister Mary from the Crown, seeing, though the Law be not repealed, yet it is a Principle in Law, That the Crown once gained, taketh away all defects. Also in this Parliament, First fruits and Tenths were restored to the Crown; and the Title of Supreme Head of the Church of England was confirmed to the Queen, with so universal consent, that in the Upper House none opposed these Laws, but only the Earl of Shrewsbury, and Sir Anthony Brown, Viscount Montague: and in the Lower House, only some few of Papal inclination, murmured, saying, That the Parliament was packed; and that the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Arundel, and Sir William Cecil, for their own ends, had cunningly begged voices, to make up their Party.

The Supremacy thus confirmed to the Queen, the Oath was soon after tendered to the Bishops and others; of whom, as many as refused to take it, were presently deprived of their livings. And that we may see, how inclining the Kingdom at this time was to receive the Protestant Religion; It is said, that in the whole Realm (wherein are reckoned above Nine thousand Spiritual Promotions) there were no more that refused to take the Oath, but only fourscore Parsons, fifty Prebendaries, fifteen Masters of Colleges, twelve Archdeacons, twelve Deans, six Abbots, and fourteen Bishops, (indeed all that were at that time, except Anthony Bishop of Landaff • as Nicholas Heath Archbishop of York, Edmund Boner Bishop of London, Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham, Thomas Thursby Bishop of Eli, Gilbert Bourn Bishop of Bath and Wells, John Christopherson Bishop of Chichester, John White Bishop of Winchester, Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincoln, Ralph Bayne Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, Owen Oglethorp Bishop of Carlisle, James Turbervile Bishop of Exeter, and David Pool Bishop of Peterborough: And with these Doctor Fecknam Abbot of Westminster: All which were at first committed to prison, but soon after delivered to the custody of private friends, excepting those two saucy Prelates, Lincoln and Winchester, who threatened to excommunicate the Queen. Three only, namely, Cutbert Scot Bishop of Chester, Richard Pate Bishop of Worcester, and Thomas Goldwel Bishop of Saint Assaph, changed their Religion of their own accord; as also did certain Noble Personages, namely, Henry Lord Morley, Sir Francis Englefield, and Sir Robert Peckham, (who had been Privy-Counselors to Q. Mary ) Sir Thomas Shelley, and Sir John Gage.

In the seas of the Prelates removed, were placed Protestant Bishops, as Matthew Parker was made Archbishop of Canterbury, (who was consecrated by the Imposition of the hands of three that formerly had been Bishops; namely, William Barlow of Bath and Wells, John Scory of Chichester, and Miles Coverdale of Exeter) and being consecrated himself, he afterward consecrated Edmund Grindall Bishop of London, Richard Cox Bishop of Eli, Edwyn Sands Bishop of Worcester, Rowland Merick Bishop of Bangor, Thomas Young Bishop of Saint Davyes, Nicholas Bullingham Bishop of Lincoln, John Jewel Bishop of Salisbury, Richard Davis Bishop of Saint Assaph, Edward Guest Bishop of Rochester, Gilbert Barkeley Bishop of Bath and Wells, Thomas Bentham Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, William Alley Bishop of Exceter, John Parkhurst Bishop of Norwich, Robert Horn Bishop of Winchester, Richard Cheyney Bishop of Gloucester, Edmund Scambler Bishop of Peterbo • ough, William Barlow Bishop of Chichester, John Scory Bishop of Hereford, Young Archbishop of York, James Pilkington Bishop of Durham, John Best Bishop of Carlisle, and William Downham Bishop of Chester.

Whilest these things were done in England, the Treaty of peace at Cambray continued still; Wherein King Phillip stood for the restitution of Calais to the English, as firmly as if it had been his own interest; and without it would agree to no peace with France: But when by Messages he understood, that his suit for marriage with Queen Elizabeth was rejected; and that the Protestant Religion was established in the Kingdom, he then left Queen Elizabeth, seeing she would not be his, to herself; and though he became not presently a Foe, yet he became presently less then a Friend, and forbore to do anymore good offices in that business. Queen Elizabeth thus left to herself, agreed with the French King, to conclude her own peace apart; and thereupon, Delegates on both sides were appointed to meet at Cambray: For the Queen of England were, Thursby Bishop of Eli, the Lord Williams, the Lord Howard of Effingham, Chamberlain to the Queen, and Doctor Wootton Dean of Canterbury and York: For the King of France were, Charles Cardinal of Lorraine, the first Peer of France, Annas Duke of Memorancy, James Albon Lord of Saint Andrew's, John Morvilliers Bishop of Orleans, and Claude Aubespine Secretary of the Privy Council. The Commissioners meeting, the chief point in difference, was the restitution of Calais; for which, the English Commissioners • by the Q • eens appointment, offered to remit two Millions of Crowns, that by just accompt were due from France to England; but the Queen was not more desirous to recover Calais, then the French King was to hold it: And thereupon at last, it was concluded, that Calais should remain in possession of the French fo • the term of eight years; and those expired, it should be delivered to the English, upon forfeiture of five hundred thousand Crowns • for which, hostages were given: But all this notwithstanding, though the Conditions were sealed and sworn to, and though hostages were assigned to remain in England, till one or other were performed; yet all was frustate, and came to nothing.

About this time, Henry King of France married his daughter Isabell to Phillip King of Spain, and his sister Margaret to Emmanuel Phylibert Duke of Savoy; at the solemnity of which Marriages, he would needs be a Tiltor himself; and thereupon commended the Earl of Montgomery to run against him, who unfortunately breaking his Launce upon the Kings Cuyrasse, a splinter thereof (his Beaver being somewhat open) struck him so deep in the eye, that within few days he ended his life: After whose death, Francis his son at the age of sixteen years, succeeded him in the Crown, having by the marriage of Queen Mary the Title of Scotland, and upon ground thereof laying claim to the Crown of England also, and giving the Arms of England, as properly belonging to him.

And now begins the game of Faction to be played, wherein the whole estate of Queen Elizabeth lies at stake, a game that will hold playing the most part of her Reign, and if not played well, will put her in jeoparey of losing all, seeing all about her are against her, Phillip King of Spain hath a quarrel to her, for being rejected in his suit; the King of France hath a quarrel to her in right of his wife, which is now his right. The Que • n of Scots hath a quarrel to her for detaining her Inheritance: The Pope hath a quarrel to her, for excluding his Authority: The King of Sweden hath a quarrel to her, for slighting his son in the way of marriage: And all these being against her, whom hath she of her side, but only her own Subjects, Papists yesterday, and today Protestants, who being scarce settled in their Religion, how should they be settled in their Loyalty? And not being Loyall, where can she find to cast Anchor for her safety? But it is a true saying, Nullum numen abest si sit prudentia ; Wisdom is a s • pply for all defects: And indeed, the Queen being very wise herself, and having a wise Council about her, she passed all these difficulties, though not without danger, yet with little or no hazard.

It happened (if at least it happened, and were not rather plotted of purpose) that a Reformation of Religion was pretended in Scotland; but was indeed an encroachment upon the Princes Authority; for at the preaching of John Knox, and other headstrong Ministers, not only Images and Altars were cast down and burnt, the Monasteries of Saint Andrew's, of Stone, of Stryveling, and of Lynlithew were overthrown; but it was further put into the heads of the Nobility, that it pertained to them, of their own Authority, to take away Idolatry, and by force reduce th • Prince to the prescript of Laws: Whereupon there was presently a bandying of the Lord's of Scotland, against the Queen Dowager, Regent of the Country; and in this case each of them • ought for aid; The Queen Dowager had aid out of France, the Lord's of Scotland sent for aid to the Queen of England: But this was matter for consultation; It seemed a bad Example, for a Prince to give aid to the rebellious Subjects of another Prince. On the other side, it seemed no less then impiety, not to give Ayd to the Protestants of the same Religion; but most of all it seemed plain madness, to suffer adversaries to be so near neighbors, and to let the French nestle in Scotland, who pretend Title to England: upon such like considerations, it was resolved to send them Ayd; and thereupon an Army of six thousand Foot, and twelve hundred Horse, was sent under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk, the Lord Grey of Wilton his Lieutenant General; Sir James a Crofts, Assistant to him; the Lord Scroop, L. Marshall; Sir George Howard, General of the men at Arms; Sir Henry Percy, General of the Light-horse; Thomas Huggens, Provost Marshall; Thomas Gower, Master of the Ordnance; Master William Pelham, Captain of the Pyoners; and Master Edward Randoll, Serjeant Major, and divers others. These coming into Scotland, joined with the Scottish Lord's, and set down before Leith, where passed many small skirmishes, many Batteries, and sometimes Assaults: to whom, after some time, a new supply came of above two thousand Foot; whereof were Captains, Sir Andrew Corbet, Sir Rowland Stanley, Sir Thomas Hesbith, Sir Arthur Manwaring, Sir Lawrence Smith, and others: yet with this new supply there was little more done then before; many light skirmishes, many Batteries, and sometimes Assaults; so long, till at last the young French King, finding these broils of Scotland to be too furious for him to appease, he sent to the Queen of England, desiring that Commissioners might be sent, to reconcile these differences: whereupon were dispatched into Scotland, Sir William Cecil, her principal Secretary, with Doctor Wotton, Dean of Canterbury ; who concluded a Peace between England and France, upon these Conditions, That neither the King of France, nor the Queen of Scotland, should thenceforth use the Arms or Titles of England or Ireland ; And that both the English and the French should depart out of Scotland ; And a general pardon should be enacted by Parliament, for all such as had been actors in those stirs. This Peace was scarce concluded, when Francis the young King of France died, leaving the Crown to his younger brother Charles, who was guided altogether by the Queen-Mother, and molested with the Civil dissensions between the Princes of Guise and Condé ; for whose reconcilement, the Queen sent Sir Henry Sidney, Lord President of Wales ; and shortly after an Army, under the leading of the Lord Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick ; who arriving at Newhaven, was received into the Town; which having kept eleven months, he was then constrained, by reason of a Pestilence, to surrender again upon Composition, and so returned.

About this time when the Parliament was upon dissolving; it was agreed upon by the House of Commons, to move the Queen to marry, that she might have Issue to succeed her; to which purpose, Thomas Gargrave, Speaker of the House, with some few other chosen men, had access to the Queen who humbly made the motion to her, as a thing which the Kingdom infinitely desired; seeing they could never hope to have a better Prince, then out of her loins: Whereunto the Queen answered in effect thus; That she was already married; namely, To the Kingdom of England: and behold (saith she) the Pledge of the Covenant with my husband; and therewith she held out her finger, and shown the Ring, wherewith, at the time of her Coronation, she gave herself in Wedlock to the Kingdom: and if (saith she) I keep myself to this husband, and take no other; yet I doubt not but God will send you as good Kings, as if they were born of me; forasmuch as we see by daily experience, That the Issue of the best Princes do often degenerate: And for myself, it shall be sufficient that a Marble stone declare, That a Queen having Raigned such a time, lived and died a Virgin. Indeed before this time, many Matches had been offered her: First, King Philip : and when he was out of hope of matching with her himself, he then dealt with the Emperor Ferdinand his Uncle, to commend his younger Son Charles, Duke of Austria, to her for a husband. And when this succeeded not, then John, Duke of Finland, second Son to Gustavus King of Sweden, was sent by his father, to solicit for his eldest Brother Erricus • who was honourably received, but the Match rejected. Then Adolphus Duke of Holst, Uncle to Frederick King of Denmark, came into England, upon a great hope of speeding; but the Queen bestowed upon him the Honor of the Garter, and a yearly Pension, but not herself. Then James Earl of Arran, was commended to her by the Protestants of Scotland ; but neither the man nor the motion was accepted. Of meaner Fortunes there were some at home that pleased themselves with hope of her Marriage: First, Sir William Pickering, a Gentleman of a good House, and a good Estate; but that which most commended him, was his studiousnesse of good letters, and sweet demeanour. Then Henry, Earl of Arundel, exceeding rich, but now in his declining age. Then Robert Dudley, youngest son of the Duke of Northumberland, of an excellent feature of face, and now in the flower of his age: but these might please themselves with their own conceit; but were not considerable in her apprehension: they might receive from her good Testimonies of her Princely favor; but never Pledges of Nuptiall love.

About this time the Earl of Feria (who had married the daughter of Sir William Dormer ) being denied leave of the Queen for some of his wives friends to live out of England, grew so incensed, that he made means to Pius the fourth, then Pope, to have her excommunicate, as an Heretic and Usurper: but the Pope inclining rather to save then to destroy; and knowing that gentle courses prevail more with generous minds, then roughness and violence; in most loving manner wrote unto her, exhorting her to return to the Unity of the Catholic Church; and as it is said, made her great offers, if she would hearken to his counsel; Particularly, That he would recall the Sentence pronounced against her mothers Marriage; confirm the Book of Common Prayer in English; and permit to her people the use of the Sacrament in both Kinds. But Queen Elizabeth neither terrified with the Earl of Feria 's practices, nor allured with the Popes great offers, according to her Motto, Semper Eadem, persisted constant in her resolution, To maintain that Religion, which in her conscience she was persuaded, to be most agreeable to the Word of God, and most consonant to the Primitive Church.

Whilst these grounds of Troubles are sowing in England, France, and Scotland, it is not likely that Ireland will lie fallow; though indeed it be a Country that will bring forth Troubles of itself, without sowing: but howsoever, to make the more plentiful Harvest of troubles at this time, John Oneal (whose father King Henry the eighth made Earl of Tyrone ) to prevent the punishment of a private Out-rage upon a Brother, broke into open Rebellion against the Prince: and though his attempts were maturely made frustrate by timely opposition; yet this was he that in the beginning of the Queens Raign, sowed the seeds of that trouble in Ireland ; which afterward took so deep root, that till the ending of her Raign it could never thoroughly be rooted out: though this man a year or two after came into England, and casting himself at the Queens feet, acknowledged his fault, and obtained pardon.

The Treaty of Edinburgh should by promise have been confirmed by Francis the French King while he lived: he not having done it, Queen Elizabeth requires his Dowager the Queen of Scots to confirm it: but she solicited often to it by Throgmorton the Queens Ligier in France ; made always answer, She could not do it without the counsel of her Nobility in Scotland: whereupon Queen Elizabeth suspecting that this answer was but to hold her in amuzement, while some mischief was practicing against her, sent Sir Thomas Randoll into Scotland, to persuade the Lord's there to enter into a League of mutual amity with her, and other Protestant Princes • and further, by no means to permit their Queen, now a widow, to marry again to any foreign Prince; for which she alleged many great reasons. In the mean while, the Queen of Scots, purposing to return into Scotland, sent beforehand D'Oysette a French Lord, to entreat Queen Elizabeth, that with her leave, she herself might pass by Sea into Sco • land, and D'Oysette might pass by Land. But Queen Elizabeth openly denied both the one and the other, unless she would confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh ; saying, It was no reason she should do the Queen of Scots courtesy, if the Queen of Scots would not do her right. The Queen of Scots much troubled with this answer, expostulates the matter with her Ligier Throgmorton, and much complains of the unkindness: but in the mean time providing Shipping, she loosed from Calais ; and under covert of a mist, notwithstanding that Ships were laid to intercept her, she arrived safe in Scotland ; where she entreated her subjects in so loving a manner, that she gave great contentment to the whole Kingdom; as well to the Protestant Party, as the other: and then sent Letters to Queen Elizabeth, proferring all observance and readiness to enter League with her; so she might by Authority of Parliament be declared her Successor; which was but her Right. To this Queen Elizabeth answered, That though she would no way derogate from her Right: yet she should be loath to endanger her own security, and as it were to cover her own eyes with a Grave-cloth while she was alive; but fell again to her old Admonition, requiring her to confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh : And now to show the respect she bore her, when her Unkles the Dukes D'A • male, D' Albeufe, and other Lord's of France that had brought her home, returned thorough England, she gave them most bountiful and loving entertainment.

These two Queens indeed were both of great Spirits, and both very wise; but these grew such Jealousies of State between them; (the Queen of Scots doubting lest Queen Elizabeth meant to frustrate her Succession; Queen Elizabeth doubting lest the Queen of Scots meant to prevent her succession) that it kept them more asunder in love, then they were near in blood, and was cause of many unkind passages between them: in all which, though the Queen of Scots were a very near Match to the Queen of England in the abilities of her mind; yet in the favors of Fortune she was much her inferior.

But now for all the courtesy which Q. Elizabeth shown to the Queen of Scots Unkles at their returning thorough England, yet new practices were again set on foot against her at Rome ; the Duke of Guise especially laboring to have her be Excommunicate; but Pope Pius still averse from such roughness, meant now to try the Queen another way; and thereupon sent the Abbot Martinengi • and when he might not be admitted to enter England, then caused the Bishop of Viterbo his Nuntio in France, to deal earnestly with the Queens Ligier Throgmorton, that she (as other Princes had done) would send her Orators to the Council of Trent, which he before had called. But the Queen nothing tender in this point, made peremptory answer, That a Popish Assembly she did not acknowledge to be a General Council; nor did think the Pope to have anymore Right or Power to call it, then any other Bishop. This Answer not only exasperated the Pope, but so alienated also the King of Spain 's mind from her, that he was never after so kind a friend to her as he had been; and none of her Ambassadors ever after had any great liking to be employed to him. And now at this time, as the Abbot Martinengi was the last Nuntio that ever was sent from the Pope into England, so Sir Edward Carne, now dying at Rome, was the last Ligie • that was ever sent to the Pope from the Kings of England.

And now Queen Elizabeth knowing well that she had drawn many ill willers against her State, she endeavored to strengthen it by all the means she could devise: She caused many great Ordnance of Brasse and Iron to be cast; She repaired Fortifications in the Borders of Scotland ; She increased the number of her Ships, so as England never had such a Navy before; She provided great store of Armor and Weapons out of Germany ; she caused Musters to be held, and youth to be trained in exercises of Artillery; and to please the people (whose love is the greatest strength of all) she gave leave to have Corn and Grayn transported; and called in all base Coins and Brasse Money.

It was now the Fifth year of Queen Elizabeth's Rain: when diverse great persons were called in question: Margaret Countess of Lenox, Niece to to King Henry the eight, by his eldest sister, and her husband the Earl of Lenox, for having had secret conference, by letters with the Queen of Scots, were delivered prisoners to Sir Richard Sackvile, Master of the Rolls, and with him kept a while in custody. Also Arthur Poole and his brother, whose great grand-father, was George Duke of Clarnce, brother to King Edward the fourth: Antony Fortescue, who had married their sister, and other, were arraigned, for conspiring to withdraw themselves to the Duke of Guise in France; and from thence to return with an Army into Wales ; to Declare the Queen of Scots, Queen of England ; and Arthur Poole Duke of Clearnce ; which particulars they confessed at the Barre, and were thereupon condemned to die; but had their lives spared, in regard they were of the Blood Royal. Also the Lady Katherine Grey, daughter to Henry Grey Duke of Suffolk, by the eldest daughter of Charles Brandon • having formerly been married to the Earl Pembrookes eldest son; and from him soon after lawful divorced, was some years after found to be with child by Edward Seymoure Earl of Hertford : who being at that time in France, was presently sent for; and being examined before the Archbishp of Canterbury : and affirming they were lawfully married; but not being able within a limited time to produce witnesses of their marriage; they were both committed to the Tower: where she was brought to Bed: and after by the Connivence or Corruption of their Keepers, being suffered sometimes to come together: She was with child by him again, which made the Queen more angry then before; so as Sir Edward Warner Lieutenent of the Tower was put out of his place, and the Earl was fined in the star-chamber, five thousand pounds, and kept in prison nine years after. Though in pleading of his Case; One John H • les argued; They were lawful man and wife, by virtue of their own bare Consent, without any Ecclesicsticall Ceremony. The Lady a few years after, falling through grief into a mortal Sickness, humbly desired the Queens Pardon, for having married without her knowledge, and commending her children to her clemency, died in the Tower.

At this time (the King being under Age) dissensions amongst the Peers grew hot in Erance ; of which there were two Factions; Both pretending the cause of Religion: of the One the Duke Guise, a Paipst, was Head; of the other the Prince of Condé a Protestant: but while Delirant Reges Plectunter Achiui: while these Princes are at variance, the people suffer for it: and chiefly, as being under the weaker protection, the Protestant Party: where upon Queen Elizabeth, having well learned the Lesson: Tum tua res agitur, partis cum proximus ardet • and fearing least the flaim of their dissention, might kindle a fire within her own Kingdom; sent over Sir Henry Sidney Lord Presiden of Wales into France, to endeavor by all possible means their reconcilement, which when he could not effect, (and perhaps it was never meant he should effect it, but only to see what invitations would be made to the Queen for her assistance) she thereupon, at the moan of the afflicted Protestants, sent over an Army of six thousand Soldiers, under the Conduct of the Earl of Warwick, in assistance of the Prince of Condé, and other Protestant Lord's, who delivered to him the Town of Newhaven, to hold in the King of France his name, until such time as Calais were restored: But the Prince of Condé marching to join with the English Forces, was by the Duke of Guise interrupted and taken prisoner • which had been a great disappointment to the English, but that the Duke of Colin joined with him, besieged Caen in Normandy, and took it; toge • her with Bayeux, Faleise, and Saint Lo. The French Hostages that were pledges for the payment of five hundred thousand Cowns, if Calais were not restored, were remaining still in England ; who perceiving there was like to be War with France, prepared secretly to get away; but being ready to take Shipping, were discovered, and brought back again.

In the mean while, the Prince of Condé drawn on with a hope, to marry the Queen of Scots, and to have the chief Government in France, during the Kings Minority, concluded a Peace with the King, and with the Guises ; so as now, all French, as well Protestants as Papists, required to have Newhaven delivered up: But the Earl of Warwick perceiving the • icklenesse of the French Protestants, First to make su • e to draw him into France, and now upon so slight occasion to require him to be gone, he shutteth all • rench, both Protestants and Papists, o • t of the Town, and lays hold of their Ships; the French on the other side make ready to set upon the Town, saying, They fought not now for Religion, but for their Country; wherefore it was meet that both Protestants and Papists should join their Forces, seeing they had already concluded a Peace betwixt themselves. And hereupon the Duke of Memorancy sent a Trumpeter to the Earl of Warwick, commanding him yield the Town; who making answer by Sir Hugh Pawlet, That he would never yield it without the Queens leave: he thereupon besieged the Town, and with great violence of Battery, sought to get it by force: Which Queen Elizabeth hearing, she sent a Commission to the Earl of Warwick to yield it up, if upon honorable Conditions; which soon after was accordingly done, after the English had held it eleven months; and then the Earl, without any dishonor for yielding up a Town, which the Pestilence made him no less unwilling then unable to hold, he returned into England: but that which was more doleful then the loss of Newhaven, he brought the Pestilence with him into England. The recovery of this Town not only made the French to triumph, but hereupon the Chancellor of France pronounced openly, That by this War, the English had lost all their Right to Calais, and were not to require it anymore, seeing it was one of the Conditions, That neither of the Nations should make War upon the other; which was the Point stood upon by the King of France and his mother, when Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Thomas Smith to demand Calais to be restored.

At this time there were such cross designs amongst the Princes of Christendom, that a very good Politician could hardly understand their Ayms. The Duke of Guise being slain in the Civil War, the Queen of Scots Dowry was not paid her in France, and the Scots were put off from being the Kings Guard: This exceedingly displeased the Queen of Scots: but then to please her again • and for fear lest hereupon she should apply herself to the friendship of the English, her Uncle the Cardinal of Lorraine solicits her afresh, to marry Charles Duke of Austria, offering her for her Dowry the County of Tyroll. The Queen of Scots, to make use of her Unkles fear, and perhaps to bring Queen Elizabeth into an opinion of depending upon her, acquaints her with this motion, and therein requires her advice. Queen Elizabeth not willing she should marry with any foreign Prince, persuades her to take a husband out of England, and particularly commended to her the Lord Robert Dudley (whose wife a little before had with a fall broke her neck) promising withal, that if she would marry him, she should then by Authority of Parliament, be declared her successor, in case she died without issue. But when her Unkles and the Queen-Mother were informed of this motion, they so much disdained the Marriage with Dudley, that so she would refuse that Match, and perseverein the friendship of the French, they offered to pay her the Dowry money that was behind, and to restore the Scots to all their former liberties in France. And as for the King of Spain, he had indeed a Ligier Ambassador here in England ; but rather by way of complement, and to watch advantages, then for any sincere love; which he began now to withdraw from the English, as suspecting them to intend a Trade to the West Indies.

And now the French Protestants may see what they brought upon themselves, by leaving the English at Newhaven, and by trusting to their Country-men the French Papists; for their peace was but a snare, and the Marriage of Henry of Bourbon, Prince of Navarre, with Margaret of Valois, the French Kings sister, was but a bait to entrap them; for upon the confidence of this Marriage, being drawn together into Paris, they were the readier for the slaughter; and a few days after the Marriage, which were all spent in Feasts and Masks, to make them the more secure, upon a Watch-word given, the bloody faction fell upon the Protestants, and neither spared age, nor sex, nor condition, but without mercy, and sense of humanity, slaughtered as many as they could meet with, to the number of many thousands.

It was now the sixth year of Queen Elizabeth's Raign, a year fatal for the death of many great Personages: First died William, Lord Grey of We • lon, Governor of Berwick, a man famous for his great Services in War: then William, Lord Paget, a man of as great Services in Peace; who by his great deservings, had wrought his advancement to sundry dignities, and honorable places: and though zealous in the Roman Religion, yet held by Queen Elizabeth in great estimation to his dying day: Then Henry Manors, Earl of Rutland, descended by his mother from King Edward the fourth: And lastly, Francis the Duchess of Suffolk, daughter to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, and mother to Queen Jane.

And now Queen Elizabeth finding how fickle the French Protestants had carried themselves towards her, intended to make a Peace; and to that end sent Sir Thomas Smith into France, joining Throgmorton in Commission with him; and in conclusion a Peace was agreed on; whereof, amongst other Articles, this was one, That the Hostages in England should be freed, upon the payment of six hundred thousand Crowns: and this Peace was ratified by the Oath both of the Queen of England, and the King of France.

About this time the English Merchants were hardly used both in Spain • and in the Netherlands, upon pretence of Civil differences, but indeed out of hatred to the Protestant Religion: whereupon the English removed the seat of their Trading to Embden in Freezland • but Gusman the Spanish Liegier, newly come into England, finding the great damages that the Netherlands sustained by these differences, endeavored by all means to compose them; and thereupon Viscount Montague, Nicholas Wootton, and Walter Haddon, Master of the Requests, were sent to Bruges in Flanders ; who, after many interruptions, brought the matter at last to some indifferent agreement.

It was now the seventh year of Queen Elizabeth ; when making a Progress, she went to see Cambridge ; where after she had viewed the Colleges, and been entertained with Comedies, and Scholastical Disputations, she made herself a Latin Oration, to the great encouragement of the Scholars, and then returned. Presently after her return • she made the Lord Robert Dudley Master of her Horse, first Baron of Denbigh (giving him Denbigh and all the Lands belonging to it) and then Earl of Leicester, to him, and the heirs males of his body lawfully begotten: which Honor was conferred upon him with the greatest State and Solemnity that was ever known. And now Leicester, to endear himself to the Queen of Scots, accused Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper, for being privy to the libel of Hales, who affirmed the Right of the Crown to belong to the Family of Suffolk, in case the Queen should die without Issue; and thereupon was Bacon cast into prison; till afterward, upon his purgation, and the mediation of Sir William Cecil, he was set at liberty, and restored to his place.

And now for a while we must cast our eyes upon Scotland, for that was now the Stage where all the great businesses of State were acted: Matthew Steward, Earl of Lenox, who had married Margaret Dowglas, King Henry the eighth's Niece by his eldest sister, had been kept as an Exile in England now twenty years; him the Queen of Scots invites to come into Scotland • under pretence of restoring to him his ancient Patrimony; but indeed to confer with him about a Marriage with his son the Lord Darlie, for being reputed heir to the Crown of England, next after herself; she thought by matching with his son, to strengthen her own title, and to prevent the hope of any other. Queen Elizabeth, upon suit made by his wife, gave the Earl leave to go; but soon after, suspecting what the Queen of Scots intent was in sending for him, she, to hinder the proceeding, sent Sir Thomas Rand • ll to her, to let her know, That if she proceeded in this Ma • ch, she would exceedingly wrong herself; for that it was a Match so much disliked by all the English, that she was fain to prorogue the Parliament, lest upon dislike thereof, there should something be enacted against her Right of Succession: But if she would marry the Earl of Leicester, she should then by Parliament be declared her next Heir. Hereupon, in the month of November, the Earl of Bedford, and Sir Thomas Randoll for Queen Elizabeth • the Earl of Murray and Lidington for the Queen of Scots at Barwick, entered into a Treaty concerning the Marriage with the Earl of Leicester. The English Commissioners urged the great benefits that by this Match would accrue both to the Queen of Scots herself, and to the whole Kingdom of Scotland : The Scottish on the other side, urged the great disparagement it would be to the Queen of Scots, if refusing the offers made her of divers great Princes, she should match herself with so mean a person as the Earl of Leicester. This matter held long debate, partly for that the English Commissioners were so appointed by Queen Elizabeth ; and partly for that the Scottish Commissioners had a good mind to hinder her from marrying at all; and perhaps not the least; for that the Earl of Leicester, being verily persuaded he should at last obtain Queen Elizabeth herself, by secret Letters warned the Earl of Bedford not to urge the Marriage with the Queen of Scots too far; and was thought for this cause to favor Darly under hand. The matter being in this manner protracted for two whole years together, the Queen of Scots impatient of longer delay, and being resolved in her mind what she would do • used means that the Lord Darly got leave of Queen Elizabeth to go into Scotland for three months only, under color to be put in possession of his fathers Lands (though it be strange, the Queen upon any te •• ms would let him go, if she really intended to hinder the Marriage: but such was the destiny, if there were not a plot in it) and • o in Febr • ary he came to Edinburgh ; who being a young man, of not above nineteen years of age, of a comely countenance, and most Princely Presence, the Queen of Scots as soon as she saw him, fell in love with him, yet in modesty dissembling it for the present; she sought to get a Dispens • on from Rome, because of their nearness in Consanguinity. And now, her inclination being grown so apparent, that there was no concealing it, she sent Lydington to Queen Elizabeth, desiring her consent. But she, through the suggestions of the Earl of Murray, being induced to believe that the Queen of Scots intention was, by this Marriage, to get the Crown of England, and to bring in Popery, entered into consultation with her Privy Council, what was fit to be done to hinder the Marriage; who all concluded, that these were the best ways: First, To have a Company of Souldi • rs levied for terror • ache, about the Borders towards Scotland ; then to commit to prison the Countess of Lenox, the Lord Darlies Mother; and to recall from Scotland the Earl of Lenox and his • on Darly, upon pain of the loss of all their goods in England: then that the Scots, who were known to be averse from the Marriage, should be relieved and assisted: and lastly, That Katherine Grey, with the Earl of Hertford, should be received into some grace; about whom only (it was thought) the Queen of Scots was most solicitous, as being her Rivall to the English Crown. Hereupon Sir Nicholas Throgmorton was sent to the Queen of Scots, to counsel her in the Queens name, not to proceed in this Marriage; and to show her the many inconveniences that would accrue unto her by it. But she returned answer, That the matter was too far passed to be recalled; and that Queen Elizabeth had no cause to be displeased with i • ; seeing herein she followed her advice, Not to match with • stranger, but with an English man born. Queen Elizabeth being informed of her answer, calleth home the Earl of Lenox, and the Lord D • rly his son, commanding them upon their Allegiance to return: The Father modestly by Letters excu • eth himself; the son humbly intrea • eth her not to be a hindrance to his preferment; which he vows to employ in her Majesty's Service to the uttermost of his power. And now, to make him the fitter match for her, the Queen of Scots honored him first with Knighthood; then with the Dignities of the Lord Armanack, Earl of Ross, and Duke of Rothsay ; which Dukedom by Bir • h, pertaineth to the eldest sons of the Kings of Scotland. After this, when he had not been above five months in Scotland, she married him, and with the consent of most of the Peers, declared him King. At this, the Earl of M • rray, and other whom he drew to his pa • ty extremely fretted, and fell to moving of turbulent questions, Whether it were lawful to admit a Papist King? Whether the Queen of Scots might choose a husband at her own pleasure? and whether the Peers of the Kingdom might not out of their Authority, impose one upon her? But howsoever, they raised Arms, and had disturbed the Nuptialls, but that the Queen levied an Army to encounter them; with which she pursued them so closely, that they were fain to fly into Engl •• d for protection; where Queen Elizabeth made no • cruple to receive them, seeing the Queen of Scots had received Yareby, Sta • don, and Walsh, that were fled out of England ; but the Ea • l of Murray especially, who had always been found addicted to the English. Queen Elizabeth perhaps was not much troubled at this Marriage; partly as knowing the mild disposition of the Lord Darly, and how little access of strength it brought • o • he Queen of Scots; but most of all, 〈◊〉 plain • y • eeing • here woe • ld •• ouble • 〈◊〉 in Scotland upon it; and the troubles of Scotland would be the q • i • tnes • e of England ; which, as a good Mother of her Co ••• rey, was the • ark she aimed at: yet she made • show of being offended with it; but rather to co • ceal her aim, then that • he was offended with it indeed.

At this time the Emperor Maximlian sent to Queen Elizabeth his Ambassador, Adam Smiricote, renewing the former suit for his brother Charles of Austria ; for which Marriage the Earl of Sussex was very earnest; the Earl of Leicester as much against it; so as it grew to a quarrel between them, and the Court was divided into factions about it: but the Queen, who never liked the dissensions of her Peers (though it be a Rule with some, Divide, and Raign ) made them friends, at least in countenance.

We may now leave Scotland a while, and see the Honor done at this time to Queen Elizabeth, not much inferior to the Honor done to Solomon by the Queen of Saba ; for now Cecile, the sister of Errick King of Sweden, and wife of Christopher Marquess of Baden, being great with child, came from the farthest part of the North (a long Journey) thorough Germany, of purpose to see her, for the great fame she had heard of her Wisdom: At her being here, she was delivered of a child, to whom, in requital of her kindness, Queen Elizabeth was God-mother, and named him Edward • s Fortunatus ; giving to her and her husband, besides Royal Entertainment, a yearly Pension. At this time also, for the great Fame of her wisdom, Donald mac Carty More, a great Potentate of Ireland, came and delivered up into her hands all his most ample Territories; and then receiving them again from her, to hold them to him and his Heirs males lawfully begotten; and for want of such Issue, to remain to the Crown of England. The Queen in requital, invested him with the honor of Earl of Glenkarne, and Baron of Valence ; and besides many Presents given him, paid the charges of his Journey.

It was now the eighth year of Queen Elizabeth's Raign; when Sir Nicholas Arnold, a Knight of Gloucestershire, Governing Ireland under the title of a Justice, was called home, and Sir Henry Sidney placed in • his room. And here by the way it is to be noted, That the Governors of Ireland, after it came under the English, were at first called Justices of Ireland ; afterwards, Lievtenants; and their Vice-gerents were called Deputies. Afterwards at the Princes pleasure, sometimes Deputies, sometimes Justices, and sometimes Lievtenants; which last Title, though it be of greatest honor, yet in power is in a manner but the same. Si • Henry Sidney at his coming into Ireland, found the Province of Munster in much disorder • by reason of strife between Gyrald Earl of Desmond, and Thomas Earl of Ormond: whereupon the Queen sending for the Earl of Desmond into England, ordained a new Government in that Province, appointing a President to administer Justice, together with an Assistant on the Bench; two Lawyers and a Notary: and the first President she made in this place, was Sir William Sent-leger.

And now Queen Elizabeth in a Progress went to Oxford ; where she took pleasure in viewing the Colleges, in hearing Orations, in seeing of Comedies, till the Comedy of Palemon and Arcett turned to a Tragedy, for by the fall of a wall, through the multitude of people that pressed in to see it; three men were slain. At her coming away, she made an Oration in Latin to the Scholars, a sufficient recompense for all the Orations they had made to her. And this year, was a call of seven new Serjeants at Law, who kept their Feast at Grayes Inn in Holborn.

Upon the Queens return from Oxford, the Parliament began, where they presently fell upon the m • tter of succession; and moving the Queen to marry • in which points some went so far, that they spared not to accuse the Queen, as one careless of Posterity • to defame Cecil with libels and reproaches, as if he were her Counsello •• in this matter; but above all, to curse Doctor Huic her Physician, who was thought to dissuade her from Marriage, by reason of I know not what womanish insufficiency. At last in the Upper House it was agreed, That Sir Nich • la • Bacon, Lord Keeper, their Orator, should in all their names beseech the Queen to marry; and withal, to declare a Successor in the Crown, if she should happen to die without Issue; for which he gave many reasons, declaring what mischiefs were likely to befall the Kingdom, if she should die before a Successor were designed. But in the Lower House there were some, amongst whom, were Bell and Mou • son (two Lawyers of great account) Dutton, Sir Paul Wentwort • , and other, who grew to far higher terms, disparaging the Queens Authority, and saying, That Princes were bound to design a Successor; and that in not doing it, the Queen should show herself no better then a parricide of her Country. The Queen was contented to bear with words spoken in Parliament; which spoken out of Parliament, she would never have endured: but not willing to expostulate the matter with the whole number, she commanded that thirty of the Higher House, and as many of the Lower, should appear before her, to whom she delivered her mind to this effect; That she knew what danger hangeth over a Princes head, when a Successor is once declared; she knew that even children themselves, out of a hasty desire of bearing Rule, had taken up Arms against their own fathers; and how could better conditions be expected from kindred? She had by reading observed, That Successors in a collateral Line, have seldom been declared; and that Lewis of Orleans, and Francis of Angoulesme were never declared Successors, and yet obtained the Crown without any noise. Lastly, she said, Though I have been content to let you debate the matter of Succession, yet I advise you to beware, that you be not injurious to your Princes patience. With these and the like reasons she gave so good satisfaction, that they never after troubled her with making anymore such motion. And though she consented not in plain terms to declare a Successor, yet soon after she gave some intimation of it; for one Thornton, a Reader of the Civil Law in London, who in his Lectures, called the Queen of Scots Right in question, was clapped up in prison for his labor.

In the beginning of her ninth year, Charles the ninth, King of Fr • nc • , sent his Ambassador Ramboulet into England to the Queen, with the Robes and Ornaments of the Order of S. Michael, to bestow upon which two of her Nobility she pleased; and she making choice of the Duke of Norfolk, and the Earl of Leicester, they were by Ramboulet invested with them; an Honor that had never been conferred upon any English, but only K. Henry the eighth, King Edward the sixth, and Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, though afterward prostituted almost to any, without difference.

And now to return to the Affairs of Scotland : The nineteenth of June last past, the Queen of Scots, in a happy hour, was at Edinburgh Castle dilive • ed of a Son, that was afterward James the sixth of Scotland, and the first Monarch of Great Britain ; whereof she presently sent word to Queen Elizabeth by James Melvyne ; who thereupon sent Sir Henry Killigrew to congratulate her safe deliverance, and her young son, with all demonstration of love and amity. But now the love of the Queen of Scots to her husband the Lord Darly, was not so hot at first, but it was now grown to be as cold; and she had not heaped honor on him so fast before, but now as fast she taketh them off: for where before in all public Acts, she had used to place her husbands name first, now she caused it to be placed last, and in the coining of money began to leave it quite out.

This unkindness between them was fomented by one David Rizie an Italian, whom the Queen had taken into her service, first, as a Musician, and then taking a liking to him, made him here Secretary for the French Tongue; by means whereof, he had oftentimes secret conference with her, when the King her Husband might not be admitted. This indignity the King himself, being given to his pleasures of Hunting and Hawking, resented not so much, as some Lord's that were his fri • nds; who told him plainly, That it stood not with his Honor to suffer this fellow to live. By whose instigation the King drawn to plot his death; One day, taking with him the Earl of Reuven, and other, he rushed into the Queens Chamber at her Supper time, where finding David Rizie at a Cupboord, tasting some meat that had been taken from the Table, he seized upon him, dragged him forth into an outer Chamber, and there murdered him; the Queen at that time being great with child, and like by that affright to have miscarried: But the Fact being done, the King came in to her again, assuring her there was no hurt at all intended to her Person. The man that had animated the King to do this fact, was especially the Earl Murray, of whom it is necessary to say something, because his part will be the greatest of all the Scottish Actions of this time. He was the base son of King James the fifth, and so the base brother of the Queen; made at first, Prior of Saint Andrew's: But not liking that Religious Title, he affected rather some Temporal Honor; which when the Queen, being then in France, denied him, then in an angry mood returned into Scotland, where, by the advice of Knox, whom he held for a great Patriarch, brought the matter so to pass, that in an Assembly of the States, the Religion was altered, and the French were banished out of Scotland. Yet afterward, as soon as the Queen was a Widow, he posted into France, and so insinuated with her, that she created him Earl of Murray, and promoted him to an Honorable Marriage. Being thus exalted, he returned into Scotland ; where, for the further growth of his ambitious designs, he sowed seeds of Sedition, affirming often, what a misery it was to be under the Command of a woman; and that Royalty was not to be tied to any Stock or Kindred, but to Virtue only, whether the parties were legitimaie or no; by this course making way to the Kingdom for himself. To this end, he used all the mea • s he could to keep the Queen from marrying again; which when he could not effect, he then sought ways how to make discord between her and her Husband; for which cause he had caused the King to murder Rizie. Of the foulness of which Fact, when the King had a while grew sensible, he meant to be revenged of Murray, who had counseled him to do it: which Murray understanding, prevented it with causing the like to be done to him, as will presently be seen. For the Queen having been delivered of a Son, and the day appointed for the Christening being come; where the God-fathers were Charles King of France, and Philibert Duke of Savoy ; Queen Elizabeth being requested to be God-mother, sent thither the Earl of Bedford as her Deputy, and a Font of Massy Gold for a Present, in value 1043 l. but gave him express Command, That he should not honor Darly with the Title of King. But before a month or two, after the Christening were passed, The King in a stormy and tempestuous night, was strangled in his Bed, and then cast forth into the Garden, and the house immediately blown up with Gun-powder.

The rumour of this murder being spread abroad, the common Fame laid it upon Murray and Morton, and their Confederates; Murray and Morton upon the Queen: But we must not here give ear to that which BUCHANAN writes; who to curry favor with the Earl MURRAY, lays most impudent scandals upon the Queen; whereof, before his death, he repented himself extremely. The King thus murdered, and the QUEENE left alone to herself, she is counseled to marry with some, that might be able to assist her against all her opposites: JAMES Hepburn Earl of Bothwell being then greatly in her favor, and of great eminency for his valor: And though he were the man that had acted the murder, yet is he by Murray and his confederates, commended to the Queen; to which motion, as being destitute of friends, and not knowing whom to trust; she at last consents, but upon these conditions, That above all things, respect might be had to her young Son; and that Bothwell might be legally quitted, both from the bond of his former marriage, and also of the Kings murder. Hereupon a course is plotted, by which, Bothwell is called to the Barre; and Morton being his Advocate, by the Sentence of Judges he is clearly acquitted. Upon this, he is created Duke of Orken • y, and by consent of many of the Nobility, is married to the Queen; which bred a suspicion in many, that the Queen was conscious of the murder, which was the thing that by the marriage they intended: And the suspicion once raised, they seek by all means to increase, that they may have the better color against her; and so, the very same man who had absolved Bothwell, and consented to the marriage, now takes Arms against her, as a Delinquent in both; force him to flee, and then seize upon the Queen, whom, cl • d in a very homely garment, they thrust into prison in Loch-levyn, under the custody of Murray's mother, who had been the Harlot of King James the fifth; but boasting herself to have been his lawful wife, and her son, his lawful Issue. Queen Elisabeth having at length notice hereof, sent Sir Nicholas Throgmorton into Scotland, to expostulate with the Confederates, touching this insolent usage of the Queen; and to consult, by what means she might be restored to her liberty. But Throgmorton coming into Scotland, found the Confederates in more insolent terms then had been reported; being divided in opinion, what to do with the Queen, some would have her banished perpetually, into England or France; some would have her questioned before the Judges, committed to perpetual custody, and her son proclaimed King: others, more inhumane, would have her at once deprived of Princely Authority, of life and all; and this, Knox and some other Ministers thundered out of the Pulpits. Throgmorton on the other side, alleged many passages out of the holy Scriptures, touching Obedience to the higher Powers; maintaining, That the Queen was subject to no Tribunal, but that in Heaven; That no Judge upon Earth might call her in question; That there was no Office nor Jurisdiction in Scotland, which was not derived from her Authority, and revokeable at her pleasure. They again opposed the peculiar Right of the Kingdom of Scotland; and that in extraordinary cases, they were to proceed besides order, taking up Buchanans Arguments; who in those days, by instigation of Murray, wrote that damned Dialogue, De Iure Regni apud Scotos ; wherein, against the verity of the Scottish History, he endeavors to prove, That the People have power, both to create, and to depose their King. After all their debating, all that Throgmorton could get of them, was a Writing without any Subscription, wherein they protested, They had shut up the Queen for no other intent, but to keep her apart from Bothwell, whom she loved so desperately, that to enjoy him, she regarded not all their ruins; willing him to rest satisfied with this Answer, till such time as the rest of the Peers met together. And notwithstanding all he could say, they shut up the Queen daily, in more straight custody, though with tears she besought them to deal more mildly with her, and to let her but once have a sight of her son, which would not be granted her. At last when fair persuasions would not serve to make her freely give over the Kingdom, they threatened to question her openly for incontinent living, for the Kings murder, and for Tyranny, so as through fear of death, they compelled Her, unheard, to set her hand to three Instruments; In the first whereof, she gave over the Kingdom to her young son, at that time scarce thirteen Months old: In the second, she constituted Murray Vice-Roy during the minority of her son: In the third, in case he refused the charge, these Governors were nominated; James Duke of Chasteau, Herald, Giles Spike Earl of Argile, Matthew Earl of Lenox, John Earl of Atholl, James Earl of Mo • ton, Alexander Earl of Glencarn, and John Earl of Mar. And presently she signified to Queen Elizabeth by Throgmorton, that she had made these grants by compulsion through the counsel of Throgmorton, telling her that a grant extorted from one in prison (which is a just fear) is actually void and of no effect.

Five days after the Queen had made this Resignation, James the sixth, the Queens Son, was Anointed and Crown'd King, John Knox preaching at the same time; but a Protestation was then put in by the Hamiltons, that all this ought to be no prejudice to the Duke of Chasteau Herald in his Right of succession against the Family of Lenox ; but Queen Elisabeth had forbidden Throgmorton to be at the Action, that she might not seem by the presence of her Embassador, to approve their proceeding in displacing of the Queen.

Fifteen days after this transaction, Murray himself returned ou • of France into Scotland, and within three days went to the Queen with some other of the confederates, who charged her with many crimes, and wished her if she tendered her Life and Honor, to observe these prescriptions: Not to disturb the peace of the Kingdom, nor desire to be at Liberty, not to stir up the Queen of England, or the King of France to m • le • t Scotland with any War, not to think anymore of Bothwells love, or meditate revenge upon Bothwells adversaries.

Murray being now proclaimed Regent of Scotland, he bindeth himself under his Hand and Seal to do nothing which shall concern War or Peace, the Kings Person or his marriage, or the Liberty of the Queen, without the consent of the confedera • es; and then gives Throgmorton warning by Lyding • on, not to make any further intercession for the Queens Liberty, for that he and the rest had rather run any hazard then to suffer it. Soon after he puts to death John H • pburn, Daglish, and others that were Bothwells servants, for having a hand in the murder of the King: But they (which he little expected) when they were at the Gallows, ready to die, protested before God and his holy Angels, that Bothwell had told them, that Morton and M • rray were the first authors of the murder. They freed the Queen from all suspicion, like as Bo • hwell himself being prisoner in Denmark, both living and dying, often protested with deep asse • erations, that the Queen was innocent. And fourteen years after, Morton going to execution, confessed that Bo • hwell dealt with him to consent to the murder of the King, which, when he refused utterly unless the Queen under her hand writing would allow of it; Bothwell made answer, that could not be, but the fact must be done without her knowledge.

A little before this time, upon one and the same day, died two of the Privy Council, Sir John Mason Treasurer of the Queen • Chamber, a grave and learned man, but a great Usurper and Encroacher upon Ecclesiastical Livings; and Sir Richard • ac • vile Vice-Treasurer of the Exchequer, a man both prudent and provident, and allied to the Queen by her mother An • e Bol •• . In his room succeeded Walter Mildmay, a man of wisdom and integrity; In Masons Office came Sir Francis Knowles, who married Katherine Car • e, the daughter of Mary Bolen, the Queens Mothers Sister.

It was now the year 1567. And the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth's Raign, when the Earl of Stolberg came into England from the Emperor Max • millian, to treat of the marriage of the Queen with the Archduke Charles upon which very occasion the Queen a little before had sent the E. of Sussex to the Emperor, with the Order of the Garter: But in the Treaty of marriage, there fell out so many difficulties, about Religion, maintenance of the Duke, about the Royal Title, and concerning succession, that after it had been treated of seven whole years together, it came at last to nothing, and the Duke not long after married Mary daughter to Albert the fifth Duke of Bavaria; yet both he and the Emperor continued ever after a good correspondence with the Queen.

About this time, there came from John Basil Emperor of Russia and Muscovia, Stephen Twerdic • , and Theodore P • gorella, with a Present of rich Furs of Otter, Miniver, and the like, tendering all service and obsequiousnesse to the Queen and the English. The Merchants by virtue of a Grant from Queen Mary, had combined themselves into a Society, which they called the Muscovie Company; and having large Privileges granted them from the Emperor, went thither with a Navy yearly, making a very gainful Voyage; but then it proved most gainful, when for the Queens sake they obtained at the Emperors hands, in the year 1569. That none but the English of that Company, should Traffique in the North-parts of Russia. With these Russian Ambassadors there returned into England, Anthony Ienkinson, who in his Travels had made curious Observation of Russia, set forth a Geographicall Description of it, and was the first of the English that sailed through the Caspian Sea. And this year, the 8. of June, Sir Thomas Sackvile was created Baron of Buckhurst, at Whitehall.

We have seen before, the first Act of the Queen of Scots Tragedy: Now comes in the second, having been 11 Moneths kept a prisoner; at last, by the help of George Dowglas, to whose Brother she was committed, she made escape from Loch-levyn, to Hamiltons castle; where upon the testimonies of Robert Melvyn, and others, in a meeting of a great part of the Nobility, there was drawn a sentence declaratory, That the Grant extorted from the Queen in prison, (which is Iustus metus ) was actually void from the beginning. Upon which Declaration, great multitudes • locked to her, so as within a day or two she had gotten an Army of at least six thousand; but when they joined battle with Murray, being but raw and unexpert Soldiers, they were soon defeated. In this case, the Queen sought to save herself by flight, journeying in one day threescore miles, and coming at night to the house of Maxwell Lord Heris, from thence she sent John Beton to Queen Elisabeth with a Diamond Ring, which she had fo • merly received from her, as a Pledge of mutual Amity; intimating, that she would come into England, and implore her aid, if her Subjects offered to prosecute her any further. Queen Elisabeth returned answer, that she should expect from her, in abundant manner, all loving and friendly offices. But before the Messenger was returned, she, contrary to the advice of her friends, entered into a small Bark, & with the Lord's, Heris, and Flemming, and a few others, landed at Wickinton in Cumberland, near the mouth of the River of Decwent, the seventeenth day of May; and the same day wrote Letters to the Queen in French with her own hand, the effect whereof was, That having made an escape from the the hands of her insolent and rebellious Subjects, she was now come into England, upon certain hope of her approved clemency; and therefore humbly desiring, she might forthwith be conducted to her presence. Queen Elisabeth sending Letters by Sir Francis Knolles, comforted her, and promised her aid and defense, according to the equity of her cause; but denied her access, for that she was held guilty of many crimes, giving command to have her brought to Carlisle, as a place of better safety. The Queen of Scots receiving this answer, and finding access to the Queen denied her, maketh request again by Letter, that she might have leave, both to unfold the injuries she had received, and to answer the crimes objected, in her own presence; humbly entreating her, that either she might be admitted to have conference and assistance, or else have free leave to depart out of England, to gain supply elsewhere, and not be held a prisoner in the Castle at Carlisle • for • s much as she came voluntarily into England, relying upon her love so often professed. Upon thes • Letters, Queen Elisabeth exceedingly commisera • ed her case, and could have fo • nd in her heart to admit her to her presence, but that her Counselors conceived it to be matter for consultation, what to do in this case. To detain her in England, had many mischiefs attending on it; to send her into France; as many; to send her back into Scotland, many more; so as in conclusion, the most were of opinion, to have her detained, as one taken by right of War, and not to be dismissed, till she had made satisfaction for assuming the Title of England, and for the death of Darly her husband, who was born one of the Queens Subjects. In this diversity of opinions, Queen Elisabeth out of her own judgment, sent word by Middemore, to the Regent of Scotland, that he should come himself in person, or else depute some fit persons to answer the complaints of the Queen of Scots against him and his confederates, and render sufficient reasons wherefore they had deprived her; otherwise • she would forthwith dismiss her, and with all the forces she could, settle her in her Kingdom. To this Summons, Murray obeys, and comes to York, the place appointed for this Treaty, accompanied with seven more of his intimate friends, who stood Delegates for the Infant King, namely, James Earl of Morton, Ad • m Bishop of the Ork • neys, Robert of Dunferm, Patrick Lord of Lyndsey, James Mac-gylly, and Henry • adinary ; and with these, Lydington the Secretary, and Ge • rge Buchanan. And the very same day came thither Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Ratcliff Earl of Sussex, and Sir Ralph Saedler a Privy-Counselor, appointed Commissioners for Queen Elisabeth. For the Queen of Scots, (who took it heinously, that Queen Elisabeth would not hear the caus • h • r self, but refer h • r to Subjects, being an absolute Prince, and not ty • d to their proc • edings) there appeared John Lesley Bishop of Ross, William Lord Levyng •• on, Robert Lord Boyde, Ga ••• of Kilwynnin, John G • urd • n, and James Cock • urn. Being met, Lydingto • turning himself to the Scots, in a wondrous liberty of Speech, gave them this advice, Maturely to consider, what prejudice they should draw upon themselves, by accusing th • Queen of Scots, and calling her Reputation in question publicly before the English, professed enemies of the Scottish Nation. Likewise, wha • account they shall be able to give hereof to the King, when he shall grow to • iper y •• rs, and shall see what an injury this was to the Kingdom, his Mother, and his own per • on. Wherefor • (said he) it seemeth requisite to forbear this business all • ogether, unless the Queen of England will enter into a • u • uall league of Offence and Defense, against all those, which under this pretenc • , shall go about • o molest us. Upon this Speech of his, the D • l • gates of the Que • n of Scots made Protestation, That although it pleased the Qu •• n of Scots, to have the cause between her and her disloyal Subjects, d ••• ted befo •• the English, yet she being a free Prince, and obnoxious to no earthly Prince whatsoever, did not thereby yield herself subject to th • Jurisdiction and command of any person. On the contrary, the English pro • est • d, That they did in no wise admi • that Protestation, in pr • judice to the right which the Kings of England have anciently challenged as superiou • Lord's of the Kingdom of Sco • land. The day after, the Queen of Sco • s Delegates s • t forth at large the injurious dealing of Morton, Murray, Marre, Gle • car • , 〈◊〉 , and others, against the Queen; and how they had compelled h • r, for fear of death, to resign her Crown; which therefore (they said) was of no • or •• . Murray and his confederates make answ • r, That they had done nothing, but by consent of the Peers in Parliament; and tha • in pros • cu • ing o • Bothwell, the author of the Kings murder, whom the Queen protected; and as for her resignation, • hat it was voluntarily and freely done. All this the Queen of Scots Delega • es answered and confuted, affirming in particular, That where there are 100 Earls, Bishops and Barons, (more or less) that have voices in the Parliament of Scotland, there were not in that tum • ltous assembly they speak of, above four Earls, one Bishop, an Abbot or two, and six Barons; wherefore their earnest request was, that the Q • een of England would be •• nsible of these indignities offered her; and take some course for a speedy redness. After this, some new Commissioners from Queen Elizabeth were added to the former, to some of whom, the Queen of Scots took exception; unless the French and Spanish Ambassadors might be taken in, and herself admitted into the presence of the Queen and them, publicly to defend her own innocence; and that Murray might be detained and • ited, whom she affirmed, she was able to prove to have been the chief Plotter of the murder of her husband Darley. This was held to be a just demand by the Duke of Norfolk, the Earls of Arundell, Sussex, Leicester, and the Lord Clinton: But Queen Elizabeth waxing somewhat angry, openly said, that the Queen of Scots should never want an Advocate as long as Norfolk lived: It was seen here, which is said, that the heart of the King is inscrutable; for how Queen Elizabeth stood affected in this case of the Queen of Scots, no man could well discern • she detested the insolency of her Subjects in deposing her, and yet gave no assistance to restore her. After long agitation of this business, and nothing concluded, Murray a little before his return into Scotland, slyly propounded the marriage of the Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk ; which he with a modest answer rejected as a thing full of danger. But withal, Murray the more to alienate Queen Elizabeth's mind from the Queen of Scots, gave ou • , that she had passed away to the Duke of Andyn her Right to the Crown of England, and that the transaction was confirmed at Rome; he showed Letters also which the Queen of Scots had written to some friends whom she trusted; wherein she accused the Queen for not dealing with her according to promise, and boasted of succors she expected from some others. This last clause something troubled Queen Elizabeth, neither could she conjecture from whence any such succor should come; seeing both France with the Civil Wars, and the King of Spain in the Low-countries had eno • gh to do at home. But at last it brake out, that one Robert Ridolph a Florentine under the habit of a Merchant in London, was suborned by Pope • ius the fifth, to make a secret commotion of the Papists in England against the Queen, which he performed indeed with a great deal of secrecy and much cunning; whereupon the Queen of Scots was removed from Bolton (a Castle of the Lord Scroops ) where all the neighbouring people were Papists • to Tutbury more toward the heart of the Country, under the custody of George Earl of Shrewsbury.

About this time the Guises in France, and the Duke D'Alva in the Low-countries, began to endeavor the utter extirpation of the Protestant Religion. In France the Ministers of the Gospel are commanded within a limited time to depart the Kingdom; when Queen Elizabeth forgetting the • icklenesse of the Protestants at New-haven, once again takes upon her their protection; supplies them with two hundred thousand Crowns in money, besides Munition in abundance, and with all humanity receives the French that fled into England; the rather, for that they made solemn protestation they took not up Arms against their Prince; but only stood upon their own defense. In the Low-countries likewise, the Duke D'Alva, breathing nothing but slaughter and blood; made the Dutch come flocking into England as into a Sanctuary, where with all courtesy they were received.

And here it will be fit to show how the War in the Low-countries began first, which was thus: At which time the King of Spain brought in the Spanish Inquisition • a small number of the meaner sort of people, in tumultuous manner • cast the Images out of Churches and brake • hem in pieces, and although that tumult was soon quieted, yet the King of Spain taking advantage at the rashness of a few, to charge the whole Nation with Rebellion: sent amongst them Ferdinando Alvarez, Duke D' Alva, a bloody and fierce man, (who contrary to the Ordinances and customs of the Country) took away all authority from the ordinary Courts of Justice; Erected new consistories; condemned and put to death the Peers, without trial by their lawful Judges; Placed Garrisons of Spaniards throughout all their Cities and Villages, and by force exacted the twentieth part of the fruits of the Earth, and the tenth of moveables upon every Alienation. At that time, a mighty mass of money borrowed from the Genowayes, and other Italian Merchants was sent out of Spain into the Low-countries, there to be employed to interest, which being brought by shipping, was pursued by the French; and forced to fly for succor into the Havens of England, whom the Queen commanded to be succor'd; as conceiving the money to be the King of Spain's as it was given out: But at the same time, Cardinal Odette coming out of France into England, and giving notice to the Queen that the money was not the King of Spain's, but belonged to certain merchants of Geneva; from whence the Duke D' Alva had taken it against their will, with a purpose to employ it to the ruin of the Protestants; and information also being given her by one that had a property in the money that it was so • she determined to put in security, and to borrow the money of the merchants herself, which is an usual thing with Princes when goods are taken in their Ports; and the King of Spain himself had lately done the like. The Duke D' Alva being informed of this dealing of thee Queens; by Gerard de Spese the King of Spain's Embassador in England; seizeth presently upon all the goods of the English in the Low-co • ntries, and kept the men prisoners; The Queen did the like with the Dutch merchants in England, Letters of Mart were granted on both sides, and this grew to such a quarrel between the Nations, that being nourished with other differences afterward, it brought forth in Eighty Eight, that Spanish Invasion, which is, and will be memorable in all future Ages.

Upon occasion of this Money detained, certain Peers of England, amongst whom, were the Duke of Norfolk, the Marquess of Winchester, the Earls of Arundell, Northumberland, Pembroke, Leicester, and others, Accused Sir William Cecil, for sending away money into France, making this their color, but done indeed out of envying his great favor with the Queen, and suspecting him to incline to the house of Suffolk in the matter of succession. Hereupon they consult sec • etly how to get him be imprisoned; and Throgmorton (who envied him as much as they) suggesting that if he were once clapp'd up, they might soon find out a way to crush him; But the Queen (by what means it is uncertain) coming to have notice hereof, gave a check to their purpose, and protected Cecil against their combined practices.

The Earl Murray being returned into Scotland, makes the Lord's believe that he desires a meeting at Edinbourgh, to consult about restoring the Queen to her Liberty; but as Hamilton Duke of Chasteau Herald (appointed Vicegerent of the Kingdom by the Queen) and the Lord Heris were coming thither, he circumvented them, and before any of the rest came cast them into prison; and forthwith in an open War, oppresseth all her Favourers. It may be thought, the Earl Murray could have been content, the Queen should have been set at liberty; but that he knew, her liberty could not be without his servitude; and Queen Elisabeth perhaps would willingly have had her resto • e • to her Kingdom, but that she doubted, her restoring would endanger her own security: And thus, while they regarded their own ends in the first place, and hers but in the second, she had the fortune to be pitied, but not the happiness to be relieved; and all she could do herself, was but to tie the knot of her bonds the faster; if she could have sat still, they would perhaps have loosened of themselves; but now, the more she stirred, the more she was entangled.

And now the Destiny of the Duke of Norfolk began to work: It was in every ones mouth, that the Duke should marry the Queen of Scots; and it is true, there had been motions made; but the matter not so forward, as the Voice of the People, which commonly presageth what will follow. It had been motioned to the Duke at York, by the Bishop of Ros • e; and afterward (in pretence at least.) by Murray himself at Hampton-Court; but the Duke, before he would resolve in the matter, deliberated with the Earls of Aru • dell, Northumberland, Westmorland, Sussex, Pembroke, Southampton, and Leicester himself, who all judged it fit, he should acquaint the Queen with it first, and then leave the matter to her liking. Within a few days, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton meeting the Duke in the Palace at Westminster, advised him, to move the Earl of Leicester himself to embrace the match, seeing he had formerly sued for it; but if he refused it, then at least to take him along with him, for that himself alone would hereby be able to procure the Queens consent. A day or two after, the Earl of Leicester propounded the matter to the Duke, and then communicateth it to the Earls of Arundell and Pembroke; who thereupon, together with Throgmorton, wrote Letters to the Queen of Scots, commending the Duke of Norfolk to her for a Husband; the Duke himself likewise writeth to her, tendering his singular Love and respect unto her. Upon this, Articles are drawn, written with Leicesters own hand, and sent to the Queen of Scots; to which if she consented, they then promised to procure, that Queen Elisabeth should give her assent, and that forthwith she should be reinvested in her Kingdom, and the Succession of England should be confirmed upon her. We may easily believe, the Queen of Scots was not hardly drawn to give consent to her own desire; but in the mean time, the Duke had imparted to the Lord Lumley the whole proceeding, and had much ado to get the Earl of Leicesters consent, that he might advise of it with some other of his Friends; yet a little after, he opened the matter to Cecil also. The rumour of this Marriage was soon come to the Queens ears; which the Duke understanding, he dealt earnestly with the Earl of Leicester, to have the matter propounded to the Queen out of hand. Leicester makes delays, and pretends causes to put it off • which Cecil seeing, he adviseth the Duke, to go and acquaint the Queen with it himself. This council Leicester opposed, promising to open it to the Queen as she went in Progress. At length, at Farnham, the Duke standing by as the Queen sat at Table, she gave him a tart Admonition, That he were best take heed, upon what pillow he rested his head. After this, at Tichfield, Leicester fell sick, or at least counterfeited; to whom the Queen coming, and bidding him be of good cheer; he with sighs and tears craved pardon for his fault, and unfolded to her the whole story from the very beginning. Whereupon, the Queen called the Duke into the Gallery, reproving him sharply, for going about the Marriage, without acquainting her; and commanding him, upon his Allegiance, to desist. The Duke made her a free and hearty promise of obedience, and spared not to say (as if he little regarded the Qu. of Scots) that his Revenues in England were not much less then hers in Scotland; and that when he was at his house in Norwich, he thought himself in a sort not inferior to some kings: but notwithstanding, finding the Queens anger by her countenance, and perceiving Leicester to be in a manner quite alienated, & most of the Nobility also, as scarcely saluting him when they met him, he grew extremely dejected, and prepared presently to leave the Court, meaning to stay at Norfolk, till by his friends intercession, and his own submissive Letters, the Queens heart might be mollified towards him: Mean while, the Court was suspitously fearful, lest he should raise Rebellion, and (they say) it was concluded, that if he did so, the Qu. of Scots should presently be made away. And now the Duke, who held secret commerce by Letters with the Bishop of Ross, Throgmorton and Leicester (for they were sent to and fro in bottles) being examined touching the marriage of the Qu. of Scots, and certain secret conferences with the Bishop of Ross, confessed most of the Objections, and was thereupon committed to the Tower, under the custody of Sir Henry Nevill ; within two days after the Bishop of Ross likewise is examined, and together with the Florentine Robert Ridolph, is delivered to the custody of Sir Francis Walsingham, the Earl of Pembroke is confined to his house, and examined privately; but his confession was not committed to writing; It being his request because he could not write himself. At this time, the rumor of Insurrection in the North, begun in Autumn before, grew very strong, by reason of some frequent meetings of the Earls of Northumberland, Westmorland, and others, who thereupon being upon their Allegiance sent for to repair presently to the Queen, they make delays (for they stayed waiting for supplies, both from the Scots, and from the Duke D'Alva ) when the Earl of Northumberland, doubtful what to do, was frighted of purpose by his servants, telling him, that men in Arms were near at hand to apprehend him; Who thereupon in a tempestuous night, riseth out of his bed, and in great fear gets into his Park at Topcliffe, and the night following to Branspith to the Earl of Westmerlands house, where a great many were met that were acquainted with the Enterprise: Here they brake forth into an open Rebellion, being pressed forward, by one Nicholas Morton a Romish Priest, sent by the Pope to pronounce Queen Elizabeth an Heretic; and therefore to have utterly lost all Right of Sovereignty: By and by they send forth a writing, wherein they declare that they had taken Arms for no other end, b • t that the Religion of their forefathers might be restored, wicked Counselors removed from the Queen, the Duke of Norfolk, and others of the loyal Nobility relieved, who were now in disgrace; but towards the Queen, professing themselves most dutiful Subjects; withal they send Letters to the Papists all the Kingdom over, requiring them to come to their assistance • but they were so far from joining with them, that many sent both the Letters and the bearers of them to the Queen, and afforded their aides and purposes against them; no less then the best Protestants, even the Duke of Norfolk himself was not backward in it. These Rebells go first to Durham, where th • y tear in pieces all the Bibles and Books of Common Prayer they could find in Churches of the English tongue: when they had been twelve days in Rebellion, they numbered their Army, and could not reckon above 600 horse, and 4000 foot; whereupon being certainly informed, that the E: of Sussex with 7000, and the E: of Warwick with 12, were setting out against them, they betook themselves to Rabie, the chief house of the E: of Westmerl •• d; going from thence they besieged Bernard's castle, which for lack o • provision, was yielded to them. At which time, being proclaimed Traitors and he • ring afresh of the great forces that were coming against them, th • two Earls with a small company, get presently into Scotland hard by, where the Earl of Northumberland hid himself at Harclow ; in a poor Cottage, amongst the Grayhams (famous Robbers) who afterwards betrayed him to the Earl Murray: Westmorland made a shift to get into the Low-Countries, where he had a slender Pension from the King of Spain, and there lived even to old age. Of the rest, for terror and examples sake, there were hanged at Durham, threescore and six of the chief; amongst whom, Plomtree, a noted Priest. At York were executed, Simon Digby, John Fulthrop, Thomas Bishop, Robert Penyman ; and at London a few months after, Christopher and Thomas ; and some other in other places. After this, the heads of the Rebels being convict of High Treason, were proscribed; namely, Charles, Earl of Westmorland; Thomas, Earl of Northumberland; Anne, Countess of Northumberland; Edward Dacres of Morton; John Nevill of Leversege; John Swinborn, Thomas Markenfield, Egremond Ratcliffe, brother to the Earl of Sussex; Christopher Nevill, Richard Norton, Christopher Marmaduke, Robert and Michael Tempest, George Stafford, and forty others of good account. Out of the ashes of this Rebellion, a new fire was kindled at Naworth in Cumberland, by Leonard Dacres, second son to the Lord Dacres of Gyllisland ; He was a Party with the Earls in their Rebellion; but they breaking forth sooner then he expected, and he at that time being at the Court, and there admitted to kiss the Queens hand, tendered his service to go against them; and to that purpose, was sent home: but in his Journey (branding himself with a double disloyalty) he consulted with the Rebels, and encouraged them to go on; and by virtue of Letters of Credence from the Queen, he surprised the Castle of Greystock, and other houses of the Dacres, and gathered together an Army of three thousand men: But being encountered by the Baron of Hunsdon, after a great fight, wherein, though he were crook-backed, he behaved himself valiantly, he was put to flight, and fled into Scotland, from whence soon after, he passed over into the Low-Countries, and in great misery and poverty died at Louvayn.

But though the Queen were thus entangled with Rebellions at home, yet she was not careless of the afflicted Protestants in France ; for she stirred up the Protestant Princes to defend the common Cause; supplied them with money, taking in pawn the Queen of Navar's Jewels; and gave leave to Henry Champernoon to lead into France a Troop of a hundred Horse, Gentlemen all, and Voluntaries; amongst whom were Philip Butshed, Francis Barkley, and Walter Raleigh, a very young man, who now began to look into the world. But as the Queen of England assisted the French, so in revenge thereof, the King of France meant to assist the Scots, but that he was taken away by death; being slain by a shot, at the Siege of S. John D'Angelo.

There was at this time a Rebellion in Ireland also, raised by Edmund and Peter, brothers to Boteler Earl of Ormond ; but after many out-rages by them committed: the Earl of Ormond first by persuasions, obtained of them to submit themselves; and when notwithstanding they were committed to prison, he then obtained of the Queen they should not be called to the Barre, being exceedingly grieved that any of his Blood should be attaynted of Rebellion. The rest of the Rebells were pursued by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and soon dispersed.

And now the Earl of Murray, Regent of Scotland, when he had wrought all things to his hearts desire, and thought himself secure, at Lithquo, riding along the streets, was shot into the belly with a Bullet, beneath the Navill, and there fell down dead. The actor was a Hamilton, who did it upon a private revenge, for that Murray had forced him to part with a piece of Land which he had by his wife; who thereupon falling Lunatick, he in a great rage committed this slaughter.

After Murrayes death, the Country being without a Regent, was cause of many disorders. Tho. Carre, and Walter Scot, two principal men amongst the Scottish Borders, and devoted to the Queen of Scots, made In • odes into England ; wasting all places with fire and sword, till by Forces sent out of England ; under the command of the Earl of Sussex, and the Lord H • nsdon, they were defeated. In whose pu • suit, three hundred villages were • ired, and above fifty Holds were over-turned. For which service the Earl made many Knights, as Sir William Drury, Sir Thomas Manners, Sir George Carie, Sir Robert Constable and others, and then returned. And now to prevent further disorders, the Lord's of Scotland being ready to assemble about the election of a new Regent, they asked counsel of Queen Elizabeth in the matter; but she making answer she would not meddle in it, because she would not be thought to work anything prejudicial to the Queen of Scots, whose cause was not yet tried • they created Matthew Earl of Lenox Regent; which Queen Elizabeth did the better like, as conceiving he could not choose out of natural affection, but have a special care of the young King being his Grand-child.

But while Queen Elizabeth favored the Kings Party in Scotland, the Earl of Hun • ley, the Duke of Castle-H • rald, and the Earl of Argyl • , (the Queen of Scots Li • u • enants) employ the Lord Seton to the Duke D'Alva, Requiting him for many great reasons, to vindicate the Queen of Scots liberty alleging how acceptable a work it would be to all Christian Princes and to the whole Catholic Church: whereunto the Duke made answer; They should find him ready to the uttermost of his power to satisfy their Request. At which time also the French King dealt earnestly with Queen Elizabeth to the same purpose; and the Spanish Ambassador in his masters name urged it no less extremely; but Queen Elizabeth assaulted with all these Importunities, made answer, That as she would omit nothing that might serve for the Reconciling of the Queen of Scots and her subjects, so sh • must have leave to provide for her own and her subjects safety; a thing which Nature, Reason, and her own Honor requires at her hands. And now when these Princes prevailed not with Queen Elizabeth to set the Queen of Scots at liberty, ou • comes Pope Pius Quintus with his Bull Declaratory, which he caused to be fastened in the night time upon the gate of the Bishop of London's Palace, wherein all her subjects are absolved from their Oa • h of Allegiance, or any other duty; and all that obey her, accursed with Anathem • . He that fastened up the Bull was one John F • lton ; who never fled for the matter, but as affecting Martyrdom, suffered himself to be apprehended, confessed and justified the Fact, and thereupon arraigned, was condemned and hanged near the place where he had fastened the writing.

The same day that Felton was Arraigned, the Duke of Norfolk seeming now extremely pontitent for his fault, and utterly to abhor the marriage, was delivered out of the Tower, and suffered to go to his own house, but yet to be in the custody of Sir Henry Neuill still. Indeed Cecil being a good friend of the Dukes, had told the Queen, That the Law of 25 of Edward the third could not take hold upon him: And now being in a kind of liberty, Cecil deals earnestly with him to marry speedily some other; thereby to take away all suspicion in that behalf: yet some again thought that this liberty of the Dukes was granted him of purpose to bring him into great • danger.

At this time died William Herbert Earl of P • mb • ook the grand-child of an Earl of P • mbrook, yet the son but of an Esquire, and grand-father to Phillip Earl of Pembrook and Mountgomery now living, who lieth buried in Paul's, under a fair Monument of Marble, with an Inscription • estifying his great deservings while he lived.

Many conspiracies were at this time to set the Queen of Scots at liberty; amongst others, there conspired Thomas and Edward Stanley younger sons of the Earl of Derby, with others; but the matter discovered, they were soon suppressed, and some of them executed. And now the Lord's of the Queen of Scots Party continuing to protect the English Rebells, the Earl of Sussex once again, accompanied with the Lord Scroop, entereth Scotland, burneth the Villages all along the Valley of Anandale, and compasseth the Duke of Castle-Herald, and the Earls of Huntley and Argyle, under a Writing signed with their own Hands and Seals, to forsake the English Rebells. Whereupon the Earl of Sussex returned home, he made these Knights; Edward Hastings, Francis Russell, Valentine Brown, William Hilton, Robert Stapleton, Henry Carwen, and Simon Musgrave.

Queen Elizabeth's mind being now in great suspension, by reason of that Bull from Rome, and the late conspiracy in Norfolk, sent Sir William Cecil, and Sir Walter Mildmay to the Q • een of Scots, who was then at Chattesworth in Derby-shire, to consult with her by what means the breach in Scotland might best be made up, She re-invested in her former Dignity, and her son and Queen Elizabeth might be secured • The Queen of Scots did little deplore her own afflicted condition, putting herself wholly upon the Queens clemency; when the Commissioners made unto her certain Propositions of Agreement: First, That the Treaty of Edinburgh should be confirmed: then, That she should renounce her Right and Title to England, during Queen Elizabeth's life, or any children of her body lawfully begotten: then, That she should send her son for a Hostage into England, with other six Hostages; such as the Queen should nominate: then, That the Castles of Humes and Fast-castle should be held by the English for three years; with some other. To which Propositions the Queen of Scots for the present gave a provident answer; but referred the fuller Answer to the Biship of Ross her Ambassador in ENGLAND, and some other Delegates; who afterwards allowing some of the Propositions, and not allowing others; the Treaty came to nothing, but the matter rested in the state it was before.

A • this time Philip King of Spain had contracted Marriage with Anne of Austria, Daughter to the Emperor Maximilian, his own Niece by his Sister; who was now setting Sayl from Zealand towards Spain ; when Queen Elizabeth, to testify her love and respect to the House of Austria, sent Sir Charles Howard with the Navy Royal, to conduct her thorough the Bri • ish Sea.

And now was the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth's Raign finished; which certain Wizards had made Papists believe should be her last: but contrary, as if it were but her first, a new Custom began, of celebrating the seventeenth day of November (the Anniversary day of her Raign) with ringing of Bells, Tiltings, and Bon-fires: which Custom, as it now began, so it was never given over as long as she lived, and is not yet forborne so long after her death.

At this time in Ireland, Connagher ô Brien Earl of Towmond, no • brooking the severe Government of Edward Fitton, President of Connaght, entered into Consultation with some few to raise a new Rebellion; which, being at the point ready to break forth, was strangely discovered: for the day before they meant to • ache up Arms, Fitton knowing not at all of the matter, sent • h • Earl word in friendly manner, That the next day he and a few friends with him, would be his Guests. The Earl convinced by his own conscience, imagined that his Intendments were revealed; that Fitton would come as an enemy, rather then a Guest. Out of which fear • he presently set Sayle into FRANCE; where repenting himself seriously of his fault, he confessed the whole business to Norris, the Queens Ambassador in France; and by his intercession, was afterward pardoned and restored.

In January, the thirteenth year of her Rain, Queen Elizabeth in royal pomp, entering the City of London, went to see the Burse which Sir Thomas Gresham had lately built, for the use of the Merchants; and with sound of trumpets, and the voice of a Herald, solemnly named it the Royal Exchange. A few days after, for his many great services, she made Sir William Cecil Baron Burgley.

There were now about the Scottish affairs, in the name of the King of of Scots, the Earl Morton; Peruare Abbot of Dumformelin ; and James Mac-Gray ; whom when Queen Elizabeth required to show more clearly, for what causes they had deposed the Queen; they exhibited a long and tedious Commentary; wherein with a certain insolent liberty, they endeavored to prove, by the ancient Right of the Kingdom of Scotland, that the people of Scotland were above the King: and urged Calvin's Authority also, That Popular Magistrates are constituted for the moderation of the Licentiousnes of Princes: and that it is lawful for them, both to imprison Kings; and upon just causes, to depose them. This writing the Queen could not read without indignation; but to the Delegates she gave this Answer; She saw no just cause yet, why they should handle the Queen in such manner; and therefore willed them to think upon some course out of hand, how to allay the dissensions in Scotland. Hereupon in Sir Nich. Bacons house, Keeper of the Great Seal, a Proposition was made to the Bishop of Ross, the Bishop of Galloway ; and Baron Levingston, delegates for the Queen of Scots, that for the security of the Kingdom, and the Qu. of England ; it were requisite, that before the Queen of Scots should be let at liberty: The Duke of Castle-Herald the Earl of Huntley and Argyle, the Lord Humes, Heris, and another of the Barons should be delivered for Hostages, and the castle of Dumbriton and H •• e • yielded up into the hands of the English, for three years. But they made Answer, that to yield up great personages, and such fortifications as were demanded; were nothing else; but to leave the miserable Queen utterly destitute of faithful friends, and naked of all places, fit for guard and defense: yet they offered, to give two Earls and two Barons for Hostages, till two years were expired: which not being accepted, they straightway gathered, and spoke it openly; That now they plainly perceived the English meant to keep the Queen of Scots perpetually prisoner, and likewise to break off the Trea • y; seeing they rigorously demanded such security as Scotland was not able to make good. And now Queen Elizabeth seeing that nothing could be done, for her own, the King and Queen of Scots safety, unless Both Factions in Scotland consented; she held it fit that the Lord's of Scotland should themselves appoint some chosen persons to compound the matter.

While matters in England, proceeded in this sort; the Queens party in Scotland was hardly used: Dumb • tion Fryth • the strongest castle in Scotland was taken: and I. Hamilton Archbishop of Saint Andrew's ; the Duke of Castle-Heralds brother, as an accessory to the murder of D •• lie, was hanged without being arraigned according to Law. In England, the Queen of Scots had all her servants taken from her, except Ten only, and a Priest to say mass: with which indignities the Queen of Scots provoked, causeth a large Commentary of her Counsels, with certain love-letters to the Duke of Norfolk, to be carried to the Pope, and the King of Spain, by Ridolphu • ; which being brought first to the Duke, Higford (one that waited on the Duke in his bed chamber) had copyed out: but being commanded to burn them, he hid them under a Matt in the Duke Bed-chamber; and that (it should seem) purposely. Ridolphus to daw on the Duke to be Head of the discontented Partie in England, aggravated to him the wrongs he had suffered • how against all law he had been kept a long time in prison: and now, to his great disgrace, was not Summoned to the Parliament: he exhibited to him a Catalogue of such of the Nobility, who had vowed to Assist him: he shown how the Pope, (so the Catholic Religion might be promoted) would himself undergo all the charge of the War, and had already laid down an hundred thousand Crowns; whereof himself had distributed twelve thousand amongst the English that were fled: he promised, that the King of Spain would send four thousand horse, and six thousand foot to his Assistance; to these reasons the Bishop of Ross added, That it was an easy matter for him to surprise the Queen; whom, when he had in his hands, he might then set the Queen of Scots at liberty, and might easily obtain of Queen Elizabeth, a toleration of Religion. The former Reasons took somewhat with the Duke, but this point of surprizing the Queen, he abhorred, as an impious fact, and therefore rejected as pernicious and Dangerous.

In France a little before this, was the marriage solemnized between Charles the ninth King of France, and Elizabeth of Austria daughter to the Emperor Maximilian ; in gratulation whereof, Queen Elizabeth sent into France, Thomas Lord Buckhurst, who with great magnificence was received, and perhaps the more, in regard of a motion now intended to be made: for the Lord Buckhurst, having in his retinue, one Guydo Cavalcantius a noble man of Florence, the Queen Mother of France, as being a Florentine herself, had often conference with him, when she would many times say, what a happiness it would be to both the Kingdoms, if a Match were made between the Queen of England and her son Henry Duke of Angiou ; and at last desired him to commend the motion to the Queen of England, both from her, and from her son the King of France, as a thing they both exceedingly desired. The Lord Buckhurst returned, having for a present from the King of France a chayn weighing a thousand French crowns; and Cavalcantius at his return made the motion to the Queen, who seemed not unwilling to hearken to it; for by this Match, there should be added to the Kingdom of England, the wealthy Dukedoms of Angiou, Bourbon, Auverne, and in possibility, the Kingdom of France itself. Hereupon a Treaty was held, in which the French propounded three Articles, one concerning the Coronation of the Duke; another, concerning the Joynt Administration of the Kingdom; a third, concerning a Toleration of his Religion: to which it was answered, that the two first Articles might in some sort be composed; but the third, scarce possibly: for though a contrary Religion might be tolerated, between Subjects of the same Kingdom; yet between a wife and her husband, it seemed very Incongruous and inconvenient; yet the matter at last came to this conclusion, That if the Duke would afford his presence with the Queen at divine Service, and not refuse to hear and learn the doctrine of the Church of England ; he should not be compelled to use the English Rites, but at his pleasure use the Roman; not being expressly against the word of God. But upon these Punctili • s they could not accord: and so the Treaty, after it had continued almost a year, brake utterly off. It was indeed generally thought, that the Ma • ch was never really intended of either side, but that they both pretended it, for only their own ends: for the Earl of Leicester (who knew more of the Queens mind then any man) wrote at this time to Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queens Embassador in France, That he found the Queens inclination so cold in the matter, that though the Point of Religion were • ully accorded; yet she would find one point or other to break it off.

At this time the continuance of the Duke of Norfolkes affection towards the Queen of Scots, came to be discovered by a packet of Letters, sent by Ridolphus to the Bishop of Ros • e, and by Bailiffs confession (who brought the letters) being set upon the Rack; so as the Bishop of Ross was confined to the Isle of Eli: Thomas Stanlie, Sir Thomas Gerard, and R • l • ton were cast into the Tower: and H • nry Howard, who had an aspiring mind to be Arch-bishop, was committed to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury 's keeping. At the same time the Queen of Scots sent money to her confederates in Scotland ; which being by Higford delivered to one Brown to carry, and told it was Silver, when he found by the weight that it was Gold, he began to suspect something; and thereupon went and delivered both the money and Letters to the Lord's of the Council. Upon this, Higford being examined, confessed the whole matter; and withal gave notice of that Commentary also of the Queen of Scots which is mentioned before. Two days after, the Duke himself being examined, and knowing nothing what his servau • s had confessed, de • yed every particular; and thereupon, was brought again to the Tower, by Ralph Sadler, Thomas Smith, Henry Nevill, and Doctor Wilson: And after him Bannester, who was the Dukes Counsel at Law: The Earls of Arun • el and Southampton ; the Lord Lumley, the Lord Cobham; Henry Percy, Lowder, Powell, Goodyer, and others, are committed to prison; who upon hope of pardon, confessed all they knew concerning the matter. When these things, and especially the Commentary, which the Duke thought had been burnt, were shown him, he then cried out, I am betrayed by my own servants; not having learned to be distrustful, which is the very sinew of Wisdom. And then with all submission, he besought the Lord's to mediate for him to the Queen; towards whom, he protested he never had the least thought of doing any hurt.

And now seeing it appeared that the Bishop of Ross had been the whole-contriver of the business, it was deliberated what to do with him, because he was an Ambassador. Hereupon divers Civilians are called; as David Lewis, Valentine Dale, William Drury, William Aub • y, and Henry Jones ; of whom these questions were asked:

• First, Whether an Ambassador who raiseth Rebellion against that Prince • o whom he is an Ambassador, may enjoy the Privileges of an Ambassador, and is not lya • le to pun • shment?

  They answered, That such an Ambassador hath forfeited the Privileges of an Ambassador, and is liable to punishment.

• Secondly, Whether the Minister or Procter of a Prince, who is deposed by public Authority, and in whose room another is Ina • gurated, may enjoy the Privileges of an Ambassador?

  They answered, That if such Prince be lawfully deposed, his Proct • r cannot challenge the Privileges of an Ambassador, forasmuch as none but absolute Princes, and such as have-Right of Majesty, can appoint Ambassadors.

• Thirdly, Whether a Prince who is come into another Princ • s Country, and held in Custody, may have his Proctor; and if he shall be held an Ambassador.

  They answered, If such a Prince have not lost his Sovereignty, he may have his Proctor; but whether that Proctor shall be reputed as an Ambassador or no, this dependeth upon the Authority of his Delegation.

• Fourthly, Whether if a Prince give warning to such a Proctor, and to hi •• Prince who is under custody, that this Proctor shall not from hencef • rth be accounted for an Ambassador; Whether that Proctor may by Law challenge the Privilege of an Ambassador?

  They answered, A Prince may forbid an Ambassador to enter into hi • Kingdom, and may command him to depart the Kingdom, if he • ontain n • t himself within his due limits; yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the Privileges of an Ambassador.

Upon these Answers, the Bishop of Ross is warned by the Lord's of the Council, that he shall no longer be esteemed an Ambassador, but be punished as his fault shall deserve. The Bishop alle • dged for himself, That he had not violated the Right of • n Ambassador Via Iuris, but V •• Fact • , (to use his own words) and therefore adviseth them, not to use harder measure to him, then was used to the English Ambassadors, 〈…〉 in France, R • ndoll and T • mwo • th in Scotland ; who had raised Rebellions there, and were open Abettors of the same; and yet had no greater punishment, then to be gone at a time limited. When they began to urge him what the English had testified against him, he lovingly requested them to give no credit to it • forasmuch as by a received Custom, which hath the force of a Law, The Testimony of an English man against a Scot, or of a Scot against an English man, is not to be admitted: but after some other altercations, the Bishop is led away to the Tower, and kept close prisoner.

At this very season, Matthew Earl of Lenox, Regent of Sco •• and, the Kings Grand-father was by the adverse party set upon at unawares; who having yielded himself to David Spense of Wormester, (that was then very careful to defend him) together with him, was slain by Bell and C • ulder ; when with great industry he had governed the Kingdom for his Grand-child about fourteen months. In whose room, John Areskin, Earl of Mar • e, by common consent of the Kings Faction, was chosen Regent of Scotland ; who being a man of a quiet disposition, through extreme grief of the m • ny troubles he sustained in the place, departed this life when he had governed thirteen months.

And now a Parliament was held at Westminster ; wherein, besides a Law for preventing of the treacherous endeavors of seditious subjects, another Law was made, That if any one, during the Queens life, by Books written or printed, shall expressly affirm, That any i • , or ought to be the Heir or Successor of the Queen (besides the natural Off-sp • ing of her Body) or shall to that purpose publish, print, or dispers • any Book or Schedules; he, and his favor • rs, shall for the first offense suffer a years imprisonment, and the loss of one half of his goods: and if they offend again, they shall be in a Pr • munir • . A Law also was made, by which to be reconciled to the Sea of Rome, was made Treason: and it was pronounced against the Queen of Scots, That if she offended again against the Laws of England, it might be lawful to question her, as the wife of a Peer of the Kingdom of England. But here the Queen interposed her Authority, and would not suffer it to be enacted. About this time, in May, a solemn Tilting was performed at Westminster ; where th • Challengers were Edward Earl of Oxford, Charles Howard, Sir Henry Lee, and Chri ••• pher Hatt • n Esquire; who all did valiantly, but the Earl of Oxford best.

As soon as the Parliament was dissolved, a Consultation was held, Whe • her John Story, Doctor of the Laws, the Duke D'Alva 's Searcher (who sometime before, was by a wile brought into England ) being an Englishman born; and having in Bra • ant consulted with a for • aign Prince, about the invading of England, were to be held guilty of high Treason? It was resolved a • firmatively: whereupon he is called to the Bar, and indicted of Treason • That he had consulted with one Pres • all a Conjurer, to make away the Queen; That he cursed her daily, when he said Grace at Table; That he shown a way to the Secretary of Duke D'Alva how to invade England, &c. where he affirming, That the Judges had no power to meddle with him, for that he b • longed not to the Queen of England, but was the King of Spain 's sworn subject • is nevertheless condemned by the Fo • m of Nihil dicit (forasmuch as no man can renounce the Country wherein he was born, nor abjure his Prince at his own pleasure) and finally executed after the manner of Tray • ors.

Ireland at this time was indifferent quie • ; for Sir John Perot, President of Munster had brought James Fitz Morris to submit himself, and crave pardon. Sidney the Lord Deputy returned into England, and Sir William Fitz Williams, who had married his sister, succeeded in his room.

It was now the fifteenth year of Queen Elizabeth's Raign; when Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, on the sixteenth day of January, was brought to his Trial at Westminster -Hall; where sat as Commissioners, George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury (made High Steward of England for that day) Reynold Grey, Earl of Kent; Thomas Ratcliff, Earl of Sussex; Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon; Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford; Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembr •• k; Edward Seymor, Earl of Hertford; Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick; Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester; Walter Devereux, Viscount of Hereford; Edward, Lord Clinton, Admiral; William, Lord Howard of Effingham, Chamberlain; William Cecil, Lord Burley, Secretary; Arthur, Lord Grey of Wilton; James Blunt, Lord Mountjoy; William, Lord Sands; Thomas, Lord Wentworth; William, Lord Borough; Lewis, Lord Mordant; John Pawlet, Lord St. John of B • sing; Robert, Lord Rich; Roger Lord North; Edmund Bruges, Lord Ch • ndois; Oliver, Lord St. John of Bl • tsho; Thomas Sackvile, Lord Buckhurst ; and William West, Lord de la Ware. After silence bidden, Sir Owen Hopton, Lieutenant o • the Tower, is commanded to bring the Duke to the Bar; and then the Clerk of the Crown said, Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, late of Keningale, in the County of Norfolk, Hold up thy hand; which done, the Clerk with a loud voice readeth the crimes laid to his charge: That in the eleventh year of the Queens Raign, he had traitorously consulted to make her away, and to bring in foreign Forces for invading the Kingdom: Also, That he dealt with the Queen of Scots concerning Marriage, contrary to his promise made to the Queen under his hand writing: Also, That he relieved with money the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland, that had stirred up Rebellion against the Queen: Also, That in the thirteenth year of the Queens Raign, he implored Auxiliary Forces of Pope Pius the fifth, the Queens professed enemy, of the King of Spain, and the Duke D'Alva, for the freeing of the Queen of Scots; and restoring of the Popish Religion: And lastly, That he sent supply to the Lord Heris, and other the Queens enemies in Scotland. These Indictments being read, the Clerk demanded of the Duke, if he were guilty of these crimes, or not? Here the Duke requested he might be allowed to have Counsel. But Catiline, chief Justice, made answer, That it was not lawful. Yet (saith the Duke) I have heard that Humphrey Stafford, in the Raign of K. Henry the seventh, in a Cause of Treason, had one assigned to plead for him. To which Dyer chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, made answer, That Stafford had Counsel assigned him concerning the Right of Sanctuary, from whence he was taken by force • but in the Inditement of Treason he pleaded his own cause. After this, the Duke yielding to be tried by the Peers; first Barham, Serjeant at Law; then Gerard the Queens Attorney; and lastly, Bromley, the Queens Solicitor, enforced the crimes objected against him: to all which the Duke made colorable answers; but most of them being proved by sufficient testimony, he asked upon occasion, Whether the subjects of another Prince, who is confederate, and in league with the Queen, are to be accounted the Queens enemies • to which Catiline answered, They were; and that the Q. of England might wage War with any Duke of France, & yet hold firm Peace with the French King. When it grew towards night, the L. high Steward demanded of the Duke if he had anymore to say for himself? who answered, I rely upon the equity of the Laws. After this, the Lord's withdrawing a while, and then returning, the Lord Steward beginning at the lowermost, asked them, My Lord de la Ware, Is Thomas Duke of Norfolk guilty of these crimes of High Treason, for which he is called in question? He rising up, and laying his hand upon his breast, answered guilty, in like manner they answered all. After this, the Lord Steward with tears in his eyes, pronounced sentence in form as is used. A few days after were Barns and Mather executed, who conspired with one Herle, to make away certain of the Counselors, and to free the Duke; but Herle revealed the business presently, to whom Barns (when he saw his Accuser brought forth) smilingly said, Herle thou wert but one hour before me; else I had been in thy place for the accuser, and thou in my room to be hanged: at the same time with them was hanged also Henry Rolfe, for counterfeiting the Queens hand. But though the Duke were now condemned, yet the Queen was so tender of his case, that it was four Moneths after before he was executed, at last on the second of June at eight of the clock in the morning, he was brought to the Scaffold upon the Tower-Hill, and there beheaded.

At this time and upon this occasion, a Parliament was Assembled, wherein amongst other Laws, it were Enacted, that if any man shall go about to free any person imprisoned by the Queens express Commandment • for Treason or suspicion of Treason, and not yet Arraigned, he shall lose all his goods for his life time, and be imprisoned during the Queens pleasure, if the said person have been Arraigned, the Rescuer shall forfeit his life; if condemned, he shall be guilty of Rebellion.

In the time of this Parliament, the Queen created Walter Devereux Earl of Essex, being before but Viscount Hereford ; because he was descended by his Great-grand-mothers from the Bourchiers, and made the Lord Clinton (who had large Revenues in Lincolnshire) Earl of Lincoln; Also she called forth John Paulet of Basing, the Marquess of Winchester's son, Henry Compton, Henry Cheyney, and Henry Morris for Barons by Summons.

Within ten days after the Dukes death, William Lord De-la-ware, Sir Ralph Sadler, Thomas Wilson Doctor of the Laws, and Thomas Brumley the Queens Solicitor, were sent to the Queen of Scots, to expostulate with her; That she had usurped the Title and Arms of the Kingdom of England, and had not renounced the same, according to the agreement of the Treaty at Edinburgh, That she had endeavored the marriage of the Duke of Norfolk, without acquainting the Queen, and had used all forcible means to free him out of prison; had raised the Rebellion in the North, had relieved the Rebels both in Scotland and in the Low-Countries; had implored Aids from the Pope, the King of Spain and others; had conspired with certain of the English, to free her out of Prison, and Declare her Queen of England; Lastly, that she had procured the Popes Bull against the Queen, and suffered herself to be publicly named the Queen of England in Forreigne Countries: All which accusations she either absolutely denied, or else fairly extenuated, and though (as she said) she were a free Queen, and not subject to any creature; yet she was content, and requested, that she might make her personal answer at the next Parliament.

About this time, the King of Spain by his Ambassador here, complained to the Queen, that the Rebels of the Netherlands were harboured and entertained in England, contrary to the Articles of the League; whereupon the Queen set forth a severe Proclamation, That all the Dutch, who could any ways be suspected of Rebellion, should presently depart the Realm; which yet turned little to D'Alva's, or the King of Spain's benefit: For hereupon, Count Vander-Mark, and other Dutch going out of England surprised the Brill first, then Flushing, and afterwards drew other Towns to Revolt, and in a short time excluded the Duke D'Alva in a manner from the Sea. And this error, to suffer the Protestant party to get possession of the Sea-towns, hath been the cause they have been able to hold out, even all this long time, against the King of Spain. And now many military men having little to do at home, got them into the Netherlands, some to Duke D'Alva ; but the far greater number to the Prince of Orenge: The first of whom, was Thomas Morgan, who carried three hundred English to Flushing; then followed by his procurement nine Companies more under the conduct of Humphry Gilbert ; and afterward it became the Nursery of all our English Soldiers.

At this time, Charles the French King setting his mind wholly (at least seeming so) upon the Low-Country War, concluded a peace and entered into a league with Queen Elizabeth ; which was to remain firm, not only during their two lives, but between their successors also, if the s • ccessor signify to the surviver within a year that he accepteth it, otherwise to be at liberty. It was likewise agreed, what aid by Sea or Land, they should each of them afford to other upon occasion; and for ratification of this League, Edward Clinton