A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government
Memorancye whilst he tarried in England, made intercession in his Kings name, that what favor could be without danger, might be shown to the Queen of Scots; and then made much a do again about the marriage with the Duke of Angiou; but being hopeless to make conclusion thereof, by reason of the diversity of Religion he returned into France; for now was great provision making ready for the marriage, between Henry King of Navarre; and the Lady Margeret the French Kings Sister; to which solemnity with notable dissimulation, the Queen of Navarre and the chief of all the Protestants were allured, being born in hand that there should be a renovation of love, and a perpetual peace established: The Earl of Leicester likewise and the Lord Burleigh were invited out of England, and out of Germany, the sons of the Prince Elector Palatine under color of honor: but indeed, that they might be entrapped, and they, and together with them the Protestant Religion at one blow, if not clean cut off, yet receive • deadly wound: For the marriage being celebrated, there presently followed that cruel Massacre at Paris, and the terrible slaughter of the Protestants throughout all the Cities of France; but to set a show of equity upon the fact, Edicts and Proclamations were presently set forth, that the Protestants had plotted a wicked conspiracy against the King, the Queen Mother, the Brethren, the King of Navarre, and the Princes of the blood Royal; and to keep the thing in memory, Coyne was presently stamped, upon the one side whereof was the Kings picture with this Inscription, Virtus in Rebelles, on the other side; Pietas excitavit justitiam ; But the King of France, notwithstanding all the show he made of Piety, escaped not the Divine revenge, for before the year came about, he fell sick of a bloody Flixe, and afterwards with long and grievous torments ended his life.
A little before this, Mota Fenell Embassador to the King of France, being in England, by virtue of an order from the Queen Mother of France, propoundeth to Queen Elizabeth at Kenelworth (two days before the Massacre in that Kingdom) the marriage of her youngest son Francis Duke of Alenson (for the Queen Mother had been told by some cunning men, that all her sons should be Kings, and she knew no way for it but this) B • t Queen Elizabeth, by rea • on of the disparity of age, modestly excused herself, (For he was scarce • eventeen years old, and she was now past eight and thirty) yet she promised to consider of it, and Alenson did not leave to prosecute the •• it.
At t • is time, Thomas Percy Earl of North • mberland, who first Rebelled, and afterwards fled into Scotland, was for a sum of money delivered by the Earl of Morton, to the Lord Hunsdon Governor of Barwick; and a while af • er was beheaded • t York. And now as these two great Personages, the Duke of Norfolk • and the Earl of Northumberland were taken away by a violent death; so three other great Personages were at this time t • ken away by a natural death: First W • ll • am Paulet, who from a private man came by degree; to be Marquess of Winchester: lived to the age of within three years of a hundred, and could reckon a hundred and three of his children, and his children's issue, after he had held the p • ace of Lord Treasurer of England above twenty years; in whose room succeeded Sir W • lliam Cecil, Lord Burleigh, then died Edmund Earl of Darby, famous as well for his hospitality and good house-keeping, as for his skill in Surgery and Bone-setting; then died Sir William Peter, who being descended from an honest stock at Exceter in Devonshire, was Privy Counselor and Secretary to King Henry the Eight, Ki • g Edward the Sixth, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth ; who plant • d himself in Essex, where he purchased grea • possessions; whose son John was by King James made Baron of Writle in that Country.
And now Q • een Elizabeth having formerly borrowed money o • her Subjects, she thankfully repaid it, which won her no less love, then if she had given it, and more love she gained also at this time by two Proclamations; by one of which, she commanded Noble men to observe the Law of keeping Ret • iners; by the other, she restrained Informers, who, under color of spying out Crown Land concealed by private perso • s, sacralegio • sly seized upon the Lands of Parish-Churches, and Alms-Houses piously endowed by the Queens Ancestors. And more Love and Honor also she gained at this time by two acts of Justice; the one, that she satisfied the English Merchants out of the goods which were det • ined belonging to the Dutch, and restored the rest to the Duke D' Alva, and make a full transaction with the Merchants of Geneva for the mon • y intercepted; the other, that she freed England at this time of the debts which her Father and her Brother had run into in foreign part • , and were increased by yearly interest, and caused the obligations of the City of London, which had so often been renewed to be given in, to the great rejoicing of the Citizens.
The Spanish affairs growing now very turbulent in the Netherlands, Flushing lost, the towns of Holland revolted, and the Spanish Navy vanquished by the Zelanders, Duke D'Alva against his will, began to show more kindness towards the English, so as in the month of January, the trade which in Anno 1568. had been forbidden, was now allowed again between the Dutch and the English for two year • ; but those two years expired, the English removed their trading to the confederates State • .
The last year in the month of November, a daughter was born to the French King, to whom he requested Queen Elizabeth to be God-mother, who the • eupon sent William Somerset Earl of Worcester into France with a Font of massy Gold to stand as her Deputy at the Christening. Hereupon, and for that the Queen promised to observe the League strictly, the French King and the Queen mother began to affect her more and more, and the Duke D'Alenson wrote sundry love-letters to her, the French King and His Mother interceding for the marriage with all earnestness. It is true, the Queen conceived divers reasons, why it was fit for her to marry; but the Courtiers for their own ends dissuaded her as much from it: at last the Queen Mother of France was wonderful importunate, that her son Alenson might have leave to come and see her • whereunto, being wearied with continual Letters and Messages, she gave her consent; but upon condition, that he should not take it for any disgrace to him, if he returned without obtaining his suit: But as soon as Queen Elizabeth had notice, that his brother Henry was elected King of Poland, and that the King of France was very sick, she gave intimation to Alenson, by Edward Horsey Governor of the Isle of Wight, that he should not make too much haste into England; but should first procure a peace by some means or other in France, and declare by some notable Argument, his good will towards the Protestants, thereby to be the more welcome Ghest into England. Hereupon a peace was concluded in France, and in certain places the Protestants were allowed to exercise their Religion: and then again the French King and the Queen Mother, used all their endeavor to have the marriage go forward (for they were very desirous th • t Alenson, who was of a crooked and perverse disposition, and prone to raise tumults) might be removed out of France; and withal, they requested of Queen Elizabeth, that if the Duke of Angiou took his voyage into Poland by Sea; he might have public caution to sail through the British Ocean. To this last request, she not only consented with all alacrity, but also made offer of a Fleet to conduct him thither. In the mean while, Alenson fell sick of the Meazles, which his mother signified to Queen Elizabeth by Count Rhets, excusing him thereupon for not coming into England as he had determined: The Count found the Queen at Canterbury, where she gave him Royal entertainment: and Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury, Royal entertainment to them both.
All this while since the death of the Earl of Marre, there had been no Regent in Scotland, but now by the procurement of Queen Elizabeth chiefly; James Dowglas Earl of Morton, is made Regent; who, when his Authority in a Parliamentary Assembly was established, Enacted many profitable Laws for the defense of Religion against Papists and Heretics, in the name of the King: But the pro • ection and keeping of the Kings Person, he confirmed to Alexander Areskin Earl of Marre (to whom the custody of the Kings in their tender years, by special privilege belongeth) though he were himself in his Minority: Upon these conditions, That no Papists, nor factious persons should be admitted to his presence: An Earl should come with only two servants attending him: A Baron, with only one: All other, single: and everyone unarmed. The French King in the mean time, sent his Ambassador Mounsier Vyriar, to corrupt the Earls of Atholl and H • ntley with large promises, to oppose the Regent: Queen ELISABETH as much labored to defend him: but though by the ministry of Killigrew, she had drawn James Hamilton Duke of Castle-Herald, and George Gourdon Earl of Huntley, and the most eminent of that Faction, upon indifferent conditions, to acknowledge the Regent, yet William K • r •• ld, Lord Gra • nge, (whom Murray when he was Rege • t, had made Gove • nour of Edingborough Castle) The Lord Hum • s, Lydington, the Bishop of Dunkeld and others, would by no means admit of the Regents Government, but held that Castle, and fortified it in the Queen of Scots name, having Lydington for their Counselor herein, and trusting to the natural strength of the place, and to the Duke D' Alva's and the F • e • ch Kings promises, to send them supplies both of men and money. Now when these persons, could by no means drawn to accept of conditions of peace, and to deliver up the Castle to the Regent, Queen Elizabeth (who could in no case endure the French in Scotland) suffered herself at length to be entreated by the Regent, to send Forces, Gunnes and Ammunition, for assaulting of the Castle upon certain conditions, whereof one was, that ten Hostages should be sent into England, to be security fo • returning the men and Munition, unless by the common hazard of War they should chance to miscarry. The conditions being argued on; William Drury Marshall of the Garrison at Barwick, with some • reat Ordnance and Fifteen hundred Soldiers, (amongst whom were some noble Volunteers, George Carie, Henry Carie, Thomas Cecil, He • ry Lee, William Knolles, Sutton, Cotton, Kelway, William Killigrew, and others, entered into Scotland, and besieged the Castle, which after three and thirty days siege, was delivered up to the Regent for the Kings use, with all the persons that were in it; amongst whom Kircald Lord Grange, and James his brother Musman, and Cook gold-smiths (who had counterfeited Coyne in the Castle) were hanged; although to redeem Granges life, a hundred of the Family of the Kircalds, offered themselves to be in perpetual servitude to the Regent, besides an annual Pension of three thousand Marks; and twenty thousand pounds of Scottish money in present; and to put in caution, that from thence forth he should continue in duty & homage to the King; but it would not be accepted. Humes and the rest were spared, through Queen Elizabeth's merciful intercession; Lydington was sent to Leith, where he died, and was suspected to be poisoned: A man of the greatest understanding in the Scottish Nation, and of an excellent wit, but very variable; for which, George Buchanan called him the Chameleon.
And now from this time Scotland began to take breath, after long Civil Wars, and as well the Captains of both parties, as the Soldiers, betook themselves into Swedeland, France and the Low-Countries, where they valorously behaved themselves, and won great commendation. As for John Lesle Bishop of Ross he was now set at liberty, but commanded to depart presently out of England, and being beyond the Sea, he continued still to solicit his Mistress the Queen of Scots cause, with the Emperor, the Pope, the French King, and the German Princes of the Popish Religion; who all led him on with fair promises, but performed nothing: For indeed he in whom he had greatest confidence, which was the Duke D' Alva, was at that time called away, partly out of Jealousy of State, as being thought to grow too great, and partly out of opinion, that by his cruelty he made the people to revolt; and therefore in his place was sent Ludovicus Zuinga, a man of great Nobility in Spain, • ut of a more Peaceable disposition then D' Alva ; & • ow this man did all good Offices to win Queen Elizabeth to him, and minding his own Affairs only, would not intermeddle with the Scottish or English matters.
About this a frentick Opinion was held by one Peter Bourche • a Gent • eman of the Middle-Temple, that it was lawful to kill them that opposed the truth of the Gospel; and so far was he possessed with this opinion; that he assaulted the famous Seaman Captain Hawkins, and wounded him with a dagger, taking him for Hutton, who at that time was in great favor with the Queen, and of her privy Counsel, whom he had been informed to be a great Adversary to Innovations. The Queen grew so angry hereat, that she commanded Marshiall Law should be executed upon him presently, till her Counsel advised her that Marshiall Law was not to be used, but in the Field, and in turbulent times, but at home and in time of Peace, there must be Legal proceedings: Hereupon Bourchet was sent to the Tower, where taking a brand out of the fire, he struck it into the brains of one of his keepers named Hugh Longwroth and killed him, for which fact, he was condemned of murder, had his right hand cut off, and nailed to the Gallows, and then himself hanged.
After the violent death of this Varlet, we may speak of the natural death of two great persons; First, William Lord Howard of Effingham, Son of that warlike Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk, by his second wife Agnes Tilney. This William was made a Baron by Queen Mary, and Lord High Admiral of England, and by Queen Elizabeth Lord Chamberlain, till such time that being taken with age, he yielded up that place to the Earl of Sussex, and was then made Keeper of the Privy Seal, which is the fourth degree of honor in England. His Son Charles succeeded him in the Dignity of his Barony, who was after made Lord Chamberlain to the Queen, and then Lord High Admiral of England. A while after him, died Reginold Grey Earl of Kent, whom the Queen a year before of a private man had made Earl of Kent, when as that Title, from the death of Richard Grey Earl of Kent, who had wasted his Patrimony, and was elder brother to this man's Grand-father; had lain asleep for fifty years together.
At this time many particular Rebellions were in Ireland; The O C • nors, and O Moors took Arms, and committed many outrages: In Munster, James Fitzmorris, and Fitz Edmund did the like; but by the industry of Sir John Perrot, President of Munster, were suppressed. In Ulster, Bryan Mac Phelym burnt Knockfergus, and many other joined in Rebellion with him. Against these, Walter Devereux, (whom the Queen had lately created Earl of Essex) desired leave to go; which Sir William Fitz-Williams Deputy of Ireland opposed, as fearing, that the glory of so great an Earl would eclipse his light. But for this, the Queen finds a remedy, by appointing Essex, to take a Parent of the Deputy, whereby to be made Governor of Ulster. But this remedy for Fitz-Williams, might have made a sore in the mind o • E • sex; (to receive his Authority from his inferior) but that the nobleness of his mind, made him more to regard the virtue, then the glory. And so, in the end of August, he landed at Knockfergus, having with him the Lord's, Darcy and Rich, and Sir Henry Knowles and his four Brothers, Michael and John Carves, Henry, William, and John Norreses: At his landing, Bryan Mac Pheli • welcomed him, tendering unto him all manner of dutifulness and service; but presently a • ter, falls from him, and joins with Turlogh Leynigh. After this revolt, the Ea • l of Essex, finding many difficulties in the business, and himself not well provided of skillful Soldiers, makes suit to the Queen for leave to come home; which the Earl of Leicester, (who liked his room better then his company) opposed; till after expense of a year • time, and much treasure, he at last obtained leave, and returned home.
The next year, being 1574. and the seventeenth year of Queen Elisabeths Raign, the Duke of Alenson grew more importunate in his suit, then at any time before; so as he obtained of the Queen, to come into England, any time before the twentieth of May; and this she the rather did, because she perceived him now to be really bent against the Guyses her sworn Enemies. But before this Answer was brought him, Valentine Dale Doctor of the Civil Law, the Queens Embass • dour in France, gave intimation to the Q • een, That Alenson and Navarre were in restraint, and committed to Keepers: For the Guyses had suggested, that Alenson held intimate friendship with Admiral Colin, the chief Leader of the Protestants in France; and indeed, Alenson being examined, freely confessed, that he had now for a good while desired the marriage of the Queen of England • and conceiving, that good correspondence with Colin might be useful to him to that end, he had thereupon had conference with him thereabout, and concerning the Low-Country War. In the mean time, Thomas W • lks, Dales Secretary, got cunningly to Alenson, and in the Queens name, made promise both to him, and to Navarre, that she would omit no opportunity of procuring their enlargement. For which, the subtle Queen-Mother so complained of him to Queen Elisabeth, that he was fain to go into France, and there to crave pardon for his fault. But Navarre, not unmindful of this kindness in Wilks, when about five and twenty years after, being King of France, he saw him in Normandy, he Knighted him. Hereupon the Queen sent Thomas Randoll into France, to the Queen-Mother, that if it were possible, he might gain Reconciliation for Alenson her son, and for the King of Navarre. But before he was landed in France, Charles the then French King died, whose Funeral Rites were solemnly performed in Saint Paul's Church in London.
As soon as Henry the third, King of France, was come from Poland, Roger Lord North was sent into France, to congratulate his return, and his happy Inauguration into the Kingdom; who thereupon, together with the Queen-Mother, did forthwith send their joint Letters into England, strongly soliciting the business of marriage, between Alenson and the Queen. In the mean time notwithstanding, they used all possible devices, (and left no means unsought) to get the young King of Scotland to be sent into France, and to deprive Morton who was the Regent, of his Authority, whereof the Queen of Scots also was very desirous; she being persuaded, that if her son were once gotten safely into France, she and the Catholics in England should be more mildly used. At which time, an aspersion was cast upon the Queen of Scots, as if she had made the match between Charles Unckle to the Queen of Scots (who had lately the Earldom of Lenox confirmed to him by Parliament) and Elizabeth Cavendish the Countess of Shrewsburie's daughter by a former husband; upon which ground, both their mothers and some others also were kept in Prison for a time; and being doubted whereunto this marriage should tend: Henry Earl of Huntingdon, President of the Council in the North, is authorized with secret Instructions to examine it. It will be fit here to say something of this place of Government in the North; which from small beginnings, is now become so eminent as it is at this day, whereof this was the Original. When as in the Rain of Henry the Eight, after that the Rebellion in the Northern parts, about the subversion of Abbyes was quieted, the Duke of Norfolk tarried in those quarters, and many complaints of injuries done were tendered unto him, whereof some he composed himself, and others he commended under his Seal to men of wisdom to determine: Hereof when King Henry heard, he sent down a peculiar Seal to be used in these cases, and calling home the Duke, committed the same to Tunstall Bishop of Durham, and Constituted Assistants with Authority to hear and determine the complaints of the poor, and he was the first that was called President; and from that time, the authority of his successors grew in credit.
It was now the year One thousand five hundred seventy five, and the Eighteenth year of Queen Elisabeths Raign, when Henry the third King of France being returned from Poland, and Crowned at Rheims, was careful to have the League of Blois confirmed; which, in the Yeer 1572. had been concluded between his Brother Charles and that most Illustrious Queen ELIZABETH; Now therefore he confirmed it with His own Subscription, and delivered it to Dale the Queen's Legier, as the Queen like wise ratified it at Saint-James near Westminster: But a little after he demanded by Letters, whether the mutual defense against all persons mentioned in the League, was intended to comprehend the case of Religion also? Whereunto she answering, that it did comprehend it; he thereupon hearing this from the Queen, began presently to prepare War against the Protestants, and Alenson being drawn to the Adverse party, there was no speech of the marriage for a long time.
In the Netherlands at this time, Lodovicke Zuinga who was successor unto Duke D'Alva, was wholly bent to recover the Command of the Seas, which D'Alva had neglected; but not being sufficiently provided of a Navy, he sent Boischott into England, that with the Queens leave, he might take up Ships and Mariners to go against the Hollanders and Zelanders, but this she would not grant: Then he made suite, that the Queen would please not to take it in evil part, if the banished persons of the English in the Low-Countries served the King of Spain in a Sea-Fight against the Hollanders; and that they might have free access to the Ports of England, to buy provision for ready money; But this she would not grant neither: Then he made request, that the Dutch, who were Rebels against the King of Spain, might be put out of England; but neither would she grant this, as being an Action void of Humanity; and against the Laws of Hospitality; yet because she would not be thought to violate the old Burgundian Law, she Commanded by Proclamation, that the Shipps of the Dutch which were made ready, should not go forth of the Haven; nor yet the Dutch, who had taken up Arms against the King of Spain, enter into the Ports of England, and by name, the Prince of Orenge, and Fifty other the prime of that Faction; and this she did the more willingly, because Zuinga at the intercession of Wilson the English Embassador, had removed the Earl of Westmorland, and other English Fugitives out of the Dominions of the King of Spain, and had also dissolved the English Seminary at Douay; though instead thereof, the Guises through the procurement of Pope Gregory the thirteenth, set up another Seminary at Reims.
And at this time the Prince of Orenge, perceiving his Forces but small, and thinking himself too weak for the King of SPAINE, and little hope of aid from England, he entered into Consultation with the Confederate States, to whose protection, they were best and in the most security to betake themselves: The Princes of Germany they knew were not all of one mind, parted from money very hardly, and did not every way, nor would not by no means possible accord and concur with them in their Religion; and therefore they were not so fit. Then, the French they saw, were entangled in a Civil War, and so had enough of their own to do; besides the old grudges and heart-burnings that were between the French and Dutch; and therefore neither were they so fit. There remained then the English, as the fittest of any (if it might be obtained) seeing they were Neighbouss, of the same Religion, and of a Language not much different, strong in shipping, and rich in Merchandize. Hereupon (considering the commodiousnesse of the English Nation) they send into England, Philip Marnizie of S. Aldegond; Ianus Dowsa, William Nyvell, and Doctor Melsen ; who in an honorable Ambassage, offer the Countries of Holland and Zealand to be possessed or protected by the Queen, forasmuch as she was descended from the Princes of Holland, by Philip wife of Edward the third, daughter of William of Bavaria, Count of Hanonia and Holland ; by whose other sister, the hereditary Right of • hose Provinces came to the King of Spain. To this offer, the Queen takes time to answer; and at last, having maturely advised of the matter, her Answer was this, That as yet she conceived not how with safety of her honor, and an upright conscience, she could receive those Provinces into her protection, much less assume them into her possession; but promised, She would deal earnestly with the King of Spain, that a well conditioned Peace might be concluded. Presently upon this, Zuinga, Governor of the Low-Countries died; after whose death, the States of Brabant, Flanders, and the other Provinces, took upon them the ancient Administration, and Authority in the Commonwealth; which the King of Spain was fain to confirm to them, till such time as John of Austria were come, whom he determined to make Governor there. In the mean time, Queen Elizabeth in behalf of the King of Spain, sent William Davyson in Ambassage to those Provinces, to exhort them to be peaceable and quiet, which yet, by reason the Spanish Soldiers, were so outrageous, little prevailed.
In England all was calm and quiet for all this year, only a difference fell out between Sir John Forster, Governor of Berwick, and John Cormichill, Keeper of Liddesdale in Scotland: In composing whereof, the Regent of Scotland, having given Queen Elizab • th some discontentment, was fain to come unarmed before the Earl of Huntingdon, appointed the Legate for England, at Bonderod, and so the matter was taken up, and the Regent ever after continued constant in observing the Queen, and to his great commendation, restrained the Freebooters of the Borders, to the great good of both Kingdoms.
This year there died in Scotland, James Hamilton, Duke of Castle-Herald, and Earl of Arran, who was great Grand-child to James the second, King of Scots, by his daughter, appointed Tutor to Mary, Queen of Scots, and designed Heir and Governor of the Kingdom, during her minority.
At this time the Earl of Essex is come into Ireland again, wh • re having done good services, and being in the midst of Victory, he was on a sudden commanded to resign his Authority in Ulster ; and as though he were an ordinary Commander, is set over three hundred Soldiers; which disgrace was wrought by his adversaries in Court, to the continual pe • plexing of his mild spirit. And now is Sir Henry Sidney the third time sent Deputy into Ireland ; who going into Ulster, there came to him and submitted themselves Mac Mahon, Mac Guyre, Turlogh Leynigh, the O Conors and O Moors, the Earl of Desmond, and the rebellious sons of the Earl of Clanricard, all whom he received into favor, and with great commendation administered the Province.
At this time the Spaniard in the Low-Countries began to deal roughly with the people, and haryed the Inhabitants with all manner of spoil and injury; Antwerp, the most famous Town of Traffick in all Europe, was miserably pillaged, the English Merchants houses rifled, insomuch that the States were enforced to take up Arms, and Messengers were sent to all neighbouring Princes; and to Q. Elizabeth was sent Monsieur Aubig • y, both to show her upon how necessary and just causes they had taken up Arms, and also to borrow of her a great sum of money, the better to enable them to resist the Spaniard. But she being certainly informed, That they first sued to the French King for help, denieth the request, yet promiseth to intercede earnestly with the King of Spain • for peace. And in that employment, she addressed into Spain, John Smith, cosen German to King Edward the sixth, a man of Spainsh behavior: and well known to the King of Spain, who was liberally received by the King; and with such wisdom retorted the contumelious speech, of Gasper Quiroga Archbishop of Toledo, and the Spanish Inquisitors, who would not admit in the Queens Title, the Attribute of Defender of the Faith ; that he had gained great thanks from the King of Spain himself, who requested him, not to speak of it to the Queen, and gave severe command, That the Title should be admitted.
And now by this time was John of Austria come into the Low-countries, with a large Commission: for he was the Natural son of the Emperor Charles the fifth; to whom the Queen sent Edward Horsey, Governor of the Isle of Wight, to Congratulate his coming thither, and to offer help, if the States called the French into the Netherlands ; yet at the same time, Swevingham being exceeding importunate on the States behalf, she sent them twenty thousand pounds of English money; (so well she could play her game of both hands) upon condition, they should neither change their Prince nor there Religion, nor take the French into the Low-countries, nor refuse a Peace, if John of Austria should condescend to indifferent Conditions, but if he embraced a Peace, then the money should be paid back to the Spanish soldiers, who were ready to mutiny for lack of pay. So careful she was to retain these declining Provinces in obedience to the King of Spain.
At this time a Voyage was undertaken, to try if there could be found any sea upon the North part of America, leading to the wealthy coast of Cathaia, whereby in one Comerce, might be joined the riches of both the East and West parts of the world, in which voyage was employed Martyn Frobysher, who set sails from Harwich the eighteenth of June, and the ninth of August, entered into that Bay, or sea, but could pass no further for Snow and Ice. The like expedition was taken in hand, two years after, with no better success.
About this time died the Emperor Maximilian, a Prince that Deserved well of Queen Elizabeth and the English, who thereupon sent Sir Philip Sidney to his son Ridolphus King of the Romans, to condole his Fathers death, and congratulate his succession: as likewise to do the like, for the decease of the Count Electour Palatine, named Frederick the third, with her surviving son.
And now Walter Deveruex Earl of Essex, who out of Leicesters envy, had been recalled out of Ireland, was out of Leicesters fear, (as being threatened by him) sent back again into Ireland, but with the empty title of Earl Marshall of Ireland ; with the grief whereof, he fell into a bloody Flux, and in most grievous torments ended his life. When he had first desired the standers by to admonish his son (scarce ten years old at that time) to have always before his eyes, the six and thirtieth year of his age, as the utmost term of his life, which neither himself, nor his father before him could out-go, and the son indeed attained not to it, as shall hereafter he declared. He was suspected to be poisoned, but Sir Henry Sidney, Deputy of Ireland, after diligent search made, wrote to the Lord's of the Counsel, That the Earl often said, It was familiar to him upon any great discontentment to fall into a Flux, and for his part, he had no suspicion of his being poisoned, yet was this suspicion increased; for that presently after his death, the Earl of Leicester, with a great sum of money and large promises, putting away Dowglasse Sheffield, by whom he had a son openly married Essex his widow. For although it was given out, That he was privately married to her, ye • Sir Francis Knolles his father, who was well acquainted with Leicester 's roving loves, would not believe it, unless he himself were present at the Marriage, and had it testified by a public Notary. At this time also, died Sir Anthony Cook of Gyddy-Hall in Essex, who had been School-master to King Edward the sixth, and was no less School-master to his own daughters, whom he made skillful in the Greek and Latin Tongues; married all to men of great Honor; one to Sir William Cecil, Lord Treasurer of England ; a second, to Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal; a third, to Sir Thomas Hobby, who died Ambassador in France ; a fourth, to Sir Ralph Lowlet ; and the fifth to Sir Henry Killigrew.
At this time, the sons of the Earl of Cla • ricard, who scarce two months before had obtained pardon for their Rebellion, fell into Rebellion again; but were by the Deputy soon suppressed; and William Drury newly made President of Munster, reduced the whole Provice to good Order, except only the County of Kerry, whither a number of Vagabonds were gotten, trusting to the Immunities of the place. For King Edward the third made Kerry a County Palatine, and granted to the Earls of Desmond all the Royal Liberties which the King of England had in that County, excepting Wreckby Fire, Forestall, and Treasure Trou • e. The Governor notwithstanding, who wisely judged that these Liberties were granted for the better preservation of Justice, and not for maintenance of outrageous malefactors, entered into it, and violently put to flight and vanquished the mischievous crew, which the Earl of Desmond had placed there in ambush. The Earl in the mean while made great complaints of Drury to the Deputy; and particularly, of the Tax which they call Ceasse, which is an exaction of provision of Victualls at a certain rate, for the Deputies Family, and the Soldiers in Garrison. This Tax, not he only, but in Leinster also many Lord's refused to pay, alleging that it was not to be exacted but by Parliament; but the matter being examined in England, it appeared by the Records of the Kingdom, That this Tax was anciently imposed; and that, as a certain Right of Majesty, a Prerogative Royal, which is not subjected to Laws, yet not contrary to them neither, as the wise Civilians have observed. Yet the Queen commanded to use a moderation in exactions of this nature, saying, She would have her subjects shorn, but not devoured.
It was now the year 1577, and the twentieth of Queen Elizabeth's Raign, when John of Austria, pretending to Queen Elizabeth nothing but Peace, yet is found to deal secretly with the Pope, to peprive her of her Kingdom, and himself to marry the Queen of Scots, and invade England: of which his practices the Prince of Orange gives Queen Elizabeth the first intelligence. Whereupon (finding his deep dissembling) she enters into a League with the States, for mutual defense both at Sea and Land, upon certain Conditions; but having concluded it (because she would not have it wrongfully interpreted, as though she meant to foster a Rebellion in the Netherlands ) she sent Thomas Wilkes to the King of Spain with these Informations; That she had always endeavored • o keep the Low-Countries in obedience to the King of Spain ; had persuaded (even with threatenings) the Prince of Orange to accept of Peace; but withal, if the King of Spain would have his Subjects obedient to him, she then requests him to restore their Privileges, and to remove I • hn of Austria from the Government, who not only was her deadly enemy, but labored by all means to bring the Netherlands into utter servitude. If this be granted by the King of SPAIN, she then faithfully promiseth, That if the States perform not their Allegiance to him, as by their Promise to her they are engaged to do, she will utterly forsake them, and bend herself with all her Forces to compel them. While Wilkes in Spain unfoldeth the • e matters, John of Austria sendeth to Queen Elizabeth, in most grievous manner accusing the States for disobedience, and making a large declaration of the causes for which he had taken up Arms again. Thus Queen Elizabeth (like a fortunate Princesse) sat as an Honorable Arbitresse between the Spanish, the French, and the States; insomuch that it was not untrue which one wrote, That France and Spain were Ballances in the Scale of Europe ; and England the Beam to turn them either way; for they still got the better, to whom she adhered.
About this time, when the Judges sat at the Assizes in Oxford, and one • owland I • nkes a Book-seller was questioned for speaking approbrious words against the Queen, suddenly they were surprised with a pestilent favor; whether rising from the noisome smell of the prisoners, or from the damp of the ground, is uncertain, but all that were there present, almost everyone, within forty hours died, except Women and children; and the Contagion went no further. There died Robert Bell Lord chief Baron, Robert D'Oylie ; Sir William Babington: D'Olye Sheriff of Oxford -shire, Harcourt, Weynman, Phetiplace, the most noted men in this Tract; Barham the famous Lawyer; almost all the Jurours, and three hundred other, more or less.
This year the title of the Lord Latimer, (which had flourished in the Family of the Nevills, ever since the days of King Henry the sixth) was extinct in John Nevill, who died without issue male, and left a fair estate to four daughters, whereof the eldest married Henry Earl of Northumberland, the second, Thomas Cecil, who was afterward Earl of Exceter ; the third, Sir William Cornwallis ; and the fourth Sir John Daverse.
In Ireland the O-Moors and O-Conors, and others, whose Ancestors the Earl of Sussex in Queen Mary's days, had for their rebellion, deprived of their Patrimony in Loyse and Oph • li • , did now break forth into a new Rebellion, under the conduct of Rori • Oge, that is, Roderick the younger: set on fire the village of Naasse, assault L • chlin, from whence being driven back by the valor of George Care • the Governor, he was afterward slain.
Out of England at this time there went into the Low-countries, John North, the Lord Norths eldest son • John Norris, second son to the Lord Norris, Henry Cavendish, and Thomas Morgan Colonels, with many voluntaries, to learn Militarie experience. Thither also came Caesamire the Elector Palatines son, with an Army of German Horse and foot, at the Queens charges: upon the • e Don John, assisted by the Prince of Parma, Mondragon, and other the best Commanders of Spain, confident of victory, flieth furiously, before they expected him, yet after a long fight, was forced to retreat; but then turning again, and thinking to break through the Hedges, and Brakes where the English and Scottish voluntaryes had placed themselves, was again repulsed; for the English and Scottish were so hot upon the matter, that casting away their garments, by reason of the hot weather, they fought in their shirts, which they made fast about them. In this battle N ••••• fought most valiantly, and had three horses s • ain under him, as also 〈◊〉 the Scot, Bingham, and William M • r • ham.
Now for comfort • o the afflicted Provinces, there came at that •• me into the Netherlands, the Count Sw •• zenberg from the Emperor, M • nsie •• Be ••••• re from the French King, and from the Queen of England, the Lord Cobham and Wal • ingham, with Commission to procure conditions of Peace, but returned without doing anything, for that Don John refused to admit the Pro • estan • Religion, and the Prince of Orange refused to return into Holland.
About this time Egr • m •• d R •• cliffe, son to Henry Earl of Susse • , by his second wife, who had been a prime man in the rebellion of the North, and served now under Don John, was accused by the English fugitives, that he was sent under hand to kill Don John ; which (whether true or false) he was thereupon taken and put to death. The Spaniards have affirmed, That Ratcliffe at his last end, confessed voluntarily, That he was freed out of the Tower of London, and moved by Walsinghams large promises, to do this Fact; but the English that were present at his death, deny that he confessed any such thing, though the English Rebells did all they could to wrest this confession from him.
At this very time, Don John, in the flower of his age, died of the Pestilence, or (as some say) of grief, as being neglected by the King of Spain his brother; a man of an insatiable Ambition, who aimed first at the Kingdom of Tunis, and after, of England ; and who, without the privity of the French King, or King of Spain, had made a league with the Guises, for the defense of both Crowns.
Alanson, although very busy about the Belgic War, yet now began again to pursue the Marriage with Queen Elizabeth ; for renewing of which suit, first was Bachervyle sent to the Queen; and soon after Ramboulet, from the French King; and within a month after that, Simier, a neat Courtier, and exquisitely learned in the Art of Love, accompanied with a great number of the French Nobility; whom the Queen at Richmond entertained in such loving manner, that Leicester began to rage, as if his hopes were now quite blasted. Certainly a little before, when Ashley, a Lady of the Queens Bed-chamber, mentioned the Earl of Leicester to her for husband, she, with an a • gry countenance, replied, Dost thou think me so unlike myself, and so forgetful of Majesty, as to prefer my servant, whom I myself have advanced, before the greatest Princes of the Christian world?
But it is now time to return to the Scottish Affairs. The Earl of Morton, Regent of Scotland, though a man of great wisdom and valor, yet was now so overcome of covetousness, that he grew universally hated; and thereupon, with the joint consent of the Nobility, the Administration of the Common-wealth was translated to the King, though he was yet but twelve years old, and twelve of the chief Lord's were appointed to attend him in Council, three of them by course for three months; amongst whom, the Earl of Morton for one, that they might not seem to cast him quite off. The King having taken upon him the Administration, sent presently the Earl of Dumformelin to Queen Elizabeth, acknowledging her great deserts towards him, and requesting to have the Treaty of Edinburgh, agreed on in the year 1559, to be confirmed, for the more happy restraining the robbers about the borders; and withal, That his ancient Patrimony in England ; namely, the Lands granted to his Grand-father Ma •• hew, Earl of Lenox, and the Countess his Grand-mother, might be delivered into his hands • who was the next Heir. The Queen readily promised the former demands, but stuck a little at the last, concerning the Patrimony; For she would not grant, That Arbella, the daughter of Charles the King of Scots Uncle, Born in England, was the next Heir to the Lands in England ; neither would she grant the Ambassadors proof out of History, That the Kings of Scots, born in Scotland, did anciently (without question) hold the Earldom of H • ntington by Right of Inheritance. Yet she commanded a Sequestration to be made of the Revenues of those Lands, by B • rleigh Master of the Wards; and willeth the King, That out of the goods of the Earl of Lenox in Scotland, satisfaction might be made to his Grand-mothers Creditors here. For she too • it in ill part, that the King had recalled the In •• o •• meant of the Earldom of Lenox (made to his Uncle Charl • and his Heirs) after the death of Charles, to the prejudice (as was suggested to her) of Arbella ; although indeed, it be a Privilege of the Kings of Scotland, That they may recall Donations made in their minor • ty.
The Earl of Morton in the mean while, not enduring the disgrace to be outed of his Regency, regarded not the prescript Form of Government lately set down, but drew the Administration of all matters to himself, and kept the King in his own power, at the Castle of Sterling, admitting none to his presence, but whom he pleased. At this presumption, the Lord's growing angry, made the Earl of Atholl their Captain, and in the Kings Name levied a great Army, and were ready to encounter Morton ; but by the intercession of Robert Bows, the English Ambassador, they were stayed from fighting; and Morton presently betook himself home, and the Earl of Atholl soon after died, not without suspicion of being poisoned.
At this time the King of Spain, and Pope Gregory the thirteenth, held secret Consultation, to invade at once both England and Ireland, and to work the absolute ruin of Queen Elizabeth ; The Pope to gain the Kingdom of Ireland for his son James Buen of Compagno, whom he had made Marquess of Vincola. The King of Spain secretly to relieve the Irish Rebells, as Queen Elizabeth did the Dutch, while friendship in words was upheld on both sides: and being known, That the greatest strength of England consisted in the Navy Royal, and Merchants Ships, it was advised, that the Italian and Dutch • Merchants should hire these Ships for long Voyages; to the end that while they were absent, the Queens Navy might be surprised with a greater Fleet: and at that time Thomas Stukeley, an English fugitive, should join himself to the Irish Rebells with new Forces. For he making great boast, and promising the Kingdom of Ireland to the Popes bastard son, had so insmuated himself into grace with the ambitious old man, that he adorned him with the Titles of Marquess of Leinster, Earl of Wexford and Caterlogh, Viscount M • rogh, and Baron of Ross (the principal dignities of Ireland ) and made him Commander over eight hundred Italian Soldiers, to be employed in the Irish War. With which Forces Stuckeley setting Sayl from 〈◊〉 Vecchia, arrived at length in Portingall, where he and his Forces • were by the divine providence, diverted another way. For S •• a •• ia • King of Porti • gall (to whom the chief Command, in this Expedition against England was assigned) being first to dispatch a War in Africa, in Ayd of Mahomet Abdall, son to the King of Fesse, persuaded Stukeley to go along with him into Maure • ania, together with his Italian Soldiers; and then afterward they would go together against Ireland : To this motion Stukeley soon agreed, and therein agreed with his destiny; for in that memorable Battle where three Kings were slain, both he and Sebastian lost their lives.
At this time Sir Henry Sidney (who had been Deputy of Ireland at several times eleven years) delivered up his Deputy-ship to Sir William Drury, President of Munster: Such a Deputy, for good Government, that if any have equalled him, none have exceed him.
It was now the year 1579, and the two and twentieth year of Queen Elizabeth's Raign; when John Casimire, son of Frederick the third, Count Pala • ine of the Rhyne, came into England ; where, after he had been entertained with Tiltings and Justs, made Knight of the Garter (the Queen tying the Garter about his leg) and rewarded with a yearly Pension, he returned. And now was Alexander •• rnise, Prince of Parma, made Governor of the Netherlands by the King of Spain : and Queen Elizabeth supplied the States with a great Sum of money; for which William Davyson brought into E • gland the ancient precious Habilliments of the Family of Burgundy, and their costly Vessells, laid to pawn by Matthew of Austria and the States.
Si • ier in the mean time herein England, cea • eth not by all amorous devices to persuade the Queen to marry Alanson ; wherein he drew her so far, that the Earl of Leicester gave ou • , He crept into the Queens affection by love Potions and unlawful Arts: and Simier on the other side endeavored by all means to cast down Leicester, discovering his marriage with the Earl of Essex widow, whereat the Queen grew so angry, that she consined him to the Castle at Greenwich, and had meant to have him Committed to the Tower, but that the Earl of Sussex (though his greatest Adversarie) dissuaded her: telling her that none ought to be molested for contracting lawful Matrimony. But Leicester notwithstanding was so provoked for his confining, that he was bent to revenge it, and if it be true, as some said • he had suborned on Teud • r a Yeoman of the Guard to murder Simier, sure it is the Queen by Proclamation commanded that no person should offer injury to the Ambassador or any of his servants. At which time it fell out that as the Queen, together with Simier, the Earl of Lincoln, and Hatton Vice-Chamberlain were rowed in a barge to Greenwich, a young man shooting off a Harquebus out of a boat, shot one of the rowers in the Queens Barge thorough the arm with a bullet, who was presently taken and led to the Gallows, but upon solemn Protestation, that he did it unwillingly, and out of no malicious Intent, he was let go and Pardoned. Some would have persuaded the Queen that was purposely suborned to shoot either her or the French Ambassador: but she was so far from suspecting her Subjects; that she would often say, She would not believe anything against them which a mother would not believe against her children.
After a few days Alanson himself came privately into England with only on or two attendants, and came to the Queen at Greenwich, at a time when she thought not of it; they had secret conference together, all parties being sent away, after which, being seen of very few, he returned home; but within a month or two after the Queen enjoined the Lord Burleigh treasurer, the Earl of Sussex, Leicester, Hatton and Walsingham, seriously to weigh both the dangers, and the Commodities likely to arise from the marriage with him, and to consult with Simier concerning the marriage Covenants.
As in England there was some fear of this Frenchman: So in Scotland at this time of another Frenchman, called Esme Steward, Lord of Aubigny, who came now into Scotland to visit the King his cosen. He was the son of John Steward brother to Matthew Steward Earl of Lenox the Kings grandfather, and had denomination from Aubigny in France, which title Charles the seventh King of France had anciently conferred upon John Steward of the Family of Lenox, who being constable of the Scottish Army in France, vanquished the English in one battile, and was slain by them in another: and from that time the title belonged to the younger descent of that house. This Esme Steward, the King embraced with exceeding great love, made him Lord Chamberlain of Scotland, and Captain of the Castle of Dumbriton, and created him first Earl and then Duke of Lenox. The fear from this man was; because he was devoted to the Guises and the Popish religion, and that which increased the fear from this man; because he applied himself to Mortons adversaries, and mediated to have Thomas Carre Lord of Fernishurst called home, who of all men was most addicted to the Queen of Scots.
About this time Queen Elizabeth, at the request of William Harbou • ne an Englishman, procured a grant from the Turkish Emperor for the English merchants to exercise free traffick in all places of his dominions, as well as Venetians, Polanders, and other neighbouring Nations; whereupon they set up first the Company of Turkey Merchants, managing a most gainful Trade at Constantinople, Alexandoria; Egypt, Aleppo, Cyprus, and other parts of Asia, bringing home Spices, Perfumes, unwrought Silks, Tapistry, Indico, Corrants, and the like.
This year died Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal; but who, by virtue of an Act of Parliament, always exercised the Jurisdiction of Lord Chancellor; a very fat man, but singularly wise, and a chief prop of the Queens Privy Council: In whose place succeeded Sir Thomas Bromley, the Queens Solicitor, with the Title of Lord Chancellor of England.
In Ireland at this time, in the Province of Munster, James Fitz Morris kindled a new fire of Rebellion; for after his former submission upon his knees, vowing all Obedience to the Queen, he stole away into France, and promised the French King, if he would lend him assistance, to make him King of Ireland. But being by him slighted, he went into Spain, and made the like offer to the King there. The King of Spain sent him to the Pope, from whom (by means of Nicholas Sanders, an English Priest, and Alan an Irishman, both Doctors of Divinity) he obtained a little money, a Legates Authority for Sanders, a consecrated Banner, and Letters of Commendation to the Catholic King. And returning from Spain with those Divines, three Ships, and a few men, he landed at Smerwick Kerry, a Demy Island in the West part of Ireland, about the first day of July, where (the place being first of all consecrated by the Priests) he built a Fort, and brought the Ships close under it; but these were presently set upon and carried away, by Thomas Courtney, and thereby the Spaniards deprived of their opportunity of coming thither by Sea. But now John and James, brothers to the Earl of Desmond, gathering together a small number of Irish, join themselves presently with their kinsman Fitz Morris. Yet the Spaniards seeing that but a very few Irish, and those unarmed, came unto them, they began to distrust the estate they were in, and to cry out, That they were undone; whom Fitz Morris heartened the best he could, telling them that Supplyes were presently to come. And going himself to get more company, he passed thorough the Land of his Cosin William a Burgh, who though he had been a Rebell before, yet was now grown loyal, so as there fell out a Skirmish between them; in which Fitz Morris being stricken thorough with a Pike, and shot into the head with a Leaden Bullet, died in the place, and most of his Company with him; but withal, two of William Burghs sons were in that Skirmish slain also; when the Queen, to comfort him for the loss of his sons, adorned him with the Dignity of Baron of Castle Conell, and rewarded him with a yearly Pension besides: which favors so overwhelmed him with joy, that he lived but a short while after. And now Sir William Drury the Deputy growing very sick, appointed Sir Nicholas Malby then Governor of Connaght, to be President of Munster, and General of the Army; at which time, the Earl of Desmond, who had all this while made a show of Loyalty, breaks openly ou • into Rebellion; when now Drury the Deputy dying at Waterford, and by his death Malbyes Authority ceasing, Sir William Pelham is by the Counsel chosen Justice of Ireland, with Authority of Vice-Roy, until such time as a Deputy were appointed, and the Earl of Ormond is made President of Munster. Pelham goeth into Munster, and sendeth for the Earl of Desmond, who refusing to come, is thereupon proclaimed Traitor, and an enemy to the State; and this being published, the Justice committed the following the War to the Earl of Ormond, who slaying most of the Spaniards, and adherents to Desmond, compelleth him to send his wife to the Justice, to beg his pardon.
The Lord Justice Pelham now certified, that Arthur Lord Grey was landed with authority to be Deputy of Ireland, at Munster delivereth the Army to George Bour • hier, the son of John, second Earl of Bathe, of that name, and himself returneth to Dublin, to deliver up the Province to his Successor. The Lord Grey at his landing, before he received the Sword, hearing where the Rebells had their Randevouz, marcheth towards them, who presently betake themselves to Glandilough, a grassie Valley, and beset thick with Trees, where they who dwell near, scarce know the winding out; yet the Deputy (taking one C • sbie an old man, well acquainted with the place, to be is leader) entered into it, where he lost divers of his men; namely, Peter Carew the younger, George Moore, Audeley, and Cosbie himself th • t was his Leader.
A short time after, there landed at Smerwick in Kerry, under the command of San Joseph an Italian, about seven hundred Italian soldiers, who fortify the place, and name it Fort del Or. Whereupon the Deputy sent a Trumpeter to the Fort to demand who they were, what they had to do in Ireland, and who sent them; withal commanding them to depart immediately. But they replied, That some of them were sent from his Holiness, other from the Catholic King, upon whom the Pope had bestowed the Kingdom of Ireland, for that Queen Elizabeth (by reason of heresy) hath forfeited the Right unto her; and therefore what they had gotten, they would maintain. Upon this the Deputy prepares for Battery, lets fly his Ordnance four days together; in which time the Spaniards once or twice make sallyes out, to their own loss much, but not an English-man slain, but only John Cheek, a courageous young Gentleman, son to Sir John Cheek, a learned Knight. And now San Joseph, who commanded the Fort, a white-liver'd soldier, terrified with the continual Battery, and having no hope of relief, either from the King of Spain, or Desmond (contrary to the will of all his soldiers) he set up a White Flagge, and desired Parlee, but Parlee was denied, because he had combined with Rebells, with whom it is not lawful to hold Parlee. Then he demanded that his Company might pass away with their Baggage, but neither would this be granted. Then he required • hat some of the chiefer sort might have leave to depart; but neither could this be obtained. At last, when they could prevail in nothing, they hanged out the white Flagge again, and submitted themselves absolutely, without any condition, to the Deputies mercy, who presently consulteth how to deal with them, and this was the Case; Their number was well near as great as the English; there was present fear of danger from the Rebells; and the English were so destitute of meat and apparel, that they were ready to mutiny, unless they might have the spoil granted them; and besides, there were no ships neither to send them away if they were spared: For these Reasons it was concluded (the Deputy gain-saying, and letting tears fall) That only the Leaders should be saved, the rest all slain, and all the Irish hanged up; which was presently put in execution; to the great disliking of the Queen, who detested the slaughter of such as yielded themselves, and would accept of any excuses or allegations.
And yet more cruelty then this was at that time committed in the Netherlands ; for John Norris, and Oliver Temple, English Commanders, together with some Companies of Dutch, setting out early one morning, took Mechlyn a wealthy Town of Brabant, at an assault with ladders, where they promiscuously murdered both Citizens and Religious Persons, offering violence even upon the dead, taking away Grave-stones, which were sent into England to be sold.
About this time certain English Priests, who were fled into the Netherlands, in the year 1568, by the procurement of William Allen, an Oxford Scholar, joined themselves to study at Douay, where they entered into a Collegiate Form of Government; to whom the Pope allowed a yearly Pension. But tumults arising in the Low-Countries, and the English Fugitives being commanded by the King of Spain's Deputy to depart from thence, other the like Colleges, for the training up of the English youth, were erected, one at Rheims by the Guises, and another at Rome by Pope Gregory the thirteenth, which always afforded new • upplyes of Priests for England, when the old failed, who should spread abroad the seeds of the Romish Religion here amongst us; from whence, those Colleges had the name of Seminaries, and they called Seminary-Priests who were trained up in them. In these Seminaries, amongst other Disputations, it was concluded, That the Pope hath such fullness of Power, by Divine Right, over the whole Christian world, both in Ecclesiastical and Secular matters, that by virtue thereof, it is lawful for him to excommunicate Kings, absolve their subjects from their Oath of Allegiance, and deprive them of their Kingdoms. From these Seminaries at this time, there came two into England, Robert Parsons, and Edmund Campian, both of them English-men, and Jesuits. Parsons was born in Somerset -shire, a fierce and rough conditioned fellow; Campian was a Londoner, of a milder disposition. They had been both brought up in Oxford; Campian a Fellow of St. John 's College, and had been Proctor in the year 1569; and when he was made Deacon, counterfeited himself to be a Protestant, till such time as he slipped out of England. Parsons was of Baylioll College, where he made open profession of the Protestant Religion, till for dishonest carriage, he was expelled the House, and then fled to the Popish Party. Both these came privily into England, in the disguise one while of Soldiers, another while of Noble-men; sometimes like English Ministers, and sometimes in the habit of Apparitors. Parsons, who was made the Superior, brake forth into such open words amongst the Papists, about deposing the Queen, that some of themselves had a purpose to complain of him to the Magistrates. Campian, though something more moderate, yet in a Writing provoked the English Ministers to a dispu • e; and published in Latin an Elegant Book of his ten Reasons, in maintenance of the Doctrine of the Romish Church; as Parsons in like manner, set forth another violent Pamphlet against Clark, who had written modestly against Campians Provoca • ion. But Doctor Whitaker soundly confuted Campian, who being after a year apprehended, and put upon the Rack, was afterward brought out to a Disputation; where he scarcely made good the great fame that went of him.
In this year was the return of Captain Drake from his incredible Voyage round about the World (which Magellan had before attempted, but died in the Voyage) whereof to rela • e all particular accidents, would require a large Volume: It may suffice in this place, to deliver some special Passages. He was born of mean Parentage in Devon -shire, yet had a great man (Francis Russell, after Earl of Bedford) to be his God-father. His father, in K. Henry the eighth's time, being persecuted for a Protestant, changed his Soyl, and lived close in Kent. K. Henry being dead, he got a place amongst the Mariners of the Queens Navy, to read Prayers, and afterward bound his son Fran • is to a Ship-Master, who in a Ship which went to and fro upon the Coast with Commodities, one while to Zealand, another while to France, training him up to pains and skill at Sea; who afterward dying, took such a liking to him, that he bequeathed his Barque to him by his Will: This Barque Drake sold, and then in the year 1567, went with Sir John Hawkins into America ; in which Voyage, he unfortunately lost all he had. Five years after, having gotten again a good sum of Money by Trading and Pyracy, (which the Preacher of his Ship told him was lawful) he bought a Ship of War, and two small Vessells, with which he set Sayl again for America, where his first Prize was great store of Gold and Silver, carried over the Mountains upon Mules; whereof the Gold he brought to his Ships, but left the Silver, hiding it under ground: After this, he fired a great place of Traffique, called, The Cross, at the River Chiruge, when roaming to and fro upon the Mountains, he espied the South Sea; where falling upon his knees, he craved assistance of Almighty God, to find out that passage, which he reserveth for another Voyage; and for the present, having gotten much riches, he returned home. Afterwards, in the ye • 1577, the thirte •• th day of November, with five Ships, and Sea-men, to the number of 163, he set Sayl from Plimmo • th, for the Southern Sea, and within five and twenty days, came to Cantyne, a Cap • in Ba • b • ry, and then sailed along by the Isl • of F • g • , which sends forth •• emes of Sulphur; and being now un • e • the Line, he let everyone in his Ships blood. The sixteenth of Ap •• l, entering into the mouth of the Plate • they espied a world of Sea-Calves; in which place John- • oughty, the next to Drake in Authority, was called in question for raising Sedition in the Navy, w • o being found guilty, was beheaded. Some report, That Drake had charge given him from the Earl of Leicester ; to make away Doughty upon some pre • ence or other, for that he had said, that the Earl of Essex was craftily made away by Leicester • The twentieth of August, two of his Ships he turneth off, and with the other three came to the Sea, which they call • The Straight of Magell • n. The sixth of September, entering into the wide Southern Ocean, which they call • The Pacifique Sea, he found it out of measure troublous, so that his Ships were here by Tempests dispersed; in one of which, John Winter was Master, who returned back into England; Drake himself, with only one Ship, coasted along the Sho • e, till he came to the Isle Mo • cha, from whence loosing, he lighted upon a fellow fishing in a little Boat, who shown him where a Spanish Ship laden with Treasure • ay; Drake making towards it; the Spaniards thought him to be their own Country man, and thereupon invited him to come on; but he getting aboord presently shut the Spaniards (being not above eight persons) under • atches, and took the Ship, in which was four hundred pound weight of gold. At Taurapasa, going again on shore, he found a Spaniard • leeping by the Seaside • who had lying by him twenty bars of mass • e Silver, to the value of four thousand Duckats, which he bid his follower • take amongst them, the Spaniard still sleeping. After this, going into the Port of Africa, he found there three Vessels without any Mariners in them; wherein, besides other wares, were seven and fifty silver bricks, each of which weighed twenty pound; From hence, Tyding it to Lime, he found twelve Ships in one Road, and in them great store of Silks, and a Chest full of money coined, but not so much as a Ship-boy aboord; (such security there was in that Coast:) Then putting to Sea with those Ships, he followed the rich Ship called Cacofoga • and by the way met with a small Ship, without Ordnance or other Arms, out of which he took fourscore pound weight of gold, a golden Crucifix, and some Em • aulds of a fingers length. The first day of March, he overtook the Cacofoga, set upon her, and took her • and in her, besides jewels, fourscore pound weigh • of gold, thirteen Chests of silver ready coined, and as much silver as would ballast a Ship. And now thinking he had gained wealth enough, he resolved to return home • and so on the third of November 1580. he landed at Plimmouth, having sailed round about the World, in the space of three years; to the great admiration of all that know what compass the World is of.
The Queen welcomed him home, but made a sequestration of the goods, that they might be ready if the King of Spain required them; and commanded the ship to be drawn on shore near Detford for a monument (where the carcass of it is ye • to be seen) and her self feasted in it, at which time She Knighted Captain Dr • ke. But Bernardine M • ndoz • , the KING of Spain's Ambassador in ENGLAND began to rage; and earnestly demanded Restitution of the Goods, and complained, that the ENGLISH sailed upon the INDIAN Sea. To whom it was answered, That the goods were sequestered, and ready to make the King of Spain satisfaction, although the Queen had expended against the Rebells, whom the Spaniard had excited in England and Ireland, more money then that which Dr • ke brought home. And as for sailing on the Indian Sea • that it was as lawful for the Queens subjects as his, seeing the Sea and the Air are common for all to use. Notwithstanding, to Pedro S •••• a, the K • ng of Spain 's Agent in this business, a great sum of money was re-paid • which was not • estored to them • o whom it belonged, but employed to the Spaniards Wars in the Low-Co ••• ries, as was known after • when it was too late.
But at this time, when Iackman and Pett, two skillful Pilots, were sent forth with two Ships by the Londoners, to find out • shorter cut to the East Indies, by the North-West Passage; they had not the like success; for a few Leagues beyond the Isles of • aygat • , they met with such uncertain Tydes, so many Shallows, and such Mountains of Ice, that • hey could go no further, and had much • do to return home.
About this time, Henry Fitz Allen, Earl of Arundel died, in whom the Sirname of a most Noble Family ended, which had flourished in this Honor for above three hundred years, from Richard Fitz Alan ; who being descended from the Al • anets (ancient Earls of Arundel and Sussex, in the Raign of King Edward the first) obtained the Title of Earl, by re • so • of the possession of Arundel Castle, without Creation. He had • hree daughters by his wife Katherine, daughter to Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset, all whom he out-lived; H • nry, a young man of great hope, who died at Brussells; John, wife to the Lord Lumley ; and Mary, who being married to Thomas Howard, Duke of N •• folk, brought forth Philip, in her Right, Earl of Arundel.
In Ireland, Arthur Lord Grey the Deputy, going against the O Conors, who • aised stirs in Ophalie, putteth to death Hugh O Moley, quieteth all that Quarter, even the Families of the Mog • hig • ns, and O Charles, and in the very beginning suppresseth a conspiracy which was breaking forth, by putting to death the Lord N • g • n • • who being confident in his own innocence, when the Deputy promised to save his ilfe, if he would but confess himself guilty, chose rather to die and be held guiltless, then to live in infamy, by betraying his own Innocency. With whose death the Queen was extremely displeased, as by which she was made a Patronesse of cruelty, to her great dishonor. But the Deputy knew with what kind of people he dealt, and by this example of severity, brought Turl • gh Leymigh to accept conditions of Peace; and the O B • i • s, and Cavenaghs (rebellious Families in Leinster ) humbly to crave Peac • also, and to offer Hostages.
In Scotland at this time, great jealousy was • ad of Lenox, Lord of Obig • y, lest, being in so great favor with the King, he should allure him to marry into France, and bring into Scotland the Popish Religion. Whereupon (although he purged himself by Letters to Queen Elizabeth, and proffered himself to be a Protestant) yet many courses were taken to sequester him from the King • but so far from taking effect, That on the contrary, the Earl of Morton (who among all other was most addicted to the English) was soon after accused of Treason by the Earl of Arran, and cast into prison • and not long after (notwithstanding all the means the Queen could use to save him) was beheaded, as convicted to be accessory to the murder of the Kings Father. Whereupon the Earl of Angus, and other, who labored for M • rt •• , fled straightways into England.
In the Low-Countries about this time, the Count Rheinberg proceeded victoriously for the King of Spain, and beleaguered St • nwick in Freezland ; against whom the States sent Norris General of the Field, who put the •• einburghs Company to the worst • and raised the Siege: but afterward 〈…〉 with Verdugo the Spaniard at N • rthone, even when the Vi 〈…〉 gotten ( Roger Williams having put the enemies to flight) 〈…〉 of the War turned, Norris is vanquished, wounded, and a great 〈…〉 his men slain; amongst whom were Cotton, Fitz • Williams, and 〈…〉 Commanders. Here it must not be omitted • That the English 〈…〉 the dwellers in the Northern parts of the World, were hither 〈…〉 Drinkers, and deserved praise for their sob • iety) in these Dutch 〈…〉 to be Drunkards; and brought the vice so far to over-spread 〈…〉 • ome, that Laws were fain to be enacted for repressing it.
〈…〉 whilst the States and the King of Spain con • end about a few 〈…〉 the Low-Countries, he seizeth upon the whole Kingdom of Por ••• 〈…〉 For the last year, Henry, King of P •• tingall dying, many Compe 〈…〉 allenge the Kingdom; as the Duke of Savoy ; the Prince of Par 〈…〉 Natharine Bracant, and the Queen of France. But Philip King of 〈…〉 son of Henries eldest sister, putting the case to his Divines and 〈…〉 and adjuring them to pronounce to whom of Right it belonged, 〈…〉 , For him: whereupon he sent Duke D'Alva, who put to 〈…〉 •• tonio, whom the people had elected King, and within seventy days 〈…〉 all Portingall. The Queen of France angry hereat, and enviously be 〈…〉 the King of Spain 's Dominions thus enlarged (being now Master 〈…〉 gall, the East Indies, and many Islands besides) adviseth, amongst 〈…〉 P ••• ces, Queen Elizabeth, to bethink themselves in time, of restrain 〈…〉 • o excessive Dominions. Whereupon the Queen received Don 〈◊〉 , and l • vingly relieved him, which she thought might be done without 〈…〉 breath of the League with Spain, seeing Don Antonio was descended of 〈…〉 Blood, and of the House of Lancaster ; and that no Cau • ion was 〈…〉 • eague; That the Portuger should 〈◊〉 be admitted into England.
And now the Queen-Mother of Frano • , and the King her son, mo • e 〈◊〉 then ever, pursue the Ma • ch with Alanson, now Duke of A • gio • ; 〈…〉 transacting whereof, they sent in Ambassage into England • Francis 〈◊〉 , Prince of Daulphine; Arthur C • sse • Marshall of France, and many 〈◊〉 Hono • rabble Personages, who were entertained with great respect (a 〈◊〉 being purposely built at Westminster for that use, Royally furnished; •• tings and Justs proclaimed, by Philip Earl of Arundel, Frederick Baron 〈◊〉 Windsor, Sir Philip Sidney, and Sir Fulk Grevill, against all come • s • The •••• gates that were to confer with the French concerning the Marriage, 〈◊〉 Sir William Cecil Lord Treasurer; Edward, Earl of Lincoln, Lord Ad •••• ll; Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester ; Sir Christopher Hatton, and Sir 〈◊〉 Walsingham, Secretary • by whom, Covenants of Marriage were at •• th agreed on; First, That the Duke of Angio • , and the Queen of Eng •••• , within six weeks after the ratification of the Articles, should contract •• trimony • and the rest, most of them such as were before agreed on, in the • arriage between Queen Mary and King Philip, chiefly consisting in confer •• ng Honor upon the Duke, but Power upon the Queen. It was also ar •• ed, That all pa • ticulars should be ratified within two Months • by the ••• thfull Promise and Oath of the French King, for him and his Heirs, and • eservation also was added apart, with the Hands and Seals of every 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Delegates, That Queen Elizabeth is not bound to finish the Marriage, •• till she and the Duke have given each other satisfaction in some 〈◊〉 , and have certified the French King of the same within six we • ks • Be • ore those six weeks were expired, Simier, Secretary to the Cou ••• ll, is 〈◊〉 into France, to require the King of France his Confirmation • The 〈◊〉 will not hear him, but presseth to have the Marriage accomplished, 〈…〉 was contracted, and that nothing else was to be done. • i •• ier on the 〈◊〉 side, showeth by the Articles, That a League offen ••• e and defensive 〈◊〉 first be concluded: This the French King disclayme • h: Whereupon W • lsinghams is presently sent • o compose this differan • e, who jointly with Henry C • bham, the Embass •• our in ordina •••• and Simier, allegeth to the French King these Partic • l •• s, That Queen Elizabeth for no other reason was willing to marry, but for the • atisfaction of he • people; and seeing many Impediments were come in the way since the first Treaty, namely the Civil War in Franc • and the Dukes engagement in a war with Spain, w •• makes the wi • est of her subjects to be now against the Ma • ch. This hath made her to defer the accomplishment of it, although her affection be still constant toward the Duke • For this cause the Queen would have no further Treaty to be held • till the French Duke be freed from the Spanish war, and a Leauge of mutual offe ••• and defense be agreed on. The French King willingly accepted of •• e L • agu • defensive; but of the offensive he would hear no speech, till th • marriage were finished.
No • long aft • r • the French D • k • himself came into England, having with good success raised the Si • ge of C •• bray ; he was here received with as great humanity as he cou •• w • sh, and nothing omitted • where by he might judge himsel • to be truly welcome. Insomuch th •• in November, when the Anniversari • of the Qu ••• s Inauguration came to be solemnized, the Q. (while they were in Love conference) drew a Ring off from her finger, and put it upon his, upon some private conditions. The standers by imagined, that by this Ceremony the Marriag • was confirmed between them; and Aldeg • nd Governor of Antwerp being there, presently dispatched messengers into the Low-Countries • to give notice of it; and thereupon Bonfires were made, and all shows of Rejoicing • But the Earl of Leicester (who priv • lie plotted to cross the Ma • ch) H •• ton the Vice-Chamberlain, and Secretary Walsingham, fr •• and are enraged, as if the Kingdom, the Queen and Religon, were now utterly ov •• thrown. The Maids of Honor, and Ladi • s that were familiar wi •• th • Queen, made grievous lamentation, and so 〈◊〉 and daunted her, that she could take no rest that night. The nex • day • she calleth to her the French Duke, and causing all company to go aside, they privately • n • er • ain a long discourse. At length the Duke returning to his lodging, cast the Ring away from him, and after a while takes it up again, terribly exclayming against the Levity and inconstancy of Women.
The Queen at this time was much troubled at a Book lately put forth, with this Title, The Gulf wherein England will be swallowed, by the French Marriage: whereof, conceiving that some Puritan was the Author, it made her highly displeased with the Puritans: whereupon within a few days, John Stubbes of Lincolns-Inn, a Zealous Professor, and the Author of this book, (w • ose sister, Thomas Cartwright, the father of the Puritants, had married) William Page that dispersed the copies, and Singleto • the Printer, were apprehended • against whom Sentence was pronounced, That their Right hand should be cut off • by virtue of a Law made in the Rain of Phillip and Ma • ie, against the A • thors and dispersers of Seditious Writings; (though the chief Lawyers and Judges of the Kingdom could not agree concerning the f •• ce of that S • a • ue:) Hereupon Stub •• s and Page were brought to the Scaff • ld, made of purpose, in the Market place at Westminster, and their right hands, with a Butchers knife and a malle • , cut off by the wrest; the Printer was p •• doned • At that time, Stubbs when his right hand was cut off, uncovered his head with the left, and cried out, God save the Queen, to the great amazement of all the beholders.
At this time the Queen, upon importunate suite of her Counsel, gave way, • hat Edmund Campian, Ralph Sherwin, and Alexa • der Bryant, Priests, should be called to the • arre, who being accused by virtue of a Law made in the five and twentieth year of King Edward the Third, to have plotted the ruin of the Queen and Kingdom; to be adhering to the Pope, the Queens enemy, and coming into England, to raise Forces against the State, were then condemned of High-treason, and accordingly executed. Campian after he was convicted, being demanded; First, whether Queen Elizabeth w • re a lawful Queen? would make no answer; afterward, Whether he • old stand for the Queen, or for the Pope, if he should send an Army against the Queen; he plainly professed, That he would be of the Popes side, • nd witnessed so much under his hand. After this, some other Papists upon the like occasion were also put to death, which the Queen rather necessa • ily, than willingly assented to, as being unwilling to force the conscience of any. These, and the like exorbitancies of Papists, were cause, that new •• d strict Laws were enacted against them the Parliament following, which began the next January.
The French Duke after three months abode in England, took his journey in February, into the Low-Countries, whom the Queen herself brought on his way as far as Canterbury • and then commanded the Earl of Leicester, the Lord Charles Howard, Hunsdon, Willoughby, Windsor, Sheffield, Sir Philip Sidney, Sir Francis Russell, Sir George Bourchier, and some other prime knights, to accompany him to Antwerpe, where he is made Duke of Brabant, Limb •• rg, and Lorraine ; for the Dutch had long before removed the King of Spain's Government, and quitted the people from their oath of Allegiance, that it might be in their power to choose any other Prince. He • e the Duke of Anjou gave free leave to exercise the Roman Religion, to as many as would swear Fealty to him, and abjure the King of Spain's authority: but • fter all, having spent a great mass of money, with which he was supplied from England ; and observi • g, that only vain and empty titles were conferred upon him, while the States held all the Dominion in their own hands, he rashly enterprized an assault upon Antwerpe, and some other Towns, and shortly departed without any great matter performed.
At this time Queen Elizabeth, as well to get her some friends, as she had procured her self many enemies; received into the Order of t • e Garter, Frederick the Second King of Denmark ; to whom she employed Sir Peregrine Bertye (whom she had lately made Lord Willoughby of Eresby ) to Invest him.
But now to prevent the Duke of Guyses design in Scotland, which was to make use of the Duke of Lenox favor with the King, to withdraw his affection from the English: William Reuthen, whom the King had lately made Earl of Gowry, endeavored with others, by all means to remove Lenox, and the Earl of Arran from the King; and so, while Lenox was gone from Ferth (where the King at that time was) to Edinburgh, and Arran was also absent on a journey: The Earls Gowry, Marre, Lindsey, and other, taking the opportunity, invited the King to the Castle of Reuthen, and there detained him, not permitting him to walk abroad: All his trusty servants they removed from about him, Arran they cast in prison, enforced the King to call home the Earl of Angus, and to send away Lenox into France, who being a man of a soft and gentle disposition, for the Kings safety readily consented; and not content with all this, they compelled the King by his Letters to Queen Elizabeth, to approve and allow of this his thralldom. The Queen of Scots in the mean while, bewailing her own hard fortune, and the distress of the King her Son, layeth open the same in a large letter, written to the Queen in French: With which letter, Queen Elizabeth being somewhat affected, sent unto her Robert Beale Clerk of the Council, to expostulate with her concerning the querulous writing, and jointly with the Earl of Shrewsbury, to treat of the setting her at liberty. And indeed, serious consultation was held at the Council Table about it, and the most were of opinion • that upon certain conditions she should have her liberty; but the Scottish of the English faction opposing it, nothing was effected.
Soone after this, the King sent Colonel William Steward, and John Colvill to Queen Eliz • beth, proffering all manner of respect and observance, and requesting her advice for quieting the tumults in Scotland, and also for his contracting of marriage. At which time, news was brough • , that the Duke of L • nox was dead in France, who departing this life • t Paris, even at the very point of death, as oftentimes before, made open profession of the Pro •• stant Religion; thereby confuting those who had maliciously traduced him for a Papist. After whose death, when the surprizers of the King were lift up in their own conceits, as thinking they had him safe enough. He on a sudden (though scarce eighteen years of age) with some few others, conveyed himself to the Castle of St. Andrew's, to whom the Nobility presently repaired, bringing Armed Bands with them, as fearing some danger might befall him. Afterwards, in fair words, he advised some of his surprizers to go from the Court, for avoiding of tumults, and promised them pardon, if they woe • ld crave it. But Gowry only asked pardon, and submitted himself, using this distinction, That he had not offended in matter, bu • in form only; and then the King sent for the Earl of Arran to the Court, and respected him as his intimate friend, employing him to compose the differen • es amongst the Nobility, and to purge the kingdom and his own Court from civil dissensions.
Whiles he is sedulous in these cares, comes Sir Francis Walsingham from Queen Elizabeth, to advise him not to be led away by evil Counselors, to the destruction of both kingdoms. He findeth the King accompanied with the flower of the nobility, and beholdeth another manner of Majesty than he looked for in Scotland : Pla • ing Audience given him, he put the King in mind, of what the Queen out of Isocrates, in private Letters had formerly admonished him: That a Prince must be such a lover of Truth; that more credit may be given to his bare word, than to another's oath ; and in many words advised him, to beware now in his youth of evil Counselors, and always to be like himself. The King answered, That he was an absolute Prince, and would not that others should appoint him Counselors whom he liked not; but that he had long since devoted the first-fruits of his amity to the Queen of England, his deer Sister, and doth now willingly make profer of the same. Walsingham now dealt with him farther; not to lay to the Queens charge what broils had lately fallen out in Scotland ; showeth, how beneficial to him, and to both kingdoms Amity had been hitherto, and would be in time to come also, so it were not neglected; and that the same might the better be confirmed, if the variance between the Nobility were laid asleep, by a Law of oblivion Enacted in Parliament, The Peers which now were removed from the Court called back again, Religion looked into, and a firm League concluded between both kingdoms. The King made answer, that he gladly embraced Amity with England, and that he would constantly defend the Religion already established: Afterward he lovingly dismissed Walsingham, though he held him no good friend to him and his Mother; and carefully looking to matters, with undestanding, even above his years, proposed and proffered reconciliation to those that had surprised him, if within a limited time they asked Pardon; which they were so far from doing, that the entered into new consultations to surprise him again; whereupon they are commanded within a set time to leave the kingdom, of which number, Marre, Glames, Paslet and some other, betook themselves into Ireland; Boyde, Zester, Weeme, Lochlevin, into the Low-Countries; Dumfermilin into France, the Earl of Angus is confined to his Earldom, Gowry only to his own ruin stayeth behind after the limited time, hatching new devises.
About this time happened a difference, and thereupon a War, between the Emperors of Muscovia, and the King of Sweden ; when John King of Sweden, doubting himself to be no fit Match for the Emperor, sent a Roy •• l Ambassage to Queen Elizabeth, requesting her to intercede for him to •• e Emperor; which she did without delay, and by her Ambassador drew the Muscovian to a Peace upon reasonable Conditions. B • t the Muscovian •• ortly after dying, and Theodorus his Successor, granting free Traffique to •• rchants of all Nations that would come thither; the Queen importuned him to admit of none but English Merchants, requiring him to confirm the Privileges which his Father had granted them: Whereto, by way of Answer, he demanded Free Trading for all the English, saying, It was not fit that a small Company should exercise a Monopoly, and all other be • estrayned: But as for Customs, he promised to take less by one half of that Company, then of any other, because they first opened the way thither.
The next Summer, Albertus Alasco, a Palatine of Poland, of a comely personage, and great learning, came into England to see the Queen, who was nobly entertained, both by her, and the Nobility, as also by the Scholl • rs of Oxford, with learned Orations, and other Recreations: but having •• rryed here four Months, and run i • to much debt, he secretly withdrew himself and departed. This man I saw myself afterward in Crakow, very bare, though it was reported of him, That he had in a Dowry with a wife, fif • y Castles of great value: but what Myne can bear the charges of prodigality?
This year proved fatal to divers great men; for there died this year, ••• st, Thomas Ratcliffe, the third E • rl of Sussex of this Family; a man of grea • spirit, and great faithfulness to his Country. There died also Henry Wriothsley Earl of Southampton ; one exceedingly devoted to the Romish Religion, and a great favourer of the Queen of Scots, which cost him Queen Elizabeth's displeasure, and imprisonment besides. There died also Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who was cast away at Sea, in his return from the North p • rt of America, whither he lately sailed with five Ships, having sold his Patrimony, in hope to plant a Colony t • ere. There died also Edmund Grindall, Arch- • ishop of Canterbury, being blind through age, a gra • e and pious P • elate, who stood highly in the Queens favor for a long time, till he lost 〈◊〉 last, by favoring (as was said) the Puritans Conventicles; but the •• ue cause indeed was, for disallowing the Marriage of Iuli • an Italian Physician, with another man's wife, against the Earl of Leicester 's pleasure. Grind • ll dying, John Whiteguyft succeeded in the See of Canterbury, being transla • ed thither from the See of Worcester.
At this time, certain popish Books written against the Queen, and Princes Excommunicate, withdrew divers from their Allegiance, and particularly, so intoxicated one Somervile, an English Gentleman, that he went privately • o the Court, and breathing out nothing but blood and death against all Protestants, set upon one or two by the way, with his drawn Sword. Being apprehended, he stuck not to say, That he would murder the Queen with his own hands. Hereupon he, and upon his intimation, Edw • rd Arden • is father in Law (a man of an ancient House in Warwick -shire) Ardens wife, their daughter; Somerviles wife, and Hall a Priest, were brought to the Bar, and all condemned; Somervile as principal, the rest as accessories. Th • ee days after, Somervile was found strangled in the prison; Arden was ••• cuted and quartered; the women and the Priest were spared. Many pi • ied the old Gentleman Arden, as misled by the Priest, and (as it was gen • rally believed) brought to his end through the envy of Leicester, whom he used to call Whore-master, Upstart, and many such opprobrious •• mes.
In the Netherlands, the English Garrison at Alost in Flanders being neglected, the Governor Pigot, and the other Captains, for want of pay, upon Composition, yielded up the Town to the Spaniard, and then fearing disgrace at home, joined themselves to the Prince of Parma ; at whose hands finding themselves slighted, by degrees they stole all away, and came all to unlucky ends.
In Ireland the famous Rebell, Gyrald-Fitz Gyrald, the eleventh Earl of Desmond of this Family, having a long time in lurking places escaped the English, was now by a common Soldier found out in a poor Cottage, and slain. His head was sent into England, and set upon London -Bridge. This end had this great Lord, descended from Ma • rice, the son of Gyrald of W • ndsore, an English-man, famous amongst those who first set upon Ireland, in the year 1170. He possessed whole Countries, together with the County Palatine of Kerry, and had of his own Name and Race, at least five hundred Gentlemen at his command. All whom, and his own life also, he lost within the space of three years, very few of his House being left alive. And this disaster he fell into, by proving Trayterous to his Prince, at the instigation of certain Popish Priests. Of whom, the chief was one Nicholas Sanders an English-man, who at the same time died miserably of Famine, being starved to death, when as being forsaken, and running mad upon his ill success, he roamed up and down the Mountains and Groves, finding nothing to sustain him. In his Scrip were found certain Orations and Letters, written to hearten the Rebells, and promising large rewards from the Pope and King of Spain. Upon the Rebells ill success, James Fitz Eustace, Viscount Baltinglas, fled into Spain, where he pined away with grief. He out of zeal to the Roman Religion, a little before he had taken up Arms with the Rebells, and exhorting the Earl of Ormond his neighbor to do the like, (who drew his Linage from St. Thomas of Canterbury ) he used these w • rds to persuade him, That if Saint Thomas of Canterbury had not died for the Church of ROME, thou hadst never been Earl of Ormond, for King HENRY the second, to expiate the murder of THOMAS B • CKET, gave large Lands in Ormond to his Predecessors.
The beginning of the next Spring, certain Scots, together with Gowry, plotted again to surprise the King, pretending only a care of Religion, and to remove ill Counselors from him: but the King having intelligence of their practice, used means by Colonel Steward, to have G •• ry taken and cast into prison: whereupon Marre, Glames, Angus, and other of the confederates, fly into England, and beseech the Queen to commiserate their estate, who had incurred the Kings displeasure, to do her and the Kingdom of England service. The King on the other side, accuseth them to the Queen of heinous crimes, and requires to have them delivered up into his hands. But Secretary Walsingham, who bore great good will to these men, sent Letters with a Command, That they should be safely admitted into Linds Ferme, otherwise called, The holy Island; where Hu • sdon being Governou • there, and great addicted to the King of Scots, resisted Walsinghams Command, alleging he could not satisfy the Secretary in this point, unless the Queen gave express Command. Hereupon grew a Dispute, Whether a Secretary of State might not transact a business of State, without special Commission from the Prince. How this Case was determined, is uncertain; but sure it is, the Scots came not thither, though some favor they had shown them here in England. In the mean time, Gowry was tried by his Peers, at S • eclyn ; where, being accused of many Treasons, though he gave colorable answers to them all, yet was found guilty, condemed, and beheaded; whose head his servants sewing to his body, committed to the Grave.
About this time were practices plotted against Queen Elizabeth, in behalf 〈◊〉 the Queen of Scots, chiefly by Francis Throgmorton, eldest son of John •••• gmorton, Justice of Chester, who came to be suspected, by reason of • etters sent to the Queen of Scots which were intercepted. Upon his ap ••• hension, Thomas Lord Paget, and Charles Arundel, privately stole away 〈◊〉 France, grievously complaining against Leicester and Walsingham, for •• ienating the Queen from them, and using such wiles, that scarce any m • n was able to live in safety. Henry Earl of Northumberland, and Philip Earl of Arundel, were confined to their houses, his wife committed to the •• stody of Sir Thomas Shirley; William Howard, the Earls brother, and He •• y Howard their Uncle, brother to the Duke of Norfolk, were examined about Letters from the Queen of Scots; and many Statagems were set on foot, dangerous to some particular persons, but necessary (as should 〈◊〉 ) for the Queens security. Certain it is, That now the malice of the Papists against the Queen, brake forth more violently than ever before; for in printed Books they stirred up the Queens own servants to • ttempt the like upon her, that Judith did on Olephernes. The Author of these Books could not be found, but the suspicion lay upon one G • egory Martin, sometime of Oxford ; and Carter a Statio • er, who printed the Books, suffered for it. And whereas the Papists everywhere •• aduced the Queen for cruelty, she desirous always to leave a blessed •• membrance behind her, grew extremely offended with the Commissioners for Popish causes, taxing them of too much cruelty, insomuch that they were fain, in a printed Declaration, to clear themselves, protesting; That they questioned no man for his Religion, but only for dangerous attempts against the Queen and State • and that C •• pian himself was never so Racked, but that he could presently walk up and down. But all this gave not the Queen satisfaction, but she commanded the Commissioners to forbear tortures, and the Judges other • u • ishments; and not long after, when seventy Priests were taken, and some of them condemned, and the rest in danger of the Law, she caused them all to be Shipped away, and sent out of England: The chief of whom: were Gaspar Heywood, the great Epigrammatist's son, the first • esuite that ever set foot in England; James B • sgrave, John Hart, and Ed ••• d Rishton.
At this time Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador, was thrust out of England, for joining with Throgmorton, in his Treason against the Queen; whereupon Sir William Waad was sent to the King of Spain, to satisfy him how ill Mendoza had discharged the Office of an Ambassador here in England ; who, when the King admitted him not to his Presence, but in a slighting manner, putting him off to his Counselors; Waad taking it in great disdain, boldly said, That it was a declared Custom among Princes (though in heat of War) to give Ambassadors audience, and thereupon stou • lie refused to •• clare his Ambassage, and so returned into England unheard. The greatest matters laid to Mendoza 's charge, were got • n out of Throgmorton 's Confession; for when he was in danger to be apprehended, he sent to Mendoza a box of Writings; and when his Ch • sts were searched, there were found two Scrowls, one with the names of the Ports of England, and in the other the names of the Nobility and Gentry in England that favored the Romish Religion. These, when Th • ogmorton saw brought forth, he said they were counterfeited, and • tood to it upon the very Rack; but being brought to the Rack the second time • he then confessed all, That Morgan by Letters out of France, had given him information, that the Catholic Princes had decreed to invade England, and with the help of the Duke of Guise, to free the Q. of Scots; and that nothing was now wanting, but money & aid in England: and that for procuring of this, Charles Pa • e • , under the counterfeit name of Mope, was sent into Sussex, where the Duke of Guise intended to land; and that he had imported all this matter to Mendoza, and intimated the names of the Ports, and of the Noble-men that should assist. But being arraigned at the Guild-hall, he denied all this again, saying, He had spoken so, because he would not be Racked again. Yet being condemned to die, he flying to the Queens mercy, confessed in a manner all he had before related • and then at the Gallows went about to deny it again. So false to itself is the mind of man when it is divided between hope and fear, and lies under the burden of a guilty conscience.
Sir William Wade being returned from Spain, was employed to the Queen of Scots, about a Treaty begun two years before: To whom, the distressed Queen sincerely professed, That she devoted her service and her self to the Queen of England ; and made solemn promise, That if the former Treaty might go on, she would mediate with the King her Son, to receive into favor the Earl of Angus, and the other Scottish Lord's, and would charge the Bishops of Ross and Glasco, her Agents in France, to have no further to do with the English Fugitives. These things Q • een Elizabeth heard gladly, and thereupon sent Beale to the Queen of Scots, who jointly with the Earl of Shrewsbery should signify unto her, That if she continued still in the same mind, as she had delivered to Waad ; Sir Walter Mildmay should come out of hand • o her, and Treat concerning her liberty: but withal she commanded Mildmay and Beale to dive into her as well as they could, to know what practices the Duke of Guyse had on foot. To that which she had spoken to sir William Waad, the Queen of Scots made a wary answer; but to that concerning the Duke of Guyse, she plainly confesseth; That being sickly he • self, and weak of body, she had committed her self and her Son, to the Protection of the Duke of Guyse, her dear Cosen, of whose intendments she knoweth nothing; nor if she did, would she disclose them, unless she might be sure of her own liberty. Lastly, she requesteth, That being a free and an absolute Prince, she may not be worse handled, than Queen Elizabeth her self was, when she was a subject, and kept in prison by her Sister. These things had a hearing, but no feeling, and the rather by a strange accident; for Creighton a Scottish Jesuit, sailing from the L • w-Countries, and taken by Dutch Pirates, had certain papers which he tore and three • away, which thrown over-board, and by the wind blown back into the ship, miraculously (as Creighton himself said) they were brought to sir William Waad, who patching them together with much labor and cunning, discovered by them some new intendments of the Pope, the King of Spain • and the Guyse, about the Invading of England : Whereupon, and upo • divers other rumors, the better to provide for the safety of the Queen, a number of her Subjects (the Earl of Leicester being the foremost) men of all ranks and conditions, bound themselves mutually to each other, by their oaths and subscriptions, to persecute all those to the very death, that should attempt anything against the Queen; which league of theirs, they called the Association.
The Queen of Sco • s who presently apprehended, that this Association was entered into for her destruction; maketh this proposition by Nave her Secretary, to the Queen and the Council • That if she might have her liberty granted, and be assured of the Q • een • • ove, she would enter a strict league and • mity with her, and passing by all matters of offense, esteem and honor • er, above all the Princes of the Christian World; yea, and (saving the ancient League betwixt Fra • ce, and Sc •• la • d ) she would her self be comprehended in t • e Association, and a League defensiv • , against all that should go about to injure the Queen. Herewith Queen Eli • abeth was wonderfully pleased, and at that time cer ••• nly had an inclination to grant her freedom. B • t see what malice can do; for many in England • but specially the Sco • s of 〈◊〉 • dverse party, endeavored by all means to hinder it; exclaiming, That 〈◊〉 Queen could be no longer in safety, if the Queen of Scots were set at liberty, That both Kingdoms were utterly undone, if she were admitted into 〈◊〉 • oynt Government of the Kingdom of Scotland, and that the reformed •••• gion lay a bleeding, if Papists were admitted within the Court walls; 〈◊〉 was this all, but the Scottish Ministers in their Pulpits, loaded the 〈◊〉 of Scots with all manner of contumelies, slandred the King himself, and 〈◊〉 Council in most bitter manner; and being cited to appear before him, 〈◊〉 , saying, That the Pulpits were exempted from all Regal Authority, and that Ecclesiastical persons, were not to be censured by the Prince, but 〈◊〉 their own Consistory (directly against the Laws made the year before in Pa • liament) whereby the Kings Authority over all persons, whether Eccle ••• s • icall, or Secular, was confirmed; and namely, That the King and his Council, were Supreme Judges in all Causes; and that whosoever refused 〈◊〉 b • tried by them, should be holden guilty of High-treason; all Presby ••••• s and Lay-conventicles forbidden, Parity of the Clergy taken away, 〈◊〉 the authority of Bishops restored, whose Calling the Presbyteries had condemned as wicked and Antichristian: And lastly, all scurrilous Libels ••• inst the King and his mother, prohibited, namely, the Scottish History of George Buchanan, and his Dialogue, De Iure Regni apud Scotos.
At this time, upon her adversaries suggestion, the Queen of Scots is taken from the Earl of Shrewsbery, and committed to the custody of sir Amis Pawlet • nd sir Drue Drury, and that on set purpose (as some were persuaded) to drive her into abrupt and desperate attempts; and indeed upon this, she grew more importunate with the Pope and King of Spain, to hasten their in •• ndment, whatsoever became of her, as ill indeed was like to become of her, if it be true (as some said) that Leicester sent out assasinats to make her • way, but that Drury detested the villainy, and would grant them no •• cesse.
And how to alienate Queen Elizabeth utterly from her; it is suggested to 〈◊〉 , That Allen for the Catholics of the Clergy, Inglefield for the Layity, • nd the Bishop of R • sse for the Queen of Scots, with consent of the Pope and the King of Spain, had jointly combined to depose her, and to bar the King of Scotland from his hereditary Right to the Crown of England, and to marry the Queen of Scots to an English Noble-man of the Romish Religion, and him the English Catholics should choose King of England, and the Pope confirm the Election; and all this upon the credit of Hart the Priest: but who this English Noble-man should be that should marry the Queen of Scots, could not be found, though Walsingham were very busy to seacrh i • out: the fame went upon Henry Howard, the Duke of Norfolks brother, • ho was a single man, a great Papist, and of high estimation amongst the Catholics.
This year died in Exile and misery, Charles N • vill, who was in the Rebellion of the North, the last Earl of Westmorland of this Family; a House from whence descended many Noble Personages, six Earls of Westmorland, • woe Earls of Sali •••• y and War • i • k, an Earl of Kent, a Ma • quesse Mount • cut • , 〈◊〉 Duke of Bedford, Baron Ferrers of 〈◊〉 , the Lord Latimer, the Lord of 〈◊〉 , one Queen, and five Dutchesses (to let pass Counte •• es and Baronne • ses) an Arch-bishop of York, and a numerous company of other Lord's. In E • gl • nd died none of • eckoning this year, but only Pl •• den the famous Lawyer; but in France, • he Duke of Angi •• died of grief • a • d in Holland, William Prince of Orange, shot into the body with • hree Bullets, by one B • lth • s • r Gerard, a Burgundian.
It was now the year 1585, and the eight and twentieth of Queen Eliza ••••• Raign, when, to ti • the French King more nearly to her, whom the 〈◊〉 •• fore she had received into the number of the Knights of the • arter, she sent the Earl of Derby into France, to invest him with the Robes and Ornaments, according to the due Solemnity; which he kindly accepted, and at Evening Prayer was invested with them.
At this time a Parliament was assembled at Westminster, wherein William Parrie a Welsh-man, a Doctor of the Laws, when in the Lower House a Bill was read against the Jesuits, he alone stood up, and exclaimed that it was a cruel and bloody Law: and being asked his reason, he stoutly refused, unless he were required by the Lord's of the Council. Hereupon he was sent to the Gate-house, but upon submission, was received into the House again. Soon after, he was accused by Edward Nevill, for holding secret consultations about making the Queen away; Who thereupon apprehended, upon his examination, confessed in effect thus much, That out of discontent he went beyond the Sea, where, by the encouragement of Campegio the Popes Nuntio at Venice, and grant of a plenary Indulgence from the Pope, he undertook to kill the Queen; but coming into England to that intent, he altered his mind, and disclosed to the Queen the whole matter. After this, he received a Letter from the Cardinal of Com • , persuading him to go forward with the Enterprise; and this Letter also he shown the Queen. After this, he chanced to see a Book of Doctor Allens, written contra Iustitiam Britannicam, wherein was declared, That Princes who were for heresy excommunicate, might lawfully be deprived of their life and Kingdom. This book wonderfully confirmed him, and he read it to Nevill ; who, though he took an oath of secrecy, yet now upon a hope of the Earldom of Westmorland • betrayed him. This was his confession, before Baron Hunsdon, Sir Christopher Hatt • n, and Sir Francis Walsingham: as likewise in his Letters to the Queen, to the Lord Burleigh, and the Earl of Leicester, acknowledging his fault, and craving mercy. A few days after, he was called to the Bar in Westminster -Hall, where he confessed himself guilty, and thereupon was condemned. After the Sentence of death pronounced, he furiously cited the Queen to God's Tribunal: five days after he was laid upon a Hurdle, and dragged thorough the City to Westminster, where at the Gibbet he made a vain-glorious boasting of his faithfulness to the Queen, but not so much as in a word commended himself to God; and in the great Palace at Westminster was executed as a Traitor, the Nobility and Commons sitting then in Parliament.
In this Parliament, the Association before spoken of, was universally approved, and enacted in this Form; That four and twenty, or more, of the Queens Privy Council, and Peers of the Realm, should be selected and authorized, under the Great Seal of England, To make enquiry of all such persons as shall attempt to 〈◊〉 the Kingdom, or raise Rebellion, or shall attempt any evil against the Queens Person; f • r whomsoeve • , and by whomsoever, that layeth any claim to the Crown of England; and that person for whom, or by whom they shall • ttempt • ny such thing, shall be altogether uncapable of the Crown ; and more to this purpose. Laws also for the Queens safety, were enacted against Jesuits and Popis • Priests, and against all that shall receive or relieve them. These Laws ter • ified many, and particularly out of fear of them, Philip Ea • l of Arundel; the Duke of Norf • lks eldest son, purposed with himself to travel beyond Seas • for having been once or twice cited before the Lord's of the Council, and confined to his house, and after six months set at liberty, he • hereupon wrote • a Letter to the Queen, That for the Service of God, and hi • souls health, he purposed to leave his Country, but not his loyal • ffection towards her • but as he was taking Shipping, by his own servants treachery he was discovered, apprehended, and laid in the Tow • r.
At the same time lay in the Tower, Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland • a man of a lofty spirit, being suspected by rea • on of secret consultation 〈◊〉 Throgmorton, the Lord Paget, and the Guises, about the invading of Eng •••• • and freeing of the Queen of Scots (whose cause he ever highly favou •• d) but in the m • neth of June, he was found dead in his bed, shot into the body with three bullets, under his right pappe, and the door bolted on the •• de: The Corroners Inquest examining the matter, found and pronoun •• d, that he had killed himself. Three days after, the Lord's meeting in • he Star-chamber, Bromeley Lord Chancellor, declared this fact of the Earls, • nd then commanded the Attorney General to show the causes of his im ••• sonment, and the manner of his death; whereupon, Popham first, and then Egerton the Queens Solicitor, in long Orations, lay open all his Treasons, and how for fear of the Law, he had laid violent hands upon himself.
And now the Queen knowing that the seeds of these Treasons proceeded from the Duke of Guise, and his adherents, she sought for the strengthening of her self, to enter into League with the Princes of Germany ; and to this end, she sent Sir Thomas B • dley to the King of Denmark, to the Count Elector Palatine of the Rhine, to the Duke of Saxony, Wittenburg, Brunswicke, L •• ceburg ; the Marquess of Brandenburg, and the Lant grave of Hessia ; and into Scotland, she sent Sir Edward Wootton, to let the King understand how sincerely she was affected towards him, and withal to draw the King (if he could) into a League of mutual defense and offense, and to commend to him the Match of the King of Denmarks Daughter. The King was very inclinable to the matter of the League, but for the present the business was interrupted, by the death of Francis Russell, Son to the Earl of Bedford, slain at a meeting to compound a difference between the Borderers, by a sudden tumult of the Scots, but who it was that slew him, was not known. The English laid it upon the Earl of Arran, and the Lord Fernihurst Governor of the middle Borders; whereupon, at the Queens complaint, the Earl of Arran was confined, and Fernihurst committed to prison at Dundee, where he died; a man of great valor and resolution, and one that was always f • rm for the Queen of Scots. But Queen Elizabeth not thus satisfied, gave leave by way of connivance to the Scottish Lord's that were fled into England, namely, the Earl of Angus, the Hamiltons, John and Cladius, the Earl of M • rre, Glames, and other, that they should steal away into Scotland (she sup • lying them with money) there to master and subdue the Earl of Arran. For Maxwell, who was lately made Earl of Bothwell, Baron Humes, Coldingkn • lls and other in Scotland, had already promised them their assistance, even • n the very Court. Sir Patrick Grey ( Arrans great Rivall for the Kings favor) Belenden, and Secretary Maitland (by Woottons craft) were made against Arran. These men, upon their first entry into Scotland, command all persons in the Kings name, to aid them for conserving the truth of the Gospel, for freeing the King from corrupt Counselors, and for maintaining of Amity with the English, so as there presently joined with them • bout eight thousand men. The Earl of Arran hearing hereof, makes haste to the King, and accuseth Patrick Grey as author of this commotion: but whiles Arran was making provision for defense of the Town, the enemies were ready to scale the Walls: whereupon, Arran being advised, that only his life was sought, gets secretly away with only one servant, the rest betook themselves to the King in the Castle. Then the Rebels get into the Market-place, and display their Banners against the Castle: the King sends Grey to know the reason of their coming; they answer, to submit themselves, and in humble manner to kiss the Kings hands: the King offereth restitution of all their goods, if they would depart; They desire to be admitted to his Pre • ence, which upon these conditions the King granted. That they should not attempt anything against his li • e, or those whom he should nominate, nor make any innovation in the Government. They protest, They are ready to sacrifice their lives for the Kings safety, and of any Innovation they had not so much as a thought; only they request to have their adversaries, and the Fortifications of Scotland delivered up into their hands. Hereupon after a days Consultation, they are admitted into the Kings Presence and forthwith the Earls of Mount Ross, Crawford, and Rothsay ; Colonel Steward, Downs, Arran 's brothers, and others, were delivered to them: The Earl of Arran, who was fled into the Western Islands, is called home; the assaulters were pardoned, and pronounced good subjects. Hamilton is set over Dumbriton Castle; Goldingknolls over Edinburgh ; the Earl of Angus over Tantallon ; the Earl of Marre over Stelyn ; and Glames is made Captain of the Guard. Upon this, all Proscriptions and Outlaries whatsoever against all persons, since the Kings Inauguration) sa • ing some few proscribed for the murder of the Kings Father) are called in, and with an unanimous consent of all parties, the Treaty of a League with the Queen of England is agreed upon, and Delegates nominated to that purpose.
In Ireland likewise was a Combustion this year; first the Burkes (descended of the ancient Family of the Burroughs in England ) provoked by the severe Government of Richard Bingham, Governor of Conn • ght, raise Rebellion; but this was soon suppressed, for Thomas Burk died fighting; M • yler, and Theobald Burke, were taken and hanged. After this, the Clan-Gibbons, Clan-Donells, and Ioyes, combined together in great numbers, and say plainly, They will have a Mac-William of their own, one of the Burks to rule over them, or some other Lord out of Spain ; they will admit of no Sheriff into their Country, nor appear before the English Courts of Justice; and thereupon harryed all the Country with Fire and Sword, and neither by the persuasions of the Arch-bishop Tuan, nor by the entreaties of the Earl of Clan-ricard (the chief of the House of the Burks ) would be quieted, till John Bingham the Presidents brother, following them into the Woods, drave away five thousand Head of their Cattle, so as after forty days, half starved, they came forth and submitted themselves. But this was not yet an end; for now the President understood, That two thousand Scottish Islanders were landed, and ready to break into Connaght ; whereupon he Musters his men to give them Battle; but they flying to Bogs and Woods, he retires back as though in fear, thereby to draw them from the Bogs to firm ground, and then with his whole Forces set upon them, slew three thousand of them (indeed all but fourscore) amongst whom were Donell Garmy, and Alexander Garmy, the sons of James Mac-Conell, who had long disquieted this part, and those Burkes who were the first authors of this Rebellion. This was a famous Victory, for the good of the present and future times; for hereby the name of the Mac-Williams in Connaght was utterly extinct, and the insolent attempts of the Scottish Islanders absolutely crushed.
In the Low-Countries at this time the States were very hard beset, so as they held a Consultation, Whether to fly for protection, either to the French King, or to the Queen of England. Monsieur Prunie the French Ambassador shown many advantages, and gave many reasons why they should fly rather to the French King; the English on the other side, alleged many reasons why they should fly rather to the Queen of England : but in conclusion, they have first recourse to the King of France, and afterward being by him neglected, to the Queen of England. But then in England it was consulted, Whether it were meet to protect them; wherein the Council was divided; some were of opinion, That it were good to receive and aid them, lest the Spaniard first conquering them, might have the better way to annoy England ; other again thought, They were to be held no better then Rebells to their lawful Sovereign, and therefore unworthy of assistance. After long deb •• ing the matter, the Queen refuseth to take into protection, much less to exercise Sovereignty over them. Neverthe • esse, to raise the Siege of Antwerp, which was then beleaguered by the Prince of Parma, she was content to supply them with four thousand Soldiers, so as the Town of Sluce, and the Ordnance belonging to it, were given up into their hands: but while this matter was discussing • the Town of Antwerp was fain to yield itself.
But the Queen better bethinking herself, partly, as fearing the growth of the King of Spain 's power, and partly, as commiserating the afflicted of her own Religion, at last resolves to undertake their protection, upon condition of her part, to supply them with five thousand Foot, and a thousand Horse, under a sufficient General, paying them during the War; And afterward the expenses to be paid back, upon condition on their part, by way of Pledge, to deliver Flushing, and the Fort of Ramekyn, the Town of Brill, with the two neighbouring Forts: and for the justifying of this her action, • he set forth a large Declaration. And knowing that herein she incensed the King of Spain, she thought best to turn his anger further from home, and thereupon sent out Sir Francis Drake, and Christopher Carlisle, with a Navy of one and twenty Ships (wherein were two thousand Voluntaries and Mariners) toward the West Indies; who first surprised the Town of St. • ago, afterwards St. Dominick (where five and twenty thousand Crowns were given them, to spare the Town from burning) afterward Cartagena, which they held seven weeks, till the Spaniards redeemed it for a hundred and ten thousand Crowns. After this, the Calenture waxing hot, and diminishing their Forces, they returned homewards, passing by Virginia, a Colony which Sir Walter Raleigh had there planted; from whence Drake brings hom • with him Ralph Lane, who was the first that brought Tobacco into England, which the Indians take against crudities of the Stomack. At this Expedition were lost about seven hundred men, who for the most part died of Calentures : their Booty amounted to the value of threescore thous • nd pounds Sterling, besides two hundred and forty Brasse and Iron Pieces. These things were done under the Torrid Zone in America ; when in the mean while, Captain John Davis, with two Ships (at the charges of William Sanderson, and other Citizens of London ) found out away to the East-Indies, • y the higher part of America, under the Frigid Zone.
At the end of this year, the Earl of Leicester is sent General of the Queens Forces into Holland, accompanied with the Earl of Essex, the Lord's Audley, and North, Sir William Russell, Sir Thomas Shirley, Sir Arthur Basset, Sir Walter Waller, Sir Gervase Clifton, and divers other Knights, besides five hundred Gentlemen. Landing at Flushing, he was first by Sir Philip Sidney the Governor his Nephew and after by the Towns of Zealand and Holland, entertained in most magnificent manner, • nd coming to the Hague in January ; the States by Patent committed to him the command and absolute authority over the united Provinces, with the Titles of Governor and Captain General of Holland, Zealand ; and the Confederate Provinces: So as being now saluted with the Title of his Excellency, he began to assume unto him Princely spirits. But the Queen took him soon off from further aspiring, Writing to him in most peremptory manner; That she wondered how a man whom • he had raised out of the dust, could so contemptuously violate her commands, and therefore charged him upon his Allegiance, to put in • xecution the Injunctions she sent him by HENNAGE her VICE-CHAMBERLAINE; Withall, in Letters apart, She expostulateth with the States, that to her great disparagement, they had cast upon the • arle of Leicester her Subject, the absolute command over the united PROVINCES without her privity, which she her self had utterly refused; and therefore willeth them to Devest him of that absolute authority, to whom she had set bounds, which he should not pass. The States return Answer, That they are heartily sorry they should incur her displeasure by conferring upon the Earl that absolute Authority, not having first made her acquainted, but they beseeched her to consider the necessity of it; seeing, that for avoiding of confusion, that Authority must needs be cast upon someone or other; Neither, was there any great matter in the word Absolute, seeing the Rule and Dominion resided still in the people. By these Letters, and Leicesters own submissive writing, the Queen was soon satisfied; Leicester all this while receiveth Contributions and Rewards from all Provinces, maketh Martial Laws, and endeavoring likewise to raise new Customs upon Merchandises, incurred great dislike amongst the common people. His first service was to relieve Grave, a Town in Brabant, which the Prince of Parma, by Count Mansfield had besieged: Hither he sent the Count Hohenlo a German, and Norris General of the English Foot; but notwithstanding all the great service they did there, the Town in the end was taken; but Hemart the Governor, for his cowardly yielding it up, lost his head. From hence the Prince of Parma marched into Gelderland, and pitched his Tents before Venlow, where Skenkic a Friezlander, and Roger Williams a Welshman performed great service, yet that Town in a short time was taken also. But in the mean while, the Lord Willoughby Governor of Bergen ap Zome, cut off the enemies Convoyes, and took away their victuals; and Sir Philip Sidney, and Maurice the Prince of Oranges Son, upon a sudden on-set, took Axale a Town in Flanders. From Venl • the Prince of Parma goes to Berke, where there were twelve thousand English, under the command of Colonel Morgan ; he notwithstanding laid Siege to the Town, which the Earl of Leicester came to raise, but finding his Forces to weak to raise it, he seeks to divert it, by Beleaguering Duisbourgh ; which before the Prince of Parma could come to relieve, he took. And now the Prince of Parma, fearing least Zutphin should come in danger, commandeth victuals to be carried thither, which the Spaniards carrying along in a fog, the English by chance lighted on them, vanquished a Troop of their Horse, slew Hannibal Gonzaga, and divers other, bat then on the English side was one slain, more worth than all the English and Spaniards put together; Sir Philip Sidney, who having his horse slain under him, and getting upon another, was shot into the thigh, and 25 days after, in the • loure of his age, died: A man of so many excellent parts of Art and Nature, of Valour and Learning, of Wit and Magnanimity; that as he had equalled all those of former Ages, so future Ages will hardly be able to equal him. His Funerals were in sumptuous manner solemnized at St. Paul's Church in London. James King of Scotland made his Epitaph, and both Universities celebrated his death with Funeral Verses.
After this, Leicester assaulteth Zutphen, where setting upon a Fort, he takes it in this manner; Edward Stanley (of the Stanlies of Elford ) catching hold of a Spaniards Launce, which was brandished at him, held it so fast, that by it he was drawn into the very Fort; whereupon, the Spaniards being affrighted (as thinking all the enemies were coming up) forsook the place; Leicester knighted Stanly for this act, gave him forty pounds in present money, and yearly Pension of an hundred Marks during his life. And now though in this forwardness to win the Town, yet winter being already come on, he thought it unseasonable to besiege it any longer (especially so many English Garrisons lying round about it, which were in nature of a siege) but returned to the H • g • e, where the States entertained him with complaints, that their money was not carefully husbanded, that the number of the English supplies was not full, that foreign soldiers were levied without their consent, that the privileges of the united Provinces were set at naught, and new devises for contribution invented; for all which evils, they entreat him to provide some present remedy. To which complaints (having a purpose to go for England ) he gave a friendly answer; but upon the very day in which he was to depart, he committeth the government of the Province, to the deliberation of the States ; and the same day, made another private instrument of writing, where he reserved to himself the whole authority over the Governors of the several Provinces, Cities, and Forts; and more than this, taketh away the wonted jurisdiction • rom the States Council, and Presidents of the Provinces; and came into England the third day of December. And thus passed the affairs of the Nether-lands for this year.
But in England, Philip Earl of Arundel, who had lain in Prison a whole year, was at last brought to the Starchamber; and being charged with fostering of Priests, and having correspondence with Allen and Parsons the Jesuit, and offering to depart the Kingdom without license, was fined ten thousand pounds, and imprisonment during the Queens p • easure.
At this time, the Queen, by Sir Horatio Palavicino, supplied with a large sum of money the King of Navarre • ; thorough whose side, the Guyses opposed the reformed Religion in Scotland, but her most intentive care was how to unite England and Scotland in a solid friendship: To which end, she sent Thomas Randoll into Scotland, who making Propositions to the King, touching a League offensive and defensive, though the King at first required some additions, and though the French Ambassador infinitely opposed it, yet at last he consented to it; and in July following, there met at Barwick, Edward Earl of Rutland, William Lord Euer, and Thomas Randoll for the Queen of England; Francis Earl of Bothwell, Robert Lord Boyde, and Humes for the King of Scots, and there the League (which was called the League of strict Amity; for that the word offensive liked not the Scots ) was upon certain points concluded: First, for the maintenance of the reformed Religion, and then other such Articles, as commonly in Leagues are usual.
The very same month that this League was agreed on, a most dangerous conspiracy against the Queen was discovered. For first, one John Savage, was by the persuasions of Gifford, Doctor in Divinity, induced to believe, that it was a meritorious work, to take away the lives of Princes Excommunicate, who thereupon vowed to kill Queen Elizabeth : but to make the Queen and her Council secure, at the very same time they wrote a book • exhorting the Papists in England, to attempt nothing against their Prince, and to use only the Christian weapons of Tears, Prayers, Watching, and Fasting. About Whitsuntide, one Ballard a Seminary Priest of Rheims, acquainted with the vow of Savage (having dealt in France with Mendoza and Charles Paget, about invading of England ) arrived here in a soldiers habit, and by a counterfeit name, called Captain Fos •• ; with these matters he acpuaints one Anthony Babington, a gentleman of Darbyshire, who by the Bishop of Glasco, the Queen of Scots Ambassador in France, had been commended to her, as one worthy of her love; so, as between them, there passed often letters in unknown characters. In short time, Babington had drawn into the Plot, other gentlemen as zealous of the Romish Religion as himself; namely, Edward Windsor, brother to the Lord Windsor, Thomas Salisbery of a good Family in Devonshire, Charles Tilney one of the Queens Pensioners, Chydiock Tichburne of Hamshire, Edward Abington (whose father was Coferer to the Queen) Robert Gage of Surrey, John Travers • , and John Charnock of Lancashire, John Jones • Savage formerly spoken of, Barnwell of a noble Family in Ireland, and Henry Dunne a Clerk in the Office of First-fruits and Tenths, one Pollie also served himself into their company, a fellow thoroughly acquainted with the affairs of the Queen of Scots, who was thought to have revealed all their consultations to Walsingham day by day. To these Gentlemen, Babington communicateth his affairs, but not every particular to everyone, but to Ballard, Tichburne, and Dunn • , he showeth the Letters which passed between him and the Queen of Scots ; with Tilney and the rest, he dealeth to be the Assassinates; of whom, some at first loath, at last consented, and in a foolish vaingloriousnesse, a picture of the Assassinates was made to the life, and Babington in the midst, with these words; Quorsum haec alio properentibus? This Picture (they say) was gotten and privately shown to the Queen, who knew none of them by face, but only Bernwell (who had oftentimes come to her in the causes of the Earl of Kildare, whose servant he was) Certain it is, that the Queen one day walking abroad, spied this Bernwell, and turning to Hatton said, Am not I well Guarded, that have not so much as one man in the company with a sword by his side? Thus much Bernwell himself told the rest of his confederacy, and how easy a matter it had been to have dispatched her at that time, if the rest had been present. The chief discoverer of the Plot, was the aforesaid Gifford : This man was a gentleman of a good Hou • e at Chellington in Staffordshire, not far from Chartley, where the Queen of Scots was kept prisoner, and was now sent by the English fugitives in France, under the counterfeit name of Luson, to put Savage in mind of the vow he had made, and to convey letters between them and the Queen of Scots. But he, whether pricked in conscience, or dismayed in mind, came to Walsingham privately, revealing who he was, and for what end, and by whom sent into England. Walsingham courteously entertained him, and sent him down into Staffordshire, to do the work he had undertaken. Here Gifford bribing the Brewer of the House, where the Queen of Scots lay, contrived the matter in such sort with him, that by a hole in the wall, in which a loose stone was put, he should give in, and receive forth Letters, the which by messengers purposely laid by the way, came evermore to Walsinghams hands, who broke them open, copied them out, and by the rare cunning of one Thomas Philip's, found out the meaning of the private Characters, and by the singular Art of Arthur Gregory, sealed them again so curiously, that no man would imagine them to have been opened, and ever sent them to the parties, to whom the superscription directed them. In like manner were the former letters from the Queen of Scots to Babington intercepted; as also, other letters written at the same time to Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador, Charles Paget, the Lord Paget, the Archbishop of Glasco, and Francis Englefield. The Queen as soon as she understood by these letters of the storm hanging over her head, both at home and abroad, commanded Ballard to be apprehended, who on a sudden is taken in Babingtons house. Babington hereupon goeth to Walsingham, with whom he had long been a suitor, for license to go into France, promising to do great matters in discovering the practices of the Fugitives; Walsingham with fair promises drives him off from day today; and now persuades him, that for a small space till he could get his license sealed, he would lodge at his house in London, where they might have secret conference without suspicion. This Web Walsingham himself had spun hitherto, and no other of the Queens Council were made acquainted; and longer yet he would have drawn the thread out, but that the Queen was unwilling; least (as she said) by not avoiding danger when she might, she should seem rather to tempt God, than to trust in him. Whereupon, Walsingham sent a Note to his man Scudamore from the Court, to look carefully to Babington : This Note was delivered in such manner, that Babington sitting by at Table when Scudamore read it, overlooked him, and read it likewise; Hereupon, suspecting that all was discovered, the next night he and Scudamore, and one or two more of Walsinghams servants supping at a Tavern, and being very merry, he made an excuse that he must needs step aside, and rose up, leaving his Cloak and his sword, and so made haste through the dark to Westminster, where Gage and he changed apparel, and then together withdrew themselves 〈◊〉 S. John's wood near the City, whether Barnwell also and Dun betook them ••• ves. In the mean space they were proclaimed Traitors all England over • Hereupon they lay lurking in Woods and by-places; they shave Babingtons 〈◊〉 , disfigure the beauty of his countenance (for he was of an extraord •• ary beauty) with the husks of green Wall-nuts; and when they were hal • starved, went to the houses of the Bellamies, near Harrow on the hill, who were great Papists; There they were hid in Barns, and put into a Coun •• ey habit: but notwithstanding all their shifting, within ten days after they were discovered and brought to London. The other Complices were soon after taken, most of them in the Suburbs of the City, Salisbury and Trav •• se in Cheshire, and Jones in Wales, who harboured them in his house, after he knew they were Proclaimed Traitors, Windsor only was never heard of. Many days were spent in the examination of them, who cut one the others throats with their own confessions. All this while, the Queen of Soits and her servants are so narrowly looked to by Pawlet, that she knew nothing of all these passages: As soon as they were apprehended, Thomas Gorge was sent to acquaint her with the whole matter, which yet he did not do, till she was got on horse-back to Ride a hunting, and was not then suffered to return, bu • in show of courtesy was carried up and down, to see the Houses of the Gentry thereabouts. In which mean while, John Manners, Edward Acton, Richard Bagot, and Sir William Waad, took Nave and Curle the Queen of Sc •• s Secretaries, and the rest of her servants, and delivered them to Keepers apart, that they might have no speech between themselves, nor with their Lady the Queen of Scots. Then they break open all doors, and such Desks and Boxes as they found with any papers in them, they set their seals upon, and sent them to the Court: In which, being broken open before the Queen, were found a number of Letters from Forreign parts, the copies likewise of Letters sent to several persons, and threescore Alphabets at least of private Characters; as also, Letters to her from some of the English Nobility, containing great proffers of love and service, which the Queen notwithstanding took no notice of, but passed over in silence, according to her Motto, Video, & Taceo, I see, and say nothing, Gifford now, who had all this while served their turn, is sent into France ; but ere he went hence, left an Indenture with the French Ambassador here in England, with instructions, that he should deliver no Letters to the Queen of Scots, or the Fugitives in France ; but to him that exhibited an Indenture matching with that, the which he sent underhand to Sir Francis Walsingham.
The twentieth o • September, seven of the forenamed Conspirators were Arraigned, and pleading guilty, were condemned of High-treason. Two days after, seven other were called to the Bar, who pleaded not guilty, but notwithstanding were found guilty by their own confessions, and condemned; Pollie only, though he were privy to all passages, yet because he had disclosed many things to Walsingham, was not called in question. The twentieth day of the month, the first seven in St. Giles Fields, where they were wont to meet, were hanged, cut down instantly, their privy members cut off, and themselves yet living and beholding it, were in cruel manner bowelled and quartered; namely, Ballard, Babington, Savage (who, the roap breaking, fell dowd from the Gibbet, and was presently taken by the hangman, his privy members cut off, and bowelled, while he was perfectly living) Barnwell, Tichburne, Tilney, And Abbington. The next day, the other seven were drawn to the same place, and executed in the same fashion, but in a more gentle manner, by the Q • eens special charge, who detested the former cruelty, for they were to hand till they were quite dead. Salisbery first, then Dun, then Jones, Cherno • k, Traverse, Gage, and with them Jerome Bellam • , who had concealed Babington after he was Proclaimed Traitor (whose brother being guilty of the same fact, had strangled himself in Prison.
When these men were executed, Nave a Frenchman, and Curle a Scotsman, Secretaries to the Queen of Scots, were examined concerning the Letters, the copies of Letters, and priviate Characters found in the Queen of Scots Closet; who under their own voluntary subscriptions acknowledged, that they were their own hand writings, dictated in French by the Queen herself, taken by Nave ; turned into English by Curle, and copied out in secret Characters. Hereupon, Sir Edward Wootton was sent out of hand into France, to make known to the King, the order of the Treason, and to show him the copies of the Queen of Scots Letters, confirmed by the testimony of sundry of the English Nobility, that the French King might see what dangerous plots were by Charles Paget, and the English Fugitives contrived against the Queen of England.
And now, what should be done with the Queen of Scots, was a great consultation, wherein the Counselors were not all of one mind; some conceived, That it were not good to take any rigorous course against her, but only to hold her in fast custody; both for that she was not Author of the Treason, but only conscious to it, and because she was crazy, and not likely to live long. Others, out of a care of Religion, were of opinion, To have her forthwith Arraigned and put to death according to the Law; Leicester thought it better to have her poisoned, and sent a Divine to Walsingham to prove it lawful, but Walsingham protested against that course. A difference then arose amongst them, by what Law to proceed against her; Whether by the Law of the 25. of Edward the Third? (In which they are Pronounced guilty of Treason, who plot the destruction of the King or Queen, raise War in his Dominions, or adhere to his Adversaries.) Or else by the 27. of the Queen, Enacted a year since: Their opinion at last prevailed, who thought best to proceed against her by this latter Law, as being indeed in this case provided. Whereupon, divers of the Lord's of the Privy Council, and other of the Nobility, are Authorized by the Queens Letters, to inquire by virtue of that Law, and pass sentence against all such as raised Rebellion, Invaded the Kingdom, or attempted any violence against the Queen. These Commissioners therefore upon the 11. day of October, repaired to Fotheringay Castle in Northamptonshire, where the Queen of Scots was then held prisoner; and the next day, sent unto her Walter Mildmay, Pawlet and Edward Barker, public Notary, who delivered her the Queens Letters; which, having with a settled countenance read, She said, It seems to me strange • that the Queen should lay her Command upon me, to hold up my hand at the Bar; as though I were a Subject, seeing I am an absolute Queen, no less than her self; but howsoever, I will never do anything prejudicial to Princes of my degree, nor to my Son the King of Scotland. After many meetings, she standing still upon her innocence, and upon her exemption from answering, as being an absolute Prince, and specially for yielding to be tried by the English Laws; of which, One (she said) had lately been made of purpose for her destruction. It was at last told her plainly, by the Chancellor and Treasurer, That if she refused to answer to such crimes as should be objected, they would then proceed against her, though she were absent. Being brought at last, with much ado to consent, the Commissioners came together in the Presence Chamber; a Chair of Estate was set for the Queen of England, in the upper end of the Chamber, under a Canopy; beneath over against it, was placed a Chair for the Queen of Scots ; on both sides of the Cloth of Estate, stools were set, upon which on the one side sat the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Treasurer, the Earls of Oxford, Kent, Derby, Worcester, Rutland, Cumberland, Warwick, Pembroke, Lincoln, and Viscount Mountacute • On the other side sat the Lord's Aburgavany, Zouch, Morley, St. John of Bletsho, Compton, and Cheyney ; Next to these, sat the Knights that were Privy Counselors, Sir James Crofts, Sir Christopher Hatton, Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir Ralph Sadler, Sir Walter Mild •• , and Sir Amis Pawlet ; Foreward, before the Earls, sat the two Chief Justices, and the Lord chief Baron; on the other side, the two Barons, and the other Justices; Dale, and Foord, Doctors of the Civil Law, at a Table in the midst, Popham the Queens Attorney General, Egerton her Solicitor, ••• die her Serjeant at Law, the Clerk of the Crown, and two Notaries. When the Queen of Scots was come, and had placed her self, silence being made, Bromely Lord Chancellor turning towards her, said; That the Queen had appointed these Commissioners, to hear what she could Answer to crimes laid to her charge, assuring her, that nothing would because of more joy to the Queen, then to hear, that she had proved her self innocent. Upon this, she rising up, said; That although, being an absolute Prince, she could not be compelled to appear before the De • egates, yet to manifest her innocence, she was now content to appear. Then Gawdie, opened every speciality of the Law lately made (against which she had taken excception) showing, By Babingtons confession, by Letters passed between them, by the confessions of Ballard, and Savage, by the confessions of her Secretaries, Nave, and Curle, that she was privy to their Treasons, and consented to the Invasion of England, and destruction of the Queen. To which she answered, That Letters might be counterfeited, her Secretaries might be corrupted, and rest, in hope of life, might be drawn to confess that which was not true: In this she stood peremptorily, That she never consented to any Attempt against the Queens Person; though for her own delivery, she confessed she did. After many other charges by the Commissioners, and replies by the Queen of Scots; At last, she requested, that she might be heard in a full Parliament, or before the Queen her self, and her Council. But this request prevailed not; for on the 25. day of October following, at the Star-Chamber in Westminster, the Commissioners met again, and there pronounced sentence against her; Ratifying by their Seals and subscriptions, that after the 1. day of June, in the seven and twentieth year of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, divers matters were compassed and imagined in this Kingdom, by Anthony Babington, and others, with the privity of Mary Queen of Scots, pretending Title to the Crown of England, tending to the hurt, death, and destruction of the Royal Person, of our said Sovereign Lady the Queen.
After a few days, a Parliament was holden at Westminster, the which was begun by Authority from the Queen, derived to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Treasurer, and the Earl of Derby ; and the same, not without some Presidents. At this Parliament, the Proscriptions of the Lord Paget, Charles Paget, Francis Inglefield, Francis Throgmorton, Anthony Babington, Thomas Salisbury, Edward Jones, Chyd • ock Tichburne, Charles Tilney, and the other complices, was confirmed, and their goods and possessions adjudged confiscate. Also the Peers of the Kingdom, with an unanimous consent, exhibit a Petition to the Queen by the Lord Chancellor, that for the preservation of the true Religion, and safety of the Queen, of themselves, and their Posterity, the Sentence passed against Mary Queen of Scots, might according to Law be presently Promulged: They put the Queen in mind of the fearful examples of God's Judgments extant in Scripture, upon King Saul, for sparing of Agag, and upon Ahab, for not putting Benhadad to death. But the Queen answereth them to this effect: First, acknowledging God's miraculous preservation of her, and then their constant affections towards her, for whose sakes only she desires to live: Otherwise, when she calls to mind things past, beholds the present, and expects what may happen in time to come, that she accounts them most happy, who go soonest hence. That the Law lately made, by which the Queen of Scots is condemned, was not made (as some maliciously have imagined) to ensnare her; but cont • ariwise, to forewarn and deter her from attempting anything against it, which though it had not been made, yet were there other ancient Laws enough to condemn her. Nothing could have been more grievous to me, than that a Prince, and one so near Allied unto me, should deserve the Sentence pronounced against her; and seeing the matter is of rare example, and of a very weighty consequence, I hope you will not expect, that I should at this present determine anything; Yet that there may be no danger in delay • I will in due time signify my mind unto you; and in the mean time, would have you to expect from me, whatsoever good Subjects may look for, from a Gracious Prince.
Twelve days after, having deeply weighed the matter in her mind, she sent the Lord Chancellor to the Peers, and Puckering to the Lower House, entreating them to advise more diligently concerning so weighty a matter, and to bethink themselves of some wholesome remedy, by which the life of the Queen of Scots might be spared, and their security also provided for. They, when they had a long time in most serious manner deliberated hereof, Return at last this Verdict; That the Queens life could not be in safety, while the Queen of Scots lived, unless she either repented and acknowledged her crimes, or were kept in straight custody, or bound by her oath and obligations, or gave Hostages, or lastly, departed the Kingdom. And seeing none of these were likely to be remedies; It remained, that only her death would be a remedy. Repentance in her they could little hope for, who would not so much as acknowledge herself faulty: Close Imprisonment, Obligations, Oath, and Hostages they accounted as nothing, which all vanished, if the Queens life were once taken away; and if she departed the Kingdom, they feared she would straightway go about to Invade it again. These things the Lord Chancellor, and Puckering the Speaker of the Lower-House, declared to the Queen at large, and urged her in their names, to have the Sentence put in execution. Hereupon, the Queen after a short pause, spake at last to this effect: I protest, my chief desire hath been, that for your security, and my own safety, some other way might be devised, than that which is now propounded; but seeing it is now evident and certain, that my safety without her destruction, is in a more deplorate estate, I am most grievously affected with inward sorrow; That I, who have pardoned so many Rebells, have neglected so many Treasons (either by connivance, or silence) should now at last exercise cruelty, upon a Prince so nearly Allied to me. As for your Petition, I beseech you to rest in an Answer, without an Answer: If I say I will not grant your Petition, I shall happily say what I mean not; I • I should say, I will grant it, then cast I myself into destruction headlong, whose safety you so earnestly desire, And that I know, you in your wisdoms would not I should do.
After this, the Parliament was Prorogued, and then were the Lord's Buckhurst and Beale sent to the Queen of Scots, to let her understand that Sentence was pronounced against her, and confirmed by Parliament, and that the execution of it was earnestly desired, by the Nobility and the Commons; and therefore persuaded her, that before her death, she would make acknowledgement of her offenses, against God and the Queen; Intimating, That if she lived, the Religion received in England, could not subsist. Hereupon, she was taken with an unwonted alacrity, and seemed to triumph for joy, giving God thanks, and gratulating her own felicity, That she should be accounted an Instrument, for establishing Religion in this Island; and therewith requested, She might have some Catholic Priest to administer the Sacrament to her; but was denied, which some deemed, not inhumane only, but tyranicall and heathenish. The Bishop and the Dean, whom for this cause they commended to her, she utterly rejected, and jeered at the English Nation, saying; The English were ever • nd anon wont to murder their own Kings, and therefore, no mar 〈◊〉 they should now thirst after her destruction. In Dcember following the Sentence against her was Proclaimed, in London first, and after, over all the Kingdom, wherein Queen Elizabeth seriously protested, that this Promulgation of the Sentence was extorted from her, to her great grief, by the importunity of the whole Body of the Kingdom. The Queen of Scots being told hereof, seemed not a whit dejected with it; but writing to the Queen, never maketh intercession for herself, nor expostulateth her death, but only makes three small requests, one, That she might be buried in France, by her Mother; another, That she might not be put to death privately, but her servants to be present; the third That her servants might freely depart, and enjoy such Legacies as she had given them. Of which Requests, she desireth the Queen to vouchsafe her an answer; but whether this Letter ever came to Queen Elizabeth, is uncertain.
This condemnation of the Queen of Scots, as a thing strange, and scarce credible, was soon spread far and near; so as intercessions came thick in her behalf to Queen ELIZABETH, but specially from the King of Scots, and the King of FRANCE, who sent their several Ambassadors, using all the reasons that natural affection in the one, and likeness of condition in the other, could urge, for sparing of her life; but when the necessity of the State, seemed to obstruct all ways of clemency, the French Ambassador L' Aubespine, falls from reasons to action, and thinketh no way so effectual for saving the Queen of Scots life, as to take away Queen ELIZABETHS life; and thereupon, First, he dealeth covertly with William Stafford, a young Gentleman, and prone to embrace hopes (whose Mother was of the Bed-chamber to Queen ELIZABETH, and his brother at that time, Ambassador Lieger in France ) and afterward, more openly by Trappe his Secretary, to murder the Queen. Stafford, though not daring to act such a villainy himself, yet commended one Moody to him, a resolute fellow, and one that for money would be sure to do it. Upon this, Stafford brings Trappe to Moody, being then in the common Jail, who upon Trappes offers, undertakes it: But then the consultation was, by what way it should be done? Moody propounded poison, or else to lay a bag of Gunpowder under the Queens Bed, and suddenly fire it. But Trappe liked of neither of these ways, but would rather have it done, as was done to the Prince of Orange. But while they are thus consulting about the way of doing it; Stafford discovers all to the Lord's of the Council. Whereupon Trappe, who was now bound for France, was apprehended, and being examined, confessed the whole matter. Upon this, the Ambassador himself was sent for to Cecills house, the twelveth of January ; where met him by the Queens appointment, Cecil Lord Treasurer, the Earl of Leicester, Sir Christopher Hatton Vice-Chamberlain, and Davyson one of her Secretaries; who declare to the Ambassador every particular which Stafford, Moody, and Trappe his Secretary had confessed. As soon as Stafford was brought forth, and began to speak, the AMBASSADOR interrupted him, and revyling him, made asseveration, that St • fford first propounded it; when Stafford falling on his knees, made fearful imprecations, that the AMBASSADOR first propounded it himself. But whosoever propounded it (saith BVRLEIGH) It appears, that you were made acquainted with the matter. To which he presently Replyed; That if he had known of any such thing, yet, being he was an AMBASSADOVR, he o • ght not to give notice of it, but to his own King. After much reasoning in this manner; The Lord Burleigh admonished him, to beware how he offended hereafter in this kind; and let him know, That he is not quitted from the offense, though for this time the Queen be pleased to forbear him.
But upon this Treason, the Queen of Scots Adversaries put many terrors into Queen Elizabeth's mind, giving out, That the Spanish Navy was come to Milford Haven, That the Scots were broken into England, That the Duke of Guyse with a great Army was landed in Sussex, That the Queen of Scots was escaped out of Prison, and had gotten a Company up in Arms, and many other such feigned suggestions; Through which, at length they drew the Queen to this: That she sealed Letters, for executing the Sentence against the Queen of Scots; and one of her greatest persuaders to it (as the Scots reported) was one whom the King of Scots had sent to dissuade her from it; namely, Patrick Grey, who sounded often in her ears, Mortua non mordet ; when she is dead, she cannot bite.
The Queen notwithstanding, began to weigh with herself, whether it were better to rid her out of the way, or else to spare her; and many great reasons offered themselves on both sides, but where only speculative reasons presented themselves for sparing her; many practical reasons, and those pressed both by Courtiers and Preachers, were presented to her; so as long holden in suspense, she would oftentimes sit speechless, and her countenance cast down: At last, her fear prevailing, she delivered to Secretary Davyson, Letters under her hand and Seal, to get the Commission made under the Great Seal of England, for the Execution of the Queen of Scots, which might be in a readiness upon any fear of danger; charging him not to disclose the matter, to any whomsoever. But the next day her mind was altered, and sent Sir William Killegrew to Davyson, to countermand the making of the Commission. Whereupon Davyson goes to her, and lets her know, That the Commission was already made, and the Seal put to it; Whereat, the Queen extremely angry, rebuketh him sharply for his hastiness; yet Davyson imparteth the matter to Privy Counselors; and persuades them, That the Queen Commanded, the Commission should be put in execution. Hereupon, Beale Clerk of the Council, is sent down with Letters, wherein authority is deputed to the Earls of Shrewsbury, Kent, Derby, Cumberland, and others, that she should be put to death according to the Law; with which proceeding, the Queen was not once made acquainted; and more than this, Although she had intimated to Davyson, That she would take some other order concerning the Queen of Scots, yet did not he stay Beale from going.
And now comes in the last Act of the Queen of Scots Tragedy • for as soon as the Earls were come to Fotheringay ; They, together with Sir Amis Pawlet, and Sir Drue Drurie, with whom she was then in custody; go unto her, and reading the Commission, signify the cause of their coming; and in a few words, admonish her to prepare her self for death, for that she must die the next day. Whereto, without any change of countenance or passion of mind, she made Answer; I had not thought that my Sister the Queen, would have consented to my death, who am not subject to your Laws; but since it is her pleasure, death shall then be to me most welcome. Then she requesteth that she might confer with her Confessor, and Melvyn her Steward, which would not be granted: The Bishop or Dean of Peterborough they offered her, but them she refused. The Earls being departed, she gave order that Supper should be hastened, where she eat (as she used to do) soberly, and sparingly; and perceiving her men and women servants to lament and weep, she comforteth them, and bid them rejoice rather, that she was now to depart out of a world of misery. After supper, she looketh over her Will, read the Inventory of her Goods and Jewels, and writ their names severally by them, to whom she gave any of them; at her wonted hour she went to bed, and after a few hours sleep, awaking; spent the rest of the night in her devotion. And now the fatal day being come, wich was the 8 of