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

and others: but to these accus • tions, he peremptorily affirmed himself not guilty, so much as in thought. Then were further allegations made against him, that being with others sent Ambassador into France, he had transcended his Commission, and without privity of his fellow Commissioners, had presumed to promise the surrender of Anjou, and the delivery of the County of Mau • ts to Duke Rayner, which accordingly was • erformed, to the great dishonor of the King, and detriment of the Crown; That he had traitorously acquainted the French King with all the affairs of State, and passages of secrecy, by which the enemy, was thoroughly instructed in all the designs of the King and Council: That he had received rewards from the French king, to divert and disappoint all succors sent to the kings friends in France. Upon these and divers other accusations brought against him, to blear the peop • es eyes, he is committed to the Tower; but the Parliament was no sooner dissolved, but he was set at liberty; which so incensed the common people, that they made an Insurrection; and under the leading of a desperate fellow, styling himself Blewbeard, they committed many outrages; but by the diligence of the Gentlemen of the Country, the Captain was apprehended, and the Rebellion ceased. And now another Parl • ament is called, where great care is taken in choosing of Burgesses, presuming thereby to stop any further proceeding against the Duke of Suffolk ; but his personal appearance at the Parliament gave such a general distaste to the House, though he came in the company of the king and Queen, that they forbore not to begin the Assembly, with Petitioning the king, for punishment to be inflicted upon such as had plotted or consented to the resignation of A • jo • , and Mayne, whereof by name they instanced in the Duke of Suffolk, John Bishop of Salisbury, Sir Iame • Fynes, Lord Say and others. This Petition was seconded by the Lord's of the upper House: whereupon, to give some satisfaction to the Houses, the Lord Say Lord Treasurer, is sequestered from his place, the Dukes Officers are all discarded, and himself formally banished for five years, but with an intent after the multitude had put out of mind their hatred against him, to have revoked him: but God did otherwise dispose of him, for when he was shipped in Suffolk, with intent to have passed over into France ; he was met by an Englishman of War, taken and carried to Dover sands, and there had his head chopped off, on the side of the long-boat, which together with the body was left there on the sands, as a pledge of some satisfaction for the death of Duke H •• phry.

Whil • st these things are done in England, the Duke of York in Ireland began to make his way to the Crown, as descended from Philippe daughter and heir of George Duke of Clarence, elder brother to John of Gaunt, great Grandfather to the present king Henry the sixth. And for a beginning, it is privately whispered, that king H • nry was of a weak capacity, and easily abused; the Queen of a malignant spirit, and bloodily ambitious, the Privy Council, if wise enough, yet not honest enough, regarding more their private profit, then the public good, that through their delinquencies all Fr •• ce was lost, and that God would not bless the usurped possession of king He • ry : with these suggestions the Kentishmen seemed to be taken; which being observed by an instrument of the Duke of York, called Mortimer, he takes his time, and tells the multitude, that if they will be ruled by him, he will put them in a course to work a general Reformation, and free them forever from those insupportable burdens of taxations, so often, upon every slight occasion obtruded upon them. These promises of Reformation and freedom from impositions, so wrought with the people, that they drew to a head; and make Mortimer, otherwise Jack Cade their leader, who styling himself Captain Mend-all, marcheth with no great number, but those well ordered, to Bl • ck-heath, where between Eltha • and Greenwich, he lay by the space of a month, exercising his men, and sending for whom he pleased, and for what he pleased: Then he presents to the Parliament the complaints of the Common • : That the Queens favorites share amongst them the Revenews of the Crown, whereby the king is enforced for the supportation of his present estate to tax and burden the Commons, to their utter undoing, and to the general impoverishment of the kingdom: That the Commons have their commodities daily taken from them, for the purveyance of the kings Household, for which they are not paid, nor any assurance for payment thereof given, but only Court promises: That upon the apprehension of any man for treason or felony, the kings meniall servants, before conviction, b • gge the goods and lands of the impeached; whereupon indirect and unlawful proceedings are used by subornation of witnesses, embracery of jurors, and great men's letters to the Judges; whereby Justice is perverted, and the innocent after attainted, if not executed, yet at least imprisoned to their undoing: That the Commons have no legal proceedings in their Law-suits, so as the rightful owners of Inheritance, dare not (if opposed by any Courtier) maintain their Titles, or attempt the recovery of their interest, how just so ever: That the kings Collectors and other Accountants are much troubled in passing their Accompts, by new extorted Fees, and by being enforced to procure a late invented Writ of Quorum nomina for allowance of the Barons of the Cinque-Ports, and their suing out their Quietu • at their own charge, without allowance from the King: That the Bailiffs of Sheriffs under color of the green wax out of the Exchequer, do levy greater sums than are by the Record justifiable, yet maintained; That they cannot have the freedom of electing knights and Burgesses for the Parliament; but by letters from the Favorites of the Court, to their friends and Retainers, the Knights and Burgesses are commonly chosen: That they are too much troubled with too often coming to attend the general Sessions, being enforced in many places to make five days journey to the place where they are kept. These and some other, were the complaints of the Commons; but the Captain for his own particular (after protestation made to live and die in the quarrel of the King) required, that his Majesty would be pleased to receive again into favor, the truly noble Prince the Duke of York, and with him the Right Honorable the Dukes of Exeter, Buckingham, and Norfolk, and the ancient Noblemen of the Realm; by the undue practices of Suffolk, and his complices, commanded from his presence, and that all their opposites might be banished the Court, and put from their Offices: That there might be a general amotion of corrupt Officers, an abolition of the Green wax, and other instruments of Extortion out of the Exchequer ; a qualification of the rigor of proceeding in the Kings-Bench ; an inhibition of unequal purveyance of provision for the Kings household, and a present execution of the Promoters, Slegge, Cr • mer, Isell, and East, whom he pretended by wrongful information to have abused the king, and wronged his Subjects. These Petitions are sent from the Lower-House to the Upper, and from thence committed to the Lord's of the Kings Privy Council, who having examined the particulars, explode them as frivolous, and the Authors thereof to be presumptuous Rebels. Whereupon the king is solicited by his Privy Council, to prosecute them by force rather than intreary; which advise is seconded by the Queen as conceiving they secretly aimed at her: and hereupon the king draws his Forces to Greenwich, and appointeth divers Lord's to assail the Rebels; but the Lord's could get no followers to fight against them who sought only for reformation of abuses; and for punishment of such Traitors as the Lord Say the kings Chamberlane was: whereupon the Lord Say is presently committed to the Tower, the king and Queen retire to London, from whence within two days, the king being now fifteen thousand strong, march • h in Person towards Captain Mend-all, who politically withdraweth his forces into Seven • ache wood; upon notice whereof, the king retireth again to London, but the Queen longing for dispatch, send • the two Staffords, Sir Humphrey, and William, with many hot-spurs of the Court to follow the Rebels, who were soon cooled; for they found Captain Mend-all in good order, ready to receive them, and in the first encounter, slew Sir Humphry, and afterwards his brother, and put all the rest to flight; the k. Forces being at Black • eath, could neither by threats nor entreaties be gotten to go to the rescue, but rather wished the Queen and her favorites in the Staffords case, or that the Duke of York were in England, to aid his Cosen Mortimer, (now first acknowledged to be of his kindred) and many of them stole away to the Rebels, whose number from Sussex and Surrey daily increased, whom yet their Captain restraineth from forraging or taking away anything by force, and so returneth again to Black • eath, where the kings Army lay the night before, but was now fallen down to Greenwich. And now the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Duke of Buckingham are sent to expostulate with the Rebels about their demands; to whom Jack Cade gave very good language, but directly affirming no cessation from Arms, unless the king in Person would hear the grievances of the Subject, and pass his Princely word for reformation of their wrongs. This resolution of his made known to the king, who was not sure of his own Soldiers faith, made him march presently away to Killingworth Castle in Warwickeshire, where he fortified himself, as expecting a siege, having left the Lord Scales only to Guard the Tower. Jack Cade taking advantage of the kings departure, cometh to South •• rke, where he quarters his men, straitly charging them to commit no outrage, nor do wrong • o any; which was duly ob • erved. The next morning • e marcheth to London-bridge, where he caused his men to cut the ropes of the Drawbridge, no resistance being made against him; and so in good order marcheth up by Londonstone, upon which he struck his sword, saying, Now is Mortimer Lord of London. The Major of London, Sir Thomas Chalton, standing upon the threshold of his door bade him take heed he attempted nothing against the quiet of the City: To whom • e made answer, Let the world take notice of our honest intention by our actions. And indeed this orderly carriage of himself and his company, won him a good opinion amongst the common sort of people: And now ass • ming to himself the place of Chief, he sendeth o •• his letters of safe • conduct, to such whom he pleased to make use of: amongst other, he wrote this letter to Thomas Co • k Draper of London.

Upon Cocks admission, he had private conference with three other that came with him; to whom, at their departure, he gave these instructions in writing: You shall charge all Lombards and Merchant-strangers, Genona's, Venetians, Florentines, and others, this day to draw themselves together, and to ordain for us the Captain, twelve Harnesse complete of the best fashion, four and twenty Brigandi • es, twelve Battle-axes, twelve Glaves, six horses with saddle and bridle completely furnished, and a thousand ma • ks in ready money: and if they shall fail herein, we shall strike off the heads of as many as we can get. But they failed not, but sent him what he had demanded: who thereupon the next morning, being the third of July, returns to London ; and presently sends to the Lord Scales, to bring his Prisoner the Lord Say to the Guildhall, whither he had called the Lord Major with his brethren; before whom he caused the Lord Say to be arraigned, who craving to be tried by his Peers, was forthwith taken from his keeper, carried to the Standard in Cheap, and there had his head chopped off, which being pitched upon a Pike, was borne before him to Mile-end, whither he went to have conference with the Rebels of Essex ; and by the way meeting with Sir James Cromer High-sheriffe of Kent, who had lately married the Lord Says daughter, he caused his head also to be stricken off, and carried likewise before him in de • ision. The next morning he came again to London ; where, after public execution done upon some of his fellows, and particularly upon a petty Cap • aine of his, named Paris, that had done things contrary to his Proclamation; upon a displeasure taken against Alderman Malpas, he sent and seized upon all his wares and goods, and fined Alderman Horne in five hundred marks: whereupon, the Citizens finding him to grow every day more insolent than other, they send to the Lord Scales for assistance, who sendeth Matthew Gough an old soldier to them, with some forces and furnitures out of the Tower; who presently make a stand at the Bridge, where Cade notwithstanding forceth his passage, and then began to set fire on houses where many aged and impotent people miserably perished; Captain Bough Alderman, Sutton and Robert Hayson, valiantly fighting, were slain: yet upon a fresh supply, the Londoners recovered the bridge again, and drove the Rebels beyond the Stoop in South-warke; at which time, both sides being weary, agreed of a Truce, till the next day. After the Retreat, Cade finding he had lost many of his best men, was driven for supply, to set at liberty all the Prisoners in Southwarke, as well Felons as Debtors: when now his company entering into consideration of their danger, and of the desperate services their Captain had brought them to, began to discover by their countenances their willingness to leave this course: whereof the Archbishop of Canterbury having notice, he with the Bishop of Winchester came from the Tower by water to Southwarke, and there shown the Kings General-Pardon under the Great Seal of England ; which was so welcome to the Rebells, that without taking leave of their Captain, they withdrew themselves that night to their several habitations. Jack Cade with some few followers bent his journey to Quinborough Castle, where being denied entrance, he disguised himself, and privily fled: but upon Proclamation, with promise of a thousand marks to any that should bring him dead or alive; he was afterward, by one Alexander Eden Gentleman, attached; and making resistance, in a Garden at Hothfield in Sussex, was there slain; his body was brought to London, beheaded and quartered, his head set upon London bridge, his quarters dispersed in divers places in Kent. Upon the news whereof, the King sends Commissioners into Kent, to inquire of the abettors of this Rebellion: whither he followeth himself in person, and though five hundred were found guilty, yet eight only were executed. Though London were the chief stage of this Rebelion, yet other Countries were not free; especially Will • shire, for the Rebels there, upon the nine and twentieth day of June, drew William Askot Bishop of Salisbury, from the High Altar, where he was saying Mass in Edington Church, to the top of the hill; and there in his Priestly robes, most inhumanely murdered him.

This Insurrection was not unknown to the King of France, who taking advantage thereof, seizeth upon all places which the English had in France, leaving them nothing but only Calais, and the Castles of Hames and Guisnes ; and this was the issue of the Duke of Somersets Regency in France : whereupon coming into England, at a P •• liament holden at Westminster, the sixth of November, in the nine and twentieth year of the Kings r • igne, he was put under Arrest; upon notice whereof, the Commons of London despoiled his house at Blackfriers, and ceased not, till Proclamation was made to inhibit them: for disobeying whereof, there was one man beheaded, at the Standard in Cheape.

At this time, the Duke of York, under pretence of coming to the Parliament, comes out of Ireland ; and at London had private conference with John Duke of Norfolk, Richard Earl of Salisbury, the Earl of Devonshire and other his assured friends; where it was resolved, to keep the chief purpose, (the claim to the Crown) secret; and only to make show, that his endeavors were but to remove ill Counselors from the King; of whom they instanced in the Duke of Somerset as chief; and hereof, the Duke sent divers letters to the King, complaining of the wrongs the Duke of Somerset had done him, but withal making Protestation of his own loyalty. To which the King maketh answer, that he would take his complaints into consideration; but somewhat blames him for the death of the Bishop of Chester, by his means suspected to be slaughtered, and for dangerous speeches uttered by his servants, tending to Rebellion: concluding, that notwithstanding anything said or done to the contrary, he took and esteemed him a faithful subject, and a loving kinsman. But the Duke of York, not herewith satisfied, departeth into Wales, and there levi •• h men, making his color for the good of the Common wealth: and the reremoving of bad Counselors. The King advertised hereof, presently raiseth an Army; and with the Duke of Somerset (now enlarged) marcheth towards Wales : while the Duke of York, having notice which way the King came, by another way marcheth toward London ; but being told, the Londoners would not admit him entrance; he passed the river Thames at Knightbridge, marched into Kent, and encamped at Burnt-heath. The King in his pursuit, came to Black-heathe, and there pitched his Tents, from whence he sent the Bishops of Winchester and Eli, the Lord Rivers, and Richard Andrew's Keeper of the Privy Seal, to know the cause of this commotion, and to make offer of reconcilement, if the Dukes Demands were not unreasonable. The Duke made Answer, that nothing was intended against the Kings person, his Crown or Dignity: All that was sought, was to remove ill Counselors from about the King, but especially Edmund Duke of Somerset ; whom if the King would be pleased to commit toward, till his legal trial might be had in Parliament, he would then not only dismiss his army, but come unto his presence as a loyal subject. Hereupon the Duke of Somerset is committed to prison: The Duke of York dismisseth his army, and cometh in person to the King: in whose presence, (contrary to his expectation) he found the Duke of Somerset, which so moved him, that he could not hold, but presently charged him with Treason: which the Duke of Somerset, not only denieth, but 〈◊〉 a • re the Duke of York, to have conspired • he kings death, and the usu • pation of the Crown: whereupon, the king removeth to London, the Duke o • York as a prisoner ryding before him, and the Duke of Somerset at liberty, which was not a little marveled at by many. And now the king calleth a Council at Westminster, where the two Dukes are earnest in accusing each other; but while the Counsel are debating of the matter, there comes a flash of lightning out of France, which diverted them; for the Earl of Kendall, and the L' Espar, c • me Ambassadors from Burdeaux, offering their obedience to the Crown of England, if they might but be assured to be defended by it: but withal, at the same time there came a report, that Edward Earl of March, son and heir to the Duke of York, with a great power was marching towards London. Here was matter for a double consultation: and for this latter, it was resolved on, that the Duke of York, should in the presence of the king and his Nobility, at the high Altar in Paul • , take his Oath of submission and Allegiance to king Henry : which he accordingly did, and then had liberty to depart to his Castle of Wigmore. And for the former, the Earl of Shrewsbury with about three thousand men was sent into Gascoigne, who arriving in the Isle of Madre, passed forth with his power, and took Fro • sack and other pieces, but having received in the night instructions from Burdeaux of certain conspirators, he makes all the speed he can thither; and was entered the Town before the French had notice of his coming: so that many of them were slain by the Lord L' Espar in their beds. Shortly after there arrived, the Earl of Shrewsbury 's son, Sir John • Talbot, with the bastard of Somerset, and two and twenty hundred men, by whose means Burdeaux is well manned with English: in which time the Earl was not idle, but went from place to place, to receive the offered submission of all places where he came: and having taken Chatillo • , he strongly fortified it, whereupon the Fre • ch king raiseth an army, and besiegeth Chatillon, to the rescue whereof, the Earl maketh all possible speed with eight hundred horse, appointing the Earl of Kendall, and the Lord L' Espar to follow with the foot: In his way he surprised a Tower the French had taken, and put all within it to the sword; and meeting five hundred French men, that had been forraging; many of them he slew, and the rest he chased to their Campe. Upon whose approach, the French left the siege, and retired to a place which they had formerly fortified; whither the Earl followeth them, and resolutely chargeth them so home, that he got the entry of the Campe: where being shot through the thigh with an Harquebuse, and his horse slain under him; his son desirous to relieve his father, lost his own life, and therein was accompanied with his bastard brother Henry Talbot, Sir Edward Hall, and thirty other Gentlemen of name. The Lord Nolius with threesco •• other were taken prisoners, the rest fled to Burdeaux, but in the way a thousand of them were slain. And thus on the last day of July, in the year 1453. at Chatillo • , the most valorous Earl of Shrewsbury, the first of that name; after four and twenty years service beyond the seas, ended his life, and was buried at Roa • in Normandy ; with this Inscription upon his Tomb: Here lieth the right Noble knight John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury, Weshford, Waterford, and Valence, Lord Talbot of Goodrich and Orchenfield, Lord Strange of Blackmere, Lord Verdon of Acto • , Lord Cromwell of Winkfield, Lord Lovet • ft of Worsoppe, Lord Furnivall of Sh • ffield, knight of the Noble Orders of St. George, St. Michael, and the golden fleece, great Marshall to King Henry the sixth, of his Realm of France. The Earl of Kendall, the Lord's Montserat, Rosaine and D •• gledas entered the Castle of Chatillon, and made it good against the French the space of ten days; but then having no hope of succor, they delivered it, upon composition to have liberty to depart to Burdeaux : and now the Gascoig •• s were as ready to open their gates to the French, as they were before to the English; by means whereof, in short time, the French recovered again all Gascoig • e except Burdeaux, and that also at length, upon condition that both garrisons and inhabitants with all their substance, might safely depart for England or Calais, and that the Lord's L' Espar and Durant, with thirty others, upon pain of death should never after be found in the Territories of France.

At this time upon St. Bartholomews day, an ancient custom being, that the Major of London, and the Sheriffs should be present in giving prizes to the best wrestlers; It h • ppened that at the wrestling place near Moore-fields, the Prior of S. John's was there to see the sports, when a servant of his, not brooking the disgrace to be foiled before his Master, against the custom of the place would have wrestled again, which the Major denied, whereupon the Prior fetched Bowmen from Clark ••• ell, to resist the Major, and some slaughter was committed; the Majors Cap was shot through with an Arrow, he nevertheless would have had the spo • t go on, bu • no wrestlers came, yet the Major Sr. John Norman told his brethren, he would stay awhile, to make trial of the Citizens respect towards him: which he had no sooner said, but the Citizens with Banners displayed came in great numbers to him, and fetched him home in great triumph. Upon the neck of this, began the quarrel in Holborne, between the Gentlemen of the Inns of Chancery and some Citizens, in appeasing whereof, the Queens Attorney and three more were slain.

And now the Duke of York, by all means laboreth to stir up the hatred of the Commons against the Duke of Somerset, repeating often, what dishonor England sustained by Somersets giving up the strong Towns of Normandy, and how he abuseth the Kings and Queens favor to his own gain, and the Commons grievance, then he addresseth himself to those of the Nobility that could not well brook his too much commanding over the Kings and Queens affection: amongst others he fasteneth upon the two Nevils, both Richards, the father and the son, the one Earl of Salisbury, the other of Warwick ; with whom he deals so effectually, that an indissoluble knot of friendship is knit betwixt them; by whose assistance, (the King lying dangerously sick at Claringdon ) the Duke of Somerset is arrested in the Queens great Chamber, and sent to the Tower; and in a Parliament now convoked, appe • ched of Treason, and many heinous crimes objected against him: whereupon, the King though weak is brought to London, of purpose to dissolve the Parliament, and that di • solved, the Duke of Somerset is presently set at liberty again, and not only so, but is made Captain of Calais and Guysnes, the only remainder the English had in France. Upon this, the Duke of York and his party, with a great power march towards London : against whom, the King attended with the Duke of Somerset, the Duke of Buckingham and his son, both named Humphrey, Henry Earl of Northumberland, James Earl of Wiltshire, Jasper Earl of Pembroke, and two thous • nd men, marcheth forwards; at S. Albans both armies meet: the Duke in the morning send • a letter to the King, protesting his fidelity and synderity; only he desires, the Duke of Somerset may be delivered, to stand or fall by the Judgment of his Peers; and this he would have, or die in the pursuit. The King for answer, Commands him to disband, and submit to his mercy; and not expect, that he will deliver any in his Army, who have shown their loves in standing to him. Herewith the Duke acquaints his friends, who hereupon fall everyone to his quarter: The Earl of Warwick fell upon the Lord Cliffords quarter, where the Duke of Somerset, h • sting to the rescue, was slain, and with him the Earl of Northumberland, Humphrey Earl of Stafford, the Lord Clifford, and about five thousand others, besides many that were hurt; the King himself shot in the neck with an arrow; the Duke of B • ckingham and the Lord Scales, in the faces; the Earl of Dorset so hurt, that he was fain to be carried home in a Cart: The Kings army had been increased after his coming forth, to eight thousand; but now they are all dispersed or slain, and the King unguarded, is left in a poor thatched house; whither, to be freed from the danger of arrows, he had withdrawn himself. The Duke of York having notice where the King was, goes with Wa • wick and Salisbury, who all three upon their knees present themselves before him, making humble petition to him, for pardon of what was past: and now, seeing the common Enemy was slain, they had what they aimed at. To whom the King thoroughly affrighted, said: Let there be no more killing then, and I will do what you will have me. This first battle of S. Albans was fought upon the three & twentieth day of May, in the three & thirtieth year of King Henries reign. The bodies of the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Northumberland and the Lord Glifford, were buried in the Chapel there. And now the Duke of York, in the kings name, commands a surcease from •• rther hostility: and in all reverent manner conveyeth the king to London ; where they keep the feast of Pentecost together; at which time, a Parliament is summoned to begin at Westminster, the ninth day of July; and therein it is enacted, that the Duke of Glo • cester should be decl • red publicly a loyal Subject, and that none should misreport or dispute the actions of the Duke of York, or of any in his company; and moreover, the Duke of York is m • de Protector of the kings Person, and of the Realm, the Earl of Sali • bury is made Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Warwick Captain of Calais, wherein they all carried themselves with unblameable demeanour.

In this mean time, the Queen not well pleased with these proceedings, s • ekes all me • ns to incite the Lord's of her party, and they as much seek to incite her to make opposition; she puts the Duke of Buckingham in mind that these Traitours had slain his hopeful Son at S. Albans ; she tells the now Duke of Somerset, that by them his dear Father lost his life: And they again put the Queen in mind of the unsufferable indignity done to her, in making her Husband only a king in name, setting a Tutor over him, as though he were a child, whilst the Duke of York and his complices manage all: Upon which incitation, all the enemies of the Yorkshire Faction are assembled by the Queen at Greenwich ; where it is debated of some course to be taken for restoring the king to his former liber • y and Government; at length it is concluded, that the duke of York should be comma • ded to give over his place of Protectorship, for that the king was of years and discretion sufficient to Rule of himself without a Guardian, and the Earl of Salisbury to surrender his place of being Lord Chancellor, for that the great Seal was never delivered him, seeing that which was now used, was made since the kings restraint, and therefore not sufficient; to which conclusion of theirs, the king easy to be wrought upon, yields his co • sent, and thereupon they are both discharged from their Offices, and summoned to appear at the Council Table at Gr • enwich ; but the Lord's were wiser than to put themselves into their hands, and therefore make answer, that none had power to displace them, nor to command their appearance in any place, but in Parliament, and so they continued about Lond • n, placing and displacing whom they pleased, • nd by their triumvirat authority, took John Holland Earl of Exeter out of Sanctuary, and sent him prisoner to Po • f • et Castle. These proceedings gave occasion to the licentious multitude to raise commotions, and the Prentices of London upon a very slight occasion, fall upon out-landish Merchants, rifle and rob their houses; and the Major assembling a company of substantial Citizens to suppress them, the Ring-leader of the disorder flies to Sanctuary; Commissioners are sent to inquire and punish the offense, but when the Major and Commissioners were set, tidings came that the Commons were up in Arms; whereupon the Commissioners left the business to be proceeded in by the Major, who so discreetly ordered the matter, that many of the offenders were punished, some by death, others by fine, and all things were quieted and appeased.

At this time the French having little to do against the English in France, would needs be doing something against them in England : They set out two Fleets, one under the conduct of William Lord Pomyers, the other of Sir Peter Bressy ; the Lord fell • pon Fulney in the West-Country, the knight upon S •• dwich in Kent, where some hurt they did, but not of importance to countervail their Voyage.

And now the Queen finding the little respect the Londoners bore to her party or the kings, persuades the king, as for his health and recreation, to make a Progress into Warwickeshire, which he did, by the way hunting and hawking, and the Queen making show of minding nothing but pastimes; and this she did, with a purpose the easier to entrap the three Lord's, of York, Salisbury, and Warwick, to whom she writ most loving letters, earnestly inviting them to be at Coventry by an hour appointed; which they, not doubting any fraud, intended to have done, but hearing by the way of the mischief plotted against them, they caused their Retinue to go on-ward the way to the Court, as though themselves were coming after; but they provided otherwise for their safety, the duke of York with a Groome and a Page getting him to Wigmore Castle, the Ea • le of Salisbury to his Castle of Middleham in the North, and the Earl of Warwick to the Sea side, and so to Calais ; but before they parted, they agreed upon an Alphabet, by which they might have intercourse of letters, yet their intentions kept undiscovered.

The king unwitting of this mischief intended against the duke of York and his friends, returneth to London, where he calleth a Council; and therein of his own accord desireth that some course might be invented for a perfect reconcilement of all parties; promising upon his salvation (an asseveration not usu • ll with him) so to entertain the duke of York and his friend • , that all discontents should be removed, and a perfect amity on all parts • stablished: to which end messengers are dispatched to the duke of York, and all other of his party, commanding them upon urgent affairs of the Realm, and upon Royal promise of safe conduct, to repair to his Court at London, at a day appointed. The duke of York accordingly came, and with 400 men well appareled, lodged at his house called Baynards Castle; T • e Earl of S • lisbury with 500 men, lodged likewise at his house called the Herbour ; The duke of Exeter (lately released) and the Duke of Somerset with 800 men, were lodged within Temple-Barre ; The Earl of Northumberland, the Lord Egremont, and the Lord Clifford, with 1500 men, were lodged in Holborne ; The Earl of Warwick with 600 in red jackets with ragged staves embroidered behind and before, were lodged at the Gray Friers in London. Upon the seventeenth of March the King and the Queen came to London, and were lodged at the Bishops Palace; the Major having five hundred well appointed men in readiness, rode with a competent number all day long round the City, for preservation of the Kings Peace: The Lord's lodging within the City, held their Council at Black-Friers ; the other, at the Chapterhouse at Westminster : Between both, the Reverend Archbishop of Canterb • ry, the Son of Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex, with some other of the most able Prelates interceded so, that by their mediation it was at last concluded, that all wrongs and misdemeanors on every side should • e forgotten and forgiven, that each side should be friends to the other, and both be obedient to the commands of the king. Besides this in general, there were some particular Articles to be performed by the Duke of York, the Earls of Salisbury, and Warwick, which afterward was ratified under the great Seal of England, the 24 day of March, in the 36 year of the Reign of king Henry the Sixth. Upon the publication whereof, a solemn Procession was made in Paul's Church, at which the king was present with his Cr • wn on his head; before him, hand in hand went the Duke of Somerset, and the Earl of Salisbury, the Duke of Exeter, and the Earl of Warwick, and so one of the one, and another of the other part, till they were all Marshalled; behind the king came the Queen, the Duke of York leading her by the hand, who in going made show of favorable countenance towards him: Divine Service ended, they return to the Court, in all outward appearance truly reconciled; but all was dissembled, as will presently appear; for presently upon this, an affray fell out between a servant of the Earl of Warwick, and a Courtier, who in the encounter is dangerously wounded, the Earls man flieth; the kings servants seeing their fellow hurt, and the offender escaped, watch the Earls coming from the Council Table, and assail him; many are hurt, but the Earl getteth a Wherry, and so escapes to London ; the Queen incontinently commands the Earl to be committed to the Tower, but he foreseeing the danger, posts to Yorkshire, where he acquaints the Duke of York, and his father the Earl of Salisbury of all the occurrence, with the palpable discovery of the Queens canker'd disposition, advising them to stand upon their Guard, and to provide against the approaching storm. Himself speeds to Calais, and being then Lord Admiral, takes with him all the kings ships that were in readiness, and scouring the Seas, meets with five great Carricks, three of Geno • a, and two of Spain ; and after two days fight, takes two of them, with which he returned to Calais where he unloaded their freight, and found it worth ten thousand pounds in Staple commodities, besides the Ships and Prisoners.

In the mean time, the Earl of Salisbury with about five thousand men marcheth through Lanc • shire, to pass that way to the king, with a purpose to acquaint him with the affront offered to his Son, and the inveterate malice discovered in the Queen against him: The Queen with the Dukes of Buckingham and Som • rset, hearing of his coming, gave order to the Lord Audley to use means to apprehend him; who thereupon levyeth ten thousand men in Cheshire and Shropshire, and with them about a mile from Drayton, in a plain called Bloreheath he attended the Earl, there being but a small brook of no great depth between them. Early in the morning the Earl made a seeming Retreat, which the Lord Talbot observing, presently causeth his Troops to pass the River, but before they could be reduced again into order, the Earl with his whole strength falls upon them, and with the slaughter of the Lord Audley, and most of them that had passed the River, he discomfited the rest, and slew about 24. hundred of them; Sir John and sir Thomas Nevill knights the Earl • Sons were sorely wounded, who with Sir Thomas Harrington travelling into the North Country, were apprehended and sent as Prisoners towards Chester, but upon a message from the Marchmen were presently released.

And now the Duke of York thinking fit no longer to conceal his design, make • preparation to take the Field, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick do the like; and amongst others of approved valor, whom the Earl of Warwick had brought from Calais with him, were two principal noted men, John Blunt, and Andrew Trolloppe. Likewise the King, with the Dukes of Somerset, and Exeter, draws his Forces to Worcester, from whence Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury, is sent to offer the Yorkists a full and general Pardon, if they would lay down Arms, and become loyal Subjects. Whereunto they answered, that there was no trust to the Kings Pardons, as long as the Queen had a Predominant power; but if they might have assurance of safety, they would express their loyalty, and humbly render themselves at his service. Hereupon the King advanceth nearer, and approaching the Lord's Army, caused Proclamation to be made, that whosoever would abandon the Duke of York, should be received to mercy, and have Pardon. Upon this, the night following, Andrew Trolloppe, with all the Callicians submit to the King, and by him are all the counsels of the Duke of York discovered; which so much discouraged him, that he with his young Son, the Earl of Rutland, fled first into Wales, and then into Ireland : The Earls of March, Salisbury, and Warwick got into Devonshire, where by the means of John Dynh • m Esquire (the same man that afterward by king Henry the Seventh was made Lord Treasurer of England ) they were shipt from Exmouth, to Gernsey, and so to Calais. All the common soldiers the king Pardons, only makes exemplary punishment of some few Captains, sends the Duchess of York, and her two younger children, to the Duchess of Buckingham her Sister to be • afely kept; and then having spoiled the Town and Castle of Ludlow, he dismissed his Army. And now a Parliament is called at Coventry, wherein the Duke of York, Edward Earl of March his Son, Richard Earl of Salisbury, Richard • arle of Warwick • John Lord Clifford, and many other the confederates of the Duke of York, are convict of Treason, and all their lands and goods seized on to the kings use. Henry D. of Somerset by the Queens means is made Captain of Calais, whither coming to take possession, he was, by reason of Ordnance shot at him from Rice-bank forced to Retire; which the Queen hearing, was so incensed, that in great passion she gave order to make ready all the kings Ships lying at Sandwich, to give assistance to the Duke of Somerset : but the forementioned John Dynham, out of love to the Earl of March, boorded those ships in the harbor, and took the Lord Rivers designed Admiral for that service, and carried both him and the Ships to Calais, from whence the Earl sailed to Ireland, to the Duke of York, who having conferred and concluded what course to take, he returned to Calais, the new Admiral the Duke of Exeter not daring to stop his course. Sir Simon Montford was appointed • o guard the Cinque Ports, having divers ships under his command to bar the Earl of Warwick • s entrance; but the Earl by his espyalls having perfect intelligence of all passages, fell suddenly upon Sir Simon before his ships were ready, took him prisoner, ransacked the Town of Sandwich, & carried his prisoner and the ships to Calais : By the way he understood how much the kentishmen desired his return and longed for his coming; whereupon he came the second time to Sandwich, to whom presently resorted the Lord Cobham and very many Gentlemen of the Country: so as now his army was five and twenty thousand strong; with which he marched towards London, against whom the Lord Scales was appointed to go, and with some convenient troops to assure London: but the Major directly refused to admit him; whereupon he resorted to the Tower, from whence afterwards he did the Londoners no small displeasure. The Earl of Warwick having notice, that his father the Earl of Salisbury was upon march to meet him: passeth over his men; and without impeachment, joined with him and his friends near Exeter.

The King with the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham with a great Army marcheth towards them, and near to the Town of Northampton both Armies meet: The Earl of March with the advice of the Earl of Warwick prepares for the fight: The Queen (the King more intentive to devotion then fighting) did the like, the fight continued about two hours, wherein were slain of both sides above • en thousand men; but upon the fall of Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, the Kings side was discomfited, and John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury, Thomas L. Egremont, John L. Beaumont and some other of account were slain: The Queen with the Duke of Somers • t, taking with them the young Prince, fled to the Bishopric of Durham : The King himself was taken, and as a prisoner conveyed to London : where the Tower is yielded to the Earl of Warwick ; The Lord Scales in disguised apparel endeavoring to escape, is taken by the water-men, and by them beheaded, and his Corpes carelessly left upon the sands. Thomas Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer, in the habit of a Monk, his Crown shorn, purposing to fly to the Queen, is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower, and after by the Commons beheaded at Highgate. The Duke of York being advertised of this good success, leaveth Ireland and posts to London, where in the kings name he summoneth a Parliament, which being assembled, he in the presence of the Lord's in the upper House, placeth himself in the Imperial Seat, and with great boldness lays open his rightful claim to the Crown of England, as being the Son and heir of Anne daughter and heir of Roger Mortimer Earl of March, Son and heir of Philip the sole daughter and heir of Lyonel Duke of Clarence, the third son of Edward the third, and elder brother of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, Father of the usurper Henry the Fourth, Grandfather to Henry the Fifth, who was Father to him that at this time untruly styleth himself king Henry the sixth. And after relating the many miseries that had befallen the Realm since the time of this Usurpation, he concluded, that he would not expect nor desire possession of the Crown, except his descent were undisputable, and his title without exception. This being a business of importance, required deliberation: but in conclusion, the Duke having before hand prepared the Lord's Spiritual; and few of the Nobility being present, that were not of his part, the Burgesses were easily persuaded: and it was generally resolved, and enacted accordingly, that king Henry during his life, should retain the name and honor of a king; that the Duke of York should be Proclaimed heir apparent to the Crown, and Protectour of the kings Person, his lands and dominions; and that if at any time, any of king Henries friends, allies or favorites, in his behalf should attempt the disa •• lling of this Act, that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crown. It is not unworthy the noting, that while the Earl of March was declaring his title in the upper house, it happened in the nether house, that a Crown which hung in the middle of the house, to garnish a branch to set lights upon, without touch or wind, fell suddenly down: as likewise at the same time, fell down the Crown which stood on the top of Dover Castle: a sign as some thought, that the Crown of the Realm should be changed. As soon as the Parliament was dissolved; the Duke dispatcheth letters into Scotland ; requiring in the kings name, the Queen, the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter, and all other of the Nobility, that remained in that kingdom, with all speed to repair to his presence in London : but they had other work in hand; for having goten together of English and Scots, to the number of eighteen thousand, they came ma • ching into England • against whom went the Duke of York, with his younger son the Earl of Rutland, and the Earl of Salisbury, (leaving the king in the custody of the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Warwick ;) and approaching near the Que • ns A • my, he was certified by his sc • uts, that the Enemy far exceeded his power, both in number and in all warlike preparation, (he not having in his Army above five thousand men) and thereupon the Earl of Salisbury advised him to rety • e, and to attend the coming of the Earl of March, who was gone into Wales to raise the March men; but the pride of his former victory made him deal to all Counsel of declining the battle; and so hastened on by his destiny, from S • nd • ll Castle he marched on to Wakefield green; where the Lord Clifford on the one side, and the Earl of Wiltshire on the other were placed in ambuscado; The Duke of York supposing that the Duke of Somerset who led the battle, had no more forces then what were with him, undauntedly marcheth towards him: but being entered within their danger, the ambushes on both sides brake out upon him, and slew him, with three thousand of his men, the rest fled; the Earl of Salisbury is taken prisoner; and harmless Rutland, not above twelve years old, who came thither but to see fashions, is made a sacrifice for his Fathers transgression, who kneeling upon his knees, with tears begging life, is unmercifully stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford, in part of revenge (as he swore) of his Fathers death; and the Queen most unwomanly in cold blood, caused the Earl of Salisbury, and as many as were taken prisoners, to be beheaded at P • mfret Castle, and to have their heads placed on poles about the walls of York. Thus died Richard Plantagenet Duke of York, who had taken to wife Cicely daughter of Ralph Nevyll, the first Earl of Westmorland, by whom he had issue, eight sons and four daughters; his eldest son Henry died young, his second son Edward was afterward king of England ; his third Edmund Earl of Rutland, was slain with his father • John, Thomas and William died young, his seventh son George, was after Duke of Clarence, his youngest son Richard, surnamed Crouchb • ck, w • s after king of England. Anne his eldest daughter was married to Henry Holland Duke of Exeter, his second daughter Elizabeth was married to John de la P • ole Earl of Suffolk, his third Margaret to Charles Duke of Burgoigne, his fourth Vrsula died young. This Duke being dead, had his head crowned with a paper Crown, together with many circumstances of disgracing him: but this act of spite was fully afterwards recompensed upon their heads that did it.

The Earl of March hearing of his fathers death, labored now so much the more earnestly, in that he labored for himself; and parting from Shrewsbury, whose Inhabitants were most firm unto him, he increased his army to the number of three and twenty thousand, and presently took the field; and having advertisment, that Jasper Earl of Pembroke, with the Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire followed after him with a great power of Welsh and Irish: he suddenly marcheth back again, and in a plain near Mortimers Cross, on Candlemas day in the morning gave them battle, wherewith the slaughter of three thousand and eight hundred, he put the Earls to flight. Owen Tewther who had married Queen Catherine, Mother to king Henry the sixth, and divers Welsh Gentlemen were taken, and at Hereford beheaded. Before the battle, it is said, the Sun appeared to the Earl of March like three sun’s, and suddenly it joined all together in one; for which cause, some imagine, that he gave the sun in its full brightness, for his badge or Cognisance.

The Queen in the mean time encouraged by the death of the Duke of York, with a power of Northern men marcheth towards London : but when her soldiers were once South of Trent, as if that river were the utmost limit of their good behavior, they fell to forage the Country in most babarous manner: Approaching S. Albans, they were advertised that the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Warwick were ready to give them battle; whereupon the Queens Vaward hasteth to pass through St. Alb •• s ; but being not suffered to pass, they encountered with their Enemies in the field called Barnard heath ; who perceiving the main battle to stand still, and not to move; which was done by the treachery of Lovelace, who with the kentish men had the leading of it; they soon made the Southerne men to turn their backs and f • y; upon whose flight, the rest in doubt of each others well meaning, shifted away; and the Lord's about the King perceiving the danger, withdrew themselves: Only the Lord B • nvile come • ing in a complemental manner to the King, and saying it grieved him to leave his Majesty, but that necessity for safeguard of his life, enforced it • was importuned, and Sir Tho • as Kyriell a knight of Kent likewise, by the king to stay; he passing his Royal word, that their stay should be no danger to them; upon which promise they stayed, but to their cost: for the Queen hearing that the Commo • s had beheaded Baron Tho • pe at High-gate; • he in revenge thereof, caused both their heads to be stricken off at S. Alb •• s : so as there were slaughtered at this battle the full number of three and twenty hundred, but no man of name, but only Sir John Grey, who the same day was made knight, with twelve other at the village of Colney.

And now the King was advised, to send one Thom • s Hoe, (tha • had been a Barrister) to the Victors, to tell them; that he would gladly come to them, if with conveyance it might be done: whereupon the Earl of Northumberland, appointed divers Lord's to attend him to the L. Cl • ffords Tent, where the Queen and the young Prince met to their great joy: but it was now observed, as it were in the destiny of King He • ry, that although he were a most Piousman, yet no enterprise of war did ever prosper, where he was present; that we may know the prosperity of the world to be no inseparable companion to men of Piety. At the Queens request, the king honored with knighthood thirty gentlemen, who the day before had fought against the part where he was; the Prince likewise was by him dubbed knight, and then they went to the Abby, where they were received with Anthems, and withal an humble petition, to be protected from the outrage of the loose soldiers • which was promised, and Proclamation made to that purpose, but to small purpose; for the Northern men said, It was their bargain to have all the spoil in every place, after they had passed Trent: and so they robbed and spoiled whatsoever they could come at. The Lond • ners hearing of this disorder, were resolved, seeing there was no more assurance in the Kings promise, to keep the Northern men out of their gates; insomuch that when they were sent to, to send over to the Campe certain Cartloads of Lenton provision; which the Major accordingly provided: the Commons rose about Cripplegate, and by strong hand kept the Carts from going out of the City. Hereupon, the Major sends the Recorder to the Kings Counsel • and withal intreats the Duchess of Bedford, and the Lady Scole • , to intercede for h • m to the Queen; and to excuse his not using force, considering how dangerous it might be in these doubtful times, to stir their fury, that would not easily be a • laid. It was well advised to send women to entreat a woman, for by this means they prevailed, that some of the Lord's of the Counsel, with a guard of four hundred good soldiers, were appointed to go for London, to inquire and certify of these things: when suddenly news was brought, that the Earl of March with a great Ar • y was marching towards them: for the Earl of Warwick having gathered together his scattered troops, and joined with the Earl of March, they hasted towards Lo • don, and were joyfully received upon the eight and twentieth day of February, and upon Sunday, the second of March, the Earl of Warwick mustered all his army in S. John 's field, and having cast them into a ring, read unto them the agreement of the last P •• liament, and then demanded, whether they would have King Henry to reign still who all cried, no, no: then he asked them, whether they would have the Earl of March eldest son of the Duke of York (by that Parliament proclaimed King) to reign over them? who with a great clamor cried, yea, yea • Then went there certain Captains, and others of the Citty, to the Earl of March at Baynards Castle, to acquaint him with w • at was passed; who at first seemed to excuse himself, a • unable to exec •• e so grea • a charge: but animated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of London, and Exeter, and the Earl of Warwick, he at last consented to take it upon him; and thereupon, the next morning he wept in Procession at Paul's, and offered there, and after Te Deum sung, he was in great state conveyed to Westminster, and there in the great Hall, seated in the Kings seat, with the Scepter of St. Edw •• d in his hand; and then again the people, of whom there was a great concourse, were aloud demanded, if they would acknowledge him to be their King? to which with great willingness they all cried, yea, yea. Then taking homage of divers Noblemen there present, he was with Procession and great solemnity conveyed to the Abbey, and placed in the Qui • e as King, whilst Te Deum was singing: That done, he offered at St. Ed • ards Shrine, and then returned by water to Paul's, and was lodged in the Bishops Palace, and upon the fou • th of March he was generally Proclaimed King, by the name of Edward the Fo • r • h. And here in the course of all Writers, ends the Reign of King He • ry the Sixth; that it may be truly said, never any came to be King so soon • fter his birth, nor left to be King so long before his death; for he came to be King at eight mon • ths old, and he left to be King, living twelve years after. There was indeed in that space of time, a certain Vicissitude, sometimes a King, and sometimes no King; the passages where of must be related in the following Kings Reign.

THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FOURTH.

E DWARD Earl of March, born at Roane in Normandy, son and heir of Richard Plantagenet Duke of York, slain in the battle at Wakefield, succ • eded his Father in the Right, but exceeded him in the possession of the Crown of England ; and that by virtue of an act of Parliament lately made; wherein the said Duke of York not only was declared heir apparent to the Crown, and appointed Protector of the King and Kingdom; but it was further enacted, that if King Henry, or any in his behalf, should attempt the disannulling of this Act; that then the said Duke or his heir should have the present Possession: which because his friends attempted to do, therefore justly doth Edward Earl of March his son, by virtue of this act, take possession of the Crown; and is Proclaimed king of England, by the name of Edward the fourth, through the City of London, on the fifth day of March in the year 1460. But before he could have leisure to be Crowned, he was forced once again to try his fortune in the field by battle: For King Henry in the North was raising a new army; against whom King Edward, upon the twelveth of March, marched with his forces from London, and by easy journeys came to Pomfret Castle, from whence the Lord Fitzwater was sent to guard the passage at Ferribridge, to stop the Enemies approach that way; King Henry likewise advanceth forward, sending his power, under the conduct of the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Northumberland and the Lord Clifford, whilst himself with his Queen and Son stay at York. The Lord Clifford very early on Palm sunday, with a troop of Northern men, falls upon those that guarded Fetribridge, and defeated them with the slaughter of the Lord Fitzwater and the bastard of Salisbury. The Earl of Warwick hearing of this defeat, comes posting to King Edwards C • mpe, and in his presence killing his horse, Pro • ested his resolution to stand with him to the Death. Upon • his Resolution of the Earls, the King made presently Proclamation, that all who were afraid to sight, should at their pleasure depart; but to those that would stay, he promised good reward, adding withal, that if any that stayed, should after turn his back or flee, then he that should kill him, should have double pay. After this, he gave order to the Lord Fawconbridge, and Sir Walter Blunt, to lead on the Vaw • rd; who in their march about Dandingdale, encountered with the Lord Clifford ; (who formerly in cold blood had slaughtered the young Earl of Rutland ) and he being stricken into the throat with an arrow (some say) without a head; and presently dying: the Lord Nevill Son and heir of the Earl of Westmorland was also slain, with most of their companies, and the rest put to flight. The next day likewise (the Duke of Norfolk being dangerously sick, to whom that place was assigned) F •• conbridge and Blunt continue the leading of the Vaunt-guard; and on Palm-sunday, by break of day, they came to a plain field between Towton & Saxto • , from whence they made a full survey of king Henries Army, and certified king Edward, that the Enemy was threescore thousand strong; where his Army was but forty thousand and six hundred: whereupon a second Proclamation was made through the Campe, that no quarter should be kept, nor prisoner taken. The Armies being both in sight, the Lord Fauconbridge gave direction to the Archers (upon a signal by him given) to shoot every man a flight-arrow (for that purpose provided) and then to fall back three strides, and stand. The Northern men in the mean time plied their bows, till all their sheaves were empty; but their arrows fell short of the Enemy by threescore yards, and not only did no hurt to the Enemy, but did hurt to themselves; for their arrows being spent, and coming to hand-blows, their own arrows sticking in the ground, galled their shins, and pierced their feet. Ten hours the battle continued doubtful; till the Earl of Northumberland being slain, with the Lord, Beaumont, Gray, Dacres, and Wells, Sir John Nevill, Andrew T • ollop, and many other knights and Esquires; the Earls of Exeter and Somerset fled, leaving the Conquest to King Edward, but the bloodiest that ever England felt, for there fell that day six and thirty thousand seven hundred threescore and sixteen persons, no prisoner being taken but the Earl of Devonshire. The battle ended, K. Edward hastes to York, where he caused the heads of his father and other friends, to be taken down and buried with their bodies, setting in their places the heads of the Earl of Devonshire, and three other, there at that time executed. The Earl of Somerset acquainting King Henry with this overthrow, persuades him, with his Queen and Son, to fly to Barwick ; where leaving the Duke of Somerset, they fly further for succor to the King of Scots, who comforteth them with promise of relief, but maketh a sure bargain; for in lieu of a pension to be allowed King Henry during his abode there, the Town and Castle of Barwick were delivered to him. Queen Margaret and her Son are sent into France, who obtained of Lewis the Eleve • th her Cosin, that all of King Edwards friends were prohibited Stay or Traffick in the French kings Dominions: but all King Henries friends might live there freely. After this, king Edward comes to London ; and upon his entrance to the Tower, makes four and twenty knights, and the next day four more; and upon the 28 day of June, in the year 1461. he rode from the T • wer to Westminster, and was there Crowned in the Abby-Church.

Shortly after, a Parliament is summoned, which began at Westminster the fourth of November ; In which, all Acts of king Henry the Sixth, prejudicial to king Edwards Title, are repealed: and therein, John Earl of Oxford, a valiant and wise man, (he who in a former Parliament had disputed the question concerning the precedency of Temporal and Spiritual Barons; a bold attempt in those days; and by force of whose Arguments, Judgment was given for the Lord's Temporal) with his Son Aubry de Veer, Sir Thomas Tiddingham knight, William Tyrrell & Walter Montgomery Esquires, were, without answer, convicted of Treason, and beheaded. And to encourage others to well-deserving, king Edward at this time advanced many in honor: his brother George he created Duke of Clarence ; his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester; John Lord Nevill brother to the Earl of Warwick, he made first Viscount, then Marquess Montacu • e; Henry Bourchier brother to the Archbishop of Canterbury, is made Earl of Essex ; and William Lord Fauconbridge, Earl of Kent. And now their new honors are presently put into employment; the Earls of Essex & Kent, accompaneid with the Lord's Audeley and Clinton, Sir John Howard, Sir Richard Walgrave and others, to the number of ten thousand, are appointed to scour the Seas, who landing in Britain, took the town of Conque • , and the Isle of Ree, and then returned. At this time Henry Duke of Somerset, Ralph Percy and divers others came in, and humbly submitted themselves to king Edwards mercy; who protested his propension of freely pardoning them, and as many other that would submit themselves as they did.

All this time King Henry was in Scotland, and Queen Margaret in France ; where she obtained of the French King, a company of five hundred men; with whom she sailed towards Newcastle, and landed at Tinmouth, but suddenly again returned, and was herself by tempest beaten to Barwick, but her company was driven on the shore before Bamburg Castle; where they set their Ships on fire, and fled to an Isl • nd called Holy Island, but were so assailed there by the bastard Ogle and John Manners Esqu • re, that many of them were slain, and almost four hundred taken prisoners, only their Coronell Peter Bressie h • ppened upon a Fisherman, who brought him to ••• wick to Queen Margaret, and by her was made Captain of the Castle of Alnewick, which he with his French-men kept, till they were resc • ed. Shortly after • Queen Margaret having gotten together a great company of Scots, and other of her friends bringing her husband with her, and leaving her Son at Barwick, entered Northumberland, took the Castle of Bamburg, made Captain thereof Sir Ralph Grey ; and then came forward to the Bishopprick of Durham : whither resorted to her the lately Reconciled, and now again revolted Duke of Somerset ; Sir Ralph Percy and divers others, who altogether made a competent army. King Edward hearing hereof, makes preparation both by sea and land; and first he sends Viscount Montacute with some Companies into Northumberland ; whom he in person followeth with his whole power: The Viscount marcheth towards king Henry, and by the way encountreth the Lord Hungerford at Hegley-moore ; but he, with Lord Basse, upon the first charge, ran away, leaving Sir Ralph Darcy alone with his own Regiment, who there valiantly fighting, died. After this the Viscount understanding that king Henry was encamped in Levels plain, near the river of Dowell in Hexamshire, marcheth thither by night, and set upon him in his Campe, whose charge the Northern men receive with a desperate resolution, but were in the end with great slaughter overcome. Henry Beaufort Duke of Somerset, the Lord's Basse, Molins, Hungerford, Wen • worth, Hussey and Sir John Finderne knight, with many others are taken prisoners: king Henry himself by the swiftness of his horse escaped, but very hardly; for one of his Hench-men that followed him was taken, who had on his head king Henries Helmet, or as some say, his high Cap of Estate, called Abacot, garnished with two rich Crowns, which was presented to king Edward at York the fourth of May. The Duke of Somerset was beheaded presently at Exam ; the other Lord's and knights were had to Newcastle, and there, after a little respite, were likewise put to death. Besides these, divers others, to the number of five and twenty, were executed at York and in other places. This Duke of Somerset was never married, but had a natural Son named Charles Somerset, who was afterward created Earl of Worcester. Sir Humphrey Nevill, and William Tailbois calling himself Earl of Kyme, Sir Ralph Grey and Richard Tunstall with divers others that escaped from this battle, hid themselves in secret places; but yet not so closely, but that they were espied and taken • The Earl of Kyme was apprehended in Riddesdale, and brought to Newcastle, and there beheaded, Sir Humphrey Nevill was taken in Holdernesse, and at York lost his head. After this battle, called Exam-field, king Edward came to the City of Durham, and sent from thence into Northumberland, the Earl of Warwick, the Lord Montacute, the Lord's Fawconbridge and Scroope, to recover such Castles as his Enemies there held; which they effected; and taking in the Castle of Dunstanburg, they found in it John Gois servant to the Duke of Somerset, who was brought to York and there beheaded: and taking in the Castle of Bamburg, they found in it Sir Ralph Grey, whom because he had sworn to be true to king Edward, and was now revolted to king Henry • they degraded from his Order of knight-hood at Doncaster, by cutting of his gil • Spurs, renting his Coat of Arms, and breaking his sword over his head, and then beheaded him.

In this mean time, king Henry (upon what occasion, no man knows; but only led by the left hand of destiny) ventring in disguise to come into England, and shifting from place to place, was at length discovered, and taken by one C • ntlow, or as others say, by Thomas Talbot son to Sir Edward Talbot of Bashall, who deceived him being at his dinner at Waddington Hall in Lincolnshire, and brought him towards London, with his legs tied under the horse belly; in whose company were also taken Doctor Han • ing Dean of Windsor, D. B • dle, and one Ell • rton, whom the Earl of Warwick met by the way, • nd brought them all to the Tower of London ; whils • the distressed Queen with her son once again is driven to fly for shelter into France ; whither the new Duke of Somerse • and his brother John sailed also, where they lived in great misery; and the Earl of Pembr •• ke went from Country to Country little better then a Vagabond.

At this time, king Edward, to reward his followers, distributeth the Lands and Possessions of those that held with king Henry amongst them, but first made Proclamation that whosoever of the contrary faction would come in and submit, should be received to grace and restored to their Patrimonies.

In the fourth year of king Edward, in Michaelmas Tearm were made eight Serjeants at Law, Thomas Young, Nicholas Geney, Richard Neal, Thomas Brian, Richard Pigot, John • Catesby and Guy Fairfax ; who held their feast in the Bishop of Eli’s place in Holborn, where the Lord Grey of Ruthin then Lord Treasurer of England, was placed before the Lord Major of London, being invited to the feast, which gave such a distaste to the Major, that he presently departed with the Aldermen and Sheriff • , without tasting of their feast: and it was Registred to be a president in time to come.

And now king Edward no less intentive to perform the Office of a king in peace, then he had been before of a Captain in war • , considering with himself that seditious and civil dissensions must needs breed disorders in a state, and that disorders bred by troubled times, are not like troubled waters, that will in time settle of themselves and recover clearness; but are rather like weeds, which once springing up and let alone, will in time over run the whole gro • nd where they grow: He like a good Gardener seeks to weed them out before they grow too rank, and endeavors to make a general reformation of abuses; and to that end in Michaelmas Term in the second year of his Reign, Three days together he sat publicly with his Judges in Westminster-hall on the Kings Bench, to acquaint himself with the Orders of that Court, and to observe what needed Reformation in it, either at Bench or • t Barre: as likewise he ordered the officers of his Exchequer, to take more moderate Fees; and to be more intentive to the benefit of the Subject, than to their own unjust gain: He also daily frequented the Council Table; which he furnished for the most part, with such as were gracious amongst the Citizens, whom he employs about references and businesses of private consequence; whilst mysteries o • State were intimated only to such whom he selected to be of his more private Cabinet Counsaile; by whom, he being now of the age of three and twenty years, w •• advised that it was now time to provide for posterity, by taking a wife, and to provide also for the present time, by taking a fit wife, which they conceived to be nowhere so fitly found as in France ; both thereby to bury old grudges between the two Nations, and also to avert assistance from Queen M • rg • ret, the only disturber of the State; and this being concluded, it only remained to make choice of a fit man for that employment, for which none was thought so fit as Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick ; he therefore is presently sent into Fra • ce, to treat of a Marriage to be had between king Edward and the Lady Bon • , daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy, and Sister to the Lady Carlote then Queen of Fra • ce : a Lady, no less for beauty and virtuous qualities, then for Nobility of blood, worthy to be a Queen. The Proposition is in Fra • ce readily embraced, and willingly assented unto on all parts. But in the mean time king Edward being hunting in Witchwood Forest besides Stonystratford ; he chanced to come to the Manor of Grafton, where the Duchess of Bedford then lay, and where her daughter by Sir Richard Woodvile, the Lady Elizabeth Gr • y widow of Sir John Gr • y of Gr • vy, slain at the last battle of St. Albans ; became a suitour to him for some lands which her • usband had given her in Jointure; with whose beauty and gr • cefull behavior, king Edward was so taken, that he presently became a Suitor to her; and when he could not obtain his suit by terms of wanton love, he was forced to s • eke it by terms of Marriage.

And here we may well think there was no small c • fl • ct in King Edwards mind, between the two great commanders, Love and Honor, which of them should be most potent; Honor put him in mind, that it was against his Law to take to wife a meaner person than himself; but Love would take no notice of any difference of degrees, but took it for his Prerogative to make all persons equal; Honor pe • swaded him that it stood him much upon to make good the Ambassage, in which he had sent the Earl of Warwick to a great Prince; but Love persuade • d him that it stood him more upon, to make good the Ambassage sent to himself from a greater Prince: In conclusion, it appeared to be true which one observes, Improbe • mor quid non mortalia pectora cogis? what is it that love will not make a man to do? Whether it be, that love brings upon the mind a forgetfulness of all circumstances but such as tend to its own satisfaction; or whether it be that love is amongst passions, as oil amongst liquors, which will always be supreme and at the top; Honor may be honored, but love will be obeyed: And therefore king Edward, though he knew no Superior upon Earth, yet he obeys the summons of Love; and upon the first day of May, marries the said Lady Gray at Grafton ; the first of our kings since the Conquest that married his Subject: At which marriage none was present but the Duchess of Bedford, the Priest, two Gentlewoman, & a young man to help the Priest at Mass: the year after, with great solemnity she was Crowned Queen at Westminster. It is not unworthy the relating the Speech which king Edward had with his Mother, who sought to cross this ma • ch:

Upon this marriage, the Queens Father was created Earl Rivers, and made High-Constable of England ; her brother the Lord Anthony, was married to the sole Heir of the Lord Scales, and by her had that Barony; her Son sir Thomas Gray was created Marquess Dorset, and married Cicelie, heir to the Lord Bonvile. It may be thought a h • ppy fortune for this Lady to be thus marched; but let all things be considered, and the miseries accruing to her by it, will be found equivalent, if not over-weighing all the benefits: For first, by this match she drew upon her self the envy of many, and was cause that her Husband fled the Realm, and her self in his absence glad to take Sanctuary, and in that place to be delivered of a Prince, in a most unprincely m • nner. After which, surviving her husband, she lived to see her two Sons most cruelly murdered; and for a conclusion of all, she lived to see her self confined to the Monastery of Berdmondsey in Southwarke, and all her goods confiscate by her own Son in Law.

And n • w the Earl of Warwick at his return, found that knot tied in England, which he had labored to tie in France: His Ambassage frustrated, the Lady Bona deluded, the king of France abused, and himself made a stale, and the disgraceful instrument of all this; which although he resented in a high degree, yet he had not been a Courtier so long, but in that time he had sufficiently learned the Art of dissembling; he passed it over lightly for the present, but yet carried it in his mind till a fit opportunity; and thereupon procures leave to retire himself to his Castle of Warwick.

King Edward in the mean time, having just cause to suspect he had made the French his enemies, seeks to make other Princes his friends: He enters into a League with John king of Aragon ; to whom he sent for a Present a score of Cotsall Ews, and • ive Rams, a small Present in show, but great in the event; for it proved of more benefit to Spain, and of more detriment to England than could at first sight have been imagined. And to secure himself at home, he took truce with the king of Scots for fifteen years. And where he had married before his two Sisters, Anne the eldest to Henry Holland Earl of Exeter ; and Elizabeth to John de la Poole Duke of Suffolk ; he now matched Margaret his third Sister, to Charles Duke of Burgoigne ; which proved a greater assistance to him, than that which he had lost in France.

By this time the Earl of Warwickes spleen began so to swell within him, that he could no longer contain it; and having with much ado drawn to his party his two brothers, the Archbishop of York, and the Marquess Montacute ; he seek • also to draw in the kings two brothers, the Duke of Clarence, and the Duke of Gloucester ; but he found Gloucester so reserved, that he durst not close with him; the Duke of Clarence he found more open, and to him he addresseth himself, complaining of the disgrace he had sustained by the king, in his employment into France, and other wrongs: to whom the Duke presently made answer, in as great complaint of his brothers unkindness to himself; saying, he had married his Wives brother Anthony to the heir of the Lord Scales, and her Son Thomas to the heir of the Lord Bo • vile, but could find no match of preferment for him being his own brother: And upon this agreement in complaints, they agree to join against king Edward ; and to make the knot the firmer, the Duke of Clarence takes to wife Isabel the Earl o • Warwicks Daughter, and with her hath assured unto him half of the Lands the E •• l held in right of his Wife, the Lady Anne, Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earl of W • rwicke deceased. Upon this marriage, the Earl of Warwick discovered to hi • what hitherto he had concealed; concerning his project for the restoring of k. H • nry ; to which Clarence gave approbation, with promise to assist him in it to his uttermo •• .

At this time, Sir Thomas Cook late Major of London, was by one Hawkins appeached of Treason, for the which he was sent to the Tower, and his place in Londo • seized by the Lord Rivers. The case was this; the said Hawkins came to Sir Thomas, requesting him to lend a thousand Marks upon good surety; who answered, he would first know for whom it should be, and for what intent; and understanding it should be for the use of Queen Margaret, he refused to lend a penny. The matter rested two or three years, till the said Hawkins was laid in the Tower, and brought to the Brake, called the Duke of Exeters Daughter ; by means of which pain, he confessed amongst other things, the motion he had made to Sir Thomas Cook • , and accused himself so far, that he was put death. Sir Thomas Cook lying in the Tower from Whitsuntide till Michaelmas, had his place in Essex named Gyddihall, spoiled, his Deere in his Park destroyed; and though arraigned upon life and death, he were acquitted of the Indictment; yet could not be delivered till he had paid eight thousand pounds to the king, and eight hundred to the Queen.

And now the Earl of Warwick sendeth to his brothers the Arcbbishop and the Marquess, to prepare all things ready to set on foot the intended revolt from king Edward, and to procure some rebellious commotion in the North, whilst he and his new Son in law would provide to go forward with the work; which they accordingly did in Yorkshire, an occasion being taken for the breach of an ancient custom there, to give to the poor people of St. Leonards in the City of York, certain quantities of Corn and Grain. This commotion the Archbishop and the Marqu • sse underhand fomented; yet to color the matter, the Marquess opposed the Rebels, and cut off the head of Robert Huldorne their Captain; but his head being cut off, the Rebels got them other Captains; Henry, Son and heir to the Lord Fi • zhugh, and sir Henry Nevill Son to the Lord Latimer ; the one the Neph • w, the other • Cozen-germane to the Earl of Warwick, with whom they join the valiant Captain Sir John Conyers : These when they could not enter York, came marching towards London, all the way exclaiming against king Edward as an unjust Prince, and an usurper. King Edward hearing of this commotion, sends Sir William Herbert, whom of a mean Gentleman, two years before, he had made Earl of Pembroke, and his brother sir Richard Herbert, together with the Lord Stafford of Southwick to suppress the Rebels; and they with an Army of seven thousand, most Welchmen, march towards them; but the Lord Stafford being put from his Inn where he used • o lodge, by the Earl of Pe • brook, took such a distaste at it, that he withdrew his Arche • s, and gave over the business; yet the Earl of Pemb • ooke though thus for ••• en, with his own Regiment encountered the Rebels, slew Sir Henry Nevill, and divers others • when being upon the point of victory, one John Clappa • a servant of the E • rle of Warwick, coming in with five hundred rascally fellows, and crying aloud, a W • rwicke, a Warwick ; the Welchmen supposing the Earl had been 〈◊〉 , turned presently their backs and fled; five thousand of them were slain, the E •• le of Pembr •• ke himself, and his much lamented brother Sir Richard Herbert, a most goodly personage, were taken prisoners, brought to Banbury, where both o • th •• , with ten other Gentlemen were put to death. And now the Northamptonshire men joining with the Rebels, in this fury, made them a Captain named Robert Hilla • d, but they named him Robin of Riddesdale, & suddenly came to Grafton, where they took the Earl Rivers father to the Queen, and his son Sir John Woodvile ; brought them to Northampton, and there without Judgment beheaded them. King Edward advertised of these mischances, wrote to the Sheriffs of Somerset-shire and D • v •• -shire to apprehend the Lord Stafford of Southwick, (who had treacherously ••• saken the Earl of Pembroke ) and if they could take him, to put him to death; who being soon after found in a Village within Brentmarsh, was brought to Bridge • a • er, and there beheaded. After this battle fought at Hedgecote, commonly called B •• bury field, the Northern men resorted to Warwick, where the Earl with great joy received them; and hearing that king Edward with a great army was coming thither, he sent for his son in Law the Duke of Clare • ce, with all speed to repair •• to him; who joining together, and using means cunningly, by having some co ••• nication of Peace, to make the king secure, and to take little heed of himself •• they took advantage of his security, and in the dead of night set on his Campe, and killing the watch, before the king was aware, at a place called Wolney four miles from Barwick, they took him prisoner in his bed, and presently conveyed him to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire, to be there in safe custody with the Archbishop of York. And now they had the Prey in their hand, if they had as well looked to ke • p it, as they had done to get it: but king Edward, whether bribing his Keepers, or otherwise winning them by fair promises, got so much liberty, sometimes for his re • reation to go a hunting; by which he caused Sir William Stanley, Sir Thomas of 〈◊〉 and divers of his friends, at a certain time to meet him, who took him from hi • Keepers, and set him again at liberty: whilst the Earl of Warwick nothing doubting his brother the Archbishops care in safe keeping him, & thinking the brunt of the wars to be now past, dismissed his Army, and intended only to find out King Henry • who was kept a prisoner, but few men knew where.

King Edward being now at liberty, posteth to York, and from thence to Lanca •• e • ; where his Chamberlain the Lord Hastings had raised some forces, with which he marcheth to London, and is there joyfully received: The Earl of Warwick likewise sends to his friends, and makes preparation for a new army; whilst in the me • n time, by mediation of divers Lord's, an enterview in Westminster-hall is agreed upon; and solemn Oath taken on both sides for safety, between King Edward, the Duke of Clarence, and the Earl of Warwick ; but each party standing strictly upon terms tending to their own ends; they parted as great Enemies as they met: and so from thence the K. went to Canterbury, the Duke and the E. to Lincoln : whither they had preappointed their forces to repair, under the Conduct of Sir Robert W • l • , Son & heir of the L. Wels, a man of great valor and experience in the wars: K. E ••• rd, to take off so able a man from the Earls part, sends for his Father the L. Wels to come unto him; who taking with him, his Son in Law Sir Thomas Dymock, and coming to attend the Kings pleasure, was told by his friends how wonderfully the King was incensed against them: whereupon for their safety, they take Sanctuary at Westmi • ster. But upon the Kings Princely word, they come unto him, who comm • ndeth the Lord Wells to write to his Son, to desist from adhering to the Ea • le of Warwick, which the Lord Wells accordingly did: but Sir Robert Wells notwiths •• nding his Fathers letters, continuing firm to • he Earl still, so much incensed King Edward, that he caused both his Father and Sir 〈◊〉 Dymock to be behe • ded. He supposed perhaps, that the Lord W • lls was himself underhand a friend to the Earl, and had not dealt sincerely with him, in procuring his Son to leave that party. But now Sir Robert Wells seeing the King draw near to Stamford, where he had pitched his Tents, and hearing of his Fathers beheading, was much distracted what to do: to decline b • ttell with the King, he thought would show too much fear; and • o give him battle before the E • rle of Warwick were come with his forces, would show too much boldness; But his Veines were so filled with a desire of revengi •• his Fathers death, that he thought he could never show boldness enough; and thereupon encountering with the Kings Army, far greater • hen his own, oppressed with multitude was taken prisoner, together with Sir Thomas de L •• d and divers others; who presently in the place were put to execution: as soon as Sir Robert W • ll • was taken, the Lincolneshir • men to make themselves the lighter to run away, threw off their Coates, for which cause, this battle was afterward called L • se- • oate-field, in which, it is reported, were slain above ten thousand men.

The Earl of Warwick 〈◊〉 of this De • eat, and not having present 〈…〉 raise an army sufficient to oppose king Edward • when he could by no means dr •• the Lord Stanley to his party, he determined to sail into Fr •• c • , and hyring ships at Dartmouth in Dev •••• ire, he with his son in Law the Duke of Clarence, 〈◊〉 their wives, took to Sea; and thinking to land at C • lli • e, of which Town he hims •••• was Captain, he was by the Lord V •• clear a Gascoigne, whom he had left his Deputy there, repelled; and with so great inhumanity, that the Duchess of Clar •••• who was then in labor, was fain to be delivered in the ship, (all the courtesy 〈◊〉 th •• distress shown, was only to send a flaggon or two of wine,) which fact of V •• cleeres when king Edward heard of, he was so well pleased with it, that he presently sent him a Patent to be Captain of the Town himself: and the Duke of 〈◊〉 for the same service, sent unto him Philip de Comi • es (who hath written the History of these times) with a grant of one thousand Crowns pension during his life. Never man was better paid for one act of di • sembling; for the truth was, Prae 〈◊〉 excl • sit for •• , it was out of his love, that he suffered him not to enter the Town, for he knew there were many great ones in it so addicted to king Edward, and so maliciously bent against the Earl, that if he or any of his company should have come, they would in all likelihood have done them some mischief: And hereof he made a good proof soon after: for when the Earl took to sea again, the Lord 〈◊〉 sent him word, he should take heed where he landed; for that the Duke of 〈◊〉 lay in wait to take him; which advertisement did the Earl more good, then the keeping him out of Calais did him hurt. The Earl upon this advertisement, ••• ded at D • epe in Nor • a • die, whereof when king Lewis heard, he sent and invited him to come to his Court at Amboi • , where he received him with no less honor, than • f he had been a king. In the mean time king E •• ard made enquiry for all such as were aiders to the Earl of Warwick • of whom some were apprehended as guilty, some fled to Sanctuary, and some submitted to the kings mercy; as John Marquess Mo ••• cute, whom he courteously received. Queen Margare • , who at this time sojourned with Duke Rayner her father, hearing of the Earl of Warwicks arrival, with her Son Prince Edward, came to Ambois, and with her also came Jasper Earl of Pembroke, and John Earl of Oxford, lately escaped out of prison and fled into France ; between whom a new Combination is made; and for a foundation of firm ami • ie, king He • ries son Prince Edward, marries Anne the Earl of Warwicks second daughter: after which marriage, the Duke of Clarence and the Earls took a solemn Oath, never to leave the war till either king Henry or his sonnne Prince Edward were restored to the Crown • But notwithstanding this Oath, this marriage put new thoughts into the Duke of Clarence his mind, casting with himself that the issue of it could be no less then the utter extirpation of the house of York : whereupon, making fair show still to his Father in Law the Earl of Warwick, he underhand falls off, and secretly gives advertisement to his brother king Edward of all their proceedings. And now the Earl of Warwick having been six months in France ; in this time he had 〈◊〉 from the king of France, both ships, and men, and money, and receiving 〈◊〉 out of England, that many Lord's and others were ready to adventu • e their lives in his qua • rell, if he would come, (for the people generally held him in such 〈◊〉 , that they thought the Sun was taken from the world, when he was 〈◊〉 and this in great part for his gre • t Hospi • ality, who it is said, used to spend • spam • a breakf • st) he with the Earls of Oxford and Pembroke took to 〈◊〉 ; and though the Duke of B • rgoigne had a Fle •• at sea, to in • ercept him; ye • his Fleet be •• g by • empest scattered, and king Edw • rd • rusting to that Flee • , having provided no other • the Earl had a quiet passage to land at Dar • mouth in Devonshire, whe • e being landed, he made Proclamation in king He • ry the six • h • name, that all good Subj • ct • should prep • re to fight against king Edward, who contrary to Right had usurp • • he Crown: Upon which Proclamation, it is scarce to be believed, how m • ny though ••• nds of men resorted to him; with which fo • ces, he made towar • s Lo • don : upon notice of whose approach, on the Sunday next after 〈◊〉 day, one Doctor G • ddard a Chaplain of Hi • , preaching at Paul • Cross • , did so s • t fo • th his Earls pious intention, that many of his auditory were moved to favor the Earl: proceeding: insomuch, that the M • rquesse Montacu • e, who had in king Edwards beh • lf, 〈◊〉 six thousand men about London, found them all inclinable to go with him 〈◊〉 the Earl of Warwick, and accordingly w • nt and joined with him. King Ed •• rd h •• ring of the great flocking of people to the Earl, sent forth letters into all parts of the Realm for raising an army; but few came, and those few, with no great good will: which when he perceived, he began to doubt his case; and thereupon •• co • panied with the Duke of Gloucester his brother, the L. Hastings his Chamber ••••• , (who having married the Earl of Warwick • sister, yet co • tinued ever true to 〈◊〉 Edward ) and the Lord Scales brother to the Queen; he departed into Li • col • shire, and c • mming to Lyn, he found there an English Ship, and two Hul • s of Holland ready to make sail: whereupon he, with the forenamed Lord's, and about seven or 〈◊〉 hundred persons entered the Ship, having no provision with him but only the apparel they wore; and so bare of money, that he was fain to reward the Master of 〈◊〉 Ship with one of his Garments: and thus making course towards the Duke of 〈◊〉 Country, they were presently chased by eight great Ships of Easterlings, op • n Enemies both to England and France ; which drove him before a Town in the Country called Alquemare, belonging to the Duke of Burgoigne : where by ch • nce, the Lord Grunture Governor of that Country, at that time was, who defended them from the Easterlings, and brought them to the H • ge in Holland, where they had all things ministered to them, by order from the Duke of Burgoigne.

At this time, upon news of the Earl of Warwick • approach, Queen Eliz • beth fo • saketh the Tower, and secretly taketh sanctuary at Westminster, where in great p • nury forsaken of all her friends, she was brought a bed of a son called Edward, who like a poor man's child was Christened; the Godfathers being the Abbot and P • y • r of Westminster, and the Lady Scroope Godmother.

And now the Earl of Warwick entering the Tower, removes king He • ry out of his hold of durance, whe • e he had been almost nine years, into his own lodging, where he was served according to his Estate; which the Ear • e did more congratulate, then t • e king himself. Upon this sixth day of October, king Henry accompanied with • he Archbishop of York, the Pryor of S. John's, the Bishop of London, the Duke of Cl • rence, the Earl of Warwick and other Noblemen, appareled in a long gown of • lew Velvet, was conducted through London, • o the Bishops Palace where he rested • ill the thirteenth of • hat month, on which day he went in solemn process •••• • bout Paul • Church, wearing his Imperial Crown; the Earl of War • ick bearing up his trayne; and the Earl o • Oxford the sword before him. The next day, in all usual places about London, king Edward was Proclaimed an Usurper, 〈◊〉 all his partakers Traitors to God and the king; whereof John Lord Tip • of • Earl of Worcester, as a partaker with king Edward, was made the first example. Thi • Lord had been Lieutenant for King Ed • ard in Ireland, where having done something 〈◊〉 which he fled, he was afterward found on the top of a high Tree, in the Forres • of W •• bridge, in the County of 〈◊〉 • nd being there taken, was brought to Lo • do • , Attain • ed, and 〈…〉 the Tower hill, and af • er buried at the Blackfry • rs.

About this time happen •• 〈…〉 to be related: Sir Willi •• H •• kesford knight • one of 〈…〉 Jus • i •• s • t the L • w • who dwelt at Anno • y in D • vo • s • ire, a man of grea • 〈◊〉 , and •• ving no so • ne, • he Lord Fitz • a • re • , Si • Io •• S •••• eger, and Sir Willi •• 〈◊〉 m • rried his d • ughte •• , and were his heirs • This m • n grew into such • deg ••• of Melancholy • th • t one 〈◊〉 he called to him the Keeper of hi • Par • , ch •• ging him 〈◊〉 n • gligence, in suffering his Deere to be stolen: and thereupon comm • nded him, • hat if he met any man in his circuit in the nighttime, that would not stand or 〈◊〉 he sho • ld not spar • to kill him whatsoever he were • The knight having th •• la • d hi • found • tion, and meaning to end his doleful days; in • certain dark night se •••• lie conveyd himself out of his house, • nd walked alone in his P • r • . The Keeper in hi • night-walk • e • ring one stirring, and coming towa • ds him, asked, who was there? but no answer being made, he willed him to stand • which when he would not do, the Keeper shot and k • lled him, and coming to see who he was, fo •• d him to be hi • Master.

On the twentieth d • y of 〈◊〉 , a P • rli • meant is held at Westmi • ster, wherein King Edward and all his p • rtak ••• • re • ttain • ed of high Treason, and all • their Lands and Goods seized on to King 〈◊〉 use. Ge •• ge Pl •• t • gene • Duke of Clarence, is by authority of this Parliament, adjudged heir to Richard Duke of York his father, and that Duchy settled upon him and his heirs, notwithstanding the Primogeniture of Edward : upon him also wa • entailed the Crown of England, in case heirs males of the body of King He • ry f • iled. Jasper Earl of Pembroke, and John Earl of Oxford, are fully restored • o their Lands • nd Honor • and Wa • wick and Cl • rence are made Governors of the King and kingdom • To this Parliament came the M • rquesse Montacute, e • cusing himself, that • or • ear of dea • h he had taken King Edwards part, which excuse was accepted. Que • n Margaret i • sent for into France, but by reason of contrary winds was kept back all that Winter.

About this time, Jasper Earl of Pembroke going into Wales to view his lands in Pembrookeshire, found there the Lord Henry, borne of Margaret the only daughter and heir of John • the first Duke of Som • rset, not being then full ten years of age, kept in manner like a captive, but honourably brought up by the Lady Herbert ; him he brings with him to Lo • do • , and p • esents him to King Henry ; whom when the Ki • g had a good while beheld, he said to the Lord's about him: Loe, this is he, to whom both we and our adversaries, leaving the possession of all things, shall hereafter give place. Which if it be true, It shows a very Prophetical Spirit to have been in King Henry ; that could so long before • foretell a thing so unlikely to happen: for this was he, that was afterward King H •• ry the Seventh, before whom at that time there were many lives in being, of bo • h the house •• of York and L • ncaster.

Shortly after this, by the Duke of Burgoignes means, King Edward is furnished with eighteen tall ships, two thousand Dutchmen, and fifty thousand florens of gold; and thus furnished, he took to Sea, and landed at Ravenspurre in Yorkshire, where he found but cold entertainment; nevertheless he made a wary march to York, where likewise he found no great expression of welcome, so as he was forced to change his pretence, swearing deeply and receiving the Sacrament upon it, that he came not to disturb King Henry, but only to recover his own inheritance; and for the more show thereof, wearing an Estrich • feather, Prince Edwards livery; which • roposition seemed so • easonable, that many who resisted him before, were as ready to assist him now: and if he be blamed for breaking his Oath; it must be considered, It was Reg • i causa, to recover his Kingdom, which perhaps was the Inheritance he meant, when he took his Oath, that he intended nothing, but to recover his Inheritance: and so he brake not his Oath neither. From York he marched towards Wakefi • ld and Sendall, leaving the Castle of Pomfret upon his left hand • where the Marquess Montacute with his Army lay, but did not offer to stop him: From Wakefield he came to Do • caster, and from thence to Nottingham, where there came to him Sir William Parre and Sir James Harrington with six hundred men; also Sir Thomas Burgh and Thomas Montgomery with their aids, who caused him to make Proclamation in his own name: affirming • hey would serve no man but a King. From Nottingham he came to Leicester, where three thousand able men, and well armed came unto him: From Leicester he came before the walls of Coventry ; into which City the Earl of Warwick had withdrawn himself, keeping himself close therein, with his people, being about six or seven thousand men; three days together king Edward provoked him to come forth to battle; but he stayed for more forces, and would not do it: whereupon King Edward marched forward to Warwick eight miles from Coventry, thinking thither at least he should have drawn the Earl of Warwick, but neither would that do it: Indeed the Earl looked for the coming of the Duke of Clarence, with twelve thousand men to join with him, but that expectation proved vain, for the Duke was now fully reconciled to his Brother King Edward, and brought all his forces to join with him; only he sought to make amity between King Edward and the Earl: but though King Edward offered general Pardon, and other fair conditions; yet none would please the Earl, without restoring of King Henry. But now to repair the defection of the Duke of Clarence, there came to the Earl of Warwick at Coventry ; the Earl of Oxford, the Duke of Exceter, and the Marquess Montacute, by whose coming that side was not a little strengthened; yet all this aid would not make the Earl of Warwick to come to battle: whereupon King Edward marched forward towards London : Both sides seek to make London their friend; the Earl of Warwick sends to his brother the Archbishop of York to labor in it; who thereupon caused king Henry to mount on h •• seback, and to ride from Pa • ls through Cheape down Walbrooke, supposing that this showing of the king, would have allured the Citizens to assist him: but this device prevailed little, brought not in above seven or eight thousand men, a small proportion to withstand king Edward ; and when the Archbishop of York saw this backwardness in the Citizens, or rather indeed an inclination to king Edward, he secretly sent to him, to receive him into grace; which upon Promise to continue faithful hereafter, he obtained. The eleventh of April in the year 1471, and the eleventh of his Reign, king Edward made his entry into the City of London, ryding first to Paul's Church, and from thence to the Bishops Palace, where the Archbishop of York presented himself unto him, and having king Henry by the hand, delivered him to king Edw • rd (six months after his readeption of the Crown) and then king Edward being seized of his person, went from Paul's to Westminster, and there gave God most hearty thanks for his safe return. The reasons alleged hereby Philip Comines for the Citizens receiving of king Edward, seem scarce worthy of so good an Author: one cause (saith he) was, because king Edward being extremely indebted in the City, if they had not received him, they should have lost their debt; another, because he had won the love of many Citizens wives, who importuned their husbands to receive him.

The Earl of Warwick having intelligence that king Edward was received into Lo • don, and king Henry delivered into his hands; marched out and encamped at St. Alban • , and after some refreshing of his Army, removed towards Barnet, and in a large plain there, called Gl • dmore heath, pitched his Campe; which king Edward hearing, on Easter Eve the thirteenth of April, he marched forth, and came that evening to Barnet, where he would not suffer a man of his Army to stay in the town, but commanded them all to the field, and lodged with his Army more near to the Enemy then he was aware, by reason of a Myst, (raised some say, by one Bungey a Conjurer) which made it so dark, that it could not be well observed where they were encamped. In taking his ground, he caused his people to keep as much • i • ence as was possible, thereby to keep the enemy from knowing of their approach • Great Artillery they had on both parts, but the Earl more then the King; and therefore in the night time, they shot from his Campe almost continually, but did little hurt, because they still overshot them, as lying nearer then was conceived. On Easter-day, • arly in the Morning, both Armies are ordered for battle; The Earl of Warwick appointed the Command of the Right wing, which consisted of Horse, to his brother the Marquess Montacute, and the Earl of Oxford ; The Left wing consisting likewise of horse, was led by himself and the Duke of Exceter ; and the main Battle consisting of Bills and Bows, was conducted by the Duke of Somerset. On the kings part, the Vaward was commanded by the Duke of Gloucester ; the battle (in which was king Henry ) was led by king Edward himself; and the Lord H • stings brought on the Reere. After exhortations for encouragement of their S • uldiers, the fight began; which with great valor was maintained by the space of six hour • s, without any apparent disadvantage on either side; only the Earls Vaward, by the valiancy of the Earl of Oxford, seemed somewhat to over-match the kings; which made s • me flying towards London to carry news, that the Earl of Warwick had won the field; and he had perhaps done so indeed, but for a strange misfortune which happened to the Earl of Oxford and his men; for they having a Star with streams on their liveries, as king Edwards men had the Sun, the Earl of Warwicks men, by reason of the Myst, not well discerning the badges so like, shot at • he Earl of Oxfords men, that were on their part: whereupon the Earl of Oxford cried, Treason! and fled with eight hundred men. At length after great slaughter made on both side • , king Edward having the greater number of men, (as some write, though other say the contrary) caused a new power of fresh men (which he had kept of purpose • ) to come on: which the Earl of Warwick observing, being a man of an invincible courage, nothing dismayed, rushed into the midst of his enemies, where he adventured so • arre, that amongst the preasse he was stricken down and slain. (Though some write, that the Earl seeing the desperate estate of his Army, leapt on a horse to fly; and coming to a Wood where was no passage, one of king Edwards men came to him, killed him, and spoiled him to the naked skin.) The Marquess Montacute, thinking to succor his brother, lost likewise his life, and left the Victory to king Edward. On both sid • s were slain, as Hall saith, ten thousand at the least; Fabian saith, but fifteen hu • dred, but then he means only of the kings side. Upon the kings part were slain the Lord Cromwell, the Lord Say, the Lord Montjoyes Son and heir, Sir Humphrey Bo • rchier son and heir to the Lord Berners, and divers other knights and gentlemen. On the Earls part were slain, the Earl himself, the Marqu • ss • Montacute, and three and twenty knights, of whom Sir William Tyrrell was one. The Duke of Somerset, and the Earl of Oxford fled into Wales, to Jasper Earl of Pembro • ke. The Duke of Exceter being stricken down, and so wounded that he was left for dead, amongst other the dead bodies, because he was not k • own; but coming to himself, he got up, and escaped to Westminster, and there took Sanctuary. The dead bodies of the Earl and Marquess were brought to London in a Coffin, and by the space of three days lay open-faced in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, and then buried with their Ancestors, in the Priory of Bissam. This Earl of Warwick was Richard Nevill, son and heir of Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury, who married the daughter of Richard Beauchamp the sixth Earl of Warwick, and in her right was Earl of Warwick, in his own, of Sali • bury : he was also Lord Monthermer, great Chamberlain, and high Admiral of England, Lord Warden of the North Marches towards Scotland, and high Steward of the Duchy of La • caster : he had issue two Daughters, Isabell married to George Duke of Clarence ; and Ann • , •• rst married to Prince Edward king Henry the sixths Son, and after to Richard Duke of Gloucester.

We may here observe a Constellation of disastrous influences, concurring all to the overthrow of this great Warwick ; whereof, if any one had been missing, the wheel of his fortune had perhaps not turned: For if the City of York had not too credulously believed king Edwards Oath, not to d • sturbe king Henry ; or if the Marquess Mo • tacute had stopped (as he might) his passage at Pomfret ; or if the Duke of Clarence had not at the very point of the battle at St. Albans, deserted his party and joined with king Edwards • or if Qu • en Margaret had not by tempest been kept from coming into E • gla • d in time; or if the Londoners had not been retrograde and deceived his expectation, he had never perhaps been overthrown as he was: But Fata viam invenient ; destiny will find ways that were never thought of, will make way where it finds none; and that which is ordained in heaven, shall be effected by means of which Earth can take no notice.

Queen Margaret, when it was too late, accompanied with John Longstrother Prior of Saint John's, and the Lord Wenlock, with divers Knights and Esquires took shipping at Harflew, the four and twentieth of March, but by tempest was kept back till the thirteenth of April ; and then with her son Prince Edward, she landed at Weymouth, and from thence went to an Abby hard by called Ceern, and then to Bewly in Hampshire, whither there came unto her Edmund Duke of Somerset, and Thomas Courtney Earl of Devonshire, with divers others; amongst whom, it is resolved once more to try their fortune in the field; but then the Queen would have had her son Prince Edward to be sent into France, there to remain in safety, till the next battle were tried; but they being of a contrary mind, and specially the Duke of Somerset, she at length consented, though afterward she repented it. From Bewly she with her son and the Earl of Somerset passeth on to Bristow, intending with what power they could raise in Glocestershire, to march into Wales, to join with I • sper Earl of Pembroke, who was there making preparation of more forces. King E • ward hearing of these things, resolves to cross this Conjunction, and follows Queen Margaret with a great Power so close, that near Tewkesbury in Glocestershire he overtakes her forces, who resolutely turn and make head against him; where Somerset, on the Queens part, leading the Vaunt-guard, performed the part of a valiant Commander; but finding his soldiers thro • gh weariness begin to faint, and that the Lord Wenlock, who had the conduct of the battle on the Queens part, moved no, the rode unto him, and upbrayding him with cowardice or treachery, never staid, but with his Pollaxe beat out his brains; and now before he could bring in his men to the rescue, their Vaward was routed, and John Earl of Devonshire, with above three thousand of the Queens part were slain: The Queen her self, John Beaufort the Duke of Somersets brother, the Prior of Saint John's, Sir Gervis Clifton and divers others were taken prisoners; all which except the Queen, were the next day beheaded. At which time Sir Richard Crofts presented to king Edward king Henries Son Edward, whom he had taken prisoner; to whom king Edward at first shown no uncourteous countenance; but demanding of him, how he durst so presumptuously enter into his Realm with Arms? and he answering, though truly, yet unseasonably, To recover my Fathers Kingdom and Heritage ; King Edward with his hand thrust him from him, or (as some say) struck him with his Gantlet, and then presently George Duke of Clarence, Richard Duke of Gloucester, Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset, and William Lord Hastings standing by, fell upon him in the plac • , and murdered him. His body was homely interred with other ordinary Corpses, in the Church of the Monastery of the Black-fryers in Tewkesbury. After the Victory thus obtained, king Edward repaired to the Abbey Church of Tewkesbury, to give God thanks for his good success; and finding there a great number of his enemies, that were fled thither to save themselves, he gave them all free Pardon; only Edmuud Duke of Somerset, 〈◊〉 Longstrother Pryor of Saint John's, Sir Thomas Tressham, Sir Gervi • Clifton and divers other Knights and Esquires, who were apprehended there, and brought before the Duke of Gloucester, sitting that day as Constable of England, and the Duke of Norfolk as Marshall, were all arraigned, condemned and judged to Dye, and accordingly upon the Tuesday being the seventh of May, they were all, and twelve other knights more, on a Scaffold set up in the middle of the Town, beheaded, but not dismembered • and permitted to be buried. The same day Queen Margaret was found in a poor house of Religion, not far from thence, into which she was fled for safeguard of her life; but she was after brought to London, and there kept a Prisoner, till her Father ransomed her with great sums of money. This was the last pitched battle that was fought in England, in king Edward the fourths days, which happened on the fourth of May, being Saturday, in the Eleventh year of his reign, and in the year of our Lord 1471.

King Edward being assured, that as long as any partakers of king Henry lived and were at liberty, he should never be free from plots against his life; sent Roger Vaugha • , a Gentleman much reckoned of in his own Country, to entrape Jasper Earl of Pembroke, who had escaped from the last encounter: but he having notice of the plot before, prevented it by striking off Vaughans head.

After these great Clouds were thus dispersed, there arose a little Cloud, which gave the Realm, at least the City of London no small disquiet. For now, Thomas bastard Fa • conbridge, who had been employed by the Earl of Warwick to scour the Seas, hearing of these defeats; having enriched himself by Piracy, gathered together an Army of seventeen thousand men, and coming to London, imp • riously commanded admission into the City, and releasement of King Henry out of prison: but being denied entrance, and hearing that king Edward with a great power was coming towards him, he brings up his shipping to Saint Katherines, and taking with him his most desperate men, with them he marcheth to Kingston-bridge, but finding that bridge broken down, and all the places of passage guarded, he withdrew his forces into Saint Georges field, from whence he prepared to assault the City of London ; for the effecting whereof, he landed all his ship Ordinance, and planted them all alongst the Banks-side, with which he battered down many houses, and much annoyed the City; but the Citizens on the other side, lodged their great Artillery against their Adversaries, with which they so galled them, that they durst not abide in any pla • e alongst the water side, but were driven even from their own Ordinance: Then he appointed his men to set fire on the bridge, and withal caused three thousand to pass over the Thames, and some of them to assault Aldgate, and some Bishopsgate, but were in all places, by the industry of the Citizens repelled, and chiefly by Robert Basset and Ralph Iocelyne Aldermen: Upon this he retired to Black-heath and there encamped by the space of three days; but then hearing that king Edward was commming with a great Army, he got him to his ship, but the rest fled someone way, some another. The one and twentieth of May, the king coming to London, thanked the Citizens for their pains and care, and dubbed the Major, the Recorde • Vrsewicke, and B • sset and Iocelyne Aldermen, Knights.

And now the time was come for king Henry to be delivered out of all his troubles; for the bloody Duke of Gloucester entering the Tower, where he found king Henry, nothing at all troubled with all his Crosses, struck him into the heart with his Dagger and there slew him. And now we have had within the space of half a year, one Parliament Proclaming king Edward an Usurper, and king Henry a lawful king; and another Proclaming king Edward a lawful king, & king Henry an Usurper: that we may know in human affairs, there is nothing certain, but uncertainty; nothing stable, but instability.

King Edward presently after the inte • rment of king Henry, draws his forces towards • andwich in Kent, where some of the followers of F • uconbridge, to the number of eight or nine hundred, had in the Castle there strongly fortified themselves, but upon their asking Pardon and submitting themselves to the king, with promise to be faithful Subjects ever after, they had their Pardon granted them, and then they delivered up both Castle and Ships to the number of thirteen, to the kings use. But how this Composition was observed, may be imagined; when Fauconbridge who was comprised in the same Pardon, was afterward taken and executed at Southampton Spicing and Quintine the Captains that affailed Aldgate and Bishopsgate, and were in Sandwich Castle, at the surrender thereof; were presently beheaded at Canterbury, and their heads placed on poles, upon those gates: and by a Commission of Oyre and Te • miner, many both in Essex and Kent, were arraigned and condemned for this Rebellion, and more fined.

And now king Edward, desiring to be secured from all suspected persons, sent the Archbishop of York, brother to the Earl of Warwick, over to Guisnes, there to be kept in safe custody; and there he remained a long time, till at length by friendship he was delivered, and shortly after died. Likewise John Earl of Oxford, who after Barnet Field yielded himself to king Edward, had his life pardoned; but yet was se • t over sea to the Castle of H • mmes, where for the space of twelve years he was shut up in strong prison, and narrowly looked too. As for the Earls of Pembroke and Richmond, who were fled out of the Realm, to the Duke of Britain, king Edward sent to the Duke, requiring to have them delivered up unto him, upon promise of great rewards; to which the Duke made answer, that he could no • with his honor deliver them up, whom he had taken into his Protection; but that for king Edwards sake, he would take such care of them, that he should need to take no care for them; and to that end, he sequestered their own servants from them, and appointed Britain's to attend upon them.

It was now the thirteenth year of king Edwards reign; in which a Parliament was called at Westminster: wherein all acts formerly made by him, are confirmed or revived; and all their Lands and Goods confiscated, that had taken part against him and were fled and all their lands and goods restored to such as had taken part with him.

King Edward being destined to be always in troubles; now that he had quietness at home, was drawn into new broils abroad; for the Duke of Burgoigne at this time having wars with France, thought he could no way make a better harvest to himself, then by sowing seeds of dissention between France and England ; and to this end, he sends Ambassadors to king Edward, to solicit him to set on foot his Title to the Crown of France ; making great offers, with Protestation to assist him in it, both with Purse and Person. This proposition being seriously debated by the Kings Privy Counsel, is at last approved of, as being both lawful and behooveful, for the honor of the King, and good of the kingdom. Only means to bear the charges of the war, were wanting; to supply which by a Parliamentary course, would ask too much time: a new course therefore is devised, to procure money from the Subject by way of Benevolence; and this course was taken.

About this time, Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and Earl of Huntingdon, dis-inherited by Act of Parliament, in the fourth year of this King, (though he had married King Edwards Sister; yet grew to so great misery, that passing over into Flanders, he was there forced all ragged and bare-foot to beg his bread:) was found dead, and stripped naked, between Dover and Calais : but how he came to his death, no enquiry could bring to light.

Provision for this French expedition being thoroughly made; and order taken for the quiet government of the kingdom in his absence, and the stop of incursions, if any by the Scots should be made: King Edward with an Army of fifteen hundred men at arms, all of the Nobility and Gentry, fifteen thousand Archers on horseback, eight thousand Common soldiers, and three thousand Pioners, came down to Dover ; whither the Duke of Burgoigne had sent five hundred flat bottomed boates, to transport the Horse to Calais ; yet for all that help, it was two and twenty days before the kings forces were all past over. Before the kings departure from Dover, (to the end he might not seem to surprise him) he sent an Herald named Garter, a Norman by birth, with a letter of Defiance to the French king, (so well written, saith Co •••• s, that he thought it not of any English man's enditing; as though Englishmen could not endite as well as the French) Requiring him to yield unto him the Crown of F ••• ce, his unquestionable Inheritance; which if he should dare to deny, • e 〈◊〉 then endeavor to recover it by the Sword. This letter the French king read & thereupon withdrawing himself, caused the Herald to be brought to his presence • to whom in private he gave this answer: That the Duke of Burgoigne and the Earl of Saint Paul the Constable, (by whose instigation, he knew the king of E • gland was drawn to this Design) would but delude him, for that they were Dissembler • • nd Impostors; and therefore said, It would conduce more to the honor of the king of 〈◊〉 to continue in League with him, though an old Adversary; then to hazard th • fortune of the wars, upon the promised assistance of new-come Dec • ivers • • nd so commend me (saith he) to the king thy Master, and say what I have told • he • ; and then with an honorable reward of three hundred Crowns, dismissed him: The Herald promised to do all that in him lay, and (beyond his Commission) show • d the French king ways, (by working upon the Lord's Howard and Stanley ) by which he might enter into a Treaty for Peace, which he doubted not, would sort to a good Conclusion. The French king glad to he • r it, gave the Herald, besides the other reward, • piece of Crimson Velvet of thirty yards long; and withal sent to king E • ward the goodliest Horse he had in his Stable, as also an A •• e, a Wolph, and a wild • • ore, bea • ts at that time rare in England: and then the Herald returning to Calais, delivered to king Edward the French kings • nswer.

And now to make good the French kings a •• egation to the Herald; the Duke o • Burgoigne, who had promised in the word of a Prince, to bring to Calais by this time, two thousand Launces and four thousand Seradiots or • ight ho • se, failed to come: whereupon the Lord Scales is by king E • ward sent to the D • ke, to put him in mind of his promise, and to ha • ten his coming with his promised forces: But the journey was to little purpose; only it occasioned the Duke with a small • roop of horse to come to • he king, formally to excuse himself for having been so backward; but the cause (he said) was, for that having been imbroiled in the siege of N • z, he could not depart thence without infinite disgrace, if neither composition nor submission were enforced; which now notwithst • nding • because he would not too much trespass upon his pat • ence, he was enforced to do, by the ob • t • nacy of the besieged: but promised to supply all defects, both with his presence and power, and that speedily. The Constable likewise by his letter persuades the king of England to proceed in the action, and not to doubt both from the Duke and himself, to be sufficiently every way accommodated.

King Edward thus encouraged, passeth on, but in his way found no performance of promises, either on the Dukes or Constables part; for the Duke did not accommodate the soldiers at their coming to Pero ••• , with victuals or lodging in such manner as was requisite and expected; and the Constable instead of surrendering up Sain • 〈◊〉 according to agreement, made a sa • lie out upon such as were sent from the king of E • gla • d to take possession, and plaid upon them with his great Ordinance; whereupon k. Ed • ard began to suspect the truth of the French k. description of the Dukes and Constables conditions; and from thence forward stood upon his own guard, and gave no further credit to their Protestation; which the Duke of Burgoig • e resenting, pretended occasions for the hasting forward his forces • & promising speedy return together with them, taketh his leave and departeth, which did not a little increa • e the kings suspicion.

The French king having intelligence of the Duke of Burgoignes departure, forecasting the danger, if they should unite their forces; resolved with himself, to 〈◊〉 what might be done to mediate a Peace in the Dukes absence; and yet so to 〈◊〉 , that if it took not effect, he might disclaim the knowledge of the overture: whereupon he privately dispatcheth a messenger, in • hew an Herald; but was indeed • fellow of no o •• ice or estimation, and not known to any of the Kings household, but to Villiers the Master of the Horse, who only was acquainted with the plot and party. This counterfeit Pursuivant at Arm • , with a coat made of a Trumpets Banne • towle, addressed himself to the king of E • gla • d, and upon admission to his pesence, insinuates the French Kings desire, which was, to have Commissioners on both parts assigned, to confer of the means to reconcile the differences between the two Kings; or at least to conclude a cessation from arms fo • some time: And so well this Messenger delivered his errand, that it was credited, and the kings request grant • d; and thereupon letters of safe conduct, are sent of both sides, for such Commissioners as to this purpose should meet at A