Observations of all the Kings of England
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The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
CHOICE OBSERVATIONS OF ALL THE KINGS OF ENGLAND FROM THE SAXONS To the Death of KING CHARLES the First. COLLECTED Out of the best Latin and English Writers, who have Treated of that Argument.
By EDWARD LEIGH Esquire, and Master of Arts of Magdalene Hall in Oxford.
LONDON, Printed for Joseph Cranford, at the Sign of the Gun in St. Paul's Church-yard. 1661.
TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES the Second, King of Great-B • ittain, France and Ireland.
Most Gracious Sovereign;
I Hope this Dedication of these my Collections concerning all the Kings of England to your Sacred Majesty, from the first of them (of whom there is any thing credible in story) to the decease of your Royal Father, will not be interpreted either a fruit of ambition or over-bold presumption. I have had the honor formerly to dedicate Books to very eminent Societies and Persons, but never to any so signally eminent and public a Person as your Majesty. And should not have taken the confidence to have begun now, but that (in regard of the Argument I treat of) I thought there was an obligation upon me; and that of right such a Work was to be presented only to Him, who is the just and unquestionable Successor to all those Kings I here mention. I find it usual with those who either wrote Chronicles in general, or the reigns of some particular Princes, to inscribe the Name of the King or Prince then living to their Works. I wish my Observations were as choice, as the subject is suitable. Since Cadwallader, the last King of the Britain's, there was none born Prince of Great-Britain but your Majesty. Hactenus Anglorum nulli was therefore the Motto on the Medals made in memory of your Birth-day the 29 th of May 1630, with three Laurels upon them betokening three Kingdoms. May your reign be as prosperous and happy, as your birth was glorious and illustrious; your deliverance by Sea at your entrance into Scotland, and your escape by Land at Worcester -fight, and after in England; and your happy restitution to your Kingdom, was wonderful and conspicuous. Kings have their regal Titles and Ornaments. To the Kings of Spain from the time of Alphonsus King of Castile, about 800 years ago, for expelling the Arians, was given the Title of Catholic, as Michael Ritius a Neapolitan writeth. To the French King the Title of most Christian from the time of Philip the Emperor, about 400 years since, as recordeth Nicol, Gillius. To our King Henry the 8 th of England for his Book of the Sacraments against Luther, Pope Leo the 10 th gave the Title, Defender of the Faith , which his Successors have since enjoyed, though in another sense than it was first intended. Henry the 5 th reigning amongst us, his Subjects gave him the Title of Grace. Under Henry the Saint, the 6 th , Excellent was added to Grace: Under Henry the 8 th the acclamation of Majesty began; a little after excellent Majesty, most excellent, and at last Sacred Majesty, which now is generally used.
Kings are crowned, enthronized, and anointed; the Crown was a sign of a Military dominion; the Throne of sedentary or judicial; the Oil of Religious and sacred power.
A King by virtue of his Kingly Office hath two things to perform;
- 1. To govern,
- 2. To defend.
His Governing also divideth itself into two branches;
- First, To direct,
- Secondly, To recompense.
He directeth, by appointing what shall be done and forborne of all his subjects in his Jurisdiction.
He recompenceth or requiteth, by punishing those which disobey the Laws, with such punishments as himself thinketh good to appoint, and to signify to them in his penalties by which he ratifieth his Laws; and by rewarding those which keep the Laws, with such rewards as he seeth fit to specify in his Statutes, and in general, by making them partakers of the wealth, peace, quietness and happiness of his government.
He defendeth his subjects against the hostility of open enemies, and the injuries of their fellow-subjects.
It was an excellent speech of Henry the Great, King of France, your Grand-father by the Mothers side; When I was born there were a thousand other souls more born, what have I done for God more than they? Learned King James your Grand-father by the Father, in his Book dedicated to Prince Henry, would have him to remember, that he differed not in stuff, but in use, from the rest of the people; and that by God's Ordinance. Kings as well as others are bound to read the Scriptures, Deut. 17. 18, 19, 20. and some think that Book of the Kings and Chronicles especially worthy their diligent perusal: others would have them study well the 101 Psalm. Next the Scriptures, Ecclesiastical History is to be preferred; some highly commend Polybius as useful for Kings to read; and Causabon dedicating it to Henry the 4 th King of France, much magnifieth that Book, and likewise the reading of History in general. The Chronicles and Annals of their own Predecessors, surely must needs be both delightful and profitable for them. Your Majesty may observe many things in them well worthy imitation: in Learned and valiant Alfred, how thriftily he spent his time, how he encouraged Learning and Learned men; in little Edgar, great Canutus; William the Conqueror; the many worthy Henries and Edwards; your own wise Grand-father and Father of happy memory. Yet in the whole series of the Kings and Queens of England (as others have made several parallels of some of our English Kings) I have not found a fitter parallel in every respect for your Majesty than Queen Elizabeth. I will not speak of her skill in the modern Languages, and how she often answered Ambassadors herself, nor how gracious and gentle a Princess she was to her very enemies; wherein your Majesty is not unlike to Her. What troubles and hazards did she undergo, before she came to the Crown? with what joyful and general acclamations was she received into this Metropolis? I need not apply this to your Majesty, its sufficiently obvious to every vulgar capacity how you agree herein. After her Coronation, being presented with a Bible, as she passed by the little Conduit in Cheapside, she received the same with both her hands, and kissing it said; That it had ever been her chief delight, and should be the rule by which she meant to frame her Government. Your Majesty in your entering into the City, at the presentment of the Bible to you by the Reverend London Ministers, used this speech, worthy to be written in Gold; I thank you for this Book above all other gifts, and assure you, I shall make it my first care to set up God's Worship and service; this is the Book must guide us all; and I will make it the rule of my Life and reign. Queen Elizabeth was a courageous and stout spirited Princess. In 88, when the Spaniard was coming, she went to the Army at Tilbury -Camp, riding with a Truncheon or baston in her hand to the several Companies, and by her presence and speech encouraged both Commanders and soldiers, saying to them as I have heard; If her brother Philip came, she would give fire to the first Piece against him: I might allege the testimony of your greatest enemy, in confirmation of your Majesty's valor at Worcester -battle.
Kings bear a double image of God, as they are men and as they are Magistrates. The Scripture saith; Those which rule over men should be just, ruling in the fear of God. One saith; They should labor to be more religious and pious toward God than ordinary persons, because of the great need they have of his illumination in their counsels, of his conduct in their enterprises, of his force in their executions, and of his provident care in their various occurrence, dangers & difficulties. The Kings seat was so set in the Temple, that all might see him there, Ezek. 46. 10. 2 Chron. 6. 12, 13. 2 King. 11. 14. & 23. 3. that by his example the devotion of his people might be stirred up. God having done such great things both abroad and at home for your Majesty, expecteth great things from you. I shall humbly implore the Almighty, that he would so guide you in all your ways, that you may make his Interest your great interest, by reforming what is amiss in Court and Kingdom, by promoting his pure worship, encouraging the power of godliness, and all such as walk according to Scripture-rule, are peaceable, and hold the Fundamentals; by discountenancing Atheism, error, and profaneness, the fruits of abused peace and prosperity, altering the old speech for the better,
So shall White-Hall answer its name, and your Majesty approve yourself to be, what your Father desired, Charles the Good, which is the earnest prayer of
Your Majesty's most humbly devoted and Loyall subject Edward Leigh
TO THE CURTEOUS AND CANDID READER.
Reader:
I Here present thee with Choice Observations of all the Kings of England. I suppose the Subject will not be unpleasing to an Englishman, if the work be answerable to the Title. I have excerped my Materials out of the best Latin Writers; the Monks (to whom we are especially beholding for the History of our Kings of England) and chiefest English Chroniclers and Annalists, and such as have written of a few, or any one of our English Princes. Bedes Historia Gentis Anglorum, set out by Wheelock, of whom Petavius in his History of the world, lib. 8. cap. 4. saith thus, Bede made his Britain famous with no less Godliness and Learning than History, who even unto the year 735 hath concluded the Christian beginnings of that Nation. Rerum Anglicarum Scriptores post Bedam praecipui, in Latin in folio, set out by S r Henry Savill, containing the History of Gulielmus Malmesburiensis, Henry Huntingdon, Roger Howden and others. Anglica, Normannica, Hibernica, Cambrica, a veteribus Scripta, in Latin also in Folio, put out by Camden. Matthew Paris his Works, set out by D r Watts, who is a faithful Historian, and hath written the Reigns of the first seven Kings after the Conquest. Of the English Chroniclers, Speed, Martin, and Baker seem to be the best. Voluminous Hollingshead, Stow and How are not much esteemed by the Learned. S r John Hayward hath written well of the three Norman Kings, and Edward the sixth, he hath written briefly also of Henry the eourth. Godwin of Henry the eighth, Edward the sixth, and Queen Mary, and also of the Bishops of England, in Latin and English. S r Robert Cotton of Henry the third, Habington of Edward the fourth, S r Thomas More of Richard the third, both in Latin and English, and Buck, my Lord Bacon excellently of Henry the seventh, my Lord Herbert of Henry the eighth, Camden Annals of Queen Elizabeth, and D r Heylin (as is said) of King Charles the first. History is both pleasing and profitable, especially the memorable things of all our own Kings and Governors, who have for so many years Raigned amongst us. Examples of Superiors especially are very prevalent, which of the Rulers believed in him One saith, if King Edward the sixth had lived a little longer, his only example had bred such a Race of worthy learned Gentlemen, as this Realm never yet did afford. Here are examples of all sorts, good and bad, to be followed and eschewed. Some loose, vain, and licentious; others learned, wise, valiant, minding the public welfare of the Nation. The Pope could but little prevail here in England, during the Raign of King Edward the third, and Richard the second. Henry the eighth cast him out then, when he had too great power and command over other Princes. As he cast out the Pope, so did his children Edward the sixth, and Queen Elizabeth cast out Popery out of England, and so freed us from his spiritual bondage, as the other did from his Temporal May their memory be therefore still precious amongst us, as the Reformation we enjoy chiefly by their means, is a singular blessing. Let Him be accounted our English Josiah, and Her our English Deborah, on whom those Verses were made, Spain's Rod, Rome's Ruin, Netherlands Relief: Earths Joy, England's Gem, Worlds Wonder, Natures chief.
Prince Henry likewise, eldest Son to King James, was a virtuous and hopeful Prince, had he not been taken away in the flower of his youth, he would (its thought) have much opposed the Pope and Spaniard. I have read somewhere of him, that he would not swear, no, not at his Sports and Recreation; and being demanded the reason t • ereof, he said, they were not of that weight, as to draw an oath from him. I hope therefore this Nation, having had such worthy Princes, and not being ignorant of the slavery they formerly endured, when the Pope called England his Ass, will never be so foolish, as to turn back again into Egypt. As long as M r Fox his Martyrology is so common to be read, eighty eight, and the fifth of November are so fresh in our remembrance, let us value the loss of Rome here amongst us, no more than that Emperor Honorius did, of whom Zonaras writes, that he had a Hen called Roma, and it being told him Rome was last, he was troubled, and said, She was here even now, yea said the other, the Hen is here, but the City is lost, he was then well pleased. Our Countriman Beda hath prophetically expounded that Roman S. P. Q. R. of our Englishmen travelling to Rome, Stul • us Populus Quaerit Roman. Though perhaps in some cases, one may go too far from Rome; yet since some of our Bishops formerly have written well against Antichrist, and others have made the Pope to be Antichrist; and since also the Jesuits are still busy amongst us, I wish there may be no unwarrantable compliance either with the Romish Doctrine or Rites.
Thomas Lever (who Preached before King Edward the sixth, and escaped the fury of Queen Mary's days) is commended by Bullinger, in his Epistle to Hooper. He was the first settled constant Preacher at the Temple, Father Lever, for so by my Father and others, I always heard him styled. M r Gatakers Discourse Apologetical against Lily. I have two Sermons of his, Preached in the same year at Paul's 1550, one in Paul's Church, the other at the Cross, S t Thomas Chaloner was ordinary Ambassador from Queen Elizabeth into Spain almost four years, Ubi (saith Camden) de Republica Ang • icana instauranda terso & erudito Carmine quinque libros composuit, dum ut ill dixit, hieme in furno estate in horreo degeret; which is thus Englished by one Darcie, who first (after a fashion) Translated Camden into English, though it be better rendered since. S t Tho. Chaloner wrote a Book whilst he was in Spain, which he Entitled, Hieme in furno estate in horreo, not so jolly an Inscription, as that Libell Intituled, The Arraignment of Persecution, &c. Printed for Bartholomew Bang-Priest, and are to be sold at his Shop in Tolleration-street, at the Sign of the Subjects Liberty, right opposite to Persecution Court, 1645. I remember I have heard a story of a valiant man, that thus answered one inquiring after his name and lodging: My name is Dangerfiel'd, I lie at the Sign of the Sword and Buckler, over against the Bleeding-Heart, in Gunpowder Allie: But too much of this. I hope this Book with the other already out, will give some light to the knowledge both of the Kings and Kingdom of England, in confidence whereof, I rest
Thy hearty well-wisher Edward Leigh.
Choice Observations OF ALL THE KINGS of ENGLAND, FROM THE SAXONS, To the Death of King CHARLES I.
CHAP. I.
E Ngland was five times plagued by other Nations: First, By the Romans: Then by the Scots and Picts: Thirdly, By the Saxons: Fourthly, By the Danes: Fifthly, By the Normans.
The Nation of the Saxons was generally most warlike and martial. They gave unto those Saxons their first original, who now inhabit the Dukedom of Saxony.
They left very few Cities, Towns, Villages, Rivers, Woods, Fields, Hills or Dales in Britain, which they gave not new names unto.
As the name of Oxford, or Oxenford, on the River of Thames, after the Town of like name in Germany, situated on the River of Oder.
Our Hereford near unto Wales, after Her • ord in Westphalia.
And so in like manner may be said of Stafford, Swinford, Bradford, Norden, Newark, Bentham, Oxenbridge, Buchurst, Sconethorp, Holt, Mansfield, Swinefield, Hamsteed, Radcliffe, Rosendale, and many more. After that these Nations had now gotten sure sooting in the possession of Britain, they divided it into seven Kingdoms, and established an Heptarchy; in which notwithstanding the Prince which had the greatest power, was called King of the English Nation: So that in this very Heptarchy there was always Monarchy.
The Saxon Government is usually divided into the Heptarchy, Monarchy.
In the Heptarchy are these seven petty Kingdoms:
- 1. Kent.
- 2. Sussex.
- 3. East Sax.
- 4. East Angles.
- 5. Mercia.
- 6. Northumberland.
- 7. West Sax.
In Kent with Hengist the first Invader, seventeen or eighteen are said to reign.
South Sax from Ello to Adhamus had about ten Kings, of which Adlewolf was first Christened.
East Sax from Er • hwin to Swithred had thirteen Kings, whereof Sigby the third was first baptized.
The East Angles had fourteen Kings.
Mercia twenty Kings.
Christianity was first received by Penda, that founded Peterborough, as Ethebald did the Monastery of Crowland, and Ossa of St. Albans.
Northumberland about twenty four Kings.
West Saxon nineteen Kings.
CHAP. II.
Hengist.
WHen he first arrived in England, he was a goodly young Gentleman, under the age of thirty years, and of an excellent wit: He was brought up in the service of the Emperor Valentinian the third, and last of that name. Verstegan.
He deserveth to be reputed the first Monarch of the English Nation.
Non minus acer ingenio, quam alacer in praelio. Malmesburiensis de Gestis Regum Anglorum.
He sailed out of Holland into Britain; he built the Castle of Leiden in Holland.
The Saxons had only the Isle of Thanet first given them, where they first landed.
Hengist after obtained of King Vortiger, the property of so much ground, as he could enclose with a Bulls Hide: which cutting into thongs, he there built the Castle called Thong -Castle, by Sittingbourine in Kent.
Why our first Progenitors Hengist and Horsa took their names of an Horse (for both their names in the Saxon tongue do signify an Horse) surely I know not, unless it were for a fore-token of their warlick prowess, according to that Verse of Virgil.
Bello armantur equi, bella haec armenta minantur. l. 3. Aineid.
Slatyers Palae-Albion Ode 7. p. 157.
Krantzius in hist. Saxon. l. 2. telleth us, that the Saxon -Princes in Germany before they became Christians, gave a black Horse for their Escutcheon; but being baptized, a white Horse; with reference haply to Rev. 6. 2.
The Saxons to the number of nine thousand, came in certain long Vessels they called Keeles, with their leaders, two Brothers, Hengist and Horsa, nobly descended; whose Ensign, as it was an usual and honorable device of antiquity, alluding to their names, their Banner being a white or silver Horse, in a Field Gules; Arms which the noblest Families of Saxons, and others thence descended, have born.
They were not all one people, but consisted of three several Nations, viz. the Angles, the Iutes, and the Saxons; but they were all the inhabitants of some part, or other of Denmark. Ays • u.
He reigned thirty four years.
CHAP. III.
ELLA.
THe first King of the South-Saxons, and second Monarch of the English men.
He reigned six years.
Cherdik.
The first King of the West-Saxons, and third Monarch of the English men.
He reigned twenty one years.
Kenrik.
The second King of the West-Saxons, and fourth of the English men.
He reigned twenty six years
Cheuline.
The third King of the West-Saxons, and fifth Monarch of the English men.
He reigned thirty one years.
Ethelbert.
The fifth and first Christian King of Kent, and the sixth Monarch of the English men.
He was eminent for first receiving the Christian faith, brought from Rome by Austin, and for converting • ebert King of the East-Angles to Christianity, and assisting him in building St. Paul's in London, and St. Peters in Westminster.
That the Christian Religion was here in Britain before the coming of Austin the Monk, may be proved out of Beda, who maketh mention of British Bishops, but nameth none of them. Hist. Ang. l. 2. c. 2
Eusibius in vità Constantini l. 3. c. 18. saith that this Country was Christian three hundred years before.
M r Saller in his Rights of the Kingdom, saith, The first times of Christian Religion here, were much higher then Austin the Father, who might have been great Grandfather to Austin the Monk.
He brought the Laws of his Country into their own mother-tongue, and left nothing unattempted, which might advance the glorious Gospel of Christ.
He built St. Augustine's, a goodly Church in Canterbury. He built also St. Paul's Church in London: and St. Andrew's in Rochester.
He died in the three and twentieth year of his Monarchy, and the fifty sixth of his Kingdom of Kent.
Redwald.
The third King of the East-Angles, and seventh Monarch of the English men.
Of this Redwald Cambden reporteth out of Bede, that he was baptized; and that (to make sure, as he thought, of the right way of worship) he had in the same Temple one Altar for Christian Religion, and another for sacrifice to Devils.
He reigned eight years, and was King of the East-Angles thirty one.
Edwin.
The Great King of Northumberland, and the eighth sole Monarch of the English men.
He was slain in Battle by Penda and Cadwallo the seventh year of his Monarchy, the seventeenth of his Kingdom.
He lived forty eight years.
Oswald.
King of Northumberland, and the ninth Monarch of the English men.
He was a religiou • King, and took such care for the co • version and salvation of his Subject • , that he sent into Scotland for aid, and a Christian Bishop to instruct his Northumbrians in the Gospel of truth.
Mira fuit in homine sanctitas, mirum pietatis studium, nulli unquam malum pro malo reddidit, sed Christi regis summi exemplum imitatus, ijs etiam been precabatur, beneque voleba • , à quib •• s accepisset injurias. Polyd. Virg. Ang. Hist. l. 4. p. 82.
He left the name to Oswalster in Shropshire.
Of this Oswald (as also of Stephan King of Hungary ) it is storied, that their right hands though dead, never putrefied, because they had been much exercised in alms-deeds. Bed. hist. Angl. l. 3. c. 6. Bonsinius.
He died in the 23. year of his Monarchy, and the 56. of his Kingdom of Kent.
Oswy.
King of Northumberland, and the tenth Monarch of the English men.
He was Brother to Edwin and Oswald.
He founded the Cathedral Church in Litchfield, for a Bishops See.
Upon an occasion Oswin humble • himself before the holyman Adrian, who upon sight thereof wept, and gave this reason of his weeping, I know this King will not live long; and this reason of his reason, for I never before this saw an humble King.
He lived fifty seven years, and reigned the space of twenty ei • ht years.
Wulphere.
The sixth King of the Mercians, and the eleventh Monarch of the Engl ••• men.
He becoming a • hristian destroyed all those Tem • les, wherein his Heathen God's had been worshipped, converting them all into Christian Churches, and religious Monasteries.
He reigned King over the Mercians seventeen years, and Monarch of the English fuily four.
Æthelred.
The seventh King of Mercia, and twelfth Monarch of the English.
A modest Prince, which loved better to preserve then to increase his power by Arms.
He reigned above thirty years.
Kenred.
The eighth King of Mercia, and the thirteenth Monarch of the English men.
He reigned in peace four years; then weary of Government, and desirous of contemplation, be sought a more private and religious life; and thereupon appointing • helred his Cosen-germane to rule in his place, in the fifth year of his Raign, abandoned his Kingdom and Country, and departed to Rome, and in a Monastery in that City was made Monk.
Chelred.
The ninth King of the Mercians, and the fourteenth Monarch of the English.
He had got as great reputation of military valor, as any Prince of his time, if he had not died so soon.
He reigned only seven years.
Ethelbald.
The tenth King of the Mercians, and the fifteentth Monarch of the English.
A peaceable Prince, but was over amorous.
Boniface the Archbishop of Mainz, an Englishman by Nation, sent an Epistle to him.
This is one passage in it.
Quapropter, •• li charissime, paeniteat te & memora quam turpe sit, ut tu, qui multis gentihus dono D •• dominaris, all injuriam ejus sis libidinis servus.
The Epistle is full of good counsel to be seen in Malmesbury.
He ruled forty two years.
Offa.
The eleventh King of the Mercians, and the sixteenth Monarch of the English men.
He was a warlike Prince, and for the most part fortunate.
He built a Church in Warwickeshire, where the adjoining Town from it and him, beareth the name Off-Church, and caused a great Ditch to be made, large and deep from Sea to Sea, betwixt his Kingdom and Wales, whereby he might the better defend his Country from the incursions of the Welsh men. And this Ditch is to be seen in many places as yet, and is called Offas Ditch at this day. Lord's History of Wales.
The Ditch began at the River Dee by Bassing-werke, between Che • ter and Ruthlan, and ran along the hills sides to the South-Sea a little from Bristow, reaching above a hundredth miles in length. Id. the description of Wales.
He first gave the Peter-pence to Rome, and was himself at the length shorn a Monk.
Egfrid.
The twelfth King of the Mercians, and the seventeenth Monarch of the English.
He re-established the privileges and liberties of all the Churches which his Father had suppressed.
He reigned only four months; he was taken away by sudden death in the hundredth forty first day after his Fathers decease.
Kenwolfe.
The thirteenth King of the Mercians, and the eighteenth Monarch of the English men.
At home he was an example of piety, peace, justice, and Religion: abroad temperate, humble, and courteous, without vain ostentation, or ambitious conceits. In Wars he was stout and victorious; in peace studious to enrich his Subjects: he carried himself so at all times, that envy could not touch him with her tongue.
Bede dedicateth his Ecclesiastical History to him.
He reigned twenty two years.
CHAP. IV.
OF the Saxons that reigned sole Kings of this Island.
- 1. Egbert reigned thirty seven years.
- 2. Ethelwulf (the son of Egbert ) twenty years.
- 3. Ethelbald (the eldest son of Ethelwulf ) five years.
- 4. Ethelbert (the second son of Ethelwulf five years.
- 5. Æthelred (the third son of Ethelwulf ) five years.
- 6. Alfred (the youngest son of Ethelwulf ) five years.
- 7. Edward (surnamed the elder) twenty three years.
- 8. Aethelstane (the eldest son of Edward ) sixteen years.
- 9. Edmund (the second son of Edward ) six years.
- 10. Edred (the youngest son of Edward ) nine years.
- 11. Edwin (the elder son of Edmund ) four years.
- 12. Edgar (the younger son of Edmund ) sixteen years.
- 13. Edward: (the elder son of Edgar ) forty years.
- 14. Æthelred (the younger son of Edgar ) thirty seven years.
- 15. Edmund (the son of Æthelred ) in whose time the Danes possessed the greatest part of England.
Egbert.
The eighteenth King of the West-Saxons, the nineteenth, but first sole and absolute Monarch of the English men.
Upon report of the death of Britic, he with great speed returned out of France, where (during the time of his abode) he had served with good commendation in the Wars, under Charles the Great; by means whereof (his reputation increasing among his own Country-men) he was thought worthy of the Government, before he obtained it.
He first gave this Kingdom the name of England.
He ordained by public Edict, that the Heptarchy possessed by the Saxons, should be called thence forward the Land of the English, whence the Latins took also their name Anglia, and the French that d' Angleterre.
There were three hundred years from King Egbert unto William the Conqueror.
He reigned over the West-Saxons thirty six years and seven months, and Monarch of the whole Island seventeen.
Ethelwulfe.
The nineteenth King of the West-Saxons, and the twentieth Monarch of the English men.
He being once himself nuzled in that order, was always good and devout to religious orders.
He was so well learned and so devout, that the Clerks of the Church of Winchester did choose him in his youth to be their Bishop, which function he took upon him, and was Bishop of Winchester for seven years before he was King. The History of Cambria by Lhoyd, augmented by Doctor Powell p. 32.
A Monk, a Deacon, and a Bishop, yet elected King, because they could not find a fitter person for the Crown. Necessitate cogente factus est Rex, Roger Howden.
He ordained that Tythes and Church-Lands should be free from all taxes and Regal services.
Ethelwolphus Rex omnium historicorum consensu & fide praestantissimus, nec pietatis magis quàm rerumoptime gestarum laude celebri • & illustris. Anti Sanderus Dialogo secundo.
Polyd. Virgil in the fifth Book of his English History saith of King Alfred:
Atqui Neotum inprimis monas • icae professionis virum sanctissimum, ob eximiam eruditionem, miro amore complexus est, quo hortante, Oxonij gymnasium instituit, proposita mercede omnibus.
His second son by his Queen Judith, daughter of Charles the bald Emperor, King of France, Neote, was much addicted to learning, and was one of the first Divinity readers in the University of Oxford.
He was interred in the County of Huntingdon, at a place then called Arnulphsbury, and afterwards in regard of his interment St. Neots, and now St. Needs.
This King was famous for having four sons, who all of them were Kings of this Land successively.
He reigned twenty years, one month, and nine days.
Ethelbald.
The twentieth King of the West-Saxons, and the twenty first Monarch of the English men.
He took Judith his stepmother to be his wife; this prodigious incest was soon punished by his untimely death.
He reigned five years.
Ethelbert.
The one and twentieth King of the West-Saxons, and the two and twentieth Monarch of the English men.
The first Christened Prince of all the Saxon Nation.
Omnium Anglo-Saxonum regum Christi nominis primus hospes. Twini Comment. de rebus Brittanicis.
His name signifieth nobly-conceited or advised, or of noble conceit or advisement. Verstegan.
He reigned over the Kentish-South, and East-Saxons ten years, and was Monarch of the whole only five.
Æthelred.
The two and twentieth King of the West-Saxons, and the twenty third Monarch of the English men.
Great was the valor of this King; for in his short time of Raign, as Malmesbury and other Writers record, he fought no less than nine set Battels against the Danes in one year, in most of them victorious.
At Wintburne in Darset -shire there is this Epitaph written on his Tomb.
In hoc loro quiescit corpus S. Ethelredi Regis West-Saxonum Martyris, qui anno Domini DCCCLXXII. XXIII. Aprilis per manus Danorum Pag • norum occu •• uit.
CHAP. V.
Alfred, Aelfred, or Alvred.
THe twenty third King of the West-Saxons, and twenty fourth Monarch of the English men.
He was the first anointed King of England, as glorious for his most excellent Laws, transcendent Justice and Civil Government, as for his martial exploits, victories, and for his incomparable piety and extraordinary bounty to the Clergy and learned men.
Of his great memory when he was young, vide Asserium de Aelfredi rebus gestis.
He was accounted a good Grammarian, Rhetorician, Philosopher, Musician, and Poet.
His Raign began with troubles and Wars, in defense of the Land which the Pagan- Danes intended to destroy; and though his powers were small, yet was he forced into the field within one month after his Coronation.
He fought no less than forty six bloody Battels (saith Spelman ) with the Danes by Land and Sea, for his Countries liberties.
Vir in bell • per omnia strenuissimus. Asserius.
He was once brought to that extremity, that he was forced to leave his Companies, and lurk in Somerset -shire Marshes.
The solitary place of his most residency, was an Island enclosed with two Rivers Thane and Parret, at their meetings in the County of Somerset, commonly called Edeling se • , where he in very poor attire disguised, was entertained into a Cow-herds service, where on a time as he sat by the fire in trimming of his Bow and sha • ts, a Cake of dough baking on the hearth before him, chanced to burn; the Cowheardess coming in, and seeing him mind his Bow more than his bread, in a great • ury cast away both his Bow and arrows, and checking him said, Thou fellow dost thou see the bread burn before thy face, and wilt not turn it, and yet art thou glad to eat it before it be half baked?
Of the natural days twenty four hours, eight he allotted for devotion and contemplation, eight for refection and recreation, and the eight remaining for matters of the Commonwealth.
Julius Caesar having spent the whole day in the field about his military affairs, divided the night also for three several uses, one part for his sleep, a second for the Commonwealth and public business, the third for his studies. Peacham.
He translated Gregory's Pastorals, B • les History, and Boethius de Consolatione Philosophiae into the Saxon tongue, and began to do the like with David's Psalms.
In divinis libris & sacra lection tam assiduus erat, quod Davidicum Psalterium, vel aliquem alium librum aedisic •• torium in sinu suo semper ferret; & viros literatissim • s de terris exteris ad se accersens, aliquandiu in Palatio suo secum pro sacris literis addiscendis retentos, demum diversis praelatiis & dignitatibus premoveret. Ingulphi Historia p. 870. vide plura ibid. & p. 871.
He restored the decayed University of Oxford, by fixing therein a College, (now bearing the name of University -College) and annexed ample maintenance unto it.
He divided his Kingdom into Shires, Hundreds and Tithings, for the better ordering and administering of justice, and for the abandoning of thieves, which had formerly increased by the means of long Wars; whereby notwithstanding the multitude of Soldiers continually employed, it is reported that a Virgin * might travel alone in his days through all his Dominions, without any violence offered; and that Bracelets of gold were hanged in the high ways, and no man so hardy as to take them away.
William the first so well provided for execution of Justice upon offenders, that a young maiden well charged with gold, might travel in any part of the Realm, without any offer of injury unto her. Hayw.
He permitted none in office in Court, or elsewhere, unless he were learned, which incited his Nobles to the earnest pursuit of learned Arts, and to train up their children in good letters.
He caused all former Laws to be surveyed, and made choice of the best, which he translated into the English tongue.
He begins his Laws with a religious Majesty, Loquutus est Dominus ad Mosem hos sermons, &c. and cites all the Decalogue.
Abbot Æthelred gives this encomium of his Laws, Leges Christianissimas & scripsit, & promulgavit, in quibus fides ejus & devotio in Deum, sollicitudo in subditos, misericordia in paupers, justitia circa omnes cunctis legenti • us patet.
He had so great a love to learning, that he made a Law, that all Freemen of the Kingdom, possessing two Hides of Land, should bring up their sons in learning, till they were fifteen years of age at least, that so they might be trained to know God, to be men of understanding, and to live happily.
He bestowed the sixth part of his riches and Rents, upon the poor strangers of the Country, and sent every year little less to foreign Churches without the Realm. Dalechamps Christian hospitality. c. 3.
He was very learned, a quality rare in his time; and as Solomon, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Augustus, and our Charlemagne, (saith Andre Du Chesne ) he joined learning and valor, and was clement, liberal, pious and devout, and adorned with all royal virtues and endowments. I may in some respects compare him with Almansor, the learned and victorious King that conquered Spain.
He was at fifteen years so skillful in the seven liberal Sciences, that they who were the most learned in them, spake of them in his presence with much fear and bashfulness; for at every other word he corrected the imperfections which proceeded out of their ignorance. At the five and twentieth year of his age, he spake eleven languages, reading and writing them as perfectly as the very Naturals themselves. He divided the days of the week after this manner. The Friday for matters of his Religion, in which he was very devout. The Saturday for matters of Justice. The Sunday for matters of War. The Monday for the government of his Kingdoms. The Tuesday and Wednesday for his recreations and private affairs. And the Thursday for matters of learning.
He chastised thieves so severely, that none durst take anything from other, neither in City, nor in Country; as well in deserts, as in peopled place • . And in so great awe they were of him, that if any one had lost ought in the street, or Market-place, none durst meddle therewith, otherwise than to leave it at the next Shop, and cause it to be cried, till the owner were found, to whom it was to be restored.
None ever • ought for alms or succor at his hands, whether he were Moor, Christian, or Jew, that went away unrelieved.
He was worthily called the Conqueror, being never overcome. He won eighty six Battels by Sea and by Land; and took five Kings, subdued three parts of the world, Asia, Afric, and Europe. His life and death by Ashley.
Alfred 's Arms are to be seen in the public Hall of University-College in Oxford.
The Archdeacon of Huntingdon speaking of the continual travail he had during his Raign, relates these Verses of him.
He reigned twenty seven years say some; twenty eight saith Powell, the writer of his life. Ingulphus saith he died in the twenty ninth year of his Raign.
CHAP. VI.
EDWARD the elder.
THe twenty fourth King of the West-Saxons, and twenty fifth Monarch of the English men.
Fuit Edwardus forma eximia, ac per omnes aetatis gradus decentissima. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 6.
Before the conquest of the Normans, there were in England three Edwards, 1. This Edward the elder; 2. Edward the Martyr; 3. Edward the Confessor.
We have had more Kings of England of this name, than of any other; nine in all, three before the conquest, and six after it. Verstegans Etymology of our Saxon proper names.
Henry, the name of seven Emperors of Germany; eight Kings of England, four Kings of France, four Kings of Castile. Phillips his new world of English words.
He was heir apparent to his Father Alfred's valor and virtues, as well as to his Crown.
Some say he was the great Justinian of our Nation.
Our Laws being suppressed by the Danish Kings, were revived and reinforced in the time of Edward the Confessor; whence they had the name of Edward the Confessors Laws.
He reigned in great Wars and honor the space of twenty four years. So Henricus Huntingdoniensis saith, Paternum regnum tenuit 24. annis.
Ethelstan or Adelstan.
The twenty fifth King of the West Saxons, and the twenty sixth Monarch of the English men.
He was crowned at that Kingly Town Kingston. In Regia villa, in Regem levatur. Rog. de Howden.
He began his Kingdom with War, and ended in peace and tranquility.
He was the worthiest Prince (saith Lhoyd ) of Saxon blood, that ever reigned.
Being seduced by the bad Counsel, and false suggestions of one of his favorites, he banished his Brother Edwin unjustly, commanding him to be sent to Sea, with only one servant, and in a Boat without Oar or Sail, wherein he perished.
His Cup-bearer after in his service upon festival, stumbled with the one foot, and recovering himself with the other, pleasantly said, You see how one Brother helpeth another; upon which speech, the King with grief and touch of heart, called to mind the death of his innocent Brother, occasioned by his wicked Counsel, and forthwith commanded execution to be done on him the procurer; and himself was ever after more tender and careful toward his other Brethren.
Leyland in his new years gift to King Henry the eighth, reckons him amongst other learned men of the Kings Progenitors.
The chiefest of his works for the service of God, and good of his Subjects, was the translation of the Bible into the Saxon tongue, (which was then the mothertongue of the Land) out of the Hebrew.
Of this work Leyland also speaks in the work before-mentioned.
His Laws are mentioned by Lambard in his Saxon Laws.
He reigned in great honor the space of fifteen years, and odd months.
Edmund.
The twenty sixth King of the West Saxons, and twenty seventh Monarch of the English men.
The good Laws he made are extant in Saxon and Latin, by the industry of M r William Lambard.
He had by his Queen Elgina two sons, Edwin and Edgarus, surnamed Pacificus, which both reigned after him.
By him were expelled the Danes, Scots, Normans, and all foreign enemies out of the Land.
He reigned six years and a half.
At his Manor of Puclekerkes in the County of Gloucester, whilst he interposed himself between his Sewer and one Leof, to part a fray, he was with a thrust through the body wounded to death, when he had prosperously reigned the space of five years and seven months. Rogerus de Howden annal part 1. Malmesbury l. 2. c. 7. and others, say this Leof was a thief, which the King espying at a festival, he pulled him by the hair, and cast him to the ground; but he drawing out his weapon, stabbed the King. Vide Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 6.
Edred.
The twenty seventh King of the West Saxons, and twenty eighth Monarch of the English men.
He suffered his body to be chastised at the will and direction of Dunstan Abbot of Glassenbury; unto whose custody he also committed the greatest part of his treasure and richest Jewels, to be locked in his chests, and under the keys of this Monastery, where it remained, till the King fell sick of his last sickness; at which time it was demanded, but never restored; for Dunstan being on his journey with the same to the King, a voice from heaven spake unto him, and said, Behold King Edred is now departed in peace; at the hearing of which words, his horse immediately fell down and died▪ Whereupon he returned again to his Monastery; and though he lost his horse, yet was he recompensed thereby with the gain of the Kings treasure and Jewels.
He reigned in great honor nine years and odd months.
Edwin or Edwy.
The twenty eighth King of the West Saxons, and twenty ninth Monarch of the English men.
He was but thirteen years old when he began to reign.
He was Nephew to Edred.
He favored not the Monks, which made them write so scandalously of him. He thrust them out of Malmesbury and Glassenbury, placing married Priests in their room; and banished Dunstan their great Champion into Flanders.
The true causes of his banishing him, ejecting the Monks, and seizing their lands and treasures, was, that Dunstan had so bewitched Edmund, Edward, Aethelstan, and Aedred his predecessors, with the love of Monkery, as they not only took violently from married Priests their livings, to erect Monasteries, but also lavishly wasted much of their own royal treasures, lands, and revenues upon them, which they should rather have employed in resisting the common enemies of God and their Country, the Danes.
Ioscelin the Author of Antiq. Brit. Bishop Godwin, Speed, and others conceive, that the true cause why the Mercians and Northumbrians, (and those only, not the rest of his Subjects and Kingdom) rejected him, and set up his Brother Edgar, (whose vices were more exorbitant in some degrees than Edwins ) was the malice of Dunstan and Odo (the pillars and Oracles of the Monkish Clergy) who stirred up the Mercians, and seditious rebellious Northumbrians against him, to set up Edgar in his stead, who was totally devoted to them and Dunstan, by whose counsels he was afterwards wholly guided, and built no less than forty seven new Monasteries for the Monks; besides all those he repaired, intending to build three more had he lived, to make them fifty complete.
He reigned but four years.
CHAP. VII.
EDGAR.
THe thirtieth Monarch of the English men.
The Raign of this King is said to have been altogether in a calm tranquility, and therefore he was surnamed Pacificus, the Peaceable. His virtues were many, and vices not a few; the one gloriously augmented, and the other fairly excused, by those Monkish writers, unto whose professions he was most favorable.
Tunc ordo Monasticus jamjudum lapsus p • acipue caput erexit. Malmesb. l. 2. c. 8.
He unravelling the web his Brother had weaved, recalled Dunstan out of banishment, and made him Archbishop of Canterbury.
His Summer progresses, and yearly chief pastimes, were the sailing round abou • this whole Isle of Albion, guarded with his grand Navy of four thousand sail at the least, parted into four equal parts, of petty Navies, each being of a thousand Ships. Dee 's British Monarchy, p. 56, 57. he calls him there that Saxonicall Alexander. See more there; and p. 55, 58, 59, 60.
He appointed the Prince of North- Wales to bring him yearly three hundred skins of Wolves, for a tribute, which continued for three years space, but in the fourth was not a Wolf to be found; and so the tribute ceased.
Upon the River Dee he had seven petty Kings to row his Barge, to show his greatness.
Leges apprime utiles tulit, quas vetustas in oblivionem ferme adduxit.
Of his Laws, vide Lambardum de pris • is Anglorum legibus.
It is sure enough there have not been more famous men, than some of no great stature, as the instance of King Pipin in the French History, and this King in our own, will make manifest.
In the time that the Saxons had this Realm in subjection, he had subdued all the other Kings Saxons, and made them his Tributaries. On a time he had t • all all with him at dinner; and after it was shown him, that Rynaud King of Scots had said, that he wondered how it should happen, that he and other Kings, that were tall and great personages, would suffer themselves to be subdued by so little a body, as Edgar was; Edgar dissembled, and answered nothing, but feigning to go on hunting, took with him the Scottish King in his company, and purposely withdrew him from them that were with him, causing by a secret servant, two swords to be conveyed into a place in the forest, by him appointed. As soon as he came thither, he took the one sword, and delivered the other to Rynaud, bidding him to prove his strength, and to essay whether his deeds would ratify his words. Turpe est enim Regi in convivio esse dicaculum, nec esse in praelio promptulum. Whereat the Scottish King being abashed, beholding the noble conrage of Edg • r, with an horrible fear confessed his error, desiring pardon, which he (with most humble submission) at the last obtained.
For his excellent virtues and prosperou • Raign, he was called Honor & deliciae Anglorum. Malmesbury. Or as Ingulphus ter meth him, Honor & Rosa Regum.
In his time all Ecclesiastical Orders flourished; learned and virtuous men were highly esteemed; all Civil and forrign Wars ceased; and he was called the King of Albion, being no less powerful by Sea, than by Land. Mexia 's Treasury of time. vol. 2. l. 7. c. 1.
He was Angliciorbis flos & decus, n •• n minus mem • rabilis •• nglis, quam Cyrus Persis; Romulus Romanis: Alexander Macedonibus; Arsaces Parthis▪ Carolus Magnus Francis; as Malmesbury, Abbot Æthelred, Florentius Wigorniensis, Simeon Dunelmensis, Henry Huntingdon, Matthew Westminster, R • ger de Howden, and others record of him.
Immediately after his death, Res & spes Anglorum retro sublapsae sunt, totius Regni status est per • urbatus; & post tempus laetitiae quod illius tempore vigebat pacified, caepit tribulatio undique advenire; as Malmesbury, Wigorniensis, Howden, Simeon Dunelmensis, and Brompton observe. Such an incomparable loss was the death of so just, pious, and prudent a King to the whole Nation, Qui 〈◊〉 viti • , pos • e • 〈◊〉 virtutibus delevi • , when most others do quite contrary.
He reigned sixteen years and two months, in great tranquility and honor, and died in the 37 th year of his age.
After Edgar 's death, the Danes so plagued this Realm, that there was nothing settled in it, either in Church or State, till finally they obtained the Kingdom.
The Danes reigned in England 25. years.
But Speed saith they molested England for two hundred eighteen years. See Ayscu his Declaration of the first Inhabitants of this Island.
The Danes by strength caused Husbandmen to ear and sow the land, and to do all other vile labor that belonged unto Husbandry; and the Dane held his wise at pleasure, with daughter and servant. When the Husbandman came home, he should scantly have of his own, as his servants had; so that the Dane had all at his commandment, and did eat and drink his fill of the best, when the owner had scant his fill of the worst.
Besides this the common people were so oppressed by them, that for fear and dread they called them in every such house as they had rule of, L • rd Dane. But in process of time, after the Danes were voided the Land, this word Lord Dane was in derision and despite of the Danes, turned by English men into a name of reproach, called Lurdane, which yet is not forgotten; for if one English man will rebuke another, he will say, Thou art but a Lurdane. Grafton.
The thirty first Monarch of the English men.
He began his Raign at twelve years of age.
Adolescens summae sanctitatis & frugi, ea modestia regnare caepit, ut omnibus charissimus esse • , quippe qui paternas virtutes gnaviter imitabatur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 6.
The end of this young King was lamentable, being stabbed (by his Stepmothers treachery) when he was drinking a cup of wine on Horseback, when he in kindness came to visit her; through which wound fainting and falling from his Horse, he was dragged to death by his foot entangled in the stirrup.
He reigned three years, and six (some say eight) months.
CHAP. VIII.
ETHELRED.
FOx calls him Egelred or Elred.
The two and thirtieth Monarch of the English men.
He was a man neither for ward in action nor fortunate in proceedings, and therefore, commonly called the unready.
He defiled the Font at his Baptism with his ordure; whereupon Dunstan being troubled in his mind, by the Lord (said he) and his blessed mother, this child shall prove a slothful person.
He was half Brother to King Edward, who was treacherously murdered, and so much lamented his Brothers murder, (saith Malmesbury l. 2. c. 10.) being then but a child of ten years old, and so detested it, that his Mother Elfrida falling therewith in a rage, took wax Candles (having nothing else at hand) wherewith she scourged him so sore (well near till he swouned) that after the same he could never abide any wax Candles to but • before him.
Of his Laws vide Lambardum de priscis Anglorum legibus.
The Danes grew upon him so fiercely, that he was forced to purchase his peace from them, with great sums of money, to the undoing of his poor Kingdom.
To put a period to this insufferable vass • lage, a bloody massacre was executed upon them, by the Kings secret Commission on S t Brices day; but such brutish courses never find a wished close.
He most unfortunately reigned thirty seven years and nine days.
Edmund, surnamed Ironside.
The thirty third Monarch of the English men, and the third son to Æthelred.
He was of personage tall; for courage, hardy; strong of limbs, and well could endure the travels of War; whence some conceive that surname was given him; not for that he used to go always in armor, as some would have it.
He fought with Cnut a royal single du • ll, first on horseback, then on • oot, in the Isle of Olerenge, or Olney (near Gloucester ) in the midst of Severn, in the view of both their Armies, with extraordinary courage, and equal success, till they were both quite tired, but neither of them vanquished. At last upon Cnu • es motion they began to parly in a friendly manner, and divided the Realm between them; Edmund enjoying that part which lay coasted upon France, and Canutus entered upon the rest.
But Ironside enjoyed not long his part; for Duke Edrick a very compound of treasons, contrived the end of renowned Edmund, who being retired to a place for natures necessity, he thrust from under the draught a sharp spear into his body; and having thus murdered him, he cut off his head, presenting it to Canutus, with this • awning salutation, All hail▪ thou now sole Monarch of England, for her • behold the head of thy Co-partner, which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off.
Canutus though ambitious enough of Sovereignty, yet abhorring in his heart so detestable a murder, and knowing that he who was faithless to his natural Sovereign, would never be faithful to him a stranger; commanded his head to be divided from his shoulders, and placed upon the highest gate in London.
Mors hujus Principis sane miserabilis fuit, tum quod florem ejus aetatis rapuerit, tum quod totum regnum in praeceps dederit.
His Raign continued only seven months, in which time he fought seven or eight Battels, in defense of his Country, People, and their Liberties. By his untimely death, the English Saxon • Monarchy was devolved to the Danes.
CHAP. IX.
The Danes Monarchs.
CANUTUS.
THe first Danish King reigning in England, and the thirty fourth Monarch of the English men.
He is more truly called Cnut, Cui ex magnitudine rerum gestarum magni nomen accessit. Krantzii hist. Daniae l. 4.
A valiant and prudent Prince.
This Invader of Edmund Ironside 's Kingdom (the better to secure his Empire against Prince Alfred and Edward, Edmunds Brothers) married Emma his Queen.
After this marriage, to establish his Monarchy over England, he endeavored by all means to reconcile the English to him.
1. By advancing some of the English Nobility to places of honor and trust.
2. By granting to the English equal rights and privileges with his Danes, in consessu, in consilio, in praelio, and advancing them both alike.
3. By favoring and enriching the English Clergy, and Church-men, and manifesting extraordinary piety, devotion, bounty, in repairing, building, endowing Monasteries and Churches throughout the Realm.
4. By easing them of his Danish Forces.
5. By ratifying all their former good old fundamental Laws, rights, liberties, privileges, which they used, enjoyed under their Saxon Kings, by enacting other good wholesome Laws, repealing all unjust Laws, and redressing all exactions and grievances.
A company of flatterers which extolled his greatness and power to be unmatchable, he caused to place him in a chair, where the Sea ebbs and flows at South-hampton, that by the disobedience of the Tide, that would not stop at his command, but presumed to dash his royal garments, they might learn how low man is at the highest, and not to applaud his fortune, but fear his fall.
He acknowledged God alone to be King of this great Element, because the Sea is his, and he made it.
The flatterers of Alexander the great, made him believe that he was the son of Jupiter; but being one day sore hurt, and seeing the blood gush out of his wounds, What think you of this? (said he unto them) Is not this blood of a lively red hew, and merely human?
He was the greatest Prince of power that ever before him reigned over the English people.
England, Denmark, Norway, (some add also part of Sweden ) together with Scotland, were wholly subject unto him.
Filiam suam Imperatori Romano cum ineffabilibus divitiis maritavit. Hunting. hist. l. 6.
In a Parliament at Oxford he made good Laws, whereof these were some that concern Religion.
First, For the celebration of divine service, it was ordained, that all Ceremonies tending to the increase of reverence and devotion, should be used as need required.
Secondly, That upon the Sabbath day, all public Fairs, Markets, Synods, Huntings, and all secular actions, should be forborne, unless some urgent necessity should require it.
Thirdly, That every Christian should thrice in the year receive the blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Fourthly, That a married woman convict of adultery, should have her nose and ears cut off.
Krantzius much extols him as the most famous of the Kings of Denmark.
He was a just Prince in all, saving his tyranny against the two young Princes, the sons of Edmond.
The luster of this new erected Monarchy, had no sooner displayed its beams in Canutus, but like an unthrifty Taper it began to glimmer in Harold, and absolutely expired in Hard knute, who dying issueless, the current of royalty ran back again into the channel of the Saxon blood, which flowed in the veins • of Edward, surnamed the Con • essor. Philpot 's Preface to his Villare Cantianum.
After he had in great glory reigned about nineteen years, he deceased at Shafiesbury in the County of Dorset, and was buried in the Church of the old Monastery at Winchester, where Queen Emma made her abode ever after.
Harold.
The second Danish King reigning in England, and the thirty fifth Monarch of the Land.
He was called Hare-foot, by reason of his swiftness. Canutus had him by a Concubine, a Shoemakers daughter.
This base son of Cnut, dispossessed his legitimate son Harde-Cnut of the Crown of England, contrary to Cnutes will and contract; banished and spoiled Queen Emma of her treasure and Jewels; oppressed the people with taxes; and was soon cut off by death, without any issue.
He was an oppresser of his people, and vicious.
He reigned four years and four months.
He was neither in Wars so hardy, nor in Government so prosperous, as his Father Canutus before him had been.
Harde-Canute.
The third Danish King that reigned in England, and the thirty sixth Monarch of the English men.
For his noble courage he was called Harde-Canutus.
(The first great Prince of the house of Burgundy, was Philip, surnamed the Hardy. )
His recalling his Mother Emma, and half Brother Edward, and entertaining them respectively, deserves commendation.
His Epicurism left an ill custom to all posterity. Four times a day his Table must be covered, to invite men to intemperancy; through which at a marriage, he is thought to have choked himself at Lambeth, most rejoicing to be rid of him; in memory whereof Hock-tide, a Feast of scorning or triumphing, was a long time continued after.
The English men learned of him their excessive gormandizing, and unmeasurable filling of themselves with meats and drinks.
At the death of this King, died all rule of the Danes in this Land, after they had miserably afflicted the Kingdom for the space of two hundred and forty years, though in Regal government, but only six and twenty, under these three last Kings.
He reigned two years, lacking ten days.
The Danes ruled in this Land almost thirty years, and raged (without all rule) about three hundred and fifty. Lamberts Perambulation of Kent.
CHAP. X.
Edward the Confessor.
THe son of King Æthelred, the thirty seventh Monarch of the English men.
He was born at Islip near unto Oxford, and tenderly educated by Queen Emma his Mother, and after his Fathers death, for safety sent into France.
He was the last King of the Saxon race.
Such was the opinion conceived of his holiness of life, as that shortly after his decease, he was canonized amongst the Saints, and named Edward the Confessor.
To gain the more love of his Subjects at his first entrance, he remitted the tax of forty thousand pounds, yearly gathered by the name of Dane-gilt, so grevous to the Commons.
Fertur Edwardus Confessor (teste Ingulpho ) cùm se daemonem vidisse, super dcervo Daingeldi exultantem protestatus esset, aspectunique exhorruisset; collecium illico restitui juss • sse, & retento ne iota uno, feram exactionem perpetuum relaxasse. Spelmanni Glossarium Danegaldi redditio propter pyratas primitus statuta est. Hoved. dnnal. pars posrerior▪ p. 603. vide plura ibid.
He collected the Laws of his predecessors into a body, for the administration of justice, which some say are the ground of our Common-Law, though the pleading be altered, since the Norman conquest.
He found the Realm governed by three different Laws; the West-Saxon Law; the Mereian Law; and the Dane Law. Out of these three Laws, partly moderated, and partly supplied, he composed one body of Law, commonly called S t Edwards Laws, which were of so great equity, that when they were abrogated by the Conqueror, and the Crown fell into controversy between Maud the Empress, and King Stephen, the people always inclined to favor that part, who put them in fairest hope of restitution of those Laws. And afterwards in many Civil dissensions, the greatest demand of the people appeareth to have been the restitution of King Edwards Laws.
These Laws are partly Ecclesiastical; partly Civil.
Lambard de priseis Anglorum legibus, mentions Leges boni Regis Edwardi, quas Gulielmus Bastardus postea confirmavit.
In these Laws it is observable;
1. That all capital, corporal, pecuniaty punishments; fines for criminal offense • ▪ 〈◊〉 all reliefs, services, and duties to the King, are reduced to a certainty, not le • t arbitrary to the King, his Justices, or other Officers, for the Subjects greater liberty, ease and security.
2. That they protect, preserve the possessions, privileges, persons of the Church and Clergy, from all invasion, injury, violence, and disturbance.
The Raign of this King was very peaceable.
He first used the broad Seal.
His Wife was named Editha, the virtuous Daughter of an infamous Father, Earl Godwin.
Sicut spina Rosam, genuit Godwinus Editham.
His unnatural dealing with his good Mother Emma, and virtuous Wife Editha, in whose breast there was a School of all liberal Sciences, saith William Malmesbury, cannot be excused. For upon a poor surmise of Incontinency, with Alwin Bishop of Winchester, his Mother in his presence was put to the Ordalium, to pass blindfolded between nine glowing Coulters, which she did without hurt.
His refusing carnal copulation with his Queen, either out of a vowed virginity, as most Historians conclude; or out of a detestation of Earl Godwins traiterous race, quod Rex religiosus de genere proditoris, haeredes, qui sibi succederent, corrupto semine regio, noluerit p •• r • ari, as Ingulphus, Matthew Westminster, and others record; whereby he exposed the Kingdom for a prey, to the ambitious pretenders aspiring after it.
The King after this craved mercy and pardon from his Mother, for the infamy and injury done unto her, for which he was disciplined and whipped by his Mother, and all the Bishops there present.
The first curing the Kings Evil, is referred to him, and thence to have continued to his successors.
Solebat Rex Edwardus divinitus solo tactu sanare strumosos, hoc est, strumam patientes. Est enim srruma morbus, quem Itali scrophula • vulgo vocant, à scrophis, quae ea mala scabie afflictantur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 8.
Struma gutturis vitium, quod nonnulli scrophulam dicunt, solo tactu in quam plurimis sanasse dicitur. Lil. Ang. Reg. Chronicon.
He reigned twenty three years, and six months, and died in the Painted Chamber at Westminster.
He built S t Peters Church in Westminster, and was there buried.
In hoc Rege linea Regum Angliae defecit, quae à Cerdicio primo Westsaxonum Rege, ex Anglis, quingentis & septuaginta uno annis, non legitur interrupta, praeter paucos Danos, qui peccatis exigentibus gentis Anglorum, aliquandiu regnaverunt.
Harold.
The second of that name, the thirty eighth Monarch of the English men.
Son of Earl Goodwin, a man of excellent parts, and approved valor.
He driven by tempest into Normandy, was affianced to Adelizi, the Dukes fifth Daughter. He covenanted with the Duke to make him successor to Edward, in the Kingdom of England.
Mr. Fox 's Acts and Monuments vol. 1. Mr. Cambden in his Brittannia; Holinshed; Sir John Hayward; Sir Richard Baker incline to this opinion, that Harold by his might, power, craft, policy, usurped and invaded the Crown without any right, against his Oath.
After Edwards death, the Duke sent to him to put him in mind of his Covenant and Oath; but Harold replied, that this Oath being constrained, did no way bind. The Duke William landing in Sussex, to cut off all occasion of return, he fired his own Fleet, and upon the shore erected a fortress, to be if need were a retiring place for his Soldiers.
Harold and he fighting seven miles from Hastings in Sussex, Harold was slain, and his Army vanquished. His overthrow was a just punishment of God upon him, for his perjury.
He reigned but nine months, and nine days.
In him was completed the period of the Saxons Empire in Britain, after they had continued from their first erected Kingdom by Hengis • in Kent, the space of six hundred and ten years, without any interruption, saving the small inter-Raigns of three Danish Kings.
The Normans were a mi •• people of Norvegians, Suevians, and Danes. That Province in France was then called Neustria, and now Normandy, of the name Norman, given unto them, because they came out of the North parts.
The Normans labored by all means to supplant the English, and to plant their own language amongst us; and for that purpose, they both gave us the Laws, and all manner of pastimes, in the French tongue; as he that will peruse the Laws of the Conqueror, and consider the terms of Hawking, Hunting, Tenice, Dice-play, and other disports, shall easily perceive. Lamb 's Perambulation of Kent.
CHAP. XI.
WILLIAM the first, surnamed the Conqueror.
RObert Duke of Normandy, the sixth in descent from Rollo, riding through Falais a Town in Normandy, espied certain young persons dancing near the way. And as he stayed to view a while the manner of their disport, he fixed his eye especially upon a certain Damsel named Arlotte; of mean birth, a Skinners Daughter, who there danced among the rest. The frame and comely carriage of her body; the natural beauty and graces of her countenance; the simplicity of her rural both behavior and attire, pleased him so well, that the same night he procured her to be brought to his lodging, where he begat of her a Son, who afterward was named William. The English afterwards adding an aspiration to her name, (according to the natural manner of their pronouncing) termed every unchaste Woman, Harlot.
He seized the Crown of England, not as conquered, but by pretence of gift or adoption, aided and confirmed by nearness of blood; and so the Saxon Laws formerly in force, could not but continue; and such of them as are now abrogated, were not at all abrogated by his conquest; but either by the Parliaments, or Ordinances of his time, and of his successors; or else by non -usage, or contrary custom. Mr. Seldens review of his History of Tythes, c. 8. see more there.
He never made the least pretence, claim, or title to the Crown and Realm of England, only as an absolute Conqueror of the Nation; but merely by title, as their true and lawful King, by designation, adoption, and cognation, seconded with the Nobles, Prelates, Clergy, and people's unanimous election. And although it be true, that this Duke ejected Harold, and got actual possession of the Throne and Kingdom from him by the sword; as did Au • elius Ambrosius; and others before; and King Henry the fourth; Edward the fourth; and Henry the seventh; yet that neither did, nor could make him a King by conquest only, no more than these other Princes; seeing the end of this War was not against the whole English Nation, the greatest part whereof abetted his interest; but only against the unjust usurper and intruder, King Harold, and his adherents.
Although the Laws of this Kingdom, and of all other Civil States at this day, exclude Bastards (without a subsequent legitimation) from inheritance; yet by the Laws of Norway, a Princes Son gotten on a Concubine bond or free, was equally inheritable, as any other born in wedlock; which was I believe no small reason, why he stood at first so much for the Laws of Norway to have been generally received in this Kingdom. And some stories also say, that Arlet, or Arlee, (as she is sometimes written) was to him a good while vice uxor is. If she were so his Concubine (between whom and a wife, the old Imperialists make no other difference but honor and dignity; and by them also some kind of inheritance is allowed to such Bastards, as are naturales liberi, that is gotten on Concubines) it was much more reasonable that her son should be reputed as legitimate, than that the son of every single woman, bond or free, whether Concubine or no, should be so, as those of Norway allow. Mr. Seldens review of his History of Tythes.
First landing at Pems • y in Sussex, he fell down, stumbling as he came out of his Ship. O Dux Angliam tenes (said one of his Knights) Rex futurus, (so Matthew Paris ) and espying that he had brought up sand and earth in his hand, added, Yea and you have taken Livery and Seisin of the Conutrey. Seldens Titles of honor in 4. to p. 34.
When he had landed his Forces, he fortified a piece of ground with strong trenches, and caused all his Ships to be set on fire, leaving to his Soldiers no hope to save themselves, but only by victory.
After this he published the causes of his coming in Arms; to challenge the Kingdom of England, given to him by his Cousin King Edward, the last lawful possessor at that time thereof. And to revenge the death of his Cousin Alfred, Brother to the same King Edward, cruelly and deceitfully slain by Earl Goodwin, and his adherents.
In the Battle between King Harold and him, at the last Hareld was struck with an arrow through the left eye into his brains, of which wound he presently died.
He was buried by his Mother at Walsham Cross, within the Monastery which he had founded.
Ibi Gulielmus perblande ac perbenigne locutus, simulque magnifica pollicitus, ab omnibus, quanquam non pari alacritate, diem festum celebrantibus, rex declaratur. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 9.
Where this Battle was fought, the Conqueror after founded Battail -Abbey.
He was crowned at Westminster, by Aldred Archbishop of York, anno Dom. 1066.
His strength was such, that few men could draw his Bow; and being about fifty of his age, when he subdued this Kingdom, it seems by his continual actions, he felt not the weight of years upon him, till his last year.
He enclosed new-Forest in Hamshire, for which he dispeopled Villages and Towns, about the space of thirty miles, to make a desert for Beasts of chase; in which place afterward two of his sons, Richard and William, ended their lives; Richard by a fall from his Horse; and William by the stroke of an arrow. The Kings great delight in hunting was made the pretence of this Forest; but the true end was rather to make a free place of footing for his Normans, and other friends out of France, in case any great revolt should be made.
One Herlowin a Nobleman in Normandy, married his Mother Arlotte, and had by her a son named Hugh Lupus, to whom he gave the Earldom of Chester, to hold of him as freely by his sword, as himself held England by his Crown; by virtue of which Cran • , the said Hugh ordained under him four Barons; such an honor, as no Subject before or since, ever enjoyed the like.
Because conspiracies are commonly contrived in the night, he commanded that in all Towns and Villages, a Bell should be rung in the evening, at eight of the Clock, called Curfu-Bell; and that in every house they should then put forth their fire and lights, and go to bed; which custom of ringing a Bell at that hour, in many places is still observed.
William the first, whom pride, craft, profit swayd, Did England, but his conscience first invade. Dr. Holiday his Survey of the world. Book 9.
By the counsel of Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury; and of Eglesme Abbot of St. Augustine's, (who at that time were chief governers of Kent ) as the King was riding towards Dover, at Swanescombe, two miles from Graveseud, the Kentish men came towards him armed; and bearing boughs in there hands, as if it had been a moving wood, they enclosed him upon the sudden, and with a firm countenance, but words well tempered with modesty and res • ect, they demanded of him the use of their ancient Liberties and Laws; that in other matters they would yield obedience to him; that without this they desired not to live. The King yielded to them for the present; knowing right well, that the general Customs and Laws of the residue of the Realm, would in short time overflow these particular places. So pledges being given on both sides, they conducted him to Rochester, and yielded the County of Kent, and the Castle of Dover into his power.
He took the review and account of all the Towns and land in England. This Book was called the Roll of Winton, because it was kept in the City of Winchester. By the English it was called Doomes-day Book; either by reason of the generality thereof; or else corruptly instead of Domus Dei Book, because it was laid in the Church of Winchester, in a place called Domus Dei.
According to this Roll taxations were imposed; sometimes two shillings, and sometimes six shillings upon every Hide of land, (a Hide containing twenty Acres) besides ordinary provision for his house. Vide Seldeni Analecta Anglobrit, l. 2. c. 4. & Spelmanni Glossarium, p. 352.
He was too covetous.
Sola est do qua merito culpetur pecuniae cupiditas, quam undecunque captatis occasionibus, nihil unquam pensi habuit, quin corroderet, faceret, diceret nonnulla, & pene omnia, tanta majestate indigniora, ubi spes nummi effulsisset. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo. l. 3.
He would often swear by God's resurrection, and his brightness.
Talia per resurrectionem, & splendor •• Dei pronuncians, quod solere • ex industria talia sacramenta facere, quae ipso habitu oris terrificum quiddam auditorum memibus insonarent. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo.
He bare such reverence to Lanfrancke, Archbishop of Canterbury, that he seemed to stand at his directions.
Malmesbury l. 4. de Wilielmo secundo, saith, Diu dubitavit mundus, quo tandem vergeret, quo se inclinaret indoles ejus. Inter initia vivente Lanfranco Archiepiscopo ab omni crimine abhorrebat, ut unicum fore Regum speculum speraretur. Quo defuncto aliquandiu varium se praestitit aequali lance vitiorum atque virtutum.
He respected Aldred Archbishop of York, by whom he had been crowned King of England, as his Father. At a time upon the repulse of a certain suit, the Archbishop brake forth into discontentment, expostulated sharply against the King, and in a humorous heat offered to depart. But the King stayed him, fell down at his feet, desired pardon, and promised satisfaction in the best manner▪ that he could. The Nobility which were present, put the Archbishop in mind, that he should cause the King to arise; nay (answered the Archbishop) let him alone; let him still abide at St. Peters feet. So with much ado he was appeased, and entreated to accept his suit.
By reason of sickness he kept his chamber a long time; whereat the French King scoffing, said, The King of England lieth long in Childbed. Which when it was reported unto King William, he answered, When I am Churched, there shall be a thousand lights in France, (alluding to the lights that Women used to bear, when they were Churched) and that he performed within few days after, wasting the French Frontiers with fire and sword. Malmesb. de Wilielmo primo. l. 4.
Some of the Earls conspiring against him; he perceiving his estate to be now brought into no small danger, and loath to put all upon the hazard and fortune of a Battle, against men so well provided, and with desperation armed, as a man perplexed, entered into consultation with L • nfrancke, then Archbishop of Canterbury, what course were now best for him to take, for the appeasing of these so great and dangerous troubles. By whose advice he came to a parl with the English Nobility, where after much reasoning and debating of the matter, a peace was at length concluded and agreed upon; so that the English men laying down their Arms, the Conqueror in the presence of the Archbishop Lanfrancke, and others, took a solemn Oath upon the holy Evangelists, and all the relics of the Churches of St. Albans, from thence forth to observe and keep the good and ancient Laws of the Realm, which the noble Kings of England his Predecessors had before made and ordained; but especially those of St. Edwar • , of all others supposed to be most equal and indifferent, for the gene • all good of the people.
He courteously received, and honourably maintained Edgar Etheling in his Court, allowing him a pound weight of silver every day to spend; a rare example of a victorious Conqueror, shown upon a man so inconstant, (who twice had broken his Oath of fidelity) and dangerous to be so near unto his person, being as he was, a competitor of his Crown.
During all his Raign, either the sword was not put up into the scabbard; or if it were, the hand was always upon the hilt, ready to draw it. So unwilling on the one part were the English men to bear the yoke; and so haughty on the other part were the Norman Conquerors, that to be called an English man, was in their eyes a great concumely; insomuch as it made some of the more light-conceited of the English, to seek to better their esteem, by imitating the Normans both in apparel and language; which among the graver sort bred the Proverb, that Jack would be a Gentleman, if he could speak French.
He favored learned men, and drew out of Italy, Lanfrancke, Anselm, Durand, Trahern, and divers others famous at that time, for learning and piety.
'It is better with William Hunter, than with William the Conqueror. 'It is better to have a name in the Book of Martyrs, than in the Book of Chronicles. Mr. Nortons life of Mr. John Cotton.
Perceiving his own defects in some points for want of learning, he did exhort his children oftentimes to learning with this saying, An unlearned Prince is a crowned Ass; which speech took great impression in his son Henry.
This is one special honor attributed unto him, that from him we begin the Computation of our Kings of England.
From the Normans, bearing of Arms began amongst us.
Ab eo posteriores series Regum inchoavere, perinde acsi de integro ill regnum ipsum institu • isset, Regesque qui se • uti sunt, usi similiter sunt, ut nunc utuntur, insignibus Regiis, quae dedisset. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 9.
Nostrates, priusquam in Angliam penetrasset Wilielmus primus, hunc armorum cultum à Normannis videntur accepisse. Spelmanni Aspilegia. p. 40. Vide etiam p. 44.
He ended his life upon the ninth day of September, full both of honor and of age, when he had reigned twenty years, eight months, and sixteen days, in the threescore and fourth year of his age.
His dead body was not only abandoned, but left almost naked upon the ground.
Being conveyed from Roan (where he died) to Cane, one Fitz Arthur denied the King burial in the Abbey-Church, (as ground which was wrongfully taken by the King from his Father) till he had a hundred pounds paid him for it.
Mr. Ienkyn in his Exposition of the Epistle of Jude, verse. 4. p. 351. saith, Of our twenty five Monarchs since the Conquest, thirteen (taking in three who are thought to be poisoned) are said to have had violent and untimely deaths.
CHAP. XII.
K. William the second, surnamed Rufus; or the Red.
KIng William the first took to wife Matilde, daughter to Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, a man for his wisdom and power, both reverenced and feared even of Kings; but because she was his Cousin-germane, he was for his marriage excommunicate by his own Uncle Mauger, Archbishop of Roan. Hereupon he sued to Pope Victor, and obtained of him a dispensation; and afterwards so wrought, that by a provincial Counsel his Uncle Mauger▪ was deprived of his dignity.
This King had by his Wife four sons, Robert, Richard, William and Henry.
Robert his eldest son, surnamed Courtcuise , by reason of the shortness of his thighs, succeeded him in the Duchy of Normandy. He was a man of exceeding honorable courage and spirit, for which cause he was so esteemed by the Christian Princes, in the great War against the Saracens, that when they had subdued the City and Territory of Jerusalem, they offered the Kingdom thereof first unto him.
The King of England to whom the Schola Salernitana was dedicated, was this Robert, eldest son of the Duke of Normandy, which begins thus, Anglorum Regi scribit▪ Schola tota Salerni; and it seems to be written, when this Robert returned out of Palestine into Apulia; and by reason of a Fistula from his poisoned wound, he had consulted with the School of Salerne concerning it, and preserving his health. Neither doth that hinder that this Book is written to the King of England; (but Robert never reigned here) for the Kingdom of right belonged to him, which his younger Brother William Rufus possessed in his absence, and for recovering of that he warred with his Brother, but was overcome by him.
Richard had raised the good expectation of many, as well by his comely countenance and behavior, as by his lively and generous spirit. But he died young by misadventure, as he was hunting within the New-Forest, before he had made experiment of his worth. He was buried at Winchester, with this inscription, Hic jacet Richardus, filius Wilielmi senioris, Berniae Dux.
To Henry the King gave at the time of his death, five thousand pounds out of his treasure; but gave him neither dignity nor Lands, foretelling that he should enjoy the honor of both his Brothers in time, and far excel them both in dominion and power. He succeeded his Brother William in the Kingdom of England, and wrested Normandy out of the possession of Robert.
When William the first drew near his end, he commended the Kingdom of England to his second son William, with many blessings, admonitions, and prayers for his prosperous success. He dispatched him unto England, with Letters under his own Seal, to Lan • rank then Archbishop of Canterbury, whose authority was great with the Clergy, and people of the Realm. It was conjectured by some, that the King was guided in this choice, no less by his judgment, then by his affection, because he esteemed the fierce disposition of his son William, more fit to govern a people not well settled in subjection, then the flexible and mild nature of his eldest son Robert.
Cambden saith he was berest of the Kingdom of England, because he was born before his Father was King.
Milles gives two reasons, why the Conqueror preferred his younger son unto the Kingdom, before his eldest.
Partly for his disloyalty and disobedience; and partly doubting lest through the facility of his nature, he should give occasion unto the English men, to take heart unto them, and to rebel against him; whereas William his younger Brother was a man of more rough and harsh nature, and therefore fitter (as his Father thought) to bear rule and command over a warlike and new conquered people.
Sir John Hayward in the life of William the second, discusseth that controversy, whether Kings may prefer younger sons, and quite disinherit elder sons of the Kingdom, and resolves it negatively.
The Glossographer upon the Decrees noteth, that the son of a King may be called King during the life of his Father, as wanting nothing but administration.
A little before his Fathers death William journeyed toward England, and quickly arrived at the Port called Whitesand, where he received the first report of his Fathers death. Hereupon with all speed he posted to Lanfrancke, delivered his Fathers Letters, and forthwith was declared King; and not long after was crowned at Westminster.
His hair was deeply yellow; by reason whereof he was called Rufus, say Polyd. Virgil, and others.
He doubted of some points of Religion then professed, namely, of praying to Saints, worshipping of relics, and such like.
He endeavored to abate the tumorous greatness of the Clergy at that time, and attributed not so much to the See of Rome, as divers Kings before him had done.
He restrained his Subjects from going to Rome, and withheld the annual payment of Peter -pence, and was often heard to say, that they follow not the trace of St. Peter; they greedily gape after gifts and rewards, they retain not his power, whose piety▪ they do not imitate.
Albeit he promised to the English, whilst his first fears and jealousies continued, that they should enjoy free liberty of hunting; yet did he afterwards so severely restrain it, that the penalty for killing a Deer was death.
During Lanfranckes life, he so lived, that he might have been a mirror of Princes; though afterwards he gave himself to sensual lust and covetousness. Matthew Paris condemns him much.
It is reported, that when his Chamberlain upon a certain morning, brought him a new pair of Hose, the King demanded what they cost; and the Chamberlain answered, three shillings; hereat the King grew impatient, and said, What heavy beast? dost thou take these to be convenient Hose for a King? Away beggar, and bring me other of a better price. Then the Chamberlain departed, and brought a far worse pair of Hose, (for a better could not at that time be found) and told the King that they cost a mark. The King not only allowed them for fine enough, but commended them also as exceeding fit.
He walled the City of London, and built the great Hall at Westminster, which is two hundred seventy foot in length, and seventy four foot in breadth.
He set forth a Proclamation, that none should go out of the Realm without his license, by which he drew much money from many. From thence the custom or Law of Ne exeas Regno, seems to have taken its beginning.
His usual Oath was by St. Luke's face. Malmesb.
Coming to imbarque at Dartmouth, the Mariners told him the weather was rough, and there was no passing without imminent danger. Tush, said he, set forward, I never yet heard of King that was drowned.
Answerable to that of Julius Caesar, which enforced a poor Pilot in the like case to launch forth, and in the rage of the storm comforted him with saying, Caesarem & Caesaris fortunam ve • is.
Charles the fifth, in the Battle of Tunis, when he was advised by the Marquess of Guasto to retire his person, when the great Ordnance began to play, said, Marquess, thou never heardest that an Emperor was slain with a great shot.
Sir Walter Tyrell aiming at the Deer (where the King was hunting, within the New-Forest) with an Arrow; and looseing his Bow, either too carelessly at the Deer, or too steadily at the king, saith Polydore Virgil, struck him therewith full upon the breast. The King having so received the wound, gave forth a heavy groan, and presently fell down dead. So much of the Arrow as was without his body, was found broken, whether with his hand, or by his fall, it is not certainly known.
He reigned in great variety of opinion with his Subjects, (some applauding his virtues, others aggravating his vices) twelve years, eleven months, wanting eight days, and was at his death forty and three years old. Sir John Hayward in his life. p. 219.
CHAP. XIII.
King Henry the first, surnamed Beauclerke.
HE apprehending the opportunity of Duke Roberts absence, did forthwith seize upon the treasure of the King, and thereby also upon his State, and so was crowned at Westminster, by Maurice Bishop of London, because Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury was then in exile.
For his learning he was called Beauclerke, fair Clerk, or fine Scholar, brought up in the study of the liberal Arts at Cambridge.
He was surnamed Leo justitiae in all Stories; one of the most noble Princes that ever reigned in this Realm. Sir Thomas Eliots Governor.
Cambden urgeth this against him, as if his▪ justice was by the common people deemed cruelty. Cambd. Rem.
He was excellent in wit, eloquent in speech, and fortunate in Battle, and for these three, he had three notable vices; covetousness, cruelty and lechery. Stowes Chron.
By his example, the young Nobility of the Realm, began to affect a praise for learning: insomuch as at a certain interview, between the King and Pope Innocent the second, the sons of Robert Earl of Mellent, maintained open disputations against divers Cardinals and Chaplains of the Pope. Sir John Hayward.
To purchase the favor of the Clergy, he called Anselm out of exile, and restored him both to the dignity and revenues of the See of Canterbury.
He committed Radulph (alias Ranulph ) Bishop of Durham to prison, who had been both author and agent to King William, in most of his distrustful actions against the Clergy.
To make the Clergy the more assured, the King renounced the right which his Ancestors used in giving Investitures, and acknowledged the same to appertain to the Pope.
The Clergy did much favor him, by reason of his liberal leave, either to erect, or to enlarge, or else to enrich religious buildings. For to these works the King was so ready to give, not only way, but encouragement and help, that in no Princes time, they did more within this Realm either flourish or increase.
Sir John Hayward numbers twenty five religious buildings, either done, or helped forward, or permitted and allowed by the King.
This King being born in England, and the Queen of English blood-royal, raised the depressed English Nation again unto honor and credit.
He restored them to the use of fire and candle, after eight of the Clock at night, which his Father had most straitly forbidden.
He being a wise Prince, and well knowing that an Empire gotten by force, could no longer remain, then that force continued, sent into Scotland, and took to Wife Maud, the daughter of Queen Margaret, sister to Edgar Etheling, (who was now dead, and left no issue) whereby this Maud was the heir of the Saxon line; and in her brought back again to us the ancient English blood-royal, before it had descended beyond one generation from the Conqueror, in whose line it continueth unto this day.
She was adorned with all royal virtues, principally with piety and humility. These Verses were made in her commendation.
Prospera non laetam fecere, nec aspera tristem, Aspera risus ei, prospera terror erant.
Non decor effecit fragilem, non sceptra superbam, Sola potens humilis, sola pudica decens.
She being married against her will, seeing she must violate the vow of her virginity, she cursed her of-spring, if any came of her; which was not altogether vain saith Polyd. Virgil, in regard they were all afterward drowned.
He reduced Normandy to England.
He built therein many Castles, and planted Garrisons, and with no less wisdom assured that State, then with valor he had won it.
He brought with him his Brother Robert into England, and committed him to safe custody in the Castle of Cardiffe.
He striving to escape, was taken again, committed to close prison, his eyes put out, and a sure guard set upon him. Thus he remained in desolate darkness, neither reverenced by any for his former greatness, nor pitied for his present distress. Thus he continued about twenty seven years, in a life far more grievous then death, even until the year before the death of King Henry. So long was he a suitor in wooing of death. So long did the one Brother overlive his good fortune, the other his good nature and disposition; esteeming it a fair favor, that the uttermost extremity was not inflicted.
He gave his daughter Maud the Empress, in second marriage to the Earl of Anjou, and his Sister Elix (as some Chronicles call her) to Steven, Earl of Bloys. Thence sprang the loss of this Kingdom to Maud, during her life, by being so far out of the land in another Country, when she should have accepted it here. Therof sprang the perjuries of Steven King of England, enticed to a Kingdom through the commodity of his near place. And thence came the Civil miseries to the people, who through the incertainty of a Governor, were in field and Arms one against another.
His daughter Maud, as well as that Lacedaemonian Lady Lampedo, whom Pliny maketh mention of, was a Kings daughter , a Kings wife, and a Kings mother. Daughter of this Henry the first, King of England; wife of Henry the fourth, Emperor of Germany; and mother to Henry the second, King of England. Concerning which matter, there is this Distich engraven on her Tomb.
Magna ortu, majórque viro, sed maxima partu, Hîc jacet Henrici filia, sponsa, parens.
The daughter, wife, the mother eke, of Henry lieth here;
Much blest by birth, by marriage more, but most by issue dear.
He was a great administrer of justice, and the first that ordained that thieves should be hanged.
He ordained that counterfeiters of money, should lose both their eyes, and be deprived of their privy parts,
He took away the deceit which had been occasioned by variety of measures, and made measure by the length of his own arm, which hath been commonly used ever since, by the name of a yard.
He is yet alive in his Laws.
See his Laws in Lambard de priscis Anglorum legibus.
His expenses were chiefly in his Wars, and his many and great fortifications in Normandy. His buildings were the Abbey of Reading, the Castle of Warwick, of Bristol, the Manor of Woodstock, and the great inclosure of that Park, with a stone Wall seven miles about.
There was a singular and most remarkable example of God's justice upon his children. For when the King both by force, crast, and cruelty, had dispossessed, overreacht, and lastly made blind, and destroyed his elder Brother, Duke of Normandy, to make his own sons Lord's of his Land; God cast them all, male and female, Nephews and Neeces ( Maud excepted) into the bottom of the Sea, with above a hundred and fifty others that attended them, whereof a great many were noble, and of the King dearly beloved.
Evasit unus & ill agrestis, qui tota nocte malo supernatans, mane totius tragediae actum expressit. Malmesb. de Henrico primo. l. 5. Vide Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 11. p. 191.
Nulla unquam navis fuit Angl • ae tantae miseriae, nulla toto orbi tam patulae famae.
His usual Oath was By our Lord's death; and so was Queen Elizabeth's.
He first instituted the form of the High-Court of Parliament, as now it is in use. The first Parliament was held at Salisbury, upon the nineteenth day of April, in the sixteenth year of his Raign. See Lamberts Archeion. p. 240, 241, 242, 243.
When Matilde his daughter was given in marriage, to Henry the fifth Emperor, he took three shillings of every Hide of land throughout the Realm: which being followed by succeeding Kings, did grow to a custom of receiving aid, whensoever they gave their daughters in marriage.
About this time the marriage of Priests was forbidden in England; but the King for money permitted them to retain their wives, and in the end set an imposition in that respect upon every Church throughout the Realm. It availed not any man to say, that he had no purpose to keep a wife; he must pay for a faculty to keep a wife, if he would.
Quymund his Chaplain (observing that unworthy men for the most part were advanced to the best dignities of the Church) as he celebrated divine service before him, and was to read these words out of S t James 5. 17. ( It rained not upon the earth three years and six months ) he did read it thus, ( It rained not upon the earth one, one years, and five, one, months. ) The King observed this reading, and afterwards rebuked his Chaplain for it. But Quymund answered, that he did it of purpose, because such readers were soonest preferred by the King. The King smiled, and in short time after preferred him to the government of St. Frideswides in Oxford.
He died in the sixty seventh year of his age, when he had reigned thirty five years, and four months, wanting one day. He was buried at Reading, which he had founded.
In him ended the line of the Norman Kings, as concerning their heirs males, after whom came in the French men, by the title of the heirs general.
CHAP. XIV.
King STEPHEN.
VIr solertis ingenii, & militaris artis peritissimus. Polyd. Virg.
He was of a comely stature; of a good complexion; and of body strong; very skillful in martial affairs, gentle, courteous, and exceeding bountiful; not noted for any special vice, but that upon an ambitious desire to reign, he brake his Oath which he had made with Maud the Empress.
He was a most worthy Soldier, and wanted nothing to have made him an excellent King, but a just title. And therefore he was driven (perforce) to defend his usurped Authority by the sword, which must needs procure him the hatred of many.
He was crowned at Westminster upon Saint▪ Stephens day, in presence of but three Bishops, few of the Nobility, and not one Abbot, by William Archbishop of Canterbury, with great solemnity.
Having his sword continually out, and so many defections and rebellions against him, he never put any great man to death.
Of Roger Bishop of Salisbury in this Kings Raign, it is reported, that he was so pressed with the miseries of a long imprisonment, Vt vivere nol •• erit, mori nesci • rit, That live he would not, die he could not.
In his days flourished divers famous learned men, but especially Historiographers, viz. William of Malmesbury, Henry Huntingdon, Simon of Durham, Gessrey of Munmouth, and others.
Though his Raign were rough and tempestuous, by reason of his perpetual debates and contests with Maud the Empress, and her Son, concerning the title; yet were there more religious Convents erected in his time, then either before or after.
Although he had continual Wars, yet he required few or no tributes from the people.
He reigned almost nineteen years, lived forty nine, and was buried in the Abbey of Feversham in Kent, which he had founded.
The Normans thus expiring, give way to the Dynasty of the Plantagenets.
Before the division of the Houses of York and Lancaster, there run on evenly in an unquestionable line, eight Kings in this manner.
- 1. Henry the second.
- 2. Richard the first.
- 3. John.
- 4. Henry the third.
- 5. Edward the first.
- 6. Edward the second.
- 7. Edward the third.
- 8. Richard the second.
Henry the second.
The first King of this Island, surnamed Plantagenet, from Plantagenista, so called (as some say) for wearing a slip or stalk of Broom in his Cap or Hat, toward his latter days, in penance and contrition for his past sins. He undertook to go to the holy Sepulcher, in the poor and despised habit of a Broom-man, and to signify himself so, bore a Broom-stalk in his Cap. Others say it was because he scourged himself with the stalks of Broom, which grew upon the Plains, where once the holy City stood. Bucks Preface to his great Plantagenet.
Henry Duke of Anjou by his Father Geffery Plantagenet, succeeded Stephen in the Kingdom of England by agreement, whom he preceded by right, as being son and heir of Maud, sole daughter and heir of King Henry the first, and was crowned at Westminster, by Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury, and was a greater Prince then any of his Ancestors.
He was surnamed Court-mantle, because he was the first that brought short Cloaks out of Anjou into England.
He was wise and learned. He never ware Glove, except he bare a Hawk on his fist; and never sat but at his meat; and delighted in hawking, hunting, riding, and in all honest exercises.
Our English Chronicles do blame him, for refusing to take the protection and defense of the distressed Christians in Jerusalem, offered unto him by Heraclins the Patriarch; the troubles that befell him at home, are ascribed to that cause.
In his time there were eleven hundred and fifteen Castles in England.
He caused them to be demolished.
He first kept Lions, and made of the Arms of Normandy, viz. the two Leopards; and of the single Lion Aquitain, one Coat so Arms for England, as it is yet worn.
He associated his son Henry in the Government; an act without example in this Kingdom.
The young King shown shortly after, That a Crown was no State to be made over in trust.
At the Feast of his solemnity, the King to honor his son, would needs carry up the first dish to his Table. Roger Archbishop of York standing by, and saying merrily▪ to the new King, Gaude, optime filio non est enim alter in toto orbe Princeps, qui talem habeat in mensa administrum. What an honor is this to you, to have such a waiter at your Table! Why (saith he) what great matter is it for him that was but the son of a Duke, to do service to me, that am the son of a King and Queen? Which the old King hearing, began to repent him, now it was too late, of that he had done.
He loved women too much, especially one Rosamond, the fair daughter of Walter Lord Clifford. This his Concubine was a very beautiful young Lady, of unparalleled wit. He usually termed her the Rose of the world; his Rose.
The true Etymology of her name is Rosemouth, and seemeth to have been given, in regard of her sweetness or color of the lips; or it may have been in recommendation of sweetness, and eloquence of speech.
King Henry had made for her a Labyrinth at Woodstoc • , so that no man or woman might come to her, but he that was instructed by the King, or such as were right secret with him. It was commonly said, that at last Queen Elenor came to her by a Clew of Thread, or Silk, and so dealt with her, that she lived not long after. But when she was dead, she was buried at Godstow, in an house of Nuns beside Oxford.
In whose Epitaph, a Latin Poet not understanding the true Etymology of the name, makes Mund▪ which here is mouth, to be Mundus, and so calls her the Rose of the world.
Hic jacet in tumba, Rosa mundi, non Rosa munda; Non redolet, sedolet, quae redolere solet.
Being much incensed against Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, he once cried out, Me miserum, non possum in meo regno pacem cum uno sacerdote habere? nec quisquam meorum omnium est, qui me hac molestia liberare velit. Which words were so interpreted by some, that it occasioned his death.
Stapleton a Jesuit put forth a Book, entitled Tres Thomae; St. Thomas the Apostle, Thomas of Becket, and Sir Thomas More. He canonizeth the two last, and writes far more of them, then of the first.
For the death of Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, he was scourged with rods by the Monks of Canterbury, and had eighty lashes.
Geffery Archbishop of York, and base son to King Henry the second, used proudly to protest by his faith, and the Royalty of the King his father. To whom one said, You may sometimes, Sir, as well remember what was the honesty of your mother.
Petrus Blesensis was Archdeacon of Bath under him.
There was a very strange presage of his death, by a Meer or Pool in Normandy; for all the Fishes therein leapt forth on land in the night time, and fought together with such a dreadful noise, that men came in great numbers to behold the wonder, and not one Fish could be found alive in the Pool.
Other strange accidents are also reported.
When he died, there were found in his Coffers, nine hundred thousand pounds, besides Plate and Jewels.
His youngest son was called John Lackland, because he had no land assigned him in his fathers time.
Titles he lacked none; for his father had made him Earl of Cornwall, Dorset, Sommerset, Nottingham, Derby, and Lancaster.
He reigned thirty four years, seven months, and five days.
CHAP. XV.
RICHARD the first.
HE was for his valor surnamed Coeur de Lion, or the Lions heart.
Hugh Nevill a Gentleman of noble linage, one of King Richards special familiars, is recorded to have slain a Lion in the holy land, driving first an Arrow into his breast, and then running him through with his Sword. Whereupon this Hexameter was made.
Viribus Hugonis vires periere Leonis. The strength of Hugh a Lion slew.
Which atchievment belike was transferred from the man to the Master, and the Story applied to the King, by name of King Richard, Coeur de Lion. But this is only Weevers opinion.
He was crowned at Westminster, by Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury.
He being at dinner in his Hall of Westminster, hearing the French King besieged Vernoy • e, he swore that he would never turn his face, till he had fought with him, if he did abide, and caused the wall to be broken before him, and so passed to Normandy; and receiving his brother John to mercy, raised the siege; for the French King fled as soon as he heard of Kings Richards coming.
A Prince of a most haughty mind, and full of resolution, born for the Weal of Christendom, the honor of England, and the terror of Infidels.
With the beams of his victories achieved in Cypres and Syria, he made our Country of England most famous, and renowned through the world.
He had trained up in his Court a Rymer or Minstrel, called Blondell de Neste, who being so long without the sight of his Lord, his life seemed wearisome to him. It was known that he came back from the holy land, but none could tell in what Country he arrived. Whereupon this Blondell resolving to make search for him in many Countries, but he would hear some news of him; after expense of divers days in travel, he came to a Town (by good hap) near to the Castle where his Master King Richard was kept. Of his Host he demanded to whom the Castle appertained, and the Host told him it belonged to the Duke of Austria. Then he inquired whether any prisoner was there detained or no, for always he made such secret questionings, wheresoever he came; and the Host answered, that there was one only prisoner, but he knew not what he was, and yet he had been detained there more then the space of a year. When Blondell heard this, he used such means, that he became acquainted with them of the Castle, as Minstrels do easily win acquaintance anywhere; but see the King he could not, neither understand that it was he. One day he sat directly before a window of the Castle, where King Richard was kept prisoner, and began to sing a song in French, which King Richard and Blondell had sometime composed together. When King Richard heard the song, he knew it was Blondell that sung it; and when Blondell paused at half of the song, the King entreated him to sing the rest. Thus Blondell won knowledge of the King his Master, and returning home into England, made the Barons of the Country acquainted where the King was.
Whereas before his time, the City of London was governed by Portgraves, he granted them to be governed by two Sheriffs and a Major, as now it is.
John the Kings brother making an incursion up to Beauvois, where the Bishop being also an Earl of the royal blood, and the eleventh Peer of France, valiantly fighting, was taken in the skirmish, armed at all points, and bravely mounted; on whose behalf the Pope (upon the Bishops humble suit, pleading the Clergies immunity) wrote somewhat earnestly to King Richard, to set his very dear son, for so he called the Bishop, at liberty. The King in a kind of pleasant earnestness, caused the Habergeon and Curaces of the Bishop, to be presented to the Pope, with this question, Vide an tunica filii tui sit an non. Whereupon the Pope replied, That he was neither his son, nor the son of the Church; and therefore should be ransomed at the Kings will, because he was rather judged to be a servitor of Mars, then a soldier of Christ.
In his time were those famous Out-laws, called Robin-hood and Little John.
He was wounded in the arm, by an Arrow shot at him out of a Cross-bow, by Peter Bisile, of which wound he died within four days after.
CHAP. XVI.
King John.
WHose Raign had it not fallen in the time of so turbulent a Pope, so ambitious neighbor-Princes, so disloyal Subjects, nor his Story into the hands of exasperated Writers, he had appeared a King of as great renown, as misfortunes.
His overhasty undertakings brought in those broils of the Barons Wars.
Before this Kings time we seek in vain for any great Council. He first as may be gathered (though darkly by the Record) used their Councils and Assents in the sixth year of his Raign.
He had by his Wife▪ Isabel a son Henry, who succeeded him in the Kingdom.
In his voyage towards Ireland, as he was in his journey in the borders of Wales, there was one taken and brought before him, who had killed a Priest. The Officer desired to understand the Kings pleasure, what he would have done to him. Let him go (saith the King) for he hath slain mine enemy.
Seeing one cut up a very fat Stag in his presence, (said he) How easily and happily hath this creature lived, yet he never heard Mass.
Mr. Fox seems to approve of this speech, as deriding the Mass; though others say it was an Atheistical speech.
In his Raign the Citizens of London first obtained of the King, to choose yearly a Major. In whose time also the Bridge of London was first built of stone, which before was of wood.
Most Writers testify, that he was poisoned by a Monk of Swinsted -Abbey in Lincolnshire, who to poison him, wittingly and willingly poisoned himself.
He died in the year of his age fifty and one, and after he had reigned seventeen years, six months, and twenty seven days.
He lieth buried at Worcester -College, in the Choir there.
King HENRY the third.
He was happy in his Uncle, the Earl of Pembroke, the guide of his infancy; and no less for thirty years, whilst De Burgo the last servant of his Fathers against the French, both in Normandy and England, with Bigot Earl of Norfolk, and others of like gravity and experience did manage the affairs. The Author of the troublesome life and Raign of King Henry the third.
He was of a middle stature.
Robustus viribus, sed praeceps in factis. Matthew Paris.
He was crowned at Gloucester, by Peter Bishop of Winchester, and Iosceline Bishop of Bath, in the presence of Walo the Popes Legate, Octob. 28. 1216. And after peace concluded with the Barons, by Stephen Langton Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster, on Whitsunday an. 1219.
In his Raign the Popes authority in England was at the highest.
He heard three Masses a day.
In a solemn conference between him and St. Lewis, King of France, the only devout Kings of that age▪ when the French King said he had rather hear Sermons then Masses; our King replied, that he had rather see his loving friend, (meaning Christ's real presence in the Sacraments) then to hear never so much good of him, by others in Sermons.
He had a son by Elenor his wife, whom he named Edward, for the memory of Edward the Confessor, who reigned a little before that the Normans vanquished England. At whose birth appeared a Star of great magnitude, for some days before the Sun rising, which moved swiftly, one while making a show of fire, another while leaving smoke behind it; by which prodigy (saith Polydore Virgil ) the future amplitude of Edward the father, and the smallness and vanity of his son which he begat afterwards, was declared as it were by an Oracle.
He had another son Edmund Crouchbacke, so called, not because he was crooked or deformed, but because he wore the Cross upon his back, or on his Buckler, which he wore constantly at his back, to show that he had vowed to go to Jerusalem, to recover the holy Sepulcher.
In the year 41 of his Raign, the King held a Parliament at Oxford, which was called Insanum Parliamentum, that is to say, the mad Parliament. For in this Parliament were made many Acts against the Kings prerogative and pleasure, for the reformation of the state of the Land, which after turned to the confusion and hurt of the Land, and the death and destruction of many noble men; so that by occasion thereof, began that hateful strife, called at this day the Barons War, whereof ensued much trouble and mischief.
He was pressed by his Nobles, Bishops▪ and others, to pass the great Charter, in the ninth year of his Raign. His son Edward the first in the twenty fifth of his Raign, confirmed the great Charter.
The great Charter of England passed from this King, for which the English men had no less striven, than the Trojans for their Helena. Lambard saith, he may call that great Charter of the Liberties of England, the first Letters of manumission of the people of this Realm, out of the Norman servitude.
Matthew Paris the learned Monk of Saint: Albans lived in his time, and was highly esteemed by him. Et cum esset cum ipso continue in mensa, in palatio, & in thalamo, qui haec scripsit, direxit scribentis calamum satis diligenter & amicahiliter.
In another place he speaks of his bold reproving the King.
Verstegan says the Sidneys are of a French extraction; that they came over into England in Henry the thirds days.
Arms as honourary dignities and generous distinctions between family and family, and person and person, have been undoubtedly born from his time; since which there is sufficient proof of them; and though long before that many Families might be rich, potent and noble, yet some of them either had no Arms, as many yet in Ireland have not, or else kept no constant Coat, but gave sometimes their paternal, otherwhiles their maternall or aadopted Coats. Mr. Waterhouse his discourse of Arms and Armory.
He reigned fifty six years and twenty days, the longest number of years that ever any King of England reigned.
CHAP. XVII.
King EDWARD the first.
HE was absent in the holy Land when his father died.
At his first coming to the holy Land, he rescued the great City of Acon, from being surrendered to the Sultan, after which, out of envy to his valor, one Anzazim a desperate Saracen, who had often been employed to him from their General, being one time, upon pretence of some secret message, admitted alone into his chamber, with a poisoned knife gave him three wounds in the body, two in the arm, and one in the armpit, which had been mortal, if out of unspeakable love, the Lady Elenor his wife had not sucked out the poison of his wounds with her mouth, and licked them with her tongue, and thereby effected a cure, which otherwise had been incurable. So sovereign a medicine (saith Speed ) is a woman's tongue anointed with the virtue of loving affection.
Leaving Garrisons in fit places for defense of the Country, he with his wife Elenor takes his journey homewards, and first passing by Sicily, was there most kindly received by Charles King of that Island, where he first heard of his fathers death; which he took more heavily far, then he had taken the death of his young son Henry, whereof he had heard a little before; at which when King Charles marvelled, he answered that other sons might be had, but another father could never be had.
He was protected by the divine hand from his Childhood being young, and playing one time at Chess with a friend, in the midst of his game, without any apparent occasion, he removed himself from the place where he sat, when suddenly there fell from the roof of the house a great stone, which if he had stayed in the place but never so little, had beaten out his brains.
The like is recorded of Luther, that as he was sitting in a certain place upon his stool, a great stone there was in the Vault over his head where he sat; which being stayed miraculously so long as he was sitting, as soon as he was up, immediately fell upon the place where he sat, able to have crushed him in pieces. Fox Martyrolog.
Having prepared a great Fleet of Ships for a journey into Flanders, and being at Winchelsey where the Ships were to meet, it happened that riding about the Harbor, his Horse frighted with the noise of a Windmill, which the wind drove violently about, scrambled up and leapt over the mud-wall of the Town, so as neither the King nor Horse was to be seen, but every one judged the King could not choose but be thrown and killed; yet such was the divine providence over him, that the Horse lighted upon his feet, and the King keeping the Saddle returned safe.
He was crowned at Westminster, together with his wife Queen Elenor, by Robert Kilwarthy, Archbishop of Canterbury.
He ingeniously surprised the Welch into subjection, proffering them such a Prince as should be
- 1. The son of a King.
- 2. Born in their own Country.
- 3. Whom none could tax for any fault.
The Welch accepted the conditions, and the King tendered them his son Edward, an Infant, newly born in the Castle of Carnarva • .
Wales was united to the Crown of England in the eleventh year of his Raign; who thereupon established the Government thereof according to the Laws of England.
A wise, a just, and fortunate Prince, who in regard of his Princely virtues deserveth to be ranged among the principal and best Kings that ever were.
A right noble and worthy Prince, to whom God proportioned a most princely presence and personage, a right worthy seat to entertain so heroical a mind. For he not only in regard of fortitude and wisdom, but also for a beautiful and personal presence was in all points answerable to the height of royal Majesty, whom fortune also in the very prime and flower of his age, inured to many a War, and exercised in most dangerous troubles of the State, whilst she framed and fitted him for the Empire of Britain: which he being once crowned King, managed and governed in such wise, that having subdued the Welch and vanquished the Scots, he may justly be counted the second ornament of Great Britain.
In the long Wars he had with Robert King of Scotland, having by trial found how greatly his presence advantaged the success of his affairs, and how he was ever victorious in any enterprise he undertook in his own person, when he died, he bound his son by solemn oath, that being dead he should cause his body to be boiled, until the flesh fell from the bones, which he should cause to be interred, and carefully keeping the bones, ever carry them about him, whensoever he should happen to have Wars with the Scots, as if destiny had fatally annexed the victory unto his limbs. Mountaigne his Essays. l. 1. c. 3.
Baliol King of Scotland came to Newcastle upon Tine, where King Edward then lay; and there with many of his Nobles, swears fealty, and doth homage to him, as his Sovereign Lord.
Afterward there grew a great dissention between him and the King, and the two Nations, which consumed much Christian blood, and continued almost three hundred years. King Edward entered Scotland with a great Army, King Baliol was taken prisoner.
The marble Chair in which the Kings of Scotland used to be crowned, was also brought thence to Westminster, and placed there amongst the Monuments, where it still continues.
Of his Wars with the Scotch, and his victories over them, see Aysc • his History of the Wars, Treaties, Marriages, and other occurrence between England and Scotland, from King William the Conqueror, until the union of them both in King James.
In his twelfth year the Justices Itinerants began.
In his time John Baliol King of Scots, built Baliol -College in Oxford. Walter Merton Lord Chancellor of England, and after Bishop of Rochester, founded Merton -College in Oxford.
One made this Epitaph of him.
He reigned thirty four years, seven months, one and twenty days, and lived sixty eight years, and twenty days.
EDWARD the second.
He degenerated wholly from his fathers virtues, and esteemed not the good advertisements and precepts which he gave him before his death.
He granted the Charter to London, to elect yearly one of the City at their own pleasure to be their Major.
He was the first of the King of England's children which bore the title and quality of the Prince of Wales. Since whose time, the eldest sons of the Kings of England were called Princes of Wales, as the eldest sons of the Kings of Fran • e are called Dolphins, and of Spain, Infants.
He was called Edward of Carnarvan; for the Welch men after Leolines death, were earnest with the King for a Prince of their own Countrymen; the King told them they should have a Prince there born that could speak no English, which they being contented with, he named his Infant son; (who was born there) the Queen being brought to Carnarvan.
He divided Wales incorporated into England, into Shires and Hundreds.
His great affection to Pierce Gaveston, and Spenser his Favorites, was a means of stirring up the Barons against him.
It is thy sad disaster which I sing Carnarvan▪ Edward; second of that name, Thy Minions pride, thy States ill managing, Thy Peers revolt, the sequel of the same; Thy life, thy death I sing, thy sin, thy shame; And how thou wert deprived of thy Crown, In highest fortunes, cast by fortune down. Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.
He married Isabel, daughter to King Philip, surnamed le Bean the fair, and heir to France, all her brothers being dead without issue.
Gourney most barbarously caused the miserable King to sit on a Mole-hill, whilst the Barber shaved him, and to take cold water out of a ditch to wash him withal, which the patient King seeing, told them, That in despite of them he would have warm water at his Barbing, and there withal shed abundance of tears.
Being deposed from his Kingdom through the crafty complotting and practicing of his wife, he was made away in B • rkley -Castle in Glocestershire, by the wicked subtlety of the Bishop of Hereford, who wrote unto his Keepers these few words without points between them, Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est; that by reason of the divers sense and construction, both they might commit the murder, and he also cleanly excuse himself. Cambdens Britannia in Glocestershire. Vide Gatakeri Adversaria. miscel, c. 16.
Never was the fallacy of pointings, or ambiguity of phrase more mischievously used to the destruction of a King, or the defense of the contrivers, then in this heinous parricide.
Where the Comma or pause being put after nolite, bid them not to make him away, but after timere insinuates a plain encouragement to the fact.
The Sphinx who is said to be the Author of this ambiguous riddle, sent by the Lord Mortimer, was Adam de Tarleton, who utterly denied any such intention, when the murderers for their own justification, produced the writing itself under Queen Isabels Seal, and the Seals of the other conspirators.
To which effect came Letters from the Court written by Tarleton, at the Queens command,
There was such a terrible famine in his reign, that horse, dogs, yea men and children were stolen for food, and (which is horrible to think) the thieves newly brought into the Gaol, were torn in pieces, and eaten presently half alive by such as had been longer there.
There was in the Castle of Nottingham, (and at this day is) a certain secret way or mine cut through a rock, upon which the said Castle is built, an issue whereof openeth toward the River of Trent, which runs under it, and the other venteth itself far within upon the surface, and is (at this present) called Mortimers hole; through this the young King Edward the third well armed and strongly seconded, was conducted with drawn swords, by some of his trusty and sworn servants up to the Queens chamber, whose door (so fearless is blind affection) was unshut, and with her was Mortimer (the Kings master as the rumour spread him) ready to go to bed, whom with the slaughter of a Knight and one or two that resisted, they laid hold upon. This was not reputed a slender enterprise, in regard that in Mortimers retinue were not fewer (they say) then one hundred and fourscore Knights, besides Esquires and Gentlemen. He was after hanged at Tyburn.
K. Edward the second favored learning, as by the erection of Orial -College in Oxford, and St. Mary's Hall, which were of his foundation, it may well be gathered.
He was stifled in his bed, and a red hot iron thrust up into his Fundament.
He lived forty three years, and reigned nineteen.
EDWARD the third.
He was upon his fathers resignation proclaimed King of England.
He was not fifteen years old when he began to reign.
He was of an exceeding comely personage, of a pregnant wit, courteous, gentle, of great temperance.
If we respect either valor, prowess, length of Raign, acts of Chivalry, or the multitude of famous Princes his children left behind him, he was one of the noblest Kings that ever England had. Dolemans Conference touching Succession to the Crown. part. 1. c. 3.
Cambden in his Britannia in Northumberland calls him our Hector.
He was the greatest scourge to the Nation of Scotland of any King of England either before or after him. Ayscu.
He saith there also, that if this King had a while longer pursued the conquest of Scotland, he had easily brought the same under his sovereignty; and that he esteemed (in regard of the difficulty of holding long his possessions within the French dominions) the Realm of Scotland a more convenient and fit member of the Crown of England, then the one half of France, how far soever exceeding the other in wealth and magnificence.
He brought Cloathing first into this Island, transporting some families of Artificers from Gaunt hither.
Upon the grievances of his people pestered with the doublings of Lawyers, he commanded that Pleas should from thenceforth be made in English, not in French.
He placed Richard his Grandchild, and next heir apparent, in his solemn feast at Christmas, at his Table next unto himself, above all his Uncles, being the sons of that King, and men much renowned for their prowess and virtue. Judge D • dridges Epist. Dedicat. to the Principality of Wales.
The Law of Magna Charta was about a dozen several times confirmed by this King, during the years of his Raign.
In the fiftieth year of Edward the third, all the Lord's appeared in Parliament in person, and not one by Proxy. At which Parliament, as appears in the Parliament-Roll, so many excellent things were done, as it was called bonum Parliamentum, the good Parliament.
He disposed of Ecclesiastical dignities, received homage and fealty from his Prelates, who writ that so much admired Letter to the Pope, for the Liberties of the English Church, Cui pro tunc Papa aut Cardinales rationabiliter respondere nescicbant. Walsing. an. 1343.
The house of Valois triumphantly reigned in France ever since the Raign of Edward the third, at which time it was then but an Earldom, and descended from a second brother, was of mere purpose by the French advanced to the throne, under pretences of the • alique Law, made by Pharamond, only to suppress the immediate right and title of King Edward the third, who was descended of the French Kings eldest daughter and heir; whereby he justly claimed the Crown of France, though that very Law made King Edwards title the stronger (as himself truly pleaded) he being the male, albeit his right descended by the female.
The date of this title of France was in the year 1337, the which Enlgand holds to this day, and our Kings the Realm in effect, saith John de Serres.
At the great battle of Cressy in France, the Commanders about the Prince sent to King Edward to come up with his power to aid them, the King asked the messenger, whether his son were slain or hurt, the messenger answered no, but he was like to be overlaid: Well then said the King, return, and tell them who sent you, That so long at my son is alive, they send no more to me whatever happen, for I will that the honor of the day be his. And so at last the English obtained the greatest victory they ever yet had against the French.
There were there found the dead bodies of eleven great Princes, and of Barons, Knights and men of Arms, above one thousand and five hundred, of the Commons above thirty thousand.
Not one man of honor or note slain upon the English side.
King Edward after the Battle aftectionately embracing and kissing his victorious son, said; Fair son, God send you good perseverance to so prosperous beg innings, you have nobly acquit yourself, and are well worthy to have the governance of a Kingdom entrusted to you for your valor.
Sir Eustace Rihamant in the encounter at Calis -Gate, (between Sir Walter Manny and the Lord Charney ) met with King Edward, (who disguising himself in common armor, served under the banner of Sir Walter Manny ) and fought so stoutly with him, that he stroke the King twice down on his knees, but in the end the King took him prisoner, and then he yielded his Sword to the King, but knowing what he was, said thus, Sir Knight, I yield me as your prisoner: upon which cause, the King came after supper to him, and with a merry countenance, said thus to the Knight: (Sir Eustace ) you are the Knight in the world that I have seen most valiant, either in assault of enemies, or defense of himself. I never • ound Knight that gave so much ado, body to body, as ye have done this day, whe • efore I give you the prize above all the Knights of my Court, by right sentence, and herewithal the King being bareheaded (having a Chaplet of fine pearls that he ware on his head) took the same Chaplet from off his head, being fair, goodly and rich, and said to the Knight: I give you this Chaplet for the best doer in Arms in this journey past, of either party, and I desire you to bear it this year for the love of me. I know well, you be fresh and amorous, and oftentimes are among doubty Knights and fair Ladies, yet say wheresoever ye come, that the King of England did give it you: and I quite your prison and ransom, depart tomorrow if it please you: whereupon the Knight did not only wear the same Chaplet, in remembrance of so gracious a benevolence of so worthy a Prince, but also did bear after in his Arms three Chaplets garnished of pearls. Fern his Glory of Generosity. p. 210, 211.
Mr. Wren in his Monarchy asserted p. 125. saith, The successes of the English in France always followed the person of the Prince: with us Edward the third, and Henry the fifth wise and valiant Princes gaining, Richard the second and Henry the sixth weak Princes losing; with them John and Charles the sixth men of no ability losing, Charles the fifth and Charles the seventh brave Princes recovering.
Edward the black Prince of Wales (who so long governed our Country of Guienne, a man whose conditions and fortune were accompanied with many notable parts of worth and magnanimity) having been grievously offended by the Limosins, though he by main force took and entered their City, could by no means be appeased, nor by the wailfull out-cries of all sorts of people, (as of men, women, and children) be moved to any pity, they prostrating themselves to the common slaughter, crying for mercy, and humbly submitting themselves at his feet, until such time as in triumphant manner passing through their City, he perceived three French Gentlemen, who alone with an incredible and undaunted boldness gainstood the enraged violence, and made head against the fury of his victorious▪ Army. The consideration and respect of so notable a virtue, did first abate the dint of his wrath, and from these three began he to relent, and show mercy to all the other inhabitants of the Town. Michael Lord of Montaigne his Essays. l. 1. c. 1.
Having had great victories against the French, and other neighbouring Nations, he instituted the Order of the Garter, and consecrated it to St. George. He appointed a Garter to be the Ensign of this Order, wrought richly with gold and precious stones which should circle the leg beneath the knee, and on it to have these words apparently discerned, Honi Soit Qui Mal Y • ense. Shame to him which evil thinks.
The number of these Knights, are twenty six, whereof the King himself is the chief.
These Knights wear the Ensign of Saint George (fighting with a Dragon) fastened to a rich Chain or Collar which weighed and was worth eighty pounds of English money. See Montaigne his Essays. l. 2. c. 7. of the words of honor.
About this time the famous Dr. John Wicklef, a man of sharp wit, profound learning, and of great judgment, did in the University of Oxford publicly maintain sundry Propositions and dogmatical points against the Church of Rome.
His followers were in the phrase of those dark days, called Lollards, whereas in truth they endeavored to extirpate all pernicious weeds which through time, sloth, and fraud, had crept into the field of God's Church.
Such was this Kings courtesy & friendly behavior toward the two captive Kings of France and Scotland, while they remained together in England, as that hereby he won their love and favor forever after, as appeared by their repair hither to visit the King and Queen, and to recreate and solace themselves in their company. Thus it came to pass, that their captivity here, turned more to their own advantage, and the peaceable enjoying of their estates after the same, then if it had never happened unto them.
Mr. Thomas May wrote his victorious Raign in Verse in seven Books.
He reigned almost one and fifty years, and lived about sixty five, who of all the Kings of the Realm (saith Mr. F • x ) unto Henry the eight, was the greatest bridler of the Popes usurped power, whereby John Wicklef was maintained with aid sufficient.
CHAP. XVIII.
RICHARD the second.
HE descended from four Edwards, of which the first three were succeeding Kings; the fourth Prince of Wales surnamed the black Prince, who dying before his father Edward the third, did not attain the Crown. The Civil Wars of England by Sir▪ Francis B • ondi an Italian.
He was crowned in the eleventh year of his age, and sufficiently shown the miserable condition of such States as are governed by an Infant King.
He was the goodliest personage of all the Kings that had been since the conquest.
The beautiful picture of a King sighing, crowned in a Chair of Estate, at the upper end of the Choir in St. Peters at Westminster, is said to be of him, which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was il • outward lineaments. Speed.
He had nothing worthy his great fortunes but his great birth.
When he had with full hand bestowed upon Sim ••• Montford Earl of Leicester, all the benefits he could, yea and given his own sister i • marriage, he raised a most dangerous War, and spoiled shamefully a great part of England, under pretence of restoring the Commonwealth and maintaining liberty: neither left he anything undone, to bring, the King under, to change the State & of a M ••• rchy to bring in an Oligarchy. But in the 〈◊〉 , after that fortune had for a good while favourably smiled upon him, he was slain at Evesh • m in Worcestershire, with many other of the Barons his Complices, by the prowess of Prince Edward.
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Although the Kingdom endured great Crosses in the affairs of State under this King, yet some have thought, that it found as great a blessing in matters of Religion, which in those days took so deep root in this our Land by the preaching of John Wycliffe, that the branches thereof did spread themselves even over the Seas. Speeds Chronicle.
He was the only Son of that famous Cheiftain, the black Prince of Wales: (a renowned son of a renowned father) but (as a plant transplanted into a savage soil) in degree and disposition wholly degenerate, retained a tincture of the light inconstancy of his Mother, and the luxuriousness of his great Grandfather, Edward the second, and running his course, came to his end.
He had in his Court a thousand persons in ordinary allowance of diet, three hundred servitors in his Kitchen, above three hundred Ladies Chamberers, and Landerers. His Apparel was sumptuous, and so was it generally in his time: he had one Coat of gold and stone valued at thirty thousand Marks. One interview with the French King at Ards, when his Wife Isabel was delivered unto him, cost three hundred thousand Mark • .
Queen Anne his Wife, Daughter to the Emperor Charles the fourth, first taught English women the manner of sitting on horseback, which now is used: whereas before-time, they rode very unseemly astride, like as men do.
The Civil Wars in England, had their beginning from his bad Government, Henry the fourth did first commence them, and Henry the fifth suspended them, but they again brake forth under Henry the sixth.
Wat Tyler the Master of the Kentish Rebels, was slain with a Dagger by William Walworth Mayor of London, close by the Kings side, in the Kings defense, who was therefore Knighted, and the City since giveth for Arms the Dagger.
He was first deposed, then slain. Men are easily emboldened (saith Guicciardine c. 3. of his History of Italy ) against a Prince that is fallen into contempt.
The most current report at that time went, that he was Princely served every day at the Table with abundance of costly meats, according to the order prescribed by Parliament, but was not suffered to taste or touch any one of them, and so perished of famine.
Mr. Fox saith he was at Pamfret Castle famished to death.
Sir Pierce of Extone at last killed him, though he with an Axe wrested out of one of their hands, first killed four of those which came with him to murder him.
At the point of his death he groaned forth these words. My great Grandfather King Edward the second was in this manner deposed, imprisoned and murdered: by which means my Grandfather King Edward the third obtained possession of the Crown; and now is the punishment of that injury poured upon his next successor. Well this is right for me to suffer, but not for you to do; your King for a time may joy at my death, and enjoy his desire; but let him qualify his pleasures with the expectation of the like justice: for God who measureth all our actions by the malice of our minds, will not suffer this violence unrevenged.
He lived three and thirty years, reigned two and twenty and three months.
Thus far the Plantagenets, have continued in an unquestionable right line; now follows the division of the houses of Lancaster & York, three of each succeeding in their order.
- Of Lancaster,
- Henry the fourth surnamed Bulling brook.
- Henry the fifth of Monmouth.
- Henry the sixth of Windsor.
Of York three others succeeded upon a better title.
- 1. Edward the fourth.
- 2. Edward the fifth.
- 3. Richard the third.
HENRY the fourth.
He was son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, from the loyn • of whom the greatest number of the Kings of England, Spain & Portugal, since his time, as also several other persons of eminent dignity are descended. Mr. Dugdal • s History of St. Paul's Cathedral.
He was anointed with an oil which a certain religious man gave unto Henry the first Duke of Lancaster (Grandfather to the King by the mothers side) when he served in the Wars of King Edward the third, beyond the seas; together with this Prophesy, that the Kings which should be anointed therewith, should be the Champions of the Church.
There was a great contest then between the white and red Rose, the houses of York and Lancaster. The red Rose prevailed now, he being the first renowned King of the house of Lancaster.
He first studied a popular party as needing all to support his titles.
There was in his Raign a Parliament held at Coventry, called Parliamentum indoctorum, the lack-learning Parliament, either for the unlearnedness of the persons, or for their malice to learned men
During the time of this Kings Raign execution by fire was first put in practice within this Realm, for controversies in points of Religion.
He shed the blood of God's Saints, and reigned neither long nor h • p • ily.
Mr. Fox • aith his time was full of trouble, blood and misery. He was the first of the Kings of England (saith he) that put out his hand to the shedding of the blood of the Saints, since the conquest.
Humphrey his son was by his brother King Henry the fifth created Duke of Gloucester, he was Protector of the Kingdom of England for twenty five years in the time of King Henry the sixth. He was a man, who nobly deserved of the Commonwealth and of learning, as being himself very learned, and a magnificent Patron and benefactor of the University of Oxford, where he had been educated, and was generally called the good Duke. Speed.
This Duke Humphrey purchased a wonderful number of Books, in all Sciences, whereof he freely gave to a Library in Oxford, a hundred and twenty nine fair Volumes. Bales Conclusion to Leylands New years gift to King Henry the eight.
One saith, all the Henries of the house of Lancaster (even to Henry the seventh) were most eminent for great virtues. Henry the fourth for his behavior and courtesy. Henry the fifth for his valor and magnanimity. Henry the sixth for his justice and piety.
The renowned Prince King Henry the fifth during the life of his father, was noted to be fierce and of wanton courage. One of his servants whom he favored, was for felony by him committed, arraigned at the Kings Bench, whereof the Prince being advertised, and incensed by light persons about him, in furious rage came hastily to the Barre where his servant stood as prisoner, and commanded him to be ungived and set at liberty. William Gascoigne the chief Justice of the Kings Bench, exhorted the Prince to be ordered according to the ancient Laws of the Realm, or if he would have him saved from the rigor of the Laws, that he should obtain if he might of the King his father his gracious pardon, whereby no Law or justice should be impeached. With which answer the Prince being more inflamed, endeavored himself to take away his servant. The Judge considering the perilous example and inconvenience that might thereby ensue, with a valiant courage and spirit commanded the Prince upon his allegiance to leave the prisoner, and to depart his way: with which commandment the Prince being set all in a fury, in a terrible manner came up to the place of judgment, some thinking that he would have slain the Judge, or have done him some hurt, but the Judge sitting still without moving, declaring the majesty of the Kings place of judgment, and with an assured bold countenance, spake thus to the Prince: Sir remember yourself, I keep here the place of the King your sovereign Lord and Father, to whom you owe double obeisance, wherefore in his name I charge you desist from your willfulness and unlawful enterprise, and from henceforth give good example to those which after shall be your proper Subjects 〈◊〉 and now for your contempt and disobedience, go you to the prison of the Kings Bench, whereto I commit you, and remain you there prisoner, until the pleasure of the King your Father be further known. With which words being abashed, and also wondering at the marvelous gravity of that worshipful Justice, the Prince laying his weapon apart, doing reverence, departed, and went to the Kings Bench as he was commanded, whereat his servants disdaining, came and shown to the King all the whole affair. He a while studying, after, as a man all ravished with gladness, holding his hands and eyes towards heaven cried out with a loud voice: O merciful God how much am I bound to thy infinite goodness, • ff • ecially, for that thou hast given me a Judge who feareth not to minister justice, and also a sin, who can suffer semblably; and obey justice.
Sir Thomas Eliot in his Governor, saith, here a man may behold three persons worthy memory:
First a Judge, who being a Subject, feared not to execute justice on the eldest son of his sovereign Lord, and by order of nature his successor.
Also a Prince, son and heir of the King in the midst of his folly, more considered his evil example, and the Judges conscience in justice, then his own estate, and willful appetito.
Thirdly a noble King, and wise father, who contrary to the custom of parents, rejoiced to see his son and the heir of his Crown, to be for his disobedience by his Subject corrected.
The Oath ex officio (it should rather be called in officiosum ) was brought into the Church under him. The Prelates requiring it to discover those which that age esteemed Heretics, and especially, those which they called Lollards, which Master Fox in his Acts and Monuments calls a bloody Law.
In his admonition to his son at his death, he said, Of English men, so long as they have wealth and riches, so long shalt thou have obeisance, but when they be poor, they are always ready to make insurrection at every motion.
All the time of his sickness, his will was to have his Crown set upon his Bolster by him, and one of his fits being so strong upon him, that all men thought him directly dead; the Prince coming in, took away the Crown: when suddenly the King recovering his senses, missed his Crown; and asking for it, was told, the Prince had taken it: whereupon the Prince being called, came back with the Crown, and kneeling down, said: Sir to all our judgments, and to all our griefs, you seemed directly dead, and therefore I took the Crown as being my right: but seeing to all our comforts you live, I here deliver it much more joyfully then I took it, and pray God you may long live to wear it your self.
In his time were the two famous Poets Chaucer and Gower.
None of the sons of Henry the fourth did degenerate: a thing not usual in so large a family. Henry the fifth died gloriously in the pursuit of his conquests, the Duke of Clarence valiantly fighting, and though of a natural death and Gloucester of a violent, yet died they not with less fame then did the others. Biondi his History of the Civil Wars of England, l. 5. in Henry the sixth.
The Duke of Bedford's death is to be numbered among the chiefest causes of the loss of France. He was a prudent Prince, of long experience in Arms and Government, obeyed by his own, feared by his enemies. Id. ibid.
The like Prophesy we read of Pope Sylvester the second, to whom being inquisitive for the time and place where he should die, it was answered that he should die in Jerusalem, who then saying Mass in a Chapel (called likewise Jerusalem. ) perceived his end there to be near, and died.
In this Kings time Guild -Hall in London was built.
Gower being very gracious with him, carried the name of the only Poet in his time.
He and Chaucer were Knights.
The King died in Jerusalem -Chamber in minster in the year of his age forty six.
He reigned thirteen years and a half, wanting five days. Fourteen years say others.
CHAP. XIX.
HENRY the fifth.
HE was just, wise, magnanimous, valiant.
To this noble Prince (by an assent of the Parliament) all the Estates of the Realm after three days, offered to do fealty before he was crowned, or had solemnized his Oath, well and justly to govern the Commonweal, which offer before, was never found to be made to any Prince of England. Stowes Chron.
His young years were spent in literature in the Academy of Oxford, where in Queens -College he was a Student under the tuition of his Uncle Henry Beauford, Chancellor of that University.
When he came to be King, he made Thomas Rodban a famous Astronomer in those days, Bishop of St. David's, and John Carpenter a learned Divine, Bishop of Worcester, having known them both, whilst he lived in the University. The Civil Wars of England by Sir Francis Biondi.
Presently after his Coronation he called before him all his old companions, who had been disorderly with him, strictly charging them, not to presume to come within ten miles of his Court, until such time as they had given good proof of their amendment in manners, and left any of them should pretend want of maintenance to be any cause of their taking ill courses, he gave to everyone of them a competent means whereby to subsist, and instead of them he received the gravest men into his familiarity, in whom he conceived there was the greatest prudence to take counsel, and faith to give it, that he might be helped by their counsels, admonitions, and prudence.
He kept his Lent in the Castle of Kenelworth, and whilst he lay there, messengers came to him from the Dolphin of France named Charles, with a present of Paris -Balls for him to play withal, but the King wrote to him, that he should shortly send to him London -Balls, with which he would throw down Paris Walls. And to make good his promise he raised a great Army, and hastened to France, and landed at Caen in Normandy. Charles the sixth then King of France raised also a mighty Army, and sent a King of Arms to defy him. King Henry desirous to know the numbers of the French, sent forth Captain Game for discovery; who brought word that there were of them enough to kill, and enough to take, and enough to run away. The French were so confident of victory, that they sent to King Henry to know what ransom he would give; but he obtained a great victory over them.
He was surnamed commonly the Alexander of England, because as Alexander the Great conquered the most part of Asia in the space of nine or ten years, so did this Henry conquer France in less then the like time.
The second ornament of the English Nation.
By force of Arms and military prowess maugre the French, he conquered France, and brought Charles the sixth King of France to that extremity, that after a sort he surrendered up his Crown unto him.
Fuit statura corporis quae justam excederet, corpore gracili, membris aequalibus ac validis, facie decorâ, collo oblongo, artis militaris peritissimus; ac ejus gloriâ illustrissimus. Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. 22.
Within the term of five or six years, he brought the better part of France under his obedience.
William Herberts Prophesy of Cadwallader.
He was of marvelous great strength, and passing swift in running, insomuch that he with two other of his Lord's without Hound, Bow, or other engine, would take a wild Buck or Do in a large Park.
He ordained the King of Heralds over the English, which is called Garter.
Never lived English King with more true glory, nor ever died any in a more unseasonable time, nor more lamented.
It was said of him, that he had something in him of Caesar, which Alexander the Great had not, that he would not be drunk, and something of Alexander the Great, which Caesar had not, that he would not be flattered.
The King being certified of his son Henries birth, gave God thanks, for sending him a son, which might succeed in his Crown and Scepter. But when he heard reported the place of his nativity, he said unto the Lord Fitz Hugh his trusty Chamberlain these words: My Lord, I Henry born at Monmouth, shall reign a while, and much get, and Henry born at Windsor, shall long reign, and all lose: but as God will, so be it.
The burden of those Wars lay upon the English men's shoulders, who were at that time rich and mighty, and had a wise, goodly, and valiant King called Henry, accompanied with sage, hardy, and expert Captains, viz. the Earl of Salisbury, Talbot, and others. When God meant to withdraw his goodness from the English men, this wise King died at Bois de Vincennes, and his son who proved but a simple man, was crowned King of France and England, and at Paris. Phil. de Commines.
The Duke of Bedford, third son to King, Henry the fourth, Regent for the English in France fourteen years, having crowned his master Henry the sixth in Paris, died, leaving behind him an honorable witness, even from his enemies, That he was a brave Commander, a true Patriot, and a faithful servant to his Lord and brother Henry the fifth, and to his son Henry the sixth.
He was Regent of France, Duke of Bedford, Alanson, and An •• u, Earl of Main, Richmond, and Kendall, and Constable of England.
King Henry died in France in the ninth year of his Raign 1422. He left to succeed him his only child Prince Henry, about as many months old as his father had reigned years.
HENRY the sixth.
He was proclaimed King when he was about eight months old, his mother brought him to the Parliament in London in her bosom.
He was crowned on the ninth year of his age.
His infancy was mightily supported, by the notable valor and policy of his two Uncles, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, and John Duke of Bedford, to the one was committed the protection of his person and Kingdom, to the other the managing of the War continued in France.
He was a very simple man, and almost an innocent. Philde Commines. l. 3. c. 7.
He was of a seemly stature, of a slender body, and of a beautiful face: in whose best of fortune it was never to prossess more then the name of a King.
What Prophet could have picked out of Mars and Saturn, the manifold mishaps which befell that Prince of blessed memory, King Henry the sixth, sometimes sleeping in a port of honor, sometime floating in the surges of mishap, sometime possessing foreign Crowns, sometimes spoiled and deprived of his own, sometime a Prince, sometime a prisoner, sometime in plight to give succor to the miserable, sometime a fugitive among the desperate? Howards Defensative against the poison of supposed Prophesies. c. 14.
History shows us not an example of a Prince, who in so many vicissitudes, never met with one fully to his advantage.
He was four times taken prisoner, and in the end despoiled both of his Kingdom and life.
He was crowned King of France in Nostre Dame in Paris, receiving the homage and fealty of all the Nobility of France present, and all the Citizens and Inhabitants of that City, and the places adjacent.
He was so continent, that at Christide having a show of young women presented to him bare breasted, he immediately departed with these words;
He willingly pardoned many great offenses. A Ruffian striking him on the face, he only said, Forsooth you are too blame to strike me your anointed King.
He was never observed dejected upon the report of any sad accident: but entertained all afflictions as sent from the Almighty, and absolutely resigned his will to that of heaven.
He founded Eaton -School and Kings College, the Chapel of which last shown the magnificence that the whole should have been of, had their sounder reigned to have finished them himself.
At Towton about four miles from York, the Armies of Edward the fourth and King Henry the sixth met, where was fought the greatest Battle our Stories mention in all these Civil Wars, where both the Armies consisted of above a hundred thousand men, and all of our own Nation.
One day when he was washing his hands at a great Feast, and cast his eye upon his son Henry, then a young youth, he said, This is the Lad, that shall possess quietly that we now strive for. This shown 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 Henry the seventh, before whom at that time there were many lives in being, of both the houses of York and Lancaster; so some: but my Lord Howard in his Defensative against the poison of supposed Prophesies c. 4. seems not wholly to ascribe it to that.
King Henry the seventh after labored his Canonization with the Pope; but that succeeded not: for however the world was assured of his piety, there was much question of his Government.
So Habington a Papist in his History of King Edward the fourth.
Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 24. p. 532. saith thus, Sed morte post statim obita, id officium praestare nequivit.
Cambden in his Britannia in Surrey saith it was Pope Julius, and that the reason why this took no effect was the Popes covetousness, who demanded too great a sum of money for a Kings Canonization, as they term it, so that he might seem ready to grant those kind of honors not for the Princes holiness sake, but for gold.
Sir Francis Bacon in his History of Henry the seventh relates it thus, About this time the King became suitor to Pope Julius the second, to canonize King Henry the sixth for a Saint; the rather in respect of that his famous prediction of the Kings own assumption to the Crown. The Pope referred the matter (as the manner is) to certain Cardinals, to take the verification of his holy acts and miracles; but it died under the reference. The general opinion was, that Pope Julius was too dear, and that the King would not come to his rates. But it is more probable, that the Pope (who was extremely jealous of the dignity of the See of Rome, and of the Acts thereof) knowing that King Henry the sixth was reputed in the world abroad but for a simple man, was afraid it would but diminish the estimation of that kind of honor, if there were not a distance kept between Innocents and Saints.
William Alnwicke Bishop of Lincoln was his Confessor.
Dr. Litchfield in his Raign preached 3083 Sermons.
Never any came to be King so soon after his birth, nor left to be King so long before his death; for he came to be King at eight months old, and he left to be King twelve years before his death.
Holy King Henry, as they call him, was crowned in Paris: yet he lost all on that side before he was a man, as I remember, or soon after, and before his unhappy death he lost this land also, which loss of both came by striving for both.
Richard Duke of Gloucester killed him, that thereby Edward the fourth his brother might be freed from all hostile fear. So Polyd. Virg. and others.
He successively ruled this Land the space of thirty eight years, six months, and four days.
EDWARD the fourth.
He came unto the Kingdom, not by power or justice, but by the people's inclination. Biondi.
He reigned thirty eight years, six months, and odd days, and after his redemption of the Crown, six months. He lived two and fifty years, having by his wife one only so • , called Edward, Prince of Wales.
He was the goodliest Gentleman (saith Commines l. 4. c. 10.) that ever I set mine eye on; and l. 3. c. 5. the beautifullest Prince that lived in his time; but after he grew gross and corpulent, giving himself wholly to pleasures.
He was a fortunate Prince in the field: for he wan at least nine great Battels, fighting himself on foot in everyone of them. Phil. de Com. in his Hist. Book l. 3. c. 4. and 6. p. 188. saith, that King Edward himself told me, that in all Battels that he wan, so soon as he had obtained victory, he used to mount on Horseback, and cry to save the people, and kill the Nobles: for of them few or none escaped. Id. l. 3. c. 5.
In his fourth Book c. 10. he speaks of an interview between King Edward and Lewis the eleventh King of France; the French King after some discourse, said pleasantly, That he should come to Paris to solace himself there with the Ladies, and that he would give him the Cardinal of Bourbon for his Confessor, who would easily assoil him of sin, if any were committed. The King of England took great pleasure in this talk, and answered with a merry countenance: for he knew the Cardinal to be a good fellow.
Never lived Prince whom adversity did more harden to action; and prosperity more soften to voluptuousness. So improvident was his memory, that he forgot the greatest injuries, and resumed the Archbishop of York into favor, not bearing so much as a watchful eye over a reconciled enemy.
The so fatal division between the house of York and Lancaster, with him in a manner had both their birth and growth.
The first fortnight of his Raign was died, I will not say stained, with the blood of Walter Walker a Grocer, who keeping Shop at the Sign of the Crown in Cheapside, said, He would make his son heir to the Crown: a bold jest broke in an evil time: yet do I not side with them, who tax the King of severity in this execution; unless I could clear this man from being particularly factious for the house of Lancaster; or know that those words were uttered in innocent mirth, without any scorn to King Edwards title.
And however perhaps the extraordinary punishment of such saucy language, was not then unnecessary to beget authority, and make men cautious to dispute the descent of Princes, when the question was so nice, and arguments not improbable on either side. Habingtons History of Edward the fourth.
Speed saith his words intended no treason, (the Grocer not once dreaming to touch King Edwards title) yet the time being when the Crown lay at stake, the Law made them his death.
He hearing of a certain prophesy, that G. should dispossess his children of the Crown, was consenting to his death; interpreting G. to be George Duke of Clarence, which fell out to be Gloucester, to whose tyranny he left them by this ungodly means.
He vanquished in nine Battels, himself being present.
The Scene of his fortune had more changes then any King of England yet, except his Competitor.
Lust was reputed his bosom-sin; God severely punished him in his sons, who were both dispossessed of their Kingdom and their lives, by their unnatural Uncle: there being so much appearance of right by their fathers incontinency; that even an Act of Parliament was made to bastardize them.
He was the first of our Kings since the Conquest that married his Subject.
His usual Oath was By God's blessed Lady.
He sat on the Kings Bench in open Court three days together, in Michaelmas Term, anno 〈◊〉 of his Raign, to understand how his Laws were executed.
Have we not seen the late King of England, Edward the fourth of that name, heir of the house of York, utterly destroy the house of Lancaster, under the which both his father and he had lived many years? Farther, the said King Edward having done homage to King Henry the sixth, being of the house of Lancaster, did he not afterward hold him prisoner many years in the Tower of London, the chief City of the Realm, where in the end he was put to death? Phil. de Commines. hist. l. 5. c. 18.
He saith that their King Lewis the eleventh of France, in wisdom and sense far surmounted King Edward.
Lib. 6. c. 2. and l. 5. c. 13. he saith of Lewis, undoubtedly he was one of the wisest and subtilest Princes that lived in his time.
That very day wherein an honorable peace was concluded between Edward the fourth and King Lewis the eleventh, upon subscribed Articles; it chanced a white Dove, as Commines writes, to repose her self upon King Edwards pavilion, whereupon though many gathered an argument, yet since she sat not equally between both the Kings, I like much better of a Gascoines observation, who having been present at the sight, reported unto Philipde Commines, as himself records, that the Dove repaired to King Edwards Tent, only to this intent, to refresh and prune herself after a great rain, because the Sun was warmest there. Howards Defensative c. 24.
Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick was a man of an undaunted courage, but wavering and untrusty, the very Tennice-Ball in some sort, of fortune; who although he were no King, was above Kings, as who deposed King Henry the sixth, (a most bountiful Price to him) from his royal dignity, placed Edward the fourth in the royal Throne, and afterwards put him down too; restored Henry the sixth again to the Kingdom, enwrapped England within the most woeful and lamentable flames of Civil War, which himself at the length hardly quenched with his own blood.
In his spirit, birth, marriage and revenue, he was mighty: which raised his thoughts above proportion.
The greatest and busiest Subject our later age hath brought forth.
Wrought both his own, and others tragedy. Sir Francis Huberts History of Edward the second.
Cecil Dutchess of York, his mother lived in Henry the sevenths Raign, and died at her Castle of Barkhamsted, being of extreme years; who had lived to see three Princes of her body crowned, and four murdered.
He being near his death, told his friends, that if he could as well have foreseen things, as now to his pain he proved them, he would never have worn the courtesy of men's knees, with the loss of so many heads.
He reigned two and twenty years, one month, and five days.
EDWARD the fifth.
He was scarce eleven years old when his father died, and succeeded him in the Kingdom, but not in the Crown; for he was proclaimed King, but never crowned: and indeed it may not so properly be called the Raign of Edward the fifth, as the tyranny of Richard the third.
He hearing that his Uncle had left the name of Protector, and taken upon him the title of King, and was with full consenting of the Lord's to be crowned within a few days following, with the same Crown and in the like Estate as had been provided for his solemnity; the dejected Innocent sighed and said, Alas, I would my Uncle would let me enjoy my life yet, though I lose both my Kingdom and Crown.
He and his brother Richard were murdered in the Tower.
RICHARD the third.
He was king in fact only, but Tyrant both in title and regiment.
He was ill featured of limbs, crook-backed; hard favored of visage, malicious, wrathful, envious. It is for truth reported, that the Dutchess his mother had so much ado in her travail, that she could not be delivered of him uncut: and that he came into the world with the feet forward, and (as the same runneth) also not untoothed, whether men of hatred, report above the truth, or else that nature changed her course in his beginning, which in the course of his life committed many things unnaturally. Buck (that writes his Raign) writes favourably of him, but the Chroniclers generally condemn him.
He was brother to King Edward the fourth; and having most wickedly murdered his Nephews, usurped the Kingdom by the name of King Richard the third: and after two years lost both it and his life in a pitched field.
He slew with his own hands King Henry the sixth, being prisoner in the Tower, as men constantly said, and that without commandment or knowledge of King Edward the fourth, who undoubtedly if he had intended his death, would have appointed that Butcherly office to some other then his own brother.
He slew also that Kings son in the presence of Edward the fourth. Was the contriver of the death of the Duke of Clarence his brother.
He bare a white Bore for his Cognisance.
The Lord Lovell, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, and Sir William Catesby were chief rulers under him: of the which persons was made a seditious Rime, and fastened upon the Cross in Cheapside, and other places of the City. It was this,
A Prince who deserved to be ranked among the worst men, and the best Kings.
Yet Sir Francis Bacon in his History of Henry the seventh saith, that his good Laws were but the brocage of an usurper, thereby to win the hearts of the people, as being conscious to himself that the true obligations of Sovereignty in him failed.
He put to death Hastings.
A greater judgment of God then this upon Hastings, I have never observed in any Story. For the self same day that the Earl Riners, Grey, and others, were (without trial of Law, or ostence given) by Hastings advice executed at Ponfret: I say Hastings himself in the same day, and (as I take it) in the same hour, in the same Lawless manner, had his head stricken off in the Tower of London.
He had little quiet after the murder of his two Nephews in the Tower of London. Sir John Beaumont hath well described Bosworth -field in Verse.
The night before he was slain, he dreamed that he saw divers images of Devils, which pulled and hailed him, not suffering him to take any rest, the which vision stroke him into such a troubled mind, that he began to doubt what after came to pass.
Charles the ninth King of France, after the massacre in Paris, and divers other Cities, (wherein were slaughtered about thirty thousand) never saw good day, but his eyes rolled often, uncertainly in the day with fear and suspicion; and his sleep was usually interrupted in the night with dismal dreams and apparitions.
He being near his end, vomited out blood pitifully by all the conduits of his body, as a just judgment for him that barbarously shed it, throughout all the Provinces of the Realm.
CHAP. XIX.
HENRY the seventh.
THe fourteen Plantagenets thus expiring with Richard the third, five Tudors take their turns in this manner.
- Henry the seventh.
- Henry the eighth.
- Edward the sixth.
- Queen Mary.
- Queen Elizabeth.
They are called Tudors, because Henry the fifth his widow being a French woman, married Owen Tudor, from whom Henry the seventh did lineally descend.
In this Nation, how hath the Crown walked, (even since Christ's birth) from Britain's to Saxons, Danes, Normans, Plantagenets, Tudors, Stuarts. M rs Shawes Tomb-stone.
This King pretended a six-fold title to the Crown: By Conquest, Military election of Soldiers in the fields near Bosworth, by Parliament, by Birth, by Donation, and Marriage. He did never stand upon his marriage with the right heir as the foundation of his right unto the Crown; for he knew well enough, that if that had been his best and only title, though it might make the power good unto his children, yet while she was living, he must hold the Crown in her right, not in his own, and if she died before him, it was lost.
Because he was crowned in the field with King Richards Crown, found in an Hawthorn-Bush, he bare the Hawthorn-Bush with the Crown in it.
He was crowned the thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord 1485, by Thomas Bourehier Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal. At which day, he did institute for the better security of his person, a Band of fifty Archers under a Captain to attend him, by the name of Yeomen of his Guard; and yet that it might be thought to be rather a matter of dignity, after the imitation of that he had known abroad, then any matter of diffidence appropriate to his own case; he made it to be understood for an Ordinance not temporary, but to hold in succession forever after.
Through whose care, vigilancy, policy, and forecasting wisdom for times to come, the State and Commonwealth of England hath to this day stood established and invincible. Camdens Britannia in Surrey.
A politick Prince he was, if ever there were any, who by the engine of his wisdom, beat down and overturned as many strong oppositions both before and after he wore the Crown, as ever King of England did.
Whose worthy renown like the Sun in the midst of his sphere, shineth, and ever shall shine in men's remembrance! What incomparable circumspection was in him always found, that notwithstanding his long absence out of this Realm, the disturbance of the same by sundry seditions among the Nobility, Civil Wars and Battels, wherein infinite people were slain, yet by his most excellent wit, he in few years, not only brought this Realm in good order and under due obedience, revived the Laws, advanced justice, refurnished his dominions, and repaired his mannours, but also with such circumspection treated with other Princes and Realms, of leagues, of alliance, and amities, that during the most part of his Raign, he was little or nothing disquieted with War hostile or martial business. And yet all other Princes either feared him or had him in fatherly reverence.
He could never endure any mediation in rewarding his servants, and therein exceeding wise: for whatsoever himself gave, he himself received back the thanks and the love; on the contrary, in whatsoever he grieved his Subjects, he wisely put it off on those, that he found fit ministers for such actions.
By his happy marriage (being next heir to the house of Lancaster ) with Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward the fourth of the house of York, the white and red Roses were conjoined. Sir Francis Bacon saith of John Morton Archbishop of Canterbury, Chancellor of England and Cardinal. He deserveth a most happy memory in that he was the principal means of joining the two Roses.
From the twenty eighth year of Henry the sixth unto the fifteenth of Henry the seventh, the Civil War between Lancaster and Y •• ke continued, wherein, as they reckoned, there were thirteen fields fought, three Kings of England, one Prince of Wales, twelve Dukes, one M • rquesse, eighteen Earls, with one Viscount and twenty three Barons, besides Knights and Gentlemen lost their lives. Cambd. Brit. in Warwickeshire.
The King (in honor of the British race, of which himself was) named his first son Arthur, according to the name of that ancient worthy King of the Britons; in whose acts there is truth enough to make him famous, besides that which is fabulous.
King Arthur fought twelve Battels with the Saxons and overthrew them. Hollinsh.
Arthurus belliger illis temporibus dux militum & Regum Brittanniae contra Saxons invictissime pugnabat, duodecies dux belli fuit, duodecies victor bellatorum. Hunting. hist. l. 2.
That Arthur was one of the nine Worthies. There were three Jews, Joshua, David, Judas Maccabaeus; three Gentiles, Hector of Troy, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar; three Christians, Arthur of Britain, Charlemain of France, and Godfrey of Boleyn.
Arthur ursum significat, quasi ursinum diceres. Burhillus in MS.
The Prince Arthur died before his father, and lieth buried in the Choir of the Cathedral Church at Worcester.
After was born to the King at Greenwich the Lord Henry his second son, which was created Duke of York, and after Prince of Wales, who succeeded his father in governance of this Realm, by the name of Henry the eighth.
His time did excel for good Commonwealths Laws; so as he may justly be celebrated for the best Law-giver to this Nation, after King Edward the first. For his Laws (who so marks them well) are deep, and not vulgar: not made upon the Spur of a particular occasion for the present; but out of providence of the future, to make the estate of his people still more and more happy; after the manner of the Legislators in ancient and heroical times.
The Tax (called Benevolence) was devised by Edward the fourth, for which he sustained much envy. It was abolished by Richard the third by Act of Parliament, to ingratiate himself with the people; and it was revived by this King, but with consent of Parliament, for so it was not in the time of King Edward the fourth.
It is observed as a rule in Politicks, that Dominium sequitur terram, those that are the greatest proprietaries, have the chief power, as in Turkey, because none there holds any land but during his life; therefore the great Turk hath such unlimited power, and so the Barons were able (they say) to ma • e War with their Prince, because the land was most in their and their Tenants possession. Henry the seventh therefore being raised by the Nobles, conceiving, that those which exalted him might cast him down, did abate their power, and made Statutes against Retainers. But Henry the eighth demolishing the Abbeys, distributed the lands among the people, and so they again gained great power by that means.
He made a composition with Philip, father to the Emperor Charles the fifth, being here in England, that he should deliver into his hands, the Duke of Suffolk, his mortal enemy, who was fled out of England, and saved himself in the Low Countries, always provided that the King should attempt nothing against the Dukes life; which promise notwithstanding, being ner his end, he expressly by will and testament commanded his succeeding son, that immediately after his decease, he should cause him to be put to death. Montaigne his Essays. l. 1. c. 7.
There scarce passed any Parliament in this time, without a Law against Riot and Retainers, the King having an eye to might and multitude.
The King was on a time entertained by the Earl of Oxford (that was his principal servant, both for war and peace) nobly and sumptuously, at his Castle at Henninghom. At the Kings going away, the Earls servants stood (in a seemly manner) in their Livery Coats, with cognizances, ranged on both sides, and made the King a Lane. The King called the Earl to him, and said; My Lord, I have heard much of your hospitality, but I see it is greater then the speech. These handsome Gentlemen and Yeomen, which I see on both sides of me, are sure your meniall servants. The Earl smiled, and said; It may please your Grace, that were not for mine ease. They are most of them my Retainers, they are come to do me service at such time as this, and chiefly to see your Grace. The King started a little, and said; By my faith (my Lord) I thank you for my good cheer, but I may not endure to have my Laws broken in my sight. My Attorney must speak with you. The Earl after compounded for a thousand marks.
His disposition to crush treasure out of his Subjects purses, by forfeitures upon penal Laws, proved the blot of his time.
When among many Articles exhibited by the Irish against the Earl of Kildare, the last was: All Ireland cannot rule this Earl. Then (quoth the King) shall this Earl rule all Ireland; and shortly after he made him Deputy thereof.
James the fourth King of Scotland married with the Lady Margaret, the Kings eldest daughter. During the Treaty, it is reported, that the King remitted the matter to his Counsel. And that some of the Table in the Freedom of Counselors (the King being present) did put the case; that if God should take the Kings two sons without issue, that then the Kingdom of England would fall to the King of Scotland, which might prejudice the Monarchy of England. Whereunto the King himself replied; That if that should be, Scotland would be but an accession to England, and not England to Scotland, for that the greater would draw the less: and that it was a safer union for England, then that of France.
This was the ninth time, that since the Conquest, the Scottish Kings have married with the English Nation. Ayscu.
He left at his death most of it in secret places, under his own Key and keeping, at Richmond, the sum of near eighteen hundred thousand pounds sterling; a huge mass of money, even for these times.
His son Henry the eight by his pleasures, by unprofitable Wars exhausted all that treasure in a few of the first years of his Raign.
He died at his Palace at Richmond which himself had built, having lived two and fifty years, and reigned three and twenty years, and eight months.
HENRY the eighth.
Seven is a number fatal from the heavens. But eight King Henry passing all the sevens. Storers Wolseius aspirans.
Of personage he was tall and mighty, and in his latter years somewhat gross, in wit and memory excellent, such majesty and humanity as was comely in such a Prince.
Cui natura fortuna{que} supra Regium nomen, incomparabilis formae & maxim praestantis ingenii accumulata dona contulerunt: nemo enim e tota Anglica juventute, vel staturae dignitate, vel venustate oris, vel nervorum firmitate Regem aequavit. Paul. Jov. Britanniae descript.
It hath been observed by Historians, of Tiberius Emperor of Rome; of Mahomet the Great, Emperor of the Turks; and of Henry the eight, King of England; that there was no security in their love, but that such as were highest in their favor, were nearest to ruin.
He brought unto the block two Queens two noble Ladies, one Cardinal declared; of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, and the sons of Earls, no fewer then twelve; Lord's and Knights eighteen of Abbots and Priors thirteen; Monks, and religious persons, about seventy seven, and many more of both Religions, to a very great number. Dr. Heylins Ecclesia Restaurata.
That is a tart expression of Sir Walter Rauleigh in his Preface to his History of the world. If all the pictures and patterns of a merciless Prince were lost in the world, they might all again be painted to life out of the Story of this King. How many wives did he cut off, and cast off, as his fancy and affection changed.
When he was ready to give accompt to God for the abun • ance of blood already spilled, and knew he was no longer able to live, he imprisoned the Duke of Norfolk the father, signed a Warrant for the execution of the Earl of Surrey his son, within nine days after he himself expired.
Maximilian the Emperor was retained by him as his soldier.
He not only wore the Cross of St. George, but received his pay duly, viz. a hundred Crowns per diem. L. Herbert in Hen. the 8 ths life.
The Raign of this King continued with great nobleness and fame the space of thirty eight years. During whose time and Raign was great alteration of things, as well to the Civil State of the Realm, as especially to the State Ecclesiastical, and matters to the Church appertaining. For by him was exiled and abolished out of the Realm, the usurped power of the Bishop of Rome, idolatry and superstition somewhat repressed, images defaced, Abbeys and Monasteries pulled down, sects of Religion rooted out, Scriptures reduced to the knowledge of the vulgar tongues, and the state of the Church and Religion redressed. Fox his Acts and Monuments, vol. 2. p. 63. See B. Bedells Examinat. of Wadsworths motives c. 10.
He was much addicted to the reading of Thomas Aquinas, and was therefore (as some think) called by Luther Thomisticus, acerrimus ingeniorum aestimator. Had. Jun. Epist. D. Dilso.
He wrote a volume against Luther in defense of Pardons, the Papacy, and the supposed seven Sacraments. Of this Work the original is yet remaining in the Vatican at Rome, and with his own hand, thus inscrib'd;
Anglorum Rex Henricus Leoni 10. mittit hoc opus & fidei testem & amicitiae Whereupon saith Sleidan, Pontifex honorisicum Regi cognomen tribuit, Defensorem appellans Ecclesiae, which is the same with Defender of the faith. This title was given him about the twelfth year of his Raign. Vide Polyd. Virg. Ang. hist. l. 27. p. 664.
His fool coming unto the Court, and finding the King transported with an unusual joy, boldly asked him the cause thereof, To whom the King answered, It was because the Pope honored him with a style more eminent then any of his Ancestors; Good Harry (quoth he) let thou and I defend one another, and let the faith alone to defend itself.
Fisher was not the Author of King Henry his Book against Luther (as Sanders and Bellarmine will have it) nor Sir Thomas More (as others say) though I doubt not but they might both revise it by the Kings favor, and where it was needful also interpose their judgment.
Many thought that was compiled by Sir Thomas More, some by the Bishop of Rochester, and others (not without cause) suspected it to be the work of some other great Scholar. Godwins Annals of England.
The Pope excommunicating him, he fell off from the Pope.
Luther in an Epistle to the King saith thus, Verum etiam quód fide dignis testibue didici, libellum sub majestatis tuae nomine in me editum, non esse Regis Angliae, ut videri volebant subdoli sophistae, qui majestatis tuae titulo abusi, non senserunt quantum sibi ipsis periculum in Regia ignominia pararent: praesertim illud monstrum, & publicum odium Dei & hominum Cardinalis Eboracensis, pestis illa regni tui. The King in his Answer to this Epistle affirms it to be his. I am quantumvi • te fingas credere, editum à me libellum, non esse meum, sed meo nomine subornatum à sophistis subdolis, tamen & meum esse multi majori fide digni, quàm sunt tuâ illi fide digni testes cognoscunt: & ego quanto tibi minus placet, tanto magis libenter agnosco.
He caused to be put into the Liturgy, Ab Episcopy Romani tyrannide & detestandis enormitatibius, libera nos Domine, heroica animi magnitudine imbelles pontificum bullas, & instatas execrationibus buccas despicatui habuit. Renigerus de Pii quinti & Gregorii decimi tertii Romanorum pontificum furoribus.
He thrust out the Popes Supremacy, that he might be revenged of the Pope, who would not allow of his divorce from his first wife, but he continued much of the Popish Religion, and made six Articles called a whip with six strings, which were the death of many godly men, being persuaded thereto by Bishop Gardener.
There is a story of one, who seeing then both Papists hanged for traitors, because they opposed the Kings Supremacy, and Protestants burned for heretics, in regard they denied the six Articles, cried out, What Religion is there here in England? whereupon one asked him, What Religion he was of; he answered, He was of the Kings Religion.
Nor was that boisterous King so much to blame in dissolving material Temples or houses (rather abused then consecrated to superstition) as he was, after this Reformation (if so it may be called) in destroying so many living Temples of God, which sought not the dissolution of his Kingdom, nor any other Reformation of him and his people, save only the clearing and purifying of their hearts and breasts, (which had been consecrated unto God's service) from the infection of Romish superstition and idolatry. Dr. Jackson's Commentary on the Creed, l. 11. c. 38.
He was counted the common Umpire of Christendom.
He exceeded all his Progenitors in setting up sumptuous houses.
He confirmed Christ -Church in Oxford, and erected Trinity -College in Cambridge.
The professors of the Hebrew and Greek tongues were first instituted by him in both the Universities. Sit Rich. Bakers Chron.
In running at Tilt and such exercises, he overcame the rest.
Cum lectissimi equites Cataphracti in lud • cro spectaculo infestis hastis concurrerent, tanta art id bellici vigoris munus implebat, ut ei proposita victoribus pr • mia integra populi judicio, saepissime deferrentur. Paul. Jov. Brit. descript.
He could not only sing his part, but of himself compose a Service of four five and six parts. Eras. in farrag. in Epist.
Finding fault with the disagreement of Preachers, he would often say, Some are too stiff in their old Mumpsimus, and others too busy and curious in their new Sumpsimus.
King Ine out of his devotion to the See of Rome, enjoined everyone of his Subjects, that possessed in his house of any one kind of goods to the value of nineteen penes, to pay yearly upon Lammas day, one penny to the Pope, which at first was contributed under the name of the Kings alms, but afterwards was paid by the name of Peter -pence.
The Pope of Rome had out of every Chimney of England, Ireland, and Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall, a penny a year, for five hundred years together.
Omnis qui habet triginta denariatas vivae pecuniae in domo sua de proprio suo Anglorum lege dabit denarium sancti Petri. Hoved. Annal. pars posterior. p. 603.
King Henry first forbad this to be paid to the Pope.
There preached one before him whose Sermon the King liked not, as there was reason; the King willed Sir Thomas More then being Lord Chancellor, to give the Preacher thanks worthy such a Sermon. He being a man of a pleasant wit, spake aloud to the Preacher, that the King might hear, and said, The Kings Majesty thanketh you for your notable Sermon: which when the King heard, he called Sir Thomas to him, and said, What mean you my Lord to give such thanks in our name? If it like you, quoth he, there be some things notable evil.
It is a note worthy to be remembered, that Thursday hath been a fatal day to King Henry the eight, and all his posterity; for himself died on Thursday the twenty eighth of January; King Edward on Thursday the sixth of July; Queen Mary on Thursday the seventeenth of November; and Queen Elizabeth on Thursday the twenty fourth of March.
After Dr. Collets Sermon preached to him, and long communication with him by occasion thereof, he dismissed him with these words, Lot everyone have his Doctor as he liketh, this shall be my Doctor.
Being necessitous, he was offered by the House of Commons in a Parliament toward his latter end, all the lands and houses of the two famous Universities, to be confiscated to his Exchequer, by a most mechanic prostitution of the learning, the honor, and the piety of the Nation: but he told them not without a just scorn, that he had too much of a Scholar in him, to destroy two such Universities as the world had not the like.
His purpose was (if he had lived) to have made a perfect Reformation of Religion saith Mr. Fox in his second Volume of his Acts and Monuments o • the Church. p. 647. and he gives there two reasons of his opinion. But the secret working (saith he) of God's holy providence, which disposeth all things after his own wisdom and purpose, thought it good rather by taking the King away, to reserve the accomplishment of this Reformation of his Church to the peaceable time of his son Edward, and Elizabeth his daughter, whose hands were yet undefiled with any blood, and life unspotted with any violence or cruelty.
Cardinal Woolsey, and after him Archbishop Cranmer were in great favor with him, Sir Thomas Moor and the Lord Cromwell were also highly esteemed by him.
Francis King of France after the death of King Henry the eight, was much disposed to melancholy, whether for that he being some years the younger, was by his death admonished of the like approaching fate. They were also of so conspiring a similitude of disposition and nature, that you shall hardly find the like between any two Princes of whatever different times. He celebrated the Funerals of King Henry in the Cathedral at Paris, though excommunicated by the Pope.
Many learned men lived in his days, John Collet Dean of Paul's, and founder of the School there; William Lily the first Schoolmaster of Paul's School, after it was erected; Thomas Linacer or rather Linaker, a learned Physician, and well seen in the tongues; Richard Pace a good Linguist; John Fisher Bishop of Rochester; Sir Thomas More an excellent Scholar; John Frith and William Tyndale, Robert Barns Martyrs; Robert Wakefield a good Linguist; Sir Thomas Eliot; Edward Lee Archbishop of York; John Leland a great Antiquary; William Grocin very expert in Greek and Latin; Hugh Latimer Bishop and Martyr, who hath put out an elegant Oration in Latin, thus entitled, Hugonis Latimeri Anglicani pontificis Oratio, apud totum Ecclesiasticum Conventum, antequam consultatio publica iniretur, de Regni statu per Evangelium reformando, Regni invictissimi Regis Henrici 8 • , 6 • anno vigessimo octavo habita; where he speaks of many things fit then to be reformed; and well concludes, Si nihil est emendandum in communi, saltem emendemus nos ipsos singuli.
He reigned thirty seven years, and nine months, and died in the six and fiftieth year of his life, leaving behind him three children, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth, all which also reigned after him.
EDWARD the sixth.
Next after the death of King Henry, succeeded King Edward his son, being of the age of nine years. A Prince although but tender in years, yet for his sage and mature ripeness in wit and all Princely ornaments, as I see but few to whom he may not be equal, so again I see not many to whom he may not justly be preferred. Fox▪ his Acts & Monuments of the Church. vol. 2. p. 65 2. He fitly compares him there to good Josiah. Favor and love (saith he) of Religion was in him from his childhood; such an Organ given of God to the Church of England he was, as England had never better. Id. ib.
All King Henries issue for themselves in their several kinds, were Princes of eminent virtue.
As Henry the eighth with Solomon was blame-worthy for women, so he left but one son and two daughters. Solomon had Rehoboam, a fool and unfortunate: his daughters but obscure, and both of them Subjects. But Henry was more happy in Edward his son, another Josiah; and his sisters both Sovereigns of an Imperial Crown. Speed.
Lever compares him to Josiah in several respects.
He was born at Hampton -Court, on the twelfth day of October anno 1537, being the only surviving son of King Henry the eight, by Jane his third wife, daughter to Sir John Seymer Knight.
It hath been commonly reported, and no less generally believed, that Prince Edward being come unto the birth, and there wanting natural strength to be delivered, his mothers body was ripped open, to give him a passage into the world, and that she died of the Incision in a short time after.
Whence this Epitaph was made upon her. Phoenix Jana jacet, nato Phoenicia: dolendum Saecula Phaenices nulla tulisse duos.
Alluding to the Crest of her father, a Phenix in flames within a Crown.
Yet Dr. Heylin in his Ecclesia restaurata saith, there are many reasons to evince the contrary, that he was not so born.
The other was not more poetically then truly written, he being, considering his years, an admirable President for all ages, of piety, learning, clemency, magnanimity, wisdom and care in governing his people.
As Julius Caesar in the midst of his greatest actions, wrote an exact and curious Commentary of his notable enterprises by Arms: so King Edward during all the time of his Raign, but most especially towards the end, kept a most judicious Journal of all the most principal passages of the affairs of his estate.
In his childhood, being about to take down something, which seemed to be above his reach, one of his fellows offered him a bossed plated Bible to stand upon, and heighten him for taking that which he desired. But he perceiving it to be a Bible, with holy indignation resused it, and sharply reproved him that made the offer. A strong assurance of that dear esteem and veneration, in which he held that sacred Book in his riper years. Dr. Heylins History of Edward the sixth.
He hath this observation in his Diary, the original of which is in the hands of Sir Thomas Cotton.
At the sixth year of my age, I was brought up in learning by Dr. Coxe, who was after my Almner, and John Cheek Master of Arts, two well learned men, who sought to bring me up in learning of tongues, of the Scripture, of Philosophy, and all liberal Sciences. Also John Belmain French man, did teach me the French tongue.
He was anointed King at Westminster, by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, being of the age of nine years.
A Prince of great devotion, constancy of mind, love of the truth, and incredibly studious. Godwins Annals of England.
He knew all the principal Ports in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and other Countries not far distant, how they lay, when the tide served, what vessels of burden they could receive, and what winds served for entrance.
He reformed Religion.
He caused Images and all monuments of Idolatry to be destroyed, and a great Bible in English to be set up in every Church.
He was in body beautiful, of a sweet aspect, and specially in his eyes, which seemed to have a starry liveliness and luster in them. He would answer Ambassadors sometime upon the sudden, either in French or Latin. He could call all Gentlemen of account through his Kingdom by their names.
When John Butcher (a blasphemous Heretic) was to be burned; all the Counsel could not procure him to set his hand to the Warrant. Wherefore they employed Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, to deal privily with him for his subscription. But the King remained firm both in reason and resolution, affirming, that he would not drive her headlong to the Devil: but because Heretics for the most part have a strain of madness, he thought it best to apply her with some corporal chastisements, which with respite of time might happily reduce her to good order. The Archbishop was violent both by persuasions and entreaties, and when with mere importunity he had prevailed, the King in subscribing his name, said, that he would lay all the charge thereof upon the Archbishop before God. Not many years passed, but this Archbishop also felt the smart of the fire, and it may be, that by his importunity for blood, he did offend, for a good thing is not good, if it be immoderately desired.
A Miller who had been busy in rebellion against the King, knowing the danger, willed his man to take the name of the master, if any inquired after him. Sir Anthony Kingston Provost Martial came to the Mill, and calling for the master, the man in his name presented himself, who strait commanded him to the Gallows; the servant then seeing the danger of death, confessed he was not the master, but the man. Well, said the Knight, thou canst never do thy master better service, then to hang for him, and thereupon trusted him up in the next tree
The Lord Protector in his days marched with a powerful Army into Scotland, to demand their Queen Mary in marriage to our King, according their promises. The Scots refusing to do it, were beaten by the English in Musleborough fight. One demanding of a Scotch Lord taken prisoner, Now Sir, how do you like our Kings marriage with your Queen? I always (quoth he) did like the marriage, but I do not like the wooing, that you should fetch a Bride with fire and sword.
The Kings Uncles, Edward -Duke of Somerset, Protector of his person, Realms and Dominions, and Thomas Lord Seymour Baron of • udley the younger, high Admiral of England, were both beheaded. Strife between their wives about place and precedency, caused the death of their husbands, and the death of the young King followed speedily after. Sir Thomas Seymour Admiral, and the younger brother, married the Queen Dowager, whose hap it was of all the rest to survive her husband. She contested with her sister in law for priority of place: both were privately encouraged; neither would give way to the other. The one claimed it as she had been once Queen, the other challenged it as she was the present wife of the Protector. The wives set their husbands at odds, and their enemies took hold of this advantage. The Admiral was shortly questioned for treason, by consent of his brother condemned in Parliament, and lost his head. In the same month was the Protector committed to the Tower by the Lord's of the Counsel, and after beheaded.
In this Kings days, when Bonner was kept in prison, reverend Ridley having his Bishopric of London, would • ever go to dinner at Fulham, without the company of Bonners mother and sister; the former always sitting in a Chair at the upper end of the Table. These guests were as constant as Bread and Salt to the Board, no meal could be made without them.
He died in the seventh year of his Princely Government, in the sixth of July, anno 1553. Some write that he was poisoned.
The death of this Prince was lamented of all the godly within Europe, for the graces given unto him of God, as well of nature, as of erudition and godliness, passed the measure that accustomably is used to be given to other Princes in their greatest perfection, and yet exceeded he not sixteen years of age. Knoxe his Ecclesiastical Hist. of Scotland. l. 1. p. 97. I wonder that Doctor Heylin in his Epistle before his Ecclesia Restaurata should say therefore, Whose death I cannot reckon for an infelicity to the Church of England.
Cardan made this Epitaph of him.
It is to this day a question both how this King died, and where he was •• ried.
Queen IANE.
The Lady Jane Gray, whom King Edward had declared for his next Successor, was eldest daughter of Henry Lord Gray, Duke of Suffolk, Her mother was the Lady France 's daughter; and in fine, one of the co-heirs of Charles Brandon, the late Duke of Suffolk, by Mary his wife, Queen Dowager to Lewis the twelfth of France, and youngest daughter of King Henry the seventh, Grandfather to King Edward now deceased.
She spake the Latin and Greek tongues, with as sweet a fluency, as if they had been natural, and native to her; exactly skilled in the liberal Sciences, and perfectly well studied both kinds of Philosophy.
She was most zealously affected to the true Protestant Religion, then by Law established.
She was urged by her near friends to accept of the Crown.
Her Raign was but nine days: her life not twice so many years, as she reigned days.
Ascham, Ann • Maria Schurman, Master Fox, and others, speak of her rare accomplishments.
Queen MARY.
It is a question much agitated, of the rule of women, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , An licita? Bodius on Ephes. 5. 22. dislikes it. Bodin de Republica l. 6. c. 5. & method. Hist. c. 6. much opposeth it. He lames us for suffering Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth to reign, and saith, we violated therein not only the Law of God, but the law of nature and Nations.
knoxe also writes against it.
Danaus a French man in his Book de H • mine c. 33. saith, It is lawful. He quotes A •• . 8. 27. 1 King. 10. and commends the Raign of Zen • b • ia Queen of the Arabians, a • d Elizabeth Queen of England, and John Queen of Navarre, as happy and lasting.
There is a choice Manuscript in Arch. in Oxford Library styled, A dutiful defense of the lawful regiment of women, written by my Lord Howard.
The Suffolk men first resorted to her, promising her their aid and help, so that she would not attempt the alteration of Religion established by her brother, which she agreed unto, but broke her promise, and that Diocese tasted the sharpest persecution under her Raign.
So well inclined was she of herself, that had not the zeal of her Religion, and the authority of Church men overswayed her own disposition, the flames of their consuming fires had not mounted so high.
She was crowned by Steven Gardener Bishop of Winchester, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York being then prisoners in the Tower.
Within the compass of less then four years continuance, there died for the testimonial of their conscience in this case, two hundred seventy and seven persons, without regard of degree, sex, or age. In the heat of whose flames were consumed five Bishops, one and twenty Divines, eight Gentlemen, eighty four Artificers, one hundred Husbandmen, servants, and laborers, twenty six wives, twenty widows, nine virgins, two boys, and two Infants.
There being consultation at the Counsel-board what to do with the Lady Elizabeth, Gardener said, My Lord's, we have but all th • while been 〈◊〉 ripping off the leaves, and now and then lopped a branch; but till such time as we strike at the root of heresy (meaning the Lady Elizabeth) nothing to, purpose can be effected. God forbid (replied the Spaniards) that our King and Master should once conceive a thought to consent unto such a mischief. They thence solicited the King on her behalf, and he favored her, and set her free at last.
The worst that can be said of her, is this, that she was ill principled, and the best, that she acted according to her principles.
Judge Morgan who in her Raign gave sentence of death against the Lady Jane Gray, presently after her death fell mad, and in his ravings continually cried, Take away the Lady Jane from me, and in that horror shortly ended his life.
She was learned.
Ludovicus Vives A Spaniard was sometimes her Teacher. He came to England with Queen Kahterine her mother.
She lost Calais, which had been a long time before in the possession of the Engllish; and said if she were opened, they would find that next her heart: pray it was that a paltry Town should lie where Christ should should have lain.
At the loss of Calai when a proud French man tauntingly demanded, When will ye fetch Calais again? An English Captain gravely answered, Qu • ndo peccata vestra erunt nostris g •• vior • , When your sins shall weigh down ours.
The Lord Cor •• s Governor of Picardy under the French King said, That he would be content to lie in Hell seven years, so he might win Calais from the English. The keeping of it indeed was chargeable to the English, but yet it was very advantageous to them. While they kept it they had a door open into France upon all occasions, and therefore it is commonly said, That they carried the keys of France at their Girdles.
Of all since the Conquest her Raign was the shortest, only excepting that of Richard the Tyrant, but much more bloody then was his.
She reigned five years, and four months, wanting two days only.
She lieth buried in Westminster without any Monument or remembrance at all.
Queen ELIZABETH.
She was born at Greenwich on the seventh of September 15 • 3. Her father was Henry the eighth King of England, her mother Anne Bulloin, whose love to the pure Religion cost her her life.
Amabat Regina puram veràm{que} Religionem, & haec illi res odium, nox necem peperit. Adolphi à Dans vita Elizabethae.
The Archbishop Cranmer her Godfather was everywhere chary and tender over her, as one that at the Font had took charge upon him to see her educated in all virtue and piety.
What Prince was ever more sage in her Counsel, or more solemn in her Government, or more advised in her favors and f • owns? Dr. Gaudens Eccles. Anglie. Suspiria l. 4. c. 22.
Before the age of seventeen years she was skilled in Latin, French, Italian, and in the Greek indifferent well. Neither did she neglect music, both singing and playing on instruments very sweetly and artificially, for so much as became a Prince. With Roger Ascham who governed her studies, she read over Melanchthon's common places, Cicero entire, a great part of Livies History▪ some select Orations of Isocrates (whereof two she translated into Latin) Sophocles Tragedies, and the New Testament in Greek, by which means she both furnished her speech with elegant language, and her mind with wholesome precepts, referring her learning rather to practice and conversation, then ostentation and pomp, yet was she in a manner for learning a miracle among the Princes of her age.
In one and the same day she answered three Ambassadors of great Princes, the one in Latin, the other in French, and the third in Italian.
I have seen a Book (which is in Zion -College) wherein divers sentences were turned out of English into Latin and Italian, and some translated out of French by Queen Elizabeth, and written with her own hand, in the life time of her father, and sent to her brother Prince Edward for a new years gift, she being at that time not above thirteen years of age.
Abraham Hartwell in his Regina literata written in Verse, speaks of Queen Elizabeth's coming and doings at Cambridge.
She was honourably received in Kings College, where she lay during her continuance there.
At the breaking up of the Divinity Act there, she made within St. Mary's Church a notable Oration in Latin, beginning thus, Etsi faeminilis iste 〈◊〉 us pudor, &c. See Dr. Heylins Ecclesia restaurata. p. 163, 164. Vide Hadriani Juni • Epist. Elizabethae Angliae Reginae inter Epistolas suas. p. 544.
She was of personage tall, of hair and complexion fair, and therewith well favored, but high nosed, of limbs and feature neat, and which added to the luster of those exterior graces, of stately and majestic come • ortment.
She was crowned in St. Peters Church in Westminster, by Dr. Oglethorp Bishop of Carlisle, according to the Order of the Roman Pontifical.
There was great speech of a match between her and a French Monsieur the Duke of Alencon, of which he had great hopes, being ignorant (as Bernardine Mendoza wrote from London to the Prince of Parma ) Reginam singulis annis sponsam esse, nunquam vero nuptam, That the Queen was every year a Spouse, but never married.
The silencing and ejection of Ministers in her days, Reformation being newly begun, and the enemies to it many, the friends and those that faithfully engaged few: was looked upon by the godly prudent of that age, as very unseasonable, because of the scarcity of preachers at that time. Beams of former Light. c. 7.
She had so great a command over her appetite, that her brother Edward usually called her by no other name, but his sweet sister Temperance*. She was so far from pressing her Subjects with Impositions, that when the Parliament once offered her a great sum of money, she refused a great part thereof, giving them thanks, and adding withal, that the money was as sure in her Subjects Co •• ers as her own.
A Prince above her sex of a manly courage and high conceit, who lively resembled as well the royal qualities of her Grandfather, as she did his princely presence and countenance, the worlds love and joy of Britain. A Virgin for the space of forty four years so ruled the royal Scepter, as that her Subjects loved her, enemies feared her, and everyone with admiration honored her.
She was about seventy years old when she died.
A most gracious and excellent Prince, worthy of superlative praise for her most wise and politick government of the Commonwealth, and for her heroic virtues far above that sex.
In Queen Elizabeth, besides her sex, there was nothing woman-like or weak. Sclater. Yet S • nders calleth her Lupam Anglicanam; Rhiston Leaenam nostram, omnes Athalias, Maachas, Jezabeles, Herodiades superantem.
The very Heathen and Mohammedans, the Persians and Idolaters, the Ethiopians and Muscovites do name her with reverence.
Balsac in his second Book of Letters, Letter 1. to my Lord Cecil saith, Even he that excommunicated her, spake of herwith honor.
Some think my Lord of Essex his death, and the long concealing of the message he sent to her, when discovered, occasioned a deep melancholy first, and after her death. Osborn in his Miscellanies saith, No act of hers was registered so contrary to the grain of her own people, as the death of the Earl. Others say, the death of the Queen of Scots.
In her time the pure interest of England was the protection of Protestants, and War with Spain.
For her merciful returning home certain Italians, which were taken prisoners in the eighty eight Invasion, she was termed Saint Elizabeth by some at Venice. One told the Lord Carleton being there Ambassador, that although he were a Papist, yet he would never pray to any other Saint, but the Saint Elizabeth. Mr. Trap on Ezra • c. 1.
My Lord Howard in his Manuscript in Oxford Library (a learned piece worthy to be published) styled, A dutiful defense of the lawful regiment of women, dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, quotes divers Papists commending her.
In his Defensative against the poison of supposed Prophesies, c. 16. he saith thus, When divers (upon greater scrupulosity then cause) went about to dissuade her Majesty (lying then at Richmond) from looking on the Comet which appeared last; with a courage answerable to the greatness of her state, she caused the window to be set open, and cast out this word, Jacta est alea, The Dice are thrown. Affirming that her steadfast hope and confidence was too firmly planted in the providence of God, to be blasted, or affirighted with those beams, which either had a ground in nature whereupon to rise, or at least no warrant out of Scripture to pretend the mi • haps of Princes.
She equalled the best of her Predecessors, and in learned endowments excelled them all. A wise man that was an eye witness of many of her actions, and of those which succeeded her, many times hath said, That a Courtier might make a better meal of one good look from her, then of a good gift from some other King.
The Parliament having been a month, Queen Elizabeth sent for Mr. Popham, the Speaker of the House, and asked him, What past since they sat? He answered, Just twenty eight days.
Much might be said of her prosperity.
1. She was advanced to the Regal Throne, from a private and adverse fortune.
The more happy was her Government, because it ensued upon the stormy times of Queen Mary. She came as a fresh Spring after a sharp Winter, and brought the Ship of England from a troublous and tempestuous Sea, to a safe and quiet harbor.
Though the Author of Jerusalem and Babel saith, she professed herself a Catholic during the Raign of her sister, and speaks of the Duke of Feria 's Letter to King Philip yet to be seen; wherein is certified that the Queen had given him such assurance of her belief, and in particular concerning the point of real presence, that for his part he could not believe, she intended any great alteration in Religion; yet I suppose he wrongs her therein, as he doth Dr. Reynolds likewise, in saying, that he framed that combat which he published between himself and Mr. Hart, at his own pleasure.
Anti-Sanderus in his second Dialogue saith thus, Non solum nobilium potentissimos, sed & Episcopos omnes, à quorum aliquo juxta priscam Angliae consuetudinem ungi & coronari debuit, factio Pontificia sic abripuerat, ut cam, quod Lutherano dogmate tingi crederetur, solennitatibus illis usitatis decorare ad tempus procacissime recusaverint. Vide plura ibid. p. 179. Tot magnatibus in Anglia tempore Reginae Mariae deficientibus, animose perstitere Elizabetha postea Regina, & Johanna Graia. Voet. Sel. Theol. Disputat. part. 3.
Her time produced a world of refined wits and excellent spirits, who honored Poesie with their pens and practice, Edua • d Earl of Oxford, the Lord 〈…〉 H • nry Lord Pa • et, our Phoenix the No le S • Ph ••• ip Sidney, Mr. Edward Dyer, Mr. E • m • nd Spenser, Mr. Samuel Daniel, with sundry others. Peach • ms complete Gentleman. c. 10.
Those were the ablest, and most accomplished, that were tutored by both fortunes. Such was with us, King Henry the seventh; and with the French, Lewis the twelfth, the former of which excelled in prudence, the other in justice During the Raign of her brother, her estate was most prosperous and flourishing; during the Raign of her sister, very tempestuous and full of hazard.
2. She was indeed the Queen of Hearts, beloved by her Subjects at home, and honored by foreign Princes. She came to the Crown with the love of her Subjects, and while she possessed it, they continued their love to her. She was received very lovingly by the City of London the day before her Coronation, as appeared by the Assembly, prayers, wishes, welcomings, cries, and all other signs, which argue a wonderful earnest love of most obedient Subjects toward their Sovereign.
In her short progresses what flocking would there be of all sorts of people to see her? and what hearty acclamations would they utter to her, God save the Queen Elizabeth.
It is a sign of a happy Raign, (saith John de Serres in Henry the fourth) when the Subject rejoiceth to see his King.
She would usually reply, God bless you my people all. Her speech to the children of Christ's Hospital as she rode through Fleet-street was, We are Orphans all, Let me enjoy your prayers, and you shall be sure of my assistance. Engl. Elizab. p. 186.
In her speech to her last Parliament the third of November 1601, she hath this passage.
To be a King, and wear a Crown, is a thing more glorious to them that see it, then it is pleasant to them that bear it. Though you have had and may have many mightier and wiser Princes sitting in this Seat, yet you never had nor shall have any that will love you better. See more there.
She had an extraordinary Majesty of aspect, joined with a sweetness, a most happy and constant healthfulness of body.
Illud sane non indignum memoratu, quod tota vitae tempore valuit pancratice. Adolphi à Dans vita Elizabethae.
She was, and was so reputed by strangers of all the Princes of her time, the most exact observer (both for action and ceremony) of true Regal deportment and magnificence.
She was pious and constant in Religion.
She was very frequent in the reading of the Scriptures, and writings of the Fathers, especially of St. Augustine. She composed certain prayers herself upon emergent occasions. Whensoever she named God, though it were in common discourse, she would for the most part add the title of Maker, saying, God my Maker, and compose both her eyes and countenance to a submisness and reverence.
Although she found the Romish Religion confirmed in her sisters days, by Act of Parliament, and established by all strong and potent means that could be devised, and that all those which had any Authority, or bare Office in the State, had subscribed to it; yet because she saw it was not agreeable to the Word of God, nor to the Primitive purity, nor to her own conscience, she did with a great deal of courage, and with the assistance of very few▪ persons, quite expel, and abolish it.
Within the compass of one year, she did so establish and settle all matters belonging to the Church, as she departed not one hairs breadth from them, to the end of her life.
In the years of her life she went beyond all her predecessors since the Conquest, and in the length of her Raign, she exceeded all but only two, Henry the third, and Edward the third.
There was almost no memorable Act in Christendom, for the space of forty years of her time, wherein she had not some part of Princely deserving. Levers History of the Defenders of the Catholic faith.
Rare, in all ages, hath been the Raign of a woman: more rare the felicity of a woman, in her Raign: but most rare, a permanency and lasting, joined with that felicity.
A great French Lady (mother to the Duke of Guise ) said, that Elizabeth of England was the most glorious and happy woman, that ever swayed Scepter.
Her days are not to be passed over slightly, without one touch upon that string which so many years sounded so sweetly in our ears, without one sigh breathed forth in her sacred memory.
She was wonderfully preserved from twenty conspiracies at home; and foreign invasions.
She was happy in the abilities of her servants, many grave Counselors, and martial Commanders.
The Coyn was pure in her days, and Religion was in great purity.
She was admirable in expressing her mind both by speech and writing: and if collection could be made of her Apophthegmes and extemporal Orations, it would certainly excel anything extant in that kind.
King Henry the fourth of France in a Letter to Monsieur de Rosny, Duke of Sully, commends her
In imitation of her Father Henry the eight, she did admit none about her for Pensioners, Privy-Chamber-men, Squires of the body, Carvers, Cup-Bearers, Sewers, but persons of stature, strength, and birth. Her Guard, Ushers, Porters, and all attending below stairs, were of no less extraordinary size, than activity for shooting, throwing the Barre, weight, wrestling.
Elizabeth was tempered to inherit her Grandsires wisdom, and her fathers spirit. Dr. Holiday his Survey of the world, Book eighth.
Paulet Marquess of Winchester, and Lord Treasurer, having served then four Princes in a various and changeable season, that time nor any age hath yielded the like president; this man being noted to grow high in her favor (as his place and experience required) was questioned by an intimate friend of his, how he stood up for thirty years together amidst the changes and Raigns of so many Chancellors, and great Personages? Why (quoth the Marquess) Ortus sum ex salice, non ex quercu, I was made of the pliable Willow, not of the stubborn Oak. Sir Robert Nauntons Fragm. Reg.
Her clemency also was singular.
Though she was harshly used by Sir Henry Beningfield, when she was prisoner at Woodstock, yet when she came to the possession of the Crown, she never proceeded further, then to discharge him of the Court, which many thought was the thing that pleased him best. At whose departure from her presence, she used only these words, God forgive you that is past, and we do, and if we have any prisoner whom we will have hardly handled, and straightly kept, then we will send for you.
Whilest she was in her vigorous years, if at any time she were moved to declare her Successor, she would make answer, That she would never endure to see her winding sheet before her eyes.
She behaved herself so warily, as not to come within the danger of the Laws, for acting anything in opposition unto that Religion which was then established. Concerning which there goes a Story, that when a Popish Priest had urged her very earnestly to declare her judgment touching the presence of Christ in the blessed Sacrament; she very cautelously resolved the point in these following Verses:
But all this Caution notwithstanding, her averseness from the Church of Rome, was known sufficiently not to be altered while she lived. Dr. Heylins History of Queen Elizabeth.
At her entrance to her Raign, she sent to her Agent in the Court of Spain, to represent unto King Philip the second, the dear remembrance which she kept of those many humanities received from him in the time of her troubles.
Yet afterward, some of our own and some foreign W • iters tax her of too much unkindness toward King Philp, to whom she had been so much obliged.
The ground of his Invasion in eighty eight, was the divers indignities he received from Queen Elizabeth, though ever since the death of Queen Mary, he forbore to do anything that might displease her. During his abode in England, he had done her such signal and high savors, as to preserve her head from the Scaffold, to have her allowance enlarged, to divert her Sister from a design she had to send her beyond Sea to be a 〈◊〉 , and at his departure from England, he desired not to carry with him but one Ring of a hundred pound price.
He shown no small love also in comprehending the su • rend • y of Calais to the English, in his Treaty of peace with France.
The Queen assisted Don Antonio the Bastard against him, about the title of Portugal, fomented his own natural Subjects against him, in the revolt of the confederate Provinces, so far as to send a Governor of her own amongst them. She gave Commissions to rob him in the Indies. She intercepted some of his treasure in her own Seas going to Flanders, and wronged some of the Hans Towns, who were under his protection. These with sundry incitements more, caused Philip to prepare this powerful Fleet, to be quit with her at once for all scores. Howels History of Naples.
But it may be said in her defense, that th • e King of Spain did stir up the Irish against her, and did also encourage such Traitors, as conspired against her in England.
Sir Francis Drake (who was Captain of the Judith with Sir John Hawkins, in the voyage of Guiny 1567) received together with him considerable damage and injuries from the Spaniard, in the Port of S t John D' Vll • a of the West Indies, contrary to promise and agreement with him, and therefore what he did against the Spaniards, was to repair himself.
At the beginning of the Netherlanders troubles, she imparted unto the King of Spain sincere advice, not to hold a heavy hand over that people, which he rejected and contemned. Her Majesty nevertheless gave not over her honorable resolution, which was, if it were possible, to reduce and reconcile those Countries unto the obedience of the King of Spain; if not, yet to preserve them from alienating themselves to a foreign Lord: and so continued to mediate unto the King for some just and honorable capitulations of grace and accord. Which course she held until the death of the Duke of Anjou, at which time the enemy pressing them, the united Provinces were received into her Majesty's protection: which was after the King of Spain had discovered himself an unplacable Lord to them: and also a professed enemy unto her Majesty, having already actually invaded Ireland, and designed also the invasion and conquest of England. Gabriel Powell his refutation of an Epistle apologetically written by a Puritan Papist, to persuade the permission of the promiscuous use and profession of all sects and heresies. c. 9. p. 98.
Trading was much promoted in her time.
By her intercession the Turk gave way to the English trading in Turkey, whence the Company of Turkish Merchants.
The Great Duke of Russia also much respected her, and the English for her sake.
England was much adorned with building in her time. Plures & nobilium & privatorum villae, elegantia, laxitate, & cultu conspicuae, jam passim in Anglia surgere caep • runt, quàm alio quovis seculo, magno sane regni ornamento, verùm hospitalis gloriae detrimento. Camd. Annal.
She was very sparing in bestowing Honors, for in twelve years she made but four Barons.
She made Westminster Abbey (famous for the Coronation and sepulture of our Kings of England, and for the keeping of the Insignia Regalia ) a Collegiate Church, where there is a Dean, twelve prebends, a Schoolmaster and Usher, forty Scholars called Kings Scholars, (out of which some are chosen yearly to both Universities) Servants, Choristers, and twelve Almsmen; as Camden in his Annals shows.
Being near her end, she declared James King of Scotland to be her Successor, so Camden and Du Chesne, and Johnston in his Historia Britannica.
Sir Francis Walsingham her Secretary died poor; he left only one daughter which married Sir Philip Sidney, and after the Earl of Essex.
When she was near death, Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury came to her, and spoke much of the redemption of mankind, of the resurrection of the body, and immortality of the soul; to whom she answered with great tranquility and constancy, that she desired to be soon dissolved, and to be with Christ.
She having settled her Dominions in peace, died in the year 1602, the twenty fourth of March, the sixty ninth of her age, and of her Raign the forty fourth.
CHAP. XX.
JAMES the first King of Great Britain.
THe Tudors breathing out their last in excellent Elizabeth, Stuarts take their turn by an unquestionable title.
1. James the first of England, but sixth of Scotland.
2. Charles the first of England.
It may seem wonderful, that there was no commotion at all upon the Queens decease, that he came to the Crown here so peaceably, without any opposition.
He caused himself to be styled King of Great Britain, to prevent difference between the two Nations, one of which else would have preferred England in his title, and the other Scotland. The name of Britain continued to be the name generally of the whole Island, but more specially of the parts of England and Wales, ever since before the invasion of the Romans. King Alfred was entitled, Governor of the Christians of all Britain. King Edgar was styled Monarch of all Britain; King Henry the second was entitled King of all Britain. King John had his Coyn stamped with this Inscription, Johannes Rex Britonum.
Walter surnamed Banguho (according as his father was) returning into Scotland, fought valiantly for his King, against the Islands, Rebels, and the Savages of Scotland. In recompense of his extraordinary virtue, he was made Great Provost and Treasurer of the household Royal, which the Scots signify by the name of Stuart or Steward. He so faithfully discharged the trust reposed in him, without the least reproach or wasting of the Kings Moneys, that the surname of Stuart was imposed on him, and given also to his posterity. This was the original of the Illustrious Family of Stuart. From this Walter descended that Robert Steward, who was after in right of his wife King of Scotland, since which time there have been successively nine Sovereigns of that name in Scotand.
Margaret eldest daughter of King Henry the seventh, and Elizabeth his Queen, was twice married in Scotland, first to King James the fourth, then to Archibald Douglas Earl of Angis; her son by the King was King James the fifth, our King James his mothers father, her daughter by the Earl was Margaret Countess of Lennox, our King James his fathers mother.
David Bruse King of Scotland being dead without issue of his body, Robert Steward his sisters son, by the general consent of all the Estates, was crowned King of Scotland, in the year of our Lord 1370. This family hath ever since born the Crown of Scotland, even unto this day.
King James united both the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and testified this conjunction in the Money that was coined, both silver and gold with these words, Quae Deus conjuxit, nemo separet, and also, Tueatur unita Deus. The twenty shillings pieces had this Inscription, Faciam eos in gentem unam; other golden Coines had these words, Henricus rosas, regna Jacobus.
He was born in the Palace of Edinburgh on the nineteenth of July, anno 1566, and solemnly crowned King of the Scots on the same day of the Moneth, anno 1567, and joyfully received to the Crown of England on the fourteenth of March 1602.
He had a great dexterity in discovering an imposture, and a marvelous sagacity to discuss natural things.
He detected the forgery of Richard Haydock a Physician, pretending to preach at night in his sleep, who acknowledged his forgery to the King.
It was his custom to discourse during Meals with one or more Divines, concerning some point of controversy in Philosophy.
There was a Conference or Disputation at Hampton Court before him.
Some of our Divines tax Dr. Barlow Dean of Chester, for a partial Penman of that Conference. See Mr. Ley his Discourse of Disputat. concerning matters of Religion, c. 4. p. 46.
Besides the relieving by Pensions all the poorer sort, he hath honored more Martial men, than all the Kings of England have done for this hundred years.
Had his Apothegmes or wise speeches (and also Queen Elizabeth's ) been collected by a skillful hand, I suppose they would have been very useful to the public.
There is one that hath written a Book in Latin of Favorites, where I think my Lord Car the Earl of Somerset, & the Duke of Buckingham are reckoned for the English Favorites, the later of which was in great favor both with the Father, and Son, King James, and King Charles. Vossius in his Preface to his Book de Art Grammatica (if I forget not) much commends King James. Isaac Causabone that famous Scholar, was much respected and encouraged by him.
He was both a wise and learned Prince of disposition merciful and gracious, a great seeker of peace, according to that Motto which he ever used, Beati pacifici.
In the style of the Court he went for Great Britain's Solomon; nor is it any excursion beyond the precincts of verity to say, that neither Britain nor any other Kingdom whatsoever, could ever since Solomon's days glory in a King (for recondite learning and abstruse knowledge) so near a match to Solomon as he, Mr. Rushworths Historical Collections. 23. Iacobi. p. 161.
He was compared to Solomon in several respects, by Bishop Williams in his Funeral Sermon on 1 King. 11. 41, 42, 43.
Archbishop Spotswood saith, he was the Solomon of this age, admired for his knowledge of all manner of learning. Hist. of Scotland. l. 7.
His Works show his great learning, especially his Basilicon Doron, or Kingly gift.
It cannot be said, how well it was accepted in England, and what admiration it raised in all men's hearts of him, and of his piety and wisdom. Certain it is, that all the Discourses which came forth that time, for maintaining his right to the Crown of England, prevailed nothing so much as did that Treatise. Spotsw. Hist. of the Church of Scotland. l. 6.
Iustinians Institutes, Caesar's Commentaries, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , are prized for their Authors, as well as matter.
He had such a promptness in expr • ssing his mind, that his extemporal s • eeches were little inferior to his premeditated writings.
His invention was as quick as his first thoughts, and his words as ready as his invention.
I' advouois franchement de n' avoir Iamais veu Prince dont la sincerite, la prudence & l' equaunimite meritast plus de gloire & de louanges. Que l' ayant tonsiours troune d' un courage urayement Royal & tout genereux & d' un esprit plus intelligent, plus vif, plus penetrant & plus judicieux que nul de son Conseil, I' avois aussi tonsiours passionnement desire de terminer & conclurre avec luy les affairs & non avec eux. Memoires de Mounsier de Rosny. Duc de Sully. Tom. 2. p. 141.
He was a good Poet.
A very good Horseman.
He had such a fashion in riding, that it could not so properly be said he rid, as that his Horse carried him, for he made but little use of his bridle, and would say, a Horse never stumbled, but when he was reined.
He was a great lover of quiet, and much given to hunting, and to his Book, and wholly fixed in Warring by writings with the Church. Bentivoglio his History of Flanders part 3. l. 8. See his Relation of the united Provinces of Flanders c. 3.
In his apparel and civil garb, he seemed naturally to affect a majestic carelessness, in his pecuniary dispensations to his favorites, he was excessive liberal.
King James being invited in a hunting journey, to dine with Sir Thomas I. of Barkshire, turning short at the corner of a Common, happened near to a Countryman, sitting by the heels in the stocks, who cried Hosanna unto his Majesty, which invited him to ask the reason of his restraint? Sir Thomas said, It was for stealing a Goose from the Common. The fellow replied, I beseech your Majesty be judge who is the greater thief, I for stealing Geese from the Common, or his Worship for robbing the Common from the Geese? By my sale Sir (said the King to Sir Thomas ) I will not dine today on your dishes, till you restore the Common for the poor to feed their flocks. Which was forthwith granted to them, and the witty fellow set free.
He spake broad in the Scottish tone and dialect.
Sir Kenelme Digby (in his Discourse touching the cure of wounds by the powder of Sympathy) saith, he had a strange antipathy to a naked sword, of which he there ascribes the cause.
He alleged this reason to an English Divine, wherefore the Scottish Church was never troubled with heresy; for if (said he) it sprang up in a Purish, there was an Eldership ito • suppress it; if it had escaped them, the Presbytery was ready to crush it; if the Presbytery should be negligent, than the Synod would oppose • it; if it had not been by them suppressed, the General Assembly would take strict order concerning it.
Philip de Mornay Lord of Plessis often complained, that the King of England was too much taken up with some petty differences amongst his own, but was not careful enough to heal the deep wounds and breaches which were in the Church. Yet his sending certain select and worthy Divines to the Synod of Dort, to compose the unhappy differences then in the Law Countries, and his causing the Bible to be translated into English by judicious Divines, and set forth more exactly than formerly it had been done, were noble works.
He had two sons, Prince Henry, and King Charles, and one daughter that lived, the Lady Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia.
The order of Knight Baronets was instituted by him, they must be Gentlemen of three descents, and should be worth a thousand pounds per annum, the number to be installed was not to exceed two hundred.
I may for his learning, and respect to the learned, his eloquence, and his profound questions at meals, compare him to Charles the Great, of whom Eginhardus de vita & gestis Caroli Magni. Inter caenandum aut aliquod acroamia, aut lectorem audiebat. Legebantur ei historiae, & antiquorum Regum gesta. Delectabatur & libris S. Augustini, pr • cipue iis quos de civitate Dei inscripsit. Erat eloquentia copiosiu & exuberans, poterát{que}, quicquid vellet apertissime exprimere. Arts liberales studio sissime coluit, earúm{que} doctores plurimum veneratus, magnis afficiebat honoribus. Vide plura ibid.
The Moneth of November is memorable, for the seventeenth 1558, the initiation of Queen Elizabeth, in which the purity of the Gospel brake forth; and fifth in King James his Raign, in which the treachery of the Gospels enemies brake out.
Dr. Heylin in his Historia Quinqu-Articularis c. 22. saith, it was an usual practice with him in the whole course of his Government, to balance one extreme by the other, countenancing the Papists against the Puritan , and the Puritan sometimes against the Papist, that betwixt both, the true Religion and professors of it might be kept in safety. But in the Epistle of his Book to his Son, he shows what he means by Puritan.
He died at Theohalds in the year 1625, the twenty seventh of March, the fifty ninth year of his age, having reigned over all Great Britain twenty two years complete.
CHARLES the First, the second Monarch of Great Britain.
He was born November the nineteenth, anno Dom. 16 • 0, at Dun-fermling in Scotland.
He was the third son of James the sixth King of the Scots, and of Anne his wife, daughter of Frederick the second, and sister of Christian the fourth, Kings of Denmark.
He was comely of person, very active, temperate, chaste, merciful.
He was thought to be the best markman, and the most comely manager of a great Horse, of any one in all the three Kingdoms.
Of his lawful descent to his Crown and Kingdoms, from all the Kings of this Nation, See Flemings Royal Progeny.
He was crowned on the second of February at Westminster, in the year 1626, by Dr. Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury.
He was rather slow than fluent in his words, as well by grace, as a natural imperfection; yet he was pithy, pathetic, and sententiou in his expressions.
What the Britons lost to the Saxons, they to the Danes, and the Norman got from both, was his birth-right, besides the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland, and Principality of Wales, additions to the Normans Conquest.
Shortly after his Coronation he was married to the Lady Henrietta Maria, younger Daughter to Henry the fourth King of France, by whom he had seven Children, four Sons, and three Daughters.
He improved himself much by his travels, and was generally liked in Spain.
When he was there, Archee the fool came boldly to King James, as he found him once in a good humor, and told him that he was come to change Caps with him. Why, said the King? Marry, says Archee, because thou hast sent the Prince into Spain, from whence he is never like to return. But said the King, What wilt thou say when thou seest him come back again? Marry, says Archee, I will then take off the fools Cap which I put upon thy head, for sending him thither, and put it on the King of Spain's, for letting him return. At which words, it is reported, that the King became exceeding pensive, never before so much apprehending the danger of that adventure, as then and afterward he did.
For his being a Papist, though it be charged by some of his enemies, yet I suppose there is little ground for it, as his manifesto at the beginning of the English and Scotch Presbytery shows. Therefore Mr. Baxter in his Key for Catholics c. 45. hath vindicated him from this aspersion.
His own Letters to the Queen taken at Naseby , and his counsel to the Duke of Gloucester, to obey the Queen his mother in all, but what related to Religion, sufficiently confute this calumny.
In the year 1618, King James published a Declaration, tolerating sports on the Lord's day. It was so much disliked, as it was soon after called in. It was after revived and ratified by King Charles. L'estrange saith, there was not any one Royal Edict, during all King Charles his Raign, resented with equal regret.
It was his custom in his youth, for refreshing his mind, and the confirming of his health, almost every week to hunt the Harts and Does. In the three summer months he hunted the males, being fat and pleasant to eat; in the like space of time he hunted the females.
There was one Robert Par of Shropshire, aged 152, who lived in the Raign of ten Kings, and being brought up to London by the procurement of the Earl of Arundell, died here, and lies buried in Westminster Abbey.
Constat▪ quot generationes Carolingorum Johannes de Temporibus trisecli-senex superavit: & ill nuper Anglus sub▪ Edoardo 4. natus, sub Carolo denatus qui novem vel decem Regibus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fuit. Hornii Dissertatio de aetate mundi c. 6.
Never was there in this Isle a Scene of Justice more magnificent reared for any Subject, than that for the Earl of Strafford. Scaffolds were erected on either side of Westminster Hall, there the Commons sat uncovered, and in the midst of the lower ascent the Peers; behind, but raised above them, there was placed a Chair and Cloth of State for the King, on either side whereof was a close Gallery for the King, Queen, and Prince to be private, suitable to the ancient mode.
Which trial of his, if we consider all things, the high nature of the Charge against him, the pompous Circumstances, and stately manner of the trial itself, the time that it lasted, and lastly, of what moment and consequence the success of it must prove, I may safely say, that no Subject in England, and probably in Europe, ever had the like. Mr. May his History of the Parliament of England l. 1. c. 8. See more there.
Sir Thomas Roe was Chancellor of the most noble Order of the Garter, and of King Charles his Privy Council, and several years Embassador to the Great Mogor, Great Turk, King of Sweden, and lastly, to the Princes of the Protestant Union in Germany.
John de Montreul a Parisian, was he, that thinking thereby to do some good office to the King of England, negotiated that he might be put into the hands of the Scots. This unfortunate Prince (of whom he hath since given this testimony, that he never saw a man of greater spirit and more virtue) delighted often to discourse with him, and expressed a great deal of affection to him.
I learned from a friend of mine, to whom he told it himself, that he made use of a secret, which the King of England had taught him in the long conferences which they sometimes had together. 'Twas a certain powder, very rare, which being cast on the paper, made that which was beforehand written there with a white liquor, to appear, which without that, was wholly imperceptible.
His Majesty had a fine stroke with his pen, which he practiced at all times of leisure. By which means he became Master of a pure and elegant style, as both his intercepted Letters, and those to Mr. Henderson at Newcastle in the point of Episcopacy, and his Book entitled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , or the Pourtraiture of his Sacred Majesty in his solitudes and sufferings, do most clearly evidence. Which Book is put into Latin by D r Earl.
At King James his Funeral, he attended the Herse, as the chiefest mourner▪ an action laudable, and deserving better interpretation than some make of it.
He shown great patience in his sufferings.
It argued a charitable temper in him, in pardoning his enemies when he died, and praying for them, and charging the Prince his eldest son to pardon them also.
He was the hundred and tenth Monarch of that line, that swayed the Scepter of Scotland successively. Bishop Bramhall his Answer to Militiere his Epistle.
His Works are all in two Volumes, Reliquiae Carolinae, and Bibliotheca Carolina.
The Arsenals, Store-houses, and Ship-docks erected by him, are so magnificent and universally useful, that they are become a principal pillar of the Nations support, so far as they relate to the Navall defense of it, and affords variety of employment, by the manufacture of Cordage, as also by the car • ening and building of Ships.
The latter end of his life (by reason of the Civil broils) was troublesome and painful, as the Book styled Iter Carolinum shows.
Lewis the thirteenth, the last King of France, spoke ofttimes of the troubles of Great Britain in his sickness, and once he was over heard to say, that it was a just judgment, because his brother of England would have assisted his Subjects once against him. Mr. Howels Corollary to the life of Lewis the thirteenth.
In his March after Essex to the West, it happened that one of his Carriages brake in a long narrow Lane, which they were to pass, and gave his Majesty a stop, at a time of a great shower of rain, which fell upon him. Some of his Courtiers and others which were near about him, offered to hew him out a way through the hedges with their swords, that he might get shelter in some of the Villages adjoining, but he resolved not to forsake his Canon upon any occasion: At which when some about him seemed to admire & marvel at the patience which he shown in that extremity, his Majesty lifting up his Hat made answer, That as God had given him affliction to exercise his patience, so he had given him patience to • ear his afflictions. Mr. Fords Panegyric on King Charles the first.
Let his Conference with the Marquess of Worcester, the Papers which passed betwixt his Majesty and Master Henderson, and those others with the Ministers in the Isle of Weight, testify how great a Master he was of reason, how well read in the Fathers, the Councils Ecclesiastical History, and the customs of the Church in all ages. Id. ib.
He made an admirable Anagram of himself, the day before his death, Carolus Rex; Cras ero lux. Id. ib.
His death (saith the Author of the Additions to Bakers Chronicle) was strange and unparalleled. We may read (saith he) of many Kings who came to violent ends, but never any that was so formally and solemnly first tried for his life, and then judicially executed in public by his own Subjects.
Mr. Love in his Vindication of the London -Ministers, against Price his Clerico-Classicum, pag. 36. gives good reasons against putting the King to death, and saith, He was the first Protestant King in the world, so put to death by his own Subjects. pag. 55. he saith, He could produce multitudes of Protestant Divines, against the cutting off the Head of our King in particular, as the Ministers beyond the Seas, the Ministers of Scotland, the Ministers of Essex and Lancashire, and of many other places of the Kingdom, besides the London- Ministers, who unanimously declared their abhorrency of that horrid fact, of taking away the life of the King. pag. 59. he saith, That there is no president in all the Scripture, that the Sanhedrim of the Jews, or Rulers of Israel, did ever judicially arraign and put to death any of the Kings of Judah, or Israel, though many of them were most gross Idolaters, and tyrannous Princes, who shed much innocent blood, and o • pressed the people sundry ways.
This notwithstanding, another Divine of our own hath presumed to publish a Defense of the Sentence passed upon the late King.
He quotes Gen. 9. 6. Exod. 21. 12. Lev. 24. 17. Numb. 35. 30, 31, 33. Prov. 28. 17. and Mat. 26. 52. to prove the lawfulness of it.
That private person which sheddeth man's blood willfully, by man, that is, by the Magistrate (whose power is here stablished, saith Ainsworth, for killing all willful murderers) shall his blood be shed.
And this (saith Ainsworth there) accordeth with the Law, Numb. 35. 29, 30. but private men may not use the sword, Mat. 26. 52. Rom. 13. 4.
I have read that place Matth. 26. 52. strongly urged by some, against Subjects taking up Arms against their Princes, but never this way before. These Scriptures (though he think them of so express a tenor, of such a pregnant import) I conceive make little for the purpose he allegeth them.
When I consider with myself how many of note this Divine hath written against, and what paradoxall (if not heterodoxall) tenets he hath often labored to maintain, sometimes against the determinations of a Parliament rightly so called, I wonder at that passage of his near the conclusion of his Novice-Presbyter instructed.
The great knower of hearts, and searcher of the reins, in whose presence I write, knoweth, that if himself would be pleased to discharge me of the service of contradicting and opposing men, and dispose of me in a way of retirement, were it never so private and obscure, where I might only contest with my own weakness and errors, he should give me one of the first-born desires of my soul in the things of this life, into my bosom.
He may do well to weigh those places, Exod. 22. 28. 1 Sam. 26. 9. Prov. 24. 21. Eccles. 10. 20.
The Greek word for King, notes him that is the stay or foundation of the people.
He is called 1 Pet. 2. 13. the Supreme, or Superior. The Greek word signifies one that hath above others, in matter of Authority and Supremacy.
The Generals Commission, the Covenant, the Parliaments Declarations and Engagements both to the King and Scots, were for the preservation of the Kings person.
Even Mr. Goodwin in his Anticavallierism • , and Mr. Burroughs in his Lord of Hosts, though they justified the War; yet they shown their dislike of any injury to the Kings person.
I may justly vindicate the Parliament of England, from having any hand in this abominable action. Nunquam in te peccavit Britannia tua, sed nec in Parentem: sola colluvies illa de formis nefariorum t • nebrionum haec cuncta execranda procudit. D. Creyghtoni Dedic • t. hist. Concilii Tridentini.
Some object, that every Monarch hath his power from the consent of the whole body▪ therefore the whole body hath a power above the power of the Monarch; and to this purpose they allege that Maxim, Quicquid efficit tale est magis tale, (All Government (they say) is for the good of the governed; and Salus populi suprema lex. ) That Maxim even in natural causes is subject to divers restrictions, and it holds not in this particular; The Guardian is for his sake that is under age, yet he hath power over him. Of the right interpretation of the other Maxim, Salus populi suprema lex, See Dr. Sanderson de Obligat. Consc. Praelect. 9, & 10. Not that Prince which is most potent over his Subjects, but that Prince which is most potent in his Subjects, is truly potent, witness that incomparable Princess of happy memory, Queen Elizabeth. It was also our King Charles his own Golden Maxim, The people's Liberty strengthens the Kings Prerogative, and the Kings Prerogative is to defend the people's Liberty.
Let us leave the Doctrine of King-killing to Mariana the Jesuit to defend, and the perpetration of such a horrid act, to Ravilliac, and such monsters of men. Of Marianas Doctrine, and of the Jesuits opinion of the lawfulness of deposing Princes that are heretical, See in Dr. Tailors collection of Polemicall and Moral Discourses, his Sermon preached upon the fifth of November on Luke 9. 54.
I shall close up all with David's pathetical speech, 2 Sam. 1. 20. Tell it not in Gath; publish it not in the streets of Askelo • : lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
As I have several times in the Parliament, so I thought sit here, to give in my testimony against that unsound opinion, and abominable practice. Had I been sooner freed out of the Kings-head in the Strand, (where I with many other worthy Secluded Members, were confined for not going along with the rest of the House, in their intended evil design,) I had published a Treatise against King-killing, (which I had formerly composed) before that Fatall stroke. Finis.
Errata.
PAge a line 15. read Hervord. p. 3. l. 22. Ethelbald. p. 4. margin, Histoire d' Angleterre. p. 9 l. penult. & ult. r. Aidan & p. 10. l. 4. p. 9. l. 9. r. Oswalstre. p. 16. marg. l. 10. r. nami illi argentei. & l. 11. r. pontificius quaestor. l. 11, & 12. dele qui publice bonas arts profiterentur, quô multi doctrina clari confluerunt, docendi gratta. p. 20. marg. dele Vid Asser, &c. p. 29. l. 9. r. sica. p. 28. l. penult. r. upon a. p. 34. l. e 30. r. this. l 31. r. all. p. 44. marg. l. 20, 21. r. ipse suae. p. 51. l. 4. r. He refused. p. 61. l. 36. r. cotraderet. p. 68. marg. l. 20. dele non. p. 73. marg. l. 1. r. plerisque. p. 81 l. 15. r. one, one, one, &c. p. 85. l. 29. r. of. p. 90. l. 21. r. Cyrus. p. 95. marg. l. ult. r. loquentem. p. 106. marg. l. 8. r. Episcopus. p. 116. m. l. 11. r. Polyd. p. 111. l. 14. r. Civilis. p. 129. l. 6. r. Westminster.
An Alphabetical Table, expressing or pointing to the chief things contained in this Treatise.
-
A
- ALfred his several Names page 20
- The first anointed King of England, ibid.
- His Virtues, p. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
- Arthur King and Prince, p. 154, 155
-
B
- Bastards many of them famous, p. 56
- Benevolence by whom that Tax was devised, p. 156
- Black Prince a valiant person why so called, p. 113, 115
- Bush: Why Henry the 7 th bore the Hawthorn-Bush with the Crown in it, p. 151
-
C
- Canutus, p. 42, 43, 44, 45
- Magna Charta often confirmed, p. 111
- City of London gives the Dagger for its Arms, and why, p. 100
-
D
- Danes long molested England, p. 37, 38, 47
-
E
- Edgar, p. 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38
- Edward the elder, p. 27
- More Kings of England of that name than of any other name, p. 27
- Edward the Confessor, p. 48, 49, 50, 51.
- Edward the first, p. 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104
- Edward the second, p. 104, to 109
- Edward the third, p. 109, to 117
- Edward the fourth, p. 136, to 146
- Edward the fifth, p. 146, 147
- Edward the sixth, from p. 170, to 178
- Egbert, p. 15, 16
- England five times plagued by other Nations, p. 14
- Called so first by Ethelbald, p. 11, & 18
- Ethelbert, p. 7, & 18
- Æthelred, p. 10, 18, 19
- Ethelwolfe, p. 16, 17
- Ethelston, p. 28
-
G
- The order of the Garter instituted by King Edward the third, p. 115, 116
- The King of Heralds called Garter, ordained by Henry the fifth, p. 132
- Guild-Hall in London in what Kings reign erected, p. 128
-
H
- L. Hastings a special judgment on him, p. 149
- Harlos, whence, p. 55
- Hengist, why so called, the first Monarch of the English, p. 4, 5
- The Heptarchy of the Saxons, p. 2, 3
- Henry the first, p. 73, to 81
- Henry the second, p. 84, to 86
- Henry the third, p. 94, to 98
- Henry the fourth, p. 122, to 129
- Henry the fifth, p. 129, to 134
- Henry the sixth, 134, to 139
- Henry the seventh, p. 150, to 160
- Henry the eighth, p. 160, to 170
- Humble King rare, p. 10
- Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, learned himself and was a great Benefactor to the University of Oxford, p. 123
-
I
- Queen Jane, p. 178, 179
- Jests, witty and merry speeches, p. 21, 29, 35, 81, 92, 158, 163, 165, 166, 167, 175, 176, 185, 188, 207, 211
- King John, p. 93, 94
- Ironside, why so called, p. 40
- A stout Judge, p. 124, 125, 126
-
K
- Kings-Evil when first cured in England, p. 51
- King of Heralds ordained by whom, p. 132
-
L
- Laws, the best made in the time of Richard the second and Henry the seventh, p. 148, 155, 956
-
M
- Queen Mary, p. 179, to 183
- Murder punished remarkably, p. 149, 150
-
N
- Neote, me of the first Divinity-Readers in Oxford, p. 17
- Normans what, p. 53. We rereceived
- our Laws and names of sports from them, ib. p. 54
-
O
- Offa first gave the Peter-pence to Rome, p. 12
- Offas Church, and Offas Ditch. ib.
- Oswald, p. 9
- Oswy, ib. p. 9, 10
-
P
- Parliament, the first in the reign of Edward the third, p. 111
- Parliamentum bonum, ib. Parliamentum indoctorum, p. 122. Insanum Parliamentum, p. 96
- Plantagenet, whence, p. 84
-
Q
- Virtuous Queens, p. 98, 178, 179, 183, to 200
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R
- Richard the first, p. 89. 90, 91, 92
- Richard the second, p. 117, to 122
- Richard the third, p. 146, to 150
- Rosamand what it signifies, p. 86, 87
- The comely riding of women when it began in England, p. 120
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S
- Saxons a warlike people, p. 12. They gave names to many Cities, Towns, Rivers, Woods, Fields in Engl. ib. Why Saxon Princes had their Name from a Horse, and gave a Horse for their Escucheon, p. 4, 5
- Schola Salernitana, dedicated to Robert Son to William the Conqueror, p. 67, 68
- Stephen, p. 82, 83
- Stuart, whence, p. 200
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T
- Thong Castle, why so called, p. 4
- Tudors why so called, p. 150, 151
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V
- Great Victory of the English over the French, p 112, 113
- University College in Oxford, founded by King Alfred, p. 22.
- There are his Arms in the Hall, p. 25
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W
- Earl of Warwick, a person of great power in Edward the fourths reign. p. 200
- Women, whether the Rule of Women be lawful, p 179
- William the first, p. 54, to 66
- William the second, p. 66, to 73
- Wolves how destroyed in England, p. 34.
- Wicklef in the Reign of Edw. the third, p. 116
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Y
- Yeomen of the Guard instituted by Henry the seventh, p. 151