SCOTLAND AND IRELAND (3 OF 6): ENGLAND (7 OF 9) ***




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HENRIE THE SEAUENTH,

sonne to Edmund earle of Richmond, which Edmund was brother by the
moothers side to Henrie the sixt.


[Sidenote: An. Reg. 1.]

[Sidenote: Edward Plantagenet earle of Warwike sonne and heire to
George duke of Clarence committed to the tower.]

King Henrie hauing thus got the victorie at Bosworth, and slaine his
mortall enimie there in the field, did send before his departure
from Leicester, sir Robert Willoughbie knight, to the manour of
Sheriffehuton in the countie of Yorke, for Edward Plantagenet earle of
Warwike, sonne and heire to George duke of Clarence then being of the
age of fifteene yeares; whome king Richard had kept there as prisoner
during the time of his vsurped reigne. Sir Robert Willoughbie receiuing
the yoong earle of the constable of that castle conueied him to London
where he was shut vp in the Tower, for doubt least some vnquiet and
euill disposed persons might inuent some occasion of new trouble by
this yoong gentleman: and therefore king Henrie thought good to haue
him sure.

[Sidenote: King Henrie commeth to London.]

There was beside him in the castell of Sheriffehuton the ladie
Elizabeth eldest daughter to king Edward the fourth, whome king
Richard (as ye haue heard) meant to haue married: but God otherwise
ordeined for hir, and perserued hir from that vnlawfull copulation and
incestuous bed. Shortlie after, she being accompanied with a great
number as well of noblemen, as honourable matrons, was with good
speed conueied to London, and brought to hir moother. In the meane
season king Henrie remooued forward by soft iournies towards London,
the people comming in from all sides to behold him, and exceedinglie
reioising at his presence, as by their voices and gestures it well
appeared.

At his approching neere to the citie, the maior and his brethren,
with other worshipfull citizens, being clothed in violet, met him at
Shordich, and reuerentlie saluted him: and so with great pompe and
triumph he rode thorough the citie to the cathedrall church of S.
Paule, where he offered three standards. In the one was the image of
saint George, in an other was a red fierie dragon beaten vpon white and
greene sarcenet, and in the third was painted a dun cow vpon yellow
tarterne. After his praiers said, and Te deum soong, he departed to the
bishops palace, and there soiourned a season. Anon after, he assembled
togither the sage councellors of the realme, in which councell like a
prince of iust faith, and true of promise, to auoid all ciuill discord,
he appointed a daie to ioine in marriage with the ladie Elizabeth,
heire of the house of Yorke; with his noble personage, heire to the
line of Lancaster. Which thing not onelie reioised the hearts of the
nobles and gentlemen of the realme, but also gained the fauours and
good wils of all the commons.

[Sidenote: Henrie the seuenth crowned king.]

[Sidenote: 1485.]

[Sidenote: A parlement at Westminster, with an atteindor and a pardon
generall.]

After this, with great pompe he rowed vnto Westminster, & there the
thirtith daie of October he was with all ceremonies accustomed,
annointed, & crowned king, by the whole assent as well of the commons
as of the nobilitie, & called Henrie the seauenth of that name: which
was in the yeare of the world 5452, and after the birth of our Lord
1485, in the fortie and sixt yeare of Frederike the third then emperour
of Almaine, Maximilian his sonne being newlie elected king of the
Romans, in the second yeare of Charles the eight then king of France,
and in the fiue and twentith of king Iames then ruling the realme of
Scotland. For the establishing of all things as well touching the
preseruation of his owne estate, as the commendable administration
of iustice and preferrement of the common wealth of his realme, he
called his high court of parlement at Westminster the seauenth daie of
Nouember, wherein was atteinted Richard late duke of Glocester, calling
and naming himselfe by vsurpation, king Richard the third.

Likewise there was atteinted as cheefe aiders and assistants to him
in the battell at Bosworth, aduanced against the present king, Iohn
late duke of Norffolke, Thomas earle of Surrie, Francis Louell knight
vicount Louell, Walter Deuereux knight late lord Ferrers, Iohn lord
Zouch, Robert Harrington, Richard Charleton, Richard Ratcliffe, William
Berkeleie of Weleie, Robert Middleton, Iames Harrington, Robert
Brakenberie, Thomas Pilkington, Walter Hopton, William Catesbie, Roger
Wake, William Sapcote of the countie of Huntington, Humfrie Stafford,
William Clerke of Wenlocke, Geffrie saint Germaine, Richard Watkins
herald of armes, Richard Reuell of Derbishire, Thomas Pulter of the
countie of Kent, Iohn Welsh otherwise called Hastings, Iohn Kendall
late secretaire to the said Richard late duke of Glocester, Iohn Bucke,
Andrew Rat, and William Brampton of Burford.

In which atteindor neuerthelesse there were diuerse clauses and
prouisos for the benefit of their wiues and other persons, that had
or might claime anie right, title, or interest lawfullie vnto anie
castels, manours, lordships, townes, towneships, honours, lands,
tenements, rents, seruices, fee farmes, annuities, knights fees,
aduousons, reuersions, remainders, and other hereditaments; whereof the
said persons atteinted were possessed or seized to the vses of such
other persons: with a speciall prouiso also, that the said atteindor
should not be preiudiciall to Iohn Catesbie knight, Thomas Reuell,
and William Ashbie esquiers, in, of, & vpon the manour of Kirkebie
vpon Wretheke in the coutie of Leicester, nor in, of, and vpon anie
other lands and tenements in Kirkebie aforesaid, Melton, Somerbie,
Thropseghfield, and Godebie, which they had of the gift & feoffement of
Thomas Dauers, & Iohn Lie. And further, notwithstanding this atteindor,
diuerse of the said persons afterwards were not onelie by the king
pardoned, but also restored to their lands and liuings.

[Sidenote: The king aduanceth his freends.]

Moreouer, in this present parlement, he caused proclamation to be made,
that all men were pardoned and acquited of their offenses, which would
submit themselues to his mercie, and receiue an oth to be true and
faithfull vnto him: wherevpon manie that came out of sanctuaries and
other places were receiued to grace, and admitted for his subiects.
After this, he began to remember his speciall freends, of whome some
he aduanced to honour and dignitie, and some he inriched with goods
and possessions, euerie man according to his deserts and merits. And
to begin, his vncle Iasper earle of Penbroke, he created duke of
Bedford; Thomas lord Stanleie was created earle of Derbie; and the lord
Chendew of Britaine his especiall freend, he made earle of Bath; sir
Giles Daubeneie was made lord Daubeneie; sir Robert Willoughbie was
made lord Brooke. And Edward Stafford eldest sonne to Henrie late duke
of Buckingham, he restored to his name, dignitie, & possessions, which
by king Richard were confiscat and atteinted. Beside this, in this
parlement was this notable act assented to and concluded as followeth;
to the pleasure of almightie God, wealth, prosperitie, and suertie of
this realme of England, and to the singular comfort of all the kings
subiects of the same, in auoiding all ambiguities and questions.


An act for the establishing of the crowne in the line of Henrie the
seauenth.

Be it ordeined, established, and enacted by this present parlement,
that the inheritance of the crown of this realme of England, & also
of France, with all the preheminence, and dignitie roiall to the same
apperteining, all other seigniories to the king belonging beyond the
sea, with the appurtenances thereto in anie wise due or apperteining,
shall rest, remaine, and abide, in the most roiall person of our now
souereigne lord king Henrie the seuenth, and in the heires of his bodie
lawfullie comming, perpetuallie, with the grace of God so to indure,
and in none other.

       *       *       *       *       *

[Sidenote: The king redeemeth his hostages.]

Beside this act, all atteindors of this king enacted by king Edward
and king Richard were adnihilated, and the record of the same iudged
to be defaced; and all persons atteinted for his cause and occasion
were restored to their goods, lands, and possessions. Diuerse acts also
made in the time of king Edward and king Richard were reuoked, and
other adiudged more expedient for the common wealth were put in their
places and concluded. After the dissolution of this parlement, the king
remembring his freends left in hostage beyond the seas, that is to wit,
the marquesse Dorset, sir Iohn Bourchier, he with all conuenient speed
redeemed them, and sent also into Flanders for Iohn Morton bishop of
Elie. These acts performed, he chose to be of his councell a conuenient
number of right graue and wise councellors.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem. ex subsequentib._]

[Sidenote: See the historie of Engl[=a]d pag. 124.]

[Sidenote: See also D. _Powels_ historie of Wales, pag. 2. and 376,
377, &c.]

[Sidenote: See before in Edward the fourth, pag. 302.]

¶ This did he, that he might the more roiallie gouerne his kingdome,
which he obteined and inioied as a thing by God elected and prouided,
and by his especiall fauour and gratious aspect compassed and atchiued.
Insomuch that men commonlie report that seauen hundred nintie & seauen
yeeres passed, it was by a heauenlie voice reuealed to Cadwalader last
of king Britains, that his stocke & progenie should reigne in this land
& beare dominion againe. Wherevpon most men were persuaded in their
owne opinion, that by this heauenlie voice he was prouided & ordeined
long before to inioy & obteine this kingdome. Which thing K. Henrie the
sixt did also shew before, as it were by propheticall inspiration, at
such time as the earle of Penbroke presented the said Henrie (at that
time a proper child) vnto Henrie the sixt, whome after he had beheld,
and a good while viewed the comlinesse of his countenance, and orderlie
lineaments of his bodie, he said to such peeres as stood about him: Lo,
suerlie this is he, to whome both we and our aduersaries, leauing the
possession of all things, shall hereafter giue roome and place: & so it
came to passe by the appointment of God, to whose gouernement, gift,
and disposing, all realmes and all dominions are subiect, as king Dauid
confesseth, saieng:

    Omnia sunt regno subdita regna Dei.

[Sidenote: _Gu. Ha. in psal. 103._]

[Sidenote: King Henrie the seuenth taketh to wife Elizabeth eldest
daughter of Edward the fourth.]

[Sidenote: 1486.]

[Sidenote: _In Hen. 7._]

Now although by this meanes all things seemed to be brought in good and
perfect order, yet there lacked a wrest to the harpe, to set all the
strings in a monocord and perfect tune, which was the matrimonie to be
finished betweene the king and the ladie Elizabeth, daughter to king
Edward. Which like a good prince, according to his oth, & promise, he
did both solemnize & consummate shortlie after, that is to saie, on
the eighteenth daie of Ianuarie. By reason of which marriage, peace
was thought to descend out of heauen into England, considering that
the lines of Lancaster and Yorke were now brought into one knot, and
connexed togither, of whose two bodies one heire might succeed to rule
and inioie the whole monarchie and realme of England, which before was
rent and diuided into factions & partakings, whereby manie a mans life
was lost, great spoiles made of peoples goods, wast of wealth, worship,
and honor, all which ended in this blessed and gratious connexion,
authorised by God, as our Anglorum praelia saith:

    Hoc Deus omnipotens pacis confecerat author,
    Ciuilisque habuit tandem contentio finem.

[Sidenote: Yeomen of the gard first brought in.]

Shortlie after, for the better preseruation of his roiall person, he
constituted and ordeined a certeine number, as well of archers, as
of diuerse other persons, hardie, strong, and actiue to giue dailie
attendance on his person, whom he named yeomen of his gard, which
president men thought that he learned of the French king when he was
in France. For it is not remembered, that anie king of England before
that daie vsed anie such furniture of dailie souldiers. ¶ In this same
yeere a new kind of sickenes inuaded suddenlie the people of this land,
passing through the same from the one end to the other. It began about
the one and twentith of September, and continued vntill the latter end
of October, being so sharpe and deadlie, that the like was neuer heard
of to anie mans remembrance before that time.

[Sidenote: The sweating sickenesse.]

[Sidenote: A remedie for the sweating sickenesse.]

For suddenlie a deadlie burning sweat so assailed their bodies and
distempered their bloud with a most ardent heat, that scarse one
amongst an hundred that sickened did escape with life: for all in
maner as soone as the sweat tooke them, or within a short time after
yeelded the ghost. Beside the great number which deceassed within the
citie of London, two maiors successiuelie died within eight daies and
six Aldermen. At length, by the diligent obseruation of those that
escaped (which marking what things had doone them good, and holpen to
their deliuerance, vsed the like againe.) When they fell into the same
disease, the second or third time, as to diuerse it chanced, a remedie
was found for that mortall maladie, which was this. If a man on the
day time were taken with the sweat, then should he streight lie downe
with all his clothes and garments, and continue in his sweat foure and
twentie houres, after so moderate a sort as might be.

If in the night he chanced to be taken, then should he not rise out
of his bed for the space of foure and twentie houres, so casting
the clothes that he might in no wise prouoke the sweat, but lie so
temperatlie, that the water might distill out softlie of the owne
accord, and to absteine from all meat if he might so long suffer
hunger, and to take no more drinke neither hot nor cold, than, would
moderatelie quench and asswage his thirstie appetite. Thus with
lukewarme drinke, temperate heate, and measurable cloaths manie
escaped: few which vsed this order (after it was found out) died of
that sweat. Marie one point diligentlie aboue all other in this cure is
to be obserued, that he neuer did put his hand or feet out of the bed
to refresh or coole himselfe, which to doo is no lesse ieopardie than
short and present death. Thus this disease comming in the first yeare
of king Henries reigne, was iudged (of some) to be a token and signe of
a troublous reigne of the same king, as the proofe partlie afterwards
shewed it selfe.

[Sidenote: The king requested a prest of six thousand markes.]

[Sidenote: A parlement summoned & new lawes for the common-wealth
enacted.]

The king standing in need of monie to discharge such debts, and to
mainteine such port as was behouefull, sent the lord treasurer with
maister Reginald Braie, and others, vnto the lord maior of London,
requiring of the citie a prest of six thousand marks. Wherevpon the
said lord maior and his brethren, with the commons of the citie,
granted a prest of two thousand pounds, which was leiued of the
companies, and not of the wards; and in the yeare next insuing, it was
well and trulie againe repaid euerie penie, to the good contentation
and satisfieng of them that disbursed it. The king considering that
the suertie of his roiall estate and defense of the realme consisted
cheefelie in good lawes and ordinances to be had and obserued among
his people summoned eftsoones his high court of parlement, therein to
deuise and establish some profitable acts and statutes, for the wealth
and commoditie of his people.

[Sidenote: The king goeth into the North.]

[Sidenote: A rebellion made by the lord Louell and others.]

After this, hauing set things in quiet about London, he tooke his
iournie into the North parts, there to purge all the dregs of malicious
treson that might rest in the hearts of vnquiet persons, and namelie in
Yorkeshire, where the people bare more fauour vnto king Richard in his
life time, than those of anie other part of the realme had commonlie
doone. He kept the feast of Easter at Lincolne; where he was certified
that the lord Louell and Humfrie Stafford, and Thomas Stafford, his
brother, were departed out of the sanctuarie at Colchester, to what
place or whither, no man as yet could tell. The king little regarding
the matter, kept on his iournie, and came to Yorke, where as soone as
he was once setled, it was openlie shewed and declared for a truth to
the king himselfe, that Frances lord Louell was at hand with a strong
and mightie power of men, and would with all diligence inuade the citie.

[Sidenote: Humfrie Stafford.]

[Sidenote: Thomas Stafford.]

It was also told him, that the forenamed Staffords were in
Worsetershire, and had raised a great band of the countrie people and
commons there, and had cast lots what part should assault the gates,
what men should scale the wals of the citie of Worcester, and who
should let the passages for letting of rescues and aiders. The king
could not beleeue this report to be true at the first, but after that,
by letters of credence sent from his freends, he was fullie persuaded
that it was too true, he was put in no small feare, and not without
great cause. For he wiselie considered, that he neither had anie
competent armie readie, nor conuenient furniture to arme them that were
present: and also he was in such place, where he could not assemble
anie power, but of those whome he sore mistrusted, as freends to them
that were most his enimies; the memorie of king Richard as yet being
not amongst them forgotten nor worne out of mind.

[Sidenote: The duke of Bedford against the lord Louell in armes.]

But bicause the matter required quicke expedition, he appointed the
duke of Bedford with three thousand men not altogither the best armed
(for their brest plates for the most part were of tanned leather) to
march foorth against the lord Louell, and to set vpon him without anie
lingering of time. The duke hasting forward, approched to the campe
of his enimies, & before he would assaile them, he caused the heralds
to make proclamation, that all those that would depart from their
armour, and submit themselues as subiects vnto their naturall prince
and souereigne lord, should be pardoned of all former offenses. The
lord Louell vpon this proclamation, either putting mistrust in his
souldiers, or fearing himselfe in his owne behalfe, fled priuilie in a
night from his companie, and left them as a flocke of sheepe without a
sheepeheard.

[Sidenote: The lord Louell escapeth.]

Which departure of the lord when his armie vnderstood, it put the
souldiers in such despaire of atchiuing anie further enterprise, that
they immediatlie put off their armour, and came directlie vnto the
duke, euerie man humblie submitting himselfe, and desiring pardon of
his offenses. So in this wise was that dangerous storme and cruell rage
of those furious rebels appeased, which was doubted would haue growne
to the destruction of manie a man. The lord Louell the procurer of this
businesse, escaping awaie got him into Lancashire, and there for a
certeine space lay lurking in secret with sir Thomas Broughton knight,
which in those parties was a man of no small authoritie and power.

[Sidenote: Sir Humfrie Stafford taken out of Colnham sanctuarie, and
executed.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2.]

Sir Humfreie Stafford also, hearing what had happened to the lord
Louell, in great displeasure and sorrowe, and for feare left his
enterprise, and in like manner fled, and tooke sanctuarie at Colnham,
a village not past two miles from Abindon. But bicause that sanctuarie
was not a sufficient defense (as was prooued before the iustices of the
kings Bench) for traitours, he was taken from that place, & brought to
the Tower, & after put to execution at Tiborne: but his brother Thomas
that was with him, was pardoned, bicause he was thought not to haue
attempted anie thing of himselfe otherwise than by the euill counsell
and persuasion of his elder brother. After that the king had quieted
all these commotions and tumults, and reformed the rude and brabling
people of the North parts, he returned to London.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Epitome Rich. Grafton._]

[Sidenote: One of the maiors officers chosen shiriffe of L[=o]don and
lord maior.]

¶ In this yeare Iohn Persiuall, one of the maior of Londons officers,
and his caruer, was chosen one of the shiriffes of London. For when the
maior (as the custome of London is) dooth elect one of the shiriffes of
London for the yeare insuing, by taking and drinking a cup of wine to
such a one as he lust to name shiriffe; the maior for the time being,
whose name was sir Henrie Collet, tooke the cup of wine, and dranke
vnto the aforesaid Iohn Persiuall his caruer standing bareheaded before
him, and waiting vpon his boord, and called him shiriffe of London
for the yeare insuing: and foorthwith the said maior caused the same
Persiuall to sit downe at his owne table, and to couer his head. And
the same Persiuall tooke vpon him the office of shiriualtie, and after
was maior of London, and was made knight.

In this meane time, of a small matter, and the same altogither false
and fained, there was an open path made and beaten foorth, for a
greater inconuenience to insue. The which matter might seeme verie
strange, how such trouble and mischeefe should grow thereof, if the
time were not considered, in which it happened. For in those daies
manie persons, either borne in the wombe of continuall dissention, or
nourished with the milke of ciuill sedition, could not forbeare their
vsuall custome of moouing strife, and sowing debate, euer glad to haue
anie occasion, though neuer so small, to stirre vprores of warre, and
slaughter of people. Which men if they knew (a matter of weightie
conceipt) the hurts thereof, they would be as earnest in seeking after
peace as they are greedie in pursuit of warre, speciallie ciuill
warre: but the cause whie they are defectiue therein, is the want of
meekenesse and humilitie, as the wiseman saith:

    Mite cor horribili seditione vacat.

[Sidenote: Sir Richard Simond a fraudulent preest. Lambert Simenell the
counterfeit earle of Warwike.]

Amongst other such monsters and limmes of the diuell, there was one
sir Richard Simond preest, a man of base birth, and yet well learned,
but not so learned as wilie, nor so wilie as vngratious, delighting in
fraud & deceit, euen from his youth. He had a scholer called Lambert
Simenell, one of a gentle nature and pregnant wit, to be the organe and
cheefe instrument, by the which he might conueie and bring to passe his
mischeeuous attempt. The diuell cheefe master of such practises, put in
the venemous braine of this disloiall and traitorous preest to deuise
how he might make his scholer the foresaid Lambert to be reputed as
right inheritour to the crowne of this realme: namelie, for that the
fame went that king Edwards children were not dead but fled secretlie
into some strange place, and there to be liuing: and that Edward earle
of Warwike, sonne and heire to the duke of Clarence, either was, or
shortlie should be put to death.

These rumors though they seemed not to be grounded of anie likelihood
to the wiser sort of men, yet incouraged this peeuish priest to thinke
the time come, that his scholer Lambert might take vpon him the person
and name of one of king Edwards children. And herevpon at Oxford, where
their abiding was, the said preest instructed his pupill both with
princelie behauiour, ciuill maners, and good literature, declaring to
him of what linage he should affirme himselfe to be descended, and
omitted nothing that might serue for his purpose. Soone after, the
rumor was blowne abroad, that the earle of Warwike was broken out of
prison. And when the preest sir Richard Simond heard of this, he
streight intended now by that occasion to bring his inuented purpose to
passe, and changing the childes name of baptisme, called him Edward,
after the name of the yoong earle of Warwike, the which were both of
like yeares, and of like stature.

[Sidenote: Thomas Gerardine chancellor of Ireland interteineth the
counterfeit earle verie honorablie.]

Then he with his scholer sailed into Ireland, where he so set foorth
the matter vnto the nobilitie of that countrie, that not onelie the
lord Thomas Gerardine chancellor of that land deceiued though his
craftie tale, receiued the counterfeit earle into his castell with all
honour and reuerence; but also manie other noble men determined to aid
him (with all their powers) as one descended of the bloud roiall and
lineallie come of the house of Yorke, which the Irish people euermore
highlie fauoured, honoured, and loued aboue all other. By this meanes
euerie man through out all Ireland was willing and readie to take his
part, and to submit themselues to him; alreadie reputing and calling
him of all hands king. So that now they of this sect (by the aduise of
the preest) sent into England certeine priuie messengers to get freends
heere.

[Sidenote: Margaret the duchesse of Burgognie sister to king Edward the
fourth, hir malicious mind to Lancaster house.]

Also they sent into Flanders to the ladie Margaret, sister to king
Edward, & late wife to Charles duke of Burgognie, to purchase aid and
helpe at hir hands. This ladie Margaret bare no small rule in the low
countries, and in verie deed sore grudged in hir heart, that king
Henrie (being descended of the house of Lancaster) should reigne and
gouerne the realme of England: and therefore though she well vnderstood
that this was but a coloured matter; yet to worke hir malicious
intention against king Henrie, she was glad to haue so fit an occasion:
and therfore promised the messengers all the aid that she should be
able to make in furtherance of the quarell; and also to procure all the
freends she could in other places, to be aiders and partakers of the
same conspiracie.

[Sidenote: A generall pardon excepting no off[=e]se.]

[Sidenote: Order taken that the yoong earle of Warwike should be shewed
abroad.]

King Henrie aduertised of all these dooings, was greatlie vexed
therewith: and therefore to haue good aduise in the matter, he
called togither his councell at the Charterhouse beside his manor of
Richmond, and there consulted with them, by which means best this
begun conspiracie might be appeased and disappointed without more
disturbance. It was therefore determined, that a generall pardon should
be published to all offendors that were content to receiue the same.
This pardon was so freelie granted that no offense was excepted, no not
so much as high treason committed against the kings roiall person. It
was further agreed in the same councell for the time then present, that
the earle of Warwike should personallie be shewed abroad in the citie,
and other publike places: whereby the vntrue report falselie spred
abroad, that he should be in Ireland, might be among the communaltie
prooued and knowne for a vaine imagined lie.

[Sidenote: Ladie Elizabeth late wife to king Edward the fourth,
adiudged to forfeit all hir lands for promise-breaking.]

In this solemne councell, diuerse & manie things for the wealth of the
realme were debated and concluded. And among other it was determined,
that the ladie Elizabeth wife to king Edward the fourth, should loose
and forfeit all hir lands and possessions, bicause she had voluntarilie
submitted hir selfe and hir daughters wholie to the hands of king
Richard, contrarie to hir promise made to the lords and nobles of this
realme in the beginning of the conspiracie made against king Richard,
whereby she did inough to haue quailed all the purpose of them that
ioined with hir in that matter. But though hir fault was greeuous,
yet was it iudged by some men that she deserued not by equitie of
iustice so great a losse and punishment. Howbeit, this iudgement was
altogether affectionate and parciall in hir behalfe; besides that it
was reasonable in great measure (all circumstances considered) for she
was not lightlie induced to doo as she did, neither stood it with the
frailtie of a woman to withstand the temptations of a mightie man, or
rather a reaching tyrant.

[Sidenote: Queenes Colledge in Cambridge founded by the ladie Elizabeth
king Edward the fourth his wife.]

But such was hir chance by hir lightnesse and inconstancie, that she
wan the displeasure of manie men, and for that cause liued after in
the abbeie of Bermondseie beside Southwarke a wretched and a miserable
life, where not manie yeares after she deceassed and is buried with
hir husband at Windsore. Though fortune thus ruleth manie things
at hir plesure, yet one worke that this queene accomplished cannot
be forgotten: for in the life time of hir husband king Edward the
fourth, she founded and erected a notable colledge in the vniuersitie
of Cambridge, for the finding of scholers and students of the same
vniuersitie, and endowed it with sufficient possessions for the long
maintenance of the same, which at this daie is called the Queenes
colledge.

[Sidenote: Edward the right earle of Warwike shewed openlie in
procession.]

When all things in this counsell were sagelie concluded and agreed to
the kings mind, he returned to London; giuing in commandement, that
the next sundaie insuing, Edward the yoong earle of Warwike should be
brought from the Tower through the most publike streets in all London,
to the cathedrall church of saint Paule, where he went openlie in
procession, that euerie man might see him, hauing communication with
manie noble men, and with them especiallie that were suspected to be
partakers of the late begun conspiracie; that they might perceiue how
the Irishmen vpon a vaine shadowe mooued warre against the king and
his realme. But this medicine little auailed euill disposed persons.
For the earle of Lincolne sonne to Iohn de la Poole duke of Suffolke,
and Elizabeth sister to king Edward the fourth, thought it not meet to
neglect and omit so readie an occasion of new trouble.

[Sidenote: An ill matter followed to the proofe.]

Wherefore they determined to vphold the enterprise of the Irishmen, and
other complices of this conspiracie; so that consulting with sir Thomas
Broughton, and certeine other of his most trustie freends, he purposed
to saile into Flanders to his aunt the ladie Margaret duchesse of
Burgognie, trusting by hir helpe to make a puissant armie, and to ioine
with the companions of the new raised sedition. Therefore after the
dissolution of the parlement which then was holden, he fled secretlie
into Flanders vnto the said ladie Margaret; where Francis lord Louell
landed certeine daies before. Heere after long consultation had how to
proceed in their businesse, it was agreed, that the earle of Lincolne,
and the lord Louell should go into Ireland; and there to attend vpon
the duchesse hir counterfeit nephue, and to honor him as a king, and
with the power of the Irishmen to bring him into England.

[Sidenote: The earle of Lincolnes flight into Flanders doubted of king
Henrie.]

Now they concluded, that if their dooings had successe, then the
foresaid Lambert (misnamed the earle of Warwike) should by consent of
the councell be deposed, and Edward the true earle of Warwike deliuered
out of prison and annointed king. King Henrie supposing that no man
would haue beene so mad as to haue attempted anie further enterprise in
the name of that new found & counterfeit earle, he onelie studied how
to subdue the seditious conspiracie of the Irishmen. But hearing that
the earle of Lincolne was fled into Flanders, he was somwhat mooued
therewith, and caused soldiors to be put in a readinesse out of euerie
part of his realme, and to bring them into one place assigned, that
when his aduersaries should appeare, he might suddenlie set vpon them,
vanquish and ouercome them.

[Sidenote: The marques Dorset committed to the Tower.]

[Sidenote: 1487.]

[Sidenote: Martine Sward a valient capteine of the Almains, assistant
to the earle of Lincolne.]

Thus disposing things for his suertie, he went towards S. Edmunds
burie, and being certified that the marquesse Dorset was comming
towards his maiestie, to excuse himselfe of things that he was
suspected to haue doone when he was in France, he sent the earle of
Oxford to arrest the said marques by the waie, and to conueie him
to the Tower of London, there to remaine till his truth might be
tried. From thence the K. went foorth to Norwich, and tarrieng there
Christmasse daie, he departed after to Walsingham, where he offered to
the image of our ladie, and then by Cambridge he shortlie returned to
London. In which meane time, the earle of Lincolne had gotten togither
by the aid of the ladie Margaret about two thousand Almains, with one
Martine Sward, a valiant and noble capteine to lead them.

[Sidenote: The counterfeit earle of Warwike with all his abherents
landeth in England.]

With this power the earle of Lincolne sailed into Ireland, and at the
citie of Diuelin caused yoong Lambert to be proclaimed and named king
of England, after the most solemne fashion, as though he were the verie
heire of the bloud roiall lineallie borne and descended. And so with a
great multitude of beggerlie Irishmen, almost all naked and vnarmed,
sauing skains and mantels, of whome the lord Thomas Gerardine was
capteine and conductor, they sailed into England with this new found
king, and landed for a purpose at the pile of Fowdreie, within a little
of Lancaster, trusting there to find aid by the meanes of sir Thomas
Broughton, one of the cheefe companions of the conspiracie.

The king had knowledge of the enimies intent before their arriuall,
and therefore hauing assembled a great armie (ouer the which the duke
of Bedford, and the earle of Oxenford were cheefe capteins) he went
to Couentrie, where he was aduertised, that the earle of Lincolne was
landed at Lancaster with his new king. Heere he tooke aduise of his
councellors what was best to be doone, whether to set on the enimies
without further delaie, or to protract time a while. But at length
it was thought best to delaie no time but to giue them battell,
before they should increase their power, and therevpon he remooued to
Notingham, & there by a little wood called Bowres, he pitched his field.

[Sidenote: K. Henries power soone increased.]

[Sidenote: The earle of Lincolne entreth Yorkeshire.]

Shortlie after this came to him the lord George Talbot earle of
Shrewesburie, the lord Strange, sir Iohn Cheinie, right valiant
capteins, with manie other noble and expert men of warre, namelie
of the countries neere adioining; so that the kings armie was
woonderfullie increased. In this space the earle of Lincolne being
entered into Yorkeshire, passed softlie on his iournie without spoiling
or hurting of anie man, trusting thereby to haue some companie of
people resort vnto him. But after he perceiued few or none to follow
him, and that it was too late now to returne backe, he determined to
trie the matter by dint of sword, and herevpon directed his waie from
Yorke to Newarke vpon Trent.

[Sidenote: The battell of Stoke.]

But before he came there, king Henrie knowing all his enimies purposes,
came the night before the daie of the battell to Newarke; and tarrieng
there a little, went three miles further, and pitching his field,
lodged there that night. The earle of Lincolne certified of his
comming, was nothing abashed, but kept still on his iournie; and at a
little village called Stoke, nigh to the king and his armie, set downe
his campe. The next daie the king diuided his whole power into three
battels, and after in good arraie approched nigh to the towne of Stoke.
The earle likewise set foorth his armie, and incountring with the kings
people in a faire plaine there, meet for the triall of such a conflict,
set vpon them with a manlie courage, desiring his soldiors to remember
his honour and their owne liues.

[Sidenote: The armies ioine.]

[Sidenote: Martine Sward a peerlesse warrior.]

Then both the armies ioined and fought verie earnestlie, in so much
that the Almains, being tried and expert men of warre, were in all
things, as well in strength as policie, equals and matches to the
Englishmen. But as for Martine Sward their coronell, few of the
Englishmen, either in valiant courage, or strength, and nimblenesse of
bodie was to him comparable. On the other side, the Irishmen, although
they fought manfullie, and stucke to it valiantlie; yet bicause they
were (after the maner of their countrie) almost naked, without anie
conuenable furniture of armour, they were striken downe and slaine like
dull & brute beasts, which was a great discouragement to the residue of
the companie. Thus they fought for a space so sore and so egerlie on
both parts, that no man could well iudge to whome the victorie was like
to incline.

[Sidenote: The kings power ouercommeth.]

[Sidenote: All the capteins of the aduerse part against the king
slaine.]

But at length the kings fore-ward being full of people, and well
fortified with wings, which onelie both began and continued the fight,
set vpon the aduersaries with such force and violence, that first they
oppressed and killed such capiteins, one by one, as resisted their
might and puissance: and after that, put all the other to flight, the
which were either apprehended as prisoners in their running awaie, or
else slaine and brought vnto confusion in a small moment. Now when
this battell was ended, and fought out to the extremitie, then it
well appeared, what high prowesse, what manfull stomachs, what hardie
and couragious hearts rested in the kings aduersaries. For there the
cheefe capteins, the earle of Lincolne, and the lord Louell, sir
Thomas Broughton, Martine Sward, and the lord Gerardine capteine of
the Irishmen were slaine, and found dead in the verie places which they
had chosen aliue to fight in, not giuing one foot of ground to their
aduersaries.

[Sidenote: The number of the slaine that were against the king.]

[Sidenote: Lambert and his maister Simond tak[=e].]

Howbeit some affirme, that the lord Louell tooke his horsse, and would
haue fled ouer Trent, but was not able to recouer the further side for
the highnesse of the banke, and so was drowned in the riuer. There
were killed at that battell, with their fiue capteins before rehersed,
of that partie about foure thousand. Of the kings part there were
not halfe of them which fought in the fore-ward, and gaue the onset
slaine or hurt. Then was Lambert the yoongling, which was falslie
reported to be the sonne of the duke of Clarence, and his maister sir
Richard Simond priest both taken, but neither of them put to death;
bicause that Lambert was but an innocent, and of yeares insufficient
of himselfe to doo any such enterprise; and the other was pardoned of
life, bicause he was a priest, and annointed man; but yet was committed
to perpetuall prison.

[Sidenote: Morton bishop of Elie made archbishop of Canturburie and
chancellor of England.]

Lambert was at length made one of the kings falconers, after that he
had beene a turnebroch for a space in the kings kitchen. This battell
was fought on a saturdaie being the sixteenth daie of Iune, in this
second yeere of his reigne. In this yeere died Thomas Bourchier
archbishop of Canturburie: and Iohn Morton bishop of Elie; a man of
excellent learning, vertue and policie, succeeded in his place, whom
Alexander pope of Rome, the sixt of that name, created a cardinall, and
the king created him also chancellor of England. Of which pope (hauing
so conuienient a place to speake) it were a fault to omit the ambition,
accompanied with other disorders vnbeseeming a successor of Peter (but
neither personallie nor locallie) as all the brood of them brag of
themselues, & will be intituled with a primasie, vsurped.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Guic. pag 4, 5._]

[Sidenote: Creation of pope Alexander the sixt, otherwise called
Roderike Borgia borne at Venice.]

[Sidenote: Corruption of Cardinals in the election of the pope.]

¶ This Alexander the sixt pope of that name, was sometime an ancient
cardinall, and one of the greatest in all the court of Rome. One meane
that raised him to the seat of the pope, was the difference betweene
the cardinals Ascanius Sforce, and Iulian S. Petri ad Vincula: but the
chiefest thing that accomplished his election, was, that with a new
example for that time, he bought by the consent and knowledge of euerie
one, partlie for monie, and partlie with promises of offices and great
dignities, manie voices of the cardinals, who reiecting the instruction
of the gospell, were not ashamed to passe to him by sale, an authoritie
and power to make merchandize of the holie tresures, & that with the
name of the celestiall authoritie in the most high part of the temple.

To which abhominable & too prophane negotiation manie of them were
induced by the cardinall Ascanius, but that was not more with
persuasions and sutes, than with his example: for that being corrupted
with the infinit desire of riches, he made the pope promise him
for his hire and recompense of so great wickednesse, the office of
vicechancellorship (the principallest place in the court of Rome)
togither with benefices, castels, and his palace of Rome full of
mooueables of great valour. But the pope for all this could not auoid;
neither for the time to come, the iudgment and iuistice of God; nor
for the present, the infamie and iust hate of men, in whom for this
election was no small impressions of astonishment and horror, not
onelie for that it was intangled with meanes dishonest, but also
bicause the natures and conditions of the man chosen, were (for the
greatest part) knowen to manie.

[Sidenote: Pope Alexander the sixt corrupted with manie vices.]

Manie sentences and coniectures were made of his successe. And amongst
other, Ferdinand king of Naples, dissembling openlie the griefe he
had of that election, signified to the queene his wife with teares
(which he was woont to forbeare euen in the death of his children)
that there was created a pope who wold be most hurtfull to Italie,
and the whole common weale of Christendome. A iudgement not vnworthie
of the wisedome of such a prince: for that in Alexander the sixt (for
so would this new pope be called) was a subtiltie, sharpenesse, and
expedition of wit most singular, a counsell excellent, a woonderfull
efficacie in persuasion, and in all great affaires a iudgement and care
incredible. But these vertues were maruellouslie defaced by his vices,
for touching his maners and customes, they were verie dishonest, in his
administrations he expressed little sinceritie, in his countenance no
shame, in his words small truth, in his heart little faith, and in his
opinion lesse religion. Of the contrarie all his actions were defiled
with an insatiable couetousnesse, and immoderate ambition, a barbarous
crueltie, and a burning desire to raise and make great (by what meanes
soeuer) his children, who were manie in number; and amongst others, one
no lesse detestable than the father, to whose cursed counsels he became
a wicked instrument. Thus much (by waie of digression) of Alexander,
a pope (as you heare) well qualified, and therefore forward enough to
creat cardinals both in England and elsewhere of like disposition. But
to returne to the storie.

[Sidenote: Thanks giuen to God after victorie.]

[Sidenote: Execution vpon the offendors.]

After that the king had got the vpper hand of his enimies, he remooued
to Lincolne, and there taried three dais, causing euerie of the same
daies solemne processions to be made in rendering thanks to God for
his fortunate victorie. Then caused he execution to be done, of such
rebels & traitors as were taken in the field, either at the battell,
or in the chase. And shortlie after he went into Yorkeshire, & there
coasted the countrie ouerthwart, searching out such as had aided his
enimies and were thought to be seditious persons, whome he punished,
some by imprisonment, some by fines, and some by death: according to
the qualitie of their offenses, and as was thought most expedient [not
by extremitie of rigor inclining to tyrannie, but by due moderation of
iustice tempering execution with clemencie; according to the good rule
of iustice prescribed by the wise man, saieng:

    Sobria commissum plectat elementia crimen,
    Parua negat poenam culpa subire grauem.]

[Sidenote: _Gu. Fla. in eccle. cap. 10._]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 3]

[Sidenote: Fox bishop of Excester sent ambassador into Scotland.]

[Sidenote: A truce with Scotland for seuen yeares.]

About the middest of August entering into the third yere of his reigne,
he came to Newcastell vpon Tine, and from thence sent in ambassage into
Scotland Richard Fox, latelie before made bishop of Execster, and with
him Richard Edgecombe knight, controller of his house, to conclude some
peace or truce with king Iames of Scotland. The English ambassadors
were honorablie receiued, and louinglie interteined of the said king,
who gladlie would haue concluded a perpetuall peace with the king of
England, if he might haue bene licenced so to haue doone: but his
people being stedfast in their old accustomed vsage, would not agree
to anie peace, but yet were contented to gratifie their king that he
should take truce with England for the tearme of seuen yeares, which
was concluded.

Then was secret promise made by king Iames, that he would not onlie
obserue peace, & continue in perfect amitie with the king of England
during his life, but also would renew againe this truce new taken for
other seuen yeers, before the first seuen yeers were fullie expired.
The king of Scots indeed was as desirous of the king of Englands
friendship, as the king of England was of his: bicause that his
subiects bare him much euill will, misliking with all things that
either he could doo or saie. [So that his regiment was no longer liked,
than they were in a good mood, which was when they were well minded;
and that was neuer: for that if by gentlenesse he allured them, they
esteemed him a flatterer; if by seueritie, a tyrant. And therefore it
stood him vpon to strengthen himselfe against such a people, of whose
pleasure & displeasure depended his estate.]

[Sidenote: King Henrie returneth out of the north countrie.]

[Sidenote: The French kings request for aid against Fr[=a]cis duke of
Britaine.]

K. Henrie after the returne of his ambassadors out of Scotland, came
from Newcastell to Yorke, and so toward London, and in the way being
at Leicester, there came to him ambassadors from Charles the French
king, which declared both the recouerie of certeine townes out of the
hands of Maximilian king of Romans, which he had wrongfullie deteined
from the crowne of France before that time; and also that their maister
king Charles had now wars in hand against Francis duke of Britaine,
bicause that he succoured and mainteined diuers noble men, as the duke
of Orleance and others, that were rebels and traitors, against him
and the realme of France. Wherefore his request was, that for the old
familiaritie that had bene betwixt them, he would either assist and
helpe him, or else stand neuter betwixt them, neither helping nor yet
hurting the one nor the other.

Vpon good and deliberate aduise taken in this matter, bicause it was
iudged weightie, the king for answer told the French ambassadors, that
he would neither spare paine nor cost, to set some reasonable staie
betwixt their souereigne lord king Charles, and the duke of Britaine:
so that a finall end and some perfect conclusion of friendship might
be had betwixt them. And so as soone as the French ambassadors were
returned home, the king sent his chapleine Christopher Urswike ouer
into France to king Charles, as well to shew that he was glad of
the victorie which he had against Maximilian; as to declare what a
tempestuous storme of ciuill rebellion himselfe had escaped & ouercome
heere in England.

[Sidenote: King Henries offer to make an attonement betwixt the French
king and the duke.]

[Sidenote: Christopher Urswike.]

But the chiefest point of Urswikes errand consisted in this, that
he should intimate to the French king, how his maister king Henrie
offered himselfe as a mediator betwixt him and the duke of Britaine,
to make them friends: and if he perceiued that the French king gaue
eare herevnto, then should he go into Britaine, to mooue the duke
there to be contented, that some reasonable order might be taken for a
quietnesse to be had betwixt the French king and him. Whilest Urswike
was trauelling in this matter (according to his commission) the king
came backe againe to London, where he was receiued of the citizens with
great ioy and triumph, they being heartlie glad and greatlie reioising
that he with such good successe had subdued his enimies.

[Sidenote: The marques Dorset deliuered out of the Tower.]

[Sidenote: The kings loue to his wife queene Elizabeth.]

Shortlie after, he deliuered the lord Thomas marques Dorset out of the
Tower, receiuing him againe to his former fauor and old familiaritie:
bicause his truth and loialtie by diuerse assaies and sundrie arguments
had beene throughlie tried, and sufficientlie prooued. In which meane
time, the king for the great loue that he bare to his wife queene
Elizabeth, caused hir to be crowned and anointed queene on saint
Katharins day in Nouember, with all solemnitie, as in such cases
apperteineth. In the meane season Christopher Urswike (according to his
commission) trauelled betweene the French king and the duke of Britaine
in the king of Englands Name to make them friends. But although the
French king seemed willing enough to haue peace, yet meant he nothing
lesse. For he had as manie subtilties in his heart, as there be faces
in the world, according to the poet.

    Pectoribus fraudes tot sunt quot in orbe figurae.

[Sidenote: The duke of Orleance partaker with the duke of Britaine.]

For whilest he went about with faire words, courteous letters, and
sweet promises to beare the king of England in hand to labour a peace
betwixt him and the Britains, he inforced his whole puissance to subdue
them, and besieged the citie of Nants. And on the other part, the duke
of Orleance being withdrawne to the duke of Britaine, and one that
ruled most about him, had no liking to heare of peace, but did what he
could to hinder it. The English ambassador Christopher Urswike (hauing
thus passed from the French king to the duke of Britaine, and backe
againe to the French king) returned shortlie after into England, and
shewed vnto king Henrie what he had doone betwixt them.

Immediatlie after came to the French king the lord Bernard Daubeneie
a Scot borne, which on the French kings behalfe required K. Henrie
to make some maner of end of those Brittish warres, whatsoeuer it
were. King Henrie being desirous of the same, sent ouer againe into
France, Iohn the abbat of Abingdon, sir Richard Edgecombe knight, and
the forenamed Christopher Urswike, with full and perfect commission &
long instructions how to proceed, in driuing of some agreement betwixt
the Frenchmen and the Britons. These orators (according as they had
in commandement) first went vnto the French king, and after they had
communed with him, sir Richard Edgecombe, and Christopher Urswike
departed streight to the duke of Britaine, in full hope to conclude a
peace, vpon such offers and articles as they had to propone vnto him.

[Sidenote: 1488.]

[Sidenote: Edward lord Wooduile aideth the duke of Britaine without the
kings c[=o]sent.]

But all their hope was vaine, for the duke refused to agree vpon anie
such articles and conditions as they offered; and so without concluding
anie thing with the duke, they returned backe into France; and from
thence signified to the king of England by letters all that they knew,
or had doone. But in the meane time, Edward lord Wooduile, vncle to the
queene, sued to king Henrie that he might haue a power of men appointed
to him, with the which he would steale priuilie ouer without licence
or passeport, so that euerie man should thinke that he was fled the
realme, without knowledge of the king, for that no warre should arise
by his meanes betwixt the realmes of France and England, and yet should
the duke of Britaine be aided against the power of the Frenchmen, which
sought to vanquish him, that they might ioine his countrie vnto the
dominion of France: which in no wise ought to be suffered, considering
what annoiance & hurt the same might bring to the realme of England in
time to come.

[Sidenote: Lord Wooduile gathereth a power in the Ile of wight.]

Although this request was vtterlie denied, and that the lord Wooduile
was streightlie commanded by the king to make no such attempt; yet
could not all that staie him, but that withdrawing him into the Ile
of Wight, whereof he was made ruler and capteine, he there gathered
togither a crue of tall & hardie personages, to the number of 400, &
with prosperous wind & weather arriued in Britaine, and ioined himselfe
with the Britons against the Frenchmen. The French king aduertised
herof, was not well plesed in his mind towards the king of England;
till K. Henrie by new messengers informed him how guiltlesse he was
in the matter, and that by plaine and euident proofes. With the which
excuse the French king seemed to be the better pacified, and was
content to dissemble the matter.

[Sidenote: The league renewed betweene England and France.]

[Sidenote: The king calleth a parlement.]

Then the English ambassadors, renewing the league and amitie betwixt
king Henrie & the French king, for the space of twelue moneths, they
returned into England, and shewed the king all things that they had
either heard or seene; so that he perceiued that the French king dealt
craftilie in this matter of Britaine, still motioning peace when he
meant nothing else but warre. He therefore called his high court of
parlement, in the which it was not onelie determined that the duke of
Britaine should be aided with a power of men against the wrongfull
inuasions of the Frenchmen, but also there were diuerse summes of
monie granted to the furnishing foorth and maintenance of the same.
And immediatlie herevpon, the king sent his ambassadors into France to
certifie the French king what the estates assembled in parlement here
in England had decreed.

[Sidenote: A peremptorie ambassage out of England into France.]

Wherefore he required him either to surceasse the warres which he
had in hand against the Britons, or else not to be greeued though he
condescended to the iudgement and determination of the lords both
spirituall and temporall, and commons of his realme, in taking vpon him
the defense of the duke of Britaine; promising neuerthelesse that the
English armie should onelie take land within the duchie of Britaine,
and seeke to defend the same against all those that did inuade it, and
not to make anie warre within the French dominions. This message was
nothing regarded of the French king, in so much that the French armie
proceeded in oppressing the Britons, destroieng the countrie, and
besieging townes.

[Sidenote: The battell of saint Aulbin in Britaine, betweene the duke
of Britaine and the French king.]

[Sidenote: Lord Wooduile slaine.]

At length on the seuen and twentith, or (as the chronicles of Aniou
haue) the eight and twentith daie of Iulie, the duke of Britains armie
gaue battell to the French host neere to a towne called saint Aulbin,
hauing apparelled a thousand and seuen hundred of the Britons in coates
with red crosses, after the English fashion, to make the Frenchmen
beleeue that they had a great number of Englishmen, although they had
but foure hundred onelie with the lord Wooduile. The victorie in this
battell fell to the Frenchmen, so that almost all the Englishmen were
slaine with the lord Wooduile, beside six thousand Britons. The duke
of Orleance and the prince of Orainge were taken prisoners, which were
there on the Britons part. The Frenchmen lost twelue hundred men, and
amongst other, that valiant Italian capteine Iames Galeot.

[Sidenote: King Henrie sendeth foorth his armie against the French.]

These newes being brought into England, caused king Henrie to make
hast in sending foorth his armie, and therefore was the lord Brooke,
with sir Iohn Cheinie, sir Iohn Middleton, sir Rafe Hilton, sir
Richard Corbet, sir Thomas Leighton, sir Richard Laton, and sir Edmund
Cornewall sent ouer into Britaine with all conuenient speed, hauing
with them an eight thousand men, well armed and furnished in warlike
wise, to aid the duke of Britaine against the Frenchmen. These lustie
capteins being arriued in Britaine, after they had a little refreshed
them, marched forward, and comming neere to their enimies, pitched
downe their field, not farre from the Frenchmens campe.

[Sidenote: When the French be inuincible.]

[Sidenote: Francis duke of Britaine dieth.]

The Frenchmen by experience knowing the Englishmen (so long as they be
fresh and lustie) in maner to be inuincible, thought not good to match
with them in open battell, till they were somewhat wearied lieng and
lingering abroad in the field. And therefore at the first they sought
to wearie them with light skirmishes, appointing their horssemen to
giue them alarmes, & some skirmishes; in the which the Frenchmen, by
reason of the English archers (which galled both men and horsses) were
euer put to the worsse. But behold the mutabilitie of worldlie chances!
Whiles this warre was thus set forward, Francis duke of Britaine
departed this life, & then the cheefe rulers of Britaine, falling
at dissention among themselues, tendered not the defense of their
countrie, but rather minded the destruction thereof.

[Sidenote: The duchie of Britaine incorporated to the realme of France.]

[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow._]

[Sidenote: The birth of prince Arthur.]

Herevpon the Englishmen, perceiuing in what danger they were, and
considering that it was in the middest of winter, a time not meet for
men of warre to lie in the cold and frostie fields, they returned into
England, within fiue monethes after their first setting foorth. So that
finallie the French king got the vpper hand of the Britons, and did
incorporate that duchie to his realme and crowne of France, as in the
historie of France it may appeere at large. ¶ In Iuly this yeere was
a prest leuied for the king in the citie of London, of foure thousand
pounds, which was repaied the yeare next following. In September, the
queene was deliuered at Winchester of her first sonne, named prince
Arthur; and the fiue and twentith of Nouember (next insuing) she was
crowned at Westminster with all due solemnitie.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 4.]

[Sidenote: The collectors of the subsidie complaine to the earle of
Northumberland that they cannot get in the tax monie.]

Yee haue heard, how there was in the last parlement monie granted for
the furnishing foorth of the armie into Britaine; that is to wit, it
was agreed, that euerie man should be taxed after the rate of his
substance, to paie the tenth penie of his goods. Which monie the most
part of them that dwelled in the bishoprike of Durham, and in the
parties of Yorkeshire refused vtterlie to paie: either for that they
thought themselues ouercharged with the same; or were procured to shew
themselues disobedient, thorough the euill counsell of some seditious
persons, which conspired against the king, to put him to new trouble.
Therefore such as were appointed collectors, after that they could not
get the monie, according to their extract deliuered to them by the
commissioners, they made their complaint priuilie to Henrie the fourth
earle of Northumberland, chiefe ruler of the North parts.

[Sidenote: 1489.]

[Sidenote: The earle of Northumberland murthered by the northerne
rebels at the instigation and setting on of Iohn a Chamber.]

The earle foorthwith signified to the king all that matter, and the
king not willing to pardon them of anie one penie (least the example
might doo hurt by incouraging others to shew the like stubbornes in
other parts of the realme) c[=o]manded the earle either by distresse
or otherwise, to leuie the monie as he should thinke most meet. The
rude and beastlie people hearing of this answer from the king, by and
by with great violence set vpon the earle by the exciting of a simple
fellow named Iohn a Chamber, whome the erle with faire words sought to
appease. But they like vnreasonable villaines, alledging all the fault
to be in him, as chiefe author of the tax, furiouslie and cruellie
murthered both him and diuerse of his houshold seruants. Diuerse
affirme that the Northerne men bare against this earle continuall
grudge euer since the death of king Richard, whom they entirelie
fauoured.

[Sidenote: A rebellion in the north for a tax granted by parlement.]

[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Egremond capteine rebell.]

Although this offense was great and heinous; yet there succeeded a more
mischiefe: for incontinentlie (to cloke this presumptuous murther) the
Northerne men got them to armour, and assembling togither, chose them
a capteine, no lesse seditious than desirous of trouble, called sir
Iohn Egremond knight; and passing by the countries, they published and
declared that they would bid the king battell onlie in defense of their
liberties & common freedome, of the which he went about to beereaue
them. But when the matter should come to be tried with blowes, their
harts so fainted that they scattered awaie, euerie man seeking to saue
himselfe by flight: but that little auailed them.

[Sidenote: Thomas erle of Surrie sent with a power against the north
rebels.]

[Sidenote: Iohn a Ch[=a]ber hanged like an archtraitor.]

For the king hearing of this businesse, sent foorth Thomas earle of
Surreie (whome not long before he had deliuered out of the Tower,
and receiued to his speciall fauour) with a crue of men, to chastise
those rebels of the north parts, who skirmished with a certeine
companie of them, and them discomfited, and took aliue Iohn a Chamber,
the first beginner of this rebellion. The king himselfe road after
into Yorkeshire, of whose comming the sturdie rebels were so abashed
and afraid, that they fled more and lesse; which afterward were
apprehended, and punished according to their demerits. Yet the king of
his clemencie pardoned the innocent people, and executed the chiefe
procurers. For Iohn a Chamber was hanged at Yorke on a gibbet set vpon
a square paire of gallowes like an archtraitor, and his complices and
lewd disciples were hanged on the lower gallowes round about their
maister, to the terrible example of other.

[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Egremond flieth into Flanders.]

[Sidenote: The king boroweth a gret summe of monie of the ch[=a]ber of
Lond[=o].]

But sir Iohn Egremond fled into Flanders to the ladie Margaret duchesse
of Burgognie, that euer enuied the prosperitie of king Henrie. After
this the king returned to London, leauing the earle of Surreie to rule
the north parts, and appointed sir Richard Tunstall, a man of great
wit and policie, to gather the subsidie to him due of the people.
This yeare the king borrowed of euerie alderman of London two hundred
pounds, and of the Chamber nine thousand eightie two pounds seuenteene
shillings foure pence; which he repaied againe to the vttermost, with
great equitie and thankefulnes. [A vertue verie laudable in this good
king, and so much the more noteworthie as it is rare; speciallie in
mightie men and great estates of the world, that count what soeuer they
can catch their owne, as though the pursses of their people were theirs
to possesse at pleasure & vse at lust, without conscience or care of
restitution. Which foule fault Ecclesiasticus noteth (affirming that
all is lost that is lent them) in expresse words, saieng:

[Sidenote: _Gu. Ha. in Eccle. cap. 8._]

    Reddere magnates nolunt, quae mutua sumunt,
    Mutua quae trades interiisse scias.]

[Sidenote: A rebellion in Flanders.]

[Sidenote: Maximilian king of Romans imprisoned at Bruges by the
townesmen.]

In this season, the emperour Frederike made warre against the Flemings,
namelie against Bruges and certeine townes of Flanders, which had
rebelled against his sonne Maximilian king of Romans, their liege
and souereigne lord; in so much that they of Bruges had not onelie
slaine his officers but imprisoned him within their towne, till they
had caused him to pardon all their offenses, and also to sweare neuer
to remember, nor reuenge the same in time to come. But his father
Frederike the emperour could not suffer such a reproch & dishonour
doone to his sonne (whose fame & princelie estate as he tendered and
had in gelosie; so was it his hart greefe and immoderat vexation that
he should be abused of open contemners, in such villanous sort as
tended highlie to the indignitie of his person, and the aggrauating of
their offense and punishment) to passe vnreuenged, & therefore scourged
the countrie of Flanders with sharpe and cruell warre.

[Sidenote: The lord Cordes maketh aduanage of occasion.]

The lord of Rauenstein being driuen to take the same oth, that his
master Maximilian tooke at Bruges, to shew that the warre was not begun
with his assent, forsooke Maximilian his lord, and tooke the townes of
Ipre and Sluis, with both the castels of the same hauen, and further
did not onelie stir the Cantois, Brugeans, and other towns of Flanders,
to rebell against their souereigne lord; but also sent to the French
kings lieutenant in Picardie, the lord Cordes, to aid him to conquer
such townes of Flanders, as were not of his opinion. The lord Cordes,
otherwise called monsieur de Querdes, was glad to haue so good occasion
to set foot in Flanders, as he that had sufficient instructions of his
maister the French king, vpon anie such offred occasion so to doo,
sent foorthwith to the aid of the Flemings eight thousand Frenchmen,
commanding them to conquer such townes, as were in the waie betwixt
France and Bruges.

[Sidenote: King Henrie sendeth the lord Daubeneie and the lord Morleie
against the French.]

The capteins, according to his deuise, besieged a little walled towne
called Dixmew, to whome came foure thousand Flemings with vittels and
artillerie, sent from the lord of Rauenstein. They laid siege on the
north side of the towne, in a marish ground then being drie, and so
deepelie ditched and rampired their campe about (on which rampire they
laid their ordinance) that it was in maner impossible to enter their
campe, or doo them anie displeasure or damage. The K. of England was
dailie aduertised of these dooings, which nothing lesse desired than
to haue the English pale inuironed with French fortresses. Wherefore
to preuent that mischiefe in time, with all expedition he sent ouer to
the lord Daubeneie, then his deputie of Calis, the lord Morleie, with a
crue of valiant archers & souldiers, to the number of a thousand men,
with priuie instructions what they should doo.

[Sidenote: Sir Humfrie Talbot with his six score archers.]

At their comming ouer it was bruted abroad, that they were sent onelie
to defend the English pale, against all attempts that might vpon
the sudden in anie wise be made by the Frenchmen, or Flemings: but
their enterprise was all otherwise. For on a tuesday at the shutting
of the gates at night, the lord Daubeneie chiefeteine of the armie,
the lord Morleie, sir Iames Tirrell capteine of Guisnes, sir Henrie
Willoughbie, sir Gilbert Talbot, and sir Humfreie Talbot marshall of
Calis, with diuerse other knights, and esquiers, and other of the
garisons of Hammes, Guisnes, and Calis, to the number of two thousand
men or thereabouts, issued priuilie out of Calis, & passed the water
of Graueling in the morning betimes; and left there for a stale, and
to keepe the passage, sir Humfreie Talbot, with six score archers, and
came to Newport, where they found the souereigne of Flanders with six
hundred Almains, and there they staied that night.

[Sidenote: The good service of a wretch that should haue beene hanged.]

[Sidenote: A policie.]

On the next daie they went toward Dixmew, and by the guiding of a
prisoner, that should haue beene hanged on the next morning, they
issued out of the south gate of the towne of Dixmew, and were conueied
by their said guide by an high banke set with willowes; so that the
Cantois could not well espie them, and so secretlie gat to the end of
their enimies campe, and there paused. The lord Daubeneie commanded all
men to send their horsses and wagons backe, but the lord Morleie said
he would ride till he came to hand strokes. Thus they marched foorth
till they came to a low banke, and no deepe ditch, where the ordinance
laie; and there the archers shot altogither, euerie man an arrow, and
so fell prostrate to the ground. The enimies herewith discharged their
ordinance, and ouershot them.

[Sidenote: The lord Morleie slaine.]

[Sidenote: The number of the slaine on both parts.]

The Almains lept ouer the ditch with their morice pikes. The Englishmen
in the fore-front waded the ditch, and were holpen vp by the Almains,
and set on their enimies, and tooke manie prisoners. The other
Englishmen hasted by the causie to enter in at the north gate of the
campe, where the lord Morleie being on horssebacke in a rich coate,
was slaine with a gun. When his death was knowen, euerie man killed
his prisoner, and slue all such as did withstand them, to the number
of eight thousand men; in so much that of two thousand that came out
of Bruges (as the Flemish chronicle reporteth) there came not home one
hundred. On the English part was slaine the lord Morleie, and not an
hundred more.

[Sidenote: The English souldiers inriched.]

[Sidenote: Newport besieged by the Frenchmen.]

The Englishmen tooke their ordinance and sent it to Newport, with
all the spoile and great horsses. And by the waie hearing certeine
Frenchmen to be at Ostend, they made thitherward: but the Frenchmen
fled, and so they burned part of the towne, and came againe to Newport,
where the lord Daubeneie left all the Englishmen that were hurt and
returned to Calis, where he buried the bodie of the lord Morleie. The
Englishmen got great riches at this field, for they that went foorth in
cloth, came home in silke, and those that went out on foot, came home
on great horsses. The lord Cordes being at Ipre with twentie thousand
men, was sore displeased with this ouerthrow; & therefore thinking to
be reuenged, besieged the towne of Newport right stronglie, and shot
dailie at the wals, breaking them in manie places.

[Sidenote: English archers.]

But the Englishmen that were hurt at Dixmew field before, and might
either stand or draw bowe, neuer came from the wals. On a daie the
Frenchmen gaue a great assault to a tower, and perforce entered it,
and set vp the banner of the lord Cordes. But see the chance! During
the time of the assault, there arriued a barke with foure score fresh,
English archers, which came streight to the tower, and did so much,
that what with the helpe of such as before were wounded and hurtmen,
and of the couragious harts of the new come archers incouraged greatlie
by the women of the towne, crieng; Shoot Englishmen, shoot: the tower
was regained out of the Frenchmens hands, and the banner of the lord
Cordes rent in peeces, and in place thereof the penon of saint George
set vp. Then the Frenchmen, supposing a great aid of Englishmen to haue
beene come to the towne by sea, left the assault.

[Sidenote: The malicious and foolish words of the lord Cordes.]

[Sidenote: Iames king of Scots slaine by his owne subiects.]

And the night following, the enuious lord Cordes (which so sore longed
for Calis, that he would commonlie saie that he could be content to
lie seuen yeares in hell, so that Calis were in possession of the
Frenchmen) brake vp his siege, and returned to Helding with shame.
And the Englishmen glad of this victorie returned to Calis. This
yeare Iames the third of that name king of Scots was slaine by his
owne subiects, after they had vanquished him in a pight field. About
the same time one Adrian an Italian was sent in ambassage from pope
Innocent the eight into Scotland, to haue taken vp the variance betwixt
the king there and his people. But being arriued here in England, he
was informed that king Iames was slaine, and therfore taried here
certeine moneths.

[Sidenote: Adrian an Italian made bishop in Hereford, and after of Bath
and Welles.]

And for that he was a man of excellent learning, vertue, and humanitie,
the archbishop of Canturburie Iohn Morton so commended him to the king,
that he made him first bishop of Hereford, and shortlie after, that
resigned and giuen ouer, he promoted him to the bishoprike of Bath
and Welles. And after that with these honors he was returned to Rome,
he was aduanced by all the degrees of spirituall dignities into the
college of the cardinals. And worthie sure he was of great preferment,
for by his meanes, learned men were mooued to seeke out the vse of
eloquent writing and speaking in the Latine toong, he being the first
in the time of our fathers that taught the trade to choose and vse apt
words and fit termes.

[Sidenote: 1490.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.]

[Sidenote: Ambassadors from the Fr[=e]ch king to the king of England.]

In the sixt yeare of king Henries reigne there came ambassadors to
him from the French king the lord Francis of Lutzenburgh, Charles
Marignane, and Robert Gaguine minister of the Bonnehommes of the
trinitie. The effect of their comming was to haue concluded a peace
with king Henrie, and that with good will the French king might dispose
of the mariage of the yoong duchesse of Britaine, as he should thinke
good; and to make void the contract and former mariage, which by proxie
the deputie of Maximilian king of Romans had before time contracted &
made with hir. But thereto would not king Henrie gaue his consent, euer
harping on this string, that the maiden being once lawfullie combined
in matrimonie with Maximilian, ought not to be compelled against hir
will and promise (yea and contrarie to all law, right and equitie) to
take anie other person than him to hir spouse and husband.

[Sidenote: K. Henrie is loth that the French king should marrie the
duchess of Britaine.]

In deed king Henrie was loth that the French king should marrie the
duchesse of Britaine himselfe (as he perceiued his meaning was) and so
ioine the duchie of Britaine to the crowne of France: and therefore
he did what he could to hinder that bargaine. Yet at length it was
agreed that a forme of a league should be drawen with conditions,
clauses, and couenants. And for full concluding of the same, it was
thought expedient, that the king of England should send ambassadors
to the French king to finish all matters betwixt them. Wherevpon the
French ambassadors being dismissed with great rewards, streightwaies
Thomas erle of Ormond, and Thomas Goldenston prior of Christes church
in Canturburie, were appointed by the king to follow them into France,
instructed fullie in althings that he would haue on his behalfe either
moued or determined.

[Sidenote: Lionell bishop of Concordia sent from the pope to the French
king.]

In this meane space, Lionell the bishop of Concordia was sent as
oratour from pope Alexander the sixt to the French king for certeine
matters: and amongst other things, he had in charge to conclude a peace
and vnitie betwixt the French king and the king of England. He moouing
this matter to the French king, found him nothing strange to incline to
his motion. Wherevpon the bishop of Concordia conceiuing good hope, and
therewith desirous (as became him best bearing that title) to set an
attonement betwixt those two kings, tooke his iournie towards England,
to the intent he might mooue king Henrie to be agreeable therevnto,
and so comming to Calis, found the English ambassadors there, being
so farre on their waie towards the French king; and being honorablie
receiued of them into that towne, after they had communed togither, the
bishop tooke the sea, and was transported ouer into England, and the
ambassadors departed towards the French king.

[Sidenote: The duchesse of Britaine maried to K. Charles.]

After the bishop of Concordia had talked with king Henrie, and
perceiued that (vpon reasonable conditions) he could be content to
conclude a peace with all christian princes, and to liue in rest after
so manie troubles afore time susteined, the said bishop returned backe
into France to sollicit this purpose to some perfect conclusion. But
the Frenchmen so handled the matter, that whilest they outwardlie
shewed how they desired nothing but freendship and amitie, they allured
the yoong dutchesse of Britaine to submit hirselfe wholie to their
discretion, so that shortlie after she was maried to king Charles. Now
the English ambassadors, after they perceiued which waie the wind would
blow, returned againe to their countrie, and nothing doone or agreed
vpon in their matter.

[Sidenote: A parlement wherin king Henrie openeth the iust cause of
making warres against France.]

King Henrie sore troubled in his mind therwith, determining no
more with peaceable messages, but with open warre to determine all
controuersies betwixt him and the French king, called his high court of
parlement, and there declared the cause why hee was iustlie prouoked
to make warre against the Frenchmen: and therefore desired them of
their beneuolent aid of men and monie toward the maintenance therof.
The cause was so iust, that euerie man allowed it; and to the setting
foorth of the war taken in hand for so necessarie an occasion, euerie
man promised his helping hand. The king commended them for their
true and faithfull hearts. And to the intent that he might spare the
poorer sort of the commons (whome he euer desired to keepe in fauor)
he thought good first to exact monie of the richest sort by waie of a
beneuolence.

[Sidenote: Who first deuised the execution of monie called a
beneuolence.]

[Sidenote: See pag. 331.]

Which kind of leuieng monie was first deuised by king Edward the
fourth, as it appeareth before in his historie. King Henrie following
the like example, published abroad, that by their open gifts he would
measure and search their beneuolent hearts and good minds toward him;
so that he that gaue most, should be iudged to be his most louing
freend; and he that gaue little, to be esteemed according to his gift.
By this it appeareth, that whatsoeuer is practised for the princes
profit, and brought to a president by matter of record, maie be turned
to the great preiudice of the people, if rulers in authoritie will so
adiudge and determine it. But by this means king Henrie got innumerable
great summes of monie, with some grudge of the people, for the
extremitie shewed by the commissioners in diuers places.

[Sidenote: 1491.]

[Sidenote: Albert the duke of Saxonies policie to get the towne of Dam.]

Ye haue heard before, how the lord of Rauenstein, by the aid of Bruges
& Gant, had taken the towne and two castels of Sluis, which he kept
against his souereigne lord Maximilian, and getting into the hauen
certeine ships and barks, robbed, spoiled, & tooke prisoners the
ships and vessels of all nations that passed alongest by that coast,
towards the mart at Antwerpe, or into anie part of Brabant, Zeland,
or Friseland, and was euer sufficientlie vittelled out of France and
Picardie. There was a little towne also two miles from Bruges towards
the sea, called Dam, which was a bulworke to Bruges, and an hedspring
to Sluis. The king of Romans had attempted the wining of this towne
diuerse times, but missed his purpose; till at length Albert duke of
Saxonie, a great freend to the king of Romans, by policie found meanes
to get it.

This duke feining himselfe as a neuter betwixt the king of Romans,
and the rebels of Flanders, required of the lords of Bruges, that he
might enter peaceablie into their towne according to his estate, with
a certeine number of men of armes, to communicate with them diuerse
matters of great weight, and sent before his cariages and herbengers
to make prouision. They of Bruges were in no doubt of him, so that his
men of warre entered into the citie in good order, and he followed.
They that went before, inquired for innes and lodgings, as though they
would haue rested there all the night, and so went foorth still in
order asking after lodgings, till they came at the gate that leadeth
directlie toward Dam, distant from Bruges a Flemish mile, which is
called the bulworke of Bruges.

[Sidenote: The duke of Saxonie sendeth for aid to king Henrie to win
Sluis.]

The capteins and inhabitants of Dam suspecting no harme to come out of
Bruges, thought their freends (knowing some danger towards) had sent
them aid, and so nothing mistrusting those that approched their towne,
suffered them to enter, and so was the towne of Dam taken by sleight,
which could not be woone by open force. This chance sore displeased
them of Bruges, for now could they haue no recourse to the sea; so
that they must needs fall into ruine and decaie. The duke of Saxonie
thus hauing woone the towne of Dam, sent to the king of England, that
if it would please him to minister anie aid by sea, hee would besiege
Sluis by land. Wherevpon the king of England, vpon due consideration
of the dukes motion (as he was wise enough in all his enterprises, and
no lesse fortunate in the issue of the same) would conclude nothing
vpon the sudden, but (as he did alwaies) ruled his affaires by good
counsell, like to the wise man commended in the holie scripture:

[Sidenote: _Gu. Ha. in Tob. 4._]

    Consilio sapiens semper sua facta gubernat.

[Sidenote: Sir Edward Poinings a valiant capteine sent into Flanders
with an armie.]

[Sidenote: One Vere brother to the earle of Oxford slaine.]

At last he well remembring that Sluis was a rousenest, and a verie den
of theeues to them that trauersed the seas towards the east parts,
incontinentlie dispatched sir Edward Poinings a right valiant knight
and hardie capteine, with twelue ships well furnished with bold
souldiers and sufficient artillerie. Which sir Edward sailed into the
hauen, and kept the lord of Rauenstein from starting by sea. The Duke
of Saxonie besieged one of the castels, lieng in a church ouer against
it: and the Englishmen assaulted the lesse castell, and issued out of
their ships at the ebbe, neuer suffering their enimies to rest in quiet
one day togither, for the space of twentie daies, and euerie day slue
some of their aduersaries; and on the English part were slaine one
Vere, brother to the earle of Oxford, and fiftie more.

The lord of Rauenstein had made a bridge of botes betweene both the
castels, to passe from the one to the other; which bridge one night the
Englishmen did set on fire. Then he, perceiuing that he must lose his
castels by force, and that the Flemings could not aid him, yeelded the
castels to sir Edward Poinings, and the towne to the duke of Saxonie,
vpon certeine conditions. Sir Edward Poinings kept the castels a while,
of whom the Almains demanded their wages, bicause the duke had nothing
to paie. Then these two capteins so handled them of Bruges, that they
not onelie submitted themselues to their lord Maximilian; but also were
contented to paie and dispatch the Almains. And so sir Edward Poinings
taried there a long space, and at length returned to the king before
Bullogne.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 866._]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hull, in Hen. 7._ _fo._ xxiij. _&c._]

[Sidenote: Granado woone from the Turks or Saracens.]

The sixt day of Aprill this present yeare, the nobles of the realme
assembled in the cathedrall church of S. Paule in London, where the
maior of the same citie, his brethren the aldermen, and the craftesmen
in their liueries also assembled: to whome doctor Morton chancellor
made an oration, declaring how the king of Spaine had woone the great
and rich citie & countrie of Granado from the Turks: for ioy whereof Te
Deum was soong with great solemnitie. ¶ But bicause it is requisite and
necessarie in this ample volume, to set downe the report of accidents
as they are to be found at large in our owne English writers: you shall
heare for the furtherance of your knowledge in this matter concerning
Granado, what Ed. Hall hath left noted in his chronicle. Which although
it conteine diuerse actions of superstition, and popish trumperie: yet
should it not offend the reader, considering that a people estranged
from the true knowledge of God and sincere religion put the same in
practise, as supposing principall holinesse to consist in that blind
deuotion.

On the sixt of Aprill (saith he) this yeere, the king commanded all
the nobilitie of his realme to assemble at the cathedrall church of S.
Paule in London, where (after Te Deum solemnlie soong) the cardinall
of Canturburie, standing on the steps before the quier doore, declared
to the people, how the famous citie of Granado, which manie yeares
had beene possessed of the Moores or Mauritane nation, being infidels
& vnchristened people, was now of late besieged a great time by Don
Ferdinando and Elizabeth his wife, king and queene of Spaine, Arragon,
and Castile. And the said infidels, by reason of siege brought to
great penurie and miserie, for lacke of vittels & necessarie viands,
perceiuing that all succours were clerelie stopped and excluded from
them, and so brought into vtter despaire of aid, or comfort, after long
consultation had amongst them, determined to render themselues and
their citie to the said king vpon diuerse couenants and conditions, and
therevpon sent to him diuerse senators of the citie fullie instructed
of their mind and purpose.

[Sidenote: The citie of Granado conteined an hundred and fiftie
thousand houses, besides cotages & small dwellings.]

The king of Spaine and his councell, considering and sagelie pondering
that winter approched & was at hand, and that the christian host had
long lied in the fieldes in sore tempests and greeuous stormes (which
they gladlie suffered for Christes sake, in whose cause and quarell
they made that present warre) remembring also that the citie was of
such riches, fame, and estimation, that it conteined an hundred and
fiftie thousand houses of name, beside other small houses and cotages;
& that it was replenished with people innumerable, and furnished
with three score and ten thousand good fighting men; and finallie,
perceiuing that he might inioy now the possession of the same, without
assault or effusion of christian bloud, by the aduice of his councell,
he accepted, accorded, and agreed to their offers the twentie and fift
of Nouember, in the yeare of Christes incarnation 1491, then being the
daie of saint Katharine.

[Sidenote: Hostages deliuered to the K. of Spaine for his securitie.]

By the which composition, the roiall citie of Granado, with all the
holds and fortresses of the realme, and the towers and castels of
Alpussarare was rendered into the hands of the said king of Spaine; and
that the king of Granado should become subiect and vassall to the king
of Spaine, and to relinquish and forsake the vsurped name of a king
foreuer: and that all the men of warre should frankelie depart out of
the citie, and none there to remaine, but artificers and merchants:
and all these things to be doone before the fiue and twentith day of
Ianuarie. But the time was preuented, for the moores on the first day
of Ianuarie sent six hundred notable personages out of the citie with
their children for hostages into the campe of the king of Spaine,
to the intent that he should put no diffidence nor mistrust in the
citizens, but that he might peaceablie and quietlie with his people
enter into the citie, and take possession of the same. The which
hostages were distributed and lodged in the tents and pauillions of the
Spanish armie.

[Sidenote: The vanquished people humblie submit th[=e]selues to the
kings vicegerent, & deliuer vp the keies of the citie.]

The third of Ianuarie, the lord of Guitterins Cardenes, great master &
gouernor of Lion, of the order of S. Iames, departed from the armie,
noblie and triumphantlie accompanied with fiue hundred horsmen, and
three thousand footmen toward the citie. And as he approched neere to
the suburbs, there issued out diuers noble and valiant capteins of the
Moores, making to him humble obeisance, and conducted him to a palace
adioining to the citie, called the palace of Anaxaras, and from thence
conueied him to the palace roiall of the same citie called Alhambra,
whereof hee tooke quiet and peaceable possession, to the behoofe of the
king of Spaine, whome the Moores promised and confessed to take and
obeie as their king and souereigne lord. And in signe and token that
they thought in their hearts, that which they promised by mouth; they
prostrated and humbled themselues before the said great master, and
with dolorous lamentation and salt teares deliuered to him the keies of
the said palace.

When he had the keies, and was also possessed of that strong and
magnificent place, he first of all dispatched the house of all the
Moores and pagans, and appointed a garrison of valiant and noble
christians, to keepe and defend the same: and the same day caused a
masse solemnlie to be celebrate in a place of the same palace called
Melchita; which done and finished, he tooke possession of all the
fortresses, towers, and holds to the said citie and towne of Granado
belonging or appertaining. And then he caused to be erected and set vp
on the highest tower of the palace (where it might best be seene) the
signe and token of the crosse, whereon Christ for vs sinners suffered
his bitter passion. At the raising whereof were present an archbishop
and three bishops, with other prelats, which deuoutlie sang this
antheme: O crux, aue spes vnica.

[Sidenote: The maner of the Spanish kings giuing of thanks for
victorie.]

The said crosse was three times deuoutlie lifted, and at euerie
exaltation, the Moores being within the citie, rored, howled, & cried,
prostrating themselues, groueling on the ground, & making dolorous
noise and pitifull outcries. The armie incamped without the citie,
seeing these things, humbled themselues meekelie before the crosse,
rendering to almightie God their most humble and heartie thankes. The
king of Spaine, being mounted on horssebacke, perceiuing the erection
of the crosse, descended from his genet, and kneeled downe on the bare
ground; and rendered to God, laud, honour, and praise; for that noble
and triumphant victorie. And after that the crosse was thus set vp on
the high tower, the banner of saint Iames, and the kings banners were
pitched and fixed vpon the turrets and pinacles of the citie: an herald
standing in the top of the high tower, proclaming and publishing these
words following.

[Sidenote: The Spaniards reiosing & triumphing after the conquest of
the Moores.]

"Saint Iames, saint Iames, saint Iames; Castile, Castile, Castile;
Granado, Granado, Granado. By high and mightie power, lord Ferdinando
and Elizabeth, king and queene of Spaine, haue woone from the infidels
and Moores the citie and realme of Granado, through the helpe of our
Lord God, & the most glorious virgin his mother, and the vertuous
apostle S. Iames and the holie father Innocent the eight, togither
with the aids and succours of the great prelats, knights, and other
gentlemen borne, and commons of their realmes and countries." When the
herald had finished, the artillerie sounded, the minstrels blew, the
people applauded and clapped their hands, for gladnesse, that the earth
seemed to tremble and quake vnderneath them.

After this ioy ended, there issued out of the citie in maner of
procession, seuen hundred and mo christians, as well men, as women
and children, which had bin there prisoners and liued in bonds,
seruitude, and miserable captiuitie, whereof the most part were naked,
wounded, and in maner famished for hunger. To whome the king (of his
great liberalitie) gaue both apparell, viands and monie. These poore
prisoners comming out of the citie sang this psalme; Benedictus Dominus
Deus Israel, qui visitauit & fecit redemptionem pledis suae; Blessed be
the Lord God of Israel, which hath visited and redeemed his people.
And so singing foorth the psalme, went to the church of saint Faith,
which the king Ferdinando had caused to bee most sumptuouslie edified
during the time of the siege, being distant from Granado two or three
miles.

[Sidenote: The lord Euerus de M[=e]doza made capteine of the house
roiall.]

Now as this poore procession passed by the host, one espied his
sonne, and another saw his brother; and the son perceiued the father,
and the father found the daughter, which were now deliuered out of
miserable seruitude and bondage. But they could not refraine nor bridle
themselues from distilling of teares and sobbing, seeing their parents
and kinsfolke restored to libertie & freedome. And when these people
had said their orisons in the church of saint Faith, and were come to
the armie, they kneeled before the king, kissed his feet, crieng with
one voice; God grant to the king of Spaine euerlasting life. The next
daie after the lord Euerus de Mendoza, earle of Tendiglie, was by the
king made capteine of the house roiall and principall tower of the
citie of Granado, called Alhambra, hauing to him appointed and assigned
one thousand men of armes, and two thousand footmen. Vnto the which
earle, the great master deliuered the keies of the said palace and
tower, and other ports and fortresses.

[Sidenote: A great number of states with their traine enter
triumphantlie into Granado to take reall possession.]

On Saturday the eight daie of Ianuarie, in the yeare of our Lord 1492,
Ferdinando, K. of Spaine & Granado, the queene, & their eldest son Don
Iohn prince of Spaine, the lord Peter of Mendoza, the archbish. of
Toledo, the patriarch of Alexandria, the cardinall of Spaine, the lord
Peter prince of Lion, the duke of Gaditan, the marques of Villena &
Moia, the erle of Capre, the earle of Vienna of Cifnentes, and manie
other earles, barons and nobles, whereof some were Englishmen (whose
names I haue not) with ten thousand horssemen, and fiftie thousand
footmen, with great triumph and roialtie entered into the citie of
Granado, and thereof tooke reall possession & seazine, and caused
masse to be soong in a great place called Melchita, where hee caused
a solemne church to be builded in the honour of God and his mother.
When masse was ended, the king and queene repaired to the palace roiall
of Alhambra, the which was woonderfull, both in qualitie & sumptuous
building, which house was adorned with rich arras and tapestrie in
euerie chamber.

The earle of Tendiglie capteine of the palace, feasted the king and
queene, and all the nobilitie at his owne costes and charges. So the
king of Spaine there remained till the countrie was reduced into a good
conformitie and order, and diuerse fortresses and castels were made
for the safegard and tuition of the realme. And bicause this victorie
obteined, was to the glorie of God, and to the publike wealth of all
christianitie, the [1]said cardinall of Canturburie declared to the
people, that the king had sent him and the other nobles thither that
day, not onelie to notifie and declare to them the veritie of the fact;
but also to exhort them to giue lauds and praisings to almightie God,
for deliuering so goodlie a citie, so plentifull a countrie, and so
notable a region out of the hands of his enimies, and persecutors of
his faith and religion. Which declaration ended the archbishop with
the cleargie & the nobles with the communaltie, in most deuout maner
went in generall procession, rendering to God for this great atchiued
enterprise, glorie, honour, and most reuerent thanks.

[1] Namelie doctor Morton, of whom menti[=o] is made in the beginning
of this historie.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 866._]

[Sidenote: Sir Iames Parker by casualtie at iustes mortallie wounded.]

[Sidenote: Two pardoners set on the pillorie.]

[Sidenote: Robert Fabian.]

¶ In the moneth of Maie next and immediatlie following this triumph,
was holden a great and valiant iusting within the kings palace of
Shine, now named Richmond, the which indured by the space of a moneth,
sometime within the said palace and sometime without, vpon the greene
before the gate of the said palace. In which iustes sir Iames Parker
knight, running against a gentleman named Hugh Vauhan, by casualtie
was so sore hurt and brused, that he died thereof. This yeare also two
pardoners were set on the pillorie in Cornehill three market daies,
for forging of false pardons, wherewith they had deceiued the people,
& got much monie. And for that one of them had feined himselfe to be a
priest, hee was sent to Newgate, where he died: the other was driuen
out of London with shame enough. ¶ Also this yere was Robert Fabian
shiriffe of London & alderman, who made a chronicle of England & of
France, beginning at the creation of the world, and ending in the
third yeare of the reigne of king Henrie the eight, which booke is now
imprinted to the end of Richard the third.

Maximilian king of Romans, intending to be reuenged on the Frenchmen
for the manie iniuries doone to him of late (and especiallie for that
king Charles had forsaken his daughter ladie Margaret, and purposed to
take to wife the ladie Anne of Britaine) bicause he was not rich enough
to mainteine the warre of himselfe, he sent his ambassadour, one Iames
Contibald, a man of great wisedome, to require the king of England to
take his part against the French king, making diuers great offers on
his owne behalfe, if it should please him so to doo.

[Sidenote: King Henrie and Maximilian agree to plague the Frenchmen.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 7.]

King Henrie no lesse desirous than Maximilian to put the French king to
trouble, and chieflie to aid the Britains in the extremitie of their
businesse, gladlie consented to the request of Maximilian; and promised
to prepare an armie with all speed, and in time conuenient to passe the
seas with the same, and inuade the French territories. In this verie
season, Charles the French king receiued the ladie Anne of Britaine,
as his pupill into his hands, and with great solemnitie hir espoused,
hauing with hir in dower, the whole duchie of Britaine.

[Sidenote: The cause of Maximilians malice against Charles of France.]

Now was Maximilian in great chafe toward the French king, not onelie
for that he had refused his daughter, but also had bereeued him of
his assured wife the said ladie Anne, contrarie to all right and
conscience. Wherefore he sent vnto king Henrie, desiring him with all
speed to passe the seas with his armie, that they might pursue the
warre against their aduersarie, with fire, sword and bloud. King Henrie
hearing this, and hauing no mistrust in the promise of Maximilian, with
all speed leuied an armie, and rigged his nauie of ships. And when all
things were readie he sent his almoner Christopher Urswike, and sir
Iohn Riselie knight vnto Maximilian, to certifie him, that the king was
in a readinesse, and would arriue at Calis, as soone as he should be
aduertised that Maximilian and his men were readie to ioine with him.

[Sidenote: Maximilian dealeth dishonestlie with the king of England to
his great vexation.]

These ambassadors comming into Flanders perceiued that Maximilian was
neither purueied of men, monie, nor armor, nor of any other thing
neccessarie for the setting foorth of warre; sauing onlie that his will
was good, although his power was small. King Henrie being aduertised
hereof by letters sent to him from his said ambassadors, was sore
disquieted in his mind, and was almost brought to his wits end, to
consider how his companions in arms should thus faile him at need; but
taking aduise of his counsell, at length he determined not to stay his
prepensed iournie, and therfore he so increased his numbers before he
tooke ship, that he with his owne power might be able to match with his
aduersaries. When he had thus gathered and assembled his armie, hee
sailed to Calis the sixt day of October, and there incamped himselfe
for a space, to see all his men and prouision in such readinesse, as
nothing should be wanting.

[Sidenote: Maximilian king of Romans breaketh promise with king Henrie
in ioining with him to inuade France.]

[Sidenote: The dissimulation of the French king.]

In this place all the armie had knowledge by the ambassadours (which
were newlie returned out of Flanders) that Maximilian could not set
foorth anie armie, for lacke of monie: and therefore there was no
succour to be looked for at his hand. But the Englishmen were nothing
dismaid therewith, as they that iudged themselues able enough to match
the Frenchmen without the helpe of anie other nation. In the meane
season, although the French king had an armie togither, both for number
and furniture able to trie in battell with the Englishmen: yet he made
semblance as though he desired nothing more than peace, as the thing
much more profitable to him than warre: the minds of the Britains were
not wholie setled.

[Sidenote: A motion on the French part for a treatie of peace with the
English.]

And againe, he was called into Italie to make warre against the king
of Naples, whose kingdome he pretended to apperteine to him by lawfull
succession from his father king Lewes, to whome Reine duke of Aniou
last king of Sicill, of the house of Aniou, had transferred his right
to that kingdome (as partlie before ye haue heard) wrongfullie and
without cause disinheriting his coosine, godsonne and heire, Reine duke
of Loraine and Bar. The lord Chordes hauing commission from his maister
the French king to make some entrie into a treatie for peace with the
king of England, wrote letters to him before he passed ouer to Calis,
signifieng to him that if it might stand with his pleasure to send some
of his councellors to the borders of the English pale adioining to
France, there should be so reasonable conditions of peace proffered,
that he doubted not but his grace might with great honour breake vp his
campe, and retire his armie home againe.

[Sidenote: Commissioners sent ouer to Calis about the said peace.]

[Sidenote: Bullogne besieged by the Englishmen the king himselfe
present.]

The king of England considering that Britaine was cleerelie lost, and
past recouerie, and that Maximilian for lacke of monie, and mistrust
which he had in his owne subiects, laie still like a dormouse dooing
nothing; and herewith weieng that it should be honorable to him,
and profitable to his people to determine this great warre without
bloudshed, appointed the bishop of Excester, and Giles lord Daubenie
to passe the seas to Calis, and so to commun with the lord Chordes
of articles of peace, which tooke effect as after ye shall perceiue.
In the meane time, whilest the commissioners were communing of peace
on the marches of France, the king of England (as ye haue heard) was
arriued at Calis: from whense after all things were prepared for such
a iournie, he remooued in foure battells forward, till he came neere
to the towne of Bullogne, & there pitched his tents before it in a
conuenient place for his purpose, meaning to assaile the towne with his
whole force & puissance.

But there was such a strong garison of warlike souldiers within that
fortresse, and such plentie of artillerie, and necessarie munitions
of warre, that the losse of Englishmen assaulting the towne (as was
doubted) should be greater damage to the realme of England, than the
gaining thereof should be profit. Howbeit the dailie shot of the kings
battering peeces brake the wals, and sore defaced them. But when
euerie man was readie to giue the assault, a sudden rumor rose in the
armie that peace was concluded: which brute as it was pleasant to the
Frenchmen, so was it displesant to the Englishmen, bicause they were
prest and readie at all times to set on their enimies, and brought
into great hope to haue beene inriched by the spoile and game to haue
fallen to their lots of their enimies goods, beside the glorious fame
of renowmed victorie.

[Sidenote: Why the English preferred warre before peace.]

And therefore to be defrauded hereof by an vnprofitable peace, they
were in great fume, and verie angrie: and namelie, for that diuerse of
the capteins to set themselues and their bands the more gorgeouslie
forward, had borrowed large summes of monie, and for the repaiment
had morgaged their lands and possessions, and some happilie had made
through sale thereof, trusting to recouer all againe by the gaines of
this iournie. Wherefore offended with this sudden conclusion of peace,
they spake euill, both of the king and his councell. But the king like
a wise prince asswaged their displeasure in part with excusing the
matter, alledging what losse and bloudshed was like to insue both of
capteins and souldiers, if the assault should haue beene giuen to the
vtterance, especiallie sith the towne was so well furnished with men
and munitions. When he had somewhat appeased their minds with these and
manie other reasons, he returned backe againe to Calis.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._]

[Sidenote: Sir Iohn Sauage slaine at this siege.]

[Sidenote: Richard Pl[=a]tagenet a counterfeit of ladie Margarets
imagining.]

There were not manie of the English armie lost at this siege of
Bullogne, & few or no men of name, sauing that valiant capteine sir
Iohn Sauage knight, the which, as he and sir Iohn Riselie rode about
the wals of the towne, to view in what place it might be easiliest
assaulted, was compassed about by certeine Frenchmen that were issued
out of the towne, and there slaine standing at defense and vtterlie
refusing to yeeld himselfe as prisoner. But sir Iohn Riselie escaped
by flieng awaie. When the K. was thus returned to Calis, he began
to smell a certeine secret smoke, which was like to turne to a great
flame, without wise foresight, and good looking to. For by the craftie
inuention, and diuelish imagination of the ladie Margaret duchesse of
Burgognie, a new idoll was set vp in Flanders, and by a forged name
called Richard Plantagenet second sonne to king Edward the fourth, as
though he had beene raised from death to life.

[Sidenote: The conclusion of peace betweene the English and French.]

The newes hereof somewhat troubled him, so that he was with better
will content to receiue the honorable conditions of peace offered of
his enimie: bicause he should not be constreined at one time to make
warre both at home, and also in a forren region. The conclusion of this
agreement made with the Frenchmen, was this: That this peace should
continue both their liues; and that the French king should pay to the
king of England a certeine summe of monie in hand, according as the
commissioners should appoint for his charges susteined in this iournie.
Which (as the king certified the maior of London by his letters the
ninth of Nouember) amounted to the summe of seuen hundred fortie and
fiue thousand duckats: the which is of sterling monie, one hundred
foure score and six thousand, two hundred and fiftie pounds. It was
also concluded that he should yearelie (for a certeine space) paie or
cause to be paid, for the monie that the K. had spent & expended in the
defense of the Britains fiue & twentie thousand crowns.

[Sidenote: Alph[=o]se duke of Calabre made knight of the garter.]

Which yearelie tribute the French king (afterwards continuallie
occupied in the wars of Italie) yearelie satisfied & paid so long as
K. Henrie liued, who after he had taried a conuenient space at Calis,
tooke the sea, and arriued at Douer, and so came to his manour of
Greenewich. Immediatlie after his returne thus into England, he elected
into the fellowship of saint George, commonlie called the order of
the garter, Alphonse duke of Calabre, sonne and heire to Ferdinando
king of Naples, Christopher Urswike the kings almoner was sent to him
vnto Naples with the garter, collar, mantell, and other habilments
apperteining to the companions of that noble order. The which was
reuerentlie receiued of the said duke, who in a solemne presence
reuested himselfe with that habit, supposing by the countenance of that
apparell to be able to resist his aduersarie the French king, sith he
was now made a freend and companion in order with the king of England:
but that little auailed him, as after it was right apparant. [And here,
bicause in sundrie actions we haue seene and obserued the French kings
subtilties, his inconstancie, lacke of truth, honestie, and kinglie
modestie; we maie be bold to set downe the description of his person,
as we find the same readie drawne to hand; that by a view thereof we
maie conclude that his properties were proportioned to his person.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. Guic. pag. 43._]

[Sidenote: The French king described.]

It is verie certeine (saith mine author) that king Charles from his
infancie was of complexion verie delicate and of bodie vnsound and
diseased, of small stature, and of face (if the aspect and dignitie
of his eies had beene taken awaie) fowle and deformed, his other
members bearing such equall proportion, that he seemed more a monster
than a man: he was not onelie without all knowledge of good sciences,
but scarselie he knew the distinct characters of letters: his mind
desirous to command, but more proper to anie other thing, for that
being inuironed alwaies with his familiars and fauourits, he reteined
with them no maiestie or authoritie: he reiected all affaires and
businesse, and yet if he did debate and consider in anie, he shewed a
weake discretion and iudgement. And if he had any thing in him that
caried apparance of merit or praise, yet being thoroughlie weied and
sounded, it was found further off from vertue than from vice: he had
an inclination to glorie, but it was tempered more with rashnesse
and furie than with moderation and counsell: his liberalities were
without discretion, measure or distinction: immooueable oftentimes
in his purposes, but that was rather an ill grounded obstinacie
than constancie. And that which manie call bountie, deserued more
reasonablie in him the name of coldnesse & slackenesse of spirit.]

[Sidenote: The birth of Henrie duke of Yorke, after crowned king by the
name of Henrie the eight.]

[Sidenote: 1492.]

[Sidenote: The malice of the duchesse of Burgognie to the line of
Lancaster.]

This yeare the two and twentith of Iune, was borne at Greenewich the
lord Henrie second sonne to this king Henrie the seuenth, which was
created duke of Yorke, & after prince of Wales, and in conclusion
succeeded his father in gouernance of this realme, by the name of
Henrie the eight, father to our gratious souereigne queene Elizabeth.
But now to returne to the new found sonne of king Edward coniured by
mens policies from death to life: ye shall vnderstand that the duchesse
of Burgognie euer desiring to cast a scorpion in the bosome of king
Henrie, not for anie displeasure by him towards hir wrought or doone;
but onelie bicause he was descended of the house of Lancaster, being an
enimie to hir line, began to spin a new web, like a spider that dailie
weaueth when his kall is torne: for after that the earle of Lincolne,
which was by hir set foorth, had missed the cushin, and lost both
horsse and spurres, she could not be quiet, vntill she had practised a
new deuise to put king Henrie to trouble. And as the diuell prouideth
venemous sauce to corrupt stomachs, so for hir purpose she espied a
certeine yoong man of visage beautifull, of countenance demure, and of
wit craftie and subtill.

[Sidenote: Perkin Warbecke the counterfeit duke of Yorke.]

This youths name was Peter Warbecke, one for his faintnesse of stomach
of the Englishmen in derision, called Perkin Warbecke, according to the
dutch phrase, which change the name of Peter to Perkin, of yoonglings
and little boies, which for want of age, lacke of strength, and
manlike courage, are not thought worthie of the name of a man. This
yoong man trauelling many countries, could speake English and diuerse
other languages; & for his basenesse of birth and stocke, was almost
vnknowne of all men; and driuen to seeke liuing from his childhood, was
constreined to go and trauell thorough manie countries. The duchesse
glad to haue got so meet an organ for the conueieng of hir inuented
purpose, as one not vnlike to be taken and reputed for the duke of
Yorke, sonne to hir brother king Edward, which was called Richard, kept
him a certeine space with hir priuilie.

[Sidenote: The readie wit of Perkin to learne all that made for his
preferment to honor.]

[Sidenote: The emulati[=o] of the dukes of Yokre.]

Besides that, she with such diligence instructed him both in the
secrets and common affaires of the realme of England, and of the
linage, descent and order of the house of Yorke, that like a good
scholer, not forgetting his lesson, he could tell all that was taught
him promptlie without anie stackering or staie in his words. And
besides that, he kept such a princelie countenance, and so counterfeit
a maiestie roiall, that all men in manner did firmelie beleeue, that
he was extracted of the noble house and familie of the dukes of Yorke.
For suerlie, it was a gift giuen to that noble progenie, as of nature
planted in the root, that all the sequels of that line and stocke did
studie and deuise how to be equiualent in honour and fame with their
forefathers and noble predecessors.

[Sidenote: Perkin Warbecke arriueth in Ireland.]

When the duches had framed hir cloath meet for the market, she was
informed that king Henrie prepared to make warre against Charles
the French king. Wherefore she, thinking that the time serued well
for the setting foorth of hir malicious indention, sent this Perkin
hir new inuented mawmet, first into Portingale, and so craftilie
into the countrie of Ireland; to the intent that he, being both
wittie and wilie, might inuegle the rude Irishmen (being at those
daies more inclined to rebellion than to reasonable order) to a new
seditious commotion. Shortlie after his arriuall in Ireland, whether
by his shrewd wit, or the malicious exhortation of the sauage Irish
gouernours, he entred so farre in credit with the people of that Ile,
that his words were taken to be as true, as he vntruelie with false
demonstrations set foorth and published them.

[Sidenote: Perkin saileth into France all aflant.]

The French king aduertised hereof, then being in displeasure with
king Henrie, sent into Ireland for Perkin, to the intent to send him
against king Henrie, which was then inuading France (as yee before haue
heard.) Perkin thought himselfe aloft, now that he was called to the
familiaritie of kings, and therefore with all diligence sailed into
France, and comming to the kings presence, was of him roiallie receiued
and after a princelie fashion interteined, and had a gard to him
assigned, whereof was gouernour the lord Congreshall: and to him being
at Paris, resorted sir George Neuill bastard, sir Iohn Tailor, Rowland
Robinson, and an hundred English rebels. Now, after that a peace (as
before is said) was concluded betwixt the French king, and the king of
England, the French king dismissed Perkin, and would no longer keepe
him.

[Sidenote: Perkin returneth to the ladie Margaret his first founder.]

But some haue said (which were there attending on him) that Perkin,
fearing least the French king should deliuer him to the king of
England, beguiled the lord Congreshall, and fled from Paris by night.
But whether the French king knew of his departure or not, the truth is,
that he being in maner in despaire, returned to his first founder the
ladie Margaret, of whome he was so welcomed to all outward appearance,
that it seemed she could not haue reioised at anie earthlie thing more,
than she did at his presence, and (as she could well dissemble) she
made semblance as though she had neuer seene him before that time. Now
as she had sore longed to know not once, but diuerse times in open
audience, and in solemne presence, she willed him to declare and shew
by what means he was preserued from death and destruction, and in what
countries he had wandered and sought freendship; and finallie, by what
chance of fortune he came to hir court.

[Sidenote: Perkin named by the dutches of Burgognie the white rose of
England.]

[Sidenote: 1493.]

This did shee, to the intent that by the open declaration of these
fained phantasies, the people might be persuaded to giue credit, and
beleeue that he was the true begotten sonne of hir brother king Edward.
And after this, shee assigned to him a gard of thirtie persons in
murrie and blew, and highlie honoured him as a great estate, and called
him the white rose of England. The nobilitie of Flanders did to him all
reuerence. [All which port and pompe exhibited in most solemne sort,
he was well content to take vpon him, forgetting the basenesse of his
birth, and glorieng in the counterfeit title of honour: much like the
iay that would be called a swan, or like the crow that trimming hir
selfe with the stolne feathers of a pecocke, would seeme Iunos bird; as
the poet saith:

[Sidenote: _M. Pul. in virg._]

    ----mentito nomine cygnum
    Graculus appellat sese, cornicula plumas
    Pauonis furata cupit pauo ipsa videri.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. I. S. pag. 865._]

[Sidenote: Stratford bridge vpon Auen builded.]

¶ In this yeare was one Hugh Clopton maior of London, and of the
staple, a gentleman, borne at Clopton village, halfe a mile from
Stratford vpon Auen by north, who continued (during his life) a
bacheler: he builded the great and sumptuous bridge of Stratford vpon
Auen, at the east end of the towne. This bridge hath foureteene great
arches, and a long cawsie with smaller arches, all made of stone, new
walled on each side. At the west end of the bridge, he builded a faire
large chappell. Toward the south end of that towne, & neere vnto the
same a pretie house of bricke and timber, where he laie, and ended his
life. He glased the chancell of the parish church in that towne, and
made a waie of foure miles long, three miles from Alesburie towards
London, and one mile beyond Alesburie.]

[Sidenote: Such long and looked for alteration of states.]

[Sidenote: False rumors occasions of great disquietnes.]

But to returne to Perkin: the brute of whome in England, blowne
throughout the realme, sore disquieted the people, insomuch that not
onelie the meaner sort, but also manie of the nobles and worshipfull
personages beleeued and published it abroad, that all was true which
was reported of him. And not onelie they that were in sanctuaries but
also manie other that were fallen in debt, assembled in a companie, and
passed ouer the seas into Flanders, to their counterfeit duke of Yorke,
otherwise rightlie named Perkin Warbecke. Truelie the realme of England
was in maner diuided (with the rumor and vaine fable spred abroad of
this twise borne duke) into partakings and contrarie factions. And some
of the noble men conspired togither, purposing to aid the foresaid
Perkin, as the man whome they reputed to be the verie sonne of king
Edward; and that the matter was not feigned, but altogether true, iust,
and not imagined of any malicious pretense or euill purpose.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 8.]

[Sidenote: Perkin counterfeiteth the duke of Yorke verie cunninglie.]

And bicause the thing was weightie, and required great aid and
assistance, therefore they determined to send messengers vnto the ladie
Margaret, to know when Richard duke of Yorke might conuenientlie come
into England; to the intent that they being thereof certified, might
be in a readinesse to helpe and succour him at his arriuall. So by
the common consent of the conspirators, sir Robert Clifford knight,
and William Barleie, were sent into Flanders, which discouered to
the duches all the secret intents and priuie meanings of the freends
and fautors of the new found duke. The duches gladlie receiued this
message, and after shee had heard their errand, shee brought the
messenger to the sight of Perkin, who so well counterfeited the
gesture, countenance, and maner of Richard duke of Yorke, that sir
Robert Clifford beleeued verelie, that he was the second sonne of king
Edward; and therefore wrote a letter of credit into England to his
complices: and to put them out of doubt, he affirmed that he knew him
to be king Edwards sonne by his face, and other lineaments of his bodie.

[Sidenote: Perkins true linage.]

Vpon this letter, the cheefe dooers in this businesse spred the
signification thereof abroad through the realme, to the intent to
stirre the people to some new tumult and commotion: but it was doone by
such a secret craft, that no man could tell who was the author of that
rumor. The king perceiued that this vaine fable was not vanished out
of the mad brains of the common people. To prouide therefore against
all perils that might thereby insue, he sent certeine knights that were
skilfull men of warre, with competent bands of soldiers, to keepe the
sea coasts and hauens, to vnderstand who came in and went out of the
realme; doubting least some great conspiracie were in brewing against
him. He also sent into the low countries certeine persons, to learne
the truth of this forged dukes progenie, where some of them that were
so sent, comming to Tournie, got knowledge that he was borne in that
citie, of base linage, and named Perkin Warbecke.

[Sidenote: Ambassadors sent to Philip archduke of Burgognie.]

The king then aduertised not onelie by his espials vpon their returne,
but also from other his trustie freends, determined with all speed to
haue the fraud published, both in England and forren parts: and for the
same cause sent sir Edward Poinings knight, & sir William Warram doctor
of the laws vnto Philip archduke of Burgognie, and to his councellors
(bicause he was not of age able to gouerne of himselfe) to signifie
to him and them, that the yoong man, being with the ladie Margaret,
had falselie and vntruelie vsurped the name of Richard duke of Yorke,
which long before was murthered with his brother Edward in the Tower of
London, by the commandement of their vncle king Richard, as manie men
then liuing could testifie.

[Sidenote: The sum of D. Warrams speech to the archduke.]

The ambassadors comming to the court of Philip the archduke, were
honorablie interteined of him and of his councell, and willed to
declare the effect of their message. William Warram made to them an
eloquent oration, and in the later end somewhat inueihed against the
ladie Margaret, not sparing to declare, how she now in hir later age
had brought foorth (within the space of a few yeares togither) two
detestable monsters, that is to saie, Lambert (of whom yee heard
before) and this same Perkin Warbecke, and being conceiued of these
two great babes, was not deliuered of them in eight or nine moneths
as nature requireth; but in one hundred and eightie moneths, for both
these at the lest were fifteene yeers of age, yer she would be brought
in bed of them, and shew them openlie; and when they were newlie crept
out of hir wombe, they were no infants but lustie yoonglings, and of
age sufficient to bid battell to kings. Although these tawnts angred
the ladie Margaret to the hart, yet Perkin was more vexed with the
things declared in this oration, and especiallie bicause his cloaked
iuggling was brought to light.

The duches intending to cast hot sulphur into the new kindled fire,
determined with might and maine to arme and set forward prettie Perkin
against the king of England. When the ambassadors had doone their
message, and that the archdukes councell had long debated the matter;
they made answer, that to haue the king of Englands loue, the archduke
and they would neither aid nor assist Perkin nor his complices in
anie cause or quarrell. Yet notwithstanding if the ladie Margaret,
persisting in hir rooted malice towards the king of England, would
be to him aiding and helping, it was not in their power to withstand
it; for bicause in the lands assigned to hir for hir dower, she might
franklie and freelie order all things at hir will and pleasure, without
contradiction of anie other gouernour.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 9.]

[Sidenote: Espials sent into Flanders from the king for a subtill
policie.]

After that the ambassadors were returned with this answer, the king
streight sent foorth certeine espials into Flanders, which should
feigne themselues to haue fled to the duke of Yorke; and thereby search
out the whole intent of the conspiracie, and after what sort they meant
to proceed in the same. Others were sent also to intise sir Robert
Clifford and William Barleie, to returne into England, promising to
them pardon of all their offenses and high rewards for obeieng the
kings request. They that were sent, did so earnestlie and prudentlie
applie their businesse, that they brought all things to passe at their
owne desires. For first they learned who were the cheefe conspirators,
and after persuaded sir Robert Clifford to giue ouer that enterprise,
which had no grounded staie to rest vpon. Albeit William Barleie at the
first would not leaue off, but continued his begun attempt; till after
two yeares, he repenting him of his follie, & hauing pardon granted him
of the king, returned home into his natiue countrie.

[Sidenote: The conspiring fautors of the counterfeit duke of Yorke.]

When the king had knowledge of the chiefe capteins of this conspiracie
(by the ouerture of his espials which were returned) he caused them to
be apprehended, and brought to London before his presence. Of the which
the chiefe were Iohn Ratcliffe, lord Fitz-Water, sir Simon Montford,
sir Tho. Thwaits knights, William Daubenie, Robert Ratclifte, Thomas
Cressenor, and Thomas Astwood. Also certeine preests & religious men,
as sir William Richford doctor of diuinitie, and sir Thomas Poines,
both friers of saint Dominikes order, doctor William Sutton, sir
William Worseleie deane of Paules, Robert Laiborne, and sir Richard
Lesleie. Other which were guiltie, hearing that their fellowes were
apprehended, fled and tooke sanctuarie. The other that were taken were
condemned, of the which sir Simon Montford, Robert Ratcliffe, and
William Daubenie were beheaded.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem._]

Some had their pardons, and the preests also for their order sake;
but yet few of them liued long after. The lord Fitz-Water pardoned of
life, was conueied to Calis, and there laid in hold, & after lost his
head; bicause he went about to corrupt his keepers with rewards, that
he might escape, intending (as was thought) to haue gone to Perkin.
[Thus by the policie and subtile deuise of the king, practised to the
point by his espials, the sinewes of this conspiracie was rent in
sunder. So that the malicious ladie Margaret was not a little swolne
with indignation when she saw the course of hir deuise (now that it
had passed so far as that it was knowne to people on this side and
beyond the seas) stopped, and the confederacie (whereto she speciallie
trusted) dissolued. Yet notwithstanding, as women will not (to die for
it) giue ouer an enterprise, which of an enuious purpose they attempt;
so she put hir irons afresh into the fier to set hir hatred forward:
whome a while we will leaue at worke, and shew some doings betweene
England and Flanders.]

[Sidenote: Flemish wares forbidden.]

[Sidenote: The mart kept at Calis.]

[Sidenote: English commodities banished out of Flanders.]

King Henrie taking displeasure with the king of Romans, for that he
kept not touch in aiding him against the French king, and partlie
displeased with the Flemings, but speciallie with the ladie Margaret,
for keeping and setting forward Perkin Warbecke, not onelie banished
all Flemish wares and merchandizes out of his dominions, but also
restreined all English merchants from their repaire and traffike into
anie of the lands and territories of the king of Romans, or of the
archduke Philip, sonne to the same king of the Romans; causing the
mart to be kept at Calis, of all English merchandizes and commodities.
Wherefore the said king and his sonne banished out of their lands
and seigniories all English clothes, yarne, tin, lead, and other
commodities of this realme. The restreint made by the king sore
hindered the merchants aduenturers; for they had no occupieng to beare
their charges, and to support their credit withall.

[Sidenote: A riot made vpon the Easterlings.]

And that most greeued them, the Easterlings being at libertie, brought
to the realme such wares as they were woont, & so serued their
customers throughout the realme. Wherevpon there insued a riot by the
seruants of the mercers, haberdashers, & clothworkers in the citie of
London, the tuesdaie before saint Edwards day. For they perceiuing what
hinderance grew to their maisters, in that they were not able so well
to keepe them as before they had doone, assembled togither in purpose
to reuenge their malice on the Easterlings, & so came to the Stilliard,
& began to rifle & spoile such chambers & warehouses as they cold get
into. So that the Easterlings had much adoo to withstand them, & keepe
them back out of their gates, which with helpe of carpenters, smiths,
and other that came to them by water out of Southwarke, they shored &
so fortified, that the multitude of the seruants and prentises, being
assembled, could not preuaile.

At length came the maior with a number of men, defensiblie weaponed, to
remooue the force; at whose approch those riotous persons fled awaie
like a flocke of sheepe. But diuerse of them were apprehended, and
vpon inquirie made before the kings commissioners, aboue foure score
seruants & apprentises were found to be conspired togither, and sworne
not to reueale it; of whome some of the chiefe beginners were committed
to the Tower, and there long continued. But in conclusion, bicause none
of their maisters, nor anie one housholder was found culpable, the king
of his clemencie pardoned their offense, and restored them to libertie.
[For he thought it no credit to his crowne to take vengeance of such
sillie soules by seueritie of death, whom in clemencie pardoning he
might restore to a reformed life.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. I. S. pag. 867._]

[Sidenote: Execution for seditious bils against the kings person.]

[Sidenote: Vittels plentie sold good cheape.]

¶ On the two & twentith of Februarie in this yeere were arreigned in
the Guildhall of London foure persons, Thomas Bagnall, Iohn Scot, Iohn
Heath, and Iohn Kenington, the which were sanctuarie men of saint
Martins le grand in London, and latelie before were taken out of the
said sanctuarie, for forging of seditious bils, to the slander of
the king, & some of his councell, for the which three of them were
iudged to die; and the fourth named Bagnall, pleaded to be restored to
sanctuarie: by reason whereof he was repriued to the Tower till the
next tearme: and on the six and twentith of Februarie, the other three
with a Fleming, and a yeoman of the crowne, were all fiue executed at
Tiborne. ¶ On the eight and twentith of Aprill Ione Boughton widow was
burnt in Smithfield, for holding certeine opinions of Iohn Wickliffe.
Wheat was sold at London at six pence the bushell, baie salt for three
pence halfe penie the bushell, Nantwich salt was sold for six pence the
bushell, white herings nine shillings the barrell, red herings at three
shillings the cade, red sprots six pence the cade, & Gascoigne wine for
six pound the tun.

[Sidenote: 1494.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 10.]

[Sidenote: Policie of K. Henrie against Robert Clifford.]

Shortlie after sir Robert Clifford, partlie trusting on the kings
promise, and partlie mistrusting the desperat begun enterprise,
returned suddenlie againe into England. The king certified before of
his comming, went streight to the Tower of London the morow after the
day of Epiphanie, & there taried till such time as sir Robert Clifford
was there presented to his person. This was doone for a policie, that
if sir Robert accused anie of the nobilitie, they might be called
thither without suspicion of anie euill, and their attached and laid
fast. Some thought also, that for a policie king Henrie sent sir Robert
Clifford ouer as an espie, or else he would not so soone haue receiued
him into fauour againe. Neuerthelesse, there were great presumptions
that it was nothing so, for both was he in great danger after his begun
attempt, and neuer was so much esteemed with the king afterward as he
was before.

[Sidenote: Sir William Stanleie a fauourer of Perkin.]

But this is true, vpon his comming to the kings presence, he besought
him of pardon, and obteined it; and therewith opened all the maner of
the conspiracie, so far as he knew, and who were aiders, fautors, and
chiefe beginners of it; amongst whome he accused sir William Stanleie,
whome the king had made his chiefe chamberleine, and one of his priuie
councell. The king was sorie to heare this, and could not be induced to
beleeue that there was so much vntruth in him, till by euident proofes
it was tried against him. Then the king caused him to be restreined
from his libertie in his owne chamber within the quadrat tower, and
there appointed him by his priuie councell to be examined, in which
examination he nothing denied, but wiselie and sagelie agreed to all
things laid to his charge if he were faultie therein.

[Sidenote: The offense of sir William Stanleie.]

[Sidenote: Coniectures of sir William Stanleies alienated mind from
king Henrie.]

The report is, that this was his offense. When communication was had
betwixt him, and the aboue mentioned sir Robert Clifford, as concerning
Perkin, which falselie vsurped the name of K. Edwards sonne; sir
William Stanleie said, that if he knew certeinlie that the yoong man
was the indubitate heire of king Edward the fourth, he would neuer
fight or beare armour against him. This point argued, that he bare no
hartie good will toward king Henrie as then. But what was the cause
that he had conceiued some inward grudge towards the king; or how it
chanced that the king had withdrawen his speciall fauor from him, manie
haue doubted. Some indeed haue gessed, that sir William Stanleie, for
the seruice which he shewed at Bosworth field thought that all the
benefits which he receiued of the king to be farre vnder that which
he had deserued, in preseruing not onelie the kings life; but also in
obteining for him the victorie of his enimies, so that his aduersarie
was slaine in the field.

[Sidenote: King Henrie in a quandare.]

[Sidenote: 1495.]

[Sidenote: Sir William Stanleie beheaded.]

Wherefore desiring to be created earle of Chester, and therof denied,
he began to disdeine the king. And one thing incouraged him much, which
was the riches and treasure of king Richard, which he onlie possessed
at the battell of Bosworth; by reason of which riches and great power
of men, he set naught by the king his souereigne lord and maister. The
king hauing thus an hole in his coat, doubted first what he should
doo with him; for loth he was to lose the fauour of his brother the
earle of Derbie: and againe to pardon him, he feared least it should
be an euill example to other, that should go about to attempt the like
offense. And so at length, seueritie got the vpper hand, & mercie was
put backe, in so much that he was arreigned at Westminster and adiudged
to die, and (according to that iudgement) was brought to the Tower hill
the sixteenth daie of Februarie, and there had his head striken off.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem._]

[Sidenote: See pag. 446.]

[This was the end of sir William Stanleie the chiefest helper of king
Henrie to the crowne at Bosworth field against king Richard the third,
and who set the same crowne first vpon the kings head, when it was
found in the field trampled vnder feet. He was a man (while he liued)
of great power in his countrie, and also of great wealth: in somuch
as the common fame ran, that there was in his castell of Holt found
in readie coine, plate, and iewels, to the value of fortie thousand
markes or more, and his land and fees extended to three thousand pounds
by yeare. Neuerthelesse all helped not; neither his good seruice in
Bosworth field, neither his forwardnesse (euen with the hazard of
life) to prefer K. Henrie to the crowne, neither his faithfulnesse in
cleauing to him at all brunts, neither the bond of aliance betwixt
them, neither the power that he was able to make, neither the riches
which he was worth, neither intercession of freends, which he wanted
not; none of these, nor all these could procure the redemption of his
lost life:

    O fluxum decus hominum, o variabile tempus.

[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow. pag. 969._]

[Sidenote: The king and queene dine at sergeants feast kept at Elie
palace.]

[Sidenote: A wonder to be noted in a corpse that laie long in the
ground.]

[Sidenote: _Rich. Grafton._]

¶ On the sixteenth of Nouember was holden the sergeants feast at the
bishops palace of Elie in Holborne, where dined the king, queene, and
all the chiefe lords of England. The new sergeants names were maister
Mordant, Higham, Kingsmill, Conisbie, Butler, Yakesleie, Frowike,
Oxenbridge, & Constable. In digging for to laie a new foundation in
the church of saint Marie hill in London, the bodie of Alice Hackneie
which had beene buried in the church the space of 175 yeares, was
found whole of skinne, & the ioints of hir armes pliable: which corpse
was kept aboue ground foure daies without annoiance, and then buried
againe. ¶Also this yeare (as maister Grafton saith) at the charges of
maister Iohn Tate aldermman of London was the church of saint Anthonies
founded, & annexed vnto the college of Windsore, wherein was erected
one notable and free schoole to the furtherance of learning, and a
number of poore people (by the name of almesmen, which were poore,
aged, and decaied housholders) releeued, to the great commendation
of that worthie man, who so liued in worship, that his death by his
worthie dooings maketh him still aliue; for he was not forgetfull to
beautifie the good state of this citie, in which by wealth he had
tasted of Gods blesings.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 11.]

[Sidenote: Lord Daubenie the kings cheefe chamberleine.]

[Sidenote: Sir Edward Poinings sent into Ireland with an armie.]

About this same time diuerse men were punished that had vpon a
presumptuous boldnesse spoken mame slanderous words against the
kings maiestie hoping still for the arriuall of the feigned Richard
duke of Yorke. After the death of sir William Stanleie, Giles lord
Daubeneie was elected and made the kings cheefe chamberleine. Also,
the K. sent into Ireland (to purge out the euill & wicked seeds of
rebellion amongst the wild and sauage Irish people, sowed there by
crafie conueiance of Perkin Warbecke) sir Henrie Deane, late abbat of
Langtonie (whome he made chancellor of that Ile) & sir Edward Poinings
knight, with an armie of men. The fauourers of Perkin, hearing that
sir Edward Poinings was come with a power to persecute them, withdrew
streightwaies, and fled into the woods and marishes for the safegard of
themselues.

Sir Edward Poinings according to his commission, intending to punish
such as had aided and aduanced the enterprise of Perkin, with his whole
armie marched forward against the wild Irishmen, bicause that all other
being culpable of that offense fled and resorted to them for succour.
But when he saw that his purpose succeeded not as he would haue wished
it; both bicause the Irish lords sent him no succour according to
their promises; and also for that his owne number was not sufficient
to furnish his enterprise, bicause his emimes were dispersed amongst
woods, mounteins, and marishes; he was constreined to recule backe,
sore displeased in his mind against Gerald earle of Kildare, being then
the kings deputie.

[Sidenote: Gerald earle of Kildare deputie of Ireland apprehended.]

[Sidenote: King Henries progresse into Lancashire.]

Now the cause of this his discontentment was, for that the said earle
was suspected to be the meane that he had no succours sent him, and
was so informed in deed by such as bare the earle no good will. And
therefore suddenlie he caused the earle to be apprehended, and as a
prisoner brought him in his companie into England. Which earle being
examined, and sundrie points of treason laid to him, he so auoided them
all, & laid the burthen in other mens necks, that he was dismissed, and
sent into Ireland againe there to be deputie and lieutenant as he was
before. The king being now in some better suertie of his estate, did
take his progresse into Lancashire the fiue & twentith daie of Iune,
there to make merrie with his moother the countesse of Derbie, which
then laie at Lathome in the countrie.

[Sidenote: Perkin attempteth to land in Kent in hope of victorie.]

In this meane while Perkin Warbecke, being in Flanders, sore troubled
that his juggling was discouered, yet he determined not to leaue off
his enterprise, in hope at length to atteine the crowne of England:
and so gathering a power of all nations, some bankrupts, some false
English sanctuarie men, some theeues, robbers, and vagabunds, which
desiring to liue by rapine, were glad to serue him. And thus furnished,
he took such ships as his freends had prouided for him: and departing
from Flanders towards England, he arriued vpon the Kentish coast,
& there cast anchor, purposing to prooue how the people there were
affected towards him: and therefore he sent certeine of his men to
land, to signifie to the countrie his arriuall with such power, that
the victorie must incline to his part.

[Sidenote: Perkins men discomfited.]

The Kentishmen vnderstanding that Perkin was but Perkin, and had none
with him (to make account of) but strangers borne, like faithfull
subiects determined to fall vpon those that were thus new come to
land, and to trie if they might allure the whole number out of their
ships, so to giue them battell. But Perkin wiselie considering that
the maner of a multitude is not to consult, and sagelie to aduise with
themselues in anie deliberate sort, but suddenlie and rashlie to run
headlong into rebellion, would not set one foot out of his ship, vntill
he saw all things sure. Yet he permitted some of his souldiers to go
on land, which being trained foorth a pretie waie from their ships,
were suddenlie compassed about and beset of the Kentishmen, and at one
stroke vanquished and driuen backe to their ships.

[Sidenote: Perkins capteins taken & executed.]

[Sidenote: Perkins reculeth into Flanders.]

[Sidenote: The death of Cicilie duchesse of Yorke moother to Edward the
fourth.]

Of these discomfited soules were taken prisoners an hundred and
fortie persons, whereof fiue, Montfort, Corbet, White Belt, Quintin
(or otherwise Genin) being capteins were brought to London by sir
Iohn Pechie, shiriffe of Kent, railed in ropes like horsses drawing
in a cart, & after vpon their arreignment confessed their offense,
and were executed, some at London, and other in the townes adioining
to the sea coast. And thus Perkin, missing of his purpose, fled
backe into Flanders. In this verie season departed to God Cicilie
duchesse of Yorke moother to king Edward the fourth, at hir castell of
Berkhamsteed, a woman of small stature, but of much honour and high
parentage, and was buried by hir husband in the college of Fodringeie.

[Sidenote: Sir Richard Gilford.]

The king being aduertised that his enimies were landed, leauing off his
progresse, purposed to haue returned to London; but being certified the
next day of the luckie speed of his faithfull subiects, continued his
progresse, & did send sir Richard Gilford both to commend the fidelitie
and manhood of the Kentishmen, and also to render to them most hartie
thanks for the same. He also caused order to be taken for the erecting
of beacons, and watching of them. Perkin then perceiuing that he should
not be receiued into England, sailed into Ireland, trusting there to
augment his numbers, and then to returne towards the coast of England
againe, and to take land in the West countrie, if occasion serued; but
if not, then he determined to saile streight into Scotland, to seeke
freendship there.

[Sidenote: Perkin saileth into Ireland and is in sundrie opinions.]

[Sidenote: Katharine daughter to the earle of Huntleie maried to
Perkin.]

After, he had therefore staid a while in Ireland, and perceiued that
the hope of victorie consisted not in the Irish nation, being naked
people, without furniture of armour or weapon, he tooke the sea againe
at Corffe, and sailed into Scotland; where comming to the presence of
king Iames, he forged such a painted processe to mooue him to beleeue
that he was the verie sonne of king Edward: that the Scotish king,
whether blinded with errour, or vsing dissimulation, that he might
vnder a colourable pretext make war against England, began to haue
Perkin in great honour, and caused him openlie to be called duke of
Yorke. And to persuade the world that so he was indeed, he caused
the ladie Catharine, daughter to Alexander earle of Huntleie, his
nigh kinsman, to be espoused to him. [But yer we passe anie further,
you shall see and peruse (if you will) the said painted processe of
Perkin, as it is left in record by Edward Hall for an example what
working force is in words (speciallie where the hearers are easie to
be seduced) and not to be ouer hastie to giue them too quicke & hastie
credit. For the poet saith of gaie words void of truth:

[Sidenote: _M. Pal. in Virg._]

    Verba nitent phaleris, at nullas verba medullis
    Intus habent.


The colourable oration or counterfeit tale that Perkin told the king of
Scots to iustifie his false title.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem. ex Edw. Hall, fol._ xxxviij, xxxix.]

[Sidenote: Perkin saith that he is Edward the fourths lawfull sonne.]

[Sidenote: Perkin telleth the king how he was preserued and kept alive.]

I thinke it is not vnknowne vnto you (most noble king and puissant
prince) into what ruine the stocke house, and familie of Edward the
fourth, of that name king of England, is now of late brought to and
fallen in, either by Gods permission, or by diuine punishment; whose
indubitate sonne (if you know not alreadie) I am, and by the power of
almightie God, preserued aliue to this houre from the mightie hand of a
tyrant. For my father king Edward (when he died) appointed his brother
Richard duke of Glocester to be our gouernour, protector, and defendor;
whome the more that he loued & studied to aduance and promote, the
better he thought that he would loue, fauour, and tender his children.
But alas my vnfortunate chance I may say! how hath his trust beene
turned into treason, and his hope into hinderance, all men know and
I feele. Our vncle was not the tutor and preseruer of our stocke and
linage, but the confounder & destroier of our bloud and progenie.
For that tyrant, blinded and glutted with the desire of ruling and
souereigntie, commanded Edward my brother & me to be sklaine and
dispatched out of this mortall life. Wherevpon that person, to whome
the weightie and cruell charge was commited and giuen to oppresse and
destroie vs poore innocent infants, and giltlesse babes, the more that
he abhorred this heinous and butcherlie offense, the more he feared to
commit it.

[Sidenote: Perkin calleth the ladie Margaret duchesse of Burgognie his
owne aunt.]

And so wauering in mind and doubtfull what to doo, at the length
willing in part to stanch the bloudie thirst of the vnnaturall tyrant,
and in part to absteine from so heinous & detestable homicide, he
destroied my brother and preserued me; like the good preest Ioiada,
who saued little Ioas, when all the children of the bloud roiall were
commanded by Athalia the queene to be slaine and vtterlie destroied.
And further, to the intent that my life might be in suertie, he
appointed one to conueie me into some strange countrie; where when I
was furthest off, and had most need of comfort he forsooke me suddenlie
(I thinke he was so appointed to doo) and left me desolate alone
without freend or knowlege of anie releefe or refuge. And so king
Richard did obteine the crowne as a preie mischeefouslie gotten by the
dispatching awaie of my brother and me. So that I thus escaping, by
reason of my tender infancie, forgat almost my selfe, and knew not well
what I was. But after long wandering from countrie to countrie, and
from citie to citie, I perceiued and learned by little and little what
was my estate & degree; and so in conclusion came to mine owne aunt the
ladie Margaret lieng in Flanders, which was sometime married to Charles
duke of Burgognie, which as ioifullie receiued and welcomed me, as if
I had come out of hell into heauen, as the onelie type and garland of
hir noble stirpe and linage. But forsomuch as she being onelie Dowager
of the duchie of Burgognie, and hauing nothing but hir dowrie proper
to hir selfe, was not of power to helpe me with men and munitions of
warre, as she would gladlie haue doone for the recouerie of my fathers
relme & rightfull inheritance: I therefore am driuen to seeke further
aid and succour.

[Sidenote: Perkin craueth aid of the Scotish king toward the recouerie
of the crowne of England from king Henrie the seuenth.]

And therefore by hir counsell and aduertisement, with this small
handfull of men of warre and souldiers, I am repaired to your presence
for succours; of whome (as the publike fame is spred ouer the whole
world) there was neuer man by wrong or iniurie chased or driuen out of
his couutrie, region, or inheritance, or by extort power and tyrannie
kept out of the same (as I my selfe from mine infancie haue beene)
whose request was frustrate and denied at your hand. Therefore, by the
maiestie of your realme & countrie I desire, & heartilie with praier
as I can, I beseech and exhort you to helpe and releeue me now in my
extreame necessitie. And if it chance me by your aid and succour to
recouer & possesse my father's realme and dignitie; not onelie I, but
all the kings of our linage, which hereafter shall obteine the same,
shall be so much obliged and bound vnto to you; that they must needs
thinke, that dooing to you all the pleasure and benefits that they can,
yet with all thanks that can be giuen your great kindnesse can neuer in
full measure be recompensed.

       *       *       *       *       *

[Sidenote: 1496.]

[Sidenote: The Scotish king inuadeth Engl[=a]d with a great armie in
Perkin his behalfe.]

When he had thus said, the king bad him be of good comfort, and
promised him that whatsoeuer he were, it should neuer repent of
his comming to him.] Shortlie after, hauing this Perkin with him
in companie, he entered into England with a puissant armie, and
caused proclamation to be made, to spare all those that would submit
themselues vnto Richard duke of Yorke. Herewith they began the warre in
most cruell maner, with slaughter of men, burning of townes, spoiling
of houses, and committing of all other detestable enormities; so that
all the countrie of Northumberland was by them in maner wasted, and
destroied. At length, when the souldiers were laden with spoiles, and
saciate with bloud, perceiuing that no succoures came out of England
vnto the new inuented duke, contrarie to that which he had made them
to beleeue would come to passe; they determined to retire rather
with assured gaine, than to tarrie the vncertaine victorie of that
counterfeit duke, and so therevpon they withdrew backe into Scotland
inriched with preies and booties.

[Sidenote: The counterfeit compassion of Perkin.]

It is said, that Perkin Warbecke, being returned into Scotland with the
king of Scots, vnder a cloked pretense should sore lament the great
slaughter, spoile, and damage, which had beene doone at this last
roade made into England; and therefore as one that bare a naturall
loue toward his natiue countrie, besought the king of Scots, that
from thensefoorth, he would no more so deface his naturall relme, and
destroie his subiects with such terrible fire, flame and hauocke; as
who should saie, he being ouercome now with compassion, did bewaile the
cruell destruction of his natural countrie of England. But the Scotish
K. told him, that he seemed to take thought for that which appeared to
be none of his, sith that not so much as one gentleman or yeoman (for
ought he could see) would once shew themselues readie to aid him in the
warre begun for his cause, and in his name, within that realme which he
pretended so cleerelie to apperteine to him.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 12.]

[Sidenote: A parlement of the three estates of the realme.]

[Sidenote: A subsidie.]

The king of England being certified of this inuasion, prepared an armie
with all diligence to have resisted the Scots: but they were returned
yer the English power could assemble togither. Now when the king was
truelie certified that the Scotish king was returned home, he staied
all the preparations made at that time to go against him. But yet
meaning to be reuenged of the wrongs doone to him by king Iames and his
people; he first called a parlement, and in that assemblie of three
estates of the realme, he declared the cause of the instant warre, and
how necessarie it should be for the suertie and wealth of the realme
of England to haue that warre, pursued against those enimies that
had begun it. To this motion all the nobilitie wholie agreed. And to
the maintenance of that warre, a subsidie was by whole assent of the
parlement freelie giuen and granted. Which paiment though it was not
great, yet manie of the common people sore grudged to pay the same, as
they that euer abhorre such taxes and exactions. At the same parlement
were diuerse acts and statutes made, necessarie & expedient (as was
thought) for the publike weale of the realme.

[Sidenote: 1497.]

[Sidenote: The king of England and Scotl[=a]d prepare for mutuall
warre.]

In the meane season the king of Scots, perceiuing that the Englishmen
would shortlie go about to reuenge the injuries doone to them by him
and his people, assembled eftsoones a puissant armie, that he might
either defend his realme against the English power, attempting to
inuade his countrie, or else afresh to enter into the English borders.
And thus these two mightie princes minded nothing more than the one
to indamage the other. But the king of England would not deferre one
houre by (his good will) till he were reuenged, and therefore prepared
a mightie armie to inuade Scotland, and ordeined for cheefteine thereof
the lord Daubeneie. But as this armie was assembled, and that the lord
Daubenie was forward on his iournie towards Scotland, he was suddenlie
staid and called backe againe, by reason of a new commotion begun by
the Cornishmen for the paiment of the subsidie which was granted at the
last parlement.

[Sidenote: A rebellion in Cornewall for the paiment of a subsidie.]

[Sidenote: The two capteins in this commotion.]

These vnrulie people the Cornishmen, inhabiting in a barren countrie
and vnfruitfull, at the first sore repined that they should be so
greeuouslie taxed, and burdened the kings councell as the onelie cause
of such polling and pilling: and so being in their rage, menaced the
cheefe authors with death and present destruction. And thus being in a
rore, two persons of the affinitie, the one called Thomas Flammocke, a
gentleman, learned in the lawes of the realme; and the other Michael
Ioseph, a smith, men of stout stomachs and high courages, tooke vpon
them to be capteins of this seditious companie. They laid the fault and
cause of this exaction vnto Iohn Morton, archbishop of Canturburie, and
to sir Reginald Braie; bicause they were cheefe of the kings councell.
Such rewards haue they commonlie that be in great authoritie with kings
and princes.

[Sidenote: The prouost of Perin slaine by the rebels.]

The capteins Flammocke and Ioseph exhorted the common people to put
on harnesse, and not to be afeard to follow them in that quarrell,
promising not to hurt anie creature, but onelie to see them punished
that procured such exactions to be laid on the people, without anie
reasonable cause, as vnder the colour of a little trouble with the
Scots, which (sith they were withdrawne home) they tooke to be well
quieted and appeased. So these capteins bent on mischeefe, (were their
outward pretense neuer so finelie coloured) yet persuaded a great
number of people to assemble togither, and condescended to do as
their capteins would agree and appoint. Then these capteins praising
much the hardines of the people, when all things were readie for
their infortunate iournie, set forward with their armie, and came to
Taunton, where they slue the prouost of Perin, which was one of the
commissioners of the subsidie, and from thence came to Welles, so
intending to go to London, where the king then soiourned.

[Sidenote: Thomas Howard earle of Surrie high treasuror of England.]

When the king was aduertised of these dooings, he was somewhat
astonied, and not without cause; being thus troubled with the warre
against the Scots, and this ciuill commotion of his subiects at one
instant. But first meaning to subdue his rebellious subiects; and after
to proceed against the Scots, as occasion should serue, he reuoked the
lord Daubenie which (as you haue heard) was going against the Scots,
and increased his armie with manie chosen and piked warriors. Also
mistrusting that the Scots might now (hauing such opportunitie) inuade
the relme againe; he appointed the lord Th. Howard erle of Surrie
(which after the death of the lord Dinham was made high treasuror of
England) to gather a band of men in the countie Palatine of Durham,
that they with the aid of the inhabitants adioining, and the borderers,
might keepe backe the Scots if they chanced to make anie inuasion. The
nobles of the realme hearing of the rebellion of the Cornishmen, came
to London, euerie man with as manie men of warre as they could put in a
readinesse, to aid the king if need should be. In the which number were
the earle of Essex, and the lord Montioy, with diuerse other.

[Sidenote: Iames Twichet lord Audelie cheefe capteine of the Cornish
rebels.]

In the meane time, Iames Twichet lord Audeleie being confederate with
the rebels of Cornewall ioined with them, being come to Welles, and
tooke vpon him as their cheefe capteine to lead them against their
naturall lord and king. From Welles they went to Salisburie, and from
thence to Winchester, and so to Kent, where they hoped to haue had
great aid, but they were deceiued in that their expectation. For the
erle of Kent, George lord of Aburgauenie, Iohn Brooke, lord Cobham, sir
Edward Poinings, sir Richard Gilford, sir Thomas Bourchier, Iohn Peche,
William Scot, and a great number of people, were not onelie prest and
readie to defend the countrie, to keepe the people in due obedience,
but bent to fight with such as would lift vp sword, or other weapon
against their souereigne lord: insomuch that the Kentishmen would not
once come neere the Cornishmen, to aid or assist them in anie maner of
wise.

[Sidenote: Manie of the Cornishmen take their heels by night.]

Which thing maruelouslie dismaid the hearts of the Cornishmen, when
they saw themselues thus deceiued of the succours which they most
trusted vpon, so that manie of them (fearing the euill chance that
might happen) fled in the night from their companie, and left them, in
hope so to saue themselues. The capteines of the rebels, perceiuing
they could haue no helpe of the Kentishmen, putting their onelie hope
in their owne puissance, brought their people to Blacke heath, a foure
miles distant from London, and there in a plaine on the top of an hill,
they ordered their battels, either readie to fight with the king if
he would assail them, or else assault the citie of London: for they
thought the king durst not have encountered with them in battell. But
they were deceiued: for the king although he had power inough about to
haue fought with them before their comming so neere to the citie; yet
he thought it best to suffer them to come forward, till he had them
farre off from their natiue countrie, and then to set vpon them being
destitute of aid in some place of aduantage.

[Sidenote: The citie of London sore afraid of the rebels.]

The citie was in a great feare at the first knowledge giuen, how the
rebels were so neere incamped to the citie, euerie man getting himselfe
to harnesse, and placing themselues, some at the gates, some on the
walles, so that no part was vndefended. But the king deliuered the
citie of that feare: for after that he perceiued how the Cornishmen
were all daie readie to fight, and that on the hill; he sent straight
Iohn Earle of Oxenford, Henrie Bourchier, earle of Essex, Edmund de
la Poole, earle of Suffolke, sir Rise ap Thomas, and sir Humfreie
Stanleie, noble warriors, with a great companie of archers and
horssemen, to enuiron the hill on the right side, and on the left, to
the intent that all bywaies being stopped and foreclosed, all hope of
flight should be taken from them. And incontinentlie he himselfe, being
as well incouraged with manlie stomachs as furnished with a populous
armie and plentie of artillerie, set forward out of the citie, and
incamped himselfe in saint Georges field, where he on the fridaie at
night then lodged.

[Sidenote: Blackheath field.]

[Sidenote: Three hundred slaine, & a thousand fiue hundred taken
prisoners, as Iohn Stow saith.]

On the saturdaie in the morning, he sent the lord Daubeneie with a
great companie to set on them earlie in the morning, which first
got the bridge at Dertford Strand, which was manfullie defended by
certeine archers of the rebels, whose arrows (as is reported) were in
length a full cloth yard. While the earles set on them on euerie side,
the lord Daubenie came into the field with his companie, and without
long fighting, the Cornishmen were ouercome; and first they tooke the
lord Daubenie prisoner: but whether it were for feare, or for hope of
fauour, they let him go at libertie, without hurt or detriment. There
were slaine of the rebels which fought and resisted, aboue two thousand
men (as Edward Hall noteth) and taken prisoners an infinite number, &
amongst them the blacke smith, and other the cheefe capteins, which
were shortlie after put to death. When this battel was ended, the king
wanted of all his numbers but three hundred, which were slaine at that
conflict.

[Sidenote: Iames lord Audelie ignominiouslie drawne to execution and
beheaded.]

Some affirme, that the king appointed to haue fought with them not
till the mondaie, and preuenting the time set on them on the saturdaie
before, taking them vnprouided, and in no arraie of battell; and so by
that policie obteined the field and victorie. The prisoners as well
capteins as other, were pardoned, sauing the cheefe capteins and first
beginners, to whome he shewed no mercie at all. The lord Audeleie was
drawne from Newgate to the Tower-hill in a coate of his own armes,
painted vpon paper reuersed and all torne, and there was beheaded the
foure and twentith of Iune. Thomas Flammocke & Michael Ioseph were
hanged, drawne, and quartered after the maner of traitors, & their
heads and quarters were pitched vpon stakes, and set vp in London, and
in other places: although at the first, the king meant to haue sent
them into Cornewall, to haue beene set vp there for a terror to all
others. But hearing that the Cornishmen at home were readie to begin
a new conspiracie, least he should the more irritate and prouoke them
by that displeasant sight, he changed his purpose, for doubt to wrap
himselfe in more trouble than needed.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 13.]

[Sidenote: The Scots invade the English borders.]

[Sidenote: Fox bishop of Durham owner of Norham castell.]

While these things were adooing in England, the king of Scots being
aduertised of the whole matter and rebellion of the Cornishmen, thought
not to let passe that occasion: and therefore he eftsoones inuaded
the frontiers of England, wasting the countrie, burning townes, and
murthering the people, spareing neither place nor person: and while his
light horsmen were riding to forraie and destroie the bishoprike of
Durham, and there burned all about, he with an other part of his armie
did besiege the castell of Norham. The bishop of Durham Richard Fox,
being owner of that castell, had well furnished it both with men and
munitions aforehand, doubting least that would follow which came now to
passe. The bishop, after that the Scots made this inuasion, aduertised
the king (as then being at London) of all things that chanced in the
North parts; and sent in all post hast to the earle of Surrie, to come
to the rescue. The earle being then in Yorkeshire, and hauing gathered
an armie, vpon knowledge giuen to him from the bishop, with all
diligence marched forward, and after him followed other noble men out
of all the quarters of the North, euerie of them bringing as manie men
as they could gather, for defense of their countrie.

[Sidenote: What lords & knights with their companies went to the rescue
of the castell against the Scots.]

Amongst these, the cheefe leaders were, Rafe earle of Westmerland,
Thomas lord Dacres, Rafe lord Neuill, George lord Strange, Richard lord
Latimer, George lord Lumleie, Iohn lord Scroope, Henrie lord Clifford,
George lord Ogle, William lord Coniers, Thomas lord Darcie. Of knights,
Thomas baron of Hilton, sir William Persie, sir William Bulmer, sir
William Gascoigne, sir Rafe Bigod, sir Rafe Bowes, sir Thomas a Parre,
sir Rafe Ellecker, sir Iohn Constable, sir Iohn Ratcliffe, sir Iohn
Sauill, sir Thomas Strangweis, and a great number of other knights
and esquiers besides. The whole armie was little lesse than twentie
thousand men, beside the nauie, whereof the lord Brooke was admerall.

[Sidenote: The earle of Surreie entreth Scotland defacing castels and
towers.]

When the Scots had diuerse waies assaulted and beaten the castell of
Norham, but could make no batterie to enter the same, they determined
of their owne accord to raise the siege, and returne; and that so
much the sooner in verie deed, bicause they heard that the earle of
Surrie was within two daies iournie of them, with a great puissance.
Wherefore king Iames raised his siege, and returned home into his owne
realme. When the earle knew of the kings returne, he followed him with
all hast possible, trusting suerlie to ouertake him, and to giue him
battell. When the earle was entred Scotland, he ouerthrew and defaced
the castell of Cawdestreimes, the tower of Hetenhall, the tower of
Edington, the tower of Fulden: and he sent Norreie king at armes to
the capteine of Haiton castell, which was one of the strongest places
betwixt Berwike and Edenburgh, to deliuer him the castell. Which he
denied to doo, affirming that he was sure of speedie succours.

The earle heerevpon laid his ordinance to the castell, and continuallie
beat it, from two of the clocke till fiue at night, in such wise, that
they within rendered vp the place, their liues onelie saued. The earle
caused his minors to raise & ouerthrow the fortresse to the plaine
ground. The Scotish king was within a mile of the siege, and both
knew it, and saw the smoke, but would not set one foot forward to the
rescue. While the erle laie at Haiton, the king of Scots sent to him
Machemont, and an other herald, desiring him at his election, either to
fight with whole puissance against puissance, or else they two to fight
person to person; requiring that if the victorie fell to the Scotish
king, that then the earle should deliuer for his ransome, the towne of
Berwike, with the fishgarths of the same.

[Sidenote: The valiant hart of the erle of Surrie reioising at his hap
likelie to fight hand to hand with the K. of Scots.]

The earle made answer hereto, that the towne of Berwike was the king
his maisters, and not his, the which he neither ought nor would laie
to pledge, without the king of Englands assent; but he would gage his
bodie, which was more pretious to him than all the townes of the world,
promising on his honour, that if he tooke the king prisoner in that
singular combat, he would release to him all his part of the fine and
ransome; and if it chanced the king to vanquish him, he would gladlie
paie such ransome as was conuenient for the degree of an earle, and
thanked him greatlie for the offer: for suerlie he thought himselfe
much honored, that so noble a prince would vouchsafe to admit so poore
an earle to fight with him bodie to bodie. When he had rewarded and
dismissed the heralds, he set his armie in a readinesse, to abide the
comming of the king of Scots, and so stood all daie.

[Sidenote: An ambassadour from the K. of Spaine to treat a peace
betwixt England and Scotland.]

But king Iames not regarding his offers, would neither performe the
one nor the other; fearing to cope with the English nation in anie
condition; and so therevpon fled in the night season with all his
puissance. When the earle knew that the king was reculed, and had beene
in Scotland six or seuen daies, being dailie and nightlie vexed with
continuall wind and raine, vpon good and deliberate aduise returned
backe to the towne of Berwike, and there dissolued his armie, tarieng
there himselfe, till he might vnderstand further of the kings pleasure.
In the meane time there came an ambassadour to the K. of Scots from the
K. of Spaine, one Peter Hialas, a man of no lesse learning than wit &
policie, to mooue and intret a peace betweene the two kings of England
& Scotland [that their people might fall to their necessarie trades of
aduantage with quietnesse, and friend with friend, husband with wife,
father with children, and maisters with seruants dwell and accompanie:
a dissolution and separation of whom one from another is procured by
bloudie warre, wherein as there is no pitie, so is there is no pietie,
as one saith full trulie:

[Sidenote: _Luc. Lib. 10._]

    Nulla fides pietasque viris qui castra sequuntur,
    Nulla salus bello.]

This Spanish ambassadour so earnestlie trauelled in his message vnto
the king of Scots, that at length he found him conformable to his
purpose: and therefore wrote to the king of England, that it would
please him to send one of his nobilitie or councell, to be associat
with him in concluding of peace with the Scotish king. The king of
England was neuer dangerous to agree to anie reasonable peace, so
it might stand with his honour; and therefore appointed the bishop
of Durham doctor Fox, to go into Scotland about that treatie which
Peter Hialas had begun. The bishop (according to his commission) went
honorablie into Scotland, where he and Peter Hialas at the towne of
Iedworth, after long arguing and debating of matters with the Scotish
commissioners, in steed of peace concluded a truce for certeine yeares;
vpon condition, that Iames king of Scots should conueie Perkin Warbecke
out of his realme, seigniories, and dominions.

[Sidenote: The English merchants receiued into Antwerpe with generall
procession.]

[Sidenote: Perkin is faine to packe out of Scotland.]

About the same time, king Henrie receiued the ambassadors that were
sent to him from the French king, and had beene staied at Douer, till
the Cornish rebels were vanquished and subdued. Also the lord of
Camphire, and other oratours of Philip archduke of Austrich, and duke
of Burgognie came to him for the conclusion of amitie, and to haue the
English merchants to resort againe to their countrie. Which request
being verie agreeable to the quietnesse and wealth of his realme, and
especiallie at that time, he did fauorablie grant and agree vnto. And
so did the Englishmen resort againe into the archdukes dominions, and
were receiued into Antwerpe with generall procession: so glad was that
towne of their returne. Shortlie after the concluding of the truce
betweene England and Scotland, Perkin Warbecke being willed of the king
of Scots to depart out of the Scotish dominions, sailed with his wife
and familie into Ireland, there determining with himselfe either to
repaire into Flanders to his first setter vp the duches of Burgognie,
or else ioine and take part with the Cornishmen.

[Sidenote: Perkin Warbecke arriueth in Cornewall.]

[Sidenote: Another rebellion by the Cornishmen.]

[Sidenote: Perkins three councellors.]

But howsoeuer it came to passe, whilest he laie in Ireland, he had
knowledge from the Cornishmen, that they were readie to renew the warre
againe. Wherevpon he minding not to let passe so faire an occasion,
hauing with him foure small ships, and not aboue six score men, sailed
into Cornewall; and there landed in the moneth of September, and came
to a towne called Bodman, and there did so prouoke the wauering
people, what with faire words and large promises, that he gathered to
him aboue three thousand persons, which immediatlie called him their
capteine, promising to take his part, and follow him to the death. Then
Perkin well incouraged, made proclamations in the name of king Richard
the fourth, as sonne to king Edward the fourth. And by the aduise of
his three councellors, Iohn Heron mercer a bankrupt, Richard Skelton a
tailor, and Iohn Astelie a scriuener determined first of all to assaie
the winning of Excester.

[Sidenote: Excester assaulted by Perkin & the Cornishmen.]

[Sidenote: The citie of Excester preserued from fire by fire.]

Then hasting thither, he laid siege to it, and wanting ordinance to
make batterie, studied all waies possible how to breake the gates, and
what with casting of stones, heauing with iron barres, and kindling of
fire vnder the gates, he omitted nothing that could be deuised for the
furtherance of his purpose. The citizens, perceiuing in what danger
they stood, first let certeine messengers downe by cords ouer the
wall, that might certifie the king of their necessitie & trouble. And
herewith taking vnto them boldnenesse of courage, determined to repell
fire with fire, and caused fagots to be brought and laied to the inward
parts of the gates, and set them all on fire; to the intent that the
fire being inflamed on both sides the gates, might as well keepe out
their enimies from entring, as shut in the citizens from fleeing out,
and that they in the meane season might make trenches and rampiers to
defend their enimies in steed of gates and bulworks. Thus by fire was
the citie preserued from fire.

[Sidenote: The king maketh out his power against Perkin.]

Then Perkin of verie necessitie compelled to forsake the gates,
assaulted the towne in diuerse weake and vnfortified places, and
set vp ladders to take the citie. But the citizens, with helpe of
such as were come foorth of the countrie adioining to their aid, so
valiantlie defended the walles, that they slue aboue two hundred of
Perkins souldiers at that assault. The king hauing aduertisement of
this siege of Excester, hasted foorth with his host, in as much speed
as was possible, and sent the lord Daubeneie with certeine bands of
light horssemen before, to aduertise all men of his comming at hand.
But in the meane season, the lord Edward Courtneie earle of Deuonshire,
and the valiant lord William his sonne, accompanied with sir Edmund
Carew, sir Thomas Trenchard, sir William Courtneie, sir Thomas Fulford,
sir Iohn Halewell, sir Iohn Croker, Water Courtnie, Peter Edgecombe,
William saint Maure, with all speed came into the citie of Excester,
and holpe the citizens, and at the last assault was the earle hurt in
the arme with an arrow, and so were manie of his companie, but verie
few slaine.

[Sidenote: Edward the yoong duke of Buckingham and his companie ioine
with the king.]

When Perkin saw that he could not win the citie of Excester, sith
he sawe it was so well fortified both with men and munitions, he
departed from thence, and went vnto Taunton, and there the twentith
day of September he mustered his men; as though he were readie to
giue battell: but perceiuing his number to be minished, by the secret
withdrawing of sundrie companies from him, he began to put mistrust in
all the remnant. In deed when the people that followed him, in hope
that no small number of the nobilitie would ioine with him, saw no such
matter come to passe, they stale awaie from him by secret companies.
When the king heard that he was gone to Taunton, he followed after
him with all speed. And by the way there came to him Edward duke of
Buckingham, a yoong prince of great towardnesse; and him followed a
great companie of noble men, knights and esquiers, as sir Alexander
Bainam, sir Maurice Barkleie, sir Robert Tame, sir Iohn Guise, sir
Robert Pointz, sir Henrie Vernon, sir Iohn Mortimer, sir Thomas
Tremaile, sir Edward Sutton, sir Amise Paulet, sir Iohn Birkneill, sir
Iohn Sapcotes, sir Hugh Lutterell, sir Francis Cheinie, and diuerse
other.

[Sidenote: Perkin fleeth and taketh Beaudlie sanctuarie.]

At the kings approching to the towne of Taunton, he set before him
Robert lord Brooke lord steward of his house, Giles lord Daubeneie his
chiefe chamberleine, and sir Rice ap Thomas. But as soone as Perkin
was informed that his enimies were readie to giue him battell, he
that nothing lesse minded than to fight in open field with the kings
puissance, dissembled all the daie time with his companie, as though
nothing could make him afraid: and about midnight, accompanied with
three score horssemen, he departed from Taunton in post to a sanctuarie
towne beside Southampton, called Beaudlie, & there he and Iohn Heron
with other registred themselues as persons priuileged. When as king
Henrie knew that Perkin was thus fled, he sent after him the lord
Daubeneie with fiue hundred horssemen toward the sea side, to apprehend
him before he should get away. Although Perkin escaped (as I haue
said) vnto sanctuarie, yet manie of his chiefe capteins were taken and
presented to the king.

[Sidenote: The beautifull ladie Katharine (Perkins wife) presented to
the king.]

Also the horssemen that were sent, without anie stop or staie came
to saint Michaels mount, and there (as chance was) found the ladie
Katharine Gordon wife to Perkin, and brought hir streight to the king.
At whose beautie and amiable countenance the king much maruelled,
and thought hir a preie more meet for a prince, than for the meane
souldiers, and sent hir incontinentlie vnto London to the queene,
accompanied with a sort of sage matrones and gentlewomen, bicause she
was but yoong. The common people that had followed Perkin, after that
their cheefeteine was fled, threw awaie their armour as people amazed,
and submitted themselues to the king, humblie beseeching him of mercie,
which he most gentlie granted, and receiued them to his fauour. After
this the king road to Excester, and there not onelie commended the
citizens, but also hartilie thanked them for dooing so well their
duties in defending their citie from their enimies. He also put there
to execution diuerse Cornishmen, which were the authors and principall
beginners of this new conspiracie and insurrection. Neuerthelesse,
he vsed maruellous clemencie also in pardoning a great number of the
rebels.

[Sidenote: _Iohn Hooker, alias Vowell._]

[Sidenote: All Perkins partakers in their shirts with halters about
their necks appeare before the king.]

¶ For when king Henrie was come to Excester with a great armie, mooued
therevnto (as you haue heard) by reason of the rebellion of Perkin
Warbecke, who was fled before the kings comming, he staied a few daies
about the examination of the said rebellion, and the executing of
the chiefe and principall capteins. In the end, the multitude of the
offendors being great, and most humblie crauiug for pardon, the king
caused them all to be assembled in the churchyard of saint Peters,
where they all appeared bare headed, in their shirts, and with halters
about their necks. His grace was then lodged in the treasurors house,
lieng fast vpon the churchyard, and out of a faire and large window
(made for the purpose) he tooke the view of them, who shouted and
cried out for pardon. At length, when the king had paused, hee made a
speach vnto them, exhorting them to obedience, and in hope he should
thencefoorth find them dutifull, he pardoned them all: whereat they
all made a great shout, gaue the king thanks, and hurled awaie their
halters. Yet neuerthelesse, some returned againe, and ioined themselues
with the Cornish people, which had not all submitted themselues, nor
sought for pardon.

[Sidenote: Perkin in sanctuarie assaulted.]

[Sidenote: Perkin submitteth himselfe to the king, and is streictlie
seene to.]

Now while he remained at Excester, he considered with himselfe, that
he had doone nothing, if he could not get into his hands the chiefe
head of this trouble and seditious businesse. Wherefore he caused the
sanctuarie wherein Perkin was inclosed, to be inuironed with two bands
of light horssemen, to watch diligentlie, that Perkin should not escape
by anie meanes foorth of that place vntaken: and withall attempted
by faire promises of pardon and forgiuenes, if Perkin would submit
himselfe to him and become his man. Perkin perceiuing himselfe so shut
vp, that he could no waie escape, of his owne free will came out of the
sanctuarie, and committed himselfe to the kings pleasure. When the king
had thus atchiued his purpose, he returned to London, and appointed
certeine keepers to attend on Perkin, which should not (the bredth of
a maile) go from his person; least he should conueie himselfe by anie
meanes out of the land [and set new troubles abroch by such practises
as he had to fore vsed, for the aduancement of himselfe to the estate
of a king, by assuming vnto himselfe the name of a kings sonne, when in
deed hee was come of base parentage. But Iacke will bee a gentleman,
the long eared asse will be taken for a leopard, & the pelting pismire
for a lion, as one saith:

[Sidenote: _M. Pal. in Virg._]

    Nunc se asinus pardum vocat & formica leonem.]

[Sidenote: C[=o]missioners appointed for assessing of their fines that
fauoured the Cornish rebels.]

[Sidenote: 1498]

After this, the king caused inquiries to be made, of all such as
had aided with men or monie the Cornish rebels, so that diuerse
persons as well in Summersetshire as Deuonshire were detected of that
offense, which he minded for example sake should tast some part of due
punishments for their crimes, according to the qualitie thereof. And
therefore he appointed Thomas lord Darcie, Amise Paulet knight, and
Robert Sherborne deane of Poules (that was after bishop of Chichester)
to be commissioners for assessing of their fines that were found
culpable. These commissioners so bestirred themselues, in tossing the
coffers and substance of all the inhabitants of both those shires,
that there was not one person imbrued or spotted with the filth of
that abhominable crime, that escaped the paine which he had deserued:
but to such yet as offended rather by constreint than of malice, they
were gentle and fauourable, so that equitie therein was verie well and
iustlie executed.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. I. S. pag. 872._]

[Sidenote: Gardens in Moore field laid wast to make archers game.]

[Sidenote: Price of haie doubled.]

[Sidenote: Sebastian Gabato his discouerie of an Iland of rich
commodities.]

¶ In this yeare all the gardens which had beene continued time out
of mind, without Moore gate of London, were destroied, and of them
was made a plaine field for archers to shoot in. Also this yeere was
a great drought, by reason whereof a load of haie, which was before
sold at London at fiue shillings, was this yeare sold for ten or
twelue more. Also this yeare, one Sebastian Gabato, a Genoas sonne,
borne in Bristow, professing himselfe to be expert in knowledge of the
circuit of the world, and Islands of the same, as by his charts and
other reasonable demonstrations he shewed, caused the king to man and
vittell a ship at Bristow, to search for an Iland which he knew to be
replenished with rich commodites. In the ship diuerse merchants of
London aduentured small stocks, and in the companie of this ship sailed
also out of Bristow three or foure small ships fraight with slight and
grosse wares, as course cloath, caps, lases, points, and such other.

Sir Humfrie Gilbert knight, in his booke intituled, A discouerie
for a new passage to Cataia, writeth thus; "Sebastian Gabato, by
his personall experience and trauell, hath described and set foorth
this passage in his charts, which are yet to be seene in the queenes
maiesties priuie gallerie at White hall, who was sent to make this
discouerie by king Henrie the seuenth, and entered the same fret,
affirming that hee sailed verie farre westward, with a quarter of the
north, on the north side of terra de Labrador, the eleuenth of Iune,
vntill he came to the septentrionall latitude of 67-1/2 degrees, and
finding the seas still open, said, that he might & would haue gon to
Cataia, if the emnitie of the maister and mariners had not beene."
Neuerthelesse, he went verie farre, euen to a nation inhabited with
people more like beasts than men, as appeareth in the yeare 1502, and
the seuenteenth of this kings reigne, when the said traueller was
returned, and presented himselfe to the kings maiestie.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 14.]

[Sidenote: England and Scotland liklie to go togither by the eares
afresh.]

In this yeare the warre had like to haue beene reuiued betwixt the
realmes of England and Scotland by a small occasion, as thus. Certeine
yongmen of the Scots came arriued before Norham castell, & beheld it
woonderous circumspectlie, as though they would faine haue beene of
counsell to know what was doone therein. The keepers not perceiuing
anie damage attempted against them for the first time, determined not
to mooue anie question to them, or once to stirre out. But when they
came againe the next day, and viewed it likewise, the keepers of the
castell suspecting some euill meaning, demanded of them what their
intent was, and why they viewed and aduised so the castell. The Scots
answered them roughlie with disdainfull words, so that the Englishmen
fell to and replied with strokes; and after manie blowes giuen and
receiued, diuerse Scots were wounded, and some slaine; and the residue
ouermatched with multitude of the Englishmen, fled as fast as their
horsses could carie them.

The Scotish king hereof aduertised, was highlie displeased, and in all
hast signified to king Henrie by his herald Marchemont, in what sort
his people (to the breach of the truce) were abused and handled. King
Henrie being not in will to breake with anie of his neighbours, excused
the matter, affirming that he was not of knowledge to the misdemeanor
of those that had the castell in keeping; requiring the king of Scots
not to thinke the truce broken for anie thing doone without his
consent; promising in the word of a king to inquire of the truth, and
if the offense were found to be begun on the partie of the keepers of
the castell, he assured him that they should for no meed nor fauour
escape due correction and punishment.

[Sidenote: The bishop of Durham aswageth the kings displeasure by
letters.]

This answer (though it was more than reasonable) could not pacifie the
king of Scots, till the bishop of Durham (that was owner of the castell
of Norham) who sore lamented, that by such as he appointed keepers
there, the warre should be renewed with sundrie letters written to the
Scotish king, at length asswaged his displeasure, so that the said king
wrote courteouslie to the bishop againe, signifieng that bicause he had
manie secret things in his mind, which he would communicate onelie with
him touching this matter now in variance; therefore he required him
to take the paine to come into his countrie, trusting that he should
thinke his labor well bestowed. The bishop was glad, and sent word
hereof to the king his master, who willed him to accomplish the desire
of the Scotish king, which he tooke to bee reasonable.

[Sidenote: The bishop of Durham goeth into Scotland.]

[Sidenote: The Scotish king desireth the ladie Margaret eldest daughter
of K. Henrie the seuenth to be his wife.]

At his comming into Scotland, he was courteouslie receiued of the king
himselfe at the abbeie of Melrosse. And there, after the king had (for
a countenance) complained much of the vniust slaughter of his men late
committed at Norham: vpon the bishops gentle answers thervnto, he
forgaue the same, and after began to talke secretlie without witnesses
alone with the bishop. And first he declared what iust causes mooued
him in times past to seeke amitie with the king of England: which now
he desired much more to haue confirmed, for further maintenance &
increase thereof. Which he doubted not but should sort to a fortunate
conclusion, if the king of England would vouchsafe to giue to him in
matrimonie his first begotten daughter the ladie Margaret, vpon which
point he purposed latelie to haue sent his ambassadors into England,
which thing he would the sooner doo if he knew the bishops mind therein
to bee readie to further his sute. The bishop answered but few words
sauing that when he were returned to the king his maister, he would doo
the best in the matter that he could.

[Sidenote: 1499.]

[Sidenote: Perkin Warbecke escapeth from his keepers.]

When the bishop was returned into England, and come to the king, he
declared to him all the communication had betweene king Iames and him,
from point to point in order. The king liked well thereof as he to
whome peace was euer a souereigne solace and comfort. In this meane
time Perkin Warbecke, disappointed of all hope to escape out of the
Englishmens hands (which was the onelie thing that he most desired)
found meanes yet at length to deceiue his keepers, & took him to his
heels. But when he came to the sea coasts, and could not passe, he was
in a maruellous perplexitie: for euerie by way, lane, and corner was
laid for him, and such search made, that being brought to his wits
end, and cut short of his pretensed iournie, he came to the house of
Bethlem, called the priorie of Sheene beside Richmond in Southerie, and
betooke himselfe to the prior of that monasterie, requiring him for the
honour of God, to beg his pardon of life of the kings maiestie.

The prior, which for the opinion that men had conceiued of his vertue,
was had in great estimation, pitieng the wretched state of that
caitife, came to the king, and shewed him of this Perkin, whose pardon
he humblie craued, and had it as freelie granted. Incontinentlie after
was Perkin brought to the court againe at Westminster, and was one day
set fettered in a paire of stocks, before the doore of Westminster
hall, and there stood a whole day, not without innumerable reproches,
mocks and scornings. And the next daie he was caried through London,
and set vpon a like scaffold in Cheape by the standard, with like
ginnes and stocks as he occupied the daie before, and there stood all
daie, and read operilie his owne confession, written with his owne
hand, the verie copie whereof here insueth.


The confession of Perkin as it was written with his owne hand, which he
read openlie vpon a scaffold by the standard in Cheape.

[Sidenote: Perkin maketh an anatomie of his descent or linage.]

It is first to be knowne, that I was borne in the towne of Turneie in
Flanders, and my fathers name is Iohn Osbecke, which said Iohn Osbecke
was controller of the said towne of Turneie, and my moothers name is
Katharine de Faro. And one of my grandsires vpoa my fathers side was
named Diricke Osbeck, which died. After whose death my grandmoother was
married vnto Peter Flamin, that was receiuer of the forenamed towne of
Turneie, & deane of the botemen that row vpon the water or riuer called
le Scheld. And my grandsire vpon my moothers side was Peter de Faro,
which had in his keeping the keies of the gate of S. Iohns within the
same towne of Turneie. Also I had an vncle called maister Iohn Stalin,
dwelling in the parish of S. Pias, within the same towne, which had
maried my fathers sister, whose name was Ione or Iane, with whome I
dwelt a certeine season.

[Sidenote: Perkins education or bringing vp.]

And after I was led by my moother to Antwerpe for to learne Flemish,
in a house of a cousine of mine, an officer of the said towne, called
Iohn Stienbecke, with whome I was the space of halfe a yeare. And after
that I returned againe to Turneie, by reason of warres that were in
Flanders. And within a yeare following I was sent with a merchant of
the said towne of Turneie, named Berlo, to the mart of Antwerpe, where
I fell sicke, which sickenesse continued vpon me fiue moneths. And the
said Berlo set me to boord in a skinners house, that dwelled beside the
house of the English nation. And by him I was from thense caried to
Barow mart; and I lodged at the signe of the old man, where I abode for
the space of two moneths.

[Sidenote: Perkin a notable landloper.]

After this, the said Berlo set me with a merchant of Middleborow
to seruice for to learne the language, whose name was Iohn Strew,
with whome I dwelt from Christmasse to Easter, and then I went into
Portingall in companie of sir Edward Bramptons wife, in a ship which
was called the queens ship. And when I was come thither, then was I
put in seruice to a knight that dwelled in Lushborne, which was called
Peter Vacz de Cogna, with whome I dwelled an whole yeare, which said
knight had but one eie. And bicause I desired to see other countries, I
tooke licence of him, and then I put my selfe in seruice with a Briton,
called Pregent Meno, which brought me with him into Ireland. Now when
we were there arriued in the towne of Corke, they of the towne (bicause
I was arraied with some cloths of silke of my said maisters) came vnto
me, & threatned vpon me that I should be the duke of Clarences sonne,
that was before time at Dublin.

[Sidenote: The Irish would haue Perkin take vpon him to be the duke of
Clarences sonne.]

[Sidenote: They beare Perkin downe with oths that he is king Richards
bastard.]

But forsomuch as I denied it, there was brought vnto me the holie
euangelists, and the crosse, by the maior of the towne, which was
called Iohn Leweline, and there in the duke the presence of him and
others, I tooke mine oth (as the truth was) that I was not the foresaid
dukes sonne, nor none of his bloud. And after this came vnto me an
Englishman, whose name was Stephan Poitron, and one Iohn Water, and
laid to me in swearing great oths, that they knew well that I was king
Richards bastard sonne: whome I answered with like oths, that I was
not. Then they aduised me not to be afeard, but that I should take it
vpon me boldlie: and if I would so doo, they would aid and assist me
with all their power against the king of England; & not onelie they,
but they were well assured, that the earle of Desmond & Kildare should
doo the same.

[Sidenote: They call him duke of Yorke.]

For they forced not what part they tooke, so that they might be
reuenged on the king of England: and so against my will made me to
learne English, and taught me what I should doo and saie. And after
this they called me duke of Yorke, second sonne to king Edward the
fourth, bicause king Richards bastard sonne was in the hands of the
king of England. And vpon this the said Water, Stephan Poitron, Iohn
Tiler, Hughbert Burgh, with manie others, as the foresaid carles,
entered into this false quarell, and within short time others. The
French K. sent an ambassador into Ireland, whose name was Loit Lucas,
and maister Stephan Friham, to aduertise me to come into France. And
thense I went into France, and from thense into Flanders, & from
Flanders into Ireland, and from Ireland into Scotland, & so into
England.

       *       *       *       *       *

When the night of the same daie (being the fifteenth of Iune) was
come, after he had stood all that daie in the face of the citie, he
was committed to the Tower, there to remaine vnder safe keeping, least
happilie he might eftsoones run awaie, and escape out of the land, to
put the king and realme to some new trouble. For he had a woonderfull
dexteritie and readinesse to circumuent, a heart full of ouerreaching
imaginations, an aspiring mind, a head more wilie (I wisse) than
wittie; bold he was and presumptuous in his behauiour, as forward to
be the instrument of a mischeefe, as anie deuiser of wickednesse would
wish; a feend of the diuels owne forging, nursed and trained vp in the
studie of commotions, making offer to reach as high as he could looke;
such was his inordinate ambition, wherewith he did swell as coueting
to be a princes peere: much like the tode that would match the bull in
drinking, but in the end she burst in peeces and neuer dranke more; as
the poet telleth the tale (by the imitation of the fabler) saieng;

[Sidenote: _M. Pal. in Virg._]

    ----cupiens aequare bibendo
    Rana bouem, rupta nunquam bibit amplius aluo.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 15.]

[Sidenote: Patrike an Augustine Frier.]

[Sidenote: Rafe Wilford the counterfeit earle of Warwike]

In this yeare was an Augustine frier called Patrike in the parties of
Suffolke, the which hauing a scholer named Rafe Wilford (a shoomakers
sonne of London as Stow noteth) had so framed him to his purpose, that
in hope to worke some great enterprise, as to disappoint the king of
his crowne and seat roiall, tooke vpon him to be the earle of Warwike,
insomuch that both the maister and scholer hauing counselled betweene
themselves of their enterprise, they went into Kent, & there began
the yoong mawmet to tell priuilie to manie, that he was the verie
earle of Warwike, and latelie gotten out of the Tower, by the helpe
of this frier Patrike. To which saiengs when the frier perceiued some
light credence to be giuen, he declared it openlie in the pulpit, and
desired all men of helpe. But the danger of this seditious attempt was
shortlie remooued and taken awaie, the maister and scholer being both
apprehended and cast into prison and atteinted.

[Sidenote: The counterfeit earle is executed.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. Edw. Hall in Hen. 7 fol._ lj.]

[Sidenote: The cause why the clergie neuer so heinouslie offending was
so fauoured.]

The scholer was hanged, on Shrouetuesdaie at saint Thomas Waterings,
and the frier condemned to perpetuall prison. For at that time so
much reuerence was attributed to the holie orders, that to a preest
(although he had committed high treason against his souereigne lord)
his life was spared, in like case as to anie other offender in murther,
rape, or theft, that had receiued anie of the three higher holie
orders. [The cheefe cause (saith Edward Hall) of this fauour was this,
bicause bishops of a long time and season did not take knowledge,
nor intermix themselues with the search & punishment of such heinous
and detestable offenses: by reason whereof they did not disgrade and
depriue from the holie orders such malefactors and wicked persons,
which without that ceremonie by the canon lawes could not be put to
death.

[Sidenote: Burning in the hand when enacted.]

Furthermore, what should a man saie, it was also vsed, that he that
could but onelie read (yea although he vnderstood not what he read)
how heinous or detestable a crime so euer he had committed (treason
onelie excepted) should likewise as affines & alies to the holie orders
be saued, and committed to the bishops prison. And to the intent that
if they should escape, and be againe taken, committing like offense,
that their liues be no more to them pardoned: it was ordeined that
murtherers should be burnt on the brawne of the left hand with an hot
iron signed with this letter M. and theeues in the same place with
this letter T. So that if they, which were once signed with anie of
these markes or tokens did reiterate like crime & offense againe,
should suffer the paines and punishments which they had both merited
and deserued. Which decree was enacted and established in a session
of parlement kept in the time of this kings reigne, and taken (as I
coniecture) of the French nation, which are woont, if they take anie
such offender, to cut off one of his eares, as a sure token and marke
hereafter of his euill dooing.]

[Sidenote: Perkin corrupted his keepers.]

[Sidenote: Edward Plantagenet earle of Warwike a verie innocent.]

Perkin Warbecke (as before ye haue heard) being now in hold, by false
persuasions and great promises corrupted his keepers, Stranguish,
Blewet, Astwood, and long Roger, seruants to sir Iohn Digbie lieutenant
of the Tower. Insomuch that they (as it was at their arreignment
openlie prooued) intended to haue slaine their maister, and to haue set
Perkin and the earle of Warwike at large. Which earle of Warwike had
beene kept in prison within the Tower almost from his tender yeares,
that is to saie, from the first yeare of the king, to this fifteenth
yeare, out of all companie of men & sight of beasts, insomuch that
he could not discerne a goose from a capon, and therefore by common
reason and open apparance could not of himselfe seeke his owne death
and destruction. But yet by the drift and offense of an other he was
brought to his death and confusion.

[Sidenote: Perkin and Iohn Awater executed at Tiburne.]

For being made priuie of this enterprise deuised by Perkin and his
complices, therevnto (as all naturall creatures loue libertie) he
assented and agreed. But this craftie deuise and subtill imagination
being reuealed, sorted to none effect, so that Perkin and Iohn Awater
sometime maior of Corke in Ireland, one of his cheefe founders, and his
sonne, were on the sixteenth daie of Nouember arreigned and condemned
at Westminster. And on the three and twentith daie of the same moneth,
Perkin and Iohn Awater were drawne to Tiburne, where Perkin standing
on a little scaffold, read his confession (as before he had doone in
Cheape side) taking it on his death to be true. And so he and Iohn
Awater asked the king forgiuenesse, and died patientlie.

[Sidenote: Edward Plantagenet the yoong earle of Warwike beheaded.]

This was the reward of the feined glose and counterfeit comment of
Perkin Warbecke, the which as by his false surmises in his life time
had brought manie honourable personages to their deaths, and vndoone
manie an honest man: so now at his death he brought other of the same
sort to their not altogither vndeserued punishment. And amongest others
Edward Plantagenet the forenamed erle of Warwike, which (as the fame
went) consented to breake prison, and to depart out of the realme with
Perkin (which in prisoners is high treason) was the one and twentith
daie of the said moneth arreigned at Westminster before the earle
of Oxenford then high steward of England of the said treason, which
(whether it were by intisement and persuasion of other, or of his owne
free will manie doubted, bicause of his innocencie) confessed the fact,
and submitted himselfe to the kings mercie; and vpon his confession had
his iudgement, and according thervnto the eight and twentith daie of
Nouember in the yeare 1499, was brought to the scaffold on the Tower
hill, and there beheaded.

[Sidenote: 1500.]

[Sidenote: A great plague.]

[Sidenote: Edward the kings third sonne christened.]

[Sidenote: The manour of Sheene burnt & Richmond built in place
thereof.]

[Sidenote: _I. S. pag. 874._]

The fame after his death sprang abroad, that Ferdinando king of Spaine
would make no full conclusion of the matrimonie to be had betweene
prince Arthur and the ladie Katharine daughter to the said Ferdinando,
nor send hir into England as long as this earle liued. For he imagined
that so long as anie earle of Warwike liued, England should neuer be
purged of ciuill warre and priuie sedition; so much was the name of
Warwike in other regions had in feare and gealousie. The next yeare
after there was a great plague, whereof men died in manie places verie
sore; but speciallie and most of all in the citie of London, where died
in that yeare thirtie thousand. The foure and twentith of Februarie in
this fifteenth yeare of this kings reigne his third son was christened
and was named Edward. Also in this yeare was burned a place of the
kings, called the manour of Sheene situate nigh the Thames side, which
he after builded againe sumptuouslie, and changed the name of Sheene,
and called it Richmond; bicause his father and he were earles of
Richmond: or (as some note) for that so manie notable and rich iewels
were there burnt. He also new builded Bainards castell in London, and
repaired Greenewich.

[Sidenote: King Henrie the seuenth saileth to Calis.]

The king, whether to auoid the danger of so great and perilous
sickenesse, then raging, or to take occasion to commen with the duke of
Burgognie, did personallie take his ship at Douer in the beginning of
Maie, and sailed to Calis, whither the duke of Burgognie sent to him
honourable personages in ambassage to welcome him into those parties,
and to declare that the said duke would gladlie repaire personallie to
his presence with such a number as the king should appoint, so that it
were within no walled towne nor fortresse. For hauing denied the French
king to enter into anie of his fortresses to talke with him, he would
be loth now to giue a president to him to desire the like meeting.
The king interteining the ambassadours, and thanking the duke of his
courteous offer, appointed the place at saint Peters church without
Calis.

[Sidenote: The king of England and the duke of Burgognie meet at saint
Peters church without Calis.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hall, in Hen. 7. fol._ lij.]

Vpon tuesdaie in Whitsunweeke the archduke Philip came thither with a
conuenient companie. The king and the queene with manie a lustie lord
and ladie rode thither to welcome him. [And when the king approched,
the duke at his lighting offered to hold his stirrupe, which the king
in no wise would suffer to be doone. When the king was descended from
his horsse, he and the archduke imbraced each other with most princelie
familiaritie, and then the queene and all the nobles saluted him.]
And after most louing interteinments, bankettings, mirth, and pastime
shewed amongest them, there was communication of marriages, treating of
further strengthening of leagues, requests of tolles in Flanders to be
minished: with manie other things touching the commoditie and traffike
of both their countries. And when all things were set in order, the two
princes tooke their leaue, and departed; the king to Calis, and the
archduke to S. Omers. After his departing, there came as ambassadors
from the French king, the lord Gronthouse gouernour of Picardie, and
the lord Meruelliers bailiffe of Amiens, which declared to the king the
getting of Millaine and taking of the duke. The king highlie feasted
them, and rewarded them princelie at their departing.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 16.]

[Sidenote: A yeare of Iubile.]

[Sidenote: Pope Alexander maketh profit of his great pardon or
heauenlie grace, as he termeth it.]

Soone after, when the death was slaked, the king returned againe into
England about the end of Iune. Shortlie after there came to him one
Gasper Pons a Spaniard, a man of excellent learning and most ciuill
behauiour, sent from Alexander the bishop of Rome to distribute the
heauenlie grace (as he termed it) to all such as (letted by anie
forceable impediment) could not come to Rome that yeare to the Iubile,
which was there celebrate, being the yeare after the birth of our
Sauiour, 1500. This beneuolent liberalitie was not altogither freelie
giuen. For Alexander looking to the health of mens soules, thought
to doo somewhat for his owne priuat commoditie, & therefore he set a
certeine price of that his grace and pardon. And to the end that the
king should not hinder his purpose, he offered part of his gaines to
the king.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem._]

And to colour the matter with some fauourable pretext, and to make men
the better willing, & more readie to giue franklie, he promised with
that monie to make warre against the Turke. By this meanes the pope got
a great masse of monie, which he had conueied ouer vnto him by such
trustie messengers (doubt you not) as he had appointed; and yet nothing
doone against the Turks, which in the meane season did much hurt to the
christians. [For it was no part of his meaning (what colourable shew
soeuer he made of tendering the succourlesse people) to impart anie
portion thereof to so good a vse; but rather for the supportation of
him and his swarme, who before they will bate an ace of their gorgeous
gallantnesse, the whole world shall be cousened. Such is the collusion
of the pope, such be the shamelesse shifts of him and his cleargie
for the maintenance of their owne courtlie brauerie, which is wicked
vanitie; farre passing the pompe of anie prince, were the same of
neuer so rare magnificence; as he well noteth that said full trulie:

[Sidenote: _Antith. Christ. &. pape. pag. 38. 40._]

    ------immenso princeps non visus in orbe est,
      Cui tanti fastus tantaue pompa fuit.
    Ingreditur quando miserae Babylonis in vrbes,
      Cernitur hic plusquam regia pompa comes.
    Huic equus est spumans ostroq; insignis & auro,
      Altisono cuius sub pede terra fremit, &c.]

[Sidenote: Three bishops dead in one yeare.]

[Sidenote: Two notable mariages.]

[Sidenote: 1501.]

[Sidenote: Katharine daughter to Ferdinando K. of Spaine affied to
Arthur prince of Wales.]

About this time died three bishops in England, Iohn Morton archbishop
of Canturburie, Thomas Langton bishop of Winchester, and Thomas
Rotheram archbishop of Yorke. After him succeeded Thomas Sauage bishop
of London, a man of great honour and worthinesse: in whose place
succeeded William Worham, of whome before is made mention. And Henrie
Deane bisbop of Salisburie, was made archbishop of Canturburie, and
Richard Fox was remooued from Durham to the see of Winchester. Also
this yeare two notable mariages were concluded, but not consummate till
afterwards, as you shall heare in place conuenient. For king Henrie
granted his daughter ladie Margaret to Iames the fourth king of Scots.
And Ferdinando king of Spaine gaue his daughter ladie Katharine to
Arthur prince of Wales, sonne and heire apparant to the king of England.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 17.]

[Sidenote: The fourth of October as _Stow_ hath noted.]

Among other articles of the mariage concluded with the Scotish king
this was one, that no English men should be receiued into Scotland
without letters commendatorie of their souereigne lord, or safe conduct
of his warden of the marches; and the same prohibition was in like
maner giuen to the Scots. This yeare the ladie Katharine of Spaine was
sent by hir father king Ferdinando with a puissant nauie of ships into
England, where she arriued in the hauen of Plimmouth the second daie
of October then being saturdaie. Vpon the twelft of Nouember she was
conueied from Lambeth through London with all triumph and honour that
might be deuised to the bishops palace, the streets being hanged, and
pageants erected after the maner as is vsed at a coronation: which
solemnitie Edward Hall describeth with the sumptuous shewes then
glistering in the beholders eies.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem. ex. Edw. Hall. fol._ lij.]

¶ I passe ouer (saith he) the wise deuises, the prudent speeches,
the costlie works, the cunning portratures, practised and set foorth
in seuen goodlie beautifull pageants, erected and set vp in diuerse
places of the citie. I leaue also the goodlie ballades, the sweet
harmonie, the musicall instruments, which sounded with heauenlie noise
on euerie side of the streets. I omit further, the costlie apparell
both of goldsmiths worke and imbroderie, the rich iewels, the massie
chaines, the stirring horsses, the beautifull bards and the glittering
trappers, both with belles and spangels of gold. I pretermit also the
rich apparell of the princesse, the strange fashion of the Spanish
nation, the beautie of the English ladies, the goodlie demeanure of
the yoong damosels, the amorous countenance of the lustie bachelers.
I passe ouer also the fine ingrained clothes, the costlie furs of the
citizens, standing on scaffolds, raised from Gracechurch to Paules.
What should I speake of the oderiferous scarlets, the fine veluets, the
pleasant furres, the massie chaines, which the maior of London with
the senat, sitting on horssebacke at the little conduit in Cheape,
ware on their bodies and about their necks? I will not speake of the
rich arras, the costlie tapestrie, the fine clothes both of gold and
siluer, the curious veluets, the beautifull sattens, nor the pleasant
silkes which did hang in euerie street where she passed, the wine that
ran continuallie out of the conduits, and the graueling of the streets
needeth not to be remembred.

Whilest this ladie soiourned for hir recreation in the bishops palace
of London, being in the meane time visited of the king, the queene, and
the kings mother, there was erected in the bodie of S. Paules church
a long bridge made of timber, extending from the west doore of the
church to the step at the entring into the queere, which was six foot
from the ground. On the said bridge or stage, euen directlie before the
consistorie of the church, was a place raised like a mount for eight
persons to stand vpon, compassed round about with steps to ascend and
descend, which was couered with fine red worsted, and in likewise were
all the railes of the said stage. On the north side of this mount was
a place decked and trimmed for the king and queene, and such other as
they appointed to haue. On the south side of the same mount stood the
maior and the magistrates of the citie.

[Sidenote: The solemnisation of the mariage betweene Arthur prince of
Wales & Katharine daughter to the king of Spaine.]

When all things were prepared and set in order, vpon the foureteenth
of Nouember then being sundaie, the foresaid ladie was led to the said
mount, and there prince Arthur openlie espoused hir, both being clad
in white, both lustie and amorous, he of the age of fifteene and more,
and she of the age of eighteene or thereabouts, the king and queene
standing priuily on their stage. After the matrimonie celebrated,
the prince and his wife went vp into the queere, and there heard a
solemne masse soong by the archbishop of Canturburie, associat with
nineteene prelats mitred. And after the masse finished, the bride was
led homewards to the bishops palace by the duke of Yorke, being then a
goodlie yoong prince, and the legat of Spaine. Next after followed the
ladie Cicilie sister to the queene, supporting the traine of the spouse.

[Sidenote: _Edw. Hall fol._ liij.]

But to speake of all the solemne pompe, noble companie of lords and
ladies, and what a sumptuous feast and plentifull was kept, with
dansing and disguisings, words might sooner faile than matter worthie
of rehearsall. Howbeit euerie daie endeth and night insueth, and so
when night was come, the prince and his beautifull bride were brought
and ioined togither in one bed, where they laie as man and wife all
that night. ¶ Now when the morning appeered, the prince (as his
familiar seruitors, which had then neither cause nor reward to lie or
fame, openlie told the tale) called for drinke, which he before times
was not accustomed to doo. At which thing one of his chamberleins
maruelling, asked the cause of his drouth. To whome the prince answered
merilie, saieng; I haue this night beene in the middest of Spaine,
which is a hot region, and that iournie maketh me so drie: and if thou
haddest beene vnder that hot climat, thou wouldest haue beene drier
than I.

[Sidenote: Margaret eldest daughter to king Henrie affied to Iames king
of Scots.]

Shortlie after the king and the queene, with the new wedded spouses
went from Bainards castell by water to Westminster, on whom the maior
and communaltie of London in barges gorgeouslie trimmed gaue their
attendance. And there in the palace were such martiall feats, valiant
iusts, vigorous turneis, and such fierce fight at the barriers, as
before that time was of no man had in remembrance. Of this roiall
triumph lord Edward duke of Buckingham was chiefe chalenger, and
lord Thomas Greie marquesse Dorset chiefe defender, which with their
aids and companions bare themselues so valiantlie, that they got
great praise and honour, both of the Spaniards, and of their owne
countriemen. During the time of these iusts and triumphs, were receiued
into London, an earle, a bishop, and diuerse noble personages sent from
the king of Scots into England, for conclusion of the mariage betweene
the ladie Margaret and him; which earle by proxie, in the name of king
Iames his maister, affied and contracted the said ladie. Which affiance
was published at Paules crosse, the daie of the conuersion of saint
Paule: in reioising whereof Te Deum was soong, and great fiers made
through the citie of London.

[Sidenote: 1502.]

[Sidenote: Prince Arthur is sent into Wales.]

These things being accomplished, the ambassadors as well of Spaine as
Scotland tooke their leaue of the king, & not without great rewards
returned into their countries. When the ambassadors were departed, he
sent his sonne prince Arthur againe into Wales, to keepe that countrie
in good order; appointing to him wise and expert councellors, as sir
Richard Poole his kinsman, which was his chiefe chamberleine, also
sir Henrie Vernon, sir Richard Crofts, sir Dauid Philip, sir William
Wall, sir Thomas Englefield, sir Peter Newton knights; Iohn Walleston,
Henrie Marton, & doctor William Smith, president of his councell, and
doctor Charles; of the which two doctors, the one was after bishop of
Lincolne, and the other bishop of Hereford.

[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow, pag. 874, 875._]

[Sidenote: The maiors feast first kept at Guildhall.]

[Sidenote: Woollen cloth of two shillings the brode yard.]

[Sidenote: Dikes of L[=o]don clensed.]

[Sidenote: Men brought from the new found islands.]

¶ This yeare Iohn Shaw (who was maior of London) caused his brethren
the aldermen men to ride from the Guildhall vnto the water side, when
he went to Westminster to be presented in the excheker. He also caused
the kitchens and other houses of office to be bullded at the Guildhall,
where since that time the maiors feasts haue beene kept, which before
had beene in the grosers or tailors hall. About Easter, all the Greie
friers in England changed their habit, for whereas of long time before
they had vsed to weare browne russet of foure shillings, six shillings,
and eight shillings the yard; now they were compelled to weare russet
of two shillings the yard and not aboue, which was brought to passe by
the Friers of Greenewich. This yeare, the dike called Turnemill brooke,
with all the course of Fleet dike, were so scowred downe to the Thames,
that boates with fish and fewell were rowed vp to Holborne bridge, as
they of old time had beene accustomed: which was a great commoditie to
all the inhabitants in that part of London. Also the tower neere to the
Blacke friers was taken downe by the commandement of the maior. Also
this yeare were brought vnto the king three men taken in the new found
ilands, by Sebastian Gabato, before named in Anno 1498. These men were
clothed in beasts skins, and eat raw flesh, but spake such a language
as no man could vnderstand them, of the which three men, two of them
were seene in the kings court at Westminster two yeares after, clothed
like Englishmen, and could not be discerned from Englishmen.

[Sidenote: Edmund erle of Suffolke flieth into Flanders.]

A few moneths before the mariage of prince Arthur, Edmund de la Poole
earle of Suffolke, sonne to Iohn duke of Suffolke, and ladie Elizabeth
sister to king Edward the fourth, being bold and rash withall, was
indicted of murther, for sleaing of a meane person in his rage & furie.
And although the king pardoned him whome he might iustlie haue put to
death for that offense; yet bicause he was brought to the barre before
the kings Bench, and arraigned (which fact he tooke as a great blemish
to his honour) shortlie after vpon that displeasure he fled into
Flanders vnto his aunt the ladie Margaret, the king not being priuie
to his going ouer. Neuerthelesse, whether he was persuaded by his
freends therevnto, whom the king had willed to deale with him therein;
or whether vpon trust of his innocencie: true it is that he returned
againe, and excused himselfe to the king, so that he thought him to be
giltlesse of anie crime that might be obiected against him.

[Sidenote: The discontented mind of the earle of Suffolke.]

But when the mariage betwixt the prince & the ladie Katharine of
Spaine was kept at London, this erle either for that he had passed his
compasse in excessiue charges and sumptuousnesse at that great triumph
and solemnitie, and by reason thereof was farre run into debt; either
else through the procurement of his aunt the foresaid ladie Margaret;
or pricked with some priuie enuie, which could not patientlie with open
eies behold king Henrie (being of the aduerse faction to his linage) so
long to reigne in wealth and felicitie: in conclusion with his brother
Richard fled againe into Flanders. This departure of the earle sore
vexed the king, doubting, of some new trouble to insue thereof.

[Sidenote: The kings woonted policie now againe practised.]

But yet to vnderstand the full meaning of the said earle, the king vsed
his old fetch: for immediatlie after the earle was fled, he appointed
sir Robert Curson, whome he had aduanced to the order of knighthood,
and made capteine of Hammes castell, a valiant man and a circumspect,
to dissemble himselfe one of that conspiracie; who went into Flanders,
to espie what was doone there by the ladie Margaret, and hir nephue the
earle of Suffolke. After that the said sir Robert Curson was thus gone
into Flanders, the king, to put him out of all suspicion with the said
ladie Margaret and the earle, caused the said earle, and sir Robert
Curson, and fiue persons more to be accurssed at Paules crosse, the
first sundaie of Nouember, as enimies to him and his realme.

[Sidenote: Tirrell and Windham beheaded.]

To be breefe, the king by his meanes, and other such diligent
inquisition as he made, tried out such as he suspected, partlie to be
deuisers of mischeefe against him, and partlie to beare no sincere
affection towards his person, so that he could readilie name them:
whereof a great part were within few daies apprehended and taken. And
amongst them William lord Courtneie, sonne to the earle of Deuonshire,
which maried the ladie Katharine, daughter to king Edward the fourth;
lord William de la Poole, brother to the foresaid earle of Suffolke,
sir Iames Tirrell, and sir Iohn Windham. Both the Williams were
rather taken of suspicion, bicause they were so neere of kin to the
conspirator, than for anie prooued matter. But sir Iames Tirrell and
Iohn Windham, bicause they were traitors, and so attainted, the sixt
daie of Maie after their apprehension, they were on the Tower hill
beheaded.

When the earle of Suffolke heard what fortune thus happened to his
freends, as one in vtter despaire to haue anie good successe in his
pretensed enterprise, wandred about all Germanic and France, to
purchase some aid and succour, if by anie means he might. But when he
perceiued no stedfast ground to catch anchor hold vpon, he submitted
himselfe vnder the protection of Philip archduke of Austrich. But his
brother Richard, being a politike man, so wiselie ordered himselfe in
this stormie tempest, that he was not intrapped either with net or
snare. The king not yet out of all doubt of ciuill sedition, bicause a
great number of euill disposed persons partakers of this conspiracie,
were fled into sundrie sanctuaries, deuised to haue all the gates of
sanctuaries and places priuileged shut and locked vp, so that none
should issue out from thence to perturbe and disquiet him.

[Sidenote: Sanctuaries restrained.]

And for that intent he wrote vnto pope Alexander, desiring him by his
authoritie to adiudge all Englishmen, being fled to sanctuarie for the
offense of treason as enimies to the christian faith, interdicting and
prohibiting the refuge and priuilege of sanctuarie to all such, as once
had enioied the libertie and protection of the same, and after that
fled out, and eftsoones returned againe. Which thing after that the
pope had granted, turned to the great quietnesse of the king and his
realme. For manie that had offended, for feare to fall into danger,
returned to the due subiection of their prince; and other that were yet
free from perill, durst not hazard themselues so boldlie as they durst
haue doone before, vpon hope of such starting holes.

[Sidenote: The death of Arthur prince of Wales.]

[Sidenote: _Edw. Hall in Hen. 7 fol._ lv.]

When the king had thus setled things to his owne contentation and
pleasure, there suddenlie happened to him a lamentable chance. For that
noble prince Arthur, the kings first begotten sonne, after he had beene
maried to the ladie Katharine his wife, the space of fiue moneths,
departed out of this transitorie life, in his castell of Ludlow and
with great funerall obsequie was buried in the cathedrall church of
Worcester. His brother the duke of Yorke was staied from the title of
Prince by the space of a moneth, till to women it might appeare whether
the ladie Katharine wife to the said prince Arthur was conceiued with
child or not. [It is reported that this ladie Katharine thought and
feared such dolorous chance to come: for when she had imbraced hir
father, and taken hir leaue of hir noble and prudent mother, and sailed
towards England, she was continuallie so tossed and tumbled hither and
thither with boisterous winds, that what for the rage of the water, and
contrarietie of the winds, hir ship was prohibited diuerse times to
approach the shore and take land.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 18.]

[Sidenote: 1503.]

[Sidenote: King Henrie the seauenths chapell at Westminster first
builded.]

In this eighteenth yeare, the twentie fourth daie of Ianuarie, a
quarter of an houre before three of the clocke at after noone of the
same daie, the first stone of our ladie chapell within the monasterie
of Westminster was laid, by the hands of Iohn Islip abbat of the same
monasterie, sir Reginald Braie knight of the garter, doctor Barnes
maister of the rolles, doctor Wall chapleine to the kings maiestie,
maister Hugh Oldham chapleine to the countesse of Derbie and Richmond
the kings mother, sir Edmund Stanhope knight, and diuerse others. Vpon
the same stone was this scripture ingrauen: Illustrissimus Henricus
septimus rex Angliae & Franciae, & dominus Hiberniae, posuit hanc petram
in honore beatae virginis Mariae, 24 die Ianuarij; anno Domini 1502. Et
anno dicti regis Henrici septimi, decimo octauo. The charges whereof
amounted (as some report, vpon credible information as they saie) to
foureteene thousand pounds.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 876._]

[Sidenote: Six kings of England brethren with the tailors companie in
London, before they were intituled merchant tailors.]

[Sidenote: Prior of Shene murthered.]

[Sidenote: A drie summer.]

Queene Elizabeth lieng within the Tower of London, was brought a bed of
a faire daughter on Candlemasse daie, which was there christened and
named Katharine; and the eleuenth of the same moneth the said queene
there deceased, and was buried at Westminster, whose daughter also
liued but a small season after hir mother. [King Henrie the seauenth
being himselfe a brother of the tailors companie in London, as diuerse
other his predecessors kings before him had beene (to weet Richard the
third, Edward the fourth, Henrie the sixt, Henrie the fift, Henrie the
fourth, and Richard the second; also of dukes eleuen, earles eight and
twentie, and lords eight and fortie) he now gaue to them the name and
title of merchant tailors, as a name of worship to indure for euer.
This yeare, about the later end of March, the prior of the Charterhouse
of Shene was murthered in a cell of his owne house, by meanes of one
Goodwine, a monke of the same cloister, and his adherents artificers of
London. A drie summer, hauing no notable raine from Whitsuntide to the
later ladie daie in haruest.

[Sidenote: Sir Reginald Braie his death.]

[Sidenote: Iust comendations of Morton archbishop of Canturburie and
sir Reginald Braie.]

The eighteenth of Februarie, the king at his palace of Westminster
created his onelie sonne Henrie prince of Wales, earle of Chester,
&c: who afterward succeeded his father in possession of the regall
crowne of this realme. Moreouer, this yeare also, after the deceass
of that noble queene, for hir vertue commonlie called good queene
Elizabeth, departed out of this world also sir Reginald Braie knight
of the garter, a verie father of his countrie, for his high wisedome
and singular loue to justice well worthie to beare that title. If
anie thing had beene doone amisse contrarie to law and equitie, he
would after an humble sort plainelie blame the king, and giue him good
aduertisement, that he should not onelie reforme the same, but also be
more circumspect in anie any other the like case. Of the same vertue
and faithfull plainnesse was Iohn Morton archbishop of Canturburie,
which died (as is shewed aboue) two yeares before.

[Sidenote: Cassimire ambassadour from the emperour Maximilian.]

So these two persons were refrainers of the kings vnbrideled libertie;
whereas the common people (ignorant altogither of the truth in such
matters) iudged and reported, that the counsell of those two worthie
personages corrupted the kings cleane and immaculate conscience,
contrarie to his princelie disposition and naturall inclination;
such is euer the errour of the common people. ¶ About this time died
Henrie the archbishop of Canturburie, whose roome doctor William
Warram bishop of London supplied. And to the see of London William
Barnes was appointed, and after his death succeeded one Richard Fitz
Iames. This yeare also the lord Cassimire marquesse of Brandenburgh,
accompanied with an earle, a bishop, and a great number of gentlemen
well apparrelled, came in ambassage from the emperor Maximilian, and
were triumphantlie receiued into London, and lodged at Crosbies place.

Their message was for three causes, one to comfort the king in his time
of heauinesse for the losse of his wife. The second for the renewing
of amitie, and the old league. The third (which was not apparant)
was to mooue the king to marie the emperours daughter, the ladie
Margaret, duchesse Dowager of Sauoie. The two first tooke effect: for
the king vpon Passion sundaie road to Paules in great triumph, the
said marquesse riding on his left hand. And there the bishop made to
the king an excellent consolatorie oration concerning the death of
the queene. And there also the king openlie sware to keepe the new
reuiued league and amitie during their two liues. But the third request
(whether the let was on the mans side, or on the womans) neuer sorted
to anie conclusion.

[Sidenote: The sumptuous araie of the earle of Northumberland.]

The ladie Margaret the kings daughter, affied (as yee haue heard) to
the king of Scots, was appointed to be conueied into Scotland, by
the earle of Surrie: and the earle of Northumberland, as warden of
the marches, was commanded to deliuer hir at the confines of both
the realmes. And so heerevpon, after hir comming to Berwike, she was
conueied to Lamberton kirke in Scotland, where the king of Scots, with
the flower of all the nobles and gentlemen of Scotland, was readie to
receiue hir: to whome the earle of Northumberland (according to his
commission) deliuered hir. The said earle of Northumberland that daie,
what for the riches of his coat being goldsmithes worke, garnished with
pearle and stone, and what for the gallant apparell of his Henchmen,
and braue trappers of his horsse, beside foure hundred tall men well
horssed and apparelled in his colours, was esteemed both of the Scots
and Englishmen more like a prince than a subiect.

[Sidenote: The mariage betweene the K. of Scots & ladie Margaret king
Henries eldest daughter.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 19.]

From Lamberton, the foresaid ladie was conueied to Edenburgh, and
there the daie after, king Iames the fourth, in the presence of all
his nobilitie espoused hir, and feasted the English lords, and shewed
iusts and other pastimes verie honourable, after the fashion of that
countrie. And after all things were finished according to their
commission, the erle of Surrie with all the English lords and ladies
returned into their countrie. In this yeare the king kept his high
court of parlement, in the which diuerse acts esteemed necessarie for
the preseruation of the common-wealth were established: and amongst
other, it was enacted, that theeues and murtherers duelie conuicted by
the law to die, and yet saued by their books, should be committed to
the bishops custodie. After this, a subsidie was granted, both of the
temporaltie, and spiritualtie, and so that parlement ended.

[Sidenote: The king couetous in his old age.]

[Sidenote: 1504.]

[Sidenote: Richard Empson & Edmund Dudleie.]

But the king now drawing into age, and willing to fill his chest with
abundance of treasure, was not satisfied with this onelie subsidie,
but deuised an other meane how to inrich himselfe, as thus. He
considered that the Englishmen little regarded the keeping of penall
lawes, and pecuniall statutes, deuised for the good preseruation of
the common-wealth. Whereof he caused inquisition to be made of those
that has transgressed anie of the same lawes, so that there were but
few noble men, merchants, farmers, husbandmen, grasiers, or occupiers,
that could cleerlie prooue themseiues faultlesse, but had offended in
some one or other of the same lawes. At the first, they that were found
giltie were easilie fined. But after, there were appointed two maisters
and surueiors of his forfeits, the one sir Richard Empson, and the
other Edmund Dudleie.

[Sidenote: Promoters.]

These two were learned in the lawes of the realme, who meaning to
satisfie their princes pleasure, and to see their commission executed
to the vttermost, seemed little to respect the perill that might insue.
Wherevpon they being furnished with a sort of accusers, commonlie
called promoters, or (as they themselues will be named) informers,
troubled manie a man, whereby they wan them great hatred, and the king
(by such rigorous proceedings) lost the loue and fauour which the
people before time had borne towards him; so that he for setting them
a worke, and they for executing of it in such extreame wise, ran into
obloquie with the subiects of this realme.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 876._]

[Sidenote: Sergeants feast whereat were the king and all his nobles at
dinner.]

[Sidenote: Fire on London bridge.]

[Sidenote: Fire.]

[Sidenote: Parlement.]

¶ On the thirteenth of Nouember was holden within the palace of the
archbishop of Canturburie, at Lambeth, the sergeants feast, where dined
the king and all his nobles. And vpon the same day, Thomas Granger,
newlie chosen shiriffe of London was presented before the barons of
the kings exchequer, there to take his oth, and after went with the
maior vnto the same feast, which saued him monie in his pursse; for
if that day that feast had not beene kept, he must haue feasted the
maior, aldermen, and others, woorshipfull of the citie. This feast was
kept at the charge of ten learned men, newlie admitted to bee sergeants
to the kings law, whose names were, Robert Bridnell, William Greuill,
Thomas Marow, George Edgore, Iohn Moore, Iohn Cutler, Thomas Eliot,
Lewes Pollard, Guie Palmis, William Fairefax. On the one and twentith
of Nouember at night, began a perillous fier at the signe of the panier
vpon London bridge, neere to saint Magnus church; where six tenements
were burned yer the same could be quenched. On the seuenth of Ianuarie,
were certeine houses consumed with fire against saint Butolphes
church in Thames street. On the fiue and twentith of Ianuarie began a
parlement at Westminster, of which was chosen speaker for the commons,
maister Edmund Dudleie.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 20.]

[Sidenote: Alum deere.]

[Sidenote: Cages and stockes ordeined.]

[Sidenote: Hunsditch paued.]

[Sidenote: Prisoners of the Marshalseie brake out.]

A new coine of siluer was ordeined of grotes and halfe grotes, which
bare but halfe faces; and some peeces of the value of twelue pense
were then stamped, though very few of that sort came abroad. In this
yeare, alum, which manie yeares had bene sold for six shillings an
hundred, and lower, arose to fiue nobles an hundred, and after to foure
marks, &c. Sir William Capell, who for this yeare was maior, caused in
euerie ward of London a cage with a paire of stocks, therein to punish
vagabunds. Also he caused all Hunsditch to be ouerpaued, which manie
yeares before lay full noiouslie and perillouslie for all trauellers
that way. About Christmasse, the more part of the prisoners of the
Marshalseie in Southwarke brake out, and manie of them being shortlie
after taken, were put to execution, speciallie those which had laine
for felonie or treason. On the fifteenth of Aprill, a monie maker, one
of the coiners of the Tower, was drawne to Tiburne and there hanged.

[Sidenote: _Iohn Hooker, alias Vowell._]

[Sidenote: A beneuolence put into the kings head to be leuied ouer the
whole land.]

¶ In this twentith yeare (saith one of Excester) the king (hauing some
need of monie) was by his councell aduised (by way, of beneuolence) to
leuie the same vpon the whole realme, as well of the cleargie as of the
laitie. And for the same, commissioners were assigned accordinglie.
For the cleargie, Richard Fox, sometime bishop of Excester, but now of
Winchester, a verie wise, graue, and trustie councellor, was appointed
chiefe commissioner, and had the chiefest dealing therein. He at daies
and times appointed, assembled the cleargie before him, and (according
to the trust committed vnto him) he persuaded them by all the meanes
he could, to be liberall contributors to the king, considering his
present need, and who (for their causes, & the safetie of all the
common-wealth) was now to vse and imploie some monie.

[Sidenote: The cleargie of two sorts, and both desirous to spare their
pursses.]

The cleargie was of two sorts, the one shewing themselues as they were
wealthie, seemelie, & comelie; the other pretending that which was not,
pouertie, barenesse, and scarsitie: but both were of one mind, and
deuised all the waies they could to saue their pursses. The first being
called, alledged that they were dailie at great charges and expenses
in keeping of hospitalitie, in mainteining themselues, their house and
familie; besides extraordinaries which dailie did grow and increase
vpon them: and by that meanes they were but bare and poore, and praied
that they might be borne withall, and pardoned for that time.

[Sidenote: The wisdome of bishop Fox in procuring these cleargie men to
be contributors to this beneuolence.]

The other sort alledged, that their liuings were but small and slender,
and scarse able to mainteine themselues withall, which compelled them
to go bare, and to liue a hard and a poore life, and therefore (they
hauing nothing) praied that they might be excused. The bishop when he
had heard them at full, and well considered thereof, verie wittilie,
and with a prettie dilemma answered them both, saieng to the first:
"It is true, you are at great charges, and are well beseene in your
apparell, well mounted vpon your faire palfreies, and haue your men
waiting vpon you in good order; your hospitalitie is good, and your
dailie expenses are large, and you are for the same well reported
amongst your neighbours; all which are plaine demonstrations of your
wealth and abilitie, otherwise you would not be at such voluntarie
charges.

[Sidenote: They are persuaded to contribute.]

"Now hauing store to spend in such order, there is no reason, but that
to your prince you should much more be well willing & readie to yeeld
your selues contributorie and dutifull, and therefore you must paie."
To the other sort he said: "Albeit your liuings be not of the best, yet
good, sufficient, and able to mainteine you in better estate than you
doo imploie it; but it appeareth that you are frugall and thriftie men;
and what others doo voluntarilie spend in apparell, house, and familie,
you warilie doo keepe, and haue it to lie by you; and therefore it is
good reason that of your store you should spare with a good will and
contribute to your prince; wherefore be contented, for you shall paie."
And so by this prettie dilemma he reduced them to yeeld a good paiment
to the king.

[Sidenote: 1505.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. I. S. pag. 878._]

[Sidenote: Conduit at Bishops gate builded.]

[Sidenote: Richmond on fire.]

The king after he had gotten a great masse of monie togither, hauing
pitie on the people, which oppressed with the sharpe proceedings of
his greedie officers, cried daily to God for vengeance, ment to haue
depriued them of their offices (as some write) & that suph monie as
had beene violentlie exacted, should haue beene restored and deliuered
againe, if he had not bene preuented by death. And yet by his last
will he commanded that it should be dulie and trulie performed, but in
the meane season many mens coffers were emptied. [¶ Thomas Kneisworth
maior of London for this yeare, of his owne goods, builded the conduit
at Bishopsgate. He gaue to the fishmongers certeine tenements, for
the which they be bound to find foure scholers that studie art; two
at Oxford, and two at Cambridge, euerie of them foure pounds the
yeare. They be bound also to giue to twelue aged poore people of their
companie, to euerie one of them at Bartholomew tide a winter garment
for euer. Also to giue to the prisoners of Ludgate and Newgate euerie
yeare fortie shillings, &c. The first of Ianuarie in the night, the
kings chamber was fired at Richmond, the which might not be quenched,
till manie curteins, carpets, rich beds, and much stuffe was consumed.

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 21.]

[Sidenote: 1506.]

[Sidenote: Philip archduke of Austrich landeth in the west parts of
England.]

In this verie season, and the yeare of our Lord 1506, Elizabeth queene
of Castile died without issue male, by reason whereof the inheritance
of Castile (bicause that kingdome is not partible) descended to ladie
Iane hir eldest daughter by king Ferdinando, the which was maried to
Philip archduke of Austrich. Wherefore the yeare following, about the
sixt day of Ianuarie, hauing a great nauie prepared, he intituled now
king of Castile, sailed out of Flanders with his wife towards Spaine;
but by a mightie tempest of wind and foule weather, the whole nauie
was dispersed and sparkled abroad in diuerse places on the coasts of
England. The kings ship with two other vessels were blowne by tempest
on the west part of the realme, to the port of Weimouth in Dorsetshire.
The king being wearied with the tossing of the seas, as one not
accustomed thereto, contrarie to the mind of his councellors, came on
land to refresh himselfe.

When it was knowne that strange ships were arriued in that place, there
came thither a great number, as well of gentlemen as commons of the
countrie, to beat them backe if they prooued to be enimies. But when
they perceiued that the king of Spaine was there driuen on land by
force of weather, sir Thomas Trenchard knight, cheefe of that companie,
went with great humblenesse vnto him, and did what he could to haue him
to his house, being not farre off, and so to cause him to stay, till
such time as king Henrie might be certified of his arriuall; to whome
with all speed he sent diuerse posts to aduertise him of king Philips
landing. In this meane while came people in from all sides, vpon
knowlege of this strange princes comming. And among other there came
sir Iohn Carew, with a goodlie band of piked men. Which sir Iohn and
sir Thomas Trenchard intreated the king of Castile not to depart, vntil
such time as he had spoken with the king.

[Sidenote: The king of Castile interteined honorablie.]

The king of Castile excused him by necessitie of his weightie
enterprise: but when he perceiued that if he would proffer to go once
aboord to his ships againe, he might be letted, and was like so to bee;
hee thought good rather to assent to their humble request and to seeme
to gratifie them; than by denieng it to procure their euil willes, and
yet neuer the neer of his purpose. When king Henrie was informed of
his landing, he was right glad therof, and wrote vnto sir Iohn Carew,
and to sir Thomas Trenchard, that they should interteine him in the
most honorable sort they could deuise, till he might come himselfe in
person to welcome him. Beside this, he sent the earle of Arundell with
manie lords and knights to attend vpon him. Which earle (according to
the kings letters) receiued him with three hundred horsses, all by
torchlight, to the great admiration of the strangers.

King Philip seeing no remedie but that he must needs tarie, would no
longer gaze after king Henries comming, but tooke his iournie toward
Windsore castell, where the king laie: and fiue miles from Windsore the
prince of Wales, accompanied with fiue earles, and diuerse lords and
knights, and other to the number of fiue hundred persons gorgiouslie
apparelled, receiued him after the most honorable fashion. And within
halfe a mile of Windsore, the king, accompanied with the duke of
Buckingham, and a great part of the nobilitie of this realme, welcomed
him, & so conueied him to the castell of Windsore, where he was made
companion of the noble order of the garter. After him came to Windsore
his wife queene Iane, sister to the princesse Dowager, late wife to
prince Arthur.

[Sidenote: King Henrie desireth to haue Edmund de la Poole earle of
Suffolke deliuered into his hands.]

After the two kings had renewed & confirmed the league and amitie
betwixt them, king Henrie desired to haue Edmund de la Poole earle of
Suffolke to be deliuered into his hands. To whome the king of Castile
answered that he verelie was not within his dominion: and therefore it
laie not in him to deliuer him. In deed he was loth to be the author
of his death that came to him for succour, and was receiued vnder
his protection: yet vpon the earnest request and assured promise of
king Henrie (that he would pardon him of all executions and paines of
death) he granted to king Henries desire; and so incontinentlie caused
the said earle secretlie to be sent for. After this, to protract time
till he were possessed of his preie, king Henrie conueied the king of
Castile vnto the citie of London, that he might see the head citie of
his realme.

[Sidenote: The king of Castiles vow inuiolablie kept.]

Then he led him from Bainards castell by Cheape to Barking; and so
returned by Watling street againe: during which time there was shot out
of the Tower a woonderfull peale of ordinance. But he would not enter
into the Tower, bicause (as ye haue heard before) he had aduowed not
to enter the fortresse of anie forren prince, in the which a garrison
was mainteined. From London the king brought him to Richmond, where
manie notable feates of armes were prooued both of tilt, turnie, and
barriers. In the meane season the erle of Suffolke, perceiuing what
hope was to be had in forreine princes, and trusting that after his
life to him once granted, king Henrie would breeflie set him at his
full libertie, was in maner contented to returne againe into his natiue
countrie.

[Sidenote: The death & description of Philip king of Spaine.]

When all pacts and couenants betweene the kings of England and
Castile were appointed, concluded, and agreed; king Philip tooke his
leaue of king Henrie, yeelding to him most heartie thanks for his
high cheere and princelie interteinement. And being accompanied with
diuers lords of England, he came to the citie of Excester, and so to
Falmouth in Cornewall, and there taking ship sailed into Spaine, where
shortlie after he died being thirtie yeares of age. He was of stature
conuenient, of countenance amiable, of bodie somewhat grosse, quicke
witted, bold and hardie stomached. The tempest that he suffered on the
sea was huge, and woonderfull also vpon the land, insomuch that the
violence of the wind blew downe an eagle of brasse, being set to shew
on which part the wind blew, from a pinacle or spire of Paules church,
and in the falling, the same eagle brake and battered an other eagle
that was set vp for a signe at a tauerne doore in Cheapeside.

[Sidenote: Prodigious tokens or accidents haue their issue in truth.]

[Sidenote: See pag. 264.]

Herevpon men that were giuen to gesse things that should happen by
marking of strange tokens, deemed that the emperour Maximilian, which
gaue the eagle, should suffer some great misfortune: as he did shortlie
after by the losse of his sonne, the said king Philip. ¶ And suerlie
these prodigious accidents are not to be omitted as matter of course;
for they haue their weight, and shew their truth in the issue. Examples
in this booke be diuerse, among which one is verie memorable, mentioned
in the thirtie & ninth yeare of Henrie the sixt. At what time the
duke of Yorke making an oration to the lords of the parlement, for
the iustifieng of his title to the crowne, it chanced that a crowne
which hoong in the middle of the nether house (to garnish a branch to
set lights vpon) without touch of man or blast of wind suddenlie fell
downe. About which season also fell downe the crowne which stood on the
top of Douer castell. Which things were construed to be signes that the
crowne of the realme should some waie haue a fall; and so it came to
passe.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem. ex. Guic. pag. 40._]

[Sidenote: Three sunnes seene at once in the night.]

And bicause the euents of these foreshewes had their truth, as manie
more of the like nature; it shall not be amisse here to ad (by waie of
digression) what hath beene obserued in former ages by forren writers
in and about such foretokens. The consent of the heauens and of men,
pronounced to Italie their calamities to come: for that such as made
profession to haue iudgement either by science or diuine inspiration
in the things to come, assured with one voice that there were in
preparing, both more great mutations and more strange and horrible
accidents, than for manie worlds before had beene discerned in anie
part or circuit of the earth. There were seene in the night in Pouille
three suns in the middest of the firmament, but manie clouds about
them, with right fearefull thunders and lightnings. In the territorie
of Aretze, were visiblie seene passing in the aire, infinit numbers
of armed men vpon mightie horsses, with a terrible noise of drums and
trumpets. The images & figures of saints did sweat in manie parts of
Italie.

In euerie place of the countrie were brought foorth manie monsters of
men and other creatures, with manie other things against the order of
nature concurring all at one time, but in diuerse places: by means
wherof the people were caried into incredible feares, being alreadie
amazed with the brute of the French powers & furie of that nation, with
which (according to the testimonie of histories) they had aforetime
run ouer all Italie, sacked and made desolate with fire and sword the
citie of Rome, and subdued in Asia manie prouinces; and generallie no
part of the world which had not felt the vertue of their armes. But
albeit these iudgements are oftentimes fallible, and rather coniectures
vncerteine, than effects happening: yet the accidents that drew on,
brought to them, in the spirits of fraile men, an absolute faith,
credit, & religion. So that there is in foreshewes matter of moment
worthie to be obserued, howsoeuer the world lulled asleep in the lap
of securitie is touched with no feare of change. But alas the Heathen
could see the contrarie, and therefore said:

[Sidenote: _Manil. lib. Astr. 1._]

    Omnia mortali mutantur lege creata,
    Nec se cognoscunt terrae veteribus annis
    Exutas variam faciem per secula gentes.]

But to returne to our owne storie. Shortlie after the departing of king
Philip, the king of England began to suspect sir George Neuill lord
of Aburgauenie, and sir Thomas Greene of Greenes Norton, as partakers
in the beginning of the conspiracie with the earle of Suffolke; and
so vpon that suspicion they were commanded to the Tower. But shortlie
after, when they had beene tried and purged of that suspicion, he
commanded them both to be set at libertie. But sir Thomas Greene fell
sicke before, and remained in the Tower, in hope to be restored to his
health as well as to his libertie, but by death he was preuented. [And
here bicause it is good to see the consent of histories in the report
of accidents, it shall not be amisse to repeat the entier relation of
a late writer stranger touching this casualtie which befell to king
Philip, in such sort to be cast vpon the English coasts; as also the
promise of the said king to deliuer the duke of Suffolke into the hands
of king Henrie, with the cause (as it is supposed) why the king desired
to haue him within his owne reach.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex. Guic. pag. 353._]

[Sidenote: King Philip saileth out of Flanders into Spaine.]

[Sidenote: King Philip cast by casualtie of sea vpon the coasts of
England.]

¶ King Philip was imbarked to saile out of Flanders into Spaine with
a great armie by sea; and to reduce his going to a more facilitie
and safetie (for he feared least his father in law by the aid of the
French would hinder his passage) he practised the Spanish subtilties,
and agreed with him to leaue vnto him the managing and policie of the
most part of affaires, and that they shuld take in common the title
of king of Spaine, according to the example in the queenes time: and
lastlie, that the revenues and tributes should be diuided in an order
certeine & indifferent. By reason of which accord, his father in law,
notwithstanding he was not assured of the obseruation, sent him into
Flanders manie ships to furnish his voiage: with the which, hauing
imbarked his wife, and Ferdinand his second sonne, he tooke his course
into Spaine with forward winds, which, within two daies turning cleane
contrarie, after his nauie had runne a dangerous fortune, and made a
wearie resistance against the furie of the sea, his ships were cast
vpon sundrie coasts of England and Britaine; his owne person with two
or three ships being driuen with manifest perill vpon England into the
hauen of Southampton.

[Sidenote: Philip promiseth to redeliuer to K. Henrie the duke of
Suffolke.]

Whereof Henrie the seuenth then king of that nation being aduertised,
sent to him with speed manie barons to doo him honour, and desire him
to come to his court, then at London: a request which Philip could not
denie, the king of Englands demand beeing no lesse honourable, than his
owne estate full of necessitie and nakednesse. He remained in the court
of England, vntill all his nauie was reassembled, and eftsoones rigged,
making in the meane while betweene them new capitulations: wherein
albeit Philip in all other things held himselfe vsed as a king, yet in
this one thing complained, that he was constreined as a prisoner, to
consent to redeliuer to K. Henries hands the duke of Suffolke, whom
he held prisoner within the castell of Namur, and whom the king of
England desired much to haue in his power, for that he quarrelled the
title of the crowne, pretending the right of the kingdome to apperteine
to him: onelie the king of England assured Philip by the faith and
word of a king, that he would not put him to death. Which he did as
iustlie performe, as he had honorablie promised, keeping him in prison
so long as he liued, and afterwards was beheaded vnder the reigne and
commandement of his sonne.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 22.]

[Sidenote: The sweting sicknesse eftsoones returneth.]

This yeare the king began to be diseased of a certeine infirmitie,
which thrise euerie yeare, but specially in the springtime sore vexed
him. And bicause for the most part the harme that chanceth to the
prince, is parted with his subiects, the sweating sicknesse, which
(as ye haue heard in the first yeare of the king) first afflicted the
people of this realme, now assailed them againe; howbeit by the remedie
found at the beginning of it, nothing the like number died thereof now
this second time, as did at the first time till the said remedie was
inuented. But now the third plage equall to the pestilence insued, by
the working of the maisters of the forfeitures, and such informers as
were appointed thereto. By whose meanes manie a rich & wealthie person
by the extremitie of the lawes of the realme were condemned and brought
to great losse and hinderance.

A great part of which their vndooings proceeded by the inconuenience
of such vnconscionable officers, as by the abuse of exigents outlawed
those that neuer heard, nor had knowledge of the sutes commensed
against them, of which hard and sharpe dealing (the harme that thereof
insueth considered) if the occasion might be taken awaie by some other
more reasonable forme and order of law deuised, whereby the parties
might haue personall warning, it would both preserue manie an innocent
man. from vndeserued vexation, and danger of vnmercifull losse of
goods; and also redound highlie to the commendation of the prince, and
such other as chanced to be reformers of that colourable law, where
they be called onelie in the counties without other knowledge giuen to
them or theirs at their dwelling houses.

[Sidenote: _Ed. Hall in Hen. 7 fol. 59._]

But now to returne. Such maner of outlawies, old recognisances of the
peace, and good abearings, escapes, riots, & innumerable statutes
penall, were put in execution, and called vpon by Empson and Dudleie;
so that euerie man, both the spiritualtie and temporaltie, hauing
either lands or substance, were inuited to that plucking banket.
For these two rauening woolues had a gard of false periured persons
apperteining to them, which were impanelled in euerie quest. Learned
men in the law, when they were required of their aduise, would say;
To agree is the best counsell that I can giue you. By this vndue
meanes, these couetous persons filled the kings coffers, and inriched
themselues. And at this vnreasonable and extort dooing, noble men
grudged, meane men kicked, poore men lamented, preachers openlie at
Poules crosse and other places exclamed, rebuked, and detested. Howbeit
the good king in his last daies conserued and pardoned his poore
subiects of such vncharitable yokes and ponderous burdens as they were
laden withall.

[Sidenote: 1507.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Guic. pag. 314._]

[Sidenote: _Pag. 312._]

Sir Gilbert Talbot knight, and Richard Bere abbat of Glastenburie,
and doctor Robert Sherborne deane of Poules, were sent as ambassadors
from the K. to Rome, to declare to Pius the third of that name newlie
elected pope in place of Alexander the sixt deceased what ioy and
gladnesse had entered the kings heart for his preferment. But he taried
not the comming of those ambassadors, for within a moneth after that
he was installed, he rendered his debt to nature, and so had short
pleasure of his promotion [not beguiling the hopes which the cardinals
concerned of him at the time of his creation, the six & twentith day
after his election, which was in short time to die. This popes name was
Francis Piccolomini cardinall of Sienna, in whom was no expectation
of long life, both for his extreame age, and present sickenesse: a
cardinall sure of vnspotted report, and for his other conditions not
vnworthie that degree; who to renew the memorie of Pius secundus his
vncle, tooke vpon him the name of Pius the third.

[Sidenote: _Pag. 307._]

He succeeded Alexander the sixt, who went to supper in a vineyard neere
the Vatican to reioise in the delight & plesure of the fresh aire, &
was suddenlie caried for dead to the bishops palace; his sonne also
communicating in the same accident, but with better fortune. For the
day folowing, which was the eightenth day of August, the dead corps
of the pope (according to custome) was borne into the church of saint
Peter, blacke, swolne, and most deformed; most manifest signes of
poison. But Valentinois, what by the vigour and strength of his youth,
and readie helpe of strong medicines and counterpoisons, had his life
saued, remaining notwithstanding oppressed with long and greeuous
sickenesse: it was assuredlie beleeued that the accident proceeded of
poison, the discourse whereof (according to common report) was in this
sort.

[Sidenote: A practice of custome by poison to an ill purpose vsed.]

The duke Valentinois, who was to be present at that supper, had
determined to poison Adrian cardinall of Cornette, reseruing that time
and place to execute his bloudie resolution: for it is most certeine
that in his father and him were naturall customes to vse poison, not
onelie to be reuenged of their enimies, or to be assured of suspicions;
but also vpon a wicked couetousnesse, to despoile rich men of their
goods, whether they were cardinals or courtiers, although they had
neuer doone them wrong, as hapned to the cardinall saint Ange, who
was verie rich. This maner of rage they would vse also against their
greatest friends & familiars, and such as had bin their most faithfull
seruants, such as were the cardinals of Capua and Modeno: a recompense
vnworthie the merits of good men, and not disagreeable to the
disposition of such a father and sonne, whereof the one made all things
lawfull by vile dispensation; and with the other nothing was dishonest
wherein was opportunitie to his purposes. The duke Valentinois sent
before certeine flagons with wine infected with poison, which he gaue
to a seruant that knew nothing of the matter, commanding that no person
should touch them.

[Sidenote: The pope poisoned with the wine that his owne son had sent
to poison the cardinall of Cornette.]

A commandement preiudiciall to his maister, as the ignorance of the
seruant was the instrument in the euill that happened both to the
father and son. Such is the sufferance of God, who in the execution of
his iudgments raiseth one murtherer to kill another, & breaketh the
brands of the fire vpon the head of him that first kindled it: for the
pope comming by aduenture somewhat before supper, and ouercome with
the drought and immoderate heat of the time, called for drinke. And
bicause his owne prouision was not yet brought from the palace, he that
had the infected wine in charge, thinking it to be recommended to his
keeping for a wine most excellent, gaue the pope to drinke of the same
wine which Valentinois had sent; who arriuing while his father was
drinking drunke also of the same wine, being but iust that they both
should tast of the same cup which they had brued for the destruction of
others. All the towne of Rome ran with great gladnesse to saint Peters
about the dead bodie of the pope, their eies not satisfied to see ded
and destroied a serpent, who with his immoderate ambition and poisoned
infidelitie, togither with all the horrible examples of crueltie,
luxurie, and monstruous couetousnesse, selling without distinction both
holie things and prophane things, had infected the whole world.

And yet was he accompanied with a most rare, & almost perpetuall
prosperitie euen from his yoong age, to the end of his life; desiring
alwaies great things, and obtaining most often that he desired. An
example of much importance, to confound the arrogancie of those men,
who presuming to know and see perfectlie with humane eies the depth
of Gods iudgemehts, doo assure, that what happeneth either good or
ill to mortall men, proceedeth either of their merits or faults: as
though we saw not dailie manie good men vniustlie tormented, & wicked
persons aboue their diseruings liue in ease and honour: wherein who
makes an other interpretation, derogates the iustice and power of
God, the greatnesse of which being not to be conteined within any
scripts or tearms present, knoweth how well and largely to discerne
in an other time and place the iust from the vniust, and that with
rewards and eternall punishments. In the meane time he powreth out his
vengeance vpon the imaginers of mischeefe in this life; so prouiding,
as that they are caught in their owne snares, and ouertaken with such
destruction as they had prepared for others, according to that saieng
of the Psalmist:

[Sidenote: _Rob. Hess. & G. Buch. in Psal. 7._]

    Effodit puteum, foueamque eduxit ab imo,
      Et miser in latebras incidit ipse suas.
        In verticem ipsius recurrit
        Pernicies, reciduntque fraudes.]

[Sidenote: The lord Daubenie dieth.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 23.]

[Sidenote: Guidebald duke of Urbine in Italie made knight of the
garter.]

At the same time died Giles lord Daubeneie the kings cheefe
chamberleine, whose office Charles, bastard sonne to Henrie last
duke of Summerset occupied and enioied; a man of good wit, and great
experience. Soone after, the king caused Guidebald duke of Urbine to be
elected knight of the order of the garter, in like maner as his father
duke Frederike had beene before him, which was chosen and admitted into
the order by king Edward the fourth. Sir Gilbert Talbot, and the other
two ambassadors being appointed to keepe on their iournie vnto pope
Iulie the second, elected after the death of the said Pius the third,
bare the habit and collar also vnto the said duke Guidebald; which
after he had receiued the same, sent sir Balshasar Castalio, knight,
a Mantuan borne, as his orator vnto king Henrie, which was for him
installed, according to the ordinances of the order.

[Sidenote: Thomas Sauage archbishop of Canturburie deceassed.]

This yeare that worthie prelate Thomas Sauage archbishop of Yorke
departed this life at his castell of Cawood: a man beside the
worthinesse of his birth highlie esteemed with his prince for his fast
fidelitie and great wisedome. He bestowed great cost in repairing
the castell of Cawood and the manor of Scrobie. His bodie was buried
at Yorke, but he appointed by his testament, that his hart should be
buried at Macclesfield in Cheshire, where he was borne, in a chapell
there of his foundation, ioining to the south side of the church,
meaning to haue founded a college there also, if his purpose had not
beene preuented by death. After him succeeded doctor Benbridge in the
archbishops see of Yorke, being the fiftie and sixt archbishop that had
sat in that see.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex Guic. pag. 184._]

About this same time Lewes the French king, the twelfe of that name
(who succeeded Charles the eighth that died at Amboise the night before
the eighth daie of Aprill, of a catarrhe, which the physicians call an
apoplexie, the same rising in him with such abundance, as he beheld a
match plaied at tennisse, that in a few houres he ended at the same
place his life: during the which, he had with greater importunitie
than vertue troubled the whole world with great appearance of danger
to kindle eftsoones new fiers of innouation and troubles) maried his
eldest daughter named Clare, vnto Francis de Valois Dolphin of Vienne,
and duke of Angolesme, which ladie was promised vnto Charles the king
of Castile: wherevpon by ambassadors sent to and fro betwixt king
Henrie and the said king of Castile, a mariage was concluded betwixt
the said king of Castile, and the ladie Marie, daughter to king Henrie,
being about the age of ten yeares. For conclusion of which mariage,
the lord of Barow, & other ambassadors were sent into England from the
emperor Maximilian which with great rewards returned.


[Sidenote: 1508.]

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 879._]

[Sidenote: William Capell sued by the king.]

[Sidenote: Tho. Knelsworth imprisoned.]

[Sidenote: Norwich on fier.]

¶ William Browne mercer maior of London, this yeare deceassed, and
foorthwith sir Laurence Ailmer draper was chosen and sworne, and went
home in a graie cloake, with the sword borne before him, on the eight
and twentith daie of March. Item he tooke his oth at the Tower, and
kept no feast. William Capell was put in sute by the king for things
by him doone in his maioraltie. Also Thomas Knelsworth that had beene
maior of London, and his shiriffes, were sent to the kings Bench,
till they were put to their fines of foureteene hundred pounds. In
the moneth of Iune, the citie of Norwich was sore perished, & neere
consumed with fier, that began in a Frenchmans house named Peter
Iohnson, a surgian, in the parish of saint George.

[Sidenote: Free schoole at Wlfrunehampton.]

Stephan Genings merchant tailor, maior of London, founded a free
grammar schoole at Wlfrunehampton in Staffordshire, with conuenient
lodgings for the maister and vsher, in the same place where he was
borne. He gaue lands sufficient for the maintenance, leauing the
ouersight thereof to the merchant tailors in London, who haue hitherto
iustlie dealt in that matter, and also augmented the building there.
Maister Nichols, who maried the onelie daughter and heire of the
aforesaid Stephan Genings, gaue lands to mainteine the pauements of
that towne. Also, Iohn Leneson esquier, about Anno 1556, gaue lands,
whereof foure pounds should be dealt euerie yeare, on good fridaie, to
the poore people of Wlfrunehampton, and six and twentie shillings eight
pence yeerelie, towards the reparation of the church there.

[Sidenote: Iohn Ligh of Wlfruneh[=a]pton, his rare example of charitie.]

Moreouer, about Anno 1566, sir Iohn Ligh, a preest, which had serued in
that church there, the space of threescore years, for fiue pounds, six
shillings and eight pence the yeare, without anie other augmentation
of his liuing, who would neuer take anie other benefice, or other
preferment, gaue twentie pounds, to purchase twentie shillings the
yeare lands, the same to be giuen yearelie for euer to the poore of
Wlfrunehampton vpon good fridaie; & twelue pounds thirteene shillings
foure pence, to purchase a marke a yeare lands, the same to be giuen to
the poore of Chifnall, in the countie of Salope, where the said Ligh
was borne. This man liued nigh one hundred years. He bestowed besides
his owne labour which was great (in bearing of stones, &c.) aboue
twentie pounds on the high waies about that towne of Wlfrunehampton.

[Sidenote: Wlfruneh[=a]pton, corruptlie called Wolnerhampton.]

[Sidenote: _Ex charta regia._]

This towne of Wlfrunehampton, is now corruptlie called Wolnerhampton:
for in Anno 996, in king Ethelreds time (who wrote himselfe Rex
Anglorum & princeps Northumbrorum Olympiade tertia regni sui, for so
he wrote the count of his reigne then, which was the fifteenth yeare)
it was then called Hampton, as appeareth by an old charter written by
the notary of the said king Ethelred, which charter I haue seene and
read. And for that a noble woman named Wlfrune a Widow, some time wife
to Althelme duke of Northampton, did obteine of the said king to giue
lands vnto the church there which she had founded, the said towne
tooke the addition of the same Wlfrune, for that charter so named hir
Wlfrune, and the towne Hampton.

[Sidenote: _Smart._]

[Sidenote: Hospitall of the Sauoie.]

[Sidenote: _Rec. of Canturb. church._]

In this yeare was finished the goodlie hospitall of the Sauoie neere
vnto Charingcrosse, which was a notable foundation for the poore, doone
by king Henrie the seauenth, vnto the which he purchased and gaue lands
for the releeuing of one hundred poore people. This was first named
Sauoie place, by Peter earle of Sauoie, father to Boniface archbishop
of Canturburie, about the nine and twentith yeare of king Henrie the
third, who made the said Peter erle of Richmond. This house belonged
since to the duke of Lancaster, and at this time was conuerted to
an hospitall, still reteining the first name of Sauoie. King Henrie
also builded three houses of Franciscane friers, which are called
obseruants, at Richmond, Greenewich, and Newarke; and three other of
the familie of Franciscane friers which are called conuentuals, at
Canturburie, Newcastell, and Southampton.

[Sidenote: _Fr. Thin._]

[Sidenote: Thomas Ruthall bishop of Durham.]

[Sidenote: The situation of Cicester.]

¶ This yeare was Thomas Ruthall made bishop of Durham by Henrie the
seauenth, touching whose place of birth (being at Cirencester now
Cicester) and himselfe, I will not refuse to set downe what Leland
(about the yeare 1542) hath written, not being vnfit heere to be
recorded. Cirencester (saith he) in Latine called Corinium standeth
on the riuer Churne. "There haue beene three parish churches, whereof
saint Cicilies church is cleane downe, being of late but a chappell.
Saint Laurence yet standeth, but it is no parish church. There be two
poore almes women endued with land. There is now but one parish church
in all Cirencester that is verie faire, the bodie of which church
is all new worke, to the which Ruthall bishop of Durham (borne and
brought vp in Cirencester) promised much, but (preuented by death) gaue
nothing. One Anne Aueling aunt to doctor Ruthall by the mothers side,
gaue one hundred markes to the building of that church. King Henrie
the first made the hospitall of saint Iohns at Cirencester. Thus farre
Leland."

[Sidenote: The bishop was one of K. Henrie the eights priuie councell.]

[Sidenote: The king c[=o]mmandeth him to write a booke of the whole
estate of the kingdom.]

This man thus borne at Cicencester in Glocestershire, and made bishop
of Durham, was afer the death of king Henrie the seauenth, one of the
priuie councell to king Henrie the eight; in whose court he was so
continuallie attendant, that he could not steale anie time to attend
the affaires of his bishoprike. But yet not altogither carelesse
(though not so much as he ought to haue beene) of the place and cause
from whence and for which he receiued so great reuenues, as came vnto
his hands from that see. He repaired the third part of Tine bridge
next vnto the south, which he might well doo; for he was accompted the
richest subiect through the realme. To whome (remaining then at the
court) the king gaue in charge to write a booke of the whole estate
of the kingdome, bicause he was knowne to the king to be a man of
sufficiencie for the discharge thereof, which he did accordinglie.

Afterwards, the king commanded cardinall Woolseie to go to this bishop,
and to bring the booke awaie with him to deliuer to his maiestie. But
see the mishap! that a man in all other things so prouident, should
now be so negligent: and at that time most forget himselfe, when (as
it after fell out) he had most need to haue remembred himselfe. For
this bishop hauing written two bookes (the one to answer the kings
command, and the other intreating of his owne priuate affaires) did
bind them both after one sort in vellame, iust of one length, bredth,
and thicknesse, and in all points in such like proportion answering one
another, as the one could not by anie especiall note be discerned from
the other: both of which he also laid vp togither in one place of his
studie.

[Sidenote: The bishops booke of his priuat affaires vnaduisedlie
deliuered in steed of the kings.]

Now when the cardinall came to demand the booke due to the king: the
bishop vnaduisedlie commanded his seruant to bring him the booke bound
in white vellame lieng in his studie in such a place. The seruant
dooing accordinglie, brought foorth one of those bookes so bound, being
the booke intreating of the state of the bishop, and deliuered the same
vnto his maister, who receiuing it (without further consideration
or looking on) gaue it to the cardinall to beare vnto the king. The
cardinall hauing the booke, went from the bishop, and after (in his
studie by himselfe) vnderstanding the contents thereof, he greatlie
reioised, hauing now occasion (which he long sought for) offered vnto
him to bring the bishop into the king's disgrace.

[Sidenote: The bishops owne booke disaduantageable to himselfe.]

[Sidenote: The bishop dieth of a sorowfull and pensiue conceipt.]

Wherefore he went foorthwith to the king, deliuered the booke into his
hands, and breefelie informed the king of the contents thereof; putting
further into the king's head, that if at anie time he were destitute of
a masse of monie, he should not need to seeke further therefore than
to the cofers of the bishop, who by the tenor of his owne booke had
accompted his proper riches and substance to the value of a hundred
thousand pounds. Of all which when the bishop had intelligence (what
he had doon, how the cardinall vsed him, what the king said, and what
the world reported of him) he was striken with such greefe of the same,
that he shortlie through extreame sorrow ended his life at London,
in the yeare of Christ 1523. After whose death the cardinall, which
had long before gaped after the said bishoprike, in singular hope
to atteine therevnto, had now his wish in effect: which he the more
easilie compassed, for that he had his nets alwaies readie cast, as
assuring himselfe to take a trout: following therein a prophane mans
cautelous counsell, and putting the same in practise; who saith:

[Sidenote: _Ouid._]

    Casus vbiq; valet, semper tibi pendeat hamus,
      Quo minime credis gurgite piscis erit.

[Sidenote: 1509.]

[Sidenote: An. Reg. 24.]

[Sidenote: The death of king Henrie the seuenth.]

The sicknesse which held the king dailie more and more increasing,
he well perceiued that his end drew neere, and therefore meaning to
doo some high pleasure to his people, granted of his free motion a
generall pardon to all men, for all offenses doone & committed against
anie his lawes or statutes; theeues, murtherers, & certeine other were
excepted. He paied also the fees of all prisoners in the gaoles in and
about London, abiding there onelie for that dutie. He paied also the
debts of all such persons as laie in the counters of Ludgate for fortie
shillings & vnder; and some he releeued that were condemned in ten
pounds. Herevpon were processions generallie vsed euerie daie in euerie
citie and parish, to praie to almightie God for his restoring to health
and long continuance of the same. Neuerthelesse, he was so wasted with
his long maladie, that nature could no longer susteine his life, and
so he departed out of this world the two and twentith of Aprill, in
his palace of Richmond, in the yeere of our Lord 1509. His corpse was
conueied with all funerall pompe to Westminster, and there buried by
the good queene his wife in a sumptuous chapell, which he not long
before had caused to be builded.

[Sidenote: What children he had.]

[Sidenote: The description of king Henrie the seuenth.]

He reigned three and twentie yeares, and more than seuen moneths, and
liued two and fiftie yeares. He had by his queene Elizabeth foure
sonnes, and foure daughters, of the which three remained aliue behind
him. Henrie his second son prince of Wales, which after him was king,
Margaret queen of Scots, and the ladie Marie promised to Charles king
of Castile. He was a man of bodie but leane and spare, albeit mightie
and strong therewith; of personage and stature somewhat higher than
the meane sort of men, of a woonderfull beautie and faire complexion,
of countenance merie and smiling, especiallie in his communication,
his eies graie, his teeth single, and haire thin, of wit in all things
quicke and prompt, of a princelie stomach and hautie courage. In great
perils, doubtfull affaires, and matters of importance, supernaturall
and in maner diuine; for he ordered all his dooings aduisedlie and with
great deliberation.

[Sidenote: Iustice mingled with mercie.]

Besides this, he was sober, moderate, honest, courteous, bountious,
and so much abhorring pride and arrogancie, that he was euer sharpe
and quicke to them that were noted with that fault. He was also an
indifferent and vpright iusticer, by the which one thing he allured
to him the hearts of manie people, and yet to this seueritie of his
he ioined a certeine mercifull pitie, which he did extend to those
that had offended the penall lawes, and were put to their fines by
his iustices. He did vse his rigour onelie (as he said himselfe) to
dant, bring low, and abate the high minds and stout stomachs of the
wealthie and wild people, nourished vp in seditious factions and ciuill
rebellions, rather than for the greedie desire of monie; although such
as were scourged with amerciaments cried out, and said it was rather
for the respect of gaine, than for anie politike prouision. Indeed he
left his coffers well stuffed, for he was no wastfull consumer of his
riches by anie inordinat meanes.

[Sidenote: Out of the bishop of Rochesters funerall sermon preached in
Paules church at London.]

To conclude, he had asmuch in him of gifts both of bodie, mind and
fortune, as was possible for anie potentate or king to haue. His
politike wisedome in gouernance was singular, his wit alwaie quicke
and readie, his reason pithie and substantiall, his memorie fresh and
holding, his experience notable, his counsels fortunate and taken by
wise deliberation, his speech gratious in diuerse languages, his person
(as before ye haue heard) right comelie, his naturall complexion of the
purest mixture, leagues and confederations he had with all christian
princes. His mightie power was dread euerie where, not onelie within
his realme but without. Also his people were to him in as humble
subjection as euer they were to king; his land manie a daie in peace
and tranquillitie, his prosperitie in battell against his enimies was
maruellous, his dealing in time of perils and dangers was cold and
sober, with great hardinesse. If anie treason were conspired against
him, it came out wonderfullie. His buildings most goodlie, and after
the newest cast, all of pleasure.

And so this king liuing all his time in fortunes fauour, in high
honour, wealth and glorie, for his noble acts and prudent policies is
woorthie to be registred in the booke of fame, least time (the consumer
of all worthie things) should blot out the memorie of his name here in
earth, whose soule we trust liueth in heauen, enioieng the fruition
of the godhead, & those pleasures prepared for the faithfull. [In
memorie of whome, his manifold vertues, with the fortunate successe
of his affaires, and the gratious descent of his loines, as they
procured a famous report in nations farre and neere; so haue some at
the contemplation of his princelinesse, and euerie waie crowned with
felicitie, made memorials of his magnificence; to the immortalitie of
his high praise and vnblemishable renowme: among whome (for the truth
of the report iustifiable by the contents of this historie) one commeth
to mind, which may well serue for an epitaph:

    Septimus Henricus factis est nomen adeptus
    Praeclarum claris ventura in secula famae:
    Ciuibus ille suis fuerat charissimus, hostes
    Omnes iure ipsum metuebant: numinis almi
    Relligiosus erat cultor, pietatis & aequi,
    Versutos hominesque malos vehementius odit.
    Viginti totos charus tresque amplius annos
    Regibus externis in summo vixit honore:
    Magnanimus, iustus rex, prudens atque modestus,
    Henrico haeredi moriens sua regna reliquit,
    Diuitiasque, immensum argenti pondus & auri.

[Sidenote: _Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 892._]

[Sidenote: Sepulture of Henrie the seuenth.]

[Sidenote: Executors to Henrie the suenth.]

¶The altar and sepulture of the same king Henrie the seuenth, wherein
he now resteth, in his new chappell at Westminster, was made and
finished in the yeare of our Lord 1519, by one Peter T. a painter of
the citie of Florence, for the which he receiued one thousand pounds
sterling for the whole stuffe and workemanship, at the hands of the
king executors, Richard bishop of Winchester, Richard Fitz Iames bishop
of London, Thomas bishop of Duresme, Iohn bishop of Rochester, Thomas
duke of Norffolke treasuror of England, Edward earle of Worcester the
kings Chamberleine, Iohn F. knight, chiefe iustice of the kings Bench,
Robert R. knight chiefe justice of the common plees, &c.]

Of learned men that liued in this kings daies (as maister Bale noteth
them) these are recorded. First George Rppeleie a Carmelite frier at
Boston, seene in the mathematikes, he wrote diuerse treatises, and
after his decease was accounted a nekromancer; Iohn Erghom borne in
Yorke, a blacke frier, a doctor of diuinitie professed in Oxford,
studious of prophesies, as by the title of the works which he wrote
it may appeare; Iohn Persiuall a Chartreux monke; Thomas Maillorie a
Welshman borne, he wrote (I wote not what) of king Arthur, and of the
round table; Iohn Rousse borne in Warwikeshire, a diligent searcher
of antiquities, whervpon few libraries were any where to be seene in
England and Wales, where he made not search for the same, and wrote
sundrie treatises of historicall arguments. He deceassed at Warwike the
fourteenth of Ianuarie in the yeare 1491, and was buried in our ladie
church there.

[Sidenote: _Dromorensis episcopus._]

Thomas Scroope, otherwise surnamed Bradleie, descended of the noble
familie of the Scroops, professed sundrie kinds of religions, as
that of the order of saint Benet, and saint Dominike, and likewise
he became a Carmelite, and last of all he fell to and preached the
gospell in haire and sackecloth, till he vnderstood himselfe to be in
the displeasure of Walden and other, that could not awaie with such
singularitie in him or other, sounding (as they tooke it) to the danger
of bringing the doctrine of the Romish church in misliking with the
people; for then he withdrew himselfe to his house againe, and there
remained twentie yeares, leading an anchors life, but yet after that
time he came abroad, and was aduanced to be a bishop in Ireland, and
went to the Roades in ambassage, from whence, being returned, he went
barefooted vp and downe in Norffolke, teaching in townes and in the
countrie abroad the ten commandements, he liued till he came to be at
the point of an hundred yeares old, & departed this life the fifteenth
day of Ianuarie in the yeare of our Lord 1491, and was buried at
Lestolfe, in Suffolke.

Iohn Tonneis, a diuine and an Augustine frier in Norwich, wrote
certeine rules of grammar, and other things printed by Richard Pinson;
Gefferie surnamed the Grammarian; Iohn Alcocke bishop of Elie, changed
a nunrie at Cambridge into a college named Iesus college, about the
yeere of Christ 1496. The chiefe cause of suppressing the nunrie is
noted to be, for that the abbesse and other of the conuent liued
dissolute liues; Stephan Hawes a learned gentleman, and of such
reputation, as he was admitted to be one of the priuie chamber to king
Henrie the seuenth; William Bintree, so called of a towne in Norffolke
where he was borne, by profession a Carmelite frier in Burnham, a great
diuine; William Gallion an Augustine frier in Lin, and at length became
prouinciall of his order.

Robert Fabian a citizen and merchant of London, an historiographer,
he was in his time in good estimation for his wisedome and wealth
in the citie, so that he bare office and was shiriffe in the yeare
1493; William Celling, borne beside Feuersham in Kent, a monke of
Canturburie; Thomas Bourchier descended of the noble linage of the
earles of Essex, was first bishop of Elie, and after remooued from
thense to Canturburie, succeeding Iohn Kemp in that archbishops see, at
length created by pope Paule the second a cardinall; Philip Bromierd
a Dominicke frier a diuine; Iohn Miles a doctor of both the lawes,
ciuill and canon, he studied in Oxenford in the college of Brasen nose,
newlie founded in the daies of this king Henrie the seuenth by William
Smith bishop of Lincolne; Richard Shirborne bishop of Chichester, and
imploied in ambassage to diuerse princes, as a man most meet thereto
for his singular knowledge in learning and eloquence.

Robert Viduus vicar of Thakesteed in Essex, and a prebendarie canon
of Welles, an excellent poet; Peter Kenighall a Carmelit frier, but
borne of worshipfull linage in France, hauing an Englishman to his
father, was student in Oxenford, and became a notable preacher; Iohn
Morton first bishop of Elie, and after archbishop of Canturburie the
sixtie and fourth in number that ruled that see, he was aduanced to
the dignitie of a cardinall, and by king Henrie the seuenth made
lord chancellor, a worthie councellor and a modest, he was borne of
worshipfull parents in Cheshire, & departed this life in the yeare of
our Lord 1500; Henrie Medwall chapleine to the said Morton; Edmund
Dudleie borne of noble parentage, studied the lawes of this land, and
profited highlie in knowledge of the same, he wrote a booke intituled
Arbor rei publicae, the tree of the common wealth: of this man ye haue
heard before in the life of this king, and more (God willing) shall be
said in the beginning of the next king, as the occasion of the historie
leadeth; Iohn Bokingham an excellent schooleman; William Blackeneie a
Carmelit frier, a doctor of diuinitie, and a nekromancer.


   Thus farre Henrie the seuenth, sonne to Edmund earle of Richmond.



    Transcriber's Notes:


    Simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors in the prose
    were corrected.

    Punctuation normalized.

    Archaic, colloquial, and non-standard spellings retained as
    printed.

    Italics markup is enclosed in _underscores_.

    Characters with a macron are indicated as [=x] where "x" is the
    character with a macron.

    P. 528 changed 1468 to 1498.





End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Chronicles of England, Scotland and
Ireland (3 of 6): England (7 of 9), by Raphael Holinshed

*** 