[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 fiftéene 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
spéed 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 excéedinglie
reioising at his presence, as by their voices and gestures it well
appeared.
At his approching néere 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 thrée standards. In the one was the image of
saint George, in an other was a red fierie dragon beaten vpon white and
gréene 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 chéefe 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, fée farmes, annuities, knights fées,
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 fréends.]
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 fréends, 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 fréend, 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 redéemeth 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 fréends left in hostage beyond the seas, that is to wit,
the marquesse Dorset, sir Iohn Bourchier, he with all conuenient spéed
redéemed 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: Sée the historie of Engl[=a]d pag. 124.]
[Sidenote: Sée also D. _Powels_ historie of Wales, pag. 2. and 376,
377, &c.]
[Sidenote: Sée 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
yéeres 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 péeres 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 séemed 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 betwéene 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 eightéenth 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 succéed 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 prælia saith:
Hoc Deus omnipotens pacis confecerat author,
Ciuilísque 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
yéere 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
yéelded 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 féet 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 néed 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
chéefelie 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 beléeue this report to be true at the first, but after that,
by letters of credence sent from his fréends, 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 fréends 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 thrée 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 shéepe without a
shéepeheard.
[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 séeme verie
strange, how such trouble and mischéefe 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 séeking after
peace as they are gréedie in pursuit of warre, speciallie ciuill
warre: but the cause whie they are defectiue therein, is the want of
méekenesse and humilitie, as the wiseman saith:
Mite cor horribili seditione vacat.
[Sidenote: Sir Richard Simond a fraudulent préest. Lambert Simenell the
counterfeit earle of Warwike.]
Amongst other such monsters and limmes of the diuell, there was one
sir Richard Simond préest, 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
chéefe instrument, by the which he might conueie and bring to passe his
mischéeuous attempt. The diuell chéefe master of such practises, put in
the venemous braine of this disloiall and traitorous préest 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 séemed not to be grounded of anie likelihood
to the wiser sort of men, yet incouraged this péeuish 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 préest 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 préest 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 préest) sent into England certeine priuie messengers to get fréends
héere.
[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 déed 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
fréends 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 fréelie granted that no offense was excepted, no not
so much as high treason committed against the kings roiall person. It
was further agréed 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 gréeuous,
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: Quéenes 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 quéene 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 Quéenes
colledge.
[Sidenote: Edward the right earle of Warwike shewed openlie in
procession.]
When all things in this counsell were sagelie concluded and agréed 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 stréets in all London,
to the cathedrall church of saint Paule, where he went openlie in
procession, that euerie man might sée 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 méet 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 fréends, 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. Héere after long consultation had how to
procéed in their businesse, it was agréed, 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 béene 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 chéefe 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 chéefe capteins) he went
to Couentrie, where he was aduertised, that the earle of Lincolne was
landed at Lancaster with his new king. Héere 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 néere 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 thrée 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 thrée
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, méet 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 péerlesse 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
chéefe 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 béene a turnebroch for a space in the kings kitchen. This battell
was fought on a saturdaie being the sixtéenth daie of Iune, in this
second yéere of his reigne. In this yéere died Thomas Bourchier
archbishop of Canturburie: and Iohn Morton bishop of Elie; a man of
excellent learning, vertue and policie, succéeded 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 vnbeséeming 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 betwéene
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 quéene 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 thrée 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 agrée
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 yéers, before the first seuen yéers were fullie expired.
The king of Scots indéed 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
estéemed 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
héere in England.
[Sidenote: King Henries offer to make an attonement betwixt the French
king and the duke.]
[Sidenote: Christopher Urswike.]