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 kéepe 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 fréends, determined with all spéed 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 spéech 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 yée 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 fiftéene yéers 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 fréelie 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 procéed 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 chéefe 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 préests & 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 préests 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 kéepers 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 betwéene
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 kéeping 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 gréeued 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 kéepe 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, & kéepe
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 shéepe. 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 yéere 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 thrée 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 thrée
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 thrée
pence halfe penie the bushell, Nantwich salt was sold for six pence the
bushell, white herings nine shillings the barrell, red herings at thrée
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 estéemed 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
beléeue 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 agréed 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 indéed 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 sixtéenth daie of Februarie, and there had his head striken off.
[Sidenote: _Abr. Flem._]
[Sidenote: Sée 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 féet. 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 fées extended to thrée 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 fréends, which he wanted
not; none of these, nor all these could procure the redemption of his
lost life:
O fluxum decus hominum, ô variabile tempus.
[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow. pag. 969._]
[Sidenote: The king and quéene 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 sixtéenth of Nouember was holden the sergeants feast at the
bishops palace of Elie in Holborne, where dined the king, quéene, 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 béene 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 frée schoole to the furtherance of learning, and a
number of poore people (by the name of almesmen, which were poore,
aged, and decaied housholders) reléeued, 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 chéefe 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 chéefe chamberleine. Also,
the K. sent into Ireland (to purge out the euill & wicked séeds 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 succéeded 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 déed 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 théeues, robbers, and vagabunds, which
desiring to liue by rapine, were glad to serue him. And thus furnished,
he took such ships as his fréends 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
Berkhamstéed, 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 spéed 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 séeke
fréendship there.
[Sidenote: Perkin saileth into Ireland and is in sundrie opinions.]
[Sidenote: Katharine daughter to the earle of Huntleie maried to
Perkin.]