his Bulwark; but neither Drum nor Trumpet went with me: because a
Trumpeter was slain as he sounded to have a parley; and, as I heard
say, a Drum[mer] that would have followed me, was shot in the leg. But
there was no remedy. I must wade over the water, in which there lay
certain galthroppes, as they term them, which were great boards, full
of long spikes of iron; on the which, having good boots and a stay in
my hand, I was taught daintily to tread: and the night was so dark,
that the enemy might not take any good mark of me, albeit they shot
divers times.
So, with some hazard, and no great hope to attain that I was sent for,
I was taken by the watch; and brought to Monsieur DE GUISE's tent,
where the Duke D'AUMALE and many great Estates were in presence.
My message being said, with due reverence made: the Duke told me, that
"all our ordnance was dismounted, and that thereby our malice was cut
off; and we could not do his camp any annoyance. Wherefore," said he,
"this was a stout brag, to seek a capitulation with such advantage
upon."
I replied to his Excellency, and told, "We had flankers [_guns with a
cross fire_] and other great pieces, which would not be discovered till
the next assault:" declaring likewise, "Our soldiers had sworn rather
to die in their [own] defence, than not to march away, like men of war."
The noblemen, on this mine answer, bade me "Return! and with the rest
of the Castle, to do the worst they could!"
So I departed, and the Duke of GUISE beholding, as he thought, we were
resolved to see the uttermost of fortune; called me back again: and
fell to questions and arguments with me, such as I liked not [_i.e., he
tried to bribe CHURCHYARD in some way_]; but other answer did I not
make, than you have heard before. Wherewith, he called for some meat;
and made me to sit down.
After I had a little refreshed myself, I demanded to know his pleasure.
Who straightways told me, "There was no help to be had; but to become
all captives and prisoners to the French King."
"Not so, Sir," I answered; "and that should the next assault make trial
of."
Then, he went to talk with the Noblemen; and there, they concluded,
"That the soldiers should march away with bag and baggage: and the
Captains and Officers should remain prisoners:" which I knew would not
be liked: and so desired to be sent to my Lord GREY.
But when I came into the Castle, and the soldiers had gotten word that
they might march away at their will: they came to me, and threatened
me with great words, commanding me, "To make despatch, and yield up
the fort!" For they said, "Since the matter is in talk, and likely to
be brought to a good purpose; they would cut my throat, if I made not,
hastily, an end of the case." And thereupon had they made a great hole
in a wall; and so they thrust me out among the Almains, who rudely
handled me.
But my Lord GREY, at my departure, bade me tell the Duke, that the
Almains were about to break into the Castle, and to set the gate afire:
and my Lord said, "He would shoot off his great ordnance among them; if
the Law of Arms were not better observed!"
But, in the meantime, at another place was entered Monsieur DE TRE
[_D'ESTREES_] Master of the [French] Ordnance; and [Sir ARTHUR] the
Lord GREY that now is, was sent to the Camp, for the pawn [_security_]
of Monsieur D'ESTREES.
But I was come to Monsieur DE GUISE before those things were finished:
and had told him my message. And he, like a noble Prince and faithful
Captain, rode to the gate (causing me to mount behind Master HARRY
DUDLEY); where the Almains were busily occupied about some naughty
practice: and, with a great truncheon, he stroke divers of the
Almains and others, to make them retire; and laying a load [_i.e., of
blows_] about him, he made such way, that the gate was free, and the
capitulation was, at leisure, talked of.
But I was not suffered to enter any more into the Castle; and so stayed
as a prisoner.
Notwithstanding, look what promise Monsieur DE GUISE made, it was so
well kept and observed that our soldiers marched away, with all their
wealth, money, and weapons. And great wealth was borne by them from
Guisnes: insomuch that divers poor soldiers were made thereby, for all
[the] days of their life after. And this is to be noted. There was
great honour in the Duke of GUISE. For the Bands [_originally 1,300
p. 207; but now about 500, having lost 800, see below_] that parted
[_departed_] (either sick or sound, hurt or whole) were honestly
conveyed, and truly dealt withal; even as long as they were in any
danger, albeit they had great sums of money and treasure with them: and
the General with his Captains and Officers were courteously used, so
long as they were in the Duke of GUISE his camp.
And, to say the truth, I think our peace was not so dishonourable, as
some report. For
Succour, had we no hope of.
The next assault had overthrown us.
The whole members [_i.e., the external fortifications_] of the
Castle were cut off from us.
There remained but the bare body of the Castle in our custody.
The enemy's cannons did beat us from the breach _on the inside_.
The Castle was subject to every shot; both from the Keep, the
Catte, and the Mary Bulwark.
The French possessed all the special places of our strength and
comfort.
The best and chiefest of our soldiers were slain, or lay maimed in
most miserable state.
And we had lost 800 men in these assaults and services; which did
their duty so well, that the enemy confessed that they had lost
4,000, before we could be brought to any _parley_ or composition.
But some of our Officers [_? Is our Author here alluding to Captain
Lord DUDLEY at Hammes, p. 183_], by craft and cunning, escaped
homewards out of the Frenchmen's hands; came to Court, and made up
their Bands [_companies_] again; to the great reproach of those that
meant no such matters. So, by that subtilty and shift, they that
escaped got a pay or some reward of the Prince: and those that abode
out the brunt and hazard of the bloody broil, were left in prison.
And the world thought, by seeing so many come home, we had lost but
a few at the siege of Guisnes; which is otherwise to be proved and
affirmed for a truth; when true trial [_inquiry_] shall be made.
Calais was lost before, I cannot declare how. But well I wot, Sir
ANTHONY AGER, a stout gentleman, and a valiant Knight, there lost his
life: and one Captain SAULE was terribly burnt with powder, in making a
train to destroy the enemy [_p. 199_].
+JOHN FOX+, the Martyrologist.
_The death of Queen MARY._
[_The Ecclesiastical History_ ii. 2296, _Ed._ 1570].
Now then after these so great afflictions falling upon this realm from
the first beginning of Queen MARY's reign, wherein so many men, women,
and children were burned; many imprisoned, and in prisons starved,
divers exiled, some spoiled of goods and possessions, a great number
driven from house and home, so many weeping eyes, so many sobbing
hearts, so many children made fatherless, so many fathers bereft of
their wives and children, so many vexed in conscience, and divers
against conscience constrained to recant, and, in conclusion, never a
good man in all the realm but suffered something during all the time
of this bloody persecution. After all this, I say, now we are come at
length, the LORD be praised! to the 17th day of November, which day, as
it brought to the persecuted members of CHRIST rest from their careful
mourning, so it easeth me somewhat likewise of my laborious writing;
by the death, I mean, of Queen MARY. Who, being long sick before,
upon the said 17th day of November, 1558, about three or four a clock
in the morning, yielded her life to nature, and her kingdom to Queen
ELIZABETH, her sister.
As touching the manner of whose death, some say that she died of
a tympany [_dropsy_]; some, by her much sighing before her death,
supposed she died of thought and sorrow. Whereupon her Council seeing
her sighing, and desirous to know the cause, to the end they might
minister the more ready consolation unto her, feared, as they said,
that "She took that thought for the King's Majesty her husband, which
was gone from her."
To whom she answering again, "Indeed," said she, "that may be one
cause; but that is not the greatest wound that pierceth my oppressed
mind!" but what that was, she would not express to them.
Albeit, afterwards, she opened the matter more plainly to Master RYSE
and Mistress CLARENTIUS [_p. 140_] (if it be true that they told me,
which heard it of Master RYSE himself); who (then being most familiar
with her, and most bold about her) told her that "They feared she took
thought for King PHILIP's departing from her."
"Not that only," said she, "but when I am dead and opened; you shall
find Calais lying in my heart," &c.
* * * * *
And here an end of Queen MARY and her persecution. Of which Queen,
this truly, may be affirmed, and left in story for a perpetual
Memorial or Epitaph, for all Kings and Queens that shall
succeed her, to be noted, that before her, never was read in
story of any King or Queen in England, since the time of King
LUCIUS, under whom, in time of peace, by hanging, heading,
burning, and prisoning, so much Christian blood, so many
Englishmen's lives were spilled within this realm, as under the
said Queen MARY, for the space of four years, was to be seen;
and I beseech the LORD may never be seen hereafter.
[Illustration]
[Illustration:
_+THE PASSAGE+
of our most dread Sovereign
Lady, Queen ELIZABETH,
through the City of London
to Westminster,
the day before her
Coronation._
Anno. 1558.
_Cum privilegio._]
[Illustration]
_The Receiving of the Queen's Majesty._
[Compare this with the similar Procession of her Mother in Volume
II. _p._ 46; and of her sister MARY at _p._ 84 of this Volume.
Here we see the Londoners in a kind of delirium of joy. The horrid
nightmare of the burnings, of national loss and dishonour at
Calais, &c., had passed away. Men could now breathe freely, and
look forward to better times.]
Upon Saturday, which was the 14th day of January, in the year of our
Lord God, 1558 [_i.e., 1559_], about two of the clock, at after noon,
the most noble and Christian Princess, our most dread Sovereign Lady,
ELIZABETH, by the grace of GOD, Queen of England, France, and Ireland,
Defender of the Faith, &c., marched from the Tower, to pass through
the City of London, towards Westminster: richly furnished, and most
honourably accompanied, as well with Gentlemen, Barons, and other
the Nobility of this realm, as also with a noble train of goodly and
beautiful Ladies, richly appointed.
And entering the City, was of the people received marvellous entirely,
as appeared by the assembly's prayers, wishes, welcomings, cries,
tender words, and all other signs: which argue a wonderful earnest love
of most obedient subjects towards their Sovereign. And, on the other
side, Her Grace, by holding up her hands, and merry countenance to such
as stood afar off, and most tender and gentle language to those that
stood nigh to Her Grace, did declare herself no less thankfully to
receive her people's good will, than they lovingly offered it unto her.
To all that "wished Her Grace well!" she gave "Hearty thanks!" and to
such as bade "GOD save Her Grace!" she said again, "GOD save them
all!" and thanked with all her heart. So that, on either side, there
was nothing but gladness! nothing but prayer! nothing but comfort!
The Queen's Majesty rejoiced marvellously to see that so exceedingly
shewed towards Her Grace, which all good Princes have ever desired;
I mean, so earnest Love of Subjects, so evidently declared even to
Her Grace's own person, being carried in the midst of them. The
people, again, were wonderfully ravished with the loving answers and
gestures of their Princess; like to the which, they had before tried,
at her first coming to the town, from Hatfield. This Her Grace's
loving behaviour preconceived in the people's heads, upon these
considerations, was then thoroughly confirmed; and indeed implanted a
wonderful hope in them touching her worthy government in the rest of
her reign.
For in all her Passage, she did not only shew her most gracious love
towards the people in general; but also privately, if the baser
personages had either offered Her Grace any flowers or such like, as a
signification of their good will; or moved to her any suit, she most
gently (to the common rejoicings of all lookers on, and private comfort
of the party) stayed her chariot, and heard their requests. So that,
if a man should say well, he could not better term the City of London
that time, than a Stage wherein was shewed the wonderful Spectacle of a
noble hearted Princess towards her most loving people; and the people's
exceeding comfort in beholding so worthy a Sovereign, and hearing so
prince-like a voice; which could not but have set the enemy on fire,
(since the virtue is in the enemy always commended) much more could not
but inflame her natural, obedient, and most loving people; whose weal
leaneth only upon her Grace, and her government.
* * * * *
Thus, therefore, the Queen's Majesty passed from the Tower [_see as to
her former dismal visit in March, 1554, at p. 123_], till she came to
Fanchurch [_Fenchurch_]: the people on each side, joyously beholding
the view of so gracious a Lady, their Queen; and Her Grace no less
gladly noting, and observing the same.
Near unto Fanchurch, was erected a scaffold richly furnished; whereon
stood a noise of instruments; and a child, in costly apparel, which
was appointed to welcome the Queen's Majesty, in the whole City's
behalf.
Against which place, when Her Grace came, of her own will she commanded
the chariot to be stayed; and that the noise might be appeased, till
the child had uttered his welcoming Oration, which he spake in English
metre, as here followeth.
O peerless Sovereign Queen! Behold, what this thy town
Hath thee presented with, at thy First Entrance here!
Behold, with how rich hope, she leadeth thee to thy Crown!
Behold, with what two gifts, she comforteth thy cheer!
The First is Blessing Tongues! which many a "Welcome!" say.
Which pray, thou may'st do well! which praise thee to the sky!
Which wish to thee long life! which bless this happy day!
Which to thy Kingdom "Heapes!" [_Hips!_], all that in tongues can lie.
The Second is True Hearts! which love thee from their root!
Whose Suit is Triumph now, and ruleth all the game,
Which Faithfulness has won, and all untruth driven out;
Which skip for joy, when as they hear thy happy name!
Welcome, therefore, O Queen! as much as heart can think.
Welcome again, O Queen! as much as tongue can tell,
Welcome to joyous Tongues, and Hearts that will not shrink!
"GOD, thee preserve!" we pray; and wish thee ever well!
At which words of the last line, the people gave a great shout;
wishing, with one assent, as the child had said.
And the Queen's Majesty thanked most heartily, both the City for this
her gentle receiving at the first, and also the people for confirming
the same.
Here was noted in the Queen's Majesty's countenance, during the time
that the child spake, besides a perpetual attentiveness in her face,
a marvellous change in look, as the child's words touched either
her person, or the people's Tongues and Hearts: so that she, with
rejoicing visage, did evidently declare that the words took no less
place in her mind, than they were most heartily pronounced by the
child, as from all the hearts of her most hearty citizens.
The same Verses were fastened up in a table [_painted board. Table
is the Elizabethan word for picture_] upon the scaffold; and the Latin
thereof likewise, in Latin verses, in another table, as hereafter
ensueth.
_Urbs tua quæ ingressu dederit tibi munera primo,_
_O Regina! parem non habitura, vide!_
_Ad diadema tuum, te spe quam divite mittat,_
_Quæ duo letitioe det tibi dona, vide!_
_Munus habes Primum, Linguas bona multa Precantes,_
_Quæ te quum laudant, tum pia vota sonant,_
_Foelicemque diem hunc dicunt, tibi secula longa_
_Optant, et quicquid denique lingua potest._
_Altera dona feres, vera, et tui Amantia Corda,_
_Quorum gens ludum jam regit una tuum:_
_In quibus est infracta fides, falsumque perosa,_
_Quæque tuo audito nomine læta salit._
_Grata venis igitur, quantum Cor concipit ullum!_
_Quantum Lingua potest dicere, grata venis!_
_Cordibus infractis, Linguisque per omnia lætis_
_Grata venis! salvam te velit esse DEUS!_
Now when the child had pronounced his oration, and the Queen's Highness
so thankfully received it; she marched forward towards Gracious
[_Gracechurch_] Street, where, at the upper end, before the sign of the
_Eagle_, the city had erected a gorgeous and sumptuous Ark, as here
followeth.
A Stage was made which extended from one side of the street to the
other, richly vawted [_vaulted_] with battlements, containing three
ports [_gates_]; and over the middlemost was advanced three several
stages, in degrees [_tiers_]. Upon the lowest stage, was made one seat
royal; wherein were placed two personages representing King HENRY VII.,
and ELIZABETH his wife, daughter of King EDWARD IV. Both of these
two Princes sitting under one Cloth of Estate, in their seats; no
otherwise divided, but that th[e] one of them, which was King HENRY
VII., proceeding out of the House of LANCASTER, was enclosed in a red
rose; and the other, which was Queen ELIZABETH, being heir to the House
of YORK, enclosed with a white rose: each of them royally crowned
and decently apparelled, as pertaineth to Princes, with sceptres in
their hands, and one vawt [_vault_] surmounting their heads, wherein
aptly were placed two tables, each containing the title, of those two
Princes. And these personages were so set, that the one of them joined
hands with the other, with the ring of matrimony perceived on the
finger.
Out of the which two roses sprang two branches gathered into one:
which were directed upward to the second stage or degree; wherein was
placed one representing the valiant and noble Prince, HENRY VIII., who
sprang out of the former stock, crowned with a crown imperial. And by
him sate one representing the right worthy Lady, Queen ANNE; wife to
the said HENRY VIII., and mother to our most sovereign Lady, Queen
ELIZABETH that now is. Both apparelled with sceptres and diadems, and
other furniture due to the estate of a King and Queen: and two tables
surmounting their heads, wherein were written their names and titles.
From their seat also, proceeded upwards one branch directed to the
third and uppermost stage or degree, wherein likewise was planted a
seat royal; in the which was set one representing the Queen's most
excellent Majesty, ELIZABETH, now our most dread Sovereign Lady,
crowned and apparelled as the other Princes were.
Out of the forepart of this pageant was made a standing for a child,
which, at the Queen's Majesty's coming, declared unto her the whole
meaning of the said pageant.
The two sides of the same were filled with loud noises of music.
And all empty places thereof, were furnished with sentences concerning
Unity. And the whole pageant was garnished with red and white roses;
and in the forefront of the same pageant, in a fair wreath, was written
the name and title of the same, which was
+THE UNITING OF THE TWO+
+HOUSES OF YORK AND LANCASTER.+
This pageant was grounded upon the Queen Majesty's name. For like
as the long war between the two Houses of YORK and LANCASTER then
ended, when ELIZABETH, daughter of EDWARD IV., matched in marriage
with HENRY VII., heir to the House of LANCASTER; so since that the
Queen's Majesty's name was ELIZABETH, and forasmuch as she is the only
heir of HENRY VIII., which came of both Houses as the knitting up of
concord: it was devised that like as ELIZABETH was the first occasion
of concord; so She, another ELIZABETH, might maintain the same among
her subjects. So that Unity was the end, whereat the whole device shot;
as the Queen's Majesty's name moved the first ground.
This pageant now against the Queen's Majesty's coming, was addressed
[_set forth_] with children representing the forenamed personages; with
all furniture due unto the setting forth of such a well-meant matter,
as the argument declared, costly and sumptuously set forth, as the
beholders can witness.
* * * * *
Now, the Queen's Majesty drew near unto the said pageant, and forasmuch
as the noise was great, by reason of the press of people, so that she
could scarce hear the child which did interpret the said pageant; and
her chariot was passed so far forward that she could not well view the
personages representing the Kings and Queens above named; she required
to have the matter opened unto her, and what they signified, with the
End of Unity, and Ground of her Name, according as is before expressed.
For the sight whereof, Her Grace caused her chariot to be removed back;
and yet hardly could she see, because the children were set somewhat
with the farthest in.
But after that Her Grace understood the meaning thereof, she thanked
the City, praised the fairness of the work, and promised that "She
would do her whole endeavour for the continual preservation of
concord!" as the pageant did import.
* * * * *
The child appointed in the standing above named, to open the meaning of
the said pageant, spake these words unto Her Grace.
The two Princes that sit under one Cloth of State:
The Man in the red rose; the Woman in the white:
HENRY the SEVENTH, and Queen ELIZABETH his mate,
By ring of marriage, as man and wife unite.
Both heirs to both their bloods: to LANCASTER, the King,
The Queen, to YORK; in one the two Houses do knit.
Of whom, as Heir to both, HENRY the EIGHTH did spring,
In whose seat, his true Heir, thou, Queen ELIZABETH! dost sit!
Therefore as civil war and shed of blood did cease;
When these two Houses were united into one:
So now, that jar shall stint and quietness increase,
We trust, O noble Queen! thou wilt be cause alone!
The which also were written in Latin verses. And both drawn in two
tables upon the forefront of the said pageant, as hereafter followeth.
_Hii quos jungit idem solium, quos annulus idem:_
_Hæc albente nitens, ille rubente rosa:_
_SEPTIMUS HENRICUS rex, regina ELIZABETHA,_
_Scilicet Hæredes gentis uterque suæ._
_Hæc EBORACENSIS, LANCASTRIUS ille dederunt_
_Connubio e geminis quo foret una domus._
_Excipit hos hæres HENRICUS copula regum_
_OCTAVUS, magni regis imago potens._
_Regibus hinc succedis avis regique parenti_
_Patris justa Hæres ELIZABETHA tui._
¶ _+SENTENCES PLACED THEREIN, CONCERNING+
+UNITY.+_
_Nullæ concordes animos vires domant._
_Qui juncti terrent, dejuncti timent._
_Discordes animi solvunt, concordes ligant._
_Augentur parva pace, magna bello cadunt._
_Conjunctæ manus fortius tollunt onus._
_Regno pro moenibus æneis civium concordia._
_Qui diu pugnant, diutius lugent._
_Dissidentes principes, subditorum lues._
_Princeps ad pacem natus, non ad arma datur._
_Filia concordiæ copia, neptis quies._
_Dissentiens respublica hostibus patet._
_Qui idem tenent, diutius tenent._
_Regnum divisum facile dissolvitur._
_Civitas concors armis frustra tentatur._
_Omnium gentium consensus firmat fidem._
&c.
These Verses and other pretty Sentences were drawn in void places
of this pageant, all tending to one end, that quietness might be
maintained and all dissention displaced: and that by the Queen's
Majesty, Heir to Agreement, and agreeing in name with her which tofore
had joined those Houses, which had been the occasion of much debate
and Civil War with this realm (as may appear to such as well search
Chronicles; but be not to be touched in this Treatise, only declaring
Her Grace's Passage through the City, and what provision the City made
therefore).
And ere the Queen's Majesty came within hearing of this pageant, as
also at all the other pageants; she sent certain to require the people
to be silent, for Her Majesty was disposed to hear all that should be
said unto her.
* * * * *
When the Queen's Majesty had heard the child's oration and understood
the meaning of the pageant at large; she marched forward towards
Cornhill, always received with like rejoicing of the people.