[Sidenote: O dissimulation.]
[Sidenote: This that is here betwéene this marke (*) & this marke (*)
was not written by him in English but is translated out of his historie
which he wrote in Latine.]
When the lord cardinall, and these other lords with him, had receiued
this yoong duke, they brought him into the Star-chamber, where the
protector tooke him in his armes and kissed him with these words:
Now welcome my lord euen with all my verie heart. And he said in that
of likelihood as he thought. Therevpon foorthwith they brought him
vnto the king his brother into the bishops palace at Paules, and from
thense thorough the citie honourablie into the Tower, out of the which
after that daie they neuer came abroad. (*) When the protector had
both the children in his hands, he opened himselfe more boldlie, both
to certeine other men, and also cheeflie to the duke of Buckingham.
Although I know that manie thought that this duke was priuie to all
the protectors counsell, euen from the beginning; and some of the
protectors fréends said, that the duke was the first moouer of the
protector to this matter, sending a priuie messenger vnto him, streict
after king Edwards death.
But others againe, which knew better the subtill wit of the protector,
denie that he euer opened his enterprise to the duke, vntill he
had brought to passe the things before rehearsed. But when he had
imprisoned the quéenes kinsfolks, & gotten both his sonnes into his
owne hands, then he opened the rest of his purpose with lesse feare
to them whome he thought méet for the matter, and speciallie to the
duke, who being woone to his purpose, he thought his strength more than
halfe increased. The matter was broken vnto the duke by subtill folks,
and such as were their craftes-masters in the handling of such wicked
deuises: who declared vnto him that the yoong king was offended with
him for his kinsfolks sake, and if he were euer able he would reuenge
them, who would pricke him forward therevnto if they escaped (for they
would remember their imprisonment) or else it they were put to death,
without doubt the yoong K. would be carefull for their deaths, whose
imprisonment was gréeuous vnto him.
Also that with repenting the duke should nothing auaile, for there was
no waie left to redéeme his offense by benefits, but he should sooner
destroie himselfe than saue the king, who with his brother and his
kinsfolks he saw in such places imprisoned, as the protector might
with a becke destroie them all: and that it were no doubt but he would
doo it in déed, if there were anie new enterprise attempted. And that
it was likelie, that as the protector had prouided priuie gard for
himselfe, so had he spials for the duke, and traines to catch him, if
he should be against him; and that peraduenture from them, whome he
lest suspected. For the state of things and the dispositions of men
were then such, that a man could not well tell whome he might trust, or
whom he might feare.
[Sidenote: The dukes full resolution, to go thorough with his
enterprise.]
These things and such like, being beaten into the dukes mind, brought
him to that point, that where he had repented the way that he had
entered; yet would he go foorth in the same; and sith he had once
begun, he would stoutlie go thorough. And therefore to this wicked
enterprise, which he beléeued could not be voided, he bent himselfe,
and went through; and determined, that sith the common mischéefe could
not be amended, he would turne it as much as he might to his owne
commoditie. Then it was agréed, that the protector shuld haue the dukes
aid to make him king, and that the protectors onelie lawfull sonne
should marrie the dukes daughter, and that the protector should grant
him the quiet possession of the earldome of Hereford, which he claimed
as his inheritance, and could neuer obteine it in king Edwards time.
Besides these requests of the duke, the protector of his owne
mind promised him a great quantitie of the kings treasure, and of
his houshold stuffe. And when they were thus at a point betwéene
themselues, they went about to prepare for the coronation of the yoong
king, as they would haue it séeme. And that they might turne both the
eies and minds of men from perceiuing of their drifts other-where, the
lords being sent for from all parts of the realme, came thicke to that
solemnitie. But the protector and the duke, after that they had sent
the lord cardinall, the archbishop of Yorke then lord chancellor, the
bishop of Elie, the lord Stanleie, and the lord Hastings then lord
chamberlaine, with manie other noble men (*) to common & deuise about
the coronation in one place, as fast were they in an other place,
contriuing the contrarie, and to make the protector king.
To which councell albeit there were adhibited verie few, and they were
secret: yet began there here and there abouts, some maner of muttering
among the people, as though all should not long be well, though they
neither wist what they feared, nor wherefore: were it, that before
such great things, mens hearts of a secret instinct of nature misgiue
them; as the sea without wind swelleth of himselfe sometime before a
tempest: or were it that some one man, happilie somewhat perceiuing,
filled manie men with suspicion, though he shewed few men what he
knew. Howbeit somewhat the dealing it selfe made men to muse on the
matter, though the councell were close. For by little and little all
folke withdrew from the Tower, and drew vnto Crosbies in Bishops gates
stréet, where the protector kept his houshold. The protector had the
resort, the king in maner desolate.
While some for their businesse made sute to them that had the dooing,
some were by their fréends secretlie warned, that it might happilie
turne them to no good, to be too much attendant about the king without
the protectors appointment, which remooued also diuerse of the princes
old seruants from him, and set new about him. Thus manie things comming
togither, partlie by chance, partlie of purpose, caused at length not
common people onelie, that woond with the wind, but wise men also,
and some lords eke to marke the matter and muse thereon; so farre
foorth that the lord Stanleie that was after earle of Derbie, wiselie
mistrusted it, and said vnto the lord Hastings, that he much misliked
these two seuerall counccels. For while we (quoth he) talke of one
matter in the tone place, little wot we wherof they talke in the tother
place.
[Sidenote: Catesbie and his conditions described.]
My lord (quoth the lord Hastings) on my life neuer doubt you: for while
one man is there, which is neuer thense, neuer can there be thing once
mooued, that should sound amisse toward me, but it should be in mine
eares yer it were well out of their mouths. This ment he by Catesbie,
which was of his néere secret councell, and whome he verie familiarlie
vsed, and in his most weightie matters put no man in so speciall trust,
reckoning himselfe to no man so liefe, sith he well wist there was no
man so much to him beholden as was this Catesbie, which was a man well
learned in the lawes of this land, and by the speciall fauour of the
lord chamberlaine, in good authoritie, and much rule bare in all the
countie of Leicester, where the lord chamberlains power cheeflie laie.
But suerlie great pitie was it, that he had not had either more truth,
or lesse wit. For his dissimulation onelie kept all that mischéefe vp.
In whome if the lord Hastings had not put so speciall trust, the lord
Stanleie & he had departed with diuerse other lords, and broken all the
danse, for manie ill signs that he saw, which he now construes all to
the best. So suerlie thought he, that there could be none harme toward
him in that councell intended, where Catesbie was. And of truth the
protector and the duke of Buckingham made verie good semblance vnto
the lord Hastings, and kept him much in companie. And vndoubtedlie the
protector loued him well, and loth was to haue lost him, sauing for
feare least his life should haue quailed their purpose.
For which cause he mooued Catesbie to prooue with some words cast
out a farre off, whether he could thinke it possible to win the lord
Hastings vnto their part. But Catesbie, whether he assaied him, or
assaied him not, reported vnto them, that he found him so fast, and
heard him speake so terrible words, that he durst no further breake.
And of truth, the lord chamberlaine of verie trust shewed vnto Catesbie
the distrust that others began to haue in the matter. And therefore
he, fearing least their motion might with the lord Hastings minish
his credence, wherevnto onelie all the matter leaned, procured the
protector hastilie to rid him. And much the rather, for that he trusted
by his death to obteine much of the rule that the lord Hastings bare in
his countrie: the onelie desire whereof was the allectiue that induced
him to be partner, and one speciall contriuer of all this horrible
treason.
[Sidenote: An assemblie of lords in the Tower.]
Wherevpon soone after, that is to wit, on the fridaie [being the
thirtéenth of Iune] manie lords assembled in the Tower, and there
sat in councell, deuising the honourable solemnitie of the kings
coronation, of which the time appointed then so néere approched, that
the pageants and subtilties were in making daie & night at Westminster,
and much vittels killed therfore, that afterward was cast awaie. These
lords so sitting togither communing of this matter, the protector
came in amongst them, first about nine of the clocke, saluting them
courteouslie, and excusing himselfe that he had béene from them so
long, saieng merilie that he had béene a sléeper that daie.
[Sidenote: The behauior of the lord protector in the assemblie of the
lords.]
After a little talking with them, he said vnto the bishop of Elie;
My lord you haue verie good strawberies at your garden in Holborne,
I require you let vs haue a messe of them. Gladlie my lord (quoth
he) would God I had some better thing as readie to your pleasure as
that! And therewithall in all the hast he sent his seruant for a
messe of strawberies. The protector set the lords fast in communing,
and therevpon praieng them to spare him for a little while, departed
thense. And soone after one houre, betwéene ten & eleuen he returned
into the chamber amongst them all, changed with a woonderfull soure
angrie countenance, knitting the browes, frowning and fretting, and
gnawing on his lips: and so sat him downe in his place.
All the lords were much dismaid and sore maruelled at this maner of
sudden change, and what thing should him aile. Then, when he had sitten
still a while, thus he began: What were they worthie to haue that
compasse and imagine the destruction of me, being so néere of bloud
vnto the king, and protector of his roiall person and his realme? At
this question, all the lords sat sore astonied, musing much by whome
this question should be meant, of which euerie man wist himselfe
cléere. Then the lord chamberlaine (as he that for the loue betwéene
them thought he might be boldest with him) answered and said, that
they were worthie to be punished as heinous traitors, whatsoeuer they
were. And all the other affirmed the same. That is (quoth he) yonder
sorceresse my brothers wife, and other with hir (meaning the quéene.)
At these words manie of the other lords were greatlie abashed, that
fauoured hir. But the lord Hastings was in his mind better content,
that it was mooued by hir, than by anie other whome he loued better:
albeit his heart somewhat grudged, that he was not afore made of
counsell in this matter, as he was of the taking of hir kinred, and of
their putting to death, which were by his assent before deuised to be
beheaded at Pomfret this selfe same daie, in which he was not ware that
it was by other deuised, that he himselfe should be beheaded the same
daie at London. Then said the protector: Ye shall all sée in what wise
that sorceresse, and that other witch of hir counsell Shores wife, with
their affinitie, haue by their sorcerie and witchcraft wasted my bodie.
And therwith he plucked vp his dublet sléeue to his elbow vpon his left
arme, where he shewed a weerish withered arme, and small; as it was
neuer other.
Herevpon euerie mans mind sore misgaue them, well perceiuing that this
matter was but a quarrell. For they well wist that the quéene was too
wise to go about anie such follie. And also if she would, yet would
she of all folke least, make Shores wife of hir counsell, whome of all
women she most hated, as that concubine whome the king hir husband had
most loued. And also, no man was there present, but well knew that his
arme was euer such since his birth. Nathelesse, the lord chamberlaine
(which from the death of king Edward kept Shores wife, on whome he
somewhat doted in the kings life, sauing (as it is said) he that while
forbare hir of reuerence toward the king, else of a certeine kind of
fidelitie to his fréend) answered and said: Certeinelie my lord, if
they haue so heinouslie doone, they be worthie heinous punishment.
[Sidenote: The lord Stanleie wounded.]
What (quoth the protector) thou seruest me I wéene with ifs and with
ands, I tell thée they haue so doone, and that I will make good on thy
bodie traitor: and therewith as in a great anger, he clapped his fist
vpon the boord a great rap. At which token one cried, Treason, without
the chamber. Therewith a doore clapped, and in come there rushing men
in harnesse, as manie as the chamber might hold. And anon the protector
said to the lord Hastings: I arrest thée traitor: What me my lord?
(quoth he.) Yea thée traitor quoth the protector. And an other let flie
at the lord Stanleie, which shrunke at the stroke, & fell vnder the
table, or else his head had béene cleft to the téeth: for as shortlie
as he shranke, yet ran the bloud about his eares.
[Sidenote: Lord Hastings lord chamberleine beheaded.]
Then were they all quickelie bestowed in diuerse chambers, except the
lord chamberleine, whome the protector bad spéed and shriue him apace,
for by saint Paule (quoth he) I will not to dinner till I sée thy head
off. It booted him not to aske whie, but heauilie tooke a priest at
aduenture, & made a short shrift: for a longer would not be suffered,
the protector made so much hast to dinner, which he might not go to,
vntill this were doone, for sauing of his oth. So was he brought foorth
to the gréene beside the chappell within the Tower, and his head laid
downe vpon a long log of timber, and there striken off, and afterward
his bodie with the head interred at Windsor beside the bodie of king
Edward, both whose soules our Lord pardon. [Thus began he to establish
his kingdome in bloud, growing thereby in hatred of the nobles, and
also abridging both the line of his life, and the time of his regiment:
for God will not haue bloudthirstie tyrants daies prolonged, but will
cut them off in their ruffe; according to Dauids words:
[Sidenote: _Buchan. in psal. 55._]
Impio, fallaci, auidoque cædis
Fila mors rumpet viridi in iuuenta.]
[Sidenote: The lord Stanleie's dreame.]
A maruellous case is it to heare either the warnings of that he should
haue voided, or the tokens of that he could not void. For the selfe
night next before his death, the lord Stanleie sent a trustie messenger
vnto him at midnight in all the hast, requiring him to rise and ride
awaie with him, for he was disposed vtterlie no longer to bide, he
had so fearfull a dreame; in which him thought that a boare with his
tuskes so rased them both by the heads, that the bloud ran about both
their shoulders. And forsomuch as the protector gaue the boare for his
cognisance, this dreame made so fearfull an impression in his heart,
that he was throughlie determined no longer to tarrie, but had his
horsse readie, if the lord Hastings would go with him, to ride yet so
farre the same night, that they should be out of danger yer daie.
Ha good Lord (quoth the lord Hastings to this messenger) leaneth my
lord thy maister so much to such trifles, and hath such faith in
dreames, which either his owne feare fantasieth, or doo rise in the
nights rest by reason of his daies thought? Tell him it is plaine
witchcraft to beléeue in such dreames, which if they were tokens of
things to come, why thinketh he not that we might be as likelie to make
them true by our going, if we were caught & brought backe, as fréends
faile fliers; for then had the boare a cause likelie to rase vs with
his tusks, as folke that fled for some falsehood. Wherefore, either is
there perill, or none there is in déed: or if anie be, it is rather in
going than biding. And in case we should néeds fall in perill one waie
or other, yet had I rather that men should sée that it were by other
mens falsehood, than thinke it were either by our owne fault, or faint
heart. And therefore go to thy maister (man) and commend me to him, &
praie him be merrie & haue no feare: for I insure him I am as sure of
the man that he woteth of, as I am of mine owne hand. God send grace
sir (quoth the messenger) and went his waie.
[Sidenote: Foretokens of imminent misfortune to the lord Hastings.]
Certeine is it also, that in riding towards the Tower, the same morning
in which he was beheaded, his horsse twise or thrise stumbled with
him, almost to the falling. Which thing albeit ech man wote well
dailie happeneth to them, to whom no such mischance is toward; yet hath
it béene of an old rite and custome obserued, as a token oftentimes
notablie foregoing some great misfortune. Now this that followeth was
no warning, but an enuious scorne. The same morning yer he was vp, came
a knight vnto him, as it were of courtesie, to accompanie him to the
councell; but of truth sent by the protector to hast him thitherwards,
with whome he was of secret confederacie in that purpose; a meane man
at that time and now of great authoritie.
This knight (I say) when it happened the lord chamberleine by the waie
to staie his horsse, & common a while with a priest whome he met in the
Tower stréet, brake his tale, and said merilie to him; What my lord, I
pray you come on, whereto talke you so long with that priest? you haue
no néed of a priest yet: and therwith he laughed vpon him, as though he
would say, Ye shall haue soone. But so little wist the tother what he
ment, and so little mistrusted, that he was neuer merrier, nor neuer
so full of good hope in his life, which selfe thing is oft séene a
signe of change. But I shall rather let anie thing passe me, than the
vaine suertie of mans mind so néere his death [flattering himselfe with
deceitfull conceipts of inward motions of life to be prolonged, euen in
present cases of deadlie danger, and heauie misfortunes offering great
mistrust; as he did that is noted for speaking like a foole:
[Sidenote: _Mani. lib. 4. Astro._]
Non est (crede mihi) sapientis dicere, Viuam:
Nascentes morimur, finísq; ab origine pendet.]
Vpon the verie Tower wharfe, so néere the place where his head was off
soone after, there met he with one Hastings a purseuant of his owne
name. And at their méeting in that place, he was put in remembrance
of another time, in which it had happened them before to méet in
like manner togither in the same place. At which other time the lord
chamberleine had béene accused vnto king Edward by the lord Riuers the
quéenes brother, in such wise, as he was for the while (but it lasted
not long) farre fallen into the kings indignation, & stood in great
feare of himselfe. And forsomuch as he now met this purseuant in the
same place, that ieopardie so well passed, it gaue him great pleasure
to talke with him thereof, with whome he had before talked thereof in
the same place, while he was therein.
And therefore he said: Ha Hastings, art thou remembred when I met thée
here once with an heauie heart? Yea my lord (quoth he) that remember I
well, and thanked be God, they gat no good, nor you no harme thereby.
Thou wouldest say so (quoth he) if thou knewest as much as I know,
which few know else as yet, and mo shall shortlie. That meant he by the
lords of the quéenes kinred that were taken before, and should that
daie be beheaded at Pomfret: which he well wist, but nothing ware that
the ax hung ouer his owne head. In faith man (quoth he) I was neuer so
sorie, nor neuer stood in so great dread in my life, as I did when thou
and I met here. And lo how the world is turned, now stand mine enimies
in the danger (as thou maiest hap to heare more hereafter) and I neuer
in my life so merrie, nor neuer in so great suertie.
[Sidenote: The description of the lord Hastings.]
O good God, the blindnesse of our mortall nature, when he most feared,
he was in good suertie; when he reckoned himselfe surest, he lost his
life, and that within two houres after. Thus ended this honorable man,
a good knight and a gentle, of great authoritie with his prince, of
liuing somewhat dissolute, plaine and open to his enimie, & secret to
his friend, easie to beguile, as he that of good heart and courage
forestudied no perils, a louing man, and passing well beloued: verie
faithfull, and trustie inough, trusting too much. Now flew the fame
of this lords death swiftlie through the citie, and so foorth further
about like a wind in euerie mans eare. But the protector, immediatlie
after dinner, intending to set some colour vpon the matter, sent in all
the hast for manie substantiall men out of the citie into the tower.
Now at their comming, himselfe with the duke of Buckingham, stood
harnessed in old ill faring briganders, such as no man should wéene,
that they would vouchsafe to haue put vpon their backs, except that
some sudden necessitie had constreined them. And then the protector
shewed them, that the lord chamberleine, and other of his conspiracie,
had contriued to haue suddenlie destroied him, and the duke, there the
same day in the councell. And what they intended further, was as yet
not well knowne. Of which their treason he neuer had knowledge before
ten of the clocke the same forenoone, which sudden feare draue them to
put on for their defense such harnesse as came next to hand. And so had
God holpen them, that the mischiefe turned vpon them that would haue
doone it. And this he required them to report.
[Sidenote: The protectors proclamation.]
Euerie man answered him faire, as though no man mistrusted the matter,
which of truth no man beléeued. Yet for the further appeasing of the
peoples minds, he sent immediatlie after diner in all the hast one
herald of armes, with a proclamation to be made through the citie in
the kings name, conteining, that the lord Hastings, with diuerse other
of his traitorous purposes, had before conspired the same day to haue
slaine the lord protector, and the duke of Buckingham sitting in the
councell; and after to haue taken vpon them to rule the king & the
realme at their pleasure, and therby to pill and spoile whome they
list vncontrolled. And much matter there was in that proclamation,
deuised to the slander of the lord chamberleine, as that he was an ill
councellor to the kings father, intising him to manie things highlie
redounding to the minishing of his honour, and to the vniuersall hurt
of the realme.
[Sidenote: The life and déeds of the lord chamberlaine laid open.]
The meanes whereby; namelie, his euill companie, sinister procuring,
and vngratious example, as well in manie other things, as in the
vicious liuing and inordinate abusion of his bodie, with manie other,
and also speciallie with Shores wife, which was one also of his most
secret counsell in this most heinous treason, with whome he laie
nightlie, and namelie the night last past next before his death.
So that it was the lesse maruell, if vngratious liuing brought him
to an vnhappie ending, which he was now put vnto by the most dread
commandement of the kings highnesse, and of his honorable and faithfull
councell, both for his demerits, being so openlie taken in his falslie
conceiued treason, and also least the delaieng of his execution might
haue incouraged other mischiefous persons, partners of his conspiracie,
to gather and assemble themselues togither, in making some great
commotion for his deliuerance: whose hope being now by his well
deserued death politikelie repressed, all the realme should (by Gods
grace) rest in good quiet and peace.
Now was this proclamation made within two houres after that he was
beheaded, and it was so curiouslie indicted, & so faire written in
parchment, in so well a set hand, and therewith of it selfe so long a
processe, that euerie child might well perceiue that it was prepared
before. For all the time, betwéene his death and the proclaming, could
scant haue sufficed vnto the bare writing alone, all had it béene but
in paper, and scribled foorth in hast at aduenture. So that vpon the
proclaming thereof, one that was schoolemaister of Powles of chance
standing by, and comparing the shortnesse of the time with the length
of the matter, said vnto them that stood about him; Here is a gaie
goodlie cast foule cast awaie for hast. And a merchant answered him,
that it was written by prophesie.
[Sidenote: Shores wife spoiled of all that she had.]
Now then by and by, as it were for anger, not for couetise, the
protector sent into the house of Shores wife (for hir husband dwelled
not with hir) and spoiled hir of all that euer she had, aboue the value
of two or thrée thousand markes, and sent hir bodie to prison. And when
he had a while laid vnto hir (for the maner sake) that she went about
to bewitch him, and that she was of counsell with the lord chamberleine
to destroie him: in conclusion, when that no colour could fasten vpon
these matters, then he laid heinouslie to hir charge, that thing that
hir selfe could not denie, and that all the world wist was true, and
that nathelesse euerie man laughed at, to heare it then so suddenlie so
highlie taken, that shée was naught of hir bodie.
[Sidenote: Shores wife put to open penance.]
And for this cause (as a goodlie continent prince, cleane and
faultlesse of himselfe, sent out of heauen into this vicious world for
the amendment of mens maners) he caused the bishop of London to put hir
to open penance, going before the crosse in procession vpon a sundaie
with a taper in hir hand. In which she went in countenance and pase
demure so womanlie; that albeit she were out of all araie, saue hir
kirtle onelie, yet went she so faire and louelie, namelie while the
woondering of the people cast a comelie rud in hir cheeks (of which she
before had most misse) that hir great shame wan hir much praise among
those that were more amorous of hir bodie, than curious of hir soule.
And manie good folks also that hated hir liuing, & glad were to sée
sin corrected: yet pitied they more hir penance, than reioised therin,
when they considered that the protector procured it, more of a corrupt
intent, than anie vertuous affection.
[Sidenote: The descripti[=o] of Shores wife.]
This woman was borne in London, worshipfullie friended, honestlie
brought vp, and verie well maried, sauing somewhat too soone, hir
husband an honest citizen, yoong and goodlie, & of good substance. But
forsomuch as they were coupled yer she were well ripe, she not verie
feruentlie loued him, for wh[=o] she neuer longed, which was happilie
the thing that the more easilie made hir incline vnto the kings
appetite, when he required hir. Howbeit the respect of his roialtie,
the hope of gaie apparell, ease, and other wanton wealth, was able
soone to pearse a soft tender heart, [so that she became flexible and
pliant to the kings appetite and will; being so blinded with the bright
glorie of the present courtlie brauerie which shée inioied, that she
vtterlie forgat how excellent a treasure good name and fame is, and of
what incomparable sweetnesse, euen by the iudgement of him, whose match
for wisdome the world neuer bred vp, saieng:
[Sidenote: _Eob. Hess. in Eccles. Sal._]
Sunt optanda magis puræ bona nomina famæ,
Nobilis vnguenti quàm pretiosus odor.]
But when the king had abused hir, anon hir husband (as he was an honest
man, and one that could his good, not presuming to touch a kings
concubine) left hir vp to him altogither. When the king died, the lord
chamberleine tooke hir, which in the kings daies, albeit he was sore
inamoured vpon hir, yet he forbare hir; ether for reuerence, or for a
certeine friendlie faithfulnesse. Proper she was and faire; nothing
in hir bodie that you would haue changed, but if ye would haue wished
hir somewhat higher. Thus saie they that knew hir in hir youth. Albeit
some that now sée hir (for yet[3] she liueth) deem hir neuer to haue
béene well visaged: whose iudgement séemeth me somewhat like, as though
men should gesse the beautie of one long before departed by hir scalpe
taken out of the charnell house.
[3] Meaning when this storie was written.
[Sidenote: K. Edwards thrée concubines.]
For now is she old, leane, withered and dried vp, nothing left but
riuelled skin and hard bone. And yet being euen such, who so well
aduise hir visage, might gesse and deuise, which parts how filled would
make it a faire face. Yet delighted not men so much in hir beautie,
as in hir pleasant behauiour. For a proper wit had she, and could
both read well and write, merrie in companie, readie and quicke of
answer, neither mute, nor full of bable, sometime tawnting without
displeasure, and not without disport. The king would saie that he had
thrée concubines, which in thrée diuerse properties diuerslie excelled.
One the merriest, another the wiliest, the third the holiest harlot in
his realme, as one whome no man could get out of the church lightlie to
any place, but it were to his bed.
The other two were somewhat greater personages, and nathelesse of their
humilitie content to be namelesse, and to forbeare the praise of those
properties: but the merriest was this Shores wife, in whom the king
therefore tooke speciall pleasure. For manie he had, but hir he loued;
whose fauour to say the truth (for sin it were to beelie the diuell)
she neuer abused to anie mans hurt, but to manie a mans comfort and
reléefe. Where the king tooke displeasure, shée would mitigate and
appease his mind: where men were out of fauour, she would bring them in
his grace. For manie that had highlie offended shée obteined pardon. Of
great forfeitures she gat men remission.
Finallie, in manie weightie sutes she stood manie a man in great stead,
either for none or verie small rewards, and those rather gaie than
rich; either that she was content with the déed it selfe well doone;
or for that she delighted to be sued vnto, and to shew what she was
able to doo with the king; or for that wanton women and wealthie be
not alwaies courteous. I doubt not some shall thinke this woman too
slight a thing to be written of, and set among the remembrances of
great matters: which they shall speciallie thinke, that happilie shall
estéeme hir onelie by that they now sée hir.
But me séemeth the chance so much the more worthie to be remembred, in
how much she is now in the more beggerlie condition, vnfréended and
worne out of acquaintance, after good substance, after as great fauour
with the prince, after as great sute and séeking to with all those,
that those daies had businesse to spéed; as manie other men were in
their times, which be now famous onelie by the infamie of their ill
déeds. Hir dooings were not much lesse, albeit they be much lesse
remembred, bicause they were not so euill. For men vse if they haue an
euill turne, to write it in marble: and who so dooth vs a good turne,
we write it in dust, which is not worst prooued by hir: for at this
daie she beggeth of manie at this daie liuing, that at this daie had
begged if she had not béene.
[Sidenote: Sir Richard Ratcliffe.]
Now was it so deuised by the protector and his councell, that the
selfe daie, in which the lord chamberleine was beheaded in the Tower
of London, and about the selfe same houre, was there (not without his
assent) beheaded at Pomfret, the foreremembred lords & knights that
were taken from the king at Northampton and Stonie Stratford. Which
thing was doone in the presence, and by the order of sir Richard
Ratcliffe knight, whose seruice the protector speciallie vsed in that
councell, and in the execution of such lawlesse enterprises, as a man
that had béene long secret with him, hauing experience of the world,
and a shrewd wit, short & rude in spéech, rough and boisterous of
behauiour, bold in mischiefe, as far from pitie as from all feare of
God.
[Sidenote: The lord Riuers & other beheaded.]
This knight bringing them out of the prison to the scaffold, and
shewing to the people about that they were traitors (not suffering them
to declare & speake their innocencie, least their words might haue
inclined men to pitie them, and to hate the protector and his part)
caused them hastilie, without iudgement, processe, or maner of order
to be beheaded, and without other earthlie gilt, but onelie that they
were good men, too true to the king, and too nigh to the quéene. Now
when the lord chamberleine & these other lords and knights were thus
beheaded, and rid out of the waie: then thought the protector, that
when men mused what the matter meant, while the lords of the realme
were about him out of their owne strengths, while no man wist what to
thinke, nor whom to trust, yer euer they should haue space to dispute
and digest the matter and make parties; it were best hastilie to pursue
his purpose, and put himselfe in possession of the crowne, yer men
could haue time to deuise anie waie to resist.
[Sidenote: Edmund Shaw maior of London.]
But now was all the studie by what meanes this matter, being of it
selfe so heinous, might be first broken to the people, in such wise
that it might be well taken. To this councell they tooke diuerse, such
as they thought méetlie to be trusted, likelie to be induced to that
part, and able to stand them in stéed either by power or policie.
Among whome they made of councell Edmund Shaw knight then maior of
London, which vpon trust of his owne aduancement, whereof he was
of a proud heart highlie desirous, should frame the citie to their
appetite. Of spirituall men they tooke such as had wit, and were in
authentic among the people for opinion of their learning, and had no
scrupulous conscience. Among these had they Iohn Shaw clearke brother
to the maior, and frier Penker, prouinciall of the Augustine friers
both doctors of diuinitie, both great preachers, both of more learning
than vertue, of more fame than learning. For they were before greatlie
estéemed among the people: but after that neuer.
[Sidenote: Doct. Shaw.]
[Sidenote: Frier Penker.]
Of these two the one had a sermon in praise of the protector before the
coronation, the other after, both so full of tedious flatterie, that no
mans eares could abide them. Penker in his sermon so lost his voice,
that he was fame to leaue off, and come downe in the midst. Doctor
Shaw by his sermon lost his honestie, & soone after his life, for
verie shame of the world, into which he durst neuer after come abroad.
But the frier forced for no shame, and so it harmed him the lesse.
Howbeit some doubt, and manie thinke, that Penker was not of counsell
in the matter before the coronation, but after the common maner fell to
flatterie after: namelie sith his sermon was not incontinentlie vpon
it, but at saint Marie hospitall at the Easter after.
[Sidenote: The chiefest deuise to depose the prince.]
But certeine it is, that doctor Shaw was of counsell in the beginning,
so farre foorth that they determined that he should first breake
the matter in a sermon at Paules crosse, in which he should (by the
authoritie of his preaching) incline the people to the protectors
ghostlie purpose. But now was all the labor and studie in the deuise
of some conuenient pretext, for which the people should be content to
depose the prince, and accept the protector for king. In which diuerse
things they deuised. But the chéefe thing & the weightiest of all that
inuention rested in this, that they should alledge bastardie, either in
king Edward himselfe, or in his children, or both. So that he should
séeme disabled to inherit the crowne, by the duke of Yorke, and the
prince by him.
To laie bastardie in king Edward, sounded openlie to the rebuke of the
protectors owne mother, which was mother to them both; for in that
point could be no other color, but to pretend that his owne mother was
an adultresse, which notwithstanding, to further this purpose he letted
not. But neuerthelesse he would that point should be lesse and more
fauourablie handled: not euen fullie plaine and directlie, but that
the matter should be touched aslope craftilie, as though men spared in
that point to speake all the truth, for feare of his displeasure. But
the other point concerning the bastardie that they deuised to surmize
in king Edwards children, that would he should be openlie declared
and inforced to the vttermost. The colour and pretext whereof cannot
be well perceiued, but if we first repeat you some things long before
doone about king Edwards mariage.
[Sidenote: Sée before _pag. 283_.]
[Sidenote: Dame Elizabeth Greie.]
After that king Edward the fourth had deposed king Henrie the sixt,
and was in peaceable possession of the realme, determining himselfe
to marie (as it was méet both for him selfe & the realme) he sent
ouer in ambassage the erle of Warwike, with other noble men in his
companie to Spaine, to treat & conclude a mariage betwéene K. Edward
& the kings daughter of Spaine. In which thing the erle of Warwike
found the parties so toward & willing, that he speedily (according to
his instructions without any difficultie) brought the matter to very
good c[=o]clusion. Now hapned it, that in the meane season there came
to make a sute by petition to the king dame Elizabeth Greie, which was
after his quéene, at that time a widow, borne of noble bloud, by hir
mother, duches of Bedford, yer she maried the lord Wooduile, hir father.
Howbeit, this dame Elizabeth hir selfe, being in seruice with quéene
Margaret, wife vnto king Henrie the sixt, was maried vnto one [Iohn]
Greie an esquier, whome king Henrie made knight vpon the field that he
had on [Barnet heath by saint Albons] against king Edward. But litle
while inioied he that knighthood: for he was at the same field slaine.
After which doone, and the earle of Warwike, being in his ambassage
about the afore remembred mariage, this poore ladie made humble sute
vnto the king, that she might be restored vnto such small lands as hir
late husband had giuen hir in iointure. Whome when the king beheld, and
heard hir speake as she was both faire and of a goodlie fauor, moderate
of stature, well made and verie wise: he not onelie pitied hir, but
also waxed inamoured of hir. And taking hir afterward secretlie aside,
began to enter in talking more familiarlie. Whose appetite when she
perceiued, she vertuouslie denied him.
[Sidenote: A wise answer of a chast and continent ladie.]
But that did she so wiselie, and with so good maner, and words so well
set, that she rather kindled his desire than quenched it. And finallie,
after manie a méeting, much wooing, and many great promises, she well
espieng the kings affection toward hir so greatlie increased, that
she durst somewhat the more boldlie saie hir mind, as to him whose
hart she perceiued more feruentlie set, than to fall off for a word.
And in conclusion, she shewed him plaine, that as she wist hir selfe
too simple to be his wife, so thought she hir selfe too good to be
his concubine. The king much maruelling at hir constancie (as he that
had not béen woont elsewhere to be so stiffelie said naie) so much
estéemed hir continencie and chastitie, that he set hir vertue in the
stéed of possession and riches: and thus taking counsell of his desire,
determined in all possible hast to marie hir.
[Sidenote: The kings mother.]
Now after he was thus appointed, and had betwéene them twaine insured
hir: then asked he counsell of his other fréends, and that in such
maner, as they might then perceiue it booted not greatlie to say naie.
Notwithstanding the duches of Yorke his mother was so sore mooued
therewith, that she dissuaded the mariage as much as she possible
might; alledging that it was his honour, profit and suertie also, to
marie in a noble progenie out of his realme, wherevpon depended great
strength to his estate, by the affinitie and great possibilitie of
increase of his possession. And that he could not well otherwise doo,
séeing that the earle of Warwike had so farre mooued alreadie: which
were not likelie to take it well, if all his voiage were in such wise
frustrate, and his appointment deluded. And she said also, that it was
not princelie to marie his owne subiect, no great occasion leading
therevnto, no possessions, or other commodities depending therevpon;
but onlie as it were a rich man that would marie his maid, onelie for a
little wanton dotage vpon hir person.
In which mariage manie mo commend the maidens fortune, than the
maisters wisedome. And yet therein (she said) was more honestie than
honour in this mariage. For somuch as there is betwéene no merchant
and his owne maid so great difference, as betwéene the king and this
widow. In whose person, albeit there was nothing to be misliked; yet
was there (she said) nothing so excellent, but that it might be found
in diuerse other that were more méetlie (quoth she) for your estate,
and maidens also; whereas the onelie widowhead of Elizabeth Greie,
though she were in all other things conuenient for you, shuld yet
suffice (as me séemeth) to refraine you from hir mariage, sith it is
an vnfitting thing, and a verie blemish and high disparagement to the
sacred maiestie of a prince, that ought as nigh to approch priesthood
in cleannesse as he dooth in dignitie, to be defiled with bigamie in
his first mariage.
[Sidenote: The kings answer to his mother.]
The king, when his mother had said, made hir answer, part in earnest,
part in plaie merilie, as he that wist himselfe out of hir rule. And
albeit he would gladlie that she should take it well, yet was at
a point in his owne mind, tooke she it well or otherwise. Howbeit
somewhat to satisfie hir, he said, that albeit mariage (being a
spirituall thing) ought rather to be made for the respect of God,
where his grace inclineth the parties to loue togither, as he trusted
it was in his, than for the regard of anie temporall aduantage: yet
neuerthelesse, him séemed that this mariage, euen worldlie considered,
was not vnprofitable. For he reckoned the amitie of no earthlie
nation so necessarie for him, as the fréendship of his owne, which he
thought likely to beare him so much the more hartie fauour, in that he
disdained not to marie with one of his owne land.
And yet if outward aliance were thought so requisite, he would find the
meanes to enter thereinto, much better by other of his kin, where all
the parties could be contented, than to marie himselfe whome he should
happilie neuer loue; and for the possibilitie of more possessions,
leese the fruit and pleasure of this that he had alreadie. Tor small
pleasure taketh a man of all that euer he hath beside, if he be wiued
against his appetite. And I doubt not (quoth he) but there be (as ye
say) other, that be in euerie point comparable with hir. And therefore
I let not them that like them to wed them. No more is it reason, that
it mislike anie man, that I marrie where it liketh me. And I am sure
that my cousine of Warwike neither loueth me so little, to grudge at
that I loue; nor is so vnreasonable, to looke that I should in choise
of a wife, rather be ruled by his eie, than by mine owne: as though I
were a ward that were bound to marie by the appointment of a gardian.
[Sidenote: Libertie preferred before a kingdome.]
I would not be a king with that condition, to forbeare mine owne
libertie in choise of mine owne mariage. As for possibilitie of more
inheritance by new affinitie in strange lands, is oft the occasion of
more trouble than profit. And we haue alreadie title by that meanes
vnto so much, as sufficeth to get and kéepe well in one mans daies.
That she is a widow, and hath alreadie children; by Gods blessed ladie,
I am a bacheler, and haue some too, and so ech of vs hath a proofe that
neither of vs is like to be barren. And therefore (madame) I praie
you be content, I trust in God she shall bring foorth a yoong prince
that shall please you. And as for the bigamie, let the bishop hardlie
laie it in my waie when I come to take orders. For I vnderstand it is
forbidden a preest, but I neuer wist it yet, that it was forbidden
a prince. [This spake he as alluding to the libertie of princes,
whose lust standeth oftentimes for law, and their opinion for reason,
according to the saieng of the poet;
[Sidenote: _Claudi._]
----tunc omnia iure tenebis
Cùm poteris rex esse.]
[Sidenote: Elizabeth Lucie.]
The duches with these words nothing appeased, and séeing the king
so set thereon, that she could not pull him backe. So highlie she
disdained it, that vnder pretext of hir dutie to Godward, she deuised
to disturbe this mariage, and rather to helpe that he should marie one
dame Elizabeth Lucie, whome the king had also not long before gotten
with child. Wherefore the kings mother openlie obiected against his
mariage, as it were in discharge of hir conscience, that the king was
sure to dame Elizabeth Lucie and hir husband before God. By reason of
which words, such obstacle was made in the matter, that either the
bishops durst not, or the king would not proceed to the solemnization
of this wedding, till these same were clearlie purged, and the truth
well and openlie testified. Wherevpon dame Elizabeth Lucie was then
sent for.
[Sidenote: The kings mariage.]
And albeit that she was by the kings mother and manie other put in
good comfort, to affirme that she was ensured vnto the king: yet when
she was solemnlie sworne to saie the truth, she confessed that they
were neuer ensured. Howbeit she said his grace spake so louing words
vnto hir, that she verelie hoped he would haue married hir. And that
if it had not béene for such kind words, she would neuer haue shewed
such kindnesse to him, to let him so kindlie get hir with child. This
examination solemnlie taken, when it was cléerelie perceiued, that
there was none impediment: the king with great feast and honourable
solemnitie married dame Elizabeth Greie, and hir crowned quéene that
was his enimies wife, and manie times had praied full hartilie for his
losse, in which God loued hir better than to grant hir hir boune.
[Sidenote: The king fled.]
[Sidenote: The prince borne.]
[Sidenote: King Henrie the sixt set vp.]
[Sidenote: Of the earle of Warwike.]
But when the earle of Warwike vnderstood of this marriage, he tooke it
so highlie that his ambassage was deluded, that for verie anger and
disdaine he (at his returning) assembled a great puissance against the
king, and came so fast vpon him yer he could be able to resist, that
he was faine to void the realme, and flee into Holland for succor,
where he remained for the space of two yeares, leauing his new wife
at Westminster in sanctuarie, where she was deliuered of Edward the
prince, of whome we before haue spoken. In which meane time the earle
of Warwike tooke out of prison, and set vp againe king Henrie the
sixt, who was before by king Edward deposed, and that much what by the
power of the erle of Warwike, which was a wise man, and a couragious
warriour, and of such strength, what for his lands, his aliance, and
fauor with all people, that he made kings and put downe kings almost at
his pleasure, and not impossible to haue atteined it himselfe, if he
had not reckoned it a greater thing to make a king than to be a king.
[Sidenote: The earle of Warwike slaine.]
But nothing lasteth alwaie: far in conclusion, king Edward returned,
and with much lesse number than he had at Barnet on the Easter daie
field, slue the earle of Warwike, with manie other great estates
of that partie, & so stablie atteined the crowne againe, that he
peaceablie enioied it vntill his dieng daie: and in such plight left
it, that it could not be lost but by the discord of his verie friends,
or falsehood of his feigned fréends. I haue rehearsed this businesse
about this marriage somewhat the more at length, bicause it might
thereby the better appeare, vpon how slipperie a ground the protector
builded his colour, by which he pretended king Edwards children to
be bastards. But that inuention, simple as it was, it liked them to
whome it sufficed to haue somewhat to saie, while they were sure to be
compelled to no larger proofe than themselues list to make.
[Sidenote: Doc. Shaw's sermon.]
Now then (as I began to shew you) it was by the protector and his
councell concluded, that this doctor Shaw should in a sermon at Pauls
crosse signifie to the people, that neither king Edward himselfe, nor
the duke of Clarence, were lawfullie begotten, nor were not the verie
children of the duke of Yorke, but gotten vnlawfullie by other persons,
in adulterie, of the duches their mother. And that also dame Elizabeth
Lucie was verilie the wife of king Edward, and so the prince and all
his children bastards, that were begotten vpon the quéene. According to
this deuise doctor Shaw the sundaie after, at Paules crosse in a great
audience (as alwaie assembled great number to his preaching) he tooke
for his theame; Spuria vitilamina non agent radices altas, that is to
saie; Bastard slippes shall neuer take déepe root.
Therevpon when he had shewed the great grace that God giueth, and
secretlie insundeth in right generation after the lawes of matrimonie,
then declared he, that commonlie those children lacked that grace, and
for the punishment of their parents were (for the more part) vnhappie,
which were gotten in base, and speciallie in adulterie. Of which,
though some, by the ignorance of the world and the truth hid from
knowledge, inherited for the season other mens lands, yet God alwaie so
prouideth, that it continueth not in their bloud long: but the truth
comming to light, the rightfull inheritors be restored, and the bastard
slip pulled vp yer it can be rooted déepe. And so he did laie for the
proofe and confirmation of this sentence certeine insamples taken out
of the old testament, and other ancient histories.
[Sidenote: This preacher was taught his lesson yer he came into the
pulpit.]
[Sidenote: K. Edward slandered in a sermon.]
Then began he to descend into the praise of the lord Richard late duke
of Yorke, calling him father to the lord protector, and declared the
title of his heires vnto the crowne, to whome it was (after the death
of king Henrie the sixt) intailed by authoritie of parlement. Then
shewed he that his verie right heire of his bodie lawfullie begotten
was onelie the lord protector. For he declared then, that king Edward
was neuer lawfullie married vnto the quéene, but was before God husband
vnto dame Elizabeth Lucie, and so his children bastards. And besides
that, neither king Edward himselfe, nor the duke of Clarence, among
those that were secret in the houshold, were reckoned verie suerlie for
the children of the noble duke, as those that by their fauours more
resembled other knowne men than him. From whose vertuous conditions he
said also that the late king Edward was far off.
[Sidenote: A maruellous deuise to mooue the assemblie.]
But the lord protector he said, the verie noble prince, the speciall
paterne of knightlie prowesse, as well in all princelie behauior, as
in the lineaments and fauour of his visage, represented the verie face
of the noble duke his father. This is, quoth he, the fathers owne
figure, this is his owne countenance, the verie print of his visage,
the sure vndoubted image, the plaine expresse likenesse of that noble
duke. Now was it before deuised, that in the speaking of these words,
the protector should haue comen in among the people to the sermon ward,
to the end that those words méeting with his presence, might haue béen
taken among the hearers, as though the Holie-ghost had put them in the
preachers mouth, & should haue mooued the people euen there to crie;
King Richard, king Richard: that it might haue béene after said, that
he was speciallie chosen by God, and in maner by miracle. But this
deuise quailed, either by the protectors negligence, or the preachers
ouermuch diligence.
[Sidenote: K. Richard commended by the preacher.]
For while the protector found by the waie tarieng least he should
preuent those words, and the doctor fearing that he should come yer
his sermon could come to these words, hasted his matter thereto, he
was come to them and past them, and entered into other matters yer the
protector came. Whome when he beheld comming, he suddenlie left the
matter with which he was in hand, and without anie deduction therevnto,
out of all order, and out of all frame, began to repeat those words
againe: "This is the verie noble prince, the speciall patrone of
knightlie prowesse, which as well in all princelie behauior, as in
the lineaments & fauor of his visage, representeth the verie face of
the noble duke of Yorke his father: this is the fathers owne figure,
this is his owne countenance, the verie print of his visage, the sure
vndoubted image, the plaine expresse likenesse of the noble duke, whose
remembrance can neuer die while he liueth."
[Sidenote: Note the course of Gods iudgement.]
While these words were in speaking, the protector accompanied with the
duke of Buckingham, went through the people into the place where the
doctors commonlie stand in the vpper storie, where he stood to hearken
the sermon. But the people were so farre fr[=o] crieng; K. Richard,
that they stood as they had béene turned into stones, for woonder of
this shamefull sermon. After which once ended, the preacher gat him
home, and neuer after durst looke out for shame, but kept him out of
sight like an owle. And when he once asked one that had béene his
old friend what the people talked of him, all were it that his owne
conscience well shewed him that they talked no good; yet when the
tother answered him, that there was in euerie mans mouth spoken of him
much shame, it so strake him to the heart, that within few daies after
he withered and consumed awaie [for verie thought and inward pine,
procured by irrecouerable cares, whose nature is noted by obseruation
of their effects:
[Sidenote: Ouid. iib. 3. met.]