A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 13 (2 of 3)

A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government · Regnal history 13 (2 of 3)

p. 21On the second of February, King Henry being then at Greenwich, received a Bull from the Pope, whereby he had the Title given him to be defender of the Christian Faith, for him and his successours for ever; which Title was ascribed …o him, for writing a Booke against Luther, of which Booke (saith Holings…eard) I will onelyonly say …hus much, that King Henry in his Booke, is reported to rage against the Devill and Antichrist, to cast out his foame against Luther, to race out the Name of the Pope, and yet to allow his Law; which Booke Luther a…swered with as little respect to the King, as the King had done to him.

In this meane time, many displeasures grew between the two Kings of England and France, specially two: one that French-men seized upon English ships p. 22as they passed: for remedy whereof, one Christopher Cee an expert seaman, was sent with six ships to safeguard the Merchants. Another, that the Duke of Albanye was returned into Scotland, contrary to that which was Covenanted by the league, which though the King of France denied to be done with his privity, yet King Henry knew the Duke of Albanye had Commission from the French King to returne, which did the more exasperate him; and hereupon were Musters made in England, and a note taken of what substance all men were.

This yeere died the Lord Brooke, Sir Edwad Poynings Knight of the Gar…er, Sir Iohn Pechy, and Sir Edward Belknappe, all valient Captaines, suspected to have poysoned at a Banquet made at Ard, when the two Kings met last.

At this time, Owen Dowglas Biship of Dunkell, fled out of Sco…lnad into England, because the Duke of Albanye being come thither, had taken upon him the whole Government of the King and Kingdome; whereupon Clarentiaux the Herald was sent into Scotland, to command the Duk of Albany to avoid that Realm; which he refusing, the Herald was …ommanded to defie him. Thereupon the, French King seized all English-mens goods in Burdeaux, and impisoned their persons; and retained not onelyonly the money to be paid for the restitution of Tourney; but also with-held the French Queenes Dower: whereof when King Henry understood; he called the French Embassadour residing in England, to give account thereof; who though he gave the best reasons he …ould to excuse it, yet was commanded to keep his house, and the French Hostages remayning here, for the money to be paid for the delivery of Tourney, were restrained of their liberty, and committed to the custody of the Lord of Sa…t Iohns, Sir Thomas Lovell, Sir Andrew Windsor, and Sir Thomas Nevyle; each of them to keep one; and withall, all French-men in London were committed to prison, and put to their Fines; and all Scots-men much more. There were then also sent to sea under the conduct of Sir William Fitz-Williams Viceadmirall, eight and twenty great ships, and seven more towards Scotland; who set fire on many Scottish-ships in the Haven, and at length tooke many prisoners, and returned.

King Henry hearing that the Emperour would come to Callice, so to passe into England, as he went into Spaine; appointed the Lord Marquesse Dorsett, to go to C…llice, there to receive him… and the Cardinall to receive him at Daver … The Cardinall taking his Journey thither on the tenth of May, rode thorow London accompanied with two Earles, six and thirty Knights, and a hundred Gentlemen, eight Bishops, ten Abbots, thirty Chaplains, all in Velvet and Sattin; and Yeomen seven hundred. The five and twentieth of May being Sunday, the Marquesse Dorset with the Bishop of Chichester, the Lord de Law…re and divers others, at the water of Graveling, received the Emperour, and with all honour brought him to Callice, where he was received with Procession, by the Lord Berners Lieutenant of the Towne. On Munday he tooke ship at Callice, and landed at Dover, where the Cardinall with three hundred Lords, Knights and Gentlemen received him, and in great State brought him to the Castle, where he was lodged. On Wednesday being Ascention Even, the King came to Dover, and there with great joy and gladnesse, the Emperour and he met. On Friday in the afternoone they departed from Dover, and came that night to Canterbury, and from thence next day to Greenwich, where the Queene received her Nephew with all the joy that might be. Here to honour the Emperours presence, Royall Justs and Turneys were appointed; where the King, the Earle of D…vonshire and ten Aydes, kept the place against the Duke of Suffolke, the Marquesse Dorset and other ten Aydes, on their part. On Friday the sixth of Iune, the Emperour and the King with all their companies went to London, where the City received them with Pageants, and other as rare device…, as at a Coronation, and the Emperour was lodged at the Blackf…yers, and all his Lords in the new Palaces of Bridewell. On VVhitsunday, the King and the Emperour rode to the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul, where the Cardinall p. 23sung M…sse, and had his Traverse and his Cupboord. Before Masse, two Barons gave him water, and after the Gospel, two Earles, and at the last Lavatory two Dukes, which pride the Spaniards much disdained. After many Feastings in other places, at last they rode to VVindsor, where they stayed a whole weeke; and there on Corpus Chris…i day, the Emperour wore his Mantle of the Garte…, and sate in his owne Stall. On the same day, both the Princes received the Sacrament, and took their oathes to observe the League concluded betweene them. On the morrow after, they came to Winchester: before whose comming thither there was come to Hampton, the Earle of Surrey Admirall of England, with all the Kings Navy, and with him the Lord Fitz-Water, the Barron Curson, Sir Nicholas Carew, Sir Richard Wink…eld Sir Richard Ierning…am, Francis Brian, Sir William Barentine, Sir Adrian Foskew, Sir Edward Donne, Sir Edward Chamberlaine, Sir Richard Cornwall, Sir Antony Poynes, Sir Henry Shirborn, and the Viceadmirall, Sir William Fitz-Williams, Sir Edmund Bray, Sir Giles Capell, Sir William Pirton, Iohn Cornwallis, Sir Iohn Walloppe, Sir Edward Ichingham, Sir VVilliam Sidney, Anthony Browme, Giles Hus…ey, Thomas Moore, Iohn Rus…el, Edward Bray, Henry Owen, George Cobham, Thomas Old…all, Thomas Lovell, Robert Ichingham, Anthony Knevet, Sir Iohn Tremaile, Sir VVilliam Skevington, Master of the Ordinance, and Iohn Fabian Serjant at Armes, by whom chiefly a diss…gne was moved, though now noised onelyonly that it was but to scowre the seas for the safe conducting of the Emperour. For the Earle of Surrey having wafted the Emperour over to the co…st of Biskay; upon his returne, made to the coast of Brittaine; and there landing seven thousand of his men, marched to the Towne of Morleys, and by assault took it: having …onne this Towne, the E…rle called to him certaine Gentlemen and made them Knights; as Sir Francis Brian, Sir Anthony Browne, Sir Richard Cornwall, Sir Thomas Moore, Sir Giles Hus…ey, Sir Iohn Russell, Sir Iohn Rainsford, Sir George Cobham, Si… Iohn Cornwallis, Sir Edward Ridgley, and some others; and after the Earle had lien a while on the Coast of Brittaine, he was commanded home by the Kings letters: who thereupon brought back his whole fleet, to a place ca…led the Cow under the Isle of Wight, and then went on land, leaving diverse of of his ships, under the Governa…ce of the Vice-admirall Sir William Fitz-VVilliams.

In this meane time, diverse exploits were atchieved between them of the Garrison in the marches of Callice, and the French men of Bulloigne, where the French commonly had the worst: but being of no great moment, may well be passed over without relating. Likewise at the same time the Lord Rosse, and the Lord Dacres of the North, appointed to keepe the Borders against Scotland, burnt the Towne of Kelsie, and fourescore Vilages, and overthrew eighteene Towers of stone, withall their Bulwarkes.

King Henry intending now to goe seriously on with his warres in France, levied an Army, which under the conduct of the Earle of Surrey, he sent over to C…llice; whither the Earle being come, he divided his Army into three battailes; the first was led by Sir Robert Ratcliffe Lord Fitz-water, the middle-ward by himselfe and his brother the Lord Edmund Howard, the reare-ward by Sir VVilliam Sands and Sir Richard VVinkfield, both of them Knights of the Ga…ter: and Sir Edward Guildford was Captaine of the horsemen. In this order the Earle entred the French ground the second of September, and took his Journey …owards Hedring. By the way there came to him a great Power of …rgognias, sent by the Lady Margaret, according to the Articles of the League. All the Townes, Villages and Castles, in the Countrey through which they passed, they burnt and sacked; as the Towne and Castle of Selloys, the Towne of Brun…rigge, Senekerke, Botington and Manstier, with divers others. On the sixteenth of September, they came before the Castle of Heding, and laid siege unto it; but the Castle being wel fortified, & the Earle having not battering Ordnance, which by reason of the foule weather, he could not bring with him: p. 24after eleven dayes he raised his siege, and passing from thence to Dorlens, burnt the Towne and raced the Castle, as also the Towne of Dortyer, and then the yeer being farre spent, came back to Callic… the sixteenth of October.

At this time, the Duke of Albany being established Governour of Scotland, raised an Army of fourscore thousand men, with which he approached the b… ders, but made no Invasion, as thinking perhaps that the onelyonly report of his great Army, would fright the English; but yet this stayed not the Lord Marquesse Dorset, Warden of the east and middle Marches; to enter into Tividale, and so forward ten miles into Gallaway, burning all townes and Villages on every side as he passed. All that night he tarried within the Scottish ground, and the next day being good-Friday, withdrew back into England, with a head of four thousand cattell; having burned Grimseley, Mowhowse, Donford, Myles, Ackforth, Crowling, and many other Townes and Villages.

In King Henries fourteenth yeer, on the fifteenth of Aprill began a Parliament, which was holden at the Blackfryers, whither the King came, and there sate downe in his Royall Seate; at his feet on the right side sate the Cardinall of Yorke, and the Archbishop of Canterbury; and at the Raile behinde, stood Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London, who making an Oration, told there the causes of calling this Parliament; which were (as he said) for remedying of mischiefs by the common Law, as Recoveries, Forraigne Vouchers and corrupt Trialls… and for making new Lawes for the good of the Common-wealth: whereof notwithstanding, no one word was spoken all the time of the Parliament, nor any other thing done, but a Subsedie granted; but howsoever, being commanded to chuse their Speaker, they chose Sir Thomas Moore, who at first disabling himselfe, at last made two Petitions to the King; one for himselfe, that if he should be sent by the Commons to the King on a Message, and mistake their inten…, he might then with the Kings pleasure resort again to the Commons to know their meaning. The other, for the House of Commons, that if in communication and reasoning, any man should speake more largely then of duty he ought to do, yet all such offences should be pardoned, and that to be entred of Record. Which Petitions were granted, and then the Parliament began; where at first a Subsidie was demanded, but as there was much adoe in the House of Commons about it, so there was no lesse amongst the Clergey in the Convocation House; for Richard Bishop of VVinchester, and Iohn Bishop of Rochester were much against it, but most of all, one Rowland Philips, Vicar of Croyden, and a Canon of Pauls, but the Cardinall taking him aside, dealt so with him, that he took him off, so as he came no more to the House… and then the Bel-weather (as one saith) giving over his hold, the rest soon yelded; and so was granted the half of all their spiritual yeerly Revenues, to be paid in five yeers following. The Clergey being thus brought on, on the nine & twentieth of April, the Cardinall came into the House of Commons, to work them also; and there shewing the great charges the King was necessarily to be at in his present Wars: demanded the sum of eight hundred thousand pounds, to be raised of the fifth part of every mans Goods and Lands, which was four shillings of every pound. This demand was enforced the day after by the Speaker Sir Thomas Moore; but the Burgesses were all against it, shewing that it was not possible to have it gathered in money; for that men of Lands had not the fifth part thereof in Coyne. And further alleadged, that there be not many parishes in England one with another, able to spare a hundred Marks, except Cities and Townes; and seeing there were not above thirteen thousand Parishes in the Kingdome, (at this day there are but 9285.) how could such a summe be raised? Hereupon certai…e of the House were sent to move the Cardinall, to be a meanes to the King to accept of a lesser summe, but the Cardinall answered, he would rather have his tongue plucked out of his mouth with a paire of Pinsors, then make to the King any such motion. Whereupon the Cardinall came again in…o the House, and desired that he might reason with them that were against the demand; to p. 25which it was answered, that the order of that house was to heare, and not to reason, except amongst themselves. When the Cardinall was gone, the Commons after long debating the m…tter; at last, agreed of two shillings in the pound, from twenty pounds upward, and from forty shillings, to twenty pounds; of every twenty shillings, twelve pence, and under forty shillings, of every head of sixteene yeeres and upwards, foure pence, to be paid in two yeeres: when this was told to the Cardinall, he was much offended; so that to please him, the Gentlemen of fifty pound Land and upward, by the motion of Sir Iohn Hussey, a Knight of Lincolneshire, were charged with twelve pence more in the pound, to be paid in three yeeres. The Cardinall to move them to it, bore them in hand, that the Lords had agreed to foure shillings of the pound; which was untrue, for the Lords had granted nothing, but stayed to see what the Commons would doe; whereof when the King heard, he reproved the Cardinall for it; saying withall, that ere it were long he would looke to things himselfe, without any Substitute. Which speech of the Kings, though it da…ted the Cardinall for a while, yet he soone recovered his Spirits, and now as peremptory afterwards as he had been before. After this, the Parliament was prorogued till the tenth of Iune; during with prorogation, the Common people said to the Burgesses, we heare say, you will grant foure shillings of the pound, we advise you …o doe so, that you may goe home; with many like threatnings. At this time, the Cardinall by his power Legant me, dissolved the Convocation at Pauls, convoked by the Archbishop of Canterbury, calling him and all the Clergy, to his Convocation at Westminster: which was never seene before in England (saith Hall.) The one and thirtieth of Iuly, the Parliament was adjourned to Westminster, and there continuing till the thirteenth of August, was that day at nine of the clock at night dissolved.

About this time, the Bishop of Durham died, and the King gave that Bishoprick to the Cardinall; who resigned the Bishoprick of Bath to Doctor Iohn Clerke, Master of the Rolles, and Sir Henry Marney, that was Vice-chamberlain, was made Lord Privy Seale, and shortly after, was created Lord Marney: also during this Parliament, Sir Arthur Plantagenet, bastard sonne to King Edward the fourth at Bridewell, was created Vicount Lisle; in right of his wife who was wise before to Edmund Dudley, Beheaded.

The fifteenth of Iune; in the fifteenth yeere of the Kings Reigne, Christian King of Denmarke with his Queene; driven out of his own Country, came into England, and was lodged at Bath place; who after, he had been feasted by the King and by the Citty of London, and received great guifts of both, returned again into Flanders, where he remained as a banished man: some yeers after, King Henry sent Doctor Henry Standish, Bishop of Saint Assaph, and Sir Iohn Baker Knight, into Denmarke, to perswade the people to receive him againe into his Kingdome; but they could not prevaile, he was so much hated for his cruelty.

About this time, the Earle of Kildare having recovered againe the favour of the Cardinall, was sent Deputy into Ireland, as he had bin before, where he reduced the wilde Irish to indifferent conformity. All this while had England warres both with the French and with the Scots. In Scotland the Marquesse of Dorset threw downe the Castles of Wederborne, of Nesgate, of Blackater, of Mackwals, and burnt to the number of seven and thirty Villages, yet never came to skirmish. In France, the Lord Sands, Treasurer of Callice, with twelve hundred men went before Bulloigne, where he skirmished with the Enemie; and after taking divers Churches and Castles in the Enemies Countre…, returned backe to Callice, with the losse onelyonly of a dozen men. King Henry being advertised that the Duke of Albanie was providing of Forces in France, with which to returne into Scotland, sent forth his Vice-admirall Sir William Fitz-williams, with divers great Shippes to intercept him; but when he could not meet with him, he then landed in the Haven of Trepor… ; where with seaven hundred men, hee beat six thousand French that sought p. 26to impeach his landing, took their Bulworks and much Ordnance in them… burned the suburbs of the town of Treport, and all in five houres, and then returned.

All this while King Henry had but played with the French, but …ow he means to be in earnest, and therefore sends over the Duke of Suffolk with an Army, the foure and twentieth of August; attended with the Lord Montacute and his b…other Sir Arthur Poole, the Lord Herbert, sonne to the Earle of Worces…er, the Lord Ferrers, the Lord Marney, the Lord Sands, the Lord Barkley, the Lord …owis, and the Baron Curson, Sir Richard Wink…eld, Chauncellour of the Duchy of Lancaster, Sir Iohn Vere, Sir Edward Nevile, Sir William Kings…on, Sir Richard Weston, Sir Andrew Winsore, Sir Robert Winkfield, Sir Anthony, Winkfield, Sir Edward Guildford, Sir Edw: Grevile, Sir Edw: Chamberlaine, Sir Thomas Lucy, Sir Everard Digby, Sir Adrian Foskew, Sir Richard Cornwall, Sir William Courtney, Sir William Sidney, Sir Henry Owin, sand many other Knights and Gentlemen. In the whole Army were six hundred Demylaunces, two hundred Archers on Horsback, three thousand Archers on foo…, and five thousand Bilmen. Also seventeen hundred taken out of the Garrisons of Hammes, Guysnes, and Callice, in all, ten thousand and five hnndred, besides two thousand six hundred labourers and Pioners. With this Army the Duke of Suffolk took the field, his vauntguard was led by the Lord Sands; Cap…aine of the right wing, was Sir William Kingston; of the left, Sir Everard Digby, Captain of all the Horsmen was Sir Edward Guildford, Marshall of Callice; the Duke himselfe led the Battaile, and Sir Richard Winkfield the Reareward. The Dukes first enterprise was the winning of Bell Castle, which the Lord Sands and the Lord Ferres assaulted, and had it yeelded to them: and then Sir VVilliam Skevington was placed Captaine in it. At this time, the Duke of Bourbon, high Constable of France, began to have his mind aliena…ed from the King of France, and …o draw him the more on, the Duke of Suffolk sent Sir Iohn Russel (afterward created Duke of Bedford) to him, who passing in disguised apparell, so prevailed with him, that he professed to take part with the Emperour, and the King of England, who having ten thousand Almans in his pay: it was thought fit (for encourag… ment of the English) to proclaime in the Army, the accesse of so powerfull an assistant: and therupon the Duke of Suffolk removed to Ard, and so forward into Picardie. At Cordes between Terwyn and Saint Omers, there came to him the Lord of Isilst…yn, and with him of Spaniards, Almans and others, three thousand Foot-men, and five hundred Horse. With these forces, the Duke marching on, took first the rich Town of Anchor, then the Castle of Bounguard, and then by assault the Towne of Bray, though two thousand good men of war were in it. After this, the Towres of Cappe and Roy, Lihome and Davenker, and then came before …he Towne of Mount-Dedyer, in which were a thousand foot and five hundred horse; yet upon Sir William Skevingtons Batteries, was yeelded to him. From hence he removed to Roy, where he rested a while with hi… whole Army: and there on Alholland-day, in the chiefe Church of Roy, made Knights, the Lord Herbert, the Lord Powis, Oliver Manners, Arthur Poole, Richard Sands, Robert Ierningham, Robert Salisbury, Edward Beningfield, Richard Corbet, Thomas Wentworth, William Storton, Walter Mantel, George Warram and Edward Seymour (that was after Duke of Somerset.) The day after, the Army removed to a place called Neele, from thence to Veane, and then …o Beauford, where the Duke made Iohn Dudley, and Robert Vtreight Knights, and from thence on the eighth of November to a place called Mount Saint Martin; here the Welshmen began to murmure, that they might not returne home, the winter being so far spent; but there was to the number of a thousand persons, under the leading of Sir Iohn VValloppe, who having no wages, but what they could got by booties, and were therefore called Adventurers, and by some Kreekers, and these had more desire to stay, then the VVelshmen had to be gon; for the great gaines they made, by the spoyles of so many Townes that were taken. The thirteenth of November, the Duke removed to a place within two p. 27miles of Boghan Castle, defended by great Marishes, that lay before it, but the frost being at that time so great that many lost their fingers and toes with cold, and some died; Sir Edward Guildford acquainted the Duke, that he thought the marishes were hard enough frozen to beare great Ordnance; whereupon, the Duke bid him venture it then and goe on, which he resolutely did, and had the Castle presently delivered up to him. In this meane time, the King hearing in what state the Army stood, had prepared six thousand men to be sent to the Duke for a reliefe, under the leading of the Lord Montjoy; but before they could be put in order to passe the Sea, the Duke, partly by extremity of the weather, and partly by the murmuring of the Souldiers, was constrained to breake up his Army, and returne to C…llice.

In this meane time, the Scots knowing that the strength of England was gone into France, tooke boldnesse to invade the Marishes; but then the Earle of Surrey, Treasurer and high Admirall of England, with six thousand men, being sent against them, tooke divers of their Castles and Holds; and at Yedworth, skirmishing with a great Garrison of Scots, overthrew them, and tooke and burned both the Towne and Castle. And now the French King finding that the Scots did not worke any great trouble to the English, whereby to keepe them from molesting of France, and thinking it to be for want of the Duke of Albanies presence, whom they accounted their Governour; he therefore prepared a Navie of Ships to transpo…t him into Scotland; but when the Duke of Albany heard that Sir William Fitz-williams was sent with a great Fleet to stop his passage, he brought his Ships into the Haven of Brest, and gave it out that he would not goe into Scotland that yeere; which being told to the King of England, he commanded that his Ships also should be laid up in Havens, till the next spring. And now see the cunning of the Scot; for when he saw the Kings Ships discharged, he then boldly tooke shipping himselfe, and sailed into Sc…tland; whither being come, he presently levied a great Army, and approached the English Borders; but when he heard the Earle of Surrey was coming against him with a mighty power, he then sent a Her…uld to him… promising of his honour, to give him Battaile; and if he tooke him prisoner, to give him good quarter. To whom the Earle answered, that he would not faile to abide his Battaile; but if he tooke him prisoner, the quarter he would give him, should be to cut off hi… head, and send it for a Present to his Master the King of England. At this time, to the Earle of Surrey being at Alnewicke, came the Earles of Northumberland and VVestmerland, the Lords Clifford, Dacres, Lumley, Ogle and Darcye, with many Knights, Gentlemen and other Souldiers, to the number of forty …housand; and from the Court, came the Master of the Horse, Sir Ni…holas Carew, Sir Francis Bryan, Sir Edward Baynton, and others. The last of October, the Duke of Albonye sent two or three thousand men over the water to bes…edge the Castle of VVarke; who by battery of their Ordnance won the ou…ermost Ward, called the Barnekins; and continuing their battery, won the second Ward; but then Sir William Lisle, that was Captaine of the Castle, issuing forth with those few he had left, drove the Fr…nch-m…n from the place, and slew of them to the number of three hundred: a memorable service, and for which the Earle of Surrey afterwards gave him great thankes. The Earle would gladly have followed his enemies in…o their owne Borders, but that his Commission was onelyonly to defend England, and not to invade Scotland. Shortly after the Quee…e of Scots, Mother to the King, sent to her Brother the King of England, for an abstinence from Warre, till a further communication might be had; which being gra…ed, the English Army brake up, and the Earle of Surrey returned to the Court.

p. 28And now for a while we must be co…ent to heare of pet…y Occurrances, because greater did not happen; which if it make us like the Story the worse, it may make us like the times the better; seeing they are ever the best times that afford lest matter to be talked of: but this time will las… but a while; for shortly we shall come to hear Occurrances, that have been matter of talk to this day, whereof the like have never scarce been seen, and will hardly be beleeved, when they are heard; a Marriage dissolved after twenty yeeres co…summation; houses built in Piety; under pretence of Piety demolished; a King made a captive… a Pope held a prisoner… Queenes taken out of love, put to death out of loathing; and the Church it selfe so shaken, that it hath stood in distraction ever since.

At this time, the Emperou… Charles sent to the King of England two M…ses trapped in crimson Velvet, richly embridered; also eleven goodly Je…its, trapped with russe… Velvet, richly wrought; foure Speares and two Javelins of strange timber, and worke richly garnished; and five brace of Greyho…nd…. To the Queene he sent two Mules richly trapped and high Chai…es after the Spanish fashion: which Presents were thankfully received both of the King and Queene.

At this time in the monethmonth of October, the Cardinall sent out Commissions, that every man being worth forty pounds, should pay the whole Subsedie before granted, out of hand; which he called an Anticipation: which fine new word, he thought would make them pay their money the more willingly; but they loved their money better then any words he could devise.

In this yeere the King sent the Lord Morley, Sir VVilliam Hussey, knight, and Doctor Lee his Almoner, to F…rdinand Archduke of Austria, with the Order of the Garter; which he received in the towne of Norimberg, to his great contentment.

In this yeere, through Bookes of Prognosticat…ons, foreshewing much hurt to come by waters and …oods, many persons withdrew themselves to high grounds, for feare of drowning; specially one Bolton, Prior of Sain… Barthol…mewes in Smithfield, builded him an House upon Harrow on the Hill, and thither wen… and made provision for two moneths. These great waters should have fallen in February, but no such thi… happeni…g, the Astronomers excused themselves, by saying, that in the computa…ion they had miscounted in their number an hundred yeeres.

In this meane time, many enterpri…es were attempted, betweene the Englishmen of Callice, and Guy…es, and the Frenchmen of Bulloigne, and the Fro… tiers of Picard…, and still Sir VVilliam Fitz Williams, Captaine of Guysnes, Sir Robert I…rningham, Captaine of Newnham Bridge, Sir Iohn Walloppe, and Sir Iohn Gage, were the men that did the French most hurt.

This yeere, the first of September, was Docter Thomas Hannibell Master of the Rolles, receaved into London, by Earles, Bishops, and diverse Lords and Gentlemen, as Embassadours from Pope Clement: who brought with him, a Rose of gold for a present to the King… & on the day of the Nativity of our Lad… after a solemne Masse sung by the Cardinall of Yorke, the said present was delivered to the King, which was a Tree forged of fine Gold, and with branches, leaves, and flowers resembling Roses.

About the beginning of Winter, the advent…rers called Kr…ekers, being not above two hundred; and of them, five and twenty horsmen, made an attempt to fetch some booty from a Village not farre from Mattrell, wherof the Earle of D…mmartine having notice, he set upon them with a far greater number, and slew most of them, and this was the end of the Kreekers, as brave men as ever served any Prince.

In December this yeere, there came to London diverse Embassadours, out of Scotland, about a peace to be had… and a mariage to be concluded, between the King of Scots, and the Lady Mary daughter to the King of England.

p. 29At this time, the Lord Leonard Gray, and the Lord Iohn Gr…y, brothers to the Lord Marquesse Dorset, Sir George Cobham sonne to the Lord Cobham, VVillia… Carye, Sir Iohn Dudley, Thomas VVyat, Francis Poynts, Francis Sid…y, Sir Anthony Browne, Sir Edward Seymor, Oliver Manners, Percivall Hart, Sebasti… Nudigat…, and Thomas Calen, Esquires of the Kings Household; made a challenge of Arms against the Feast of Christmas, which was proclaimed by Windsor the Herauld, and performed at the time appointed very Nobly; at Tilts, T…rneys, Barriars, and the assault of a Castle erected for that purpose, i… the Tilt-yard at Greenwich, where the King held his Christmas that yeer, with great State and magnificence.

About this time, Iohn Iokyn Steward of the Household to the French Kings Mothe…, came into England, and was received in secret man…er into the House of one Doctor Larke, a Prebrendary of Saint Stephens; who oftentimes talked with the Cardinall, about a Peace to be concluded between the two Kings of …ngland and France, of whose often meetings, Monsieur de Brate the Emperours Embassadour, grew very jealous. The four and twentieth of Ianuary, Monsie…r Brynion President of Roan, came to London as Embassadour from the French King, and was lodged with the said Iohn Iokyn, which small things should not be related, but that they were preparatives to great matters afterward.

On Sunday the fifth of March, were received into London Monsieur de Beuer Lo…d of Campher, Admirall of Flanders, Monsieur Iohn de la Coose President of …, & Master Iohn de la Gache, as Embassadours from the Lady Margaret in the name of the Emperour, who required three things. First they demanded the Lady Mary the Kings only daughter, to be presently delivered, and she to be n…ed Empresse, and as Governesse take possession of all the Low-Countryes. Secondly, that all such summes of money as the King should give with her in ma…riage, should be paid incontinently. Thirdly, that the King of England should passe the sea in person, and make Warre in France the next Summer. The …rst two demands were not agreed too for certaine causes; and as to the third, the King said, he would take time to advize. On Thursday the ninth of March, a Gentleman came in Post from the Lady Margaret, with Letters signifying, that whereas the King of France had long lyen at the siege of Pavia; he had now been forced to raise his siege, and was himselfe taken prisoner by th… Imperialests… for joy whereof, Bonfires and great Triumph was made in …, and on the twentieth of March being Sunday, the King himselfe came to Pauls, and there heard a solemne Masse. But for all this shew of joy, it was thought if the King of France had not now been taken prisoner; that the King of England would have joyned in amity with him, as being angry with the Fle…gs, for Inhau…ing his Coyne in Flanders, which caused much money to be con…ayed out of England thither. The King of France being taken prisoner, was after some time convayed into Spaine, and at last brought to Madrill, where he …ell so sicke, that the Physitians had little hope of his life, unlesse the Emperour would be pleased speedily to visit him; upon whose visitation he recovered his health, though not presently his strength. In which time, many propositions were made for his delivery, but the Emperour would accept of …one, without restitution of the Dutchy of Burgoigne. At last, the French King weary of imprisonment, and longing for liberty, was content to agree to any conditions… the chiefe whereof were, that the French King by a certaine day should be set at liberty, and within six weeks after should resigne to the Emperour the Dutchy of Burgoigne, with all Members pertayning to it; and at the …ame …stant, should put into the Emperours hands, the Dolphyn of France, …nd with him, either the Duke of Orleance his second sonne: or else twelve pri…cipall Lords of France, whom the Emperour should name; and that there should be between them a League and perpet…all co…federation fo… defence of their estates. Of whose attonement when King Henry heard, as before he had p. 30expressed gladnesse, that he was taken prisoner, so now he sent Sir Thomas Cheiney to him, to expresse his joy for being set at liberty; so suddaine is the enterchange of love and hate amongst great Princes. The French King being thus delivered, the Emperour married the Lady Isabel, Daughter to Emanuel King of Portingal; and …ad with her in Dower eleven hundred thousand Ducke…s… though three yeers before being at Windsor, he had covenanted to take to wife the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter.

At this time Cardinall Woolsey obtained licence of the King to erect a Colledge at Oxford, and another at Ipswich; and towards the charge of them, got leave also, to suppresse certaine small Monasteries, to the number of forty; and after, got a confirmation of the Pope, that he might imploy the Goods and Lands belonging to those Houses, to the maintenance of those two Colledges; a perni…ious president, and that which made the King a way afterward, to make a generall suppression of all religio…s Houses, though indeed there be great difference between converting of Monestaries into Colledges, and utter subverting them.

In March King Henry sent Cuthert Tunstall Bishop of London, and Sir Richard Winkfield Chancelour of the Du…chy of Lanc…ster into Spaine, to conferre with the Emperour, about matters of great importance, and particularly about Warre to be made in France, and yet were these two Princes at this time in League: but he that shall observe the carriage of these three Princes towards one another, and how convertible their Leagues were into Warre, and their Warre into Peace; shall finde it a strange Riddle of Ragion di stat…, and their Leagues to have been but meere complements, where the skale was turned with the least graine of a circumstance; and though they were bound by Oath, yet that Oath made the Leagues but little the firmer, seeing the League might be broken, and yet the Oath kept: for while one gave the occasion, and the other took it, though they were both accessaries, yet neither was principall; and where there is not a principall, the Oath remains inviolate. And upon those Hinges did the friend-ship of these Princes turne, as at this time; the Emperour, though not long before, he had parted with the King of England, in the greatest kindnesse that could be; yet gave not the English Embassadours so kinde entertainment now, as he had formerly done; but for what cause was not apparent, unlesse upon some sinister report made to him, by Monsieur de Prate; who having been his Ligier with the King of England, was without taking leave of the King departed, and come to the Emperour before the English Embassadours came.

But howsoever, King Henry being determined to make Warre in France himselfe in person, his Councell fell into consideration how the charge of the Warre should be maintained: which care the Cardinall takes upon him; and thereupon appoints Commissioners in all Shiers, to sit and draw the people to pay the sixth part of every mans substance, in plate or money: but the people opposed it, alleadging that it was against the Law of the Realme, for any man to be charged with such payments, unlesse by Parliament: and as the Cardinall continued to presse it, so the people continued to denye it; and when some for denying it were committed to prison, the Commons in many Countryes, made great assemblies for their defence: the report whereof at last came to the King, who thereupon came to VVestminster and protested openly, that it was done without his knowledge, and that it was never his meaning, to ask any thing of his Subjects but according to Law: and therefore desired to know by whose Authority it was done. Here the Cardinall excused himselfe and said, that it was the opinion of all the Judges, and of all his Councell, tha… he might Lawfully demand any summe, so it were done by Commission, and thereupon it was done. But the King liked not to take advantage of a distinction to draw money from his Subjects; and thereupon gave warning for doing any such thing hereafter: and signified so much by his Letters into all the Shiers of England p. 31giving also a generall pardon to all that had offered to rise upon it; which though he did of his owne free grace, yet the Cardinall to win a good opinion in the Commons, gave out, that it was by his meanes the King granted the pardon.

King Henries seventeenth yeer, was honoured with the advancing of many in honour, for on the eighteenth of Iune, at his Pallace of Bridewell, the Kings sonne (which he had by Elizibeth Blunt daughter to Sir Iohn Blunt Knight) called Henry Fitz-Roy, was created first Earl of Nottingham, and after on the same day Duke of Richmond and Somerset, Henry Courtney Earle of Devonshire was created Marquis of Excetur, the Lord Brandon, sonne to the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene (a child of two yeers old) was created Earle of Lincolne, Sir Thomas Manners Lord Rosse, was created Earle of Rutland, Sir Henry Clifford, was created Earle of Cunberland, Sir Robert Ratcliffe Lord Fitz-Water, was created Viscount Fitz-VVater, and Sir Thomas Bullen Treasurer of the Kings Houshold, was created Viscount Roch…ord.

At this time the French Kings mother, as then Regent of France, procured by her Embassadours, at first a Truce, and afterward a peace with England, which was proclaimed in London, the eighth of September. By the covenants of which peace, the King of England should receive at certaine dayes, twenty hundred thousand Crowns, which in sterling money amounted to the summe of foure hundred thousand pound; whereof fifty thousand was to be paid in hand. Sir VVilliam Fitz-Williams and Doctor Talour, was sent to the Lady Regent, to take her corporall oath, and likewise King Henry the foure and twentieth of Aprill, at Greenwich, in presence of the Embassadours of France, Rome and Venice, tooke his corporall oath, to observe the peace betweene him, and his loving brother the French King, during his life, and one yeer after.

In this winter was great mortality in London, so as the Terme was adjourned, and the King kept his Christmas at Eltham, with a small number, and was therfore called the still Christmas. At which time, the Cardinall comming to the Court, took order for altering the state of the Kings House: many officers and other servants were discharged, and put to their pensions, in which number were foure score and foure Yeomen of the Guard: who before having had twelve pence the day with check, were now allowed but six pence the day without check, and commanded to goe into their Countries.

On Shrovetuesday this yeere, a solemne Justs was held at Greenwich, the King and eleven other on the one part, the Marques of Excetur and eleven other of the other part.

In his nineteenth yeer, King Henry kept a solemne Christmas at Greenwich, with Revels, Maskes, disguisings, and Banquets, and the thirtieth of December and third of Ianuary were solemne …usts holden, when at night the King and fifteen other with him, came to Bridewel, and there putting on masking apparel, took his Barge, and rowed to the Cardinalls place, where were at supper many Lords and Ladyes, who da…ced with the maskers, and after the dancing was made a great Banquet. This Christmas was a play at Grayes-Inne, made by one Master Roe a Sergiant at Law, the effect whereof was, that Lord Gouvernance was ruled by dissipation and negligence, by whose evill order Lady Publick-Weale was put from governance. This the Cardinall took to be meant by him, and therupon se…t the said Master Roe to the Fleet, though the Play were made long before the Cardinall had any authority: by which we may see how inseperable a companion suspition is to a guilty conscience.

The fourteenth of Ianuary came to the Court Don Hugo de Mendoza, a Grande of Spaine, as Embassadours from the Emperour to the King, with a large commission, to make King Henry Judge; how just the conditions were, which the Emperour required of the King of France, and about this negotiation …arried two yeers in England, so desirous the Emperour was to continue good correspondence with the King of England.

p. 32On Shrovetuesday the King and the Maquesse of Excester with others, in most sumptuous attire came to the Tilt, and ran so many courses, till two hundred fourescore and six Speares were broken; and then disarming themselves went into the Queenes Chamber, where a sumptuous Banquet was provided. But this Banquet was one of the last of the Queenes preparing; for hitherto there had been no exception taken to the lawfulnesse of her marriage, but now came over Embassadours from the King of France, requiring to have the Kings Daughter the Lady Mary, to be given in marriage to the Duke of Orleance second Sonne to their Master the French King, wherein they that were the suitors for it, were the hinderers of it; for amongst them was the President of Paris, who made a doubt, whither the marriage betweene King Henry and the Lady Katherin of Spaine, having been his Borthers wife, were lawfull or no: But howsoever, the French Embassadours at Greenwich on Sunday the fifth of May, in the name of their Master the French King, took their O…thes to observe the League concluded betweene them during their lives. And shortly after were sent Sir Thomas Bullen Viscount Rochford, and Sir Anthony Browne Knight, as Embassadours to the King of France, to take his Oath in person for performance of the League.

But enough of small Occurrances, and indeed there will be Occurrances now more worthy to be related, but more lamentable to be heard; for now the Duke of Bourbon Generall of the Emperours Army in Italie, was slaine by a shot from the Walls of Rome, as he was passing by; upon whose death, the Army entred and sacked the City, made the Pope flye to the Castle of Saint Ang…lo, and there cooped him up; abused the Cardinals, and put them to grievous ransomes, spared neither Sacred places, nor Religious persons, but commit…ed all manner of barbarous and inhumaine cruelty. These insolencies of the Emperours Army committed against the Pope; …ogether with the hard conditions the Emperour had imposed upon the King of France, for setting him at liberty; and the Emperours breach of promise, in not marrying the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter, were the apparent causes of King Henries breaking League with the Emperour Charles: but a more enforcing though concealed cause perhaps was the growing greatnesse of the Emperour, by his acquests in Italie and other places; enough to breed a jealousie in all neighbouring Princes; and indeed King Henry had some cause to thinke the Emperours spirits were grown higher with his Victories, seeing where before he was wont alwayes to write letters to King Henry with his own hand, and subscribe them, your son and faithfull friend, now after his Victories in Italie, he caused his Secretaries to write them, subscribing only Charles. And yet a more pressing cause though not avowed, might be the Cardinalls spleene against the Emperour, for denying him the Bishopricke of Toledo in Spaine. But which soever of these was the predominant cause, all of them together made a cause sufficient for King He…ry to fall off from amity with the Emperour; and his falling off from the Empe…our, cause sufficient …o fall in with the King of France: and thereupon, the two Kings send their severall Heraulds to the Emperour: King Henry Clarentiu…, the French King his Herauld Guyen, to expostulate their grievances with the Emperour, and he refusing to returne a satisfactory answer, to defi… him as their enemy. The Emperour heard the Heraulds with great temper, and answered Clarentius very mildely; that he knew his Masters grievance was grounded upon misinformation, wherein he would shortly rectifie him by his Letters, as desiring nothing more then to continue his friend; but …uyen hee answered rougly, bidding him tell his Master that he had broken his faith, in not performing the Covenants agreed upon for his liberty; and with these answers dismissed them, only Guyen not thinking it fit to deliver his answer, being in such termes by word of mouth, obtained to have it sent in writing. The Heraulds being returned home, and delivering the answers; the King of France was so incensed, to be charged with breach of faith, that soone after he sent p. 33another defiance to the Emperour, telling him in plaine tearmes, that he lyed in his throat; and thereupon challenged him the Combate, requiring him to appoint the field, and himselfe would the weapons. The Emperour accepted the chalenge, but other occurrances intervening, hindred the performance.

In this meane time, the Cardinall was appointed to go Embassadour to the King of France; carrying with him twelve score thousand pounds, to be employed by the French King, and other the confederates; in a Warre against the Emperour, who the eleventh of Iuly took shipping at Dover, and landed that day at Callice; with whom was Cut…ert Tuns…all Bishop of London, the Lord Sands Chamberlaine to the King, the Earle of Derby, Sir Henry Guild…ord, Sir Thomas Moore, with other Knights and Gentlemen, in all to the number of twelve hundred horse. At Amynes he was received by the French King himselfe, and by his Mother, and by all the chiefe Peers of France. By whom it was agreed, that Articles of Accord should be offered to the Emperour; which if he refused, then the French King should marry the Lady Mary King Henries Daughter, and they both to be enemies to the Emperour. These things concluded, the Cardinall returned, and on the last of September came to the King at Richmond. In October following, there came Embassadours from the French King, to take King Henries Oath, for obseruing the League with the King of France: and on Sunday the tenth of November, King Henry at Greenwich received the Order of Saint Michael, by the hands of the Lord Ann…s de Memorancye great Master of the Kings Household; and Monsieur Humieres: as likewise the same day at Paris the French King received the Order of the Garter by the hands of the Lord Li…le, Doctor Taylor Master of the Roles, Sir Nicholas Carew Master of the Kings horse, Sir Anthony Browne and Sir Thomas Wriothslye Knight, otherwise called Garter king of Armes, who were sent thither with the whole Habit, Coller and other habiliments of the Order.

Upon King Henries defiance of the Emperour in the French Kings quarrell, English Merchant… their ships and goods were attached in Spaine, and in the Low Countries, as likewise all Spanish & Flemish Merchants were attached here; which being very detrimentall to both Nations; at last, by mediation of Hugo de Mendoza, the Emperours Embassadour Legier, a reconcilement was made, and free traffique betweene the Nations was revived.

In this twentieth yeer, on the two and twentieth of February: Sir Piers Butler of Ireland, was created Earl of Oscry. And now King Henry began to be troubled in mind about his marriage with Queen Katherin, but whether his trouble of minde grew for scruple of conscience, or from desire of change, was by many men doubted; some thought he had set his affection upon the Lady Anne Bullen whom afterward he maried, and to make way for that mariage, moved his scruple, that he might be divorced; but this is not likely, for he maried not the said Lady, til above three yeers after this doubt had bin moved; and three yeers was a long time to have affection be delaid, which comonly is impatient of any delay: if King Henries own protestation may be taken, it was very scruple of conscience that troubled his mind; but then by what meanes this scruple came first into his …ead, is another doubt; some thought it was first moved by his confessor, Doctor Longland telling him, that the mariage with the relict of his Brother, could not be lawful; but neither is this likely, for Doctor Longland was not like to tel him so, who knew the mariage had been made by dispensation from the Pope, an authority in that time beyond exception; some thought it was a plot of VVoolseis, thereby to make variance between King Henry and the Emperour, with whom he was at varience himself, and for spleen to the Nephew, he revenged upon the Aunt; but neither is this likely… or els the Cardinall was much deceived in his plo…; for though the Emperor laboured Milan and some other Vniversities, to forbeare giving sentence against the mariage, yet he continued amity with King Henry, as much afterward as before; if we wil beleeve the King himself, it was the President of Paris, comming Embassadour from the King of France, that …irst p. 34moved it, upon a proposition of mariage betweene the Lady Mary, King Henries daughter, and the Duke of Orleance, second sonne to the French King: but by what meanes his scruple had beginning, King Henries desire was now it should have an ending, and that the matter might be debated with indifferency; he allowed the Queene to make choyce of what councell she thought best; who thereupon chose William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury, and Nicholas West Bishop of Elye, Doctors of the Law; Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester, and Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph, Doctors of Divinity, with many other; and in the mean time, sent to all the Vniversities in Italie & France to have their opinions, but specially to the Court of Rome, desiring the Pope …o send his Legat to hear the cause; who thereupon sent Cardinall …ampeius, and joyned Cardinall Woolsey in Commission with him. The place appointed for the Cardinalls to sit and to heare the cause, was at the Black-friers: where in the great Hall preparation was made of seats, and all things necessary for such a session. Amongst other Officers of the Court, Stephen Gardiner (afterward Bishop of Winchester) …ate as chiefe scribe. The Court being set, the Judges comm…nded silence, whilst their Commission was read; which done, the Scribes commanded the Cryer to call the King, by the name of King Henry of England, come into the Court; who answered, Here: then called he the Queen, by the name of Katherine Queen of England, come into the Court: the Queen though present, yet answered not, but rising from her seat, went to the place where the King sat, and kneeling down, said in effect; Sir, I humbly desire you to take pity upon me, for I am a poor woman & a stranger, & have here no indifferent Councel, where all are your Subjects, and lesse assurance of friendship when they all depend upon your favour; I have bin your wife these twenty yeers, and have borne you divers children, if you can charge me with dishonesty or undutifulnesse, I am content to depart from you to my shame; but if you cannot, I then desire you to do me justice, and to spare me untill I may know what councel my friends in Spain will give me; but if you will not, then your pleasure be fulfilled: and having so said, she rose up, and making a low cursie, departed. The King being advertised that she was going out of the House, commanded the Cryar to call her again; who there upon called her, saying, Katherine Queen of England come into the Court, which her Gentleman-usher Master Griffith hearing, told her, Madam, you are called; wel (said she) it makes no matter, I will not tarry, go your way: and thus she departed, and never after would appear in any Court, but appealed from the Cardinals to the Pope himselfe. The Queen being gone, the King said, I confesse she hath bin to me, the most dutifull and loving wife, that ever Prince had; and if it were …ot for this scruple of my conscience, I would not leave her for any woman living: and having now referred the judgement of the cause to these Commissioners, I should be most glad they could finde the marriage between us to be in such sort lawfull, that with obedience to the Law of God, we might continue together; for I take God to witnesse, there is nothing I more desire. This said, the King rose, and the Court was adjourned to another day; for notwithstanding the Queens Appeal (from which she would by no meanes be drawn) the Cardinals continued their Session weekly, & heard all of both sides: the Point that was chiefly stood on, was, whether Prince Arthur had ever had carnall knowledg of her, or no; the Kings Councell alleadged, he had, and proved it; first, by Prince Arthurs speech, the nex… morning after his mariage, that …e had bin that night in the midst of Spain; and then by the words of the last Dispensation, Vel forsan Cognitam: the Queens Advocates alleadged the contrary; appealing to the Kings owne conscience; whom the Queene charged that he knew her to be a Virgin when he married her; (though, to say the truth, i… were strange, Prince Arthur and she having lyen five monethmonth together, and hee no lesse then almost sixteene yeeres old.) But whilest Arguments were thus urged on both sides, and no certainty could appeare; the King sent the two Cardinals to the Queene, lying then in Bridewell, to p. 35perswade her, she should submit her selfe to the Kings pleasure, and not stand so peremptorily to her Appeale. The Cardinals coming to her found her at work amongst her Maids, with a skaine of white thred about her necke: who having heard their message, answered, That in all other things she would willingly submit her selfe to the Kings will, but in this which concerned her honesty, and the legitimatenesse of her children, she durst not, but would relye upon the wisdom and pietie of both their Fathers, who (she knew) would never have assented to the marriage, if there had bin the least scruple of unlawfulnesse in it; and othe… answer she would not give. Upon their returne to the King, when he perceived she could not be removed from her opinion; he commanded the Court to goe on; so that at last it came to judgement, which every man expected should be the next day. At which day the King came thither (but in so secret manner that he might heare and not be seene) where the Kings Councell at the Barre calling for Judgement; Cardinall Campeius, as being chiefe Commissioner, stood up and said; I finde the case very doubtfull, and the party Defendant standing to her Appeale, I will therefore give no Judgement, till I have conferred with the Pope; and therefore I adjour…e the Court for this time, according to the order of the Court of Rome, which heares no Causes judicially from the last of Iuly till the fourth of October; at which protraction of time, King Henry was not a little angry, and the Duke of Suffolk being present, in a great rage said; it was never merry in England, since we had Cardinals amongst us. Soon after this, the Cardinall tooke his leave of the King, and returned to Rome: he was indeed commanded so to doe by the Pope, who would else most willingly have gratified King Hen…y, that had bestowed upon him the Bishoprick of Salisbury. Whilst these things were in acting, Cardinall Woolsey had an inkling of the Kings affection to Anne Bullen, daughter of the Viscount Rochford; and that the Divorce once passed, he ment to marry her; which Match, because for many reasons, he misliked; one perhaps, because she was a Lutheran, he sent privily to the Pope, that by no means he should give sentence for the Divorce, till he had framed the Kings minde another way; for his desire was, that the King should marry the Dutchesse of Alanson, the French Kings sister. This packing of Woolsey was not so closely carried, but that it soone came to the Kings knowledge; and the King finding him a rubbe in his way, whom he expected to have expedited his proceeding, began to thinke it necessary to remove him, and to take him off from that greatnesse which had made him so presuming; and indeed he made short worke with him; for soone after he sent the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke to him for the Seale, which yet he would not deliver to them, till they brought him a Warrant under the Kings owne hand. When the Seale was brought to the King, he delivered it to Sir Thomas Moore, Speaker then of the Parliament (the first Lay-man that bore that Office in any memory;) and in his roome was chosen Speaker Thomas Audley, Attourney of the Dutchie. Woolsey now removed from his Chauncellourship; was in the Parliament then holden, charged with points of treason; but that charge was so cleerely taken off by his servant Thomas Cromwell, who was then of the House, that the Cardinall was acquitted, to the great commendation of Cromwell, both for abilities in himselfe, and faithfulnesse to his Master.

After this, the King being informed, that all those things which the Cardinall had done by his power Legantine, were within the case of Praemenire; he caused his Attourney Christopher Hales to sue out a Praemunire against him; and thereupon the two Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke were sent unto him, to let him know, the Kings pleasure was, he should goe to Asher, a House neere to Hampton-Court, belonging to his Bishopricke of Winchester, and there to reside: whereupon, the Cardinall having first delivered up all his Moveables to the Kings use; (the greatest store and richest that was ever knowne of any Subject) went presently to Putney by p. 36water, and from thence rode to Asher, where he and his Family continued three or …oure weekes, without either Bed, Sheetes, Table-loathes or Dishes to eat their meat in, or money wherewith to buy any, but what he was forced to borrow of the Bishop of Carlile. After this, his matter for the Praemunire being called upon in the Kings Bench, his two Atturnies confessed the Action, and thereupon had Judgement to forfeit all his Lands and Goods, and to be out of the Kings protection; but the King of his clemency, sent him a sufficient Protection, and left him the Bishopricks of Yorke and Winchester, with Plate and stuffe convenient for his dignity. His Bishopricke of Duresme was given to Doctor Tunstall, Bishop of London; his Abbey of Saint Albans to the Prior of Norwich, and the Bishopricke of London to Doctor Stokestey, Embassadour then beyond the Seas.

In this meane while, Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy, aunt to the Emperour, and the Lady Loyis Dutchesse of Angoulesme, Mother to the French King, met at Cambray to treat of a Peace between the Emperor, the Pope and the Kings of England and France, where were present Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London, and Sir Thomas Moore, then Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster, Commissioners for the King of England: after long debating, through the diligence of the said Ladies, a Peace was concluded; and was thereof called, The Womans Peace; and was indeed as fickle as women, for it was soone broken, and neither of the Princes trusted the other ere the more for it.

King Henry before this time had beene wholly ruled by the Cardinall and by the Clergie, but now growing sensible of that errour, he called his high Cour… of Parliament; in which the Commons complained sharply of their grievances against the Clergie, specially in six things.

The first, for that they exacted unreasonable summes of money, as due fees, for the probate of mens last Wils and Testaments: in so much, that Sir Henry Guildford Knight of the Garter, and Comptroller of the Kings House declared openly, that he and others being Executers to Sir William Compton; payed for the pro…ate of his Will to the Cardinall, and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand markes.

The second, the extreame exaction, which spirituall men used in taking of corps, or mortuaries.

The third, that spirituall men became Farmours of great Granges and Farmes: to the prejudice of Husbandmen and Graziers.

The fourth, because many Abbots, Pryors, and other spirituall men, kept Tan-houses, and bought and sold wooll, cloath, and other wares, as temporall Merchants.

The fifth, because such Clergy men as had the best livings, would take the uttermost of their right, and yet live in the Court or in Noble mens or Bishops houses, where they spent nothing.

The sixth, because diverse ignorant men amongst them, held ten or twelve Benifices to themselves severally, and yet lived not upon any one of them, but kept great schollers at small pension.

These things before this time might not be touched, because the Bishops were Chancelours, and had all the rule about the King: but now the King looking better into …he matter, gave way to these complaints: whereupon the Burgesses drew up three Bils; one of the probate of Testaments, another for Mortuaries: and the third, for Non-residence, pluralities, and taking of farmes by spirituall men. The bill of Mortuaries, passed first the House of Commons, and was sent up to the Lords: within two dayes after, was sent up the Bill of probate of Testaments, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury, and a…l the Bishops much frowned, but specially Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester who rose up and said; my Lords, you see what Bills come dayly from the Common House, and all is to the destruction of the Church, for Gods sake, consider what a realme Bohemia was, and when the Church went downe, then fell the glory of that Kingdome. p. 37Now with our Commons is nothing but downe with the Church; and all this mee seemeth, is for lacke of faith onelyonly. When these words were reported to the House of Commons, they tooke the matter very hainously, and thereupon sent their sp…aker Thomas Audeley, with thirty of the House, to the King, complayning what a dishonour to the King and to the whole Realme it was to say, that they which were elected for the wisest men of all Shires, should be charged to lack faith, which was all one as to say, they were Infidels and no Chrystians, so as what Acts or Laws soever they made should be taken as Laws made by Paynims and Heathen, and not worthy to be kept by Christian men. And therfore humbly besought his Majesty, to call the said Bishop of Rochester before him, to give accompt of the words he had spoken. Wherupon within few daies after, the King sent for the Bishop, and acquainted him with the Commons complaint against him; who excused himselfe, by saying he meant the doings of the Bohemians was for lack of faith, and not the doings of the House of Commons; of which excuse, the King sent word to the House by Sir William Fitz-Williams Treasurer of his houshold, but it pleased the Commons nothing at all. After divers meetings between the Lords and the Commons, about the Bils of probate of Testaments and Mortuaries, the temporalty laid to the spiritualty their owne lawes and constitutions, and the spiritualty defended them, by prescription and usage; to whom a Gentleman of Grays-Inne made this answer, the usage hath ever been of theeves, to robbe on shooters hill; is it therefore lawfull? whilst these Bils were in debate, an Act was passed, which released to the King all such summes of money as he had borrowed at the Loane, in the fifteenth yeere of his Reigne; which Bill at first was much opposed, but the most part of the House being the Kings servants, it was at last assented to, which once knowne in the Country abroad, made much murmering, and the Parliament to be ill spoken of; for every man counted it as a sure debt, so as some made their Wils of the money, and some turned it over in satisfaction to their creditours. To qualifie which grievance, the King granted a generall pardon for all offences (certaine excepted) and was a meanes also to have the three Bils passed; one for probate of Testaments, another for Mortuaries; and the third, against plurality of Benefices; Non-residence, buying and taking of farmes by spiritual persons, though this last with some qualifying.

During this Parliament, the King created Viscount Rochford, Earl of VViltshire, the Vicount Fitz-VVater Earle of Sussex, and the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington.

By this time, the Lords of the upper House, had drawne certaine Articles against the Cardinall, and sent them downe to the House of Commons, the chiefe wherof were these.

First, that without the Kings assent, he hath procured himselfe to be made a Legat, by reason whereof he tooke away the right of all Bishops and spirituall persons.

Secondly, that in all his writings which he wrote to Rome, or to any foraign Prince he wrote Ego et Rex meus, I and my King; so preferring himselfe before the King.

Thirdly, that without the Kings assent, hee carried the great Seale of England with him into Flanders.

Fourthly, that having the French-pox, he presumed to come and breath upon the King.

Fifthly, that he caused the Cardinals-hat to be put upon the Kings Coyne.

Sixthly, that he would not suffer the Kings Clerke of the Market to sit at Saint Albanes.

Seventhly, that he had sent infinite store of treasure to Rome, for purchasing of his dignity.

These Articles were read in the House, and if not otherwise proved, yet confessed p. 38afterward under the Cardinals owne hand, which added to the former Praemunire; all his Lands and goods were seized on to the Kings use.

This Parliament being ended, the King removed to Greenwich, and there kept his Christmas with his Queene Katherine in great state; for though this matter of making void the marriage between them, was hotly pursued by the King; yet abstaining onelyonly from her bed, he conversed with her still, and they kept Court together, in as loving manner as they had done before. And now King Henry understanding that the Pope and the Emperour was to meet at Bologna, he sent Embassadours thither, the Earle of Wiltshire, Doctor Stokesley Elect of London, and Doctor Lee, to declare both to the Pope and to the Emperour, the opinions of divers learned men in the matter of his Marriage; who all agreed that it was against the Law of God; and thereupon requiring the Pope to doe him Justice; and shewing to the Emperour, that the King moved this matter for discharge of his Conscience onelyonly, and to no other end. To which the Pope answered, that when he came to Rome, he would heare the matter disputed, and doe the King right. The Emperour answered, that he would in no case be against the Law of God, and if this marriage were Judged such by the Court of Rome, he would rest contented: with these Answers the Embassadours returned.

It was now the two and twentieth yeere of King Henries reigne, when the Emperour gave to the Master of Saint Iohns of Hierusalem the Island of Maltas, in supplying of the Island of Rodes, which the Turke sometime before had won from that Order.

In this yeere, the New Testament having beene Translated into English, by Tindall, Ioy, and others, was forbidden to be read; and many for reading it, were sharply punished by command of the Bishops and Sir Thomas Moore then Lord Chancellour; but none was more violent in the matter then the Bishop of London, who caused all the Bookes to be brought into Pauls Church-yard, and there burned.

King Henry having heard by good information, that when Campeius was sent Legat into England, he had brought with him a Bull of Di…orce; but was afterward upon change of the Popes mind, commanded to burne it; saw plainly by this, that the Pope had no meaning of proceeding really in the matter, but to keepe it a foot for his owne ends; neither to displease the Empour by granting it, nor King Henry by not granting it, but promising expedition to keepe him in expectance; yet using delayes to keepe him in dependance; and therefore resolved now to take such a course, that he should not need to care whether the Pope granted it or no; and thereupon caused a Proclamation to be published, that no person of what estate or condition soever should Purchase, or attempt to purchase from the Court of Rome, any thing prejudiciall to the Jurisdiction, or Prerogative of this his Realme, upon paine of imprisonment, and other punishments at his Graces pleasure; and shortly after an Act was made, that Bishops should pay no more Annats, or money for Buls to the Pope; for as much as it was proved, there had been paid for Bulls of Bishops, since the fourth yeere of King Henry the seventh, an hundred and threescore thousand pounds, besides what had been paid for Pardons and other dispensations. Another Act was then also made, that no person, should appeale for any cause, out of this Realme to the Court of Rome, but from the Commissary to the Bishop, and from the Bishop to the Archbishop, and from the Archbishop to the King: and all Causes of the King, to be tried in the upper House of the Convocation.

At this time, the Cardinall lying still at Asher, and his Adversaries doubting l…ast lying so neare the King, he might one time or other get accesse to the Kings presence, and come againe into favour; they using meanes to have him sent further off, and thereupon the King appointed him to goe to his Diocesse of Yorke, and not to come Southward without speciall licence, whereupon p. 39in Lent he made great preparation for his journey, and having in his train to the number of an hundred and threescore persons: by easie journeyes came to Peterborrow, and there kept his Easter; the weeke after he went to Stamford then to Newark, and so to Southwell, where he continued most part of all that summer: and then rode to Seroby, where he staid till Michaelmas and then came to Cawood Castle, within seaven miles of Yorke where he kept a plentifull house for al commers: and repaired the Castle, being greatly in decay, having above three hundred Artificers in daily wages. At last, he determined to be installed at Yorke, the next Munday after Alhallan-day; against which time great preparation was made, and the Cardinall sent to the King, to lend him the Miter and Pall, which he used to wear at any great solemnity. At which p…esumption the King marvailed not a little; saying to those that were about him, what a thing is this, that pride should thus reigne in a man that is quite under foot? but before the day of Instalment came; he was arrested in this manner; Sir Walter Walsh one of the Kings Privy-chamber, was sent downe to the Earl… of Northumberland, with whom he was joyned in Commission to arrest the Cardinall; whereupon they goe together to Cawood, where the Cardinall lay: and being entred into the house, it was told the Cardinall, that the Earle of Northumberland was come, and in the Hall; then (quoth the Cardinall) I am sorry wee have dined, for I doubt our Officers are not provided of any good cheere. With that, he went and brought the Earle up, welcomming him in a complementall manner, as if he had come but onelyonly to visit him: but being come into the Chamber, the Earle with a soft voyce, laying his hand upon the Cardinals arme, said; My Lord, I arrest you of high treason: the Cardinall somewhat astonied, asked to see his Commission, which the Earle denying to shew; then (saith the Cardinall) I will not obey your arrest; at that instant Master Walsh came in, and kneeled downe to the Cardinall; who asked him if he were joyned in Commission with the Earle; who answered, he was… well then, said the Cardinall, I trow you are one of the Kings Privie Chamber, your name is Walsh; I am content to yeeld to you, but not to my Lord of Northumberland, unlesse I see his Commission: the meanest of the Kings Privie-chamber is sufficient to arrest the greatest Peere of the Realme, by the Kings commandement, without any Commission. Then the Earle took the Cardinals keyes from him, and put him in custody of his Gentlemen: some few dayes after, he was conveyed from Cawood to Pomfret, and after to Sheffield Parke, where he had kinde entertainment, and staid with the Earle of Shrewsbury and his Lady eighteene dayes; till at last sitting one day at dinner, his colour was observed to change, and being asked how he did; not well (saith he) I have something suddenly at my stomacke, as cold as a whetstone, which I know is winde; I desire to have something from the Apothecary, to breake winde; which was brought, and the Earle seeing the say taken, he tooke it, and thereupon broke winde indeed; but whether it were he tooke it in too great a quantity, or that there was some foule play used, he fell soone after into such a loosenesse, that the night following he had above fifty stooles; yet the next day he rode to Nottingham, and the day after to Leicester Abbey; being so sicke by the way, that he was ready to fall off his Mule; comming to the Abby gates, the Abbot with all the Covent met him; to whom he said, Father Abbot, I am come hither to lay my bones among you; and then was led up into his chamber, and went to bed; where growing sicker and sicker; the next morning Master Kingston Lie…tenant of the Tower, who had beene sent to bring him up, comming to him, and a…king him how he did; I doe but tarry (saith he) the pleasure of God, to render up my poore soule into his hands; for this is my case, I have a flux with a continuall feaver, the nature whereof is, that if there be no amendment within eight dayes, either excoriation of the entrailes will ensue, or frenzie, or else present death; and the best of them is death; and (as I suppose) this is the eight day. Sir (said Master Kingston) you are afraid of that you have no cause; p. 40for I assure you, the King commanded me to say unto you, that you should be of good cheere, for that he beareth you as much good will as ever he did; No, no (Master Kingston) said the Cardinall, I see how it is framed; but if I had served God as diligently as I have done the King, he would not have given me over in my gray hayres; but it is a just reward for my study to doe him service, not regarding the service of God, to doe him pleasure; and having so said, his speech failed, and incontinent the clock struk eight, and then he gave up the Ghost; which made some about him to remember, how he had said the day before: that at eight of the clock they should loose their master. Being dead, he was buried in the Abby of Leicester. This man held at once the Bishopricks of Yorke, Winchester, and Durhan, the dignities of Lord Cardinall Lega… and Chancelour of England, the Abbey of Saint Albans, diverse Priories, and sundry great Benefices in Commendum: he had also in his hands, as it were in Farme, the Bishoprick of Bath, VVorcester and Here…ord, which having beene given by King Henry the seventh to strangers, that lived out of the Realme, they suffered Woolsey to enjoy them, receiving of him a Pension onelyonly. The Re…inue of this Pre…ate is scarce credible, a thousand persons daily in his houshold, of whom many Knights and some Lords; all which greatnesse as it came by the Kings favou…, so by the withdrawing of his favour, it was overthrowne: so true is that saying of Salomon, The Kings favour is as dew upon the grasse; but his wrath is as the roaring of a Lion, and as a messenger of death. After this the King removed from Hampton-Court to Greenwich, where with his Queene Katherine he kept a solemne Christma…, and on twelfth night he sat in state in the Hall, where was divers Enterludes; costly Masques, and a sumptuous Banquet. After Christmas he came to his Mannor of Westminster, which before was called Yorke Place; for the Cardinall had made a Feoffment of it to the King, which the Chapter of Yorke confirmed, and then it was no more called Yorke Place, but the Kings Mannor of Westminster, now VVhitehall.

At this time the whole Clergie of England was charged by the Kings learned Councell, to be in a Praemunire, for supporting and maintaining the Cardinals Legatine power; and were thereupon called by Processe into the Kings Bench to answer; but before their day of Appearance came, they in their Convocation concluded an humble submission in writing, and offered the King an hundred thousand pound to have their pardon by Parliament; which offer, after some labour, was accepted, and their pardon promised. In which submission the Clergie called the King supreame Head of the Church. This Pardon was signed with the Kings hand, and sent to the Lords, who assented to it; and then sent it to the Lower House: but here, divers of the House excepted against the Pardon, unlesse themselves also might be included in it; who (they said) having had something to doe with the Cardinall, might be brought into the same case as the Clergie were. Hereupon their Speaker Thomas Audeley, with a convenient number of the House, was sent to the King about it; to whom the King made answer, that he was their Soveraigne Lord, and would not be compelled to shew his mercy; and seeing they went about to restraine him of his liberty, he would grant a Pardon to the Clergie, which he might doe by his great Seale without them; and for their Pardon, he would be advised before he granted it: with this Answer the Speaker and Commons returned, much grieved and discontented; and some said that Thomas Cromwell, who was newly come into the Kings favour, had disclosed the secrets of the House, which made the King give this unpleasing Answer. But soon after the King of his own accord, caused their Pardon also to be drawn, and signed it… which easily passed both Houses, with great commendation of the Kings judgement, to denie it at first when it was demanded as a right, and to grant it afterward, when it was received as of grace.

In this Parliament time, on the thirtieth of March, Sir Thomas Moore Lord Chancellour, with twelve of the Lords, came into the Lower House, acquainting p. 41them, that though in the matter of the Kings Divorce, he might sufficiently rest upon the judgement of learned men in his owne Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, yet to avoid all suspicion of parciality, he had sent into France, Italy, the Popes Dominions, and the Venetians, to have their opinions; and then causing them to be read, Sir Bryan Tuke tooke out of a box certaine writings sealed, which were the determinations of the Universities of Orleance, of Paris, of Anjou, of Burges, of Bolonia, of Padua, and of Thoulouse: all which were peremptory in these two Points; that the Brother, by the Law of God, might not marry the Relict of his brother; and then, being against the law of God, that it is not in the power of the Pope to dispence with it: and now (said they) you may know, that the King hath not sought this Divorce for his pleasure; but for discharge of his conscience; and this said, they departed. The King himselfe, when he heard of these determinations, was so farre from rejoycing at it, that he rather mourned, as for the losse of so good a wife; yet he conversed with her as he had done before, in nothing altered but in abstaining from her bed. But being willing the Queene should know these Determinations; in Whitsonweeke after, he sent divers Lords to acquaint her with them; requi…ing her thereupon to recall her Appeale, and to refer the matter to eight indifferent Lords; which she utterly refused, using her usuall Answer, that she was his lawfull wife, and would abide the Determination of the Court of Rome, but of no other. After Whitsontide, the King and Queen removed to Windsor, and there continued till the fourteenth of Iuly, on which day the King removed to Woodstocke and left the Queen at Windsor, where she remained a while, and after removed to Easthamsted, whither the King sent to her divers Lords, first to perswade her to be conformable to the law of God; which if they could not do, then to let her know, that his pleasure was, she should be at either of these three places, his Mannor of Oking, or of East-hamstead, or the Monastery of Bisham, and there to continue without further molesting him with her suits.

And now came Cranmer in to play his part. It chanced that Doctor Stephe…s, Doctor Foxe and he met at Waltham one day at dinner; where falling into discourse, about the case then in agitation, of the Kings mariage with Queene Katherine; the other Doctors thought the mariage might be proved unlawfull by the Civill Law: (but (said Cranmor)… it may better be proved by the Law of God, and it is no hard matter to doe it; which words of his being made knowne to the King… Cranmor is sent for, and commanded to set his reasons down in writing: which having done, and shewed them to the King; he was asked whether he would stand to that which he had written: who answered, he would, even before the Pope himselfe, if his Majesty pleased: marry (said the King) and to Pope you shall go; and thereupon sent him to the Court of Rome, and with him Thomas Bullen Earl of Witshire, Doctor Stokesley Elect of London, Doct. Lee the Kings Almoner, and others: who coming to Bolonia where the Pope was, had a day of audience appointed, but was hindred by a …diculous accident; for the Pope holding out his foot for them to kisse his toe, as the manner is, a dog of the Earls, by chance in the room, ran and caught the Popes foot in his mouth, & made it for that time unfit to kisse. After this, when Cranmor had made his Proposition, he was told, it should be answered when the Pope came to Rome: so the Embassadors were dismissed, and Cranmor went to the Emperour… Court; where in private conference he satisfied Cornelius Agrippa, the most learned at that time about the Emperour, and brought him to be of his opinion. Cranmor returning home, and giving the King this satisfaction; the Kings mariage with Queen Katherine was soon after dissolved by Parliament, and the Bishop of Canterbury accompanied with Doctor Stokesley Bishop of London, Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Bathe and Lincolne, and other learned men, rode to Dunstable where Queen Katherine then lay; where being cited to appeare, and making default fifteen dayes togethers, for lack of appearance, she was divorced from the King, and the mariage declared to be void and of none effect; and from p. 42thenceforth it was decreed, she should no more be called Queen, but Princesse Dowager: after which time, the King never saw her more.

At this time, being the foure and twentieth yeer of King Henries reigne, Sir Thomas Moore, after long suit, delivered up the great Seal, which was then delivered to Thomas Audeley Speaker of the Parliament; and he made first Lord Keeper, and shortly after Chancelour; in whose roome of Speaker, H…nfrey Wing…eld of Grayes-Inne was chosen on the first of September this yeer: the King being at Windsor, created Anne Bullen Marchionesse of Pembrooke, giving her a thousand pounds land a yeere: and then being desirous to talke with the King of France in person, on the tenth of October, taking the said Lady with him, and divers Lords, as the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke, the Marquesse of Dorset and Excester, the Earles of Arundell, Oxford, Surrey, Essex, Derby, Rutland, Sussex and Huntington, with divers Viscounts, Barons and Knights, he sailed over to Callice; and on the twentieth of October me… with the King of France at Bolloigne, with whom he staid foure dayes; in which time, to doe him honour, the King of France honored the two Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke with the Order of Saint Michael, and then both Kings went to Callice, where the French King stayed certain dayes; in which time to doe the King of France honor, King Henry honored two of his great Lords with the Order of the Garter, and then after great magnificence in revelling & feasting, on the twentieth of Ostob. the French King departed from Callice, and King Henry returned into England, where on the fourteenth of November following, he maried secretly the Lady Anne Bulle… … which mariage was not openly known till Easter after, when it was perceived she was with childe; at which time William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury dyed, Thomas Cranmor was elected Archbishop in his roome.