A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 6

A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government · Regnal history 6

p. 30THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH.

Of his comming to the Crowne.

AFter the Resignation of King Richard, and the sentence of his Deposing openly read in Parliament; Henry Duke of Lancaster riseth up from his seat; and first, making the Signe of the Crosse upon his forehead and breast, he said: In the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost: I Henry of Lancaster claime the Crown of England, as descended by right line from King Henry the Third. And having thus spoken, he sate downe againe. Upon this, the Archbishop conferred with the Lords; and having heard their opinions, he …urned to the Commons, asking them, if they would joyne with the Lords, in choosing Henry of Lancaster for their King: who all with one voyce cryed, Yea, Yea: whereupon going to the Duke, he bowed his knee, and taking him by the hand, led him to the Royall seat; and then began a Sermon, taking for his Text, out of the first Booke of the Kings, cap. 9. Vir dominabitur in populo: wherein he declared what a happinesse it is to a Nation to have a King of wisedome and valour, and shewed the Duke of La…caster to be such a one; and as much the defects in both, of the late king Richard. The Sermon ended, the king thanked them all for his El…ction; and testified unto them, that he meant not to take advantage against any mans estate, a… comming in by Conquest; but that every one should freely enjoy his own, as in times of lawfull succession. And now a time was appointed for his Coronation; and accordingly, upon the 13^th day of October following, the very day wherein the yeere before he had been banished, he was Crowned at Westminster, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, with all Rites and Ceremonies accust…med. At his Coronation, he was anoynted with an Oyle which a Religious man had given to Henry, the first Duke of Lancaster, together with this Proph…re, That the kings anoynted with this oyle, should be the Champions of the Church. This oyle comming to the hands of king Richard, as he was looking amongst his Jewels, going then into Ireland, he was desirous to be anoynted with it, but that the Archbishop of Canterbury told him, it was not lawfull to be anoynted twice: whereupon putting it up againe, at his comming afterwards to Fli…t, the Archbishop got it of him, and kept it till …he Coronation of king Henry, who was the first king of the Realme that was anoynted with it. The day before the Coronation, the king in the Tower made one and …orty, some say but twelve, knights of the Bathe, whereof foure were his owne sonnes, Henry… Thomas, Ioh…, and Humfry, all then alive; and with th…m, …hree Earles, a…d five p. 31…rons. Upon the Feast-day, many claimed Offices, as belonging to their Tenures, …o which, upon shewing their Right, they were admitted. And now the King …ade divers new Officers: The Earle of Northumberland he made Constable of Eng…nd; the Earle of Westmerland was made Lord Marshall; Sir Iohn Serle, Chancellor; …ohn Newbery Esquire, Treasurer; and Sir Rich…rd Clifford was made Lord Keeper of …he Privy Seale: The Lord Henry his eldest sonne, being then about thirteen yeers …f age, was created Prince of Wal…s, Duke of Cornwall, and Earle of Chester, and …oone after also Duke of Aquitaine: and the Crowne was by Parliament E…ailed …o King Henry, and the heires of his body lawfully begotten.

After this a Parliament was holden, in which the Acts made in the Eleventh yeere of King Richard were revived, and the Acts made in his one and twentieth yeere were wholly repealed; and they who by that Parliament were attainted, were re…tored to their Lands and Honours: whereupon Richard Earle of Warwick was de…ivered out of Prison, and the Earle of Arundells sonne recovered his Inheritance; …nd many other also that were banished, or imprisoned by King Richard, were then …ully restored to their liberty and estates. Also the King gave to the Earle of West…erland the County of Richmond; and to the Earle of Northumberland the Isle of M…n, to be holden of him by bearing the sword wherewith he entred into England. And now was the time for shewing of Spleens: Sir Iohn Bagot then Prisoner in the Tower, accused the Earle of A…merle for speaking words against the Duke of Lanc…ster, now King: also the Lord Fitzwater accused him for the death of the Duke of Glocester: the Lord M…rley appealed the Earle of Salisbury of Treason: and one Hall accused the Duke of Exceter, for conspiring the death of Iohn of Gaunt the Kings father: But King Henry having entred the Throne in a storme, was willing now to have a Calme; and therefore laying aside the ones Accusations, he accepted of the others Excuses, and received the Duke of A…merle, and the Duke of Exceter into as much favour, as if they had never been accused:

And to qualifie the hard opinion which forraigne Princes might conceive of King Richards Deposing, He sent Ambassadours into divers Countries, to make it knowne, by what Title, and by what favour of the People he came to the Kingdome. To the Court of Rome he sent Iohn Trenevant Bishop of Hereford, Sir Iohn Cheyny Knight, and Iohn Cheyny Esquire: Into France he sent Walter Sherlow Bishop of Durham, and Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester: Into Spaine he sent Iohn Trevor Bishop of Assaph, and Sir William Parre: and into Germany he sent the Bishop of Bangor, and certaine others. Most of these Princes seemed either not to regard what was done, or were easily perswaded that all was done well: onelyonly Charles King of France was so distemper'd with this indignity offered to his sonne in Law K. Richard, that by violence of his Passion, he fell into his old pangues of Frensie; but somewhat recovered, he resolved to revenge it; wherein many Lords of France shewed themselves forward, but specially the Earle of S. Paul, who had maried K. Richards halfe-sister: yet having prepared an Army in readinesse, when afterward they heard of King Richards death, they dissolved it againe, as considering the time was then past. The Aquitaines also, and specially the Citizens of Burdeaux, as being the place where K. Richard was born, were mightily incensed: but Sir Robert Knolls Lieutenant of Guyen, and afterwards Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester, being sent to them by the King, so perswaded them, that with much adoe they continued in obedience.

It was about this time, moved in Parliament, what should be done with King Richard (for he was not as yet murthered:) Whereupon, the Bishop of Carlile, … learned man and wise, and who had never given allowance to the Deposing of King Richard; now that he was in a place of freedome of speech, he rose up, and said:

My Lords, The matter now propounded is of marvellous weight and consequence; wherein there are two points chiefly to be considered: the first, Whether King Richard be sufficiently put out of his Throne: the second, Whether the Duke of Lancaster be lawfully taken in. For the first, how can that be sufficiently done, when there is no Power sufficient to doe it? The Parliament cannot, for p. 32of the Parliament the King is the Head; and can the Body put down the He… You will say, But the Head may bow it selfe downe; and so may the King …esign… It is true; but what force is in that which is done by force? and who knowes … that King Richards Resignation was no other. But suppose he be sufficiently ou… yet how comes the Duke of Lancaster to be lawfully in? If you say, by Con…uest, you speak Treason; for what Conquest without Arms? a…d can a subj…ct take Ar… against his lawfull Soveraigne, and not be Treason? If you say, by El…ction of … State, you speake not reason; for what power hath the State to El…ct, while any … living that hath right to succeed? but such a Succ…s…or is not the Earle of Lancaster, as descended from Edmund Crouchback, the elder sonne of King Henry the Third, though put by the Crowne for deformity of his body; For who knowes not the falsenesse of this allegation? seeing it is a thing notorious, that this Edmund was neither the elder brother, nor yet crooke-backr, (though called so for some other reason) but a goodly personage, and without any deformity. And your selves cannot forget a thing so lately done; who it was, that in the fourth yeere of K…g Richard was declared by Parliament to be Heire to the Crowne, in case K. … should dye without issue. But why then is not that claime made? because, Sil… leges inter arma; what disputing of Titles against the streame of Power? B… howsoever, it is extreame injustice, the King Richard should be condemned, without being heard, or once allowed to make his defence. And now, my Lords, I have spoken thus at this time, that you may consider of it before it be too late; for as yet it is in your power to undoe that justly, which you have unjustly done.

Much to this purpose was the Bishops speech; but to as little purpose as if he had gone about to call back Yesterday: The matter was too farre gone; and scarce a person there present, that had not a hope of either a private or a publick benefi… by that which was done. Yet against this speech of the Bishop there was neither Protesting nor Excepting; It passed in the House as but one mans opinion: And as for the King, it was neither fit he should use much severity against any Member of that Parliament which had so lately shewed so much indulgence towards him; nor indeed safe, to be too hot in his Punishment, when he was yet scarce warme in his Government. Yet for a warning to use their liberty of speech with more moderation hereafter, the Bishop was arrested by the Marshall, and committed to Prison in the Abby of S. Albans, but afterward without further censure se… at liberty; till upon a conspiracy of the Lords, wherein he was a Party, he was condemned to dye, though through extremity of griefe he prevented execution. But as for King Richard, and Edmund Mortimer Earle of March, enough was spoken by the Bishop in both their behalfes, to undoe them both: and indeed, K. Richard was soone after made away; the Earle secured himselfe by retiring farre off, to his Lordship of Wigmore: avoyding the danger of Contention, by not entring the Lists of Aspiring: But although the Divine Providence, for causes hidden from humane knowledge, gave way at this time to the advancement of the younger, the House of Lancaster; yet in the third Generation after, the elder, the House of Clarence recovered its Right, in K. Edwa… the Fourth; that we may know, it is but staying the leisure of Heaven, for every one to have his Right, either in Person, or by Proxie.

But whether incited by this speech of the Bishop, or otherwise out of the ran…ur of envy is some, and malice in others; it was not long after, before there grew in the mindes of many both Lords and other, a malignant inclination towards King Henry; and came first to be a Conspiracie in the house of the Abbot of Westminster. This Abbot was a kinde of Booke-statesman, but better read in the Politicks of Aristotle then of Solomon; who remembring some words of King Henry, which he had spoken long before, when he was but Earle of Darby; That Princes had too little, and Religious men too much: and fearing, lest being now king, he should reduce his words into act, he thought it better to use preventing Physick before-hand, then to sta…d to the hazard of a curing afterward: and thereupon invited to his house the discontented Lords …s namely, Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter, Thomas Holland hi… brothers sonne, Duke of Surry, Edward Duke of A…merle, Iohn Montacute Earle of p. 33S…lisbury, Hugh Spenser Earle of Glocester, Iohn Bishop of Carlile, Sir Thomas Blunt, and Ma…lin one of King Richards Chappell: who after dinner conferring together, and communicationg their spleenes against King Henry one with another; they resolved at last, both to take away the Kings life, and of the way how to doe it. The device was this: They would publish a solemne Justs to be…olden at Oxford, at a day appointed, and invite the King to honor it with his presence; and there, in the time of acting the Justs, when all mens intentions should be otherwise busied, they would have him be murthered. This device was resolved on; Oaths for secrecy were t…ken; and Indentures sextipartite for performing conditions agreed upon between them, sealed and delivered: The Justs are proclaimed; the King is invited, and promiseth to come; secrecie of all hands kept most firmly to the very day: But though all other kept counsell, yet Fortune would not, but she discovered all; For it fortuned, that as the Duke of Aumerle was riding to the Lords at Oxford, against the day appointed, he tooke it in his way to goe visit his father the Duke of Yorke; and having in his bosome the Indenture of Confederacy, his father, as they sate at dinner, chanced to spy it, and asked what it was? to whom his sonne answering, It was nothing that any way concerned him; By S. George, saith his father, but I will see it: and there withall snatching it from him, read it; and finding the Contents, and reviling his sonne for being now the second time a Traitour, before to King Richard, and now to King Henry, he commanded his horses to be instantly made ready, and with all the speed he could make, rode to Windsor, where the King then lay: but the younger yeeres of his sonne out-rid him, and came to the Court before him; where locking the Gates, and taking the keyes from the Po…ter, pretending some speciall reason, he went up to the King, and falling on his knees, …sked his Pardon. The king demanding, for what offence? he then discovered the whole Plot: which he had scarce done, when his father came rapping at the Court-gates, and comming to the king, shewed him the Indenture of Confederacy which he h…d taken from his sonne. This, though i… amazed the king, yet it informed him of the truth of the matter, whereof he was before doubtfull; and thereupon layes aside his journey to see the Justings of others in jest, and takes care that he be not justled in earnest out of his Throne himselfe. In the meane time, the confederate Lords being ready at Oxford, and hearing nothing of the Duke of Aumerle, nor seeing any preparation for the kings comming, were certainly perswaded that their Treason w…s discovered: Whereupon falling into consideration of the case they were in, they found there was no place left for them of Mercy, and ther…fore were to stand upon their Guard, and provide the best they could for their safety: To which purpose, the first thing they did was to apparell Magdalen in Princely robes, a man as like to king Richard in countenance and pesonage, as one man lightly can be to another; and to give forth that he was king Richard escaped out of Prison, thereby to countenance their proceedings: The next thing was to dispatch me…senger… to the king of France, and require his assistance. This done, they set forward in Battell-array towards Windsor, against king Henry; but finding him gone to London before they came, they then deliberate what course to take: Some advised to set K. Richard at liberty, before their counterfeit Richard should be discovered: Others …hought best to follow the king to London, and set upon him unprovided, and befo…e he had g…thered Forces. In this division of Advises, when they could not doe both, they did neither; but as men amazed, ma…ched on, though they knew not well wh…ther, till they came to Colbrooke; by which time the king had gathered an Army of twenty thousand, and was marching towards them: but they not thinking so well of their c…se, that they durst put it to the tryall of a battell; or perhaps staying for ayde out of France; withdrew themselves back to Sunnings neere to Reading, where the young Queen lay… to whom their comming gave some flashes of comfort, but quenched before they were throughly kindled: and from thence they march to Cicester; where the Duke of Surry and the Earle of Salisbury …o…ke up their lodging in one Inne; the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Glocester in anoth…: And now a strange Accident, beyond the reach of all consultation, gave a period to their Designe; p. 34for who would thinke that a private company durst oppose those Lords having their Army so neere them? yet the Bailiffe of the Towne, upon intelligence (no doubt) that these Lords were up in Arme… against the King, taking with him a company of Townsmen, in the night assaulted the Inne where the Duke of Surry and the Earle of Salis…ury lay; who thus assaulted, made shift to defend themselve… till three a clock in the afternoone; but then, being in danger to be taken, a Priest, one of their company, set divers houses in the Towne on fi…e, thinking thereby to divert the Assailants from prosecuting the Lords, to save their houses: but this inflamed them the more; and so hotly they pursued their as…ault, that they wounded the Duke and the Earle to death; who dying that night; their heads were stricken off, and sent up to London. With them also were taken, Sir Bennet Shelley, Sir Barnard Brocas, Sir Thomas Blunt, and eight and twenty other Lords, Knights and Gentlemen; who were sent to Oxford, where the King then lay, and there were put to execution. The Duke of Exceter in the other Inne, hearing of this assault, fled out of the backside towards the Campe, intending to bring the whole Army to the rescue… but the souldiers having heard a clamour, and seeing fire in the Towne, supposing the King had been come with all his Forces, out of a sodaine feare dispersed them selves and fled; which the Duke seeing, he also, with Sir Iohn Shelley, fled into Essex, where wandring and lurking in secret places, he was at last apprehended as he sate at supper in a friends house, and led to Plashey, and there shortly after beheaded; the place, where by his counsell and countenance, the Duke of Glocester formerly had been apprehended: that we may observe, how the Divine Providence, in revenging of injuries, takes notice, and makes use of the very circumstance of place where the injuries are …one. The Earle of Glocester fled towards Wales, but was taken, and beheaded at Bristow. Magdalen the counterfeit king Richard, was apprehended and brought to the Tower, and afterward hanged and quartered; with M^r. Fereby, another of king Richards Chaplaines. Divers other Lords, and Knights, and Gentlemen, and a great number of meane persons, were in other places put to death; that so much Noble blood, at one time, and for one cause, hath scarce been heard or read of. The Abbot of Westminster, in whose house the Plot was contrived, hearing of these misfortunes, as he was going between the Monastery and his Mansion, fell suddenly into a Palsie, and shortly after, without speech, ended his life. About this time also, a strange peece of Treason is reported to have been practised against the kings life: that there was found in his bed-cloaths an Iron with three sharpe pikes standing upright; that when the king should have layd him downe, he might have thrust himselfe upon them. But seeing there is no farther mention of inquiring after it; it seemes to have been but an idle rumour not worth beleeving.

But now that the hot English blood was well allayed, the Welch blood springs up as hot: For now, Owen Glendour an Esquire of Wales, brought up at the Innes of Court in London; partly out of a desire to revenge a wrong done him (as he conceived) in a suit for lands in controversie between the Lord Grey of Ruthin and him, but chiefly out of an humour of aspiring, endeavored to draw the Welchmen to a generall defection, telling them, That the English being at variance amongst themselves, now was the time to shake off their yoake, and to resume their owne antient Lawes and Customes. To whose perswasions the Welchmen hearkening, made him their king and Captaine; and he having gotten a competent Army, sets first upon his old Advers…ry …ey…old Lord Grey of Ruthin, and takes him Prisoner; yet with promi…e of Releasement, if he would marry his daughte…; which offer, though the Lord Grey at first not onelyonly refused, but scorned, yet out of necessity at last he was contented to accept; when notwithstanding, his deceitfull father in Law trifled out the time of his enlargement, till he dyed. But the Welchmen growing confident upon this successe, breake into the borders of Herefordshire, making spoyle and prey of the Country as freely as if they had leave to doe it; for indeed none opposed them but onelyonly the Lord Ed…nd Mortimer, who had formerly withdrawne himselfe to his Castle at Wigmore; an… he having assembled the Forces of the Country, and joyning b…ttell with them, was taken Prisoner, and then fettered, and cast into a deepe and p. 35vile Dungeon. It was thought if Glendour had as well known how to use his victory, as to get it; he might at this time have put the English yoak into a great haz…rd to be shaken off: but he having killed a thousand of the English, thought he had done for that time, and so giving over the pursuit, retired. The inhumanity of the Welsh women was here memorable, who fell upon the dead carkasses of the English, first stripping them, and then cutting off their privie parts, and noses; whereof the o…e they thrust into their mouthes, the other they pressed between their buttock…. Many noble men, specially his kinsmen the Percies, sollicited King Henry to deliver Mortimer; but the King was deafe of that eare, he could rather have wished both him and his two Sisters in heaven, for then he should be free from conceal'd competitours.

These affronts were at this time suffered in the Welch, because the King was now employed in a more dangerous service with the Scots; for they taking advantage of the distraction in the kingdome (as it was alwayes their custome to do) had made an In-rode into the County of Northumberland, and sudden…y one night set upon the Castle of Werke; tooke and spoiled it, and then returned. In revenge wherof, the English invaded and spoiled certain Islands of the Orkn…ys: Then the Scots set forth a Fleet, under the conduct of Sir Robert Logon; but before he came to any action, he was encountred, and the greatest part of his Fleet taken. But these were but such affronts, as often happen between troublesome neighbours; for all this while the Peace was still in being between the Nations, but at last it brake out into an open warre upon this occasion: Robert King of Scots had offered to match his Son David with a D…ughter of Geo…ge Earle of Dunbarre, and had received money of him in part of her portion; and afterward would neither suffer the March to proceed, nor yet pay back the money; but married his Son to a Daughter of Archibold Earle of D…glasse: Upon which indignity, George of Dunbarre flyes into England to king Henry; and with his ayd makes divers incursions into Sco…land: Whereupon Rober… king of Scots sent to king Henry, that if he would have the Truce between them to continue, he should deliver to him George of Dunbarre. King Henry answered, that he had given him a safe conduct, and could not now recall it with his Honor; but as for continuing the Truce, king Robert might do in that what he thought best… Upon this answer, the king of Scots presently proclaimed warre against him; But king Henry as ready in that matter as he, stayed not for king Roberts invading of England; but himselfe with a puissant Army invaded Scotland, burning Castles, and Cities, and not sparing Churches, and Religious Houses. About the end of September, he besieged the Castle of Maydens in Edenbourgh, where Prince David, and the Earle Dowglasse were: At which time, Robert Duke of Albanye, who in the king of Scots sicknesse managed the businesse, sent an Herald to king Henry, protesting upon his honor, that if he would stay but six dayes, he would give him battell. K. Henry rewarded the Herald, and stayed; but six times six dayes passed, but neither Duke of Albany, nor any other for him appeared. And now winter came on, Victualls grew scant, and which was worst, a mortality began in the Engl…sh Campe; For which causes, king Henry removed his Siege, and retu…ned i…t… England. As soone as he was gone, sir Patrick Hebborne a Scottishman, having a good opinion of his valour, thought to do great matters; and with a competent Army of the men of L…gh-deane, he invaded Northumberland, making great spoile, and loading his Soul…diers with prey, and prisoners; but in the Retreit, marching loosely and licentiously, was set upon by the Earle of Northumberland Vice-warden, at a Towne called Neshye; where Hebborne himselfe, and all the floure of L…ugh-deane were flaine; sir Iohn and William Cockburne, sir William Busse, Iohn and Thomas Hablington Esq…ires and a multitude of common Souldiers taken prisoners. On the Engl…sh part few sl…in… and none of any ranke or quality: In revenge whereof, Archibold Dowglasse with an Army of twenty thousand entred Northumberland; but at a place called Hom…ldon, were encountred by the English, under the leading of Henry Lord Percye, sirnamed Ho…spu…e, and George Earle of March, who put them to …light; and after the slau…hter of ten thousand of them, tooke five hundred prisoners; whereof the chieft p. 36were Mordack Earle of Fife, (sonne of the Generall, who in the fight lost one of his eyes) Thomas Earle of Murrey, Robert Earle of A…gus, the Earls of Atholl and Menli… … and amongst the slaine, were Sir Iohn Swinton, Sir Adam Gourdon, Sir Iohn Leviston, Sir Alexander Ramsey, and three and twenty other knights.

In this meane time, Glendour of Wales had solicited the king of France for ayde, who sent him twelve hundred men of quality, but the windes were so contrary, that they lost twelve of their ships, and the rest returned home. The English, deriding this ill successe of the French, so exasperated the French-king, that presently after he sent twelve thousand, who landed safely, and joyned with the Welch; but as soone as they heard of the English armies approach, whether mistrusting their own strength, or suspecting the Welch-mens faithfullnesse, they ran to their ships and disgracefully went home.

King Henry's Ambassadors lately sent into Britaine to fetch the Lady Iane de Navarre Dutchesse of Britiane, the relict of Iohn de Montford sirnamed the Conquerour… with whom the king by Procurators had contracted Matrimony; in the beginning of February returned with her in safety: The king met her at Winchester, where the seventh of February the marriage was solemnized.

About this time some affronts were offered by the French: Valerian Earle of S. Paul, with seventeene hundred men, landed in the Isle of Wight, where hee burnt two Villages and some few Cottages; but hearing the people of the Island to have assembled, hee made haste to his ships, and returned home. Also Iohn Earle of Clermont (the heire of Bourbon) won from the English the Castles of S. Peter, S. Mary, and the New-Castle: The Lord de la Brett, won the Castle of Cal…in; places of great consequence to the English.

And now to make k. Henry sensible that a Crown can hardly ever sit easie upon the head, if it be not set on right at first; a new Conspiracy is hatching against him: The Percies, Earls of Northumberland and Worcester, with Henry Hotspur, began about thi… time to fall off from king Henry; their reason was, First, because the king at their request refused to redeeme their kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery; and then because he denied them the benefit of such prisoners as they had taken of the Scots, at Homildon or N…shye: whereupon they went of themselves, and procured Mortimer's delivery, and then entred into a League offensive and defensive with Glendour, and by their Proxies, in the house of the Arch-deacon of Bangor, they agreed upon a Tripartite Indenture under their hands and seales, to divide the kingdome into three parts; whereby all England from Sever… and Trent, South and Eastward, was assigned for the portion of the Earle of March: All Wales and the Lands beyond Sever… VVestward, were assigned to Owen Glendour: And all the remainder of land from Trent Northward, to bee the portion of the Lord Percy. In this, as Glendour perswaded them, they thought they should accomplish a Prophesie; as though king Henry were the Mouldwarp cursed of Gods own mouth; & they three were the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolfe which should divide the Land among them. In this meane time king Henry, not acquainted with this Conspiracy, caused a Proclamation to bee made, intimating that the Earle of March had voluntarily caused himself to bee taken prisoner, to the end, the Rebels having him in their custody, might pretend some colour for their Conspiracy; and therefore hee had small reason to take care for his deliverance. Hereupon the Percies assisted with a company of Scots, and drawing to their party the Earle of Stafford, and Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke and many other, purposed to joyne with the Captain of the Welch, but first they framed certaine Articles against the king, and sent them to him in writing. That hee had falsified his Oath given at his landing, swearing that he came but only to recover his Inheritance, and would not meddle with the King, or with the Crowne. That most trayterously hee had taken Armes against his Soveraigne Lord, Imprisoned him, and then most barbarouusly caused him to be murthered. That ever since the death of king …ichard, he had unjustly kept the Crown from his kinsman Edmund M…rtimer Earl of March, to whom of right it belonged. That upon no occasion, hee had imposed divers Taxes upon the people. That by p. 37his Letters hee procured Burgesses and Knights of the Parliament to bee chosen; for which causes and many other, they defyed him, and vowed his destruction, and the restoring of the Earle of March to his right. King Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true, yet seeing the knowing it hindred him not from seeking to get the Crowne when hee had it not; it could lesse hinder him from seeking to keep it now that he had it; and if he were able, being a private man, to get it from a King, he was likely to bee more able, being now a king, to keepe it from privat… men; and as for any objections that Conscience could make, he had enough to answere them all: For, if his Title were good against king Richard, by his Resignation, it was as good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance; and upon these grounds, with a minde as confident as if all cyrcumstances were of his side, he raysed an Army, and marched towards the Lords, taking care they might by no meanes joyne with the Welch; and about Shrewsbury, on Saturday S. Mary Magdalens Eve, hee encountred them, in which fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shewed much valour, yet the victory rested on the kings side; Hotspur himselfe was slayne, the Earle of Worcester was taken prisoner, together with Sir Richard Vernon, Sir Theobald Trussel, the Baron of Kinderton; and the rest fled. On the kings part (besides the Earle of Stafford, who had that morning revolted from the Conspirators) were slaine Sir Hugh Sherley, Sir Iohn Clifton … Sir Iohn Cockayn, Sir Nicholas Gausell, Sir Walter Blunt, Sir Iohn Calverley, Sir Iohn Massie of Puddingtr…, Sir Hugh Mortimer and Sir Robert Gausell, all which had beene but that morning dubbed knights, with Sir Thomas Wendsley, who died afterwards of his wounds; of common Souldiers about sixteene hundred, but of the Conspirators above six thousand, whereof 36 the king slew with his own hand, but was once unhorsed by Dowglasse, who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt, with divers others, that day in all things attired like to the king; for which exployt, Dowglasse (being after by the fall of his horse taken prisoner) was by the kings command, carefully attended, and without Ransom set at liberty: In this batttell, the young Prince Henry, though wounded in the face with an Arrow, yet was not wounded in his courage, but continued fighting still. After this victory the king caused publique thanks to bee given to God, and then caused the Earle of Worcester to bee beheaded, and many others of that Rebellion to bee drawne hanged and quartered, and their heads placed on London Bridge: And then the king sent his sonne Henry Prince of Wales, with his whole Army into that Country; but before his comming, Owen Glendour was abandoned by all his Company, and lurking in the woods was there famished; many of his associats were taken and put to death. Whilest the Prince was in Wales, Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland, of his own accord, came and submitted himselfe to the king, protesting his innocency, a… not being once acquainted with any intent of Treason and Rebellion; whose excuse the king received for the present with gentle language, the rather for that hee had the possession of Barwick Castle and other places of strength in his power, but yet he wiped not off the score of his misdemeanors out of his minde.

And now with the fourth yeere of his Reigne ended all the great Troubles of this k. Henry the fourth: those that follow are but such accidents as are frequent in all times both abroad and at home. The Britans under the leading of the Lord of Castiles, spoyled the Towne of Plimouth; In revenge whereof, the Western-men, under the command of William Wilford, set forth … Fleete, which arriving in Britaine, tooke forty ships laden with Oyle and Wines, and burnt forty more. Againe the French landed a thousand men in the Isle of Wight … where they got together a great booty of Cattell, but the Islanders comming upon them tooke away their booty, and made many of them leave their Carkases for a booty to the …sland. Yet the French would not leave so, but a while after, as having gotten new spirits, they cast Anchor before the Isle of Wight, and require no lesse then to have the Island into their possession, but a resolute answere of the Islanders frighted them away, and made them glad they were gone. Soone after this the Duke of Orleance, brother to the French king, in a vaunting stile, sent a challenge to king Henry to meete him p. 38in the field, each of them to have a hundred in his Company; to which the king answered, That for his own valour it had sufficiently been tryed, and for this challenge of the Dukes, neither the Person nor the Cause were worthy of his undertaking. Upon this refusall of the kings, divers taunts and jeeres were bandied be…weene them, till at last the Duke, in great passion, falls upon Vergie a Towne in Guyen, but after three moneths assaulting it, being valiantly defended by Sir Robert An…field and three hundred Englishmen, he was glad to give over with losse, and returne into France. Presently upon this, the Admirall of Britaine, accompanied with the Lord du Castile, and thirty saile of ships, attempted to land at Dertmouth in Devonshire, but were repelled, and the Lord du Castile, and two of his brothers, and foure hundred of his men were slaine, besides two hundred taken Prisoners; of whom, the Lord Baquevile Marshall of Britaine, was one. After this, five hundred men of armes, five hundred Crosse-bowes, and a thousand Flemmings, under the conduct of the Earle of S. Paul, laid siege to the Castle of Mar…k, three leagues fr…m C…llice; but first by Sir Philip Hall Captaine of Callice, and after by Sir Richard Aston Lieutenant of the English pale, they were forced to retire and flye: The Earle of S. Paul escaped to S. Omers, but left many of his men of quality behind him, and more taken Prisoners. After this, Thomas Duke of Clarence, the Kings second sonne, and the Earle of Kent, with competent Forces entred the Haven of Sluce, where they burnt foure ships riding at anchour, and then returned to the reliefe of Callis, besieged at that time by the French; and in the way tooke three Carricks of G…noua richly laden, and brought them into the Chamber of Rye. And these were the troubles of this King abroad: But now at home, the Reliques of the former Northerne Rebellion began to revive; for now, Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland, Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke, Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall, the Lords, Hastings, Fawconbridge, and Bardolfe, with divers others, conspired, at a time appointed, to meet upon Yorkswould-Downes, and there to bid defiance to king Henry. Articles of Grievances were framed, and set up in all publick places, which drew multitudes to be partakers of the enterprize. But now, Ralph Nevill Earle of Westme…land, with the Lord Iohn the Kings third sonne, the Lords Henry Fitz-Hughes, Ralph Evers, and Robert Vmphrevile, make head against them; and comming into a Plaine in the Forrests of Galltree, they sate down right against the Archbishop and his Forces, which were twenty thousand; and Westmerland perceiving the Enemies forces to be farre more than theirs, he used this policie: he sent to the Archbishop, demanding the reason why he would raise Forces against the king? who answering, that his Armes were not against the king, but for his owne defence, whom the king, upon the instigation of Sycophants, had threatned; withall he sent him a scrowle of their grievances, which Westmerland read, and seemed to approve, and thereupon desired a conference with him: The Archbishop more credulous then wise, perswaded the Earle Marshall to goe with him to the place appointed to conferre: the Articles are read and allowed of; and thereupon Westmerland seeming to commiserate the souldiers… having beene in armour all day, and weary, wished the Archbishop to acquaint his Party, as he would his, with this their mutuall agreement; and so shaking hands, in most Courtly friendship dranke unto him; whereupon the souldiers were willed to disband, and repaire home: which they had no sooner done, but a Tro…p of horse, which in a colourable manner had made a shew to depart, wheeled about, and afterwards returned; and being come in …ight, the Earle of Westmerland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earle Marshall, and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Po…fret; who passing from thence to York, the Prisoners likewise were carried thither, and the next day both of them beheaded. At Durham, the Lords Hastings and F…wconbridge, with two knights, were executed. Northumberland, with the Lord Bardolfe, fled first to Barwick, and after into Scotland, where they were entertained by David Lord Flemming: whereupon the king gave summons to the Castle of Barwick, which at first they refused to obey, but upon the planting and discharging of a Piece, they presently yeelded without composition: and here William Greystock, Henry Baynton, and Iohn Blink…nsop, knights, and five other were p. 39presently put to execution, and many others committed to severall Prisons. About this time, Iames sonne and heire of Robert king of Scotland, a childe of nine yeares old, attended by the Earle of Orkney, as he was sailing into France, was taken by certaine Mariners of Norfolk, who brought him to the King at Windsor, the 30. of March, 1408. and the King sent them to the Tower of London.

Northumberland and Bardolfe, after they had been in Wales, France, and Flanders, to raise a Power against King Henry, returned back into Scotland, and after a yeere with a great Power of Scots entred England, and came into Yorkshire, making great spoyle and waste as they passed: but Sir Thomas Rokesby Sheriffe of Yorke, levying the forces of the County, upon Bramham-moore gave them battell; in which Northumberland was slaine, Bardolfe taken, but wounded to death, and the rest put to flight. About this time also, Sir Robert Vmphrevile Vice-admirall of England, with ten men of warre entred Scotland, burnt their Gally…t, and many other ships over against Lieth, and brought away with him fourteen tall ships laden with corne and other staple commodities, which at his returne he sent into the Markets round about, and thereby brought down the prizes of all things, and purchased to himselfe the name of Mend-market.

The Prince had been a Student In Queenes Colledge in Oxford, under the tuition of his Unkle Henry Beaufort, Chancellor of that University, afterwards Bishop of Lincol…e and Winchester, and lastly made a Cardinall, by the title of Eusebius. From Oxford, the Prince was called to Court, and the Lord Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester was made his Governour: but comming afterward to be at his owne disposing, whether being by nature valorous, and not yet well stayed by time and experience; o… whether incited by ill companions, and emboldened by the opinion of his owne greatnesse; he ranne into many courses so unworthy of a Prince, that it was much doubted what he would prove when he came to be Prince. Once, it is said, he lay in wait for the Receivers of his fathers Rents, and in the person of a Thiefe set upon them and robbed them. Another time, when one of his companions was arraigned for felony before the Lord Chiefe Justice, he went to the Kings Bench barre, and offered to take the Prisoner away by force; but being withstood by the Lord Chiefe Justice, he stepped to him, and struck him over the face: whereat the Judge nothing abashed, rose up and told him, that he did not this affront to him, but to the King his father, in whose place he sate; and therefore to make him know his fault, he commanded him to be committed to the Fleete. You would have wondred to see how calme the Prince was in his own cause, who in the cause of his companion had been so violent: for he quietly obeyed the Judges sentence, and suffered himselfe to be led to Prison. This passage was not a little pleasing to the King, to thinke that he had a Judge of such courage, and a Sonne of such submission: but yet for these and such other pranks, he removed him from being President of the Councell, and placed in it his third sonne Iohn. This made the Prince so sensible of his fathers displeasure, that he thought it necessary to seek by al means to recover his …ood opinion; which he endeavored to doe by a way as strange as that by which he lost it: for, attiring himselfe in a garment of blew Sattin, wrought all with Eylet-holes of black silke, at every hole the needle hanging by which it was sowed, and about his arme a thing in fashion of a hounds collar, studded with SS. of gold, he came to the Court at Westminster: to whom, the King (though not well in health) caused himselfe, in a Chaire, to be brought into his Privy Chamber; where, in presence of but three of foure of his Privy Councell, he demanded of the Prince the cause of his unwonted habit and comming? who answered, That being not onelyonly his subject but his sonne, and a sonne so tenderly alwayes regarded by him, he were worthy of a thousand deaths, if he should intend or but imagine the least offence to his sacred Majestie, and therefore had fitted himselfe to be made a sacrifice; and therewithall reached his dagger, holding it by the point to his father, For (said he) I desire not to live longer, than I may be thought to be, what I am and shall ever be, Your faithfull and obedient Vassall. With this or the like Answer, the King was so moved, that he fell upon his sonnes neck, and with many teares imbracing him, confessed p. 40that his ears had been too open to receive reports against him, and promising faithfully, that from thenceforth no reports should cause any disaffection towards him… The king about this time, made his Son Iohn Duke of Bedford, and his Son Humphe… Duke of Glocester; he made also sir Thomas Beauford Earle of Dorset, and the Earle of Arundel he created Duke of Yorke.

The rest of king Henries dayes, from this time forward, being scarce a year, was free from all trouble both abroad and at home; unlesse perhaps he might be troubled in minde: for having shed so much English and Noblebloud; for expiation whereof, or else to the end he might joyne Valour and Devotion in one action together, which hitherto he but used singly; he tooke upon him the Crusado, and at a Councell in White-Friars, order was taken, and great preparation was made for his journey to Ierusalem: But it was otherwise Decreed in Heaven; and yet not so otherwise, but that he ended his life in Ierusalem, as shall be shewed hereafter.

Of his Taxations.

IN the very begining of his Reigne, it might passe instead of a Taxation, that he found in king Richards Coffers, in money and jewells, to the value of seven hundred thousand pounds. In his fourth yeare, an extraordinary Subsidie was granted him; Twenty shillings of every knights Fee, and of every one that had twenty shillings a yeare in land, twelve pence and upward, according to that rate; and of every one that had twenty pounds in goods, twelve pence, and upward according to that rate; but with this caution and protestation, that it should not hereafter be drawn for a President, and that no Record thereof should be made. In his sixth yeare, the Clergie granted to the king a Tenth. In his seventh yeare, the Clergie granted a Tenth and a halfe, and the Commons two Fifteens. In a Parliament holden the ninth yeare of his Reigne, the king moved to have allowed him in every yeare wherein there was no Parliament kept… a Tenth of the Clergy, and a Fifteenth of the Layity; to which demands the Bishops assented, but the Commons would not. In his seventh yeare, a Parliament began which lasted almost a whole yeare, in which a Subsidie was at last granted; so sharpe, that even Priests and Friers who lived of Alms, were forced every one to pay a noble.

Of Lawes and Ordinances made in his time.

IN this kings dayes, burning and execution by fire for controversies in Religion was first put in practise.

Also in the first yeare of his Reigne an Act was made, that no person of what degree soever, should after that day alleadge for his excuse, any constraint or coa…cting of his Prince… for doing of any unlawfull act; and that such excuse after that day, should stand him in no stead.

Also an Act was made, that no Lord, nor other, might give any Liveries to any but their houshold and meniall servants. In his twelveth yeare, the king caused a new coyne of Nobles to be made, which was of lesse value than the old Noble, by foure pence.

Also that all Rypiers, and other Fishers from any of the Sea-coasts, should sell their fish in Cornhill and Cheapside themselves, and not to Fishmongers that would buy it to sell againe.

Also this king instituted the Dutchie Court, which he did in honor of the House of Lancaster; to the end, the Lands belonging to that Dutchie, might in all following times be distinguisht and known from the Lands of the Crown. In his sixt year, the king called a Parliament at Coventry, and sent Processe to the Sheriffes, that they should chuse no knights nor Burgesses, that had any knowledge in the Lawes of the Realm; by reason whereof, it was called the Lay-mens Parliament. In his seventh yeare, the Major of London for preservation of fish; obtained, that all Weres which p. 41stood between London and seven miles beyond Kingstone; as also, such as stood betweene London and Gravesend, should be pulled up and taken away.

Affaires of the Church in his time.

BY reason of discord between Iohn of Gaunt, and Wickham Bishop of Winchester; the Bishop either in durance, could not, or in feare durst not come to the Parliament House, at a time when the King required a supply of money; but the Clergie unanimously affirming, that without their brother, the Bishop of Winchesters presence, they neither can nor will consult of any thing… he is presently sent for, and by the King secured. After this, the King called a Parliament at Coventry, and sent Processe to the Sheriffs that they should chuse no knights or Burgesses that were Lawyers, and was therefore called the Laymens Parliament: And shortly after another Parliament was called, and named the unlearned Parliament, either for the unlearnednesse of the persons, or for their malice to learned men; In which the Commons presented a Petition to the King and the upper House; desiring that the king might have the Temporall Possessions of the Bishops and Clergie; the value whereof, they pretended wou'd be sufficient maintenance for a hundred and fifty Earls, one thousand five hundred knights, six thousand two hundred Esquires, and a hundred Hospitals for maymed Souldiers. They craved likewise, that Clerks convict should not be delivered to the Bishops prison; and that the Statute made in the second yeare of the king against Lollards, might be Repealed. But the king denied their Petition; and in Person commanded them from thenceforth, not to presume to trouble their brains about any such businesse, for he was resolved to leave the Church in as good state as he found it. In the twelveth yeare of his Reigne, certain learned men in Oxford, and other places, in their Sermons maintained the opinions of Wickliffe; but the Bishops and Doctors of the University, inhibited and condemned them. In his time was a great Schisme in the Church, by reason of two Anti-Popes; but afterwards in an assembly of Cardinalls and Bishops, a third man was elected, named Alexander the fifth, who had been trained up at Oxford.

Works of Piety in his time.

KING Henry Fownded a Colledge at Battlefield in Shropshire, where he overcame the Lord Henry Percy. In his third yeare, the Conduit upon Cornhill was begun to be built. Also in his time Sir Robert Knolls made the Stone bridge of Rochester in Kent; and founded in the Town of Pomfret a Colledge, and an Hospitall; he also re-edified the body of the White-Friers Church in Fleetstreet, where he was afterward buried: Which Church was first founded by the Ancestours of the Lord Grey of Codnor. In the eighth yeare of his Reigne, Richard Whittington Major of London, erected a house or Church in London, to be a house of Prayer, and named it after his own name, Whittington Colledge; with lodgings, and weekly allowance for divers poore people. He also builded the Gate of London, called Newgate, in the yeare 1420, which was before a most loathsome prison: He builded also more than halfe of St. Bartholmews Hospitall in West-Smithfield, and the beautifull Library in the Gray Friars in London … now called Christs Hospitall: He also builded a great part of the east end of Guildhall, and a Chappell adjoyning to it, with a Library of stone, for the custodie of the Records of the Citie. But he that exceeded all at this time in works of Piety, was William Wickham Bishop of Winchester; his first worke was the building of a Chappell at Tychfield, where his Father, Mother, and Sister Perr…t was buried: Next, he founded at Southwick in Hampshire, neere the Towne of Wickham, the place of his birth, as a supplement to the Priorie of Sout…wicke; a Chauntry, with allowance for five Priests for ever: He bestowed twenty thousand marks in repairing the houses belonging to the Bishopricke; he discharged out …f Prison in all places of his Diocesse, all such poore prisoners as lay in execution for debt, under twenty pounds: he amended all the high-wayes from Winchester to p. 42London, on both sides the River. After all this, on …he fifth of March 1379, he began to lay the foundation of that magnificent Structure in Oxford, called New-Colledge, and in person layd the first stone thereof; in which place before, there stood Naetius-Colledge, built by Alver, at N…tius intreaty; and for the affinity of the name, came to be called New-Colledge. In the yeare 1387, on the 26 of March, he likewise in person layd the first stone of the like foundation in Winchester, and dedica… the same, as that other in Oxford, to the memory of the Virgin Mary. The Grocer… in London purchased their Hall in Cu…yhope Lane for 320 marks; and then layd th… foundation thereof on the tenth of May. King Henry founded the Colledge of F… ringhey in Northampto…shire; to which King He…ry the fifth gave land of the Priories of Monkes Aliens, by him suppressed.

Iohn Gower the famous Poet, new builded a great part of St. Mary Overyes Church in South…rke, where he lyes buried. In the second yeare of this king, a new market in the Poultry, called the Stocks, was builded for the free sale of Forreign Fishmongers and Butchers. In his twelveth yeare, the Guildhall of London was begun to be new Edified; and of a little Cottage, made a goodly house, as now it is.

Casualties happening in his time.

IN his third yeare, in the MonethMonth of March, appeared a Blazing-starre; first betwixt the East and the North, and then sending forth fiery beams towards the North; foreshewing perhaps the effusion of bloud that followed after, in Wales and Northumberland. In the same yeare, at Danbury in Essex, the Devill appeared in likenesse of a Gray-Frier; who entring the Church, put the people in great fear, and the same houre, with a tempest of Whirlewinde and Thunder, the top of the steeple was broken down, and halfe the Chancell scattered abroad. In his seventh ye…re, such abundance of water brake suddenly over the Banks in Kent, that it drowned Cattell without number. Also this yeare, the Town of Reystone in Hartfordshire was burnt. In his ninth yeare was so sharpe a winter, and such abundanc… of snow; continuing December, Ianuary, February, and March, that almost all small Birds died through hunger.

Of his Wives and Children.

HE had two Wives, the first was Mary, one of the Daughters and heirs of H…mphrey de Bo…un Earle of Hereford, Essex, and Northampton; she died before he c…me to the Crowne, in the yeare 1394. His second Wife was Ioane, Daughter to Charles the first king of Navarre, she being the widdow of Iohn de Montford surnamed Strea…y, or the Conquerour, Duke of Brittaine; who dyed without any issue by king Henry, at Havering in Essex, the yeare 1437, in the fifteenth yeare of king Henry the sixth, and lyeth buried by her husband at Canterbury. He had foure Sons and two Daughters; Of his Sons, Henry his eldest was Prince of Wales, and after his Father, king of England. His second Son was Thomas Duke of Clarence, and Steward of England; who was slaine at Beaufort in Anjo…, and dyed without issue. His third Son was Iohn Duke of Bedford; he married first with Anne Daughter to Iohn Duke of Burgundie; and secondly with Iacoba Daughter of Peter of Luxenbourgh, Earle of St. Paul, but dyed also without issue. His fourth Son was Humphry; by his brother king Henry the fifth created Duke of Gloucester, and was generally called the good Duke; he had two Wives, but dyed without issue, in the yeare 1446, and was buried at St. Albans; though the vulgar opinion be, that he lyes buried in St. Pauls Church. Of king Henry the fourths Daughters; Blanch the elder was married to Lewis Barbatus, Palatine of the Rhene, and Prince Elector: Philippe his younger Daughter, was married to Iohn king of Denmarke, and Norway.

p. 43Of his Personage and Conditions.

COncerning his Body; he was of a middle stature, slender limbes, but well proportioned. Concerning his Minde; of a serious and solid disposition, and one that stood more upon his own legges than any of his Predecessors had done: in cases of difficulty, not refusing, but not needing the advice of others; which might confirme, but not better his own. He was neither merry nor sad, but both: best pleas'd when he was opposed, because this was like to doe him good, by sharpening his invention: most angry when he was flattered, because this was sure to doe him hurt, by dulling his judgement. No man ever more loved, nor lesse doted upon a wife, than he: a good husband, but not uxorious; that if there be reines to that Passion, we may know he had them. It may be thought, he affected the Crown, not so much out of Ambition as out of Compassion, because the oppre…sions of his Country he could not so well helpe being a Subject, as a King; for otherwise we may truly say, he was a loser by the Crowne, being not so great for a King, as he was before for a Subject: The Crowne rather was a gainer by him, which hath ever since been the richer for his wearing it. We may thinke he was either weary of his life, or longing for death; for why else would he take upon him the Crusado, having been told by a skilfu…l Southsayer, that he should dye in Ierusalem? but it seemes, he did not believe him.

Of his Death and Buriall.

IN the fortysixth yeare of his Age, having Peace both at home and abroad, and being of too active a spirit to be idle, he tooke upon him the Crusado, and great provision was made for his journey to Ierusalem: but alas, his journey to Ierusalem required no such provision; for being at his prayers at S. Edwards shrine, he was suddenly taken with an Apoplexie, and thereupon removed to the Abbot of Westminsters house; where recovering his senses, and finding himselfe in a strange place, he asked what place it was? and being told that he was in the Abbots house, in a Chamber called Ierusalem: Well then (said he) Lord have mercy upon me, for this is the Ierusalem where a Southsayer told me I should dye. And here he dyed indeed, on the 20. day of March, in the yeare 1413. when he had lived sixe and forty yeares, Reigned thirteen and a halfe. It is worth remembring, that all the time of his sicknesse, his will was to have his Crowne set upon his bolster by him; and one of his fits being so strong upon him, that all men thought him directly dead; the Prince comming in, tooke away the Crowne: when suddenly the king recovering his senses, missed his Crown; and asking for it, was told, the Prince had taken it: whereupon the Prince being called, came back with the Crown, and kneeling down, said: Sir, to all our judgements, and to all our griefes, you seemed directly dead, and therefore I tooke the Crown as being my Right: but seeing to all our comforts, you live, I here deliver it much more joyfully than I tooke it, and pray God you may long live to weare it your selfe. Well (saith the king sighing) what right I had to it, God knowes. But (saith the Prince) if you dye king, my sword shall mai…teine it to be my Right against all Opposers. Well (saith the king) I referre all to God: but I charge thee on my Blessing, that thou administer the Lawes indifferently, avoyd Flatterers, deferre not to do Justice, nor be sparing of Mercy: And then turning about, said, God blesse thee, and have mercy on me: and with those words, gave up the Ghost. His body with all Funerall pomp was conveyed to Canterbury, and there solemnly buried.

Of men of Note in his time.

OF men of Valour in his time, of whom there was great store, I shall need to say no more than what hath already been said in the body of the story: onelyonly I cannot but remember Sir Robert K…olls, who borne of meane parentage, made himselfe famous over all Christendome; and dying at a Manour of his in Norfolk, was p. 44brought to London, and buried in the Church of the White F…ie…s in London, which himselfe had re-edified. But for men of learning, I must set in the first place, William Wickham, a man of no learning, yet well wor…hy t… hold the place: In relating of whose life, I must have leave to expatiate a little. His fathers name was Iohn Long, or as some say, Perot; but as Campian proveth, Wickham; and not from the place of his dwelling, though he was Parish-Clerke of Wickham in Hampshire, where he taught children to write: in which quality his sonne William proved so excellent, that Nicolas Wooddall, Constable of Winchester Castle, tooke him from his fa…her, …nd kept him at Schoole, first at Winchester, afterward at Oxford, till himselfe being made Surveyor-generall of the Kings works, he sent for this William to serve him as his Clerke; who in short time grew so expert in that imployment, that Adam Torleto… B…shop of Winche…ter, commended him to the King, who imployed him presently in surveying his Fortifications at Dover, and Quinborough Castles, and afterward made him Surveyor of his Buildings at Windsor Castle, and his houses of Henley and East-Hamstead. And here first, Envy rose up against him; for having caused to be engraven on the stone of a wall in Windsor Castle, these words; This made William VVi…kham: some that envyed his rising, complained to the King of this insolencie, as arrogating to himselfe, that excellent piece of Building to de done at his charge: but VVickham called before the King about it, made answer, that his meaning wa… not, neither by any ind…fferent construction could it import, that VVickham made that bui…ding, but that the same building made VVi…kham, as being a meanes of the Kings great favour towards him. This answer pacified the King, who tooke him daily more and more into his favour; and being now entred into the Ministery, was first made Parson of S. Martins in the Fields, then Minister of S. Martins le Grand. …f…erwards Archdeacon of Lincolne, Provost of VVells, and Rector of Manyhens in Devo…shire; so as at one time he had in his hands so many Ecclesiasticall livings, that the value of them, in the Kings bookes, amounted to eight hundred seventy sixe pounds thirteen shillings: besides which, he was honored with many Temporall places of great profit and respect, as to be his principall Secretary, Keeper of the Privy Seale, Master of the Wards and Liveries, Treasurer of the Kings Revenues in France, and some other Offices. After which, the Bishoprick of VVinchester falling voyd, meanes was made to the King to bestow that place upon him: And here, the …cond time, did Envy rise up against him, informing the King that he was a man of little or no learning, and no way sit for such a dignity: whereupon the King made stay of granting it: but when VVickham came before the King, and …old him, that what he wanted in personall learning, he would supply with being a Founder of learning; This so satisfied the King, that he bestowed the place upon him. After this, he was made Lord Treasurer of England: and here the third time did Envy rise up against him; for the King requiring of his subjects a supply of money, It was answered, that he needed no other supply, than to call his Treasurer to accompt: This blow struck deepe upon the Bishop; for he was presently charged to give accompt for eleven hundred ninety six thousand pounds; and whilst he was busie in preparing his account, all his Temporalties, upon importunity of Iohn of Gaunt. were seized into the Kings hands, and given to the Prince of VVales, and himself… upon paine of the Kings displeasure, commanded not to come within twenty miles of the Court. In this case, he dismisseth his traine, and sendeth copies abroad of his accompt, if it might be received; but was hindred by the working of Iohn of Gaunt against him. Upon this ground (as was thought) Queen Philip wife to K. Edward the Third, upon her death-bed, by way of Confession, told VVi…kham, that Iohn of Gaunt was not the lawfull issue of king Edward, but a supposititious Son; for when she was brought to bed at Gau…t, of a Daughter, knowing how desirous the King was to have a Son; she exchanged that daughter, with a Dutch woman, for a Boy… whereof she had been delivered about the same time with the Queen. Thus much she confessed, and withall made the Bishop sweare, that if the said Iohn and Gaunt should at any time, either directly, or indirectly attempt the Crown; or that rightfully, through want of issue, it should devolve unto him; that then he should discover p. 45this matter, and make it known unto the King, and Councell. Afterward the Queen being dead, and the Bishop finding Iohn of Gaunt, as he thought, too much aspiring, he secretly told him this relation, and this adjuration of his supposed mother, advising him not to seeke higher than a private state; for else he was bound by oath to make it known to all the World: Thus far the Bishop did well; but when he saw the Son of Iohn of Gaunt not only aspiring, but possessed of the Crown, why did he not then discover it, and joyn at least with the Bishop of Ca…lile, in opposing it? Certainly, we may know, that either the whole relation was but a Fable, or that Wickham was a Temporizer, or that Iohn of Gaunt was a most patient man, to suffer the affront of such an indignity, with l…sse than the death of him that did it. But howsoever it was, it is certain, the Duke bore a mortall grudge to the Bishop; who had no way to withstand such an enemy, but by making Alice Pierce his friend: by whose means, after two years, he was restored to all his livings; and afterward K. Edward being dead, and Alice Pierce banished; by the means of a greater friend than Alice Pierce (his full ourse) he obteined in the second year of k. Richard, a generall pardon under the Great Seale of England; and from that time forward enjoyed a quiet life, and dyed in the fourth yeare of this King Henry the fourth, being then of the age of above 80 years, and lieth buried in the Church of St. Swithen… in VVinchester, in a monument of his own making in his life time; leaving for his heire Thomas Perrot, the son of his sister Agnes, married to VVilliam Perrot.

Another great example of the volubility of Fortune, in Professors of learning, was Roger VValden, who dyed in the ninth yeare of this King: he was at first a poor Scholler in Oxford; and the first step of his rising, was to be a Chaplain in the Colledge there of St. Maries; from thence by degrees he got to be Dean of Yorke; and after this, a high step, to be Treasurer of England; and yet a higher after that, up…n the banishment of Thomas Arundell, to be Archbishop of Canterbury: But bein… now at the top, he came down again, for in this kings time, Thomas Arundell bei…g restored to the Archbishopricke, VValden was not only put out of …hat place, … was called to accompt for the Treasure…ship: and though he shewed hi… quietus est, yet all his Temporalties were seized, and his person imprisoned, till by the mediation of the now Archbishop Arundell, he was made Treasurer of Calice, and after promoted to be B…shop of London.

The next place after these, is justly due to Geoffry Ch…ucer, and Iohn Gower, two famous Poets in this time, and the Fathers of English Poets in all the times after: Cha…cer dyed in the fourth yeare of this king, and lyeth buried at VVestminster: Gower, in this kings ninth yeare, and was buried in St. Mary Overys Church in Southwarke. And now come others to be remembred, who lived and died in this kings time: Hugh Legate, born in Hartfordshire, a Monke of St. Albons, who wrote Scholies upon Boetius de Consolatione. Nicholas Gorham, born also in Hartfordshire, a Dominick Frier, and the French kings Confessor, though an Englishman. VValte… Disse, so called of a Town in Norfolke where he was borne, Confessor to the Duke of Lancaster. Lawrence Holbeck, a Monke of Ramsey, who wrote an Hebrew Dictionary. Iohn Cotton Archbishop of Armagh: Rich…rd Scroope, brother to William Scroope Lord Treasurer of England, made Archbishop of Yorke; and writing an invective against King Henry, lost his head. William Thorpe, an earnest follower of Iohn Wickliffe, for which he was committed to Saltwood Castle, where he dyed. Stephen Patrington, born in York…shire, and Robert Mascall a Carmelite Frier of Ludlow; both of them Confessors to king Henry the fifth. Boston a Monke of the Abbey of Burie in Suffolke; who wrote a Catalogue of all the Writers of the Church, and other Treatises. Iohn Purvey, who was convented for teaching Doctrine con…rary to the Church of Rome, and compelled to recant. Thomas Rudburne Bishop of S. Davids, who wrote a Chronicle. Nicolas Riston, who considering the strife between the then Anti-popes, wrote a booke, De tollendo schismate. Robert Wansham a Monke in Dar…etshire, who wrote a booke in verse, Of the Originall and signification of Words. Robert Wimbledon an excellent Preacher, as app…ar…th by the Sermon he made upo… this Text, Redde rationem Villicatio…is tuae.