A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 9

A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government · Regnal history 9

p. 93THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FOURTH.

EDWARD Earle of March, born at Roane in Normandy, sonne and heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke, slaine in the battell at Wakefield, succ…eded his Father in the Right, but exceeded him in the possession of the Crown of England; and that by virtue of an act of Parliament lately made; wherein the said Duke of York not only was declared heire apparent to the Crown, and appointed Protector of the King and Kingdome; but it was further enacted, that if King Henry, or any in his behalfe, should attempt the disanulling of this Act; that then the said Duke or his heire should have the present Possession: which because his friends attempted to doe, therefore justly doth Edward Earle of March his sonne, by virtue of this act, take possession of the Crown; and is Proclaimed king of England, by the name of Edward the fourth, through the City of London, on the fifth day of March in the yeer 1460. But before he could have leasure to be Crowned, he was forced once againe to try his fortune in the field by battell: For King Henry in the North was raising a new army; against whom King Edward, upon the twelveth of March, marched with his forces from London, and by easie journeyes came to Pomfret Castle, from whence the Lord Fitzwater was sent to guard the passage at Ferribridge, to stop the Enemies approach that way; King Henry likewise advanceth forward, sending his power, under the conduct of the Duke of Somerset, the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Clifford, whilest himselfe with his Queen and Sonne stay at Yorke. The Lord Clifford very early on Palm sunday, with a troop of Northern men, fals upon those that guarded Fetribridge, and defeated them with the slaughter of the Lord Fitzwater and the bastard of Salisbury. The Earle of Warwicke hearing of this defeate, comes posting to King Edwards C…mpe, and in his presence killing his horse, Pro…ested his resolution to stand with him to the Death. Upon …his Resolution of the Earles, the King made presently Proclamation, that all who were afraid to sight, should at their pleasure depart; but to those that would stay, he promised good reward, adding withall, that if any that stayed, should after turn his back or flee, then he that should kill him, should have double pay. After this, he gave order to the Lord Fawconbridge, and Sir Walter Blunt, to leade on the Vaw…rd; who in their march about Dandingdale, encountred with the Lord Clifford; (who formerly in cold blood had slaughtered the young Earle of Rutland) and p. 94he being stricken into the throate with an arrow (some say) without a head; and presently dying: the Lord Nevill Sonne and heire of the Earle of Westmerland was also slaine, with most of their companies, and the rest put to flight. The next day likewise (the Duke of Norfolke being dangerously sick, to whom that place was assigned) F…conbridge and Blunt continue the leading of the Vaunt-guard; and on Palm-sunday, by break of day, they came to a plaine field between Towton & Saxto…, from whence they made a full survey of king Henries Army, and certified king Edward, that the Enemy was threescore thousand strong; where his Army was but forty thousand and six hundred: whereupon a second Proclamation was made through the Campe, that no quarter should be kept, nor prisoner taken. The Armies being both in sight, the Lord Fauconbridge gave direction to the Archers (upon a signall by him given) to shoote every man a flight-arrow (for that purpose provided) and then to fall back three strides, and stand. The Northern men in the mean time plyed their bowes, till all their sheaves were empty; but their arrowes fell short of the Enemy by threescore yards, and not onelyonly did no hurt to the Enemy, but did hurt to themselves; for their arrows being spent, and comming to hand-blows, their own arrows sticking in the ground, galled their shins, and pierced their feet. Ten houres the battell continued doubtfull; till the Earle of Northumberland being slaine, with the Lord, Beaumont, Gray, Dacres, and Wells, Sir Iohn Nevill, Andrew T…ollop, and many other knights and Esquires; the Earles of Exeter and Somerset fled, leaving the Conquest to King Edward, but the bloodiest that ever England felt, for there fell that day six and thirty thousand seven hundred threescore and sixteen persons, no prisoner being taken but the Earle of Devonshire. The battell ended, K. Edward hastes to York, where he caused the heads of his father and other friends, to be taken down and buried with their bodies, setting in their places the heads of the Earle of Devonshire, and three other, there at that time executed. The Earle of Somerset acquainting King Henry with this overthrow, perswades him, with his Queen and Son, to flie to Barwick; where leaving the Duke of Somerset, they flie further for succour to the King of Scots, who comforteth them with promise of reliefe, but maketh a sure bargaine; for in lieu of a pension to be allowed King Henry during his abode there, the Towne and Castle of Barwick were delivered to him. Queen Margaret and her Sonne are sent into France, who obtained of Lewis the Eleve…th her Cosin, that all of King Edwards friends were prohibited Stay or Traffick in the French kings Dominions: but all King Henries friends might live there freely. After this, king Edward comes to London; and upon his entrance to the Tower, makes foure and twenty knights, and the next day foure more; and upon the 28 day of Iune, in the yeare 1461. he rode from the T…wer to Westminster, and was there Crowned in the Abby-Church.

Shortly after, a Parliament is summoned, which began at Westminster the fourth of November; In which, all Acts of king Henry the Sixth, prejudiciall to king Edwards Title, are repealed: and therein, Iohn Earle of Oxford, a valiant and wise man, (he who in a former Parliament had disputed the question concerning the precedency of Temporall and Spirituall Barons; a bold attempt in those dayes; and by force of whose Arguments, Judgement was given for the Lords Temporall) with his Sonne Aubry de Veer, Sir Thomas Tiddingham knight, William Tyrrell & Walter Montgomery Esquires, were, without answer, convicted of Treason, and beheaded. And to encourage others to well-deserving, king Edward at this time advanced many in honour: his brother George he created Duke of Clarence; his brother Richard, Duke of Glocester; Iohn Lord Nevill brother to the Earle of Warwicke, he made first Viscount, then Marquesse Montacu…e; Henry Bourchier brother to the Archbishop of Canterbury, is made Earle of Essex; and William Lord Fauconbridge, Earle of Kent. And now their new honours are presently put into imploiment; the Earls of Essex & Kent, accompaneid with the Lords Audeley and Clinton, Sir Iohn Howard, Sir Richard Walgrave and others, to the number of ten thousand, are appointed to scowre the Seas, who landing in Britaine, took the town of Conque…, and the Isle of Ree, and then returned. At this time Henry Duke of Somerset, Ralph Percy and divers others p. 95came in, and humbly submitted themselves to king Edwards mercy; who protested his propension of freely pardoning them, and as many other that would submit themselves as they did.

All this time King Henry was in Scotland, and Queen Margaret in France; where she obtained of the French King, a company of five hundred men; with whom she sayled towards Newcastle, and landed at Tinmouth, but suddenly againe returned, and was herselfe by tempest beaten to Barwick, but her company was driven on the shore before Bamburg Castle; where they set their Ships on fire, and fled to an Isl…nd called Holy Island, but were so assayled there by the bastard Ogle and Iohn Manners Esqu…re, that many of them were slaine, and almost foure hundred taken prisoners, onelyonly their Coronell Peter Bressie h…ppened upon a Fisherman, who brought him to …wick to Queen Margaret, and by her was made Captaine of the Castle of Alnewick, which he with his French-men kept, till they were resc…ed. Shortly after… Queen Margaret having gotten together a great company of Scots, and other of her friends bringing her husband with her, and leaving her Sonne at Barwick, entred Northumberland, tooke the Castle of Bamburg, made Captaine thereof Sir Ralph Grey; and then came forward to the Bishopprick of Durham: whither resorted to her the lately Reconciled, and now againe revolted Duke of Somerset; Sir Ralph Percy and divers others, who altogether made a competent army. King Edward hearing hereof, makes preparation both by sea and land; and first he sends Viscount Montacute with some Companies into Northumberland; whom he in person followeth with his whole power: The Viscount marcheth towards king Henry, and by the way encountreth the Lord Hungerford at Hegley-moore; but he, with Lord Basse, upon the first charge, ran away, leaving Sir Ralph Darcy alone with his own Regiment, who there valiantly fighting, dyed. After this the Viscount understanding that king Henry was encamped in Levels plaine, neer the river of Dowell in Hexamshire, marcheth thither by night, and set upon him in his Campe, whose charge the Northern men receive with a desperate resolution, but were in the end with great slaughter overcome. Henry Beaufort Duke of Somerset, the Lords Basse, Molins, Hungerford, Wen…worth, Hussey and Sir Iohn Finderne knight, with many others are taken prisoners: king Henry himselfe by the swiftnes of his horse escaped, but very hardly; for one of his Hench-men that followed him was taken, who had on his head king Henries Helmet, or as some say, his high Cap of Estate, called Abacot, garnished with two rich Crowns, which was presented to king Edward at Yorke the fourth of May. The Duke of Somerset was beheaded presently at Exam; the other Lords and knights were had to Newcastle, and there, after a little respite, were likewise put to death. Besides these, divers others, to the number of five and twenty, were executed at Yorke and in other places. This Duke of Somerset was never married, but had a naturall Sonne named Charles Somerset, who was afterward created Earle of VVorcester. Sir Humfry Nevill, and VVilliam Tailbois calling himself Earle of Kyme, Sir Ralph Grey and Richard Tunstall with divers others that escaped from this battell, hid themselves in secret places; but yet not so closely, but that they were espied and taken… The Earle of Kyme was apprehended in Riddesdale, and brought to Newcastle, and there beheaded, Sir Humfry Nevill was taken in Holdernesse, and at York lost his head. After this battell, called Exam-field, king Edward came to the City of Durham, and sent from thence into Northumberland, the Earle of VVarwick, the Lord Montacute, the Lords Fawconbridge and Scroope, to recover such Castles as his Enemies there held; which they effected; and taking in the Castle of Dunstanburg, they found in it Iohn Gois servant to the Duke of Somerset, who was brought to Yorke and there beheaded: and taking in the Castle of Bamburg, they found in it Sir Ralph Grey, whom because he had sworn to be true to king Edward, and was now revolted to king Henry … they degraded from his Order of knight-hood at Doncaster, by cutting of his gil… Spurs, renting his Coate of Arms, and breaking his sword over his head, and then beheaded him.

In this mean time, king Henry (upon what occasion, no man knows; but onelyonly led by the left hand of destiny) ventring in disguise to come into England, and shifting p. 96from place to place, was at length discovered, and taken by one C…ntlow, or as others say, by Thomas Talbot sonne to Sir Edward Talbot of Bashall, who deceived him being at his dinner at VVaddington Hall in Lincolnshire, and brought him towards London, with his legs tyed under the horse belly; in whose company were also taken Doctor Han…ing Deane of VVindsor, D. B…dle, and one Ell…rton, whom the Earle of VVarwicke met by the way, …nd brought them all to the Tower of London; whils… the distressed Queen with her sonne once again is driven to fly for shelter into France; whither the new Duke of Somerse… and his brother Iohn sayled also, where they lived in great misery; and the Earle of Pembr…ke went from Country to Country little better then a Vagabond.

At this time, king Edward, to reward his followers, distributeth the Lands and Possessions of those that held with king Henry amongst them, but first made Proclamation that whosoever of the contrary faction would come in and submit, should be received to grace and restored to their Patrimonies.

In the fourth year of king Edward, in Michaelmas Tearm were made eight Serjeants at Law, Thomas Young, Nicholas Geney, Richard Neale, Thomas Brian, Richard Pigot, Ioh… Catesby and Guy Fairfax; who held their feast in the Bishop of Elyes place in Holborn, where the Lord Grey of Ruthin then Lord Treasurer of England, was placed before the Lord Major of London, being invited to the feast, which gave such a distaste to the Major, that he presently departed with the Aldermen and Sheriff…, without tasting of their feast: and it was Registred to be a president in time to come.

And now king Edward no lesse intentive to perform the Office of a king in peace, then he had been before of a Captaine in warr…, considering with himselfe that seditious and civill dissensions must needs breed disorders in a state, and that disorders bred by troubled times, are not like troubled waters, that will in time settle of themselves and recover cleernesse; but are rather like weeds, which once springing up and let alone, will in time over run the whole gro…nd where they grow: He like a good Gardener seeks to weed them out before they grow too rank, and endeavours to make a generall reformation of abuses; and to that end in Michaelmas Term in the second yeare of his Reigne, Three daies together he sate publikely with his Judges in Westminster-hall on the Kings Bench, to acquaint himselfe with the Orders of that Court, and to observe what needed Reformation in it, either at Bench or …t Barre: as likewise he ordered the officers of his Exchequer, to take more moderate Fees; and to be more intentive to the benefit of the Subject, than to their own unjust gaine: He also daily frequented the Councell Table; which he furnished for the most part, with such as were gracious amongst the Citizens, whom he imployes about references and businesses of private consequence; whilest mysteries o… State were intimated only to such whom he selected to be of his more private Cabinet Counsaile; by whom, he being now of the age of three and twenty years, w… advised that it was now time to provide for posterity, by taking a wife, and to provide also for the present time, by taking a fit wife, which they conceived to be no where so fitly found as in France; both thereby to bury old grudges between the two Nations, and also to avert assistance from Queen M…rg…ret, the onelyonly disturber of the State; and this being concluded, it onelyonly remained to make choice of a fit man for that imployment, for which none was thought so fit as Richard Nevill Earle of Warwick; he therefore is presently sent into Fra…ce, to treate of a Marriage to be had between king Edward and the Lady Bon…, daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy, and Sister to the Lady Carlote then Queen of Fra…ce: a Lady, no lesse for beauty and virtuous qualities, then for Nobility of blood, worthy to be a Queen. The Proposition is in Fra…ce readily embraced, and willingly assented unto on all parts. But in the mean time king Edward being hunting in Witchwood Forrest besides Stonystratford; he chanced to come to the Manour of Grafton, where the Dutchesse of Bedford then lay, and where her daughter by Sir Richard Woodvile, the Lady Elizabeth Gr…y widdow of Sir Iohn Gr…y of Gr…vy, slaine at the last battell of St. Albans; became a suitour to him for some lands which her …usband had given her in Joynture; p. 97with whose beauty and gr…cefull behaviour, king Edward was so taken, that hee presently became a Suitor to her; and when he could not obtaine his suit by termes of wanton love, he was forced to s…eke it by terms of Marriage.

And here we may well thinke there was no small c…fl…ct in King Edwards minde, between the two great commanders, Love and Honor, which of them should bee most potent; Honor put him in minde, that it was against his Law to take to wife a meaner person than himselfe; but Love would take no notice of any difference of degrees, but tooke it for his Prerogative to make all persons equall; Honour pe…swaded him that it stood him much upon to make good the Ambassage, in which he had sent the Earle of Warwicke to a great Prince; but Love perswad…d him that it stood him more upon, to make good the Ambassage sent to himself from a greater Prince: In conclusion, it appeared to be true which one observes, Improbe …mor quid non mortalia pectora cogis? what is it that love will not make a man to do? Whether it be, that love brings upon the minde a forgetfulnesse of all circumstances but such as tend to its own satisfaction; or whether it be that love is amongst passions, as oyle amongst liquors, which will alwayes be supreme and at the top; Honour may be honoured, but love will be obeyed: And therefore king Edward, though he knew no Superior upon Earth, yet he obeys the summons of Love; and upon the first day of May, marries the sayd Lady Gray at Grafton; the first of our kings since the Conquest that married his Subject: At which marriage none was present but the Dutchesse of Bedford, the Priest, two Gentlewoman, & a yong man to helpe the Priest at Masse: the yeare after, with great solemnity she was Crowned Queen at Westminster. It is not unworthy the relating the Speech which king Edward had with his Mother, who sought to crosse this ma…ch: Where you say (saith he) that she is a widdow, and hath already children; by Gods blessed Lady, I am a Batchelour, and have some too, and so each of us hath a proofe, that nether of us is like to be barren; And as for your objection of Bigamy, (for his mother had charged him with being contracted to the Lady Elizabeth Lucie) Let the Bishop (saith he) lay it to my charge when I come to take Orders, for I understand it is forbidden a Priest, but I never wist it was forbidden a Prince. Upon this marriage, the Queens Father was created Earle Rivers, and made High-Constable of England; her brother the Lord Anthony, was married to the sole Heire of the Lord Scales, and by her had that Barony; her Son sir Thomas Gray was created Marquesse Dorset, and married Cicelie, heire to the Lord Bonvile. It may be thought a h…ppy fortune for this Lady to be thus marched; but let all things be considered, and the miseries accruing to her by it, will be found equivalent, if not over-weighing all the benefits: For first, by this match she drew upon her selfe the envy of many, and was cause that her Husband fled the Realm, and her selfe in his absence glad to take Sanctuary, and in that place to be delivered of a Prince, in a most unprincely m…nner. After which, surviving her husband, she lived to see her two Sonnes most cruelly murthered; and for a conclusion of all, she lived to see her selfe confined to the Monastery of Berdmondsey in Southwarke, and all her goods confiscate by her own Son in Law.

And n…w the Earle of Warwicke at his return, found that knot tyed in England, which he had laboured to tye in France: His Ambassage frustrated, the Lady Bona deluded, the king of France abused, and himselfe made a stale, and the disgracefull instrument of all this; which although he resented in a high degree, yet he had not been a Courtier so long, but in that time he had sufficiently learned the Art of dissembling; he passed it over lightly for the present, but yet carried it in his minde till a fit opportunity; and thereupon procures leave to retire himselfe to his Castle of Warwicke.

King Edward in the meane time, having just cause to suspect hee had made the French his enemies, seeks to make other Princes his friends: He enters into a League with Iohn king of Aragon; to whom he sent for a Present a score of Cotsall Ews, and …ive Rams, a small Present in shew, but great in the event; for it proved of more benefit to Spain, and of more detriment to England than could at first sight have been p. 98imagined. And to secure himselfe at home, he tooke truce with the king of Scots for fifteen years. And where he had married before his two Sisters, Anne the eldest to Henry Holland Earle of Exeter; and Elizabeth to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolke; he now matched Margaret his third Sister, to Charles Duke of Burgoigne; which proved a greater assistance to him, than that which he had lost in France.

By this time the Earle of Warwickes spleen began so to swell within him, that hee could no longer containe it; and having with much adoe drawne to his party his two brothers, the Archbishop of Yorke, and the Marquesse Montacute; he seek… also to draw in the kings two brothers, the Duke of Clarence, and the Duke of Glocester; but he found Glocester so reserved, that he durst not close with him; the Duke of Clarence he found more open, and to him he addresseth himselfe, complaining of the disgrace he had sustained by the king, in his employment into France, and other wrongs: to whom the Duke presently made answer, in as great complaint of his brothers unkindnesse to himself; saying, he had married his Wives brother Anthony to the heire of the Lord Scales, and her Son Thomas to the heire of the Lord Bo…vile, but could finde no match of preferment for him being his own brother: And upon this agreement in complaints, they agree to joyne against king Edward; and to make the knot the firmer, the Duke of Clarence takes to wife Isabel the Earle o… Warwicks Daughter, and with her hath assured unto him halfe of the Lands the E…l held in right of his Wife, the Lady Anne, Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earle of W…rwicke deceased. Upon this marriage, the Earle of Warwicke discovered to hi… what hitherto he had concealed; concerning his project for the restoring of k. H…nry; to which Clarence gave approbation, with promise to assist him in it to his uttermo….

At this time, Sir Thomas Cooke late Major of London, was by one Hawkins appeached of Treason, for the which he was sent to the Tower, and his place in Londo… seized by the Lord Rivers. The case was this; the sayd Hawkins came to Sir Thomas, requesting him to lend a thousand Marks upon good surety; who answered, he would first know for whom it should be, and for what intent; and understanding it should be for the use of Queen Margaret, he refused to lend a penny. The matter rested two or three years, till the sayd Hawkins was layd in the Tower, and brought to the Brake, called the Duke of Exeters Daughter; by means of which paine, hee confessed amongst other things, the motion he had made to Sir Thomas Cook…, and accused himselfe so farre, that hee was put death. Sir Thomas Cooke lying in the Tower from Whitsuntide till Michaelmas, had his place in Essex named Gyddihall, spoyled, his Deere in his Parke destroyed; and though arraigned upon life and death, he were acquitted of the Indictment; yet could not be delivered till he had payd eight thousand pounds to the king, and eight hundred to the Queen.

And now the Earle of VVarwicke sendeth to his brothers the Arcbbishop and the Marquesse, to prepare all things ready to set on foot the intended revolt from king Edward, and to procure some rebellious commotion in the North, whil'st he and his new Son in law would provide to goe forward with the worke; which they accordingly did in Yorkeshire, an occasion being taken for the breach of an ancient custome there, to give to the poore people of St. Leonards in the City of Yorke, certain quantities of Corn and Grain. This commotion the Archbishop and the Marqu…sse underhand fomented; yet to colour the matter, the Marquesse opposed the Rebels, and cut off the head of Robert Huldorne their Captain; but his head being cut off, the Rebels got them other Captains; Henry, Son and heir to the Lord Fi…zhugh, and sir Henry Nevill Son to the Lord Latimer; the one the Neph…w, the other … Cozen-germane to the Earle of VVarwicke, with whom they joyne the valiant Captaine Sir Iohn Conyers: These when they could not enter Yorke, came marching towards London, all the way exclaiming against king Edward as an unjust Prince, and an usurper. King Edward hearing of this commotion, sends Sir VVilliam Herbert, whom of a meane Gentleman, two years before, he had made Earle of Pembrooke, and his brother sir Richard Herbert, together with the Lord Stafford of Southwick to suppresse the Rebels; and they with an Army of seven thousand, most Welchmen, march towards them; but the Lord Stafford being put from his Inne where he used p. 99…o lodge, by the Earle of Pe…brooke, tooke such a distaste at it, that he withdrew his Arche…s, and gave over the businesse; yet the Earle of Pemb…ooke though thus for…en, with his own Regiment encountred the Rebels, slew Sir Henry Nevill, and divers others… when being upon the point of victory, one Iohn Clappa… a servant of the E…rle of VVarwicke, comming in with five hundred rascally fellows, and crying aloud, a W…rwicke, a Warwicke; the Welchmen supposing the Earle had beene …, turned presently their backs and fled; five thousand of them were slain, the E…le of Pembr…ke himselfe, and his much lamented brother Sir Richard Herbert, a most goodly personage, were taken prisoners, brought to Banbury, where both o… th…, with ten other Gentlemen were put to death. And now the Northamptonshire men joyning with the Rebels, in this fury, made them a Captain named Robert Hilla…d, but they named him Robin of Riddesdale, & suddenly came to Grafton, where they tooke the Earle Rivers father to the Queen, and his sonne Sir Iohn Woodvile; brought them to Northampton, and there without Judgement beheaded them. King Edward advertised of these mischances, wrote to the Sheriffs of Somerset-shire and D…v…-shire to apprehend the Lord Stafford of Southwick, (who had treacherously …saken the Earle of Pembrooke) and if they could take him, to put him to death; who being soon after found in a Village within Brentmarsh, was brought to Bridge…a…er, and there beheaded. After this battell fought at Hedgecote, commonly called B…bury field, the Northern men resorted to Warwick, where the Earl with great joy received them; and hearing that king Edward with a great army was comming thither, he sent for his sonne in Law the Duke of Clare…ce, with all speed to repaire …to him; who joyning together, and using means cunningly, by having some co…nication of Peace, to make the king secure, and to take little heed of himself… they took advantage of his security, and in the dead of night set on his Campe, and killing the watch, before the king was aware, at a place called Wolney foure miles from Barwick, they took him prisoner in his bed, and presently conveyed him to Middleham Castle in Yorkeshire, to be there in safe custody with the Archbishop of Yorke. And now they had the Prey in their hand, if they had as well looked to ke…p it, as they had done to get it: but king Edward, whether bribing his Keepers, or otherwise winning them by faire promises, got so much liberty, sometimes for his re…reation to goe a hunting; by which he caused Sir William Stanley, Sir Thomas of … and divers of his friends, at a certaine time to meet him, who took him from hi… Keepers, and set him againe at liberty: whil'st the Earle of Warwicke nothing doubting his brother the Archbishops care in safe keeping him, & thinking the brunt of the warres to be now past, dismist his Army, and intended only to finde out King Henry … who was kept a prisoner, but few men knew where.

King Edward being now at liberty, posteth to York, and from thence to Lanca…e… ; where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces, with which he marcheth to London, aud is there joyfully received: The Earle of Warwick likewise sends to his friends, and makes preparation for a new army; whil'st in the me…n time, by mediation of divers Lords, an enterview in VVestminster-hall is agreed upon; and solemn Oath taken on both sides for safety, between King Edward, the Duke of Clarence, and the Earle of Warwicke; but each party standing strictly upon terms tending to their own ends; they parted as great Enemies as they met: and so from thence the K. went to Canterbury, the Duke and the E. to Lincolne: whither they had preappointed their forces to repaire, under the Conduct of Sir Robert W…l…, Son & heir of the L. Wels, a man of great valour and experience in the wars: K. E…rd, to take off so able a man from the Earles part, sends for his Father the L. Wels to come unto him; who taking with him, his Son in Law Sir Thomas Dymock, and comming to attend the Kings pleasure, was told by his friends how wonderfully the King was incensed against them: whereupon for their safety, they take Sanctuary at Westmi…ster. But upon the Kings Princely word, they come unto him, who comm…ndeth the Lord Wells to write to his Sonne, to desist from adhering to the Ea…le of Warwicke, which the Lord Wells accordingly did: but Sir Robert Wells notwiths…nding his Fathers letters, continuing firme to …he Earle still, so much incensed p. 100King Edward, that he caused both his Father and Sir … Dymock to be behe…ded. He supposed perhaps, that the Lord W…lls was himself underhand a friend to the Earl, and had not dealt sincerely with him, in procuring his Sonne to leave that party. But now Sir Robert Wells seeing the King draw neer to Stamford, where he had pitched his Tents, and hearing of his Fathers beheading, was much distracted what to doe: to decline b…ttell with the King, he thought would shew too much feare; and …o give him battell before the E…rle of Warwicke were come with his forces, would shew too much boldnesse; But his Veines were so filled with a desire of revengi… his Fathers death, that he thought he could never shew boldnesse enough; and thereupon encountring with the Kings Army, farre greater …hen his own, opprest with multitude was taken prisoner, together with Sir Thomas de L…d and divers others; who presently in the place were put to execution: as soone as Sir Robert W…ll… was taken, the Lincolneshir… men to make themselves the lighter to run away, threw off their Coates, for which cause, this battell was afterward called L…se-…oate-field, in which, it is reported, were slaine above ten thousand men.

The Earle of Warwick … of this De…eate, and not having present … raise an army sufficient to oppose king Edward … when he could by no means dr… the Lord Stanley to his party, he determined to sayle into Fr…c…, and hyring ships at Dartmouth in Dev…ire, he with his sonne in Law the Duke of Clarence, … their wives, took to Sea; and thinking to land at C…lli…e, of which Town he hims… was Captaine, he was by the Lord V…cleere a Gascoigne, whom he had left his Deputy there, repelled; and with so great inhumanity, that the Dutchesse of Clar… who was then in labour, was faine to be delivered in the ship, (all the courtesie … th… distresse shewed, was only to send a flaggon or two of wine,) which fact of V… cleeres when king Edward heard of, he was so well pleased with it, that he presently sent him a Patent to be Captaine of the Town himself: and the Duke of … for the same service, sent unto him Philip de Comi…es (who hath written the History of these times) with a grant of one thousand Crowns pension during his life. Never man was beter paid for one act of di…sembling; for the truth was, Prae … excl…sit for…, it was out of his love, that he suffered him not to enter the Town, for he knew there were many great ones in it so addicted to king Edward, and so maliciously bent against the Earle, that if he or any of his company should have come, they would in all likelihood have done them some mischiefe: And hereof he made a good proofe soon after: for when the Earle took to sea again, the Lord … sent him word, he should take heed where he landed; for that the Duke of … lay in waite to take him; which advertisement did the Earle more good, then the keeping him out of Callice did him hurt. The Earle upon this advertisement, … ded at D…epe in Nor…a…die, whereof when king Lewis heard, he sent and invited him to come to his Court at Amboi…, where he received him with no lesse honour, than …f he had been a king. In the mean time king E…ard made enquiry for all such as were ayders to the Earle of Warwick … of whom some were apprehended as guilty, some fled to Sanctuary, and some submitted to the kings mercy; as Iohn Marquesse Mo… cute, whom he courteously received. Queen Margare…, who at this time sojourned with Duke Rayner her father, hearing of the Earle of Warwicks arrivall, with her Son Prince Edward, came to Ambois, and with her also came Iasper Earle of Pembrooke, and Iohn Earl of Oxford, lately escaped out of prison and fled into France; between whom a new Combination is made; and for a foundation of firme ami…ie, king He…ries sonne Prince Edward, marries Anne the Earle of Warwicks second daughter: after which marriage, the Duke of Clarence and the Earles took a solemn Oath, never to leave the warre till either king Henry or his sonnne Prince Edward were restored to the Crown… But notwithstanding this Oath, this marriage put new thoughts into the Duke of Clarence his minde, casting with himselfe that the issue of it could be no lesse then the utter extirpation of the house of Yorke: whereupon, making faire shew still to his Father in Law the Earle of Warwicke, he underhand fals off, and secretly gives advertisement to his brother king Edward of all their proceedings. And now the Earle of VVarwicke having been six months in France; in this time he had p. 101… from the king of France, both ships, and men, and money, and receiving … out of England, that many Lords and others were ready to adventu…e their lives in his qua…rell, if he would come, (for the people generally held him in such …, that they thought the Sunne was taken from the world, when he was … and this in great part for his gre…t Hospi…ality, who it is said, used to spend …spam… a breakf…st) he with the Earles of Oxford and Pembrooke took to …; and though the Duke of B…rgoigne had a Fle… at sea, to in…ercept him; ye… his Fleet be…g by …empest scattered, and king Edw…rd …rusting to that Flee…, having provided no other… the Earle had a quiet passage to land at Dar…mouth in Devonshire, whe…e being landed, he made Proclamation in king He…ry the six…h… name, that all good Subj…ct… should prep…re to fight against king Edward, who contrary to Right had usurpe… …he Crown: Upon which Proclamation, it is scarce to be believed, how m… ny tho…nds of men resorted to him; with which fo…ces, he made towar…s Lo…don: upon notice of whose approach, on the Sunday next after … day, one Doctor G…ddard a Chaplaine of Hi…, preaching at Paul… Cross…, did so s…t fo…th his Earles pious intention, that many of his auditory were moved to favour the Earle: proceeding: insomuch, that the M…rquesse Montacu…e, who had in king Edwards beh…lf, … six thousand men about London, found them all inclinable to goe with him … the Earle of VVarwick, and accordingly w…nt and joyned with him. King Ed…rd h…ring of the great flocking of people to the Earle, sent forth letters into all parts of the Realme for raysing an army; but few came, and those few, with no great good will: which when he perceived, he began to doubt his case; and thereupon …co…panied with the Duke of Glocester his brother, the L. Hastings his Chamber…, (who having married the Earle of VVarwick… sister, yet co…tinued ever true to … Edward) and the Lord Scales brother to the Queen; he departed into Li…col… shire, and c…mming to Lyn, he found there an English Ship, and two Hul…s of Holland ready to make sayle: whereupon he, with the forenamed Lords, and about seven or … hundred persons entred the Ship, having no provision with him but only the apparell they wore; and so bare of money, that he was faine to reward the Master of … Ship with one of his Garments: and thus making course towards the Duke of … Country, they were presently chased by eight great Ships of Easterlings, op…n Enemies both to England and France; which drove him before a Towne in the Country called Alquemare, belonging to the Duke of Burgoigne: where by ch…nce, the Lord Grunture Governour of that Country, at that time was, who defended them from the Easterlings, and brought them to the H…ge in Holland, where they had all things ministred to them, by order from the Duke of Burgoigne.

At this time, upon news of the Earle of VVarwick… approach, Queen Eliz…beth fo…saketh the Tower, and secretly taketh sanctuary at VVestminster, where in great p…nury forsaken of all her friends, she was brought a bed of a sonne called Edward, who like a poore mans childe was Christened; the Godfathers being the Abbot and P…y…r of Westminster, and the Lady Scroope Godmother.

And now the Earle of Warwicke entring the Tower, removes king He…ry out of his hold of durance, whe…e he had been almost nine years, into his own lodging, where he was served according to his Estate; which the Ear…e did more congratulate, then t…e king himselfe. Upon this sixth day of October, king Henry accompanied with …he Archbishop of Yorke, the Pryor of S. Iohns, the Bishop of London, the Duke of Cl…rence, the Earle of Warwicke and other Noblemen, apparelled in a long gown of …lew Velvet, was conducted through London, …o the Bishops Palace where he rested …ill the thirteenth of …hat monethmonth, on which day he went in solemne proces… …bout Paul… Church, wearing his Imperiall Crown; the Earle of War…ick bearing up his trayne; and the Earle o… Oxford the sword before him. The next day, in all usuall places about London, king Edward was Proclaimed an Usurper, … all his partakers Traytors to God and the king; whereof Iohn Lord Tip…of… Earle of Worcester, as a partaker with king Edward, was made the first example. Thi… Lord had been Lievtenant for King Ed…ard in Ireland, where having done something … which he fled, he was afterward found on the top of a high Tree, in the Forres… p. 102of VV…bridge, in the County of … …nd being there taken, was brought to Lo…do…, Attain…ed, and … the Tower hill, and af…er buried at the Blackfry…rs.

About this time happen… … to be related: Sir Willi… H…kesford knight… one of … Jus…i…s …t the L…w… who dwelt at Anno…y in D…vo…s…ire, a man of grea… …, and …ving no so…ne, …he Lord Fitz…a…re…, Si… Io… S…eger, and Sir Willi… … m…rried his d…ughte…, and were his heires… This m…n grew into such … deg… of Melancholy… th…t one … he called to him the Keeper of hi… Par…, ch…ging him … n…gligence, in suffering his Deere to be stoln: and thereupon comm…nded him, …hat if he met any man in his circuit in the nighttime, that would not stand or … he sho…ld not spar… to kill him whatsoever he were… The knight having th… la…d hi… found…tion, and meaning to end his dolefull dayes; in … certaine darke night se…ly conveyd himselfe out of his house, …nd walked alone in his P…r…. The Keeper in hi… night-walk …e…ring one stirring, and comming towa…ds him, asked, who was there? but no answer being made, he willed him to stand… which when he would not doe, the Keeper shot and k…lled him, and comming to see who he was, fo…d him to be hi… Master.

On the twentieth d…y of …, a P…rli…ment is held at VVestmi…ster, wherein King Edward and all his p…rtak… …re …ttain…ed of high Treason, and al… their Lands and Goods seized on to King … use. Ge…ge Pl…t…gene… Duke of Clarence, is by authority of this Parliament, adjudged heire to Richard Duke of Yorke his father, and that Dutchy setled upon him and his heires, notwithstanding the Primogeniture of Edward: upon him also wa… entailed the Crown of England, in case heires males of the body of King He…ry f…iled. Iasper Earle of Pembrooke, and Iohn Earle of Oxford, are fully restored …o their Lands …nd Honour… and VVa…wick and Cl…rence are made Governours of the King and kingdome… To this Parliament came the M…rquesse Montacute, e…cusing himselfe, that …or …eare of dea…h he had taken King Edwards part, which excuse was accepted. Que…n Margaret i… sent for into France, but by reason of contrary windes was kept back all that Winter.

About this time, Iasper Earle of Pembrooke going into VVales to view his lands in Pembrookeshire, found there the Lord Henry, borne of Margaret the onelyonly daughter and heire of Ioh… the first Duke of Som…rset, not being then full ten years of age, kept in manner like a captive, but honourably brought up by the Lady Herbert; him he brings with him to Lo…do…, and p…esents him to King Henry; whom when the Ki…g had a good while beheld, he said to the Lords about him: Loe, this is he, to whom both we and our adversaries, leaving the possession of all things, shall hereafter give place. Which if it be true, It shews a very Propheticall Spirit to have been in King Henry; that could so long before… foretell a thing so unlikely to happen: for this was he, that was afterward King H…ry the Seventh, before whom at that time there were many lives in being, of bo…h the hous… of Yorke and L…ncaster.

Shortly after this, by the Duke of Burgoignes means, King Edward is furnished with eighteen tall ships, two thousand Dutchmen, and fifty thousand florens of gold; and thus furnished, he took to Sea, and landed at Ravenspurre in Yorkeshire, where he found but cold entertainment; neverthelesse he made a wary march to Yorke, where likewise he found no great expression of welcome, so as he was forced to change his pretence, swearing deeply and receiving the Sacrament upon it, that he came not to disturbe King Henry, but only to recover his own inheritance; and for the more shew thereof, wearing an Estrich… feather, Prince Edwards livery; which …roposition seemed so …easonable, that many who resisted him before, were as ready to assist him now: and if he be blamed for breaking his Oath; it must be considered, It was Reg…i causa, to recover his Kingdome, which perhaps was the Inheritance he meant, when he took his Oath, that he intended nothing, but to recover his Inheritance: and so he brake not his Oath neither. From Yorke he marched towards Wakefi…ld and Sendall, leaving the Castle of Pomfret upon his left hand… where the Marquesse Montacute with his Army lay, but did not offer to stop him: From Wakefield he came to Do…caster, and from thence to Nottingham, where there came to p. 103him Sir William Parre and Sir Iames Harrington with six hundred men; also Sir Thomas Burgh and Thomas Montgomery with their aydes, who caused him to make Proclamation in his own name: affirming …hey would serve no man but a King. From Nottingham he came to Leicester, where three thousand able men, and well armed came unto him: From Leicester he came before the wals of Coventry; into which City the Earle of Warwick had withdrawn himselfe, keeping himselfe close therein, with his people, being about six or seven thousand men; three dayes together king Edward provoked him to come forth to battell; but he stayed for more forces, and would not doe it: whereupon King Edward marched forward to Warwicke eight miles from Coventry, thinking thither at least he should have drawne the Earle of VVarwicke, but neither would that doe it: Indeed the Earle looked for the comming of the Duke of Clarence, with twelve thousand men to joyn with him, but that expectation proved vaine, for the Duke was now fully reconciled to his Brother King Edward, and brought all his forces to joyn with him; onelyonly he sought to make amity between King Edward and the Earle: but though King Edward offered generall Pardon, and other faire conditions; yet none would please the Earle, without restoring of King Henry. But now to repaire the defection of the Duke of Clarence, there came to the Earle of VVarwick at Coventry; the Earle of Oxford, the Duke of Exceter, and the Marquesse Montacute, by whose comming that side was not a little strengthened; yet all this ayde would not make the Earle of VVarwick to come to battell: whereupon King Edward marched forward towards London: Both sides seek to make London their friend; the Earle of VVarwicke sends to his brother the Archbishop of York to labour in it; who thereupon caused king Henry to mount on h…seback, and to ride from Pa…ls through Cheape down Walbrooke, supposing that this shewing of the king, would have allured the Citizens to assist him: but this device prevailed little, brought not in above seven or eight thousand men, a small proportion to withstand king Edward; and when the Archbishop of York saw this backwardnes in the Citizens, or rather indeed an inclination to king Edward, he secretly sent to him, to receive him into grace; which upon Promise to continue faithfull hereafter, he obtained. The eleventh of April in the year 1471, and the eleventh of his Reigne, king Edward made his entry into the City of London, ryding first to Pauls Church, and from thence to the Bishops Palace, where the Archbishop of York presented himselfe unto him, and having king Henry by the hand, delivered him to king Edw…rd (six moneths after his readeption of the Crown) and then king Edward being seized of his person, went from Pauls to Westminster, and there gave God most hearty thanks for his safe return. The reasons alleadged hereby Philip Comines for the Citizens receiving of king Edward, seeme scarce worthy of so good an Authour: one cause (saith he) was, because king Edward being extreamly indebted in the City, if they had not received him, they should have lost their debt; another, because he had won the love of many Citizens wives, who importuned their husbands to receive him.

The Earle of Warwicke having intelligence that king Edward was received into Lo…don, and king Henry delivered into his hands; marched out and encamped at St. Alban…, and after some refreshing of his Army, removed towards Barnet, and in a large plaine there, called Gl…dmore heath, pitched his Campe; which king Edward hearing, on Easter Eve the thirteenth of April, he marched forth, and came that evening to Barnet, where he would not suffer a man of his Army to stay in the town, but commanded them all to the field, and lodged with his Army more neer to the Enemy then he was aware, by reason of a Myst, (raised some say, by one Bungey a Conjurer) which made it so darke, that it could not be well observed where they were encamped. In taking his ground, he caused his people to keep as much …i…ence as was possible, thereby to keep the enemy from knowing of their approach… Great Artillery they had on both parts, but the Earle more then the King; and therefore in the night time, they shot from his Campe almost continually, but did little hurt, because they still overshot them, as lying neerer then was conceived. On Easter-day, …arly in the Morning, both Armies are ordered for battaile; The Earle of Warwick p. 104appointed the Command of the Right wing, which consisted of Horse, to his brother the Marquesse Montacute, and the Earle of Oxford; The Left wing consisting likewise of horse, was led by himselfe and the Duke of Exceter; and the main Battell consisting of Bills and Bows, was conducted by the Duke of Somerset. On the kings part, the Vaward was commanded by the Duke of Glocester; the battell (in which was king Henry) was led by king Edward himself; and the Lord H…stings brought on the Reere. After exhortations for encouragement of their S…uldiers, the fight began; which with great valour was maintained by the space of six hour…s, without any apparent disadvantage on either side; onelyonly the Earles Vaward, by the valiancy of the Earle of Oxford, seemed somewhat to over-match the kings; which made s…me flying towards London to carry news, that the Earle of Warwick had wonne the field; and he had perhaps done so indeed, but for a strange misfortune which happened to the Earle of Oxford and his men; for they having a Starre with streams on their liveries, as king Edwards men had the Sunne, the Earle of Warwicks men, by reason of the Myst, not well discerning the badges so like, shot at …he Earle of Oxfords men, that were on their part: whereupon the Earle of Oxford cryed, Treason! and fled with eight hundred men. At length after great slaughter made on both side…, king Edward having the greater number of men, (as some write, though other say the contrary) caused a new power of fresh men (which he had kept of purpos…) to come on: which the Earle of Warwick observing, being a man of an invincible courage, nothing dismaied, rushed into the midst of his enemies, where he adventured so …arre, that amongst the preasse he was stricken down and slaine. (Though some write, that the Earle seeing the desperate estate of his Army, leapt on a horse to fly; and comming to a Wood where was no passage, one of king Edwards men came to him, killed him, and spoyled him to the naked skin.) The Marquesse Montacute, thinking to succour his brother, lost likewise his life, and left the Victory to king Edward. On both sid…s were slaine, as Hall saith, ten thousand at the least; Fabian saith, but fifteen hu…dred, but then he means onelyonly of the kings side. Upon the kings part were slaine the Lord Cromwell, the Lord Say, the Lord Montjoyes Sonne and heire, Sir Humfry Bo…rchier sonne and heire to the Lord Berners, and divers other knights and gentlemen. On the Earls part were slaine, the Earle himselfe, the Marqu…ss… Montacute, and three and twenty knights, of whom Sir William Tyrrell was one. The Duke of Somerset, and the Earle of Oxford fled into VVales, to Iasper Earle of Pembro…ke. The Duke of Exceter being strucken down, and so wounded that he was left for dead, amongst other the dead bodies, because he was not k…own; but comming to himselfe, he got up, and escaped to VVestminster, and there took Sanctuary. The dead bodies of the Earle and Marquesse were brought to London in a Coffin, and by the space of three dayes lay open-faced in the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul, and then buried with their Ancestours, in the Priory of Bissam. This Earle of VVarwick was Richard Nevill, sonne and heire of Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury, who married the daughter of Richard Beauchamp the sixth Earle of Warwick, and in her right was Earle of Warwick, in his own, of Sali…bury: he was also Lord Monthermer, great Chamberlaine, and high Admirall of England, Lord Warden of the North Marches towards Scotland, and high Steward of the Dutchy of La…caster: he had issue two Daughters, Isabell married to George Duke of Clarence; and Ann…, …rst married to Prince Edward king Henry the sixths Sonne, and after to Richard Duke of Glocester.

Wee may here observe a Constellation of disastrous influences, concurring all to the overthrow of this great Warwicke; whereof, if any one had been missing, the wheele of his fortune had perhaps not turned: For if the City of Yorke had not too credulously believed king Edwards Oath, not to d…sturbe king Henry; or if the Marquesse Mo…tacute had stopped (as he might) his passage at Pomfret; or if the Duke of Clarence had not at the very point of the battell at St. Albans, deserted his party and joyned with king Edwards … or if Qu…en Margaret had not by tempest been kept from comming into E…gla…d in time; or if the Londoners had not been retrograde and deceived his expectation, he had never perhaps been overthrown as p. 105he was: But Fata viam invenient; destiny will finde waies that were never thought of, will make way where it findes none; and that which is ordained in heaven, shall be effected by means of which Earth can take no notice.

Queen Margaret, when it was too late, accompanied with Iohn Longstrother Prior of Saint Iohns, and the Lord Wenlock, with divers Knights and Esquires tooke shipping at Harflew, the foure and twentieth of March, but by tempest was kept back till the thirteenth of April; and then with her sonne Prince Edward, shee landed at Weymouth, and from thence went to an Abby hard by called Ceern, and then to Bewly in Hampshire, whither there came unto her Edmund Duke of Somerset, and Thomas Courtney Earle of Devonshire, with divers others; amongst whom, it is resolved once more to try their fortune in the field; but then the Queen would have had her sonne Prince Edward to be sent into France, there to remaine in safety, till the next battell were tryed; but they being of a contrary minde, and specially the Duke of Somerset, shee at length consented, though afterward she repented it. From Bewly she with her sonne and the Earle of Somerset passeth on to Bristow, intending with what power they could raise in Glocestershire, to march into Wales, to joyn with I…sper Earle of Pembrooke, who was there making preparation of more forces. King E…ward hearing of these things, resolves to crosse this Conjunction, and followes Queen Margaret with a great Power so close, that neere Tewkesbury in Glocestershire he overtakes her forces, who resolutely turn and make head against him; where Somerset, on the Queens part, leading the Vaunt-guard, performed the part of a valiant Commander; but finding his souldiers thro…gh wearines begin to faint, and that the Lord Wenlock, who had the conduct of the battaile on the Queens part, moved no, the rode unto him, and upbrayding him with cowardise or treachery, never staid, but with his Pollaxe beat out his brains; and now before he could bring in his men to the rescue, their Vaward was routed, and Iohn Earle of Devonshire, with above three thousand of the Queens part were slaine: The Queen her selfe, Iohn Beaufort the Duke of Somersets brother, the Prior of Saint Iohns, Sir Gervis Clifton and divers others were taken prisoners; all which except the Queen, were the next day beheaded. At which time Sir Richard Crofts presented to king Edward king Henries Son Edward, whom he had taken prisoner; to whom king Edward at first shewed no uncourteous countenance; but demanding of him, how he durst so presumptuously enter into his Realm with Arms? and he answering, though truly, yet unseasonably, To recover my Fathers Kingdome and Heritage; King Edward with his hand thrust him from him, or (as some say) strooke him with his Gantlet, and then presently George Duke of Clarence, Richard Duke of Glocester, Thomas Grey Marquesse Dorset, and William Lord Hastings standing by, fell upon him in the plac…, and murdred him. His body was homely interred with other ordinary Corpses, in the Church of the Monastery of the Black-fryers in Tewkesbury. After the Victory thus obtained, king Edward repaired to the Abbey Church of Tewkesbury, to give God thankes for his good successe; and finding there a great number of his enemies, that were fled thither to save themselves, he gave them all free Pardon; onelyonly Edmuud Duke of Somerset, … Longstrother Pryor of Saint Iohns, Sir Thomas Tressham, Sir Gervi… Clifton and divers other Knights and Esquires, who were apprehended there, and brought before the Duke of Glocester, sitting that day as Constable of England, and the Duke of Norfolk as Marshall, were all arraigned, condemned and judged to Dye, and accordingly upon the Tuesday being the seventh of May, they were all, and twelve other knights more, on a Scaffold set up in the middle of the Town, beheaded, but not dismembred… and permitted to be buried. The same day Queen Margaret was found in a poore house of Religion, not farre from thence, into which she was fled for safeguard of her life; but she was after brought to London, and there kept a Prisoner, till her Father ransomed her with great summes of money. This was the last pitcht battell that was fought in England, in king Edward the fourths dayes, which happened on the fourth of May, being Saturday, in the Eleventh yeere of his reigne, and in the yeere of our Lord 1471.

King Edward being assured, that as long as any partakers of king Henry lived and p. 106were at liberty, he should never be free from plots against his life; sent Roger Vaugha…, a Gentleman much reckoned of in his own Country, to entrape Iasper Earle of Pembrooke, who had escaped from the last encounter: but he having notice of the plot before, prevented it by striking off Vaughans head.

After these great Clouds were thus dispersed, there arose a little Cloud, which gave the Realme, at least the City of London no small disquiet. For now, Thomas bastard Fa…conbridge, who had been imployed by the Earle of Warwick to scowre the Seas, hearing of these defeats; having enriched himselfe by Piracy, gathered together an Army of seventeen thousand men, and comming to London, imp…riously commanded admission into the City, and releasement of King Henry out of prison: but being denyed entrance, and hearing that king Edward with a great power was comming towards him, he brings up his shipping to Saint Katherines, and taking with him his most desperate men, with them he marcheth to Kingston-bridge, but finding that bridge broken down, and all the places of passage guarded, he withdrew his forces into Saint Georges field, from whence he prepared to assault the City of London; for the effecting whereof, he landed all his ship Ordinance, and planted them all alongst the Banks-side, with which he battered down many houses, and much annoyed the City; but the Citizens on the other side, lodged their great Artillery against their Adversaries, with which they so galled them, that they durst not abide in any pla…e alongst the water side, but were driven even from their own Ordinance: Then he appointed his men to set fire on the bridge, and withall caused three thousand to passe over the Thames, and some of them to assault Aldgate, and some Bishopsgate, but were in all places, by the industry of the Citizens repelled, and chiefely by Robert Basset and Ralph Iocelyne Aldermen: Upon this he retyred to Black-heath and there encamped by the space of three dayes; but then hearing that king Edward was commming with a great Army, he got him to his ship, but the rest fled some one way, some another. The one and twentieth of May, the king comming to London, thanked the Citizens for their pains and care, and dubbed the Major, the Recorde… Vrsewicke, and B…sset and Iocelyne Aldermen, Knights.

And now the time was come for king Henry to be delivered out of all his troubles; for the bloody Duke of Glocester entring the Tower, where he found king Henry, nothing at all troubled with all his Crosses, struck him into the heart with his Dagger and there slew him. And now we have had within the space of half a yeer, one Parliament Proclaming king Edward an Usurper, and king Henry a lawfull king; and another Proclaming king Edward a lawfull king, & king Henry an Usurper: that we may know in humane affairs, there is nothing certaine, but uncertainty; nothing stable, but instability.

King Edward presently after the inte…rment of king Henry, drawes his forces towards …andwich in Kent, where some of the followers of F…uconbridge, to the number of eight or nine hundred, had in the Castle there strongly fortified themselves, but upon their asking Pardon and submitting themselves to the king, with promise to be faithfull Subjects ever after, they had their Pardon granted them, and then they delivered up both Castle and Ships to the number of thirteen, to the kings use. But how this Composition was observed, may be imagined; when Fauconbridge who was comprised in the same Pardon, was afterward taken and executed at Southampton Spicing and Quintine the Captaines that affailed Aldgate and Bishopsgate, and were in Sandwich Castle, at the surrender thereof; were presently beheaded at Canterbury, and their heads placed on poles, upon those gates: and by a Commission of Oyre and Te…miner, many both in Essex and Kent, were arraigned and condemned for this Rebellion, and more fined.

And now king Edward, desiring to be secured from all suspected persons, sent the Archbishop of Yorke, brother to the Earle of Warwick, over to Guisnes, there to be kept in safe custody; and there he remained a long time, till at length by friendship he was delivered, and shortly after dyed. Likewise Iohn Earle of Oxford, who after Barnet Field yeelded himselfe to king Edward, had his life pardoned; but yet was se…t over sea to the Castle of H…mmes, where for the space of twelve years he p. 107was shut up in strong prison, and narrowly looked too. As for the Earles of Pembrooke and Richmond, who were fled out of the Realme, to the Duke of Britaine, king Edward sent to the Duke, requiring to have them delivered up unto him, upon promise of great rewards; to which the Duke made answer, that he could no… with his honour deliver them up, whom he had taken into his Protection; but that for king Edwards sake, he would take such care of them, that he should need to take no care for them; and to that end, he sequestred their own servants from them, and appointed Britaines to attend upon them.

It was now the thirteenth year of king Edwards reigne; in which a Parliament was called at Westminster: wherein all acts formerly made by him, are confirmed or revived; and all their Lands and Goods confiscated, that had taken part against him and were fled and all their lands and goods restored to such as had taken part with him.

King Edward being destin'd to be alwayes in troubles; now that he had quietnesse at home, was drawn into new broyles abroad; for the Duke of Burgoigne at this time having warres with France, thought he could no way make a better harvest to himselfe, then by sowing seeds of dissention between France and England; and to this end, he sends Ambassadours to king Edward, to sollicite him to set on foot his Title to the Crown of France; making great offers, with Protestation to assist him in it, both with Purse and Person. This proposition being seriously debated by the Kings Privy Counsell, is at last approved of, as being both lawfull and behovefull, for the honour of the King, and good of the kingdome. OnelyOnly means to beare the charges of the warre, were wanting; to supply which by a Parliamentary course, would ask too much time: a new course therefore is devised, to procure mony from the Subject by way of Benevolence; and this course was taken.

About this time, Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and Earle of Huntington, dis-inherited by Act of Parliament, in the fourth yeer of this King, (though he had married King Edwards Sister; yet grew to so great misery, that passing over into Flanders, he was there forced all ragged and bare-foot to beg his bread:) was found dead, and stript naked, between Dover and Callice: but how he came to his death, no enquiry could bring to light.

Provision for this French expedition being throughly made; and order taken for the quiet government of the kingdome in his absence, and the stop of incursions, if any by the Scots should be made: King Edward with an Army of fifteen hundred men at arms, all of the Nobility and Gentry, fifteen thousand Archers on horseback, eight thousand Common souldiers, and three thousand Pioners, came down to Dover; whither the Duke of Burgoigne had sent five hundred flat bottom'd boates, to transport the Horse to Callice; yet for all that helpe, it was two and twenty dayes before the kings forces were all past over. Before the kings departure from Dover, (to the end he might not seem to surprize him) he sent an Herauld named Garter, a Norman by birth, with a letter of Defiance to the French king, (so well written, saith Co…s, that he thought it not of any English mans enditing; as though Englishmen could not endite aswell as the French) Requiring him to yeeld unto him the Crown of F…ce, his unquestionable Inheritance; which if he should dare to deny, …e … then endeavor to recover it by the Sword. This letter the French king read & thereupon withdrawing himselfe, caused the Herauld to be brought to his presence… to whom in private he gave this answer: That the Duke of Burgoigne and the Earle of Saint Paul the Constable, (by whose instigation, he knew the king of E…gland was drawn to this Designe) would but delude him, for that they were Dissembler… …nd Impostors; and therfore said, It would conduce more to the honor of the king of … to continue in League with him, though an old Adversary; then to hazard th… fortune of the warres, upon the promised assistance of new-come Dec…ivers… …nd so commend me (saith he) to the king thy Master, and say what I have told …he…; and then with an honourable reward of three hundred Crowns, dismist him: The Herauld promised to doe all that in him lay, and (beyond his Commission) shew…d the French king wayes, (by working upon the Lords Howard and Stanley) by p. 08which he might enter into a Treaty for Peace, which he doubted not, would sort to a good Conclusion. The French king glad to he…r it, gave the Herauld, besides the other reward, … piece of Crimson Velvet of thirty yards long; and withall sent to king E… ward the goodliest Horse he had in his Stable, as also an A…e, a Wolph, and a wild… …ore, bea…ts at that time rare in England: and then the Herauld returning to Callice, delivered to king Edward the French kings …nswer.

And now to make good the French kings a…egation to the Herauld; the Duke o… Burgoigne, who had promised in the word of a Prince, to bring to Callice by this time, two thousand Launces and foure thousand Seradiots or …ight ho…se, failed to come: whereupon the Lord Scales is by king E…ward sent to the D…ke, to put him in minde of his promise, and to ha…ten his comming with his promised forces: But the journey was to little purpose; onelyonly it occasioned the Duke with a small …roop of horse to come to …he king, formally to excuse himselfe for having been so backward; but the cause (he said) was, for that having been imbroiled in the siege of N…z, he could not depart thence without infinite disgrace, if neither composition nor submission were enforced; which now notwithst…nding… because he would not too much trespasse upon his pat…ence, he was enforced to doe, by the ob…t…nacy of the besieged: but promised to supply all defects, both with his presence and power, and that speedily. The Constable likewise by his letter perswades the king of England to proceede in the action, and not to doubt both from the Duke and himself, to be sufficiently every way accommodated.

King Edward thus encouraged, passeth on, but in his way found no performance of promises, either on the Dukes or Constables part; for the Duke did not accommodate the souldiers at their comming to Pero…, with victuals or lodging in such manner as was requisite and expected; and the Constable in stead of surrendring up Sain… … according to agreement, made a sa…ly out upon such as were sent from the king of E…gla…d to take possession, and plaid upon them with his great Ordinance; whereupon k. Ed…ard began to suspect the truth of the French k. description of the Dukes and Constables conditions; and from thence forward stood upon his own guard, and gave no further credit to their Protestation; which the Duke of Burgoig…e resenting, pretended occasions for the hasting forward his forces… & promising speedy return together with them, taketh his leave and departeth, which did not a little increa…e the kings suspition.

The French king having intelligence of the Duke of Burgoignes departure, forecasting the danger, if they should unite their forces; resolved with himselfe, to … what might be done to mediate a Peace in the Dukes absence; and yet so to …, that if it took not effect, he might disclaime the knowledge of the overture: whereupon he privately dispatcheth a messenger, in …hew an Herauld; but was indeed… fellow of no o…ice or estimation, and not known to any of the Kings household, but to Villiers the Master of the Horse, who only was acquainted with the plot and party. This counterfeit Pursuivant at Arm…, with a coate made of a Trumpets Banne… towle, addressed himselfe to the king of E…gla…d, and upon admission to his pesence, insinuates the French Kings desire, which was, to have Commissioners on both parts assigned, to conferre of the means to reconcile the differences between the two Kings; or at least to conclude a cessation from arms fo… some time: And so well this Messenger delivered his errand, that it was credited, and the kings request grant…d; and thereupon letters of safe conduct, are sent of both sides, for such Commissioners as to this purpose should meet at A…ye…s. For king Edward, came the Lord Ho…d, Sir A…tho…y Se…tleger, and Doctor Mor…on, after made Lord Chancelour of E…gla…d. For king Lewis, came the Admirall of France, the Lord Saint Piers, and Heberg … shop of E…reux. After long Conference, Articles of Peace were concluded on …o this effect: That the French king should pay presently to the king of E…gla…d, threescore and fifteen thousand Crowns, and from thence forth, annually, fifty thous…nd Crowns, during the life of king Edward: That within one yeare, the French king should send for the Lady … the king of Englands daughter, and joyn her in marriage to the Dolphin: That the Lord How…rd, and Sir Iohn Cheyney Master of the p. 109Horse, should remaine in hostage there, till the English army had quitted France, and … generall peace for nine yeer…; wherein the Dukes of Burgoigne and Britt…e, are …cluded, if they will accept thereof: This Conclusion was the more easily compassed, by the king of France his following the Herauld… Counsell; fo… he distributed sixteen thousand Crowns amongst king Edwards Counsellours and Favorites; two thousand Crowns to the Lord Hastings the kings Chamberlaine, and to the Lord …, Sir Iohn Cheyn…y, Sir Anthony Sentleger, and Mo…gomery, the residue; besides great store of Plate and Jewels, distributed amongst inferiour Officers of the Court. The Duke of Glocester onelyonly opposed this accord, as not suiting with his designe; Neverthelesse it proceeded, and not…ce thereof is presently sent to the Duke of …; who thereupon onelyonly with fifteen horse, comes posting to the English Campe, whom king Edward perswades to enter into the peace, according to the reservation; but he in a great chafe, reproacheth king Edward for entring into it himselfe; saying, that his predecessours had by many brave exploits gotten fame and rep…tation upon the French; and now he had brought his souldiers onelyonly to shew them the Country, and returne as they came; adding withall, that to make it appe…e he was able without helpe of the English to subsist of himselfe… he utterly discl…med any benefit by that Truce, untill three months after the English were re…ned to their own Country; and so in a great snuffe returned home.

For the better Confirmation of what wa… agreed upon between the two kings, an … is desired; but before the same is e…ectua…ed, the French king sends to the Eng…sh army an hundred Tonne of Gascoigne wine, to be drunke out amongst the priv…e …ouldiers, and therewithall, free licence for Commanders and Gentlemen to recreate themselves in Amye…s, where they were lovingly entertained by the Burgers of the Town, by the kings expresse command. The place of enterview of these two … is agreed on to be at Picquency, a Town three miles distant from Am…e…s, seated in … …ottome, through which the river of Some runneth, over which a strong bridge was bu…t, and in the midst thereof a gra…e made overthwart with …artes, no wider … than a man might well thrust in his arme; covered with boardes overhead… to avoid the rain…foure of the Bed-chamber on both sides, are appointed to search the room…, to prevent traps of instrumen… of treachery: and being by them certified that …ll as was cleere, the kings advance themselves. King Edward being come in sight of the place, made a stand; being told, that the circumstance of comming f…r…t to th… place, was a matter of great disparagement in point of State: but the French king …o…e regarding subst…nce then circumstance, gave the king of England the advan… to come at hi… pleasure, and went first to the barre appointed for conference, … the…e did attend king Edwards leasure. He had in his Company, Iohn Duke of …, with his brother the Cardinall, and eight hundred m…n at Arms. King Ed… h…d with him, his brother the Duke of Clarence, the Earle of Northumberland, …he Lords Chamberlaine and Chancellour, and at his backe his whole Army in b…t…e…. The kings lovingly salute each other, and complements of courtesie re…ipro… which finished, They with their Noblemen there present, take all …heir … upon the holy Evangelists, in all to their …ower, to observe the Articles o… … agre…d on. After which, In private the French king impor…u…es king Ed…, that the Duke of Brittaine might be left out of these Articles: but after much … to that purpose, king Edward gave his resolute answer… that if king Lewis … the frendship of Engl…nd, he should not molest the Duke of Brittaine … for …hat he was resolved, at any time to come in person to relieve him… if he were distu… …ed: King Edward pretended the many kindnesse he had forme…ly rec…ived of the Duke of Brittaine: but it was conceived, that the desire of compassing the Ea…les o… … and Pembrooke, now in the Duke of Brittaines Country, were the greatest … of his standing …o …irmely for him. The money to be payd to king Ed…rd … the Articles, is accordingly payd; and thereupon the French Hostages are delivered, and the Englis… Army re…res to Callice, and from thenc… is transported into … and then the English Hostages are likewise delivered. This Peace was … …o be made only by the holy Ghost; because on the day of mee…ing, a white Dove p. 110came and sate upon the king of Englands Tent: though the Dukes of Glocester and Burgoig…e thought it was made by no good spirit.

King Edward being returned into England, had his minde running still upon the dange… that might grow from the Earle of Richmond: he therefore dispatched D. Stillington and two other his Ambassadors to the Duke of Bri…aine, to send him over to him, under this subtle pretence, that he meant to match him in mariage with the Lady Cicill… his younger daughter; and withall, sent also no small store of Angels to speake for him: which so prevailed with the Duke, that he delivered the Earle o… Richmond to the Ambassadors, who conducted him thence to Saint Malo…, where whil'st they stayed for a winde, the young Earle, by the cunning plotting of Peter Landoi… the Dukes Treasurer (more out of scorne that he was not gratified by the English Ambassadour to the proportion of his place, than for any love to the Earle) escapes into Sanctuary; from whence neither prayers nor promises could get him cut: Neverthelesse, upon Peter Landois his promise he should be safely kept there, the Ambassadors departed, and returned home, acquainted K. Edward with the Duke of B…goig…s courtesie in delivering him, and their own negligence in suffering him to escape, onelyonly making amends with the promise of Peter Landois; which might be to K. Edward some contentment, but was no satisfaction.

At Christmas following, being the sixteenth yeere of his Reigne, he created his eldest sonne Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cor…wall, and Earle of Chester: his second sonne he made Duke of Yorke; giving the order of knighthood to the sonne and heire of the Earle of Li…col…e, and many others. He created also foure and twenty knights of the Bath, whereof Brian Chiefe Justice, and Littleton a Judge of the Common Pleas, were two.

About this time, there were two examples of severity seene; not unworthy the relating, if but onelyonly to make us see how dangerous a thing it is Ludere cum sancti…, to speake words that may be taken as reflecting upon the king. The first was of one Walter Walker, a wealthy Citizen, dwelling at the signe of the Crown in Cheapside: This man one day when his childe cryed, bid him be quiet, and he would make him heire of the Crowne: which words being subject to interpretation, he was called in question about them, arraigned, condemned, and put to death. The other was of Thomas Burdet of Arrow in Warwickeshire Esquire: It happened that K. Edward hunted in his Parke, he being from home; and there killed a white Buck, whereof Mr. Burde… made speciall account: so as comming home, and finding that Buck killed, he wished it hornes and all in his belly that had counselled the king to kill it: and because none counselled the King to kill it but himselfe; it was thought those words were not spoken without a malignant reflecting upon the King: and thereupon Burdet was arraigned and condemned, drawne to Tiburne, and there beheaded: though M…rkh… then Chiefe Justice, chose rather to lose his place, than assent to the Judgement.

And now began ambition to boyle in Richard Duke of Glocester; whereof the first heate fell upon his brother the Duke of Clarence, how to rid him out of the way; to which end, he seeks to raise Jealousies in King Edwards head against him, telling him, that some of Clare…ce his followers were Sorcere…s and Necromancers, and had given forth speeches, that one whose name begun with G. should disinherit his Children and get the Crown: and for a colour of this suggestion, one of the Duke of Clar…ce his servants, who came with him out of Ireland, from Dublin, where the Duke was born; is in his Masters absence, by the procurement underhand of the Duke of Glocester, indicted, …rraigned, condemned and executed at Tyburne for a Conjurer, and all within the space of two dayes: and the Duke of Glocester, to make shew that he had no hand in this fellows death, set on the Duke of Clarence to complaine of it to King Edward; and in the mean time finds matter, at least colour of matter, to make him be committed to the Tower; …nd then againe, to make shew he had no hand in his imprisonment, bids him be of good cheere, for it should not be long ere he would see him released: and he kept his word; for not long after, by his procurement, he was drowned in a But of Malmesey, (and this was his releasement) and p. 111then laid in his bed, to make the people believe that he died of discontent; whose death, King Edward though perhaps consenting to it, so much resented, that afterwards when he was sued unto for any mans Pardon, he would …ighing break out into such words: Oh unfortunate brother… for whose life not one man would open his mouth. Being dead, he was buried at Tewkesbury in Glocestershire, by the body of his Dutchesse, who great with childe, dyed of Poyson a little before.

It was now the two and twentieth yeere of King Edwards Reigne, when Iames King of Scotland sent Ambassadors to treate of a Mariage between his eldest sonne Iames Duke of Rothsay, and Cicely king Edwards second daughter. This overture for a March, was by the king and his Councell readily imbraced, and a great part of the Portion was delivered to the Scots, with this Proviso, That if the mariage di… not proceed, the Provost and Merchants of Edenbourgh should be bound to rep…y it againe. But the Scotish king, who had other fantasies in his head, and would take counsell of none but his owne will, and diverted also perhaps by the king of France; not onelyonly dallyed the proceeding in the ma…ch, but affronted those of the Nobility th…t perswaded him to it; in so much that his Brother the Duke of Albany was enforced to abandon the Country, and to flie for refuge into England: by whom king Edward being informed of king Iames his fickle disposition, was so much incensed, that under the conduct of the Duke of Glocester, accompanied with the Duke of Albany, he sent an Army of twenty thousand against Scotland; who in their way took in Barwick, and besieged the Castle; which being resolutely defended by the Earle Bothwell, the Duke left the Lord Stanley to continue the siege, whil'st he, wi…h the rest of the Army, marched towards Edenbourgh; where within the Castle of Maydens, king Iames had immur'd himselfe. But the Nobility of Scotland, seeing the danger they were in, endeavoured by humble submission, to procure a peace, at least a cessation from war; which with much importunity they obtained, upon these Conditions: That full satisfaction should be presently given, for all dammages sustained by the late incursions: That the Duke of Albany should be fully restored to grace and place, with an abolition of all discontents between his brother king Iames and him: That the Castle of Barwicke, (which had been now out of the Possession of the English, one and twenty yeers) should immediately be surrendred into the Generals hands; and from thence no reduction of that or the Town attempted: That all such summes of money as upon the proposition of the marriage, had been delivered, should be repaid. All which, except the first Article, were accordingly p… formed.

When this busines with Scotland was indifferently accomodated; King Edward receiv…s intelligence from his Ambassadour-Leidger in France, that the French King not only denied the payment of the annuall Tribute of fifty thousand crowns, agreed upon and sworn to upon the ratification of the late concluded Peace; but had also married the Dolphin of France to the Lady Margaret, daughter of Maximill…n Sonne of the Emperour; which so much incensed K. Edward, that he resolves to revenge it; and by the advise of his Counsell, open warre was presently Proclamed against France: but whil'st King Edward is making preparation, and intentive to the busines, he is attached by the hand of death; and upon the ninth of April, in the yeer 1483, at Westminster ended this mortall life.

Of his Taxations.

IN his second yeer, he sent his Privy Seale through England, to move men to give him a certaine summe of money towards resisting the Scots, wh…ch was granted and given liberal…y. In his seventh yeer, in a Parliament at Westminster, were …sumed all manner of gifts, which the King had given, from the first day he tooke possession of the Realm, to that time. In his eighth yeer, at a Parliament, were grant…d two Fifteens and a Demy. In his thirteenth yeer, a Parliament was holden, wherein, a Sub…idie was granted; and the yeer following, towards warre to be undertaken in France, a new way of raysing money is devised, called a Benevolence, by which p. 112great summes of money were gotten of the Subject: and it is not unworthy the relating, what an old rich Widdow at this time did; whom King Edward, amonstothers having called before him, merrily asked, what she would willingly give him towards his great charges? By my troth (quoth shee) for thy lovely countenance, thou shalt have even twenty pounds. The King looking scarce for half that summe, thanked her, and lovingly kist her; which so wrought with the old widdow, that she presently swore, he should have twenty pound more; and payd it willingly. No… long before his death, he was by ill Counsellours put upon a distastefull course for raysing of mony; which was, by fining men for delinquencies against Penall Statures by which course some money was gathered; but before it came to full execution, he dying, that also dyed with him.

Of his Lawes and Ordinances.

IN his fourth yeer, he newly devised the Coyne both of Gold and Silver, as a… this day it is; the Gold, he named Royals and Nobles; the Silver, Groats and … Groats: the new Groate weighing scantly three pence; and the Noble of six shillings eight pence, appointed to goe for eight shillings foure pence. In his fifth yeer, it was Proclamed in England, that the Beakes or Pykes of Shooes and Bootes, should not passe two Inches, upon paine of Cursing by the Clergie, and forfeiting twenty shillings, to be paid one noble to the King, another to the Cordwayners of London, and the third to the Chamber of London; and for other Countries and Towns the like order was taken. Before this time, and since the yeer 1382. the Pykes of Shooes and Bootes were of such length, that they were faine to be tyed up to the Knees with chaines of Silver and gilt, or at least with silken laces.

Affaires of the Church in his time.

IN this Kings time, the Jubile which was before but every fiftieth yeer, was by Pope Six… the fourth, brought to be every five and twenty yeer. Also, where before this time, the Scottish Bishops had no Metropolitane, but the Bishop of Yorke was Metropolitane and Primate of Scotland; now in this Kings time, Pope Six… appointed the Bishop of Saint Andrews to be Metropolitane of Scotland, who had twelve Bishops under his obedience.

Of Workes of Piety done in his time.

THIS King laid the foundation of the new Chappell at Windso…, and his Queen Elizabeth founded the Queens Colledge in Cambridge, and endowed it with large Possessions. About his fifteenth yeere, Doctor Woodlarke Provost of Kings Colledge in Cambridge, Founded Katherine-hall there. In his seventeenth yeer, the Wall of the City of London, from Cripplegate to Bishopsgate, was builded at the charges of the Citizens, also Bishopsgate it selfe was new built by the Merchants … of the Styliard. Also in this yeere dyed Sir Iohn Crosby Knight, late Major of London; who gave to the repairing of the Parish-Church of St. Helens in Bishopsgatestreet, where he was buried, 500 Marks: to the repairing of the parish Church of He…w…rth in Middlesex, forty pounds: to the repairing of London-wall, an hundred pounds: to the repairing of Rochester-bridge, ten pounds: to the Wardens and Commonalty of the Grocers in London, two large Pots of silver chased halfe gilt, and other Legacies. About this time also, Richard Rawson one of the Sheriffs of London, caused an house to be builded in the Church-yard of St. Mary Hospitalll without Bishopsgate, where the Major and Aldermen use to sit and heare the Sermons in Easterholy-daies. In his nineteenth yeere, William Tailour Major of London, gave to the City certaine Tenements; for the which the City is bound to pay for ever, at every Fifteene granted to the King, for all such as shall dwell in Cordwainers-street-ward, sessed at twelve-pence apiece, or under. And about the same time, one Thomas … p. 113Sheriffe of London, builded at his own costs the great Conduit in Che…pside. In his three and twentieth yeere, Edmund Shaw Goldsmith, who had been Major of London, at his own costs re-edified Cripplegate in London, which gate in old time had been a Prison.

Of Casualties happening in his time.

IN his third yeare, the Minster of Yorke, and the Steeple of Christs Church in Norwich were burnt. In his seventeenth yeere, so great a Pestilence reigned in England, that it swept away more people in foure moneths, than the Warres had done in fifteen yeeres past. Also in his nineteenth yeere was another Pes…lence; which beginning in the later end of September, continued till the beginning of November twelve-monethmonth following; in which space of time innumerable people dyed.

Of his wife and issue.

KIng Edward had been contracted to Eleanor daughter of Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury, maried after to Sir Thomas Butler Baron of S…dely: but he maried Elizabeth the widdow of Sir Iohn Grey, daughter of Richard Woodvile by his wife Iaqueline Dutchesse of Bedford: she lived his wife eighteene yeeres and eleven moneths; by whom he had three sonnes and seven daughters. Edward his eldest sonne, borne in the Sanctuary at Westminster: Richard his second sonne, borne at Shrewsbury: George his third sonne, borne also at Shrewsbury, but dyed a childe. Elizabeth his eldest daughter, promised in mariage to Charles Dolphin of France; but maried afterward to King Henry th… Seventh: Cicely his second daughter, promised in mariage to Iames Duke of …othsay, Prince of Scotland; but was maried afterward to Iohn Viscount Wells, whom she outlived, and was againe re-maried, but by neither husband had any issue: she lyeth buried at Quarena in the Isle of Wight. Anne his third daughter was maried to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke, Earle Marshall, and High Treasurer of England; by whom she had two sonnes, both dying without issue: she lyeth buried at Framingham in Norfolk. Bridget his fourth daughter, borne at Eltham in Kent, became a Nunne in the Nunnery of Dartford in Kent, which king Edward had founded. Mary his fifth daughter, was promised in mariage to the King of Denmarke, but dyed in the Tower of Greenwich, before it could be solemnized: she lyeth buried at Windsor. Margaret his sixth daughter, dyed an Infant. Katherine his seventh daughter, was maried to William Courtney Earle of Devo…shire; to whom she bare Lord Henry, who by King Henry the eighth was created Marquesse of Exeter.

Concubines he had many, but three specially; and would use to say, that he had three Concubines, who in their severall properties excelled: One, the merriest; another, the wyliest; the third, the holyest harlot in his Realme; as one whom no man could lightly get out of the Church to any place, unlesse it were to his bed; The other two were greater personages than are sit to be named: but the merriest was Shores wife; in whom therefore he tooke speciall pleasure: This woman was borne in London, worshipfully descended. and well maried: but when the King had abused her, anon her husband (as he was an honest man, and did know his good, not presuming to touch a Kings Concubine) left her up to him altogether.

By these he had naturall issue; Arthur sirnamed Plantagenet, (whose mother, as is supposed, was the Lady Elizabeth Lucy) created Viscount Lisle, by King Henry the Eight, at Bridewell in London: And Elizabeth, who was maried to Sir Thomas Lumley knight; to whom she bare Richard, afterward Lord Lumley, from whom the late Lord Lumley did descend.

Of his Personage and Conditions.

HE was (saith Comines) the goodliest Personage that ever mine eyes beheld; exceeding tall of statu…e, faire of complexion, and of most Princely presence: p. 114and we may truly say, he was of full age before he came to one and twenty; for being but eighteen yeeres old when his Father dyed, he sued out his livery presently: so as he began the race of his for…ne just like Augustus Caesar, each of them at the same age succeeding an Ancestour after a violent death; and each of them left to set on a roofe, where but onelyonly a fo…tion was laid before. For his conditions, he was of an erected composure both of body …nd minde, but something sagging on the Fleshes side; and never any man that did marry for Love, did so little love Mariage; for he tooke as much pleasure in other mens wives as in his owne. He was never more confident, than when he was in danger; nor ever more doubtfull, than when he was s…ure. Of the foure Cardinall virtues, For…nde and Prudence were in him naturally; Temperance …d Justice, but to serve his turne. He was politick even to irreligion; for to compasse his ends, he would not stick to sweare what he never meant. Yet he was Religious beyond Policy; for before Battailes, he used to make his Prayers to God; after Victories, to give him Thanks. He was farre from being proud, yet very ambitious; and could use familiarity, and yet retaine Majestie. He was a great Briber; and wha… he could not get by force, he would by Rewards; as much as what he could not get by Battery, he would by Mines. H… was too credulous of Reports, which made him be in errour, sometimes to the h…rt of himselfe, oftentimes of others. He had made the White Rose to flourish as long as Henry the Fourth made the Red, if he had not made it change colour with too much blood. He had been fortunate in his children, if he had not been unfortunate in a brother: but he was well enough served, that would thinke a Wolfe could ever be a good Shepheard. He had an excellent art in improving his favours; for he could doe as much with a small courtesie, as other men with a great benefit: And that which was more, he could make advantage of disadvantages; for he got the love of the Londoners by owing them money; and the good will of the Citizens by lying with their wives.

Of his Death and Buriall.

WHether it began from his minde, being extreamely troubled with the injurious dealing of …he King of France; or from his body, by intemperance of dyet, to which he was much given; he fell into a sicknesse, (some say a Catarche, some a Feaver) but into a sicknesse whereof he dyed. In the time of which sicknesse, & at the very point of his death, Sir Thomas Moore makes him to make a speech to his Lords; which I might thinke to be the speech of a sick man, if it were not so sound, and of a weake man, if it were not so long: but it seemes, Sir Thomas Moore delivers rather what was fit for him to say, than what he sayd; the Contents being onelyonly, to exhort his Lords, whom he knew to be at variance, to be in love and concord amongst themselves; for that, the welfare of his children, whom he must now leave to their care, could not otherwise be preserved but by their agreement. And having spoken to this purpose as much as his weaknes would suffer him, he found himselfe sleepy; and turning on one side, he fell into his long sleep, the ninth of April, in the yeere 1483. when he had lived one and forty yeeres, Reigned two and twenty and one mo…eth; and was buried at Windsor, in the new Chappell, whose foundation himselfe had laid.

Of men of Note in his time.

MEN of valour in his time were many, but himselfe the chiefest, the rest may be observed in reading his story. For men of letters, we may have leave at this time to speake of some strangers, having been men of extraordinary fame; as Iohānes de Monte Regi…, Purbachiu… and Bl…chinu…, all great Astronomers; Ludovicus Pontanus, Paulus Castrensis, and A…thonius Rossellanus, all great Lawyers; Servisanus, Sava…arola, and Barzizius, all great Phisitians; Bessarion and Cusanus, both great Cardinalls; Argyr…pole, Philelphus, Datus, Leonardus Aretinus, and Poggius, all great p. 115men in humane lit…rature. And of our own Countrimen; Iohn Harding an E…quire, borne in the North parts, who wrote a Chronicle in English verse, and among o…her speciall points therein touched, hath gathered all the Submissions and Homages made by the Scottish kings, even from the dayes of King Athelstan: whereby it may evide…y appeare, how the Scottish kingdome, even in manner, from the first Establish…ng thereof here in Britaine, hath been appertaining unto the kings of England, and holden of them as their chiefe and superiour Lords. Iulian Bemes, a Gentlewoman of excellent gifts, who wrote certaine Treatises of Hawking and Hunting; also a book of the L…wes of Armes, and knowledge pertaining to Hera…lds. Iohn For…scue a Judge, and Chancellour of England, who wrote divers Treatises concerning the Law and Politick Government. Rochus a Charterhouse-Monk born in London, who wrote divers Epigrams. Walter H…nt a Carmelite Fryer, who for his excellent learning, was sent from the whole body of the Realme, to the Generall Counsell h…ld… fir… at Ferr…ra, and after at Florence, by Pope E…genius the fourth; where …e am…ngs… others dis…uted with the Greekes i… defence of the Order and Ceremo…es o… the Latine Church. William Caxton, who wrote a Chronicle called Fructu… Temporum, and an Appendix unto Trevisa besides divers other bookes and translations. Iohn Milverton, a Carmelit… Frier of Bristow, and provinciall of his Order, who because he defended such of his Order as preached against endowments of the Church with Temporall possessions, was committed to prison in the Castle of Saint Angel… in Rome, where he continued three yeers. David Morgan a Welshman, who wrote of the Antiquities of Wales, and a description of the Country. Iohn Tiptoft, a nobleman born, who wrote divers Treatises, but lost of his head in the yeer 1471. Robert Huggon born in Norfolk, who wrote certaine vaine Prophesies. Thomas Norto… born in Bristow, an Alchymist… Scoga… a learned Gentleman, and a Student for a time in Oxford; who for his plesant wit and merry conceits, was called to Court. But most worthy of all to be remembred, Thomas Littleton a reverend Judge of the Common Ple…s, who brought a great part of the Law into a Method, whic… lay before confusedly dispersed; and his book called Littletons Tenures.