The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 20 · Section 8
Princes.
JOHN of ELTHAM Second Son to King Edward the Second by Isabell his Queen was born at Eltham in this County. He was afterwards created Earle of Cornwal. A spritely Gentleman, and who would have given greater evidence of abilities, if not prevented by death in the prime of his age. He dyed in Scotland in the tenth yeare of the reign of King Edward the Third.
Be it observed that hitherto the younger Sons to our English Kings, were never advanced Higher than Earls. Thus Richard Second son to King Iohn never had higher English Honour then the Earle of Cornwel, though at the same time he were King of the Romans: But this Iohn of Eltham was the last Son of an English King, who dyed a plain Earl, the Title of Duke coming a…erwards into fashion. Hence it was that all the younger Sons of Kings, were from this time forwards Created Dukes, except expiring in their infancy.
BRIDGET of ELTHAM fourth Daughter of K Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Q. was born at Eltham in this County. Observing her three eldest Sisters not over happy in their husbands, she resolved to wed a Monastical life and (no whit ambitious) of the place of an Abbess, became an ordinary votary in the Nunnery at Dartford in this County, founded by K. Edward the 3. The time of her death is uncertain, but this is certain, that her dissolution hapned some competent time before the dissolution of that Nunnerie.
EDMUND youngest Son to King Henry the 7. and Elizabeth his Queen. (bearing* Vincent in his Discovery of Brook his errors, p. 481. the name of his Grand-father Edmund of Haddam) was born at Greenwich in this County 1495. He was by his Father created Duke of Somerset, and he dyed before he was full five years of age at Bishops Hatfield in Hartford▪ shire, which then was the Nursery for the Kings Children: Little notice generally is taken of this Prince, and no wonder, for.
Who onelyonly act short parts in Infant age,
Are soon forgot, they e're came on the Stage.
He died Anno Dom. 1500. in the 15. year of his Fathers Reign, and lieth buried (without any Monument) in Westminster.
HENRY the Eighth, second son of King Henry the Seventh, was born at Greenwich. A Prince who some praise to the Skies, others depresse to the Pit, whilest the third (and truer) sort embrace a middle way betwixt both.
| Extream. | Mean. | Extream. |
| Some carry him up as the Paragon of Princes. The great advancer of Gods Glory and true Religion, and the most Magnificent that ever sate on the Throne. Master Fox in his Acts and Monuments, is sometimes very superlative in his Commendation; And so are most Protestant Authours who wrote under his Reign. | Polidor Virgil hath an Expression of him to this Effect, Princeps in quo aequali quasi temperamento magnae inerantVirtutes ac non minora vitia. A Prince in whom great Virtues and no less Vices, were in a manner equally contemperated. | Sir Walter Rawleigh in his Preface to his great History, whose words may better be read there than Transcribed thence, makes him the truest Map of Tyranny. Insomuch, that King James (who could not abide that any under a King, should speak against a King) was much offended thereat. And those words worst became the writer so much advanced by the daughter of the said K. Henry. |
For mine own part, I humbly conceive, God effected more by his work, as the Instrument, than he was directed by Gods Word as the Principal. Indeed he was a Man of an Uncomptrolable spirit, carrying a MANDAMUs in his mouth, sufficiently sealed when he put his hand to his Hilt. He awed all into Obedience, which some impute to his skilfulnesse to Rule, others ascribe to his Subjects ignorance to resist.
Let one pleasant passage (for Recreation) have its Pass amongst much serious Matter. A company of little boyes were by their School-Master not many years since appointed to act the Play of King Henry the Eighth, and one who had no presence but (an absence rather) as of a whyning voice, puiling spirit, Consumptionish body was appointed to personate K. Henry himself, only because he had the richest Cloaths and his parents the best people of the parish: but when he had spoke his speech rather like a Mouse then a Man, one of his fellow Actors told him; If you speak not HOH with a better spirit your Parliament will not grant you a penny of Money.
But it is vain to Glean in the stubble seeing the Lord Herbert hath so largely wrote the life of this King that nothing of moment can be added thereunto. He dyed January 28, 1546.
MARY eldest Daughter to King Henry the Eighth and Q. Katharine of Spain was born at Greenwich the 18. of February 1518. She did partake of both her parents in her person and properties, having from her Father a broad face, big voyce, and undaunted spirit; from her Mother a swarthy complexion, and a mind wholy devoted to the Romish Religion. She attained the crown by complying with the Gentry of Norfolk and Suffolk, promising them to continue Religion as established by K. Edward the 6. after the breach of which promise she never prospered. For first she lost the hearts of her subjects, then her hopes of a Child, then the company (not to say affection) of her husband, then the City of Calais, then her mirth, then her health, then her life, which ended on the. 17. of November, 1558.
Queen ELIZABETH Second Daughter to King Henry the Eighth was born at Greenwich: Septemb. 7. 1533. She was Heire only to the eminences of her Father, his Learning, Bounty, Courage and Success; Besides Grace and true goodness, wherein she was Daughter to her Mother.
Her Learning appears in her two Latine speeches to the University, and a third little better then Ex tempore to the Poland Ambassador. Her bounty was better then her Fathers, less flowing from Humour, and more founded on Merit, and ordered with Moderation; seeing that▪s the best Liberality that so enricheth the Receiver that it doth not impoverish the Giver.
Her Courage was undaunted, never making her self so cheap to her Favorites, but that she still valued her own Authority, whereof this an eminent instance;
A prime Officer with a White staffe (whose name I purposely forbear) coming into her presence, the Queen willed him to confer such a place now voyd on one of her servants whom she commended unto him. Pleaseth your Highness, Madam, saith the Lord, The disposal thereof pertaineth to me by vertue of this white staffe conferred upon me. True, said the Queen; yet I never gave you your office so absolutely, but I still reserved my self of the Quorum: But of the Quarum, Madam, returned the Lord, presuming on the favour of her Highnesse.
Hereat the Queen in some passion snatching the staff out of his hand; you shall acknowledge me, said She, of the Quorum Quarum Quorum before you have it again. The Lord waited Stafflesse almost a day (which seemed …o long unto him as if the Sun stood still) before the same was reconferred upon him.
Her success was admirable, keeping the King of Spain at Armes. End all her Reign. She was well skilled in the Queen-craft; and by her policy and prosperity she was much beloved by her people insomuch that since it hath been said, That Queen Elizabeth might lawfully doe that, which King James might not. For although the Laws were equally the rule to them both, yet her popularity sugared many bitter things, her subjects thanking her for taking those Taxes which they refused to pay to her Successor. She died at Richmond March 24. Anno Domini 1602.
MARY; Daughter to King James and Anne of Denmark his Queen, was born at*Stow his Chronicle, pag. 862. Greenwich April 8. about eleven a clock at night, and soon after baptized with greater state, than the memory of any then alive in England could recover. King James was wont pleasantly to say, that he would not pray to the Virgin Mary, but he would pray for the Virgin Mary; meaning his own Daughter. But it seems his prayers prevailed not (Divine Providence having otherwise determined it) for her long life, who expired in her infancy, and lies buried at Westminster.
SOPHIA, youngest daughter to King James and Queen Anne, was born at*Stow in his Survey of London, (continued by How) p. 512. Greenwich the 22. day of June 1606. and departed this life three dayes after. This Royal Babe lieth buried nigh Queen Elizabeth, in the North part of the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh, represented sleeping in her Cradle, wherewith vulgar eyes, especially of the Weaker sex, are more affected (as level to their Cognizance, more capable of what is prety, than what is pompous)▪ than with all the magnificent Monuments in Westminster.
CHARLES eldest Son of King Charles and Q. Mary, was born at Greenwich Anno 1629. A fright of his Mother is generally reported to have accelerated, or rather antedated his nativity. The Popish Priests belonging to the Queen stood ready, watching to snatch the Royal Babe to their superstitious baptisme; but the tender care of King Charles did out▪ vigil their watchfullness, commanding Doctor Web (His next Chaplain in attendance) to Christen it according to the Church of England. This done, within few houres he expired, and lyes buried at Westminster.