King Richard III Revived, Part
To the high and mighty Prince,The new device of this Bloudy Uſurper, to intitle himſelf to the Crown of England, and take upon him the Regal Government. Richard Duke of Glouceſter.
PLeaſeth it your Noble Grace to underſtand the conſiderations, election, and Petition underwritten of us the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of this Realm of England, and thereunto agreeable, to give your aſſent to the Common, and publique weal of this land, and to the comfort, and gladneſſe of all the people of the ſame.
Firſt we conſider, how that heretofore in time paſſed this land for many years ſtood in great proſperity, honour, and tranquillity, which was cauſed for ſo much as the Kings reigning,Good Counſellors. uſed and followed the advice, and counſel of certain Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other perſons of approved ſageneſſe,Adminiſtration of Juſtice. prudence, policy, and experience, dreading God, and having tender zeal, and affection to indifferent adminiſtration of Juſtice, and to the Common, and publique weal of the land: Then our Lord God was dread, loved, and honoured; Then within the land was peace and tranquillity, and among the neighbours Concord and Charity; Then the malice of outward enemies was mightily reſiſted, and repreſſed, and the land honourably defended with many great and glorious victories; Then the intercourſe of Merchants was largely uſed and exerciſed;Merchandiſe, and Trade. by which things above remembred, the land was greatly inriched,Merchants. ſo that as well the Merchants as the Artificers, and other poor people;Artificers. labouring for their living in divers Occupations,Gains. had competent gain, to the ſatisfaction of them, and their houſholds, living without miſerable and intollerable poverty. But afterwards, when as ſuch had the rule and governance of this land,Adulation, Avarice. III Counſel. delighting in adulation, and flattery, and led by ſenſuality and concupiſcence, followed the counſel of perſons inſolent, vicious, and of inordinate avarice, deſpiſing the Counſel of perſons good, vertuous, and prudent, ſuch as above be remembred; the proſperity of this land decreaſed daily, ſo that our felicity was turned into miſery, and our proſperity into adverſity, and the order of policy,Laws Confounded. and the Lawes of God and man confounded, whereby it is likely this Realm to fall into great miſery, and deſolation, (which God defend) without due proviſion of convenable remedie be had in this behalf in all godly haſte.
Over this, among other things more ſpecial, we conſider how that the time of the reign of Edw: Edward the 4 his Mariage blemiſhed.4th. late deceaſed, after the ungracious pretended mariage (as all England hath cauſe to ſay) made betwixt the ſaid King Edward and Elizabeth, ſometimes Wife to Sir Iohn Gray Knight, late naming her ſelf, and many years heretofore Queen of England, Laws perverted.the order of politique rule was perverted, the Laws of God, and of Gods Church, &c. alſo the Laws of Nature, and of England, and alſo the laudable cuſtoms and liberties of the ſame, wherein every Engliſhman is inheritor,Liberties, and Laws every Engl…ſh mans Inheritance. Arbitrary Go-Force. is broken, ſubverted, and contemned, againſt all Reaſon and Juſtice: ſo that the Land was ruled by ſelf-will, and pleaſure, fear and dread, all manner of Equity and Law laid apart and deſpiſed, whereof enſued many inconveniencies and miſchiefs,Its miſchievous Fruits. Murders. Extortions. Oppreſſions. as Murders, Extortions, and Oppreſſions, namely of poor, and impotent people, ſo that no man was ſure of his life, land, or livelyhood, ne of his wife, daughter, or ſervant, every good maiden, and woman, ſtanding in fear to be raviſhed,Incettainty of Mens lives & Eſtates. and deflowred. And beſides this, what diſcorts, inward battels, effuſion of Chriſtian mens blouds,Diſcords. Warrs. and namely, by the deſtrnction of the Nobles blood of this land was had, and committed within the ſame,Nobles bloud deſtroyed. it is evident, and notorious through all this Realm, unto the great ſorrow, and heavineſſe of all true Engliſh men. And here alſo we conſider, how that the ſaid pretended Mariage betwixt the above-named King Edward, Kings Mariage without the Lords aſſent, & by ſorcery & witchcraf….and Elizabeth Gray, was made of great preſumption, without the knowing and aſſent of the Lords of this land, and alſo by Sorcery and Witchcraft committed by the ſaid Elizabeth, and her Mother Iaquet Dutcheſſe of Bedford, as the common opinion of the people, and the publique voice, and fame is throughout all this land,Void Mariage. and hereafter if the cauſe ſhall require, ſhall be proved ſufficiently in time and place convenient.Private Mari…e in a Chamber. And here alſo we conſider, how that the ſaid pretended Mariage was made privily, and ſecretly, without edition of banes, in a private Chamber, a prophane place, and not openly in the face of the Church, after the Law of Gods Church, but contrary thereunto, and the laudable cuſtom of the Church of England; and how alſo at the time of contract of the ſame pretended Mariage, and before and long time after the ſaid King Edward was and ſtood maried,Precontract. and troth-plight to one Dame Elinor Butler, daughter to the Earl of Shrewsbury, with whom the ſaid King Edward had made a Precontract of Matrimony, long time before he made the ſaid pretended Mariage with the ſaid Elizabeth Gray, in manner, and form aforeſaid. Which premiſſes being true, as in very truth they be true, it appeareth, and followeth evidently, that the ſaid King Edward during his life, and the ſaid Elizabeth, lived together ſinfully, and damnably in adultery, againſt the Law of God and of his Church; and therefore no marvel that the Soveraign Lord,Edward the 4. his ungodly diſpoſition. and head of the land being of ſuch ungodly diſpoſition, and provoking the ire, and indignation of our Lord God, ſuch heynous miſchief, and Inconveniences as are above remembred were uſed, and committed in the Realm amongſt the Subjects. Alſo it appeareth evidently, and followeth, that all the iſſue, His Children illegitimate, & Baſtards.and children of the ſaid King Edward be Baſtards, and unable to inherit, or claim any thing by inheritance by the Law, and cuſtom of England.
Moreover, we conſider how that afterwards by the three Eſtates of this Realm aſſembled in Parliament,The Duke of Clarence attainted by Parliament. holden at Weſtminster, Anno 17. of the reign of the ſaid King Edward the 4th, he then being in poſſeſſion of the Crown, and royal Eſtate, by Act made in the ſame Parliament, George Duke of Clarence, brother to the King Edward now deceaſed,His iſſue therby not inheritable and uncapableto claim the Crown. was convicted, and attainted of High Treaſon, as in the ſaid Act is contained more at large; becauſe, and by reaſon whereof, all the iſſue of the ſaid George was, and is diſabled, and barred of all right and claim that in any caſe they might have, or challenge by inheritance, to the Crown and Dignity royal of this Realm, by the antient Laws and Cuſtoms of this ſame Realm.
Over this,Richard the 3. declared undoubted & only heir to the Crown. we conſider, that you be the undoubted heir of Richard Duke of York, very inheritor of the ſaid Crown, and dignity royal, and as in right King of England by way of Inheritance; And that at this time the premiſes duly conſidered, there is none other perſon living but you only, that may claim the ſaid Crown and Dignity royal,An Engliſhman by birth. by way of Inheritance, and how that you be born within this Land, by reaſon whereof, as we deem in our minds,His pretended vertues & fitneſs to reign as King, without one word of his Murders, Treaſons, Regicides, Hypocriſy & other Vices. you be more naturally inclined to the proſperity and common weal of the ſame, And all the three Eſtates of the Land have, and may have more certain knowledge of your birth, and filiation aforeſaid. We conſider alſo the great wit, prudence, Juſtice, Princely courage, and the memorable and laudable acts in divers battels, which as we by experience know you heretofore have done, for the defence, & ſalvation of this Realm, and alſo the great nobleneſſe and excellency of your birth,His valour in battel. and bloud, as of him that is deſcended of the three moſt royal houſes of Chriſtendom, that is to ſay,His honourable and royal birth. England, France, and Spain, Wherefore theſe premiſes duly by us conſidered, we deſiring effectually the peace, tranquillity, and weal publique of this Land, and the reduction of the ſame to the antient honourable eſtate, and proſperity; And having in your great prudent Juſtice, Princely courage, and excellent vertue, ſingular confidence;*His election by the 3. ſtates & this Inſtrument to be K. of England. have choſen in all that in us is, and by that our Writing chooſe you high and mighty Prince our King, and Soveraign Lord, &c. to whom we know of*They make his hereditary Title, the ground of their Choice. certain it appertaineth of Inheritance ſo to be choſen. And hereupon we humbly deſire, pray, and require your moſt Noble grace,Their Petition and importunity to him, to accept of the Crown, though himſelf moſt eagerly thirſted after i…. that according this election of us the three eſtates of your Land, as by inheritance; you will accept,His hereditary right thereto, ſeconded by their election. and take upon you the ſaid Crown and royal dignity, with all things thereunto annexed, and appertaining, as to you of right belonging, as well by inheritance as by lawfull election; and in caſe you ſo do, we promiſe to aſſiſt and ſerve your Highneſſe,Their promiſe to aſſiſt, ſerve, & obey him, upon his acceptance thereof, as his Subjects, and to live and dye with him. as true, and faithfull Subjects and Liegemen, and to live and dye with you in this matter, and in every other juſt quarrel; for certainly we be determined rather to adventure, and commit us to the peril of our lives, and jeopardy of death, than to live in ſuch thraldom and bondage as we have done long time heretofore,Their pretended great Thraldom, Bondage, Oppreſſions, &c. under his Predeceſſors. Extortions. oppreſſed and injured by Extortions, and new Impoſitions, againſt the Law of God, and Man, and the liberties, and old policy, and Laws of this Land, wherein every Engliſhman is Inherited. Our Lord God, King of all Kings, by whoſe infinite goodneſſe,New Impoſitions againſt Laws and Liberties. and eternal providence, all things bin principally governed in this world, lighten your Soul, and grant you grace to doe as well in this matter as in all other,Nota. that which may be according to his will and pleaſure,Their prayer for him. and to the common and publique weal of this Land:Great Trouble (occaſioned partly by himſelf.) Juſtice. So that after great clouds, troubles, ſtorms, and tempeſts, the Sun of Iuſtice and of Grace may ſhine upon us, to the joy and comfort of all true-hearted Engliſhmen.
Albeit that the right,Richard the 3. His hereditary Title to the Crown by the Law of God and Nature. title, and eſtate which our Soveraign Lord King Richard the Third hath to, and in the Crown and Royal dignity of this Realm of England, with all things thereunto within the ſame Realm, and without it annexed and appertaining, bin juſt and lawfull, as grounded upon the Laws of God & Nature, and alſo upon the antient Laws and laudable Cuſtomes of this ſaid Realm; And alſo taken, and reputed by all ſuch perſons, as bin*The Lawyers flatter, and approve his Title. learned in the aboveſaid Laws and Cuſtom;
Yet nevertheleſſe,The Common people ignorant in the Laws. for as much as it is conſidered, that the moſt part of the people is not ſufficiently learned in the aboveſaid Laws and Cuſtoms, wherby the truth & right in this behalf of likelihood may be hid, and not clearly known to all the people, and thereupon put in doubt, and queſtion. And over this, how that the *The Parl authority with the people, when true, free, and real, conſiſting of the 3. Eſtates.Court of Parliament is of ſuch authority, and the people of this Land of ſuch a nature and diſpoſition as experience teacheth, that manifeſtation and declaration of any truth or right, made by the three Eſtates of this Realm aſſembled in Parliament, and by authority of the ſame, maketh before all other things, moſt faith, and certain*Its Declaration quieteth all mens minds, removeth all doubts & ſeditions. yet he that conſiders 39 H. 6. n. 8. to 33 1 E. 4. n. 8. to 40. will ſcarce believe this for a truth, neither proved it ſo in his own caſe. quieting of mens minds, and removeth the occaſion of doubts, and ſeditious language.
Therefore, at the requeſt, and by the aſſent of the *The 3. Eſtates muſt all concurr to make a Parliament, and valid Election. They decree and declare him undoubted King of this Realm, by inheritance and their lawful election coupled together.Three Eſtates of this Realm, that is to ſay, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of this Land aſſembled in this preſent Parliament, and by authority of the ſame, be it pronounced, decreed, and declared, that our ſaid Soveraign Lord the King was, and is the very undoubted King of this Realm of England, with all things thereunto within the ſame Realm, and without it, united, annexed, and appertaining, as well by right of conſanguinity and inheritance, as by lawfull election, conſecration and Coronation.
And over this, that at the requeſt, and by the aſſent and authority aboveſaid, be it ordained, enacted, and eſtabliſhed, *The Crown ſetled & entailed on him, and the heirs of his body. that the ſaid Crown, and royal dignity of this Realm, and the Inheritance of the ſame, and all other things thereunto within this Realm, or without it, united and annexed, and now appertaining, reſt and bide in the perſon of our ſaid Soveraign Lord the King, during his life, and after his deceaſe in his heirs of his body begotten, and in eſpecial at the requeſt, and by aſſent, and the authority aforeſaid, be it ordained, enacted, eſtabliſhed, pronounced, decreed and declared, that the high and excellent Prince*His Son declared heir apparent. Edward, Sonne of our ſaid Soveraign Lord the King, be heir apparent of the ſame our Soveraign Lord the King, to ſucceed to him in the aboveſaid Crown and royal dignity, with all things (as is aforeſaid) thereunto united, annexed, and appertaining, to have them after the deceaſe of our ſaid Soveraign Lord the King, to him, and to the heits of his body lawfully begotten.
Quae quidem B…lla Communibus Regni Angliae in dicto Parliamento exiſtentibus tranſportata fuit, cui quidem Billae idem Communes aſſenſum ſuum praebuerunt ſub hiis verbis: A ceſte Bille les Communs ſont aſſentes; quibus quidem Billa & aſſenſu coram Domino Rege in Parliamento pradicto, lectis, auditis, & plenè intellectis, & de aſſenſu Dominorum Spiritualium & Temporalium in dicto Parliamento ſimiliter exiſtentium, et Communitatis praedictae; nec non authoritate ejuſdem Parliamenti pronunciatum, decretum, & declaratum exiſtit, omnia, et ſingula in Billa praedicta contenta fore vera et indubia, ac idem *Here he creats & ratifies his own Title.Dominas Rex, de aſſenſu dictorum trium Statuum Regni, et authoritate praedicta, omnia & ſingula praemiſſa in billa praedicta contenta concedit, et ea pro vero et indubio pronunciat, decernit, et declarat.
Eccleſ. 1. 9, 10, 11 The thing which hath been, it is that which ſhall be: and that which is done, is that which ſhall be done; and there is no new thing under the Sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be ſaid, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things, neither ſhall there be any remembrance of things that are to come, with thoſe that ſhall come after.
Yet it is both ſolid Piety, Policy, Prudence, in ſuch an age as this, for all conſiderate, conſcientious Engliſhmen, adviſedly to remember, read, conſider the Tragical ends, *Pſal. 73. 17, 18, 19. Pſ. 92. 6, 7.as well as the ſucceſsfull Beginnings, Proceedings of this King Richard, and his activeſt Inſtruments, to gain and ſettle the Kingſhip on him by ſuch Politick Stratagems.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Prynne, King Richard III Revived (1657)