The nine English Worthies, or famous and worthie Kings of England; being all of one name, beginning with King HENRY the first, and concluding with HENRY now Prince of Great Britaine.
King Henry the First.
KIng Henry the first was the sonne of William the Brother to William Rufus, that was immediately before King of England: which worthy King for his wisdom, learning, iudgement, and honourable policy was surnamed Henry Beuclarke, or the faire Writer and good Scholler. He [Page 2] began his raigne the fift day of August, Anno Domini 1100. He was crowned at Westminster, raigned 35. yeares, and 4. moneths, lacking 4. dayes: he was strong of body, comely of stature, blacke haired, large and faire eyes, a Princely and a pleasant countenance, excelling in thrée vertues most commendable and comfortable to the subiects of his time, viz, Wisedome, Eloquence, and Ualour.
His Epitaphe.
King Henry, the Second of that name.
HE was a Frenchman borne, the second sonne of Ieffrey Plantaginet, Earle of Aniow, begotten of Mawde the Empresse, daughter to King Henry the first; he began his raigne ouer this noble Kealme of England the 25, day of October, in the yeare after the incarnation of our Sauiour Christ 1154. and departed this life in An. 1189. in the 61. yeare of his age, after he had raigned 34. yeares, 9. moneths, and two dayes. And heere may be thought (sayth the Historiographer) that the raigne of the Frenchmen, and the names tooke an end, after they had borne sway 122. yeares, after the comming in of King William the Conqueror. For, those Kings which raigned after this Henry the second, may rightly be called [Page 4] Englishmen, because they were borne in England and vsed the English tongue, custome, and manners, according to the nature and quality of the Country. His body was buried at Fountverand, which is an Abby situate not far from the Eagle, within the Dutchy of Almucon.
His Description.
HE was a man of good stature and very wel formed, of comely conntenance, partly red hayred, grey eyes, of wit quicke, and perfect good memory, so that he could remember long al things of any moment, which he had eyther heard or séene; of body somewhat fleshy, and strong, and could abide very patiently the displeasures both of colde and heate, he had a large head, a broad breast, and very spare of dyet, the rather because he would not be too fat, therefore when he was at leasure and free from warres, his exercise was hunting, and progresse trauels.
He was a Prince of stout stomacke and inuincible courage, more resolute and constant in time of aduersitie, then in prosperitie: liberall to all men, but chiefely vnto souldiers. Pittifull to the poore (an excellent vertue and nature in a Prince). For proofe whereof in a time of dearth which happened in Aniow and Mayne, hee did at his owne cost and Princely pitty: feede ten thousand poore people euery day with good victuals, from the first of Aprill till the last of Iuly, An. Dom. 1176. And aboue his Princely and most magnificent house-keeping he stored garners, cellars, and store-howses, religious persons and their howses. Tributes and Taxes he tooke verie seldome, and those not great. Hee was very expect in feates of warre, and no lesse fortunate therin. He would praise his Captaines and men of warre after their deaths to encourage those that liued; hee was well learned as [Page 5] those Princes aforesayde, and excéeding wise. His care to haue Iustice duly administred in his Realme was excéeding great, in so much that finding that the Sheriffs in his time were rather inclined to seek their owne gaine, then to deale vprightly with his subiects, hee appointed Sapranisors ouer them to ouer sée their doings, as if they had béen Controllers, so as an awfull regard made them circumspect, and wary in their doings. He ordained also punishment for Hunters in Forrestes and groundes of warren, either by fines or byimprisonment. He ordained that murtherers should be hanged, other offences he punished with losse of limmes, and otherwise as the qualitie of the offence required. Most carefull hee was to haue iustice administred without corruption. He tryed men of sundry sorts to execute iustice with iustice, but in fine hee referred it to the Bishops and Clergy men, hoping in that profession to finde the most integritie: and yet he little regarded the Bishop of Rome or feared his censures, as is manifest by the history of Thomas Becket in this Kings time, and sundry others.
I find two Latine Epitaphes translated into rude English by the Writer of this whole Historie, the effect wherof somewhat reformed is, as followeth.
King Henry the third.
KIng Henry, the third of that name was the eldest son of King Iohn, the yongest son of king Henry the second: being a childe of the age of nine yeares he began his raigne ouer the realme of England the 19. day of October, in the yeare of our Lord 1216. he was crowned at Glocester by the hand of two Bishops: viz. VVinchester and Bathe, by the honorable meanes of William Marshall then Earle of Pembroke. He was a Prince of great wisdome, power, and policy, by whose eloquent oration this young king was crowned as is here mentioned: he departed this life at VVestminster the 16. day of Nouember, Nota. in the yeare of our Lord 1272. after he had liued 65. years and raigned King of this Realme 56. yeares & 28. dayes: [Page 8] hee was buried at VVestminster, lefte a Princely and a very honourable issue, as Edward Prince of VVales, who succeeded him by the name of King Edward the first. He had one Sonne more and three daughters, he was of body well cast (to vse the former writers owne words) being strong and of a good stature, well fauoured, and of a be wtifull face, only blemished a little in the lid of one of his eyes, of nature very curteous, and of stomacke both noble and stoute, as may appeare by his many battailes and victories, a deuaut Prince toward his God, and bountifull in works of reliefe, and comforts towards the poore and néedie: therefore a Worthy, and worthy of th'ensuing Epitaph.
His Epitaphe.
King Henry the fourth.
WHen king Richard the secod had resigned the crown, as in his history it appeareth he did, Henry Plantaginet borne at Bollingbroke in the county of Lincolne, Duke of Lancaster, Earle of Hertford, Lecester and Lincolne, was with the general consent both of the Lords and commons of the Realm published, proclaimed, and declared king of England, France, and Lord of Ireland: he was crowned at VVestminster in An. 1399. with great and kingly Maiestie, all Officers of estate and of princely seruice doing their homages, and attending vpon the same. He departed this life the 20. day of March 1413. and in the yeare of his age [Page 10] 46. when he had raigned 13. yeares fiue moneths and od dayes.
The manner of his death.
THis king was indued with magnanimity, and did purpose a voiage against the infidels, and to haue with his force and might redéemed Palestina, or the holy land then so called, from the Infidels. Hauing an army and all honourable prouisions for such a iourney ready, and beeing the time of his high court of Parliament, hee fell sodainely and extreamely sicke, as he was then (though vainly) praying before Saint Edwards shrine: from whence being remoued into a chamber of the Abbots of VVestminster called Ierusalem, he departed as is aboue sayd. But during the time of his sicknesse, say some Writers, he caused his crowne to be set vpon a pillowe at his beddes head: and sodainely the pangs of death hauing power ouer him he seemed dead, and the gentlemen Attendants couered his face with a vaile. That valiant Prince his sonne being aduertised thereof, entred into the chamber, tooke away the Crowne and departed. The King his father reuiued quickly, and did perceiue the lacke of his crowne, and hauing knowledge that the Prince his sonne had taken it away, he caused him to appeare before his presence, demanding of him how he durst presume to such an act. Who made vnto the king an humble and princely answere: but the king answered with a powerful Maiestie, saying with a great sigh; Wel fayre Sonne, what right I had to it God knoweth, yet I commit all to God, and wish vnto you all good graces from him worthy of so high and mighty a calling; so yelding vp the ghost in the Abbot of VVestminsters chamber called Ierusalem as is aforesayd. And himselfe being tolde that the same chamber was so called hee tooke comfort [Page 11] there at and much reioiced therin: for, determining a most honourable iourney towardes Ierusalem, hee did end his dayes in Ierusalem.
His Description.
THis King was of a mean stature, well proportioned and formally compact, quick, prompt and ready of wit, of a stoute courage, and in his latter dayes hee shewed himself so gentle that he obtained more loue amongst the Nobles and people of this Roalme, then he had purchased enuie concerning his right to the Crowne mentioned to the Prince his sonne: he was buried at Canterburie, the King his sonne being present at his funeralles.
His Epitaphe.
King Henry the fift.
THe Prince of Wales son and heire to king Henry the fourth was born at Mounmouth in Wales vpon the riuer of Wy: after his Father was departed this life, he tooke on him the regiment of the Realme of England the 20. day of March: and beeing proclaimed King by the name of Henry the fift, the yeare of our Lord 1413, such great hope & good expectation was had of this kings fortunate successe to follow, that within sowre dayes after his Fathers departure, diuers Noble men and honourable personages did to him homage, and sware to him due obedience: which had not béen séen done to any his predecessors [Page 14] [...] [Page 15] [...] [Page 14] kings of this Realme, till they had been possessed of the Crowne.
Hee was crowned the ninth day of Aprill beeing Palme-sonday: and béeing a very fierce and cruell day for variety of fowle weather, men diuined and déemed diuersely what might insue of such a beginning.
But whatsoeuer mens fantasies might or did coniecture, yet this was the King, that according to the prouerbe did shewe and declare indéede how trewe and new honor ought to make exchange of old and euill manners. For no sooner was he inuested king and had receiued the Crowne, but hee did put vpon him the shape of a newe man, turning insolency and wildenesse, into grauity and sobernesse: and whereas hee had passed his youth with wanton and dissolute wild yong gentlemen who had led him into all excesse of ryot, in so much as one of his youthfull traine beeing committed by the Lord chiefe Iustice for misdemeanour, the youthfull Prince did strike the Lord chiefe Iustice vpon the face, who also presently committed the Prince to straite and close prison. The King his Father mainetained the Lorde chiefe Iustice; banished the Prince from his presence and Courte, did remoue him from the Counsell Table, and woulde not readmit him into fauour, vntill with submission extraordinary hee obtained the same. But as before beeing placed in the seate Royall, hee called these Gallants before him, toulde them of his and their owne faultes, banished them from his presence, not vnrewarded nor yet vnpreferred, inhibiting them vpon a great payne, not once to approach, lodge, or soiourne within ten myles of his Courte or Mansions. And then hee made choise of graue, wise, and politicke Counsellors: by whose high wisdomes, and prudent aduertisements [Page 15] he might at all times rule to his honour, and gouerne to his profit. And considering with himself what charge hee had in hand, and what appertained to his duty and office, he trusted not too much to his owne wisedome, Iudgement, and directions: but as is aforesayde he called to his Counsell such honourable personages as might assist him in the gouernmēt of so weighty a charge to instruct him with such good reasons and fruitefull perswasions, as that thereby he might shewe himselfe to his subiects, a Mirror of vertue, and an example of iust and vpright dealing. And hauing first laid the foundations of his gouernment sure, he did prouidently forecast and consider in his Princely minde, that euery good gifte and euery perfect gifte commeth downe from the Father of lightes. He determined withall to begin with something most acceptable to his diuine Maiestie. And therfore cō manded the Clergy sincerely & truly to preach the Word of God and liue accordingly; that they might be as they ought to be, and their profession required, lanternes of light to the temporaltie. The Lay men he commanded to serue God and obey their Prince, prohibiting them aboue all things the breach of matrimony, the fowle abuse of swearing, chiefely of wilfull periury: and to that end he ordained good & holesome lawes, and presently summoned a Parliament, in the which in honor of ye most noble order of ye garter, he ordained the day of S. George euer after to be kept with a double feast: in this his first parliament, he propounded matters of questiō touching the hierarchy of Churchgouernment, that time; but was answered with the iust and lawful title which he had to the kingdome of France. Which when he had conceiued to pursue, the Dolphin of France a valiant yong prince, sent vnto his Maiesty a barrel of tennis bals, as if he would haue sayd, these are fit instruments for such a young gentleman to play withall as you the King of England is, & not at these [Page 16] years to forecast the conquest or rather a Reconquest of the noble and renowned kingdome of France, which the King my Father, and I the Dolphin doe and will possesse mauger the power of England.
But this redoubted king, magnanimous, wise, graue, and settled to all kingly resolutions, sendeth the Dolphin this mild and sober answere. Go tell that gallant yong gentleman your Master, that I doe thanke him for his present, and will with all speed prepare to send him in requitall such store of London bals, as shall batter the strongest holdes, make stoops the most bewtifull Towers, and make flat the chimnies, and roufes of houses, about his and his Fathers eares, that are contained in the realme & confines of France. For I will make the highest crowne to stoop, and the proudest miter to kneele down; yea and that before one yeare doe passe me, by the power of God. Which thing to make good he slacked no time, omitted no occasiō, lost no opportunitie, but made preparation both by sea and land to execute the full of his intended purposes.
Being furnished for the expedition of the fleet, ready for his Maiestie and Armies to saile forth for the intire conquest of all France, behold a conspiracy was practized against this immaculate king, by the Earle of Cambridge and others at Sowthhampton, vpon whom he commanded (though sore against his wil, as some Authors do affirme) execution to be done vpon his going to shipborde, making it knowen by a most louing and princely Oration how vnwilling hee was to haue taken life away, or to haue left the noble Earle of Camebridge deade and sequestred from his then victorious voyage.
Yet had he seene or foreséene at that time to haue shewed the like vpon the Earle of March: Richard Duke of Yorke had not claimed afterward as he did, nor confounded the state and gouernement of this kings onely [Page 17] sonne, nor wrought his owne end at Wakefield as he did: but the Almighty is and euer wil be all in all.
This his first and honourable voyage into France, his warlike proceedings there, his conquest of many particulars, his battaile or most famous victorie at Agincourt, where hee slewe and subiected to himselfe, as prisoners and captiues, al the flower and chiualry of France, his returne againe into England, his second voyage backe againe, his second conquest of all France, the Homages of Philip duke of Burgundy with other estates of France, his mariage with Katherin the French Kings daughter, his triumphant stay there in Paris, his Princely or rather Emperiall howsekéeping there, his returne againe into England, his last returne into France, his settling of the estate there, his Coronation at Paris, the most Propheticall censure of Prince Henry his Sonne borne at VVindsor, and afterward King of England crowned also in Paris King of France, his vntimely or most lamentable death, his returne into England in mournefull funeralls, are extant in his histories, and the best worthy of reading, in regard of his owne Princely Person, valour, vertues, and most excellent actes, of all the other Chronicles of the English Nation. And yet to obserue the order and decorum of my poore endeuour in abstracting the beginnings and endings of eight most worthy Kings, and all Henries, I will conclude this most worthy king, with the manner of his death, and description, vsing the Hystoriegraphers owne words, phrase, and manner; as not to be amended by any.
The King fell sicke, and so was brought to Boyes de Vincens, and thither came to visit his Maiestie (with heauy hearts) the Dukes of Bedford & Glocester: the Earles of Salisoury, and VVarwicke; whom the King right louingly welcomed, and shewed himselfe to be no lesse glad of their presence: but when he did see them pensiue for his [Page 18] sicknes, and danger wherein he lay, with many graue pithy and courteous words recomforted them the best hes could, and there with he exhorted them to be trusty and faithfull vnto his sonne, to sée that he might be vertuously educated, and brought vp: concerning the rule and gonernance of his Realmes, during the minority and yong yeares of his sayde sonne, he willed them to ioyne together in all friendly loue, and concord, kéeping continuall peace and amity with the Duke of Burgundy and neuer to make treaty with Charles, who calleth himself Dolphin of Vyenne, by the which any part of the crown of France, or of the Dutchy of Normandy and Gwyene might be lessened and diminished. And further that the Duke of Orleance, and the other Princes should remaine prisoners till his sonne came to lawfull age, least by returning they might kindle more fire in one day, then could well be quenched againe in thrée. He further aduertized them, that if they thought it necessary, then it should be good to haue his brother the Duke of Glocester to be Protector of England during the minority of his sonne: And his brother the Duke of Bedford with the help of the Duke of Burgundy to be Regent of France.
Commanding him with fire and sword to persecute the Dolphin, vntil hee had either brought him to reason and obeisance, or else to driue and expell him out of the Realme of France. And herewith he protested vnto them that neither ambitious desire to inlarge his Dominions neither to purchase vaine renowue and worldly fame, nor any such consideration had mooued him to take that war in hand, but onely that in prosecuting his iust Title, hee might in the ende attaine to perfect peace, and come to enioy those peeces of his inheritāces which to him of right belonged: and that before the beginning of the same wars he was fully perswaded by men both wise and holy of life, he might and ought vpon such inteut, both begin [Page 19] the same warres and follow them til he had brought them to an end, iustly and rightly; and that without all danger of the Almighties displeasure, or perill of sowle.
The Noble men present promised to obserue his precepts and performe his desires: but their hearts were so pensiue, and replenished with sorrow, that one could not for wéeping behoulde an other. Then hee receaued the Sacrament and fell to deuout prayer: and in saying of certaine Psalmes méet for the present time, hee ended the dayes of this life, the last day of August, Anno 1422.
His Description.
THis Henry was a king whose life was immaculate, and his liuing without spot, this king was a prince whom all men loued, and was of none enuied, this prince was a Captaine against whom fortune neuer frowned, nor mischance once spurned: this Captaine was a Shepheard, whom his flocke both loued and obeyed. This Shepheard was such a Iustitiary, that he left no offence vnpunished, nor good desert vnrecompenced & fully rewarded. This Iustitiary was so feared, that all rebellion was banished, and Sedition suppressed. His vertues were no more notable then his other qualities were worthy of prayse. In strength, and nimblenesse of body, from his youth fewe or none were to him comparable. In wrestling, leaping, and running, no man (almost) durst with him presume. In casting of great iron bars, & heauie stones, he excelled commonly al men: cold weather neuer made him siothful, nor hot caused him to shrink, & whē he most labored his head was vncouered: [Page 20] he was no more weary of his armor, then of a light cloak. Hunger and thirst to him were neuer noysome, he was neuer afraide of a wounde, nor would shrink for the paine in dressing, he neither turned his nose from ill sauoures, nor from smoake and dust would close his eyes, no man could be found more temperate in eating and drinking, whose dyet was not too delicate, but rather more méete for men of warre, then for dainty and delicate persons: euery honest person was permitted to come to him euen sitting at meales, and either secretly or openly to declare their minds, and intent: high and waighty causes as wel betwéen men of warre, as other he would gladly heare, and either determine them himselfe, or commit them to other to giue sentence. He slept very little, and that was mooued either by bodily labour, or vnquietnesse of minde: but béeing in sléepe no small noise could awake him; insomuch as when his souldiers did sing, or minstrels play in the campe that it sounded withall, then hee slept most soundly. His courage was inuincible and his heart so immutable that fear was banished from him. If an Alarum chanced to be raised by his enemies he was the first in armor, and the first that would set forward: in the time of warres he would not only get knowledge what his enemies did, but what they sayd, and intended to do; so that all things to him, were knowne aforehand. And of his deuises, fewe persons before the execution of his purposed intent should be made priuie: he had knowledge in the ordering and guiding of an army, and such a rare gifte to encourage his men to fight, that the Frenchmen sayde it was impossible for him to be vanquished in battaile: he had such wit, such prudence, and such policy, that he neuer enterprised any thing before he had fully debated it, and foreséen al the maine chances that might happen: and when the end was once concluded, he with all diligence and courage set his purpose forward. What policy hée [Page 21] had in finding sodaine remedies, from present and dangerous mischiefes, and what practise he vsed in sauing himselfe and his people in sodain distresses, except by his acts they did plainely appeare, it would séeme incredible to be tolde; and no lesse admirable how hee did abstaine from lasciuious liuing, and auaritious desires in such time and estate of riches and prouoking youth. In the time of losse he was no more sad then in the times of victory, which cō stancy fewe Princes haue euer vsed. To speake of his bounty and liberality, no man could be more free, gentle and liberall in bestowing rewardes vpon all persons according to their deserts: sauing that hee did not regarde money to kéepe, but to giue away, and to spend. What may besayd? he was the Myrror of al Christendome, and the glory of his Country, the flower of Kings passed, and the glasse of all succéeding Maiestie. No Prince had lesse of his subiects, no king conquered more: whose fame by his death liuely florished, as his acts in his life were séene and remembred. The losse of such a Prince could not bée sufficiently lamented of his subiectes: blaming fortune for taking away so precious a iewel, so noble an ornament so sure a defence: for no doubt so much hope as was taken away from the Englishmen (the assured conquest of all France) by his sodaine death, so much trust was increased in the French nations stomackes to recouer their late losses againe; as not many yeares after they did indéed: Peeter Basset Esquier, and one of his chamber, affirmed that he dyed of a Pleurisy, there were others that did astirme otherwise, but the most likely was a Pleurisy indeed; the nature of that disease being then vnknowen to Phisicians, or to the world in those dayes especially.
This King raigned nine yeares, fiue moneths and three and twenty dayes: and liued not full thirty eight yeares: he was of stature higher then the common sort, of body leane, singularly proportioned and strongly made, [Page 22] of face bewtifull, something long necked, blacke haired, stoute of stomacke, eloquent of tongue, in Martiall affaires a perfect maister, and of chiualry the very peragon: His body inbalmed and lapped in lead was layd in a chariot royall, richly apparelled in cloth of golde: vpon his corps was layde a representation of his person, adorned with robes, diademe, scepter, and ball, like a king: the which chariot was drawen with sixe horses richly trapped with seuerall armes; the first with the armes of S. George, the second with the armes of Normandy, the third with the armes of king Arthur: the fourth with the armes of S. Edward, the fift with the armes of France, the sixt with the armes of England and France. On this Chariot gaue attendance Iames King of Scotland principall Mourner, his Unkle Thomas duke of Exceter, Richard Earle of Warwicke, Edmond Earle of March, Humfrey Earle of Stafford, Edmond Earle of Mortaine. The Nota. Lord Fitz Hugh, Hugh L. Beufort, Walt. L. Hungerford Sir Lewis Robsert, Lord Bourchier, Sir Iohn Cornwall, Lord Fanhope, and the Lord Cromwell were the mourners. The Lord Louell, the Lord Audley, the Lord Zouch, bare the banners of Saints: the Baron of Dublin bare the standard, The Earle of Longvile bare the banner. The Hatchments were borne onely by Captaines to the number of twelue, and round about the Chariot rode fiue hundred men at Armes all in black armour, and their horses barbd with black, carrying the but end of their spears vpwards. The conuoy of this dolorous funerall was committed to Sir William Philips Treasurer of his househould, & to Sir William Porter his chiefe caruer and other mourners: on each side the chariot were 300. men bearing long torches, and Lords bearing banners, baueroles and penons. Nota. With this funerall pompe he was conuaied from Bois De Ʋincens to Paris; and so to Roan, to Abuill, to Calis, to Douer, and so through London to Westminster, [Page 23] where he was buried with such solemnities as to such a Prince appertained; especially such lamenting of the Lords, and such mourning of the Commons, asn euer before those daies were seene in the Realme of England.
There is as I doe thinke an Epitaph fixed vpon his Tumbe, at Westminster: but I held it my dutie to continue my course in writing a simple one of my owne, in honour of him, &c. His Epitaphe.
King Henry the sixt.
AFter yt death had bereft the World of that noble Prince King Henry the fift, his only sonne Prince Henry béeing of the age of nine moneths or thereabout with the sownde of Trumpets was openly proclaimed King of England and of France, the thirtéenth day of August Anno. 1422. by the name of King Henry the sixt. The custody of this young Prince was committed to the Duke of Exceter, and to Henry Beuford Bishop of Winchester. In the eight yeare of his raigne & the same of his age, he was with all solemnity crowned king at Westminster: not long after which time he tooke the sea at Douer, landed at Calis, from thence to Roan, and so to Paris, whither attended [Page 26] on him his Uncle the Cardinall of VVinchester, the Cardinall and Archbishop of Yorke, the Dukes of Bedford, Yorke and Norfolke, the Earles of Warwicke, Salisbury, Oxford, Huntington, Ormond, Mortaine, and Suffolk: of Gaskoines, there were the Earles of Longvoile and March, besides many Noble men of England, Gwyen, and Normandy: and the chiefe of the French Nation, were the Dukes of Burgundy, Lewis of Luxenburgh Cardinall and Chauncelor of France for King Henry, the Bishops of Bauiors and Noyom, both Péeres of France; the Bishop of Paris and diuers other Bishops: the Earle of Ʋandemont, with a great number of other Noble-men, superfluous to be named. And hee had a Guarde about his person of thrée hundred choyse Archers, some on horsebacke, and parte on foote. With what tryumphes, pageants, riche and sumptuous shewes hee was receaued into Paris, woulde bee too tedious to repeate. On the seauenth day of December, he was crowned King of France in our Lady Church (so called) in Paris, by the Cardinal of Winchester; the bishop of Paris not being contented that the Cardinall should execute such an high office in his Church and Iurisdiction. After all ceremonies finished, the king returned to the palace, hauing one crowne on his head, and another borne before him, one scepter in his hand and another borne before him: A triumphant feast and great reioysing, but mingled with distaste by means of the proud Cardinall of Winchester; who, preferring his owne wil before the weale publike, controlled that mighty Prince and valiant Captaine, the Duke of Bedford Protector of France: which malice moued, and heart-burning broched by the Cardinall, was remembred and reuenged by the Nobility. But my only purpose being to select forth the name of Henry, and but to note their beginnings & endings, by way of abstract I will leaue this worthy yong prince yet a while, and tell [Page 27] the vntimely death of Iohn Duke of Bedford, a tale worthy of note and memory, and this is it: viz.
This yeare the fourtéenth day of September 1436. dyed Iohn Duke of Bedford and Regent of France, a man most politicke in peace, and no lesse hardy in warre, and yet no more valiant then mercifull when he had the victory: whose body was with al funeral pomp and solemne obsequies buried in the cathedrall Church of Roan in the North side of the quier vnder a sumptuous & costly monument &c. Which Tumbe when King Lewis the 11. knew to be his, and was incited by certaine indiscréet Frenchmen to deface the same, he answered; What honour shall it be to vs, or to you, to break this monument, and to pull forth of the ground the dead body of him, whom in his life time, neither my father nor your progenitors with all their puissance and friendes were not once able to make flee one foote backward; but by his strength wisedome and policy, he kept them all out of the principall Dominions of the realme of France, and also out of this Noble and famous Dutchy of Normandy: wherefore I say first, as God hath his soule, so shall his body now ly in rest, who when hee was aliue would haue disquieted the proudest of vs all. And as for the Tombe, I doe assure you it is not so decent nor conuenient, as his honour and actes deserued, no although it were more riche and more bewtifull then it is.
But to returne according to the occasion, and by the way to touch this worthy Prince. His misfortune in his minority, was the cause of his Nobles dissention: and that the cause of an vnméete and vnfortunate mariage; so that the Prince in his yong yeares spent all the honour power and pleasures of this mighty and worthy King, whose life was immaculate like his Fathers, whose patience ouercame all his perplexities. Once deposed from his regal state, and dignity, and once [Page 28] againe restored (in which interim was his propheticall speach to those Princes and Nobles about him, touching the young Earle of Richmond a child of tenne yeares old, Beholde (sayth he) stedfastly beholding the young Earle: This is hee, whome wée and all our Aduersaries must giue place vnto, when all is done) He was againe deposed, committed to the Tower of London, his onely son slaine, his Quéene tooke sanctuary, his Nobles, best subiects, and all his partakers slaine in sundry battailes: himselfe lastly murthered in prison; and yet his patience, integrity, godly life and good workes were no lesse commendable, then the acts of his father were famous, and honorable. He reigned 38. yeares, 6. moneths and odde dayes; and other 6. moneths after his readeption of the crowne. Heliued 52. yeares.
To censure him, ye God punished him for his grandfathers & fathers faultes, or that miracles were wrought by him, I neither will belieue, nor write, as the writer of his historie doth, nor of King Henry the seauenths purpose to haue him canonized for a Saint: but yet the loue of that most mighty King, that in the zeale of this Kings immaculate life would haue had him remembred for such holines, doth commend my purpose (which is) to commend him for the sixt worthy (and in ranke also) aboue all other his princely deedes. The kings colledge in Camebridge, and Eaton Colledge neere VVindsor, are both very excellent monuments of his princely liberality: and my selfe haue obserued forty yeares together that God blessed both those houses, the one for education, and the other for bringing forth very excellent schollers.
His Description.
HE was of a seemely stature, of body slender; to which proportion all his parts were answerable. His face was very bewtifull: wherin was euer resident a sweet reseblance of bountie, wherwith his Royall heart was naturally indewed, and euer thereunto inclined. He abhorred all vices both of the body and of the soule. His patience was such, that of iniuries done to him (which were innumerable) he did neuer seeke vengeance; thinking and saying, that for such aduersities as befell him, his sinnes should be forgotten and forgiuen: what losses soeuer did happen vnto him, he neuer estéemed nor made account thereof: but if any thing were done which séemed to offend the Almighty, that hee lamented with sorrowfull repentance.
His Epitaphe.
King Henry the seauenth.
THat most valorous, vertuous, and politicke Prince, King Henry the seauenth, needeth not any preamble for his birth and education: onely he was the true & vndoubted heire of the house of Lancaster, and came to the Crowne by the conquest of his enemy Richard Plantaginet late Duke of Glocester; but later a most horrible murtherer, registred Homicide, Tyrant, and Usurper of the crowne of England: of whom I will make no further mention, but that this mighty Prince conquered him, and his people in foughten field. At Bosworth in the county of Lecester 22. day of August 1485. the conflicte and conquest was determined.
[Page 33] So preuailed King Henry the seauenth, the day and yeare aboue sayd, to the great glory of God, and the continued comfort (euer since) of all trew and faithfull English hearts. Now this King being by conquest absolute, by power able, by birth heir Apparant; yet to settle and make stedfast his raigne and succession, he maried Elizabeth, the daughter of king Edward the fourth, next heire of the house of Yorke: and so reunited both those howses (most honorable in themselues) into one intire monarchie, into one vnity, into one body, into one (I say) and that a most happie one, into one bed; and blessed be that bedde, and the séed for euer, that sprang and still springeth of that generation. This vnion, or knitting of these two famous howses both together, was the end of long continued ciuill warres, the death of nobilitie, destruction of the comminalty, the griete of foraine Princes, the lamentation of Citties, the outcry of the people. The State, before this vnion, was so rent and torne, that it was thought a thing impossible euer to haue béene reconciled againe: therefore this gracious beginning doth prognosticate a happie continuance and neuer to haue ending.
Yet the Dutches of Burgundy, a Princesse of state and stomacke, being Aunt to Elizabeth the Quéene, did so much maligne this great and excellent good, that she set vp many mawmentes and apysh toyes of purpose to distemper the peace of this vnion: as rearing vp Perkin Warbecke, a base dutch vassall, to vsurpe the name of Richard Duke of Yorke, the second sonne of king Edward the fourth; who with his tender yong brother king Edward the fift, had by their vnnaturall Uncle béen both murdered in the Tower. Many vaine and surmiled images she aduanced to distemper the state, vntill time and succession made an end of her malice: which also by a lingring sicknesse tooke this worthy an excellent king forth of this World. But, before his death, hee married the [Page 34] Lady Margaret (his eldest Daughter) to King Iames the fourth King of Scotland: which mariage I thought good to insert, as it is recorded in the course of his history; viz.
Iames the fourth king of Scotland, a mighty and a valiant Prince, hauing had sundry fewdes, and garboyles wich the English Nation, and that in the interim of truce, and abstinence of warre, especially about Norham castle; the Bishop of Durham Richard Foxe owner of that castle in the right of the Bishopricke wrote diuers letters of submission to the sayd K. and the K. againe to the Bishop, & one letter in conclusion of many things, that the bishop of Durham should come into Scotland to him about weighty affaires.
The Bishop certifying the King his Soueraigne of the premisses, The King commanded the Bishop by his letters to satisfie the Scottish Kings desires, which he tooke to be both reasonable and honorable: and of which message the Bishop was verie glad.
So going into Scotland the king himself most gratiously & curteously receaued this Bishop at the Abby of Melrose, and after some expostulation with the Bishop touching some slaughter done vpon his Subiects at Norham Castle, and the Bishops submisse and gentle answers thereunto, the King gaue the same most like a King the hearing. And afterward called the Bishop into a secret place garden or gallery, where no witnesses were admitted but only the King and the Bishop, and then he declared vnto him what iust causes had mooued him in times past to séeke amitie with the king of England which now he desired to haue confirmed, and to hold inuiolable for euer, if the sayd King would vouchsafe to conioyne in matrimony with him the faire and bountifull Princesse L. Margaret the K. eldest daughter. In the behalf whereof we were purposed to send our Embassadors to the K. your master. [Page 35] But we thought good first to proue your loue, good liking and forwardnes towards vs and our good liking to your king, his daughter, his subiects and dominions.
The Bishop answered but fewe words: only he sayde that when he was returned to the King his master, hee would in so great and waighty a cause doe the best offices that hee coulde. When the Bishop was returned into England and came before the king, hee declared to his Maiestie all the communication which had passed betwéene king Iames of Scotland, and him, from point to point in order.
The king liked excéeding well of the motion, as he to whom peace was euer a soueraigne salue.
But hauing then a mariage in nuptiall celebration almost, betwéen Arthur Prince of Wales, and Katherine the Infant of Spaine, the mariage with Scotland being hastened by both the kings: in the very triumphs of the former mariage, king Iames sendeth an Earle, a Bishop & diuers noble personages, who were receaued into London for the consummation of his mariage with the aforenamed Lady Margaret: which Earle by proxey, in the name of king Iames his master affied and contracted the said lady. The which affiance was published at Pauls crosse the day of the conuersion of S, Paul being the 25. day of Januarie supposed. In the reioicing wherof Te Deum was sung, & great bonefiers made throughout the Citty of London.
All these things being accomplished, the Imbassadors both of Scotland and Spayne tooke their leaue of the king and departed, not without great rewards to both the Embassadors.
Not long after, the Lady Margaret affyed as aforesaid was sent towards the king her husband: the conueiance of which princesse was committed to the Earls of Northumberland & Surrey, the Earle of Northumberland being L. Warden of the Marches, and was commanded to deliuer [Page 36] her at the very confines of both the realmes. And thereupon she was remoued from Barwicke to Lamberton Kyok in Scotland; where the kings Maiestie met her, and with him all the flower of Scotland of Noblemen and Gentlemen; and where the Earle of Northumberland according to his commission deliuered her vnto the king of Scotland. The Earle of Northumberland that day was so richly apparrelled in garments garnished with goldsmithes worke, stone and pearle, his Hexemen also and the barbes and trappings of his horses, besides 400. tall med well mounted & apparelled in his liuery & colours, that he seemed more like a king then an Earle.
From Lamberton the foresaid Lady was conuaied to Edenborough; and there, the day after, king Iames espoused her in the presence of all the Nobilitie of Scotland, and of those English that attended her, with great feastings banketings, iustes, and Princely pastimes: and after all things finished to such a solemnity appertaining, the Earle of Surry beeing chiefe in commission, with the Earle of Northumberland, and all the other English Lords and Ladies returned into their Countrey againe.
But as al earthly creatures and things transitory haue their end and period, so had this Mighty prince K. Henry the seauenth. For his sicknesse increasing daily more and more, he well perceaued that his end drew néere: therefore meaning to doe some comfort to his people, hee did grant them of his owne free motion a generall pardon for all men, and for all offences committed against any his Lawes and Statutes: Thieues, Murtherers, and certaine others were excepted: he also payde the fées of all prisoners in and about the gaoles of London abiding there onely for that dutie: Hee payde also the debts of all such persons as lay in the Counters or Ludgate for forty shillings, and vnder, and some he relieued that were condemned in ten pounds. Generall prayer being made to God [Page 37] for the restitution of his health, neuerthelesse hee was so wasted with his long Malady, that nature could no longer sustaine his life, and so he departed this life the 22, of Aprill, 1509 at his palace at Richmond: his corps was conuaied to Westminster with all funerall pompe, and there buried by the good Quéen his wife in a sumptuous Chappell, which he not long before had caused to be builded. And as the greatest Trauellers haue reported it is one of the most bewtiful and most curious peeces of work in the World.
His Issue.
HE raigned twentie thrée yéeres, seauen moneths & od dayes and liued fifty two yéeres: he had by his Quéene fowre sonnes, and fower Daughters, of the which number there remained aliue behinde him, Henry his second son, prince of Wales, which after him was king: Margaret Queene of Scotland, and Marie promised to Charles king of Castile.
His Description.
HE was of body but leane and spare, yet mighty and strong therewith, of personage and stature somewhat higher then the common sorte of men: of a wonderfull bewtie and faire complexion, of countenance merry and smiling, especially in his communication: his eyes gray, his téeth single, and haire thinne, of Nota, wit in all things quicke and prompt, of a princely stomake, and hauty courage; in great perils, doubtfull affaires and matters of importance supernaturall and as it were diuine: for he ordered all his dooings aduisedly and with great deliberation.
[Page 38] He was sober, modest, moderate, honest, curteous, bountious; so much abhorring pride, and arrogancy, that he was euer sharpe and quicke to all about him noted with that fault, he was also an vpright Iustice: by the which one propertie he wan to him the heartes of many people. He left to that lustie valiant and gallant young Prince his sonne and heyre many excellent good partes and properties of a Prince, as also Coffers full stuffed with coyne, iewells and treasure. To conclude, he had in him as many good giftes both of body and minde, and fortune as it was possible for any King to haue: his politicke wisedome in gouernance was ūngular, his wisedome alwayes assured, reasons pithy and substantiall, his memorie fresh and holding, his experience notable, his counsels fortunate and taken by wise deliberation, his speeches grations in diuers languages: leagues and confederations he had with all Princes Christian, his mighty power was dread euery where both within his owne Realme and without, all his people were to him in humble subiection as euer they were to King: his land many a day in peace and tranquilitie, his prosperitie in battayle against his enemies was maruellous: his dealing in time of perils and dangers was cold and sober, with great hardinesse. If any treason were conspired against him it was miraculously discouered: his buildings most sumptuous, and goodly, all of the newest forme and fashion and cast all of pleasure. So this king liued all his time in fortunes fauour, in high honour, wealth, and glory, and all which wrought his fame in this world, and the same euerlasting in the world which shall neuer haue end.
His Epitaphe.
King Henry the eight.
KIng Henry the eight was borne at Greenwich the 22. of Iune, Anno. 1492. He began his raign the 22. day of Aprill. 1509. he raigned, 37 yeares, 9. moneths and od dayes, being 18. yeares olde when he began to raignè. And although this worthy king was in years young, in person strong, bewtifull and valiant, in treasure rich passing any his predecessors, mighty and worthy in power and in action: yet being adorned and bewtified with learning to his Princely magnanimity, he ordained his Councell by the aduice of his gracious grandmother the [Page 42] Countesse of Richmond and Darby, such as he knew to be prudent indéed, and the kings his father most deare and familiar friends: some of whose names I thought good to insert, for the especiall and singular effects which insued of their most honourable and graue counsels: viz.
Thomas Lord Haward Earle of Surrey and Treasurer of England, George Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewsebury and Steward of the kings householde: Charles L. Somerset Lord Chamberlaine, after Earle of Worcester, and others: which wise and graue Counsellers, séeing what aboundance of wealth this young king was now possessed of, least it might incline his young yeares vnto riotousnesse, and forgetting of himselfe (for not to any King before him was left the like riches in ready coyne, iewels, and plate, and excellent moueables, as to him by his famous father King Henry the seauenth) therefore those most honourable Counsellers did labour to attaine his Princely presence, in their secret méetings, and most honourable priuie counsels; that by degrées they might win him to suruay at least the affaires of a kingly office, and Princely gouernment.
Which also he slacked not to do: for within lesse then 5. yeares after, to wit, the 20. of Iuly in the fift yeare of his reigne, he entred into France with a puissant power; and mighty army, wan the strong Townes of Torney▪ and Turwin, had in pay (as souldiers mercenary) that most famous Emperour Charles the fift, and also the Palsgraue of the Rhene, which wore Saint Georges crosse: in which time also was fought that famous battaile of Branxstone or Floden-field, where the King and the flower of all his chiualry was conquered by the valiant hands, of Norfolke, and Hawardes.
In the sixt yeare of his raigne the Pope did send him a cappe of maintenance, in those dayes the highest degrée of honour: and the same Pope was mediatour to him [Page 43] for peace, in the French Kings behalfe, and for the confirmation thereof the French king married the kings yonger sister Mary, and dyed shortly after.
In the twelfth yeare, the king made a most famous, pleasant, and princely voyage into France, with atriumphant traine of Nobles, Ladies, &c. for an interuew betwéene him & his Quéene and States on the one party, which was performed in the valley of Andrean, with many varieties of princely showes, as the history thereof at large describeth that voyage;
And that in his way the Emperor Charles met his Maiestie at Canterburie kéeping Whitsontide there, with the king.
In the fouretéenth yeare of his raigne, he was by a Bull from Rome, ordained or intitled the defender of the Christian faith, which title was then giuen to him and his successors for euer.
The same yeare also he receaued into his Realme the forenamed Charles the fift Emperour againe into the Cittie of London, with Great triumphes, &c. inuosted him with the Garter, and habit of that most honourable order, sware league and amity during both their liues.
In the 18. yeare he contracted league with the french K. to hold both those kings liues, and one yeare after; hee was also inuested, with the coller and order of S. Michael, and the French king with the Garter and order of S. George.
The twentie three yeare hee (or the lawe for him) did confiscate Cardinall Wolsey a proude and wealthy Prelate in the statute of premunire, had great treasure therby, as also great fines of all the Clergie, for defence of the Cardinals power Legatine: and about the same time, he took vpō him the title Supream head of the church &c. For the which & for the suppressiō of Abbeies immediatly after; [Page 44] howsoeuer the Pope and his successors since haue presumed to curse him and his blessed succession (his Daughter Mary only excepted):
Yet the Almighty hath blessed both him, and them, Edward and Elizabeth since, and long O Lord vouchsafe to blesse the trewe and lineall descent of noble King Henry the seauenth.
But sure it was a wonderfull Kingly Maiestie in that valiant King: who possessed but a part of great Britaine, nor hauing fast friendship with the other part, but many domestick and ciuill garboiles at home: all or the maior parts of Christendome, holding then Rome and her religion for Catholicke and vniuersall: all which notwithstanding, this most famous and mighty king did abolish and abandon, to his euer immortall praise and wonder of the world. How did God after this blesse his sonne, although but with young yeares and short raigne, yet with miraculous might: and his second sister raigning almost forty and fiue yeares, with immaculate happinesse.
And after this also he warred against the French king, wonne the Tower of Bulloyne and many other partes on that side, forced that Nation to composition, brought home peace, honor, wealth; and in the excéeding loue of his people, he ended his life, at his palace at White-hall, the eight and twentieth day of January, Anno 1546. when he had reigned thirty and seuen yeares, nine moneths, and odde dayes, triumphantly, and in great felicitie, leauing the Issue before mentioned, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. His body, according to his Will in that behalf, was interred at Windsor, with all funeral Pompe, in the Chappel, and Colledge of S. George, Patron of the Garter; whereof almost 38. yeeres hee had béene sole Souereigne.
His Description.
THis worthy Prince was right fortunate in all his doing [...] ▪ so that (except onely in his mariages) all other his attempts had good successe as wel in matters of peace, as of wars. Of personage he was tall and mightie, yet excéeding comely: but towards his latter end grosse and (as wee tearme it) bourly: in wit and memory very perfect, of great Maiestie; yet so tempered with gracious humanitie as best became so high an estate: a great fauourer of Learning & learned men, and of himself not ignorant of diuine Learning, nor morall literature: and for his great magnificence and bountious liberality his renowne was spred throughout the World.